>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

HERE IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

>> PEOPLE IN CHICAGO DON'T WANT PEOPLE OF YOUR BICKERING.

WE HAVE OUR FORUM IN OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>>> A SUBURBAN PRAIRIE IS FACING A THREAT.

WE SHARED THE STORY OF ORLAND GRASSLANDS.

>> WHEN I BECAME AN ARCHITECT I DID IT BECAUSE I THOUGHT EVERYONE HAD TO DO THEIR PART TO SAVE THE WORLD.

>>> RENOWNED CHICAGO ARCHITECT WINS A MAJOR AWARD.

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

NO IDENTITY ON THE MAN CHICAGO POLICE SHOT AND KILLED EARLY THIS MORNING AFTER A CHASE OUTSIDE A BAR IN THE URBAN PARK NEIGHBORHOOD.

POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AFTER THE MAN THREATENED A SECURITY GUARD WITH A GUN.

HE RAN AWAY INTO AN ALLEY ONCE OFFICERS ARRIVED.

DAVID BROWN SAID HE EXCHANGED GUNFIRE WITH OFFICERS AND THE MAN WAS HIT BY BULLETS AND PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.

BROWN SAID HE EXPECTS VIDEOS FROM THE SCENE WILL AID IN THE INVESTIGATION.

>> THERE WAS BODY WORN CAMERA VIDEO.

THERE LIKELY IS GOING TO BE POD CAMERA VIDEO NEARBY THAT WE HAVE YET TO RECOVER.

FROM WHAT WE KNOW NOW BASED ON LOOKING AT THE BODY WORN CAMERA THE OFFENDER FIRED HIS WEAPON AND THE OFFICERS FIRED THEIR WEAPON.

>> POLICE SAY THEY RECOVERED A GUN AND EXTENDED MAGAZINE AT THE SCENE.

ONE OF THE OFFICERS IS A 12 YEAR VETERAN AND THE OTHER A PROBATIONARY OFFICER.

>>> SOME OF COOK COUNTY'S SOUTH SUBURBS ARE TAKING IN A FRACTION OF THE TAX REVENUE THEIR GOVERNMENTS ARE OWED.

A NEW STUDY FOUND THAT FORD HEIGHTS WAS ONLY ABLE TO COLLECT ABOUT 29% OF THE TAX REVENUE CHARGED WITHIN 25 DAYS OF TAXES BEING DUE.

OTHER SUBURBS LIKE ROBINS, HARVEY AND PHOENIX HAVE COLLECTION RATES AROUND 50%.

THE TREASURER SAID WHEN RESIDENTS DON'T PAY, THE TOWN STRUGGLES TO AFFORD BASIC SERVICES THAT SUPPORT THE RESIDENCE.

OR THEY HAVE TO RAISE TAX RATES.

THE SOUTH SUBURBAN FELL WELL BELOW THE OVERALL TONY COUNTY COLLECTION RATE WHICH SITS AT 96%.

>>> THREE YEARS SINCE THE PANDEMIC AND TWO YEARS SINCE THE FIRST VACCINES WERE GIVEN.

THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAID THE FINAL VACCINE CLINIC WILL BE THIS SATURDAY.

IT WILL BE THE 589th POP-UP CLINIC IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO WHICH HELPED VACCINATE NEARLY 128,000 PEOPLE.

THE LAST CLINIC WILL BE AT TRUMAN COLLEGE ON THE NORTH SIDE FROM 9-2.

>>> CHICAGO BUSINESS AND SPORTS LEADERS MOURN THE DEATH OF ANDREW McKENNA.

HE IS THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF McDONALD'S, THE CHICAGO CUBS, THE WHITE SOX AND MOST RECENTLY HAD BEEN A MINORITY OWNER OF THE BEARS.

HE WAS ALSO ACTIVE IN CHICAGO'S POLITICAL AND PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITIES.

THEY ALL ISSUED STATEMENTS PRAISING HIS LEADERSHIP AND HIS ROLE AS A CIVIC GIANT IN CHICAGO.

>>> COMING UP IN THE PROGRAM, PROTECTING A LOCAL PRAIRIE FROM AN INVASIVE SPECIES.

>>> HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR MAYORAL FORUM AND THERE WERE A FEW.

THAT WILL BE IN OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> THINGS GOT HEATED BETWEEN CANDIDATES AT OUR WTTW NEWS MAYORAL FORUM.

THE MAYOR'S RACE IS THE FOCUS OF TONIGHT SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

HERE IS OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TIM, AMANDA, HEATHER, PARIS, AND SITTING IN WITH THE BANDS, SPECIAL GUEST JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> WELCOME TO THE TABLE.

>> CANDIDATES WERE FIRST TALKING ABOUT CHICAGO'S PRIME PROBLEM.

>> CLEARLY THERE IS PERCEPTION OR MAYBE A REALITY THAT DOWNTOWN IS UNSAFE.

IF YOU TALK TO EVERYONE AND I TALKED TO ALL THE BUSINESS GROUPS THERE, PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE NUMBER 1 ISSUE.

>> THAT IS WHAT I SAID, THAT IS WHAT I MEANT.

>> ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE PAIN OF LOSS OF GUN VIOLENCE, THAT IS UNFORTUNATE.

WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THE CITY HAVE THAT WE SHOULD TURN OUR -- WE SHOULD NOT TURN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT INTO A GROUP OF VIGILANTES.

>> HEATHER MENTIONED THE PERCEPTION OR THE REALITY OF DOWNTOWN BEING UNSAFE.

IS PERCEPTION REALITY?

>> SURE, WHEN IT COMES TO SOMETHING AS BIG AN ISSUE AS CRIME AND SAFETY AND GO DOWNTOWN AND GO SHOPPING WITH YOUR FAMILY.

THIS IS THE HIGH WIRE ACT THE MAYOR HAS TO EXECUTE.

SHE HAS TO SAY I AM WORKING ON CRIME AND MY STRATEGIES ARE PAYING OFF BUT THE FACT IS WELL MURDERS MIGHT BE DOWN 14% THEY ARE STILL HIGHER THAN THEY WERE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND OVERALL CRIME IS UP IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 40%.

THAT MAKES IT TOUGH ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A CANDIDATE LIKE PAUL VALLAS RUNNING IN THE RACE AND WILLIE WILSON SORT OF SOUNDING THOSE TOUGH ON CRIME, CRACKDOWN ON CRIMINAL SOUNDBITES.

>> SINCE WE ARE LOOKING AT THE CANDIDATES , SPEAKING OF PERCEPTION, CHEWY GARCIA GOING TO THE STATE OF THE UNION VERSUS OUR MAYORAL FORUM, WHAT IS THE PERCEPTION THERE?

>> I GOT A LOT OF TWEETS SUGGESTING THIS WAS A SUGGESTION TO KEEP HIS JOB IN WASHINGTON AND TO NOT GET THE JOB IN CHICAGO.

HE DID ATTEND EIGHT RESET FORUM TODAY SO HE IS CLEARLY STILL IN THE RACE BUT IT IS TOUGH RUNNING FOR ONE OFFICE WHEN YOU ARE ALREADY IN ANOTHER OFFICE AND THIS WAS AN EXAMPLE.

>> HE WAS LATE TO GET GOING ON THE CAMPAIGN AND LATE TO GET ON THE AIRWAYS.

HE WAS SITTING FOR 14 OR 15 VOTES FOR SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, KEVIN McCARTHY THAT TOOK A WEEK.

>> PARIS, WILLIE WILSON , DID HE FINALLY CLARIFY HIS CRIMINAL ISSUE?

>> THE REASON I WANTED TO ASK IT THE WAY I DID WAS BECAUSE ORIGINALLY WHAT IT SEEMED LIKE YOU SAID WAS CRIMINALS SHOULD BE HUNTED DOWN LIKE RABBITS.

SO DO YOU MEAN KNOCKED OFF, OR AN UNARMED TEENAGER FLEEING FROM THE POLICE, YOU CAN'T SHOOT THAT PERSON AND THERE ARE RULES AROUND FOOT PURSUIT AND CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO DRILL DOWN ON WHAT WILLIE WILSON MEANS AND HE PIVOTED TO TALK ABOUT THE TRAGEDY INVOLVING HIS SON WHICH IS HOW HE ANSWERED THIS QUESTION BEFORE.

I DID NOT GET AN ANSWER ON HOW HE FEELS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION.

IF IT IS SOMEONE UNARMED RUNNING FROM THE COPS, TO THINK THAT COP CAN CHASE THAT PERSON DOWN AND SHOOT AT THEM?

I DON'T KNOW.

>> ALL WE HAVE IS THE SENTIMENT THAT HE HAS BEEN EXPRESSING FOR SOME TIME WHICH IS POLICE HAVING MORE POWER IT SEEMS IT'S WHAT HE WANTS.

>> CERTAINLY THAT PLAYS WITH A SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION BUT GOVERNING IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN CAMPAIGNING.

YOU GET IN THERE AND YOU HAVE A CONSENT DECREE.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE'S LIVES ON THE LINE AND THE SHOOTINGS THAT HAPPEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY LIKE WHAT HAPPENED IN MEMPHIS.

WE HAVE TO KNOW WHAT EXACTLY POLICIES ARE GOING TO BE.

>> AMANDA US TO IF ANYONE IS BREAKING THROUGH ON CRIME?

>> IF I KNEW THAT I MIGHT BE ABLE TO PREDICT.

I DO THINK THAT YOU CLEARLY HAS SOME FACTS HERE.

YOU DO HAVE THE ALICE AND WILSON AS WELL POSITIONING THEMSELVES AS THE LAW AND ORDER CANDIDATE.

THAT IS SOMETHING THE OTHER CANDIDATES ARE SEEMING TO CONCEDE TO THEM TO A CERTAIN DEGREE.

THERE ARE MORE MIDDLE OF THE LINE CANDIDATES.

WE HAVE LIGHTFOOT PROBABLY IN THAT LANE, SOPHIA KING AND THEN YOU HAVE CREDITS THING TO FUND THE POLICE AND THEY WOULD SAY NO WE WANT TO GIVE MORE RESOURCES TO COMBATING CRIME AND UPLIFTING NEIGHBORHOODS.

JOHNSON IS THE PROGRESSIVE FIGUREHEAD ALONG THOSE LINES.

IN TERMS OF WHO IS BREAKING THROUGH ON CRIME, I THINK IT IS WHAT YOU AS A VOTER CONSIDER HELPFUL TO COMBATING CRIME AND BRINGING DOWN VIOLENCE IN THE CITY.

>> TO THOSE VOTERS YOU WERE IN A COMMUNITY LAST NIGHT, WE WERE OUT.

WHAT ARE FOLKS IN THE KENNEDY SAYING?

HOW DID THEY RESPOND TO THE POLITICIANS RESPONSES?

>> IT WAS INTERESTING.

THEY HAD POM-POMS AT THE VIEWING.

WHEN THEY AGREED WITH SOMETHING THEY WOULD WAIVE GREEN.

AND THEY DIDN'T AGREE THEY WOULD RAISE RED.

WHAT I KEPT SEEING AS THEY KEPT FIELDING BRENDAN JOHNSON AND JAMAAL GREENS IDEAS ON HOW TO COMBAT VIOLENCE.

THAT WAS INTERESTING.

I REALLY WANTED TO HEAR SOLUTIONS TO TARGET THE YOUTH IN TERMS OF ENTERPRISE JOBS, IN TERMS OF TRADE OPPORTUNITIES, YOUTH CENTERS.

THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT OVER POLICING OR FUNDING THE POLICE, THEY WANTED TO HEAR MORE ABOUT WHAT CAN BE DONE IN THESE COMMUNITIES TO PRIORITIZE THE YOUTH.

>> AND SOLUTIONS THAT DON'T INVOLVE COPS.

>> AND THEN YOU HAVE ALICE WHO HAS ACCEPTED THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE.

THERE ARE A SEGMENT OF VOTERS THAT HATE THAT.

AND OTHERS WHO VERY MUCH EMBRACE THAT AND SAY THIS IS WHO THE POLICE BACK THAT MUST BE IT.

>> HIS FIRST ANSWER TO THE FIRST QUESTION, WHAT WOULD YOU DO ABOUT YOUNG MEN IN AUSTIN WHO HAVE THE HIGH RISK OF GETTING SHOT AND KILLED.

HIS ANSWER WAS NOT POLICE OR COPS.

IT WAS KEEPING THE SCHOOLS OPEN AND HAVING PLACES FOR FOLKS TO GO.

MAYBE AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT YOU HAVE TO BROADEN YOUR MESSAGE BEYOND ONE THAT RESONATES JUST WITH THE FOP.

>> THEY ALSO HAD TO TALK OF COURSE ABOUT THE CONSENT DECREE, CANDIDATES WERE ASKED ABOUT THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT'S LOW COMPLIANCE RATES WITH THE FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE WHICH MANDATES CHICAGO POLICING REPORTS.

HERE THEY ARE.

>> A CONSENT DECREE THAT IS ONLY FIVE PERCENT COMPLIANT, THAT MEANS WE WERE 95% FAILURE.

IF WE ARE GOING TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE WAY WE OPERATE.

>> I BELIEVE IN THE CONSENT DECREE.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT ALL THESE FOLKS WANT TO THROW BOMBS AT DECEIT, BUT WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE AND IMPROVING OUR COMPLIANCE EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IS COMPLETELY DENIED .

>> THROWING BOMBS FROM THE CHEAP SEATS, THAT IS A GOOD LINE.

>> A COALITION OF TWO DOZEN GROUPS WORKING TO REFORM CPD TOLD LIGHTFOOT IN A LETTER THAT THEY ARE DEEPLY TROUBLED BY THE CITY'S LACK OF CONSENT DECREE PROGRESS.

LORI LIGHTFOOT WON ALL OF THE AWARDS IN THE LAST ELECTION AND A LOT OF IT HAD TO DO WITH HER PLATFORMS ON REFORMING POLICING.

>> SHE PRESENTED HERSELF AS SHE DOES EVEN A COUPLE TIMES NOW AS SOMEONE WHO SPENT THE BULK OF HER CAREER FOCUSING ON THESE ISSUES, TRYING TO INSTILL CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING IN CHICAGO AFTER A 2017 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOUND THAT CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS ROUTINELY VIOLATED THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF PRIMARILY BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGOANS.

UNTIL LAST NIGHT WE HAD NOT HEARD MUCH FROM THESE CANDIDATES ON THE CONSENT DECREE WHICH WILL BE IN PLACE AT LEAST UNTIL 2027 AND WILL TIE THE HANDS OF WHOEVER IS ELECTED IN APRIL ASSUMING WE GET TO A RUNOFF.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT HAVE WE ACCOMPLISHED OVER THESE PAST THREE YEARS THAT LIGHTFOOT HAS BEEN IN OFFICE AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S OWN STATISTICS, NOT VERY MUCH AND I WILL INVITE EVERYONE TO COME BACK TOMORROW MORNING I HAVE AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THIS ISSUE.

>> OF COURSE YOU DO.

WE ARE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

LET'S GET INTO THE BICKERING WE SAW LAST NIGHT.

TAKE A LOOK OVER THE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT'S DECISION TO NOT FIRE AN OFFICER.

>> OF COURSE WE SHOULD NOT HIRE, SUPPORT, RETAIN ANY OFFICER THAT IS ASSOCIATED .

>> HOLD ON.

PLEASE.

I KNOW YOU WANT TO MAN EXPLAIN UP HERE.

BUT YOU HAVE TO GIVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> LET A PERSON FINISH.

>> I'M TALKING TO MR. VALLES.

>> SHE SHOULD NOT BE TALKING WHEN I'M TALKING.

LET ME MAKE MY POINT.

>> THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE PEOPLE OF CHICAGO DON'T WANT.

PEOPLE UP HERE BICKERING.

THEY WANT TO HEAR OUR SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS.

>> AMANDA, A LOT THERE.

>> DID SOPHIA KING COME OUT LOOKING THE BEST ON THAT ONE?

>> AGAIN, EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

YOU LOOK AT SOMEBODY LIKE LIGHTFOOT WHO BECAME MAYOR BECAUSE SHE WAS ABLE TO REALLY ASSERT HERSELF IN A LOT OF THESE FORUMS AND SHE WAS RELATIVELY UNKNOWN FOUR YEARS AGO.

THERE IS A DEGREE TO WHICH PEOPLE WANT A LEADER WHO STANDS UP AND GETS IN THERE, ESPECIALLY ON ISSUES THAT ARE AS VISCERAL AS YOU TURNED IT EARLIER AS CRIME.

THEN AGAIN, YES WHEN YOU GET TO THE DEGREE WHERE IT IS BICKERING AND SNIPING, SHE PRESENTED HERSELF LOOKING LIKE A GROWN UP AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT PERHAPS AGAIN, IT IS A QUICK LINE THAT PERHAPS , OTHER STATIONS MAY PLAY IT AND CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT IT.

AND THAT IS WHAT SOMEONE LIKE KING IS GOING TO NEED IF SHE IS GOING TO RISE AND GET TO THAT RUNOFF.

>> HOW DID COMMUNITY MEMBERS RESPOND?

>> THEY WEREN'T HAVING IT.

>> THEY FELT LIKE THEY WERE DEFLECTING FROM THE ACTUAL ISSUES.

THEY WANT TO FEEL THE CANDIDATES FEEL THE STRUGGLE THAT THE EVERYDAY CHICAGOAN IS DEALING WITH.

BUT THEY WERE FIGHTING WITH EACH OTHER.

AT THE END WE WERE ABLE TO TALK TO SOME PEOPLE THERE AND THEY JUST FELT LIKE SOME OF THEIR QUESTIONS WERE NOT ANSWERED.

>> PARIS, A LOT OF FORMS.

THREE WEEKS AGO.

IS THE PRESSURE GETTING TO THEM?

>> IT IS DEFINITELY GETTING TO THEM.

NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE FORUMS.

THEY ARE GETTING USED TO EACH OTHER.

BUT THE ATTACK ADS NOW ARE FLYING A LOT HEAVIER.

YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF FRONTRUNNERS, MAYBE AS MANY AS THREE OR FOUR AND THEY ARE NECK AND NECK.

ANY TIME THAT HAPPENS THINGS GET SUPER TENSE AND THE ATTACKS START FLYING AND PEOPLE LOOK FOR THE DIRT ON THESE CANDIDATES AND YOU CAN SEE THE INTENSITY IN THE FACE OF THESE CANDIDATES AS WE ARE THREE WEEKS AWAY.

>> HEATHER, MAN EXPLAIN IN.

>> THAT IS WHEN A MAN, AND PARIS WOULD NEVER DO THIS BUT WHEN THEY EXPLAIN SOMETHING TO A WOMAN THAT OF COURSE SHE KNOWS.

I THOUGHT JOHNSON INTERRUPTS LIGHTFOOT.

JOHNSON SAID AFTERWARDS HE THOUGHT SHE WAS DONE TALKING THOUGH HE FELT FREE TO JUMP IN.

AFTERWARDS HE APOLOGIZED TO HER AND LIGHTFOOT SAID SHE ACCEPTED HIS APOLOGY BUT IT WAS MANNIX PLANING.

THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW LIGHTFOOT IS ALWAYS PREPARED TO COUNTERPUNCH.

WHETHER IT SERVES OR OR DOES NOT SERVE HER , ESPECIALLY WHEN IT TAKES AWAY FROM A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS PREPARED TO WELCOME BACK A MAN WHO HAD TIES TO THE PROUD BOYS, A FAR RIGHT EXTREMIST GROUP IMPLICATED IN THE JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION.

>> MORE TO COME.

THANKS EVERYBODY.

I'M GLAD YOU'RE HAVING FUN ON SPOTLIGHT.

AMANDA, HEATHER, JOANNA, AND PARIS , THANKS.

>>> IN YOUR 1000 ACRE PRAIRIE THAT IS QUICKLY VANISHING BEFORE OUR EYES.

THE STORY OF ORLAND GRASSLANDS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> WHAT SHOULD THE CITY BE DOING TO SUPPORT BLACK CHICAGOANS WHO ARE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF HATE CRIMES?

>> WE WORK IN SILOS SO THE LEFT HAND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT HAND IS DOING.

>> POWER IS THE VOICE.

POWER IS THE NUMBERS AND THE PEOPLE.

THE ABILITY TO SWAY ELECTIONS IS THE POWER.

>> THERE IS A NEAR THOUSAND ACRE FIELD AT THE EDGE OF COOK COUNTY THAT COULD BE MISTAKEN AS IT ABOUT THAT OPPORTUNITY.

AS PATTY POINTS OUT, IT IS A GLOBALLY SIGNIFICANT GRASSLAND REFUGE FOR ENDANGERED WILDLIFE THAT IS NOW FACING SOME OF ITS OWN THREATS.

PATTY JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ORLAND GRASSLANDS WHICH IS MANAGED BY COOK COUNTY FOR STRANGERS.

WHAT MAKES IT SO SPECIAL?

>> THAT 1000 ACRES YOU MENTIONED IS SO AMAZING TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT SIZE.

IT ISN'T A PRISTINE PRAIRIE REMNANTS.

IT IS A RESTORATION IN PROGRESS.

BUT IT IS LARGE ENOUGH THAT IT CAN PROVIDE HABITAT FOR THESE GRASSLAND BIRDS WHICH NEED VAST AMOUNTS OF OPEN SPACE.

AND AS YOU KNOW FROM LIVING IN CHICAGO, HUGE AMOUNTS OF OPEN SPACE ARE REALLY HARD TO COME BY.

SO, IT SUPPORTS THESE BIRDS THAT CAN'T FIND HABITAT REALLY ALMOST ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.

>> IT IS SUCH A SPRAWLING PART OF THE FOREST PRESERVE.

SUCH EQUAL AREA.

THE ORLAND GRASSLAND HAS SOME ISSUES OF ITS OWN.

TELL US.

>> THERE IS AN INVASIVE SPECIES CALLED THE CALORIE PAIR WHICH WE KNOW AS THE BRADFORD PEAR WHICH IS A SUPER POPULAR ORNAMENTAL TREE.

IT IS INVASIVE.

BIRDS EAT THE BERRIES, THEY TRAVEL THROUGH THE PRESERVE, DO THEIR BUSINESS AND YOU HAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE SHOOTS COMING UP.

I TALKED TO SITE STEWARDS AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE LOST ACRES OF WHAT WAS CRITICAL HABITAT FOR SOME ENDANGERED BIRDS.

THIS GROWS SO FAST AND FURIOUS, YOU CAN'T KNOCK IT OUT.

IT IS REALLY DANGEROUS.

>> ARE THERE ANY EFFORTS RIGHT NOW TO MITIGATE THIS?

>> ILLINOIS IS CONSIDERING AND THINKING ABOUT RECOMMENDING IT FOR LISTING IT ON THE NOXIOUS WEED LIST.

BUT ALSO, WEIRDLY ENOUGH THEY ACQUIRED 15 ACRES OF LAND ACROSS THE STREET FROM ORLAND'S MAIN ENTRANCE.

THERE IS A TOOLSHED THERE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT WILL SHED IS THAT ALL OF THE CONTRACTORS AND DEVOTED VOLUNTEERS WHO DO WORK WILL HAVE MORE TIME BECAUSE THEY WON'T HAVE TO HAUL THEIR TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT FROM MILES OR SUBURBS AWAY, THEY CAN PUT IN MORE HOURS DIGGING OUT THAT INVASIVE SPECIES.

>> MAYBE SOME HELP IS ON THE WAY.

>> I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT EXISTED.

>> IT IS SO GORGEOUS.

YOU CAN SEE EARTH TOUCH SKY AND I WAS LIKE I HAVE TO GO.

>> SO MANY HIDDEN GEMS IN THE CHICAGO AREA.

THAT IS WHY YOU ARE HERE TO TELL US ABOUT THEM.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE, WWW.WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>>> UP NEXT, LOCAL ARCHITECT WINS A COVETED PRIZE.

THE FIRST LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> A GROUNDBREAKING CHICAGO ARCHITECT RECENTLY WON THE GOLD MEDAL FROM THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS.

THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY GIVEN TO LUMINARIES LIKE LOUIS SULLIVAN, FRANK LOYD WRIGHT .

IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE NAME YOU ALMOST CERTAINLY HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF HER WORK.

I RECENTLY VISITED HER ARCHITECTURE STUDIO TO GET A GLIMPSE AT HOW SHE CREATES ICONIC DESIGNS WITH A SPECIFIC PURPOSE.

CHICAGO ARCHITECT CAROL ROSS BARNEY SAID SHE HAS BEEN GUARDED BY OMISSION TO USE ARCHITECTURE TO BETTER PEOPLE'S LIVES.

>> EVERY SPACE NEEDS GOOD DESIGN.

THE AMOUNT OF BENEFIT TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT WELL-DESIGNED ENVIRONMENTS ADD IS EXTRAORDINARY.

>> Reporter: SHE FUNDED HER ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE 41 YEARS AGO.

INSTEAD OF HIGH PROFILE BUILDINGS SHE HAS CHOSEN TO FOCUS ON PUBLIC PARKS, SCHOOLS, GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> WE ARE NOT DOING MUSEUMS ARE FANCY HOUSES.

WE ARE DOING EVERYDAY BUILDINGS IN EVERYDAY SPACES.

I THINK THAT IS REALLY A VERY VALUABLE IDEA.

>> HER FIRM HAS DESIGNED MORE THAN 20 CTA STATIONS INCLUDING THE TUBULAR GREENLINE STATION NEAR McCORMICK PLACE.

>> THE TUBE WAS BUILT ON THE GROUND IN THIS EMPTY LOT RIGHT HERE AND THEN LIFTED INTO PLACE.

>> SHE HAS ALSO DESIGNED MULTIPLE McDONALD'S FRANCHISES INCLUDING THE CHICAGO FLAGSHIP AND RIVER NORTH .

IT IS THE FIRST EVER CERTIFIED LEED PLATINUM FAST FOOD FRANCHISE.

McDONALD'S IS ONE OF HER FAVORITE CLIENTS BECAUSE IT GIVES HER THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A SPACE THAT CAN BE ENJOYED BY EVERYONE.

>> NOT ONLY THAT, THEY SHOULD BE HEALTHY SPACES.

CENTERS OF COMMUNITY.

THEY SHOULD BE SUSTAINABLE.

>> Reporter: HER MOST TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECT TODAY, THE CHICAGO RIVERWALK.

A PROJECT SHE SAID SHE DREAMT ABOUT HER ENTIRE LIFE.

>> I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A TRANSFORMATIVE JOB BUT I DID NOT ANTICIPATE HOUSE TRANSFORMATIVE IT REALLY WOULD BE.

>> Reporter: THE RIVER WALK LIKE ALL OF HER WORK BEGAN WITH THE NEED TO SOLVE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS.

FOR ONE, THERE WASN'T ENOUGH LAND TO BUILD ON SO THE CITY GOT PERMISSION TO BUILD FLOATING WALK WAYS OUT ON THE RIVER.

SHE SAID SHE WANTED EACH CITY BLOCK TO HAVE ITS OWN DISTINCT THEME.

>> ONE IS HARBOR, ONE IS BEACH.

ONE IS THEATER THAT COMES DOWN TO THE RIVER.

ONE FEATURES NATURAL PLANS.

>> CHICAGO TRIBUNE ARCHITECTS CRITIC SAYS IT IS ALMOST A MILLER COAL TO TAKE ON PUBLIC PROJECTS AND MAKE THEM STAND OUT ARCHITECTURALLY.

>> THEY ARE ON PUBLIC BUDGETS WITH BUREAUCRATIC AGENCIES WHICH ARE NORMALLY NOT THE PATRONS OF GREAT ARCHITECTURE AND SHE HAS MANAGED TO NEGOTIATE AND RAISE THE LEVEL OF ALL OF THESE PROJECTS TO THE LEVEL OF ART.

>> Reporter: THE MOST DAUNTING DESIGN, THE REBUILDING OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY FEDERAL BUILDING.

SHE SAYS SHE GOT HER IDEAS FROM TALKING TO THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED THERE AND SURVIVED.

>> PEOPLE WEREN'T LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING BACK TO THEIR SITE.

BUT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BE SCARED AWAY.

THE IDEA BEHIND THE BUILDING BECAME THAT WE HAD TO CREATE A BUILDING THAT WAS SAFE AND STRONG BUT STILL REFLECTED OPEN GOVERNMENT.

>> THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE VOTED TO GIVE THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARD THIS YEAR, THE GOLD MEDAL PUTTING HER UNDER THE RANKS OF CHICAGO LUMINARIES LIKE FRANK LOYD WRIGHT, LOUIS SULLIVAN AND VANDA ROWE.

IT IS ARCHITECTURE THAT BETTERS THE DAILY LIFE OF ALL WHO INTERACT WITH IT.

WITH HER FOCUS ON DESIGN, EXCELLENCE AND GENEROSITY BARNEY IS AN UNRIVALED ARCHITECT FOR THE PEOPLE.

THE AWARD SHOWS HOW GREAT ARCHITECTURE IS ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN DESIGNING BUILDINGS.

>> HER CONTRIBUTION IS DIFFERENT.

IT IS MORE ABOUT SPACES THAN OBJECTS.

>> Reporter: SHE TAKES PARTICULAR PRIDE IN BEING ONLY ONE OF THREE WOMEN TO RECEIVE THE PRIZE.

SHE WAS ONE OF 12 WOMEN OUT OF 312 STUDENTS IN HER FIRST ARCHITECTURE COURSE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

>> IT IS A MAN'S PROFESSION.

I SAY THAT WITH SOME TREPIDATION BECAUSE IT IS CHANGING.

IT IS NOT AHEAD OR BEHIND THE REST OF OUR SOCIETY BUT IT IS NOT SO EASY FOR WOMEN PROFESSIONALS.

I'M REALLY GLAD TO WIN IT FOR THAT REASON.

>> Reporter: ROSS BARNEY HAS SOME BIG PROJECTS AHEAD OF HER.

SHE HAS BEEN TASKED WITH DESIGNING A PARK JUST EAST OF LAKE SHORE DRIVE AND SOUTH OF NAVY PIER.

>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING.

YOU CAN GET CHICAGO TONIGHT STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, AND OUR WEBSITE, WWW.WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> YOU CAN GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 10:00.

FOR ALL THOSE HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WALKING.

WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.