>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT .

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN .

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ .

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT -- >> AND A STORAGE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.

>> WE ARE LIVE IN SPRINGFIELD.

>> THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE 118th CONGRESS, KEVIN McCARTY.

>> WHAT A REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLE D HOUSE COULD MEAN FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

>> COOK COUNTY RESIDENTS COULD SEE THE MEDICAL DEBT DISAPPEAR, FIND OUT HOW AND IF YOU QUALIFY.

>> PEOPLE IN CHICAGO SPENT 150 HOURS WAITING IN TRAFFIC LAST YEAR, WHAT A POSSIBLE SOLUTION IS.

>>> CHECKING COVID IN WASTEWATER , NEW DATA IN AN ONLINE TRACKER.

>> NEWLY DISCOVERED COMET NOT SEEN IN YEARS WILL SOON BE VISIBLE IN THE NIGHT SKY.

>> YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT AND TO GO DOWN THAT ROAD.

>> A NEW CALL CENTER HELPING TRANSFORM THE CHATHAM NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> COMING UP TONIGHT , WE ARE TAKING YOU UP IN THE SKY TO ONE OF THE MOST VISIBLE PUBLIC ART MURALS IN THE CITY.

>>> FIRST , TOP STORIES, MEDICAL STERILIZATION COMPANY REACHED A SETTLEMENT IN HUNDREDS OF LAWSUITS, THEY ARE ACCUSED OF ILLEGALLY RELEASING CANCER-CAUSING WAVES IN THE AIR .

THEY SAYS IT WAS IN HIS BEST INTEREST TO SETTLE THE MORE THAN 870 LAWSUITS BECAUSE OF THE TIME AND COST.

A JURY AWARDED A SINGLE CANCER SURVIVOR $363 MILLION LAST YEAR.

THEY FOUND THE EMISSIONS INCREASED CANCER RISK FOR PEOPLE LIVING AS FAR AS 25 MILES AWAY FROM THE FACILITY.

THEY CLOSED THE PLAN IN 2019 UNDER PRESSURE FROM COMMUNITY GROUPS, STATE LAWMAKERS, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

>>> THE PUBLIC SAFETY CHAIR OF THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL AS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO FIRE AN OFFICIAL TIE TO THE PROUD BOYS.

OFFICER ROBERT BECKETT WAS SUSPENDED INSTEAD OF FIRED AS THEY FOUND HE HAD EXTREMIST TIES AND HE LIED IN AN INTERNAL POLICE INVESTIGATION.

>> UNDER THOSE PREVIOUS ALLEGATIONS THAT WERE SUSTAINED, THEY PROBABLY WOULD HAVE RECEIVED A FIVE-YEAR SUSPENSION.

HOWEVER , HIS A MEDIATION , HE RECOMMENDED FOR HIMSELF , I DON'T KNOW WHY HE DID THIS, I DO BELIEVE THAT HE RECOMMENDED 820 DAY SUSPENSION , WHICH HE IS SERVING.

>> THE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DEFENDED HIS DECISION NOT TO FIRE THE OFFICER AND THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IT DOES NOT TOLERATE ITS MEMBERS ASSOCIATING WITH HATE GROUPS.

THE SUSPENSION IS OVER ON MARCH 1st.

>>> OPEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS REBRANDED .

THE CHANGE BECOMES OFFICIAL WITH THE NEW SEMESTER BEGINS AND THEY ARE ALREADY CELEBRATING AS THEY REMAIN AN OPEN ACCESS COMMUNITY COLLEGE ON HIS CAMPUSES AND ONLINE.

>> COMING UP, BELIEVING MEDICAL DEBT FOR COOK COUNTY RESIDENTS.

>>> WILL LIVE IN OFFICIALLY BANNED CERTAIN ASSAULT WEAPONS ?

AMANDA VINICKY IS HERE WITH THAT AND MORE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

POLK BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AS WELL AS THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> LAST-MINUTE ACTIVITY IN SPRINGFIELD , AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US FROM THE STATE CAPITAL WITH THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: BRANDIS , SPRINGFIELD , THERE IS A CHANCE BILLS CAN BE REVIVED , BUT THIS IS THE LAST FULL DAY FOR THE CURRENT MAKEUP OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, EVERYTHING WILL START FRESH WITH A NEW GROUP OF LAWMAKERS WHEN THEY ARE SWORN IN TOMORROW.

YOU HAVE THE LAST-MINUTE BUSTLE OF ACTIVITY DURING THE LAME-DUCK SESSION.

HALF OF THE TO DO LIST THAT LEGISLATORS WANTED TO GET FINISHED , THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN, THIS IS TO GET TO INCREASE THE AGE -- THE MEASURE DOES BAN THE FUTURE SALE OF GUNS THAT STATE POLICE SAY ARE ASSAULT GREAT AND BANS LARGE CAPACITY MAGAZINES.

>> IT IS TIME THAT WE PROTECT THE ILLINOIS COMMUNITIES.

IT IS TIME THAT WE PROTECT ILLINOIS FAMILIES.

LET'S END FAMILIES HAVING TO CHANGE OVERNIGHT.

>> Reporter: GUN CONTROL GROUPS HAVE FOUGHT FOR A STATEWIDE BEEN FOR YEARS TO GAIN STEAM AFTER THE FOURTH OF JULY MASS SHOOTING IN HIGHLAND PARK.

THE MAYOR CALLS THIS AN IMPORTANT STEP AND SAYS, THERE SHOULD BE A FEDERAL BAN, SHE SAYS THIS WILL MAKE IT THAT MUCH HARDER FOR SOMEONE WITH BAD INTENTIONS TO OBTAIN A COMBAT WEAPON.

IT IS NOT FINAL AS THE GOVERNOR HAS YET TO SIGN THE MEASURE INTO LAW BUT THAT IS EXPECTED TO HAPPEN ANYTIME.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SIGNING THE BILL, IMMEDIATELY , SO WE CAN STOP THE SALE OF THESE DEADLY WEAPONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, HE SAID IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS AFTERNOON.

IT WOULD BE HIS FIRST OFFICIAL ACTION IN HIS SECOND TERM, EVEN IF THE VICTORY COULD BE SHORT-LIVED BECAUSE GUN RIGHTS GROUPS SAY THAT THEY WILL OBEDIENTLY SEEK FOR A JUDGE TO PREVENT THIS LAW FROM TAKING EFFECT.

THEY , AND REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS , SAY THEY HAVE THE CONSTITUTION ON THEIR SIDE.

>> A LOT OF YOU DESPISE OUR FOUNDERS AND CASUALLY CAST ASIDE THE PRINCIPLES THAT THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON.

OUR FOUNDING FATHERS KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING.

THEY EXPERIENCED THE TYRANNY OF THE MAJORITY AND VOWED THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN OUR COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: HOUSE GOP LEADERS WHO ARE RETIRING, JIM DURKIN , DID VOTE FOR THE BAN .

HE WAS A FORMER PROSECUTOR AND SAYS HE OFTEN WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE EFFECTS OF GUN VIOLENCE .

ANOTHER REPUBLICAN FIGUREHEAD , THE NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR, WHO LOST THE ELECTION IN NOVEMBER TO THE GOVERNOR , SAYS MANY GUN OWNERS SAY THEY WILL NOT COMPLY WITH THE PROVISION OF THE MEASURE THAT REQUIRES ANYONE WHO CURRENTLY OWNS GUNS TO REGISTER THEIR SERIAL NUMBERS WITH THE STATE.

I WILL DIE ON MY FRONT PORCH BEFORE ANYONE TAKES MY GUNS AWAY, MY MESSAGE TO SPRINGFIELD, IF YOU WANT MY GUN, COME GET IT , BAILEY WROTE IN A TWEET .

HE WILL NO LONGER HOLD STATE OFFICE AFTER TOMORROW.

HE VOTED AGAINST ANOTHER MEASURE THAT IS SET TO GET TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK TONIGHT , THAT PACKAGE SEEKS TO ILLINOIS MORE OF A SAFE HAVEN FOR ABORTION BY MAKING IT LEGAL AND WITH INSURANCE PROTECTION FOR OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS WHO COME TO ILLINOIS TO RECEIVE OR PROVIDE AN ABORTION.

DURING THE DEBATE ON THIS BILL, HE QUOTED A LINE FROM PSALMS .

>> I HAVE NO WORDS FOR IT.

OTHER THAN PURE EVIL.

THIS IS WRONG.

GOD HELP US.

>> Reporter: HERE IS THE SPONSOR 'S REACTION .

>> THE SAME GOT LOOKING AT YOU IS LOOKING AT ME, GUESS WHAT, THE SAME GOT GIVING ME THE INSPIRATION TO DO THIS.

WE CAN DISAGREE ON A LOT OF THINGS, BUT DON'T TELL ME THAT YOU HAVE THE MORAL HIGH GROUND, ON YOUR SOAPBOXES OVER MINE.

YOU DON'T GET TO DECIDE WHAT HAPPENS TO MY BODY.

YOU DON'T GET TO DECIDE WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BODIES OF A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE FROM OTHER STATES THAT ARE COMING TO THIS STATE SEEKING REFUGE.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR IS EXPECTED TO SIGN THE BILL INTO LAW AND LIKELY MANY OF THE OTHER BILLS THAT ARE BEING DEBATED IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY RIGHT NOW.

THEY COULD PASS ON THE FINAL DAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WHY IS THAT ?

DEMOCRATS ARE IN CHARGE.

WE WILL GET A POPS BETWEEN WHEN THE LEGISLATURE TAKES ACTION AND THE GOVERNOR DOES, NOT SO WITH THE GUN BILL.

THE GOVERNOR IS EXPECTED TO SIGN IT INTO LAW TONIGHT.

THAT IS WHAT YOU SEE, THE PODIUM , ALL THE PENS KEY WILL BE USING.

THAT IS JUST HAPPENING AFTER OUR SHOW INCLUDES , 8:00 P.M. BACK TO YOU.

>>> PASSIONATE MOMENTS.

THANK YOU.

PARENTS AND LEGISLATIVE PARTIES ON CAPITOL HILL.

PARIS ?

>> ANY REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS IS IN SESSION AND THINGS ARE TENSE , ESPECIALLY AFTER THE MARATHON AND CHAOTIC HOUSE SPEAKER VOTE WERE KEVIN McCARTHY FINALLY GOT THE GAVEL.

WHAT DOES THAT PORTEND FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS?

JOINING US ARE JONATHAN JACKSON, DEMOCRAT, AND SEAN KASTEN , ALSO A DEMOCRAT.

WE REACHED OUT TO MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN DELEGATION BUT THEY DECLINED OUR REQUEST.

IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER FOR THE CHAOTIC WEEK, WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE ON THE FLOOR?

>> IT WAS EMBARRASSING , YOU HAVE MEMBERS WHO HAVE FAMILIES AND READY TO GO HOME.

THE CONVERSATION I HAD WITH THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES, DEMOCRATS HAVE A PLURALITY OF SEATS.

A VERY SMALL MINORITY OF THE CHAOS WAS CAUSED BY REPUBLICANS.

YOU HAD MODERATE REPUBLICANS WHO WANTED THEIR AGENDA DONE WITHOUT THESE CHAOS MOMENTS.

IT DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR THE FUTURE BUT I'M HOPING THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS CAN WORK THROUGH THIS.

>> DID YOU HEAR THE CONVERSATIONS TAKING PLACE?

SEAN CASTEN ?

>> IT IS A SMALL ROOM.

YES , YOU DO HEAR SOME OF THE BACK-AND-FORTH.

THERE WERE AUDIBLE GASPS WHEN MATT GAETZ VOTED PRESENT ON THE 14th VOTE.

IT WAS PALPABLE TENSION.

>> AFTER THE 15th TRY , KEVIN McCARTHY DID TAKE THE GAVEL AS SPEAKER.

HERE IS WHAT HE SAID.

>> MY RESPONSIBILITY , OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO OUR COUNTRY.

[ APPLAUSE ] CONGRESSMAN JACKSON , CONGRATULATIONS , A LITTLE DELAY FOR YOUR FRESHMAN TERM BUT YOU ARE OFFICIALLY A MEMBER OF CONGRESS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT SAYS ABOUT HOW THE HOUSE WILL BE GOVERNED OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS?

>> I WANT TO THANK THE MEMBERS AND RESIDENTS OF THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

I AM A FRESHMAN.

I WANT TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE CASTEN FOR YOUR GENEROSITY .

THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE EASIEST VOTE.

NOW , THE HEAVY LIFTING BEGINS.

WITH THESE HEADLINE TRIGGERS, WE START THE PROCESS OVER AGAIN.

AMERICANS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A GREAT CIVICS LESSON.

TO SEE HOW OUR GOVERNMENT WORKS.

YOU CAN HAVE THE MAJORITY VOTE , THIS WAS NOT A PLURALITY.

IT WAS DECIDED WITH THE MAJORITY.

HAKEEM JEFFRIES WON 14 TIMES, FINALLY , MR. McCARTHY WON.

WE WERE AN UPFRONT HISTORY ON PLURALITY VERSUS MAJORITY.

I WAS HONORED TO SEE A CAPABLE LEADER WITH HAKEEM JEFFRIES.

15 TIMES IN A ROW , HE WAS MY CHOICE FOR SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE DID THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE , BECAUSE THE FLOOR IS FOR MEMBERS ONLY, THERE WAS SO MUCH DOWNTIME , WE CAN MEET OTHER MEMBERS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY I TOOK FULL ADVANTAGE, INTRODUCING MYSELF OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

WE ARE OFF TO A GOOD START.

>> SOME GETTING TO KNOW YOU TIME.

CONGRESSMAN CASTEN, CHANGES GOING FORWARD IS THE FACT THAT REPUBLICANS WILL LEAD SEVERAL COMMITTEES, INCLUDING THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE , MEMBERS OF THE FREEDOM CAUCUS WILL BE LEAVING SOME OF THESE.

TALKING ABOUT THE DOJ INVESTIGATIONS INTO JANUARY 6.

HOW WILL DEMOCRATS INTERACT WITH REPUBLICANS ON THAT COMMITTEE AND OTHER COMMITTEES?

>> SOME OF THEM IT IS THE NORMAL COURSE .

BOTH PARTIES HAVE AGENDA , WHEN THE GAVEL CHANGES HANDS , YOU FOLLOW THE AGENDA OF THAT PARTY.

WE MAY DISAGREE, WHETHER WE SHOULD SAVE DEMOCRACY.

WHAT CONCERNS A LOT OF US, I FIND MYSELF REMINDING MYSELF, THERE ARE 535 PEOPLE WHO HAVE SECURITY CLEARANCE WITHOUT A BACKGROUND CHECK.

MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE, SENATORS, PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT.

WE NOW HAVE PEOPLE RUNNING THE JUDICIARY WHO ARE IMPLICATED IN AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WHO WERE REFERRED TO THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS BY THE JANUARY 6 COMMITTEE FOR FAILING TO TESTIFY AND EXPLAIN INCRIMINATING TEXTS THAT WERE SENT.

THEY WILL BE HEADING COMMITTEES THAT HAVE OVERSIGHT OF THE JUDICIAL BRANCH.

SPEAKER McCARTHY HAS GRANTED A SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO HAVE TOP LEVEL CLEARANCE TO INVESTIGATE THE JUDICIAL BRANCH.

IF THIS WAS A JUDGE, THEY WOULD SAY YOU NEED TO RECUSE YOURSELF.

WE FIND OURSELVES WITH A SET OF CONGRESSIONAL RULES CREATED BY THE REPUBLICANS THAT ESSENTIALLY SAYS , IF YOU GET IN TROUBLE, WE WILL ILLUMINATE THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS AND PUT PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES WHO ARE IMPLICATED AND IN CHARGE OF THE INVESTIGATING THE INVESTIGATORS.

IT IS NOT A WAY TO BRING TRUST IN OUR GOVERNMENT AND MAKE SURE IT CONTINUES.

>> SOUNDS LIKE IT WILL BE A TANGLED WEB.

CONGRESSMAN JACKSON, INCREASING THE DEBT LIMIT, OR RISKING THE COUNTRY DEFAULTING ON ITS LOANS AND SENDING THE ECONOMY INTO A TAILSPIN, WILL THERE BE REPUBLICANS WHO VOTE TO INCREASE THE DEBT LIMIT , OR WILL IT BE HELD HOSTAGE?

>> I WOULD NOT SPECULATE.

I WOULD ASSUME THAT IT WOULD BE HELD HOSTAGE.

WE HAVE TO WATCH AND SEE HOW THEY GOVERN.

THEY ARE IN CHARGE.

THEY HAVE THE MAJORITY.

IT DOES NOT LOOK AS IF THEY WILL CAPITULATE.

A CORE GROUP STOOD THERE.

THESE ARE OBLIGATIONS PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND, THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS YEAR.

TO DO SOMETHING AS RADICAL AS CUTTING THESE BUDGETS MEANS THAT WE ARE GOING BACK ON THE COMMITMENTS WE HAVE ALREADY MADE.

WE THINK IT IS DISRUPTIVE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO GO FORWARD TO RECONCILE AND HELP THEM.

>> CONGRESSMAN JACKSON, YOU RECEIVED HALF $1 MILLION FROM A PAC FINANCED BY SBF, WHAT WAS HIS INTEREST IN YOUR CAMPAIGN?

>> I NEVER MET HIM.

>> DO YOU SEEK TO BE ON THE DIGITAL ASSET WORKING GROUP , A SUBCOMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE THAT IS IN CHARGE WITH COMING UP WITH REGULATIONS ?

>> NO.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN A PROPONENT OF CRYPTO , ESPECIALLY IN HELPING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

HAS YOUR OPINIONS CHANGED GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED WITH FTX AND SO MANY PEOPLE LOSING MONEY?

>> I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A PROPONENT OF REGULATION IN CRYPTO.

I HAVE NOT HAD A STRONG POSITION IN CRYPTO.

I HAVE NOT HAD AN UNUSUAL RELATIONSHIP .

I HAVE TAKEN A POSITION ON PANDEMIC PREVENTION BUT NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY.

CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING SWORN IN IN THE 118th CONGRESS.

>>> TO BRANDIS AND A FAMILIAR HEADACHE TO MANY PEOPLE IN CHICAGO.

>> MANY OF US ARE FAMILIAR WITH HAVING THE FRUSTRATION OF TRAFFIC.

THERE IS DATA TO PROVE JUST HOW BAD IT IS.

A RECENT REPORT SHOWS THAT THE AVERAGE CHICAGO AREA DRIVER SPENDS MORE THAN 155 HOURS IN TRAFFIC LAST YEAR , THE HIGHEST IN NORTH AMERICA AND SECOND HIGHEST IN THE WORLD.

IT IS UP FROM PANDEMIC AFFECTED DELAYS OF 104 HOURS IN 2021.

HERE TO DISCUSS HIS FINDINGS AND WHAT IS BEHIND THE TRAFFIC IS THE AUTHOR OF THE REPORT WHO IS ALSO A TRANSPORTATION ANALYST AND ANALYTICS COMPANY .

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CHICAGO IS LISTED AS THE MOST CONGESTED U.S. CITY.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> THAT MEANS THAT THE TYPICAL DRIVER IN CHICAGO SPENDS 155 HOURS SITTING IN TRAFFIC LAST YEAR.

IT WAS THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY.

THERE ARE SOME REASONS AND WE WILL GET INTO THAT.

THAT SHOWS THAT CHICAGO WENT BACK TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS OF TRAFFIC WITH TRAFFIC PATTERNS MIRRORING THAT TIME FOR COVID .

WHAT IS LEADING TO THIS ?

>> INTERESTING ABOUT CHICAGO, PRETTY MUCH EVERY MAJOR U.S. CITY SOUGHT THE MORNING COMMUTE COME BACK LAST YEAR.

IF YOU RECALL , THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT FELL OFF DURING COVID , THE MORNING COMMUTE , HE WAS MUCH LIGHTER FOR TRAVELERS.

CHICAGO HAS THAT, ALSO, A LARGER INCREASE IN THE AFTERNOON AS WELL.

WITH THOSE FACTORS, THAT LED TO CHICAGO DELAYS INCREASING OVER 2021.

>> HOW DID YOU CALCULATE THESE FINDINGS AND COME UP WITH THIS RANKING?

>> WE COLLECT TRAFFIC DATA FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES.

THINGS LIKE CAR IDENTIFICATION UNITS, ANONYMOUS GPS PROBE DATA, TRUCKING FLEETS .

WE TAKE THE DATA , WE HAVE DONE THIS REPORT FOR YEARS, CHICAGO HAS NOT BEEN AT THE TOP WHEN I HAVE DONE IT, UNTIL THIS YEAR.

WE ANALYZED YEAR-OVER-YEAR WHAT IS HAPPENING , ON THE ROADS AND STREETS OF CHICAGO, AND NEARLY 300 OTHER U.S. CITIES , AND GLOBAL CITIES.

TO SEE HOW TRAFFIC CHANGES.

>> ABOUT 7% MORE HOURS STUCK IN TRAFFIC THAN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC , WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS IF REMOTE WORK IS MORE COMMON NOW THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC?

>> LAST YEAR WAS A SHIFT FROM HEAVY TELECOMMUTING THAT WE SAW IN 2021 , OR 2020 AND 2021, TO A HYBRID SCHEDULE .

A LOT OF PEOPLE GOT BACK ON THE ROAD.

MOST OF THE YEAR OPERATED WITHOUT HEAVY RESTRICTIONS.

THAT OPENED THINGS UP.

BY AND LARGE, IT IS THE FACT THAT THE AMOUNT PEOPLE DRIVE IS ABOUT BACK TO NORMAL.

WITH THOSE FACTORS, AS WELL AS A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS , THAT SLOWED PEOPLE DOWN.

OTHER THINGS THAT LED TO INCREASES IN TRAFFIC.

>> HOW MUCH OF THE DESIGN OF CHICAGO IS A FACTOR IN HOW MUCH TIME WE SPEND IN OUR CARS?

>> CERTAINLY , THE NETWORK FACTOR IS ANYWHERE YOU GO.

IN TERMS OF CONGESTION.

WHAT THIS TELLS ME IS THAT , OFFICIALS ARE LIKELY WORKING TO MANAGE CONGESTION AND RELIEVE CONGESTION , BUILDING ALTERNATIVES TO CONGESTION , LIKE BUS TRANSIT , RAIL TRANSIT.

WHAT THIS TELLS ME IS THAT, YOU KNOW , THIS IS THE GOAL.

USUALLY , SAFETY COMES FIRST.

YOU HAVE TROUBLING SAFETY STATISTICS ABOUT THE LAST THREE YEARS.

BUT , AFTER THAT, HOW DO WE MOVE THOSE PEOPLE THE MOST EFFECTIVELY ?

USING VERY STRATEGIES IS MY GUESS AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT .

>> CHICAGO HAS THREE OF THE TOP 25 WORST CORRIDORS IN THE U.S. , HOW DOES THAT FACTOR IN?

>> THESE ARE CLASSIC BOTTLENECKS.

A LOT OF THE INNER-CITY SYSTEM WAS BUILT IN THE 1960s , 1950s, EVEN 1970s, STANDARDS FOR VOLUME , WE HAVE EXCEEDED THAT IN MOST AREAS.

IT IS REMNANTS OF THAT .

IT IS BUILT FOR A SYSTEM WITH FEWER VEHICLES.

SOME OF THOSE ARE ON THIS LIST.

OTHERS -- IT IS IMPORTANT TO FOCUS ON THESE KEY PLACES WHERE TRAFFIC IS MODELED UP.

>> BOTTOM LINE, WHAT DOES THE CONGESTION MEAN FOR DRIVERS?

>> THEY ARE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED.

THE SILVER LINING IN ALL OF THIS, IT DOES LOOK LIKE NORMAL.

PEOPLE ARE BACK ON THE ROADS DOING THINGS .

PARTICIPATING IN COMMERCE.

THE ECONOMY .

SEEING FRIENDS.

ALL OF THAT -- YOU PAY A PRICE FOR THAT IN TERMS OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION.

A LOT OF US REMEMBER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD SIT THERE AND GO , I WILL SIT IN TRAFFIC .

>> IF IT MEANS THEY GET TO RETURN TO SOME SENSE OF NORMALCY.

THANK YOU.

>>> NEXT, A CALL CENTER IS BANKING ON THE COMMUNITY.

STAY WITH US.

>>> THEY WANT SHATTERED TARGET LOCATION IN THE CHATHAM NEIGHBORHOOD IS GETTING A NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

IT IS TRANSFORMED INTO 100,000 SQUARE-FOOT BUILDING INTO A CALL CENTER, THEY SAY THEY WILL EMPLOY 1000 PEOPLE FROM THE SURROUNDING AREA IN 2024.

WITH ABOUT 500 EMPLOYEES IN PLACE, LEADERSHIP SAYS THEIR COMMUNITY FOCUSED APPROACH IS PAYING OFF.

OUR PRODUCER RECENTLY BROUGHT US THIS STORY.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> BY THE TIME WE ARE FULLY GOING, THERE WERE ABOUT 10 MILLION CALLS PER YEAR.

>> AND THE 11 YEARS SHE HAS WORKED FOR DISCOVER FINANCIAL SERVICES, SHE HAS OPEN CALL CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> WELL BEFORE BEING AT DISCOVER, I WAS FROM THE SOUTH SIDE.

>> Reporter: SHE IS HAVING A HOMECOMING.

BUT SOMETHING OF A DEPARTURE.

URBAN CHATHAM HAS CALL CENTERS WERE WORKFORCES ARE MAJORITY WHITE.

>> A FAMILY AND CONNECTEDNESS UNLIKE WE HAVE ANOTHER LOCATIONS.

OUR EMPLOYEES LIVE WITHIN FIVE MILES OF THE CENTER.

WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR.

WE HAVE OVER 150 EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE BEEN PROMOTED AND SOME MULTIPLE TIMES.

>> Reporter: THE CEO SAYS, WHEN DISCOVERED BEGIN MAKING PLANS IN 2018, TWO OPENED THE FIRST CALL CENTER IN OVER 20 YEARS, THEY TOOK A FRESH LOOK TO THEIR APPROACH.

>> WE ARE THE ONLY MAJOR BANK WITH 100% U.S. BASED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WE PICKED CHATHAM BECAUSE WE WANTED TO DO WHAT WE COULD TO BRING OPPORTUNITY TO COMMUNITIES THAT ARE UNDER INVESTED IN.

LARGE COMPANIES CAN DO THIS.

WE CAN BRING JOBS INTO THE COMMUNITY.

IN 90% OF OUR EMPLOYEES AT THE CENTER ARE BLACK.

AS PART OF OUR FOCUSED AROUND DIVERSITY AND EQUITY, AND CHANGING THE RACIAL MAKEUP OF DISCOVER , THIS CENTER IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

THE ATTRITION RATE IS LESS THAN HALF OF WHAT WE SEE IN OUR OTHER CENTERS.

THERE IS A FASTER SPEED TO PROFICIENCY.

I COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED.

>> Reporter: GREATER CHATHAM INITIATIVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAYS DISCOVER HAS A SUCCESS STORY THAT SHOWS IT MAKES GOOD BUSINESS SENSE TO INVEST IN CHATHAM .

>> WE HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, GOOD CONSUMERS , GOOD TRANSPORTATION, PEOPLE WILLING TO WORK , AND GOOD RETAIL.

WHAT ELSE COULD YOU WANT ?

>> Reporter: EMPLOYEES SAY WORKING CLOSE TO HOME IN JOBS WITH GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES IS PAYING DIVIDENDS.

>> I AM FORTUNATE THAT THIS WAS AVAILABLE FOR ME.

IT IS A DREAM COME TRUE.

I CAN BE A MOM, A REALLY GREAT MOM , AND COME TO WORK AND THE IN CORPORATE AMERICA.

>> BEFORE, I DID NOT HAVE A FAMILY.

I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF AT DAYCARE.

WITH THE HOURS NOW , I CAN PICK HER UP.

>> THEY TRAINED ME TO DO EVERYTHING.

EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW NOW ABOUT DOING MY JOB , THEY TRAINED ME.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO DRAWING FROM THE COMMUNITY FOURTH WORKFORCE, THEY SCALE THEIR SERVICES TO ALLOW THEM TO CONTRACT WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES.

>> WE JUST WANT THE OPPORTUNITY, WE DON'T WANT HANDOUTS , WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING PRO BONO, JUST POINT US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND WE WILL SHOW YOU WHAT WE ARE CAPABLE OF DOING.

>> Reporter: THE CHATHAM CENTER FEATURES A COMMUNITY CENTER, SO LOCAL NONPROFITS CAN USE IT FOR MEETINGS AND EVENTS.

THE ART FILLING THE SPACE COMES FROM LOCAL ARTISTS AND BUSINESSES .

>> WE HAVE INCREDIBLE ART.

KNOWING THAT IT HELPS DELIVER MUCH-NEEDED AND OFTEN UNDERFUNDED ART PROGRAMS IS WAY MORE THAN A CHARITY.

>> Reporter: DISCOVER LEADERSHIP SAYS THIS MODEL OF COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS AND BUSINESS HAS CREATED A NEW RUBRIC FOR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

>> IT HAS TRANSFORMED US AS A COMPANY.

I LIKE TO SAY WE GET MORE OUT OF THIS THAN THE PEOPLE.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY THRIVE AND TAKE GOOD CARE OF OUR CUSTOMERS IN RETURN.

>> THE BUSINESS RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

THIS IS OUR TOP PERFORMING CALL-CENTER.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO CHATHAM FOR THE LONG-TERM .

>> Reporter: ONE YEAR IN, THE EMPLOYEES SAY THEY ARE ALL IN ON DISCOVER, TOO.

>> OFTEN , BIGGER COMPANIES ARE SCARED TO COME IN TO COMMUNITIES LIKE THIS.

SCARED THAT THEY WILL NOT GET THE RIGHT TALENT OR THEY WILL NOT BE SUCCESSFUL.

I THINK DISCOVER SAID , WE WILL TAKE A CHANCE.

>> YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT THESE COMMUNITIES UNTIL YOU GO THERE , THAT IS WHAT DISCOVER DID.

>> I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE HOW IT HAS CHANGED THE COMMUNITY ONE YEAR FROM NOW.

>>> DISCOVER RECENTLY ANNOUNCED IT IS SUPPLYING THE CHATHAM MODEL TO WHITEHALL, OHIO , IT WILL BUILD AND STAFF A NEW CENTER IN THE REGION BEGINNING NEXT SPRING.

PARIS?

>>> STILL TO COME, DATA ON COVID WASTEWATER , HOW WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE NUMBERS .

>>> IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT OF COOK COUNTY, YOU COULD SEE YOUR MEDICAL DEBT DISAPPEAR.

>>> A COMMENT NOT SEEN FOR 10,000 YEARS WILL SOON BE VISIBLE IN THE NIGHT SKY , WE SHARE HOW YOU CAN SEE IT.

>>> THE ART BEHIND THIS MURAL BUILDING ON THE KENNEDY EXPRESSWAY.

MORE OF THE TOP STORIES , UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO FACULTY TAKEN TO THE PICKET LINE.

>> NO CONTRACT.

>> THEY ARE NOT ON STRIKE, YET, A STRIKE IS SET FROM A WEEK FROM TODAY IF PROGRESS IS NOT MADE AT THE BARGAINING TABLE.

THEY ARE NEGOTIATING OVER COMPETITION AND PROVIDING STUDENTS ACCESS TO FEDERAL HEALTHCARE.

>>> THERE IS STILL TIME TO GET YOUR MEGA MILLIONS LOTTERY TICKET BUT MAYBE IT SHOULD BE CALLED MEGA BILLIONS, THE POT IS UNDERESTIMATED $1.1 BILLION.

THE LARGEST JACKPOT IN MEGAMILLIONS HISTORY AND FOURTH TIME IN FOUR YEARS THE WINNINGS HAVE TOPPED $1 BILLION.

YOU WILL TAKE HIM ABOUT $432 MILLION WITH THE ONE TIME CASH PAYOUT, AFTER TAXES.

VERY LONGSHOT.

ALTHOUGH $1.3 BILLION WAS WON IN THE PLANE IN JULY.

THE LINCOLN PARK ZOO WELCOMES A FURRY PRIDE OF TRIPLETS.

THREE NEW AFRICAN LION CUBS ARE DOING WELL AND OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE STARTED NURSING.

THEY HAVE AN OLDER BROTHER WHO WAS BORN .

THE NAMES OF THE THREE CUBS HAVE NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED.

THEY WILL STILL HAVE TO OPEN THEIR EYES FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO BE LOOKED AT BY THE PUBLIC FOR A FEW WEEKS.

>>> A NEW INTERACTIVE WEBSITE SHOWS HOW MUCH COVID THERE IS AN WASTEWATER , ALLOWING RESEARCHERS AND RESIDENTS TO LOOK AT THE DATA.

IT IS A WEBSITE THAT TALKS ABOUT WASTEWATER.

NOT USUALLY WHAT YOU SURF THE WEB TO LOOK FOR.

>> Reporter: I AM SEARCHING FOR WASTEWATER.

THIS IS ALL THE DATA THAT THEY HAVE BEEN COLLECTED SINCE 2021 FROM 75 WASTEWATER TREATMENT SITES AROUND THE STATE.

YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE, CLICK ON YOUR COMMUNITY, AND THERE IS THE DATA FOR YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT.

ESPECIALLY, THEY NOTE THIS IS TO LOOK AT TRENDS.

IT IS SHOWING THE PRESENCE OF COVID IN THE WASTEWATER IN THAT AREA SINCE 2021.

>> HOW IS COVID AFFECTING WASTEWATER ?

>> WE ALL SHOULD THE VIRUS IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

IT IS IN OUR WASTE AS WELL.

THEY TAKE A SAMPLE , GOES TO THE LAB, THEY FIND OUT HOW MUCH COVID IS PRESENT .

IT GOES TO ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORIES WHERE THEY DO GENETIC SEQUENCING.

THEY LOOK FOR MUTATIONS OF THE VIRUS , HOW WE FOUND OUT ABOUT OMICRON BEFORE PEOPLE SHOWED UP WITH IT IN INFECTIONS.

IT IS A LEADING INDICATOR OF WHERE COVID MAY BE HEADING.

>> THIS IS WHAT IT MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO DETECT COVID IN WASTEWATER AS OPPOSED TO LOOKING AT COVID TESTS AND RESULTS.

>> ESPECIALLY AS OFFICIALS SAY PEOPLE HAVE COMMUNAL TEST SITES , WE ARE DOING IT SO MUCH MORE AT HOME AND NOT REPORTING THE RESULTS , EXCEPT TO OUR BOSS OR LOVED ONE.

WE MAY NEED TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT INDICATORS AND INFORMATION OF HOW MUCH COVID IS OUT THERE.

>> WE WILL BE SERVING THE WORLDWIDE WASTEWATER WEB.

YOU CAN READ HER FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO THE WASTEWATER DATA FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, ALL ON WTTW.COM/NEWS .

>>> TO BRANDIS ANY NEW INITIATIVE TO HELP PEOPLE PAY OFF MEDICAL BILLS.

BRANDIS ?

>> SOME COOK COUNTY RESIDENTS MAY BE SEEING A WELCOMED SURPRISE IN THE MAIL AS COOK COUNTY WORKS TO FORGIVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF MEDICAL DEBT.

IT AFFECTS 27% OF COUNTY RESIDENTS AND 22% OF THOSE OF COLOR.

IT HOPES IT HAS FOUND A SOLUTION.

JOINING US IS PRESIDENT AND CEO IF -- AND A COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

LET'S START WITH YOU .

CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE OF HOW MANY COOK COUNTY RESIDENTS MAY BE IMPACTED BY THIS PROGRAM?

>> FIRST OF ALL , I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE WITH YOU THIS EVENING.

WE PUT TOGETHER A PROGRAM THAT IS $12 BILLION .

IT ENABLES US TO PURCHASE MEDICAL DEBT FROM PROVIDERS .

THAT IS THE WILL R.I.T.

MEDICAL DEBT WILL TAKE CARE OF.

WE WILL ENTER AGREEMENTS WITH HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS , HOSPITAL SYSTEMS, TO PAY OFF THE DEBT OF PEOPLE WHO CANNOT MEET THE MEDICAL BILLS.

THE WAY IN WHICH THIS WORKS, MEDICAL PROVIDERS , HOSPITALS , OFTEN SELL THE DEBT TO COLLECTION AGENCIES FOR PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR.

INSTEAD OF DOING THAT, THEY WILL SELL IT TO THE COUNTY , WE WILL WIPE OUT THAT DEBT, CLEANUP PEOPLE'S CREDIT AND ALLOW THEM TO MOVE FORWARD.

MEDICAL DEBT IS PROPORTIONALLY IMPACTING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR , BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES, PEOPLE AT THE MARGINS WITH MODEST INCOMES .

THIS WILL ENABLE US TO SUPPORT THEM AND HELP THEM.

MEDICAL DEBT NOT ONLY IMPACT YOUR CREDIT BUT YOUR ABILITY TO GET EMPLOYMENT OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

IT IMPACTS HIS WILLINGNESS TO SECURE ADDITIONAL HEALTHCARE BECAUSE THE BURDEN OF UNPAID DEBT IS ALWAYS ON THE HORIZON.

WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO R.I.P.

FOR WORKING WITH US AS PARTNERS TO IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM.

>> HOW IS THE COUNTY FUNDING THE PURCHASE OF THE DEBT?

>> WE ARE DEEPLY INDEBTED TO PRESIDENT BIDEN AND CONGRESS FOR MIKE THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN RESOURCES THAT HAVE HELPED IN PANDEMIC RECOVERY.

WE ARE USING THOSE RESOURCES FOR MEDICAL DEBT PROGRAMS.

>> ALLISON , TELL US HOW R.I.P.

PARTNERS WITH MUNICIPALITIES TO WIPE OUT DEBT ?

>> IT IS A CREATIVE WAY OF LEVERAGING OUR MODEL.

THE COUNTY WAS THE FIRST TO THE TABLE AND THEY HAVE STARTED THE TREND.

WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAS STARTED HAS TAKEN FIVE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

MORE AND MORE MUNICIPALITIES ARE REACHING UP AND WE ARE DEDICATED TO COOK COUNTY, THEY WERE FIRST IN LINE.

HOW WE WORK WITH THEM , JUST LIKE ANY OTHER DONOR, WE ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH HOSPITALS AND WE ANALYZE THEIR BAD DEBT FILES , WE PURCHASE THAT DEBT FOR PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR.

TO LEVERAGE THE FOR-PROFIT DEBT MARKET IN TERMS OF PRICING , WE MIMIC THE FOR-PROFIT DEBT MARGIN, THROUGH A NONPROFIT APPROACH , AND WE ARE ABLE TO TAKE SOME LITTLE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND TURN IT INTO DEBT RELIEF.

ONE DOLLAR ON EVERS BELIEFS $100 -- RELIEVES $100 OF MEDICAL DEBT.

>> ALLISON , TO BE CLEAR PEOPLE CANNOT APPLY FOR THIS PROGRAM TO HAVE THEIR DEBT FORGIVEN.

HOW DOES IT WORK FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED ?

>> THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

PEOPLE SHOULD NOT CALL US AND TRY TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION, WHICH IS THE BEAUTY OF OUR PROGRAM, WE CAN HELP MILLIONS AS ONE IN A SINGLE DEBT FILE.

IT IS SOURCE DRIVEN .

WE GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND WE GET THERE FILE, ANALYZE IT , LOOK AT EVERYONE THAT QUALIFIES , USUALLY A HUGE PERCENTAGE OF THE FILE, WE SEND THEM LETTERS AND LET THEM KNOW WE HAVE PURCHASED THEIR DEBT AND RELIEVED IT.

IT IS LIKE WINNING THE LOTTERY WITHOUT EVER APPLYING.

WE SEND YOU SOMETHING IN THE MAIL TO SAY YOU HAD BAD DEBT AND NO LONGER DO.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT A GRAPHIC OF PEOPLE ELIGIBLE IN COOK COUNTY.

MUST HAVE 5% OR MORE HOUSEHOLD INCOME CONSUMED BY MEDICAL DEBT .

HOW DOES MEDICAL DEBT IMPACT PEOPLE?

IT AFFECTS CREDIT , BUT HOW ELSE CAN IT IMPACT YOU?

>> IT IS THE PRINCIPAL CAUSE OF BANKRUPTCY.

PARTICULARLY , IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES .

IT IS A TREMENDOUS CHALLENGE.

WE ARE HELPING PEOPLE, NOT JUST WITH THE MEDICAL DEBT, BUT CLEANUP THEIR CREDIT, ENABLE THEM TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT , BECAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE LOOK AT CREDIT SCORES WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING AT EMPLOYMENT .

AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

IT IS ALSO AN IMPEDIMENT SOMETIMES TO GETTING ADDITIONAL MEDICAL CARE .

IF YOU KNOW YOU HAVE AN OUTSTANDING MEDICAL DEBT, YOU MAY NOT BE WILLING TO PURSUE THE MEDICAL CARE YOU DESPERATELY NEED.

IT WILL BE A TREMENDOUS BOON FOR THE RESIDENTS OF COOK COUNTY.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH R.I.P.

TO HELP US IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM.

>> ALLISON, $12 BILLION FOR THIS PROGRAM, FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHOSE DEBT MAY BE BIG, HOW MUCH MONEY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THAT MAYBE OFF THEIR BACK ?

>> A WIDE RANGE , SOME PEOPLE IT IS THE DEDUCTIBLE, COULD BE $2000, $3000, FOR OTHER PEOPLE , IT IS SIGNIFICANT, IT DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION, HOW MUCH HELP YOU NEED.

SOMETIMES , IT IS JUST A $5000 BILL , I SAY JUST, THAT IS SIGNIFICANT FOR A LOT OF FAMILIES , ESPECIALLY 400% POVERTY OR BELOW .

PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO INS MEET AND TO PAY THAT EXTRA BILL.

THE MENTAL HEALTH ANGUISH IS UNDERAPPRECIATED.

PEOPLE FEEL A LOT OF ANXIETY WHEN THEY HAVE MEDICAL DEBT.

WE GET LETTERS FROM PEOPLE WHEN THEY TELL US HOW RELIEVED THEY ARE.

THEY FEEL OVERWHELMED , THE PRESIDENT IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, THEY DO NOT GO TO THE HOSPITAL TO GET CARE THEY NEED IF THEY HAVE MEDICAL DEBT.

THAT UNDERMINES THE OVERALL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.

IT GIVES HYPERTENSION, OTHER THINGS THAT UNDERMINE PEOPLE'S HEALTH , THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT OUR HEALTHCARE SHOULD BE DOING.

>> THAT SMALL AMOUNT COULD MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR PEOPLE WHO NO LONGER OWE THAT MONEY.

WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU BOTH.

>>> NEXT , SOMETHING NEW IN THE SKY , WE WILL EXPLAIN RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> IF YOU LOOK UP AT THE NIGHT SKY NEXT MONTH, YOU MAY SEE A BRIGHT GREEN LIGHT.

IT IS A GREEN COMET THAT COMES FROM THE OUTER REACHES OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM.

IT MAY HAVE COME THIS WAY 10,000 YEARS AGO AND IS LIKELY THE LAST TIME IT WILL EVER PASS THROUGH EARTH AGAIN.

THERE IS MARK, ASTRONOMER AND PRESIDENT AND CEO OF FARTHER HORIZONS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

TELL US ABOUT THIS NEW GREEN COMET WE MAY SEE NEXT MONTH.

>> PEOPLE ARE GETTING A LITTLE EXCITED ABOUT THIS COMET, 2022E3.

IT IS MAKING IS CLOSED PASS BY THE SUN, MAYBE IT WAS HERE BEFORE .

IN ANY CASE , IT WILL BE PASSING RELATIVELY CLOSE TO THE EARTH.

26 MILLION MILES ON FEBRUARY 1st.

>> RIGHT IN OUR BACKYARD.

>> IT ABSOLUTELY IS.

IT MAY GET BRIGHT ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO SEE WITH THE NAKED EYE.

WITHOUT BINOCULARS OR A TELESCOPE.

MAYBE.

COMMENTS ARE LIKE CATS, THEY RUN AROUND AT NIGHT AND DO WHAT THEY WANT , WE DON'T KNOW HOW BRIGHT IT WILL GET.

THERE IS SOME CHANCE THEY WILL GET AT THE EDGE OF VISIBILITY .

>> IT MAY HAVE BEEN HERE 10,000 YEARS AGO OR MAY NOT, WHAT IS THE DISCREPANCY?

>> ANYTIME YOU HAVE A REALLY LONG TIME LIKE THAT , IF IT DID COME BY BEFORE , IT IS REALLY HARD TO NAIL DOWN EXACTLY HOW BIG THE ORBIT IS .

HOW LONG AGO IT WAS.

THAT IS BECAUSE THE ORBITS GET HUGGED AROUND BY OTHER PLANETS , YOU CAN PREDICT THAT PRETTY WELL , BUT STILL, ERRORS CREEP IN.

WE DO NOT KNOW .

IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE PASSING BY THE SUN AND NOT COMING BACK.

IT HAS EXTRA VELOCITY AND WILL NOT RETURN.

>> IT WILL LEAVE THE ORBIT OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM.

>> MOST COMETS SHOW A GREENISH GLOW AROUND THE NUCLEUS.

THE OBJECT -- THAT IS GAS THAT HAS BEEN VAPORIZED FROM THE FROZEN ICE, WATER , CARBON DIOXIDE .

THE GREEN GLOW IS FROM EXCITED ATOMS, MOSTLY OF DIATOMIC CARBON.

OR , THE GAS CALLED SIGNAGE AND.

IT SOUNDS REALLY BAD.

IT IS INCREDIBLY THIN.

NO DANGER TO US.

>> WHERE SHOULD WE BE LOOKING?

>> IN GENERAL , IT WILL BE VISIBLE IN THE NORTHEASTERN SKY.

JUST BEFORE SUNRISE.

IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS.

YOU WILL WANT A DARK SKY, NO LOCAL LIGHTS.

LATER ON, EARLY FEBRUARY, IT WILL MOVE TOWARDS THE NORTHERN SKY AND BE VISIBLE THROUGHOUT THE EVENING.

YOU WILL NEED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHERE TO LOOK.

YOU WILL NEED A DETAILED GUIDE.

THERE ARE MULTIPLE ONCE ON THE WEB .

I RECOMMEND ASTRONOMY MAGAZINE IS A GOOD SOURCE.

>> TO TELL US WHERE TO CAST OUR GLAZE IN THE NIGHT SKY.

HAVE YOU SEEN ANY STREAKING COMETS IN THE RECENT YEARS ?

>> MAYBE EVERY FIVE YEARS.

NOT REGULARLY.

I CAN REMEMBER SOME COMETS AVAILABLE TO THE NAKED EYE.

NOT INCREDIBLY IMPRESSIVE.

YOU HAVE TO GO BACK INTO THE 1990s , I KNOW I AM DATING MYSELF, TWO COMETS CAME IN A COUPLE OF YEARS, HALE BOP AND ANOTHER .

JUST AMAZING.

>> ANY THREAT THAT COMETS WILL COME CLOSER THAN 26 MILLION MILES ?

ANY THREAT OF COMING INTO THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE IN THE COMING CENTURIES?

>> SHORT ANSWER IS , WE DO NOT KNOW OF ANY SPECIFIC THREAT.

ANYONE THAT IS DEFINITIVELY HEADING HERE.

NO COMETS ARE KNOWN TO BE ON A COLLISION COURSE.

THIS COMET COMES WITHIN 26 MILLION MILES OR SO, THAT IS A QUARTER OF THE WAY TO THE SUN.

MOST PASS SAFELY BY, THERE COULD BE A LONG-TERM RISK BECAUSE OF THE POPULATION OF COMETS AND ASTEROIDS , WHICH IS WHY NASA AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ARE SEARCHING FOR AND STUDYING THESE .

I HEADED UP A MAJOR PROJECT A FEW YEARS AGO TO NAIL DOWN THE ORBITS.

NONE OF THEM WERE GOING TO HIT THE EARTH.

>> WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ASTEROID AND THE COMET ?

>> THE MAIN DIFFERENCE IS ONE OF ORIGIN.

ASTEROIDS FORM IN THE INNER SOLAR SYSTEM AND MOSTLY ROCKY BODIES.

COMETS ARE MUCH FARTHER OUT WHERE THE SOLAR SYSTEM IS COLDER AND THE MADE MOSTLY OF DUST.

THERE IS A SPECTRUM BETWEEN TWO TYPES, YOU HAVE ICY ASTEROIDS AND ROCKY COMETS .

>> THIS COMET MAY BE EXITING OUR SOLAR SYSTEM AND GOING TO THE GREAT BEYOND AFTER FEBRUARY.

YOU WILL BE LOOKING .

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> MY PLEASURE AS ALWAYS .

TAKE CARE.

>>> NEXT, A MURAL ON A WELL-KNOWN SITE ALONG THE KENNEDY EXPRESSWAY.

>> COVERAGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IS MADE POSSIBLE -- >>> EVER BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE KENNEDY EXPRESSWAY AND WEATHER WHO IS BEHIND THE ARTWORK ON THE BILLBOARDS?

WE LOOK AT HOW WHEN TRUST BANK PARTNERS WITH ORGANIZATIONS FROM THE CITY TO BRING CREATIONS TO LIFE.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE BIGGEST AND MUST -- EASILY SEEN FROM THE CAN EXPRESSWAY.

THE BILLBOARD HAS A CREATIVE PARTNERSHIP , THIS IS A DANIEL MURPHY SCHOLARSHIP FUND, THE NONPROFIT IS CHOSEN AND THAT GETS TO PICK WHICHEVER ARTIST THEY WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH.

AT THE VERY TOP ON THE WATER TOWER IS A WINTRUST LOGO , THE ONLY SPOT WE CAN HAVE A LOGO.

>> Reporter: THIS IS ENCOURAGING MESSAGE TO MATCH THE SIZE OF THE BILLBOARD WITH ALL THREE SIDES WAITING 1500 POUNDS OF VINYL MESH.

THIS MOMENT FEELS SO GREAT.

NOT JUST REPRESENTING MURPHY BUT MY CITY , THE CITY THAT MADE ME.

BEING ABLE TO SHARE MY ART WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DRIVING PAST EVERY DAY IS SO REWARDING.

A HUGE OPPORTUNITY AND I WOULD HOPE IT OPENS UP MORE DOORS FOR ART AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT DANIEL MURPHY DOES FOR THE CITY.

>> WE ARE CHICAGO'S LARGEST HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP GRANTING ORGANIZATION AT BEEN AROUND FOR 34 YEARS.

THIS IS AN AWESOME REPRESENTATION OF OUR SCHOLARS TO COME, A BUSINESSWOMAN , ENTREPRENEUR , JUST EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE HOPE MURPHY SCHOLARS TO BECOME .

THEY ARE BORN LEADERS AND WE HOPE CULTIVATE A PASSION, INTEREST.

>> Reporter: WORDS HAVE POWER AND ART HAS ABILITY TO INSPIRE.

IN DESIGNING THIS WINTRUST MURAL , THE BIGGEST THING I WANTED TO INCORPORATE IN THE DESIGN ARE POWERFUL WORDS .

>> CALLIGRAPHY THAT READS UPLIFTING TOMORROW'S LEADERS.

A STORY THAT DEPICTS WHAT THE ORGANIZATION WANTS TO SUPPORT .

>> THE SECOND PANEL FEATURES THREE SCHOLARS, YOUNG PEOPLE GOING TO HIGH SCHOOL , THIS WORLD REPRESENTS THE SUPPORT THAT DANIEL MURPHY OFFERS THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM.

THE LAST PANEL REPRESENTS THEM EMBARKING IN THE BIG CITY, THEY ARE ADULTS AND HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROGRAM WITH THE PEOPLE THEY STARTED WITH OUR NOW EMBARKING ON THIS JOURNEY TOGETHER .

THAT SUMS UP MY PERSONAL JOURNEY AS A DANIEL MURPHY SCHOLAR .

I WANTED THAT REFLECTED IN THE PIECE.

>> Reporter: WHILE THIS MURAL IS ONLY UP FOR ONE MONTH, WINTRUST SAYS THEY HAVE SEEN THE SUPPORT EACH ORGANIZATION WHICH WENT BEYOND THE DURATION OF THE BILLBOARD BEING UP.

>> IT IS A GREAT PEOPLE TO CATCH PEOPLE WHEN THEY'RE NOT EXPECTING IT NOT IN A MUSEUM.

IT IS A GREAT CHANCE TO SHOW ART AND ANOTHER WAS DAILY DRUDGE.

>> EVEN ENCOURAGED YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE LIKE ME , BRIGHT EYED KAREN , EIGHTH GRADE , WANTING MORE FOR FAMILY.

IT IS A TRULY FULL CIRCLE MOMENT THAT I WISH MORE YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD GET INVOLVED WITH ORGANIZATIONS.

>> YOU CAN CATCH THESE BILLBOARDS ON THE KENNEDY EXPRESSWAY ON NORTH AVENUE NOW THROUGH FRIDAY.

BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

POLK BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AS WELL AS THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> THAT IS ALL FOR OUR SHOW JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT.

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN .

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A. CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND