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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> A LOT OF VETERANS HAVE ALREADY PASSED AWAY.

>> VETERANS WHO FOUGHT OVERSEAS SUFFER HEALTH PROBLEMS HERE AT HOME.

THE PROTECTIONS THEY WILL GET UNDER A NEW LAW.

>> .

>> THE SCHEDULE IS SHOWING THAT A BUS IS GOING TO ARRIVE AND SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE AND IT JUST DOESN'T SHOW.

>> FROM NO SHOW PUBLIC TRANSIT TO SAFETY CONCERNS THE HEAD OF THE C.T.A.

JOINS US WITH MORE ON HOW THE AGENCY IS ADDRESSING THOSE ISSUES.

>> ANALYSIS SAYS CHICAGO POLICE ARE ARRESTING THOUSANDS MORE BLACK DRIVERS AFTER TRAFFIC STOPS THAN THEY ARE REPORTING.

>> ABORTION IS ONE OF THE GREATEST ATROCITIES OF OUR DAY.

>> BACKLASH OVER COMMENTS MADE BY REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR DARREN BAILEY OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WEIGHS IN.

>> A BACKSTAGE TOUR OF THE CITY'S SALTIEST NEW MUSIC VENUE, THE OLD MORTON SALT SHED.

>> IT BRINGS IT BACK TO SUMMER.

>> AND BREWING UP THE FLAVORS OF MEXICO AT CASA HUMILDE CERVECERIA.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE MAN ACCUSED OF HIGHLAND PARK MASS SHOOTING PLEADS NOT GUILTY.

IN A BRIEF HEARING IN LAKE COUNTY COURT ROBERT CRIMO III FORMALLY ENTERED A NOT GUILTY PLEA ONE WEEK AFTER PROSECUTORS CHARGED HIM WITH 117 FELONY COUNTS RELATED TO THE ATTACK.

SEVEN PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND DOZENS MORE WOUNDED IN THE MASS SHOOTING AT HIGHLAND PARK'S FOURTH OF JULY PARADE.

ROBERT CRIMO III FACES MURDER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER AND AGGRAVATED BATTERY CHARGES HE COULD FACE LIFE IN PRISON IF CONVICTED.

THE 21-YEAR-OLD ADMITTED TO THE SHOOTING WHEN ARRESTED BY POLICE HOURS AFTER THE ATTACK.

>> ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN ADAM KINZINGER SAYS NEWS THAT A FEDERAL GRAND JURY SUBPOENAED PAT CIPOLLONE IS PROBABLY BAD FOR FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

NEWS BROKE THAT TRUMP'S FORMER WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL HAD BEEN SUBPOENAED BY A GRAND JURY INVESTIGATING EFFORTS TO OVERTURN THE 2020 ELECTION.

KINGS GEAR ONE OF TWO REPUBLICANS ON THE HOUSE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING THE ATTACKS SAID THE SUBPOENA SIGNALS THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS A QUOTE VERY DEEP INTEREST IN TRUMP.

>> THIS IS PROBABLY BAD FOR FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

I MEAN, THIS IS, IF HE GOES IN FRONT OF THE GRAND JURY IT SHOWS THAT THIS IS MORE THAN WHAT DID JOHN EASTMAN DO THE ATTORNEY THAT CAME UP WITH THE CRAZY SCHEME TO OVERTURN THE ELECTION.

I HOPE THAT PAT CIPOLLONE TELLS THE TRUTH.

I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT HE HASN'T.

THERE IS NO REASON TO PROTECT CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR WHAT COULD BE CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR BEHIND EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE.

>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SIGNS AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO HELP INSURE ACCESS TO ABORTION.

THE ORDER HELPS WOMEN TRAVEL OUT OF STATE TO HAVE THE PROCEDURE AND INSURES HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE CARE TO WOMEN WITHOUT DELAY.

BIDEN'S ACTION COMES ONE DAY AFTER VOTERS IN KANSAS REJECTED AN AMENDMENT TO THE STATE CONSTITUTION THAT WOULD HAVE REMOVED ABORTION RIGHTS PROTECTIONS.

>> VOTERS MADE IT CLEAR, THE POLITICIANS SHOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF WOMEN.

AND THE VOTERS OF KANSAS IN A POWERFUL SIGNAL THAT THIS FALL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL VOTE TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE RIGHT AND REFUSE TO LET THEM BE RIPPED AWAY BY POLITICIANS.

AND MY ADMINISTRATION HAS THEIR BACK.

>> UP NEXT, DETAILS ON NEW PROTECTIONS FOR VETERANS.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> TROOPS WHO RETURNED TO THE U.S. AFTER FIGHTING IN VIETNAM OR IRAQ MAY HAVE ESCAPED BULLETS, IED'S AND FATAL HAZARDS OF WAR.

BUT MANY ARE DEALING ARE OTHER COMPLICATIONS AND CRITIC SAY THE GOVERNMENT HAS FALLEN SHORT IN TAKING CARE OF THEM.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

AMANDA?

>> YEAH, BRANDIS, FRANK GUTIERREZ IS SET TO RETIRE NEXT MONTH FROM THE MILITARY AFTER 20 YEARS HE SERVICE.

HE JOINED THE ARMED SERVICES AFTER GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL IN 1999.

AND SINCE HE HAS SERVED IN TOTAL FIVE TOURS OF DUTY IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.

NOW ON TOP OF HIS FULL-TIME JOB, HE IS ALSO ACTIVE IN MULTIPLE VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS.

HE SAYS VETERANS ARE DEALING WITH A LOT.

PTSD, TRANSITION ISSUES AND OFTEN THERE ARE PHYSICAL HEALTH PROBLEMS.

>> NOT UNCOMMON FOR ME TO COME ACROSS A VETERAN WITH RESPIRATORY OR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE.

A LOT OF VETERANS I SERVED WITH HAVE ALREADY PASSED AWAY DUE TO ONE OR THE OTHER AND VARIOUS OTHER CANCERS THAT COULD BE LINKED TO BURN PIT EXPOSURE.

>> HERE IS ANOTHER VETERAN ED FARMER TO EXPLAIN WHAT EXACTLY A BURN PIT IS.

>> LOCATED IN ALL SORTS OF PLACES WHERE MILITARY IS DEPLOYED AND THEY USE IT TO DISPOSE OF GARBAGE, HUMAN WASTE, SO THEY CONTAIN BLACK SMOKE THAT IF YOU ARE DEPLOYED IN ONE OF THOSE AREAS YOU BREATHE IN.

CHEMICALS, TRASH, PLASTIC, HUMAN EXCONTRACT MEANT, ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THEY WILL THROW INTO A BURN PIT.

>> FRANK GUTIERREZ SAYS BURN PITS ARE A HAZARD FOR MODERN TROOPS WHEN THEY ARE DEPLOYED.

HE SAYS ON ONE TOUR IN IRAQ THERE WAS A BURN PIT HUNDREDS OF FEET FROM HIS TRAILER.

>> THERE WERE BURN PITS AROUND, YES, WE WERE INFORMED THAT YOU KNOW, THE FUMES MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO OUR HEALTH BUT A LOT OF TIMES IT IS UNAVOIDABLE.

YOU KNOW DRIVING THROUGH TOWN, BURNING FIELDS.

>> THERE IS WIDESPREAD BELIEF THAT EXPOSURE TO THE BURN PITS AND THEN THE CONTAMINANTS THE TOXIC CHEMICALS THEY PUT OUT IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF VETERANS' HEALTH ISSUES LIKE BROKEN CITIES AND ASTHMA AND CANCERS.

ANOTHER VETERAN, MAUREEN WAS NOT ABLE TO TALK WITH ME OVER ZOOM BUT WE DID CHAT ABOUT HER BATTLE BUDDY CORINNE SMITH THEY SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMY IN IRAQ FROM 2003-2004.

SMITH LATER DIED OF A RARE FORM OF CANCER IN 2013.

A CANCER THAT THEY BELIEVE WAS CONNECTED TO BURN PIT EXPOSURE.

SHE SAYS THAT BURN PITS TOOK HER SISTER IN ARMS AND LEFT HER BEST FRIEND'S SON WITHOUT HIS MOTHER.

SHE SAYS THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT, BUT FOR A LONGTIME, VETERANS ADVOCATES SAY THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT BEEN DOING SO.

AT LEAST NOT OFTEN ENOUGH.

FARMER IS NOW A LAWYER WHO HELPS VETERANS APPEAL DENIALS OF THIS DISABILITY COMPENSATION CLAIMS.

>> WE SEE CLAIMS FOR BURN PITS VERY FREQUENTLY.

MOST OF THE TIME, THEY ARE DENIED.

I BELIEVE OVER 70% OF THE TIME CLAIMS RELATED TO BURN PITS ARE DENIED AND THAT IS BECAUSE THE VETERAN DOESN'T HAVE THE MEDICAL EVIDENCE TO BACK IT UP.

>> FARMER SEES IT WITH HIS OWN CLIENTS AND HE ALSO SEES THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT.

THE APPEALS PROCESS OF DENYING A CLAIM CAN TAKE YEARS.

>> THEY HAVE SOME SORT OF UNCURABLE CANCER, THEY ARE TERMINAL AND THEY BELIEVE IT'S FROM THE BURN PITS AND IT PROBABLY IS.

AND LIKE I SAID, THEY CAN'T WORK.

THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILY.

AND THAT IS JUST THE CASE FOR VETERANS.

VETERANS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO STRUGGLE TO PROVIDE FOR THE FAMILY BECAUSE THEY HAVE A CONDITION THAT THEY OBTAINED FROM SERVING THEIR COUNTRY.

>> NOW, THE U.S. SENATE JUST PASSED A MEASURE YESTERDAY EVENING THAT FARMER GLADLY SAYS WILL CUT DOWN POTENTIALLY ON HIS CLIENTS.

>> THE AYES ARE 86 AND THE NAYS ARE 11.

UNDER THE PREVIOUS ORDER REQUIRING 60 VOTES FOR THE ADOPTION OF THIS MOTION TO CONCUR, THE MOTION IS AGREED TO.

>> THAT MOTION HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL.

VETERANS GROUPS AIDED BY TALK SHOW HOST JON STEWART HAVE BEEN PROTESTING IN WASHINGTON FOR ITS PASSAGE.

ESPECIALLY BECAUSE YOU'VE HAD SOME REPUBLICANS BALKING AT RELATED FISCAL CONCERNS.

THE HONORING PACT ACT HONOR YOUR OUR PROMISE TO ADDRESS COMPREHENSIVE TOXICS WILL MAKE IT FOR VETERANS WHO SERVED IN CERTAIN AREAS FROM THE 90s ON WHO DO HAVE CONDITIONS THAT THEY ARE SUFFERING FROM LIKE CERTAIN CANCERS AND RESPIRATORY ISSUE ALSO HAVE THE PRESUMPTION THOSE HEALTH ISSUES ARE RELATED TO THEIR SERVICE AND BURN PIT EXPOSURE.

THAT MEANS THEY WILL RECEIVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND ALSO TO DISABILITY FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WHO PUSHED FOR THE PENDING LAW'S PASSAGE IS EXPECTED TO SIGN IT AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.

>> FINALLY, FINALLY WE ARE GOING TO DO JUSTICE TO THOSE WHO WE LOST AND THOSE STILL SUFFERING FROM BEING EXPOSED TO THE BURN PITS.

IT'S ABOUT TIME.

>> FRANK GUTIERREZ SAYS AFTER DECADES OF WAR, HE'S GLAD THE MEASURE IS FINALLY PASSED.

>> IT'S ALL WE NEEDED TO WRITE A CHECK.

TO GO TO WAR, BUT VERY DIFFICULT TO WRITE THE CHECK TO TREAT THE SERVICE MEMBER WHEN THEY GET HOME.

POLITICIANS IN WASHINGTON D.C. CAN FIGHT OVER MANY THINGS, BUT FIGHTING OVERTAKING CARE OF VETERANS AND THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR OUR COUNTRY SHOULDN'T BE ONE OF THEM.

NEVER.

>> THE PATH ACT EXTENDS PROTECTIONS TO VIETNAM VETERANS FOR EXPOSURE TO AGENT ORANGE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> TO PARIS ON CONCERNS FOR ONE OF CHICAGO'S TRANSIT AGENCIES.

PARIS?

>> PUBLIC TRANSIT IS SLOWLY GETTING BACK TO NORMAL AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

BUT THE C.T.A.

HAS ACKNOWLEDGED SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS FROM SO-CALLED GHOST TRAINS AND BUSES THAT NEVER SHOW UP TO SAFETY CONCERNS ON TRAIN PLATFORMS.

AND HERE TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE STRUGGLES POST PANDEMIC AND WHAT IS BEING DONE TO ADDRESS THEM IS DORVAL CARTER PRESIDENT OF THE CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY.

DORVAL CARTER THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WELCOME BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

OBVIOUSLY PUBLIC SAFETY HAS BEEN TOP OF THE MIND OF C.T.A.

USERS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS.

TWO WEEKS AGO THERE WERE TWO STABBINGS IN THE SPAN OF THREE DAYS.

WHAT IS THE SYSTEM DOING TO INSURE THE SAFETY OF RIDERS AT THIS POINT?

>> WELL, AS YOU KNOW, PARIS, THE POLICE COVERAGE FOR C.T.A.

IS PROVIDED BY THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN TERMS OF DEPLOYING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO SUPPORT OUR CUSTOMERS AND TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS ABOUT CRIME ON C.T.A.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, C.T.A.

IS COMPLIMENTING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH AN ADDITIONAL 200 PLUS UNARMED SECURITY GUARDS WHO ARE BEING DEPLOYED ON TO THE SYSTEM TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL EYES AND EARS AND COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM SO WE CAN TRY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING RIGHT NOW WITH REGARDS TO NOT JUST CRIME AND ALSO JUST BAD BEHAVIOR AND POOR CONDUCT THAT WE KNOW IS OCCURRING ON OUR SYSTEM.

PARTICULARLY OVERNIGHT.

>> WOULD YOU ADVISE THOSE CLOSE TO YOU THAT IT IS INDEED SAFE TO USE THE C.T.A.

TO GET ON THE TRAIN, ESPECIALLY IN LATER HOURS IN THE EVENING?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER, PARIS, WE CARRY 800,000 PEOPLE A DAY.

WHICH IS THE EQUIVALENT OF THE CITY OF DENVER IN TERMS OF POPULATION.

AND CRIME ON C.T.A.

IS RELATIVELY LOW.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AND CERTAINLY ONE CRIME IS ONE TOO MANY.

BUT AS A STATISTICAL MATTER YOU'RE RELATIVELY SAFE ON C.T.A.

BUT HAVING SAID THAT, WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DO MORE TO ADDRESS THE CRIME THAT IS OCCURRING AND FIND WAYS TO MITIGATE THAT.

>> AND YOU MENTIONED THE PLAIN CLOTHED SECURITY GUARDS WE SPOKE TO A GROUP AND THEY DIDN'T LIKE THE IDEA OF MORE POLICE ON TRAINS.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SAFETY WE DON'T GET OVERLY RELINT ON POLICE AND SECURITY GUARDS AND CRIMINALIZE PEOPLE WHO WE KNOW ARE HAVING ISSUES.

>> SO PUTTING ALL THE EMPHASIS ON SECURITY AND POLICE, IS THAT THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE THE SYSTEM SAFER?

>> WELL, CERTAINLY, THERE IS A CERTAIN PORTION OF BEHAVIOR THAT IS HAPPENING ON C.T.A.

THAT IS BEING CAUSED BY CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.

AND I THINK YOU DO NEED TO HAVE A POLICE PRESENCE OR SOME SORT OF SECURITY TO DEAL WITH THAT.

THERE'S ISSUES INVOLVING MENTAL HEALTH AND HOMELESSNESS AND WE ARE NOT LOOKING TO CRIMINALIZE THAT KIND OF BEHAVIOR ON C.T.A.

AND WE ARE WORKING TO DEVELOP PLANS ON HOW WE ADDRESS THAT TYPE OF BEHAVIOR THAT ISN'T FOCUSED ON POLICE EFFORTS BUT IS FOCUSED ON SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AND OTHERS SUPPORTING THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND GETTING THEM THE HELP THEY NEED.

>> ANOTHER ISSUE BRUTE UP, THE -- BROUGHT UP, THE GHOST BUSES AND TRAINS WHEN TRAINS OR BUSES ARE SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE BUT THEN THEY DON'T.

LET'S LISTEN TO WHAT A COMMUNITY GROUP TOLD US ABOUT THAT LAST WEEK.

>> THE SCHEDULE IS SHOWING THAT A BUS IS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE AND IT JUST DOESN'T SHOW.

SO THE TRANSIT TRACKERS ARE NOT REFLECTING THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT C.T.A.

IS ABLE TO PROVIDE RIGHT NOW.

>> WHAT ARE CULPRITS FOR THOSE ISSUES?

>> THE BIGGEST CULPRIT WE'RE FACING IS A WORKFORCE SHORTAGE.

I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH EMPLOYEES RIGHT NOW TO MEET ALL OF MY SCHEDULED SERVICE.

AND OUR BUS TRACKER AND TRAIN TRACKER RELY TO SOME DEGREE ON THE SCHEDULE TO REPORT TO OUR CUSTOMERS WHAT EXACTLY THE SERVICE IS SUPPOSED TO BE.

I AM WORKING RIGHT NOW TO MAKE CHANGES TO THAT TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL MITIGATE THAT ISSUE.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I'M REALLY FOCUSED HOW WE INCREASE OUR WORKFORCE AND FIND A WAY TO GET THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES THAT WE NEED BACK AT C.T.A.

SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT OUR CUSTOMERS ARE EXPECTING OF US.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE RECRUITING, WE'RE HIRING, WE'RE OFFERING SPECIAL INCENTIVES AND DOING ALL THE THINGS WE CAN AND I WILL BE ANNOUNCING MORE OF THAT IN THE NEXT WEEK AS WE TRY TO ADDRESS WHAT IS QUITE HONESTLY, A PROBLEM THAT JUST ABOUT EVERY MAJOR COMPANY IN THE COUNTRY IS FACING RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS HIRING PEOPLE TO COME WORK IN THEIR JOBS.

>> AND WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

IS THE REASON FOR THIS MASS RETIREMENTS?

IS IT FOLKS JUST CHOOSING TO LEAVE THE WORKFORCE ENTIRELY?

SICK DAYS?

>> IT IS ALL OF THE ABOVE.

WE'VE FACED THE IMPACT OF THE GREAT RESIGNATION.

WE'VE HAD PEOPLE WHO HAVE RETIRED.

WE ARE CONTINUING TO DEAL WITH THE ONGOING EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND YOU KNOW, WHILE WE HAD HOPED THAT WHEN THE OMICRON VARIANT CAME TO AN END WE WOULD SEE OUR WORKFORCE RETURN AT FULL FORCE.

THE REALITY IS WITH THE VARIANTS AND THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPACTING OUR EMPLOYEES, WE'RE CONTINUING TO HAVE A INCREASING AND ONGOING AMOUNT OF SICK LEAVE THAT IS OCCURRING BECAUSE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE RECOVERING FROM THE VIRUS ITSELF.

AND THAT CONTINUES TO IMPACT MY WORKFORCE.

AND IN ADDITION TO THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'VE FACED FILLING NEW VACANCIES.

>> LAST WEEK THE LEADER OF THE TRANSIT UNION TOLD US THAT THIS STAFF SHORTAGE WASN'T NECESSARILY UNPREVENTABLE.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

>> YOU CAN'T FIRE PEOPLE IF YOU CAN'T REPLACE PEOPLE.

PEOPLE ARE RETIRING.

THEIR PRACTICE OF HIRING PEOPLE FIRST AND FOREMOST IT TAKES TOO LONG.

>> THAT IS REPRESENTING THE UNION AND UNIONS ARE AT ODDS WITH THE MANAGEMENT A LOT.

TO HIS POINT THAT THE C.T.A.

DIDN'T PLAN FOR THIS, THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE FIGURED OUT A WAY TO REPLACE FOLKS RETIRING EARLIER?

>> WE PLAN FOR IT LIKE ANYBODY IN THE COUNTRY PLANNED FOR IT, PARIS.

AND THIS ISN'T A QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT C.T.A.

IS MAKING THE EFFORT TO RECRUIT AND HIRE PEOPLE.

WE ARE.

WE ARE MARKETING.

WE'RE ACTIVELY HOLDING JOB FAIRS, INCLUDING JOB FAIRS WITH THE UNION.

WE ARE OFFERING INCENTIVES.

WE ARE BRINGING BACK RETIRED EMPLOYEES TO WORK PART-TIME.

WE'RE DOING ALL THE THINGS WE CAN TO FILL THE VACANCIES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

BUT YOU HAVE TO APPRECIATE THE FACT AND IT'S HAPPENING IN THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY AND OTHER TRANSIT SYSTEMS AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT THE OUTFLOW HAS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY.

WE ARE NOW FULFILLING AND FILLING CLASSES BIGGER NOW TO GO THROUGH OUR TRAINING PROGRAM THAN WE WERE HAVING DURING THE PREPANDEMIC.

BUT IT TAKES TIME TO DO THIS.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, WHILE WE'RE DEALING WITH THIS CHALLENGE WE HAVE TO FIND OTHER SOLUTIONS TO DEAL WITH THE RELIABILITY CHALLENGE THAT WE'RE FACING WITHIN OUR OWN SERVICE.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, THERE IS A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR MANY YEARS THAT SEEMS TO BE CLOSER TO REALITY.

AND THAT IS THE $3 BILLION PLUS EXTENSION OF THE REDLINE DOWN TO 120TH STREET FROM 95TH.

YOU ARE ASKING FOR 2 BILLION FROM THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND THERE IS A TIF WITH THE RESIDENTS THAT LIVE ALONG THE REDLINE WOULD PAY INTO THAT TO FUND THIS.

HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO GETTING SHOVELS IN THE GROUND TO MAKING THIS LONG ENVISIONED PROJECT A REALITY?

>> WE ARE CLOSER THAN WE HAVE BEEN IN THE HISTORY OF THIS CITY.

WE CLEARLY NEED TO PUT THE TIF IN PLACE TO PROVIDE THE NONFEDERAL FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT.

BUT WE HAVE DOPE THE WORK NECESSARY TO BE ABLE TO GO TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND GET THE ALMOST $2 BILLION WE WILL NEED TO MAKE THE PROJECT HAPPEN.

BUT IT WON'T HAPPEN UNTIL I PUT THE OTHER PIECE IN PLACE AND WE ARE WORKING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL TO START TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE APPROVAL OF A TIF TO ALLOW US TO FUND THE REDLINE EXTENSION JUST LIKE WE DID TO FUND THE MODERNIZATION PROJECT ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE CITY.

>> THE STATE LEGISLATURE PASSED THAT TIF AND CITY COUNCIL HAS TO APPROVE TIF FUNDING FOR THAT REDLINE EXTENSION SOUTH?

>> YES, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED GAVE THE CITY COUNCIL THE ABILITY TO PUT THE TIF IN PLACE AND THE CITY COUNCIL HAS TO TAKE ACTION TO TAKE THAT HAPPEN.

WE NEED THE ACTION TO PUT A TIF IN PLACE TO FUND THE PROJECT.

>> ALDERMEN WERE SAYING WHY DOES IT NEED TO BE A TIF?

SHOULDN'T IT BE FEDERALLY FUNDED?

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?

>> I HAVE YET TO SEE ANY PROJECT THAT GOT 100% FEDERAL FUNDING AND I HAVE BEEN IN THE BUSINESS FOR OVER THROW 0 YEARS.

THE PRACTICAL REALITY IS THE PROJECT ALSO NOT GET FUNDED UNLESS YOU ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE A NONFEDERAL FUNDING SOURCE.

WE ARE ASKING FOR MORE FEDERAL MONEY ON THIS PROJECT.

BUT OR A PERCENTAGE BASIS THAN WE ASKED FOR THE RED MODERNIZATION PROJECT.

WE ARE MAXIMIZING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL FUNDING WE CAN GET TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT.

>> AND THIS IS SO NEEDED IT IS A TRANSIT DESERT ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

ARE YOU SAYING IF YOU DO GET THAT APPROVED THAT $2 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING IS A GIVEN?

OR IS THAT GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE TO GET THAT?

>> WE HAVE TO APPLY TO RECEIVE THE FUNDS.

IT IS A DISCRETIONARY PROGRAM THAT FUNDS THESE PROJECTS.

WE HAVE DONE ALL THE HARD LEGWORK TO DO THAT AND GOT THE POLITICAL SUPPORT OF THE ILLINOIS DELEGATION AND THE MAYOR AND THE GOVERNOR BEHIND US AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION WILL SUPPORT THE TYPE OF EQUITY INVESTMENT THAT WE WANT TO MAKE ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE WHICH AS YOU RIGHTFULLY POINTED OUT IS THE ONLY PORTION OF THE ENTIRE CITY THAT DOES NOT HAVE RAIL SERVICE THAT SUPPORTS THEM.

IT'S LONG OVERDUE AND I THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO BE MORE THAN WILLING TO SUPPORT WHEN THE TIME COMES TO WRITE THE CHECK FOR US.

>> ALL RIGHT, C.T.A.

PRESIDENT DORVAL CARTER THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT, PARIS.

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS FOR A LOOK AT ALARMING FINDINGS ABOUT TRAFFIC STOPS.

BRANDIS?

>> PARIS, CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS ARE ARRESTING THOUSANDS MORE BLACK DRIVERS AFTER TRAFFIC STOPS THAN THEY REPORT.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO AN ANALYSIS OF POLICE DATA FROM BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO AND INJUSTICE WATCH.

C.P.D.

REPORTED FINDING WEAPONS IN 388 TRAFFIC STOPS IN 2021 ACCORDING TO THE ILLINOIS TRAFFIC STOP STUDY.

BUT JOURNALISTS ANALYZING ARRESTS FROM THAT YEAR FOUND MORE THAN 2300 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED ON GUN CHARGES WHILE ALSO BEING CITED FOR A MINOR TRAFFIC VIOLATION DURING ENCOUNTER.

JOINING US WITH MORE ARE PASCAL SABINO THE WEST SIDE REPORTER WITH BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO.

JOSHUA LEVIN, STAFF ATTORNEY WITH THE A.C.L.U.

OF ILLINOIS.

AND OLATUNJI OBOI, PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF EQUITICITY.

WE REACHED OUT TO THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR COMMENT AND THEY DID NOT RESPOND JUST YET.

GENTLEMEN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

PASCAL SABINO STARTING WITH, YOU PLEASE, YOUR RESEARCH FOUND SIGNIFICANT RACIAL INEQUITIES HERE.

TELL US WHAT YOU FOUND?

>> SO WE FOUND THAT CHICAGO POLICE FIRST OF ALL, THE STRATEGY OF USING TRAFFIC STOPS EXPANDED VASTLY SINCE 2015 WHILE CHICAGO POLICE HAVE FRAMED IN THEIR REPORTING TO STATE REGULATORS THAT THE IMPACTS OF THE EXPANSION IN TRAFFIC STOPS HAS NOT BEEN THAT SIGNIFICANT THEY SAY THERE'S ONLY BEEN LESS THAN 400 ARRESTS MADE FOLLOWING THE TRAFFIC STOPS FOR IN PARTICULAR FOR WEAPONS.

WE'RE FINDING THE IMPACT OF THIS IS FAR BROADER AND MUCH MORE FAR REACHING THAN WHAT WAS SUGGESTED.

>> AND WHAT DIFFERENCES ARE YOU FINDING IN WHETHER CONTRABAND IS FOUND ON BLACK MOTORISTS VERSUS WHITE MOTORISTS?

>> WE'RE FINDING THAT TRAFFIC STOPS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY HAPPENING TO BLACK MOTORISTS.

FIVE TIMES BLACK DRIVERS ARE STOPPED AT FIVE TIMES THE RATE OF WHITE DRIVERS.

A LOT OF CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATING INCLUDING AS WELL AS PEOPLE AT THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE SAY THIS IS LIKELY A STRATEGY TO USE TRAFFIC STOPS TO PULL OVER BLACK DRIVERS AND SEARCH THE VEHICLES TO FIND CONTRABAND.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ARRESTS THE ARRESTS ARE OVERWHELMINGLY BLACK DRIVERS WHO ARE GETTING CAUGHT WITH ARRESTED LARGELY FOR ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION.

>> OLATUNJI OBOI WHAT IS YOUR REACTION?

>> CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS A ROGUE INSTITUTION IN OUR CITY THAT CONTINUES TO RUN ROUGHSHOD THROUGH OUR STREETS.

C.P.D.

HAS A LONG, LAWED HISTORY OF RACIAL PROFILING AND OVERPOLICING AND STOPS THAT NEEDS TO END.

IT IS AN INSTITUTION THAT REFUSES TO ADHERE TO COURT ENFORCED CONSENT DECREE.

IT REFUSES TO TAKE DIRECTION FROM MAYOR AFTER MAYOR.

IT IS AN INSTITUTION THAT IS FLAWED AND FATALLY FLAWED AND CONTINUING TO ACT AS THOUGH THIS IS JUST PAR FOR THE COURSE AS CONTINUING TO HARM BLACK AND BROWN NEIGHBORHOODS IN OUR CITY.

>> JOSHUA LEVIN SAME QUESTION?

>> IN ILLINOIS WE HAVE HAD A STATUTE ON THE BOOKS FOR 17 YEARS THAT REQUIRES EVERY POLICE DEPARTMENT IN OUR STATE TO RELEASE THEIR DATA FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL, EVERY DRIVER THAT THEY STOP.

AND THE 2021 DATA THAT CAME OUT SHOWS EXTREMELY ALARMING RACIAL DISPARITIES AS PASQUEL MENTIONED.

BLACK DRIVERS IN CHICAGO ACROSS THE CITY WERE STOPPED FIVE TIMES GREATER RATE THAN WHITE DRIVERS AND LATINX DRIVERS WERE STOPPED TWO-AND-A-HALF TIMES GREATER RATE THAN WHITE DRIVERS.

AND WE ALSO SEE HUGE RACIAL DISPARITIES IN WHICH INDIVIDUALS HAVE THEIR VEHICLES SEARCHED BY OFFICERS WHICH IS A VERY CRUCIAL PART OF THE RACIAL INEQUALITY IN TRAFFIC STOPS WE SEE THAT FROM THE DATA THAT BLACK DRIVERS ARE APT TO HAVE THE VEHICLES SEARCHED AT A FIVE TIMES GREATER RATE THAN WHITE DRIVERS.

AND SO THE DATA THAT C.P.D.

HAS RELEASED IS VERY ALARMING, VERY CONCERNING.

AND NOW WHAT WE'RE FINDING OUT IF THIS REPORTING IS CORRECT, IS THAT C.P.D.

HASN'T EVEN RELEASED ALL OF THE TRAFFIC STOP DATA.

WHICH MEANS THAT THE ACTUAL REALITY ON THE GROUND FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR MAY BE EVEN WORSE THAN WHAT THE PUBLICLY DISCLOSED DATA WOULD SUGGEST.

>> ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT TRAFFIC STOPS ESCALATING INTO SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS PARTICULARLY WITH REGARDS TO POTENTIAL POLICE VIOLENCE?

>> YES, CERTAINLY.

WE'RE A FOUNDING MEMBER OF A COALITION ENTITLED THE FREE TO MOVE COALITION AND WE ARE FOCUSED ON DECREASING POLICE STOPS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE DECREASE POLICE STOPS WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO DECREASE POLICE VIOLENCE.

ANYTIME A BLACK PERSON IS STOPPED BY THE POLICE, THERE IS A RISK THAT THAT COULD LEAD TO POLICE VIOLENCE.

>> YOU FOUND THAT GUN ARRESTS WENT FROM 2500 TO OVER 5500 IN 2020 WITH MOST GUN ARRESTS FROM TRAFFIC STOPS OCCURRING ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES.

WHAT KIND OF TRAFFIC STOPS ARE LEADING TO THE GUN ARRESTS?

>> SO SOMETHING THAT I NOTED WHEN I SPOKE TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE IS MOST OF THE TRAFFIC STOPS ARE FOR MINOR INFRACTIONS.

DRIVING WITHOUT A BUSTED TAILLIGHT.

DOING A ROLLING STOP.

ONE OF THE PEOPLE I SPOKE TO WAS PULLED OVER BY POLICE BECAUSE THEY SAID HE WAS OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC BECAUSE HE PULLED OVER HE SAID A MINUTE OR TWO TO WAVE TO A FRIEND AND KEPT MOVING.

THE TRAFFIC STOPS ARE NOT FOR ANYTHING HAVING TO DO WITH ROAD SAFETY.

AND THE EVIDENCE IN THAT IS IN THE TRAFFIC STOP STUDY REPORT.

IT SHOWS THAT OVER 90% OF THE TRAFFIC STOPS DON'T LEAD TO A TICKET.

THEY ARE NOT CITING PEOPLE FOR THE TRAFFIC STOPS WHICH YOU KNOW A LOT OF THE EXPERTS SAID THIS IS AN INDICATION THAT THESE TRAFFIC STOPS ARE NOT ABOUT TRAFFIC SAFETY THEY ARE A REASON TO SEARCH SOMEBODY'S CAR, POTENTIALLY WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT.

MAKING UP A REASON TO TRY TO FIND CONTRABAND.

AND IF THAT IS HOW THEY'RE FINDING CONTRABAND THAT CAN BE A VIOLATION OF PEOPLE'S CIVIL AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

>> TO BE CLEAR, BOTH YOU AND JOSHUA REFERRED TO THE TRAFFIC STOP STUDY A RESULT OF THE ILLINOIS TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN STOP STATISTICAL STUDY ACT, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> JOSHUA WE OFTEN HEAR ABOUT C.P.D.

TOUTING THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL GUNS THEY ARE TAKING OFF THE STREETS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO CALL FOR STRICTER GUN LAWS.

1100 C.P.D.

SAYS IN JULY ALONE.

DO YOU THINK THESE TRAFFIC STOPS ARE HOW THEY ARE REACHING SOME OF THOSE NUMBERS?

>> YOU JUST HAVE TO LOOK AT C.P.D.

'S OWN DATA TO SEE VERY CLEARLY THAT THESE TRAFFIC STOPS MOSTLY OF PEOPLE OF COLOR FOR VERY LOW LEVEL KINDS OF REASONS ARE NOT AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR ACTUALLY CONFISCATING GUNS OR CONTRABAND.

AGAIN, BASED ON C.P.D.

'S OWN DATA OUT OF ALL BLACK PEOPLE STOPPED BY C.P.D., ONLY A FRACTION OF 1% LESS THAN ONE-HALF OF 1% OF THOSE STOPS RESULTED IN CONTRABAND BEING FOUND.

SO I THINK YOU'RE CORRECT THAT C.P.D.

SOMETIMES REFERS TO THESE KINDS OF TRAFFIC STOPS AS A MECHANISM TO FIGHT CRIME.

BUT THEIR OWN DATA IS SHOWING IT IS NOT AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER.

AND I WOULD SAY ON THE CONTRARY.

THAT THERE IS A REAL COST TO THIS KIND OF RACE-BASED POLICING.

THIS DATA IS NOT A SURPRISE TO PEOPLE OF COLOR IN OUR CITY WHO EXPERIENCE THESE STOPS THAT ARE HUGH MAILIATING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IN ERM TERMS OF RESULTING IN POLICE VIOLENCE IT IS NOT ONLY THEY ARE NOT DOING A LOT OF GOOD BUT THERE'S REAL HARMS HERE.

>> AND FOR SOME OF THEM TRAUMATIC AS WELL.

WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM C.P.D.

BUT YOU GOT REACTION FROM THEM.

TELL US WHAT YOU HEARD THERE?

>> THEY SAID THAT CHICAGO POLICE IS COMMITTED TO RACIAL EQUITY NOT A LOT MORE THAN THAT.

THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE NOT ACTUALLY USING TRAFFIC STOPS AS A WAY OF TACKLING UNRELATED CRIME.

BUT I THINK THE DATA SPEAKS FOR ITSELF AND SHOWS THAT THE STRATEGIES THEY ARE USING ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY TARGETING BLACK COMMUNITIES.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS TO PASCAL SABINO, JOSHUA LEVIN AND OLATUNJI OBOI.

>> THANK YOU.

>> .

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, A BACKSTAGE TOUR OF CHICAGO'S NEWEST MUSIC VENUE AT THE OLD MORTON SALT SHED.

STAY WITH US.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON A CONTROVERSIAL REMARK MADE BY A CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

BUT FIRST, AS FAR AS CHICAGO ICONS GO IT'S NOT THE WATER TOWER OR THE MERCHANDISE MART BUT THE MORTON SALT SHED IS FAMILIAR TO ANYONE WHO HAS SEEN IT OFF THE KENNEDY EXPRESSWAY ON THE NEAR NORTH SIDE.

NOW IT IS HOME TO THE CITY'S NEWEST CONCERT VENUE.

APPROPRIATELY CALLED THE SALT SHED.

PRODUCER MARC VITALI TOURED THE NEARLY REIMAGINED BUILDING ON OPENING DAY.

>> ALONG ELSTON AVENUE, THE ROOFTOP SIGN IS BACK WITH A FRESH COAT OF PAINT.

INSIDE, PHOTOGRAPHS DETAIL THE REBUILDING AND PAINTING PROCESS ON THE STRUCTURE BUILT IN 1929.

BUT THE REAL ATTRACTION IS THE NEW OUTDOOR CONCERT VENUE ON A FOUR-ACRE SITE ALONG THE CHICAGO RIVER ACROSS FROM GOOSE ISLAND.

WE SPOKE WITH ONE OF THE KEY PLAYERS BEHIND THE PROJECT.

>> .

>> I'VE BEEN DRIVING BY THIS ALL MY LIFE YOU KNOW.

AND WHEN WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS, WE KIND OF CAME UP WITH THE IDEA OF MAYBE WE CAN REPURPOSE THIS INTO A VENUE.

WE STARTED ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.

BEEN WORKING IN EARNEST FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.

TOOK US ALMOST A YEAR TO CLEAR THE PLACE OUT AND GET THE STRUCTURE SAFE AND TRUE AND SO FOR THE LAST WE ARE WE HAVE BEEN PUTTING IT ALL BACK TOGETHER.

>> WE VISITED WHILE DRUMMER AND HIS BAND CHECKED THE SOUND FOR THEIR OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCE.

>> UP COMING PER FORMERS INCLUDE FLEET FOXES, MOUNT JOY AND ANDREW BIRD.

IN THE NEW YEAR THERE WILL BE AN INDOOR VENUE WITH CAPACITY OF UP TO 3600 PEOPLE.

OUTDOORS THERE IS A FAIRGROUND ATMOSPHERE WITH SHOPS AND BARS ALONG THE MIDWAY.

AND THEY'VE KEPT MANY OF THE DETAILS THAT MAKE THE SITE UNIQUE.

>> WE TRIED TO KEEP AS MUCH OF THE COLUMN RELICS AS WE COULD.

BEHIND ME, IS THE OLD CONVEYOR BELT THAT USED TO BRING THE SALT OFF OF THE RIVER AND INTO THE SHED.

AND THEN ALL THE STRUCTURE AND THE WALLS MORE OF AN ARC LONG CAL VIEWING OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED HERE IN A LITTLE BIT OF THE HISTORY OF THE PROPERTY.

>> ONE THING THE WORKER ENCOUNTERED A LOT OF: SALT.

>> WE GET A LOT OF SALT HERE.

WE GOT MOST OF IT OUT BUT IT SEIPPS THROUGH THE FLOORS.

IT IS AN ICONIC STRUCTURE IT IS A WONDERFUL PART OF CHICAGO AND IT'S BEEN A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO CONVERT IT INTO SOMETHING THAT HAS MORE OF AN APPROPRIATE USE IN TODAY'S WORLD.

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

>> BY THE WAY, THE PARTNERS BEHIND THE SALT SHED RUN THE PROMONTORY IN HYDE PARK AND SPACE IN EVANSTON AMONG GREAT VENUES IN THE AREA.

AND THE SALT SHED IS AN ALL AGES VENUE.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT UP COMING CONCERTS AT THE SALT SHED ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> .

>> BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON DARREN BAILEY COMPARING ABORTIONS TO THE HOLOCAUST AND THE POTENTIAL POLITICAL FALLOUT.

>> THE LIME AND THE HIBISCUS IT BRINGS IT BACK TO SUMMER.

>> AND BREWING UP THE FLAVORS OF MEXICO AT CASA HUMILDE CERVECERIA.

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... FIRST.

>> U.S. HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI DEPARTS TAIWAN AFTER A WHIRLWIND VISIT DENOUNCED BY BEIJING.

PELOSI SAYS THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIP TO THE ISLAND THAT CHINA REGARDS A RENEGADE PROVINCE WAS TO SHOW THAT U.S. WOULD NOT ABANDON TAIWAN.

>> A DELEGATION CAME TO TAIWAN TO MAKE CLEAR WE WILL NOT ABANDON OUR COMMITMENT TO TAIWAN AND WE ARE PROUD OF OUR ENDURING FRIENDSHIP.

>> IN RESPONSE TO PELOSI'S VISIT KLINE LAUNCHED FOUR DAYS OF LIVE FIRE MILITARY EXERCISES IN THE WATERS ASH THE ISLAND WHICH TAIWAN'S DEFENSE MINISTRY SAYS IS A BLOCKADE.

>> CHICAGO'S AIRPORTS ARE BOUNCING BACK FROM THE PANDEMIC.

THE FEDERAL AVIATION AUTHORITY SAYS TOTAL FLIGHTS IN AND OUT OF O'HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WERE UP 22% IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR.

O'HARE HAD MORE THAN 348,000 ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES THROUGH JUNE MAKING IT THE SECOND BUSIEST AIRPORT AFTER HARTSFIELD JACKSON.

TRAFFIC IS UP AT MIDWAY WITH A 19% SURGE.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE OWNERS WILL BE ABLE TO ROAD TRIP AROUND LAKE MICHIGAN.

ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MICHIGAN AND WISCONSIN HAVE SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN A NETWORK OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS AROUND THE LAKE.

DUBBED THE EV CIRCUIT TOUR THE AIM IS TO BOOST TOURISM MAKING IT EASIER FOR EV OWNERS TO PLAN VACATIONS ALONG THE SHORELINE.

>> A BEACH HAZARD WARNING WILL BE IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH THE EVENING ON LAKE MICHIGAN.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS IT COVERS BEACHES IN LAKE, NORTHERN COOK COUNTY AND COOK COUNTIES WHERE WAVES UP TO SIX FEET AND DANGEROUS CURRENTS WILL CREATE LIFE-THREATENING CONDITIONS FOR SWIMMERS.

AFFORD PIERS, JETTIES AND BREAK WALLS AND SHORELINE STRUCTURES.

>> A SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO FROM 2017 LANDS REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR DARREN BAILEY IN HOT WATER.

AND VOTERS SEND A STRONG MESSAGE ABOUT ABORTIONS ALL THAT AND MORE IN TONIGHT'S SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

JOINING US ARE AMANDA VINICKY, AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

WELCOME BACK, TEAM.

SO A VIDEO HAS SURFACED WHERE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR DARREN BAILEY COMPARES ABORTION TO THE HOLOCAUST.

TAKE A LOOK.

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

AND I BELIEVE IT'S ONE OF THE GREATEST ATROCITIES PROBABLY FOREVER.

THE ATTEMPT TO EXTERNAL NATION OF THE JEWS OF WORLD WAR II DOES NOT COMPARE ON THE SHADOW OF THE LIFE THAT HAS BEEN LOST WITH ABORTIONS SINCE ITS LEGALIZATION.

>> NOW, THAT IS A VIDEO FROM 2017.

THE REBUKES ARE UNIVERSAL FROM THE DEMOCRATS.

WHAT ARE THE REPUBLICANS SAYING?

>> UNIVERSAL AND STRONG FROM DEMOCRATS AS WELL AS MANY OF THEIR ALLIES.

REPUBLICANS, WELL, NOT QUITE A MONOLITH AND THAT WAS EVIDENT IN THE PRIMARY THAT BAILEY EVENTUALLY DID WIN WHERE YOU SAW A LOT OF INFIGHTING WITHIN THE COMPONENT.

THERE HAS NOT -- GROUP.

THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RESPONSE FROM THE STATE PARTY CHAIR I'VE CALLED EVERY REPUBLICAN MEMBER FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

IT IS NOT AS IF EVERYBODY ALWAYS ISSUES A REACTION TO EVERY PARTICULAR NEWS STORY.

BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD EXPECT AND IN FACT FOLKS ARE RAISING EYEBROWS AND DEMANDING WHERE IS THE STATE PARTY ON THIS?

THERE HAVE BEEN A HANDFUL OF REPUBLICANS, CONGRESS PERSON ADAM KINZINGER, HAS SAID THAT THIS IS WAS CRUEL FOR BAILEY TO HAVE SAID.

ONE OF BAILEY'S FORMER COLLEAGUES, STEVE WRIGHT SPEAKING OUT SAYING BAILEY CROSSED THE LINE AND THE CURRENT LEADER OF THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS BAILEY IS STATE SENATOR BUT HAD SERVED IN THE HOUSE AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SPEAKING OUT SAYING THAT THE HOLOCAUST WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST HUMAN ATROCITIES AND THIS HAS NO PLACE IN PUBLIC DISCOURSE.

>> PARIS, BAILEY IS BLAMING THE MEDIA SAYING IT'S BEING TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT.

EXPLAIN HOW THIS CAN BE TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT?

>> IT CERTAINLY DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT IS.

THE QUOTES HAVE BEEN PULLED FROM HIS STATEMENT THAT WE SAW THERE ON THAT FACEBOOK VIDEO UNEARTHED IN 2017.

THIS OPPONENT INCUMBENT GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SAYING THIS IS DISQUALIFYING.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SPENT TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO INSURE THAT DARREN BAILEY WOULD BE IN THIS VERY POSITION AS THE GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATE RUNNING AGAINST HIM PAUSE HE THOUGHT THAT BAILEY WAS A MORE BEATABLE CANDIDATE THAN PERHAPS RICHARD IRVIN.

AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS MANY TIMES THE FACT THIS ECHOED A STRATEGY BY DEMOCRATS NATIONWIDE QUIETLY OR BEHIND THE SCENES BOOSTING FAR RIGHT CANDIDATES IN THOSE PRIMARIES.

MAGA CANDIDATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

ELECTION DENIERS IN THE HOPES THAT THOSE WOULD BE EASIER CANDIDATES TO DEFEAT.

YOU HAVE DEMOCRATS UNIVERSAL RENOUNCING THIS AND PRITZKER RENOUNCING THIS.

BUT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT PRITZKER SPENT A LOT OF MONEY HELPING BOOST DARREN BAILEY TO BE IN THIS POSITION.

>> PARIS, I DO THINK IT IS SOMETHING VALID TO CONTINUALLY BRING THAT UP.

BECAUSE WHILE IT MIGHT BE A SMART STRATEGY POLITICALLY, IT CERTAINLY IS ALSO A DICEY GAME THAT COULD HAVE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES FOR BOTH DEMOCRATS AND DEPENDING ON IF YOU NOTED PARIS, IN SOME STATES YOU HAVE ELECTION DENIERS THOSE DENYING THE RESULTS OF THE 2020 ELECTION BEING BOOSTED AND POTENTIALLY GOING TO HOLD SPOTS AS SECRETARY OF STATES IN STATES WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO BE MAKING ELECTION CALLS THAT COULD HAVE LONG-TERM RAMIFICATIONS FOR DEMOCRACY.

>> BAILEY IS ALSO MADE THAT COMMENT ABOUT MOVING ON JUST VERY BRIEFLY AFTER THE HIGHLAND PARK SHOOTING AFTER THAT HAPPENED.

PARIS, IS THIS A MATTER OF HIM SPEAKING WITHOUT THINKING SOMETIMES?

>> THOSE COMMENTS CERTAINLY, THE TIMING OF THAT SEEMED LIKE A PLANNED EVENT.

THAT HE HAD PLANNED BEFORE HIGHLAND PARK HAD HAPPENED.

BUT HE MADE THOSE COMMENTS ON THE SAME DAY.

IT CERTAINLY SEEMED THAT THOUGH THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BIT TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT BUT HE DID SAY THE PHRASE LET'S MOVE ON WHEN THIS WAS RAW IN EVERYBODY'S MIND.

HE DID APOLOGIZE FOR THOSE.

HE SAID IF I'VE CAUSED MORE PAIN, THEN THAT KEEPS ME AWAKE AT NIGHT.

IT'S BEISING THAT THESE COMMENTS THE 2017 COMMENTS WERE MADE IN 2017 AND UNEARTHED IN THE LAST WEEK.

YOU WONDER ABOUT THE TIMING.

THIS IS THE STUFF THAT COMES OUT IN ELECTIONS.

AND THINGS ABOUT PEOPLE'S PAST GET SCRUBBED.

AND AGAIN, I GO BACK TO WHY GOVERNOR PRITZKER WANTED DARREN BAILEY TO BE HIS OPPONENT?

MAYBE HE KNEW THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONABLE THINGS IN BAILEY'S PAST AND IF THEY COME OUT -- I KNOW THAT FOLKS CLOSE TO PRITZKER HAVE RUN NUMBERS AND THEY DON'T THINK BAILEY HAS A CHANCE IN THIS RACE.

FOR REASONS LIKE THIS.

BECAUSE OF CONTROVERSIES IN HIS PAST.

>> JEWISH CONGRESSWOMAN JAN SCHAKOWSKY TWEETED QUOTE... AMANDA, IS REPRESENTATIVE SHAKOWSKY CALLING BAILEY ANTISEMITIC?

>> BASICALLY, YES AND YOU HAVE THE SPOKESPERSON FOR GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER CALLING HIM THAT AS WELL.

POINTING OUT THAT PRITZKER AS PARIS AND I TALKED ABOUT DID SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO BOOST THAT INDIVIDUAL TO BOOST BAILEY INTO GETTING THE NOMINATION.

I DO HAVE TO ALSO COMMENT ON THE NOTION OF COMMENTS BEING TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT.

WHILE I DON'T THINK THAT THAT IS A CREDIBLE DEFENSE, I NONETHELESS THINK IT WILL HOLD WATER WITH MANY OF BAILEY'S SUPPORTERS WHO THINK IN GENERAL THAT THERE IS A GRIEVANCE BY THE MEDIA AGAINST CONSERVATIVES AND IT SORT OF CARRIES ON THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST QUOTE-UNQUOTE THE MEDIA AT LARGE BY FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> TO BE FAIR THIS STRATEGY OF LIKE MEDDLING IN THE OTHER PARTY'S ELECTIONS AND PERHAPS BOOSTING CANDIDATES YOU SEE AS UNELECTABLE THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MANY ELECTION CYCLES.

THERE IS A LOT OF CONDEMNATION FOR DEMOCRATS FOR BOOSTING THESE PEOPLE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.

I SHOULD MAKE THAT CLEAR.

>> ABORTION POLITICS, PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNING AN CORD EXECUTIVE ORDER ON ABORTION THE DAY AFTER KANSAS VOTERS REJECTED THAT AMENDMENT.

TELL US ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER?

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON STATES SUCH AS ILLINOIS WHERE WE ARE ALREADY SEEING A LOT OF OUT OF STATE INDIVIDUALS COMING INTO THE STATE FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE, ACCESS AND ACCESS TO ABORTIONS.

AND IT IS AN ORDER THAT DIRECTS THE FEDERAL AGENCIES UNDER BIDEN TO HELP PATIENTS AS THEY ARE CROSSING STATES TO RECEIVE THAT PROCEDURE.

AND ALSO REALLY IMPORTANTLY BECAUSE THIS COMES DOWN TO MONEY AND FUNDING OFTEN THAT IT ALLOWS STATES, AGAIN, SUCH AS ILLINOIS PRESUMABLY GOING TO BE TAKING THE ADMINISTRATION UP ON THIS TO APPLY FOR MEDICAID WAIVERS TO HELP COVER THE COST FOR PROVIDING ABORTIONS TO THOSE PATIENT AND IT COULD HELP PROVIDERS TO CLEAR UP CONFUSION BECAUSE THAT IS ANOTHER ELEMENT WHEN DOCTORS PROVIDERS ARE UNDER AN OBLIGATION TO HELP SOMEBODY UNDER THEIR CARE WHO NEEDS LIFE-SAVING PROCEDURES AND LIFE-SAVING CARE THERE'S CONFUSION WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IN STATES WHERE ABORTIONS ARE BANNED?

WE'RE GOING TO BE EXPECTING SOME SORT OF RULES AND THAT IS GOING TO BE BASED ON A FEDERAL NONDISCRIMINATION CLAUSE.

>> PARIS, DO YOU THINK THIS COULD MEAN THAT THIS KANSAS VOTE COULD MEAN FEWER CROWDS AT ILLINOIS ABORTION CLINICS?

>> THE VOTE ON THE -- >> THE KANSAS VOTE IF PEOPLE, WOMEN, OR PEOPLE WHO NEED ABORTIONS ARE HAVING ACCESS TO THEM IN KANSAS -- >> YOU WILL STILL HAVE WOMEN COMING FROM WISCONSIN.

THE VOTE IS INTERESTING AND BEING WRITTEN ABOUT A LOT.

IT PROVES THAT IF THIS IS AN ISSUE AS A REFERENDUM ON THE BALLOT THAT THE PRO ABORTION RIGHTS CROWD IS MORE MOBILIZED AND PERHAPS DEMOCRATIC LEADING VOTERS ARE MOBILIZED TO VOTE ON THAT QUESTION.

WHAT IS STILL IN QUESTION IS DOES THAT TRANSLATE TO THE MIDTERMS AT LARGE?

TOES THAT MEAN THE SAME AMOUNT OF VOTERS WILL BE MOBILIZED TO VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS WHO THEY THINK WILL POSSIBLY VOTE IN CONGRESS TO HAVE LEGISLATIVE PROTECTIONS FOR ABORTION NATIONWIDE.

I'M NOT SURE THE SAME AMOUNT OF VOTERS WILL MAKE THAT CONNECTION BUT DEMOCRATS WANT TO BOOST THIS AS A CAMPAIGN ISSUE.

AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM LIKE EXTREME PROPOSALS IN TEXAS WHERE IT IS A COMPLETE BAN ON ABORTION AND TRYING TO CRIMINALIZE WOMEN, THOSE THINGS MIGHT MONTREALLIZE THEIR BASE BUT THOSE WILL BE UNPOPULAR FOR THE MORE MAINSTREAM CROWD.

>> ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI TRAVELED TO TAIWAN WITH HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI.

HERE IS WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE TRIP.

>> TODAY, OUR DELEGATION, WHICH I'M VERY PROUD, CAME TO TAIWAN TO MAKE UNEQUIVOCALLY CLEAR WE WILL NOT ABANDON OUR COMMITMENT TO TAIWAN AND WE ARE PROUD OF OUR ENDURING SPHRENDSHIP.

>> FRIENDSHIP.

>> WHAT DID THEY ACCOMPLISH AND WHY DID THEY TAKE THIS TRIP?

>> I THINK THE POINT WAS TO SHOW THE SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR TAIWAN, A COUNTRY THAT PELOSI HAS SAID IS LEADING THE WAY IN THE FAR EAST ON DEMOCRACY, ON FREE MARKET CAPITALISM, ON HUMAN RIGHTS, ON ENVIRONMENTALISM.

WHEN THEIR BIG NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STRAIT THERE, CHINA, HAS NOT DONE SO WELL IN THOSE REGARDS.

BUT YOU HAVE A LOT OF WE TALKED TO POLITICAL SCIENTISTS LAST NIGHT THAT WONDER ABOUT THE TIMING.

WHY DID SHE NEED TO DO IT NOW WHAT WAS THE POINT ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE'S POLITICAL PRESSURE WITHIN CHINA BY PRESIDENT XI JINPING TO SHOW A STRONG RESPONSE.

CHINA BELIEVES THAT TAIWAN IS NOT A LEGITIMATE SEPARATE COUNTRY THEY BELIEVE IT IS A BRAKE AWAY PROVINCE THAT SHOULD BE UNITED WITH CHINA AND HE MIGHT NEED TO SHOW A STRONG RESPONSE YOU'VE SEEN CONDEMNATION ABOUT THE MOVE AND SEEN SUPPORT IN AN UNLIKELY PART OF POLITICAL CIRCLES ON THE RIGHT, REPUBLICANS PRAISING PELOSI FOR DOING THIS.

>> THE PRESIDENT DID NOT WANT SPEAKER PELOSI TO TAKE THIS TRIP.

WHY GO AGAINST THE PRESIDENT?

>> A QUESTION THAT I'M SURE EVERYBODY THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF AND EVERYBODY IN THE ADMINISTRATION ARE ASKING THEMSELVES PROBABLY AS THEY ARE PULLING THEIR HAIR OUT BECAUSE IT COULD BRING DISCONCERTING WAVES FOR BOTH TAIWAN AND POTENTIALLY ALSO FOR THE UNITED STATES PARTICULARLY AS IT IS A DELICATE TIME DIPLOMATICALLY.

IT COULD BE THAT PELOSI MAYBE SEEING THE END OF HER SPEAKERSHIP PARTICULARLY GIVEN QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OUTCOME AND DEMOCRATS LOSING CONTROL OF THE U.S. HOUSE IN THE MIDTERMS.

AND SHE IS COMING TO AN END OF IT WANTING TO MAKE THE MARK AND SHE SAYS THIS DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH THE ONE CHINA POLICY.

AND THAT THIS IS JUST STANDING UP FOR DEMOCRACY WHICH THE U.S.

NEEDS TO DO AND HAS MADE A COMMITMENT TO TAIWAN TO DO.

WE KNOW THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PRESSURED HER ASKED HER NOT TO.

I PRESUME THAT PELOSI IS THINKING THAT IT WAS, HOWEVER, WORTH IT AND NOT THINKING THAT THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS TRIP ARE GOING TO BE ANYTHING THAT WILL IMPACT THE UNITED STATES TOO SEVERELY.

DON'T KNOW.

>> AMANDA, OUTSPOKEN PROSECUTORS LEAVING THE COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE VOCALLY AND DRAMA IN KIM FOXX'S OFFICE.

IS THIS GOING TO BE TROUBLE FOR HER AND HER REELECTION?

>> IF SHE RUNS AGAIN.

SO SHE STILL HAS ANOTHER TWO YEARS.

BUT CERTAINLY, SHE HAS A LOT OF BAGGAGE RIGHT NOW.

SHE DID THE LAST TIME AROUND.

BUT WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

IF YOU WIN THE PRIMARY YOU WILL HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF WINNING THE GENERAL ELECTION.

BUT WE'RE STILL A WAYS OFF.

THIS CERTAINLY IS A DIFFICULT AND TOUGH TIME FOR HER AND FOR HER OFFICE.

>> SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM, AMANDA VINICKY AND PARIS SCHUTZ THANKS, GANG.

UP NEXT, BOTTLING UP MEMORIES AND THE TASTE OF CHILDHOOD SUMMERS.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> FOR LOVERS OF A CRAFT BREW CHICAGO'S BEER STYNES OVER THROW WITH OPTIONS YOU CAN FIND BREWERIES IN THE CITY.

IT'S RARE TO FIND A MICRO BREW CRAFTED BY LATINOS.

LUCKY FOR CHICAGOANS THERE IS A SPOT THAT OFFERS BREWS WERE ALL THE FLAVORS OF MEXICO CREATED BY A PAIR OF BROTHERS.

PRODUCER ERICA GUNDERSON HOISTED A PINT OR TWO AT CASA HUMILDE CERVECERIA.

>> I THINK THE COOLEST THING WHEN WE RELEASE A BEER IS SEEING OUR GENERATION REACT TO IT.

AND WE GET SO MANY PEOPLE ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE AGE WISE WHERE THEY RELATE TO IT SO MUCH.

THE LINE, THE HIBISCUS IT BRINGS IT BACK TO SUMMER.

IT BRINGS IT BACK TO ALL OF OUR SUMMERS.

>> WHEN PEOPLE TRY OUR BEER WE WANT TO HELP THEM BRING BACK MEMORIES.

A LOT OF INGREDIENTS WE USE ARE FROM MY AREA.

IT IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT INGREDIENT.

>> TIP BACK A COLD BEER AND YOU WILL GET A TASTE OF THE MEXICAN FOOD WAYS IN EVERY SENSE.

>> WE USE OUR OWN COFFEE THAT WE ROASTED.

>> HIBISCUS, THE LIME, WE'VE USED MANGOS, PENA, WE'VE USED A LOT OF STUFF THAT KIND OF NOSTALGIC.

>> THE FLAVORS, THE FLAVORS OF A CHILDHOOD FENCE PLAYING ON THE STREETS AND SUMMERS WITH FAMILY.

THE CRAFT BREWERY IS HEADED UP BY BROTHERS JOSE AND JAVIER LOPEZ, THEY SIMPLY ENJOYED CRAFT BEER.

>> JAVIER WAS DRINKING CRAFT BEER BEFORE ME.

>> LIKE REALLY ENJOYED IT.

>> HE WOULD HAVE AT HIS HOUSE FULL OF CRAFT BEER.

SOMETIMES HE WOULD HAVE NO MILK OR EGGS BUT A FRIDGE FULL OF THOUSANDS OF IPA'S.

>> IN THE SUMMER OF 2015 THE BROTHERS TURNED THEIR OBSESSION INTO A BUSINESS.

>> I HAD A BAND HERE IN CHICAGO.

DID THAT FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS.

AND I WAS KIND OF DONE WITH THAT.

SO I TOLD MY BROTHER LET'S TRY MAKING BEER.

$600 AND GET A STOVE TOP KIT.

>> HE LIED.

>> WE DO IT ON THE STOVE.

BUT THAT TURNED INTO WELL OVER LIKE $30,000 IN EQUIPMENT.

>> WE TOOK IT OUT OF THE LIVING ROOM AND THAT WAS OUR BREW HOUSE.

>> WE ONCE WE SAW WHAT IT TAKES AND WHAT IS POSSIBLE, WE SAID WE WENT ALL IN.

LIKE LET'S KEEP WORKING AT IT.

>> AFTER A FEW YEARS OF HOME BREWING THE LOPEZ BROTHERS REALIZED THEIR BEERS HAD TAKEN ON A MEXICAN IDENTITY.

>> FIRST NAME WE HAD WAS AUXILIARY BREWING.

YOU COULD NOT RELATE TO ANYTHING FROM OUR CULTURES.

IT DOESN'T COMMUNICATE TO THE CUSTOMERS WHAT WE WANTED.

>> A REBRAND CASA HUMILDE REFLECTED THEIR FLAVORS AND THEIR FAMILY VALUES.

>> HOW UPBRINGING FROM OUR PARENTS AND GRANDMOTHER AND JUST TAUGHT US TO BE HUMBLE AND HELP PEOPLE.

WE ARE NOT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN YOU GIVE YOUR BEST.

AND PART OF IS WE STARTED BREWING AT HOME, TOO.

>> IN 2019 THE LOPEZ BROTHERS MOVED HERE WHERE BEER LOVERS CAN SAMPLE THEIR FLAGSHIPPERS AND EXPERIMENTAL FLAVORS.

>> THAT IS REALLY GOOD.

>> WE JUST DID A STOUT FOR THIS PAST WINTER.

SO IT IS INSPIRED SOUTH.

IT DID VERY WELL PEOPLE ENJOYED IT.

STRONG BEER ABOUT 8%.

BUT IT DELIVERS THE FULL FLAVOR OF ORCHATA IN IT.

>> NOW, THEY ARE BROADENING THE IDEAS OF WHAT BEER CAN BE.

>> WITH OUR CULTURE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE USED TO DRINKING BEERS ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE MOST PROUD OF WHERE WE CAN INTRODUCE THE MACRO BEER DRINKERS TO OTHER BEERS.

>> GETTING PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE A DIFFERENT WORLD.

[♪♪♪] FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> AND CASA HUMILDE CERVECERIA DEVELOPED LIMITED EDITION BEER FLAVORS HONORING FROM IT TA KAHLO TO SELL OPERATED HER PHOTOS.

TOMORROW NIGHT THEY ARE HOSTING A HAPPY HOUR DISCUSSION WITH THE EXHIBIT CURATOR AND BEER MAKERS AT DISTRICT BREW YARDS FEATURING THOSE BEERS FOR THOSE THAT LIKE A LITTLE LEARNING WITH THE LAGGERS.

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.

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. WE HAVE A LIVE REPORT FROM THE AVALON PARK COMMUNITY AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> AND MEET A MARRIED COUPLE WHO ARE TAKING ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

>> AND NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]