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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I'M AMANDA VINICKY.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO ISOLATE TAIWAN.

>> A FURIOUS RESPONSE FROM CHINA TO SPEAKER PELOSI'S VISIT.

WE TALK WITH A CONGRESSMAN WHO WAS ON THAT TRIP.

>> AND THE BILL AS AMENDED IS PASSED.

>> THE SENATE PASSES A HISTORIC CLIMATE BILL WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND YOUR WALLET.

>> THE F.B.I.

REMAINS COMMITTED TO PURSUE ALLEGATIONS OF PUBLIC CORRUPTION.

>> THE HEAD OF CHICAGO'S F.B.I.

OFFICE IS RETIRING AFTER 30 YEARS.

ONE-ON-ONE WITH HIM TO DISCUSS TOP THREATS, HIS LEGACY AND MUCH MORE.

>> SOME INDIANA COMPANIES AT ODDS OVER THE STATE'S NEW ABORTION LAW IS ILLINOIS POISED TO CAPITALIZE?

THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> HEAR ABOUT THE CANDIDATE VYING TO REPLACE ALDERWOMAN MICHELE SMITH IN CITY COUNCIL.

>> THERE IS A LOT MORE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> A LOOK AT ILLINOIS' GROWING CANNABIS INDUSTRY AS MORE DISPENSARY LICENSES ARE ISSUED.

>> HUMAN HEALTH IS DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE WAY WE TREAT THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND THE WAY WE TREAT THE ENVIRONMENT IS IMPACTED BY HUMAN HEALTH.

>> AND AN INITIATIVE ON THE SOUTH SIDE TAKES A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO COMMUNITY HEALTH.

>> BUT FIRST FIRST.

>> FORMER FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS THE F.B.I.

RAIDED HIS MAR-A-LAGO RESORT IN FLORIDA.

ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT HE PROVIDED TO CNN THE TRUMP SAID THE RAID WAS UNANNOUNCED AND HIS HOME IS CURRENTLY UNDER SIEGE AND OCCUPIED BY A LARGE GROUP OF F.B.I.

AGENTS.

THE STATEMENT SAYS THEY BROKE INTO MY SAFE.

>> FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ARE ONCE AGAIN EYEING SPRINGFIELD, THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" REPORTING THE F.B.I.

CONTACTED ILLINOIS STATE SENATOR SIMS AS PART OF A FEDERAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION.

IT'S REPORTEDLY PART OF A PROBE LOOKING INTO WHETHER LAW ENFORCEMENT TECH COMPANY ACTS SON ENTERPRISE TRIED TO INFLUENCE HIM IN HIS OFFICIAL DUTIES WHILE WORKING ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE LEGISLATION.

THE LAW IN PART REQUIRES EVERY POLICE OFFICER IN THE STATE TO WEAR A BODY-CAMERA BY 2025.

AND THEY MAKE THE BODY-CAMERAS AND HIRED THE LAW FIRM WHERE SIMS IS EMPLOYED TO LOBBY ON THE COMPANY'S BEHALF.

THE SENATOR SAID HE HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG.

>> OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN THE STAR OF GREASE HAS DIED.

HER HUSBAND ANNOUNCED HER DEATH WRITING THAT SHE HAS BEEN A SYMBOL OF TRIUMPHS AND HOPE FOR 30 YEARS SHARING HER JOURNEY WITH BREAST CANCER.

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN HAD SEVERAL TOP 10 SINGLES IN THE U.S. AND WON FOUR GRAMMYS AND STARRED IN GREASE.

NEW SON JOHN WAS 73.

>> UP NEXT, A CRIMINAL -- UP NEXT, A LOCAL CONGRESSMAN DEFENDS HIS VISIT TO TAIWAN WITH HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> CHINA HAS EXTENDED AIR AND NAVAL MILITARY EXERCISES NEAR TAIWAN AFTER A CONTROVERSIAL VISIT BY A U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION LED BY HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI.

HERE IS WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY WHEN ADDRESSING CRITICISM OF HER TRIP TO A PLACE CHINA CONSIDERS A BRAKE PROVINCE.

BRAKE AWAY PROVINCE.

>> OUR FRIENDSHIP IS STRONG AND IT IS BIPARTISAN IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR PEACE THE STATUS QUO IN TAIWAN.

>> AND JOINING US IS ANOTHER MEMBER OF THAT DELEGATION ON THE TRIP, CONGRESSMAN RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI.

CONGRESSMAN KRISHNAMOORTHI WELCOME BACK AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THERE ARE REPORTS THAT CHINA'S EXPANDED THESE ALLEGED MISSILE DROPS INTO THE WATERS AROUND THE TAIWAN STRAIT.

ARE YOU WORRIED THAT THE VISIT THERE MIGHT HAVE PROVOKED A BROADER CONFLICT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THIS TYPE OF PROVOCATIVE BEHAVIOR UNFORTUNATELY HAPPENED LONG BEFORE WE WENT TO TAIWAN AND IT'S HAPPENING NOW.

IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE AND RECKLESS.

BUT IF THE COST OF AVOIDING THAT TYPE OF PROVOCATIVE BEHAVIOR IS SEETHING CONTROL OF TAIWAN OR OUR TRAVEL SCHEDULE TO THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY THAT IS NOT A PRICE WE ARE GOING TO PAY.

>> TELL US YOUR IMPRESSION OF TAIWAN AND WHAT YOU ACCOMPLISH?

>> ?

LIGHT OF UKRAINE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHAT HAPPENED WITH UKRAINE DOESN'T HAPPEN WITH TAIWAN.

THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH OUR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS AND ALLIES IN THE REGION AGAINST ANY AGGRESSION BY THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

AND THEN THE SECOND REASON WE WENT WAS TO EXTEND OUR ECONOMIC TIES WITH TAIWAN AND OTHER COUNTRIES IN LIGHT OF THE PASSAGE OF THE CHIPS ACT WHICH ENCOURAGES MORE MANUFACTURING OF SEMICONDUCTOR CHIPS IN THE UNITED STATES TAIWAN WAS ESPECIALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND IN FACT, THEY'VE PLEDGED TO INVEST $20 BILLION IN MANUFACTURING FACILITIES IN AMERICA FOR THOSE HIGH-END SEMICONDUCTOR CHIPS.

>> ONE OF THE CRITICISMS WE HEARD FROM SOME CHINA EXPERTS THAT WE HAD ON THE SHOW IS WHY NOW?

GIVEN THE FACT THERE'S INTERNAL POLITICS AT PLAY IN CHINA THEY HAVE THE UPCOMING CHINESE NATIONAL CONGRESS.

WAS THE TIMING A PROBLEM?

>> I THINK THE TIMING WOULD ALWAYS BE A PROBLEM FOR THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY THEY WOULD SAY WE SHOULD NEVER GO TO TAIWAN.

THEY WERE TRYING TO SET A PRECEDENT NOT ONLY FOR US BUT ANY MEMBER OF CONGRESS AND INCREASINGLY THEY WILL DO THAT TO UNOFFICIAL VISITS, MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND SO FORTH.

AND SO, AGAIN, IT'S ABOUT CONTROL, PARIS.

THEY WANT TO HAVE COMPLETE CONTROL OVER WHAT HAPPENS WITH TAIWAN.

AND THEY WANT TO STRANGLE THAT DEMOCRACY.

AND UNDER THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT WE ARE LEGALLY OBLIGATED TO SUPPORT TAIWAN IN ITSELF DEFENSE.

>> AND I'M SURE THE CONGRESSMAN FROM ILLINOIS THE INVESTMENTS HERE IN THE U.S. AND HERE IN ILLINOIS.

YOU MENTIONED THE POLICY.

WE THE U.S. HAS THIS ONE CHINA POLICY AND THE UNOFFICIAL DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT POLICY A LITTLE MORE FOR US?

>> SURE.

UNDER THE ONE CHINA POLICY, AND THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT, BASICALLY, WE ARE OBLIGATED TO DO TWO THINGS.

ONE, IS SUPPORT THE DEFENSE OF TAIWAN.

TWO, SUPPORT OUR OWN FORCES IN THEIR CAPACITY TO RESIST THE USE-OF-FORCE BY ANY PARTY IN THAT REGION.

AND YOU KNOW, THERE IS A THIRD WHICH IS WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT PRC AS BEING THE OFFICIAL, I GUESS, COUNTRY OF CHINA.

BUT ALL THAT BEING SAID, ALL THE DIFFERENCES THAT REMAIN ARE TO BE NEGOTIATED PEACEFULLY, PARIS.

NOT THROUGH MILITARY MOVEMENTS, NOT THROUGH PROVOCATION WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THE PRC IS ENGAGED IN RIGHT NOW.

>> DO YOU THINK THE U.S. SHOULD RECOGNIZE TAIWAN AS ITS OWN SOVEREIGN NATION OR CONTINUE WITH THIS ONE CHINA POLICY AND THEN HAVING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN?

>> I THINK WE SHOULD MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO.

WE WANT TO RESTORE CALM AND STABILITY TO THE TAIWAN STRAIT AND THAT MEANS AGAIN, WE WANT TAIWAN TO BE ABLE TO FLOURISH IN ITS DEMOCRACY.

BY THE WAY, I'VE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT TAIWAN DURING THAT TRIP.

AND SINCE WHICH IT IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE FREEST COUNTRIES ON EARTH.

NOT ONLY IN TERMS OF HAVING A BOOMING AND FLOURISHING ECONOMY AND IN TERMS OF ITS RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND MINORITIES WITHIN TAIWAN.

AND WE WANT THAT TO CONTINUE.

AND SO EVEN AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE MAINTAIN OFFICIAL TIES TO THE PRC AND WE SHOULD FIND WAYS TO WORK WITH THEM, WE SHOULD ALSO MAINTAIN TIES WITH THE TAIWAN GOVERNMENT AND HOPEFULLY THEY CAN RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES AT THE BARGAINING TABLE.

>> CERTAINLY CHINA NOT KNOWN TO HAVE STRONG RECORDS ON SOME OF THOSE THINGS YOU MENTIONED.

I WANT TO MOVE TO THE MASSIVE CLIMATE AND INFLATION BILL THAT PASSED THE SENATE.

IT IS A $750 BILLION BILL THAT AMONG OTHER THINGS CALLS FOR A 15% MINIMUM INCOME TAX ON CORPORATIONS AND OFFERS $430 BILLION IN INSENSITIVES TOWARDS CLEAN ENERGY AND CAPS THE PRICE OF INSULIN.

ARE YOU A YES VOTE WHEN IT COMES TO THE HOUSE?

>> YES, I AM A YES VOTE.

IT LOWERS THE DEFICIT AND DEBT BY $300 BILLION OVER 10 YEARS.

IT DOES A NUMBER OF THINGS.

IT LOWERS CARBON EMISSIONS.

IT LOWERS PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES.

IT LOWERS PREMIUMS FOR INSURANCE POLICIES ON THE OBAMACARE EXCHANGES.

IT LOWERS DEFICITS AND LOWERS INFLATION OVER TIME THIS IS GOOD STUFF, PARIS.

>> HOW DOES THAT INFLATION PROVISION HOW DOES IT ADDRESS INFLATION?

>> THE IDEA IS THAT ECONOMISTS SAY THAT ONE OF THE WAYS THAT YOU CAN LOWER INFLATION IS REDUCING GOVERNMENT DEBT AND GOVERNMENT SPENDING OVER TIME.

AND SO BY DOING THIS YOU BASICALLY HELP TO REDUCE DEMAND A LITTLE BIT.

AND YOU HELP TO LOWER INFLATION.

>> AND IS THIS THE KIND OF BILL THAT IS GOING TO GET NEAR UNANIMOUS SUPPORT AMONG DEMOCRATS, GIVEN MARGINS YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE TOO MANY DEMOCRATS?

OR COULD IT BE CAUGHT UP WITH INTERPARTY BATTLES?

>> AF GOOD FEELING ABOUT THIS.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO GET A NEAR UNANIMOUS VOTE ON OUR SIDE.

WHO KNOWS WE MAY GET ONE OR TWO VOTES ON THE OTHER SIDE.

I DON'T KNOW.

BUT THERE'S SO MUCH GOOD STUFF IN HERE AND THIS INFLATION REDUCTION ACT THAT IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS VOTES NO IN WHICH CASE THAT WOULD ALSO SIGNAL WHERE THEY STAND FOR INSTANCE ON CAPPING THE PRICE OF INSULIN FOR SENIORS OR TRYING TO LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES AND SO FORTH.

>> I'M SURE STUFF THAT DEMOCRATS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO RUNNING ON FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

POLLING SHOWS DEMOCRATS HAVE A SLIGHT EDGE IN TERMS OF THEIR APPROVAL RATING FOR MAINTAINING CONTROL OF CONGRESS ALTHOUGH WILL THAT BE ENOUGH GIVEN THE WAY THE DISTRICTS ARE DRAWN TO NOT LOSE THE HOUSE TO REPUBLICANS?

>> I DON'T KNOW, PARIS.

I THINK THAT ULTIMATELY THE MOST IMPORTANT POLL WILL BE ELECTION DAY.

UNTIL THEN WE WILL BE RUNNING LIKE WE'RE 10 POINTS DOWN AND WE SHOULD BECAUSE THIS IS A CHALLENGING YEAR AND WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET PEOPLE OUT TO VOTE.

AND OF COURSE, TO CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT IT'S BETTER TO HAVE DEMOCRATS IN CHARGE OF THE HOUSE.

I THINK THAT -- AND THE SENATE.

AND I THINK THIS INFLATION REDUCTION ACT WITH PASSAGE OF THE CHIPS ACT ALONG WITH PASSAGE OF THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND THE GUN VIOLENCE REDUCTION BILL, SHOWS THAT WE CAN GET THINGS DONE.

WE NEED TO GET THINGS DONE.

AND IT'S BETTER TO DO THAT THAN TO END UP RELITIGATING 2020 OR TALKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN STRIP WOMEN OF THEIR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM OR GET RID OF GUN CONTROL MEASURES AND SO FORTH.

>> IT HAS BEEN A FLURRY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTION OF LATE H CONGRESSMAN RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

>> AND NOW WE GO TO AMANDA FOR MORE ON THAT INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.

>> TALK ABOUT A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY.

NEVER BEFORE HAS THE U.S.

INVESTED THIS MUCH IN REVERSING CLIMATE CHANGE OVER THE WEEKEND, THE SENATE PASSED THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT WHICH AMONG OTHER THINGS PUTS $370 BILLION TOWARDS CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVES.

MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE TAX BREAKS ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES, SOLAR PANELS AND NEW WINDOWS.

THE BILL AIMS TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 40% BY 2030, CRITICS SAY IT WILL HURT RATHER THAN HELP YOUR WALLET.

JOINING US ARE BRIAN GILL, FEDERAL POLICY DIRECTOR FOR THE ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL.

SETH WHITEHEAD DIRECTOR AT THE RESOURCES BOARD AND POLICY AT ELEVATE A CHICAGO BASED NONPROFIT THAT AIMS TO BRING CLEAN ENERGY TO LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES.

>> THIS IS ASCRIBED THE BIGGEST INVESTMENT IN RENEWABLE ENERGY.

HOW MAJOR IS THIS LEGISLATION?

AND WILL IT ALLOW THE UNITED STATES TO MEET PRESIDENT BIDEN'S CLIMATE CHANGE GOALS?

>> IT'S HARD TO OVERSTATE HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS.

THIS IS THE SINGLE LARGEST INVESTMENT THAT THE U.S. HAS EVER MADE TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE.

IT'S GOING TO LOWER AMERICAN'S ENERGY BILLS AND IT WILL CREATE GOOD PAYING JOBS AND IT'S GOING TO LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS, FIGHT INFLATION AND HELP CORPORATIONS PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.

ALONE, THIS BILL DOES NOT GET US WHERE WE NEED TO BE ON FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE.

BUT IT IS AN INCREDIBLY HUGE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WHEN YOU COMPARE IT WITH OTHER STATE ACTIONS.

>> AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET STATE ACTIONS.

SETH, TO YOU, TURNING TO RELIANCE ON RENEWABLES, WIND, SOLAR DOES THAT MEAN A REDUCTION IN FOLKS LOOKING TO NATURAL GAS AND OIL.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOUR INDUSTRY?

>> WELL, I THINK WE'LL STILL ALWAYS NEED NATURAL GAS, ESPECIALLY FOR WHAT RENEWABLES PROVIDE WHICH IS ELECTRICITY.

IN FACT, THE RENEWABLES MAKE IT NECESSARY TO HAVE THE NATURAL GAS BACK UP WHICH IS WHY A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE SAY THAT RENEWABLE ENERGY IS CHEAPER THAN COAL OR NATURAL GAS.

BUT THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY TRUE.

IT MAYBE AT THE SOURCE.

BUT AS FAR AS THE COST TO CONSUMERS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO HAVE THE BACKUP WHICH IS EITHER NATURAL GAS OR BATTERIES, THE COST THAT CONSUMERS PAY IS MORE WHICH IS WHY YOU SEE ELECTRICITY COSTS IN PLACES LIKE CALIFORNIA SO HIGH AND GERMANY WHERE THEY ARE MORE THAN DOUBLE BEFORE THE ENERGY CRISIS WERE MORE THAN DOUBLE THAN WHAT THE ELECTRICITY RATES ARE IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> TO THAT END WE HEARD REPUBLICAN LEADER MITCH McCONNELL SPEAK ABOUT THAT.

THIS IS A MEASURE THAT PASSED ON PARTY LINES.

AND SO LET'S HEAR WHAT McCONNELL HAD TO SAY.

>> AMERICANS WITH HIGHER ELECTRIC BILLS HUGHER UTILITY BILLS AND GAS PRICES AND MORE DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN COUNTRIES THAT DON'T LIKE US.

>> ANN, DO YOU, THE REPUBLICAN LEADER SAYING THIS IS GOING TO HIKE COSTS.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE THIS MEANS FOR AMERICANS' WALLETS?

>> WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT BECAUSE THERE'S JUST A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY HERE TO DRIVE INVESTMENT AND REDUCE ENERGY COSTS.

ESPECIALLY IN COMMUNITIES THAT EXPERIENCE HISTORICALLY DISINVESTMENT.

THERE ARE REALLY GREAT REBATES IN THE BILL FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

AND FOR RENEWABLES.

THERE'S NICE TAX CREDITS FOR FOLKS WHO INVEST IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN THEIR HOMES.

YOU NEED MONEY UP FRONT TO BE ABLE TO OVERHAUL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS OR TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR EVEN IF YOU GET 7500 FROM THE GOVERNMENT TO OFFSET THE COST OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE.

HOW CAN LOW INCOME FOLKS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT?

>> THAT IS A GOOD POINT.

YOU ABSOLUTELY DO.

SOME OF THE REBATES IN THE BILL THEY ARE SETUP SO IT IS A HIGHER LEVEL OF REBATE FOR FOLKS WHO DON'T HAVE A LOT OF INCOME.

AND THAT WILL HELP THEM OVERCOME THAT FIRST COST BARRIER TO ACCESS TO CLEAN ENERGY.

THERE'S ALSO SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

FOR RENTERS, WHO ARE IN AFFORDABLE APARTMENT BUILDINGS THOSE BUILDING OWNER WILL BE ABLE TO INVEST IN THE BUILDING WHICH WILL REDUCE THE BILLS THAT EVERYBODY IN THE BUILDING PAYS.

>> LET'S GET BACK TO WHAT SENATOR McCONNELL HAD TO SAY ABOUT ENERGY SECURITY AND RELIANCE ON FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

BRIAN, THE BILL BACKERS SAY IT WILL MAKE AMERICA MORE ENERGY INDEPENDENT, AGAIN WE HEARD FROM McCONNELL.

WHICH IS IT?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE UNITED STATES ENERGY SECURITY?

>> I MEAN, THE MINORITY LEADER SAYING THAT THIS IS GOING TO INCREASE CARBON EMISSIONS AND DECREASE OUR ENERGY SECURITY IS JUST SIMPLY FALSE.

WE ARE HEADED TOWARDS RENEWABLE ENERGY AS THE NECESSARY PRIMARY SOURCE OF ENERGY FOR CONSUMERS.

WE ARE HEADED TOWARDS ELECTRIC VEHICLE AS THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION.

AND SO I JUST WE TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH WHAT SENATOR McCONNELL SAID.

>> SETH, I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JUMP IN AND PERHAPS ALSO OFFER TO US WHAT IS A MORE SUSTAINABLE PATH TO ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE?

>> I HEAR THAT A LOT THE WIND AND SOLAR CAN MAKE US ENERGY INDEPENDENT AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

THE FACT IS THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE MATERIALS THE MINERALS, NEEDED FOR THE BATTERIES AND THE COMPONENTS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES, SOLAR PANELS, WIND TURBINES ARE SOURCED FROM OTHER COUNTRIES AND MOST PREDOMINANTLY CHINA.

THE LAST THING WE NEED IS TO BE DEPENDENT ON CHINA FOR THESE MATERIALS THESE RAW MATERIALS.

NOW, IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS IN THE UNITED STATES OPPOSE THE MINING THAT IS NEEDED TO BASICALLY SOURCE DOMESTICALLY THE TRANSITION THEY WANT.

SO REALLY CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.

WE NEED TO HAVE AN ALL ABOVE APPROACH TO PULL THIS OFF.

AND ONE THING THAT WE'LL HAVE TO DO IS TO PRODUCE THE MATERIALS WE NEED FOR TRADITIONAL ENERGY AND FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY HERE IN THE UNITED STATES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND RIGHT NOW THAT IS NOT HAPPENING.

BASED ON [INAUDIBLE] >> BACK TO YOU BRIAN, AS WE NOTED EARLIER ILLINOIS DID PASS THE CLIMATE JOBS ACT LEGISLATION AND ALREADY THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT ROLLING BROWNOUTS PARTICULARLY IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS DUE TO CLOSURES OF COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS.

IS THIS GOING TO EXACERBATE THAT?

>> NO.

THIS DOESN'T CHANGE THE INDUSTRY OVERNIGHT.

IT DOESN'T DO IT IMMEDIATELY.

THERE IS A PLAN IN PLACE, ESPECIALLY AS YOU MENTIONED ILLINOIS LAST YEAR PASSED THE CLIMATE AND EQUITABLE JOBS ACT WHICH HELPS SUNSET SOME OF THE COAL PLANTS AND HELPS US PROVIDE A JUST TRANSITION FOR COMMUNITIES, FOR WORKERS, TO TRANSITION OVER TO RENEWABLES AS THE PRIMARY SOURCE.

THERE'S PROVISIONS IN PLACE.

THERE'S GUARDRAILS IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

>> AND ALSO, BRIAN, CAN THIS WORK WITHOUT POLITICAL BUY IN FROM STATES WITH ECONOMIES THAT ARE PARTICULARLY RELIANT AND LINKED TO THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY?

>> THERE'S CERTAINLY A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF STATE'S ACTION THAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE FOR US TO HIT THE TOP TIER CLIMATE GOALS.

AGAIN, ILLINOIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE LEADERS IN THE SPACE.

LAST YEAR PASSING THE MOST EQUITABLE CLIMATE LAW AND CLEAN ENERGY LAW IN THE COUNTRY WITH THE CLIMATE AND EQUITABLE JOBS ACT.

HOWEVER OTHER STATES DO NEED TO TAKE MORE ACTION AND TAKE ON MORE OF THE BURDEN BUT THIS IS AN ENORMOUS STEP AND SETS THE EXAMPLE IN PUSHING STATES AND COMPANIES TO TAKE THOSE STEPS NECESSARY.

>> AND THIS DOES STILL AWAIT A VOTE FROM THE U.S. HOUSE.

OUR THANKS VERY MUCH YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.

>> UP NEXT, TAKING A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO COMMUNITY HEALTH.

STAY WITH US.

>> A CAREER DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE HAS TAKEN ROOT ON THE SOUTH SIDE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THEIR COMMUNITY.

IN THE FOURTH YEAR, THE IMANI GREEN HEALTH ADVOCATES, PROGRAM OFFERS PROFESSIONAL TRAINING TO INTERNS INTERESTED IN PURSUING CAREERS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH OR CONSERVATION HEALTH.

THE PROGRAM IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS AND OPERATES ON THE PRINCIPLE THAT KEEPING THE ENVIRONMENT HEALTHY GOES HAND IN HAND WITH KEEPING OURSELVES HEALTHY.

ERICA GUNDERSON HAS THE STORY.

>> MY FAVORITE TREES BECAUSE THE LEAVES ARE SO BIG.

>> I LIKE THIS TREE CALLED OHIO BUCKEYE.

I LIKE THIS TREE IT'S CALLED A >> MY TREE IS A GINKGO TREE.

THEY LOOK LIKE FANS IN THE WIND.

>> ON A LEAFY STREET IN PULLMAN, AJIAH GILBERT.

>> FOR THE PUBLIC RELATIONS TEAM.

>> WE SPEND OUR DAYS ASSESSING STREET TREES ALONG CHICAGO PARKWAYS AND LOGGING THEIR HEALTH METRICS.

>> THE TEAM IS PART OF THE IMANI GREEN HEALTH ADVOCATES PROGRAM A CAREER DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE THAT COMPRISES TWO COHORTS OF INTERNS EACH WITH A DIFFERENT FOCUS.

THE CONSERVATION COHORT TRAINS INTERNS IN MANAGING TREE HEALTH AND OFFERS TREE CAREFREE OF CHARGE IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE IT OPERATES.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THE SOUTH SIDE THEY DON'T LIKE THEIR TREES BECAUSE THEY THINK IT WILL RUIN THEIR PIPES OR THINK THAT IT DROPS A LOT OF LEAVES.

AND ONE LADY AND SHE WAS SAYING HOW RACCOONS CLIMB UP THE TREE AND GET INTO HER ATTIC.

WHICH IS TRUE.

THERE IS A LOT MORE BENEFITS THAT I THINK AREN'T NOTICED OR KNOWN ABOUT.

SO I THINK THAT WE ALSO REALLY HELP BY EDUCATING PEOPLE.

>> THE SOUTH SIDE IS A HEAT ISLAND WHICH MEANS THAT THERE'S NO TREES TO COOL IT OFF SO IT'S SIGNIFICANTLY HOTTER IN THE SUMMER THAN THE REST OF CHICAGO LIKE THE NORTH SIDE.

IT ALSO SEQUESTERS CARBON IN THE ATMOSPHERE WHICH LOWERS AIR POLLUTION AND IT HELPS WITH STORM WATER RUNOFF.

>> AND THEY PROVIDE A LOT OF MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS WHICH I THINK PEOPLE OFTEN FORGET ABOUT.

>> ONCE YOU GET DOWN TO THE NITTY-GRITTY DETAILS OF IT A LOT OF PEOPLE CHANGE THEIR MIND LIKE OH, I DID NOT REALIZE THAT.

MY ELECTRICITY BILL IS LOWER BECAUSE I HAVE THIS OAK TREE IN FRONT OF MY OFFICE.

>> THE SECOND GROUP WORKS TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE FOOD PHARMACY WHICH TWICE A WEEK DISTRIBUTES FRESH FOOD TO PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES LIKE DIABETES.

>> PATIENTS ARE ABLE TO SIGN UP THROUGH THE DOCTOR IF THEY ARE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY.

WE SEE A LOT OF PATIENTS WHO ARE EITHER HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN THEIR MEDICATION OR EATING.

SO WE'RE HERE TO BREAK THAT BARRIER.

>> LIKE THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN CONSERVATION HEALTH, THE COMMUNITY HEALTH INTERNS BELIEVE THE PERSONAL CONNECTIONS THEY MAKE WITH PEOPLE WILL EFFECT LASTING CHANGE.

>> YOU CAN REACH MORE PEOPLE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH RATHERRING THAN SAYING MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY.

THE FOOD PHARMACY HELPS PREVENT THOSE THINGS THAT CAN HURT THEM LATER IN LIFE.

IT IS MORE OF A CONVERSATION THAN JUST GIVING YOU A PACKET OF INFORMATION.

>> AND THEY SAY WORKING TOWARDS BOTH ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY HEALTH CREATES A NATURAL CONNECTION.

>> THE ENVIRONMENT IS FACING SO MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW AND IT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE OF COLOR IN LOW INCOME AREAS.

JOINING THEM TOGETHER HELPS US BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IS ALWAYS HUMAN HEALTH.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES" THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

AND YOU ARE FIND MORE ON OUR WEB SITE.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", BOEING IS SET TO RESUME DELIVERY OF THE 787 JETS THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT LOOKS TO MAKE A THIRD APPOINTMENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL.

WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES VYING TO REPLACE ALDERWOMAN MICHELE SMITH?

THE HEAD OF CHICAGO'S F.B.I.

IS RETIRING AFTER 30 YEARS.

WE'RE ONE-ON-ONE TO DISCUSS TOP THREATS HIS LEGACY AND MUCH MORE.

AND A LOOK AT THE STATE OF ILLINOIS' GROWING CANNABIS INDUSTRY AS MORE DISPENSARY LICENSES ARE ISSUED AND CALLS TO IMPROVE IT.

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE ILLINOIS AND CHICAGO FRATERNAL ORDERS OF POLICE ENDORSE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE DARREN BAILEY FOR ILLINOIS GOVERNOR.

BUT THE FOP PRESIDENT CATS RA SAYS CATANZARA SAYS BAILEY WAS NOT HIS FIRST CHOICE.

>> THIS LODGE 7 INDOORSED IRVIN FOR THE PRIMARY BECAUSE THE STATE DID NOT ENDORSE IN THE PRIMARY.

WE DID THAT FOR ONE REASON.

WE THOUGHT RICHARD IRVIN HAD THE BEST CHANCE TO BEAT PRITZKER.

DARREN BAILEY PROVED US WRONG.

>> BAILEY BACKS LAW ENFORCEMENT UNLIKE ANY OF THE POLITICIANS IN THE STATE.

CATANZARA SAYS HE NO LONGER PLANS TO RUN FOR MAYOR AND WILL INSTEAD FOCUS EFFORTS ON GETTING REELECTED AS FOP PRESIDENT.

>> A DOWN STATE SOLAR FARM WILL POWER MORE THAN 425 CHICAGO OWNED BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES BY 2025.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER ANNOUNCED THE DEAL TODAY.

>> WHICH INCLUDES SUPPLYING CHICAGO WITH ABOUT 300 MEGAWATTS OF NEW ILLINOIS SOLAR POWER.

ENOUGH TO POWER FOR EXAMPLE, OUR LARGEST CONSUMERS OF ELECTRICITY.

INSTITUTIONS LIKE O'HARE, MIDWAY, AND OUR WATER PUMPING STATIONS.

IT ALLOWS US TO ACHIEVE OUR CITYWIDE GOAL OF TRANSITIONING ALL CITY OPERATIONS TO 100% RENEWABLE BY 2025.

>> AND OFFICIALS SAY CONSTRUCTION ON THE GENERATOR KNOWN AS DOUBLE BLACK DIAMOND SOLAR IS SET TO START BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

WORKERS AT 5 INTELLIGENTSIA COFFEE ORGANIZED.

90S H% OF WORKERS VOTED IN FAVOR OF UNION REPRESENTATION WITH THE LOCAL 1220 OF THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS.

THE MOVE COMES AFTER THE SIX CHICAGO AREA STARBUCKS VOTED TO UNIONIZE LAST WEEK.

AND BACK TO AMACHINE DA FOR STOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> THANKS.

ILLINOIS IS POISED TO GAIN SOME OF INDIANA'S LOSSES DUE TO THE HOOSIER STATE'S NEW ABORTION LAW.

BOEING PREPARES THE DELIVERY FOR 787 DREAMLINER JETS AND GROUPON MAKES CUTS TO THE WORKFORCE.

ANN DWYER JOINS US.

ELI LILLEY IS CONCERNED THAT INDIANA'S ABORTION LAW WILL HIT-AND-RUNNER THE ABILITY TO ATTRACT TOP TALENT.

AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER IS WELL AWARE OF THAT, WHAT DOES THE NEW ABORTION LAW MEAN FOR ILLINOIS?

>> IT MEANS IT'S POSSIBLY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ILLINOIS TO GIVE AS GOOD AS IT GETS.

FOR YEARS WE'VE BEEN TAKING ALL KINDS OF GUFF FROM INDIANA ABOUT STEALING COMPANIES AND STEALING RESIDENTS.

AND NOW PRITZKER AND THE LIGHTFOOT ADMINISTRATION BOTH ARE REALLY GATHERING UP TO TRY TO -- GEARING UP TO TRY TO MAKE A RUN FOR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES THAT ARE HEADQUARTERED IN INDIANAPOLIS.

INDIANA IS A TARGET RICH ENVIRONMENT IN THE PHARMA SPACE ALREADY A LOT OF COMPANIES THERE IN ELI LILLEY'S ORBIT AND THE THINK THE EFFORT IS NOT SO MUCH CONCENTRATED ON WINNING OVER HEADQUARTERS BECAUSE ELI LILLEY HAS BEEN IN INFLAP LIST FOR A LONGTIME BUT THE COMPANY IS TALKING ABOUT FUTURE GROWTH PERHAPS NOT BEING IN INDIANA.

AND THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CHICAGO TO SNAG SOME LIFE SCIENCES TALENT TO GET THE COMPANY TO PERHAPS INVEST IN PUTTING OFFICES AND LABS HERE IN THE WINDY CITY.

>> PARTICULARLY IF THEY WANT TO BE CLOSE TO THE HEADQUARTERS.

I'VE SEEN THE BILLBOARDS WHICH I TRAVEL TO INDIANA.

INDIANA TRYING TO STEAL THE ILLINOIS JOBS AND RESIDENTS.

AFTER ALMOST TWO YEARS HAND OFFERS WERE HALT ODD DUE TO MANUFACTURING LAWS BOEING GETS THE GREEN LIGHT TO DELIVER THE 787.

WHAT IS THE LATEST?

FLY US THERE, ANN?

>> THE LATEST THIS IS A LONGTIME COMING.

THE DREAMLINER IS A PRODUCT THAT BOEING HAD PUT A LOT OF CHIPS ON AS SORT OF THE LONG-HAUL AIRLINER OF THE FUTURE.

THIS WAS A PLANE MODEL WAS MEANT TO BE BUILT WITH ULTRA LIGHTWEIGHT PARTS AND COMPONENTS AND MEANT TO BE PUT TOGETHER IN A MODERN WAY THAT INVOLVED BOLTING TOGETHER LARGE CHUNKS OF THE PLANE AS OPPOSED TO BUILDING THE SMALLER COMPONENTS ON-SITE.

THAT ALL RAN INTO A MAJOR WALL WHEN THE F.A.A.

STARTED TO FIND MANUFACTURING FLAWS IN THE MODEL AND SAID YOU CANNOT DELIVER THESE THINGS.

BOEING STOCK TOOK A HUGE HIT AND HAS NOT CLIMBED OUT OF IT.

SO THE NEWS TODAY THAT THEY CLEARED THE BAR WITH THE F.A.A.

AND THEY'VE GOTTEN THE GREEN LIGHT TO DISTRIBUTE THESE AGAIN, NO SURPRISE THAT BROUGHT THE STOCK UP 4% JUST IN A MATTER OF A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND OF COURSE AS BOEING LOOKS TO TAKE OFF FROM CHICAGO.

NOW, GROUPON LAYING OFF, HOWEVER, HUNDREDS OF WORKERS.

DO WE KNOW HOW MANY?

AND WHY IS THIS ONCE MAGIC COMPANY DOING SO?

>> IT'S 500 WORKERS OR 15% OF THE WORKFORCE.

AND THE COMPANY SAYS THEY ARE GOING TO LEAN IN MORE ON AUTOMATION AND THEY HAVE TO.

THEIR COST STRUCTURE AS FAR AS WE CAN TELL IS VERY MUCH OUT OF WHACK.

NOT AS OUT OF WHACK AS IT WAS IN THE EARLY DAYS WHEN YOU MAY REMEMBER GROUPON EMPLOYED HUNDREDS OF WRITERS WHO TOILED INSIDE GROUPON HEADQUARTERS WRITING PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS FOR EACH OFFER THE COMPANY MADE.

THOSE DAYS ARE GONE.

BUT WITH THE PARED DOWN WORKFORCE THE COMPANY IS LOOKING FOR ANSWERS TO TOUGH QUESTION: HOW DO THEY COMPETE IN A VERY, VERY TIGHT MARKETPLACE?

AND AUTOMATION IS GOING TO BE THE KEY TO THAT.

THEY ARE MAKING CUTS IN INTERNATIONAL DIVISIONS.

WE WILL BE KEEPING AN EYE ON WHAT HAPPENS THERE.

>> SORRY TO THE WORKERS.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT INFORMATION WITH US.

ANN DWYER.

>> THANK YOU, AMANDA.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT WILL HAVE A CROWDED FIELD TO CHOOSE FROM AS SHE WEIGHS A REPLACEMENT FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBER MICHELE SMITH.

THE LINCOLN PARK ALDERWOMAN IS SET TO STEP DOWN FROM CITY COUNCIL FRIDAY.

HERE IS WHAT SHE TOLD PARIS SCHUTZ WHY SHE WAS LEAVING BEFORE HER TERM ENDS IN 2023.

>> I'M THE YOUNGEST MEMBER OF MY FAMILY AT 67.

I HAVE AGING RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OF WHOM I HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES.

UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES I COULD NOT WAIT SEVEN MONTHS AND I HAD TO SAY THAT IT WAS TIME TO LEAVE REALLY A JOB THAT I LOVE VERY MUCH.

>> SOMETIMES THE FOCUS IS FAMILY.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINING US WITH MORE.

THANK YOU, HEATHER.

HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE APPLIED TO REPLACE ALDERWOMAN SMITH AND BIG NAMES IN THAT GROUP?

>> 17 PEOPLE MET THE DEADLINE TO APPLY TO REPLACE ALDERWOMAN SMITH.

AND PROBABLY THE BIGGEST NAME IN THE BUNCH IS TIMMY KNUDSEN, A LAWYER WHO SERVES AS LORI LIGHTFOOT'S HAND PICKED CHAIR OF THE CITY'S ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS.

HE HAS ALSO ALREADY CREATED A CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WITH STATE OFFICIALS TO ALLOW HIM TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE 2023 RACE.

AND THERE IS NO DOUBT HE IS THE SERIOUS CONTENDER.

>> AND PERHAPS AS MAYBE AN IN WITH THE LIGHTFOOT ADMINISTRATION.

THIS IS GOING TO BE HER THIRD APPOINTMENT TO CITY COUNCIL.

WHAT DO HER DECISIONS TELL US ABOUT WHO SHE MIGHT PICK TO REPRESENT LINCOLN PARK.

>> ?

IN THE 11TH WARD AND 24TH WARD SHE PICKED WOMEN OF COLOR WITH DEEP TIES TO THE WARD'S POLL INDICATION ORGANIZATION.

IN THE 43 WARD SHE IS LOOKING FOR AN ALLY THAT CAN HELP HER WIN REELECTION AS MAYOR BECAUSE LINCOLN PARK IS ONE OF THE MOST VOTE RICH AREAS OF THE CITY.

>> AND ALSO BY THE WAY, THIS WARD INCLUDES OLD TOWN, THE GOLD COAST.

WHAT IS NEXT?

AND WHAT IS THE MAYOR'S DEADLINE HERE?

>> WELL, THE CITY COUNCIL HAS TO CONFIRM A REPLACEMENT FOR ALDERWOMAN SMITH BY OCTOBER 12 UNDER STATE LAW.

NOW, THE DECISION IN THE HANDS OF A THREE-MEMBER ADVISORY COMMITTEE PICKED BY THE MAYOR TO ADVISE HER ON THIS SELECTION THAT WILL PROBABLY BE A LITTLE WHILE UNTIL WE FIGURE OUT WHO THE MAYOR WANTS, THE CITY COUNCIL REMAINS IN ITS AUGUST RECESS UNTIL SEPTEMBER.

>> AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE MAYOR WILL PICK FROM THAT BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO.

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THAT INFORMATION HEATHER AS EVER.

>> THANKS AMANDA.

>> AND YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATES HOPING TO FILL THE CITY COUNCIL SEAT ON OUR WEBSITE.

WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND NOW, PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THERE'S NEVER A SHORTAGE OF ACTIVITY IN THE LOCAL F.B.I.

OFFICE INCLUDING INVESTIGATIONS INTO GUN TRAFFICKING AND POLITICAL CORRUPTION.

THE MOST RECENT BIG CASE BEING THE MASSIVE FEDERAL INDICTMENTS OF FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN AND ComEd ASSOCIATES NOW THE HEAD OF CHICAGO'S F.B.I.

OFFICE IS RETIRING AFTER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE.

SPECIAL AGENT EMMERSON BUIE, JR. IS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN AGENT IN CHARGE AND HAS BEEN RUNNING THE MIDWEST LARGEST FIELD OFFICE SINCE 2019.

AND HERE TO DISCUSS HIS LEGACY AND MORE IS RETIRING AGENT, EMMERSON BUIE, JR.

WELCOME BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT" CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ON YOUR CAREER.

YOU TOOK OVER IN YOUR HOMETOWN IN 2019.

HIGH PROFILE CORRUPTION CASES, GUN CASES AND THEN COVID, CIVIL UNREST IN 2020.

WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES RUNNING THAT OFFICE AMID ALL OF THIS?

>> THANK YOU, PARIS FOR INCITING ME BACK.

IT IS A COLOR TO BE HERE.

I THINK THE -- PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

THE CHALLENGES WERE THE SAME CHALLENGES EVERYBODY EXPERIENCED.

NOBODY ANTICIPATED THE WORLD BEING SHUTDOWN BY A PANDEMIC.

THE PANDEMIC PEOPLE WERE CONCERNED FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AS WELL AS THEIR FAMILY'S PERSONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AND THEN IT PUT EVERYBODY IN A MESS WHICH ALLOWED PEOPLE WHO WERE INTERESTED IN COMMITTING CRIMES, A LITTLE MORE COMFORT BECAUSE YOU KNOW, IT WAS HARDER TO IDENTIFY INDIVIDUALS.

SO THAT WAS DIFFICULT NOT TO MENTION BECAUSE THE SOCIAL SCENE AND OTHER CONCERNS A LOT OF INNOVATIVE PLATFORMS HAD TO BE CREATED TO COMMUNICATE AND SHARE INFORMATION SO THE WORK CONTINUED TO BE DONE.

>> THAT MASK MUST BE TRICKY.

DID YOU HAVE ZOOM MEETINGS WITH SOURCES?

OR PEOPLE YOU WERE INVESTIGATING IF YOU COULD NOT MEET FACE-TO-FACE?

>> WELL, I MEAN, THERE WERE A LOT OF INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES TOOT TOOK PLACE.

NOTHING REPLACES FACE-TO-FACE MAINLY WHAT WE HAD TO DO WAS CREATE ALTERNATIVES FOR COMMUNICATING AND SHARING INFORMATION WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS AND INTELLIGENCE PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE WERE COORDINATED IN THEIR EFFORTS IN PURSUING THE THREATS THAT WERE OUT THERE.

>> AND THERE WERE LOTS OF THREATS AS VIOLENCE WAS ON THE RISE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

AND THEN YOU'VE GOT THE BOMBSHELL INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED CORRUPTION WITH ComEd AND MICHAEL MADIGAN.

I KNOW THE F.B.I.

DOESN'T LIKE TO TALK ABOUT SPECIFICS IN CASES WHAT WENT INTO INVESTIGATING A CASE LIKE THAT.

>> .

>> INVESTIGATING PUBLIC CORRUPTION CASES PARTICULARLY HIGH PROFILE CORRUPTION CASES.

IT'S RESOURCE INTENSIVE.

AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

HERE IN THE CHICAGO OFFICE WORKING WITH OTHER FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERS, WE TAKE PRIDE IN THE EFFORTS WE PUT FORWARD TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CITIZENS HAVE THE ACCOUNTABILITY THEY DESIRE TO MAKE SURE PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ARE DOING THINGS THE RYE WAY.

>> RIGHT WAY.

>> AND IT IS NOT JUST THE MADIGAN CASE LOTS OF OTHER CASES IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

DO YOU THINK THE CASE ALSO MAKE A DENT IN FUTURE CORRUPTION AND PERHAPS PUBLIC OFFICIALS THINKING TWICE BEFORE THEY PUT THEIR HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR?

>> THERE'S ALWAYS WHENEVER YOU HAVE A CORRUPTION CASE COME TO THE FOREFRONT, THE HOPE IS THAT IT WILL BE A DETERRENT FOR OTHERS NOT TO PURSUE THAT SAME TYPE OF CONDUCT.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT THE CITIZENS THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF ANYTHING THAT IS GOING ON THAT IS INAPPROPRIATE OR THAT THEY BELIEVE TO BE INAPPROPRIATE, THAT THEY REPORT IT RIGHT AWAY.

NO ONE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, NO ONE THAT IS TAKEN THEIR OATH SERIOUS IN POLITICS WANTS ANYONE DOING ANYTHING INAPPROPRIATE.

AND IN THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE THERE ARE ALLEGATIONS, BELIEVE IT OR NOT YOU HAVE SUPPORT ACROSS THE BOARD FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO BE PURSUED, TO EITHER VALIDATE THE ACTIVITY AND TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION.

OR INVALIDATE THE ACTIVITY SO THAT NO ONE'S REPUTATION IS HARMED SERIOUSLY BY THOSE ALLEGATIONS.

>> WE MENTIONED THE MYRIAD GUN CASES AND VIOLENCE CASES THE F.B.I.

INVESTIGATED, GUN TRAFFICKING CASES, GANG CASES, EXPLAIN TO OUR VIEWERS WHAT THE F.B.I.

BRINGS TO THE FIGHT AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO?

>> WELL, THE F.B.I.

BRINGS A NUMBER OF THINGS PARTICULARLY WE BRING A FEDERAL TOOLBOX THAT INCORPORATES A LOT OF TECHNIQUES AND ABILITIES TO THE TABLE THAT STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MAY NOT HAVE.

THE F.B.I.

IS NOT BOUND BY THE STATE JURISDICTION.

BECAUSE WE ARE TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZATION.

AND ALSO WE HAVE OUTREACH INTO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AS WELL.

SO THAT ALLOWS US TO NOT JUST GO AFTER THE IMMEDIATE THREAT WHICH IS THE PERSON COMMITTING CRIMES IN YOUR PARTICULAR CITY, BUT IT ALLOWS US TO GO AFTER THE INDIVIDUALS THAT MAY BE SUPPLYING ILLICIT GUNS OR DRUGS TO THE CITY THROUGH A CHAIN AND A NUMBER OF OTHER STATES OR COUNTRIES.

SO WE BRING THAT CAPABILITY.

WE'RE ALSO THE ONLY ORGANIZATION IN THE WORLD THAT HAS BOTH INTELLIGENCE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES WHICH MAKES US UNIQUE BECAUSE WE ARE ABLE TO PROCESS INFORMATION ON TWO FRONTS WHICH MAKES US MORE EFFECTIVE IN HOW WE DO OUR BUSINESS.

>> THE F.B.I.

AND DOJ HAS GONE AFTER CARTELS AND GUZ MAN, SO YOU MENTIONED THE ROOTS OF THOSE OF THOSE THINGS THAT CAUSE GANG VIOLENCE.

THIS IS YOUR EXIT INTERVIEW WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE AS YOU ARE GOING OUT, WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE THE CITY NEEDS MORE OF TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM?

>> COOPERATION.

IT IS A MULTIFACETED PROBLEM AND IT HAS BEEN SINCE I WAS A YOUNG KID GROWING UP IN CHICAGO.

THERE ALWAYS NEEDS TO BE ALTERNATIVES.

YOU CANNOT ARREST YOUR WAY OUT OF EVERY SITUATION.

THERE HAS TO BE ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO HAVE OPPORTUNITY AND TO GROW AS GOOD CITIZENS.

YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO PURSUE THE VALUABLE EMPLOYMENT OR VALID EMPLOYMENT THAT IS GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO SUPPORT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.

YOU NEED OPPORTUNITIES TO HIGHER EDUCATION THAT ALWAYS HELPS AS WELL.

AND THEN, IN DOING THAT AND PURSUING THOSE ALTERNATIVES WHAT IT ALLOWS YOU TO DO IS TO SEE SOMEPLACE OTHER THAN CHICAGO AND OTHER THAN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND MEET PEOPLE WHO MAY OR MAY NOT LOOK LIKE YOU THAT YOU CAN BUILD NETWORKS AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH TO ALSO IDENTIFY MENTORS, COACHES, AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS THAT WILL SUPPORT YOU IN YOUR ENDEAVORS TO DO BETTER.

IT IS A MULTIFACETED PROGRAM THAT NEEDS TO BE IMPLEMENTED TO GIVE PEOPLE ALTERNATIVES.

AND LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY AS EVERY LEVEL PROSECUTORS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY, THE JUDICIARY AND THE CITIZENS HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES TO GIVE PEOPLE AN HONEST DAY IN COURT.

A FAIR DAY IN COURT.

AND IF EVERYTHING IS WORKED AS IT SHOULD, I THINK YOU WILL CONTINUE TO SEE A REDUCTION.

>> AND YOU CERTAINLY YOUR CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS BROUGHT YOU ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

YOU CAME BACK IN 2019 TO YOUR HOMETOWN OF CHICAGO TO LEAD THIS OFFICE.

WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY ON THIS OFFICE TO BE AS YOU LEAVE NOW?

>> SO I NEVER GOT INTO THIS JOB NECESSARILY TO HAVE A LEGACY.

I GUESS MY LEGACY WILL BE WHAT OTHERS WHO I HAVE COME IN CONTACT WITH AND BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH AND TOUCHED, WILL DETERMINE IT TO BE.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HOPE THAT IF PEOPLE WERE TO DISCUSS ME IN A POSITIVE WAY THAT THEY WOULD RECOGNIZE FIRST AND FOREMOST THAT I WANTED TO INSURE THAT EVERYONE HAD ACCESS TO THE F.B.I., BECAUSE THE CITIZENS F.B.I.

EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO ME SINCE I AM THE FACE OF THE CHICAGO DIVISION.

AND THAT IN PARTICULARLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES THAT WE -- WE'RE HERE TO ASSIST YOU EQUALLY AS OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

SO THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE THE LEGACY TO BE.

ONE OF COOPERATION, ASSISTANCE, ACCESS, AND FAIRNESS.

IN EXECUTING OUR MISSION AND DETERMINE HOW THE THREAT THAT WAS THE ARE PRESENTED TO US.

THAT IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

IT WAS A BLESSING TO BE ABLE TO COME HOME AND TO BE RECOGNIZED AS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO SERVE IN THIS POST.

ALSO A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE I WANTED TO ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT I WAS PRESENTING THE BEST EXAMPLE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO I HOPE TO SEE COME AFTER ME.

THE THIRD 16TH OR THE 100TH AFRICAN-AMERICAN OR ANOTHER PERSON OF COLOR OR MINORITY THAT WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN THIS POST BECAUSE WE HAVE A MULTICULTURAL CITY AND EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE SOMEONE THAT REPRESENTS THEM IN THEIR CULTURE AND RACE IN THIS POST TO GIVE THEM INSPIRATION TO DO GOOD THINGS AND PAY FORWARD AND BRING PEOPLE FORWARD.

>> A DISTINCTION TO HAVE BEING THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN IN THAT POST.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE EMMERSON BUIE, JR. FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> UP NEXT, ADDRESSING CONCERNS OVER EQUITY IN THE STATE'S GROWING CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

THAT IS A CONVERSATION THAT FIRST AIRED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" BLACK VOICES WITH BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

BUT FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

J.B. PRITZKER ISSUES A SECOND ROUND OF CONDITIONAL ADULT USE CANNABIS DISPENSARY LICENSES.

BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER TO 177.

THE APPLICANTS ALL QUALIFY AS SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS HAVE 180 DAYS TO OBTAIN A PHYSICAL STOREFRONT LOCATION AND THE FULL LICENSE.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE, OF THE BUSINESSES SELECTED FOR LICENSES, 41% ARE MAJORITY BLACK-OWNED.

7% ARE MAJORITY WHITE OWNED.

4% ARE MAJORLY LATINO OWNED AND 38% DID NOT DISCLOSE THE RACE.

THE PRITZKER ADMINISTRATION SAYS THESE LICENSES ALONG WITH EFFORTS TO EXPUNGE THE RECORDS OF ANYONE ARRESTED OR CONVICTED OF CANNABIS VIOLATIONS IN ILLINOIS ARE STEPS TOWARDS MAKES THE INDUSTRY A MORE EQUITABLE ENTERPRISE.

JOINING US NOW ARE AKELE PARNELL C.E.O.

OF UMMY FARMS AND BOARD MEMBER OF CHICAGO NORMAL WHICH ORGANIZES TO REFORM CANNABIS LAWS.

BRANDON WILLIAMS ATTORNEY AT CABRINI GREEN LEGAL AID AND CHRISTIAN MITCHELL THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR, THE ROLLOUT OF CANNABIS LICENSES IN ILLINOIS COULD BE ARGUED AS HAVING BEEN BUMPY.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE PROCESS HAS IMPROVED FROM WHERE WE STARTED VERSUS WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW?

>> WE'VE REACHED A GREAT DAY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON THE PROBLEM.

WE ARE AT A PLACE WHERE THE 185 LICENSES WE WERE SUPPOSED TO ISSUE 177 ARE OUT.

AND AS YOU SAID IN THE OPENING 41% ARE GOING TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND ANOTHER PERCENTAGE TO LATINOS AND OTHER FOLKS OF COLOR.

THAT INSTANTLY MAKES US THE MOST DIVERSE INDUSTRY IN THE COUNTRY WITH 30% OF OWNER ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR.

AND HALF A MILLION ILLINOISANS HAVE SEEN THEIR CONVICTIONS EXPUNGED AND CAN START A NEW LIFE, IT IS A BIG DAY.

WE OBVIOUSLY WISH THAT DAY COULD HAVE COME SOONER BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS BECAUSE REVENUE AND SALES DOUBLED THE FIRST FISCAL YEAR AND THIS YEAR THERE'S MARKET SHARE THAT THE ENTREPRENEURS WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT.

>> AKELE PARNELL AS A SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANT WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN?

>> WE ARE EXCITED THAT THE LICENSES HAVE BEEN ISSUED.

APPRECIATE ALL THE SUPPORT AND THE HARD WORK THAT LAWMAKERS AND REGULATORS HAVE DONE AND PUT IN TO GET US TO THIS POINT.

CERTAINLY WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT THE WORK IS FAR FROM OFTEN OVER.

WE'RE CURRENTLY THE MOST DIVERSE MARKET BUT IN ORDER FOR THE STAY THAT WAY AND FOR US TO STAY IN BUSINESS AND BECOME VIABLE AND SUCCESSFUL, THERE IS A LOT MORE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO REMOVE BARRIERS ON THE CULTIVATION AND RETAIL SIDE.

AND THERE'S SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS TO VIABILITY FOR US AS CRAFT GROWERS.

WE HAVE TO START AT 5,000 FLOWERING, MEDICAL OPERATING GOING UP TO 210,000 AND WE ARE IN A TOUGH POSITION FINANCING OUR BUSINESS AND MAKING IT MAKE SENSE AND THAT FEEDS OVER INTO THE RETAIL SIDE WE HAVE BUSINESSES THAT NEED PRODUCT AND DIVERSITY OF PRODUCT.

THEY DON'T JUST BUY THEIR PRODUCT FROM THE LARGE MSO.

THEY WANT BLACK AND BROWN PRODUCTS IN THEIR STORES TOO.

WE NEED TO REMOVE BARRIERS FOR US TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND STATE FUNDING MORE QUICKLY.

>> I WANT TO COME BACK TO THE BARRIERS.

I WANT TO BRING BRANDON WILLIAMS HERE.

CAN YOU GIVE US A PICTURE HOW EXPUNGEMENT IS GOING FOR THE CLIENTS YOU WORK WITH SO FAR?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

SO THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CANNABIS CONVICTIONS AND ARRESTS EXPUNGED ALREADY BUT THERE IS A LONG WAY TO GO.

I BELIEVE AT THE TIME WE BELIEVE THERE ARE OVER 700,000 CANNABIS ARRESTS AND CONVICTIONS WITHIN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND WE ARE STILL WORKING TO LOWER THAT NUMBER EACH AND EVERYDAY THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM AND THE AUTOMATIC PROCESS.

>> SO DEPUTY GOVERNOR ILLINOIS IS SOMETHING OF AN ISLAND OF LEGAL CANNABIS ACCESS IN THE MIDWEST, WITH THAT IN MIND HOW MUCH UPSIDE DO YOU THINK REMAINS IN THE INDUSTRY?

>> QUITE A BIT.

WE HAD A BILLION IN SALES THE FIRST FISCAL YEAR AND 1.5 BILLION LAST YEAR.

TAX REVENUE WENT UP TO $445 MILLION.

THAT SHOWS THERE'S ROOM AND WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM FOLKS IS THERE IS ADDITIONAL DEMAND.

NOW WE HAVE 177 NEW DISPENSARIES ON-LINE.

AND I THINK SOME OF THE THINGS WE ARE AWARE OF.

THERE WAS A BILL LAST YEAR TO EXPAND THE CANNABIS BASE OF SMALL GROWERS.

AND WE THINK THAT THAT IS VIABLE AND MAKES A LOT OF SENSE AND IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE FROM SOUP TO NUTS WE ARE DIVERSIFYING AND BECAUSE OF THE MARKET SHARE OUT THERE AND THE APPETITE FOR GROWTH AND THE UPSIDE THAT THE BUSINESS IS SEEING AND THE UPSIDE WALL STREET IS SEEING WE HAVE A CHANCE TO CONTINUE TO DIVERSIFY.

THE INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO GROW.

>> TO THAT END, AKELE PARNELL, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE STATE DO TO ADDRESS THE BARRIERS THAT YOU MENTIONED WITH REGARDING TO FINANCING AND HOW THAT IMPACTS RETAIL?

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE STATE DO?

>> I KNOW THE STATE HAS A LOT OF STUFF TO WORK ON.

BUT WE AS ENTREPRENEURS CERTAINLY NEED THE STATE LOAN FUNDS, A LITTLE FASTER.

WE APPLIED ON THE CRAFT SIDE FOR FUNDING LAST YEAR AND ALMOST THROUGH THE PROCESS.

STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE FUNDS YET.

ON THE RETAIL SIDE FOR US TO STAY BLACK-OWNED AND NOT NEED TO RAISE CAPITAL FROM OTHER SOURCES THAT WOULD DIMINISH THAT WE'LL NEED THAT FUNDING FASTER.

>> SOUNDS LIKE STAYING BLACK OWN SECOND A BIT OF A CHALLENGE WITHOUT BRINGING IN OUTSIDE SUPPORT.

BRANDON WILLIAMS GIVE US, A SENSE OF WHAT THE EXPUNGEMENT PROCESS IS LIKE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT THIS APPLIES TO AND WHAT KIND OF GRADE WOULD YOU GIVE THE PRITZKER ADMINISTRATION ON CANNABIS SO FAR?

>> SO THE EXPUNGEMENT PROCESS IS A DIFFICULT PROCESS JUST NAVIGATING THE COURT PROCESSING AND WHERE THE FILE.

HOWEVER, IN THE FUNDING FROM SOME OF THE CANNABIS REVENUE THE STATE WAS ABLE TO CREATE AN ORGANIZATION AND THROUGH THAT PROCESS PEOPLE CAN GET FREE ASSISTANCE FROM AN ATTORNEY TO ASSIST IN GETTING THE CRIMINAL RECORDS EXPUNGED AND SEALED IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

AND IN REGARDS TO THE CANNABIS LAWS HELD BY GOVERNOR PRITZKER, I THINK HE HAS DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB.

THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE BUT BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE LEGISLATIVE LOOPHOLES A LOT OF THINGS HAVE BEEN DELAYED WITH REGARDS TO LICENSING AND EXPUNGEMENT WE NEED TO GET GO WORD OUT TO MORE PEOPLE SO THEY KNOW THE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR FREE.

>> THAT IS MY NEXT QUESTION.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE THERE'S ENOUGH AWARENESS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO HAVE THEIR RECORDS EXPUNGED?

DO THEY KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THEY CAN ACCESS?

>> WE HAVE BEEN TRYING HARD TO GET THE WORD OUT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BUT WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE NUMBERS WE ANTICIPATED IN REGARDS TO PEOPLE SIGNING UP TO GET THE FREE ASSISTANCE.

WE HAVE BEEN ON BUS BILLBOARDS, DONE ADS THROUGH TV NETWORKS BUT WE HAVE MORE GET MORE INTO THE ACTUAL COMMUNITIES WHERE THE WAR ON DRUGS IMPACTED MOST PEOPLE WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY BLACK AND BROWN NEIGHBORHOODS.

WHILE A LOT OF EFFORT HAS BEEN PUT INTO IT THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS THAT SHOULD BE DONE MOVING FORWARD.

>> AKELE PARNELL, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS NEXT FOR THE INDUSTRY?

>> SO A FEW THINGS NEXT FOR THE INDUSTRY, ONE THAT THE REGULATORY PROCESS AND THE PROCESS OF GETTING NEW APPROVALS NEEDS TO BE STREAMLINED.

WE ARE WORKING WITH SEVERAL AGENCIES, THE DEPARTMENT OF AG AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.

WE PREFER TO HAVE ONE COMMISSION, ONE PLAN ONE AGENCY STRONGLY SUPPORT THAT.

AND THEN FOR THE LEADERSHIP FOR THE CANNABIS REGULATORY AGENCY WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE NEXT PERSON SOMEONE SOCIAL EQUITY, GOING TO BE CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITIES MOST HARMED BY THE WAR ON DRUGS AND PUSH THE INDUSTRY FORWARD.

AND YOU KNOW, US AS BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS WE NEED A SEAT AT THE TABLE WITH THE LEGISLATORS.

THIS IS AN AMAZING MARKET OPPORTUNITY BUT THAT WIN DOUGH OF MARKET OPPORTUNITY ONLY STAYS OPEN FOR SO LONG WE HAVE TO ACT FAST AND THERE NEEDS TO BE CHANGES TO THE LAW AND THE REGULATIONS AND THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF NOT THIS FALL.

>> A LOT OF WORK FOR EVERYONE.

THANKS TO THE THREE OF YOU, BRANDON WILLIAMS, DEPUTY GOVERNOR CHRISTIAN MITCHELL AND AKELE PARNELL FOR JOINING US.

BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

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

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AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. CHINA FIRES MISSILES INTO THE WATERS OFF TAIWAN EFFECTIVELY BLOCKADING THE ISLAND.

WE TALK WITH TAIWAN'S COUNSEL IN CHICAGO.

>> AND THE STRUGGLES THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY FACES IN A POST PANDEMIC WORLD.

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

>> I'M AMANDA VINICKY.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND GOOD NIGHT.

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