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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

CITY LAWYERS APPEAL A JUDGE'S DECISION TO PREVENT VOTERS FROM WEIGHING IN ON A PROPOSE A PROPOSAL AIMED AT ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS.

THE CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION MOVES TO REMOVE POLICE OFFICERS FROM PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS.

AND A FEDERAL NUTRITION PROGRAM IS FACING A BUDGET SHORTFALL THAT COULD MEAN FOR MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN.

>> AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, CHICAGO TAXPAYERS SPENT 74 MILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR TO RESOLVE POLICE MISCONDUCT LAWSUIT WTW NEWS ANALYSIS FOUND THAT'S MUCH LESS THAN THE AVERAGE TOTALS OF THE 2 YEARS PRIOR.

BUT ON PAR WITH THE AVERAGE FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS, WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS HAVE LONG BEEN THE MOST EXPENSIVE KIND OF POLICE MISCONDUCT IN THE CITY.

BUT THE 120 SETTLEMENTS AND VERDICTS IN 2023 INCLUDED VARIOUS FORMS OF POLICE MISCONDUCT LIKE FALSE ARREST, EXCESSIVE FORCE AND ILLEGAL SEARCH OR MEANWHILE, A COOK COUNTY JUDGE HAS ALLOWED CHICAGO POLICE FOR PROCEEDINGS TO RESUME AS THE SYSTEM USED TO DISCIPLINE POLICE OFFICERS REMAINS IN CONTENTION FOR MORE.

BOTH OF THESE STORIES, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL KWAME RAOUL IS JOINING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN PUSHING BACK ON A PLAN THAT COULD AFFECT THE COST OF YOUR GROCERIES.

THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION IS SUING TO BLOCK A 25 BILLION DOLLAR DEAL BETWEEN KROGER WHICH OWNS MARIANO'S AND FOOD FOR LESS FROM MERGING WITH FELLOW SUPERMARKET COMPANY.

ALBERTSONS.

THE AGENCIES ARE CONCERNED THAT THE COMBINATION OF THE 4TH 10TH LARGEST RETAILERS IN THE COUNTRY WOULD ELIMINATE COMPETITION IN THE GROCERY INDUSTRY AND DRIVE COSTS HIGHER AT A TIME WHEN CONSUMERS ARE ALREADY SPENDING.

26% MORE ON GROCERIES SINCE 2020, THE 2 COMPANIES WHICH EMPLOY MOSTLY UNION WORKERS HAVE SAID THE MERGER WOULD MAKE THEM MORE COMPETITIVE AGAINST NONUNION COMPANIES LIKE COSTCO AND WALMART.

ONE OF CHICAGO'S TALLEST BUILDINGS WILL BE GETTING A MAKEOVER.

JP MORGAN CHASE SAYS IT'S GOT A TALL ORDER FOR ITS 850 FOOT.

60 STORY SKYSCRAPER.

CHASE SAYS THE NEW PLANS INCLUDE REFURBISHED WORK FLOORS WITH UPDATED TECHNOLOGY FOR THE 7200 EMPLOYEES WHO WORK THERE.

PLUS A LARGE AND MODERN FOOD HALL AND AN IMPROVED OUTDOOR PLAZA.

THE COMPANY SAYS THE PROJECT WILL CREATE NEARLY 1000 LOCAL CONSTRUCTION JOBS, TRIGGERING MILLIONS IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR THE CITY COUNTY AND STATE.

AND THIS WEEK'S WEATHER CALLS FOR SUNGLASSES, MAYBE SOME SHORTS FOR THOSE BRAVE CHICAGOANS.

BUT IT WILL ALSO CALL FOR MAYBE UMBRELLA BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS TODAY'S HIGH REACHED 71 DEGREES AND YOU CAN EXPECT A HIGH IN THE 70'S TOMORROW, TOO.

BUT THEN A POWERHOUSE COLD FRONT IS EXPECTED TO SWOOP IN FROM THE NORTH ON TUESDAY NIGHT DROPPING TONS INTO THE 20'S AND 30'S ALONG WITH A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS, HAIL AND MAYBE EVEN TORNADOES.

IT WILL BE SHORT.

BUT THEN WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, SEASONABLY COOL.

BUT STAY WITH ME NOW BECAUSE TEMPS REBOUND BACK INTO THE 60'S THIS WEEKEND.

HANG IN THERE, FOLKS.

UP NEXT, THE FATE OF THE BRING CHICAGO HOME BALLOT MEASURE SHARON HAS THE LATEST RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART WHY THE ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS FAMILY.

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> A BALLOT MEASURE INTENDED TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS IS THROWN INTO QUESTION.

LAWYERS FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO TODAY ARE APPEALING A COOK COUNTY JUDGE'S DECISION LAST WEEK TO STRIKE THE REFERENDUM FROM THE MARCH PRIMARY BALLOT.

THE MEASURE KNOWN AS BRING CHICAGO HOME WOULD GIVE THE CITY COUNCIL OF 40 TO HIKE TAXES ON THE SALES OF PROPERTIES WORTH A MILLION DOLLARS OR MORE.

WBTW NEWS IS HEADER.

SHARON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

HEATHER, BRING US UP TO DATE ON THIS COURT CHALLENGE.

WHY SHOULDN'T VOTERS GET TO DECIDE WHETHER TO VOTE ON THE PROPOSAL KNOWN AS BRING CHICAGO HOME?

WELL, THE LAWSUIT WAS BROUGHT BY CHICAGO'S BUSINESS AND REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY AND THEY DO NOT WANT VOTERS TO VOTE ON THIS.

THEY SAY IT IS INAPPROPRIATELY.

>> CRAFTED BECAUSE IT ASKED VOTERS TO WEIGH IN ON ESSENTIALLY 3 QUESTIONS SHOULD PROPERTIES THAT SELL FOR LESS THAN A MILLION DOLLARS PAY A LOWER REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX SHOULD PROPERTIES WORTH MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS PAY A HIGHER RATE AND THEN SHOULD PROPERTIES WORTH MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION DOLLARS PAY EVEN MORE.

THEY SAY STATE LAW SAYS YOU CAN ONLY ASK VOTERS ONE QUESTION AND THEN YOU HAVE TO TELL PEOPLE HOW THAT MONEY RAISED WILL BE USED.

THEY SAY THIS MEASURE HAS CRAFTED.

DOESN'T DO ANY OF THOSE THINGS.

AND APPARENTLY JUDGE KATHLEEN BURKE AGREED WITH THAT.

WELL, AND TO THAT POINT, HEATHER, DO WE KNOW WHY A JUDGE KATHLEEN BERGEN VALIDATED ABOUT QUESTION?

SO WE DON'T SHE ISSUED A WRITTEN ORDER THAT WAS RELEASED TO THE NEWS MEDIA TODAY.

THAT BASICALLY SAID I COVERED ALL OF THIS IN THE IN THE HEARING THAT TOOK PLACE FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

BUT REPORTERS IN THE COURTROOM SAY SHE DID NOT DETAIL WHY SHE WAS SIDING WITH THE REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT UNCLEAR WHY SHE MADE THE DECISIONS THAT SHE MADE, INCLUDING PREVENTING THE CITY OF CHICAGO FROM INTERVENING IN THIS LAWSUIT, WHICH WAS BROUGHT AGAINST THE CHICAGO BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS, THE AGENCY THAT ACTUALLY RUNS ELECTIONS IN CHICAGO.

O'KANE EARLY VOTING IS ALREADY HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

HEATHER, WHAT DOES THIS RULING MEAN FOR VOTERS?

SO VOTERS WILL STILL SEE THIS BALLOT QUESTION.

IT'S NUMBER ONE ON THE BALLOT AND THEY CAN VOTE ON THIS QUESTION.

HOWEVER, RIGHT NOW, THOSE ANSWERS ARE THOSE RESULTS WON'T BE TALLIED AND THEY WON'T BE REPORTED UNLESS THE CITY'S APPEAL, WHICH THEY TOOK THE FIRST STEP TOWARD DOING TODAY IS SUCCESSFUL.

SO WE WON'T KNOW FOR AT LEAST A COUPLE DAYS, PERHAPS EVEN WEEKS TO KNOW WHETHER THESE WERE SPOTS WILL BE COUNTED REPORTED AND WHETHER THEY WILL COUNT PROBABLY MAKES IT A LITTLE CONFUSING FOR VOTERS THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANKS FOR THIS.

AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

IT'S ALL AT W T TW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

>> UP NEXT, THE DEBATE OVER POLICE OFFICERS IN SCHOOLS.

STAY WITH US.

CHICAGO'S LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCILS HAVE BEEN GRAPPLING OVER WHETHER POLICE SHOULD BE IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL SINCE 2019.

THAT'S WHEN FORMER MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT PUT THAT DECISION IN THEIR HANDS.

NOW, THE CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION SAYS THE DEBATE IS OVER IN A UNANIMOUS BUT VOTE BOARD MEMBERS DECIDED TO ELIMINATE UNIFORMED POLICE OFFICERS FROM THE 39 PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS THAT STILL HAVE THEM.

WE'RE GOING HEAR FROM 2 VERY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON THIS.

STARTING FIRST WITH WESTSIDE ACTIVIST AND FORMER CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER DWAYNE TRUSS.

AND OF COURSE, WE'LL HEAR FROM ANOTHER GUEST ON THE SAME TOPIC IN JUST A FEW MINUTES TO INTEREST.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

THANK YOU HAPPENING SO YOU LIVE IN THE AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD.

5 CHILDREN.

2 NIECES HAVE ALL GRADUATED FROM CHICAGO.

PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS.

YOU HAVE GRANDCHILDREN IN CPS, HIGH SCHOOLS IT.

HAVE YOU WORRIED?

DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THEIR SAFETY?

>> YES, EVERY DAY.

A LITTLE LATE TONIGHT, WE PRAY FOR SAFETY OF DAY.

WE PRAY TO THE SAFETY FOR ALL OF OUR KIDS AND CHILDREN BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT WE UNDERSTAND ENVIRONMENT WHICH WE LIVE IN.

WE CHOSE TO LIVE IN AN ENVIRONMENT.

WE USED TO RUN A NEW PROGRAM FOR KIDS BECAUSE THE FACT THAT THERE WAS THAT BACK IN 2 AND WE DECIDED TO THE VILLAGE OF STEPPING >> DO YOU THINK THAT THE HIGH SCHOOLS IN YOUR WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SHOULD BE ABLE TO KEEP POLICE OFFICERS IN SCHOOLS IS NOT WHAT I THINK IS WHAT THE LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCILS BELIEVE.

THE BEST DAY BEST POSITION, WORK TOGETHER WITH ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS.

PRINCIPAL COMMUNITY STUDENTS, STAFF TEACHERS TO COME UP WITH THAT DECISION IS NOT ABOUT ME.

IT'S ABOUT THE LOCAL SCHOOL RIGHT HAVE TRYING TO STATE LAW.

>> YOUR ARGUMENT IS, OF COURSE, MORE ABOUT HAVING LEFT WITH THE LSU AS DID FORMER LORI LIGHTFOOT VERSUS WHAT THE CURRENT SCHOOL BOARD IS DOING.

NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS IN CHICAGO, SCHOOLS HAS DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN TWENTY-TWENTY CPS WAS PAYING THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

33 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR SORROWS THIS YEAR.

ONLY 10 MILLION DOLLARS IS BUDGETED FOR POLICE IN SCHOOLS.

BUT CRITICS SAY THAT'S 10 MILLION DOLLARS THAT COULD BE SPENT DIFFERENTLY ON TEACHERS AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS MAY BE SOCIAL WORKERS.

DO YOU THINK THAT THAT IS MONEY THAT SHOULD OTHERWISE BE DIVERTED TO SCHOOL RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY FOR YOU TO THE WHOLE SCHOOL DASHBOARD.

THOSE SCHOOLS WHO HAVE VOTED TO REMOVE ROLLS A SHIP MONEY INTO SECURITY OFFICES.

>> THOUGH SECURITY OFFICER COULD POSSIBLY BE COULD BE OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICERS.

I DON'T KNOW THE SPECIFICS, BUT A LOT SHIP THAT A SECURITY BECAUSE SECURITY IS STILL A CONCERN OF THOSE LOCAL SCHOOLS, WHICH PARTICULAR HIGH SCHOOLS IN MIND THAT THAT COME TO MIND WHERE THEY'RE STILL SECURITY OFFICER A LOOK AT THE PUPS TALK MY HEAD.

I WANT TO SAY WITH MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL MARSHAL VOTED TO MOVE SRO AND THEY SHIFTED THOSE FUNDS INTO FORCE SECURITY OFFICER BECAUSE SECURITY OBVIOUSLY STILL CERTAINLY MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL.

SO SOME OF IT PUT THE MONEY INTO CLIMATE CULTURE, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, SUPPORTS, BUT A LOT OF THEM HAVE BEEN BEST OF THOSE HAVE HAD TO BEEN.

YOU HAVE TO SECURITY THINK THAT THAT SORT OF HOLD A SCHOOL SAFETY APPROACH.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH, BUT THAT THAT THOSE SCHOOLS BELIEVE THAT THEY STILL A SECURITY OFFICER OF SOMETIME PRESENT ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS.

YES.

>> YES.

JUST THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE'VE HAD A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE FOR YOUNG MEN'S 4 BY, LIKE I SAY, OUR BABIES MURDERED JUST OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL.

I'M NOT HERE TO ARGUE WITH SARLES PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING.

BUT THAT HAS HAPPENED IN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE OUT THERE BECAUSE I KIDS, ESPECIALLY MICHELLE CLARK.

AND SINCE DON'T HAVE TO VOTE THAT 5 CHILDREN MURDERED OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL.

AND THAT IS A PROBLEM FOR THE KIDS THERE.

SO WE HAVE TO CREATE THIS SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

AND THE LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL SAID, YEAH, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE ALL THESE COMPONENTS HERE TO MAKE KIDS FEEL WHEN IT COMES SAFE WHEN THEY COME TO SCHOOL.

>> THERE'S SOME DATA THAT SHOWS COPS.

THE POLICE OFFICERS ARE CONCENTRATED IN MAJORITY BLACK SCHOOLS ON.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THE ARGUMENT THAT HAVING POLICE OFFICERS IN SCHOOL CONTRIBUTES TO THE OVER-POLICING OF BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS AND LEADS TO SORT OF CREATES A PIPELINE.

WELL, I WILL LET US BE REALISTIC.

IS THAT?

OVER THE SEA OF THE MURDERS WE HAD LAST YEAR.

CHICAGO.

OVER 90% OF THE PERPETRATORS WAS BLACK.

PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE YOU IS THAT BLACK ON BLACK CRIME IS REAL IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

PARENTS COME INTO SCHOOLS, ATTACK AND STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AND STAFF IS VERY REAL IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I'M NOT HERE TO DISPARAGE STEP, BUT JUST A REALITY.

SOME SCHOOLS HAVE IT.

WHERE PARIS?

ANYBODY COME SCHOOL HAVE TO HAVE THAT A RESERVATION ON THE APPOINTMENT BECAUSE PARENTS BECOMING A SAYING WHAT APPEARED TO DROP OFF SOMETHING AND IT'S LIKE, OK, WHERE IS HE WISHED SHE AND THEY START FIGHTS WITH STUDENTS AND THEN STUDENTS THAT WILL FIGHT STAFF AND THAT THERE'S A VIEW GET ASSAULTED.

YOU KNOW THAT YOU GET US ALL TO AND YOU WANT SWEAT TO REPORT A THAT'S A RIGHT.

AND SOMEBODY WOULD DO THAT.

THE QUESTION IS ALWAYS WHO IS CALLING THE POLICE ON THESE KIDS?

A COUPLE SECONDS LEFT.

WHAT?

WHAT'S NEXT?

WHAT WHAT RECOURSE DO YOU HAVE A DEEP CONTINUING TO OBJECT TO THIS?

>> WELL, I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE RIGHTS OF LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCILS.

BE SURE THEY HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD ON NOT JUST THIS MATTER, BUT ALL THAT IS.

>> BECAUSE WE CONTINUE DOWN THIS THE A LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL POTENTIALLY COULD BE COMPLETELY ROAD WAITRESS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THANK YOU FROM.

>> AND COMING UP, WE HEAR FROM A SUPPORTER OF THE SCHOOL BOARD'S DECISION.

THAT'S RIGHT AFTER THIS.

AND WE JUST HEARD FROM AN OPPONENT OF THE CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION'S PLAN TO REMOVE POLICE OFFICERS FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

JOINING US NOW WITH ANOTHER OPINION IS ASIA TATE, A SENIOR AT HYDE PARK ACADEMY AND STUDENT ACTIVIST WITH THE NONPROFIT GROUP STOP OR SOUTHSIDE TOGETHER, ORGANIZING FOR POWER ASIA.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SO WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS MOMENT TO REMOVE POLICE FROM SCHOOLS?

WELL, I FEEL LIKE POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN SCHOOL BECAUSE AS WE CAN SEE THAT THEY CAN'T DO NOTHING ACCORDING TO THE CODE OF CONDUCT.

THEY CAN THERE AND NOT DO ANYTHING WHERE THERE'S A FIGHT ON THIS.

THERE'S A MOB ACTION AGAIN.

FI.

>> OR THERE'S A REAL KIND THAT IS BEING COMMITTED.

SO I FEEL AS THOUGH THEY CAN'T DO NOTHING.

WHY SHOULD THEY BE GETTING PAID 100, $180,000 A YEAR JUST TO NOT TAKE SAYS LIKE THEY ARE.

THEY'RE JUST FOR THE IMAGE LIKE.

THEY ARE GETTING PAID TO DO IS BEAT IT TO SEEM LIKE THEY ARE PARTAKING AS WHEN THEY REALLY WHEN THEY REALLY OK, FEEL LIKE THEY'RE THEY'RE NOT REALLY DOING ANYTHING.

IT'S IT'S NOT SO MUCH IN THE END THAT YOU'D RATHER NOT SEE THEM GET PAID THAT MUCH.

>> IN YOUR OPINION THERE, THEY'RE NOT REALLY DOING MUCH.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE EVEN JUST THAT PRESENCE I GUESS HOW DO YOU AND HOW TO GET FELLOW STUDENTS FEEL ABOUT PRESENCE OF A POLICE OFFICER JUST BEING IN THE SCHOOL?

WELL, I FEEL AS THOUGH NOW A MAJORITY OF BLACK.

STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOL.

SO THIS TIME THAT WE'VE SEEN ON THE NEWS IN THE ARTICLE LIKE THE JEWISH QUESTION SHUN, I WE WE WOULD FEEL MORE THREATENED BY THE BY THEM.

IT FEEL LIKE THEY ARE THERE TO HELP US.

BECAUSE WHEN I SUPPOSE I WAS, I HE'S TRYING TO KILL ME OR I I'M GOING TO DEALERS GOT TO FEEL MORE THREATENED IS LIKE, OH, HE'S HERE TO HELP ME.

SO, YOU PROTECTED BY POLICE OFFICERS IN THE INTERVIEW THAT WE JUST HEARD WITH FORMER BOARD MEMBER DWAYNE TRUSS.

HE AND OTHERS ARE CRITICAL OF THE DECISION TO TAKE AWAY WHAT THEY FEEL LIKE A DECISION THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE BY YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THAT THEY KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR EACH INTO EACH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT LEFT TO THE LSE?

NO.

I FEEL LIKE DUDE IS IN PARIS TO HAVE THAT AND PUT IT ON AS WILL.

>> IS WHAT THEY THINK IS RIGHT FOR US BECAUSE WE ALSO COULD USE THAT MONEY TO.

FOR OUR RESOURCES FOR NEW PROGRAMS WEST, WE HAVE TO GO TO A DIFFERENT SCHOOL TO.

LEARN ABOUT COSMETOLOGY IN ALL THE OTHER PROGRAMS WHERE WE NEED IT.

I DON'T SEE YOUR OWN FAMILY BUT ALSO HAVE SIBLINGS BUT THE CALL SO HELP REPAIR THEIR FOR THEIR FUTURE.

YOU ATTEND HIGH PARK ACADEMY DO FEEL SAFE IN GENERAL.

NO, I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL.

EVEN WITH THE POLICE OFFICER SO I THOUGHT THE POLL IS MAKES NO DIFFERENCE.

BUT IF THEY WERE I FLY WITHIN THIS FAMILY IT TO.

PROGRAMS AND LIKE PEACE WE HIT PIECE ROOMS AT WILL FEEL MORE SAFER COMING TO THE PEACE ROSE TO TALK ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE CAN'T GO HOME AND TALK TO THEIR PARENTS.

PEOPLE RATHER GO THERE LIKE WE HAVE.

I HAVE MORGAN OPEN EYES.

ARE THERE THAT WORKS FOR STOP.

PRETTY SANTA.

A LOT OF PEOPLE GO THERE AND TALK TO HER ABOUT THEIR PUMP, EVEN I DO BECAUSE I CAN GO ANYBODY OWES.

SO SAID THAT WHEN WE GET IN TROUBLE INSTEAD OF PUTTING PUTTING LIKE POST-OP SHOWN ANYTHING LIKE WE SHOULD HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK TO HIM.

GO TO TO HELP US WHEN WE NEED.

AND YOU MENTIONED YOU DON'T REALLY FEEL SAFE AT YOUR SCHOOL.

WHAT?

WHAT?

WHY DON'T YOU FEEL SAFE?

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL UNSAFE?

WILL ESPECIALLY THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND I DON'T FEEL SAFE AROUND THERE BECAUSE IS HIGH PARK.

SO LIKE IN.

MOSTLY THE POST OFFICE OR I LIKE I SAID, I FEEL THREATENED BY THE POLICE OFFICER BECAUSE IS LIKE I KEEP GETTING THESE IMAGES IN MY HEAD ABOUT THE JOYOUS WENT THEM, HIT ABOUT SO IS LIKE I DO IS SCARE LIKE YOU LIKE HOW RIGHT THE OWNERS THIS HAD LIVE ON A POLICE OFFICER TOTALLY I'M NOT A COP.

SO CAN YOU DO A THE BOARD OF EDUCATION'S DECISION?

IT MUST FEEL LIKE, YOU KNOW, A SATISFYING VICTORY FOR YOU DOES.

GET YOU THINKING ABOUT MAYBE OCCUR.

ERIN ORGANIZING CELEBRATING WHAT THE BOARD HAS DECIDED.

I WAS ACTUALLY VERY HAPPY WHEN ASKED.

>> BECAUSE I'M LIKE, OH, MY GET THE PROGRAMS.

WE CAN GET THE MONEY WE GET INTO THIS BECAUSE SCHOOL IS BASICALLY LIKE LAKE WHEN THE POLL YOU THERE IS GIVING SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE HAS ACCORDING A CLOSE.

THERE'S A LOT OF RESEARCH ABOUT HOW THE SCHOOL CONNECTS TO THE PRISON PIPELINE CAUSE FLIGHT WHEN THE OFFICER THERE.

STUDENTS ARE MORE MOST LIKELY TO GO TO JAIL BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO START CALLING ON THE OFFICERS TO DO EVERYTHING LIKE BECAUSE SOME SCHOOLS WITH POLICE OFFICERS IN SCHOOL TEND TO HAVE HIGHER RATES OF ARRESTS OF OTHER STUDENTS.

AND IS THAT WHERE YOU'RE REFERRING TO IS?

AND I THAT LIKE.

EVEN IF IT'S NOT LIKE A SERIOUS CAUSE, GRUESOMELY FIND, THEY WOULD LOWS THAT WE GO TO THE POLLS.

I'VE SAID BEFORE GO TO A BUY, IT WAS PEOPLE WILL MAY BE SOMETHING THAT STAFF SHOULD BE HANDLING WERE ACTUALLY OUT TIME, ASIA.

BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THAT A TYPE OUR COUNTY SENIOR?

THANK YOU.

UP NEXT, A FEDERAL FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS FACING A BUDGET SHORTFALL.

A LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL IMPACT.

>> LOW-INCOME >> MOTHERS AND CHILDREN ELIGIBLE FOR A MAJOR FEDERAL FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM COULD BE TURNED AWAY OR WAITLISTED.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN OR WIC IS FACING A 1 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET SHORTFALL.

MORE THAN 160,000 WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN ILLINOIS ARE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM AND CONGRESS HAS UNTIL MARCH, WHICH BEGINS THIS FRIDAY TO SECURE FUNDING.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE OUR RUBY FERGUSON SENIOR DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AT THE GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY.

AND JOINING US BY ZOOM, STEPHANIE, BEST ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF FAMILY WELLNESS.

AND WITH WEED AT THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

THANKS TO YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

RUBY LAID OUT FOR US.

PLEASE WHAT IS AT STAKE FOR FAMILIES OF CONGRESS DOESN'T SECURE ENOUGH FOR THE WIC PROGRAM.

YEAH, I'M THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

AND I HAD THE HONOR OF WORKING IN PRIOR TO THIS ROLE.

>> AND WAS ABLE TO DIRECTLY SIR FAMILIES THAT BENEFITED FROM THE WIC PROGRAM.

>> OFFERS NOT ONLY SERVICES, BUT ALSO A VOUCHER REFERRAL SERVICES, OTHER MEADS.

AND THEN MOST IMPORTANTLY, LACTATION SUPPORT, WHICH CAN BE HARD FOR FAMILIES TO FINE.

>> REMIND YOU GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF A SENSE OF LIKE THE VARIETY OF SERVICES.

I THINK MOST FOLKS KIND OF ASSOCIATED WITH USES A FORMULA FOR BABIES.

BUT GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT ELSE FAMILIES CAN GET.

YEAH, SO IT'S NOT ON THE FORMULA FOR BABIES, BUT HELPING FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN UP 5 YEARS OF AGE, WHICH WE KNOW IS A CRITICAL TIME FOR DEVELOPMENT.

AND SO FAMILIES CAN HAVE THE CONTINUITY OF CARE AND WIC TO HAVE LONGER APPOINTMENTS HAVE A DEEP DIVE INTO NUTRITION.

EXPLORE HOW TO HELP PICKY TODDLERS, EAT NEW FOODS, OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> AND SO LOSING THIS BILLION DOLLARS ARE NOT HAVING THIS BILLION DOLLARS TO CONTINUE.

THAT PROGRAMMING CAN GREATLY IMPACT THE OUTCOMES OF OUR FUTURE GENERATION.

TO THAT POINT, STEPHANIE, BEST, WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE IF CONGRESS DOESN'T APPROVE THE FUNDING NECESSARY FOR WITH WHAT HAPPENS TO SERVICES?

>> WELL, ESSENTIALLY, IF THEY DON'T GET THE INCREASE FROM CONGRESS, IT'S SORT OF LIKE GETTING A CUT BECAUSE OUR CASELOAD HAS GROWN FOOD COSTS ARE UP.

STAFF COSTS ARE UP OVER TIME.

AND SO ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL CUTS WOULD REALLY WAS TALKING ABOUT THE FOOD BENEFIT.

CURRENTLY WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE CHILD UNDER AGE 5 WITH $25 PER MONTH TO PURCHASE FRESH FROZEN OR CANNED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

AND IF THAT MONEY DOES NOT COME THROUGH, ARE LOOKING TO RETURN THAT BACK DOWN TO THE REGULATORY LANGUAGE OF $9 PER MONTH, WHICH IS A HUGE SHIFT IN A REAL DOZENS OF FAMILIES ARE REALLY COULD USE THAT THOSE THAT PRODUCE IN THEIR HOME, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING WHAT WE JUST MENTIONED EARLIER ABOUT THE THE RISING COST OF FOOD, RUBY, YOUR ORGANIZATION WORKS WITH FOLKS.

>> I'M HELPING THEM TO APPLY FOR WIC SERVICES.

AS YOU JUST SAID, HAVE YOU NOTICED GREATER INTEREST IN THE PROGRAM?

>> YEAH.

SO IN GENERAL FOOD INSECURITY CONTINUES TO GO BECAUSE MADE A LOT OF GREAT STRIDES IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS TO GET MORE PEOPLE ON THE PROGRAM.

BUT AS WE ALL KNOW, ONE IN 5 HOUSEHOLDS IN THE CHICAGO METRO AREA WITH CHILDREN ARE FACING FOOD INSECURITY.

AND SO IF WE LOSE ACCESS TO LIKE THOSE VOUCHERS THAT YOU GET FROM WAKE, IT WILL CREATE HUGE DETRIMENT AND THE EMERGENCY FOOD SYSTEM THE GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY SUPPORTS CAN PROVIDE SOME OF THOSE RESOURCES BUT DOESN'T MEET THE FULL NEED.

AND SO WE NEED THIS COLLABORATION PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS ADDRESS THE NEED.

>> A SEVEN-YEAR DEPARTMENT IS SAYING THAT FLAT FUNDING FOR THE WIC PROGRAM WOULD WOULD EQUATE TO A CUT IN ILLINOIS.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY >> WELL, RIGHT NOW WE'RE OPERATING ON THE FUNDING LEVEL THAT WE RECEIVE FOR FEDERAL FISCAL BUT WE KNOW THAT THE COST PAYING WAGES TO STAFF.

SO HERE IN ILLINOIS, WE HAVE 94, LOCAL WIC AGENCIES THAT WE GRANT FUNDS TO AND THEY HAVE TO HIRE EMPLOYEES AND PAY THEIR, YOU KNOW, TELECOM AND ALL THOSE BILLS AS WELL AS ISSUE THOSE FOOD BENEFITS AND THE COSTS OF THE FOODS AT THE STORE.

SO OUR COSTS CONTINUE TO RISE.

JUST LIKE EVERYBODY SEES THAT SHOPS ARE, YOU KNOW, HAS HAS EMPLOYEES.

AND SO WE NEED AN INCREASE IN ORDER TO KEEP WITH RISING COSTS AND ARE GROWING CASELOAD.

RUBY, WHO IS LIKELY TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE WIC PROGRAM MOST LIKELY TO FEEL IF CUTS SHOULD HAPPEN.

LIKELY MENTIONED FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN UNDER 5.

>> BIRTHING PARENTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY PREGNANT, POSTPARTUM LACTATING ALL ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE WIC PROGRAM.

A LOT OF TIMES THERE'S AN ASSUMPTION THAT YOU NEED TO BE A TO PARTICIPATE ON THE PROGRAM.

BUT WE SAW GRANDPARENTS WE SAW ON THEIS.

WE SAW PEOPLE STEPPING UP AND SHOWING UP THERE.

AND SO IT'S LIKELY THAT YOU MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE FOR WAKE AND THAT MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT IT.

AND TO MISS OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY AND SO CAN IMPACT A LOT OF THOSE FAMILIES HERE IN CHICAGO COULD ALSO HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON FAMILIES OF COLOR.

ABSOLUTELY.

WE SEE HIGH RATES OF FOOD INSECURITY IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES AND SPECIALLY WITH FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.

>> STEPHANIE, WHAT'S BEEN THE LASTING IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC HAS HAD ON THOSE WHO DEPEND ON AND THOSE THAT, YOU KNOW, YOUR DEPARTMENT WORKS WITH.

I THINK THAT IS JUST SO IMPORTANT GET OUR FAMILIES, YOU KNOW, GET GET ALL THE ELIGIBLE FAMILIES IT INTO WHERE IT CAN YOU KNOW, WE'RE A HIGHER TOUCH PROGRAM.

SO IT'S NOT JUST A PAPER APPLICATION.

WE HAVE TRAINED STAFF, NUTRITIONIST AND NURSES THAT TOO.

>> WITH NUTRITION ASSESSMENT, WE WEIGH AND MEASURE CHECKING BOBAN LEVELS LOOK FOR CHRONIC AND ACUTE HEALTH AND NUTRITION RELATED CONDITIONS AND WITH ISOLATION FROM THE PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT MAY NOT KNOW THAT THEIR CHILD HAS A HEALTH CONCERN.

SO WE'VE BEEN REALLY WORKING HARD THE LAST 9 MONTHS TO REALLY GET OUR FAMILIES BACK IN GETTING THEM SEEN REALLY LOOKED AT.

AND WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE THE NUMBERS THAT WE WOULD CONSIDER LIKE A HIGHER RISK OR HIGH PRIORITY POPULATION.

SO WE KNOW THAT LAYING EYES ON THEM AND GETTING THOSE HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS IS A BIG DEAL.

SO WE REALLY WANT TO KEEP THAT MOVE BEING.

AND I WANT TO JUST ADD FOR 2, IT REALLY WAS JUST SAYING, I MEAN, WE SEE A LOT OF WORKING FAMILIES AND A FAMILY OF 4 CAN QUALIFY FOR WITH IF THEY MAKE $55,000 OR LESS A YEAR.

SO 185% OF FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES IS A PRETTY HIGH INCOME.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T OTHER ELIGIBLE WHEN THEY ARE SO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO DO OUTREACH AND GROW OUR CASELOAD.

AND RIGHT NOW WE'RE JUST WAITING TO SEE IF THE FUNDING WILL SUPPORT IT.

GOT JUST A COUPLE SECONDS LEFT, BUT AS WE'RE SEEING THE PHASING OUT OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THAT WERE IMPLEMENTED DURING THE PANDEMIC, WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO ENSURE?

>> THAT THAT THOSE PROGRAM STILL EXISTS, THAT FOLKS WILL HAVE ACCESS?

SO WE NEED CHURCH, CONGRESS AND OUR SENATE TO CONTINUE TO FUND THESE PROGRAMS.

>> WE KNOW THAT THIS SET UP A FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS FOR THE FUTURE.

SO EVERY DOLLAR SPENT AND WIC SAVES TAXPAYERS $8 IN MEDICAID AND SO INVESTING IN PROGRAMS LIKE THIS THAT GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE ISSUE ARE REALLY QUINTESSENTIAL TO TRANSFORMING THE HEALTH OF THE UNITED STATES, SAVING MONEY DOWN THE ROAD, BUT OBVIOUSLY MAKING PEOPLE HEALTHIER US.

AND STEPHANIE BEST, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU.

AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING AND YOU CAN GET YOUR TONIGHT STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE AND OUR WEBSITE WTW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10.

TAXPAYERS HAVE SPENT AT LEAST 74 MILLION DOLLARS ON POLICE MISCONDUCT LAWSUITS LAST YEAR.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THAT AND MORE AND A LOOK AT THE ADVANCEMENTS MADE IN BIONIC PROSTHETIC DEVICES.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO BRANDIS FRIEDMAN, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A PERSONAL INJURY LAW FIRM COMMITTED TO GIVING BACK TO