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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S PLAN TO SUE GANG MEMBERS HEADS TO CITY COUNCIL.

WE TALK WITH ALDERPEOPLE ABOUT THAT AND OTHER ITEMS UP FOR A VOTE AT WEDNESDAY'S MEETING.

>> RUSSIAN ATTACK COULD COME ANY DAY.

TODAY MIGHT BE THAT DAY.

>> TENSIONS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE ARE QUICKLY ESCALATING.

WE HAVE LOCAL PERSPECTIVE.

>> THERE IS AN INDUSTRY TO BE BUILT IN ILLINOIS AROUND CARPET RECYCLING.

>> WHO SHOULD PAY FOR THAT INDUSTRY TO TAKE OFF?

A DEBATE OVER A FEE ON CARPETING.

>> LEAD POISONING IN CHILDREN IS 100% PREVENTIBLE.

>> ADVOCATES FIGHT FOR DEDICATED FUNDING TO REMOVE LEAD PIPES CONNECTED TO CHILDCARE FACILITIES.

>> SINCE JOE FERGUSON'S DEPARTURE CHICAGO HAS BEEN WITHOUT AN INSPECTOR GENERAL.

WHAT IS HOLDING UP THE PROCESS.

>> THEY HAVE NOTHING WITH THEM ALL THEY HAVE HOPE AND THE DREAMS TO COME TO REALITY.

>> AND THE EMOTIONAL JOURNEY OF AFGHAN REFUGEES FROM KABUL TO CHICAGO WHERE SOME ARE NOW ATTENDING COLLEGE.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> TENSIONS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE INTENSIFY.

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN ORDERS TROOPS INTO TWO SEPARATIST ENCLAVES IN EASTERN UKRAINE AND SIGNS DECREES RECOGNIZING THE QUOTE INDEPENDENCE OF THE BREAK AWAY REGIONS.

KREMLIN WATCHERS FEAR THE MOVE COULD TRIGGER AN IMMINENT LARGE SCALE INVASION OF UKRAINE BY MASSED RUSSIAN FORCES.

THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WILL SOON SIGN AN EXECUTIVE ORDER IMPOSES SANCTIONS ON THE SEPARATIST REGIONS.

FOR NOW NOT ON RUSSIA.

AND MORE ON THE TENSIONS IN UKRAINE COMING UP IN THE PROGRAM.

>> THE NORMALIZATION OF TRAUMA AND SYSTEMIC RACIAL INEQUITY IS WORSENING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUNG BLACK AND BROWN MEN.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO A STUDY LOOKING AT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUNG MEN OF COLOR THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

THE STUDY WAS ITS SEVEN CONDUCTED BY BLACK AND BROWN MEN BETWEEN 14-21 WHO ARE PART OF A GROUP CALLED UGIMA WITH LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITIES UNITED.

THE GROUPS REVEALED THE STUDY AT A NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY.

>> WE KNOW THE ISSUES AND WE ARE HERE TO TAKE THE STAND.

STAND WITH US IN HELPING MENTAL HEALTH FOR BOYS AND YOUNG MEN OF COLOR.

>> KEY FINDINGS: A KEEP CONNECTION BETWEEN SYSTEMIC INEQUITY AND MENTAL HEALTH WITH YOUNG BLACK AND BROWN MEN OFTEN INTERNALLIZING BLAME FOR THAT.

THE NORMALIZATION OF TRAUMA FOR YOUNG MEN AND COLOR AND THE LACK OF SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

>> A 60-YEAR-OLD MAN IS IN SERIOUS CONDITION AFTER AN EXTRA ALARM FIRE IN ALBANY PARK EARLY THIS MORNING.

THE FIRE GUTTED AN APARTMENT BUILDING AND DESTROYED TWO NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES.

IT'S BELIEVED TO HAVE STARTED AT 3:45 IN AN APARTMENT BUILDING ON THE 4300 BLOCK OF NORTH RICHMOND AND SPREAD TO THE BREWERY AND THE NINJAS GYM.

THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>> UP NEXT, WE CHECK IN WITH SOME MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL AHEAD OF WEDNESDAY'S MEETING.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> CITY COUNCIL IS SET TO TAKE UP THE MAYOR'S CONTROVERSIAL ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ALLOW POLICE 0 SEIZE SUSPECTED GANG MEMBER'S ASSETS A TOOL IN AN EFFORT TO BRING DOWN CHICAGO'S HOMICIDE RATE BUT OPPONENTS SAY THE LAW WOULD NOT DETER CRIME AND WOULD OPEN THE CITY UP TO A FLOOD OF LAWSUITS.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND OTHER ITEMS ON CITY COUNCIL'S AGENDA ARE 15TH WARD ALDERMAN RAY LOPEZ WHO REPRESENTS PARTS OF THE SOUTH SIDE.

20TH WARD ALDERPERSON JEANETTE TAYLOR.

AND ALDERPERSON MARIA HADDON OF THE 49TH WARD WHO REPRESENTS PARTS OF THE FAR NORTH SIDE INCLUDING ROGERS PARK.

WE WERE HOPING TO BE JOINED BY ALDERMAN JASON IRVIN.

>> ALDERMAN LOPEZ THAT ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ALLOW POLICE TO SEIZE THE ASSETS OF SUSPECTED GANG MEMBERS IT IS UP FOR A FULL VOTE THIS WEEK.

IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD DETER CRIME?

>> I DON'T THINK THE EVIDENCE THAT THEY PRESENTED WHICH WAS MINIMAL AT BEST DURING THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE SHOW THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE AN EFFECTIVE TOOL.

IT SOUNDS NICE.

AND ORIGINALLY WHEN THE MAYOR INTRODUCED IT IT WAS CALLED THE GANG ASSET FORFEITURE ORDINANCE RENAMED THE VICTIM'S JUSTICE ORDINANCE BUT NONE OF THIS IS GOING TO DETER CRIME IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

WE ARE TREATING CRIME AND GANG ACTIVITY LIKE WE'RE FROM THE 1920s DURING THE PROHIBITION.

GANGS DO NOT HAVE LARGE AMOUNTS OF ASSETS.

GANGS DO NOT HAVE ORGANIZED STRUCTURE THEY HAVE NOT HAD THAT SINCE OPERATION HALLOW CAME AND TOOK OUT THE LEADERSHIP.

GANGS ARE FRACTURED.

GANGS ARE RUNNING AROUND WITH THE MONEY IN THEIR POCKET AND THIS IS GOING TO NET ALL THE WRONG PEOPLE AND ALL THE WRONG ASSETS AND CAUSE TOO HARMFUL A PROCESS TO CLEAR ONESELF TO BE EFFECTIVE.

THE ONLY THING THAT DETERS CRIME IS ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> MARIA HADDON WHAT ABOUT THAT POINT, THE OPPOSITION ON THE PART OF CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS THAT SAY PEOPLE WILL UNEXPECTINGLY GET CARS OR ASSETS TAKE FRIEND THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE SUSPECTED TO BE IN A GANG BUT PERHAPS THEY ARE NOT IN A GANG.

WHAT ABOUT THOSE CONCERNS?

>> I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE ALDERMAN LOPEZ.

AND I WANT TO ADD WHILE A LOT OF OUR DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN ON THE ASSET SEIZURE, POLICE CAN ALREADY SEIZE THE ASSETS AND CASH OF GANG MEMBERS WE ALREADY CAN DO THAT.

WE HAVE A LAW THAT ALLOWS THEM TO DO THAT AND THEY DO THAT WORKING WITH THE STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

ONE OF THE OTHER CONCERNS IS THIS IS A DIVERSION.

WE ALL WANT TO BE FINDING WAYS TO MAKE OUR CITY SAFER AND RIGHT NOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD COST THE TAXPAYER AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF WASTED TIME.

BETWEEN 100-1500 HOURS ACCORDING TO THE LAW DEPARTMENT, WHICH RANGES FROM OUR IN-HOUSE LAW DEPARTMENT $7,000 TO UP TO $100,000 IN POTENTIAL COSTS AND TIME OF PEOPLE NOT DOING OTHER WORK THAT WE NEED THE LAW DEPARTMENT TO DO.

THE CITY OF CHICAGO'S LAW DEPARTMENT IS NOT A PROSECUTORIAL BODY.

WE HAVE A POLICE DEPARTMENT AND A STATE'S ATTORNEY.

AND SO YOU KNOW WE'RE SPENDING TIME THAT WE'D ALL RATHER BE SPENDING TRIES TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO CRIME, TO POVERTY, TO INVESTING IN SOCIAL SERVICES, AND NOW WE'RE FIGHTING AN ORDINANCE THAT WILL LIKELY VIOLATE PEOPLE'S CIVIL RIGHTS AND CAUSE UNNECESSARY HARM TO OUR RESIDENTS.

THE CONSENSUS THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT THE WAY TO GO.

ALDERWOMAN TAYLOR WOULD THIS VIOLATE PEOPLE'S CIVIL RIGHTS?

>> OF COURSE IT WOULD.

THIS IS NOTHING BUT A BAND-AID ON A BULLET WOUND.

THESE PEOPLE ARE GUILTY ALREADY BEFORE GOING TO COURT AND WE'RE SEIZING STUFF THAT BELONGS TO THEM.

THAT NOT WHAT YOU DO.

PEOPLE DON'T SELL DRUGS WHEN THEY ARE MAKING A LIVING WAGE.

STOP IT.

WE COULDN'T AFFORD TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THIS IS NOT THE WAY.

>> IT DID NARROWLY PASS THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE DOES IT MEAN IT IS A CINCH TO PASS IN THE CITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GUARANTEED TO PASS A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE NOT PART OF THAT COMMITTEE WHO WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE ON WEDNESDAY.

AND THERE ARE OTHER THINGS WE CAN DO.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT THE LAW DEPARTMENT WAS DESIGNED TO DO AND THE HISTORY, THEY CAN'T HOLD VACANT LOT HOLDERS OWNERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR PROPERTIES.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DEPARTMENT THE LAW DEPARTMENT TO GO AFTER GANG BANGERS AND FIGURE OUT WHAT TO TAKE AND NOT TO TAKE.

A HEADLINE GRAB.

>> ALSO UP FOR A VOTE ON WEDNESDAY IS THIS SETTLEMENT OF $1.67 TO THE VICTIMS OF A BEING DRAGGED FROM A CAR AT THE BRICK YARD MALL ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE.

ALDERWOMAN HAD DON, IS THIS SHOULD THIS SETTLEMENT BE APPROVED?

>> YES.

THE SETTLEMENT SHOULD BE APPROVED AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WE SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAVE HAD TO HAVE A CONSIDERATION ON THIS SETTLEMENT.

THE BEHAVIOR EXHIBITED IN THE VIDEO EVIDENCE AND IN THE C.O.P.A.

INVESTIGATION WHICH WAS SUPPORTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT BROWN, THE BEHAVIOR OF THE POLICE OFFICERS HOW THEY TREATED THESE PEOPLE WAS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.

IT WAS LIKE WATCHING A RODNEY KING VIDEO.

THE VIOLENCE AND BRUTALITY WAS TEXTBOOK.

EVERYONE IN COUNCIL SHOULD SUPPORT THE SETTLEMENT AND I KNOW WE NOT EVERYONE ON THE CALL WE ARE NOT ALL IN AGREEMENT.

>> ALDERWOMAN TAYLOR NICK SPOSATO SAID HE THOUGHT THE FOLKS IN THE CAR WERE GOING TO GO LOOT BECAUSE THEY ARE FROM NORTH LAWNDALE THAT GOT A SHARP REBUKE.

YOUR REACTION FROM THOSE COMMENTS?

>> THE SAME COLLEAGUE THAT CALLED US COMMUNISTS I'M NOT SURPRISED.

Y'ALL SHOULDN'T BE EITHER.

AT THE END OF THE DAY THE VIDEO DOES NOT LIE.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THE VIDEO?

THEY WENT TO LOOT BECAUSE THIS IS A BLACK WOMAN SHE WANTS TO LOOT THEY WERE LOOTING?

MAKE IT MAKE SENSE WE HAVE TO GET TO A PLACE IN CITY COUNCIL WHERE WE SEE STUFF IN BLACK AND WHITE AND NOT IN TECHNICOLOUR AND IT'S OBVIOUS WHAT HAPPENED SHE DESERVES TO BE COMPLICATED AND THIS MONEY CAN NEVER GIVE BACK HER DIGNITY AND PRIDE.

ANJANETTE YOUNG NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE GIVE THEM IT CANNOT GET BACK WHAT WAS TAKEN FROM THEM.

BY PEOPLE PAID TO SERVE AND PROTECT.

>> SOMEONE ON THE PANEL THAT IS NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS SETTLEMENT I ASSUME THAT IS YOU?

YOUR POSITION ON THIS?

>> I DID NOT VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THIS SETTLEMENT AND I WILL NOT BE VOTING IN SUPPORT OF IT ON WEDNESDAY.

I UNDERSTAND AND ALWAYS SUPPORTED SETTLEMENTS WHEN 0 OUR POLICE OFFICERS WERE IN THE WRONG CLEARLY.

I THINK THERE IS A QUESTION IN MY MIND AS TO NOT ONLY THE STORY AND SCENARIO OF WHAT HAPPENED BUT ALSO THE TOTALITY OF WHAT WAS GOING ON THAT DAY.

THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST EGREGIOUS DAYS IN CHICAGO'S HISTORY WHERE PEOPLE WERE TRYING TO DESTROY THE CITY.

AND IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT 9:00 A.M., I COULD UNDERSTAND SOMEONE SAYING I WAS UNAWARE.

THIS WAS 3:00 P.M., WHEN LITERALLY ALL HELL WAS BREAKING LOOSE IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

AND I HAVE UNRESOLVED ANSWERS.

THE LAW DEPARTMENT COULD NOT ANSWER.

DID NOT ANSWER.

AND I THINK IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AS I HAVE DONE FOR OTHER SCENARIOS AND LAWSUITS WHERE I HAVE HAD QUESTIONS WHETHER OR NOT IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO BE USED TO MAKE PEOPLE WHOLE.

>> ON UNRESOLVED, THE CONFIRMMATION OF A NEW HEAD OF COPA, ANDREA KERSTEN DO YOU THINK THAT WILL GO AHEAD?

>> I THINK SO.

THERE IS NO GOOD REASON WHY IT SHOULDN'T.

ANOTHER MATTER OF SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES WANTING HISTORY TO BE REWRITTEN.

BECAUSE OF AN OFFENSE TAKEN BUT WE NEED TO SEPARATE THOSE, AND JUST A SHORT COMMENT.

ALDERMAN LOPEZ'S POINT IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT OR WHY THOSE PEOPLE WERE THERE AT THE BRICK YARD MALL.

THE BEHAVIOR WAS UNACCEPTABLE.

AND THERE'S NO ONE IN CITY COUNCIL THAT CAN JUSTIFY THAT.

COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.

THERE IS NO SCENARIO UNDER WHICH ALMOST A DOZEN OFFICERS SHOULD HAVE BASHED OUT WINDOWS, PULLED LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS OR NOT FROM THEIR VEHICLES.

AND BRUTALIZED THEM.

>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE WE WILL BE JOINED AGAIN LATER IN THE PROGRAM TO DISCUSS THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WARD REMAP.

THANKS TO COUNCILMEMBERS RAY LOPEZ, JEANETTE TAYLOR AND MARIA HADDON THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS.

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS AND THE LATEST TENSIONS ON THE UKRAINE BORDER.

BRANDIS?

>> AND AS WE MENTIONED AN IMMINENT LARGE SCALE INVASION OF UKRAINE COULD BE IN THE WORKS BY MASSED RUSSIAN FORCES AS RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN ORDERS TROOPS INTO TWO SEPARATIST ENCLAVES IN EASTERN UKRAINE WHILE RECOGNIZING THE INDEPENDENCE OF THOSE REGIONS.

HERE TO HELP US UNPACK THE DEVELOPMENTS ARE JULIAN HAYDA, A UKRAINIAN AMERICAN JOURNALIST WHO HAS RESIDENCY IN UKRAINE AND JOINING US FROM LONDON AFTER HE WAS NOT ABLE TO GO TO UKRAINE DUE TO SECURITY CONCERNS.

SEE SEAL SHAY ON SECURITY AND DIPLOMACY ON THE CHICAGO COUNCIL OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS.

IAN KELLY.

KELLY WAS FORMERLY THE U.S.

AMBASSADOR TO GEORGIA AND PRIOR TO THAT THE U.S.

AMBASSADOR TO THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE.

AND JOHN MIEUX SHIMMER.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

AND IAN KELLY LET'S START WITH YOU, U.S. OFFICIALS WARNED THAT RUSSIA COULD INVADE AS SOON AS TODAY.

WHERE DO THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW TONIGHT?

>> TODAY WAS A VERY DRAMATIC DAY.

IT SEEMS THAT MINUTE BY MINUTE THERE WERE BIG DEVELOPMENTS BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS.

AND THE -- I THINK WHAT REALLY MADE THINGS DIFFERENT TODAY OF COURSE WAS THE RECOGNITION OF THE TWO REGIONS AS INDEPENDENT.

AND THE DECISION OF PUTIN TO SEND IN WHAT HE SAYS ARE PEACEKEEPING FORCES INTO THESE REGIONS WHICH WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF UKRAINE'S SOVEREIGNTY BY CROSSING THAT BORDER.

SO EVERYBODY IS WONDERING IF THIS MEANS THE BEGINNING OF A WIDER WAR.

AND WE DON'T KNOW.

I THINK WE -- IT IS MUCH MORE LIKELY GIVEN PUTIN SPEECH TODAY BUT WE DON'T KNOW HOW BROAD THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL BE.

>> REMIND US WHAT IS THE MAIN ISSUE HERE?

WHY IS PRESIDENT PUTIN DOING THIS?

>> WHY IS HE DOING IT AND WHAT IS THE MAIN ISSUE ARE TWO DIFFERENT QUESTIONS.

BUT THEY ARE RELATED.

WHY IS HE DOING IT?

IT'S DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN A LOT OF PRESIDENT PUTIN'S BEHAVIOR.

HE IS MORE OF A TACK PARTICULARS THAN A STRATEGIST HE DOES THINGS OFTEN BECAUSE HE CAN.

IN SINCE 2014 HE WAGED A COMBINATION OF A PROXY WAR AND OTHER PRESSURE RUSSIA WENT INTO THE CRIMEA AND ANNEXED CRIMEA A PART OF THE UKRAINE.

OLD HABITS DIEHARD.

AND THERE HAS BEEN A LOW LEVEL CONFLICTS IN EASTERN UKRAINE SINCE 2014 LEADING TO THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN DEATHS.

THERE'S BEEN A CONFLICT GOING ON FOR QUITE SOMETIME.

AND FOR WHATEVER COMBINATION OF REASONS PUTIN HAS DECIDED THAT HE WANTS TO UP THE ANTE, MOVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TROOPS TO THE BORDER, THE UKRAINE-BELARUS BORDER AND ACCORDING TO THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION AND MANY OTHER COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD IS PREPARED TO INVADE ALL OF THE UKRAINE.

AND THAT IS THE QUESTION NOW IS WILL HE GO TO KYIV?

HE CLAIMS THAT TWO THINGS; ONE IS THE SECTION OF EASTERN UKRAINE WHERE HE HAS IN SECRET BEEN FIGHTING A PROXY WAR FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND NOW TODAY HAS COME OUT PUBLICLY AND SAID THAT RUSSIA IS GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN EASTERN UKRAINE.

HE CLAIMS THAT HE IS PROTECTING RUSSIANS LIVING IN UKRAINE.

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT RUSSIANS WERE IN ANYWAY ENDANGERED IN THAT SECTION.

AND MORE RECENTLY HE BUILT A MYTHOLOGY OF RUSSIA'S CLAIMS TO UKRAINE THAT UKRAINE OWES ITS SIFT TENSE TO RUSSIAN THEY ARE ONE COUNTRY AND ONE LANGUAGE AND NO UKRAINIAN IS GOING TO AGREE WITH THAT.

UKRAINIANS MOVED FURTHER AWAY FROM RUSSIA OVER THE LAST YEAR THAN THEY ALREADY WERE.

>> 00 AS WE'VE MENTIONED PUTIN ORDERED TROOPS INTO THE TWO SEPARATIST ENCLAVES SIGNING DECREES RECOGNIZING THE INDEPENDENCE OF THOSE BREAK AWAY REGIONS.

JOHN, COULD THIS MAKE AN INVASION ALL THE MORE LIKELY?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I MEAN IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL EXACTLY WHAT CALCULATIONS ARE THAT ARE GOING THROUGH HIS HEAD.

WE CAN ONLY SURMISE WHAT HE IS LIKELY TO DO.

BOTH INVADE UKRAINE AND THERE ARE [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] ONE IS THE COSTS WOULD BE ENORMOUS.

FIRST OF ALL ECONOMIC SANCTIONS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY BE PUT ON RUSSIA AND THAT WOULD DAMAGE THE RUSSIAN ECONOMY.

FURTHERMORE, OCCUPYING UKRAINE WOULD NOT BE EASY.

THE RUSSIANS KNOW AND WE KNOW FROM OCCUPYING PLACES LIKE AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ THIS IS A TERRIBLY DIFFICULT TASK.

THERE'S ALMOST ALWAYS RESISTANCE.

YOU WANT TO REMEMBER WHEN THE RUSSIANS OCCUPIED EASTERN EUROPE THE SOVIETS OCCUPIED EASTERN EUROPE THEY HAD PROBLEMS THEY HAD TO INVADE HUNGARY IN 56 AND CZECHOSLOVAKIA IN 68.

THE COSTS ARE GREAT AND HE THINK HE DOESN'T NEED TO INVADE TO ACCOMPLISH HIS GOALS.

HE'S GETTING THE ATTENTION THAT HE WANTED.

THE WORLD IS FOCUSED ON WHAT HE WANTS.

HE'S MADE IT CLEAR THAT UKRAINE IS NOT GOING TO BECOME PART OF NATO.

AND AT THIS POINT IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE HOW UKRAINE WILL BE PART OF NATO.

AND I BELIEVE THAT HE IS SEW SOWING DIVISIONS IN THE WEST THAT WILL MANIFEST THEMSELVES OVER TIME.

IF HE IS SMART HE WILL SIT BACK AND CONTINUE TO PULL THE LEVERS AS HE HAS BEEN DOING AND HE WILL DRIVE US INTO A LATHER AND CAUSE US ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS.

IN THE END HE WILL GET WHAT HE WANTS BECAUSE UKRAINE IS NOT GOING TO BECOME PART OF NATO.

>> WHAT ARE UKRAINIANS FEELING RIGHT NOW?

DO THEY THINK A RUSSIAN INVASION IS LIKELY?

>> WELL, UKRAINIANS ARE QUICK TO REMIND ANYBODY WHO ASKS IF AN INVASION IS LIKELY UKRAINE HAS BEEN IN THE STATE OF WAR FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS SINCE 2014.

WILL THERE BE AN INVASION?

IF YOU LOOK AT REPORTS FROM VOIROUS INDEPENDENT BODIES AND DIGITAL JOURNALISTS, THERE HAVE BEEN RUSSIAN FORCES NOT ONLY IN CRIMEA BUT IN THE OCCUPIED EASTERN REGIONS ALREADY.

TO SEND TROOPS THERE IS AN INVASION BECAUSE THE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZE THE BORDERS OF UKRAINE INCLUDE THE AREAS.

UKRAINIAN WANTS PEACE.

THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE ZELENSKY GAVE AN ADDRESS TO THE NATION AN HOUR AGO.

HE SAID AND THIS IS A DIRECT QUOTE, THE COUNTRY THAT HAS BEEN SUPPORTING WAR FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS CANNOT SAY IT STANDS FOR PEACE WHICH IS, OF COURSE, WHAT RUSSIA IS SAYING.

RUSSIA SAYING IT'S PROTECTING ITS OWN INTERESTS IN THE NAME OF PEACE.

BUT THE REALITY JUST DOESN'T PLAY THAT OUT.

AND REGARDING THE QUESTION OF NATO DID UKRAINE INVITE THIS, FRANKLY I FIND IT VICTIM BLAMING.

UKRAINE DID NOT ASK FOR WAR.

UKRAINIANS ARE AMBIVALENT AS EVIDENCED BY THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AMBIVALENT TOWARDS THE WEST AND DECIDELY HAVE DISTRUSTED RUSSIA AND INCREASINGLY ARE UNITED GIVEN RUSSIA'S ACTIONS TOWARDS UKRAINE.

>> HOW DO YOU BELIEVE PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS AND HIS ADMINISTRATION HANDLED THIS SITUATION?

>> WELL, IT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY.

MANY PEOPLE IN UKRAINE ARE ASKING WHY DID THE UNITED STATES RESPOND TO RUSSIAN ANTAGONISM NOW OF ALL TIMES?

I THINK THAT IS NOW BEHIND US GIVEN THE FACT THAT RUSSIA'S PROMULGATION OF UKRAINE HAS ALREADY BEGUN TO TAKE LIVES.

AND SO I'D REALLY WANT TO FOCUS ON THE FACT THAT UKRAINIANS DO HOPE FOR A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THIS CONFLICT.

THEY ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF WESTERN SUPPORT.

BUT 70% OF UKRAINIANS DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NECESSARILY A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THIS.

WHICH IS ALARMING.

>> WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE ALLEGED LIST OF UKRAINIANS THAT RUSSIA IDENTIFIED IF IT DOES IN FACT INVADE AND OCCUPY THE COUNTRY?

>> WELL, IT'S CHILLING NEWS FIRST OF ALL.

AND I THINK IT ALSO I THINK INDICATES THE INTENTION OF THE RUSSIA TO TRY AND CHANGE THE REGIME IN KYIV AND THAT IS WHAT I FIND MOST DISTURBING AND THERE WERE PLENTY OF SIGNALS OF THAT IN THIS HOUR-LONG SPEECH BY PUTIN WHERE HE BASICALLY CALLED THE GOVERNMENT IN KYIV ILLEGITIMATE, CALLED IT A WESTERN COLONY WITH A PUPPET REGIME AND CLAIMED THAT UKRAINE WAS DEVELOPING NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND THAT THIS WAS A REAL AND PRESENT DANGER FOR RUSSIA.

SO THAT'S WHY THIS SPEECH TODAY I THINK RATCHETED UP THE STAKES AND MADE CLEAR THAT IF PUTIN FOLLOWS THROUGH ON WHAT HE SAID TODAY ABOUT THE DANGERS THAT HE SAYS THE ZELENSKY GOVERNMENT REPRESENTS TO RUSSIA IT WILL BE HARD FOR HIM NOT TO TRY AND DECAPITATE THE LEADERSHIP IN KYIV AND TRY TO INSTALL ANOTHER GOVERNMENT.

>> THAT MEANS OCCUPATION.

AND I DON'T THINK HE WANTS TO TAKE THAT ON, TOO.

>> ALL EYES ON RUSSIA NOT AN UNCOMMON INDICATED SITUATION.

BUT WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NOW PARIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

HIGH LEAD LEVELS IN WATER CAN HAVE DEVASTATING HEALTH EFFECTS ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN DAMAGE TO THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM LEARNING AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES.

A PROBLEM FELT IN ILLINOIS WHICH HAS BEEN ESTIMATED 700,000 LEAD SERVICE LINES AND A MILLION MORE OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN.

THAT IS MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S PROPOSED BUDGET HAS NEARLY HALF A BILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL MONEY TO TACTICT THE -- TACKLE THE PROBLEM BUT AS NICK BLUMBERG REPORTS SOME ADVOCATES WANT MORE FUNDING IN PARTICULAR TO REMOVE LEAD PIPES CONNECTED TO CHILDCARE FACILITIES.

>> BACK IN 2017, THE STATE OF ILLINOIS BEGAN REQUIRING DAYCARES TO TEST THE LEAD LEVELS IN THEIR WATER AND COME UP WITH A MITIGATION PLAN IF THEY FOUND ANY.

EL HOGAR DEL NINO WHICH SERVES FAMILIES DISCOVER TO DO HAD A HANDFUL OF WATER FIXTURES WITH HIGH LEAD LEVELS.

>> WHAT WE DO WELL HERE AT EL HOGAR DEL NINO IS EARLY CHILDHOOD.

WHAT WE DON'T DO WELL WHAT WE ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ARE COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

>> BUT THEY GOT HELP THROUGH THE NONPROFIT ELEVATE WHICH INSTALLED WATER FILTERS AND GOT THE LEAD SERVICE LINE CONNECTED TO THE BUILDING REPLACED.

>> HAD WE BEEN REQUIRED TO CHANGE THOSE OUT ON OUR OWN, WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE REMOVED RESOURCES FROM THE CLASSROOMS TO DO THAT WORK.

AND SO WHEN YOU ARE WORKING WITH VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES LIKE WE DO, OR ANY CHILDREN, THAT IS JUST NOT AN OPTION.

>> IN RECENT YEARS A PATIENT WORK OF GOVERNMENT AND -- PATCHWORK OF NONPROFIT PROGRAMS HAVE COME TOGETHER OFFERING WITH HELP AND TESTING AND MITIGATION BUT THE NEED OUT STRIPS THE ASSISTANCE FOR CHILDCARE FACILITIES.

>> IT'S GOING TO TAKE A VILLAGE TO TACKLE THIS ISSUE.

BUT THE GOOD THING IS WE KNOW HOW TO DO IT.

>> 20% OF LICENSED CHILDCARE FACILITIES IN ILLINOIS HAVE TOLD THE STATE THEY FOUND LEAD IN THEIR WATER NOT ALL OF THOSE ARE NECESSARILY FIXTURES USED FOR DRINKING WATER.

ELEVATE'S CAROLINE PAKENHAM SAYS THE PROVIDERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO FACE HIGH LEAD LEVELS.

>> DEPENDING WHAT TYPE OF FACILITY ARE YOU IN WE WERE FINDING THAT BETWEEN 30-50% OF PROVIDERS WERE FINDING LEAD IN THEIR DRINKING WATER.

WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE STATE-WIDE ASSISTANCE.

>> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S BUDGET PROPOSAL INCLUDES $565 MILLION IN LOANS AND GRANTS TO REPLACE LEAD SERVICE LINES BUT THAT IS ALL MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE.

SOME ADVOCATES WANT THE STATE TO KICK IN $300 MILLION OF ITS OWN FUNDING, 60 MILLION OF WHICH WOULD BE DEDICATED TO CHILDCARE FACILITIES.

>> THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR CHILDREN IS WORTH IT TO PUT THAT MONEY ASIDE AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH AND EVERY CHILDCARE FACILITY IS FREE OF LEAD SERVICE LINES.

>> JUSTIN WILLIAMS SAID HIS GROUPS HAD POSITIVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE PROPOSAL AS HE SEE IT IS IT IS NOT JUST THE CHILDREN ARE VULNERABLE IT'S ALSO ABOUT RACIAL EQUITY.

>> BLACK AND LATINX ILLINOISANS ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO BE LIVING IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT CONTAIN ALMOST ALL OF THE STATE'S LEAD SERVICE LINES.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT LEAVING THIS PROBLEM AT THE FEET OF PEOPLE OF COLOR OF ILLINOIS.

>> THERE IS WORK IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LAST YEAR REPRESENTATIVE LAMONT RIBINSON SPONSORED A BILL REQUIRING WATER UTILITIES TO DOCUMENT LEAD SERVICE LINES AND COME UP WITH A PLAN TO REPLACE THEM.

>> WE REMOVED LEAD OUT OF PAINT.

BUT WE HAVE NOT DONE THIS IN OUR WATER.

>> ELIMINATING SERVICE LINES IS A LONG-TERM EFFORT DEPENDING ON THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM UTILITIES HAVE BETWEEN 15-34 YEARS TO REPLACE LEAD PIPES BY LAW.

ROBINSON IS PUSHING A LAW THAT CARVES OUT $50 MILLION TO SEND FREE FILTERS TO PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM.

>> WE KNOW WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO REPLACE THE PIPES WHILE WE ARE WAITING ON THE FUNDS WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING RIGHT NOW.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M NICK BLUMBERG.

>> ROBINSON SAYS HE IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE IDEA TO ADD MORE STATE FUNDING TO REMOVE LEAD PIPES.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DID NOT RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON THE PROPOSAL.

>> AND UP NEXT, CHICAGO'S GONE WITHOUT AN INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW.

A CHECKUP ON THE PROGRESS TO SELECT THE NEXT CITY WATCHDOG RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO HAS BEEN WITHOUT A PERMANENT INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR MORE THAN FOUR MONTHS AS THE SEARCH FOR REPLACEMENT CONTINUES WITHOUT ANY SIGNS OF PROGRESS.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US NOW WITH MORE AND HEATHER WHY DOES IT MATTER THAT CHICAGO HAS NOT HAD A CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMED WATCHDOG SINCE OCTOBER?

>> WELL, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS THE ONLY CITY OFFICIAL WHO IS CHARGED WITH INVESTIGATING WRONGDOING AND MALFEASANCE IN CITY AGENCIES AND ON THE CITY COUNCIL ITSELF.

THIS POST HAS BEEN VACANT AT A TIME WHEN ONE ALDERPERSON HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF FEDERAL CRIMES AND TWO OTHERS ARE AWAITING TRIAL AFTER PLEADING NOT GUILTY TO BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION CHARGES.

SO THERE IS A LOT GOING ON AT CITY HALL.

AND THE QUESTION IS: IS ANYBODY WATCHING WITH THIS POST VACANT FOR SUCH A LONGTIME.

>> WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG?

>> IT IS A COMPLICATED PROCESS TO GET A NEW INSPECTOR GENERAL CONFIRMED.

BUT THEY GOT STARTED LATE AND IT'S NOT CLEAR HOW MUCH PROGRESS THEY'VE MADE SINCE THEN.

INSPECTOR GENERAL JOE FERGUSON LEFT OFFICE IN MID-OCTOBER AFTER WARNING IN JULY THAT HIS TERM WAS JUST ABOUT UP.

BUT THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR DID NOT TAKE ANY ACTION TO START THE PROCESS TO REPLACE HIM UNTIL SEPTEMBER.

AND SINCE THEN ANY PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE HAS BEEN BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND COMPLETELY SHUTOFF FROM THE PUBLIC OR THE NEWS MEDIA >> AND WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR FINDING THE NEXT INSPECTOR GENERAL?

>> WELL, THERE IS A FIVE-PERSON SEARCH COMMITTEE THAT IS REVIEWING APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED FOR THIS POSITION AND THEN THEIR JOB IS TO RECOMMEND FINALISTS TO MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT WHO HAS THE FINAL SAY ON WHO SHOULD SERVE AS INSPECTOR GENERAL.

AND THEN THEY HAVE TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT COMMITTEE'S PROCESS HAS BEEN, WHETHER THE MAYOR HAS REVIEWED ANY FINALISTS OR EVEN INTERVIEWED THEM AND WHAT SORT OF TIMELINE SHE IS LOOKING AT TO GET THIS POST FILLED.

>> IS THIS THE ONLY HIGH PROFILE POSITION THAT HAS BEEN VACANT FOR MONTHS?

>> IT IS NOT.

THE HEAD OF THE CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY HAS BEEN WITHOUT A PERMANENT CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMED LEADER SINCE MAY.

THAT COULD CHANGE THIS WEEK.

THE NOMINATION OF ANDREA KERSTEN IS SET FOR A FULL VOTE BY THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL BUT IT IS NOT CLEAR SHE HAS ENOUGH VOTES TO BE CONFIRMED.

HER NOMINATION HAS BEEN MEYERED IN CONTROVERSY AFTER HER AGENCY ISSUED A REPORT RECOMMENDING DISCIPLINE FOR ELLA FRENCH MONTHS AFTER SHE WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

>> A LOT TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

>> THANKS.

>> THANKS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY AND 0 OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

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

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... ILLINOIS IS CONSIDERING A CARPET STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

WE'LL TELL YOU WHAT THAT MEANS AND WHAT IT MIGHT COST YOU.

>> CITY HEALTH OFFICIALS REJECT A PERMIT TO ALLOW A RECYCLING PLANT ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE.

>> PLUS THE SEVEN MONTH JOURNEY FROM KABUL AFGHANISTAN TO CHICAGO WHERE A GROUP OF REFUGEES IS NOW ATTENDING COLLEGE.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> NO BAIL FOR A MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY SHOT AND KILLED HIS BROTHER.

THIS AFTER AN ARGUMENT TURNED PHYSICAL EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.

PROSECUTORS SAY 25-YEAR-OLD DARNELL HARDY -- DARON HARDY TOOK A RIFLE AND SHOT DARNELL HARDY AT 3:50AM SUNDAY.

DARNELL HARDY WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.

DARON HARDY IS CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE MURDER.

IN ONE WEEK, ILLINOIS IS SET TO LIFT THE INDOOR MASK MANDATE ASSUMING KEY METRICS TREND IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER CHICAGO WILL JOIN THE STATE AND LIFT THE MASK MANDATE AS WELL.

LATE LAST WEEK Dr. ALLISON ARWADY SAID SHE WAS QUOTE FEELING OPTIMISTIC.

AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON CHANGING MASKING REQUIREMENTS WITHIN THE CITY IS EXPECTED LATER THIS WEEK.

AND WE'LL HEAR FROM A PANEL OF ALDERPEOPLE ABOUT THEIR THOUGHTS ON THAT MASK MANDATE IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> BAD NEWS FOR FOLKS USING A 3G PHONE.

AT&T IS ENDING THE SURFACE.

-- SERVICE.

THEY ARE WORKING TO SHUTDOWN TO MAKE SPACE FOR FASTER 5G SERVICE.

T-MOBILE WILL END THE 3G SERVICE BY JULY 1.

VERIZON BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

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

>> IT'S ONE THING TO RECYCLE ALUMINUM CANS OR PAPER BUT WHAT ABOUT CARPETING?

ILLINOIS' CONSIDERING A PROPOSAL TO FACILITATE THAT BUT THE EFFORT HAS WALL TO WALL COMPLICATIONS.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> AS SOMEBODY WHO SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS ON THE GORGEOUS BUT VERY HARD MARBLE FLOORS AT THE ILLINOIS STATE CAPITOL I APPRECIATE A NICE LUSH CARPET.

BEYOND THAT AND I SUPPOSE ADMIRING A STYLISH FLOOR I HAVE NOT THOUGHT MUCH ABOUT WHAT CARPETS ARE MADE OF.

MIKE GRADY THE LOBBIEST FOR PARTNERS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY HE HAS.

>> THEY ARE MADE OF PLASTIC.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLYMERS.

YOU HAVE YOUR ALL THE FINERS AND EVERYTHING ARE ULTIMATELY MADE OF PLASTIC.

>> WHEN IT'S THE END OF THE ROAD FOR A RUG, 99% OF THE TIME THEY GO TO A LANDFILL.

BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY.

COMPANIES HAVE DEVELOPED METHODS TO PROCESS OLD CARPETING GRINDING IT DOWN TO A PULP SO IT CAN BE RESTORED TO PLASTIC FEED STOCK.

>> ANYTHING THAT IS MADE OF PLASTIC IS MADE OF PLASTIC FEED STOCK WHETHER IT'S YOUR DETERIENT OR DRINK YOUR BOTTLED WATER OR ANYTHING ELSE MADE OF PLASTIC INCLUDING THE SIDING ON YOUR HOUSE OR DECKING FOR THE BACK OF YOUR HOUSE.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS CAN BE MADE FROM THE RECYCLED FEED STOCK THAT COMES FROM CARPET.

>> ROBYN GABEL IS A RESPONSE TORE OF A -- SPONSOR THAT WOULD ROLL OUT THE CARPET FOR THE COMPANIES TO COME ILLINOIS TO DO THAT RECYCLING WORK.

AND HEARING SEVERAL SAID THEY WOULD COME TO ILLINOIS AND IN THE MEANWHILE MAKE GOOD USE OF VACANT WAREHOUSE SPACE AND CREATE A LOT OF JOBS IF ILLINOIS PASSES A MEASURE TO MAKE IT COMMERCIALLY FEASIBLE.

SHE SAYS THAT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, TOO.

>> THE GOAL OF THIS LAW IS AGGRESSIVE.

IT IS TO ACHIEVE A CARPET RECYCLING RATE IN ILLINOIS OF 25% BY THE END OF 2026.

ACHIEVING THIS GOAL MEANS ILLINOIS WOULD REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 146,560 METRIC TONS OF CARBON DIOXIDE EQUIVALENT EACH YEAR.

>> CARPET STEWARDSHIP ACT CALLS FOR PRODUCERS TO FINANCE THIS RECYCLING PROGRAM.

GRADY SAYS IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MANUFACTURERS AND WITH THEIR PAYING THE TAB HE SAYS CARPET RECYCLING WOULD COME AT NO COST AND NO EXTRA INCONVENIENCE TO CUSTOMERS.

>> CARPET COMES TO YOUR HOUSE AND PUTS NEW FLOORING IN, PUTS NEW CARPET IN AND TAKES THE OLD CARPET AND PADDING OUT, NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE FOR THE CONSUMER.

THE INSTALLER WILL TAKE IT TO THE SAME LANDFILL AND TRANSFER STATION AND WHATEVER ELSE THEY WERE TAKING IT BEFORE.

NOW THOSE PLACES THAT THEY TOOK IT, WOULD BE REGISTERED AS COLLECTORS BY THE STATE AND THEY WOULD THEN MAKE DIVERT ON-SITE THE CARPET AWAY FROM THE REST OF THE GARBAGE THAT COMES IN.

AND THEN THE RECYCLING PART WOULD COME AND HAUL THAT STUFF OFF TO BEGIN BREAKING IT DOWN.

>> ILLINOIS MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION C.E.O.

MARK DENZLER SAYS APPLICANTS ARE TRYING TO PULL THE WOOL OVER CONSUMERS EYES.

IF PRODUCERS COSTS RISE THAT WILL BE PASSED ON TO CUSTOMERS.

>> THERE ARE NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT NOTHING IS FREE IN THIS WORLD AS YOU KNOW.

AND THIS IS A TIME WHERE WE'RE SEEING RECORD INFLATION AND INFLATION RISE AT 7.5%.

THE HIGHEST SINCE 1982.

WE THINK IT'S THE WRONG TIME TO IMPOSE NEW TAXES AND FEES ON CONSUMERS WHO WANT TO PUT CARPET IN THEIR HOMES.

>> HE SAYS THE IMPACT ON LANDFILLS MAY NOT BE HUGE BUT IT COULD HAVE A VERY BIG IMPACT ON BOTH CONSUMERS THE COSTS AND ALSO ON JOBS THAT NEED TO BE PROTECTED.

ILLINOIS DOESN'T ACTUALLY HAVE CARPET MANUFACTURERS BUT MARK DENZLER SAYS AN INDUSTRY OF CARPET DEALERS AND INSTALLERS WOULD FEEL THE PAIN IF CARPET SALES SLIDE.

CALIFORNIA IMPLEMENTED A SIMILAR PROGRAM AND THE DATA FROM THERE SHOWS THAT PRICES WENT UP AND CARPET SALES DROPPED 30%.

>> IT'S BEEN IN PLACE BY THINGS PRODUCED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES THIS IS AN ANTI-AMERICAN MANUFACTURING BILL THAT IS GOING TO FORCE A LOT OF PEOPLE TO BUY CHEAPER PRODUCTS THAT ARE PRODUCED OVERSEAS AS OPPOSED TO CARPET PRODUCED IN THE UNITED STATES.

YOU HAVE CARPET ACCOUNTS FOR LESS THAN 2% OF ALL LANDFILL IN THE UNITED STATES.

BUT IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE AND HEAVY.

>> AND HE SAYS THAT IF CARPET IS LEFT OUT AND GETS WET IT CANNOT BE REUSED.

ALL ISSUES THAT MAKES CARPET RECYCLING COMPLICATED.

HE SAYS THAT THERE IS -- THAT IS AMONG THE REASONS THAT ILLINOIS ATTEMPTS TO INSTITUTE SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAVE STALLED IN THE RECENT PAST.

ADVOCATES SAY THAT ILLINOIS IS POISED TO BE A LEADER IN THE MIDWEST AND THE SO-CALLED CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND THAT LEGISLATORS SHOULD BE PRIMED TO WELCOME NEW MANUFACTURING JOBS HEAVIER SUSPEND PROTECTING CARPET MANUFACTURERS THAT ARE LARGELY BASED IN GEORGIA.

WITH THAT, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS WITH MORE FROM MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL.

>> EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM WE DISCUSSED THE MAYOR'S CONTROVERSIAL ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ALLOW THE CITY TO SUE GANG MEMBERS.

AND NOW WE'RE JOINED BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ THE ALD PEP.

LET'S START WITH THE REMAP NEWS.

ALDERMAN LOPEZ COMMUNITY GROUPS ARE DECIDING TO BACK THE MAP PUT FORTH BY THE LATINO CAUCUS HOW DOES THIS CHANGE THE DYNAMIC?

>> THE FACT THAT A NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT AND PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZATIONS ARE SUPPORTING THE COALITION MAP, HIGHLIGHTS THE FACT THAT THAT MAP HAS BROADER SUPPORT THAN THE 16 MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL THAT SIGNED ON TO IT.

THE MAP IS MORE IN LINE WITH WHAT THE DATA SHOWS.

IT KEEPS NEIGHBORHOODS TOGETHER IT IS MORE COHESIVE AND THAT IS WHAT IS GRAVITATING MORE PEOPLE TO T AND I HOPE THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT BUILDS AND BODES WELL FOR THAT MAP.

>> ALDERWOMAN TAYLOR ONE OF THE STICKING POINTS WAS NOT BREAKING UP ENGLEWOOD SO THE LATINO CAUCUS MAKE BREAKS IT UP INTO TWO WARDS INSTEAD OF FIVE IS THAT A GOOD PROPOSAL?

>> NO IT IS NOT.

WE SHOULD HAVE WORKED TOGETHER AND THERE'S HOPE THAT WE COULD ALL WORK TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH A MAP THAT WE ALL AGREE WITH.

WHY I AGREE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE COMMUNITY INPUT, THIS PROCESS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BIT LONGER.

WE SHOULD HAVE STARTED THIS IN JANUARY.

SO HOW DO PEOPLE WHO DON'T REALLY HAVE AN INSIGHT AND I'M NEW THIS IS MY FIRST REMAP.

I HAVE NOT LEARNED AS MUCH AS I WOULD LIKE.

SO A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE WHAT MAPPING IS GO AND MAKE A MAP WITHOUT THE INPUT OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ELECTED AND PAY TO DO A REMAP.

>> GO AHEAD AND FINISH.

THIS HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR SOME OF US ESPECIALLY US ROOKIES.

AND EVERYTHING THAT WE DO IN CITY COUNCIL I HAVE NOT LEARNED MUCH IN THIS PROCESS THIS IS ONE OF THE PROCESSES THAT I'M NOT HAPPY WITH AND I'M HOPING WE CAN CREATE LEGISLATION AND THE STATE AND THE CITY TO CHANGE HOW WE DO IT.

>> MARIA HADDON AT ISSUE IS THE NUMBER OF LATINO MAJORITY WARDS VERSUS AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAJORITY WARDS BACKED BY THE LATINO CAUCUS VERSUS THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CAUCUS.

WHAT IS THE LYNN OPINION LYNCHPIN TO A COMPROMISE?

>> I FEEL LIKE WE'VE HAD GOOD DISCUSSIONS AND GOTTEN CLOSE TO IDENTIFYING COMPROMISES.

SO BETWEEN THE COALITION MAP WHICH I WILL SAY, IT IS THE COALITION MAP IS A GHOOD EFFORT AT PUTTING FORTH A DRAFT LIKE THE COUNCIL MAP IS A GREAT EFFORT AT PUTTING FORTH A DRAFT.

AND THIS IS COMPLEX.

I DO THINK THAT COMPROMISE AND FIGURING OUT WHAT IS REALLY IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY IS THAT KEY.

AND ONE THING WITH THE PEOPLE'S MAP JOINING WITH OUT COALITION MAP THAT IS IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE KNOW IS THAT THEY DIDN'T SIGN OFF ON THE COALITION MAP THEY SIGNED OFF WITH AN AGREEMENT ON THE COALITION MAP AND PROPOSING CHANGES.

WE'VE SEEN AVERSION TOO OF THE COALITION MAP BUT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR VOTERS TO KNOW THAT THE COALITION ALREADY FILED A REFERENDUM AND RIGHT NOW THEY CANNOT CHANGE THAT MAP.

SO EVEN THOUGH BOTH OF THE GROUPS ARE TOGETHER, THE VERSION ONE INTRODUCED AS A REFERENDUM THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO REFERENDUM NOW NOT THE VERSION OF THE MAP THEY ARE CIRCULATING.

>> THE PROCESS GETS WEEDY THE COALITION MAP IS THE MAP SUPPORTED BY THE LATINO CAUCUS.

AND EARLIER IN THE SHOW WE SPOKE WITH HEATHER CHERONE ABOUT THE CITY'S SLOW-MOVING PROCESS TO REPLACE INSPECTOR GENERAL FERGUSON HE HAS BEEN GONE FOR FOUR MONTHS.

WHY IS THIS PROCESS TAKING SO LONG?

>> THAT IS A QUESTION FOR THE AGES.

WE HAVE SEEN FROM THIS ADMINISTRATION THE FOOT DRAGGING IN REPLACING DEPARTMENT HEADS NOT ONLY WITH THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, BUT THROUGHOUT A NUMBER OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN OPERATING EITHER WITH ACTING COMMISSIONERS, ACTING DIRECTORS OR NOBODY AT THE HELM AT ALL.

THE MUNICIPAL CODE IS SPECIFIC THAT THE MAYOR HAS 30 DAYS TO START FILLING APPOINTMENTS.

THERE IS A SPECIFIC PROCESS WHEN IT COMES TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

AND I THINK THAT THIS HIGHLIGHTS THE PROBLEM THAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAS WHICH IS WALKING AND CHEWING GUM AT THE SAME TIME.

THIS IS A DEPARTMENT HEAD THAT IS INTEGRAL TO IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFICACY OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

WE'VE SEEN WHERE THE REPORTS HELP US CRAFT POLICY THAT STREAMLINES PROCESSES AND SAVE TAXPAYERS MONEY.

AND TO HAVE THAT BODY THAT ORGANIZATION THAT DEPARTMENT LISTLESS WITHOUT A LISTEN IS UNACCEPTABLE.

AND WE'RE HEARING NOTHING ABOUT ANY PROGRESS.

ARE THE WHEELS IN MOTION AT ALL?

ARE THERE FINALISTS?

IS ANYONE TALKING ABOUT ANYTHING WITH REGARDS TO THE IG?

>> THAT SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO ASK THE MAYOR.

IN THE HISTORY WE WERE PART OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS IN THIS ADMINISTRATION WE ARE NOT A PART OF A LOT OF THESE CONVERSATIONS.

JUST AS MUCH AS YOU ARE IN THE DARK AND SO ARE WE.

ALDERMAN LOPEZ SAID IT'S 30 DAYS.

WE'RE WAY PAST THAT.

BUT THAT SEEMS TO BE WHAT THIS ADMINISTRATION DOES IT'S SLOW WALKING AND NOW WE ARE IN A TIME WHERE OUR COMMUNITIES DEPEND ON US.

WE CANNOT SLOW WALK IN THIS PROCESS.

>> AND COMMUNITIES AT WOMAN MARIA HADDON LAST WEEK THE CITY AND THE MAYOR'S ADMINISTRATION DECIDED TO DENY A PERMIT TO THE COMPANY THAT OWNS GENERAL IRON TO OPERATE A METAL SCRAPPER ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE EVEN THOUGH HEALTH REPORTS SAID IT WOULD NOT ADVERSELY IMPACT HEALTH OF THE STRANTS.

WAS THIS THE RIGHT MOVE?

>> IT ABSOLUTELY WAS THE RIGHT MOVE.

THE REPORT SAYS IT INCREMENTALLY WOULD NOT MAKE IT WORSE THAN IT ALREADY IS.

AND THAT IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

NEIGHBORS ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE AND SUPPORTERS AROUND THE CITY INCLUDING MYSELF AND RESIDENTS HERE IN THE 49TH WARD HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING THIS FIGHT TO DENY THE PERMIT.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY THE RIGHT MOVE NOT JUST FOR THE RESIDENTS ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE MOST IMPACTED BUT ALSO IN DECIDING WHAT KIND OF FUTURE CITY CHICAGO IS GOING TO BE.

WE HAVE TO TURN AWAY FROM A LOT OF DIRTY INDUSTRIES.

WE HAVE TO FIND A NEW PATH.

SO THIS WAS THE RIGHT DECISION I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THE MAYOR AND OUR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH MAKE THAT CALL.

>> AND THIS WAS A DECISION THAT COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS PRAISED.

RAY LOPEZ, THE COMPANY THAT OWNS GENERAL IRON DID NOT PRAISE THE DECISION SAYING THEY ARE GOING TO GO FORWARD WITH A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THE CITY WENT BACK ON THE AGREEMENT.

COULD THE CITY BE LIABLE FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DAMAGES HERE?

>> WELL, I KNOW THAT THE COMPANY SPENT OVER $85 MILLION UPGRADING THAT SITE UPGRADING THEIR FACILITIES ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE CITY WAS GOING TO APPROVE THIS PERMIT.

AND WHAT THIS CRISIS HAS SHOWN US THAT THE MAYOR PLAYED BOTH SIDES.

SHE FABRICATED A CRISIS IN THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF CHICAGO SO THAT SHE COULD BECOME A FRIEND OF THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS.

ALL THE WHILE TELLING BUSINESSES YOU ARE STILL WELCOME TO DO BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

I AGREE WE NEED TO EXPAND OUR ECONOMIC BASE AND EXPAND THE AMOUNT OF INDUSTRIES THAT WE HAVE AND PARTICULARLY FOCUS ON GREEN ENERGY AND THINGS RENEWABLE AND HEALTHY.

AND AT THE SAME TIME, THERE ARE 200 FAMILIES THAT RECEIVED LAYOFF NOTICES BECAUSE WE HAVE ANNOUNCED THEY CAN NO LONGER OPERATE THE FACILITY THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING AT FOR FOUR DECADES.

>> THE DEBATE GOES ON.

ALDERWOMAN TAYLOR WE ARE AWEEK A WHAT FROM THE DATE WHERE THE CITY IS GOING TO LIFT THE INDOOR MASK MANDATE.

IS THE CITY READY FOR THIS?

>> NO, WE'RE NOT.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF COUNCILMEMBERS I WAS HAVING THIS CONVERSATION WHILE ON BREAK, COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE COVID.

AND WE ARE SITTING APART FROM EACH OTHER.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE BLACK AND LATINX FOLKS DIE AT A HIGHER RATE AND OTHER PEOPLE AND THEY WILL INSTITUTE THE MANDATE.

THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR.

IF WE WOULD HAVE STAYED ON COVID PUNISHMENT WITH HAVING BUSINESSES STILL BE FLEXIBLE AND CLOSED WE WOULD NOT BE IN A CRIES S LOOK AT THE NUMBERS.

AND YOU ARE STARTING TO SEE MORE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE HOSPITALIZED.

SO THIS IS A MISTAKE FOR FOLKS WHO SAYING THIS IS A HOAX IT IS NOT REAL WE NEED TO LET UP YOU ARE NOT GOING TO [INAUDIBLE] YOU ARE NOT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIGURE OUT HOW FAMILIES TO GET MEDICINE AND THE BASIC THINGS THEY NEED.

IS THIS A MISTAKE.

>> COVID PRESENT EVEN THOUGH THE RATE HAS GONE DOWN.

OUR THANKS TO RAY LOPEZ, JEANETTE TAYLOR AND MARIA HADDON THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> UP NEXT INSIDE A COLLEGE PROGRAM FOR REFUGEES WHO RELOCATED FROM AFTER AFGHANISTAN TO CHICAGO.

FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER...

SEVEN MONTHS AGO THEY WERE RUNNING FOR THEIR LIVES FROM KABUL.

AS MANY AS 3,000 AFGHAN REFUGEES COULD SETTLE IN ILLINOIS MOST OF THOSE IN THE CHICAGO AREA.

MORE THAN A DOZEN ARE NOT ONLY CALLING CHICAGO HOME THEY BEGAN ATTENDING COLLEGE IN JANUARY ON A ONE-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP.

IT IS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CHAPTER FOR A GROUP OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN ON A HARROWING JOURNEY.

>> SAIMA ZAARI IS IN HER FIRST SEMESTER AT NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY.

STUDYING FOR A DEGREE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.

>> WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE?

>> MACK CO-ECONOMICS.

>> SHE FELT SHE NO LONGER HAD A FUTURE IN AFGHANISTAN AFTER THE COUNTRY FELL TO THE TALIBAN OVER THE SPAN OF 10 DAYS LAST AUGUST FOLLOWING THE CHAOTIC U.S. WITHDRAWAL.

>> I JUST CAME TO THE AIRPORT AND THEY DECIDED TO FIND A WAY TO COME IN.

>> SHE SAYS SHE FEARED FOR HER LIFE AS TALIBAN MILITIAS BLOCKED HER ROUTE TO THE KABUL AIRPORT.

>> IT WAS REALLY SCARY.

THEY HAD LIKE BIG GUNS WITH THEM AND HITTING THE MEN.

AND WOMAN.

>> SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THROUGH TO THE AIRPORT CONTROLLED AT THE TIME BY AMERICAN SECURITY FORCES.

AND ON TO A PLANE WITH THE AID OF AN AFGHAN INTERPRETER.

HER JOURNEY TOOK HER FROM KABUL TO KUWAIT TO GERMANY AND AN OVERSEAS FLIGHT TO WASHINGTON D.C. AND THEN TO A REFUGEE CAMP IN NEW MEXICO WHERE SHE LEARNED OF A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OFFERED BY NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY.

SHE APPLIED AND WAS ACCEPTED.

>> I WAS LIKE TOO EMOTIONAL AND START CRYING, OMIGOD, I GOT A CHANCE TO CONTINUE MY EDUCATION IT WAS INCREDIBLE FOR KNEE.

>> NOW, SAIMA ZAARI LIVES IN A STUDENT DORM WITH FOUR OTHER AFGHAN REFUGEES.

>> MAYWAND POHYAR IS ANOTHER AFGHAN SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT A GRADUATE STUDENT.

HE BEGAN STUDYING IN NORTHEASTERN IN 2020 AND TRAVELED HOME TO AFGHANISTAN WITH HIS FAMILY FOR SUMMER BREAK IN 2021.

THE TIMING PROVED TO BE CATASTROPHIC.

>> I GOT A TEXT MESSAGE FROM ONE OF MY FRIENDS THAT TAKE YOUR FLIGHT AND AS SOON AS YOU CAN GO OUT YOU HAVE TO GO.

GO.

>> IT TOOK FIVE ATTEMPTS TO GET INTO THE AIRPORT.

HE AND HIS FAMILY THEN SPENT THREE DAYS INSIDE WAITING FOR A FLIGHT OUT.

>> EVERYONE WAS JUST SITTING ON THE GROUND LAYING ON THE GROUND ON THE STREETS.

THE DUST, THE SAND, THE CARS WERE MOVING.

LITTER AND EVERYTHING.

>> THEY MADE IT BACK TO CHICAGO AFTER BEING HELD AT A REFUGEE CAMP IN WISCONSIN.

HE RESUMED STUDYING AT NORTHEASTERN WHERE HE FIRST APPROACHED THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND ASK THEM IF THEY COULD FUND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FELLOW REFUGEES.

>> I DID NOT BELIEVE IT AFTER ONE HOUR ONE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AMAZED ME.

SHE TOLD ME THAT THE REQUEST IS ACCEPTED RIGHT AWAY.

>> NORTHEASTERN PRESIDENT GLORIA GIBSON SAYS THE SCHOOL APPROVED 17 SCHOLARSHIPS IN TOTAL EXCLUSIVELY FOR AFGHAN REFUGEES.

THE PROGRAM ALIGNS WITH THE MISSION OF THE SCHOOL WHERE THE STUDENT BODY IS MAJORITY NONWHITE AND MORE THAN 80 LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN ON CAMPUS.

>> DIVERSITY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FABRIC OF OUR INSTITUTION.

WE HAVE MANY FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS AND PELL ELIGIBLE STUDENTS AND WE HAVE A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT AS WE EMBRACE DIVERSITY.

>> AND GIBSON SAYS THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS MUCH MORE THAN TUITION, ROOM AND BOARD AND TEXTBOOKS.

>> WE ALSO HAD BASIC NEEDS.

FOOD, CLOTHING, MEDICINE, MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE HEALTHY.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE THOUGHT WOULD BE HELPFUL IS TO HELP YOU GET TOGETHER AND SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES.

>> UNIVERSITY SAYS MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS AND GROUP COUNSELING HAVE BEEN KEY TO INTEGRATING THE STUDENTS INTO ACADEMIC LIFE.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF ANXIETY.

THEY FEAR THE UNKNOWN.

THERE IS A LOT OF HOMESICKNESS.

THERE IS A LOT OF TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES THAT THEY PROBABLY SAW DURING THE TIME OF THE AIRLIFT.

SOME OF THE STUDENTS HAD TO SPEND MONTHS GOING FROM ONE AMERICAN AIR BASE TO ANOTHER.

>> MATEO FARZANEH IS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF HISTORY AT NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY AND FACULTY ADVISER FOR THE AFGHAN STUDENTS.

HE IS AN IRANIAN AMERICAN AND SPEAKS FARSI.

ANOTHER PART OF THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN ACCLIMATING SCHOOL, FACULTY AND STAFF TO AFGHAN CULTURE.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, IN AFGHAN CULTURE, THERE MIGHT NOT BE THIS FREEDOM OF VOICING YOUR OPINION.

THAT COMES IN AS A PROBLEM PROBABLY IF YOU ARE IN A CLASS.

>> THEY ARE REALLY KIND WITH US.

THEY SAY IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEM JUST LIKE WE WILL LIKE SOLVE THAT TOGETHER.

>> NORTHEASTERN IS A SMALL PUBLIC UNIVERSITY WITHOUT A LARGE ENDOWMENT.

WHICH MAKES IT A CHALLENGE TO FUND ALL OF THE RESOURCES REQUIRED FOR THE AFGHAN PROGRAM.

>> UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS TABBED THE ENTIRE COST OF THE ONE-YEAR SCHOLARSHIPS AT MORE THAN HALF A MILLION DOLLARS.

THEY HAVE ONLY RAISED $60,000 TOWARD THAT TOTAL.

BUT THEY EVENTUALLY HOPE TO RAISE ENOUGH TO COVER ALL FOUR YEARS.

>> NORTHEASTERN IS NOT A WEALTHY INSTITUTION.

FINANCIALLY.

BUT WE ARE WEALTHY IN OTHER WAYS.

>> Dr. GIBSON ACKNOWLEDGES THE SCHOOL WILL HAVE TO RELY ON FOUNDATION AND DONOR SUPPORT TO MAKE THE PROGRAM WORK.

THE DREAMS OF STUDENTS ARE ON THE LINE.

>> IT'S LIKE KIND OF MY DREAM TO LIKE GET A SCHOLARSHIP IN AMERICA.

IT WAS LIKE AMERICA WAS MY DREAM COUNTRY.

I'M HERE IT'S INCREDIBLE AND MIRACLE IN MY LIFE.

>> NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY'S PRESIDENT SAYS THEY ARE WAITING FOR FOUR OF THE 17 COLLEGE STUDENTS TO ARRIVE.

DePAUL UNIVERSITY SAYS IT HAS WELCOMED 10 STUDENTS RECENTLY DISPLACED DUE TO THE CRISIS IN AFTER AFGHANISTAN.

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 MONDAY 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.

>> 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. FOR A WTTW NEWS SPECIAL.

SEGREGATION IN CHICAGO.

HOW A CREATIVE PROJECT INVOLVE AND MAPS IS HELPING BRING UNDERSTANDING TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

>> THAT AND MUCH MORE AS WTTW LAUNCHES FIRSTHAND SEGREGATION.

>> AND NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]