>> Hello and thanks for joining us on Chicago Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

We don't need to tell you it's been a wacky weather year for Illinois today.

Included.

So how might a historically strong El Nino impacts fall and winter in Midwest?

Development?

It cannot happen expensive working people.

We are.

Johnson is calling for a temporary moratorium on data centers in Chicago.

And Illinois suits over President Trump's latest terrorist state Attorney General.

Kwame Rowe Rowe joins us tonight to explain.

>> First off tonight, the sun is shining in Chicago now, but darkened skies earlier brought multiple rounds of thunderstorms, damaging winds and tornado warnings in the immediate aftermath of those late morning storms over half a million people in the Chicago and northwestern Indiana region lost power 230,000 are still without power in the Chicago area.

There are numerous reports of wind gusts of 80 miles an hour which the weather service warns is equivalent to an EF 0 tornado minus the rotation and can uproot trees and cause structural damage.

All flights at both Chicago airports were temporarily stopped the average delay do here is about as of 05:00PM today.

It's excuse me.

It's 17 minutes at Midway.

>> To custodians are dead after a shooting at a Chicago public school.

>> Chicago police say 48 year-old woman and a 63 year-old man were found unresponsive inside Mark Twain Elementary School in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood yesterday afternoon.

Both sustained a single gunshot wound to the head and were pronounced dead at Christ Hospital.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports the man was identified as the shooter in the police report which stated he was upset about being relocated from the school.

No students were in the building at the time.

Classes resume on August.

24th.

Look at today's odd weather and what to expect this winter right after this.

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

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> Today's storms were another reminder of extreme summer weather that's becoming more common in the Midwest.

But winter is coming as it always is in Chicago.

And meteorologists are predicting this year's El Nino weather pattern to be one of the strongest in decades.

Warm waters in the Pacific Ocean could affect whether all around the globe from now until spring here to break down what it means and what folks might want to prepare for in Chicago is Scott Collis and atmospheric scientist at Argonne National Laboratory.

Welcome back.

Good to see you in person.

Good evening decided to see you So before we talk about on let's talk a little bit about today, latest round of severe storms this summer, what happened?

So the National Weather Service as of now has confirmed 2 tornadoes, sofa.

>> One will county, one in Cook County and I need to stress.

Cruise is still out right now.

not down into Indiana.

It in done done, done damage surveys down there.

>> What you said was very apt.

The storm as it came through the western suburbs at the Cannes, what we call organized became basically a wall of storms that's tied to spin-up tornadoes along the front as it moved through Chicago.

It just became this wall of wind that, as you said, was equivalent to EF 0 tornado minus rotation.

Plus the massive area as it went through.

this morning we have our own tornado warning here in the studio actually in this area.

Do we know what we know about where that >> confirmed?

Tornado in Cook County was?

I don't know the exact location The weather service will release the tracks when they finish base out.

They really just release those counties and locations right now.

The way it works is the public give damage reports.

We look at where we think those tornadoes touched down.

According to weather and crews dispatched to those areas and it is the responsibility of the National Weather Service to determine whether 20 to happen on and they busy decide what happen NATO's in Illinois this year.

So >> again, this is breaking news.

So the last time I looked into this, what was on the 27th after the last tornado outbreak?

We're at 191 tornadoes.

When we look at the total number tornadoes in a state, the record number of 10 has we came 3rd behind Texas and Texas.

what that means is had more tornadoes this season any other tornado season in a place like Oklahoma, Alabama, for instance, it's been it's been crazy.

Was that tell you tornadoes are really hard to attribute what it's told All the ingredients for a tornado have existed over the spirit is been wet.

It is been hot and we have had just the right path.

Tons of winds above to make those storms spin-up.

Now the thing about this kind of weather, the site, we like to research a dog on National Park tree is it's reinforcing when it rains a lot.

The soils get wet.

It becomes very conducive to new storms and so on so forth.

It goes around.

Okay.

So now it's only knew.

Remind us what it is.

It's another one.

This self-reinforcing Patton's, the loads, the dice 4 especially for our wind.

It's a really a win to time phenomenon what it is.

There's a time of war to off the deck with total coast of South America right along the equator with the trade winds actually meet back gets warmer than about half a degree.

And they'll Nina forms with full costing forget about 2.5 degrees.

What's called a very strong El Nino.

What that means is there is big change in temperatures from the equate us to the mid polls.

Storm systems like to run along those changes in temperatures with the jet stream likes to sit.

So when that El Nino is strong, storms shift to asked South, they tend to miss Chicago.

So we will have a Well, that's right.

The dice will be loaded for a warm and dry out when to the normal.

You mentioned a very strong El Nino.

Some folks have thrown around the term super El Nino.

>> Why so much stronger super this year.

they called the 2015 16.

0, no.

The Godzilla, they'll you know, I prefer that one super El Nino is known officially to a trickle time.

But we'll go with It happens because there's a set of winds cold, the trade winds and when they slap and when they get week, it allows warmer water to form this list.

Clouds this list, storms pushing of the back from those winds.

Unlike the winds that we feel that, you know, we're on out about ways ISIS actually run from the west towards high from the east, towards the west.

So they push that warm water off towards Asia and Australia.

But now because those winds of slack and that warm Tang developed how a passel ninos affected the Chicago area.

the 2015, 16 El Nino was very typical for Chicago It was we actually got a 5th of precipitation that but feel as rain, sleet and freezing rain during that season rather than snow.

We had about normal precipitation that you remember these load the dice.

We had a much warmer when to that.

Okay.

What a globally.

Okay.

Globally the Patton is receiving even across United States for America.

It's quite different.

For instance, southwest, Colorado, Arizona, is likely to see more snow because those storm tracks will go closer to those mountain ranges and cause those mountain ranges.

Nice.

A high.

They really don't care about it.

Warming up so much.

It is.

And this is from where I mean, about X?

And for reading from Australia, it's a potent for droughts and wildfires that down in Australia.

So it really does.

Disrupt global Patton's.

The reason why we use things like you'll notice to do the seasonal prediction is that the oceans changed slow than the atmosphere.

So again, they can give us an idea of how the dice have been loaded.

So we have El Nino forecast over the coming months from NOAA, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.

>> Can you walk us through what this graph is telling us, Scott?

So this is showing us by by season the chances of a very strong, strong weak El Nino.

If you look at that they which is over, I went to which we can see from just by looking at that's where would most like to see, you know, when there, 0% chance we will not have Nina and there's an 80% chance.

It'll be a very strong like the 15, 16 El Nina.

How do scientists forecast?

Yeah.

very important time to do a full castilian.

You know, there people involved in this.

They use a mix between statistical relationships between those sea surface temperatures and what normally happens.

You basically look during an El Nino What did I normally see in Chicago, Boston and Danville.

We also use numerical models.

Numerical simulations where we actually simulate the ocean currents and things like that.

It's still state of running one of these where the simulations where we actually can join the ocean and atmosphere together and have them talk to each other out.

There is more energy moved in the first 10 meters of the ocean, the entire atmosphere and and their their buoys in the ocean.

That's correct.

help do all this.

Is that how tight and a right this is gold standard for collecting this information because the satellites we normally use to just look at ocean temperatures.

They come penetrate and at the center.

So it might be really warm at the surface, but really called underneath this tell trying always told us that that warm time it's about 150 meters date so that warm water is not going anywhere anytime All right.

There's a meteorology and science lesson for tonight Chicago tonight, Scott Wallace, thanks so much.

Appreciate My pleasure.

In time.

Up next, Mayor Johnson signs an executive order to hit pause on data centers in Chicago.

Have a Sharon with that story right after this.

>> Chicago >> should stop allowing data centers to set up shop in the city.

That's according to Mayor Brandon Johnson, who's calling for new rules to prevent the city's air and water from being polluted by the insatiable demand for electricity.

>> Chicagoans have been absolutely clear.

They do not want data centers expanding across our city without strong protection for their communities, their utility bills, air water and their quality of life.

>> Our Heather Sharon joins us now.

Johnson signed his 24th executive order today.

What is to do exactly?

the mayor said that the city's current rules are outdated and need to be brought into the modern area in most parts of the city, which ERs is permitted for commercial uses.

Data centers can set up shop without special permission from city officials and Johnson wants that to change.

He says city officials should be able to consider these centers cumulative environmental burden to prevent neighborhoods from bearing the cost.

What about that?

You know, the much-needed jobs and tax revenue.

These developments generate is in the city in the middle of the financial crisis.

It sure is.

And Johnson says he loves jobs.

He loves economic activity but not at the expense of Chicagoans health and welfare.

He is often fond of saying that under his leadership, Chicago is open for business but not up for sale.

So back in 2024, all but one alderperson voted for measure encouraging data centers to come to Chicago.

>> Is the city council likely to reverse course and impose a temporary moratorium that the mayor is calling on today calling for today.

Well, it's not clear what the city council will do, but it's clear that the politics surrounding data centers are very different today than they were back in 2024.

When most people thought they were an annoyed good bringing jobs and new activity.

>> However, as these data centers have sprouted across the nation, there are real concerns about what it's doing, not just to the environment, but 2 residents, electricity spill which have risen significantly to sort of provide that juice.

The these centers means now it's not clear whether meet Brandon Johnson is going to run for a second term in office, but he is clearly taking a page from other progressive candidates across the nation who have jumped on this issue to fuel their bids for elected office.

We'll have to wait and see whether he follows of course, an ongoing issue, ongoing topic of Sharon, thanks so much.

Thanks, Brandis.

And you can full story on our website.

It's all at W T Tw Dot com Slash news.

>> Illinois's tense relationship with the federal government continues from tariffs to voter data.

The state has filed several lawsuits in response to recent proposals from the Trump administration.

Now, as the state awaits a response, Illinoisans are wondering how they could be impacted.

Joining us talk more about this is Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.

Welcome Back, AG, thanks for joining us.

Thanks for having me.

So last week, your office along with 22 other attorneys general announced that you filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration over there impose tariffs for the 3rd time.

This time President Trump is alleging that these tariffs are for countries that have not done enough to enforce restrictions on goods that are made by forced labor.

What's your response to his reasons this time?

>> the the reasons.

>> In part a R irrelevant.

It's the process, right?

He does not have the power to impose these.

Terrence.

We've gone through this twice before he's trying.

He's trying different different portions of acts.

First, it was out since trade act.

A different section for of the trade act that we beat them tariffs.

2 point.

Oh, but he's still violating the law in how he does And thereby raising prices on American consumers, American businesses at the worst time to be doing so, you know, at a time when this war that he's entered into an necessarily have has already risen prices on American consumers and businesses that said, I know you're the attorney general for Illinois, but if forced labor labor is the problem.

>> tariffs how you address forced labor.

You know, that would that would be my approach.

You have hone in on that directly.

>> We're we're dealing tariffs being imposed on 80 countries that comprise about 99 over 99% of imports into the United States either imported products were imported part of products that are made within the U.S.

And so it's punishing Americans.

It's punishing American consumers and punishing American businesses.

>> A recent analysis by researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York concluded that American consumers and business is, as you said, Pete, nearly 90% of the cost of tariffs in 2025, what are some of the main industries where Illinois and stuff the impacts of these terrible?

I think it's a manufacturing certainly the the farming industry has has been impacted by by tears, but it's really across across the board.

When you talk about because these these are tariffs on on again, 80 countries that comprise at 9% of all imports and into the U.S.

and so got many industries that are are somehow touched by by the stairs, right?

And you mentioned, of course, the ongoing war with Iran and the impact on costs continuing to rise with more tariffs.

Impact is already rising costs.

Well, it would do so.

As you mentioned, 90% of of the costs passed on to 2 American consumers.

And so it's like a tax on and increase on on consumers that are already struggling to with the affordability crisis.

And and notwithstanding the fact that the president says that affordability is a new word and the crisis is not real.

It is real.

If you American families who are struggling today.

A federal judge recently ruled that the Department of Justice does not have the authority to demand Illinois's or any other states for that matter.

They're unredacted voter registration list.

>> What what do you think is wrong?

What what's the problem with the administration getting their hands on on voter registration list?

>> Well, the main problem is the Constitution.

The Constitution gives to the states the authority to administer elections in all of the state and the president seems have to have a disregard for the Constitution and and the privacy of individuals at that.

And so door problem is This is one of many actions that we've taken to protect the privacy of Americans.

But but this is also one of many actions we've taken to protect the Constitution.

>> Your office recently published guide to help Illinois voters in the upcoming midterm election.

What did you want them to know with this guide?

What we want them to know, for instance, too, make plans to to to vote.

You know, that concerns raised with regards to not withstanding the president's attempts to mail-in voting.

That's another area where he's we've prevailed over president.

Mail-in voting.

Does continue to exist here in the state of Illinois as well as in other states.

However, we want to caution folks to make their plans to if they're going to vote by mail to do so early Concerns about how swiftly postal service might process elections well, and we not.

All right on that and the event that we have and we need to take actions there.

You know, the attorney general's office historically had election day duty.

We've.

We've had to look more broadly than that because as early voting, this mail-in voting and so forth and so we are collaborating with other states and other advocacy organizations to make sure that the right to vote is protected here in Illinois and throughout the country.

You also recently filed a lawsuit against the U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development after its attempt to cap funding for permanent housing projects to address homelessness in Illinois.

>> Explain for us what this means and how it impacts the people who were depending on the service is once again an illegal cap grants that would come from HUD for to address.

>> Homelessness per minute, man and so >> the administration's exceeding its authority to try impose these caps.

And again, at the worst time to be doing so when people are indeed struggling with with homelessness housing insecurity.

And so the heart with This is is one thing.

But the legality is is is the other because, of course, that the administration has their approach to homelessness has been at odds with the state's approach, which has been a >> housing first approach then providing those other services with regards to, you know, mental health or substance abuse treatment for says treat that first, then get the people housing, which has been a part of the Trump administration.

You know, housing first establish a certain stability in order for you to take care of those other.

>> Concerns that whether it's meant to offer.

Education and our a Services.

And so okay.

>> You've made several comments urging Congress to restore the temporary protected status of Haitians are also, of course, a descendant of Haitian immigrants.

What is your response to those that argue that TPS status should giving that it is temporary?

>> Well, TPS is for circumstances where you might individuals from another country seeking asylum in the country because of the conditions in that and their home country.

I was disappointed with Supreme Court's decision because it disregarded the fact that there's a mandate that the secretary of Homeland Security consult with the State Department before making any such decision to terminate TPS.

Have done?

So they would realize that State Department does not allow commercial flights fly to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti because of conditions in Haiti.

This gang violence, there's a lack medical services.

This is all a spelled out on the State website as to what the conditions in Haiti.

So if there were ever a situation where TPS should be continue, it obviously exist with what I've said with gas stations.

The other thing about that lawsuit ignored the the the and a that.

A majority in the court said that there was no racial animus in the decision-making, notwithstanding the president's statement about Haiti con it s country and saying why should we be taken Haitian immigrants instead of taking immigrants from Sweeting, Sweden and Norway.

If there's if there's not a clear race races animist displayed in the president's words, I don't know what what racism is.

And before we run out of time to let you go AG some other state news, Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch is under some firing for his handling of harassment investigation into now.

>> Former State lawmaker Harry Benton and some of his own interactions.

We understand that your office does not have a role in that investigation.

But, you know, as a member of his party as well, do you think that he should step down as speaker when you think should happen here?

Well, the determination of who was speaker to in a democratic manner by members of the House of Representative.

>> And I think the members of that where we're coming up on on the beginning of another, general assembly and members of the House of Representatives hat will have the ability, the assess the situation and I G S report as has been made public.

Our role was to review and to make recommendations on any redactions.

But that's that was our I think the Democratic process should make the determination of who going to set a precedent.

Alright, we'll have to leave it Attorney General partner Will thanks again for joining us.

Thank you.

And that's our show for this Tuesday night.

Check out our website for our Chicago Summer Festival guide.

>> From Street Fest and art shows to outdoor concerts and cultural celebrations.

We've got you covered.

It's all a W t tw dot com slash festivals and join us tomorrow night at 5, 30 10 progressive wave of candidates are racking up primary wins at the polls.

What it could mean for the midterms and the future of the Democratic Party.

Now for all of us here Chicago tonight, I'm Brandis Friedman, thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe and have a thing.

>> Closed captioning is made possible by Clifford and Clifford Law offices, a personal injury law working to