>> Hello and thanks for joining us on Chicago tonight.

I'm Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

>> The state has been a willing partner at every single turn.

Chicago public schools has to close a huge budget gap by the end of the month.

Lawmakers weigh in on the district's financial challenges.

>> This is a community is ash.

>> And local reaction to the shutdown of Weis Hospital in Uptown.

>> First off tonight, some of today's top stories, Texas state lawmakers are into their second week of a quorum break after fleeing their home state for Illinois and New York.

Today, the group of Democrats joined some Illinois Congress members to call out their Republican colleagues in Texas for trying to add 5 more GOP leaning seats in the U.S. House.

>> It's for parents who want to send their kids to a safe school.

It's for women who want to have access to health care.

It's for our retirees who just want to retire with dignity.

It's to protect Social Security.

Texas.

Democrats are standing for fair maps.

We're standing for fair wages and fair chances.

>> The Democrats claim the GOP redistricting plan would eliminate Hispanic opportunity districts in major Texas cities.

Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton are pushing for the Democrats arrest and a return to Texas to complete the vote before the current special session ends next week.

After announcing plans to place Washington DC's Police Department under federal control.

President Donald Trump suggested doing the same for other cities, including Chicago.

>> We have other cities also that in bed.

Very bad.

You look Chicago how bad it is.

You look at Los Angeles of that.

It is.

We have other cities in a very bad New York has a problem.

We're not gonna let it happen or not lose our cities over this.

And Israel.

Go further.

We're starting very strongly with DC and we're going to clean it up.

Real quick.

>> Under the Home Rule Act, the administration says its declaring a crime emergency and activating 800 members of the National Guard to make the city safer.

But police stats show violent crime in DC is actually down.

26 1% compared to this time last year.

And in a statement, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson responded, quote, Last week we learned that President Trump cut another 158 million dollars in funding for violence prevention programs in cities like Chicago.

These cuts are on top of the Trump administration dismantling the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and terminating more than 800 million dollars in grants for anti-violence programs across the country.

He goes on to say if President Trump wants to help make Chicago safer, he can start by releasing the funds for anti-violence programs that have been critical to our work to drive down crime and violence sending in the National Guard but only served to destabilize our city and undermine our public safety efforts.

Some Chicago's pools are beginning to close.

Despite that persistent summer heat.

The Chicago Park District says it's closing city pools in phases as many of the students aged lifeguards are heading back to school this month.

15 indoor and outdoor pools across the city closed yesterday with another 42 set to close this Sunday that don't worry, you can still get some water time in because all 22 lakefront beaches and another 19 neighborhood pools will remain open through Labor Day.

You can find a schedule of when your local pool closes on our website.

Up next, breaking down, Chicago schools, budget shortfall as a looming deadline nears right after this.

>> Chicago tonight is made possible in part why the Alexander and John Nichols family.

The gym and K maybe family.

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> Chicago public school students and teachers are preparing to return to the classrooms with the first day of school just a week away.

But the district already has some important homework to complete as it faces an eye-popping 734 million dollar deficit.

The district has until the end of the month to pass a budget.

But it's CPS.

Officials are calling on leaders in Springfield for more funding.

Some lawmakers are questioning the state's responsibility in paying up.

Joining us now, our state representative and Williams, a Democrat representing parts of Chicago's North side and state representative Curtis Tarver, Democrat representing parts of Chicago's South Side.

Thanks to you both for joining us.

Thank So Representative Williams, let's start with you.

Cps CEO Macklin King and members of the school board have said have said that the district is out of options with regards to raising revenue.

We're cutting costs.

Does the state have any responsibility to intervene and provide more funding brandis?

Of course, the state will have a very critical role in providing funding not just for Chicago public schools.

>> But for districts throughout the state.

And Doctor King is right when she says we need to put more money toward schools, but exactly how that happens.

Really depends on what we see on Wednesday.

When CPS does release its budget.

>> Representative Tarver, you introduced a bill back in the spring legislative session to bring back state control of CPS, the school Finance Authority that expired back in 2010.

But now you said full takeover is not necessarily a feasible option.

What changed for you?

>> Well, actually had a chance to talk to the former comptroller who was around at that time yesterday.

Any Tillman, based at the little we fly checks CPS million dollar millions of dollars.

And so they had no ability to bond.

They really have any access to markets.

I think we're in a slightly better position in regard.

But I do think this needs to be a role for the state to implement some reforms.

we're going send that those funds to CPS.

>> Representative Williams, you said, you know, it'll kind of depends on what we see from CPS when they do present their budget.

Of course, they're not expected to pass that until later on this month.

At there scheduled board meeting what do you need to see?

you like to see?

>> Well, I think it's important that the budget reflects what we're hearing from everyday Chicagoans and what I've heard from my elected school board members.

Basically, we don't want to do anything that's going to negatively impact the classroom.

First and foremost.

And secondly, I think it's important that we look long term at the fiscal stability of CPS.

It's important just not just a Chicago resident Sparta residents throughout the state that Chicago does well and specifically Chicago, public schools thrive and grow.

We are the economic driver for the state representative person question.

What do you need to see from CPS?

Well, look, I need to see a lot of changes for You know, CPS is to test and 4 year-olds.

>> For a handful of schools not really releasing information.

That's on test.

Cps has had on had a resolution since 20 go by.

They will look at how that rematch schools.

So should do that.

Given influx of students who come in and maybe some ways to save money back, looking at those re, not in addition, meeting starts at the top look at general counsel who paid expert to say that not all assault of a child.

It's traumatic.

I have a link concerns about what's CPS and so I would like to see quite a few changes.

And I think this president for that, we look at transit.

There's been conversations about not just sending funds 2 C T a R t without some kind of additional recent.

>> If a reinstatement of a school finance authority were to be on the table, what would that look like?

>> a good question.

I think you know, as said the committee hearing, there's a way to calibrate it to make it make sense for both the state and the city.

One of the things I think is important to note is that.

The NBA funds go to CPS are different from the way the fund ETF, of course, the evidence base funding.

yes, CPS case.

They're going to decide how to spend.

All right.

Everybody else has told how to spend it through that formula.

And so that would be one thing that I like to see is Ben does fall for that part every single year that I've done General Assembly.

Okay.

And I want to come back to as well as far as how CPS doles out its funds to schools.

>> Representative Williams, you know, often heard when covering CPS that not everyone.

It's not just that everybody needs a bigger piece of the pie is that we need a bigger pie.

How how can the state increase the amount of education funding that it provides across the state?

Not just a CBS report.

Well, >> I couldn't agree with you more.

And I think we're hearing that every day from our constituents not just in Chicago, but everywhere, but I think it's important to note that there are some structural inequities built into how schools are funded.

For example, Chicago public schools pay for most of their own pension payment where schools throughout the rest of the state.

The state contributes more.

I think the number is 4,000 per people for the rest of the state.

Chicago only gets 1000 per people.

So that's the kind of longer term conversation I think we need to have in addition to short-term how we handle the funding inequities now and today's in today's budget discussion I imagine they were historic arguments made at the time for white.

That deal was made.

Why CPS is only getting 1000 compared to 4,000.

>> And other expenses across the CBS Budget.

Absolutely actually dates back to the 18.

100's when CPS was the only pension game in town later, I think 30's or 40's school district from the rest of the state pooled their resources and the state funded their pensions.

We didn't provide any money toward pensions until 2017 when we did the school funding reform.

So we did a little bit We need to do more.

So among the reforms that you are suggesting, Representative Tarver, one of them is that the District, Dobson equity based funding formula last year.

You before.

I'm not CPS announced plans to shift away.

>> From Student-based budgeting which had been the longtime practice of the district.

How does the different funding formula for CPS?

How do you think that will impact student outcomes?

>> Well, I'll tell you can that high.

Some of those things is to now comes.

You know, when I look churches like aggressive and Salem, that's been hundreds of thousands of dollars over the summer to teach black boys how to read.

I were literacy program.

There's a problem community organizations and churches have to do that and CPS not that.

The fact that, you know, is little boys?

Can I read this?

Certainly more likely to end up in prison.

And so that would be one of the things that I would like to see again, actual outcomes tied to those funds, not just sending it to certain neighborhoods and schools but actual outcomes tied to those any particular outcome you've got in mind like scores or reading level.

would like I would like to see kids always been a great level that that would be a minimum to some basics.

Okay.

>> partnership between the district city in the state that was also mentioned as a potential solution at the hearing that you all held for the executive committee a few weeks ago.

What would that partnership look like?

What already happened?

>> What I want to say this and winds and agree with me, the state has been at the table.

>> Right.

There's been a lot of talk about the stain the table.

We've been at the table.

I think that the partnership will look very much like.

9 just simply having the board itself making everything decision because it's a hybrid board was ball.

4 was a fully elected school board, right?

Because of the mayoral control and now have the same thing in many regards.

So again, to stay put more money into the kitty, the station and more conversation about how those funds are spent.

I would and you have to be committee aspect to just has to how and we'll be a conversation.

Do you think that might get with a 21 member?

>> Board?

I think the board already has and will OK, that sounds like a conversation.

We're going to have to come back say more Representative Williams, the school district facing that deadline this month, as we mentioned to pass a balanced budget.

Do think they'll be able to achieve that?

>> Well, I think we its part to know it's not all bad news here.

We have made progress as my colleague referenced, we did the evidence base a lot does work.

It provides more funds to the schools that need it.

Most.

And I think it's also I'm optimistic.

It's also important to know that we are seeing improved student outcomes in CPS, which is really something to be proud of.

So I'm optimistic and hopeful that on Wednesday we'll see a budget that's responsible.

Looks forward and really reflects community's concerns.

You say the evidence base formula.

It's it supposed to reach adequacy by 2027.

>> Do you think that's going to happen?

Hey, we are working our way forward.

We're getting there.

We may be a little bit behind, but we also dealt with the pandemic just a few years ago.

>> But we are committed to doing what we can to make not only the school fund is funded at the level it is now but that we provide funds for schools throughout the state.

hopeful that will happen, right?

Representatives and Williams and Curtis Harper, thank you both.

Good luck to Can create it.

And we're back with more right after this.

>> We'll >> get back to our program in just 2 minutes for our conversation about hospital closings.

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So thank you, Chicago tonight returns in just a moment.

>> 2 Chicago area hospitals are at risk of shutting their doors completely.

>> Weiss Memorial Hospital in Uptown close last week just before its agreement with the Medicare and Medicaid system was set to lapse Park's west suburban medical center is facing a similar fate.

Here's the scene from last Friday's rally outside of Weis.

>> We're here today because this is sacred ground.

This hospital is where many of our community members were born.

And also where many of our community members have passed on.

We're here today because we cannot allow.

This be close.

This is a community disaster.

>> And this all comes on the heels of federal cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, which these hospitals depend on.

But some community members argue that's not the only problem.

Joining us now with more are Lily lay the community organizing director of the Vietnamese Association of Illinois, Uptown resident and longtime Wise hospital patients.

Kim nom and via Zoom State, Representative Pond when whose 13th district includes uptown.

We also invited Weiss Memorial Hospital and west Suburban medical center to join us.

But we have not heard back.

I think the 3 of you for joining us.

So Lilly Weiss and west Suburban to both classified a safety net hospitals primarily serving low income communities.

Weiss also serves a large portion of the city's Vietnamese community.

Where are patients supposed to go now that most of weiss's operations are closed?

It's really uncertain.

And I think that's why we're worried and why this situation is so dire because >> in the short term, right, there's been a Band-Aid solutions that have been suggested by the management which also has not been communicating well with its patients and with our community.

In fact, were really late to inform the elected officials.

The committee members about the funding cut that was passed.

I mean, the deadline for the funding cut.

Yeah.

And so while in the short term, right, people are being transferred out on and they're only providing outpatient services in the long term.

There's a lot of concern about how do remain maintain access to affordable health care to most vulnerable folks in our community, such as our seniors, low-income folks at immigrants.

>> Is Kim, you are a long-time resident of Uptown, a patient of Weiss.

You give birth to all 3 of your children What was your reaction when you learned that it be closing?

>> I was a worry at said.

It's not happy.

So because that I and my my 3 children was unfair and even I have the sofa.

See the outpatient.

The fact that step up steal and 2 now.

And so my next appointment, he said that makes we be tomorrow.

You had tomorrow.

But become has so light up the pot is makes it to the field.

Thing to Weiss has they stay with the So we still continue to see the so you can still get value service to have you received any other communication about the hospital closing?

No, they Yes.

So we to slow down.

said I about a week.

Yeah.

and the unit nice association.

So it's a windy day so that and so that is by the time we don't have any keep caring no time to prepare way them.

>> Representative, when you have a personal connection to Weis as well as a refugee.

Tell us about the significance of the hospital to you, but also to the community.

>> Absolutely.

Thanks so much Brandis.

It's a pleasure to be here today.

And I think this has us has been shaped by but Lilly and this came as it's been very detrimental to out in the great refugees community.

This hospital has served and the Uptown neighborhood for the last 70 plus years.

And it's really been a refuge for folks to come for emergency services for health care services per for preventive care.

And so we've seen really this management has failed on all respects when it comes to taking care internal operations.

And we're seeing this play out.

We were seeing the loss of jobs as well in this neighborhood, from nurses from frontline workers doctors.

So this hospital means a lot to me.

It means a lot to the immigrant refugee Committee.

I myself am a refugee from Vietnam as well.

And I am have also been a patient this hospital.

So we are certainly feeling the devastation right now for our working class families for our seniors and for all communities of color.

Right now, cross the North.

I lakefront.

>> Representative, you've you've said that the hospital CEO Dr Minutes per side of resilience, health care.

He also owns west Suburban medical center.

You see that he's mismanaged the hospital.

How so?

>> Yeah, we we have seen through the last couple of cycles mismanagement of this hospital when we had federal regulars come in and survey the hospital, they found violations.

When you come to nursing staffing needs when it comes public health conditions.

When it comes to food, safety and food handling regulations as well.

And so we have heard this from patients on the ground who have suffered and this hospital.

And the other thing I would say is this is is also of multi dimensional problem.

And not only is the hospital mismanaged, but is also in this moment in time where we have and this station that is straight down health care facilities across this country with the big ugly bill that is going really target Alberta, double communities in blue states.

And so we're seeing again, the removal of another health care facility that's going exacerbate the damage that's been done already by MAGA Republicans.

And it's going to further good health care system us.

Well, I want to mention that we did reach out to Dr Persaud of resilience, health care in the hospitals.

We have not heard back from them just yet.

>> Lily, what other ways do you think the doctor and hospital leadership could be keeping the hospitals open?

>> definitely many possibilities, right?

First of all, I just want to name that this is a situation that has already happened to another hospital in the past Mercy Hospital in Bronzeville.

And it was a very similar scenario.

But that's when the community, the Union Hospital staff and elected officials in the area, right all came together to say that hospital and now it's fully operational as Inside Hospital.

And I think the same right efforts and urgency is required in the situation again.

Lakers Point said this is a preventable situation and also still a situation that can be fixed and it's very important, right?

Dr Persaud does what is very well within his power to save the hospital right now.

And also that the federal government, our U.S. senators and senators, Representative Schakowsky, Senator Durbin, Senator Duckworth, right, that they have the power to with the Center for Medicare, Medicaid Services and make sure that, you know, this situation indeed.

This you do know yet where you'll receive medical care from?

>> I don't know yet.

So because that they so quickly and then sold it in us thing about it yet.

But have the chance to yeah have that and then but tomorrow employment.

So I love you.

And I continue to has said that act what they give me any opinion the Get me on.

Maybe I think over to places that you can representative when we've got about 30 seconds left, what are you doing at the state level to address this issue?

What can you do?

>> Yes, at the state level we are looking.

all solutions right now.

We have allocated additional funding to Weiss also in this year's budget.

So we are looking at that to make sure that those she just improvements are being made right now.

I hospital and then we would have to work twice.

Hospital and management, new management to make sure that we applied for a friend a minute.

that's best of luck right now, OK?

And that appreciated.

That is where will actually have to leave it.

The best of luck in the work that you do on that.

And my thanks to all 3 of you, Representative.

>> Honda when MS Kim Non and Lily Lake, thank you.

And that is our show for this Monday night.

Join us tomorrow night at 5, 30 10.

Now for all of us here at Chicago Brandis Friedman, thanks for watching.

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

>> Closed caption cost by Robert a cliff and law offices, a personal injury law firm, working to preserve the