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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TAXPAYER.

>> I WAS VERY PROUD TO WORK WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO EXPAND GAMING.

>> THEY WON WINNING HANDS AND THEY SET TO HOST THE SUBURBS NEWEST CAMPAIGNS.

>> I THINK IT'S ONLY FAIR THAT THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND ALSO OBTAIN REVENUES.

>> OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WHY MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S TAX ON SPORTS BETTING WAS TABLED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

>> PUSHBACK ON A CONTROVERSIAL METAL SCRAPPING PLANT TO OPERATE ON THE HEAVY INDUSTRIAL SOUTHEAST SIDE.

>> THE U.S.

SURGEON GENERAL IS SOUNDING THE ALARM OVER YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

>> AND THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON IS UNDERWAY HOW CHICAGO SMALL BUSINESSES ARE FARING AMID THE PANDEMIC AND SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> PFIZER SAYS ITS BOOSTER DOSE OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE MAY OFFER PROTECTION AGAINST THE NEW OMICRON VARIANT.

THIS DESPITE THE TWO DOSES APPEARING LESS EFFECTIVE AGAINST THIS VARIANT BASED ON EARLIER TESTS.

ACCORDING TO PFIZER LAB TESTS SHOW A BOOSTER INCREASED BY 25-FOLD PEOPLE'S ANTIPODES.

NO OTHER OMICRON CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN ILLINOIS SINCE YESTERDAY'S CASE TRACED TO A CHICAGOAN.

>> NEW FEDERAL CHARGES DEPENDS BANK OFFICIALS CONNECTED TO WASHINGTON FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS ASSOCIATED WITH PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON INDICTED FOR ALLEGEDLY LYING TO BANK REGULATORS AND FAILING TO PAY TAXES IN CONNECTIONS WITH LOANS FROM THAT BANK.

THREE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WERE CHARGED FOR ALLEGEDLY CONSPIRING TO OBSTRUCT RELIGION LATERS AND FALSIFY BANK RECORDS.

THE BANK WAS CLOSED IN 2017 AND THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.

>> CHICAGO BEARS QUARTERBACK JUSTIN FIELDS IS BACK TO START AGAINST THE PACKERS SUNDAY.

FIELDS WAS OUT FOR TWO GAMES GAS WITH CRACKED RIBS BUT MATT NAGY SAYS THE ROOKIE WAS MEDICALLY CLEARED TO PLAY TODAY.

FIELDS IS EXPECTED TO REPLACE ANDY DALTON PLAYING AND NOW DALTON'S AVAILABILITY REMAINS IN QUESTION WITH A INJURED NON-THROWING HAND.

THE BEARS ARE CURRENTLY 4-8 ON THE SEASON.

>> AND UP NEXT, CASINOS IN THE SUBURBS.

WE'LL TELL YOU WHERE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> ALL BETS ARE IN THE GAMING COMMISSION CHOSE WHICH DEVELOPERS CAN DEVELOP CASINOS AND WHERE AFTER THE CASINO GAMING EXPANSION LAW PASSED.

ARE WE GETTING CLOSE TO LAS VEGAS?

>> ILLINOIS IS ON THE WAY TO GETTING THERE, WITH THE STATE'S EXISTING CASINOS THAT HAVE BEEN RUNNING FOR YEARS NOW AND THEN THE ADDITION OF THOSE MORE THAN 41,000 VIDEO GAMING TERMINALS YOU HAVE AT CAFES AND RESTAURANTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND BEFORE THE PANDEMIC ILLINOIS ALLOWING SPORTS WAGERING AND THAT IS BREAKING RECORDS.

>> GAMING REVENUE JANUARY THROUGH OCTOBER 2021 THAT INCLUDES VIDEO GAMING, SPORTS WAGERING AND CASINOS NOTABLY DID NOT INCLUDE LICENSING OR OTHER FEES, WE'VE NOW TAPPED SURPASSED THE $1 BILLION REVENUE MARK FOR COMBINED GAMING REVENUE THIS YEAR.

>> $1 BILLION OF REVENUE FROM GAMBLING AND THE STATE HOPING TO FURTHER CASH IN AS ADDITIONAL GAMBLING OPPORTUNITIES GET ON-LINE AS CHICAGO IS STILL IN THE EARLY STAGES OF DEVELOPING ITS CASINO PLANS THERE WAS MOVEMENT ELSEWHERE.

TODAY IF YOU NOTED TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS SINCE GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S MAJOR GAMBLING EXPANSION LAW PASS STATE REGULATORS MOVED TO ADVANCE TWO PROJECTS SELECTING A DEVELOPER FOR A CASINO IN WAUKEGAN AND PUT A SOUTH SUBURBAN CASINO FOREVER EAST HAZEL CREST.

MEMBERS OF THE GAMING BOARD DURING THE MEETING DID NOT SAY WHY THESE TWO PROPOSALS GOT THE WINNING HANDS BUT THE BOARD CHAIR DID SAY THANKS TO ALL THE APPLICANTS FOR THEIR HARD WORK.

>> CERTAINLY SHOWS THAT THE QUALITY OF THE WORK AND IT'S MADE OUR JOB NOT EASY, BUT IT CERTAINLY HAS INFORMED OUR DECISION MAKING.

>> IN WAUKEGAN THE BOARD CHOSE FULL HOUSE RESORTS INCORPORATED OPERATING AS AMERICAN PLACE IN A PRESENTATION THE C.E.O.

PROMISED TO BRING LAS VEGAS PIZZAZZ TO WAUKEGAN IT WILL HAVE A HEALY PAD TO ATTRACT HIGH-END GAMERS AND THE PLAN TO TARGET THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO TAKE THEIR CHANCE ON POKER BY MAKING IT AN ATTRACTION LIKE THE BELADIES AND GENTLEMEN YO WITH FOUNTAINS IN THE LOBBY.

>> [INAUDIBLE] ALL OF A SUDDEN WATER IS FLYING ALL OVER THE PLACE BUT IT BECOMES AN ATTRACTION THAT YOU WANT TO SEE AND IT IS A NON-GAMING ATTRACTION WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE FROM OUT OF TOWN YOU WILL BRING THEM HERE.

>> YOU HAD FOUR GROUPS THAT GOT SERIOUS ABOUT BIDDING FOR A CASINO THAT THE LAW ALLOCATED TO THE SOUTH SUBURBAN AREA THE WINNER PLANS TO BUILD A CASINO THE THE I80 AND 294 INTERSECTION AND LESS THAN 10 MINUTES FROM THE INDIANA BORDER.

>> BEING THIS CLOSE TO INDIANA AND BEING THE ONLY FOUR DIAMOND FACILITY IN THE AREA WE WILL TRACK THOSE FUTURE DOLLARS THAT TO ILLINOIS INSTEAD OF THE OPPOSITE THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING THE LAST COUPLE DECADES.

>> THE LOCATION IS DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE REVENUE AND THIS TOO MORE THAN A CASINO A RESORT WITH A SPA, CONCERT VENUE AND RESTAURANTS.

>> INCLUDING A SKY LOUNGE ON THE TOP FLOOR OF THE HOTEL WHICH OUR ARCHITECTS SAY WILL HAVE VIEWS OF DOWNTOWN CHICAGO.

>> DEVELOPERS SHOULD NOT BE CASHING IN THEIR CHIPS YET, THOUGH, GETTING PRELIMINARY APPROVAL IS A SIGNIFICANT STEP.

BUT THAT GAMING BOARD'S DIRECTOR WARNS IT IS JUST THAT PRELIMINARY.

MEANWHILE SOME FIVE HOURS SOUTH OF CHICAGO THINGS ARE MOVING ALONG.

THE GOVERNOR AMONG THE OFFICIALS ON HAND IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS FOR THE GROUNDBREAKING OF THE WALKER'S BLUFF CASINO.

>> THE CASINO ALSO WILL BE A HUGE TOURIST ATTRACTION SOMETHING OUR REGION HAS NEED TO DO WILL DRAW IN TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE STAYING IN OUR HOTELS AND SPENDING THEIR WINNINGS HERE IN OUR BACKYARD.

>> NOW, OPPONENTS SAY ALL THE BOLD PREDICTIONS OF MONEY COMING INTO ILLINOIS AND INTO THE LOCALITIES HOSTING THE CASINOS ARE NOT GOING TO PAN OUT AND THEY DON'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE COSTS OF GAMBLING SAY FOR THINGS LIKE GAMBLING ADDICTION.

NOW THAT 2019 LAW ALLOWED SIX NEW CASINOS THAT FINAL ONE, YES, THAT IS CHICAGO'S.

THERE IS A HEARING SCHEDULED A WEEK FROM TOMORROW ON THE FIVE COMPETING BIDS TO BRING A CASINO TO THE CITY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS AND THE LATEST ON A CONTROVERSIAL FACILITY ON THE CITY'S SOUTHEAST SIDE.

>> THE CITY IS GETTING CLOSER TO A DECISION ON ALLOWING A SCRAP METAL RECYCLING PLANT TO OPERATE ON THE HEAVILY INDUSTRIAL SOUTHEAST SIDE.

IT'S PROMPTED FEDERAL EPA AND CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATIONS AND ACTIVISTS SAY THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD CANNOT WITHSTAND THE POLLUTION THAT THE NEW RECYCLING THEY FEEL WILL BRING.

JOINING US ARE MEGAN CUNNINGHAM MANAGING COMMISSIONER OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, JORGE PEREZ A BUSINESS CONSULTANT WITH SOUTH SIDE RECYCLING AND OLGA BAUTISTA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTHEAST ENVIRONMENTAL TASK FORCE.

WELL COAL ALL OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT" -- WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

SOUTH SIDE RECYCLING KNOWN AS GENERAL IRON OPERATED IN LINCOLN PARK UNTIL IT CLOSED IN 2020 AND ANNOUNCED THIS MOVE TO THE SOUTHEAST SIDE.

YOUR GROUP HAS BEEN AGAINST THIS FROM THE BEGINNING.

REMIND US WHY.

>> WELL, THIS NEIGHBORHOOD HAS ALREADY BEEN OVERBURDENED BY INDUSTRY AND YOU KNOW, THE MAYOR AND CDPH RECENTLY SAID IN JUNE SAID THAT RACISM IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

THIS IS NOT THE POINT THAT IS BEING RELOCATED FROM THE NORTH BRANCH OF THE CHICAGO RIVER THIS IS THE THIRD.

AND YOU KNOW THIS IS A LEGACY OF SYSTEMIC RACISM WE'RE SEEING IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND THIS IS WHY WE'RE OPPOSED TO IT.

OUR COMMUNITY HAS SUFFERED ENOUGH.

>> BECAUSE IT IS A LATINO COMMUNITY ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE.

MEGAN CUNNINGHAM CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS WORKING WITH THE ILLINOIS EPA ON THE HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS REPORT THUS FAR AND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR?

>> SURE.

THANKS, PARIS.

THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND CDPH SHARE OLGA'S COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND WE HAVE BEEN AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE STEADFAST IN THIS PROCESS TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH PARTICULARLY FOR VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT STRUCTURAL RACISM IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE UNITED STATES EPA TO CONDUCT TO EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF THIS PERMIT APPLICATION.

AND IN THIS CASE, WE REALLY ARE TRYING TO MAKE CENTRAL THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY.

SO THE INTERESTS THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND INTEREST IN BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT?

A.

AND THE HIA IS A PROCESS THAT WILL ALLOW US TO EXPLORE AND BEEN E BETTER UNDERSTAND THE EFFECTS TO HELP US MAKE A DECISION ON THE PERMITS THAT PROMOTE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.

>> AND THAT REPORT IS GOING TO COME OUT SOMETIME EARLY NEXT YEAR.

>> JORGE PEREZ, GENERAL IRON IT OPERATED WITHIN AIR POLLUTION LIMITS FOR THE MOST PART ALTHOUGH HAD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS IN LINCOLN PARK.

THERE WAS A FIRE AND SOOT THAT CAME DOWN THAT WE SAW IN SIDEWALKS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

HOW IS THIS COMPOUND ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE GOING TO BE DIFFERENT?

>> IT'S DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT'S NOT THAT FACILITY.

ONE THING THAT FOLKS GET CONFUSED HERE IS THAT THEY ENVISION A 1950s ERA TYPE TECHNOLOGY BEING INSTALLED HERE.

AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

I THINK WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS THE INTEGRATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY OF TECH IN THE NEW FACILITY AND IT IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FACILITY AND OPERATION THAN WHAT WAS UP ON THE NORTH SIDE.

THAT GETS CONFUSED BECAUSE THIS AREA IS ACTUALLY THE BIGGER QUESTION TO ASK IS WHAT DO YOU DO WITH AN OLD INDUSTRIAL STEEL MILL SITE AND THE STEEL MILLS ONCE HERE FOR 100 YEARS, TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE RIVER SYSTEM, THE RAIL SYSTEM AND THE LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION ASPECTS OF THIS AREA TO GROW.

AND THIS COMMUNITY GREW AROUND IT AND AS A RESULT THEY WERE ABLE TO BUILD THE COUNTRY.

WE ARE RENEWING THAT [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] REDEVELOPING AND READAPTING THAT USE FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS.

>> OLGA, I WANT TO ADDRESS THAT IN A SECOND.

THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE A COMMUNITY MEETING WITH CDPH ON THIS THERE'S CONFUSION WHEN AND WHERE IS TAKING PLACE.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO COME OF THIS MEETING?

>> I MEAN, FIRST I WANT TO ADDRESS JORGE WHEN HIS CLIENTS RIGHT TO OPERATE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BEGIN OUR RIGHTS TO BREATHE CLEAN AIR END AND IT IS JUST A FACT.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE PUTTING OUT EMISSIONS IT IS WILL NOT BE EMISSIONLESS.

THEY ARE -- >> THAT IS NOT TRUE.

THAT IS NOT TRUE AT ALL.

[ALL TALKING AT ONCE] OLGA I WANT TO LET YOU CONTINUE.

>> ALL RIGHT SO YOU DISAGREE ON THAT AND THERE IS A COMMUNITY MEETING TOMORROW WHAT DO YOU WANT TO COME FROM THAT MEETING?

>> SO OMITTING THE COMMUNITY FROM THE CRITICAL FIRST THREE STEPS TO THE HIA DOING SCOPING, SCREENING AND ASSESSMENTS.

>> THE HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT.

>> IS A TERRIBLE WAY TO START FIRST OF ALL.

WE DID NOT HAVE ANY INPUT HOW THIS PROCESS WAS GOING TO TAKE PLACE.

WHAT IS SAD IS THAT THE CITY HAS A GREAT PROCESS FOR DOING COMMUNITY ENGAGING.

WHEN THEY DO BUDGETING OR THE WE WILL CITY PLANNING.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY WORKING GROUP.

WHERE WE IDENTIFY PRINCIPLES AND VALUES AND IDENTIFY GOALS TOGETHER.

THEY DIDN'T DO THIS THIS TIME.

THEY LEFT US OUT.

AND THEN THE INFORMATION THAT THEY ARE PUTTING OUT IN THE FIRST MEETING IS FAILING TO ADDRESS THE CRITICAL DEFICIENCIES IN THE DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS THAT UNDERREPRESENTS THE HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL BURDENS ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE.

>> I WANT TO HAVEMY MEGHAN CONGRESS IT.

HAS THE PUBLIC BEEN ADEQUATELY INVOLVED THIS AND CAN YOU ADDRESS OLGA'S POINTS.

>> I THANK OLGA BECAUSE THE CRITIQUES WE HEAR HELP US TO IMPROVE AND WE HAVE BEEN MAKING CHANGES TO THE PROCESS IN RESPONSE TO THAT FEEDBACK.

BUT I WOULD SAY THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS PERMITTING PROCESS.

WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THIS APPLICATION FOR MORE THAN A YEAR AND WE'VE HELD TWO LARGE SCALE COMMUNITY TOWN HALL MEETINGS AND COMMENT PERIOD WHERE WE TOOK 4,000 COMMENTS THAT WE HAVE REVIEWED.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING DAILY IMMEDIATE WRA AND SOCIAL MEDIA MONITORING SO WE HAVE THE FINGER ON THE PULSE.

AND ALL OF THAT MAY HAVE PREDATED KICKING OFF THE HIA PROCESS BUT IT WAS FUNDAMENTAL TO DESIGNING AND SCOPING THIS WORD.

THAT SAID THE REASON WE ARE CONDUCTING THE ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS BECAUSE WE THINK WE CAN DO MORE AND BETTER AND THAT IS OUR COMMITMENT STARTING AS SOON AS TOMORROW WHEN WE LOOK FORWARD MEETING WITH 250 WHO REGISTERED FOR THE SESSION TO SHARE THE FEEDBACK SO IT CAN BE INCORPORATED.

>> SO JORGE, YOU AND OLGA DIS AGREE ON WHAT THE EMISSIONS WILL BE.

TELL ME WHAT WILL THE EMISSIONS BE FROM THE NEW PLANT OF PARTICULATE MATTER AND POLLUTANTS LINKED TO BREATHINGS PROBLEMS, LUNG PROBLEMS, ASTHMA.

>> TO ATTRIBUTE BEAUTY THOSE TO ONE SOURCE IS IRRESPONSIBLE AS WELL THEY ARE NOT OPERATING NOW AND THEY ARE THROWING OUT I CALL IT ALTERNATIVE FACTS WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT WHAT CDPH IS LOOKING AT AND THAT THE IS WRONG WE WENT THROUGH THAT.

THE P.M. 10 WAS ONE STANDARD.

AND THIS FACILITY WILL EXCEED ALL OF THOSE REQUIREMENTS.

WHAT IS FASCINATE SOMETHING THAT EVERY TIME THERE IS A NEW REQUIREMENT OR PART OF HIS HIA THE ACTIVISTS SIMILAR TO A CHILD IF THEIR TANTRUMS ARE LOUD ENOUGH THEY BELIEVE THE CITY WILL TURN AROUND AND DO WHAT THEY SAY.

BUT THESE ARE GUIDELINES BASED ON SCIENCE AND FACTS AND THE REGULATIONS PUT OUT THERE, THIS FACILITY IS MEETING THOSE AND WILL EXCEED THOSE.

AND YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THIS IS A RECYCLING FACILITY.

70% OF STEEL IS MADE FROM RECYCLED PRODUCTS IF WE WANT TO BUILD BACK BETTER AND PUT PEOPLE BACK TO WORK AND DO IT PROPERLY STEEL HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE IT'S NOT GOING TO COME FROM OVERSEAS.

WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE SUPPLY CHAIN DILEMMA THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO REDEVELOP A COMMUNITY AND HELP REBUILD THIS COUNTRY OOVMENT.

>> WHAT ARE YOU SAYING THIS FACILITY WILL BEATRICE CALHOUN LOW THE STANDARDS ON PARTICULATE MATTER EMISSIONS.

OLGA, THE FACILITY IS SUPPOSED TO BE INDOORS MOSTLY BELOW THOSE STANDARDS AND IT'S TUCKED AWAY ON THE CALUMET RIVER HALF A -- 14 FOOTBALL FIELDS AWAY FROM THE NEAREST HOME.

ARE THOSE PROTECTIONS ADEQUATE.

>> IT DEPENDS WHERE YOU START MEASURING.

FROM THE END OF THE RIVER.

>> 14 FOOTBALL FIELDS.

AND EVERY SINGLE DAY THERE'S PEOPLE WHO BUY HOMES ON THE EASTSIDE.

EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY BRING SCIENCE TO INFORM THIS DEBATE.

WE CAN KNOW ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LEVEL OF EMISSION AND ON THE COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPACT.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING AS PART OF THIS REPORT IS BEING TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE METHOD FOR MEASURING THESE IMPACTS AND USE THAT BRING IT TO THE BEAR ON THE DECISION ON THE PERMIT.

>> WE WILL AWAIT THAT.

[ALL TALKING AT ONCE] >> OLGA A COUPLE SECONDS AND WE HAVE TO END.

QUICK RESPONSE.

>> REALLY QUICK, YOU KNOW THE PARTICULATE MATTER AND LEAD TO BE ADDING MORE LEAD AND MORE PARTICULATE MATTER INTO THE AIR.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

WE WILL AWAIT THAT HEALTH IMPACT.

OUR THANKS TO MEGAN CUNNINGHAM, JORGE PEREZ AND OLGA BAUTISTA THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD NIGHT.

>> UP NEXT HOW SOME SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ARE FARING AMID THE PANDEMIC AND SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES.

SO STAY WITH US.

>> THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON IS UNDERWAY AND THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION SAYS U.S.

SALES ARE ON TRACK TO SURPASS RECORDS.

IT COMES MORE THAN A YEAR-AND-A-HALF INTO THE PANDEMIC AND SOME SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SAY THEY HOPE THE SEASON WILL PROVIDE A NEEDED BOOST TO REVENUE AS RETAILORS LARGE AND SMALL FACE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND INFLATION.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT HOW THEIR BUSINESSES ARE FARING ARE SCOTT FRIEDLAND, OWNER OF TIMELESS TOYS IN LINCOLN SQUARE.

CYNTHIA SOTO OWNER OF POCHA PETS BOUTIQUE A PET CLOSING STORE IN PILSEN.

AND SEKOU TAFARI OWNER OF FRONTLINE BOOKS AND CRAFTS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SEKOU TAFARI LET'S START WITH YOU.

FRONTLINE FELT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC.

BUT THIS FALL YOU ANNOUNCED YOU WERE FACING POSSIBLY HAVING TO CLOSE YOUR HYDE PARK STORE.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT HOW THE PANDEMIC DID IMPACT YOU AND IF YOU THINK YOU WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP THE HYDE PARK STORE OPEN FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COME TO THE STORE TO SHOP.

DON'T [INAUDIBLE] BUT AT DIFFERENT TIMES WE HAVE UPS AND WE HAVE DOWNS.

SO PEOPLE DURING THE CHRISTMASTIME WE ARE HOPING AND DO KWANZAA, THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN HOLIDAY WE ARE HOPING TO SEE MUCH MORE PEOPLE COMING OUR CUSTOMER BASE COMING ESPECIALLY IN THE HYDE PARK STORE.

WE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING PEOPLE COME IN AND SPENDING MORE MONEY.

THE PANDEMIC DID IMPACT US A LOT.

>> OK. CYNTHIA SOTO HOW ARE YOU SEEING THE IMPACT OF SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AFFECTING YOUR BUSINESS?

>> I'VE SEEN IT TREMENDOUSLY.

WE GET ALL OF OUR ITEMS FROM MEXICO AND COVID HAS AFFECTED MEXICO MORE THAN THE UNITED STATES AND I SEE IT FIRSTHAND BECAUSE THERE'S FABRICS NOT BEING MADE AND ITEMS WE HAVE TO DISCONTINUE.

WE HAVE A FEW OF THE ITEMS THAT WE USED TO MAKE AND IT'S HARD BECAUSE PEOPLE WANT MORE OF THAT ITEM AND I CAN'T MAKE IT ANYMORE.

>> IS IT DIFFICULT TO REPLACE THAT ITEM WITH SOMETHING ELSE?

>> A LITTLE BIT.

I HAVE TO USE MY IMAGINATION AND COME OUT WITH A NEW DESIGN AND NEW FABRICS THE ONES THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND PRESENT THEM TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY IS VERY UNDERSTANDING WITH THE SUPPLY CHAIN SHORTAGE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW AND THEY ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SUPPORT OTHER PRODUCTS.

>> WE'LL GET MORE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS AND YOUR BUSINESS MODEL AND WHY SO MUCH OF YOUR INVENTORY COME FROM MEXICO.

SCOTT, I UNDERSTAND YOU WERE ABLE TO BUY TOYS EARLY FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?

>> YES.

ABSOLUTELY.

THERE WAS SHIPPING ISSUES AND SUPPLY SHORTAGE STARTING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC AS FACTORIES WERE SHUTTING DOWN AND WE SAW THE WRITING ON THE WALL.

WE WENT AHEAD AND ORDERED ALL OF OUR HOLIDAY ITEMS BACK IN MAY SO THAT WITH THE MANUFACTURERS WE WERE THE FIRST ONES TO GET SHIPPED OUT AS SOON AS THAT STUFF DID COME IN STOCK AND WE ARE EXPERIENCING SOME SHORTAGES.

ONCE A PRODUCT IS OUT IT'S OUT.

I CANNOT REORDER IT LIKE IN A NORMAL HOLIDAY SEASON.

WE HAVE PLENTY OF STUFF TO OFFER CUSTOMERS BECAUSE OF THAT.

>> SMART THINKING TO ORDER SO FAR AHEAD.

>> SEKOU TAFARI HOW ABOUT SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES.

>> IT DOES.

IT DOES.

IMPACTED US IN TERMS OF SOME OF THE BOOKS WE PUBLISH WE PUBLISH OVERSEAS AND [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] THE CONTAINERS GOT STALLED WE HAD TO RELY ON [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] TO START EARLIER.

AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET KWANZAA.

HE HAD A LONG DELAY TO GET THE STUFF IN FROM CHINA.

BUT EVENTUALLY IT CAME IN A LIT LATE.

BUT WE ARE STOCKED NOW.

>> OK. OF COURSE, THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS IN FULL SWING RIGHT NOW.

JUST A FEW MORE WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS.

ARE YOU HOPING THE SEASON BRINGS MORE BUSINESS YOUR WAY?

>> I REALLY AM.

WE'RE WORKING ON A LOT OF NEW PROJECTS AND ITEMS IN THE STORE TO GET MORE PEOPLE IN.

I FEEL LIKE SOMETIMES DURING THE HOLIDAYS A LOT OF US INCLUDING MYSELF WE GO TO THINKING RIGHT TO THE BIG BOX STORES.

AND WE FORGET ABOUT THE SMALL BUSINESSES AND I THINK THAT SHOPPING SMALL IS REALLY THOUGHTFUL WHEN YOU ARE SHOPPING FOR SOMEONE BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THAT WAS HANDMADE, UNIQUE, SO I TRY TO FET THAT OUT ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA WE ARE DOING LIVE INSTAGRAMS AND FACEBOOK LIVES TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME INTO THE STORE AND CHECK OUT THE UNIQUE ITEMS THEY CAN BE GIFTING THEIR LOVED ONES.

>> SEKOU TAFARI ARE YOU HOPING THE SEASON WILL PROVIDE A BOOST FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

>> YES, WE HAVE CARDS AND WE HAVE STUFF FOR THE NEW YEAR.

CALENDARS AND SO ON.

BUT WE BASICALLY, THERE IS A LIMITED IN TERMS OF KWANZAA WHICH INCLUDE CARDS WILL INCLUDE KWANZAA ITEMS AND SO ON.

SO WE ARE HOPING BY THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH IS WHEN PEOPLE START TO SHOP, PEOPLE ARE HOPPING EARLY THIS YEAR AND THAT IS LOOKING INTO IT.

>> I WONDER IF CUSTOMERS ARE AWARE OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF IT.

SCOTT FRIEDLAND WHAT DOES YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON TYPICALLY LOOK LIKE?

>> TYPICALLY [INAUDIBLE] IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON BETWEEN THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS.

THIS YEAR WE DID EXPERIENCE A LOT OF EARLY SHOPPING SO OUR OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER NUMBERS WERE MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL.

AND WE ARE SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF A SLOWER TREND NOW THAT WE ARE IN DECEMBER.

BUT IT'S STARTING TO PICK UP CLOSER TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND WE'LL SEE IT CONTINUE TO RISE GOING INTO CHRISTMAS.

>> CYNTHIA YOU STARTED YOUR BUSINESS DURING THE PANDEMIC AND TALKED ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS MODEL AND WHAT YOU OFFER.

HOW DID YOUR BUSINESS GET STARTED?

>> IT GOT STARTED BECAUSE I WAS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION TEACHER AND THAT WAS QUICKLY BEING SOMETHING THAT MAYBE NOT I COULD HAVE CONTINUED WITH.

SO I DID THIS AS A SIDE BUSINESS.

MY BEST FRIEND IN MEXICO SHE HAS A BRAND OF CLOTHES YOU SEE IN OUR STORE AND I WANTED TO HELP HER OUT BECAUSE THE PANDEMIC WAS SITTING HER HARD OVER THERE AND I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING FOR MYSELF HERE IN CHICAGO ALSO.

SO I STARTED OUT SELLING TO FAMILY MEMBERS AND NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS AND IT GOT BIGGER AND BIGGER.

I LOST MY JOB DURING THE PANDEMIC AND THIS WAS ABLE TO BECOME MY FULL-TIME JOB AND NOW I HAVE THE STOREFRONT HERE IN PILSEN, THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN SUPER SUPPORTIVE.

AND THAT IS HOW WE STARTED.

>> AND CON DPRATS ON THE SUCCESS OF YOUR -- CONGRATS ON THE SUCK SES OF YOUR SUCCESS OF YOUR BUSINESS.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY YOU ARE ON-LINE BUSINESS COMPARED TO INSTORE SHOPPING NOW?

>> OUR ON-LINE BUSINESS IS STILL BOOMING.

WE WERE ABLE TO GAIN A LARGE PORTION OF CUSTOMERS THAT WERE SHOPPING AT BIG BOX STORES AND AMAZON THAT FOUND LOCAL STORES DURING THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE THOSE BIG BOX STORES AND AMAZON WERE ONLY SHIPPING ESSENTIAL ITEMS AT THE VERY BEGINNING.

AND ALL THE PEOPLE HAD THEIR KIDS AT HOME AND WE ARE AN EDUCATIONAL-BASED TOY STORE WE FOUND CUSTOMERS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR KIDS EDUCATION AT HOME.

WE SEE A BOOM IN OUR ON-LINE BUSINESS AND PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO COME BACK IN STORES WE ARE SEEING A LARGE RISE IN OUR INSTORE BUSINESS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR AS WELL.

>> BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THREE OF YOU.

THANKS TO SEKOU TAFARI, SCOTT FRIEDLAND AND CYNTHIA SOTO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THE U.S.

SURGEON GENERAL ISSUES A WARNING ON THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AMONG YOUTH.

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

>> OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WHY ONE NET WANTS TO GAMBLE ON A SPORTS BETTING TAX AND OTHERS ARE HEDGING ON THE MAYOR'S PLAN.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WILL DESIGNATE LYNCHING AS A FEDERAL HATE CRIME IT'S NAMED AFTER EMMETT TILL THE BOY BRUTALLY LYNCHED IN MISSISSIPPI IN 1955.

BOBBY RUSH WHO INTRODUCED THIS LEGISLATION SAID IN A STATEMENT QUOTE...

IT'S BEEN MORE THAN 120 YEARS SINCE THE ANTI-LYNN ANDING BILL WAS INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS DESPITE 200 ATTEMPTS TO CODIFY LYNCHING AS A FEDERAL CRIME IT HAS NEVER BEEN DONE AND THE BILL HEADS TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

A JURY IS DELIBERATING THE CASE OF JUSSIE SMOLLETT.

DAN WEB ACCUSED SMOLLETT OF LYING UNDER OATH.

WEB POINTED TO SIX PIECES OF EVIDENCE THAT HE SAYS PROVED THE ACTOR PLANNED TO FAKE A HATE CRIME IN 2019 WITH THE HELP OF THE OSUNDAIRO BROTHERS.

THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY TOLD JURORS SMOLLETT IS BEING ACCUSED BASED ON THE TESTIMONY AS SHE CALLED SOPHISTICATED LIARS AND CRIMINALS.

THE OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING HOTEL IS CELEBRATING ITS 150TH ANNIVERSARY.

THE PALMER HOUSE OPENED IN 187113 DAYS BEFORE THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE.

THIS HILTON HOTEL HAS BEEN CELEBRATING IN THE LOBBY IN TIME FOR NATIONAL BROWNIE DAY TODAY.

THE HOTEL CLAIMS BROWNIES WERE INVENTED AT THE PALMER HOUSE.

>> AND NOW PARIS AND AN ALARMING WARNING FROM THE U.S.

SURGEON GENERAL.

>> THANKS.

U.S.

SURGEON GENERAL IS SOUNDING THE ALARM ON A YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

A PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY FROM HIS OFFICE DETAILS HOW THE PANDEMIC HAS DISRUPTED THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS CAUSING THEM TO INHERIT ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND SUICIDAL THOUGHTS.

THE ADVISORY POINTS TO RESEARCH THAT INCLUDES 80,000 YOUNG PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD WHICH FOUND 25% ARE EXPERIENCING DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS.

20% HAVE ANXIETY AND SUSPECT SUICIDE ATTEMPTS ROSE 51% IN HERBAL 2021 FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS.

FOR ADOLESCENT BOYS THAT NUMEROUS 4%.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS ARE JUDITH ALLEN THE CLINICAL DIRECTOR AND C.E.O.

OF COMMUNITIES OF SCHOOLS IN CHICAGO AND WROTE A MENTAL HEALTH GUIDE BEFORE THE SURGEON GENERAL'S REPORT WAS RELEASED.

AND Dr. ARON JANSSEN VICE-CHAIR AT LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL'S DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY AND PROFESSOR AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

Dr. JANZEN I WANT TO START WITH 51% INCREASE IN SUSPECTED SUICIDE ATTEMPTS IN EARLY 2021 AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS.

THE NUMBER WAS 4% FOR BOYS.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS BEHIND THAT?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF FACTORS BEHIND THE INCREASE.

I WANT TO PAUSE FOR A SECOND AND JUST LET THAT NUMBER SINK IN FOR EVERYBODY.

IT'S QUITE ALARMING AND IT IS A TREND THAT STARTED WELL BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

THE FACTORS THAT ARE INVOLVED INCLUDE NUMBER ONE AN EVENT INCREASING SINCE OF DIS UPON DENSY WHEN DIS CONNECTED FROM SOCIAL GROUPS.

THE PRESSURES OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND MORE IMPORTANTLY IS UNTREATED MENTAL ILLNESS.

ONE IN FIVE KIDS WILL HAVE A DIAGNOSEABLE MENTAL ILLNESS WHEN THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND HALF ARE GIVEN THE ACTIVITY TO BE EXPOSED TO CARE.

WE NEED TO GET KIDS IDENTIFIED EARLIER BY MORE PEOPLE AND TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND CONNECT KIDS TO THE CARE THEY NEED.

>> JUDITH ALLEN YOU HEARD THE SURGEON GENERAL CALL IT A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS YOUR REACTION TO THE NUMBERS YOU HEARD?

>> WE WERE TRENDING IN THAT DIRECTION.

LIKE Dr. JANZEN SAYS IT IS ALARMING AND IT IS A STATEMENT TO WHAT THE PANDEMIC HAS DONE WITH OUR KIDS IN TERMS OF ISOLATING THEM FROM THEIR CONNECTIONS.

THE LACK OF CONNECTIVITY CAUSE TO DO TO ESCALATE.

>> I WANT TO STAY WITH YOU.

CAN I GET IS THERE ANY IDEA WHY THAT SUSPECTED SUICIDE NUMBER WOULD BE SO MUCH HIGHER IN GIRLS THAN BOYS?

>> WELL, GIRLS ARE TYPICALLY A BIT MORE SOCIAL THAN BOYS.

GIRLS ARE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS.

THEY WILL WALK INTO A MIDDLE SCHOOL AND FIND GIRLS EVERY TUESDAY BECAUSE THAT IS PART OF THE SOCIALIZATION THE NETWORKS THAT GIRLS HAVE.

BOYS TEND TO KEEP THAT INSIDE.

WE SEE BOYS ACTING OUT MORE EXTERNALLY.

IF WE HAVE GIRLS FEELING DISCONNECTED ALONE, AND THEN ADD SOCIAL MEDIA AS YOUR ONLY CONNECTION THAT BECOMES A DANGEROUS MIX FOR OUR YOUNG LADIES.

>> AND OTHER STATISTICS, ARON JANSSEN AS MUCH AS A QUARTER OR MORE OF YOUTH EXPERIENCING SOME KIND OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE BE IT DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY DO THEY HAVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE?

>> THE ANSWER IS NO.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T.

AND PARTICULARLY IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE MEANS TO PAY FOR THINGS PRIVATELY, OR YOU DON'T HAVE GOOD INSURANCE IT IS A REAL CHALLENGE TO GET ANY KIND OF GOOD CARE.

>> AND JUDITH ALLEN, THE PANDEMIC HAS EXACERBATED SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WERE OCCURRING WHAT.

ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA?

TODAY THE C.E.O.

OF INSTAGRAM WAS APPEARING BEFORE CONGRESS ABOUT NEW CONTROLS TO GET KIDS OFF OF INSTAGRAM OR STOP THEM FROM SPENDING HOURS AND HOURS ON THERE.

IS THAT ENOUGH?

>> HONESTLY AND I'M NOT BEING CRITICAL OF ANY TYPE OF PLATFORM BUT THE BEST RESPONSE IS TO GET THEM TO PUT THEIR PHONES DOWN AND INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER RATHER THAN FOCUSING ON THE TECHNOLOGY THE DEVICE IN THEIR HAND.

>> AND ARON JANSSEN HOW BIG A FACTOR IS SOCIAL MEDIA BE IT ANY PLATFORM OR ANY APP WHEN IT COMES TO YOUTH AND MENTAL HEALTH?

>> I DON'T THINK THE JURY IS OUT YET.

WE FEED MORE STUDIES TO BE ABLE TO YOU HAD IT WHAT WE HEAR FROM KIDS THERE IS A CONNECTIVITY AND HELPFULNESS TO SOME OF THE ASPECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND ON THE FLIP SIDE THERE IS A SENSE OF CONSTANTLY HAVING TO BE ON THAT CAN BE DETERIORATING.

WE NEED TO STUDY AND YOU HAD IT.

BUT I THINK AS CLINICIANS WE NEED TO EDUCATE PARENTS WILL SETTING SAFE AND APPROPRIATE RULES AROUND SOCIAL MEDIA USE.

SO THAT WE'RE MONITORING.

IT IS A TOOL LIKE ANYTHING ELSE.

SOME PEOPLE THE TOOL WILL BE USED WELL AND ON THE OTHER HAND IT WILL BE QUITE DAMAGING.

I THINK WHAT I WANT TO CAUTION IS THAT THERE'S NEVER GOING TO BE A SINGLE ANSWER.

IF SOCIAL MEDIA WERE ERASED FROM OUR SOCIETY WITH THE SNAP OF A FINGER WE WOULD STILL BE IN A CRISIS AND LOOKING FOR ANSWERS AS TO WHY KIDS ARE SUFFERING AS MUCH AS THEY ARE.

>> AND JUDITH ALLEN IS THIS CRISIS FELT MORE ACUTELY IN A SECTOR OF THE YOUTH POPULATION MORE THAN OTHER?

>> WE ARE SEEING THE NUMBERS WITH CHILDREN THAT LIVE IN MARCHALIZEED COMMUNITIES, CHILDREN OF COLORS WHETHER THE PARENTS FIRST-RESPONDERS AND OUT OF THE HOUSE THERE'S MORE STRESS AND ALSO THEY EXPERIENCED LOSS IN TERMS OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 18 MONTHS.

WE ARE SEEING IT IN SOME THAT WE SUPPORT TO ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES OF CHICAGO.

>> ARON JANSSEN TELL US, THE WARNING SIGNS THAT PARENTS NEED TO LOOK FOR?

>> LOOK FOR ARE CHANGING IN YOUR CHILD'S PERSONALITY, WHETHER THEY ARE BECOMING MORE IRRITABLE MORE DES RESPONDENT WHEN THINGS START SEEMING LIKE YOUR CHILD IS NOT INTERESTED.

SLEEP WHEN IT BECOMES DIS REGULATED STOP SLEEPING OR SHOWERING.

IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS WE SHOULD ASK.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE ASKING ABOUT SUICIDE IS NOT GIVING PEOPLE THE IDEA AND HAVING A SPACE AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS AND STRUGGLES IS MUCH, MUCH MORE HELPFUL.

IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN, IF THERE'S ANY CHANGE ASK, ASK FOR HELP, ASK FOR RESOURCES.

>> VERY IMPORTANT DISCUSSION OUR THANKS TO JUDITH ALLEN AND ARON JANSSEN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THE ODDS ON SPORTS BETTING IN CHICAGO STADIUMS.

FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> SPORTS BETTING, CASINOS OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM IS HERE TO BREAK IT DOWN AND MUCH MORE.

BACK WITH US ARE AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

WELCOME BACK, EVERYBODY.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT TOOK A BET ON A 2% TAX THAT ALLOWS FANS TO GAMBLE ON FIVE OF CHICAGO'S PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS IN THE STADIUMS AND DURING GAMES.

>> 2% IT MATCHES WHAT THE COUNTY IS WAS ABLE TO PUT ON THIS SPORTSBOOK BILL.

I THINK IT'S ONLY FAIR THAT THE CITY OF CHICAGO ALSO OBTAIN REVENUES AS A RESULT OF THIS NEW VENTURE BY THE SPORTS TEAMS.

>> HEATHER WHY DID THIS MEASURE STALL AT CITY HALL?

>> WELL THERE ARE TWO COMPLAINTS: ONE THAT THAT 2% TAX IS ONLY GOING TO GENERATE 400,000-500,000 FOR THE CITY AND THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.

AND THAT EVEN THAT SMALL OF A TAX FOR ALLOWING THE SPORTSBOOKS AT ALL, COULD HURT THE CHICAGO CASINO FROM OPENING IN THE COMING YEAR.

IT'S POISED TO GET OFF THE GROUND WE ARE GOING TO GET THE FIRST LOOK AT THE DETAILED PROPOSALS NEXT WEEK AND ANY CHANGE IN THE GAMBLING LANDSCAPE IN CHICAGO COULD COMPLICATE THAT AND SEVERAL ALDERMEN SAID IT WASN'T WORTH THE RISK.

>> WHAT DO ALDERPEOPLE WANT?

DO THEY WANT MORE TAX, NO TAX?

>> IT'S REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

SOME ARE TOTALLY OPPOSED TO IT.

SOME SEEMED OPEN TO IT AT A HIGHER TAX RATE BUT IT IS NOT CLEAR THAT ANYTHING IS GOING TO GET DONE BEFORE THE FULL CITY COUNCIL MEETS ON WEDNESDAY AND THAT IS THEIR LAST CHANCE TO GET THIS DONE BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

AND THEY ARE UNDER INTENSE PRESSURE FROM CHICAGO SPORTS TEAMS WHO WANT TO START OFFERING PEOPLE A CHANCE TO PLACE THEIR BETS WHILE WATCHING THE BULLS AND THE BLACKHAWKS AND IT WILL BE SPRING AGAIN AND THE CUBS AND THE SOX, TOO.

>> SPRING IS COMING?

SURE.

AMANDA YOU REPORTED TONIGHT ABOUT THE SUBURBAN CASINOS HERE IN CHICAGO AS HEATHER MENTIONED GETTING A CASINO HAS BEEN ON THE TABLE FOR DECADES.

THE MAYOR HAS FIVE BIDS AND THERE WILL BE A PUBLIC HEARING NEXT WEEK TO PRESENT THOSE FIVE.

WHO IS DECIDING THE WINNER?

>> FIRST WHEN YOU SAY IT DID TAKE DECADES FOR CHICAGO TO GET A CASINO AS WAS REPORTED THE FIVE LOCATIONS.

I THINK WHATEVER YOU HAVE GAMBLING LEGISLATION IT IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE YOU HAVE A GAMING ANALOGY IF YOU HAVE ONE DOMINO FALL IT AFFECTS THE OTHERS AND THAT THE IS THE CASE HERE.

WHO IS MAKING THE DECISION?

THE MAYOR, HER TEAM, ALDERPEOPLE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TOO AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE ANY SORT OF CASINO GOING IN THEIR WARDS THEY CAN GET LOUD AND SAY YES, NO, THEY WANT IT, THEY DON'T.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO WEIGH-IN AT THE MEETING SCHEDULED FOR THE 16TH NEXT WEEK.

THERE IS JUST SO MUCH HERE.

AND THE NOTION REALLY OF WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY GOALS.

IS IT MAKING JOBS AVAILABLE?

OR IS THE PRIORITY TO BRING IN AND RAKE INASMUCH CASH AS POSSIBLE?

AND ALSO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE BIDS THERE ARE BIG NAMES WILL IT BE AN OUTSIDER SOMEBODY LIKE BALLY'S AND WHAT THEY ARE PITCHING TO SAY WE HAVE NO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR AN OPERATOR LIKE NEIL BLUHM WHO HAS A LOT OF MONEY AND A LOT OF CONNECTIONS IN CHICAGO.

THAT IS ALL GOING TO COME INTO PLAY.

>> AND MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT HOPING TO MOVE FORWARD EARLY NEXT YEAR BUT THIS IS GOING TO NEED CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL.

NOT A SURE BET.

>> I THINK IT IS A SAFE BET THAT IT WOULD MOVE FORWARD NEXT YEAR AS AMANDA AND HEATHER MENTIONED.

THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT HEARING.

BUT THE CITY FEEDS THE REVENUE.

THEY NEED TO SHORE-UP THEIR PENSION FUNDS AND THERE'S DISAGREEMENT AS TO NOTION WHETHER HAVING SPORTS BETTING CANNIBALIZE A POTENTIAL CITY CASINO.

NEIL BLUHM IS BEHIND RUSH STREET GAMING AND THEY HAVE TWO BIDS, BALLY'S HAS TWO BIDS.

HARD ROCK HAS A BID AND WHOEVER WINS THE BID PERHAPS YOU COULD SEE THEM COMPROMISING WITH THE CUBS OR THE SOX OR THE BULLS AND SAY FINE IF YOU WANT TO DO A SPORTSBOOK IN YOUR STADIUM THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO PARTNER WITH US THE OFFICIAL CHICAGO CASINO PROVIDER TO DO IT.

SO PERHAPS THERE IS SOME KIND OF WHEELING AND DEALING LEFT TO GO ON THIS.

>> EVEN AS BRIEFLY AS PEOPLE ARE REALLY PLACING A LOT OF BETS ON THEIR PHONES.

THE ILLINOIS LAW HAD MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO DO WAGERS VIA THEIR CELLPHONES YOU HAD TO GO TO A PHYSICAL LOCATION BUT BECAUSE OF COVID THOSE RESTRICTIONS WERE LIFTED ALREADY AT THIS POINT ARE YOU SEEING A LOT OF IT 840 MILLION DOLLARS IN THIS PAST MONTH BROUGHT IN THROUGH SPORTS WAGERING.

>> 840 MILLION.

>> WAGERED.

YES.

>> A HOT BUTTON ISSUE THE CITY COUNCIL DEALING WITH DRAWING NEW WARD BOUNDARIES.

HAS THAT MAP DATLE BETWEEN THE LATINO AND BLACK CAUCUSES HAS IT GOT LESS HEATED OR LESS PUBLIC?

>> I THINK THERE ARE DEFINITELY BEHIND THE SCENES NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON THAT WE ARE NOT PRIVY TO.

BUT THERE WAS AN ATTEMPT TO BRING DOWN THE TEMPERATURE YESTERDAY.

ALDERMEN SAID NICE THINGS ABOUT EACH OTHER.

NOBODY ACCUSED ANYONE OF BEING RACIST OR ACTING TO DISENFRANCHISE BLACK OR LATINO VOTERS WHICH IS AN IMPROVEMENT BUT NOT MUCH.

THE STALEMATE REMAINS.

IT IS A ZERO SUM GAME THERE ARE GOING TO BE 15 LATINO WARDS OR THERE ARE NOT.

AND THAT IS THE WHOLE BALL GAME RIGHT NOW.

AND IS THAT GOING TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR?

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO DRAG INTO 2022.

AND MAYBE ALL THE WAY INTO THE SPRING WHERE IF IT DOES GO TO REFERENDUM THAT IS WHEN VOTERS WOULD HAVE THEIR CHANCE TO PICK BETWEEN AT LEAST TWO IF NOT THREE MAPS.

>> HERE IS THE THING THAT COULD BRING THE CAUCUSES TOGETHER IF THEY AGREE ON WHICH ALDERPEOPLE THEY WANT TO GET RID OF AND THAT FACTORS INTO REMAPPING.

10 YEARS IT WAS IT WAS CONSENSUS A COUPLE ALDERPEOPLE THEY MAPPED OUT.

BOB FIORETTI AND NICK SPOSATO SURVIVED.

SO THAT FACTORS INTO THIS AND IN THIS RULES COMMITTEE MAP THE OTHER LITTLE INTERESTING CAVEAT IS THE LITTLE QUIRKS IN THE MAP THAT DRAW OUT POTENTIAL OPPONENTS TO SITTING ALDERPEOPLE.

THAT IS ANOTHER THING THAT WEIGHS INTO TO THE CARTING TOFY.

ALL OF THOSE CARTOGRAPHY AND PERHAPS LEAD TO COMPROMISE.

>> THE MAP NEEDS 41 VOTES TO DO THAT.

HEATHER DO YOU HAVE A COUNT OF HOW MANY ALDERPEOPLE MIGHT BE SUPPORTING THE BLACK CAUCUS MAP.

>> THERE ARE 34 ALDERMEN SIGNED ON TO THAT MAP.

THEY ARE SEVEN VOTES SHORT AND IT TAKES 10 TO SIGN TON TO A SPECIFIC MAP AND SUBMIT THAT MAP TO A REFERENDUM.

THE MAP CRAFTED BY THE LATINO CAULK CONDUCT HAS -- CAUCUS HAS 15 SUPPORTERS.

THE MATH IS WHAT IT IS.

THERE WILL HAVE TO BE SEVERAL ALDERMEN WHO CHANGE THEIR MINDS TO REACH AN AGREEMENT AND THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION IS AND PARIS IS RIGHT, IS ARE THESE ALDERMEN WILLING TO GAMBLE.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT GAMBLING, ARE THEY WILLING TO GAMBLE THAT THEIR MAP WILL WIN THE SUPPORT OF CHICAGO'S SUPPORTERS IN 2022 IT SEEM LIKE A LONGTIME.

IT'S NOT.

AND IF THE LAST TIME THAT HAPPENED WAS 30 YEARS AGO AND IT WAS THE MAP BACKED BY RICHARD M. DALEY AND ED BURKE THAT WON.

SO THAT TURNED OUT NOT TO BE A GAMBLE WORTH TAKING WHETHER IT HAPPENS THAT WAY THIS TIME AROUND NOBODY KNOWS.

>> IF SOMEBODY NOT A MEMBER OF THOSE CAUCUSES THEY HAVE A LOT OF LEVERAGE.

BOTH MIGHT APPROACH ALDERMAN X AND WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET YOUR VOTE?

THERE IS LEVERAGE FOR A HANDFUL OF ALDERMEN.

>> STAY OCTOBER ON THE REMAP THING ORAL ARGUMENTS WERE HEARD IN THREE LAWSUITS CHALLENGING THE DISTRICT MAPS THAT STATE LAWMAKERS PASSED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

AMMAN DARKS LAWYERS IN THREE CASES HAVE SUGGESTED WAYS TO SETTLE THE MAP ISSUES.

WHAT IS THE LATEST?

>> THE LATEST IS FIRST OF ALL, JUST LIKE WITH THE CITY MAP, REALLY ALL OF THIS IS THOUGHT OF INCUMBENTS PROTECTION FIRST AND FOREMOST WHAT THE DRAWERS DO WHEN THEY DESIGN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE DISTRICTS IN THAT CASE IT'S WHO IS DECIDING THE DRAWING AND IN THIS CASE IT'S DEMOCRATS.

THE THREE LAWSUITS ARE BROUGHT ONE BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND OTHERS ALLEGE THAT THE MAP WAS DRAWN TO DILUTE THE LATINO VOTE IN THE COUNTIES SURROUNDING CHICAGO AND BY THE N.A.A.C.P.

SAYING THE SAME WAS UNDILATING THE BLACK VOTE IN THE EAST ST. LOUIS AREA.

AND THESE ARE GROUPS SAYING WE DON'T WANT THE MAP THAT WAS SIGNED WE DO NOT WANT THAT ENACTED.

BUT THE LATEST IS WE'RE WAITING FOR A DECISION FROM THE THREE-JUDGE PAM ON IT IS SOONER THAN LATER BECAUSE COME MID-JANUARY THE RACES BEGIN THAT THE CANDIDATES HAVE TO START TO GET THE PETITIONS SIGNED TO GET ON THE 2022 BALLOT.

IT IS A DIFFERENT TIMELINE AND A QUICKER ONE.

IT'S IN THE HANDS OF THE JUDGES AND IT IS A BIG DECISION IN TERMS OF DETERMINING THE FATE OF BOTH THE POWER BALANCE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AS WELL AS THE FATE OF INDIVIDUAL LEGISLATORS FOR THESE RACES.

>> ALSO IN SPRINGFIELD THERE ARE TWO COMPETING COVID-19 RELATED BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED BY ILLINOIS HOUSE MEMBERS.

AMANDA, THE FIRST ONE YOU COVERED DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE JONATHAN CARROLL FILED HIS BILL TO FORCE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WILLFULLY OR PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLFULLY UNVACCINATED THAT THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATION COSTS IF THEY GET SICK.

IS THIS GOING TO HOLD-UP TO JUDICIAL SCRUTINY?

>> CAROL ADMITTED IT'S PROBABLY NOT THE FINAL VERSION.

HE SAID THIS IS A STARTING CONVERSATION AND IT COMES OUT OF FRUSTRATION ON HIS PART THAT PEOPLE NOT GETTING THE VACCINE WHEN HE SAYS THAT IT'S PROVEN TO BE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE.

I DON'T QUITE EXPECT THAT IT WILL GET TO THAT POINT OF JUDICIAL SCRUTINY.

BUT THERE MAY BE INTEREST IN SOMETHING LIKE THIS BEING IMPLEMENTED.

AND YES, CERTAINLY THAT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE SEE HEADING TO THE COURTS AS MUCH AS WE'RE CONTINUING TO WATCH THE PLAY OUT WITH VACCINE MANDATES INCLUDING THOSE IMPOSED BY ILLINOIS GOVERNMENT AND NEGOTIATIONS ONGOING THERE AS WELL.

THIS IS REALLY I THINK FRAUGHT FOR LEGISLATORS AS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

>> AND PARIS, THE OTHER BILL ANOTHER REPRESENTATIVE INTRODUCED A BILL THAT WOULD OUTLAW DISCRIMINATION OF ANYONE WHO CHOOSES NOT TO BE VACCINATED OUT OF RELIGIOUS OR PERSONAL BELIEFS DOES THIS BILL HAVE A CHANCE OF PASSING OR GRABBING HEADLINES?

>> THAT WAS INTRODUCED BY REPUBLICANS.

THEY ARE IN THE SUPER MINORITY IN ILLINOIS NO IT'S NOT GOING TO GET PASSED THERE IS A BUNCH OF DEMOCRATS AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER THAT AGREE AND I DON'T THINK THEY DO.

IT'S ABOUT SORT OF GETTING HEADLINES AND KIND OF USING THIS WHOLE CONFUSION OVER COVID AND VACCINATION TO PERHAPS BUILD YOUR PROFILE A LITTLE BIT.

THERE'S THOUGHT THAT MAYBE INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE PART OF THE SOLUTION HERE IN THE WAY THAT PREMIUMS ARE LOWER WITH YOUR EMPLOYER IF YOU FILL OUT A WELLNESS FORM OR IF YOU WORKOUT OR EAT HEALTHY WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE VACCINATED COULD FACTOR INTO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT I MEAN, THE HONEST SITUATION IS THAT OMICRON IS HERE AND ILLINOIS HAS SEEN A HUGE SPIKE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS AND IN COVID CASES AS THE WINTER MONTHS ARE COMING IN IT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED.

>> TO THAT POINT SPEAKING OF COVID WE KNOW THE OMICRON VARIANT HAS BEEN FOUND IN CHICAGO AND OFFICIALS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IT QUOTE SIGNIFICANT SURGE ALREADY HAPPENING HERE.

HEATHER IS THE CITY PLANNING ON TIGHTENING RESTRICTIONS AGAIN?

>> THERE IS LESS THAN NO APPETITE TO DO THAT AT CITY HALL.

THESE RESTRICTIONS WERE CONTROVERSIAL AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

THERE IS NO DESIRE FOR ANYBODY TO TELL PEOPLE THAT THEY CAN'T EAT INDOORS AGAIN.

I THINK IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT YOU WOULD SEE MORE REQUIREMENTS TO BE VACCINATED TO ENTER SPACES.

BUT, AGAIN, WE'VE HEARD OVER AND OVER FROM MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT THAT SHE DOES NOT WANT TO DO THAT.

WE ASKED HER ABOUT WHETHER SHE WAS CONSIDERING IMPOSES A VACCINE MANDATE ON PRIVATE EMPLOYERS IN CHICAGO LIKE NEW YORK CITY MAYOR DE BLASIO HAS DONE AND SHE SAID NO.

SHE DIDN'T THINK IT'S LEGAL.

SO THE MAYOR HAS BEEN RELUCTANT TO IMPOSE VACCINE MANDATES ON ANYONE OTHER THAN CITY EMPLOYEES.

AND THAT DEADLINE IS STILL VERY MUCH IN DOUBT.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE DECEMBER 31 AND THAT IS SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION.

WE WON'T KNOW UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR HOW THAT IS IMPLEMENTED OR WHEN THAT MANDATE REALLY GOES INTO EFFECT.

>> AND QUICKLY, GETTING TO VIOLENCE A BIT AFTER A VIOLENT FLASH MOB HIT DOWNTOWN OVER THE WEEKEND, POLICE ARE REEVALUATING STRATEGIES.

>> WE ARE REEVALUATING WHAT WE PUT IN PLACE OVER THE WEEKEND AND I WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO MAKE SURE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE CAN COME DOWNTOWN AND ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL CITY SAFELY IN A WAY THAT DOESN'T IMPOSE UPON OTHERS WITH VIOLENCE, WITH FIGHTS, AND SOME OF THE THINGS WE SAW OVER THE WEEKEND.

>> PARIS, DO THE POLICE HAVE A HANDLE ON QUELLING THESE ACTIVITIES?

>> CLEARLY NOT TO THIS POINT.

THE LAST TWO YEARS YOU'VE HAD POLICE OFFICERS STATIONED ON EVERY BLOCK ON MICHIGAN AVENUE AND THINGS LIKE THIS KEEP HAPPENING AND ALDERPEOPLE AND BUSINESS OWNERS COMPLAINED FOR YEARS THAT POLICE RESOURCES GET TAKEN OUT AND REDEPLOYED TO OTHER AREAS AND THEY DON'T WANT TO LOSE POLICE RESOURCES IN THAT AREA.

IT IS AN UNFORTUNATE THING WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WITH CTA BUS DRIVERS.

THEIR SAFETY HAS TO BE HIGH PRIORITY.

>> PROTECTED.

>> AND AMANDA, COOK COUNTY HOMICIDES OVER 1,000.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT PUSHED BACK AT REPORTERS WHO ASKED ABOUT NEARLY 800 HOMICIDES IN THE CITY AND SHE AND POLICE SUPERINTENDENT BROWN CONTINUE TO BLAME THE COURTS FOR RELEASING VIOLENT CRIMINALS.

IS THIS THE ENTIRE STORY?

>> IT IS MOST CERTAINLY NOT THE ENTIRE STORY.

I MEAN I DO THINK THAT IS A COMPONENT OF IT.

ONE THAT IS THE SUBJECT TO A LOT OF CONTROVERSY BUT NO THIS IS INVESTMENTS, IT IS JOBS, IT IS LONG RUNNING, IT IS EDUCATION.

THERE ARE NO EASY ANSWERS HERE.

I WILL SAY, HOWEVER THERE ARE PLEN I TO HAVE QUESTIONS AND THE -- PLENTY OF QUESTIONS AND THE MAYOR SHOULD BE READY TO ACCEPT ANY QUESTION ABOUT VIOLENCE.

>> NO DISAGREEMENTS OUT OF THIS BUNCH.

THANKS TO AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

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 WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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

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

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. WE'RE LIVE IN SOUTH SHORE FOR THE LATEST STOP IN OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> AND HOW A LOCAL ARTIST IS USING UP CYCLED CASHMERE TO CREATE STUFFED ANIMALS AND HONOR HER MOTHER.

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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