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

I'm Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

>> This was the only way we can protect our constituents and protect the state.

>> Texas lawmakers lead Illinois to block a redistricting vote as the state's governor calls for their arrest react.

Poor air quality lingers as Canadian wildfires.

Smoke moves across the city.

What you can do to stay safe.

And a new play brings the life of tennis icon and activist Billie Jean King to the state.

>> And now to some of today's top stories amid a backlog of 3.5 million immigration cases.

Us Senator Durbin says the Trump administration is weaponizing the system by firing judges.

He met with several of them today.

>> I was fired by email while on a family vacation.

No cause no notice.

No reason.

Since January 2025.

I've watched my professional colleagues and friends over 100 of them.

either fired resign or transfer to other government jobs, even more judges have simply quit.

>> 16 more Chicago public schools are now deemed sustainable community schools.

>> The sustainable community schools model helps.

To transform schools into the hubs and their communities based on the needs of our families.

It is a model this specifically designed to prioritize investments and historically distant vested communities.

>> This brings the total number of schools using the sustainable school model to 36 in the coming academic year.

Up from 20 CPS launched Ascs model in 2018 to include wraparound supports for schools as well as restorative justice discipline, parents, engagement and inclusive school leadership.

The city says the new schools will see additional mental health support, more mentorship programs and increased access to jobs and housing resources for a list of those new schools.

You can visit our website.

And one of the burning communities beloved piping plover has died.

Faris was one of the 3 chicks that hatched at Montrose Beach this year.

But the six-week-old plover was killed by a red-tailed hawk midday Saturday.

Reminder of the many hazards that the endangered Great Lakes piping plover space.

The other 2 chicks being and l work present when the attack occurred.

The group Chicago Piping plover is confirmed.

The 2 are safe at Chicago 63rd Street Beach still preparing for their first southern migration.

Controversy in Texas Lands Lonestar State lawmakers here in Chicago 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.

>> Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, is ordering the arrest of his Democratic state.

Lawmakers.

The move comes after Democratic members of the Texas House fled the state arriving here in Illinois and New York in an attempt to block a vote on a new congressional map.

That map would expand the number of Republican leaning congressional seats by 5.

Here's what some Texas lawmakers had to say.

>> Gerrymandering is a problem in a lot of states, not just red states, states, blue Democrats and Republicans.

Both gerrymander.

Now this power grab in Texas is a different level.

It is more brazen.

It is more egregious is more discriminatory and it's happening in the middle of the decade because the president of the United States directly requested 5 more seats that he doesn't have to face accountability in the midterm elections, which incredibly dangerous.

If we expect that people can hold their elected officials accountable, they're not mad that states are redistricting for partisan purposes.

They're mad that a Republican state is doing the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the great state of Texas.

Absolutely allows us.

>> To undergo this type of redistricting We're doing something that's completely legal.

It's completely constitutional.

And I'm doing everything I can in my power as an elected member of the state of Texas to make sure that the state of Texas does everything in its power to make sure the Republicans hold on to a majority in the United States.

Congress.

>> So joining us now, our Illinois House Republican leader Tony Macomb, be and Harold Krantz, professor of law at Chicago Kent College of Law.

We should mention we did invite many Democratic members of the Illinois state Legislature to join us, but they either declined or did not immediately return our messages.

We think a Colombian professor credit for joining us.

Mesereau, I want to start with you.

Please explain how we got to this point.

>> Well, people to say that they're not going to interfere with political redistricting in any of the states.

So rest, state, blue state, it doesn't matter.

You can politically gerrymandered to your heart's content.

It doesn't do well for a unified country.

Only.

Basically intensifies partisanship.

But that's what Texas is starting Illinois threatening to fight back as his New Jersey and California.

So have to race to the gerrymandered districts.

I don't think this can mean anybody's best interest, but the president has sparked it we're going to see where it leads to.

>> Yeah, we're going to come back to that conversation about some blue states attempting to redistrict in in so-called retaliation.

Professor, is this though it is this unusual move to redistrict in the middle of the decade so far out from the most recent census?

>> I mean, it's it's somewhat unusual, but there's been periods in past.

And indeed, this isn't the first walkout Texas legislatures, Democrats periodically have fled to neighboring states to try to avoid some kind of showdown.

Most recently in 2021. are voting rights changes.

So this kind of politics at this kind granular level doesn't rise as does redistricting.

And, you know, I just think this is not going to good for the country.

>> going to be what do you make of the Texas Democrats move?

>> Well, first gerrymandering, if he's right, it is ridiculous.

What is being done all around our nation and Illinois doesn't have to threaten anything because we are already completely redistrict.

As you're aware.

We have a 78 40 majority in the House and we should buy fair mapping.

We should have 11 more seats which still puts us in the minority, but certainly shouldn't be this vast, you know, with not having a balanced government, it's a bad government for Republicans and Democrats.

I get their plight there.

And in Texas, you know, being outvoted and outnumbered.

It's not easy, but you have to stay and you have to fight.

You can't.

And it wasn't just about that vote.

this particular session was also about the flood victim.

So it's unfortunate that they've decided to change our definition of a sanctuary state.

>> A leader and, you know, sort of to the point about, you know, gerrymandering, what do you think?

What do you make of the state of Texas deciding to redistrict and draw new maps in the year 2025?

Versus the way most states have done it.

And obviously as professor Krentz said they can do this.

But what do you make of it?

>> Yeah, was you're aware the we did file a lawsuit to actually try to do it here.

We lost on the fact of gerrymandering.

So I understand if there's a situation where we were the opposite, we had a study done and we've we've found that there was 52 gerrymander districts.

Illinois has one of the most gerrymandered district.

Our state's time with nationwide.

I think, congresswoman.

But guy has the most gerrymandered congressional seat in in the nation.

So it's it's not healthy to have this happen in any state.

Like I said, we have to have balance government to have good government.

>> Professor Texas, Governor Greg Abbott.

As we mentioned, he has ordered the arrest of those Democratic state lawmakers.

He's threatening to remove them from office.

Does he have authority?

>> Give me the answer of that.

You know, both sides of question.

First of all, is we have our jurisdiction of the law enforcement only extends to the boundary of the state.

And so the state have no authority.

Law enforcement across the border lines.

So if they sent law enforcement into Illinois, they be rogue state.

The outlaws subject to Illinois law.

So there's been a some come semblance of these We're ups from time to time in our history.

And I think it's pretty clear that there's no kind of crossing state lines in terms of actually arresting these individuals who are in Illinois.

Now, second, does he have legal authority?

He says that these individuals have abandoned there positions and so that he can call for new elections and appoint interim because of their abandoned.

But that's not what means.

Even intend to return.

They haven't.

We announced they were built interest in becoming a legislator, in fact, are doing this because of their interest being legislators.

In addition, under Texas law pretty unclear that the government has the power even to appoint replacements.

Well, you can do is order special elections.

So for both those reasons can't appoint his successor, haven't abandoned and you can't arrest them.

This is a still many still has come to continue at least for weeks.

However, how long it's going to last is anybody's guess.

The there is a fine $500 per day for the Legislature's that they're facing.

That can be pretty steep after a couple of weeks.

So maybe a couple of them will go back.

And as we've seen in the past and this divisive gerrymander will continue.

>> Leader McConnell be Governor Pritzker has said at a news conference in DuPage County, he said, quote, Let's be clear, this is not just rigging the system in Texas.

It is about rigging the system against the rights of all Americans for years to come.

What are your thoughts on what Governor Pritzker and saying because he at the same time has given refuge to to the Texas lawmakers who are here.

>> Yeah, certainly he did roll out the red carpet.

You know, I strongly disagree with the governor on this issue.

He ran his first election stating that he would never sign a partisan map that was drawn by or a map drawn by legislators.

And he did he went against is his own campaign promise and he did sign it.

And have that.

That's unfortunate.

I think for him to be getting involved with this is certainly.

Really is it?

He's a hypocrite for being a part of this because Texas and other states are responding to the actions that are done in states like ours.

This is just result of that.

In my opinion, I think, you know, you're talking about democracy and they do believe that their house than the house Texas, your voice is your vote.

And so if you're not voting, where that's where your voices.

So it's the governor said that and you got to be there to vote.

Professor at the Texas House.

They failed to meet a quorum today.

Of course, they adjourned until tomorrow.

>> But what is the timeline hearing?

they have to go home at some point.

Could still pass when they get back could it?

>> Well, actually could pass.

But the question is there, how long as they can?

The has to be done the enough time before the midterm election to to make a difference.

And, you know, I think that, you know, the governor here is saying, look, if you this is really kind of outrageous that this kind of redistricting is happening because the president wants you to do it so close to the midterms.

And so to give refuge for these legislatures to says make sense of trying to hold the fort and not have California.

Jersey is blue states try to match what the Red State Texas has done.

Leader McConnell your by the way.

Well, what we've got Houston.

left yet.

Okay.

We've got 40 seconds.

I want to get to leader McConnell briefly because we brought this up a couple of times.

>> The prospect of blue controlled states or democratically controlled states.

Also redistricting in retaliation lead or what's your reaction to that?

>> I don't think anybody should be gerrymandering, Republican or Democrat.

I think it and the professor and I agree beforehand.

We talked about an independent commission.

That is how it should be done.

Legislator should not be picking their voters.

Voter should be picking us.

Totally agree.

>> Okay, that you know what?

I'm gonna leave it there because I've got the 2 of you Thanks so much.

To a House GOP leader Tony Macomb be and Chicago can't College of Law.

Professor Health Grant, thanks, everybody.

you're up next, what recent air quality alerts could mean for your health >> hazy skies here again today as Canadian wildfire smoke is moving across Chicagoland.

The last few days.

The National Weather Service has issued local air quality alerts.

And while there's no alert for today, some are raising concerns about the impact the smoke could be having on people's health.

Joining us now, our doctor, Juanita Mora, a respiratory doctor and board director with the American Lung Association.

And on zoom from Champaign, Illinois state climatologist Trent Fort.

Welcome back to you both.

Thanks for joining us.

Trent Fort, I want to start with you, please, because we've had several days of air quality alerts still pretty hazy today, house with these alerts mean?

>> the alerts or combination from Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA and the National Weather Service.

So the EPA monitors air quality the concentrations of a number of pollutants, including particulate matter.

It's just little buddy, solace in the air that we can prevent that that really harm us.

Our respiratory system, ozone action oxide, so on so forth and when those concentrations that are measured on the ground get to a certain point.

Surpass Twitter, different levels, unhealthy for sensitive individuals.

Those who have pre pre-existing health conditions, unhealthy for all populations on so forth was to get that level.

Then the PA works.

The National Weather Service enough.

These alerts like a severe thunderstorm warning or a tornado warning or extreme heat advisory so folks can can can take heed and protect themselves from in some cases, a pretty dangerous health situation.

>> Andrew, what can you tell us about the Canadian wildfires in the smoke that's been settling over the city to cause this?

>> Yes, so you know that the wildfire smoke has really been in the crosshairs in Chicago and across much of Midwest the last week or so.

But in reality, the wildfires been burning really since the spring and some ways some ways controls and uncontrolled.

What happened is last week when we had those storms move through midweek Wednesday, Thursday, they changed the wind direction from primarily south, which is why I was really hot, humid for a long time, primarily northwest and that drop the temperature dropped to 2 point.

So everybody was happy as far as how comfortable there was, but also brought in that wildfire smoke from the northwest from that part of Western Canada.

And with that, those elevated levels of particulate matter and ozone particular.

That that makes for unhealthy air situation that's really stuck around.

This got better over the last couple days.

When we look at the forecast it's going to improve as we unfortunately Searcy that are come more out of the south.

heat up again.

for now, you know, we've had this string of days where we've had a pretty poor air quality across much of city.

Chicago.

>> And Dr more.

What is the impact on people's respiratory health when we have this poor air quality, of course.

And this is what I think seeking clinic and really in kids adults because these particles are so tiny that they're one 30 at the diameter of one here on our head while and they enter through the eyes of cars burning of the eyes enter through.

know is that nasal congestion?

Sinus pressure.

Then they entered through our mouth, going directly to our lungs and for people with underlying lung disease like asthma or COPD or emphysema, wheezing, shortness of breath, and it goes on to make an inflammatory cascade into other organs to swell.

What precautions to people need to take.

Well, when we're looking at the zones, absolutely red.

When we're looking erode, we're looking at Purple and Chicago was the most contaminated city on the whole planet.

We have to make sure one that people are working outdoors or being outdoors for a long time that they wear an n 95 mask or more because these particles of a surgical mask is not enough to that.

If they have underlying lung disease that they're taking their control or medications and have a rescue inhaler on hand in case they get into trouble 3, that they don't have to be at place not to be outdoors as well, too.

And that that tend to be exercising outside or taking the kids out to the park.

And number 4, that I always tell them as well to it is that if you've been outdoors coming back home, taking a shower, changing your clothes, doing nasal saline, just to get all the particles out of are no set cetera.

Okay, Trent, the last time air quality was this much of a concern was June Think a lot of us probably remember that summer.

Can we expect this to be?

>> More of an issue in the future with extreme weather becoming more of a national concern our new normal.

>> Yeah, it's a really good I mean, if face value wildfires or at least the length and intensity wildfire season in Western North America.

Some parts of the U.S. and Canada has been increasing.

So seen a longer and more intense wildfire season and that's projected to continue as climate continues to warm.

so what that means is that increases the risk of when we get the right atmosphere conditions.

The wind blowing out of the northwest.

Some nice sinking air will because of signs from the top, the atmosphere that allows that the particulate matter to to sink down to where we can breathe it in and increases the risk all those things coming together in an increasing the how often we have to deal with this.

And I can mention, unfortunately, with the way the direction of the winds, we often this time of the year.

Consider northwest flow to be very pleasant because it's try.

It's it's not humid.

It cool.

But unfortunately, when those wildfires are burning, it can also mean an increased risk of of of poor air quality.

Yeah.

>> Entrance Chicago was ranked number one for worst air quality in the world on Thursday as Dr Mora mentioned, why do you think conditions got so compared to other major cities?

>> combination of bad luck.

And and just the size of Chicago.

the particulate matter and ozone, but particularly the particulate matter are something that we deal with in certain neighborhoods consistently in Chicago, but not nearly to the level of what was probably the wildfire so that pollution was on top what is already kind of a baseline higher concentrations of certain types plude's just because of all the activity, the cars of transportation, the HVAC systems Chicago.

The other part of the bad part was the fact you know, for most of the last week or so, we've seen the highest concentrations of of those clues farther north into parts like Green Bay, Minneapolis.

And unfortunately right around that Friday to Saturday market shifted down and really blasted the Chicago land area with a poor air quality.

So like a mention of the last few days, we've seen it slowly begin to to to lessen at least a little bit by the end of the week.

The forecasts show pretty decent air quality as we heat up again.

But yeah, just the unfortunate timing with everything going on in the city of a popular weekend poor air quality.

>> Dro got about 20 seconds left, had a lot of festivals this weekend.

Have you noticed an uptick in patients experiencing problems from this air?

So I had clinic on Thursday and on Saturday.

So I saw kids who had been at Lollapalooza who had we I kids with really burning eyes as well to shortness about people who had never had a coming in with cough symptoms as well too.

So this is bill and I tell people if you can see it, you can believe it.

All right.

Take care of yourself, folks.

Okay.

That is where we'll leave it.

My thanks to Dr. Anita, more and state climatologist rent for.

Up next, a new play about tennis legend Billie Jean King.

A local theater is serving up a new play about a groundbreaking athlete and champion of gender equality.

Tennis icon Billie Jean King's life and career are the subject of a new production at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

The Play takes King's life from the court to the state, telling her journey in becoming a grand slam champion and fighter for gender equality while in during her own personal struggles.

Here's mark the tally with the story.

>> You know, Billie Jean King, the American tennis icon with 39 grand slam titles who also became a household name in the fight for gender equality.

Now she's making a return not to center court, but the center stage in a new play about her life.

It's called Billy Jean and it's playing at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

>> It's very appropriately certain here and Shakespearean in the size and scope of the story and of, you know, her in such a hero has been the play takes audiences through various chapters in Philly, Jean's life.

>> Starting from her days as an enthusiastic kid, finding inspiration on a tennis court to dominating singles and doubles matches at Wimbledon and winning the 1973 battle of the sexes against Bobby Riggs to portray the sport on stage lead actress Shalina Kennedy had some large tennis shoes to fill.

>> This is going very particular serve in a very particular aggressive style.

And she's got a very famous back and and so I felt it was really important to sort of to get the physicality that and especially with this unique way train tenants on say just not liberal tenets are not releasing rackets and but you are seeing.

>> Our body somewhere between dance and movement in tennis.

training the game and change their style.

So I really want to get that right.

>> The play also covers the rise and fall of Billie Jeans, relationships with both platonic and romantic partners and with herself turning love into more than just a score on the court.

>> It's a love story with her partner, Alana, but it's also a story about the love of community, the love of athletics.

The love women playing a game.

The love of tennis say yes.

It's a story about sports.

Yes, it is a story about a great Cingular, a achiever, but she's the first one to say this is It's not me.

>> Actress and comedian Lily Tomlin part of the team that developed the She said her role is to protect feminist history, but I didn't have to do They got it Although Tomlin doesn't personally.

No.

Billy Jean very well.

She says the Tennis Legends Life Story offers something for everyone.

don't have to be sports fan to our Natalie.

>> To appreciate Glen Jean.

she she just did everything she if you If you if you ever been underestimated.

Well or dismissed.

told the stand your own lane.

You can really to build a chain.

>> Let's give them a show.

A Chicago tonight.

This is market Ali.

>> Billie Jean King has lived in Chicago for at least part of the year for decades.

Billie Jean plays at Chicago, Shakespeare Theater through August 10th.

You can check out our website for more on that conversation with actress and comedian Lily Tomlin and that's our show for this Monday night.

Join us tomorrow night at 5, 30 10.

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

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

>> Closed captioning is made possible by Robert a cliff and Clifford a Chicago personal injury and wrongful death that