[♪♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> I TELL YOU YOU GOT REALLY SCREWED AND I MEANT IT.

>> A SITTING ALDERMAN IS CONVICTED.

A LOOK AT CITY COUNCIL CORRUPTION AND CALLS FOR REFORM.

>> WE SHOULD GIVE THE DIPLOMACY EVERY CHANCE TO SUCCEED.

>> ONE-ON-ONE WITH SENATOR DICK DURBIN ON RUSSIAN TENSIONS AT THE UKRAINE BORDER AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR AMERICANS BACK HOME.

>> THERE WILL BE CRIMINAL CONSEQUENCES FOR THOSE WHO INTERFERE WITH TRAFFIC FLOW.

>> CANADA CRACKS DOWN ON A TRUCK DRIVER BLOCK AID A LOOK AT TRUCKING IN ILLINOIS AND AROUND THE U.S. >> THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SIGNALED IT MIGHT ALLOW SO-CALLED SAFE INJECTION SITES HOW THEY CAN REDUCE THE NUMBER OF OVERDOSE RELATED DEATHS.

>> DOESN'T ERASE ALL THE YEARS OF TRAUMA.

>> A LOCAL ANTIVIOLENCE ADVOCATE IS HEADING TO WASHINGTON D.C. TO HELP STEM GUN VIOLENCE NATIONWIDE.

>> A TASK FORCE IS REIMAGINING CHICAGO'S MUSEUM CAMPUS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES SAY DON'T TOUCH THE LAKEFRONT.

>> I'M CONNECTING THROUGH MUSIC WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

>> PLUS HOW THE CHICAGO CHILDREN'S CHOIR IS WORKING TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE THAT THE WORLD CAN HEAR IN THEIR BLACK HISTORY MONTH CONCERT.

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> ILLINOIS LEGISLATORS VOTE AGAINST AN EMERGENCY MOVE TO EXTEND THE STATE MASK MANDATE IN SCHOOLS.

THE BIPARTISAN JOINT COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES OBJECTED TO THE RULE FILED BY THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AFTER A JUDGE ISSUED A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER ON GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S EXECUTIVE ORDER.

THE RULE WOULD HAVE REQUIRED SCHOOLS TO ENFORCE A MASK MANDATE WHILE PRITZKER'S ORDER IS UNDER APPEAL.

THIS ALSO COMES AS CHICAGO'S COVID-19 TRAVEL ADVISORY WILL NOT APPLY TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE BECAUSE APPROVAL OF VACCINATION HAS BEEN DELAYED.

BUT THE ADVISORY STILL APPLIES TO ALL OTHER TRAVELERS ALL U.S. STATES AND TERRITORIES ARE ON THE ADVISORY LIST.

THE ADVISORY CALLS FOR UNVACCINATED TRAVELERS TO QUARANTINE ON ARRIVAL OR GET A NEGATIVE COVID TEST.

CHICAGO IS SEEING AN AVERAGE OF 398 DAILY CASES THE TEST POSITIVITY RATE IS 1.9% DOWN FROM 2.9% LAST WEEK.

27 PEOPLE ON AVERAGE HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED EACH DAY IN THE PAST WEEK.

>> CHICAGO PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER Dr. ALLISON ARWADY SAYS THIS IS SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT BUT THE RISK OF TRANSMISSION IS STILL HIGH.

>> THE CURRENT CASE RATES IN CHICAGO THERE IS STILL ANIMATED 45% CHANCE A ONE IN TWO CHANCE AT A 50-PERSON GATHERING RIGHT NOW THERE'S GOING TO BE ONE COVID-19 POSITIVE INDIVIDUAL.

NOW, IF THAT IS A HIGHLY VACCINATED SETTING AND EVERYBODY IS MASKED IT DOESN'T MEAN THERE WILL BE TRANSMISSION BUT THERE IS PROBABLY SOMEBODY THERE.

>> CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO BOOST EDUCATOR DIVERSITY.

SENIORS INTERESTED IN A TEACHING CAREER CAN APPLY TEACH CHICAGO TOMORROW.

IT AIMS TO BOOST THE NUMBER OF C.P.S.

GRADS WORKING WITHIN THE DISTRICT.

STUDENTS SELECTED WILL COMPLETE THEIR ASSOCIATE DEGREE AT CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO AND FOLLOWED BY A BACHELOR'S DEGREE.

AFTER A STUDENT-TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND EARNING A ILLINOIS TEACHING LICENSE THE STUDENTS WILL BE GIVEN FOR PRIORITY PLACEMENT FOR JOBS AT C.P.S.

SCHOOLS.

THE DEADLINE IS APRIL 15TH.

UP NEXT FOLLOWING HIS GUILTY VERDICT WHAT IS NEXT FOR FORMER ALDERMAN PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON'S FEET?

FEAT?

STAY WITH US TO FIND OUT.

OTHER CHICAGO ALDERMAN FACES POTENTIAL PRISON TIME NOT JUST ANY ALDERMAN.

A DALEY.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH REACTION FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND PROSPECTS FOR HIS REPLACEMENT.

>> YES, THIS IS A STUNNING TURN FOR THE NEPHEW OF FORMER CHICAGO MAYOR RICHARD M. DAILY AND GRAND DON OF RICHARD J. DALEY.

HE WILL HAVE TO RESIGN HIS CITY COUNCIL SEAT FOR LYING TO THE I.R.S.

AND FILING FALSE TAX RETURNS.

HE HAS NOT RESIGNED THAT.

WHEN I CALLED HIS 11TH WARD OFFICE THE WOMAN SAID HE HAD NO STATEMENT JUST THAT SHE PERSONALLY WISHES THOMPSON AND HIS FAMILY WELL.

TOMORROW SOP'S COLLEAGUE NICK SPOSATO SAYS HE IS SAD AND STUNNED.

CALLING UP TO SON A GENEROUS MAN WHO THE I.R.S.

WOULD HAVE WORKED WITH WITHOUT LEGAL TROUBLES HAD HIS NAME NAME BEEN JON SMITH.

>> HE IS A HARD WORKER OVERWHELMING HIMSELF WITH WORK TO MAKE GOOD FOR HIS FAMILY.

HE GOT ROYALLY SCREWED AND I MEANT IN A BUN AND OF WAYS BECAUSE OF HIS NAME AND ALDERMAN.

A COMBINATION ONE HE IS AN ALDERMAN AND WHAT HIS MOTHER'S LAST NAME WAS.

>> ONCE DALEY THOMPSON DOES RESIGN MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT WILL HAVE 60 DAYS TO APPOINT A SUCCESSOR.

NICK SPOSATO SAYS FOR THE SAKE OF COUNT NEWT HE BELIEVES SHE SHOULD APPOINT ARE ONE OF DALEY'S OFFICE WARD EMPLOYEES WHO VOWS NOT TO RUN FOR THE JOB IN NEXT YEAR'S ELECTION.

GILBERT VILLEGAS SAYS AN ASIAN-AMERICAN SHOULD GET THE APPOINTMENT AS THE COUNCIL STRUGGLED TO DRAW A NEW WARD MAP A NEW 11TH WARD SHOULD HAVE A MAJORITY OF ASIAN-AMERICAN RESIDENTS.

GILBERT VILLEGAS SAYS THERE IS NO NEED TO WAIT FOR 2023 FOR THAT.

>> YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER RIGHT NOW, ILLINOIS' POPULATION INCREASED A LITTLE BIT.

AND HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE LATINO COMMUNITY AND THE ASIAN COMMUNITY ILLINOIS WOULD HAVE LOST TWO CONGRESSIONAL SEATS INSTEAD OF ONE.

AS A RESULT OF THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT REPRESENTATION IS REFLECTED IN ITS ELECTED OFFICIALS.

>> LOCAL ASIAN LEADERS DO HOPE TO HAVE A VOICE LIKE GRACE CHAN MCKIBBEN WHO SAYS THAT THE MAYOR SHOULD CHOOSE THE BEST QUALIFIED PERSON AS WELL AS SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THE COMMUNITY.

>> EXPERIENCE IS PART OF THAT UNDERSTANDING.

AND SO SOMEONE WHO DOES HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING AN ASIAN-AMERICAN OR UNDERSTAND THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING AN ASIAN-AMERICAN HELPS IN THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION.

SYMBOLISM IS IMPORTANT, WE'VE BEEN PUSHING FOR A 50% PLUS ASIAN-AMERICAN WARD BECAUSE CHICAGO'S CHINATOWN IS THE ONLY GROWING CHINATOWN IN NORTH AMERICA AND SO OTHER CITIES ARE WATCHING US.

AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE AN ASIAN-AMERICAN ALDERPERSON REPRESENTING THIS PARTICULAR WARD, IS SIGNIFICANT FOR THE SAME REASON.

>> AMBRIA TAYLOR IS A C.P.S.

MIDDLE SCHOOLTEACHER AND A MEMBER OF THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION AND LIVED IN BRIDGEPORT SO THE 11TH WARD FOR A DECADE AND SAYS THIS VERDICT IS HUGE.

>> I WAS READY TO RUN AGAINST A DALEY I'M SURE HE WAS GOING TO BE READY TO THROW EVERYTHING HE HAS AT ME WHICH WOULD BE A LOT.

I WOULD BE AN UNDERDOG IN THAT RACE.

>> BEFORE THE CONVICTION, TAYLOR THIS PAST OCTOBER ANNOUNCED SHE WAS GOING TO RUN A CAMPAIGN FOR THE 11TH WARD SEAT.

SHE SAYS SHE IS NOT SPECIFICALLY VYING FOR THE OPEN APPOINTMENT SHOW SHE WOULD CONSIDER IT IF SHE HAD THE CHANCE.

SHE WANTS TO EARN THE JOB FROM VOTERS.

>> THE STRONGHOLD OF DALEY HAS NARROWED DOWN TO THE 11TH WARD.

THAT LEGACY KIND OF ENDS HERE.

AND YOU KNOW, HE HAS BEEN TOPPLED NOW.

I THINK THAT MARKS A HUGE CHANGE FOR THE WARD.

I THINK WE'RE AT A CROSSROADS RIGHT NOW.

I AM SO HOPEFUL THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEIZE IT AND MAKE THIS WARD A PLACE THAT IS TRANSPARENT THAT COLLABORATES WITH PEOPLE, THAT DOESN'T RALLY UP HATE IN ORDER TO YOU KNOW, TRY TO STRENGTHEN THAT HOLD ON POWER.

>> THOMPSON IS ONE OF SEVERAL SITTING ALDERMAN FACING TROUBLE WITH THE LAW AND BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ SAYS THAT SHOWS ACCOUNTABILITY IS NEEDED MORE THAN EVER IN CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL.

HE IS TROUBLED THERE IS NO INSPECTOR GENERAL EVEN AS THE FORMER ONE HAD ANNOUNCED IN JULY THAT HE WOULD BE LEAVING IN OCTOBER.

MEANING THAT THE POST HAS BEEN VACANT FOR FOUR MONTHS NOW AS OF TODAY.

>> IN THE CASE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, PROPER OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN CITY COUNCIL IS MORE URGENT THAN EVER.

THAT IS STILL CONTINUES TO BE CONCERNED THAT STILL HAVE NOT SEEN THE TYPE OF TRANSPARENCY THE MAYOR LIGHTFOOT CAMPAIGNED ON.

>> AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE DID NOT RESPOND THIS AFTERNOON WHEN I ASKED FOR AN UPDATE ON THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS FOR THOMPSON'S SEAT.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED YESTERDAY THE MAYOR SAID SHE PROMISED TO BE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT ABOUT IT.

WITH THAT BRANDIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS FOR A ONE-ON-ONE WITH ILLINOIS' SENIOR SENATOR.

>> RUSSIAN TROOPS REPORTEDLY WITHDRAWN FROM THE UKRAINE BORDER BUT NEGOTIATIONS ARE ONGOING WITH THE U.S. AND NATO ALLIES.

PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS WARNED OF INTELLIGENCE OF AN IMMINENT INVASION BUT HERE IS WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAD TO SAY THIS AFTERNOON.

>> IF RUSSIA DECIDES TO INVADE THAT WOULD HAVE CONSEQUENCES HERE AT HOME.

BUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT DEFENDING DEMOCRACY AND LIBERTY IS NEVER WITHOUT COST.

THIS IS A CAUSE THE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

>> AND JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE TENSIONS AND MUCH MORE IS U.S. SENIOR U.S.

SENATOR DICK DURBIN WHO SERVES AS THE SENATE WHIP AND SENATOR OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU'VE HEARD THE KREMLIN TALKING ABOUT BACKING OFF, WITHDRAWING SOME TROOPS AND SAYING DIPLOMACY IS STILL AN OPTION.

DO YOU TAKE THEM AT THEIR WORD?

>> I BELIEVE WHEN I SEE IT.

IT WAS VLADIMIR PUTIN'S DECISION TO PUT 130,000 TROOPS ON THE BORDER OF UKRAINE.

THAT IS NOT A PEACEFUL MAN.

HE HAS A HISTORY OF BEING A THUG.

I HOPE IT DOESN'T LEAD TO WAR WE HAVE TO LET Mr. PUTIN KNOW HE WILL PAY CONSEQUENCES IF HE SHOULD INVADE.

>> AND UKRAINE'S DESIRE TO JOIN NATO AND RUSSIA'S DESIRE TO PREVENTED IT.

IF THEY ACT WE SES THAT A GOOD OUTCOME?

>> THE OUTCOME FOR UKRAINE IS IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE NOT IN MOSCOW, NOT IN WASHINGTON NOT IN LONDON.

THE PEOPLE IN THAT COUNTRY NEED TO DECIDE THEIR FUTURE.

AND IF THEY DECIDE THAT IT'S IN THEIR BEST INTEREST TO APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP IN NATO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND IT.

THEY HAVE BEEN INVADED BY RUSSIA AND THREATENED BY RUSSIA.

THEIR LAND HAS BEEN SEIZED BY RUSSIA.

IT HAS TO BE THEIR DECISION AND NATO'S DECISION WHETHER TO ACCEPT IT.

PUTIN HAS TO GET IT THROUGH HIS THICK SKULL THAT PEOPLE WANT THEIR OWN FUTURE.

>> IS THERE A PATH TO DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE ACQUIESCING TO THE DEMAND ON NATO?

>> I THINK THERE IS.

I'M NOT SENDING A PLAN TO KYIV TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.

THEY HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT IS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST.

IT WOULD SEEM IF ZELENSKY, SAID TO PUTIN, I TELL YOU YOU WITHDRAW ALL RUSSIAN TROOPS FROM UKRAINIAN SOIL INCLUDING CRIMEA.

AND TAKE THE TROOPS AWAY FROM OUR BORDER IN BELARUS AND RUSSIA.

AND WE WILL NOT APPLY FOR A NATO MEMBERSHIP AND SEE IF WE CAN HAVE A PEACEFUL RELATIONSHIP BUT I'M NOT GOING TO SAY FOREVER I WILL RELINQUISH THAT RIGHT IF YOU ARE PROVOCATIVE WITH CYBER WAR, I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO BECOME A MEMBER OF NATO.

>> AND YOU HEARD THE PRESIDENT SAYING THERE ARE ENORMOUS CONSEQUENCES.

WHAT ARE THE STAKES FOR AMERICANS?

>> LAST WEEK I HAD THE CHANCE TO MEET THE NEW CHANCELLOR OF GERMANY SCHOLZ HE SAID THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST LAND WAR IN EUROPE IN DECADES.

77 YEARS.

THE LAST LAND WAR WAS OF COURSE GERMANY AND ITS INVASION OF NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES IN EUROPE IT IS A BLOODY CHAPTER IN THE WORLD HISTORY.

EVERYONE PAYING A HEAVY PRICE FOR IT.

BUT YOU CANNOT HAVE A WORLD ORDER BASED ON THE RULE OF LAW AND SOVEREIGNTY AND HAVE PUTIN CLAIMING AN INFLUENCE WHERE THEY CAN TAKE COUNTRIES OVER THAT ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO FIGHT BACK.

>> A LAND BASED WAR IS NOT SOMETHING THAT I WOULD THINK MOST PEOPLE WANT ON THAT CONTINENT.

LET'S MOVE BACK TO DOMESTIC ISSUES.

PRESIDENT BIDEN SAYS HE HAS WHITTLED DOWN THE SCOTUS PICKS TO FOUR QUALIFIED AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THIS CONFIRMATION BATTLE TO BE LIKE ONCE THERE IS A PICK?

>> I CAN TELL YOU AS CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

I'M ANXIOUS THIS IS IT THE ULTIMATE OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE CONSTITUTION FILLING A LIFETIME VACANCY ON THE HIGHEST COURT OF THE LAND.

I'VE SAT THROUGH SEVEN NOMINATIONS WITH DIFFERENT PRESIDENTS.

WE'RE READY.

OUR STAFF IS READY AND WAITING FOR THE SELECTION.

THE SOONER THE BETTER.

I HAVE NOT GIVEN UP ON THE POSSIBILITY THERE WILL BE SUPPORT FOR THIS NOMINEE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THE AISLE.

I'VE REACHED OUT TO A NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN SENATORS AND ASKED THEM TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND I -- I WILL PROVIDE THEM ANY INFORMATION THEY WILL NEED.

IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE SUPREME COURT IF IT IS A BIPARTISAN VOTE.

>> AND A COUPLE SENATORS COLLINS AND MURKOWSKI DOES IT APPEAR THEY MIGHT BE VOTES TO AFFIRM?

>> THEY TOLD ME PERSONALLY, AND GOOD FRIENDS INCIDENTALLY, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE TAKING IT SERIOUSLY WITH AN OPEN MIND AND THAT IS ALL YOU CAN ASK.

WE DON'T HAVE A NAME FROM THE PRESIDENT, WE WILL BE READY WHEN WE DO.

>> IN A 50/50 SENATE IS THERE A WAY FOR REPUBLICANS TO SINK THIS PICK?

OR IF ALL DEMOCRATS ARE ONBOARD AND THE VICE-PRESIDENT KAM HARRIS ISIT A SURE BET?

>> WE ARE NOT ASSUMING ANYTHING.

WHEN YOU HAVE A 50/50 MAJORITY WITH THE VICE-PRESIDENT RIDING TO YOUR RESCUE ONE BAD DAY ONE SENATOR GETTING SICK AS WE HAD WITH THE SENATOR OF NEW MEXICO UPSETS THE EQUATION.

WE NEED TO HAVE EVERYBODY IN PLACE ALL 50 READY TO VOTE WITHOUT REPUBLICAN SUPPORT, THE VICE-PRESIDENT WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.

>> THE DEFINITION OF RAZOR THIN MARGIN.

AND HEARING THE G.O.P.

ANNOUNCED THEY ARE BOYCOTTING HEARINGS FOR SEVERAL OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S NOMINEES TO THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD INCLUDING CHAIR JEROME POWELL.

DO YOU THINK THAT COULD DERAIL THE FED NOMINATIONS?

>> I'M AFRAID IT CAN FOR THE TIME BEING.

AND WE ALWAYS RUN THAT RISK THAT IF THE REPUBLICANS SAY THEY WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANYWAY THE PART OF THE BUSINESS OF THE SENATE, THEY CAN HAVE IT GRIND TO A HALT.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.

THEY WANT TO SEE AN ORDERLY GOVERNMENT AND BIPARTISANSHIP AND SOLVE THE PROBLEMS THEY FACE ON A DAILY BASIS.

IF THE REPUBLICANS TO DECIDE TO WALKOUT AS THEY DID TODAY IN THE BANKING COMMITTEE.

>> AND THE BIGGEST OPPOSITION TO THE NOMINATION OF SARAH BLOOM RASKIN REPUBLICANS CITE QUESTIONS ABOUT HER PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT.

MIGHT NOT HER NOMINATION BE PULLED?

>> I HOPE NOT.

SHE IS A QUALIFIED PERSON.

AND LET YOU IN ON A SECRET THE FACT HER HUSBAND JAMES ANY RASKIN IS A DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN FROM MARYLAND WHO LED THE EFFORT OF THE SECOND IMPEACHMENT OF DONALD TRUMP IS NOT LOST ON US.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO GET EVEN WITH CONGRESSMAN RASKIN AND TAKING IT OUT ON HIS WIFE.

>> AXIOS REPORTS THAT SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS HAS SPOKEN DO YOU ABOUT IMMIGRATION REFORM AND GIVING DACA CITIZENS A PATHWAY TO SINCESHIP SOMETHING YOU HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR FOR 20 YEARS.

IS THERE MOVEMENT AND BIPARTISAN MOVEMENT?

>> THERE'S THE EARLIEST STAGES OF CONVERSATION IN A BIPARTISAN BASIS.

LISTEN, PARIS, THIS MEANS AS MUCH TO ME AS ANY OTHER ISSUE I'VE EVER FACED AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE COUNTING ON US TO COMING TO A CONCLUSION THAT IS FAIR AND GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COUNTRY.

I REACHED OUT TO THE REPUBLICAN SIDE AND SEE IF THERE'S COMMON GROUND.

I'VE TALKED TO SUSAN AND OTHER SENATORS TO SIT DOWN WITH AN OPEN MIND AND DISCUSS OUR POSSIBILITIES.

>> AND GIVEN THE POLITICAL WINS AND THE MIDTERMS MIGHT YOUR WINDOW BE NOW AND NOVEMBER OR JANUARY TO GET SOMETHING DONE ON THIS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE SOONER THE BETTER.

THE CLOSER TO THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, THE MORE HEATED THE POLITICAL RHETORIC BECOMES THE LESS LIKELY A COMPROMISE CAN BE REACHED I WILL TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY EARLY THIS YEAR.

>> WE'LL FOLLOW DEVELOPMENTS ON THAT.

AND YOU ARE INTRODUCING LEGISLATION THAT MIGHT END ONCE AND FOR ALL THE REGULAR POLITICAL GAME OF CHICKEN BATTLES OVER THE DEBT CEILING.

EXPLAIN WHAT THIS PROPOSAL WOULD DO?

>> THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS TO THINK WE REALLY RISK FULL FAITH AND CREDIT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S GOVERNMENT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS WHEN WE HAVE THESE DEATH DEFYING STAREDOWNS AS TO WHETHER TO PASS THE DEBT CEILING?

THE DEBT CEILING IS THE VALIDATION OF MONEY WE'VE SPENT.

SO MANY MEMBERS OF THE SENATE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE SPEND THE MONEY AND TURN AROUND AND WON'T PAY THE MORTGAGE DEBT THAT COMES AS A RESULT OF IT THAT THE UNITED STATES OWES TO PUT IT IN COMMON TERMS.

THAT HAS TO COME TO AN END.

NO GREAT NATION CAN BE SUBJECT TO THAT KIND OF LAST-MINUTE DEAD-END STAREDOWN ON A REGULAR BASIS AND SUCCEED.

>> AND DOES THIS MOVE TO PUT THIS IN THE HANDS OF THE TREASURY SECRETARY HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, DO YOU THINK?

>> WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT.

BUT I TELL YOU WHAT, I'M OPEN TO ANYBODY'S SUGGESTION THIS IS MINE.

BUT THIS IS TERRIBLE.

TO RISK THIS ECONOMY, ECONOMIC GROWTH JOBS AND BUSINESS AND JOBS IN THE UNITED STATES ONCE A YEAR SO THE POLITICIANS CAN PLAY SHOWDOWN IT IS NOT FAIR TO THIS COUNTRY.

>> AND SENATOR DURBIN YOU REINTRODUCED VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT.

TELL US HOW THIS UPDATES THE 1994 LAW.

>> IT IS AN AMAZING LAW.

IT WAS ENACTED IN 1994 AND REAUTHORIZED BUT IT'S BEEN THREE OR FOUR YEARS WE COULD NOT REACH AN AGREEMENT.

THIS TIME WE HAVE A GOOD AGREEMENT A BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT.

WE HAVE SENATOR MEASURE COULD MM ALASKA, WE HAVE A LONG LIST OF COSPONSORS AND WHAT IT DOES IS TO PROVIDE NEW TOOLS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE NETWORK SO THAT THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR THEIR CHILDREN CAN REACH OUT FOR HELP FOR COUNSELING FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE IF NECESSARY, AND REALLY FIND SAFETY IN THEIR LIVES.

IT'S SO BASIC AND I'M GLAD TO HAVE THIS ON THE AGENDA TO MOVE ON IN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS.

ONE OF A FEW BIPARTISAN PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT I KNOW THAT DOES NOT GET AS MUCH ATTENTION IN WASHINGTON D.C. AS SOME OF THE FIGHTS THAT GO ON EVERYDAY.

AND SENATOR DURBIN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AS ALWAYS.

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

THANKS.

>> A PREVIEW OF THE CHICAGO CHILDREN'S CHOIR ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH'S CONCERT.

STAY WITH US.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" INCLUDING WHAT ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES ARE SAYING ABOUT THE MAYOR'S NEW TASK FORCE TO REIMAGINE THE MUSEUM CAMPUS.

BUT FIRST, REMEMBERING RECLAIMING AND RECONNECTING.

THAT IS THE THEME OF THIS YEAR'S ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH CONCERT BY THE CHICAGO CHILDREN'S CHOIR.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU CAUGHT UP WITH THEM AT REHEARSALS AT THE CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER AND OFFERS A PREVIEW WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED LATER THIS MONTH.

[♪♪♪] >> THE CHICAGO CHILDREN'S CHOIR IS BACK FOR THEIR ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH CONCERT.

[♪♪♪] THE VIRTUAL CONCERT WILL FEATURE A NUMBER OF AFRICAN SONGS THAT EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES.

THEY ARE TAKING CONCERT GOERS ON A JOURNEY, A WORD WHICH MEANS TO RETURN OR RETRIEVE WHAT WAS LOST.

>> IT IS A CHANCE TO EDUCATE ALL PEOPLE ABOUT BLACK HISTORY AND HOW IT GOES BEYOND JUST SLAVERY.

[♪♪♪] >> ANYIAH CHASE-MAYFIELD IS ONE OF THE FEATURED CHOIR MEMBERS.

>> MANY INSTITUTIONS BLACK HISTORY ALWAYS STARTS AT SLAVERY.

AND I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO RECOGNIZE BEFORE THAT WE WERE KINGS AND QUEENS AND HAD EMPIRES WE WERE A RICH COUNTRY AND THE MUSIC WE SING REFLECTS THAT.

>> FROM NIGERIA TO JAMAICA THE SONGS IN THE CONCERT COME FROM MULTIPLE COUNTRIES.

FORMER CHOIR MEMBER SANTITA JACKSON SAYS IT'S THAT COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY THAT MAKES THE CHICAGO CHILDREN'S CHOIR SO SPECIAL.

>> WE GO BEYOND CULTURE TO CULTURAL APPRECIATION.

THESE YOUNG PEOPLE SING THESE AFRICAN INSPIRED SONGS BECAUSE THEY ARE A PART OF THEM.

AMERICANS ARE BEGINNING TO EMBRACE THAT WE ARE AFRICAN, WE ARE INDIGENOUS WE ARE EUROPEAN WE ARE ASIAN WE ARE EVERYTHING.

SO IT IS NOT UNUSUAL THANKFULLY FOR THESE CHILDREN AND THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE SINGING ALL KINDS OF MUSIC AND IT'S WHERE WE OUGHT TO BE.

AND THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ALREADY THERE.

THEY'VE LEFT US BEHIND.

THEY'VE GONE INTO THE NEW WORLD AND I ENCOURAGE THAT.

CHILDREN ARE HELD HOSTAGE BY THE MADNESS OF ADULTS.

AND WHAT YOU SEE WHEN CHILDREN HAVE THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, THEY KNOW THE TRUTH.

AND THEY SING THE TRUTH.

EVEN IF IT'S A PAINFUL SONG.

AND ADULTS NEED TO LISTEN.

THEY ARE THE FUTURE AND THEY ARE A REFLECTION OF OURSELVES.

>> WHETHER IT BE LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING OR A GOSPEL SONG, CHOIR MEMBERS HOPE THEIR VOICES WILL BRING ABOUT CHANGE THAT THE WORLD CAN HEAR.

>> YOU HAVE TONE, INFLECTION, PITCH ALL THE DEVICES WORKING TOWARDS THE HEART OF A PERSON.

IT'S HARD TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO A PERSON AND GET TO THAT AND WITH THE MUSIC AND THE DEVICES AND THE COLLECTIVE IT'S EASIER AND IT'S DEEPER AND NO MATTER HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT A CERTAIN SONG IT GETS YOU THERE BUT THAT'S WHAT WE ARE HOPING TO DO.

[♪♪♪] >> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> REMEMBERING, RECLAIMING AND RECONNECTING WITH THE CHICAGO CHILDREN'S CHOIR DEBUTS FEBRUARY 26 AT 6:00 P.M. YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO JOIN THE LIVE STREAM.

>> AND PARIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THEY SOUND FANTASTIC.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", WHAT COULD A REIMAGINED MUSEUM CAMPUS LOOK LIKE?

ENVIRONMENTALISTS TELL A TASK FORCE THAT IS RETHINKING THE 57-ACRE PROPERTY NO NEW CONSTRUCTION.

WHY THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY IS FACING A DRIVER SHORTAGE AND HOW ADVOCATES WANT TO RECRUIT YOUNGER MORE DIVERSE DRIVERS.

>> COULD SAFE INJECTION SITES CURB OVERDOSE DEATHS.

>> A ADVOCATE IN CHICAGO IS BEING TAPPED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO HELP ADDRESS THE NATION'S GUN VIOLENCE.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE HORIZON LEAGUE REVERSED THE DECISION ALLOWING UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO STUDENT ATHLETES TO PARTICIPATE IN WINTER AND SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS.

THEY ANNOUNCED PLANS TO LEAVE THE HORIZON LEAGUE AND JOIN THE MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE.

THE UNIVERSITY WAS BARRED FROM CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS BECAUSE THE BYLAWS REQUIRE A ONE-YEAR MINIMUM NOTICE.

IT REVERSED ITS DECISION TO PRIORITIZE THE STUDENT ATHLETES.

>> THE BEARS MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN IN SUNDAY'S SUPER BOWL BUT THE GAME HAD AN IMPACT AT HOME.

ACCORDING TO THE GAMING BOARD ILLINOIS MADE AN ESTIMATED $1.4 MILLION ON SPORTS BETTING FOR THE SUPER BOWL.

THAT IS UP 24% FROM LAST YEAR.

IN TOTAL ILLINOIS SAW MORE THAN 60 MILLION DOLLARS OF SPORTS BETTING FOR THIS EVENT.

THAT IS ABOUT 44 MILLION IN BETS BEFORE THE GAME AND 16 MILLION DURING THE GAME.

>> AND THE AGENCY THAT RUNS McCORMICK PLACE RAISES RED FLAGS ABOUT PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR THE CASINO ON ITS GROUNDS.

THE CONVENTION CENTER IS LOCATION FOR THREE OF THE FIVE PROPOSALS FOR THE CASINOS IN CHICAGO.

THE AGENCY SAYS THE PROPOSALS COULD IMPACT OPERATIONS AND HURT ITS ABILITY TO HOST CONVENTIONS AND TRADE SHOWS.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND CITY COUNCIL ARE EXPECTED TO SETTLE ON ONE OF THE FIVE BIDS FOR CHICAGO CASINO IN THE COMING WEEKS.

>> AND CHICAGO IS UNDER A WINTER STORM WATCH WHICH WILL LAST UNTIL 9:00 THURSDAY EVENING.

TEMPERATURES COULD TOP 50° TOMORROW.

BUT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS THE AREA COULD SEE RAIN BEGINNING WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THAT WILL TRANSITION INTO FREEZING RAIN AND THEN SLEET AND THEN KNOW AS THE TEMPERATURE DROPS.

AND SNOW IS EXPECTED FOR MOST OF THE DAY ON THURSDAY AS MUCH AS SIX INCHES COULD CALL IN SOME PARTS OF THE REGION.

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE AS THIS ICY MIX WILL MAKE FOR HAZARDOUS TRAVEL.

AND NOW TO BRANDIS FOR WHAT A NEW MUSEUM CAMPUS LOOK LIKE THROUGH THE EYES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES?

>> A CASINO IN McCORMICK PLACE EAST A RETRACTIBLE ROOF FOR SOLDIER FIELD THESE ARE SOME OF THE POSSIBILITIES THAT SPRING TO MIND WHEN REIMAGINING CHICAGO'S MUSEUM CAMPUS AND WHAT THE MAYOR'S TASK FORCE IS SETUP TO BRAINSTORM.

AND EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE EXCEPT FOR ONE THING... NEW BUILDINGS.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER PATTY WETLI JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

REMIND US WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS NEWLY FORMED TASK FORCE ON WHAT DOES IT HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW IT'S BEEN ALMOST 25 YEARS SINCE DUSABLE LAKE SHORE DRIVE WAS RECONFIGURED TO CREATE THAT MUSEUM CAMPUS W THINGS LIKE WHERE TO PUT A CASINO, THE BEARS WILL THEY OR WON'T THEY STAY AT SOLDIER FIELD?

NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO LOOK AT HOLISTICALLY THIS STRETCH OF THE LAKEFRONT THAT GOES FROM WHERE THE FIELD MUSEUM, SHED AND ADLER PLANETARIUM SOUTH TO McCORMICK PLACE WITH THINGS LIKE 12TH STREET BEACH AND NORTHEASTERLY ISLAND IN-BETWEEN.

AND THINK YOU KNOW, WHAT THE BEST WAY FOR THE CITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT PRIME REAL ESTATE.

>> AND YOU SPOKE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES FOR THEIR THOUGHTS ON REIMAGINING THE MUSEUM CAMPUS.

WHAT IS THEIR BOTTOM LINE?

>> FOR ONE THING, YOU KNOW, THEY VERY MUCH WANT TO INVOKE THE LAKEFRONT PROTECTION ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS PASSED IN THE 70s AND THAT'S LARGELY WHAT PROTECTS THE LAKEFRONT FROM ANY NEW BUILDING CONSTRUCTION EAST OF DUSABLE LAKE SHORE DRIVE.

THE LUCAS MUSEUM WAS CHALLENGED AND NOT ALLOWED TO BUILD THERE.

SO IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT IF WE KNOCK DOWN McCORMICK PLACE OR SOLDIER FIELD PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FIGHT THAT YOU CANNOT PUT SOMETHING NEW IN ITS PLACE.

THAT'S KIND OF A LINE IN THE SAND FOR A LOT OF ENVIRONMENTALISTS.

>> A LINE IN THE SAND, LINE IN THE SNOW.

PATTY WETLI THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ PATTY'S STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND NOW PARIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS.

THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT IS USING A NATIONAL EMERGENCY ACT TO QUELL PROTESTS OVER COVID-19 MEASURES.

MANY OF THE OCCUPATIONS AND BLOCKADES HAVE BEEN DRIVEN BY TRUCK DRIVERS ANGRY OVER VACCINE MANDATE IN THAT COUNTRY.

A BLOCK AID ON THE AMBASSADOR BRIDGE BETWEEN ONTARIO AND DETROIT CAUSED THE LATEST SUPPLY CHAIN HEADACHE FOR AUTOMAKERS.

AND HERE IN THE U.S.

THE SUPREME COURT DECISION STRIKING DOWN A FEDERAL MANDATE FOR MOST LARGE BUSINESSES MEANS DRIVERS DO NOT FACE A VACCINE REQUIREMENT BUT TRUCKING ADVOCATES SAY THE INDUSTRY FACES HUGE CHALLENGES.

AND MANY OF WHICH ARE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC AND SOME PREDATE THE PANDEMIC.

AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS WHY THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF DRIVERS AND HOW THE INDUSTRY HOPES TO TACKLE THAT ISSUE IS MATT HART EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ILLINOIS TRUCKING ASSOCIATION.

MATT HART THANKS FOR BEING HERE WITH US ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

THAT NEARLY WEEK LONG BLOCKADE ON THE AMBASSADOR BRIDGE BETWEEN DETROIT AND WINDSOR, ONTARIO, YOUR ACTION TAKEN BY CANADIAN TRUCKERS TO PROTEST THE VACCINE MANDATES?

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU.

I THINK WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO -- FOR YOUR VIEWERS TO UNDERSTAND, IN LOOKING AT WATCHING WHAT IS GOING ON IN CANADA, IS REALIZING THAT THIS DID NOT GO ON IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS YOU SAID, WE DO NOT HAVE A VACCINE MANDATE.

AND THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT AND ONE OF THE REASONS WE OPPOSED THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S VACCINE MANDATE ON LARGE EMPLOYERS WE WERE WORRIED THAT WOULD HAPPEN IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

WE CHALLENGED THAT AND TOOK IT TO THE SUPREME COURT AND WERE SUCCESSFUL AND DECIDEDLY 6-3 THE SUPREME COURT AGREED WITH US THAT THAT WAS NOT A GOOD THING.

WE ARE GLAD THAT IS NOT HAPPENING HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

BUT WHEN THE CANADIAN PROTESTS WHICH STARTED AROUND THE CAPITOL AND SPILLED INTO ARTERIES FOR TRADE LIKE THE AMBASSADOR BRIDGE THAT BEGINS TO HAVE IMPLICATIONS ON OUR ECONOMY, IT BEGINS TO HAVE IMPLICATIONS IN CHICAGO AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IF THERE IS AN AUTO PLANT IN CHICAGO AND MEN AND WOMEN TRYING TO GO TO WORK AND ASSEMBLE CARS BUT WE CAN'T GET PARTS FROM CANADA BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE BLOCKING THAT ROADWAY, THAT DOESN'T DO ANYBODY ANY GOOD.

WE ARE GLAD THOSE HAVE GONE TO THE WAYSIDE AND WE'RE WATCHFUL FOR THOSE.

WE SUPPORT THE FIRST AMENDMENT BUT WE DO NOT SUPPORT PROTESTORS IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM BLOCKING HIGHWAYS AND HURTING OUR ECONOMY OR AGAIN, WE ARE AN INDUSTRY THAT IS FOCUSED ON SAFETY.

GOD FORBID AN AMBULANCE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO A HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF SOMEONE BLOCKING A ROADWAY.

>> SOMETHING YOU SOUND YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO SEE TRUCKERS IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT IS A DIFFERENT SITUATION MERE IN THE U.S. YOU DID OPPOSE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S VACCINE MANDATE FOR LARGE EMPLOYERS.

WHY DID YOU FEEL IT WAS WRONG FOR TRUCKING COMPANIES?

>> WELL, IT DIDN'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE AND IT WAS NOT FAIR NO ONE COULD EXPLAIN WHY A TRUCKING COMPANY WITH 102 TRUCKS WAS MORE OF A THREAT THAN A COMPANY WITH 95 TRUCKS AND THAT THRESHOLD ALONE WHICH WAS PICKED OUT OF THE SKY WAS NEVER EXPLAINED TO US.

AND ALSO IN OUR INDUSTRY, THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY, FOLKS HAVE GOT TO REMEMBER WE HAVE NEVER STOPPED WORKING THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC WE CONTINUED TO DELIVER THE GOODS THAT AMERICANS NEEDED.

THERE WAS NO WORK-FROM-HOME IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY.

WE CONTINUE TO DELIVER THESE GOODS WE CONTINUE TO DELIVER IT BEFORE WE HAD A VACCINE AND AFTER WE GOT THE VACCINE WE DELIVERED THE VACCINE.

AND WE'VE NEVER BEEN A THREAT.

AND THERE IS NO DATA TO SHOW THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY WAS A THREAT.

>> AND MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT DRIVERS ARE GOING TO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS SO IF THEY ARE INFECTED THEY COULD SPREAD THE DISEASE EASIER WHAT ABOUT THAT ARGUMENT?

>> THAT WOULD BE TRUE IF WE WERE INTERACTING WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE THEY SPEND MOST OF THEIR DAY IN THE TRUCK BY THEMSELVES.

IF THEY GO TO A SHIPPER OR RECEIVER THEY ARE HAVING LIMITED ACCESS.

MANY SHIPPERS AND RECEIVERS MADE IT EASIER FOR OUR FOLKS NOT INTERACT WITH FOLKS AND WE TOOK THE PRECAUTIONS.

HERE WE WERE AT THE FOREFRONT OF GETTING MASKS OUT TO DRIVERS WHEN MASK MANDATES WERE MADE AVAILABLE.

WE TOOK THE PRECAUTIONS BUT AGAIN A TRUCK DRIVER GENERALLY DOESN'T EXPOSE HIM OR HERSELF TO A LOT OF PEOPLE EVEN THOUGH WE'RE TRAVELING ABOUT THE COUNTRY.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF CHALLENGES FACING THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY HERE IN ILLINOIS THAT PREDATE THE PANDEMIC.

I WAS READING STATISTIC WHERE 97% OF TRUCKING COMPANIES HAVE REPORTED DRIVER SHORTAGES.

HOW BIG A PROBLEM RIGHT NOW IS THE DRIVER SHORTAGE?

>> OH, WE HAD A DRIVER SHORTAGE LONG BEFORE EVERYBODY ELSE WAS HAVING WORKFORCE SHORTAGES.

IN OUR DATA SHOWS THAT WE HAD A SMALL DIP AT THE PEAK OF THE PANDEMIC WHEN SOME OF THE MANUFACTURERS WERE SHUTDOWN IN MAY AND JUNE 2020.

BUT SINCE JULY OF 2020 WE CONSISTENTLY HAD A DRIVER SHORTAGE WHERE 90% OF OUR COMPANIES HAVE A TRUCK DRIVER SHORTAGE.

ONE IN THREE TRUCKING COMPANIES HAVE A SEVERE SHORTAGE WHICH MEANS THEY COULD USE A 15% INCREASE IN THEIR DRIVER POOL.

MUCH OF THAT IS BEING DRIVEN BY CONSUMER DEMAND WHICH IS UP 30-50% TODAY.

>> HOW DOES THAT IMPACT THE BROADER ECONOMY AT LARGE WHEN YOU'VE GOT TRUCKING COMPANIES LOOKING FOR DRIVERS AND THEY CAN'T FIND THEM?

>> WELL, I THINK EVERYBODY IS SEEING THAT.

IF YOU ORDERED PAINTED AND IT'S TAKING LONGER OR BUILDING MATERIALS.

I TRIED TO ORDER A COUCH, THEY COULDN'T GET THE FABRIC TO MAKE THE COUCH.

THE COUCH WAS MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BUT THE FABRIC CAME FROM OVERSEAS.

AND SO OUR SUPPLY CHAIN OBVIOUSLY HAS BEEN PUSHED TO THE LIMIT.

THE OTHER DRIVERS WE CAN GET THE QUICKER WE CAN GET THE AMERICANS GOODS DELIVERED.

AND THE FEWER DRIVERS THE MORE PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO WAIT.

>> AND THERE'S LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL INCLUDING GETTING MORE YOUNGER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD AND WOMEN DRIVERS.

TELL US WHAT THE POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS HERE ARE?

>> YOU KNOW THERE'S GOOD UNTAPPED SOURCES OUT THERE FOR DRIVERS.

RIGHT NOW, ONLY 6 OR 7% OF OUR WORKFORCE IS FEMALE.

AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE MORE FEMALES WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY.

TRUCKING HAS GONE FROM A VERY LABOR INTENSIVE HARD INDUSTRY TO TECHNOLOGY HAS MADE TRUCKS EASIER TO DRIVE AND THEY HAVE MORE TECHNOLOGY IN THEM TODAY.

AND WE HAVE MORE FEMALES GETTING INTO THE INDUSTRY AND THAT IS GROWING.

AND IF YOU ARE WILLING TO WORK HARD AND TRAVEL, YOU CAN MAKE A GREAT LIVING IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY.

>> WHAT ABOUT YOUNGER DRIVERS?

THERE'S PILOT LEGISLATION TO ATTRACT 18-YEAR-OLD DRIVERS.

TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> SO THIS IS PART OF WHAT INITIALLY THE DRIVE SAFE ACT WHICH THE ILLINOIS TRUCKING ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS BECAUSE IF ILLINOIS, AT 18 YEARS OLD YOU CAN GET A LICENSE TO DRIVE A SEMI FROM CHICAGO TO EAST ST. LOUIS BUT YOU CANNOT DRIVE FROM ST.

LOSE TO EAST ST. LOUIS BECAUSE OF INTERSTATE COMMERCE LAWS.

WE THINK A BETTER APPROACH TO YOUNG DRIVERS IS HAVING A SAFETY STANDARD IN PLACE WHAT THE DRIVE SAFE ACT HOPES TO ACHIEVE AND A LARGE COMPONENT WAS IN THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE BILL LAST YEAR AND RIGHT NOW MRS. A PILOT PROGRAM AND WE ARE GOING TO ALLOW 3,000, 18-20-YEAR-OLDS THE ABILITY TO OPERATE UNDER A SAFETY STANDARD AND OPERATE IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE THAT IS HUGE FOR AREAS LIKE CHICAGO WE WE ARE SO CLOSE TO INDIANA OR WISCONSIN.

THOSE ARE INTERSTATE MOVES WHEN THEY STAY INSIDE THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

WE THINK THERE'S GREAT POTENTIAL TO APPEAL TO A NEW DEMOGRAPHIC AND RAISING OUR SAFETY STANDARDS.

>> TO YOUNG PEOPLE AND WOMEN THERE ARE JOBS AVAILABLE IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY.

AND MATT HART THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> AND BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS SIGNALING IT MIGHT BE OPEN TO SO-CALLED SAFE INJECTION CITES WHICH ARE SPACES FOR PEOPLE TO USE DRUGS WITH PROTECTIONS AGAINST FATAL OVERDOSES.

THE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT'S EVALUATING THE SITES AS PART OF AN OVERALL APPROACH.

ADVOCATES SAY THIS IS EXCITING NEWS ESPECIALLY AS LAST YEAR'S TOTAL OF OVERDOSE CREE LATED DEATHS IS EXPECTED TO BE OVER 2,000 IN COOK JOINING US WITH PORE ARE Dr. KIRAN JOSHI.

ERICA ERNST, BOARD PRESIDENT AND INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT CHICAGO RECOVERY ALLIANCE AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE LaSHAWN FORD WHO INTRODUCED LEGISLATION IN SPRINGFIELD ON THIS ISSUE.

ERICA ERNST GIVE US A DESCRIPTION WHAT THE SAFE INJECTION SITES ARE LIKE AND WHY YOU SUPPORT THEM?

>> I'M A FAN OF SAFE INJECTION FACILITIES DEPENDING ON THE FACILITY ITSELF.

THEY CAN BE A WIDE VARIETY OF THINGS.

THEY CAN BE FROM A SAFER BATHROOM AND YOU HAVE YOUR BATHROOM EQUIPPED WITH STAINLESS STEEL THE DOOR FLIPS OUT AND YOU HAVE A MONITOR LIMITED TIME IN THE RESTROOM WITH PEERS RUN TO GO TO A VERY MEDICALIZED FACILITY LIKE INSIGHT IN VANCOUVER WHERE THEY HAVE WRAP AROUND SERVICES AND RECOVERY TREATMENT UPSTAIRS.

ALL ARE MEANT FOR A SAFER SPACE FOR SOMEONE TO CONSUME THEIR DRUGS AND HAVE A PEER OR SOMEONE WHO IS UNDERSTANDING TO REVERSE AN OVERDOSE SHOULD THAT OCCUR.

OR TO TREAT WOUNDS AND LINEAGE TO CARE.

>> AND WHEN YOU SAY MONITOR A PERSON WHO IS THERE IN THE EVENT OF AN OVERDOSE WHO CAN ADMINISTER THE APPROPRIATE MEDICATION.

>> Dr. JOSHI WHICH IS THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S TAKE ON THESE SITES?

>> THIS PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTION IS A HARM REDUCTION INTERVENTION THAT TENDS TO REDUCE OVERDOSE DEATHS AND OTHER POTENTIAL HARMS FROM DRUG USE.

AND IN THAT, I THINK, IT'S REALLY A PUBLIC HEALTH SUCCESS STORY BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF EVIDENCE A LOT OF RESEARCH THAT HAS GONE INTO SHOWING PREVENTION SITES REDUCE OVERDOSE DEATHS AND DECREASE DISEASE TRANSMISSION IN TERMS OF HIV AND HEPATITIS C AND DECREASE AREA CRIME AND INCREASE ADDICTION TO TREATMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

SO BASED ON THIS EVIDENCE WE BELIEVE THESE ARE VITAL HARM REDUCTION STRATEGY THAT HAVE CLEAR PUBLIC HEALTH BENEFITS.

>> HARMFUL REDUCTION WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> IT IS AN UNDERSTANDING THAT WE KNOW THAT ADDICTION FOR EXAMPLE IS A BIOLOGICAL PROCESS IT IS A CHRONIC DISEASE, LIKE MANY OTHERS.

AND FOR MANY FOLKS IMMEDIATE SUSPENDIZATION OF DRUG USE IS NOT POSSIBLE.

WE TRY TO PREVENT THE HARMS THAT MAY ACCRUE FROM THAT DRUG USE SUCH AS INFECTIONS THAT MAY HAPPEN FROM INJECTING OR AGAIN, HIV OR HEPATITIS C TRANSITION.

>> REPRESENTATIVE FORD YOU SPONSORED LEGISLATION ON THIS LAST YEAR TO CREATE THE SAFER CONSUMPTION SERVICES ACT.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT THAT ACT WOULD DO?

>> WELL IT, WOULD SAVE LIVES THAT IS NUMBER ONE.

AND THE FACT THAT IT'S PROVEN TO SAVE LIVES WE NEED TO PASS THIS IN SPRINGFIELD BECAUSE IT IS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME INTO A ORGANIZATION AND GET HELP NOT JUST TO USE A DRUG, BUT TO ALSO BE IN A SAFE PLACE THAT COULD LEAD THEM TO TREATMENT IF THEY SO CHOOSE.

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT USING DRUGS IT'S BEEN PROVIDING CARE FOR PEOPLE IN A SAFE SETTING.

>> ERICA ERNST WHAT DO WE KNOW HOW THIS HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN OTHER PLACES?

YOU MENTIONED VANCOUVER FOR EXAMPLE?

>> VANCOUVER HAS A MAGICAL SITE CALLED INSIGHT THAT HAS MEDICALIZED TREATMENT.

SO MANY STAINLESS STEEL CUBICLES AND NURSES ON-SITE, THE SOCIAL WORKERS AND IT HAS RECOVERY, MEDICALLY ASSISTED TREATMENT UPSTAIRS.

THAT FOLKS CAN GO FOR 30, 60, 90 DAYS IF THEY CHOOSE.

WE DO KNOW THAT WARM HAND OFFS DEFINITELY WORK IN THESE FIELDS.

AND I'VE BEEN TO A NUMBER OF OVERDOSE PREVENTION SITES AS WELL IN TORONTO THAT ARE MORE PEER-LED MORE GRASSROOTS, SO SOMETHING LIKE AN SCS CAN BE OPENED LOW COST ALL THE WAY TO HIGH COST AND SUPER WRAP AROUND TO EITHER WAY TO REPRESENTATIVE FORD'S POINT THE POINT IS YOU HAVE RESOURCES AVAILABLE AND A TRUSTED INDIVIDUAL THERE WHO YOU'RE GOING TO TRUST FOR THE WARM HAND OFF WHEN AND IF YOU ARE READY TO PURSUE A RECOVERY PATHWAY.

>> WARM HAND OFF FROM THE SITE TO MAYBE A REHAB OR SOME OTHER CARE?

>> REHAB, METHADONE, HOUSING, ALL OF THOSE THINGS ABSOLUTELY.

>> Dr. JOSHI WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE CRITICS SAYING IT MIGHT BRING MORE DRUGS OR CRIME TO THE AREA OR STATE CONDONED DRUG USE?

>> SURE.

SO FIRSTLY I THINK PARTIALLY THAT IS A MANIFESTATION OF THE DEEP SEEDED STIGMA WE HAVE IN OUR SOCIETY AROUND DRUGS AND PEOPLE WHO USE THEM.

IN POINT OF FACT, ADDICTIONS ARE CHRONIC DISEASES JUST LIKE DIABETES JUST LIKE HIGH PRESSURE AND WE SHOULD TREAT THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE THEM WITH THE SAME COMPASSION THAT WE WOULD ANY OTHER PATIENT WITH A CHRONIC DISEASE.

REGARDING THE SPECIFIC POINT ABOUT CRIME AND INCREASING DRUG USE, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS THAT.

IN FACT TO THE CONTRARY.

WE'VE FOUND IN THE RESEARCH THAT WHEN OVERDOSE PREVENTION SITES ARE IMPLEMENTED, CRIME CAN GO DOWN IN THE AREA.

INJECTION PARAPHERNALIA IS NO LONGER ON THE STREETS OR THE SIDEWALKS BECAUSE IT'S DISPOSED OF IN A SAFE WAY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE FORD WE KNOW THIS BILL DID NOT PASS LAST YEAR.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE ARGUMENT FROM OPPONENTS OF IT?

>> JUST BEING EDUCATED ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO USE AN ILLEGAL DRUG.

WE CAN'T SEE IT AS ALLOWING PEOPLE TO USE AN ILLEGAL DRUG WE ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE FENTANYL IS ON THE RISE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE DYING FROM FENTANYL.

I THINK WE'RE GETTING TO THE POINT NOW THAT IT'S -- HAS RISEN TO THE FEDERAL LEVEL THERE IS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE NEED FOR SAFE CONSUMPTION SITES BECAUSE THEY DO SAVE LIVES.

SO WE'RE WORKING IT VERY HARD AND I'M GRATEFUL TO SEE THEM FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND PUSHING IT VERY HARD.

>> WHAT REPRESENTATIVE FORD WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN NEXT IN ORDER TO GET YOUR LEGISLATION THROUGH OR MAKE THE SITES A REALITY IN ILLINOIS?

>> WE ARE GOING TO KEEP PUSHING AND GET 60 VOTES AND TRY TO PASS THIS BILL BEFORE WE LEAVE IN APRIL.

AND CRA AND THE ADVOCATES THE WEST SIDE HEROIN OPIOID TASK FORCE AND THE DOCTOR FROM THE COUNTY EVERYBODY IS PUSHING THIS.

I'M EXCITED.

I BELIEVE THAT WE'VE EDUCATED PEOPLE IN A WAY THAT THE DOCTOR HAS SPOKEN THIS IS A SICKNESS FOR SOME AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE TREAT IT THAT WAY.

>> AND BEFORE WE GO, 2020 SAW 18 OVERDOSE DEATHS.

20041700 CONFIRMED.

WHAT ROLE DOES FENTANYL HAVE IN THE INCREASE.

>> FENTANYL HAS A HUGE ROLE BECAUSE IT IS UNPREDICTABLE AND UNKNOWN AND THERE ARE SO MANY ANALOGS OF THAT FOLKS DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GETTING.

THEY CANNOT USE THE AMOUNT THEY WERE USING.

AND COVID PRAYS A HUGE ROLE.

PEOPLE TRY TO BE RESPONSIBLE SELF ISOLATING IN TURN NOBODY CAN REVERSE THEIR OVERDOSE.

>> A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE.

ERICA ERNST AND REPRESENTATIVE LaSHAWN FORD AND Dr. KIRAN JOSHI THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> COMING UP WHAT THE NEXT CHAPTER HOLDS FOR A LOCAL ANTIVIOLENCE ADVOCATE A CONVERSATION WITH WBEZ MICHAEL PUENTE THAT AIRED ON SATURDAY'S "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES".

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> A LONG TIME PIONEER OF CHICAGO A ANTIVIOLENCE MOVEMENT IS BEING TAPPED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO HELP ADDRESS THE NATION'S VIOLENCE.

EDDIE BOCANEGRA WENT ON TO START THE URBAN WARRIORS PROGRAM WITH THE YMCA CONNECTING YOUTH WITH MILITARY VETERAN MENTORS.

EDDIE BOCANEGRA BEGAN THE READY PROGRAM OFFERING INTENSIVE RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE AT HIGH-RISK FOR VIOLENCE.

EDDIE BOCANEGRA HAS BEEN APPOINTED SENIOR ADVISER FOR THE COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT HIS NEW ROLE IS EDDIE BOCANEGRA.

WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES".

>> THANK YOU IT IS A PLEASURE BEING HERE TODAY.

>> CHICAGO GETS A LOT OF ATTENTION FOR GUN VIOLENCE.

BUT C.D.C.

STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE NUMBER OF GUN DEATHS HAS RISEN NATIONWIDE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

MORE THAN 45,000 DEATHS RESULTED FROM GUNS IN 2020.

THAT NUMBER WHICH INCLUDES BOTH HOMICIDES AND SUICIDES, IS 14% HIGHER THAN THE YEAR PRIOR.

GUNS WERE USED IN 79% OF HOMICIDES, A RISE FROM 5% FROM 2019.

AND PRELIMINARY DATA FROM THE GUN VIOLENCE ARCHIVE A SHOOTING TRACKER SUGGESTS THESE TRENDS CONTINUED INTO 2021.

EDDIE, HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR NEW ROLE AT THE DOJ AS ONE THAT CAN REVERSE THOSE TRENDS?

>> WELL, I THINK I THINK THE FACT THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS PRIORITIZING GUN VIOLENCE AS AN EPIDEMIC ISSUE IS A GOOD INDICATOR THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE A ADMINISTRATION IN OUR COUNTRY THAT IS PRIORITIZING THIS ISSUE.

THE FACT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO ALLOWING SOMEONE WITH MY LIVED EXPERIENCE BUT ALSO COUPLED BY THE EXPERIENCE I HAVE BY IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAMS, WOULD ALLOW US TO INFORM SOME OF THE DECISIONS WE COULD MAKE THAT WOULD ENGAGE POLICY ISSUES AND WHERE WE COULD LOCATE OUR RESOURCES TO HAVE A BIGGER BANG FOR OUR BUCK.

>> YOU PIONEERED A NUMBER OF ANTIVIOLENCE EFFORTS HERE IN CHICAGO INCLUDING URBAN WARRIORS AND READY CHICAGO.

LOOKING BACK WHAT HAVE THE PROGRAMS TAUGHT YOU THAT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED IN OTHER PLACES WITH HIGH RATES OF GUN VIOLENCE?

>> IT'S INTERESTING, I THINK TOO OFTEN PEOPLE HAVE A MISCONCEPTION OF THE POPULATIONS THAT WE SERVE.

I WOULD SAY THAT THE OPPORTUNITIES I'VE HAD AND OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO'S CRIME LAB IT HAS AFFORDED US AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT DATA TO LOOK AT RANDOMIZED CONTROL STUDY TO ASSESS WHO ARE THOSE INDIVIDUALS THE HIGHEST RISK OF GUN INVOLVEMENT.

HISTORICALLY, IT'S BEEN MANY INITIATIVES MANY PROGRAMS THAT WOULD SAY WE WORK WITH THE HIGHEST RISK OR YOUNG PEOPLE AND YES, YOUNG PEOPLE TEND TO BE AT RISK BUT FOR THE MOST PART THE DATA TELLS US WHEN YOU LOOK AT CHICAGO 80% OF THE VICTIMS AND PERPETRATORS ARE THOSE 18 AND OLDER.

THAT MEANS THE RESOURCES HAVE TO BE ALLOCATED FOR THAT POPULATION.

AND THE MISCONCEPTIONS PEOPLE HAVE IS BECAUSE YOU MIGHT HAVE A PROGRAM DOESN'T ERASE ALL THE YEARS OF TRAUMA THAT THESE MEN AND WOMEN HAVE EXPERIENCED.

SO WE NEED SERVICES THAT ARE GOING TO GO BEYOND SIX-MONTH PROGRAM.

WE NEED TO BE DEEPER BECAUSE PROGRESS IS NOT LEANIER.

PEOPLE WILL HAVE SETBACKS AND RELAPSE AND WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT ARE THE ECOSYSTEMS THE MEN AND WOMEN OPERATE IN.

>> RIGHT.

IN CHICAGO GUN RELATED VIOLENCE IS OWN CITED AS A DRIVER OF GUN DEATHS INCLUDING IN THE POLICE SHOOTINGS OF ADAM TOLEDO AND ANTHONY ALVAREZ AND MELISSA ORTEGA IS THIS A DRIVER OF VIOLENCE IN OTHER CITIES?

>> I MEAN THERE'S THIS ISSUE WE HAVE IN MANY KEY CITIES LIKE CHICAGO.

YOU COULD HAVE THE STRICTEST POLICY ISSUES AROUND GUNS AS AN EXAMPLE IT DOESN'T SEEM TO DETER PEOPLE FROM PICKING UP A GUNCH WE ARE NOT THINKING WHY THE PEOPLE ARE PICKING UP GUNS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WE SEE INCREASE SHOOTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND THAT TENDS TO BE FROM MANY OTHER CITIES THAT ARE NEIGHBORING OTHER STATES WITH MORE LAX POLICIES AROUND GUN LEGISLATION AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT POLICE HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN THIS AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN PUTTING RESOURCES INTO TACKLING THIS ISSUE.

>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS THE UPTICK IN GUN VIOLENCE COINCIDED WITH THE PANDEMIC.

DO YOU THINK THAT IS A COINCIDENCE?

>> WELL, I THINK THE RESEARCHERS ARE STILL ASSESSING THIS.

THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME LEVEL OF CORRELATION WHAT WE'RE SEEING INCREASES OF COVID IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND THE INCREASE OF MISTRUST WE HAVE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE EVOLVING AS A RESULT OF THAT.

I THINK THAT THE PANDEMIC MAKE COMMUNITIES MORE VULNERABLE.

AND WHAT THAT MEANS A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FEELING LESS HOPE IN SOME OF THE COMMUNITIES.

ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY SEE OTHER PEOPLE IN NEIGHBORING SUBURBAN AREAS HAVING MORE ACCESS AND RESOURCES TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE CURRENT NEEDS THEY ARE FACING.

>> EDDIE, THE NUMBERS ARE HIGH ACROSS THE COUNTRY MOST PEOPLE REMAIN UNAFFECTED BY GUN VIOLENCE IN THEIR PERSONAL LIVES.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE PEOPLE CARE ABOUT A PROBLEM THEY DON'T THINK WILL AFFECT THEM?

>> THIS IS A MISCONCEPTION THAT MOST AMERICANS MIGHT HAVE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK IF YOU THINK THE AVERAGE COST BASED ON STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN DONE WHEN SOMEBODY IS KILLED, ON AVERAGE IT COSTS BETWEEN 10 TO 15 MILLION FOR THAT INCIDENT.

AND THAT IS NOT INCLUDING THE IMPACT IT HAS ON THE FAMILY AS WELL.

THAT MONEY COMES FROM SOMEWHERE AND MOST OF THE MONEY COMES FROM TAXPAYERS AT THE BEGINNING POINT.

THAT COULD BE MONEY THAT RIGHT NOW AS WE'RE GRAPPLING WITH THE ISSUES AROUND SOCIAL SERVICES LIKE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN MONEY WE COULD HAVE BEEN PUTTING INTO THE SPACES TO SUPPORT FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE.

AND SO THAT IS ONE WAY IT IMPACTS PEOPLE AND THE OTHER WAY IS THAT PEOPLE ARE TO SOME EXTENT AFRAID TO TRAVEL TO CITIES LIKE CHICAGO AND NOW WE'RE SEEING THE INCIDENTS INCREASING IN PUBLIC PLACES THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE SAFE LIKE IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO.

AND THAT IS ALSO A CHALLENGE.

SO THESE ISSUES DO IMPACT US ONE WAY OR THE OTHER IMPACTS OUR POCKETS OR OTHER WAYS.

BUT THE LAST THING I WILL SAY AROUND THIS IS AT THE END OF THE DAY, THESE ARE HUMAN BEINGS.

AND IF YOU ARE A PERSON OF FAITH OR PERSON WHO CARES ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS, YOU KNOW, IT'S IMPORTANT WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT MANY OF THESE COMMUNITIES MANY OF THE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE EXACT CHOICES THAT MANY PEOPLE DO.

THEY ARE GRAPPLING WITH A NUMBER OF THINGS AND IT'S IMPORTANT WE MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AT AND ASSESS HOW DO YOU WILLED A COMMUNITY IN THE CONTEXT WHERE THEY ARE LIVING AT.

>> OUR THANKS TO EDDIE BOCANEGRA.

>> THANK YOU.

>> BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. AN OLYMPIC DOPING SCANDAL HAS TAKEN OVERHEAD LINES WORLDWIDE.

>> AND FOLLOWING PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON'S GUILTY VERDICT OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM EXAMINE THE DALEY LEGACY.

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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