>>> AT EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT AT 10:00 P.M.

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT -- >> THIS IS DANGEROUS AND ALSO UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> ARGUMENTS REGARDING THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN IN ILLINOIS.

>>> WHY A TRANSGENDER FORMER BUS DRIVER IS SUING THE CTA FOR WRONGFUL TERMINATION.

>>> FULFILLING MY PLEDGE TO THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY, I ATTEMPT TO RENEW MY OVERDUE LIBRARY BOOKS.

>>> AND IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW!

IF YOU DON'T, THEN OUR LATEST ADDITION EXPLAINS THE NEW DIRECTION FOR THE CHICAGO STREET GRADE.

>>> THE FIRST OUR TOP STORIES.

CHICAGO POLICE SAY THEY ARE BEEFING UP SECURITY AROUND THE CITY'S LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS FOLLOWING THE MASS SHOOTING IN MONTEREY PARK, CALIFORNIA LEFT 11 DEAD AND NINE OTHERS WOUNDED.

POLICE SAY THERE IS NO ACTIONABLE INTELLIGENCE IN CHICAGO, BUT THE GOVERNMENT IS INCREASING SECURITY AND PRESENCE AT LUNAR NEW YEAR EVENTS.

COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICERS ARE STAYING IN TOUCH WITH MEMBERS OF THE ASIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

>>> THE BOARD OF ETHICS CALLED UNANIMOUSLY ON THE BOARD TO PROBE THE EMAIL, ALTHOUGH IT APPEARS THAT THOSE OFFICES HAVE ALREADY STARTED THEIR OWN REVIEWS.

THIS WAS AFTER WTTW NEWS REPORTED THAT THE CAMPAIGN TRIED TO HELP LIGHTFOOT WITH HER CAMPAIGN.

>>> TEACHERS ARE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM AFTER THE NEARLY WEEKLONG STRIKE.

THE UNION SAYS THAT THERE IS A PROMISE TO INCREASE RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND STRONGER JOB PROTECTION.

IN A STATEMENT, THE UNIVERSITY SAYS, QUOTE, THE PARTIES WERE ABLE TO FIND COMMON GROUND ON AN OVERALL CONTRACT THAT ADDRESSES VARIOUS CONCERNS AND BRIDGES THE GAP, HOWEVER , HE GOES ON TO SAY THAT THERE MAY BE CHALLENGING FINANCIAL TIMES AHEAD WHICH MAY REQUIRE FURTHER COLLABORATION WITH THE FACULTY, STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP.

>>> CHICAGO REMEMBERS ONE OF THE CITY'S MOST BELOVED RADIO PERSONALITIES.

TRIBUTE IS PAID TO LONG TIME RADIO DJ TODAY.

HE DIED FOLLOWING A BATTLE WITH PROSTATE CANCER.

FOLKS REMEMBER BRAEMAR'S LIFE AND CREATIVITY AND WISDOM THAT HE POURED INTO HIS SEGMENTS, WHICH WOULD END WITH HIM SAYING, QUOTE, TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED, IT IS GREAT TO BE ALIVE.

HERE IS A CLIP OF HIM FROM A PROFILE IN 2012 WHERE HE EXPLAINS HOW HE GOT THE MONIKER ON YOUR BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD."

>> EARLIER IN MY CAREER IT WAS THE FEELING THAT EVERY DISC JOCKEY HAS.

IS F÷TE LISTENING?

DOES ANYONE CARE WHAT I AM SAYING OR WHAT I AM PLAYING?

YOU THINK THAT NOBODY IS REALLY LISTENING TO YOU.

I AM YOUR BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD.

>> YOU CAN SEE OUR COMPLETE 2012 PROFILE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> COMING UP, A FORMER CTA BUS DRIVER CLAIMS HE WAS FIRED BECAUSE OF LEGAL ADVOCACY.

>>> BUT FIRST WE TALK ABOUT THE NEW ILLINOIS ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.

>>> THE MASS SHOOTER IN MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA IS REPORTED TO HAVE USED A WEAPON WITH AN EXTENDED MAGAZINE.

LATE FRIDAY, A DOWNSTATE JUDGE PUT THE LAW ON HOLD FOR NOW, ALTHOUGH IT IS A BIT COMPLICATED.

HERE TO DISCUSS THINGS IS A FORMER CANDIDATE FOR ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL TO EXPLAIN THE TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER, THEN WE HAVE ONE OF THE LEAD SPONSORS OF THIS PROTECTIVE BILL.

FOLKS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US IS THIS EVENING.

WE KNOW THAT YOU FILED ANOTHER LAWSUIT EARLIER TODAY, BUT TELL US ABOUT THE ORIGINAL LAWSUIT THAT RESULTED IN THE INJUNCTION.

IT IS NOT NECESSARILY ABOUT THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE COMPLAINT HERE?

>> SURE.

TO THE EXTENT OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS INVOLVED IT IS A GUN REGULATION, MEANING IT WILL AFFECT THE SECOND AMENDMENT AT SOME POINT.

AS FAR AS THE STATE COURT GOES AND THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTIONAL ARGUMENTS, WE ARE DOING WITH A COUPLE OF PROCEDURAL ISSUES, THEN WE ALSO RAISE THE EQUAL PROTECTION ARGUMENT ON SOME OF THE EXCEPTIONS THAT WERE PUT INTO THIS LAW, WHICH ARE ALSO UNDER THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION AS WELL.

BUT THOSE CAN ALSO OVERLAP AS A FEDERAL MATTER.

BUT PROCEDURALLY, ANY PROTECTION IN THE ILLINOIS MATTERS GOES DOWN TO THE STATE COURT.

>> WE SHOULD CLARIFY THAT THIS INJUNCTION JUST APPLIES TO THE 64 OR SO PLAINTIFFS, SO JUST THOSE PLAINTIFFS AND NOT TO THE STATE AT LARGE.

THE REPRESENTATIVE BOB MORGAN, YOUR REACTION TO THE JUDGE'S RULING.

>> AT EVENING.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THE FILING TODAY.

BUT I THINK THAT THESE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN ADJUDICATED IN THE PAST AND THEY ARE IDENTICAL TO THE TYPES OF CLAIMS THAT WERE FILED DURING COVID-19.

I BELIEVE THAT ALL OF THEM HAVE BEEN STRUCK DOWN BY THE COURTS, ALL THESE ARGUMENTS.

SO I THINK WE ARE REHASHING THE SAME ARGUMENTS ABOUT WHAT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD DEAL WITH AND HOW.

SO I'M CONFIDENT THAT THIS WILL BE OVERTURNED.

>> THERE IS GOING TO BE A HEARING ON THIS PRETTY SOON.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS THEY ARE ABOUT TO PEEL RIGHT AWAY.

SO WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS HERE?

>> WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THE REPRESENTATIVE, THIS HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ISSUES THAT WERE RAISED DURING COVID.

THEY ARE 100% UNRELATED, SO TO THAT EXTENT WE MIGHT WANT TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.

IN THE COVID MANDATE, ULTIMATELY THEY WERE FOUND TO HAVE PROBLEMS.

SO THAT IS A SEPARATE CONVERSATION FOR A DIFFERENT DAY.

BUT WE SHOULDN'T BE COMPARING APPLES TO ORANGES.

THERE WILL BE AN APPEAL IN MOUNT VERNON BY THE GOVERNOR AND ATTORNEY GENERAL, BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT APPEARED IN THIS CASE.

SO WE WILL HAVE AN APPEAL ON THE PROPRIETY AND WE WILL HEAR THAT FROM THE LET APPELLATE DISTRICT IN THE COMING DAYS.

BUT I WOULD BE MORE THAN INTERESTED IN ALLOWING REPRESENTATIVES TO SPEAK TO THESE PROCEDURAL ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING WHAT HE HAS TO SAY.

>> LET'S GIVE YOU A CHANCE, REPRESENTATIVE MORGAN.

THE PROCEDURAL ISSUES RAISED HERE.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THEY FALL INTO THE BALANCE OF THE LAW?

>> LIKE YOU MENTIONED, THIS REALLY IS A PRETTY LIMITED RULING APPLYING TO THE CLIENT.

SO THIS HAS BEEN PRETTY LIMITED.

THE LAW WENT INTO EFFECT.

THIS IS IN EFFECT FOR ABOUT 13 MILLION OTHER PEOPLE.

SO I THINK THAT THESE HEARINGS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF LAWSUITS THAT ARE GOING TO BE FILED.

ILLINOIS WILL BE THE CASE.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS SURPRISED BY THAT.

AND OF COURSE THE COURTS WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO REVIEW ALL OF THE CLAIMS.

>> THERE WILL BE A LOT OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS HERE AND IT WILL BE HARD TO KEEP TRACK OF.

AS THIS IS HAPPENING, A GROUP OF DOWNSTATE SHERIFFS SAY THAT THEY WON'T ENFORCE THIS.

TWO OF THEM HAVE VERY DIFFERENT VIEWS.

>> AND READ THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND I CAN READ THE CONSTITUTION.

THE SECOND AMENDMENT STATES THAT IT SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.

I CAN SAY WITH 100% CERTAINTY THAT THIS IS A VIOLATION OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

>> WE TAKE AN OATH TO UPHOLD THE LAW, NOT OUR VERSION OF IT.

IT IS WILDLY PREMATURE.

I DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS GOING TO PLAY OUT.

>> REGARDING THIS LIMITED INJUNCTION, IT IS A LAW OF THE STATE AND THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF IT HAS NOT YET BEEN ADJUDICATED.

SO ON WHAT GROUNDS OF THESE SHERIFFS STANDING ON TO SAY THEY ARE NOT GOING TO ENFORCE IT?

>> THEY STAND ON TWO DIFFERENT GROUNDS.

THEY ARE RELATED BUT CODEPENDENT.

NOW THAT THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC HAS THE EXPOSURE THAT IT HAS, THIS CONVERSATION THAT IS GOING ON, THEY APPRECIATE THAT THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY.

SHERIFFS AND STATES ATTORNEYS ACROSS THE STATE MAKE DISCRETIONARY DECISIONS ALL THE TIME, JUST LIKE OUR STATE MAKES DECISIONS NOT TO ENFORCE CERTAIN FEDERAL LAWS IN REGARDS TO IMMIGRATION.

SO THEY ARE SAYING, I AM NOT GOING TO ENFORCE IT.

I AM NOT MAKING IT A PRIORITY.

THERE IS NOTHING THE GOVERNOR CAN DO ABOUT THAT.

TO THE EXTENT THAT A SHERIFF OR A STATE'S ATTORNEY THINKS THAT A LAW VIOLATES CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES, THEY CAN MAKE THAT DECISION IF THEY CHOOSE.

IF THEY TOOK AN OATH TO UPHOLD THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, THEY CAN DO THAT.

THERE IS NOTHING THE GOVERNOR CAN DO ABOUT IT.

THERE IS NOTHING THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CAN DO ABOUT IT.

AGAIN, THIS CAN PLAY OUT HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

BUT I WANTED TO BE CLEAR THAT IF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL OR A PROSECUTOR DECIDES NOT TO MAKE SOMETHING A PRIORITY, THEY ARE GOING TO DO THAT, AND THEY CAN BE UN-ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE THAT THEY WERE PRESENT, POSSIBLY.

IT IS NO DIFFERENT FROM CHARGING A FELONY OFFENSE FOR ANYONE THAT DOESN'T STEAL OVER $1000 IN VALUE OF MERCHANDISE, EVEN THOUGH THE STATE LAW SAYS THAT IT IS $5000.

>> SURE.

THERE ARE OTHER EXAMPLES OF PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION, AS YOU BROUGHT UP.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE MORGAN, IS THAT HOW YOU SEE THIS, THAT THERE IS REALLY NOTHING THAT PRITZKER OR ANYONE ELSE CAN GET THE SHERIFFS TO ENFORCE THIS?

>> WELL, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, SHERIFFS AROUND THE STATE WHO HAVE TAKEN A TEMPLATE PRESS RELEASE AND PUT IT OUT UNDER LETTERHEAD WHICH, FRANKLY, I THINK THEY WILL COME TO REGRET WHEN THIS LAW IS DECIDED BY A COURT.

THEY ARE MAKING THIS DECISION THAT THEY ARE A JUDGE, AND THEY ARE NOT.

THEY ARE ELECTED TO BE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO ENFORCE THE LAW.

THE LAW WAS PASSED TO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

IT IS NOW THE LAW, AND THEY SAY THEIR ONLY JOB IS TO ENFORCE THE LAW, AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DO IT.

I JUST THINK IT'S EMBARRASSING FOR THEM, AND THEY WILL HAVE TO FACE THE VOTERS WHEN THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO THEIR JOB.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST OF MANY DISCUSSIONS WILL HAVE ON THIS TOPIC ON OUR 10:00 P.M. SHOW.

WE THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR INAUGURAL GUESTS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>>> UP NEXT, WHY A TRANSGENDER FORMER BUS DRIVER IS SUING THE CTA FOR ACCOMMODATIONS.

STAY WITH US.

STORMER >>> FORMER BUS DRIVER RUSSIA BROWN SUED THE CTA TO ADD TRANSGENDER CARE TO ITS HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY.

THAT IS A RANGE OF HEALTHCARE DESIGNED FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE WHOSE GENDER IDENTITY IS DIFFERENT FROM THE GENDER THEY WERE ASSIGNED AT BIRTH.

BUT AFTER THE BREAKTHROUGH THEY TOOK AN UNEXPECTED TURN.

WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THAT STORY.

NICK?

>> Reporter: IN JANUARY 2021, HE WAS FIRED FROM HIS JOB AS A BUS DRIVER.

HE IS NOW SUING THE CTA AND THE UNION REPRESENTING BUS OPERATORS, ALLEGING DISCRIMINATION AND WRONGFUL TERMINATION.

HE SPOKE WITH WTTW NEWS FOR HIS FIRST INTERVIEW SINCE FILING THE LAWSUIT AND SAID THAT IT WAS RETALIATION FOR HIS ADVOCACY.

>> Reporter: RUSSIA BROWN HASN'T BEEN BACK TO HIS OLD CTA STOMPING GROUNDS FOR TWO YEARS.

BUT ON A RECENT AFTERNOON HE STILL GOT RECOGNIZED BY OLD COWORKERS FROM A JOB THAT HE TOOK A LOT OF PRIDE IN.

>> I WANT TO BE PART OF THE BLOODLINE OF THE CITY.

WITHOUT CTA, CHICAGO KIND OF STOPS.

>> REPORTER:'S FORMER COWORKERS MIGHT HAVE RECOGNIZED HIM FOR MORE THAN JUST THEIR TIME ON THE JOB TOGETHER.

BROWN GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION WHEN HE, ALONG WITH THE ACLU, SUCCESSFULLY PUSHED CTA TO COVER GENDER-AFFIRMING HEALTHCARE.

>> I DIDN'T THINK THE WORLD WOULD CARE.

I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD GET AS BIG AS IT GOT.

>> Reporter: BROWN WAS PROUD OF HIS EFFORTS, BUT IT ALSO MET SHERRY SOMETHING DEEPLY PERSONAL.

>> AT THE TIME I GOT TO A NEW WORK LOCATION.

>> Reporter: BROWN ALSO HAD A SENSE OF FEAR , KNOWING THAT NOT EVERYONE WOULD REWARD HIM.

HE SAID THAT SOME COWORKERS MADE HURTFUL, JOKING COMMENTS AND THAT HE FACED HARASSMENT AND DEATH THREATS.

>> I REACHED OUT TO CTA.

I REACHED OUT TO THE CITY, AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE NOTHING WAS EVER DONE ABOUT THAT.

IT MADE ME WANT TO, YOU KNOW, GO INTO MYSELF EVEN MORE.

>> Reporter: BROWN SAID THAT WENT BEYOND INACTION.

DURING A FACEBOOK LIVE Q&A, THE PRESIDENT RESPONDED TO AN EMPLOYEE QUESTION ABOUT HEALTH CARE PLAN WITH A COMMENT THAT BROWN STILL THINKS ABOUT.

>> PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR HEALTH INSURANCE AND OUR SAVINGS.

>> I FELT EMBARRASSED.

IT CAME WITH A LOT OF JOKES FROM MY COWORKERS.

I FELT A BIT ASHAMED, YOU KNOW , JUST AFTER I ASKED THEM TO HELP ME SAVE MY JOB.

>> Reporter: THIS IS BECAUSE THE CTA ACCUSED BROWN OF FALSIFYING A LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUEST TO DEAL WITH ONGOING BACK ISSUES.

THEY ASKED HIM FOR A SECOND AND THIRD OPINION, THEN STOPPED COMMUNICATING WITH HIM.

>> WE COULD SAY THIS IS A MINOR MIXUP THAT WE COULD FIX.

IT DIDN'T TURN OUT TO BE THAT EASY.

>> Reporter: BROWN WAS SUSPENDED AND LATER FIRED.

HE SAID THAT HE FACED HARSHER CRITICISM THAN HIS COWORKERS.

>> I INVESTED SO MUCH TIME INTO IT!

I FELT LIKE I WAS IN A PLACE WHERE I WAS GETTING INTO THE GROOVE.

>> Reporter: BROWN ARGUES THAT HIS TERMINATION WAS A RESULT OF HIS ADVOCACY FOR GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE.

>> SOMETIMES WE GET THE IDEA THAT THE OUTCOME WAS PREDETERMINED.

THIS WAS ONE OF THOSE CASES.

>> Reporter: ABRAHAM ARGUES THAT THEY TARGETED AND DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BROWN BECAUSE HE IS TRANSGENDER AND BECAUSE HE SPOKE OUT ABOUT INCLUSIVE HEALTHCARE.

>> Reporter: RARELY DO YOU GET A SITUATION WHERE A MANAGER IS GOING TO TELL YOU, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE TOO MUCH TROUBLE, WE ARE GOING TO GET RID OF YOU.

SO THEY TRY TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE IT IS PROCEDURAL.

THAT IS WHAT I THOUGHT WAS GOING ON HERE.

>> Reporter: THE UNION DIDN'T RESPOND TO REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

THE RESPONSES TO THE LAWSUIT BOTH BROADLY DENY HIS CLAIMS AND SAY THAT HIS DETERMINATION AS WELL AS THE REPRESENTATION HE GOT FROM THE UNION WERE ABOVEBOARD.

THE ISSUES IN THE CASE GO BEYOND LEGAL QUESTIONS.

>> THIS IS A LEGAL RESOURCE THAT IS TO BE PERPETUATED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS THAT THE LGBTQ PLUS CHICAGOANS LOOK AND FEEL LIKE THEMSELVES.

INTERIM CEO JAY RICE SAYS THAT GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE CAN BE LIFE-SAVING FOR TRANS PEOPLE.

EVERYTHING FROM A WIG OR A HAIRCUT TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

>> THIS IS ABOUT HIDING WHO WE ARE BUT AT LEAST HAVING A DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW WE PRESENT.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY THIS IS CRUCIAL FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

THE 2019 STUDY FOUND THAT TRANS PEOPLE WERE FOUR TIMES AS LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION.

RACE SAYS THAT FOR BLACK TRANS FOLKS, THINGS CAN BE EVEN MORE DIFFICULT.

>> MANEUVERING THROUGH MULTIPLE FORMS OF OPPRESSION ON A DAILY BASIS AND NOT REALLY KNOWING WHY.

IS IT BECAUSE I AM TRANS?

IS IT BECAUSE I AM BLACK?

IS IT BECAUSE I AM QUEER?

>> Reporter: RUSSIA BROWN IS TAKING IT ONE DAY AT A TIME.

>> DEPRESSION IS HARD.

NOT WHAT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE DOING.

NOT WHERE I THOUGHT I WOULD BE.

>> Reporter: DESPITE LOSING HIS JOB, BROWN SAYS HE IS HOPEFUL OF THIS LAWSUIT CAN MAKE THE CTA A MORE WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT FOR TRANS WORKERS.

>> I THINK IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED, BECAUSE OTHERWISE HOW DO WE CHANGE?

>> NICK, YOU MENTIONED THAT THE CTA AND THE UNION BROADLY DENIED RUSSIA BROWN'S CLAIM.

WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT IT?

>> THE UNION DENIES THAT BROWN BROUGHT THOSE HARASSMENT PROBLEMS.

IT DENIES THAT THE COMMENTS IN THE FACEBOOK LIVE VIDEO WERE INTENDED TO BE DISPARAGING IN ANY WAY.

THEY ALSO SAY THAT ACLU HAS NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANYONE ON THE BASIS OF GENDER IDENTITY.

THE CTA ALSO ECHOED THOSE ARGUMENTS, THAT THEY DON'T DISCRIMINATE ON THOSE BASES.

THEY SAID THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION REGARDING ALLEGATIONS OF HARASSMENT FROM COWORKERS OR DISCIPLINE FOR MANAGEMENT, AND THE AGENCY ALSO STOOD BY THE DECISION TO TERMINATE FOLLOWING THE ALTERCATION.

>> WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS THEN?

>> THEY ARE MOVING INTO THE DISCOVERY PHASE.

THAT IS WHEN ALL PARTIES HAVE TO SHARE RELEVANT INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION.

>> NICK BLUMBERG, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

>>> UP NEXT, A BRAND-NEW INSTALLMENT OF SOME OF WTTW EXPLAINS, BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

♪ >>> IT IS ONE OF THOSE CHICAGO THINGS WERE IF YOU GET IT, YOU GET IT , AND IF YOU DON'T, WELL, THERE IS ALWAYS GOOGLE MAPS.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE CITY GRID SYSTEM AND HOW IT WORKS TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE CHICAGO.

HOPEFULLY THIS LATEST INSTALLMENT OF OUR DIGITAL CITY SERIES WTTW EXPLAINS WILL HELP TO PUT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>>> OKAY, CLASS, ARE YOU READY TO LEARN CHICAGO'S GRID SYSTEM?

REMEMBER GRAPH PAPER FROM CLASS?

WELL, THEN YOU CAN IMAGINE THE CHICAGO GRADE.

IT HAS NORTH-SOUTH ACCESS , EAST-WEST ACCESS, AND THE CENTER POINT AT STATE AND MADISON FORMS THE LOOP.

THAT IS NORTH, SOUTH, EAST AND WEST.

EACH STREET ADDRESS CONTAINS DIRECTIONAL PREFIXES.

A MILE IS ROUGHLY EIGHT CITY BLOCKS.

SO SAY YOU WALK EIGHT BLOCKS FROM MADISON TO STATE.

YOU WILL BE AT 800 NORTH STATE.

EIGHT BLOCKS WEST OF STATE ON MADISON IS RIGHT HERE AT 800 WEST MADISON.

THEN EIGHT BLOCKS EAST OF STATE ON MADISON -- I HOPE YOU CAN SWIM!

NOW, LET'S FIND SOME ICONIC CHICAGO LOCATIONS.

WRIGLEY FIELD IS LOCATED AT 1060 WEST ADDISON AT THE INTERSECTION OF ADDISON AND CLARK.

ADDISON AND 3600 NORTH, OR 36 BLOCKS NORTH OF MADISON.

THE ADDRESS IS BETWEEN 10 AND 11 BLOCKS NORTH OF STATE STREET ON MADISON.

NOW LET'S VISIT GUARANTEED RATE FIELD, HOME OF THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX AT 333 WEST 35th STREET.

35th STREET IS 35 BLOCKS SOUTH OF MADISON.

THE 333 MEANS THAT IT IS JUST OVER THREE BLOCKS WEST OF STATE STREET.

SO THE CUBS AND SOX PLAY ABOUT THE SAME DISTANCE FROM THE CITY CENTER ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF TOWN.

WHO CAN WE THANK FOR SUCH A PRACTICAL MAP-ORIENTED PLAN?

A PRIVATE CITIZEN NAMED EDWARD BRENNAN , WHO PROPOSED THE IDEA IN 1901 TO CLEAR UP WHAT HAD BEEN A CONFUSING AND CHAOTIC SYSTEM WITH REPEATED STREET SYSTEMS AND ADDRESSES THAT WERE, WELL, ALL OVER THE MAP.

BEFORE WE GO, LET'S NAVIGATE TO ONE MORE LOCATION.

5400 NORTH ST. LOUIS AVENUE.

THAT IS APPROXIMATELY 54 BLOCKS NORTH OF MADISON AND ST. LOUIS AVENUE, WHICH IS 3500, OR 35 BLOCKS WEST OF STATE, AND HOME TO OUR BELOVED WTTW STUDIO.

OF COURSE, THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO EVERY RULE.

SOME ADDRESSES FALL OUTSIDE THE GRID STRUCTURE, JUST LIKE SOME HOT DOGS HAVE KETCHUP.

WE WILL SAVE THAT LESSON FOR ANOTHER DAY.

>>> AND IT REALLY WAS A MESS BEFORE THIS GRID SYSTEM CAME INTO PLAY.

THERE WERE MULTIPLE STREETS WITH THE SAME NAME, SO MULTIPLE ADDRESSES THAT WERE EXACTLY THE SAME ALL ACROSS THE CITY.

SO THINGS ARE BETTER NOW.

NOW YOU KNOW!

>> NOW YOU KNOW!

AND THAT IS HELPFUL.

WE HAVE A VERY CLEAR UNDERSTANDING.

>>> WE ARE BACK TO MAKE AMENDS AND WRAP SOME THINGS UP AFTER THIS.

>>> BEFORE WE GO TONIGHT, AN UPDATE ON A BURNING QUESTION.

HAS PARIS RENEWED HIS OVERDUE LIBRARY BOOKS?

OUR RECENT CONVERSATION WITH CHICAGO LIBRARY COMMISSIONER CHRIS BROWN.

>> I MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT HAVE A COUPLE BOOKS THAT I'M TRYING TO GET RENEWED.

POSTHASTE.

>> I MIGHT'VE ESCALATED THE CASE AGAINST PARIS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

MY BAD!

CTL RESPONDED.

TAKE A LOOK, PARIS.

THEY SAY THEY ARE WAITING.

>> IT IS EASY TO FORGET YOU HAVE OVERDUE BOOKS WHEN THERE AREN'T ANY MORE LATE FEES!

SO ALAS, THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY SAYS THAT THE WAIT IS OVER.

>> I AM HERE TO RETURN MY OVERDUE BOOKS, ALTHOUGH I HAVE TO RENEW A COUPLE OF BOOKS THAT HAVEN'T GOTTEN AROUND TO READING IT.

HERE IS WHAT I GOT.

THE DANGLING MAN.

I HAVE GOT DO, WHICH IS THE FIRST FOLLOW-UP OF THE ORIGINAL DUNE.

I ALSO HAVE SOMETHING FROM THE HAROLD WASHINGTON YEARS.

HELLO, HOW ARE YOU?

YET.

FIRE ON THE PRAIRIE AND DUNE.

I WANT TO RENEW THOSE.

>> SO NO FEES.

GET UNLIMITED RENEWALS AT THE LIBRARY.

SO DON'T BE LIKE ME.

CLEARLY THE LESSON HERE IS THAT I HAVE TO MAKE SOME MORE TIME TO READ THEM.

>> YOU HAVE SOME GOOD BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS THERE!

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT!

JOIN US NEXT MONDAY NIGHT AT 10:00.

FOR ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT , STAY SAFE AND HAVE A PLEASANT NIGHT.