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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WALL STREET REACTS TO BUSINESSMAN ELON MUSK BUYING TWITTER.

WHAT COULD IT MEAN FOR FREE SPEECH?

>> WE ARE WORKING TO EDUCATE AND WORK WITH FOLKS ACROSS THE CITY WITH CONCERNS ABOUT IT.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S AUDRA WILSON WHAT IS BEING DONE TO ADDRESS IT.

THERE IS A BIRD FLU OUTBREAK IN THE U.S.

INCLUDING IN ILLINOIS.

ADVICE HOW TO HELP STOP THE SPREAD.

STAFF AT THE CHICAGO READER PROTEST AS THE FUTURE OF THE ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER REMAINED UNCERTAIN AMID AN EFFORT TO GO NONPROFIT.

THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST MEAT PROCESSING COMPANY IS SPENDING MILLIONS TO GIVE ITS WORKERS FREE COLLEGE AND THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> WHEN YOU START CUTTING IT RIGHT AWAY IT'S FAIRLY SOFT.

>> REIMAGINE DEAD TREES.

>> SON OF A GUN WHEN WE PUT IT IN THE FRYER IT HELD TOGETHER >> AND A LOOK AT THE FOURTH GENERATION FAMILY BUSINESS THAT CREATED ONE OF CHICAGO'S MOST ENDURING FRIED FAST FOOD FAVORITES.

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE WARMEST WEEKEND OF THE YEAR BROUGHT WITH IT A RASH OF SHOOTINGS IN CHICAGO.

ACCORDING TO CHICAGO POLICE, EIGHT PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND 42 WERE SHOT IN 32 SEPARATE SHOOTINGS BETWEEN FRIDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHTS WHEN TEMPERATURES JUMPED INTO THE 80s.

TWO MEN WERE KILLED AND 2 WERE INJURED IN A DRIVE-BY SHOOTING SATURDAY ON THE 1900 BLOCK OF WEST GARFIELD BOULEVARD.

THE MEN WERE STANDING OUTSIDE WHEN SOMEONE INSIDE A GRAY VEHICLE OPENED FIRE.

A 42-YEAR-OLD AND 48-YEAR-OLD WERE STRUCK MULTIPLE TIMES AND KILLED.

>> LIVE EXPECTANCY IN CHICAGO DROPPED BY ALMOST TWO YEARS DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ACCORDING TO A REPORT FROM THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH WHICH SAYS THE DROP FROM 2019 TO 2020 WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST ON RECORD.

THE SHARPEST FALLS CAME FOR THE LATINO AND BLACK RESIDENTS.

CDPH SAYS FOR THE FIRST TIME LIFE EXPECTANCY FOR BLACK RESIDENTS HAS FALLEN BELOW 70 YEARS.

THAT PUTS THE GAP BETWEEN BLACK RESIDENTS AND WHITE RESIDENTS 10 YEARS.

ASIAN TRAFFICKED BY TWO YEARS AND FOR WHITE CHICAGOANS BY ONE YEAR.

WHILE COVID WAS A DRIVER IT WAS ONLY THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN 2020 BEHIND HEART DISEASE.

>> A BULL'S STARTER CAN BE SIDE LINED.

ALEX CARUSO IS IN CONCUSSION PROTOCOL AND COULD MISS GAME 5.

THE GUARD LEFT AFTER GETTING HIT IN THE FACE BY AN ELBOW FROM BUCK'S GUARD CARTER.

CARUSO IS ONE OF THE BULL'S BEST DEFENDERS AND HE WOULD BE A BIG LOSS IF HE IS INDEED SIDELINED FOR AN ELIMINATION GAME FOR THE BULLS.

AFTER LOSING TWO GAMES AT HOME THE BULLS MUST WIN TO KEEP THE BEST OF SEVEN SERIES ALIVE.

>> AND UP NEXT WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE MAYOR'S PROPOSAL TO GO AFTER GANG PROFITS?

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE IN PART BY... >> WEDNESDAY MARKS CHICAGO'S NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND ONE ITEM THAT WILL NOT BE ON THE AGENDA IS MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S PLAN TO GO AFTER GANG PROFITS THAT PLAN REMAINS STALLED TWO MONTHS AFTER INTRODUCED AND HE GREETED BY CRITICISM.

HEATHER CHERONE JOINING US WITH MORE.

REMIND US WHAT THIS ORDINANCE OD DO?

IT WOULD ALLOW CITY LEADERS TO SUE GANG MEMBERS AND LEADERS FOR ANY PROFITS THEY EARN FROM THEIR CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES.

AND THE MAYOR PUT THIS AT THE CENTER OF HER PLAN TO ADDRESS THE REALLY SERIOUS SURGE IN CRIME AND VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO.

SAYING IT WAS CRUCIAL BUT IT HASN'T GOTTEN OFF THE GROUND.

>> LAST WEEK THE MAYOR WAS ASKED WHERE THE ORDINANCE STOOD.

>> WE ARE WORKING TO EDUCATE AND COMMUNICATE WITH FOLKS ACROSS THE CITY THAT HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT IT.

>> REMIND US THE OPPONENTS AND SOME OF THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THIS?

>> WELL, REALLY THE LEADING OPPONENT OF THIS MEASURE HAS BEEN THE A.C.L.U.

OF ILLINOIS STRIDENT IN THEIR CONCERN THAT IT WOULD TARGET BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGOANS AND PEOPLE AND FAMILIES WHO COULD LEAST AFFORD IT.

WHILE DOING NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE SERIOUS GANG PROBLEM IN CHICAGO BECAUSE THOSE ORGANIZATIONS ARE SMALL AND DIFFUSED.

IT'S BEEN CRITICIZED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF THE POLICE WHO SAID IT'S PURE POLITICAL THEATRE.

THERE IS NOT REALLY A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THIS MEASURE WHICH IS WHY IT REMAINS STALLED TWO MONTHS AFTER IT MADE IT OUT OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

>> IS THERE ANY PATH TO VICTORY FOR THE MAYOR OR DOES SHE NEED TO ADMIT DEFEAT?

>> SHE IS TRULY RELUCTANT TO ADMIT DEFEAT I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY PATH OF A VOTE TO 26 ALDERPEOPLE IN FAVOR OF IT.

THE PROPOSAL HAS BEEN OUT THERE SINCE SEPTEMBER.

IT'S BEEN REVISED SIGNIFICANTLY TO TRY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE CRITICISM AND IT'S GOTTEN NOWHERE.

THIS WOULD BE A MASSIVE DEFEAT FOR MAYOR LIGHTFOOT BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, PARIS, USUALLY WHAT CHICAGO MAYORS WANT THEY GET FROM THE CITY COUNCIL BUT IT IS CLEAR THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL HAS NO APPETITE FOR THIS PROPOSAL WHATSOEVER.

>> CANNOT SAY IT IS A RUM PER STAMPED CITY COUNCIL NOT ON THIS ISSUE.

HEATHER CHERONE THANK YOU.

>> THANKS, PARIS >> AND YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY AND THE ORDINANCE PROPOSAL ON OUR WEBSITE AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> CHICAGO'S AIR POLLUTION LEVELS ARE AMONG THE WORST IN THE NATION ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION.

THE AGENCY RANKED CHICAGO WITH THE 16TH WORST AIR QUALITY IN THE NATION ON THE HEELS OF MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S PLAN TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 60% BY 2025.

JOINING YOUR ARE ANGELA TIN NATIONAL SENIOR DIRECTOR OF CLEAN AIR INITIATIVES AT THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION.

AND ANTHONY MOSER A FOUNDING MEMBER WITH THE GROUP NEIGHBORS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.

AND WE SHOULD NOTE WE INVITED A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE CITY BUT THEY DECLINED OUR OFFER.

FIRST ANGELA TIN WHAT LANDED CHICAGO AT THE 16TH SPOT ON THIS LIST OF MOST POLLUTED CITIES?

>> THIS IS AN ONGOING EVALUATION THAT OCCURS EVERY YEAR.

AND LAST YEAR CHICAGO WAS THE 16TH AND CONTINUES TO BE THE 16TH WORSE.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT OZONE AND PARTICULATE MATTER.

BREAKDOWN THE DIFFERENCE.

>> OK. OZONE IS FORMED BY THE CHEMICAL REACTION BETWEEN NITROGEN OXIDE, SUN SLIGHT, EAT AND KEMP KELLS AND THEY FORM TOBIN AND COMBINE AND FORM INTO OZONE.

>> AND PARTICULATE MATTER ARE THE DUST PARTICLES THAT FOLKS BREATHE THAT ARE UNHEALTHY?

>> IT INCLUDES DUST, AND SOME WATER DROPLETS AND SOIL, OHM ORGANIC COMPONENTS, POLLEN AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> AND ANTHONY MOSER EARLIER WE TALKED ABOUT HOW LIFE EXPECTANCY DROPPED, HOW DOES AIR POLLUTION PLAY INTO THAT IN DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGHOUT THE CITY?

>> SURE.

SO AIR POLLUTION FIRST OF ALL THERE'S NO SAFE LEVELS OF AIR POLLUTION.

AND ONE THING WE KNOW IS THAT IT IS CORRELATED WITH HIGHER MORTALITY, MORE SEVERE CASES OF COVID IF YOU GET IT, THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS IT CAN AFFECT YOUR HEALTH.

AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAS DONE ITS OWN MAPPING WHERE THERE IS THE GREATEST RISK AND THE GREATEST HEALTH IMPACT FROM AIR POLLUTION.

THERE IS A WELL ESTABLISHED RED ZONE ESPECIALLY ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE AND THE WEST SIDE WHERE THE INDUSTRIAL CORRIDORS ARE THAT HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE WORST AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH CONSEQUENCE AS A RESULT OF THAT.

>> ANGELA TIN CHICAGO RANKING 16TH.

THE THIRD LARGEST METRO REGION IS THERE SOME SOLIS TO THE FACT IT IS NOT THE THIRD WORST.

>> IT CONTINUES TO BE NOT GOOD.

BUT AGAIN THERE IS SLOW IMPROVEMENT ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF OZONE.

>> TALK ABOUT, WHAT CAUSED THAT IMPROVEMENT?

WE HAVE HAD COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS SHUTDOWN IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.

WHAT ARE THE FACTORS CAUSING IMPROVEMENT IN THE CITY?

>> WELL ONE OF THE MAJOR THINGS IT COMES FROM THE COMBUSTION OF GENERALLY AUTOMOBILES ENGINES AND MOBILE TRANSPORTATION SOURCES.

SO WE CONTINUALLY HAVE THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES THAT TRAVELERS -- TRAVERSE THE STREETS OF CHICAGO AND THEY DON'T GO LESS.

THERE'S CONTINUE TO BE ABUNDANT NUMBERS.

IN ADDITION WE HAVE HAD MORE MASS TRANSIT VEHICLES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO REDUCE THE POLLUTION BY USING ALTERNATE FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVE FUELS AND OTHER TYPES OF ENGINE SOURCES LIKE ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

>> SOME SLIGHT IMPROVEMENTS.

ANTHONY MOSER THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF DEBATES ESPECIALLY ON THE SOUTH SIDE SOUTH CHICAGO AND THE REJECTION OF GENERAL IRON MOVING IN THERE.

TALK ABOUT THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON PEOPLE IN PLACES LIKE LITTLE VILLAGE OR SOUTH CHICAGO BECAUSE OF ALL THAT INDUSTRY?

>> YES.

I THINK IN A LOT OF WAYS THE HEALTH IMPACTS ARE DOCUMENTED.

IT CAN SHORTEN YOUR LIFESPAN IN A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO SEE THE CITY DO IS MOVE PAST JUST CATALOGING THE STUFF AND PAST MEASURING AIR QUALITY LIKE THE NEW CLIMATE ACTION PLAN PROPOSES SENSORS THERE IS DATA FOR WE TO HAVE.

FOR DATA TO MATTER YOU NEED TO ACT ON IT.

AND THAT MEANS, WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT VEHICLE TRAVEL OR TRUCKS AND CARS AND THERE IS A LOT OF WAREHOUSING CONNECTED TO THAT STUFF GENERATES A LOT OF AIR POLLUTION WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION TO REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM THE SOURCES.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR US TO JUST MEASURE AIR POLLUTION AND SAYING WE KNOW THE AIR QUALITY IS BAD WE HAVE TO SAY WHAT IS MAKING IT BAD AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE IT BETTER.

>> ANGELA TIN THE MAYOR PROPOSED 60% REDUCTION IN THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 2025.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT CHICAGO AND THE STATUS AS A CENTRAL TRANSPORTATION HUB ALL THE INDUSTRY AND TRAFFIC IT THAT ACHIEVABLE?

>> WELL, ONE THING WE FOUND OUT THAT THIS DATA COLLECTED DURING THE YEARS OF 2018, 19 AND 20, AND IN 2020, THIS WAS WHEN THE COVID WAS ABOUT AND WE HAD A REDUCED LEVEL OF TRANSPORTATION, AND EVEN THAT REDUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC, THE AIR POLLUTION MONITORS DID NOT SHOW HARDLY ANY IMPROVEMENT.

SO WE NEED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES BY USING ALTERNATIVE FUELS AND ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION SOURCES AND ALTERNATIVE ENGINES MORE THAN WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING TODAY.

>> AND WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF THAT IS A PART OF THE PLAN FOR THE CITY.

ANTHONY YOUR ORGANIZATION IS CROWDFUNDED AIR MONITORS AND DIFFERENT WAYS TO SORT OF MITIGATE POLLUTION IN NEIGHBORHOODS.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THESE EFFORTS.

>> SURE.

I MEAN WE HAVE DONE OUR OWN AIR MONITORING ON A COMMUNITY BASIS STARTING FROM WHEN MATT ASPHALT OPENED ACROSS FROM MCKINLAY PARK THAT STARTED AND GOT US ORGANIZING.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE DONE TO TRY AND DEMONSTRATE THE PROBLEM IS REAL.

WE HAVE DATA THAT SHOWS THAT AND THE CITY HAS A LOT OF DATA THAT SHOWS THAT.

THEY ALSO HAVE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED.

THEY KNOW WHERE THE PROBLEM AREAS ARE.

AND REALLY WHAT WE NEED TO SEE IS MOVEMENT AROUND ADDRESSING THOSE PROBLEMS.

AND SO LIKE WE 60% REDUCTION THERE IN GREENHOUSE GASES IS THE TARGET.

I NOTICED IN THE CITY'S CLIMATE ACTION PLAN THEY SAID 17% OF OUR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS COME FROM MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION.

AND THOSE INDUSTRIES ARE LOCATED ALONG THE SOUTHWEST SIDE IN THE INDUSTRIAL CORRIDORS.

BUT THE QUESTION IS HOW MUCH OF THAT INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY AND HOW MUCH OF THAT CONSTRUCTION IS DIRECT RESULT OF CITY CONTRACTING AND CITY PROJECTS?

WE NEED TO QUANTIFY THE EMISSIONS GENERATED BY THE CITY'S OWN PROJECTS AND PROPOSALS IF WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CUT THE EMISSIONS BY 60%.

IF THAT IS THE GOAL.

>> AS I UNDERSTAND MATT ASPHALT THEY PRODUCE ASPHALT THAT THE CITY USES TO PAVE ROADS.

A LOT OF THINGS TO LOOK AT.

THANKS TO ANGELA TIN AND ANTHONY MOSER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD ATWITTER TODAY BECAUSE THE SOCIAL MEDIA GIANT ANNOUNCED BILLIONAIRE TESLA C.E.O.

AND SpaceX FOUNDER ELON MUSK WILL BUY THE PLATFORM FOR $44 BILLION AND TAKE IT PRIVATE.

THIS COMES AS THE EU PASSED SWEEPING NEW REGULATIONS TO ROOT OUT DISINFORMATION AND HATE SPEECH ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

AND JOINING US WITH MORE ARE ARI COHN A LOCAL FIRST AMENDMENT AND DEFAMATION ATTORNEY WHO SERVES AS FREE SPEECH COUNSEL FOR THE DC BASED TECH FREEDOM THINK TANK.

AND RICHARD SMITH C.E.O.

OF THE INVESTOR RISK MANAGEMENT APP RISK SMITH.

WELCOME BACK.

ARI COHN ELON MUSK TWEETED A LOT ABOUT HIS INTENTIONS WITH TWITTER BUT WHAT DOES THIS TAKEOVER PORTEND FOR THE SOCIAL MEDIA GIANT?

>> IT'S HARD TO TELL AT THIS POINT.

ELON MUSK SAID A BUNCH OF THINGS THAT HE WANTS TO DO AND SOME OF THEM, MIGHT BE GOOD IDEAS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE GOOD IDEAS.

WHAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW EASILY IT WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED.

THERE IS A LOT HE WANTS TO DO AND SOME IS MORE FEASIBLE THAN OTHERS IT WILL BE A WHILE BEFORE WE TELL WHAT THE IMPACT WILL BE.

>> RICHARD SMITH TAKE US INSIDE THIS $44 BILLION DEAL AND WHY DID HE PURSUE IT.

>> IT IS A MISSION AND PASSION PROJECT FOR HIM.

HE HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS DECADES GOING BACK TO HIS WORK WITH PAYPAL.

HE WANTS A MORE FREE, DECENTRALIZED ECONOMY HE THINKS THIS IS THE BEST THING HE CAN DO WITH HIS MONEY.

HAS GOTTEN HIMSELF INTO THIS POSITION AND HE CAN MAKE A PLAY FOR SOMETHING THAT HE CAN DO SOMETHING.

I BELIEVE IT IS A SINCERE BELIEF ON THIS PART THAT TWITTER FUNCTIONS AS A CRITICAL FUN SON OF SOCIETY.

>> HE WOULD BE LOATHE TO EDIT ANYTHING WHAT COULD THAT LOOK LIKE WHEN YOU SEE BAD ACTORS ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT SPREAD DISINFORMATION AND HATE SPEECH AND THOSE LEAD TO THINGS LIKE MOB VIOLENCE OR SOME OTHER VIOLENCE?

>> WELL, SO HE SAYS HE WANTS TO ALLOW ALL SPEECH THAT IS LEGAL.

EVEN THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY TRUE.

HE WANTS TO GET RID OF THE BOTS AND THE SPAM WHICH I SUPPORT HIM ON AND THOSE ARE PROTECTED SPEECH.

IT'S HARD TO -- IT IS A NICE SOUNDBYTE TO SAY YOU WANT ALL THE SPEECH THAT IS LEGAL TO BE ON THERE.

IT'S MORE DIFFERENT PRACTICALLY SPEAKING AND THE PLATFORMS THAT HAVE TRIED TO POSE AS FREE SPEECH ALTERNATIVES HAVE RULES THAT FORBID CERTAIN SPEECH THAT IS CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED.

LIKE DOCKING SOME PLATFORMS FORBID.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A LINE DRAWING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

I THINK WHAT ALSO MAKES IT COME INDICATE SECOND DETERMINING WHAT SPEECH IS OR ISN'T LEGAL IS SOMETHING ONLY HUMANS CAN DO AND IT WILL TAKE A LOT OF THEM.

MODERATION AT SCALE IS IMPOSSIBLE.

SO IMPOSSIBLE WE'LL PROBABLY NEVER EVER MASTER IT.

IT WILL BE A COMPLICATED THING TO DO.

BUT ON TOP OF THAT, YOU HAVE TO BUILD A PLATFORM THAT PEOPLE WANT TO USE.

THERE WILL BE CONTENT THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO USE THE PLATFORM IF THEY SEE THAT CONTENT AND THERE'S GOING TO BE CONTENT OF ADVERTISERS DON'T WANT TO PUT THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS NEXT TO.

THERE'S GOING TO BE LINE DRAWING AND SOME KIND OF JUDGMENT.

THAT IS THE IMPOSSIBLE PART OF CONTENT MODERATION NO MATTER WHERE YOU DRAW THE LINES THE JUDGMENTS ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE DISAGREED WITH BY SOMEONE.

PEOPLE CANNOT AGREE ON WHAT FREE SPEECH IT.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK.

RICHARD SMITH THE OTHER THING HE SAID HE WANTS TO SHED LIGHT ON THE ALGORITHMS THAT TWITTER USES TO BOOST POSTS OR MAKE POSTS GO VIRAL.

HOW CAN THAT IMPACT THE COMPANY AND THE USER EXPERIENCE?

>> LET ME MAKE ONE POINT FROM ARI'S COMMENTS MUSK DOES NOT HAVE A FREEHAND.

HE HAD TO BORROW A LOT OF MONEY AND DO FINANCING IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS DEAL POSSIBLE.

HE IS UNDER SOME MARKET CON TRANTS STILL.

I DON'T THINK HE HAS QUITE THE FREEHAND HE WISHES HE DID.

BUT, GETTING BACK TO THE ALGORITHM QUESTION, I DO THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS HERE AND I AGREE THAT THERE'S LOTS OF ROOM FOR WHAT IS FREE SPEECH AND WHAT IS NOT, WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS DEAL IS THAT I FEEL LIKE IT REALLY OPENS UP THE CONVERSATION IN A WHOLE NEW WAY.

AND EVEN IF THE DEAL HND'S CLOSED I STILL WOULD HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED MUSK TO HAVE WON FOR STARTING THIS CONVERSATION IN THE WAY HE HAS AND THE FACT HE IS WILLING TO PUT HIS MONEY AND BACK IT UP, AND ACTUALLY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS, THAT IS A BIG, BIG CAKE.

THE ALGORITHM PART IS HUGE.

THE IDEA OF TRANSPARENCY AROUND HOW ALGORITHMS ARE MAKING DECISIONS FOR US, I THINK IS HUGE.

SOMETHING I'VE BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR A LONGTIME AND I'M DEVELOPING TEMPERATURE BECAUSE MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT WE ARE BEING MANIPULATED BY THE ALGORITHMS BEHIND THE SCENES.

THEIR BEHAVIOR MODERATION PROGRAM FOR CORPORATE PROFITS.

MORE TRANSPARENCY AROUND THAT AND MORE CHOICE THIS TIES INTO MUSK'S AND JACK DORSEY'S BY THE WAY INTEREST IN CRYPTOCURRENCIES AND BITCOIN.

I THIS THIS IS A SEA CHANGE AND A BANNER DAY IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND BIG TECH.

>> WE MENTIONED THIS COMES JUST AFTER THE EU PASSED THE SWEEPING NEW REGULATIONS ON THE TECH COMPANIES TO POLICE DISINFORMATION AND HATE SPEECH.

REMIND US WHAT THE REGULATIONS WILL DO?

>> IN OTHER COUNTRIES THERE IS A LOT OF SPEECH PROTECTED BY OUR FIRST AMENDMENT THAT IS NOT PROTECTED IN THOSE COUNTRIES.

AND THOSE COUNTRIES ARE GOING TO REGULATE AND TRY AND PUNISH OR FINE PLATFORMS FOR NOT MODERATING THAT CONTENT WHICH IN THE U.S.

THE GOVERNMENT ABSOLUTELY COULD NOT FORBID OR PUNISH SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS FOR HOSTING.

IT SPEAKS TO THE PROBLEMS OF INTERNET REGULATION BECAUSE ONE COUNTRY MIGHT REGULATE CONTENT IN SOME WAY AND THAT CREATES A COMPLIANCE NIGHTMARE WHEN THERE'S ALL THE DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS THAT A COMPANY HAS TO DEAL WITH.

AND SO THEN IT BECOMES A QUESTION DO I DEAL WITH EACH OF THE COUNTRIES SEPARATELY OR DO I MAKE MY POLICIES BASED AROUND THE MOST RESTRICTIVE COUNTRY.

I AGREE WITH RICHARD THAT THERE'S THINGS ABOUT HIS TRANSPARENCY IDEAS THAT ARE VALID.

HE HIT ON A CRIT POINT THAT PEOPLE DON'T TRUST HOW THE PLATFORMS ARE BEING RUN AND MODERATED.

IT IS UNDENIABLE THAT IS TRUE.

AND WHEN HE SAYS HE WANTS TO NOTE IN TWEETS WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN PRIORITIZED OR DEPRIORITIZED AND WHAT THE PLATFORM HAS DONE WITH THEM, THAT IS A COOL IDEA TO TRY.

AND I LIKE THAT THIS EXHIBITS THE WAY IN WHICH LAW SECTION 230 PERMIT THE PLATFORMS TO COME UP WITH THE NEW IDEAS AND PLAY AROUND WITH THEM WITHOUT RISK INHERENT IN TRYING TO DO THAT.

>> ON THAT ISSUE OF TRANSPARENTTY -- TRANSPARENCY HE WANTS TO RULE OUT THE BOTS AND VERIFIED HUMANS.

BOTS THEY SPREAD MISINFORMATION OR SPREAD STRANGE SPEECH.

CAN THAT BE ACCOMPLISHED?

>> WELL, I THINK THE KEY PIECE IS VERIFIED HUMANS.

I'M NOT SURE HOW HE IS GOING TO DO THAT WITHOUT KYI, KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER DISCLOSING WHO YOU ARE.

HOW DO YOU VERIFY A HUMAN WHILE STILL MAINTAINING PRIVACY, WHICH I DON'T THINK HE TENDS TO ELIMINATE THAT OPTION.

THESE ARE GREAT IDEAS.

GOOD ASPIRATIONS.

THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

BUT THE FACT HE IS CALLING THE PROBLEMS OUT AND SAYING HE WANTS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THEM IS VERY ENCOURAGING.

>> I THINK THE VERIFIED HUMAN PART IS A LITTLE BIT MORE ROOM FOR CONCERN.

I THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO STAY ANONYMOUS ON TWITTER WHETHER IT'S BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT IT TIED TO THE EMPLOYER FIND OUT OR PART OF A MARGINALIZED GROUP.

BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO POST UNDER YOUR REAL NAME.

TWITTER HAS THAT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR IDENTITY AND OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO COMPUNCTION ABOUT SAYING GIVE ME THE IDENTITIES OF THESE DISSIDENTS.

>> SOCIAL MEDIA IS 20 YEARS OLD AND THERE'S SO MUCH TO BE FIGURED OUT ABOUT HOW THIS SHOULD OPERATE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF EVERYBODY.

OUR THANKS TO ARI COHN AND RICHARD SMITH WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, MEET THE FAMILY BEHIND A BELOVED FRIED FOOD.

SO STAY WITH US.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING A LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF THE BIRD FLU OUTBREAK HERE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> FIRST, CHICAGO'S BLEND OF CULTURES RESULTED IN A LONG AND DELICIOUS LIST OF CULINARY INNOVATIONS.

ONE FAVORITE STARTED WITH AN ASYRIAN FAMILY THAT FOLDED TOGETHER ITALIAN AND MEXICAN INGREDIENTS TO CREATE A HOT DOG STAND STAPLE.

GUN GUN HAS THE STORY AND WE ADMIT IT IS A PUFF PIECE.

>> THE PIZZA PUFF HAS BEEN ON THE MENU AT BYRON'S HOT DOGS FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS.

THE PRESIDENT MIKE PAYNE SAYS THE HUMBLE POCKET IS STAYING POWER IS PROOF.

>> IT DOESN'T TAKE ROCKET SCIENCE TO COOK THEM.

YOU PUT IT IN THE DEEP FRYER AND WAIT UNTIL IT'S DONE AND YOU ARE DONE.

>> SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION IN 1976 MILLIONS OF PIZZA PUFFS HAVE BEEN PRESSED, FILLED AND FOLDED AND PACKAGED FOR COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL SAIL IN IL TACO FOODS WEST TOWN FACILITY.

>> I AM STANDING OUTSIDE THE PIZZA PUFF LINE.

AND IF YOU ARE ANYTHING LIKE ME THIS IS EXCITING.

IT'S LIKE STANDING OUTSIDE THE GATES OF THE WILLIE WONKA CHOCOLATE FACTORY.

>> IT'S MADE FROM SCRATCH EVERYDAY.

WHETHER IT BE THE FILLING OR THE DOUGH THAT WE MAKE AND THEN WE HAND FOLD THEM.

OUR EMPLOYEES WORK THEIR TAILS OFF HERE AND APPRECIATED EVERYDAY.

THEY ARE REALLY GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO AND THEY REALLY HAVE A PASSION AND APPRECIATE IT.

>> YOU COULD BE FORGIVEN FOR THINKING A COMPANY NAMED IL TACOS MAKES TACOS.

>> THAT STANDS WITH ILLINOIS TAMALE COMPANY STARTED WITH MY GRANDFATHER.

>> IN 1927 HE BOUGHT A COMPANY MAKING CHICAGO STYLE ROLLED TAMALES FOR PUSH CART VENDORS.

WHEN WARREN SHABAZ TOOK THE COMPANY OVER IN 1964 HE CONDENSED THE NAME TO IL TACO.

BY THE 70s, THE HOT DOG STANDS WERE READY FOR SOMETHING NEW.

>> MY BROTHER AND I GREW UP IN AN ALL ITALIAN NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND CALZONES WERE HUGE BACK THEN AND I HAD A BUDDY.

HE OWNED AZTEC CORN PRODUCTS AND I SAID LISTEN, ART, LET ME TAKE SOME OF YOUR TORTILLAS.

>> WAR RIGHT HAND AND EDWARD USED THE DOUGH AS A WRAPPER FOR A SPICEY PIZZA FLAVORED FILLING.

HE SAYS MAKING A POCKET THAT COULD TAKE THE PLUNGE IN THE DEEP FLYER TOOK TRIAL AND ERROR BUT... >> WHEN WE PUT IT IN THE FRENCH FRYER IT HELD TOGETHER AND IT WAS AMAZING.

>> IL TACO ADDED THE PIZZA PUFF TO THE LINEUP AND IT TOOK OFF.

AS THE COMPANY GREW THE FAMILY GREW AND WARREN FOLDED HIS CHILDREN INTO THE FAMILY BUSINESS.

>> OF COURSE I USED TO FORCE THEM TO COME DOWN HERE.

THEY COME DOWN AND WORK IN THE SUMMER.

>> I CANNOT FOLD A PIZZA PUFF IT GOES BY TOO FAST.

THE WORST PART WAS DOING THE TACO PUFF AND HAVING TO PEEL THE ONIONS BY FAR.

I EYES RUNNING.

>> OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS, THE SIBLINGS LEFT OTHER JOBS TO BECOME THE FOURTH GENERATION OF THE FAMILY TO RUN IL TACO.

>> IT'S GROWN AND IT'S BEEN SO FUN TO DO IT WITH TWO OF MY BEST FRIENDS.

AND ENJOY EVERYDAY DOING IT.

SO IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL.

>> I AM EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE THREE KIDS.

SOMETIMES I ALMOST CAN GET TO TEARS BECAUSE THEY ARE HERE.

>> AND THEY SAY THEIR HOPE IS A FIFTH ROUND OF CHAVEZ'S WILL BE READY TO TAKEOVER ONE DAY.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE DO STAY WITH IT AS A FAMILY COMPANY AND IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE THE NEXT GENERATION IF THEY WANT TO.

>> MY SON RIGHT NOW, HE DRILLS ABOUT THREE PIZZA PUFFS A DAY AND THAT IS NOT A JOKE.

>> I FEEL PRIVILEGED I CAN SPEAK FOR MY BROTHERS IT IS A PRIVILEGE.

>> THANK YOU FOR EATING THE PUFFS.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> YOU MIGHT HAVE SPOTTED THE FOR SALE TIME ON THE IL TACO PLANT BECAUSE THE COMPANY IS PLANNING A BIG MOVE.

THE NEW FACILITY WILL BE ON THE NORTH SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEY ARE ANTICIPATING A MOVE IN EARLY 2023.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" PROPERTY GROUPS ARE PUTTING TOGETHER A MORE THAN $8 BILLION FOR KOHL'S.

>> STAFF OF THE CHICAGO READER PROTEST AS THE FUTURE OF THE ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER REMAIN UNCERTAIN.

WE HEAR FROM ONE OF ITS BOARD MEMBERS.

>> ILLINOIS IS ONE OF SEVERAL STATES BEING AFFECTED BY A BIRD FLU OUTBREAK.

WE TALK WITH VETERINARIANS HOW TO HELP STOP THE SPREAD.

AND INVASIVE TREE SPECIE LOCAL EFFORTS ARE TURNING THE PROBLEMS INTO WORKS OF ART.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> A NEW YORK JUDGE HOLDS FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IN CIVIL CONTEMPT FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE SUBPOENA TO TURNOVER DOCUMENTS.

NEW YORK ATTORNEY HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS IN RELATION TO ALLEGED MISSTATEMENTS AND OMISSIONS IN THE ORGANIZATIONS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THIS MORNING, THE JUDGE MADE CLEAR HIS FEELINGS ABOUT THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE COURT'S ORDER TO TURNOVER DOCUMENTS SAYING QUOTE... >> AND TRUMP PLANS TO APPEAL THE DECISION ACCORDING TO HIS ATTORNEY.

>> SUBURBAN CRESTWOOD'S FORMER MAYOR PRESTA WAS SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR IN FEDERAL PRISON AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO BRIBERY AND OTHER CHARGES.

THE 72-YEAR-OLD SEEN HERE WAS CAUGHT IN ' F.B.I.

STING ACCEPTING $5,000 BRIBE FROM AN EXECUTIVE AT A RED LIGHT COMPANY CALLED SAFE SPEED.

THE EXECUTIVE WAS COOPERATING WITH THE FEDS.

THE JUDGE SAID PRESTA HAD DIMINISHED CRESTWOOD'S COMMUNITY BY TAKING A BRIBE TO QUOTE JACK UP RED LIGHT CAMERA TICKETS ON ANYONE DRIVING THROUGH TOWN.

>> APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR CHICAGO'S GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM.

THE CITY OPENED APPLICATIONS ON ITS WEBSITE AT 9:00 A.M.

THE PROGRAM OFFERS GUARANTEED CASH ASSISTANCE OF $500 A MONTH FOR ONE YEAR VIA BANK TRANSFER OR DEBIT CARD T WILL TARGET LOW INCOME CHICAGOANS WHO EXPERIENCED HARDSHIP DUE TO THE PANDEMIC AND FUNDED TO $31 MILLION USING FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF MONEY.

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLYING IS FRIDAY MAY 13TH.

>> JC PENNY IS OFFERING MONEY FOR A MAJOR DEPARTMENT STORE.

CHICAGO'S SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY SEES ITS FIRST MODULAR HOME.

HERE IS CRAIN'S CITY BUSINESS EDITOR ANN DWYER.

GREAT TO SEE YOU.

IT IS NOT THE BIGGEST TRANSACTION ANNOUNCED BUT THE OWNERS OF JC PENNY WANT TO BUY KOHLS FOR $8.6 BILLION.

WHAT IS BEHIND THIS DEAL?

>> WELL, THE OFFER IS COMING FROM SIMON PROPERTIES AND BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT WHICH ARE TWO OF THE BIGGEST MALL OPERATORS IN THE COUNTRY.

AND I THINK THAT THEY ARE BETTING IT'S IN THEIR INTEREST TO SEE IF THERE IS A WAY TO RESCUE JC PENNY WHICH THEY BOUGHT OUT OF BANKRUPTCY IN 2020 TO KEEP KOHL'S AFLOAT.

THEY ARE ESTIMATING THEY CAN BRING A BILLION WORST OF SAVINGS OUT OF KOHL'S IF THEY COMBINE MANAGEMENT AND FIND OTHER EFFICIENCIES.

NOW, THEY ARE SAYING THEY WANT TO KEEP BOTH BRANDS OPERATING UNDER THEIR OWN NAMEPLATES.

AND IF THEY CAN MANAGE TO PULL THIS OFF IS TO SIMON'S BENEFIT.

IT MEANS THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT LOSING THE MAJOR TENANTS.

>> TWO BIG HISTORIC BRANDS.

TYSON FOOD ALSO SPEND $60 MILLION FOR THOUSANDS OF ITS EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND COLLEGE.

HOW COME?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW IT'S PROVED VERY DIFFICULT IN THIS LOW UNEMPLOYMENT ATMOSPHERE TO KEEP WORKERS ON THE LINE AT MEATPACKING PLANTS.

COMPANIES LIKE TYSON WHICH HAS A BIG OPERATION IN CHICAGO THROUGH THE HILL SHIRE BRANDS LABEL ARE PUTTING EVERYTHING THEY CAN IN FRONT OF POTENTIAL WORKERS AND SAYING COME BE WITH US WE WANT TO INVEST IN YOU.

IT'S POTENTIALLY SOMETHING THAT COULD HELP 120,000 U.S. WORKERS AT TYSON TO GAIN HIGHER EDUCATION AND GAIN MANAGEMENT DEGREES MBA'S AND TYSON IS SAYING THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS TO KEEP ON THE FACTORY FLOOR AND TO TRY TO HIRE INTERNALLY INTO THE EXECUTIVE RANKS.

>> A WAY TO ENTICE WORKERS IN THIS LABOR MARKET.

AND DEVELOPER IS COMPLETED ONE MODULAR HOME IN SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY.

REMIND US WHAT A MODULAR HOME IS AND WHY THIS IS SIGNIFICANT?

>> WELL, IT'S SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE YOU KNOW, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS SO OFTEN.

THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRUNCH IN THE CITY IS REAL.

AND A LOT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR MORE CREATIVE WAYS TO CREATE HOUSING STOCK THAT PEOPLE CAN GET INTO AT A GOOD PRICE POINT.

AND THESE MODULAR HOMES ARE BEING OFFERED UP AS A POTENTIAL SOLUTION.

AND THESE ARE HOMES THAT ARE BUILT, FEATURES BUILDINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE BUILT AND HAVE BEEN BUILT IN ARCHER HEIGHTS AT A FACTORY THERE.

THESE ARE BASICALLY HOMES THAT ARE LARGELY BUILT IN PIECES ON THE FACTORY FLOOR AND ASSEMBLED AT THE JOB SITE.

AND A LOT OF ADVOCATES THAT WE'RE TALKING TO SAY THIS COULD BE A GREAT WAY TO BRING BETTER PRICE POINT HOMES DOWN TO SOUTH SHORE AND NEIGHBORHOODS.

SOUTH SHORE IS SEEING PRICES RISE JUST AS MUCH IF NOT MORE THAN A LOT OF OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY.

>> LIKE AN UPDATE ON THE SEARS CATALOG HOMES.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU >> WELL, THE FUTURE OF THE CHICAGO READER IS IN DOUBT.

THIS AS A DISPUTE DRAGS ON BETWEEN STAFF MEMBERS AND ONE OF THE OWNERS.

THE PAPER HAD BEEN ON TRACK TO SWITCH TO A NONPROFIT MODEL BUT CONTENTION WROTE FROM AN AN OP-D COLUMN.

>> IF YOU DON'T TRANSITION INTO A NONPROFIT OR GRANT FUNDED RACIAL JUSTICE REPORTING ABOUT NOT HAPPEN AND I COULD POSSIBLY LOSE MY JOB.

LEN, YOU ARE PREVENTING US FROM WELCOMING A NEW GENERATION OF WRITERS WHO ARE EAGER TO OFFER FRESH NEW PERSPECTIVES WHICH CONTRADICT YOUR CLAIM ABOUT CENSORSHIP.

>> AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE READER IS BOB REITER PRESIDENT OF THE CHICAGO FEDERATION OF LABOR AND A MEMBER OF THE CHICAGO READER INSURANCE ACTUALITY FOR COMMUNITY JOURNALISM NOT-FOR-PROFIT BOARD AND THE CHICAGO READER FOR-PROFIT BOARD.

AND WE ALSO INVITED LEN GOODMAN TO THE CONVERSATION BUT HE DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST.

BOB THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

READER STAFFERS SAID THE PAPER IS DAYS AWAY FROM RUNNING OUT OF MONEY.

HOW LONG DOES IT HAVE?

>> WE'RE ESSENTIALLY ON BORROWED TIME RIGHT NOW.

AND THANK YOU -- THANK GOD THAT THE READER IS CONTINUING TO SELL ADS AND PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THE READER AND I KNOW THAT SORT OF DAY BY DAY.

AND WE'RE HOPING THAT WE CAN BRING THIS TRANSITION, FROM FOR-PROFIT TO NOT-FOR-PROFIT TO FRUITION AND WE CAN PROTECT THIS CHICAGO INSTITUTION OF JOURNALISM ON A GOING FORWARD BASIS.

AND BY THE WAY, PARIS, HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> I'M DOING FINE.

SO THE PLAN HAS BEEN AGREED TO BY THE OWNERS LEN GOODMAN AND LIZZY.

WHAT IS THE HOLD-UP?

>> EVERYONE IS IN AGREEMENT THAT THE READER SHOULD BE MOVING TOWARDS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT MODEL.

I KNOW LEN HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THIS GENERALLY FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

I NOELLESY HAS BEEN IN FAVOR OF THIS FOR A LONGTIME.

THE ISSUE IS ABOUT OTHER THINGS IN THE ETHER.

IT IS NOT ABOUT A QUESTION WHETHER THIS IS THE RIGHT FINANCIAL MODEL FOR THE READER.

IT'S ABOUT HOW WE GET TO THE TRANSITION, HOW DO WE GET TO CLOSING?

WE WERE SUPPOSED TO SEE THIS MOVE HAPPEN AT THE END OF DECEMBER.

HERE WE ARE, WE ARE AT THE END OF APRIL.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THIS THING MOVING.

>> IS THIS ALL ABOUT THAT COLUMN?

AS A REMINDER GOODMAN WROTE A COLUMN AN OP-ED COLUMN THAT WAS CONTROVERSIAL AND APPROVED BY EDITORS OR OTHER THINGS AT PLAY HERE?

>> WELL, I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR LEONARD.

I'M HERE REPRESENTING MYSELF AS A BOARD MEMBER, A BOARD MEMBER APPOINTED BILESY HIGGEN BOTTOM.

BLACK BUSINESS LEADER HERE IN CHICAGO.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU FROM MY PERSPECTIVE THAT LEN'S COLUMN WAS SORT OF THE FLASHPOINT FOR THIS CHANGE IN POSITIONING OF HOW TO GET TO THE SALE.

I THINK THAT IT'S BECOME -- IT'S TAKEN THE COLUMN'S ROLE IN THIS IS BECOMING OUT SIZE IN WHAT THE 50-SOME-YEAR HISTORY OF WHAT THE READER IS AND LEN ANDLE SUPPORT COMMUNITY JOURNALISM AND OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE IN TERMS OF ELDZY WE ARE EAGER TO GET TO THE CONCLUSION.

>> HOW CAN A NONPROFIT READER KEEP THE JOURNALISM GOING STRONG FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE?

>> SO, AS WE ALL KNOW, READER IS LOVED, CHICAGO INSTITUTION, IT'S FREE.

USED TO COME OUT EVERY WEEK AND COMES OUT EVERY OTHER WEEK.

THE NATURE OF HOW AD SALES AND MARKETING HAS CHANGED IN THE DIGITAL AGE HAS NOT MADE THE PRINTED COPY LESS RELEVANT BUT HOW PEOPLE ENGAGE WITH ADVERTISING.

A LOT OF RELEVANT ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE READER FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO ENGAGE WITH PRINT ADVERTISING, BUT IT WOULD BE SILLY TO SAY WE ARE NOT COMPETING FOR AD DOLLARS IN OTHER SPACE.

AND THE READER DOES A TON OF DIGITAL ADVERTISING.

BUT IT'S CHANGED.

THE WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT A VOICE LIKE THE READER THAT GOES IN THE DIRECTION OF CONTROVERSIAL AND PROVOCATIVE STORIES SURVIVES, IS BY GOING TO PLACES THAT WANT TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY JOURNALISM LIKE FOUNDATIONS AND OTHER DONORS WHO WANT TO SUPPORT THAT MISSION.

BECAUSE ACCESS TO GOOD INFORMATION, FACT CHECKED STORIES, COLUMNS THAT ARE WRITTEN ON FIRM FOUNDATIONS THAT IS IMPORTANT AND THAT IS WHAT THE READER IS ALL ABOUT AND THAT'S WHATNOT FOR-PROFIT DONORS ARE LOOKING FOR.

>> 15 SECONDS LEFT, DO YOU ANTICIPATE GOING BACK TO THE TABLE AND GETTING THIS DONE?

AND WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE?

>> I MEAN HERE IS WHERE WE ARE AT.

PEOPLE ARE STILL TALKING IN THE BACKGROUND BUT THE KEY TO THIS IS LET'S NOT GET DISTRACTED BY WHAT HAPPENED WITH THIS COLUMN.

AND LET'S NOT TRY TO THROW EXTRA STUFF AT THE WALL.

IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE FIGHTING OVER WHO GETS TO HAVE CONTROL OF THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT BOARD OF THE READER?

LET THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT BOARD READER CONTROL ITSELF.

IT IS A THIRD PARTY TO THIS.

LEN AND ELSESY NEED TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT ABOUT THIS GETTING TRANSITIONED.

>> AND COMING DOWN TO THE DETAILS WHO MIGHT CONTROL MORE SEATS ON THE BOARD.

ALL RIGHT.

BOB REITER THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> TAKE YOUR BIRD FEEDERS INSIDE AND BRING YOUR CHICKENS INDOORS.

THERE IS A BIRD FLU OUTBREAK.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE UP TO 18 WILD BIRDS IN ILLINOIS TESTED POSITIVE.

AND WITH POULTRY 80 BIRDS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.

THAT TOLL COULD BE HIGHER WHEN TAKING INTO ACCOUNT SUSPECTED DEATHS FROM THE DISEASE.

AND JOINING US WITH MORE ARE Dr. YVETTE JOHNSON-WALKER AT THE UNIVERSITY ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF VETERINARIAN AND SARAH REICH AT WILLOWBROOK WILDLIFE CENTER OF DUPAGE COUNTIES.

DOCTORS, WELCOME.

PUT THIS IN CONTEXT HOW BIG OF AN OUTBREAK OF THE AVIAN FLU IS THIS AND WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?

>> ON THE WILDLIFE SIZE THIS IS BIG.

THE 2014-15 OUTBREAK WAS CONSIDERED TO BE THE WORST OUTBREAK OF AVIAN FLU IN THE U.S. AND THERE WERE 90 SOMETHING BIRDS OR WILD BIRDS TESTING POSITIVE AT THAT TIME.

THERE ARE OVER 800 WILD BIRDS TESTING POSITIVE THIS TIME.

FROM A WILD BIRD STANDPOINT THIS IS LARGE.

AND SPECIES AFFECTED ARE BALD EAGLES WHICH ARE OF PRETTY HIGH IMPORTANCE ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE TO US.

>> AND DOCTOR HOW ABOUT IN THE POULTRY MARKET?

>> THIS HAS BEEN A LARGE OUTBREAK AFFECTING COMMERCIAL POULTRY ALSO.

ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

29 STATES HAVE BEEN IMPACTED.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN 229 DETECTIONS IN BACKYARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY FLOCKS.

SO THIS IS PRETTY SERIOUS OUTBREAK FROM THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR ALSO.

FORTUNATELY IN ILLINOIS WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY COMMERCIAL FACILITY AS EFFECTED.

THERE HAVE BEEN TWO BACKYARD FLOCKS THAT WERE AFFECTED.

AND IN IN ADDITION THERE HAVE BEEN THOSE DETECTIONS IN WILD BIRDS IN ILLINOIS.

>> AND YOU WERE MENTIONING 2014-15, WHAT IS BEHIND THIS OUTBREAK THIS YEAR?

>> SO AVIAN INFLUENZA IS A GENERAL TERM OR BIRD FLU.

THERE ARE A VARIETY OF TYPES OF THIS VIRUS.

THEY ARE LABELED AS H AND N. H5N1 IS THE CURRENT VIRUS BUT THEY CAN BE NUMEROUS.

AND UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS A HIGH PATH AVIAN INFLUENZA.

THERE ARE LOW PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZAS AND THE LOW PATH INFLUENZAS DO CIRCULATE NATURALLY IN ESPECIALLY THE WILD BIRD POPULATION HERE IN THE UNITED STATES AND IT'S CONSTANTLY BEING SURVEILLANCED FOR.

THE CHALLENGE IS THIS IS A DISEASE THAT CONSTANTLY MUTATES AND RECIRCULATES AND SHARES THOSE H'S AND N'S AROUND AND IT CREATES NEW OR REPOSITIONED VIRUSES.

AND THIS IS A HIGH PATH ONE AND THIS IS JUST SPREADING LIKE WILDFIRE WHEN IT NORMALLY WOULD NOT AFFECT THE BIRDS IT DOES TODAY >> AND WE'VE SEEN VIRUSES AND LEARNED ABOUT THEM AND THEIR SPREAD.

MIGHT CONSUMERS GOING TO THE GROCERY MARKET SEE THE AVIAN FLU REFLECTED IN PRICES OR AVAILABILITY OF POULTRY?

>> WELL, WE'LL SEE INCREASE IN PRICES ESPECIALLY IN THE AG MARKET.

IT'S ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 5% OF U.S. FLOCKS HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE OUTBREAK.

EGG PRICES WILL BE RISING.

ABOUT 9% OF THE CASES WE'VE SEEN IN COMMERCIAL FACILITIES HAVE BEEN AFFECTING BOILER FLOCKS.

SO THEY ARE NOT QUITE AS SEVERELY IMPACTED.

BUT TURKEY FLOCKS HAVE BEING AFFECTED.

ABOUT 6% OF TURKEY FLOCKS.

I WOULD ANTICIPATE AN INCREASE IN PRICES FOR CHICKEN, EGGS AND TURKEY PRODUCTS IN THE COMING MONTHS.

>> AND WITH RESPECT TO EGGS, SHOULD CONSUMERS BE WORRIED IF THE PATHOGEN CAN SPREAD IN THE EGGS?

>> NO.

DEFINITELY NOT.

POULTRY PRODUCTS, POULTRY AND EGGS ARE SAFE FOR PEOPLE TO CONSUME.

THEY ONLY IMPACT THE CONSUMERS WILL SEE IS THE INCREASE IN PRICE.

AND THIS IS IN PART BECAUSE IF THE PRODUCTS POULTRY PRODUCTS ARE COOKED APPROPRIATELY THEN THERE IS NO CHANCE OF BEING EXPOSED TO ACTIVE VIRUS.

AND IN ADDITION THERE'S CONSTANT SURVEILLANCE IN THE COMMERCIAL POULTRY FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA AND ANY BIRDS THAT THE ARE ILL ARE NOT PRODUCING PRODUCTS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION THEY WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE FOOD CHAIN.

POULTRY PRODUCTS WILL BE SAFE THEY MAY COST MORE.

>> AND WE MENTIONED THAT THE ADVICE HERE IS TO TAKE AWAY YOUR BIRD FEEDERS FOR A WHILE.

EXPAND ON THAT THE THINGS THAT REGULAR FOLKS SHOULD DO AND THE THINGS NATURALISTS ARE LOOKING OUT FOR IN BIRD HABITATS?

>> THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT PUT OUT SOMEWHAT OF AN OFFICIAL NOTICE IT IS NOT A BAN BUT IT IS RECOMMENDATION TO REMOVE ANY BIRD FEEDERS OR BATHS.

THEY DID COME BACK AND SAY SEED FEEDERS AND NOT HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS.

YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER THAT EVEN THOUGH THE BIRDS THAT ARE FEEDING FROM THE FEEDERS WHETHER THEY ARE SEED FEEDERS, OR POTENTIALLY YOUR HUMMINGBIRDS, ANY OF THOSE DIFFERENT FEEDERS, THOSE ARE NOT THE SPECIES OF THE HIGH CONCERN WHEN IT COMES TO CONTRACTING THIS DISEASE.

THEY CAN SPREAD THE DISEASE.

SO THE DISEASE IS HIGHLY SPREAD BIRD TO BIRD AND ALSO FEE YEAH FOR MITES ANY MATERIAL THAT CAN TRANSFER VIRUS PARTICLES THAT CAN BE BIRDS, FEEDERS, US ON OUR CLOTHING, TOO.

IF ANY OF THOSE VIRUS PARTICLES GET ON THE FEEDERS, WHETHER BY A BIRD FLYING OVER AND POOPING ON IT OR BREATHING ON IT, THOSE BIRDS THAT ARE MIGRATING THROUGH ILLINOIS, MILLIONS AND MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF BIRDS, THEY CAN PASS THAT VIRUS ON FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER.

SO THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATION IS TO REMOVE THOSE FEEDERS AND BATHS THROUGH THE END OF MAY.

AND THAT IS GENERALLY BECAUSE THAT IS THE TAIL-END OF MIGRATION FOR US.

HOPEFULLY THINGS WILL BE SETTLING DOWN.

IT'S ALSO WHEN THINGS WILL START GETTING MUCH WARMER OUT AND THIS IS A VIRUS THAT DOES LIKE COOL WET CLIMATES SO THE HOPE IS THAT THAT WILL HOPEFULLY BRING THINGS DOWN AS WELL.

>> WE HAVE 15 SECONDS HERE.

I KNOW THERE IS A DEBATE ABOUT FREE RANGE CHICKENS AND FOLKS THAT ONLY WANT TO BUY FREE RANGE.

SHOULD THEY ALL BE BROUGHT INDOORS?

>> IT IS DEFINITELY A BIOSECURITY APPROACH THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.

THE MAIN THING WE WANT TO AVOID IS HAVING YOUR POULTRY EXPOSED TO FREE LIVING WILD BIRDS.

THOSE BIRDS CAN BE HARBORING AND SHEDDING THE VIRUS.

SO IT IS AN EASY ROUTE FOR INTRODUCTION INTO YOUR FLOCK.

AND SO IT REALLY IS RECOMMENDED THAT BACKYARD FLOCK OWNERS, COMMERCIAL FLOCK OWNERS STEP UP THEIR BIOSECURITY AND TAKE THE MEASURES THEY CAN TO REDUCE ANY EXPOSURE THAT THEIR BIRDS MAY HAVE TO WILDLIFE AND ONE WAY THEY CAN DO THAT IS BY BRINGING THEM INDOORS UNDERCOVER.

>> OUR THANKS TO Dr. YVETTE JOHNSON-WALKER AND Dr. SARAH REICH THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT TURNING ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN CHICAGO'S NATIVE WILDLIFE INTO WORKS OF ART.

FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER...

ACCORDING TO A 2020 TREE CENSUS CONDUCTED, THE OVERALL NUMBER OF TREES IN THE REGION INCREASED BUT NOT ALL TREES ARE SEEN AS EQUAL.

SOME ARE INVASIVE AND PREVENT NATIVE TREES AND PLANTS FROM FLOURISHING.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" EVAN GARCIA CHECKED OUT TWO LOCAL INITIATIVES AIMED AT REPURPOSING INVASIVE OR DEAD TREES.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> TIM MONDL IS A PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES AT CALDWELL WOODS HE TEACHES THE PUBLIC HOW TO MAKE THEIR OWN WALKING STICKS THROUGH WOODWORKING.

>> WE START CUTTING IT RIGHT AWAY.

IT'S FAIRLY SOFT.

BUT IT SANDS BEAUTIFULLY, NICELY.

AND AGAIN AS YOU CAN SEE ON SOME OF THESE IT PAINTS WELL.

>> THESE WALKING STICKS ARE MADE FROM A TYPE OF WOOD THE FOREST PRESERVE WOULD LIKE TO IRRADICATE.

EUROPEAN BUCKTHORN.

>> THAT IS ONE OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS IT GOES GROW DENSE.

IT'S SHADE TOLERANT.

>> IT WAS BROUGHT TO NORTH AMERICA IN THE 1800'S AS A PLANT FROM EUROPE.

FOREST PRESERVE SPECIALIST KIM KALOSKY SAYS BUCKTHORN CREATES SHADY CONDITIONS THAT NATIVE PLANTS AND TREES CANNOT GROW UNDER.

>> THEY MONOPOLIZE RESOURCES ESPECIALLY SUNLIGHT.

DRASTICALLY.

>> THE SMALL TREE IS EFFECTIVE AT SPREADING.

EUROPEAN BUCKTHORN IS THE MOST COMMON TREE SPECIES IN THE SEVEN COUNTY CHICAGO REGION ACCORDING TO A 2020 TREE CENSUS.

THE INVASIVE SPECIES ACCOUNTS FOR 36% OF ALL TREES IN THE AREA.

ANOTHER INVASIVE SPECIES THREATENING NATIVE TREES IS AN INSECT, THE EMERALD ASH BORER.

>> THE TREE HAS BEEN DEAD FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

IT'S SUCCUMBED FROM THE BEETLES AND YOU CAN SEE ALL THE GALLERIES THAT HAVE BEEN FORMED FROM THE INSECT ACTUALLY EATING THE INNER BARK OF THE ASH TREE.

>> THE LARVA CAN EAT THROUGH A TREE'S VASCULAR SYSTEM KILL TO GO IN A FEW YEARS.

THE 2020 TREE CENSUS INDICATES THAT OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, THE NUMBER OF STANDING ASH TREES DECREASED BY 45% IN THE REGION.

IN 2014,S CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT PARTNERED WITH CHICAGO SCULPTURE INTERNATIONAL.

THEY FORMED THE CHICAGO TREE PROJECT WHICH TURNS DEAD TREES INTO WORKS OF ART.

>> LOOK TO SEE IT HAS GOOD PUBLIC EXPOSURE AND THIS DID.

IT IS BY THE PARK.

THIS PARTICULAR TREE IS A SUGAR MAPLE BUT IT HAD A NICE GRICIALGHT AND IT WAS VIABLE.

>> THE MANAGER MIKE MIKE DIMITROFF AND PRESIDENT JANET AUSTIN RECRUITED JOHN BANNON TO REIMAGINE THIS DEAD TREE IN HOLLYWOOD PARK ON CHICAGO'S NORTHWEST SIDE.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE A LOWER CASE Y.

SO I DECIDED TO MAKE IT LIKE A STRING OR A ROPE COMING OUT OF THE GROUND WITH A KNOT AND IT WILL BE CALLED WHY NOT.

WITH THIS PROJECT I THINK IT IS A PURIST PROJECT WHERE I'M NOT ADDING ANYTHING IT'S SUBTRACT ACTIVE.

>> WHETHER IT'S WALKING STICKS OR WOODEN SKULL STRUCTURES, AUSTIN SAYS THERE'S VALUE IN REPURPOSING THE TREES.

>> ALLOWING THE PIECES TO EXIST IN THE WORLD A LITTLE BIT LONGER THEY STILL ARE PROVIDING NUTRIENTS FOR THE GROUND AND PLACES FOR ANIMALS AND INSECTS TO LIVE.

THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL PIECES OF WOOD THAT ARE GOING TO BE AT LEAST A PIECE OF ARTWORK.

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

>> THE FOREST PRESERVES KIM KALOSKY SAYS THE AGENCY REMOVED 5,000 ACRES OF WOODED SHRUBS SINCE SHE JOINED EIGHT YEARS AGO.

CURIOUS ABOUT CURVING OUT YOUR OWN WALKING STICK, THE NEXT PROJECT IS JULY 21.

CHECK OUT THE EVENTS FOR MORE INFORMATION.

AND BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7.

FROM WEIGHING CASINO SITES TO FREE GAS.

AND WE PREVIEW THE REMIX OF THE ORIGINAL OF MICE AND MEN.

AND FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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