>>> >> GOOD EVENING.

AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I AM ON THE SHOW TONIGHT -- >> MORE THAN SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE EXISTS FOR A CRIMINAL REFERRAL FOR FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP .

>> THE JANUARY SIXTH COMMITTEE WRAPS UP ITS INVESTIGATION BY REFERRING FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

>> A RESURGENCE IN THE DEBATE OF SCHOOL SAFETY OFFICERS.

>> TO SAY THIS PROJECT WAS A MASSIVE UNDERTAKING IS TRULY THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE CENTURY.

>> THE JANE BYRNE INTERCHANGE IS COMPLETE AFTER ALMOST A DECADE, WHEN COMMUTERS TAKE EFFECT.

>>> NOT ONLY DID I TAKE ON THE JOB, BUT I TOOK ON THE RESPONSIBILITY WITH IT.

>> AN EXIT INTERVIEW WITH STATE AND GYMNASTICS COACH, JEFFREY WHITE.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN RELEASES A PLAN TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS.

WE SPEAK WITH HOMELESS ADVOCATES ABOUT THAT AND HOW THEY ARE PREPARING FOR THE BLIZZARD COMING THIS WEEK.

>>> WITH HOLIDAY TRAVEL PLANS JUST AHEAD, CALLS FOR MORE FELLOW PROTECTIONS FOR AIRLINE TRAVELERS, THAT AND MORE FROM UKRAINE.

>>> AND THESE ARE COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS OF CHICAGO PEOPLE IN PLACES FROM THE EYE OF VIVIAN MEYER.

>>> FIRST, TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

CHICAGO POLICE RELEASED PHOTOS OF A PERSON WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING OF FOUR STUDENTS.

TWO OF THE STUDENTS WERE KILLED.

POLICE HOPE THE PHOTOS WILL LEAD TO THE SUSPECTED GUNMAN'S CAPTURE.

>> ALL STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS, THEY NEED THE TYPES OF SUPPORT WHEN IT COMES TO UNDERSTANDING THE BALANCE AND HOW IT IMPACTS A PERSON'S MIND, AND IT'S BEEN GOING FOR YEARS AND YEARS TO COME.

SO WE ARE GOING TO NEED A LOT OF HELP OVER IN THIS COMMUNITY.

>> STUDENTS WALKED OUT OF SCHOOL THIS MORNING TO REMEMBER 15-YEAR-OLD BRANDON PEREZ AND 14-YEAR-OLD NATHAN VA GO.

THERE ARE GOFUNDME FUNDRAISERS TO HELP WITH FUNERAL COSTS.

WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THIS STORY COMING UP.

>>> CHICAGO CENTERS NEED MORE THAN $100 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO UPDATE ACCESSIBILITY ON THE CTA AND METRO.

HUNDRED $55 MILLION AND ALL IS SET ASIDE FROM THE TRILLION DOLLAR ANNUAL INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

THE LARGEST WORD FOR THE CITY WILL BE $118.5 MILLION FOR THE CTA TO MODERNIZE THE IRVING PARK, MARK AND POLASKY STATIONS SO THEY CAN BE FULLY COMPLIANT WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.

ANOTHER 42 CPA STATIONS ARE NOT A.D.A.

COMPLIANT.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT ELEVATORS, RAMP UPGRADES AND IMPROVED SIGNS WILL BE ADDED.

>>> A MEMORIAL WAS HELD FOR SCOTT BENNETT TODAY.

THE 45-YEAR-OLD DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER FROM CHAMPAIGN DIED UNEXPECTEDLY LAST WEEK FROM COMPLICATIONS FROM A BRAIN TUMOR.

HERE IS WHAT GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SAID.

>> HE INFUSED HUMOR INTO OUR LIVES WHILE DEMONSTRATING THE MOST ENVIABLE TRAITS LIKE EXTRAORDINARY INTEGRITY AND RADICAL COMPASSION.

>> BENNETT IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE STACY BENNETT AND TWO YOUNG CHILDREN.

>>> COMING UP IN THE PROGRAM, NOW THAT THE JANE BYRNE INTERCHANGE IS NEARLY COMPLETE, HOW WILL YOUR COMMUTE BE AFFECTED?

>>> FIRST, CRIMINAL REFERRAL FOR FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS, THE GYM AND K MAY BE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> THE WORK OF THE CONGRESS SELECT COMMITTEE ON JANUARY SIXTH IS WINDING DOWN.

TODAY, THE COMMITTEE TOOK THE EXTRAORDINARY STEP OF MAKING A CRIMINAL REFERRAL FOR FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND OTHER TOP ALLEGED CO-CONSPIRATORS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THERE WAS ENOUGH OF IT TO PROSECUTE THE FORMER PRESIDENT FOR MAJOR CRIMES AGAINST THE UNITED STATES INCLUDING INCITING AN INSURRECTION.

>> OURS IS NOT A SYSTEM OF JUSTICE WHERE FOOT SOLDIERS GO TO JAIL AND THE MASTERMINDS AND RINGLEADERS GET A FREE PASS.

>> NO MAN WHO WOULD BEHAVE THAT WAY AT THAT MOMENT IN TIME CAN EVER SERVE IN ANY POSITION OF AUTHORITY IN OUR NATION AGAIN.

HE IS UNFIT FOR ANY OFFICE.

>> AND JOINING US NOW FOR MORE ARE PATRICK CARTER, A FORMAL FEDERAL PROSECUTOR NOW IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.

PATRICK COLLINS IS ALSO A FORMER PROFESSOR OF LAW AND LONGTIME DEAN AT CHICAGO-KENT COLLEGE OF LAW.

WELCOME ALL OF YOU BACK TO CHICAGO TONIGHT IN PERSON.

IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU IN PERSON.

IT IS GREAT TO SEE ALL OF YOU.

LET'S RUN DOWN THE CHARGES HERE, OBSTRUCTION FOR OFFICIAL CONSPIRACY, CONSPIRACY TO MAKE A FALSE STATEMENT, AND INCITING AN INSURRECTION.

YOU BELIEVE THE COMMITTEE PROVIDED SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE FOR PROSECUTION ON THESE CHARGES.

>> I THINK THEY PROVIDED SUFFICIENT PROBABLE CAUSE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY, FRANKLY, PROVIDED ENOUGH EVIDENCE ONE COULD CONCLUDE THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO PROVE THEIR CASE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT ON ALL OF THOSE.

I THINK HURDLES THEY WILL HAVE TO GET OVER.

CERTAINLY, THEY LAID A BASIS TO AT LEAST BRING THE CHARGE.

>> YOU SAY PROBABLE CAUSE, DO YOU MEAN THERE HAS TO BE CRIMINAL INTENT?

IS THAT A THING FOR A PROSECUTOR TO PROVE?

>> ALL THESE CHARGES PAIRS RELY ON INTENT.

I THINK THAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT THIS CASE.

YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A GUY.

I THINK EVERYONE HAS SEEN HIM SPEAK ABOUT WHAT IS IN HIS MIND.

I THINK, FOR A PROSECUTOR TO PROVE HIS ACTIONS WERE CRIMINAL IN TERMS THE WHOLE BALL GAME FOR THE CHARGES.

>> WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR CRIMINAL INTENT?

WAS THERE EVIDENCE FROM THE JANUARY SIXTH COMMITTEE -- >> YOU KNOW, HE IS IMPULSIVE.

HIS LAWYER WILL BE WELL PLACED TO LET HIM BE IMPULSIVE EVEN IF HE TESTIFIES AT THE TRIAL , EVEN IF HE DOESN'T.

PEOPLE CAN SAY HE CHANGED HIS MIND.

HE GOES WITH THE MOMENT.

HE DOESN'T PLAN AHEAD.

THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO PROVE INTENT.

ONE MORE THING, A LOT OF THE EVIDENCE FROM THE COMMITTEE IS NOT ADMISSIBLE IN A TRIAL AS WELL.

PROSECUTORS WILL HAVE BOTH OF THOSE CHALLENGES.

THERE WAS A COMMENT THAT THERE IS PROBABLE CAUSE.

OBVIOUSLY, THE DOJ IS DOING A LOT OF WORK TO BOLSTER THE CHARGES AND MAKE SURE TO IMPROVE THE CASE IF IT GOES TO COURT.

>> ARE YOU SAYING A LOT OF THE TESTIMONY THAT THE JANUARY SIXTH COMMITTEE PROVIDED, THAT COULD NOT -- >> A LOT OF IT, I OVERHEARD CONVERSATION -- >> THE BULK OF THEIR REPORT IS -- >> NOBODY WAS SUBJECT TO CROSS-EXAMINATION EITHER.

THERE IS A CHALLENGE IN TRYING TO BE A PROSECUTOR ON THESE CASES.

THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT DEAL OF WORK.

WE ARE ALL BETTER OFF FOR IT.

>> WHAT IS THE PRACTICAL IMPACT OF HAVING THIS COMMUNITY MAKE CRIMINAL REFERRALS TO THE DOJ?

>> LEGALLY, IT HAS NO SIGNIFICANCE.

IT IS NOT REQUIRED.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT THE DOJ HAS ANY PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH CRIMINAL REFERRALS FROM CONGRESS.

IT HAS A POLITICAL IMPACT, I SUPPOSE.

I THINK IT MAY CAUSE THE DOJ TO FEEL SOME NEED AT SOME POINT TO EXPLAIN IF THE CHARGES THEY ULTIMATELY BRING, IF THEY BRING ANY , WHY DOESN'T MATCH UP WITH WHAT CONGRESS SUGGESTED?

LEGALLY, IT HAS NO EVIDENCE.

DOJ CAN IGNORE IT.

I DON'T THINK THEY WILL, BUT THEY COULD.

>> DO PROSECUTORS FACTOR IN PUBLIC PRESSURE IN DECISIONS LIKE THIS.

IN THIS CASE, IT'S A SPECIAL COUNSEL OVERSEEN THESE CASES.

>> THEY SHOULDN'T.

I AGREE WITH PAT TOTTER.

THIS WHOLE THING WAS SORT OF INFUSED WITH POLITICS.

THIS IS PURELY A SYMBOLIC ACT.

I CAN ARGUE IF I AM MR. TRUMP'S LAWYER THAT THIS ACTUALLY MAKES DOJ'S PROCESS MORE DIFFICULT BECAUSE YOU HAVE -- THEY CALL IT BIPARTISAN.

YOU HAVE A DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED COMMITTEE SAYING THE PRESIDENT, THE FORMER PRESIDENT SHOULD BE INDICTED.

YOU HAVE JACK SMITH, THE SPECIAL COUNSEL FOLLOWING THE TRACK.

I THINK THAT MAKES HIS JOB A LITTLE HARDER.

THE DEMOCRATS HAVE LAID OUT A ROADMAP FOR PROSECUTION.

IF JACK SMITH FOLLOWS SOMETHING CLOSE TO THAT -- >> THERE ARE TWO REPUBLICANS ON THAT PANEL.

>> AGAIN -- >> YOUR DEFENSE STRATEGY, WHAT IS IT?

>> THIS IS A DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE.

YES, THERE IS CHENEY AND A CONGRESSMAN, THAT I THINK, THE CRITICS OF THIS COMMITTEE, AND I AM NOT ONE, BUT THE CRITICS OF THIS COMMITTEE CALL THIS A DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED THING.

SO JACK SMITH, THE INDEPENDENT PROSECUTOR DECIDES TO FOLLOW THE DEMOCRAT ROADMAP, THIS IS A POLITICIZED PROSECUTION, SO SAID MR. TRUMP.

>> THAT IS THE CASE THE FORMER PRESIDENT IS MAKING IN RESPONSE TO THIS REFERRAL .

ALTHOUGH, YOU HAVE ALL THESE PROSECUTIONS OF THE SO-CALLED FOOT SOLDIERS.

SO MANY OF THEM SAID THEY WERE THERE BECAUSE THE FORMER PRESIDENT TOLD THEM TO BE THERE.

IS THAT MORE THAN CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE OR JUST CIRCUMSTANTIAL?

>> IT IS SOME EVIDENCE.

THERE IS NOT A RECORDING OF HIS VOICE SAYING, GO GET A GUN AND SHOW VIOLENCE.

>> THERE IS PLAUSIBLE DENIABILITY.

THERE IS A TWEET THAT SAYS GO TO WASHINGTON, D.C. TO MY RALLY.

IT WILL BE WILD.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WHAT IS INTERESTING THOUGH, JUST TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE, HE'S A FORMER PRESIDENT.

YOU NEVER HAD A PROSECUTION OF A FORMER PRESIDENT.

WE HAD A VICE PRESIDENT, SPIRO AGNEW.

HE WILL BE A PLAUSIBLE CANDIDATE AGAIN IN 2024.

IT BECOMES VERY DELICATE FOR DOJ HOW TO NAVIGATE THESE WATERS.

>> PATRICK, ARE THERE CHARGES HERE THAT SEEM TO HAVE A STRONGER CASE?

WHAT ABOUT THESE CHARGES?

>> ANYTIME A FELLOW PROSECUTOR SEES A FALSE STATEMENT WE ALWAYS SMILE.

THAT'S OUR GO TO.

SO, I THINK THAT WAS PROBABLY ADDED BY SOME FELLOW PROSECUTOR.

BECAUSE PROVING A FALSE STATEMENT IS IN SOME WAYS EASIER.

IT IS MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD.

IN THIS CASE, THEY ARE SAYING THAT FALSE STATEMENTS ARE ANY OF THESE ELECTORS, THE SUPPOSE A TRUMPET ELECTORS WHO CAME FORWARD AND SAID, OH NO, I AM THE REAL ELECTOR.

THEY HAD TO MAKE ALLEGATIONS IN WRITING THAT THEY WERE IN FACT ENTITLED TO BE THE ELECTORS.

THEY WEREN'T.

SO THAT IS PROBABLY, IF I HAD TO PICK THE ONE CHARGE OUT OF FOUR THAT IS THE MORSE -- MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD, THAT WOULD BE IT.

BUT STILL, AS HOWELL AND PAT HAVE SAID, THE PROBLEM HERE IS YOU HAVE TO CONVINCE A JURY BEYOND A REASONABLE DROUGHT -- DOUBT THAT TRUMP INTENDED TO DO ALL THESE THINGS.

EVEN THOUGH THEY PUT ON A DOZEN PEOPLE TO SAY, WE TOLD HIM HE REALLY LOST, ALL HE HAS TO DO IS SAY, LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO RUDY.

AND RUDY WILL COME IN WITH 10 OTHER RUDY LIKE LAWYERS.

THEY WILL SAY WE WILL TELL HIM IT WAS STOLEN.

>> RUDY HAS THE SAME WEIGHT AS THE A FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO SAID IT WAS, QUOTE, BS.

IT DOESN'T MATTER.

BECAUSE AS LONG AS TRUMP CAN CONVINCE A JURY OR SOMEONE ON A JURY THAT EVEN IF RUDY WAS WRONG, HE BELIEVED RUDY, AND HE BELIEVED THE OTHER LAWYERS WHO WERE TELLING HIM THIS ELECTION REALLY WAS STOLEN, THEN, I THINK HE HAS A PLAUSIBLE ARGUMENT THAT HE NEVER FORMED MENTAL INTENT NECESSARY TO COMMIT THESE CRIMES BECAUSE HE THOUGHT HE WAS, IN FACT, PURSUING A REASONABLE RESPONSE TO WHAT HE PERCEIVED TO BE AS A HUGE CRIME.

SO I THINK THE 1001 COUNT IS THE MOST STRAIGHTFORWARD.

I THINK ALL THE ACCOUNTS ARE STILL IN REAL JEOPARDY I THINK IT IS IT REALLY DOES TURN ON THE STATE OF MIND.

I THINK, ALL THESE LAWYERS AND EASTMAN AND CLARK TELLING HIM NO, NO, THIS IS OKAY, MR. TRUMP.

THIS IS ALL LEGITIMATE.

I THINK HE HAS THE MAKINGS OF POSSIBLY A STRONG DEFENSE.

>> PATRICK COLLINS, WE MENTIONED THE SPECIAL COUNSEL WAS BROUGHT IN AFTER THE ELECTION IN NOVEMBER, AFTER TRUMP ANNOUNCED HIS INTENT TO RUN AGAIN.

HE IS OVERSEEING EVERYTHING ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL INCLUDING ANYTHING RELATED TO JANUARY SIXTH OR THE MAR-A-LAGO DOCUMENTS COMMITTEE.

WHERE DOES THAT SIT?

DO YOU THINK HIS INVESTIGATION DOES PARALLEL THE WAY THE COMMITTEE WENT ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION?

AKA, DO YOU THINK HE WOULD BE INTERVIEWING THE SAME FOLKS?

>> THERE'S A TON OF OVERLAP HERE.

I THINK, ONE THING THAT JUMPS OUT TO ME FROM THE REPORT IS THERE ARE CERTAIN WITNESSES WHO WOULD NOT COOPERATE WITH THE COMMITTEE WHO MAY WELL HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION.

LIKE JACK SMITH COULD COMPEL FOR HER TESTIMONY.

IN SOME RESPECTS, THE REPORT PROVIDES A ROADMAP FOR JACK SMITH FOR PEOPLE WHO MIGHT HAVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION BUT DID NOT COOPERATE WITH THE COMMITTEE.

I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

>> I THINK HE MENTIONED FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF MARK MEADOWS DID NOT COOPERATE.

THEY KIND OF INSINUATED HE MIGHT BE COOPERATING.

>> JACK SMITH HAS THE TOOL HE CAN IMMUNIZE.

I MEAN, THE COMMITTEE CAN ISSUE SUBPOENAS.

JACK SMITH CAN ISSUE A SUBPOENA.

PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO COOPERATE THEM, HE CAN BE COMPELLED BEFORE A GRAND JURY, ASK QUESTIONS UNDER OATH.

THAT IS A VERY POWERFUL TOOL THAT THE COMMITTEE DID NOT HAVE.

>> SO THERE MIGHT BE DIFFERENT EVIDENCE THAT THE DOJ INVESTIGATION HAS?

YOU ARE RELATIVELY NEW INTO THE SPECIAL COUNSEL PROCESS.

WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT THE TIMELINE OF WHEN PROSECUTORS WILL DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO BRING CHARGES?

>> WHO KNOWS?

THE DOJ WAITED A LONG TIME .

A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR WOULD HAVE TO GET UP TO SPEED.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF WORK DONE BY THE COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BE HELPFUL TO HIM.

I THINK HE WILL NEED ADDITIONAL WITNESSES .

IF I WERE HIM, I WOULD TRY TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THE MAR-A-LAGO DOCUMENTS CASE.

IT'S NOT AS COMPLICATED.

IT'S NOT DEPENDENT ON TESTIMONY.

INTENT WILL BE THE ISSUE IN THE CASE.

I WOULD FIRST GO NARROW BEFORE TRYING TO CATCH UP AND GET INFORMATION FOR THE REST OF THE CHARGES.

>> WOULD THAT BE OUR STRATEGY IS A PROSECUTOR?

I KNOW YOUR STORY RIGHT NOW.

WOULD YOU GO TO THE NARROW CHARGES THAT ARE SEEMINGLY EASIER TO PROVE WITH MORE EVIDENCE THAT ISN'T CIRCUMSTANTIAL?

>> I STILL REMEMBER BEING A PROSECUTOR.

I'M NOT THAT OLD.

BUT NO, YES.

I THINK IT WOULD BE WISE FOR JACK TO TRY TO FOCUS ON THINGS THAT WEREN'T SO EASILY REBUTTED BY PEOPLE COMING IN AND SAYING, I TOLD HIM TO DO THIS.

NOBODY'S GOING TO COME FORWARD AND TELL HIM, I THINK, THAT IT WAS OKAY TO HAVE TOP-SECRET DOCUMENTS, YOU KNOW, IN HIS REC ROOM AT MAR-A-LAGO.

SO I THINK, A MORE SURGICAL APPROACH MAKES MORE SENSE.

>> FIRST OF ALL, HE HAS THE SLOPPY DEFENSE OF THE MAR-A-LAGO DOCUMENTS.

I DIDN'T PACK THESE BOXES.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN THEM.

WHATEVER'S IN THERE, BLAME THE MOVING GUY.

THAT, TO ME, IS A MUST AS PLAUSIBLE AS THIS DEFENSE.

I REALLY THINK , IF YOU ARE GOING TO BRING THE JANUARY SIXTH RELATED STUFF, YOU HAVE TO DO IT SOONER THAN LATER.

THEY CHARGED 800 PEOPLE WITH DEFENSE RELATING TO THE BREACH OF THE CAPITAL.

THE PROUD BOYS CASE IS GOING ON.

YOU HAVE THIS REPORT, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2 YEARS.

MR. SMITH HAS TO GET UP TO SPEED.

TO ME, THERE IS A PRESSURE THEY SHOULD BELIEVE THIS.

THE MAR-A-LAGO THING STRIKES ME.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS IN THE DOCUMENTS.

I DON'T KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT IT.

THAT STRIKES ME AS THE TAIL WAGGING THE DOG.

THE DOG BEING, WHAT'S DEMOCRACY?

YOU KNOW, THE ISSUE ON JANUARY 6, AND WAS MR. TRUMP THE RING LEADER?

IF HE WAS THE RINGLEADER, TAKE A SHOT.

>> THAT'S THE CHOICE THE COMMITTEE MADE.

WE WILL HAVE TO SEE WHAT CHOICE PROSECUTORS MAKE.

AGAIN, MY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE.

PATRICK COLLINS, IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU.

NOW TO BRANDIS AND HOW THE COMPLETION OF THE LONG ANTICIPATED ROAD PROJECT COULD IMPACT YOUR COMMUTE .

BRANDIS?

>> THANK YOU.

YOU MAY SHAVE SOME TIME OFF YOUR COMMUTE NOW THAT THE CONSTRUCTION ON THE JANE BYRNE INTERCHANGE IS COMING TO AN END AFTER ALMOST A DECADE OF CONSTRUCTION.

THE LONG ANTICIPATED PROJECT BALLOONED IN COST TO AROUND $800 MILLION.

THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAYS THE INTERCHANGE WILL IMPROVE OVERALL COMMUTER EXPERIENCE WITH FEWER DELAYS AND CRASHES WHILE ALSO DECREASING FUEL OMISSION.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE IS THE ENGINEER PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, BRANDIS.

>> THE BIG QUESTION ON EVERYBODY'S MIND IS, WHAT TOOK SO LONG?

WHY DID CONSTRUCTION TAKE ALMOST 10 YEARS?

>> WELL, THE REALITY IS, SEVERAL FACTORS WENT INTO NOT ONLY COSTING MORE, BUT ALSO TAKING MORE TIME.

FIRST OF ALL, WHEN THE PROJECT WAS BEING PLANNED BACK IN 2013, THEY WERE TRYING TO GET IT DONE AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

SO THE PLAN AT THE TIME LOOKED AT THE SCENARIOS AND SAID YES, WE COULD DO IT.

IT MIGHT CAUSE A LOT OF ISSUES IF WE MAKE THOSE ASSUMPTIONS.

BUT THEY DID IT ANYWAY BECAUSE THEY HAD TO START SOMEWHERE AND HAD A PLAN FORWARD, IDENTIFY STRATEGIES GOING FORWARD.

THEN IS A DESIGN TEAM, THEY CAME IN AND STARTED LOOKING AT THE DETAILS.

THEY HAD MORE DETAIL ON THE UNDERGROUND SITUATION, WHAT KIND OF UTILITIES ARE THERE TO DEAL WITH?

WHAT KIND OF SOIL CONDITION?

THEY REALIZED IT WAS GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT UNDERTAKING WITH THE AMOUNT OF STRUCTURAL WORK THAT WAS GOING TO NEED TO BE DONE.

IF THEY WERE TO ADVANCE THIS SCHEDULE OF GETTING IT DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THAT WOULD LIKELY REQUIRE LARGE SECTIONS OF EXPRESSWAY AS WELL AS SOME OF THE OVERHEAD ROADWAYS TO BE CLOSED AT THE SAME TIME.

DEFINITELY, ONCE WE STARTED HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CITY, THOSE TYPES OF IMPACTS WERE LESS IMPORTANT.

THEY NEEDED TO MAKE SURE TRAFFIC WAS CONTINUING TO BE MOVING TO THAT AREA.

KEEP IN MIND, THEY HAVE OVER 400 -- A DAY.

THEY HAVE TO GET IT MOVING AND ALLOW -- REDUCE AND TAKE A STEP.

-- OVER A SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME.

>> TO YOUR POINT, 4000 CARS PER DAY USING THE INTERCHANGE, GIVE US A SENSE OF HOW CRITICAL THE JANE BYRNE INTERCHANGE IS TO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC.

>> YEAH, THE JANE BYRNE IS THE ACCESS INTO AND OUT OF THE DOWNTOWN CENTRAL BUSINESS AREA OF CHICAGO.

IN FACT, IT PROVIDES PRIMARY ACCESS FOR BUSINESS TO THE CENTER.

THEN YOU HAVE THE I-55 AND THE NORTH AND SOUTH.

THEN YOU HAVE THE MAIN ACCESS TO THE SOUTH.

THEN WE HAVE OHIO STREET TO THE NORTH.

THERE ARE THREE MAIN ENTRYWAYS IN AND OUT OF THE CITY.

THIS IS IN THE MOST CONGESTED AND HIGHEST TRAFFIC SECTION.

>> TOTAL PROJECT COST ENDED UP BALLOONING AS WE DISCUSSED BY MORE THAN 50%, 535 MILLION TO ABOUT 806 MILLION.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY DROVE THE PRICE INCREASE?

>> YEAH, SOME OF THE MAIN REASONS THE COSTS WIND UP, AS WE GOT INTO THE DESIGN AND LOOKED AT THE SOIL CONDITIONS, WHICH WE KNEW WERE BAD, WE GOT DETAILED INVESTIGATIONS.

THEY WERE A LOT WORSE THAN WE THOUGHT.

SO THAT REQUIRED EXTENSIVE REDESIGN OF THE RETAINING WALLS AND THE FOUNDATION OF ALL THE BRIDGES.

AND WE ALSO ENDED UP HAVING TO MINIMIZE SOME OF THE NIGHTTIME WORK WHICH REQUIRED US TO WORK LONGER AND EXTEND THE DURATION OF THE CONTRACT.

ANOTHER THING THAT WAS ADDING TO THE COST WAS SIMPLY THE WORK AT I-55 .

IT WAS GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME THEY WERE STARTING THE CIRCLE INTERCHANGE.

THAT WAS A LITTLE BEHIND SCHEDULE.

WE DIDN'T WANT TO MAIN ACCESSES AT THE SAME TIME.

SO WE SLOWED THE PROJECT DOWN WHICH THEN ADDS COST BECAUSE OF THE INFLATIONARY ADJUSTMENT.

IT WAS ADDED TO THE CONSTRUCTION.

THEN THERE WERE UNDERGROUND SURPRISES.

WE RAN ACROSS UNDERGROUND WATER TUNNELS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE EMPTY BUT WEREN'T.

WE HAD UTILITY IMPACT THAT TOOK LONGER TO RESOLVE AND TOOK MORE MONEY TO ADDRESS THAN WE ANTICIPATED.

>> NOW THAT IT'S NEARLY DONE, JOHN, GIVE US A SENSE OF HOW COMMUTER DRIVE TIMES ARE GOING TO BE SHAVED DOWN.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS WE HAVE HERE?

>> YEAH, THE MAIN BENEFITS TO MOTORING, TRAFFIC IS ADDING AN ADDITIONAL LANE ON THE NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND DAN RYAN STRETCH OF THE ROADWAY.

THEN THERE IS THE RAMP GOING FROM NORTHBOUND DAN RYAN TO WESTBOUND GIVING AN ADDITIONAL LANE.

IT WILL BE A TWO LANE RAMP.

THAT'S THE HIGHEST RAMP THAT WE HAVE.

THAT WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THAT.

IN THE EASTBOUND AND NORTHBOUND RAMP WILL HAVE TWO LANES.

THAT WILL IMPROVE THAT.

THE OTHER BENEFITS ARE, YOU KNOW, TO THE COMMUNITY.

THE QUALITY OF LIFE BENEFITS, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THE BRIDGES, THE OVERHEAD BRIDGES, NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY BRIDGES ARE GETTING WIDER SIDEWALKS AND PATHS.

ACCESS POINTS WILL OVERHAUL.

PAUL SAID THAT OVERNIGHT.

THE ENTRANCE FROM THE GATEWAY , THE CANOPY OVER THE ROADWAYS, THOSE TRANSIT USERS, AND THE PEORIA STREET BRIDGE AND STATION FOR UIC WILL BE RECONFIGURED TO PROVIDE A GRAND ENTRANCE IN AND OUT THAT CONNECTS TO BOTH SIDES OF THE UIC CAMPUSES.

>> WHAT REMAINS?

WHAT ELSE NEEDS TO BE DONE?

IT'S ALMOST DONE.

IT IS OPEN.

THERE IS A LITTLE MORE TO POLISH OFF.

>> YEAH, NO.

WE HAVE LANDSCAPING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

THAT WILL BE DONE NEXT YEAR.

AS WELL AS SOME ELECTRICAL WORK, SOME SIGN WORK , AND THINGS THAT AREN'T GOING TO REQUIRE MAJOR LANE CLOSURES OVER THE NEXT YEAR.

THAT WILL BE SOMETHING WE SHOULDER.

SHOULDER CLOSURES, THINGS LIKE THAT THAT REALLY ARE NOT GOING TO AFFECT TRAFFIC MOVING FORWARD.

>> YOU KNOW, THE INTERCHANGE WAS ORIGINALLY OPEN ABOUT 60 YEARS AGO.

IT FEELS LIKE TRAFFIC PATTERNS ARE CHANGING AND GROWING, NO CHANCES OF US OUTGROWING THIS ON ANYTIME SOON, RIGHT?

>> THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

WHAT WE END UP DOING, WE ADD UP AND ADD AN ADDITIONAL LANE.

THAT DEALS WITH THE TRAFFIC FROM TODAY AND PROVIDES ROOM FOR THE FUTURE.

>> THERE IS LOTS OF HOLIDAY TRAVEL FROM UGLY WEATHER EXPECTED THIS WEEK.

WHAT THE DRIVERS NEED TO KNOW IF THEY ARE HEADING THROUGH WHAT MIGHT BE NEW TERRITORY FOR SOME OF THEM?

>> YEAH.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE SIGNS.

THERE IS A LOT OF SIGNAGE AND NEW RAMPS OPEN THAT ARE GOING TO LOOK UNFAMILIAR TO FOLKS WHO HAVEN'T BEEN OUT THERE IN A WHILE.

ALL THE BARRICADES HAVE BEEN REMOVED.

YOU KNOW?

SOME OF THEM, YOU KNOW, YOU WERE COUNTING ON THOSE TO GUIDE THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE.

NOW YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE SIGNS.

FIND YOUR EXITS.

KEEP LOOKING AHEAD AND MAKING SURE YOU ARE ALSO BEING SAFE.

WATCH YOUR SPEED.

OF COURSE, THE WEATHER.

SLOW DOWN WHEN IT IS RAINING OR SNOWING.

>> OF COURSE.

JOHN, CONGRATULATIONS ON GETTING TO BE IN THE ROAD IN THIS PROJECT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

>>> UP NEXT, AN EXIT INTERVIEW WITH SECRETARY OF STATE, JESSE WHITE.

STAY WITH US.

>> HOW DO WE FIND RESOURCES WE HAD NO IDEA ABOUT?

>> THE COMMUNITY SEEMS TO WANT US TO BE IN THIS SPACE.

>> THERE IS PLENTY OF POTENTIAL TO DO WHAT IS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND KEEP IT OURS.

>>> NEXT MONTH, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO DOZEN YEARS, ILLINOIS WILL HAVE A NEW SECRETARY OF STATE.

FORMER STATE TREASURER ALEXI GIANNOULIAS IS SWORN IN TO REPLACE JESSE WHITE.

WHITE DID NOT RUN FOR REELECTION THIS YEAR.

HE RECENTLY CAUGHT UP WITH US.

HE JOINS US NOW WITH A LOOK AT WHITE'S CAREER.

AMANDA, THERE IS A LOT TO DIG INTO WITH THIS EXIT INTERVIEW.

>> THERE CERTAINLY IS.

JESSE WHITE HAS CONTINUALLY MADE HISTORY AS ILLINOIS MOST POPULAR POLITICIAN, WINNING ALL 102 COUNTIES IN THE ELECTION CYCLE.

HE IS THE LONGEST SERVING SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO HOLD THE OFFICE.

HE WAS HESITANT ABOUT ENTERING POLITICS BACK IN THE 70s WHEN HE SAID THEN PRESIDENT OF THE COOK COUNTY BOARD ENCOURAGED HIM TO RUN FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE IN A DISTRICT THAT WAS 85% WHITE TO BOOT.

>> SO I TOLD HIM, LET ME THINK ABOUT IT.

I HAVE TO GO SKIING THIS WEEKEND.

I WILL COME BACK AND LET YOU KNOW.

SO I COULD NOT NEGOTIATE, 10 YEARS, I GO OUT TO THIS HILL, I WAS UNSUCCESSFULLY NEGOTIATING IT.

SO HE WENT OUT AND PRINTED OUT 10 TABS FOR ME.

I SAID, THE BACK OF THIS HILL, -- >> HE WON.

HE SERVED 16 YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS HOUSE OR WHAT HE SAYS IS THE MOST DISTRICT -- WHERE HE HAD GROWN UP.

HE WENT ON TO SERVE AS COOK COUNTY REPORTER BEFORE RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE IN 1998.

HERE HE IS AT A FREE PRIMARY FORUM ON CHICAGO TONIGHT EXPLAINING WHY HE WOULD BE BEST FOR THE JOB.

>> FIRST OF ALL, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT EXPERIENCE.

MY ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS MY LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE FAR SURPASSES THAT OF MY OPPONENT.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO DO IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS TO MAKE SURE THE OFFICE IS USER-FRIENDLY.

>> WINNING THAT RACE WAS NO GIVEN.

THAT WAS THE YEAR MICHA MADIGAN TOOK OVER AS THE HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF ILLINOIS.

AND NOT AGAIN AS WELL AS OTHER PARTY LEADERS BACKED THE SUBURBAN POLICE CHIEF WHO HAD BECOME FAMOUS AS A SECRET SERVICE AGENT WOUNDED IN THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT OF RONALD REAGAN.

HE SAYS, MADIGAN TOLD HIM THEY WOULD KEEP CONTROL OF THE HOUSE BY WINNING OVER REPUBLICANS.

BUT IT WAS WHITE WHO WON.

>> HE LED DECISIVELY TO BE THE FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE.

THE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

NOW YOU KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY.

>> AFTER THE ELECTION, WHITE SAYS HE AND MADIGAN DID BURY THE HATCHET.

HE WAS FULL OF STORIES.

THERE WAS THE TIME HE TOOK ISSUE WITH HIS PASTOR, REVEREND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. ABOUT KINGS NONVIOLENT PLAN TO DESEGREGATE THE MONTGOMERY ALABAMA TRANSIT SYSTEM AFTER THE ROSA PARKS ARREST.

>> I SAID, DR. KING, YOU ARE FROM CHICAGO.

AND WE DON'T OPERATE LIKE THAT.

HE SAID, HIS FATHER'S SCRIPT WOULD BE JUST FINE.

SO THAT'S WHAT I DID.

BUT WE GOT INVOLVED WITH THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

>> WHITE ALSO HAS LOTS OF STORIES ABOUT SPORTS.

HE PLAYED BASEBALL AND BASKETBALL AT ALABAMA STATE COLLEGE WHERE HE RAN WHEN OTHER COLLEGES TOLD HIM HIS 5.5 FOOT -- WAS TOO MUCH.

HE ALSO TRIED OUT FOR THE CHICAGO CUBS AND OUT OF 300 BALLPLAYERS, BECAME ONE OF FIVE TO MAKE IT.

>> FOUR DAYS, WE GO INTO SPRING TRAINING.

I WAS DRAFTED INTO THE MILITARY.

I CAUGHT A -- MISERY.

WHILE I WAS THERE, I SAID, I WOULD GET ON AIRPLANES.

>> HE DID 35 JUMPS AS A PARATROOPER.

AFTER HIS DISCHARGE, HE SPENT A YEAR AS A MINOR LEAGUER BEFORE GOING ON TO TEACH AT CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

BUT HE IS PERHAPS BEST KNOWN FOR SOMETHING ELSE THAT HAPPENED AFTER HE LEFT THE ARMY.

WHAT STARTED AS A ONE TIME JIM SHOW FOR A SUMMER JOB IN THE PARK DISTRICT IN 1959 BECAME THE JESSE WHITE TUMBLING TEAM.

>> THE KIDS SEE A LOT OF VALUE IN COMING TO THE PARK EVERY DAY TO BE WITH YOU.

THEY ADMIRE YOU.

THEY RESPECT YOU.

THEY WANT TO EMULATE YOU.

YOU SEND A LOT OF LIVES WITH THIS PROGRAM.

I GO , I WILL GO ONE MORE YEAR.

HERE I AM 64 YEARS LATER WITH 18,500 KIDS.

>> 18,500 TUMBLERS, MANY FROM UNDERPRIVILEGED BACKGROUNDS.

AND TO HIS KNOWLEDGE, ONLY 15 HAVE GOTTEN IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW .

HE SAYS, HE HAS A TOUGH LOVE APPROACH.

RUMBLERS KNOW THEY NEED TO OBEY THE RULES, NO DRUGS, DO WELL IN SCHOOL.

HE SAID HE STILL DOES AN OLD ARMY WORKOUT WITH JUMPING JACKS AND PUSH-UPS.

AS FOR HIS ROLE OF SECRETARY OF STATE, WHITE SAYS HE IS PROUD TO LEAVE THE OFFICE WITHOUT SCANDAL, HAVING GROWN AN ORGAN DONOR REGISTRY PROGRAM THAT SAVED HIS SISTER'S LIFE AND A GRADUATED DRIVER'S LICENSE PROGRAM FOR TEENS.

NOW YOU CAN BOOK APPOINTMENTS ONLINE TO GET A LICENSE.

WHITE SAYS HE ISN'T READY TO PASS THE SECRETARY OF STATE TORTURE ON THE NINTH, BUT HE SAYS HE WILL BE ONLY A PHONE CALL AWAY.

HE SAYS, HE IS STAYING ACTIVE.

IN JUNE, HE WILL TURN 89 YEARS OLD.

>> WHAT A STORY, WHAT HISTORY.

>> WHAT A GUY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NOW, BRANDIS.

WE PASS IT OVER TO YOU.

>> WHAT A CAREER, THANK YOU.

>>> STILL TO COME ON CHICAGO TONIGHT, WITH HOLIDAY TRAVEL JUST AHEAD, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFERS MORE FEDERAL PROTECTIONS FOR AIRLINE TRAVELERS, THAT AND MORE FROM UKRAINE.

>>> ADDRESSING VIOLENCE NEAR SCHOOLS, TO ALDERMEN GIVE SUGGESTIONS FOLLOWING A SHOOTING NEAR BONITA WAR AS ACADEMY IN TILSON.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WILL HAVE A PLAN TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS.

WE WILL TALK WITH LOCAL ADVOCATES ABOUT HOW THEY ARE PREPARING FOR THE UPCOMING BLIZZARD.

>>> VINTAGE COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS OF CHICAGO PEOPLE IN PLACES FROM THE EYE OF VIVIAN MEYER, THIS IS CLOSING AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

>>> BUT FIRST, SOME MORE ON TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

IF YOU ARE HOPING FOR A WHITE CHRISTMAS, YOU MIGHT GET MORE THAN YOU HOPED FOR.

THE CHICAGO OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS FORECASTING A BLIZZARD WITH SNOW AND DANGEROUS WIND.

IT IS EXPECTED TO START ON THURSDAY, ONE OF THE BUSIEST TRAVEL DAYS OF THE YEAR.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAID, QUOTE, IT IS POSSIBLE THOSE TRAVELING SHOULD CONSIDER ALTERNATE TRAVEL PLANS.

THE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FRIDAY INTO CHRISTMAS EVE AND SATURDAY.

WIND CHILLS BETWEEN -20 AND 30 DEGREES ARE ANTICIPATED.

>>> IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO TRAVEL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, YOU MAY WANT TO LEAVE YOUR POT AT HOME.

EVEN THOUGH MORE STATES ARE LEGALIZING MARIJUANA, POSSESSION REMAINS ILLEGAL ON A FEDERAL LEVEL.

THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION SAYS MARIJUANA PRODUCTS INCLUDING CANNABIS INFUSED ITEMS MUST HAVE NO MORE THAN 0.3% THC TO BE ALLOWED THROUGH AIRPORT SECURITY.

THEY SAY IF ANYTHING IS FOUND, IT'S REQUIRED TO REPORT ITEMS TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>>> ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL, A RAUL IS CALLING FOR MORE DETECTIONS FOR AIRLINE TRAVELERS.

A MAJOR SMACK COMPANY IS TOUTING A GUM BUSINESS IN ROCKFORD.

AND A PHONE APP COMPANY IS EXPANDING IN CHICAGO AND MOVING TO A WEST LOOP OFFICE.

HERE TO GO BEHIND THOSE HEADLINES IS CHICAGO BUSINESS REPORTER, DANNY ECKER.

SO DANNY, OF COURSE WE KNOW HOLIDAY TRAVEL IS ON A LOT OF PEOPLE'S MINDS RIGHT NOW.

NOW THERE ARE MORE CALLS FOR FEDERAL PROTECTIONS FOR AIRLINE TRAVELERS.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> YES, YOU MAY RECALL THE TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE THE JUDGE ANNOUNCED RULES IN AUGUST THAT WILL CLARIFY WHEN AIRLINES OH PASSENGERS REFUNDS.

THESE ARE CANCELLATIONS, BIG TIME CHANGES, NOW THE GENERAL FROM 34 STATES, CLIMB A RAUL, HAS COSIGNED A LETTER ASKING THAT WE STRENGTHEN TO BEEF UP THOSE RULES BASICALLY.

HE IS REQUIRING AIRLINES TO ONLY SELL SEATS THAT THEY HAVE ENOUGH PERSONNEL TO OPERATE, TO BAN THEM FROM CANCELING FLIGHTS WHEN THEY ARE OPERATING , EXTENDING THE FLIGHT DESTINATION.

THESE ORGANIZATIONS WANT TO BE ABLE TO FORCE PEOPLE -- IN THE MEANTIME, THE BEEFED-UP RULES COULD BE EXPECTED TO BE FINALIZED OVER THE NEXT YEAR.

>> OKAY.

WE ALSO HAVE A MAJOR SMACK COMPANY AND A GUM BRAND?

WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE?

>> YEAH, THE COMPANY BEST KNOWN FOR MAKING OREOS, THEY ARE SELLING THEIR GUM BUSINESS FOR MORE THAN $3.3 BILLION.

THAT INCLUDES TRIDENT, BUBBLE LEASHES, A BUYER IS A EUROPEAN COMPANY THAT IS INTO SOME SORT OF CANDIES.

IT IS A BROADER MOVE TO FOCUS MORE OF ITS BUSINESS ON CHOCOLATE AND BISCUITS.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT DONE WELL DURING THE PANDEMIC WITH MASKED PEOPLE.

THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO OFFLOAD IT.

NOW THEY HAVE.

>> THERE IS A GROWING TECH COMPANY ADDING OFF SPACE IN THE WEST HOTEL.

WE HAVE WHAT THIS SAYS ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN OFFICE MARKET.

>> YEAH.

IT'S A MOBILE APP COMPANY CALLED FETCH REWARDS.

THEY BASICALLY OFFER DISCOUNTS AND INCENTIVES TO PEOPLE WHO UPLOAD PICTURES OF THEIR RECEIPTS.

THEY SIGNED A LEASE TO MOVE THE DOWNTOWN OFFICE TO A NEW BUILDING THAT WAS JUST FINISHED ON RANDOLPH STREET.

FETCH HAS BEEN GROWING.

THEY HAVE 225 PEOPLE IN CHICAGO NOW.

THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE TREND OF COMPANIES GETTING NEW AND RECENTLY UPDATED BUILDINGS.

THAT'S WHERE THE LEASING IS HAPPENING.

THEY TRY TO COMPEL PEOPLE TO SHOW UP TO THE OFFICE RATHER THAN WORK FROM HOME.

THE OFFICE VACANCIES OVERALL ARE AT A RECORD HIGH.

THE VACANCY AMONG THE TOP-TIER BUILDINGS HAS DROPPED OVER THE LAST YEAR.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF CHANGES TO KEEP UP WITH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

>>> NOW, PARIS, WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> AS WE MENTIONED AT THE TOP OF THE SHOW, POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR A SUSPECT WHO SHOT AND KILLED TWO TEENAGERS AND INJURED TWO MORE OUTSIDE OF AN ACADEMY IN TILSON.

STUDENTS RALLIED FOR A SOLUTION FOR GUN VIOLENCE.

THEY HAVE RECENTLY COME TO THE DOORSTEP OF SCHOOLS LIKE WAREZ.

IT SHEDS LIGHT ON POLICE OFFICERS IN SCHOOLS KNOWN AS RESOURCE OFFICERS.

SOME SCHOOLS HAVE VOTED TO REMOVE THEM WHILE OTHERS HAVE ELECTED TO KEEP THEM.

AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS THIS, OUR 25th WARD ALDERMAN, BYRON LOPEZ.

ANITA WAREZ, BY THE WAY, IS IN YOUR WARD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

ALDERMAN WAREZ, WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE VICTIMS AND THE SEARCH FOR THE SUSPECT?

>> WELL, AT THIS MOMENT, OUR COMMUNITY IS STILL MOURNING THE DEAD, TWO BOYS AND A 14-YEAR-OLD, A 15-YEAR-OLD BOY, AND ANOTHER BOY AND A GIRL THAT WERE WOUNDED.

THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.

AND STILL, WE HAVE NO ONE IN CUSTODY.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAD A MEETING ON SUNDAY TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW THAT DEMANDS FROM THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE WE GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT.

SO WE WILL BE DEFINITELY WORKING ALL THIS WEEK.

WE ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO MAKE SURE WE GET TO THE BOTTOM -- >> WE ARE LOOKING AT PICTURES THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PROVIDED.

ALDERMAN O'SHEA, REMIND ME OF WHAT THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM IS, WHY SOME SCHOOLS HAVE THEM AND SOME DON'T.

>> THERE CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE ASSIGNED INSIDE THE BUILDING.

IN THEORY, WHAT THEY SHOULD DO IS ESTABLISH RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE STUDENT BODY SO THEY KNOW THEY CAN COME TO THEM IF THERE IS A PROBLEM OR WORSE.

I THINK THEY CAN BE AN EFFECTIVE TOOL.

THEY CAN BE A PROBLEM.

I HAVE ONE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

THEY DO HAVE SROs.

AND THE LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL BELIEVES THEY HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE IN HELPING COMBAT CRIME IN THE SCHOOL.

>> ALDERMAN LOPEZ, YOU HAVE BEEN CLEAR ABOUT REMOVING RESOURCE OFFICERS FROM SCHOOLS.

DO YOU THINK HAVING AN OFFICER IN THE SCHOOL COULD'VE PREVENTED IT?

WE SHOULD NOTE THIS DID HAPPEN OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL, NOT INSIDE OF IT.

>> IN 2020, THE LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL VOTED TO REMOVE SROs IN THE SCHOOL.

THERE WAS INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR.

THERE WAS OTHER INCIDENTS THAT, I THINK, PROMPTED THEM TO MAKE THE VOTE.

I THINK WE HAVE HAD AT LEAST THREE OTHER SHOOTINGS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND OUTSIDE CPS HIGH SCHOOLS WHERE WE HAD SROs AND DID NOT PREVENT THE INCIDENT.

WE STILL BELIEVE THAT WHAT WE NEED IN THE COMMUNITY IS DIFFERENT THAN ALDERMAN O'SHEA.

WE BELIEVE THIS IS VERY EFFECTIVE TO THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE RETHINK ABOUT SAFETY.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE GET INVESTMENTS, THAT WE PREVENT THE STUDENTS STOPPING ADDRESSING THE CONFLICT.

THESE WORDS ARE VERY DIFFERENT.

I THINK MOST COMMUNITIES SERVE AND NEED DESPERATE THE SAME INVESTMENT.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE -- SUNDAY, ALDERMAN IS MOURNING -- AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MAYOR TO ADDRESS THE SHOOTING.

WE NEED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT AND A DISSECTED -- >> YOU MENTION IT IS LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCILS THAT HAVE VOTED ONE WAY OR THE OTHER FOR THEIR SCHOOLS ON WHETHER TO KEEP THESE OFFICERS IN SCHOOLS .

AGAIN, THIS HAPPENED OUTSIDE OF WAREZ ACADEMY.

DO YOU THINK THE SRO PROGRAM COULD HAVE PREVENTED AN INCIDENT LIKE THIS?

>> I THINK THAT THE MERE PRESENCE OF A SQUAD CAR, POLICE OFFICERS COULD IN FACT BE A DETERRENT.

CLEARLY, WHATEVER THIS CONFLICT WAS, THE OFFENDERS WENT THERE LOOKING TO DO HARM.

THAT IS PART OF OUR LARGER PROBLEM, THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL GUNS WHERE YOUNG KIDS INSTEAD OF RESOLVING CONFLICT WITH THEIR FISTS, NOW RESOLVE CONFLICT WITH GUNS.

PEOPLE ARE DYING.

HOW TRAGIC IS THIS THAT TWO YOUNG STUDENTS, TWO YOUNG BOYS LOST THEIR LIFE RIGHT OUTSIDE SCHOOL?

>> ALDERMAN LOPEZ, WHAT ABOUT THAT?

YOU MENTIONED THAT THE PROBLEMS THEY HAVE HAD IT SCHOOLS.

THERE HAS BEEN MISCONDUCT.

I'M HAVING A COP CAR ADD TO THE DETERRENT FOR SOMEONE LIKE THIS SUSPECT WHO UNDERTOOK THIS ACTION?

>> WELL THEN, AGAIN, I WANT TO MAKE SURE I RESPECT THE FACTS.

THERE ARE THREE SCHOOLS, THE HIGH SCHOOL, AND NOW WE HAVE THIS ONE.

IN THREE OTHER SCHOOLS, IN THE SCHOOLS, IT DID NOT DETER.

AGAIN, I SAY IT AGAIN, IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE DEALT WITH GANG CONFLICT.

WHEN WE DO WITH THINGS OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL, I DON'T SEE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HAVING OFFICERS TO DETER.

THE INVESTIGATION DOESN'T GO IN.

I WILL BE RESPECTFUL IN THIS CASE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT.

WE DO HAVE A SERIOUS CONVERSATION ABOUT SAFETY SROs OR NOT, THAT IS NOT THE ADEQUATE CONVERSATION TO HAVE.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO PREVENT THIS INCIDENT JUST LIKE THE COMMUNITY HAS DONE?

WE NEED TO DISSECT AND USE BEST PRACTICES.

WE HAVE EDUCATORS LOOKING INTO VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS, THE SCHOOL AND OUTSIDE, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CANNOT ADDRESS THE ISSUES .

THEY HAVE 40% OF THE BUDGET.

THEY HAVE SHOWN IT IS CLEARLY NOT EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING THIS.

>> WHAT ABOUT THAT?

DOES IT HAVE TO BE ABOUT THOSE OTHER THINGS?

MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, VIOLENCE INTERVENTION, AND IT ISN'T A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL POLICY?

SOME SCHOOLS DO WELL, SOME SCHOOLS DON'T.

>> I THINK IT'S A LARGER CONVERSATION.

IT NEEDS TO BE POINTED OUT, THREE YEARS AGO, 2019, WE HAD 13,000 SWORN OFFICERS.

TODAY, WE ARE UNDER 11,600.

ONCE AGAIN, 2022, WE WILL SEE MORE THAN 1000 OFFICERS WALK OUT THE DOOR.

THAT IS NOT JUST RETIREMENT.

THAT IS RESIGNATION.

MANY OF THOSE OFFICERS GO ON TO MUNICIPALITIES TO SERVE WHERE THEY CAN PARTNER WITH THE COMMUNITY, WHERE THEY CAN WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY.

THIS IS PART OF A LARGER CONVERSATION WHERE WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN OUR CITY AND OUR COUNTRY IS WE HAVE COMPLETELY TURNED AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND THE ONLY WAY WE ARE GOING TO GET OUT OF THIS IS IF WE PARTNER WITH THEM, IF WE WORK WITH THEM.

I HOPE THIS HORRIBLE TRAGEDY WE HAD OUTSIDE HIS SCHOOL, PEOPLE ARE COMING FORWARD AND SHARING INFORMATION WITH DETECTIVES SO THE PURPOSE CAN BE TAKEN OFF THE STREET.

BUT THIS IS PART OF A LARGER CONVERSATION WHERE WE HAVE FAILED AS A CITY.

YOU KNOW, NOT DOING ENOUGH.

WE NEED TO HIRE MORE POLICE OFFICERS.

WE NEED TO DO MORE TO RETAIN POLICE OFFICERS.

AND THE ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS -- >> THIS IS A CONVERSATION THAT WILL CERTAINLY BE ONGOING.

WE THANK YOU ALL FOR NOW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>>> NOW TO BRANDIS AND WINTER RESOURCES FOR SOME OF CHICAGO'S MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS.

BRANDIS?

>> CHICAGO IS BRACING FOR A BLIZZARD AND DANGEROUSLY COLD TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED LATER THIS WEEK.

WITH IT, SPECIFIC CONCERNS FOR THE CITY'S HOMELESS POPULATION.

CHICAGO ISN'T ALONE IN STRUGGLING WITH WAYS TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.

LAST MONTH, NEW YORK CITY BEGAN INVOLUNTARILY REMOVING AND HOSPITALIZING THOSE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS LIVING ON THE STREET.

LOS ANGELES DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY OVER ITS HOMELESS CRISIS.

TODAY, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN UNVEILED HIS PLAN TO CUT HOMELESSNESS BY 25% BY THE YEAR 2025.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ART DOUG FRAZIER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CHICAGO HEALTH INITIATIVE, A NONPROFIT SERVING THE HOMELESS, AND ANDY.

HE SPENT THE LAST YEAR HANDING OUT TENDS TO PEOPLE IN CHICAGO.

WE DID INVITE THE CITY TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION, BUT THEY DECLINED.

GENTLEMEN, THANKS TO THE TWO OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

DOUG , LET'S START WITH THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION.

WE HAVE DANGEROUS TEMPERATURES AND CONDITIONS EXPECTED THURSDAY.

WHERE CAN PEOPLE GO FOR SHELTER?

>> IT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

AND THE ANSWER IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE INTO WARMING CENTERS .

INTO HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS, HOSPITAL LOBBIES, THE CTA, THERE WILL BE PEOPLE IN ENCAMPMENTS.

THE REALITY IS, AT THE MOMENT WE DON'T HAVE A SPACE FOR THEM.

PRE-COVID, WE HAVE LOST 20 OR 30% OF SHELTER BEDS THAT HAVE CLOSED DOWN.

THEY JUST AREN'T THERE ANYMORE.

IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN A 14% INCREASE IN NEEDS IN CHICAGO WHICH IS FORCING MORE PEOPLE AT THE BOTTOM RUNG OF THE HOUSING LADDER OFF.

MORE PEOPLE, LESS SPACE, THEY ARE GOING TO BE OUTSIDE.

IT IS A REALLY TRICKY SITUATION.

>> I WANT TO COME BACK TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN A BIT.

PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO STAY WARM THIS WEEK, YOU KNOW, HOW LONG CAN THEY GET AWAY WITH HIDING OUT IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS OR WRITING THE L INDEFINITELY?

>> THEY CAN'T.

IT'S A BRUTAL WAY TO GO THROUGH THINGS.

I THINK YOU GET A 43 MINUTE SLEEP ALL NIGHT LONG BEFORE YOU GET TO CROSS OVER AND GO BACK AGAIN.

IT IS INHUMANE.

WE HAVE TO GET SPACE IN PLACE SO THESE PEOPLE HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO.

>> ANDY, YOU SPENT THE LAST YEAR HANDING OUT TENDS TO HOMELESS PEOPLE.

THESE AREN'T STANDARD CAMPING TENTS.

TELL US HOW THEY ARE DIFFERENT.

>> THEY ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

THEY ARE INSULATED, DOUBLE WALLED ICE FISHING VENTS.

THEY DON'T HAVE OPENING PERIOD WE BUILD THEM OUT OF FLOORING AND INSULATION.

THEY STAND 7.5 FEET TALL SO PEOPLE CAN STAND UP AND LOOK AROUND.

SOME PEOPLE CALLED THEM LITTLE CONDOS.

BUT NO, YOU CAN WORK OUT REALLY NICELY.

>> SO CITIES ACROSS THE NATION HAVE BEEN REMOVING TENT ENCAMPMENTS.

CHICAGO HAS ITS OWN STRUGGLE.

HOW HAS THE CITY BEEN RESPONDING TO YOUR TENTS?

>> SO THE FIRST RESPONSE, THEIR RESPONSE WAS TO REMOVE THE TENTS.

THEY WERE TAGGED A FEW MONTHS AGO.

THE CITY HAS SINCE BACKED OFF OF THAT.

THEY DECIDED TO LET THE ORANGE TENTS STAY.

>> WHAT SPECIFIC STRATEGIES COULD THE CITY IMPLEMENT TO SHELTER MORE PEOPLE?

>> THERE'S A COUPLE IMPORTANT THINGS.

CREATING FLEX SPACE, OPENING WARMING CENTERS, MAKING THEM SAFE, DIGNIFIED AND HUMANE.

THE OTHER IMPORTANT THING THEY HAVE TO DO IS ADDRESS THE TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESS INTO THOSE SYSTEMS.

THE CURRENT SYSTEM HAS YOU CALL 311.

THERE ARE TREMENDOUS DELAYS WITH THAT , KICKING UP INDIVIDUALLY.

THEY HAVE TO CHANGE THOSE STRATEGIES TO A MORE EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

THEY HAVE TO DO INTAKES WHEN PEOPLE GET TO A WARM AND SAFE SPACE, NOT WHEN THEY ARE STILL OUTSIDE.

PEOPLE AREN'T OUTSIDE ON THE PHONE DOING INTAKES AND WAITING HOURS FOR PICKUP .

>> WE KNOW TODAY THE PRESIDENT RELEASED A PLAN TO DECREASE HOMELESSNESS 25% BY 2025.

THAT IS TWO YEARS.

FIRST, HOW LIKELY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

>> I READ THROUGH THE PLAN.

IT KIND OF MAKES ME NERVOUS, TO BE HONEST.

BECAUSE THE FOCUS OF THE PLAN IS THE SAME FOCUS WE HAD IN 2003 WHEN WE STARTED THE 10 YEAR PLAN.

WHEN THAT DIDN'T WORK, 2013, WE DID 2.0, THE SEVEN-YEAR PLAN, SAME FOCUS.

MUCH OF WHAT HE HAS PRESENTED IS THAT SAME FOCUS.

YOU KNOW, IT IS SORT OF LIKE IT HASN'T WORKED OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS.

YOU HAVE GOT TO CONVINCE ME IT'S GOING TO WORK NOW.

>> MUCH OF IT FOCUSES ON PEOPLE AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS OR EMPHASIZING THAT CERTAIN PEOPLE ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE, THOSE LEAVING PRISON OR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT OR FOSTER CARE.

ALL THAT SAID, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE GOVERNMENT DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

>> SO, FIRST OF ALL, THE PREVENTION ASPECT THAT IS IN THERE, IT IS ONE OF FOUR POINTS.

IT IS WHERE OUR ATTENTION BELONGS.

IT IS A DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF FOCUS AND FUNDING GOING INTO THE CREATION OF THESE STRUCTURES OF HOUSING, GOING INTO IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY AND THE DATA MINING OF THOSE SYSTEMS, GOING INTO THE SAME THINGS WE HAVE BEEN DOING NOW FOR 20 YEARS.

YOU ARE QUITE CORRECT THAT THE PREVENTION IS WHERE WE OUGHT TO BE , SUPPORTING FAMILIES THAT CAN PREVENT HOMELESSNESS IN THE FIRST PLACE AND GET PEOPLE BACK OFF THE STREET WHEN IT'S TIME FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

>> ANDY, HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH HELPING THE HOMELESS?

>> IT JUST STARTED WITH PEOPLE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

I DROVE AROUND AND NOTICED A LOT OF TENTS.

CONDITIONS WERE NEVER IMPROVING.

I KEPT PASSING BY.

THERE WERE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE STARTING TO SHOW UP.

MORE TENTS POPPED UP.

I THOUGHT, I NEED TO GET OUT THERE AND SEE HOW I CAN HELP.

THAT'S HOW I STARTED.

>> WE OFTEN HEAR ABOUT A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE ONE HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY OR CAR BREAKING DOWN AWAY FROM THE ENTIRE COLLAPSE.

WHAT DID YOU HEAR?

WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD FROM FOLKS YOU HAVE OFFERED TENTS TO?

>> A LOT OF THE STORIES ARE SIMILAR TO THE ONES WE HAVE.

AS AN ADDICT IN RECOVERY, I SHARE SIMILAR STORIES, HEARTBREAK AND THE DIVORCE, LOSING A JOB, IT STARTS WITH GETTING HURT ON THE JOB AND GETTING PRESCRIBED A PRESCRIPTION OPIOID MEDICATION.

YOU KNOW?

A LOT OF STORIES THAT YOU WILL HEAR ARE VERY SIMILAR TO THE STORY THAT WE ALL SHARE.

YOU KNOW?

UNFORTUNATELY, SOME OF US DON'T HAVE THE SUPPORT SYSTEM OR THE RUNWAY TO GET THE HELP WE NEED.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ON THE STREETS.

FOLKS END UP ON THE STREET.

IT IS REALLY HEARTBREAKING.

SO I STARTED TO STORIES AND SEE THE FACES INSIDE OF THOSE TENTS.

THAT'S WHEN I COULDN'T STOP GOING BACK AND I COULDN'T STOP HELPING TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS.

>> WHAT MORE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE CITY DO TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS?

>> RIGHT NOW, THE CITY NEEDS TO PUT PEOPLE INTO HOTELS.

ANY GIVEN NIGHT IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO THERE IS ABOUT 67,000 VACANT HOTEL ROOMS AND APARTMENT BUILDINGS, APARTMENT UNITS.

SO WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE INTO HOTELS NOW, FOLLOW SUIT WITH WHAT THE MAYOR IN LOS ANGELES IS DOING.

AND IN THE MEANTIME, IF THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO THAT, I NEED THEM TO HELP IMPROVE CONDITIONS IN THE FIELD, GET PEOPLE WARM, GET PEOPLE INTO THE TENTS, SO YEAH, SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE FOR SURE.

>> WE HAVE ABOUT 20 SECONDS LEFT, THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THE IMPACT ON THE HOMELESS CRISIS?

>> YEAH, IT'S EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING.

WHEN HOUSING PRICES GO UP, YOU WILL SEE MORE PEOPLE HIT THE STREETS.

IT WILL BE THE PEOPLE WHO HAS THE LEAST ABILITY TO ADJUST TO THESE CHANGES.

IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY FOREVER.

>> PRETTY SIMPLE, IT SOUNDS LIKE.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> WE ARE BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT IN A MOMENT, BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> SHE DIED 13 YEARS AGO, VIVIAN MEYER WENT FROM ANONYMOUS TO BARELY FAMOUS.

THE ONE TIME NORTH SHORE INDIVIDUAL IS SHOWING THESE COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

MIKE WENT FOR A VISIT WHEN HE EXITED FIRST OPENED.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> SHE TOOK MANY IMAGES OF CHILDREN, SOMETIMES, THE KIDS THAT SHE CARED FOR.

AND SHE HAD A SENSITIVE EYE FOR CHICAGO BUILDINGS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

THERE ARE SCENES OF THE LOUVRE IN 1970, AND THE RUBBLE FROM THE DEMOLITION OF THE CHICAGO STOCK EXCHANGE.

WHEN SHE WAS ALIVE, VIVIAN MEYER WAS UNKNOWN TO CURATORS AND HISTORIANS.

NOW SHE IS GETTING A SECOND SHOW OF HER WORK AT THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM.

AND IT IS ALL IN VIVID COLOR.

>> WE LOOK ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF ACTIVITY IN CHICAGO AND LOOK FOR WAYS TO REVEAL SOMETHING ABOUT CHICAGO, CHICAGO NOTICE, WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

HOW ARE THEY SHAPING THE PLACE THEY LIVE IN?

CREATIVITY COMES OUT IN A LOT OF THESE QUESTIONS AS WE ARE ASKING OURSELVES, WHAT ARE PEOPLE DOING?

HOW ARE THEY REFLECTING THE CITY IN THAT?

SO TO LOOK AT THIS WORK I THINK IS TO REVEAL SOMETHING NOT ONLY ABOUT HER , THIS AMAZING ARTIST AND THE QUALITY OF THE WORK SHE GENERATED, BUT SOMETHING ABOUT US AS WELL.

>> IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH VIVIAN MEYER'S WORK, YOU KNOW ABOUT HER SELF-PORTRAITS.

SHE OFTEN FOUND INVENTIVE WAYS TO DOCUMENT HER PRESENCE IN THE PHOTOGRAPHS.

MOST OF THESE COLOR WORKS ARE FOCUSED IN AND AROUND CHICAGO.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I LIKE ABOUT LOOKING AT HER WORK IS SOMETIMES, IT IS NOT EVIDENT.

YOU DON'T IMMEDIATELY SEE IT AS A CHICAGO WORK.

YET, A LITTLE BIT OF TIME, YOU CAPTURE A SENSE THAT THIS REFLECTION IS OF THAT BUILDING.

YOU CAN SORT OF GROUND THE SCENE SHE IS PHOTOGRAPHING IN CONTEXT IN A PLACE IN CHICAGO.

PLACES ARE CLEARLY IMPORTANT TO HER.

>> THEY INCLUDE SUPER EIGHT MOVIES THAT SHE SHOT, INCLUDING MORE ON ADLER AND SULLIVANS STOCK EXCHANGE BUILDING.

THE WORKS CAME FROM A DONATION TO THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM BY A LOCAL ART COLLECTOR WHO WANTS THE PICTURES TO BE ACCESSIBLE.

>> SHE IS ABLE TO WALK THE FINE LINE BETWEEN BEING SORT OF VOYEURISTIC AND DISPASSIONATE, BEING SO EMPATHETIC THAT SHE CAN SORT OF FIGURE OUT HOW TO SORT OF LIVE WITHIN THAT SMALL, INTIMATE WORLD THAT THE PERSON IS IN AT THAT MOMENT, AND YET, CONTINUE TO KEEP HER ART MAKING CELLS ON TASK WHICH IS TO CAPTURE THIS PICTURE AT THE RIGHT TIME WITH THE RIGHT LIGHT LEVELS, THE RIGHT FRAMING, TIME AND AGAIN.

I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE WAYS VIVIAN AND HER HISTORY CAN INSPIRE US, RIGHT ?

HERE IS THIS AMAZING ARTIST WHO NEVER HAD THOSE SORT OF CRITICS EYE.

NEVER HAD ANY POPULAR SUCCESS, YOU KNOW?

-- IN OUR CULTURE.

AND YET, WAS CREATING FANTASTIC WORKS.

IT GIVES ME HOPE, RIGHT?

THAT OUR WORLD IS MORE FULL OF CREATIVITY AND GREAT ART MAKING, YOU KNOW?

MAYBE EVEN SOMETHING THAT COMES TO GENIUS, WE HAVE TIME TO ELEVATE AND RECOGNIZE AND GIVE ATTENTION TO.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, THIS IS MARK FRATELLI.

>> THE SHOW OF VIVIAN MYERS COLOR PHOTOS IS COMING TO AN END DECEMBER 31st.

WE ARE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

♪ >> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE GYM AND K MAY BE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

THESE JOIN US TOMORROW LIVE AT 7:00.

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANKS FOR WATCHING, STAY WARM, STAY SAFE, HAVE A GREAT EVENING.