>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT -- >> THE HOUSE WILL NOT WASTE THE PEOPLE'S TIME.

>> THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY GETS A FRESH START , INAUGURATION DAY FOR ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS.

>> LORI LIGHTFOOT CAMPAIGNS ASKING PEOPLE TO HELP HER WIN REELECTION , DOES IT VIOLATE A ETHICS ORDINANCE ?

>> PRINCIPLES COULD UTILIZE -- UNIONIZE.

>> A FEDERAL AGENCY TRYING TO BAN YOUR GAS STOVE?

>> A CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF SHARING ITS STORIES.

>> MY IDENTITY OR MY VOICE TO MY ART.

>> A STREET ARTIST INTRODUCES US TO HIS FIRST SOLO EXHIBITION.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SENT AN EMAIL TO CPS TEACHERS ENCOURAGE THEM TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS -- IT SUGGESTED TEACHERS ASKED STUDENTS IF THEY WANTED TO VOTE TO HELP THE CAMPAIGN IN RETURN FOR CREDIT FOR A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM.

THE EMAIL READS , WE ARE SIMPLY LOOKING FOR ENTHUSIASM , HARD-WORKING YOUNG PEOPLE EAGER TO HELP MAYOR LIGHTFOOT WIN THIS SPRING.

THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION CALLS THIS UNETHICAL , YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE WHERE WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE ON THIS.

>>> TRAVELERS FACED NATIONWIDE FLIGHT DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS FOLLOWING AN OVERNIGHT COMPUTER SYSTEM OUTAGE.

THE FAA PAUSED DEPARTURES FOR PART OF THE MORNING AS IT WORKED TO WORK OUT THE SYSTEM .

9000 FLIGHTS WERE CANCELED OR DELAYED ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THAT INCLUDES MORE THAN 500 DELAYS AT O'HARE AIRPORT AND MIDWAY AIRPORT.

THE FAA SAYS IT IS INVESTIGATING WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM.

>>> A FORMER CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER WILL NOT GO TO PRISON AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO AN OFF-DUTY SHOOTING.

JOSEPH CABRERA GETS 24 MONTHS PROBATION AFTER HE PLED GUILTY ON A CHARGE OF RECKLESS DISCHARGING A FIREARM.

COOK COUNTY PROSECUTORS SAY HE SHOT OF THE VICTIM AND MISSED IN 2020.

THE LAWSUIT LATER FILED BY THE VICTIM ALLEGED JOSEPH CABRERA WAS VISIBLY INTOXICATED AND SMELLED OF ALCOHOL DURING THE INCIDENT AND STILL LEGALLY DRUNK WHEN HIS BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS TESTED FOUR HOURS LATER.

>>> A MAJOR PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM TAKES CONTROL OF THE CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE BUILDING.

THEY REPORT THE APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT HIRED A CHICAGO DEVELOPER TO REVAMP THE LANDMARK BUILDING.

IT IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST PROFILE OFFICE BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN UP FOR SALE SINCE THE START OF THE COVID PANDEMIC , WHICH IS DRIVEN UP VACANCIES TO AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

>>> COMING UP, A NEW BILL LET'S PRINCIPLES UNIONIZE.

>>> FIRST , A NEW BATCH OF STATE LAWMAKERS TAKE OFFICE TODAY .

AMANDA VINICKY IS LIVE IN SPRINGFIELD WITH MORE.

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

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

POLK BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AND BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEGINS A NEW IN SPRINGFIELD , A NEW CROP OF ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN SWORN IN TODAY.

AMANDA VINICKY IS IN SPRINGFIELD WITH THE LATEST.

AMANDA ?

>> Reporter: AS FAR AS LEGISLATION IS CONCERNED , THERE ARE FRESH FACES , A NEW GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS MORE ASIAN-AMERICAN MEMBERS, ALSO THE FIRST MUSLIM ELECTED TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

AND IN THE HOUSE, MORE DEMOCRATS THAN EVER WERE SWORN IN TODAY, LED BY THE FIRST BLACK HOUSE SPEAKER.

THEY WERE SWORN INTO A SECOND TERM AS SPEAKER BY HIS WIFE.

>> MR. SPEAKER , ARE YOU READY TO TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE?

FOR THE HOUSE.

WHEN I SAID THE HOUSE, WE MEAN -- [ LAUGHTER ] >> Reporter: SHE MEANS THE STATE HOUSE, NOT THE FAMILY HOME IN SUBURBAN HILLSIDE.

THE SPEAKER SAYS THERE IS A LOT OF WORK ON HIS AGENDA, REWARDING WORK, BUILDING THE PHYSICAL HEALTH AND MAKE ILLINOIS SAFER.

HE SAYS THAT MEANS INVESTING IN THE POLICE AND ATTACKING THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME.

HE SAYS IT HAS TO BE DONE WITH A PRIORITY ON EQUITY.

>> EQUITY AND HEALTHCARE , EQUITY AND EDUCATION , EQUITY AND WORKPLACE, YES, EQUITY IN OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

WHEN WE SAY THE PRINCIPAL LESIONS IT IS WITH JUSTICE FOR ALL.

JUSTICE FOR ALL MEANS ALL.

>> Reporter: HE SIGNALED PRIDE AS HOUSE DEMOCRATS WON MORE SEATS AND SIGNALED A TONE OF BIPARTISANSHIP , SAYING HE WILL WORK TO FIND COMMON GROUND, EVEN WITH THOSE WHO HE DISAGREES WITH .

>> DISAGREEMENT IS HEALTHY.

THOSE WHO CHOOSE DISCORD, THOSE WHO BLIND ALLEGIANCE TO EXTREME IDEOLOGIES THAT WOULD DISMANTLE OUR FUNDAMENTAL INSTITUTIONS, THOSE WHO WOULD DERAIL THE WORK PEOPLE HAVE SENT US HERE TO DO, THEY WILL FIND THAT THIS HOUSE WILL WASTE THE PEOPLE'S TIME.

>> MEANWHILE , THE NEW HOUSE MINORITY LEADER , THE FIRST WOMAN ELECTED TO LEAD A HOUSE CAUCUS, YOU CAN SEE HER IN THE FRONT ROW WITH THE GREEN DRESS, SHE WAS SELECTED TO RESTORE AND REBUILD REPUBLICAN RANKS.

THEY SAY DEMOCRATS DOMINANCE IS 20 ILLINOIS AT RISK .

SHE SAYS FAMILIES ARE LEAVING BECAUSE OF DEMOCRAT POLICIES AND GROWING GOVERNMENT.

>> THE CHECKS AND BALANCES BETWEEN OUR COEQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT IS UNBALANCED AND UNHEALTHY FOR US ALL.

REPUBLICANS , DEMOCRATS , AND INDEPENDENTS.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LEADERSHIP CHANGES , TO REIMAGINE WHAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> Reporter: WITH THE SUPER MAJORITY , DEMOCRATS DO NOT NEED ANY REPUBLICANS VOTES TO PASS LEGISLATION, BUT SHE WANTED THE SPEAKER TO WORK WITH HER ANYWAY.

>> IT IS TIME FOR LEADERSHIP THAT MUST BE UNAFRAID TO BE FORTHRIGHT, I ASK YOU, DON'T BE AFRAID TO BRING US TO THE TABLE .

WE ARE PROBLEM SOLVERS.

USE OUR KNOWLEDGE , BENEFIT FROM OUR TALENT.

AND HERE OUR HEARTS.

LET US SHOW YOU THAT ANY PRECONCEIVED NOTION ABOUT REPUBLICANS IS FALSE.

>> Reporter: ILLINOIS SENATORS TOOK THEIR OATH OF OFFICE TODAY AMID THE HISTORIC SETTING, THE FORMER CAPITAL WHERE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ONCE SERVED AS AN ILLINOIS LAWMAKER.

THERE IS TURNOVER IN THE SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP .

THEY HAD A SIMILAR TONE , SAYING THAT DEMOCRACY IS BEST SERVED WHEN POLICIES ARE CRAFTED BY TWO POLICIES.

>> REGARDLESS OF THE LETTER NEXT TO OUR NAME, WE ARE ALL HERE TO DO ONE THING, CREATE A BETTER ILLINOIS.

THAT MEANS THAT ALL LEGISLATORS , NOT JUST THE MAJORITY , ARE HERE TO REPRESENT OUR CONSTITUENTS AND CREATE A STRONG , PRACTICAL POLICIES.

THERE ARE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS WHO SUPPORT THE REPUBLICAN PRINCIPLES OF FREEDOM AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICANS CERTAINLY FEEL -- THE MOST SENIOR OF THE POWERFUL IS THE SENATE PRESIDENT, DON HARMON, WHO DID NOT GET SPECIFIC ABOUT A PLATFORM, RATHER HE READ A QUOTE FROM THE RECENT SWEARING-IN OF A SUPREME COURT JUDGE, A SPEECH MADE TO A PATROL OFFICER.

>> IF YOU LIKE INTEGRITY, GET OUT NOW.

YOU WILL BE FOUND OUT.

IF YOU REMEMBER THE ESTEEM HELD BY YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS , MANY OF WHOM ARE IN THIS HALL, IT WILL SAVE THEM THE SHAME AND HEARTBREAK.

WE WITNESSED THE TARNISH WHEN EVEN ONE ELECTED OFFICIAL STRAYS.

>> Reporter: EVEN AMONG THE CELEBRATORY PROMPT OF INAUGURATION, IT WAS AN ETHICAL WARNING FROM THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND THAT HAS BEEN A LOT OF RECENT SUCH THINGS, FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN FACING CORRUPTION CHARGES, OTHER LEGISLATORS FORCED OUT OF GOVERNMENT.

ONE SENATOR WHO WAS SWORN INTO OFFICE TODAY BUT HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO FEDERAL BRIBERY CHARGES.

A LOT GOING ON.

THE 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL HAVE ITS FIRST OFFICIAL REAL DAY OF BUSINESS TOMORROW.

THIS , AFTER A VERY BUSY FEW DAYS OF THE LAST LAME-DUCK LEGISLATURE WHICH SENT A FLURRY OF BILLS TO THE DESK OF J.

B. PRITZKER , WE WILL BE WITH A SENATOR TO TALK ABOUT A CONTROVERSIAL BILL , THE NEW GUN LAWS.

SENDING IT BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>> I WONDER IF THEY WERE STILL TIRED FROM THE MONDAY GUBERNATORIAL INAUGURATION FEATURING BRUNO MARS.

>>> A BILL WHO HAS ALREADY MADE HIS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR.

>> CHICAGO PRINCIPLES COULD HAVE A SEAT AT THEIR OWN BARGAINING TABLE AS A BILL IN THE ILLINOIS SENATE IS HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK, IT WOULD ALLOW CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND VICE PRINCIPALS TO UNIONIZE BUT NOT TO STRIKE.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE BILL AND WHAT IT MEANS IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHICAGO PRINCIPLES AND ADMINISTRATORS ASSOCIATION, HE WROTE THE BILL.

AND ROBERT , PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR OF THE LABOR EDUCATION PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS .

WE ALSO SHOULD SAY THAT WE INVITED OPPONENTS OF THE BILL BUT THEY DECLINED OUR REQUEST.

WELCOME BACK.

AS WE SAID , YOU WROTE THE BILL AND SPENT NEARLY 4 YEARS WORKING ON IT.

WHY DID YOU FEEL IT WAS NECESSARY ?

>> WHEN I BECAME PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION, BARGAINING RIGHTS WITH THE LAST THING ON MY MIND.

MY GOAL WAS TO HELP PRINCIPALS DEVELOP SOLUTIONS AND CHALLENGES THAT THEY HAD.

AND WORK WITH THE DISTRICT TO DO SO I KEPT GOING UP AGAINST A DISTRICT WHO DID NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE REPRESENTATIVES AND LISTEN TO DIFFERENT VOICES.

AFTER SEEING ONE BAD POLICY WITH NEGATIVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES, CONSEQUENCES WE COULD HAVE WARNED THEM ABOUT HOW THEY SPOKE WITH US , I DECIDED THAT BARGAINING RIGHTS WAS A KEY TOOL THAT WE NEEDED IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE WHO RUN THE SCHOOLS WERE HEARD WHEN THE DISTRICT IS DEVELOPING SCHOOL POLICIES.

>> OR ANY PARTICULAR POLICIES -- WHAT POLICIES DID YOU FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD INPUT ON ?

>> I CAN GIVE YOU MANY EXAMPLES, ONE IS REOPENING , IF YOU REMEMBER, WE HAD TO GET THE SCHOOLS OPEN BECAUSE BLACK AND BROWN CHILDREN ARE SUFFERING THE MOST.

WE LOOK AT STAFFING NUMBERS, BASED ON WHAT OUR PRINCIPALS WERE TELLING US, IF THEY REOPENED WITH THE STAFFING MODEL, WE WANTED IT TO OPEN.

BUT THE STAFFING MODELS THEY WANTED TO USE WOULD CREATE A SITUATION WHERE BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS WOULD SUFFER DISPROPORTIONATEL Y AS A RESULT OF A BAD REOPENING PLAN.

LO AND BEHOLD , WHEN WE REOPENED , 17% OF MAJORITY QUITE CLASSROOMS , WHEN THEY WENT BACK TO SCHOOL, THEY WERE IN PERSON , BUT THEY HAD A REMOTE TEACHER.

IT WAS 17% OF MAJORITY WHITE CLASSROOMS, HISPANIC , 40% WENT BACK TO SCHOOL IN PERSON, THE TEACHER WAS AT HOME.

WHEN IT CAME TO BLACK STUDENTS, ALMOST 50% BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS , BECAUSE OF THE STAFFING MODEL, THAT SUFFERED DISPROPORTIONATE LY .

MY OWN SON WENT BACK TO SCHOOL, CAME BACK AND SAID, I FEEL LIKE I AM MORE A PART OF THE CLASSROOM WHEN I AM REMOTE BECAUSE THE TEACHER IS NOT THERE , ONLY A COUPLE OF KIDS ARE THERE, DON'T SEND ME BACK.

THE PARTICULAR STAFFING MODEL THAT THEY USED , IF THEY LISTENED TO US, THOSE KIDS WOULD HAVE GONE BACK TO SCHOOL WITH A BETTER EXPERIENCE.

>> ART PRINCIPLES CONSIDERED MANAGERS AND THEREFORE NOT USUALLY ELIGIBLE FOR BARGAINING RIGHTS?

IS THAT WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN CONSIDERED?

>> THE ARGUMENT HAS BEEN THAT THE MANAGER SHOULD BE TREATED ALMOST AN EQUIVALENT TO A SUPERINTENDENT OR ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT , OR A CABINET LEVEL POSITION , DISTRICTWIDE POLICY , HISTORICALLY , THERE HAS BEEN DEBATE ABOUT WHO IS A MANAGER AND WHO IS A SUPERVISOR.

FRANKLY IF YOU'RE NOT SETTING POLICY DISTRICTWIDE , YOU CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR BEING AT THE BARGAINING TABLE, AND BARGAINING LABOR RELATIONS WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE YOUR TEACHERS AND OTHER UNIONS .

FRANKLY, YOU WERE EXPOSED TO THE SAME WAGE ISSUES , WORKING CONDITION ISSUES , IN TERMS OF WORK AND YOU CAN HAVE SOME MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES WITHOUT ACTUALLY BEING A SUPERVISOR WITHIN THE CONTEXT.

PROBABLY , HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INAPPROPRIATELY EXCLUDED FROM HAVING THE RIGHT TO BARGAIN.

CHICAGO IS BEHIND THE CURVE.

OTHER PLACES IN THE COUNTRY , THERE ARE PRINCIPAL ASSOCIATIONS .

THE LAW IS REALLY CATCHING UP , PROPERLY DEFINING THE PRINCIPAL IN THE SCHOOL SETTING.

>> CPS OPPOSED THE BILL INITIALLY AND THEN BECAME NEUTRAL.

THEY HAVE SENT US -- LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCILS HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO HIRE AND FIRE PRINCIPLES .

HOW MAY UNIONIZING CHANGE THE RELATIONSHIP LIKE THIS?

>> I AM SO GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP.

THE AUTHORITY STAYS THE SAME.

NONE OF THE POWERS CAN BE DIMINISHED BY A CONTRACT WITH THE DISTRICT.

CHICAGO PRINCIPLES ARE THE ONLY ONES IN AMERICA AND IN THE WORLD THAT HAVE TWO BOSSES THAT ARE SOMETIMES OPPOSED TO ONE ANOTHER WHO CAN BOTH FIRE THEM.

THE LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL GIVES THEM CONTRACT , THEY CANNOT RENEW THEIR CONTRACT , A CEO CAN FIRE THEM.

YOU WERE IN -- ONLY PEOPLE IN THIS POSITION, WE CANNOT SOMETIMES , WE WANT TO SIDE WITH THE SCHOOL COUNCIL, WE WANT TO SUPPORT THEM, BUT OFTENTIMES THEY ARE AFRAID TO , BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID OF WHAT MANAGEMENT WILL DO.

BECAUSE OF THIS BILL, MANY PRINCIPALS WILL FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE STANDING WITH THE SCHOOL COUNCIL.

I EXPECT THIS BILL TO IMPROVE THE RELATIONS OF BETWEEN PRINCIPALS AND LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCILS BECAUSE THEY WILL BE MORE COMFORTABLE STANDING WITH THEM ON ISSUES.

>> A COMPLICATED SPOT.

WE HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT, WHAT DO YOU SAY THIS MEANS FOR CPS GOING FORWARD?

>> I THINK IT STRENGTHENS THE ABILITY OF THE KEY PERSONNEL WHO ARE MAKING THE SCHOOLS HAPPEN, PROVIDING THE SCHOOL DAY .

YOU ARE BRINGING THOSE VOICES TO THE TABLE AND GETTING THEM SOME POWER AND PROTECTION TO SPEAK AUTHENTICALLY .

I THINK IT CAN ONLY STRENGTHEN THE ABILITY OF THE SCHOOLS TO FUNCTION AT A HIGH LEVEL.

I THINK EVERYBODY INTENDS FOR THEM TO.

>> WE WILL SEE WHAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES.

I THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>>> NOW A BIG ANNIVERSARY FOR THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM.

PARIS?

>> WHAT BEGAN AS A REMAINING WATER TOWER AFTER THE CHICAGO FIRE HAS GROWN TO 81 LOCATIONS ACROSS THE CITY , AFTER 150 YEARS, THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS ITS OWN STORIES TO TELL.

JOINING US TO SHARE THEM IS THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMISSIONER , CHRIS BROWN.

WELCOME BACK TO PARIS SCHUTZ , HAPPY BIRTHDAY .

WE ARE IN THE 150th YEAR.

THINGS YOU DID AWAY WITH, LATE FEES , HOW HAS THAT BEEN GOING ?

>> REALLY WELL.

WE WERE THE FIRST BIG CITY LIBRARY IN THE COUNTRY TO GO FINE FREE IN 2019.

IS A TESTAMENT TO THE LEADERSHIP IN THE CITY.

YOU CAN LOOK BACK, HAROLD WASHINGTON, SEE THE INVESTMENT IN OUR CENTRAL LIBRARY , A LARGE CENTRAL LIBRARY , TODAY WITH MAYOR LIGHTFOOT , AND IT IS FINE FREE.

IT HAS A BIG IMPACT .

>> YOUTHS WHO HAD LATE FEES , THEY CAN GO BACK TO CHECK BOOKS OUT.

I MAY HAVE SOME THAT ARE OVERDUE.

IS THAT A PROBLEM?

>> NO , IT IS MORE ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BUSY LIVES AND SOMETIMES WE CANNOT MAKE THE PAYMENTS, IT IS A WAY OF MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE IN OUR CITY CAN ACCESS THE LIBRARY IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> I WILL GET THOSE BOOKS BACK POSTHASTE.

YOU RAISED THE PROPERTY TAXES A FRACTION, WHAT IS THAT FUNDING ?

>> WE HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF INVESTING IN OUR COLLECTIONS.

WE HAVE INCREASED OUR COLLECTION BUDGET.

BOOKS , DATABASES , BY 30%.

THAT HAS ALLOWED US TO REFRESH CHILDREN'S COLLECTIONS IN 20 LIBRARY'S.

MAKING MORE INVESTMENTS IN OUR PRIMARY MATERIALS.

>> THE LIBRARY HAS BEEN OPEN ON SATURDAY FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

IS THE FUNDING ENOUGH WHERE IT CAN CONTINUE TO DO THAT?

>> NOW IT IS SUNDAY AS WELL, COME IN ANY DAY OF THE WEEK, FREE INTERNET ACCESS, LITERACY PROGRAMS, EVERYONE THROUGHOUT CHICAGO CAN GO INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARY.

>> 150 YEARS FOR THE CPL, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MARK IT?

>> CELEBRATING THE LIBRARY STORY WE ALL HAVE , YOU HAVE A LIBRARY STORY, WE CAN TELL THAT FROM THE BEGINNING , WHEN WE MOVED INTO THE WATER TOWER, AND ALL THE WAY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HAROLD WASHINGTON LIBRARY CENTER.

J.B. PRITZKER ESTABLISHING OUR LIBRARY FOUNDATION.

>> TELL US ABOUT THOSE INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS.

CHANCE THE WRAPPER WENT THROUGH ONE OF YOUR PROGRAMS.

>> A PROGRAM CALLED NEW MEDIA, IT IS A SPACE FOR CHILDREN , DURING OUT OF SCHOOL TIME, TO SOUND RECORD, MIXED TAPES, LEARN DIGITAL SKILL BUILDING , AND WE HAVE HAD SO MANY INCREDIBLE ALUMNI .

>> THEY HAVE UTILIZED THAT AND DONE ALBUMS IN THEIR?

>> EXACTLY.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE PLANNED IS A PODCAST WITH AN AWARD-WINNING PODCAST PRODUCER.

WE CAN TELL ALL THOSE INCREDIBLE STORIES ABOUT OUR LIBRARY.

>> WHEN WILL THIS PODCAST COME OUT ?

>> IN JUNE .

A CHANCE TO TELL ALL THE STORIES , PEOPLE MAY NOT BE AWARE OF, HOW WE CREATED THE CITY LIBRARY TOGETHER.

CITY LEADERS TO CHICAGOANS , ALDERMEN , IT IS A CHICAGO STORY.

>> CPL OFFERS OTHER SERVICES PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT.

PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP PREPARING THEIR TAXES CAN GO TO THE LIBRARY.

>> WE OFFER TAX ASSISTANCE , AND ALSO A LOT OF INCREDIBLE SERVICES DAY TODAY.

OUR LIBRARY FOUNDATION FUND OUR TEACHER IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM .

>> A POET LAUREATE PROGRAM.

HOW WILL THAT WORK ?

>> WE ARE HOME TO A FOUNDATION IN CHICAGO, WE ARE WORKING WITH THEM AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS , WITH MAYOR LIGHTFOOT , TO HAVE OUR INAUGURAL EVENT WHERE YOU CAN NOMINATE POETS , NOMINATE THEMSELVES , THEY WILL RECEIVE THE INAUGURAL POET LAUREATE WILL RECEIVE A $50,000 GRANT SERVING IN THAT CAPACITY.

THERE WILL BE PROGRAMMING , COMMISSIONING OF POEMS, HOPEFULLY COMMISSIONING A POEM ABOUT OUR CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY DISTRACTION, PEOPLE READING ON YOU READERS, SOMETHING YOU HAVE SEEN IN YEARS PAST ?

>> ONE OF THE MOST BELOVED COMMUNITY SPACES THROUGHOUT OUR CITY, 81 LOCATIONS , 77 NEIGHBORHOODS.

THE PHYSICAL BAR LEADERSHIP IS BIG -- WE HAVE ADDED EBOOKS, HISTORICAL NEWSPAPERS, PRETTY MUCH WHATEVER YOUR INTEREST IS, WE HAVE IT.

>> CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, A SHOUT OUT TO LIBRARY STAFF.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>>> MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT COMING UP .

PLEASE , STICK AROUND.

>>> THE WORK OF A GRAFFITI ARTIST IS BEING SHOWCASED INSIDE AT THE ELMHURST ARTISAN FOR THE FIRST TIME AND ANGEL IDOWU SHARES THE MESSAGE SEEN FLYING AROUND THE CITY.

>> I AM MOSTLY KNOWN FOR MY MURALS AND STREET ART.

I WANTED TO CONVEY THE STORY IN A MORE 3-D WAY.

SOMETHING THAT THE VIEWER AND THE AUDIENCE CAN HAVE MORE HANDS-ON.

>> Reporter: THE STORY OF HIS SIGNATURE CHARACTER.

THE VISUAL STREET ARTIST WANTS VIEWERS TO STEP INTO WHEN VISITING HIS EXHIBIT , THE BOY WHO WANTED TO FLY AT THE ELMHURST ART MUSEUM.

>> I WANT PEOPLE TO PUT THEMSELVES BEHIND THE MASK.

BE ABLE TO HAVE THE IDEA OF FREEDOM, ESCAPE, UNDERSTAND THE STORY OF A YOUNG LATINO WHO GREW UP IN THE HOOD.

HE REALLY WANTED TO FIND HIS ARTISTIC VOICE AND LIVE OUT HIS DREAMS.

>> Reporter: IS SIMILAR STORY TO HIS OWN.

UNLIKE HIS PUBLIC ART , THIS EXHIBITION ALLOWS HIM TO TELL HIS STORY THROUGH SEVERAL MEDIUMS.

>> THE STORY , THE YOUNG BOY FINDS ART THROUGH GRAFFITI AND STREET ART , THAT IS HOW I FOUND MY VOICE.

THE SECOND SPACE , WHAT I CONSIDER THE CHARACTER, THE SAFE HAVEN , HIS BIRDHOUSE , TREEHOUSE , YOU SEE SKETCHES , IDEAS , LITTLE THINGS THAT REPRESENT THE CHARACTER 'S LIFE.

YOU GO OUTSIDE HIS ENVIRONMENT.

ART CANNOT DENY THE ENVIRONMENT IT IS IN.

YOU SEE A GIANT SCULPTURE OF THE KID LAYING DOWN.

YOU SEE THE PAINTINGS THAT REFLECT THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: WITH THIS ENVIRONMENT PLAYING SUCH A BIG ROLE IN HIS ENVIRONMENT, HE HOPES TO SHARE THIS , WHO HE SAYS REPRESENTS HUMANITY.

>> EVEN IN MY CULTURE, REPRESENTING ALTER EGOS , EMPOWERMENT , THE SPIRITUAL SIDE OF THINGS.

I STILL WANT IT TO BE A UNIVERSAL MESSAGE .

I HOPE PEOPLE TAKE AWAY THE IDEA OF HOW THIS YOUNG CHARACTER FOUND HIS VOICE, FOUND HIS DREAMS THAT PEOPLE CAN BE INSPIRED TO DO THE SAME THROUGH ART, JOURNALISM , SPORTS , WHATEVER IT MAY BE.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM ANGEL IDOWU.

>> YOU CAN SEE THIS AT THE ELMHURST ARTISAN UNTIL FEBRUARY 12th.

>>> COMING UP, AMANDA VINICKY IS LIVE IN SPRINGFIELD WITH A LAWMAKER ON THE NEW AND CONTROVERSIAL BILL THAT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW.

>>> ON THE ETHICS OF THE LAUREN LYSTER TEMPE ASKING TEACHERS TO OFFER STUDENTS COURSE CREDIT TO WORK ON THE MAYOR'S REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

>>> GAS STOVES COME UNDER FIRE, WHAT STUDIES SHOW ABOUT HEALTH RISKS.

>>> FIRST , MORE OF THE TOP STORIES , NO ONE WAS INJURED IN A FIRE AT A CHEMICAL PLANT IN LaSALLE, ILLINOIS, TWO HOURS WEST OF CHICAGO.

FIRST RESPONDERS ARRIVED AT THE PLANT AROUND 8:00 THIS MORNING AND RESPONDED TO A REPORT OF A STRUCTURE FIRE AT THE FACILITY.

THE POLICE CHIEF SAYS ALL WORKERS WERE EVACUATED AND HAVE BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR .

OFFICIALS SAY THEY CONTAIN THE FIRE BY THE AFTERNOON.

>>> PROMISSORY POINT IS GOING TOWARDS CITY LANDMARK STATUS, THEY HAVE LANDMARK RECOMMENDATIONS, CITY LANDMARK STATUS IS GIVEN -- TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST DEMOLITION OF ITS FEATURES.

CONSERVATIONIST HAVE SPENT MORE THAN 20 YEARS TRYING TO PROTECT THE LIMESTONE.

>>> THE JACKPOT FOR MEGA MILLIONS HAS GROWN , AND ESTIMATED $1.35 BILLION IS UP FOR GRABS AFTER THERE WAS NO GRAND PRIZE WINNER LAST NIGHT.

THE ONLY JACKPOT LARGER THAN THIS ONE IS THE $1.53 BILLION THAT WAS CLAIMED IN SOUTH CAROLINA IN 2018.

THE ODDS OF WINNING ARE 1 IN 302.6 MILLION.

THE NEXT JACKPOT DRAWING IS FRIDAY.

>>> NOW , BACK TO AMANDA VINICKY IN SPRINGFIELD .

AMANDA ?

>> Reporter: I HAVE NOT PURCHASED A TICKET YET, BUT THAT STORY MAKES ME WANT TO.

I AM IN THE ILLINOIS HOUSE CHAMBERS, THEY WERE EMPTY TODAY BECAUSE INAUGURATION TOOK PLACE SOMEWHERE ELSE.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A NEW GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY STARTING TOMORROW.

WE DID REACH OUT TO SENATE DEMOCRATS TO GET THEIR PERSPECTIVE, EVEN WITH THE SUPER MAJORITY RANKS, NONE WERE AVAILABLE THAT IS ALL RIGHT, WE ARE JOINED BY ACCIDENT REPUBLICAN FROM MURPHREESBORO.

HAPPY INAUGURATION TO YOU.

LET'S START AND GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF PERSPECTIVE, WHERE IS THAT , YOUR BONA FIDE, YOU HAVE SOME STATS ?

I LIVE SIX MILES EAST OF CARBONDALE, THE FIRST WOMAN OVER -- EVER TO HOLD MY HOW SEAT.

FIRST WOMAN IN THE SENATE THAT HAS A PIECE OF SPRINGFIELD.

I TEND TO BE A LOUD VOICE.

A LOT OF THE ISSUES WE TALK ABOUT OUR STATEWIDE .

I HAPPEN TO BE A REPUBLICAN WHO LOVE CHICAGO.

I DON'T WANT TO SEPARATE US FROM CHICAGO.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES YOU HAVE IS THE NEW LAW THAT CREATES A CATEGORY OF WHAT THE STATE DEFINES AS AN ASSAULT WEAPON.

THERE IS A LONG LIST OF THOSE PARTICULAR GUNS , THE FUTURE SALE OF WHICH , AS OF LAST NIGHT , NO LONGER ALLOWS.

WHY IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU DISAGREE WITH?

WE WILL GET TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS, BUT INHERENTLY ?

>> WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE DEFINITION OF AN ASSAULT WEAPON IS, UNTIL ONE AMENDMENT LAST NIGHT , IT LOOKS LIKE ALMOST EVERY SEMI AUTOMATIC SHOTGUN, THAT FOR PERSPECTIVE, THAT WOULD BE GRANDFATHER'S SEMI AUTOMATIC SHOTGUN HE MAY USE TO FARM.

IT MAY HAVE BEEN PASSED DOWN A COUPLE OF GENERATIONS, ALL OF A SUDDEN, HE COULD BE A FELON FOR HAVING A FIREARM HE COULD HAVE HAD FOR GENERATIONS.

>> IF HE DOES NOT REGISTER IT?

>> CORRECT.

IN THE FINAL AMENDMENT, THAT PART WAS TAKEN OUT, PARTIALLY , BUT CONFUSION ABOUT WHICH SEMI FOR SHOTGUN, THOSE IN MANY PARTS OF THE STATE ARE USED FOR HUNTING.

I AM A DEER HUNTER, I HUNT TURKEY, THOSE ARE FIREARMS THAT ARE COMMONLY USED.

THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HAS GOING TO SAY ABOUT COMMONLY USED FIREARMS.

>> Reporter: YOU ARE NOT AN ATTORNEY, BUT YOU HAVE STUDIED THIS , THIS IS EXPECTED TO IN SHORT ORDER BE TAKEN TO COURT WITH GUN RIGHTS GROUPS AND GUNOWNERS SEEKING TO GET THE LAW DECLARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> THERE WAS A RECENT DECISION , A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, IT CHANGES THE LANDSCAPE OF GUN CONTROL IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT MADE THE RULE, THEY SAID , COURTS HAVE RULED FOR THE LAST DECADE ON USING RULINGS IN THE PAST , FROM THE 1950s , THEY HAVE INDICATED YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE FRAMERS, 1790 , THAT PART CHANGES .

THE OTHER PART THAT CHANGES IS THAT THE RULES THAT WERE USED -- IT CHANGES THE FRAMEWORK.

ILLINOIS HAS TWO QUESTIONS, ONE, DOESN'T VIOLATE THE SECOND AMENDMENT?

SECOND, IS IT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY TO THE SUPREME COURT SAID YOU CANNOT ASK THE SECOND QUESTION ANYMORE.

THAT CHANGES THE DYNAMIC.

THIS PARTICULAR BILL IN QUESTION , FROM MANY OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS GROUPS, THEY ARE SAYING , IT DOES NOT MEET THIS DECISION.

OBVIOUSLY , THOSE GROUPS WILL GO TO COURT AND IT WILL BE DECIDED IN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

>> Reporter: ONE MUST QUESTION, DO YOU PLAN TO REGISTER YOUR GUNS?

LEGISLATURES HAVE SAID THEY WOULD NOT DO THAT.

>> I WILL WAIT AND SEE.

WE HAVE 300 DAYS TO REGISTER THEM .

I WILL SEE WHAT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT SAYS.

WE EXPECT THERE WILL BE AN INJUNCTION ON THIS SO LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW TERM.

SHE REPRESENTS A SECTION OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS.

BACK TO YOU.

>>> TO PARIS AND WHY GAS STOVES ARE UNDER FIRE.

>> RECENT COMMENTS ABOUT BANNING GAS STOVES HAVE LIT A POLITICAL FLAME, IT MAY TURN OUT TO BE -- POLITICIANS HAVE BLASTED THE NOTION OF BANNING GAS STOVES AFTER REGULATORS SEEMED OPEN TO IT, BUT THERE ARE NO PLANS TO SHUT THE STOVE OFF.

BUT THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR HEALTH RISKS .

JOINING US TO EXPLAIN ALL OF THIS ARE A PROFESSOR , AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ILLINOIS PETROLEUM RESOURCE GROUP.

I WILL START WITH YOU , ABOUT ONE THIRD OF U.S.

HOUSEHOLDS HAVE GAS POWERED STOVES, THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION MAY FLOAT THE IDEA OF REGULATION IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, PARIS .

IT IS NOT NEW INFORMATION , THAT GAS POWERS STOVES EMIT CHEMICALS, FUMES, HAZARDOUS TO ONE'S HEALTH .

A RECENT STUDY SAYS THAT ABOUT 12% OF CHILDHOOD ASTHMA IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO EXPOSURE TO GAS POWERED STOVES.

GAS POWERED STOVES ARE POWERED BY NATURAL GAS, WHEN IT BURNS, IT EMITS A NUMBER OF CHEMICALS, THE BIGGEST ONE BEING NITROUS DIOXIDE, THAT CAUSES INFLAMMATION IN YOUR AIRWAVES AND OTHER HEALTH ISSUES THAT CAN MAKE ASTHMA WORSE.

>> THIS IS HAPPENING IN 12% OF GAS POWERED STOVES ?

>> NO, 12% OF CHILDHOOD ASTHMA IS ATTRIBUTED TO GAS POWERED STOVES.

>> A LOT OF CONFUSION ABOUT THE COMMENTS MADE BY A REGULATOR .

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF ALL OF THIS?

>> THE STUDY REFERRED TO A MOMENT AGO IS A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW .

IT DID NOT INCLUDE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON THIS ISSUE, THE INTERNATIONAL STUDY OF ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES IN CHILDHOOD, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF CORRELATION BETWEEN THIS.

THAT SAMPLED 500,000+ CHILDREN , THAT WAS OMITTED FROM THE STUDY REFERRED TO EARLIER.

THAT STUDY ACTUALLY HAD A NUMBER OF FLAWS.

I WILL GO TO THE WEBSITE , IT SAYS, WHETHER DESIGNED TO BURN NATURAL GAS, PROPANE , GAS STOVES ARE CLEANLY ADMITTING.

COMMENTS FROM THE FEDERAL AGENCY -- SORRY, FROM THE OFFICIAL THIS WEEK, OBVIOUSLY , THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION CAME OUT AND SAID THAT THEY DID NOT SUPPORT THIS, THEY WALKED BACK TO TALK OF A BAN OR REGULATIONS OF GAS STOVES .

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN SAYS HE IS NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS.

WHAT ABOUT THE DISCREPANCY IN THE STUDIES?

>> THE DETAILS OF THE STUDIES ARE LESS IMPORTANT THAN THE MAIN MESSAGE , WHICH IS THAT, IF SOMEONE HAS A GAS STOVE, IT DOES EMIT CHEMICALS AND O2, IN AN INDOOR SPACE IT CAN BE PROBLEMATIC FOR SOME PEOPLE.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE POLICY DIVISION ASIDE , PEOPLE SHOULD CONSIDER CAREFULLY , IF THEY HAVE AN EXHAUST FAN THAT GOES TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOME, TURN IT ON.

I HAVE FAILED AT THAT MANY TIMES, IT MAKES A LOT OF NOISE.

IF YOUR WORD ABOUT YOUR RESPIRATORY HEALTH , ADDING AN AIR FILTER TO THE HOME COULD PROBABLY BENEFIT PEOPLE WHO ARE VULNERABLE.

IT IS NOT REALLY DEBATABLE IN MY MIND THAT BURNING NATURAL GAS CREATES NITROUS DIOXIDE IN THE HOME , AND OTHER PARTICULATES , FOR PEOPLE SUSCEPTIBLE TO LUNG DISEASE, THAT IS A RISK FACTOR.

THERE ARE A VARIETY OF OTHER RISK FACTORS.

THEY HAVE TO BE VULNERABLE .

BUT ADDING ONE MORE THING TO THE EQUATION DOES NOT HELP, AND BEING MINDFUL OF THAT IS GOOD FOR PEOPLE'S INDIVIDUAL HEALTH.

>> IT HELPS TO OPEN THE WINDOW IN BETTER WEATHER.

THE AGENCY SAYS THEY ARE NOT CONSIDERING A REGULATION OF GAS STOVES OR A BAN , THEY SAID , RESEARCH INDICATES OMISSIONS CAN BE HAZARDOUS AND THERE -- THEY ARE NOT LOOKING TO BAN GAS STOVES.

ARE THE REGULATIONS OR BEST PRACTICES FOR FUTURE GAS STOVES THAT PERHAPS COULD HELP ?

>> I AGREE THAT PROPER VENTILATION IS A GOOD SOLUTION FOR THE EMISSIONS.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND, THE MERE PRESENCE OF THESE DOES NOT INDICATE THEY COULD CAUSE A HEALTH RISK.

MORE EMISSIONS FROM COOKING THE FOOD ITSELF, 17 TIMES MORE EMISSIONS.

NO BAN IS NECESSARY.

ANY COMMONSENSE REGULATIONS OF FUTURE GAS STOVES , IF THEY MAKE SENSE , IF THEY ARE REASONABLE , THAT IS NOT AN ISSUE AT ALL.

>> WHAT ABOUT FUTURE STANDARDS FOR MAKING GAS STOVES ?

>> HAVING ADEQUATE VENTILATION IS A KEY INGREDIENT TO HAVE SAFE GAS COOKING IN THE HOME .

PEOPLE DON'T NEED TO THROW AWAY THEIR GAS STOVES.

BUT , I THINK , INTERMEDIATE STEPS FOR NOW , MAKING SURE YOU HAVE GOOD VENTILATION, OPENING THE WINDOW WHEN THE WEATHER ALLOWS, AND WE NEED TO THINK BROADLY ABOUT INDOOR AIR QUALITY .

NOT JUST GAS STOVES, BUT OTHER INDOOR POLLUTANTS THAT CAN IMPACT PEOPLE'S RESPIRATORY HEALTH.

>> ALL THEIR DRAWBACKS TO GOING TO ELECTRIC ?

IS ONE BETTER THAN THE OTHER IN TERMS OF COST AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ?

>> IN DOING A BIT OF RESEARCH BEFORE THIS INTERVIEW, THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY IS VERY DEAD SET AGAINST BANNING A GAS STOVE.

THE COST EFFICIENCY ISSUE FOR PREVENTING THIS IN PARTICULAR IS THE BIGGEST CONCERN FROM GOING TO NATURAL GAS TO ELECTRIC .

THERE ARE DEFINITELY DRAWBACKS FROM AN OVERREACTION TO THE STUDY THAT HAS DRIVEN OFFICE, WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE STUDY PUT TOGETHER ON THE ISSUE.

THERE IS NOT ANY EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN GAS STOVES AND ASTHMA.

>> THOSE COMMENTS WERE WALKED BACK.

MY THANKS TO YOU BOTH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> NEXT, OUR SPOTLIGHT ON POLITICS TEAM.

FIRST , WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> THE MAYOR SENDS A CONTROVERSIAL EMAIL, TO CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS TEACHERS, AND A HOT BUTTON BILL SIGNED INTO LAW IN SPRINGFIELD.

HE WAS ALL THAT AND MORE IS OUR TEAM, HEATHER, PARIS , AMANDA.

LET'S GET TO THE NEWS OF THE NIGHT , MAYOR LIGHTFOOT , HER CAMPAIGN SENT SOME TEACHERS AND OFFER TO THEIR CHILDREN, OR FOR THEIR STUDENTS TO EARN CREDIT IF THEY VOLUNTEER WITH HER CAMPAIGN.

YOU BROKE THE STORY ALMOST 3 HOURS AGO.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> Reporter: THE RULE IS CLEAR, YOU CANNOT USE PUBLIC RESOURCES FOR CAMPAIGN PURPOSES.

THAT WAS -- WHEN THESE EMAILS STARTED FLYING AT NOON TODAY, THERE WAS A BIG REACTION FROM TEACHERS, SAYING , HOW IS THIS OKAY ?

WE STARTED REPORTING IT .

THEREIN STICKS WERE CORRECT.

THESE EMAILS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE SENT.

IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW THE CAMPAIGN THOUGHT IT WAS APPROPRIATE OR EVEN POSSIBLE TO OFFER STUDENTS WHO DID VOLUNTEER WITH HER CAMPAIGN CLASS CREDIT.

THERE IS NOT ANY PROVISION IN THE ACADEMIC CODE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

THAT BROUGHT A SWIFT BLACK/.

>> THE EMAIL SAYS WE WANT TO HELP LORI LIGHTFOOT WIN A SECOND TERM.

IT ALSO OFFERS COURSE CREDIT.

>> DOES THIS PASS THE SNIFF TEST?

>> IT SEEMS NOT TO PASS THE ETHICS SNIFF TES.

LET'S NOT FORGET , SEVERAL MONTHS AGO , THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPOINTED MAYOR LIGHTFOOT TO FIRE TEACHERS THAT BROUGHT THEIR STUDENTS DOWN TO A PROTEST ON THE SOUTH SIDE AGAINST A SCRAP METAL RECYCLING COMPANY, SAYING THAT HIS GETTING THEM TOO INVOLVED IN POLITICS .

THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION IS INCREDIBLY POLITICAL , AND CRITICALLY -- INCREDIBLY OPPOSED TO LORI LIGHTFOOT , THEY HAVE THEIR OWN CANDIDATE, HARD TO THINK WHAT THEY WERE THINKING, NOT THINKING TEACHERS WOULD JUMP ON THIS AND SAY, WE HAVE SOMETHING TO USE AGAINST MAYOR LIGHTFOOT.

>> WHAT IS THE FALLOUT ?

>> THE MAYOR ISSUED THREE STATEMENTS IN THE TWO HOURS SINCE WE BROUGHT THIS UP , THEY WANTED TO GET THE STUDENTS INVOLVED IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, THE SECOND STATEMENT SAID, OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, AND , THE THIRD SAYS , THIS WAS NOT APPROPRIATE, WE WILL STOP AND RESPECT THE LAW BETWEEN POLITICAL ACTIVITY AND PUBLIC AND SCHOOL DUTIES.

WHEN YOU PUT THAT MANY STATEMENTS OUT IN SUCH A SHORT TIME , YOU HAVE A SIGNIFICANT POLITICAL PROBLEM ON YOUR HANDS WITH LESS THAN 60 DAYS BEFORE VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS.

>> ANOTHER ETHICAL ISSUE AS WELL.

IT DOES NOT STOP AT POLITICS , WHEN YOU HAVE SHARKS IN THE WATER , CERTAINLY , THERE WILL BE SOME GUESSING, ALLEGATIONS , THIS COULD LEAD TO MORE THAN JUST SOME TROUBLE FOR THE LIGHTFOOT CAMPAIGN.

>> COMPLAINTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FILED ?

>> EXACTLY.

>> AMANDA , I WANT TO COME BACK TO YOU IN A SECOND, THE NEW GUN LAW WAS SIGNED IN THE WANING HOURS , HERE IS WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID.

>> GETTING SOMETHING ACCOMPLISHED IS SOMETHING OFTEN REQUIRES COMPROMISE AND WORKING WITH PEOPLE.

IT IS NEVER PERFECT WHAT COMES OUT OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

THE LEGISLATURE BEHIND ME WOULD SAY THAT.

THIS IS TRULY THE STRONGEST AND BEST ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

>> AMANDA , HOW SOON MAY THIS BE CHALLENGED BY THE GUN LOBBY?

>> RIGHT AWAY.

YOU STILL HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING LEGALLY , THE EXPECTATION IS THERE WILL BE SOME LAWSUITS FILED IN A MATTER OF DAYS.

CERTAINLY , NEXT WEEK.

>> WHEN DRAFTING THIS GUN BILL, LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE IT IS CONSTANT USUALLY ARE TIGHT, ARE THEY CONVINCED IT IS?

>> FIRST OF ALL, J.B. PRITZKER , TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING TAKEN OUT , WE HAVE HAD MASS SHOOTINGS, UNFORTUNATELY , CARRIED OUT OFTEN BY THOSE IN THEIR TEENS.

THE GUN LICENSE REMAINS AT 18 INSTEAD OF 21.

SENATOR BRYANT SAYS THIS IS A BAN ON THE FUTURE SALE OF GUNS CLASSIFIED AS ASSAULT WEAPONS.

GUN OWNERS TAKE UMBRAGE WITH THAT, THEY SAY AR 15'S, THOSE ARE COMMON, AND THAT IS A FLAGRANT VIOLATION.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS, GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER AND THE OTHERS WHO DRAFTED THE BILL , THEY DID KEEP IN MIND , POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS , ALSO , THE DEMANDS FROM THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF CRIMES, MASS SHOOTINGS, THIS HAS TO STOP.

THEY WROTE THIS WITH AN EYE TOWARDS CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS, PARTICULARLY THE DECISION FROM THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

>> A CASE IN MARYLAND, SIMILAR , ABOUT ASSAULT WEAPONS , THAT IS MAKING HIS WAY TO THE COURTS AND DOWN TO THE APPELLATE COURTS.

WE REALLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE LAW IS.

WE DO NOT KNOW HOW THIS SUPREME COURT WILL INTERPRET THAT LAW .

WHEN THEY INTERPRET THAT LAW, WE WILL HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF WHETHER THIS IS CONSTITUTIONAL.

>> ANOTHER HOT BUTTON BILL ON ABORTION.

WHAT DOES IT DO ?

>> WHAT THIS DOES IS MEANT TO ILLINOIS, ALREADY A SAFE HAVEN FOR ABORTION , EVEN MORE SO , IT DOES SO BY PROVIDING PROTECTION TO THOSE WHO COME FROM STATES WHERE IT IS NOT LEGAL, AND THEN EITHER RECEIVE AN ABORTION , OR PERFORM ONE.

IT HELPS TO GIVE LICENSES TO DOCTORS , NURSES , WHO ARE NOT LICENSED IN ILLINOIS BUT ARE IN WISCONSIN, THEY COULD CROSS THE BORDER AND PERFORM MEDICAL WORK.

THERE ARE A HOST OF OTHER SUCH PROTECTIONS.

THAT IS THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT.

ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION THAT NO LONGER MADE ABORTION THE LAW OF THE LAND.

>> WHAT DOES THIS DO AND WHAT WERE CONCERNS RAISED BY REPUBLICANS ?

>> THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ILLINOIS HOUSE BILL AND SENATE BILL, A SHAKEUP IN THE WANING HOURS OF THE LAME-DUCK SESSION, THIS WOULD PROTECT PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL FROM STATES LIKE TEXAS AND FLORIDA, THAT BAN DID REFORMING CARE -- GENDER AFFIRMING CARE , TO PREVENT THEIR DOCTORS FROM SEEKING CRIMINAL PENALTIES IN THOSE STATES, OR BEING INVESTIGATED.

SIMILAR TO AN ORDINANCE THAT IS NOW IN CHICAGO , NOW THE CITY AND THE STATE ARE ALIGNED.

>> BACK TO CITY NEWS AND THE CAMPAIGN, THERE ARE NINE CANDIDATES FOR THE CHICAGO MAYOR.

THEY TALKED ABOUT THE CRIME CREDENTIALS OF MAYOR LIGHTFOOT .

>> YOU WOULD NOT KNOW IT BY WATCHING THE NEWS, BUT ON CRIME, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAS A PLAN.

>> PUTTING MORE POLICE ON THE STREET AND TAKING MORE GUNS OFF.

WHEN IT COMES TO NEW STRATEGIES, NEW TECHNOLOGY.

THOSE ARE FACTS.

ANYONE WHO SAYS THERE ARE SIMPLE SOLUTIONS IS LYING.

>> IS THIS AN EFFECTIVE AD ?

>> I DO NOT KNOW, BUT THEY KNOW FULL WELL THAT HER TWO MAIN WEAKNESSES ARE CRIME AND THE GENERAL PERCEPTION OF HOW SHE LEAVES.

IT IS THE AGE-OLD POLITICAL STRATEGY OF TURNING HER BIGGEST WEAKNESS INTO A STRENGTH.

CAN SHE PULL IT OFF ?

THAT IS ONE TALL ORDER.

>> ANOTHER VETERAN ALDERMAN WHO IS CUTTING IT -- CALLING IT QUITS ?

>> ROBERTA MAULDIN NOT OF WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION EVEN THOUGH HE GOT ON THE BALLOT, WE ARE NOT QUITE SURE WHY .

HE DID NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS.

HE PUT OUT A LENGTHY STATEMENT THAT SAYS HE DID NOT TAKE IT LIGHTLY BUT IT WAS TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE.

THIS MEANS HUMBOLDT PARK WILL BE UP FOR GRABS WITH THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES , INCLUDING A FORMER DJ.

>> NO EDDIE AND JOBO?

>> THIS IS THE LATEST VETERAN ALDERMAN TO JOIN THIS EXODUS.

WHOEVER WINS IN FEBRUARY , THE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE VERY DIFFERENT IN MAY.

>> 15 WARDS UP FOR GRABS.

HOW DIFFERENT WILL CITY COUNCIL LOOK MARGARET >> VERY DIFFERENT, IT COULD BE A FREE-FOR-ALL.

WILL IT HELP THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS , THEIR STYLE OF GOVERNANCE, OR GO TO THE RIGHT FOR SOME CANDIDATES WHO ARE MORE PRO-BUSINESS , SOME ARE PRO POLICE.

>> FEBRUARY 28 IS WHEN WE WILL FIND OUT.

THANK YOU.

WE ARE 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, AND BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING, YOU CAN GET CHICAGO TONIGHT ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE , AND OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS .

>> OR VIA PODCAST .

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00.

REVISITING THE SITE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.'S HISTORIC PROTESTS.

>>> THE NEW LEADER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO INSTITUTE OF POLITICS, FORMER NORTH DAKOTA SENATOR.

FOR ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN .

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ .

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A. CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A PROUD SPONSOR OF DIVERSITY,