>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

HERE IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING ON TONIGHT.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M NOT VOTING ON SOMETHING THAT'S PARKING METERS OR SKYWAY BRIDGE.

>> THE PLAN CAUSES SOME ELECTRICITY IN CITY COUNCIL.

>>> A WATCHDOG INVESTIGATION FINDS A FORMER POLICE OFFICER EVADING DOZENS OF PARKING TICKETS.

A LOOK AT THE FELONY CHARGES HE FACES NOW.

>>> TODAY MARKS THE FIRST DAY OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND THE CITY KICKS OFF CELEBRATIONS.

WE TALK ABOUT THE MONTH'S ORIGINS AND ITS CONNECTIONS TO CHICAGO.

>>> CHICAGO GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING ENSEMBLE IS LOOKING FOR ANOTHER AWARD THIS WEEKEND.

>>> NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS WAS AMONG THE MOURNERS WHO FILLED THE MEMPHIS CHURCH DURING THE FUNERAL FOR TYRE NICHOLS.

THE 29-YEAR-OLD WHO DIED DAYS AFTER BEING BEATEN BY FIVE, MEMPHIS POLICE OFFICERS EARLY LAST MONTH.

>> WE DEMAND THAT CONGRESS PASS THE GEORGE FLOYD JUSTICE AND POLICING ACT.

JOE BIDEN WILL SIGN IT AND WE SHOULD NOT DELAY AND WE WILL NOT BE DENIED.

IT IS NONNEGOTIABLE.

>> SOME OF US ARE GOING TO FIGHT UNTIL WE MAKE THIS LEGISLATION HAPPEN.

I DON'T KNOW WHEN.

I DON'T KNOW HOW, BUT WE WON'T STOP UNTIL WE HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE AND CHANGE THIS SYSTEM.

>> IN ADDITION TO CALLS FOR LEGISLATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY, THE SERVICE REMEMBERED NICHOLS AS A SKATEBOARDER AND AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER WHO WORKED MAKING BOXES AT MEMPHIS-BASED FEDEX AND FATHER TO A 4-YEAR-OLD SON.

HIS FAMILY WAS JOINED BY THE FAMILIES OF OTHER BLACK MEN AND WOMEN KILLED BY POLICE INCLUDING GEORGE FLOYD, BREONNA TAYLOR AND ERIC GARNER.

>>> CHICAGO POLICE SAY LAST MONTH MARKED THE 11th STRAIGHT MONTH OF A DECLINE IN GUN VIOLENCE.

RELEASING ITS MONTHLY CRIME FIGURES, THEY SAY HOMICIDES ARE DOWN 14% TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR AND SHOOTINGS ARE DOWN NEARLY 10% CITYWIDE.

THE DEPARTMENT SAYS GUN CONFISCATION IS UP MORE THAN 15% COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR INCLUDING THE RECOVERY OF 107 ASSAULT WEAPONS.

THAT'S A 64.6% INCREASE OVER JANUARY OF 2022.

>>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT GOT AN EARFUL FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ABOUT THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH COMED.

THE 15-YEAR PLAN WAS INTRODUCED TO THE COUNCIL TODAY AND WOULD RENEW AGREEMENTS WITH THE CITY THAT EXPIRED THREE YEARS AGO.

DESPITE THE LEGAL TROUBLE COMED HAS BEEN IN, THE MAYOR WANTED THE APPROVAL PROCESS EXPEDITED SO IT WOULD HAPPEN BEFORE THE MAYORAL ELECTION, BUT COUNCIL MEMBERS DECIDED TO SLOW IT DOWN INSTEAD.

>> THIS IS A HUGE DEAL AND NONE OF US -- I TALKED TO A BUNCH OF PEOPLE.

DOES ANYBODY IN HERE FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH WHAT'S IN HERE?

WE JUST GOT THIS TODAY.

>>> A GROUP OF CPS STUDENTS IN UPTOWN IS SPEAKING ABOUT WHAT THEY SAY WAS THE POLITICIZATION OF THEIR SCHOOL AT A PARADE THIS WEEKEND.

ON MONDAY, WE REPORTED ABOUT THE CONTROVERSY AT THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PARADE ON ARGYLE.

A CANDIDATE IN THE 48th WARD JOE DUNN ADMITTED SOME OF HIS POLITICAL SUPPORTERS CO-OPTED PIERCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND CHILDREN WERE SEEN MARCHING ALONGSIDE THE CONTINGENT.

FRIENDS OF PIERCE ELEMENTARY SAID THEY CONDEMNED THE ACTIVITY SAYING "WE ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT PEOPLE SO FAMILIAR WITH OUR SCHOOL USED OUR FRIENDSHIP ON THIS OCCASION FOR POLITICAL GAIN, AN ALDERMANIC CAPED TOOK ADVANTAGE TO CELEBRATE THIS IMPORTANT CULTURAL EVENT WITH OUR COMMUNITY.

DUNN DID REACH OUT TO INDIVIDUAL PARENTS TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCIDENT AND THE SCHOOL'S PRINCIPAL DENIED ANY INVOLVEMENT.

>>> COMING UP ON THE PROGRAM, A HISTORY LESSON ON BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

>>> FIRST, TODAY'S HEATED CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM TAKES THAT ON AND MORE AFTER THIS.

>>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEX DRAY AND JOHN NICHOLS, THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> THINGS GOT HEATED AT CITY COUNCIL OVER THE MAYOR'S COMED PROPOSAL AFTER IT GOT TENSE AND PERSONAL LAST NIGHT.

WE GOT THAT AND MORE TO TALK ABOUT ON THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

WELCOME BACK.

THE ENTIRE SPOTLIGHT TEAM.

SO, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S COMMENT PROPOSAL GOT PUSHBACK IN CITY COUNCIL.

ITS 15-YEAR DEAL WITH THE EMBATTLED UTILITY.

HEATHER, WHAT ARE THE DETAILS OF THE PLAN AND WHEN DO THE ALDER PEOPLE VOTE ON IT?

>> WELL, WHEN ALDER PEOPLE VOTE ON IT IS TRULY THE QUESTION THAT EVERYBODY WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT AT CITY HALL.

WHEN THEY DO CONSIDER THE DEAL, IT IS A MASSIVE EXPANSION OF COMED'S FRANCHISE AGREEMENT AS YOU SAID, 15 YEARS, BUT THERE'S A SIDE DEAL THAT WOULD ESSENTIALLY PROVIDE THE CITY WITH $100 MILLION DURING THE LIFE OF THE DEAL IN AN EFFORT TO FUND THE CITY'S CLIMATE ACTION PLAN WHICH IS SET TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS BY 2040 BY 62%.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT TODAY SAID IT WAS A WIN-WIN, BUT NOT VERY MANY MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AGREED AND IT WAS BLOCKED FROM ADVANCING UNDER THE NORMAL RULES OF PROCEDURES.

>> THIS IS BEING PAINTED AS A BACKROOM DEAL WITH A UTILITY WE ALL KNOW CAUGHT UP IN THE MADIGAN BRIBERY DEAL.

ANOTHER CONCERNED IT IS BEING SHOVED THROUGH.

>> THERE IS POTENTIAL THAT THIS COULD BE A LAME DUCK LIGHTFOOT.

WE DON'T KNOW THE RESULTS OF THE COMING MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS INCLUDING FOR A LOT OF TURNOVER IN THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDLESS OF HOW SOME OF THE INCUMBENT CANDIDATES DO BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY RETIREMENTS.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE YOU HAVE A COMPARISON.

ALSO BECAUSE THE MAYOR REALLY IS TRYING TO GET THIS THROUGH.

YES, IT IS RUSHED.

ON THE OTHER HAND, I'M NOT SURE THIS IS A COMPARABLE AND APT TO SAY THIS IS LIKE THE PARKING METER DEAL WHICH BY THE WAY 75 YEARS IS A WHOLE LOT DIFFERENT THAN 15.

FURTHER FACT THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE A FRANCHISE DEAL WITH COMED.

THIS IS SORT OF A WHAT ARE THE DETAILS, NOT A -- IT'S MORE OF A HOW, NOT AN IF EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE CALLS FOR MOVING TO SOME SORT OF MUNICIPAL UTILITY WHICH IS BUILT INTO THIS.

THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL BE HAPPENING IN THIS SHORT ORDER.

WHAT IS CLEAR IS THAT THIS IS AS HEATHER SAID, WE DON'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE VOTED ON.

I'LL ADD I'M NOT SURE WHY THE MAYOR REALLY WANTED TO RUSH THIS THROUGH.

YES, THERE WOULD BE SOME GUARANTEED JOBS AND A FACILITY ON THE WEST SIDE THAT WOULD PROVIDE JOB TRAINING IN AREAS WHERE PEOPLE AND RESIDENTS REALLY NEED IT.

THAT SAID, COMED IS EMBATTLED.

THERE'S REPORTING THAT THIS WOULD RAISE UTILITY RATES.

WHAT MAYOR RUNNING FOR ELECTION SAYS, GOSH, I NEED TO HURRY THIS THROUGH SO I CAN TELL VOTERS ABOUT IT?

I'M MYSTIFIED BY THAT.

>> THEY DID APPROVE THE MASSIVE PLAN FOR EXPANSION AFTER A DELAY.

HERE IS WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT THE BUMPY PASSAGE ON FIRST DAY OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

>> I AM ALMOST ASHAMED AND EMBARRASSED THAT SOMEBODY WOULD SIGN OFF AND NOT DO FOLLOW THROUGH BECAUSE THEY DID NOT MAKE SURE PEOPLE GOT JOBS IN THE COMMUNITY AND DO A HIRING FAIR AND DID NOT MAKE SURE THE BLACK FOLKS IN THEIR COMMUNITY GET THAT CONTRACT.

WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT US THAT WE CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY?

>> HEATHER, STRONG WORDS.

WHAT CONCESSIONS DID SHE GET FOR HER COMMUNITY, FOR HER WARD?

>> SHE DIDN'T GET ANY REALLY AND SHE WAS UP FRONT WITH THAT.

SHE SAID THAT AFTER SHE DELAYED THE VOTE LAST MONTH, SHE WENT BACK TO THE PEOPLE IN HER COMMUNITY AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THEY REALLY WANT THIS PROJECT TO MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE IT DOES MEAN JOBS, IT DOES MEAN IMPROVEMENTS TO THIS AREA OF THE CITY THAT HAS SEEN DECADES OF DISINVESTMENT AND SHE SAID, LOOK, IF THEY ARE FOR IT, I'M FOR IT.

THAT'S WHY SHE LET IT GO THROUGH CITY COUNCIL TODAY, BUT IT WAS A TOUGH VOTE FOR HER AND IT IS ONE THAT RAISES A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THE RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA WILL BE PROTECTED FROM POLLUTION AND WHETHER THIS AREA WILL SORT OF BE TRANSFORMED AS THE COMPANY HAS PROMISED AND AS THE CITY IS WORKING TO DO.

THIS WILL BE PART OF THE CITY WHERE THE NEW ENGLEWOOD TRAIL WOULD GO RIGHT THROUGH.

THERE ARE LOTS OF PLANS FOR THIS AREA.

THIS VOTE TODAY SORT OF GETS THAT IN THE PROCESS STARTED.

>> SWITCHING OVER TO THE RACE FOR MAYOR, THINGS GOT PERSONAL AT LAST NIGHT'S MAYORAL FORUM ON WGN.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> IT IS DISGUSTING THAT WE HAVE A 70 YEAR OLD MAN ON THE STAGE THAT IS A SHARECROPPER FROM DOWN SOUTH THAT WOULD GET ON TV AND CONSTANTLY TALK ABOUT HUNTING DOWN PEOPLE LIKE RABBITS.

>> I DON'T RESPOND TO KIDS.

>> A LOT TO UNPACK THERE.

LET'S START WITH THIS, PARIS.

CHICAGO HAS A HISTORY OF POLICING PROBLEMS.

WILLIE WILSON ALSO A BEEN TALKING ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S AGEISM ON BOTH SIDES FOR BOTH CANDIDATE.

HE DIDN'T HAVE A RESPONSE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING THING WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT TOPIC BECAUSE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS UNDER THIS DECREE AND BECAUSE THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION FOUND UNCONSTITUTIONAL POLICING.

WILSON DOESN'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THAT.

HE DOUBLED DOWN CALLING FOLKS RABBITS AND THEN SAYING THE MAYOR IS A RABBIT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT ANY OF THAT MEANS.

I THINK WHAT WE HAVE TO GET FROM WILSON DOES HE MEAN FOLKS UNARMED RUNNING AWAY FROM THE COPS?

WHAT DOES HE MEAN WHEN HE SAYS THE COPS SHOULD HAVE THE HANDCUFFS OFF THEM AND HUNT FOLKS DOWN LIKE RABBITS?

WE HAVE A DEBATE NEXT WEEK.

I IMAGINE THAT QUESTION MIGHT BE POSED TO HIM.

>> HINT, HINT, MODERATOR.

>> ALL CANDIDATES EXCEPT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAYS THEY WOULD OUST CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT SUPERINTENDENT BROWN AND WHY IS SHE STICKING WITH HIM WHEN PEOPLE ARE NOT HAPPY?

>> SHE CHOSE HIM.

THIS IS HER PICK.

SHE IS A WOMAN WHO I THINK WOULD ADMIT SHE IS STUBBORN, THAT SHE IS STICKS TO HER GUNS.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SHE CONSIDERS AS A SELLING POINT.

ALSO, SHE WANTED AN INTENTIONALLY CHOOSE AN OUTSIDER, SOMEBODY NOT FROM CHICAGO TALKING ABOUT REALLY NEEDING TO CHANGE THE CULTURE.

THAT'S WHAT SHE SAYS WHEN SHE DEFENDS BROWN THAT HE IS SOMEBODY WHO IS A CULTURE CHANGE AGENT VERSUS THOSE WHO SHE ADMONISHES FOR PUSHING BACK ON ANY OF THAT INCLUDING THOSE WHO INTERNALLY THERE ARE LOTS OF REPORTS OF POLICE OFFICERS INCLUDING THOSE HIGHER UP SAYING THERE IS A CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE WITHIN THE FORCE AGAINST SUPERINTENDENT BROWN AND THAT'S BEEN SORT OF A LONG RUNNING CRITICISM OF HIM.

SHE SAYS TO THEM, HEY, IT'S JUST THAT YOU DON'T LIKE CHANGE AND YOU'RE STANDING IN THE WAY OF THAT.

THAT'S WHY SHE IS SAYING I THINK STANDING BY HIM.

WHETHER IT'S GOOD POLITICALLY IS ANOTHER QUESTION.

>> FOR THE NEXT MAYOR, THEY ARE NOT REALLY GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF POWER IN THE SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH.

IT WILL BE THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD, THE ELECTED POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD THOUGH THE MAYOR HAS THE POWER TO VETO.

ANOTHER QUESTION TO THE CANDIDATES, WILL YOU GO WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT THAT THIS ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD IS GOING TO PUT IN FRONT OF YOU?

>> EXCELLENT QUESTION.

WE HAVE 45 SECONDS, HEATHER.

ALDERMAN WHO WAS LIGHTFOOT'S ALLY HAS FORMALLY ENDORSED PAUL VALLAS.

WASN'T HE ONE OF HER LEADERS?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

HE WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE POWERFUL ZONING COMMITTEE AND APPROVED THE CHICAGO CASINO AND PICKED THE RIVER WEST LOCATION.

HIS ENDORSEMENT OF PAUL VALLAS IS ANOTHER SIGN THAT LORI LIGHTFOOT HAS NOT ONLY HAD TROUBLE MAKING FRIENDS, BUT SHE HAS HAD TROUBLE KEEPING FRIENDS AND THE FACT THAT TOM NOT ONLY THOUGHT ABOUT RUNNING FOR MAYOR BUT HAS ENDORSED PAUL VALLAS IS ANOTHER INDICATION OF HOW DIFFICULT SHE HAS BEEN TO WORK WITH AND HOW MUCH DESIRE EVEN THOSE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED HER NOW WANT A CHANGE.

>> IT COULD BE A BIG DEAL FOR VALLAS BY THE WAY.

THIS IS AN ENDORSEMENT DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH MONEY AND WORD GETS OUT TO GO TO VOTES FOR HIM.

>> IT'S A CONSTITUENCY THAT O'HELP VALLAS.

HE HAS MORE CONSERVATIVE FOLKS.

PRO BUSINESS, MAYBE BUSINESS DOLLARS FOLLOW HIM.

VALLAS HAS RAISED A LOT OF MONEY IN THE PAST FEW DAYS FROM BIG BUSINESS.

>> HEATHER HAS NOT LEFT US.

SHE IS THERE ON FELLOWSHIP.

THAT'S SPOTLIGHT.

THANKS, TEAM.

>>> UP NEXT, A FORMER CPD OFFICER IN HOT WATER FOR DODGING TRAFFIC TICKETS.

STAY WITH US.

>>> WHAT SHOULD THE CITY BE DOING TO BETTER SUPPORT BLACK CHICAGOANS WHO ARE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF HATE CRIMES?

>> CLASSIC CITY OF CHICAGO.

WE WORK IN I'LL SEE SILOS SO THE LEFT HAND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT HAND IS DOING.. >> IT'S THE POWER.

>>> A FORMER POLICE OFFICER IS FACING FELONY CHARGES WITH PARKING TICKETS.

WE'RE JOINED WITH MORE.

THIS ALLEGATION IS AN INVESTIGATION OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> ACCORDING TO THAT INVESTIGATION AND ALLEGATIONS THAT WERE LAID OUT IN COURT THIS WEEK, 56-YEAR-OLD JEFFREY CRIBBS FOR YEARS TRIED AND SUCCEEDED IN GETTING OUT OF TRAFFIC TICKETS BY PROVIDING FRAUDULENT DOCUMENTS, FAKE POLICE REPORTS, MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS WHILE UNDER OATH DURING ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS.

THIS WENT ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND OCCURRED DOZENS OF TIMES LIKE YOU SAID BETWEEN 2009 AND 2022 ALL WHILE CRIBBS WASN'T AN OFFICER WITH THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> HOW MANY TICKETS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT AND HOW DID HE CONTEST THEM AND SUCCESSFULLY GET OUT OF THEM?

>> ACCORDING TO PROSECUTORS, THERE WERE AT LEAST 44 INSTANCES OF TICKETS HE CONTESTED AND WERE ABLE TO GET OUT OF.

SOME OF THE CASES HE MADE FALSE STATEMENTS UNDER OATH.

IN OTHER CASES HE ALLEGEDLY WOULD CLAIM HIS GIRLFRIEND HAD STOLEN THE VEHICLE AND THAT SHE WAS THE ONE WHO WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING WHENEVER THESE VIOLATIONS OCCURRED OR TICKETS WERE ISSUED.

PROSECUTORS SAID YESTERDAY THAT IN ALL HE ALLEGEDLY GOT OUT OF PAYING MORE THAN $3,500 IN ALL THESE TICKETS OVER THE YEARS.

>> A LOT OF TICKETS AND A LOT OF TICKETS SUCCESSFULLY CONTESTED.

WHAT CHARGES IS CRIBBS FACING RIGHT NOW AND WHAT'S THE POTENTIAL PUNISHMENT?

>> SEVERAL FELONY COUNTS.

HE'S BEEN CHARGED WITH FOUR COUNTS OF PERJURY, FOUR COUNTS OF FORGERY AND COULD BE SENTENCED TO PROBATION OR TO A PRISON TERM OF BETWEEN TWO TO FIVE YEARS ON EACH OF THE COUNTS.

>> DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A CHICAGO COP.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> YOU CAN READ MATT'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE WTTW.COM/NEWS.

BRANDIS?

>> PARIS, RESISTANCE IS THIS YEAR'S THEME FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

MANY FOLKS MAY NOT EVEN KNOW THERE IS AN ANNUAL THEME.

HERE WITH MORE ON THE PURPOSE AND HISTORY OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS MICHAEL BENNETT ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY AT DEPAUL UNIVERSITY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> FIRST, WHAT DOES BLACK HISTORY MONTH MEAN TO YOU?

>> BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS IMPORTANT TO ME AS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN, BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO THE WORLD BECAUSE UNFORTUNATELY WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR MASS MEDIA, WE DON'T SEE A LOT OF POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICANS, AND WE NEED AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS, TO EXPLAIN THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE MADE.

>> FIRST, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW BLACK HISTORY MONTH GOT STARTED.

>> WELL, THERE WAS CARTER G. WOODSON AND CARTER G. WOODSON WAS AN EDUCATION.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, HE WAS THE SECOND AFRICAN AMERICAN TO GET A PhD FROM HARVARD.

W. E. B. DUBOIS WAS THE FIRST, BUT CARTER IS CLOSE TO MY HEART BECAUSE HE'S ALSO AN ALUMNI OF UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

HE CREATED A JOURNAL, FOUNDED A NEGRO AMERICAN JOURNAL TO TALK ABOUT THE POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS, ALSO THE STRUGGLES THAT AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE MADE IN THIS COUNTRY.

SO, THAT'S BASICALLY HOW IT WAS STARTED.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS.

BLACK HISTORY IN CHICAGO IN PARTICULAR.

YOU KNOW, WHAT ABOUT SOME OF THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS GIVE US GREATER INSIGHT INTO THE HISTORY OF BLACK AMERICANS?

>> WELL, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT JOHN BAPTISTE DESALVO WHO CREATED A LITTLE SETTLEMENT ON THE DEARBORN WAS BLACK.

HE WAS A BLACK HAITIAN ALTHOUGH NOW THEY KNOW THAT LAKESHORE DRIVE HAS BEEN CHANGED TO DESALVO DRIVE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT IDA B.

WELLS BARNETT, WHEN WE CHANGED CONGRESS DRIVE TO IDA B. WELLS-BARNETT, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHO SHE IS.

BLACK AND WHITE.

SO, I THINK IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DELVE INTO THESE THINGS.

>> YOU KNOW, AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE WHERE YOU LEARN ABOUT SOME OF THIS HISTORY IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE IN SCHOOL OF COURSE, BUT SOME OF THAT HAS COME UNDER CONTROVERSY AS OF LATE WITH FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DeSANTIS OUTWARDLY REJECTING THE PROPOSED ADVANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES COURSE.

HOW DO YOU THINK THIS REFLECTS ON THE CASE OF BLACK HISTORY EDUCATION TODAY?

>> I THINK IT'S A MAJOR CHALLENGE, BUT IT'S ALWAYS BEEN CHALLENGED ONE WHERE EITHER AGGRESSIVELY OR PASSIVELY.

THIS IS AN OUT AND OUT CHALLENGE.

IT'S A WAKEUP CALL TO THOSE WHO ARE EDUCATORS, TO THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE EXPANSION OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS IN THIS COUNTRY.

SO, WE HAVE TO CONFRONT IT HEAD ON.

>> THERE ARE CRITICS WHO SAY THAT BLACK HISTORY MONTH, A MONTH IS NOT ENOUGH.

IT SHOULD BE CELEBRATED AND OBSERVED YEAR-ROUND.

DO YOU THINK THERE IS VALUE IN STILL HAVING JUST ONE MONTH TO FOCUS?

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK THAT THOSE WHO ADVOCATE FOR BLACK HISTORY DISCUSSIONS TO BE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ARE CORRECT, BUT TO HAVE A CONCENTRATED MONTH TO FOCUS ON, AND IT STARTED OUT AT NEGRO HISTORY WEEK AT KENT STATE UNIVERSITY WHERE I AM AN ALUM.

IN 1969 WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT AT LEAST ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES WE BEGAN TO LOOK AT IT YEAR-ROUND.

SO, I THINK THAT A MONTH OF CONCENTRATED EFFORT AND FOCUS ON AFRICAN AMERICANS AND OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS AT TIMES IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO OUR OVERALL EDUCATION.

>> OF COURSE, WE HAVE OTHER MONTHS OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR THAT DO RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THOSE OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS AS WELL.

IN ABOUT 30 SECONDS, PROFESSOR, HOW DO YOU THINK PEOPLE CAN FOCUS AND OBSERVE BLACK HISTORY MONTH TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT HISTORY?

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO BE CONSCIENCE OF IT.

I THINK THAT NOW WE HAVE A GREATER OPPORTUNITY WITH THE WEB AND ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT'S CONSTANTLY COMING OVER THE WEB AND A LOT OF IT IS FOCUSED ON CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN ADDITION TO SOME OF THE NEGATIVE ASPECTS THAT GO ON.

I THINK WE HAVE TO BE CONSCIENCE.

WE HAVE TO BE STEADY ADVOCATES FOR THE EXPRESSION OF BLACK CONTRIBUTIONS IN THIS COUNTRY PARTICULARLY AND -- >> YOU HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO OBVIOUSLY TO -- >> MOST DEFINITELY.

>> THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> UP NEXT, MEET A LOCAL ENSEMBLE UP FOR A GRAMMY AWARD THIS WEEKEND.

FIRST, A LOOK AT WEATHER.

>>> CHICAGO IS HOME TO A GRAMMY-WINNING QUART YET OF CLASSICALLY TRAINED PERCUSSIONISTS WHO CAN MAKE MUSIC OUT OF ANYTHING, LITERALLY ANYTHING.

WHETHER THEY ARE PLAYING TOYS AND TOOTHBRUSHES, THEY DRUM UP A LOT OF ATTENTION.

THEY'VE BEEN NOMINATE FORD A GRAMMY FOR THE FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW.

PRODUCER MIKE VITALY HAS THE STORY.

>> WE'RE BASED IN CHICAGO.

WE PLAY LOTS OF SHOWS HERE AND TOUR ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD.

WE WRITE SOME OF OUR OWN MUSIC AND WE HAVE LOTS OF GREAT MUSIC WRITTEN FOR US BY SOME OF THE GREATEST PEOPLE WRITING MUSIC TODAY.

>> THAT INCLUDES PHILLIP GRASS, MISSY MISOLE AND THIS WORK FROM DANNY ALTMAN.

>> WE TRY TO BE WHAT YOU EXPECT FROM A PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE AND PLENTY OF THINGS YOU COULD NEVER HAVE EXPECTED FROM OUR PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE.

>> Reporter: ONE NEW WORK HAS THEM MAKING MUSIC FROM A TABLE FULL OF TOYS AND EVERY DAY ITEMS.

>> THAT'S THE GREAT THING ABOUT PERCUSSION.

ANY OBJECT IN THE WORLD CAN BE A PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT.

IF IT MAKES A SOUND AND YOU LIKE IT, WE EXPLORE ALL THOSE POSSIBILITIES .

>> Reporter: THEY MET WHILE AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

>> CHICAGO IS OUR HOME AND IT'S OUR ARTISTIC HOME AND THAT WE FEEL LIKE IT HAS NURTURED US AND HELPED US BECOME THE GROUP THAT WE ARE.

THIS IS A FULL-TIME JOB AND THE FOUR OF US HAVE BEEN MAKING MUSIC TOGETHER FOR OVER 17 YEARS SO THERE'S A FREEDOM THAT COMES WITH THAT.

>> Reporter: WHO PLAYS WHAT IS NOT AN ISSUE WHEN ANY ENSEMBLE MEMBER CAN PLAY ANYTHING.

>> EACH CALLS FOR DIFFERENT IMPLEMENTATION.

WE'LL LOOK AT THE PIECE AND SAY I WANT TO PLAY THAT PART ON THIS PIECE OR PLAY THAT PART OR WHAT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN IS WE JUST DIVIDE THE PARTS UP ALPHABETICALLY BY OUR LAST NAME.

THE MOST COMMON MISCONCEPTION ABOUT PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES IS IT'S A BUNCH OF DRUMMERS PLAYING ON DRUMS NONSTOP FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF.

WE DO THAT.

WE LOVE THAT.

MELODY AND HARMONY IS IMPORTANT.

ONCE YOU OPEN YOUR EARS UP, ANY SOUND IS IMPORTANT TO YOU.

WE HOPE SOME PEOPLE COME TO OUR CONCERTS AND LEAVE LISTENING TO THE WORLD DIFFERENTLY.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, THIS IS MARK VITALY.

>> THIRD COAST PERCUSSIONS MOST RECENT ALBUM "PERSPECTIVE" IS UP FOR TWO EMMYS INCLUDING BEST CHAMBER MUSIC BY A SMALL ENSEMBLE AND BEST ENGINEERED CLASSICAL RECORDING.

GRAMMY AWARDS ARE THIS SUNDAY AND YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIRD COAST PERCUSSION ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED TO US BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK AND OUR WEBSITE.

>> GETTING USED TO THIS DESK HERE.

YOU CAN GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 10:00.

>>> A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR DONATION BRINGS SOUTHSIDE PASTOR DREAM FOR A COMMUNITY CENTER CLOSER TO REALITY.

>>> WILL WOODSTOCK WILLY SEE HIS SHADOW?

WE HEAD THERE FOR GROUNDHOG DAY.

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

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY SAFE AND WARM.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A. CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONG OF THE DEATH FIRM PROUD