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

I'm Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

From digital ID's to catalytic converters.

We explain 5 new state laws to know in 2025.

What you should know about the bird flu has Illinois officials issue a warning?

>> then told me that if I carried Ohio.

And he would deliver all of that.

A student votes to Democratic Convention.

>> Remembering President Jimmy Carter and his relationship with Chicago Mayor Richard J Daily.

>> And the sound hits them the moment they walk through the doors.

>> And we visit the Galloping Ghost Arcade where old-school video game arcade culture is getting an extra life.

>> And now to some of today's top stories, former President Jimmy Carter will be laid to rest next week on January 9th, which President Joe Biden has also declared a national day of mourning.

The 39th president of the United States died yesterday at his home in Georgia after nearly 2 years in hospice care.

the age of 100, he lived longer than any U.S. president in history.

The Carter Center says public observances will be held in Atlanta and Washington followed by a private interment in his hometown.

They'll final arrangements are still in the works and we'll have more on Carter's legacy later in the program.

Public transit agencies are again offering free rides on New Year's Eve to make sure revelers can celebrate safely.

Cta is offering free rides on trains and buses from 10:00PM Tuesday until 04:00AM Wednesday.

Pace is also offering free bus service and prepare a transit during that same time window and riders can hop on Metro for free going to or from downtown stations after 06:00PM on New Year's Eve.

But tram lines will be operating on reduced schedules Tuesday with alcohol banned on Metro trains after 07:00PM.

All 3 will be running their Sunday schedules on Wednesday.

New Year's Day.

In a season that can't come to a close soon enough.

The kickoff time for the Bears final game is set the limping Chicago Bears will face the playoff bound Packers in Green Bay on Sunday at noon, it'll be the 200 and 10th meeting between the teams while the Bears are eliminated from playoff contention that he is trying to beat its hated rivals who have beaten the Bears 11 straight times.

Meanwhile, the spotlight Sunday night, we'll be on the 2 other NFC North teams as the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings play for the division title in the number one seed in the playoffs.

Up next, Nick lumbered and Amanda break down some of the new laws to know in the New Year.

>> Chicago tonight is made possible in part why the Alexandra and John Nichols family.

The gym and K maybe family.

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> With the New Year comes new laws, nearly 300 of them in Illinois W t Tw News reporter Amanda Vinik.

He joins us now with a rundown.

Alright, Amanda, what do you got for us?

All right, Nic, no need to go through all 293 of these.

>> Summer is simple.

Is a said listing a task force to examine clean water policy or allowing special license plates on motorcycles.

But others could be more relevant in your day-to-day life.

All right.

Well, tell us about some of those.

We don't go through all 293, but what are the important ones will cover?

5, 2025?

Has that.

They're beginning with one that could make life more convenient for folks who like to travel light.

>> If anyone has seen my work bag that I am not one of those people, but still when your phone can serve as a mini computer credit card and e-pass it something to leave your wallet completely behind in the new law could help make that possible.

It creates a digital ID.

If you already have a driver's license or a state ID, the secretary of state can issue a mobile version.

In addition to the physical one, essentially flash the ID on your phone.

It's like showing your regular license, right?

Do we have any idea when that's going to be rolled out?

I asked the secretary of state's office for that information.

Is this had been a campaign pledge of Alexei Giannoulias.

They did not get back to me.

However, with a time line and also no details on exactly how this rollout will work.

But something to know for when it does happen.

The law stipulates that establishments cannot require a mobile ID.

So if you want to stay old-school, you certainly can.

>> Fair enough.

Something for the lead Are there any other new rules of the road that we should paying attention to all this one might give rideshare drivers a bit of a headache.

But will come as a relief.

I but to travelers, especially during busy holiday times.

>> Cars cannot stop or idle on the shoulder near O'Hare Airport.

The toll way will be able to install cameras to catch violators and another new policy also meant to catch lawbreakers.

This time.

Those who steal cars, catalytic converters, which contain metals that fetch a pretty prices scrap.

The goal is to prevent that by requiring would-be metal scrap sellers to show a car title proving their ownership of the vehicle.

Dealers also must keep records of the car title in vehicle ID from which the catalytic catalytic converter was when That's not a fun day.

When you find have that why don't drive all that much anymore?

But I do love to travel and I know there is a new law impacting hotel guests.

>> So this actually becomes a mandate starting in July.

So hotels and guests have about a half a year yet to prepare.

>> But after that larger hotels, as in those with at least 50 rooms can no longer offer single use plastic bottles of say shampoo or body wash a year from now.

That's going to apply to smaller boutique hotels as well.

And the goal to cut down on plastic less than being pack your own or in hotels could offer larger finals of soaps and such.

All right.

Well, before we go, let's move on to a set of laws that put some restrictions on e-cigarettes, right cheating.

This is a bit of a 2 You have one law essentially copies a federal one because it is federally illegal to mail e-cigarettes to minors.

Now it is illegal by state law to and that really makes it easier for Illinois to prosecute violators.

Another one manufacturers now banned from marketing vapes disguised as other products.

Some think the lung association says teachers are seeing in their classrooms.

>> This law came out of the fact that there are.

Products.

That are designed to look like things that use in schools, including pens and calculators and watches that are actually breaks.

>> Now, there are, of course, many more worthy of mention.

So for good measure, I'm going to tack on a few extra statewide.

The minimum wage is rising to $15, though.

It is already higher in Chicago.

Police will be trained on how to respond to individuals with autism and also landlords banned from raising rent or otherwise retaliating because a tenant complains takes legal action or joins a tenant union.

All right.

All good stuff.

Thank you for the bonus ones.

We appreciate it.

And Happy New Happy New Year to you, too.

And you can read Amanda's full story on our website.

That's wt tw dot com slash news.

We're back with more right after this.

>> Dozens of Illinois birds have been killed by the highly pathogenic avian flu, which is also infected some cattle and caused several severe human cases in the United States.

None of those human cases have been in Illinois, but several people have been infected in neighboring Wisconsin and Michigan.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed a total of 66 cases in humans.

The agency stresses that while the current public health risk remains low, bird flu should still be closely monitored.

Joining us on Zoom is set magli director of the Urban Wildlife Institute at Lincoln Park Zoo said thank you for joining us.

First, if you would remind us what is bird flu or avian flu?

>> Yeah.

as the name implies is it's an influenza virus that affects mainly birds.

part of the recently become concerned is because it can also impact animals, including humans.

And how is it spread?

So let's spread like most clues, mostly through airborne contact.

There's never been a case of a human to human contact of avian influenza, but it can spread 2.

You are one of your pets, for example, from the bird.

If you come into close contact.

>> And just to be clear, how is it for now?

How is it spreading from birds to humans?

>> So with as you said earlier, there's no cases in Illinois and most of the human cases involve people who work in poultry farms or otherwise closely with birds.

But we do have concerns about, for example, the fact that a lot of cats seem to be getting this disease, which makes sense because cats roam outdoors.

If they encounter a dead bird, they're likely to.

After that and so many this catch when they come home are worried that maybe the potential for spread to human.

So one of the things we're really strongly suggesting to folks is if you have cats, please keep them inside.

>> And as you said, and as we've said, no human cases in the state of with with great sickness.

But how is it affecting Chicago and Illinois?

>> There is, as you said, not not a lot of human cases really impacting our bird communities.

It's something, for example, at the zoo.

We're always on a close watch at 4.

We have many rare and endangered birds that under our care at the Lincoln Park Zoo, we have no cases as of yet, but it's something that we're watching very closely with our veterinary staff.

>> What is it that makes this strain is the H 5 n one strain particularly concerning compared to previous outbreaks of bird >> Yeah, 2 things.

One, it seems have a very high mortality rate of birds.

It kills a lot of the birds that in facts and another is it seems to be a little more able to infect other species like mammals, cats, humans, dogs than previous strains.

>> And as we mentioned, CDC experts are saying that right now the likelihood of human exposure in Illinois remains low.

What do we know about the likelihood of human exposure in Illinois?

>> Yeah, I would agree that it's very low were not aware of any cases and even worldwide the cases of humans contracting burgers or are very low.

But that said, we want to keep those rates low.

So if you see that birds or even really any dead wildlife in your neighborhood, never a good idea to contact or touch those specimens.

We always say about wildlife observed don't disturb.

You really can't help coming into direct contact with any animals that you see.

>> Are you concerned about a potential pandemic down the road?

If if if some of this, what we've already said change.

>> Well, I think the risk is low.

As the CDC is saying, I'm not overly concerned.

But like I said, I think about, for example, in urban areas like Chicago, the potential we have so many, for example, cats on the landscape.

We have many communities there seem to be actively trying to increase their cat populations to control rats or for other reasons.

And we know that cats are very susceptible.

We've heard about a big cat sanctuary in Washington state where half of the cats died from avian influenza.

So I do worry about that potential with the cats going in and out of houses impacting birds and then people that we could people start to be infected, which is, of course, the last thing we want.

>> And to that point, what is your advice to to cat owners?

>> Really just keep your cats inside.

There's really no risk as long as you keep your cats indoors.

So I think that's the key thing we can do to prevent human outbreaks.

>> And of course, we've also seen the virus contracted by cattle.

how does that affect our consumption of dairy products or or even beef products?

>> Yeah, you know, I think that we have very good food safety protocols in this country said of become overly concerned.

But I did to take us to bring things back to cats.

Again, I did hear some cases of cats were poultry in Iraq at food that had avian influenza that with an infected.

So it's always worth thinking about what both we and our pets But I think that we have a lot of good safety protocols in place there.

I don't think people should be overly concerned.

>> What steps you mentioned some what steps are you all taking at the zoo to be sure that you're protecting animals, but also your staff and visitors.

>> Yeah, we're trying to get the word out about things people can do to help.

I already mentioned keeping cats inside.

Another is when there's an outbreak like this and just take down your bird feeders.

Bird feeders create a place for birds to congregate closely together that can create disease transmission risk between those birds.

So I know verge a lot of fun to watch.

We all love our bird feeders.

But I think at a time like this, bring them in and put them back out after this sort of crisis has passed.

>> What steps are state agencies taking to prevent the spread of bird flu among wildlife, domestic animals?

Humans.

>> Yet the city these are always doing sampling of these different bird communities, trying to figure out where outbreaks happen, how we can predict prevent as well as laboratory testing to one of animal shows up to determine whether it died from avian influenza or some other cause.

So, yeah, those biologist who work in those agencies are really working tirelessly to protect both wildlife and the public.

>> mean, for people who hear about the bird flu may assume that this is mainly affecting wildlife.

There's no real cause for concern for the rest of us.

What you think people should care about the health of the urban wildlife ecosystem.

>> Yeah.

So what if you're in love with and student the zoo?

We're in a major research program in what's called one health of pregnant combined human animal and environmental health.

And we know that all of those systems are linked.

So when you have a huge outbreak of disease in the wild of community, for example, there could be the potential can spread to humans, but also just been negatively impacting our environment around us.

It can have really negative effects down the road.

We know that many of the most common human diseases that we all struggle with originate in animals.

A good example, of course, is COVID.

That virus actually originated in wildlife.

Really see that happening more and more.

So it's always worth keeping an eye on the health of our wildlife communities.

>> Do you ever think the illnesses like this are sort of reflective of of the states of the urban wildlife ecosystem and how it's how would how would how it's doing been treated and cared for.

>> Absolutely.

That's one of the reasons we study these diseases is as an early warning system.

And we think as a zoo at the Lincoln Park Zoo, we think we can be an excellent early warning system because we have animals from all over the world who are susceptible to all different types of diseases.

And when we see any kind of outbreak in our collection and the animals under our were in communication with U.S. public health and state health agencies to make sure that they know that there may be a an awful disease in the environment, but it's not absolutely critical to keep us all healthy that we keep an eye on how our environment is doing.

>> what do we know or what can we learn from previous outbreaks of avian flu?

>> Well, it's over.

It's a little different, right?

There different streams that one of the things that we know is that they can come to pretty quickly that can cause large mortality events.

But if we continue to be able to pinpoint where those outbreaks are happening, maybe what are the environmental factors that lead to a different type outbreak that we learned?

We get a little bit smarter for next time.

We become able to prevent those diseases and an amazing number of people are really working behind the scenes to try to make sure that these outbreaks don't become pandemics.

>> Seth best of luck to you and thank you so much for joining us.

Thanks for having me.

Up next, a blast from the button mashing past.

Stay with us.

>> W T Tw one.

A number of any awards in 2024, including 2 for Chicago tonight.

We thought it would be a good time to revisit one of them from the beckoning screens to the bleeping ship tunes.

The sounds and sights of a video game arcade are unlike anything else.

And while these days gamers can get their Super Mario Fix from home.

Those who crave that in-person experience need look no further than Brookfield.

Galloping Ghost Arcade where arcade culture is getting a power up.

>> The them the moment they walk through the one one of those things that resonates with them instantaneously.

It takes them back.

>> To go into our kids back in the day.

Memories coming back.

Autumn >> I got a game like since my you White says hard days.

>> I guess you could call it their P, you know, some people want to go out.

Some people prefer drinking have been going.

Does and a very young age.

And right now I'm in my mid 40's.

And I am still doing this.

>> It's a very community have.

Our Kate.

If you get old school, her case, Harcourt players competitive.

ones too.

What on special costumes Chad?

And overall just, you know, what kind of stories we put on what their favorite game and overall just having a very overall great time.

>> Go >> What's great about this place is that.

Everything outside of the arcade gaming Brown is kinda left outside.

Whatever kind of difference that people might have.

It's kind of just watching guys come here to talk shop about video games.

And we had a couple gentlemen up front, just kind of strategizing on how to get a higher score.

An >> it's pretty cool like that.

>> The gaming here is my life.

arcades, my life.

>> A lot of people, my age, you like competition.

They want to know who's the best.

And we have plenty of that here at the gala.

Bingo.

So that's what makes it fun.

I think that's what motivates people to come here in the first place.

>> I like to dress fancy.

Look cool and basically bring the community together by, you know, looking really nice and sharp.

It is literally a living museum.

And, you know, it's it's not like a museum where you can touch the exhibit.

It's literally a museum where you can just play anything.

>> Your heart desires.

Literally.

Every machine Playable.

I've personally plan arcade game since I was 4 or 5 years First like a game I ever played was asteroids.

>> It was such tremendous amount fun for me.

Growing up going to arcades like people are gonna be able to enjoy that.

If there aren't any arcades, anything I didn't want this go away.

>> Our Bruce companies don't think those productions which opened up back in 1994.

Making video games and that as we watch the arcade seen, it was always on the radar to open an arcade.

It wasn't until 2010 when everything just happened to line up.

Brookfield had the foresight to let us try it and nobody knew what was going to happen.

Even industry people were saying they they didn't think last more than 6 months.

Nobody heard about replay business model where you paid or fee and all the scenes are set on free play.

I've been able bring and game designers 30 years after they've made game this scene.

Families still love and appreciate the game that they made all those years ago.

And that's so satisfied.

other guys inspired me to get in the game design and now we're able to show that people are still enjoying their artwork.

And that craft after decade.

>> I knew from very young age that I wanted to work in video game industry does the gaming side of it is inside of artwork and music again, just get do everything that's been every day.

So it's never hear a complaint from it.

>> And of course, we have more information on galloping Ghost Arcade on our website and shout out to our own champions.

Erica Gunderson and Damon Ranger on there in the award for that story.

We're back with more right after this.

And as we mentioned earlier, President Jimmy Carter died yesterday in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100, Carter appeared on Chicago tonight.

A number of times in this 2006 conversation with Jon Calloway, Carter talks about his relationship with Mayor Richard J. Daley helped him get the 1976 Democratic nomination for President >> well, I came unknown governor from Georgia.

And I mean, look why the policy of going to say Jay Richard J the first baseman Jay the first and just to pay respects and he took a liking to me for some reason.

I think it was a treat.

The southern politics I would spend some time with him on each visit.

That was hit triple percent in the polls over Thunder is going win.

But a time developed as a picked up strength, he was supporting at least events and junior around the state as a favorite son.

but it to the made.

Then it told me that if I carried Ohio.

That he would deliver all of Steven votes to me in the Democratic Convention.

So that night that how the phone rang.

was on the phone.

He said you've got 273 votes at the Democratic convention.

It who didn't have a few moments ago and most memorable thing, though, was when I went to a rally at the last minute and it was a big, big haul.

like an opera house and at a statement was asked, say that it was asked in addition E it gave me the worst.

Introduction I have ever had in my life.

It was really embarrassing to me and everybody there and I didn't know what to say.

When I got about 7 or 8,000 people.

That was right last days of the campaign and I got night.

I don't campaign like to point out one thing when father ran for president, I I guess what He didn't carry Illinois.

But he carried Georgia.

In 1952.

In 1956.

When he ran for president again, he didn't carry his home state.

But he carried Georgia and I'm grateful for the people Illinois that gave me their support.

>> Have you had a chance over the years ever to talk with him about that?

Not really well.

I some a few times in Washington I would say we moderately.

Friendly and certain polite to each other.

But you haven't forgotten.

Well, you can say I have gotten hold of Just was a humorous thing that happened because I had the election been one.

>> The late President, Jimmy Carter on Chicago tonight in 2006.

And that's our show for this Monday night.

Stay connected with our reporters and what they're working on by following us on Instagram W T Tw Chicago.

And you can also follow us on Blue Sky at W T Tw and join us tomorrow at 5.30, and Wednesday at 10 as we ring in the new year by breaking down the biggest stories of 2024. now for all of us here at Chicago tonight, I'm Brandis Friedman, thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

>> Closed captioning made