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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THE FUTURE OF CHICAGO'S ECONOMY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I'M HAPPY TO REPORT REMAINS ROBUST AND STRONG.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAYS CHICAGO'S BUDGET SHORTFALL IS THE SMALLEST IN RECENT HISTORY.

WE BREAKDOWN THE NUMBERS.

>> I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK IT IS A SHOO-IN FOR THE MAYOR.

>> WHO IS NONWHO IS OUT FOR THE RACE FOR CHICAGO MAYOR?

>> WHO THE HECK IS CDOT TO NOT ISSUE A PERMIT THAT CITY COUNCIL APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

>> WHY THE LIGHTFOOT ADMINISTRATION IS STONEWALLING THE EFFORT TO BUILD A GIANT MARINA.

>> .

>> OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON DONALD TRUMP TAKING THE FIFTH AND TO THE CHANCES AMID MOUNTING LEGAL TROUBLE.

>> APPS WORKERS IN CHICAGO ORGANIZED TO DEMAND BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS AND A LIVING WAGE BUT IT IS NOT A UNION.

>> WHAT IS BEHIND THE EXTREME RAINS AND FLOODING THE MIDWEST HAS SEEN OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS?

>> AND MASKS AND IDENTITIES ARE AT THE HEART OF AN ART SHOW CURATED BY CHICAGO RAPPER VIC MENSA.

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE CITY FACES A PROJECTED $128 MILLION BUDGET SHORTFALL FOR THE 2023 FISCAL YEAR.

THAT GAP IS THE SMALLEST SINCE 2019 WHEN THE CITY'S BUDGET WAS SHORT $98 MILLION.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAYS IT SHOWS THE CITY IS WELL ALONG THE PATH TO A POST PANDEMIC RECOVERY.

>> WITHIN OUR MEANS AND STARTED ON THE TRUE ROAD TO FINANCIAL STABILITY AND RECOVERY.

>> AND WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THE MAYOR'S BECOME PROPOSAL IN JUST A MOMENT.

>> HYDE PARK ALDERWOMAN SOPHIA KING IS RUNNING FOR MAYOR.

IN A PRODUCED VIDEO TO ANNOUNCE HER RUN SHE PROMISED SHE WOULD LEAD CHICAGO THROUGH COLLABORATION NOT CONFRONTATION, A CONTRAST TO MAYOR LIGHTFOOT WHO TOUTED HER COMBATIVE APPROACH WHILE IN OFFICE.

KING SAYS HER FOCUS WILL BE ON TACKLING CRIME AND MAKING THE CITY SAFER THROUGH PASSION AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE WILL HAVE MORE SHORTLY.

>> AFTER PREVIOUSLY SAYING ONLY GUILTY PEOPLE PLEAD THE FIFTH FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP PLEADS THE FIFTH.

THE F.B.I.

'S SEARCH OF HIS MAR-A-LAGO HOME ON MONDAY CONVINCED HIM HE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO EXERCISE HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT AGAINST SELF INCRIMINATION.

HE WAS IN NEW YORK BEING DEPOSED BY THE NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE INVESTIGATING FOR POSSIBLE FRAUD IN RELATION TO HOW IT VALUED ITS PROPERTIES N A STATEMENT TRUMP CLAIMED NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL IS ON A PERSONAL VENDETTA TO DESTROY HIM AND A WIDER POLITICAL WITCH HUNT.

TRUMP SAID HE PLEADED THE FIFTH BECAUSE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND PROSECUTORS QUOTE LOST ALL MORAL AND ETHICAL BOUNDS OF DECENCY.

UM NEXT, MERE ON MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S -- UP NEXT, MORE ON MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S 2023 BUDGET.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AS WE JUST MENTIONED MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAYS CHICAGO FACES AN ANTICIPATED BUDGET SHORTFALL OF UNDER $128 MILLION IN 2023.

IT MIGHT BE HARD TO IMAGINE BUT THAT IS THE SMALLEST BUDGET GAP SINCE 2019 WHEN UNDER $98 MILLION.

THE MAYOR SAYS THAT IS A SIGN THE CITY IS COMING OUT OF THE FINANCIAL EARTHQUAKE BROUGHT ON BY THE PANDEMIC.

>> 2021 WAS OUR PANDEMIC BUDGET AND 2022 WAS OUR RECOVERY BUDGET.

THIS MUST BE OUR STABILITY BUDGET.

>> AND WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINING US NOW WITH MORE.

THIS IS THE ANNUAL TIME WHEN THE MAYOR COMES OUT WITH HER BUDGET FORECAST.

WHAT DOES IT REALLY SAY ABOUT THE STATE OF THE CITY'S FINANCIAL CONDITION?

>> IT IS EVIDENCE THAT THE CITY IS TRULY EMERGING FROM THE ECONOMIC COLLAPSE TRIGGERED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND REVENUES ACROSS THE BOARD THERE ARE STILL SOFT SPOTS ARE RETURNING TO PREPANDEMIC LEVELS WHICH IS REALLY GOOD NEWS FOR THE CITY BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF CONCERN THAT THOSE REVENUES WOULD NOT REBOUND BUT THIS FORECAST SHOWS THAT THE CITY IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK AFTER TWO VERY TOUGH BUDGET YEARS.

LAST YEAR THE DEFICIT WAS $733 MILLION.

AND THE YEAR BEFORE THAT IT WAS $1.2 BILLION.

SO THIS IS A LOT EASIER TO STOMACH ESPECIALLY FOR POLITICIANS RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

>> AND ONE OF THE CHUNKS OF REVENUE IS THE PROPERTY TAX WHICH HAD BEEN TIED TO INFLATION SO THE LAST BUDGET, THE PROPERTY TAX WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE GONE UP EVERY YEAR WITH THE INFLATION RATE BUT BECAUSE INFLATION IS SO HIGH THIS YEAR, THE MAYOR CHOSE TO SLASH THAT IN HALF.

LET'S TAKE A LISTEN.

>> A HOMEOWNER WITH A HOUSE VALUED AT $250,000, WILL PAY AN ADDITIONAL $34 A YEAR.

AND PUT THAT IN TERMS OF I CAN UNDERSTAND, THAT IS ABOUT THE PRICE OF AN AL'S ITALIAN BEEF HOT DIPPED WITH EXTRA CHEESE FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF I'VE HEARD OF CHEESE ON ITALIAN BEEF CAN THE CITY DO THAT?

THE ORDINANCE IN THE PAST SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE TIED TO INFLATION THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASES?

>> SO, FOR TWO YEARS THE MAYOR HAS BEEN MAKING THE CASE THAT THAT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO BUDGET.

THAT HOMEOWNERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS NEED STABILITY.

THEY NEED TO KNOW HOW MUCH THEIR PROPERTY TAX BILL IS LIKELY TO GO UP EVERY YEAR.

BUT THAT WAS BEFORE WE SAW THE HIGHEST RATE OF INFLATION IN 40 YEARS, AND THAT GAVE LIGHTFOOT SECOND THOUGHT SAYING IT WOULDN'T BE FAIR TO HIKE PROPERTY TAXES BY MORE THAN 85 MILLION, INSTEAD SHE IS SAYING THE CITY CAN MAKE DO WITH AFTER THAT MUCH TO KEEP PACE WITH INFLATION.

ANOTHER INDICATION THAT THE CITY'S FINANCIAL CONDITION IS STABILIZING.

>> AND THERE ARE SOME ALDERPEOPLE INCLUDING ALDERWOMAN PAT DOWELL WHO SAID THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY INCREASE TIED TO ANY LEVEL OF INFLATION IN THE PROPERTY TAX.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

>> I THINK IT IS A HARD SELL.

I THINK YOU KNOW, THE COUNCIL WILL DEFINITELY HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.

AND WILL LOOK FOR WAYS TO MAYBE FIND OTHER STRUCTURAL WAYS TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BUDGET.

SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO GO FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE OBVIOUSLY.

THAT IS NOT SOMETHING MOST ELECTED OFFICIALS WANT TO DO IN AN ELECTION YEAR.

>> IS THIS BUDGET OVERALL GOING TO BE A TOUGH SELL TO GET TO 26 VOTES?

>> IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR AND THAT ADDS A LAYER OF COMPLEXITY AS YOU KNOW.

AND THERE WILL BE OTHER FLASHPOINTS INCLUDING THE BUDGET FOR THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAS A NUMBER OF VACANCIES THAT CONSERVATIVE ALDERMEN ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING TO FILL.

WHILE YOU WILL HAVE PROGRESSIVE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL LOOKING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EXPANSION OF THE CITY'S SOCIAL SAFETY NET WHICH EXPANDED FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND MENTAL HEALTHCARE THAT CONTINUES AS WELL.

BUT YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO IT IS A ZERO SUM GAME AND SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE.

WE WILL BE IN LINE FOR A TENSE COUPLE OF MONTHS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THE BUDGET SEASON.

HEARINGS AND VOTES AND ALL KINDS OF FUN STUFF.

THANK YOU.

AND WE'LL SEE YOU LATER IN THE PROGRAM FOR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AMID THIS THE RACE FOR MAYOR OF CHICAGO IS GETTING MORE CROWDED BY THE DAY.

WHO IS IN AND WHO IS OUT?

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US NOW WITH A RUNDOWN.

AMANDA?

>> YES, PARIS.

CHICAGO RESIDENTS AREN'T USED TO HAVING A LOT OF OPTIONS WHEN AN INCUMBENT MAYOR SEEKS REELECTION AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE FOR MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT AS SHE IS SEEKING A SECOND TERM.

EIGHT CANDIDATES COUNT THEM EIGHT DECLARED THEY ARE RUNNING FOR MAYOR NEXT YEAR AS WELL.

HERE IS A RUNDOWN, IN POLITICAL ORDER.

CAM BUCKNER.

FREDERICK COLLINS A CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER.

COMMUNITY ACTIVIST JA'MAL GREEN.

FOURTH WARD ALDERWOMAN SOPHIA KING SHE LEADS THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS.

THE 15TH WARD ALDERMAN RAY LOPEZ.

6TH WARD ALDERMAN RODERICK SAWYER AND ALSO PAUL VALLIS WHO IS C.E.O.

OF CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE LATE 90s AND BUSINESSMAN WILLIE WILSON.

BOTH VALLIS AND WILSON RAN AND LOST TO LIGHTFOOT IN THE LAST MAYORAL ELECTION.

NOW, THE NEWEST ADDITION AS YOU READ AND OUT VIEWERS HEARD IS KING.

>> VIOLENCE IS NOT AN ACT STRACT PROBLEM TO ME.

I'VE SEEN THE PAIN IS CAUSES WAY TOO MANY TIMES.

THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT IT, WE HAVE TO HOLD THE PEOPLE WHO COMMIT VIOLENT CRIMES ACCOUNTABLE.

AND WE HAVE TO HOLD OUR LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE, TOO.

>> WE WILL HAVE A ONE-ON-ONE WITH KING ON THURSDAY EVENING'S "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

LIGHTFOOT HAS AT TIMES SHE RECEIVED BAD RAP AND EXTRA SCRUTINY BECAUSE SHE IS A BLACK WOMAN WITH KING ENTERING THE RACE THAT MAY NOT GO AS FAR.

LIGHTFOOT'S CAMPAIGN INDICATED THAT KING'S ENTRY IS GOING TO FURTHER DIVIDE THE BLACK VOTE THAT IS FROM A STATEMENT THAT THE LIGHTFOOT CAMPAIGN ISSUED FROM ALDERMAN JASON IRVIN WHO HEADS THE BLACK CAUCUS.

IRVIN SAYING WHILE EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO RUN WITH SO MANY BLACK CANDIDATES IN THE RACE, AND MORE EXPECTED TO ENTER, WE RUN THE RISK OF LOSING IT ALL.

AS A COMMUNITY IT BEHOOVES US TO COME TOGETHER AND FIGURE THIS OUT OR END UP WALKING AWAY WITH NOTHING.

POLITICAL CONSULTANT JOHN DALEY WHO RAN BILL DALEY'S CAMPAIGN IN THE 2019 MAYORAL RACE SAID WITH ALL THE OPPOSITION THERE MIGHT BE A FEELING THAT LIGHTFOOT IS WEEK BUT HE SAYS THAT CHICAGO HAS PROVEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT INCUMBENTS HAVE THE ADVANTAGE.

THEN AGAIN THERE ARE A LOTS OF POSSIBILITIES AND ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN POLITICS AND THINK ABOUT THE UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES THAT LIGHTFOOT HAS HAD TO FACE FROM SOCIAL UNREST TO A WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC.

>> JUST AS THE MAYOR DID HERSELF SOMEONE CAN CATCH FIRE.

AND SHE DID IT HERSELF WITHOUT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY.

BUT REALLY TOLD A STORY AND STAYED CONSISTENT WITH IT.

THERE IS THAT POSSIBILITY YOU HAVE A TON OF ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO COULD POSSIBLY BE IN THAT SITUATION.

THERE IS EVEN MORE INTERESTING SCENARIO WHERE WE'RE EARLY THAT THE MAYOR COULD GET 51% AND IT COULD BE OVER IN THE FIRST ROUND.

>> THEY SPOKE TODAY WITH JAYLIN NCCLINTON HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN POLITICS IN CHICAGO SINCE HE STARTED AS AN ELECTION JUDGE WHEN HE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

HE IS NOW A LAW SCHOOL GRADUATE AND HE IS FRESH OFF THE FAILED ATTEMPTS THE A SEAT FOR THE COOK COUNTY BOARD.

>> FOR ME, HAVING JUST A VERY INTENSE CAMPAIGN OVER THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS, CHICAGO IS IN TROUBLE.

AND A LOT OF WAYS AND I THINK FRANKLY, THE ISSUE THAT PEOPLE CARE ABOUT ARE THE BREAD AND BUTTER ISSUES THAT WE TALK ABOUT ON A DAILY BASIS, RIGHT?

HAVING ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE.

MAKING SURE THAT NEIGHBORHOODS ARE SAFE AND DEALING WITH PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> JAYLIN NCCLINTON SAYS HE IS TAKING A WAIT-AND-SEE APPROACH ABOUT WHO TO BACK FOR MAYOR INCLUDING WHETHER HE WILL GET BEHIND THE INCUMBENT.

HE SAYS THAT LIGHTFOOT HAS DONE SOME GOOD THINGS BUT HE DOESN'T LIKE HER COMBATIVE APPROACH.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT MADE A NOD TO THE CRITICISM IN HER REELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO RELEASED IN JUNE.

>> IT TAKES TIME.

AND I WILL BE THE FIRST TO ADMIT I'M JUST NOT THE MOST PATIENT PERSON.

I'M ONLY HUMAN AND I GUESS SOMETIMES IT SHOWS.

BUT JUST BECAUSE SOME MAY NOT ALWAYS LIKE MY DELIVERY DOESN'T MEAN WE ARE IN THE DELIVERING.

>> THAT DEFENSE HAS NOT STOPPED HER CRITICS.

LIGHTFOOT'S CAMP SAYS IT IS TAKING NOTHING FOR GRANTED IN THE RACE AND BELIEVES THE MAYOR HAS DONE WELL AND VOTERS WILL DEGREE AND MORE CHALLENGERS THE MERRIER.

WHY?

BECAUSE THAT WOULD SPLIT THE VOTE.

AND LIGHTFOOT MAY WELL END UP SOON WITH EVEN MORE OPPOSITION.

>> THIS RACE WILL EVOLVE.

YOU WILL HAVE NEW PEOPLE COMING IN.

THERE'S RUMOR MILLS AND SO I'M INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> WE IN THE NEWS WILL GET INTO RUMORS.

BUT WE DO KNOW WHO WON'T BE RUNNING AND THAT IS CHICAGO POLICE UNION PRESIDENT JOHN CATANZARA ALSO CONGRESSMAN MIKE QUIGLEY.

THERE IS HOWEVER TALK THAT THE TEACHERS' UNION WILL BE HAS ITS OWN CANDIDATE AND BUSINESS INTERESTS MAY GET BEHIND SOMEONE ELSE.

FORMER BUILDING COMMISSIONER JUDY FRYDLAND AND PAT QUINN THEY ARE NOT RUMORED POSSIBILITIES THEY ARE DEFINITE MAYBE'S.

A SPOKESWOMAN FOR JUDY FRYDLAND TELLING ME SHE IS ON A LISTENING TOUR AND HAS STARTED A CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE SO SHE CAN BEGIN FUNDRAISING IN A TRANSPARENT FASHION.

I SPOKE WITH GOVERNOR QUINN WHO SAYS THAT CHICAGO IS IN CRISIS AND NEEDS SOMEBODY WHO HAS EXPERIENCE LEADING A MAJOR ENTERPRISE.

HE SAYS HE DID.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ABLE TO START OFFICIALLY RUNNING FOR MAYOR WHEN THEY BEGIN PASSING PETITIONS GETTING THE SIGNATURES, THEY CAN BEGIN DOING THAT AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

AND THEY WILL NEED TO HAVE THE PAPERWORK TURNED IN BY THE END OF NOVEMBER AND THAT IS WHEN WE WILL TELL WHO IS IN THE RACE.

POLITICAL INSIDERS, BY THE WAY, SAY LOOK FOR THE FIELD TO REALLY FIRM UP IN AND AROUND LABOR DAY.

WITH THAT PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> DEFINITE MAYBE.

SOUNDS LIKE A NON-SEC WITER TO ME.

WE'LL SEE YOU LATER FOR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> AND BACK TO BRANDIS WHY LOCAL WORKERS ON APP BASED PLATFORMS ARE ORGANIZING FOR BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS.

>> WITH HIGH GAS PRICES AND CARJACKINGS GROWING ON THE JOB RISK, GIG WORKERS LIKE LYFT AND DOORDASH DRIVERS ARE DEMANDING MORE FROM COMPANIES.

BETTER PAY, STRONGER SAFETY MEASURES AND THE RIGHT TO UNIONIZE.

THEY WILL CALL FOR THE CHANGES DURING THE FIRST-EVER CHICAGO GIG FEST ON SUNDAY.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE EVENT AND THE DEMANDS THAT THE GROUP IS MAKING ARE, MANNY LEYVA A DRIVER WITH THE UBER APP IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

AND LENNY SANCHEZ, LEADER OF THE GROUP JUSTICE FOR APP WORKERS ILLINOIS AND THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

WE INVITED UBER AND LYFT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONVERSATION AS OF AIR TIME WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM UBER AND LYFT THOUGH THEY CONTACTED US TO KNOW NO ONE WAS AVAILABLE THIS EVENING.

LENNY SANCHEZ LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE.

WE MENTIONED GAS PRICES AND SAFETY, TELL US WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT APP BASED DRIVERS ARE FACING?

>> WELL, YEAH, GAS PRICES BEING HIGH IS A CHALLENGE.

SAFETY IS ABSOLUTE CONCERN.

LOW EARNINGS WHILE THE COMPANIES ARE POSTING RECORD PROFITS.

AND ACTIVATIONS.

IT IS A PLETHORA OF ISSUES IT GOES ON AND ON.

IT IS A WILD SITUATION FOR ANY DRIVER THAT IS OUT THERE WORKING ON AN APP.

>> GIVE US A SENSE WHY FOLKS MIGHT GET INTO DRIVING AN APP BASED PLATFORM?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF REASONS.

EARNING POTENTIAL FOR SOME IS BETTER THAN WHAT THEY CAN MAKE IN A TRADITIONAL WORK ENVIRONMENT.

AND THEY PREFER THE FLEXIBILITY.

I KNOW THAT IS SOMETHING FOR MYSELF.

WE PREFER THE FLEXIBILITY THAT THE APPLICATIONS PRESENT VERSUS A FIXED SCHEDULE AT YOUR TRADITIONAL JOB.

SO DEFINITELY ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS THAT PEOPLE ARE ATTRACTED TO THIS INDUSTRY.

>> MANNY LEYVA, YOU ARE A DRIVER FOR UBER HERE IN CHICAGO.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH REGARD TO SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU ALL ARE FACING RIGHT NOW?

>> RIGHT NOW, IT'S KIND OF DIFFICULT TO MAKE A PROFIT DUE TO INCREASE OF GAS PRICES.

IT'S VERY VIOLENT OUT THERE.

WE'RE CONSTANTLY DEALING WITH UNRULY PASSENGERS.

UBER TAKING UP TO HALF SOMETIMES UP TO 60% OF EVERY TRIP.

AND BECAUSE OF GAS PRICES WE ARE NOT REALLY MAKING A LOT OF MONEY.

AND WE ARE TRYING TO UNITE AND TO GIVE US BETTER LIVING WAGES AND GIVE US SOME SAFETY NET BECAUSE WE'RE GETTING A LOT OF FAKE ACCOUNTS.

PEOPLE THEY CAN CREATE AN ACCOUNT WITH A FAKE E-MAIL, PREPAID DEBIT CARD AND WE'RE CONSTANTLY GETTING CARJACKED.

IT'S CRAZY OUT HERE.

>> MANNY, YOU MENTIONED THE GAS PRICES AS WELL AS THE CUT THAT UBER TAKES OF YOUR EARNINGS.

ARE YOU ABLE TO SORT OF EARN WHAT YOU NEED?

HOW MUCH WOULD YOU SAY THIS IS CUTTING INTO YOUR EARNINGS?

>> IT'S TAKING A TOLL ON MY WALLET.

AND I'M DRIVING SIX DAYS A WEEK.

I'M PAYING $200 RIGHT NOW EVERY WEEK, THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY COMPARED TO WHAT I WAS PAYING FOR.

>> AND THAT IS $200 IN GAS?

>> OVER $200.

>> LENNY, TELL US ABOUT THE NATIONAL MOVEMENT THAT THE GIG FEST IS A PART OF?

>> YES, SO IN ILLINOIS IN CHICAGOLAND WE ARE 20,000 GIG WORKERS STRONG, JOINING UP WITH THE 100,000 FROM NEW YORK THAT FORMED A COALITION JUSTICE FOR APP WORKERS.

WE'RE EXCITED FOR I THINK IS AN HISTORICAL MOMENT TO HAVE ALL THE GROUPS COMING TOGETHER TO GET BEHIND FIGHTING FOR ALL THESE THINGS WE'RE MENTIONING HERE.

>> TELL US ABOUT GIG FEST AND WHAT HAPPENS?

>> SO GIG FEST IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF FUN.

A LOT OF -- IT IS AN EVENT FOR THE DRIVERS.

IT'S LIKE A CORPORATE OUTING PICNIC THAT UBER AND LYFT AND DOORDASH WOULD NEVER DO FOR US DRIVERS AND THERE WAS AN EVENT IN 2019 OR 18, I DON'T REMEMBER ANYMORE, WITH UBER TRYING TO THROW A DRIVER'S NIGHT OUT AT THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY WHICH WAS A MASSIVE FAILURE.

AND WE'RE LOOKING TO HAVE AN EVENT WHERE THE DRIVERS CAN COME OUT AND BRING THEIR FAMILIES ENJOY FREE FOOD AND MUSIC AND BOUNCE HOUSES AND GET GIVE AWAYS AND MEET YOUR OTHER WORKERS THAT ARE IN THE SAME STRUGGLE WITH YOU.

GUYS WE'RE SPREAD OUT ALL OVER THE PLACE AND THERE IS ISN'T COMMUNITIES OR SPOTS WHERE WE CAN ALL INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER.

THERE'S SOME ON-LINE BUT NOT IN-PERSON.

THIS GIVES EVERYONE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING YOUR FAMILY OUT.

WE ARE GIVING AWAY A TON OF STUFF THERE.

BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES, GAS CARDS AND FREE FOOD TRUCKS ET CETERA.

WE'RE EXCITED FOR THE EVENT.

THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH FOR JUSTICE FOR APP WORKERS.

>> AND MANNY LEYVA WE TALKED ABOUT THE GAS PRICES AND YOUR EARNINGS.

LET'S TALK MORE ABOUT SAFETY.

WHAT PRECAUTIONS ARE YOU ABLE TO TAKE WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING?

>> WELL, THE REALLY ANY PRECAUTIONS BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

IT'S CRAZY OUT HERE.

SOMETIMES YOU GET A TRIP AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE PICKING UP DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO PICTURE, FAKE NAMES, YOU JUST TRY TO DO YOUR BEST TO NOT GET CARJACKED OR TO AVOID ANYTHING HAPPENING TO YOU.

UNFORTUNATELY, SOMETIMES THERE IS NOT A LOT YOU CAN DO.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THERE IS A GUIDE OUT THERE WITH A FAKE ACCOUNT THAT GOES HE IS ONE OF THE GUYS WHO WAS CURRENTLY CARJACKING DRIVERS AND WE WOULD LIKE FOR UBER TO NOT NECESSARILY FORCE THE CUSTOMERS BUT IF THEY CAN UPLOAD A STATE ID ISSUE SO WE CAN VERIFY WHO THEY ARE BECAUSE THEN THE POLICE CAN GO BACK.

>> SO YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IDENTIFY VERIFICATION SO YOU ARE CERTAIN THE PERSON YOU ARE PICKING UP IS A REAL PERSON AND NOT SOMEONE WHO INTENDS TO CAUSE HARM, IT SOUNDS LIKE?

>> CORRECT.

>> LENNY WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE COMPANIES DO TO BETTER PROTECT DRIVERS AND PROTECT THEIR EARNINGS AS WELL?

>> WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY THE APPLICATIONS CAN DO A LOT TO DETER CRIMINALS FROM USING THE APP THE WAY THEY ARE USING THEM TO CARJACK US, SEXUALLY ASSAULT US OR SCAM US FOR OUR EARNINGS.

THAT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE APPLICATION AS WELL, TOO.

WE WOULD LOVE FOR THE PASSION GEAR VERIFICATION TO BE A REALITY.

IN MY OPINION AND THE OPINION OF MANY DRIVERS, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THEM IMPLEMENT THE SELFIE FEATURE.

EVERY UBER AND LYFT DRIVER HAS TO TAKE A SELFIE WHEN WE LOG ON TO WORK AND THE TEMPERATURE IS THERE.

AND WE ARE ASKING THEM TO DO THE SAME ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE AND THE CUSTOMER SIDE.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE A SELFIE NOT TO BE SHARED WITH THE DRIVERS BUT TO BE A DETERRENT.

AND TO BE USED IN AN INVESTIGATION WHEN THERE IS AN INCIDENT.

WE DON'T WANT THE SELFIES TO BE SHARED WITH THE DRIVERS THE MAJORITY OF US ARE GOOD BUT THERE ARE APPLES THAT MAY TARGET THE DRIVER BASED ON HOW THEY LOOK.

WE KNOW THE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING.

WHEN A DRIVER GETS MEASURED BY A PASSENGER THEY DON'T CARE.

EARNINGS ARE?

THEY DON'T CARE.

WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT AND DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO IMPROVE THESE SITUATIONS.

BUT EARNINGS IS OUR AND SAFETY ARE THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT ONES IN OUR BOOK HERE.

>> SOUNDS LIKE WE WILL BE HEARING MORE FROM YOU DOWN THE LINE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WORK TOWARDS AND WE HOPE TO HEAR FROM UBER AND LYFT AND DOORDASH WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

MANNY LEYVA AND LENNY SANCHEZ THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> UP NEXT, WHY THE CITY IS BLOCKING NAVY PIER'S ATTEMPT TO BUILD A TRANSIENT MARINA.

STAY WITH US.

>> NAVY PIER IS CHICAGO'S TOP TOURIST DRAW AND OFFICIALS WERE SET TO MAKE IT MORE TRACK ACTIVE BY BUILDING A GIANT MARINA ON THE NORTH SIDE FOR BOATS TO COME AND GO THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

SOMETHING OFFICIALS SAID COULD BRING $10 MILLION IN REVENUE TO THE CITY.

WHY IS THE PROJECT WHICH RECEIVED GREEN LIGHTS FROM CITY COUNCIL, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS SUDDENLY RUN INTO CHOPPY WATER?

>> THE TINY SLIVER OF LAKE MICHIGAN BETWEEN NAVY PIER AND THE WATER PLANT IS FREE AND CLEAR FOR ALL BOATERS TO USE.

IN 2016, NAVY PIER OFFICIALS ASKED CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE AN UPDATE TO THE PIER'S PLANNED DEVELOPMENT AUTHORIZING AMONG OTHER THINGS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MARINA ON THE NORTH SIDE WHERE BOAT KOS DOCK FOR THE DAY.

CHICAGO DEVELOPER RANDY PODOLSKY LANDED THE CONTRACT TO BUILD AND OPERATE THE MARINA BECAUSE BOATERS LIKE HIMSELF HAVE BEEN CLAMORING FOR IT.

>> A MARINA THAT WOULD ALLOW BOATERS FROM CHICAGO, THE CHICAGO HARBOR SYSTEM AROUND LAKE MICHIGAN AND THE GREAT LAKES THOSE WHO MIGHT BE DOING THE LOOP THROUGH THE OCEANS AND RIVERS COULD STOP AT NAVY PIER AND STOP IN CHICAGO AND EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING THAT THE CITY HAS TO OFFER.

>> THE PLANS CALL FOR 6500 FEET OF BROAD MOORING ALONG THE PIER.

RANDY PODOLSKY PROCEEDED TO GET THE NECESSARY PERMITS.

THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ALL SIGNED OFF.

BUT ONE AGENCY HELD OUT.

THE CITY OF CHICAGO'S DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

>> THE QUOTED RESPONSE BY CDOT IN DENYING OUR LAST CONSTRUCTION PERMIT UNSPECIFIED SECURITY CONCERNS.

>> THOSE CONCERNS RELATE TO THE RELATIVELY UNGUARDED SOUTH SIDE OF THE JAR DEAN WATER PLANT WHICH TREATS THE WATER FOR TWO-THIRDS OF THE CITY AND SURROUNDING SUBURBS.

SINCE THE PROJECT'S APPROVAL, WATER DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT ALLOWING HUNDREDS OF BOATS TO DOCK FEET AWAY FROM THE PLANT COULD POSE A SECURITY THREAT TO CHICAGO'S DRINKING WATER.

>> ARE THE CONCERNS ABOUT THE WATER SUPPLY WARRANTED?

>> NO.

NO.

I WOULD SAY THAT EXPERTS WOULD TELL YOU THAT CYBERSECURITY IS THE BIGGEST RISK TO A WATER PLANT ANYWHERE IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> AS POW POSED TO SOMEONE COMING ON A BOAT AND GOING INTO THE PLANT?

>> RIGHT.

>> RANDY PODOLSKY SAYS IF THE WATER DEPARTMENT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT SECURITY PERHAPS IT WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE HUNDREDS OF BOATS THAT DOCK AND HANGOUT IN THE AREA OFF THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING NEAR OAK STREET BEACH KNOWN AS THE PLAY PEN.

RANDY PODOLSKY SAYS HIS OPERATION WOULD ENTAIL STRONG SECURITY CHECKS.

>> WE WOULD KNOW BOAT REGISTRATION, CREDIT CARD INFORMATION, DRIVER'S LICENSE, EVERYTHING ABOUT THE BOAT OPERATOR AND THE BOAT THAT SHOULD BE KNOWN TO A MARINA.

MARINA.

>> RANDY PODOLSKY SUED THE CITY HE BELIEVES CERTAIN CITY AGENCIES HAVE GONE ROGUE.

>> WHO THE HECK IS CDOT TO NOT ISSUE A PERMIT FOR SOMETHING THAT CITY COUNCIL APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY?

>> THE CITY OF CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE NAVY PIER ALL DECLINED TO COMMENT FOR THIS STORY.

ALL CITING THAT PENDING LAWSUIT.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", THE MIDWEST HAS SEEN INTENSE FLOODING AS CLIMATE SCIENTIST BREAKS DOWN WHAT IS DRIVING THE STORMS.

>> IF YOU ARE INNOCENT WHY ARE YOU TAKING THE FIFTH AMENDMENT?

>> OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM BREAKS DOWN TRUMP PLEADING THE FIFTH AND REELECTION CHANCES.

AND MASKS ARE IDENTITIES ARE THE CENTERPIECE OF AN ART SHOW CURATED BY RAPPER VIC MENSA.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYS THE COURT MANDATED PROCESS OF REFORM FOR THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE.

THIS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE MAN TASKED WITH OVERSEEING THAT REFORM HAS BEEN FIRED.

WE REPORTED YESTERDAY THAT ROBERT BOIK WHO LED C.P.D.

'S OFFICE OF CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING AND REFORM WAS FORCED OUT BY SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN.

BOIK SENT AN E-MAIL ASKING FOR 23 NEW STAFFERS TO HELP TRAIN POLICE OFFICERS TO COMPLY WITH THE CONSENT DECREE.

BROWN REFUSED AND INSTEAD TOOK AWAY 46 OFFICERS.

ACCORDING TO BOIK THAT MADE IT HARDER TO COMPLY WITH THE MANDATED TRAINING REQUIREMENTS IN THAT CONSENT DECREE.

THE MAYOR LIGHTFOOT INSISTED THAT THE WORK OF REFORM WILL NOT STOP.

>> THE TRAINING IS OBVIOUSLY CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

IT'S MANDATED BY THE CONSENT DECREE.

WE WILL NOT TAKE STEPS BACK.

AND I DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CONTINUE ON THE PATH OF REFORM, IS LARGER AND BIGGER THAN ONE INDIVIDUAL PERSON.

SO PEOPLE SAY LOTS OF THINGS GOING OUT THE DOOR, BUT WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT THE WORK OF REFORM AND PARTICULARLY THE EMPHASIS ON TRAINING IS GOING TO CONTINUE.

>> A KEY INFLATION REPORT RELEASED SHOWS AFTER A YEAR OF SURGING PRICES THE RATE OF INFLATION MAY FINALLY BE SLOWING.

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX WHICH MEASURES THE COST OF A WIDE ARRAY OF GOODS AND SERVICES WAS UNCHANGED IN JULY.

PRICES WERE UP 8.5% BETWEEN JULY OF 21 AND JULY 2022 BUT THAT IS LESS THAN THE 9.1% RECORDED IN JUNE.

AND DESPITE TODAY'S PICTURE PERFECT WEATHER BY TOMORROW CONDITIONS ON THE WATER ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME HAZARDOUS.

AND THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUED AN ADVISORY FOR BEACHES ALONG SOUTHERN LAKE MICHIGAN IN ILLINOIS AND INDIANA.

SWIMMING CONDITIONS WILL BE LIFE-THREATENING WITH WAVES UP TO SEVEN FEET AND DANGEROUS CURRENTS.

THE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.

BRANDIS FOR A LOOK AT WHAT IS BEHIND THE LARGE AMOUNT OF RAINFALL WE HAVE BEEN HAVING LATELY.

>> THE MIDWEST HAS BEEN HIT HARD BY RAINS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS.

SOME COUNTIES IN THE SOUTH CENTRAL AREA OF ILLINOIS HAVE SEEN SOME OF THEIR WETTEST JULYS AND AUGUSTS ON REPORT AND SCIENTISTS SAY THE STORMY TRENDS WILL CONTINUE AS THE EARTH WARMS.

TRENT FORD THE ILLINOIS STATE CLIMATOLOGIST JOINS US NOW.

WELCOME BACK.

TELL US WHAT AREAS IN ILLINOIS ARE BEING HIT THE HARDEST.

>> YEAH, OVER THE LAST THREE TO FOUR WEEKS A LOT OF PLACES IN ILLINOIS HAVE BEEN HIT WITH INTENSE RAIN AND SUBSEQUENT FLOODING.

SO IN LATE JULY WE HAD A SERIES OF STORMS MOVE THROUGH THE ST. LOUIS AREA.

THAT DROPPED IN SOMEPLACES IN MISSOURI 12-13 INCHES OF RAIN.

AND LESS THAN 12 HOURS.

ON OUR SIDE OF THE RIVER IN PARTS OF BELLEVILLE, SEVEN TO EIGHT INCHES IN A SIX-HOUR PERIOD OF TIME.

AND A WEEK LATER WE HAD RAIN MOVE THROUGH SOUTH CENTRAL, SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS.

AND THAT PART OF THE STATE.

AND AGAIN PRODUCED BETWEEN 10-11 INCHES OF RAIN IN A SINGLE DAY.

AND THEN A FEW DAYS AGO, IN THE FREEPORT AREA, ANOTHER STORM CAME THROUGH PRODUCED 11-12 INCHES OF RAIN IN A TWO-DAY PERIOD OF TIME AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT FLASH FLOODING IN FREEPORT AND OTHER PLACES IN THE NORTHWEST PART OF THE STATE.

LIKE I SAID IT'S BEEN A ROUGH FEW WEEKS IN ILLINOIS AS FAR AS FLOODING AND INTENSE RAINFALL IS CONCERNED.

>> THAT IS ILLINOIS YOU MENTIONED ST. LOUIS SURROUNDING STATES KENTUCKY AND MISSOURI HAVE BEEN TAKING HITS AS WELL.

WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE DAMAGE IN KENTUCKY.

TELL US WHAT IS HAPPENING?

>> SOME OF THE HEAVIEST RAIN FROM THE ST. LOUIS EVENT HAPPENED IN MISSOURI AND THAT IS A HEAVILY DEVELOPED AREA.

YOU GET A LOT OF REALLY INTENSE RAINFALL AND EVEN IN NOT SO DEVELOPED AREAS MORE RURAL AREAS YOU GET INUNDATION OF STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND SEWER SYSTEMS AND WITH DEVELOPED AREAS, SUBURBAN AREAS WHERE THERE IS A LOT OF SURFACES WHERE THE WATER RUNS OFF THAT EFFECT AMPLIFIES.

WE SAW A LOT OF WATER RESCUES AND TRAPPED MOTORISTS AND FOLKS RUNNING OUT OF THEIR HOMES.

AND ALL OF THAT WAS REALLY TIMES TWO TIMES 10 IN KENTUCKY.

THE WEEK AFTER THE ST. LOUIS EVENT.

REALLY INTENSE RAIN EVENTS IN THE PART OF EASTERN KENTUCKY WHICH IS PRETTY HILLY IF NOT MOUNTAINOUS.

A LOT OF THAT RAIN GETS CHANNELED INTO THE AVALLEYS WHERE THE PEOPLE LIVE EVEN ON THE FLOOD PLAIN.

SO PEOPLE'S ENTIRE HOMES BEING WASHED AWAY.

I THINK DID THE COUNT WAS UP TO 37 THERE.

REALLY DEVASTATING THERE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

>> AND HOW UNUSUAL IS THIS AMOUNT OF RAINFALL?

>> WELL, IT'S FAIRLY UNUSUAL TO GET THAT AMOUNT OF RAIN IN THAT SHORT A PERIOD OF TIME.

THERE'S NUMBERS THROWN OUT A 500 YEAR EVENT, A THOUSAND YEAR EVENT.

THERE IS A COUPLE OF THINGS WITH THOSE NUMBERS.

FIRST OF ALL AN IDEA OF A 500 YEAR EVENT IT DOESN'T MEAN IT HAPPENS ONCE EVERY 500 YEARS T HAS A .2% CHANCE HAPPENING ANY GIVEN YEAR.

BUT IT'S UNLIKELY.

THAT LOW PROBABILITY IS EVEN HARD TO COMPREHEND SOMETHING THAT IS UNLIKELY.

BUT THE FACT WE SAW JUST IN THIS THREE TO FOUR WEEK PERIOD OF TIME THAT MANY OF THE UNLIKELY EVENTS, REALLY GOES TO SHOW THAT THESE SORTS OF EVENTS DO HAPPEN IN THE MIDWEST AND THAT AS YOU MENTIONED IN THE OPENING THAT THEY ARE OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY IN THE MIDWEST AND PROJECTED TO CONTINUE TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AS WE MOVE IN THE NEXT FEW DECADES.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN MAKING THAT HAPPEN?

>> SO YOU KNOW THESE WEATHER EVENTS ARE THEY ARE A CONSEQUENCE OF THE INDIVIDUAL WEATHER PATTERNS.

OFTEN TRAINING THUNDERSTORMS WHEN WE GET THUNDERSTORM CELLS THAT MOVE AT THE SAME TIME MOVING OVER AN AREA HOUR AFTER HOUR PRODUCING THOSE REALLY INTENSE FIVE TO 10 AND 15 INCH RAIN EVENTS IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

HOWEVER, CLIMATE CHANGE DOES PLAY A ROLE.

FIRST OF ALL THEIR STUDIES THAT SHOW THOSE WEATHER PATTERNS THAT CAN SETUP THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT TO CREATE THE EVENTS ARE OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY IN THE MIDWEST AND ARE PROJECTED TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AND HAVING MORE WATER VAPOR THE POTENTIAL FOR MORE WATER IN THE AIR THROUGH THE HUMIDITY WHICH PROVIDES ENERGY AND WATER FOR THAT RAINFALL FOR THE STORMS WHEN THEY DO OCCUR.

BOTH OF THOSE CONDITIONS HAVE A CLIMATE CHANGE FINGERPRINT ON THEM.

MEANING THESE SORTS OF RAIN EVENTS THAT HAD THAT HISTORICALLY HAD AN ESTIMATED ONE IN 500 YEAR TIME RECURRENCE ARE OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY.

AND THAT'S AGAIN, THAT TREND THAT WE'RE SEEING OVER THE LAST 30, 50 YEARS IS PROJECTED TO CONTINUE TO OCCUR ACROSS THE MIDWEST OVER THE NEXT COMING DECADES.

>> HOW PREPARED WOULD YOU SAY THE STATE IS FOR THE DISASTERS?

>> STATES AND COMMUNITIES ARE PREPARING.

HONESTLY IF YOU WERE TO POLL NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN ILLINOIS CHICAGOLAND, DOWN STATE, EVERYWHERE IF YOU HAD TO POLL FOLKS WHO ARE THE SORTS OF IMPACTS FROM WEATHER YOU ARE SEEING FLOODING WOULD BE NUMBER ONE OR NUMBER TWO ACROSS THE BOARD AND THAT IS ESPECIALLY THE CASE FOR URBAN FLOODING THAT OCCURS WHEN WE GET THE RAINFALL EVENTS.

COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE ARE WORKING TO BECOME MORE RESILIENT TO THESE TYPES OF EVENTS BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE SEEING.

AND AT THE SAME TIME, YOU KNOW, WE DO HAVE MORE VULNERABLE AREAS OF THE STATE THAN OTHERS.

DEFINITELY WE NEED THE RESOURCES INVESTED INTO THOSE PARTS OF THE STATE THE PAHOKEE HEIGHTS THE PLACES MORE VULNERABLE TO THE FLOODING TO INSURE IF WE DO SEE THAT INCREASE FREQUENCY CONTINUE OVER THE NEXT FEW DECADES THAT WE DON'T SEE CONTINUE TO SEE THE EVENTS WE HAD IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA AND EASTERN KENTUCKY THAT WOULD BECOME MORE RESILIENT TO THOSE EVENTS AND SEE FEWER IMPACTS DESPITE INCREASED FREQUENCY.

TRENT FORD ILLINOIS STATE CLIMATOLOGIST THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> PROPERTY TAX HIKE IS COMING BUT THE MAYOR CUTS IT IN HALF.

AS SHE FACES A BURGEONING FIELD OF CANDIDATES ALL THAT AND MUCH MORE IN OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS POLITICS, CONVERSATION WELCOME BACK, AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

AS WE HEARD EARLIER CHICAGO'S BUDGET IS $130 MILLION SHORT SO HOMEOWNERS WILL BE HIT WITH A 2.5% PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

HOW DOES THAT STACK UP TO PREVIOUS YEARS OR CAN YOU COMPARE THEM?

>> IT IS A MUCH SMALLER BUDGET DEFICIT THAN THE CITY HAS FACED IN YEARS PAST.

AND I SHOULD SAY THAT THIS FINAL DECISION WILL BE UP TO THE CITY COUNCIL, WHETHER THIS PROPERTY TAX HIKE PROPOSED TODAY BY MAYOR LIGHTFOOT WILL GO THROUGH.

IT WILL NO DOUBT BE THE SOURCE OF INTENSE NEGOTIATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT PUSHBACK, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THAT DEFICIT IS SO SMALL, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF EFFORTS BY ALDERPEOPLE TO FIND ANOTHER WAY TO MAKEUP THE DIFFERENCE.

>> PARIS, HOW DOES THIS PLAY INTO THE MAYOR'S REELECTION BID?

SY.

I'VE COVERED MANY, MANY CITY BUDGET REVEALS AND EVERY FOUR YEARS THERE IS A SHORT BUDGET DEFICIT AND IT SEEMS TO BE IN A MAYORAL ELECTION YEAR.

IT HAPPENED UNDER RAHM EMANUEL IN HIS LAST YEAR.

HE DELIVERED A BUDGET HE SAID HAD THE SMALLEST BUDGET DEFICIT THAT HE HAD HAD IN THE CITY.

NEXT YEAR MAYOR LIGHTFOOT TAKES OVER THE DEFICIT WAS $800 MILLION.

I'M SKEPTICAL ABOUT WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE WHEN YOU CONSIDER YOU HAVE THE FOUR MAJOR PENSION SYSTEMS IN THE CITY GOING INSOLVENT AND NEEDING MOUNTAINS OF REVENUE EVERY YEAR MORE AND MORE REVENUE EVERY YEAR TO FILL THEM.

BUT THIS IS THE CLASSIC SORT OF POLITICAL PLAY YOU SAY THAT IN MY FOUR YEARS I'VE RIGHTED THE FISCAL SHIP.

THE FINANCES ARE STABLE.

AND THE THOUGHT IT DOES HELP NEW REELECTION AND IT IS NOT TO SAY THAT THERE ARE FISCAL WINS ARE BETTER IN CHICAGO THIS YEAR RECOVERING FROM THE PANDEMIC.

REVENUE IS UP.

I WOULD SAY THAT ON THE LIST OF THINGS VOTERS GET OUT TO THE POLLS ON CITY FINANCES IS NOT AT THE TOP UNLESS IT DEALS WITH THEIR PROPERTY TAXES.

>> SPEAKING OF GETTING TO THE POLLS IN THE MAYORAL RACE, SOPHIA KING JUMPED IN.

FOP PRESIDENT JOHN CATANZARA IS OUT.

HEATHER LET'S TALK ABOUT SOPHIA KING SHE IS A PROGRESSIVE.

TELL US MORE ABOUT HER.

>> SHE IS THE CHAIR OF THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS IN FACT, BUT SHE WAS FIRST APPOINTED BY FORMER MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL TO REPRESENT THE FOURTH WARD WHICH INCLUDES HYDE PARK.

AND MY FAVORITE FUN FACT OF THE DAY IS THAT SHE RECEIVED FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S FIRST POST PRESIDENTIAL ENDORSEMENT WHEN SHE RAN FOR A FULL TERM ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

SO THAT WILL NO DOUBT BE SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL BE SPECULATING ON AS HER RACE GETS UNDERWAY.

>> AMANDA, FOP PRESIDENT JOHN CATANZARA HE HAS BEEN A VOCAL CRITIC OF THE MAYOR AND TRIED TO SETUP A FOP TO RUN AGAINST HER.

BUT HE IS OUT.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> HE HAS NOT ANSWERED A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.

I THINK PERHAPS YOU CAN READ THE TEA LEAVES AND THAT IS MAYBE HE RECOGNIZED CROWDED FIELD IT WILL BE TOUGH TO WIN AND HE WANTS TO HOLD ON TO THE JOB THAT HE HAS BECAUSE HE IS UP FOR REELECTION IN MAY OF 2023.

HE TOLD IN AN INTERVIEW TO ABC7 THAT HE DOESN'T WANT TO DO THE TWO RACES CONCURRENTLY.

HE WANTS TO FOCUS ON AND REMAIN PRESIDENT OF THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE IN CHICAGO.

REMINDER THAT HE HAD TRIED TO SORT OF WORK AROUND THIS BY EXTENDING HIS TERM TO FIVE YEARS INSTEAD OF THREE AND MEMBERSHIP SHOT THAT DOWN.

>> HOW IS THE FIELD SHAPING UP?

WHAT IS IT GOING TO LOOK LIKE HAVING ANOTHER BLACK WOMAN IN THE RACE?

WILL THAT TROUBLE MAYOR LIGHTFOOT?

OR THE MORE CANDIDATES THE BETTER?

>> YOU HEARD THE QUOTE FROM THE BLACK CAUCUS CHAIRMAN JASON IRVIN SAYING HE IS WORRIED IT'S GOING TO DILUTE THE VOTE AND THAT THE CITY MIGHTENT UP WITH A NONBLACK MAYOR.

TAKE THAT WITH A GRAIN OF AS A RESULT BECAUSE IRVIN IS A CLOSE ALLY OF MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS ROSTER OF CANDIDATES, IT'S GOING TO BE WHEN YOU HAVE THIS MANY CANDIDATES IT WILL BE ABOUT WHO GETS 15% OR 19%.

NOBODY EXCEPT MAYBE THE INCUMBENT IS A SHOO-IN TO GET THAT.

I DON'T KNOW IF I BELIEVE WHAT IRVIN IS SAYING.

I THINK IT'S REALLY A ROLL OF THE DICE WHEN YOU HAVE THESE MANY CANDIDATES THAT IS HOW IT WAS FOUR YEARS AGO AND MORE CANDIDATES TO COME.

I WILL SAY SOPHIA KING THE KING FAMILY, HER HUSBAND IS A DJ HOUSE DJ IN ADDITION TO BEING A LAWYER AND CLOSE WITH THE OBAMAS.

IF OBAMA CAME TO CAMPAIGN FOR SOPHIA KING IT WOULD BE OVER.

I HIGHLY DOUBT THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

I DON'T THINK THE FORMER PRESIDENT WANTS TO GET INVOLVED IN A RACE HERE THAT FEATURES ALL DEMOCRATS.

>> I CAN BET HE WOULDN'T.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES IN THE RACE IS CHICAGO VIOLENCE AND THERE'S BEEN A RASH OF ATTACKS ON THE C.T.A.

C.P.D., THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PROMISING TO PUT MORE COPS AND DOGS ON THE C.T.A.

BEAT.

WILLIE WILSON HE IS PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON C.T.A.

'S SAFETY.

HEATHER HOW HARD IS IT GOING TO BE TO POLICE THE C.T.A.?

>> WELL, THERE ARE TWO PROBLEMS HERE: ONE IS THE RISE IN CRIME WHICH HAS BEEN SORT OF FOCUSED DOWNTOWN.

AND THE CONTINUED DROP IN RIDERSHIP ON THE C.T.A.

THAT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO FEEL SAFE BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY IT'S EASIER TO ATTACK SOMEBODY IF THEY ARE ALONE IN AN EMPTY CAR.

SO IT'S REALLY GOT TO BE BOTH.

AND WE'VE HEARD FROM BOTH MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN THAT THEY ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO ADDRESS THE SURGE IN CRIME WITH MORE OFFICERS.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, THE C.T.A.

IS STILL NOT OPERATING NORMALLY AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

AND UNTIL THAT RIDERSHIP SORT OF REBOUNDS, I THINK IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE AN ISSUE.

BECAUSE SAFETY IN NUMBERS SOMETIMES.

THE HEAD OF C.P.D.

REFORM, REFORM THAT IS MANDATED BY A FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE SPEAKS OUT ABOUT THE POLICE REDEPLOYMENTS EFFECT ON HIS UNIT THEN HE IS FIRED FOR SPEAKING OUT.

LOOK WHAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAD TO SAY TODAY.

>> THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CONTINUE ON THE PATH OF REFORM IS LARGER AND BIGGER THAN ONE INDIVIDUAL PERSON.

IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN.

>> PARIS, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE UNHAPPY WITH THIS FIRING?

>> YES, BECAUSE ROBERT BOIK WAS THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF GETTING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT UP TO SPEED WITH THE FEDERALLY MANDATED CONSENT DECREE.

THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN DRAGGING ITS HEELS, MEETING MANY REQUIREMENTS.

IT IMPROVED ITS PERFORMANCE IN RECENT MONTHS.

ALTHOUGH IT GOT FIVE EXTRA YEARS TO DO THIS.

AND WE OBTAINED AN E-MAIL THAT HE SENT TO SUPERINTENDENT BROWN SAYING I NEED MORE OFFICERS HERE TO TRAINING IS A HUGE PART OF THE CONSENT DECREE.

TRAINING OFFICERS.

I NEED MORE OFFICERS TO HELP TRAIN NEW OFFICERS.

DAVID BROWN NOT ONLY DIDN'T GIVE THEM THE OFFICERS BUT TOOK 46 OFFICERS AWAY AND DEPLOYED THEM TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

MAYBE BROWN FELT THEY WERE NEEDED OUT ON THE STREETS.

BUT THE IMPLICATION HERE IS BOIK BELIEVES THIS WILL MAKE IT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO COMPLY WITH THE CONSENT DECREE AND TRAIN OFFICERS THE WAY THEY NEED TO BE TRAINED AND MANY IN THE POLICE REFORM COMMUNITY ARE WONDERING WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT AND MAYOR'S COMMITMENT TO MEETING THAT CONSENT DECREE REALLY IS RIGHT NOW.

>> NOW, THE NASCAR DEAL WE'RE LEARNING MAY NOT BE SO GREAT FOR THE CITY AS DETAILS EMERGE.

WHAT IS THE LATEST?

>> WELL, WE KNOW THAT THE NASCAR DEAL WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS LUCRATIVE FOR THE CITY THAN THE LOLLAPALOOZA DEAL WHICH WAS ALSO EXTENDED RECENTLY.

AND THE NASCAR DEAL IS NOW THE SOURCE OF A GREAT DEAL OF PUSHBACK FROM MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO REPRESENT DOWNTOWN BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SPECIFICALLY KNOW WHEN THE ROADS AROUND GRANT PARK WILL BE BLOCKED OFF TO PUBLIC TRAFFIC AND HOW MUCH ACCESS THE PUBLIC WILL LOSE TO GRANT PARK BECAUSE OF THIS BIG RACE.

WE DON'T QUITE KNOW THOSE ISSUES KNOW.

WE DON'T HAVE THE DETAILS YET BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE MAYOR IS GOING TO FACE QUESTIONS ABOUT PRECISELY WHAT IS IN THIS DEAL FOR THE CITY AND WHETHER IT IS ACTUALLY A GOOD DEAL.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A FLASHPOINT PERHAPS IN THE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS IN THE MONTHS AHEAD.

>> SO MEANWHILE, COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX SAYSES EXODUS OF UNHAPPY PROSECUTORS IN HER OFFICE IS NOT ABOUT HER LEADERSHIP.

>> I READ IN THE NEWSPAPER TODAY ABOUT SHIFTS BEING MADE AT THE C.T.A.

BECAUSE OF STAFFING SHORTAGES.

THE REALITY IS THAT WE ARE IN THE MID-CENTER FIELD WHAT HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS THE GREAT RESIGNATION.

AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN SPARED.

>> PARIS, IS THIS REASONING RESONATING?

OR WILL KIM FOXX HAVE A TOUGH TIME IN HER OWN BID FOR REELECTION?

>> I THINK IT'S TOO EARLY.

SHE GOT REELECTED IN 2020 AND SHE HAD CONTROVERSY FOLLOW HER THEN.

THE JUSSIE SMOLLETT SAYS BEFORE HER REELECTION AND STILL STILL WON EASILY.

AND THE QUESTIONS ABOUT IS SHE TOO SOFT PROSECUTING CRIME?

ARE CRIMINALS BEING LET OUT ON THE STREETS?

IT DIDN'T SEEM TO AFFECT HER REELECTION THEN.

I DON'T SEE EVIDENCE AT THIS POINT THAT IT WOULD DENT IT IN 2024 BUT IT'S WAY TOO EARLY TO TELL.

IF MORE ATTORNEYS LEAVE THE OFFICE LIKE ONE DID A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND SPEAK OUT PUBLICLY ABOUT HER MANAGEMENT OF THE OFFICE, MAY BE IT DOES ATTRACT STRONGER CANDIDATES THAN PERHAPS EXISTED IN 2020 TO TAKE HER ON.

>> THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR DARREN BAILEY DOUBLING DOWN ON DEFENDING THE VIDEO WHERE HE COMPARE AS BORINGS TO THE HOLOCAUST.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> I BELIEVE THAT ABORTION IS ONE OF THE GREATEST ATROCITIES OF OUR DAY.

AND I BELIEVE THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST ATROCITIES FOREVER THE ATTEMPTED EXTERNAL NATION OF THE JEWS OF WORLD WAR II, IT DOESN'T COMPARE ON THE SHADOW OF THE LIFE THAT HAS BEEN LOST WITH ABORTIONS SINCE ITS LEGALIZATION.

>> BUT RABBI KAGAN SAYING QUOTE... >> WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

>> WELL, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY NOMINATES SOMEBODY WHO IS VERY, VERY, FAR RIGHT VIEWS AND THIS IS PERHAPS WHY GOVERNOR PRITZKER WAS ALMOST SPOILING FOR THESE FIGHTS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT IN AN UNUSUAL COMMENT FROM DARREN BAILEY.

HIS SOCIAL MEDIA IS FULL OF THESE SORT OF PRONOUNCEMENTS ALONG THESE LINES ABOUT THE PERILS OF ABORTION AND THIS IS THE ARGUMENT GOVERNOR PRITZKER WANTS TO HAVE.

AND IT'S DEEPLY PAINFUL FOR LOTS OF PEOPLE INVOLVED.

BECAUSE THESE ARE PAINFUL, DEEP ISSUES TO HAVE.

>> MEANWHILE, BAILEY TRYING TO SHIFT FOCUS AWAY FROM THAT CONTROVERSY BY CALLING HIS DEMOCRATIC OPPONENT SOFT OR HAVING SOFT HANDS THAT IS WHAT THE PHRASE WAS.

WHAT IS HE TRYING TO DO?

>> THAT IS THE PHRASE AND ACCUSED PRITZKER OF BEING BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON SAYING THAT HE BELIEVES THAT PRITZKER CANNOT REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS BECAUSE HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE SOMEBODY WHO HAS TO WORK FOR A LIVING, WHO FEARS WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON LOSING A JOB AND MISSING A PAYCHECK.

HE IS TRYING TO REDIRECT THAT.

AND HE IS TRYING TO SAY THAT HE HAS HAD HIS COMMENTS MISS CHARACTERIZED BY THE MEDIA AND BACKTRACKING ON HIS BACKTRACK.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, THE HOLOCAUST VIDEO FIRST APOLOGIZING AND SAYING WAIT, PEOPLE GAVE ME [INAUDIBLE] TO SAY THIS.

IT SEEMS AS IF BAILEY IS CATERING SOME OF HIS LANGUAGE TOWARD HIS AUDIENCE PERHAPS A DIFFERENT RHETORIC IN CHICAGO THAN HE WOULD HAVE DOWN STATE.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS A STATE-WIDE CANDIDATE FOR A BIG OFFICE LIKE GOVERNOR PEOPLE WILL CATCH ON TO.

>> GRAND JURY DECLINING TO INDICT A WOMAN WHOSE ACCUSATIONS SET OFF THE EMMETT TILL KILLING.

REMIND US ABOUT THAT CASE?

>> THIS WAS THE CASE THAT INVOLVED EMMETT TILL A YOUNG CHICAGO BOY WHO TRAVELED TO MISSISSIPPI WHERE HE WAS LYNCHED AFTER REPORTEDLY WHISTLING AT A WHITE WOMAN.

I KNOW YOU'VE COVERED THIS CASE EXTENSIVELY WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT A GRAND JURY WAS CONSIDERING INDICTING THE WOMAN INVOLVED?

>> ONLY A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE I THINK THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN LEFLORE COUNTY IN MISSISSIPPI MY HOME STATE HE KEPT MUM ON THIS.

BUT WE GOT THE WORD THAT A GRAND JURY HAD RECEIVED SEVEN HOURS OF EVIDENCE AND INTERVIEWS AND RETURNED A NO BILL INDICATING THAT THE GRAND JURY WAS NOT INDICTING.

AND THE QUESTION THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN THIS COUNTRY HAS NOT STOOD UP TO THIS CASE FOR 60 YEARS AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WHAT DID HAPPEN IF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FAILED THE TILL FAMILY AGAIN BUT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR EQUITY IN THE NAME OF EMMETT TILL AND HIS FAMILY.

BUT THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT TONIGHT.

THANKS TO THE SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM, AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> UP NEXT, A TRIP TO RAPPER VIC MENSA'S ART SHOW BEFORE IT CLOSES THIS WEEKEND.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> ONE OF CHICAGO'S LEADING ART GALLERIES JOINED FORCES WITH A TOP RAPPER.

VIC MENSA.

HE IS THE FOUNDER OF THE HIP-HOP COLLECTIVE SAVE MONEY.

VIC MENSA CURATED A GALLERY SHOW IN THE WEST LOOP AND WHERE MARC VITALI MET HIM.

>> THE DAY BEFORE THE SHOW OPENED, VIC MENSA TOLD US ABOUT HIS CREATIVE JOURNEY.

>> MUSIC IS WHAT HAS TAKEN ME AROUND THE WORLD.

AND IT'S MY PASSION.

BUT I'M ALSO NOT LIMITED TO ANY ONE FORM OF EXPRESSION.

>> HIS LATEST EXPRESSION IS A SHOW CALLED SKIN AND MASKS, INSPIRED BY THE INFLUENTIAL 20TH CENTURY THINKER AND AUTHOR OF BLACK SKIN WHITE MASKS.

>> HE'S DISSECTING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL RAMIFICATIONS OF COASTLINALLISM AND COASTLINALLISM AND WHITE SUPREMACY.

AND I FELT THAT CONCEPT COULD RELATE WELL TO AN ART SHOW.

>> MENSA INVITED FRIENDS LIKE HEBREW BRENTLY TO CONTRIBUTE WORK.

WHILE WE WERE THERE ANOTHER ARTIST DROPPED IN.

>> CHICAGO'S OWN.

THIS IS FELONYIOUS' WORK.

>> IT IS A PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG EMMETT TILL AND HIS FATHER SOURCED FROM OLD PHOTOGRAPHS.

OTHER WORKS CHOSEN REFLECT HIS INTEREST IN GETTING MORE REPRESENTATION ON GALLERY WALLS.

>> A LOT OF HIS IDEOLOGY ALIGNS WITH THE GALLERY MAKING THINGS ACCESSIBLE AND MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE'S VOICES ARE HEARD AND EVERYONE'S VISIONS ARE AMPLIFIED.

[♪♪♪] >> MENSA'S VOICE WAS AMPLIFIED WHEN HE WAS A TEENAGER PERFORMING WITH KIDS THESE DAYS.

[♪♪♪] >> MORE RECENTLY THE HYDE PARK NATIVE COLLABORATED WITH CHANCE THE RAPPER AND STARTED A FOUNDATION SAVE MONEY SAVE LIFE OR SESL THAT AIMS TO HELP PEOPLE FROM CHICAGO AND THE REPUBLIC OF GUANA IN WEST AFRICA.

>> WE FOUNDED THAT ORGANIZATION IN 2018.

BASICALLY AS A VESSEL TO RESPOND CREATIVELY TO THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE PEOPLE.

THE GALLERY HAS BEEN SO GRACIOUS TO DONATE THEIR PERCENTAGE FROM THE SHOW TO SMSL FOR THE FORMATION OF AN ART PROGRAM IN GUANA.

I HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF THINGS IN GUANA.

MY FATHER ENTIRE HALF OF MY FAMILY LIVES THERE.

[♪♪♪] >> MY UNCLE IN GUANA WAS A LEGENDARY HIGHLIGHT MUSICIAN THE GROUP IS AN INTERNATIONAL BAND.

I GOT MUSIC IN MY BLOOD AND ART IN MY BLOOD.

QUOTE BY JAMES BALDWIN MOVES ME AND THAT IS KNOW FROM WINCE YOU CAME ABSOLUTELY THERE ARE NO LIMITATIONS TO WHERE YOU CAN GO.

AND THAT IS THE ETHOS OF WHAT WE ARE CREATING IN GUANA RIGHT NOW.

>> WE WORK WITH CURATORS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE OCCUPY THE ART SPACE, THE ART WORLD IT'S BEEN REFRESHING TO WORK WITH SOMEONE THAT EXISTS OUTSIDE OF THAT NARRATIVE.

>> I WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY THAT THE YOUTH HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.

>> WE HAVE IDEAS ABOUT IMAGINATION, ABOUT THE FUTURE.

WE HAVE INFLUENCED BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE PAST.

THAT IN THIS MOMENT OF YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE A CULMINATION OF SOCIETIES ILLS AND AMERICA'S MELTING POT OF WRONGDOING COMING TO A BOIL THAT IT'S ART AND IT'S POETRY AND IT'S FILM THAT WILL BE CARRYING THE BAGS YEN OF REVOLUTION AND WILL BE THE ONES IMAGINING AND DREAMING OF SOLUTIONS.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> VIC MENSA'S SHOW IS CALLED SKIN AND MASKS IT WILL BE AT THE GALLERY THROUGH SATURDAY.

THEY HAVE SEVERAL SPACES IN TOWN AND THIS IS IN THE WEST LOOP LOCATION AND YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. MILWAUKEE SET TO HOST THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION IN 2024 WE HAVE A LIVE REPORT AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> AND ARCHITECTURAL GEMS IN CHICAGO DESIGNED BY A PRAIRIE SCHOOL ARCHITECT WHO IS GETTING HIS DUE.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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