>> HELLO AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

HERE IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING >> TPD SOMETIMES.

THEY TOWN ABILITY.

>> HOW MUCH OUR TAXPAYER SPENDING TO SETTLE LAWSUITS ALLEGING POLICE MISCONDUCT.

PROTEST IN 2020.

PLUS, PROTESTERS BLOCKING ROADWAYS COULD BE CHARGED WITH A FELONY.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT A PROPOSED BILL.

AND WOULD YOU SWIM IN THE CHICAGO RIVER?

ORGANIZERS ARE PLANNING OPEN SWIM IN THE BODY OF WATER ONCE KNOWN AS THE RIVER OF ONIONS.

>> BUT NOW TO SOME TODAY'S TOP STORIES, MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON IS DEFENDING HIS PLANS TO CANCEL THE CITY'S SHOT-SPOTTER CONTRACT.

THIS DESPITE THE GUNSHOT DETECTION TECHNOLOGY ALERTING CHICAGO POLICE TO THE SCENE OF A SHOOTING THAT KILLED ONE OF THEIR OWN OVER THE WEEKEND.

30 YEAR-OLD OFFICER LUIS WESCOTT WAS FOUND FATALLY SHOT AS HE RETURNED TO HIS GAGE PARK HOME AFTER SHIFT EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.

HE'D BEEN ON THE FORCE FOR 6 YEARS.

THE MAYOR TODAY FACED RENEWED QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS PLANS TO CANCEL THE SHOTSPOTTER CONTRACT.

>> OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS THE TOOLS IT NEEDS.

TO HELP BUILD A BETTER, STRONGER, SAFER.

CHICAGO.

AS I'VE SAID REPEATEDLY.

CAN'T BE POLICING ALONE.

THAT'S A FAILED STRATEGY.

THAT IS WHAT PREVIOUS PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE RELIED UPON.

WE CONTINUE TO RELY TOO MUCH ON POLICING TOO, TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY SAFETY IS OLD.

>> TRAVELERS AT O'HARE WILL NOTICE MORE CONSTRUCTION AFTER OFFICIALS BROKE GROUND TODAY ON A 300 MILLION DOLLAR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR THE AGING AIRPORT.

>> THE TERMINAL, 3 IMPROVEMENTS WILL INCLUDE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY PROVIDE ENHANCED ENERGIES, EFFICIENCIES, AND REDUCED EMISSIONS.

THE IMPROVEMENTS WILL HAVE REAL IMPACTS ON THE PEOPLE WHO WILL TRAVEL IN AND OUT OF CHICAGO AND THE GREATER CHICAGO COMMUNITIES.

THE PROJECT NAMED ELEVATE.

HE 3 WILL UPGRADE CUSTOMER AMENITIES, IMPROVE SECURITY SCREENING, AND EXPAND ACCESSIBILITY FOR PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES IN TERMINAL 3.

PART OF THE PROJECT IS FINANCED THROUGH A 90 MILLION DOLLAR FEDERAL GRANT.

THE REST OF THE UPGRADES ARE PAID FOR WITH PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED FEDERAL FUNDS.

>> AIRLINE RATES AND AIRLINE RATES AND CHARGES ELEVATE.

HE 3 IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THE SUMMER OF 2027.

NEIGHBORS IN THE SOUTH SUBURBS WILL FIND IT MORE CONVENIENT TO DISPOSE OF SOME HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE.

ONCE THE COUNTY OPENS A NEW 4.6 MILLION DOLLAR RECYCLING CENTER.

THE NEW HOUSEHOLD WASTE FACILITY WILL SIT NEXT TO CHARM CENTER OR CENTER FOR HARD TO RECYCLE MATERIALS THAT OPENED ON EARTH DAY A YEAR AGO.

SEEING HERE THE NEW PERMANENT DROP-OFF LOCATION WILL RECEIVE ELECTRONICS, CLOTHING AND TEXTILES ALONG WITH RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES, OIL-BASED PAINTS AND SO MUCH MORE.

THE FACILITY IS PROJECTED TO OPEN IN 2025.

UP NEXT ONGOING LAWSUIT ALLEGING POLICE MISCONDUCT AND THEIR BURDEN ON TAXPAYERS W T TW NEWS INVESTIGATES RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART THE ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS FAMILY.

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> CHICAGO TAXPAYERS HAVE PAID MORE THAN 5 MILLION DOLLARS TO DEFEND AND SETTLE LAWSUITS, ACCUSING POLICE OFFICERS OF MISCONDUCT DURING THE 2020 PROTEST TRIGGERED BY THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO AN EXCLUSIVE WTW NEWS ANALYSIS REPORTER HEATHER SHARON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON HER FIRST OF ITS KIND ANALYSIS, HEATHER.

>> BRANDIS CHICAGO TAXPAYERS HAVE PAID MORE THAN 3.6 MILLION DOLLARS TO SETTLE.

32 LAWSUITS IDENTIFIED BY W T TW NEWS THAT WERE FILED BY CHICAGO SAID THEY WERE THE VICTIMS OF MISCONDUCT BY CPD OFFICERS DURING THE PROTESTS AND UNREST THAT MARK THE SUMMER OF 2020, ANOTHER 2 MILLION DOLLARS WENT PRIVATE LAWYERS TO DEFEND THE CONDUCT OF CPD OFFICERS THAT LED TO THOSE SETTLEMENTS.

ACCORDING TO RECORDS OBTAINED BY W T TW NEWS THROUGH A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST THE DECISION TO PAY PRIVATE LAWYERS TO DEFEND THE CITY CAME DESPITE 2 PROBES THAT TO THAT FOUND OFFICERS, THE PROTESTERS WITH BATONS DOUSE THEIR FACES WITH PEPPER SPRAY USED RACIAL SLURS AND MOCKED THE PUSH FOR RACIAL JUSTICE AND POLICE REFORM.

IN MANY CASES THAT CONDUCT VIOLATED PROTESTERS FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND INVOLVED UNJUSTIFIED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE.

INVESTIGATORS FOUND THAT TOLL SURE TO GROW WITH AT LEAST 13 CASES STILL PENDING AGAINST THE CITY ATTORNEYS SHEILA BEDI WHO REPRESENTS A NUMBER OF POINT US IN THOSE CASES SAID THE DECISION TO FIGHT THESE LAWSUITS IS BAFFLING.

>> IT'S AN YOU KNOW, I I CAN'T GIVE YOU A LEGAL RATIONALE FOR IT OR EVEN A FINANCIAL RATIONALE.

>> BECAUSE THERE'S CERTAINLY NO BENEFIT TO TAXPAYERS TO DRAGGING OUT LITIGATION EVEN EVEN FURTHER THE HARM THAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCED ON THE STREETS OR IN THE SUMMER OF 2020, WASN'T JUST ABOUT INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS MAKING BAD DECISIONS BUT WAS ABOUT THE SYSTEMIC FAILURES OF THE DEPARTMENT.

>> PRIVATE ATTORNEYS CAN CAUSE CHICAGO TAXPAYERS FOR TO FIND 4 TO 5 TIMES MORE THAN LAWYERS WHO WORK FOR THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF LAW.

ACCORDING TO ESTIMATES, OFFERED DURING CITY COUNCIL BUDGET HEARINGS, A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE LAW DEPARTMENT DECLINED TO ANSWER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY THE DECIDER HIRED WHAT WHY THEY DECIDED TO HIRE PRIVATE ATTORNEYS CITING ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGE.

THE CITY'S TOP LAWYER CORPORATION COUNSEL MARY RICHARDSON LOWRY DECLINED AN INTERVIEW REQUEST FROM W T TW NEWS.

BUT A SPOKESPERSON SENT A STUNT STATEMENT SAYING THE CITY'S LAW DEPARTMENT INTERNALLY EVALUATES EACH CASE FOR POTENTIAL RISK AND LIABILITY AND TAKES APPROPRIATE STEPS TO MINIMIZE FINANCIAL EXPOSURE TO THE CITY.

IN SOME CASES, WE CONCLUDE THAT IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY TO USE INTERNAL LAWYERS.

AND IN OTHER CASES, WE RETAIN OUTSIDE COUNSEL.

AMONG THE FEDERAL LAWSUITS STILL PENDING AGAINST THE CITY.

NEARLY 4 YEARS LATER IS THE ONE FILED BY MIRACLE BOYD WHILE PROTESTING THE PRESENCE OF A STATUE OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS IN GRANT PARK.

BOYD WAS FILMING AN ARREST WHEN AN OFFICER KNOCKED PHONE OUT OF HER HAND, SENDING INTERFACE AND KNOCKING OUT HER FRONT TOOTH AND PART OF ANOTHER THE PICTURES OF THE BLOODIED BOYD WENT VIRAL ADDING TO THE OUTRAGE OVER THE WAY CPD OFFICERS RESPONDED TO THE PROTESTS, AN INVESTIGATION BY THE CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY FOUND THAT THE OFFICER USED EXCESSIVE FORCE AGAINST THE TEEN AND THEN LIED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.

HE RESIGNED SOON AFTER INVESTIGATORS ASKED THE CITY'S TOP COP TO FIRE FOR BOYD.

WHAT HAPPENED NEARLY 4 YEARS AGO WAS A DEFINING MOMENT OF HER LIFE.

>> SO I THINK IT MESSED MISS LEE FOR LONG TIME.

SO THE ACT TO WATCH THE VIDEO AND JUSTICE.

LIKE BRUSH IT OFF MY SHOULDER AS IF LIKE I JUST HAVE TO GET OVER IT BECAUSE THINGS HAPPEN LIKE THIS NO CPD, SOMETIMES.

THEY ESCAPE ACCOUNTABILITY.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS.

THIS IS WHAT WE SEE WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING.

SO WASN'T A SHOP.

>> EVEN THOUGH THE AGENCY CHARGED WITH INVESTIGATING POLICE MISCONDUCT FOUND THAT THE OFFICER WHO STRUCK BOYD ACTED INAPPROPRIATELY.

THE CITY HAS PAID MORE THAN 42,000 $500 IN LEGAL FEES TO 2 LAW FIRMS TO DEFEND THE LAWSUIT FILED BY BOYD.

ACCORDING TO RECORDS OBTAINED BY W T TW NEWS BRANDIS THE CITY'S ABILITY TO PROTECT PRO TO POLICE.

LARGE-SCALE PROTEST IS FACING RENEWED SCRUTINY AS EVERYONE PREPARES FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND LAWYERS AND POLICE REFORM ADVOCATES IS THE CITY'S INABILITY OR RELUCTANCE TO SETTLE THESE LAWSUITS AND LEARN THE LESSONS OF SOME OF THE SUMMER OF 2020 RAISES REAL QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THEY'RE PREPARED FOR THE SUMMER OF 2020 FOR SURE IS AN INTERESTING APPROACH.

THEY'RE TAKING AHEAD.

A SHARON, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANKS, BRANDIS.

AND OF COURSE YOU CAN READ HEADERS FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT'S WTW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

>> UP NEXT, A PUSH TO PUNISH PROTESTERS WHO BLOCK MAJOR ROADWAYS.

>> AND >> PROTESTERS BLOCKING MAJOR ROADWAYS COULD BE CHARGED WITH A FELONY THAT IF LAWMAKERS IN SPRINGFIELD PAST THIS PROPOSED LEGISLATION, THE BILL FOLLOWS RECENT PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTS THAT BLOCKED TRAFFIC ON I-90 NEAR O'HARE AIRPORT CAUSING MANY TRAVELERS TECH TO PULL THEIR LUGGAGE ALONG THE FREEWAY TO CATCH THEIR FLIGHTS.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE U.S. PALESTINIAN COMMUNITY NETWORK, WHICH WE SHOULD MENTION WAS NOT A PART OF THAT PROTEST ARE PUSHING BACK ON THE BILL.

HERE'S ONE OF THE GROUP'S ORGANIZER SHARING WHY THEY SUPPORT PROTESTING THIS WAY.

>> A MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES, AS I SAID BEFORE, WANT THE GENOCIDE AND AND WANT THE U.S. TO STOP ARMING AND FUNDING IS REALLY GENOCIDE AGAINST THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE.

OUR LAWMAKERS AND THIS ADMINISTRATION HAVE NOT ENACTED THE POPULAR WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

AND SO THE REALITY IS THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO ESCALATE UNTIL LAWMAKERS IN OUR POLICY REFLECTS THE POPULAR WILL OF OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY.

WE DEFINITELY WE UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN YOU CARRY A DIRECT ACTION OR CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE, THERE IS A CHANCE OF ARRESTS.

>> JOINING US NOW WITH MORE OUR ED YOUNG TO THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC POLICY AT THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, ILLINOIS AND REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAN GAS.

T LEAD SPONSOR OF THE BILL.

THANKS TO YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

REPRESENTATIVE GOSSETT WANT TO START WITH YOU.

PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT THIS LEGISLATION WOULD DO.

>> SURE.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME THIS BILL BASICALLY IS MAKING IT AGAINST THE WALL, MAKING IT A CLASS 4 FELONY.

IF YOU WALK IN EXCEPTIONALLY BUSY ROADWAY FOR MORE THAN 5 MINUTES THAT DOES PREVENT OR WOULD PROVIDE AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE FROM GETTING THROUGH.

WE'RE BASICALLY LOOKING AT PUBLIC SAFETY.

THERE'S ACTUALLY A COUPLE IDEAS HERE.

BOTH DEAL WITH PUBLIC SAFETY, ONE MAKING CERTAIN EMERGENCY VEHICLES CAN MOVE FREELY ON OUR ROADWAYS WHERE THEY NEED TO TO GET THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN NEED OF EMERGENCY TRANSPORT, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.

AND ALSO PUBLIC SAFETY ON THE HIGHWAYS.

WHEN YOU SHUT DOWN THE HIGHWAY, YOU ARE ONE PUTTING YOURSELF IN DANGER AND TO THOSE IN THE CARS TO HAVE TO AVOID HITTING YOU OR COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP ABOUT SEEING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL OF SOME TYPE.

SO WE'RE LOOKING AT PUBLIC SAFETY TO MAKE CERTAIN EVERYONE SAFE WHILE THEY ARE HAVING THEIR VOICES HEARD.

>> AND TO BE CLEAR, THIS THIS LEGISLATION WOULD MAKE IT A FELONY FOR THOSE MAJOR ROADWAYS FOR PROTESTING AND BLOCKING THEM WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE THAT IS TRYING TO GET THROUGH AT THE TIME OF PROTEST.

YES.

SORRY.

JUST WELCOME BACK TO YOU.

IN A IN A MOMENT, REPRESENTATIVE WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THIS PROPOSAL?

WELL, THE PROPOSAL REALLY HAS A NUMBER OF SERIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL INFIRMITIES.

THEN THE FIRST OF WHICH IS QUITE FRANKLY, WE ALREADY HAVE LAWS THAT MAKE BLOCKING ROADWAYS THAT MAKING BLOCKING SIDEWALKS, EVEN ENTRANCES TO A CRIME.

WE MAKE IT A MISDEMEANOR AND NOT A FELONY.

>> AND BY SINGLING OUT PROTEST FOR THE FELONY.

WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS LITERALLY PUNISHING THE SPEECH AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT OUR FIRST AMENDMENT DOESN'T ALLOW.

THE OTHER THING THAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT THIS IDEA SOMEHOW THAT IT'S ABOUT, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THAT EMERGENCY TRAFFIC CAN GET AROUND SOME PLACE.

YOU KNOW, AS SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN CHICAGO WHEN WORKS DOWNTOWN, YOU KNOW, FOR A NUMBER OF WEEKS LAST SUMMER FOR A NUMBER OF WEEKS THIS SUMMER DOWNTOWN WAS SHUT OFF IN MANY DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS BECAUSE OF THE NASCAR AND IN FACT, WHAT HAPPENS IS IS THAT THERE ARE ROUTES THAT ARE MADE POSSIBLE BY FIRST RESPONDERS IN A PROTEST SITUATION.

FIRST RESPONDERS CAN WORK AROUND THOSE AS WELL.

WHAT WE WHAT WE SHOULDN'T DO IS CONTINUE TO ACT LIKE SPEECH AND FIRST AMENDMENT EXPRESSION IS SOMEHOW DANGEROUS AND SOMETHING TO BE FEARED.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT EVEN THESE KINDS OF PROPOSALS SUGGEST.

AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE OUGHT TO REJECT IS A A FREE AND OPEN SOCIETY.

AND IN FACT, JUST JUST EMBRACE THE DEBATE.

WE HAVE WEATHER TIME.

THE PUBLIC POLICY ISSUE IT AND ISSUE NEAR O'HARE ONE THAT REPRESENTATIVE YOU GUYS STAY AND I MAY AGREE OR DISAGREE ON A NUMBER OF OTHER SETTINGS.

REPRESENTATIVE IT.

I MEAN, WHY MAKE IT A FELONY?

IF IF SOMETIMES THESE KINDS OF PROTESTS ARE ALREADY PROSECUTORS MISDEMEANOR?

WHY THE UPGRADE?

>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY HAVING IT AS A MISDEMEANOR ISN'T ENOUGH OF A DETERRENT TO HAVE IT FROM GOING UP BOOK THIS PAST TIME.

THERE WAS NO NOTHING THAT I'M AWARE OF OCCURRED ONE IN DANGER OR HARMED.

ANYONE LOOKS PUT NOT PUTTING ONE DANGER, PUT THEM POTENTIAL DANGER THAT HARMED A PARTY.

WE'VE GOT WAUKEE.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT TIME THERE'S A NUMBER OF STUDENTS OR SOMEONE GETS BY OR THERE IS A FIRST RESPONDER, SOMEONE TRYING TO TRANSPORT SOMEONE.

THIS IS TRYING TO PREVENT A PROBLEM FROM HAPPENING.

I'M NOT LOOKING TO SHUT DOWN SPEECH AT ALL.

I THE THE NATURE OF THE PROTESTS WHO'S PROTESTING, WHO'S HAVING A DISCUSSION MATTERS NOT TO ME.

THIS IS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND MAKING CERTAIN THAT THE PUBLIC REMAINS SAY WE HAVE.

AS POINTED OUT, WE HAVE ALL SORTS OF PROTECTIONS ARE READY OR OR WHERE YOU CAN YOU CAN DO THINGS BECAUSE WE TAKE PUBLIC SAFETY INTO CONSIDERATION.

THIS ISN'T ANYTHING MORE THAN THAT.

NOT TRYING TO SHUT DOWN DEBATE, NOT TRYING TO SHUT DOWN ANYONE'S FREE SPEECH.

DON'T WANT TO EVER DO I FULLY SUPPORT FREE SPEECH.

>> I WANT TO LISTEN AGAIN TO THE ORGANIZER THAT WE HEARD IN THE SEGMENT WHEN HE GAVE HIS REACTION TO THIS PROPOSAL.

>> WHEN WE'VE DONE THESE SHUTDOWNS, LAKESHORE DRIVE 90 94.

THE I-NINETY I-190 EXCUSE ME.

AND IN ALL OF THESE SHUTDOWNS WHEN WE'VE ENGAGED WITH DRIVERS WHO ARE IN IN THEIR CARS IN THE STREET, WE'VE RECEIVED POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM PEOPLE SAYING WE UNDERSTAND WHY RIGHT HERE UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE DOING WHEN STAND, WHAT YOUR COMMUNITY IS GOING THROUGH.

AND SO AGAIN, YOU KNOW THAT THE REPRESENTATIVES POSITION IS NOT IS NOT MAJORITY POSITION.

REPRESENTATIVES POSITION IS TRYING TO RIDE THE WAVE, AS WE SAY IN ARABIC TRYING TO RIDE THE WAVE OF OUR MOVEMENT FOR HIS OWN POLITICAL GAIN.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

AND AND DO YOU THINK THIS LEGISLATION COULD MOVE QUICKLY AS YOU HOPE?

>> WELL, YEARS, THE THING I MEAN, MICHAEL, BECAUSE IT MOVES QUICKLY BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT ANYONE'S MOVEMENT.

I'VE NOT EVEN CERTAIN UNDERSTAND THEIR PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTERS THAT WERE THERE THAT DAY.

CAME AFTER THE IDEA THAT WE NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

I HAD NO IDEA WHO WAS PROTESTING.

IT DIDN'T MATTER TO ME.

INITIALLY.

I CAME UP WITH THE IDEA OF WHAT THAT WE NEED TO DO.

SOMETHING FOUND OUT LATER WHO WAS PROTESTING.

IT DOESN'T MATTER.

AND THE FACT THAT A MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THEY BELIEVE ARE THEIR REPORTING ARE BEING POSITIVE ABOUT IT.

IF SOMEONE GOT HURT THE SHERWIN ALL I'M TRYING TO STOP HERE.

THIS.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO SPEAK.

WHO'S SPEAKING OR WHAT THEY'RE SAYING?

THIS IS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

ALL OF >> IF THIS IS PASSED?

WHAT WHAT WOULD BE NEXT?

WELL, I THINK WE HOPE IT WOULD BE PASSED.

AND IF IT WERE, I THINK IT WOULD BE CHALLENGE QUITE QUICKLY.

BUT LET ME SAY A WORD ABOUT WHAT THE WHAT THE THE ORGANIZERS SAID.

YOU KNOW, I RESPECTED WHAT HE SAID.

BUT THE FACT THIS IS IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S A POPULAR POSITION OR NOT.

WE SHOULDN'T BE GIVING PEOPLE A FELONY CHARGE AND HAVE THAT FELONY CHARGE CARRY WITH THEM THE REST OF THEIR LIFE FOR ENGAGING IN PROTEST AND ESPECIALLY ABOUT, YOU KNOW, IMPORTANT PUBLIC MATTER POLICY MATTERS.

AND IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THEY'RE IN THE MAJORITY OR THE MINORITY.

WE ARE TO PROTECT THAT FREE SPEECH AND WE OUGHT EMBRACE IT.

I MEAN, TOO OFTEN THERE IS THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT SPEECH THESE DAYS THAT MAKES PROTESTS SEEN DANGEROUS AND SUGGEST THAT SOMEHOW WE HAVE TO BALANCE PUBLIC SAFETY AND FREE SPEECH.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S TRUE.

I THINK WE CAN HAVE BOTH AND I THINK WE'RE BETTER OFF WHEN WE DO.

I'M SURE WE'LL WE'LL SEE A LOT MORE SUMMER OF FOR NOW.

WE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

AND ONGOING STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAN HOUX GUSTY, THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

THANK YOU.

UP NEXT, A SWIMMING IN THE CHICAGO RIVER.

IS IT SAFE?

>> STAY WITH US.

HUNDREDS OF SWIMMERS ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE A SPLASH DOING SOMETHING THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO SAFELY DO.

AND MORE THAN 100 YEARS SWIM IN THE CHICAGO RIVER.

WELL, SOME ADVOCATES SAY THE EVENT IS A DEMONSTRATION OF HOW THE RIVER'S WATER QUALITY HAS BEEN IMPROVED.

OTHERS ARE SKEPTICAL.

JOINING US NOW, OUR DOUG MCCONNELL, THE EVENT ORGANIZER AND FOUNDER AND CEO OF A LONG SWIM.

AND MARGARET FRISBIE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FRIENDS OF THE CHICAGO RIVER.

THANKS TO YOU BOTH FOR JOINING THANK YOU.

OF COURSE.

SO DO WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO ORGANIZE A SWIM IN THE CHICAGO RIVER >> WE FORMED A LONG SWIM, WHICH IS A NONPROFIT AND WE USE IT RAISE MONEY FOR A L S RESEARCH OVER AT NORTHWESTERN'S MED SCHOOL.

WE IN ADDITION TO A BUNCH OF LONG SWIMS THAT I HAVE DONE.

WE ALSO HOST SWIMS FOR OTHER PEOPLE AND SAW A VERY CREATIVE USE OF URBAN SWIMS AROUND THE WORLD AND THOUGHT, BOY, THAT LOOKS A LOT LIKE THE CHICAGO RIVER.

SO STARTING 11 YEARS AGO, WE WE WORKED AND THIS EVENT AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S COMING TO A BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S COMING BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR 11 YEARS AND OBVIOUSLY A LONG SWIM.

L S BEING YOUR AKRON SIEMENS FOR A LESS WHICH VERY MEDICAL TERM.

BUT I WON'T BOTHER TO MESS UP RIGHT NOW.

>> I'M DOUG.

THE METROPOLITAN WATER RECREATE RECORD RECLAMATION DISTRICT SKEWS ME SAYS THAT WHILE WATER QUALITY IN THE CHICAGO RIVER HAS IMPROVED, THERE ARE STILL HAZARDS.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MITIGATE THOSE DANGERS LIKE BOAT TRAFFIC.

THE CURRENTS.

>> WE'RE WORKING UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD BECAUSE THE CHICAGO RIVER IS A FEDERAL WATERWAY AND THE AND THE COAST GUARD HAS PLANS TO CLOSE THE RIVER FOR THE FOR THE TIME OF OUR EVENT, WHICH IS GOING TO BE EARLY ON A SUNDAY MORNING IN SEPTEMBER AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S NO EVENT TRAFFIC.

THAT'S THAT'S PUTTERING BY IN ADDITION THERE IS THERE ARE SONAR READINGS THAT ARE DAWN OF THE UNDERWATER AREAS OF MAIN STEM OF THE OF THE RIVER WHERE WILL BE SWIMMING AND JUST TO ASSURE THAT THERE ARE NO OBSTACLES.

>> OBVIOUSLY, FOLKS ARE REACTING REACTING A LOT SOME WITH LITTLE BIT OF HUMOR, A FEW TWEETS OR POSTS ON THE FORMER SAW ON THE SITE FORMERLY KNOWN AS TWITTER, GRUMPY DAD SAID SIMPLY, YEAH, AND I THINK YOU DON'T SEE THE MOVING AT THE WHERE ALLIGATORS CHASING THE SWIMMER.

LOGAN BELLOWS SAYS ONLY ONE WAY TO MAKE IT SAFE AND HE LOOKS LIKE HE'S GOING FOR SUPER DEEP WATER DIVE LONG TIME AGO.

AND THE CASUAL FAN WROTE, QUOTE, A LIST OF RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS BEFORE SIGNING UP.

TETANUS BOOSTER, HEPATITIS BOOSTER, PRACTICE SWIMMING IN DEEP WATER KEPT DON'T PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT.

MARGARET, REMIND US HOW THE CHICAGO RIVER CAME TO BE SO POLLUTED HAS TO BE UNSAFE FOR SWIMMING.

WELL, YOU KNOW, I'LL START BY SAYING IT IS SAFE FOR SWIMMING.

WE'RE SUPPORTING THIS EVENT IN FRONT OF THE CHICAGO RIVER.

BUT REALLY WHAT HAPPENED IS IN THE 18 50'S IN THE 18 60'S CHICAGO RACE ITSELF UP OUT OF THE SWAMP THAT WE BUILT IT IN AND DIRECTED OUR SEWERS TO THE RIVER.

>> AND THEN ULTIMATELY THE WATER WAS SO POLLUTED.

LAKE, MICHIGAN WAS POLLUTED FROM IT AND WE REVERSE THE RIVER.

SO IT FLOWS BACKWARDS TOWARDS THE GULF OF MEXICO.

HOW'S IT DOING TODAY?

IT'S ACTUALLY REALLY GREAT THAT AMBIENT WATER QUALITY ON YOUR AVERAGE DAY IS GOING UP FOR SWIMMING AND THAT IS MEASURED BY THE METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT.

WHEN THEY MEASURE MEASURE WITH EXCUSE ME WHEN THEY MENTION HAZARDS, IT'S TRUE.

THERE'S BOAT TRAFFIC IN THEIR SEGMENTS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT.

AND, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW YOU GET IN THE WATER AND HOW YOU GET OUT.

BUT REALLY, IF YOU IF YOU PLAN FOR SWIMMING AND YOU DO THE KIND OF THINGS THAT THEY'RE DOING FOR THE CHICAGO RIVER SWIM, THE RIVER IS FINE.

AND THAT'S WHY THIS IS SUCH A GREAT DEMONSTRATION OF HOW YOU CAN CHANGE PEOPLE'S CULTURAL REMEMBRANCE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE RIVER AND PLAN TO GET PEOPLE IN THE WATER SAFELY IN THE FUTURE.

THERE'S THE RIVER REVERSAL, OBVIOUSLY, WHICH WAS, YOU KNOW, AN ENGINEERING FEAT, OF COURSE.

BUT WHAT WHAT WHAT OTHER FACTORS, WHAT OTHER STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO TO IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY.

SO IN THE LAST LITERALLY, 40 YEARS SINCE FRIEND OF FRIEND OF THE CHICAGO RIVER IS FOUNDED, WE'VE PEOPLE USED TALKING ABOUT TUNNEL, WHICH IS REALLY THE TUNNEL RESERVOIR PLAN.

SO THAT HAS GONE ONLINE.

AND WHAT THAT DOES IS THERE'S BIG GIANT RESERVOIRS AND 110 MILES OF TUNNEL THAT STORE RAIN AND SEWAGE AND EVERYTHING TO TREAT IT BEFORE IT GETS RELEASED INTO THE RIVER SYSTEM SINCE IT WAS STARTED IN THE 1970'S, IT IS NEARLY COMPLETE THURS 11 BILLION GALLONS OF STORAGE.

SO WHEN IT RAINS, MOST OF THE SEWAGE WILL ALL OF THE SEWAGE AND INDUSTRIAL RATE RIGHT ENDS UP ALL THERE.

AND WHAT HAPPENS IS IT GETS TREATED SLOWLY DISCHARGE AND ONLY 10 OR 11.

A DISCHARGE.

THE RIVER HAVE DISCHARGED IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

SO WE KNOW THAT THAT IS REALLY MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

85% OF ALL SUIT TO ENDED UP IN THE RIVER IS NOW OUT.

THEN ON TOP OF IT, SEWAGE EFFLUENT DISINFECTION.

SO THERE'S JUST THE DISCHARGE FROM THE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS.

I'M ACTUALLY IS LIKE A SWIMMING POOL.

THEY'RE CLEANING THE WATER AND RELEASING A CLEAN.

SO 70% OF THE WATER IN THE RIVER SYSTEM COMES FROM THE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AND IT'S COMING OUT OKAY.

SINCE MUCH CLEANER THAN I THANK YOU FOR THAT SUDDEN, THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF CONFUSION OVER THE EVENT YOU HAVE PERMIT FOR THE EVENT THROUGH THE COAST GUARD, AS YOU MENTIONED, BECAUSE THE RIVER IS A FEDERAL WATER >> BUT THE EVENT WAS ANNOUNCED BEFORE CITY APPROVAL AND 34TH WARD ALDERMAN BILL CONWAY WRITES ON SOCIAL MEDIA, QUOTE, WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THE RIVER IS SAFE FOR THIS EVENT.

IN RESPONSE TO AN ABC 7 ARTICLE STATING THE EVENT WAS PROMOTED WITHOUT CITY APPROVAL.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO HIS CONCERNS?

HE'S RIGHT.

WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE BETTER.

>> AND IT'S THE IT'S THE COAST GUARD THAT HAS KIND OF TAKEN THE LABORING OR TO KIND OF MANAGE THAT COMMUNICATION.

THEY COURSE THEY WORK WITH CITY DEPARTMENTS ALL THE TIME AND AND OFFERED TO DO THAT COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION REALLY WITH EVERYBODY'S FOCUS ON HAVING A CLEAN SAFE EVENT.

YOU KNOW, EARLY ON A SUNDAY MORNING.

>> AND WHAT'S BEEN THE RESPONSE SINCE THIS WAS ANNOUNCED AND WE KNOW IS CAN WE WE WE ASKED FOR AN APPROVAL FOR 500 SWIMMERS WHO MOST OF WHOM ARE TRIATHLETES.

AND SO REALLY OUTSTANDING ATHLETE.

WE'VE ASKED PEOPLE TO TO FILL 500 SLOTS IN 2 WEEKS.

WE'VE HAD 1100 APPLICATIONS AND AND REALLY THANKFULLY, 3RD OF THEM ARE FROM AWAY FROM CHICAGO ALL TOGETHER THE THE 56 OF 77 NEIGHBORHOODS ARE REPRESENTED IN THOSE APPLICATIONS.

ANOTHER 35 STATES ARE REPRESENTED, INCLUDING HAWAII, SO FAR AWAY AND 12 COUNTRIES, INCLUDING AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.

SO THIS IS CAUSED A PRETTY BIG STAR.

AND WE'RE VERY PLEASE GOING MAKE A SPLASH.

WHAT I DID ALL I LOOK FORWARD TO LEARNING MORE ABOUT THIS WE GET CLOSER TO SEPTEMBER 22ND.

DOUG MCCONNELL MARKET FOR WE THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

THANK YOU, BRANDON, THANK YOU.

AND AGAIN, THE CHICAGO RIVER SWIM EVENT IS PLANNED FOR SEPTEMBER 22ND.

YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS.

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

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED WITH BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING AND YOU CAN GET YOUR TONIGHT STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE AND OUR WEBSITE WTW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10.

THE LATEST IN OUR SERIES SAFER CITY WHERE WE DEVOTE THE ENTIRE PROGRAM TO ISSUES OF PUBLIC IN COMMUNITY SAFETY ON TOMORROW'S PROGRAM, WE TALKED ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO EMPOWER KIDS AND HEAR FROM TEAMS THEMSELVES WORKING TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE AROUND GUN VIOLENCE.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO BRANDIS FRIEDMAN, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> CLOSED CAPTION WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT, A CLIFF AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH FOR THAT IS PROUD TO BE A MULTI-LINGUAL