>> Hello and thanks for joining us on Chicago tonight.

I'm John this friend is Freeman has the evening off.

Here's what we're looking at.

The Chicago Park district unveils a bold and ambitious vision for the city's beloved Grant Park.

>> We're not so those were not on move not.

And use use we are Americans.

>> And bad bunny brings 40 Kwok halter to the Super Bowl halftime show following his historic Grammy win.

Local Latinos react.

First off tonight, U.S.

education.

Linda McMahon is in Chicago today as part of her nationwide history rocks tore.

>> The event took place with students at the Chicago Hope Academy McManus visit comes as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker considers whether to opt into federal school voucher program.

The program offers tax credits to people who donate to student scholarship funds, which can be used for private school tuition or public school expenses like during or after school programs.

Some groups are concerned that opting into the program could lead to decreased enrollment and funding for public schools.

But McMahon says the scholarship funds up to $1700 and could support public schools.

>> Money is raised to give scholarships.

You can go to public school or private school.

You can used the money for private tutoring.

You can use it for special needs students.

So there are a lot of ways to use this money.

I'm not quite sure why every governor wouldn't jump in an opt in you for this particular program because it really benefit children, you know, across the board.

>> Pritzker has yet decided whether to opt into the program.

Looking for a new gig, Chicago's police Oversight Board is accepting applications.

The city is Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability or has 3 vacant seats.

It's looking to fill the commission oversees the civilian Office of Police Accountability, the Chicago Police Board and has the power to set policy for the Chicago Police Department.

Aishah Humphreys.

A member of the nomination committee says while anyone is able to apply youth and Northside residents will have a special opportunity.

The seven-member commission is made up of at least 2 Northside residents to Southside residents into West Side.

Residents.

According to the rules, the application deadline is Friday.

For more details on how to apply.

Visit our website.

Now.

The Bulls roster is looking quite a bit different than a week ago.

The team was very busy ahead of today's trade deadline.

In addition to move earlier this week, the Bulls also sent home tells him the hometown kid.

do who was in the final year of his contract to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Twin Cities also acquired forward.

Julian Philips in the and return Chicago got 2 young players, Rob Dillingham and Lennart Miller along with 4 future second-round draft picks the team's division to trade several core players this week signals to rebuild as the Bulls currently sit at 10th in the Eastern Conference.

Now.

next, an update, a vision of Chicago's front yard.

That's right after this.

>> Chicago tonight is made possible in part by the Alexander and John Nichols family.

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> A tunnel sending Dusable Lakeshore Drive underground.

A new Parkland constructed as a deck over metro tracks.

Those are just a few of the ideas presented in the Chicago Park District's 20 year framework for updating Grand Park.

The framework builds upon initial 22,002 planned that delivered Maggie Daley Park and aims to create cohesion in a friendlier environment for pedestrians.

Joining us to discuss the framework are Chicago Park District General superintendent got a little time needed real sir.

And Leslie wrecked president of the Grant Park Advisory Council.

Thank you both for joining us.

Now, let's talk about vicious ideas because there's a there's a lot of a good ideas here.

Carlos, tell us about the frameworks main vision and what it seeks to accomplish.

So.

>> In the context of the park district, a framework plant is a north star, its guidelines that the district now has in place for us to work towards.

And we only got here thanks to people like Leslie people from across the city who provided thousands of comments to the district, attended meetings and gave us that Northstar.

So this is now going to guide investment and development in Grant Park for the next 20 years.

And one of the key things that we heard is that people particularly in the new president south with presidents.

We've had extraordinary growth in the loop in the south loop of the last several decades.

They want more recreation opportunities for them, Grant Park a certain neighborhood park.

So this plan seeks to provide that.

But we also know that Grant Park is activated year-round and needs to be flexible because it has so many different uses in so many different needs that it feels for the people of the city of Chicago and visitors Carlo there.

Any changes that people could see sooner?

>> I know there's some up in the air, not concrete, but is there anything that people can expect?

So, yeah, well, I know one thing that Leslie and the Grant Park Advisory committee push for was ensuring that there is better signage.

We want to make sure that when people are in the park, they're able to get around the park that it's more accessible.

So we're going to be launching a wayfinding committee to bring experts and stakeholders together to help update that signage.

>> But another really update mobile movable So we have movable chairs in parks like Bryant Park New York City.

We've seen at 2 in the Tuileries Garden or the Luxembourg Gardens and Paris.

So this is a tried and true model to create a place for rest bite relaxation.

And so we're going to having 100 movable chairs around Buckingham Fountain later on this spring has has really interesting.

>> And Leslie, what was your reaction to the framework that the Chicago Park district laid out?

Well, I think it's a wonderful opportunity.

I think the fact that we have the framework plan now.

>> Obviously, it's just the beginning.

Now we have to go to the hard part, finalizing some of the elements that need to be designed and need to be finalized.

And we have to find the money to pay for things.

And we have to prioritize.

We have a permit.

The process going on right now with the park district has allocated some funds back to Grant Park from the permit fees that they collect for major events in the park.

And we're in the process of deciding what people want to do.

So we're talking about more bathrooms were talking about improving existing dog-friendly area.

We're talking about looking at everything that people want in the park and say not just what do they want today, but what can we accomplish in the next year or 2 years?

>> So they see progress and let just mentioned a few things.

What would you say are your top priorities?

You mentioned bathrooms?

Absolutely.

We've got a wonderful pickleball new pickleball and tennis facility that was installed a few years ago.

There's huge you so that Jones High School uses those facilities.

So it's it's a lot of different park users that's adjacent to the dog-friendly area.

And it's very near the skateboard park that gets high usage from youth.

And so we've got to know what I call a note of activity in that portion of the park where we really don't have bathrooms available.

You need benches, bathrooms, fountains all of these kind things that you need for So And Carlos, we know the Grand Park is known for hosting large events like Lollapalooza swindles.

But those events, you know, as we know, have caused some environmental damages to the Chicago's front yard.

>> Does this framework do anything to better equip Grant Park and these events happen will per the agreement with those event organizers.

If there's damage cause they have to address it.

They have to fix it on their dime.

But also those big events.

They help drive our local tourism economy.

They help generate tax revenue that supports our Palooza brings in over 10 million dollars.

They've done great work to make improvements in the park.

>> To provide those year-round recreation activities.

We also heard from people that we want to have the space have a permanent fairground.

And so in the southern portion of Grant Park, we're looking to have a permanent fairground so that there's better infrastructure to support those events.

But just our ground.

What does that mean?

It's like a fair grounds like a festival grounds, a place where, you know, there's a infrastructure that is built in and in place to support large festivals, large events typically for like concerts, OK, correct?

Yes.

And then in addition to that, we also know that we've heard from residents that they want us to continue the work that we've already been doing to find ways maximize the footprint.

So thanks to a import.

We've gotten from the Grant Park Advisory Council and residents we've worked with love a police organizers to change the footprint of the event so that some of those amenities can remain open to the public while the festivals going on.

And then we're also always working with the event organizers to reduce the number of days that it requires for them to set up and to break down for the festival because that means more days that the public can enjoy the park.

>> Lets them carry is what has been some of the feedback from some of the residents.

Well, the plan was just released last night.

So we're still well, you know, there's been comments, right?

There's absolutely.

And I think a lot of the comments have been reflected in the plan that's been put forward.

Obviously, there's more that we think people will be stimulated to talk about.

Now that the final plan is out.

And so we're having an advisory council meeting on the 3rd Wednesday at 06:00PM.

It will be a zoom meeting and we'll keep soliciting comments and keep working with the superintendent and other people in the park district.

Is this planning goes forward.

>> Carl's I just to mention, I think there was around 2,800 public comments that inspired this saw proposed changes.

Do you think that level of public feedback is sufficient for cities of nearly 3 million people?

Yeah.

Well, ultimately that the task is to go out and to ask the public to get involved.

>> And and we held 7 input meetings.

We made sure to solicit feedback both in-person virtually via e-mail and that.

Input is what guided this process and what led to this final framework plan.

So we're so appreciative and grateful to everyone that participated.

And we also saw a push.

So, you know, when there were articles that came out, we saw an increase in the number of people that were submitting those comments online.

So we're greatly appreciative to everyone that help promote the process.

And so importantly, everyone that participated in the process.

And I want to talk with quickly about one of the ideas, which is an underground.

>> bridge under dusable underground.

We know where how could this work and nowhere was this need identified.

Yeah.

So the deck over.

So we want to make sure that people are safer in Grant Park and we want to make sure that we're expanding the amount of space that is available for pedestrians, for families to gather.

And so we brought multiple options to the public and said which of these options would you prefer for Lakeshore Drive?

And for Grant Park and the option that got the most positive feedback was the deck over soak Queens landing, which is east of Lake Shore Drive.

And then, of course, the Buckingham Fountain table in this plan is connected by a deck over goals over Lakeshore Drive, making it easier to walk all the way from Congress Plaza all the way to the lakefront and stopping at beautiful Buckingham Fountain on the way.

So that's a big ambitious project.

It's going to cost lots of money.

And it's important to note a long time.

That's right.

And the framework plan, it's not technical.

It's not technical drawings.

There's still a lot of engineering and planning that needs to be done.

And so in order to accomplish that deck over.

But now we know based upon this public input process that we had the vision that the Chicagoans to participate in this process would like us to pursue.

Is that deck over?

So now that we have that North star, we can work with our partners at the state.

We can work with our partners at the federal level at CDOT the Chicago apartment transportation to make that vision a reality.

Leslie, quickly, what are your thoughts on the deck over?

Well, we have some concerns about feasibility place.

And so we've raised those concerns when the process was going on.

>> And we're waiting to see we're waiting to see because there's a lot that needs to be evaluated as we're going through this process.

The theory is fine.

We don't have a problem with the theory.

The concern is how do you depressed Lakeshore drive at that point.

But we certainly like the vision what the park district is trying to do.

And we're very supportive of a lot of the elements.

The bridge going from.

I'm so sorry.

I'm gonna have to leave it at that all the time that we have.

But I'm looking forward to seeing all these great ideas changes.

Thank you both for joining us.

Thank you very much.

>> Up next, a look at bad bunny's ahead of the Super Bowl performance.

Global music icon.

Bad Bunny is set to take center stage this Sunday at the Super Bowl halftime show that equal artists is already making history this week after his all Spanish language all been won album of the year at the Grammys since his Super Bowl performance was announced.

Critics have pushed back and called for an English language performer to headline football's biggest event.

Instead.

But thousands of fans, including many Puerto Ricans are looking forward to his performance, dubbing it the beneath rubble.

Here to talk more about the artist and his influences.

But in that is futile artist teacher musician and founder of and stronger our gallery.

That only got Casio co-founder and director of education and programming, the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture and through zoom said the U.S.

professor of she can and let studies at Loyola Marymount University.

And while Soco this and author of How Bad Bunny became the Global Voice of Puerto Resistance.

Thank you all for joining us.

I assume that all of guys are bad bunny fans.

I I I want to start with you for those in the audience who are familiar with bad bunny.

>> Tell me a little bit about his personal story and how you would describe his music style.

>> Bad bunny comes from Ford.

So she young to get don't artists who started off as a teller at a grocery store and never gave up on his love of music and pursued it to the full list.

Always putting at the forefront.

But vehicle.

And so it has set him apart because he's incorporated and engage so many other artist in his music that he's been invited to perform other artists that which elevate him and increase his platform.

So he is a phenomenal genius.

In my opinion, he is a genius musician.

And we're so excited that he had chosen to be at the half time.

Super Bowl is a pretty good description Vanessa.

>> I want to go to you in a time where Latinos have been targeted in this country for just also speaking Spanish.

How does it feel being four-thirty gang and seeing bad bunny headline at the Super Bowl?

>> Yeah, I think this is a time when we really need allowed proud voice in the face the terrorizing of our communities.

And we need that voice to be in Spanish.

And so that we have bad bunny as you know, one of the world, if not the world's biggest musical star right now, who is, you know, so proud of who he is, where we can not be.

You know, a Spanish speaker.

He really is a galvanizing figure.

and there are people who who may feel otherwise about.

How incredible is that he's taking the stage.

But I think at the end of the day, what we see is that there's a lot more people who are excited and those who are detractors from this moment that that we as a Latino community needs so badly.

And as Puerto Ricans as well.

And Vanessa, want to discuss the popularity of Spanish language news and what do you think that makes bad bunny such a?

>> You know, global phenomenon.

>> You will.

Right now Latin music is actually the fastest growing genre in the U.S.

So even though we know Latin music comprises many different genres, the way that it's tabulated through streaming services, it's considered one genre and we've seen grown grow exponentially and that money has been at the home of that.

And I think a lot of people are quick to say, like, oh, well, maybe you like the U.S.

really ready to have, you know, this massive moment for for not the nose and the Spanish language, but I think that the political moment shows us that that's not the case rate.

It's not as if there's this magical opening now for not the nose and suddenly everyone loves Spanish ships.

It's not the case.

What is the case?

Is that bad money is really this once in a lifetime artist who he is a musical genius see really is.

And the thing that people love about him is how consistent he has stage since the beginning.

Many people have come to know him through his most recent album that you get a nice photos.

Which is explicitly political.

But the reality is that bad bunny has been speaking out about issues that matter the most to him about Puerto Rico, about LGBTQ rights, about racial inequality throughout his entire career.

And so he has really led this surge in Latin music's increasing popularity of this country.

>> And Brenda, want to bring you and let's talk a little bit about the rhythms that we hear in his music.

We know that he incorporates traditional Puerto Rican music like Bomba and we'll see got he, with the specific routes and his music, why do you think he's still able, you know, to bring such a wide appeal to his music.

He has been a beautiful journey by Canadian.

He mentioned meeting some of the songs.

>> From the 90's from the starting over phone and, you know, kind of the influence of Will wrap on hit club that people are finding themselves in looking back.

Buck of the routes.

>> Of the music that we love the most you being an immense honor to be to see collaborating with him.

Many of the people that they have not be invisible because they wear the ball mind that plan a scene they didn't have the misses early Main Street about the Afro Puerto Rican employee action for you coming from listed even make talking 100 years.

you know, the drama side, bone but not even.

>> Being full civil on 30, 40 years ago.

You only knew it through this show that they were.

But it was very limited that we see really the Obama and seeing it like that right now it is.

I have no words to explain it.

It is a major emotional to look at some of his concerts.

All the says Bunny 16 and I've been going to all his concerts every time that he has been year in Chicago and following through because I knew that get to live the connection with.

They will go a little the elevation of the musical moment.

Luis those communities have the really remarkable.

Let's talk a little bit about the backlash for Annika.

Critics have called for English-speaking singer at the Super Bowl and Turning Point USA.

>> He's even having their own halftime show.

What do you think about this backlash?

This is my opinion of the National Puerto Rican Museum.

But it's a reflection of this white.

premise administration, complete reflection that they would not in brief.

This amazing Puerto Rican artist and celebrate his artistry and celebrate our language like the noles Spanish.

So what they did course create their alternative white.

Super Bowl halftime, Super Bowl show which have a white part it.

I mean, it's very, very playing to feed what is happening here.

And it's a shame.

shameful.

However, I think we are resilient people and we're all going to show up.

are going to support bad bunny and we're going to continue to elevate our culture.

Our history.

Our hearts and bad bunny is helping us to that and bring it to the forefront.

So they could do their little thing and we're going to continue to move forward.

>> And Vanessa, we know we know that bad bunny does not only have Latino Fencers fans who don't even speak English at all.

But, you know, love his music.

How has been?

A uses music and platform to express his political views.

You didn't talk a little bit a >> Yeah, absolutely.

I mean, and a testament to what you're to see it to class about bad bunny.

And it is not only not the nose and the class.

There's very few Puerto Ricans here in LA.

And so I only have, you know, ever a couple of Puerto Ricans in my class, I have students from all over the world in my classes, the class of different languages and their fans.

They're interested.

And I think one thing that is so important about him as that, you know, title of our book is how about money became the global voice of Puerto Rican resistance.

It's not to say he's the only face of Puerto Rican resistance, but international level, where do they Has never been more familiar to people and it's because of him.

And he does that not just through his music.

He does it through his style when he wears outfits, they often have certain kinds of symbols that Bob I have, which is the like classic farmers had of He bought a which is the the farmer countrymen figure from Puerto Rico that is now sort of ubiquitous straight now through his short films through his music videos she really takes advantage of all of the different ways to express oneself expresses art.

And we saw at the Grammys, right?

He got on stage and he said ice He said we're not animals were people, we're human.

We're American.

So that money is always use his platform and that way, it's just actually gotten more expensive as he's gotten more popular, which is also something that makes him a really unique artist and talking about is there and talking about his lyrics.

I do want to >> bring a his song them with I want to just quickly read some of his lyrics.

He says key, much better hands, books.

That guy led by But it's always go your like Gable, don't they get?

I see my Nana widow, us pedal could know got to be the rules to do.

>> People don't them a meal as kit that I can host and got a lot on salute getting ready al Qaeda.

me what what these lyrics mean.

How would you describe them?

>> They've been was saying like is he's resistance, but he's not the only of a system to have happened in that.

He's to point Eagle, would he have done us well through his music is and evading then need to continue fighting for Puerto Rico to continue fighting for our neighborhoods, you know, identification on the day, you know, separation of families.

I let you know, displacement that we continue facing our communities.

So it is, you know, It doubled.

It goes to double by particularly those that have being forced out of what legal and people who are born probably hear not Puerto Rican is set in so ease.

speak to a lot of layers.

>> Of resistance that we have to endure.

So that's why I find it in a in really magical funnel nows face that he's is very complex and layered not just like, you know.

Handler, you know, for week, every you know, very simplistic like people want to put like how you describe that in Veronica.

We have time for one last question.

And here I want to ask for those who are on the fence about that, Bunning, his music and are going to be watching.

>> The Super Bowl, what do you want them to feel?

I want them to feel the love that he has for island.

Our people and understanding the colonial reality.

That when recall right now and why he speak the way he speaks and performs the way he does.

It's very intentional.

>> And authentic and I hope they give him the opportunity to shine.

>> Well, thank you all for joining we're all going to be watching that.

we're back to wrap things up right after this.

>> Reflecting the people perspectives that make this story is part of Chicago tonight.

Not the >> And that's our show for this Thursday night.

You can stream Chicago tonight on our W T Tw YouTube Channel every evening and catch up on any programs you may have missed and join us tomorrow night at 5.37, for the weekend weekend review.

Now from all of us here, Chicago tonight.

I'm John of non this.

>> Thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe.

Good night.

>> caption News made possible by Robert a cliff and Clifford law Chicago, personal injury