>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

HERE IS A LOOK AT WHAT IS AHEAD.

A WATCHDOG REPORT SAYS THAT CITY LEADERS COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE BUILDING OF A SMOKESTACK IN THE VILLAGE.

>>> I DON'T WANT TO VOTE ON SOMETHING THAT IS JUST PARKING METERS OR THE SKYWAY BRIDGE.

>> PEOPLE BLOCK A PROPOSED COMMENT DEAL FROM ADVANCING IN THE PROPOSAL.

>>> FINDING LOVE WHILE DEALING WITH DEPRESSION.

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

THE SMOKESTACK IMPLOSION RELEASING A PLUME OF DUST AT THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID PANDEMIC IN 2020 COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY THE OFFICIALS.

THIS IS ACCORDING TO A REPORT THAT WAS OBTAINED BY WTTW NEWS.

IT DETERMINED THAT CITY OFFICIALS PUT RESIDENTS AT RISK WHEN THE CITY ANNOUNCED THE DEMOLITION.

WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THIS STORY IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES.

>>> FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO ROLL THE DICE ON A NEW CAREER, BALLY'S CASINO IS ANNOUNCING A SPECIALIZED JOB PROGRAM FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO BECOME CARD TABLE DEALERS.

THE INITIATIVE IS CALLED THE DEALER TRAINING SCHOOL AND IT WILL TEACH FOLKS THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO BECOME A DEALER AT A CASINO GAME TABLE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET A JOB AT THE NEW BALLY'S CHICAGO CASINO.

STARTING THIS FRIDAY, CITY COLLEGES WILL BE HOLDING INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR ANYONE 21 AND OLDER WHO IS INTERESTED IN SIGNING UP.

>>> COOK COUNTY'S OLDEST VOTER IS 111 YEARS OLD AND RECEIVED A VALENTINE'S DAY VISIT FROM THE COOK COUNTY CLERK.

>> WHETHER YOU EAT IT OR NOT, I AM GOING TO LEAVE IT!

>> SUSIE LEWIS, WHO CLEARLY HASN'T LOST HER SENSE OF HUMOR OR HER APPETITE, WAS BORN IN 1911, NEARLY A DECADE BEFORE WOMEN GAINED THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN 1920.

THAT MEANS SHE HAS BEEN AN ELIGIBLE VOTER FOR 93 YEARS!

SHE WAS PRESENTED WITH VALENTINES GIFTS, INCLUDING CANDY, TO CELEBRATE HER COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY.

>> AMAZING.

HOW MANY ELECTIONS DID SHE VOTE IN?

INCREDIBLE.

>>> MUSIC FANS, GET READY FOR THE BOSS AT WRIGLEY FIELD!

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND HAVE ANNOUNCED A SHOW FOR AUGUST 19th.

IF YOU HAVE A HUNGRY HEART TO RELIVE THE GLORY DAYS, TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY.

LAST TIME SPRINGSTEEN PLAYED AT WRIGLEY FIELD WAS IN 2013.

CONGER CONCERTS ARE ALREADY LINING UP FOR THIS SUMMER!

>> LOOKING FORWARD TO IT!

>>> FIRST, WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO PREVENT THE SMOKESTACK IMPLOSION IN 2020?

WE WILL HAVE MORE FROM THAT STORY RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> CHICAGO OFFICIALS COULD HAVE PREVENTED A PLUME OF DUST FROM ENVELOPING A VILLAGE IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO A CONFIDENTIAL WATCHDOG REPORT OBTAINED BY WTTW NEWS FROM OUR REPORTER HEATHER WHO JOINS US NOW WITH THIS.

HEATHER , THIS 94-PAGE REPORT WAS FILED JUST BEFORE HE LEFT OFFICE.

WHAT DID HE FIND?

>> Reporter: HE FOUND THAT THE CITY COULD HAVE PREVENTED A CLOUD OF DUST FROM ENVELOPING SIX BLOCKS OF A VILLAGE.

THE CITY AGREED TO AMEND A PERMIT FIRST ISSUED IN JULY 2018 THAT DID NOT SEEK PERMISSION TO USE EXPLOSIVES TO DEMOLISH THE SMOKESTACK.

>> SO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL FOUND THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED.

WHY WASN'T IT?

WHY ARE WE JUST LEARNING ABOUT IT NOW?

>> Reporter: FERGUSON FOUND THAT THIS WAS A BREAKDOWN OF OVERSIGHT AND CONSTITUTED BUREAUCRATIC ACQUIESCENCE IN NEGLIGENT DEMOLITIONS THAT GENERATED A DUST CLOUD ON-SITE THAT WAS PREDICTABLY PROPELLED THROUGH THE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY OF CHICAGO'S LITTLE VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO IT WASN'T ONE PERSON AT FAULT.

IT WAS A SYSTEMIC BREAKDOWN.

OFFICIALS DID NOT REQUIRE THIS NEW PERMIT, WHICH MEANT THAT OFFICIALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH DID NOT ENSURE THAT THERE WERE ADEQUATE MEASURES IN PLACE TO STOP THAT DUST CLOUD.

>> SO THE ONLY DISCIPLINE HANDED OUT FOR CITY OFFICIALS TO THE THREE EMPLOYEES WAS A WRITTEN REPRIMAND.

YOU SPOKE WITH ALDERMAN MIKE RODRIGUEZ WHO REPRESENTS THE SIX BLOCKS THAT WERE COVERED BY THIS DUST CLOUD.

WHAT DOES HE THINK?

>> Reporter: HE SEES THIS AS AN EXAMPLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO HAPPEN IN A PRIMARILY WHITE NEIGHBORHOOD.

OF COURSE LITTLE VILLAGE IS THE HEART OF CHICAGO'S LATINO COMMUNITY.

>> OF COURSE YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE WHICH IS WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>>> AND NOW TO PARIS FOR THE LATEST.

PARIS?

>> WITH SO MUCH GOING ON IN THE CHICAGO MAYORAL RACE THERE IS A LOT HAPPENING AT THE STATE LEVEL, TOO.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER OUTLINES HIS VISION FOR THE STATE TOMORROW IN HIS STATE OF THE STATE AND BUDGET ADDRESS.

WE HAVE AN EARLY PREVIEW.

SO AMANDA, WHAT IS THE SITUATION RIGHT NOW?

>> Reporter: YEAH, PARIS.

ILLINOIS DID NOT HAVE THE BEST FISCAL REPUTATION.

WHO CAN FORGET THE NEVER-ENDING BUDGET IMPASSE?

ILLINOIS RACKED UP $440 BILLION IN LONG-TERM PENSION DEBT.

BUT COMPTROLLER SUSANNA MENDOZA SAYS THAT THINGS ARE GOING OKAY RIGHT NOW.

SHE SAYS THAT ILLINOIS HAS THE CREDIT UPGRADES TO PROVE THAT.

ILLINOIS IS ALSO UP-TO-DATE ON PAYING ITS BILLS.

>> WE ARE RIGHT ON TRACK.

WE HAVE CLOSE TO -- AS OF RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ONE $.06 MILLION IN OUR RAINY DAY FUND, UP FROM LESS THAN $16,000 WHEN I FIRST TOOK OFFICE.

>> Reporter: SOUNDS PRETTY GOOD, RIGHT?

MENDOZA WARNS THAT WHILE $1 MILLION MIGHT SOUND LIKE A LOT, THAT IS ONLY ENOUGH IN RESERVES TO COVER FIVE DAYS OF CURRENT STATE SPENDING.

FORECASTERS DO CALL FOR ILLINOIS TO HAVE SOME EXTRA MONEY TO PLAY WITH, AROUND $2 BILLION OVER THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

BUT MENDOZA SAYS THAT PRITZKER SHOULD PUT HALF OF THAT TOWARDS PENSIONS AND TOWARDS PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO THAT RAINY DAY FUND.

>> AS FOR THESE RAINY DAY APPROACHES, WHATEVER EXTRA MONEY IS THERE, WE NEED TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT HOW WE SPEND IT.

I SUGGEST THAT THE BEST THING TO DO IS NOT TO CREATE NEW PROGRAMS THAT ARE GOING TO REQUIRE YEAR-TO-YEAR ADDITIONAL SPENDING.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THAT IF THERE IS ANY , FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, LEFTOVER MONEY, THAT SHOULD BE PUT TOWARDS CURRENT STATE PROGRAMS THAT ARE PROVEN TO WORK, LIKE THE PROGRAM THAT HELPS LOW-INCOME COLLEGE STUDENTS.

>> SO WE HAVE A GOVERNOR HERE SAYING NO NEW PROGRAMS.

HOW LIKELY IS IT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL FOLLOW SUIT?

>> Reporter: HONESTLY, PARIS , NOT VERY REALISTIC.

EVERY POLITICIAN WANTS TO LEAVE THEIR MARK, AND GOVERNOR PRITZKER IS NO EXCEPTION TO THAT.

IT IS ALL BUT CERTAIN THAT HE WILL INTRODUCE NEW PROGRAMS, BECAUSE HE TALKED ABOUT IT WHEN HE WAS INAUGURATED TO A SECOND TERM.

HE GOT BIG APPLAUSE WHEN HE SAID THAT HE WANTED TO START FREE TUITION FOR ALL LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND HE WANTS TO OFFER PRESCHOOL TO ALL THREE AND FOUR-YEAR-OLDS.

REPUBLICANS ARE, IN THEORY, ON BOARD WITH EXPANDING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION , PARTICULARLY IN RURAL AREAS.

PARENTS AREN'T ABLE TO WORK BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT DAY CARES OR PRESCHOOLS THAT CAN TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN.

BUT SHE SAYS THAT WRITING A CHECK ALONE WILL NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE, BECAUSE IT IS A MATTER OF WORKFORCE AND REGULATIONS.

BUT YES.

MONEY IS AN ISSUE.

>> NOTHING IS FREE, SO THE INTENT SEEMS GOOD.

BUT HOW DO WE GET THERE?

THAT IS ALWAYS THE QUESTION.

>> Reporter: NOW PARIS, THERE ARE SURE TO BE MANY OTHER DEMANDS, INCLUDING FROM REPUBLICANS.

IN FACT, SOME SAY THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR A NEW FISCAL YEAR, AND THAT PRITZKER SHOULD IMMEDIATELY MOVE TO HELP OUT RESIDENTS WHO ARE DEALING WITH WHAT THEY CALL ELECTRIC BILL CRISIS.

WE HAVE COVERED THE ESCALATING UTILITY COSTS IN THE CHICAGO REGION , BUT IT IS EVEN BIGGER FOR CUSTOMERS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, WHO ARE PAYING DOUBLE THEIR CURRENT PREMIUM ELECTRIC RATES.

>> LAST WEEK IN KINCAID, ILLINOIS, AND ENTIRE GROCERY STORE WENT OUT OF BUSINESS, OKAY?

THAT COMMUNITY IS WITHOUT A GROCERY STORE.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICANS BLAMING A NEW STATE LAW THAT AIMS TO MOVE ILLINOIS TOWARDS ALL-RENEWABLE ENERGY.

THEY SAY THAT THEY SUPPORT GREEN ENERGY, BUT ILLINOIS IS DOING TOO MUCH TOO FAST.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND BACKERS OF THE LAW SAY THAT THE LAW IS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE RISING UTILITY RATES, BUT THE FACT REMAINS THAT, YES.

ELECTRIC COSTS ARE CERTAINLY GOING UP.

THE GOP SAYS THAT THEY WANT THE GOVERNOR TO PROMISE $200 MILLION IN RELIEF FOR DOWNSTATE RESIDENTS THAT COULD COME IN THE FORM OF FREE BAITS.

WE WILL FIND OUT TOMORROW WHETHER THAT IS ON GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S RADAR, OR WHAT ELSE MIGHT BE.

>> HE FINDS HIMSELF IN A SIMILAR POSITION, HAVING STRONG MAJORITIES IN BOTH CHAMBERS NOW.

SO WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO THAT SPEECH.

AMANDA, THANKS SO MUCH!

>>> UP NEXT, WHAT EXACTLY IS IN THE PROPOSED MULTI-YEAR DEAL BETWEEN THE CITY AND CON ED?

STAY WITH US.

>>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT IS URGING OLDER PEOPLE TO EXTEND A DEAL TO SUPPLY ELECTRICITY TO CHICAGO RESIDENTS.

THE HIGHLIGHT IS A 15 YEAR AGREEMENT WITH AN OPTION FOR A FIVE-YEAR EXTENSION AND AN OPTION TO MUNICIPAL LAWS AFTER FIVE YEARS .

THE INITIATIVE WOULD SUPPORT A NEW TRAINING FACILITY TO TRAIN 10,000 CHICAGOANS TO WORK IN THE CLEAN ENERGY INDUSTRY.

SOME OF THE COUNSELOR PUSHING BACK, SAYING THAT THE MAYOR IS PUSHING TOO QUICKLY.

>> YESTERDAY I HAD A BRIEFING ON THIS THAT LASTED ABOUT 20 MINUTES.

NONE OF MY QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED.

IT WAS RUSHED.

I DON'T KNOW WHO WORKED ON THIS, OR IF ANY OF US HAD ANY INPUT ON THIS.

I KNOW THAT I DID.

THIS IS A HUGE DEAL, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I AM VOTING ON SOMETHING THAT IS NOT PARKING METERS OR THE SKYWAY BRIDGE.

>> JOINING US NOW TO TELL US MORE ABOUT THE PROPOSED DEAL IS THE CHIEF OF POLICY.

WHY DOES THE MAYOR'S OFFICE THINK THE DEAL IS A GOOD ONE FOR CHICAGO RESIDENCE?

>> ONE IS NEIGHBORHOOD INVESTMENT, THE OTHER IS JOBS.

NEIGHBORHOOD INVESTMENT IS THE OPENING.

YOU HEARD $100 MILLION GOES TO CLIMATE PROJECTS.

WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY MEAN?

THAT A SHAREHOLDER DOLLARS, COMPANY PROFITS THAT NO OTHER MUNICIPALITY AROUND THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN ABLE TO SECURE THAT SCALE.

THOSE PROJECTS MEAN THAT A RESIDENT IN AUSTIN CAN TIGHTEN UP THEIR BUILDING ENVELOPE IN THEIR HOME, LOWER THEIR ENERGY COSTS AND LOWER THEIR CARBON INITIATIVE.

SO THE SOLAR INITIATIVE YOU HEARD ABOUT, THERE ARE 4000 RESIDENTS THAT CAN RECOVER FROM THOSE BENEFITS.

SO THE JOB, THE WESTSIDE TRAINING CENTER, THAT WILL PROVIDE TOWARDS THE CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY IN THE FUTURE.

>> AS WE JUST MENTIONED, SOME CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ARE QUESTIONING WHY THE MAYOR IS PUSHING TOWARDS A QUICK VOTE ON THIS.

WHY NOT WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION?

THERE COULD POTENTIALLY BE A NEW CITY COUNCIL AND POTENTIALLY A NEW MAYOR THAT COULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

>> THIS HAS NOT BEEN AN OVERNIGHT AGREEMENT.

THE CURRENT AGREEMENT EXPIRED AT THE END OF 2020.

THE MAYOR LOOKED AT OUR TEAM AND SAID, I WANT YOU TO NEGOTIATE THE BEST POSSIBLE DEAL FOR CHICAGO RESIDENTS.

THAT HAS INCLUDED DOING A PUBLIC ARCHIVE PROCESS SINCE 2021 TO DETERMINE WHETHER CON ED WAS TRULY THE MOST COMPETITIVE BETTER TO PROVIDE THE BEST QUALITY SERVICE FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

WE HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING IN EARNEST SINCE LAST YEAR, AND THE TIMING WORKED OUT.

BECAUSE OF OUR HARD NEGOTIATIONS, THIS COMPANY HAS FINALLY COME FORWARD WITH A DEAL THAT WE CAN BE VERY PROUD OF IN TERMS OF THE BENEFITS BACK TO RESIDENTS.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, THROUGHOUT ALL THAT TIME WE KNOW THAT CON ED HAS BEEN AT THE CENTER OF A BRIBERY SCANDAL INVOLVING THE FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER.

WHY A 15-YOUR DEAL WITH THE COMPANY?

WHY NOT SOMETHING SHORTER?

>> 15 YEARS IS ACTUALLY VERY SHORT IN THE WORLD OF MUNICIPAL FRANCHISES.

OUR CURRENT DEAL WITH CON ED WAS 10 YEARS AND WE DID A SCAN OF MUNICIPALITIES RUN THE COUNTRY.

THE AVERAGE DEAL IS 20 YEARS.

IN OUR REGION , WHICH INCLUDES ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, THOSE AGREEMENTS SPEND 40 TO 50 YEARS.

SO WE THINK THAT WE FOUND A GOOD BALANCE OF A MUCH SHORTER TERM AGREEMENTS BUT ALSO SEEING THE TYPE OF INVESTMENT THAT WE CAN SEE GROW WITH THINGS LIKE A WESTSIDE TRAINING CENTER.

THAT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO GET UP AND RUNNING, BUT THEN WE CAN REALLY RAMP UP.

>> WE KNOW THAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT DEMANDED SOME REFORMS BUT DIDN'T GET THEM.

THIS WAS OF COURSE AFTER CON ED ADMITTED TO PARTICIPATING IN THIS BRIBERY SCHEME.

DO YOU THINK THAT THIS COMPANY HAS BEEN ETHNICALLY FORTHCOMING?

>> THERE IS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR THE KIND OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR AND BRIBERY ACTIVITIES THAT WE SAW FROM CON ED BACK IN THE DAY.

THE LANDSCAPE HAS CHANGED VERY DRAMATICALLY.

THROUGH THE CLEAN AND EQUITABLE JOB ACT, THE COMPANY IS NEWLY REGULATED THROUGH THE ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION.

ON AN ANNUAL BASIS THEY HAVE TO SUBMIT COMPLIANCE REPORTS AROUND THEIR ETHICAL PRACTICES AS AN OPERATION.

WE BELIEVE THAT WITH THAT OVERSIGHT, COUPLED WITH WHAT IS IN PLACE, WE CAN FEEL MORE CONFIDENT ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP AND STAFFING OF THE COMPANY.

THE CITY WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD THE COMPANY ACCOUNTABLE.

THE OTHER THING THAT I WILL NOTE IS THE $200 MILLION, MOST OF OUR RESIDENTS DIDN'T ACTUALLY FEEL THE BENEFIT FROM THOSE DOLLARS.

WHEN WE LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE OUR NEWLY-PROPOSED ENERGY AND EQUITY AGREEMENT, THAT $100 MILLION IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE MONEY THAT RESIDENTS CAN FEEL, AND IT WILL HELP TO LOWER THEIR ENERGY COSTS.

>> SO A RECENT REPORT FOUND THAT CON ED HAD CANCELED SERVICE THROUGH OCTOBER OF 2022.

WHAT PROTECTIONS FOR CONSUMERS ARE IN THIS DEAL?

>> THAT ISSUE IS OF CONCERN TO THE MAYOR.

HE IS A FIERCE ADVOCATE OF UTILITY ACROSS THE BOARD.

I WILL NOTE THAT AS A PART OF THIS DEAL WE DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO REGULATE CON ED 'S CURRENT RATES OR COMPANY-WIDE DISCONNECTION PRACTICES.

THOSE ARE ALL REGULATED BY THE ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION.

FOR MANY YEARS, THE CITY HAS STOOD SIDE BY SIDE WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE CITIZENS UTILITY BOARD, WHO ARE FIERCE ADVOCATES FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

THIS MEANS THAT EVEN IN TIMES LIKE JANUARY, WE ALREADY SIGNED UP TO SHOW UP IN THE HEARING AND SAY, HEY.

EVERY PENNY THAT YOU REQUESTED NEEDS TO BE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

WE NEED TO PROTECT FOR EXORBITANT COST INCREASES FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

>> WE HAVE A FEW SECONDS LEFT.

HOW DOES THIS ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF CREATING GREATER EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY?

>> YEAH.

I THINK THAT SOME OF THE NEW INVESTMENTS THAT ARE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT, THE $100 MILLION TO GO TO LOCAL CLIMATE EQUITY PROJECTS, ONE THING THAT I HAVEN'T NOTICED IS THAT CON ED HAS ALSO AGREED TO SECURE $400 MILLION FROM THE STATE IN FEDERAL GRANTS, AND REALLY UNLOCK IN CREATIVE WAYS THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN AROUND THE COUNTRY DIGITAL ACCESS.

SO THINK ABOUT THEIR DARK CYBER NETWORK AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAP INTO THAT, TO CONNECT THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS TO BROADBAND ACCESS.

SO THERE ARE SO MANY ANCILLARY BENEFITS.

ONCE OTHER PEOPLE JOIN US IN LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD, I THINK THEY WILL AGREE THAT THERE ARE SO MUCH THAT WILL BENEFIT RESIDENTS OF THE FUTURE AND RESIDENTS OF TODAY.

THIS WILL ENABLE US TO MEET OUR AMBITIOUS GOALS THROUGH THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN PUT FORWARD LAST YEAR.

>> SKYLER LARIMORE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>>> NOW TO PARIS FOR A STORY ABOUT THE CHALLENGES.

PARIS?

>> BRANDIS, IT IS VALENTINE'S DAY AND LOVE IS IN THE AIR.

BUT SOME PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH LOVE MORE THAN MOST.

STUDENTS FROM THE DePAUL UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AT INTEGRITY HAS THE STORY.

>> AS YOU KNOW, WE ALL SEARCH FOR LOVE AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER.

MANY STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS LIKE DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY FACE EVEN MORE OBSTACLES WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING A ROMANTIC CONNECTION.

ROXIE KNOWS THAT ALL TOO WELL.

>> FOR 26 YEARS I DIDN'T HAVE ANYBODY TO TELL ME THEY LOVE ME.

I DIDN'T GET A CARD.

I FELT TRULY UNLOVABLE.

>> Reporter: ROXIE IS 27 YEARS OLD, LIVES IN CHICAGO, AND WORKS HARD TO COPE WITH DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.

>> I WOULD FEEL LIKE I WAS UNLOVABLE OR I HAD TOO MUCH BAGGAGE.

I FELT LIKE SOMEONE WOULD WANT TO BE WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY.

>> Reporter: ALEX UNDERSTANDS WHAT SHE IS SAYING COMPLETELY.

>> I COMPLETELY LET HER SEE ME.

>> Reporter: ALEX AND ROXIE MET IN A RECOVERY PROGRAM.

HE TOO STRUGGLES WITH DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.

IN THE PAST, BECAUSE OF HIS STIGMA, HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO TELL POTENTIAL PARTNERS ABOUT HIS MENTAL HEALTH.

WITH ROXIE, HE SAID, HE WAS ABLE TO OPEN UP WITHOUT JUDGMENT.

>> I REALIZED HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO SPEAK ABOUT HOW I FEEL AND TO FIND PEOPLE IN MY LIFE THAT WOULD BENEFIT.

>> Reporter: THE CELEBRATION OF VALENTINE'S DAY IS MARKED WITH FLOWERS, CARDS AND CANDY.

IT IS A TIME OF HOLDING HANDS.

FOR SOME WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IT CAN BE A HOLIDAY AS GRAY AND GLOOMY AS A CHICAGO WINTER.

>> I PICTURE MYSELF WITH DEPRESSION AND I DON'T LIKE MYSELF.

>> Reporter: WHEN PEOPLE MEET JASMINE, THEY MAY SEE A HAPPY SINGLE MOM AND BUSINESSWOMAN WHO IS ACTIVE IN HER COMMUNITY, YET POTENTIAL ROMANTIC PARTNERS MAY NOT YET COMPREHEND THE COMPLEXITY OF HER DEPRESSION.

>> THERE ARE DAYS THAT YOU MIGHT WAKE UP AND FEEL LIKE THE WORLD MIGHT BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT YOU.

THERE ARE DAYS WHERE YOU CAN REALLY TALK YOURSELF INTO A HOLE.

YOU HAVE TO BE VERY STRONG TO PULL YOURSELF UP.

>> Reporter: BEING CANDID ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH ISN'T EASY, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR LOVE AND ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE DOING IT ONLINE!

HOW CANDID SHOULD YOU BE?

>> I HAVE BEEN ON DATING APPS THAT ASK QUESTIONS, AND I TRIED TO ANSWER WITH WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.

>> Reporter: I DON'T THINK THERE WAS EVER AN INTERESTS, HOBBIES, ARE YOU ON LEXAPRO TYPE QUESTION.

>> I LOOK AT IT AS A JOB INTERVIEW.

>> Reporter: SHE IS A CLINICAL THERAPIST WHO HAS WRITTEN ON THE SUBJECT OF DATING AND MENTAL ILLNESS.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T PUT ANY OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES ON YOUR RESUME OR YOUR COVER LETTER.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, MORE THAN 50% OF PEOPLE IN THE U.S. HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIFETIME WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS OR DISORDER.

ON ALEX'S ARM IS A TATTOO.

WHY DO WE FALL?

IT IS A LINE FROM THE MOVIE BATMAN BEGINS.

THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION IS SO THAT WE CAN LEARN TO PICK OURSELVES UP.

>> IT IS SO TRUE.

WE HAVE BOTH FALLEN AND WE HAVE BOTH PICKED OURSELVES UP.

>> Reporter: AND SOME PEOPLE POP THE CORK BOARD DANCE A LITTLE CLOSER THIS VALENTINE'S DAY.

OTHERS WILL BE CELEBRATING PERHAPS A BIGGER ACHIEVEMENT.

FINDING LOVE AND LAUGHTER IN A WORLD WHICH CAN PRESENT GREAT CHALLENGES.

LAST YEAR ALEX GAVE ROXIE A VALENTINE'S DAY CARD.

AND ANOTHER ONE THIS YEAR.

THIS VALENTINE'S DAY FOR JASMINE WILL BE DEVOTED TO HER SON.

IF LOVE COMES SHE WILL ACCEPT IT, BUT SHE SAYS THAT SHE WILL ACCEPT IT ON HER OWN TERMS.

>> YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU CHOOSE REALLY HAS TO BE YOUR CHOICE.

THAT IS WHY I DON'T MIND DISCLOSING AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS IS WHERE I AM.

TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.

I AM STILL WORKING ON MYSELF.

>> Reporter: SO HERE WE ARE IN THE FINAL HOURS OF VALENTINE'S DAY.

JENNIFER ACKNOWLEDGES JUST HOW STRESSFUL THIS DAY CAN BE.

SO WE ASKED HER.

WHAT IF SOMEONE OUT THERE IS TOO SCARED TO TRY?

HER RESPONSE WAS TELLING.

>> HEY CAROL, THE THREE PEOPLE YOU INTERVIEWED, THEY REALLY OPENED UP ABOUT SOME PERSONAL DETAILS.

>> Reporter: THEY DID, AND IT TOOK COURAGE.

THEY DID IT FOR OTHERS WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH AND ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING.

>> HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO YOU!

WE ARE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP AFTER THIS, BUT FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT HOW LONG THESE WARM TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO LAST.

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

DON'T FORGET YOU CAN GET CHICAGO TONIGHT STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE AND OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 10:00.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER UNVEILS HIS PROPOSED STATE BUDGET TO LAWMAKERS LIVE IN SPRINGFIELD.

>>> PLUS, WHY SOME RESIDENTS OPPOSE PLANS TO COMBINE A LIBRARY WITH A PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE ARTS COMMUNITY.

>>> PEOPLE AREN'T THE ONLY ONES ENJOYING SWEET TREATS THIS VALENTINE'S DAY.

WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH ANIMALS AT THE BROOKFIELD ZOO ENJOYING HEART-SNAKED SNACKS.

NOW FOR ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO YOU, BRANDIS!

WE HAVE THIS LITTLE WATER HERE.

GOOD NIGHT, EVERYBODY!

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE