I'm Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

>> This has been one of the most expensive.

Budgetary process ease in the history of Chicago.

>> The mayor finally SEALs a budget deal.

Our spotlight politics team breaks it down.

going to hold.

>> Come November 2021.

A father.

>> And the long and sometimes mysterious process of getting clemency.

After decades in prison.

>> And now to some of today's top stories.

More details on the suspected shooter at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin.

Authorities identified 15 year-old Natalee Rupp now who went by the name Samantha, as the shooter at Abundant Life Christian School where she was a student, teacher and student were killed in the shooting while 6 others were injured.

2 are in critical condition.

Police believe Rupp now died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police are working to identify a motive, but say it appears to be a combination of factors.

Mourners today made a sidewalk memorial to honor the victims and their families.

The state of Indiana is planning its first execution in 15 years before sunrise tomorrow.

49 year-old Joseph Corcoran is set to die by lethal injection despite his attorneys arguments that putting him to death would violate the 8th and 14th Constitutional amendments because Corcoran has long suffered paranoid schizophrenia.

He was convicted for the 1997, murders of 4 people, including his brother and his sister's fiance last summer.

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb announced the state would resume executions after many years of not being able to obtain the drugs used in lethal injections.

This has led many states to purchase the drugs from compounding pharmacies.

Indiana declines to say which pharmacy it purchased from.

South Side.

Residents may be receiving much greater access to health care as advocate healthcare announces a 1 billion dollar investment to expand care and wellness services.

The plan calls for 10 new neighborhood care locations starting with the first one at the Southside YMCA.

Additionally Advocate will spend 300 million dollars building a new hospital.

But the former U.S. Steel South works site, replacing the current Advocate, Trinity Hospital, which is more than 115 years old.

The healthcare provider says there is a 30 year life expectancy gap between residents on Chicago's South side and those on the North side.

Your next food delivery order might cost West or at least you'll know what you're paying for.

Food delivery giant Grub Hub has settled a lawsuit with both the Illinois Attorney General's Office and the Federal Trade Commission after a joint investigation alleged the company had baited diners with low-cost or no delivery fees, then tacked on other service fees.

>> Top executives at Grub Hub directed these deceptive practices and even described this fee structure has a price Shell game.

Customers complain to Grub Hub.

These tactics were misleading.

But the company persisted.

>> The investigation also says Grub Hub deceived delivery drivers into thinking they could earn more money and regularly listed restaurants on the platform that had not agreed to participate leading customers to blame.

The restaurant orders went wrong.

The settlement announced today Means Grub Hub will pay 25 million dollars and agrees to stop the practices described in the complaint.

Illinois electors gathered in Springfield today to certify the state's electoral votes in the presidential election.

The Illinois secretary of state's office is in charge of certifying those votes.

Similar ceremonies are being held in all 50 states today.

It is one of the final steps to officially certify the race for President.

Illinois has 19 electoral votes that will go to Democrat Kamala Harris since she won the state's popular vote.

Congress will meet to count and certify all electoral votes on January 6th.

Up next, prosecutors prepare to rest their case in the corruption trial of Michael Madigan.

Our spotlight team dives into that and more right after this.

>> Chicago tonight is made possible in part by the Alexander and John Nichols family.

The gym and K maybe family.

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> Mayor Brandon Johnson's budget proposal, squeaks by City Council.

Meanwhile, prosecutors are set to rest their case against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

And it's a growing debate in Illinois whether to put tighter regulations on the hemp industry here with all that and more is, of course, our spotlight politics team Amanda, Vicki Hatter, Sharon and Nick Bloomberg.

Welcome back.

Team.

So the mayor finally got a budget deal passed here's a little bit of what a supporter and an opponent of the budget had to say it.

City Council.

>> The truth is that this budget is fiscally responsible and it is putting a down payment down on our future.

It's just smoke and mirrors.

>> Don't congratulate yourselves.

Colleagues.

For having pastor responsible budget that eliminate a property tax increase because guess what?

You come back here next year, scratching your head saying, well, how on Earth did we get to this place?

>> It has man, what a road it has been.

Heather, you've reported that Chicago's finances remain badly out of whack.

Does this budget fix that problem?

>> Well, the ultimate arbiter of that will be the Wall Street rating agencies that will now decide whether the city is as credit worthy as it was in the past.

And there are a lot of factors that go into that decisions.

None of them are really clear or certain based on like objective criteria.

But it will honestly hurt the city that the city council refuse to raise property taxes because that is the most stable and effective way for the city to pay its bills.

Now I asked Mayor Johnson about this after the budget vote.

He said he hoped that the Wall Street ranging Superbook at everything else.

Chicago has going for it.

You know, a diverse workforce, a diverse economy, labor, peace.

And he said that, you know, Chicago is going to figure this out.

But its finances seriously remain out of And by the way, the credit ratings agencies already have a warnings that they have issued to Chicago public schools.

And of course, that is still unresolved.

When you look at the city's overall budget picture.

Yeah, I think when they're taking on those sorts of decisions, you know, labor peace is certainly a positive in terms of, you know, the political yeah, health field.

But >> there is a real cost to the city to any of these contracts, particularly ones that are more favorable to union members.

That doesn't mean those folks don't deserve it.

But that's also something.

>> That has to be taken into account.

When you're looking at the cost of running the city didn't a previous Chicago mayor have lots of labor peace as well.

But the pension problem little Yes.

And that is part of what Mayor Johnson is dealing with.

The city is pension.

Bill is nearly 3 billion dollars in 2025.

That means that money isn't available for.

>> Services and police and mental health care.

And the mayor says that there's not really anything the city can do to sort of, you know, bring those in line.

And they're hoping for some help from some state lawmakers for Let's come back to that in a minute.

Because Johnson acknowledged, as you said, Heather, that the city can't fix its financial problems on its own on and we'll need state officials to change the law in order to do what he calls tax the rich.

He knows he's not going to be easy and the mayor knows it.

>> We can.

I give up just because someone says no, we cannot give up just because they sent out text messages blasting the interest of working people.

You have a fighter and the I didn't get here as a politician, I go to this seat as an organizer as a part of the working movement in this city.

all that snow come up.

Buckle up.

You know, the fight is real.

>> Michael up and buckle up.

Like only a Chicago mayor can say a man to any reason to believe that Springfield has the ability or the inclination to find more money for Chicago.

I mean, they would have the ability to make certain changes in law that would free up Chicago to do some of what the mayor wants to.

They have that inclination I to be clear, you had Illinois, try them win.

>> Governor Pritzker put a lot of his own political capital and some of his money.

He's got lots of into trying to change the tax structure to a graduated rate so that the wealthy could be taxed at a higher rate in voters said no to it.

There is certainly change perhaps in the atmosphere.

You no longer have Ken Griffin here to find a position to it.

Might there be more success, second go-around, perhaps.

But the governor has shown no indication that he wants to go back and try again.

That was a real big loss for him.

And I don't think he's a great fan of losing.

By the way, you also had a Johnson despite his saying knuckle up.

Buckle up.

He did not succeed in passing the tax that would have allowed him to increase taxes paid on high selling real estate sales.

So bring home Chicago.

Exactly.

I have a home, but I don't think that there is really an appetite for that.

And so out of the Illinois is going to have its own budget issues.

We'll be talking about that.

Plenty compact.

Your pick, of Mayor Johnson has filled 10 of the 11 seats on the Chicago school board.

The newly elected hybrid board.

so he still controls Nic, what can you tell us about the folks that chosen?

That's right.

You we were waiting for Monday night deadline for the mayor to make these picks.

>> As you mentioned, 10 out of 11, he gets to pick 10 board members and one president, the president is going to be Sean Hardin whose the South side native is a former CPS employee.

4 of the folks that the mayor announced are already serving on this interim appointed board that we have now, there were also 4 of them who were unsuccessful candidates in the elections that were held in the last month.

They were backed by the CTU.

Obviously a close ally and former employer of Mayor Johnson.

You know, a lot of these folks have have education experience have sort of progressive community organizing work, the kinds of people that you would expect the mayor to be appointed to this board.

So clearly with with the folks that he's put into place, there's, you know, basically 15 out of 21 that are more or less line with the CTU.

We didn't get any explanation as to why that 11th pick wasn't announced.

It's not really clear under state law.

If there's any sort of a penalty, there doesn't appear to be for missing the deadline.

So he's mostly there.

But we're one more right now.

One more of Heather new boards gonna have a lot on their plate.

Obviously when they take their seats on January.

15th, what's on the agenda?

Well, assuming that the that the interim for doesn't reach a deal with the Chicago teachers union, that will be a number one on their list to figure out.

Not only do they have to figure about what that deal includes.

They have to figure out how to pay for it because the district's 2025 budget will have to be amended to sort of.

>> Give her a teachers raises and to expand whatever they end up agreeing to in terms of staffing and other services for students.

That CTU has demanded as part of that contract.

They will also have to figure out the fate of Co Pedro Martinez, the mayor has tried to oust him.

The previous appointed board certain declined to do so.

The interim board hasn't quite gotten there yet.

So it is not clear whether this elected board will move forward again, they can dismiss Pedro Martinez for cars immediately or trigger a six-month transition period.

And then, of course, the big question is who this board will hired lead the police, the school district at in in this next era.

So big, big And of course, President elect Donald Trump has promised to make ground 0 for his mass deportation issue.

There are thousands of undocumented students in Chicago.

Public schools and the school district is really worried that ICE agents will target those students and their parents on the school and eliminating the Department of Education has getting up to speed.

I mean, you talk about all of these issues, but this is a huge budget, a huge bureaucracy that matters, of course, to all Chicago families, whether you have a student in CPS or not.

And so outside of any of those issues, this is a huge change to contend with.

It'll also be interesting to see how this group of folks start to work together because this is not a small board.

They've got a lot to do for him.

These folks might kind know each other, but they might not.

And then it's going to be interesting to see how the how they sort of coalesced to get work done.

And I wonder, too, to what degree the city council is going to try to continue to flex the very limited muscle that it has in this regard.

>> But, you know, we saw a lot of contention after that, you know, board unanimously resigned.

And there is the interim board, you really quickly put into place that angered a lot of older people.

So it'll be interesting to see if they try to have any additional role here.

But at this point now the mayor made his picks, which he is legally entitled to do so I'm not sure what more might happen there, but I'm kind of interested to see whether that debate continues.

So let's get to the Vatican trial quickly.

Nic, prosecutors are expected to rest their case tomorrow.

And the king are corruptions trial of former House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Of course, what is the latest?

Yeah, we are 2 months into the trial proper Yes, the prosecutors have, you know, finish other testimony.

They believe all their evidence presentation as well.

That's the long break today to make sure that all their ducks in a row.

They're expected to wrap things up and then the defense gets its turn.

They're going to have, you know, just a few day, just a couple of days this week and then their course off next week for the Christmas holiday.

But it's going to be very interesting.

We've certainly seen, you know, plenty vigorous cross-examination in this case.

But the defense has not yet, you know, mounted its own case, called it on witnesses.

So that's way where we are headed.

One witness who prosecutors fought to put on the stand was former state Representative Eddie Acevedo who testified both yesterday and today.

Why is he important to the prosecution?

Would you say, well, he is sort of an exemplar of one of these.

Do nothing consulting contracts that, you know, prosecutors say Madigan was, you know, conspiring to get these deals for folks, you TNT ComEd.

And it was interesting because it was pretty contentious testimony, you know, Acevedo has and myriad of health issues.

He says he's been diagnosed with dementia with a tumor, that he has seizure issues, that he has heart problems.

And defense lawyers said this guy's not credible.

In addition to sort of, you know, past issues where they've said he's not a reliable narrator.

He has a drinking issue that they've tried to bring up.

And on top of all these health problems, they said we can't you know, this testimony is going to be garbled.

And that was sort of born out.

I mean, they asked him to, you know, go back and comment on some of the previous testimony that he gave to a grand jury about having a do nothing consulting contract.

But then on the stand this week, he said, no, I was I was having meetings.

I was feeling people in.

And they said, sir, actually, here is your testimony where you said none of that happened.

And he essentially said, OK, if that's what I told you.

So it it kind of a, you know, exemplified what the potential issues with a spate testimony here were and why people wanted to a longer at all.

If that that was sort of the point to show that he was bumbling, perhaps outside of his health issues.

And that was the point.

Put him on the stand to who would hire this guy, right?

You have to.

that, you know, some of the calculus, right?

You have to imagine prosecutors had a reason to put on someone who they knew was likely to give some conflicting confusing testimony, stoic.

They're flying by the seat our pants are.

And it's I would I would guess not not not this particular federal office.

All right.

That is where we're going to leave.

covers her Nic lumbered and Amanda thanks, Thank you.

>> Up next, a look at how clemency works in Illinois who still waiting for it.

President Joe Biden recently granted clemency to nearly 1500 Americans.

In addition to the pardon, he gave his son Hunter earlier this month.

>> That executive clemency is designed to extend mercy and restore opportunity for people convicted of crimes and have demonstrated successful rehabilitation but in Illinois that grace has been slow to come for people with criminal records, some of whom are still in prison.

The Illinois Prisoner Review Board, which processes applications for clemency says this year.

Governor JB Pritzker has granted only 6 clemency petitions compared to 57 in 2023 11 in 2022.

But he granted 144 in 2020 2021 each.

Here's a look at how the process works in Illinois and what it means for people who are waiting.

It's the thought of these 2 young boys that brings tears to Alberto Zavala size.

>> Everything that I've done be is has been because of Ultimate goal is to get back to >> These young boys are now young men who grew up while their father serves his 56 year sentence in Illinois.

Department of Corrections.

>> They inspire me to do better could be better because I want them to know that I'm not defined by my bad decisions.

>> 48 year-old Zavala known as do isn't scheduled for release until 2054.

He's been behind bars for 22 years currently at Hill Correctional Center in Northwestern Illinois.

Over the years he says he's taken every educational opportunity he can find.

>> Foundations to criminology, law politics and mass incarceration.

I'm asking any clash.

A feminist class.

I took the inside out that that's one of the first classes that I took the inside out that >> All not just to be a better father for his sons, but also with the hopes of earning his release sooner than 2054, the fall is one of 1100 people who submitted petitions for clemency to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board in 2021 alone.

He's one of 535 that landed on Governor JB Pritzker's desk.

He's likely one of hundreds still sitting on the governor's desk awaiting an answer.

So it's been 2 and a half years.

What have you been thinking for the last 2 and a half years?

>> What more can I do?

>> It seems like an Illinois clemency is really one of the only options to get people out of prison.

>> Clemency is the only option in the state of Illinois that anyone who's incarcerated can about themselves out.

There are other mechanisms for folks to be released, but they're extremely narrow.

So for the vast majority of people, there is no mechanism to say, hey, my sentence, no longer make sense, restoration no longer makes sense.

Other than clemency.

>> Here's how the process works with or without an attorney, an incarcerated person petitions.

The Illinois Prb, you're recognized minimum and is granted a hearing to make their case heard outdated is 20 you is too harsh, successful clemency.

Petitions show the incarcerated person as they are today.

>> They talk about the increased person's relationship with their loved ones.

They talk about the sort of path of rehabilitation from their initial restoration to today.

They show hopes and dreams and what they'll do for their community if they're able to return home your mother that I said, you've got As in most cases, fallen a statement of remorse for the murder that happened back in It reads in part, quote.

>> I know I wasn't very and I didn't pull the trigger, but it feels like I did this because Philip McGovern lost his life over what I put in motion, which ultimately led to his death.

Zavala was convicted for murder on the theory of accountability, meaning because he sent men to rob the victim to pay a drug debt.

He, too, is responsible for the murder that happened when the robbery went wrong.

>> Somebody batos age and given that the period of time he served as a likely recidivism rate of around one percent.

They do is like thousands of other people, though, in this regard for continued incarceration makes absolutely no sense from a public safety perspective.

>> But in addition to looking at who petitioners are today, board members must also consider their victims and loved ones.

>> We hear their pleas and those victims, least on me sentences for incarcerated people.

Their their protests carry great weight with the board.

victimization is multigenerational.

Victim protest is very important to be heard.

>> Craig friendly served under 5 governors on the prb several times as chair.

He says board members consider both the crime all those years ago.

Governor and the person in front of them read full important petitioners statement about.

>> The facts of the crime that led to their incarceration.

They admit guilt.

And if so.

Tell us what led to that and what you've learned from that crime.

We want them to tell us about what the future will hold their teams But another concern.

But advocates have about the process.

Once the petition is sent from the prb to the governor.

At that point, the whole application is in the governor's hands.

>> At that point, the system is a black box and that's by law.

Findley says that confidentiality is to protect the victim's privacy as well as the process itself.

>> And I don't see a remedy and don't know that there is a remedy that would provide transportation transparency to the point that breach are confidential.

reporting and would pressure the governor to make a decision before here She is ready to make that decision.

And that decision can take We have had cases where a person's committee that she was granted in a matter of weeks after we filed >> We also have cases right now that were filed in 2020 and are still pending.

>> Thank Everybody came in here it's important to remember, Chris, a review board has a vote, great deal of their work, too willing these these petitions that can run into many hundreds of pages.

>> For us to to review those and distill them into.

for Lisa Cink report to the governor takes a lot of time.

I don't know where.

>> As a person with nothing but time Allah is prepared to wait and maintain hope.

>> I have a lot of plans upon the release from prison.

I want to start my own trucking from one to start nonprofit location old re-entry trucking school.

>> know that truck.

A lot of maturity.

And did you learn it while you're in was last time you drove a truck.

never trust Because prior to being incarcerated that I one of the youngest overhead crane operator is a centrist still Everybody has to just got to bring >> A statement from Governor Pritzker's spokesperson says, quote, since taking office, Governor Pritzker has focused on creating a more equitable safe and efficient criminal justice system in Illinois.

Governor Pritzker has signed 389 clemency.

Petitions exceeding many other states.

Well, there is more work to be done, reviewing cases and performing the system.

Governor Pritzker is proud to made Illinois a leader on clemency, action and prioritized justice.

His office also points out that while clemency is an important tool, the governor also supports additional pathways for individuals to move past their prior convictions and tune in to Wt Tw on Friday, December 27th for the film in their hands tells the story of another man's fight for Freedom X through parole.

After 47 years in Illinois prisons more on that.

You can visit our website.

>> And that's our show for this Tuesday night.

Be sure to sign up for our free email newsletter.

The Daily Chicago wt Tw dot com Slash newsletter.

While you're there, check out our website for the very latest from W T Tw News and join us tomorrow night at 5, 30 10, a crop of new tech apps connecting temps with jobs.

What it means for those workers.

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

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

>> A close caption is made possible by Robert a cliff and Clifford law Chicago, personal injury and wrongful death.