>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

HERE IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT TONIGHT.

>> WE BELIEVE THAT JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED .

>> WHY COOK COUNTY IS NO LONGER PROSECUTING R. KELLY.

>>> IN THE BLUE CORNER, ATTEMPTING TO BECOME THE CITY'S FIRST BLACK MAYOR, HAROLD WASHINGTON.

>>> WHY DOES CHICAGO HAVE NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS.

WE HAVE THE ANSWER.

WITH THAT IN MIND, WHY SOME CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR ARE CALLING PAUL VALLAS A SECRET REPUBLICAN.

>> WE DESERVE EQUAL RIGHTS.

>>> A BATTLE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PROTECT WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

>> WELCOME TO THE PRODUCTION STAFF THAT IS STILL ON BOARD.

>> LONGTIME ACTOR ISAIAH WASHINGTON TALKS ABOUT HIS DIRECTORIAL DEBUT IN A NEW FILM.

NOW SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

AFTER THREE YEARS THE STATES PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARATION AROUND COVID WILL COME TO AN END.

THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THE DISASTER PROCLAMATION WOULD END ON MAY 11 ALIGNING WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN'S DECISION TO END THE DECLARATION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

THE DECLARATION ALLOWED THE STATE TO TAP FEDERAL EMERGENCY FUNDS AND GAVE THE GOVERNOR SWEEPING POWERS TO ENACT SHUTDOWN AND CURFEWS.

THE MOVE ISN'T A PROCLAMATION THAT COVID HAS DISAPPEARED.

IT IS STILL A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER TO THOSE WITH COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEMS.

>>> A POPULAR DISCOUNT MALL IN LITTLE VILLAGE WILL STAY OPEN FOR NOW.

THE OWNER OF THE MALL SAID IT HAS EXTENDED THE LEASE THROUGH MARCH AFTER IT WAS SET TO EXPIRE TODAY.

DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, NOVAK CONSTRUCTION BOUGHT THE MALL THREE YEARS AGO AND IT'S FATE HAS BEEN UNCERTAIN EVER SINCE.

THE WORRY IS THAT NOVAK WILL TEAR IT DOWN IN FAVOR OF A POSSIBLE BIG BOX RETAILER.

IMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED A MEETING DEMANDED NOVAK KEEP THE DISCOUNT MALL IN BUSINESS.

>>> THE TRIAL IN THE CASE OF 4 JULY HIGHLAND PARK MASSACRE HAS BEEN DELAYED.

A JUDGE GRANTED PROSECUTORS MORE TIME TO GATHER EVIDENCE AGAINST ROBERT WHO IS ACCUSED OF FIRING AN ASSAULT RIFLE DURING THE PARADE, KILLING SEVEN AND WOUNDING DOZENS MORE.

HE IS INDICTED ON 117 FELONY COUNTS.

THE NEXT HEARING IN THIS CASE IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY.

>>> THE NEW AND IMPROVED INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL FIVE AT O'HARE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

THE TERMINAL HAS ADDED 10 NEW GATES AND A BUNCH OF AMENITIES WHICH SHOULD MEAN A SMOOTHER TRAVEL AND MORE FOOD AND SHOPPING OPTIONS.

PART OF THE $12 BILLION PLAN TO RENOVATE THE ENTIRE AIRPORT.

THIS PROJECT COST $1.2 BILLION.

THE PLAN EVENTUALLY CALLS FOR REPLACEMENT OF DOMESTIC TERMINAL TWO AS A GLOBAL TERMINAL WITH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS.

>> THIS $1.3 BILLION EXPANSION AND RENOVATION PROJECT HAS BROUGHT THE ONCE STATE-OF-THE-ART BUILDING BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL GLORY.

>> THE ENTIRE MODERNIZATION PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY 2030.

>>> UP NEXT, STATES ATTORNEY KIM FOXX IS HERE TO EXPLAIN WHY SHE IS NO LONGER PURSUING CHARGES AGAINST R. KELLY.

THAT IS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> COOK COUNTY IS ENDING ITS MERELY FOR YOUR CASE AGAINST DISGRACED R&B SINGER, R. KELLY AND IT ENDS WITH THE CHARGES BASICALLY DROPPED.

THE DECISION COMES AS HE HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR DECADES WITH MORE TO BE ADDED IN ANOTHER SENTENCING NEXT MONTH.

HE HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A SLEW OF CRIMES IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS INCLUDING CHILD SONOGRAPHY AND SEX TRAFFICKING.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE DECISION IS COOK COUNTY STATES ATTORNEY, KIM FOXX.

WELCOME BACK TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

A LOT OF THE SAME CHARGES YOU HAD PROSECUTED HIM ON, WHY DROP THIS CASE?

>> WHEN WE STARTED THIS CASE BACK IN FEBRUARY 2019 THE FEDERAL CHARGES HAD NOT BEEN LEVIED.

WE HAD A HOTLINE AND PEOPLE CALLING IN WITH VICTIMS AND WITNESSES.

OUR OFFICE WORKED ON THE INVESTIGATIONS AND RECEIVED THE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY TAPES AND TENDER THAT TO THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

THEN THE SUBSEQUENT CASES CAME.

AS A RESULT MR. KELLY RIGHT NOW IS SERVING SEVEN MONTHS INTO A 30 YEAR SENTENCE ON ONE SET OF CHARGES.

HE WILL BE SENTENCED IN A FEW WEEKS ON THE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE HERE IN CHICAGO.

THAT IS A FEDERAL CASE.

ESSENTIALLY MR. KELLY IS LOOKING EVEN BEFORE WE GOT TO THE STATE CASES AT SPENDING THE REST OF HIS LIFE IN PRISON.

AS A RESULT OF THAT WE BELIEVE JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED AND OUR RESOURCES ARE BEST SUITED FOR DEALING WITH CASES THAT ARE PENDING IN COOK COUNTY NOW.

>> THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY NEXT QUESTION.

YOU WANT TO REDIRECT RESOURCES WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED.

WHAT ARE THOSE AREAS?

>> OUR SEX CRIMES DIVISION, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CASES RIGHT NOW THAT ARE PENDING AND CERTAINLY WE CAN DO THEM ALL AT THE SAME TIME BUT THE ISSUE IS MR. KELLY IS ALREADY SERVING A 30 YEAR SENTENCE WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ADDITIONAL 10-90 YEARS ON TOP OF THAT.

HE WASN'T GOING TO GET ANY ADDITIONAL TIME FROM THE STATE CHARGES.

MANY OF OUR WITNESSES AND VICTIMS WHO WERE GOING TO BE IN OUR CASE HAVE ALREADY TESTIFIED IN FEDERAL CASES.

RIGHT NOW FOR THE CASES PENDING WE DON'T HAVE CELEBRITY DEFENDANTS FOR VICTIMS SEEKING JUSTICE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THOSE CASES.

>> I WANT TO QUOTE ONE OF THOSE VICTIMS WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE COUNTY IS CASE.

PART OF HER STATEMENT SAID I CAME TO LEARN THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WAS CONSIDERING DISMISSING THESE CASES.

I PLEADED WITH KIM FOXX TO SEE THE CASES THROUGH.

JUSTICE HAS BEEN DENIED A SECOND TIME MAKING TODAY'S DECISION THAT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO COMPREHEND AND ACCEPT.

I UNDERSTAND THE NOTION THAT KELLY COULDN'T HAVE ANY MORE PUNISHMENT THAN HE HAS BUT WHAT ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR VICTIM AND THE FEELING THAT JUSTICE IS BEING DENIED?

>> I MET WITH MISS CARTER A FEW MONTHS AGO AND SHE CAME FORWARD BACK IN 2003 AND SHARED WHAT HAPPENED TO HER, WENT TO AUTHORITIES AND DID EVERYTHING SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO DO TO GET JUSTICE AND NOTHING HAPPENED.

SO HERE WE WERE 20 YEARS LATER.

WE ASKED FOR VICTIMS TO COME FORWARD AND SHE DID.

I CAN TOTALLY SYMPATHIZE THAT SHE WANTED HER TO TO GET INTO THE BOX AND POINT TO HIM AND SAY WHAT HE HAD DONE.

THE REALITY IS WE HAVE A MAN WHO IS NOT GOING TO GET ANY ADDITIONAL TIME, WHO IS IN PRISON FOR THE REMAINDER OF HIS LIFE RIGHT NOW WITH THE SENTENCE HE HAS AND THAT SENSE OF THE USE OF OUR RESOURCES FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF SEX CRIMES, IT IS MORE APPROPRIATE FOR US TO STOP WHERE WE ARE NOW, ALLOW HER TO SAY WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO HER, BUT WE DON'T BELIEVE WE SHOULD CONTINUE THESE CASES IN A COURT OF LAW.

>> YOU MENTIONED WITH MISS CARTER, IT IS SO HARD TO COME FORWARD.

THERE IS SO MUCH FEAR.

DOES IT SEND THE WRONG MESSAGE TO ASSAULT SURVIVORS?

>> NOT AT ALL.

WHEN I CAME OUT IN 2019 AND ASKED FOR VICTIMS, IT WAS AN UNPRECEDENTED MOVE.

I SHARED THAT I AM A SURVIVOR OF SEX ASSAULT AND I KNOW HOW DIFFICULT THAT IS.

WE GOT HUNDREDS OF CALLS.

MANY OF THOSE CALLS , THOSE VICTIMS AND WITNESSES HAVE TESTIFIED AND COME FORWARD .

WITHOUT THAT, MR. KELLY WOULDN'T BE SEEING THE SENTENCES HE IS TODAY.

SO THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, THE WORK THOSE VICTIMS DID IN COMING FORWARD HAS ALLOWED FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN DEEMED A SEXUAL PREDATOR IN A COURT OF LAW TO NOW BE SERVING SENTENCES FOR HIS ACTIONS.

SO, IT IS NOT DISCOURAGING.

I THINK WE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED BY WHAT THESE VICTIMS HAVE DONE.

>> YOU MENTIONED ALL THE STATE CASES, FEDERAL CASES.

A LOT OF THESE OVERLAP.

YOU HAD VICTIMS COME TO YOU THAT WERE PART OF FEDERAL CASES.

WOULD IT HAVE HELPED IF THE CASES HAVE BEEN CONSOLIDATED IN SOME WAY?

>> I CAN'T SPEAK TO HOW THE FEDERAL U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DECIDED TO GO ABOUT THEIR CHARGES BUT WHEN WE FILED CHARGES IN FEBRUARY 2019 WE HAD THE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY EVIDENCE, WE HAD THE WITNESSES WHO CAME FORWARD AND CERTAINLY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK DID THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION AND WE WORKED COLLABORATIVELY WITH THEM AND SO DID THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS.

WE WORKED COLLABORATIVELY WITH THEM.

CERTAINLY HAVING THREE JURISDICTIONS AND NOW MINNESOTA ON ANOTHER STATE CASE IS ONEROUS, BUT WE RESPECTED THE PROCESS.

AGAIN, I BELIEVE JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED.

>> THERE IS JUSTICE OVERALL.

HE IS SERVING TIME RIGHT NOW.

I WANT TO GET TO ANOTHER TOPIC.

THE CASHLESS BAIL SYSTEM.

IT IS ON HOLD UNTIL MARCH OR APRIL AS THE CASE GOES TO THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT.

HOW IS YOUR OFFICE ADJUSTING THAT THE ATTORNEYS STILL HAVE TO GO AND SOMETIMES ARGUE FOR BAIL FOR CASH BONDS?

>> WE WERE PREPARED TO GO FORWARD ON JANUARY 1 AND AS LITIGATION PLAYED OUT, WE WILL WAIT TO SEE WHAT ULTIMATELY HAPPENS BUT OUR OFFICE IS READY TO GO TO A CASHLESS BAIL SYSTEM ON JANUARY 1 AND WE ALSO HAVE BEEN WELL READY FOR YEARS IN THE SYSTEM WE CURRENTLY HAVE.

NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED BUT CERTAINLY WE ARE LOOKING AT THE FACTORS WE WILL BE ASKING FOR FOR SOMEONE TO BE HELD AND TRY TO ADHERE TO THAT SO WHEN IT IS RULED TO BE CONSTITUTIONAL WHICH I AM CONFIDENT IT WILL BE, WE ARE PREPARED AS WELL.

>> CAN YOU FILL VIEWERS IN WHEN ATTORNEYS MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE ADDITIONAL STEPS IN FRONT OF A JUDGE IF SOMEONE IS ACCUSED OF A SERIOUS FELONY TO RECOMMEND NO BOND AT ALL.

HOW WILL THOSE DECISIONS BE MADE?

>> WE LOOK AT THE EXISTING CHARGES SOMEONE HAS AND WHETHER THEY ARE A DANGEROUS PERSON TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

IF THEY ARE OUT ON BOND.

SOME OF THAT MEANS TALKING TO WITNESSES, TALKING TO FOLKS IN PRETRIAL SERVICES TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE CAN BE UTILIZING THOSE SERVICES OR NEEDS TO BE HELD.

THE ADDITIONAL STEPS ARE NOT THAT MUCH MORE ONEROUS OTHER THAN IF WE HAVE A VICTIM WHO WE BELIEVE WE NEED TO TALK TO IMMEDIATELY REGARDING THEIR SAFETY IF SOMEONE IS RELEASED.

WE HAVE STAFF IN PLACE TO DO THAT TO MAKE THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS TO A JUDGE.

>> SO MUCH HAS BEEN TWEAKED TO THE LAW BUT YOU CAN USE THINGS LIKE FAILURE TO SHOW UP TO COURT HEARINGS PREVIOUSLY AS EVIDENCE THAT THEY SHOULDN'T BE RELEASED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IF SOMEONE HAS A HISTORY OF NOT COMING BACK TO COURT, THE PURPOSE OF BAIL WAS TO ENSURE PEOPLE SHOW UP FOR COURT DATES.

LOOKING AT SOMEONE'S PREVIOUS HISTORY, PREVIOUS ARREST, CONVICTIONS, HAVE THEY HAD NO CONTACT ORDERS IN PLACE BEFORE, THAT ENTIRE BODY OF EVIDENCE IS PRESENTED TO A JUDGE TO MAKE A DETERMINATION.

>> KIM FOXX, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>>> UP NEXT, A LOOK AT WHY CHICAGO HAS NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS.

PLEASE STICK AROUND.

>>> WHEN CHICAGOANS GO TO THE POLLS TO PICK A NEW MAYOR AND ALTAR PERSON THEY WON'T SEE THE LETTERS R OR D. THE CITY HAS LONG BEEN A DEMOCRATIC STRONGHOLD AND A REPUBLICAN HASN'T BEEN MAYOR FOR NEARLY A CENTURY, CHICAGO HAS HELD NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS SINCE 1999.

HEATHER IS HERE TO TELL US WHAT PROMPTED THAT CHANGE.

>> Reporter: IT MAY BE A CLICH÷ BUT THERE IS TRUTH AT THE HEART OF THE OLD SAYING THAT CHICAGO POLITICS IS A WARNING THAT THE FAINT OF HEART SHOULD HEED.

THE POWERS THAT BE DID NOT TAKE THAT DEFEAT LYING DOWN.

IF THEY COULDN'T BEAT CANDIDATES LIKE WASHINGTON, THEY WOULD MOVE THE GOALPOST.

OUR LATEST ADDITION OF WTTW NEWS EXPLAINS DETAILS WHICH PROMPTED THAT CHANGE MORE THAN TWO DECADES AGO AND WHAT IT TELLS US ABOUT CHICAGO POLITICS TODAY.

WHEN CHICAGOANS GO TO THE POLLS TO VOTE FOR MAYOR, THERE'S A CRUCIAL PIECE OF INFORMATION MISSING FROM THEIR BALLOT.

THE CANDIDATE POLITICAL PARTY.

WE HAVE HELD NONPARTISAN ELECTION SINCE 1999.

THE TOP TO HEAD TO A RUNOFF A MONTH LATER REGARDLESS OF THEIR POLITICAL AFFILIATION.

SO WHY THE CHANGE?

WE TAKE YOU TO THE RACIALLY CHARGED 1983 ELECTION FOR MAYOR.

IN THE BLUE CORNER, ATTEMPTING TO BECOME THE CITY'S FIRST BLACK MAYOR, HAROLD WASHINGTON.

IN THE RED CORNER BERNIE WITH HIS INFAMOUS SLOGAN , BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.

WASHINGTON WON THAT ELECTION BUT JUST BARELY WITH LESS THAN 52% OF THE VOTES.

BY COMPARISON, FOUR YEARS EARLIER JAMES BYRNE RECEIVED A WHOPPING 82% OVER HER REPUBLICAN OPPONENT.

IN THE PRIMARY WASHINGTON WENT TOE TO TOE WITH BURN AND RICHARD M DALEY WHO SPLIT THE WHITE VOTE GRANTING WASHINGTON AND NARROW VICTORY AND HIS SPOT AS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE.

THE CURRENT RUNOFF SYSTEM WOULD HAVE PIT WASHINGTON AGAINST BARN.

INSTEAD HE FACED THE RELATIVELY UNKNOWN AND REPUBLICAN BUT WHITE EPSON AND JUST BARELY CLINCHED A WIN.

STILL, WASHINGTON DID WIN.

SO WHITE CHICAGO POLITICAL LEADERS TOOK A PAGE FROM SOUTHERN STATES USING RUNOFF TO KEEP BLACK CANDIDATES FROM WINNING.

IN 1995 WITH THE SUPPORT OF THEN MAYOR RICHARD M DALEY AND A REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED STATE GOVERNMENT, THE CURRENT NONPARTISAN SYSTEM WAS PUT IN PLACE.

IF REPUBLICANS THOUGHT THE CHANGE WOULD BOOST THEIR CHANCES, THEY HAVE BEEN UTTERLY DISAPPOINTED.

THE LAST MEMBER OF THE GOP TO BE ELECTED MAYOR OF CHICAGO WAS BILL THOMPSON IN 1927.

BUT IN POLITICS, HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE RULES TO TRY AND WIN THE GAME.

>> WE ALL REMEMBER THE BIG BILL THOMPSON ERA IN CHICAGO POLITICS.

THE IDEA IS A RUNOFF WOULD HELP PROTECT CANDIDATES AS LONG AS THE CANDIDATE FINISHED FIRST OR SECOND IN THE INITIAL ROUND OF VOTING.

>> Reporter: EXACTLY.

THIS WAS THE POLITICAL CALCULUS THAT THE VICTORY OF HAROLD WASHINGTON CHANGED.

HE WAS THE FIRST BLACK MAYOR OF CHICAGO AND HE BROUGHT OUT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF BLACK CHICAGOANS TO REGISTER TO VOTE AND CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

THAT MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE DALEY MACHINE TO OPERATE THE WAY IT WANTED.

>> EVEN WITH THE ELECTION BEING NONPARTISAN, THE ISSUE OF PARTY AFFILIATION STILL COMES UP FROM TIME TO TIME, DOESN'T IT?

>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN FRONT AND CENTER IN THIS RACE WITH LORI LIGHTFOOT TRYING TO CONVINCE VOTERS THAT PAUL VALLAS IS ACTUALLY A REPUBLICAN AT HEART IF NOT IN NAME.

>> SHE IS TRYING TO PAINT PAUL VALLAS AS A REPUBLICAN AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD LIKE TO FACE PAUL VALLAS IF THE CONTEST GOES TO A RUNOFF.

WHY IS SHE SAYING THAT?

LET'S LISTEN TO WHAT SHE TOLD REPORTERS.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE PAUL VALLAS AS MY RUNOFF CHALLENGER.

THAT IS AN IDEAL MATCHUP FOR US.

>> I HAVE MY OWN IDEAS BUT WHY DOES SHE WANT TO FACE VALLAS OF ALL THE CANDIDATES?

>> Reporter: SHE THINKS SHE CAN BEAT HIM IN A HEAD-TO-HEAD CONTEST.

SHE WOULD BE THE MORE PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE AND SHE THINKS THAT WOULD GIVE HER AN ADVANTAGE OVER VALLAS WHO HAS TAKEN CONSERVATIVE POSITIONS AND ACCEPTED THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE CHICAGO POLICE UNION WHOSE LEADER IS A TRUMP SUPPORTER.

VALLAS IS A DEMOCRAT AND HAS RUN IN MANY ELECTIONS AS A DEMOCRAT.

PAT QUINN'S RUNNING MATE SEVERAL YEARS AGO SO WHAT ARE SOME OF THESE POSITIONS OUTSIDE THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN.

>> Reporter: HE GOT HIS START IN CHICAGO POLITICS AS HEAD OF THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND HE TURNED THAT INTO A CAREER AS A SCHOOL TURNAROUND EXPERT AND HE PUSHED CHARTERS, PRIVATIZATION EFFORTS AND FAVOR THE USE OF VOUCHERS WHICH WOULD GIVE PARENTS PUBLIC MONEY TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO PRIVATE SCHOOL.

>> THERE IS ONE CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE THAT PUBLICLY DECLARES HE IS NEITHER REPUBLICAN NOR DEMOCRAT.

WHO IS THAT?

>> Reporter: WILLIE WILSON.

EVEN THOUGH HE RAN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2016 AS A DEMOCRAT AND THEN VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP IN 2016, HE SAID HE IS NEITHER DEMOCRAT NOR REPUBLICAN.

WHEN HE RAN FOR U.S. SENATE A FEW YEARS AGO HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE WILLIE WILSON PARTY.

>> I THINK THAT IS A PARTY THAT HAS A MEMBERSHIP OF ONE AT THIS POINT.

THINGS VERY MUCH.

YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE OTHER ANIMATED VIDEOS IN OUR WTTW NEWS EXPLAINS SERIES.

YOU CAN FIND THAT AT WWW.WTTW.COM.

>>> A PUSH IN THE FIGHT FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> THE U.S. CONSTITUTION WAS LAST AMENDED IN 1992.

THE PROVISION THAT DEALS WITH CONGRESSIONAL PAY.

THERE IS ANOTHER IDEA ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET ADDED TO THE CONSTITUTION FOR 100 YEARS.

THAT IS THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT.

AMANDA JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

>> Reporter: THE CONCEPT BEHIND THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR LITERALLY A CENTURY BUT IT IS GETTING A RENEWED PUSH NOW THINGS IN LARGE PART TO THE DECISION BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT TO OVERTURN THE LEGAL RIGHT TO AN ABORTION.

IT COULD ADD THE E.R.A.

TO THE CONSTITUTION AND ONE PERSON SAID THEY ARE TIRED OF WOMEN BEING SUBJECTED TO SECOND-CLASS STATUS.

>> RAMIFICATIONS RUN DEEP AS WOMEN FACE DAILY SEXISM, PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION , PAY INEQUITIES , SEXUAL VIOLENCE, AND LEGISLATIVE ATTACKS ON OUR BODILY AUTONOMY AND MORE.

>> WE SEE SENATOR DURBIN PUSHING THIS IN THE SENATE.

REMIND US WHAT THE E.R.A.

WOULD DO?

>> Reporter: IT IS SHORT AND SIMPLE.

IT READS EQUALITY OF RIGHTS UNDER THE LAW SHALL NOT BE DENIED OR ABRIDGED BY THE UNITED STATES OR BY ANY STATE ON ACCOUNT OF SEX.

WHAT THAT MEANS ON A PRACTICAL LEVEL, IT WOULD ENSHRINE THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN, AND LGTBQ INDIVIDUALS IN THE CONSTITUTION.

AND THE 19th AMENDMENT GIVING WOMEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE, THERE ARE NO EXPRESS PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN IN THE CONSTITUTION.

LAWS THAT GIVE WOMEN PROTECTION CAN BE OVERTURNED BUT THAT IS HARDER TO DO WITH A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT VERSUS A LOT.

HEAD OF THE FEMINIST MAJORITY POINTS TO THE DOBBS DECISION OVERTURNING ROE.

>> THEY CLEARLY SAID THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE DID NOT COVER SEX DISCRIMINATION.

ARE WE GOING TO GO BACK AND SEE MORE THINGS REVERSED?

ACCESS NOT ONLY TO CONTRACEPTIVE , NOT BEING ABLE TO MARRY WHO YOU WANT TO MARRY?

WHAT IS THIS?

>> THIS IS A FIGHT THAT HAS BEEN LINGERING FOR DECADES.

THERE HAVE BEEN PUSHES AND RENEWED PUSH IS.

WHAT IS THE STATUS NOW?

>> 38 STATES HAVE RATIFIED THE E.R.A.

AND THAT IS ENOUGH FOR IT TO HAVE PASSED.

THE PROBLEM IS SOME STATES DID SO ONLY RECENTLY INCLUDING ILLINOIS.

THE SECOND TO THE LAST STATE TO RATIFY IN 2018.

IT IS LONG PAST THE DEADLINE CONGRESS HAD SET FOR STATES TO ACHIEVE RATIFICATION.

THE E.R.A.

IS THEREFORE DEAD.

BUT ADVOCATES ARE NOT GIVING UP.

ILLINOIS SENIOR U.S.

SENATOR, DURBIN SAID EARLY IN HIS POLITICAL CAREER HE WORKED FOR THE ILLINOIS SENATE WHERE THE FIRST ASSIGNMENT DEALT WITH THE E.R.A.

>> THAT WAS ALMOST 50 YEARS AGO.

THEY SAY TO BE A LEGISLATOR YOU HAVE TO BE PATIENT BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

IT IS TIME TO GET THE JOB DONE.

>> HE WILL PLAY A ROLE IN ALL OF THIS MOVING FORWARD.

HACKERS HAVE RESOLUTIONS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE THAT WOULD EFFECTIVELY FORESEE THE DEADLINE.

AND IT COULD ALLOW THE E.R.A.

TO BE PART OF THE CONSTITUTION.

DURBIN HEADS THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND SAID HE WILL SOON HOLD A HEARING TO GET GOING ON THAT.

>> WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THIS TIME?

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES ARE PERSISTENT AND THEY ARE PARTICULARLY MOTIVATED.

THEY SAY THEY ARE READY TO USE MECHANISMS LIKE THE FILIBUSTER AND DISCHARGE SO THIS IS GOING TO BE TOUGH.

A WHILE BACK THIS WAS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE BUT IT HAS VERY MUCH BECOME ONE.

AND AGAIN, ABORTION IS A LARGE PART OF THAT.

ADVOCATES SAY THE E.R.A.

WOULD REMOVE PROTECTIONS FOR THE UNBORN.

CRITICS ALSO SAY IT WOULD OVERTURN OTHER PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN AND PREGNANT PEOPLE, INCLUDE WOMEN IN THE MILITARY DRAFT AND IT WOULD ERASE LEGAL AND BIOLOGICAL DISTINCTIONS.

>> THANKS FOR FOLLOWING THIS FOR US.

>>> WE ARE BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT RIGHT AFTER THIS.

LIVE >>> ISIAH WASHINGTON'S NEW FILM , CORSICANA EXPLORES THE LIFE OF A BLACK LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WITH VERY NOTICEABLE STRIPES.

ANGEL SAT DOWN WITH WASHINGTON WHILE HE WAS IN CHICAGO PROMOTING THE FILM.

>> Reporter: IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE PEOPLE THROUGH CINEMA.

IN THIS CASE, IT IS EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON HISTORICAL ICONS.

HE SAID TO BE THE FIRST BLACK DEPUTY U.S.

MARSHAL TO SERVE WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

>> I WAS INTRIGUED BY THE PROCESS BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHO HE WAS.

>> SHOT IN CORSICANA TEXAS DURING THE PANDEMIC , ISIAH WASHINGTON FOUND HIMSELF TAKING ON HIS FIRST DIRECTING RULE AFTER MOST OF THE PRODUCTION TEAM HAD QUIT.

>> PRODUCERS QUIT , ORIGINAL ACTORS QUIT.

I WAS LIKE WHERE IS EVERYBODY GOING?

AND THE PRODUCERS SAID ARE YOU LEAVING?

AND I SAID NO.

I'M GOING TO DO A ONE-MAN SHOW.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

I'M NOT GOING HOME.

>> I WALKED INTO THE PRODUCTION STAFF THAT WAS STILL ON BOARD AND SAID I'M DIRECTING.

DIDN'T EVEN HESITATE.

THE REST WAS A BLUR.

TOOK 120 PAGES AND RIPPED THEM OUT TO 30 PAGES.

WE STARTED SHOOTING THOSE 30 PAGES AND I REWROTE EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: FOR NEARLY 3 DECADES THE U.S.

MARSHAL HAS ARRESTED SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS FUGITIVES OF HIS TIME.

WASHINGTON CREDITS THE CAST FOR THEIR ROLE IN PROPERLY ACKNOWLEDGING REEVES AND THE STORY.

>> LOU TEMPLE IS AMAZING, BLAIR UNDERWOOD, THE GUY WHO WROTE THE STORY, ROBIN JOHNSON WAS A REAL CHIEF OF POLICE IN CORSICANA.

HE IS A MASTER OF FIREARMS, AND A LAW MAN.

HE IS VERY CUNNING.

HE IS WEALTHY.

AND HE IS DIVERSE AND HOW HE WORKS WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE IN THE THEATER TO BE ASPIRED AND I SEE HOW IT CHANGES PEOPLE WHEN THEY WATCH IT.

IT IS FAR OVERDUE FOR PEOPLE TO RECLAIM OUR CONTRIBUTION AND OUR LEGACY HERE IN AMERICA.

I AM PROUD OF THAT.

THAT IS MY NARRATIVE.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM ANGEL.

>> YOU CAN SEE CORSICANA, THE STORY OF BASS REEVES TOMORROW AND THURSDAY.

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

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING.

YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE AND OUR WEBSITE, WWW.WTTW.COM/NEWS.

YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE VIDEO UP.

SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS TO GET THE SHOW.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:00.

WE EXAMINE MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S DEAL WITH COM ED WHICH THE CHALLENGERS SAY IS QUESTIONABLE.

AND BLACK HISTORY MONTH KICKS OFF.

A LOOK AT HOW IT GOT ITS START AND LASTING IMPACT.

FOR ALL OF US HERE IN CHICAGO TONIGHT, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY WARM OUT THERE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.