>> HEY THERE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

BLACK VOICES.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

A BUSY DAY AT CITY COUNCIL, INCLUDING THE MAYOR DEFENDING HIS HANDLING OF CHICAGO'S MIGRANT CRISIS.

>> I WOULD TRUST THEM TO SERVE ME A VEGETABLE AND NOTHING ELSE OF THEIR FIELD.

>> HOW A PROPOSED ORDINANCE COULD RESTRICT DOLLAR STORES AND IMPACT THE COMMUNITY.

AND ONE ON ONE WITH OUTGOING COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE CHIEF ARNOLD RANDALL, WHO STEPPED DOWN AFTER JUST JUST STEPPED DOWN AFTER 13 YEARS.

AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, CHICAGO MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON IS SPEAKING OUT AND TAKING A FIRM STANCE ON THE WAR IN GAZA.

>> BUT AT THIS POINT NOW, BELIEVE WE'RE LOOKING AT.

25,000.

PALESTINIANS HAVE BEEN KILLED.

DURING THIS, THIS WAR.

AND ON THE KILLING TO STOP.

SO.

YES, WE NEED TO CEASE FIRE.

>> JOHNSON SAID THIS TO REPORTERS AFTER TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE WAS SET FOR TODAY FOR VOTE TODAY, BUT WAS POSTPONED AT THE REQUEST.

A 28 OLDER PEOPLE.

IT COULD COME BACK AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.

THE WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS HAS RAGED FOR MORE THAN 110 DAYS CAUSING A WIDESPREAD HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.

EGYPTIAN AND U.S. OFFICIALS CONFIRMED THEY ARE ACTIVELY PURSUING WAYS TO HALT THE VIOLENCE AND HAD A SHARON WILL HAVE MORE FROM TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING IN JUST A BIT.

AND DESPITE THE CONTINUING DEBATE OVER HOW TO MANAGE THE CITY'S MIGRANT CRISIS, THE CITY HAS SELECTED TO LOCAL BUSINESSES TO PROVIDE FOOD AT SHELTERS FOR THE NEW ARRIVALS AFTER A PUBLIC BIDDING PROCESS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND SUPPORT SERVICES SELECTED THE AGENCY'S 77 COMMUNITIES AND 14 PARISH.

THE CITY SAYS THE GOAL IS TO IMPROVE FOOD QUALITY AT THE SHELTERS AND DECREASE THE COST OF THE MEALS PROGRAM WHILE ALSO PROVIDING CULTURALLY RELEVANT MEALS.

BOTH COMPANIES WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MEALS FOR 15 TO $17 A DAY PER PERSON, MUCH LESS THAN THE 21 TO $23.

THE CITY HAD BEEN SPENDING.

PUBLIC.

TRANSIT RIDERS ARE BACK.

THAT'S AT LEAST ACCORDING TO THE REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY, WHICH SAYS REGIONAL RIDERSHIP WAS UP 16% IN 2023, A POST PANDEMIC HIGH RTA SAYS 2023 WAS THE FIRST TIME RIDERSHIP CRACKS 300 MILLION SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

326.6 MILLION RIDES LAST YEAR.

CTA RAIL INCREASED 13% AND BUSES, 15%.

METRA SAW A 37% INCREASE WITH PACE BUSES UP 10%.

UP NEXT, HOW TO SHARON HAS THE LATEST FROM CITY COUNCIL RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY 5TH 3005TH BANK AND BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> 3RD, WE BELIEVE WOULD DIVERSE VOICES ARE HEARD AND EMPOWERED.

COMMUNITIES ARE MADE STRONGER A FUTURE HOLDS GREAT PROMISE FOR ALL.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE PROUD TO SUPPORT CHICAGO.

TONIGHT.

BLACK VOICES TOGETHER.

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER.

WE CAN DRIVE CHANGE.

>> MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON WEDNESDAY DEFENDED HIS HANDLING OF THE MIGRANT CRISIS CONFRONTING CHICAGO AMID CONTINUING TENSIONS WITH GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER.

HERE'S WHAT JOHNSON TOLD REPORTERS TODAY IN HIS FIRST REMARKS SINCE THE GOVERNOR QUESTIONED THE CITY'S APPROACH TO THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.

NOW, I KNOW FOLKS MAY HAVE.

QUESTIONS ABOUT MY STYLE.

BUT DON'T QUESTION MY LEADERSHIP.

>> STATE OF ILLINOIS COMMITTED TO 2200 BEDS.

COULD REALLY USE THOSE RIGHT NOW.

>> WBTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER SHARON JOINS US NOW WITH THE LATEST ONE WEEK BEFORE THE CITY IS SET TO START EVICTING MIGRANTS FROM CITY SHELTERS.

GOVERNOR PRITZKER SAID MONDAY THAT HE WAS, QUOTE, DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CITY'S PLAN TO STOP OPENING NEW SHELTERS FOR MIGRANTS EVEN AS TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT CONTINUES TO SEND BUSES OF MIGRANTS TO THE CITY.

JOHNSON RESPOND TO THAT CRITICISM?

>> WELL, KEEP ESSENTIALLY SAID THAT IT WAS THE STATE'S FAULT THAT THE CITY SHELTERS ARE STILL SO FULL THAT THERE ARE MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE WAITING AT O'HARE AIRPORT FOR A BED TO OPEN UP IN ONE OF THOSE SHELTERS AND SAID THAT THE STATE PROMISED TO STEP UP EFFORTS TO FIND PERMANENT HOMES FOR THOSE MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND TO OPEN 2000 MORE BEDS ORIGINALLY PLANNED IN A WINTER ICE BASE CAMP THAT NEVER MATERIALIZED BECAUSE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE 2 SITES THE CITY SAID WAS APPROPRIATE FOR THOSE CAMPS THAT HAS LEFT A CITY STRUGGLING WITH A LIMITED BUDGET TO CARE FOR THE MIGRANTS AND STATE OFFICIALS LIKE GOVERNOR PRITZKER FRUSTRATED THAT THE CITY SEEMS TO BE SORT TRYING TO PUSH PRESSURE ON TO THEM TO TAKE MORE DIRECT ACTION.

HEATHER, IN NEARLY 2000 MIGRANTS, AS WE SAID, ARE SET TO BE EVICTED FROM CITY SHELTERS BY FEBRUARY.

SECOND, INCLUDING.

>> AS MANY AS 700 CHILDREN, MANY OF WHOM ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 10.

WILL THAT ACTUALLY HAPPEN?

>> SO REPORTERS, INCLUDING MYSELF TODAY PRESSED JOHNSON ABOUT WHETHER HE WOULD ISSUE ANOTHER REPRIEVE.

IF YOU REMEMBER THE ORIGINAL EVICTION DATE FOR MANY OF THESE MIGRANTS 2 WEEKS AGO, AMID THE BRUTALLY COLD WEATHER THAT WAS DELAYED, JOHNSON GAVE NO INDICATION HE WAS CONSIDERING A 3RD REPRISE.

BUT HE DID SAY THAT THIS WAS AN EVOLVING CRISIS AND THAT EVERYBODY WAS TRYING TO DO THEIR BEST TO ADDRESS IT.

HE DID ACKNOWLEDGE HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE CHILDREN WHO WERE EVICTED FROM CITY SHELTERS WITH NOWHERE TO GO COULD FIND THEIR ACADEMIC YEAR DISRUPTED.

THEY MIGHT HAVE TO CHANGE SCHOOLS BECAUSE THEY MIGHT HAVE TO MOVE TO A DIFFERENT SHELTER OR WAIT FOR A NEW GUIDE TO OPEN IT'S NOT CLEAR WHAT WILL HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT BY THE END OF FEBRUARY, THE CITY IS SET TO EVICT MORE THAN 6,000 MIGRANTS.

AND THAT COULD BE AS MANY AS 2000 CHILDREN.

AND HEATHER, OF COURSE, WE KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN CALLS FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR CONGRESS TO STEP IN AND SUPPORT THAT ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE LOAD OF THE NEW ARRIVALS IS THAT SOME PLACE WHERE THE GOVERNOR AND THE MAYOR >> AGREE.

>> CERTAINLY THEY WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STEP IN AND PUT THESE BILLS.

HOWEVER, WITH CONGRESS HOPELESSLY GRIDLOCKED MOSTLY BECAUSE OF THE GOP CONTROLLED HOUSE AND RELUCTANCE AMONG SOME DEMOCRATS TO ADD MORE FUNDS TO CARE FOR THE MIGRANTS.

IT IS REALLY UNLIKELY THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL STEP IN ANY TIME SOON.

EVEN AS SENATORS DURBIN AND TAMMY DUCKWORTH TODAY CALLED FOR EXACTLY THAT TO HAPPEN.

IT'S JUST NOT CLEAR WHETHER THAT WILL COME TO FRUITION.

AND IN OTHER NEWS, HEATHER, A CITY COUNCIL IS ALSO EXPECTED TO VOTE TODAY ON 2 PRETTY HIGH-PROFILE ISSUES CHANGES TO THE POLICE DISCIPLINE PROCESS.

>> AND RESTRICTIONS ON WHERE NEW DOLLAR STORES CAN WHAT HAPPENED AT TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

WELL, IN BOTH CASES, SUPPORTERS OF THOSE MEASURES BLOCKED A VOTE TODAY.

AND TYPICALLY WHEN YOU SEE THAT HAPPEN AT THE CITY COUNCIL, IT MEANS THAT THEY'RE CONCERNED THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE VOTES.

NOW, THE CITY COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED NOW TO MEET AGAIN AND THE WEEK.

BOTH THE REGULATIONS FOR NEW DOLLAR STORES AND THE CHANGES TO THE POLICE DISCIPLINARY PROCESS COULD COME BACK THEN.

SO IT COULD BE ONLY A MINOR DELAY.

>> BUT IT IS AN INDICATION THAT BOTH ISSUES, ESPECIALLY THE CHANGES TO THE POLICE DISCIPLINARY PROCESS ARE INCREDIBLY CONTROVERSIAL.

AND THAT COULD TREAT THAT ISSUE IN PARTICULAR.

COULD COULD COULD COULD TRIGGER A HUGE LEGAL FIGHT THAT IS SET TO START PERHAPS EVEN BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETS AGAIN.

>> I'M SURE YOU'LL KEEP AN EYE ON THAT FOR US AND BRING THAT NEWS JUST WHAT HAPPENS.

OF COURSE, WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING MORE ABOUT THE DOLLAR STORES IN CHICAGO JUST A LITTLE BIT.

HEATHER SHARON AT CITY HALL FOR US.

THANK YOU.

AND YOU CAN HIS FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

IT'S ALL IT.

W T TW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

UP NEXT, WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF DOLLAR STORES IN CHICAGO RIGHT AFTER THIS?

>> AT >> YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, DOLLAR GENERAL FAMILY DOLLAR STORE SHOPPERS CAN FIND EVERYTHING FROM HOLIDAY DECORATIONS TO CANNED FOODS OFTEN FOR 5 BUCKS OR LESS.

YEAH.

THE SO-CALLED SMALL BOX RETAILERS HAVE BEEN AT THE CENTER OF COMPLAINTS OVER UNSAFE WORKING CONDITIONS, OVERFLOWING TRASH BINS ON THEIR PROPERTY IN CRUMBLING BUILDINGS.

A PROPOSED ORDINANCE IN CITY COUNCIL LOOKS TO RESTRICT THE LOCATIONS OF THE STORES IN AN EFFORT TO CRACK DOWN ON THE SITUATION.

JOINING US NOW IS LETTING US WHO IS SERVING AS LEGAL COUNSEL FOR DOLLAR TREE.

WE SHOULD MENTION WE ALSO INVITED 19TH WARD ALDERMAN MATT O'SHEA, BUT HE DECLINED OUR INVITATION LYNNEA SORROW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING I'M SO AS I MENTIONED, 19TH WARD ALDERMAN MATT O'SHEA.

HE INTRODUCED THIS HERE'S A BIT OF WHAT HE TOLD COLLEAGUES AT A MONDAY COMMITTEE MEETING.

>> I HAVE EMAILED AND TELEPHONED.

DOLLAR STORE OPERATORS AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL.

ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE EXISTING STORES.

NO RESPONSE.

>> BECAUSE THEY'RE STILL ATOP FILTHY.

THEY DON'T KEEP THE TRASH UP IN FRONT OF THE COMMUNITIES AND MY COMMUNITY.

THERE'S ONE A BLOCK UP FROM MY HOUSE AND EVERY WEEK I'M CALLING ABOUT A GATE.

THIS DOW WHICH CAUSES PEOPLE TO COME IN AND OUT OF THAT.

THAT PORTION OF THE COMMUNITY, THE PEOPLE THEY HIRE IS RIDICULOUS.

LITERALLY MY DAUGHTER WAS BY HER MANAGER.

SO BRING HER CARRYING CAN SEE BECAUSE HE DID NOT SAFE.

HAIL ALONG WITH 6 OTHER EMPLOYEES WALKED OUT AND HE LEFT HIS KEYS.

WELL, AS THE DALLAS TOWARD >> WHEN HE HAD AS DOLLAR GENERAL, HOW HE WILL RESPOND, SOME OF THESE ACCUSATIONS OVER COMPLAINTS GO UNHEARD CRUMBLING BUILDINGS, OVERFLOWING TRASH.

>> AS LEGAL COUNSEL FOR A FOR FAMILY DOLLAR AND DOLLAR TREE WE'VE AND WE'VE ACTUALLY MET WITH THE OTHERS.

WE ACTUALLY I MET PERSONALLY, OUR WHOLE TEAM ACTUALLY MET WITH THE COMPANY WITH ALDERMAN O'SHEA BACK IN OCTOBER, WE MET WITH HIM IN HIS OFFICE IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND HE EXPRESSED TO SIMILAR COMMENTS THAT HE MADE RIGHT AFTER THAT WE THEN STARTED TO REACH WE MEETING THE COMPANY IS WELL, AS ON OF FOLKS ON THE GROUND HERE IN CHICAGO TO REACH OUT TO ENGAGE WITH ALDERS ON THE 228 STORES IN 121 OF THE STORES ARE IN WORDS THAT LED BY BLACK AUTHORS.

AND WE MADE CONCERTED EFFORT TO TRY TO ENGAGE AND WE DID ENGAGE WITH AS MANY AS WE COULD BETWEEN THE PERIOD OF NOVEMBER UNTIL DECEMBER.

AND SO WE WANTED TO TO LISTEN TO WHAT THE WHAT THE OTHER WOMAN HAD INDICATED EXPRESSION THE COMPLAINT AND LET THEM KNOW THAT WE WE HEAR THEM AND WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD AND ACTUALLY DO A BETTER JOB AND ADDRESS THOSE CONDITIONS IN A MEANINGFUL WAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE CORRECTION DOLLAR TREE DOLLAR GENERAL.

I MISSPOKE EARLIER.

WHAT IS DOLLAR TREE'S CONCERN WITH THIS ORDINANCE THAT ALDERMAN HAS PRESENTED?

>> WITH THE ORIGINAL ORDINANCE THAT WAS PRESENTED BACK IN IS DIFFERENT THAN ORDINANCE ACTUALLY WAS SUBSTITUTED LATE LAST WEEK AND IN THE ORDINANCE THAT WAS MADE LAST WEEK IS THE ONE THAT WAS DISCUSSED ON IN THAT CLIP.

THE PROBLEM WITH THE ORDINANCE IS THAT IT'S A ONE SIZE FITS ALL.

IT IS A ONE-MILE RESTRICTION WITH NO EXCEPTIONS AND IT DOESN'T ADDRESS THE ULTIMATE ISSUES WHICH IS TO ADDRESSED OR CONDITIONS AND TO TO ACTUALLY DELIVER AND PRODUCE RESULT.

THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO APPROACH THIS WHAT HAS BEEN OFFERED AS AN ALTERNATE ORDINANCE ALTERNATE ORDINANCE WOULD ACTUALLY EMPOWER THE ALDERS.

HOW WOULD EMPOWER THE ALDERS ONE OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE?

THERE'S JUST A LOT OF DIFFERENT MECHANISMS IN ONE IS A SPAT REQUIRING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO TO OPEN UP A NEW STORE.

AND THE SECOND IS TO A LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM THE DOLLARS.

WHAT DOES THAT DO?

IT ALLOWS THE ALDERS TOOK PER HAVE INPUT, ACCOUNTABILITY AND BE RESPONSIVE TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

>> DO YOU THINK THINK THIS ORDINANCE IS NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS IN SOME OF THE CONDITIONS THAT THAT FOLKS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT.

>> ORDINANCE IS REALLY NOT DESIGNED TO ADDRESS CONDITIONS AS MUCH AS AS WITH THE ORIGINAL ORDINANCE STATED PURPOSE WAS, WHICH WAS TO ADDRESS FOOD DESERT.

AND THAT IS A COMPLETELY SEPARATE IN A LARGER ISSUE.

THERE'S AN ARTICLE BACK IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR, BUT NOW WE MOURN THE SOMETIMES AND IT TALKS ABOUT REALLY WHAT THE BIG ISSUES ARE WITH REGARD TO FOOD DESERTS.

LOT OF THE BIG BOX RETAILERS HAVE LEFT THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN FAMILY DOLLAR DOLLAR TREE OR DOLLAR STORES QUITE FRANKLY, SMALL RETAILERS HAVE ACTUALLY GONE IN TO SERVE AND ALL THE OTHERS HAVE INDICATED THE ONES THAT WE'VE MET WITH AND EVEN AT THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY SERVE A PURPOSE.

THEY ACTUALLY DO DELIVER SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY IN THE CUSTOMER'S IS JUST RESPONDING SOME OF THESE ISSUES THAT WERE THAT NATALIE MOORE ALSO HAD THAT SAME COLUMN SHE POINTS TO ABOUT 5.

>> OF THESE STORIES THAT ARE DOLLAR TREE FAMILY DOLLAR ON BEING BUILT ALONG THE BUSY STONY AVENUE THOROUGHFARE IN AROUND HER NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE SOUTH SIDE.

>> THAT'S A LOT OF STORIES THAT COME IN WHEN ONE THOROUGHFARE.

AND AS YOU SAID, THEY THEY NEED NEED THAT SOME OF THE OTHER STORES AREN'T NECESSARILY MEETING.

BUT ARE THEY?

ARE THEY PROVIDING THAT MUCH FRESH IN THE IN THE ABSENCE OF A GROCERY STORE?

>> BUSINESS MODEL, ACTUALLY, THEY DON'T PROVIDE FRESH FRUIT.

AND REPORTED DOLLARS WAS NEVER PURPORTED TO ACTUALLY TO DO THAT.

SITE.

SELECTION IS MORE OF A CORPORATE FUNCTION AS TO WHERE SITES CAN BE LOCATED.

GIVEN THE SIZE SQUARE FOOTAGE, ACCESS AVAILABILITY, IT'S REALLY DESIGNED TO A CONVENIENT CUSTOMERS TO GET TO.

AND SO THAT SORT OF WHY THEY'RE LOCATED, WHETHER LOCATED.

>> THAT I BELIEVE EARLIER, YOU MENTIONED OF THE 128 THAT ARE IN THE CHICAGO AREA ABOUT 121 OF THEM.

IS THAT RIGHT ARE IN AWARD-WORTHY.

ALDERMAN THE PERSON IS BLACK, WHICH WOULD INDICATE THAT THERE'S A MAJORITY BLACK PEOPLE, BLACK RESIDENTS IN THOSE WORDS, BUT NOT ALWAYS IS IS THE CASE THAT WHAT FACTORS DO THE STORES CONSIDER WHEN DECIDING WHERE TO PLACE A NEW STORE WILL BUILD ONE.

>> I CAN'T SPEAK FOR HOW CORPORATE DOES THEIR SITE SELECTION BECAUSE THAT'S NOT MY ROLE IS AS OUTSIDE COUNSEL.

BUT THEY DO HAVE A SITE SELECTION PROCESS.

LOOK LIKE ANY OTHER CORPORATION OR STORE BIG BOX ON RESTAURANTS, FAST FOOD.

BUT WHAT THEY TRIED TO DO IS LOCATED WHERE THEY CAN ACTUALLY SERVE THEIR CUSTOMERS IN THE MOST CONVENIENT WAY THAT THEY CAN'T.

>> WE SAW THIS CLIP OF THAT COMMITTEE MEETING MANY COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

OBVIOUSLY, COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAVE BEEN SHARING THEIR CONCERNS, BUT WANT TO PLAY ANOTHER ONE FROM ALDERWOMAN, JEANETTE TAYLOR.

>> WOULD LIKE TO SEE, I GUESS TO THE CHAIR, HOW MANY COMPLAINTS YOU ALL HAVE IN THE LAST 4 YEARS AGAINST FAMILY DOLLAR FAMILY, GENERAL DOLLAR GENERAL, WHATEVER THEY ARE CALL BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN THE WORST.

NOW CAMP, THEY GOT LAW.

YOU SEE WHERE ARE THEY?

THEY ARE NOT HERE ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS WHICH IS SPOT, WHICH IS A DISRESPECT BUT THEY WANT TO MOVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I WOULD LOVE PUT UP A A MAP TO SHOW WHERE THEY'RE CONCENTRATED AND I GUARANTEE JOIN KNOW EXACTLY CONCENTRATED AT.

>> WHEN ARE YOU SAY YOU WERE THERE, BUT YOU HAVE TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> I YOU'RE RIGHT.

I DID.

AND I WAS A LIMITED IN TIME.

I WOULD LIKED TO AT LEAST ADDRESS MORE THINGS WE WE WERE NOT INVITED ATTEND THE MEETING.

THERE ARE OTHER 3RD PARTIES THAT WERE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND THEY WERE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO SPEAK AS WELL AS THEY SHOULD HAVE.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CONSTRUCTIVE WHO IS A STAKEHOLDER, NOT JUST A DOLLAR STORES, BUT OTHERS AS WELL WOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO TO TO SPEAK AND TO AND TO LISTEN TO DIFFERENT POSITIONS AND TO DISCUSS HIS CONSTRUCTIVELY SECONDS LEFT.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT IS NEXT FOR THIS ORDINANCE?

>> WHAT WOULD WE WOULD LIKE IS WE WOULD LIKE FOR THE OTHERS TO CONSIDER THIS ALTERNATIVE ORDINANCE, WHICH AGAIN EMPOWERS ALDERS THERE THE GEEK.

THEY SHOULD BE.

THE GATEKEEPERS GIVES HIM THE POWER TO MANAGE THEIR WORDS, TO WORK WITH THEIR CONSTITUENT.

IN THIS ALTERNATE ORDINANCE DOES EXACTLY THAT SPECIAL USE APPROVAL.

AND IT REQUIRES A LETTER OF SUPPORT BEFORE ANY NEW STORE PUT INTO A NEW WORD.

AND THERE WOULD BE STILL A DISTANCE RESTRICTION ONE MILES, A SIGNIFICANT DISTANCE RESTRICTION.

CANNABIS AND OTHER USES.

THERE'S NO ONE MILE DISTANCE RESTRICTION.

I HAVE A LIST, BUT THERE'S LIKE 500 FEET UP INTO 1000 FEET FOR OTHER USES.

THIS IS ONE MILE.

OKAY.

I'M SURE THERE'S MORE TO TALK ABOUT PROBABLY SOMETHING WE'LL BE COVERING AGAIN.

LINEAS ARE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> UP NEXT, MEET THE MAN WHO'S BEEN AT THE HELM OF THE COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.

STAY WITH US.

AFTER 13 YEARS, THE GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY IS STEPPING DOWN REPORTING BY COOK COUNTY BOARD.

PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE BACK IN 2010.

ARNOLD RANDALL IS CREDITED WITH COMPLETELY TRANSFORMING THE FOREST PRESERVES AS AN INSTITUTION.

HE'S BEEN PRAISED FOR CREATING A FAR MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT ORGANIZATION AND VASTLY EXPANDING THE RESTORATION OF NATIVE HABITATS.

RANDALL'S ALSO LED EFFORTS TO MAKE THE FOREST PRESERVES ACCESSIBLE AND WELCOMING TO ALL.

AND NOW WE WELCOME ARNOLD RANDALL.

CONGRATULATIONS THE NEXT CHAPTER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING AS WE SAID, YOU'RE STEPPING DOWN AFTER 13 YEARS OF LEADING THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY, WIDELY CREDITED WITH THE TRANSFORMATION.

GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT YOU FOUND WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED THIS JOB BACK IN 2010, WHAT DID YOU NEED TO TRANSFORM?

>> WELL, TO START WITH, IT'S THE FORCES ARE THIS INCREDIBLE ASSET.

70,000 ACRES OF NATURAL LANDS IN AND AROUND CITY, CHICAGO.

BUT WHAT WE FOUND ORGANIZATION THAT WAS NOT FUNCTIONING WELL.

AND SO WE WEREN'T DOING A VERY GOOD JOB OF PROTECTING THE LAND.

WE WERE DOING A VERY GOOD JOB OVER PROGRAMMING IN CONNECTING PEOPLE TO NATURE.

LOT OF PEOPLE JUST DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE FOREST YOU KNOW, FEARFUL OF THE FOREST PRESERVES EVENT.

>> AT A RECENT BOARD MEETING, A COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER STAN LEE MOORE DESCRIBED THE WORK THAT YOU HAD CUT OUT FOR YOU WHEN YOU TOOK THIS JOB.

HERE'S A LOOK.

>> ON A RANDOM.

I WANT TO THANK YOU.

I WANT MAKE SURE LET EVERYBODY KNOW THAT.

BUT WHEN TOOK AND 11 YEARS AGO, SUCH A REPUTATION.

BUT SINCE TAKING OFFICE, THE SCHOOL'S DISTRICT STATES, YOU AND PRESIDENT FOR ATTENTION TO THE DETAIL THAT THEY DONE TO BRING THAT WAS WAS PRESERVED AND ALL OF THE FOREST PRESERVES IN MY DISTRICT THAT TO WHERE THEY SHOULD YOU MADE A PRIORITY.

AND I WANT TO THANK >> SO WHEN YOU TOOK THE BOARD, PRESIDENT TONI ALSO SAID THAT SHE WANTED TO BE SURE THE PRESERVES BECAME MORE INCLUSIVE AND THAT ITS PATRONS REFLECTED THE DEMOGRAPHIC MAKEUP THE COUNTY.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT WASN'T THE CASE BEFORE?

I THINK IT'S TWO-FOLD.

AT I THERE'S A SENSE OF AMONG CITY THAT NATURE MAY NOT BE FOR THEM.

AND I THINK THAT'S UNFORTUNATE REFLECTED IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES EVEN MORE SO.

>> SO WE REALLY WORKED HARD TO TO MAKE THE FOREST PRESERVES LOOK LIKE A PLACE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO COME TO.

AND THAT MEANT SHOWING PEOPLE THAT PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE THEM WERE IN THE FOREST RESERVES AND IS A GOOD PLACE TO BE.

I THINK IN THE NEWS JUST AS DOES OVERALL LACK OF SORT OF THEM THAT BEING WILL MAINTAIN, WHICH SENDS A SIGNAL TO PEOPLE THAT IT'S NOT WELCOMING.

SO WE RECOGNIZE WE NEED TO DO A MUCH BETTER JOB OF MAINTAINING.

>> IN 2020 IN THE ALONG THE SAME LINES, YOU ALL RELEASED A REPORT ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE FOREST PRESERVES OPERATED WITH ANY, QUOTE, PERVASIVE CULTURE OF STRUCTURAL RACISM AND THAT THE DISTRICT NEEDED TO WORK TOWARDS RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

HOW MUCH PROGRESS WOULD YOU SAY THE FOREST PRESERVES WAS ABLE TO MAKE ON THAT?

AND WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

>> SO I WOULD SAY TO START WITH IT FROM THE BEGINNING OF PRESIDENT PRECKWINKLE'S ADMINISTRATION WAS CLEAR THAT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY FELT WELCOME WHAT WE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND RIGHT AWAY.

WAS THAT CHANGING?

THAT CULTURE WAS GOING TO BE A LOT TOUGHER THAN WE REALIZED.

SO WE REALLY PUT TOGETHER A WORKING GROUP BOTH INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY TO REALLY LOOK AT HOW DO YOU MAKE THE A RACIAL EQUITY DIVERSITY A PRIORITY STRUCTURALLY WITH AN ORGANIZATION.

SO WE HAVE A RACIAL EQUITY LENS FOR LAND ACQUISITION FOR PROGRAMMING.

IF WORD, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE INVESTING IN COMMUNITIES THAT TRADITIONALLY ARE NOT INVESTED VERY WELL LIKED AND RAIN WITH, FOR EXAMPLE.

>> ON YOUR WAY OUT, THE BOARD INTRODUCED A RESOLUTION CITING QUITE A FEW ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER YOUR 13 YEAR CAREERS, 13 YEARS.

A LOT OF TIME TO GET SOME THINGS THEY CAN.

THEY INCLUDE AMONG OTHER THINGS, NOT EVERYTHING IS HERE.

OF COURSE, INCREASING RESTORATION, CREATING A STATE OF THE ART WILDLIFE RESEARCH CENTER PASSING THAT TAX REFERENDUM IN 2022.

AND PASSING UNEMPLOYMENT PLAN THAT LED TO THE AGENCY BEING RELEASED FROM THE SHACK BUT WAS THE CULTURE LIKE WHEN YOU FIRST ARRIVED?

>> I THE CULTURE IF PEOPLE CAME TO THE FORE SERVES, THAT'S FINE.

IF THEY DIDN'T COME, THAT WAS FINE ALSO AND THAT NOT WE RECOGNIZE THE FORCES ARE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME AND GET AWAY FROM THE STRESS OF CITY LIFE.

ENJOY NATURE.

JUST IT'S A RESPITE AND IT WAS ALWAYS THE INTENT AND THE PROTECT NATURE.

AND SO THAT THEY WERE REALLY LIVING UP TO THE FULL THE FULL MISSION OF THE FOREST PRESERVES.

>> LOT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS HAD TO GET ALL THAT DONE.

FIRST OF ALL AFTERNOON CREDIT PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE.

SHE SHE SAID FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

I CAME ON ONE WEEK AFTER SHE TOOK OFFICE INITIALLY BACK IN 2010.

>> AND SHE'S VERY CLEAR ABOUT EXPECTATIONS.

AND THEN SHE ALLOWED US TO BUILD A TEAM OF HIGH QUALITY PROFESSIONALS.

AND THEN WHEN REPAIRED ARE SORT OF HIRING PROCESSES THROUGH THE SHACK IN THE CREEK THAT ALLOWED US TO HIRE REALLY TALENTED PEOPLE IN AN APPROPRIATE POSITION.

SO BUILDING A REALLY STRONG TEAM WAS IMPORTANT AND THEN HAVING VISION FOR WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

AND WE ALSO OPENED UP TO OUR ADVOCATES IN TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

WHAT WE WANTED TO BE IN THERE WERE VERY MUCH PART OF OUR PROCESS MOVING FORWARD.

YOU KNOW, YOU IMPROVE SOME OF THE PARTNERSHIPS, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH NAME SOME OF YOUR PARTNERSHIP OPEN LANDS, TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY AND ON AND ON.

WE HAVE MANY, MANY PARTNERS IN THE FOREST PRESERVES AND THEIR BIG PART OF THE SUCCESS AS WELL AS VOLUNTEERS.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU REMAINS FOR YOUR SUCCESSOR?

WHAT WAS IT THAT YOU DIDN'T GET TO THAT?

YOU WOULD LIKE TO GOTTEN TO THAT YOU COULD BE DOING.

THERE'S ALWAYS MORE TO DO SO.

WE HAVE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES NOW IN THE FOREST RESERVE.

SO THAT MEANS WE CAN DO SOME MORE REST LAND RESTORATION.

SO WE'RE AT ABOUT 15,000 ACRES OF OF ACTIVELY MANAGING LAND.

WHEN YOU GET UP TO 30,000 TO CONTINUE TO ADD MORE PROGRAMMING, ACCESSIBILITY FOR FOLKS SO THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S NOT A BARRIER FOR FOLKS TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN A PART OF THE CITY OR ANY PART OF THE COUNTY FOR THAT MATTER CAN CAN GET TO THE FOREST PRESERVES AND FEEL WELCOME IN THE FOREST PRESERVES THAT CAN BE DONE TO PROGRAMMING.

>> AND THEN CONTINUE WITH THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN.

WE BILL CAMP GROUNDS, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE FIXED AND REPAIRED OVER TIME.

THERE'S MORE THAT TO DO AS WELL.

WHY LEAVE NOW?

THAT'S A GOOD I I FEEL LIKE WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT OF NEWS ALWAYS.

YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IS THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY AS WELL.

AND I'VE BEEN IN THE FOREST PRESERVES 4 TIMES LONGER THAN ANY OTHER JOB.

I FELT MY PROFESSIONAL CAREERS.

SO THAT'S A GREAT RUN IN CITY IS A GREAT RUN IN GOVERNMENT PERIOD.

AND I FELT LIKE I'M LEAVING IT A BETTER PLACE.

AND FOUND >> FAVORITES.

WHAT'S YOUR RECOMMENDATION?

FAVORITE SPOTS IN THE FOREST.

PRESERVE HER FAVORITE.

SOMETHING TO GO.

DEPENDS WHAT YOU LIKE TO IF YOU LIKE TRAIL HIKING IN ROLLING HILLS, YOU CAN GO TO THE PALOS AREA IN THE SOUTHWEST SUBURBS AND ITS 15,000 A YEAR BECAUSE OF CONTINUOUS LAND.

IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A LIKE A GREAT FAMILY EVENT GO DAMRON WAS YOUR BUS.

HE WOULD.

THOSE ARE VERY POPULAR AS WELL.

IF YOU LIKE TO CANOE OR KAYAK, YOU CAN HIT THE DES PLAINES RIVER, CHICAGO RIVER.

THOSE RUN THROUGH THE FOREST PRESERVES AS WELL.

IF YOU LIKE TO ZIP IS FINE COURSE IN THE IN THE WEST TO COME USES A LOT OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

FISHING IS ALSO AND I KNOW THAT YOU'VE GOT A STORY FROM EARLY AN EARLY IN THE PRESIDENT PRECKWINKLE WAS CAN YOU?

>> IT WENT OVER.

YES.

GO ON WITHIN THE MONTH OF US TO SORT OF TAKING OFFICE WE WERE INVITED TO A NEW YEAR'S DAY PADDLE WHICH REALLY COLD.

>> AND PRESIDENT FRANKLIN PUT BOW SHOWED UP AND WE WERE THERE TO TO ENCOURAGE PADDLERS.

BUT LITTLE DID I KNOW SHE JUMPED INTO A CANOE INSIDE SOMETHING THAT CAN YOU RIGHT AFTER?

BECAUSE IF SHE WAS GOING TO GO, I WAS GOING TO GO BUT UNFORTUNATELY, HER CANOE TIP, SHE DID HAVE A FELLOW PADDLER WITH HER IN THE CANOE AND SHE WILL BLAME THAT PERSON.

BUT I THINK THAT WAS PROBABLY WHAT HAPPENED RANDALL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

CONGRATS ON YOUR NEXT STEP.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT ARNOLD RANDALL TRANSFORMATION OF THE COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10 FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES, 2 SUBURBAN PRIVATE SCHOOLS ANNOUNCED THEIR DOORS ARE CLOSING, SAYING IT'S DUE TO THE LOSS OF A CONTROVERSIAL TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

AND WE GIVE YOU A TASTE OF A LATINO OWNED RESTAURANT AS RESTAURANT WEEK IN CHICAGO KEEPS DISHING.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE IN CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN, STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A CLIFF AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH THAT SUPPORTS