JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

HERE IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

WE HEAR FROM LOCAL STUDENTS AS HUNDREDS GATHER AT UNIVERSITIES TO SUPPORT PALESTINIANS AMID THE WAR IN GAZA.

AND OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM LOOKS AT THE FUTURE OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON ABORTION AND MORE.

>> BUT NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, PROTESTERS WHO ARE PLANNING TO DEMONSTRATE DURING THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION THIS SUMMER ARE TAKING THEIR CONCERNS TO COURT.

THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAS DENIED PERMITS TO PROTEST OUTSIDE THE SECURE PERIMETER OF THE UNITED CENTER REQUESTED BY THE U.S. PALESTINIAN COMMUNITY NETWORK AND THE CHICAGO ALLIANCE AGAINST RACIST AND POLITICAL REPRESSION IN THE FEDERAL LAWSUIT.

THE GROUPS ARE ASKING A JUDGE TO BLOCK THE CITY FROM ENFORCING ITS ORDINANCE REGULATING PARADE PERMIT CLAIMING IT VIOLATES PROTESTERS.

FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

THIS IS WHY WE'RE MARCHING ON THE DNC.

>> THE POWERS THAT LED BY GENOCIDE.

JOE BIDEN HAVE TOTALLY ABANDON THE WORKING AN OPPRESSED PEOPLE.

THEY CLAIM TO REPRESENT.

THEY CAN NO LONGER BULLY US INTO VOTING FOR THE SO-CALLED LESSER OF 2 EVILS BECAUSE AS FAR AS WE'RE CONCERNED, THERE IS NO LESSER OF 2 EVILS WHEN THE 2 EVILS ARE UNITED IN AIDING A GENOCIDE.

>> TRANSIT WORKERS SAY A PLAN TO MERGE THE REGION'S 3 TRANSIT AGENCIES INTO ONE IS ON THE WRONG TRACK.

IN A STATEMENT, THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHICAGO FEDERATION OF LABOR AND THE ILLINOIS A F L C I O SAY, QUOTE, WE MUST CAUTION THAT CONSOLIDATING ARE VITAL REGIONAL TRANSIT BOARDS INTO A SINGULAR CENTRALIZED ENTITY WOULD A WEB, THE BUREAUCRATIC BARRIERS BETWEEN THE WORKERS WHO BOTH OPERATE AND UTILIZE OUR PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM.

IF THE BOARD MEMBERS TASKED WITH OVERSEEING ITS SUCCESS, THE GROUPS ARE RESPONDING TO A PROPOSAL FROM 2 STATE LAWMAKERS TO MERGE CTA, METRA PACE AND THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION 40 INTO A NEW METROPOLITAN MOBILITY AUTHORITY.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THAT PROPOSAL COMING UP IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> SOME LOCAL CONGRESSMEMBERS ARE BACKING LEGISLATION AIMED AT ADDRESSING A HIDDEN HEALTH HAZARD IN CHICAGO.

HOMES.

ILLINOIS SENATOR DURBIN AND CONGRESSMAN JESUS CHUY GARCIA ARE REINTRODUCING THE LEAD SAFE HOUSING FOR KIDS ACT.

THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT UPDATE.

ITS LEAD POISONING PREVENTION MEASURES IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED HOUSING.

SUPPORTERS SAY THE CURRENT LAW FOCUSES TOO MUCH ON VISUAL ASSESSMENTS AND SHOULD INSTEAD USE RISK ASSESSMENTS TO IDENTIFY LEAD PAINT HAZARDS, BUT POISONING CAN CAUSE LONG-TERM AND IRREVERSIBLE HEALTH PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN.

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TALK ABOUT PROTESTS ON CAMPUS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> HUNDREDS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING CHICAGO OR PITCHING TENTS ON CAMPUSES AND RALLYING IN SUPPORT OF PALESTINIANS AMID THE WAR IN GAZA, THE MOVE COMES 6 MONTHS AFTER THE OCTOBER 7 HAMAS ATTACK ON ISRAEL.

THE DEMONSTRATIONS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES HAVE LED TO CONCERNS OVER FREE SPEECH AND SAFETY.

WELL, PROTESTS NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY JUST YESTERDAY ANNOUNCED AN AGREEMENT.

THEY SAY, PROVIDES A SUSTAINABLE FORWARD.

OTHERS SAY THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE OUR SYRIA IZAN STUDENT AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY AND PRESIDENT OF NORTHWESTERN.

HELLO.

WE ALSO REACHED OUT TO THE NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY DIVESTMENT COALITION WHO RECOMMENDED PASS BAUM A STUDENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY'S CHAPTER OF JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE AND PART OF A COALITION.

THANKS TO THE 2 OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

POSSIBLE TO START WITH YOU, PLEASE.

WHY DO FEEL THAT THESE SORTS OF PROTESTS THAT THIS TO THE DEMONSTRATIONS THAT ARE HAPPENING ARE NECESSARY?

>> LIKE TO START BY THANKING YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY.

ALSO SAYING PALESTINE, THAT IS REASON THAT I DO MY BIRTH.

AND THE REASON THAT WE'RE HERE TODAY, MY WORK WITH THE DIVESTMENT COALITION IS INCREDIBLY INFORMED BY MY JEWISH IDENTITY AND THE VALUES WITH WHICH I WAS RAISED.

I WAS TAUGHT THAT BEING JEWISH MEANS BEING IN SOLIDARITY WITH ALL OPPRESSED PEOPLE.

THE JEWISH PEOPLE ARE UNITED BY THE FACT THAT FACED GENOCIDE AND DISPLACEMENT OF FOR CENTURIES.

MY OWN GREAT GRANDPARENTS FLED POGROMS IN EASTERN EUROPE TO COME TO THE U.S. THAT IS BY I M. FIGHTING FOR THE 34,000 PALESTINIANS HAVE BEEN MURDERED SINCE OCTOBER.

AND OVER A MILLION MORE SAYING PLACE AND DISPLACEMENT RIGHT NOW AND WHY I'M CALLING ON NORTH CALLING FOR IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE AND A NORTHWESTERN TO DISCLOSE ON DIVEST THEIR FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS IN THOSE REALLY WAR MACHINE.

WHILE SITTING WITH YOU FOR JUST A SECOND SERIE, WELCOME TO YOU AS WELL.

PAUSE, WHAT'S THE MOOD BEEN LIKE ON CAMPUS TODAY?

AND WHAT'S THE STATUS OF THE ENCAMPMENT?

>> IT IS VERY JOYOUS TIME.

WE ARE INCREDIBLY, INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THE AGREEMENT THAT OUR JEWISH AND PALESTINIAN STUDENTS CAME TO WITH UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION.

THE UNIVERSITY IS NOW BOUNDED TO AGREEMENT THAT THEY NEED TO DISCLOSE ALL FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS IN IT.

ANY STOCK, INCLUDING ISRAEL AND BUT AS A HOLD IN.

MOVING TOWARDS DIVESTMENT FROM GENOCIDE, AN APARTHEID.

AND I DEFINITELY WANT TO GET TO TO THE TERMS OF THAT IN JUST A BIT.

SARI, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THE MOOD IS LIKE ON CAMPUS AND THE STATUS OF ENCAMPMENT?

>> YEAH, I'M AS FAR AS I KNOW, MOST OF THE TEMPS HAVE BEEN PACKED UP AFTER YESTERDAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT NO TENSE A LONGER NO LONGER ALLOWED UNIVERSITY PROPERTY.

TO FOR THE JURORS TO DECIDE CONTACT WITH THOSE HAVE LARGE CONNECTION IS ALL THOSE WHO FEEL CONNECTED TO TO SOME EXTENT THEY WORD WE'RE DEFINITELY FEELING UNSAFE THE PAST FEW THERE WERE SIGNS THAT HAD A JEWISH STAR WITH LIKE A BIG NO THROUGH IT.

LIKE THE KNOW PAT YEAH.

SO TO START WITH THE RED LINE THROUGH THERE WAS A PICTURE OF OUR UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT PRESENT MICHAEL SHOW WHO IS A JEWISH PERSON WITH DEVIL HORNS.

THERE WAS DEATH TO ISRAEL SPRAY PAINTED ON THE SIDE OF A BUILDING.

SO THOSE THOSE POSTERS AND SLOGANS DID NOT MAKE JEWISH STUDENTS FEEL WELCOME FOR SAFE ON CAMPUS.

I HAD TO WALK BY THAT ON MY WAY TO CLASS AND A LOT OF MY PEERS DID AS WELL.

AND IT WAS DISRUPTIVE TO THE ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT AS A LOT OF CLASSES.

I DID IT.

WHERE THE PROFESSOR BROUGHT THERE ARE CLASSES TO THE WHICH MADE SOME STUDENTS IN THOSE CLASSES FEEL REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE.

IF THAT WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT THEY SUPPORT THEMSELVES.

SO FOR THE MOST PART, STUDENTS WERE FEELING PRETTY COMFORTABLE AND SAFE AND A LITTLE BIT RELIEVED TO SEE A LOT OF THAT THAT THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK TO DO WITH ANTI-SEMITISM ON CAMPUS WITH ADDRESSING KIND OF HOW CAN WE CAN INCLUDE ALL JEWISH VOICES IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY ON CAMPUS BUT FOR THE MOST PART, I'M RELIEVED TO SEE THAT'S GONE.

>> AS WE MENTIONED YESTERDAY, THE DIVESTMENT COALITION DID REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY.

A LITTLE BIT OF THOSE AGREEMENT TERMS ON OUR TO ALLOW DEMONSTRATIONS ON DURING UNTIL JUNE.

1ST THE LOCATION IS LIMITED TO UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

A REESTABLISHMENT OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON INVESTMENT RESPONSIBILITY HAPPENING THIS FALL SUPPORT VISITING PALESTINIAN FACULTY AND STUDENTS AT RISK AND ENSURING SUPPORT FOR JEWISH AND MUSLIM STUDENTS WITH IN STUDENT AFFAIRS, RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE PASS.

FIRST TO YOU.

DOES THIS SATISFY THE REQUEST OF THE DEMONSTRATORS?

>> FOR RIGHT NOW, WE'RE INCREDIBLY HAPPY AND PROUD WITH THIS DEAL.

AS I MENTIONED, THE FACT THAT THE UNIVERSITY IS NOW LEGALLY BOUND DISCLOSING THERE FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS MEAN, YOU CAN PUSH TOWARD PUSH TOWARDS DIVESTMENT.

OTHER TERMS AGREEMENT ALLOW FOR SUPPORT OF MUSLIM PASS ANY AND JEWISH STUDENTS ON CAMPUS.

AND THAT MEANS THAT THE UNIVERSITY IS NOW INVESTED IN THE STUDENTS STUDENTS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS AND ALL RELIGIONS.

SO RECEIVED A STATEMENT LATE THIS AFTERNOON FROM THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE AS THAT GROUP, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER GROUPS RELEASED A STATEMENT WHO CALLED FOR THE RESIGNATION OF THE UNIVERSITY'S PRESIDENT MICHAEL SCHILL.

>> HERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

QUOTE, FOR DAYS, PROTESTORS OPENLY MOCKED AND VIOLATED NORTHWESTERN'S CODES OF CONDUCT AND POLICIES BY DIRECTING ENCAMPMENT IN WHICH THEY FANNED THE FLAMES OF ANTI-SEMITISM AND WREAKED HAVOC ON THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY.

THEIR GOAL IS NOT TO FIND PEACE, BUT TO MAKE JEWISH STUDENTS FEEL UNSAFE ON CAMPUS RATHER THAN HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE AS HE PLEDGED HE PRESIDENT CHILL GAVE THEM A SEAT AT THE TABLE IN NORMALIZE THEIR HATRED AGAINST JEWISH STUDENTS.

I SHOULD CLARIFY THAT THAT STATEMENT IN THAT STATEMENT, THE GROUPS ARE CALLING FOR THE RESIGNATION OF THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT.

SIRI, WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THE AGREEMENT THAT WAS REACHED YESTERDAY AND TO WHAT YOU'RE HEARING FROM A DEO?

>> FOR THE MOST PART, THERE ARE A LOT OF POINTS ON THE AGREEMENT THAT I SUPPORT THAT THE HELLO COMMUNITY SUPPORTS AS A WHOLE AND WE WERE ALSO PRETTY DISAPPOINTED TO SEE THAT ACTS OF BLATANT ANTI-SEMITISM.

THE CHANCE, THE ALL OF THAT WAS NOT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED IN THE WE.

HAVE BEEN VOICING OUR CONCERNS ABOUT ANTI-SEMITISM ANTISEMITISM ON CAMPUS SINCE OCTOBER 7 SINCE BEFORE OCTOBER, 7TH THERE HAVE BEEN MANY INCIDENTS IN WHICH STUDENTS HAVE FELT COMFORTABLE EXPRESSING THEIR JEWISH IDENTITY, EXPRESSING THEIR CONNECTION TO ISRAEL.

WHEN ASKING STUDENTS TO KIND OF SEPARATE A PART OF THEIR JEWISH IDENTITY THAT FEELS REALLY TARGETED AND REALLY ANTI-SEMITIC.

A LOT OF THAT WAS NOT ADDRESSED IN THE WE HELLO IS LUCKY TO A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSITY WHERE IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH ADMINISTRATION AND WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY ON BUT THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE IN TERMS OF THAT.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE STUDENTS FROM THE WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS IN THIS AGREEMENT IN THIS DISCUSSION?

AS FAR AS I THERE WERE NO STUDENTS WHO FELT UNSPENT NORTH, NO JEWISH STUDENTS WHO FELT UNSAFE BY THESE PROTESTS INCLUDED ON THE SO WE WERE A BIT DISAPPOINTED TO SEE THAT THAT VOICE WAS KIND OF LEFT OUT OF THIS >> AND AS A WHOLE STAFF.

HELLO.

I'M LIKE STUDENTS WHO COME TO HELLO OR NOT.

>> INVOLVED IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS >> PAUSE YOU KNOW, THERE'S BEEN TALK ABOUT THE DISRUPTION OF DAILY ACTIVITIES ON UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THESE AND ENCAMPMENTS.

OBVIOUSLY, STUDENTS NOT FEELING SAFE, BUT ALSO STUDENTS NOT BEING ABLE TO GET TO CLASS OR TO WHATEVER AT, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER ACADEMIC BUILDINGS THEY NEED TO BE IN IS THAT KIND OF DISRUPTION TO DAILY ACTIVITIES?

IS THAT JUST SORT OF A PART OF THE DEMONSTRATION IN THE PROTEST PROCESS?

>> GOAL WITH THIS ENCAMPMENT ON THIS LIBERATED ZONE WAS TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION TO DISCLOSE.

AND I'VE ASKED THEIR HARMFUL INVESTMENTS.

AS A JEWISH STUDENT.

I FEEL INCREDIBLY SEEN AND HEARD AS A PART OF THIS ENCAMPMENT.

WE HAVE SEVERAL RELIGIOUS CELEBRATIONS MYSELF INTO OF MY PEERS, LEAD US EITHER ON THE ENCAMPMENT ON THURSDAY, ABOUT SERVICES.

AND I FELL.

THERE'S THE THE MOST CONNECTED I HAVE.

IT THE MOST CONNECTED.

I FELT MY FAITH IN THEM OR SUPPORTED.

I FELT MY FAITH SINCE COMING TO NORTHWESTERN AS BEING PART OF THIS ENCAMPMENT BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL COMMUNITY.

THAT WAS BILL TO BE PART OF THIS ENCAMPMENT.

I WOULD THE ONLY TIME THAT I FELT UNSAFE A TUITION AT NORTHWESTERN ON HIS PART.

AND AS PART OF THIS ENCAMPMENT, IT WHEN A GROUP OF COUNTER-PROTESTERS CAME SUNDAY MORNING AND THEY WERE JOINED BY HELLO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MICHAEL SIMON AND MANY OF PROTESTERS TRY TO COME INTO THE ENCAMPMENT AND SEVERAL OF THEM WERE SCREAMING OUT SCREAMING IN OUR FACES, USING SLURS AND SPITTING ON JEWISH AND PALESTINIAN NORTHWESTERN STUDENTS.

I WAS ON THE FRONT LINE HOLDING A SIGN THAT SAID AND THAT SAID, JEWS FOR CEASE-FIRE AND MANY OF THE YEAR SEVERAL OF THESE PROTESTS, COUNTERPROTESTERS CAME INTO MY FACE AND WERE SCREAMING ANTI-SEMITIC FREEZES AT ME.

AND THAT IS THE ONLY TIME I'VE EVER FELT UNSAFE SITUATION.

ARE YOU ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH LIKE SOME OF WHAT A SARI HAS MENTIONED WITH REGARDS TO LIKE SOME OF THE CHANCE THAT YOU'VE AND SOME OF LIKE THE DRAWINGS THAT THAT YOU'VE SEEN.

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH SOME OF THOSE?

HAVE YOU HEARD THOSE?

ARE THEY?

>> ARE YOU SEEING THAT?

THEY'RE ONLY FROM THE COUNTER PROTESTERS, NOT FROM THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WITH YOUR GROUP WITH YOUR WHOLE ISHAN.

WE UNDERSTAND SOME JEWISH NORTHWESTERN FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE BY ENCAMPMENT THE PROTEST.

WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.

MANY THAT THAT I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANTI-SEMITISM AND ANTI-ZIONISM.

>> THIS EXPLICITLY ANTI ZIONIST PROTEST AND SOME OF THESE SYMBOLS SUCH AS THE STAR OF DAVID HAVE BEEN CO-OPTED BY SOME SOME JEWISH SYMBOLS.

SUCH THE START DATE HAVE CO-OPTED BY ISRAELI GOVERNMENT.

BEACUSE AS PART OF GENOCIDAL GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY.

AND THAT IS NOW BEING CONFLATED WITH MY JEWISH IDENTITY.

AND I THINK IT IS A TRAGEDY OF ZIONISM THERE ARE SYMBOLS THAT ARE BEING USED FOR THE ISRAELI MILITARY.

BUT TO ME, REPRESENT ONLY MY SYRIA.

WE'VE GOT JUST A COUPLE SECONDS LEFT.

I WANT TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO RESPOND TO WHAT YOU JUST HEARD FROM PASS.

>> YEAH, I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT.

THE PART OF A COUNTER PROTEST LIKE MOST OF THE COUNTER PROTEST WAS ORGANIZED BY NON-STUDENTS WAS NOT ORGANIZED STUDENTS ON CAMPUS.

HELLO.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WAS NOT PART OF THE PROTEST IS KIND OF ORGANIZING STUDENTS MAKING SURE EVERYTHING FELT SAFE FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.

SO I'M SORRY PEOPLE FELT UNSAFE FOR THAT.

AND I THINK WHILE THE SYMBOLS LIKE YOUR START IN PRESIDENT SHOW WITH THE HORNS MAY HAVE BEEN THOUGHT OF AS NOT MAKING SURE STUDENTS FEEL UNSAFE LIKE THE WAY THAT THEY WERE REPRESENTED.

REALLY MAJOR STUDENTS FEEL.

EXCLUDED FROM THE REST OF FEEL LIKE THEY CAN GO TO CLASS A LOT OF LIKE WE COULDN'T SIT IN DURING LIBRARY BECAUSE A LOT THE CHANCE WE'RE CALLING FOR THE ANNIHILATION OF A JEWISH STATE AND THAT MAJOR STORMS FEEL REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE, UNFORTUNATELY, HAVE TO LEAVE IT UNFORTUNATELY.

THANKS TO THE 2 OF YOU FOR FOR JOINING US AND FOR HAVING THIS DISCUSSION.

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU BOTH VERY EYES AND FROM NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

UP NEXT, OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THE PUBLIC FINANCING PIECE OF THE BEARS PROPOSED MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR STADIUM.

STAY WITH US.

>> A FORMER MAYORAL CANDIDATE IS GOING TO BAT FOR A CONVICTED ALDERMAN.

MEANWHILE, STATE LAWMAKERS ARE BACK IN SPRINGFIELD DEBATING A PROPOSAL TO MERGE CHICAGO'S 3 PUBLIC TRANSIT AGENCIES.

AND THE CHICAGO BEARS ARE ALSO HOPING LAWMAKERS WILL APPROVE PUBLIC FINANCING FOR A LAKEFRONT STADIUM HERE WITH ALL THAT AND MORE IS A SPOTLIGHT.

POLITICS AND VICKI HAD A SHARON AND NICK LUMBERED.

I KNOW HOW TO SAY THEY GOING TO PROMISE.

WELCOME BACK.

OK, SO GOT TO START OFF WITH A CONVICTED FORMER ALDERMAN ED BURKE.

HE SET TO BE SENTENCED ON THOSE 13 COUNTS OF BRIBERY IN FEDERAL COURT LATE JUNE, LEADING UP TO THAT, OF COURSE, IS GATHERING LETTERS OF SUPPORT HEAD OR YOU'VE GOT A HOLD OF ONE OF THOSE LEATHER LETTERS.

WHAT IT THAT'S RIGHT.

FORMER MAYORAL CANDIDATE PAUL VALLAS WROTE A LETTER URGING U.S. DISTRICT COURT, JUDGE VIRGINIA KENDALL.

>> TO GRANT HIM WHATEVER LENIENCY SHE SAW FIT.

AND THIS REALLY CAUGHT MY EYE BECAUSE IF YOU REMEMBER BACK IN 2019, PAUL DALLAS CAMPAIGN FOR THE MAYOR.

>> THE FIRST TIME AROUND WHILE WIELDING A GIANT ROOM PROMISING TO ROOT OUT CORRUPTION IN CITY HALL.

BUT NOW HE SAYS, QUOTE, ED WAS A TRUE PROFESSIONAL WHOM I ALWAYS FELT MET MY STANDARDS OF ETHICS AND THAT SHE TRULY CARED NOT ONLY FOR HIS OWN CONSTITUENTS, FOR ALL OF CHICAGO.

THIS IS QUITE A TURNAROUND NOW.

I CAUGHT PAUL DALLAS BRIEFLY ON THE PHONE.

HE SAID THAT THEY ALWAYS WORKED WELL TOGETHER UNDER FORMER MAYOR RICHARD DALEY.

AND HE WAS REACHING OUT AS A FRIEND TO URGE LENIENCY BECAUSE, OF COURSE, AT BURKE IS 80 AND POTENTIALLY FACING MANY YEARS IN PRISON.

AND I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS INTERESTING.

YOU KNOW, HEARING HIM SAY HE ALWAYS CARED FOR EVERYDAY CHICAGOANS.

>> IN 2019 WHEN BALLOTS WAS RUNNING FOR MAYOR.

I WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT THE RECORDING WE HAD OF HIS PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER BOURKE HAD BEEN INDICTED SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, HE WAS PART OF THIS POLITICAL MACHINE THAT HAD REAL COSTS TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO'S EVERYDAY CITIZENS BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL CLASS IS GREED.

HE WENT AFTER BOURKE FOR, QUOTE, HUBRIS AND CARELESSNESS.

AND HE ALSO SAID THAT AS CITY BUDGET DIRECTOR, HE DID VERY LITTLE WORK WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, WHICH BERG HEADED FOR A LONG TIME.

NOW.

HE SAYS WAS ALWAYS SUPPORTIVE OF MY REFORMS.

HIS SUPPORT ADVICE WAS VERY COMFORTING DALLAS.

HAVE THAT FROM WITHIN FOR PRESSURE ANDY HANDY BROOM.

>> OKAY.

LAWMAKERS BACK IN SPRINGFIELD TODAY, ONE PRETTY RADICAL ITEM ON THEIR AGENDA IS A PROPOSAL TO MERGE THE CHICAGO AREA'S 3 PUBLIC TRANSIT AGENCIES.

MENTIONED THE UNION RESPONSE EARLIER IN THE SHOW.

ALSO A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN FUNDING IN THAT PROPOSAL.

NICK, HOW THIS NEW SYSTEM WORK?

>> WELL, THIS WOULD REPLACE THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY, WHICH MANY CRITICS SAY HASN'T DONE MUCH TO ACTUALLY REGIONALIZE PUBLIC TRANSIT AND IT WOULD MERGE CTA, METRA AND COMMUTER RAIL, A CITY AND COLLAR SUBURB US IN TRAIN SERVICE AND SUBURBAN BUS AND PARATRANSIT ALL UNDER ONE ROOF.

THEY WOULD ALSO DO FAIR INTEGRATION, MEANINGFUL, FAIR INTEGRATION, WHICH IS SOMETHING PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR FOR A LONG TIME.

YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW.

SO YOU TAKE THE TRAIN FROM THE NORTH SIDE INTO DOWNTOWN AND THEN HOP ON THE METRO ELECTRIC.

YOU CAN'T JUST TRANSFER THE WAY YOU WOULD IF YOU TOOK THE RED LINE DOWNTOWN, GOT ON A CTA BUS.

THEY ALSO WANT TO PUSH THIS SYSTEM TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE IDEA OF COMMUTER RAIL MORE TOWARD REGIONAL RAIL.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE ALREADY BEEN SEEING A METRA DO AS THEY TRY TO RECOVER RIDERSHIP POST-PANDEMIC WITH MORE LIKE OFF PEAK TRIPS, WEEKEND TRIPS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

THEY ALSO ONE ITEM THAT CAUGHT MY EYE HIM THERE IS THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THE DIRECTORS HAVE, QUOTE, SUBSTANTIAL RIDERSHIP EXPERIENCE THEY WOULD TRACK AND PUBLISH THE NUMBER OF TRANSIT TRIPS THE DIRECTORS ON THE BOARD OF THIS NEW AUTHORITY TAKE, WHICH FOLLOWS ON SOME GREAT REPORTING FROM BLOCK CLUB, CHICAGO, ABOUT THE LACK OF TRANSIT RIDERSHIP FROM CTA LEADERS AND BOARD MEMBERS.

INTERESTING POINT.

THEY MAKE WHAT KIND OF REACTIONS THIS PROPOSAL GETTING WELL, THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS HERE.

UNDERSTANDABLY, YOU MENTIONED THAT INCREASE IN FUNDING.

THAT WOULD BE A BILLION AND A HALF NEW DOLLARS ANNUALLY.

THEY'VE GOT SOME LANGUAGE IN THE LEGISLATION ABOUT THE SOURCES FOR THAT SALES TAX GAS TAX, OFF-STREET PARKING THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT THAT SORT PLACE HOLD OR PEACE.

IT SEEMS LIKE.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN HEARING FROM FOLKS WHO ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS WHO WANTED THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

OBVIOUSLY, WE HEARD THAT PUSHBACK FROM A COUPLE INFLUENTIAL UNION GROUPS.

WE'VE ALSO HEARD CONCERNS THAT THIS COULD CREATE A FIGHT FOR MONEY BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE SUBURBS.

AND THAT COULD ULTIMATELY HARM RIDERS IN THE CITY.

LOW INCOME FOLKS, BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGOANS WHO REALLY RELY ON YOU KNOW, SOME CRITICS SAYING IF WE DON'T DO THE FUNDING PIECE, THIS IS JUST IN UNFUNDED MANDATE AND HOW'S THIS GOING TO FLY IN SPRINGFIELD?

I MEAN, I THINK IT'S QUITE EARLY.

THE GOVERNOR IS ONE WHO REALLY I THINK WE HAVE CARE A LOT ABOUT HOW HE FEELS ON THIS BECAUSE HE IS A GOVERNOR AND ALSO A STRONG GOVERNOR AT THAT.

HE GIVES A LOT OF MONEY TO DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO BASICALLY TAKE HIS LEAD.

>> AND HE IS NOT OVERLY IMPRESSED.

IT SEEMS HE'S TRYING TAKE A STEP BACK FROM ALL OF THIS AND SAYS THAT HE HOPES THERE'S GOING TO BE MULTIPLE PROPOSALS AT HIS FINGERTIPS, JUST SORT OF PERHAPS.

>> AT LEAST REVIEW.

SO HE'S SUPER NONCOMMITTAL.

HE HAS BEEN AGAINST THE SALES TAX ON SERVICES.

SO THAT SORT OF A NONSTARTER FROM THAT POINT OF VIEW.

BUT HE HAS SAID THAT THERE DO NEED TO BE MAJOR CHANGES.

HE COME OUT AGAINST DORVAL CARTER CALLING FOR A CHANGE AT THE HEAD OF THE CTA AS WELL.

SO CLEARLY HE'S WANTING TRANSACTION, BUT HE'S NOT AT THIS POINT WILLING TO GET OUT IN FRONT.

OKAY.

SO SHIFTING A LITTLE BIT SO AFTER ROE WAS OVERTURNED.

SPEAKING OF GOVERNOR PRITZKER, A HE AND OTHER TOP OFFICIALS TALK ABOUT ADDING AN TO THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO ABORTION.

>> AND YOU'VE REPORTED THAT THAT'S NOT GOING AND YEAH, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

AND THAT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR INCLUDED IT AS ONE OF HIS GOALS FOR THE SECOND TERM AND HIS THEY GET ADDRESS WHEN HE WAS INAUGURATED TO FOR EVERY HAS HIS SECOND TERM AS GOVERNOR.

INSTEAD, HE IS GOING TO BE PUTTING HIS MONEY IN THERE FOR ATTENTION.

IT SEEMS VIA >> DARK MONEY GROUPS THINK BIG, ILLINOIS.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO ELSE IS PART OF THAT OTHER THAN SO FAR HIM 2 OTHER STATES.

AND THE SEEMS AS IF MOST OF THE ADVOCATES FOR ABORTION RIGHTS ARE PRETTY ON BOARD BECAUSE THEY SAY ILLINOIS ALREADY HAS SO MANY LAWS IN PLACE THAT GIVE THOSE SORT OF PROTECTIONS THAT FOCUS ON THE STATES THAT DON'T WHERE IT'S MORE.

IF YOU ARE, YOU DON'T FRANKLY DEMOCRATIC CONTROL AS THERE IS IN ILLINOIS THAT WE HAVE YOU CAN BERRIES TO LEAVE, BUT STILL, I MEAN, IT WAS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS ONE THING THAT'S DIFFICULT TO CHANGE.

>> A LOT THAT CAN BE CHANGED PRETTY EASILY.

SO IF THERE WERE TO BE ANY POLITICAL TURNOVER, THIS IS SORT OF A GUEST STARTED ROLLING THE DICE AND EXPECTING REALLY THAT THERE ISN'T GOING TO BE A CHANGE IN POWER AND THAT ANY OF THOSE LAWS PROTECTING ABORTION WILL BE REVERSED.

SO COUPLE MINUTES LEFT TALK ABOUT THE THEY'RE ASKING FOR A LOT OF MONEY OF AMANDA.

HOW OF ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS RESPONDED TO THE BEARS ASKING FOR MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS IN PUBLIC I GUESS IT JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT SOMETHING THERE'S WANT TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL.

LOT OF BEARS FANS WANT THAT TOO.

>> DOESN'T MEAN IT'S GOING TO OF.

SO I THINK THUS FAR THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF I THINK, FRUSTRATION WITH ROLLOUT.

YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ANY LEGISLATOR GETTING IN FRONT EMBRACE AND SAY I'M GOING TO CARRY THIS BILL.

YOU ALREADY HAVE THOSE FROM THE SUBURBS THAT ARE FRUSTRATED, PERHAPS BITE LEAVING ARLINGTON HEIGHTS BEHIND AND STILL HOLDING OUT HOPE FOR SO JUST THE MAYOR MAY BE LIKING THAT DON'T THINK YOU'RE HAVING A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER POLITICIANS, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN SPRINGFIELD.

GIVE ANY SORT OF FAVOR ABILITY TOWARD THIS PLAN.

SO OR NECK.

LAST WEEK, THE BEARS ASKED THE ILLINOIS SPORTS FINANCING AUTHORITY FOR 900 MILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD THIS A STADIUM WITH TAXPAYERS.

YOU KNOW, STILL ON THE HOOK FOR ABOUT 600 MILLION DOLLARS.

>> THAT IT WOULD COST OR THAT IT DID COST OF A SOLDIER FIELD BACK IN 2003, WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

>> MAYOR AND SOME SAY THE GOVERNOR'S CHIEF OF STAFF AND DEPUTY GOVERNOR ARE SET TO SIT DOWN WITH THE BEARS TOMORROW.

GRAINS HAS REPORTED THAT WILL BE THE FIRST REAL SUBSTANTIVE MEETING ON THIS.

BUT THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF STEPS THAT COME AFTER THIS.

IT IS NOWHERE NEAR A DONE DEAL.

YOU KNOW, THE YOU KNOW, THE STATE AGENCY THAT OVERSEES THESE BONDS IS GOING TO HAVE TO DO AN THIS IS NOT HAPPENING.

THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION OR MAYBE EVER FARES REALLY WANT ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM POLITICALLY FEASIBLE BECAUSE ONCE YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT THE SUBSIDY SHOULD BE AND HOW TO GET THERE, YOU STILL HAVE TO TALK ABOUT WHETHER TO BE BUILT ON THE LAKEFRONT.

>> A MAJOR QUESTION WE JUST YET, WHICH THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO HAVE TO ANSWER TO THE FRONT OF THE PARKS, THAT IS SPOTLIGHT.

THANK YOU.

TEAM HEADED ROME AND EVENTING TO BLOOMBERG CS THAT RIGHT.

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

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED WITH BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING AND YOU CAN GET CHICAGO TONIGHT STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE AND OUR WEBSITE WDTN 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 FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES.

A NEW REPORT FINDS BLACK ILLINOIS RESIDENTS ARE FAR MORE LIKELY TO BECOME HOMELESS THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

AND CHAZ EBERT TELLS US WHY WE SHOULD GIVE EFFECT.

THAT'S IF EC AND IT'S NICER THAN IT SOUNDS.

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 CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT, A CLIFF AND CLIFFORD LAW CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL THAT HE'S PROUD TO BE A MULTI-LINGUAL LAW THAT