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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> UNCERTAINTY REMAINS OVER THE OLYMPICS DOPING SCANDAL INVOLVING KAMILA VALIEVA.

WE HAVE LOCAL REACTION.

>> WHIPLASH FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS AS THE LEGAL BATTLE OVER MASKS IN SCHOOLS PLAYS OUT.

>> PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON'S CITY COUNCIL SEAT IS UP FOR DPRABS OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS WHO WOULD BE THE REPLACEMENT.

>> SURVIVORS THIS IS A TOTAL WIN.

>> A FEW YEARS AFTER THE #METOO MOVEMENT A WIN FOR THE WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE.

>> A TRIPLE THREAT OF RAIN, ICE AND SNOW ARE FORECASTED TO HIT THE CHICAGO REGION A LOOK AT WHAT TO EXPECT.

>> AND NEW FINDINGS ON THE THREAT OF HEALTH RISKS FROM A PROPOSED METAL SHREDDING PLANT ON THE WEST SIDE.

>> POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN SAYS MORE WORK IS NEEDED NOT JUST FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> IT'S EVIDENT WE NEED MORE SUPPORT IN PLACE FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

I WILL KEEP SAYING THIS WE NEED TO FLOOD OUR COMMUNITIES WITH COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCES THAT ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF VIOLENCE AND CRIME.

BUT WE NEED RESIDENTS FRONT AND CENTER AS WELL.

WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

>> C.P.D.

SAYS THE JOINT VEHICULAR HIJACKING TASK FORCE WHICH INCLUDES MULTIPLE POLICE DEPARTMENTS COMPLETED 21 MISSIONS AND NETTED 182 ARRESTS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.

SUPERINTENDENT BROWN SAYS THE LAST FOUR ARRESTS WERE ALL TEENAGERS SOME AS YOUNG AS 14 YEARS OLD.

>> AFTER MONTHS OF SCANDAL, THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT BOARD HAS A NEW LEADER.

BOARD MEMBERS ELECTED MYETIE HAMILTON TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT REPLACING AVIS LAVAL WHO RESIGNED INTO SCANDAL.

SHE SUPPORTS HAMILTON WHO IS THE VICE-PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ORGANIZATION CITY YEAR CHICAGO.

MEANWHILE, THE MAYOR'S PICK TO FILL THE OPEN SEAT ON THE PARK DISTRICT BOARD FORMER PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD GUESS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL FOR A VOTE NEXT WEEK.

>> AND THE CONFUSION OVER THE CITY'S WARD MAP REDRAW GETS LESS COMPLICATED AS THE COMMUNITY GROUPS DROPPED ITS PUSH FOR THE OWN WARD MAP THEY ARE BACKING THE MAP PROPOSED BY THE LATINO CAUCUS.

AND LATINO AND BLACK CAUCUSES HAVE BEEN AT ODDS WHICH SHOWS AN INCREASE IN THE ASIAN AND LATINO POPULATIONS BUT A DECREASE IN THE BLACK POPULATION.

FOR WHAT HAPPENS NEXT VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

>> UP NEXT, A LOCAL VIEW OF THE OLYMPIC FIGURE SKATING SCANDAL.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART... >> A SOMEWHAT UNCONVENTIONAL WINTER OLYMPICS TOOK ANOTHER TWIST AFTER A 15-YEAR-OLD FEMALE RUSSIAN FIGURE SKATER WAS SUSPECTED OF USING A BANNED PERFORMANCE ENHANCING SUBSTANCE.

EXCEPT SHE HAS BEEN ABLE TO COMPETE IN ALL COMPETITIONS AND THERE'S NO CLARIFY RTY WHAT IF ANY CONSEQUENCES SHE OR THE TEAM WILL FACE.

AND JOINING US WITH MORE ARE PHILIP HERSH, A SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR TO NBC OLYMPICS.COM AND SPORTS SPECIALIST WITH THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" THIS IS HIS 20TH TIME COVERING THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

>> AND DAVID SANTEE DIRECTOR OF SKATING AT OAKTON ICE ARENA AND THE 1981 WORLD SILVER MEDALIST AND TWO-TIME OLYMPIAN.

PHIL STARTING WITH YOU CATCH US UP TO SPEED ON THE TIMELINE OF THE ALLEGATIONS SURROUNDING 15-YEAR-OLD RUSSIAN FIGURE SKATER, KAMILA VALIEVA.

>> RUSSIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS ON DECEMBER 25 SHE GAVE THE SAMPLE SHIPPED TO A LAB IN SWEDEN FOR ANALYSIS T DID NOT GO TO A LAB IN RUSSIA BECAUSE IT IS NO LONGER ACCREDITED BECAUSE IT'S INVOLVED IN LOT OF CHICANERIES.

THE TEAM EVENT IN BEIJING WAS OVER BEFORE THE RUSSIAN DOPING AGENCY GOT WORD AS A RESULT OF THAT TEST AND THAT HAS BEEN A BIG PART OF THE PROBLEM.

NORMALLY UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE THIS WHEN YOU HAVE A MAJOR EVENT AND YOU SEND TESTS YOU MARK THEM FOR URGENT CONSIDERATION.

>> AND CLEARLY THAT DID NOT HAPPEN HERE.

AND SHE HAD A SUSPENSION AND IT WAS LIFTED.

DAVID SANTEE HOW SHOULD COMPETITORS REACT TO THE FACT THAT SHE IS STILL ABLE TO COMPETE AND WE DON'T KNOW IF THERE WILL BE ANY CONSEQUENCES?

>> I WOULD THINK IT'S VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE IT'S CLEARLY NOT AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD FOR ALL INVOLVED.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY FROM THE OTHER SKATERS.

LET'S SAY FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE SHE FINISHES IN THE TOP THREE AND THEY DON'T HAVE A MEDAL CEREMONY WHAT HAPPENS IF THE JAPANESE SKATER COMES IN SECOND OR THIRD AND SHE IS DEPRIVED OF HER MEDAL CEREMONY BECAUSE OF THIS FIASCO AND THAT IS UNFAIR TO HER.

I JUST THINK THE FACT IT'S SO UNCERTAIN THROUGH THE ENTIRE SPORT AND ESPECIALLY IN THE WOMEN'S EVENT, IT'S UNFORTUNATE, IT REALLY IS.

>> AND PHILIP HERSH THERE ARE MULTIPLE AGENCIES HERE, ADJUDICATING THIS RIGHT NOW.

YOU HAVE THE WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY, THE COURT FOR SPORT AND THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBILITIES FOR A FINAL OUTCOME HERE?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL TO ME THE MOST STUNNING DEVELOPMENT IN THE LAST FEW DAYS WAS THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE SAYING EFFECTIVELY THAT THIS WILL BE AN ASTERISK PERFORMANCE.

THERE WILL BE NO MEDALS GIVEN.

UNTIL THE ENTIRE CASE IS ADJUDICATED AND THAT MAY TAKE MONTHS.

THE WHOLE BYZANTINE PROCESS IS TOO MUCH TO DESCRIBE UNLESS YOU HAVE SEVERAL HOURS.

IT'S POSSIBLE SHE WOULD WINDUP WITH A REPRIMAND AND THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY PUNISHMENT.

>> WHAT ABOUT FOR MEMBERS OF THE RUSSIAN TEAM SHE IS ONLY A 15-YEAR-OLD SKATER, DAVID SANTEE ARE THEY MORE CULPABLE IF IT IS TRUE THAT SHE TOOK HIS PERFORMANCE ENHANCING SUBSTANCE?

>> RIGHT NOW AND PHIL CAN PROBABLY ANSWER THIS BETTER, SHE IS CONSIDERED A PROTECTED SKATERS UNTIL SHE TURNS 16.

I THINK THE SPOTLIGHT WOULD TURN ON THE COACH AND THE ORGANIZATION BUT THE COACH FOR SURE.

AND I THINK UNLESS YOU ARE LOOKING AT SOME SORT OF HARSH PENALTY THAT HAS TEETH TO IT, THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO GO ON THAT HAS BEEN THE PROBLEM THROUGH THE OLYMPICS THEY GET THEIR HANDS SLAPPED NO MEDAL CEREMONY, NO HANDSOME BUT THERE IS A RUSSIAN AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE IT DOESN'T SAY MUCH EXCEPT FOR WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR THING AND WHATEVER HAPPENS HAPPENS.

>> AND IT BRINGS TO MIND KERRY RICHARDSON SUSPENDED AFTER FAILING A MARIJUANA TEST HER REACTION WAS IN A TWEET SAYING QUOTE CAN WE GET A SOLID ANSWER OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HER SITUATION AND MINE.

MY MOTHER DIED AND I CAN'T RUN AND THE ONLY DIFFERENCE I SEE IS I AM A YOUNG BLACK LADY IS THIS A FAIR POINT HERE?

>> THE CASES ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

SHE TESTED POSITIVE IN COMPETITION FOR A SUBSTANCE THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE PERFORMANCE ENHANCING BUT IT IS ON THE BANNED LIST IN COMPETITION.

THE TEST WAS HANDLED AND THE RESULTS CAME BACK AND SHE AGREED TO THE ONE-MONTH SUSPENSION.

THIS IS A VERY, VERY DIFFERENT SITUATION.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT PERFORMANCE ENHANCING STUB THANS WE HEARD FROM A PHYSICIAN WHO DESCRIBED THE DRUG COULD IMPACT ATHLETES AND HERE IS WHAT HE SAID.

>> IRRADLY POTENTIALLY CREATES GREATER EFFICIENCY OF THE HEART AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY DELIVERS MORE OXYGEN TO THE HEART AND TO THE MUSCLES.

AND SO IF YOU ARE AN ATHLETE SPECIFICALLY IN AN ENDURANCE ATHLETE, SOMETHING THAT IS THREE, FIVE, SEVEN MINUTES OR LONGER, THIS IS WHERE POTENTIALLY THOSE LITTLE EDGES MIGHT MAKE A DIFFERENCE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE SHOOTING FOR GOLD.

>> DAVID SANTEE THIS IS A DRUG TYPICALLY GIVEN TO OLDER FOLKS THAT HAVE HEART PROBLEMS.

HOW MIGHT TAKING SOMETHING LIKE THIS IMPACT A FIGURE SKATING PERFORMANCE?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S HUGE BECAUSE THERE IS A BONUS FOR JUMPS PERFORMED IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE PROGRAM.

IF YOU ARE DOING HARDER JUMPS IN THE SECOND HALF AND I CAN TELL YOU FROM MY EXPERIENCE COMPETING BACK IN THE DAY, YOU GET TIRED THE SECOND HALF OF THE PROGRAM YOU ARE TRYING TO PUT HARD ELEMENTS AND IF YOU MISS THEM IT IS HUGE AND IF YOU HAVE THE ENERGY AND GET MAXIMUM POINTS THAT IS A HUGE ADVANTAGE.

>> AND SHOULD BE NOTED SHE REPORTED TAKE TWO OTHER SUBSTANCES SIMILAR BUT NOT ON THE BANNED LIST.

>> PHIL, WE ALL YOU IS SAW THAT NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY ABOUT RUSSIAN DOPING.

HOW COMMONPLACE THESE DOPING SCANDALS ARE WITH THE RUSSIAN TEAM?

>> LET ME GO BACK.

DAVID IS RIGHT ABOUT THE HELPING IN THE SECOND HALF OF A PROGRAM.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THIS COULD HELP IS BEING ABLE TO BEAR AN INCREASED TRAINING LOAD.

TO DO REPEAT AFTER REPEAT AFTER REPEAT OF YOUR PROGRAMS DURING PRACTICES.

AND THAT WILL MAKE YOU MORE SECURE AND THAT WILL MAKE YOUR JUMPS BETTER IT IS NOT JUST WHAT HAPPENS ON THE DAY OF THE COMPETITION.

AS TO YOUR OTHER QUESTION, SINCE THE 2016 REVELATIONS OF THE "NEW YORK TIMES" OF ALL THE TRICKERY DONE WITH THE SAMPLES AT THE SOGY OLYMPICS RUSSIA HAS BEEN SCRUTINIZED AND ALL SHOWN WITH WIDESPREAD DOPING THE DOPING WAS STATE SPONSORED THE ANTI-DOPING LAB COVERED UP TESTS AND YET THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE SLAPPED THEM ON THE LIST WHEN THEY WERE ABLE TO COMPETE IT AND LEFT IT UP TO EACH FEDERATION AND MADE THE MUSE A NEW ACRONYM THEY WERE THE OLYMPIC ATHLETES S FROM RUSSIA AND NOW THE RUSSIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE AND EVERYBODY KNOWS WHO THEY ARE A RUSSIAN IS STILL A RUSSIAN.

>> SYMBOLIC PUNISHMENTS BUT NOT SUBSTANTIVE PUNISHMENTS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FAIREST OUTCOME WOULD BE?

>> I'M NOT ON THE BOARD THAT IS GOING TO DECIDE THIS.

I THINK IT'S DIFFICULT, I GET IT TO GO AFTER A 15-YEAR-OLD BUT AT SOME POINT, A STATEMENT HAS TO BE MADE WHETHER IT'S IF SHE IS MADE TO BE THE SCAPEGOAT I DON'T KNOW OR IF MY OPINION THE COACH NEEDS TO BE THE ONE THAT SPOTLIGHT NEEDS TO BE SHOWN ON.

I THINK THAT THAT IS GOING TO PROBABLY GIVE THE MOST IMMEDIATE AND STRAIGHT OUT STATEMENT THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE THIS ANYMORE.

>> WE HAVE TO FOLLOW WHAT HAPPENS AND PART TWO OF THE INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM TOMORROW NIGHT.

AND PHILIP HERSH AND DAVID SANTEE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS FOR A LOOK AT THE ONGOING BATTLE OVER MASKS IN SCHOOLS.

BRANDIS?

>> PARIS, PARENTS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ACROSS THE STATE MIGHT HAVE WHIPLASH FROM THE BACK AND FORTH OVER THE STATE'S MASK MANDATE IN SCHOOLS.

YESTERDAY A PANEL OF LAWMAKERS IN SPRINGFIELD VOTED NOT TO RENEW THE GOVERNOR'S MANDATE AS A LEGAL BATTLE CONTINUES TO PLAY OUT.

JOINING US WITH MORE IS STATE SENATOR SUE REZIN A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS.

SHE SERVES AS THE DEPUTY LEADER OF SENATE REPUBLICANS.

WE INVITED A NUMBER OF DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS ON TO THE PROGRAM BUT NONE WERE ABLE TO JOIN US.

SENATOR THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WHY VOTE AGAINST RENEWING THE MANDATE?

>> WELL, THE GOVERNOR DOUBLED DOWN ON AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT WAS BEFORE THE CIRCUIT COURT AND THE JUDGE RULED LESS THAN A MONTH AGO THAT HIS EMERGENCY RULE VIOLATES THE DUE PROCESS OF PARENTS, TEACHERS AND CHILDREN IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

SO INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR THE APPELLATE COURT TO RULE ON THE LOWER COURT'S DECISION, THE GOVERNOR DECIDES TO DOUBLE DOWN AND OFFER UP THE SAME EXECUTIVE ORDER TO JAY CAR IS A COMMITTEE WE ARE AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THAT DEPARTMENTS OF GOVERNMENT DO NOT OVEREXTEND THEIR STATUTORY AUTHORITY.

AND JAY CAR FOUND YESTERDAY AND JAY CAR IS A BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL GROUP OF LEGISLATORS AND WE AGREED THAT THE GOVERNOR OVER STEPPED AUTHORITY BY ONCE AGAIN TRYING TO DOUBLE DOWN AND PRESENT THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR THESE MANDATES THAT ARE IMPOSED ON SCHOOL DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STATE.

>> AND WHAT IS THE REACTION YOU'VE HEARD FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS?

>> WELL, WE HAVE HEARD BACK AND FORTH.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT SCHOOLS ARE WAITING FOR THE RULING FROM THE APPELLATE COURT JUDGE AND WE ARE ASKING THE GOVERNOR TO DO THE SAME.

I MEAN, WE ARE A COEQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

THE COURT HAS RULED AND YET THE GOVERNOR DECIDED TO GO OVER AND ABOVE THE COURT RULING AND TRY TO PASS THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER AGAIN THROUGH JAY CAR.

WE WERE ABLE TO STOP HIM.

AND WE'LL WAIT FOR THE APPELLATE COURT RULING WHICH WE HOPE TO HEAR FROM IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS AND SCHOOLS WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO DECIDE WHAT TEAR GOING TO DO.

>> JAY CAR IS THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO PARENTS AND TEACHERS WHO MIGHT BE CONFUSED BETWEEN YESTERDAY'S VOTE AND THE RULING FROM THE JUDGE EARLIER THIS MONTH, NO MATTER WHAT SIDE OF THE DEBATE THEY ARE ON?

>> IT'S SIMPLE HERE.

UNTIL WE RECEIVE THE RULING OF THE APPELLATE COURT JUDGE WE BELIEVE IN LOCAL CONTROL.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO DECIDE AND MAKE POLICY THAT IS BEST FOR THEIR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND CHILDREN.

AND THEY HAVE THAT ABILITY NOW.

AND SO EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BE DIFFERENT.

WHETHER YOU ARE IN COOK COUNTY, WHETHER YOU ARE IN THE SUBURBS OR WHETHER ARE YOU IN DOWN STATE YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND SCHOOL BOARD SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THE DECISIONS FOR YOUR SCHOOL THAT BEST SUIT YOUR SCHOOL.

>> AND SO WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE RULING AGAINST THE MANDATE BY THE JUDGE AND HOW THAT FACTORS INTO ALL OF THIS.

MEANWHILE SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE ABLE TO ENFORCE A MANDATE.

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> AGAIN, THAT IS THEIR CHOICE.

WE'VE LEFT IT UP TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO SAY OVER 500 SCHOOL DISTRICTS OUT OF 852 SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE DECIDED TO GO MASK OPTIONAL.

MANY SCHOOLS ARE MAKING THE DECISION TO GO MASK OPTIONAL.

IF YOU ARE THE PARENT THAT WOULD LIKE YOUR CHILD TO WEAR A MASK YOU CAN WEAR A MASK.

IF YOU ARE A PARENT THAT YOUR CHILD IS FINE WITHOUT A MASK AND LEARNS BETTER YOU HAVE THAT ABILITY AS WELL.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE WEIGHING OPTIONS.

MANY OF THEM ARE DECIDING TO GO WITH WHAT WORKS BEST AND MAKE IT OPTIONAL IN THEIR SCHOOL.

>> MASKERS HAVE GOTTEN CONTROVERSIAL AND FOR A GOOD BIT OF THE PANDEMIC ARE YOU NOT CONCERNED WITHIN A SCHOOL SETTING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE THAT WITHOUT CONSISTENCY THERE COULD BE PROBLEMS WITHIN THE SCHOOL BUILDING?

>> WELL, I WOULD ARGUE THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SCHOOL BOARDS HAVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF THEIR CHILDREN AT HEART.

WE ARE ENTERING THE THIRD YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE GOVERNOR HAS RULED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR I WOULD SAY THE BETTER PART OF THE PANDEMIC.

HE'S ISSUED WELL OVER 100 EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

PEOPLE WANT TO BE IN CONTROL OF AND MAKE THE DECISIONS LOCALLY FOR WHAT IS BEST RIGHT NOW FOR THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS IS CLEARLY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT IS HAPPENING WHERE I LIVE IN MORRIS OR IN THE SUBURBS OR IN COOK COUNTY.

WE SHOULD HAVE THAT ABILITY.

THE LOWER COURT THE CIRCUIT COURT RULED THAT THE GOVERNOR VIOLATED THE DUE PROCESS OF THE PARENTS THE TEACHERS AND THE CHILDREN BY ISSUING THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER.

INSTEAD OF SAYING THE GOVERNOR COULD HAVE SAID I WILL WAIT FOR THE APPELLATE COURT TO RULE ON THIS LOWER COURT HE DOUBLED DOWN AND SAID I'M GOING TO OFFER UP THE SAME EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT CREATES THE MANDATES FOR ALL SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

WE PUSHED BACK.

AND WE NEEDED TO PUSHBACK BECAUSE WE SAID AS A JAY CAR MEMBER THAT THE ADMINISTRATION EXCEEDED THEIR STATUTORY AUTHORITY.

>> THE GOVERNOR DID RESPOND TO JAY CAR'S RULING IN A STATEMENT TODAY HERE IS A LITTLE BIT WHAT HE SAID.

>> WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO KEEP STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SAFE WHILE KEEPING OUR SCHOOLS OPEN.

THAT HAS BEEN MY FOCUS SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING OF THIS PANDEMIC.

DOCTORS SAY THAT MASKS ARE THE BEST WAY TO PRESERVE IN-PERSON LEARNING AND KEEP CHILDREN AND STAFF SAFE.

AND AS I'VE SAID, THE RULING BY THE JUDGE CREATED AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF CONFUSION.

WHICH IS WHY WE'VE ASKED THE APPELLATE COURT TO MOVE QUICKLY TO RESPOND.

>> BEFORE WE LET YOU KNOW, DO YOU SEE YESTERDAY'S VOTE IS IT MORE ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIAL PROCESS AND LETTING THAT PLAY OUT THE GOVERNOR'S POWER OR WAS IT A HEALTH DECISION FOR YOU ALL?

>> LISTEN, YESTERDAY THE MEMBERS OF JAY CAR MADE IT CLEAR WE WILL NOT ACCEPT THE GOVERNOR'S ATTEMPTS TO GO ABOVE A COURT RULING MADE BY A COEQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

>> OK. WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.

STATE SENATOR SUE REZIN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT A NEW LAW GIVING LEGAL PROTECTIONS TO WORKING WOMEN.

WE SHARE THE DETAILS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> FIVE YEARS SINCE THE #METOO MOVEMENT TOOK OFF COMES A CHANGE THAT WILL GIVE WOMEN MORE PROTECTIONS IN THE WORKPLACE AND WHAT HAS BECOME A RARITY IN WASHINGTON IT HAS BIPARTISAN BACKING.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE ON THE CONGRESSIONAL MEASURE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS EXPECTED TO SIGN INTO LAW.

AMANDA?

>> PARIS, IT IS ILLEGAL TO SUGGEST AN EMPLOYEE SEXUAL ASSAULT OR HARASSMENT BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT DOES OCCUR?

FOR AN ESTIMATED 60 MILLION WORKERS IN THE UNITED STATES, THE ANSWER HAS BEEN FORCED ARBITRATION.

MICHAEL LEROY MIKE WITH THE UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF LABOR SAYS ARBITRATION HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE KING SOLOMON SUGGESTED SPLITTING A BABY AND IT IS A GOOD SYSTEM WHEN ARBITRATION IS VOLUNTARY.

SINCE THE 90s IT'S BECOMING COMMON FOR WORKPLACES TO MAKE IT MANDATORY.

>> WHAT THAT MEANS IS YOU'RE GIVING UP YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO GO TO A COURT FIRST.

SECOND, IT MEANS YOU ARE GOING TO PLAY BY THE EMPLOYER'S RULES FOR ARBITRATION.

SOME OF THE RULES ARE EVEN HANDED AND SOME OF THE RULES ARE UNFAIR.

BUT EVEN WITH THE EVEN HANDED RULES, YOU DON'T GET THE BENEFIT OF A JURY.

>> DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A GREAT DEAL FOR EMPLOYEES.

BUT DEBORAH ANTHONY WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD SAYS THAT WORKERS AREN'T GIVEN A CHANCE BUT TO AGREE TO GOING THROUGH THAT PROCESS, HENCE FORCED ARBITRATION.

>> PRESENTED WITH A CONTRACT THAT YOU HAVE TO SIGN IS OFTEN IN THE FINE PRINT AND IT'S TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.

SO IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY WITH IT YOU DON'T TAKE THE JOB YOU DON'T HAVE EQUAL BARGAINING POWER ON WHETHER YOU AGREE TO THAT OR NOT AND YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT IT AS A BLANKET MATTER FOR ANY POTENTIAL SITUATION THAT COMES UP THAT HASN'T HAPPENED YET.

>> LEROY SAYS BUSINESSES OFTEN DESIGN THE ARBITRATION PROCESS TO GO IN THEIR FAVOR.

FOR EXAMPLE, A COMPLAINT ANT MIGHT NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY BY THEIR SIDE AND IF THEY LOSE THEY COULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PROCESS.

>> FOR EMPLOYERS THERE IS A GREAT ADVANTAGE.

FIRST OF ALL IT REDUCES YOUR LIABILITY GREATLY.

SO EVEN IN CASES WHERE THERE IS A FINDING OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND MISCONDUCT, THE PAY OUT IS A LOT LESS TYPICALLY.

IN ONE RESEARCH PROJECT I DID I FOUND THAT WOMEN ACTUALLY WON MORE FREQUENTLY IN ARBITRATION THAN IN COURT.

HOWEVER, THEIR PAYOUTS WERE MUCH SMALLER.

>> BENEFIT TO COMPANIES ARBITRATION IS PRIVATE.

AND OFTEN COMES WITH A CONFIDENTIALITY CLAUSE.

>> ARBITRATION IS SECRETIVE AND PRIVATE AS OPPOSED TO TRIALS WHICH ARE PUBLIC.

IN SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES THAT LACK OF TRANSPARENCY TENDS TO BENEFIT THE ALLEGED WRONGDOERS RATHER THAN THE VICTIM.

>> MEANING BAD ACTORS ARE SHIELDED FROM THE SHAMING AND EMBARRASSMENT THAT MAY COME WITH A JUDGMENT.

AND IT IS HARD TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON REPEAT OFFENDERS.

ALL THESE BIASES CAME TO LIGHT DURING THE #METOO MOVEMENT INCLUDING WHEN FORMER FOX NEWS ANCHOR GRETCHEN CARLSON ALLEGE INSTANCES WITH ROGER AILES.

>> TODAY I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE MILLIONS OF AMERICAN WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN SILENCED FOR DOING NOTHING WRONG.

WORKERS WHO WANTED TO GO TO THEIR JOBS EVERYDAY AND WORK IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

WORKERS WHO HAD THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY TO COME FORWARD AND SAY SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND IN RETURN GOT SHUNTED INTO A SECRET CHAMBER MOST NEVER HEARD FROM EVER AGAIN.

>> DIRECTOR OF THE ILLINOIS COALITION AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT SAYS THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE.

SHE SAYS THAT VICTIMS ARE DESERVING OF PROTECTIONS INCLUDING WHEN THEY ARE ASSAULTED OR HARASSED AT WORK.

>> THIS IS YOUR LIVELIHOOD.

THIS IS THE WAY YOU MAKE YOUR LIVING.

SO HAVING LIMITATIONS UP TO WHAT YOU CAN DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY HARASSED OR ASSAULTED IN YOUR WORKPLACE KNOWING YOUR CAREER COULD BE AFFECTED AND YOUR SPECIFIC POSITION NOT ONLY YOUR POSITION RIGHT NOW BUT MOVING FORWARD COULD BE AFFECTED.

>> NOW, THIS LAW WILL APPLY RETROACTIVELY AND THE VICTIMS WILL BE ABLE TO CHOOSE ARBITRATION AND EXPERTS I TALKED TO SAY THAT MANY MAY WELL CHOOSE TO DO SO FOR THEIR OWN GOOD REASONS.

FOR EXAMPLE, THEY WANT TO PROTECT THEIR PRIVACY.

BUT IT WILL BE A CHOICE NOT A MANDATE.

>> IT'S GOING TO HELP COMPANIES GET ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY THAT IS FOR SURE AND IT WILL STOP THE BAD BEHAVIOR.

BECAUSE NOW THE BAD ACTORS WILL KNOW THAT WOMEN'S VOICES WILL BE HEARD WHEN THEY SPEAK UP.

>> DEBORAH ANTHONY POINTS OUT THAT FORCED ARBITRATION IS STILL PERMITTED FOR OTHER WORKPLACE CLAIMS THOSE OF RACIAL OR RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION OR A FAMILY LEAVE DISPUTE AND WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS CONGRESS NEEDS TO REAUTHORIZE THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT THAT HAS STALLED.

ALSO SHE IS CALLING FOR PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION THAT GIVES SURVIVORS MORE OPTIONS IN THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LEGAL PENALTIES.

>> REALLY FOR SURVIVORS' RIGHTS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND OFFENDERS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

WE WANT TO SEE SENTENCING, THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH CHARGES THAT ARE BROUGHT FORWARD AND CHARGES BROUGHT FORWARD CONSISTENT WITH THE ACTIONS THAT HAPPENED.

FEWER PLEA AGREEMENTS.

WE WANT TO SEE SURVIVORS HAVE ACCESS TO JUSTICE THAT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THEM IN THE SYSTEM.

>> AND MAKE SURE OUR LAWS UPHOLD THAT.

>> THERE'S ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT ON BOTH THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

ONE AREA SHE KEYED IN ON IS PROTECTIONS FOR CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT SAYING THAT THOSE 18 R AGED 18-24 ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE.

RAPE CRISIS CENTERS ARE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO VICTIMS 24 HOURS A DAY 365 DAYS A YEAR.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", WE SHARE NEW FINDINGS ON THE THREAT OF HEALTH RISKS FROM A PROPOSED METAL SHREDDING PLANT.

SNOWY WEATHER IS EXPECTED TO HIT OVERNIGHT WE HEAR FROM A SCIENTIST AND THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE FORECAST.

>> AND OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON A RIFT BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND SOME DEMOCRATS OVER SCHOOL MASK MANDATES.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> WE'RE LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE HANGING DEATH OF IRENE CHAVEZ LAST DECEMBER WHILE IN POLICE CUSTODY.

C.O.P.A.

RELEASED BODY-CAM VIDEOS SHOWING HER ARREST OUTSIDE A BAR.

FROM AUDIO POLICE SAY THEY ARE ARRESTING HER BECAUSE OF AN ALLEGED ASSAULT INSIDE THE BAR.

FROM THE VIDEO SHE DID NOT RESIST ARREST AND POLICE DID NOT ENGAGE IN PHYSICAL STRUGGLE WITH CHAVEZ.

OTHER VIDEOS SHOW POLICE TRYING TO RESUSCITATE HER AFTER UNRESPONSIVE AFTER AN APPARENT HANGING IN A POLICE STATION CELL.

THE FAMILY CALLED FOR THE RELEASE OF VIDEO AND INFORMATION SURROUNDING HER ARREST AND DEATH.

>> ONE OF TWO COMPETING PROPOSALS FOR A NEW CITY WARD MAP GETS A BOOST.

CHANGE ILLINOIS THAT FORWARDED THE PEOPLE'S MAP SAYS IT WILL SUPPORT THE MAP CRAFTED BY THE LATINO CAUCUS.

THEY HAVE BEEN AT ODDS WITH THE BLACK CAUCUS OVER THE AMOUNT OF BLACK VERSE LATINO MAJORITY WARDS AND FAILURE TO AGREE BY JUNE TO PARTICULAR TRIGGER A REFERENDUM ON THE MAP.

THE LATINO CAUCUS MADE CHANGES TO GET SUPPORT LIKE DIVIDING THE ENGLEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD INTO TWO WARDS INSTEAD OF THREE.

>> CHANGES COMING TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY OF JOLIET THEY HAVE HIRED WILLIAM EVANS A VETTED RAN OF THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S POLICE AND ANNOUNCING A NEW INSPECTOR GENERAL SEAN CONLEY ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL KWAME RAOUL OPENED AN INVESTIGATION INTO POSSIBLE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND UNLAWFUL POLICING AT THE JOLIET POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> AND NOW WE GO TO BRANDIS WITH NEW FINDINGS ON A PROPOSAL FOR A SOUTHEAST SIDE METAL SHREDDING FACILITY.

>> A PROPOSED METAL SHREDDING COMPANY WOULD NOT POSE ANY ADVERSE HEALTH RISKS TO RESIDENTS ON CHICAGO'S SOUTHEAST SIDE ACCORDING TO THE STUDY THAT THE CITY HAS YET TO RELEASE.

HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US WITH DETAILS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE METAL SHREDDING PLANT FROM THE PARENT COMPANY OF GENERAL IRON.

ITS PROPOSAL TO BUILD A NEW OPERATION HAS BEEN ON HOLD SINCE MAY AFTER THE EPA SAID IT RAISED CIVIL RIGHTS CONCERNS.

WE CAP FOR US WHAT PUT THIS PROPOSAL ON PAUSE?

>> WELL, THIS PROPOSAL HAS BEEN THE SOURCE OF GREAT CONTROVERSY BECAUSE THIS OPERATION WAS SET TO MOVE FROM LINCOLN PARK TO THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF CHICAGO WHERE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS THAT HAVE POLLUTED THE AREAS AIR, WATER, AND SOIL.

AND DOZENS OF RESIDENTS HAVE PROTESTED THIS PLAN SAYING IT WOULD ADD TO THE BURDEN IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY RACIST WAY AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AGREED WITH THEM AND ORDERED THIS ADDITIONAL STUDY WHICH WE GOT THE FIRST LOOK AT AT LAST NIGHT'S COMMUNITY MEETING.

>> BEEN A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH OVER THIS ISSUE.

YOU SAID THE STUDY HAS YET TO BE RELEASED.

HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE CITING DATA FROM IT.

WHAT DO WE KNOW?

>> WE DON'T KNOW ANY OF THE DETAILED DATA THAT WILL NOT BE RELEASED UNTIL THE CITY MAKES THE DECISION ON THE PERMIT WHICH IS EXPECTED BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

BUT WE DO KNOW THAT THE STUDY FOUND THAT THE EMISSIONS AND SPECIFICALLY FOR CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICALS.

THIS PLANT WILL IMPACT SOUTH DEERING AND THE EASTSIDE OF CHICAGO WHERE THERE ARE A HIGHER CANCER RATES THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE CITY.

AND THAT HAS BEEN THE FOCUS OF A LOT OF THE PROTESTS OF THIS OPERATION.

>> AND WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION?

AND WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE PLANT?

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE REALLY WORRIED THAT THIS PERMIT IS GOING TO BE ISSUED.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE HOPEFUL THAT THE EPA'S ORDER PUTTING IT ON HOLD WOULD MEAN IT WOULD NOT BE ORDERED BUT I THINK PEOPLE ARE WORRIED THIS PERMIT WILL BE ISSUED AND THEN THE OPERATION CAN START UP RIGHT AWAY IT HAS -- IT'S ALL READY TO GO IT'S BEEN DORMANT WHILE THE DEBATE HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE.

>> THANK YOU AND WE'LL SEE YOU WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

>> THANKS.

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

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

>> FREEZING RAIN, SLEET AND HEAVY SNOW IS EXPECTEDDED TO FILL CHICAGO STREETS THROUGH THURSDAY WITH AREAS EXPECTED TO BE HIT MUCH HARDER THAN OTHERS.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS REPORTING RAIN TURNING INTO HEAVY SNOWFALL COULD BRING 2-4 INCHES OF NEW SNOW.

SUBURBAN AREAS CAN RECEIVE 7 INCHES OF SNOW.

A WINTER STORM WARNING THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS WHAT CHICAGOANS CAN EXPECT TONIGHT IS SCOTT COLLIS AS ATMOSPHERIC SCIENTIST FROM THE ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY.

WE HAD THE 50° TODAY AND THE WINDS.

NOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE RAIN AND THE FREEZING RAIN AND THE SNOW.

HOW UNUSUAL A PATTERN ARE WE LOOKING AT HERE?

>> WELL, THIS IS FEBRUARY AND GETTING TOWARDS LATE FEBRUARY IN CHICAGO THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR WE CAN SEE MUCH GREATER CHANGE.

AND AS WE GO INTO MARCH AND APRIL WHEN WE HAVE THE MOST WARMING IN OUR LOCAL AREA.

BUT THIS IS THAT REAL MESSY SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE AN AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE TO OUR NORTH IN WISCONSIN AND AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE IN THE SOUTH IN MISSOURI AND BETWEEN THE TWO WE HAVE THE AIR-MASSES WE CALL A COLD FRONT.

THIS COLD FRONT ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE IS TOO WARM TO SNOW.

ON THE NORTHERN SIDE IT'S PLENTY COLD ENOUGH TO SNOW SO THAT IS GOING TO SLIDE ACROSS US TONIGHT AND THIS IS THE FUNNY THING ABOUT THE TWO-HIT STORM THE FIRST SLUG TOMORROW MORNING.

PERFECT FOR THE MORNING COMMUNITY AND THE SECOND SLUG WILL BE IN THE AFTERNOON ON THE COMMUTE HOME.

>> GIVE US A SENSE HOW DANGEROUS DO YOU THINK THE CONDITIONS MIGHT BE ESPECIALLY DRIVING HOME ON THE COMMUTE?

>> I WILL START WITH TOMORROW MORNING.

BECAUSE AS THE RAIN TRANSITIONS OVER TO SNOW AND BY THE WAY, TONIGHT IS A GOOD NIGHT TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE SUMP PUMP WITH THE RAIN FALLING ON THE FROZEN GROUND.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A REALLY SHORT INTENSE FLURRY OF SNOW REALLY WET, HEAVY NASTY SNOW AGAIN AROUND THAT 4-6:00 A.M. PERIOD AND THAT IS GOING TO FALL ON UNTREATED ROADS.

AS THE DAY PROGRESSES WE WILL SEE GRADUAL CLEARING IN THE NORTHERN PART OF CHICAGO LESS IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF CHICAGO.

AND THEN WE WILL GET ANOTHER SLUG OF SNOW WITH A LITTLE BIT OF LAKE-EFFECT AIDING AS WELL.

THE HEAVIER SNOW IS GOING TO BE TO THE SOUTH OF A CITY FROM PONTIAC.

AND DOWN IN THAT AREA THEY COULD SEE UP TO EIGHT INCHES.

>> AND AGAIN, SCOTT THERE'S DIFFERENT MODELS THAT FORECASTERS LOOK AT AND THERE IS SUCH A VARIANCE IN THE PREDICTIONS.

WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR THE DIFFERENCE IN THE MODELS?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

A MODEL IS JUST A BIT OF COMPUTER CODE THAT TAKES THE PICTURE OF THE ATMOSPHERE FROM OUR SATELLITES, SOUNDINGS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAUNCH AND RADARS AND TRIES TO PREDICT WHAT HAPPENS AT A LATER STATE.

THE MODEL THE AMERICAN USES USES DIFFERENT CODE THAN THE EUROPEANS.

THE FURTHER OUT YOU GO, THE MORE THOSE ARROWS BOTH IN THE INITIAL STATE AND THE DINS IN THE CODE, ADD UP.

EVEN YESTERDAY, JUST BECAUSE THAT LINE THAT DEMARKS RAIN AND SNOW WAS SO CLOSE TO CHICAGO THERE WAS A GREAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM AS THAT ATMOSPHERIC SYSTEM PASSED THROUGH WYOMING AND IDAHO AND GOT CAPTURED THAT DECREASED TO THE POINT THIS MORNING WE COULD MAKE MORE ACCURATE PREDICTIONS.

>> WAIT TO PLACE YOUR BETS.

AND SO WHAT ABOUT THE FLOODING TOMORROW?

GIVEN THE MESS OF CONDITIONS HOW SEVERE COULD IT BE NEAR THE LAKE FRONT AND THE RIVER?

>> THE LAKEFRONT ADDS AN EXTRA COMPONENT BECAUSE THERE IS THE WINDS WILL TURN OFF THE LAKE.

AS IT COOLS DOWN WE COULD GET SEA SPRAY TO LEAD TO ICING.

IT'S BEEN A COLD FEBRUARY WE ARE 1° BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURE THE GROUND IS FROZEN.

THE RAIN THAT THAWS IS NOT GOING TO STAY IT'S NOT GOING TO SINK INTO THE GROUND IT POND, POOL AND MOVE INTO THE RIVERS IT COULD CAUSE ICE BREAK UP AND DAMS TODAY AND TOMORROW IS A GOOD TIME TO KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR LOCAL AREA AND WATCH OUT FOR THE FLOODING ESPECIALLY IN THAT MORNING COMMUTE TOMORROW MORNING.

>> AND OFFICIALS ARE ON WATCH, TOO.

WHAT DO YOU PREDICT FOR THE REST OF THE WINTER?

FEBRUARY IS THIS UNPREDICTABLE MESSY MONTH.

ARE WE LOOKING AT SEVERAL MORE WEEKS OF COLDER THAN NORMAL TEMPERATURES, SNOW OR A WARMUP IN THE OFFING?

>> AFTER THIS SYSTEM COMES THROUGH AND WE GET THAT COLD FRONT COMING THINGS WILL COOL DOWN FOR FRIDAY.

THINGS WILL WARM-UP THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND REMAINING WINDY BUT SUNNY.

AS WE ENTER NEXT WEEK WE WILL ENTER ANOTHER PERIOD WHERE THE E SYSTEMS ARE TWISTED SWITCHING BETWEEN COLD AND WARM MIXTURE OF RAIN AND SNOW.

AND WE ARE IN A LA NINA MEANING MORE MOISTURE IN THE CHICAGO AREA.

AS WE ENTER MARCH WE CAN SEE MORE OF THAT MOISTURE PRECIPITATE AS RAIN RATHER THAN SNOW.

>> AND WE JUST HAD THAT COUPLE-HOUR GLIMPSE OF A POSSIBLE SPRING TODAY AND QUICKLY IT WILL GO AWAY.

SCOTT COLLIS ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE YOU AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> UP NEXT OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THE LATEST CONFUSION OVER IN-SCHOOL MASKS AND MUCH MORE.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS TURN AGAINST GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S MASK MANDATE AND THE CONVICTION OF ALDERMAN PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON IN OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

HERE WITH THAT AND MORE, AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

LET'S START WITH THE POLITICS OF GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER LIFTING THE INDOOR STATE MASK MANDATE -- THAT IS NOT THE RIGHT ONE.

CHICAGO'S HEALTH COMMISSIONER HINTING THE CITY'S MASK MANDATE COULD END WHEN THE STATE DROPS THE RULE ON FEBRUARY 28 DEPENDING ON THE METRICS.

>> I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WE ARE NOT JUST CHOOSING A DATE.

AS I SAID, IF WE ARE THE DIFFERENCE IS A FEW DAYS TO HELP NOT HAVE PEOPLE BE CONFUSED AND STRAIGHTFORWARD MY EXPECTATION WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GO ALONG WITH THAT.

NEXT WEEK WHEN WE STAND UP AND LOOK WHERE THINGS ARE WE WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE A MORE DEFINITIVE ANSWER.

>> ARE THE METRICS THE 8 LEVEL TO DROP THE INDOOR STATE MASK MANDATE?

>> NO.

CHICAGO TODAY MOVED INTO SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF TRANSMISSION.

WHICH IS DOWN FROM HIGH AND THEN VERY HIGH.

SO THE CITY IS CERTAINLY MAKING PROGRESS.

BUT Dr. ARWADY AND MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAID THE CITY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THREE OF THE FOUR MAIN COVID TRACKING METRICS IN THE LOW RISK OR LOWER RISK STATUS AND CHICAGO ONLY HAS ONE SO WE ARE NOT QUITE THERE YET.

WHETHER THAT MEANS CHICAGO WILL NOT MOVE TO LIFT THE MASK MANDATE WHEN THE STATE DOES AS YOU HEARD FROM Dr. ARWADY MAYBE, MAYBE NOT WE WILL BE TRACKING IT.

>> IS THE PRESSURE ON TO MAKE A POLITICAL DECISION VERSUS A MEDICAL DECISION?

>> WELL, I THINK YOU CANNOT SEPARATE THE TWO AT THIS POINT IN TIME PARTICULARLY WITH WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN TERMS OF MASKS IN SCHOOLS, FIGHTS SOMETIMES VIOLENCE, SCHOOL BOARD PARENTS FIGHTING WITH ONE ANOTHER.

CLEARLY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BECOME POLITICAL.

AND ONE OF THE ISSUES YOU CAN SAY WE HAVE TO LOOK TO THE SCIENCE AND THIS IS A PANDEMIC NOBODY KNOWS WE KNOW MORE THAN WE DID IN 2020.

BUT NOBODY REALLY KNOWS WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO WHAT IT WILL TURN NEXT.

SOME OF THE SCIENCE IS DIFFICULT HERE.

THAT'S WHERE I THINK YOU HAVE YES, PRESSURE ON THE CITY OF CHICAGO TO LIFT THAT MASK MANDATE GOING ALONG WITH THE CITY AND GOING ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE STATE AND WHAT YOU HEARD FROM THE DOCTOR SAYING WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT THE METRICS BUTS IF IT IS A MATTER OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OR TWO THEN GO WITH THE STATE TO NOT CONFUSE PEOPLE.

>> PARIS, WHEN PEOPLE HEAR THE MASK MANDATE WILL BE ROLLED BACK DO PEOPLE START DROPPING THE MASKS?

IS THE HORSE OUT OF THE BARN?

>> IF CHICAGO I HAVE NOT SEEN PEOPLE DROP THEIR MASKS INDOORS.

I HAVE NOT SEEN TROUBLE.

IT GOES TO THE FORTITUDE OF CHICAGOANS.

BUT YOU KNOW, PUBLIC OPINION POLLING SHOWS A LITTLE OVER A MAJORITY SUPPORT FOR MASK MANDATES.

SO I THINK ONCE THE MANDATE GOES AWAY YOU WILL PROBABLY SEE A GOOD AMOUNT OF PEOPLE DECIDE TO WEAR MASKS INDOORS.

SOME PEOPLE ARE STILL NOT READY TO TAKE OFF THAT MASK.

AND THE C.D.C.

SAYS THE COUNTRY WAS NOT READY TO SHED THE MASKS YET AND NOW WE SEE THEY ARE MEETING TO POSSIBLY REVISE THAT.

GOVERNOR PRITZKER AND OTHER BLUE STATE GOVERNORS ANNOUNCE DROPPING THE MASK MANDATES WHICH TO AMANDA'S POINT UNDERSCORES THE POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS.

I DO THINK IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WITH MIDTERMS COMING UP THEY DON'T WANT THIS QUESTION OVER MASKS AND MANDATES HANGING OVER THEIR HEAD AS A POLITICAL ISSUE AS THE POLITICAL ISSUE IN THE CAMPAIGNS BECAUSE THOSE GET MESSY.

>> AND AS WE DISCUSSED IN THE BROADCAST, BIPARTISAN LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT PANEL REJECTS GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S ATTEMPT TO REINTRODUCE THE MASK MANDATE IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

TELL US ABOUT THE PANEL AND THE VOTE?

>> WELL IT IS A PANEL OF 12 LAWMAKERS AND THEIR JOB IS VERY WONKY BUT IT IS ESSENTIALLY TO MAKE SURE THAT STATE AGENCIES ARE ISSUING RULES THAT MAKE SENSE AND ARE APPROPRIATE.

SO WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S OFFICE ASKED THAT COMMITTEE TO RECOMMITTEE THE RULE GIVING THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH THE AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE THAT MASK MANDATE IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

AND NINE OF THE 12 LEGISLATORS BALKED.

THEY SAID LOOK THERE IS AN OUTSTANDING COURT CASE THAT IS BEING APPEALED.

WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER THIS RULE WILL BE UPHELD FOR 24 HOURS, 48 HOURS, MAYBE NOT EVEN THAT.

SO THEY SAID LET'S LET THE COURT CASE PLAY OUT.

AND THEN MAYBE WE CAN COME BACK.

BUT THAT JUST CREATED A YOS BECAUSE THAT MEANT THERE WAS NO MASK MANDATE FOR SCHOOLS.

SO DOZENS OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE OVERNIGHT NOTIFIED PARENTS THAT MASKS WOULD NO LONGER BE REQUIRED.

SO TODAY MORE STUDENTS WENT TO SCHOOL WITHOUT WEARING A MASK.

>> WHICH CAN BE SCARY FOR SOME PARENTS.

NOT EVERYBODY FEELS THE SAME WAY.

AMANDA HAS PRITZKER LOST MEMBERS OF HIS PARTY ON THIS?

>> FIRST OF ALL HE SAYS THERE IS STILL A MASK MANDATE IN PLACE THAT ANY OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHOULD BE ABIDING BY AND THIS DOES GET WONKY AGAIN.

BUT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF THE PANEL AN EMERGENCY RULE PUT FORWARD BY THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH HE SAID WAIT I HAVE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT REMAINS IN EFFECT.

HE WANTS SCHOOL TO ABIDE BY THAT IT SEEMS FOR MANY DISTRICTS THE HORSE IS OUT OF THE BARN AND THERE IS NOT A LEGAL RULING ON IT.

AND IT'S MURKY AND YES, HE DID LOSE MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY ON THIS ONE.

THEY CAN POINT TO THE QUESTIONS WITH THE TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER THE APPEAL THAT IS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS PUT FORWARD AND SHOULD BE HEARD SOONER THAN LATER FOR SAYING WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS EMERGENCY RULE.

WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING THAT AGAIN RIGHT NOW.

I WILL ADD, AGAIN, EMERGENCY RULE WE ARE A COUPLE YEARS INTO THE PANDEMIC.

SO ONE COULD ASK THE LEGISLATURE WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

WHY HAS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NOT PASSED LAWS TO DEAL WITH THIS?

RATHER THAN RELYING ON THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO TAKE EMERGENCY ACTION THIS DEEP IN.

>> WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

ARE WE WAITING ON SOMEONE ELSE TO MAKE A DECISION?

>> WHATEVER THE FINAL ARBITER OF THE MASK MANDATE.

SOME OF THE LAWYERS ON THE RIGHT WHO FOUGHT THIS SAY THAT JAY CAR COMMITTEE RULED AND THAT'S T IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE APPELLATE COURT RULES AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER AND KWAME RAOUL AND OTHER DEMOCRATS SAY NO IF THE APPELLATE COURT OVERTURNS THE COURT RULING THEN THAT GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER IS BACK IN PLAY AND IT'S HIS LEGAL RIGHT TO ISSUE THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER.

AND THE MASK MANDATE IS ON.

BUT AS AMANDA SAID, THE CAT IS OUT THE BAG.

WHATEVER THE DECISION IS YOU WILL SEE LEGAL CHALLENGES.

NO ONE IS GOING TO AGREE ON THE FINAL RULING.

THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG AND NOW THIS IS ON THE BACKS OF ADMINISTRATORS, PRINCIPALS AND SCHOOL BOARDS.

THE POINT OF THE STATE-WIDE SCHOOL MASK MANDATE WAS TO TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY AWAY SO THERE WOULD NOT BE CONFUSION ORDEAL WITH SOME OF THE VITRIOL AND THE CHAOS THAT COMES WITH IT AND NOW THEY ARE DEALING WITH THAT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU PUT THAT CAT BACK IN THE BAG.

>> AND ADMINISTRATORS HAVE HAD A TON TO DEAL WITH FIGURING OUT HOW TO EDUCATE STUDENTS THROUGH A PANDEMIC AND SAFELY.

PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON BECAME THE 37TH ALDERPERSON SINCE 1969 Y'ALL TO BE CONVICTED OF A FEDERAL CRIME.

HEATHER REMIND US OF THE COUNTS?

>> WELL HE WAS CONVICTED ON SEVEN COUNTS, FIVE COUNTS OF FILING FALSE TAX RETURNS AND TWO COUNTS LYING TO FEDERAL BANK REGULATORS HE COULD FACE UP TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON ON EACH OF THOSE TWO LYING FEDERAL REGULATORS AND THREE YEARS FOR THE FALSE TAX RETURNS HE IS LIKELY TO GET LESS BECAUSE HE HAS NO CRIMINAL HISTORY AND IT WAS A WHITE-COLLAR SCRIM CRIME.

I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT ATTORNEY ALSO ASK FOR PROBATION.

HE IS FACING SERIOUS JAIL TIME AND A LITTLE BIT OF BREAKING NEWS A COUPLE MINUTES AGO, THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE POSTED HIS OFFICIAL RESIGNATION LETTER HE IS NO LONGER THE 11TH WARD ALDERMAN.

>> HEATHER CHERONE ON THE CASE FOR US.

>> PARIS ANOTHER CONVICTED ALDERMAN'S ATTORNEY ARGUED BEFORE A JUDGE THAT PRISON TIME DOES NOT ACT AS A DETERRENT LOTS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE GONE TO PRISON AND SO SENDING THEM TO PRISON IS NOT CURBING POLITICAL CORRUPTION.

SAD BUT TRUE?

>> AND WHAT IS NOT BEING A DETERRENT IS THE FACT THAT THE FEDS IF YOU LOOK AT THE CORRUPTION CASES THEY BAT NEARLY A THOUSAND.

YOU DON'T BEAT THE FEDS.

KNOWING IT'S CONFUSING THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS WHY PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON WOULD TAKE THIS TO TRIAL.

IT LOOKED LIKE A CUT AND DRY CASE AND THE JURY DID NOT BUY THEIR DEFENSE AND MOST OF THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS WHEN THEY GET CASES LIKE THIS THEIR FIRST ADVICE IS LOOK, MY JOB IS NOT TO MAKE YOU INNOCENT MY JOB IS TO LIMIT THE DAMAGE AND THEY USUALLY SUGGEST STRIKING A PLEA DEAL.

IT'S CURIOUS WHY HE WOULDN'T STRIKE A PLEA DEAL HE COULD HAVE PERHAPS AVOIDED PRISON TIME.

NOW HE PAID THE LEGAL FEES AND HE IS LIKELY GOING TO GET PRISON TIME.

AND IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS WASHINGTON FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK NOW DEFUNCT AND IT'S SUBJECT TO MASSIVE FEDERAL INVESTIGATIONS OVER SEPARATE FEDERAL CASES HERE.

MAYBE PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON KNEW SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BANK.

HE WAS GETTING LOANS WITH LITTLE EXPECTATION TO PAY THEM OFF.

AND MAYBE HAD INFORMATION.

MAYBE HE DIDN'T.

OR MAYBE IT IS THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS THINK THEY WILL BE THE ONE.

CARRIE AUSTIN AND BOIRNLG IS GOING TO TRIAL BUT HIS CAMPAIGN FUNDS IS PAYING THE LAWYERS.

PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON HAD A LOT TO LOSE.

HE HAS A YOUNG FAMILY HE DOESN'T HAVE THAT KIND OF CAMPAIGN MONEY TO PAY THE LAWYERS AND NOW LOOKING AT PRISON.

IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE WHY THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS A CONTINUE TO ENGAGE IN THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR AND B DON'T TAKE THE EASIER WAY OUT.

>> THEY BELIEVE IN THEIR OWN PRESUMED INNOCENCE ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE $11 BILLION.

>> ACTUAL NUMBER.

>> THAT IS A LARGE NUMBER.

ONCE SOMEONE ON CITY COUNCIL IS CONVICTED OF A FELONY THEY THROUGH THEIR SEAT AND MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT IS TRAFFIC -- TASKED WITH APPOINTING A REPLACEMENT.

WILL SHE APPOINT AN ASIAN-AMERICAN?

>> WELL, SHE HAS 60 DAYS TO MAKE THIS DECISION THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT SHE WILL BE UNDER INTENSE PRESSURE TO MAKE THIS HER FIRST APPOINTMENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL SOMEBODY WHO CAN REPRESENT A REDRAWN 11TH WARD WHICH WOULD UNITE ALL OF CHINATOWN ALONG WITH PARTS OF MCKINLAY PARK AND ARCHER SQUARE TO MAKE A WARD WHICH WILL HAVE A MAJORITY OF ASIAN VOTERS THE FIRST IN CHICAGO'S HISTORY.

WHETHER SHE WILL DO THAT I DON'T KNOW.

BUT SHE WILL BE GETTING A LOT OF PHONE CALLS AND A LOT OF E-MAILS AND A LOT OF ADVICE BECAUSE WHOEVER SHE PICKS WILL HAVE A LEG UP A HEADSTART ON THE 2023 ELECTIONS WHICH ARE JUST ABOUT A YEAR AWAY IF YOU CAN BELIEVE THAT.

>> I DON'T LIKE TO MAKE PREDICTIONS BUT I'M GOING TO.

YES THERE'S SO MUCH PRESSURE TO APPOINT AN ASIAN-AMERICAN TO THAT SEAT.

I WILL GUESS SHE IS GOING TO.

WHO THAT WILL BE I CAN'T SAY.

>> WE HAVE 60 DAYS FOR HER TO LET US KNOW.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HAS PARDONED 162 PEOPLE SO FAR THIS YEAR BUT ONE STANDS OUT IN PARTICULAR.

A POLITICALLY CONNECTED ARSONIST WHO HAS BECOME A FIRE CHIEF.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS MAN WHO GOT THE PARDON AND WHY HE GOT IT AND THE FALLOUT FROM THIS APPOINTMENT.

>> I EXPECT A LOT OF FALLOUT THIS IS A NEW STORY THAT REPORTS ABOUT JARAME SIMMONS, SR., HE IS A NOW A FIRE CHIEF.

BUT BACK WAY BACK IN THE 90s HE HAD ACTUALLY BEEN CONVICTED OF ARSON PLEADED GILLFY IN FACT TO AN ARSON CHARGE WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT YOU DON'T NECESSARILY WANT OR EXPECT OUT OF SOMEBODY WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTING RESIDENTS FROM FIRE.

HE WAS SERVING AS A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER.

HE IS THE SON OF A FORMER MAYOR OF THE TOWN WHICH HE IS NOW A FIRE CHIEF THAT IS DUPONT.

SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS, VAGUELY SOUTH OF ST. LOUIS ON THE ILLINOIS SIDE.

WHY EXACTLY THE GOVERNOR PARDONED HIM AND THERE WERE ALLOWED HIM TO RISE TO THE LOCAL OFFICE WHICH HE ASPIRED WE DON'T KNOW.

THERE IS A LOT ABOUT THE PARDONING PROCESS AND THE PRISON REVIEW BOARD THAT REMAINS CONCEALED OUTSIDE OF PUBLIC PURVIEW.

THE GOVERNOR IS COMING UNDER WELL FIRE FOR DOING SO GIVEN THIS MAN'S POLITICAL CONNECTIONS AND JUST QUESTIONS ABOUT IN GENERAL DO CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND AGAIN, THE NOTION OF HAVING A FIRE CHIEF WHO IN ADDITION TO ARSON HAS HAD MANY OTHER STRUGGLES WITH THE LAW.

>> PARIS, THIS COULD BE A TURNAROUND STORY, THERE IS A LOT WE DON'T KNOW OR IT COULD BE A MATTER OF POLITICAL CONNECTIONS WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING ON HERE?

>> IT COULD HAVE BEEN THAT HE FELL IN LOVE WITH FIREFIGHTING AFTER HE WENT THROUGH THAT SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

BUT CERTAINLY YOU COULD BE THE SUBJECT OF POLITICAL ATTACK ADS IF YOU CONSIDER THE FACT THAT MOST REPUBLICANS LOOKS TO USE CRIME AS PERHAPS THE NUMBER ONE THING THEY WANT TO HIT GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER ON THIS MIGHT FIT IN WITH THAT.

CRIME AND POLITICAL CRONYISM.

IT WOULD SEEM TO HAVE THE INGREDIENTS.

I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE A STEP BACK AND FIGURE OUT WHO THIS GUY REALLY IS AND WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> AND SPEAKING OF REPUBLICANS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR RICHARD IRVIN GOT AN EIGHT-FIGURE DONATION BY THE STATE'S WEALTHIEST MAN.

DOES THIS SURPRISE YOU THAT KEN GRIFFIN IS BACKING RICHARD IRVIN OR THE WORST KEPT SECRET IN POLITICS?

>> THE WORST KEPT SECRET IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE SHOCKING IF HE HAD NOT MADE A MASSIVE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION TO RICHARD IRVIN AND IT SETS UP A BATTLE OF THE BILLIONAIRE VERSUS THE BILLIONAIRE'S FAVORITE CANDIDATE AND J.B. PRITZKER SAYS HE IS WILLING TO SPEND AS MUCH AS IT TAKES TO WIN A SECOND TERM.

AND KEN GRIFFIN WILL HELP IRVIN TO GIVE HIM A RUN FOR HIS MONEY IN THE POTENTIAL GENERAL ELECTION.

FIRST RICHARD IRVIN HAS TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE G.O.P.

PRIMARY AND THAT IS NO SMALL TASK.

>> IT'S NOT A LIMITED FIELD.

IT IS QUITE A FEW FOLKS RUNNING FOR THAT ONE.

DOES IRVIN HAS A TRUMP PROBLEM?

>> HE HAS A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES DEPENDING IN THE PRIMARY OR THE GENERAL.

IN THE PRIMARY, IT STILL APPEARS THAT THE BASE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS MOST ACTIVATED IN THE TRUMP WING AND THAT WOULD HOLD TRUE IN ILLINOIS.

AND IRVIN MIGHT NOT EXCITE THAT BASE THE WAY SOME OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES IF HE GETS THROUGH THE PRIMARY HE HAS A PROBLEM IN THAT THE PRITZKER CAMPAIGN WILL CONNECT HIM TO KEN GRIFFIN HE WILL BE THE PUPPET OF A BILLIONAIRE AND CONNECTING THAT TO BRUCE RAUNER BECAUSE KEN GRIFFIN WAS A BIG FUNDER AND NO DOUBT THEY WILL PROBABLY TRY TO CONNECT HIM TO TRUMP JUST BY BEING A REPUBLICAN.

IT WILL BE A COMPLICATED SQUIGGLELY LINE THAT HE WILL HAVE TO WALK.

>> AND AMANDA, 30 SECONDS ILLINOIS HAS A NEW LEGISLATIVE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO FILL THIS POSITION?

>> WE HAD KNOWN SINCE JULY THAT THE LAST INSPECTOR GENERAL WAS GOING TO LEAVE.

AND STEPPED DOWN AT THE START OF JANUARY 2022 BUT IT'S BEEN A LONG RUNNING FIGHT AND WHAT IS INTERESTING IS DEMOCRATS WENT ON THEIR OWN TO APPOINT SOMEBODY THAT YOU WANT TO HAVE BUY IN FROM BOTH PARTIES AND BYPASSED A CITIZENS COMMITTEE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO GIVE APPROVAL.

ILLINOIS HAS A LEGISLATIVE INSPECTOR GENERAL SOMEBODY TO WATCH OVER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUT ANY DECISIONS THAT THIS INSPECTOR GENERAL MAKES MAY COME UNDER SCRUTINY BY THE PROCESS THAT IT TOOK TO GET THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IN THAT POSITION.

>> SEVEN MONTHS AND NO INSPECTOR GENERAL IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND NO SIGNS OF ANY MOVEMENT ON THAT WHATSOEVER WHICH IS BAFFLING.

>> AND THAT IS SPOTLIGHT.

THANKS TO AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

AND WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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

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

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE POTENTIAL RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE LOOMS WE VISIT A UKRAINIAN VILLAGE.

NEXT STOP ON OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

[♪♪♪] >> AND WE PREVIEW A NEW THEATRE PRODUCTION HONORING A BLACK CLASSICAL MUSIC COMPOSER.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND WARM AND ALL THE REST TONIGHT AND TOMORROW AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

[♪♪♪]