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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> A GOOD NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMING IN TO GET TESTED BECAUSE THEY ARE -- A FAMILY MEMBER HAS TESTED POSITIVE.

>> PHARMACIES ARE DEALING WITH A SHORTAGE OF HOME COVID TESTS AS DEMAND SKYROCKETS AHEAD OF THE HOLIDAYS.

>> WE WILL LEAVE NO OPTIONS OFF THE TABLE WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR RESIDENTS.

>> CHICAGO WILL SOON REQUIRE VACCINE PROOF FOR MANY INDOOR SPACES HOW LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE REACTING.

>> IF YOU'RE PREPARING FOR HOLIDAY TRAVEL AMID THE PANDEMIC WE TALK ABOUT THE LATEST COVID NEWS WITH A LOCAL DOCTOR.

>> WE HAVE ADDED 10,000 NEW VACCINATION SITES.

>> A LOOK AT THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC RAMIFICATIONS OF THE COVID SURGE IN OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> WE INTRODUCE YOU TO A LOCAL ARTIST WHO COMBS THE SHORES OF LAKE MICHIGAN IN SEARCH OF ARTISTIC INSPIRATION.

>> AND SANTA CLAUS IS STILL COMING TO TOWN DESPITE A SHORTAGE OF ST. NICK'S THIS SEASON.

WE'LL HEAR FROM THE BIG GUY HIMSELF.

>> THE PFIZER PILL BECAME THE FIRST U.S.

AUTHORIZED ORAL AT HOME TREATMENT FOR COVID-19.

THE ANTIVIRAL PILL WAS AUTHORIZED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN AGES 12 AND OLDER WITH A POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST.

THE PILLS ARE LIMITED TO PEOPLE WHO FACE THE HIGHEST RISK OF HOSPITALIZATIONS OLDER FOLKS AND THOSE WITH CONDITIONS LIKE OBESITY AND HEART DISEASE.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES THEY PREPURCHASED 10 MILLION TREATMENT COURSES EXPECTING TO HAVE MORE THAN 250,000 TREATMENT COURSES COME JANUARY.

AND COMING UP WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THE PFIZER PILL AND RECENT COVID NEWS.

>> ILLINOIS STATE SENATOR KIMBERLY LIGHT FORWARD AND HER HUSBAND WERE CARJACKED AT GUN POINT LATE LAST NIGHT.

THREE MASKED PEOPLE HIJACKED A BLACK MERCEDES BENZ S.U.V.

WITH LIGHTFORD AND HER HUSBAND IN SIGHT.

THE COUPLE WERE UNHARMED DESPITE GUNSHOTS FIRED DURING THE INCIDENT.

THE SUSPECTS FLED IN BOTH VEHICLES AND INVESTIGATIONS REMAIN ONGOING.

>> AMAZON EMPLOYEES STOPPED PRODUCTION AND WALKED OUT OF TWO CHICAGO AREA DELIVERY WAREHOUSES.

THE DEMONSTRATION WAS ORGANIZED BY A GROUP OF AMAZON WAREHOUSE WORKERS WHO PUT TOGETHER MULTIPLE SHUTDOWNS IN RECENT YEARS.

IN THE PRESS RELEASE THE GROUP SAYS QUOTE... >> AND FIREFIGHTERS TODAY HELD A PRAYER VIGIL FOR FALLEN FIREFIGHTER MA SEAN PLUMBER.

WITH 37-YEAR-OLD GOMEZ WERE BOTH KILLED IN A BELMONT CENTRAL FIRE LAST WEEK.

TWO OTHERS WERE INJURED.

THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT AND FAMILIES MOURN THEIR LOSS AT ENGINE 94 EARLIER TODAY.

THE CITY HONORED ALL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS AT THE STOCKYARD MEMORIAL.

THIS CEREMONY IS DEDICATED TO THE 21 FIREFIGHTERS WHO DIED BATTLING THE UNION STOCKYARDS BLAZE AT THE OLD ENTRANCE TO THE STOCKYARDS ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE.

>> UP NEXT DEMAND FOR COVID TESTING SKYROCKETS AHEAD OF THE HOLIDAYS.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> THE OMICRON VARIANT AND INCREASE IN CHICAGO COVID CASES HAS FOLKS ON A SCRAMBLE TO FIND TESTING AHEAD OF THE HOLIDAYS.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ VISITED SEVERAL TESTING SITES TO TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING AND JOANNA HERNANDEZ JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> YESTERDAY AND TODAY I SPENT THE ENTIRE DAY CHECKING OUT TESTING SITES AND ALL OF THE SITES WERE FILLED WITH PEOPLE INCLUDING THOSE PHARMACIES THAT SELL THE RAPID KITS THEY WERE SOLD OUT FROM THE LOCAL PHARMACIES.

CVS AND WALGREENS ARE LIMITING NUMBER OF AT HOME COVID TESTS CUSTOMERS CAN PURCHASE DUE TO THE DEMAND.

AT WALGREENS PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO PURCHASE FOUR BOXES PER PERSON AND CVS THERE IS A LIMIT OF SIX TEST KITS.

THE PROBLEM NOW IS FINDING THEM.

>> THEY DIDN'T HAVE THEM.

CVS DID NOT HAVE THEM.

I THREED TO GO ON -- TO GET A PCR AND IT WAS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL THE 27TH.

IT'S OUT THERE AND I'M GOING TO PROBABLY START STAYING HOME MORE OFTEN.

>> BOTH CVS AND WALGREENS TOLD US THEY ARE AWARE THAT MANY STORES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK AND ARE WORKING WITH MANUFACTURERS TO GET MORE.

THEY ARE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GET TESTED AT THEIR LABS AS THEY WORK ON MINIMIZING TURN AROUND TIMES FOR RESULTS WITH THE OMICRON VARIANT CAUSING CONCERN, TESTING FACILITIES ACROSS THE CITY ARE EXPERIENCING A SPIKE IN PEOPLE TRYING TO GET TESTED IN HOPES THEY CAN TRAVEL OR GATHER SAFELY WITH THEIR FAMILIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

>> WE'RE SUPPOSED TO GO TO MY AUNT'S HOUSE AND MEET UP WITH THE FAMILY.

AND SHE IS A NURSE AND I DON'T KNOW BECAUSE OF COVID.

SO WE'RE LIKE THIS RIGHT NOW.

>> I SPOKE WITH THE MOTHER AND DAUGHTER LOOKING FORWARD TO SPENDING CHRISTMAS WITH FAMILY.

BUT THOSE PLANS WERE CANCELED WHEN RELATIVES TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID.

>> WE WERE ALL GOING TO TEST BEFORE WE MET WE WERE GOING TO MICHIGAN AND WE HAD AN AIRBNB WE WERE GOING TO MEET UP FOR A COUPLE NIGHTS.

ONCE I HAD FRIENDS IN MY CIRCLE THAT WERE TESTING POSITIVE THOUGH WE'RE VACCINATED AND BEING CAREFUL, WE SORT OF KNEW THIS MIGHT HAPPEN.

>> HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE ANNOUNCED A CONCERNING RISE IN COVID CASES IN THE CITY AND STATE THIS WEEK ALONE.

THE VICE-PRESIDENT AND CHIEF NURSING OFFICER AT SWEDISH HOSPITAL TELLS US MOST OF THE PATIENTS ADMITTING HAVE MILD SYMPTOMS.

>> WE ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE COME IN TO GET TESTED.

AND WE'RE LOOKING AT INDIVIDUALS TO GET VACCINATED AND THE BOOSTER BECAUSE WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN THE HOSPITAL THE NUMBER OF HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS INCREASE BUT THE VAST MAJORITY ARE NOT VACCINATED.

WE'RE ENCOURAGING EVERYONE TO GET VACCINATED AND GET THE BOOSTER.

>> A LINE OF CARS FILLED UP THE TESTING SITE OFFERING RAPID TESTING A PCR TEST AND THE VACCINE.

WE SPOKE WITH A MAN WHO DECIDED TO GET TESTED AND ROLL UP HIS SLEEVE TO GET THE VACCINE AFTER SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS TESTED POSITIVE.

>> I'M YOUNG I AM A VETERAN I AM A SUPER HERO LIKE MY FAMILY'S GOT IT BEFORE I'VE NEVER GOTTEN IT.

IF GOD WANTS ME TO HAVE IT I WILL HAVE IT AND NOW IT'S GETTING MORE SERIOUS AND I SEE MY GRANDPARENTS ARE DETERIORATING WITH AGE.

>> AT NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL A DRIVE-THRU LINE FOR TESTING WRAPPED AROUND THE BUILDING.

ONLY CLINICS ARE EXPERIENCING WAIT TIMES OF AN HOUR OR MORE FOR PEOPLE TO GET TESTED.

>> MANY PEOPLE HAVE MILD SYMPTOMS AND IT'S HARD TO FILLING OUTDO I HAVE A COLD, DO I HAVE THE FLU, DO I HAVE CORONAVIRUS?

SO IT'S GOOD THEY ARE GETTING TESTED SO THEY KNOW FOR SURE AND NOT BRINGING THAT HOME TO THEIR FAMILY AND OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> AND PARIS, THE WHITE HOUSE IS PROMISING TO BUY AND DISTRIBUTE 500 MILLION RAPID AT HOME TESTS BEGINNING IN JANUARY.

>> WE'RE SEEING VIDEOS OF CARS LINED UP.

HOW LONG DO YOU THINK THE WAIT TIMES COULD BE?

>> THIS WOMAN WENT ON TWITTER TO EXPRESS HER FRUSTRATION.

SHE WAITED FOR THREE HOURS AND THAT IS WHAT MOST OF THESE TESTING FACILITIES AND HOSPITALS ARE EXPERIENCING.

AND SOME OF THE FOLKS THEY MENTIONED HOW THEY FELT DEJA VU FROM A YEAR-AND-A-HALF AGO.

>> NOT ONLY A LAST-MINUTE RUSH FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS AND COVID TESTING.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY USE OF PFIZER'S COVID PILL.

HOLIDAY TRAVEL AND GATHERING HAS BEGUN AND COVID CASES IN SOUTH AFRICA ARE DROPPING AFTER ITS OMICRON SPIKE.

WHAT DOES THAT TELL US ABOUT OUR CURRENT SITUATION?

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THIS IS Dr. JEFFREY BOHMER A CHAIRMAN AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AT CENTRAL DUPAGE HOSPITAL WITH NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I WANT TO GET TO THE PILL.

BUT WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO HOSPITAL OFFICIALS ALL WEEK ABOUT THE SITUATION.

WHAT IS THE SITUATION RIGHT NOW AT YOUR HOSPITAL?

>> WELL, WE'VE BEEN FAIRLY STABLE WITH THE NUMBER OF COVID PATIENTS IN THE HOSPITAL.

WE'VE BEEN HOVERING AT CENTRAL DUPAGE AROUND 60-70 PATIENTS INPATIENTS EVERYDAY FOR THE LAST WEEK OR SO.

I THINK WE GOT UP CLOSE TO 70 LAST WEEK.

IT'S BEEN STABILIZING.

THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS WE'RE SEEING IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN STABLE.

I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBERS BUT I KNOW WE'VE BEEN SEEMS CONSISTENT NUMBERS MAYBE NOT A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN WE HAD IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

STILL SEEING SICK PATIENTS AND PATIENTS GETTING ADMITTED TO INTENSIVE CARE BUT THE NUMBERS SEEM TO BE RELATIVELY STABLE BUT HIGHER LOOKING BACK THREE OR FOUR WEEKS AGO.

>> AND FOR THE MOST EXTREME CASES DO THEY TEND TO BE UNVACCINATED?

OR SOME THAT ARE VACCINATED OR BOOSTED?

>> YES, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE CASES SEVERE COVID REQUIRING OXYGEN, TEND TO BE UNVACCINATED.

90% TEND TO BE UNVACCINATED THE 10% THAT ARE VACCINATED TEND TO BE PATIENTS THAT HAVE HIGH-RISKS, IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PAPS OR RECEIVING CHEMOTHERAPY OR DRUGS THAT INHIBIT THEIR IMMUNE RESPONSE.

THE VAST MAJORITY ARE UNVACCINATED.

>> CONSISTENT ACROSS THE BOARD.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NEW PFIZER ANTIVIRAL PILL THAT THE F.D.A.

AUTHORIZED FOR EMERGENCY USE.

HOW DOES THIS WORK?

>> IT IS AN ANTIVIRAL.

NOT DISSIMILAR TO OTHERS SUCH AS TAMIFLU.

IT WORKS THERE'S TWO MEDICATIONS THAT MAKEUP PAXLOVID.

BUT THEY INHIBITS THE VIRUS' ABILITY TO REPLICATE IN HUMAN CELLS T WORKS WELL LIKE TAMIFLU DOES THE EARLIER IT'S GIVEN.

THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE TO START IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE CONFIRMATION OF THE TEST AND START IT WITHIN FIVE DAYS OF ONSET OF THE SYMPTOMS.

>> AND THE SUCCESS RATE FOR FOLKS THAT ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED OR HAVE CHEMOTHERAPY UNDERGOING DOES IT WORK FOR THOSE PATIENTS AS WELL?

>> YEAH, IT'S INDICATED FOR THOSE PATIENTS IN PARTICULAR AT HIGH-RISK FOR DEVELOPING SEVERE COVID.

THOSE ARE PATIENTS THAT HAVE THOSE TYPES OF RISK FACTORS.

THE SAME RISK FACTORS WE'RE USING TO SCREEN PEOPLE FOR THE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY GIVEN.

BUT THE STUDIES THAT PFIZER COMPLETED THAT LOOKED AT THAT AND IT SHOWED AN 88% DECREASE IN HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH COMPARED TO THE PLACEBO.

88% EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING THAT IS WHAT I SHOULD SAY.

I THINK THE TRIAL LOOKED AT THOSE PLACEBO VERSUS THE MEDICATION AND I THINK IT WAS A 6% HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH RATE WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THE PEOPLE THEY GOT THE PLACEBO.

AND 0.8% IN THOSE THAT GOT THE MEDICATION.

IT DEFINITELY SHOWS SOME EFFICACY AND IS PROMISING.

I'M HOPING IT COULD BE A GAME-CHANGER AS WE HEAD INTO THE THIRD YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC HERE.

>> ESPECIALLY WITH THE SPIKE HAPPENING NOW AND OMICRON REARING ITS HEAD IN THE MIDWEST REGION AND THE COUNTRY AT LARGE.

EARLIER WE TALKEDDED ABOUT FOLKS SCRAMBLING FOR TESTS.

WHAT DO YOU ADVISE TO PEOPLE ABOUT TO GET TOGETHER IN INDOOR SETTINGS FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

>> I THINK -- CERTAINLY WOULD RECOMMEND KEEPING THE GATHERINGS TO A LOWER NUMBER.

I DON'T THINK IT'S UNREASONABLE TO GET FAMILIES TOGETHER LIKE WE WERE DISCOURAGING LAST YEAR SINCE THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED.

I WOULD BE RELUCTANT TO URGE FAMILIES NOT VACCINATED TO GET TOGETHER THEY ARE MORE AT RISK TO GETTING SEVERE COVID.

BUT I THINK WE KNOW THAT NOT EVERYBODY IS GOING TO LISTEN TO OR ADHERE TO THOSE GUIDELINES.

I WOULD SAY IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE IN THE FAMILY THAT ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED VACCINATED OR NOT OR UNVACCINATED I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND IF YOU CANNOT GET A TEST DONE WITHIN 1-3 DAYS BEFORE YOU GET TOGETHER JUST TO NEGATIVE TEST DOES NOT MEAN YOU DON'T HAVE IT BUT IT DOES DECREASE YOUR CHANCES OF ACTUALLY BEING ABLE TO SPREAD COVID.

I THINK THE TEST IS IMPORTANT.

I THINK IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED IN THE FAMILY, I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO WEAR MASKS.

BUT YEAH, IT'S CAN BE A LITTLE BIT DICEY.

>> THUS THE RUN ON THE AT HOME RAPID TESTS.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE A SPIKE IN CASES A WEEK OR SO AFTER THESE HOLIDAY GATHERINGS?

>> YEAH, I THINK THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS WE WILL BE SEEING HIGHER NUMBERS FOR SURE.

WE SAW THAT AFTER THANKSGIVING AND NOW THAT WAS DELTA WHAT WE SAW AFTER THANKSGIVING AND NOW WE'VE MERGED FROM THE DELTA AND OMICRON AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS PURELY OMICRON FROM WHAT THEY ARE SAYING.

KNOWING HOW FAST THE OMICRON VIRUS IS SPREADS AND HOW QUICKLY IT INCUBATES IN PATIENTS, I WOULD BET NEXT COUPLE DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS AND INTO THE NEW YEAR WE WILL BE SEEING HIGH NUMBERS.

I HOPE THAT OMICRON VIRUS LIVES UP TO WHAT STUDIES ARE SHOWING OR THE CASES ARE IN SOUTH AFRICA AND EUROPE IT DOESN'T CAUSE SEVERE DISEASE OFTEN IN DELTA VARIANT.

>> AND OTHER DATA IN SOUTH AFRICA THAT THE CASES ARE STARTING TO GO DOWN RAPIDLY AFTER THE SPIKE IS THAT GOOD NEWS FOR HERE?

>> IT IS.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO SEE A FLAT CURVE WE'RE GOING TO SEE A SPIKE WHERE YOU WILL SEE CASES RAPIDLY GO UP AND RAPIDLY GO DOWN JUST AS QUICKLY.

>> DO YOU KNOW THE REASON FOR THAT?

>> I THINK AS I SPOKE TO YOU ABOUT BEFORE IT'S MUCH MORE CONTAGIOUS BUT THAT INCUBATION PERIOD IS KEY AS WELL.

IT ONLY TAKES 2-3 DAYS FOR PEOPLE TO DEVELOP SYMPTOMS AS OPPOSED TO THE ORIGINAL VIRUS, WE SAW IN 2020 THAT WAS TAKING 5-SEVEN DAYS.

THE FACT THAT PEOPLE RAPIDLY MEANS THEY GET SYMPTOMS AND THEY GET SICK AND IMPROVE QUICKER AS WELL THAT IS THE BIGGEST REASON.

Dr. JEFFREY BOHMER WE WISH YOU SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> STARTING JANUARY THIRD, ANYONE 5 AND OLDER WILL BE REQUIRED TO SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION AT CHICAGO'S INDOOR PUBLIC SPACES.

THE MANDATE AFFECTS BARS, RESTAURANTS, GYMS, ENTERTAINMENT VENUES AND ENACTED BY CITY OFFICIALS TO COMBAT THE OMICRON VARIANT.

>> AND JOINING US TO SHARE THEIR REACTIONS ARE JEFF PIEJAK FOUNDER OF ULTIMATE NINJA CHICAGO.

MARK LIBERSON OWNER OF REPLAY AND MELISSA OCAMPO REPRESENTING HER MOTHER WHO OWNS A RESTAURANT IN LOGAN SQUARE.

MARK, I WILL START WITH YOU SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN ENFORCING YOUR OWN VACCINE MANDATE HOW AHAS THAT.GOING SO FAR?

>> WE GOT A GOOD RESPONSE TO IT.

THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN RECEPTIVE.

OUR STAFF IS ESPECIALLY WE ACTUALLY DISCUSSED IN ANDERSON DISCONTINUING IT.

AND THE STAFF STRONGLY VOICED THEIR SUPPORT TO HAVE THE VACCINE REQUIREMENT CONTINUE.

IT HAS SOME CHALLENGES BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE NOT REQUIRED TO DO THAT AT ALL LOCATIONS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT CHALLENGING.

SOME PEOPLE WOULD COME AND NOT HAVE A VACCINE CARD OR PROOF ON THEIR PHONE AND THEY WOULD LEAVE US IN THE POSITION TO US NOT ALLOWING THEM IN.

AND LAKEVIEW LOCATIONS, ALL THE BARS AND RESTAURANTS ALONGSIDE US AGREED TO REQUIRE VACCINE -- PROOF OF VACCINATION SO IT WAS EASIER BECAUSE EVERYBODY COMING TO THE AREA KNEW THEY HAD TO BE VACCINATED.

>> IT'S EASIER WHEN EVERYONE IS DOING IT.

MELISSA HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ENFORCE THE NEW MANDATE?

>> FOR US IT WILL BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT BECAUSE PEOPLE DIDN'T WANT TO RESPECT WEARING THE MASK MANDATE.

I'M PRETTY SURE RIGHT NOW PEOPLE YOU KNOW, PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPINIONS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO GET VACCINATED.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT RESPECT THE RULES OF COMING IN WITH MASKS.

WE HAD LOST A FEW CUSTOMERS.

SOME PEOPLE OUR RESTAURANT IS MORE DINE-IN SO IT IMPACTS OUR SMALL BUSINESS SINCE WE'RE JUST -- WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TABLES AND STUFF.

SO IT DOES AFFECT US.

>> AND JEFF PIEJAK YOU HAVE A GYM, YOU HAVE KIDS, ADULTS, RUNNING AROUND ON YOUR OBSTACLE COURSE, HOW WILL THIS MANDATE AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT.

WE -- BECAUSE WE CATER TO CHILDREN I THINK THERE IS A LOT MORE OF THE POPULATION OUT THERE EVEN THOUGH KIDS CAN BE VACCINATED AGE DOWN TO AGE 5, THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF PARENTS OUT THERE THAT ARE NOT MOVING TOWARDS VACCINATING THEIR CHILDREN.

SO THAT IS GOING TO BE A BIG PROBLEM FOR US.

WE ARE ALREADY PROJECTING JUST BASED ON THE PHONE CALLS WE'VE RECEIVED SO FAR A 20-30% DROP IN VOLUME.

>> FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE IT'S GOOD IF THIS MANDATE DOESN'T LAST LONG.

LET'S LOOK AT GRAPHICS WITH THE COVID STATISTICS.

71% OF AREA RESIDENTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED IN COOK COUNTY.

7.6% POSITIVE CASES RIGHT NOW.

MARK, DO YOU THINK A BLANKET VAX MANDATE COULD HELP STOP THE SPREAD?

>> WELL, I'M NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

MY PERSONAL OPINION IS THAT ONE REASON WHY IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL IS IF YOU HAVE A VACCINE MANDATE IT WILL RESTRICT PEOPLE FROM DOING THINGS THEY WANT TO DO UNLESS THEY ARE VACCINATED IT WILL ENCOURAGE SOME TO GET VACCINATED.

AND HOPEFULLY LESS PEOPLE GETTING INFECTED.

>> MELISSA YOU MENTIONED IT MIGHT IMPACT YOUR SMALL BUSINESS.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO TRAIN YOUR WORKER AND EMPLOYEES TO DEAL WITH FOLKS THAT DON'T WANT TO COMPLY?

>> I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IT'S THE GOVERNMENT, WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES AND GO BY WHAT THEY SAY.

IF IT WAS UP TO US, WE WOULD NOT DO IT.

BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO GET VACCINATED AND A LOT OF PEOPLE AREN'T FROM WHERE WE ARE AT A POINT.

SO IT IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT.

BUT WE DO FOLLOW THE RULES WE HAVE TO HAVE OUR MASKS ON.

SIX FEET AWAY AND YEAH, WE'LL TRY TO KEEP THEM -- TRY TO DO IT AS LONG AS WE CAN.

>> AND JEFF, DO YOU ANTICIPATE A SITUATION WHERE SOME OF YOUR WORKERS MIGHT ENCOUNTER CUSTOMERS THAT DON'T WANT TO COMPLY WITH THIS?

>> MY OPINION IS THAT IT'S OUT THERE AND SO THE CALLS ARE ALREADY COMING IN.

YOU ARE ALREADY SEEING THOSE PEOPLE VOICE THEIR CONCERNS NOT EVEN BEFORE JANUARY THIRD THEY ARE STARTING TO HESITATE TO COME N WE GENERALLY DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN THEY ENTER.

IF THEY HAVE NOT HEARD THE NEWS THEY WILL IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS OR WEEKS.

BUT JANUARY THIRD, I DO NOT ANTICIPATE A PROBLEM.

WE GET THE E-MAILS THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT HAPPY.

AND WE TRY OUR BEST TO KEEP THEM AS CUSTOMERS IN THE FUTURE.

>> AND YOU'RE SAYING 20-30% HIT ON YOUR BUSINESS FOR THE TIME BEING WITH THE MANDATE.

HOW WILL THAT AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO GO FORWARD IN THAT LOCATION?

>> WELL, THAT IS A PROBLEM.

20-30% IS QUITE A FEW PEOPLE.

WE'VE GOT STAFF THAT HAVE TO BE PAID.

IT'S SALARIED WORKERS THAT ARE COUNTING ON PAYCHECKS AND WHEN THE VOLUMES GO DOWN WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CHILDREN OR ADULTS IN OUR GYMS IT'S GOING TO BE A PROBLEM.

I HOPE IT GOES FAST, RIGHT?

THAT'S THE HOPE.

>> LET'S LOOK AT SOME OF WHAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAD TO SAY SAYING SHE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO IMPOSE THIS MANDATE.

>> WE WILL LEAVE NO OPTIONS OFF THE TABLE WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR RESIDENTS.

WE DIDN'T WANT TO GET TO THIS POINT.

BUT GIVEN THE SITUATION WE FIND OURSELVES IN WE HAVE NO CHOICE.

SO TODAY, WE ARE ANNOUNCING THAT BEGINNING ON JANUARY THIRD, YOU MUST SHOW PROOF THAT YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED TO ENTER BARS, RESTAURANTS, FITNESS CENTERS, AND ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATIONAL VENUES WHERE FOOD OR DRINK ARE SERVED.

>> MARK, WHAT IS THE MOST OPTIMAL WAY TO DO THIS WITHOUT CAUSING CONFUSION OR LONG LINES?

>> SO I MEAN OUR EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT YOU HAVE CLEAR SIGNAGE AT THE ENTRY WAY.

YOU MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE IT ON YOUR WEBSITE.

YOU INFORM YOUR EMPLOYEES SO THEY ARE EDUCATED WHAT IT IS THEY ARE LOOKING FOR.

AND FRANKLY, IT IS A MATTER OF JUST PEOPLE GETTING USED TO THE CONCEPT.

YES, WE LOSE BUSINESS WE LOSE PEOPLE WHO COME AND ARE VACCINATED BUT DID NOT THINK TO BRING THEIR CARD.

WE MAY SEE THE PEOPLE SINCE THEY WILL BE PREPARED BY THE UNIFORMITY OF THE RULES.

BUT I ALSO BELONG TO A GYM DOWNTOWN THAT IS REQUIRING VACCINES EVERYBODY WHO WANTED TO USE THE GYM HAD TO BE VACCINATED.

AND THERE HASN'T BEEN AN ISSUE AT THIS POINT AT THE GYM.

IF ANYTHING IT SEEMS TO HAVE CREATED A GREATER SENSE OF COMFORT AMONGST THE PEOPLE THERE.

AND I THINK THAT IS TRUE FROM OUR CUSTOMERS.

WE'VE HEARD FROM THE PEOPLE THEY LIKE THE FACT THE PEOPLE IN THE RESTAURANT HAVE BEEN VACCINATED AND LESS LIKELY TO SPREAD THE VIRUS.

>> WE HAVE FOLLOWED THE RULES.

EVERYBODY WEARS THEIR MASK.

AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT.

EVERYBODY WEARS A MASK.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE THEY DON'T WANT TO COME IN WITH THEIR MASK SO IT IS A LITTLE HARD.

AND THEN SHOWING HAVING THEM TO SHOW US THEIR CARD I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT IS GOING TO BE SINCE WE DIDN'T HAVE THEM SHOW US ANY PROOF OF IT.

SO I HOPE IT'S NOT AS BAD AS -- I HOPE IT'S NOT AS BAD.

WE WERE BARELY PICKING UP OUR BUSINESS WAS STARTING TO BOOM AGAIN BUT WITH THIS, IT WENT DOWN.

SO HOPEFULLY IT JUST KEEPS GOING AND A LOT OF PEOPLE COME IN AND I HOPE THEY FOLLOW THE RULES.

>> AND AGAIN THE NEW RULES WILL START JANUARY 3.

AND WE WISH ALL OF YOU SUCCESS AND HAPPY AND HEALTHY HOLIDAYS.

THANKS TO JEFF PIEJAK, MARK LIBERSON AND MELISSA OCAMPO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT MEET A LOCAL ARTIST DIGGING TREASURE OUT OF THE SAND.

WE'LL EXPLAIN RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING THE POLITICAL FUTURE OF COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX IN OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS SEGMENT.

FIRST DISCOVERY IS CENTRAL TO THE WORK OF AN ARTIST WHO SEEKS AND FINDS THINGS ON THE SHORES OF LAKE MICHIGAN.

JOHN SOSS MAKES ARTWORK AFTER OF SEEMINGLY NOTHING SIFTING THE SAND FOR DEBRIS LEFT BY PEOPLE AND NATURE.

MARC VITALI HAS A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A BEACH COMBER.

>> HE CREATES COMPELLING COMPOSITIONS THAT DOCUMENT A PLACE OR SUGGEST AN IDEA OR MAKE A VISUAL PUN.

FOR JOHN SOSS IT STARTS WITH A DAY AT THE BEACH.

>> TWO PARTS OF MY MIND ARE WORKING WHEN I'M WALKING ON THE BEACH.

ONE IS WHICH I'M SEARCHING FOR STUFF AND I'M MY EYES ARE TUNED INTO WHAT IS ON THE GROUND DIFFERENT SHAPES AND COLORS.

BUT I ALSO DO FIND IT A MET THEY ACTIVE THING I LIKE TO THINK ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS AND WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY AND WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN TODAY.

MAYBE JUST WORKOUT SOME OF THE MESSY STUFF THAT HAPPENS IN LIFE.

>> SOSS ARRANGES THE THINGS HE FINDS.

HE PHOTOGRAPHS IT TO THE IPHONE AND PRINTS THE PICTURES ON RECYCLED LUMP.

HE HUNTS FOR THE -- ALUMINUM.

HE HUNTS YEAR-ROUND.

>> I FEEL LIKE I'M IN THE ELEMENTS THERE'S HEAVY WINDS AND BIG WAVES AND THE SAND BLOWS ACROSS THE SURFACE OF THE GROUND AND GETS RIGHT AT YOU.

I KIND OF LIKE THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING IN ALL THE SEASONS AND FEELING WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE TO BE OUT THERE YOU KNOW.

YOU CAN'T FEEL THAT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

OR IN YOUR HOUSE.

>> THE PROJECT STARTED NEARLY 10 YEARS AGO WHEN HE SHARED HIS PHOTOS WITH FAMILY.

HE GOT NOTICED ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND NOW HAS HIS SECOND SHOW AT THE DIME, ARTIST TONY FITZPATRICK'S GALLERY.

>> IT TOOK ME A FEW YEARS TO CONVINCE JOHN SOSS HE IS AN ARTIST.

IT IS THIS ARTISTIC DIALOGUE BETWEEN HIM AND THAT LAKE.

AND IT TELLS US A LOT ABOUT WE THE PEOPLE, WHAT WE KEEP, WHAT WE DISREGARD.

>> EVERY WALK ALONG THE LAKEFRONT YIELDS MATERIAL FOR THE NEXT ARTFUL DISPLAY OF STUFF THAT MIGHT INCLUDE FIRE WORKS OR CHILDREN'S TOYS OR SOMETHING MORE OMINOUS.

>> WHEN I GET HOME AND LOOKING AT THINGS ON MY WORK TABLE AS I PUT THEM TOGETHER AS AS IF I AM PUTTING A PUZZLE BACK TOGETHER.

I LIKE THE FACT THAT A LOT OF THOSE THINGS TALKING ABOUT DRIFTWOOD OR PEACH PITS OR WALNUTS OR BIRD FEATHERS WERE ONCE SOMETHING THAT WAS ALIVE AND NOW THEY HAVE BEEN LEFT ON THE BEACH.

I LIKE THE IDEA OF GIVING THEM LIFE AGAIN.

>> SOSS IS NEW TO MAKING ART BUT HE FREQUENTLY WORKS WITH ARTISTS RECORDING ARTISTS.

FOR DECADES HE WORKED FOR JAM PRODUCTIONS THE CHICAGO BASED CONCERT PROMOTER.

>> I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK I'M LONELY OLD MAN WHO WALKS AROUND AND PICKS LITTER OFF THE BEACH.

I FEEL I'M ENGAGED WHEN I AM OUT IN THE MORNING.

I'M LOOKING FOR THINGS AND THINKING ABOUT THINGS AND I'VE GOT MUSIC AND IT IS A MEDITATIVE QUALITY.

I GET A LOT OUT OF IT.

IT IS A GREAT RITUAL.

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

>> AND THE EXHIBITION IS CALLED ON THE BEACH AT THE ART GALLERY THE TIME IN HUMBOLDT PARK THROUGH JANUARY.

YOU CAN SEE MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT CALLS FOR FEDERAL HELP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME IN CHICAGO THAT AND MORE IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> AND HE IS STILL MAKING A LIST AND CHECK TO GO TWICE DESPITE A SANTA SHORTAGE IN CHICAGO.

WE'LL HEAR FROM THE BIG GUY HIMSELF ON THIS AND MORE.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... FIRST.

>> CHICAGO RECORDS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NEW COVID CASES OF THE PANDEMIC.

4641 CASES IN THE LAST 24 HOURS AND ILLINOIS RECORDED THE SECOND HIGHEST TOTAL WITH MORE THAN 16,000 NEW COVID CASES.

OFFICIALS REPORT 66 DEATHS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

AND THE STATE'S TOTAL CASE COUNT SURPASSES TWO MILLION WITH 27,357 DEATHS.

ILLINOIS' SEVEN DAY TEST POSITIVITY RATE IS 7.9% A HALF PERCENTAGE POINT HIGHER THAN YESTERDAY.

>> FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ARE ASKING A JUDGE TO SENTENCE FORMER ALDERMAN RICARDO MUNOZ TO JUST OVER A YEAR IN PRISON.

MUNOZ PLEADED GUILTY THIS YEAR TO WIRE FRAUD AND MONEY-LAUNDERING CHARGES.

FEDERAL PROSECUTORS SAY HE QUOTE ABUSED HIS PUBLIC POSITION AND BETRAYED THE PUBLIC TRUST BY EMBEZZLING 38,000 IN CITY MONEY OVER THREE YEARS AND ASKING THE JUDGE TO ISSUE HIM A SENTENCE OF ONE YEAR AND ONE DAY IN FEDERAL PRISON.

>> RELIEF FOR STUDENT DEBTORS.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION EXTENDED THE PAUSE ON FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS THROUGH MAY 1.

THE MORATORIUM ALLOWS TENS OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS TO PUT OFF PAYMENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THIS MEASURE WAS SET TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF JANUARY.

INTEREST RATES WILL REMAIN AT 0% AS WELL AND DEBT COLLECTION EFFORTS WILL BE SUSPENDED.

>> AND MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT ANNOUNCES BARS AND RESTAURANTS WILL REQUIRE PROOF OF COVID VACCINATION IN THE NEW YEAR.

AND THE MAYOR ASKED FOR MORE FEDERAL HELP TO COMBAT CITY VIOLENCE AND ALL THAT AND MORE IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

JOINING US ARE AMANDA VINICKY AND TWO SPECIAL GUESTS, KELLY BAUER OF BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO AND MARIAH WOELFEL OF WBEZ.

WELCOME TO SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> AMANDA THERE ARE PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS DIVIDE HERE ON LORI LIGHTFOOT'S NEW VACCINE MANDATE.

FOLKS THAT DON'T LIKE IT AND OTHERS SAY WHY DIDN'T YOU DO IT EARLIER?

WHY DIDN'T THE MAYOR DO IT EARLIER LIKE WHEN NEW YORK CITY DID IT?

>> SHE DID NOT WANT TO HAVE TO GET TO THIS POINT.

WAITING FOR THIS OTHER WAVE WHEN SHE WAS FORCED TO DO SO SHE HAS BEEN UNDER PRESSURE, HOWEVER FROM CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM MEMBERS OF THE RESTAURANT COMMUNITY AS YOU NOTED, A DIVIDED COMMUNITY BUT THOSE WHO SAY THIS WILL HELP THEM IF THE ONUS IS GOING TO BE ON BUSINESSES AS THE CITY IS PUTTING IT VERSUS INDIVIDUALS, THEN THEY WANT SOME MEASURE OF UNIFORMITY.

WE WILL BE WATCHING TO SEE HOW THIS IMPACTS THE ECONOMY, WHAT THIS MEANS FOR BUSINESSES IS THERE A FEAR THAT THE WORKERS MIGHT HAVE A BACKLASH FROM PATRONS REFUSING TO COMPLY?

>> CERTAINLY WE'VE SEEN PEOPLE FIGHT SOME OF THE MANDATES IN THE PAST.

AND WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DON'T THINK THIS IS A STEP THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN WHO DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO SHOW THEIR VACCINE CARD AND SHARE THEIR VACCINATION STATUS AND RIGHT NOW THE ONUS IS ON RESTAURANTS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES TO ENFORCE THIS.

IF THEY ARE CONFRONTING DIFFICULT PATIENTS THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND DECIDE HOW THEY ARE GOING TO HANDLE TAKE THAT OFF THE CITY'S SHOULDERS TO DO.

>> AND KELLY BAUER AT THIS PRESS CONFERENCE IT WAS REVEALED THAT FOLKS IN MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S INNER CIRCLE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID.

THERE WAS A HOLIDAY PARTY THAT THE MAYOR THREW THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN WHERE THE SPREADING OCCURRED.

DO WE KNOW ANYMORE ABOUT THAT?

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT WAS ASKED ABOUT IT BY NBC5 AND SHE PRETTY MUCH REFUSED TO ANSWER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.

SHE WAS SAYING YES THERE WAS A HOLIDAY PARTY BUT PEOPLE TOOK PRECAUTIONS.

WHEN ASKED IF SHE WAS EXPOSED SHE PUSHED BACK ON THAT QUESTION AND SAID WE DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPOSED.

SHE TESTED NEGATIVE AND THAT SHE REGULARLY TAKES TESTS AND SPOKE TO Dr. ALLISON ARWADY.

BUT WE HAVE HEARD THAT THERE ARE I BELIEVE NINE MAYOR STAFF MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED OR TESTED POSITIVE.

AND WHO ARE NOW WORKING FROM HOME.

WHEN THE MAYOR WAS ASKED ABOUT THAT SHE SAID THE CITY PUSHED ALL CITY WORKERS TO WORK-FROM-HOME AS POSSIBLE.

>> AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE HAS BEEN LESS THAN FORTHCOMING YOU HAVE SOME OFFICES SENDING E-MAILS EVERYDAY BUT MARIAH WOELFEL AS FAR AS I KNOW THIS IS THE FIRST WE'VE HEARD PUBLICLY ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE WITH RESPECT TO COVID?

>> YES, I THINK SO AND THE MAYOR SAID SHE IS TAKING THE PRECAUTIONS THAT THE C.D.C.

ADVISES WHERE IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD SYMPTOMS AND YOU'RE TESTING NEGATIVE YOU CAN CONTINUE TO NOT QUARANTINE AND GO ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS.

THE MAYOR IS GETTING TESTED TWICE WEEKLY.

I DO BELIEVE THAT IS THE FIRST OUTBREAK WITHIN CITY GOVERNMENT THAT WE'VE HEARD ABOUT AT THIS LEVEL.

>> UNDER SCORES HOW FAST THE OMICRON IS SPREADING AND THE DEMAND FOR TESTING IS EXPLODING.

PRESIDENT BIDEN SAYS FREE KITS WILL BE SHIPPED OUT NEXT MONTH AND HERE IS WHAT HE ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL PURCHASE ONE-HALF BILLION, THAT IS NOT MILLION, BILLION WITH A B, ADDITIONAL ADD HOME RAPID TESTS WITH DELIVERIES STARTING IN JANUARY.

>> AMANDA, PEOPLE ARE ABOUT TO GO VISIT LOVED ONES FOR CHRISTMAS GATHERINGS AND HOLIDAY GATHERINGS IS THIS TOO LITTLE TOO LATE?

>> YEAH, IT'S BOTH OF THOSE THINGS.

AT THIS POINT IN TIME AND THE PRESIDENT ASKED ABOUT THAT SAYING NO, WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT OMICRON WAS GOING TO ARRIVE AND NOW AND SPREAD SO RAPIDLY.

EXCEPT THERE HAS BEEN RECOGNITION ALL ALONG THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHERE COVID IS GOING TO GO AND BEING PANDEMIC PREPARED AT THIS POINT.

AWARE OF THOSE POSSIBILITIES.

AGAIN, I WILL BRING UP THIS COMES AS NOW EMPLOYEES FOR MOST BUSINESSES THOSE WHO ARE NOT VACCINATED WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF TESTING AND YOU WANT TO NORMALIZE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TESTING.

EVEN GETTING EARLIER CONVERSATION THERE IS AN OBLIGATION FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO BE TRANSPARENT AND NOT STEREOTYPING AND FINGER POINTING WHEN SOMEBODY DOES HAVE A POSITIVE COVID CASE AND ENCOURAGING INDIVIDUALS TO TEST THEMSELVES NOT GO TO WORK WHEN THERE IS SOMETHING POSITIVE AND MONEY IS GOING TO BE AN OBSTACLE FOR PEOPLE.

YES, IT IS BOTH OF THOSE THINGS TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE.

AND YET, WHENEVER IT ARRIVES MOST CERTAINLY WELCOMED TO PREVENT THIS WAVE OR FUTURE WAVES.

>> AND WE SAW THE LONG LINES FOR TESTING RIGHT NOW.

KELLY BAUER, YOU'VE REPORTED ON THE CRUNCH AT HOSPITALS THIS WEEK.

WE'VE TALKED WITH A NUMBER OF HOSPITAL OFFICIALS ABOUT THE SITUATIONS AT THEIR FALL FACILITIES WHAT.

IS IT LIKE RIGHT NOW INSIDE THE HOSPITAL IN TERMS OF STAFF AND CAPACITY AND ICU?

>> I THINK RIGHT NOW THERE IS A LOT OF FEAR AND A LOT OF FRUSTRATION.

WE HAVE FOR WEEKS BEEN DEALING WITH A SURGE FUELED BY DELTA AND IT'S LEADING TO INCREASED HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS.

AND ALREADY STAFF ARE BURNED OUT FROM WORKING ALMOST TWO YEARS IN A PANDEMIC AND LOSING SO MANY PATIENTS TO THE VIRUS.

NOW THEY ARE CONFRONTING WE HAVE A SURGE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS AND THAT WE COULD BE FACING A WORSE SURGE ONCE OMICRON CASES SPREAD AND IT TURNS INTO MORE HOSPITALIZATIONS.

THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERN.

THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS WE'VE TALKED TO SAID THE BEDS ARE FILLING UP MORE STAFF THEMSELVES ARE GETTING SICK.

AND THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT IF THE HEALTH SYSTEM COULD GET OVERWHELMED AND THEY ARE MAKING PLANS FOR WHAT WOULD HAPPEN.

AND IF WE GET BACK ON ELECTIVE PROCEDURES.

>> AND TODAY IS THE SINGLE HIGHEST CASE HAUL IN CHICAGO.

THE SEVERE ILLNESSES LAG THE CASE COUNT WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN HOSPITALS.

MARIAH WOELFEL UP WITH CLEAR WAY TO TAMP DOWN THE SPREAD IS FOR MORE FOLKS TO GET BOOSTERS.

NEW YORK CITY IS OFFERING $100 FOR BOOSTER SHOTS.

IS MAYOR LIGHTFOOT CONSIDERING ANYTHING TO RAMP UP A BOOSTER CAMPAIGN IN CHICAGO?

>> I THINK OFFERING $100 FOR BOOSTER SHOTS IS NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION FOR -- OUT OF THE QUESTION FOR THE CITY.

BUT I DO THINK THEY STILL HAVE STRUGGLING TO GET PEOPLE WHO ARE HESITANT TO GET THE FIRST SHOT.

74% OF ALL ELIGIBLE CHICAGOANS HAVE GOTTEN THEIR FIRST SHOT OF THE VACCINE THAT IS LOWER IN MINORITY COMMUNITIES IT'S IN THE 50s FOR BLACK CHICAGOANS.

I THINK IT IS A HARD BARGAIN FOR THE CITY TO START OFFERING INCENTIVES LIKE $100 FOR BOOSTER SHOTS AND THEY ARE STILL OFFERING 100 BOOSTERS THAT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE AT HOME VACCINE PROGRAM TO GET THE FIRST SHOT.

IT IS NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION BUT THEY ARE FOCUSED ON CONVINCING THOSE SKEPTICAL OF THE VACCINE AT ALL TO GET THEIR FIRST SHOT.

>> IT IS A HARD BARGAIN FOR FOLKS IN THE PERFORMING ARTS INDUSTRY AND PROFESSIONAL SPORTS ANOTHER BULLS GAME QAN CANCELS.

AMANDA, HOW WILL THE SURGE IMPACT THE LOCAL ECONOMIC RECOVERY, DO YOU THINK?

>> I MEAN IT'S NOT GREAT.

IT'S NOT GOOD YOU HEARD ON YOUR PANEL THERE ARE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE CONCERNED THAT JUST AS THEY WERE STARTING TO HIT A STRIDE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE ONCE AGAIN ON THE BACK END OF THINGS.

I INTERVIEWED SOMEONE YESTERDAY THE OWNER AND THEY ARE STARTING TO SEE THINGS REMINISCENT OF PRESHUTDOWN WHICH FOLKS WHO BOUGHT TICKETS TO SHOWS ARE NOT SHOWING UP AND AT SOME POINT THEN ALSO THEY HAVE TO CANCEL IF THEY DON'T SELL ENOUGH TICKETS THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THEIR BARTENDERS, THE BOUNCERS THEY ARE COUNTING ON.

FANS WILL NOT COME.

IT DOES HIT A CYCLE HERE.

SO IT IS CERTAINLY ANOTHER STRAIN AND ANOTHER HIT FOR PEOPLE'S POCKETBOOKS.

>> I WANT TO MOVE TO THE NEWS WITH OVER 800 HOMICIDES IN CHICAGO MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT IS CALLING FOR FEDERAL HELP.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> 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.

>> KELLY BAUER, THERE ARE THESE ADDRESSES ON VIOLENCE EVERY FEW YEARS AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SENDS U.S.

ATTORNEYS TO HELP.

DID YOU HEAR ANYTHING NEW IN THIS ADDRESS THAT THE MAYOR GAVE ABOUT TACKLING THE HIGH VIOLENCE RATE?

>> I THINK THAT WHAT WE DID HEAR WAS A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS THAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND OTHER MAYORS WHO CALLED FOR IN THE PAST.

THE BIGGEST CHANGE THAT STOOD OUT TO ME WAS THAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT IS CALLING FOR A MORATORIUM ON ELECTRONIC MONITORING FOR PEOPLE CHARGED WITH CERTAIN CRIMES, KIDNAPPING, MURDER, ATTEMPTED MURDER AND RAPE AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE NOT HEARD OF BEFORE.

SHE SAYS THAT SHE THINKS THERE'S TOO LAX OF SUPERVISION AND THINKS THAT PEOPLE PUT IN THIS PROGRAM ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE UPTICK IN CRIME BECAUSE THEY ARE REOFFENDING WHILE ON MONITORING.

>> AND THE PROBLEM OF REOFFENSE HAS HAPPENED FOR DECADES.

FOLKS GET OUT FROM BAIL OR OUT ON MONITORING, AND IT HAPPENED WHEN THE CRIME RATE WAS HIGH IN THE 90s AND IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN NOW.

I WANT TO MOVE ON TO STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX, THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR DAN WEB RELEASED THIS REPORT ON HER OFFICE.

AMANDA VINICKY, YOU'VE GOT EDITORIAL PAGES CALLING FOR FOXX TO COME OUT AND COME CLEAN WHY HER OFFICE DROPPED THAT SMOLLETT CASE TWO YEARS AGO.

HOW MUCH POLITICAL PRESSURE DOES SHE FACE RIGHT NOW?

>> SHE IS NOT UP FOR REELECTION ANYTIME SOON.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HER ASPIRATIONS ARE GOING FORWARD.

SHE IS UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE NOW BECAUSE THAT IS ONE OF THE BIG QUESTIONS THAT THAT REPORT DIDN'T ANSWER.

RATHER YOU GOT CONFLICTING STORIES WHY THE CASE WAS DROPPED.

AND IT AER PIANOS AS IF SHE WAS MORE AWARE OF THOSE GOINGS ON.

THE QUESTION NOW NO MATTER WHAT SHE SAYS IS THERE TRUST TO COME CLEAN?

FOXX'S OFFICE INDICATING THROUGH HER ATTORNEY THAT THESE WEREN'T LIES AS PERCEIVED BY THE SPECIAL REPORT.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN HER NOT REMEMBERING.

IT WAS A BUSY TIME.

BUT CERTAINLY WHAT YOU HAVE A LACK OF TRUST IN THIS ALREADY UNDER SIEGE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND UNDER SIEGE OFFICE HOLDER, SHE HAS SAID PREVIOUSLY AND HAS SPOKEN HOW SHE FEELS SOME OF THIS IS UNWARRANTED AND BECAUSE SHE IS A BLACK WOMAN STATE'S ATTORNEY THAT SHE IS UNDER MORE PRESSURE THAN OTHERS IN HER POSITION WOULD BE.

>> SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T FEEL WAS UNWARRANTED WAS DAN WEBB WHO WE INTERRUED AND HE DID NOT HOLD BACK IN TERMS OF HIS ASSESSMENT WHAT HAPPENED.

MARIAH WOELFEL KIM FOXX WAS A PROTEGE OF TONY FITZPATRICK COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT HAVE WE HEARD ANYTHING FROM PRECKWINKLE DEFENDING FOXX OR CRITIQUING FOXX.

>> NOT CREE TICKING -- CRITIQUING.

PRECKWINKLE SAID SHE STILL HAS FULL CONFIDENCE IN KIM FOXX.

KIM FOXX IS A PROTEGE OF PRECKWINKLE.

PRECKWINKLE HAS BEEN A LONGTIME POLITICAL BACKER IT IS NOT SURPRISING SHE HAS NOT COME OUT CHASTISING FOXX AND I WOULD BE SURPRISED WHEN SHE DOES READ THE FULL REPORT.

>> MARIAH WOELFEL I WILL STICK WITH YOU GOING BACK TO THE ISSUE OF CRIME AND MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S ADDRESS, SHE SAID SHE IS VOWING TO DO ANYTHING POSSIBLE.

DOES THAT INCLUDE CHANGES AT THE TOP OF C.P.D.

AND THE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN?

>> WELL, YOU DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES IN HER SPEECH THIS WEEK.

I THINK SHE POINTED IN EVERY OTHER DIRECTION BUT TO LEADERSHIP AT C.P.D.

WE HEARD THAT SHE WANTED CHANGES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WITH WHO WE LET OUT ON BAIL.

WE NEED MORE RESOURCES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WE NEED SYSTEMIC CHANGES TO COMBAT EFFECTS OF DISINVESTMENT.

BUT I THINK WHAT IS NOTABLE YOU REALLY DID NOT HEAR ANY CRITICISM FROM LIGHTFOOT IN THE SPEECH OF C.P.D.

OTHER THAN THE FACT THEY NEED TO HOLD THEMSELVES ACCOUNTABLE IN KEEPING ON IMPROVING.

BUT YOU KNOW, KEEPING ON IMPROVING THE IMPROVEMENTS THEY HAVE MADE WITH THE MURDER CLEARANCE RATE, SHE TOUTED THAT THE MURDER CLEARANCE RATE IS MUCH BETTER THE RATE AT WHICH DETECTIVES SOLVE CHICAGO MURDERS.

AND C.P.D.

NEEDS TO HOLD ITSELF ACCOUNTABLE BUT YOU DID NOT HEAR HER TALK ABOUT POLICE MISCONDUCT THAT HAS LED TO THIS TRUST BETWEEN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>> AND BIG SETTLEMENTS THE CITY PAYS OUT.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE OUR THANKS TO YOU ALL, HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> UP NEXT WE'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT SUPPLY CHAIN SHORTAGES BUT IS THERE A SHORTAGE ON SANTA AS WELL?

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS MORE IN A CONVERSATION WE RECORDED EARLIER.

FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

DEMAND TO SEE SANTA CLAUS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON IS UP COMPARED TO YEARS PAST.

FAMILIES ARE LINING UP AROUND THE CITY TO MEET WITH THE BIG GUY HIMSELF.

BUT IN SOMEPLACES THERE IS A STRUGGLE TO MEET THE DEMAND.

AND A NOTE TO PARENTS IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME OF SANTA'S SECRETS MIGHT COME OUT DURING THIS CONVERSATION YOU DECIDE IF YOU WANT TO SEND THE KIDDOS OUT OF THE ROOM, BECAUSE JOINING US TO TALK ALL THINGS SANTA ARE SANTA TIM WHO HAS BEEN BUSY LENDING A HAND TO SANTA CLAUS IN THE NORTH POLE AND KEITH STRAUSS C.E.O.

AND FOUNDER OF CHICAGO'S SANTAS.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING TIME FOR US.

SANTA, WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE.

TELL US ABOUT -- >> HO, HO, HO, GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> TELL US HOW IT'S BEEN GOING THIS SEASON MEETING WITH FAMILIES.

WHO IS ON YOUR NAUGHTY AND NICE LIST?

>> I TELL YOU WHAT THERE'S FEW KIDS ON THE NAUGHTY LIST THIS YEAR.

AND SANTA BELIEVES IN REDEMPTION IF THEY CAN DO THE BEST JOB THEN THEY CAN GET ON THE GOOD LIST.

IT'S BEEN REALLY BUSY THIS YEAR.

>> I'M SURE IT HAS AND BECAUSE OF WHAT THIS YEAR HAS BEEN LIKE MAYBE IT'S NOT AS EASY FOR EVERYBODY TO STAY AS NICE.

KEITH YOU HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 48 YEARS TELL US ABOUT THE INCREASE IN DEMAND AND HOW IT'S AFFECTED THE JOBS YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE ON THIS YEAR?

>> I CAN TELL YOU LAST YEAR ALTHOUGH IT WASN'T A TOTAL WASH IT WAS CLOSE TO IT.

SO SANTA WASN'T ABLE TO DO WHAT HE NORMALLY DOES AS FAR AS HOME VISITS SOME OF THE MALLS, DID NOT HAVE SANTA LAST YEAR.

SO THERE IS AN OVERWHELMING DEMAND FOR SANTA THIS YEAR.

SO MUCH SO TO THE POINT WHERE THERE'S MORE WORK THAN WE HAVE SANTAS AVAILABLE.

WE EMPLOY 25 SANTAS WITH CHICAGO SANTAS AND THEY ARE NONSTOP BETWEEN NOVEMBER 11 UP UNTIL CHRISTMAS DAY EVEN.

AND THE REQUESTS ARE STILL COMING IN BECAUSE CHRISTMAS THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS IS A SUNDAY?

A.

SOME PEOPLE ARE REQUESTING SANTA.

IT'S JUST UNBELIEVABLY BEDLAM BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE LAST YEAR WHEN WE WERE NOT ABLE TO VISIT LIKE ALL THE YEARS PAST.

>> AND KEITH, WHAT DO WE KNOW WHAT IS BEHIND THE SANTA SHORTAGE THAT YOU'VE BEEN SEEING?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THE MAJORITY OF OUR SANTAS ARE UP IN AGE.

60 AND BETTER.

UNFORTUNATELY SOME OF THEM DID PASS AWAY FROM COVID.

AND NOT ALL FROM COVID BUT SOME DID.

AND THERE'S NOT ENOUGH IN THE ACTOR POOL SO TO SPEAK TO -- ANYBODY CAN PUT ON A SANTA CLAUS OUTFIT.

BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT HERE.

AND WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITH ALL OF OUR CLIENTS FOR SO MANY YEARS BECAUSE OUR GUYS PORTRAY SANTA FROM THE HEART.

SO IT'S HARD SOMETIMES TO FIND THE RIGHT GUY TO PORTRAY SANTA.

WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE AND I THINK THAT IS WHY WE ARE AS SUCCESSFUL AS WE ARE.

HOPEFULLY AS YEARS GO BY WE FIND MORE PEOPLE AND BUILD OUR STABLE SO TO SPEAK BACK UP.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

NOT EVERYONE CAN PORTRAY SANTA AND WE'RE SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE LOSS OF THE MEN YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED.

SANTA COMING BACK TO YOU, WHAT DREW YOU TO THIS JOB?

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT?

>> WELL, IT'S THE KIDS AND THE LOVE THAT THEY SHARE.

AND YOU KNOW, EVERYDAY IS A HOLIDAY FOR SANTA.

I DON'T CARE WHERE I'M AT I GET LOVE WHERE EVERY I GO.

AND IT IS A BEAUTIFUL THING.

>> AND SANTA WE WERE TALKING ABOUT KEITH WAS SAYING HOW IT HAS TO COME FROM THE HEART.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD SANTA?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, YOU GOT TO BELIEVE.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S FROM THE HEART.

TO SEE THE JOY AND THE SPARKLE IN THE LITTLE CHILDREN'S EYES WHEN THEY GET A GLIMPSE OF SANTA, I CAN'T DESCRIBE IT ANYTHING OTHER THAN THAT.

I WILL SAY THAT LAST YEAR WITH THE WAY THE SITUATION WAS WITH COVID AND EVERYTHING, I DIDN'T REALIZE JUST HOW MUCH I MISSED THE LOVE FROM THE LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS.

SO IT WAS THAT MUCH BETTER THIS YEAR SO FAR.

>> AND DO YOU YOURSELF OR ANY OF YOUR SANTA COLLEAGUES HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT EXPOSURE TO COVID OR THE COLD AND FLU WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN A CONCERN PREPANDEMIC AS WELL?

>> WELL, I ALWAYS GET A FLU SHOT EVERY YEAR.

AND THIS YEAR I HAD THE COVID VACCINE AND THE BOOSTER AND WE WEAR THE SANTA SHIELD ON THE FACE AND I THE POIS AND GIRLS HAVE BEEN GOOD AND THE PARENTS ABOUT WEARING THEIR MAIVES WHEN THEY SEE ME.

THEY SIT NEXT TO ME NO ONE IS ON SANTA'S LAP THIS YEAR.

AND WE'LL LET THEM TAKE THEIR MASKS DOWN JUST FOR THE PICTURE SO WE'RE NOT EXPOSING MUCH OF ANYTHING.

OTHER THAN THAT, WE FEEL PRETTY SAFE.

>> GOOD PROTECTIONS IN PLACE.

KEITH, WHAT ROLE HAS COVID PLAYED THIS YEAR AND ARE YOU EXPECTING OR HOPING TO SEE MORE NORMALCY THIS YEAR COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEARS?

>> WELL, BRANDIS, I CAN HONESTLY TELL YOU I THINK THE DAYS OF CHILDREN SITTING ON SANTA'S LAP ARE GONE.

I DON'T THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT RETURN ANYTIME SOON.

IT IS A CONCERN OF OURS BECAUSE WE WANT TO PROTECT OUR EMPLOYEES.

WE WANT TO PROTECT THEIR HEALTH.

AND THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND.

EVEN A LITTLE BABY THAT LIKE I SAY CAME OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE WE USED TO BE HOLD THEM AND WE CAN'T DO THAT NOW.

WE HAVE THE PARENTS SIT NEXT TO US AND DO IT.

BUT I HONESTLY SAY AND MOST OF THE SANTAS WILL AGREE THE DAYS OF KIDS SITTING ON OUR LAPS HAVE GONE TO THE WAYSIDE.

WHICH IS NOT A BAD THING EITHER.

BECAUSE THE PARENTS HAVE MORE CONTROL OVER THEIR CHILDREN WHEN WE DON'T HAVE TO CONTROL THEM SO TO SPEAK.

>> AND BEFORE I LET YOU GO KEITH, WHERE CAN PEOPLE GO TO SEE SANTA IN CHICAGO?

>> WE'RE AT THE SWISS HOTEL IN THE SANTA SUITE.

SANTA TIM IS THERE EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

LINCOLN PARK ZOO FOR ZOO LIGHTS WHICH CONTINUES THROUGH THE SUNDAY THE 22 OF DECEMBER.

WE'RE AT THE KRIS KRINGLE MARKET AT WRIGLEYVILLE UP THERE.

WE'RE AT THE BERGDORF'S RESTAURANT.

WE ARE AT GEEZ... HOTEL ZACHARY -- I MEAN YOU NAME THE PLACE A CHICAGO SANTA IS THERE VISITING WITH THE CHICAGO PEOPLE OF CHICAGO.

>> RIGHT ON TIME FOR THE SEASON.

I KNOW SOME OF THE LOCATIONS MYSELF.

SANTA AND KEITH THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

AND BEST OF LUCK FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON.

>> HO, HORACIO MENDEZ.

>> MER ARE I HO, HO, HO.

>> MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... SANTA HANGING ON TO BERGDORF.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW.

PLEASE JOIN PHIL PONCE TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS.

GOOD NIGHT.

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