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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> I PERSONALLY APPROVED THE DECISION TO SEEK A SEARCH WARRANT IN THIS MATTER.

>> INSIDE U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND'S DECISION TO SPEAK OUT ON THE SEARCH WARRANT SERVED ON THE HOME OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> POLITICAL CONVENTIONS ARE UNIQUELY MA PHENOMENON.

>> MILWAUKEE IS SET TO HOST THE 2024RNC.

WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND MUCH MORE.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNS INTO LAW THE EXPANSION OF HEALTHCARE FOR MILITARY VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXIC CHEMICALS WE DISCUSS HOW THAT MIGHT HELP LOCAL VETS.

>> I'M SOPHIA KING AND I'M RUNNING FOR MAYOR.

>> ALDERWOMAN SOPHIA KING THROWS HER NAME IN THE RACE BECOMING THE SECOND BLACK WOMAN RUNNING FOR MAYOR.

>> TRANSIT IS STILL A NECESSARY AND VIBRANT PUBLIC GOOD FOR OUR REGION.

>> THE C.T.A.

'S PRESIDENT OUTLINES PLANS TO TACKLE SAFETY ISSUES, UNRELIABLE SCHEDULES AND STAFF SHORTAGES.

>> A LOOK AT PRAIRIE SCHOOL ARCHITECT GEORGE MAHER AND HIS INFLUENCE THAT CHICAGO REGION.

>> AND BRANDIS AND PARIS, I WILL BE REPORTING LIVE TONIGHT FROM MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, YES, I CROSSED THE STATE BORDER FOR OUR LATEST "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

WHY MILWAUKEE?

WELL IT IS IN 2024, JUST LEARNED THE CITY WILL BE HOSTING THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION.

BEATING OUT NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS FOR BUSINESSES AND PERHAPS WHY REPUBLICANS CHOSE TO COME TO MILWAUKEE ALL THAT COMING UP.

BUT FIRST, TOSSING IT BACK TO YOU.

>> AND IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN YOU ARE OUTSIDE THE MUSEUM THERE.

THANK YOU.

AND NOW FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND MAKES A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT RELATED TO THE UNPRECEDENTED F.B.I.

SEARCH OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S MAR-A-LAGO HOME.

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FILED A MOTION TO UNSEAL THE SEARCH WARRANT.

>> THE DEPARTMENT FILED THE MOTION TO MAKE PUBLIC THE WARRANT AND RECEIPT IN LIGHT OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S PUBLIC CONFIRMATION OF THE SEARCH, THE SURROUNDING CIRCUMSTANCES, AND THE SUBSTANTIAL PUBLIC INTEREST IN THIS MATTER.

>> AND A BRIEF NEWS CONFERENCE GARLAND SAID HE PERSONALLY APPROVED THE SEARCH WARRANT EXECUTED ON MONDAY.

HE HIT BACK AGAINST WHAT HE SAID WERE UNFOUNDED ATTACKS ON THE PROFESSIONALISM OF THE F.B.I.

AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AGENTS AND PROSECUTORS.

WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE IN JUST A MOMENT.

>> BALLY'S FILED AN APPLICATION FOR THE LICENSE OF THE PLANNED CHICAGO CASINO WITH THE GAMING BOARD T PLANS TO BUILD A CASINO COMPLEX IN RIVER WEST.

A PERMANENT CASINO IS NOT EXPECTED TO OPEN UNTIL 2026, PRIOR TO THAT BALLY'S PROPOSED A TEMPORARY CASINO AT ME DIANA TEMPLE.

AND CITY COUNCIL HAS GIVEN A GO-AHEAD TO BOTH PROPOSALS.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT TALKS UP HER ADMINISTRATION'S FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AS SHE MAKES A CASE FOR REELECTION.

SHE HAILED HER ADMINISTRATION'S SHRINKING OF THE CITY'S BUDGET GAP TO UNDER $128 MILLION FOR 2023.

AND TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO THROW A LITTLE BIT OF SHADE ON THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF HER PREDECESSOR RAHM EMANUEL OVER THE BUDGET GAP SHE SAYS SHE INHERITED.

>> I REMEMBER WALKING INTO A CONFERENCE ROOM IN OUR TRANSITION OFFICE.

AND I SAW A NUMBER ON THE WALL.

THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME, POINTED TO THE TRUE GAP THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE FACING COMING INTO THE ADMINISTRATION.

HONESTLY IT TOOK MY BREATH AWAY.

AND KNEW IT WAS BAD.

BUT WHEN WE FINALLY GOT THEM TO TELL US THE TRUTH, IT WAS STAGGERING.

AND WORSE, THERE WAS NO PLAN THAT THEY WERE LEAVING FOR US HOW TO ADDRESS IT.

>> UP NEXT, THE LATEST ON THE MOTION TO UNSEAL THE SEARCH WARRANT ON FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S HOME.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AS WE JUST MENTIONED U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LINCOLNWOOD NATIVE MERRICK GARLAND TOOK THE EXTRAORDINARY STEP OF COMMENTING ON THE SEARCH WARRANT EXECUTED BY FEDERAL AGENTS AT THE FLORIDA RESIDENCE OF DONALD TRUMP.

GARLAND SAYS THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FILED A MOTION TO HAVE THE WARRANT UNSEALED EVEN THOUGH TRUMP OR HIS ATTORNEYS COULD DO SO THEMSELVES.

GARLAND SAID HE HAD PERSONALLY SIGNED OFF ON THE DECISION TO SEEK THAT WARRANT.

GARLAND SPOKE TO THE LANGUAGE AND THREATS THAT FEDERAL AGENTS ARE RECEIVING.

>> I WILL NOT STAND BY SILENTLY WHEN THEIR INTEGRITY IS UNFAIRLY ATTACKED.

THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE F.B.I.

AND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ARE DEDICATED, PATRIOTIC PUBLIC SERVANTS.

EVERYDAY THEY PROTECT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FROM VIOLENT CRIME, TERRORISM, AND OTHER THREATS TO THEIR SAFETY WHILE SAFEGUARDING OUR CIVIL RIGHTS.

>> AND JOINING US IS ZACH FARDON, THE U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS AND NOW A PARTNER AT KING AND SPALDING.

WELCOME BACK.

AND IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU THIS WEEK.

YOU KNOW BETTER THAN ANYBODY THAT U.S.

ATTORNEYS ARE LOATHE TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT ANY INVESTIGATION UNTIL SOME SORT OF FORMAL CHARGES ARE BROUGHT.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL GARLAND'S MOVE TODAY AND THE SUBSTANCE OF WHAT HE SAID?

>> THANK YOU 0, PARIS.

I THINK IT WAS A GREAT MOVE TODAY.

I THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT.

IT IS UNUSUAL TO HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ABOUT A SEARCH WARRANT.

AS YOU KNOW, OFTEN U.S.

ATTORNEYS OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ABOUT A COURT EVENT LIKE AN INDICTMENT.

BUT TO HAVE ONE ABOUT A SEARCH WARRANT IS UNUSUAL BUT IT WAS HISTORIC AND IMPORTANT BECAUSE AG GARLAND WAS DOING THREE THINGS TODAY: THE FIRST WAS OWNING IT PERSONALLY.

AS YOU POINTED OUT HE STARTED BY SAYING I APPROVED THIS SEARCH WARRANT, NO ONE INCLUDING THE F.B.I.

WAS OFF THE RESERVATION ACTING ON THEIR OWN.

IF YOU WANT TO HOLD SOMEONE ACCOUNTABLE THAT IS ME.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT AG GARLAND STEPPED UP TODAY AND SAID IT.

THE SECOND THING HE DID WAS FORTIFIED THE JUDGMENT THE DECISION IN ESSENCE WE DON'T DO THIS LIGHTLY IT IS A BIG DEAL.

WE DO OUR JOBS WITHOUT FEAR OF FAVOR AND FAIR EVEN HANDED ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND THAT WAS OUR NORTH STAR.

HE DID NOT BACK AWAY AN INCH FROM THE JUDGMENT THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO DO THIS SEARCH AT MAR-A-LAGO.

AND THIRD AND MAYBE MOST IMPORTANTLY HE DEFENDED THE INTEGRITY OF THE MEN AND THE WOMEN OF THE F.B.I.

THE F.B.I.

SECRETARIES ACROSS THE -- SECRETARIES ACROSS AGENTS PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE DAY AFTER DAY TO PROTECT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND WITH LITTLE PAY AND ZERO FAN TEAR AND HE DEFENDED THAT PRINCIPLE TODAY.

I THINK IT WAS AN IMPORTANT MOMENT.

>> AND UNDER THREAT TO THEIR SAFETY RIGHT NOW.

AND THE DECISION TO PETITION THE COURT NOW TO UNSEAL THIS FEDERAL SEARCH WARRANT.

EVEN THOUGH AS MOST SEARCH WARRANTS, TRUMP HAS IT IN HIS POSSESSION HE COULD DO IT.

IS THIS SOMEHOW CALLING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BLUFF HERE?

MAYBE DARING HIS LAWYERS TO TRY AND BLOCK RELEASING THIS SEARCH WARRANT?

>> I DON'T SEE IT AS THAT.

I SEE IT AS A DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE FACT THAT Mr. TRUMP DECIDED TO MAKE PUBLIC THE FACT OF THE SEARCH AND THAT HAS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT FALLOUT AND WITH THAT PUBLIC INTEREST IN KNOWING THE WHY, THE BASIS FOR THE SEARCH.

Mr. TRUMP AND HIS LAWYERS THERE ARE THREE PIECES TO A SEARCH WARRANT.

THE SEARCH WARRANT ITSELF.

A SIMPLE FORMAT SINGLE PAGE ORDER.

THE INVENTORY WHICH IS A LISTING OF THE ITEMS SEIZED.

BUT THE THIRD AND MEATIEST PART OF IT IS THE AFFIDAVIT.

THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS LEFT BEHIND IN A SEARCH.

SO I DON'T PRESUME THAT HE OR HIS LAWYERS HAVE ACTUALLY SEEN THAT.

AND THAT IS THE DOCUMENT WHERE AN AGENT UNDER OATH WILL HAVE TESTIFIED ABOUT WHAT EVIDENCE THEY HAVE THAT A CRIME WAS COMMITTED AND THEY HAVE TO HAVE PROBABLE CAUSE.

AND WHAT EVIDENCE THEY THINK THEY WILL FIND IN Mr. TRUMP'S HOME TO SUPPORT THAT CRIME.

AND SO THAT, I THINK, THE AG SIMPLY MADE THE DECISION THAT THERE'S NO ONGOING NEED FOR SECRECY AROUND THAT INFORMATION IN THE AFFIDAVIT.

AND IN LIGHT OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST STIRRED BY Mr. TRUMP'S COMMENTS ABOUT THE SEARCH, IT MAKES SENSE TO QUICKLY SEEK TO UNSEAL THIS.

>> SO THE AFFIDAVIT WOULD GIVE MORE CLUES AS TO WHAT THE INVESTIGATION IS ALL ABOUT.

THE SEARCH WARRANT IS GOING TO SHOW A LIST OF THINGS THAT THEY TOOK.

WOULD THERE BE A CHANCE IF THIS IS SENSITIVE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION THAT THAT MIGHT BE BLACKED OUT?

>> SURE.

ALTHOUGH YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT TYPICALLY IN THE INVENTORY THAT IT WOULD GO INTO THE SUBSTANCE.

SAY FOR EXAMPLE THERE IS A MEMO MARKED TOP SECRET.

YOU WOULD EXPECT THE INVENTORY TO REFLECT 10-PAGE MEMO MARKED TOP SECRET AND NOT THE SUBSTANCE OF WHAT IS IN THE TOP SECRET DOCUMENT.

PROBABLY WON'T BE NECESSARY TO REDACT THE INVENTORY BUT IF IT IS THEY WOULD.

>> AND THE FACT THAT GARLAND REVEALS THEY TRIED ANY UNOBTRUSIVE METHOD THEY DON'T WANT TO RESORT TO THIS.

THERE'S REPORTING THERE WERE TALKS FOR MONTHS AND THERE WAS A SUBPOENA.

THE FACT THIS ACTION WAS TAKEN AND GARLAND SPOKE OUT ABOUT THAT A RARE MOVE.

DOES IT TELL YOU WHATEVER THEY ARE INVESTIGATING, IS, INDEED, SERIOUS AND COULD POSSIBLY INVOLVE NATIONAL SECURITY IMPLICATIONS?

>> YES.

THE ANSWER TO THAT.

IT CERTAINLY SPEAKS TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS SITUATION.

NO ONE WOULD LIGHTLY SEEK AND EXECUTE A SEARCH WARRANT FOR A FORMER UNITED STATES PRESIDENT'S HOME AND I DO THINK THAT WE HAVE NOT KNOWN AND STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HISTORY OF THOSE EFFORTS TO RECOVER THAT EVIDENCE WERE.

WE'RE SPECULATING ABOUT THE NATURE.

THE EVIDENCE RELATED TO CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS.

BUT I DO THINK THIS FOCUSING ON THAT ISSUE WHICH IS THE EDUCATED SPECULATION, DOCUMENTS ARE CLASSIFIED FOR A REASON.

THEY RELATE TO TRIGGER SERIOUS NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS AND CONCERNS, SOMETIMES PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY INTERESTS AND CONCERNS.

AND THAT'S WHY IT'S COMING FROM SOMEBODY WHO HAD A TOP SECRET SECURITY CLEARANCE FOR A DOZEN YEARS YOU HAVE TO TAKE THAT GRAVELY SERIOUS.

AND THE RULES AROUND WHEN YOU CAN AND CAN'T MOVE AND SHARE THOSE DOCUMENTS GRAVELY SERIOUSLY.

IT IS A FELONY TO VIOLATE THOSE RULES.

MY SPECULATION IS THAT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS GIVEN THIS EVERY BIT OF THE SERIOUSNESS IT DESERVES AND THEY DID MAKE THE EFFORTS TO OBTAIN IT THROUGH OTHER MEANS BOTH VOLUNTARY REQUESTS AND A SUBPOENA PROCESS AND FELT IT NECESSARY FOR WHATEVER REASON AND HOPEFULLY, YES, THE AFFIDAVIT WILL HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT TO RESORT TO A SEARCH WARRANT WHICH IS AN EXTRAORDINARY MEASURE.

>> CERTAINLYLY AN EXTRAORDINARY CASE THAT GROWS MORE EXTRAORDINARY BY THE DAY.

OUR THANKS TO YOU ZACH FARDON FOR SHEDDING LIGHT ON THIS.

THANK YOU.

>> CHICAGO IS WAITING TO SEE WHETHER DEMOCRAT ALSO CHOOSE THIS CITY OVER ATLANTA, HOUSTON OR NEW YORK AS THE HOST CITY FOR THE PARTY'S 2024 CONVENTION.

BUT REPUBLICANS HAVE ALREADY MADE THEIR SELECTION, MILWAUKEE.

OUR AMANDA VINICKY AND ACACIA HERNANDEZ SPENT THE DAY IN MILWAUKEE AND OUR NEIGHBOR TO THE NORTH TALKING TO THE PEOPLE ABOUT THE UPCOMING CONVENTION, ALL PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

AMANDA JOINS US LIVE FROM ALONG THE MILWAUKEE LAKEFRONT.

AMANDA?

>> YES, BRANDIS, AND IT IS A GORGEOUS NIGHT FOR THIS SORT OF PERFECT MIDWESTERN SUMMER WEATHER THAT MILWAUKEE LEADERS ARE HOPING TO SHOW OFF A COUPLE YEARS FROM NOW WHEN THOUSANDS OF REPUBLICANS AND PROBABLY JUST AS MANY JOURNALISTS DESCEND ON THEIR CITY.

>> I THINK THAT ANYTIME THAT YOU ANNOUNCE YOU'RE HOSTING SOMETHING LIKE THIS, DEVELOPERS AUTOMATICALLY BECOME INTERESTED IN THE CITY.

SO WE'RE UNDERWAY FOR A $220 MILLION EXPANSION OF OUR CONVENTION CENTER.

>> THAT EXPANSION IS SET TO BE FINISHED IN THE BEGINNING OF 2024.

AND THERE WILL BE SOME RNC EVENTED HOSTED THERE.

BUT THE MAIN EVENT WILL BE AT THE PFIZER FORUM HOME TO THE WELL, 21 CHAMPIONSHIP NBA MILWAUKEE BUCS.

THE FORUM THAT ARENA WOULD HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH DEMOCRATS.

NOT REPUBLICANS.

DEMOCRATS CHOSE MILWAUKEE FOR THE 2020DNC.

BUT THEN COVID HIT AND THE CONVENTION WENT VIRTUAL.

THE CITY'S COMMISSIONER LAFAYETTE CRUMP IS EXCITED THAT HIS HOMETOWN IS GETTING ANOTHER SWING.

AND BECAUSE MILWAUKEE WAS ALREADY TO PUT ON THE DNC HE SAYS IT'S NEARLY TURN KEY.

HE SAYS IT IS NOTABLE THAT MILWAUKEE WAS CHOSEN TWO ELECTION CYCLES BY TWO DIFFERENT PARTIES.

>> I THINK IT IS A FEW THINGS.

I THINK IT'S CERTAINLY THE FACT THAT WHEN YOU ARE CONSIDERING WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A POLITICAL CONVENTION IT'S WORTH CONSIDERING ARE YOU GOING TO BE IN A SWING STATE?

IT'S THAT THOUGHT OF YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE THERE, YOU ARE GETTING MORE ATTENTION IN WISCONSIN WHICH IS GOING TO BE ONE.

PIVOTAL STATES IN 20 24.

AND I THINK BOTH PARTIES WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE, GET THAT ATTENTION.

>> OF COURSE THAT POLITICAL DIVIDE IS ALSO WHY NOT EVERYONE IN THIS LARGELY LIBERAL CITY, ALL THAT EXCITED ABOUT THE RNC.

CRUMP SAID THERE IS A VOCAL MINORITY OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO LAYOUT THE WELCOME MATT TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> IT'S INCUMBENT ON US TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CONCERNS PEOPLE HAVE ARE ADDRESSED THAT WE'RE SAFE, THAT THERE IS APPROPRIATE PROTEST ZONES AND PEOPLE CAN EXERCISE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

IF PEOPLE WANT TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES WHO HAVE DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WHAT BETTER PLACE TO HAVE THE CONVENTION THAN RIGHT HERE FOR YOU TO GET ATTENTION ON THOSE MATTERS.

THESE POLITICAL CONVENTIONS ARE UNIQUELY AMERICAN PHENOMENON.

AND THEY BRING WITH THEM NOT JUST THE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE BUT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD.

>> MILWAUKEE'S MAYOR IS A NEWLY ELECTED DEMOCRAT BUT FOUGHT FOR THE RNC TO COME HERE.

WILLIAMS SMITH SAYS MILWAUKEE HOSTS ALL SORTS OF CONVENTIONS AND THEY MAY NOT ALWAYS BE WHAT SHE IS INTO OR AGREES WITH, BUT THAT'S NOT THE JOB.

>> OUR JOB IS TO BRING THE VISITORS TO THE CITY.

AND WHEN YOU CAN BRING A CONVENTION THAT WILL BRING 15,000 JOURNALISTS IN THE CITY TO TELL THE STORY OF OUR CITY AND REGION AND THE STATE [INAUDIBLE] >> NOT TO MENTION THE ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES PEGGED AT $200 MILLION.

THERE ARE SURE TO BE SOME CITY SWAB BELLS OVER JUST WHAT IT IS WHO IS GOING TO BENEFIT.

CRUMP AND WILLIAMS SAY THE CONTRACTS THAT MILWAUKEE HAS WITH THE RNC GUARANTEES THERE WILL BE BUSINESS TO LOCAL AND TO DIVERSE VENDORS.

>> COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW PEOPLE CAN GET INVOLVED AND MAKE MONEY FROM US BEING ABLE TO HOST THIS CONVENTION.

IT'S FOOD ON THE CONVENTION FLOOR.

THEY WANT A TASTE OF MILWAUKEE.

A WANT A REPRESENTATION OF ALL THE FOOD THAT MILWAUKEE HAS TO OFFER.

IT'S PRINTING, IT'S CONSTRUCTION, THE TRADES, IT'S EVERYTHING.

YOU KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE SO MUCH THAT IS GOING ON.

IT'S VENT VENUES BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PARTIES.

>> THE HOPE IS THAT ONCE MILWAUKEE GETS ITS CHANCE TO SHINE ON THE WORLD STAGE THAT PARTY WILL GO ON FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.

>> WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE CONVENTION?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ADDITIONAL ORGANIZATIONS DECIDE WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT MILWAUKEE NOW BECAUSE WE SAW HOW THEY HAMMED THIS.

HANDLED THIS.

THE RNC BEING HERE DIRECT RESULT OF WHAT WE PREPARED FOR WITH THE DNC.

AND YOU SEE IT IN OTHER CITIES THAT ATTRACT MAJOR, MAJOR EVENTS AFTER HAVING A MAJOR POLITICAL CONVENTION.

AND WE EXPECT THAT TO HAPPEN HERE, TOO.

IT'S GOING TO ELEVATE THE GAME OF WORKERS OF BUSINESSES.

EVERYBODY IS GOING TO BE MORE PREPARED THAN THEY ONCE WERE BECAUSE THIS CONVENTION IS HAPPENING.

>> WHICH IS WHY, OF COURSE, ACROSS THE CHEESE CURTAIN, THE ILLINOIS BORDER, CHICAGO IS FIGHTING SO HARD TO WIN THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.

THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT DEMOCRATS ARE NOT SET TO DECIDE WHICH CITY WILL HOST THE DNC UNTIL AFTER THIS NOVEMBER'S ELECTIONS.

WE WILL BE BACK TO TALK ABOUT WISCONSIN POLITICS.

FOR NOW BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>> THANK YOU, SEE YOU SOON.

>> .

>> MILITARY VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXIC CHEMICALS ARE GETTING HELP FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE FORM OF THE PACT ACT.

IT ALLOWS VETS TO RECEIVE CARE WITHOUT HAVING TO PROVE THAT THEIR ILLNESS WAS A RESULT OF THEIR TOXIC EXPOSURE DURING SERVICE.

ON WEDNESDAY, PRESIDENT BIDEN TALKED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF TOXIC EXPOSURE ON VETERANS.

>> WHEN THEY CAME HOME MANY OF THE FIGHT FITTEST AND BEST WARRIORS WE SENT TO WAR WERE NOT THE SAME: HEADACHES, NUMBNESS, DIZTINESS, CANCER.

MY SON BEAU WAS ONE OF THEM.

>> JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF THE BILL ARE YELENA DUTERTE, DIRECTOR OF THE VETERANS LEGAL CLINIC AT UIC LAW.

Dr. MICHAEL RICHARDSON THE ACTING CHIEF OF STAFF OF BEHIND V.A.

HOSPITAL.

MICHAEL DUFF A U.S. ARMY VETERAN AND ILLINOIS STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEPHANIE KIFOWIT WHO REPRESENTATIVES AURORA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AND SERVED IN THE U.S. MARINE CORPS.

YELENA DUTERTE LET'S START WITH YOU.

EXPLAIN FOR US WHAT THE PACT ACT IS AND WHAT IT DOES?

>> IT DOES SO MUCH.

THE BIG THING THE PACT ACT DOES IS IT RECOGNIZES CONDITIONS RELATED TO THE BURN PITS ALL AROUND THE MIDDLE EAST OF MIDDLE EAST.

SO THE VETERAN DOESN'T HAVE TO PROVE THAT IT WAS RELATED TO THAT EXPOSURE.

IT ALSO HELPS VIETNAM ERA VETERANS WHICH I THINK IS VERY UNDERSTATED RIGHT NOW.

BECAUSE THE BURN PITS HAVE BEEN THE MAIN FOCUS.

>> AND QUICKLY FOR OUR VIEWERS, TELL US WHAT IS A BURN PIT IS?

>> IN AFGHANISTAN, AND IRAQ THEY WERE BURNING EVERYTHING, ANYTHING THAT WAS GARBAGE, FECES, AND THEY WERE BURNING IT BECAUSE THEY NEEDED TO GET RID OF IT.

AND IT WAS IMPACTING SERVICE MEMBERS.

>> MICHAEL DUFF YOU SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMY AFTER EN LICKS IN 2001.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

WHEN DID YOU START TO NOTICE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES FROM YOUR TIME SERVING?

>> ACTUALLY MY DEPLOYMENT WHEN I WAS IN IRAQ AS SOON AS I GOT HOME I FINISHED MY LEAVE AND I GOT TERMINALLY LEAVE I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CARCINOMA.

THAT WAS MY FIRST CANCER.

AND NOW IN 2018 I'M DIAGNOSED WITH A RARE FORM OF THE PROSTATE CANCER WHICH IS TERMINAL.

BOTH IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, JUST PRETTY MUCH LIKE BURNING PLASTIC THAT IS THE WAY IT IS.

WE DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THOSE THINGS BACK THEN.

>> AND WE'RE SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR DIAGNOSES AS WELL.

WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE IN GETTING DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT FOR THOSE?

>> MY FIRST CANCER THE V.A.

DID PICK FOR EVERYTHING EVEN THOUGH I SEEKED TREATMENT OUTSIDE OF THE V.A.

OFFICES SPECIFICALLY.

AND THAT IS JUST BECAUSE AT THAT TIME THERE WAS A GLUT OF VETERANS AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE FLASH TO BANG FROM THE POINT YOU WOULD WANT TO GET AN APPOINTMENT TO SOMETHING THAT WOULD NEED TO BE DONE WAS EXTENSIVE AT THAT TIME.

AND THAT WAS VERY DIFFICULT WHEN YOU'RE FACING CANCER THAT YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO SURVIVE OR NOT.

MY MOST RECENT CANCER IT TRULY IS LIFE OR DEATH.

I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND A WIFE.

AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO CALL THE V.A.

IN JANUARY AND GET AN APPOINTMENT IN SEPTEMBER.

MY TIMELINE IS MUCH MORE ADVANCED THAN THAT.

>> Dr. RICHARDSON WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS AND ILLNESSES EXPERIENCED FROM PATIENTS IMPACTED BY TOXIC EXPOSURE?

>> I THINK THE THING THAT WE'RE PROBABLY MOST KNOWN WERE CANCERS OF THE RESPIRATORY TRACK AND SHORTNESS OF THE BREATH, BRONCHITIS.

THERE WERE BRAIN CANCERS AND HEADACHES, AND DIZZINESS AND INABILITY TO WALK AND SIT.

AND THERE WERE GI CANCERS.

YOU HAD DIFFICULTY EATING, VOMITING.

AND THEREFORE YOU CAN SEE MANY VETERANS WERE INVOLVED.

AND MULTIPLE ISSUES OCCURRED.

WHAT YOU HEARD IS THEY OCCURRED IN PEOPLE WHO ARE YOUNG AND NOT EXPECTED TO HAVE CANCERS AND THIS WAS DEFINITELY CONCERNING.

THE BURN PIT EXPOSURE TO BURN PITS, WAS UNIVERSAL NOT JUST IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ BUT ALSO THERE WAS SOME IN SOME OF THE SOUTHEAST ASIA DEPLOYMENT.

AND THEREFORE IF THE PACT EXPANDS THE PRESUMPTIVE DIAGNOSIS OF MANY OF THE CANCERS AND ALSO MAKES THE ELIGIBILITY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT NECESSARILY ONLY IN IRAQ, BUT IN VIETNAM, AGENT ORANGE AND ALSO IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.

IT WIDELY EXPANDS THE VETERANS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE AND CAN RECEIVE CARE THROUGH THE V.A.

SYSTEM.

>> STEPHANIE KIFOWIT WHAT SHOULD VETERANS IN ILLINOIS BE KEEPING IN MIND MAKING CLAIMS?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.

ILLINOIS' HOME TO 560,000 VETERANS AND THE NUMBER ONE THING WE NEED TO STRESS IS THEY NEED TO CONNECT WITH AN ACCREDITED ORGANIZATION.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HAVE VETERANS SERVICE OFFICERS AND COUNTIES HAVE ASSISTANT CENTERS.

AND IN ILLINOIS, ALL SERVICES ARE FREE TO VETERANS.

I WANT TO CAUTION THEY SHOULD NOT FALL PREY TO SOMEBODY THAT WILL CHARGE THEM MONEY.

WE DO APPEALS AND THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE FOR ALL THIS IS TO CONTACT A VSO OR COUNTY VAC OR AMERICAN LEGION A VFW THAT IS ACCREDITED TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE WITH THE RIGHT PERSON.

>> YELENA DUTERTE HOW SIGNIFICANT IS THIS ACT?

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THIS WAS ADDRESSED?

>> SO, I THINK THIS ACT IS ALMOST AS BIG AS THE 1991 AGENT ORANGE ACT.

IT FEELS THAT BIG WHERE CONGRESS IS RECOGNIZING THE IMPACT THAT TOXINS HAVE ON OUR SERVICE MEMBERS.

AND SO I THINK THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES THAT THE CONGRESS AND THE V.A.

HAVE COME TOGETHER AND MADE SURE WE'RE TAKING CARE OF OUR SERVICE MEMBERS.

>> MICHAEL DUFF WHAT DO YOU HOPE COMES OUT OF THE ACT NOW THAT IT'S LAW?

>> WELL, I HONESTLY I HOPE EVEN THOUGH IT MAYBE A LITTLE LONG IN THE TOOTH FOR ME THERE'S LOTS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SYSTEM THAT IS CONVOLUTED IT IS NOT A PERSONAL SERVICE SYSTEM.

IT IS A RESPOND TO QUERY NOT AN ENGAGE TO QUERY.

IN OTHER WORDS IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE YOU HAVE TO BRING IT TO THEIR ATTENTION IN THE PROPER MANNER OTHERWISE IT DOESN'T GET ADDRESSED.

WITH THIS HAPPENING IN PRESUMPTIVE THAT WEIGHS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD HAVE PAPERWORK, APPEALS, AND HEARINGS AND THINGS TO PUSH COMPLETELY THROUGH THAT.

I KNOW PERSONALLY A LOT OF VETERANS THAT HAVE ILLNESSES RELATED TO THEIR SERVICE THAT IT'S TOO DIFFICULT TO GET IT THROUGH THE V.A.

SO THEY WILL GO SOMEWHERE ELSE OR THEY WON'T TREAT IT.

THAT IS A SHAME.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD ADDRESS.

I HOPE IT LIVES UP TO WHAT ITS NAME IS.

>> TO THAT END, DOCTOR, HOW WILL HEALTHCARE FACILITIES BE ABLE TO MEET THE DEMAND OF PROVIDING CARE FOR VETERANS NOW THAT SO MANY MORE HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UNDER THE COVERAGE?

>> EXCELLENT QUESTION.

I THINK THERE IS A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT IN THE PACT ACT AS WELL AS WHAT THE V.A.

ORGANIZATIONS ARE DOING.

FIRST OF ALL, REMEMBER THE V.A., THE VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO INVOLVED IN THIS AS THE VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.

AND WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THROUGH THE PACT ACT AS WELL, RESOURCES TO EXPAND BOTH PERSONNEL AND ABILITIES TO REACH OUT TO VETERANS SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO WAIT FOR A VETERAN GOING TO COME IN AND SAY THEY HAVE A PROBLEM.

AND THEY CAN AND IS YOUR YOU VAIVING SPOUSES COULD.

I HOPE THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN BUT THEY CAN COME AND COME TO THE V.A.

OR VHA.

WE AT THE V.A.

AND HEINZ A MAJOR ONE FACILITY IN CHICAGO IS GOING TO REACH OUT TO OUR VETERANS AND SAY TO THEM IF YOU HAVE THESE ISSUES COME AND GET EVALUATED AND HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO TO 800 NUMBER OR THROUGH A WEBSITE.

OR CONTACT YOUR PHYSICIAN AT THE V.A.

WE WANT TO BE PRO-ACTIVE AND NOT JUST WAIT UNTIL THEY COME.

GIVE US RESOURCES THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND AND TRAIN ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING IN THE AREA.

>> REPRESENTATIVE STEPHANIE KIFOWIT WHAT OTHER SUPPORTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE VETERANS HAVE?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT VETERANS WILL GET A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE AMERICAN LEGIONS AND THE VFW'S THAT WORKED SO HARD FOR THIS LEGISLATION.

I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH THAT THE STATE IS FUNDING OUR VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS OUR COUNTY VAC'S AND THE AMERICAN LEGIONS THEY ARE HERE FOR OUR VETERANS.

OUR DAV'S AND ALL THOSE ORGANIZATIONS ARE THERE FOR OUR VETERANS.

AS THE CHAIR OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, ILLINOIS TAKES OUR VETERANS VERY SERIOUSLY.

MYSELF AS A VETERAN.

AND WE'RE HERE TO HELP OUT.

>> AND THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YELENA DUTERTE, Dr. MICHAEL RICHARDSON, ILLINOIS STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEPHANIE KIFOWIT AND MICHAEL DUFF AND BEST OF LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

>> UP NEXT, A VISIT TO ARCHITECTURAL GEMS IN AND AROUND CHICAGO.

STAY WITH US.

>> THE INDUSTRY OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT IS FRONT AND CENTER WHEN IT COMES TO PRAIRIE SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE.

BUT OTHERS MADE IMPACTS AS WELL.

A GROUP IS TURNING THE SPOTLIGHT ON GEORGE WASHINGTON MAIER, A DESIGNER OF BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT THE MIDWEST.

MARC VITALI HAS THE STORY.

>> AT PLEASANT STREET AND HOME AVENUE STANDS PLEASANT HOME FOR THE JOHN FAR SON HOUSE.

THE PRAIRIE FILE RESIDENCE WAS COMPLETED IN 1897 AND IS A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK.

>> A LOT OF PRAIRIE SCHOOL DESIGN EARLY PRAIRIE SCHOOL ESPECIALLY WAS DEVOID OF EXTRANEOUS ORNAMENTATION.

AND THAT WAS NOT TYPICAL OF WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF FOR PRAIRIE SCHOOL WORK LIKE BY FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT.

>> PLEASANT HOME WAS DESIGNED BY A CONTEMPORARY OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT.

GEORGE MAHER.

>> PLEASANT HOME WAS THE FIRST FORRAY INTO PRAIRIE SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE AND ONE OF THE EARLIEST EXAMPLES.

AND WHEN IT WAS BUILT IN 1897 IT WAS COPIED ACROSS THE MIDWEST FROM OTHER ARCHITECTS BECAUSE IT WAS GROUNDBREAKING NOT JUST THE EXTERIOR LOOK, BUT THE INTERIOR DESIGN THAT OPEN AND FLOWING SPACES THAT OBVIOUSLY HE AND WRIGHT HAVE THAT IN COMMON.

>> GEORGE MAHER BUILDINGS ARE ALL OVER THE REREGION.

THIS IS IN EAST GARFIELD PARK.

AND THERE IS A GROUP OF RESIDENCES IN THE BAUNNA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD EACH FILLED WITH FINE CRAFTSMAN SHIP AND DETAILS.

GEORGE MAHER DESIGNED HIS OWN HOME IN KENILWORTH ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.

SOME OF HIS WORK BORROWED FROM THE ENGLISH ARTS AND CRAFTS MOVEMENT.

OTHER BUILDINGS HAD A CEMETERY UNCOMMON TO THE PRAIRIE SCHOOL OR TOUCHES THAT SHOWED THE INFLUENCE OF LOUIE SULLIVAN.

>> HE GETS LUMPED IN WITH PRAIRIE SCHOOL ARCHITECTS A LOT OF HIS CAREER HE DID DESIGN PRAIRIE HOUSES OR PRAIRIE LEANING HOUSES.

BUT A LOT OF THE ELEMENTS HE INCORPORATED WERE EUROPEAN IN ORIGIN.

AND HE WAS ALWAYS VERY INTO EUROPEAN ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN.

THAT IS ONE OF THE MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HIM AND WRIGHT.

SIMILARLY, THEY ADVOCATED FOR AN INDIGENOUS AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE.

THEY PRACTICED TO DEVELOP IT.

BUT IT'S VERY OBVIOUS THE BORROWINGS FROM EUROPEAN DESIGNS AND YOU WILL SEE THAT AS HIS CAREER EVOLVED YOU WILL SEE MORE AND MORE OF THAT.

>> THE PLEASANT HOME FOUNDATION LAUNCHED THE GEORGE MAHER SOCIETY WHOSE MISSION IS TO DOCUMENT GEORGE MAHER DESIGNS AND PRESERVE HIS LEGACY.

KEVIN BROWN LIVES IN A GEORGE MAHER HOUSE THAT IS RENOVATING IN BLUE ISLAND.

>> WE ARE ONE OF THE LUCKY HANDFUL OF PEOPLE THAT GETS TO LIVE IN ONE OF HIS DESIGNS.

IT'S LIKE LIVING IN A WORK OF ART.

>> GEORGE MAHER DID INSTITUTIONAL DESIGN.

IT STILL STANDS IN GARY, INDIANA.

SOME DESIGNS HAVE NOT SURVIVED LIKE PATTON GYMNASIUM ON THE CAMPUS OF NORTHWESTERN AND THIS MANSION.

GEORGE MAHER'S CHICAGO TOWN AND TENNIS CENTER WAS DEMOLISHED IN JUNE OF 2020.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF BUILDINGS AND HOUSES PEOPLE WALK BY AND THEY DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY OF THEM OR THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THEM.

AND WE WANT TO SHINE A LIGHT ON THESE COMMUNITIES.

SEE WHERE THEY'VE BEEN WHERE THEY ARE AT AND WHERE THEY ARE GOING.

>> GEORGE MAHER'S CAREER WAS CUT SHORT WHEN HE TOOK HIS LIFE AFTER HIS HEALTH DECLINED.

HIS SON TOOK OVER THE BUSINESS AND HAD A SUCCESSFUL CAREER AS AN ARCHITECT.

>> FAMILY WAS IMPORTANT TO HIM.

THE CLIENT WAS IMPORTANT TO HIM.

THEIR TASTES THE WAY THEY LIVED EVERY EVERYDAY LIVES WAS IMPORTANT TO HIM.

HE WANTED TO CREATE A DEMOCRATIC ARCHITECTURE FOR THE PEOPLE.

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

>> AND YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE NEWLY FORMED GEORGE MAHER SOCIETY AND PLEASANT HOME ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... ANOTHER MAYORAL CANDIDATE ADDS HER NAME TO THE RACE HOPING TO UNDEET LORI LIGHTFOOT.

DETAILS AND ON THE AFSCME'S PLAN TO TACKLE SECURITY ISSUES UNRELIABLE SERVICE AND A SHORTFALL OF BUS AND TRAIN OPERATORS.

AND THE OWNER OF A FROZEN CUSTARD EATERY CELEBRATES THE SHOP'S 80TH ANNIVERSARY FROM MILWAUKEE AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY NAMES A NEW PRESIDENT.

CURRENT UNIVERSITY OF OREGON PRESIDENT SCHILL WILL BECOME NORTHWESTERN'S 17TH PRESIDENT IN THE FALL.

MORTON SHARP ROW ANNOUNCED HIS DEPARTURE A YEAR BAG.

REB REB WAS NAMED REB DA BLANK WAS SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AND WOULD BE UNABLE TO STEP INTO THE JOB.

>> THE PLANNED ENGLEWOOD NATURE TRAIL GETS A $20 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT.

THE PROJECT WILL CONVERT A ONE AND THREE QUARTER MILE LONG ABANDONED RAILWAY QUARTER INTO WALKING AND BIKING TRAILS.

THE GRANT WAS AWARDED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNDER A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP COMMUNITIES CARRY OUT INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS WITH A SIGNIFICANT LOCAL IMPACT.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT HAS CALLED THE EQUITY FOCUSED INVESTMENT QUOTE A MAJOR CATALYST FOR REVITALIZATION.

>> AND THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR IS NOW OPEN.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER OUTGOING SECRETARY OF STATE WHITE AND OTHER DIGNITARIES TOOK PART IN THE RIBBON CUTTING.

PRITZKER HIGHLIGHTED CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FAIR.

>> WHEN YOU ENTER THE FAIRGROUNDS THIS YEAR, THINGS ARE GOING TO LOOK A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THIS TIME AROUND.

THERE ARE A GREAT BUNCH OF NEW EXHIBITS.

EVERYTHING FROM DINOSAURS TO 3D PRINTED BUTTER COWS.

AND JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, NEWLY PAVED ROADS AND RENOVATED BUILDINGS THAT WILL MAKE THE FAIRGROUNDS A GREAT DESTINATION FOR MANY, MANY YEARS TO COME.

>> WOULDN'T BY A FAIR WITHOUT THE BUTTER COW.

AND NOW TO PARIS WITH THE LATEST CANDIDATE TO ENTER THE RACE FOR CHICAGO'S MAYOR.

>> A HYDE PARK ALDERWOMAN ADDED HER NAME IN WHAT IS GOING TO BE A CROWDED MAYORAL RACE N HER CAMPAIGN VIDEO, SOPHIA KING EMPHASIZED HER VISION FOR A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH AS OPPOSED TO LIGHTFOOT'S CONFRONTATIONAL APPROACH.

SHE IS THE SECOND BLACK WOMAN TO RUN IN THIS UP COMING ELECTION BESIDES THE MAYOR HERSELF.

AND JOINING US IS ALDERWOMAN AND CANDIDATE FOR CHICAGO MAYOR SOPHIA KING.

ALDERWOMAN KING THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

YOU HAVE BEEN SERVING THE -- >> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> IT'S GOOD TO SEE.

YOU'VE SERVED THE FOURTH WARD SINCE 2016.

GIVEN THIS CROWDED FIELD WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO THROW YOUR HAT IN THE RING?

>> LISTENS, PARIS, THE CITY IS IN A PIVOTAL POSITION.

I THINK WE ARE IN A CRISIS.

CRIME IS OUT OF CONTROL.

TENSIONS ARE HIGH.

AND I LOVE THE CITY.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO CAN BRING US TOGETHER.

WE NEED A CHICAGO AGAIN THAT IS SAFER AND STRONGER AND WE NEED TO PUT AN END TO THE FALSE CHOICES THE FALSE NARRATIVE THAT IS OUT THERE BECAUSE WE CAN HAVE SAFETY AND JUSTICE, COMPASSION AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE CAN REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN AND OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

SO THE POWER OF AND IS GOING TO BE PARAMOUNT IN OUR CAMPAIGN AND I THINK I CAN BRING THAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP THAT CAN BRING US TOGETHER AND SO OUR CITY CAN GO FURTHER TOGETHER.

>> A MORE COLLABORATIVE APPROACH.

THE CURRENT MAYOR'S APPROACH HAS RUFFLED A LOT OF FEATHERS.

ARE THEIR EXAMPLES THAT YOU CAN POINT TO THAT DISPLAY A MORE COLLABORATIVE APPROACH OR WHAT YOUR APPROACH WOULD BE?

>> CERTAINLY.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS.

AS CHAIR OF THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS, I HAVE TO COLLABORATE WITH A DIVERSE GROUP OF ALDERMEN.

WHITE, BLACK, LATINO, BROUGHT US TOGETHER IN MANY WAYS.

I WAS THE LEAD SPONSOR FOR THE $15 MINIMUM WAGE HIKE.

BROUGHT US TOGETHER FOR THAT.

I BROUGHT US TOGETHER TO BRING CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT ACROSS THE LINE.

I MOST RECENTLY HAVE LED THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE FORMER MICHAEL REERS SITE NOW CALLED BRONZEVILLE LAKEFRONT HERALDED AS ONE OF THE MOST EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENTS THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY.

AND I DID THAT BY BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

WE WENT OUT, FORMED AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

I GOT PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE NOT NECESSARILY FOR REDEVELOPING THE SITE.

I BROUGHT THEIR VOICES TO THE TABLE.

AND THEN WE CAME OUT WITH THE DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS A $25 MILLION COMMITMENT FOR SCHOOLS, $10 MILLION COMMITMENT FOR BRONZEVILLE, THE NEXT MUSEUM, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, 20% ON-SITE.

YOU KNOW, COMMITMENT TO OVER 60% MINORITY CONTRACTS.

AND A COMMITMENT TO SMALL BUSINESSES TO LOWER THEIR RENTS SO THAT WE CAN HAVE SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE NEW DEVELOPMENT.

AND ALL THAT WAS DONE WITH COLLABORATION.

PARIS, I ALSO REPRESENT FROM DOWNTOWN TO CHICAGO WITH BRONZEVILLE IN THE MIDDLE, WE HAVE SOME OF THE CITY'S BIGGEST ASSETS AND GRANT PARK, NORTHERLY ISLAND, THE MUSEUM CAMPUS, SOLDIER FIELD.

I HAVE FOUR TIMES AS MUCH LAKEFRONT AS ANY OTHER ALDERMAN.

SO ALL OF THESE THINGS, YOU KNOW, SHOW HOW I COULD LEAD THE CITY.

>> I WANT TO GET TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LAKEFRONT ASSETS.

MICHAEL REESE, THE HOSPITAL SITE THAT SAT VACANT.

AND PUBLIC SAFETY TOP ON THE ISSUE OF CHICAGO VOTERS.

YOU SAID YOU WOULD FIRE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN.

WHAT APPROACH -- >> I HONESTLY SAID HOWEVER HE WANTS TO LEAVE.

WE DO NEED A CHANGE.

>> YOU WANT A CHANGE AT THE TOP.

WHAT APPROACH WOULD YOU BRING TO THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY TO TRY AND BRING DOWN THE MURDER RATE IN THE CITY?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, YOU KNOW, I WOULD SEEK TO UPLIFT OUR POLICE.

AS I JUST SAID, I REPRESENT FROM DOWNTOWN TO HYDE PARK WITH BRONZEVILLE IN THE MIDDLE AND THE NUMBER ONE REQUEST I GET AT COMMUNITY MEETINGS IS FOR MORE POLICE PRESENCE.

THEY WANT TO FEEL SAFE.

THEY WANT POLICE ON BIKES AND IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THEY WANT THEM THERE BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS.

BUT WHAT THAT TELLS ME IS THERE IS RESPECT AND REFERENCE FOR OUR POLICE.

AND SO WE HAVE TO UPLIFT THEM.

THIS ADMINISTRATION THERE'S LOW MORALE, THEY FEEL UNDER APPRECIATED SO WE HAVE TO UPLIFT THEM.

THERE ARE TWO PROFESSIONS WHERE WE LAY EVERYTHING AT THEIR FEET AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SOLVE AND EXPECT THEM TO SOLVE IT.

THAT IS THE POLICE AND TEACHERS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT BOTH OF THOSE PROFESSIONS ARE SUPPORTED.

THEY ARE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.

AND HUMANIZE THEM AS OUR BROTHERS, SISTERS, AND PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.

AND WE NEED THEM AS PART OF THE SAFETY PLAN.

THAT IS ONE THING I WOULD DO.

I ALSO KNOW THAT OVER 50% OF CALLS TO 9-1-1 ARE FOR NONVIOLENT OFFENSES.

AND SO WE NEED PROFESSIONALS THAT ARE TRAINED IN HOMELESS INSECURITIES, AND MENTAL HEALTH INSECURITIES, AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO ANSWER THOSE TYPES OF CALLS.

WE'RE THE ONLY MAJOR CITY THAT DOESN'T HAVE 211 SYSTEM SO THAT WE CAN ANSWER THOSE TYPES OF CALLS.

>> THE CITY HAS STARTED A PILOT PROGRAM FOR MENTAL HEALTH CALLS THAT YOU ARE MENTIONED.

AND THE LAKEFRONT I HAVE TO BRING UP THE DOME PROPOSAL FOR SOLDIER FIELD AND THE CONTRACT TO BRING NASCAR TO GRANT PARK.

BOTH OF THOSE THINGS TOUCH YOUR WARD.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IF YOU WERE MAYOR?

>> I WOULD HAVE APPROACHED THOSE IN A MORE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.

I THINK WE PUSHED OFF THE BEARS ORIGINALLY WITH A COMBATIVE STYLE.

I THINK WE SHOULD DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BEARS STAY IN CHICAGO FOR A LOT OF REASONS.

I ALSO THINK WITH NASCAR, THAT WE MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY COLLABORATE.

AND I THINK IF THE MAYOR HAD HAD OR SOUGHT MORE COLLABORATION SHE WOULD HAVE SEEN THAT DEAL IS THE ONE OF THE WORST DEALS WE HAVE.

HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR TWO WEEKS ALL OF GRANT PARK AND EVERYTHING THAT BRINGS WITH ROAD CLOSURES?

LOLLAPALOOZA IS AS YOU KNOW IS IN THE WARD AS WELL, AND THAT DEAL WE GET $2 MILLION FOR A WEEK AND THEY PAY FOR POLICE, FOR ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

SO THIS IS NOT ONLY A BAD DEAL, BUT IT WAS DONE WITH NO COLLABORATION AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE CITY IS LOOKING FOR.

FOR US TO COME TOGETHER FOR US TO FIGURE OUT DIFFICULT ISSUES TOGETHER AND THEN COME OUT WITH A SOLUTION.

AND THAT'S THE TYPE OF LEADERSHIP THAT I WILL BRING.

>> ALL RIGHT THANKS TO ALDERWOMAN SOPHIA KING AN ENTRANT INTO THE RACE FOR CHICAGO MAYOR.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT WE CHECK IN WITH AMANDA VINICKY WHO HAS BEEN REPORTING LIVE TONIGHT FROM MILWAUKEE.

BUT FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> NOW, WE CHECK IN WITH AMANDA VINICKY WHO SPENT THE DAY IN MILWAUKEE, BUSINESSES WITH AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> WISCONSIN IS FRESH OFF ITS PRIMARY WHICH WAS TUESDAY AND PEOPLE CAME OUT TO VOTE IN BIG NUMBERS, VOTER TURNOUT 26% IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE THE HIGHEST IT'S BEEN IN 40 YEARS.

BUT, WELL, ILLINOIS POLITICS IS MY SPECIALTY NOT WISCONSIN.

SO I CALLED ON SOMEBODY WHO IS.

VINCE VITRANO IS A LONGTIME TV ANCHOR AND HE HOSTS WISCONSIN'S MORNING NEWS ON WTMJAM.

I ASKED ABOUT THE TOP OF THE TICKET WITH THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR.

INCUMBENT TONY EVERS WILL FACE TIM MICHAELS AND THAT IS SURE TO BE A COMPETITIVE CONTEST.

>> THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT FOR TIM MICHAELS CLEARLY MADE AN IMPACT IN THE PRIMARY WHICH WAS INTERESTING.

TRUMP ALSO ENDORSED A PRIMARY CHALLENGER FOR OUR SPEAKER OF THE WISCONSIN STATE ASSEMBLY AND THAT SPEAKER HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR A LONGTIME HE IS A POWERFUL REPUBLICAN HE EEKED IT OUT BY A FEW HUNDRED VOTES.

THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT AMONG REPUBLICANS CERTAINLY MATTERED.

WILL IT HELP McMICHAELS OR HURT HIM?

THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

I'VE HEARD FROM CONSERVATIVES WHO HAVE HAD IT WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THEY FEEL LIKE THEY DON'T WANT TO VOTE FOR A TRUMP ENDORSED CANDIDATE.

WHETHER OR NOT THEY GO ALONG WITH THE PARTY THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

BUT THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

>> NO MATTER WHO WINS THAT RACE FOR WISCONSIN GOVERNOR THE STATE WILL BE GETTING A NEW LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BECAUSE THE CURRENT ONE IS RUNNING FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

NOW, HE IS GOING TO BE UP AGAINST INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN SENATOR RON JOHNSON.

THERE IS A LOT OF NATIONAL ATTENTION ON THIS RACE GIVEN THE U.S. SENATE'S 50/50 SPLIT.

DEMOCRATS FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PICK UP A SEAT.

SENATOR JOHNSON IS NOT WILDLY POPULAR ACCORDING TO POLLING IN WISCONSIN.

SO I WOULD AGREE THAT HE IS VULNERABLE.

THAT SAID, HE'S CERTAINLY LIKED AND RESPECTED AMONG CONSERVATIVES WITHIN THE PARTY.

I THINK A LOT OF IT IS GOING TO BE VOTER TURNOUT AND THAT WAY EVERYWHERE.

WHO CAN GET THEIR SIDE OUT TO VOTE.

IF REPUBLICANS GET ENOUGH OUT THERE TO VET THE VOTES WILL BE THERE.

THE CHALLENGER IS THE CURRENT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HERE IN WISCONSIN.

YOUNG AFRICAN-AMERICAN, POPULAR AND CHARISMATIC HAS A POSITIVE MESSAGE.

THE WORKING CLASS CANDIDATE COMES FROM A WORKING CLASS HOUSEHOLD.

THAT IS GOING TO BE HIS MESSAGE.

THE BILLIONAIRE VERSUS THE WORKING CLASS CANDIDATE.

>> WHILE, WISCONSIN IS A PURPLE STATE, VINCE VITRANO SAYS THERE IS NO POSSIBLE CHANCE THAT POWER OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE, THE ASSEMBLY IS GOING TO SWITCH HANDS.

REPUBLICANS HAVE CONTROL OF IT NOW.

WHICH MEANS THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DRAW THE NEXT MAPS.

VINCE VITRANO SAYS NOT MANY SWING DISTRICTS AND THE G.O.P.

GERRYMANDERED IT SUCH THERE WON'T BE MANY MORE IN THE FUTURE WHICH SHOULD GOVERNOR EVERS WIN A SECOND TERM WILL MAKE FOR MORE DIVIDED GOVERNMENT IN THE CAPITAL OF MADISON, WISCONSIN.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AMID WIDESPREAD CUSTOMER SMRANTS ABOUT SAFETY AND RELIABILITY AND FACING A SHORTAGE OF BUS AND TRAIN OPERATORS, C.T.A.

PROCESS DORVAL CARTER ACKNOWLEDGED THE SHORT COMINGS IN A CITY CLUB SPEECH AND OUTLINED A POST PANDEMIC PATH FORWARD.

>> FROM THE MARKET FORCES OF THE GREAT RESIGNATION TO A COMPETITIVE JOB MARKET AND UNUSUALLY HIGH ATTRITION RATES, OUR SERVICE IS NOT MEETING OUR HIGH SKPATIONS FOR RELIABILITY AND ON TIME PERFORMANCE.

>> WTTW NEWS REPORTER NICK BLUMBERG JOINS US WITH MORE WHAT CARTER OUTLINED.

>> DORVAL CARTER NODDED TO THE FRUSTRATIONS OF C.T.A.

PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN VOICING IN RECENT MONTHS.

UNRELIABLE SERVICE AND GHOST BUSES AND TRAINS THAT SHOW UP ON YOUR APP AND DON'T MATERIALIZE AT THE STOP OR THE STATION.

HE SAID IN LARGE PART THAT IS DUE TO WORKFORCE SHORTAGES.

THE C.T.A.

IS DOWN 1100 PEOPLE IN THE UNIONIZED WORKFORCE.

THE ONES WHO GET YOU TO AND FROM.

THEY MAKEUP MOST OF THE WORKFORCE IN THE CITY.

AND HE SAID THERE'S COVID RELATED ABSENCES THAT ARE PLAGUING THE C.T.A.

CARTER SAID THE C.T.A.

PLANS TO OVERHAUL THE SCHEDULE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS PROMISING SERVICE IT CAN PROVIDE.

AND CLEARLY HOW THAT WAS GOING TO SOUND TO A LOT OF CUSTOMERS SO HE DELIVERED THAT ANNOUNCEMENT WITH A CAVEAT.

>> THIS IS NOT A SERVICE CUT.

WE ARE REALIGNING OUR SCHEDULED SERVICE TO MATCH THE SERVICE WE ARE PROVIDING TODAY.

THERE IS NO CHANGE IN OUR SERVICE HOURS.

NO ROUTES WILL BE ELIMINATED.

AND JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, NO EMPLOYEES WILL BE LAID OFF.

>> NOW, CARTER SAID THE NEW SUGGEST MIGHT MEAN LONGER WAITS BUT IT WILL BE A NET POSITIVE FOR PASSENGERS BECAUSE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PLAN ON RELIABLE SERVICE.

AND HE SAID ACCURATE SCHEDULE ALSO IMPROVE BUS AND TRAIN TRACKERS BECAUSE THOSE SYSTEMS ARE IN PART BASED ON THE PUBLISHED SCHEDULES.

HE OUTLINED TECHNOLOGY CHANGES TO THE TRACKERS IN THE COMING MONTHS.

>> AND CUSTOMER AND EMPLOYEE SAFETY HAS BEEN A BIG CONCERN AS OF LATE FOR THE C.T.A.

WHAT DID CARTER HAVE TO SAY ALONG THOSE LINES?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE WORRIES THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VOICING.

HE DID SAY THAT CRIME ON THE SYSTEM IS STILL A RELATIVE RARITY FOR MOST RIDERS.

BUT OBVIOUSLY HE KNOWS ABOUT THE SECURITY STRUGGLES THE AGENCY HAS BEEN FACING.

HE HIGHLIGHTED THE PARTNERSHIP THE C.T.A.

HAS WITH THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND INVESTMENT IN SECURITY GUARDS AND THEY ARE PLANNING CANINE SECURITY UNITS AND NEW SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT AND CARTER SAID SOME OF THE SECURITY AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES ARE DUE TO LARGER SOCIAL SERVICE PROBLEMS THAT THE C.T.A.

TRADITIONALLY HAS NOT BEEN THE AGENCY TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS, DRUG USE AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

AND A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE INDUSTRY AS A GOOD PILOT PROGRAM AIMED AT SUPPORTING PEOPLE USING THE C.T.A.

'S SHELTER OF LAST RESORT.

AND THE AGENCY PLANS TO PARTNER WITH OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY AS THE WINTER MONTHS APPROACH TO MAKE SURE IT'S DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE FOLKS THAT USE THE SYSTEM.

DESPITE ALL THE CHALLENGES THE C.T.A.

IS FACING CARTER DID DO HIS BEST TO SOUND A POSITIVE NOTE.

ENCOURAGING FOLKS TO COME BACK TO TRANSIT AND HIGHLIGHTING THE FACT IT IS A CRITICAL PART OF THE CHICAGO AREA'S FUTURE.

>> TOUGH JOB.

NICK BLUMBERG THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND YOU CAN READ NICK'S STORY ON OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> WE'RE BACK WITH MORE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> AND NOW WE GO BACK TO AMANDA WHO SPENT THE DAY IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> GIVEN THAT WE ARE IN THE LAND OF CHEESE, SPOTTED COW AND CUSTARD OUR TEAM GOT A TASTE OF ONE WHEN WE STOPPED BY LEONE'S FROZEN CUSTARD.

I SPOKE WITH THE OWNER RON AND I ASKED HIM WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ICE CREAM AND CUSTARD?

HE SAYS THAT CUSTARD HAS LESS AIR WHIPPED IN AND IT HAS A HIGHER BUTTER FAT CONTENT.

HIS CUSTARD IS 10% AND HE SAYS CUSTARD HAS GOT TO BE FRESH.

>> ALL DAY LONG.

FROM THE TIME WE OPEN UNTIL JUST ABOUT THE TIME WE CLOSE.

BUT THAT IS WHEN IT'S BEST.

WHEN IT IS FRESH.

>> AND YOU'VE BEEN SERVING CUSTARD AT LEONE'S PRIOR TO YOU IT WAS YOUR DAD.

HOW MANY YEARS?

>> THIS IS THE 80TH YEAR.

WE OPENED MAY 1, 1942.

DURING WORLD WAR II WHICH HAD ITS OWN SET OF CHALLENGES AT THAT TIME.

I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 1964.

>> CERTAINLY A LOT OF CHALLENGES IN RECENT YEARS?

HOW DID THE PANDEMIC TREAT YOU.

THIS IS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO GO OUTSIDE?

>> YES, WE HAVE NO INSIDE SERVICE OR SEATING.

THE PANDEMIC WASN'T AS BAD FOR US AS IT WAS FOR A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE.

BECAUSE HERE YOU ARE OUTSIDE.

IN A PANDEMIC WHAT BETTER PLACE TO BE?

THE WIND BLOWING AND FRESH AIR.

>> AND A LITTLE BIT OF DESSERT IN CUSTARD FORM.

>> IT'S A COMFORT THING.

AND WHO DOESN'T LIKE ICE CREAM?

IF YOU DON'T LIKE ICE CREAM, YOU'RE PROBABLY UNAMERICAN, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT OUR FROZEN CUSTARD IS A STEP ABOVE.

>> WHAT MAKES LEONE'S BETTER?

THERE ARE OTHER CUSTARD JOINTS AROUND MILWAUKEE?

>> AND THAT IS A FAIR QUESTION.

BUT WE STARTED OUT SELLING FROZEN CUSTARD THAT WAS OUR PRIMARY FOCUS.

A LOT OF OTHER PLACES DID, TOO, BUT OVER THE YEARS THEY EVOLVED INTO MORE OF A FOOD OPERATION, A RESTAURANT OPERATION.

WELL, IF YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FOOD TO GET THE FOOD RIGHT, YOU WILL NEGLECT SOMETHING AND IN THAT CASE THEY NEGLECTED THE FROZEN CUSTARD.

YOU CAN NEGLECT IT, STILL HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL.

BUT IT'S NOT AS GOOD AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE.

SO WE NEVER WENT THAT ROUTE.

OUR FOOD MENU IS SIMPLE WE HAVE FOUR SANDWICHES.

NOTHING IS DEEP FRIED.

WE CAN MAKE A SANDWICH AS QUICK AS WE CAN SCOOP A CONE AND IT ACCOUNTS FOR A BIT OF OUR SALES, 10-12% OF OUR SALES IS ACTUALLY FOOD.

THE REST IS FROZEN CUSTARD THAT IS OUR FOCUS.

SO I'D LIKE TO THINK BECAUSE WE FOCUS ON THAT WE CAN DO IT BETTER THAN OTHER PEOPLE.

>> RON, PART OF THE REASON WE ARE HERE IN MILWAUKEE IS BECAUSE THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION WAS CHOSEN TO BE -- MILWAUKEE WAS CHOSEN TO BE THE HOST.

AND THIS IS AFTER THE DEMOCRATS WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN HERE.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN PRESIDENTS THAT STOPPED BY LEONE'S.

>> BILL CLINTON STOPPED BY.

HE WAS SUPPOSED TO STOP HERE WHEN HE WAS CAMPAIGNING.

AND THEY RAN LATE AND HE DIDN'T.

BUT THIS WAS ABOUT THE TIME THEY WERE DOING THE HILLARY CARE THING AND FOR SOME REASON HE WANTED TO COME HERE WHICH IS OK.

IT DISRUPTED EVERYTHING FOR ABOUT THREE HOURS.

>> LOTS OF SECRET SERVICE AGENTS.

SPEAKING OF DISRUPTIONS WHEN THE RNC COMES YOU ARE A BIT OF A WAYS FROM DOWNTOWN?

>> I THINK WE WILL GET SOME PEOPLE.

I'VE NEVER BEEN TO A CONVENTION LIKE THAT.

I ASSUME IT'S LIKE MOST CONVENTIONS AND DELEGATES WANT TO SEE THE SURROUNDINGS.

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE THEY WILL MENTION A NUMBER OF PLACES IN TOWN I WOULD THINK WE WOULD BE THE CLOSEST TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY COME IF THEY COME.

>> YOU MAY WONDER IF WE TALKED TO RON 123450EUDER WHY IS IT CALLED LEONE?

LEONE IS RON'S DAD, THE ORIGINAL OWNER.

BUT RON STARTED WORKING WHEN HE WAS 14 AND ACTUALLY HELPED TO BUILD ONE OF THE MACHINES THAT IS STILL IN USE.

HE SAYS WHENEVER HE IS THERE WHICH IS OFTEN HE MAKES SURE TO SAMPLE THE PRODUCT AND KEY TO CUSTARD IS THE TEMPERATURE, THE TEXTURE AND THE FLAVOR.

I PERSONALLY RECOMMEND IT AND TRIED THE CHOCOLATE AND MINT.

>> KEEP IT A COOLER WHEN YOU BRING IT BACK HOME TO ME.

>> I WILL DO WHAT I CAN.

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

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT H STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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

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

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

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

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ I DO HOPE AMANDA BRINGS HOME THAT CUSTARD.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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