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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> DIPLOMACY IS THE VERY BEST WAY FORWARD FOR ALL SIDES.

LOCAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ON WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FOR RUSSIA TO BACK AWAY FROM INVADING UKRAINE.

>> I'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR A LONGTIME AND IT'S TIME TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> OUTGOING CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION PRESIDENT JESSE SHARKEY REFLECTING ON HIS TIME IN LEADERSHIP AND THE STATE OF SCHOOLS.

>> TODAY WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE METAVERSE.

>> MARK ZUCKERBERG MAY HAVE A BOLD VISION BUT PROBLEMS ARE MOUNTING FOR THE SOCIAL MEDIA GIANT.

>> WE HAVE BROUGHT CHARGES WHERE APPROPRIATE.

>> ONE-ON-ONE WITH COOK COUNTY'S STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX ON HER OFFICE'S HANDLING ON CRIME IN CHICAGO.

>> THE CARVANA MACHINE GETS THE GREEN LIKE IN SKOKIE.

>> SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE LIKE WHOA.

YEAH.

>> AND A TOWERING PLANT IS SPIKING TO ITS DEATH AT THE GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY.

WE SHOW YOU WHAT'S UP.

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SAYS HE PLANS TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE STATE-WIDE MASK MANDATE QUOTE VERY SOON.

AMID ANOTHER DAY OF CONFUSION ACROSS ILLINOIS SCHOOLS AFTER A STATE COURT STRUCK DOWN THE MASK MANDATE LATE LAST WEEK.

PARENTS SAY THE PRINCIPAL AT THE QUEEN OF MARTYRS HAS BEEN PUT ON LEAVE FOR HIS DECISION ON THE MANDATE.

ACCORDING TO PARENTS THE ARCHDIOCESE REMOVED THE PRINCIPAL FROM THE SCHOOL AFTER TELLING FAMILIES MASKS WOULD BE OPTIONAL STARTING TODAY.

THIS AFTERNOON PARENTS AND STUDENTS GATHERED TO PROTEST THE PRINCIPAL'S DISMISSAL.

THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO HAS DECLINED TO COMMENT.

>> A FEDERAL JUDGE IS REVIEWING EVIDENCE AGAINST ED BURKE.

THE JUDGE HEARD ARGUMENTS TODAY IN THE CASES AGAINST THE 14TH WARD CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.

TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS AGO BURKE WAS INDICTED ON 14 COUNTS OF ALLEGEDLY USING HIS POSITION TO FORCE THOSE DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY TO HIRE HIS PRIVATE LAW FIRM.

HE HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY.

THIS WAS THE FIRST IN-PERSON HEARING SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

>> AND FOR THE SIXTH CONSECUTIVE WEEK ALL U.S. STATES AND TERRITORIES ON ON THE CITY'S TRAVEL ADVISORY LIST.

TO BE REMOVED STATES OR TERRITORIES MUST HAVE COVID RATES BELOW 15 PER WON00,000.

THAT IS A 51% DROP FROM LAST WEEK.

UNDER THIS ADVISORY, UNVACCINATED TRAVELERS SHOULD TEST BEFORE AND AFTER TRAVEL AND QUARANTINE FOR FIVE DAYS UPON ARRIVAL IN CHICAGO.

MEANWHILE IN CHICAGO, COVID TRANSMISSION IN THE CITY MOVED DOWN FROM VERY HIGH-RISK TO HIGH-RISK FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE NOVEMBER 29TH.

CHICAGO'S POSITIVITY RATE IS 2.9%, DOWN FROM 4.4% SEVEN DAYS AGO.

ON AVERAGE, 57 PEOPLE WERE HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID DAILY.

DOWN 46% FROM THE WEEK BEFORE.

AND AN AVERAGE OF NEARLY 10 PEOPLE HAVE DIED EACH DAY, DOWN 44% FROM THE WEEK BEFORE.

UP NEXT, THE VIEW FROM WASHINGTON D.C. WITH LOCAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> PRESIDENT BIDEN SAYS HE BELIEVES A RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE COULD BE IMMINENT SO CAN DIPLOMACY PREVENT IT?

AND REPUBLICANS ARE BACK PEDDLING AFTER THE CONTROVERSIAL SANCTIONS OF TWO CONGRESS MEMBERS ON THE JANUARY 6TH COMMITTEE.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THAT ARE CONGRESSMAN, BRAD SCHNEIDER A DEMOCRAT FROM DEERFIELD.

CONGRESSMAN SEAN CASTEN A DEMOCRAT IF DOWNER'S GROVE AND CONGRESSWOMAN ROBIN KELLY A BECOME FROM MATSON.

WE INVITED ALL THE AND ARES IN ILLINOIS' CONGRESSIONAL INVITATION BUT NONE ACCEPTED OUR INVITATION.

CONGRESSMAN BRAD SCHNEIDER MACRON MET WITH VLADIMIR PUTIN FOR FIVE HOURS DOES THAT GIVE YOU CONFIDENCE THERE WON'T BE ESCALATION?

>> YOU KNOW, FIRST THANKS FOR HAVING US TONIGHT.

I DON'T HAVE CONFIDENCE BUT I CAN CONTINUE TO HOPE WE CAN FIND A PEACEFUL PATH TO TURN THE TROOPS AROUND RUSSIAN TROOPS ON THE BORDER OF UKRAINE.

AN INVASION OF UKRAINE WOULD BE A HORRIBLE CIRCUMSTANCE NOT JUST FOR THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE BUT EUROPE AND THE WORLD.

PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS BEEN CLEAR WHEN HE SAID IF RUSSIA INVADES THERE WILL BE THE SUSPENSION.

NORD STREAM 2 PIPELINE.

>> THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT HAS HAD TROOPS STATIONED FOR A FEW WEEKS NOW DO YOU BELIEVE HE IS BLUFFING OR DO YOU AGREE WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION THAT AN INVASION COULD BE LIKELY?

>> THERE IS A PART OF ME THAT BELIEVES THAT HE IS BLUFFING.

AND BUT THEN THERE IS A PART OF ME THAT BELIEVES THAT HIS INTENT IS TO INVADE.

I DON'T THINK HE EXPECTED ALL OF THE COUNTRIES TO GALVANIZE LIKE THE COUNTRIES HAVE AGAINST HIM.

SO I THINK THAT HAS GIVEN HIM SOME PAUSE.

HE IS A MAN WITH AN EGO.

I THINK THAT UNLESS WE GIVE HIM SOME KIND OF WAY TO BACK OUT, THAT IT MIGHT HAPPEN.

>> CONGRESSMAN CASTEN THERE ARE AMERICAN TROOPS STATIONED THROUGHOUT EUROPE F AN INVASION HAPPENS WHEN IF AT ALL TO THE U.S. AND NATO COUNTRIES COMMIT GROUND FORCES TO A CONFLICT?

>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN CLEAR THAT UKRAINE IS NOT A NATO MEMBER.

WE MIGHT LIKE THEM TO BE SO WE HAVE BEEN MOVING TROOPS INTO THE PERIPHERY AND MATERIAL INTO UKRAINE TO TRY TO MAKE IT AS PAINFUL AS POSSIBLE FOR PUTIN TO OVERREACH.

WE ARE ALSO IN THE COURSE OF RAMPING UP FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES TO MAKE IT CLEAR IF ONE RUSSIAN BOOT STEPS ON THE GROUND OF THE INTO UKRAINIAN TERRITORY, THAT THERE WILL BE IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCES.

THAT IS A SEPARATE QUESTION FROM WHETHER OR NOT WE WILL ACTUALLY MOVE U.S.

TROOPS INTO HARM'S WAY WHICH WOULD REQUIRE AN ACT OF CONGRESS.

BUT HOPEFULLY IT WON'T COME TO THAT.

>> ARE THERE FURTHER ECONOMIC SANCTIONS THAT YOU BELIEVE COULD STOP AN INVASION?

>> THERE ARE FURTHER ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AND OBJECTIVE IS TO MAKE IT AS PAINFUL AS POSSIBLE FOR THE RUSSIANS.

THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT ANY INVASION OF ANY SCALE OF ANY SCOPE IS GOING TO BE MET WITH SEVERE SANCTIONS THAT WILL AFFECT NOT JUST THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE AND ECONOMY BUT RUSSIAN LEADERSHIP UP TO VLADIMIR PUTIN.

>> AND NATIONAL PARTISANS THE G.O.P.

SANCTIONS ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN ADAM KINZINGER AND LIZ CHENEY FOR BEING ON THE JANUARY 6TH PANEL WHICH IS INVESTIGATING WHAT THE RNC CALLED ORDINARY CITIZENS ENGAGED IN LEGITIMATE POLITICAL DISCOURSE.

CONGRESSWOMAN KELLY YOUR REACTION TO THAT DESIGNATION FOR WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6?

>> WELL, SINCE I WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE GALLERIA LONG WITH THE TWO OTHER PEOPLE YOU HAVE ON THIS SHOW, I THINK IT'S REALLY REPREHENSIBLE THAT IS THE WAY THEY DESCRIBE IT.

PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES.

140 CAPITOL POLICE WERE HURT.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THAT POLICE OFFICER DID NOT SHOOT THE WOMAN THAT HE SHOT.

THAT GAVE THE CROWD PAUSE SO THEY COULD COME GET US AND RESCUE US FROM THE GALLERY.

IT'S DISPICIBLE TO ME.

>> AND MITCH McCONNELL PUSHED BACK ON THE RNC RESOLUTION CENSURING LAWMAKERS KINZINGER AND CHENEY FOR SITTING ON THE JANUARY 6TH COMMITTEE.

>> WITH REGARD TO THE SUGGESTION THAT THE RNC SHOULD BE IN THE BUSINESS OF PICKING AND CHOOSING REPUBLICANS WHO OUGHT TO BE SUPPORTED.

TRADITIONALLY THE VIEW OF THE NATIONAL PARTY COMMITTEES IS THAT WE SUPPORT ALL MEMBERS OF OUR PARTY REGARDLESS OF THEIR POSITIONS ON SOME ISSUES.

>> THAT SAYS A LOT TO CALL JANUARY 6 LEGITIMATE POLITICAL DISCOURSE IT'S JUST MADE ME DOUBLE DOWN ON MY INTENSITY TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS.

>> CONGRESSMAN CASTEN YOUR REACTION TO THE RNC PUNISHING CONGRESSMAN KINZINGER AND CONGRESSWOMAN CHENEY?

>> I WISH I COULD SAY IT'S SURPRISED.

IT IS A PARTY THAT LOST ITS WAY.

TWO TIMES IN THE U.S. HISTORY WHEN THE U.S. CAPITOL WAS ATTACKED THE FIRST WAS THE WAR WITH THE BRITISH AND THE MOB INCITED BY THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

GOUGING OUT THE EYES OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO IS HERE TO PROTECT US STORMING THE BARRICADES, BREAKING INTO THE CENTER OF DEMOCRACY THERE IS NO WAY THAT IS LEGITIMATE POLITICAL DISCOURSE.

BUT WE WERE SITTING THERE WHEN AFTER THAT HAPPENED AFTER WE SAW THE DAMAGE IN THE CAPITOL TO GET BACK ON THE FLOOR AND TOUCHED BASE WITH COLLEAGUES, THE MAJORITY OF THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS VOTEDDED WITH THE PEOPLE TRYING TO OVERTURN THE FREE WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

AND NOT EVERY REPUBLICAN TO BE CLEAR.

BUT THE MAJORITY OF THEM.

AND THEY'VE GOT TO SHAKE THIS MA LAYS THEY HAVE AND ACTUALLY FIND A WAY TO STAND UP FOR OUR DEMOCRACY AND OUR CONSTITUTION EVEN IF IT MEANS OPPOSING DONALD TRUMP AND THEY HAVE NOT FOUND A WAY TO DO IT YET.

>> AND THEY ARE ON THE JANUARY 6TH COMMITTEE WHICH IS COMPLAINING ABOUT BEING SLOW WALKED AND STONEWALLED NOT SURPRISINGLY.

DO YOU BELIEVE THEY WILL HAVE ENOUGH TO PRODUCE A THOROUGH REPORT GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT EXTREMIST GROUPS DID WHAT KIND OF PLANNING IN ADVANCE OF JANUARY 6 THAT THEY CAN DELIVER TO THE PUBLIC?

>> I DO.

I THINK THE QUESTION IS NOT WHETHER THEY WILL HAVE ENOUGH.

I THINK THEY HAVE ENOUGH.

THEY HAD HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COME AND SPEAK WITH COMMITTEE AND MILLIONS OF PAGES OF DOCUMENTS I BELIEVE OR THOUSANDS OF PAGES OF DOCUMENTS AT LEAST.

THEY ARE DOING THEIR INVESTIGATION.

THE QUESTION IS WILL THEY HAVE EVERYTHING?

AND WE HAVE SEEN WHETHER IT'S THE FORMER PRESIDENT, THE ALLIES OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT, MARK MEADOWS DECLINING A SUBPOENA PEOPLE KNOW THINGS THAT HAPPENED AND LED UP TO THE EVENTS THAT ARE REFUSING TO COOPERATE AND OTHERS ARE PROVIDING INFORMATION.

AND I SUSPECT WE WILL GET IF NOT THE ABSOLUTE COMPLETE A COMPREHENSIVE AND DETAILED ACCOUNT OF WHAT HAPPENED.

>> VOTING RIGHTS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU VOTED FOR AND IT PASSED THE HOUSE BUT IT IS DOA IN THE SENATE.

HOWEVER THE ELECTORAL VOTE COUNT ACT IS ALIVE ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS.

WILL THAT PASS?

AND EXPLAIN WHAT THAT MIGHT DO?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S SO HARD TO SAY WE DO SO MUCH STUFF IN THE HOUSE AND SEND IT TO THE SENATE LIKE GEORGE FLOYD, JOHN LEWIS, AND ALL OF THAT AND THERE'S NO GUARANTEES ANYTHING IS GOING TO PASSOVER THERE.

AND I AM HOPING THAT AT LEAST THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION DOES PASS.

I KNOW OUR GEORGE ITS AKERS ARE NEGOTIATING BUT ONE NEVER KNOWS ONCE IT LEAVES THE HOUSE.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S BEEN MORE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

AND THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT FOR NOW.

WE WILL BE JOINED BY THE CONGRESS MEMBERS LATER TO DISCUSS LIFTING MASK MANDATES AND THE FUTURE OF THE BUILD BACK BETTER SPENDING PLAN.

OUR THANKS TO BRAD SCHNEIDER, SEAN CASTEN AND ROBIN KELLY.

>> AND TO BRANDIS FOR A ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE HEAD OF THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION.

>> AFTER 12 YEARS AS ONE OF THE PRIMARY FACES OF THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION JESSE SHARKEY IS RETURNING TO THE CLASSROOM.

HIS TIME IN LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN MARKED BY MUTUAL TELL TEACHER STRIKES A CONTENTIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH CITY HALL AND A PROTRACTED PANDEMIC.

HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE JOB POLITICALLY AND PERSONALLY.

HERE TO TALK MORE ABOUT WHY HE THINKS IT'S TIME FOR NEW LEADERSHIP IS OUTGOING C.T.U.

PRESIDENT JESSE SHARKEY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND CONGRATS ON STARTING THE NEXT CHAPTER.

YOU WERE FIRST ELECTED TO BE UNION VICE-PRESIDENT IN 2010.

THIS IS WHEN KAREN LEWIS WAS PRESIDENT.

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO RUN AT THE TIME?

>> WE FELT LIKE THE STATE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION WAS IN DIRE NEED OF CHANGE.

WE LOOKED AT THE STATE OF THE SCHOOLS.

SCHOOLS ARE BEING WRACKED BY CLOSURES, BY CORPORATE DEFORM.

THE EDUCATION REFORM THAT MADE STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOL STUDENTS INTO TARGETS AND OBJECTS.

AND WE FELT LIKE WE NEEDED TO FORM A UNIFIED COALITION OF PARENTS, STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS AND TAKE BACK SOME OF THAT POWER AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

>> WHY DO YOU FEEL IT'S TIME TO LEAVE NOW?

>> WELL, I MEAN PART IS PERSONAL.

THIS IS A HARD JOB AND TAKES ITS TOLL.

TIME FOR ME TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND PART IS POLITICAL WE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT OF THINGS.

THE SERIES OF CONTRACTS THAT FOR STAFFING CLINICIANS IN OUR SCHOOLS AND SOCIAL WORKERS AND NURSES AND CLASS BESIDES AND WE CHANGED LAWS LIKE CHICAGO IS GOING TO GET AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD AND THE LAW LIMITED OUR BARGAINING RIGHTS HAS BEEN REPEALED.

WE INCREASED FUNDING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT MOTIVATED ME TO RUN I THINK WE'VE ACHIEVED.

AND THEN LOOK AROUND AND THINK THE GOALS THE EDUCATION JUSTICE MOVEMENT IS NOT A POSITION OF POWER.

THAT IS NOT SOMETHING I EVER BELIEVED IN.

THERE'S PEOPLE NOW BEHIND ME VICE-PRESIDENT STACY DAVIS GATES WHO ARE CAPABLE AND IT'S TIME FOR ME TO BE OUT THE WAY AND GIVE THEM OUR CHANCE TO TAKE THE UNION TO NEW HEIGHTS.

>> THE 2012 TEACHERS' STRIKE AFTER YOU WERE ELECTED AND WAS THE FIRST C.T.U.

WALKOUT IN 25 YEARS.

AND YOUR DEMANDS AT THE TIME AND SINCE THEN HAVE BEEN ABOUT A LOT MORE THAN JUST SALARY AND BENEFITS.

WHAT ORGANIZING DID YOU DO TO BUILD THAT COMMUNITY SUPPORT AT THE TIME?

>> WELL, YOU CAN'T GO TO YOUR MEMBERS AND SAY THIS IS ABOUT OUR PAY AND BENEFITS AND GO TO THE PUBLIC, AND SAY JOIN US OUR INTERESTS ARE THE SAME.

SO WE HAD A LONG-TERM PROGRAM OF WORKING WITH PARENTS AND OTHERS COMMUNITY GROUPS.

A LOT OF MEETINGS TALKING ABOUT DEVELOPING THE PROGRAM FOR WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO SEE?

SCHOOLS.

WE MADE PROPOSALS TOOK US A WHILE TO GET TO A POINT WHERE WE HAVE ENFORCEABLE CLASS SIZE.

THE FIRST DEMAND WAS TO ALLOW THE PARENTS AND THE SCHOOL COUNCIL TO GET CLEAR REPORTS AND KNOWING WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH CLASS SIZE AND INVESTIGATING THAT.

WE MADE DEMANDS ABOUT SOCIAL ISSUES THAT AFFECT TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOMS BUT ALSO PEOPLE IN COMMUNITIES LIKE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION BEING ABLE TO HAVE COUNSELORS OR PROVIDE SERVICES FOR STUDENTS FOR HOMELESS STUDENTS, STUDENTS IN TEMPORARY LIVING SITUATIONS.

THOSE ARE THE DEMANDS THAT HAD TO DO WITH SANCTUARY STATUS FOR OUR IMMIGRANT STUDENTS AND UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT STUDENTS.

WE DID THAT KIND OF WORK WITH IMMIGRANT RIGHTS GROUPS.

THIS WAS WORK WAS SOMETHING WHICH WE BROUGHT REAL PASSION INTO AND I THINK IT'S CHANGED THE FACE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND CHANGED THE WAY A LOT OF PEOPLE VIEW WHO IS IT AND WHAT COUNTS ARE THE CONSTITUENCIES THAT NEED TO BE THOUGHT ABOUT.

>> C.T.U.

FELT THE NEED TO LAUNCH MULTIPLE ACTIONS INCLUDING LAST MONTH, SOME TEACHERS AND PARENTS EXPRESSED CONCERNS THAT THE UNION HAS BECOME TOO POLITICAL OR COMBATIVE AND CHALLENGERS TO LEADERSHIP WITHIN C.T.U.

WHO ARE RUNNING AGAINST YOUR CAUCUS.

BUT WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

>> I MEAN FIRST OF ALL, THE C.T.U.

IS A DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATION.

AND IN MY OPINION THE MOST DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CITY.

SO IT'S NOTHING NEW I'VE BEEN THROUGH SEVEN ELECTIONS AND ALL BUT ONE HAVE BEEN CONTESTED.

THAT IS A GOOD THING.

BUT FOR THE PUBLIC, I WOULDN'T CONFUSE THE FACT THAT THE CONTESTED ELECTIONS IS SOMEHOW THE IDEA OUR UNION DOES NOT HAVE RESOLVE.

AND I THINK THAT ON THE QUESTION HAVE YOU BECOME TOO COMBATIVE?

COVID HAS BEEN REALLY HARD AND TAKE A MINUTE AND THINK ABOUT THE SITUATION THAT WE HAVE BEFORE COVID.

SEPARATELY FOR A SECOND.

IT'S WORTH REMARKING.

WE HAD A BOARD OF EDUCATION THAT HAD REALLY DEVELOPED A UNILATERAL WAY, A WAY OF DEALING WITH TEACHERS AND PARENTS AND EVERYONE WHERE IT DIDN'T TAKE OUR OPINION SERIOUSLY.

DALEY, RAHM, LIGHTFOOT WHO WERE NOT INTERESTED IN NEGOTIATING IT WAS THEIR WAY OR THE HIGHWAY.

AND SO YEAH, THERE HAVE BEEN CONFLICTS FOR CONTRACTS.

LIKE I SAID, I THINK THE CONTRACTS HAVE SET A BAR AND MOVED RESOURCES INTO OUR SCHOOLS.

MAIDEN FORCIBLE TERMS TO IMPROVE SCHOOLS AND IF IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THE CHANGES TO SINK THROUGH TO THE OTHER PEOPLE, I DON'T APOLOGIZE FOR IT.

THERE WAS SOMETHING NECESSARY IF YOU WILL.

>> THE PANDEMIC IS NOT DIFFERENT.

THE LAST FIGHT IN THE PANDEMIC DID NOT MAKE SENSE AND IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE BECAUSE WE WERE ASKING FOR EIGHT DAYS OF REMOTE EDUCATION AND WE GOT FIVE DAYS WITH NO EDUCATION AT ALL.

AND YOU KNOW, THAT WAS A COMPROMISE THAT I WAS WILLING TO MAKE WE WERE WILLING TO MAKE.

>> IT WAS A TOUGH FIGHT ON BOTH SIDES.

THE LAST QUESTION, YESTERDAY WAS THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF KAREN LEWIS AND I KNOW YOU WORKED CLOSELY WITH HER FOR MANY YEARS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS HER LEGACY?

>> YOU KNOW, SHE HAS BEEN ON MY MIND A LOT.

OBVIOUSLY AS A PERSON, KAREN IS BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT COMMUNICATOR.

FUNNY, PROFOUND, GENUINE.

BUT AS A TRADE UNION SOMEONE WILLING WHO IS FEARLESS AND LIFT UP THE VOICE OF THE VOICELESS AND STOOD UP FOR BRACK CHICAGO AND AGAINST RACISM IN OUR SCHOOLS AND A VISION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

IT IF OUR COMMUNITY STAYS STRONG HER LEGACY WILL BE SURE INTO THE FUTURE.

>> YOU ARE HEADING BACK TO THE CLASSROOM, CORRECT?

>> YES, THAT MY PLAN.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO TEACHING.

I AM NOT LEAVING THE MOVEMENT BUT I WILL LEAVE OFFICE.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS AND MAJOR FINANCIAL LOSSES FOR A SOCIAL MEDIA GIANT.

>> WITH THE COMPANY THAT SEEMS TO DOMINATE SO MANY ASPECTS OF AMERICAN LIFE IT SUDDENLY IN TROUBLE.

META KNOWN AS FACEBOOK IS SEEN STAGNANT EARNINGS GROWTH AND THE STOCK TOOK A $230 BILLION TUMBLE.

WHY IS THE COMPANY STRUGGLING?

CAN MARK ZUCKERBERG TURN IT AROUND AS HE COAXES USERS INTO THE METAVERSE AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL MEDIA?

JOINING US ARE BEN ZHAO COMPUTER SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

AND JACOB FURST PROFESSOR OF THE SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AT DePAUL UNIVERSITY.

WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

BEN ZHAO RUNDOWN THE FACTORS LEADING TO THE BIG CONCERN AMONG SHAREHOLDERS AT META/FACEBOOK?

>> THERE IS A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES FACING META.

CHIEF AMONG THEM, THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE HAD [INAUDIBLE] USERS AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT GROW OVER TIME THAT IS A CONCERN.

THERE'S ALSO INCREASING EXPENDITURES SPENT TOWARDS BUILDING THE METAVERSE AND HIRING GONERS AND THE BIGGEST ONE IS THE CHALLENGE OF DEALING WITH THE INCREASING PRIVACY CONTROLS ON PLATFORMS LIKE APPLE WHICH ARE IN TURN LIMITING HOW MUCH ACCESS THE DATA THAT FACEBOOK HAS AND REALLY AFFECTING ITS ABILITY TO DATA MINE THOSE DATA ON USERS AND PROVIDE THEM TO ADVERTISER.

>> JACOB FURST ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS, THE DROP IN DALEY USERS BY 500,000 THAT IS STILL AROUND 2.3 BILLION USERS AROUND THE GLOBE HOW SERIOUS A PROBLEM IS THAT?

>> IT IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM.

THIS IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS FLOURISHED ON THIS WE MUST GROW PLATFORM AND TO HAVE REACHED SATURATION OF THE USER MARKET THERE NEEDS TO BE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WAY OF THINKING ABOUT WHAT FACEBOOK IS OFFERING.

BECAUSE THERE ARE ESSENTIALLY NO MORE USERS.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT GROWING.

>> AND BEN ZHAO YOU ELUDED TO APPLE ON THE iPHONES BASICALLY, ASK USERS TO OPT-IN TO ALLOWING FACEBOOK TO TRACK YOU AND THAT AS WE KNOW IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF Facebook's ADVERTISING APPARATUS.

HOW PAINFUL HAS THAT BEEN?

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE COMPANIES THAT REALLY HAVE AN ADVERTISING MODEL, THEIR LIFE'S BLOOD IS USER DATA.

AND FOR MANY YEARS USERS HAVE EITHER NOT REALLY BEEN CONCERNED WITH PRIVACY OR INCREASINGLY NOT HAVING THE TOOLS TO PUSHBACK WHEN THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PRIVACY.

I THINK WHAT APPLE IS DOING IS INTERESTING.

AND REALLY QUITE BRAVE IN A WAY TO MAKE PRIVACY A FEATURE ON THE PLATFORM AND IN TURN THAT IS HAVING A SIGNIFICANT I AM FACT.

WITHOUT DATA THERE IS NO DATA MINING.

AND NO MATTER HOW INTELLIGENT YOUR MACHINE LEARNING OR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE GETS CAN YOU ONLY MINE WHAT YOU HAVE.

AND SO YEAH, THAT IS A BIG CONCERN MOVING FORWARD AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THEY REACT.

>> AND FACEBOOK NOTED MOST CONSUMERS ON THE PHONES OPTED OUT OF BEING TRACKED BY FACEBOOK AND IT IS A HUGE HIT TO THEIR BOTTOM LINE.

JACOB FURST THERE'S TIKTOK WHICH MARK ZUCKERBERG HAS SPOKEN ABOUT HOW HE IS CONCERNED OVER THAT COMPANY.

WHY IS THAT COMPANY SUCH A THREAT?

>> BECAUSE IT'S HUGE AND HAS MORE USERS AND MORE ENGAGEMENT.

WHY IS THAT?

WHO KNOWS.

THE NEXT GENERATION REBELLING AGAINST THE PREVIOUS GENERATIONS TECHNOLOGY.

IS IT A SUPERIOR PLATFORM?

IT'S NOT CLEAR.

I THINK IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH Facebook's REACTION WHICH IS TO TRY AND COPY TIKTOK.

I THINK IT WON'T BE SUCCESSFUL.

BUT I'M NOT SURE PARIS THAT ANY OF US KNOW WHY ONE TECHNOLOGY TAKES OFF AND ANOTHER SEEMINGLY AS GOOD DOES NOT.

>> AND FACEBOOK OWNS INSTAGRAM AND INSTAGRAM STARTED REELS TO COPY WHAT TIKTOK DOES.

BEN ZHAO THERE'S ALSO THE METAVERSE.

HE SUNK BILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO BUILDING THIS METAVERSE, TAKING THE IF YOU BUILD IT PEOPLE WILL COME.

WILL PEOPLE GO NO THE METAVERSE?

>> YOU KNOW SOMETHING LIKE THE METAVERSE HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT BY BOOKS.

AND I THINK THE METAVERSE AND WHAT ZUCKERBERG IS PUSHING FOR IS A CONCRETE STEP IN THAT DIRECTION.

I WOULD NOT SAY IT IS A GIVEN THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO.

WHERE THERE'S AGO MEANTED REALITY OR VIRTUAL REALITY THEY ARE SOMETIMES COMMON MEANTRY AND OPPOSE VISIONED HOW VIRTUAL REALITY IS GOING TO AFFECT OUR LIVES.

MAYBE THEY BOTH SUCCEED.

MAYBE ONE DOMINATES.

TIME WILL TELL.

>> CERTAINLY A GAMBLE.

JACOB FURST FACEBOOK HAS BEEN NO STRANGER TO CONFLICT, POLITICAL CONTROVERSY BECAUSE OF MISINFORMATION AND FAILURE TO CRACKDOWN.

IT'S OVERCOME CHALLENGES BEFORE BUT IT'S LOST 33% OF ITS SHAREHOLDER VALUE OVER THE LAST WEEK.

IS THIS JUST A BLIP?

CAN THEY RECOVER?

OR DOES IT LOOK MORE PERMANENT TO YOU?

>> TO ME IT LOOKS MORE PERMANENT.

I'M NOT SO CONCERNED WITH THE LOSS AND SHAREHOLDER VALUE MORE SIGNIFICANTLY WE HAVE THE LOSS OF USERS, THE INFLUENCE OF TIKTOK, AND THE REACTION FROM FACEBOOK AS I SAID SEEMS TO BE OK LET'S SEE IF WE CAN COPY TIKTOK AND POUR MORE MONEY INTO THE METAVERSE.

AND I DON'T SEE THAT EITHER STRATEGY IS ULTIMATELY GOING TO SUCCEED IN TERMS OF Facebook's FUTURE.

COMPANIES COME AND GO.

AND THIS WELL MAY BE THE POINT AT WHICH FACEBOOK STARTS TO FADE.

>> BEN ZHAO, OTHER BIG TECH COMPANIES WHEN THEY REACH THIS POINT OF HAVING GROWING PAINS THEY HAD TO FORCE OUT FOUNDERS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK MARK ZUCKERBERG'S FUTURE IS AT THE COMPANY?

>> THAT IS VERY INTERESTING.

YOU KNOW, IT'S TRUE A LOT OF TECH COMPANIES SORT OF IN THE REBIRTH HAVE LEANED ON NEW PEOPLE TO BRING A NEW VISION.

ZUCKERBERG'S SHIFT TO THE METAVERSE IS INTERESTING.

BECAUSE AND PERHAPS HE HAS DONE IT IN TIME BECAUSE HE FORESAW THE SHIFT IN DATA AND PRIVACY COMING.

IF HE CAN MAKE IT, THEN I THINK META HAS A FUTURE.

BUT IT REALLY IS A BIG BET AND IT IS NOT CLEAR WHAT INTERNALLY FACEBOOK WILL DO.

SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S SHAKE UP ON THE BOARD AS OF RECENTLY.

SO YEAH, I SUSPECT THINGS ARE OF MONTHING OVER THERE.

>> AND JACOB FURST IT IS NOT EXACTLY IF FACEBOOK CAN GET BIGGER IT'S FACING ANTITRUST ISSUES.

WHAT ABOUT THOSE CHALLENGES?

>> I ACTUALLY DON'T THINK MUCH OF THOSE CHALLENGES.

A BIT OF HISTORY HERE, WHEN MICROSOFT WAS BEING FACED WITH ANTITRUST CHARGES AND I WILL SAY CYNICLY A REPUBLICAN WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT AND THE CHARGES DISAPPEARED.

I'M IN FAVOR OF THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SEEKING REDRESS FOR WHATEVER WRONGS FACEBOOK HAS DONE BUT I THINK THOSE ARE NOT WHAT IS KEEPING MARK ZUCKERBERG UP AT NIGHT.

>> THE THINGS THAT R A LOT OF INTERESTING THINGS.

THANKS TO BEN ZHAO AND JACOB FURST THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT THE SKY IS THE LIMIT OR RATHER THE ROOF FOR A TOWERING PLANT AT THE GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING DETAILS ON A CONTROVERSIAL CAR VENDING MACHINE COMING TO SKOKIE.

FIRST WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THE JOURNEY OF A UNIQUE AGAVE PLANT NAMED GUIEN AT THE GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY.

IT'S CLOSE TO REACHING THE ROOF AND IS NOW FLOWERING.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ STOPPED BY TO LEARN MORE.

>> IT'S NOT RARE TO SEE TALL PLANTS THE THE GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY BUT ONE THAT SPROUTS PAST THE EXPECTATION.

>> 8 TO 10 FEET AND IT KEPT GOING AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

>> RAY JORGENSON HAS BEEN THE CULTURIST AT THE CONSERVATORY FOR 22 YEARS AND NOURISHED ALL KINDS OF PLANTS AND SAYS GUIEN IS ONE OF A KIND.

>> I TAKE SOLIS IN THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE INTO IT BRINGING THURSDAY FAMILIES AND IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF A STAR, A HUGE SPIKE OF ASPARAGUS.

>> IT'S NATIVE TO A MOUNTAIN IN MEXICO.

NORMALLY THIS AGAVE IS EXPECTED TO GROW 4 TO 6 FEET TALL.

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO KEEP GUIEN GROWING INSIDE THE HOUSE?

>> I TRY PUT CLASSICAL MUSIC ON THAT IS THEIR PREFERENCE AND CHICAGO BLUES.

>> YOU PLAY MUSIC.

YOU THINK THAT HELPS PLANTS THE LOVE THAT YOU GIVE THEM?

>> I'M SURE IT DOESN'T HURT.

>> THIS IS GUIEN IN DECEMBER AND WITHIN THE COUPLE MONTHS IT SKYROCKETED >> IT QUICKLY STARTED TO OPEN UP AND EXPOSE ITSELF.

THE TIP IS LIKE FURRY.

I KNEW SOMETHING IS GOING ON.

>> IT IS A PLANE IT IS A PLANT!

IT'S GUIEN.

>> IT NOW STANDS AT 20 FEET AND SEVEN INCHES AND IS FLOWERING.

>> IT STARTED FLOWERING TWO WEEKS AGO.

AND IT'S GOTTEN UP THAT HIGH BUT IT WILL BE WEEKS AND MONTHS BEFORE IT GOES TO THE TIP.

>> THERE'S TONS OF WORK THAT GOES HYPE TAKING CARE OF GUIEN INCLUDING THE ROLE OF POLLINATOR.

>> AND YOU BRUSH IT ON THERE.

AND THEN IF THAT DOES WHAT HAPPENS IT GOES DOWN THE POLLEN TUBE AND DOWN INTO THE OVARY AND THE SEEDS ARE CREATED AT THE BASE AND HOPEFULLY HAVE A SEED CAPSULE.

>> THE LIFE CYCLE IS -- GUIEN IS BLOOMING TO ITS DEATH.

>> SHE IS GOING TO SHRIVEL LIKE PEOPLE IT WILL TAKE MONTHS IN THE WILD THIS WOULD BE STANDING UP FOR YEARS.

WE GET BLOWN OVER.

>> THERE'S TIME TO CHECK OUT THIS AGAVE AND DID I MENTION YOU CAN TASTE ITS NECTAR?

>> IT'S REALLY GOOD.

>> RAY JORGENSON HOPES GUIEN STOPS GROWING WHEN IT GETS TOO CLOSE TO THE GLASS.

>> THREE FEET TALLER THAN THE BEANS.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> WOW.

AND IT ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THE CONSERVATORY GREW A MASSIVE AGAVE.

IN 2019 AN AGAVE GREW UP TO 38 FEET.

STAFF AT THE CONSERVATORY HAD TO REMOVE A GLASS PANEL TO ALLOW IT TO RISE.

THEY HAVE A GREEN THUMB.

PARIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> A LOT OF POTENTIAL TEQUILA PRODUCTION.

AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" SKOKIE IS GETTING A CAR VENDING MACHINE AND WHY SOME ARE OBJECTING.

MASK MANDATES KEEP THEM OR TIME TO MOVE ON?

LOCAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WEIGH-IN.

AND COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX ON HER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, CRIME IN CHICAGO AND OVERTURNING WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> CHICAGO POLICE SAY THEY'VE ARRESTED THE LEADER OF AN ORGANIZED THEFT GROUP.

TACARREE HARPER HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH NINE BURGLARIES FROM INCIDENTS FROM NOVEMBER OF 2021 TOIAN.

HARPER WAS AN INTEGRAL PART OF A CREW THAT ALLEGEDLY STRUCK NUMEROUS TIMES INCLUDING TWICE AT THE BURBERRY STORE ON NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE.

KIM FOXX SAYS THE ARREST SHOWS HOW SHE BELIEVES EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY CAN BE.

>> A NUMBER OF THE OFFENSES IN WHICH THIS DEFENDANT HAS BEEN ACCUSED HAVE OCCURRED NOT JUST LAST WEEK BUT OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL MONTHS.

THERE IS A BELIEF THAT IF WE DON'T CATCH SOMEONE OR IF AN ARREST IS NOT MADE WITHIN THE FIRST 2 FOURS HOURS THAT THAT PERSON IS FREE AND CLEAR.

I HOPE THAT TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT SHOWS IS THAT THERE IS A RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF THOSE WHO ENGAGE IN THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR.

>> AND WE HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH KIM FOXX COMING UP LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

>> A JURY HEARING OPENS STATEMENTS IN ALDERPERSON PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON'S TAX FRAUD TRIAL.

THE 11TH WARD ALDERPERSON FACES TAX FRAUD CHARGES AND IS ACCUSED OF LYING TO FEDERAL BANK REGULATORS AND FILING FALSE TAX RETURNS.

THOMPSON PLEADED NOT GUILTY.

THE LAWYER SAID WHILE THE ALDERPERSON MAY BE SLOPPY WHEN IT COMES TO FILING TAX RETURNS AND BELIEVES THOMPSON IS NOT A CRIMINAL.

THE TRIAL IS EXPECTED TO END FEBRUARY 15TH AND MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> AMTRAK IS ADDING SUSTAINABLE TRAINS TO THE FLEET.

TWO OF THE COMPANY'S NEW TRAINS BEGAN FROM CHICAGO SEATTLE TODAY AMONG THE FIRST OF 75 SET TO BE DELIVERED BY 2024.

AMTRAK SAYS THE TRAINS ARE CLEANER, FASTER AND MORE FUEL EFFICIENT.

THE SERIES IS DESIGNED TORE TRAVELING LONGER TRIPS UP TO THOUSANDS OF MILES IN A SINGLE TRIP.

>> AMTRAK PUTS MORE MILES ON OUR LOCOMOTIVES EACH YEAR THAN OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE INDUSTRY.

AND WE EXPECT OUR FLEET TO BRING RELIABILITY IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE PUBLIC AND OUR CUSTOMERS JUST IMAGINE REPLACING A 30-YEAR-OLD CAR THAT YOU PUT 120,000 MILES ON EVERY YEAR.

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

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT'S OFFICIAL.

CARVANA WILL GET TO BUILD THE CAR VENDING MACHINE IN SKOKIE DESPITE OBJECTIONS BY RESIDENTS AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS.

PATTY WETLI HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY FROM THE BEGINNING AND JOINS US NOW WITH THE LATEST.

PATTY IN THE MEETING LAST NIGHT THE SKOKIE VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES VOTED 6-1 IN FAVOR OF THE CARVANA PROJECT.

REMIND US WHAT THIS PROJECT ENTAILS?

>> THE LOCATION IS RIGHT ACROSS FROM HARM'S WOOD IN SKOKIE.

THIS PARCEL OF LAND BETWEEN THE EXPRESSWAY AND NATURE PRESERVE.

IT'S VACANT LAND RIGHT NOW.

CARVANA WANTS TO BUILD THIS 14 STOREY, 135ISH FOOT TALL DISPLAY FOR THE USED CARS THAT THEY SELL.

THEIR WHOLE BUSINESS MODEL IS A USED CAR COMPANY WHERE YOU BUY YOUR CAR ON-LINE AND GO PICK IT UP AT THIS VENDING MACHINE OR HAVE IT DELIVERED TO YOU.

AND BOTH THE FOLKS WHO LIVE IN THIS LARGE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT RIGHT ADJACENT TO THE CARVANA PROPOSAL THEY ARE NOT KEEN ON HAVING THIS ILLUMINATED SOMEBODY CALL IT IS A BLUE GLOW STICK LIT UP 24/7.

AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE CONCERNED THIS TRANSPARENT CUBE OF GLASS IS JUST THOUSANDS OF BIRD STRIKES WAITING TO HAPPEN.

A LOT OF UNHAPPY PEOPLE.

>> AND TO THAT POINT SINCE THE BEGINNING SOME RESIDENTS AND PARTICULARLY ENVIRONMENTALISTS HAVE OPPOSED THIS PROJECT.

WHAT WERE THEIR CONCERNS AND WERE ANY OF THE CONCERNS ADDRESSED BEFORE THE VOTE LAST NIGHT?

>> THE BIGGEST CONCERN IS PEOPLE WILL SAY THERE'S SO MANY GLASS BUILDINGS AROUND CITY AND IN SKOKIE, THIS HUGE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IS GLASS WHY IS THAT NOT A PROBLEM AND CARVANA IS.

AND PEOPLE EXPLAIN IT'S THE TRANSPARENCY OF THE CARVANA'S DESIGN.

THEY WANT YOU TO BE ABLE TO SEE THREW AT ALL HOURS INTO THIS CUBE AND SEE THE CARS.

AND SO BIRDS LOOK AT THAT AND THINK THEY CAN FLY STRAIGHT THROUGH IT.

IT MAKES IT MORE DANGEROUS AND IT'S ACROSS FROM HARM'S WOOD ALONG A VERY IMPORTANT HABITAT THIS FLY AWAY THAT BIRDS USE WHEN THEY ARE MIGRATING MEANS THERE WILL BE MORE BIRDS IN AN AREA WHERE YOU HAVE THIS DANGEROUS BUILDING.

THAT WAS THE BIGGEST CONCERN.

>> AND SO FOLKS KNOW WE ARE LOOKING AT IMAGES OF ONE OF THE CARVANA VENDING MACHINES IN OAKBROOK.

PATTY WETLI THANK YOU FOR STAYING ON TOP OF THIS AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> SURE THING.

THANKS, BRANDIS.

>> YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

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

>> EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM WE DISCUSSED THE GROWING TENSIONS IN UKRAINE AND NOW WE'RE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVES BRAD SCHNEIDER, SEAN CASTEN AND ROBIN KELLY.

AGAIN WE INVITED ALL THE REPUBLICANS IN THE ILLINOIS' CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND NONE ACCEPTED OUR INVITATION.

BUT WE WELCOME ALL OF YOU BACK AGAIN.

CONGRESSMAN CASTEN YOU HAVE BEEN HEARING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE POSTAL SERVICE IN YOUR DISTRICT.

THE HOUSE VOTED TODAY ON MORE FUNDING FOR USPS WHAT ELSE IS BEING DONE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS WITH THE MAIL?

>> SO THE FUNDING IS CRITICAL WE'VE GONE THROUGH THERE IS A PROBLEM IN CREATED PROBLEM THAT WE FORCED THE POSTAL SERVICE TO PREFUND PENSIONS AND LIABILITIES CREATING AN AACTION LOSS THAT IS NOT A REAL LOSS.

WE VOTED ON THAT TODAY.

WHAT IS CRITICAL WE HAD 50% OF ALL THE CALLS ARE POSTAL DELAYS.

AND THERE'S DYNAMICS BUT MY BIG CONCERN WE STILL DO NOT HAVE A FULLY STAFFED BOARD.

WHEN THE POSTAL WORKERS ARE WORKING HARD AND THE COVID AND POLAR VORTEX THEY WERE SKIMMING MONEY ON MAINTENANCE AND A GOOD C.E.O.

WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY A BAD BOARD AND THE SENATE HAS TO MOVE TO APPOINT THE NOMINEES THAT BIDEN NOMINATED SO THEY HAVE A FUNCTIONING BOARD.

WE HAVE BEEN PUSHING THE LEADERSHIP IN THE SENATE TO DO IT AND IT HAS TO GET DONE YESTERDAY.

>> CONGRESSMAN SCHNEIDER YOU JUST FINISHED YOUR SECOND BOUT OF COVID WE'RE GLAD YOU ARE BETTER.

THIS COMES AS SOME GOVERNORS DECIDED TO LIFT THEIR STATE'S SCHOOL MASK MANDATE AND GOVERNOR PRITZKER IS GOING TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON THAT.

THERE IS CONFUSION AMONGST SCHOOLS, DO YOU BELIEVE THEY SHOULD LIFT THE MANDATES OR KEEP THEM IN PLACE?

>> WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THE SCIENCE AND WE'VE SEEN WITH THE OMICRON SURGE THERE WAS A SPIKE UP AND IT'S COMING DOWN.

IT IS NOT YET OVER.

I GOT COVID LAST WEEK AND JUST NEAR THE TAIL-END OF MY ISOLATION.

BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE.

THANKFULLY THE VACCINE KEPT ME HEALTHY A MILD CASE AND PEOPLE AROUND ME FROM GETTING SO SICK.

BUT WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MOVE FORWARD AND GET TO A NEW NORMAL IF YOU WILL THAT ALLOWS OUR KIDS TO GO TO SCHOOL AND PEOPLE TO GO TO WORK AND MOVE FORWARD AND NOT LET COVID TAKEOVER.

>> DOES THAT NEW NORMAL MEAN NO MORE MASKS?

>> IT DEPENDS ON TIME.

WE DEPENDING ON THE TIME.

I'M HOPING THAT THE OMICRON SURGE COMES TO AN END THAT WE CAN GET BACK TO WHERE WE WERE IN THE FALL PREDELTA THAT LIFE IS PRETTY MUCH AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BACK TO NORMAL.

>> AND CONGRESSWOMAN KELLY THE COURT RULE SOMETHING CAUSING CONFUSION SOME SCHOOLS DOING AWAY WITH THE MASK MANDATE AND SOME SCHOOLS KEEPING THEM AROUND.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD HAPPEN IN SCHOOLS IN ILLINOIS?

>> WELL, ME PERSONALLY I STILL THINK OUR YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE TO WEAR MASKS AND WE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE VACCINATED AND BOOSTERRED.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD GIVE UP ON THAT AND FOR NOW AT LEAST, LET'S JUST BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS AND EVEN IF WE SAY UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF MARCH OR THE FIRST OF APRIL, SOMETHING LIKE THAT DEPENDING ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

BUT I STILL THINK WE SHOULD HAVE TO WEAR MASKS.

WE DO IN CONGRESS.

>> RIGHT.

AND WE'LL AWAIT FROM GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S TIMELINE IS THAT ON HE HINTED AAT AN ANNOUNCEMENT.

IS THE U.S. READY FOR A VARIANT SHOULD ONE ARISE?

>> I MEAN WE PASSED 900,000 DEATHS.

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE WE GOT TO THIS POINT AS IT IS.

I THINK EVERYBODY IS EXHAUSTED BUT AS MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, WE CAN'T POLITICIZE THE SCIENCE.

WHAT IS UNFORTUNATE ABOUT THE DECISION IN ILLINOIS IT'S PUT THE BURDEN BACK ON THE SCHOOLS.

YOU HAVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS NOW WHERE SOME ARE DOING ONE THING AND SOME ARE DOING THE OTHER.

AND WHENEVER YOU STAND WHY IS MY DISTRICT DOING THIS AND THE OTHER DISTRICT IS DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

I APPRECIATE THAT PRITZKER TOOK THAT PRESSURE AWAY.

SO I GOT COVID AS WELL.

HAD A MILD CASE THANKFULLY I'M VACCINATED AND BOOSTERRED AND QUARANTINED THAT IT IS NOT LOST ON ME WE WERE LOSING A 9/11 WORTH OF AMERICANS OF DAY IN A HIGHLY VACCINATED COUNTRY WHICH SUGGESTS THOSE OF US THAT CAN TRANSMIT THE DISEASE EVEN IF WE ARE FINE WE DON'T WANT TO KILL PEOPLE, RIGHT?

WE HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING THE SCIENCE FORWARD AND DO THE RIGHT THING IF WE'VE DONE THAT WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS.

WE HAVE TO HAVE HIS QUESTION WHAT HAPPENS IF WE HAVE ANOTHER VARIANT.

>> A STAGGERING DEATH TOLL APPROACHING ONE MILLION.

CONGRESSWOMAN KELLY BUILD BACK BETTER IS DOA IN THE SENATE BECAUSE OF MANCHIN AND SINEMA ARE THERE ANY PIECES OF THAT PIECE THAT COULD GET ANY SUPPORT BOTH IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE?

>> WELL IT'S CLEAR WE HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AND I KNOW THERE'S CONVERSATIONS THAT THE ARE STILL GOING ON.

MY STAFF IS STILL COMMUNICATING WITH SENATE STAFF AND ORGANIZATIONS.

I HAVE A BILL IN THERE THAT DEALS WITH MEDICAID AND WE'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT IT.

I DO THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PARS PIECES OUT I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO GO OBVIOUSLY IT DIDN'T GO AND WE HAVE TO PARS CERTAIN PIECES OUT.

ONE AT A TIME TO SEE WHAT WE CAN GET PASSED AND HOPEFULLY SOME OF THE MEDICAID PARTS OF THE BILL WILL BE ONE OF THE PARTS THAT DOES GET PASSED.

BUT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS THAT ARE NEEDED AND IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ON TOP OF ALL THE GOOD WE'VE DONE THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN AND THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

>> AND DESPITE THE POLARIZATION IN CONGRESS THERE ARE PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT DO GET BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

THE HOUSE PASSED THE AMERICA COMPETES ACT AND THIS DEALS WITH TECHNOLOGY AND MANUFACTURING.

WHAT DOES THIS BILL DO AND DOES THIS HAVE A CHANCE AT PASSAGE IN THE SENATE?

>> I THINK IT DOES.

THE SENATE PASSED A VERSION OF THAT.

THIS INVESTS IN OUR KIDS AND IN THEIR FUTURE MAKING SURE WE ARE BUILDING THE CAPACITY TO COMPETE WITH CHINA AND ANY OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE FUTURE.

IT WORKS TO ADDRESS SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES WITH RESPECT TO MICROCHIPS AND SEEING IN INDUSTRIES AS MUCH AS STOCKPILES OF ONLY FIVE DAYS OF SUPPLY.

THIS WOULD BRING SOME OF THAT MANUFACTURING BACK TO THE UNITED STATES SO WE'RE INNOVATING AND DESIGNING THE CHIPS HERE AND ALSO MANUFACTURING AND FABRICATING HERE IN THE UNITED STATES TO GIVE US THE EXEFT ACTIVE EDGE AND SLEF IN OUR ABILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE UNITED STATES IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES GOING FORWARD AND NOT CEDING OUR LEADERSHIP TO COUNTRIES LIKE CHINA.

>> OUR THANKS TO REPRESENTATIVES BRAD SCHNEIDER, SEAN CASTEN AND ROBIN KELLY.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX ON CRIME IN CHICAGO.

BUT FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> ANOTHER 15 CONVICTIONS LINKED TO DISGRACED CHICAGO POLICE CHARGE RONALD WATTS WERE TOSSED OUT TODAY.

HE WAS ACCUSED OF PLANTING EVIDENCE AND FABRICATING CHARGES.

SO FAR THE COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DISMISSED 150 CONVICTIONS TIED TO WATTS SINCE 2016 WITH MORE ON TRACK TO BE VACATED IN THE COMING WEEKS.

STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX JOINED US ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES" AND ASKED HER WHY HER OFFICE MADE THE CASES A PRIORITY?

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THE COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY CRIME AND VIOLENCE MANY OF THEM HAVE A VERY LOW THRESHOLD OF TRUST WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

LARGELY BECAUSE OF ACTS LIKE THIS.

AND SO PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO PARTICIPATE DON'T WANT TO HELP US BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THE SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THE ACTIONS BY CORRUPT OFFICERS LIKE WATTS IS NOT FAIR.

SO IN ORDER TO REBUILD THAT TRUST WE HAVE TO ADMIT WHEN WE'VE MADE MISTAKES, RIGHT THOSE WRONGS.

SO THAT WE CAN SHOW WE ARE PARTNERS IN THIS WORK THAT NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

AND THAT EVEN THOSE CONVICTIONS THAT GO BACK 20 YEARS THAT WERE WRONGFULLY GAINED WILL BE RIGHTED.

>> ONCE THOSE 34 CASES ARE DISMISSED WHAT IS NEXT?

ARE THERE MORE TO BE CONSIDERED?

>> THERE IS AN ONGOING REVIEW THE WAY THE PROCESS HAS WORKED IS PROJECT WILL BRING US CASES WE WILL DO AN INDIVIDUAL REVIEW OF THOSE CASES.

IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS MORE CASES COMING.

THIS IS THE LATEST BATCH THAT WE HAVE.

BUT I ANTICIPATE WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THESE CASES FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> IS IT POSSIBLE ANY OF THE OFFICERS ARE WORKING FOR THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT THERE WILL BE CHARGES FOR THEM?

>> CERTAINLY AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS WHEN THE ACTIONS HAPPENED.

MANY CASES HAPPENED MORE THAN A DECADE OR SO.

AND THEREFORE OUR ABILITY TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE IS LIMITED.

WHAT WE CAN DO IS SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO CALL THEM AS POLICE OFFICERS IN CASES IN THAT WE HAVE PENDING BECAUSE THEIR CREDIBILITY HAS BEEN DAMAGED.

>> SO SWITCHING OVER TO THE ISSUE OF CRIME SPECIFICALLY IN CHICAGO THERE WERE 182 SHOOTING AND 41 HOMICIDES LAST MONTH.

WE KNOW WE ENDED 2021 WITH 800 HOMICIDES THE HIGHEST TOTAL SINCE THE 1990s.

THERE'S BEEN CRITICISM FOR YOUR OFFICE NOT BEING TOUGH ENOUGH ON CRIME AND THAT IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ESCALATION.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THOSE CRITICISMS?

>> I REMIND FOLKS THAT OUR OFFICE GETS INVOLVED ONCE AN ARREST IS MADE AND SOMEONE IS PRESENTED TO US FOR PROSECUTION.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN PEOPLE ARE BEING ARRESTED THEY ARE BROUGHT TO US FOR CHARGES.

AND WE HAVE BROUGHT CHARGES WHERE APPROPRIATE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I'M MOST PROUD OF WE PUT EVERY BIT OF DATA THAT WE DO ON OUR WEBSITE SO THAT YOU CAN SEE WHAT OUR APPROVAL RATE IS FOR CASES THAT ARE BROUGHT TO US.

FOR EXAMPLE, FOR A CARJACKINGS WHICH I KNOW MANY OF US ARE RIGHTFULLY AFRAID OF, WE HAVE AN APPROVAL RATE OF CHARGES OF OVER 90%.

WHEN WE LOOK AT SHOOTINGS THAT ARE BROUGHT TO US WEI ZHANG CAN TRACK OUR APPROVAL RATING.

WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN IT'S ALL HANDS ON DECK.

WE HAVE TO BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE WORK WE'RE DOING AND THIS IS A MATTER OF MAKING SURE WE'RE PUTTING OUR RESOURCES WHERE MOST APPROPRIATE AND THE PEOPLE OF COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEYS OFFICE ARE DOING THAT.

>> THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSION AMONG LEADERSHIP ABOUT LETTING PEOPLE ACCUSED OF VIOLENT CRIMES RELEASING THEM FROM PRISON ON ELECTRONIC MONITORING.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ASKED JUDGE EVANS AND THE COURTS TO PUT A MORATORIUM ON THAT AND THE CHIEF JUDGE REJECTED THAT IDEA.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THAT DEBATE?

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ANYBODY RELEASED PRETRIAL THEY HAVE A PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE BUT THEY ARE A THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

OUT ON BOND WITH NO CONDITIONS OR ELECTRONIC MONITORING WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MONITORING THAT.

I DO THINK THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OUT ON BOND OR ON SOME OTHER CONDITION WHO ARE NOT PICKING UP NEW OFFENSES WHO ARE NOT CAUSING HARM TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND SO I DON'T WANT US TO DISTORT THOSE INCIDENTS WHEN THEY OCCUR THAT THEY ACCOUNT FOR THE WHOLE.

WE HAVE TO BE TRANSPARENT WE HAVE TO HAVE DATA THAT IS ACCURATE IF THERE ARE TWEAKS WE NEED TO MAKE WE CAN MAKE THEM AND PART OF THIS DEBATE A LOT HAS BEEN RIDDLED WITH INFORMATION THAT IS HAS NOT BEEN ACCURATE.

>> YOU, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND POLICE SUPERINTENDENT BROWN YOU MADE A RARE APPEARANCE TOGETHER AT A NEWS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING THE CHARGES IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF EIGHT-YEAR-OLD MELISSA ORTEGA WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO APPEAR TOGETHER AND UNITED ON THAT CASE?

>> IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE WE SERVE TO KNOW WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER BEHIND THE SCENES AND FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE ABLE TO SEE T IT'S ALL HANDS ON DECK.

WE ALL RECOGNIZE AND HAVE THE SAME MISSION THAT IF PEOPLE DO NOT FEEL SAFE COMING OUT OF THEIR HOMES WE ALL SUFFER FOR THAT.

I THINK THERE IS A REAL INTENTIONALITY AMONG ALL OF US TO SHOW THAT DISPLAY OF COMMUNITY.

WE MAY NOT ALWAYS AGREE BUT WE ALL HAVE A COMMON PURPOSE WHICH IS TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

AND I BELIEVE WE OWE IT TO PUBLIC TO SHOW AND GIVE THEM CONFIDENCE THAT WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER.

>> HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOUR OFFICE AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE CURRENTLY AND THE C.P.D.?

>> WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER IN EARNEST.

WE HAVE NOW HAVING REGULAR MEETINGS REGULAR CADENCE OF MEETING, EXCHANGING IDEAS AND COLLABORATING ON TRAINING AND BUILDING THE STRONGEST CASES POSSIBLE.

WHEN THERE ARE ISSUES THAT ARISE THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE MAYOR DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH PICKING UP THE PHONE AND GIVING ME A CALL.

WE HAVE A VERY HEALTHY WORKING RELATIONSHIP GUIDED BY THE MUTUAL AGREEMENT THAT THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THE PEOPLE OF CHICAGO IS PARAMOUNT.

>> OVER THE SUMMER YOUR OFFICE WAS DEALING WITH WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A WHOPPING BACKLOG OF CASES.

WHERE ARE YOU NOW AND OBVIOUSLY DUE TO THE PANDEMIC WHERE ARE YOU NOW AS FAR AS CATCHING UP ON THOSE?

>> I'M PROUD OF THE LAWYERS AND ADMINISTRATORS IN MY OFFICE WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THIS PANDEMIC.

AS THE COURTS WERE SLOWING DOWN IT DIDN'T MEAN OUR ASSISTANTS WEREN'T WORKING HARD AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CHIP AWAY AT THE BACKLOG.

WE HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO.

BUT THE NUMBERS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO RESOLVE CASES THE NUMBER OF CASES WE WERE ABLE TO RESOLVE AND THE CONVICTIONS WE WERE ABLE TO GATHER, MIRRORED WHERE WE WERE IN 2019 BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AND AGAIN, I CANNOT SPEAK HIGHLY ENOUGH OF THE STAFF AT THE COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AS WELL AS THE CHIEF JUDGE'S OFFICE, THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE FOR COMING TOGETHER TO INSURE THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE CONTINUE TO TURN.

>> AND LATE LAST YEAR YOU BROUGHT IN A NUMBER OF NEW ASSISTANT STATE'S ATTORNEYS IS THAT CONTRIBUTING TO THE WORKLOAD TO HELPING ELIMINATE THAT WORKLOAD?

>> YES, IT IS CERTAINLY CONTRIBUTING.

BUT OUR OFFICE IS SUFFERING MUCH LIKE MOST OF THE WORKFORCE WITH THE GREAT RESIGNATION.

SO WHILE I'M PLEASED THAT WE WERE ABLE TO BRING IN 112 NEW ATTORNEYS DURING THE COURSE OF LAST YEAR, WE ALSO LOST JUST AS MANY.

THIS PANDEMIC HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARILY HARD FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DO THIS WORK.

UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF WORKING FROM HOME WITH CHILDREN, WITH LOSS, WITH ILLNESS.

IT'S BEEN INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT.

WHICH IS WHY THE YEOMEN'S WORK THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO WITH THE CHALLENGES WITHOUT BEING FULLY STAFFED TO GET THE OUTPUT THEY HAVE DONE HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE.

>> BEST OF LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR STAFF STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

STAY CONNECTED WITH US 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 GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. CONFUSION AND FRUSTRATION OVER MASKING IN SCHOOLS FOLLOWING A COURT RULING OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WEIGHS IN ON THAT AND MUCH MORE.

>> AFTER YEARS OF DISINVESTMENT CHICAGO'S WEST SIDE IS GETTING TWO NEW GROCERY STORES.

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

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

[♪♪♪]