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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> SOME COLLEGES AND BUSINESSES ARE IMPOSES MANDATORY VACATION REQUIREMENTS ARE THEY -- VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS ARE THEY JUSTIFIED AND ARE THEY LEGAL?

>> I'M SICK OF THIS.

>> REPUBLICAN FRUSTRATIONS BOIL OVER IN SPRINGFIELD AS NEW LEADERSHIP PROMISES CHANGES.

WE'LL HEAR FROM FOUR STATE LAWMAKERS.

>> THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM.

>> THE ILLINOIS HOUSE BACKS A PLAN TO REMOVE TOXIC LEAD SERVICE LINES IN THE STATE AND WANTS CONGRESS TO PAY FOR IT.

>> THERE IS NO ORGANIZATION THAT CAN REPLACE THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE".

>> NEW INFORMATION ON 11TH HOUR TALKS TO PREVENT A DEAL TO HAVE CONTROVERSIAL HEDGE FUND ALDEN GLOBAL CAPITAL BUYOUT THE TRIBUNE.

>> WATCHING YEARS OF PANDEMIC RELATED NEWS CAN CAUSE BURN-OUT.

HOW TO AVOID STRESS WHILE STAYING INFORMED.

>> CHICAGO IS INVESTING INTO ART.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

VACCINATED CHICAGOANS COULD BE GETTING A VACCINE PASSPORT ALLOWING PEOPLE TO ATTEND SUMMER EVENTS AND CONCERTS LIKE LOLLAPALOOZA.

Dr. ALLISON ARWADY WOULD NOT GIVE TOO MANY DETAILS ABOUT THE VAX PASSING A FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT COULD BE COMING IN MAY TO INCENTIVIZE YOUNGER RESIDENTS WHO MAY BE LESS LIKELY TO GET THE VACCINE.

>> I WOULD HOPE THAT FOR MOST PEOPLE THEIR MAIN INCENTIVE IS TO STAY HEALTHY AND KEEP THEIR COMMUNITIES COMMUNITY AND YOUNGER PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR MAY BE EXCITED ABOUT THE IDEA OF GETTING INTO EVENTS FOR EXAMPLE THAT MIGHT BE LIMITED TO PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED.

WE ARE EXPLORING POSSIBILITIES OF CONCERTS OR EVENTS THAT A LOT WOULD HAVE A YOUTH FLAVOR TO IT.

>> COMING UP IN THE PROGRAM, WE'LL EXPLORE LEGAL CONCERNS ABOUT BUSINESSES AND UNIVERSITIES REQUIRING THE COVID VACCINE.

>> 2500 MORE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THE CORONAVIRUS SINCE YESTERDAY AND 23 PEOPLE HAVE DIED ACCORDING TO ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS.

THE STATE'S TOTAL CASE COUNT IS 1.325 MILLION PEOPLE.

AND 21,858 PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

JUST OVER A THIRD OF THE STATE'S POPULATION HAS BEEN FULLY VACCINATED AT 30%.

THE CITY OF CHICAGO HIT A MILESTONE TODAY AS WELL.

WITH OVER 2 MILLION VACCINE DOSES ADMINISTERED.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SIGNS A NEW LAW THAT SEEKS TO BRIDGE RACIAL HEALTHCARE INEQUITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

IT'S THE LAST OF FOUR MAJOR PILLARS OF LEGISLATION FROM ILLINOIS' BLACK CAUCUS.

>> WE EXPERIENCE MORE NEGATIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES AS A RESULT OF IMPLICIT BIAS AMONG MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.

A BLACK PERSON'S LIFE EXPECTANCY ON AVERAGE IS LESS WHEN COMPARED TO A WHITE PERSON'S LIFE EXPECTANCY IN CHICAGO'S AUSTIN WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS TO THE CHICAGO LOOP.

>> THE ILLINOIS HEALTHCARE AND HUMAN SERVICES REFORM ACT SEEKS TO EXPAND HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND EQUITY BY AMONG OTHER PROVISIONS INCLUDING IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND IDENTIFYING HIGH VIOLENCE COMMUNITIES AND AIMS TO IMPROVE CHILDREN AND WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE AS WELL AS MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

AND COMING UP WE'LL TALK WITH STATE LAWMAKERS ABOUT THE BUDGET AND MORE.

>> AND NOW TO PHIL PONCE AND QUESTIONS AROUND MANDATING COVID VACCINES.

PHIL?

>> BRANDIS, THIS FALL MORE AND MORE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE MAKING COVID-19 VACCINATION A REQUIREMENT FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS.

BUT SO FAR THE VAST MAJORITY OF EMPLOYERS ARE NOT REQUIRING THE SAME OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.

BUT WHEN CAN VACCINES BE REQUIRED?

AND WHAT RIGHTS TO REFUSE DOES A PERSON HAVE?

JOINING US ARE ANDREW CHALLENGER FROM JOB OUT PLACEMENT FIRM, CHALLENGER, GRAY & CHRISTMAS.

AND AL GINI AND COLLEEN CONNELL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES OF ILLINOIS.

COLLEEN CONNELL IF I CAN BEGIN WITH YOU.

DO COLLEGES AND PRIVATE EMPLOYERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO MANDATE, REQUIRE THEIR STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES TO GET A VACCINATION?

>> YES.

THE VACCINE MANDATES BY THE GOVERNMENT OR AN EMPLOYER CAN BE CONSISTENT WITH CIVIL LIBERTIES PRINCIPLES WHEN AS IS THE SITUATION NOW THERE IS A GRAVE THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH.

THE VACCINES ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE.

AND THERE ARE NO EQUALLY EFFECTIVE LESS MEASURES AVAILABLE.

>> HOW ABOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

COULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IT HASN'T, BUT COULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAY OK WE'RE REENTERING A CRITICAL PERIOD AGAIN.

AT THIS POINT, ALL CITIZENS MUST BE VACCINATED.

DOES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVE THAT POWER?

>> PHIL, I THINK THAT EVERY MANDATE WOULD HAVE TO BE EVALUATED IN TERMS OF THE CONTEXT AND SCOPE OF IT.

BUT THEORETICALLY YES SO LONG AS THERE WERE EXEMPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAD HEALTH ISSUES THAT WOULD MAKE ACCEPTING THE VACCINE A REAL RISK FOR THEM.

BUT OUR PERSONS HAS BEEN THAT MOST MANDATES HAVE BEEN MORE FOCUSED AS FOR EXAMPLE, ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS FOR A LONGTIME HAVE REQUIRED VACCINATION AGAINST CHILDHOOD DISEASES AS A CONDITION OF BEING ADMITTED TO SCHOOL.

LIKE WE'RE SEEING THAT THIS FALL A NUMBER OF THE INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING SEVERAL HERE IN CHICAGO HAVE ADVISED STUDENTS IF THEY WANT TO BE PRESENT FOR IN-CLASS LEARNING THEY NEED TO BE VACCINATED >> ANDREW CHALLENGER RIGHT NOW YOUR COMPANY FOUND IN A SURVEY, OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGERS ONLY 3% OF COMPANIES WERE GOING TO MANDATE THAT THEIR EMPLOYEES GET VACCINATED.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT NUMBER IS SO LOW?

>> IT IS IT IS A REALLY LOW NUMBER.

AND CLEARLY MOST COMPANIES WOULD LOVE TO HAVE EMPLOYEES VACCINATED AND NOT HAVE THE RISK OF AN OUTBREAK WITHIN THEIR OFFICES THIS HAS BECOME A POLITICAL ISSUE.

AN ISSUE THAT IS DIVIDING HOUSEHOLDS AND COMPANIES INTERNALLY.

AND IT'S JUST TOO HOT AND DIFFICULT FOR MANY COMPANIES TO MAKE THAT CHOICE TO ACTUALLY MANDATE IT.

IN MOST CASES COMPANIES ARE INSTEAD TRYING TO USE CARROTS TO INCENTIVIZE THEM AND ENCOURAGE THEM BY SAYING WE WILL HAVE MASKLESS AREAS ONLY IF YOU HAVE YOUR VACCINE AND OTHERS ARE CONSIDERING GIVING SMALL PAYMENTS OR EXTRA VACATION DAYS.

>> YOU COMPANY DID A SURVEY AND WE HAVE THE RESULTS FROM THAT.

WHERE YOU MENTION THAT 29% SAID THAT THEY WOULD CONSIDER INCENTIVES THE CARROT AND NOT THE STICK.

9% SAY THEY ARE ALREADY OFFERING AN INCENTIVES AND LESS THAN HALF SAID NO.

AL GINI WE HEARD FROM COLLEEN THAT BUSINESSES, COLLEGES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN REQUIRE VACCINATIONS.

HOW DO YOU VIEW THE ETHICS OF MANDATED VACCINATIONS?

>> WELL, I THINK COLLEEN LAID OUT PERFECTLY THE LEGALITIES.

BUT THE ETHICAL IS SO PRIMARY.

IT'S ABOUT INDIVIDUAL'S LIVING IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

IF WE LIVE IN COMMON WHAT ARE OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO OTHER OR ORGANIZATION WE JOIN?

NOTRE DAME IS REQUIRED VACCINATION IN ORDER FOR ADMISSION TO THE UNIVERSITY AND REQUIRED A CERTAIN SAT SCORE AND I WANT TO GO THERE AS A STUDENT, I HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THOSE RULES.

BUT IT COMES DOWN TO AN OLD PRINCIPLE.

THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A B, B'S ONLY EXIST IN A COLONY OF BEES.

IF THAT IS TRUE AND WE WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COLLECT ACTIVITY OF OTHERS WE HAVE TO HAVE CERTAIN RULES.

THE ETHICAL REQUIREMENT IS CLEAR.

WE ARE POLITICAL ANIMALS.

BUT WE NEED RULES IN ORDER TO ENGAGE TOGETHER FOR ALL SIDES TO BE COMFORTABLE.

>> COLLEEN CONNELL SOME CRITICS ON THE RIGHT, TAKE THE VIEW THAT VACCINE, SOCIAL DISTANCING, AND FACE MASKS AMOUNT TO WHAT THEY CONSIDER AUTHORITARIAN INTERVENTION.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THAT?

>> THAT IS TOO SIMPLISTIC, PHIL.

GOVERNMENT AS AL SAID, REALLY DOES HAVE THE AUTHORITY UNDER OUR CONSTITUTION TO CREATE CERTAIN RULES OF ENGAGEMENT.

THE GOVERNMENT CAN SHOW A SUFFICIENTLY IMPORTANT OR COMPELLING REASON TO ENACT THAT RULE AND REGULATION.

AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS THAT WE HAVE SEEN UNROLL OVER THE PAST YEAR WITH 572,000 AMERICAN AT A MINIMUM DEAD AND THREE MILLION DEAD ACROSS THE WORLD AND A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS DISEASE, THE INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AS YOU WILL, TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT MEDICAL CARE AND REFUSING MEDICAL CARE, REALLY DOES NOT CARRY WITH IT THE RIGHT TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OTHER HUMAN BEINGS.

AND SO THIS IS SORT OF THE LAW, AGAIN, BEHIND PUBLIC HEALTH REGULATIONS.

YOU CAN REFUSE A BLOOD TRANSFUSION EVEN IF YOUR DOCTOR SAYS THAT YOU WILL DIE IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT.

BUT THAT LIFE TO REFUSE THAT LIFE-SAVING MEDICAL CARE FOR YOU.

DOES NOT GIVE YOU THE RIGHT AND BLOCK AND AMBULANCE FROM BRINGING SOMEBODY IN TO GET A BOULEVARD TRANSFUSION.

>> SOMETIMES WHEN WE'RE INTERVIEWING PEOPLE WE CAN'T BLOCK THEIR DOGS FROM BARKING.

ANDREW CHALLENGER, IN TERMS OF VACCINATIONS WHAT DOES BEING VACCINATED DO TO SOMEONE LOOKING FOR A JOB IN TERMS OF THEIR POTENTIAL EMPLOYMENT?

>> WHEN WE ARE TALKING TO JOB SEEKERS WE TELL THEM LET POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS KNOW THAT YOU'RE VACCINATED IT IS AN ASSET.

LESS THAN 30% OF THE POPULATION IS FULLY VACCINATED IN THIS COUNTRY.

A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE OUTSIDE OF THE WORKING AGE OF POPULATION.

IF YOU HAVE THAT YOU WANT EMPLOYERS TO KNOW.

WE'RE SEEING IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW, WHERE THEY ARE TRYING TO HIRE TENS AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DESPITE THE FACT WE HAVE A HUGE POOL OF UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE BECAUSE OF COVID MORE THAN EIGHT MILLION PEOPLE ARE RUNNING INTO ARTIFICIAL LABOR SHORTAGES BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT CAN GO SAFELY BACK TO WORK.

>> AL GINI WE HEARD THAT THE CITY IS CONTEMPLATING AJAX PASS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IF YOU HAVE A PASS THAT YOU CAN ENTER INTO MUSIC FESTIVALS.

ARE YOU OK WITH THAT?

THE PROSPECT OF SHOWING PAPERS THAT THERE'S SUCH A LOT OF BAGGAGE ATTACHED TO THAT?

>> I'M NOT SURE OF THAT.

I'VE BEEN VACCINATED SO I HAVE MY CARD AND I KEEP IT IN MY WALLET.

IN ISRAEL THEY ARE DOING IT.

TO GO TO THE THEATRE IF YOU SHOW CERTIFICATION THAT YOU HAVE BEEN INOCULATED.

AGAIN, UNDER THE RUBIC OF THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMONS ALL OF US WHO PARTICIPATE IN IT IT IS NOT AN EXTRAORDINARY IT IS AN ENLIGHTENED POSITION AND WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THIS IS A PLAGUE.

WE'VE HE HAVE LIVED THREE THREE PLAGUES, POLIO AND THE AIDS EPIDEMIC AND 2002, THE SARS THING WHICH HAS BEEN CONTAINED BUT POLIO DOESN'T EXIST AS A MAJOR DISEASE BECAUSE OF VACCINATIONS.

BECAUSE OF THAT REQUIREMENT.

SO I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF FEAR.

THERE IS A LOT OF FALSE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VACCINES.

BUT EVEN THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN SICK OR DIED UNFORTUNATELY AND THE VACCINE THE ONE SHOT VACCINE, IT'S EIGHT PEOPLE IN FOUR MILLION.

I AM SORRY FOR THOSE EIGHT PEOPLE.

BUT WHEN WE CONSIDER THE WELL-BEING OF MILLIONS, RISKS HAVE TO BE TAKEN AND ETHICAL OBLIGATIONS HAVE TO BE LIVED UP TO.

AL GINI THANK YOU.

AND LIKEWISE, ANDREW CHALLENGER AND COLLEEN CONNELL THANK YOU ALL.

>> THANK YOU, PHIL.

>> AND NOW TO AMANDA VINICKY WITH A PANEL OF STATE LAWMAKERS.

AMANDA?

>> THANKS, PHIL.

STATE LAWMAKERS ARE GRAPPLING WITH SOME BIG ISSUES THIS SPRING SESSION INCLUDING WHAT THE NEXT BUDGET WILL LOOK LIKE IN THE WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC AND A GROWING PENSION DEFICIT AND THEY'VE GOT ABOUT A MONTH LEFT TO FIGURE IT OUT.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT HOW THEY ARE GOING TO GET TO ALL OF THAT AND MUCH MORE, REPRESENTATIVE WILL DAVIS A DEMOCRAT FROM EAST HAZEL CREST AND IS A MEMBER OF THE BUDGET NEGOTIATING TEAM.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE TIM BUTLER A REPUBLICAN FROM SPRINGFIELD IS SERVES AS AN ASSISTANT G.O.P.

LEADER.

SENATOR SUE REZIN A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING CENTRAL ILLINOIS.

AND STATE SENATOR ELGIE SIMS A DEMOCRAT FROM CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE AND CHAIR OF THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND VICE-CHAIR OF THE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> SENATOR SIMS LET'S BEGIN WITH YOU.

THERE IS A MONTH LEFT BEFORE THE SCHEDULED ADJOURNMENT DATE PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE BUDGET?

IS THERE A PROPOSAL?

AND DOES THAT INCLUDE ANY SORT OF TAX INCREASE TO PAY FOR IT?

>> WELL, THERE'S CERTAINLY A PROPOSAL.

THE GOVERNOR INTRODUCED HIS BUDGET SEVERAL MONTHS AGO.

AND WE HAVE BEEN USING THAT AS OUR GUIDE AND EVALUATING THAT BUT WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO EVALUATE THE GUIDELINES THAT OUTLINE HOW THOSE DOLLARS CAN BE SPENT.

SO, YES, THERE IS A PROPOSAL.

WE CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN WORKING BETWEEN BOTH CHAMBERS.

WE'VE HEARD ALL OF THE STATE AGENCIES HERE IN THE SENATE THROUGH THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.

WE'VE HEARD ALL OF THE AGENCIES AND NOW IT'S TRYING TO DETERMINE AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THE NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL WILL LOOK LIKE AND WHAT THE CURRENT BUDGET LOOKS LIKE.

WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF IS LOOKING AT OUR BUDGET PROCESS AS A ONE-YEAR EXERCISE.

IT WE NEED TO LOOK AT MULTIYEAR SOLUTIONS TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING IN THE SENATE AND I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE ARE DOING THE SAME.

>> AND WE DO KNOW THAT STRUCTURAL BUDGET EXISTS IN ILLINOIS.

HELPED OUT BY THE $7.5 BILLION IN COVID RELIEF COMING FROM THE FEDS.

SENATOR REZIN IS THAT ENOUGH TO STAVE OFF MAJOR CUTS TO STAVE OFF A TAX INCREASE?

CAN IT BE USED TO PAY DOWN SOME OF THAT PENSION DEBT?

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THIS 7 BILLION INFLUX OF MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS A ONE-TIME PAYMENT.

SO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS SAID THEY ARE GOING TO USE HALF 3.5 BILLION TO PAY OFF LOANS THAT WE DO HAVE.

SO THEN THAT LEAVES US WITH ANOTHER 3.5 TO 4 BILLION.

AND AS YOU CAN IMAGINE MANY PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND MANY DEPARTMENTS ARE LOOKING FOR THEY HAVE CHALLENGES BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

IF YOU LOOK AT EDUCATION, WE HAVE A HUGE LEARNING GAP BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND E-LEARNING AND STUDENTS THAT HAVE FALLEN OFF FROM E-LEARNING AND NOT ATTENDING SCHOOL.

SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MONEY IS SPENT WISELY AND ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT WE CANNOT START NEW PROGRAMS THAT ARE PERMANENT.

THIS IS A ONE-TIME INFLUX OF MONEY.

IT'S MEANT TO HELP THE STATE GET BACK ON ITS FEET.

BUT THAT'S ALL.

>> EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAD CRITICIZED THE GOVERNOR'S PACKAGE ORIGINALLY FOR NOT GIVING ENOUGH MONEY TO EDUCATION.

DOES THIS FEDERAL RELIEF MONEY PEG THAT HOLE?

OR DOES THIS AGAIN PUT ILLINOIS IN A DIFFICULT POSITION DOWN THE LINE BECAUSE THAT $7.5 BILLION IS NOT EXPECTED ANNUALLY?

>> RELATIVELY TO THE FORMULA, THE UNFORTUNATELY THE GUIDELINES SAID WE CANNOT CALL THE FEDERAL MONEY EBF MONEY IN THAT CASE THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL DOES NOT ADD MONEY TO THE FORMULA AND THAT IS THE REALITY OF IT.

THE FEDERAL MONEY ALSO GO TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS USING A TITLE ONE FORMULARY WHICH IS A LOW-INCOME FORMULARY AND THAT MEANS SOME OF THE WEALTHIEST SCHOOLS MAY GET MONEY BECAUSE THEY HAVE LOW INCOME STUDENTS IN THEIR CLASSROOMS.

IT'S HARD FOR US TO CALL THE FEDERAL MONEY EBF WE ARE TRYING TO FIND MONEY IN THE STATE BUDGET TO FUND THE EBF SO WE ARE NOT GOING A SECOND YEAR WITHOUT NOT ADDING MONEY TO THE SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BUTLER, WHERE ARE WE AT?

BETTER THAN EXPECTED WITH MORE TAX REVENUES COMING INTO THE STATE THAN PREDICTED AND THIS FEDERAL RELIEF MONEY?

OR IS ILLINOIS' BUDGET STILL IN THE TANK AND WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT?

>> WELL, WE STILL HAVE STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS AS WE MENTIONED.

WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS FOR YEARS TO COME.

BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT TACKLED THE PENSION ISSUE YET IN ILLINOIS AND IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE AN ISSUE WHEN WE CRAFT THE BUDGET.

IMMEDIATELY WHAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US IS AN OPPORTUNITY WITH THE FEDERAL MONEY TO PAY DOWN A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR BILL BACKLOG WHICH STANDS AT 5.5 BILLION.

AND TO REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS' POINT WE DIDN'T FOLLOW THROUGH ON OUR OBDATIONS WITH THE EVIDENCE-BASED FUNDING WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE SURE THAT EBF IS THE BEST WE CAN TO MAKE SURE WE'RE LIVING UP TO OUR OBLIGATIONS THAT WE PASSED.

>> WANTING THAT MONEY FOR SCHOOLS.

WANT TO MOVE ON TO THE CENSUS FIGURES WHICH CAME OUT AND ILLINOIS IS SET TO LOSE A SEAT IN ITS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

THAT IS RIGHT NOW, GOING TO BE LEFT TO DEMOCRATS IN THE LEGISLATURE TO DRAW NEW MAP FOR BOTH SEATS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE FOR CONGRESS.

AS A CANDIDATE, GOVERNOR PRITZKER SAID HE WOULD VETO ANY PLAN NOT DRAWN BY AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION.

NOW, HERE IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY TODAY... >> WELL, AS I'VE SAID I WILL VETO AN UNFAIR MAP.

I DO BELIEVE THAT DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS SHOULD GET TOGETHER TO ADOPT THIS MAP I HOPE REPUBLICANS WILL CHOOSE TO WORK WITH DEMOCRATS ON THE MAP.

IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE JUST SAYING NO.

>> SENATOR SIMS, HOW IS WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM GOVERNOR PRITZKER TODAY NOT A TOTAL BACKTRACK TO HIS PROMISE AS A CANDIDATE THAT HE WOULD VETO ANY MAP NOT DRAWN BY AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION?

>> CERTAINLY I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK FOR THE GOVERNOR.

WHAT I HEARD THE GOVERNOR SAY IN OTHER SETTINGS HE WANTS A MAP THAT IS FAIR AND THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR STATE AND THAT IS WHAT WE INTEND TO PASS A MAP THAT IS FAIR THAT REPRESENTS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR STATE AND INCLUDES THE VOICES OF COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST FROM AROUND THE STATE.

THAT IS WHY YOU SEE US HAVING SO MANY HEARINGS ASH THE STATE OF NOT JUST THE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE AND OUR SUBCOMMITTEES.

AND ALSO THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN OUR HISTORY WHERE INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DRAW THEIR OWN MAP WE PUT A PORTAL OUT WHERE INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES CAN GO ON, SUBMIT MAPS AND WE KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE ON IT AND GONE ON TO THE PORTAL.

>> DRAWING A DISTRICT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

BUT THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST THAT IS A PROCESS THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST.

IT IS A MORE TRANSPARENT PROCESS AND YOU WILL HAVE A MAP THAT IS FAIR AND REACH OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION AND DEADLINES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BUTLER DO YOU BUY THAT YOUR PART OF THE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE FOR HOUSE REPUBLICANS NOT LIKE THE G.O.P.

HAS BEEN OSTRACIZED DO YOU BUY THAT DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO COME UP WITH A FAIR MAP?

>> WELL, WE'VE PARTICIPATED IN THE HEARINGS.

WE HAVE FOUR HOUSE REPUBLICAN MEMBERS MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE AND THE PROBLEM IS THE QUESTIONS GO UNANSWERED FROM OUR SIDE.

WE HAVE ASKED SIGNIFICANT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE USE OF DATA.

WE WILL NOT HAVE THE CENSUS DATA UNTIL AUGUST.

WHAT DATA IS GOING TO BE USED BY THE MAJORITY TO DRAW THEIR MAPS.

THERE'S QUESTIONS FROM ADVOCATES AND PEOPLE THAT TESTIFIED ABOUT THE USE OF DATA OR THE PROCESS, TRANSPARENCY, ESPECIALLY ONCE THE MAPS ARE UNVEILED.

WHAT WILL THE PROCESS BE FOR THE CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY WE HAVE PUT OUT PROPOSALS AND SO FOR THE GOVERNOR TO SAY THAT WE ARE NOT COMING TO THE TABLE IS LUDICROUS.

I'VE HAD A BILL OUT THERE SINCE LAST YEAR.

SENATOR BAKER MEN.

THEY HAVE BEEN IGNORED.

WE ARE PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROCESS AND WE HAVE HUGE CONCERNS ABOUT THE FACT THAT WHAT DATA IS GOING TO BE USED IF THE MAPS ARE DRAWN BY JUNE 30 BECAUSE WE DON'T BELIEVE THE DATA THAT CAN BE USED FOR JUNE 30 REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY LIKE SENATOR SIMS SAID OF ILLINOIS.

>> SIMS, ARE YOU GOING TO USE ACS DATA?

>> WE HAVE NOT MADE THE DECISION THE DISCUSSIONS ARE ONGOING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THAT IS WHERE WE WOULD LIKE TO -- WE'LL COME BACK WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT HERE BUT WE WILL BE JOINED LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

AND WE'LL DISCUSS A POSSIBLE ComEd RATE HIKE.

FOR NOW THANKS TO REPRESENTATIVES WILL DAVIS AND TIM BUTLER AND SENATORS SUE REZIN AND ELGIE SIMS.

>> AND NOW, PARIS WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED 700,000 LEAD SERVICE LINES CARRYING WATER TO HOMES IN ILLINOIS.

MORE THAN HALF OF WHICH ARE IN CHICAGO.

LEAD IN DRINKING WATER CAN CAUSE BRAIN DAMAGE IN CHILDREN AMONG A SLEW OF HEALTH PROBLEMS.

THE CITY ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO REPLACE THE LINES BUT IT HAS YET TO GET UNDERWAY.

LAWMAKERS WANT TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM AND AS NICK BLUMBERG REPORTS THEY WANT CONGRESS TO FOOT THE BILL.

>> FOR THE LAST 14 YEARS, MARIA DEL CARMEN MACIAS HAS OFFERED DAYCARE OUT OF HER BELMONT CRAGIN HOME.

THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES NOTIFIED MARIA DEL CARMEN MACIAS TO KEEP HER LICENSE IN GOOD STANDING SHE WOULD HAVE TO TEST THE WATER IN HER HOME FOR LEAD.

>> THESE ONES NEEDED TWO TESTS.

IF I HAD THE MAKES ICE I NEED TO SEND THEM ONE WITH ICE.

AND THE BATHROOM.

>> MARIA DEL CARMEN MACIAS SAYS HER BUILDING'S LEAD LEVELS CAME BACK NORMAL BUT WAS FRUSTRATED THE STATE DID NOT OFFER GUIDANCE HOW TO TEST THE WATER OR WHAT TO DO IF THE LEAD LEVELS WERE TOO HIGH.

>> THERE IS NO GUIDANCE OR CLARITY AND PROVIDERS ARE JUST CRUMBLING FOR INFORMATION.

>> MARIA DEL CARMEN MACIAS' CREDITS ELEVATE ENERGY FOR OFFERING HER TRAINING AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND SHE HAS BEEN HELPING OTHER CHILDCARE PROVIDERS GET EDUCATED AND TAKE ACTION.

BUT SHE THINKS HOUSE BY HOUSE LEAD MITIGATION IS NOT ENOUGH TO TACKLE SUCH A HUGE PROBLEM.

>> IT SHOULD NOT BE ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE PROVIDERS IT SHOULD BE THE STATE.

EVEN IF I DON'T HAVE A DAYCARE WHAT IF I HAVE A LOT OF LEAD IN MY PIPES?

IT IS AFFECTING ME, IT IS AFFECTING MY FAMILY AND AFFECTING MY CHILDREN.

>> STATE LAWMAKERS AGREE.

LAST WEEK, THE ILLINOIS HOUSE OK'd A BILL THAT CALLS ON UTILITIES TO FIND AND REPLACE LEAD SERVICE LINES CARRYING WATER TO CUSTOMERS' HOMES DEPENDING HOW MANY PIPES THE UTILITY HAS TO REPLACE THEY WOULD HAVE BETWEEN 15-34 YEARS TO GET IT DONE.

EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DRINK CLEAN WATER.

WITHOUT ANY ISSUE.

>> THE BILL ORIGINALLY SET ASIDE $200 MILLION TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT BUT IT WAS REMOVED TO SECURE VOTES.

SUPPORTERS ARE LOOKING TO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN TO FUND THE MONEY WHICH LEFT SOME REPUBLICANS SKEPTICAL.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS BILL BE ALLOWED TO GO FORWARD WITH AN IDEA OF HOW IT'S GOING TO BE PAID FOR.

BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE PAID FOR.

>> BIDEN'S INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN INCLUDES $45 BILLION TO REPLACE LEAD SERVICE LINES NATIONWIDE.

JUSTIN WILLIAMS SAYS THE STATE NEEDS TO BE READY TO ACT AS SOON AS ANY MONEY IS AVAILABLE.

>> ILLINOIS AND OHIO HAVE MORE LEAD SERVICE LINES THAN ANY OTHER STATE OR CITY IN THE COUNTRY.

SO IT IS A SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEM AT THE CITY AND STATE LEVEL.

>> FUNDING WOULD MAKE A BIG DENT IN THE PROBLEM AND HE WANTS GOVERNMENT AT EVERY LEVEL TO COME UP WITH A PLAN.

>> THE STATE OF ILLINOIS IS LIKELY GOING TO HAVE A LONG-TERM GOAL TO -- ROLE TO PLAY IN FINDING DEDICATED FUNDING.

AND THE MUNICIPALITIES AND WATER UTILITIES ARE ALSO GOING TO NEED TO IDENTIFY SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE REVENUE SOURCES TO ADDRESS LEAD SERVICE LINES IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> HE HOPES THE REPLACEMENT BILL WILL PASS THE STATE SENATE AND MARIA DEL CARMEN MACIAS IS HOPEFUL SHE SAYS IT'S CRITICAL.

>> TO HAVE CLEAN WATER IS NOT A LUXURY IT IS A HUMAN RIGHT.

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

>> AND THE BILL MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY WOULD CREATE AN ADVISORY PANEL TO HELP IDENTIFY FUNDING IF FEDERAL MONEY DOES NOT COME THROUGH AND REQUIRE UTILITIES TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO REPLACE SERVICE LINES.

>> AND UP NEXT A LOOK AT EFFORTS TO PREVENT HEDGE FUND ALDEN GLOBAL CAPITAL FROM BUYING THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" SO STICK AROUND FOR THAT.

>> THE CLOCK IS NEARING MIDNIGHT FOR THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" AND EFFORTS TO TAKEOVER FROM HEDGE FUND ALDEN GLOBAL CAPITAL.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT" LEARNED THERE ARE ACTIVE TALKS BEHIND THE SCENES TO COME UP WITH A BID THAT COULD DERAIL THE PROPOSED DEAL.

MANY CURRENT AND FORMER TRIBUNE REPORTERS BELIEVE THAT COULD BE THE ONLY CHANCE THE CITY HAS TO SAVE THE PAPER.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE LATEST AND THERE IS A POTENTIAL NEW BUYER FOR THE TRIBUNE?

>> WE'RE TOLD THERE ARE ACTIVE TALKS BEHIND THE SCENES, DISCUSSIONS TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO PREVENT WHAT YOU SAID, ALDEN GLOBAL CAPITAL FROM A FULL TAKEOVER OF TRIB PUBLISHING.

AND SOURCES CONFIRMED TO WTTW NEWS THAT REPRESENTATIVES OF SOME OF THE CITY'S MOST NOTEWORTHY PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS STEPPED UP IN THE LATEST DISCUSSIONS.

THOSE ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE THE McARTHUR FOUNDATION KNOWN FOR DOING OUT THE GENIUS GRANT WORTH FOR THAN $600,000 AND MANAGES $7 BILLION IN INVESTMENTS AROUND THE WORLD.

AND THE PRITZKER FOUNDATION COFOUNDED BY CHICAGOANS PENNY PRITZKER AND BRIAN TRAUBERT THEY ARE THE SISTER AND BROTHER-IN-LAW OF GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER AND THAT ORGANIZATION IS KNOWN FOR DOLLING OUT THE $10 MILLION CHICAGO PRIZE TO HELP SPUR DEVELOPMENT.

WE'RE TOLD THE NEW YORK BASED FORD FOUNDATION HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN RECENT TALKS.

WHAT THOSE TALKS ENTAIL?

THAT IS ANOTHER STORY.

THERE IS DISAGREEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY I'M TOLD OVER WHETHER OR NOT TO PUT TOGETHER A NONPROFIT GROUP THAT WOULD ACT AS THE MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER IN THE TRIBUNE.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THESE GROUPS DO NOT WANT TO GO THAT ROUTE.

SO MORE LIKELY WHAT THE TALKS ENTAIL IS USING THE DEEP ROLL LOW DEXES OF INVESTORS AND FUNDERS OF PEOPLE WITH DEEP POCKETS TO SEE IF SOMEONE COULD EMERGE OUT OF THE ASHES AS A POTENTIAL BIDDER.

NOW, THE LEADER OF ANY POTENTIAL RIVAL BID FOR THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" IS STEWART BAINUM HE IS A MARYLAND BASED HOTEL MAGNATE THE CHIEF OF CHOICE HOTELS HE PUT TOGETHER A NONPROFIT THAT BOUGHT THE BALTIMORE SUN.

HE HAD A $680 MILLION DEAL ON THE TABLE WITH HIS CO-INVESTOR BILLIONAIRE SWISS NAMED HANSJORG WYSS.

THAT DEAL WOULD HAVE BEAD EN OUT THE $633 MILLION WORTH MORE THAN THE 633 MILLION DEAL THAT ALDEN HAS PROPOSED.

BUT THAT DEAL FELL APART WHEN HANSJORG WYSS PULLED OUT LAST WEEK.

WHAT I'M TOLD BY A SOURCE THAT HE IS LOOKING FOR ONE MORE WEALTHY PRIVATE INVESTOR A DEEP POCKETED INVESTOR TO PUT A BID OVER THE TOP WHICH IS WHERE THE CIVIC GROUPS COULD COME INTO PLAY IT WOULD HAVE TO BEAT OUT THE $633 MILLION PROPOSAL THAT ALDEN HAS TO TAKEOVER THE PAPER.

AND I SPOKE WITH GARY MARX JUAN OF TWO FORMER TRIBUNE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS WHO WORKED FEVERISHLY TO FIND OWNERS AND IS ANGRY NONE OF THE CHICAGO BUSINESS AND CIVIC LEADERS HAVE STEPPED UP.

>> PARIS IT'S UNBELIEVABLY FRUSTRATING AND DISAPPOINTING I HAVE TO SAY.

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT.

WE HEARD THIS REASON OR THAT REASON BUT WE NEVER HEARD A GREAT REASON FOR WHY THIS GREAT CITY WITH THE GREAT FOUNDATIONS, PHILANTHROPIC GROUPS AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS AND DEEP POCKET MONEY PEOPLE.

PEOPLE WHO MADE HUGE FORTUNES BASED IN CHICAGO NOT STEPPING UP TO BUY THE NEWSPAPER.

>> PARIS, REMIND US WHY THERE IS SUCH A RUSH TO PREVENT ALDEN FROM BUYING THE TRIB?

>> ALDEN GLOBAL CAPITAL IS A HEDGE FUND KNOWN FOR BUYING UP NEWS PUBLICLATIONS LIKE THE DENVER POST AND CUTTING TO THE BONE CUTTING STAFF AND RESOURCES AND SQUEEZING OUT WHATEVER PROFITS FROM THE REMAINING ENTITIES.

ALDEN IS TRIBUNE'S BIGGEST SHAREHOLDERS.

THIS DEAL WOULD BE TO BUYOUT THE TWO-THIRDS.

THE PAPER HAS DRAMATICALLY CUT STAFF UNDER ALDEN'S CONTROL.

MARK FEARS THE TOTAL TAKEOVER WILL HAVE A DEVASTATING IMPACT ON THE PAPER AND THE CITY AND STATE AT LARGE.

>> OUR CITY AND STATE ARE IN CRISIS.

AND THERE IS AN ECOSYSTEM OF JOURNALISM.

THERE ARE SMALL NOT-FOR-PROFITS THAT ARE GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO.

THERE'S WBEZ DOING A TREMENDOUS JOB AT WHAT THEY DO.

THERE ARE OTHER NEWS OUTLETS DOING A TREMENDOUS JOB BUT THERE IS NO ORGANIZATION THAT CAN REPLACE THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" IN TERMS OF BEING THE VOICE OF THE CITY IN TERMS OF HOLDING OUR LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABLE.

>> TRIBUNE PUBLISHING BOARD IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON A DEAL.

NOW, IN THE LAST 20 MINUTES WE GOT A STATEMENT FROM THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE McARTHUR FOUNDATION SAYING WE ARE NOT IN TALKS TO BUY THE BUY THE TRIBUNE COMPANY AS A LONGTIME FUNDER OF INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM AND MEDIA WE CARE AND ARE WORKING TO STRENGTHEN AMERICAN DEMOCRACY BY INSURING PEOPLE REMAINED INFORMED AND ENGAGED.

MESSAGES AS WELL AS TO THE TRIBUNE BOARD WERE NOT RETURNED TODAY.

AND BRANDIS WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> MAY 21 DEADLINE.

>> ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", KEEPING UP WITH NEWS LIKE POLICE SHOOTINGS CAN BE TRAUMATIC WE TALK WITH A PSYCHIATRIST ON HOW THIS TRAUMA CAN STICK WITH PEOPLE.

>> I WILL VETO AN UNFAIR MAP.

>> DEMOCRATIC STATE LAWMAKERS CONTROL THE REDRAWING OF ILLINOIS' LEGISLATIVE MAPS WE WILL HEAR FROM LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

AND A MAJOR INVESTMENT IN CHICAGO'S PUBLIC ART THROUGH ARTIST GRANTS PROGRAM FUNDING AND MONEY TOWARDS BEAUTIFYING PUBLIC SPACES.

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

FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE ENROLLMENT FOR CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS FELL BY 2% FOR THE CLASS OF 2020 DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE SHIFT TO VIRTUAL LEARNING.

RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY CHICAGO SAY THE TWO-YEAR COLLEGE ENROLLMENT RATE FELL BY 18% FOR C.P.S.

GRADS COMPARED TO A NATIONWIDE DROP OF 13%.

EXPERTS BELIEVE THOSE STUDENTS MAY HAVE BORN THE DIRECT FINANCIAL IMPACTS AND HAD TO TAKE ON OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES.

THE NEW STUDY SHOWS THAT C.P.S.

GRADS ALREADY ENROLLED IN A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE AT THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC RETURNED TO SCHOOL AT SIMILAR RATES AS PREVIOUS YEARS AND SEVERAL STATE AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES EXPERIENCED INCREASED ENROLLMENT AND OR RETENTION.

>> IF YOU WERE CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING YOUR NEW REAL ID IN TIME FOR THE OCTOBER FIRST DEADLINE.

WORRY NO MORE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY EXTENDED THE DEADLINE THIS TIME TO MAY 2023.

THE DHS CITES THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE IMPACT IT WAS HAVING ON ISSUING ID'S NATIONWIDE.

THIS MEANS CURRENT ILLINOIS DRIVER'S LICENSES AND STATE ID'S WILL BE ACCEPTED AT AIRPORTS AND FEDERAL FACILITIES.

THE STATE EXTENDED EXPIRATION DATES UNTIL AUGUST FIRST OF THIS YEAR.

AND NOW BACK TO AMANDA WITH MORE FROM STATE LAWMAKERS ON A POTENTIAL ComEd RATE HIKE AND MORE.

>> THANK YOU.

EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM, WE DISCUSSED THE STATE'S LOOMING BUDGET BATTLE AND NOW WE'RE JOINED AGAIN BY REPRESENTATIVES WILL DAVIS AND TIM BUTLER AND STATE SENATORS SUE REZIN AND ELGIE SIMS.

APPRECIATION TO EACH OF YOU AGAIN.

WHEN WE TALKED SENATOR REZIN YOU WERE TRYING TO GET SOMETHING IN ABOUT REDISTRICTING.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO ADD?

>> LISTEN AS LONG AS MY COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE WANT TO USE THE ACS AS A POINT FOR DRAWING THE MAPS THIS IS NOT A FAIR MAP.

THE DATA IS SIMPLY AN ESTIMATE.

WE HAVE ALWAYS USED CENSUS DATA WHICH WILL BE COMING AND AVAILABLE TO US IN SEPTEMBER.

SO THIS FALL.

WHICH STILL GIVES US TIME TO MEET OUR CONSTITUTIONAL DEADLINE OCTOBER FOURTH TO PASS A FAIR MAP.

SO YOU KNOW, THERE SHOULD BE NO RUSH USING THIS ESTIMATED DATA FROM THE ACS.

IT'S BEEN PROVEN IN TWO STATES IT'S STRUCK DOWN AT THE STATE SUPREME COURT LEVEL.

>> AND THAT IS IMPORTANT DELAYED FROM THE FEDS AND DEMOCRATS WANT TO GET THE MAP DRAWN LOOKING TO THE END OF JUNE DEADLINE WHERE THE POWER WOULD BE GIVEN OVER TO AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION.

>> AMANDA YOU SAID DELAYED BY THE FEDS.

WE WOULD BE WELL ON OUR WAY HAD THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION HAD NOT DONE WHAT IT HAD DONE TO DELAY THE PROCESS.

OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO TIE TO PASS SOMETHING BY MAY 31 THAT IS WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO AND WE MAY OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DO THAT BECAUSE OF THE -- AND THAT CHANGES THE WAY IT WORKS ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> AND I THINK REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS IS RIGHT ON POINT.

THE FRAMERS OF OUR CONSTITUTION DID NOT REQUIRE THAT WE HAVE TO USE CENSUS DATA BUT THEY SAID THAT WE DO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO GET THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS DONE THE LEGISLATURE DOES BY JUNE 30.

WHATEVER THAT DATA IS WE ARE GOING TO USE WE HAVE NOT MADE THAT DECISION.

BUT WE DO HAVE AN OBLIGATION AND IT'S FAIR -- TO ME IT'S MISLEADING FOR US TO SAY WE DON'T HAVE THE JUNE 30TH DEADLINE BECAUSE IT IS IN OUR STATE'S CONSTITUTION THAT WE DO HAVE A JUNE 30TH DEADLINE FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO REDISTRICT.

IF WE DON'T PASS THE MAP THAT PROCESS IS TURNED OVER TO A PARTISAN COMMISSION THAT WILL THEN BE IN CHARGE.

>> A BIPARTISAN COMMISSION?

>> IT'S EVENLY DIVIDED BUT IF THAT MAP THAT COMMISSION DOES NOT -- DOES NOT COME UP WITH A MAP THEN A 9TH MEMBER IS ADDED TO THE COMMISSION AND YOU WILL GET A VERY PARTISAN RESULT.

RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE THE LEGISLATURE IN CHARGE OF THAT PROCESS.

BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROCESS AND WE ARE GOING TO COMPLETE THAT PROCESS BEFORE THE JUNE 30 DEADLINE.

>> AMANDA IF THE DEMOCRATS WANT TO INVITE ME IN THE ROOM WHEN THEY DRAW THE MAPS THAT WOULD BE TRULY A BIPARTISAN PROCESS >> THE MAPS ARE BEING DRAWN BY THE CONTROL AS WE SPEAK.

IT IS NOT AN INDEPENDENT MAP AND MORE IMPORTANTLY NOT REFLECTIVE OF ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO WERE ASKED TO GO OUT INTO THEIR COMMUNITY AND GET ASKED FOR CENSUS SURVEYS AND THE FACT THEY ARE NOT USING THE CENSUS SURVEYS IS DISINGENUOUS.

>> IF THERE IS A MAP THAT THE REPUBLICANS WANT TO PROPOSE WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT.

BUT YOU CANNOT JUST SAY NO.

WE WELCOMED YOU INTO GOVERNING WITH US.

AND WE WANT YOU TO BE PARTNERS WITH YOU WE'VE INVITED YOU THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THE COMMITTEES EVERYWHERE IN THE STATE AND NOT JUST IN THE AREAS CONTROLLED BY REPRESENTED BY DEMOCRATS.

BUT THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

WE ARE IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, NORTHERN ILLINOIS CENTRAL ILLINOIS ALL THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

WE WELCOME YOU IN.

>> PARTICIPATION HAS BEEN ROBUST.

>> THIS CONVERSATION SHOWS THE LEVEL OF HOW MUCH MAPS MATTER AND ALSO HOW MUCH EACH OF YOU CARE.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SPEAKING OF BIPARTISANSHIP VERSUS PARTISANSHIP HOPES WERE HIGH WITH MICHAEL MADIGAN'S OUSTING BUT FRUSTRATIONS BOILED OVER IN SPRINGFIELD.

>> WE REPRESENT FIVE MILLION ILLINOISANS ON THIS SIDE OF THE AISLE.

FIVE MILLION.

AND OUR BILLS ARE BEING IGNORED.

I'M SICK OF IT.

SICK, SICK, SICK OF IT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BUTLER THAT WAS YOU.

IS THAT TRUE FRUSTRATION OR THEATRICS?

>> IT WAS FRUS TRUE FRUSTRATION AND IT STEMS FROM A LOCAL BILL THAT DID NOT GET CALLED WHEN I DID MY JOB AND GOT IT THROUGH COMMITTEE AND LIT THE FLOOR AND I WORKED THE OTHER SIDE AND IT DID NOT GET CALLED AND THAT THE IS THE FRUSTRATION THAT WE FEEL.

NOW I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB JUST LIKE ALL FOUR OF US ARE AND MY PASSION CAME OUT THE OTHER NIGHT.

AND LUCKILY MOST OF US HAD A GOOD LAUGH ABOUT IT THE NEXT DAY BUT OFTEN TIMES IN THE LEGISLATURE THINGS GET A LITTLE HEATED AND I DON'T DENY THE FACT I WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT IT AND PASSIONATE FOR THE DISTRICT THAT I REPRESENT.

>> SOMETHING I EXPECT WILL HEAT UP BEFORE THE END OF MAY IS WHAT IS GOING ON WITH AN ENERGY PANG WE ARE NOT A YEAR OUT -- ENERGY PACKAGE.

WE ARE NOT A YEAR OUT FROM ComEd ADMITTING TO A BRIBERY SCANDAL BUT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT RATEPAYERS WILL SEE A RATE HIKE.

SENATOR REZIN, YOU IN PARTICULAR ARE BACKING A MEASURE THAT APPEARS TO ACCORDING TO A STUDY RELEASED BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AN INDEPENDENT STUDY THAT WOULD COVER MORE MONEY FOR ComEd'S COMPANY TO KEEP THE NUCLEAR PLANTS OPEN.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT IS BEHIND THE REASONING FOR THE SUBSIDY?

>> SURE, WELL, IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE RECEIVE OVER 50% OF OUR POWER FROM THE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS.

WE HAVE SIX PLANTS IN OUR FLEET THE MOST IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

I REPRESENT THE ENERGY CORRIDOR OF AMERICA.

I HAVE THREE OF THE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS AND WIND, SOLAR, BATTERY, COAL AND COMBINED NATURAL GAS.

ENERGY IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT ILLINOIS CANNOT MEET ITS CLIMATE GOALS WITHOUT NUCLEAR IN THE ENERGY PORTFOLIO.

IF WE WOULD ALLOW JUST TWO OF OUR SIX PLANTS TO PREMATURELY CLOSE IT WOULD TAKE 35 YEARS TO REPLACE THAT ENERGY OR THAT POWER WITH WIND AND SOLAR.

SO THESE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS ARE ASSETS FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

THEY ARE DEPRESSED BECAUSE OF THE MARKET.

WE HAVE A COMPETITIVE MARKET.

AND IF WE WANT TO ACHIEVE AND REACH OUR CLIMATE GOALS OF REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT WHICH IS A BIPARTISAN ISSUE, AND BICAMERAL ISSUE THEN WE NEED TO HAVE NUCLEAR ON-LINE WHICH GENERATES ENERGY AND POWER 24/7 EACH DAY OF THE WEEK.

>> A BATTLE AHEAD THIS SPRING SESSION.

WE'VE GOT THE MONTH OF MAY TO TALK IT OVER.

THANK YOU TO STATE REPRESENTATIVES WILL DAVIS AND TIM BUTLER AND STATE SENATORS SUE REZIN AND ELGIE SIMS.

>> AND NOW, BRANDIS WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> OVER THE PAST YEAR, NEWS COVERAGE ABOUT TRAUMATIC TOPICS LIKE THE PANDEMIC OR POLICE SHOOTINGS CAUSED MANY TO FEEL BURNED OUT.

IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO STRIKE THAT BALANCE BETWEEN MAINTAINING MENTAL HEALTH AND STAYING WELL-INFORMED.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE HOW TO STRIKE THAT BALANCE IS CANDICE NORCOTT, LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MEDICINE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING IN TERMS OF STRESS, TRAUMA FROM POLICE SHOOTINGS OR PANDEMIC RELATED NEWS.

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING?

>> PEOPLE ARE FEELING PULLED IN TWO DIRECTIONS.

ONE IS A DESIRE TO BEAR WITNESS AND THAT IS ROOTED IN THIS IF I TURN AWAY WHAT WILL I MISS?

AND THINGS FEEL REALLY BIG I FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE WAY I'M INVOLVED.

BUT THERE ARE FEELINGS PULLED BECAUSE THEY ARE FEELING THIS SENSE OF WHAT I'M SEEING AND HEARING IS DISTRESSING TO ME.

AND WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT TRAUMA IT'S NOT JUST WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR PERSON BUT WE CAN BE TRAUMATIZED BY WHAT WE SEE, WHAT WE HEAR THE STORIES AND THAT IS CALLED VICARIOUS TRAUMATIZATION.

>> THE NEED TO BEAR WITNESS.

WHY WE FEEL THAT NEED, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR US TO SEE AND HEAR THE NEWS?

>> WELL, SOME COMMUNITIES THERE IS A HISTORICAL PRECEDENT.

WHEN WE ARE NOT WATCHING WHEN WE DON'T HAVE VISUAL EVIDENCE INJUSTICES HAPPEN.

THERE IS A SENSE I HAVE TO BE VIGILANT AND ON IT.

AND THEN THERE'S A SENSE THESE THINGS FEEL SO BIG AND THIS IS THE WAY I PARTICIPATE.

THIS IS THE WAY I SHOW ALLYSHIP AND THIS IS THE WAY I CONNECT.

>> HOW CAN THE TRAUMA OF WITNESSING THIS NEWS, HOW CAN IT STICK WITH PEOPLE?

>> WELL, THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

ALWAYS FEELING KEYED UP.

PART IS THAT IT IMPACTS US SIMILARLY IF THE TRAUMA HAPPENED TO US DIRECTLY.

WE HAVE CHANGES IN OUR THOUGHTS FOR EXAMPLE, THE WORLD'S UNSAFE, I AM ALONE.

NO ONE IS HERE TO HELP ME.

WE HAVE FEELING HYPER VIGILANT OUR HEAD IS ON SWIVEL.

THINK OF A CAR YOUR CAR IS IN PARK BUT YOUR FOOT IS ON THE GAS FEELING LIKE YOU HAVE LOTS TO DO BUT NOWHERE TO GO.

>> HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA HOW DOES IT SUCK US FURTHER INTO THIS DISTRESSING NEWS CYCLE?

>> WELL, ONE THING I TALK TO MY CLIENTS ABOUT IS BEING INTENTIONAL.

AND SOCIAL MEDIA TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF THAT INTENTIONALITY AWAY FROM US.

MY CLIENTS TALK ABOUT THEY GO TO BED AT 8:00 P.M. AND TWO HOURS LATER THEY ARE SCROLLING THROUGH THE SOCIAL MEDIA BECAUSE THE VIDEOS KEEP LOOPING THEY ARE NOT HAVING A SENSE OF CONTROL OVER THE MEDIA THEY ARE CONSUMING.

SO OFTEN IT'S IMAGES, STORIES, ANGER, OTHER PEOPLE'S EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE AND EXPRESSIONS.

AND IT'S HARD TO TURN THE VOLUME DOWNTURN THE GAUGE DOWN WHEN THAT IS THE WAY YOU ARE CONSUMING YOUR NEWS.

>> WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND TO CREATE THE BALANCE BETWEEN STAYING INFORMED BUT NOT CONSUMING SO MUCH THAT IT STRESSES YOU OUT AND THEN EXPERIENCING THAT VICARIOUS TRAUMA THAT YOU TALK ABOUT.

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION AND IT'S BACK TO THE WORD INTENTIONAL.

I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BE INTENTIONAL HOW THEY CONSUME THEIR MEDIA.

FOR SOME PEOPLE THEY ARE GETTING IN THE MORNING AND THE TV IS ON AND JUST RUNNING.

YOU ARE TAKING INFORMATION IN.

MAYBE YOU'RE SEEING IMAGES THAT YOU WEREN'T PREPARED TO SEE RIGHT BEFORE YOU HAVE TO DO A BIG PRESENTATION OR IF YOU ARE A THERAPIST BEFORE YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO OTHER PEOPLE'S STORIES.

BEING INTENTIONAL MEANS YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO SIT DOWN AND WATCH NEWS BECAUSE I WANT TO BE AWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING BUT I WILL DO IT NOT BEFORE BED.

I WILL DO THE 5:00 P.M. NEWS.

OR MAYBE IT WILL BE THE NEWS ON THE RADIO AND YOU CHANGE THE MEDIUM BY WHICH YOU TAKE IT IN.

SOMETIMES HEARING VERSUS SEEING AND HEARING ALLOWS YOU FEEL YOU HAVE MORE CONTROL WHAT YOU ARE CONSUMING.

I TRY TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BE INTENTIONAL.

>> CAN THE MORE VISUAL NEWS LIKE VIDEOS CAN THAT BE MORE TRIGGERING FOR PEOPLE?

>> IT ABSOLUTELY CAN.

IT ABSOLUTELY CAN.

AND AGAIN, WHEN THINGS ARE COMING UP ON THE SCREEN, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IS COMING NEXT.

IF YOU ARE THE NEXT VIDEO IS COMING UP IN YOUR FEED OR WATCHING THE NEWS AND MAYBE NOW THEY ARE GOING TO JUMP TO A STORY ABOUT A WAR.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IMAGES.

AND ALSO WHEN PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCES OF TRAUMA WHETHER THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THEIR LIVES OR NOT, YOU NEVER REALLY CAN PREDICT WHAT IS GOING TO ACTIVATE YOUR TRAUMA.

YOU HAVE A SENSE BUT IT CAN BE ANYTHING.

IT COULD BE A PICTURE THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH.

SOMETIMES PICTURES AND THAT VISUAL MEDIUM CAN KEEP A WIDER DOOR OPEN.

>> WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE DEALING WITH ANXIETY AROUND ALL OF THIS?

>> THE BIGGEST THING I HAVE IS TO LEAN INTO YOUR SOCIAL SUPPORTS.

SO OFTEN PEOPLE KIND OF SABOTAGE THEMSELVES AND THEY I DON'T WANT TO BURDEN OTHER PEOPLE OR I DON'T WANT TO BE A DOWNER SO THEY ARE CUTTING OFF ONE OF OUR MOST POWERFUL ASSETS.

AND OFTENTIMES IT'S BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE ONE SENSE HOW YOU CONNECT TO PEOPLE.

BUT REACHING OUT FOR HELP CAN BE JUST CALLING SOMEBODY AND SAYING I DON'T WANT TO BE ALONE RIGHT NOW, WOULD YOU GO TO THE GROCERY STORE WITH ME.

>> OR FAR AWAY CAN I CALL I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING CAN WE JUST TALK ABOUT THAT BAD TV SHOW THAT WE LOVE?

THAT IS USING YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM AND CONNECTING.

>> OK. BAD TELEVISION RECOMMENDED SOUNDS LIKE.

CANDICE NORCOTT THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

TAKE CARE.

>> UP NEXT, DETAILS OF A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR PUBLIC ART INITIATIVE.

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER...

THE CITY IS ANNOUNCING A MAJOR INVESTMENT TO BOOST ARTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS.

ARTS 77 ANNOUNCED ARTS PROGRAM DIRECTING AN INVESTMENT OF $60 MILLION INTO GRANTS FOR LOCAL ARTISTS, PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING ACROSS THE CITY.

CHICAGO'S DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND THE PARK DISTRICT AND AGENCIES HOPE IT WILL HELP BOOST A INDUSTRY THAT IS WOUNDED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC SHUTDOWN.

AND JOINING US ARE MARK KELLY COMMISSIONER OF THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND TONIKA JOHNSON ONE OF FIVE ARTISTS SELECTED TO RECEIVE A $100,000 GRANT THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

WELL COAL BOTH OF YOU TO -- WELCOME BOTH OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

>> MARK WHAT WAS THE IMPETUS FOR THIS PROGRAM AND WHERE IS THE MONEY COMING FROM?

>> THE IMPETUS THE ARTS ARE CENTRAL TO THE CHICAGO WORLD CULTURAL CAPITAL.

SOMETIMES WE DON'T RECOGNIZE THAT OR HONOR THAT.

BUT WHY DO 57 MILLION TOURISTS COME?

IT'S BECAUSE OF THE CULTURAL VITALITY OF THE FACILITY.

THE PARKS AND MUSEUMS AND THEATERS ACROSS THE CITY AND NO INDUSTRY HAS BEEN MORE DEVASTATED.

OUR SPACES ARE EMPTY, OUR CLUBS ARE CLOSED AND ARTISTS UNEMPLOYED.

WE NEED TO BRING BACK THE ARTS LANDSCAPE AND SUPPORT THEM AND THEY WILL PLAY THIS HUGE ROLE IN BRINGING BACK THE CITY YOU NEED A SENSE OF BELONGING AND A SENSE OF MEANING AND THAT IS WHAT THE ARTS GIVES TO US.

THIS 60 MILLION COMES FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES.

15 MILLION PUBLIC ART COMES FROM THE INFRASTRUCTURE BUDGET THAT WAS PASSED BY THE CITY.

>> THOSE ARE PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO INSTALL.

I WANT TO GET TO THE SPECIFICS WHERE THE REVENUE IS GOING.

TONIKA JOHNSON YOU ARE A PHOTOGRAPHER AND FOCUS YOUR ART ON SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES TELL ME WHAT THIS $100,000 GRANT YOU ARE RECEIVING MEANS TO YOU AND YOUR ABILITY TO CARRY OUT YOUR MISSION?

>> OH, IT MEANS I WILL BE ABLE TO WORK ON MY NEXT PROJECT WHICH IS AN INVITE FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO GREATER ENGLEWOOD.

IT'S FOCUSING ON THE HISTORIC DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING PRACTICES THAT WERE DONE TO WOULD BE BLACK HOMEOWNERS IN THE 50s AND 60s THROUGH LAND SALE CONTRACTS.

MY PROJECT WILL ALLOW ME TO MAKE VISIBLE THIS HIDDEN HISTORY BY CREATING LANDMARKS OF THE HOMES THAT EXIST AND EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT THE PRESENT DAY IMPACT THIS PERIOD HAD ON NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE GREATER ENGLEWOOD.

NOT ONLY IS IT EDUCATIONAL BUT IT WILL BE AN INVITE TO THIS NEIGHBORHOOD TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT.

THIS FUNDING WILL ALLOW ME TO DO THAT PROJECT AND PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL PUBLIC HOUSING.

>> AND WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME OF YOUR WORK AND THAT WILL BE A DRAW TO ENGLEWOOD.

MARK, YOU STARTED TO BREAKDOWN IT'S 50 MILLION FOR PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS INCLUDING SOME AT THE NEW O'HARE TERMINALS.

WHAT ARE THE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT THIS MONEY IS GOING TO?

>> WELL, IT'S 15 MILLION FOR PUBLIC ART AND THIS IS THE BIGGEST INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC ART IN THE HISTORY OF THE CITY.

3.5 MILLION IN PUBLIC ART THAT WILL GO TO THE REIMAGINING THE INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL AT O'HARE WITH THE LARGEST ACQUISITION OF WORK OF CHICAGO ARTISTS.

AND 40 MILLION FOR THE CULTURE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT.

THIS IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT, THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARIES WE HAVE CULTURAL CENTERS SOUTH SIDE OF THE CITY AUSTIN TOWN HALL, THE SOUTH SHORE CULTURAL CENTER THEY HAVE NOT LIVED AS CULTURE AT SPACES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RENEWED IT IS A MAJOR CAPITAL INVESTMENT TO BRING THEM FORWARD AND REENGAGE THE COMMUNITIES AND BRING THEM FORWARD SO THEY LIVE AS CULTURAL SPACES AND GRANT PROGRAMS LIKE WHAT YOU HEARD FROM TONIKA, CHICAGO PRESENTS OVER 1 MILLION FOR FREE OUTDOOR CULTURAL EVENTS, THEATRE, MUSIC AND DANCE ACROSS THE CITY TO BRING THE LIGHT AND ENERGY BACK TO THE CITY.

THERE WILL BE ANOTHER $1 MILLION FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS.

THESE ARE FOR CULTURAL EVENTS NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE BEEN LARGELY DISINVESTED IN TERMS OF CULTURAL LIFE.

AND -- >> A WAY TO ACTIVATE THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

YOU MENTIONED CULTURAL CENTERS LIKE THE AUSTIN TOWN HALL.

BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS.

ONE OF THE THINGS YOU'VE DRAWN ACCLAIM FOR IS YOUR FOLDED MAPS PROJECT.

REMIND US WHAT THAT PROJECT WAS?

>> IT IS A VISUAL EXPLORATION OF THE PRESENT DAY IMPACT OF CHICAGO'S SEGREGATION WHILE BRINGING RESIDENTS TOGETHER WHO LIVE ON THE SAME STREET BUT MILE AS PART FROM THE NORTH AND SOUTH SIDE.

>> AND WE'RE LOOKING AT PICTURES.

BASICALLY, IT'S THE SAME ADDRESS ONE ADDRESS NORTH SAY LIKE 5400 NORTH MEETING UP WITH 5400 SOUTH.

WHAT CAME OUT OF THAT PROJECT?

WHAT REACTION DO IT GET?

>> WELL, THE RESPONSE FROM CHICAGOANS IN GENERAL DEMONSTRATES THAT WE DO WANT A DIFFERENT CITY THAT OUR SEGREGATION DOES NOT REFLECT HOW WE WANT TO INTERACT.

THAT WAS CONSISTENT ACROSS THE BOARD WITH ALL OF THE MAPS.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT PRIMARILY LED TO THE POPULARITY OF THE PROJECT THAT IT REPRESENTS HOW US CHICAGOANS FEEL ABOUT OUR CITY AND IT DEMONSTRATES THE MANY WAYS IN WHICH WE DISRUPTED AND HOW WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DO SO.

>> AND ART IS THE POWER OF ART.

MARK, TELL US HOW ARTISTS CAN APPLY FOR SOME OF THESE GRANTS LIKE THE ONE THAT TONIKA HAS?

>> IT'S CALLED CHICAGO CULTURAL GRANTS.ORG.

SOME OF THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE TRIED TO STRIP THROUGH THE BURR OXY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT DIVERSE COMMUNITIES FEEL WELCOME.

AND YOU SHOULD SAY THIS IS JUST THE FIRST INSTALLMENT.

THIS 60 MILLION HELPS IN THE RECOVERY BUT THE NEED IS GREAT.

AND THERE IS ANNOUNCEMENTS TO FOLLOW BECAUSE WE ALL NEED THE ARTS BACK IN CHICAGO.

THE ARTS GIVE US THAT JOY THAT WE ARE ALL DESPERATE FOR AND WE'RE GOING TO START TO SEE THE MOMENTUM COME BACK.

THE MO-JO IS COMING BACK.

>> MO-JO A GREAT CHICAGO ARTIST MUDDY WATERS.

MY MO-JO WORKING.

THANKS TO MARK KELLY AND TONIKA JOHNSON THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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

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

AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. PRESIDENT BIDEN DELIVERS HIS FIRST ADDRESS TO A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS AND WE HAVE A PREVIEW.

>> AND INVESTIGATING ARTWORK FROM MEXICO WITH A SCIENTIFIC TEAM FROM CHICAGO.

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

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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