>> THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT WE CAN SAY THAT OPTIMAL PROTECTION WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH AN MRNA IS WITH THREE DOSES THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

BOTH FOR THE DURABILITY OF THE INPROTECTION AS WELL AS THE PROTECTION AGAINST THE OMICRON VARIANT.

SO THERE'S LITTLE DOUBT ABOUT THAT AMONGST OF THOSE OF US WHO WORK IN THE FIELD.

>> Dr. MURPHY, Dr. FAUCI IS SAYING THERE IS NO VARIANT BOOSTER SHOT NEEDED BUT A BOOSTER IN GENERAL WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE STATEMENTS?

>> YOU KNOW, Dr. FAUCI'S VACCINE RESEARCH CENTER AT THE NIH DID A LOT OF THE EARLY WORK WITH THE MODERNA AND THE MRNA VACCINE.

HE IS INTIMATELY INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND OUR LEADING EXPERT IN THE COUNTRY AND HE IS AWARE HOW GOOD THE VACCINES WORK.

HE IS NOT READY TO PULL THE TRIGGER YET TO REDESIGN A NEW VACCINE WHICH IS GOING TO TAKE AT A MINIMUM THREE MONTHS PROBABLY TO RETOOL IT.

AND WITH ALL THIS VIRUS REPLICATING, OMICRON IS JUST THE ONE TODAY.

WHAT IS IT GOING TO BE TOMORROW?

WHAT IS IT GOING TO BE NEXT MONTH?

IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO CHANGE AGAIN.

THE QUESTION IS: WHEN DO YOU START RETOOLING THE VACCINES?

WHAT HE IS SAYING WE CAN WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE BECAUSE YOU GET BOOSTED WITH THIS ONE YOU ARE 70% PROTECTED AGAINST SEVERE DISEASE.

>> THE BOOSTER HERE FROM THE ORIGINAL MRNA VACCINE OR THE VACCINES MOST EFFECTIVE.

Dr. BRITO, PFIZER HAS A PILL THAT THEY'RE SAYING IT'S ALMOST 90% EFFECTIVE AND STRONG AGAINST THE VARIANT.

ONCE THE PILL IS APPROVED WILL THAT OFFER AN EXTRA LAYER OF PROTECTION.

>> IT IS A WELCOME TOOL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE DISEASE.

IT DECREASES HOSPITALIZATIONS AND SEVERE DISEASE.

SO IT WOULD BE A GOOD STRATEGY FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS A BREAKTHROUGH THROUGH INFECTION OR SOMEONE UNVACCINATED.

HOWEVER I SHOULD CAUTION THE PUBLIC THIS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE VACCINE.

THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL TOOL IF THE NIGHT AGAINST THE PANDEMIC.

WE STILL HAVE THE BEST TOOL AVAILABLE IS THE VACCINE.

IT'S SAFE, EFFECTIVE AND IN THE BEST TOOL WE HAVE SO FAR.

IT SHOULDN'T BE A SUBSTITUTE.

WELCOME ADDITION.

>> AND WE HAVE A FEW SECONDS LEFT Dr. MURPHY THAT UP COMING CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY COULD IT BE DANGEROUS IF FOLKS ARE GATHERING IN BIG NUMBERS?

>> YOU COULD DO IT BUT YOU HAVE TO DO IT SAFELY.

SO HOW DO YOU DO IT SAFELY?

NUMBER ONE, YOU KEEP THE NUMBERS DOWN.

YOU KEEP STAY AWAY FROM DENSE INDOOR CROWDS AND HAVING A PARTY AT OUR HOUSE OR DINNER EVERYBODY HAS TO BE VACCINATED.

IF THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A BOOSTER GET THE BOOSTER TODAY BECAUSE IT WILL PROBABLY BE MOSTLY EFFECTIVE BY THE TIME CHRISTMAS COMES AROUND OR JUST THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

SO DON'T MIX UNVACCINATED AND VACCINATED PEOPLE.

THAT IS JUST A RECIPE FOR DISASTER.

USE COMMON SENSE AND KEEP THE NUMBERS DOWN.

>> IMPORTANT WORDS TO LIVE BY AND THANKS TO Dr. MAXIMO BRITO AND Dr. ROBERT MURPHY THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN THE FORMER CABRINI-GREEN PUBLIC HOUSING COMPLEX ONCE CALLED IT HOME DESPITE THE REPRESENT TUTATION FOR -- REPUTATION FOR BEING A POVERTY CRIME RIDDEN.

NOW, A YEARLONG BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INVESTIGATION DETAILS THE CITY'S FAILURE TO KEEP PROMISES OF JOBS AND HOUSING FOR CURRENT AND FORMER CABRINI-GREEN RESIDENTS.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS HER FINDINGS IS ALEJANDRA CANCINO, REPORTER BEHIND THIS INVESTIGATION.

ALEJANDRA CANCINO WELCOME BACK.

WHAT PROMPTED THIS INVESTIGATION FOR YOU.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IN THE WAKE OF THE GEORGE FLOYD MURDER AND THE PROTESTS FOR RACIAL JUSTICE ACROSS THE CITY AND THE NATION REALLY, WE BEGAN TO THINK ABOUT RESIDENTS IN CHICAGO AND WHY CHICAGO WAS SO SEGREGATED.

AND INEVITABLY THAT LED ME TO PUBLIC HOUSING AND LED ME TO CABRINI-GREEN WHICH IS ONE OF THE ONLY PUBLIC HOUSING COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTH SIDE OF THE CITY.

>> RIGHT.

AND OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF SEGREGATION WE SEE CONTINUES TODAY IS REFLECTIVE OF THAT.

THE DALEY ADMINISTRATION PROMISED THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES THEY WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO RETURN BUT 20% DID RETURN.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> WELL, IT'S BEEN A LONGTIME.

THE PROMISE WAS MADE 25 YEARS AGO.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE TOWERS SLOWLY CAME DOWN THERE WERE 23 TOWERS IN THE CABRINI-GREEN AREA.

ALL OF THEM WERE DEMOLISHED BY 2011 AND ALONG THE WAY FAMILIES WERE FORCED OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT'S BEEN SO LONG AND THE CITY HAS TAKEN SO LONG TO BUILD BACK THE COMMUNITY THERE IS A NUMBER OF EMPTY PARCELS WHERE BUILDINGS USED TO BE THERE BEFORE THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE MOVED ON.

SOME PEOPLE CHOSE TO RELEE INDICATE IN OTHER PUBLIC HOUSING COMMUNITIES.

SOME PEOPLE RECEIVED SECTION 8 VOUCHER A HOUSING SUBSIDY.

AND OTHER HUNDREDS OF THEM ARE MISSING, THE CHA CANNOT FIND THEM THOUGH WE HAD ADS IN NEWSPAPERS AND HIRED COMPANIES TO FIND THEM.

THEY CAN'T FIND THEM.

SOME OF THEM HAVE DIED WAITING.

>> WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE.

WE KNOW 146 ROW HOME UNITS ROWHOUSE UNITS ARE STILL OCCUPIED BY PEOPLE FROM CABRINI-GREEN.

DID YOU NOTICE ANY DESIRE OR SENSE OF HOPE TO RETURN FOR THOSE RESIDENTS WHO HAD THE RIGHT TO RETURN THAT YOU SPOKE WITH?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ONE OF THE RESIDENTS I SPOKE WITH MS. RUSSELL SHE HAD BEEN WAIT -- SHE LIVED IN ONE OF THE CABRINI HIGH-RISES AND LEFT IN 1993.

SHE WAS ONE OF THE FAMILIES THAT WERE DISPLACED AND FORCED TO MOVE OUT BEFORE EVEN ONE OF THE BUILDINGS WAS TORN DOWN THE FIRST WAS TORN DOWN IN 1995.

SHE WAS OFFERED GOING TO ANOTHER PUBLIC HOUSING COMMUNITY AND DECIDED THAT SHE DIDN'T FEEL SAFE IN THAT COMMUNITY.

AND ENDED UP GOING INTO THE PRIVATE MARKET AND ENDED UP IN LOGAN SQUARE HER PARENTS HELPED SUPPORT HER FOR YEARS.

WHEN THEY DIED ME STRUGGLED TO BE A MOTHER AND WORK AT THE SAME TIME.

SHE ENDED UP HOMELESS FOR MANY YEARS LIVING IN OTHER PEOPLE'S HOMES.

AND REALLY TRYING TO COMBAT FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS SHE HAS BEEN CALLING IN TO SEE IF SHE COULD COME BACK TO CABRINI-GREEN AND THEY COULD NOT FIND HER NAME ON THE LIST THAT THE CHA CREATED OF PEOPLE WHO HAD THE RIGHT TO RETURN SO THE ANSWER WAS NO UNTIL EARLIER THIS YEAR, SOMEONE THOUGHT TO ACTUALLY CHECK HER SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND THERE SHE WAS THEY FOUND HER AND SHE WAS ABLE TO MOVE BACK THIS YEAR.

>> WOW.

CABRINI-GREEN RESIDENTS WERE ALSO PROMISED SOME 2500 CONSTRUCTION JOBS AND THERE WERE ONLY 40 FOR THE RESIDENTS.

TELL US WHAT YOU FOUND THERE?

>> AND THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROMISE FOR ME TO FIND BECAUSE THERE IS A PROMISE OF HOUSING AND THEY PROMISE OF BEING ABLE TO COME BACK WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND REPORTERS NUMEROUS REPORTERS BEFORE ME HAVE UPDATED IT WITH TODAY'S NUMBERS.

BUT THE PROMISE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THE CITY HAS SPENT WELL SPENT BY THE TIME IT'S OVER $2 BILLION REDEVELOPING THE COMMUNITY.

AND HERE IT WAS A PROMISE OF CREATING 2500 JOBS WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?

WE COULD ONLY FIND 40.

WE ENDED UP GETTING RECORDS FROM THE 1990s OF A CENTER THAT THE DALEY CENTER PUT IN CABRINI-GREEN TO MATCH RESIDENTS WITH JOBS AND WHAT WE FOUND WAS THAT MANY OF THE JOBS THAT WERE CREATED WERE NOT CONSTRUCTION JOBS.

THEY WERE LOWER PAYING JOBS IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRY.

AND WE ALSO RECEIVED DATA FROM THE CHA WHICH SHOWS THE SAME THING, THE JOBS CREATED ARE NOT THE HIGH PAYING CONSTRUCTION JOBS THAT THE DALEY ADMINISTRATION PROMISED.

>> AND TO BE CLEAR AT THE TIME THE COMMUNITY LEADERS THEY DID VOICE OPPOSITION TO THIS DEMOLITION AND ARGUED INSTEAD FOR THE HIGH-RISES TO BE REPAIRED AND RENOVATED VERSUS BEING DEMOLISHED.

AND YOU REPORTED TO THAT END THAT FOR YEARS BEFORE DEMOLITION, CABRINI-GREEN HAD BEEN NEGLECTED BY THE LANDLORD WHICH IS THE CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM CHA AND THE LIGHTFOOT ADMINISTRATION TODAY?

>> YOU KNOW WE'VE SPENT MONTHS REACHING OUT TO THE SPOKESPERSON OF THE CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY C.E.O.

TRACY SCOTT.

AND ASKED NUMEROUS TIMES TO MEET HER AND SHOW HER OUR FINDINGS.

AND WE DID THE SAME WITH THE LORI LIGHTFOOT ADMINISTRATION, WITH THE HOUSING COMMISSIONER NAVARA, WITH ALDERMAN BURNETT.

AND ALL OF THEM DECLINE THE INTERVIEW REQUEST.

>> OK. ALEJANDRA CANCINO BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, A PHOTOGRAPHER DOCUMENTS THE AMERICAN DREAM.

WE'LL EXPLAIN RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WITH MORE DETAILS ON TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

>> FIRST, MANY IMMIGRANTS DREAM OF OWNING AND OPERATING A SMALL BUSINESS.

A PHOTOGRAPHER HAS A PERSONAL UNDERSTANDING OF IMMIGRATION AND SPENT YEARS DOCUMENTING SMALL BUSINESSES HE CALLS HIS PROJECT IMMIGRANT OWNED AND ABOUT TO BE EXPANDED IN A BIG WAY.

MARC VITALI HAS THE STORY.

>> IN PILSEN A PHOTOGRAPHER REVISITS A BAKERY HE KNOWS WELL.

>> IMMIGRANT OWNED BUSINESSES ARE AS AMERICAN AS IT GETS.

LARGELY THE PEOPLE DOING THIS WORK AND STILL TAKING A RISK AND OPENING UP A SMALL BUSINESS ARE IMMIGRANTS, PEOPLE NEW IN THE COUNTRY AND IT IS VERY MUCH THAT AMERICAN DREAM WHICH FOR MANY PEOPLE IS ALIVE AND WELL AND AT THE SAME TIME IT'S STILL GOT THAT RISKY ELEMENT.

MANY BUSINESSES I'VE BEEN TO AND PHOTOGRAPHED AND WENT BACK THEY ARE CLOSED.

>> HE MAKES PORTRAITS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE PLACES.

>> TABLE GETS A LOT OF USE.

>> I WILL GO INTO A STORE THAT CATCHES MY EYE AND I WILL GO IN AND LOOK AROUND AND INTRODUCE MYSELF.

AND TELL THEM A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MY PROJECT AND ASK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THEIR BUSINESS.

>> IT'S ALMOST LIKE BEING INVITED INTO SOMEONE'S HOME DEPENDING ON THE WAY PEOPLE DECORATE THEIR SHOPS AND FAMILY USES THE SPACES.

IF WE LOSE THAT IT WILL BE DUNKIN DOUGHNUTS AND STARBUCKS AND IT WILL SUCK.

>> JONATHAN'S OTHER PROJECTS INCLUDING DOCUMENTING CAR CULTURE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

AND PHOTOGRAPHING THE ACTION AT A PAINTBALL COURSE THAT HE MANAGED IN HIS NATIVE LOS ANGELES.

NOW AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AT COLUMBIA COLLEGE HE HAD MODEST BEGINNINGS.

>> MY GRANDMOTHER HAD STORIES.

SHE CAME INTO THE COUNTRY UNDOCUMENTED AND WAS DEPORTED SEVERAL TIMES AND KEPT COMING BACK AND WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE HER LIFE HERE.

MY DAD HAD A SMALL BUSINESS HE IS NOT AN IMMIGRANT HIMSELF, HE IS A CHILD OF IMMIGRANTS, AND HE HAD A COMPUTER STORE WHEN I WAS GROWING UP.

I USED TO SPEND TIME IN MY DAD'S STOREFRONT.

I'D GET OUT OF SCHOOL AND COME OVER THERE AND HANGOUT AT THE SHOP AND DO HAVE HOMEWORK.

I HAVE AN AFFINITY FOR THESE SPACES GROWING UP IN ONE.

>> HIS WORK WILL BE ON VIEW IN LARGE FORMAT AT O'HARE AIRPORT WHEN THE TERMINAL 5 EXPANSION IS COMPLETED.

HE IS IN THE FIFTH YEAR OF THIS SERIES.

>> THE PROJECT IS A CELEBRATION OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE IMMIGRANTS TO THE CITY AS A WHOLE AND THE FABRIC OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS WE HAVE IN THE CITY.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> HIGHLIGHTS OF JONATHAN'S PROJECT WILL BE UNVEILED AT O'HARE LATER IN THE NEW YEAR YOU CAN SEE MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", THE CITY IS NOW HANDING OUT TEST STRIPS FOR THE OPIOID FENTANYL HOW THAT MIGHT REDUCE OVERDOSES.

>> YOU'RE TAKING AWAY YOUR RIGHT TO DECIDE WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR WARD TOMORROW.

>> IS ALDERMANIC PREROGATIVE DEAD AFTER COUNCILMEMBERS VOTE FOR A PROJECT OVER ANTHONY NAPOLITANO'S OBJECTIONS?

>> WE USE ART TO CUT NOISE.

>> HOW A COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN IS ENCOURAGING FOLKS TO GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION SETTLES YEARS LONG FEDERAL LAWSUITS WITH THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION THAT ARGUED LAYOFFS DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BLACK TEACHERS AND PARAPROFESSIONALS.

THE BOARD OK'd A $9.25 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH THE C.T.U.

GO TOWARD A FUND TO BENEFIT 400 PLUS STAFF MEMBERS LET GO UNERDER THE TURN AROUND POLICIES IN SCHOOLS BETWEEN 2012-2014.

C.P.S.

SAID THIS WEEK THAT RESOLVING THE MATTER WAS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE STUDENTS.

>> AND IT MAY BE HARD TO BELIEVE BUT TODAY IS THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST COVID-19 VACCINATIONS IN ILLINOIS.

Dr. DEL RIOS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS HEALTH SYSTEM WAS THE FIRST OF FIVE TO RECEIVE THE PFIZER VACCINE IN CHICAGO.

ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THAT SINCE THEN MORE THAN 18 MILLION DOSES HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED ACROSS THE STATE.

>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN VISITS TORNADO AFTER ADVANTAGED -- RAVAGED COMMUNITIES IN KENTUCKY.

BIDEN PLEDGED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD DO ALL IT CAN TO HELP STRICKEN COMMUNITIES RECOVER.

>> BACK IN THE 1900'S, DAWSON SPRINGS WAS A PLACE FOR PEOPLE CAME TO BE HEALED BECAUSE OF THE MINERAL WATERS.

WAS A PLACE YOU CAME TO HEAL.

NOW, IT'S OUR TURN TO HELP THE ENTIRE TOWN TO HEAL.

>> AT LEAST 88 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN FRIDAY NIGHT'S STORMS ACROSS SIX STATES INCLUDING SIX PEOPLE WHO DIED AFTER AN AMAZON WAREHOUSE COLLAPSED IN ILLINOIS.

THE HIGHEST DEATH TOLL WAS IN KENTUCKY WHERE 74 PEOPLE DIED AND 100 REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR.

>> AND FINALLY IF YOU THINK 60° DAYS IN DECEMBER ARE UNUSUAL YOU WOULD BE RIGHT.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS TODAY'S HIGH OF 65° IN CHICAGO BREAKS THE PREVIOUS RECORD FOR DECEMBER 15TH BY 1° SET 50 YEARS AGO BACK IN 1971.

>> AND NOW PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

A NEW EFFORT IS UNDERWAY TO HELP REDUCE THE NUMBER OF OVERDOSES IN CHICAGO BY DISTRIBUTING FENTANYL TEST STRIPS.

87% OF FATAL OVERDOSES IN COOK COUNTY THIS YEAR ARE RELATED TO FENTANYL WHICH IS A HIGHLY ADDICTIVE SYNTHETIC OPIOID.

THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS DISTRIBUTING THE TEST STRIPS TO TRY AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM THE DRUG.

AND JOINING US WITH MORE ARE Dr. WILNISE JASMIN, MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AT THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND JEPHTHAT MCDANIEL HIV TESTER AND NARCAN SPECIALIST WITH THE CHICAGO RECOVERY ALLIANCE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WHAT PROMPTED THE CITY TO START USING THESE FENTANYL TEST STRIPS?

>> TO ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTEXT TO IT AS A RESULT OF THE REPORTS THAT WERE RELEASED THAT SHOWS THERE WERE AN INCREASED OF NUMBER OF 7 DEATHS IN 2020 BY THE CDC, THEY ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT FEDERAL FUNDING MAY [INAUDIBLE] CAN BE USED TO PURCHASE FENTANYL TEST STRIPS.

AND SO AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WE DECIDED TO MOVE AHEAD TO PURCHASE THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE AN EFFECTIVE EVIDENCE-BASED.

>> AND HOW MANY HAS THE CITY DISTRIBUTED AND HOW DO THEY WORK?

>> SO SO FAR SINCE THE END OF OCTOBER WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE ABOUT 14-1500 STRIPS AND THE WAY THEY WORK THEY ONLY REQUIRE A SMALL AMOUNT OF THE SUBSTANCE THAT IS ABOUT TO BE USED TO BE DISSOLVED IN A LIQUID.

WE PROVIDE THE STERILE WATER AND WE'RE USING SMALL KETCHUP CUPS.

A STIR SOMETHING TO STIR IT WITH AND YOU PLACE THE STRIP IN TO TEST THE SUBSTANCE AND WAIT ONE OR TWO MINUTES FOR THE RESULTS.

>> HOW CRUCIAL HAVE THESE TEST STRIPS BEEN FROM WHAT YOU'VE SEEN ON THE GROUND?

>> WELL, FROM THE GROUND WORKING WITH THE INDIVIDUALS THEY HAVE BEEN A LIFE CHANGER.

AT MY SITE TODAY, I SAW 42 PEOPLE, 38 PEOPLE THEY WANTED THE TEST.

AND IT'S GIVEN THEM THAT FREEDOM TO USE THE DRUG AND SAFELY TO KNOW THEY ARE ABLE TO TEST THEIR DRUG AND HAVE THE OPTION TO KNOW IT'S FENTANYL ON THERE THEY KNOW THEY CAN USE THE DRUG AND USE LESS OF THE DRUGS OR USE THE DRUGS WITH NARCAN AS WELL.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OPIOIDS THERE'S BEEN FOR YEARS AND YEARS, A RASH OF HEROIN LACED WITH FENTANYL.

WHAT ABOUT THE ARGUMENT THAT THE CITY AND GROUP SHOULD BE DISCOURAGING ANY OPIOID USE AND THIS MIGHT BE ENCOURAGING THE USE EASTERN THOUGH IT'S ENCOURAGING A SAFER USE?

>> I WILL SAY THIS, SIR.

THIS PROBLEM IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

IT'S NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

DO WE WANT MORE DEATH TOLL NUMBERS TO CONTINUE TO RISE?

OR DO WE WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE STRIPS TO TEST THEIR DRUGS AND USE THE DRUGS SAFELY?

I SAY THOSE PEOPLE OPPOSED TO IT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE BROADER PICTURE.

IF WE DON'T OUR DEATH TOLL NUMBERS WILL KEEP RISING WITH THE OVERDOSE.

WE ALREADY POSTED [INAUDIBLE] AND FENTANYL CONTRIBUTED TO 82% OF THAT ALREADY WITH THE OVERDOSE.

SO THESE TEST STRIPS WITH THE NARCAN ARE LIFE CHANGERS.

THEY ARE CHANGING THE GAME.

AND IT IS A BEAUTIFUL THING.

I APPLAUD THE C.D.C.

FOR THIS.

>> OK AND THE OVERDOSE DEATHS AS WE MENTIONED IN 2020, THERE WERE 1844.

A LIGHT DIP IN 20211383.

ALTHOUGH PENDING CASES.

Dr. JASMINE IS IT THE MEASURABLE DROP A POSITIVE SIGN OVERALL?

>> ANYTIME WE SEE A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DEATHS WE ALWAYS SEE IT AS A POSITIVE SIGN.

THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF HARM REDUCTION IS TO REMOVE BARRIERS THAT ARE IN PLACE THAT CAN LEAD TO DEATH.

ANYTIME WE CAN SAVE A LIFE THROUGH MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO TEST THE DRUG BEFORE THEY USE IT OR TO HAVE THE DRUG REVERSAL MEDICATION, NARCAN AVAILABLE, WE [INAUDIBLE] IN ADDITION BY GIVING THE FENTANYL TEST KITS AWAY WE ARE HOPING TO START THIS CONVERSATION NOT ONLY WITH THE HARM REDUCTION OUTREACH ORGANIZATIONS, BUT ALSO IN SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES AND SOME HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS THAT THEY ARE ALSO SCREENING INDIVIDUALS SPECIFICALLY FOR FENTANYL.

>> AND AS WE MENTIONED THE VAST MAJORITY OF OPIOID DEATHS COME AS A RESULT OF FENTANYL.

WHY IS THAT Dr. JASMINE?

WHY AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF DEATHS DUE TO FENTANYL?

IS THERE MORE FENTANYL IN OPIOIDS THIS YEAR OVER YEARS PAST?

>> SINCE WE BEGAN TRACKING THE COMPONENTS OF THE DRUGS THAT ARE FOUND IN THE SYSTEMS FROM PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCE OVERDOSE DEATHS, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF FENTANYL PRESENT.

AND SO SOME OF THOSE REASONS COULD BE MULLIFY FACTORIAL.

SOME OF IT COULD BE RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC.

DUE TO THE BORDER CLOSURES.

SO THAT MIGHT HAVE MADE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE DRUGS TO COME INTO THE COUNTRY.

AND SO FENTANYL IS CHEAP AND EASY TO MAKE.

SO IT MADE IT EASIER TO TRANSPORT OR THERE MAY HAVE BEEN ADDITIONAL LABS THAT WERE STARTED WITHIN THE U.S. TO MANUFACTURE THE FENTANYL.

>> A LOT OF DEALERS CUT THE DRUGS WITH FENTANYL.

WHAT ELSE CAN CITY OFFICIALS DO TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF OVERDOSE DEATHS IN CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY AND ACROSS THE REGION?

>> PARTNER WITH ORGANIZATIONS.

LET'S GET THE STRIPS OUT AND THE NARCAN OUT THERE AND REMOVE THE STIGMA BEHIND ALL IT AND LET PEOPLE KNOW IT IS OK YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

THERE'S ORGANIZATIONS OUT HERE THAT WILL WORK WITH YOU AT ANY LEVEL YOU AT TO HELP YOU.

>> CERTAINLY OVERDOSE THE OTHER EPIDEMIC GOING ON ALONGSIDE COVID-19.

OUR THANKS TO JEPHTHAT MCDANIEL AND Dr. WILNISE JASMIN THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> AND UP NEXT, MORE ON THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TODAY IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

BUT FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... A ROUGH DAY IN CITY COUNCIL.

THE THOMPSON CENTER IS CLOSER TO BEING SOLD.

JOINING US ARE AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

HEATHER LET'S START WITH CARRIE AUSTIN COLLAPSING DURING THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT IS THE LATEST?

>> WELL, I WISH I KNEW I COULD GIVE PEOPLE AN UPDATE ON HER CONDITION WE JUST DON'T KNOW SHE SLUMPED OVER AND THIS COMES AFTER A HOST OF MEDICAL PROBLEMS THAT CARRIE AUSTIN HAS SUFFERED.

SHE IS 72 YEARS OLD.

SHE HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR LYING TO THE F.B.I.

AND FOR TAKING BRIBES.

SHE IS DUE BACK IN COURT TELEPHONICLY ON FRIDAY IN THE LAST HEARING HER ATTORNEY TOLD THE JUDGE SHE WAS SUFFERING SERIOUS ILLNESSES OF A CARDIAC NATURE AND THAT IS REALLY ALL WE KNOW.

IT WAS A FRIGHTENING MOMENT BUT AS WE HEARD THE MAYOR SAY IT WAS SOMEWHAT HEART WARMING TO SEE ALDERMEN RUSH TO HER AND MAKE SURE SHE WAS OK AND I KNOW MANY PEOPLE WERE GLAD THAT ANTHONY NAPOLITANO WAS THERE.

HE IS A FORMER FIREFIGHTER AND HE IS TRAINED TO HANDLE EMERGENCIES LIKE THAT.

>> AND ALSO AS HE REPORTED EARLIER WE KNOW SHE WAS CONSCIOUS AND IT SOUNDS LIKE SHE ASKED NOT TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.

WISHING GOOD HEALTH THERE AND WE KNOW SOME OF THE STUFF COULD BE POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTING FACTORS NONE OF US IS A DOCTOR.

ALDERPEOPLE ALSO APPROVED SPORTS BETTING AT CHICAGO'S PROFESSIONAL SPORTS ARENAS.

PARIS, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

BETTING WINDOWS WILL COME TO BULLS, HAWKS, BEARS, LOCATIONS?

>> SEEMS LIKE IT.

IT MEANS A LUCRATIVE REVENUE STREAM FOR ALL OF CHICAGO'S MAJOR PROFESSIONAL SPORTS FRANCHISES.

RARE WHEN YOU GET MOST OF THE BIG TIME OWNERS, RICKETTS AND WURTS COMING TO CITY COUNCIL LOBBYING FOR SOMETHING LIKE IT'S HARD TO IGNORE BECAUSE NEIL BLUHM WHO IS THE OWNER OF RUSH STREET GAMING THAT OWNS RIVERS CASINO AND HAS TWO BIDS OUT SAID DO NOT APPROVE THIS IT'S GOING TO CANNIBALIZE FUTURE POTENTIAL REVENUES AT A CHICAGO CASINO SOME SUSPECTED IT MIGHT TAKE BUSINESS AWAY FROM RIVER CASINO IN DES PLAINES BUT THE STUDY HAD A STUDY THAT SAID NO, THESE ARE DIFFERENT CLIENTELE A DIFFERENT PERSON THAT WILL WALK IN TO THIS NEW WHAT THEY WILL CALL THE DRAFTKINGS SPORTS BET AT WRIGLEYVILLE VERSUS THE CASINO AND BET AT THE SPORTSBOOK THERE.

LITTLE DISAGREEMENT ON WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON CASINOS AND RICKETTS SAID THAT NOW THIS IS APPROVED HE IS READY TO START BUILDING AND GET IT UP AND RUNNING IN 2023.

>> I WANT TO JUMP IN AND SAY THAT TOMORROW WE'RE GOING TO GET OUR FIRST LOOK AT THE FIVE CASINO PROPOSALS STARTING AT 1:00 P.M.

IT WILL BE ALL FIVE PROPOSALS WILL BE PRESENTED AT A PUBLIC HEARING.

AND IT WILL REALLY GIVE US I THINK THE FIRST CHANCE TO SEE WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED, WHERE AND WHAT THE CITY STANDS TO GAIN FROM THAT.

AND THESE ARE ALL CRUCIAL QUESTIONS BECAUSE THE CITY IS COUNTING ON REVENUE FROM A CAMPAIGN TO SHORE-UP THE POLICE AND FIRE PENSIONS.

THAT IS WHERE THIS MONEY IS GOING TO GO FROM A CASINO.

>> ALDERPEOPLE APPROVED A NEARLY $3 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH YOUNG FOR THE BOTCHED POLICE RAID OF THE SOCIAL WORKER'S HOME HERE IS WHAT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT HAD TO SAY ABOUT THAT TODAY.

>> WE RECOGNIZE WHAT MS. YOUNG WENT THROUGH THE TRAUMA SHE EXPERIENCED.

AND I THINK THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING.

UNANIMOUSLY.

WHICH RARELY HAPPENS ON MATTERS OF SETTLEMENTS.

CITY COUNCIL AFFIRMED THE AGREEMENT THAT HAD BEEN REACHED WITH MS. YOUNG AND HER COUNSEL TO PAY HER 2.9 MILLION.

>> THE MAYOR'S FORMER CORPORATION COUNSEL SLAMMED THE SETTLEMENT BUT HE WAS FIRED.

HOW DOES IT STACK UP WITH OTHER SETTLEMENTS FROM CITY HALL?

>> IT RANKS UP THERE.

BY COMPARISON THE FAMILY OF LAQUAN McDONALD WHO WAS SHOT AND MURDERED BY FORMER POLICE OFFICER JASON VAN DYKE HIS FAMILY GOT $5 MILLION.

IT IS IN THE SAME SORT OF BALL PARK BUT IT WASN'T THE ONLY HUGE SETTLE.

THE CITY GREED TO PAY 1.2 MILLION TO THE FAMILY OF A 14-YEAR-OLD TEEN WHO WAS SHOT IN THE BACK BY A POLICE OFFICER AND THEN KICKED IN THE HEAD WHILE HE LAID DYING AFTER A FOOT CHASE BACK IN 2014.

AND IT WILL NOT BE THE LAST FOOT CHASE POLICE MISCONDUCT LAWSUIT THAT WE WILL SEE.

OF COURSE WE ARE ALL REPORTING ON THE DEATH OF 13-YEAR-OLD ADAM TOLEDO IN MARCH SHOT AND WILL KILLED AFTER A FOOT CHASE.

>> CAN I JUMP IN.

MARK FLEISCHER WHO NOT ONLY SAID THAT HE HAD VERY HEATED COMMENTS FOR HIS FORMER BOSS THE MAYOR CALLING HER RUDE, PET LENGTH, DISASTER, RIPPING HER TO SHREDS THIS IS INTRIGUING BECAUSE NOT ONLY DID HE WORK TOGETHER HE HAS BEEN AN ALLY FOR LORI LIGHTFOOT YEARS AND YEARS, CLEARLY A MAJOR BREAK UP HERE AND HE IS UNHAPPY WITH HOW HE LOST HIS JOB.

BUT SAYING THINGS LIKE SHE'S BEEN A COMPLETE DISASTER AND JUST REMARKABLE COMMENTS THERE.

>> OUCH.

YES, HARSH WORDS FOR SOMEONE YOU USED TO BE FRIENDS WITH.

OTHER SETTLEMENTS TOTALED 2.2 MILLION.

DOES THE CITY BUDGET FOR THESE ESTIMATED SETTLEMENTS?

>> THE CITY DOES BUDGET NOT PRECISELY FOR THERE IS NO PREDICTING WHAT SITUATION, YES, THEY DO BUDGET MONEY FOR SETTLEMENTS.

THERE'S BEEN REPORTING FROM ANOTHER OUTLET I WANT TO SAY ABC THAT FOUND $67 MILLION SO FAR THIS YEAR IN POLICE MISCONDUCT.

SO, YES, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CITIES IT'S NOT JUST CHICAGO.

ALL CITIES DO THIS.

THESE ARE VERY TENSE SITUATIONS OFTENTIMES.

AND, OF COURSE, UNLESS THERE'S BASKETBALL A LOT OF DEBATE OVER QUALIFIED IMMUNITY.

IF YOU HAVE A POLICE OFFICER NOT PERSONALLY LEGALLY LIABLE FOR ANY SORT OF SITUATION, IT IS ON AN OFFICER'S EMPLOYER SO OFTEN A MUNICIPALITY TO TAKE THAT UP IF THERE IS ANY SORT OF MISCONDUCT OR WRONGDOING.

I DON'T FORESEE THOUGH AGAIN ILLINOIS HAS A VERY BIG CRIMINAL JUSTICE OVERHAUL THAT IS SLOWLY TAKING PLACE, THERE IS NO DISMANTLING OF QUALIFIED IMMUNITY AND I DON'T FORESEE THAT CHANGES ANYTIME SOON.

ANJANETTE YOUNG'S ATTORNEY STILL SAYS WHAT SHE WANTS IS NEVER TO HAVE THIS SITUATION HAPPEN TO HER BUT ALSO FOR THE CITY TO ACT AND DO THINGS LIKE MAKING SURE THAT POLICE WAIT BEFORE ENTERING A HOME EVEN IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS.

BANNING ANY SORT OF POINTING OF GUNS AT CHILDREN.

SHE WANTS MORE ACTION TAKEN.

BEYOND JUST A CASH OUT BUT MATERIALLY THAT SHE BRIEFS GOING FORWARD WILL SPARE OTHERS FROM BEING IN A SITUATION SUCH AS THE ONE SHE WAS IN.

>> AND SO ANTHONY NAPOLITANO'S ALDERMANIC PREROGATIVE OVERRULED AS ALDERPEOPLE BACKED A MAYOR BACKED APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT.

HOW RARE IS IT THAT ALDERMANIC PREROGATIVE IGNORED?

>> IT IS BASICALLY UNPRECEDENTED ESPECIALLY IN A HIGH PROFILE CASE LIKE THIS.

AND IT WAS FASCINATING TO HEAR MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAY YEP WE'RE ALL UNCOMFORTABLE DOING THIS BUT WE'RE DOING IT FOR TWO REASONS.

ONE WE NEED TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEAR O'HARE.

THIS BUILDING WILL BE BUILT ON THE BLUE LINE TWO STATIONS DOWN FROM O'HARE AND THIS IS AN ATTEMPT QUOTE TO BREAK THE GRIP OF SEGREGATION END QUOTE IN CHICAGO.

AND THOSE ARE VERY HIGH STAKES.

BECAUSE SHE WAS ELECTED ON PROMISES TO DO EXACTLY THAT AND THERE CAN BE NO ARGUMENT THAT ALDERMEN WHO REPRESENT WHITE WEALTHY WARDS IN CHICAGO USED THIS POWER TO PREVENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING FROM BEING BUILT IN THEIR WARDS AND THIS IS A REPUTATION OF THAT ABILITY AND WE WILL HAVE TO SEE WHETHER THIS IS A ONE-TIME THING OR WHETHER THIS CHANGES HOW THE CITY APPROACHES AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> QUICK PARIS TO THAT END IS THIS A SLIPPERY SLOPE ANTHONY NAPOLITANO IS WARNING HIS COLLEAGUES IT CAN HAPPEN TO THEM, TOO.

>> IT'S UNPRECEDENTED.

IT COULD BE A SLIPPERY SLOPE ON ISSUES OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT THE MAYOR WANTS TO HELP REDUCE SEGREGATION IN THE CITY.

I WOULD THINK THAT IT WON'T BE A SLIPPERY SLOPE ON OTHERS.

RIGHT NOW IN A PANDEMIC IT'S HARD TO VOTE AGAINST AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHEN PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING.

THE MAYOR PROMISED WE ARE GOING TO GET RID OF ALDERMANIC PREROGATIVE IT'S RIPE WITH CORRUPTION AND ALDERPEOPLE SAID WHO KNOWS THEIR WARDS BETTER.

THIS IS SOMETHING THE MAYOR CAMPAIGNED ON DOING.

>> MOVING OVER TO STATE POLITICS.

STATE IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO SELLING THE JAMES R. THOMPSON CENTER FOR $70 MILLION.

WHO IS THE BUYER AND WHAT DO THEY PLAN TO DO WITH THE BUILDING.

>> THEY PLAN TO KEEP A LOT OF IT INTACT THERE'S GOING TO BE A GLASS CURTAIN THAT WILL HELP TO PREVENT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW WITH ALL THE NOISE THAT COMES FROM THE FAST FOOD COURT AND THE CTA AND IT BEING A PUBLIC BUILDING AND PEOPLE WHO ARE STATE EMPLOYEES OF COURSE ARE TRYING TO GO ABOUT THEIR WORKDAY AND BE ON CALLS.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WORK THERE LET ME TELL YOU THERE IS A LOT OF EXCITEMENT FOR AT LEAST SOMETHING TO BE DONE.

THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF IMAGES YOU CAN SEE.

WATER DRIPPING EVERY EVERY TIME IT RAINS.

TODAY IT WAS VERY, VERY HOT IN THERE BECAUSE THAT WARM WEATHER.

I WILL SAY WHAT IS INTERESTING IS THE STATE GETTING I BELIEVE $70 MILLION IS WHAT PRIME GROUP IS PAYING FOR THIS.

ILLINOIS EVENTUALLY GOING TO IN FACT PAY SOME BACK BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO LEASE-BACK THE OFFICE SPACE.

THIS, OF COURSE, DOES KEEP THE BUILDING INTACT AND I'M NOT PRIVY TO ALL THE AGREEMENT AT A TIME WHEN GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S PREDECESSOR BRUCE RAUNER HAD BEEN LOOKING HE WAS AIMING TO GET UPWARDS OF 200-300 MILLION TO SELL THIS PRIME PIECE OF PROPERTY RIGHT IN THE LOOP.

SO ILLINOIS GETTING IT OFF ITS HANDS A LOT OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.

BUT CERTAINLY IT IS A DIFFERENT REAL ESTATE WORLD THAN HAD THIS OCCURRED YEARS PRIOR.

>> AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER DOWN-PLAYING A RUMOR HE HAD PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRATIONS.

HE LAUGHED IT OFF BUT WHERE DID THE RUMOR COME FROM.

>> IT CAME FROM THE "NEW YORK TIMES" AND GENERALLY THIS IS A GIVE RESPECT TO FELLOW JOURNALISTS WHO HAVE DONE THEIR HOMEWORK AND I THINK IT IS NOT OUTSIDE THE REALM OF POSSIBILITY FOR PRITZKER TO BE MENTIONED BECAUSE HE IS A GOVERNOR OF A BIG STATE AND ALSO HE HAS A LOT OF CONNECTIONS WITH DEMOCRATS BEFORE HE BECAME ILLINOIS' GOVERNOR HE FUNDED MANY A CAMPAIGN MANY HE HAS THE DOLLARS TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

AND TO GET THAT GOING.

BUT HE IS VERY MUCH FOCUSED HE SAYS ON THE NEXT GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

AND THIS IS SORT OF PUTTING THE DONKEY BEFORE THE CART IF YOU WILL WHEN IT COMES TO DEMOCRATIC POLITICS.

IT WAS A MENTION THAT CAUSED A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY BUT IN ILLINOIS, I'M GOING TO SAY I AM MORE FOCUSED AS I'M SURE THE PRITZKER CAMP IS AS WELL ON THE 22 ELECTION.

ANYTIME SOMEBODY SAYS YOU WOULD BE GOOD FOR PRESIDENT AND FOLKS WITH WHITE HOUSE CONNECTIONS IT HAS TO FEEL GOOD, RIGHT?

>> COOK COUNTY DEMOCRATS OFFICIALLY ENDORSED CANDIDATES ALEXI GIANNOULIAS AND FRITZ KAEGI, ANY SURPRISE WITH THESE ENDORSEMENTS?

>> A LITTLE BIT.

ALEXI GIANNOULIAS OF COURSE RAN FOR SENATE UNSUCCESSFULLY.

HE DID SERVE IN STATE-WIDE OFFICE SO HE DOES HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF BEING ABLE TO WIN STATE-WIDE.

IT IS A HOTLY CONTESTED PRIMARY.

HE FACES CITY CLERK ANNA VALENCIA AND TWO ALDERPEOPLE, PAT DOWELL AND DAVID MOORE AND I THINK THERE WERE A NUMBER OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY MEMBERS WHO VOTED NOT TO ENDORSE IN THAT RACE AND HIS ENDORSEMENT CAME WITH A SLIGHT MAJORITY OF PEOPLE.

THAT RACE IS VERY MUCH UP FOR GRABS IN THE COOK COUNTY ASSESSOR RACE, FRITZ KAEGI WAS ELECTED FOUR YEARS AGO.

PROMISING TO REVISE THE WAY THE COUNTY ASSESSES PROPERTIES IN TERMS OF TAXES.

HE MADE A LOT OF PEOPLE UNHAPPY BECAUSE HE HAS SAID THAT THE SYSTEM WAS UNFAIR AND IF YOU CHANGE THE SYSTEM THAT MEANS SOMEBODY HAS TO PAY MORE.

HE IS FACING KERRY STEEL A CURRENT MEMBER OF THE METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT AND HER HUSBAND MAYS JACKSON A WELL-KNOWN RADIO PERSONALITY SAYS WILL RUN TENSE TONI PRECKWINKLE HE IS ANGRY HIS WIFE DID NOT GET THE NOD.

WE WILL HAVE TO WATCH THAT.

BUT THESE ELECTIONS ARE RIGHT AROUND THE RIVERBEND AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TIME.

>> IT WILL BE A FUN ELECTION YEAR FOR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

PARIS BEFORE WE LET YOU ALL GO, ILLINOIS' POT CZAR LEAVING PUBLIC LIFE TO HEAD UP A CANNABIS LOBBYING LOOP.

IS THAT A QUICK TURN AROUND IS NOT THERE A LIMIT WHEN YOU GO LOBBY?

>> WHEN YOU ARE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

HE WAS A STATE SENATOR AND THEN THE GOVERNOR BROUGHT HER INTO TO BE THE TOP ADVISER ROLE IN CHARGE OF THE CANNABIS PROGRAM SO SHE IS NOT PRIVY TO THE RULES BUT A RESOLVING DOOR AND SHE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN CRAFTING ILLINOIS' CANNABIS REGULATIONS AND NOW SHE WILL SEE A LUCRATIVE CAREER.

AND LEGISLATORS LEVERAGE THEIR KNOWLEDGE TO GET JOBS IN THOSE INDUSTRIES THAT THEY WERE MAKING LAWS ON.

SO BUT, NO, SHE WOULDN'T BE SUBJECT TO ANY OF THE REVOLVING DOOR PROVISIONS WHICH ARE WEAK TO BEGIN WITH IN ILLINOIS.

>> ANOTHER DISCUSSION FOR ANOTHER SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

HEATHER CHERONE, AMANDA VINICKY AND PARIS SCHUTZ THANKS, GUYS.

>> UP NEXT, USING ART TO PROMOTE PUBLIC HEALTH.

THEY SAY A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS BUT IN THIS CASE SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS HOPE A PICTURE WILL SAVE A LIFE.

ANGEL IDOWU RECENTLY TOOK US TO ENGLEWOOD WHERE A MURAL IS WORKING TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> ON 63rd AND HALSTED AN ENGLEWOOD FAMILY STANDS WITH AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE THAT READS...

PROTECT YOURSELF AND THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE.

COMMISSIONED BY AMPLIFIER A NONPROFIT COMMITTED TO HIGHLIGHTING COMMUNITY ISSUES THROUGH ART AND MEDIA, ARTIST BRANDON BREAUX CREATED A MURAL TO PROMOTE VACCINE AWARENESS.

BRANDON BREAUX SAYS IN A MEDIA DRIVEN WORLD WITH A LOT OF FALSE INFORMATION HE WANTED TO USE HIS ART TO EDUCATE.

>> WE USE ART TO CUT THROUGH THE NOISE AND ART HAS A HISTORY TRACK RECORD OF BEING ABLE TO DO SO.

SO WE BEAUTIFY OUR COMMUNITY.

WE CREATE THIS WORK IN THE HOPES IT LEAVES PEOPLE INFORMED AND UPLIFTED.

>> THIS IMAGE DISPLAYS THE EVANS FAMILY, FATHER DALE, MOTHER AND SON.

THEY ARE FOUNDER OF HARVEST CHURCH.

>> WE ARE HERE WE TRY TO HELP AND WE MIGHT NOT EACH OTHER BY NAME BUT WE FEEL THE PAIN.

WE GO THROUGH THE SAME THING.

>> THEY HOPE THEIR ADVOCACY WILL NOT ONLY STRETCH BEYOND THE HOMES OF THEIR NEIGHBORS BUT WITHIN THEIR FAMILY AS WELL.

LIKE WITH THEIR ELDEST SON WHO WAS NOT FEATURED.

OUR GRANDCHILDREN IS VACCINATED.

MY SON IS NOT VACCINATED.

I HOPE HE SEES THIS.

>> WHILE THIS MURAL MIGHT BE TEMPORARY BRANDON BREAUX HOPES AT THE MESSAGE BEHIND IT LIVES FOREVER.

>> WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PUT OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD AND SHOWING UP.

AND HAVING THAT STORY SO THAT THE FUTURE CAN HAVE AN EXAMPLE WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE.

FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> AGAIN THAT MURAL STANDS AT 63TH AND HALSTED AND FEATURES A QR CODE TO THE COVID INFORMATION CENTER AND THE COMPANY IS A SPONSOR OF THE PROJECT.

AND WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

AND YOU CAN GET THE SHOW VIA FACEBOOK, YouTube AND OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> YOU CAN GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M.

LANDMARKS AND COMMUNITY FAVORITES IN HISTORIC GRAND BOULEVARD AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> AND A CHICAGO THESPIAN MAKES HER BROADWAY DEBUT.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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