>>> HELLO THERE, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT," I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

WE ARE IN ONE OF OUR OLD STUDIOS TONIGHT BECAUSE SOME WORK IS BEING DONE CURRENTLY ON OUR CURRENT STUDIO.

AND HERE IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT TONIGHT.

>> REPEATING THE SAME MISTAKE OVER AND OVER.

>> EXCLUSIVE DETAILS ON A NEW PLAN TO MOVE HUNDREDS OF ASYLUM SEEKERS INTO A CHICAGO LOCATION THAT'S ALREADY GETTING PUSHBACK FROM LOCAL OFFICIALS.

>>> A LOOK AT WHAT WE LEARNED FROM A WEEK OF CANDIDATE DEBATES AND FORUMS BETWEEN THOSE RUNNING FOR MAYOR.

>>> PLUS WHERE THE MAYORAL CANDIDATES STAND ON BRINGING BACK THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT.

WHERE IT WAS CREATED.

WHY IT WAS ELIMINATED, AND WHO WOULD BRING IT BACK.

>>> FROM HOT RODS TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

GET READY TO START DREAMING ABOUT YOUR NEXT CAR.

A PREVIEW OF THIS YEAR'S CHICAGO AUTO SHOW.

>>> BUY A NEW CAR?

NOT SO FAST.

NOT ON SUNDAY.

>> THE LATEST IN THE DIGITAL SERIES, WHY YOU CAN'T BUY A CAR IN ILLINOIS ON SUNDAY.

>>> NOW TO OUR TOP STORY TONIGHT.

A WTTW NEWS EXCLUSIVE.

HATCHING A PLAN TO MOVE 658 ASYLUM SEEKERS FROM LOCATIONS IN THE SUBURBS TO A NEW CENTRAL LOCATION IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

BUT THE PLAN IS ALREADY GETTING PUSHBACK FROM LOCAL OFFICIALS AND IMMIGRATION GROUPS WHO WORRY ABOUT THE CONDITIONS AWAITING THE MIGRANTS AT THE NEW SITE.

STATE HUMAN SERVICES OFFICIALS HAVE PUT THE BRAKES ON THIS PLAN FOR NOW AS THEY IRON OUT THE SPECIFICS.

THIS 100,000-SQUARE FOOT FORMER K-MART SITS VACANT AT THE CORNER OF PULASKI AND 71st STREETS ON CHICAGO'S WEST SIDE.

WTTW NEWS LEARNED THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES IS PREPARING TO MOVE 658 RECENT MIGRANTS ARRIVALS INTO THE SITE FOR TEMPORARY SHELTER.

SOURCES TELL WTTW NEWS THE MIGRANTS, MOSTLY ASYLUM SEEKERS, WILL BE RELOCATED FROM THE SUBURBS WHERE THEY ARE CURRENTLY STAYING AT HOTELS.

ACCORDING TO DOCUMENTS WE OBTAINED, THE SITE WAS SELECTED BECAUSE OF ITS NEARBY RESOURCES, AND THAT IT IS A WELCOMING NEIGHBORHOOD.

BUT SOME LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE NOT YET READY TO ROLL OUT THE WELCOME MAT.

IN A LETTER TO IDHS SECRETARY, GRACE HOWELL, LOCAL STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANGELICA GUERRERO SAYS SHE HAS SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE PLAN.

UNFORTUNATELY I DO NOT BELIEVE THE PROPOSED MIGRANT SHELTER LOCATION AT 71st STREET AND PULASKI ROAD IS READY TO SAFELY HOUSE 658 MIGRANTS.

MANY QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT WHETHER THE FACILITY IS PREPARED TO SERVE AS SAFE HOUSING FOR THIS MANY PEOPLE.

I BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE PAUSE THE OPENING OF THE PROPOSED SITE AS WE WORK TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES.

AND 23rd WARD SILVERMAN ECHOS SIMILAR RESERVATIONS.

AFTER BEING BRIEFED ON THE PENDING PLANS TO HOUSE MIGRANTS, I HAVE MAJOR CONCERNS FOR THE SAFETY OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE HOUSED AT THIS LOCATION.

AMONG THOSE CONCERNS, IS THERE ENOUGH PUBLIC SAFETY AROUND THE AREA?

AND WILL THE MIGRANTS BE HOUSED INHUMANELY IN TENTS AFTER SLEEPING IN HOTEL BEDS?

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE INTERFAITH COMMUNITY FOR THE OBTAINED IMMIGRANTS.

HE WOULD RATHER SEE FAMILIES TAKE THE MIGRANTS INTO THEIR HOMES.

>> IT IS HEARTBREAKING TO SEE THAT WE HAVE BUILDINGS AROUND THE CITY THAT COULD BE USED.

WE HAVE GREAT COMMUNITY RESPONSE, AND WE ARE NOT TAPPING INTO THE RESOURCES WE HAVE, AND WE ARE JUST REPEATING THE SAME MISTAKE OVER AND OVER.

>> Reporter: THIS DISPUTE COMES ON THE HEELS OF UNEASE IN THE WOODLAWN NEIGHBORHOOD, WHERE SOME LOCAL RESIDENTS TRIED TO BLOCK THE TEMPORARY SHELTER OF MIGRANTS AT THE SHUTTERED WADSWORTH SCHOOL.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT HAS SAID THE CITY IS AT CAPACITY TO HOUSE MIGRANTS.

IDHS HAD PLANNED TO MOVE THE MIGRANTS HERE TODAY, BUT THEY DELAYED THAT TIMELINE IN RESPONSE TO LAWMAKERS CONCERNS.

IT'S UNCLEAR NOW WHEN THE MOVE-IN DATE WILL HAPPEN IF IT HAPPENS AT ALL.

FAVI SAYS THE MIGRANTS HAVE UNDERGONE HEROINE JOURNEYS AND STILL STRUGGLING WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF THEIR CURRENT SITUATIONS.

>> WE WILL FIND PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT GRATEFUL FOR HAVING SOMEWHERE TO STAY.

AND THEN YOU WILL FIND PEOPLE THAT ARE CONFLICTED, DEPRESSED, ON THE BREAK OF GIVING UP.

>> THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES DID NOT ANSWER CALLS OR MESSAGES SEEKING COMMENTS ABOUT THE PLAN.

>>> PARIS IN A RELATED STORY IN WOODLAWN.

THREE PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED TODAY OUTSIDE THAT FORMER WADSWORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHERE THE CITY SHELTERING ABOUT 100 IMMIGRANTS.

THE GROUP OF PROTESTERS, WHICH INCLUDED AT LEAST TWO CANDIDATES FOR ALDERMENS IN DIFFERENT WARDS STARTED WITH A NEWS CONFERENCE WHERE THEY ARGUED THE CITY, COUNTY, STATE LEADERS ARE OUT OF THEIR JURISDICTIONS BY NAMING SANG TEAR CITIES.

THEY OBJECTED TO THE CITY FOR PROVIDING SHELTER AND CARE FOR IMMIGRANTS, BUT NOT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS OR REENTERING THE COMMUNITY FROM PRISON.

>> PLEASE GET THIS RIGHT.

IF WE ARE A WELCOMING CITY, THEN WE NEED TO DO THIS THE RIGHT WAY FOR ALL COMMUNITIES.

AND SO I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO REACH OUT TO A COMMUNITY, LITTLE VILLAGE COUNCIL, THAT HAS SAID NUMEROUS TIMES THAT THEY HAVE ALL THE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO TAKE IN IMMIGRANTS.

>>> A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY IS FACING MURDER CHARGES FOR THE DEATHS OF TWO OTHER TEENS SHOT AND KILLED LATE DECEMBER.

THE SHOOTING ON DECEMBER 16 KILLED TWO TEENS, 14 AND 15 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME, AND INJURED TWO OTHERS.

THE SUSPECT IS ALSO FACING NINE OTHER FELONY COUNTS RELATED TO THE SHOOTING INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED IN PILSON.

THE OFFENDER WAS ALSO IN POSSESSION OF A STOLEN VEHICLE AT THE TIME.

SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN SAYS THE SHOOTING AT THIS POINT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN RANDOM.

>> WE CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE A CLEAR MOTIVE FOR WHY A 16-YEAR-OLD WOULD WANT TO SHOOT AND KILL OTHER KIDS.

IT IS UNCONSCIOUSABLE TRYING TO FIND SOME REASONING BEHIND IT.

IT'S SENSELESS.

THERE IS NO GOOD REASON.

>>> THE COOK COUNTY'S ASSESSOR OFFICE CLOSED DOWN MAYORAL COMMENTS.

THE COOK COUNTY ASSESSOR'S OFFICE OPENED A PROBE INTO WHETHER A TRUST THAT OWNS THE PROPERTY IN TAYLOR HEIGHTS ALSO OPENED UP A HOME IN MONEE, ILLINOIS, 40 MILES FROM CHICAGO AFTER INVESTIGATORS DETERMINED THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE SAME TRUST OWNED BOTH PROPERTIES.

LAWYERS FOR THE VALLAS FAMILY PROVIDED DOCUMENTS TO THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE ON FRIDAY, THAT PROVED PAUL AND SHARON VALLAS DO NOT OWN THE MONEE PROPERTY.

THE PROPERTIES ARE OWNED BY SEPARATE TRUSTS ACCORDING TO THE STATEMENT FROM THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE.

VALLAS QUESTIONS HIS RESIDENCY AFTER THE WTTW NEWS REPORTED LAST NIGHT ABOUT HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS THE VALLAS' TAKE ROB THEIR PROPERTIES IN PALOS HEIGHTS.

YOU CAN READ THAT FULL STORY ONLINE.

>>> AND COMING UP IN THE PROGRAM, ELECTRIC VEHICLES TAKING THE SPOTLIGHT AT THIS YEAR'S AUTO SHOW.

>> BUT FIRST AFTER A WEEK OF MAYORAL FORUMS, A LOOK AT WHAT WE DID AND DID NOT LEARN ABOUT THE CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR.

THAT'S RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLY IN PART BY ALEXANDER AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

THE POLK BROS FOUNDATION, AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DOE NO, SIR.

>>> IT'S BEEN A DEBATE A DAY OVER THE LAST WEEK AND THE CANDIDATES HAVE COME AWAY BATTERED AND BRUISED, SO HAVE SOME OF THE MODERATORS.

HAVE CHICAGOANS GOTTEN ANY CLEARER PICTURE OF WHO THEY WANT TO VOTE FOR ON FEBRUARY 28?

AND HAVE ANY CANDIDATES LURCHED AHEAD OF THE PACK?

JOINING US IS JASON DESANTOS.

HE'S A SENIOR LECTURER AT BOTH NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITIES SCHOOL OF LAW AND SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS.

JASON, LONG TIME NO SEE.

MAYBE AFTER SOME OF THOSE DEBATES, IT FEELS LIKE A LONG TIME.

>> IT'S NEVER TOO SOON TO COME BACK HERE TO TALK TO YOU, PARIS.

>> WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING BACK HERE ESPECIALLY UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES TONIGHT IN THIS MAKESHIFT STUDIO.

SO TELL US YOUR GENERAL IMPRESSIONS FROM WHAT YOU SAW THIS WEEK.

>> WHAT I SAW THIS WEEK WERE THREE DIFFERENT EITHER TELEVISED OR RADIO FORMS, IN WHICH I THINK THE PREVIEW SAID IT QUITE RIGHT.

THE CANDIDATES WERE GOING AT EACH OTHER A LITTLE BIT MORE.

BASICALLY WE HAVE NO MAJOR CHANGE IN THE RACE RIGHT NOW EXCEPT FOR CANDIDATES STARTING TO ATTACK PAUL VALLAS A LITTLE BIT MORE.

I THINK THAT REFLECTS HIS STATUS RIGHT NOW MOVING INTO, IF NOT, A FRONT RUNNER STATUS.

PROBABLY THE TOP TWO RIGHT NOW.

>> MY QUESTION FOR YOU, DO YOU THINK ANYTHING THIS WEEK MOVED THE NEEDLE FOR ANYBODY?

>> I THINK FOR VALLAS, WE'VE GOT SOME THINGS WE WOULD SAY IS GETTING INTO A POSITION FOR OTHER PEOPLE.

TO START LODGING SOME ATTACKS THAT ARE MORE POWERFUL.

THIS IS THE FIRST WEEK OF ALL OF THE WEEKS THAT WE'VE SEEN THE DEBATES, WHERE I SAW SOMEBODY GET UNDER HIS SKIN A LITTLE BIT IN ONE OF THE DEBATES.

IT WAS ACTUALLY THE WBEZ DEBATE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK.

CHUY GARCIA MADE A COMMENT ABOUT THE SCHOOL IN LITTLE VILLAGE, AND CREDITED ERNIE DUNCAN WITH HAVING GOTTEN THAT SCHOOL OPEN, NOT PAUL VALLAS, WHILE PAUL VALLAS HAS CLAIMED HE WAS THE ONE THAT GOT THAT SCHOOL OPEN.

THAT'S CHUY GARCIA'S AREA.

THAT'S HIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND VALLAS BRISTLED A LITTLE BIT AT THAT.

>> THIS IS AN OBSCURED ISSUE FROM 20 SOMETHING YEARS AGO?

>> IT SEEMS TO BE.

HERE IS THE POINT, HE'S GOING TO FACE MORE OF THAT IN THE FORMS THAT ARE LEFT, IN PUBLIC APPEARANCES AS WE GO THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

SO ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I'M GOING TO HAVE IN WATCHING HIM, WHAT KIND OF DEMEANOR DOES HE SHOW IN HANDLING THOSE KINDS OF ATTACKS?

ONE OF THE KNOCKS ON HIM IN THE PAST IS HE DOESN'T WEAR VERY WELL.

SO I THINK AS WE SEE MORE AND HEAR MORE ATTACKS AGAINST HIM, WE'RE GOING TO SEE HOW HE WEARS THAT MANTLE THAT HE HAS RIGHT NOW.

>> OKAY, WE WILL BE LOOKING TO SEE HOW HE HANDLES THAT.

HERE IS PAUL VALLAS, WILLLY WILSON, AND WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY ABOUT CRIME ON TUESDAY.

>> CLEARLY THERE IS A PERCEPTION OR MAYBE IT'S A REALITY THAT DOWNTOWN IS UNSAFE.

PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE.

>> IF YOU COMMIT A CRIME, YOU HURT SOMEBODY, YOU KILL SOMEBODY, THEY SHOULD BE HUNTED DOWN LIKE A RABBIT.

THAT'S WHAT I SAID, THAT'S WHAT WE MEAN.

>> AND WHAT HE'S SAYING IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE PAIN OF LOSS OF A VICTIM OF GUN VIOLENCE, UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE THAT A CITY HAS.

WE SHOULD TURN OUR DEPARTMENT INTO A GROUP OF VIGILANTES TO HUNT DOWN AND KILL PEOPLE.

>> AND JASON, IT'S NO SECRET THAT CRIME IS THE MAYOR'S ACHILLES HEEL RIGHT NOW.

DOES SHE HAVE AN EFFECTIVE COUNTER MESSAGE ON THAT?

>> ONE OF THE PROBLEMS SHE SAID IN THIS RACE IS TWOFOLD.

ONE, ON THE CRIME ISSUE.

I THINK SHE'S HAD A LOT OF DATA, A LOT OF DEFENSIVENESS.

NOT MUCH OF A MESSAGE.

SHE'S NOT REALLY MEETING THE EMOTIONAL MOMENT OF WHERE PEOPLE FEEL THEY ARE ON THE CRIME ISSUE.

SHE WILL SAY PEOPLE DON'T FEEL SAFE AND THEY NEED TO FEEL SAFE, BUT WE'RE NOT REALLY GETTING A SENSE, I THINK FROM THE ANSWERS, THE WAY SHE'S ANSWERING THEM, THAT SHE UNDERSTANDS REALLY THE DEPTH OF THE PROBLEM.

MOSTLY SHE'S LAUNCHING INTO A LOT OF NUMBERS, A LOT OF STATISTICS.

A LOT OF THE THINGS SHE HAS DONE.

FOR THE LACK OF A BETTER TERM, AND SOMEWHAT AGAINST INTEREST GIVEN MY BACKGROUND, I THINK SHE'S OVERLIERING SOME OF THESE ANSWERS.

AND SHE IS GIVING FACTUAL ANSWERS, BUT NOT REALLY PUTTING THEM IN A FRAMEWORK OF UNDERSTANDING WHERE PEOPLE ARE RIGHT NOW EMOTIONALLY ABOUT CRIME.

>> I GET THE SENSE IF YOU WERE ADVISING HER, YOU WOULD SAY YOU NEED TO TAKE THAT BILL CLINTON, I FEEL YOUR PAIN APPROACH?

>> WELL, A LITTLE BIT OF THAT, AND ACTUALLY MORE OF WHAT SHE DID IN THAT ANSWER YOU JUST SHOWED, WHERE SHE WAS ABLE TO USE WILLIE WILSON AND HIS ANSWER AS PAINTING HIM TOO FAR TO THE RIGHT.

SHE COULD DO A LOT MORE OF THAT WITH VALLAS.

WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, PAINTING BRANDON JOHNSON AND CHUY GARCIA TOO FAR TO THE LEFT.

SHE GIVES PEOPLE WHO ARE WATCHING A SENSE OF THE ALTERNATIVES.

AND TO PUT HERSELF IN THE SENSIBLE MIDDLE.

THAT'S NOT REALLY COME THROUGH.

INSTEAD WHAT WE'VE GOTTEN ARE A LOT OF ANSWERS WITH DETAILS.

A LITTLE BIT OF DEFENSIVENESS.

EVEN IN THE FOX DEBATE LAST NIGHT.

SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT CAR THEFTS.

SHE GAVE A RELATIVELY GOOD ANSWER ON CAR THEFTS.

BUT AT THE END, ENDED UP BLAMING A PART OF IT ON KIA AND HYUNDAI FOR ALLOWING THEIR CARS TO BE CARJACKED WITH A THUMB DRIVE.

AND THAT JUST SOUNDS A LITTLE BIT LIKE EXCUSE MAKING.

IT MAY BE TRUE, BUT UNLESS WE THINK YOU'RE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AND YOU UNDERSTAND WHERE PEOPLE ARE EMOTIONALLY, IT'S NOT REALLY GOING TO AFFECT PEOPLE THE WAY YOU WANT.

>> THERE IS A SPOT FOR SOMEONE IN THE MIDDLE, LEFT OF CENTER, RIGHT OF CENTER, GIVEN SOME OF THE MORE EXTREMES FROM THE CANDIDATES.

THE MAYOR ALSO WENT AFTER SOME OF THE MODERATORS THIS WEEK INCLUDING A FAMILIAR FACE.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> A LOT OF YOUR QUESTIONS ARE JUST BELITTLED BY THE FACTS.

YOU'RE DESCRIBING THEM AS IF THEY'RE DUMB, LAZY, AND NOT DOING ANYTHING.

[ INAUDIBLE ] >> THE QUESTION IS ABOUT THE 45% OF THOSE CHRONICALLY ABSENT.

WHY ARE THEY NOT IN CLASS?

>> HERE IS WHAT I KNOW, MIKE.

THE REALITY, AND I INVITE YOU TO COME WITH ME SOME TIME TO AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OR HIGH SCHOOL.

>> SO JASON, WHEN YOU'RE COACHING CANDIDATES TO GET READY FOR THE FORUMS AND DEBATES, DO YOU TELL THEM YEAH, GO AFTER THE MODERATORS AND TELL THEM THEIR QUESTIONS ARE NO GOOD?

>> I TELL THEM I ADMIRE THEIR TENACITY AS I ADMIRED THE MAYOR'S TENACITY, BUT ALL IN GOOD MEASURE AND TO A LARGER MESSAGE.

IF THE MESSAGE OVERALL WAS I'M FIGHTING ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF CHICAGO.

I REALIZE WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

I UNDERSTAND WHERE PEOPLE ARE.

AND THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE STAGE ARE OFFERING SOLUTIONS THAT ARE EITHER GOING TO BE TOO WEAK OR ARE GOING TO RESULT IN POLICE BRUTALITY.

THAT WOULD POSITION HER IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

WE ARE EVEN GIVING THAT KIND OF A RESPONSE, WHICH WOULD SEEM MORE SENSIBLE.

BUT A KNOCK AGAINST YOU IS YOU ARE COMBATIVE AND YOU ARE BEING COMBATIVE, EVEN THOUGH SHE'S DEFENDING STUDENTS, THAT PLAYS INTO A NEGATIVE NARRATIVE FOR HER, AND I THINK IT IS JUST NOT A POSITIVE PLACE FOR HER TO BE.

I THINK THERE ARE BETTER PLACES FOR HER TO BE.

>> INTERESTINGLY SOMEONE EARLIER TONIGHT SAID THE COMBATIVENESS WORKED WHEN SHE WAS A NON-INCUMBENT.

NOW WHEN SHE IS AN INCUMBENT, IT DOESN'T WEAR SO WELL.

>> BEING AN INCUMBENT IS YOU WEAR THE JACKET.

I ADMIRE ANYBODY WHO GETS INTO THE FRAY, TO BE THE MAYOR.

I ADMIRE THE MAYOR'S COMMITMENT AND HER TENACITY.

BUT YOU OWN EVERYTHING WHEN YOU'RE THE MAYOR.

WHEN THAT'S TRUE AND NOW YOU'RE BEING MORE COMBATIVE OR YOU'RE FIGHTING MODERATORS, YOU DON'T SEEM LIKE SOMEBODY WHO IS WILLING TO WORK WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

YOU'RE GIVING OTHER PEOPLE ON THE STAGE A FREE PASS, AND THAT IS NOT SOMETHING SHE CAN AFFORD RIGHT NOW WHEN SHE'S TRYING TO ADD A NUMBER HERE AND THERE TO GET INTO THE RUNOFF.

NONE OF THEM CAN REALLY.

>> I CAN'T BELIEVE WE'RE OUT OF TIME, BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING HERE LATE ON A FRIDAY EVENING.

WE APPRECIATE SEEING YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> GREAT TO SEE YOU, PARIS.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU BET.

>>> AND UP NEXT, IN CONVERSATIONS RECORDED A BIT EARLIER, WHAT CANDIDATES FOR CHICAGO'S MAYOR SAYS ABOUT CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CITY.

>>> AND PLUS WHAT TO EXPECT AT THIS YEAR'S AUTO SHOW.

>>> EIGHT CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR AND JUST ONE HOUR.

THAT LEFT PLENTY OF QUESTIONS WE COULDN'T GET TO DURING OUR MAYORAL FORM ON TUESDAY.

ONE IN PARTICULAR, THE CANDIDATES PLANS FOR ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES INCLUDING WHETHER THEY WOULD REVIVE THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER ASKED THE CANDIDATES ABOUT THIS QUESTION.

AND PATTY, FIRST, REMIND US OF THE HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND WHY IT WAS DISBANDED, AND WHY PROPONENTS WANT IT BACK?

>> Reporter: RIGHT, SO IT WAS THE SECOND, MAYOR DALEY, THE JUNIOR WHO CREATED THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT.

THEN IT WAS MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL IN 2011 WHO DISBANDED IT.

HIS REASONING AT THE TIME WAS THAT IT WOULD BE COST SAVING TO MOVE THE PEOPLE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AROUND INTO OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

THAT WAY YOU WOULD INFUSE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS INTO EVERY DEPARTMENT.

THAT WAS THE REASONING AT THE TIME.

PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BRING THE DEPARTMENT BACK SAY WHAT IT REALLY DID WAS IT LEFT NO ONE -- NO SINGLE ENTITY, LASER FOCUSED ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

YOU LOST A LOT OF STAFF.

YOU LOST A LOT OF EXPERTISE.

PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHO TO GO TO FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES WHEN IT IS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

>> SO YOU WERE ABLE TO ASK THE CANDIDATES AFTER OUR MAYORAL FORM EARLIER THIS WEEK ABOUT WHETHER THEY WOULD BRING THAT DEPARTMENT BACK.

WHAT DID YOU SAY?

>> THEY ALL SAID YES, WHICH IS WHAT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAID WHEN SHE WAS RUNNING.

INSTEAD SHE CREATED A CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER, AND NOW SHE HAS A CLIMATE EQUITY, NOT THE SAME AS THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT.

SO YES, PEOPLE CAN SAY THEY WILL BRING IT BACK, BUT WHETHER THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THAT FULLY FUND AND FULLY STAFF IT, YOU KNOW, WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE IF THAT ACTUALLY SHAKES OUT.

>> PATTY, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE THOUGH BETWEEN HAVING A DEPARTMENT VERSES AN OFFICE OF CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY THAT WE COULDN'TLY HAVE?

>> Reporter: I MEAN IT'S STAFF, IT'S POWER, IT'S BUDGET.

IF YOU LOOK AT THIS OFFICE OF CLIMATE AND EQUITY LESS THAN $1 MILLION BUDGE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE CITY'S LARGEST DEPARTMENTS, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

IF YOU LOOK AT HOW IMPORTANT THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE, ALL OF THOSE ISSUES WHETHER IT'S LEAD LINES, URBAN STREET CANOPIES, LAKE FRONT EROSION.

ALL OF THESE IMPORTANT TOPICS, SHOULD THEY BE BUNDLED UP TO THE LEVEL OF HAVING A COMMISSIONER WITH A SEAT AT THE MAIN TABLE?

NOT SAYING THE CLIMATE AND EQUITY DOESN'T HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE, BUT IT SEEKS TO THE PRIORITIES THEY HAVE AND THE AUTHORITY.

>> YEAH.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE MAYOR BARRIERS IN THE CITY?

ULTIMATELY BEING ABLE TO HAVE A DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN ABOUT 30 SECONDS?

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHO THE NEXT MAYOR IS, WHAT CITY COUNCIL IS LIKE, AND WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO FIND THE MONEY TO FUND THIS DEPARTMENT.

IF YOU RECREATE IT, YOU WANT TO PUT DOLLARS BEHIND IT.

WHERE IS THAT MONEY GOING TO COME FROM?

ARE THEY GOING TO BACK IT UP?

>> YES, LIKE THEY SAY, SHOW ME YOUR BUDGET.

SHOW ME THE MONEY.

>> YES, EXACTLY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

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

>>> UP NEXT, WHAT TO EXPECT AT THIS YEAR'S AUTO SHOW.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> START YOUR ENGINES.

THE CHICAGO AUTO SHOW IS REVVING UP TO OPEN ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE 115th YEAR.

IT IS THE LARGEST AUTO EXPOSITION IN NORTH AMERICA.

THIS YEAR THERE IS A BIG FOCUS ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND LETTING DRIVERS GET MIND THE WHEEL.

JOINING US FROM THE CHICAGO AUTO SHOW AT MCCORMICK PLACE, FOR MORE ON WHAT TO EXPECT IS DAVE SLOAN.

DAVE, CONGRATULATES ON OPENING ANOTHER YEAR.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> SO 115 YEARS.

WHAT'S NEW THIS YEAR?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> SO WE'VE GOT SEVEN INDOOR TEST TRACKS.

YOU MENTIONED EVs ARE A BIG FOCUS.

SO WE HAVE 100,000-SQUARE FOOT ELECTRIC VEHICLE TRACK WITH FIVE DIFFERENT BRANDS ON IT THAT WE ARE EXECUTING.

AND THEN THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OTHER BRANDS, FORD AND HYUNDAI, THAT HAVE THEIR OWN EV TRACKS INSIDE THEIR DISPLAYS.

SO PLENTY OF CHANCES FOR ATTENDEES TO EXPERIENCE ELECTRIC VEHICLES, MANY FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> IT SHOULD BE A LOT OF FUN BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY ELECTRIC VEHICLES, MANY FOLKS DON'T KNOW, THEY HANDLE A LITTLE BIT FROM THE GAS POWERED ONES WE'RE USED TO.

WHAT CAN FOLKS EXPECT?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S FUNNY.

PEOPLE THINK THAT THEY REALLY ARE DIFFERENT.

ONE THING WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES, THEY THINK OH MY GOSH, THESE THINGS ARE SO MUCH QUICKER THAN I THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE.

THEY'RE REALLY FAST OFF THE LINE, BUT ALSO THEY DO FEEL NORMAL.

THAT'S WHAT I SEE AND HEAR FROM PEOPLE.

OH MY GOSH, THIS FEELS NORMAL.

THIS COULD WORK FOR ME.

SO THOSE ARE REALLY THE FIRST TWO REACTIONS PEOPLE HAVE.

>> IS THERE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE THAT'S GETTING THE MOST BUZZ?

ANY CONCEPTS WE MIGHT SEE THIS YEAR?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT CONCEPT VEHICLES.

THERE IS ONE.

AND THE CONCEPT VEHICLES ARE FAR OFF, ESPECIALLY A FEW OF THESE.

THE BUICK WILDCAT.

IT'S ONLY GOING TO BE HERE THIS FIRST WEEKEND.

SO IF YOU WANT TO SEE THIS COOL CAR, YOU'VE GOT TO BE HERE THIS WEEKEND.

AND THEN THERE'S THE DODGE CHARGER DAYTONA EV, WHICH IS REALLY A FAR OUT VEHICLE.

AND I BELIEVE THAT'S THE ONE THAT THEY PROGRAMMED TO SOUND LIKE AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CHARGER WHEN YOU HIT THE ACCELERATOR, SO KIND OF COOL.

>> DAVE, IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY YEAR ELECTRIC VEHICLES GET TO BE MORE AND MORE PROMINENT AT THE AUTO SHOW.

WHAT IS THE LOOK FOR THE FUTURE?

HOW MUCH ARE WE GOING TO SEE THESE?

>> WELL, WE'RE GOING TO SEE.

LIKE I SAID, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE AUTOMAKERS TO GET CUSTOMERS IN FOR THEM.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE SO MANY OF THESE INDOOR TEST TRACKS ON THE SHOW FLOOR.

IT REALLY IS ABOUT EXPERIENCE.

THE SHOW HAS BECOME SO MUCH MORE EXPERIMENTAL THAN IT USED TO BE.

BUT IT'S INTERESTING.

THE MARKET SHARE IS GROWING FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

BUT HOW WILLING ARE AMERICANS TO GIVE UP THEIR CARS AND DRIVE EVs?

THEY'RE HOT.

THEY'RE DEFINITELY HOT.

THERE'S WAITING LISTS FOR SOME RIGHT NOW, SO WE'LL SEE.

>> OKAY, WE'LL SEE.

OF COURSE, FOLKS WILL SEE IF THEY MAKE IT DOWN TO THE CHICAGO AUTO SHOW.

SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF FUN.

DAVE SLOAN, CO-GENERAL MANAGER THERE AT MCCORMICK'S PLACE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> IN THE CHICAGO AUTO SHOW, IT RUNS THROUGH TOMORROW, FEBRUARY 20.

>>> NOW TO PARIS AND SOME MORE ABOUT THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND CARS.

PARIS?

>> BRANDIS, ELECTRIC VEHICLES MAY BE ON THE RAGE AT THE AUTO SHOWS.

BUT IF YOU WANT TO BUY A CAR OF ANY KIND, THE STATE OF ILLINOIS PUTS YOU UP IN A LITTLE BIT OF A ROADBLOCK IN FRONT OF YOU.

OUR NICK BLUMBERG HAS THAT STORY IN OUR LATEST EDITION OF WTTW NEWS EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: AWE, THE WEEKEND.

THE PERFECT TIME TO KNOCK A FEW ITEMS OFF THE OLD TO DO LIST.

RUN TO THE GROCERY STORE, MAKE A TRIP TO THE HARDWARE STORE.

BUY A NEW CAR?

NOT SO FAST, NOT ON SUNDAY.

SINCE THE 1980s, IT'S BEEN ILLEGAL FOR CAR DEALERSHIPS TO OPERATE ON SUNDAYS IN ILLINOIS.

WHY?

WELL SOME OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES WANTED TO SHUT IT DOWN TO SPEND TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES OR FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS.

BUT PAY ATTENTION.

THIS IS THE KEY.

THEY DIDN'T WANT THEIR COMPETITORS TO BE OPEN AND HAVE A CHANCE TO STEAL BUSINESS.

THE FIRST ATTEMPTS TO CLOSE DOWN DEALERSHIPS ON SUNDAY DATES BACK TO THE 50s AND THE 60s, BUT THOSE LAWS NEVER MADE IT OFF THE LOT.

THEY WERE VETOED AND STRUCK DOWN IN COURT.

BUT SINCE 1984, ILLINOIS CAR DEALERS MUST CLOSE THEIR DOORS ON SUNDAYS.

ILLINOIS ISN'T ALONE.

A DOZEN OTHER STATES DON'T ALLOW SUNDAY CAR SALES EITHER.

IT'S A MESSAGE OF SO-CALLED BLUE LAWS BARRING CERTAIN ACTIVITIES ON THE BASES OF RELIGION SAY LIKE BUYING A SPORTS CAR ON THE SABBATH.

THE RELIGIOUS ANGLE IS WHY ILLINOIS FANS HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED MULTIPLE TIMES.

ONE RESTRICTS CAR SALES TO SIX DAYS A WEEK, BUT ALLOWS DEALERSHIPS TO PICK WHICH DAY THEY TAKE OFF.

YOUS AND MUSLIMS DON'T OBSERVE THE DAY OF REST AND PRAYERS ON SUNDAY.

SOME PRO BUSINESS GROUPS ARGUE THE LAWS RESTRICT FOR E-COMMERCE, BUT SO FAR ILLINOIS HAS KEPT THE SUNDAY CAR SALE BAN ON THEBOOKS, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A HOT DEAL ON A NEW SET OF WHEELS, YOU'LL HAVE TO LOOK ON ANOTHER DAY.

>>> YOU CAN WATCH MORE OF OUR WTTW NEWS EXPLAIN SERIES ON OUR WEBSITE.

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HOMEOWNERS IN PILSEN IN DEMAND FOLLOWING MAJOR PROPERTY TAX HIKES.

>>> 6:30 TOMORROW ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT," BLACK VOICES, SOUTH SHORE TENANTS WHO WENT A MONTH WITHOUT HEAT.

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

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.