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

Black voices.

I'm Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

The president's plan is early.

Performances.

Illinois's attorney general joins us to talk about the legal challenges the state could make it.

President Trump does deployed the National Guard to Chicago.

Chicago school board members are set to face a crucial budget vote tomorrow.

We hear from the interim CEO on district's financial challenges.

>> Of the community reclaim this building and repurpose it.

And the Austin community comes together to transform a closed school into a workforce training hub.

>> First off tonight, Illinois officials say they haven't gotten any communication from the Trump administration after reports that it may use a local naval base to House National Guard troops or federal immigration agents.

The Sun-Times has reported the administration is considering the Naval Station Great Lakes in suburban North Chicago.

Governor JB Pritzker says his office hasn't received any calls from the White House or federal officials regarding the matter.

It's the latest development as President Donald Trump has threatened to send troops into Chicago to address crime despite data showing violent crime is down in the city.

Joining us to discuss all that and more is Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul Attorney general, thank you for joining us.

Thank you for having me.

So let's start with the possible National Guard deployment, Governor JB Pritzker and other public officials, including yourself gathered earlier this week to denounce the threat.

Here is what Pritzker had to say.

>> This is not about fighting crime.

This is about Donald Trump searching for any justification to deploy the military in a blue city in a blue state to try and intimidate his political rivals.

>> Ad, what laws might the president invoked to accomplish this?

>> Well, thing is a framework through deposit comment.

I'd say has to win.

The president can federalize the National Guard.

The either have to be a invasion.

Rebellion from within or ability to.

Enforce a federal law because of inadequate resources through regular means and none of those circumstances exist to guards, too, dealing with crime in Chicago.

We have continuous great work in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the DEA, ATF, Secret Service agents.

I and if the president wanted contribute to fighting crime in Chicago, he could enhance those collab are already existing collaboration between local, state and federal law enforcement with more resources and start cutting resources from police departments from victim services and from community violence.

Interruption.

>> So the National Guard currently deployed in Washington, D.C., as we know which the federal government has jurisdiction over.

But the president's administration is currently facing a legal challenge out of California after he deployed the National Guard there to La Governor Pritzker has told the president he will see him in court over this issue is there legal recourse before we get to the point of of the National Guard being here or does it have to wait until after the president issued his order?

>> it's all fact, depending on a day-to-day basis on what is said, what is ordered, what is it explicitly Putin orders?

It's difficult to react to.

That is varying statements from the president.

So it's it's a bit premature.

As I sit here talking to you this evening is that there's no preemptive act that I would take right now.

But certainly if those conditions are not met, that I laid out for your the card is sent into the city to do policing, for instance.

You know, that might trigger legal action.

>> what do you say to Chicagoans who would welcome National Guard here to help address crime?

>> Well, what I would say to them is that the National Guard is not rain crime fighting.

I spoke to you about agencies and the federal government who are trained to do so.

We have a tremendous partnership with the ATF and the tremendous ATF special agent in charge and they have a crime gun intelligence center.

They've been partnering with my office with the Chicago Police Department.

We've got a great superintendent superintendents Snelling with the state police and with the Cook County Sheriff's offices as well as other local law enforcement agencies.

Those a collaboration, depend upon constant communication and the one team concept and their ongoing collaboration.

So the National would not help.

They're not trained and they quite frankly, they would know what they they they would be.

Need to be doing.

>> Meanwhile, a the naval station Great Lakes has been approached by the Department of Homeland Security regarding a potential request to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations at this time, decisions have been made.

But in a statement that we received, it reads, quote, Naval Station, Great Lakes has been approached by the Department of Homeland Security regarding a potential request to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

this time, no decisions have been made.

The request involves limited support in the form of facilities, infrastructure and other logistical needs to support DHS operations.

But they say that they also have not received any official request to support the National Guard.

What do you think when you hear something like that?

>> Well, interesting because from what I understand in California and in DC to some extent Guardsman into these cities without adequate preparation for their well-being.

You know, stories of guardsmen La who didn't have adequate places too sleep to arrest 2 eat.

These people being appropriately treated.

People who have let themselves to service to our country.

And so.

I don't what else to say the bat planning from a prior president and and the administration just too to create, create up the formative show of force.

>> So separately, Adams County Sheriff Tom Tony, Gruden's in western Illinois.

He has said that he intends to aid the Department of Homeland Security in its deportation efforts.

W T Tw News, Rick obtained records showing that the county did indeed transfer at least 2 men into ICE custody.

Do you see this as a violation of the state's trust act which prevents local law enforcement from supporting the federal government's immigration deportation efforts.

>> NSA too much about that particular case because we have to examine all the specifics.

You know, there are shows and individuals who who can proclaim a lot.

Tonight, a look at some of the statements that he made that represented media.

There's media's reports.

>> things like there have been a few and that's very vague statement.

So clearly the law of the state of Illinois.

Is that law enforcement, state and local law enforcement resources are not supposed to be used for immigration enforcement.

shares are sworn officers that are suppose abide by by the lawn.

So that's all I will say about that right now.

Okay.

>> On Monday, President Trump signed another executive order called taking steps to end cashless bail to protect Americans.

It seeks to block federal funding to states that eliminated cash bail.

Illinois is of course, one of those states.

It did so in 2023 under the Pretrial Fairness Act.

What's your reaction again to the president's order on this?

>> Well, I would I would turn into the federal court system largely doesn't to rely upon cash bail They rely upon assessing whether individual is a risk to public safety or a flight risk.

And that's a system that we have right without cash build whether or not somebody can afford to post bond is not determinative of whether they are a risk to public safety.

Somebody can have access to a lot of money and be a risk to public safety.

And so the notion that cash bail keeps people safe is it's a misplaced notion.

We should be doing risk assessment.

Assessing whether somebody is a risk to public safety or whether their flights, regardless of what they can afford.

>> There's your office intend to challenge this order.

>> Not to order.

order is not specific enough in terms of specific action if there is indeed funding conditioned on whether or not our state is no cash bail state.

will challenge that.

But the order doesn't take that.

That second step.

>> The another controversial executive order that the president signed last month.

This one is called ending crime and disorder on America's streets.

This one claims, quote, endemic vagrancy disorderly behavior, sudden confrontations and violent attacks major cities, unsafe.

One way to fix such issue according to the order is by restoring civil commitments.

And that is the involuntary commitment of individuals experiencing homelessness who may be mentally unwell.

What is your reaction to the push for local and state governments to provide that practice?

>> You know, there's Supreme decision instead for the 1999, that sets the framework.

>> Of >> Making sure that people with disabilities are protected from being unfairly committed.

And so the spirit of of the the order seems to be violative of that.

What specifically, again, what specifically they may do in follow-up to that?

have to evaluate on a case-by-case basis and I'm sure individuals who would have their rights violated individually would have right to action.

>> Okay.

That's where we'll have to leave it.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul, thank you for joining us.

Thank you.

Up next, the interim head of the Chicago Public Schools on tackling the district's budget challenges.

>> Chicago tonight, black voices he's made possible in part by the support of these donors.

>> Chicago public schools isn't just facing a budget crunch, but also a time crunch.

The Chicago Board of Education is set to vote on the district's budget proposal tomorrow just before the state deadline on Friday, officials laid out a plan that aims to close the 734 million dollar budget gap.

But district leaders are still debating whether alone should be a part of the final plan.

And if the district should take on the city's pension payment.

Joining us now is Chicago Public Schools, interim CEO Macklin King.

Congrats on the new position.

Thank you for joining us.

Thank you for having me, So let's start with pension payment last night we heard from 2 board members who tell us that the district has already scaled back as much as it can without affecting the classroom with this budget proposal and that it's the CPS budget were to take on that much-debated pension payment.

It would certainly lead to classroom cuts.

What what those cuts look like in the classroom.

Well, the budget that we present, it is balanced and it is a responsible budget and it protects the.

>> But just this school principal's received in the spring.

It protects labor agreements and it also protects the post COVID games that students have received.

So it's it's written there would there is no need for additional cuts.

And we've added a provision that the immediate payment of the pension payment would be made if additional resources were made available to them to clarify.

And for folks who are speculating on this does not mean.

>> This budget means there are no.

Midyear cuts to be concerned about.

Agreed.

Yes, so we this budget was created with going line by line.

We looked at all the different possibilities for savings.

>> And in addition to that, a lot of the savings were structural.

So these are savings that we can realize in the future as well.

>> The 2025 CPS budget to last year's budget.

It relied on additional to dollars that didn't come, which the mayor blasted.

Former CEO Pedro Martinez over rely on to funding again with this budget.

The release that you all sent out this afternoon demonstrates that you can expect more to in the coming year's budget.

>> So the to funding this assumed in the budget that's normal.

Each year.

There's assumption of the amount of tips that the school district will receive and the amount this assumed in this budget is the same amount that the district received last year.

So it's reasonable and historically us that the city of Chicago, there's a tough surplus.

And so we've just use the trend from funds received from the city.

Do believe 2 funds to be a reliable source of funding for the district.

There is a need for, you know, state support and reform of how CPS is a fund.

It.

So we recognize that, however, in this moment, you know, to close this budget gap that we do need additional assistance.

That's the media.

>> top Reid is reporting that your CFO has advised the board that it could authorize emergency Burley after this budget has passed with just a simple majority versus the two-thirds majority that is needed for budget amendments.

How likely is more borrowing for the district?

>> With the current budget, there is no need for the immediate alone.

However, we do recognize that in the event of an emergency, the district does have the ability and flexibility to borrow emergency.

What came urgency there for school district?

federal impacts if there were additional federal cuts, you know, that could be something that could impact our budget.

Got it.

The district also says its debt service is more than $28,000 per student at 800 million dollars per year.

>> Chocolate is reporting that the district is only one of 3 districts across the country whose revenues are below their debt or whose debt service exceeds its revenue.

Head of CPS get a handle on this.

I think the budget that we presented as a start and that's with the structural changes that we've made so we we can assure that.

>> Those savings will roll over and that the deficit that we're facing in years to come is reduced by the amount of the structural savings that we found has been result of the impacts that we had to make.

You are appointed with the mayor's backing, of course, and approved by the board with an 11 to 8 vote.

>> Previous CPS CEO Pedro Martinez, he was fired by the previous board, particularly over disagreements over borrowing to cover expenses.

What impact might this dispute over whether or not to take out a loan?

What impact might it have on your relationship with the mayor and city Hall?

>> Since 9, this is starts my 33rd year serving the students of Chicago and in my capacity as a principal in advising first center, Mayor Lightfoot and Mayor Johnson, I worked construct constructively in collaboratively.

And so this decision will not affect my relationship with Mayor or Labor partners.

It is the students and the families rely on me to ensure that those relationships are strong so that we can continue to face any of the challenges that are ahead of us as a district.

>> 11 board members have written you a letter saying that they find it difficult to support this current budget proposal without either the pension payment included and or the option for a loan if it's needed.

Do you really do feel comfortable that you've got the votes for tomorrow?

>> I feel confident that all board members and the mayor, we all really want the same thing for students week.

We want students to succeed.

We want to ensure that students have the best possible experience the Pathway forward and how we get there.

different.

You know, we we see different paths forward and I respect the board members.

They've had a lot of information put in front of them.

And I'm sure that they're going to make the best decision for our students.

What would happen if board members decided to make amendments tomorrow and they do push through either alone and order the pension payment.

>> Or authority for a loan.

I respect the board members decision.

If that's >> this past I would implement that.

But you can continue to work constructively with those board members.

All board members in the city and community partners.

What concerns do you have about the impact of this budget?

Uncertainty on parents and students?

>> I think with the opening day of school, that's the why.

And I feel like the parents are trusting the board members myself all of our labor partners to do the right thing.

And I believe as a result of some of the community meet round tables that we attended.

I think that they'll see themselves in this budget, the one that that I propose, I think they'll see themselves within budget and that they can rally around and support us.

There's also, of course, is going to be pressure as you said, your Labor Partners, Chicago Teachers Union in particular.

He's a bit of their response to the budget plan earlier today.

>> We want to make sure that we have a real plan for Chicago.

Public schools moving forward.

These cuts that you have been hearing about and some of the cuts that you haven't heard about as a result of decades of disinvestment.

>> In our state and Chicago public schools to the tune of 2 billion dollars per year legislator after legislator, governor after governor has failed Chicago public school students.

>> you're an educator as well, of course, what is your relationship like with CTU and its leadership?

>> work well with all of our labor partners.

You know, again, we all want the same thing for our students.

We all have different roles, but we equally as responsible for the success of our students.

And so I respect their opinions about how do we know how they see this budget?

But the budget that we put forth was one that was not just a lot of by line looking at the budget, but also it represents the feedback they received from parents and community members and teachers and principals.

So I feel What what we see with this budget represents what's best for our students.

>> You are about 2 months into this job has the interim it's good that you're finding your way around the building.

Are you interested in having this job permanently?

I entered with 2 main goals.

Present a balanced budget.

>> open school smoothly and I have accomplished those 2 goals.

But we'll see as of tomorrow, right?

However, I'm working really hard just to kneel those 2 accomplishments as of tomorrow.

And then we'll see where it takes OK, best of luck to you.

Tomorrow will be keeping an eye on it.

>> Chicago Public Schools, interim CEO Macklin King, thank you for joining us Luck.

Thank you.

>> Up next, transforming along vacant school building.

But first, a look at the weather.

A shuttered school is transforming into a community hub.

Our Joanna Hernandez reports on a workforce center in Austin, bringing new opportunities to the West side neighborhoods.

Residents.

>> This or is this year actually the floor from lot of Tory motel over 100 years old also was important to keep some of the the elements of the school.

It was important to keep some of those elements, but we saw it as an opportunity to also.

>> Build off of that history.

Darnell Shields is one of the leaders behind the aspire workforce.

Innovation hub in Austin.

He described the center as a one-stop shop for the community.

It's a full-on collaboration between workforce development organizations.

>> Financial institutions, we have a legal center and the building.

>> The former entry school was one of 50 schools closed by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel in Chicago.

Public schools in 2013, the Westside Health Authority in Austin coming together, collaborated to redevelop the vacant school.

>> I love that my community stood up and said, hey, no more.

We have gain control.

And that's what they did.

And folks put together a Shields who grew up in Austin, gave us a tour of the space.

Right now.

We are on the second level of this public side of the space rice and mezzanine debt.

And here is where, know, it's more open access seeding.

You can come prop up again to do his own meeting with your laptop or so as well as smaller conference rooms that you can reserve in addition to offering workshops, the three-story building provides a variety of programs and resources to the community through different organizations.

>> One of the services provided by the Jane Addams Resource Corporation Operating Manufacturing training programs inside, ASPIRE Cedrick.

Webb is one of the participants was qualified free training program.

>> Somebody took the time invest in Allston.

Every time I come in, still in awe when I come out parking lot and use the key fob beginning in what jar or any other programs us in here.

This place can change a life.

>> The Austin neighborhood has a long history of disinvestment, but Shields says he's optimistic this initiative will open doors for local youth and adults.

Empowering them with career training and support.

>> It was a great intention with this development.

That's why the design of that is so grand.

It's a service to in because we wanted to make a point that no, we can break that cycle because she was the born and raised in Austin neighborhood.

Alyssa Sherman says.

>> Introducing something new and accessible to residents will start creating a new mindset will top out.

But they also don't think small.

>> The big think more.

His biggest possible, we can work towards a rather China Seo know that they can happen.

Now here no big, big so that when we can learn.

>> process is a new strategies to get to that level.

>> For Chicago tonight, I'm Joanna Hernandez.

>> The organization Austin coming together recently released a documentary called The Good News which highlights how the community has come together to create places like the workforce center.

And that's our show for this Wednesday night.

Check out our website for the very latest from W T Tw News and join us tomorrow night at 5, 30 10 President Trump threatens to yank funding from states like Illinois that have eliminated cash bail will hear local reaction.

Now for all of us here at Chicago Brandis Friedman, thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

>> Closed caption News me Pass by Robert a cliff and lot