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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WE HAVE INDEED BEGUN TO TURN THE CORNER ON THIS TERRIBLE CRISIS.

>> THE MAYOR ATHOWBSES NEXT YEAR'S PROJECTED BUDGET SHORTFALL CAN CHICAGO WEATHER AN ECONOMIC STORM?

>> AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WAY IN ON THAT BNG GAP AND COMMUNITY POLICE TENSIONS.

THIS IS TRULY HOW WE BUILD BACK BETTER.

>> WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN PASSED WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR ILLINOIS ROADS JOBS AND LEAD PIPES.

>> WE WANT TO PREVENT IT FROM SPREADING ACROSS THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AS BEST WE CAN.

>> OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM EXAMINES THE LATEST ATTEMPT TO THWART GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S SCHOOL MASK MANDATE.

REMIT TENSES COME FROM THE U.S.

SERVE AS A LIFELINE FOR THOSE AROUND THE WORLD AND WHAT THE MONEY TRANSFERS HAVE PLAYED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AND CITY TEENAGERS LEARN WHAT IT TAKES TO CAMP IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> PROOF OF VACCINATION IS GOING DIGITAL.

ILLINOIS RESIDENTS CAN ACCESS THEIR VACCINE STATUS ON-LINE THROUGH A PORT CAL CALLED VAX VERIFY IN ORDER TO DOWNLOAD PROOF RESIDENTS HAVE TO GO THROUGH A ONE-TIME VERIFICATION PROCESS AND THEY CAN ACCESS THEIR IMMUNIZATION HISTORY.

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS A DAY BEFORE THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR OPENS IN SPRINGFIELD WHICH REQUIRES PROOF OF VACCINATION OR A NEGATIVE COVID-19 FOR ACCESS TO SOME EVENTS.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION AND CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE AT ODDS ABOUT BACK TO SCHOOL COVID-19 PROTOCOLS.

C.T.U.

HELD A MEETING TO CARE ITS CONCERNS RELATED TO THE COVID-19 SAFETY AND RECOVERY IN SCHOOLS.

BARGAINING MEMBERS, TEACHERS STUDENTS AND PARENTS SPOKE TODAY.

C.T.U.

CHIEF OF STAFF J JENNIFER JOHNSON SPOKE ABOUT WHAT THE UNION IS ASKING THE DISTRICT FOR INCLUDING SAFETY MEASURES AND INVESTMENT IN SCHOOL RESOURCES.

>> WE HAVE PROPOSED THAT WE START WITH MAXIMUM SAFETY THIS HAS TO INCLUDE A ROBUST TESTING PLAN AND A PLAN TO ACHIEVE VACCINATION GOALS.

WE'VE PROPOSED THAT C.P.S.

BE DOING 100 VACCINATION EVENTS AT SCHOOLS.

AND WE KNOW PRIOR TO THE COVID PANDEMIC MANY OF OUR SCHOOLS WERE STARVED OF RESOURCES AND DID NOT HAVE WHAT THEY NEEDED.

IF THE CITY AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVE $4 BILLION WE OUGHT TO BE SEEING A SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT IN STAFFING UP OUR SCHOOLS AND MEETING OUR STUDENTS' NEEDS.

>> FIRST DAY OF CLASS IS ONLY WEEKS AWAY.

>> AND A NONPROFIT IS HELPING MAKE SURE STUDENTS ARE PREPARED.

BACK TO SCHOOL ILLINOIS HOSTED ITS LARGEST SCHOOL SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION EVENT.

THE ORGANIZATION GAVE OUT 7000 BACK TO SCHOOL KITS AND 1,000 WERE ASSEMBLED TODAY.

THE PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN 2007 TO ADDRESS INEQUITIES IN EDUCATION.

THE NONPROFIT HAS PROVIDED MORE THAN 280,000 CHILDREN WITH SCHOOL SUPPLY KITS SINCE ITS LAUNCH.

>> UP NEXT A FORECAST OF CHICAGO'S BUDGET.

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> THE CITY WEATHERED STORMS OVER THE LAST FEW EVENING BUT DARK CLOUDS HAPPENING OVER CHICAGO'S FINANCES.

THE CITY'S PROJECTED BUDGET SHORTFALL IS $700 MILLION.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> DURING BUDGET SEASON LAST YEAR, WE WERE ABLE TO SEE THE PINPRICK OF LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

AND NOW THAT WE HAVE NOT FULLY LEFT THAT TUNNEL.

WE CAN SEE DAYLIGHT IN A WAY THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN SINCE MARCH OF 2020.

SEQUENTIALLY OUR GAP FOR THIS YEAR OUR GAP WILL REFLECT THAT REALITY.

>> AND HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US WITH MORE.

AS WE KNOW WE'VE COVERED A LOST OF BUDGETS TOGETHER THE NUMBERS CAN BE FUNGIBLE AND OPAQUE.

ARE WE SURE THAT $733 IS THE REAL NUMBER OF THE SHORTFALL GIVEN WHAT COVID HAS WROUGHT TO THE ECONOMY?

>> I THINK THAT IS A CRUCIAL QUESTION BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT COVID CASES ARE SURGING BECAUSE OF THE DELTA VARIANT AND WHILE CHICAGO FINANCIAL OFFICIALS SAYS IT WAS BASED ON CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATES WE'VE SEEN HOW THE PANDEMIC CAN TURN ON A DIME SO THE CITY HAS TO BE PREPARED IT COULD BE WORSE ALTHOUGH IT COULD BE BETTER.

>> NO DOUBT COVID IS A FACTOR IN THE COMING YEAR'S BUDGET.

DID THE MAYOR TALK ABOUT ANY OTHER FACTORS?

>> SHE SURE DID.

THE CITY'S PENSION PAYMENTS ARE RAMPING UP THIS YEAR IT WILL BE $255 MILLION MORE THAT THE CITY WILL HAVE TO SEND TO THE FOUR PENSION FUNDS TO MEET THE STATE REQUIRED LEVELS.

THE CITY OWES THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 7 MEMBERS $275 MILLION IN RETROACTIVE PAY WHICH IS CALLED FOR IN THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT THAT THE CITY REACHED FOR THE POLICE UNION.

THOSE TWO THINGS AS WELL AS INCREASING DEBT AND PERSONNEL COSTS ARE WHAT IS SWELLING THE BUDGET DEFICIT.

>> AND THAT 500 MILLION IN BORROWING THAT THE CITY IS NOT SURE IT CAN USE THAT FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY.

HOW DOES THE CITY PLAN TO ADDRESS THE SHORTFALL?

>> WE WILL GET A DETAILED LOOK AT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S BUDGET PROPOSAL NEXT MONTH IN MID-SEPTEMBER.

AND THAT'S WHERE SHE WILL DETAIL PRECISELY HOW THEY ARE GOING TO CLOSE THAT SHORTFALL.

WE DO HAVE SOME CLUES.

WE KNOW THAT THE CITY PLANS TO REFINANCE ABOUT $1 BILLION IN DEBT TO SAVE ABOUT $250 MILLION WHICH WILL HELP DEFRAY THAT RETROACTIVE PAY INCREASE FOR THE POLICE UNION BUT THERE ARE NOT MANY EASY TRICKS LEFT UP THE CITY'S SLEEVE BECAUSE THEY DEALT WITH THE HUGE BUDGET DEFICITS BACK IN 2020 AND 2021.

>> LAST QUESTION, THE AVERAGE TAXPAYER, HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES?

HIGHER FEES OR FINES?

>> WELL, WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT FEES OR FINES BUT THERE WILL NOT BE A MAJOR PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

THERE WILL BE A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE TIED TO THE COST OF INFLATION OR THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX THAT WAS APPROVED IN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET TO PUT THE CITY ON AN AUTOMATIC INCREASE CYCLE THAT WILL RAISE $20 MILLION FROM CHICAGO PROPERTY OWNERS.

BEYOND THAT THE MAYOR DIDN'T THINK SHE WOULD HAVE TO ASK FOR A LARGER PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

>> HEATHER CHERONE WILL BE CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS FOR A WHILE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AS WE HEARD FROM HEATHER, CITY'S REVENUE REMAINS STUNTED BY THE PANDEMIC WHICH RESULTED IN A $733 MILLION BUDGET SHORTFALL FOR THE COMING YEAR.

CITY COUNCIL DISCLOSED MILLIONS IN INVESTMENTS TOWARD VIOLENCE PREVENTION, CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE AND OTHER PROGRAMS USING FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS AND THIS COMES AS TENSIONS HAVE BEEN HEIGHTENED BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND POLICE IN THE WAKE OF OFFICER ELLA FRENCH'S KILLING.

AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS THIS ARE ALDERPERSON CARLOS RAMIREZ-ROSA, OF THE 35TH WARD.

ALDERPERSON JEANETTE TAYLOR OF 20TH WARD ON THE SOUTH SIDE AND ALDERMAN ANTHONY BEALE OF THE 9TH WARD ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

WELCOME ALL OF YOU BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

ANTHONY BEALE I WILL START WITH YOU.

A 733 MILLION GAP DO YOU BUY THAT IS AN ACCURATE NUMBER GIVEN ALL THE PRESSURES ON THE CITY BUDGET?

AND HOW WILL CITY COUNCIL GO ABOUT FILLING THAT GAP?

>> IT'S ABSOLUTELY NOT AN ACCURATE PICTURE OF THE BUDGET WHEN YOU LOOK AT EVERYTHING WE'RE DEALING WITH.

WE ARE DEALING WITH A 700 MILLION PENSION PAYMENT THAT IS DUE AND LOOKING AT THE FACT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION DID NOT BOND AN ADDITIONAL 500 MILLION AUTHORIZED TO BOND THAT WE GAVE THEM LAST YEAR.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL THE THINGS THE ADMINISTRATION IS USING FEDERAL CARES ACT MONEY FOR REGULAR THINGS.

THAT 700 MILLION THEY ARE TRYING TO USE AND GET AUTHORIZATION OUT OF THE 900 I THINK 980 MILLION OUT OF THE CARES ACT MONEY, THEY ARE USING THAT TO PLUG OUR DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION HOLE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK GOING FORWARD.

>> AND THERE'S A LOT OF BORROWING THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF THAT MONEY CAN PAYBACK.

CARLOS RAMIREZ-ROSA THERE ARE A LOT OF OBLIGATIONS.

250 MILLION IN BACK PAY TO POLICE OFFICERS.

2 PLUS BILLION IN PENSION PAYMENTS.

IF COVID-19 CONTINUES TO RISE DO YOU WORRY THAT COULD MAKE THAT GAP GROW BIGGER?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW I THINK THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAS BEEN TOO RELIANT FOR REGRESSIVE TAXATION FOR A LONGTIME.

AND WHEN CONSUMERS STOP SPENDING WHEN YOU END UP IN A PANDEMIC LIKE WE'VE BEEN OVER THE PAST 18 PLUS MONTHS OF COURSE YOU WILL SEE YOUR REVENUE DROP.

THAT SPEAKS TO THE FACT THAT OUR CITY REALLY NEEDS TO REWORK WHERE WE GET OUR REVENUE FROM.

WE NEED TO GET IT FROM THE FOLKS WHO HAVE THE MOST ABILITY TO PAY NOT STRUGGLING PEOPLE PARTICULARLY DURING A PANDEMIC WHEN THEY ARE SUFFERING JOB LOSS AND SUFFERING RISING MEDICAL COSTS.

THE CITY IS VERY LUCKY THAT WE'RE GETTING LARGE INFUSION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IT IS UP FORTUNATE THAT THE MAYOR IS PLANNING TO PLAY A SHELL GAME OF SORTS TO USE THAT MONEY TO MAKEUP SOME OF THE REVENUE THAT IS LOST WHEN WE SHOULD BE USING THAT MONEY ALSO INVEST IN THE COMMUNITIES THE WAY THAT THAT FEDERAL FUNDING WAS INTENDED TO BE USED.

>> ALDERWOMAN JEANETTE TAYLOR, THE BUDGET FOR THE C.P.D.

IS $1.7 BILLION AND MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYS IT'S LIKELY TO GO UP AND THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST CAUCUS OPPOSED THIS FUNDING FOR C.P.D.

CALLED FOR LESS FUNDING.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT A BUDGET THAT FUNDED C.P.D.

TO THIS NUMBER?

>> OF COURSE NOT.

OF COURSE NOT.

US PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO C.P.D.

HAS NOT MADE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO MAKE A LIVING WAGE AND WE ARE NOT TAXING FOLKS OUT.

ARE WE GOING TO RAISE FINES THAT ARE ALREADY OVER THE TOP FOR PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY?

WHAT WILL WE DO TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

AND 2019 WAS FROM THIS CAUCUS GOT ELECTED WE TALKED ABOUT PROGRESSIVE REVENUES THAT WOULD GIVE THE CITY A BALANCED BUDGET WE ARE JUST NOT LISTENED TO.

I WOULD NOT SUPPORT THIS BUDGET.

>> THIS DEBATE WILL PLAY OUT.

I WANT TO MOVE TO THE KILLING OF ELLA FRENCH.

ALDERMAN BEALE THERE'S MULTIPLE REPORTS THAT POLICE TURNED THEIR BACKS ON THE MAYOR WHEN SHE SOUGHT TO VISIT OFFICER FRENCH'S PARTNER IN THE HOSPITAL.

HAS THE MAYOR LOST THE CONFIDENCE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ANYTIME YOU HAVE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TURNING THEIR BACKS ON THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION IT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE.

AS YOU CAN SEE THEY'VE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE LEADERSHIP NOT ONLY THE ADMINISTRATION BUT ALSO THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE FIRST DEPUTY.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE THINGS HOW ARE WE LEADING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT?

HOW ARE WE LEADING THEM INTO MAKING OUR COMMUNITIES A BETTER PLACE EVERYDAY AND THAT IS NOT HAPPENING.

WE NEED TO START SUPPORTING OUR POLICE.

AND START UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING THROUGH A LOT.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BUDGET WE ARE DOWN 1200 OFFICERS RIGHT NOW ACCORDING TO THIS BUDGET.

1200.

THERE IS NO REASON WE SHOULD BE DOWN THAT AMOUNT OF NUMBERS WHEN WE HAVE RECORD MURDERS, CRIMES RUNNING RAMPANT IN THE CITY.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING DRASTIC RIGHT NOW WE HAVE LOST THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION HOW TO FUND THE C.P.D.

ALDERMAN ROSA, ONE OF YOUR COLLEAGUES HAD EMOTIONALLY CHARGED STATEMENTS LAYING THE BLAME ON FRENCH'S DEATH WITH THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST CAUCUS BECAUSE OF THE DEFUND THE POLICE RHETORIC.

YOUR RESPONSE TO SOME OF THOSE COMMENTS?

>> I'M DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED IN THE COMMENTS BY ALDERMAN SPOSATO ALTHOUGH IF YOU ARE ARE A CHICAGOAN YOU ARE PROBABLY OFTEN DISAPPOINTED BY THE EXTREMIST COMMENTS THAT HE OFTEN ESPOUSES.

I THINK WE NEED TO BE REASONABLE AND I THINK THAT REASONABLE CHICAGOANS WILL RECOGNIZE THAT POLICY POSITIONS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO LIKE THE ONES THAT THE SOCIAL CAUCUS PUT FORWARD THOSE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR PEOPLE SHOOTING ELLA FRENCH AND TRAGICALLY TAKING HER LIFE.

THAT IS A TRAGEDY.

AND IN THIS MOMENT WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER TO FOCUS ON REAL SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THE VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND THAT IS WHAT I'M COMMITTED TO AS A DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST AND WHAT I'M COMMITTED TO AS A PROGRESSIVE AND A PROUD CHICAGOAN WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT IN THIS MOMENT WE NEED REAL SOLUTIONS NOT INFLAMMATORY TALKING POINTS.

HIS COMMENT IS DISAPPOINTING I'M SHOCKED ANYONE WOULD SAY OR THINK THAT.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY GIVEN WHERE IT'S COMING FROM IT WOULD NOT BE THE FIRST TIME.

>> JEANETTE TAYLOR WHAT ABOUT YOUR REACTION PLAYING SOME OF THE BLAME ON ALDERPEOPLE THAT TALK ABOUT DEFUNDING THE POLICE OR CRITICAL OF THE POLICE?

>> TELL THEM TO WALK A DAY IN MY SHOES.

TELL HIM TO WEAR THIS BLACK SKIN I WEAR WHERE I'M TOLD EVERYDAY THAT I'M NOT WORTHY.

HIS COMMENTS DO NOT DO ANYTHING BUT TO TEAR THIS CITY IS APART.

HE IS PART OF THE PROBLEM NOT THE SOLUTION.

I'M ANTI-ACCOUNTABILITY.

NO MATTER WHO DOES THE KILLING THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE WHETHER IT'S EVERYDAY CITIZENS OR THE POLICE.

THIS RHETORIC THAT THE BLOOD IS ON OUR HANDS, THE BLOOD ARE ON PEOPLE IN CITY COUNCIL OK WITH THERE BEING A TALE OF TWO CITIES.

THE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO PULLED THE TRIGGER.

AND THEY ARE ARRESTED.

IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> ALDERMAN BEALE ANOTHER PART OF THE CONTROVERSY IS WHAT ERIC CARTER SAID ABOUT NOT WANTING THE POLICE OFFICERS TO WAIT AROUND FOR THE TRADITIONAL TRIBUTE WITH BAGPIPES TO A FALLEN OFFICER.

THAT APPARENTLY HAS REALLY UPSET THE RANK-AND-FILE.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL, THAT IS ANOTHER UNFORTUNATE COMMENT THAT CAME OUT OF THE FIRST DEPUTY'S MOUTH.

IT'S UNFORTUNATE THE SITUATION WE ARE IN.

WE'VE LOST ONE OFFICER AND THE OTHER IS FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE AND IT IS A TRADITION FOR THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE THAT HONOR, TO HAVE THAT LAST WALK WITH THE BAGPIPERS INTO THE CORONER'S OFFICE AND YOU SEE THE CORONER'S OFFICE CRITTED WHAT CONTRADICTED WHAT THE MAYOR SAID.

THEY ARE NOT TELLING THE PEOPLE THE TRUTH.

>> THE MAYOR SAID THAT THE REASON FOR THOSE COMMENTS FROM THE FIRST DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT WERE BECAUSE OF COVID POLICY.

AND BASICALLY YOU ARE SAYING THE CORONER'S OFFICE SAID THAT NOT THE CASE.

>> THE CORONER'S OFFICE PUT OUT A STATEMENT SAYING THAT WAS NOT THE CASE AND THE BAGPIPERS THEY NEVER TRIED TO INTERFERE WITH ANYTHING AND IT IS A TRADITION.

WE HAVE TO HONOR THE TRADITION OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF A POLICE DEPARTMENT WHEN WE HAVE A FALLEN OFFICER WHEN THEY ARE HELD TO THE HIGHEST REGARD AND THAT SHOWS SOLIDARITY WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THAT SHOULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE.

>> YOU HELPED NEGOTIATE THE OVERSIGHT ORDINANCE YOU SEEM TO HAVE COMPETING FACTIONS IN CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITIGROUP OF FOLKS THAT BELIEVE THAT THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE THE BACK OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE SACRIFICES POLICE ARE MAKING.

AND THE OTHER SIDE FOLKS BELIEVE THAT THE POLICE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT OVERPOLICING HAS MEANT ESPECIALLY FOR BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES AND WHETHER CIVIL RIGHTS HAVE BEEN RESPECTED.

HOW DO YOU BRIDGE THIS DIVIDE?

>> THE ORDINANCE HAD SUPPORT OF OVER 100 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND 36 ALDERMEN I CAN TELL YOU AS ONE OF THE ALDERMEN INVOLVED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE FOLKS WAS EARNED IT TOOK A LOT OF COLLABORATION AND A LOT OF DISCUSSION AND A LOT OF COMPROMISE.

WE BROUGHT TOGETHER A CROSS-SECTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO PASS WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST ROBUST CIVIL OVERSIGHT ORDINANCES OUT OF ANY AMERICAN CITY.

TO CHARACTERIZE ACCOUNTABILITY AND DEMOCRACY AND THE WAY OUR COMMUNITIES ARE POLICED IS ANTIPOLICE AND IT'S WRONG NOT ROOTED IN REALITY.

IF ANYONE WERE TO DO AN ANALYSIS LOOKING AT THE ACTIONS OF BIG DEMOCRATIC CITY MAYORS, TO ME THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST I WOULD SAY BLUE LIVES MATTER MAKERS IN THE UNITED STATES.

TWO-THIRDS OF OUR CARES ACT MONEY WENT TO POLICE OVERTIME.

THE MAYOR AGREED TO A 20% PAY RAISE INCLUDING RETROACTIVE PAY RAISES WHICH IS GOING TO COST THE TAXPAYERS OF THE CITY A TON OF MONEY TO GIVE THOSE POLICE OFFICERS.

AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE MAYOR HAS VERY COME OUT WITH VERY TRADITIONAL KIND OF TOUGH ON CRIME TALKING POINTS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT MORE THE MAYOR COULD DO.

THE POLICE OFFICERS THAT SHE IS GIVING THEM WHAT THEY WANT.

>> YOU ARE SAYING THE MAYOR MAY NOT DESERVE THE CRITICISM FROM THE POLICE OFFICERS SHE IS GETTING.

I WILL END WITH YOU ALDERWOMAN TAYLOR HOW DO YOU TALK TO OTHER ALDERMEN THAT DON'T SEE EYE TO EYE WITH YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

>> LET ME SAY THIS ABOUT SPOSATO.

I CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION WE'VE AGREED THAT POLITICALLY WE SEE THINGS DIFFERENT.

I CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH HIM.

I CANNOT HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH NAPOLITANO.

AND I'M NOT THERE TO CONVINCE THEM TO CHANGE THEIR THOUGHTS I'M THERE TO WORK WITH THEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS A COMPROMISE.

HOW DO WE MAKE SAFETY AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY AND COMMUNITIES HAVE ALL THE THINGS THEIR COMMUNITY HAS.

I AM THERE AS AN ORGANIZER AND I WILL ORGANIZE AROUND WHAT MY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WANT TO SEE.

>> A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS TO BE HAD ON THIS.

AND THANKS TO CARLOS RAMIREZ-ROSA, JEANETTE TAYLOR AND ANTHONY BEALE.

>> MOVING FEDERALLY, THE $1 TRILLION FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN IS HEADED TO THE HOUSE AFTER PASSING THE U.S. SENATE YESTERDAY.

THE BILL AIMS TO PROVIDE CASH FOR STATES TO USE ON EVERYTHING FROM REBUILDING ROADS TO INCREASING BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS AND ILLINOIS ASSISTANTS TO RECEIVE $10 BILLION JUST FOR HIGHWAYS MUCH TO THE DELIGHT OF MANY ENGINEERING AND CONTRACTING GROUPS.

AND JOINING US TO HEAR WHAT THIS BILL DOES MEAN FOR ILLINOIS ARE REVEREND LARRY BULLOCK PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF THE U.S.

MINORITY CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION.

KEVIN ARTL PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES OF ILLINOIS AND JOE SCHWIETERMAN A PROFESSOR AT THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC SERVICE AT DePAUL UNIVERSITY AND A TRANSPORTATION EXPERT.

WELCOME ALL OF YOU BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I WANT TO START BY LISTING OUT WHAT EXACTLY IS IN THIS BIG INFRASTRUCTURE BILL FOR ILLINOIS.

$10 BILLION FOR FEDERAL HIGHWAY PROJECTS.

$1.4 BILLION FOR BRIDGES.

149 MEDICAL MILLION AND THERE IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ILLINOIS TO GET EVEN MORE MONEY IN THE FORM OF GRANTS THAN WHAT IS HERE.

KEVIN ARTL DOES THIS MEET THE BULK OF ILLINOIS' INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS?

>> IT PUTS US IN A GREAT POSITION TO FINISH OFF THE BACKLOG OF WORK AND MORE THAN THAT, MODERNIZE OUR SERVICE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK.

AND I THINK SENATOR DUCKWORTH AND SENATOR DURBIN DID A GREAT JOB OF DRAFTING A BILL THAT CATERS ON ILLINOIS' NEEDS.

>> JOE SCHWIETERMAN, $4 BILLION FOR MASS TRANSIT WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR CTA, PACE AND METRA?

>> ON TOP OF THE CARES ACT WITH THIS YOU REALLY SEE A COMMITMENT TO TRANSIT THAT IS ALL GOOD.

I THINK THE TOUGH PART IS WE KNOW WE ARE ENTERING A PERIOD WHERE TRANSIT IS GOING TO HAVE TO CHANGE TO RETHINK HOW IT DELIVERS ITS PRODUCT POST PANDEMIC WORK-FROM-HOME AND WE HOPE THE BILL PUSHES AGENCIES TO THINK CREATIVELY RATHER THAN THE BUSINESS AS USUAL BUT THERE IS A LOT TO SELL RIGHT HERE.

>> AND LARRY BULLOCK WHAT ABOUT JOBS FOR CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS THAT WILL BE NEEDED TO REBUILD AND BUILD SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE?

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

ONE OF THE THINGS I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT WE HAVE TWO BILLS ONE OF WHICH IS CALLED HARD INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE OTHER I PREFER TO CALL HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO WE DO HAVE TWO PROPOSITIONS BEFORE US HERE.

AND THE FIRST PROPOSITION THE HARD INFRASTRUCTURE, I AND MY MEMBERSHIP ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND HOW THAT FITS INTO THE BUILD BACK BETTER AND HOW IT FITS INTO REBUILD ILLINOIS.

BECAUSIST CALI THOSE JOBS HAVE NOT GONE TO MINORITY BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

FOR OBVIOUS REASONS PART OF WHICH IS THE UNION AND PART OF WHICH IS THE LACK OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

I HAD AN INTERVIEW WITH THE "WASHINGTON POST" AND I WAS TELLING THEM MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE FLOW OF FUNDS TO THE STATE AND HOW PUBLIC POLICY WILL BE SHAPED TO INSURE THAT THOSE FUNDS GO INTO LEGITIMATE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

AND THEY CAN'T ALWAYS BE RUN OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT.

AND I HOPE MY GUESTS WOULD AGREE WITH ME THAT WE CAN DO MORE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAN THEY CAN IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

>> YOU'RE SAYING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE ENOUGH QUALIFIED WORKERS ESPECIALLY IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES TO TAKE SOME OF THESE JOBS?

>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

>> KEVIN ARTL, WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC PROJECTS THAT ARE SHOVEL READY THAT WILL GET GOING RIGHT AWAY.

YOU MENTIONED THE REBUILD ILLINOIS THE STATE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE.

WHAT ARE THE BIG TICKET ITEMS READY TO GO?

>> ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS YOU HAVE TO DESIGN SOMETHING BEFORE YOU CAN BUILD IT AND ILLINOIS' LACK OF FUNDING OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS IS REDUCED THE DESIGN BUDGET.

BUT WHAT YOU HAVE IS AN OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW ON THE STEVENSON EXPRESSWAY.

THERE'S PRELIMINARY DESIGNS ON EISENHOWER THOSE TWO ARE IN A GOOD POSITION.

I270 DOWN STATE IN MADISON COUNTY AND REBUILDING THE BRIDGE OVER THE MISSISSIPPI.

AND MORE THAN THAT THE CITY LED AND THE COUNTIES MADE INVESTMENTS IN THEIR OWN INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS SO THEY CAN HAVE LEVERAGE OF THE FEDERAL FUNDS.

OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, ILLINOIS' REALLY PUT THEMSELVES IN A GREAT POSITION TO LEVERAGE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OUT OF THIS INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

>> AS WE SAID THERE IS A MATCHING FUNDS AND GRANTS THAT ILLINOIS COULD GET AFTER.

JOE SCHWIETERMAN, ANOTHER BIG NEED IN CHICAGO ESPECIALLY IS REPLACING LEAD WATER SERVICE LINES.

WHICH THE MAYOR ESTIMATED WOULD COST SOMETHING LIKE $8.5 BILLION.

THIS BILL HAS $15 BILL TOTAL FOR THE -- BILLION FOR THE NATION FOR THIS PROJECT.

>> IT WON'T BE ENOUGH BUT I THINK WHAT WE'LL HAVE TO SAY THAT CHICAGO STANDS ALONE.

WE ARE THE WORST CITY IN THE COUNTRY IN TERMS OF LEAD PIPE AND THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM.

AND MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT MADE THIS A PRIORITY AND THE BUDGET SITUATION.

THIS IS A WELCOME RELIEF TO HAVE FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY EARMARKED TOWARDS SOMETHING THIS SPECIFIC, PARTICULARLY IN MARGINALIZED NEIGHBORHOODS SOUTH SIDE, SOUTHEAST SIDE WE'VE HAD PROBLEMS AT THE CITY BUDGETS CAN ONLY MAKE A SMALL DENT IN.

WE HOPE THIS DOWN PAYMENT ON BIGGER FUNDING IN THE SECOND BILL.

BUT IT'S LEGITIMATE PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN THE CITY.

AND PLEASED THAT THERE'S SPECIFIC FUNDING WHICH CHICAGO WILL GET A BIG PIECE OF THIS.

>> AND SOME CHICAGO HOMEOWNERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO TAP INTO SOME OF THAT MONEY TO REPLACE LEAD SERVICE LINES.

LARRY BULLOCK YOU HAVE THIS DISTINCTION BETWEEN HARD AND SOFT INFRASTRUCTURE.

THIS BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND THEN THERE IS A BUDGET BILL THAT IS ABOUT $3.5 TRILLION THAT DEMOCRATS PROPOSED AND IF ACKNOWLEDGED THEY WOULD HAVE TO PASS ON A RECONCILIATION VOTE.

WHAT IS THE SOFT INFRASTRUCTURE THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT?

>> WELL, THE SOFT INFRASTRUCTURE IS HOUSE YOU MITIGATE AGAINST INFLATION AND YOU MITIGATE INFLATION BY PUTTING PEOPLE TO WORK AND PAYING TAXES AND BUSINESSES OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY.

AND SO OFTEN WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE WE LOOK AT A BRIDGE OR LOOK AT THE WATER SYSTEM AND I AGREE WITH MY PREVIOUS SPEAKER, THAT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND SANITATION.

BUT I THINK THAT GREATER EMPHASIS IS THE SECOND BILL THE HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

IF WE CAN HELP THOSE PERSONS CARING FOR ELDERLY PARENTS WE CAN HELP THOSE PEOPLE WHO NEED PROPER CHILDCARE, IF WE CAN HELP PEOPLE GET SOME OF THE MON KEMPS OF DECENCY WITH EYEGLASSES AND DENTAL CARE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE TOO BECAUSE THOSE PEOPLE BUILD THE BRIDGES AND PROVIDE THE SWEAT AND LABOR TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR ECONOMY IS FUNCTIONING.

SO I AM A BIG PROPONENT ON LOOKING AT EQUITY DISPARITIES AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

BUT ALSO LOOKING AT THINGS SUCH AS CHILDCARE TAX CREDITS, CARING FOR THE ELDERLY.

GIVING PEOPLE REASONABLE LEAVES FROM THEIR JOB TO CARE FOR AN ELDERLY PARENT OR A GRANDPARENT.

THAT TO ME IS ALSO INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO I CALL THAT HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE AT U.S.

MINORITY CONTRACTORS WE CAN DO TWO THINGS AT ONCE.

AND WE ARE NOT JUST GOING TO LET THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FLOW THROUGH THE COFFERS AND THE SYSTEM REMAINS THE SAME IT'S GOT TO CHANGE.

>> KEVIN ARTL I WANT TO TOUCH ON THAT ISSUE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

EVERYONE HAS A STORY OF GOING TO A RESTAURANT RIGHT NOW, AND THAT ESTABLISHMENT CANNOT FIND ENOUGH WORKERS THERE IS A WORKER SHORTAGE.

DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THAT BEING THE CASE WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT WILL NEED WORKERS ON?

>> IT'S ALREADY THE CASE RIGHT NOW IN ILLINOIS.

THE REBUILD PROGRAM HAS INCREASED THE NEED FOR ENGINEERS ACROSS THE STATE IN A DRAMATIC FASHION.

AND WE DID A STUDY AND WE EXPECT THIS INFRASTRUCTURE BILL TO CREATE 82,000 JOBS IN ENGINEERING AND DESIGNING.

WE NEED MORE KIDS IN STEM CLASSES WE NEED IMMIGRATION REFORM AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO ALLOW US TO BRING IN QUALIFIED ENGINEERS WHO WANT TO WORK HERE.

AND WE NEED TO CULTIVATE MORE ENGINEERS IN COLLEGE.

ACROSS THE BOARD IT IS A GENERATIONAL INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE GENERATIONS TO IMPLEMENT IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LOTS MORE TO COME.

THE HOUSE STILL HAS TO PASS THIS BILL.

AND THE PRESIDENT WILL HAVE TO SIGN IT.

AND THANKS TO REVEREND LARRY BULLOCK, AND KEVIN ARTL AND JOE SCHWIETERMAN.

>> UP NEXT, BRINGING THE CAMPING EXPERIENCE TO A GROUP OF CITY TEENAGERS AT A LOCAL PARK.

SO STAY WITH US.

>> GOT A LOT MORE FOREYOU INCLUDING A LOOK AT HEIGHTENED TENSIONS BETWEEN THE MAYOR AND THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

>> ROASTING MARSHMELLOS AND COOKING OVER A CAMP FIRE AND PITCHING A TENT.

A GROUP OF TEENAGERS IS LEARNING JUST THAT AT ONE OF THE CITY'S PARKS.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" JOANNA HERNANDEZ HEADS TO LINCOLN PARK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM.

>> IT IS A HOT SUMMER DAY AT OZ PARK.

AND IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET HOTTER AS THE TEENAGERS LEARN HOW TO MAKE A FIRE.

IT LOOKS EASY WHEN THE CAMP LEADER WOULD DO IT BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S NOT THAT EASY.

>> JONATHAN HERNANDEZ IS ONE OF 14 TEENAGERS PARTICIPATING IN THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT'S URBAN CAMPERS PROGRAM.

>> I HOPE TO LEARN HOW TO BUILD A TENT BECAUSE I'VE NEVER DONE CAMPING BEFORE.

>> I AM INTIMIDATED MAYBE BECAUSE OF THE COLD AND I WAS WORRIED ABOUT SETTING UP THE TENT WRONG.

>> LIZ HOLLEY SAYS IT GIVES KIDS A CHANCE TO EXPLORE.

>> IT GIVES KIDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO NATURE EXPLORATION AND OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN THEIR OWN PARK.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT IS OFFERING A PROGRAM LIKE THIS FOR OLDER KIDS A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE WHERE PARTICIPANTS LEARN EVERYTHING FROM CREATING A FIRE, PITCHING ATENT AND TEAM BUILDING AND ENJOY SLEEPING UNDER THE CITY'S STARS.

>> YOU DON'T LEARN THE STUFF IN SCHOOL IT'S LIKE A LOT OF KIDS WOULD LIKE TO LEARN.

>> CIELO GONZALEZ SAYS CAMPING HAS HELPED HER NAVIGATE FOR THE LOWS OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> LIFE CHANGING BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO RELY ON YOURSELF A LOT MORE.

JUST YOU ARE DISCONNECTED SOMETIMES AND IT'S CHALLENGING AND I THINK YOU WILL OPEN YOUR EYES TO NEW EXPERIENCES.

>> THE CAMP LASTS A WEEK ON THE LAST DAY THE TEENAGERS PUT THEIR SKILLS TO THE TEST BY HAVING AN OVERNIGHT CAMP OUT.

>> I WANT TO EMBRACE HOW THEY CONNECT WITH NATURE AND WHAT THEY THINK IS FUN OUTDOORS AND WANT THEM TO FEEL COMFORTABLE EXPLORING AND FEEL CONFIDENT IN THEIR ABILITY TO BE SAFE AND ADVENTURE AND BE CURIOUS.

>> DESPITE COVID PUTTING A STOP TO DOZENS OF SUMMER PROGRAMS, HOLLEY SHARES PEOPLE ARE DOING ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE.

>> WE WANTED TO BE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE AND KNOWING WE HAVE AN ADVANTAGE BEING OUTDOORS HAVING LOTS OF GREENSPACE.

>> A BIG GREENSPACE TO EXPLORE RIGHT IN A LOCAL PARK.

FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> IMPORTANT SKILLS TO LEARN I COULD USE A REFRESHER.

THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT IS PLANNING TO PROVIDE THE URBAN CAMPERS PROGRAM AGAIN AND MORE NEXT SUMMER.

AND IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM HEAD ON OVER TO OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" REMIT TENSES COMING FROM THE U.S.

SERVE AS A LIFELINE AND WHAT ROLE THE MONEY TRANSFERS PLAY DURING A CRISIS LIKE COVID-19.

>> WE ARE IN A MOMENT THAT REQUIRES A THOUSAND PERCENT OF MY FOCUS.

>> AND OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM TAKES A LOOK AT THE PRESSURE COOKER THE MAYOR IS UNDER WITH THE KILLING OF A YOUNG POLICE OFFICER.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION IS URGING PREGNANT PEOPLE TO GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

C.D.C.

DATA SHOWS THAT PREGNANT PEOPLE ARE AT HIGHER RISK OF SEVERE ILLNESS AND PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS.

AND GUIDANCE COMES AFTER AN ANALYSIS ON 2500 PREGNANT PEOPLE AND SHOWED NO INCREASE RISK OF MISCARRIAGE FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVED ONE DOSE OF THE PFIZER OR MODERNA VACCINE BEFORE 20 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY.

THE ADVICE APPLIES TO THOSE NURSING AND THOSE PLANNING TO GET PREGNANT.

>> CHICAGO'S ICONIC DRAKE HOTEL IS ON THE MARKET.

CRAIN'S BUSINESS REPORTS A MAJOR STAKE IS UP FOR SALE.

THE FAMILY AND A COMPANY OWN 90% OF THE PROPERTY WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE WORTH MORE THAN $250 MILLION.

THE HOTEL OPENED IN 1920.

AND 1940 THE HOTEL INSTALLED THE SIGN SEEN ON THE SKYLINE.

HILTON INTERNATIONAL ACQUIRED THE HOTEL IN 1980.

IT IS ABOUT THAT TIME OF YEAR.

TIME FOR THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR.

AND THIS YEAR OFFICIALS ARE COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ONE OF THE PROUDEST TRADITIONS AT THE STATE FAIR THE BUTTER COW.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER JOINED OFFICIALS TO UNVEIL THE STATUE.

THE FIGURE IS MADE FROM 500 POUNDS OF UNSALTED BUTTER AND THIS YEAR'S THEME IS EMBRACING TRADITION.

THE STATUE FEATURES AN EXHIBITER HUGGING THE COW.

OFFICIALS SAY THIS IS MEANT TO SIGNIFY THE JOY YOUNG PEOPLE ARE FEELING AS THEY RETURN TO THE STATE FAIR AND THE FAIR KICKS OFF TOMORROW AND RUNS THROUGH AUGUST 22.

>> MORE THAN 540 BILLION DOLLARS FLOW FROM WORKERS IN DEVELOPED NATIONS LIKE THE U.S. TO LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES IN THE FORM OF REMIT TANSES.

FAMILIES RECEIVING MONEY TRANSFERS FROM RELATIVES IN THE U.S.

PROVIDES A CRITICAL LINE OF SUPPORT AND WITH A LARGE IMMIGRANT POPULATION, CHICAGO HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF THE MONEY TRANSFERS.

ONE MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT THE PANDEMIC WOULD HAVE CAUSED THEM TO GO DOWN BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS WHAT ROLE REMITTENCES PLAY ARE AMBASSADOR REYNA TORRES MENDIVIL CONSUL GENERAL OF MEXICO IN CHICAGO.

AND ELIZABETH MOLINA MANAGER AT CHARLIE'S GROCERY AND MONEY SERVICES.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

AND ELIZABETH, FROM YOUR VANTAGE POINT OBVIOUSLY MIGRANT WORKERS HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS TAKE A PORTION OF THEIR PAYCHECK AND SEND IT HOME TO THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN WITH FAMILY MEMBERS.

HOW DID COVID-19 IMPACT THAT?

>> OF COURSE, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO SEE A DECREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF MONEY TRANSFERS BUT IT WENT UP BECAUSE THE PANDEMIC IS AFFECTING THE WHOLE WORLD.

SO OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN SENDING OVER TO HELP THEIR FAMILIES FOR FUNERAL EXPENSES FOR HOSPITALS AND JUST IN GENERAL FOR CONSTRUCTION PURPOSES.

>> AND REYNA TORRES MENDIVIL, CONCEIVABLY IF YOU HAVE MORE WORKERS OUT OF A JOB THAT WOULD MEAN LESS MONEY TO SEND BACK.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FACTORS ARE IN THE INCREASE IN REMITTENCES?

I THINK IT IS AN ENORMUS SENSE OF SOLIDARITY IT IS A TRADITION FOR OUR MIGRATE FAMILIES THAT RESIDE IN THE U.S. TO HELP THE FAMILIES IN MEXICO.

MOSTLY PERHAPS THEIR CHILDREN OR THE ELDERLY REMAIN IN MEXICO.

SO THEY HAVE BEEN HIT BY THE PANDEMIC IN MEXICO.

THE FAMILIES HERE MADE AN EXTRA EFFORT TO SEND RESOURCES TO HELP THOSE PERSONS BACK HOME.

>> ELIZABETH MOLINA HOW MANY WORKERS TYPICALLY DO SPEND BACK AS REMITTENCE AND HOW MUCH OF A PAYCHECK MIGHT THAT BE?

>> TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I CAN'T GIVE YOU AN EXACT NUMBER OF HOW MANY OF OUR CUSTOMERS AN ACTUAL AMOUNT BUT I CAN TELL YOU THE AMOUNT THEY SEND CAN RANGE FROM $100 TO $3,000 AT ONCE.

SO THERE IS DEFINITELY IT CAN BE FROM VERY SMALL AMOUNTS TO BIGGER AMOUNTS.

BUT THE MAIN THING IS THAT THEY ARE SENDING MONEY BECAUSE THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR RELATIVES.

EVEN IF IT IS SMALL THEY ARE SENDING MONEY.

>> IT'S $40 BILLION OUT OF THE U.S.

IN THE FORM OF REMITTENCES AROUND THE WORLD BUT BECAUSE THERE IS A LARGE NUMBER OF MIGRANTS FROM CENTRAL AMERICA WE ASSUME A LOT GOES TO THAT REGION AND MEXICO.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT FAMILY NOT ONLY TO FAMILIES BUT THE ECONOMY OF THOSE COUNTRIES?

>> THOSE $40 BILLION WERE SENT FROM THE U.S. TO MEXICO.

THAT WAS REPORTED BY THE MEXICAN FINANCIAL AUTHORITIES AND THERE WAS AN 11% INCREASE IN 2020 FROM 2019 WHAT WE'VE SEEN FROM 2021 WE WILL HAVE A RECORD NUMBER OF REMITTENCES INCREASED WITH A HIGHER INCREASE THAT COULD GO UP TO 29 BILLION U.S.

DOLLARS SENT TO MEXICO IN 2021.

>> SO I HAD THAT INCORRECT IT'S 40 BILLION TO MEXICO.

AMBASSADOR, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE ECONOMY OF MEXICO?

>> WELL, THE REPRESENTS 3.8% OF OUR GDP THAT IS A HUGE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES SENT TO THE FAMILIES AND IT GOES TO PRIVATE GROUPS AND IT REPRESENTS A LOT IN THE ECONOMY.

THE AMOUNT OF REMITTENCES COME AFTER MANUFACTURING EXPORTS TO THE WORLD.

AND COMES FIRST BEFORE TOURISM AND OIL EXPORTS.

>> IT IS A SIGNIFICANT PORTION.

ELIZABETH MOLINA, WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS HERE IN TERMS OF SENDING MONEY BACK TO A COUNTRY LIKE MEXICO?

>> TO START, A LOT OF CUSTOMERS CAN'T SEND MONEY OVER MANY TIMES BECAUSE THEIR ID MIGHT BE EXPIRED.

THEY DON'T HAVE AN ID OR A VALID ID TO SEND HIGHER AMOUNTS OF MONEY.

AND DURING THE PANDEMIC, A LOT OF THEM HAVE SEEN THE BARRIER OF MANY LOSING A JOB SO THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO SEND THE USUAL AMOUNT.

INSTEAD OF SENDING THE NORMAL $2,000 THEY ARE NOW SENDING $1,000.

IT DEPENDS PER PERSON BUT THOSE ARE THE BARRIERS I'VE BEEN SEEING.

>> AMBASSADOR WHAT DO PLACES LIKE THE MEXICAN CONSULATE DO TO ASSIST THAT MONEY GOING BACK TO MEXICO?

>> ACTUALLY BECAUSE OF THIS SITUATION AND THE REASONS MENTIONED WE HAVE SPECIFIC AREA IN THE CONSULATE DEDICATED TO FINANCIAL EDUCATION AND PROMOTE FINANCIAL INCLUSION.

ONE OF THE ISSUES HERE ON THIS SIDE IS THAT PERHAPS PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THE BANKING SYSTEM OR THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE A TRANSFER OR THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE ALL THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO HELP THEIR FAMILIES IN MEXICO.

ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE MEXICAN SIDE, IT'S COMPLICATED BECAUSE IN REMOTE PLACES PERHAPS THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH BRANCHES OF THE BANKS OR THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WHERE THEY ARE TRYING TO SEND THE MONEY TO.

SO THAT'S A CHALLENGE.

BUT OUR MISSION IS TO EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY ON THE OPPORTUNITIES OF THE BANKING SYSTEM AND THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PROVIDE FOR THEM HERE.

AND WE'VE PARTNERED WITH THE RESURRECTION PROJECT WHERE WE CALL OUR FINANCIAL SO ANYBODY CAN GO AND TALK TO OUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES FROM THE RESURRECTION PROJECT AND RECEIVE INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE.

>> A LOCAL NONPROFIT AND AN ISSUE THAT IMPACTS A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR COMMUNITY.

AND OUR THANKS TO AMBASSADOR REYNA TORRES MENDIVIL AND ELIZABETH MOLINA.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM DISCUSSES THE BATTLE OVER THE SCHOOL MASK MANDATE AND MUCH MORE.

BUT FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> THE FIRST CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER TO BE FATALLY SHOT IN THE LINE OF DUTY IN TWO YEARS, SETS OFF A HOST OF BEHIND THE SCENES FIGHTS.

HERE WITH ALL THAT AND MORE IS OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM, JOINING US TONIGHT ARE WTTW NEWS REPORTER MATT MASTERSON COVERING THE KILLING OF ELLA FRENCH AND OUR HEATHER CHERONE AND AMANDA VINICKY.

GOOD TO SEE ALL OF YOU.

I WILL START WITH YOU, MATT.

MORE AND MORE DETAILS COME OUT ABOUT THAT NIGHT AND THAT SHOOTING.

WHAT IS THE LATEST WE KNOW ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT LED UP TO THE DEATH OF THAT POLICE OFFICER?

>> SO THIS WAS A TRAFFIC STOP THAT HAPPENED SATURDAY NIGHT.

OFFICER FRENCH AND TWO OFFICERS PULLED OVER AN S.U.V.

JUST FOR EXPIRED PLATES.

IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BE A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP AND IT ERUPTED QUICKLY INTO CHAOS ACCORDING TO THE PROSECUTOR.

AND AFTER THEY PULLED OVER THE S.U.V.

THEY GOT THE THREE OCCUPANTS, EMONTE MORGAN HIS BROTHER ERIC MORGAN AND A WOMAN OUT OF THE CAR AND THEN EMONTE MORGAN STARTED RESISTING.

HE HAD A DRINK IN HIS HAND AND A PHONE AND STARTED GETTING INTO A PHYSICAL STRUGGLE IS ONE OF THE MALE OFFICERS.

HIS BROTHER ERIC MORGAN STARTED TO RUN AWAY AND WAS CHASED BY ANOTHER OFFICER AND AS OFFICER FRENCH CAME TO HELP WITH THE STRUGGLE GOING ON BETWEEN EMONTE MORGAN AND THE OFFICER, EMONTE MORGAN ALLEGEDLY PULLED OUT A GUN AND FIRED AND SHOT BOTH OF THEM.

ONE WAS OFFICER FRENCH WAS FATALLY WOUNDED AND THE OTHER OFFICER WAS CRITICALLY WOUNDED AND IS STILL IN CRITICAL CONDITION THAT IS THE LATEST DETAILS WE GOT.

>> AND REPORTEDLY, HEATHER, THE PARENTS OF BOTH OFFICERS HAD HARSH WORDS FOR THE MAYOR.

OBVIOUSLY IT IS AN EMOTIONAL TIME FOR THE FAMILIES.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT WHAT WORDINGS WERE EXCHANGED?

>> WHEN MAYOR LIGHTFOOT WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE BOTH OFFICER FRENCH AND HER PARTNER WERE TAKEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPROACH OFFICER FRENCH'S PARTNER TO EXPRESS HER CONDOLENCES WHEN THE PARTNER'S FATHER WHO IS A RETIRED C.P.D.

OFFICER LAID INTO HER AND BLAMED HER SPECIFICALLY FOR HIS SON'S INJURIES AND THE DEATH OF OFFICER FRENCH.

IT WAS A VERY HEATED CONVERSATION AND THEN THE MAYOR LEFT AND THEN AT SOME POINT QUICKLY BEFORE SHE ADDRESSED THE NEWS MEDIA, A GROUP OF 10-15 OFFICERS TURNED THEIR BACK TO HER.

REALLY SYMBOLIZING THE HUGE BREACH THAT THIS THE DEATH OF OFFICER FRENCH HAS ILLUMINATED BETWEEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND MAYOR LIGHTFOOT WHO IS BEING PUSHED ON ALL SIDES ON POLICE ISSUES.

>> YOU HEARD CARLOS RAMIREZ-ROSA TRY TO MAKE THE POINT THAT SHE HAS BEEN MORE PRO POLICE THAN ANTIPOLICE.

AMANDA VINICKY, HOW BAD ARE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE MAYOR?

AND HAS IT BEEN THIS BAD BEFORE?

>> I MEAN THEY ARE CERTAINLY INCREDIBLY FRACTURED AS YOU SEE FROM THE TURNING OF THE BACKS THAT IS OBVIOUSLY HIGH EMOTION.

I THINK YOU CAN SEE IT NOT JUST THROUGH THAT THROUGH THE PROLONGED CONTRACT TALKS ARE ARE FINALLY COMING TO FRUITION.

BUT THAT WAS SOMETHING WE SAW UNDER LIGHTFOOT'S PREDECESSOR WITH MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL UNABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT.

THINGS HAVE BECOME HEATED NOT JUST IN CHICAGO BUT ACROSS THE NATION WHILE ALDERMAN RAMIREZ ROSA SHE HAS BEEN MORE PRO POLICE.

THERE ARE CERTAINLY A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS, GROUPS THAT WOULD SAY, HEY, NO, SHE HASN'T DEFENDED THE BLUE ANYWHERE NEAR ENOUGH WHILE THERE ARE CALLS TO COMPLETELY DEFUND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SHE REALLY IS, I THINK, IN A SENSE IN A NO WIN SITUATION WITH THIS ONE.

AND CERTAINLY WITH A TRAGEDY LIKE THIS, THERE IS NO WIN.

>> I HAVE TO SAY, AN OBSERVATION HERE IS A LOT OF TIMES SHE HAS BEEN THE ONLY THING STANDING IN THE WAY OF SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT WANT TO DEFUND THE POLICE BECAUSE SHE IS SAYING MORE FUNDING FOR THE POLICE AND THEY ARE CRITICIZING THE FUNDING LEVEL THAT SHE HAS SUPPORTED FOR THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND DEBATE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BAGPIPERS FOR OFFICER FRENCH'S SALUTE.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK WHAT THE MAYOR HAD TO SAY.

>> MY UNDERSTAND SOMETHING THERE WAS NO OFFICIAL HONOR GUARD THAT NIGHT.

THERE WAS -- I WILL CHOOSE MY WORDS CAREFULLY -- I THINK WELL MEANING BUT NOT WELL ORGANIZED GROUP THAT WANTED TO HIJACK THE PROCESSION WHICH WOULD HAVE MEANT THAT THE FAMILY WOULD HAVE BEEN DELAYED EXPONENTIALLY IN GETTING TO THE MORGUE.

>> AND WE HAVE VIDEO THAT THE C.P.D.

TWEETED OF THAT PROCESSION.

AND WHILE WE LOOK AT THAT, HEATHER, THE MEDICAL EXAMINER SAID THERE WAS NO VIOLATION OF ANY COVID PROTOCOLS.

WHAT IS THE DISAGREEMENT HERE?

>> WELL, IT'S REALLY NOT CLEAR WHY THERE WAS NOT THE RITUAL THAT GREETS THE DEATH OF EVERY OFFICER WHO HAS DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY DATING BACK THROUGH HUMAN MEMORY IN CHICAGO.

BAGPIPES PLAY AND HONOR GUARD PROCESSES AND IT IS NOT CLEAR WHY FIRST DEPUTY ERIC CARTER CALLED IT OFF.

HE SAID BRING THE BODY INTO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER WITHOUT WAITING FOR THAT HONOR AND IT'S NOT CLEAR WHY.

TODAY THE MAYOR DID SUGGEST IT WAS DUE TO PROTOCOLS BY THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE.

AND THE MEDICAL EXAMINER DENIES THAT SAYS THERE WAS NO CHANGE TO STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID.

IT'S NOT REALLY CLEAR WHAT HAPPENED.

BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT MANY OFFICERS INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE, JOHN CATANZARA SAW THIS AS A DIRECT INSULT TO THEM AND THEIR HONOR AND THEIR ABILITY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO OFFICER FRENCH.

AND IT RANGELLED MANY, MANY OFFICERS AND IT IS NOT CLEAR THAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT DID ANYTHING BUT SORT OF HELP THE FLAMES GROW HIGHER TODAY BY CREATING THIS QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER IT WAS COVID RELATED.

>> ADDING ON TO SOME OF THE FEELINGS FELT THERE RIGHT NOW.

SPEAKING OF EMPTY WE DID TALK ABOUT THE STRAW PURCHASE OF THE GUN THE MAN WHO ADMITS TO BUYING THE GUN FOR HIS FRIEND THAT WAS ALLEGEDLY USED IN THAT KILLING WAS RELEASED ON BOND.

AND POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN DID NOT MINCE WORDS IN HIS REACTION TO THAT.

HE SAID IT IS AN OUTRAGE THE DECISION SETS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT THAT STRAW PURCHASER LIKE DANZY ARE NOT A DANGER TO SOCIETY DESPITE THE FACT HIS ACTIONS LED TO THE MURDER OF A CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER AND LEFT ANOTHER IN CRITICAL CONDITION.

JAMEL DANZY, THE SUSPECT HERE THAT IS CHARGED WITH TRAFFICKING THE WEAPON.

MATT MASTERSON WHY WAS DANZY RELEASED AND WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE REACTION?

>> HE WAS CHARGED WITH A SINGLE COUNT OF CONSPIRACY HE WAS NOT CHARGED IN OFFICER FRENCH'S KILLING HE WAS NOT ON THE SCENE AND IF HE IS CONVICTED HE FACES NO MORE THAN FIVE YEARS IN PRISON IT IS A LOWER LEVEL CRIME THAN WHAT THE BROTHERS WERE CHARGED WITH.

HIS IS A FEDERAL CASE.

I LISTENED INTO THE HEARING FOR DANZY, AND THE JUDGE DIDN'T JUST MAKE THE DECISION ON HIS OWN.

THESE CONDITIONS FOR RELEASE NOT HAVING TO PAY MONEY THEY WERE DRAFTED AND AGREED TO BY THE U.S. ATTORNEY AND DANZY'S ATTORNEY.

THEY DISCUSSED THIS BEFORE THE JUDGE READ THROUGH THE CONDITIONS AND MADE SURE THAT DANZY UNDERSTOOD THEM AND HE ISSUED THEM.

BROWN MAY WANT TO DIRECT MORE OF HIS ANGER TOWARD THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR ALLOWING DANZY OUT WITHOUT HAVING TO SERVE ANYTIME.

SUPERINTENDENT BROWN MADE A BIG DEAL ABOUT THIS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS OF FIREARMS TRAFFICKERS AND OTHERS GETTING OUT OF JAIL PRETRIAL.

AND SO IT'S NOT A SURPRISE NECESSARILY THAT HE WAS RELEASED TODAY.

IT WAS A NONVIOLENT CRIME, AGAIN HE WAS NOT CHARGED IN THE MURDER ITSELF.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT ELSE SUPERINTENDENT BROWN HAS TO SAY.

>> BROWN DIRECTED HIS IRE TO THE STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE COOK COUNTY COURT SYSTEM FOR SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.

I WANT TO MOVE ON TO THE BUDGET DEFICIT PROJECTED AT $733 MILLION FOR THE 2022 FISCAL YEAR AND I DON'T THINK CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS CAN ANSWER THIS QUESTION.

BUT DO WE KNOW WHETHER THAT $500 MILLION IN BORROWING CAN BE PAID BACK WITH THE FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY THAT THEY GOT?

AND IF NOT, THEN WHAT DOES THAT DO TO THE BUDGET?

>> I HAD TO ASK THIS QUESTION NOT ONCE BUT TWICE TO GET AN ANSWER.

AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO THE CITY'S REQUEST TO ALLOW THEM TO USE THIS MONEY TO PAY OFF THAT DEBT.

WHAT THE CITY IS GOING TO DO THEY ARE GOING TO LAYOUT A PATH FORWARD, BASICALLY WHERE THEY SORT OF MOVE MONEY AROUND.

THEY WANT TO USE APPROXIMATELY $782 MILLION FROM THAT RELIEF PACKAGE TO REIMBURSE THE CITY FOR COSTS THAT IT INCURRED DURING THE WORST OF THE PANDEMIC IN 2020 AND 2021.

AND THEN USE THE CITY'S CASH TO PAY OFF THAT DEBT.

SO IT'S SORT OF A LITTLE BIT LIKE WHEN YOUR MOM GIVES YOU A CHECK AND YOU DEPOSIT IT IN YOUR ACCOUNT AND YOU PAY YOUR MORTGAGE.

YOUR MOM IS NOT PAYING YOUR MORTGAGE BUT SHE IS HELPING YOU NOT END UP IN OVERDRAFTS THE.

THAT IS THE PLAN RIGHT NOW.

WHETHER IT PASSES THE CITY COUNCIL, I THINK IS A VERY OPEN QUESTION AT THIS POINT.

>> AND CITY FINANCE LEADERS MUST BELIEVE THAT THE INTEREST RATES ARE SO GOOD THEY WILL SAVE ALL THIS MONEY BY REFINANCING A LOT OF LOANS.

I WANT TO MOVE ON TO STATE NEWS.

DOWN STATE ATTORNEY FILED SUIT OVER GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S MASK MANDATE FOR ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF AT ILLINOIS SCHOOLS.

TAKE A LOOK WHAT ATTORNEY HAD TO SAY.

>> HE TOOK IT UPON HIMSELF TO CREATE A LAW BECAUSE THE LOCAL BODIES WERE GOVERNING IN A WAIT THAT HE DID NOT LIKE.

THIS IS WHAT THIS ISSUE IS ABOUT.

IT IS A NEW ISSUE FOR THE COURT.

>> SIMILAR LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN TOSSED OUTDOES THIS STAND A CHANCE?

>> SIMILAR BUT NOT THE SAME WHICH IS WHAT YOU HEARD THE ATTORNEY ARGUING IS THAT YES HE HAS PUT FORWARD BEEN THE ATTORNEY ON VARIOUS LAWSUITS WHEN YOU HAD BUSINESSES FIGHTING RESTRICTIONS PUT FORWARD BY GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER.

BUT THE LEGAL ARGUMENT THERE WAS THAT THE GOVERNOR CONTINUED TO MAKE DISASTER PROCLAMATIONS AFTER 30 DAYS.

AND THE ARGUMENT WAS TRYING TO BE 30 DAYS PASSED YOU CANNOT CONTINUOUSLY AND FOREVER CLAIM THERE IS A DISASTER WITHOUT BRINGING IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT IS A TYRANNICAL BEHAVIOR AND THE EXECUTIVE BEING AN UPPER BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT VERSUS COEQUAL THAT IS IN COMMON WITH THIS LAWSUIT.

A DIFFERENT LEGAL ARGUMENT THAT HE IS PURSUING.

AS HE SAID THIS IS A FIRST TEST FOR IT BUT I THINK WE HAVE SEEN THINGS PLAY OUT ELSEWHERE THAT MANDATES AND VACCINE REQUIREMENTS ARE SUITABLE DUE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC IS A DISASTER AND EMERGENCY.

>> AND SPEAKING OF THINGS THAT PLAYED OUT IT LOOKS LIKE THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION AND CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE AGAIN IN DISAGREEMENT ABOUT WHAT BACK TO SCHOOL SHOULD LOOK LIKE WITH COVID PROTOCOLS.

HEATHER COULD IT LEAD TO LABOR STRIFE AND A WALK-OFF?

>> I DON'T THINK THAT IS LIKELY.

THE ISSUE IS OVER HOW OFTEN TEACHERS AND STUDENTS SHOULD BE TESTED BECAUSE MANY STUDENTS ESPECIALLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND SOME IN MIDDLE SCHOOL ARE NOT YET ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE.

AND THERE IS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT WHETHER THE CITY AND THE UNION WILL AGREE TO A VACCINE MANDATE AND FOR THOSE TEACHERS WHO AREN'T VACCINATED HOW OFTEN WILL THEY HAVE TO BE TESTED.

IT SOUNDS LIKE THE UNION WANTS ONCE A WEEK AND THE CITY WANTS MORE FLEXIBILITY TO SAY WELL, BASED ON CONDITIONS AND NOT HAVE IT BE A HARD AND FAST RULE.

THIS IS JUST THE LATEST SKIRMISH IN THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE TEACHERS' UNION HOW SAFE IT IS TO GET KIDS BACK IN SCHOOLS.

WE JUST HAVE A COUPLE WEEKS BEFORE CHICAGO STUDENTS ARE SUPPOSED TO GO BACK.

THE CLOCK IS TICKING AS IT USUALLY IS.

>> THESE BATTLES WITH THE TEACHERS' UNION AND WITH THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE BETWEEN THEM AND THE CITY, THEY JUST GO ON AND ON AND ON.

BUT WE ARE GLAD THAT YOU ARE ALL HERE TO ANALYZE THIS AND MORE.

THANKS TO MATT, HEATHER AND AMANDA.

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.

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AND FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

ONCE AGAIN STAY SAFE AND INDOORS AS THE STORMS ARE APPROACHING.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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