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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> ALDERMAN ERVIN.

>> IN THE FLESH.

>> ALDERMAN ERVIN IS PRESENT.

>> QUITE A SIGHT.

CITY COUNCIL RESUMES IN-PERSON MEETING AND PASSES AFFORDABLE HOUSING RULES AIMED AT CURBING DISPLACEMENT.

>> I CALL ON HIM TO RESIGN HE HAS NOT DONE THAT.

>> A BLUNT LIGHTFOOT ON THE LATEST BOMBSHELL IN THE PROSECUTION OF ALDERMAN ED BURKE.

>> ONE COP GETTING CONVICTED IS NOT JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD.

>> COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS REFLECT ON DA DEREK CHAUVIN'S GUILTY VERDICT AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR POLICING IN CHICAGO.

>> THE CONNECTION BETWEEN CHICAGO'S GANGS AND GUN VIOLENCE AND AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE ACCESS ON SHOPS.

>> THERE IS NO TRUST IN THIS PROCESS.

>> PEOPLE OF COLOR TRYING TO GET INTO THE LEGAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY ARE STILL SHUTOUT.

COULD A BILL BREAK THE LOGJAM.

>> YOU CANNOT HEAR MANY SPEECHES BY CHICAGO'S FIRST BLACK MAYOR BUT AN ARCHIVE MAKES HAROLD WASHINGTON'S SPEECHES TO READ.

>> A DESIGNER INSPIRED BY HER DAUGHTER'S SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER CREATES A SPECIALLY DESIGNED CLOTHING BRAND.

SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

NEW DETAILS IN THE SWEEPING FEDERAL CORRUPTION CASE AGAINST ED BURKE.

THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE RELEASED A 227-PAGE DOCUMENT TODAY IN RESPONSE TO PRETRIAL MOTIONS MADE BY THE BURKE LEGAL TEAM.

THE GOVERNMENT GOES IN DEPTH ON THE CHARGES AGAINST THE ALDERMAN CENTERED AROUND USING HIS POSITION IN CITY COUNCIL TO STEER BUSINESS TO HIS TAX APPEAL LAW FIRM.

IN ONE PASSAGE BURKE IS CAUGHT ON A WIRETAP MAKING ANTI-SEMITIC STATEMENTS AND TRADING CITY FAVORS FOR PERM BUSINESS.

QUOTE... >> THIS COMES AS BURKE AND OTHER ALDERMEN MET FOR AN IN-PERSON CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN A YEAR WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THE MEETING AND THE DOCUMENT COMING UP.

>> AND PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT 2700 NEW CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS SINCE YESTERDAY WITH 28 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

THAT MAKES FOR A TOTAL OF 1.3 MILLION CASES SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN WITH 21,722 DEATHS.

THE SEVEN-DAY TEST POSITIVITY RATE DROPPED TO 3.8% AND THE STATE REPORTS 140,000 VACCINE DOSES IN THE LAST 24 HOURS AS WELL.

THE PUSH FOR A CHICAGO POLICE CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT BOARD GOT STAR POWER.

DEMONSTRATORS TOOK TO THE STREETS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO MARCH IN FAVORITE OF COMMUNITY DRIVEN PROPOSALS CIRCULATING IN CITY COUNCIL.

THEY GOT A BOOST FROM ACTOR DANNY GLOVER WHO URGED COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ORGANIZE UNTIL THE ORDINANCE IS PASSED.

>> THE WORK THAT YOU DO, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU DO AS WE STAND OUT HERE IN THE COLD IS ESSENTIAL TO MAKING THIS CITY WHAT IS POSSIBLE TO BE WHAT IT COULD POSSIBLY BE.

THE CITY FOR THE PEOPLE.

THE CITY FOR THE PEOPLE.

>> AND MORE ON EFFORTS AT POLICE OVERSIGHT IN JUST A MOMENT.

HOW ABOUT THAT CITY COUNCIL MEETING?

AFTER A YEAR OF MEETING REMOTELY 28 ALDERMEN GATHERED IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS JOINED BY THE COLLEAGUES VIA ZOOM.

HEATHER CHERONE WAS THERE, TOO, AND JOINS US NOW.

HEATHER YOU WERE IN THE PRESSROOM TODAY.

MUST FELT GOOD TO BE BACK.

WHAT WAS THE MOOD AT CITY COUNCIL LIKE?

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAID IT WAS A LITTLE BIT LIKE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AND AT ONE POINT THERE WAS SUCH A BUZZ IN THE CHAMBER FROM ALDERMEN GREETING ONE ANOTHER WITH HUGS AND KISSES AND HANDSHAKES THAT SHE HAD TO AMODDISH THEM TO BE QUIETER SO THE CITY COUNCIL COULD CONTINUE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS.

IT WAS DIFFERENT.

THERE WERE ONLY 28 ALD METROPOLITAN IN PERSON.

22 ALDERMEN LOGGED NONPARTICIPATING REMOTELY VIA ZOOM AS WE HAVE ALL DONE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THERE WERE REAL WHETHER I STRICT SOCIAL DISTANCING -- REALLY STRICT SOCIAL DISTANCING FOR THE SEATS NOT THAT THEY FOLLOWED THEM EVERYBODY WAS GLAD TO SEE THEM.

EVERYBODY WORE MASKS.

AND IT WAS A LITTLE BIT BUMPY AT TIMES AS ALDERMEN WHO WERE REMOTE OR IN-PERSON TRIED TO BE HEARD.

BUT IT CERTAINLY A STEP FORWARD AND ALDERMAN SPOSATO SAID IT BEST SAYING IT WAS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS SIGNALING THAT CHICAGO IS READY TO REOPEN AT LEAST A LITTLE BIT.

>> ONE OF THE ALDERMAN WAS ED BURKE WHO MIGHT HAVE SECOND-GUESSED THAT DECISION ONCE THAT FEDERAL DOCUMENT CAME OUT AND TO THE SUBSTANCE WHAT THEY DID, THEY PASSED AN ORDINANCE THAT WILL STRENGTHEN THE CITY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING STOCK.

ALTHOUGH SOME SAY IT'S NOT GOING FAR ENOUGH.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> THESE DISAPPOINTING, AGAIN.

THAT OUR REALTY IN THE STREETS ARE DEVELOPERS WHO GET THEIR WAY IN A TIME WHEN WE ARE SO CLOSE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT.

AN AGREEMENT FOR THE FAMILIES OF OUR COMMUNITIES THE COMMUNITIES MOST VULNERABLE AND AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC.

>> THIS IS ONE SIGNIFICANT TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX THAT WILL HELP US.

WE HAVE TO DO MUCH MORE.

WE HAVE TO CREATE MORE HOUSING ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

BUT THIS ORDINANCE BEFORE US TODAY IS GOING TO CREATE MORE AFFORDABLE UNITS IN OUR CITY, ALLOW PEOPLE TO LIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES THAT THEY GREW UP IN.

>> SO WHAT DOES THE ORDINANCE DO SPECIFICALLY?

AND WHY WERE SOME OPPOSED?

>> WELL, ALDERMAN BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ'S BIG CONCERN WAS THAT IT DOES NOT DO ENOUGH TO HELP THE POOREST CHICAGOANS FIND A SAFE, NICE PLACE TO LIVE.

HE ALSO WANTED THE ORDINANCE TO DO MORE TO CREATE FAMILY-SIZED UNITS.

THAT MEANS TWO BEDROOMS, THREE BEDROOMS WHERE A WHOLE FAMILY CAN LIVE COMFORTABLELY.

AND THIS ORDINANCE REALLY DOESN'T ADDRESS THAT ISSUE BUT IT TRIES TO REQUIRING SOME UNITS TO BE TWO BEDROOM.

IF YOU WANT TO BUILD A PROJECT THAT NEEDS PERMISSION FROM THE CITY, YOU WILL HAVE TO BUILD -- SET ASIDE 20% OF THOSE UNITS IN MOST AREAS OF THE CITY INCLUDING AREAS OF THE CITY LIKE PILSEN WHICH ALDERMAN BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ REPRESENTS WHERE PEOPLE ARE BEING DISPLACED.

LONG TIME RESIDENTS ARE BEING DISPLACED.

YOU WILL HAVE TO SET ASIDE 20% OF YOUR UNITS IF YOU WANT TO BUILD IN AN AREA WITH LITTLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

LIKE THE FARTHER WEST SIDE WHERE THERE'S LITTLE OF THAT KIND OF HOUSING THAT THE CITY HAS BUILT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DECADES.

THERE IS A LOT TO BE DONE AS ALDERMEN ACKNOWLEDGED TODAY.

>> ON ANOTHER ISSUE, POLICE OVERSIGHT.

THERE IS A PROPOSAL CIRCULATING THAT HAS BEEN CIRCULATING TWO PROPOSALS MERGED INTO ONE FOR A CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT BOARD.

THE MAYOR HAS NOT PUT FORTH A PLAN YET.

HERE IS WHAT SHE SAID IN RESPONSE TO YOUR QUESTION.

>> NOTHING IS BEING DONE SECRET IT'S MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE LISTENING THAT WE ARE ANTICIPATING THE FULL RANGE OF UPSIDES AND DOWNSIDES AND WE ARE NOT TAKING A VOTE AS WAS SCHEDULED EARLIER THIS YEAR ON SOMETHING THAT HAD A BUNCH OF TBD PROVISIONS IN AN ORDINANCE.

>> HEATHER WHEN IS SHE GOING TO PUT FORTH HER ORDINANCE AND WHAT WOULD BE IN IT?

>> SHE SAID SHE WILL PUT IT OUT WHEN IT'S READY AND SHE DID NOT ANSWER WHEN I ASKED WHAT THE HANG UP WAS.

AS YOU SAW OUTSIDE CITY COUNCIL TODAY PEOPLE ARE GETTING ANTSY.

>> SOME THINGS GOING BACH TO NORMAL.

IN-PERSON AND NOT ANSWERING REPORTERS' QUESTIONS.

HEATHER CHERONE SEE YOU IN A BIT FOR SPOTLIGHT.

AND TO BRANDIS FRIEDMAN WITH MORE ON POLICE OVERSIGHT.

>> PARIS, POLICE REFORM ACTIVISTS SAY YESTERDAY'S GUILTY VERDICT IN THE TRIAL OF FORMER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER DEREK CHAUVIN WAS A MOMENT OF RELIEF AND CATHARSIS ALMOST A YEAR AFTER THE KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD.

BUT MANY SAY IT IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG FOR POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

IN CHICAGO, SOME ARE CALLING FOR NEW LIMITS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S FOOT PURSUIT POLICY AFTER AN OFFICER SHOT AND KILLED 13-YEAR-OLD ADAM TOLEDO LAST MONTH.

AND A COALITION OF GROUPS ARE PUSHING AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ESTABLISH CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF THE C.P.D.

JOINING US ARE AREWA KAREN WINTERS OF THE GROUP JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES AND CO-CHAIRS A COMMUNITY WORKING GROUP ASSEMBLED TO EXAMINE C.P.D.

'S USE-OF-FORCE POLICIES.

>> JAZMINE SALAS, CO-CHAIR OF THE CHICAGO ALLIANCE AGAINST RACIST AND POLITICAL OPPRESSION.

AND ERIC WILKINS, AN ORGANIZER WITH COMMUNITIES UNITED WHICH WAS INVOLVED IN ESTABLISHING THE FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE OVERSEEING C.P.D.

WE DID INVITE THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION BUT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY HEAR BACK ON OUR REQUEST.

AREWA KAREN WINTERS, LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE, WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO YESTERDAY'S VERDICT OUT OF MINNEAPOLIS?

>> I WAS -- IT'S ALMOST UNDESCRIBABLE BUT I WAS VERY OVERJOYED.

MY HEART SANK BECAUSE SO OFTEN WE HAVE VERY SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT NOT THE SAME OUTCOMES.

AND SO IT WAS A VICTORY FOR THE PEOPLE.

AND JUSTICE PREVAILED BUT IT DOES NOT MEAN JUSTICE PREVAILED ALONG WITH IT AND YESTERDAY JUSTICE PREVAILED AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

>> ERIC YOU HAVE WORKED ON POLICE REFORMS IN CHICAGO FOR YEARS WHAT DID THE VERDICT MEAN TO YOU?

>> I AGREE WITH HER THAT IT WAS IT FELT GOOD, IT FELT GOOD.

BUT KNOWING SO MUCH MORE WORK THAT HAS TO BE DONE IN CHICAGO WHERE BLUE LIVES MATTER IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN IN MINNESOTA.

SO I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A HARDER TASK MAKING IT RIGHT.

>> WHAT WAY DO YOU THINK IT'S HARDER HERE IN CHICAGO?

>> THE CODE OF SILENCE HAS BEEN DONE FOR YEARS.

YOU KNOW, THE JOHN BURGE ERA.

HE DID 25 YEARS.

IT IS A CODE.

THEY LIVE.

AND MY FAMILY WITNESSED IT FIRSTHAND.

>> JAZMINE SALAS YOUR GROUP IS PUSHING FOR THE EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN OR ECPS WHICH WOULD ESTABLISH CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF C.P.D.

WHAT EXACTLY WOULD THAT DO?

>> IT WOULD GIVE THE COMMUNITIES IN CHICAGO A SAY IN WHO CONTROLS OUR POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM, CURRENTLY ALL OF THE KEY POSITIONS LIKE THE C.O.P.A.

ADMINISTRATOR AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE ARE APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR.

AND WE FEEL PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY SHOULD HAVE A VOICE-OVER WHO IS LEADING THE SYSTEM AND OVER POLICE POLICY.

AND ECPS WOULD PUT A BINDING REFERENDUM ON THE BALLOT FOR VOTERS WHO WANT MORE DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OVER THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT INCLUDING FUNDING AS WELL AS APPOINTING OTHER POSITIONS.

>> AREWA KAREN WINTERS, WHAT SPECIFIC REFORMS COULD THE CHAUVIN TRIAL LEAD TO HERE IN CHICAGO?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW I'M GLAD THAT ERIC LISTED UP ABOUT OUR CODE OF SILENCE WHAT WE SAW IN MINNESOTA THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT AND THEY SAID THAT IT WASN'T THEIR TRAINING.

THAT SOME ASPECT OF TRAINING BUT HE DID USE EXCESSIVE FORCE.

I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN HERE IN CHICAGO WHERE POLICE OFFICERS COME OUT AND SPEAK AGAINST FELLOW POLICE OFFICERS.

BUT YOU KNOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CHICAGO IS ONE OF THE OLDEST MODERN POLICING SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD.

AND SO IT'S ANTIQUATED SYSTEM AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE ORIGINS OF IT DERIVE FROM [INAUDIBLE] YOU CANNOT SEPARATE A THING FROM ITS ORIGINAL HISTORY.

UNTIL -- AND WE KNOW THEY DIDN'T DISMANTLE THAT SYSTEM THAT SOME PARTS OF OUR CURRENT SYSTEM STILL OPERATE IN THAT RACIST FRAMEWORK THAT WAS DOES NOT KEEP PEOPLE SAFE IT WAS TO ESPECIALLY SLAVE PEOPLE AND TO HARM PEOPLE.

AND SO I DON'T CARE HOW MANY BLACK OFFICERS THEY HIRE, BROWN OFFICERS THEY HIRE, WOMEN OFFICERS THEY HIRE UNTIL THAT IS DONE AWAY WITH, THIS IS GOING TO BE A FOREVER FIGHT.

WE ARE GOING TO TIP TO BE -- CONTINUE TO BE IN THE PREDICAMENTS AND THEY DON'T SHARE POWER WITH COMMUNITY VOICES.

THEY WILL NOT SHARE POWER WITH US.

WE ARE BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE HERE IN OUR CITY.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAYS SHE IS WORKING TO DRAFT HER OWN POLICE OVERSIGHT BILL BUT IT HAS YET TO BE INTRODUCED.

HERE IS WHAT SHE SAID TODAY.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL CHANGE IN POLICING MAYBE EVER IN CHICAGO.

THERE IS A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS THAT NEED TO BE HAD.

THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE HAPPENING.

THEY MAY NOT BE VISIBLE TO FOLKS BUT I THINK WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO BEING READY TO PROVIDE AN ALAN ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL.

>> DO YOU THINK ANY OF THE MAYOR'S PROPOSAL WOULD SATISFY PARTS OF YOUR OWN?

>> NO.

NOT AT ALL.

I THINK LORI LIGHTFOOT HAS SHOWN HERSELF TO STAND WITH THE POLICE, SHE HAS DEFENDED CROOKED COPS AND THEIR BEHAVIOR AS THEY BRUTALIZED PROTESTORS AS THEY DID LAST SUMMER.

I DON'T TRUST HER TO MAKE OUR SYSTEM MORE DEMOCRATIC AND THE FACT SHE SCOLDED ALDERMAN BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ ON THE COUNCIL FLOOR SHOWS SHE IS OPPOSED TO ANY POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT GIVES THE COMMUNITY A DECISIVE SAY IN C.P.D.

POLICIES AND THAT IS NOT RIGHT.

>> ERIC, DO YOU THINK CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT WOULD LEAD TO MEANINGFUL CHANGES IN HOW THE DEPARTMENT POLICES BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES IN PARTICULAR?

>> YES, I BELIEVE IT WOULD.

BUT WHAT THIS SYSTEMIC RACISM THAT GOES ON THEY CANNOT ALLOW IT TO HAPPEN.

I TALK WITH GUYS WHO ARE OFFICERS AND WHO ARE NOT IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY SHOULD BE IN.

FIRST WHEN YOU FIRST THINK ABOUT OFFICERS, YOU WANT SOMEBODY THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS.

AND IN ROSELAND MOST OF THE OFFICERS DO NOT LOOK LIKE US.

HOW CAN YOU CHANGE SOMETHING IF YOU DON'T COME IN READY TO CHANGE.

THEY ASK QUESTIONS AND EXPECT ANSWERS.

WE WOULD TALK YOUNGER TO ASK THEM AND LET THEM DO IT BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO ANYWAY.

I HAVE TWO YOUNG BLACK MALES NINE AND FIVE YEARS OLD IT'S SCARY.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK, THE CO-CHAIR OF C.P.D.

'S USE-OF-FORCE COMMUNITY GROUP LAST TIME YOU SPOKE WITH US THE DEPARTMENT ACCEPTED ONLY FIVE OUT OF 150 RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE GROUP.

HAVE YOU MADE ANYMORE PROGRESS IN RECENT MONTHS?

>> WELL, WE ARE STILL AT THAT TIME WE WERE IN NEGOTIATIONS BUT WE ARE IN NEGOTIATIONS AND THAT IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IT'S BECAUSE OF THE INDEPENDENT MONITOR MAGGIE HICKEY SUGGESTED WE STAY IN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE'RE MAKING.

WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A FULL SUMMARY AS TO WHERE WE ACTUALLY LANDED BUT THE NEXT TOPIC IS FOOT PURSUIT AND THE COALITION WHO WORKS WITHIN THE CONSENT DECREE WE GAVE A DRAFT IN 2019 OR LATE -- OCTOBER 2019 BUT OUR MAYOR HAS NOT MET WITH US TO SPEAK WITH US OR DIALOGUE SO IT WENT INHEARD.

AND I SAID MAYBE HAVE THAT CONVERSATION STARTED IN 2017 WHEN WE STRONGLY SUGGESTED THEY HAVE A FOOT PURSUIT POLICY IN PLACE MAYBE WE COULD HAVE AVOIDED ADAM TOLEDO, AND ANTHONY ALVAREZ BUT IT DID NOT HAPPEN BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE.

HERE WE ARE.

>> HERE WE ARE.

AND THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

THANKS TO AREWA KAREN WINTERS, ERIC WILKINS AND JAZMINE SALAS.

>> THANK YOU.

THERE'S MORE NEWS AHEAD INCLUDING A LOOK AT THE CURRENT STATE OF GANGS IN CHICAGO.

FIRST, FORMER REAL ESTATE AGENT DINA LEWIS MOVED FROM NEW YORK CITY TO CHICAGO IN 2018.

SOON AFTER, SHE DECIDED TO PURSUE A PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVOR THAT WAS PERSONAL TO HER.

DESIGNING CLOTHING FOR KIDS WITH SPECIAL SENSORY NEEDS.

EVAN GARCIA VISITED THE DESIGN STUDIO OF MINOR DETAILS CLOTHING BRAND TO LEARN MORE.

>> NINE-YEAR-OLD HANNAH LEWIS LIVES WITH SENSORY PROCESS DISORDER THAT CAN AFFECT HOW YOU FEEL THROUGH TOUCH, SIGHT AND SOUND.

HANNAH'S MOM, DINA LEWIS NOTICED CHANGES AROUND AGE 3.

>> SHE COULDN'T HANDLE LOUD SOUNDS AND BRIGHT LIGHTS AND CLOTHING BECAME A CHALLENGE.

TO SAY THE LEAST.

WE HAD MELTDOWNS EVERY MORNING.

TRANSITIONING INTO ANY SEASON THAT INVOLVED SLEEVES BECAME AGONIZING AND I REALIZED SHE DID NOT LIKE THE FEELING OF CLOTHING AGAINST HER SKIN.

>> WHILE LOOKING FOR CLOTHING TO FIT HANNAH'S NEEDS DINA DID NOT FIND ANYTHING INSPIRING.

>> THE OPTIONS WERE HORRIFIC.

A LOCAL OF SOLIDS AND BASIC.

AS SHE GOT OLDER I WANTED TO CREATE SOMETHING MORE FUN AND STYLISH THAT SHE WOULD WANT TO WEAR.

>> IN 2019, WITH THE HELP OF DESIGNER LAUREN MARK, DINA LEWIS LAUNCHED MINOR DETAILS A LINE OF CLOTHING DESIGNED TO GIVE COMFORT TO KIDS WITH SENSORY NEEDS.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE SENSORY PROCESSING ISSUES SOME KIDS WANT MORE THEY WANT TO FEEL THINGS MORE.

THEY WANT TIGHTER CLOTHES AND FEEL LIKE A HUG.

AND OTHER KIDS WANT LESS INPUT.

THEY WANT CLOTHES THAT DON'T TOUCH THEIR SKIN.

WE HAVE CREATED THESE WHICH IS A BERMUDA SHORT.

DROP CROTCH, VERY, VERY SOFT FABRICS.

WE DID OUR ZOOMS SO THEY ARE -- SEAMS, SO THEY ARE LOW IMPACT AGAINST THE SKIN.

WE DID NOT DO ANY TAGS ON THE CLOTHING.

>> LIKE SOME ADULTS THAT FIND WEIGHTED BLANKETS THERAPEUTIC THIS IS DESIGNED FOR WEIGHTS.

>> WHEN YOU OPEN IT, YOU HAVE YOU FIND SMALL POCKETS THROUGHOUT THE JACKET THESE CAN ACCOMMODATE WEIGHTS.

THEY CAN ACCOMMODATE RAISINS FOR KIDS THAT DON'T.

>> AT THE DELICIOUS DESIGN LEAGUE WHERE KIDS MAKE GRAPHICS FOR MINOR DETAILS HANNAH PROMOTES HER MOTHER'S BRAND.

>> WHAT I LIKE IS HOW COMFORTABLE THEY ARE AND HOW IT'S SOFT AND IT SOLVES MY DISORDER.

>> KAREN DIFFER SAYS FOR SOME CHILDREN COMFORTABLE CLOTHING CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

>> SO MANY OF THE KIDS THAT I WORK WITH IN MY PRACTICE ARE JUST REALLY SENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS.

WHAT THAT MIGHT MEAN IS THEY HAVE A REALLY HARD TIME JUST BEING HAPPY, FUNCTIONAL KIDS WHEN THEIR CLOTHES FOOL TOO SCRATCHY OR ITCHY 0.

>> FOR NOW PEOPLE CAN FINE MINOR DETAILS ON-LINE AND DINA PLANS TO MAKE HER CLOTHING MORE INCLUSIVE.

FOR CHILDREN WITH BRACES OR PORTS THEY NEED TO ACCOMMODATE TO BRING THE CLOTHING TO A POINT WHERE IT CAN SERVE AS MANY KIDS AS NEEDED.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M EVAN GARCIA.

>> THERE ARE DIFFERING OPINIONS ON SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER WITHIN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY.

SOME DOCTORS BELIEVE IT IS A STAND ALONE CONDITION AND OTHERS THINK IT IS A SYMPTOM OF DISORDERS LIKE AUTISM AND SOME BELIEVE CERTAIN CHILDREN ARE SENSITIVE TO STIMULI.

AND IT HAS AN ADULT LINE.

GO TO OUR WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE.

>> ON THE DOCKET: A FIX FOR HOW THE STATE AWARDS LICENSES TO OPERATE IN THE LEGAL CANNABIS BUSINESS.

CONSUMERS MAY NOT NOTICE IT BUT THE LICENSING PROCESS HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH ISSUES.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINING US WITH MORE.

>> IT'S BEEN LEGAL IN ILLINOIS FOR ADULTS TO SMOKE, EAT OR OTHERWISE USE POT FOR NEARLY A YEAR-AND-A-HALF.

AND IT HAS PROVEN POPULAR FROM THE ONSET.

LINES THAT YOU SEE ARE FROM DAY TWO OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA BEING LEGAL.

YESTERDAY WAS THE UNOFFICIAL HOLIDAY FOR POT.

I DID DRIVE BY A DISPENSARY AND IT WAS NOWHERE NEAR THIS WINDING LONG LINE, I DID SEE A SOCIALLY DISTANCED FEW OUTSIDE.

THE HOLD-UP LIES IN ILLINOIS' PROMISES OF EXPANDING THE POOL OF BUSINESS OWNERS ABLE TO MAKE A PROFIT FROM THE SALES.

>> WE LET THE PEOPLE DOWN AND I APOLOGIZE THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING AND THEY'VE USED A LOT OF THEIR LIFE SAVINGS TO BECOME A BUSINESS OWNER IN ILLINOIS.

TO ONLY BE DELAYED.

>> HERE IS THE HEART OF THAT LET DOWN.

ILLINOIS LIMITS HOW MANY SHOPS CAN SELL POT THEY HAVE TO BE LICENSED AND RIGHT NOW THAT IS A MOP NOPELY ALL OF THE DISPEPSRY OWNERS ARE ALL MEN.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER AND OTHER BACKERS PROMISED WITH GREAT FANFARE THAT THEY WOULD USE THE LEGALIZATION OF POT TO REPAIR HARMS CAUSED TO THOSE MOST HARMED BY A WAR ON DRUGS THAT THIS REPORT SEPTEMBER A DISIMPORTANCE PORTION AT NUMBER OF PEOPLE OF COLOR FOR DRUG CRIMES.

TOI HUTCHINSON IS THE GOVERNOR'S TOP ADVISER ON CANNABIS ISSUES.

>> WE'VE HAD HICCUPS IT'S BEEN EXTREMELY CHALLENGING TO DISMANTLE WHAT IS FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM BAKED INTO THE SYSTEM.

BUT I DO BELIEVE WHEN THIS IS DONE WE WILL HAVE THE MOST DIVERSE OWNERSHIP IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE TO GET THROUGH THE DIFFICULTIES OF GETTING THIS OFF THE GROUND AND GETTING THROUGH LITIGATION AND PASSING LEGISLATION AND FIXING AND TWEAK.

>> THOSE HICCUPS HAVE DEBORAH DILLON FRUSTRATED.

HER NAME IS ON 11 OF THE 4500 APPLICATIONS THAT WERE SENT IN TO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS TO GET ONE OF ONLY 75 LUCRATIVE SOCIAL EQUITY CANNABIS DISPENSARY LICENSE ANDS.

NONE OF HER APPLICATIONS WERE AMONG THE 21 TO GET PERFECT SCORES ELIGIBLE FOR A LOTTERY.

THIS DA BACK KELL IS TO THE BENEFIT OF THE INCUMBENTS AND TO THE POLITICAL CONNECTED AND TO THE WEALTHY.

THERE'S NO EFFORT NO REAL EFFORT FOR SOCIAL EQUITY AT ALL.

>> DILLON'S SCORES CAME CLOSE JUST NOT A PERFECT SCORE THAT THOSE 21 FOLKS WHO MADE IT TO THE LOTTERY DID RECEIVE.

THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN LICENSES EITHER.

THE 75 LICENSES WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN AWARDED LAST MAY AS IN 2020.

AND NONE HAVE.

FIRST, THERE WERE DELAYS THAT THE STATE BLAMED ON COVID.

THEN CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THE APPLICATIONS WERE SCORED.

ILLINOIS REPORTS AT LEAST SIX LAWSUITS TYING THINGS UP.

APPLICANTS INCLUDING DILLON DID GET A CHANCE TO CORRECT ANY SO-CALLED DEFICIENCIES IN THE APPLICATIONS BUT THAT HAS NOT RESULTED IN FINALISTS AND SHE SAYS THAT IS A QUAGMIRE, TOO.

>> AND THE SECOND DEFICIENCY NOTICE WAS LIKE PICKING FLY FECES FROM PEPPER.

IT WAS SO DIFFICULT.

>> BUT THIS IS HIGH STAKES.

IT IS BIG MONEY.

AND DILLON DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS TAKING THE STATE SO LONG.

>> HOW HARD CAN IT BE?

PUT ALL OF THE QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WHO SCORE 90% OR ABOVE OK, INTO A BOWL.

YOU'VE GONE THROUGH THE DEFICIENCY NOTICES.

LET'S DO SOMETHING FAIR FOR A CHANGE?

WOULDN'T THAT HELP THE GOVERNOR?

WOULD THAT NOT RESTORE FAITH IN THE PROCESS AND IN HIM?

IF HE HAD A FAIR LOTTERY?

>> THAT NOW INTERRUPT FORD.

HE HAS A NEW BILL THAT AIMS TO GET THINGS ON TRACK.

>> WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE THAT SHOULD BE IN THAT LOTTERY HAVE A TRUE OPPORTUNITY.

AND WHO ARE THOSE PEOPLE?

PEOPLE HARDEST HIT BY THE WAR ON DRUGS WHO THE LAW WAS INTENDED FOR.

SO I THINK WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS MONOPOLY OF THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY ENDS IN ILLINOIS.

AND IT WILL BE DIVERSE AS A RESULT OF THE LAW THAT WE PASS COMING UP.

>> THAT PROPOSAL COMES AFTER MONTHS PROBABLY NEARLY A YEAR, OF NEGOTIATIONS INCLUDING WITH THE PRITZKER ADMINISTRATION AND TOI HUTCHINSON SAYS THE GOVERNOR IS COMMITTED TO GETTING THE SOCIAL EQUITY LICENSES ISSUED THIS YEAR.

>> WE HAVE TO DO NOW IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THESE FIRST EQUITY LICENSES THAT WILL GO OUT ANYWHERE.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT DAY.

AND I KNOW THAT THE APPLICANTS WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING AND WAITING AND BELIEVING AND DREAMING THIS ENTIRE TIME CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT DAY, EITHER.

WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE.

>> BUT DILLON IS SKEPTICAL.

SHE SAYS SHE HAS NO TRUST IN THE PROCESS.

NO TRUST IN ELECTED OFFICIALS.

AND SHE DOESN'T LIKE FORD'S PROPOSAL.

WE COULD SEE MORE NEGOTIATIONS BEFORE THE SPRING SESSION ADJOURNS IN THE END OF MAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN CHICAGO'S GANG AND GUN VIOLENCE AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE OTHER OPTIONS?

>> I THINK THERE IS NO PLACE IN PUBLIC LIFE FOR SOMEBODY LIKE HIM.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT REACTS TO THE BOMBSHELL IN THE PROSECUTION OF ALDERMAN ED BURKE IN OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> AND A NEW ON-LINE ARCHIVE FEATURES SCRIPTED SPEECHES MADE BY HAROLD WASHINGTON.

WE HAVE ALL THE DETAILS.

>> BUT FIRST MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL BE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM FIVE DAYS A WEEK NEXT SCHOOL YEAR UNDER A BUDGET PROPOSAL FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TODAY.

IT ACCOUNTS FOR A DROP IN ENROLLMENT BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE MADE A $32 MILLION INVESTMENT TO OFFSET ENROLLMENT.

SO GOING BACK TO THAT ISSUE WE KNEW THAT SCHOOLS ENROLLMENT THIS IS AN ABERRATION AND A LOT OF CASES THE NUMBERS DIPPED DRAMATICALLY.

BUT WE EXPECT SOME BOUNCE BACK.

>> THE DISTRICT SAYS 94% OF SCHOOLS WILL SEE INCREASES IN THEIR FISCAL YEAR 2022 BUDGETS AND 80% WILL RECEIVE EQUITY GRANTS.

IN ADDITION TO SCHOOLING, DISTRICT INTENDS TO OFFER A REMOTE LEARNING OPTION FOR STUDENTS UNABLE TO RETURN.

IN A STATEMENT, THE TEACHERS' UNION SAYS ITS STAFF WOULD LIKE TO RETURN TO FULL INTIME -- FULL-TIME IN-PERSON LEARNING IN THE FALL BUT CONDITIONS OF A RETURN MUST BE NEGOTIATED WITH THE UNION.

>> THE CTA IS UNVEILING THE LATEST TRAIN CAR MODEL.

THE SERIES WILL MAKE ITS DEBUT ON THE BLUE LINE BETWEEN FOREST PARK AND O'HARE AS A TRIAL RUN.

THE CAR FEATURES AN UPPED SEATING CONFIGURATION AND LED LIGHTS AND UPGRADED SUSPENSION.

SOME OF THE FEATURES WERE PUT IN AFTER CUSTOMERS SUGGESTED THEM IN SURVEYS.

>> AT LEAST TWO CHICAGO COLLEGE ALSO REQUIRE STUDENTS TO GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

BOTH COLUMBIA COLLEGE AND DePAUL UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED THE MOVE TODAY.

THE SCHOOLS SAY THEY WILL PROVIDE VACCINE CLINICS FOR STUDENTS AND FACULTY.

THEY BECOME THE FIRST CHICAGO SCHOOLS TO REQUIRE THE VACCINE AFTER OTHERS MADE SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS.

>> JUST WHAT IS THE ROLE OF GANGS IN CHICAGO'S VIOLENCE PROBLEM?

A SPATE OF SHOOTINGS PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON THE ISSUE.

THE CITY HAS HAD GANGS, BUT THE STRUCTURES EVOLVED LEAVING MORE FRACTURED AND PERHAPS A MORE VIOLENT SYSTEM THAN EVER BEFORE.

AND JOINING US ARE JEFF VON HICKS HE IS A LIFE COACH IN ROSELAND.

MIGUEL CAMBRAY, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS FOR READY CHICAGO AND BENNETH LEE, A FORMER CHICAGO GANG MEMBER WHO SPENT 15 YEARS IN ILLINOIS PRISONS AND IS NOW AN INSTRUCTOR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES AT NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY AND COFOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF THE FORMERLY INCARCERATED.

WE INVITED THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE BUT THEY DECLINED.

>> JEVON HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE ALLURE OF GANGS IN CHICAGO FOR SO MUCH OF THE CITY'S YOUTH?

>> I JUST KNOW OFF THE TOP SOCIAL MEDIA PLAYS A LARGE ROLE A BIG PART OF THE INFLUENCE.

I DON'T NECESSARILY CALL THEM GANGS BECAUSE THERE IS NO STRUCTURE IT'S LIKE CLICKS AND FACTIONS AND GROUPS LIKE RADICALS.

WE JUST TRY AND ENGAGE THOSE GUYS AND DEAL WITH HOTSPOTS HIGH CRIME AREAS.

KEY INDIVIDUALS TRY AND GET THEM TO BUY INTO THE SYSTEM BY BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND SHOWING THEM SOMETHING DIFFERENT BY PROVIDING THEM SERVICES TO BECOME BETTER NINETEEN CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT DREW YOU INTO THAT KIND OF LIFE?

>> I THINK I WAS MORE INTRIGUED BY TO BE HONEST, IT WAS ABREU DEVIL JACKET IT HAD A PITCHFORK ON IT.

AND THEN I WAS REALLY INTERESTED IN THE LAWS AND POLICIES I WAS MORE INTO TEACHING GUYS HOW TO BE BETTER AS WHAT WE WERE AS PART OF AN ORGANIZATION.

AND THEN I FOUND MYSELF HAVING A LOVE FOR GUNS AND STARTED GETTING IN A LOT OF TROUBLE AND THAT IS WHAT LANDED ME HERE TODAY.

>> AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A MOMENT.

BENNETH LEE YOU HEARD HOW HE TALKED ABOUT HOW GANGS HAVE CHANGED, WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE COMPARED TO 10, 2, 30 YEARS AGO?

>> WELL, YOU GOT SOME GUYS THAT HONOR THE NATION THEY PART OF.

AND YOU GOT SOME GUYS CLAIM THE NAMES BUT THEY DON'T HONOR THE NATION ITSELF AND THAT IS WHERE THE BREAKDOWN.

THEY BROKE DOWN THAT HIERARCHY AND NOT IN STATE PRISONS BUT TOOK GROUPS OF THESE SO-CALLED ORGANIZATIONS AND PUT THEM IN FEDERAL SYSTEM.

TO BREAKDOWN THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE.

NOW YOU GOT A LOT OF CLICKS.

YOU GOT GUYS THAT MIGHT BE VICE LORDS BUT THEY DON'T HONOR THE VICE LORD NATION.

AND THEN YOU MIGHT SEE A CLICK OF GUYS ON ONE BLOCK FIVE VICE LORDS AND TWO DISCIPLES AND IT'S HARD TO SAY THIS IS A STREET GANG SPECIFICALLY THAT DID THIS ACT.

>> WITH PROSECUTION AND RICO CASES IT'S BROKEN DOWN INTO MORE SCATTERED SYSTEM MORE AN ARCTIC SYSTEM.

MIGUEL CAMBRAY WHEN YOU COUNSEL YOUNG KIDS HOW MUCH OF THE TRAUMA YOU SEE IS A RESULT OF GANG-RELATED ACTIVITY VERSUS PERSONAL CONFLICT?

>> READY CHICAGO PROVIDES BEHAVIORAL THERAPY AND GROUP SESSIONS AND THE IDEA IS TO DISRUPT IMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR.

WHEN WE ARE INTERACTING WE THINK ABOUT THE IMPACT OF SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITIES DISINVESTMENT.

CRIMINAL OPPORTUNITY IS SORT OF A DERIVATIVE OF THAT FROM THE DISINVESTMENT WE HAVE LIVED FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS IN OUR SPACES.

I DON'T KNOW TO THE GENTLEMEN'S POINT, I AM THE DECONSTRUCTION OF GANGS TODAY AND BACK THEN.

I THINK A LOT HAS CHANGED.

AT ONE POINT WE WERE PARTY CREWS AND THEN PICKED UP BY A FACTION OR NEIGHBORHOODS THAT REPRESENTED SPORTS ALLIANCES THAT TURNED INTO BIGGER FRACTIONS.

I AGREE THERE'S BEEN A CHANGE IN THE EVOLUTION OF THE WAY THAT FOLKS AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE.

BUT AGAIN THE RECKLESSNESS IT IS A CONTINUATION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT AND OUR ENVIRONMENT'S IMPACT ON US.

AND OUR RESILIENCE TO SURVIVE.

AND TO BE RELEVANT IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> AND SURVIVAL A BIG PART IS GUNS.

YOU TALKED ABOUT HOW YOU BECAME DRAWN TO GUNS.

I'VE HEARD YOU SAY YOU WERE ADDICTED TO GUNS AT ONE POINT.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT ADDICTION AND WHY GUNS ARE JUST SO PREVALENT?

>> EVEN WHEN I BEGAN CARRYING A FIREARMS, I JUST KNOW IT WAS A POWER MOVE.

I DON'T THINK NOTHING CAN BE HELD IN YOUR HAND THAT IS MORE POWERFUL THAN A FIREARM.

THE ADDICTION CAME FROM SEEING FEAR IN OTHER'S EYES.

DID I KNOW I WAS DOING WRONG?

DID I KNOW IT WAS ILLEGAL?

ABSOLUTELY.

BUT GETTING CAUGHT WAS FAR FROM MY MIND.

AND TODAY THEY RUNNING AROUND WITH 50 ROUND DRUMS AND CLIPS AND SWITCHES AND THINGS THAT IS LIKE FUTURE RISK.

THAT IS MORE INTRIGUING TO THEM AND LIKE I TOLD YOU IT'S LIKE WE HAVE A VACCINE FOR COVID I'M TRYING TO FIND A VACCINE FOR TRIGGER FINGER THAT I CAN INJECT IN THEIR FINGER TO MAKE THEM STOP USING AND I WILL NOT STOP.

>> AND KIDS THE A YOUNG AGE CAN BE DRAWN INTO THIS AND IF SOMEONE OFFERS THEM AN ALTERNATIVE OR SAYS STAY IN SCHOOL OR COME TO MY PEACE CIRCLE THAT ALLURE IS POWERFUL.

HOW DO YOU COMBAT THAT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE?

>> WELL, MOST YOUNG PEOPLE THEY GET DRAWN INTO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE AVERAGE HIGH SCHOOL OR YOUNG BROTHER IN CHICAGO GOES TO A SCHOOL OUTSIDE HIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

HE MIGHT MEET FRIENDS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL MIGHT BE WITH A CERTAIN SET AND THEY BECOME FRIENDS AND HE IS CLAIMING THAT SET.

OR MIGHT BE IN AN AREA WHERE IT IS A PREVALENT STREET ORGANIZATION THERE AND BECAUSE HE LIVES THERE, NOW HE IS LABELED AS THAT LIKE I CAN'T BEAT THEM JOIN THEM.

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN WE NEED TO GET ON THE BLOCKS IN THE COMMUNITIES, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.

GET THEM TO TALK TO EACH OTHER.

BECAUSE IF I GOT A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU IT WOULD BE HARD TO ME TO SHOOT YOU.

IF WE GOT A RELATIONSHIP AND I MIGHT BE TALKING CRAZY ABOUT DOING SOMETHING TO HIM ONE OF HIS GUYS CAN TELL ME, YOU [INAUDIBLE] THOSE RELATIONSHIPS GOT TO HAPPEN THAT IS THE WORK WE DO AND GETTING ON THE BLOCKS AND HELP BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND GET BROTHERS TO LOOK AT THINGS DIFFERENT.

>> WHEN YOU GET FOLKS TOGETHER IN A ROOM THAT MIGHT BE PART OF DIFFERENT CLICKS HAVE YOU SEEN THE TENSION DIFFUSE?

>> YEAH I'M FROM AUSTIN WE HAD A SITUATIONS WITH TWO GROUPS THAT WE BROUGHT THEM FACE-TO-FACE AND SEE WHAT THEY HAD IN COMMON AND THEY CAME TO AN AGREEMENT AND ONE BROUGHT UP THE FACT WE GOT TO -- NOW WE HAD NINE CLICKS TOGETHER TALKING.

IN THE BEGINNING THEY CAME STRAPPED UP BUT AFTER THE THIRD OR FOURTH MEETING YOU DID NOT SEE THAT ANYMORE.

THEY WERE BUILDING THE RELATIONSHIPS.

AND THEN INCIDENTS MIGHT HAPPEN IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY WILL CALL EACH OTHER BEFORE WE REACT TO IT BECAUSE WE SETUP A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM TO HAVE THE DIALOGUE AND LOOK AT ALL THE VARIABLES.

>> INTERFACING IS SO IMPORTANT.

MIGUEL CAMBRAY WHAT ABOUT THE WORK THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION DOES ON AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL, HOW DO YOU REACH SOME OF THESE YOUTH?

>> SIMILAR, SOME OF OUR SITES WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ENGAGE 700 INDIVIDUALS.

AND ONE OF OUR SITES WE HAVE 12 CLICKS IN ONE SITE.

SO WE WORK TO BUILD SIMILAR TO BENNY'S POINT, BUILD A SENSE OF COMMUNITY, PURPOSE AND SELF-WORTH AND THAT HAPPENS OVER A DURATION OF TIME.

OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF THOSE CARRY GUNS FOR A SENSE OF SAFETY OR PERPETRATION BUT BUILDING A SENSE OF HOPE AND COMMUNITY HELPS DEESCALATE THAT TENSION AND WE START TO SEE ONE ANOTHER AS HUMANS AND THE TRAUMA BEHIND OUR VIOLENCE AND THE SELF HATE FROM ONE TO ANOTHER THAT HAS BEEN BUILT IN US OVER THE YEARS.

>> SUCH IMPORTANT WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING.

AND WE THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING YOUR VIEWS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> AND UP NEXT OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM DIVES INTO ITS LATEST BOMBSHELL IN THE PROSECUTION OF ALDERMAN BURKE AND MUCH MORE.

>> PROSECUTORS ACCUSE ALDERMAN ED BURKE OF ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE LATEST COURT FILINGS IN THE CRIMINAL CASE THE FOCUS OF OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS AS MORE DETAILS EMERGE ON THE SECRET TAPINGS OF THE ALDERMAN.

THE SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM, AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

AS WE HEARD, PROSECUTORS DROPPED A BOMBSHELL IN THE CORRUPTION CASE AGAINST ALDERMAN ED BURKE.

ACCORDING TO PROSECUTORS BURKE MADE ANTI-SEMITIC REMARKS ON SECRET RECORDINGS SAYING QUOTE... PARIS PROSECUTORS ARGUED THIS INFORMATION WAS RELEVANT TO THE CHARGED SCHEME.

WHY?

>> FIRST, I SHOULD SAY ANYONE THAT COVERED ED BURKE BACK TO THE COUNCIL WARD DAY WOULDS NOT BE SURPRISED THAT THAT LANGUAGE WAS CAPTURED HERE.

PROSECUTORS SAY THIS CONVERSATION IS CENTRAL TO MANY OF THE CHARGES OUTLINED IN THE CASE BECAUSE HE'S TRYING ALLEGEDLY TO GET BUSINESS FOR HIS PRIVATE PROPERTY TAX APPEAL FIRM AND IN EXCHANGE HE IS SAYING WELL, I GOT TO DO SOMETHING FOR THESE GUYS AND I WILL DO SOMETHING IN RELATION IN MY CAPACITY WITH CITY RELATED BUSINESS SO I CAN GET PRIVATE BUSINESS THIS IS WHAT MOST OF THE COUNTS ARE ABOUT IN THIS CASE.

I DON'T THINK IT'S LOST ON PROSECUTORS THIS REVELATION GETS PLAYED IN THE MEDIA, IT GETS PLAYED IN THE PUBLIC THIS IS THE THING THAT DRAW AS TENSION.

ULTIMATELY IT COULD BE THE THING THAT THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS SAY IS NOT RELEVANT.

IT PAINTS TOO HARSH OF A PICTURE FOR WHAT WE ARE FOCUSING ON.

BUT THE DAMAGE IS DONE HERE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND THOSE COMMENTS WERE PICKED UP BY EVERYBODY.

>> AND BURKE'S LAWYERS TRIED TO BLOCK THAT FROM BECOMING PUBLIC?

>> YES.

THEY ARE TRYING TO BLOCK A LOT OF THE WIRETAPPED CONVERSATIONS.

AND BY THE WAY, THERE IS AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

BUT IN PARTICULAR THIS... BECAUSE AS PARIS WAS ELUDING TO THEY RECOGNIZED THE DAMAGE THAT COULD BE DONE TO BURKE'S CHARACTER.

YOU HAD PROSECUTORS SAYING THIS IS NOT TOO PREJUDICIAL AND THEY SAY IT IS RELEVANT TO WHAT IS AT HAND.

AND BURKE IS SAYING ON ALL THE WIRETAPS DO YOU NOT HEAR THE TIT FOR TAT SHAKEDOWN THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR AND THE PROSECUTOR IS SAYING THE OPPOSITE.

AND IF YOU HONE IN THERE IS THE ATTENTION GRABBING ANTI-SEMITIC SLUR COMPONENT OF THAT CONVERSATION BUT WHERE THE TRADE COMES IN IS THE USE OF CHRISTIAN.

ALLEGEDLY BURKE DENYING WRONGDOING.

>> BURKE CONTINUES IN HIS 50TH YEAR AS ALDERMAN IN SPITE OF THE OBJECTIONS OF THE MAYOR.

WHAT IS WHAT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT HAD TO SAY TODAY.

>> BY HIS OWN WORDS, IN WIRETAPPED CONVERSATIONS, ALDERMAN BURKE SAID AND DID THINGS THAT NOT ONLY WERE IMPROPER, SEEM TO BE ILLEGAL.

HE IS ENTITLED TO A PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE AS ALL CHARGED DEFENDANTS ARE BUT I CALLED ON HIM TO RESIGN AND HE HAS NOT DONE THAT.

BUT THERE'S NO PLACE IN PUBLIC LIFE FOR SOMEBODY LIKE HIM.

>> HEATHER IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY TO REMOVE AN ALDERMAN OTHER THAN BALLOT BOX, JURY BOX OR PINE BOX?

THAT'S IT.

THERE IS NO MECHANISM FOR REMOVAL.

I GET THAT QUESTION FROM PEOPLE.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT WAS NOT THE ONLY CITY ELECTED OFFICIAL TO CALL FOR ED BURKE TO STEP DOWN.

I SPOKE WITH MICHELLE SMITH ONE OF TWO JEWISH MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL WHO SAID OF COURSE ED BURKE'S OWES CHICAGO'S JEWISH COMMUNITY AN APOLOGY AND SHOULD RESIGN BECAUSE HE IS QUOTE A CRIMINAL END QUOTE.

AND WOULD HAVE BEEN UNTHINKABLE FOR A MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ED BURKE THAT WAY.

BUT THIS IS A NEW ERA.

AND WHILE HE HAS BEEN QUIETER AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, HE STILL ACTIVE AND MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAID TODAY HE IS WORKING THROUGH OTHER ALDERMEN TO GET HIS WORK DONE.

A LOT OF EYEBROWS WENT UP WHEN SHE SAID THAT.

>> WHO COULD THOSE BE?

>> THERE'S BEEN A REDACTED SECTION OF THE COURT FILING THAT REVEALED BURKE WAS CAUGHT ON TAPE BY ANOTHER COOPERATOR.

PARIS DO YOU THINK THAT IS DANNY SOLIS OR SOMEONE ELSE?

>> LET'S PICK A PUBLIC OFFICIAL THAT HAS BEEN IN LEGAL HOT WATER IT COULD BE SOMEBODY ELSE.

I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.

I WILL REMIND EVERYBODY THAT DANNY SOLIS, THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE ZONING COMMITTEE IS A BIG PLAYER IN THE INDICTMENT BECAUSE HE ALLEGEDLY WAS WEARING A WIRE THAT NABBED BURKE.

AND TO GET OUT OF HIS OWN LEGAL TROUBLE YOU HAVE THE FEDS SETTING HIM UP TO BE THE INTERMEDIARY IN THE CASE OF THE REMODEL OF THE OLD POST OFFICE.

HE IS LIKE THE INTERMEDIARY GOADING THEM TO HIRE BURKE.

AND BURKE'S LAWYERS SAY YOU ARE USING DANNY SOLIS TO ENTRAP OUR CLIENT FOR LACK OF BETTER PHRASEOLOGY AND THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THEY FEEL IS LIKE ILLEGITIMATE ABOUT THE CASE BEING BROUGHT AGAINST HIM.

>> AND THE DEREK CHAUVIN VERDICT.

AMANDA YOU COVERED THE REACTION TO THE GUILTY VERDICTS IN THE DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL.

WHAT ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS SAYING?

>> THEY ARE SAYING THAT THIS IS JUSTICE.

SOME SAYING IT WASN'T JUSTICE BUT AT LEAST IT WAS ACCOUNTABILITY.

LOTS OF CONDOLENCES AND SYMPATHY FOR THE FLOYD FAMILY.

I DID NOT SEE ANY OF THE MANY REACTIONS THAT CAME INTO MY INBOX, NONE EXPRESSED ANYTHING BESIDES THAT.

THERE WAS NOBODY THAT WAS FEELING REMORSEFUL FOR CHAUVIN OR THAT EXPRESSED ANY SENTIMENT THAT THE JURY HAD GOTTEN IT WRONG.

I SAW REPORTING THAT THE LEADER OF CHICAGO'S FOP HAD SAID THAT CHAUVIN DID NOT ACT PROPERLY.

THERE WAS NOT ANY REACTION WHAT I'M FOCUSING ON WHAT THIS LEADS TO.

BECAUSE, OF COURSE, WE DID SEE ALREADY A VERY BIG REACTION TO THE GEORGE FLOYD NOW WE CAN PHRASE IT AS A MURDER BY THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE.

BUT WE WILL WAIT-AND-SEE IF THIS VERDICT AND OTHER ACTIONS ARE GOING TO LEAD LEGISLATORS TO END QUALIFIED IMMUNITY FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT POLICE OFFICERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT IN GENERAL ARE FIGHTING AGAINST.

>> AND THE DOJ IS OPENING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICING.

CHICAGO IS UNDER A FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE.

IS THIS HELPING WITH REFORMING C.P.D.

HERE?

>> WELL, WE'VE TALKED ON THIS SHOW QUITE A BIT HOW FAR BEHIND THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ON MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THAT CONSENT DECREE.

AND I HAVE TO REMIND YOU THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DID NOT FORCE CHICAGO INTO A CONSENT DECREE.

IT WAS FORMER ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL LISA MADIGAN WHO PUT THE SCREWS TO RAHM EMANUEL TO FORCE THIS.

UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REFUSED TO PURSUE CONSENT DECREES EVEN IN EGREGIOUS CASES OF POLICE MISCONDUCT.

THIS IS THE FIRST OF THE NEW ERA UNDER ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH AND SEE WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DOES AS CHICAGO CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE TO FULFILL THE TERMS OF THE CONSENT DECREE IT'S UNDER AS WELL IN THE WAKE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO 13-YEAR-OLD ADAM TOLEDO.

AND ALL OF THE OTHER ISSUES FACING CHICAGO POLICE.

>> AND WE HEARD EARLIER IN THE SHOW FROM ACTIVISTS WHO ARE AMONG A GROUP WHO ARE PUTTING THE PRESSURE ON AND THAT PRESSURE IS MOUNTING TO DETERMINE WHAT CIVILIAN POLICE OVERSIGHT WILL LOOK LIKE AS ALDERMEN CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY LED TO A HEATED EXCHANGE FROM THE MAYOR AND BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ WHEN HE TOOK A TURN HONORING ADAM TOLEDO.

>> I WILL GIVE YOU A BRIEF MOMENT TO SPEAK, BRIEF, SIR.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT WE HAVE A BILL AND YOU KNOW THIS WILL, WE HAVE THE COMMUNITIES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY WE NEED TO PASS IT.

>> YOU ARE NOW OUT OF ORDER.

YOU ARE NOW OUT OF ORDER.

>> HEATHER YOU WERE BACK IN CITY COUNCIL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A YEAR WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?

AND WHY DID THAT MOMENT BECOME SO HEATED?

>> WELL, WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT ALDERMAN RODRIGUEZ INCLUDES LITTLE VILLAGE INTRODUCED A RESOLUTION HONORING ADAM AND TALKING ABOUT WHO HE WAS AND WHAT HE LIKED AND CALLING FOR THE CITY TO MAKE REAL CHANGES IN THE WAKE OF HIS DEATH.

THAT PROMPTED ALDERMAN BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ TO STAND UP AND HE WAS THE ONLY ALDERMAN WHO DID NOT HAVE A SEAT ON THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS FLOOR.

HE TO SIT IN THE GALLERY BECAUSE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES.

TO STAND UP AND PUSH FOR THAT UNITY ORDINANCE TO PUT A CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT BOARD IN CHARGE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

BUT AS YOU HEARD, MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT WASN'T HAVING ANY OF THAT.

>> AMANDA, WE KNOW WE HAVE TO PIVOT TO COVID INFECTION RATES ARE DOWN BUT ICU BEDS ARE FILLING UP AS OFFICIALS ARE REDOUBLING EFFORTS TO BE SURE THAT RESIDENTS ON THE SOUTH SIDE ARE VACCINATED.

AREN'T ALL CHICAGOANS ELIGIBLE FOR A VACCINATION NOW?

>> YES.

AND NOT JUST CHICAGO THIS IS EVERYWHERE FOR A TAME WE SAW A LOT OF POLICIES BETWEEN THE CHICAGO -- CITY OF CHICAGO AND NOW STATE-WIDE THE ADULTS CAN GET THE VACCINE.

AND IT DOES APPEAR COOK COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS SAYING THAT THEY DO EXPECT TO SOON BE PUTTING OUT AGAIN AND GIVING SHOTS THAT JOHNSON & JOHNSON SHOT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REQUESTING.

WE SEE THE STATE DOING COLLEGE DAYS AND WE HAVE A COUPLE OF UNIVERSITIES IN CHICAGO COLUMBIA AND DePAUL REQUIRING THAT VACCINE TO BE GIVEN BEFORE STUDENTS CAN RETURN IN THE FALL.

BUT WE KNEW WE WERE GOING TO HIT A PERIOD WHERE THERE WOULD BE FOR A LONGTIME, YOU DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH VACCINE, IT MAY SOON BE TURNING THE CORNER TO THE CHALLENGE OF CONVINCING PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED THE VACCINE TO GET IT.

TO GET TO THAT POINT OF HERD IMMUNITY.

>> IN THE 45 SECONDS WE HAVE LEFT THERE ARE THE RESIGNATION RUMORS ABOUT THE MAYOR.

ARE THESE COMBINED EFFORT TO PUT SOME PRESSURE ON HER TO RATTLE HER?

>> YOU KNOW IT WAS SO BIZARRE A LOT OF RUMORS THAT FLEW OFF THE HANDLE ON TWITTER OVER THE WEEKEND.

AND IT SEEMED TO COME FROM FAR RIGHT SOURCES THAT ARE OPPOSED TO THE MAYOR AND PICKED UP BY FAR LEFT SOURCES BUT NO CREDIBLE SOURCES.

AND THEN SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT STARTED SPREADING THESE THEN TOOK THEM BACK AND SAY IT DIDN'T COME FROM US.

WE SHOULD STOP DOING THIS.

THE LESSON IS DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU SEE ON SOCIAL MEDIA UNLESS IT'S COMING FROM A CREDIBLE NEWS OUTLET.

>> ALL RIGHT.

A CREDIBLE NEWS OUTLET LIKE AUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

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

>> UP NEXT, A NEW ON-LINE ARCHIVE OF SPEECHES BY CHICAGO'S FIRST BLACK MAYOR IN A CONVERSATION THAT ORIGINALLY AIRED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

THERE ARE FEW EXISTING AUDIO RECORDINGS OF SPEECHES MADE PIE CHICAGO'S FIRST BLACK MAYOR HAROLD WASHINGTON.

BUT A NEW ON-LINE ARCHIVE BY THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY HOPES TO FILL THE GAP.

PATTY WETLI JOINS US WITH MORE DETAILS ABOUT THIS DIGITAL COLLECTION.

TELL US WHAT EXACTLY IS IN THIS ARCHIVE AND WHY IS IT SIGNIFICANT?

>> HI, BRANDIS.

AS YOU MENTIONED IT'S SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE FOR AS IMPORTANT HAROLD WASHINGTON WAS TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND HOW GROUNDBREAKING HIS ELECTION WAS, THERE ARE SO FEW RECORDINGS OF HIS SPEECHES.

SO THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY DIGITIZED ORIGINAL SCRIPTS THERE'S HUNDREDS OF THEM ON-LINE FOR PEOPLE TO ACCESS.

EVERYTHING FROM WELCOMING COMMENTS FOR DIGNITARIES LIKE ARCHBISHOP TUTU TO BUDGET ADDRESSES TO COMMENCEMENT SPEECHES ALL THERE FOR PEOPLE TO READ FOR FREE.

>> AND WHAT MADE HIS SPEECHES SO MEMORABLE.

>> THE ARCHIVISTS TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH WARMTH AND HUMOR AND OPTIMISM THERE IS IN HIS SPEECHES.

AND I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING AS WELL IS THAT IN THE YEARS SINCE HIS DEATH WE HAVE HEARD SO MANY PEOPLE TALK ABOUT HAROLD WASHINGTON AND EVERYTHING HE WANTED FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

WHEN YOU READ HIS SPEECHES, HAROLD IS TELLING THE STORY.

AND HE IS GIVING YOU INSIGHT INTO HIS THOUGHT PROCESS, HIS STRATEGY IT IS A GREAT WAY TO HEAR FROM THE MAN HIMSELF.

REALLY CLOSE TO WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS 99TH BIRTHDAY, A COUPLE DAYS AGO.

IT PUTS THE WORDS BACK IN THAT HAROLD'S MOUTH, I THINK.

>> GOOD WAY TO TAKE A TRIP BACKWARDS INTO HISTORY AND SEE THE FIRST BLACK MAYOR.

PATTY WETLI THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ PATTY'S STORY ON OUR WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO THE ARCHIVE AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON Facebook, YouTube AND OUR WEBSITE WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND BRANDIS CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ON YOUR AWARD.

>> AND YOU CAN GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. CHICAGO'S GREATER ENGLEWOOD AREA HAS AMONG THE LOWEST COVID VACCINATION RATES WE CHECK IN ON THE PROCESS AS THE NEXT STOP ON OUR IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

>> AND THE STORY BEHIND THE CTA'S BRIDGE ON TOP OF A BRIDGE IN AN ALL NEW "ASK GEOFFREY".

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

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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