>> THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

>> SAY WE KNOW OUR SYSTEM BETTER THAN MOST PEOPLE WHO CRITICIZE >> SHE TAPE PRESIDENT DORVAL CARTER PUSHES BACK ON CRITICS AND VOWS TO RESTORE BUS AND TRAIN SERVICE TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

TAXPAYERS DOLLARS PRECIOUS.

GOVERNOR RICHARDS SAYS HE'S RELUCTANT TO USE TAXPAYER MONEY NEW STADIUMS.

SO STATE LAWMAKERS ARE HERE TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS.

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

THAT AND MORE FROM OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

MORE CONFUSION ON THE BRING CHICAGO HOME PRIMARY BALLOT QUESTION.

>> THE CHICAGO BOARD OF ELECTIONS IS APPEALING A JUDGE'S DECISION.

INVALIDATING THE QUESTION THE AGENCY SAYS IT SHOULD NOT BE THE DEFENDING PARTY ON THE CASE.

THAT'S BECAUSE IT HAS NO ROLE IN CREATING THE POLICY IN QUESTION HERE.

THAT'S THE CITY OF CHICAGO'S JOB.

THE LAWSUIT WAS BROUGHT ON BEHALF OF REAL ESTATE INTERESTS THAT OPPOSE THE REFERENDUM, ASKING CHICAGOANS WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO HIKE TAXES ON PROPERTY SALES OVER A MILLION DOLLARS TO FUND HOMELESSNESS PROGRAMS.

QUESTION FOR NOW WILL STILL APPEAR ON THE MARCH BALLOT.

THE RESULTS WILL NOT BE TALLIED AND LESS APPEALS TO OVERTURN A LOWER COURT RULING.

OUR SUCCESSFUL.

OPENING STATEMENTS TODAY IN THE MURDER TRIAL OF CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER ELLA FRENCH IS ALLEGED KILLER.

23 YEAR-OLD MONTE MORGAN IS CHARGED WITH MURDER AND SEVERAL OTHER FELONIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE KILLING OF FRENCH AND THE WOUNDING OF HER POLICE PARTNER AFTER THEY CONDUCTED A TRAFFIC STOP IN 2021.

PROSECUTORS SHOWED JURORS FOOTAGE OF THE SHOOTING AND ITS AFTERMATH FROM BODY CAMERAS, FRENCH AND 2 OTHER OFFICERS WERE WEARING.

MORGAN'S DEFENSE TEAM ARGUES THE CAMERAS DIDN'T ACTUALLY CAPTURED WHO KILLED FRENCH.

FOR RECAP OF TODAY'S PROCEEDINGS, YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE.

COOK COUNTY SHERIFF TOM DART IS LEADING A NEW CAMPAIGN TO REMIND THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE'S RED FLAG GUN LAWS.

THE SHERIFF SAYS THE CAMPAIGN IS MEANT TO INFORM THE PUBLIC THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO FILE A FIREARM RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST FAMILY MEMBERS OR COHABIT TO POSSESS KINDS AND ARE DEEMED A THREAT TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.

CAMPAIGN WILL INCLUDE A SERIES OF BILLBOARDS LIKE YOU SAW THERE IN THE SHERIFF SAYS SO FAR THE RED FLAG LAW HAS LED ONLY TO THE RECOVERY OF AROUND 100 FIREARMS THUS FAR.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE EASILY ACCESSED BY FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE EX SPOUSE, A ROOMMATE AND OBVIOUSLY LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN AS WELL.

SO THIS COULD BE DONE WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO PROTECT YOUR LOVED ONE.

>> THE CALENDAR MIGHT SAY FEBRUARY, BUT THE FORECAST IS MORE LIKE LATE SPRING AND IT'S KIND OF A SCARY FORECAST AFTER TODAY'S UNSEASONABLY HIGH TEMPS NEAR 70, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 10:00PM TONIGHT.

THE AREA IS ALSO UNDER THE THREAT OF POTENTIAL HAIL AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY MASSIVE DROPS IN TEMPERATURES WHERE TOMORROW'S HIGH PLUNGE TO HIM EASILY.

28 DEGREES.

GET THOSE WINTER JACKETS BACK OUT OF THE CLOSET.

UP NEXT, 2 STADIUM SUBSIDIES HAVE ANY CHANCE IN SPRINGFIELD.

THAT'S RIGHT.

AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE ALEXANDER AND JOHN NICHOLS FAMILY.

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> WE KNOW BY NOW THE WHITE SOX ARE REPORTEDLY ASKING THE STATE FOR UPWARDS OF A BILLION DOLLARS IN PUBLIC FINANCING FOR THEIR GLEAMING.

NEW PLANS IN THE SOUTH LOOP.

THE RIDE STARTS REQUEST SEEMS TO HAVE OPENED PANDORA'S BOX.

THE CHICAGO RED STARS, WOMEN SOCCER TEAM NOW WANT IN ON THE PUBLIC SUBSIDY GAME AND CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS REPORTS THE CUBS WON 30 MILLION DOLLARS IN TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO BOOST SECURITY AROUND WRIGLEY FIELD.

LET'S NOT FORGET THE BEARS AND THEIR PLANS FOR A NEW STADIUM EITHER IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS OR POSSIBLY IN CHICAGO.

GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER SEEM TO CALL TIMEOUT ON THE PUBLIC SUBSIDY PALOOZA.

>> THE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS ARE PRECIOUS AND THE IDEA OF TAKING TAX THAT PAIR DOLLARS AND SUBSIDIZING THE BUILDING OF A STADIUM.

>> AS OPPOSED TO, FOR EXAMPLE, SUBSIDIZING THE BUILDING OF A BIRTHING CENTER.

JUST A GOOD EXAMPLE DOES NOT SEEM LIKE THE YOU KNOW, WELL, THE TO HAVE HIGHER PRIORITY.

SO THIS IS THE GOVERNOR YESTERDAY.

WE'VE GOT OUR OWN TEAM OF STATE LAWMAKERS HERE TO GIVE US THEIR THOUGHTS ON PUBLIC SUBSIDIES FOR STADIUMS.

DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE KAM BUCKNER WHOSE DISTRICT COVERS >> SEVERAL NEAR NORTH SIDE AND SOUTH SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS IN CHICAGO, INCLUDING SOLDIER FIELD.

I BELIEVE, CORRECT.

OKAY.

ROSEMONT THERE.

BRAD STEVENS WHO ALSO SERVES AS A REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARK WALKER WHOSE NORTHWEST SUBURBAN DISTRICT INCLUDES ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU GUYS ALL HERE.

SO LET'S START WITH A JERRY REINSDORF.

IS IT TO SPRINGFIELD LAST WEEK, REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS, THE GOVERNOR SAYS MAYBE, YOU KNOW, THESE TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE PRECIOUS, BUT REINSDORF HISTORY OF GETTING THE TAXPAYERS TO BUILD A STADIUM SITS ALSO PRECIOUS.

WHAT HE'S SAYING.

THIS CLOSED DOOR MEETING.

>> HE WAS YOU KNOW, CLOSE TO THE VEST, TALKED ABOUT WHAT THE PLAN WAS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENTIRE DEVELOPMENT AND REALLY WASN'T SPECIFIC ABOUT HOW MUCH AND OF OF WHICH OF THAT BUCKET, THE >> TIF DOLLARS THE THE OVER THE POTENTIAL FOR THE OVERLAY.

AND AGAIN, THE 2% HOTEL TAX.

IT'S ALREADY IN PLACE THAT AIR TALKING ABOUT IS HE WANTS A TAX, A SALES TAX OVERLAY DISTRICT WITH THE MONEY WOULD BE DIVERTED.

>> TO THE STADIUM INSTEAD OF TO THE TAXING BODIES.

IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT'S A BACKSTOP.

IF THERE WAS A SHORTFALL TV, THE DEATHS ARE WHAT YOU THINK OF THE FINANCIAL PART OF THIS IS A STATE CAN GO FOR IT.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT IT'S WAY TOO EARLY TO TALK ABOUT.

THERE WASN'T INFORMATION THAT WAS PROVIDED TO US.

IT'S JUST WE'RE GOING TO WE WANT TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO ACCESS THESE FUNDS AND REALLY KNOW.

DOWN AND DIRTY NUMBERS YET.

REPRESENTATIVE BUCKNER, YOU ARE ON HAND TO GREET A REINSDORF WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE STATEHOUSE.

WHAT ELSE YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM THEM?

I THINK IS THAT REPRESENTATIVE STEPHEN SAID IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

>> WHAT THE DETAILS OF THEY LOOK LIKE.

WE KNOW WE'RE HEARING NUMBERS LIKE BILLION DOLLARS HERE IN A MILLION DOLLARS.

THERE.

I'M PRETTY SOON.

WE TALK ABOUT REAL MONEY WE PUT TOGETHER RIGHT?

BUT, YOU KNOW, AS WE FIND OURSELVES SOLELY SITUATED WITHIN STADIUM, HUNGER GAMES AND IN THE STATE OF THE CITY RIGHT NOW.

I THINK IT WITH THE PEOPLE DESERVE TO DO HEAR FROM THESE FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

BUT WE'RE WILLING TO DO WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHAT THE FINAL NUMBERS ARE, RIGHT.

WE CAN JUST TALK ABOUT IN THE ABSTRACT WHEN YOU SOME REAL MEMBERS REPRESENTED.

WELL, COULD YOU THINK THIS IS A RYAN STORES MAY BE OPENING SHOT HERE WITH THE HOPES THAT MAYBE >> LAWMAKERS COME MEET HIM IN THE MIDDLE SOME KIND OF PLAN.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S ENOUGH DETAILS TO KNOW WHAT HIS POSITION IS RIGHT NOW.

WHAT I WANT TO HEAR FROM HIM IS A STATEMENT THAT THIS IS THE ECONOMIC BENEFIT AND THE BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITIES IN PROTECTION OF LOCAL BUSINESSES, INVESTMENT IN HOUSING.

THAT KIND OF THING THAT WE ALWAYS ASK FOR THESE PROJECTS.

NOW, LOOKING FOR THAT KIND PAYBACK TO THE PUBLIC BEFORE WE CONSIDER GETTING AND IT REPRESENTED STEVENS RELATED MIDWEST DID THROW OUT SOME NUMBERS.

PROJECTIONS OF IT'S GOING TO BOOST THE ECONOMY BY THIS MUCH.

BUT THEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE LIKE ALLEN SANDERSON THAT THE U OF C YOU SAYS USUALLY YOU TAKE THAT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.

THOSE PROJECTIONS.

>> THEY SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE REALLY TALKED ABOUT.

IT'S AN OVERALL 9 BILLION DOLLAR PROJECT.

AND YOU KNOW, I'M >> SELF-PROCLAIMED DEVELOPMENT GEEK.

I LIKE TO SEE THIS STUFF AND SEE IT TO FRUITION AND SEE IF IT REALLY PAYS OFF.

I'VE ALWAYS COME FROM THE SCHOOL THAT YOU HAVE TO UNDER PROMISE AND OVER DELIVER AND AGAIN TO PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF SUBSIDY.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S LONG-TERM BENEFIT FOR THE TAXPAYERS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

A WIN-WIN SITUATION LOOKS LIKE FOR THE TAXPAYERS AND THE WHITE SOX HERE.

WE'VE GOT SOME ROOMS AND SPACE TO FIGURE WHAT THAT FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT IS.

BUT GOING TO BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT THE FACT THAT ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR PRITZKER HAVE REALLY HUMANS JOB OF MOVING THE STATEMENT TO FINANCIALLY MORE A STABLE POSITION, RIGHT WERE BETWEEN 9 CREDIT GRAZE IN THE 6 BALANCE BUDGETS WE CAN NOW WALK BACKWARDS SO THAT WE CAN'T GO BACKWARDS.

AND SO I THINK REPRESENTATIVE STEVE OVER WALKER'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE FOR THE PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS PEOPLE, CHICAGO, THIS CAN BE RE A HASH OF 1990, OR 2001.

WE'RE IN A NEW DAY AND AGE.

WE HAVE TO ACT THE PART WHERE THEY THEY CREATED THE ILLINOIS SPORTS FACILITY AUTHORITY JUST OFFER THE PUBLIC FINANCING.

AND THAT IS.

>> COMING FROM THAT 2% HOTEL TAX, WHICH ARRIVES ARE FLIGHTS TO EXTEND ITS AT SOMETHING.

THAT LAWMAKERS ARE OPEN TO.

I THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS, YOU KNOW, WE WANT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THESE THESE DOLLARS AND IN THE ABSTRACT.

BUT I THINK MOST FOLKS HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT THE FACT THAT IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE PUBLIC MONEY SPENT JUNCTURE IT HAS TO MAKE SENSE FOR THE TOTALITY OF CIRCUMSTANCES FOR THE PEOPLE OF STATE OF BUT WE CANNOT LEAVE TAXPAYERS ON THE HOOK.

ALL RIGHT.

I REPRESENT WATER.

THERE'S A LOT THAT BIG PROPERTY OF LAND MOVING ON TO THE BEARS IN ARLINGTON >> THEY'RE DISAPPOINTED THAT IT'S NOT VALUE ASSESS LOWER SO THEY CAN CUT THEIR PROPERTY TAX BILL.

IS IT LOOKING KIND OF GLOOMY FOR THEIR PROSPECTS OF BUILDING THIS BIG GRAND FACILITY?

THEY WANT TO BUILD THEIR.

I CAN'T SPEAK FOR HIM.

>> BUT I I'M I THINK IT'S LOOKING PRETTY POSITIVE.

THEY MADE AN INVESTMENT.

THE PROPERTY IS IS BIG ENOUGH THAT SPEAKING UP FOR THE WHOLE LOOP TO FIT INTO YOU CAN HAVE COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AND WE'RE CLOSE TO AN AGREEMENT NOW.

I BELIEVE I'M KEVIN WARREN.

WHEN HE SAYS HE'S FALLEN IN LOVE WITH CHICAGO.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

I FALL IN LOVE WITH CHICAGO.

AND I BELIEVE HIM WHEN HE SAYS HE'S LOOKING AT ALL THOSE OPTIONS.

SO I I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS SOME KIND OF NEGOTIATION TACTIC.

I THINK HE'S WEIGHING THE PROS AND CONS THE PRESIDENT OF THE BEARS A CEO WEIGHING JUST LIKE WE DO KNOW, GM RYAN POLES, DOES HE LOVE JUSTIN FIELDS OR DOES HE CALEB WILLIAMS IN THE DRAFT?

SO IT'S KIND OF THE SAME THING.

THEY THEY ALL DON'T KNOW YET.

WHAT IS INTERESTING TO ME IS JUST THIS PERIOD.

THEY SAID YOU WITH HOLD UP A LITTLE AND TALKING BECAUSE WE HAVE.

>> A COUPLE HIGHER PRIORITY IS TO FIGURE MEETING, YOU KNOW, THE DRAFT AND IN OUR MANAGEMENT.

SO SO, BUT YOU KNOW, REPRESENTED.

BUT THERE YOU WROTE A COLUMN SAYING YOU REALLY WANT THE BEARS TO STAY IN CHICAGO IN THE SOUTH LOT SOUTH OF SOLDIER FIELD.

THEY ARE REPORTEDLY CONSIDERING THAT.

YOU POSSIBLE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP MIGHT MIGHT BE AN OPTION.

BUT WITH THAT INVOLVE PUBLIC FINANCING, I THINK IS POSSIBLE RIGHT HERE.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT'S LEFT IN THE U.S. FOR.

>> KIND OF BONDING SPACE.

I'VE ALWAYS SAID THAT.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO TALK ABOUT WEATHER MAKE PIER IN PA COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH WITH THE LANDLORD SITUATION THAT THERE WAS A PUBLIC PRIVATE AGENCY THAT OWNS NAVY PIER MCCORMICK PLACE.

YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

AND SO THERE'S SOME OPTIONS THERE.

BUT BUT AS WAS PREVIOUSLY STATE, I THINK THAT THE BEARS ARE KIND OF WAITING TO SEE WHERE THINGS ARE.

BUT I'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT THIS.

I WANT THE BEARS IN CHICAGO.

I THINK ONE THING SUPER COOL ABOUT OUR CITY IS THEY'RE ALL OF OUR SPORTS TEAMS PLAY WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.

AND I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE, PIERS, I SAY TO HIM THAT IF THE BEARS HAVE DECIDED THEY WANT TO REMAIN MARRIED TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO, THEY GOT TO STOP DATING OTHER CITIES.

OTHER CITIES LIKE ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ATTRACTIVE OTHER WE'VE GOT UNITE FOR CHICAGO HERE.

BRAD STEVENS, YOU'RE KIND OF LIKE GEOGRAPHICALLY RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE.

WHERE DO YOU FALL DOWN ON?

>> AND THE I I THINK THAT WHAT'S GOT TO HAPPEN IS THEY'VE GOT TO MAKE THEIR PITCH.

WE HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN ANYTHING THAT'S REALLY ROCK SOLID YET.

YOU ONE WAY, I LIKE TO SEE IT OUT ONLY HEIGHTS BECAUSE I THINK IT'S A GREAT PARCEL.

IT'S GOT BETTER ACCESSIBILITY BY ROADWAYS.

BUT THEN AGAIN, I I BELIEVE REPRESENT BUCKNER SAID CHICAGO'S TEAM THEY THEY NEED TO BE IN CHICAGO.

SO IT'S A TOSS-UP.

ONE THING I WANT MENTION IS THAT THE WHITE SOX ARE LOOKING TO EXTEND THE HOTEL TAX FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THERE IN PERPETUITY.

THAT MONEY IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO GO TO THE SPORTS FACILITIES AUTHORITY.

SO IT'S A MATTER OF EXTENDING THE BONDING AUTHORITY ABIDING FOR THE THESE PORTS.

ALTHOUGH THE HOTEL TAC TO FALL SHORT LIKE IT DID IN COVID, THEN.

>> OTHER TAX CHANGES LIKE THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAVE TO SORT OF PICK UP THE SLACK, WHICH THEY HAD TO DO IN IN CERTAIN YEARS.

WHAT ABOUT THE RED STARS NOW THEY WANT IN THE GAME FOR STADIUM.

A RED STAR SEASON TICKET HOLDER.

WOW.

I LOVE WOMEN SOCCER.

I THINK THEY PLAY SOCCER IN CERTAIN WAYS BETTER THAN THE MEN DO.

>> WE'LL SEE.

YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW THEY'RE GETTING ABOUT 4,000 AVERAGE ATTENDANCE AND MUCH SO SURE WHAT THEY BELIEVE THEIR FUTURE NEEDS ARE GOING TO BE.

I DON'T SEE IT IN THE 60,000 SHEETZ STADIUM FOR SURE.

WHERE DO YOU THINK THEY MIGHT FIT?

I'M GOING TO LIFT MISSUS, RICKETTS.

TELL WHERE THEY WANT TO GO.

ALL RIGHT.

SO SO PREDICTIONS HERE IS SOME KIND OF WHITE SOX PACKAGE GOING TO HAPPEN BY THE END OF SPRING SESSION.

>> I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING.

THAT'S THAT'S A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.

LET'S NOT FORGET THIS ELECTION YEAR.

REPRESENTATIVE BUCK THERE.

>> WE'LL A I'LL NEVER SAY NEVER SPRINGFIELD CAN OPERATE VERY QUICKLY WHEN IT NEEDS TO.

BUT WE'LL SEE WHAT THE APPETITE FOR THIS CURRENT SPACE GET THAT LITTLE THING CALLED THE BUDGET THAT YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

THINK THE BEARS ARE NEW ARE CLOSE AND THEY REQUIRE MUCH LESS STATE MONEY IN THEIR PROPOSITION.

THAT'S INTERESTING.

IT'S INTERESTING.

MAYBE THEY LET REINSDORF GO FIRST WITH HIS BIG BILLION DOLLAR ASK.

ALL RIGHT.

THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

UP NEXT, THE CTA PRESIDENT FACES SOME CRITICS SAID CITY HALL.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> CTA RIDERS LISTEN UP.

THE AGENCY'S PRESIDENT DORVAL CARTER SAYS IT IS WORKING TO RESTORE SERVICE TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS WITH IMPROVEMENTS TO BUS AND RAIL SCHEDULE STARTING IN THE COMING WEEKS.

THAT ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AMID CONTINUED CRITICISM OF HIS LEADERSHIP AS THE TRANSIT AGENCY'S STRUGGLES TO DRAW RIDERS BACK AND IMPROVE RELIABILITY.

WDW NEWS REPORTER NICK BLOOMBERG JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

THE CTA PRESENCE BEEN HARD TO FIND IN RECENT YEARS.

WHERE WAS HE TODAY?

WELL, THAT'S THE IDEA BEHIND ORDINANCE THAT WAS PASSED LAST YEAR, ACTUALLY, THAT NOW REQUIRES CARTER TO ATTEND QUARTERLY HEARINGS IN FRONT OF CITY COUNCIL'S TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.

THAT'S WHERE WE HEARD FROM HIM EARLIER TODAY AS WE'RE STARTING TO GET BACK TO THOSE PREPANDEMIC SERVICE LEVELS THIS YEAR.

HE SAYS THAT PROCESS IS GOING TO BEGIN IN THE COMING WEEKS WITH NEW BUS AND RAIL SCHEDULES.

HE SAYS IT INCLUDES A PLANNED 44 PER CENT HIKE IN BUS SERVICE.

NOW THAT COMES AFTER A 2022 SCHEDULE CHANGE WAS ANNOUNCED THAT WAS TO REFLECT THE SERVICE.

THE AGENCY COULD ACTUALLY PROVIDE WITH CURRENT STAFFING LEVELS, THOUGH THEY WERE ADAMANT WASN'T A SERVICE CUTS IN STAFFING HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS, AT LEAST SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

SO WHERE THINGS STAND NOW?

WILL CARTER TOLD ALL PEOPLE THAT LAST YEAR THE AGENCY HIRED MORE THAN 1000 BUS OPERATORS THE MOST EVER IN A SINGLE YEAR.

BUT DATA OBTAINED BY WBTW NEWS SHOWS A NET DECREASE IN TRAIN OPERATORS LAST YEAR.

THAT'S BEEN THE FOCUS OF THE AGENCY'S RECRUITING EFFORTS LATELY.

ONE CATCHES THAT TRAIN OPERATORS FIRST HAVE TO START AS A FLAGGER.

>> OVERSEEING THE SAFETY OF CREWS ON ACTIVE TRACKS.

CURTIS SAYS THERE'S NO SET AMOUNT OF TIME THEY HAVE TO WORK AS A FLAGGER.

IT'S MORE OF A QUESTION OF GETTING THEM TRAINED AS AN OPERATOR AND A JOB BECOMING AVAILABLE.

NOW, THIS COMES AS THE AGENCY IS TRYING TO DRAW BACK PASSENGERS AND OF COURSE, THE REVENUE THAT THEY BRING RIDERSHIP LAST YEAR WAS STILL 60% OF PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

AND PASSENGER REVENUE WAS OFF MORE THAN 250 MILLION DOLLARS FROM WHAT THE CTA TOOK IN DURING 2019.

NICK ARE GOING TO MAKE UP THAT GAP.

WELL, THE AGENCY STILL HAS FEDERAL COVID RELIEF MONEY THAT'S EXPECTED TO LAST THE END OF NEXT YEAR INTO 2026, PROBABLY.

BUT CARTER SAYS THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM MEANS HE CAN'T COME UP WITH AN EASY SOLUTION HIMSELF.

>> THE IMPACT OF BY, YOU KNOW, 700 MILLION DOLLARS GAP IN OUR BUDGET.

IS BASICALLY COMPLETELY DEVASTATING.

I DON'T BELIEVE PERSONALLY WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THAT POINT WHERE THAT WILL BECOME A REALITY FOR WHAT WE NEED TO DEAL WITH.

REALLY NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE SOLUTION IS GOING TO BE.

>> TO THAT AND THE CTA, METRA PACE, THE RTA, LOTS OF OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.

THEY'VE BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS WITH STATE LAWMAKERS.

THERE'S A PROPOSAL FOR UP TO A BILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS IN NEW TRANSIT FUNDING.

CARTER SAYS RIGHT NOW THE CTA IS MORE SO BEEN WORKING TO EDUCATE LAWMAKERS ABOUT TRANSIT NEEDS, BUT THAT HASN'T THROWN ITS WEIGHT BEHIND ANY SPECIFIC SOURCES OF REVENUE YET.

NOW, TODAY'S HEARING ALSO HAD AN EXTENDED PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WHERE CARTER HEARD FROM MANY UPSET TRANSIT ADVOCATES AND PASSENGERS, MANY OF WHOM WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM OUT OF A JOB, ALSO PUSHED BACK AGAINST SOME OF THEIR CRITIQUES.

HERE'S ONE COMMENTER AND CARTER'S RESPONSE TO A QUESTION LATER ON IN THE HEARING.

I KNOW THAT YOU DON'T LIKE THAT.

YOUR REPUTATION HAS BEEN SPIRIT LIKE THIS.

>> I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU ENJOY.

AND WHAT I WANT TO TELL YOU IS THAT FOR 4 YEARS, CHICAGOANS HAVE NOT BEEN ENJOYING THIS EITHER.

>> WE DON'T JUST LOOK AT WE ALSO WRITE OUR SYSTEM AND I SAY WE KNOW OUR SYSTEM BETTER THAN MOST PEOPLE WHO CRITICIZE >> AND CARTER'S COMMENT THERE CERTAINLY DREW SOME CHEERS FROM FOLKS IN THE GALLERY.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, PARIS, THE NEXT HEARING WILL COME IN SPRING OR EARLY SUMMER, BUT NO LATER THAN JUNE 30 AND THE KILLING MAJ AND THAT THOSE THAT RIDE THE SYSTEM REGULARLY KNOW THE SYSTEM PRETTY WELL TO ONE ASSUME, BUT CERTAINLY SOME EXPERTISE AT THE CTA.

SURE.

OKAY.

BERG, THANKS VERY MUCH.

YOU CAN READ NEXT FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

IT'S ALL A WTW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

POLICE DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS ARE SET TO RESUME DESPITE PUSHBACK.

MEANWHILE, THE BRING CHICAGO HOME BALLOT MEASURE FACES NEW QUESTIONS.

THIS IS MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON RECEIVES CRITICISM OVER HIS ADMINISTRATION'S PERCEIVED LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN HERE WITH ALL THAT AND MORE IS OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS AND OF AN ICKY AND HEATHER SHARON, ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE BOTH OF YOU.

ACTUALLY, YOU EVERYDAY WORK SO, YOU AND YOU HEARD THE LAWMAKERS HERE.

YOU HEARD THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO BE SOME DEAL BY THE END OF SESSION ARE GOING TO SAY, JERRY, THOSE ARE SOME BEAUTIFUL PLANS BUILD THE DANG THING YOURSELF.

YOU HAVE BEEN TALKING TO EVERYBODY ABOUT THIS.

IT WAS INTERESTING WHAT TO BE AT THE CAPITOL WHEN RAIN STRUCK MADE THAT >> HAD SOMEWHAT JOKED THAT IT WAS IF WE HAD VISIT FROM KING CHARLES, I MEAN, YOU THAT THE CAPITAL JUST PEOPLE COMMENTING ABOUT THIS.

AND I THINK IN PART THAT'S BECAUSE THIS ATTRACTS SO MUCH ATTENTION FROM THE PUBLIC.

>> THAT'S IN PART PREDICTS THERE WON'T BE MUCH BECAUSE PEOPLE JUST DON'T WANT THEIR TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO GO TO ANY SORT OF SUBSIDY.

2 ESSENTIALLY BILLIONAIRES.

I MEAN, THERE'S JUST FRUSTRATION ABOUT THAT.

THAT SAID, COULD THERE BE SOME SORT OF DEAL WORKED OUT?

IT IS LIKELY IF SO THAT WOULD BE MIXED IN WITH SOMETHING ELSE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE JUST DOLING OUT DOLLARS AND IT WOULD BE PART OF SOME OTHER PACKAGING TO BE TUCKED IN THERE.

AND WE WOULD ALSO HAVE TO SEE A THING, PERHAPS A CHANGE IN STRATEGY.

IT WAS.

I SAW SORT OF IT.

HEARTY FOR REINSDORF TO COME DOWN.

MAKE REQUEST YESTERDAY BEFORE A BUDGET THAT LAYS OUT HOW LITTLE MONEY THE STATE HAS AND THE BEARS ALSO WITH OUR INITIAL CLEARLY FLAWED.

WELL, SO BUT IF THE BEARS THAN LIKE COME OUT AND ASK FOR FAR LESS PUBLIC MONEY AFTER REINSDORF WENT AND DID ALL MAY THERE'S A LOT US THINK THAT IS THIS ON RYAN START JUST ASKING FOR THE MONEY SO THAT HE CAN SAY, HEY, I TRIED AND THEN OFF TO NASHVILLE.

I THEORIES ABOUND ME.

I REMEMBER ST. PETERSBURG FOR 30 YEARS.

HEATHER.

SO YOU DIDN'T ANNOUNCE THAT FOUND THE CITY SPENT 74 MILLION DOLLARS IN TAXPAYER FUNDS.

>> TO PAY FOR POLICE MISCONDUCT SETTLEMENTS LAST YEAR.

SO, >> YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THESE NUMBERS EVERY YEAR.

HOW THIS HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO OTHER YEARS?

SO THIS IS ON PAR WITH RECENT YEARS ON AVERAGE, BUT IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY LAST THE LAST 2 YEARS.

AND I THINK I KNOW WHY.

WHAT WAS 2023 ELECTION YEAR?

SO THAT MEANT THAT PERHAPS FORMER MAYOR LIGHTFOOT >> WAS RELUCTANT TO PUT BIG DOLLAR SETTLEMENTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL.

AND THEN ONCE MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON TOOK OVER, IT TOOK HIM A LITTLE WHILE TO GET HIS LEGAL TEAM IN PLACE.

AND THAT MEANT THERE WAS JUST SORT OF A SLOWER PROCESS.

SO IN EACH OF THE PAST 2 YEARS, THE CITY HAS SPENT CLOSE TO 95 MILLION DOLLARS AND POLICE MISCONDUCT SETTLEMENTS.

AND AS I KEEP RIDING, THERE'S REALLY NO ABILITY FOR THE CITY TO TRACK THE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN THESE LAWSUITS ENSURE THAT THEY EITHER FACE DISCIPLINE ARE RETRAINING OR SOMEHOW HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS MISCONDUCT, WHICH IS COSTING THE CITY SO MUCH MONEY.

SO WE'VE ALL BEEN TALKING ABOUT BRING CHICAGO HOME THAT WOULD RAISE ABOUT 100 MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY, WHICH ESSENTIALLY WHAT THE CITY PAYS FOR POLICE MISCONDUCT.

AND IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING FOR MANY CHICAGOANS TO SEE THIS MONEY COME RIGHT OFF THE TOP NOW THAN HALF A BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE SO MANY RIGHT?

SPEAKING OF DISCIPLINE.

>> SO COOK COUNTY JUDGE SAYS POLICE DISCIPLINE PROCEEDINGS CAN GO UP BEFORE THE POLICE BOARD.

AGAIN, THEY CAN RESUME FOR POLICE BOARD.

>> AMID ALL THIS LEGAL QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER THIS COULD BE HANDLED THROUGH CLOSED ARBITRATION.

TAKE US BEHIND THIS DECISION WILL ESSENTIALLY THE JUDGE IN THE CASE SAID, LOOK, I'M PREPARED TO ISSUE A RULING ON THE MERITS OF THIS CASE ON MARCH 20TH, WHICH IS JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AWAY.

SO HE ALLOWED THE POLICE PORT ESSENTIALLY TO RESUME OPERATIONS, WHICH COULD MEAN SORT OF RELEASING.

>> DECISIONS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN REACHED AND SORT OF SCHEDULING PROCEDURAL THINGS.

NOW, THERE ARE NO FULL FORMAL POLICE HEARING SCHEDULED BEFORE THAT DATE.

SO WE'RE STILL IN SORT OF A WAIT AND SEE MODE.

THAT WILL BE A CRUCIAL DAY FOR THE CITY TO LEARN WHETHER THEIR CHALLENGE OF THIS SORT OF ORDER THAT COULD UPEND THE POLICE DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM WILL BE ALLOWED TO GO FORWARD.

ALL RIGHT.

AT THIS POINT, THE REAL ESTATE GROUPS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY SUED THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, WHICH IS A STRANGE PARTY TO SUE.

>> AND NOW THE CITY CHICAGO, BUT THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO REMOVE MEASURE IS BRING CHICAGO HOME FROM THE PRIMARY BALLOTS.

HEATHER JUST MENTIONED IT RAISES THAT MONEY, A PERCENTAGE OVER REAL ESTATE TRANSFER FROM MILLION DOLLAR MILLION.

A HALF DOLLAR HOMES.

SO BUSINESSES BUSINESSES AND THE JUDGE THAT STRIKES IT DOWN.

IT'S NOT IT'S NOT LEGAL.

THAT THE MAYOR PERHAPS NOT HAVE ALL HIS DUCKS IN A ROW HERE IN IN PUTTING A SPELL ON THE WITH THIS DECISION NOW THAT LIKE IT'S NOT LEGAL MEET, YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE DUCKS WOULD BE VERY MUCH IN A ROW BECAUSE THIS ISN'T A NEW IDEA.

THIS ISN'T HER GETTING ON THE BALLOT.

THIS WAS A CAMPAIGN PROMISE.

THIS IS SOMETHING HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR LITERALLY I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE RESULT OF SOME REALLY SMART.

AND GOOD FROM THE OTHER SIDE, WHICH COULD VERY WELL BE PART OF IT OR IF IS TESTED.

>> EVEN KNOW THIS HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

A LEGAL TEAM THAT IS FRESH IT IS INTERESTING, AS YOU NOTED, THAT THE CITY NOT BEING ALLOWED TO INTERVENE BECAUSE ESSENTIALLY YOU HAVE THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

>> FIGHTING A FIGHT THAT THEY DON'T WANT JUST PRINT THE BALLOTS IN ELECTION.

YES, EXACTLY.

CITY THAT CAME UP WITH THE POLICY, AS WE MENTIONED BEFORE.

>> BUT HEATHER, I MEAN, THIS NOTION THAT IT'S LOG ROLLING AND THE BECAUSE THEY DECIDED TO LOWER, YOU KNOW, THE TAX ON PROPERTIES UNDER A MILLION.

AGAIN, SHOULD THE MAYOR OF THAT.

THEY MISS SOMETHING HERE.

ALSO, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BINDING CITYWIDE REFERENDUM IN MODERN CHICAGO HISTORY.

SO EVERYBODY IS FLYING BLIND HERE THE LAST TIME, ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED.

IT WAS 18 85 AND CREATED THE CHICAGO BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS.

SO WE ARE IN UNCHARTED TERRITORY.

SO I THINK THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS AT WORK HERE.

SO YES, YOU CAN ONLY ASK ONE QUESTION AT A TIME THAT'S ESTABLISHED SORT OF STATE SORT OF BALLOT QUESTION BUT DOES THAT APPLY TO THE CITY AND IS THIS REALLY 3 SEPARATE QUESTIONS OR IS IT ONE QUESTION THAT SAYS CAN WE MAKE THESE CHANGES TO THE REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX AND THAT ULTIMATELY IS WHAT AN APPEALS COURT IS GOING TO BE ASKED TO DECIDE.

NOW TODAY BY THE BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS, WHICH IS HOPING THE APPELLATE COURT WILL SAY, YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT.

YOU SHOULDN'T SPEND IN THIS AT ALL AND THEY WILL ALLOW THE CITY TO SORT OF ARGUE THAT THEY THAT THIS BALLOT MEASURE IS PROPER IN THE FIRST LEWIS.

IT IS GOING TO BE EARLY.

VOTING HAS ALREADY WHAT GOING TO BE YANKEE AND THE WE'LL SEE.

>> WHAT HAPPENS.

AND IT'S THAN THIS EVER CONFUSING SAGA.

HAHA, THANK YOU BOTH.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

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

ALSO GET THE SHOW THE A PODCAST IN THE PBS VIDEO APP AND JOIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10 FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES AND ON THAT SHOW, A NEW DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES RACIAL DISPARITIES IN CHILD BIRTH AND CHICAGO POINT J. IVEY JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT HIS LATEST GRAMMY WIN.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE IN CHICAGO THAT I'M PARISH.

THAT'S THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

>> STAY SAFE OUT THERE.

IF THAT WEATHER HITS HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH THAT SUPPORTS