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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> FEBRUARY 28TH WE WILL LIFT THE INDOOR MASK REQUIREMENT.

>> AS COVID CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS DROP, THE GOVERNOR LIFTS THE STATE'S INDOOR MASK MANDATE BUT SCHOOLS ARE STILL IN QUESTION.

>> WE CAN STOP THIS INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN CARJACKINGS.

>> THE MAYOR BLAMES REMOTE LEARNING FOR THE RISE IN CARJACKINGS.

SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WEIGHS IN ON THAT AND MORE.

>> EFFORTS TO BAN CERTAIN BOOKS ARE SPREADING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE LOOK AT THE BOOK BANNING MOVEMENT.

>> IT MIGHT BE THE MOST POLARIZING IN CHICAGO.

DIBS.

RESIDENTS ARE CLAIMING SHOVELED OUT PARKING SPOTS.

>> IT'S SO MUCH BIGGER THAN FOOD.

>> TWO GROCERY STORES ARE PREPARING TO OPEN ON THE WEST SIDE.

>> WE INTRODUCE YOU TO A LOCAL ARTIST WHO COMBS THE SHORES OF LAKE MICHIGAN IN SEARCH OF ARTISTIC INSPIRATION.

>> MEXICO'S HISTORY AND CULTURE REFLECTED IN DANCE PERFORMANCES THIS WEEKEND.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER ANNOUNCED ILLINOIS' MASK MANDATE WILL SOON BE LIFTED.

>> WE ARE NOW SEEING THE FASTEST RATE OF DECLINE IN OUR COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATION MET TRIPPINGS SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

IF THESE TRENDS CONTINUE, AND WE EXPECT THEM TO, THEN ON MONDAY FEBRUARY 28TH, WE WILL LIFT THE INDOOR MASK REQUIREMENT FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

>> PRITZKER SAYS THE MASK MANDATE FOR SCHOOLS CURRENTLY BEING CHALLENGED IN COURT WILL REMAIN IN PLACE FOR THE TIME BEING.

THE STATE-WIDE MASK MANDATE HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE AUGUST 30TH FOLLOWING A SURGE IN COVID CASES DUE THE DELTA VARIANT.

AND WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

>> A 26-YEAR-OLD WOMAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR VANDALIZING A MEMORIAL TO A SLAIN CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ARRESTED ANNA FOR VANDALIZING THE ELLA FRENCH MEMORIAL AT THE THOMPSON CENTER IT FEATURES A FOR OF OFFICER FRENCH TORN DOWN AND THROWN IN THE CRASH.

SHE WAS KILLED IN ENGLEWOOD IN AUGUST.

TWO BROTHERS HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN REACTION TO THE -- RELATION TO THE SHOOTING AND ARE EXPECTED IN COURT IN MARCH.

>> BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS IN CHICAGO ARE CALLING OUT THE NFL FOR FAILING TO DO BUSINESS WITH THEM.

PASTOR ANTHONY WILLIAMS JOINED BY LA CASA NORTE DECLINED THE -- LA SHAWN FORD IS CALLING ON THE ORGANIZATION TO DO BETTER.

>> THE NFL DOES NOT DO BUSINESS WITH BLACK BUSINESSES.

THE NFL ONLY DOES A HALF OF A PERCENT OF BUSINESS IN AMERICA WITH BLACK BUSINESSES.

32 TEAMS, AND BLACK VENDORS CANNOT SELL POPCORN IN THE NFL.

>> MEANWHILE, NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL IS ADDRESSING ALLEGATIONS OF RACISM IN THE HIRING PROCESSES.

BRIAN FLORES IS SUING THE LEAGUE AND THREE TEAMS FOR DISCRIMINATORY HIRING PRACTICES THAT LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF THE SUPER BOWL, GOODELL SAYS THE RECORD ON HIRING BLACK HEAD COACHES HAS FALLEN SHORT.

>> I THINK WE'VE MADE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT AND A LOT OF PROGRESS IN A LOT OF AREAS BUT NOT AT THE HEAD COACH AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE REALLY ARE FOCUSED ON TO TRY TO GET THE RESULTS WE WOULD EXPECT AND WE FELL SHORT OF THAT BY A LONGSHOT.

RACISM OR ANY FORM OF DISCRIMINATION IS AGAINST OUR VALUES.

AND SOMETHING THAT WE WILL NOT TOLERATE.

>> UP NEXT MORE ON THE STATE'S SOON TO BE LIFTED MASK MANDATE.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AS YOU HEARD THE STATE MASK MANDATE IS ON ITS WAY OUT BUT NOT QUITE YET AND NOT FOR EVERYONE.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER TODAY ANNOUNCED THE INDOOR MASK MANDATE FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WILL LIFT ON FEBRUARY 28TH IF CURRENT COVID TRENDS KEEP UP.

BUT HE SAYS SCHOOLS WILL HAVE TO WAIT LONGER AS A RECENT COURT RULING OVERTURNING THE MANDATE CAUSED CONFUSION AT DISTRICTS STATE-WIDE.

IS THIS THE RIGHT TIME TO UNMASK?

JOINING US ARE Dr. JESICA HERRICK AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE IN AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO.

AND Dr. ROBERY MURPHY FEINBERG SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU HERE TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

Dr. HERRICK YOUR REACTION TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY?

>> I THINK A LOT OF US HAVE CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM.

I -- WE THINK THAT NUMBERS HAVE BEEN FALLING AND THINGS ARE LOOKING BETTER.

AND SO IF THINGS KEEP GOING THE WAY THEY'VE BEEN GOING I'M CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC.

WHAT I WANT PEOPLE TO KEEP IN MIND IF THE NUMBERS START GOING BACK UP WE WILL HAVE TO RECONSIDER THIS DECISION.

>> AND Dr. MURPHY, GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S PREDICATING THE DECISION ON PROJECTIONS WHAT HOSPITALS WILL BE ON FEBRUARY 28.

IS THAT THE RIGHT DATE?

>> FEBRUARY 28 IS A GUESS.

IF YOU LOOK AT IT TODAY THERE'S 20 TIMES MORE NEW INFECTIONS THAN THERE WERE IN JULY 2021.

SO WE'RE COMING DOWN.

IT'S STEEP DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES.

BUT WE WERE UP SO HIGH THAT WHERE WE ARE TODAY IS STILL REALLY BAD.

THERE'S 111,000 PEOPLE HOSPITALIZED IN THE UNITED STATES RIGHT NOW AND 2500 DYING PER DAY.

THIS IS LIKE NOT IN CONTROL YET.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT FEBRUARY 28.

WE'LL FIND OUT WHEN WE GET THERE IT'S THREE WEEKS AWAY.

>> AND Dr. HERRICK IT WOULD BE UP TO CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES TO DO WHAT THEY WILL WITH THEIR MASK ORDINANCES CHICAGO OFFICIALS THEY WOULD BE READY TO LIFT THE MASK MANDATE AROUND THEN, TOO.

SHOULD CHICAGO FOLLOW SUIT?

>> I THINK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION RIGHT NOW.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW WHERE THINGS GO.

AGAIN, IF THE NUMBERS KEEP GOING DOWN, THEN MAYBE IT WILL BE TIME FOR CHICAGO TO LIFT THE MASK MANDATE AS WELL.

THE BEST THING THAT PEOPLE CAN DO TO TRY AND MAKE THAT HAPPEN IS TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY GETS THEIR VACCINE.

>> AND Dr. MURPHY YOU MENTIONED SO MUCH IS UNKNOWN OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

LET'S LOOK AT HOSPITALIZATIONS THEY WERE AT 2266 WHEN ILLINOIS REIMPOSED THE MAN DATE IN AUGUST NOW AT 2496.

SO THEY ARE NOT BELOW THAT PREMASK LEVEL YET.

HOW MUCH DO YOU EXPECT THIS TO DIP BY FEBRUARY 28TH?

>> WELL, THE PROBLEM WITH LOOKING AT JUST THE HOSPITALIZATION RATE IS IT LAGS TWO WEEKS BEHIND THE INFECTION RATE BECAUSE ONCE YOU GET INFECTED IT TAKES ABOUT A WEEK TO GET SICK AND THEN ABOUT A WEEK TO GET REALLY SICK FOR THOSE WHO END UP IN THE HOSPITAL.

LOOKING AT THE HOSPITALIZATION RATE IS A LITTLE BIT LATE.

BUT I AGREE, THOUGH, THE ONLY THING THAT IS GOING TO CONTROL THIS IS BE VACCINATED AND BE BOOSTED.

>> THE GOVERNOR IS CITING PROJECTIONS FROM THE EPIDEMIOLOGIST SHOWING THE HOSPITAL RATES ARE DECLINING AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO FINGERS CROSSED.

HOWEVER THE LIFTING OF THE MASK MANDATE WILL NOT APPLY TO SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> THE EQUATION FOR SCHOOLS JUST LOOKS DIFFERENT RIGHT NOW THAN IT DOES FOR THE GENERAL POPULATION.

SCHOOLS NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME.

FOR COMMUNITY INFECTION RATES TO DROP FOR OUR YOUNGEST LEARNER'S TO BECOME VACCINE ELIGIBLE AND FOR MORE PARENTS TO GET THEIR KIDS VACCINATED.

>> Dr. HERRICK, THE RIGHT CALL TO KEEP THE MASK MAP DATE IN SCHOOLS AND HOW MUCH MORE TIME DO YOU BELIEVE SCHOOLS NEED?

>> I THINK TO KEEP IN MIND AS WE LIFT THE MASK MANDATE IN PLACES AROUND THE STATE PEOPLE CAN MAKE PERSONAL CHOICES ABOUT WHETHER THEY WANT TO GO TO DIN ITER OR A MOVIE.

SCHOOLS ARE DIFFERENT.

THAT IS NOT A PERSONAL CHOICE.

EVERYBODY GETS EDUCATED IN OUR PUBLIC SYSTEM FOR THE MOST PART.

AND THE OTHER THING IS A LOT OF SCHOOLS HAVE MAY HAVE PRESCHOOLS SO THEY MAY HAVE CHILDREN WHO AREN'T OF THE AGE THAT THEY CAN GET VACCINATED.

SCHOOLS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT.

AND FOR NOW, I DO AGREE THAT I THINK IT'S REASONABLE TO KEEP THE MASK MANDATE GOING THERE.

>> AND Dr. MURPHY I ASSUME YOU AGREE WITH THAT DESPITE THE CONFUSION BECAUSE OF LAST WEEK'S COURT RULING?

>> WE HAVE A CENTRAL STATE JUDGE MAKING HEALTH DECISIONS WHICH IS NOTHING SHORT OF RIDICULOUS.

BUT THE THING WITH THE SCHOOLS, ANOTHER REASON WHY WE'VE GOT TO KEEP THE MASKS IN THERE IS THAT THE KIDS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINATION HAVE THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATES.

ESPECIALLY THE 5-11.

IT IS A VERY POOR UPTAKE IN THE VACCINES THERE.

EVEN IN THE KIDS 12 AND OLDER, THE HUP TAKE IS VERY LOW.

PUT THAT INTO PLACE WITH EVERYTHING AND IT JUST MAKES THE MATTER EVEN WORSE.

>> DISTRICTS HAVE TO BOOST THE VACCINATION RATES.

Dr. HERRICK YOU MENTIONED CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM WHERE THE STATE IS AT AND WHERE THE STATE IS GOING.

ANY CONCERN ON YOUR PART ABOUT OTHER VARIANTS OR THE QUOTE UP QUOTE STEALTH OMICRON?

>> I THINK THE -- OBVIOUSLY THOSE ARE CONCERNS FOR US.

I THINK THE THING TO DO IS THAT AND THIS IS WHERE MANY OF US IN OUR FIELD ARE VERY FRUSTRATED THAT THE WAY TO PREVENT THOSE AND THE NEXT WAVE THE NEXT OMICRON IS TO HAVE EVERYBODY GET VACCINATED.

AND OUR VACCINATION RATES ARE GREAT.

Dr. PRITZKER MENTIONED WE HAVE THE BEST IN THE MIDWEST BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF ROOM TO GO.

>> Dr. MURPHY DOES THAT MEAN THINGS LIKE THE INDOOR VACCINATION MANDATES SHOULD STAY IN PLACE IN CHICAGO EVEN WHEN THE MASK MANDATE LIFTS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AT THIS POINT.

OTHERWISE WE ARE GOING TO LOOKING FOR THE NEXT VARIANT TO COME.

THE STEALTH VARIANT IT'S 50% EASIER TO TRANSMIT THAN OMICRON.

WHICH WAS 300-600% EASIER TO TRANSMIT THAN DELTA.

IT IS SO INFECTIOUS RIGHT NOW.

>> Dr. HERRICK THERE IS A LOT OF SENTIMENT FROM KIDS AND PARENTS FROM GENERAL RESIDENTS THAT THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE OVER COVID AND SICK OF IT.

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO THEM?

>> YOU JUST CAN'T GIVE UP IN THE LAST HALF MILE OF THE MARATHON YOU ARE RUNNING THAT IS MY MESSAGE TO THEM.

WE'RE NOT THERE YET.

AND IF WE KEEP DOING ALL THE RIGHT THINGS WE WILL GET THERE BUT THE VIRUS DOESN'T CARE IF WE FEEL WE'RE QUOTE OVER IT.

IT IS STILL RAGING OUT THERE.

>> Dr. MURPHY, IS THERE ANY DATA SHOWING CONCERN ABOUT OTHER VARIANTS POPPING UP IN ANY OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD?

>> LOOK AT OMICRON WAS IDENTIFIED IN AFRICA NOVEMBER 11TH, 2021.

IT'S NOT BEEN AROUND FOR LONG AND IT'S TAKEN OVER THE WORLD.

THE BA.2 VARIANT THE STEALTH OMICRON IS ONLY A COUPLE WEEKS OLD AND UP TO 20% IN SOMEPLACES.

IT'S GOING TO TAKEOVER, ALSO.

THE VIRUS DOESN'T CARE.

THE VIRUS IS NOT DONE WITH US.

>> EXACTLY.

>> DOES THAT MEAN THAT FOLKS THAT MIGHT HAVE HAD COVID ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THE STEALTH OMICRON VARIANT?

>> WELL, THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOT HAD COVID OR THE VACCINE ARE VERY MUCH AT RISK.

IF YOU GET OMICRON WHETHER THE BA1 OR 2, THE STEALTH OR THE REGULAR YOU ARE PROBABLY PROTECTED FOR AT LEAST THREE MONTHS.

BUT AFTER THAT, IT'S FAIR GAME.

IF IF YOU'VE HAD THE VACCINE AND ALSO GOT OMICRON YOU ARE A HYBRID PATIENT AND PROBABLY HAVE GOOD IMMUNITY.

>> A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY AND OPTIMISM FROM THE GOVERNOR TODAY AND CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM FROM POT OF YOU.

OUR THANKS TO Dr. JESICA HERRICK DRN ROBERY MURPHY.

>> THE AND WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE ON THE LIFTED MASK MANDATE IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> FIRST, BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AFTER DECADES OF DISINVESTMENT TWO NEW GROCERY STORES ARE BEING BUILT ON CHICAGO'S WEST SIDE SOMETHING RESIDENTS LONG AWAITED AS OTHER CHAINS CLOSED UP SHOP.

WE SPOKE WITH TWO LOCAL OWNERS ABOUT THE INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY AND WHAT LIES AHEAD ON THE ROAD TO DEVELOPMENT.

>> THIS IS GOING TO BE A FULL, GUT REHAB.

>> FOUR YEARS AGO, LIZ ABUNAW STARTED HOSTING POP-UP MARKETS IN AUSTIN.

A WEST SIDE COMMUNITY AREA WITH FEW FRESH FOOD OPTIONS THE STORE NAMED FORTY ACRES FRESH MARKET DELIVERS FRESH PRODUCE ACROSS THE CHICAGO AREA BUT THE DREAM WAS TO OPEN A BRICK AND MORTAR STORE U WHEN THE SPACE CAME ON THE MARKET, I WENT TO AND SAID IT NEEDS WORK BUT IT HAS A PARKING LOT, IT IS A CORNER PROPERTY.

PRETTY CLOSE TO OAK PARK SO THAT WILL BE IN THE CATCH.

AREA TO GET A DIVERSE CUSTOMER BASE.

I THINK THIS COULD BE THE SITE FOR FORTY ACRES FRESH MARKET.

DO YOU WANT TO CODEVELOP IT WITH ME.

>> TRACY SMITH HAS BEEN WITH FORTY ACRES FRESH MARKET SINCE THE BEGINNING.

>> I'VE BEEN A PARTNER LIKE THIS.

I DO EVERYTHING FOR FINDING THE FIRST VAN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THEY WANTED THE STORE.

EVERY TIME WE GO TO THE STORE, GOD WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO HOPE.

SOON, SOON.

>> WITH A SIMILAR VISION IN MIND, ALBERT PERSON IS MAKING TO LOOK FOR FRESH FOOD MORE ACCESSIBLE IN NORTH LAWNDALE.

>> I'VE SEEN THE DISADVANTAGE OF THE WEST SIDE.

GROWING UP I'VE HAD AN ASPIRATION WANTING TO DO MORE SO IT WAS A STRUGGLE.

>> PERSON SAYS HIS STORE WILL BE THE FIRST BLACK-OWNED AND OPERATED MARKET OFFERING A LINE OF FRESH GROCERIES AND MEAT IN THE NORTH UP LAWNDALE AREA.

>> HERE I AM BEING ABLE TO FULFILL MY DREAM.

IT'S HEALING THE HOOD THROUGH THE HEALTHY EATING INITIATIVE THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF STORES TO GET FRESH PRODUCTS.

>> HE PLANS TO SOURCE FROM BLACK FARMERS AND BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES INCLUDING FARMERS IN KANKAKEE.

>> WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE OUR COMMUNITIES TO SHOP WITH ALL THESE CLOSING IT LEFT US NOWHERE TO SHOP.

>> RESIDENTS ARE EXCITED FOR WHAT IS TO COME AND THE OWNERS ARE SUPPORTIVE OF EACH OTHER.

>> I'M EXCITED FOR LAWNDALE THEY NEED ANOTHER GROCERY STORE.

AL CARES ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY HE IS INTENTIONAL IN WHAT HE IS TRYING TO CREATE.

>> THIRD GENERATION LAWNDALE RESIDENT PRINCESS SHAW KNOWS FIRSTHAND THE NEED FOR GREATER FOOD ACCESS IN THE AREA.

>> THERE IS LIKE AT LEAST SIX, SEVEN BLOCKS TO THE EAST OF US AND TO THE WEST OF US, NORTH AND SOUTH THERE IS NO GROCERY STORES.

PEOPLE WILL TRAVEL FOR FOOD BECAUSE WE HAVE TO SURVIVE.

>> SHADOWS COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR THE MARKET TO MAKE SURE RESIDENTS KNOW THEY CAN ACCESS FOOD AND PRODUCE.

>> THAT IS WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE KNOWING I KNOW MS. JOHNSON AND HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE FOR SENIORS DOING THAT CHECK IN.

HEY, DO YOU HAVE BREAD?

>> COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS AND TRUST ARE KEY IN PERSON AND LIZ ABUNAW PLANS SOMETHING HAT THAT IS ESSENTIAL OF OPENING A BUSINESS THAT WILL BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN ITSELF LONG-TERM.

>> THAT IS CRITICAL IF YOU SEE THAT TYPE OF HOMEGROWN OPERATION THAT COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

BECAUSE ULTIMATELY THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO SUSTAIN IT OVER TIME.

>> LIZ ABUNAW HOPES TO REBUILD TRUST WITH RESIDENTS AND SEES THE GROCERY STORE AS MUCH MORE THAN SOMEWHERE TO ACCESS FOOD.

>> A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO MEET AND BE TOGETHER AND INTERACT AS HUMAN BEINGS AND THAT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR A DUGOUT.

AND WHEN A COMMUNITY DOESN'T HAVE THAT SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND A PLACE TO GO IT'S HARDER TO KEEP THAT COHESION WITHIN A NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> AND NORTH LAWNDALE MEAT AND FRESH PRODUCE IS SET TO OPEN THIS SPRING AND FORTY ACRES FRESH MARKET IS OPENING TO START CONSTRUCTION THIS YEAR.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> UP NEXT, THE CONTROVERSY OVER TEACHING THE GRAPHIC NOVEL "MAUS" AND OTHER BOOKS IN THE CLASSROOM.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>> EFFORTS TO BAN CERTAIN BOOKS FROM SCHOOL LIBRARIES ARE GAINING STEAM NATIONWIDE.

LAST MONTH A TENNESSEE SCHOOL BOARD VOTED TO BAN THE HOLOCAUST INSPIRED GRAPHIC NOVEL "MAUS" CITING VIOLENT IMAGERY ON NAZI RESISTANCE.

SOME GROUPS ARE CRITICIZING THE BAN SAYING THE BOOK PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN TEACHING KIDS ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST.

THE CONCEPT OF SENSORRING OR -- ADA PALMER JOINS US TO DISCUSS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> AS WE MENTIONED RECENTLY THE HOLOCAUST GRAPHIC NOVEL "MAUS" PULLED FROM SHELFS IN A TENNESSEE SCHOOL DISTRICT THE SCHOOL BOARD CITED THE USE OF EIGHT CURSE WORDS AND NUDE IMAGERY IN THE DEPICTION OF A WOMAN.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S MOVE?

>> OBSCENITY IS USUALLY WHAT PEOPLE POINT TO WHEN THEY WANT TO JUSTIFY BANNING A BOOK IN AMERICA OR SIMILAR LIKE AUSTRALIA.

OFTEN THAT ISN'T REALLY THE REASON AND WE SEE THIS WHEN WE COLLECT STATISTICS ABOUT BOOK OBJECTIONS MANY SUMMER READING LISTS HAVE ROMANCE IN THERE AND THE ONES WITH THE TEENS HAVE A NONWHITE COUPLE GET OBJECTED TO MUCH MORE OFTEN THAN ONES WITH A WHITE COUPLE EVEN IF THERE IT'S MORE SEXUAL CONTENT IN THEM.

OBSCENITY IS THE EXCUSE BUT OFTEN RACISM OR HOMOPHOBIA OR ANTISEMITISM IS THE READ AND PEOPLE UNHIDE IT BY SAYING THIS MAKES ME UNCOMFORTABLE EVEN TOW THE DISCOMFORT IS SOMETHING ELSE.

>> A LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD IN DOWNER'S GROVE VOTED TO REMOVE A BOOK GENDER QUEER.

SHOULD STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO BOOKS IN A SCHOOL LIBRARY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SCHOOL LIBRARIES ARE THERE TO HELP KIDS LEARN ABOUT THINGS IF THEY DON'T RUN INTO THEM IN THE WILD AND DON'T UNDERSTAND THEM.

SEX ED HELPS KIDS UNDERSTAND THEIR BODIES.

IT PREVENTS THE SPREAD OF THE STD'S AND HELPS WITH SEXUAL EMPOWERMENT AND REDUCES TEEN PREGNANCIES.

EDUCATING KIDS ABOUT KIDS ABOUT DRUG, READUSS DRUG USE.

THEY ARE GOING TO RUN INTO THE THEMES ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK IN IMAGES.

AND THEY NEED THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK UP AND LEARN ABOUT IT SO THEY KNOW WHAT IT IS INSTEAD OF FACE TO GO WITH IGNORANCE AND WITHOUT GUIDANCE.

>> AND A LOT OF THE DEBATES WE HEAR FROM PARENTS OUTSPOKEN ABOUT THE BOOKS FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

WHO GETS TO DECIDE WHICH BOOKS STAY IN SCHOOLS?

>> TEACHERS ARE EXPERTS ABOUT THE GRADE LEVEL THAT THEY TEACH.

THEY LOOK UP AND KNOW WHAT NEW BOOKS ARE BEING RELEASED FOR THAT AGE GROUP AND READ ABOUT THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THAT YEAR AND TALK TO THE STUDENTS AND FIND OUT WHAT WORDS ARE THEY RUNNING ACROSS ON-LINE.

THEY ARE EXPERTS ABOUT EVERY SPECIFIC GRADE LEVEL THAT THEY TEACH.

AND SO THEY KNOW THESE KIDS ARE JUST AT THE AIMING THEY ARE STARTING TO LEARN THE WORD GENOCIDE AND THEY ARE SCARED AND WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT IS.

THIS IS THE MOMENT TO TEACH THAT.

IT NEEDS TO BE TEACHERS EXPERTS SHOULD BE MAKING THE DECISIONS TO KNOW WHAT THE KIDS NEED.

AND A PARENT IS NOT AN EXPERT ON A PARTICULAR YEAR THE WAY A TEACHER IS.

>> STUDENTS ARGUED THEY DON'T ALWAYS AGREE WITH GROUPS BANNING BOOKS.

WHAT ROLE DOES THE STUDENT VOICE HAVE IN THIS ARGUMENT?

>> AN IMPORTANT ONE ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THE BANS DO AFFECT STUDENTS HEAVILY.

WHENEVER THERE IS ONE OF THE BANS WE SEE A BOOK "MAUS" JUMP UM ON THE BEST SELLER LIST.

IT ISN'T KIDS GETTING THE CHANCE TO BUY THOSE.

THOSE SALES ARE PEOPLE ANTI-CENSORSHIP IN MULTIPLE STATES AWAY BUYING A BOOK TO SUPPORT THE AUTHOR AND THE KIDS ARE AFFECTED BY THE BAN AND THAT SCHOOL BOARD DECISION THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME ACCESS.

AND IT'S GOING TO MAKE THEIR TEACHERS RELUCTANT TO ASSIGN SIMILAR BOOKS IN THE FUTURE.

THE KIDS NEED TO BE LISTENED TO BECAUSE WHAT THEY WANT TO HAVE ACCESS TO AND THE QUESTIONS THEY ARE ASKING NEED TO SHAPE THE CURRICULUM.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT THE HISTORY OF CENSORSHIP WHAT ARE SIMILAR MOVEMENTS?

>> ONE OF THE BIG ONES IN THE MODERN ERA THE BIG WAY TO JUSTIFY CENSORSHIP IS THE WAY TO SAY PROTECTING I HAD CANS.

LOTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF CENSORSHIP JUSTIFIED THEMSELVES UNDER THAT UMBRELLA WHILE LASHING OUT MUCH FARTHER.

AND ANOTHER IMPORTANT ONE IS THAT CENSORSHIP ORGANIZATIONS WHETHER THE INQUISITION OR THE USSR OR MODERN ONES AND ANCIENT ONES ONE OF THE PATTERNS IT IS NOT ABOUT TRYING TO DESTROY BOOKS THAT EXIST.

IT'S TRYING TO INTIMIDATE PEOPLE SO THEY DON'T PRODUCE MORE BOOKS.

IF "MAUS" SUDDENLY SPIKES BUT DOZENS OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY BECOME NERVOUS ABOUT ASSIGNING SIMILAR BOOKS, MEMOIRS ABOUT OPPRESSION, THEN THE NEXT DOZEN POWERFUL BOOKS LIKE "MAUS" THAT GET PUBLISHED WON'T SELL WELL BECAUSE SCHOOLS WILL BE AFRAID OF THEM AND THE NEXT DOZEN AFTER THAT MAY NOT GET PUBLISHED AT ALL.

THE BIGGEST VICTIMS OF THIS CHALLENGE ARE THE BOOKS THAT WILL NEVER BE PRODUCED OR NEVER BE READ BECAUSE IT CREATES A CULTURE OF FEAR AND SILENCE THAT IS ALL ONE OF THE BIG GOALS OF CEPS TORESHIP.

>> PROFESSOR ADA PALMER A LOT TO THINK ABOUT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS WITH AN URGENT PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PUT OUT CHAIRS, STOOLS, VACUUM CLEANERS TO CLAIM A SHOVELED OUT PARKING SPOT CHICAGO STREETS AND SANITATION DEPARTMENT HAS A MESSAGE YOU HAVE UNTIL FRIDAY TO MOVE 'EM OR LOSE 'EM.

OUR WTTW NEWS REPORTER AND UNOFFICIAL DIBS CORRESPONDENT PATTY WETLI JOINS US WITH MORE.

FILL US IN ON DIBS, THE BACKGROUND AND WHETHER OR NOT IT'S ACTUALLY ALLOWED IN THE CITY?

>> RIGHT.

WELL, YOU KNOW FOR THOSE WHO ARE MAYBE SPENDING THEIR VERY FIRST WINTER IN CHICAGO, IT IS AN UNOFFICIAL TRADITION THAT IF YOU SPEND AS PEOPLE CLAIM FOUR TO FIVE HOURS DIGGING THEIR CAR OUT, THEY GET TO CLAIM THAT SPOT, CLAIM DIBS BY PUTTING WHATEVER IN ITS PLACE TO HOLD IT FOR WHEN THEY COME BACK.

AND IS IT LEGAL?

IT'S NOT ILLEGAL.

SO THERE'S NOTHING THAT SAYS YOU CAN'T DO IT.

BUT THERE'S NOTHING ON THE BOOKS THAT CODIFIES OR PUTS ANY PARAMETERS AROUND WHAT DIBS IS.

SO PEOPLE MAKEUP THEIR OWN INTERPRETATION AND THAT'S WHY IT IS SUCH A WILD WEST DIVISIVE THING.

>> IT IS A WILD WEST THING BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE USED TO CLAIM A SPOT.

WHAT ARE THE MOST CREATIVE ONES YOU'VE SEEN?

>> OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE CLASSIC DIBS WHICH ARE YOUR TWO LAWN CHAIRS.

YOU MENTIONED A VANEL UK CLEANER.

PEOPLE PUT OUT KIDS' TOYS.

I SAW AN ELECTRIC PIANO OUT I'M ASSUMING IT WAS BROKEN.

SOME PEOPLE GET CREATIVE SETTING TABLES PUTTING OUT A SET OF LIKE A TABLE AND FOUR CHAIRS AND CHANGING THE FLOWER ARRANGEMENT EVERYDAY.

IT'S KIND OF -- >> LIKE THEY ARE EXPECTING DINNER IN THE PARKING SPOT?

>> YES, I MEAN WHY NOT?

YOU KNOW.

YOU'VE GOT THE CHAIRS THERE.

INVITE PEOPLE FOR TEA.

>> THAT SHOULD BE A DIBS GOING FORWARD.

>> OLD STYLE OLD STYLES OUT THERE, I DON'T KNOW.

>> PEOPLE SITTING FOR OLD STYLES AND TEA SO NO PARKING SPOT THAT YOU SHOVELED OUT.

THANK YOU.

>> THAT HAS TO BE DONE BY FRIDAY.

>> IT HAS TO BE GONE BY FRIDAY OR YOU WILL USE THAT BROKEN ELECTRIC KEYBOARD.

>> EXACTLY.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THE POLITICS OF GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S MASK MANDATE ROLLBACK ANNOUNCE MANY.

WE INTRODUCE YOU TO A LOCAL ARTIST WHO COMBS THE SHORES OF LAKE MICHIGAN.

AND THE BALLET FORKLORICO DE MEXICO DE AMALIA HERNANDEZ IS BRINGING THE GREATEST HITS BACK TO CHICAGO THIS WEEKEND.

WE HAVE A SNEAK PEEK.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> NO BAIL FOR A CHICAGO MAN WHO IS CHARGED WITH THE FATAL SHOOTING OF A 12-YEAR-OLD BOY LAST MONTH.

21-YEAR-OLD JARED HUGHES WHAT HE DENIED BAIL AFTER CHARGED WITH THE FIRST DEGREE MURDER OF MARCEL WILLSON IN ENGLEWOOD.

PROSECUTORS SAY HUGHES HAD GONE TO STAY WITH WILLSON'S BROTHER AND HUGHES ALLEGEDLY SHOT WILLSON AFTER THE BOY TEASED HIM.

HUGHES IS DUE BACK IN COURT FEBRUARY 22.

A MASSIVE MODERNIZATION OF CHICAGO'S STREET LIGHTS TO MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT LED LIGHTS IS NEARLY COMPLETE.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT ANNOUNCED THE PROJECT'S PROGRESS AT THE LION'S VIEW MANUFACTURING PLANT ON THE WEST SIDE WHERE HALF THE LIGHTS WERE ASSEMBLED BY CITY RESIDENTS.

>> THIS FOUR-YEAR PROJECT CONVERTED 280,000 HAZY, OUTDATED, OFTEN BROKEN, HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM STREET LIGHTS TO ENERGY EFFICIENT LED LIGHTS AND THAT IS A BIG DEAL.

>> OFFICIALS SAY THE CHICAGO SMART LIGHTING PROGRAM IS PROJECTED TO SAVE THE CITY $100 MILLION OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT PRAISED THE PROJECT FOR NOT ONLY IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY AND SAVING MONEY AND CREATING JOBS FOR VULNERABLE RESIDENTS WHILE REDUCING THE CARBON FOOTPRINT.

DEVELOPERS OF THE OLD MORTON SALT WAREHOUSE ANNOUNCE THE FIRST LINEUP OF SUMMER SHOWS AS THE BUILDING TRANSFORMS INTO THE MUSIC VENUE.

IT WAS DESIGNATED A LANDMARK PLAN TO SPEND $30 MILLION REDEVELOPING THE SPACE INTO OFFICES AND A MUSIC HALL.

DUBBED THE SALT SHED, THE BUILDING IS EXPECTED TO HOST THE FIRST CONCERTS IN EARLY AUGUST.

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

>> SOUNDS LIKE A COOL PLACE TO SEE A CONCERT.

AND STAY RIGHT THERE IT'S TIME TO DIVE IN DEEPER TO THE POLITICS BEHIND UNMASKING AND MUCH MORE IN TONIGHT'S SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> JOINING US ARE HEATHER CHERONE AND OF COURSE, PARIS THANK YOU FOR NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

THE POLITICS OF GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER LIFTING THE INDOOR MASK MANDATE STARTING FEBRUARY 28.

HERE IS WHAT HE SAID TODAY ABOUT THE CHANGE.

>> WE'RE FOLLOWING THE NUMBERS THAT THE C.D.C.

IS PUTTING OUT.

AND RECOGNIZING WE ARE NOT THERE YET AND THAT WHY FEBRUARY 28TH IS A GOAL.

WE'RE ANNOUNCING IT TODAY SO PEOPLE WILL KNOW AND BUSINESSES WILL KNOW WHEN THAT DATE IS COMING.

OUR TRAJECTORY LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO MAYBE WHERE WE WERE LAST SUMMER.

>> PARIS, IS GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S CHANGE IN THE MASK MANDATE BASED ON SCIENCE OR CRITICS ARE CALLING POLITICAL SIGH SENTENCE.

>> POLITICS THAT QUESTION WAS BROUGHT UP BUT THE GOVERNOR SAYS IT IS BASED ON THE SIGHSENCE -- SCIENCE AND FEBRUARY 28 THE HOSPITALIZATION RATE BELIEVES IT WILL BE BELOW THE RATE THAT IT WAS WHEN THAT MASK MANDATE WAS INSTITUTE ON AUGUST 30TH.

BUT CAN YOU NOT DENY THAT HE OTHER BLUE STATE GOVERNORS ANNOUNCED THE RESCINDING OF THE MASK MANDATE AND THE GOVERNOR DID SAY THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT EXTEND TO SCHOOLS OR SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THE REASON IS CHILDREN ARE NOT VACCINATED AT HIGH RATES RIGHT NOW.

THEY ARE TOGETHER IN THIS SPACE FOR SEVERAL HOURS A DAY.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE STATE'S OWN CONTACT TRACING DATA SCHOOLS ARE BY FAR THE NUMBER ONE PLACE IN THE STATE WHERE COVID IS CONTRACTED.

HE SAID HOPEFULLY SCHOOLS ARE LOSE THE MASK MANDATES AFTER THAT IT'S CONFUSING BECAUSE OF THE COURT RULING.

REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER KIDS WILL STILL BE WEARING MASKS IN SCHOOLS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS.

>> BECAUSE WE KNOW THE GOVERNOR ASKED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO GO AHEAD AND START APPEALING THAT AND ASKING FOR A STAY OF THAT TRO.

G.O.P.

LEADER JIM DURKIN WROTE THE GOVERNOR A POINTED LETTER ABOUT MASKING THAT SAID IN PART QUOTE... DID THEY PLAY A ROLE IN PRITZKER'S CHANGE?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK SO.

PRITZKER WAS ASKED IF HE WAS REACTING TO CRITICISM.

BUT HE SAID THAT HE REALLY WASN'T.

HE WAS FOLLOWING THE SCIENCE AND SO MANY CRITICS OF THE MASK MANDATE TURNEDDED INTO PEOPLE THAT ACTIVELY ENCOURAGED PEOPLE NOT TO GET VACCINATED.

HE DOESN'T TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH WHAT HAPPENS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

WE ALL REMEMBERED FROM BACK IN 2020 THAT CITIES AND COUNTIES CAN PUT IN STRIBTER RESTRICTIONS THAN THE STATE THEY CANNOT PUT IN LOOSER RESTRICTIONS AND MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S OFFICE SAID IN A STATEMENT SHE IS HOPEFUL THAT THE CITY WILL ALSO MEET THE METRICS THAT GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER IS EXCITED ABOUT.

BUT INSTEAD SHE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CITY IS MOSTLY AT A LOWER RATE OF TRANSMISSION.

AND RIGHT NOW THE CITY REMAINS AT A HIGH RATE OF TRANSMISSION.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE CITY WILL BE ABLE TO COMPLETE TWO WEEKS AT THE LOWER LEVEL BY FEBRUARY 28 THAT WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN NO LATER THAN MONDAY.

>> AND GOING BACK TO THE LETTER FROM DURKIN IN RESPONSE TO A HOUSE LITRE WELCH SENT TO DURKIN SOME OF YOUR MEMBERS ARE SAYING WILD THINGS ABOUT A PROPOSAL FROM ONE OF OUR MEMBERS STATE REPRESENTATIVE DEB CONROY WHO PROPOSED SOMETHING TAKEN WILDLY OUT OF CONTEXT SOMEONE SAID SHE IS PROPOSING COVID DETENTION CAMPS WHICH IS NOT TRUE.

BUT SHE RECEIVED SOME VERY HARSH DEATH THREATS DANGEROUS DEATH THREATS.

A COUPLE OF MEMBERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS HAD BEEN RECEIVING DEATH THREATS IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.

WELCH WROTE THAT LETTER TO DURKIN SAYING WATCH THE LANGUAGE BECAUSE IT'S TURNING INTO DANGEROUS SITUATIONS FOR SOME OF OUR MEMBERS.

>> AND A LOT OF LETTER WRITING GOING ON BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR RESPONDED TO DURKIN WITH HIS OWN LETTER CALLING OUT MEMBERS OF THE G.O.P.

FOR THE INFORMATION THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SPREADING AND IN THAT LETTER LETTING HIM KNOW HE WAS GOING TO MAKE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT FEBRUARY 28.

DURKIN IS NOT THE ONLY REPUBLICAN WHO WANTS THE MANDATE LIFTED A LIST OF G.O.P.

CANDIDATES WANT IT GONE.

>> EVERY G.O.P.

CANDIDATE IN THE PRIMARY RUNS FOR GOVERNOR HAVE WANT TO DO GONE.

THEY HAVE BEEN AGAINST MANDATES AND TODAY THEY ARE SAYING THAT FINALLY THE GOVERNOR IS LISTENING TO THEM ALTHOUGH I'M SURE TO THEIR LIKING IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN SOON ENOUGH.

BACK TO THE POLITICS QUESTION THE SCIENCE THE POLITICS ARE COLLIDING FOR GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER AS THE OMICRON VARIANT WANES I'M SURE THAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER DOES NOT WANT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE QUESTION MASK MANDATES, VACCINE MANDATES AND SHUTDOWNS AS THE ELECTION RAMPS UP CLOSER TO THE SPRING THE PRIMARY IS IN JUNE AND THE GENERAL WILL BE FOR THE FIVE MONTHS AFTER THAT.

IF OMICRON IS WANING AND THERE IS NO OTHER VARIANT COMING IF I'M SURE PRITZKER IS BREATHING A HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF THAT HE WILL NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH AS A CAMPAIGN ISSUE FROM CANDIDATES LIKE DARREN BAILEY MAKING THIS HIS WHOLE CAUSE IN RUNNING CHALLENGING PRITZKER WITH THE MANDATES.

BUT WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> AND BEFORE WE MOVE ON THE VACCINE MANDATE DEADLINE FOR CITY WORKERS WAS JANUARY 31.

WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE NOT COMPLYING?

>> IT'S TWO SEPARATE ISSUES.

WE BELIEVE THE CITY HAS BEGUN NOTIFYING MEMBERS OF EVERY UNION NOT FULLY VACCINATED AND NOT MEMBERS OF THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 7 THEIR CHALLENGE REMAINS IN ARBITRATION.

BUT EVERY OTHER UNIONIZED CITY EMPLOYEE HAD UNTILLIAN 31 TO BE FULLY VACCINATED AND ARE NOW AT RISK OF TERMINATION THAT WILL BE A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION AS WE GO FORWARD IN THE NEXT WEEK TO SEE EXACTLY HOW MANY CITY EMPLOYEES WILL LOSE THEIR JOBS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FULLY VACCINATED.

>> A BUSY WEEK IN CHICAGO COURTROOMS OR POLITICIANS.

ALDERMAN PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON, HIS LAWYERS ARE ARGUING HE IS SLOPPY AND A HOT MESS.

PROSECUTORS SAY HOT MESS OR NOT, LYING ON YOUR TAXES IS A CRIME.

PARIS IS THAT A STRONG DEFENSE?

>> IT IS NOT A REALLY A DEFENSE THAT I'VE REALLY HEARD AND IT'S NOT AS IF THE DEFENSE THEY ARE NOT SAYING THAT THAT MORE GAMING INTEREST DEDUCTION HE TOOK FOR A LOAN THAT WAS NOT A MORTGAGE THEY ARE NOT SAYING HE DIDN'T DO AT THAT TIME.

HE CAN'T KEEP HIS PAPERS STRAIGHT HE WALKS TO THE MAILBOX ON TAX FILING DAY.

HIS DESK IS ALL STREWN.

I DON'T KNOW THAT IS A DEFENSE THAT A JURY IS GOING TO BUY.

HE HAS TAKEN THIS TO TRIAL.

WE KNOW THE FAMILY THAT HE COMES FROM THE DALEY FAMILY, THE SON OF A LONG-TERM -- NEPHEW OF A LONG-TERM MAYOR AND THE GRANDSON OF ANOTHER LONG-TERM MAYOR.

IT IS AN UNORTHODOX DEFENSE THEY ARE NOT CLAIMING HE PROPERLY CLAIMED HIS DEDUCTION THEY ARE SAYING HE IS A MESS.

HE IS A WORKING LAWYER.

HE IS A WORKING ALDERMAN.

THE CONSTITUENTS OF THE 11TH WARD DOPE'S WANT TO HEAR THEIR ALDERMAN CAN'T KEEP PAPERS STRAIGHT.

>> AND HE SHOULD BE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD.

THE FIRST DALEY TO FACE FEDERAL CHARGES CAN HE SURVIVE THIS TRIAL POLL KAYLEE EVEN IF ACQUITTED?

>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

AND I TELL YOU THAT ALDERMAN PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON WAS IN THE FIGHT OF HIS POLITICAL LIFE BEFORE HE WAS CHARGED CRIMINALLY.

THERE IS A STRONG MOVEMENT TO CREATE CHICAGO'S FIRST WARD WHERE A MAJORITY OF THE VOTERS WOULD BE ASH THAN AMERICAN AND TO DO THAT -- ASIAN-AMERICAN AND TO DO THAT THE TWO MAPS THAT ARE DUELING THE ONE THING THEY AGREE ON IS THE CREATION OF THAT ASIAN-AMERICAN WARD AROUND CHINATOWN.

TO DO THAT IT WILL CARVE UP THE 11TH WARD THE HEART OF THE OLD DALEY EMPIRE AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT IF PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON IS ACQUITTED AND RUNS FOR REELECTION IT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO WIN IN A WARD LIKE THAT.

AND HE HAS OPPOSED THIS PLAN CALL TO GO RACIST TO MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON RACE AND ASIAN-AMERICAN GROUPS SEE IT AS A MATTER OF FAIRNESS BECAUSE THE POPULATION HAS GROWN BY 30% IN THE LAST DECADE.

>> ANOTHER ALDERMAN'S CASE ED BURKE'S LAWYERS SAY SECRET GOVERNMENT RECORDINGS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.

>> 14 COUNTS, BRIBERY, RACKETEERING, CONSPIRACY, ALLEGEDLY ALL SURROUNDING BURKE TRYING TO GET BUSINESS FOR HIS PROPERTY TAX APPEAL LAW FIRM FROM PLACES LIKE THE REDEVELOPERS OF THE OLD MAIN POST OFFICE, BURGER KING IN HIS WARD AN ALLEGATION IN PORTAGE PARK AND THE FIELD MUSEUM AND VOLUME LUMINOUS PRETRIAL MOTIONS BURKE WAS FIRST CHARGED YEARS AGO BURKE'S ATTORNEYS ARE ARGUING THE MAIN PIECE OF EVIDENCE THE WIRETAP RECORDING FROM FORMER ALDERMAN DANNY SOLIS WE DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD BE ADMITTED BECAUSE SOLIS WAS IN LEGAL HOT WATER HE STRUCK THE DEAL WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND DO WHATEVER THE GOVERNMENT SAID AND WENT AND ENTRAPPED BURKE.

SO THIS KEY SMOKING GUN PIECE OF EVIDENCE THEY HAVE BURKE LAWYERS ARE TRYING TO SAY YOU HAVE TO GET RID OF THAT I DON'T KNOW THAT A JUDGE IS GOING TO RULE IN FAVOR OF THAT AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE TRIAL IS GOING TO GET GOING.

BECAUSE THE JUDGE IS SAYING YOU KNOW, HE IS NEVER SEEN SUCH A STACK OF PRETRIAL MOTIONS AND HEARINGS HE HAS TO GO THROUGH.

>> AND THE CITY'S VIOLENCE DURING AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT STAFFING THE CARJACKING TASK FORCE 24 HOURS A DAY, MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT ATTRIBUTED THE RISE IN CARJACKINGS TO REMOTE LEARNING.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> A LOT OF PARENTS WENT TO WORK DURING THE DAY THINKING THEIR TEENAGERS WERE LOGGED ON FOR REMOTE LEARNING ONLY TO FIND SOMETHING ELSE.

IS THERE SOME NEW MARKET FOR STOLEN CARS?

AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE ANSWER WAS NO THAT FOR MANY OF THE KIDS SOME OF WHOM HAD NO PRIOR INVOLVEMENT IN A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THIS WAS PURE BOREDOM.

>> CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION WAS NOT A FAN OF THE COMMENTS DEMANDING THE MAYOR APOLOGIZE.

DID MAYOR LIGHTFOOT STEP ON HER OWN GOOD NEWS?

>> IT SHIFTED THE CONVERSATION AND I DON'T THINK IT WAS ACCURATE.

THE CITY'S OWN CRIME DATA SHOWS THAT THE SURGE IN CARJACKINGS BEGAN MONTHS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT AND MONTHS BEFORE REMOTE LEARNING WAS A GLIMMER IN OUR EYES.

I DON'T THINK THERE IS A CAUSATION THERE AND ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO SAY THAT THERE IS A CORRELATION THERE.

BUT THIS GOES TO THE HEART OF HER ARGUMENT WITH THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION AND LED TO THE WORK STOPPAGE WHERE TEACHERS WANTED TO TEACH REMOTELY AND THE MAYOR REUS FUSED.

BUT IT TOOK THAT FOCUS ON WHAT THE MAYOR WAS TRYING TO SAY LOOK WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS ON CARJACKINGS.

AND AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE PRESSURE THAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER IS UNDER AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS THE MAYOR FACES THAT PRESSURE, TOO.

BECAUSE SHE IS NOT UP FOR REELECTION IN 2022 BUT IN FEBRUARY 2023 AND THAT IS NOT TOO LONG AWAY.

>> AND I AGREE THE DATA IS NOT THERE TO MAKE THIS CAUSIZATION OR CORRELATION BETWEEN REMOTE LEARNING AND CARJACKINGS.

>> I'VE HEARD THE SAME THING THAT KIDS GET UP IN CARJACKING OR FELONIES THE JUDGE WILL ASK THE KID ARE YOU IN SCHOOL DOING REMOTE LEARNING AND THE KID ALSO SAY NO.

AND C.P.S.

DID LOSE TRACK OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF KIDS LAST YEAR.

WE CANNOT MAKE THAT CONCLUSION BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE DATA.

BUT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT IS ECHOING THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID OUT THERE.

>> ALSO, ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL KWAME RAOUL UP FOR REELECTION PROPOSING A LAW TO HELP PROSECUTE RETAIL THEFT RINGS AS CHICAGO POLICE ARRESTED ONE ALLEGED RINGLEADER WHO REPORTEDLY DUMPED STOLEN CASH REGISTERS ON PRITZKER'S BLOCK.

HOW MUCH POLITICAL PERIL ARE THE GOVERNOR AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION IN 40 SECONDS?

>> THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT THE REPUBLICAN SLATE OF STATE-WIDE CANDIDATES WILL TRY TO TAG PRITZKER AND KWAME RAOUL AS SOFT ON CRIME.

TRYING TO GET IN FRONT OF THAT TO BLUNT THAT CRITICISM WHICH CAN BE DAMAGING BECAUSE EVERYONE IS CONCERNED ABOUT CRIME.

>> CAMPAIGN ISSUE THAT WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT MORE.

HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ THAT IS SPOTLIGHT POLITICS THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT MEET A LOCAL ARTIST DIGGING TREASURE OUT OF THE STAND.

WE WILL ALE EXPLAIN RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> DISCOVERY IS CENTRAL TO THE WORK OF AN ARTIST WHO SEEKS AND FINDS THINGS ON THE SHORES OF LAKE MICHIGAN.

JOHN SOSS SIFTS THE SAND LEFT BY PEOPLE AND NATURE.

MARC VITALI SHARED A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A BEACH COMBER.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> HE CREATES COMPELLING COMPOSITIONS THAT DOCUMENT A PLACE... OR SUGGEST AN IDEA... OR MAKE A VISUAL PUN.

FOR JOHN SOSS IT ALWAYS STARTS WITH A DAY AT THE BEACH.

>> TWO PARTS OF MY MIND ARE WORKING WHEN I'M WALKING ALONG THE BEACH.

ONE IS THAT I AM SEARCHING FOR STUFF AND I'M MY EYES ARE TUNED INTO WHAT IS ON THE GROUND.

DIFFERENT SHAPES AND COLORS.

BUT I ALSO DO FIND IT A MEDITATIVE THING.

I LIKE TO WORK THINGS OUT IN MY HEAD.

THINK ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY, WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN TODAY.

MAY BE JUST WORKOUT SOME OF THE MESSY STUFF THAT HAPPENS IN LIFE.

>> JOHN SOSS ARRANGES THE THINGS HE FINDS HE PHOTOGRAPHS ON TO THE iPHONE AND PRINTS THE PICTURES ON RECYCLED ALUMINUM.

HE HUNDREDS FOR THE TREASURES YEAR-ROUND.

>> THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I'M REALLY FEEL I'M IN THE ELEMENTS.

THERE'S HEAVY WINDS AND BIG WAVES AND SOMETIMES THE SAND BLOWS ACROSS THE SURFACE OF THE GROUND AND GETS RIGHT AT YOU.

SO I KIND OF LIKE THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING IN ALL SEASONS AND FEELING WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE TO BE OUT THERE.

YOU CAN'T FEEL THAT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

OR IN YOUR HOUSE.

>> THE PROJECT STARTED NEARLY 10 YEARS AGO WHEN HE SHARED HIS PHOTOS WITH FAMILY.

HE GOT NOTICED ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND NOW HAS HIS SECOND SHOW AT THE DIME ARTIST TONY FITZPATRICK'S GALLERY.

>> IT TOOK ME A FEW YEARS TO CONVINCE JOHN SOSS HE IS AN ARTIST.

IT IS AN ONGOING ARTISTIC DIALOGUE BETWEEN HIM AND THE LAKE AND IT TELLS US ABOUT WE THE PEOPLE.

A LOT OF WHAT WE KEEP, WHAT WE DISCARD.

>> EVERY WALK ALONG THE LAKEFRONT YIELDS MATERIAL FOR THE NEXT DISPLAY OF STUFF THAT MIGHT INCLUDE FIREWORKS OR CHILDREN'S TOYS OR SOMETHING OMINOUS.

>> WHEN I GET HOME AND LOOKING AT THINGS ON MY WORK TABLE AS I PUT THEM TOGETHER IT IS AS IF I AM PUTTING A PUZZLE BACK TOGETHER.

I ALSO LIKE THE FACT A LOT OF THOSE THINGS TALKING ABOUT DRIFTWOOD OR PEACH PITS OR WALNUTS OR BIRD FEATHERS THEY WERE ONCE SOMETHING THAT WAS ALIVE.

NOW THEY HAVE BEEN LEFT ON THE BEACH AND SO I LIKE THE IDEA OF GIVING THEM LIFE AGAIN.

>> JOHN SOSS IS NEW TO MAKING ART BUT HE WORKS WITH RECORDING ARTISTS HE HAS WORKED WITH JAM PRODUCTIONS.

>> I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK LIKE SOME LONELY OLD MAN WHO WALKS AROUND AND PICKS LITTER OFF THE BEACH.

I'M ENGAGED WHEN I'M OUT IN THE MORNING.

I'M LOOKING FOR THINGS AND THINK BEING THINGS AND MAYBE MUSIC AND THERE IS A MEDITATIVE QUALITY TO T I GET A LOT OUT OF IT IT IS A GREAT RITUAL.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> THE EXHIBITION IS CALLED ON THE BEACH AT THE ART GALLERY THE DIME IN HUT BOLT PARK THROUGH FEBRUARY 19TH.

AND YOU CAN SEE MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> MEXICO'S HISTORY AND CULTURE REFLECTED IN AN UPCOMING PERFORMANCE IN A CONVERSATION THAT FIRST AIRED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES" WITH GUEST HOST CHICAGO REPORTER MARISSA PARRA.

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> BALLET FORKLORICO DE MEXICO DE AMALIA HERNANDEZ IS CELEBRATING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR AND THE PARTY IS COMING HERE TO CHICAGO.

THE MEXICO CITY BASED ENSEMBLE IS BRINGING TOGETHER AUDIENCE FAVORITE PERFORMANCES TRAVERSING THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF MEXICO THIS WEEKEND.

JOINING US WITH MORE IS BALLET FOLKLORICO ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, VIVIANA BASANTA THE DAUGHTER OF AMAL YEAH HERNANDEZ.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE KNOW THIS PERFORMANCE TAKES THE AUDIENCE THROUGHOUT MEMBERS CO'S HISTORY FROM THE AZTEC ERA TO MODERN-DAY AND ACROSS THE REGIONS.

CAN YOU GIVE US A TASTE WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE?

>> YES, THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION WE LOVE TO GO TO THE ART CITY CHICAGO WE REALLY LIKE THAT.

WE ALWAYS THINK THAT CHICAGO HAVE ART EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK.

SO I THINK IT IS A SPECIAL TIME WITH OUR ANNIVERSARY OF THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY.

WE ARE REALLY HAPPY AND PROUD TO BE WITH YOU IN CHICAGO.

>> WE'RE GETTING A LITTLE TASTE ON THE STREAM OF THE BRIGHT COLORS AND IMAGES.

YOU'VE INCLUDED TWO DANCES THAT HAVE BEEN DECLARED INTANGIBLE HERITAGE.

HOW DID YOU TRANSLATE THESE HISTORICAL DANCES INTO BALLET FOR THE STAGE?

>> WELL, YES, WE HAVE A FEW DANCES, I CHOOSE THE PROGRAM WITH REPRESENT MY MOTHER MADE IN DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE COMPANY.

ONE OF THE FIRST CHOREOGRAPHIES AND IT'S CALLED [INAUDIBLE] AND THE OTHER ONE IS [INAUDIBLE] IS AN HONEST FOR.

AND THEN AFTER A FEW YEARS SHE MADE THE T [SPEAKING SPANISH] EVERY COMPOSITION IS FROM DIFFERENT STAGES OF HER CHOREOGRAPHY HERITAGE.

>> FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW THE MUSIC IS PERFORMED LIVE AND BRINGS IN THE DIFFERENT MUSICAL TRADITIONS FROM ACROSS MEXICO.

HOW DID THE TRADITIONAL SOUNDS INCORPORATE INTO THE PERFORMANCES?

>> ALL THE MUSIC IS TRADITIONAL.

SOME OF THEM THEY MAKE SOME ARRANGEMENTS TO MAKE IT MORE DYNAMIC OR MORE ACCENTS AND MORE SO THAT PERFORMANCE FLOWS WITH A DIFFERENT DYNAMICS IT GOES UP AND IT COMES DOWN.

ONE SOLOS AND THE BIG GROUP AND SOLOS.

SO THE MUSIC OF MUSIC OF EACH REGION.

MY MOTHER ALWAYS LIKED TO GO TO EACH REGION TO LEARN.

SHE DIDN'T LEARN STUCK IN A ROOM.

SHE MADE THE WHOLE INVESTIGATION OF EACH PART OF THE CHOREOGRAPHY THAT SHE MAKE.

AND THE THE STEPS THAT SHE MAKE WITH ANTHROPOLOGIES AND HISTORIC PERSONS THAT HELP HER TO MAKE THE WHOLE COMPOSITION.

SO SHE MAKE THE [INAUDIBLE] AND FROM ONE IMAGE TO ANOTHER SHE MAKE THE MOVEMENT.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT HOW BRIGHT AND COLORFUL THE COSTUMES ARE.

WHEN IT COMES TO TRADITIONAL DRESS IS IT EASY TO BRING THE COSTUMES TO DANCE PERFORMANCES?

>> WELL, WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE THE I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU SAY, THE FABRICS IT HAS TO BE MORE THICK SO YOU CAN HAVE PERFORMANCE EVERYDAY AND IT DOESN'T BROKE BECAUSE SOME OF THAT PIECES ARE REALLY FINE AND SO WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR SOME FABRICS THAT YOU CAN USE IT MORE EVERYDAY DURING THE TOUR.

THERE ARE NO FABRICS THAT YOU WASH IT TODAY AND TOMORROW DONE.

IT IS A LOT OF THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO MANAGE.

>> WE HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

I WANT TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO ANSWER ONE QUESTION YOUR COMPANY TRAVELS ACROSS THE WORLD ARE AUDIENCES SURPRISED BY THE WIDE VARIETY OF MEXICAN CULTURE REFLECTED IN YOUR PERFORMANCES?

>> YES, I THINK WE ALL ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD PUBLIC.

BECAUSE THE COMPANY AND THE DANCERS ARE REALLY INVOLVED IN THE CONTACT WITH THE PUBLIC AND TRYING TO MAKE THEM FEEL THE EMOTIONS AND THAT DIFFERENT DYNAMIC AND THE HERITAGE OF THE CULTURE AND THAT PROFOUND HISTORY THAT EVERYTHING COMES FROM THE ROOTS TO OUR DAYS.

I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT LANGUAGE TO SHARE WITH THE PUBLIC.

>> WELL, ONCE AGAIN, BALLET FORKLORICO DE MEXICO DE AMALIA HERNANDEZ WILL BE AT THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE FEBRUARY 12 AND 13 AND MORE ON THAT ON OUR WEBSITE YOU CAN SEE THAT PIECE OF HISTORY FOR YOURSELF AND THANKS TO VIVIANA BASANTA.

>> I THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE INVITATION.

I AM PROUD TO BE IN CHICAGO.

>> BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

>> STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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

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

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. WE PAY A VISIT TO NILES FOR THE NEXT STOP IN OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> AND EVERYDAY LIFE AND AFTER LIFE ARE EXPLORED IN A NEW GALLERY.

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.

[♪♪♪]