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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> A BIRD IN THE HAND IS BETTER THEY TWO BIRDS IN A BUSH.

>> A CITY COUNCIL MEASURE IS STALLED AS ALDERPEOPLE WEIGH WHETHER SPORTS BETTING AT ARENAS WOULD KNEECAP EFFORTS TO BUILD A CASINO.

>> TO NOT TAKE THE VACCINE THERE IS A CONSEQUENCE.

>> A NEW DEBATE OVER VACCINE MANDATES IT COULD COST YOU TO NOT GET THE SHOT.

>> AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT.

>> CHICAGO IS SET TO RECEIVE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS AS THE CITY ANNOUNCES A BILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT.

>> AN INVESTIGATION EXPLORES THE COSTLY TOLL OF DEAD-END DRUG ARRESTS ON CHICAGOANS.

>> PRIORITY ADVERTISING PROFITS OVER SAFETY A NEW BOOK MAKES THE CASE AGAINST AIRPLANE MANUFACTURER BOEING.

HOW LOCAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS ARE CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS AMID THE CURRENT COVID SPIKE.

>> AN ORGANIZATION AIMED AT HELPING REFUGEE WOMEN STARTS A NEW LIFE.

>> AND GEOFFREY BAER WHAT A LOCAL SQUARE -- LOGAN SCARE APARTMENT BUILDING THAT ONCE HOSTED ROYALTY CAN TELL US ABOUT THE FORMATION OF CHICAGO'S NEIGHBORHOODS.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN HOLDS A TWO-HOUR VIDEO CALL WITH VLADIMIR PUTIN IN AN EFFORT TO DIS COURAGE THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT FROM LAUNCHING AN INVASION OF UKRAINE.

JAKE SULLIVAN DESCRIBED THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE TWO LEADERS AS DIRECT AND STRAIGHTFORWARD.

SULLIVAN SAYS THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES PUTIN HAS YET TO MAKE A DECISION ON UKRAINE.

>> WE STILL DO NOT BELIEVE THAT PRESIDENT PUTIN MADE A DECISION.

WHAT PRESIDENT BIDEN DID TODAY IS LAYOUT CLEARLY THE CONSEQUENCES IF HE CHOOSES TO MOVE.

THE FUNDAMENTAL OBJECT OF THE POLICY THAT THE UNITED STATES IS PURSUING IS IN LOCK STEP WITH OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES IS TO DETER A RUSSIAN MILITARY INVASION OF FURTHER TERRITORY OF UKRAINE.

>> SATELLITE PHOTOS SHOW RUSSIA IS ENGAGED IN A HUGE MILITARY BUILDUP AT THE UKRAINE BORDER WITH 90,000 TROOPS WITH HEAVY WEAPONRY.

U.S. INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS FEAR IT MAY COME AS SOON AS EARLY JANUARY.

>> THE OMICRON VARIANT OF COVID-19 IS HERE.

THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ANNOUNCES THE FIRST CASE OF THE OMICRON VARIANT IN THE STATE WAS DETECTED IN CHICAGO.

IN A STATEMENT IDPH SAYS... >> BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER Dr. ALLISON ARWADY SAID WHILE THE CURRENT SURGE IN COVID CASES MAINLY INVOLVES THE DELTA VARIANT IT WAS LIKELY OMICRON WAS IN CHICAGO AND COULD SOON BECOME THE DOMINANT STRAIN OF THE VIRUS.

>> 99.9% OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING IN CHICAGO IN ILLINOIS ACROSS THE U.S. HAS BEEN THE DELTA VARIANT FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS NOW.

BUT I DO EXPECT THAT WE WILL START TO SEE THE OMICRON VARIANT BE PART OF THAT, BECAUSE IT AT LEAST IN SOUTH AFRICA IT QUICKLY OUTCOMPETED THE DELTA VARIANT.

>> AND PRESIDENT BIDEN AND FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN MARKED THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR WITH A VISIT TO THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL.

BIDEN SALUTED A WREATH TO HONOR VETERAN AND FORMER SENATOR BOB DOLE WHO DIED SUNDAY.

THE SUNFLOWER IS THE STATE FLOWER OF DOLE'S HOME STATE OF KANSAS.

THE ATTACK KILLED 2400 AMERICANS CIVILIANS AND SERVICE MEMBERS AND LED ROOSEVELT TO DECLARE DECEMBER 7, 1941 A DAY WHICH WILL LIVE IN INFAMY.

AND CONGRESS TO DECLARE WAR ON JAPAN A DAY AFTER THE ATTACK.

>> AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ALLOW SPORTS BETTING AT FIVE SPORTS VENUES HAS BEEN STOPPED IN ITS TRACKS.

MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL WERE SPLIT ON THE MEASURE SAYING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WOULD NOT PROFIT FROM THE VENTURE.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINING US WITH MORE.

AT TODAY'S MEETING THE ALDERMEN SHARED DIFFERING OPINIONS ABOUT THE CITY'S PLAN TO ALLOW SPORTS BETTING AT MAJOR STADIUMS.

TELL US WHAT WAS UP FOR A VOTE?

>> ALDERMEN HAD BEEN EXPECTED TO APPROVAL THE PROPOSAL BACKED BY MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT TO ALLOW CHICAGO'S PRO SPORTS TEAMS TO OFFER SPORTS BETTING AT THE HOME STADIUMS AND ARENA.

IN RETURN, THE ORDINANCE CALLED FOR A 2% TAX ON GROSS REVENUES.

BUT THAT WASN'T GOING TO CREATE A LOT OF REVENUE FOR THE CITY AND IT FLOUNDERED AMID CONCERNS THAT IT WOULD BE ENOUGH TO PUT THE KIBOSH ON A PLANNED CHICAGO CASINO, FINALLY, FINALLY MAYBE READY TO GET OFF THE GROUND.

>> PAT DOWELL WAS DISSATISFIED BY THE MEASURE SHE SAID IT WOULD ADD AN UNNECESSARY TAX INCREASE.

>> 400 TO 500,000 DOLLARS A YEAR TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO IS REALLY PALTRY WHEN YOU ADD IN THE LICENSING FEE THAT THE GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY IT SEEMS LIKE PEANUTS FOR AN INDUSTRY THAT IS GROWING.

>> HEATHER HOW WOULD THE PLAN HAVE IMPACTED THE CITY?

>> THE CONCERN IS THAT BECAUSE THE CITY WILL GET A HIGHER TAX ON BETS PLACED AT CHICAGO'S FUTURE CASINO THAT IT WOULD ESSENTIALLY BE SHOOTING ITSELF IN THE FOOT BY ALLOWING BETS TO BE PLACED AT SPORTS STADIUMS.

AND THE ALDERMEN WERE CONCERNED THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR BLACK-OWNED, LATINO-OWNED OR FEMALE-OWNED BUSINESSES TO GET A PIECE OF THIS PIE WHICH COULD GENERATE 20-25 MILLION AT EACH OF CHICAGO STADIUMS.

>> ABOUT FOUR OF THE MAYOR'S CLOSEST COLLEAGUES SAID THAT SPORTS BETTING WOULD TAKE AWAY REVENUE FROM THE CITY'S FUTURE CASINO RESORT.

WALTER BURNETT DISAGREED SAYING THAT SPORTS BETTING WOULD REVITALIZE THE CITY'S DIS INVESTED AREAS.

>> A BIRD IN THE HAND IS BETTER THAN TWO BIRDS IN A BUSH.

WE WILL START GETTING MONEY IMMEDIATELY WITH THE SPORTS FACILITIES THAN WAITING ON RATHER WAITING ON A CASINO TO BE BUILT.

>> WHAT ARE SUPPORTERS OF THIS PLAN SAYING?

>> THAT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT A CHICAGO CASINO WILL EVER GET OFF THE GROUND, TAKE WHAT YOU CAN NOW AND MOVE ON.

CHICAGO CASINO HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR 30 YEARS.

WALTER BURNETT KNOWS WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT POTENTIALLY.

>> POTENTIALLY.

AND 10 SECOND WHAT IS IS NEXT FOR THE ORDINANCE?

>> THEY ARE GOING TO TRY TO ADVANCE IT BEFORE THE FULL CITY COUNCIL MEETS ON DECEMBER 15TH.

STAY TUNED.

>> MORE TO COME WITH HEATHER CHERONE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> THE CITY OF CHICAGO IS INVESTING A BILLION DOLLARS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS A RESULT OF FEDERAL PANDEMIC REVERENDRY MONEY AND CITY BUDGETING.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE MAJOR INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENTS ARE MARISA NOVARA, COMMISSIONER OF THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING.

SHELLY TUCCIARELLI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT VISIONARY VENTURES CORPORATION.

AND CECILE DE MELLO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TEAMWORK ENGLEWOOD.

THANKS TO ALL THREE OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

COMMISSIONER LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE.

A BILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

TELL US HOW THIS IS BEING SPENT, IT'S NOT JUST NEW DEVELOPMENTS, CORRECT?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

IT'S ACTUALLY QUITE A MIX AND WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

THIS IS A MIX LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS OR SINGLE LARGEST SOURCE OF FUNDING IN THE COUNTRY FOR AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING AS WELL AS SUPPORT FROM THE CHICAGO RECOVERY PLAN THAT WAS PASSED HERE LOCALLY AT THE CITY LEVEL BY CITY COUNCIL.

AND OTHER SOURCES.

SO WE HAVE A MIX OF NEW CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING.

WE HAVE REHABS AND ADAPTIVE REUSE WHICH YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT.

AND IT'S PRESERVATION OF EXISTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING SO WE INSURE THAT THOSE CONTINUES TO BE A RESOURCE.

THE OTHER PIECE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT IS THAT WE ARE ACQUIRING MORE THAN SIX ACRES OF VACANT LAND IN PILSEN THAT HAS LONG BEEN VACANT AND RESIDENTS ARE FIGHTING TO MAINTAIN THAT SPACE AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> WHAT OTHER COMMUNITIES WILL WE SEE THE MONEY BEING SPENT IN?

>> OUR MISSION AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING IS THE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESOURCES IN THE CITY.

SO YOU SEE INVESTMENTS FROM UPTOWN TO WOODLAWN TO CHINATOWN, TO THE SOUTH LOOP.

AND ALL THE WAY IN-BETWEEN.

WE ARE ALSO VERY PURPOSEFUL ABOUT LOCATING DEVELOPMENTS ON TRANSIT LINES AND IN WALKING DISTANCE AS WELL.

>> CECILE DE MELLO YOU'RE TURNING AN EMPTY SCHOOL NOT JUST INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUT IT WILL PROVIDE WRAP AROUND SERVICES TELL US ABOUT THAT AND WHAT NEIGHBORS CAN EXPECT TO SEE?

>> OUR PROJECT OF A COLLECTIVE OF ENGLEWOOD BASED ORIGINAL SAGGIZATIONS WILL BRING TRANSITIONAL HOUSING TO THE VACANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

THIS HOUSING PROJECT WILL INCLUDE HEALTHCARE SERVICES, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND JOB PLACEMENT AS WELL AS WRAP AROUND SERVICES FOR THOSE RETURNING CITIZENS TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL LIFE.

>> HOW DO HEALTHCARE, FRESH FOOD HOW DOES THAT FACTOR INTO THE STABLE HOUSING EQUATION FOR YOU ALL?

>> SURE, WELL, THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ACT IS PART OF A LARGER PLAN TO DEVELOP AROUND RACINE CORRIDOR AND ENGLEWOOD.

OPENING A FRESH MARKET THAT COMPLIMENTS THIS PROJECT EARLY 2022 AND THIS PROJECT WILL BE THE FACE OF THIS CORRIDOR INVESTMENT IN ENGLEWOOD.

THIS IS A HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT FOR RESIDENTS AND RETURNING CITIZENS WHICH IS A PART OF THE POPULATION AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF THEM TO GIVE THEM THE RESOURCES THEY NEED AND SOME OF THE RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO THE NEIGHBORS LIKE YOU SHARED SO RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO COME TO THE CLINICS AND REGENERATOR AND THE FRESH PRODUCE THAT WILL BE INSIDE OF THE FRESH MARKET.

AND FINGERS CROSSED WE HOPE TO WORK WITH THE CITY TO OPEN UP THE GREEN LINE STATION WHICH WOULD MAKE IT A WALKABLE COMMUNITY NOT ONLY FOR THE RESIDENTS BUT THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

>> SHELLY TUCCIARELLI YOUR DEVELOPMENT CONCENTRATES ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR CHICAGO'S NATIVE-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

TELL US ABOUT THE NEED FOR THIS IN THIS COMMUNITY?

>> I WANT TO START OUT BY COMMENDING MARISA NOVARA FOR THEIR EXPANDING THEIR EFFORTS TO REACH OUT TO OUR UNDERSERVED NATIVE-AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND HOW THEY CAN HELP WITH HOUSING NEEDS.

AND THE NATIVE-AMERICAN RESIDENTS IN CHICAGO DO HAVE UNIQUE AFFORDABILITY CHALLENGES BECAUSE FIVE OUT OF EVERY -- THREE OUT OF FIVE NATIVE-AMERICAN RESIDENTS IN CHICAGO FACE THE CHALLENGES OF BEING RENTERS AND THEN HALF OF THOSE ARE NOW RENT BURDENED.

HOUSING WE NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THIS PRONG IS GOING TO BE 100% AFFORDABLE AND WE WILL BE PROVIDING THE WRAP AROUND SERVICES.

WE HAVE FIRST FLOOR GROUND SERVICE SPACE FOR A NATIVE-AMERICAN SERVICE PROVIDER AND IN THE 33rd WARD WHICH IS CLOSE TO THE AMERICAN INDIAN CENTER AND CLOSE TO OUR AMERICAN INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE CENTER WE WILL BE REACHING OUT TO HELP PROVIDE SERVICES FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

WE DO NEED HOUSING TO HELP PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES.

>> AND SHELEY, THIS LOCATION YOU ARE REFERRING TO IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU ARE NEAR THE RIVER.

TELL US ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING NEAR THE WATER?

>> YOU KNOW WATER FOR NATIVE-AMERICANS IS LIFE.

AND BEING THE PROXIMITY TO THE RIVER IS JUST AS SIGNIFICANT AS BECAUSE OUR ANCESTORS TRAVERSED THE WATERWAYS BUILDING THEIR HOMES AND TRADING AND SHARING STORIES.

IT IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF US BEING CLES TO THE RIVER SO OUR RESIDENTS CAN ENJOY THAT ASPECT OF BEING IN THE CITY.

>> COMMISSIONER YOU DID AN ASSESSMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND FOUND THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT STEERING WHO DEVELOPED THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE CITY.

AS COMMISSIONER HOW ARE YOU CHANGING THAT?

AND WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THE IMPACT WILL BE?

>> RIGHT WE DID WHAT IS CALLED A RACIAL EQUITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND THAT MEANS WE DID AN ANALYSIS OF THE WAY WE HAD BEEN RUNNING THE LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT PROGRAM FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS AND LOOKED AT OUR DATA AND SEGREGATED IT BY RACE AND TALKED TO IMPACTED POPULATIONS AND WE FOUND WE HAVE BEEN SILENT ON WHO ACTUALLY DEVELOPS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

IN A COUNTRY WHERE WE HAVE RACIAL WEALTH GAPS WE THOUGHT THAT WAS SOMETHING WE NEEDED TO CHANGE.

IN THE ROUND THAT WE DID THIS YEAR, A CALL FOR PROPOSALS WHICH THESE TWO TEAMS RESPONDED TO AND WERE AWARDED WE SUIT OUT TO SAY WE WANT TO INSURE THAT PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM ARE LEADING THE DEVELOPMENT ARE PART OF THE TEAM IN A SUBSTANTIVE WAY SO WE CAN SEE THIS THROUGH THE CREATION OF THE HOUSING AS WELL AS BENEFITING FROM BEING ABLE TO LIVE IN THE UNITS ON THE BACK END.

>> EXCITING WORK AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE ABOUT IT.

THANKS TO COMMISSIONER MARISA NOVARA, CECILE DE MELLO AND SHELLY TUCCIARELLI FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS.

>> THOUSANDS OF MINOR DRUG ARRESTS IN CHICAGO ARE ROUTINELY TOSSED OUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS OR DAYS BUT THE EFFECTS OF THOSE ARRESTED ARE LONG-LASTING.

A REPORT FROM "THE SUN TIMES" AND THE BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION REVEALS OUT OF 280,000 CASES BETWEEN 2000-2018 HALF WERE DISMISSED.

RECENTLY THE DISMISSAL RATE SOARED 72% OF CASES WERE TOSSED OUT IN 2018 ALONE.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THESE FINDINGS AND THE IMPACT ARE "SUN-TIMES" REPORTER FRANK MAIN WHO WORKED ON THIS REPORT.

AND GARIEN GATEWOOD DIRECTOR OF THE ILLINOIS JUSTICE PROJECT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FRANK LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE, WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER ABOUT WHY MANY OF THE DRUG ARRESTS ARE TOSSED OUT EACH YEAR.

>> WE FOUND THERE IS AN UNWRITTEN RULE IN COOK COUNTY PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES FOR DECADES HAVE ESSENTIALLY DECIDED THAT SMALL AMOUNTS OF DRUGS WILL BE DISMISSED.

THE CASES ARE LIKE A GRAM OR LESS OF COCAINE OR HEROIN SO PEOPLE WILL COME INTO COURT AFTER ARRESTED BY THE POLICE AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WHEN THEY ARE IN THE HEARING THE JUNG WILL DIS -- JUDGE WILL DISMISS THE CASE AND THEY WALKOUT.

WE SAW PEOPLE SKIPPING OUT OF COURT AND SMILING AND PUNCHING THE AIR IN JOY WHEN THEY GET DISMISSED.

WE'RE FINDING THAT SOME PEOPLE WILL SPEND A COUPLE WEEKS IN JAIL BEFORE THIS HAPPENS.

BUT IT IS A CATCH-RELEASE SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

>> AND FRANK GIVE US A SENSE A GRAM OR LESS HOW SMALL OF AN AMOUNT IS THAT?

>> WE HAD AN IMAGE IN OUR STORY SHOWING A PAPER CLIP ON A SCALE WHICH IS ABOUT A GRAM THAT IS NOT A LOT.

>> AND YOU FOLLOWED THE STORY OF RYAN GALLAWAY.

TELL US ABOUT RYAN GALLAWAY, PLEASE, FRANK.

>> Mr. GALLAWAY WAS A RESTAURANT WORKER AT A SOLE FOOD PLACE -- SOUL FOOD PLACE.

AND HE STARTED DABBLING IN HEROIN AT A PARTY AND HE GOT HOOKED.

AND WAS ARRESTED IN LATE 2020 AND GOT ARRESTED TWICE THIS YEAR IN THE SPRING AND THE SUMMER FOR SMALL AMOUNTS OF HEROIN AND IT WRECKED HIS LIFE.

HE COULDN'T PAY CHILD SUPPORT ANYMORE.

COULDN'T WORK BECAUSE OF THE RESTRICTIONS THAT THE COURTS PLACED ON HIM.

AND SO HE LOST INCOME, AND LOST HIS FREEDOM FOR A WHILE.

>> GARIEN GATEWOOD FROM WORKING IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, WHAT EFFECTS DO THE DEAD-END DRUG ARRESTS HAVE ON PEOPLE'S LIVES?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, BRANDIS.

THEY CAN HAVE LONG-TERM EFFECTS WHERE YOU SEE UPHEAVAL EVEN FROM A SMALL STINT IN A PRISON OR JAIL.

YOU CAN HAVE AN UPHEAVAL WHERE THEY MAY LOSE THEIR JOBS, LOSE ACCESS TO THE ECONOMIC UPPER MOBILITY AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY HAD BY A SMALL UPHEAVAL IN THEIR LIFE.

YOU THINK OF THE TRAUMA OF SPENDING A NIGHT IN PRISON AND THINK LONGER ABOUT THE LONG-TERM IMPACTS AND HOW IT CAN IMPACT THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES AS WELL.

IT'S NOT JUST A PERSON CAN COME IN AND GET OUT AND CATCH-RELEASE SYSTEM YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE TRAUMA IMPACT IT HAS ON THE INDIVIDUAL, AND THE FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

>> FRANK, YOU MENTIONED IN YOUR ARTICLE POLICE, PROSECUTORS JUDGES KNEW THESE ARRESTS WOULDN'T GO ANYWHERE.

HOW DID YOU REACH THAT CONCLUSION?

>> SO WE TALKED TO PROSECUTORS WHO HAD SERVED AS FAR BACK AS THE 70s.

AND AS RECENTLY AS KIM FOXX.

KIM FOXX TELL US WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG PROSECUTOR IN 2008 THAT IT FELT ALMOST LIKE HAZING WHEN SHE WOULD BRING A SMALL DRUG CASE TO COURT AND AUTOMATICALLY GET DISMISSED AND THEY LEARN QUICKLY THAT IS THE PROCESS.

NOT ONLY PROSECUTORS WE TALKED TO, POLICE OFFICERS WHO ALSO OF COURSE KNOW ABOUT THIS.

AND JUDGES AS WELL.

WE TALKED TO JUDGES WHO SAID THEY WERE UNWILLING TO SEND SOMEBODY TO PRISON FOR LIKE A TINY AMOUNT OF DRUGS BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THIS, BUT TRACE AMOUNTS OF NARCOTICS ARE A FELONY IN ILLINOIS.

IF YOU'RE CAUGHT CARRYING THEM.

>> GARIEN GATEWOOD DO YOU GET THE SENSE THAT THE SAME UNWRITTEN RULE EXISTS WHEN YOU ARE WORKING ON THESE CASES FROM YOUR END?

>> WITHOUT A DOUBT WE'VE SEEN THE UNWRITTEN RULES AND THE SYSTEMIC IMPACTS THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE STATE.

WE ARE WORKING ON PRETRIAL SERVICES WORK WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF ILLINOIS COURTS AND A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE BEEN HAVING WHICH INCLUDES JUDGES, PROSECUTORS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS ALL TALKED ABOUT YOU NEED TO DROP PEOPLE OUT IN THE JAILS SO THEY CAN LEARN HOW TO COPE WITH THEIR DRUG PROBLEMS WHICH IS A TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE WAY OF THINKING AND IT'S NOT PRODUCTIVE.

IT IS NOT PRODUCTIVE AND WON'T BE PRODUCTIVE GOING FORWARD.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO EDUCATE FOLKS.

LAW ENFORCEMENT SEEMS TO BE SPLIT ON THIS WHERE WE'VE SEEN OPPOSITION TO SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT ARE COMING.

AT THE SAME TIME WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF LEADERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT STEP UP AND SAY, HEY THIS IS NOT WHAT WE SIGNED UP TO DO.

WE ARE NOT SERVICE PROVIDERS.

THIS IS WE ARE NOT A DRUG TREATMENT FACILITY.

SO WE NEED TO TAKE BETTER APPROACHES AND PARTNER WITH COMMUNITIES TO THINK HOW WE CAN HELP THEM AND PROVIDE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED.

>> WE KNOW ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON DOWNGRADING POSSESSION FROM A FELONY TO A MISDEMEANOR DO YOU SEE THIS HAPPENING?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HOPEFULLY WE SEE IT HAPPEN SOON WE WERE EXCITED TO SEE IT MOVE THROUGH THE ILLINOIS HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES STALLED A BIT IN THE SENATE.

EVEN WITH THE STALLING IN THE SENATE WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT CAN HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.

WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM EACH CHAMBER AND WE HOPE TO SEE THAT THE SUCCESS OF THE REDUCING THE COALITION WORK TOWARDS BETTER OUTCOME IN THE FUTURE.

>> FRANK MAIN AND GARIEN GATEWOOD THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

BEST OF LUCK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, HELPING REFUGEES GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING A LOOK HOW SOME FAITH LEADERS ARE CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS AMID A PANDEMIC FOR THE SECOND TIME.

>> FIRST EVER YEAR THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES SEEK ASYLUM IN THE UNITED STATES.

AN ORGANIZATION IS HELPING REFUGEE WOMEN GET BACK ON THEIR FEET BY TEACHING THEM HOW TO BECOME DESIGNERS.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ VISITED GLEN ELLEN TO LEARN ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION.

>> JOSEFINA RENGIFO NEVER IMAGINED SHE WOULD HAVE TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO HER LIFE IN VENEZUELA.

>> I NEEDED TO LEARN A NEW LIFE.

I'M NOT YOUNGER.

I DIDN'T KNOW THE LANGUAGE.

WHEN THE PEOPLE NEED TO GROW TO LIVE COUNTRY, THE PEOPLE DON'T WANT THAT.

THE PEOPLE NEED THAT.

>> JOSEFINA RENGIFO WAS FORCED TO LEAVE HER COUNTRY HAVING TO PART WAYS WITH HER BUSINESSES AND HEAD TO ILLINOIS TO LIVE WITH HER DAUGHTERS.

>> WHEN I CAME HERE I SAW THAT MY LIFE WAS WHAT HAPPENED?

WHY ME?

HERE, I LISTEN TO THE HISTORY AND SAY WOW, BE QUIET.

THE LIFE FOR OTHER PEOPLE HAS BEEN MORE DIFFICULT.

>> SHE IS TALKING ABOUT RENEW A PLACE SHE MET OTHER WOMEN WITH SIMILAR STORIES.

IT IS A FAITH-BASED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES REFUGEE WOMEN IN DUPAGE COUNTY.

>> OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE A SAFE SPACE BY OFFERING SEWING CLASSES AND ENGLISH CLASSES IN HOPE IT IS WILL LEAD TO A JOB WITH US OR SOMEWHERE ELSE.

>> JOSEFINA RENGIFO WAS EAGER TO LEARN ENGLISH AND SEWING AND BECAME AN ARTISAN.

>> THE IMPORTANT THING IS YOU LEARN YOU CAN DO IT.

AND RENEW TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE HERE.

THEY PAY ATTENTION WHAT IS YOUR FEELING, WHAT HAPPENED WITH YOUR FAMILY.

THAT IS GIVE ME DIGNITY.

>> THE ORGANIZATION BEGAN AS A SEWING GROUP AND SLOWLY GREW INTO AN ORGANIZATION IN 2009.

RENEW'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KRISTI ZBONCAK SAYS MORE THAN 100 WOMEN HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM AND WORKED FOR THE SHOP.

>> WE FIND THAT SEWING AND CREATING IS A HEALING PROCESS.

FOR THE ARTIST AND ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY DID NOT KNOW THEY COULD SEW.

AND THEY COME HERE AND THEY ARE FEELING ALONE AND FEELING DEFEATED AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY HAVE A FRIEND AND THEY HAVE A MACHINE AND THEY CAN START TO CREATE AGAIN.

>> I COME HERE NO SPEAK ENGLISH.

NOW A LITTLE BIT.

>> FARIDA GASANOVA HAS WORKED FOR RENEW FOR EIGHT YEARS.

SHE WAS A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER WHEN SHE FLED OF COUNTRY OF GEORGIA THE A47 YEARS OLD.

NOW SHE IS A DESIGNER MAKING THINGS FROM EARRINGS AND HANDBAGS.

>> EVERY TIME PRAY PLEASE THAT [INAUDIBLE] I HAPPY.

EVERY TIME COME FIRST TIME PRAY.

>> ALL THE PRODUCTS THEY SELL AT THE STORE IN GLEN ELLEN ARE MADE FROM UPCYCLED MATERIAL DONATED FROM FURNITURE STORES.

>> A LOT OF OUR PRODUCTS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE BECAUSE WE PAY A FAIR WAGE AND THE WAGES GO INTO THE COST OF THE PRODUCT.

>> THOUGH THEIR JOURNEYS HAVE NOT BEEN EASY, JOSEFINA RENGIFO SAYS THE ORGANIZATION HELPED HER START OVER.

>> TO ME VERY GRATEFUL.

HERE I HAVE A NEW FAMILY AND I AM LIVING WITH MY DAUGHTERS HERE.

EVERYDAY I SAY THANK YOU TO THIS COUNTRY THAT GAVE ME A NEW OPPORTUNITY.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> AND YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RENEW PROJECT.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", SOME LAWMAKERS HOPE TO PAVE THE WAY FOR FINANCIAL PENALTY FOR THOSE UNVACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.

DID A PROFIT DRIVEN CORPORATE CULTURE LEAD TO TWO CRASHES OF TWO BOEING MAX JETS?

THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR FOLKS ARE HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND NOT NECESSARILY BY CHOICE.

HOW RELIGIOUS LEADERS ARE CELEBRATING SAFELY.

AND GEOFFREY BAER ON THE HISTORY OF NORSKE CLUB IN THE NOR WEEK YEN AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER ANNOUNCES A $42 MILLION PROGRAM TO HELP LOW INCOME RESIDENTS PAY THEIR WATER BILLS.

SPEAKING IN MAYWOOD, PRITZKER SAID THE PROGRAM WOULD HELP RESIDENTS PAY WATER AND SEWAGE BILLS AND AVOID HAVING SERVICES SHUTOFF.

>> IF YOUR FAMILY IS FACING DISCONNECTION, ALREADY BEEN SHUTOFF, ORDEALING WITH DEBTS AND LATE FEES, PLEASE VISIT WWW.HELPILLINOISFAMILIES.COM TO MORE HOW YOU CAN GET HELP ESPECIALLY DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

>> THE STATE HAS ALREADY HELPED ILLINOISIANS AVOID 112,000 UTILITY DISCONNECTS.

>> THE NONPROFIT BAIL PROJECT IS ANNOUNCING IT WILL SPEND 2.9 MILLION PARTNERING WITH THE LEGAL CENTER TO HELP PEOPLE COMING OUT OF JAIL ACCESS KEY SUPPORT SERVICES.

THE BAIL PROJECT'S C.E.O.

SAYS THE GOAL IS TO STRENGTH EN PUBLIC SAFETY BY CONNECTING FORMER INMATES TO RESOURCES INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS, HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES.

>> TO DATE WE AT THE BAIL PROJECT WORKED WITH 1500 PEOPLE HERE IN COOK COUNTY AND 20,000 PEOPLE NATIONWIDE.

AND WE HAVE LISTENED TO THEM.

WE HAVE LISTENED TO THEIR NEEDS.

THESE ARE THE INSIGHTS THAT WILL GUIDE THIS PILOT PROGRAM.

>> THE BAIL PROJECT SAID THE ANNOUNCEMENT IS A RESPONSE TO THE ACTION BY STATE LAWMAKERS TO ELIMINATE CASH BAIL IN ILLINOIS ON JANUARY 1, 2023 AND AIMS AT PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THOSE RELEASED BY USING A NEEDS BASED APPROACH TO INTERRUPT CYCLES OF ARREST AND INCARCERATION.

THE SERVICES WILL BEGIN IN APRIL OF 2022.

>> AND JUSSIE SMOLLETT'S DEFENSE LAWYERS RESTED THEIR CASE TODAY AFTER THE FORMER ACTOR TESTIFIED HE WAS THE VICTIM OF A REAL HATE CRIME IN JANUARY 2019.

THE ACTOR REPEATEDLY DENIED THAT HE STAGED THE ATTACK TO GAIN MEDIA ATTENTION AND PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO SIX COUNTS OF DISORDERLY CONDUCT FOR FILING FALSE POLICE REPORTS.

CLOSING ARGUMENTS IF THE TRIAL ARE SET FOR TOMORROW.

>> BY THIS TIME NEXT MONTH ILLINOIS LEGISLATORS ARE SET TO BE BACK IN SPRINGFIELD.

THE MAJOR ISSUE ON THE AGENDA IS THE CORONAVIRUS AND WHAT ILLINOIS CAN AND SHOULD DO WHEN IT COMES TO VACCINATIONS.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

>> CHICAGO'S PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER Dr. ALLISON ARWADY SAYS THAT THE SITUATION OF COVID CASES IN THE MIDWEST IS NOT LOOKING GOOD.

SHE IS RECOMMENDING ACTION TAKEN THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

WEARING A MASK INDOORS, STAYING HOME IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING WELL AND PROOF OF VACCINE TO GO TO PLACES LIKE A BAR OR RESTAURANT THAT COULD BE NEXT.

>> MIGHT WE BEGIN REQUIRING PROOF OF VACCINATION FOREMORE ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC PLACES?

I'M MORE INTERESTED IN THAT THAN I AM IN NEEDING TO DO SOME OF THE MAJOR SHUTDOWNS.

AND THEATERS AND OTHER SPACES HAVE ALREADY BEEN DOING THIS BUT IT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT AS THIS INCREASE IS CONTINUING AND PERHAPS WITH THE NEW VARIANT WE MAY DO MORE OF.

>> IT'S ONE METHOD OF ENTICING PEOPLE WHOSOEVER HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE VACCINE TO GET THAT COVID SHOT.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE JONATHAN CARROLL A DEMOCRAT HAS ANOTHER IDEA.

HE PROPOSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HAVE ANYONE WHO REFUSES TO GET THE VACCINE AND THEN ENDS UP HOSPITALIZED OR WITH OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF COVID TO PAY THOSE HEALTHCARE COSTS OUT OF POCKET.

>> I THINK IT'S PRUDENT AND SAFE AND EFFECTIVE AND IT'S FRUSTRATING FOR THOSE OF US THAT ARE VACCINATED THAT OTHERS ARE CHOOSING NOT TO BE VACCINATED.

>> JONATHAN CARROLL SAYS THIS IS NOT A GOVERNMENT MANDATE IT WOULD REMAIN AN INDIVIDUAL'S CHOICE BUT ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCE CONSEQUENCES AND IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO GET THE VACCINE THIS WOULD BE THE CONSEQUENCE.

>> I'M NOT A PUNITIVE PERSON.

AT THE SAME TIME IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE ARE NOT TAKING THIS VACCINE.

IT'S BEEN OUT FOR A YEAR IT'S PROVEN EFFECTIVE AND SAFE.

MY LIMBS HAVE NOT FALLEN OFF.

I HAVE NOT HAD BILL GATES FOLLOWING ME AROUND.

PEOPLE TOOK THE POLIO VACCINE WE WERE ABLE TO IRRADICATE POLIO.

WHY IS THIS IN 2021 STILL A CONVERSATION?

>> AS IT STANDS HE SAYS THOSE WHO ARE NOT VACCINATED ARE CONTRIBUTING TO A CLOGGED HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

AND HE SAYS THAT WILL COST EVERYONE THROUGH POTENTIALLY DELAYED CARE AND FINANCIALLY AS PREMIUMS STAND TO INCREASE.

A STUDY BY THE HEALTHCARE CENTER AND KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION FOUND FROM JUNE-AUGUST PREVENTIBLE COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS AMONG UNVACCINATED ADULTS COST OVER $5 BILLION.

MEANWHILE, ANOTHER PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN SPRINGFIELD TAKING THE OPPOSITE TACT.

REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE HAS INTRODUCED A MEASURE THAT WOULD FORBID DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ANYONE WHO CHOOSES NOT TO BE VACCINATED OUT OF RELIGIOUS OR PERSONAL BELIEFS.

HE SAYS COVID SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

>> IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT OUR LEADERS WOULD WANT TO FIGHT THIS WITH EVERY TOOL IN THEIR ARSENAL.

BUT PUBLIC HEALTH SHOULD NOT BE AN EXCUSE TO TAKE AWAY OUR FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES.

WE SHOULD TAKE STEPS TO PROMOTE PUBLIC HEALTH.

BUT WE MUST DO SO IN THE CONTEXT OF OUR RIGHTS AS AMERICANS.

>> NOW, IN ILLINOIS, REPUBLICANS AND BUDGET TALKS OFTEN COMPLAIN ABOUT UNFUNDED MANDATES THAT THE GOVERNMENT PASSES DOWN.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE COSTS THAT ILLINOIS RESIDENTS MIGHT HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE OF THOSE WHO DON'T GET THE VACCINE HERE IS HIS RESPONSE... >> MANY BREAKTHROUGH CASES ALL WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS VACCINATION STATUS.

I AM READY TO HAVE A DISCUSSION AROUND THE MITIGATION STANDARDS AND WE SHOULD NOT DISCRIMINATE ANY AMERICAN BECAUSE OF THEIR VACCINATION STATUS.

PERIOD.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> HE IS IN THE MINORITY PARTY AND ADMITS HIS LEGISLATION MAY NOT GET FAR AND CAROL AREA MIGHT NOT EITHER AND HE SAYS THIS IS A STARTING POINT OF A CONVERSATION.

HE IS OPEN TO THE WHYS BECAUSE THERE ARE LEGAL ISSUES THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT DOES PREVENT DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SOMEONE'S HEALTHCARE STATUS WHEN IT COMES TO INSURANCE.

CAROL SAYS HOWEVER THERE ARE OPTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED LIKE THE SURCHARGE THAT DELTA AIRLINES INSTITUTED ON NON-VACCINATED EMPLOYEES HE POINTS OUT THAT LIFE INSURERS CAN CHARGE A SURCHARGE IF SOMEBODY IS A SMOKER OR IS OBESE.

WITH THAT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> FOR MORE THAN A YEAR-AND-A-HALF, THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION REFUSED TO ALLOW ANY BOEING 737 MAX JETS IN THE AREA AFTER 346 PEOPLE WERE TWO SEPARATE CRASHES.

THE C.E.O.

DEFENDED THE SAFETY RECORD.

>> WHEN WE DESIGN A SYSTEM THE AIRPLANES ARE FLOWN IN THE HANDS OF PILOTS AND OUR SAFETY ANALYSIS INCLUDES THE ENGINEERING DESIGN AND THE ACTIONS PILOTS WOULD TAKE AS PART OF A FAILURE SCENARIO.

>> BUT A NEW BOOK ARGUES CHANGES IN CORPORATE CULTURE AND GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT LED BOEING TO PRIORITIZE PROFIT OVER SAFETY.

IT'S CALLED "FLYING BLIND" BOOK AND AUTHOR PETER ROBISON JOINS US NOW ALSO AN INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER FOR BLOOMBERG.

BOEING DEFENDED THE 737 MAX AFTER THE TWO DEADLY CRASHES.

WHAT WAS GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES?

>> WELL, THE PROBLEM WITH THAT ARGUMENT AS YOU HEARD DESCRIBED IS THE PILOT AND THE SYSTEM WORKS IN TANDEM.

BUT WHAT THEY DIDN'T TELL THE PILOT ABOUT THE SYSTEM ON THE AIRPLANE THE SOFTWARE THAT ENDED UPTAKING OVER THE TWO AIRPLANES AND PUSHING THE NOSE DOWN.

AND SOON AFTER THE FIRST CRASH PILOTS FROM AMERICAN AIRLINES REPEATEDLY WENT TO BOEING IN MEETINGS AND SAID THAT WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THE MAX THE PILOTS HAVE NOT BEEN BEEN TOLD ABOUT THE SOFTWARE BUT BOEING CONTINUED TO DEFEND THE MAX.

>> WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED WHAT WENT WRONG?

>> IT WAS TIED TO A SINGLE SENSOR AND IF IT WAS FAWLTY IF THE PILOT WAS NOT AWARE WHAT WAS HAPPENING IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO COUNTER MANNED.

BOEING REDESIGNED THE SOFTWARE TO PREVENT THIS FAILURE BUT WE'VE LEARNED THAT THE COMPANY JUST STUCK ITS HEAD IN THE SAND BETWEEN THE TWO CRASHES WHEN IT WAS PRESENTED WITH CREDIBLE COMMENTS BY PILOTS AND REGULATORS THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS SYSTEM.

>> BOEING HAS LONG PRIDED ITSELF ON PRIORITIZING SAFETY OVER PROFITS.

HOW DID THE CORPORAL CULTURE BECOME MORE CUT-THROAT?

>> WELL IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS REALLY GRADUAL AND IT WAS SURPRISING AND SADDENED ME AS I RESEARCHED THE BOOK.

WHEN BOEING STARTED IT WAS A COMPANY THAT HAD REALLY BEEN TURNED INTO WHAT IT WAS IN THE JET AGE BY PEOPLE WHO CAME OF AGE IN WORLD WAR TWO.

IT WAS A COLLECTIVE CULTURE AND UNIONIZED AND OVER TIME THAT SHIFTED AND THE COMPANY BECAME MORE ABOUT THE BOTTOM LINE.

ITS INTEGRITY SHIFTED.

THERE WAS A CRASH OF A 747.

IT WAS A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT BUT WITHIN A MONTH BOEING TOOK RESPONSIBILITY AND SAID IT WAS ITS OWN FAULT IT WAS THE RESULT OF A BAD REPAIR JOB.

AFTER THE MAX TRAGEDY AFTER THE FIRST MAX CRASH, YOU HEARD EXPLANATIONS LIKE THE ONE THAT DENNIS MUILENBERG MADE IN THE SECOND CLIP AND AFTER THE SECOND CRASH YOU HEARD RELUCTANCE TO GROUND THE PLANE.

>> AND YOU WRITE ABOUT THE COZY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN F.A.A.

AND BOEING.

>> THAT CHANGED OVER YEARS.

AND THAT STARTED IN THE 80s WITH THE REAGAN ADMINISTRATION AND THE CUTS IN FUNDING TO GOVERNMENT.

SINCE THAT POINT ALL FEDERAL AGENCIES HAVE BEEN STARVED FOR FUNDS AND THE F.A.A.

PLAYED IT OUT IN THE OUTSOURCING RESPONSIBILITIES TO BOEING AND THERE WAS AN EXPECTATION THAT THE COMPANY WOULD HAVE AN INTEREST OF ITS OWN TO PROTECT SAFETY.

BUT WHAT ENDED UP HAPPENING WAS THAT THE PROFIT MOTIVE OVERRODE THAT.

>> HAVE THERE BEEN CHANGES?

>> THERE HAVE BEEN.

THERE WAS A BIPARTISAN AVIATION REFORM BILL PASSED IN 2020 IN WHICH THE F.A.A.

SOME OF THE POWER TO APPOINT THESE DEPUTIES AT THE MANUFACTURING TO OVERSEE SAFETY WAS RETURNED TO THE F.A.A.

YOU HAD POSITIVE STEPS.

YOU'VE SEEN THE F.A.A.

TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN LOOKING AT THE NEXT BOEING JET THE TRIPLE 7X.

I'VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE WITHIN THE F.A.A.

THEY FEAR THAT WILL PASS.

THEY'VE HAD MANAGERS AND SOME OF THE MANAGERS HAVE COME FROM INDUSTRY LOBBYING GROUPS AND THOSE MANAGERS SAY THIS IS POSING FOR THE CAMERA.

>> WHAT SORT OF COMPENSATION SINCE THOSE CRASHES HAVE THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS RECEIVED?

>> THE FAMILIES HAVE RECEIVED ESCALATING OFFERS OF COMPENSATION FROM BOEING AFTER THE ETHIOPIA CRASH THERE WAS $100 MILLION OFFERED FROM BOEING THAT 500 MILLION AND ALL OF THE FAMILIES SAID THAT NOTHING CAN COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF THEIR FAMILY.

THE FIRST [INAUDIBLE] THE LOSS OF YOUR LOVED ONE AND THE SECOND REALIZATION IT DIDN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN.

>> WHAT CONSEQUENCES DO BOEING AND LEADERS FACE?

>> BOEING IS REQUIRED TO PAY A 2.5 BILLION FINE IN PRACTICE THAT'S 1.7 BILLION TO CUSTOMERS WHICH BOEING WOULD HAVE PAID ANYWAY AND THE 500 MILLION TO FAMILIES WHICH ALSO IS LIKELY TO PAY ITS ONLY CRIMINAL PENALTY IS 240 MILLION FINE WHICH YOU PUT IN PERSPECTIVE WITH AN 8 MILLION PROFIT IN THE YEAR BEFORE THE FIRST MAX CRASH.

AND YOU'VE ONLY SEEN ONE LOWER RANKING PILOT WHO HAS BEEN CRIMINALLY CHARGED WHILE DENNIS MUILENBERG IS LEFT WITH TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

>> PETER IN 30 SECONDS WHAT DO YOU WANT READERS TO TAKEAWAY FROM YOUR BOOK?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

AND I WOULD LOVE PEOPLE TO READ THE BOOK AND THINK OF IT IN TERMS OF HOW TO MAINTAIN A SAFETY CULTURE IN A COMPANY AND HOW TO PROTECT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NEED OF ANY COMPANY TO MAKE A PROFIT IS NOT OVERRIDDEN BY SAFETY.

>> PETER ROBISON THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AGAIN THE NEW BOOK IS CALLED FLYING BLIND, THE 737 MAX TRAGEDY AND THE FALL OF BJORK.

YOU CAN READ AN EXEVERYONE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> UP NEXT, CELEBRATING RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS AMID A PANDEMIC.

STAY WITH US.

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WILL BE THE SECOND OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

THIS TIME LAST YEAR PEOPLE CELEBRATED THEIR HOLIDAYS VIRTUALLY AS THE VACCINE WASN'T YET WIDELY AVAILABLE THIS YEAR THE FAITHFUL CAN PLAN IN-PERSON GATHERINGS TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT CELEBRATING DURING THE PANDEMIC ARE REVEREND SHARYON COSEY WITH ABA CHURCH LOCATED IN BEVERLY AND A CHAPLIN AT MOUNT SIGHMY HOSPITAL.

AND RABBI SHOSHANAH CONOVER WITH TEMPLE SHAH LOAM IN LAKE -- SHALOM.

>> RABBI LET'S START WITH YOU.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW THE PANDEMIC CHANGED THE WAY YOUR TEMPLE HAS BEEN FUNCTIONING?

>> WELL, THE WAY WE CELEBRATED HANUKKAH LAST WEEK WAS THAT WE IN YEARS PAST BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, WE ALWAYS HAD THESE BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATIONS WITHIN THE SYNAGOGUE AND THE HANUKKAH THAT FELL ON SHABBAT WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL BIG DINNERS IN OUR HALL.

WE WOULD HAVE MA NORAHS ON THE ME NOR RACE AND SO MUCH JOY AND LOTS OF PANCAKES AND LOTS OF FUN.

AND THEN FOLLOWED BY A BEAUTIFUL SERVICE AND A LOT OF INTERACTION AND DURING THE TIME OF COVID WHAT WE DID WE INSTEAD EVERY NIGHT WE LIT THE CANDLES TOGETHER EACH NIGHT.

WE DID THIS ON-LINE AND WE ALL HAD THESE SPECIAL EVENINGS WITH DIFFERENT COMMUNITY GROUPS.

IT WAS SPECIAL LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR WE STARTED OUR FIRST NIGHT OF HANUKKAH TOGETHER WE WERE IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE SYNAGOGUE.

AND PART OF THAT WAS TO BE ABLE TO LIGHT A LARGE MENORAH IS THE PARKING LOT A BIG PART OF HANUKKAH IS ABOUT PUBLICIZING THE MIRACLE OF LIGHT WE WANTED TO DO THAT.

AND ALSO FOR SAFETY THAT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT SO MANY PEOPLE COULD FEEL COMFORTABLE GATHERING TOGETHER AND I TELL YOU WE HAD 100 PEOPLE IN THE PARKING LOT MAKING THEIR OWN LATINO KA BAR AND HAVING ALL THE TOPPINGS THEY WANTED.

>> AND THE FOOD FOR SO MANY HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS THE FOOD IS THE FAVORITE.

REF REPRESENTED SAME QUESTION HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC CHANGED THE WAY YOUR CONGREGATION HAS BEEN FUNCTIONING?

>> OUR CONGREGATION WENT FROM BEING IN-PERSON JUST LIKE MANY CONGREGATIONS THROUGHOUT THE NATION TO DOING NEW NORMAL, EXPERIENCING ZOOM, WE DO THE FACE TIME.

I OFTEN TIME TO TIME.

AND IT IS A DIGITAL OUTREACH COMPARED TO WHAT IT WAS PRECOVID WITH IN-PERSON RITUALS AND COMMUNION AND MEETING AFTER CHURCH SERVICES AND HAVING COFFEE.

IT'S GETTING AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TO THE NEW WAY OF WORSHIPING AND THAT HAS BEEN CHALLENGING AND REWARDING.

CHALLENGING BECAUSE IT'S GETTING INTO AN ARENA THAT IS NEW.

AND REWARDING BECAUSE WE ARE STILL ABLE TO CONNECT ON SOME LEVEL IT IS AN OXYMORON.

>> HOW ARE YOU PLANNING TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR?

>> WELL, ONE THING BECAUSE WE ARE CHRISTIANS AND OUR CELEBRATION IS CHRIST-CENTERED.

SO THAT THE TRIMMINGS AND THE TREES AND THE GIFTS AND THAT IS PART OF IT BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT WE FOCUS ON.

WE FOCUS ON THE CELEBRATION OF CHRIST AND THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF SOMEONE.

AS A CHURCH WE TALK ABOUT THE LAST COUPLE OF SUNDAYS HOW WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD IN OUR MINISTRY.

WORKING WITH OR IN FEEDING SOME OF THE HOMELESS.

LAST YEAR WHEN COVID WAS SO RAMPANT WE DECIDED OUR MINISTRY WOULD BE HELPING THE HOMELESS.

WE HAD BAGS FILLED WITH MASKS AND HAND SANITIZERS AND GLOVES AND SKULL CAPS AND TOILETRIES AND NONPERISHABLE KINDS OF FOOD ITEMS LIKE FRUIT CUPS AND WE WENT TO A COUPLE OF THE TENT CITIES AND WE INVOLVED OUR YOUTH.

SOCIAL DISTANCING, OF COURSE.

AND WE PASSED THOSE ITEMS OUT TO AS MANY OF THE HOMELESS WE COULD.

>> RABBI CON OVER BACK TO YOU HOW DO YOU RELATE THE MESSAGE OF HANUKKAH AND THE COVID-19 VACCINES.

>> I LOVE THE WORK YOU ARE DOING REVEREND AND WE ARE JOINING YOU IN SOME OF THAT WORK TO REACH OUT TO THOSE WHO ARE MOST IN NEED AND ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME OF YEAR AS THE NIGHTS GET LONGER AND THE WEATHER GETS COLDER TO MAKE SURE WE'RE BRINGING LIGHT.

AND TRULY THE MESSAGE OF HANUKKAH IS AROUND LIGHT.

IT WASN'T ALWAYS.

WHEN IT WAS FIRST GOING THROUGH BEING BANISHED FROM THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM IT WAS ABOUT BEING ABLE TO THEN REDEDICATE THE TEMPLE.

AND THEN IN TIME IT BECAME ABOUT CELEBRATING THE MIRACLE OF LIGHT.

AND BEING ABLE TO BRING LIGHT BOTH TO OUR HOMES, TO OUR SYNAGOGUES AND TO THIS WORLD.

AND I WILL TELL YOU IN THE TIME OF COVID, A BIG WAY THAT WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO SAY WE NEED TO BRING THE LIGHT AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO BANISH THE DARKNESS OF COVID IS THROUGH VACCINATIONS THAT IS THROUGH GETTING OUR FIRST AND SECOND SHOTS OF VACCINATION GETTING OUR BOOSTERS.

AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE SPREADING THE LIGHT THAT WAY.

BECAUSE THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL SONG FOR HANUKKAH THAT SAYS... THAT WE'RE HERE TO BANISH THE DARKNESS AND EACH OF US IS ONE LIGHT ONE SMALL LIGHT BUT TOGETHER WE CAN BRING TREMENDOUS LIGHT AND I THINK IF THAT IS NOT THE MESSAGE OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO AROUND VACCINATIONS AS FAR AS IF EACH OF US IS ONLY ON OUR OWN GETTING A VACCINATION OK.

BUT WHEN WE GET MORE OF THE POPULATION VACCINATED GOSH THEN WE CAN BANISH THE DARKNESS OF COVID.

>> A GREAT MESSAGE.

THANKS TO REVEREND SHARYON COSEY AND RABBI SHOSHANAH CONOVER HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO BOTH OF YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT AMANDA VINICKY AND A LOGAN SQUARE APARTMENT BUILDING THAT ONCE HOSTED ROYALTY IN AN ENCORE PERFORMANCE FROM GEOFFREY BAER.

>> WHAT CAN AN APARTMENT BUILDING IN LOGAN SQUARE THAT ONCE HOSTED ROYALTY TELL US ABOUT CHICAGO'S' NOR WE JEN COMMUNITY.

>> I'M EXCITED I'VE NEVER DONE ONE THIS FOR YOU.

>> THE BUILDING AT 2350 NORTH >> WHAT IS THE STORY?

>> OK. FIRST, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE BUILDING IN QUESTION THIS IS INDEED ON KENZIE BOULEVARD IN THE LOGAN SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD SOUTH OF FULLERTON.

AND OUR QUESTIONER IS CORRECT.

THE BUILDING TODAY IS, INDEED, CONDOMINIUMS.

BUT IT SURE DOESN'T RESEMBLE THE CLASSIC CHICAGO THREE-FLAT OR SIX-FLAT.

WHY IS THAT?

THE BUILDING WAS ONCE HOME TO A SOCIAL CLUB FOR NORWEIGAN AMERICANS CALLED THE NORSKE CLUB OR KLUB.

AND THE CLUB COMMISSIONED THE BUILDING ON KENZIE IN 1917 AS A GATHERING PLACE FOR EVENTS AND PARTIES, EXHIBITS, MUSICAL AND THEATRE PERFORMANCES AND DINNER CELEBRATING NORWEIGAN HERITAGE.

IT HAS THE DRAGON MOTIF ON THE ROOF LINES A POPULAR SYMBOL FROM THE VIKING ERA.

ONE OF THE ARCHITECTS OF THE BUILDING AT ONE POINT WAS PRESIDENT OF THE CLUB BUT HE WAS A FAMOUS ARCHITECT IN HIS OWN RIGHT.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, HE OVERSAW THE FABRICATION OF THE STEEL STRUCTURAL FRAME FOR THE STATUE OF LIBERTY WHICH HAD BEEN DESIGNED BY GUSTOV EIFFLE.

THE OTHER ARCHITECT HIS PARTNER, HELPED DESIGN NEW YORK'S FAMOUS FLAT IRON BUILDING AND THE CHICAGO'S RAILWAY STATION AND BOTH ARCHITECTS CAME TO CHICAGO TO WORK WITH BURNHAM ON THE COLUMBIA EXPOSITION.

CLUB MEMBERS WERE ORIGINALLY ALL MALE, DOCTORS, LAWYERS, ENGINEERS AND THE LIKE.

WOMEN WERE ALLOWED TO JOIN THE CLUB AROUND 1940.

ACCORDING TO ONE FORMER CLUB PRESIDENT AND FANS OF THE MASTERPIECE SERIES ATLANTIC CROSSING ON WTTW WILL BE EXCITED TO KNOW THAT THIS BUILDING IN FACT DID HOST NORWAY'S PRINCE TO THE MAIN CHARACTERS IN THAT DRAMA IN 1939 BEFORE THE PRINCESS RETURNED TO THE U.S. AS A REFUGEE AND STRUCK OF A POSSIBLY NOT SO INNOCENT RELATIONSHIP WITH FDR.

OLAF RETURNED TO THE NORSKE CLUB DECADES LATER.

EVENTS OF THE CLUB [INAUDIBLE] MANY MOVED OUT TO THE SUBURBS AND THE BUILDING WAS CONVERTED TO APARTMENTS IN THE 1990s.

>> I LOVE THAT ROYAL CONNECTION I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF SWEDE IN ME.

WHY WAS THE NORSKE CLUB LOCATED IN LOGAN SQUARE?

>> RIGHT.

FOR DECADES IN THE 19TH CENTURY, LOGAN SQUARE AND HUMBOLDT PARK WERE THE EPICENTER OF CHICAGO'S NORWEIGAN COMMUNITY THERE WAS A STRIP ON THE AVENUE FOR YEARS HUMBOLDT PARK HOSTED THE NORWEIGAN CONSTITUTION DAY PARADE EVERY MAY 17TH CELEBRATING THE SIGNING OF THE CONSTITUTION AND IT'S HELD NOW IN PARK RIDGE AFTER CANCELED FOR THE PANDEMIC LAST YEAR IT'S COMING BACK ON MAY 16TH IN PARK RISK R RIDGE AND THE COMMUNITY FOUND A WAY TO PURSUE THEIR PASSION FOR SKI JUMPING IN FLAT CHICAGO.

IN 1905, THE NORWEIGANS FOUND A SLOPE WEST OF THE CITY IN FOX RIVER GROVE TO BUILD THE NORGGIE SKI CLUB AND IT IS AN IMPORTANT TRAINING CENTER FOR OLYMPIC SKI JUMPERS.

>> WITH SO MANY IMMIGRANT GROUPS THE CULTURE IS REFLECTED IN CHURCHES, TOO.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

AT ONE TIME THERE WERE NORWEIGAN CHURCHES ALL OVER LOGAN SQUARE AND HUMBOLDT PARK INCLUDING THIS ON WRIGHT WOOD AVENUE WHICH IS NOW A PRIVATE HOME.

THE LAST IN THE CITY IS THE ANOTHER WEEK END RELUCTANT EN AND TODAY, CHURCH LEADERS SAY THIS IS ONE OF ONLY TWO CHURCHES IN THE UNITED STATES THAT STILL OFFERS SERVICES PARTLY IN NORWEIGAN THE OTHER IS IN MINNEAPOLIS.

THE CHURCH IS THE CENTER OF CHICAGO'S PRESENT DAY COMMUNITY.

CHICAGO AREAS COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTS COME FROM THE SUBURBS AND ALL OVER THE CITY FOR SERVICES AND OTHER EVENTS.

AND JUST THIS MONTH THE CHURCH EMBARKED ON A RESTORATION OF THE STREET FACADE AFTER WATER DAMAGE WAS DISCOVERED, HENCE THE BAND-AID THERE.

IT'S PARTIALLY FUNDED BY A CITY GRANT AND THE CHURCH IS RAISING THE REST OF THE MONEY PRIVATELY.

>> WITH THAT BAND-AID ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

THANK YOU IT WAS AS ENLIGHTENING AS EVER.

AND YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE NORSKE CLUB AND WALL YOU ARE THERE SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION TO GEOFFREY BAER.

BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YouTube AND OUR WEBSITE WTTW.COM/NEWS.

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

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

THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON IS UNDERWAY.

WE CHECK IN WITH SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS HOW THEY ARE FARING AMID THE PANDEMIC AND SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON A NEW BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE UNVACCINATED IN ILLINOIS TO PAY FOR THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE EXPENSES.

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

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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