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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

>> NOW IS THE TIME TO REINVENT PUBLIC TRANSIT.

LAWMAKERS PROPOSE A BOLD PLAN THAT WOULD MERGE THE CHICAGO AREA'S TRANSIT AGENCIES.

>> IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE.

CELEBRATE THERE'S COMMITMENT.

2 REMAINING THE CHICAGO >> TRAVERSE.

SEE OVER THE PROPOSED LOCATION AND PRICE TAG AND THE BEARS NEW STADIUM PROPOSAL.

AND LOCAL ACTIVISTS GEAR UP FOR A DAY OF ACTION IN SPRINGFIELD.

AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

HUNDREDS OF MOURNERS LAID TO REST CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER LUIS WEST GOT TODAY.

>> I WAS PUT EVER CHERISH HIS MEMORY AND ALWAYS REMEMBER IMPACT HE HAD ON HIS THIS DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

I SAY LOUIS IT YOU RAISE ONE HIT OF A RESPECTFUL YOUNG MAN.

AND HE WILL TRULY BE MISSED.

BUT I PROMISE YOU YOU WILL NEVER, EVER BE FORGOTTEN.

>> SERVICES WERE HELD THIS MORNING AT SAINT RITA OF CASCIA SHRINE CHAPEL ON THE SOUTH SIDE, 30 YEAR-OLD WEST SERVED IN THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR 6 YEARS.

HE WAS GUNNED DOWN OUTSIDE OF HIS HOME WHILE RETURNING FROM HIS SHIFT LAST SUNDAY MORNING.

WELL, POLICE SUPERINTENDENT LARRY SNELLING DID SPEAK AT TODAY'S SERVICE MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON AND REPORTEDLY GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER WERE ASKED BY THE FAMILY NOT TO TENT.

MEANWHILE, SEVERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND THE POLICE UNION ARE OFFERING A COMBINED $100,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF THE MAN IN THIS VIDEO, POLICE ISSUED AN ARREST WARRANT THIS WEEKEND FOR 22 YEAR-OLD XAVIER TATE JUNIOR WHO IS BEING SOUGHT IN CONNECTION WITH WEST CAUSE DEATH.

STUDENTS PROTESTING ISRAEL'S MILITARY RESPONSE TO THE HAMAS ATTACKS IN OCTOBER HAVE SET UP AN ENCAMPMENT ON THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CAMPUS.

THEY JOIN STUDENTS AT OVER 100 CAMPUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE GROUP UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO UNITED FOR PALESTINE IS CALLING FOR UNIVERSITIES TO IMMEDIATELY DIVEST FROM WEAPONS MANUFACTURERS LIKE LOCKHEED MARTIN, GENERAL DYNAMICS AND BOEING.

MEANWHILE, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED LATE THIS AFTERNOON THAT IT HAS REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH PROTESTERS HAVE BEEN CAMPING OUT ON ITS EVANSTON CAMPUS SINCE LAST WEEK.

THE DEAL INCLUDES REMOVING TENTS ON DURING MEADOW WHILE ALSO ESTABLISHING A COMMITTEE TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT UNIVERSITY INVESTMENTS.

FOR MORE ON THAT AGREEMENT, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION AND THE CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION ARE UNDERWAY.

THE CURRENT TEACHERS CONTRACT EXPIRES AT THE END OF JUNE AND PARENTS MIGHT REMEMBER THE LAST 3 NEGOTIATIONS WORK SO SMOOTH WITH 2 OF THEM COMING TO HISTORIC STRIKES BY THE TEACHERS THIS YEAR, THOUGH, CTU ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ITS CONTRACT DEMANDS ARE ALIGNED WITH MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON'S EDUCATION TRANSITION REPORT.

TODAY'S MEETING BEGINS TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR HOW NEGOTIATIONS WILL GO.

AND TEACHERS SAY THAT THEY'RE HOPING FOR OPEN NEGOTIATIONS.

>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO SHOW UP IN OPEN BARGAINING AND PEOPLE UNDERSTAND A PART OF WHAT WE ARE TEACHING IN THIS MOMENT IS HOW SHOW PEOPLE HOW SCHOOL IS NEGOTIATED, WHAT POLICIES UNDER GERWIG PEOPLE RECEIVED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> AND SO TODAY IS OUR FIRST STEP AND SHOWING OUR WORD TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> UP NEXT, A PROPOSAL FOR A MAJOR PUBLIC TRANSIT MERGER.

NICK WEINBERG BREAK DOWN THE PLAN FOR US RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> IT'S A BOLD VISION FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT.

SOME STATE LAWMAKERS ARE PUSHING TO MERGE CTA, METRA AND PACE INTO ONE REGIONAL TRANSIT AGENCY AND FUNNEL A BILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS MORE EACH YEAR TO THE SYSTEM WITH LOCAL PUBLIC TRANSIT FACING A MASSIVE FISCAL CLIFF.

BACKERS OF THE PLAN SAY ADDITIONAL FUNDING TIED TO MAJOR GOVERNANCE REFORM CAN CREATE A SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM THAT MEETS UNMET NEEDS.

REPORTER NICK BLUMBERG JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

NIC, GIVE US DETAILS OF THIS PLAN WILL BRING U.S.

LAWMAKERS HAVE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CREATE THE NEW METROPOLITAN MOBILITY AUTHORITY.

IT WOULD REPLACE THE CURRENT REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY WHICH OVERSEES CTA, METRA AND PACE.

>> BUT WHICH MANY TRANSIT ADVOCATES SAY HASN'T CREATED THE KIND OF REGIONAL COORDINATION REALLY NEEDED FOR TOP TIER TRANSIT.

NOW THOSE SEPARATE AGENCIES WOULD BE MERGED INTO ONE OVERSEEING RAPID TRANSIT COMMUTER RAIL BUS AND PARATRANSIT A COMPANION BILL ALSO BOOSTS TRANSIT FUNDING BY 1.5 BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY BILLION WITH A B.

THE MMA WOULD BE OVERSEEN BY DIRECTORS CHOSEN BY THE GOVERNOR AND REGIONAL ELECTED OFFICIALS WITH THE MAYOR OF CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY BOARD.

PRESIDENT GETTING THE MOST PICKS NOW, BACKERS OF THE PLAN SAY TRANSIT HAS BEEN CHRONICALLY UNDERFUNDED, BUT THAT SIMPLY THROWING MORE MONEY AT THE CURRENT SYSTEM WON'T CREATE THE KIND OF REFORMS NEEDED.

LAWMAKERS SAY THEY HAVEN'T YET IDENTIFIED WHERE THAT NEW TRANSIT FUNDING WOULD COME FROM BUT ARGUE MORE REVENUE AND BIG REFORMS ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED, ESPECIALLY FOR BLACK AND LATINO COMMUNITIES FACING DISPROPORTIONATELY LONG COMMUTES.

IT'S HARDER FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES.

>> TO GET TO THEIR JOBS, THEIR SCHOOL OR HOSPITAL.

WE NEED TO TACKLE THE ISSUE OF WHAT TYPE OF SERVICE WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE FOR OUR RIDERS AND FOR OUR RESIDENT.

I THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE FUNDING THAT'S NEEDED MY VISION FOR THE FUTURE.

>> OF TRANSIT IS THAT ONE DAY PEOPLE WILL CHOOSE TO GET IN ON A BUS OR ON A TRAIN.

RATHER THAN TO DRIVE IN THEIR CARS.

>> NIC, WHAT KIND OF FINANCIAL PROBLEMS ARE THE CURRENT TRANSIT AGENCIES FACING?

WELL, RIDERSHIP STILL HAS NOT RETURNED TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS RIGHT NOW.

THE REVENUE FROM THOSE MISSING RIDERS IS BEING FILLED BY FEDERAL COVID RELIEF.

MONEY.

BUT THAT'S ESTIMATED TO RUN OUT IN EARLY 2026, LEAVING A 730 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET GAP.

ACCORDING TO AN RTA REPORT, THE STATE OF ILLINOIS IS FUNDING FOR CHICAGO LAND TRANSIT LAGS FAR BEHIND OTHER PLACES LIKE PHILADELPHIA OR BOSTON.

THE RTA WHICH WOULD BE REPLACED ENTIRELY UNDER THIS PROPOSAL.

ISN'T IT TAKING A STANCE ON THE LEGISLATION?

BUT THEY DID ECHO.

LAWMAKERS CALLS FOR WAY MORE FUNDING.

DO WE KNOW HOW QUICKLY THIS PROPOSAL MIGHT MOVE FORWARD?

NOT YET.

AND UNDERSTANDABLY STILL A LOT TO PARSE HEAR.

LAWMAKERS SAY THEY'VE BEEN AN ONGOING CONVERSATIONS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS WITH TRANSIT AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, TRANSIT AGENCY HEAD SO FAR HAVE BEEN PRETTY SKEPTICAL OF THIS PLAN AS YOU CAN PROBABLY IMAGINE.

THE BILL'S BACKERS DIDN'T SAY WHETHER THEY WERE GOING TO TRY AND MOVE DURING THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION THIS SPRING OR THEY MIGHT TRY TO PUSH IT FORWARD LATER IN THE YEAR.

BUT ADVOCATES SAY WHILE A UNIFIED SYSTEM WILL BE A BOON TO RIDERS A MERGER OF LONGSTANDING SEPARATE AGENCIES WILL BE A BIG LIFT AS WELL.

EVERYTHING FROM PENSION PLANS TO ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS TO UNION CONTRACTS.

THAT MIGHT TAKE A COUPLE OF YEARS.

SO WE MAY NOT BENEFITS IMMEDIATELY EXCEPT FOR MAYBE WITH THE ONE AND A HALF BILLION DOLLARS OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT COULD HAVE IMMEDIATE BENEFITS.

BUT THE ORGANIZATIONAL BENEFITS, THE COST SAVINGS AND FURTHER ON IMMIGRATION COULD TAKE A FEW YEARS.

>> NOW AT A SEPARATE EVENT TODAY, GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER SAID HE HADN'T YET READ THE BILL.

IT WAS JUST INTRODUCED TODAY SO HE COULDN'T TAKE A STANCE ON IT YET.

BUT PRITZKER AGREE THAT IT IS KEY TO RETHINK HOW CHICAGOLAND TRANSIT IT'S FUNDED AND OPERATED BRANDIS.

INTERESTING CONCEPT.

NICK, THANK YOU.

THANK AND YOU CAN READ NEXT FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

IT'S ALL A W T TW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

CHICAGO MAY HAVE A NEW SKYLINE AS SOON AS 2028 WITH THE ADDITION OF A NEW NFL STADIUM, THE BEARS ANNOUNCEMENT OF A DON'T STADIUM QUICKLY.

DREW CRITICISM, THOUGH, OVER THE MORE THAN 4 BILLION DOLLAR PRICE TAG AND THE LAKEFRONT LOCATION.

>> JOINING US NOW, OUR JOE FERGUSON, PRESIDENT OF THE CIVIC FEDERATION AND FORMER INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND ON ZOOM, WE HAVE SPORTS ECONOMIST AND UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PROFESSOR ALLEN SANDERSON.

WE SHOULD MENTION WE ALSO INVITED THE BEARS ORGANIZATION, BUT THEY DECLINED.

BUT THEY DID SEND A STATEMENT WHICH WE'LL GET TO IN JUST A MOMENT.

THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU, GENTLEMEN, FOR JOINING US.

ALLEN SANDERSON, WANT TO START WITH YOU, PLEASE.

THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF QUESTIONS, OBVIOUSLY FOLLOWING LAST WEEK'S BIG ANNOUNCEMENT, ESPECIALLY FUNDING TOP LAWMAKERS EXPRESSING DISAPPROVAL OF THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

IF PUBLIC FUNDING IS NOT MADE AVAILABLE, IF IT'S NOT APPROVED, HOW ELSE COULD A STADIUM LIKE THIS GET BUILT?

>> WELL, MIGHT NOT GET BUILT.

THAT'S A GOOD THING.

PUBLIC FUNDED.

WERE YOU PUBLIC FINANCED?

SPORTS STADIUMS ARE ONE OF THE WORST INVESTMENTS POLITICIANS LIKE TO USE THE WORD INVESTMENT, NOT SPENDING WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT THEIR WORD.

OVERWHELMINGLY THE EVIDENCE IS THEY DON'T STIMULATE ECONOMIC GROWTH.

THEY DON'T REALLY DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN REDISTRIBUTE SOME INCOME CITIZENS IN GENERAL TO TAXPAYERS.

>> AS WE MENTIONED, THE BEARS DID SEND A STATEMENT AND IT READS, QUOTE, TO THE CHICAGO BEARS ARE COMMITTED TO INVESTING MORE THAN 2 BILLION DOLLARS IN PRIVATE MONEY INTO A PUBLICLY OWNED STADIUM PARK AND RECREATION SPACES.

ONCE COMPLETE.

WOULD BE ONE OF THE LARGEST PRIVATE INVESTMENTS INTO A PUBLICLY OWNED PROJECT IN U.S. HISTORY.

IT GOES ON TO SAY THE CHICAGO BEARS AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND ALL INTERESTED PARTIES WILL NEED TO WORK TOGETHER SO THAT WE CAN ACHIEVE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL AGREEMENT FOR OPERATING THE NEW STADIUM AND CULTURAL AND RECREATION CAMPUS.

SO AS WE MENTIONED, PROJECTED COSTS THE NEW DOME STADIUM IS 4.7 BILLION DOLLARS.

THIS IS A NUMBER FROM THE BEARS.

OF COURSE, THE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES ARE REPORTING INFORMATION SAYING THAT IT WILL BE MUCH THE TEAM IS SEEKING 900 MILLION DOLLARS IN PUBLIC FUNDING.

JOE, DO WE KNOW YET IF AND HOW MUCH THIS COULD COST THE CHICAGO TAXPAYERS?

>> THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE THINGS ABOUT THIS IS WE HAD THE DATA POINT OF THE PRESS EVENT LAST WEEK AND IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A ROLL OUT FROM THE MEDIA OF ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS OF THINGS THAT ACTUALLY WERE DRESSED IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

YOU MENTIONED THE 900 MILLION.

THAT IS JUST FOR THE STADIUM FROM THE WHICH CARRIES JUNK BOND STATUS RIGHT NOW THE LAST DAY ON FORCE FACILITY AUTHORITY WHICH EXISTS TO ACTUALLY FUND THE RENOVATION OF THE BUILDING OF SPORTS ARENA OR THE LAST BOND RATING DIDN'T EVEN FACTOR FOR THIS SORT OF ACTIVITY.

AND BEYOND THAT IS THE FACT THAT WELL OVER HALF A BILLION DOLLARS ON EXISTING DEBT FOR THE STADIUM THAT WE'D BE DECONSTRUCTING.

THIS HAS VERY, VERY CHICAGO FEEL TO IT RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE GOING TO PAY FOR 40 YEARS FOR SOMETHING WE'RE TAKING APART NOW.

BEYOND THAT, YOU HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENTS WHICH WERE LIGHTLY TOUCHED UPON ACKNOWLEDGE, BUT LIGHTLY TOUCHED UPON WITHOUT SPECIFICS AS TO HOW THAT WOULD BE FUNDED.

REALLY IN ALL OF THIS WAS THE FACT THAT WE HEARD VERY LITTLE ABOUT WHAT THE RELATIONSHIP, THE FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIP WOULD BE BETWEEN THE BEARS AND THE PARK DISTRICT.

WITH RESPECT TO REVENUE.

AND THERE IS AN EXISTING ARRANGEMENT RIGHT NOW AND THE REPORTS ROLLING OUT FROM THE SUN TIMES.

THE TRIBUNE CRANES, JUSTIN LAWRENCE TODAY, WHO YOU HAVE ON THE SHOW REGULARLY ALL INDICATE THAT THERE WOULD BE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THE BEARS ARE TRYING TO CAPTURE IN REVENUE THAT EXTEND BEYOND SIMPLY THE GAMES.

BUT 2 OTHER EVENTS AT THE STADIUM, WHICH IN SOME RESPECT ACTUALLY WOULD PAY FOR WHAT THE BEARS THEMSELVES SAY.

THEY'RE PUTTING FORWARD.

THIS IS A MOVING TARGET AND WE DON'T HAVE A PROCESS RIGHT NOW.

RAISING A LOT MORE ONE THING THAT THE BEARS ARE PROMISING IS A BIG ECONOMIC IMPACT.

>> INCLUDING 43,000 CONSTRUCTION JOBS TO BUILD THE PROPERTY.

PLUS, 4200 NEW ANNUAL JOBS.

ALLAN, WHAT COULD BE THE RETURN ON THIS IS THIS IS THE NEW STADIUM GOING TO BE A MONEYMAKER IN.

AND YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, STADIUMS LIKE THIS DON'T ACTUALLY MAKE THAT MUCH MONEY.

THEY DON'T BRING THAT MUCH REVENUE.

>> YOU KNOW, MY LICENSE.

USED TO SAY IT'S FROM CUSTODY.

TURNED OUT TO BE.

TOO CLOSE TO THE TRUTH.

IF YOU TAKE WHATEVER NUMBER SPONSOR SAYS THIS WILL PROVIDE IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC JOBS OR ECONOMIC IMPACT, TAKE THAT DOLLAR FIGURE, JOBS FIGURE, MOVE THE DECIMAL 0.1 TO THE LEFT YOU'RE PRETTY CLOSE KNOW.

IT WAS 90% OF IS JUST NONSENSE.

THE NUMBER OF YEARS AGO WITH THE JOHNSON WHO OWNS THE NEW YORK JETS.

WANTED TO MOVE THE JETS OUT OF THE MEADOWLANDS PUT IN THE HUDSON YARDS AREA THAT TO BE ONE.

THE DUMBEST IDEAS I'VE EVER HEARD BUT I WAS HIRED BY MADISON SQUARE GARDEN CITIZENS FOR BETTER CHOICES AND OTHERS EXAMINE THAT.

AND ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS ASKED ME WELL, IF WE DON'T BUILD A FOOTBALL STADIUM THERE IN THE HUDSON YARDS, WILL ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH AND I THE THAT'S A VERY VALUABLE PIECE REAL ESTATE.

AS IS THE LIFE, AN AREA IN CHICAGO.

I SAID THERE ARE ONLY 2 THINGS THAT YOU DO REALLY NEVER WANT TO PUT ON A VALUABLE PIECE OF REAL ESTATE.

ONE IS A CEMETERY.

AND THE OTHER IS A FOOTBALL STADIUM.

AFTER THAT EVERYTHING'S NEGOTIABLE.

HAHA.

>> AND I SHOULD MENTION, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A STATEMENT FROM THE FRIENDS OF THE PARK AS WELL IN IT.

THEY SAY, QUOTE, THIS PROCESS NEEDS TO SLOW DOWN.

IT NEEDS TO INVOLVE STAKEHOLDERS AND IT NEEDS TO BE CAREFULLY SCRUTINIZED ALONG THOSE LINES.

IT'S BEEN GREAT TO SEE SO MANY OTHER VOICES CHIMING IN ON THIS PROPOSAL AND TO SEE THE GREAT WORK THE MEDIA IS DOING TO SCRUTINIZE, WHICH SOUNDS LIKE OF US ARE DOING HERE FRIENDS OF THE PARKS IS ALSO FORMALLY THE NEW AND INSTEAD SUGGESTING THE SITE OF THE FORMER MICHAEL REESE HOSPITAL IN BRONZEVILLE JOE, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

THERE'S A PREFERENCE FOR BUILDING A NEW STADIUM ON THE LAKEFRONT, DESPITE, YOU KNOW, THE POTENTIAL COST IMPLICATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS.

THAT'S ONE OF THE MYSTERIES HERE.

WHY THE LAKEFRONT SPECIFICALLY?

>> THIS IS A ESSENTIALLY A PRIVATELY OWNED TEAM.

WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY CONVERSATION ABOUT THE CAPACITY OF THE MCCASKEY FAMILY TO ACTUALLY SELL OR LEVERAGE THEIR OWNERSHIP.

THIS IS THE 4TH OR 5TH MOST VALUABLE NFL FRANCHISE IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW RANGING IN ESTIMATES IN VALUE FROM 5 AND A HALF BILLION TO 7 BILLION DOLLARS.

WHY THE LAKEFRONT?

IT REMINDS ME A LITTLE BIT OF R R SITUATION WITH THE CASINO WHICH IS HANGING BY A THREAD RIGHT NOW WITH LINCOLN YARDS, WHICH IS ONE OF THE ALTERNATIVES.

WHAT IT WHAT IS THE HIGHER AND HIGHEST AND BEST USE THAT WE WOULD MAKE HERE.

PROFESSOR SANDERSON IS IS RIGHT TO BE SKEPTICAL BECAUSE THAT'S OUR HISTORY.

CHICAGO, THE CASINO LINCOLN YARDS, THE PREVIOUS STADIUM PARKING METERS, SO ON AND SO FORTH.

REALLY WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE HERE AND THIS IS WHAT CONCERNS ME ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENED SO FAR.

THE CITY HAS ABDICATED ITS ROLE TO ACTUALLY BE A NEUTRAL BROKER IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC AND THE TAXPAYER HERE AND HAS BECOME MUCH A CHEERLEADER OF THIS OF THE SUN-TIMES HAD IT EXACTLY RIGHT.

AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TO STEP BACK.

THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES.

WE NEED INDEPENDENT ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF A COMPARATIVE NATURE COMPARED TO BOTH AS TO WHAT BENEFITS WE ALREADY GET FROM HAVING A FOOTBALL STADIUM DOWNTOWN NET THAT OUT.

BUT ALSO WHAT THE ALTERNATIVES MIGHT BRING AND WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A STADIUM CENTRIC PROPOSAL RATHER THAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN COMMUNITIES.

CENTRIC PROPOSAL.

AND THAT IS WHY WE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT OTHER SITES AS WELL.

SOMETHING THAT I'M SURE WE'LL HEAR A LOT MORE ABOUT GOING FORWARD.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

MY THANKS TO PROFESSOR ALLEN SANDERSON AND JOE FERGUSON FOR JOINING US.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> COMING UP, A DAY OF ACTION FOR ASIAN AMERICANS.

WE EXPLAIN NEXT.

ASIAN AMERICAN ORGANIZERS ARE SET TO VISIT SPRINGFIELD ON WEDNESDAY TO ADVOCATE FOR LANGUAGE AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES AS WELL AS EDUCATION EQUITY AND MORE THE PAN ASIAN VOTER EMPOWERMENT COALITION HAS GATHERED OVER 300 MEMBERS TO TAKE PART IN THIS YEAR'S ASIAN AMERICAN ACTION DAY EVENTS.

JOINING US FROM THAT COALITION ARE GRACE PIE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCING JUSTICE CHICAGO, A NEW GROUP TO A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WITH ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCING JUSTICE.

CHICAGO, WHO IS LEADING ASIAN AMERICAN ACTION DAY.

AND GREECE CHAN MCKIBBEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COALITION FOR A BETTER CHINESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

THANKS TO THE 3 OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

AN TO LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE.

WHY DO YOU THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF THESE GROUPS TO SORT OF COME TOGETHER AND TRAVEL TO SPRINGFIELD, ADVOCATE YOUR LEGISLATORS?

YEAH, THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

I THINK IT'S INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US TO COME TO SPRINGFIELD BECAUSE IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SHOW THAT.

>> ASIAN AMERICANS ARE NOT A POLITICAL THAT WE ARE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH ABOUT OUR STORIES, OUR VOICES MATTER.

AND SO IT'S ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT OUR LEGISLATORS HEAR DIRECTLY FROM US AND GET A PULSE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE GROUND.

>> GRAZED BY ONE OF THE POLICIES THAT YOU ALL ARE ADVOCATING SB.

37 62 IS THE LANGUAGE EQUITY AND ACCESS ACT.

WHAT WOULD THAT BILL DO AND WHAT YOU THINK IT'S NECESSARY.

>> THE LANGUAGE EQUITY AND ACCESS ACT WOULD ESSENTIALLY STRENGTHEN GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR LANGUAGE ACCESS ACROSS STATE AGENCIES.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE REALITY IS THAT A LOT OF SEE AGENCIES COULD BE DOING MORE IN TERMS OF MAKING THEIR SERVICES ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT THE MOST COMFORTABLE COMMUNICATING IN ENGLISH.

SO WHEN YOU'RE APPLYING SOMETHING LIKE UNEMPLOYMENT NOW GETTING ABOUT FIGURING OUT WHAT DOCUMENTS YOU NEED CAN BE CONFUSING FOR SOMEONE WHOSE FIRST LANGUAGE IS NOT ENGLISH AS A LOT THAT STATE GOVERNMENT CAN AND SHOULD BE DOING TO HELP BRIDGE THAT GAP.

SO WE'RE ADVOCATING FOR THIS BILL THAT WOULD BODE REQUIRE STATE AGENCIES TO CREATE LANGUAGE ACCESS PLANS AND ALSO CREATE MORE SUPPORT WITHIN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO HOLD THOSE AGENCIES ACCOUNTABLE AND TO TO GET AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE FOR FOR RESIDENTS OF COULD THAT BE?

BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THERE COULD BE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ACROSS THE ASIAN NATIONS LIKE?

>> WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, IN A LOT OF THE KIND OF RESOURCES ARE PUT TOWARDS THE TOP 5 LANGUAGES THAT ARE SPOKEN IN ILLINOIS.

BUT THAT LEAVES A LOT OUT IN A LOT OF LANGUAGES THAT ARE SPOKEN BY ASIAN AMERICANS.

DON'T HAVE THOSE TRANSLATED FORMS.

SO IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S HAVING VITAL DOCUMENTS FOR STATE AGENCIES TRANSLATED INTO, YOU KNOW, MORE THAN 15, EVEN 20 LANGUAGES AND ALSO HAVE INTERPRETATION AVAILABLE.

SO IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO CALL SOMEONE WHO WORKS IN A STATE AGENCY, THEY CAN EVEN HAVE TELEPHONIC INTERPRETATION.

RIGHT?

WHEN INTERPRETERS ON THE PHONE, THEY DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A PERSON IN PERSON.

THEY'RE NECESSARILY.

BUT THAT IS ALSO AN CHRISTIAN MCKAY.

BUT THE COALITION IS ALSO CALLING FOR 40 MILLION DOLLARS IN THE STATE BUDGET FOR IMMIGRANT SERVICES.

WHAT WHAT THAT DID THAT LOOK LIKE THE IN IMMIGRANT SERVICES LINE ITEM HAS ACTUALLY BEEN IN THE STATE BUDGET FOR WELL OVER 20 YEARS AND IT SUPPORTS EVERYTHING FROM HELPING PEOPLE APPLY FOR PINK HEARTS HELPING INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION SERVICES GIVING CASH ASSISTANCE TO >> IMMIGRANTS.

THAT MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO PUBLIC BENEFITS AND SO ON.

SO IT'S A VERY NEEDED SERVICE.

>> AND CERTAINLY WITH THE ADDITION OF SO MANY NEW ARRIVALS OVER THE LAST YEAR YEAR AND A I DON'T KNOW IF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT YOU ALL WORK WITH HAVE NOTICED AS SORT OF STRAIN ON EXISTING SERVICES.

CERTAINLY.

YEAH, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE THAT ONE IN 7 ASIAN AMERICANS IN ILLINOIS ARE ACTUALLY UNDOCUMENTED.

SO PEOPLE DO THINK OF THINK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, FOLKS THAT ARE APPLYING FOR GREEN CARDS ARE PLAYING FOR THE FAMILIES FOR GREEN CARDS SO BUT THEY'RE ACTUALLY A LOT OF NEW ARRIVALS DO NEED THE SERVICES THAT NOT PROVIDED BY COVERING GOVERNMENT.

>> AN ISSUE YOU'RE EXPECTING ABOUT 350 COALITION MEMBERS.

WHAT GOES INTO ORGANIZING THIS DAY ON WEDNESDAY AND AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, GOING?

THEY'RE READY TO SAY THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY WANT TO MAKE ON THEIR LEGISLATORS.

YES, I'VE ACTUALLY SPENT THE LAST 2 MONTHS PLANNING FOR THIS DAY.

SO REQUIRES A LOT OF COLLABORATION AMONG OUR 18 ORGANIZATIONS.

A LOT OF COMMUNICATION BEING PATIENT WITH EACH OTHER.

THERE IS BOOKING BUSES AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE LOGISTICS SET UP TO PREPARING OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND HAVING THEM UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BILLS ARE AND HOW THESE DIRECTLY IMPACT THEM AND ALSO WORKING WITH THEM TO REALLY WORK, FIGURE OUT WHAT THEIR PERSONAL STORY IS OR WHAT THEIR STAKE IS IN THIS.

AND HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE THAT TO LEGISLATORS?

SO I'M REALLY EXCITED FOR EVERYONE TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH THEIR LEGISLATORS TO SPEND TIME IN THE CAPITAL AND REALLY FEEL THE EFFECT OF THE FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTIONS YEAH.

EVERYONE IS REALLY EXCITED AS WELL.

IF YOU'RE GREAT SPINA.

SOME LEGISLATION IS ALREADY COME FROM THE WORK THAT ORGAN IS THAT THESE ORGANIZATIONS THE TEACH ACT, WHICH REQUIRES PUBLIC SCHOOLS INCLUDE A UNIT ON ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORY.

YOU YOU ALL ARE NOW ALSO ADVOCATING FOR 2 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS TO SUPPORT THE INCLUSIVE HISTORY MANDATES K THROUGH 12 EDUCATORS.

DOES THIS BUILD OFF OF THE TEE, JACK, THAT YOU ALL HAVE HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN THROUGH AND AND WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS EDITION IS NECESSARY?

IT DOES.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THE HARD PART OF PASSING THOSE IS NOT JUST IN THE ADVOCACY TO GET DON.

IT'S IN THE IMPLEMENTATION AND WE KNOW THAT.

>> YOU KNOW, MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE FACING CHALLENGES WITH INCORPORATING ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORY BECAUSE AND IT'S FAIR, YOU KNOW, THEIR TEACHERS HAVE NOT LEARNED ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORY THROUGHOUT THEIR OWN EDUCATIONS.

SO WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS 2 MILLION DOLLARS TO SUPPORT THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND EXPANDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATORS ACROSS THE STATE.

ASIAN MARKET.

HISTORY IS NOT THE ONLY RECENT INCLUSIVE HISTORY MANDATE.

WE'VE SEEN LGBTQ HISTORY.

WE'VE SEEN NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY JUST THIS LAST YEAR.

AND SO WE WANT THESE RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL THESE INCLUSIVE HISTORY MANDATES, NOT JUST ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORY, GRACE CHAN MCKIBBEN.

IS THERE ANY PARTICULAR HISTORY THAT YOU ALL BELIEVE IS MISSING THAT THAT STUDENTS AND THEIR TEACHERS NEED TO BE LEARNING?

I >> ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORY FOR SURE.

AND I KNOW THAT I'M A MUSLIM AMERICAN HISTORY WAS JUST INCLUDED LAST YEAR.

>> AND I THINK THERE'S SO MANY STORIES THAT STUDENTS NEED TO LEARN ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

>> WHAT ARE WAYS, YOU KNOW, HAVE YOU ALL SEEN YOUR YOUR COLLECTIVE STRENGTH, YOU KNOW, AS AN ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

WHAT OTHER WAYS IF YOU SEEN THAT SORT OF GROW IN CHICAGO IN ILLINOIS OVER THE LAST, YOU'RE THE LAST 5 YEARS, GRACE WILL START WITH YOU.

SURE I'M ONE OF THE ADVOCACY SO WE ARE ORGANIZATION HAD BEEN LEAD ORGANIZATION IN WAS ADVOCATING FOR A MAJORITY ASIAN AMERICAN WARD.

THAT WAS SUCCESSFUL 2 YEARS AGO.

I THINK I'M BEING ABLE TO SEE.

>> ASIAN AMERICANS ON TOGETHER TO ASK FOR TO ACTUALLY DEMAND POLITICAL POWER POWERFUL.

IN THIS CASE.

IN QUESTION TO IN ABOUT 30 SECONDS YEAH, I MEAN, IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, I THINK WE ESPECIALLY AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAVE REALLY SEEN AMERICANS COME TOGETHER.

AND AS CHRIS MENTIONED, BUILD OUR POLITICAL POWER OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

WE'VE ALSO GOTTEN INVOLVED IN DIFFERENT COALITIONS ACROSS THE CITY.

AND WE MADE PEOPLE ARE MADE IT KNOWN THAT ISSUES THAT IMPACT OTHER COMMUNITIES ALSO IMPACT ASIAN AMERICANS AND THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE AS WELL.

IT'S A GOOD PLACE TO LEAVE WANT TO THANK THE 3 OF YOU FOR FOR JOINING US.

AND YOU COULD THAT GREAT SPY AND GRACE CHAN THANKS TO ALL OF YOU.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING.

AND YOU CAN GET CHICAGO 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 WE HEAR FROM LOCAL STUDENTS AS HUNDREDS GATHER AT LOCAL UNIVERSITIES TO SUPPORT PALESTINIANS AMID THE WAR IN GAZA AND >> OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THE BEARS NEW STADIUM PLANS.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> CLOSED CAPTION WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A AND CLIFFORD LAW CHICAGO, PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH.

THAT IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE ITS