[♪♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THEY WERE PROVOKED BY THE PRESIDENT.

>> MEMBERS OF CONGRESS DISCUSS IMPEACHMENT AND CAPITOL SECURITY FOR THE INAUGURATION AND MOVING FORWARD.

>> PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME... >> FOUR YEARS LATER AND IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER INAUGURATION.

PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHWRITERS DISCUSS WHAT THEY EXPECT TO HEAR FROM THE NEW PRESIDENT TOMORROW.

>> THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY A DRACONIAN TOOL.

>> LAWS ON PANHANDLING ANTI-SPEECH ARE NEEDED FOR THE SAKE OF SAFETY?

>> LAWMAKERS DEBATE ABOLISHING CASH BAIL ONE OF THE CONTROVERSIAL PARTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL RECENTLY PASSED IN SPRINGFIELD.

>> I'M ANGEL IDOWU AND TONIGHT I WILL HAVE MORE ON THE MUDDY WATERS MO-JO MUSEUM HEADED TO NORTH KENWOOD.

>> AMERICA HAD TO GROW UP A LITTLE.

>> AND WE REVISIT OUR 2017 CONVERSATION WITH THE LATE JIM TILMON ABOUT THE BARRIERS HE FACED AS A PIONEER IN AVIATION AND BROADCASTING.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

CHICAGOANS ARE GETTING A BETTER LOOK WHEN THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO SEE THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

THE CITY'S TOP DOCTOR SAYS THERE WON'T BE ENOUGH VACCINE FOR ALL CHICAGOANS SEEN AND OVER UNTIL MAY 31 AND THAT TIMELINE DEPENDS HOW MUCH VACCINE THE RECEIVES AND HOW QUICKLY.

THE CITY AND STATE WILL START THE SECOND PHASE OF THE VACCINE ROLLOUT MONDAY INCLUDING ILLINOISANS OLDER THAN 65.

THOSE WHO LIVE IN GROUP HOMES ARE INCARCERATED AND FRONTLINE ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

THAT GROUP INCLUDES POLICE OFFICERS, GROCERY STORE WORKERS, TRANSIT WORKERS AND TEACHERS AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.

>> THAT PHASE IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ALL OF FEBRUARY AND MARCH.

AND TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHASES AND EXPECTED START DATES VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

>> ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY ANOTHER 4300 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THE CORONAVIRUS SINCE YESTERDAY AND ANOTHER 33 PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

THE STATE'S TOTAL CASE COUNT IS 1 O.

076,000 AND A TOTAL OF 18291 PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

THE POSITIVITY RATE IS 6.9% AND LAST WEEK AT THIS TIME IT WAS 8.6%.

>> TO HONOR THE LIVES LOST TO THE CORONAVIRUS CHICAGOANS PARTICIPATED IN THE NATIONAL COVID-19 MEMORIAL SERVICE JUST UNDER AN HOUR AGO.

TO PARTICIPATE NAVY PIER TURNED OFF THE FERRIS WHEEL AND THE DOWNTOWN BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD BUILDING ILLUMINATED A CANDLE, WRIGLEY FIELD AND SOLDIER FIELD WENT DARK.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT AND AMY ESHLE MAN INVITED CHICAGOANS TO TURN OFF THEIR LIGHTS AND STEP OUTSIDE AND LIGHT A CANDLE IN HONOR OF THOSE WHO DIED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AFTER 10 MINUTES PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO TURN THEIR LIGHTS BACK ON TO SYMBOLIZE MOVING FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT.

PARIS PARTICULARS OFF TOMORROW'S INAUGURATION WITH MEMBERS OF THE ILLINOIS DELEGATION.

PARIS?

>> IN WHAT WOULD BE A TYPICAL DAY OF REPORTING ON THE UPCOMING INAUGURATION FESTIVITIES TODAY IS ANYTHING BUT NORMAL.

10 OF THOUSANDS OF TROOPS ARE GUARDING THE CAPITOL AS PRESIDENT TRUMP IS DOLLING OUT PARDONS.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT ONGOING SAFETY CONCERNS AND MUCH MORE ARE CONGRESSMAN MIKE QUIGLEY A DEMOCRAT FROM CHICAGO.

CONGRESSMAN RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI A DEMOCRAT FROM SCHAUMBURG.

CONGRESSWOMAN A DEMOCRAT FROM MUTUAL LEAN AND RODNEY DAVIS A REPUBLICAN FROM TAYLORVILLE.

CONGRESSMAN DAVIS YOU WERE WALKING NEAR THE STAGE AT THE CAPITOL TODAY.

GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT THE ATMOSPHERE IS LIKE RIGHT NOW?

>> YOU KNOW, THE ATMOSPHERE IS NO DIFFERENT THAN PREVIOUS INAUGURALS WHEN I HAVE BEEN OUT THERE FOR SOUND CHECKS.

IT'S GREAT TO SEE THEM AND EVERYBODY IS EXCITED.

THE THING THAT IS DIFFERENT THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF CHAIRS ON THE LAWN BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND BECAUSE OF THE REDUCED ATTENDANCE.

>> AND CONGRESSMAN KRISHNAMOORTHI AS I UNDERSTAND YOU WERE INTERFACING WITH SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD GUARDING THE CAPITOL WHAT WAS THAT INTERACTION LIKE?

>> OH, IT WAS EXCELLENT.

I WAS SO PROUD TO BE WITH THEM.

THERE ARE ABOUT 250-3 HUNDRED GUARDSMEN AND WOMEN FROM ILLINOIS.

THEY TAKE TIME OFF THEIR JOBS AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR BUSINESSES TO BE AT THE CAPITOL TO GUARD THE INAUGURATION AND THEY ARE DOING A FABULOUS JOB.

IT'S JUST TOO BAD WE ACTUALLY NEED THEIR HELP THIS YEAR.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS THE REPERCUSSIONS OF JANUARY 6TH.

HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET TO A BETTER PLACE AFTER THIS SECURITY WISE.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN BUSTOS ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT TOMORROW'S INAUGURATION CAN BE CARRIED OFF SAFELY GIVEN JUST THE ENORMOUS NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS AND THE TENSION IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW?

>> WHEN RAJA MENTIONED THE 300 GUARDSMEN AND WOMEN FROM ILLINOIS THAT IS PART OF THE 25,000 NATIONAL GUARDSMEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE HERE.

I ALSO WALKED AROUND THIS MORNING ABOUT 6:00 A.M. AND WE HAVE RAZOR WIRE OVER THE FENCING.

AGAIN, THE 25,000 NATIONAL GUARDSMEN AND WOMEN.

THAT IS ON TOP OF THE CAPITOL POLICE, THE SECRET SERVICE, THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM WASHINGTON D.C. YEAH, I FEEL LIKE EVERY CONTINGENCY PLAN IS OUT THERE.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WERE BRIEFED EARLIER TODAY BY CAPITOL POLICE AND BY THE SERGEANT AT ARMS.

AND I THINK THEY HAVE THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING THEY CAN THINK ABOUT.

SO I'M GOING INTO THIS WITH A CELEBRATORY FEELING.

VERY, VERY EXCITED THAT JOE BIDEN WILL BE PRESIDENT BIDEN AND KAMALA HARRIS WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS OUR FIRST FEMALE TO BE VICE-PRESIDENT A FIRST WOMAN OF COLOR ALSO TO BE VICE-PRESIDENT.

VERY EXCITED ABOUT TOMORROW.

>> EARLIER TODAY MITCH McCONNELL SAID PRESIDENT TRUMP IS TO BLAME FOR THAT CAPITOL MOB ON JANUARY 6.

TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.

>> THE LAST TIME THE SENATE CONVENED WE HAD JUST RECLAIMED THE CAPITOL FROM VIOLENT CRIMINALS WHO TRIED TO STOP CONGRESS FROM DOING OUR DUTY.

THE MOB WAS FED LIES.

THEY WERE PROVOKED BY THE PRESIDENT AND OTHER POWERFUL PEOPLE.

>> SO NO UNCERTAIN TERMS WHO SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, MITCH McCONNELL WHO HE IS BLAMING FOR WHAT HAPPENED TWO WEEKS AGO.

CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY WE HAVE HEARD REPORTS ABOUT A DOZEN NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS RELIEVED OF DUTY CONCERNS ABOUT POSSIBLE SYMPATHIES WITH EXTREMIST GROUPS.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT ANY POSSIBILITY OF SOME SORT OF PLOT FROM WITHIN?

EVEN THOUGH THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAY THEY HAVE NO EVIDENCE OF THAT THUS FAR.

>> LOOK, I AGREE WITH SHERRY.

I THINK THEY HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB TAKING CARE OF ALL OF THE POSSIBILITIES.

THERE'S NEVER ZERO RISK INVOLVED AND WE SIGN UP FOR THAT.

DEMOCRACY ISN'T EASY.

BUT YOU KNOW IT'S CONCERNING AS ALL THAT IS WE MOVE FORWARD TOMORROW.

WE THINK OF THE INAUGURATION AS LINCOLN'S WORD AS A NEW BIRTH EACH TIME WE DO IT AND THAT IS WHAT I WILL BE THINKING ABOUT TOMORROW.

>> AND CONGRESSMAN DAVIS I WANT TO GO BACK TO TWO WEEKS AGO.

IT WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE FOR ALL OF YOU.

BUT YOU WERE ONE OF THE FOUR ELECTORAL VOTE READERS LATER THAT NIGHT AFTER THE CHAOS HAD GONE DOWN.

WE HAVE NOT TALKED TO YOU H GIVE US YOUR REFLECTIONS AND WHAT YOU EXPERIENCED THAT DAY CAP STONED BY READING OFF THE ELECTORS?

>> IT WAS THE SECOND MOST TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE I HAD.

THE FIRST WAS RUNNING FROM BULLETS ON A BASEBALL FIELD A FEW YEARS AGO BUT WE ALL CAME TOGETHER AND WE DID OUR JOB AND THAT IS SET OUT IN THE 12TH AMENDMENT TO CERTIFY THE ELECTORS.

I WAS HONORED TO STAND THERE AND READ OFF THE ELECTORS OF CERTAIN STATES.

AND I GOT A CHANCE TO TALK TO THE VICE-PRESIDENT, MY COLLEAGUE SPEAKER PELOSI AND OTHERS ABOUT WHAT DO WE DO AFTERWARDS.

HOW DO WE RESPOND AND DO WE DO IT IN A PARTISAN WAY OR A BIPARTISAN WAY?

>> CONGRESSMAN KRISHNAMOORTHI, WE'VE HEARD THE NEWS OF MORE ARRESTS FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE PLOT ON JANUARY 6.

HAVE YOU LEARNED ANYTHING MORE ABOUT WHY THERE WAS SUCH A BREACH AND WHY THE CAPITOL POLICE DID NOT HAVE ACT QAD BACKING AND DESPITE ALL OF THE INTELLIGENCE ABOUT ACTIVITY THERE WERE NOT ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS TAKEN?

>> WE DON'T HAVE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS YET.

I THINK THERE ARE INVESTIGATIONS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND DIFFERENT FEDERAL AGENCIES.

BUT WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT UNFORTUNATELY, EVEN WHEN THEY CALLED FOR REINFORCEMENTS THEY DID NOT GET THEM.

THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST TROUBLING ASPECTS OF THAT EPISODE ON JANUARY 6 WHEN THEY NEEDED HELP, IT TOOK ALMOST THREE, FOUR HOURS FOR THEM TO GET HELP FROM THE NATIONAL GUARD AND FROM THE WHITE HOUSE AND OTHERS.

THANKFULLY THEY DID ARRIVE AND WERE ABLE TO CLEAR THE CAPITOL.

BUT THAT WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST QUESTION MARKS AND FAILURES OF THE DAY.

THE OTHER BIG ISSUE IS WE STILL HAVE MANY OF THE LEADERS ON THE LOSE EVEN TODAY.

THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CRIMINAL ON THE LOOSE AND WE HAVE TO BRING THEM TO JUSTICE AND HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN BUSTOS A DEMOCRAT FROM NEW JERSEY -- NO, TENNESSEE WAS SAYING HE HAD SEEN ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR COLLEAGUES, CONGRESSWOMAN BOEBERT FROM COLORADO LEADING A TOUR WITH A GROUP JUST DAYS BEFORE THAT CAPITOL RIOT.

WE SHOULD MENTION THERE IS NO ACCUSATIONS NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANYTHING IMPROPER THERE.

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THAT AND WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT ON THAT?

>> YES, I HAVE HEARD ABOUT THAT.

BUT I CAN'T CONFIRM IT AND I WOULD BE UNCOMFORTABLE CONFIRMING SOMETHING I DON'T'S HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF.

WE NEED A 9/11 STYLE COMMISSIONER GOING BACK TO PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S ASSASSINATION A WARREN STYLE COMMISSION WHERE WE GET TO BOTTOM OF THIS.

IT IS THAT SERIOUS.

THIS WAS AN ATTACK ON OUR CAPITOL AN ATTACK ON OUR DEMOCRACY WORTH NOTING THAT DEMOCRACY DID PREVAIL TO THE POINT THAT RODNEY MADE EARLIER WE CAME BACK IN SESSION AND DID CERTIFY AND VERIFY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE BUT WE HAVE TO GET THIS FIGURED OUT.

THERE ARE ALLEGATIONS THERE WERE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO WERE ESCORTING MEMBERS OF THIS CRAZED MOB AROUND OUR HOUSE OFFICE BUILDINGS.

AND YOU KNOW IF THERE WAS -- THERE WAS, INDEED.

THIS YOU CAN PROVE BY LOOKING AT SOCIAL MEDIA.

THERE WAS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS WHO WAS SENDING OUT SOCIAL MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENTS OF WHERE SPEAKER PELOSI LEFT THE FLOOR.

KEEP IN MIND WE HAVE AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NOW WHO ARE QANON ENTHUSIASTS.

SO THERE'S GOT TO BE A DEEP LOOK AT THIS.

WHAT WERE THE INVOLVEMENTS OF ANYBODY ON THE INSIDE.

AND LET'S GET IT FIGURED OUT AND MAKE SURE THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.

IT WAS A DEVASTATING DAY ON A PERSONAL LEVEL BUT CERTAINLY AS THE LONGEST SERVING DEMOCRACY IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, THIS WAS DEVASTATING.

>> AND NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TALKING ABOUT THIS IN A BIT.

WE WILL BE JOINED TO DISCUSS PRESIDENT TRUMP'S IMPEACHMENT FOR NOW THANK YOU TO MIKE QUIGLEY, RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI, CHERI BUSTOS AND RODNEY DAVIS.

TO PHIL PONCE AND A PREVIEW OF TOMORROW'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

>> THE THEME OF PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN'S INAUGURATION TOMORROW IS AMERICA UNITED.

THIS CALL FOR UNITY COMES TWO WEEKS AFTER THE U.S. CAPITOL WAS ATTACKED BY SUPPORTERS OF BIDEN SOON TO BE PREDECESSOR PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

TOMORROW'S EVENT WILL BE UNCONVENTIONAL FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.

NAMELY THE PRESENCE OF 25,000 NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS AND THE ABSENCE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP HIMSELF WHO RELEASED A PRERECORDED FAREWELL MESSAGE TODAY.

>> THIS WEEK WE INAUGURATE A NEW ADMINISTRATION AND PRAY FOR ITS SUCCESS IN KEEPING AMERICA SAFE AND PROSPEROUS.

WE EXTEND OUR BEST WISHES.

AND WE ALSO WANT THEM TO HAVE LUCK.

A VERY IMPORTANT WORD.

>> JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE ORATORY ARE MARY KATE CARY SENIOR FELLOW AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA A MILLER CENTER OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND A FORMER SPEECHWRITER FOR GEORGE H.W.

BUSH GEORGE H.W.

BUSH.

AND CODY KEENAN A PARTNER AT COMMUNICATIONS FIRM FENWAY STRATEGIES AND THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF SPEECH WRITING FOR BARACK OBAMA.

KEENAN ASSISTED IN WRITING BOTH OF PRESIDENT OBAMA'S INAUGURAL SPEECHES.

MARY KATE CARY WE HEARD A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP RELEASED TODAY.

HE TALKED ABOUT PRAYERS, GOOD WISHES, LUCK, WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THAT?

>> THE PROBLEM FROM THE START WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS NOT USUALLY BEEN HIS PREPARED REMARKS.

IT'S USUALLY THE OFF THE CUFF OR THE TWITTER TYPE OF STUFF.

I LISTENED TO HIS SPEECH THIS AFTERNOON AND ANY REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT JUST ABOUT COULD HAVE GIVEN IT.

HE TALKED ABOUT HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND WISHED HIS SUCCESSOR LUCK.

HE DID DISAVOW THE VIOLENCE EARLIER LAST WEEK WHICH I THINK WAS A GOOD THING BUT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING PARTICULARLY SURPRISING ABOUT IT OTHER THAN IT WAS IN THE WAKE OF EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED.

>> CODY KEENAN HOW ABOUT YOUR REACTION?

DID IT RING TRUE TO YOU?

>> NO.

I MEAN YOU CAN'T SPENT EVERYDAY OF YOUR TRANSITION TRYING TO OVERTURN THE RESULTS OF AN ELECTION AND CAUSE AN INSURRECTION AND SUDDENLY HAND OVER THE KEYS.

TRANSITIONS ARE IMPORTANT AND ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE ALL THE CRISES WE HAVE GOING ON THE FACT THAT JOE BIDEN HASN'T GOTTEN ONE HAMSTRINGS HIM OFF THE BAT.

WHAT STRUCK ME IT WAS SMALL AND ISOLATED LIKE THE END OF HIS PRESIDENCY.

PUT OUT YOUR FAREWELL ADDRESS ON U TUBE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY THAT IS NOT IN TRADITION WITH THE PAST.

>> FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP GAVE HIS INAUGURAL SPEECH.

>> AND THE CRIME AND THE GANGS AND THE DRUGS THAT HAVE STOLEN TOO MANY LIVES AND ROBBED OUR COUNTRY OF SO MUCH UNREALIZED POTENTIAL.

THIS AMERICAN CARNAGE STOPS RIGHT HERE AND STOPS RIGHT NOW.

[APPLAUSE] [CHEERING] >> AND CODY KEENAN BACK TO YOU FOR THIS ONE.

WHAT STRIKES YOU ABOUT THAT SPEECH IN LIGHT OF THE FOUR YEARS AT THE COUNTRY HAS JUST SEEN?

>> WELL, IT CAME TRUE.

ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT THE ADDRESSES THEY SET A TONE FOR YOUR PRESIDENCY.

WHEN PRESIDENT OBAMA TOOK OFFICE AND LOSING MILLIONS OF JOBS IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SAY HERE IS OUR SET OF CHALLENGES AND MAKE NO MISTAKE WE WILL SOLVE THEM AND WE ARE IN THE LONGEST STRETCH OF JOB GROWTH IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP TO BEGIN WITH AMERICAN CARNAGE THAT IS WHAT WE ARE LIVING THROUGH NOW.

>> AND MARY KATE CARY, IF YOU WERE WRITING PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN'S SPEECH TOMORROW WHAT WOULD YOU INCLUDE IN IT?

>> I HAVE A COUPLE POINTS.

THE BEST ADDRESSES ARE SHORT.

I WOULD KEEP IT SHORT.

I WOULD ASK HIM TO RISE TO THE OCCASION UNLIKE THE CLIP WE HEARD FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP WHICH WAS I THINK ONE OF THE DARKEST SPEECHES IN INAUGURAL HISTORY.

PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY FOR OPTIMISM AND A CAN DO FORWARD LOOKING SPEECH.

EMPHASIZE THAT.

AND IF I WAS GOING TO LOOK BACK ON HISTORY I WOULD TELL HIM TO LOOK AT JEFFERSON'S ADDRESS IN 1801 IT WAS THE FIRST IN WASHINGTON AND THE FIRST TO HAVE A PARADE IT WAS THE FIRST ONE AFTER A REALLY DIVISIVE ELECTION AND HE MOST FAMOUS LINE IS WE'RE ALL REPUBLICANS, WE'RE ALL FEDERALISTS.

HE SET THE PRECEDENT FOR UNITY IN AN INAUGURAL ADDRESS AND AS A RESULT HIS OPPONENTS LIKED IT BETTER THAN SUPPORTERS DID WHICH I THINK WOULD BE A GREAT THING IF THAT HAPPENED TOMORROW.

>> MARY KATE CARY LET ME STICK WITH YOU FOR A SECOND.

ALONG THE LINES YOU RAISED IS THERE ANYTHING THAT Mr. BIDEN CAN SAY TO SUPPORTERS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP WHO SINCERELY BELIEVE THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN?

>> YEAH.

THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SMALL MINORITY THAT ATTACKED THE CAPITOL AND BELIEVED ALL THIS MISINFORMATION AND THE QANON CROWD AND THAT.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF REPUBLICANS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE NOT THOSE PEOPLE.

AND IF PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN COULD EXTEND THE OLIVE BRANCH TO ALL OF THE GOOD PEOPLE WHO ARE CENTER RIGHT IN THIS COUNTRY AND MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP, BUT BELIEVE IN THE POLICIES, WANT TO MOVE FORWARD, THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I THINK HE CAN DO TO TRY AND BRING THOSE CENTER RIGHT PEOPLE INTO THE FOLD.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY ARE GETTING LUMPED IN WITH ALL THE CRAZIES WHO ATTACKED THE CAPITOL AND IT IS NOT FAIR TO LUMP THEM TOGETHER.

>> PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN GAVE A FAREWELL SPEECH TODAY IN WILMINGTON HE SHOWED A LITTLE BIT OF EMOTION.

LET'S HEAR A LITTLE BIT OF THAT.

>> JAMES JOYCE WAS SAID TO HAVE TOLD A FRIEND THAT WHEN IT COMES HIS TIME TO PASS, WHEN HE DIES HE SAID DUBLIN... DUBLIN WILL BE WRITTEN ON MY HEART.

WELL, EXCUSE ME THE EMOTION BUT...

WHEN I DIE, DELAWARE WILL BE WRITTEN ON MY HEART.

>> CODY KEENAN THE PRESIDENT-ELECT IS NOT AFRAID TO SHOW EMOTION.

WHAT DIMENSION DOES THAT GIVE A SPEAKER?

>> I WAS WATCHING THAT AND STRUCK BY IT TOO.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IT IS NOT A SHAME TO SHOW EMOTION.

IT DOESN'T MAKE YOU SMALLER IT'S IMPORTANT ESPECIALLY NOW.

THIS COUNTRY HAS GONE THROUGH A DEEP TRAUMA.

AND SO HAS JOE BIDEN OVER AND OVER IN HIS LIFE AND HE IS SOMEBODY WHO IS STILL THE MOST OPTIMISTIC PERSON THAT YOU WILL MEET.

I WAS STRUCK BY THE REMARKS AND STRUCK BY HE BECAME THE FIRST NATIONAL LEADER TO LEAD A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR COVID VICTIMS.

YOU'VE GOT SO MANY AMERICANS WHO HAVE NOT HAD ANYWAY TO GRIEVE OR NOT HUGGED SOMEBODY IN MONTHS.

NOBODY ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL LED A HEALING PROCESS AND JOE BIDEN IS STEPPING UP IN A BIG WAY.

>> MARY KATE CARY, THE PRESIDENT-ELECT HAS SO FAR NOT BEEN TOO EXPLICIT TALKING ABOUT THE ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL OR THE PRESIDENT'S IMPEACHMENT.

SHOULD HE MENTION EITHER OF THOSE TOMORROW?

SHOULD HE REFERENCE THEM?

I THINK HE COULD AS LONG AS HE KEEPS IT AT A HIGH LEVEL.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AND THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

THE STATE OF THE UNION IS A POLICY PERSUASIVE AND SOMETIMES PARTISAN SPEECH.

THE INAUGURAL SHOULD NOT BE ANY OF THOSE.

AS LONG AS HE CAN KEEP IT 30,000 FEET HE HAS SAID, HOWEVER, RECENTLY I DON'T KNOW IF CODY YOU HEARD THIS, TOO, HE CONSIDERS HIMSELF TO BE A PLAIN SPOKEN GUY.

HE DOESN'T LIKE ELEVATED RHETORIC.

AND SO EVERYBODY SHOULD PREPARE THEMSELVES IT'S NOT GOING TO BE JOHN F. KENNEDY ASK NOT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY.

AND SO I THINK -- ASK WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU.

I DO THINK THAT IF HE IS EMOTIONAL LIKE THAT AND AUTHENTIC, THAT CAN PULL AT PEOPLE'S HEART STRINGS AND I THINK HE COULD BE OK.

PLAIN SPOKEN DOES NOT HAVE TO MEAN BORING IT CAN BE EFFECTIVE.

>> THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

MARY KATE CARY AND CODY KEENAN THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHTS.

VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS, PHIL.

>> THANKS.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS BACK TO YOU.

>> PHIL, THANK YOU.

A FEDERAL COURT RULED ILLINOIS' PANHANDLING LAW UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US TO EXPLAIN WHY AND WHAT THAT MEANS.

AMANDA?

>> BRANDIS, THIS CASE IS PART OF A YEAR'S LONG EFFORT BY ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION AND THE CHICO LICKS FOR THE HOMELESS TO ELIMINATE LAWS ACROSS THE ILLINOIS AND THE NATION THAT FORBID PANHANDLING.

DIANE O'CONNELL IS ONE OF THE ATTORNEYS WHO REPRESENTED TWO HOMELESS MEN.

THE CASE IS ABOUT... >> THE RIGHT TO ASK FOR HELP.

SO OUR CLIENTS IN THIS CASE CHRISTOPHER SIMMONS AND MIKE WERE TICKETED MANY, MANY TIMES SIMPLY FOR ASKING FOR HELP.

>> THE PLAINTIFFS HAD BEEN TICKETED BY POLICE OFFICERS BASED ON A LOCAL ORDINANCE THAT WAS BASED ON A STATE LAW THAT SAYS NO PERSON SHALL STAND ON A HIGHWAY FOR THE PURPOSE OF SOLICITING EMPLOYMENT OR BUSINESS FROM THE OCCUPANT OF ANY VEHICLE.

NOW TO DRILL DOWN INTO THAT O'CONNELL SAYS BOTH ARE A VIOLATION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT BECAUSE THEY RESTRICT THE TYPE OF SPEECH THAT IS TOLERATED AND WHO CAN SAY IT.

SO NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS COULD GET PERMITS TO SOLICIT MONEY FOR CHARITIES BUT IT WAS NOT OK FOR HER CLIENTS TO ASK FOR MONEY OVER THE WINTER TO GET A HOTEL ROOM WHEN THE SHELTER WAS OUT OF SPACE.

IN A FEDERAL DECISION HANDED DOWN, THE JUDGE AGREED.

HE HAD WRITTEN THAT CONTENT BASED LAWS USUALLY VIOLATE THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

THE FORMER VILLAGE ORDINANCE AND ILLINOIS STATUTE ARE NO EXCEPTION BOTH ARE CONTENT BASED RESTRICTIONS ON SPEECH WITHOUT COMPELLING JUSTIFICATION.

SO GOING FORWARD MUNICIPALITIES AND ILLINOIS STATE POLICE CAN NO LONGER ENFORCE ANY SORT OF THOSE PANHANDLING LAWS.

COUNTER'S GROVE STOPPED ENFORCING THE ORDINANCE.

AND MANY MUNICIPALITIES CHICAGO INCLUDED HAD TAKEN THEIR OWN ORDINANCES OFF THE BOOKS A COUPLE YEARS AGO WHEN THE A.C.L.U.

'S NATIONAL CAMPAIGN PUT THEM ON NOTICE.

BRIAN HOPKINS WHO REPRESENTS PART OF DOWNTOWN SAYS CHICAGO'S FORMER ORDINANCE WAS USED RARELY AND ONLY AGAINST AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLER.

WITH THE CITY DIDN'T COUNT ON WAS THE IMPACT IT WOULD HAVE ON RESTAURANT CAN SIDEWALK CAFES AND OUTDOOR DINING.

SINCE CHICAGO REVOKED THE ORDINANCE IN 2018, BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED THEY HAVE NO RECOURSE WHEN THEIR PATRONS ARE GETTING HIT UP FOR CASH.

>> WE STARTED TO SEE AN INCREASE IN THAT BEHAVIOR AND THE RESTAURANTS FELT LIKE THERE WAS VERY LITTLE THEY CAN DO WITHOUT THAT TOOL TO USE WHEN SOMEONE WOULD COME INTO THE DINING AREA AND GO TABLE TO TABLE AND NOT LEAVE THE TABLE UNTIL THE DINERS GAVE THEM MONEY THAT WAS THREATENING TO THE DINERS AND UNCOMFORTABLE FOR THE RESTAURANT STAFF WHO WERE OFTEN ASKED TO INTERVENE BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY COULD DO.

IT PUT THEM IN AN AWKWARD POSITION.

>> HOPKINS SAYS PANHANDLERS WITH HIS FREE REIN LED TO MORE THREAT SNATCHING PURSES AND CELLPHONES AND CAUSED PROBLEMS FOR THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.

>> IF YOU ARE A TOURIST FROM OUT OF TOWN IT MAY BE MUCH MORE UPSETTING TO YOU TO BE SEATED AT AN OUTDOOR CAFE AND TO HAVE SOMEONE COME UP TO YOUR TABLE AND PANHANDLE YOU.

CHICAGOANS TAKE THAT MORE IN STRIDE ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WHO LIVE DOWNTOWN.

WE ARE USED TO THAT IT DOESN'T RATTLE US AND WE TYPICALLY GIVE A DOLLAR OR WHATEVER.

>> CHICO LICKS FOR THE HOMELESS ATTORNEY O'CONNELL ASKED FOR COMPASSION.

THOUGH THE TICKETS HER CLIENTED WERE RECEIVED WERE MISDEMEANORS THOSE CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH ONE CLIENT HAVING TO MISS WORK FOR A COURT DATE AND THE OTHER DID MISS A COURT DATE AND HAD TO SPEND A NIGHT IN JAIL.

HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS GO THROUGH A LOT.

>> STIGMAIZATION, STEREOTYPING AND DISCRIMINATION ALL THE TIME.

RIGHT?

AND SO THESE PANHANDLING LAWS ARE REALLY A TOOL THAT MUNICIPALITIES USE TO INFRINGE ON PEOPLE'S RIGHTS, TO HIDE THEM AND EXCLUDE THEM FROM PUBLIC SPACES.

TO CRIMINALIZE AND FINE PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY POOR AND ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PAY THE FINES.

THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY A DRACONIAN TOOL THAT JUST REALLY HAS NO PLACE IN OUR SOCIETY.

>> AND SHE HOPES THIS FEDERAL PERMANENT INJUNCTION ON ILLINOIS' PANHANDLING LAW WITH ONE STROKE PUT AN END TO THESE SORT OF ORDINANCES.

FOR HIS PART, THOUGH, ALDERMAN HOPKINS SAYS HE HAD BEEN WORKING ON A PROPOSAL SOMETHING THAT WOULD FIND THE MIDDLE GROUND BUT THEN THE PANDEMIC HIT AND HE SAYS THAT HE DOES PLAN TO PURSUE ACTION IN THE FUTURE.

HE WANTS TO ALSO INCLUDE IN THAT PURSUING BANNING SOLICITING NEAR ATM'S.

THAT IS A MEANS TO STOP A PROBLEM WITH ROBBERIES NEAR ATM'S.

BRANDIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT, A MUSEUM HONORING A LEGENDARY BLUES MUSICIAN.

STICK AROUND.

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE PREVENTS STRONG COALITION OF BLACK AND LATINO COMMUNITIES FORMING ACROSS THE COMMUNITIES?

>> I WANT US TO AS A NATION TO FIND A WAY TO COME TOGETHER.

>> GO DOWN THE BLOCK GET IT FROM SOMEONE LOCAL AND KEEP THE MONEY IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> BLACK JOY AND THE BLACK EXPERIENCE IS MAGICAL.

>> AND WE HAVE MUCH MORE COMING UP INCLUDING THE DEBATE OVER THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL PASSED LAST WEEK BY STATE LAWMAKERS.

BUT FIRST, A MUSEUM HONORING THE FATHER OF MODERN BLUES IS HEADED TO NORTH KENWOOD WHILE IT HAS A COUPLE MORE YEARS BEFORE IT IT OPENS TO THE PUBLIC, THE FAMILY OF THE LATE MUDDY WATERS SAYS THEY ARE GRATEFUL TO BE TAKING A STEP IN CONTINUING HIS LEGACY.

ANGEL IDOWU SHARES MORE HOW THE MUSEUM PLAN TOSSEL VACCINATE THE INFLUENCE OF BLUES IN CHICAGO.

[♪♪♪] >> AFTER YEARS OF UNCERTAINTY TRANSFORMING THE HOME ON 43rd AND LAKE PARK HAS BECOME A REALITY FOR THE FAMILY OF MUDDY WATERS.

>> I THINK IT'S OUR JOB AS BLUES HISTORIANS AND PEOPLE WHO LOVE BLUES AND VYING FOR THE BLUES LEGACY IT IS OUR JOB TO HAVE PEOPLE REMEMBER THAT THE BLUES IS A ROOTS OF A LOT OF MUSIC.

[♪♪♪] >> BORN McKENNELLY MORGANFIELD MUDDY WATERS MOVED TO CHICAGO IN THE 1940s TO PURSUE MUSIC FULL-TIME.

HIS STYLE INFLUENCED NEARLY EVERY BLUES AND ROCK MUSICIAN THAT HAS COME AFTER HIM.

>> WE HAVE A HUBLG VISION CHAN CHAN CHANDRA COOPER IS OVERSEEING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW MO-JO MUSEUM, HER MOTHER AMELIA "COOKIE" COOPER WAS RAISED BY HER GRANDFATHER THERE.

>> GREW UP IN A HOUSE WITH THIS PARTICULAR MUSICIANS AND THE RACES THAT CAME IN.

IT WASN'T UNUSUAL TO ME.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

I CAN BE UP AT ONE OR 2:00 P.M. AND THEY WERE -- ONE I 2:00 A.M. AND THEY WERE IN THE BASEMENT.

[♪♪♪] >> LIKE I WOULD SAY THEY WOULD COME IN FOR A GIG THAT IS HOW I LEARNED HOW TO COOK SO WELL.

HE COULD COME IN AT 1 OR 2:00 A.M. AND HIS WIFE WOULD WAKE ME UP AND WE WOULD START MAKING EGGS AND BACON AND THEY WOULD EAT.

AND IF THEY FELT LIKE IT, LIKE AT 3:00 A.M.

THEY WERE DOWN IN THE BASEMENT.

>> THE MUSEUM PLANS TO CONTINUE THAT TRADITION WITH THE RECORDING STUDIOS TO PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTISTS.

>> WE WANT TO REALLY INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY.

WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IS MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO BRING CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN THERE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BLUES IS AND GIVE BLUES EDUCATION.

IN ADDITION TO THAT WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE BLUES MUSICIANS TO GIVE THEM EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AS WELL.

ONE OF THE THINGS I'M REALLY STRONG ABOUT AND WHAT I LIKE IS ALSO TO EMPOWER WOMEN IN THE BLUES SPACE AS WELL.

>> THE MUSEUM WILL ALSO PAY TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH MORGANFIELD ONE OF WATERS SONS WHO DIED LAST YEAR WHEN HIS CAREER AS A BLUES MUSICIAN WAS TAKING OFF.

HE JUST RELEASED NEW MUSIC CREATED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

[♪♪♪] >> IT'S REALLY HEARTBREAKING FOR OUR FAMILY BECAUSE WITH THELE HE CUT YOU COULD SEE THE RESEMBLANCE.

>> WITH A $50,000 FROM THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION THE WATERS ESTATE SAYS THE MUSEUM COULD BE OPEN IN AS SOON AS TWO YEARS.

>> WE HAVE TO REALIZE THERE IS NOT ANY TYPE OF BLUES MUSEUM IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

SO FOR US TO PULL THIS OFF IT WOULD BE GIGANTIC.

[♪♪♪] >> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLANS FOR THE MUSEUM YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

AND STICK AROUND LATER IN THE PROGRAM, A 1974 SOUND STAGE PERFORMANCE WITH MUDDY WATERS.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" ILLINOIS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TALK ABOUT WHAT IS NEXT FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP'S IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN THE SENATE.

>> WE'RE JOINED BY TWO STATE SENATORS TO HEAR WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL THAT PASSED LAST WEEK.

>> ARE YOU THE PILOT?

I SAID, YES, MA'AM I AM.

>> AND REVISITING OUR 2017 CONVERSATION WITH BROADCASTER JIM TILMON ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCES AS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN PILOT FOR AMERICAN AIRLINES.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME TOP STORIES...

BOTH CITY HALL AND THE COOK COUNTY BUILDING WILL BE CLOSED TOMORROW FOR PUBLIC SAFETY PURPOSES.

THE CITY'S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS SAYS IT IS NOT AWARE OF ANY PLANNED ACTIVITY.

THE CLOSURE IS PRECAUTIONARY.

THOUGH THE STATE CAPITOL IN SPRINGFIELD HAS BEEN CLOSED DURING THE PANDEMIC OFFICIALS SAY THE COMPLEX WILL BE AS SECURE AS POSSIBLE.

>> THOUSANDS OF CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS ARE EXPECTED BACK IN THE CLASSROOM ON MONDAY AS THE UNION CONTINUES TO ASK THE DISTRICT TO DELAY THE REOPENING PLAN, JANICE JACKSON SAYS THE TIME FOR THE DEBATE HAS PASSED.

>> IT HAS TO BE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW TO REOPEN SCHOOLS SAFELY NOT A DEBATE AROUND WHETHER OR NOT SCHOOLS SHOULD REOPEN.

THE TIME IS NOW.

I THINK WE'RE PAST THAT POINT.

IT'S PROVEN YOU CAN REOPEN SCHOOLS SAFELY.

WE SHOULD BE FOCUSED HOW TO DO THAT PROPERLY NOT STILL DEBATING ON WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD HAVE IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION.

>> JACKSON TOOK QUESTIONS FROM PARENTS AT BELMONT CRAGIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN ADVANCE OF THE NEXT STEP IN THE PHASED REOPENING PLAN.

KINDERGARTEN-8 TEACHERS RETURN MONDAY JANUARY 25.

AND STUDENTS WHO OPT-IN TO THE HYBRID REOPENING RETURN FEBRUARY FIRST.

TEACHERS HELD A PROTEST IN THE LITTLE VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD DRAWING ATTENTION TO THE DEEPER IMPACT OF THE CORONAVIRUS ON THAT COMMUNITY.

AND TOMORROW EVENING C.T.U.

'S HOUSE OF DELEGATES IS EXPECTED TO VOTE WHETHER TO ASK THE FULL MEMBERSHIP TO CONSIDER A STRIKE VOTE.

>> A LONGTIME STATE SENATOR FROM CHICAGO SAYS SHE IS RESIGNING FROM THE JOB.

SENATOR HEATHER STEANS, EDGEWATER, ROGERS PARK AND RAVENS WOOD SAYS AFTER 12 YEARS IT'S TIME FOR QUOTE FRESH FACES AND NEW ENERGY IN SPRINGFIELD.

DURING HER TIME SHE LED EFFORTS TO LEGALIZE GAY MARRIAGE IN ILLINOIS AND THE STATE LAW LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA HER RESIGNATION IS EFFECTIVE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

HER SUCCESSOR WILL SERVE OUT THE FINAL TWO YEARS OF HER TERM.

>> ANOTHER 4300 PEOPLE ARE DIAGNOSED WITH THE CORONAVIRUS SINCE YESTERDAY.

THE TOTAL CASE COUNT IS...

THE STATE'S TEST POSITIVITY RATE HAS FALLEN TO 6.9%.

FOR CONTEXT THIS TIME LAST WEEK IT WAS 8.6%.

AND NOW TO PARIS AND MORE FROM MEMBERS OF THE ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

PARIS?

>> THANK YOU.

>> EARL WARREN IN THE PROGRAM WE SPOKE ABOUT ONGOING SECURITY CONCERNS IN WASHINGTON WITH REPRESENTATIVES MIKE QUIGLEY, RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI, CHERI BUSTOS AND RODNEY DAVIS BACK TO TALK ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S IMPEACHMENT AND PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN'S PRIORITIES.

CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY, YOU HEARD MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL TODAY ON HIS ANGER WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP OVER THAT RIOT.

IMPEACHMENT?

THE IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES, I BELIEVE HAVE NOT BEEN SENT OVER TO THE SENATE YET.

DO YOU BELIEVE THERE ARE 17 REPUBLICANS THAT WILL SIGN ON TO CONVICT?

>> LOOK, YOU ASKED ME A WEEK AGO I WOULD HAVE SAID NEVER AND I'M STARTING TO THINK SO.

I SAW MITCH McCONNELL'S WORDS.

I ANYTHING THE PERSON WHO PUT IT BEST WAS JOHN KATKO.

HE SAID TO ALLOW THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO INCITE THIS VIOLENCE WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE IS A THREAT TO THE FUTURE OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

I'D LIKE TO THINK THERE ARE 17 OR 18 REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE THAT WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

>> CONGRESSMAN RODNEY DAVIS, YOU TALKED ABOUT IN YOUR STATEMENT HOW AWFUL THAT ATTACK WAS AND THE PRESIDENT'S CULPABILITY BUT YOU DID NOT VOTE TO IMPEACH.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN FOR US?

>> IT WAS A POLITICAL IMPEACHMENT PROCESS.

WE HAD ZERO HEARINGS AND NO EVIDENCE PRESENTED AND IT WAS POLITICAL.

AS I STOOD UP FOR THE CONSTITUTION BY FULFILLING MY 12TH AMENDMENT RESPONSIBILITIES TO CERTIFY THE ELECTION I WANTED TO STAND UP FOR WHAT OUR FOREFATHERS ENVISIONED A DELIBERATE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS.

REAL QUICK, I WANT TO GO BACK TO WHAT WAS SAID IN THE LAST SEGMENT ABOUT SOME DEMOCRATS ACCUSING REPUBLICANS WITH ZERO EVIDENCE OF RUNNING RECONNAISSANCE MISSIONS WHERE PEOPLE WHO RIOTED AGAINST THE CAPITOL.

THAT IS A VERY, VERY DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE.

I'VE SPOKEN WITH BOEBERT AND SHE TOOK HER FAMILY AROUND THE CAPITOL.

THE CAPITOL WAS NOT CLOSED TO FAMILY AND OFFICIAL VISITORS AT THE TIME.

IF DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO ACCUSE REPUBLICANS OF AIDING AND ABETTING PEOPLE WHO COMMITTED CRIMES SO THE EVIDENCE.

QUIT BEING YOUR OWN CONSPIRACY.

IT OPENS YOU UP FOR ETHICS CHARGES IF THIS CONTINUES AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE DOING WHEN WE OUGHT TO BE LOOKING IN A BIPARTISAN WAY.

>> THIS IS CONGRESSWOMAN BOEBERT FROM COLORADO.

CONGRESSMAN KRISHNAMOORTHI HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU ABOUT THE CONFIRMATION PROCESS OF SOME OF BIDEN'S CABINET NOMINEES WHEN YOU HAVE AN IMPEACHMENT MUDDLING THAT UP AND A GENERAL TENSION IN THE COUNTRY MUDDLING THAT UP?

>> I THINK THE SENATE IS GOING TO HAVE TO WALK AND CHEW GUM AT THE SAME TIME.

I THINK IT'S POSSIBLE, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THE SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN WHETHER YOU CAN DO AN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN THE MORNING OR IN THE AFTERNOON AND HAVE CONFIRMATION PROCEEDINGS IN THE MORNING OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

BUT IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, I THINK THE SENATE HAS TO MOVE QUICKLY ON THE NATIONAL SECURITY TEAM FOR INSTANCE AND OTHERS WHO ARE ESSENTIAL FOR GUARDING OUR NATION RIGHT NOW AT A PERIL LESS TIME.

BUT WE SHOULD NOT NECESSARILY DECIDE WE HAVE TO FOREGO ONE EXCLUSIVELY IN FAVOR OF THE OTHER.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE SENATE NEEDS TO DO MULTIPLE THINGS AT ONCE.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN BUSTOS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN ROLLED OUT WAS AN IMMIGRATION PLAN WHICH WOULD OFFER A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IN EIGHT YEARS.

IMMIGRATION HAS BEEN A FLASHPOINT.

IS THAT THE KIND OF PLAN THAT WOULD HAVE MAJORITY SUPPORT IN CONGRESS DO YOU THINK?

>> I CAN'T PREDICT THAT BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS LONG OVERDUE.

I WELCOME THE DEBATE AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DREAMERS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SENATOR DURBIN HAS BEEN THE DRAFTER OF THE LEGISLATION TO MAKE SURE THAT DREAMERS HAVE A SHOT IN OUR NATION AND CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE HERE AND BECOME CITIZENS.

LOOK, IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN'S AGENDA FOR THESE FIRST 100 DAYS IT'S GETTING THE PANDEMIC UNDER CONTROL.

VACCINATING 100 MILLION AMERICANS IN 100 DAYS.

GETTING MOST OF OUR SCHOOLS OPEN AGAIN SAFELY.

MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE INVESTING IN A FULL RECOVERY ECONOMIC RECOVERY PACKAGE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER WILL BE AN INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE THAT WILL BE THE BIGGEST IN THE HISTORY OF OUR NATION SO WE CAN REBUILD NOT ONLY OUR COUNTRY BUT OUR ECONOMY AS WELL.

IT IS A BUSY AGENDA.

WE ARE GOING TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AND REALLY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER AND MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.

>> AND CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY, BIDEN'S PROPOSED ABOUT $2 THRILLIAN COVID RELIEF, MONEY FOR STATE AND GOVERNMENTS, WILL ALL THOSE THINGS BE IN A FINAL PLAN THAT PASSES CONGRESS DO YOU BELIEVE?

>> YOU KNOW, I HOPE SO.

BUT I THINK AS SOON AS WE SAY IF IT DOESN'T HAVE THIS OR THAT I WILL NOT SUPPORT IT THAT IS HOW THINGS DON'T HAPPEN.

THESE ARE RAZOR THIN MAJORITIES TO EVERYONE ON THIS PANEL'S POINT OF VIEW WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AT SOME POINT.

I'M HOPING THAT THE MAIN THEME TOMORROW IS REENGAGEMENT THAT WE REENGAGE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD AND REMIND THEM WHO WE ARE.

AND REEDGE GAUGE WITH OURSELVES.

REENGAGE WITH OURSELVES.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE POINTS OF AGREEMENT ON COVID STIMULUS AND ON AN IMMIGRATION PLAN?

>> WELL, I'VE GOT A HISTORY OF VOTING FOR GOOD IMMIGRATION POLICY CHANGES THAT ARE GOING TO GIVE A PATH TO LEGAL STATUS FOR DREAMERS AND DACA KIDS.

AND LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE COME TOGETHER TO EMPHASIZE BORDER SECURITY.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF AREAS WE CAN AGREE ON IMMIGRATION REFORM AND I HOPE WE GET A CHANCE TO DO IT IN A BIPARTISAN WAY.

COVID RELIEF I WANT TO SEE WHERE THE DOLLARS PASSED ARE GOING TO GO.

WE HAVE SEEN TRILLIONS PUT FORTH BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALL OF US ON THIS CALL IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION GAVE THE GOVERNOR HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO DISTRIBUTE.

BUT HE FAILED MISERABLELY IN MANY CASES.

I'M SITTING HERE WITH MY IDENTITY THEFT ISSUES BECAUSE OF A FRAUD LEAPT UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIM THAT I CANNOT GET A PERSON FROM THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY TO CALL ME BACK TO TRY AND ADDRESS.

WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW THOSE DOLLARS ARE BEING SENT TO THOSE WHO NEED THEM THE MOST AND BOTTLED UP AT THE STATE WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT IN THE NEXT COVID BILL TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T GIVE INCOMPETENT GOVERNORS LIKE GOVERNOR PRITZKER ANOTHER CHANCE TO NOT GET THE DOLLARS TO THOSE WHO NEED IT THE MOST.

>> A LOT TO WADE THROUGH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

PLEASE STAY SAFE.

OUR BEST TO ALL OF YOU.

AND THANK TO MIKE QUIGLEY, RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI, CHERI BUSTOS AND RODNEY DAVIS THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NOW, TO BRANDIS AND I ALOOK AT LEGISLATION THAT JUST PASSED THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> HEADING TO GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S DESK IS A MASSIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL APPROVED BY ILLINOIS SENATE AND THE HOUSE THAT COVERS EVERYTHING FROM POLICE USE-OF-FORCE TO BODY-CAMS AND ONE OF THE CONTROVERSIAL ASPECTS IT WOULD END THE USE OF MONEY BOND.

MEANING DEFENDANTS IN CRIMINAL CASES COULD ONLY BE DETAINED PRETRIAL IF DEEMED A FLIGHT RISK OR A RISK TO THE COMMUNITY.

JOINING US TO TALK MORE ABOUT CASH BAIL ARE STATE SENATOR JOHN CURRAN AND STATE SENATOR ELGIE SIMS WHO SPONSORED THE LEGISLATION.

>> SENATOR SIMS WHY DID YOU AND MEMBERS OF THE BLACK CAUCUS THINK THIS BILL WAS NECESSARY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

THIS BILL WAS IN RESPONSE TO YEARS AND DECADES OF DISINVESTMENTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THE OVER INCARCERATION OF INDIVIDUALS BLACK AND MARGINALIZED PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE.

AND WE HAVE TO REIMAGINE WHAT PUBLIC SAFETY LOOKS LIKE AND THAT WAS OUR FOCUS.

WE WANTED TO TAKE ON THIS BOLD TRANSFORMATIVE AGENDA THAT WOULD DO THAT.

BECAUSE THERE IS A SAYING IF YOU DO THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN EXPECTING A DIFFERENT RESULT IT IS THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY.

WE HAVE TRIED MASS INCARCERATION FOR 40 YEARS AND IT HAS NOT MADE US MORE SAFE IT'S MADE OUR COMMUNITIES MORE UNSAFE.

WE WANT TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY, REIMAGINING WHAT PUBLIC SAFETY LOOKS LIKE IN OUR STATE.

>> AND SOME CRITICS SAY THE BILL WAS RUSHED TO PASS.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE IT WAS RUSHED THROUGH?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

FROM THE TIME WE HAD NINE COMMITTEE HEARINGS OVER 30 HOURS OF HEARINGS OF THE SENATE'S CRIMINAL LAW, PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE FROM THE FIRST HEARING SEPTEMBER FIRST TO THE DAY THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED WAS 126 DAYS.

THERE WAS TIME FOR US TO DISCUSS THE TOPICS WHICH WE DID.

WE DISCUSSED THEM IN PUBLIC, COMMITTEE HEARINGS.

WE DISCUSSED THEM IN PRIVATE.

THERE WAS AMPLE TIME TO DISCUSS ALL OF THE TOPICS.

IT WAS NOT A SURPRISE THOUGH THAT 126 DAYS FROM THE FIRST HEARING TO THE DATE OF FILING HAPPENED, THESE DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN GOING ON MANY FOR LONGER THAN THAT.

THE PRETRIAL FAIRNESS ACT THE END OF MONEY BOND THAT BILL WAS INTRODUCED IN EARLY 2020.

NO, I DON'T BELIEVE THE PROCESS WAS RUSHED.

AND WE TOOK GREAT PAINS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COLLEAGUES GOT A CHANCE TO HEAR ALL OF THE ISSUES AND WERE INVOLVED IN ALL STEPS.

>> SENATOR CURRAN YOU HAVE CONCERNS WITH ABOLISHING CASH BAIL.

WHAT ARE THEY?

>> WELL, I WILL TELL YOU FIRST ON THE PROCESS, SENATOR SIMS PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO THIS AND HE AND I SAT ON THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT COMMISSION AND PRETILE PRACTICES THERE WAS A LOT OF WORK DONE BUT THERE WAS NOT DONE ON THE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE IN THIS BILL AND THE LANGUAGE IS WHAT MATTERS AND THE LANGUAGE IS WHAT WAS DROPPED AT THE END AND THAT IS WHERE WE NEEDED STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED BECAUSE THERE ARE LANGUAGE CONCERNS IN THIS BILL.

MY CONCERN SPECIFICALLY CENTER AROUND SOME OF THE STATUTORY LANGUAGE IN THE PRETRIAL PORTION OF THE BILL AND THE USE-OF-FORCE CHANGES IN THE USE-OF-FORCE SPECIFICALLY ON THE DEFINITION OF IMMINENT WHICH I BELIEVE WILL PUT POLICE OFFICERS IN HARM'S WAY.

>> COOK COUNTY SAW A MAJOR BILL REFORM IN 2017 MANDATING THAT JUDGES MAKE MONETARY BOND REQUIRED AFFORDABLE TO THE INDIVIDUAL.

AND SINCE THEN A STUDY REVEALED THAT STUDIES THE MEASURED EFFECT ON CRIME AND FOUND THAT 3% OF DEFENDANTS HAD A NEW VIOLENT CRIME CASE FILED WHILE ON PRETRIAL RELEASE.

OF COURSE MANY CRITICS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY IF CASH BAIL IS ABOLISHED AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HAS NOT SIGNED THE LEGISLATION.

SENATOR CURRAN ARE YOU CONCERNED IT COULD PUT JUDGES IN A TOUGH SPOT?

>> BRANDIS, THERE IS A STUDY OUT THERE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RELEASED IN 2020 ALSO STUDYING THE COOK COUNTY SYSTEM THAT CAME TO DIFFERENT CONCLUSIONS AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A 33% INCREASE IN OFFENDERS COMMITTING A NEW VIOLENT CRIME WHILE ON PRETRIAL RELEASE.

I THINK BETWEEN THOSE TWO STUDIES, SHOWED THERE IS AN INCREASE AND IT POSES A RISK.

I DO HAVE CONCERNS IF THE GOVERNOR SIGNS THIS THERE ARE GREAT INCONSISTENCIES IN THE BILL WITH THE STANDARDS ON DETENTIONS.

THE BILL AND THE LEGISLATURE CHOSE TO BREAK AWAY FROM A GOOD STANDARD CLEAR AND CONVINCING SET FORTH BY THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY RECOMMENDED BY THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT COMMISSION.

AND IT SAID THE BRAND NEW STANDARD OF A JUDGE MUST FIND THAT AN INDIVIDUAL POSES A SPECIFIC REAL AND PRESENT THREAT.

AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW THAT IS GOING TO BE INTERPRETED BY THE COURT SYSTEM.

>> SENATOR SIMS THE PRACTICES OF CASH BAIL DO YOU BELIEVE THEY DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BLACK AND LATINO DEFENDANTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

LET ME FOR A MOMENT GO BACK TO THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH STUDY VERSUS THE LOYOLA UNIVERSITY STUDY.

I AM MAYBE I'M PARTIAL TO LOYOLA UNIVERSITY BEING AN ALUM, BUT THE FACT IS THE STUDY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HAS BEEN WIDELY DISCREDITED AS THEY ATTACK THE A.C.L.U.

AND OTHERS SAYING IT IS NOT A NONPARTISAN UNBIASED REPORT.

THE LOYOLA STUDY IS UNBIASED.

IT HAS BEEN SEEN AND USED AS OBJECTIVE WITH A NUMBER OF POLICYMAKERS.

BUT TO YOUR QUESTION, BRANDIS, YES, THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT BLACKS AND OTHER MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY THE USE OF MONEY BOND.

12% OF THE POPULATION AS WE AS YOU SEE IN THE DECISION THE JUDGES WILL MAKE THEY ARE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT AN INDIVIDUAL IS A THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY OR A THREAT TO APPEAR BEFORE A JUDGE.

WE MUST RECOGNIZE THAT THE PRETRIAL SYSTEM IS JUST THAT IT IS A PRETRIAL SYSTEM.

THE INDIVIDUALS HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME YET.

AND WE ARE ABLE TO PERSONS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.

>> I'M SURE THERE'S MORE TO DISCUSS AS WE AWAIT WHETHER OR NOT GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER WILL SIGN THIS.

UNTIL THEN THANKS TO STATE SENATORS ELGIE SIMS AND JOHN CURRAN THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, REVISITING A CONVERSATION WITH BROADCAST PIONEER AND MEMBER OF THE WTTW FAMILY THE LATE JIM TILMON.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> JIM TILMON WORE MANY HATS IN HIS REMARKABLE LIFE.

PILOT, EMMY AWARD-WINNING BROADCASTER AND WEATHERMAN, AVIATION EXPERT, MUSICIAN AND AUTHOR.

JIM TILMON WAS A PIONEER HE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMERCIAL PILOTS IN THE COUNTRY JOINING AMERICAN AIRLINES IN 1965 AFTER LEARNING HIS CRAFT IN THE ARMY.

IN 2017, PHIL TALKED WITH TILMON ABOUT HIS BOOK ABOUT BECOMING A PILOT.

HE BEGAN BY ASKING HIM ABOUT KEY ADVICE FROM HIS FATHER ABOUT HIS DREAM.

>> MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE I EVER GOT IN MY LIFE.

I SAW AN AIRPLANE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS AND HE SAID IT WAS THE AIRPLANE AND PILOTS FLEW IT.

AND I ASKED DADDY CAN I BE A PILOT?

THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF THIS THING.

HIS ANSWER WAS WELL, FIRST OF ALL DO YOU REALLY WANT TO BE A PILOT?

I MEAN, AND HE WAS SERIOUS.

MY DAD DIDN'T TOY AROUND WITH THINGS.

SO YES, DADDY I REALLY WANT TO.

OK. DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE IT?

DO YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN DO IT?

DO YOU BELIEVE IT'S IN YOUR FUTURE?

DO YOU BELIEVE WHAT IT IS?

YES, DADLY I REALLY BELIEVE IT.

>> HE ASKED YOU ARE YOU WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE?

AND THAT WAS A BIGGIE.

ARE YOU WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT AND BELIEVE BUT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE TOUGH STUFF THEY TAKE A POWDER.

YOU ARE EITHER GOING TO DO THIS BECAUSE YOU BELIEVE IT AND WANT IT, AND BECAUSE YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE OR IT'S NOT GOING TO GET DONE.

AND HE WAS RIGHT.

I CARRIED THAT I STILL TO THIS DAYCARERY THAT KIND OF THINKING.

>> YOU WRITE WITH CANDOR ABOUT SOME OF THE PROBLEMS BUT THERE ARE HUMOROUS SITUATIONS SITUATIONS THAT WERE WELL YOU HANDLED IN I AN ELEGANT WAY.

FOR EXAMPLE, YOU SAY ONCE YOU BECAME A FULL-FLEDGED COMMERCIAL AIRLINE PILOT FOR AMERICAN AIRLINES YOU WERE IN THE UNIFORM AND IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL FOR SOME PEOPLE TO THINK YOU WERE A SKY CAB.

TELL ME WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?

>> FROM TIME TO TIME I WOULD GET TO THE GATE AND EVERYBODY IS LINED UP AND READY TO GO THROUGH.

AND A LITTLE LADY WOULD SAY, PARDON ME, ARE YOU GOING TO GET ON THIS AIRPORT?

YES, MA'AM.

WOULD YOU CARRY MY BAG, PLEASE?

AND I WOULD SAY YES.

AND TAKE IT AND LOOK AT HER TICKET AND FIND OUT WHERE HER SEAT WAS AND GET ONBOARD.

AND THAT WAS IT.

AND STANDING AT THE DOOR WHICH I DID, WHEN PEOPLE GET ON THE AIRPLANE THE LADY WOULD SAY THANK YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF MY BAG.

AND OFFER ME MONEY.

AND NO, MA'AM, THANK YOU IT'S PART OF THE SERVICE.

OK. AND SHE SAID BUT I ALWAYS TIP THE SKY CAB.

MA'AM I'M NOT A SKY CAB.

YOU'RE NOT?

WHAT ARE YOU?

MA'AM, I'M THE PILOT.

AND IT WAS ALWAYS A LOOK OF OH, MY GOD.

AMERICA HAD TO GROW UP A LITTLE.

AS A PEOPLE WE JUST HAD TO MOVE FORWARD SOME AND WE STILL HAVE A WAYS TO GO.

BUT WE DID MAKE PRETTY SIGNIFICANT STRIDES DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

>> WHAT WAS THE EXPERIENCE LIKE HOW OFTEN WHEN PASSENGERS ARE UNLOADING THE COCKPIT DOORS ARE OPEN AND PEOPLE ARE THANKING THE CREW.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN THEN IN SITUATIONS WHERE PEOPLE DID NOT REALIZE THEY HAD A BLACK PILOT?

>> ANYONE PASSENGER THAT WAS REMARKABLE.

SHE GOT ONBOARD AND I GREETED HER AND SHE LOOKED AT ME AND PUZZLED LOOK AND ALMOST LIKE TERROR STRICKEN.

SHE SAID ARE YOU THE PILOT?

I SAID YES, MA'AM I AM.

SHE SAID AND LOOKED PAST ME AND INTO THE COCKPIT AND THE CO-PILOT WAS WHITE.

IS HE THE PILOT, TOO.

YES, MA'AM, HE IS.

WELL, IN THAT CASE... AND WENT ON TO HER SEAT.

REMARKABLE THING ABOUT THAT SHE WAS BLACK.

>> WHAT DID YOU TAKEAWAY FROM THAT EXPERIENCE?

THE FACT THAT RACISM AND BIGOTRY HAS INVADED OUR CULTURE TOTALLY.

THAT NONE OF US IS TOTALLY IMMUNE FROM THE DISEASE.

AND THAT A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WERE INFLICTED UPON BLACK PEOPLE TURNED AROUND AND WE GAB TO INFLICT IT ON OURSELVES.

SO THERE WAS AND STILL TO A CERTAIN EXTENT STILL IS, A BIT OF BLACK RACISM AGAINST EACH OTHER.

I KNOW I WILL GET CONFLICT FROM PEOPLE WATCHING THIS JIM, I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU SAID THAT.

WELL I DID SAY IT AND I MEANT IT BECAUSE IT'S TRUE.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT MAY HAVE COLOR OF MY SKIN BUT THEY DON'T HAVE IT ON THE INSIDE.

AND THEY HAVE NOT GRADUATED BEYOND THE RIDICULOUS ATTITUDES OF SOMEONE THAT BECAUSE SOMEONE LOOKS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, THAT THEY HAVE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF CHARACTER.

SO, YEAH, I SAID IT.

AND I WILL SAY IT AGAIN.

THE THING IS THAT IT IS A TERRIBLE DISEASE RACISM, BIGOTRY.

AND NO ONE IS TOTALLY IMMUNE.

BECAUSE WE AREN'T.

WE ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO TRY TO GET RID OF IT.

>> QUICKLY, WE HAVE LIKE 20 SECONDS LEFT.

YOU STARTED YOUR BROADCAST CAREER HERE ON WTTW.

WHAT WAS OUR PEOPLE?

>> OUR PEOPLE WAS AN EXPRESSION OF VOICE.

IT GAVE VISIBILITY AND VOICE FOR A PEOPLE WHO HAD NONE.

IT GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO OUR STORIES NOT JUST THE ONES ON BROADCAST TELEVISION STORIES GERMAINE TO US AND STORIES MEANINGFUL TO US AND PEOPLE MEANINGFUL TO US AND SUBJECT MATTER AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

IT WAS AN OUTLET THAT NEEDED TO BE.

IT HAD TO BE RIGHT THEN.

>> AND IT WAS ALSO THAT WHICH LED YOU TO YOUR CAREER ALSO AS A WEATHERMAN.

AND JIM TILMON THANK YOU FOR COMING BACK TO WHERE IT STARTED FOR YOU BROADCASTING WISE.

>> GREAT TO COME HOME.

>> AND WE WILL BE RUNNING PORTIONS OF TILMON'S WTTW PROGRAM OUR PEOPLE ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES" IN FEBRUARY.

YOU CAN WATCH THE FULL 2017 INTERVIEW ON OUR WEBSITE AT... AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON Facebook YouTube AND WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> YOU CAN GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT FOR A SPECIAL WE WILL BE AT A SPECIAL TIME 9:00 P.M. AFTER NEWSHOUR COVERAGE OF THE INAUGURATION.

>> AND WE LIVE YOU WITH MUDDY WATERS AND GOT MY MO-JO WORKING FROM 1974 AT THE CHICAGO BLUES SUMMIT HERE AT WTTW.

A CONCERT THAT BECAME THE FIRST EDITION OF THE SOUND STAGE SERIES.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

ENJOY THE MUSIC AND GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]