>> Hello, and thanks for joining us on Chicago tonight.

I'm Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

A bombshell day in federal court as former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan testifies in his own defense our spotlight.

Politics team on that and much more.

The Bears disappointing season on a high note site, finally beating the Packers to it.

>> It feels really good when the public likes them or by go somewhere and someone mentioned or by those all the time.

>> And a beloved lunchroom cookie being recreated.

>> And now some of today's top stories, former President Jimmy Carter began his final trip back to Washington, D.C., Today for 3 days of state funeral rites.

The 39th president had been lying in repose at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta since the weekend after his death at the age of 100 last month.

He was honored by members of Congress in the Capitol Rotunda this afternoon.

He'll receive a state funeral Thursday at the Washington National Cathedral where President Joe Biden will deliver a eulogy.

In a surprising move.

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan took the stand today to testify in his own defense in his first comments on the witness stand be, quote, young.

82 year-old denied treating his public office for private gain saying, quote, When people ask me for help, if possible, I tried to help them.

The jury also heard about Madigan's upbringings presenting himself as a member of a blue collar family in a home that was not nurturing.

The bombshell decision to testify came today as the months long.

Federal corruption trial comes to a close Madigan, along with his former right hand man, Michael McClain, are facing charges of racketeering, bribery and wire fraud.

They both pleaded not guilty.

A bill that would regulate the sales of hemp-derived products did not pass in Springfield.

Governor JB Pritzker supported the bill that would have effectively banned all sales.

He cited public health concerns over miners having easy access to intoxicating products.

Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson fought against the measure saying it would prohibit revenue that could help out the cash strapped city.

We'd like substances are growing.

growing popular among young people, particularly high school students in sales have been taking up.

Thanks to a loophole in federal law that allows smoke shops to sell to minors.

Up next, our spotlight politics team on the strange relationship between Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson right after this.

>> Chicago tonight is made possible in part why the Alexander and John Nichols family.

The gym and Tay maybe family.

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> Michael Madigan has decided to testify in his own corruption trial.

Meanwhile, 10's contract negotiations between the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public schools and a stalled Bill reveals a rocky relationship between Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker.

Here with all that and more is, of course, our spotlight politics team Amanda Vicki, Heather, Sharon and Nick Blumberg.

Welcome back.

Team.

Hello.

Happy New Year.

so as we heard Michael Madigan.

Testifying today in his own corruption trial of but there are some deliberation beforehand.

Heather, what was that discussion?

Well, I don't think anybody really expected Michael Madigan to get up on the stand and start testifying.

This is a man who is famously very sort of closed sort of he keeps himself to himself so to speak.

>> Now because this was so unexpected there, isn't that an issue out there?

The government wants 2.8 million dollars from that again, essentially want him to forfeit the profits of what they say is massive criminal conspiracy.

Now it's a little bit of a tricky law question, right?

is Madigan agrees to sort waived his right to not testify in his criminal case.

Does he also waived that right in the forfeiture case, income that, you know, judge or the jury in that case hold that against him.

The judge eventually said, you know what, we're not gonna make any ruling one where the other will just move forward will put a pause on that.

But I think that gives you a sense of just how unusual it is for a defendant in this kind of case to get up on the stand.

And I think I personally was shocked to hear it sort of start with the recitation of his hardscrabble upbringing on Chicago's Southwest side and he's dead problems with alcohol and anger and sort you know, sort of the pressure he faced serve, working his way and, you know, hit the help he got from his good friend for By way, do that us.

Amanda, what might the defense be trying to show by putting Madigan on the stand?

I mean, I think some of what Heather just indicated there in terms of his difficulties growing up and what he achieved Ryan contrasts, they're making him more really double.

You've heard so much about his being a vaunted, powerful guy really in the state capitol in all of Illinois.

Politics and this sort of puts it in perspective and tries to, I think humanize him some.

You also heard him with the flat out tonight.

Many of these allegations which might raise suspicion.

Remember, he only really has to convince one juror in so get out there.

It's perhaps something that they're saying is worth a shot.

>> This is a man who, yes, despite his testifying that he is conflict Avoidant is clearly somebody who has seen more than his fair share of conflicts, waited through them, dealt with them.

>> Gone before some theory, powerful and important figures in his lifetime didn't get to rise to be the speaker of the Illinois House and head of the Democratic Party and less he was willing to take some risks.

And so he's taking another big gamble here.

Certainly not by being any a shrinking violet.

Nick, is this unusual for someone in Madigan's position to take the stand?

Yes, I mean it.

You know, it is as a man is that it's an incredible risk.

And clearly this is someone who is, you know, conflict avoidance, at least in public behind the scenes.

He, you know, was widely regarded as basically a master chess player when it came to.

>> You know, legislative and political strategy.

So clearly they think this is not the kind of decision that's going to be entered into lightly.

It's a huge risk for Madigan and his defense team to open him up to prosecutors to allow him.

>> A cross-examination now we did the so-called ComEd for corruption trial that preceded this case.

We saw 2 of the defendants testify on their own behalf and later get convicted.

You know, if you look back to 2011, former Governor Rod Blagojevich testified on his own behalf.

Also convicted.

Certainly that's not necessarily a fully representative sample.

But, you know, it demonstrates the fact that folks who think they can get up there and maybe persuade just one juror with their argumentative powers, it's a real gap in it.

And each of those cases, the we don't know.

I haven't spoken with Madigan about this.

We have had his public statements.

>> And of course, his plate he really I think believes he did not break the law or do anything wrong as it.

Some of the individuals that you just indicated there.

So that's that's a factor.

Yep.

you know, so that that you know, feeling that they have about this, that motivate some of this So Chicago Teachers Union negotiations continuing.

Nic, what is the latest?

They are still at an impasse.

The CTU is still out here.

You know, arguing that CPS CEO Pedro Martinez.

>> We'll be back in court on Thursday.

You know, in this matter of whether or not he should be the one leading the district solely a United of these negotiations.

You know, they really see him as blocking the way toward a contract agreement.

We heard in yesterday CTU, President Stacy Davis, you know, we've created the conditions for them to say yes, there are still big sticking point with some of the noneconomic issues.

Keep things like teacher evaluations like prep time, you know, and they're also saying, listen, this is this is a matter that we need to settle before President Trump takes office.

They hope to do it before the end of last year.

Obviously, as we all know, that did not happen.

But they are really still stuck on this negotiation.

We are set to get an update from the CTU at 6 o'clock tonight.

So just a little while from Mayor Johnson joins us yesterday on Monday where he defended the decision to that the board made to fire CPS CEO Peter Martinez.

He also rejected the idea that he's working.

>> On the behalf of of CTU, Heather, What what is he said about this I was really struck by sort of his position being completely in line with CTU on these contract proposals.

>> And what's interesting is that why isn't there a deal Right the mayor and the the you know, union are in alignment.

What you know what?

What is holding it up?

Why are there starting to be whispering?

It's about teach ins and labor actions.

And I think that part of that we don't know what's going on behind those closed stores.

But the fact of the matter is, is there's not a pot of money to cover these contract, you know, costs and it's going to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

You know, maybe tens of millions of dollars.

But it is a really strange place for Chicago politics to be in.

And I don't think anybody is really quite sure what to make of it and sort of what the sticking point is now not it's clear that he, too sees sort of Pedro Martinez is sort of the big, bad guy right there, sort of casting him as the impediments here.

The board has the right to approve the contract.

They're not partisan, allowed to participate directly in those negotiations.

Now, will that change after the this week's court hearing will have to see.

Yeah, but if there is perhaps some, you know, some daylight between Mayor Johnson and the CTU.

>> You know, this could be an instance of Mayor Johnson coming from, you know, outside of city government obviously had experience on the county board.

But a lot of time as an organizer.

Now he is working as an elected official and he sees what it's like on the other side.

You know, we heard Stacy Davis Gates yesterday saying, you know, we're not the 5th floor of City Hall were not the mayor's office.

Don't look to us and assume that we are automatically in line with another.

Okay.

So a bill to regulate hemp products, though Governor Pritzker has backed this bill stalled in Springfield them and remind us what this legislation is looking to Something this is not new.

This is stalled truly years.

There has been an ongoing discussion about how to deal with these intoxicating kept Prague products, which are in a sort of legal gray area.

And there's near universal agreement that something has to be done, that there should be regulation is just a matter of how far to go.

>> The legislation that the governor has embraced it is, by the way, dead new General Assembly will be inaugurated tomorrow.

So there's no chance of having a revival, at least anytime in the near future.

It essentially some of these businesses say put them out of business completely.

And so that's where you're seeing some pushback.

So Governor Pritzker that he did weigh in on his relationship with the mayor today.

Here's a bit of what he said.

>> They don't reach out very often and it seems like they don't have good relationships in Springfield.

In part because they don't do the outreach that's necessary.

Maybe.

Time that he's been mayor.

He's called me perhaps 5 times.

>> What's prompting this kind of reaction?

Yeah.

How was not an off the cuff statement.

I mean, the governor certainly intended to make those remarks.

And this is I think not necessarily surprising there is been recognize that Johnson is not beloved in Springfield, doesn't have those connections.

He's had turnover within his office.

But for the governor to say it so blatantly when typically you just kind of have them say.

>> we get along.

We try I think it is frustration that you had Johnson at the very last minute.

Enter.

>> These negotiations Pritzker went on to say that he does not believe that the mayor should take responsibility for felling.

That legislation.

As I noted, there is some true.

>> Back and forth at the heart of the matter.

But he's inserting himself last minute, not appreciated by the governor's office.

This is most certainly a power play in I think portends some rough things ahead.

Is negotiations come forward?

The mayor has a lot of tasks at a Springfield in Springfield facing its own budget woes.

Yes, some of those asked he discussed last night thanking 2 particular, but more money, basically that a spotlight.

Amanda Vicki thrown one Burke.

Thanks.

Game.

>> Up next, we unpack to bear season and look ahead to next season.

There's always next year.

It's become a common refrain for a whole generation of Chicago Bears fans, but some were dreaming of the playoffs this season after notching a few early winds under rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.

But a 10 game losing streak dashed those dreams and cost head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, their jobs now Bears fans find themselves in a familiar spot contemplating another season, a failure and hoping for a better future.

Joining us now to give us his take on yet another lackluster season is James Big cat Williams, former offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears.

We were just talking about how it seems like we're having the same conversation every year.

It's ridiculous seems like the same stuff popping up the game.

>> not making the right decisions as far as coaches are concerned having to backtrack and start all over again.

And the process for starting all over again being a little flawed.

As far as the where you're supposed to bring people in the way you're supposed to set it up because now you're looking at a team that's going to have a first-time head coach coming in or a new head coach coming in and he's not going to be sure about the longevity of the GM that's bringing with it, which is going to bring up a lot more questions.

So.

It's a process.

But like you said, feel like we've for the last several years.

We've been having the same conversation at the end of the season.

Like Groundhog So let's talk about Sunday's game.

Not only did the Bears break that 10 game losing streak, but also the 11 game losing streak against the Packers when they finally beat them at Lambeau Field.

>> Were your thoughts on Sunday's game?

happy for.

>> You know, I I did not want to see them have to go into the offseason with an 11 game losing streak with a loss on their mind at the end of the season.

So for them to be able to get way get that win against the Packers it was Probably I was happy him.

I was happy for your interim head coach.

just happy for entire organization because they help.

>> Overall this season, you know, when you analyze what we've seen from the Bears, you know, the season started with so much promise to end.

It's what do you see there?

>> ice.

You And this coaching hire is going to be very important.

This coaching hire is going to be something that you are going they're going to need to ride for the next.

8 to 12, 15 seasons.

Hopefully.

Or they're going to go back another 10 or 12 seasons of doing the same thing of bad football.

>> And I really don't want to watch that and more.

>> Wow.

Yeah.

So a major Chicago fans singing.

I don't think I can keep this up.

hard.

Don't get me wrong.

I believe blue in just like everyone else who's played there.

But you see things are going on this offseason and like you said, it's Groundhog Day.

I feel like we've been there several times before.

>> And I'm not sure what's going change.

I have hope, but I don't know how much.

>> So the Bears lost.

Their 4 games of the Bears lost on the last play of the game.

Is it possible that you know that their record is actually better than then or that they're playing better than their record.

>> Show you are we to record this?

They had opportunities to get things done, whether it be this half by the players or by the coaching staff.

I think everything broke down around them as the season went on.

And that's that's how you get to that 10 game losing streak.

Everything breaking down.

It's not just the players.

It's not just the coaches.

It's entire building that needs to go mental physical, whatever overall to figure out what's wrong, what needs to be repaired, how they get things aligned, how they move forward in the proper way.

>> So obviously tough rookie season for quarterback Caleb Williams.

Here's what he had to say after the game on Sunday.

When asked what needs to change for next season.

>> I think my role.

And that is being able to see where I can whether it's on the field, whether it's off the field, whether it's in the locker room or or anything like that maybe haven't less people around less distractions, less, you know, less time for for other things, whether that's on the field and been able to decipher, you know, things faster on the field, whether you know, being able to be more active weather.

That's being able to.

I have more Damon Jones, whatever, whatever it takes is.

>> So what do you think of what he was able to do in his rookie season?

Well, I think just listening to that, just listening to him talk, he's been consistent all season.

He has talked about the things that you want.

You're a quarterback or talk about.

It has been more me, me, me.

>> we lose, you know, the things that I need to work on, the things that I need to take care of.

And those are the things that he's talking about yes, there are definitely situations where they could phone people under the but he has not taken that And I think that's a good beginning for young quarterback.

So >> to watch him I mean, he's done some some of the things that we thought he was able to do coming out as a young quarterback being the first overall pick.

You look at him at the end the half.

You look at them at the end against the things he's able to accomplish.

But then you also have to go back and look at some of the things that he's regressed.

Is that because of do it in front of room?

Is that because of the things that he was being taught, you know, those are things that we won't know because we're not in locker >> lot of names, of course, being floated for potential head coach replacement.

What type of coach do you think there should be looking for?

What kind of qualities do they need?

>> I think first of all, you need to bring someone going to take charge and who's going to stick to his guns.

He's going to come in with a plan at that.

When he first gets here, he's going to stick to that plan and the message is going to be the same to the players, whether it's year one or year for year 8, message is going to be the same.

This is how we get better.

This is how we do things.

This is how we go about, you know, being a good organization and it's going to have to change from the bottom for the players all the way up to the top.

And they've got to figure out what is going to make things OK.

So we know of the Chicago Bears are not going to be playing in the Super Bowl this year.

Obviously.

>> Who are?

Who are you tipping?

Who do you think's going to get refunds with the bears be about and division being so tough.

I'd love to see Detroit be able to go all the way.

I just don't know if they can because of all the suffered over the last couple weeks.

But if during that week off, they can get a couple guys back.

I feel like they have a very good giving where possibly winning it Alright, point for the Lions this time.

But only because only only caught only govern or near the bears, repeating even clothes very frustrated.

James Big Cat Williams, thank you for joining us.

As always greeted, of course.

>> Up next, how a simple cookie became a school lunch staple.

Stay with us.

>> Remember >> those buttery lunchroom cookies.

They were a staple in hundreds of Chicago public schools.

This simple shortbread cookies sold for a couple of cents for years.

Joanna Hernandez spoke with an entrepreneur putting her spin on this classic treat.

>> How can you forget the 3 finger pressed butter cookies.

Bill Romer of these freshly baked treats.

We'll take you back in time.

So this is where >> the magic happens.

Yes.

So tell me a little bit about what inspired you to make that classic lunch from cookie that many of us grew up to love.

Yeah, it was very familiar to me in a recipe kind of came my way.

And I thought I'd try it out and unsuccessful the first time for the second time came out, Curry and I've always sort of been an entrepreneur at heart and I thought maybe also born and raised on the south side of Chicago.

Cheryl Crockett says.

>> She still remembers the joy of biting into a lunchroom cookie.

>> gave us a little extra money, you know, to buy those.

So we would be excited for Cookie because we could smell him from from our classroom.

>> Crockett took her fond childhood memories and turn them into a business after spending 20 years in corporate America, she says her big career change started in her kitchen before branching out and eventually opening her own space in the medical district.

>> I've taken over a space and named it cracking cookies, food venue.

So we work with a couple food vendors here and then the other large part of this is where we produce the cookies.

>> Every day 5,000 cookies are freshly baked here.

>> It starts with my mixer to nix is on a large 84 mixer and then we get them cooking the she the kind of cuts that do for And then we do a little bit of handwork.

There's quite a bit of handwork production all with making.

That could be too.

So it's very personalized.

So we know the classic luncheon cookie.

>> Has some of those 4 simple ingredients, flour butter, vanilla extract, a sugar and sugar forget the singer.

What would you say makes yours different.

What's your spin to it?

show sugar.

I when things I wanted to do was pull back on the I really wanted people to taste the butter and the freshness.

So there's you know, there's sugar in there.

But you really do taste the buttery flavor with my cookies because at fullback it took out some of the ship.

>> And if you want to try, well, of course, to say no to and then you can feed 3 fingerprints there, which is very important because that's the classic staple when you would go into electro its a 3 finger.

Everything up front there.

And so package them this way with sort of a clear top so that when people go in the store, they'll see that 3 fingerprint.

It brings back memories.

This is politics and that's kind of a selling point.

Makes people realize what they're buying.

Let's try And I have not tried these cookies in a long time.

I remember them that's it.

Freshly out it's the butter.

There's so Gooding you.

>> It has been 11 years since Crockett Cookies launched.

But for Cheryl, the memory of securing her first account to sell her cookies still brings her joy.

>> I decide to try and get them into one Walgreens and I went back to the same location, kind of threw on corporate soon.

And I left samples for the manager.

He wasn't there the first couple eventually Crockett Security meeting with the manager.

>> She says changed the course of her business walking away with an order for 200 packages of cookies.

>> feels really good when the public likes them or by go somewhere.

And someone by those all the time.

>> For Chicago tonight, I'm joined Hernandez.

>> Crockett cookies are sold in 300 stores across Chicago offering classic butter and peanut butter cookies.

And that's our show for this Tuesday night.

You can stream Chicago tonight are on our W T Tw YouTube channel every evening and catch up on any programs you may have missed.

You can also stream us on Facebook and our website and please join us tomorrow night at 5, 30 10.

It's inauguration day in Springfield.

A look at what's on the horizon for state lawmakers in 2025.

Now for all of us here at Chicago tonight.

I'm grant us Friedman, thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

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