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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> ILLINOIS THE STATE OF OUR GREAT STATE IS STRONG.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE HAS RESTORED ILLINOIS' FINANCES HEADING INTO A REELECTION BATTLE AND THE CHALLENGER SAYS IT IS A GIMMICK.

SHOVELING OUT OF THE SNOW?

THERE IS MORE IN THE FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

>> I'VE DECIDED I'M NOT GOING TO RUN FOR REELECTION AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE C.T.U.

>> SKBRES JESS ANNOUNCES HE IS MOVING ON.

>> IT SOUNDS MORE LIKE A ROUTINE PRACTICE.

>> WHY ROB BLAGOJEVICH WAS PAYED TO WEIGH-IN ON A CONGRESSIONAL RACE IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

FRIGID TEMPERATURES AND SNOWFALL LEFT CHICAGO'S HOMELESS POPULATION VULNERABLE.

OUTREACH WORKERS SHARE WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND.

>> A PARTY YOU HAVE TO HAVE A OPINION THAT YEAH.

>> AND A SHOP OWNER WHOSE PINATAS ARE A SUCCESS WITH CUSTOMERS.

>> A STORM BLANKETED ILLINOIS WITH SNOW OVERNIGHT AND THROUGH MUCH OF THE DAY AND THERE'S MORE ON THE WAY.

THE BLIZZARD FORCED ROAD CLOSURES SOUTH OF CHICAGO WITH SHUTDOWNS ON PARTS OF INTERSTATE 80, 55 AND 74.

IN THE CHICAGO AREA, SNOWFALL VARIED WIDELY WITH PARTS OF THE SOUTH SIDE AND SOUTH SUBURBS SEEING AROUND 10 INCHES WHILE O'HARE AIRPORT SAW FIVE INCHES AS OF NOON.

THE SNOW TAPERED OFF THIS AFTERNOON BUT IT WILL START FALLING AGAIN BETWEEN 2:00 A.M. AND 1:00 P.M. >> THE STORM FORCED LAWMAKERS IN SPRINGFIELD TO CANCEL THE SESSION DAYS THEY PLANNED FOR THIS WEEK.

BUT GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S ANNUAL BUDGET ADDRESS WENT AHEAD AS SCHEDULED.

PRITZKER SPOKE IN THE SMALLER STATE CAPITOL RATHER IN THE LARGE HOUSE CHAMBER.

A FEW DOZEN PEOPLE WERE IN THE ROOM FOR THE SPEECH INCLUDING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR STRATTON AND HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JIM DURKIN.

>> CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION PRESIDENT JESSE SHARKEY IS STEPPING DOWN LATER THIS YEAR.

HE ANNOUNCED HE WILL NOT RUN FOR REELECTION AND SAYS HE PLANS TO RETURN TO TEACHING AFTER HIS CURRENT TERM ENDS ON JUNE 30TH.

>> I SEE MYSELF AS A MEMBER OF A MOVEMENT AND EDUCATION JUSTICE MOVEMENT AND THE GOAL OF THAT MOVEMENT IS NOT TO GET INTO POSITIONS OF ADMINISTRATIVE POWER AND HANG ON TO THEM.

I'M CONFIDENT WE HAVE THE LEADERSHIP IN THE C.T.U.

THAT IS CAPABLE OF NOT ONLY TAKING OVER THE UNION BUT TAKING IT TO NEW HEIGHTS AND LEVELS.

>> SHARKEY WAS APPOINTED PRESIDENT IN 2018 WHEN THE UNION'S FORMER LEAD KAREN LEWIS RETIRED.

HE WAS ELECTED TO THE POST.

HE SERVED AS C.T.U.

VICE-PRESIDENT.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THIS COMING UP LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

>> UP NEXT, AMANDA VINICKY IS LIVE FROM THE STATE CAPITOL WITH ANALYSIS OF THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ADDRESS.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> PROPOSE A SPENDING PLAN CAN BE ONE OF A GOVERNOR'S TOUGHEST JOBS.

BUT WITH THE HIGHER THAN EXPECTED REVENUES COMING IN COUPLED WITH FEDERAL DOLLARS EASING THE FINANCIAL STRAIN, GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S USING IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY AS HE HEADS INTO A REELECTION BATTLE.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH A RUNDOWN.

>> AS YOU NOTED THIS WAS AN ATYPICAL SPEECH NOT JUST BECAUSE IT WAS NOT HELD IN THIS BUILDING IT WAS AT THE OLD STATE CAPITOL WHERE PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN SERVED WHEN HE WAS AN ILLINOIS LAWMAKER.

TODAY ONLY A HANDFUL OF LEGISLATORS IN THE AUDIENCE.

BUT NO MATTER, AS PRITZKER HIMSELF SAID, THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST FORUMS AND MOST PUBLIC FORUMS A GOVERNOR CAN HAVE AND PRITZKER TOOK FULL ADVANTAGE OF IT.

>> WHEN I WAS FIRST ELECTED I PLEDGED TO BUDGET RESPONSIBLY AND WITH THE FOCUS ON REDUCING BURDENS ON WORKING FAMILIES.

I'M PROUD TO SAY THIS PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET PLAN DOES JUST THAT.

>> THIS IS A PLAN THAT SPENDS $45.SOMETHING BILLION AND STILL THE GOVERNOR SAYS IS GOING TO LEAVE ILLINOIS WITH SOMETHING WE DON'T HAVE HAVE A SURPLUS OF $1.7 BILLION THAT AS IT DOES GET MODEST INCREASES TO EDUCATION, TO VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS INCLUDING A NEW ONE THAT WILL SERVE AS GANG WITNESS PROTECTION.

AND ALSO NOT ONLY PAYS THE STATE'S LEGALLY REQUIRED CONTRIBUTION TO THE UNDERFUNDED PENSION PROGRAMS THAT IS A CONTRIBUTION OF $9.6 BILLION AND ADDS HALF A BILLION DOLLARS TO THAT.

>> RESPONSIBLE FISCAL MANAGEMENT IS YIELDING SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS UNBURDENING OUR STATE FROM THE ANCHOR THAT WEIGHED US DOWN FOR FAR TOO LONG.

>> I'M NOT SURE THAT PENSIONS ARE GOING TO PERK THE INTEREST OF MANY PEOPLE OTHER THAN PERHAPS CREDIT RATING ANALYSTS, GOVERNMENT INSIDERS AND THOSE WAITING TO GET THAT RETIREMENT BENEFIT.

BUT HERE IS SOMETHING THAT I BET WILL PERK UP THE EARS OF ILLINOIS RESIDENTS.

AKA VOTERS AND THAT IS THAT PRITZKER PLANS TO GIVE A SERIES OF ONE TIME TAX BREAKS INCLUDING HEALTHCARE WORKERS NOT HAVING TO PAY LICENSING FEES FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.

KEEPING FLAT THE TAX ON GASOLINE WHEN IT IS SUPPOSED TO GO UP BY TWO CENTS A GALLON AND REMOVING A 1% TAX ON GROCERIES.

THAT WOULD BE FOR ONE YEAR.

SAVING FAMILIES ABOUT A BUCK PER $100 THEY SPEND ON FOOD.

THE MOVES ARE EARNING PRAISE FROM DEMOCRATS BUT REPUBLICANS INCLUDING THOSE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR CALL THESE GIMMICKS THAT ARE TAILOR MADE FOR PRITZKER'S REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

WE HAD ONE OF THOSE CANDIDATES AND THAT IS DOWN STATE ENTREPRENEUR JESSE SULLIVAN SAYING PRITZKER IS QUOTE ATTEMPTING TO BRIBE VOTERS WITH FAKE TAX RELIEF.

YOU HAVE POWERFUL INTERESTS INCLUDING SOME OF THOSE THAT TYPICALLY GET ALONG WITH THE GOVERNOR PUSHING BACK.

THOSE TAX -- GAS TAX DOLLARS ARE SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR ROAD REPAIRS AND THAT MEANS THAT ROAD REPAIRS WILL BE SHORTED THROUGH THIS TAX RELIEF BY $135 MILLION.

THE LOCAL OPERATING ENGINEERS 150 UNION SAYS THAT THAT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE.

ONLY A WEEK AGO WE SAW A BRIDGE COLLAPSE IN PENNSYLVANIA AND THERE ARE CURRENTLY MORE THAN 2,000 STRUCTURALLY DEFICIENT BRIDGES IN ILLINOIS.

THE UNION SAID IN A STATEMENT OUR STATE IS ONLY BEGINNING TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THIS AND NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO START WRITING IOU'S FOR OUR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE HEAD OF THE ILLINOIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SHARES THAT CONCERN AS WELL AS OTHERS.

PRESIDENT TODD MAISCH SAID THE SMALL BITS OF TAX RELIEF ARE NOT GOING TO MATERIALLY HELP PEOPLE.

>> CHICKEN FEED BEING SPRINKLED AROUND TO DIFFERENT AREAS, I DON'T THINK THE GROCERY TAX RELIEF IS GOING TO BE THAT MEANINGFUL.

IT IS A GOOD IMPETUS BUT IT NOT GOING TO BE MEANINGFUL AND THE GAS TAX WHEN IT'S 2 CENTS ON $3.40 A GALLON WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE.

LET'S PUT THAT INTO PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND SUSTAIN VITAL INVESTMENT IN OUR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> NOW, TODD MAISCH IS ELUDING TO ONE-TIME OFFER OF TAX RELIEF.

TWO MILLION HOUSEHOLDS WOULD BE EVENINGABLE FOR A MAXIMUM PROPERTY TAX REFUND OF $3 HUNDRED.

BUT THAT LEAVES OUT THOSE WHO RENT.

ALSO IT LEAVES OUT BUSINESSES INCLUDING LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT ARE MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBER.

HE SAYS THAT PRITZKER SHOULD INCLUDE BUSINESSES IN THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PLAN AND ALSO OFFER PROPERTY TAX SAVINGS THAT WILL LAST FOR AFTER THE GOVERNOR'S RACE IS OVER.

NOW, HOW MUCH ROOM IS THERE FOR NEGOTIATION IN ALL OF THIS?

WELL, IT IS EARLY IN THE BUDGET NEGOTIATION PROCESS.

HERE IS PRITZKER... >> WHAT A SELF INDULGENT THE CYNICS TAKE OPPOSING WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS IF THEY THINK IT WILL ADVANCE THEIR POLITICAL STANDING.

IT IS CURIOUS BUT THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS STATE POLITICS CARED MORE ABOUT PROMOTING THEIR OWN PROPAGANDA THAN WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR POCKETBOOKS.

DURING HIS BUDGET CYCLE, ESPECIALLY, SEATS AT THE GROWN-UP TABLE WILL BE OFF LIMITS TO THOSE NOT WORKING IN THE PUBLIC'S BEST INTERESTS.

>> REPUBLICANS SAY THAT THAT DOES NOT SOUND TO THEM LIKE AN INVITATION TO COMPROMISE.

THEY ARE PARTICULARLY KEEN ON NEGOTIATING AN ANTIVIOLENCE PACKAGE.

THERE IS A LOT MORE ON THIS BUT FOR NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU AND WE'LL SEE YOU IN A BIT TO TALK MORE ABOUT THIS DURING OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> AND AS WE HEARD, GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S BUDGET PROPOSAL IS PACKED WITH GOODIES APPEALING TO SOME VOTERS AHEAD OF THE NOVEMBER PLAN.

IT WOULD PROVIDE $1 BILLION IN RELIEF FOR PANDEMIC HIT HOUSEHOLDS BY GIVING A ONE-TIME PROPERTY TAX REBATE AND FREEZING TAXES ON GROCERIES AND GAS.

PRITZKER INSISTS THE STATE CAN AFFORD IT.

>> AS WE MOVE ON TO TACKLE THE QUESTIONS WHAT VITAL PRIORITIES OUR GOVERNMENT SHOULD FUND, KNOW THAT WE START FROM A PLACE WHERE OUR BILLS ARE PAID.

OUR MOST PRESSING SHORT-TERM DEBTS ARE NEARLY GONE.

AND OUR MOST CRITICAL LONG-TERM FINANCIAL LIABILITIES ARE IN THE BEST FISCAL SHAPE THEY HAVE BEEN IN SINCE THE TURN OF THE CENTURY.

>> JOINING US WITH THEIR REACTIONS ARE ILLINOIS HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER GREG HARRIS A DEMOCRAT FROM CHICAGO.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE PHIL TOM TM DEMMER A REPUBLICAN FROM DIXON.

DON DEWITTE A REPUBLICAN FROM WEST DUNDEE AND ELGIE SIMS A DEMOCRAT FROM CHICAGO.

GENTLEMEN THANK YOU FOR BEING AVAILABLE FOR US.

REPRESENTATIVE DEMMER LET'S START WITH YOU WHAT IS YOUR INITIAL REACTION TO GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S PROPOSED BUDGET?

>> THE FIRST THING WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON IS THIS IS A DIFFERENT BUDGET MESSAGE THAN WE'VE HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR.

I THINK RIGHTFULLY CALLS SKEPTICISM INTO BELIEVING THAT THE FIRST BLUSH IMPRESSION OF IT JUST A YEAR-AND-A-HALF AGO GOVERNOR PRITZKER WAS TELLING VOTERS ACROSS ILLINOIS THEY NEEDED TO APPROVE HIS $3 BILLION TAX INCREASE OTHERWISE THERE WOULD BE CUTS OR TAX INCREASES ACROSS THE BOARD AND HE FOLLOWED UP LAST YEAR WITH A PROPOSAL THAT INCREASED TAXES ON BUSINESSES BY OVER A BILLION DOLLARS REJECTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THIS YEAR WITH REELECTION LOOMING GOVERNOR PRITZKER WANTS TO PAINT A ROSIE PICTURE.

GIVEN THE TRACK RECORD IT'S RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE TO CALL INTO QUESTION WHETHER HE HAS CREDIBILITY IN THE BUDGET MESSAGES.

>> SENATOR DON DEWITTE WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE ONE TIME TAX RELIEF PREVISIONS A PROPERTY TAX REBATE AND A FREEZE ON GROCERY TAXES AND WAIVING LIQUOR LICENSE FEES FOR BARS AND RESTAURANTS.

CAN REPUBLICANS BACK THEM EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT PERMANENT?

>> I THINK THAT IS POSSIBLE.

I THINK THESE ONE-TIME GESTURES OF TAX CUTS WHAT I WOULD SAY TO THE GOVERNOR IS WELCOME TO THE TABLE.

WE HAVE BEEN SUGGESTING ALL ALONG THAT TAXES AGAINST RESIDENTS OF THIS STATE CONTINUE TO GROW YEAR AFTER YEAR.

LOOK, THERE'S GOOD THINGS IN THE BUDGET THAT WE WANT TO WORK WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND OUR COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE ON.

I THINK THE FACT THAT FOR EXAMPLE THAT THE GOVERNOR IS MAKING ACTUARIAL PAYMENTS TO THE PENSION FUND IS A GREAT HEADSTART TO TRY TO START THE PROCESS OF CURING THE PENSION CRISIS THAT IS THE ALBATROSS AROUND THE NECK OF OUR STATE.

WE HOPE THE GOVERNOR AND OUR COLLEAGUES WILL INCLUDE US IN THE CONVERSATIONS THIS YEAR UNLIKE PAST YEARS WHEN WE HAVE BEEN SHUTOUT.

THEY THUMB THEIR NOSE AT FOUR TO SIX MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE.

WE HOPE HE IS SINCERE INVITING US TO THE TABLE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS HOW DO YOU ADDRESS SOME OF THE CRITICISM THAT COMES FROM SOME REPUBLICANS AND THE ILLINOIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THAT THE TAX PROPOSALS ARE GIMMICKS TO HELP THE GOVERNOR GET REELECTED?

>> I THINK WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS THE PRESSURES PEOPLE ARE FEELING AT HOME.

AND PUTTING A BILLION DOLLARS DIRECTLY INTO THE POCKETS BY CUTTING THE GAS TAX AND THE SALES TAX OFF FOOD AND GIVING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ARE GOOD STARTS.

AND THERE'S SO MUCH THE BUDGET DOES IN ADDITION TO THAT THAT HELPS OUR FAMILIES.

WE'RE INCREASING CHILDCARE.

WE'RE GREATLY INCREASING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT ACROSS THE STATE.

SO MANY PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING DURING COVID AND WE WANT TO BRING THE RESOURCES TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND PUTTING $350 INTO OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE'RE PUTTING MONEY INTO A RAINY DAY FUND A BILLION DOLLARS INTO A RAINY DAY FUND TO PROTECT THE STATE AGAINST FUTURE DOWNTURNS.

AS IT WAS SAID WE'RE PAYING MORE THAN THE REQUIRED PENSION PAYMENTS.

WE PAID BACK OUR DEBTS WE HAVE HAD HAD THE FIRST CREDIT RATING UPGRADES IN 20 YEARS.

THINGS ARE LOOKING GOOD.

IT WAS WONDERFUL TO HEAR THE GOVERNOR AND TALK ABOUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THE STATE BETTER AS OPPOSED TO DOOM AND GLOOM THE FIGHTS WE WERE USED TO UNDER THE PREVIOUS GOVERNOR.

>> SENATOR SIMS HE SAYS IT'S TIME TO LOOK AT REDUCING THE BURDEN OF HIGH PROPERTY TAXES.

WOULD DEMOCRATS SUPPORT PERMANENTLY CUTTING PROPERTY TAXES AND IF SO HOW WOULD THAT REVENUE BE REPLACED?

>> BRANDIS, AS I THINK YOU'VE HEARD FROM ALL OF US, THIS IS EARLY ON IN THE PROCESS.

AND WHAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING IS HAVING THOSE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHAT OUR BUDGET LOOKS LIKE AS WE MOVE FORWARD THROUGH THE SESSION.

THAT IS WHY I WAS PLEASED TO SEE THE GOVERNOR CAME OUT IN THE PROPOSAL AND TALK ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS IN TAX RELIEF.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT SENATE DEMOCRATS FOR A LONGTIME.

HOW DO WE INVEST IN WORKING FAMILIES AND MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE STRUGGLING PARTICULARLY DURING THE PANDEMIC HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND WE WILL CONTINUE.

THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL IS STARTS THAT DISCUSSION AND STARTS THAT PROCESS FOR HAVING THE DISCUSSION ABOUT INVESTING IN THOSE AREAS WHERE WE CAN HAVE THE DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT THE OVERALL PROCESS LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT THE PROPOSALS LOOK LIKE.

THIS IS EARLY IN THE PROCESS.

BUT WE'LL HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

I'M GLAD TO HEAR MY COLLEAGUES SAY THEY WANT TO BE PART OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

BECAUSE UNFORTUNATELY, IN THE YEARS PAST THAT HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE WHERE THEY'VE HAD THOSE DISCUSSIONS BUT WE WELCOME THEM TO PARTICIPATE AND HAVE THE DISCUSSIONS WITH US.

>> REPRESENTATIVE AND GOVERNOR PRITZKER SAID THE STATE IS IN THE BEST FISCAL POSITION IT'S BEEN IN IN DECADES.

HOW MUCH CREDIT DOES THE GOVERNOR DESERVE FOR TURNING THE STATE'S FINANCES AROUND?

>> WELL, I THINK WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THE PAST COUPLE OF BUDGET YEARS HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY AN AVALANCHE OF CASH FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WE KNOW THROUGH BILLS THE CARES ACT FIRST, THE AMERICAN RECOVERY PLAN ACT, THE SUBSIDIES TO UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE STIMULUS CHECKS THINGS HAVE INJECTED AN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF MONEY INTO THE ILLINOIS ECONOMY.

ALSO WE'VE BEEN RECEIVED OVER $2 BILLION EXTRA IN REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.

THAT IS JUST FOLDED INTO THE REST OF THE BUDGET.

WE FEED TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT BUILDING A NEW BUDGET BASED ON THE LAST YEAR OR TWO EXPERIENCE BECAUSE THE REALITY IS THAT THOSE BUDGETS ARE LARGELY BALANCED BASED ON BORROWING AND INFLUXES OF CASH FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS, SAME QUESTION IS THE STATE'S FINANCIAL TURN AROUND PRIMARILY A RESULT OF THIS INFLUX OF FEDERAL CASH HOW MUCH CREDIT DOES THE GOVERNOR GET?

>> THE GOVERNOR GETS A LOT OF CREDIT.

WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE HAND WE'RE DEALT.

WE HAD TO DEAL WITH THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WITH THE EFFECTS OF COVID.

THAT DEVASTATED SWATHS OF OUR ECONOMY THAT OVERTAXED OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND DISRUPTED PEOPLE'S LIVES.

AND YES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GAVE ALL THE STATES RESOURCES TO HELP DEAL WITH THAT.

AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR SHOULD GET A LOT OF CREDIT FOR MAKING SURE THOSE FUNDS WENT DIRECTLY TO CHILDCARE, TO RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORTING OUR HOSPITALS AND IT WAS PUT IN THE FORM OF ONE TIME EXPENDITURES SO WE DON'T FALL OFF THE FISCAL CLIFF.

I THINK IT'S BEEN PRUDENTLY MANAGED AND WELL MANAGED.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE ALSO TURNED A SURPLUS IN OUR OPERATIONS AND THE GOVERNOR IS TAKING THAT SURPLUS AND INVESTING IT IN PAYING DOWN DEBT AND SECURING OUR FISCAL STABILITY AND REDUCING OUR STRUCTURAL DEFICITS INTO THE FUTURE.

>> CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY UNFORTUNATELY OFTEN AN ISSUE IN CHICAGO AND OTHER CITIES IN ILLINOIS.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER PROPOSES TO SPEND OVER $800 MILLION ON VIOLENCE INTERVENTIONS AND PREVENTIONS.

HERE IS A BIT WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ON THAT.

>> TOO OFTEN THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS YELLING THE LOUDEST ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS, ARE ALSO THOSE VOTING TO DEFUND GOVERNMENT BUDGETS.

CRIME IS A COMPLEX PROBLEM TO TACKLE.

AND IT'S CYNICAL AND COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO SHOUT LOCK THEM UP.

WHILE PROVIDING FEWER RESOURCES TO THE PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS THAT PREVENT CRIME IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> SENATOR DON DEWITTE ARE YOU SUPPORTIVE OF THE GOVERNOR'S VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROPOSAL?

>> WELL, I THINK VIOLENCE AND CRIME ACROSS THE STATE IS MUCH MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN JUST THROWING MORE MONEY AT THE PROBLEM.

PEOPLE IN THIS STATE WANT TO KNOW THAT IF SOMEONE COMMITS A CRIME THEY WILL PAY THE PRICE THAT SOCIETY REQUIRES THEM TO PAY.

IT'S MUCH DEEPER THAN THROWING MONEY AT LAW ENFORCEMENT, THROWING MONEY AT SOCIAL PROGRAMS.

THERE HAS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY AND THERE'S GOT TO BE LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT THE LAWS IN THE STATE WILL BE ENFORCED APPROPRIATELY.

TOO MANY CRIMINALS COMMITTING VIOLENT CRIMES ARE GETTING BACK OUT ON THE STREET.

AND TO YOUR POINT, NO ONE ON OUR SIDE OF THE AISLE SUPPORTED THE CRIMINAL REFORM ACT THAT WAS PASSED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT LAST SPRING THAT HAS PROMPTED THIS SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN VIOLENCE ACROSS OUR STATE.

NOT JUST CHICAGO, NOT JUST COUNTIES BUT ACROSS THE STATE.

IT IS A COMPLEX ISSUE.

WE HAVE TO INCLUDE ALL ASPECTS OF FIXING THE PROBLEM AND IT'S NOT JUST THROWING MONEY AT IT.

>> SENATOR SIMS ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS WILL GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEMS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND JUST LISTENING TO MY COLLEAGUE, THE LAST TWO YEARS THERE'S BEEN $10 BILLION INVESTED INTO CRIME PREVENTION AND DEALING WITH THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME.

TO NEARLY $10 BILLION.

NOW, IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL THIS YEAR THERE'S NEARLY THREE QUARTERS OF A BILLION DOLLARS INTO DEALING WITH THOSE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME.

NOT JUST INVESTING IN PRISON USING PRISON CONSTRUCTION AND LOCK 'EM UP STRATEGIES AS ECONOMIC DEVELOP AND.

BUT PREVENTING CRIME FROM HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WE'VE TRIED THE FAILED POLICIES OF THE PAST.

BUT WE HAVE NOT BEEN SMART WITH CRIME.

WE HAVE NOT DEALT WITH THE ROOT CAUSE OF CRIME.

THE ISSUES WHERE WE'RE DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH WHERE INDIVIDUALS WHO STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND DEAL WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE POOR AND HOUSING INSECURITY AND EDUCATION THAT WILL GIVE INDIVIDUALS A PATHWAY TO SUCCESS.

THIS BUDGET DOES THAT.

IT PUTS US ON THAT PATH AND IT BUILDS ON THE INVESTMENTS WE'VE MADE IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT WORK?

ABSOLUTELY.

>> SENATOR, OBVIOUSLY IT'S EARLY IN THE PROCESS I'M SURE WE WILL BE HEARING MORE FROM YOU GOING FORWARD.

THANKS TO GREG HARRIS, STATE SENATOR ELGIE SIMS, SEPTEMBER DEPARTMENT TOM DEMMER AND STATE SENATOR DON DEWITTE FOR JOINING US.

>> GRAB A SHOVEL.

CHICAGOANS ARE DIGGING THEMSELVES OUT FROM A BLANKET OF SNOW.

SOME RESIDENTS MORE THAN OTHERS.

THE SOUTH SIDE WAS HIT PARTICULARLY HARD WITH SOME AREAS SEEING MORE THAN NINE INCHES OF SNOWFALL.

AND MORE SNOW IS BEING FORECAST FOR THURSDAY.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ON WHAT TO EXPECT IS ILLINOIS STATE CLIMATOLOGIST TRENT FORD BASED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA CHAMPAIGN.

WELLINGTON THOMAS.

FIRST WHAT IS IT LIKE IN CHAMPAIGN?

>> PROBLEM THE SAME ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

IT IS VERY SNOWY RIGHT NOW.

HONESTLY THE LAST TIME I WENT OUTSIDE WE HAD NINE INCHES ON THE GROUND AND IT'S STILL COMING DOWN.

AND AFTER THE SECOND WAVE COMES THROUGH TOMORROW I'M HOPING WE CAN PUSH OVER THAT ONE FOOT MARK.

AS A SNOW LOVER, IT'S GOOD TIMES HERE.

>> LEAVE IT TO A CLIMATOLOGIST TO LOVE THE SNOW.

WE SPOKE TO TWO OF YOUR COLLEAGUES WITH THE CHALLENGES OF FORECASTING THIS STORM WITH WIDESPREAD DIFFERENCE FROM ONE REGION TO THE NEXT ABOUT HOW MUCH SNOWFALL EACH AREA WOULD GET.

HAS THIS STORM DONE WHAT WE THOUGHT IT WOULD?

>> PRETTY MUCH, YEAH, I MEAN THE SNOWFALL PATTERNS THAT WE'VE SEEN SO FAR WHETHER IT BE ACROSS THE STATE OF ILLINOIS OR JUST IN THE CHICAGOLAND REGION ARE CLOSE TO WHAT WAS FORECASTED.

EVEN JUST THREE OR FOUR DAYS OUT.

IT'S INCREDIBLE.

AND IT WAS A GOOD JOB OF FORECASTING AND NOT ONLY FORECASTING HERE IS WHAT WE THINK THE GENERAL AMOUNTS WILL BE BUT THE AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY.

AND AS THE TWO GUESTS MENTIONED THE AREAS OF HIGHEST UNCERTAINTY ARE ALONG THE BANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THE SHARP GRADIENTS BETWEEN EIGHT AND NINE INCHES IN ONE PLACE AND FIVE MINUTE DRIVE CAN GET TWO OR THREE INCHES.

WHERE THOSE ENDED UP WAS WELL FORECAST AND COMMUNICATED FOR FOLKS TO KNOW THE UNCERTAINTY.

>> WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THIS SYSTEM THAT MADE THESE DIFFERING LEVELS OF SNOW POSSIBLE?

>> YEAH, SO IT WAS REALLY THAT PLAY THAT DELICATE TANGO BETWEEN THE WARMER, HUMID AIR FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO.

AND THE COLD DRY AIR COMING DOWN FROM THE CANADIAN PRAIRIES.

WHERE THOSE TWO MEET AND HOW FAR THAT WARM AIR CAN PUSH UP TO THE NORTH DICTATES WHERE THAT LINE OF HEAVIEST SNOWFALL IS GOING TO BE.

AND BECAUSE THAT BOUNDARY CAN BE SO THIN, THE GRADIENT OF SNOWFALL ALONG THAT BOUNDARY IS REALLY TIGHT.

GOING FROM EIGHT OR 10 INCHES DOWN TO ONE OR TWO INCHES.

BUT FORECASTING HOW FAR THAT WARM AIR IS GOING TO PUSH UP OR THE COLD AIR IS HARD FOR THE MODELS TO CAPTURE AND HARDER TO COMMUNICATE THAT FOR FOLKS WANTING TO KNOW HOW MUCH SALT THEY NEED TO PUT DOWN.

BUT AGAIN THE COMBINATION OF THE SOPHISTICATED MODELS AND THE GREAT FORECASTERS AND METEOROLOGISTS WE HAVE AROUND THE AREA, DID A GREAT JOB OF FORECASTING THE SYSTEM.

>> SO THEN THURSDAY, WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT AND WHEN IS THIS GOING TO LET UP?

>> SO IT'S SORT OF TAPERING OFF FOR THE CHICAGOLAND AREA.

I WAS LOOKING AT THE FORECAST JUST NOW AND IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS ANYWHERE BETWEEN AN INCH-AND-A-HALF TO THREE INCHES FOR THE BROADER CHICAGOLAND AREA.

AGAIN A LOT OF THAT WHEN IT DOES FALL THE TOTALS WILL BE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE AREA VERSUS THE NORTH SIDE.

BUT IT SHOULD -- THE SNOWFALL SHOULD WRAP UP IN EARNEST AROUND MIDDAY TOMORROW THURSDAY.

AND WE'RE GOING TO GET COLD, DRY AIR IN.

NOT MUCH CHANCE OF IT THIS WEEKEND.

SO FOR FOLKS WONDERING WHEN SHOULD I SCOOP MY SIDEWALK OR MY STOOP, WE SHOULD SEE THAT SNOW TAPERING OFF TONIGHT AND THEN MIDDAY TOMORROW IT WILL BE GONE ENTIRELY.

>> I MEAN IT'S NOT JUST US IN THE CHICAGO AND ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA AREA.

TALK ABOUT HOW WIDE REACHING THIS SYSTEM IS?

>> IT'S PRETTY INCREDIBLE.

WE SAW WIDESPREAD TOTALS OF 6-10 INCHES FROM THE QUINCY DOWN TO THE ST. LOUIS METRO AREA THIS MORNING AND IT YOU THINK ABOUT THAT I-57 5 CORRIDOR AND ADD 100 MILES ON EITHER SIDE, THE SWATH WAS ACROSS THE STATE.

WE SAW THE LARGEST TOTALS.

WE HAD TOTALS OF 10-12 INCHES IN PEORIA AREA.

ALONG NEAR KANKAKEE, PONTIAC, STREETER GOT 10 INCHES.

AND THEN EVEN IN THE FURTHER PART OF SOUTHEAST CLOSER TO SOUTHERN INDIANA THEY GOT A GOOD AMOUNT OF SNOW AS WELL.

AND WE'RE SEEING THE SNOW STRETCHING FROM HERE IN CHAMPAIGN UP INTO ONTARIO ACROSS THE MAINLAND OF MICHIGAN.

IT WAS A REALLY BROAD AREA OF SNOWFALL.

EVEN THOUGH THE GRADIENTS WERE TIGHT ALONG THE EDGES THE CORE AREA WAS PRETTY LARGE.

AND I THINK ONE THING THAT SPOKE TO HOW LARGE OF AN AREA WAS AFFECTED BY THE SNOWFALL IF ANYBODY GOT ON THOSE I DOT GETTING AROUND ILLINOIS MAPS, THE WHOLE NORTHERN TWO-THIRDS OF THE STATE WAS PURPLE AS FAR AS THE ROADS WERE CONCERNED AROUND NOON SHOWING THAT EVERY MAJOR HIGHWAY WAS AFFECTED IN SOME WAY YOU KNOW, NORTH OF I64 TODAY BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH SNOW FELL ACROSS THE STATE.

>> AND BEFORE WE LET YOU GO THIS SEEMS SORT OF GROUND-HOG DAY SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR'S WEATHER THAT NOT A LOT OF SNOW AT THE BEGINNING OF WINTER AND A LOT IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.

IS THIS GOING TO BE MORE COMMON?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S TOUGH TO SAY.

THE KIND OF PATTERNS WE SAW THE LAST TWO WINTERS WHERE IT WAS MILD TO START OUT AND REALLY HAMMERED US IN FEBRUARY, WE'RE MORE OF AN EFFECT OF THE YEAR TO YEAR VARIABILITY AND THE PATTERNS WE SEE IN THE ATMOSPHERE THAT IS NOT DEMON TRA ACTIVE OF ANY LONG-TERM TREND WE HAVE SEEN TEMPERATURES IN THE WINTERTIME WARMING.

AND THE FIRST HALF OF WINTER DECEMBER AND THE FIRST HALF OF JANUARY WARMED AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE LATTER HALF OF THE WINTER.

THAT DOES AFFECT THE POTENTIAL OF SNOWFALL AS WE SAW DECEMBER WAS WARM.

BUT OVERALL THE LAST TWO WINTERS BEING KIND OF A MILD START AND THEN HAMMERED US IN THE END IS MORE OF A FACTOR OF THE CONDITIONS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE ATMOSPHERE.

NOT INDICATIVE OF LONG-TERM TREND.

>> PLENTY TO SHOVEL FOR ALL OF US.

TRENT FORD IN CHAMPAIGN THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> UP NEXT, CUSTOM CRAFTED PINATAS.

STAY WITH US FOR A LOOK.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM AND THEIR TAKE ON THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL.

>> BUT FIRST, PINATAS ARE MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH MEXICAN CELEBRATIONS THE TRADITION CROSSED CULTURES OVER THE YEARS.

THE CHARACTERS ARE A MUST HAVE FOR EVERY KID'S BIRTHDAY PARTY.

A WOMAN LEFT A CORPORATE CAREER TO STRIKEOUT BY OFFERING CUSTOM PINATAS SHE HOPES THEY WILL BE A HIT WHEN PEOPLE START GATHERING IN-PERSON.

ERICA GUNDERSON HAS THE STORY.

>> WE BREAK THEM SO WE CAN SEE WHAT WE ARE CREATING.

AND IF THEY ARE BREAKABLE AND THEY ARE TOO HARD.

>> IN THE BACK OF HER SHOP, REYNA GONZALEZ SPENDS HOURS CAREFULLY PUTTING TOGETHER THE PARTY ESSENTIALS BORN TO BE BROKEN.

>> YOU NEED TO GET THAT PERFECT IT'S FOR KIDS.

IF THEY CANNOT BREAK IT THE CANDY DOES NOT FALLOUT.

>> PINATAS ARE NOT HARD TO FIND IN CHICAGO.

BUT GONZALES CAN CRAFT ANYTHING IN CAR BOARD.

>> IN THE SUMMER WE SELL A LOT OF UNICORNS.

BATMAN, SPIDER-MAN.

I'VE DONE A DUCK, FRIEDA, FOR DISPLAY.

I'VE DONE PINATAS FOR FESTIVALS, EIGHT FEET.

>> GONZALES AND HER SHOP HAVE TAKEN HITS.

THE FORMER ACCOUNTANT LEFT A CAREER IN 2018.

THE LONG HOURS AND E-MAILS.

YOU KNOW THE PHONE CALLS.

SO I TOLD MY HUSBAND, THERE'S PARTIES.

THERE'S ALWAYS A CELEBRATION.

I THINK THIS WILL BE A GOOD BUSINESS TO GO INTO.

>> BUT JUST AS THE PARTY WAS GETTING STARTED... >> IN 2018 CHRISTMAS I BURNED WE WERE 21 DAYS IN THE STORE.

AND IT JUST COMPLETELY GONE.

WE HAD TO PICK UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF.

>> REBUILDING TOOK TWO YEARS BUT GONZALES HUNG IN THERE.

SHE USED THE TIME TO TEACH HERSELF THE SKILL THAT CREATED A NICHE FOR HER STORE.

>> WE HAD TO START MAKING THE PARTS OUT OF CARDBOARD.

SO I WOULD HAVE I WILL MAKE THE LEGS CUT THEM OUT.

MAKE THE FOLD THEM, FORM IT.

THE HEAD THE STOMACH.

MAYBE THE PIECES AND BUILD IT TOGETHER.

>> SHE ADMITS THE TIMING OF DULCERIA LA FIESTA COME BACK COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER.

>> WE OPENED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> SHE SAYS SOCIAL MEDIA HAS HELPED CUSTOMERS SEARCHING FOR JUST THE RIGHT PINATA.

>> WE'VE GOTTEN PEOPLE FROM WISCONSIN, HARVEY, INDIANA, JUST FOR THE PINATAS BECAUSE WE CAN CUSTOM MAKE.

IT IS OWE WE CAN'T FIND THIS MY DAUGHTER WANTS THIS.

>> AFTER A TOUGH COUPLE OF YEARS FOR GATHERINGS, SHE IS HOPEFUL THAT PEOPLE ARE READY TO PARTY AGAIN IN 2022.

>> THE BEST FEELING IS WHEN THE KIDS GET EXCITED WHEN THEY SEE IT.

LIKE, I CREATED THAT.

THE PARTY WE HAVE TO HAVE A PINATA.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> NOT A PARTY WITHOUT A PINATA.

YOU CAN FIND MORE ON DULCERIA LA FIESTA ON OUR WEBSITE.

STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", JESSE SHARKEY WILL NOT SEEK ANOTHER TERM WITH THE C.T.U.

PRESIDENT.

AND WHAT IS AHEAD.

HELPING CHICAGO'S HOMELESS POPULATION AMID SEVERE WEATHER WHAT CHALLENGES ARE OUTREACH WORKERS FACING?

>> THE BEST THING WE CAN DO IN DIFFICULT TIMES IS LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER.

>> AND OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM EXAMINES THE POLITICAL PERKS OF BEING GOVERNOR IN AN ELECTION YEAR.

OFFERING TAX REBATES AND MORE TO VOTERS.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... FIRST.

>> A MESSY DAY OF TRAVEL HUNDREDS OF FLIGHTS AT CHICAGO AIRPORTS WERE CANCELED AMID STEADY HEAVY SNOWFALL.

O'HARE AIRPORT SAYS MORE THAN 660 FLIGHTS WERE SCRAPPED WITH AN AVERAGE HOUR LONG DELAY FOR ARRIVALS AND HALF HOUR DELAY FOR DEPARTURES.

MIDWAY REPORTS 80 CANCELED FLIGHTS.

FAMILY MEMBERS OF LAQUAN McDONALD AND COMMUNITY LEADERS GATHERED TO URGE THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO FILE FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS CHARGES AGAINST JASON VAN DYKE.

THE FORMER CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER WAS SENT TO PRISON FOR McDONALD'S MURDER BUT EARLY RELEASE PROMPTED CALLS FOR FEDERAL CHARGES.

>> THE MOMENT THAT HE WAS SENTENCED TO 81 MONTHS IN PRISON, WE RANG THE ALARM TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND DEMANDED HE BE CHARGED ON A FEDERAL LEVEL.

WE DEMANDED THE U.S. TO INTERVENE AND STEP UP.

THIS IS ALL DOCUMENTED INFORMATION.

THIS IS NOT ANYTHING NEW.

>> ORGANIZERS ARE PLANNING A RALLY TOMORROW AFTERNOON OUTSIDE THE FEDERAL BUILDING WE'LL HAVE MORE FROM MEMBERS OF LAQUAN McDONALD'S FAMILY ON TOMORROW'S PROGRAM.

THIS WEEK, SENATORS DICK DURBIN AND TAMMY DUCKWORTH PRESSED THE DOJ FOR AN UPDATE ON A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO McDONALD'S MURDER N A LETTER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THEY WRITE... AND JOIN US TOMORROW FOR A ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW WITH SENATOR DUCKWORTH.

>> THE STATE'S HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS GEARING UP TO GET CHILDREN UNDER FIVE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.

THE MOVE COMES AFTER PFIZER APPLIED TO THE F.D.A.

YESTERDAY ASKING IT TO APPROVE A THREE-SHOT SERIES FOR KIDS 6 MONTHS TO FOUR YEARS.

THE STATE IS WORKING WITH MEDICAL AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AROUND THE STATE TO ENROLL VACCINE PROVIDERS AND MORE THAN 2200 PROVIDERS WHO WORK WITH KIDS ARE CURRENTLY SIGNED UP.

>> AFTER MORE THAN THREE YEARS AS PRESIDENT OF THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION, JESSE SHARKEY ANNOUNCES HE WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION AND WILL STEP DOWN AT THE END OF HIS CURRENT TERM.

>> I WILL KEEP [INAUDIBLE] I WILL DO MY BEST TO MAIN TAN OUR PUBLIC GOODWILL.

BUT TO REPEAT I'M NOT GOING TO SEEK ANOTHER TERM.

>> WTTW NEWS REPORTER MATT MASTERSON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

MATT, WHY ISN'T JESSE SEEKING ANOTHER TERM AND DID HE SAY WHETHER HE WAS GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITHIN THE UNION?

>> HE SAYS THIS IS PARTLY A PERSONAL DECISION BROUGHT ON BY THE TOLL OF THE JOB THAT IT'S TAKEN ON HIM SINCE HE HAS BEEN PRESIDENT AND BEFORE THAT AS VICE-PRESIDENT.

THERE'S BEEN LABOR STOPPAGES AND TENSION WITH THE MAYOR AND THE CITY.

ALL THE STUFF LED TO JUST A LOT OF TENSION OVER THE YEARS.

AND HE MAINTAINED THE RECENT LABOR ACTION THAT THE UNION TOOK THAT LED TO SCHOOL CLOSURES AND THE PANDEMIC STRESS DIDN'T NECESSARILY READ INTO THE DECISION BUT IT'S BEEN A DIFFICULT TIME TO BE ATOP OF THE UNION.

FOR HIS FUTURE PLANS HE DID SAY HE WON'T BE INVOLVED IN THE C.T.U.

AS AN OFFICER BUT HE IS PLANNING TO GET BACK INTO THE CLASSROOMS AS A TEACHER AND CONTINUE HIS WORK THERE.

>> SHARKEY HAS BEEN WITH THE UNION FOR TWO DECADES HE SERVED AS VICE-PRESIDENT UNDER KAREN LIE BUSINESS THEN HE BECAME PRESIDENT ONCE SHE RETIRED IN 2018 AND GOT ELECTED AFTER THAT.

WHAT ARE SOME OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS?

>> ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS HE POINTED TO WAS THE CONTRACT THAT THE UNION WON FOLLOWING THE 2019 STRIKE ONE THAT HE MENTIONED LASTED TWO WEEKS THAT GAVE TEACHERS IN THE CHICAGO A RAISE.

IT PUT IN PLACE CLASS SIZE PROVISIONS AND GUARANTEED THERE WOULD BE A NURSE AND A SOCIAL WORKER IN EVERY SCHOOL.

UNDER SHARKEY'S LEADERSHIP THE UNION HAS SUCCESSFULLY EXPANDED THE BARGAINING RIGHTS AT THE STATE LEVEL AND LOBBIED FOR AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD COMING TO CHICAGO IN A FEW YEARS.

HE AND KAREN LEWIS ARE CREDITED WITH REINVIGORATING THE C.T.U.

MEMBERSHIP.

>> C.T.U.

STACY DAVIS GATES SHE SPOKE AFTER SHARKEY'S ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> KAREN GAVE US THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE CONFIDENCE, THE BOLDNESS THE IDEA THAT THESE THINGS COULD HAPPEN.

JESSE HELPED TO SEE THOSE THINGS THROUGH HE LED US THROUGH THAT.

AND WHEN WE LOST KAREN, HE HELD OUR HANDS AND HE REASSURED US WE WERE STILL GOING TO GET WHERE WE NEEDED TO GET AND LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE.

>> NOW, THAT SHARKEY IS OUT OF THE RUNNING WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT STACY DAVIS GATES PROSPECTS FOR THE POSITION AND THE OPPOSITION?

>> WE KNOW STACY DAVIS GATES HAS SHARKEY ENDORSEMENT HE CALLED HER THE EFFECTIVE SPOKESPERSON AND THIS IS NOT HIS CALL.

IT WILL BE UP TO THE UNION DURING AN ELECTION THIS SPRING.

AND STACY DAVIS GATES IS LIKELY GOING TO BE ONE OF THE STRONGEST CANDIDATES FOR THAT ROLE AS THE NEW PRESIDENT THERE WILL BE CHALLENGERS MAINLY FROM THE MEMBERS FIRST COALITION A GROUP OPPOSED STACY DAVIS GATES AND JESSE SHARKEY.

>> WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN MAY.

MATT MASTERSON THANK YOU.

>> THANKS.

>> AS SNOWFALL PELTS THE REGION, OUTREACH WORKERS IN CHICAGO ARE WORKING TO PROVIDE SUPPLIES AND SHELTER TO THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY.

ADVOCATES ARE CALLING ON THE CITY FOR SUPPORT AS SHELTERS DEAL WITH LIMITED BED CAPACITY IN THE MIDST OF THE COVID PANDEMIC.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE HOUSING SITUATION DURING THE SNOWSTORM ARE SAM GUARDINO, A HOMELESS OUTREACH PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT THRESHOLDS AN ORGANIZATION BASED IN RAVENS WOOD THAT WORKS WITH HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND JOSE MUNOZ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AN ORGANIZATION BASED IN HUMBOLDT PARK THAT PROVIDES HOUSING TO HOMELESS FAMILIES.

THANK YOU BOTH OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

SAM, TELL US HOW YOU AND THRESHOLD HOW ARE YOU WORKING TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS RIGHT NOW ESPECIALLY DURING THE STORM?

>> SO WE HAVE OUTREACH TEAMS OUT EVERYDAY TRYING TO ENGAGE PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS.

RIGHT NOW OBVIOUSLY WE'RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FOLKS WHO MAY BE ISOLATE AWAY FROM GROUPS OF HOMELESS PEOPLE.

AND SO WE ARE BEING ESPECIALLY VIGILANT ABOUT MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE BASIC THINGS, HATS, GLOVES, BLANKETS AND CHECKING IN ON PEOPLE AND ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GO INSIDE.

WHEN POSSIBLE.

AND SO WE'RE DOING WHAT WE USUALLY DO BUT WE'RE DOING IT MORE.

AS ARE OTHER OUTREACH PARTNERS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> OF COURSE.

JOSE WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREETS?

AND HOW ARE THEY RESPONDING TO YOUR HELP?

>> A LOT OF FOLKS ESPECIALLY WITH THE COLD ARE LOOKING FOR A WARM PLACE TO STAY AND MEALS.

AND WE ARE DOING THAT.

MANY ORGANIZATIONS WE'VE STEPPED UP AND ARE OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH BEDS AND ACCESS TO FOOD AND SHELTER FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE FACING HOMELESSNESS.

>> AND SAM MENTIONED REACHES RING OUT TO PEOPLE MORE ISOLATED AN WAY NOT RELYING ON THE COMMUNITY OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS LIVING OUTSIDE AS WELL.

WHAT ARE CONCERNS FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO MIGHT BE ISOLATED AND PREFERRING TO BE ON THEIR OWN?

>> WELL, WE'RE WORKING WITH YOUTH.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE CONCERNED WITH WE HAVE YOUTH OUT THERE NOT KNOW WHERE TO SEEK SERVICES.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE FOLKS DOING THE OUTREACH AS WELL AS HAVING STAFF AT OUR FACILITIES WHO SPECIALIZE IN WORKING WITH YOUTH AND KEEPING THEM INDOORS AND HOPING THAT THEY DON'T TRY TO GO OUT AND BRAVE THE COLD.

BECAUSE WITH THE COLD AND THE SNOW IT IS NOT A SAFE PLACE TO BE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE OR ANY PERSON FOR THAT MATTER.

>> SAM, OF COURSE THIS PANDEMIC CREATED CHALLENGES FOR HOMELESS SHELTERS IN PARTICULAR.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU ARE FACING WITH REGARD TO HELPING PEOPLE?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT THE FIRST THING TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT THE FOLKS WE ARE REACHING OUT TO LIVING HOMELESS ON THE STREETS NEED SERVICES FACE-TO-FACE.

SO WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AVAIL OURSELVES OF PHONE CALL, ZOOM, WE'RE TALKING FACE-TO-FACE SERVICES.

A MATTER OF GETTING OUT THERE.

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC WE HAD TO LEARN HOW TO DO IT SAFELY.

THINKING ABOUT THE SAFETY BOTH OF MEMBERS PARTICIPANTS AND STAFF.

I THINK WE'VE DONE THAT REALLY WELL.

NOW WE ARE IN TWO YEARS.

I THINK WE HAVE THE IDEA HOW TO DO THIS OUTREACH SAFELY DOWN.

OUR STAFF ARE WONDERFUL WE ARE 90% BOOSTED AND ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS HELPING PEOPLE ACCESS VACCINATIONS AND TESTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WHO AREN'T NORMALLY LINKED TO THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

SO THAT IS A CONSTANT CHALLENGE.

IT WAS JUST ACCENTUATED BY COVID.

>> JOSE ARE YOU ALL FACING SIMILAR WORKER SHORTAGES THAT A LOT OF INDUSTRIES ARE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW?

>> YES.

I THINK EVERY ORGANIZATION LIKE OURS IS EXPERIENCING WORKER SHORTAGES.

THERE WAS AN ISSUE THAT WAS AN ISSUE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND IT'S ONLY GOTTEN WORSE.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO FIND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE ESPECIALLY IN THIS WORK TO COME N RIGHT NOW, OUR SHELTER IS FULLY STAFFED AND WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE THERE AND CAME OUT IN THE COLD AND WE COULDN'T DO THIS WORK WE ARE DOING WITHOUT THE DEDICATED TEAM OF STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE SUPPORTING THE YOUTH IN OUR PROGRAMS.

>> SAM, HAVE YOU ALL -- HAVE YOUR SHELTERS BEEN LIMITED BY THE CAPACITY THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO TAKE IN IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING WITHIN THE SHELTER?

>> THE SHELTERS IN THE CITY HAVE BEEN LIMITED.

WE ARE RUNNING AN OUTREACH PROGRAM AND NOT A SHELTER BUT WE FACE THIS EVERYDAY.

CAPACITY HAS LEFT HAND LIMITED BECAUSE OF THE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

THE CITY HAS HAD VARIOUS EXPANSION SHELTER INITIATIVES OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

AND THAT HAS MADE UP PART OF THE DIFFERENCE.

BUT THERE'S STILL ARE NOT ENOUGH SHELTER BEDS AND ANY DAY IN CHICAGO FOR THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SEEKING SHELTER AND THAT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE DESPITE THE BEST EFFORTS OF EVERYBODY.

AND I REALLY HAVE TO COMMEND THE SHELTER PROVIDERS AND THE CITY IN TERMS OF REALLY FACING THIS PROBLEM HEAD ON TO DO SHELTERING SAFELY IN THIS COVID ENVIRONMENT.

>> AND THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT.

JOSE WHAT ABOUT YOU ALL?

IN 30 SECONDS ARE YOU CONCERNED YOU WILL BE AT CAPACITY DURING THE WINTER?

>> YES, CAPACITY IS ALWAYS A CONCERN.

WE DO HAVE OUR OWN IN OUR SHELTERS AND WE ARE WORKING WITH PARTNERS IF SOMEONE IS LOOKING FOR SHELTER AND THEY WANT TO GO OR DIAL 3-1-1 AND GET CONNECTED WITH SOMEONE THAT CAN GIVE THEM INFORMATION HOW TO GET TO A SHELTER NEAR THEM.

>> THANK YOU BOTH FOR THE WORK YOU DO.

STAY SAFE AND WARM.

SAM GUARDINO AND JOSE MUNOZ.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM DIGS INTO THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PLAN.

STAY WITH US.

>> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER PRESENTS AN ELECTION YEAR BUDGET FILLED WITH TAX RELIEF AND MORE SPENDING ON PROGRAMS.

AND ROD BLAGOJEVICH WEIGHS IN ON A CONGRESSIONAL RACE IN OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

HERE WITH ALL THAT AND MORE ARE AMANDA VINICKY AND HEATHER CHERONE.

SO LET'S FIRST TALK ABOUT THE POLITICS OF GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S STATE OF THE STATE AND BUDGET ADDRESS IN THIS ELECTION YEAR.

PRITZKER'S PLAN INCLUDES NEARLY A BILLION DOLLARS IN TEMPORARY TAX RELIEF.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> RIGHT NOW, EVERYONE IS FEELING THE CRUNCH OF RISING PRICES FOR GOODS AND SERVICES.

THE HIGHER COST OF EASTERN BASIC NECESSITIES IS MAKING IT HARDER TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

WHETHER IT'S SUPPLY CHAIN INTERRUPTIONS OR INCREASING OIL PRICES, INFLATION IS SQUEEZING ILLINOIS FAMILIES.

GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO DO MORE TO EASE THE PAIN AND PUT MORE MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF HARD-WORKING ILLINOISIANS.

>> AMANDA THE OBVIOUS QUESTION FIRST IS THIS JUST A POLITICAL BUDGET PURELY POLITICAL?

>> WELL, BRANDIS, POLITICS ARE INVOLVED IN EVERYTHING EVEN WHEN IT IS COUPLED WITH DEEPLY HELD BELIEFS.

SO I AM NOT GOING TO RIGHT NOW GIVE ANY SORT OF CHARACTERIZE WHAT IS THE MOTIVATION BEHIND THIS.

BUT CERTAINLY, YES, THERE IS NOTHING THAT THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO BE DOING THIS YEAR WITHOUT AN EYE TOWARD HIS REELECTION EFFORT.

AND CERTAINLY THIS DOES APPEAR IN MANY WAYS TO BE AT LEAST TAILOR MADE FOR THAT.

YOU COULD SAY HOWEVER THERE ARE FUNDAMENTAL REASONS BEHIND THESE CHOICES.

THERE'S THE INFLATION ASPECT AND ALSO YOU TALK TO SOME MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNOR'S TEAM AND THEY POINT OUT IF YOU HAVE ONE TIME COST THAT IS NOT BEING BUILT INTO THE BUDGET BECAUSE THERE IS A RECOGNITION RIGHT NOW REVENUES ARE EXCEEDING ESTIMATES THAT IS NOT GOING TO CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE NOR BY THE WAY WILL ILLINOIS GET THAT FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY GOING FORWARD.

THERE MIGHT BE REASON TO DO THAT.

BUT, SURE, IF YOU ARE A REPUBLICAN, OR A CHALLENGER YOU ARE GOING TO RAISE YOUR EYES AND SAY WAIT A SECOND THAT IS TAXPAYER MONEY AND BY THE WAY WHERE ARE SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT COULD STRUCTURALLY ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN IF YOU CAN AFFORD PROPERTY TAX BREAK FOR ONE YEAR, WHY NOT BE ABLE TO DO THAT FORWARD?

AND POLITICS IS BEHIND THAT THAT IS WHY ILLINOIS FOR SO MANY YEARS HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DEAL WITH THAT PROPERTY TAXES BEING A BIG ALBATROSS FOR MANY RESIDENTS.

>> HEATHER IT IS NOT NECESSARILY UNPRECEDENTED FOR GOVERNORS TO OFFER TAX BREAKS OR INCREASE SPENDING IN AN ELECTION YEAR?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS IS THE POWER OF INCUMBENCY.

I IMAGINE WE'VE ALREADY SEEN A LOT OF HEADLINES PRITZKER OFFERS $1 BILLION IN TAX RELIEF.

AND THAT'S THE SORT OF HEADLINE THAT CANDIDATES ANYTIME OF THE DAY OR YEAR DIE FOR.

AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE GOVERNOR WAS GOING FOR.

ALTHOUGH AMANDA IS RIGHT.

IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE IT SORT OF UNTOWARD IF IT'S GOOD POLITICS AND GOOD POLICY.

THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO SORT OF NOW DIG INTO IF WE GET THE NITTY-GRITTY OF THE BUDGET PROPOSAL THE DEVIL IS ALWAYS IN THE DETAILS.

BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO HURT J.B. PRITZKER GOING INTO AN ELECTION CYCLE TO POINT TO THE BUDGET AND SAY I KNOW TIMES ARE TOUGH I'M TRYING TO HELP YOU OUT.

THAT IS A POTENTIALLY VERY POWERFUL MESSAGE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

>> AND AMANDA, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT FOR THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL IN A GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT IS MAJORITY DEMOCRATS?

IS THIS GOING TO BE SMOOTH SAILING FOR THE GOVERNOR?

>> WE GOT THAT SIGNAL FROM THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE THEY ARE DARNED PLEASED.

THEY LEFT OPEN THERE'S GOING TO BE ROOM FOR NEGOTIATIONS.

AND WE'VE HEARD FEEDBACK PARTICULARLY FROM PROGRESSIVES THAT THEY WANT MORE.

IF YOU HAVE A SURPLUS THERE'S MOST CERTAINLY A TENDENCY TO WANT TO SPEND IT ESPECIALLY WHEN LEGISLATORS THEMSELVES ARE ALSO RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

NONETHELESS THEY HAVE A QUICK TIMELINE BECAUSE OF THE PRIMARY IN THE SUMMER HOPING TO GET OUT OF THE CAPITOL BY EARLY APRIL THE EXPECTATION IS BY AND LARGE THAT DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO PUSH FORWARD PRITZKER'S PLAN.

>> JASON VAN DYKE WAS REPORTEDLY RELEASED TO A HALFWAY HOUSE IN THE KILLING OF LAQUAN McDONALD.

ALTHOUGH THE STATE IS SAYING THAT HE IS STILL IN THE CUSTODY OF THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

NOW, SENATORS DURBIN AND DUCKWORTH WANT THE U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL CONSIDER CHARGING THE CHICAGO FORMER POLICE OFFICER FEDERALLY.

HEATHER EXPLAIN WHY FEDERAL CHARGES WOULD NOT BE DOUBLE JEOPARDY BECAUSE VAN DYKE WAS TRIED AND CONVICTED IN STATE COURT.

WHAT OTHER FEDERAL CHARGES COULD HE FACE?

>> HE COULD POTENTIALLY BE CHARGED WITH VIOLATING LAQUAN McDONALD'S CIVIL RIGHTS.

OR ACTING AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION UNDER THE COLOR OF AUTHORITY.

AND THAT'S WHAT THE SENATORS WANT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO LOOK AT.

NOW, BACK WHEN JASON VAN DYKE WAS CONVICTED BACK IN THREE YEARS OR SO AGO EVERYBODY SORT OF BREATHED A SIGH OF RELIEF AND THE PRESSURE ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ACT WAS REDUCED BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO PRISON.

AND I THINK PEOPLE ARE NOW TALKING ABOUT THIS MORE BECAUSE THEY ARE LOOKING AT SORT OF THE RELATIVELY SHORT TIME THAT JASON VAN DYKE SPENT IN PRISON BECAUSE OF THE RULINGS THE TRIAL COURT JUDGE MADE SAYING MAYBE WE WANT TO LOOK AT THIS.

SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR HAPPENED IN MINNEAPOLIS IN THE TRIAL OF DERRICK JONES THE OFFICER -- DERRICK CHAUVIN HE WAS CONVICTED IN STATE COURT OF MURDER BUT HE FACED FEDERAL CHARGES.

AND THE THREE OTHER OFFICERS INVOLVED WITH GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH ARE ON TRIAL FACING FEDERAL CHARGES.

THIS WOULDN'T POTENTIALLY BE UNUSUAL.

ALTHOUGH IT WOULD POTENTIALLY SORT OF BRING UP EVERYTHING THAT LAQUAN McDONALD HAS AND REOPENED THE WOUNDS AND WE'VE HEARD FROM HIS FAMILY THAT THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT THEY WANT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.

AND OF COURSE, THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURE IN AN ELECTION YEAR TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING THAT IS BEING DONE TO ADDRESS LAQUAN McDONALD'S MURDER IS BEING DONE.

>> AMANDA DOES THIS PRESSURE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY DICK DURBIN, OR THE N.A.A.C.P.

FOR THAT MATTER DOES THAT MATTER TO ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND OR JOHN LAUSCH HERE IN CHICAGO?

>> AGAIN THIS IS GOING TO GET BACK TO WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT.

OF COURSE IT DOES.

HOW CAN IT NOT?

THAT IMMENSE PRESSURE.

AND IT'S COMING FROM SIGNIFICANT PLACES AND ALREADY BY THE WAY WHILE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS CONTENDING WITH INFLATION, CONTENDING WITH A LOT OF OTHER MATTERS WHERE THERE ARE FEARS DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO LOSE CONTROL IN WASHINGTON, SO, YES, IT FEEDS INTO THAT.

NONETHELESS THERE IS AN EXPECTATION A BELIEF THAT THESE DECISIONS ARE MADE BY PROSECUTORS WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE JUDICIAL BRANCH IS FAR REMOVED FROM THAT POLITICAL PRESSURE AS POSSIBLE.

SO IT IS GOING TO BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

I BELIEVE WITH I WISHES WAS PRIVY.

IT CANNOT BE IGNORED BUT I THINK THEY WOULD SAY THAT IS NOT THE DRIVER BEHIND WHAT WE DO AND WHY.

>> OK.

IN THE 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN SEAN CASTEN IS RUNNING AGAINST MARIE NEWMAN EMBROILED IN AN ETHICS INVESTIGATION.

AND ROD BLAGOJEVICH WAS PAID TO WEIGH-IN ON IT.

>> WHAT SHE IS ACCUSED OF DOING MIGHT NOT SMELL GOOD TO SOME PEOPLE IS STANDARD PRACTICE IN POLITICS AND IN GOVERNMENT AND HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

>> THAT IS A CAMEO.

THE WEBSITE FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW IT.

DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHO DID THIS?

$500 FOR A CAMEO IS SIGNIFICANT?

>> YES, YOU KNOW, I WILL SAY I WATCHED THAT CAMEO WENT ON FOR QUITE A BIT AND WHEN YOU PAY ROD BLAGOJEVICH YOU WILL GET MORE THAN 30 SECONDS THAT A-LIST CELEBRITIES WOULD GIVE YOU.

THIS WENT ON FOR QUITE SOMETIME.

IT WAS PAID FOR BY A POLITICAL OPERATIVE WHO THROUGH REPORTING IN THE "WASHINGTON POST" WE FOUND IT WAS SOMEBODY CONNECTED TO A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE WORKING FOR CAST 10'S CASTEN'S ELECTION.

NOT THAT THIS IS AN APPROVED EXPENSE OF HIS CAMPAIGN BUT A PACT THAT IS WORKING FOR HIM.

IT MAYBE BACKFIRES IT COULD BE SEEN AS A DISTRACTTION GIVING MONEY TO BLAGOJEVICH WHEN THE HEART OF THIS ETHICS SCANDAL HOUNDING MARIE NEWMAN IS SERIOUS IN NATURE REGARDING THAT SHE IS THE BELIEVED TO HAVE TRIED TO FEND OFF HAVING ANOTHER CHALLENGE BY PUTTING SOMEBODY ON THE PAYROLL ULTIMATELY ON HER CAMPAIGN NOW WORKING TO GET HER REELECTED AGAINST CASTEN.

>> CASTEN HAS $1.6 MILLION ON HAND AND NEWMAN HAS A THIRD OF THAT AT $573,000.

WHAT WILL THIS RACE COME DOWN TO?

ABOUT FUNDRAISING?

THE ETHICS ISSUE FOR HER?

>> IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE THIS IS AN INTRAPARTY RACE WHERE THE CANDIDATES AGREE ON MOST OF THE ISSUES.

CASTEN AND NEWMAN ARE PROGRESSIVE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE.

NOW, WHILE NEWMAN MIGHT BE MORE PROGRESSIVE THAN CASTEN ON SOME ISSUE, CASTEN HAS BEEN OUTSPOKEN ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND THE NEED FOR ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY.

THERE IS NOT A LOT OF ROOM POLICY WISE FOR THEM TO DIFFERENTIATE THEMSELVES WHICH IS WHY THIS SORT OF ETHICS CLOUD CAN REALLY COME INTO PLAY.

AND IT ALWAYS HELPS TO HAVE PLENTY OF MONEY AT YOUR DISPOSAL.

YOU CAN BUY TELEVISION ADS AND YOU CAN GET OUT THE VOTE AND USE SOCIAL MEDIA.

SO YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THIS PLAYS OUT.

BECAUSE, OF COURSE, MARIE NEWMAN WAS HERALDED AS THE GIANT PLAYER BECAUSE SHE DEFEATED DAN LIPINSKI WHO HAS BEEN IN THE SEAT FOR SO MANY YEARS.

>> AND IT US DID'S HURT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN THE WAR CHEST AS WELL THERE.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

HEATHER CHERONE AND AMANDA VINICKY THANKS SO MUCH.

>> 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.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. AFTER SERVING LESS THAN HALF OF HIS PRISON SENTENCE FOR THE KILLING OF LAQUAN McDONALD EXPOLICE OFFICER JASON VAN DYKE IS SET TO BE RELEASED.

PLUS, REACTION FROM LAQUAN McDONALD'S FAMILY WE VISIT LAWNDALE WHERE HE GREW UP FOR OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND WARM AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]