>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT .

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN .

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ .

>> WE ARE LOSING $1 MILLION PER MONTH.

>> CUTS TO THE LARGE CLINIC TO HIV-POSITIVE PATIENTS AND LGBTQ.

>> A SPEAKER STANDOFF IN WASHINGTON, WE WEIGH IN.

>> AN INCREASE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE , THE JOBS OUTLOOK FOR 2023.

>>> OPIOID OVERDOSES IN COOK COUNTY ARE EXPECTED TO SET A GRIM NEW RECORD.

>>> IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN JOINING DRY JANUARY , WE HAVE SOME DRINK IDEAS.

>>> A SMALL CHICAGO MUSEUM GETS A BIG GRANT FROM THE CITY.

>> ANOTHER PART OF YOUR MOTIVATION.

>> A YOUTH CLUB TEACHING SKILLS IN AND OUT OF THE RING.

SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES , CHICAGO RECEIVES $144 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO RESTORE BRIDGES AT THE ILLINOIS INTERNATIONAL PORT DISTRICT ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE.

THE VICE PRESIDENT WAS IN CHICAGO FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> JUST LOOK AT THE 95th STREET BRIDGE BEHIND ME.

FOR MANY YEARS , THIS BRIDGE , AND THREE MORE NEARBY , HAVE SERVED A CRITICAL ROLE FOR COMMUNITIES IN CHICAGO AND NORTHWEST INDIANA.

FOR THOUSANDS OF TRUCK DRIVERS , THIS IS A PART OF THEIR DAILY ROUTE.

AND DOZENS OF TIMES THESE BRIDGES ARE RAISED SO SHIPS CAN TRAVEL TO LAKE MICHIGAN ALL THE WAY TO THE GULF OF MEXICO.

>> THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STILL HAS NOT ELECTED A SPEAKER.

THE VOTING STRETCHES TO A SECOND DAY.

>> KEVIN McCARTY HAS LOST SIX SEPARATE VOTES IN HIS BID FOR THE POSITION AND THIS MEANS THE HOUSE CANNOT FULLY FUNCTION OR PROCEED WITH OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES.

THE HOUSE ADJOURNED TODAY AND WILL RECONVENE THIS EVENING AND WE WILL HAVE MORE ANALYSIS COMING UP.

>> COOK COUNTY HOMEOWNERS HAVE AN EXTRA MONTH TO PAY THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES.

THE NEW DEADLINE FOR THE TAX BILL IS APRIL 3rd.

THE COOK COUNTY TREASURER SAYS THE FIRST INSTALLMENT WILL BE MAILED OUT IN LATE FEBRUARY .

>> COMING UP , WE LOOK AT THE JOBS OUTLOOK FOR 2023.

>> WHAT AN EMPLOYEE STRIKE COULD MEAN .

STAY WITH US.

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

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

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

>> EMPLOYEES AT HOWARD BROWN HEALTH ARE IN DAY TWO OF A STRIKE OVER LAYOFFS THEY SAY CREATE HEADACHES FOR PATIENTS .

THE EXECUTIVES SAY IT IS NECESSARY COST-CUTTING.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> Reporter: THEY WILL MARK 50 YEARS IN SERVING THE HEALTH NEEDS OF LGBTQ AND HIV-POSITIVE PEOPLE.

IT GETS GOVERNMENT MONEY TO SUPPORT THE MISSION, INCLUDING PROVIDING CARE TO THOSE UNDERINSURED OR UNINSURED.

THEY WILL GO FORWARD MINUS 16% OF THE WORKFORCE.

64 OF 720 EMPLOYEES JUST GOT LAID OFF , ANOTHER 15 TOOK BUYOUTS.

HOWARD BROWN CEO SAYS IT IS NEEDED TO ADDRESS A $12 MILLION SHORTFALL.

>> WE HAVE TO TURN THIS AROUND.

WE ARE LOSING $1 MILLION PER MONTH.

$1 MILLION PER MONTH.

SO , THAT IS NOT A SUSTAINABLE WAY TO SUPPORT A HEALTH SYSTEM.

IF WE CANNOT TURN THIS AROUND, WE ARE IN JEOPARDY , THE CARE OF PATIENTS, AND THE SECURITY OF THE WORKFORCE NEEDED TO DELIVER AFFIRMING CARE.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY HOWARD BROWN HAD RELIED ON COVID RELIEF MONEY BUT THAT IS USED .

HE SAYS MOST OF THE SHORTFALL STEMS FROM EXPENSIVE CHANGES TO A FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT REQUIRES PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES TO SELL FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS AT A DISCOUNT AND ALSO THEY STARTED LOSING MONEY WHEN A POPULAR AIDS DRUG WHEN GENERIC.

HOWARD BROWN PROVIDES DRUGS AT NO COST TO THOSE WITHOUT INSURANCE.

THEY SAY THEY DID THEIR BEST TO PREVENT CUTS.

>> WE HAVE FROZEN SPENDING , DISCRETIONARY SPENDING , TRAVEL , CONFERENCES , WE HAVE STOPPED ADVERTISING.

AND WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT OUR LINE ITEMS FOR COMPUTER EQUIPMENT, AND SOFTWARE LICENSES , TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE GET EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE GOOD PATIENT CARE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS EXECUTIVES TOOK PAY CUTS, COLLECTIVELY TOTALING $100,000.

THEIR HIGHEST-PAID EMPLOYEE MADE $330,000.

STRIKING EMPLOYEES SAY THE EXECUTIVES ARE GREEDY AND THE FINANCIAL SITUATION IS NOT REALLY THAT BAD.

>> THEY ARE IN PRETTY GOOD FINANCIAL SHAPE AND HAVE SIGNIFICANT ASSETS .

INVESTMENTS.

THEY -- MANY OF WHICH ARE HIGHLY LIQUID.

SO , I BELIEVE THERE IS DEFINITELY AN ELEMENT OF UNION RETALIATION GIVEN THE TIMING .

>> Reporter: RETALIATION BECAUSE SOME EMPLOYEES JUST UNIONIZED THIS SUMMER AND ARE IN THE MIDST OF NEGOTIATING A FIRST CONTRACT.

THE HEAD OF THE UNION SAYS IT IS A TRAGEDY THE LAYOFFS CAME AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.

SHE ALSO SAYS , PATIENTS ARE HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING APPOINTMENTS.

AMONG THOSE LAID OFF OR HELP EDUCATORS , LIKE THIS ONE WHO SAYS SHE HELPS PATIENTS NAVIGATE LANGUAGE BARRIERS.

>> THEY RELY ON US FOR OUR SERVICES TO MAKE THEM FEEL MORE WELCOME, MORE SECURE , MORE SAFE , JUST COMFORTABLE OVERALL.

>> THERE IS NOT A DAY THAT ANY HOWARD BROWN CLINIC DOES NOT NEED STAFF THAT IS SPANISH-SPEAKING.

EVERY DAY , EVERY HOUR, THE SPANISH-SPEAKING STAFF NEEDS TO HELP THE LATINO PATIENTS.

>> Reporter: MANY OF THE LAYOFFS TARGETED THOSE WHO WORK IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

THE CEO SAYS HE AGREES WITH EMPLOYEES ARE NEEDED IN THOSE AREAS , AND HE SAYS HOWARD BROWN HAD ABOUT 35 PROGRAMS , BUT THAT MODEL IS NOT FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE.

ONE LAID OFF EMPLOYEE SAYS THE CHANGE WILL LITERALLY KILL PEOPLE.

SHE WAS A CONSULTANT FOR A PROGRAM THAT HELP SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC ABUSE SURVIVORS NAVIGATE CHORDATES , GETTING ORDERS OF PROTECTION.

THEY SAY THERE IS ONLY ONE EMPLOYEE FOR THAT PROGRAM.

SHE SAYS SURVIVORS OFTEN DO NOT SEEK HELP .

THEY SAY, AFTER ONE OF THE WORST SITUATIONS OF THEIR LIVES , SURVIVORS NEED AFFIRMING CARE LIKE THAT PROVIDED AT HOWARD BROWN.

>> SOMEONE TRYING TO LEAVE AN ABUSIVE SITUATION, THEY ARE A QUEER COUPLE, NOT WHAT SOCIETY SEES AS NORMAL, THEY WON'T HAVE A PLACE TO GO WHERE THEY WILL FEEL SAFE AND EVENTUALLY IT WILL BE DANGEROUS.

THEIR LIVES ARE AT RISK.

THEY WERE ALREADY AT RISK , WITHOUT THE SUPPORT, THEY ARE MORE AT RISK.

>> THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ?

>> WE ARE ONLY QUEER CATERING ORGANIZATION IN THE CITY.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS SHE BELIEVES IN HER WORK AS A QUEER LaTINA AND SAYS THE HEALTH CENTER SHOULD HAVE STAFF FROM WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

SHE SAYS , SOME OF THE CLIENT SHE HAD BEEN WORKING WITH, FACE CHORDATES NEXT WEEK.

>> WHAT IS NEXT FOR MIKE HOWARD BROWN AND THE EMPLOYEES ?

>> THEY FILED A GRIEVANCE WITH THE NATIONAL RELATIONS -- NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD , SAYING THEY DID NOT ARGUE IN GOOD FAITH, AND THEY HOPE THEY WILL RESTORE THE LOST JOBS.

HOWARD BROWN EXECUTIVES SAY THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN ALL THE CLINICS , EVEN AS THE STRIKE IS ONGOING.

DESPITE THE LAYOFFS , THEY SAY HOWARD BROWN IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING HEALTHCARE FOR ALL OF ITS PATIENTS.

>> A TOUGH SITUATION FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THANK YOU.

>>> NEXT, WHAT THE COMING YEAR MAY BRING FOUR JOBSEEKERS.

STAY WITH US.

>> JANUARY IS TYPICALLY MONTH WITH A LOT OF LAYOFFS , BUT WHAT CAN WE EXPECT IN 2023?

THE FEDERAL RESERVE RELEASED ITS UNEMPLOYMENT PREDICTION AND THERE ARE SOME OMINOUS SIGNS, THE TECHNICAL INDUSTRY WITH SWEEPING LAYOFFS , WILL OTHER INDUSTRIES FOLLOW SUIT?

HERE IS TOM AND JACK, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CHICAGOLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE FIRST QUESTION, TOM, THE TECH INDUSTRY HAVE BEEN RAVAGED, WILL OTHER INDUSTRIES FOLLOW SUIT?

>> I DON'T.

COMPANIES THOUGHT THEY WERE THE SMARTEST AND HIRED HUGELY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

EATING, LIVING , WORKING IN THE LIVING ROOMS FOREVER, THAT HAS NOT PANNED OUT.

WE HAVE SEEN INTEREST RATES GO UP, WHICH MEANS VENTURE CAPITAL FIRMS CANNOT BORROW AT ZERO.

THOSE AREAS ARE GETTING HIT .

ACROSS THE OVERALL ECONOMY.

>> JACK, JANUARY IS KNOWN AS A MONTH OF LAYOFFS, WHAT IS THE FORECAST ?

>> THE TECH INDUSTRY , ON AVERAGE, IF THEY ARE LAID OFF, IT TAKES LESS THAN THREE MONTHS TO GET A JOB.

ESPECIALLY IN CHICAGO, A CHICAGO STUDY SAYS THIS IS THE FASTEST GROWING PART OF OUR ECONOMY.

WE ARE STILL BULLISH ON TECH.

NOT JUST TECH COMPANIES, TECH AND NON-TECH, WE ARE STILL BULLISH ON TECH.

>> IN CHICAGO ?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE ARE A TECH HUB IN CHICAGO BECAUSE OF OUR EDUCATION.

I AM POSITIVE ABOUT THE JOB OUTLOOK IN THE FUTURE.

MAYBE UNEMPLOYMENT GOES UP A LITTLE BIT.

THAT MAY RELAX THE MARKET A LITTLE BIT , MAYBE LABOR COSTS DO NOT GO UP .

IT WILL HELP SMALL BUSINESSES BECAUSE THE EMPLOYMENT RATE IS UP A LITTLE BIT , THEY HAVE A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO HIRE PEOPLE.

AT LOWER WAGES.

NOT AT LOWER RAGES BUT REASONABLE WAGES.

>> THE FED IS SAYING THEY EXPECT IT TO GO UP FROM 3.7% TO PERHAPS 4.6% BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO THE AVERAGE WORKER IN BUSINESS?

>> I THINK THEY WILL BE FINE.

I THINK WE WILL BE BELOW THE 4.6% NUMBER.

SEASONAL LAYOFFS DO HAPPEN.

WE ARE NOT SEEING COMPANIES HAVING PROBLEMS.

THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY , OUR HUB IS IN CHICAGO , WE HAVE MORE JOB ORDERS IN MORE SECTORS THAN EVER IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COMPANY.

IT IS NOT AT THE VOLUME OVERALL BUT MORE COMPANIES ARE GETTING STAFF , BECAUSE WHEN BIG COMPANIES LAYOFFS TALENT, GIVES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZE COMPANIES TO GET PEOPLE THEY NORMALLY COULD NOT.

>> PEOPLE IN THE GREAT RESIGNATION , ONE JOB TO ANOTHER, JACK , WHAT ABOUT SMALL BUSINESSES , BAILED OUT BY THE FEDERAL BURLEITH MONEY, WHAT IS THE SITUATION NOW?

>> THEY ARE STILL DEALING WITH INFLATION, LABOR SHORTAGES AND PROPERTY TAXES, SMALL BUSINESSES ARE GETTING HIT HARD .

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BURDEN DOES NOT FALL ON THEM.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE SHOWN , OVER THE TWO YEARS DURING THE PANDEMIC, THEY CAN BE INNOVATIVE AND FLEXIBLE.

THEY FIND WAYS TO LOWER THEIR COSTS.

THEY FIND WAYS TO BE MORE EFFICIENT.

THEY DID THAT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO NOT PUT THE BURDEN ON SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, LIKE PROPERTY TAXES, THERE IS A CALL IN THE CITY COUNCIL TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE TO $25, WE JUST HAD OVER $15 , WE CANNOT BURDEN OUR SMALL BUSINESSES SO THEY CAN GROW.

THERE IS A LOT OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE.

THE GOVERNOR GOT $350 MILLION FOR ADVANTAGE ILLINOIS FROM THE FEDS FOR LOAN GUARANTEES , PARTICIPATION LOANS , VENTURE CAPITAL , TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES.

RIGHT NOW , WHEN THE ECONOMY MAY BE SLOWING DOWN A LITTLE BIT, PEOPLE CAN LEAVE THEIR JOB AND START A COMPANY.

THESE RESOURCES WILL HELP THEM.

>> WORKERS HAD SOME LEVERAGE CUT TO DEMAND BETTER PAY AND WORK FROM HOME, IS THE PENDULUM SHIFTING WHERE COMPANIES WILL SAY , WE WANT YOU TO BE IN THE OFFICE FIVE DAYS A WEEK AND YOUR SORRY THE MAN'S MAY NOT BE MET?

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

WE ARE NOW MOVING TO THE PERMANENT HYBRID.

HE USED TO BE WE WILL LET EMPLOYEES , SOCIETY , LET EMPLOYEES PICK WHAT THEY THEY WANT TO COME IN.

MY COMPANY HAS SAID , YOU ARE COMING IN TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, EVERYBODY , OVER 80% OF COMPANIES ARE GOING TO HAVE A MANDATORY HYBRID, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY , THURSDAY IN THE OFFICE, I AM NOT SURE IT WILL NOT BE MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY FOR A LOT OF COMPANIES ONE YEAR FROM NOW.

>> THE ECONOMY, DOWNTOWN ECONOMY HAS BEEN HIT HARD BY THIS.

CAN THIS HELP BRING SOME OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES BACK ?

>> I THINK THAT THE NUMBER OF DAYS IN THE OFFICE WILL GO UP BUT NEVER BE BACK AT FIVE .

THAT WILL HELP SMALL BUSINESSES AND DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES.

WE HAVE SEEN DIFFERENT CYCLES IN DOWNTOWN , THEY ADJUST AND COME UP WITH NEW BUSINESS IDEAS.

WE ARE INNOVATIVE , RESILIENT , SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE SAME WAY .

THEY WILL ADAPT TO THE MARKET AND HOW THEY GROW.

THE TOP LINE WENT UP , BUT THEIR COST WENT UP , THEY WILL DEAL WITH MANAGING THAT.

PAYING MORE FOR SUPPLIES , HOW MUCH CAN THEY PASS ON TO THE CONSUMER?

THEY WILL HAVE TO BE NIMBLE AND ADAPT TO THOSE CHANGES AND FIND WAYS TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND CREATE JOBS .

44% OF OUR JOBS ARE FROM SMALL BUSINESSES IN ILLINOIS.

>> YOU SEEM PRETTY POSITIVE ABOUT THE OUTLOOK, THOUGH SOME ECONOMISTS ARE WARNING ABOUT A RECESSION.

HOW DO YOU PREPARE , WHAT YOU TELL PEOPLE TO PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE LAYOFFS ?

>> THE NUMBER ONE THING, YOU HAVE TO PLAY THE GAME.

YOU HAVE TO BE WORKING HARD.

TOO OFTEN WE SEE EMPLOYEES THAT WANT TO PUT THEIR HEAD IN THE SAND AND ACT LIKE NOTHING IS GOING ON.

BE ALERT.

DO YOUR WORK SOME COMPANIES THEY SAY ARE NOT LAWYERS -- LOYAL, PEOPLE ARE HESITANT TO DO LAYOFFS, PENSIONS WERE CREATED BY COMPANIES TO HELP EMPLOYEES .

THEY DON'T WANT TO LET PEOPLE GO.

IF YOU HAVE AN OPTION TO GO AT YOUR OFFICE , GO INTO YOUR OFFICE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO BE OUT OF SIGHT, THAT IS OUT OF MIND.

TAKE EVERY SINGLE PROJECT YOU GET YOUR HANDS ON IN THE OFFICE AND SHOW YOUR EMPLOYER THAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF WORKING.

IF THEY WILL LET PEOPLE GO , THEY WILL LET THE WORST WORKERS GO, AND THE ONES THEY DON'T SEE.

>> GOOD ADVICE.

TOM, JACK , THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>>> WE GO BACK TO YOU, BRANDIS .

>> COOK COUNTY IS EXPECTED TO SET A GRIM NEW RECORD.

THE COOK COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER SAYS IT EXPECTS THE OPIOID OVERDOSE IS TO EXCEED 2000 DEATHS IN 2022, THAT IS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF HOMICIDES IN THE COUNTY AND WILL ECLIPSE THE PREVIOUS COUNTY RECORD OF 1936 OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS IN 2021.

JOINING US TO HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON OUR DOCTORS AT THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND RENAISSANCE SOCIAL SERVICES.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

LET'S START WITH YOU, DOCTOR, WHY ARE WE SEEING THIS RECORD LEVEL OF OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS ?

>> WITH THE INCREASING NUMBER OF PEOPLE DYING FROM OPIOIDS, WE HAVE ALSO BEEN TRACKING IT, I HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE FENTANYL IN THE SYSTEM WHEN THEY DIE FROM OPIOID OVERDOSES.

FENTANYL IS A VERY POWERFUL OPIOID.

AND ITS RELATED COUSINS CAN EASILY CAUSE SOMEONE TO OVERDOSE USING A SMALL AMOUNT.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK WE ARE SEEING THIS?

>> THE OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC , AS I REFER TO IT, IS LARGELY FENTANYL , ABSOLUTELY , AND WE ARE SEEING A LOT MORE RELATIVES OF THE DRUG.

SO MANY ADULT -- >> WHAT MAKES FENTANYL SO DANGEROUS AND UBIQUITOUS ?

>> FENTANYL IS A DRUG EASILY MANUFACTURED .

IT IS VERY CHEAP TO.

BECAUSE IT IS SO POWERFUL , YOU ONLY NEED A SMALL AMOUNT FOR THE EFFECTS TO BE FELT.

IT COULD BE MADE IN A LAB.

YOU DON'T WAIT FOR A PLANT TO GROW AND HARVEST IT.

IT CAN BE ADDED TO DIFFERENT SUBSTANCES.

>> CHEAP, EASY, NOT EASILY IDENTIFIED.

>> WE SEE IT IN MANY SUBSTANCES , ANECDOTALLY AND IN TESTING.

WE ARE SEEING IT IN COCAINE.

>> WHAT IS BEING SOLD AS HEROIN.

>> ARE WE STILL SEEING THE EFFECTS OF THE EPIDEMIC CAUSED BY THE OVER PRESCRIPTION OF OPIOID PAINKILLERS?

>> NOT WITH MOST ILLICIT SUBSTANCE USERS, MOST PEOPLE I TALK TO HAVE NEVER HAD A PILL MILL PRESCRIPTION OR EXCESSIVE OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS.

THEY ARE NOT PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD OXY OR THE LIKE.

THEY STARTED ON ILLICIT HEROIN AND CONTINUE WITH THAT.

>> YOU MENTIONED A COUPLE OF THINGS, AS I LOSING AND OTHER DRUGS, IT IS PEOPLE WHO ARE ACCESSING THIS ON THE STREET AND WHEN YOU ADD THIS TOGETHER , WHAT ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT?

>> THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GETTING.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS FROM BAG TO BAG.

WE ARE SEEING SUBSTANCES THAT HAVE NO BUSINESS BEING IN WHAT IS BEING SOLD .

THESE CAN CAUSE MIMICKING EFFECTS , BUT THEY DON'T GET REVERSED.

THEY DON'T REVERSE WITH THE LOCKS ON OR NARCAN .

>> IS THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC STILL A FACTOR IN TERMS OF THE ANXIETY AND ISOLATION PEOPLE EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY COULD NOT ACCESS SERVICES FOR THE DRUG USE ?

>> DURING THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC, THOSE IN RECOVERY FOR A WHILE, FOR A LONG TIME, THEY MAY HAVE LOST SOME THINGS THAT KEPT THEM IN RECOVERY.

THEY MAY HAVE TURNED TO DRUG USE TO COPE WITH SOME OF THESE FEELINGS OF ANXIETY .

NOW , AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT , WE ALWAYS TRY TO TALK ABOUT THE SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE NOW.

WE TRIED TO DECREASE THE BARRIERS.

>> OF OPIOID DEATHS, SOME STATS FROM THE MEDICAL EXAMINER, 78% ARE MALE, 56% AFRICAN-AMERICAN, 15% LATINO.

WHY DO WE SEE SUCH RACIAL DISPARITY ?

>> A COUPLE OF THINGS, THAT CORRESPONDS TO THE UNHOUSED POPULATION, MEN TEND TO BE THE MAJORITY, WHICH POINTS TO RACISM AND POVERTY.

IN ADDITION , OUR AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN TENDED TO BE PEOPLE WHO WERE SNORTING.

THEY ARE BEING IMPACTED BY THE FENTANYL.

LESS RISKY THAN INJECTING.

WITH THE DRUGS WE ARE SEEING, IT DOES NOT HELP MUCH.

>> MORE NUMBERS , THE AGE GROUP MOST IMPACTED BY OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS ARE MOSTLY MEN BETWEEN 50 AND 59, ACCOUNTING FOR MORE THAN A QUARTER OF ALL THE OVERDOSE DEATHS.

ANY EXPLANATION FOR THAT ?

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN USING HEROIN AND OTHER OPIOIDS FOR DECADES.

WE ARE SEEING INCREASED DEATHS BECAUSE OF THE CHANGING FORMULATION OF THE DRUG SUPPLY.

WE TRY TO MAKE RESOURCES LIKE THIS PROGRAM CALLED M.A.R.

NOW, META-STATION ASSISTED RECOVERY NOW, BY CALLING THE ILLINOIS HEALTH LINE AND GETTING TREATMENT THE SAME DAY.

THAT NUMBER IS -- >> NARCAN CAN REVERSE AN OVERDOSE IN TIME , IS THAT WIDELY ACCESSIBLE ?

>> YES, NARCAN , IT IS WIDELY AVAILABLE.

JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, WE WERE ABLE TO , WITH OUR PARTNERSHIP , MAKE IT AVAILABLE IN EVERY LIBRARY BRANCH IN THE CITY.

IN ADDITION TO THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, WE HAVE MANY PARTNERS , LIKE CHICAGO RECOVERY ALLIANCE , THEY CAN DISTRIBUTE NARCAN AND HAVE BEEN FOR MANY YEARS.

WE ARE WORKING WITH GROUPS TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO THEIR CONGREGANTS.

>> WHAT MORE CAN BE DONE TO BRING THE NUMBERS DOWN ?

>> HAVING NARCAN WIDELY TALKED ABOUT AND WIDELY AVAILABLE , AND THE LIBRARY, OUR LIVING ROOM PROJECT HAS NARCAN VENDING MACHINES WHERE IT IS NEEDED.

SPREADING THE WORD.

INCREASING EDUCATION ABOUT DRUGS .

>> WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS TO YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

>>> NEXT , A SMALL GALLERY GETS A LOT OF MONEY .

STAY WITH US.

>> MUCH FOR COMING UP, INCLUDING WHY SOME PEOPLE ARE SKIPPING ALCOHOL THIS MONTH.

>>> THE CITY OF CHICAGO IS AWARDING A $5 MILLION COMMUNITY DEVELOP A GRANT TO A SMALL CHICAGO MUSEUM, PART OF THE CHICAGO RECOVERY PLAN WHICH USES FEDERAL AND LOCAL MONEY TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS AND NEIGHBORHOODS HURT BY THE PANDEMIC.

MARK VISITED AND GOT A SENSE OF WHAT THE WINDFALL MEANS TO THEM.

>> THE CENTER FOR INTUITIVE AND OUTSIDER ART HAS BEEN ON MILWAUKEE AVENUE NEAR CHICAGO AND OGDEN SINCE 1999 .

THEY SHOWCASE ARTWORK BY SELF-TAUGHT ARTISTS WHO DID NOT FOLLOW A TRADITIONAL PATH TO ART MAKING.

THE NEWEST EXHIBITION PRESENTS DRAWINGS BY A RESIDENT OF LITTLE CITY , A COMMUNITY OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

THE $5 MILLION GRANT STANDS TO BE A GAME CHANGER FOR THE 32-YEAR-OLD NONPROFIT.

>> THIS IS TRANSFORMATIVE .

WE ARE A SMALL INSTITUTION AND THIS IS GOING TO ALLOW US TO TAKE WHAT I CONSIDER A CHICAGO GEM AND TRANSFORM IT INTO A CULTURAL JEWEL IN THE CITY .

A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE THAT WE ARE HERE AND ONE OF THE FEW MUSEUMS IN THE WORLD THAT FOCUS ON SPECIFICALLY THIS GENRE OF ART.

PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE MAINSTREAM ART WORLD , AND ONE OF THE REASONS WE ARE HERE IN CHICAGO IS BECAUSE , IN CHICAGO, THAT ART WAS ERASED EARLY ON BEFORE IT BECAME POPULAR ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

CHICAGO PEOPLE INTERESTED IN EDGY AND DIFFERENT WERE THINKING ABOUT THIS ART.

>> Reporter: THE CITY WAS LOOKING FOR PROJECTS THAT WERE READY TO GO FROM GROUPS ABLE TO PROVIDE 25% MATCH.

CANDIDATES DID NOT HAVE TO BE NONPROFIT OR CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS.

THE MUSEUM SAYS IT WILL EXPAND TO THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE BUILDING, CURRENTLY USED FOR STORAGE.

THESE RENDERINGS FROM THE PROPOSAL DEPICT NEW SPACES AND TEACHING AREAS.

THEY ALSO PLAN TO ENLARGE THE PERMANENT EXHIBIT ON HENRY DARKER , THE CELEBRATED VISION OR ARTIST FROM CHICAGO.

THEY WILL HAVE A NEW LOOK FACING THE STREET .

>> ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS OUR FACADE IS NOT PARTICULARLY WELCOMING .

IT IS NOT CONDUCIVE TO MAKING AN INVITING PLACE AND WE WILL BE MAKING IT MORE LIKE WHAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY PROBABLY , THE LAST STOREFRONT ON THE FIRST FLOOR, MAKING IT WELCOMING , AND ACCESSIBLE RAMP.

>> Reporter: WHICH TIES INTO THE LARGER GOAL OF THE GRANT, DEVELOPING THE COMMUNITY BY HELPING THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE ARE A SMALL MUSEUM IN THE WEST TOWN NEIGHBORHOOD.

THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THIS GREAT BUILDING THAT WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE AN ART MUSEUM AND TRANSFORM IT INTO THE 21st CENTURY MUSEUM FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND BEYOND.

WE ARE ONE OF THE FIRST PLACES TO SHOWCASE THIS ARTWORK AND WE WILL HAVE AN EVEN BETTER SPACE IN WHICH TO DO THAT SHOWCASING.

>>> THE OTHER BIG RED WINTER IS NOT A CULTURAL ORGANIZATION BUT A HOTEL GROUP RECEIVING A $5 MILLION COMMUNITY DEVELOP A GRANT TO BUILD A NEW HOTEL ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE.

MORE WITH OUR INTERVIEW WITH INTUIT ON HER WEBSITE, AND RECOMMENDED CHICAGO ARTS AND CULTURAL EVENTS IN 2023.

BRANDIS , BACK TO YOU .

>>> COMING UP, WHAT STAYING ALCOHOL FREE DURING DRY JANUARY CAN DO FOR YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH?

>>> THE KEVIN McCARTY BATTLE FOR THE HOUSE SPEAKERSHIP DRAGS ON AND ON, WE TALK POLITICS.

>> IT IS ANOTHER PART OF YOUR MOTIVATION.

>>> WE TAKE YOU INSIDE A BOXING CLUB AND LITTLE VILLAGE TEACHING KIDS SKILLS IN AND OUT OF THE RING.

>>> FIRST , MORE OF THE TOP STORIES , ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM THE METROPOLITAN AREA ARE ANNOUNCING A NEW PARTNERSHIP IN AN EFFORT TO BRING MORE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

>> THAT LEADS US TO FOCUS ON THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC WEALTH GAPS THAT EXIST WITHIN A REGION.

THAT'S HOLDING SO MANY PEOPLE BACK AND PREVENTING THEM FROM JOINING OUR ECONOMY.

>> THE GREATER CHICAGOLAND ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CITY AND SEVEN COUNTIES IN NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS .

THE INITIATIVE HAS A THREE YEAR INITIAL PILOT, LEADERS SAY IT IS AIMED TO STRENGTHEN THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS OF THE REGION BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF DIVERSE TALENT AND TOP RANKED INDUSTRIES.

>>> CHICAGO BEARS QUARTERBACK JUSTIN FIELDS WILL MISS THE SEASON FINALE THIS SUNDAY.

THE HEAD COACH SAYS HE DID NOT GET MEDICAL CLEARANCE FROM STAFF AFTER COMPLAINING OF PAIN EARLIER THIS WEEK.

THE BEARS COULD GET THE FIRST OVERALL DRAFT PICK IF THEY LOSE AGAINST THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS ON SUNDAY AND THE TEXANS DEFEAT THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS.

THE HEAD COACH TALKED ABOUT THEIR REACTION TO THE BUFFALO BILLS DAMAR HAMLIN GOING INTO CARDIAC ARREST AFTER HE HIT ON MONDAY NIGHT.

HE SAID THE INJURY RESONATES WITH PLAYERS WHO KNOW THEY TAKE SERIOUS RISKS BY PLAYING A VIOLENT GAME EACH WEEK.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE CITY'S NEWLY ANNOUNCED LAUREATE PROGRAM ARE OPEN.

OFFICIALS SAY THE POET LAUREATE WILL SERVE AS AN AMBASSADOR TO THE LITERARY AND CREATIVE COMMUNITY AND ALSO COMMISSION NEW POINTS AND CREATIVE PUBLIC PROGRAM INCLUDING SOME FOR YOUTH AND STUDENTS.

IT COMES WITH A TWO-YEAR TERM AND A GRANT.

YOU CAN SUBMIT NOMINATIONS THROUGH JANUARY 18th.

THEY WILL BE APPOINTED IN THE SPRING.

PARIS ?

>>> WITH THE NEW YEAR IS NEW RESOLUTIONS, ONE OF THOSE GAINING POPULAR IS TO QUIT DRINKING ALCOHOL FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY.

KNOWN AS DRY JANUARY.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE POSSIBLE BENEFITS BEHIND THE TREND ARE CHRISTINA, OWNER AND FOUNDER OF THE DRIVE ARE, AND ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE ON CHICAGO TONIGHT .

HAPPY DRY JANUARY .

FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW, WHAT IS BEHIND THIS ?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US.

I LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

DRY JANUARY IS A MOVEMENT THAT IS GAINING TRACTION.

IT IS GETTING MORE POPULAR.

WHERE PEOPLE TAKE A 30 DAY BREAK FROM ALCOHOL.

THAT COULD BE A BREAK THAT THEY MAY DECIDE TO MAKE PERMANENT, MAYBE THEY WILL ASSESS THE RELATIONSHIP WITH ALCOHOL AND HOW IT MAKES THEM FEEL.

OR A BREAK WHERE THEY CAN GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH ALCOHOL IS.

>> IS THERE A CORRELATION WITH COVID AND THE RISE IN OVERALL ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION?

>> YES .

100% .

EVEN BEFORE COVID , AROUND 2000, WE HAD THE MASSIVE INCREASE IN HEAVY DRINKING AND ALCOHOL USE DISORDER.

EVERY YEAR , PARTICULARLY FOR WOMEN .

WITH COVID , WITH THE NORMALIZATION OF DRINKING DURING THE DAY, DRINKING AT HOME, AND ALSO INCREASING POTENCY OF ALCOHOL THAT IS BEING SOLD, WE HAVE MORE AND MORE ADMISSIONS TO THE HOSPITALS FOR ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL , A 25% INCREASE IN ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS BETWEEN 2020 AND 2021.

THAT IS A SEVERE END OF THE SPECTRUM.

IT IS TELLING IN TERMS OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT EVERYBODY IN THIS COUNTRY IS GOING THROUGH AND PEOPLE ARE GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE THERE WONDERING WHAT ROLE THEY WANT ALCOHOL TO PLAN OUR LIVES.

>> IT IS GOING IN A TROUBLING DIRECTION.

YOU RUN A DRY BAR.

WHAT DRINKS DO YOU OFFER ?

>> WE HAVE A LOCATION IN HUMBLE PARK.

WE ARE RUNNING AS A BOTTLE SHOP IN THE FRONT AND WORKING ON GETTING THE BAR UP AND RUNNING.

WE OFFER NONALCOHOLIC BEER, WINE, COCKTAILS , ANYTHING YOU CAN GET AS AN ALCOHOLIC VERSION , WE OFFER IT AS A NONALCOHOLIC VERSION.

WE OFFER OUR SHOP AS A SPACE FOR PEOPLE WHO STILL WANT TO HAVE A FUN DRINK AND THE SOCIAL WITHOUT ANY OF THE ALCOHOL ASPECTS INVOLVED.

>> SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT BUSINESS MODEL, ARE PEOPLE LOOKING FOR THIS , WHO ARE SOBER OR ARE SOBER CURIOUS ?

>> DEFINITELY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GRATEFUL WE ARE HERE.

EVERYTHING WE OFFER.

I THINK , DURING COVID , SOME PEOPLE WERE DRINKING AND DRINKING, AFTER A COUPLE MONTHS , THEY REALIZED THEY DID NOT FEEL VERY GOOD.

IT'S PART CURIOSITY AS FAR AS OTHER OPTIONS.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE TRYING THE DRY MONTH , CAN'T ONE MONTH REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

DOCTOR ?

>> I WANT TO GIVE THE CAVEAT THAT ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS .

AND QUITE DEADLY .

IF YOU ARE DRINKING HEAVILY EVERY DAY , ESPECIALLY IF YOU FIND THAT YOU HAVE SOME WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS BEFORE YOU HAD YOUR FIRST DRINK OF THE DAY , THIS IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO IN CONJUNCTION WITH YOUR DOCTOR.

IF YOU ARE NOT DRINKING EVERY DAY , I THINK WE HAVE A VERY ALL OR NOTHING MENTALITY.

EITHER YOU ARE DRINKING OR YOU'RE NOT, BUT THERE ARE DEGREES.

I PERSONALLY THINK THAT DRY JANUARY IS A GREAT TIME FOR PEOPLE TO TRY THIS OUT .

AS I SAID, GET MORE INFORMATION FOR THEMSELVES ABOUT WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP WITH ALCOHOL.

HOW MUCH ARE THEY DRINKING?

HOW DOES IT MAKE THEM FEEL TO NOT DRINK?

EVEN AFTER 30, YOU WILL SEE IMPROVEMENTS IN SLEEP, ENERGY, MOOD, POSSIBLY YOUR WEIGHT, BLOOD PRESSURE, ALREADY FAST ENOUGH FOR US TO SEE THE HEALTH BENEFITS.

>> FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO MAY LIKE THE TASTE OF COCKTAILS, WHAT CAN THEY DO AT HOME?

HOW CAN THEY CONCOCT THE DRINKS FOR THEMSELVES THAT ARE NONALCOHOLIC AND HEALTHY?

>> ONLINE AND HERE, THERE IS OTHER STORES, WE CARRY SPIRITS THAT ARE NONALCOHOLIC AND MEANT TO REPLICATE THE TASTE OF ALCOHOL.

THEY WILL NOT ALWAYS BE 100% LIKE A WHISKEY BUT PRETTY CLOSE.

YOU CAN GET AN ALTERNATIVE RISKY OR RUM AND MAKE COCKTAILS AT HOME, FOLLOWING THE SAME RECIPE AS A REGULAR COCKTAIL.

THERE ARE SO MANY OPTIONS AND IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE HOW CLOSE WE HAVE GOTTEN TO REPLACING THE TASTE OF ALCOHOL.

>> I WAS READING THAT ALCOHOLISM OR HEALTH PROBLEMS RELATED ARE MORE ACUTE AMONG WOMEN, WHY IS THAT ?

>> A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT REASONS AND THE BIGGEST ONE IS, WOMEN ARE SMALLER AND ALSO HAVE LESS OF THE ENZYME THAT BREAKS DOWN ALCOHOL.

IT IS COMMON, SAYING , ONE DRINK FOR A WOMAN IS LIKE TWO DRINKS FOR MEN.

WHEN WOMEN START TO DRINK, ESPECIALLY EVERY DAY, THAT THEY WILL BE AFFECTED A LOT SOONER THAN MEN IN TERMS OF THEIR LIVER OR BRAIN FUNCTION, AND THE MOOD, THE WEIGHT , THE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, AND I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF WOMEN WHO ARE BEGINNING TO FEEL THAT ALCOHOL IS NEGATIVELY IMPACTING HER LIFE.

>> DRY JANUARY JUST GETTING STARTED , THANK YOU BOTH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON A TUMULTUOUS TUESDAY IN CONGRESS, FIRST, WE LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> REPUBLICANS IN THE U.S. HOUSE FAILED TO ELECT A SPEAKER AGAIN TODAY.

VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS VISITED CHICAGO TODAY , ALL THAT AND MORE IN OUR SPOTLIGHT IN POLITICS .

AMANDA VINICKY IS BACK.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

>> HAPPY NEW YEAR.

>> THE VICE PRESIDENT WAS IN TOWN COUNTING THE -- >> VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS SAID THAT CHICAGO GETS $144 MILLION OF THE TRILLION DOLLARS TO REPAIR BRIDGES IN ILLINOIS.

THE BRIDGE OVER 95th STREET WAS IN THE BLUES BROTHERS MOVIE, THE ONE THEY JUMPED , THAT WILL BE REPAIRED AND SHE ALSO STOPPED AT A FISHERIES AND GOT TROUT, SALMON.

>> WITH THE PRESIDENT ON THE ROAD IN KENTUCKY, IS THIS AN OFFICIAL LAUNCH, OR UNOFFICIAL BOX OF THE REELECTION BID ?

>> IT SEEMS LIKE IT, BUT IT IS THE FIRST WEEK OF THE 2022 TERM IN CONGRESS.

YOU HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

HE WAS WITH THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER , MITCH McCONNELL , THE REPUBLICAN , A THORN IN THE SIDE OF DEMOCRATS FOR A LONG TIME.

THEY WERE COMPLEMENTING EACH OTHER FOR THIS BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE ACCOMPLISHMENT.

IN THE HOUSE , KEVIN McCARTHY LOST HIS BID TO BE SPEAKER.

THERE WAS DISARRAY.

A MUCH DIFFERENT PICTURE IN THE SENATE.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW THAT PLAYS WITH REELECTION BUT IT WAS AN INTERESTING CONTRAST.

>> EVEN IF IT IS NOT A START, IT IS A CONTRAST , -- >> DEMOCRATS HAVING KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY PASS THESE POLICY INITIATIVES AND DON'T SELL THEM, LIKE OBAMACARE, THEY LET OTHER PEOPLE DEFINE WHAT IT IS , THEY'RE TRYING TO CHANGE THAT.

>> IN WASHINGTON, D.C., THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE ILLINOIS DELEGATION ARE IN LIMBO WITH THE GOP SPEAKER STANDOFF.

THEY CANNOT BE SWORN IN WITHOUT THE ELECTION OF A SPEAKER.

LOOK AT WHAT REPUBLICAN MEMBERS AGAINST KEVIN McCARTHY WERE SAYING.

>> IF YOU WANT TO DRAIN THE SWAMP , YOU CANNOT PUT THE BIGGEST ALLIGATOR IN CHARGE OF THE EXERCISE.

>> FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY, GOOD OF THE CONGRESS, GOOD OF THE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE , HE SHOULD PULL OUT.

>> AMANDA , HOW BAD IS THIS FOR THE GOP ?

OR DEMOCRACY AT WORK ?

>> BOTH.

THIS IS NOT INSPIRING CONFIDENCE ABOUT WHAT IS TO COME NOW THAT REPUBLICANS ARE IN CONTROL WITH A SLIGHT MAJORITY.

IF YOU CANNOT AGREE ON A SPEAKER, HOW WILL YOU AGREE ON CONTROVERSIAL POLICIES COMING THEIR WAY?

IT DOES NOT BODE WELL.

IT IS LIKE A GROUNDHOG DAY, EXCEPT FOR FAR LESS ENTERTAINING AND FAR BIGGER CONSEQUENCES.

I WILL SAY THAT , THERE IS A LOT OF FRUSTRATION FROM SOME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, CERTAINLY WITHIN REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS, THE MAJORITY WHO DO WANT McCARTHY TO BE THE SPEAKER, FOR THE 20 AGAINST HIM, INCLUDING MARY MILLER FROM ILLINOIS , THIS IS WHAT THEY CAMPAIGNED ON.

THEY ARE GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION, THEY THRIVE ON THIS POSITION OF BEING AN OBSTACLE , AND THE GOP NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR IN ILLINOIS USED HIS PUBLIC PLATFORM , TWITTER -- TO SAY THAT HE BELIEVES THAT -- HE DID NOT USE THE TERM ALLIGATOR, BUT McCARTHY -- IS THE ONE PERSON FOR THE JOB, HE IS LOOKING TO HIS NEXT POLITICAL MOVE RUNNING FOR CONGRESS.

>> THE VIDEO OF THE HOUSE CHAMBER, CONGRESS MEMBERS FAMILIES ARE WAITING TO WITNESS THAT VERY IMPORTANT MOMENT OF THEM BEING SWORN IN BUT THAT CANNOT HAPPEN.

ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THAT ?

>> THEY CANNOT ADOPT A RULE THAT SAYS, GO AHEAD, HAVE THE SWEARING IN BEFORE YOU ELECT THE SPEAKER , BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO ELECT THE SPEAKER.

IT IS TRULY GROUNDHOG DAY.

THEY CAN SPEND TWO DAYS AND THERE IS NOT A CLEAR PATH FORWARD , ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN INTERESTING TO WATCH THE MALE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HAVE TO COPE WITH THEIR TINY HUMAN WALK DEALING WITH THE DRAMA.

>> I READ SOMETHING ABOUT HOW , ONCE THE SPEAKER IS ELECTED, THERE IS MORE CONTROL OVER WHERE THE CAMERAS GO.

NOW , WE ARE SEEING ALL KINDS OF VIEWS, A LOT MORE SIDE CONVERSATIONS .

>> YOU WONDER WHAT IS HAPPENING IN SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS.

IS THERE A COMPROMISE TO BE HAD, PARIS ?

>> INTERESTING CYRUS FLOATED, A FORMER CONGRESSMAN FROM FLORIDA , SAYS , I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN BEING A MODERATE IF THE MODERATE DEMOCRATS JOINED WITH REPUBLICANS.

THAT WOULD BE TANTALIZING IF YOU WERE A DEMOCRAT.

IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THAT WOULD HAPPEN .

THERE ARE SOME REPORTS OUT OF WASHINGTON THAT THE OPPOSITION ARE STARTING TO SHOW, CRACKS , AND KEVIN McCARTHY WILL OUTLAST EVERYONE.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.

YOU ARE RULING OVER AN UNRULY CAUCUS.

SOME OF THOSE MEMBERS HAVE NO INTEREST IN GETTING ANYTHING DONE.

REPUBLICANS HAVE SAID THIS .

SOME OF THE MEMBERS ARE THERE TO GO ONTO TWITTER AND SOCIAL MEDIA.

AND SAY, "SEE WHAT I AM DOING."

FAME IS THE END GOAL.

>> IT IS NOT AS IF KEVIN McCARTHY HAS NOT BEEN TRYING TO WIN, HE HAS BEEN GIVING CONCESSIONS AND IT HAS NOT DONE THE TRICK .

>> HE WENT TO MAR-A-LAGO TO KISS THE RING.

>> HE IS STILL LOSING TODAY.

ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS BACK TO WORK IN SPRINGFIELD WITH THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN AT THE CAPITOL, COULD THIS PASS ?

>> THERE IS THE EXPECTATION THAT IT WILL AND THIS IS A GREAT CHANCE.

A LAME-DUCK IS JUST THAT, SOME MEMBERS WHO ARE LAME DUCKS, NOT COMING BACK , DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT DOING ON THE BALLOT.

THEY MAY BE MORE FREE TO VOTE FOR SOMETHING MORE CONTROVERSIAL.

EVEN IF YOU HAVE POLLS SHOWING A MAJORITY OF ILLINOIS RESIDENTS SUPPORT THIS , IT IS VERY CONTROVERSIAL.

I CANNOT SAY FOR CERTAIN THIS WILL PASS IN THE LAME-DUCK SESSION, I DO NOT THINK IT WILL IN THE CURRENT FORM, THERE ARE NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON RIGHT NOW ABOUT WHAT CAN BE LEFT OUT OF THE CURRENT LEGISLATION IN ORDER TO GET THE ADDITIONAL VOTES.

IT WILL NOT PASS AS IS RIGHT NOW, I DON'T THINK >> THE FDA CLEARED MORE PHARMACIES TO HAVE THE ABORTION PILLS.

EXPLAIN THIS .

>> THIS WILL MEAN YOU CAN GO TO THE PHARMACY, WALGREENS , THEY SAID THEY WILL DISPENSE THE ABORTION PILL.

YOU CAN HAVE IT WITH A PRESCRIPTION FROM A DOCTOR .

BEFORE, YOU HAD TO GO TO A CLINIC AND BE SEEN VIA TELHEALTH FOR BY AN ABORTION PROVIDER.

THIS WILL EASE ACCESS IN STATES WHERE IT IS LEGAL, BUT NOT IN TEXAS OR FLORIDA FOR THE RIGHT OF ABORTION IS SIGNIFICANTLY CURTAILED AND NO STATES MAY NOT DISPENSE THE PILLS BECAUSE OF LEGAL CONCERNS.

THIS IS AN ACTION BY THE FDA UNDER JOE BIDEN, HE HAS PROMISED TO EXPAND ACCESS TO ABORTION AND THIS IS ANOTHER INSTANCE OF THAT.

IN ILLINOIS, IT COULD TAKE PRESSURES OFF THE CLINIC AS IT HAS BEEN PACKED BECAUSE OF PEOPLE TRAVELING FROM OTHER STATES WHERE ABORTION IS BANNED.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF NEW CAMPAIGN ADS OUT.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> INDICTED.

>> PAY TO PLAY.

>> THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE WORSE IT GETS.

>> LEADERSHIP IS FAILING US.

>> THEY WILL PUT CRYING IN YOUR SAFETY FIRST.

>> HE HAS A PLAN TO MAKE CHICAGO SAFER.

>> HEATHER, DOESN'T LOOK LIKE LORI LIGHTFOOT IS GOING AFTER HER OPPONENT, VICE VERSA, IS THAT THE RIGHT CHOICE, ATTACKING EACH OTHER AND IGNORING EVERYBODY ELSE ?

>> THIS WAS THE FIRST NEGATIVE AD PUT OUT BY THE MAYOR IN HER REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

THE CURRENT CONGRESSMAN AS HER BIGGEST COMPETITION , WHICH IS WHY SHE IS LINKING HIM TO MICHAEL MADIGAN AND A HOST OF SKETCHY POLITICAL OPERATIVES.

YOU SAW TWO OTHER CANDIDATES , THEY BOTH HAVE THE MONEY TO GET ON TELEVISION AND ARE NOW ON TELEVISION JOINING WILLIE WILSON .

THE MAYOR MAY THINK THIS IS A TWO-PERSON RACE, IT IS NOT.

>> GO BACK FOUR YEARS, LORI LIGHTFOOT WAS A RELATIVE NEWCOMER, THE FEDERAL RAID SPURNED HER, SHE SAID I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE RACE WHO IS NOT A POLITICIAN THIS WAS A SEISMIC EVENT THAT SHIFTED THE RACE.

FOR SOME OF THE LESSER-KNOWN PEOPLE IN THIS RACE , SOMETHING LIKE THAT WILL HAVE TO HAPPEN WHERE THEY JUMP ONTO IT AND THEIR RECOGNITION GOES UP.

THE ONES THAT HAVE THE MONEY , THE NAME RECOGNITION, THEY ARE THE ONES TO FOCUS ON NOW.

>> AMANDA , HOW MUCH WILL SUPPORT TO WILLIE WILSON MATTER ?

>> I DO NOT THINK A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

ENDORSEMENTS USUALLY DO NOT UNLESS THEY COME WITH MONEY .

LOPEZ DOES NOT BRING THAT.

HE WANTS TO RUN FOR MAYOR HIMSELF.

NOT A NOTHING BURGER BUT NOT PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT FOR WILLIE.

AND HE HAS HIS OWN MONEY.

>> IT HURTS PAUL VALLAS, HE IS RUNNING AS A PRO-POLICE, CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE, I THINK THIS WILL MAKE PEOPLE SAY MAYBE PAUL VALLAS IS NOT THE GUY IF I AM A CONSERVATIVE VOTER.

>> A BOXING GYM IN THE BASEMENT OF A LOCAL CHURCH IS PROVIDING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL KIDS.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: IT IS FRIDAY NIGHT AND THERE IS AN AMATEUR BOXING TOURNAMENT GOING ON.

BOXING CLUBS ACROSS THE COUNTRY GO HEAD-TO-HEAD .

>> I LOVE SEEING KIDS WIN THE THE TROPHIES , I LOVE SEEING THE SMILE ON THEIR FACES.

>> Reporter: HE IS HEAD COACH AT THE YOUTH BOXING CLUB AND A FORMER PROFESSIONAL BOXER.

>> I TEACH WHAT I LEARNED.

>> Reporter: IT IS A PACKED HOUSE FOR PRACTICE DURING THE WEEK.

STUDENTS LIKE ELIZABETH RODRIGUEZ COME AFTER SCHOOL.

>> YOU COME HERE , YOU SUPPORT EACH OTHER, YOU CAN TAKE OUT YOUR ANGER.

>> Reporter: MOST OF THE YOUTH PARTICIPATING ARE FROM THE LITTLE VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD .

BRANDON HAS LOST 80 POUNDS SINCE JOINING THE BOXING CLUB.

>> I USED TO GET BULLIED A LOT.

I FELT LIKE I COULD NOT DO THINGS OTHERS COULD DO , SO I CAME HERE AND LOST ALL THE WEIGHT.

>> Reporter: THEY FOCUS ON GIVING KIDS CONFIDENCE IN AND OUT OF THE RING.

>> YOU WILL NEVER STEP IN THE RING LIKE ONE YEAR AGO.

HE SAID HE WAS TOO FAT.

LOOK AT HIM NOW.

>> Reporter: THE YOUTH BOXING CLUB STARTED IN 2006 AS A REFUGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE SEEKING A POSITIVE OUTLET.

HE PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM WHEN HE WAS A KID AND NOW COACHES OTHERS.

>> I GREW UP IN THE STREET AND HAD FRIENDS THAT WERE IN GANGS.

FRIENDS -- BOXING HELPED ME.

>> Reporter: IT IS IN THE BASEMENT OF A COMMUNITY CHURCH IN LITTLE VILLAGE.

THE TEAM SAYS IT IS GETTING READY TO REVAMP PROGRAMMING THE ON THE RING, THIS MENTOR IS LEADING A TUTORING PROGRAM.

>> THE VISION IS TO HELP ANYONE AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY , WHETHER THROUGH ACADEMIC SUPPORT, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING , PROVIDING A SAFE SPACE FOR YOUTH TO BE THERE.

>> Reporter: SOME COMPETE IN TOURNAMENTS AND HOPE TO BE GOOD ENOUGH TO GO PRO.

>> A LOT OF THEM ARE NATIONALLY RANKED.

ALL THAT OPENS DOORS FOR THE POSSIBILITIES OF WHAT IT IS THAT SOMEONE MAY WANT TO DO, IN BOXING OR IN SOMETHING ELSE.

>> THE BOXING CENTER IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 3:00 TO 9:00 P.M. , GO TO OUR WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

WE ARE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP AFTER THIS.

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

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

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

>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT, STAY CONNECTED BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING AND STREAM US ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, AND OUR WEBSITE.

>> GET THE SHOW BE A PODCAST.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT TOMORROW AT 7:00, PROPERTY TAXES ARE UP IN LOGAN SQUARE, HOW RESIDENTS ARE RESPONDING.

>>> AHEAD OF THE BEAR SEASON FINALE, LOOK AT THEIR BIGGEST NEED HEADING INTO THE OFF-SEASON.

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

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ .

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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