[♪♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> Mr. SMOLLETT DID EXACTLY WHAT WE SAID HE DID.

>> A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR FINDS MAJOR FAILURE IN HOW THE COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HANDLED THE JUSSIE SMOLLETT CASE.

>> I KNOW PEOPLE ARE SCARED.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT UNVEILED A CRIME FIGHTING STRATEGY BUT WILL HER PLANS GET OFF THE GROUND?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF TALK OVER THE YEARS ABOUT ACTUALLY DEMOLISHING THE BUILDING WHICH WOULD BE A TRAVESTY.

>> A DEAL IS IN THE WORKS TO SAVE AND OVERHAUL THE THOMPSON CENTER HOW IT COULD CHANGE THE ICONIC BUILDING.

>> TOOK A BITE AND HAD TO SPIT IT OUT BECAUSE IT TASTED LIKE NOTHING I HAD TASTED BEFORE.

>> WE CHECK IN ON COVID LONG-HAULERS AS DOCTORS ARE SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS BEHIND THEIR SYMPTOMS.

>> AMTRAK CRANKS UP THE SPEED BETWEEN CHICAGO AND ST. LOUIS THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

NASA PLANS TO LAUNCH THE MOST POWERFUL TELESCOPE EVER.

A LOCAL ASTRONOMER SHARES UP CLOSE DETAILS.

WE HEAD TO WICKER PARK TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE ARTIST BEHIND 100 ZOOM PORTRAITS.

>> PLUS A ROUND UP OF HOLIDAY SHOWS AND HOW THEATERS IN CHICAGO ARE KEELING WITH THE LATEST COVID OUTBREAK.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT IS CALLING FOR FEDERAL HELP TO ASSIST WITH CHICAGO'S VIOLENCE.

SHE IS ASKING ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND TO SEND MORE A.T.F.

AGENTS, FEDERAL PROSECUTORS AND MARSHALLS TO HELP AS MORE THAN 800 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SHOT AND KILLED THIS YEAR IN CHICAGO.

>> NO EXCUSES.

WE MUST DO BETTER.

WE HAVE TAKEN STOCK, ANALYZED THE DATA AND WE WILL BE MAKING THE NECESSARY CHANGES GOING INTO THE NEW YEAR.

BUT REST ASSURED, NONE OF US WILL REST UNTIL WE BRING PEACE TO THIS CITY.

>> AND WE'LL HAVE MORE DETAILS ON THE MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS LATER IN THE SHOW WITH AMANDA VINICKY.

PLEASE STAY TUNED.

>> ILLINOIS HOSPITALS ARE STRAINING UNDER THE INFLUX OF CORONAVIRUS CASES.

NEARLY 4,000 PEOPLE WITH COVID-19 ARE CURRENTLY IN HOSPITALS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

AND THAT IS THE HIGHEST IT'S BEEN SINCE DECEMBER 31 OF 2020.

AND 1100 IN THE ICU AND 432 PATIENTS WITH COVID ON VENTILATORS.

ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE REPORTING MORE THAN 12,000 NEW COVID CASES.

THAT IS THE LARGEST ONE-DAY INCREASE IN THE ENTIRE YEAR.

THERE WERE 11 ADDITIONAL DEATHS REPORTED TODAY.

SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN THERE'S BEEN MORE THAN 1.9 MILLION TOTAL CASES IN THE STATE INCLUDING 27,228 DEATHS.

THE POSITIVITY RATE IS 7.1%, A JUMP FROM 6.2% ON FRIDAY.

THE LAST TIME TEST POSITIVITY WAS REPORTED THAT HIGH WAS ON JANUARY 17TH.

>> THE F.B.I.

IS EXPANDING ITS PROBE OF LORETTO HOSPITAL'S DISTRIBUTION OF COVID-19 VACCINATIONS TO A SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN CHURCH.

THE VALLEY KINGDOM MYSTERIES INTERNATIONAL CHURCH IS REPORTEDLY CONNECTED TO THE HOSPITAL'S C.E.O.

GEORGE MILLER.

HUNDREDS OF CONGREGANTS WERE VACCINATED IN FEBRUARY WHEN SHOTS WERE SCARCE.

AT THE TIME VACCINES WERE DESIGNATED FOR PEOPLE OVER 65 AND ESSENTIAL FRONTLINE AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

THE F.B.I.

IS ALSO INVESTIGATING VACCINATIONS OF INELIGIBLE WORKERS AT TRUMP TOWER WHERE FORMER CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER LIVED AND AT A LUXURY WATCH SHOP WHERE HE WAS A FREQUENT CUSTOMER.

THE BOARD DECIDED TO SUSPEND MILLER FOR TWO WEEKS WITHOUT PAY IN MARCH AND AHMED RESIGNED.

NO CRIMINAL CHARGES HAVE YET BEEN FILED AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBE.

>> UP NEXT THE FINDINGS OF THE NEWLY RELEASED REPORT ON THE STATE'S ATTORNEY'S HANDLING OF THE JUSSIE SMOLLETT CASE.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> NEW DETAILS ON THE COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY'S HANDLING OF THE ORIGINAL JUSSIE SMOLLETT CASE.

THE JUDGE MADE THE SPECIAL PROPERTY CUTER'S FULL REPORT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC TODAY.

THE INVESTIGATION INTO COOK COUNTY'S STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX AND HER OFFICE FOUND QUOTE MAJOR FAILURE IN THE WAY THIS CASE WAS HANDLED.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER MATT MASTERSON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

AND MATT, FOR OUR VIEWERS THIGHS IS PROBING WHY THE STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DROPPED THAT INITIAL CASE QUICKLY WITHOUT ANY ADMISSION OF GUILT FROM Mr. SMOLLETT AND LENIENT CONDITIONS.

WHAT ARE THE BIG TAKEAWAYS OF THIS REPORT?

>> THE INITIAL FINDINGS WERE RELEASED A YEAR AGO BUT THIS GAVE US DETAIL WHAT WENT INTO THE DISMISSAL IN 2019.

WEBB'S OFFICE FOUND THERE WERE ABUSES IN FOXX'S OFFICE.

AND IT WASN'T THE PRODUCT OF ANY OUTSIDE INFLUENCE OR SOME TYPE OF CRIMINAL MISCONDUCT AS HAS BEEN SPECULATED.

IT WAS STILL MAJOR FAILINGS THAT WENT IN TO THIS DECISION, INCLUDING SOME FALSE STATEMENTS MADE TO THE PUBLIC BETWEEN FOXX AND SOME OF HER ATTORNEYS.

SO WHILE IT WASN'T SO MUCH A FOXX AND SMOLLETT ISSUE BUT DISARRAY IN HER OFFICE LEADING UP TO THE CASE.

>> WHAT WERE THE FALSE STATEMENTS?

>> SHE MADE STATEMENTS WHY THE CASE WAS HANDLED THE WAY IT WAS IT WAS MATCHING UP WITH PREVIOUS DISPOSITIONS IN HER OFFICE AND HER AND ONE OF THE PROPERTYCUSERS, JOE -- PROSECUTORS BOTH MADE COMMENTS TRYING TO EXPLAIN HOW THIS DECISION CAME TO BE SO QUICKLY AFTER JUST WITHIN THREE WEEKS OF THIS INITIAL INDICTMENT BEING CHARGED AGAINST SMOLLETT IN 2019.

>> READING THROUGH THE REPORT, KIM FOXX IS INTERVIEWED BY THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR AND RECUSED HERSELF FROM THE CASE AND TELLS THE PROSECUTOR IN THE PROBE SHE WAS SURPRISED THAT HER LAWYERS DID DROP THE CASE IN THE LENIENT MANNER THEY DID.

AND FIGURED MAYBE THEY WERE TRYING TO GET SMOLLETT OUT OF TOWN.

DOES THAT SQUARE WITH WHAT THE PROBE FOUND?

>> SHE HAS REPEATEDLY SAID THAT SHE HAD INITIALLY RECUSED HERSELF AND FORMERLY RECUSED HERSELF FROM THE CASE.

SHE STEPPED AWAY AND LEFT THE CASE UP TO THE PROSECUTORS HER STATE'S ATTORNEYS HANDLING THE CASE.

SHE WAS GETTING CONSTANT UPDATES ABOUT THE CASE FROM OTHER ATTORNEYS IN THE OFFICE.

AND THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY TRACK WITH THE STATEMENT SHE WAS SURPRISED BECAUSE SHE WAS GETTING UPDATES SO OFTEN WHICH THE REPORT FOUND WAS SURPRISING TO OTHER ATTORNEYS THAT SHE WOULD RECUSE HERSELF AND GETTING UPDATES AS REGULARLY AS SHE WAS.

>> THIS PROBE DOESN'T FIND CRIMINAL WRONGDOING WITH THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BUT A MAJOR ETHICS VIOLATION IS THERE MORE SCRUTINY ON KIM FOXX AS A RESULT OF WHAT WAS RELEASED TODAY?

>> THERE CERTAINLY COULD BE.

IT DID NOT LEAD TO CRIMINAL CHARGES THAT WEBB RECOMMENDED AGAINST FOXX OR ANYONE IN THE OFFICE BUT HE PLANS TO SEND HIS FINDINGS TO THE ARGC AND IT'S POSSIBLE THEY COULD INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER LEVY SANCTIONS AGAINST FOXX OR OTHER ATTORNEYS.

SHE COULD FACE EXTRA SCRUTINY.

SHE ISSUED A STATEMENT THIS EVENING SAYING THAT SHE RESPECTFULLY DISAGREED ABOUT WEBB'S FINDINGS IN REGARDS TO USE OF PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION BUT SHE DID NOT MAKE ANY MENTION IN THE STATEMENT ABOUT THE FALSE STATEMENTS THAT AND THEY MADE.

>> I REMEMBER WHEN McGATS TALKED TO YOU, MATT, ABOUT THE RATIONALE FOR DROPPING THAT CASE SO QUICKLY.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR JUSSIE SMOLLETT HIMSELF?

>> HE WAS CONVICTED THE WEEK BEFORE LAST ON FIVE OF THE SIX DISORDERLY CONDUCT CHARGES THAT DAN WEBB'S TEAM FILED AGAINST HIM.

HE IS DUE BACK IN COURT FOR A HEARING NEXT MONTH AND AT THAT POINT OR LATER THERE WILL BE A SCHEDULING HEARING SET -- SENTENCING SCHEDULING HEARING SET.

>> MORE TO FOLLOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> A PROGRAMMING NOTE WE WILL BE JOINED BY SPECIAL PROSECUTOR DAN WEBB ON TOMORROW'S PROGRAM.

YOU CAN READ MATT'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE AND FIND A LINK TO OUR REPORT AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> A REPRIEVE FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS BUILDING IN THE LOOP ALSO NOBODY AS THE THOMPSON CENTER.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A DEAL TO SELL THE LOVE IT OR HATE IT STATE BUILDING DOWNTOWN TO THE PRIME GROUP FOR $70 MILLION.

THE DEVELOPMENT FIRM PLANS TO OVERHAUL THE HELMUT JAHN STRUCTURE RATHER THAN DEMOLISH IT AS OTHERS PROPOSED.

>> WE TOOK A LOOK AT THE PROBLEMS THAT PLAGUED THIS BUILDING SINCE 1985 WHEN IT OPENED AND THE PROBLEMS WERE MANAGEABLE AND ACTUALLY THE PROBLEMS WITH THE BUILDING REALLY BECOME THE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE THIS BUILDING ICONIC AND SPECIAL AND RETURN IT TO THE CITY INVENTORY AS A CLASS A ASSET.

>> AND JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE THOMPSON CENTER ARE BONNIE MCDONALD, PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF LANDMARKS ILLINOIS.

AND LEE BEY A MEMBER OF THE "CHICAGO SUN-TIMES" EDITORIAL BOARD AND ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AT THE COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE.

WELCOME BACK.

LEE YOU HAVE BEEN A FAN OF THIS HELMUT JAHN BUILDING FOR A LONGTIME.

YOUR REACTION TO THIS NEW PLAN?

>> VERY MUCH IS A STAY OF EXECUTION BY THE GOVERNOR FOR THIS BUILDING.

I WAS SURPRISED.

WE ALWAYS THOUGHT "THE SUN TIMES" THAT PRESERVATION WAS THE MOST ECONOMICAL CHOICE.

UNLIKELY FOR A DEVELOPER TO SPEND $200 MILLION FOR THIS SITE.

DEMOLISH IT AND SPEND, ALMOST A BILLION ON THE SITE.

THE NUMBERS DID NOT WORK.

PRESERVATION MADE THE MOST SENSE I DIDN'T THINK THEY WOULD DO IT.

RETAIN THE BUILDING AND NOW IT HAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED.

MIXED FEELINGS.

BUT ON THE WHOLE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED.

>> THERE WERE WILD IDEAS THROWN IN LIKE AN INDOOR WATER PARK.

I DON'T KNOW HOW SERIOUS THAT WAS.

BONNIE MCDONALD THIS WAS NO SURE THING HOW DO YOU THINK PRESERVATION WON THE DAY IN THE END?

>> WELL, I THINK PRESERVATION WON THE DAY BECAUSE IT WAS THE REASONABLE OPTION.

WHEN YOU LOOK PRAGMATICLY AT THE COMMENTS HE MADE IT'S TALKING ABOUT TIMED MARKET REUSING A BUILDING ALLOWS HIM TO GET THE PROPERTY BACK ON THE MARKET MORE QUICKLY AND IT'S MORE COST-EFFECTIVE BECAUSE YOU CAN REUSE THE MATERIAL AND CREATE MORE JOBS IT MAKES SENSE.

>> AND LEE IT'S BEEN A CONTROVERSIAL DESIGN LOVE IT OR YOU HATE IT, YOU LOVE IT.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE IT'S WORTHY OF LANDMARK STATUS?

>> IT LIKE ALL GOOD BUILDINGS CAPTURES A MOMENT IN CHICAGO'S HISTORY.

AND OF COURSE THE WORK OF A STELLAR ARCHITECT AND THE BUILDING HAS ALL THE CONTROVERSIES WE KNOW BUT THIS BUILDING HELP SET HOME JAHN'S CAREER PATH ON TO GREATNESS.

IMAGINE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS BEFORE THE STATE OF ILLINOIS BUILDING, THE DALEY CENTER AND THIS COMES ALONG.

OPEN, TRANSPARENT, COLORFUL.

SYMBOLIZING A NEW CHICAGO.

AND THAT IS WORTH CAPTURING PRESERVING AND WORTH TALKING ABOUT.

>> POPULOUS BUILDING WITH THE OPEN DESIGN THERE.

>> BONNIE MCDONALD, SO THIS DEAL HAS THE STATE PAYING A NET OF $70 MILLION OVER THE LONG-TERM THEY GET 70 MILLION UP FRONT AND PAY 140 OVER TIME TO KEEP THEIR OFFICES HERE S THIS A GOOD DEAL FOR TAXPAYERS?

AND WE SHOULD NOTE THAT THE DEVELOPER WILL PAY FOR ALL OF THE RENOVATIONS WHATEVER THAT IS GOING TO COST?

>> THAT IS IMPORTANT WHAT YOU MENTIONED THE DEVELOPER IMPROVES THE BUILDING AND RETURNS A CLASS A ASSET TO OUR COMMUNITY.

SO NOT ONLY DO WE GET A KEEP A PORTION OF THAT AND PROFITS, THE STATE CAN LOCATE OFFICES THERE A PORTION OF THE OFFICES WHERE WE HAVE EXCELLENT TRANSIT ACCESS WHERE WE HAVE THIS AMAZING SPACE THAT IS INSPIRATION.

THIS IS WONDERFUL FOR THE TAXPAYERS AND FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE OUR SKYLINE AS WELL.

>> LEE BEY I'VE SPENT TIME IN THAT BUILDING CHASING DOWN POLITICAL FIGURES, FOR STORIES.

I KNOW THE PROBLEMS WELL, CARPETS, WATER DAMAGE, HEATING AND INSULATION PROBLEMS.

TELL THE VIEWERS THE THINGS THAT REALLY NEED TO BE UPGRADED?

>> THE MECHANICAL SYSTEMS WOULD HAVE TO BE UPGRADED.

THE PLAN CALLS FOR PUTTING IN NEW EXTERIOR SKIN ON THE BUILDING WITHOUT SO MUCH SOLAR GAIN.

THOSE THINGS.

WHICH FOR A 30-YEAR-OLD BUILDING YOU MAY HAVE TO DO ANYWAY.

THE STATE SUFFERED THROUGH THIS BUT IT'S REACHED THE POINT AGE WISE WHERE THESE ARE THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO ANYWAY.

I REMEMBER THE DALEY CENTER HAVING TO GO THROUGH REGLAZING WHEN IT TURNED 40.

WE BOTH GOT CREEPY AT 40, SO THIS THING HAPPENS.

>> I'M CLOSING IN ON THAT LEE BEY.

SO KNOCK ON WOOD THAT THINGS GO ALL RIGHT.

BONNIE, ONE OF THE NOTABLE FEATURES I THINK THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN BY DESIGN IF YOU GO INTO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE YOU CAN HEAR EVERYTHING THAT IS HAPPENING IN THE BUILDING DOWN IN LIKE THE ATRIUM.

YOU HAVE THE JESSE WHITE TUMBLERS ARE PERFORMING.

THAT IS A THING WE NOTICED.

WHAT IS A MODERNIZED THOMPSON CENTER GOING TO LOOK TO YOU?

>> WHAT WE'VE SEEN SO FAR FROM THE ARCHITECTS WHICH IS JAHN THE FIRM OF HELMUT JAHN THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FIRM COMING BACK TO GIVE US A NEW VISION FOR THAT AND TO BRING FORWARD SOME OF HELMET'S VISION FOR THIS BUILDING.

WE'RE STILL GOING TO SEE AT THAT TIME AMAZING ATRIUM, THE AWE INSPIRING SPACE.

YOU WATCH PEOPLE WALK IN AND LOOK UP AND LOOK INSPIRED.

WE WILL KEEP THAT BUT AS LANDMARKS ILLINOIS PUT FORWARD PUT A NEW CITIZEN INSIDE THE ATRIUM SO IT'S EASIER TO CONTROL THE HEATING AND COOLING.

IT REMAINS THE TRANSPARENCY OF GOVERNMENT.

AND WE HAVE THAT WONDERFUL PLAZA FEELING.

YOU CAN ACCESS THE CTA STATION AND IT DOES MAINTAIN THE EXTERIOR AS FAR AS THE DESIGN INTENT WAS CONCERNED.

WE MIGHT SEE A NEW SKIN BUT YOU STILL GOT THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THE BUILDING.

>> AND WE SHOULD KNOW THAT HELMUT JAHN TRAGICALLY DIED THIS YEAR IN A BIKE ACCIDENT.

HE WANTED THIS BUILDING TO BE PRESERVED.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HE WOULD FEEL ABOUT THIS DEAL?

>> I WOULD LOVE TO BE IN A POSITION HE WAS IN A POSITION TO ASK, RIGHT?

BECAUSE THERE IS A BIT OF A DISCONNECT BY MY EYE FROM THE SCHEMATIC RENDERINGS PRESENTED TO THE MEDIA AND THE INTERIORS AND THE APPROACH THAT HELMET TOOK TWO YEARS AGO WHEN HE WORKED WITH YOU GUYS IN HIS VISION, ABOUT THE COLOR WAS PRESERVED AND THAT KIND OF THING.

DY NOT SEE THAT IN THIS.

I WONDER.

BUT I'M HOPING GETTING AN EARLY GLIMPSE AND IT WILL TILT THE RIGHT WAY.

>> BONNIE YOU WANT TO JUMP IN ON THAT SINCE LEE MENTIONED YOU WORKED WITH HIM ON THAT?

>> WE DID.

WE WORKED TOGETHER TO TRY TO FIND A SOLUTION THAT WOULD REUSE THE BUILDING THAT BENEFITED THE TAXPAYERS.

IT WAS A WIN-WIN FOR THE CITY AND WE BROUGHT FORWARD AN IDEA OF MAINTAINING THE COLORS AND POSSIBLY ADDING A TOWER.

I THINK LEE IS RIGHT WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A WAIT-AND-SEE APPROACH HOW THIS DESIGN CONTINUES TO EVOLVE.

BUT WE HAVE TAKEN THIS MOMENT TO CELEBRATE THE BIG PICTURE THE BUILDING WE TRIED TO BE OPTIMISTIC BUT IT WAS TOUGH TO BE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT A REUSE OF THIS BUILDING ALONG THE WAY THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.

WE WERE THRILLED TO SEE THE BUILDING IS GOING TO BE USED AND HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE TO THE PEOPLE AND FROM A SUSTAINABILITY STANDPOINT AND KEEPING THAT CTA STATION RUNNING.

IT IS A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYBODY.

>> VERY INTERESTING DEAL AND WE'LL FOLLOW AS THIS DEAL CLOSES.

OUR THANKS TO BONNIE MCDONALD AND LEE BEY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

>> COVID-19 SYMPTOMS LIKE SHORTNESS OF BREATH, EXTREME FATIGUE, DISTORTED TASTE AND SMELL HAVE NOT BEEN GOING AWAY.

PEOPLE EXPERIENCING AFTER MORE THAN 30 DAYS OF INFECTION ARE REFERRED TO AS COVID LONG-HAULERS.

MANY ARE SEARCHING FOR TREATMENT FOR THESE SYMPTOMS.

HERE TO DISCUSS LONG-HAUL COVID IS JOSHUA KAYHAND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON LONG-TERM SYMPTOMS YOU ARE SEEING IN PATIENTS?

>> DEFINITELY, FATIGUE IS VERY COMMON AMONGST OUR CLINICAL POPULATION.

HEADACHES AND WHAT I SPECIALIZE IN WHICH IS PROBLEMS WITH MEMORY AND THINKING.

>> AND TELL US ABOUT THE WORK YOU ARE DOING ON THE NEUROCOVID-19 CLINIC?

>> SO WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT WE SEE ANYBODY WITH NEUROLOGIC SYMPTOMS AFTER THEIR CORONAVIRUS INFECTION THAT HAS PERSISTED.

AND WHEN THEY COME TO THE CLINK THEY DO INITIAL COGNITIVE SCREENING AND BASED ON THEIR RESULTS OF THAT THEY MIGHT END UP SEEING ME FOR A MORE THOROUGH COGNITIVE TESTING.

AND BASED ON WHAT THEIR SYMPTOMS ARE AND WHAT OTHER THINGS MAY BE CONTRIBUTING WE'LL COME WITH A TREATMENT PLAN FOR THEM.

>> THIS AFTERNOON WE SPOKE WITH A COVID LONG-HAULER SHE HAD COVID MORE THAN A YEAR AGO AND IT CONTINUES TO IMPACT HER DAY-TO-DAY LIFE.

TAKE A LISTEN.

>> THROUGHOUT THE DAY, STOP AND TAKE A BREAK TO REFILL MY WATER BOTTLES.

STOP AND TAKE A BREAK TO USE THE RESTROOM.

SOMETIMES MY SIGNAL DOESN'T SEND THAT SIGNAL TO MY BLADDER ANYMORE.

SO I WOULD GO ALL DAY AND NOT REALIZE I HAD NOT GONE TO THE BATHROOM.

STOP AND TAKE MY MEDICATION.

TO REMEMBER TO START DINNER.

IT FEELS VERY DIFFICULT TO LOSE SOME OF THAT INDEPENDENCE AND HAVE TO DEPEND ON OTHERS.

>> SHE HAS SEEN THE COGNITIVE EFFECTS THAT YOU WERE MENTIONING.

HOW DO DOCTORS TREAT THOSE SPECIFIC TYPES OF AFTER EFFECTS?

>> THIS IS REALLY CHALLENGING.

IN PART BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE GREAT TREATMENTS FOR COGNITIVE DISORDERS BEFORE THIS.

AND WE'RE NOT EXACTLY SURE WHY SOME PEOPLE HAVE THESE SYMPTOMS FOR A LONGTIME AND WHY SOME DON'T.

WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS IDENTIFY OTHER POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTORS SUCH AS CHRONIC PAIN OR SLEEP PROBLEMS OR ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION THAT MAY CONTRIBUTE TO SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES.

BUT WE'VE ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB TO GET THESE PATIENTS TO A COGNITIVE REHAB AND HAVING THERAPISTS TAILOR A PROGRAM TO THEIR NEEDS TO COMPENSATE FOR SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES AND ALSO EXERCISE CERTAIN PARTS OF THE BRAIN THAT MAY BE WEAKER.

>> WE SPOKE WITH A COVID LONG-HAULER AND THIS PERSON WAS EXPERIENCING SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS OF TASTE AND SMELL LOSS.

>> NOW, AT THE SAME TIME THAT I WAS NOTICING THINGS STARTING TO REGAIN A SENSE OF TASTE OR SMELL, I HAD TO CUT OUT THINGS BECAUSE ALL OF A SUDDEN, EGGS TASTED LIKE GARBAGE.

CHIPOTLE TASTED LIKE GARBAGE AND THE STRAWBERRIES TASTE LIKE GARBAGE I CANNOT EAT THEM.

I DON'T THINK ENOUGH YOUNG PEOPLE ARE AS SCARED OF COVID AS THEY NEED TO BE IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT DYING OR LIKE YOUR KIDNEYS FAILING AT THE AGE OF 22.

IT'S ALSO ABOUT THE FACT THAT BLASE UR ENTIRE DAILY REALITY COULD SHIFT AND YOU MAY NEVER GET YOUR TASTE AND SMELL BACK.

>> AND SHE HAD COAST OVER A YEAR AGO AS WELL.

DOCTOR HOW HAD PERSISTENT ARE THE TASTE AND SMELL SYMPTOMS?

>> WELL, UNFORTUNATELY THEY CAN BE PERSISTENT FOR UP TO AND SOMETIMES OVER A YEAR.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DO GET BETTER.

BUT WHAT PREVENTS SOMEBODY FROM GETTING BETTER WITH TIME AND WHAT HELPS SOMEBODY WITH THEIR RECOVERY WE DON'T KNOW.

IT'S CAN BE VERY, VERY SCARY.

>> IS THERE ANY DATA SHOWING YOU WHETHER THIS IS IMPACTING CERTAIN AGE GROUPS, CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHICS WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THESE SIDE EFFECTS?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

AND THE DATA PUBLISHED IN THE LITERATURE WOULD SUGGEST THAT PEOPLE WHO HAD MORE SEVERE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE LONG-LASTING COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS OR BRAIN FOG AND OTHER LONG-HAULER SYMPTOMS.

THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT POPULATION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE YOUNGER WITHOUT SEVERE ILLNESS AND IN FACT MANY WOULD REFER TO AS MILD ILLNESS THAT COME TO OUR CLINIC AND COMPLAIN OF THESE SYMPTOMS AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT HAPPENS TO BE THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE THAT I SEE IN MY CLINIC ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD MILD CORONAVIRUS AND NOW COMPLAINING OF SIGNIFICANT SYMPTOMS FOR MANY MONTHS AND SOMETIMES OVER A YEAR.

>> I WENT TO GO BACK TO THE TASTE AND SMELL LOSS.

IS THERE ANY TREATMENT FOR THAT TO GET YOUR TASTE OR YOUR SMELL BACK?

>> YES, UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE NOT GREAT TREATMENTS OR THERAPIES FOR THIS.

AND IT'S ONE OF THE MOST TROUBLING ASPECTS OF THIS LONG-HAUL COVID SYNDROME.

>> DO DOCTORS HAVE ANSWERS IN TERMS OF WHETHER THE SYMPTOMS COULD BECOME CHRONIC OR AFTER A YEAR THEY COULD START TO DISSIPATE?

>> I THINK IT'S CERTAINLY SEEMS LIKE SOME OF THESE THINGS MAY BE CHRONIC BUT TIME WILL TELL AND WE'RE STILL IN THE DATA GATHERING PHASE AND STILL LEARNING MORE AND MORE ABOUT THIS VIRUS AND THE LONG-HAULER SYMPTOMS AS THE WEEKS AND MONTHS GO ON.

>> EARLY.

VERY EARLY IN THE OMICRON VARIANT NOW MAKING SOMETHING LIKE 73% OF THE NEW CASES IN THE U.S. IS THERE ANY STUDY IN TERMS OF WHAT THESE NEW VARIANTS COULD MEAN FOR LONG-HAUL SYMPTOMS?

>> AGAIN, BECAUSE WE'RE JUST IN SUCH A CONSTANTLY EVOLVING INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT IT'S HARD TO COME AT HARD NUMBERS.

I WOULD SUSPECT GIVEN HOW INFECTIOUS IT IS THERE WILL BE MORE PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF LOSS OF TASTE AND SMELL BUT WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

CERTAINLY MORE RESEARCH TO DO ON THIS VERY NEW PROBLEM OF COVID LONG-HAUL SYMPTOMS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND WE'RE BACK WITH MORE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" RIGHT AFTER THIS.

THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING THE MAYOR'S ANSWER TO COMBATING A SURGE IN VIOLENT CRIME.

BUT FIRST, A LANDSCAPE ARTIST IS DITCHING THE DIRT FOR MORE FORMAL PAINTINGS IN A NEW SERIES CALLED 100 ZOOM PORTRAITS.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU INTRODUCES US TO THE ARTIST AND HER PORTRAIT OF 100 PORTRAITS.

>> WHAT STARTED OUT AS 300 SCREEN SHOTS ZOOM FROM HER FAMOUS NEWSCAST TRANSFORMED INTO A DECLARATION OF THE TIMES.

>> I STARTED BECAUSE I COULD ONLY WATCH THE NEWS ON MY PHONE.

BIGGER SCREENS WERE TOO MUCH AND I COULD COVER UP WHAT I DID NOT WANT TO LOOK AT WITH MY HAND WATCHING THE NEWS IT WAS DURING LOCKDOWN IT WAS INTENSE.

BUT WE SUDDENLY GOT TO LOOK INTO EACH OTHER'S HOMES.

FAMOUS REPORTERS OR THE PEOPLE THEY WERE INTERVIEWING.

AND I JUST TOOK COMFORT IN THAT AND STARTING EDITING SCREEN CAPTURES.

I NEVER WORKED FROM PHOTOGRAPHS BEFORE.

>> AS SOMEONE WHO NEVER PAINTED PORTRAITS MAKE EASTBOUND WILLIAMSON NEVER EXPECTED TO COMPLETE 100 OF THEM.

>> THERE WERE 20 ON THE WALL AND I THOUGHT FOR A MOMENT MY FRIENDS ARE HERE.

>> WITHOUT REALIZING SHE DEVELOPED A ROUTINE AND GAVE HER SOLIS AND COMFORT DURING A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY.

>> I WAS PARTNERED WITH THE PEOPLE WHEN I WAS PAINTING FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND I WOULD HAVE MULTIPLE I WAS NOT COPYING THE PHOTOGRAPH I WAS CLIMBING INTO THEIR HOME.

SO I WOULD START NOTICING THINGS WHEN I WAS PAINTING THAT I DIDN'T NOTICE WHEN I DID THE SCREEN CAPTURE.

I CANNOT REMEMBER EVERYBODY'S NAME BUT I CAN TELL YOU EVERYTHING ABOUT WHAT IS IN THEIR ROOM OR WHAT THEY WERE WEARING.

>> FROM FEBRUARY TO MAY, WILLIAMSON MADE ONE PORTRAIT A DAY.

SHE RECREATED LIVING ROOMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND A IF YOU GUESTS SEEN ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

WILLIAMSON DOES NOT INTEND TO OFFER THEM AS INDIVIDUAL PORTRAITS.

>> I DO THINK OF THIS AS ONE PIECE.

THE 100 PIECES ARE ONE.

>> WILLIAMSON IT'S ABOUT A COMMUNAL CONNECTION.

>> TO SEE THEM ALTOGETHER I HOPE IT'S THE BEST ZOOM CALL YOU HAVE BEEN ON.

>> OUR SHARED HUMANITY WE WERE ALL LOOKING INTO THE SCREENS THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE.

WE ARE HERE TO MAKE CONNECTIONS AND LOOK THAT I CHOSE TO PAINT IS THEY HAVE JUST SPOKEN OR LISTENING.

AND I FEEL LIKE WE'RE ALL DOING SO MUCH YELLING AND NOT LISTENING THIS IS THIS MOMENT OF BEING PRESENT AND TO SEE 100 PEOPLE BEING PRESENT MAKES ME REALLY HAPPY.

MAKES ME FEEL LIKE HOPEFUL SERIES.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> WILLIAMSON HOPES TO HAVE 100 ZOOM PORTRAITS DEBUT IN NEWSROOMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE MORE OF THE PORTRAITS CLOSE-UP.

STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS BRACE YOURSELF FOR MORE RENT HIKES.

THAT FROM CRAIN'S.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S CALLING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO STEP UP IN CURBING CHICAGO CRIME.

WE HAVE DETAILS ON HER PROPOSED NEW FRANK STRATEGY.

WE TALK WITH LOCAL ASTRONOMERS OF THE JAMES WEBB TELESCOPE AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR SPACE EXPLORATION.

AND HEDY WEISS MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SHOWS ON STAGE AND HAS THE LATEST ON RECENT CANCELLATIONS.

>> YOU CAN ADAM WAS DOOR TO FORMER CHICAGO MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL'S RESUME.

THE U.S. SENATE VOTED EARLY SATURDAY MORNING TO CONFIRM RAHM EMANUEL HAS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S AMBASSADOR TO JAPAN.

THE VOTE WAS 48-21 TO CONFIRM RAHM EMANUEL WHOSE NOMINATION WAS OPPOSED BY SOME.

31 SENATORS DID NOT VOTE.

HE WAS ONE OF MORE THAN THREE DOZEN AMBASSADOR NOMINEES CONFIRMED AFTER A REPUBLICAN BLOCKADE ON THE DIPLOMATIC NOMINATIONS LED BY TEXAS SENATOR TED CRUZ.

THE STATE'S COVID-19 CASES ARE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN A YEAR.

ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE REPORTING 12,000 NEW CASES WHICH IS THE LARGEST ONE-DAY INCREASE IN 2021.

THERE ARE 11 ADDITIONAL DEATHS REPORTED.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 1.9 MILLION TOTAL COVID CASES INCLUDING 27,228 DEATHS IN THE STATE SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

THE SEVEN-DAY TEST POSITIVITY RATE IS 7.1% A JUMP UP FROM 6.2% ON FRIDAY.

ILLINOIS WORKERS ARE SET TO SEE A RAISE IN THE NEW YEAR.

THE MINIMUM WAGE IN ILLINOIS IS SET TO GO UP TO $12 PER HOUR ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SIGNED THE LEGISLATION IN 2019 THAT PUTS ILLINOIS ON TRACK TO HAVE A $15 AN HOUR MINIMUM WAGE BY 2025.

CHICAGO'S MINIMUM WAGE IS ALREADY AT $15 FOR EMPLOYERS WITH 21 OR MORE EMPLOYEES.

>> AMTRAK CRANKS UP THE SPEED AGREES TO BUY A SAN FRANCISCO BAG FOR BILLS AND GONE ARE THE DAYS WHEN RENTERS HAD THE UPPER HAND OVERLAND LORDS THE RENTAL MARKET BOUNCES BACK.

HERE IS CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS EDITOR ANN DWYER.

ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE YOU.

SO THAT AMTRAK ROUTE FROM CHICAGO TO SPRINGFIELD TO ST. LOUIS HOW MUCH QUICKER IS IT GOING TO GET?

>> THEY ARE JUMPING FROM THE TYPICAL 79--MILE-PER-HOUR SERVICE TO 90-MILES-PER-HOUR THANKS TO A LOT OF TRACK IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND THE UPSHOT AT 90-MILES-PER-HOUR, PARIS, AN AMTRAK TRIP FROM CHICAGO TO ST. LOUIS IS NOW COMPETITIVE WITH HOW LONG IT TAKES TO DRIVE WITH THE STOPS ALONG THE WAY.

AND THAT IS ALWAYS BEEN A COMPETITIVE CHALLENGE FOR AMTRAK IN THIS MARKET.

NOW, THAT SAID WE'RE STILL A LONG WAY AWAY FROM TRUE HIGH SPEED RAIL ON THAT LINE.

WE'RE TALKING TO BE TRULY HIGH PEED YOU ARE TALKING 110-200-MILES-PER-HOUR.

WE ARE NOT THERE YET IT WOULD TAKE BILLIONS OF INVESTMENT TO GET THERE BUT THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR PEOPLE EAGER TO SEE RAIL ALTERNATIVES IN THE MIDWEST.

>> MIGHT BE THE EQUIVALENT OF DRIVING FROM CHICAGO TO ST. LOUIS, ABOUT FIVE HOURS.

THE OTHER STORY YOU HAVE BMO HARRIS, THE CHICAGO BANK THEIR PARENT COMPANY IS GOING TO PURCHASE A SAN FRANCISCO BASED BANK FOR $16 BILLION WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR BMO?

>> IT MEANS THAT HAVING WHEN THEY COMPLETE THIS DEAL WHICH WILL BE THE LARGEST ONE IN BANKING IN THE UNITED STATES THIS YEAR, BMO WILL BE ON THE MAP OF ONE OF THE INDUSTRY'S MAJOR PLAYERS BUT IN A MORE PRACTICAL SENSE, PARIS, IT MEANS BEAM MOW IS AMONG -- BHO IS AMONG THE RANKS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO DOMINATE BANKING ACTIVITY IN THE WESTERN HALF OF THE UNITED STATES.

THIS DEAL GIVES BMO FOR $16 BILLION A MAJOR FOOTHOLD IN CALIFORNIA AND OTHER FAST GROWING WEST COAST MARKETS.

THEY ARE GOING TO GET A FOOTPRINT OF 500 BRANCHES OUT THERE AND THAT POTENTIALLY IS TRULY TRANSFORMATIVE FOR BMO.

>> SEEMS LIKE THE BANKING INDUSTRY IS ALWAYS CONSOLIDATING INTO MEGA BANKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

RED HOT RENTAL MARKET IN THE CITY.

MORE RENT HIKES EXPECTED FOR NEXT YEAR.

DO WE KNOW BY HOW MUCH?

HIM.

YEAH, RENTS AT DOWNTOWN APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN THE LOOP AND THE IMMEDIATE INVIE RONES COULD RISE AS MUCH AS 5-7% NEXT YEAR BECAUSE OF THE LAW OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

THERE IS MORE DEMAND THAN THERE IS SUPPLY IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD RIGHT NOW.

AND ANALYSTS WE SPOKE TO FOR OUR REPORT TODAY TELL US THAT THAT SITUATION IS NOT LIKELY TO CHANGE IN 2022 WHICH IS FASCINATING BECAUSE IT DOES TEND TO RUN COUNTER TO ALL OF THE MEMES AND THE THEMES WE HEAR ABOUT DOWNTOWN LIVING RIGHT NOW.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO REALLY WANT TO LIVE IN THE CENTRAL AREA AND THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY TOP DOLLAR TO DO IT.

>> AND THE MAYOR ADDRESSED HIGH CRIME TODAY BUT IT CERTAINLY GIVEN THE DATA IS NOT REPELLING PEOPLE FROM WANTING TO LIVE IN THE LOOP OR NEARBY.

ANN THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

>> SPEAKING OF THAT CHICAGO HAS SURPASSED 800 HOMICIDES FOR THE YEAR WITH YET A WEEK-AND-A-HALF LEFT IN 2021.

THERE WERE 23 SHOOTINGS SEVERAL WERE FATAL AND IT'S AGAINST THIS BACKDROP THAT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT WENT ON THE OFFENSIVE.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH THE LATEST.

AMANDA.

>> YES, PARIS, THIS AFTERNOON MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT GIVING VOICE TO WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FEELING, PERHAPS TRYING TO GIVE ASSURANCE TO THEM AND PEOPLE ARE SCARED WITH SHOOTINGS, CARJACKINGS AND THE PANDEMIC.

SHE SAYS EMOTIONS ARE HIGH.

>> I KNOW THAT PEOPLE FOR WHOM VIOLENCE IS A DAILY CONCERN ARE PARTICULARLY STRESSED.

AND THAT MORE RECENTLY VIOLENCE IS CREEPING INTO OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE NOT HISTORICALLY BEEN BURDENED BY VIOLENT CRIME.

AS A MAYOR OF THE CITY, I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT FROM DAY ONE IN MY TIME AS MAYOR, PUBLIC SAFETY HAS BEEN, IS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE MY HIGHEST PRIORITY.

>> ONE OF HER SOLUTIONS: KEEPING MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACCUSED OF VIOLENT CRIMES BEHIND BARS.

LIGHTFOOT SAYS IT IS DEFIES COMMON SENSE THAT THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS CHARGED WITH CRIMES HAVE BEEN RELEASED FROM JAIL WHILE EVERYONE IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY SHE SAYS NEIGHBORHOODS ARE UP FOR GRABS.

>> BUT IF YOU ARE CHARGED WITH KILLING SOMEONE, TRYING TO KILL SOMEONE, TAKING A VEHICLE AT GUN POINT, RAPE OR VIOLENCE AGAINST SOMEONE IN YOUR HOME OR THEIRS FOR THOSE PEOPLE, I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD BE LOCKED UP, PENDING TRIAL.

BECAUSE THEY ARE DEMONSTRATED QUOTE AND QUOTE REAL AND PRESENT THREAT TO THE PHYSICAL SAFETY OF PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY AS DEFINED UNDER ILLINOIS STATE LAW.

>> LIGHTFOOT CALLING FOR A MORATORIUM FOR ELECTRONIC MONITORING.

KEEPING THOSE INDIVIDUALS BEHIND BARS IF THEY ARE ACCUSED OF CRIMES LIKE HOMICIDE, MURDER, RAPE, CARJACKING, SHE SAYS THAT MONITORING IS SUPPOSED TO COME WITH SUPERVISION BUT THAT IS NOT HAPPENING.

>> IN COOK COUNTY, THERE'S VIRTUALLY NO SUPERVISION NOR ANY MANDATED COMMUNITY INTERVENTIONS.

THE COOK COUNTY ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IS FUNDAMENTALLY BROKEN IN A WAY THAT IS MAKING OUR CITY UNSAFE.

THE COUNTY COURTS NEED TO GET THE BALANCE BACK AND RESERVE ELECTRONIC MONITORING FOR ONLY NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS.

>> UNCLEAR HOW THIS MORATORIUM WOULD WORK.

THE MAYOR'S OFFICE NOT RESPONDING TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON THAT BUT SHE DID TALK ABOUT SENDING A FORMAL REQUEST TO CHIEF JUDGE EVANS WHO SAYS HE HAS NOT RECEIVED THAT FROM LIGHTFOOT.

EVANS SAYING VIOLENCE IS A LOCAL AND A NATIONAL PROBLEM AND SHARES THE MAYOR'S CONCERNS ABOUT IT.

HE DID NOT DIRECTLY RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON THIS GENERAL SENT.

AND CRITIQUE OF THE SYSTEM.

BUT SHARONE MITCHELL DOES THE MAYOR'S PLAN IS REGRESSIVE AND WOULD DISRUPT COMMUNITIES.

>> WE KNOW THE PROPOSAL AROUND UNCONSTITUTIONAL GIVEN THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON IS ENTITLED TO A INDIVIDUALIZED HEARING AND FRANKLY IT WOULD RESULT IN INCARCERATION OF UNTOLD NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE INNOCENT AND DID NOTHING BUT BE ACCUSED OF A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

>> HE POINTS OUT THAT THE MAYOR CALLING NOT JUST TO KEEP IN JAIL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF A VIOLENT CRIME LIKE USING A GUN AND ALSO THOSE ACCUSED OF ILLEGALLY HAVING ONE.

>> THIS IDEA THAT WE'RE GOING TO START PUNISHING PEOPLE JUST BASED UPON AN ALLEGATION BY THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT WE BELIEVE WILL NOT ONLY EXPLODE THE JAIL POPULATION, NOT ONLY WILL CAUSE A NUMBER OF INNOCENT PEOPLE TO BE INCARCERATED, BUT IT WILL DO NOTHING TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

>> MITCHELL HAS ADVOCATED FOR DECRIMINALIZING ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION.

LIGHTFOOT IN HER SPEECH CALLED FOR THE OPPOSITE SHE IS PUSHING FOR STATE LEGISLATORS TO CRACKDOWN ON SO-CALLED GHOST GUNS AND ONLY THE FEDS SHE SAYS HAVE THE ABILITY TO STOP ILLEGAL GUN TRAFFICKING BETWEEN STATES.

LIGHTFOOT ADDS SHE IS MAKING A FORMAL ASK OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO SEND MORE AGENTS TO CHICAGO TO HELP.

>> OUR CITY IS AWASH IN ILLEGAL GUNS.

AND SADLY HAS BEEN FOR YEARS.

THERE ARE MANY REASONS FOR THIS THAT SET US APART FROM OTHER CITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

AND THE RESULT IN HARM IS SHOWING UP IN OUR STREETS IN EMERGENCY ROOMS IN MORGUES AND FUNERAL HOMES EVERYDAY.

AND IT IS THREATENING NOT ONLY OUR RESIDENTS, BUT OUR POLICE OFFICERS AS WELL.

>> NOW, THE MAYOR BY THE WAY SAYS SHE DOES HAVE A MILLION DOLLARS SET ASIDE IN REWARD MONEY TO HELP PEOPLE WHO COME FORWARD TO HELP POLICE SOLVE ANY OF THESE ILLEGAL GUN CRIMES.

GOING FORWARD SHE WANTS MORE LICENSE PLATE READERS INSTALLED CALLING THE CAMERAS A GAME-CHANGER.

CRITICS DO QUESTION THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THAT TECHNOLOGY IN SOLVING CRIMES.

LIGHTFOOT SAYS THE TACTICS ARE PART OF A SOLUTION AND VIOLENCE AND CRIME ARE MANIFESTATIONS OF DEEPER PROBLEMS NOT THE ONLY SOLUTION AS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED SHE ALSO PLANS TO DEVOTE A RECORD AMOUNT OF CITY MONEY TO GO TOWARD IMPOVERISHED NEIGHBORHOODS AND TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

>> POVERTY AND NEGLECT AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA THAT COMES WITH IT IT IS THE POVERTY AND NEGLECT THAT TOO MANY COMMUNITIES LIKE GARFIELD PARK AND OTHERS ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES HAVE ENDURED FOR DECADES.

>> NOW, THE MAYOR'S PLAN IS SOMETHING SHE PREVIOUSLY TALKED ABOUT BEFORE AND THAT IS GOING AFTER GANG LEADERS' PROFITS BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN SUPPORT ON THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THIS CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE PLAN AND THE MAYOR INDICATING SHE HAS PERHAPS AN UPDATED VERSION BUT NO DETAILS DISCLOSED ABOUT WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE AND SHE DID NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS FOLLOWING THIS AFTERNOON'S ADDRESS.

PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> CLEARLY, A LOT OF LOCAL LEADERS BEEN AT ODDS LIKE THE MAYOR AND STATE'S ATTORNEYS THEY HAVE TO PUT THEIR HEADS TOGETHER TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM RIGHT NOW.

THANK YOU.

UP NEXT, LOCAL ASTRONOMER SHARES UP CLOSE DETAILS ON NASA'S POWERFUL NEW TELESCOPE.

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

CHRISTMAS SA COMING A DAY EARLY FOR ASTRONOMERS THE MOST POWERFUL SPACE TELESCOPE WILL BE LAUNCHED THE JAMES WEBB WILL BE LAUNCHED IS 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING AND COULD BE A TIME MACHINE FOR GALAXIES.

JOINING US ARE WENDY FREEDMAN PROFESSOR OF ASTRONOMY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

AND MARK HAMMERGREN AHMAD AL HAM.THIS TELESCOPE HAS BEEN IN PRODUCTION SINCE 1996 AT A COST OF $10 BILLION OR MORE WHICH SUCH A LONG DRAWN OUT AND EXPENSIVE PROJECT?

>> WELL, SIMPLY THIS IS THE MOST COMPLEX PIECE OF MACHINERY THAT NASA HAS EVER BUILT.

AND HOPES TO PUT INTO SPACE.

THERE ARE MILLIONS OF PIECES AND COMPONENTS THAT ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER PERFECTLY.

IT'S NOT JUST A MATTER OF BUYING THINGS.

IT'S A MATTER OF DESIGNING AND BUILDING AND ASSEMBLING AND TESTING.

SO EVERYTHING HAS TO WORK PERFECTLY.

>> AND WENDY FREEDMAN, GIVE US A SENSE HOW MUCH ON PINS AND NEEDLES SCIENTISTS ARE RIGHT NOW AS THE TELESCOPE WILL BE LAUNCHED INTO ORBIT CHRISTMAS EVE GIVEN ALL THE THINGS THAT HAVE TO GO RIGHT FOR IT TO WORK?

>> YES, NASA IS SAYING [INAUDIBLE] WE HEARD 340 POSSIBLE SINGLE POINT FAILURES.

THIS THING IS GOING TO BE LAUNCHED IN A ROCKET.

IT'S GOING TO FLY BY THE MOON.

AND THEN HAVE TO DEPLOY SOLAR ARRAY AND A SUN SHIELD WHICH WILL PROTECT THE TELESCOPE TO KEEP IT COOL AND THIS SUN SHIELD HAS FIVE LAYERS.

IT IS THE BESIDES OF A TENNIS COURT AND EACH ONE OF THE LAYERS IS THE WIDTH OF A HUMAN HAIR OR LESS.

EVERYTHING HAS TO SPRING OUT ROLL OUT AND SPRING OUT INTO PLACE AND IF IT DOESN'T THE TELESCOPE DOESN'T WORK.

IT'S NERVE-WRACKING.

IT'S INCREDIBLY EXCITING BUT IT'S NERVE-WRACKING.

>> ONCE THIS GETS LAUNCHED INTO ORBIT THE PURPOSE IS TO LOOK AT GALAXIES FAR, FAR, FAR AWAY.

MARK HAMMERGREN WHAT COULD BE SEEN THROUGH THE NEW TELESCOPE?

>> WELL, THE DISTANT UNIVERSE IS ONE OF THE FOCUSES OF WORK BY THIS TELESCOPE.

BY LOOKING INTO THE DISTANT UNIVERSE YOU CAN LOOK BACK IN TIME.

ASTRONOMERS HAVE A TIME MACHINE WITH ANY KIND OF TELESCOPE.

AND THE BETTER TELESCOPE THE FURTHER BACK YOU CAN LOOK.

HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET A GOOD PICTURE OF THE VERY EARLY STAGES OF THINGS LIKE THE FORMATION OF GALAXIES.

THE ERA OF FORMATION OF THE FIRST STARS THAT WILL BE JUST A FANTASTIC THING TO LOOK AT.

AND THEN MORE NEARBY LOOKING AT EXTRA SOLAR PLANETS, PLANETS AROUND OTHER STARS.

FINDING THEM, MAYBE, CHARACTERIZING THEM AND WHAT THEIR MINISTERS IS MADE OF O-O ATMOSPHERES MADE OF.

THAT WOULD BE FANTASTIC.

WENDY FREEDMAN WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING PRIVY WITH THIS TELESCOPE?

>> THE ONES MARK MENTIONED ARE FANTASTIC.

WE WILL LOOK AT THE COSMIC DAWN AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT WE COULD FIND EVIDENCE OF LIFE ON ANOTHER PLANET.

FROM MY OWN RESEARCH OUR GROUP IS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE UNIVERSE AND HOW FAST IT'S EXPANDING AND WHETHER OR NOT WE UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE COMPONENTS THAT DESCRIBE THE EVOLUTION OF OUR UNIVERSE.

THIS FANTASTIC NEW MACHINE WITH THE HIGH SENSITIVITY AND HIGH RESOLUTION WILL OFFER US A GLIMPSE OF THE UNIVERSE IN A WAY WE HAVE NEVER HAD ACT ISES TO BEFORE.

ANY AREA OF ASTRONOMY RIGHT NOW, THERE'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK WOULD BE THERE FROM JAMES WEBB.

AND ANYTIME ASTRONOMERS BUILT NEW TELESCOPES WHICH IS WHY I THINK YOU ARE HEARING THE EXCITEMENT WE MADE NEW DISCOVERIES WHEN WE GET NEW TECHNICAL CAPABILITY AND A NEW FACILITY LIKE THIS.

IT'S JUST TREMENDOUSLY EXCITING FOR ALL AREAS IN ASTRONOMY.

>> AND MARK HAMMERGREN YOU MENTIONED THIS CAN LOOK WAY, WAY BACK INTO THE PAST, MILLIONS IF NOT BILLIONS OF YEARS.

GALAXIES PERHAPS FORMED RIGHT AFTER THE BIG BANG.

WHAT CAN WE TAKE AWAY FROM THIS TO LEARN ABOUT OUR PLANET AND SOLAR SYSTEM AND MILKY WAY LAL GALAXY?

YOU HIT THE HEART WHAT WE HOPE TO GET FROM ASTRONOMY.

BY EXPLORING THE UNIVERSE WE GAIN A BETTER INSIGHT INTO OUR OWN PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE.

NOT JUST IN TERMS OF PRACTICAL THINGS LIKE CHEAPER GASOLINE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT THE BIG QUESTIONS THAT HUMANS HAVE WONDERED ABOUT EVER SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN HUMANS.

WHERE DID WE COME FROM?

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

ARE WE ALONE OUT?

AND THIS TELESCOPE MAY GIVE US A BETTER VIEW BETTER ANSWER TO THE QUESTIONS THAN WE'VE HAD BEFORE.

>> WENDY FREEDMAN YOU MENTIONED YOU WILL BE LOOKING AT HOW FAST THE UNIVERSE IS EXPANDING.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT MIGHT BE REVEALED ABOUT THE BIG BANG TO THIS POINT HASN'T?

>> WELL, TO THIS POINT WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE UNIVERSE IS EXPANDING.

WE'VE LEARNED IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DECADES THE UNIVERSE IS FILLED WITH A SUBSTANCE CALLED DARK MATTER, MATTER THAT DOESN'T SHINE DOESN'T EMIT LIGHT AND A FORM OF DARK ENERGY THAT IS CAUSING THE UNIVERSE TO SPEED UP IN THE EXPANSION.

AND THE WAY THAT WE TEST WHAT WE NOW CALL THE STANDARD MODEL FOR DESCRIBING THE EVOLUTION OF THE UNIVERSE IS TO MAKE REALLY ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS OF THIS EXPANSION RATE.

SO WE HAVE HINTS THAT MAY BE WE'RE MISSING SOMETHING IN THIS MODEL.

AND THE JAMES WEBB TELESCOPE WILL HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO ALLOW US TO MAKE MORE ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS AND SEE IF WE ARE MISSING SOMETHING AND THAT WILL BE EXCITING.

>> ALL RIGHT VERY EXCITING CHRISTMAS FOR SCIENTISTS ASTRONOMERS UP COMING FINGERS CROSSED FOR THIS MISSION.

OUR THANKS TO WENDY FREEDMAN AND MARK HAMMERGREN.

>> UP NEXT, WHAT SHOWS YOU CANNOT AND CAN'T CATCH ON THE STAGE THIS SEASON.

FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>> MANY THEATERS IN CHICAGO ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

BUT THERE HAVE BEEN A GROWING NUMBER OF CANCELED PERFORMANCES.

JOINING US WITH REVIEWS AND THE LATEST WHICH IS GOING ON IS THEATRE CRITIC HEDY WEISS.

LET'S START OUT WITH THE GENERAL STATE OF AFFAIRS IN CHICAGO'S PERFORMING ARTS COMMUNITY.

NEW YORK, BROADWAY SHUTTING DOWN THE ROCKETS CANCELLED.

>> THEY CAN CLOSE FOR A FEW DAYS AND EVERYTHING IS FINE.

BUT I THINK PSYCHOLOGICALLY FOR BOTH THE AUDIENCE AND FOR THE PERFORMERS IT IS SO STRESSFUL AND SO -- MANY WAYS VERY SAD BECAUSE WHEN THEY COME BACK IN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS, THERE'S SUCH A WONDERFUL CONNECTION BETWEEN BIG AUDIENCES AND THE PERFORMERS WHO ARE SO HAPPY TO GET BACK ON THE STAGE.

>> OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN THE INDUSTRY.

LET'S START WITH A TRADITION HERE.

JOFFREY BALLET'S "NUTCRACKER" PERFORMED NOW AT THE CIVIC OPERA HOUSE.

WHAT IS YOUR READ?

>> IT'S THE LYRIC OPERA HOUSE.

>> IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL ON THE STAGE.

AND THEY SHUTDOWN FOR A COUPLE OF PERFORMANCES THIS PAST WEEKEND.

AND THAT'S TERRIBLY SAD BECAUSE SO MANY FAMILIES AND KIDS COME TO THESE PERFORMANCES AND IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PRODUCTION AND IT LOOKS ESPECIALLY GOOD ON THE LYRIC STAGE WHICH IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY ARE PERFORMING IT THERE.

AND I WOULD SAY THE BEST THING TO DO THAT MY BEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR ALL OF THE SHOWS WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IS TO CALL THE BOX OFFICE AND DOUBLE-CHECK BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE.

IT CAN ALL TURN ON A DIME.

>> AND THE JOFFREY PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED AT AT AUDITORIUM AND THE LYRIC IS THE NEW HOME.

WHAT IS IT LIKE IN THAT VENUE?

>> IT IS A BEAUTIFUL ART NOUVEAU THEATRE AND THE STAGE FEELS BIGGER AND IT FEELS MORE MODERN AND I KNOW THE DANCER LOVE THE BACKSTAGE MORE.

IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL.

AND IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE PRODUCTION IT'S SUCH A FABULOUS COMBINATION OF MULTIMEDIA AND PUPPETS AND BEAUTIFUL COSTUMES AND THE THING THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW IS FOR THE REMAINING PERFORMANCES AND THEY ONLY RUN THROUGH THE 26TH OF DECEMBER EVERY DANCER IS GOING TO BE MASKED WHILE THEY ARE DANCING.

>> INTERESTING.

>> THAT IS A CHALLENGE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

NEXT UP SISTER ACT AT THE MERCURY THEATRE.

THEY HAVE HAD CANCELLATIONS.

WHAT IS THEIR STAT CBS NEWS.

>> THEY HAVE A COUPLE THEY ARE COMING BACK ON THE 29TH, 30, 31, AND TWO ON THE SECOND AND WE ARE USING THEIR STAGE RIGHT NOW.

THEY ARE -- MOST PEOPLE HAVE SEEN THE MOVIE.

IT'S A VERY FUNNY BUT ALSO VERY TOUCHING MUSICAL FABULOUS PERFORMANCES.

WONDERFUL DANCING.

I THINK IF YOU CAN SEE IT YOU REALLY SHOULD TRY TO GO SEE IT.

LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF FUN AND THE MUSIC IS AMAZING.

KISS ME KATE THE COLE PORTER CLASSIC.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THEM.

>> IS THIS AT THE MARRIOTT AND THEY HAVE HAD TO ALSO CANCEL SOME PERFORMANCES.

THEY ARE COMING BACK ON DECEMBER 29 AND RUNNING THROUGH JANUARY 16TH.

YOU WILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A RANGE.

AND ALSO I SHOULD SAY THAT THE BOX OFFICES IN ALL OF THESE PLACES ARE VERY UNDERSTANDING.

THEY PROBABLY WILL RESCHEDULE YOU TO THE EXTENT THEY CAN.

AND YOU KNOW THEY ARE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN.

KISS ME KATE IS A COLE PORTER'S BRILLIANT MUSICAL VERSION OF THE TAMING OF THE SLEW.

SHREW.

AND A GREAT SCORE VERY CLEVER AND I THINK IT'S WORTH SEEING AND IT'S NOT REVIVED VERY OFTEN THESE DAYS.

IT IS A NICE OPPORTUNITY TO CATCH A GREAT CLASSIC MUSICAL.

>> AND MARRIOTT KNOWN FOR PUTTING ON BIG AND NATIONAL LEVEL PRODUCTIONS THERE.

NEXT TWO SHOWS HAVE NOT HAD ANY CANCELLATIONS YOU ARE A FAN OF Mr. DICKENS HAT.

WHAT IS THE STORY THERE?

>> THE STORY THERE IT IS NOT A CHRISTMAS CAROL BUT IT IS AN HOMAGE TO DICK KENS IN A CLEVER WAY AND IT DEALS WITH THE THINGS THAT DICKINS DEALT WITH WHICH IS LARGER THAN LIFE CHARACTERS AND ALSO DEBTORS PRISONS AND SOCIAL INEQUITY AND THE SET I HAVE TO SAY YOU WALK INTO THE THEATRE AND GO WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN ON THIS SET?

IT IS A BRILLIANT SET.

THE PERFORMERS ARE TERRIFIC.

THEY DO EVERYTHING.

THEY ALSO SING AND DANCE AND MOVE AND VERY TOUCHING LOVE STORY AND SOME SORT OF DRY COMEDY AS WELL.

I THINK IT HAS A REAL-LIFE IN FUTURE AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A CHRISTMAS SHOW.

IT'S CHARLES DICKINS AND HE IS ETERNAL.

>> MAYBE A NEW HOLIDAY CLASSIC IT COULD VERY WELL BE.

VERY CHARMING AND SO FIST CATTED SHOW.

>> AND -- SOPHISTICATED.

>> AND 8 TRACK THE SOUNDS OF THE 70s WHICH FEATURES LIVE MUSICAL FROM THE ME DECADE.

WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

SOUL, ROCK 'N ROLL?

>> A MIX OF EVERYTHING ALL THE 1970s CLASSICS FROM BALLADS TO POP SONGS.

WHAT IS SO BRILLANT ABOUT THIS SHOW IS THE WAY IT WAS BROUGHT OUT THEY TAKE THE GREAT SONGS THERE ARE 50 SONGS OR FRAGMENTS, AND THEY PUT THEM SCHEMEMATICLY.

THIS WAS THE GETTING ON -- VIETNAM WAR ERA AND THE SEXUAL REVOLUTION AND THEY ARE ALL SORT OF EACH SONG BECOMES A LITTLE BIT OF A SCENE AND A CHARACTER STUDY AND A HISTORICAL STUDY.

AND THE VOICES ARE FABULOUS AND AGAIN, THE DANCING IS TERRIFIC.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO MANY FASCINATING PRODUCTIONS LET'S HOPE THEY CAN CONTINUE BECAUSE SO MUCH GREAT WORK IS BEING DONE.

HEDY WEISS THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

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

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

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. AND JOIN WTTW NEWS JOANNA HERNANDEZ TONIGHT FOR OUR NEXT LATINO VOICES VIRTUAL COMMUNITY CONVERSATION.

SHE IS SPEAKING WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS ABOUT THE DIVERSITY OF HOLIDAY TRADITIONS WITHIN CHICAGO'S LATINO COMMUNITIES TONIGHT AT 8:00 P.M. AND VISIT WTTW.COM/EVENTS TO RSVP.

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ WE'RE GLAD YOU JOINED US.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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