>>> HELLO THERE, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

>>> WE CAN MAKE HISTORY.

>> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER LAYS OUT HIS VISION FOR WHAT'S NEXT IN ILLINOIS.

CRITICS SAY IT'S TOO COSTLY.

>> I KNOW YOU DON'T LIKE CHICAGO THAT WELL.

>> I LIVE ON THE WESTSIDE.

I LIVE ON THE WESTSIDE.

>>> THE LAST MAYORAL DEBATE.

SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM LOOKS AT WHY.

>> WELL, COMMUNITY MEMBERS THINK ABOUT A WATCHDOG REPORT THAT SAYS COULD PREVENT A BOTCHED SMOKESTACK AND CLOSING IN LITTLE VILLAGE.

>> WE HAVE NEVER HAD OUR OWN BUILDING SINCE I'VE BEEN LIVING HERE IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

WE NEED TO GET IT RIGHT.

>> AND WHY A GROUP OF RESIDENTS ARE FIGHTING AGAINST CHAIRING A LIBRARY WITH A NEW DEVELOPMENT IN BACK OF THE YARDS NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

THE FATHER OF THE SUSPECTED PILAND PARK SHOOTER IS NOW ALSO FACING CHARGES RELATED TO THE FOURTH, THAT FOURTH OF JULY SHOOTING THAT KILLED SEVEN PEOPLE.

THE LAKE COUNTY STATES ATTORNEY OFFICE SAYS THE GRAND JURY HAS INDICTED 58-YEAR-OLD ROBERT CRIMO JR. WITH SEVEN COUNTS OF RECKLESS CONDUCT, ONE FOR EACH PERSON KILLED.

PROSECUTORS SAY HE HELPED HIS SON OBTAINING A LICENSE BACK WHEN HIS SON WAS 19 YEARS OLD, EVEN THOUGH HE PREVIOUSLY THREATENED VIOLENCE.

THE FATHER IS EXPECTED TO BE ARRAIGNED TOMORROW.

>>> SEPARATELY TODAY, THE CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK ANNOUNCED FOURTH OF JULY PLANS FOR THIS COMING SUMMER, INCLUDING A 10:00 A.M. REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY AT CITY HALL, AND AN 11:00 A.M. COMMUNITY WALK, NOT A PARADE, ALONG THE 2022 PARADE ROUTE.

>>> ANOTHER STEP ON THE WAY TO THE BEARS MOVING TO ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

THE TEAM SAYS IT'S OFFICIALLY CLOSED ON THE PROPERTY FORMERLY KNOWN AS ARLINGTON PARK RACETRACK AND WE'RE JUST UNDER $200 MILLION.

THE BEARS SAY THAT DOESN'T GUARANTEE IT'S GOING TO BUILD A NEW STADIUM ON THE PROPERTY, HAS SEVERAL HURDLES REMAIN, BUT IT IS A GIANT STEP FORWARD IN A BLOW TO MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND ANY PROSPECT THE CITY HAD.

NONETHELESS, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE ISSUED A STATEMENT TODAY SAYING THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS, QUOTE, ANTICIPATED, AND THAT IT'S AN EVEN BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO SELL THE BEARS ON THE BENEFIT OF STAYING PUT.

>>> PAYING BILLS AND SAVING MONEY ARE TWO OF THE TOP CONCERNS FOR CHICAGOANS PARTICIPATING IN THE CITY'S GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO RESEARCH FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO'S INCLUSIVE ECONOMY LAB, WHICH IS PARTNERED WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO TO STUDY THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE $500 A MONTH PAYMENT TO 5000 CHICAGOANS.

ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT SHOWS 27% OF RESPONDENTS REPORTED POOR PHYSICAL HEALTH FOR THREE WEEKS OF THE LAST MONTH AT THE TIME OF THE SURVEY.

33% REPORTED POOR MENTAL HEALTH, WHICH REACHES HER SAY IS HIGHER THAN THE GENERAL ADULT POPULATION UNDER 250% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.

RESPONDENTS ALSO SAY PRIORITIES INCLUDE FINDING A NEW PLACE TO LIVE AND FINDING A NEW JOB.

RESEARCHERS SAY THIS REPORT IS INTENDED TO BE A FIRST LOOK AT THE PROGRAM TO HELP STAKEHOLDERS BETTER UNDERSTAND THE NEED.

THE PROGRAM BEGAN IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR.

>>> HOLLYWOOD LEGEND RACQUEL WELCH HAS DIED.

WELCH WAS BORN RIGHT HERE IN CHICAGO IN 1930.

SHE MOVED WITH HER FAMILY TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AT THE AGE OF TWO BEFORE EVENTUALLY LAUNCHING A PROLIFIC MOVIE CAREER THAT INCLUDED CLASSIC FILMS LIKE FANTASTIC VOYAGE AND 1 MILLION YEARS, BC.

WELCH WAS ALSO INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED AS A SEX SYMBOL AND HAD A SUCCESSFUL CAREER AS AN OBJECT INTERPRET WELCH WAS 87 YEARS OLD.

>>> COMING UP IN THE PROGRAM, OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WITH THE LATEST IN THE RACE FOR CHICAGO MAYOR >> THAT'S RIGHT, BUT FIRST COMING UP, PRITZKER DELIMITS HIS BUDGET ADDRESS.

BREAKS IT DOWN RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND DON NICHOLS.

THE GYM AND CAME MAY BE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> ILLINOIS IS SET TO INVEST MORE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION IF GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER GETS HIS WAY.

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR OUTLINED HIS NEW BUDGET IN HIS MAJOR ANNUAL STATE OF THE STATE TODAY.

FOR SOME, THE PLAN DOESN'T DO ENOUGH.

OTHERS SAY IT'S BEEN TOO MUCH.

AMANDA VINDICATE JOINS US NOW FROM THE STATE CAPITAL.

AMANDA, GIVE US THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS BUDGET.

>> Reporter: PEREZ, GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER IS ACTUALLY IN A SOMEWHAT ENVIABLE POSITION.

SURE, ILLINOIS STILL HAS MONSTER PENSION DEBT AND THE COVERED GRANTS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARE TAPERING OFF, AND THEN, OF COURSE, YOU DO HAVE HIS OWN FORECASTERS PREDICTING AT LEAST A MILD RECESSION.

STILL, ILLINOIS IS ANTICIPATED TO GET ADDITIONAL REVENUE , WHICH MEANS PRITZKER'S GOT MONEY TO SPEND.

>> I'M CONFIDENT IN SAYING THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS STRONGER THAN IT HAS BEEN IN DECADES, AND WE'RE GETTING STRONGER EVERY DAY.

>> Reporter: NO LONGER IS THE SPENDING PLAN INCLUDE ELECTION-YEAR ONE-TIME TAX BREAKS LIKE A HOLIDAY ON THE GAS TAX AND INCOME TAX REBATES .

INSTEAD, FOR THIS NEXT YEAR, NEARLY $50 BILLION GENERAL FUND BUDGET PRITZKER IS PITCHING MORE INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION.

NOW, ESPECIALLY HIS NEW SIGNATURE PROGRAM THAT'S CALLED SMARTSTART, AND THAT IS A MULTIYEAR, MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH THAT INVESTS MORE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD , AND IN ITS FIRST YEAR, WOULD SEND 5000 MORE CHILDREN TO PRESCHOOL.

>> ENHANCING QUALITY EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION IS A WIN-WIN SOLUTION FOR RE-MOBILIZING PARENTS IN THE WORKFORCE, ENHANCING BRAIN DEVELOPMENT AND KINDERGARTEN READINESS, SAVING TAXPAYERS MONEY, AND INCREASING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY NOW AND IN THE DECADES AHEAD.

>> Reporter: STILL, THERE IS DISAPPOINTMENT ABOUT WHERE MONEY IS NOT GOING.

EMIGRANT RIGHTS GROUPS WANT MORE MONEY, AND ALSO GIVE THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION SAYING THAT AT LEAST 400 MILLION MORE DOLLARS SHOULD BE GOING TO K-12 SCHOOLS , INCLUDING TO CPS.

NOW, ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE, YOU HAVE REPUBLICANS SAYING THAT PRITZKER IS PROPOSING TO SPEND TOO MUCH WITHOUT MAKING ANY STRUCTURAL CHANGES LIKE THOSE THAT WOULD EASE PROPERTY TAXES.

>> I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE ARE SOME THINGS IN THERE THAT WE WOULD BE COMMITTING LONG-TERM SPENDING TO THAT WE MAY NOT HAVE THE REVENUE IN THE FUTURE TO FUND.

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR REALLY PUT ON AN OVERLY ROSY DEMONSTRATION OF ILLINOIS.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE SEEING RESIDENTS LEAVE THE STATE.

WE'RE SEEING BUSINESSES, BECAUSE OF HIGH TAXES, CHOOSE TO LOCATE ELSEWHERE.

>> I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO REALLY FIND OURSELVES WITH CONCERNS THAT WE'RE SPENDING MORE THAN WE'RE BRINGING IN, AND I'M CONCERNED WE'RE GOING TO FIND OURSELVES SPRINGING OURSELVES INTO ANOTHER TAX INJURY.

>> Reporter: PRITZKER IS NOT TOO WORRIED ABOUT THOSE CRITIQUES.

DEMOCRATS HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH VOTES IN THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS A BUDGET WITHOUT ANY GOP SUPPORT, AND TO WHIT, GOVERNOR PRITZKER WRAPPED UP HIS SPEECH, CALLING OUT WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A AVIRULENT TRAIN OF NATIONALISM PLAGUING OUR NATION.

>> IS AN IDEOLOGICAL BATTLE BY THE RIGHT-WING HIDING BEHIND A CLAIM THAT THEY WOULD PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.

BUT WHO IS REAL INTENTION IS TO MARGINALIZE PEOPLE AND IDEAS THEY DON'T LIKE.

>> Reporter: AS FOR THE BUDGET, PRITZKER'S PITCH IS JUST THAT, A PITCH, AND THERE'S A WHOLE LOT MORE TO IT, SO BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR THOSE DETAILS.

PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> YOU HAVE NEARLY EVERY CANDIDATE FOR CHICAGO MAYOR SAYING THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO SPRINGFIELD AND ASK FOR MORE FUNDING FROM THE STATE FOR CPS.

NEVER AN EASY THING TO DO, BUT WE'RE GOING TO TALK MORE ABOUT THIS IN SPOTLIGHT.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS FOR A LOOK AT WHY SOME RESIDENTS ARE DEMANDING A FREESTANDING LIBRARY IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

BRANDIS?

>> RIGHT, PARIS.

THERE IS A FIGHT BREWING OVER A NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY IN THE BACK OF NEWARK NEIGHBORHOOD.

FROM NEIGHBORS ARE PUSHING BACK ON A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD INCORPORATE THE LIBRARY INTO A PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECTS.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ TELLS MORE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS WHERE THE ONLY LIBRARY IN THE BACK OF THE YARDS NEIGHBORHOOD IS LOCATED .

FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS, THE LOCAL LIBRARY HAS ISSUED A SPACE WITH THE BACK OF THE YARDS COLLEGE PREP ACADEMY GOOD >> I WAS A YOUTH MYSELF GROWING UP IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

ACCESSIBILITY WAS A REALLY BIG THING FOR ME, TOO, BECAUSE THERE WAS THAT GAP BETWEEN, LIKE, 2011, 2013, WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, THERE WASN'T A LIBRARY IN THE COMMUNITY .

>> Reporter: JORGE IS ONE OF MULTIPLE RESIDENTS WHOSE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR A FREESTANDING LIBRARY.

OVER THE YEARS, LOCALS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERNS OVER THE LACK OF ACCESS THEY HAVE TO THE CURRENT BRANCH.

SOME RESIDENTS SAY THE LOCATION AND LACK OF AMENITIES, SUCH AS PARKING, HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE ELDERLY TO USE.

OTHERS STUDENTS ARE RESTRICTED FROM USING THE LIBRARY DURING SCHOOL HOURS.

THERE >> Reporter: CONSUELA MARTINEZ, ALONG WITH OTHER PARENTS FIGHTING FOR A LIBRARY.

SECURED $50 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING TO HELP BUILD AN INDEPENDENT LIBRARY.

TWO YEARS LATER, CITY OFFICIALS HAVEN'T FINALIZED A LOCATION.

>> AND NOW, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CITIES THROWING UP THE BALL ON THIS PAST SUMMER, THEY SAID THEY'RE THINKING OF HAVING A POLL LOCATION.

SO ONCE AGAIN, THEY WANT US TO SHARE SPACE.

>> Reporter: JEANETTE TALKING ABOUT HER NEW DEVELOPMENT COMING TO 46 IN ASHLAND .

THE PROJECT IS SET TO BRING AFFORDABLE HOUSING , A PERFORMING ARTS THEATER, AND THE NEW HEADQUARTERS FOR THE BACK OF THE YARDS NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL.

THE ORGANIZATION MIGHT BE PRESIDENT/CO-SHARING THE SPACE WILL ONLY BENEFIT THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> SOME PEOPLE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE STREET WON'T TRAVEL MUCH FURTHER BEYOND THE NORTH SIDE OF THE STREET TO GET TO THE LIBRARY.

UNFORTUNATELY, AND I HATE TO SAY IT, BECAUSE I'M TALKING ABOUT MY OWN COMMUNITY.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY SAFE.

THE STATE IS THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN.

>> Reporter: CHICO SAYS HIS OWN PROPOSAL IS A CENTRAL LOCATION FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND LATINO POPULATIONS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> THIS IS A WALKWAY, SO ALL FOUR SIDES OF THIS LIBRARY, THEY CAN DEFINE IT ANYWAY THEY WANT IT ENTRY, AND EGRESS.

AND HE WAS THAT THEY WANT.

ASHLAND EXPOSER.

THIS IS THEIR OWN PRIVATE DECK .

SO THERE'S GOING TO BE ALL THIS SPACE.

RIGHT NOW, IT'S ABOUT DOUBLE THIS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: CHICO'S PROPOSAL DOES NOT ADDRESS CONCERNS THEY HAVE REGARDING PARKING, SECURITY , AND THE LIBRARY SPACE REQUIREMENTS.

>> SO FAR, HE HAS ONLY GIVEN US A PLAN THAT SHOWS A SPACE OF UNDER 10,000 FEET, AND THE CITY PROMISED US THEY WE WERE GOING TO GET 60,000 SQUARE FEET.

>> Reporter: THERE'S BEEN COMMUNITY MEETINGS SURROUNDING THE NEW LIBRARY.

CHICO SAID, FINANCIALLY, THE PROPOSED LOCATION WILL BRING THE LIBRARY FASTER TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> THE LAST FEW LIBRARIES BUILT IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAS BEEN BILLED AS PART OF MIXED USED IT DEVELOP, AND THEY'VE BEEN THRIVING.

>> Reporter: WHY THE COMMUNITY CAN HAVE BOTH, ABLE TO USE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPER, AND EXTENDING LOCAL LIBRARY.

>> WHEN PEOPLE ARE COMING TO YOU WITH SOLUTIONS, WHY IS IT SO HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THESE ARE REAL CONCERNS?

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO BELIEVE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO SAFEGUARD THE NEUTRALITY OF A STANDALONE LIBRARY ?

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> AND WE REACHED OUT TO PATRICK MALLOY, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY.

IN A STATEMENT, HE SAYS THE CITY HOSTED A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS THAT PRODUCE MORE THAN 300 RESPONSES WITH IDEAS.

HE DID NOT SAY WHEN THE COMMUNITY CAN EXPECT A FINALIZED PLAN ON THE LIBRARY'S LOCATION.

PARIS.

>>> BRANDIS, A RECENT WATCHDOG REPORTS FIND CITY OFFICIALS COULD AND SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED A BOTCHED SMOKESTACK IMPLOSION IN THE LITTLE VILLAGE.

IT'S REKINDLING COMPENSATIONS ABOUT THE ROLE OF INDUSTRY IN CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS, AND WHERE ACCOUNTABILITY LIES WHEN VIOLATIONS LIKE THIS HAPPEN.

AND JOINING US, OUR HOWARD WERNICK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY CENTER.

KIM WASSERMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LITTLE VILLAGE ENVIRONMENTAL DRUGS THIS ORGANIZATION.

AND WE ALSO INVITED THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BUT THE ISSUE A STATEMENT TO US INSTEAD CALLED THE IMPLOSION, QUOTE, AN UNACCEPTABLE VENT, AND WENT ON TO SAY CONTRACTOR NEGLIGENCE AND FAILURES LED TO THE DUST CLOUD THAT CREATED FEAR AND TRAUMA IN LITTLE VILLAGE.

THIS ADMINISTRATION TOOK SWIFT PUBLIC ACTION TO HOLD THOSE RESPONSIBLE ACCOUNTABLE.

SINCE THAT TIME, THE CITY HAS SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCED EFFORTS TO PROTECT COMMUNITY FROM ENVIRONMENTAL HARM , AND YOU CAN READ THERE FULL STATEMENT ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND WE DO THINK THE TWO OF YOU FOR BEING HERE.

HOWARD LEARNER, WHEN HE FOUND THE REPORT ABOUT THE REPORT, BECAUSE THIS REPORT IS UNDER WRAPS, BUT WE DID GET AN ADVANCE COPY OF IT, WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION?

>> THIS IS A COMMUNITY TRAGEDY THAT COULD'VE BEEN AVOIDED.

AND WHAT THE REPORT SAYS IS CITY OFFICIALS DIDN'T DO WHAT THEY SHOULD'VE DONE.

THE PERMITTING PROCESS DIDN'T WORK WHITE.

THE RESULT OF THAT WAS COMMUNITY RESIDENTS HAD CLOUDS OF DUST AND SUCH.

THEY WEREN'T GIVEN PROPER NOTICE.

HEALTH IMPACTS OCCURRED.

THE CONTRACTORS APPARENTLY DIDN'T DO WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO.

THEY WERE FINED.

THEY PAID HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN FINES.

THE RIGHT PEOPLE NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE HERE WHO DIDN'T DO THEIR JOBS RIGHT.

>> THE FOLKS IN THE CITY.

>> IN THE CITY, AND THE CONTRACTORS.

AND MOST IMPORTANT, WE CAN'T RUN THE WAY BACK MACHINE AND UNDO WHAT HAPPENED, BUT WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT REALLY WHAT HAPPENED.

THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW.

THAT SHOULD BE TRANSPARENT.

AND THE LESSONS LEARNED, THINGS SHOULD BE FIXED WITHIN THE SYSTEM SO THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN IN LITTLE VILLAGE OR ANY OTHER PLACE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> KIM WASSERMAN, TAKE US BACK TO THAT DAY.

WHAT WAS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE FOR THE RESIDENTS, AND WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS IN LITTLE VILLAGE TO THIS DAY?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION, AND I CAN SAY THAT THIS REPORT DEFINITELY HAS TAKEN MANY OF US BACK TO THAT DAY, UNFORTUNATELY, AND IT'S A REMINDER OF EXACTLY WHAT WE DO, WHICH IS THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT BUILT TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS.

AND WHAT WAS MORE IMPORTANT WAS THIS COMPANY BEING ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD AND MOVE THE PROJECTS FORWARD THAN THE PROTECTION OF OUR HEALTH AS A COMMUNITY.

I'M CURRENTLY SITTING , FINISHING UP A COMMUNITY MEETING HERE IN OUR OFFICES TODAY IN WHICH FOLKS ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW THIS IS RE-TRAUMATIZING FOR THEM, HOW IT'S A REMINDER OF ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM IN CHICAGO STILL BEING VERY REAL , AND STILL, AND OUR COMMUNITIES , COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, COMMUNITIES STILL BEING SACRIFICED .

NOT JUST FOR SYSTEMS THAT DON'T WORK, BUT FOR STAFFERS THAT ARE CHOOSING TO NOT DO THEIR JOBS PROPERLY.

>> HOWARD LEARNER, YOU DIMENSION NO REAL REPERCUSSIONS AT THE CITY LEVEL .

FROM A LEGAL STANDPOINT, IS THERE MORE THAT CAN AND SHOULD BE DONE TO HOLD THESE FOLKS ACCOUNTABLE?

>> YOU KNOW, WELL YOU'VE REPORTED ON THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, IT HASN'T BEEN RELEASED.

AND IT SHOULD BE RELEASED.

THE PUBLIC MIGHT BE ENTITLED TO THAT SORT OF TRANSPARENCY.

WE OUGHT TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED, WHO DID WHAT, WHO'S RESPONSIBLE , AND GET THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM THIS SO THE SYSTEM GETS FIXED.

YOU KNOW, MORE IMPORTANTLY THAN WHATEVER ACTIONS ARE TAKEN AT SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS IS MAKING SURE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN .

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAS DEMOLITION THAT OCCUR, YOU KNOW, EVERY YEAR.

IT HAPPENS IN A LOT OF COMMUNITIES .

LITTLE VILLAGE AND ELSEWHERE.

AND THIS SYSTEM BROKE DOWN.

THAT'S PRETTY CLEAR FROM THE REPORT, AS YOU'VE BEEN REPORTING IT.

AND THAT'S GOT TO GET FIXED.

THAT MEANS EVERYBODY NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED , AND THEN WHAT ARE THE STEPS THAT ARE BEING TAKEN TO FIX IT SO WE DON'T GET INTO THAT AGAIN.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND MAKE IT FIXED , IMPROVEMENT FOR THE FUTURE.

SO THAT THE PUBLIC GETS THE SORT OF PROTECTIONS THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD GET , ESPECIALLY IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES.

>> AND KIM WASSERMAN, THIS IS BEEN A FIGHT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION, YOUR COMMUNITY FOR A LONG TIME, BECAUSE OF ALL THE INDUSTRY AROUND THERE, AND LET'S REMIND OUR VIEWERS THAT WAS IMPLODED TO MAKE WAY FOR A GIANT TRUCKING WAREHOUSE FACILITY.

SO TELL US WHAT'S THERE NOW, AND ARE THINGS BETTER IN THE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTALLY AS A RESULT?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, NO.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE HOUSING ONE OF THE LARGEST WAREHOUSES IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO, WITH HUNDREDS OF TRUCKS FOR THE WAREHOUSE COMING IN AND OUT.

AND SO WE HAVE LITERALLY REPLACED THE COAL BURNING EMISSIONS, THE COAL BURNING POWER PLANT EMISSIONS WITH EQUAL TRUCK OMISSIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND STILL NO ANSWERS ON WHAT WAS IN THE DUST PLUME.

NO ANSWERS ON WHAT WAS LEFT RESIDUAL HE IN OUR SOIL.

NO KIND OF CONVERSATION ON PETS AND OUR CLEANUP IN OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE THE IMPLOSION, AND I THINK IT'S A DIRECT -- IT SHOWS YOU, TO OUR OPINION, THAT THE SYSTEM, WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION, CANNOT BE FIXED.

BECAUSE WE'RE STILL BEING SACRIFICED UNDER THE NAME OF INDUSTRIAL PROFIT.

WE'RE STILL LOOKED AT AS A SACRIFICE.

OUR PEOPLE ARE STILL EXPENDABLE TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO, AND WE'RE CONCERNED THAT THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND OUR MAYOR ARE SAYING, BUT, OH, BUT THINGS HAVE BEEN FIXED.

HOW HAVE THEY BEEN FIXED?

WHAT ROLE HAS OUR COMMUNITY PLAYED IN THIS BEING FIXED?

HOW CAN WE ENSURE THAT REPLACING SNAPPERS WITH DIFFERENT SNAPPERS, THE SAME THING ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN?

SO I APPRECIATE HOWARD USING THE TERM ACCOUNTABILITY, AND ALSO ANOTHER ONE, TRANSPARENCY.

THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS TALKED A LOT ABOUT THAT.

BUT THAT HAS VERY LITTLE DONE TO SHOW THAT THINGS CAN ACTUALLY HAPPEN , AND I'LL MAKE THE CONNECTION TO, THIS ISN'T JUST A QUESTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM AND FOLKS BEING LEFT OUT.

IF YOU LOOK AT OUR SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLS BEING SHUT DOWN, YOU CAN LOOK AT MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS AND THOSE BEING SHUT DOWN.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THE POLICING BUDGET.

TIME AND TIME AGAIN, WE ARE SEEING THIS ADMINISTRATION CLAIM ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY, BUT TURNING A BLIND EYE TO THIS VERY CLEAR DEMAND OF WHAT THE RESIDENTS OF CHICAGO WANT, WHICH IS TRUE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY.

AND SO THE FIGHT CONTINUES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS AN ONGOING DISCUSSION WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE.

HOWARD LEARNER, KIM WASSERMAN.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>>> AND UP NEXT, OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM AND THE LATEST CANDIDATE FOR CHICAGO MAYOR TO BE HIT WITH A TASK.

>>> BUT FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AGO BEFORE ELECTION DAY IN THE RACE FOR MAYOR IS GETTING POINTS IN.

THAT AND MUCH MORE IN TONIGHT SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

JOINING US IS THE SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

OF COURSE, PARIS SCHUTZ, HEATHER, AND AMANDA.

AMANDA IS JOINING US FROM SPRINGFIELD.

GUYS, LESS THAN TWO WEEKS.

>> I THINK SO.

>> OKAY.

>> IT FEELS LIKE A LOT MORE THAN THAT.

>> FIRST TONIGHT AS EARLY VOTING OPENS THE CITYWIDE, THE MAYORAL CANDIDATES GO AFTER BRANDON JOHNSON.

TAKE A LOOK AT THEIR FINAL DEBATE.

>> I'M AWARE OF ALL THE ENDORSEMENTS OF BRANDON JOHNSON , AND I CAN ONLY THINK THAT SHE AGREES WITH HIM THAT ALMOST $1 BILLION IN NEW TAXES, ON TOP OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY WHO , WORKING PEOPLE, NOT JUST TAXING THE RICH.

>> WELL, BRANDON JOHNSON ACT LIKE HE'S THE ONLY BLACK PERSON ON THE STAGE.

HE SHOULD AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.

BLACK PEOPLE NEED TO GET THESE CONTRACTS.

>> RIGHT, CANDIDATE JAMAAL GREEN THERE.

HEATHER JOHNSON SAYS THE OTHER CANDIDATES ARE KICKING HIM BECAUSE HE'S OUT FRONT.

>> WELL, THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT THIS REPRESENTS A SHIFT IN STRATEGY BY LORI LIGHTFOOT.

AS LATE AS LATE JANUARY, SHE WAS TELLING GROUPS OF PEOPLE THAT BRANDON JOHNSON WAS NOT GOING TO BE CHICAGO'S NEXT MAYOR.

IF YOU ARE NOT WORRIED ABOUT BRANDON JOHNSON, YOU DO NOT ATTACK HIM THE WAY THAT SHE HAS.

SO HE HAS CLEARLY AND STEADILY RISEN IN THE POLLS, AND THE QUESTION IS, CAN HE PEEK AT THE RIGHT TIME AND GET INTO WHAT WE ALL ASSUME WILL BE A RUNOFF?

AND IF HE DOES MAKE IT INTO THE RUNOFF, WHO IS HE RUNNING AGAINST?

HE HAS WHAT SEEMS TO BE A BIT OF MOMENTUM RIGHT NOW ALONG WITH PAUL VALLAS, WHO'S REALLY STARTING TO CONSOLIDATE THOSE CONSERVATIVE VOTERS.

THAT COULD KNOCK LORI LIGHTFOOT AND CHUY GARCIA, IF IT IS CHUY GARCIA, OUT OF THE RUNOFF.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MONEY AND DARK MONEY IN THE RACE BEING SPENT ON BEHALF OF MAYOR LIGHTFOOT, BRANDON JOHNSON, AND PAUL VALLAS.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BEING SPENT FROM DONORS WHO ARE ANONYMOUS.

LEGAL, BUT SHOULD IT CONCERN VOTERS?

>> PROBABLY, AND THESE ARE THE INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE GROUPS THAT ARE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY IN NATIONAL RACES AND GLOBAL RACES, AS YOU MENTIONED, SUPPORTING LIGHTFOOT, ONE SUPPORTING VALLAS, ONE SUPPORTING GARCIA.

IN THE CASE OF LIGHTFOOT, THEY ARE ACTUALLY MAKING THOSE DONORS KNOWN, AND AS HEATHER REPORTED THE OTHER DAY, ONE OF THOSE DONORS GOT A PRETTY LUCRATIVE DEAL.

SO THE REASON THAT INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE GROUPS ARE LIKE THIS IS TO SKIRT THESE ROLES WERE FOLKS DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY, THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE DONATING TO THOSE POLITICIANS.

THIS IS A WAY TO GET AROUND THAT.

THESE GROUPS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO COORDINATE WITH THE CAMPAIGNS, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THEIR MESSAGING, IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO THE CAMPAIGN THAT THEY'RE SUPPORTING.

>> FULL WATCHDOG REPORT, WHICH WE KNOW MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT HAS TRIED TO SQUASH, WAS LEAKED ABOUT THE SMOKESTACK IMPLOSION.

HEATHER, IS THIS GOING TO BE OUR FEBRUARY SURPRISE, SO TO SPEAK, IN THE MAYOR'S RACE, OR MAYBE IT IS VALLAS'S RESIDENCY CONTROVERSY?

OH, SORRY, YOU BROKE THIS LEAD.

>> WITH PARENTS, WITH PARENTS.

THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION, AND IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO RESONATE WITH VOTERS AND HOW THAT'S GOING TO SHAPE THOSE DECISIONS THAT THEY'RE MAKING.

WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW IS THAT WE ARE SEEING, REALLY, A LOT OF EARLY VOTING, A LOT OF VOTING BY MAIL.

IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHEN PEOPLE ARE MAKING THE DECISIONS, SORT OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT THEY'RE BASING IT ON.

BUT THIS HELICAL REPORT WAS COMPLETED 500 DAYS AGO.

THE MAYORS REFUSED TO RELEASE IT, AND NOW WE REALLY KNOW WHY, BECAUSE IT DOES NOT PAINT A VERY FLATTERING PICTURE AT ALL OF HOW HER ADMINISTRATION HANDLED THIS DEMOLITION, AND, AND SORT OF WHY THEY ALLOWED IT TO GO FORWARD.

>> AND YOU JUST WONDER, IF THEY WOULD JUST RELEASE THE FULL REPORT A YEAR AGO, PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE TALKING ABOUT IT IN THE CAMPAIGN RIGHT NOW.

>> YES.

UNANIMOUSLY, COUNCILMEMBERS DEMANDED THAT THE MAYOR RELEASE IT BACK IN JULY.

IF SHE HAD RELEASED IT BACK IN JULY SORT OF USING THAT AS COVER, WE WOULDN'T BE TALKING ABOUT IT TODAY ON FEBRUARY 15th.

I BELIEVE IT IS FEBRUARY 15th.

YEAH.

>> LET'S GET TO SPRINGFIELD.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER GAVE HIS COMBINE STATE OF THE STATE AND BUDGET ADDRESS TODAY.

TAKE A LOOK AT HIS FOCUS ON EARLY EDUCATION.

>> THE RESEARCH IS CLEAR.

SMART START WILL SAVE TAXPAYERS SEVEN DOLLARS FOR EVERY ONE DOLLAR IN , AND WILL VAULT ILLINOIS TO NATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT.

>> SO, AMANDA, WE KNOW THAT EARLY EDUCATION HAS BEEN ONE OF J.B. PRITZKER'S TOP ISSUES, TOP PRIORITY, EVEN BEFORE HE RAN FOR THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, BUT VAULTING THE STATE TO NATIONAL LEADERSHIP, IS THIS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, CAMPAIGN PROMISES, OR SOMETHING NATIONAL, LIKE PRESIDENTIAL, PERHAPS?

>> SURE.

I MEAN, I THINK THEY CAN BOTH BE TRUE AT THE SAME TIME.

CERTAINLY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT, BY THE WAY, PRITZKER ISN'T ALONE IN WANTING TO DO.

YOU HAVE HAD A LOT OF ATTENTION TOWARDS THIS FROM ILLINOIS ADVOCATES.

IN FACT, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS PROMISED A WHILE AGO, BACK WHEN, REMEMBER, OH, WAIT, THE GOVERNOR SIGNED A LAW THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BRING PRESCHOOL FOR ALL IN ILLINOIS.

THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT'S WIDELY RECOGNIZED FOR RESEARCH IS PAYING DIVIDENDS DOWN THE LINE.

BY THE WAY, THOUGH, THERE ARE A LOT OF PROGRAMS THAT DO JUST THAT , WILL PAY MONEY IF YOU CAN INVEST IN THEM, AND THE QUESTION IS, WHERE DOES THAT MONEY COME FROM, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT EVEN THE GOP HAS SIGNALED COMMON GROUND.

>> OKAY.

PARIS, WE GOT ABOUT 15 SECONDS.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS THERE ARE SURPLUSES .

HOW'S ILLINOIS DOING OVERALL IN UNDERFUNDED PENSION PLAN?

>> WELL, THE PENSION CRISIS IS STILL THERE.

I THINK I SAW THE GOVERNOR'S OWN STATISTICS SAY THE COMBINED COLLECTIVE PENSION WENT FROM 43% TO 44%, SO THEY'RE 1% MORE FUNDED NOW, WHICH IS A PRETTY BIG DEAL, CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THEY WERE GETTING LESS AND LESS AND LESS BUT >> SOMETHING THE REPUBLICANS WILL STILL USE.

THAT IS SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

PARIS SCHUTZ, AMANDA, AND HEATHER.

THANKS.

>>> AND AS WE MENTIONED, THE CHICAGO MUNICIPAL ELECTION IS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY, FOLKS, SO DON'T FORGET TO VISIT HOWARD VOTER GUIDE, WHICH OFFERS CANDIDATE PROFILES AND RESPONSES TO LOCALIZE CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRES, AND, OF COURSE, LINKS TO OUR ONGOING POLITICAL COVERAGE.

ATTILA NEWS.WTTW.COM/VOTER GUIDE.

AND WE'RE ASKED TO WRAP THINGS UP.

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

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 10:00.

SOME EVANSTON RESIDENTS SAY THEY STILL OPPOSE THE NEW NORTHWESTERN FOOTBALL IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

>>> AND WHICH GUNS ARE COVERED BY ILLINOIS ASSAULT WEAPONS LAW.

OUR AMENDED TAKES A DEEP DIVE INTO THE CONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATION.

>>> NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT 1035, AND BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE, AND WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.