THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M NICK BLUMBERG.

>> BRANDIS FRIEDMAN AND PARIS SHOTS HAVE THE EVENING OFF.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

HUNDREDS OF NEW LAWS ARE TAKING EFFECT IN ILLINOIS.

WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW THEY IMPACT YOUR LIFE?

FRIDAY SHOULD BE ON THE BALLOT.

2 STATES TAKE FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP OFF THE BALLOT OVER HIS EFFORTS TO OVERTURN THE 2020 ELECTION.

PLUS, MICHAEL MADIGAN'S TRIAL PARTY CONVENTIONS, THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND MORE OF WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2024.

WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

>> AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

A DROP IN SHOOTINGS AND HOMICIDES IN 2023.

BUT CHICAGO'S TOTAL NUMBER OF KILLINGS WAS THE 5TH HIGHEST OF ANY YEAR.

>> THE CITY SAW MORE THAN 600 HOMICIDES AND MORE THAN 2400 SHOOTINGS AND 2023, ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT, POLICE ALSO REPORTED A 23% SPIKE IN ROBBERIES AND A 37% INCREASE IN CAR THEFTS.

SUPERINTENDENT LARRY SNELLING COMMENDED THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE DROP IN SHOOTINGS AND HOMICIDES WHICH ARE NOW BACK TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

IN A STATEMENT SNELLING SAYS AS WE HEAD INTO THE NEW YEAR, WE WILL CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS TO BUILD STRONGER BONDS AMONGST OUR RESIDENTS, SUPPORT THE VICTIMS OF CRIME AND PROTECT ALL CHICAGOANS.

A GROUP OF ACTIVISTS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO PROTEST THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN CHICAGO, ARGUING THE PARTIES FAILED TO PROTECT REPRODUCTIVE AN LGBTQ+ RIGHTS.

TODAY MARKS THE FIRST DAY THE CITY TOOK APPLICATIONS FOR DEMONSTRATIONS.

COINCIDING WITH THE AUGUST CONVENTION AT A CITY HALL NEWS CONFERENCE.

ADVOCATES FROM THE COALITION BODIES OUTSIDE OF UNJUST LAWS SAY DEMOCRATS HAVEN'T STEM THE TIDE OF STATE LAWS THAT RESTRICT ABORTION ACCESS OR DISCRIMINATE AGAINST CLEAR AMERICANS.

EVEN WHEN DEMS ARE IN THE MAJORITY IN GOVERNMENT.

>> DESPITE THE FACT THAT A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO SAFE LEGAL AND ACCESSIBLE ABORTION AND FULL REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE AS WELL AS FULL RIGHTS FOR LGBTQ+ COMMUNITIES.

WE ARE EXPERIENCING ESCALATING ASSAULTS.

>> RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH WEDDING RINGS.

THE COOK COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE HOSTED ITS FIRST WEDDING CEREMONY OF 2024.

THIS MORNING, COUPLES APPLIED FOR A LOTTERY TO GET THE FIRST MARRIAGE LICENSE OF THE YEAR.

THE WINNERS WERE PILSEN RESIDENTS.

ANGELICA RODRIGUEZ AND ALPHONSO ARROYO.

THEY MET 6 YEARS AGO WHILE WAITING FOR A BUS AND STRUCK UP A CONVERSATION COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CTA BUS TRACKER.

SOUNDS LIKE CHICAGOANS.

THE COUPLE TOOK HOME.

A GIFT PACKAGE DONATED BY LOCAL BUSINESSES.

CONGRATULATIONS.

UP NEXT, NEW LAWS TO KNOW IN THE NEW AND GIVES US THE RUNDOWN.

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

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> IT'S A NEW YEAR AND THAT MEANS NEW LAWS ARE IN EFFECT IN ILLINOIS.

MORE THAN 300 OF THEM W T TW NEWS REPORTER AMANDA VINIK.

HE JOINS US NOW WITH A RUNDOWN ON SOME OF THEM THAT COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOU.

ALL RIGHT, AMANDA, WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW HEADING INTO 2020 FOR.

ALL RIGHT.

SO, NICK, YOU KNOW, THERE'S THIS SAYING THAT THERE ARE ONLY 2 THINGS IN LIFE THAT ARE CERTAIN.

>> DEATH AND TAXES, BUT HAVE ANOTHER ONE AND THAT IS NEW LAWS AND WELL, CONGRESS IN 2023.

HAVE DONE MUCH BY MEANS OF TESTING.

WE LOST THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

SURE DID.

AND SO, YES, I WILL HIGHLIGHT JUST A FEW WITH YOU.

LET'S START WITH THE RULES OF THE ROAD.

DANGLING SOMETHING FROM THE REARVIEW MIRROR IS STILL ILLEGAL.

BUT NO LONGER CAN POLICE PULL YOU OVER SOLELY FOR THAT?

WHATEVER YOU WANT IN THE DESK AND I AND THEN ALSO AUTOMATICALLY PLATE READERS, THESE ARE PROLIFIC THESE DAYS, ESPECIALLY WITH CARJACKING, SIMPLY TRYING TO CRACK DOWN ON IT.

ILLINOIS, HOWEVER, WILL NOT ALLOW FOOTAGE FROM THEM TO BE USED TO DETAIN UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS ARE TO INVESTIGATE ANYTHING ALONG WITH THAT.

ALSO TO HELP PERSECUTE ANYBODY SEEKING AN ABORTION IN ILLINOIS, PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE OTHER STATES WHERE ABORTIONS ILLEGAL IN FOLKS HEADING INTO OUR STATE FOR REPRODUCTIVE CARE.

NOW, ALSO I GOT IS GETTING INTO THE APP GAME.

>> NEW LAW REQUIRES THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO DEVELOP AN APP WITH THE LATEST ON ROAD CONDITIONS.

BE ON WHETHER LANE CLOSURES DUE TO CONSTRUCTION.

SO THERE YOU DON'T KNOW, HOWEVER, NECK HOW THAT IS GOING TO COMPARED TO SOMETHING LIKE WAYS ALREADY EXISTS.

LIKE TAKING A LITTLE TIME TO GET UP TO SPEED.

AND I'M THERE YOU GO.

>> AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THERE ARE A LOT OF LAWS ON THE BOOKS.

A NEW LAWS ABOUT EDUCATION.

YEAH.

AND SO I SCHOOL A COUPLE.

VERY ALRIGHT SCHOOLS BUT HAVE TO DO DRILLS AND HAVE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS FROM HERE ON OUT.

THOSE PLANS NOW NEED TO INCLUDE.

>> HOW LAW ENFORCEMENT COULD RAPIDLY GAIN ENTRY TO A SCHOOL IF NEEDED.

NOW, THERE ARE ALSO SOME NEW LESSON REQUIREMENTS.

STUDENTS MUST BE TAUGHT ABOUT THE DANGERS ALLERGIES AND THEN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE TO LEARN ABOUT THE DANGERS OF OPIOIDS IN THEIR HEALTH CLASS.

ALSO SOME THIS MANDATORY SCHOOLS HAVE TO HAVE NALOXONE OR SOMETHING SIMILAR ON HAND THAT COULD HELP TO REVERSE AN OPIOID OVERDOSE.

AND THEN SPEAKING OF OPIOIDS AND TRYING TO PREVENT DEATHS RELATED TO THAT PHARMACISTS ARE RETAILERS ARE NOW GOING TO BE ABLE TO SELL THOSE FENTANYL TEST STRIPS.

AND SO BASICALLY THOSE ARE SHIPS THAT ARE ABLE TO DETECT REALLY POWERFUL READ DEADLY FENTANYL THAT CAN BE MIXED IN WITH STREET DRUGS THE OBJECTIVE.

THE OBJECTIVE THERE, OF COURSE, TO SAVE LIVES.

YEAH, I KNOW A LOT OF HARM REDUCTION ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR THAT MEASURE FOR A LONG TIME.

WHAT ABOUT SMOKING?

THERE'S A NEW LAW ABOUT E-CIGARETTES.

YES.

SO THE CDC SAYS THAT SOME POPULATIONS, VAPING IS EVER MORE POPULAR.

>> ILLINOIS, HOWEVER, CRACKING DOWN ON WHERE FOLKS CAN ELECTRONICALLY LIGHT UP.

A LOT NOW SAYS NOT INDOOR PUBLIC PLACE SAYS REALLY THE SAME RULES THAT COVER REGULAR CIGARETTES NOW APPLY TO VAPING.

I'M SURE A LOT OF FOLKS WILL BE HAPPY TO HEAR THAT.

ANY OTHER BIG HIGHLIGHTS.

WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BIG THEME.

SO, YES, I 300 WAS THERE ARE A TON COVERING THE GAMUT HEALTH.

I WOULD SAY THAT THERE ARE SOME BIG POLICIES THAT AFFECT LEAVE FOR WORKERS.

A STATE LAW GOES INTO EFFECT THAT ALLOWS FOLKS REALLY ACCRUE HOUR OF PAID LEAVE FOR EVERY 40 HOURS WORKS.

THAT IS PRETTY MAJOR.

AND THEN THERE ARE SOME OTHER LEAVE POLICIES IN EFFECT.

THOSE WHO HAVE A RELATIVE WHO IS KILLED IN A VIOLENT CRIME OR FOR A LOSS OF A CHILD TO SUICIDE, MANDATING THAT THEIR EMPLOYERS GIVE LEE FOR THAT.

ALSO, THE MINIMUM WAGE IN CHICAGO, IT'S ALREADY HIGHER BUT STATEWIDE, SOMETHING MEANINGFUL, ILLINOIS ON THE WAY TO $15 THAT COMES NEXT YEAR.

THIS YEAR, IT'S UP TO $14 AN HOUR FOR THE MINIMUM WAGE.

AND THEN NICK, FINALLY, I'LL ADD THAT SOMETHING THAT HAS GOTTEN A LOT OF ACTUAL NATIONAL ATTENTION IS A BAN ON BOOK BANS.

AND REALLY THAT'S NOT QUITE A BAN ON.

BUT FANS, ILLINOIS CAN'T DO THAT.

BUT WITH THE STATE IS DOING IS SAYING ANY STATE GRANT MONEY WILL NOT GO TO LIBRARIES.

THAT AND CERTAINLY USING THEIR POWER, AT LEAST WHEREVER THEY CAN, EVEN IF THEY CAN'T STOP THE BANS OUTRIGHT.

END OF ANY KEY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND THE NEW YEAR, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU.

>> AND FOR ADDITIONAL NEW LAWS, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WT TW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

UP NEXT, LEGAL CHALLENGES TO FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BID TO RETURN TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS BEEN KICKED OFF THE BALLOT IN BOTH MAINE AND COLORADO.

THOSE UNPRECEDENTED RULINGS ARE ON HOLD FOR NOW WITH TRUMP INDICATING HE PLANS TO APPEAL TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

AT ISSUE IS WHETHER TRUMP IS DISQUALIFIED FROM MAKING ANOTHER PRESIDENTIAL RUN UNDER THE 14TH AMENDMENT FOR ENGAGING IN INSURRECTION.

HERE'S THOMAS 7 YELLOW WHO SAYS HE PREVIOUSLY VOTED FOR TRUMP EXPLAINING WHY HE CHALLENGE THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S ELIGIBILITY TO BE ON THE BALLOT IN MAINE.

>> SOME RECENT QUALIFY THEY SHOULD BE ON THE BALLOT.

THE SECOND THING, IF THEY WANT TO WRITE HIS NAME AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, GO AHEAD.

BUT FACT IS THAT MAN INCITED A RIOT ON JANUARY 6.

THAT'S WHAT BROUGHT ME TO THE TABLE.

>> JOINING US NOW TO HELP UNPACK ALL THIS ARE HAROLD KRANTZ, CONSTITUTIONAL SPECIALIST AND PROFESSOR AT CHICAGO CAN COLLEGE OF LAW WHERE HE ALSO PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS DEAN OF THE LAW SCHOOL.

AND JOINING US VIA ZOOM, DAVID FRANKLIN LAW PROFESSOR AND CONSTITUTIONAL SPECIALIST AT DEPAUL UNIVERSITY.

FRANKLIN PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS ILLINOIS SOLICITOR GENERAL.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

AND WELCOME BACK.

DAVID, I'D LIKE TO START WITH YOU, PLEASE.

OFFICIALS IN COLORADO AND MAINE NOW SAY FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IS INELIGIBLE TO RUN.

THEY CITE THE 14TH AMENDMENT.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT LEGAL JUSTIFICATION TO US?

>> SO THE 14TH AMENDMENT WAS MADE PART OF OUR CONSTITUTION JUST AFTER THE CIVIL WAR.

AND IT CONTAINS LOTS OF PROVISIONS THAT FOLKS ARE PROBABLY FAMILIAR WITH, LIKE THE DUE PROCESS CLAUSE, THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE, BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP AND SO FORTH.

BUT THESE CASES INVOLVE SECTION 3 PREVIOUSLY LITTLE STUDIED A PART OF THE 14TH AMENDMENT.

WHAT IT SAYS THAT IF SOMEONE HAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN AN AS OFFICER OF UNITED STATES AND THEN ENGAGES IN INSURRECTION.

THAT PERSON IS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE TO IN.

OFFICE UNDER THE UNITED AND SO THE ARGUMENT IN LAYMAN'S TERMS IS QUITE TRUMP ON AROUND JANUARY 6, 2021 ENGAGED INSURRECTION.

AND AS SUCH HE IS DISQUALIFIED FROM SERVING AS PRESIDENT AND THEREFORE DISQUALIFIED FROM RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, IT MAY BE A RELATIVELY STRAIGHTFORWARD ARGUMENT, BUT CERTAINLY THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WHERE THERE IS CONSENSUS.

YOU KNOW, OTHER STATES HAVE KEPT HIM ON THE BALLOT.

DAVID, DO YOU THINK THE ARGUMENTS TO KICK TRUMP OFF HAVE MERIT?

>> YEAH.

ACTUALLY, THE LEGAL ARGUMENT FOR DISQUALIFICATION QUITE STRONG.

>> JANUARY 6TH WAS AN INSURRECTION BY ANY SENSIBLE DEFINITION.

TRUMP ENGAGED IN IT BY CALLING FOR IT BY HELPING TO ORCHESTRATE A BEHIND THE SCENES, FRANKLY, BY NOT STOPPING IT ONCE IT STARTED THE 14TH AMENDMENT COVERS THE PRESIDENCY SO ALL OF THOSE ARGUMENTS, THEY'RE NOT OPENING SHOT, SLIM DUMP ONES, BUT THEY'RE ALL QUITE STRONG.

DIFFICULTY IS THAT CONSTITUTIONAL LAW ISN'T JUST MIRO LEGAL ARGUMENTATION THE WAY BABY TAX LAW OR CONTRACT LAW IS THERE'S AN ELEMENT OF HIGH POLITICS TO CONSTITUTIONAL.

AND I THINK IT'S ALMOST INCONCEIVABLE THAT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT WOULD DISQUALIFY FROM THE BALLOT.

A CANDIDATE LIKE TRUMP WHO FOR BETTER OR WORSE HAS TENS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WANT TO VOTE FOR HIM IN.

THERE ARE FRANKLY TENS OF BILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY, UNFORTUNATELY WHO BELIEVE THAT THE 2020 ELECTION STOLEN AND PERHAPS EVEN THE JANUARY 6TH INSURRECTION WAS JUSTIFIABLE.

SO UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, I THINK IT'S QUITE UNLIKELY THAT THE STRONG LEGAL ARGUMENTS FOR DISQUALIFICATION CARRY THE DAY.

>> HOW HOW ABOUT THAT?

DO YOU THINK THESE ARGUMENTS HAVE MERIT TO THEM?

I THINK I MIGHT HAVE BY.

DON'T THINK IT'S AS OPEN AND SHUT AS DAVID WOULD SUGGEST.

AND THE DIFFICULTY IS THINK ABOUT ARE THE WORDS OF THE 14TH AMENDMENT.

HE CAN DISQUALIFY SOMEONE FOR INSURRECTION OR GIVING AID AND COMFORT TO THE ENEMIES.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

WHO DECIDES THAT?

IF YOU ASK ABOUT TAKING SOMETHING OFF THE BALLOT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT.

35 21 POINT UNITED STATES THAT'S RELATIVELY OBJECTIVE.

NOT ALWAYS RELATIVELY PROTECTED.

WE CAN SEE SECRETARIES OF STATES FROM COLORADO WERE MADE OR OTHER STATES MAKING THAT DECISION AND A HALF TO CUT PEOPLE OFF THE BALLOT BECAUSE OF THE WRONG AGE TO THE REPORT.

UNITED STATES BUT TO SAY THAT YOU'VE GIVEN COMFORT TO AID TO THE ENEMY.

THAT'S SO SUBJECTIVE.

AND THAT COULD BE IN TERMS OF WHAT PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS DONE TO BORDER OR WHAT OTHER CONGRESSMEN DONE IN THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH TURKEY IRAN OR RUSSIA.

AND SO WHO MAKES CALL AS WE WANT THE PROBLEM WITH THE CONSTITUTIONAL LANGUAGE ON HIS FACE NO MECHANISM TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S A DUE PROCESS LIKE WE'RE FAIR WAY TO ASCERTAIN.

DID SOMEONE INSURRECTION PRESIDENT TRUMP PROBABLY DID.

BUT WHO'S MAKING A JUDGMENT HOW OR WHO GAVE COMFORTING ENEMIES AND DOES THAT YOU KNOW, TRUMP'S LEGAL TEAM HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT HE EXPECTS, YOU KNOW, HE PLANS TO APPEAL THIS TO, YOU KNOW, STATE COURTS TO THE SUPREME COURT.

>> WHAT KIND OF ARGUMENTS TO EXPECT HIS ATTORNEYS TO MAKE THEY HAVE A MIXTURE OF SORT OF LANGUAGE ORGANS FROM 14TH AMENDMENT, SAYING THAT THE PRESIDENCY IS NOT CONSIDERED >> OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE 14TH AMENDMENT.

IT'S PLAUSIBLE.

IT DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE GIVEN THE FACT THAT HE WOULDN'T HAVE WANTED JEFFERSON DAVIS TO BECOME ELECTED PRESIDENT AFTER THE CIVIL WAR AND COURSE JEFFERSON DAVIS WAS HEAD OF SO THOSE THOSE KIND OF ARGUMENTS ARGUES THAT ONLY CONGRESS CAN SET IN MOTION PROCESS BY WHICH SOMEONE CAN BE DISQUALIFIED.

AND HAS BEEN SOME HISTORICAL PRECEDENT FOR THAT AS WELL.

SO THAT'S ANOTHER KIND OF ARGUMENT THAT THEY'RE GIVING RISE TO.

BUT THE END OF THE DAY, I DO AGREE WITH DAVID THAT THIS WHOLE SET OF ARGUES PUTS THE SUPREME COURT IN A BIND BECAUSE I THINK THE COURT WILL SAY THAT THE ONE THING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IS WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE VOTE AWAY FROM PEOPLE AND THE DIFFICULTY WITH THE ARGUMENTS AND MAINE AND COLORADO IS ON THE FACES OF AND NOT A COMPLETE TRIAL.

THEY'RE TAKING AWAY THAT DECISION FROM PEOPLE.

DAVID, YOU KNOW, ASSUMING THIS DOES GO TO THE SUPREME COURT, DO YOU EXPECT A RULING ON THE SUBSTANCE OF THE MIGHT THIS BE SOMETHING THAT WE SEE DECIDED MORE LONG PROCEDURAL GROUNDS?

>> IT'S ALWAYS HARD TO PREDICT.

I THINK THAT CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS WILL WORK AS HARD AS HE CAN TO GET UNANIMITY OR CLOSE TO IT ON THE COURT.

I MEAN, THAT SUGGEST A NARROW VIEW THAT SUGGESTS TO ME.

BUT THE COURT ISN'T GOING TO WANT TO WEIGH IN ON WHETHER JANUARY 6 WAS AN INSURRECTION OR ON WHETHER TRUMP ENGAGED IN IT.

I HOW PUT HIS FINGER ON THE MOST LIKELY OFF-RAMP.

BUT THE COURT CAN TAKE, WHICH IS TO SAY THAT EVEN JANUARY 6 WAS AN INTERACTION THAT TRUMP ENGAGED THE PROCESS, THAT HE GOT COLORADO, THE PROCESS THAT HE GOT WASN'T SUFFICIENT.

WHETHER THAT MEANS YOU HAVE TO HAVE A FULL CRIMINAL TRIAL WHETHER CONGRESS HAS TO PASS A SPECIAL STATUTE, JUST SORT OF FOR SECTION 3.

THOSE ARE THE DETAILS THAT DON'T HAVE TO WORK OUT.

BUT I EXPECT SOME KIND OF PROCESS ORIENTED >> WE'VE GOT ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

HOW CRIME, YOU KNOW THAT THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS ARE COMING UP FAST, READY OR NOT.

DO EXPECT A QUICK DECISION ON THIS NOW.

EXPECT A QUICK DECISION, BUT DON'T FORGET THAT, YOU KNOW, PRIMARIES ARE STARTING NEXT WEEK AND THIS DECISION, EVEN IF IT'S.

ON SPEEDWAY, HAMPSON MAY TAKE A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

SO THERE STILL COULD BE SOME DISLOCATION ABOUT THE SOCIETY.

I THINK THOSE STATES WILL NOT TAKE HIM OFF THE BALLOT TO SUPREME COURT GETS A CHANCE TO MAKE A DECISION, RIGHT?

CERTAINLY GOING TO BE ABOUT HIS HIGH-PROFILE DECISION.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE.

HAROLD KRANTZ, DAVID FRANKLIN, THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

NEXT, LOOKING AT THE YEAR AHEAD WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

STAY WITH US.

THE CITY'S ONCE MOST POWERFUL ALDERMAN WAS CONVICTED IN HIS CORRUPTION TRIAL IN 2023.

WILL THE STATE'S ONCE MOST POWERFUL LAWMAKER REACH THE SAME FATE IN 2024.

MEANWHILE, CHICAGO PREPARES TO HOST THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION AHEAD OF THIS YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM IS HERE TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE BIG EVENTS TO COME IN THE NEW AND OF IN TURKEY.

HEATHER?

SURE.

ROUND.

HELLO.

GOOD TO SO FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN'S TRIAL SET TO GET UNDERWAY IN APRIL.

BUT IF HE HAS ANY SAY THAT WON'T HAPPEN UNTIL MUCH LATER IN THE YEAR.

AMANDA REMIND US AGAIN WHAT HE'S CHARGED WITH WHY HIS LAWYERS HOPED TO DELAY THAT CASE.

SO FIRST OF ALL, THE STRATEGY HERE FOR ANYBODY PUT PARTICULAR SOMEBODY LIKE MAN, AGAIN, WHO YOUNG ANYMORE, ALTHOUGH YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW IT, HE'S IN THE SPREAD PHILA.

>> STATEMENTS TRYING TO PUT OFF.

IT IS LONG IS POSSIBLE.

BUT THE REASON THAT HE AND YOU HAVE SOME OTHERS, INCLUDING THE COMMENT FOR TIM MAPES, ALL THE SORT OF LOOKING AT THE STRATEGY IS ACTUALLY TO A CASE THAT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT IS TAKING UP THAT AND DEALS WITH THE FORMER MAYOR OF PORTAGE, INDIANA.

SO NOT THAT FAR BUT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT'S A BRIBE VERSUS GRATUITY, A GRATUITY BEING JUST AS WE THINK OF IT.

YOU TO EAT.

YOU GIVE SOMEBODY A TIP AFTER THE FACT VERSUS THE BRIDE WOULD BEFOREHAND.

ALL DO THIS AND THEN YOU DO SOMETHING IN RETURN.

SO REALLY THAT THE AIM HERE FOR HIS DEFENSE TEAM IS TO TRY TO ARGUE IF THEN WAIT FOR THE U.S. SUPREME COURT TO MAKE A DECISION, HOPE THAT THAT DECISION GOES IN MADIGAN FAVOR AND THAT THE FEDS DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY SORT OF CASE BECAUSE WHOLE DEFINITION OF BRIBERY, HIS AND AGAIN, TO GET YOUR INITIAL QUESTION IS REALLY USED WHAT THE INDICTMENT DESCRIBES AS THE MAGIC ENTERPRISE, WHICH IS IT MEANT TO SOUND A SPRAWLING IS IT REALLY WAS IN TERMS OF HIS POWER AND THAT HE ABUSED IN ORDER TO GET FAVORS FOR HIS PROPERTY TAX LAW FIRM.

I WONDER HOW THAT'S FOR ALL BUT ALSO TO HIS ALLIES.

YOU MENTIONED HIS LONGTIME CONFIDANT, TIM MAPES, THE SO-CALLED COMMENT FOR THEY'RE TRYING TO DELAY THEIR SENTENCING.

DO YOU THINK THAT COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON MANNEQUINS CASE OR THESE KIND OF 2 SEPARATE OF YOU IT'S BEEN INTERESTING TO SORT OF WATCH THESE TRIALS BECAUSE SOME OF THE JURORS.

>> DON'T LEAVE IN CHICAGO PROPER AND REALLY AREN'T ALL THAT KEYED INTO WHO THESE FIGURES ARE.

SO >> FOR FOLKS LIKE US, IT IS WE'RE LITERALLY PAID.

AND ALSO, I THINK LIKE SLASH HAVE AND A BIT OF AN ADDICTION TO FOLLOWING YOU KNOW, I MEAN, I THINK THAT AT THIS POINT IT'S DIFFICULT FOR ME TO IMAGINE HOW DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON HERE, BUT REALLY, AGAIN, THIS IS UP FAR OUT OF ILLINOIS'S CONTROL AND WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE U.S. SUPREME COURT ARGUABLY MAYBE BUT DOESN'T REALLY HAVE AS MUCH OF THE CASE.

I'M NOT SURE MAYBE MAKING THAT ARGUMENT.

I'M NOT AN ATTORNEY, BUT HE IS A HE'S BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE AND PERJURY.

SO I'M NOT QUITE SURE HOW OR WHY THAT WOULD FIT INTO THIS CORRUPTION CASE.

BUT THERE YOU GO.

EXACTLY.

TAKE A SWING FORMER ALDERMAN ED BURKE WHO YOU JUST MENTIONED.

HE JOINED THE LONG LIST OF CONVICTED FORMER POLITICIANS HERE IN ILLINOIS.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE ASK THIS EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS.

BUT HEATHER, DOES THIS MOVE THE NEEDLE AT ALL FOR VOTERS?

SO I THINK THAT THAT IS THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION.

THE QUESTION THAT I DON'T THINK ANYBODY CAN REALLY ANSWER IS WHY TO CHICAGO HAVE SUCH IGNOMINIOUS HISTORY OF CORRUPTION AND WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO SORT OF BREAK THIS CULTURE?

AND I DO CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.

BUT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE SAW MORRIS PASS QUELL ACTING U.S. ATTORNEY ASKED ABOUT I SAID, LOOK, BURKE HAS OPERATED THE WAY THAT THE JURY FOUND, THAT HE OPERATED ESSENTIALLY AS A BRIBE TAKER IN EXTORTIONATE WANTED TO TAKE THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE 50 YEARS TO GATHER ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO BRING THIS CASE TO A JURY.

>> AND THAT I THINK IS THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION THAT WE HAVEN'T ANSWERED AND I'M HOPING TO DO A LITTLE BIT MORE REPORTING ON THIS.

NOW THAT IS 2024 AND MAYBE GET SOME WATCH THIS SPACE YOU HAVE.

THERE'S A LOT GOING IN THE 2024 ELECTION SEASON.

ONE OF THEM, HEATHER IS THE BRING CHICAGO HOME BALLOT MEASURE.

WHAT ARE VOTERS GOING TO HEAR ABOUT THIS LEADING UP TO ELECTION DAY?

WELL, IT IS GOING TO BE A BATTLE ROYALE BETWEEN THE BUSINESS AND THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY IN CHICAGO WHO SEE THIS REFERENDUM AS AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO THEIR ABILITY TO SORT OF SELL BIG COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IS FOR MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THE SAME TIME OF THE FERRY ENERGIZED.

>> PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY WHO SEE THIS REFERENDUM AS A WAY TO SHOW EFFORTS TO SORT OF TAX WEALTHY, CHICAGOANS, WEALTHY PROPERTY OWNERS TO FUND THE CITY'S SOCIAL SAFETY NET.

SO THIS IS REALLY GOING TO BE SORT OF CLASH BETWEEN THOSE COMPETING VISIONS OF CHICAGO.

AND I THINK IT WILL PROVE TO BE A REFERENDUM, AT LEAST IN THE INITIAL STAGES OF MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON'S TENURE BECAUSE HE IS ALL IN ON PASSING.

BRING CHICAGO HOME IF IT FAILS, IT WILL BE A MAJOR DEFEAT FOR ARE STILL NEW ISH YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

AND CERTAINLY 2 BLOCKS ON EITHER SIDE OF THAT.

THEY HAVE A LOT OF SWAY IN CITY COUNCIL.

>> THERE'S ONE NOTABLE RACE ON THE BALLOT FOR THE STATE SENATE AND THE 20TH DISTRICT.

IT'S TO REPLACE CHRISTINA FACILITIES.

I S WHO CAME OVER TO BE MAYOR JOHNSON'S DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF.

WHAT KIND OF AN IMPACT COULD THAT RACE HAVE?

SO I THINK THIS IS SORT OF ONE OF THE MARQUEE RACES BECAUSE YOU HAVE, AS HEATHER JUST ALLUDED TO IT IN TERMS OF BUSINESS COMMUNITY VERSUS PROGRESSIVES.

NATALIE TORO IS ACTUALLY A CPS TEACHER HAS WAS BRENDAN JOHNSON.

BUT OH, WAIT.

>> HE AND THE PROGRESS IS ON THE SIDE OF CHRIS YELLEN.

AND IS SO TOUR, HOWEVER, IS THE ONE WHO WON THE APPOINTMENT.

WHEN PAST YOUR KNEES IOUS MOVED SO THIS IS ANOTHER WHERE IT'S SORT OF A BIT OF A MORE MODERATE VISION, ALL VOTE OR IS CERTAINLY TRYING TO IT APPEARS PAID HERSELF EVERY BIT AS PROGRESSIVE AND AS HER TOP OPPONENT FOR 2 OTHERS WHO ARE ACTIVE IN THAT RACE, I SHOULD MENTION IT'S NOT FOR SURE.

YET BALLOT NOT DECIDED A ONE ON ONE, BUT YOU HAVE THE SENATE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING FULLY IN FOR TORRES, IN PART BECAUSE THAT'S JUST HOW IT WORKS.

IF YOU'RE ALREADY A MEMBER, IT IS UP TO THE CAUCUS TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT YOU.

SO THEY WILL HAVE SHE CERTAINLY WILL HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY AT IT HER CAMPAIGN'S DISPOSAL SALUTE LEE.

SO THE THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION WILL BE BACK IN PERSON AFTER A >> MOSTLY VIRTUAL CONVENTION.

YOU AND I WERE AT THE MILWAUKEE IN 2020 AND IT WAS VERY AND THAT WAS YES, EXACTLY.

WHAT KIND OF HOPES TO YOU THINK.

YOU KNOW, GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER, MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON HAVE FOR THIS?

THEY HOPE THAT THIS WILL SHOWCASE THE BEST OF WHAT CHICAGO HAS OFFER CHICAGO AS A MODERN CITY, A BASTION OF THOSE PROGRESSIVE VALUES.

WHEREVER EXACTLY YOU FALL SORT IDEOLOGICAL SORT HEAT MAP.

BUT PRITZKER WANTS THIS TO BE HIS COMING OUT PARTY AS A MAJOR DEMOCRATIC BROKER.

SO THEY ARE UNITED IN THEIR DESIRE TO HAVE A GO SMOOTHLY TO HAVE BE SORTED THROUGH CORONATION OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS.

THE QUESTION IS, WHAT DOES THE MIGRANT CRISIS LOOK LIKE WHEN EVERYBODY IS IN TOWN IS CRIME ISSUE?

WHAT OTHER GET ITS ACT TOGETHER IN TERMS OF SORT SOME OF THESE AREAS.

THERE WAS A WHOLE LOT OF INVESTMENT IN CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

IN PTA.

THERE'S FRUSTRATION STILL AS YOU FREQUENTLY REPORT ON COURSE.

OUR TRANSPORTATION GURU, A LOT OF FRUSTRATIONS WITH THE CTA STILL.

THERE THERE'S A LOT OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION.

>> A OF WORK THAT HAS TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

WE'VE GOT ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT, BUT >> YOU KNOW, THE CITY PUT A 60 DAY LIMIT ON SHELTER, STAYS IN NOVEMBER FOR MIGRANTS AND ASYLUM SEEKERS.

DO WE KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN TIME RUNS OUT 2 WEEKS FROM TODAY THAT TIME OR CLICKS.

AND THOSE FIRST 60 DAY EVICTION NOTICES, WE UNDERSTAND, WILL BEGIN TO BE ISSUED.

SO IT WILL BE VERY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ASKED TO BY KATE, THE CITY'S SHELTERS AND WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM AND WHERE DO THEY GO?

IT'S BEEN A LONG AND DIFFICULT PROCESS AND TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE GET WORK PERMITS.

>> WHETHER THEY CAN DO IT IS VERY MUCH A QUESTION SAYING THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO THIS AND A HUMANITARIAN WAY AS POSSIBLE.

BUT BUT ALWAYS HUGE CHALLENGE FOR THE STATE AND CITY.

HEATHER.

SURE AND OF ANY THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING AND YOU CAN GET CHICAGO TONIGHT STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE AND OUR WEBSITE W T TW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10 FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES, THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAR ON POVERTY.

WE EXPLORE WHAT'S CHANGED AND WHAT HASN'T NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE IN CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M NICK BROMBERG.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A AND CLIFFORD LAW.

A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL