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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

OF ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> A WILD RIDE ON WALL STREET AS THE DOW DROPS MORE THAN A THOUSAND POINTS BEFORE REVERSING COURSE.

>> WE'VE HAD PLENTY OF MEMBERS TELL US IN TEARS THAT IT IS A REAL DILEMMA.

>> THE GOVERNOR VETOES A GOVERNOR LEAVE BILL PUSHED BY TEACHERS' UNIONS.

WHAT IS IN THE NEW POLICY?

OTHER WORKERS ARE RUNNING OUT OF SICK DAYS.

WE LOOK AT WHAT PROTECTIONS ARE LEFT AS THE PANDEMIC DRAGS ON.

>> AND WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IS IN THE SOIL A YEAR-AND-A-HALF LATER.

>> DID CITY LEADERS DO ENOUGH TO PROTECT LITTLE VILLAGE RESIDENTS FROM A SMOKESTACK IMPLOSION.

A REPORT SHARES DETAILS.

>> MCDONALD'S LOSES ITS BID TO GET A LAWSUIT TOSSED THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> ILLINOIS DENTISTS PUSH FOR LEGISLATION THAT EXPANDS SERVICES AS WORKER SHORTAGES REACH A CRITICAL LEVEL.

>> A PROJECT TO PREVENT CARP FROM REACHING LAKE MICHIGAN RECEIVES KEY FUNDING.

>> I ACTUALLY HAVE ALMOST NO MEMORY OF WHAT I WAS THINKING WHEN I DID THEM.

>> AND 95-YEAR-OLD LEO SEGEDIN WALKS US THROUGH HIS SERIES OF SELF PORTRAITS GOING BACK 75 YEARS.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> CHICAGO POLICE SAY THEY ARE ADDING RESOURCES TO LITTLE VILLAGE AFTER THE FATAL SHOOTING OF AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

POLICE SAY MELISSA ORTEGA WAS SHOT BY A SUSPECT WHO IS AIMING AT SOMEONE ELSE AS PART OF A GANG CONFLICT.

SHE WAS TAKEN TO STROGER HOSPITAL WHERE SHE LATER DIED.

>> IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS INCIDENT, THE DEPARTMENT MOVED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES INTO THE AREA TO COMBAT THE GANG VIOLENCE, TO TARGET THE INVOLVED GANGS AND HELP PREVENT RETALIATORY SHOOTINGS.

SLED UNITS WILL SATURATE THE AREA TO ADDRESS THE GANG CONFLICT THAT CAUSED MELISSA'S DEATH.

>> WE HAVE MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> A EMBATTLED COVID TESTING COMPANY IS IN THE F.B.I.

'S CROSSHAIRS THEY CONDUCTED A COURT AUTHORIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY IN ROLLING MEADOWS OVER THE WEEKEND AFTER REPORTS THE F.B.I.

RAIDED THE ROLLING MEADOWS BASED HEADQUARTERS OF THE CENTER FOR COVID CONTROL.

THE COMPANY SHUTDOWN TESTING SITES AS STATE AND NOW FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS LOOK INTO MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS.

THOSE COMPLAINTS CENTER AROUND LAX SAFETY PRACTICES, MISSING TEST RESULTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS BY COMPANY LEADERS FLAUNTING BIG TICKET PURCHASES.

THE COMPANY RECEIVED $124 MILLION IN FEDERAL COVID RELIEF MONEY.

>> ACTIVISTS AND ADVOCATES PROTEST FORMER CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER JASON VAN DYKE'S SCHEDULED RELEASE FROM PRISON.

HE IS SET TO GET OUT NEXT MONTH AFTER SERVING THE HALF SENTENCE HE RECEIVED FOR THE MURDER OF 17-YEAR-OLD LAQUAN McDONALD.

ACTIVISTS ARE CALLING FOR VAN DYKE TO FACE A FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATION.

>> THIS SENDS A CLEAR AND DIRECT MESSAGE TO ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

[INAUDIBLE] >> CHICAGO AREA CONGRESSWOMAN MARIE NEWMAN IS IN HOT WATER WITH THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS.

A REPORT RECOMMENDS FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO CLAIMS NEWMAN OFFERED A FEDERAL JOB TO A CAMPAIGN PRIMARY OPPONENT.

IT CITES SUN STAN SHALL REASON NEWMAN MAY HAVE PROMISED THE JOB TO A CHALLENGER TO GARNER HIS SUPPORT.

THE ETHICS COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW THE COMPLAINT BUT THERE'S BEEN NO FINAL JUDGMENT.

A NEWMAN SPOKESPERSON SAID RECENTLY A RIGHT-WING ORGANIZATION FILEDDED A COMPLAINT AND THE MATERIALS PRODUCED DURING THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS REVIEW OVERWHELMINGLY DEMONSTRATE THAT THE ETHICS COMPLAINT IS MERITLESS.

>> UP NEXT, A WILD DAY ON WALL STREET.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> THE DOW FINISHED UP 99 POINTS TODAY THAT WOULD BE UNREMARKABLE BUT FOR THE FACT IT WAS DOWN MORE THAN 1100 EARLIER IN THE DAY.

THIS HAS THE MARKETS TUMBLED BADLY TO START THE YEAR.

CHIEF AMONG INVESTOR FEARS APPEAR THAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE WILL RAISE INTEREST RATES TO TAMP DOWN INFLATION.

AND THE WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE HAS ADDED TO THE NEGATIVE SENT: JOINING US ARE LEE BAKER.

AND MICHAEL STRITCH CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER AT BMO WEALTH MANAGEMENT.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

>> LEE BAKER WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR THE WILD GYRATIONS IN THE MARKET?

>> YOU NAILED IT.

THE THING THAT STARTED IS THE CONCERN ABOUT WHAT THE FED IS GOING TO DO RELEVANT TO INTEREST RATE HIKES OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.

I THINK SOME IS A BIT OF AN OVERREACTION.

YES, INFLATION IS A PROBLEM.

IT IS TURNED OUT TO BE LESS TRANSITORY THAN THE FED THOUGHT GOING BACK TO LAST SUMMER.

BY THIS TIME THE ANTICIPATION WAS THAT THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES WOULD HAVE EASED UP AND WE WOULD BE MOVING AWAY FROM THAT 5-6% YEAR-OVER-YEAR INFLATION NUMBER BUT IT'S HERE AND LIKELY TO BE HERE ANOTHER THREE MONTHS OR SO.

>> A RELATIVELY BAD POOR START TO THE YEAR FOR THE DOW AND OTHER MARKETS.

THE DOW IS DOWN 6%.

THE S&P 5% AND NASDAQ 12.5%.

MICHAEL STRITCH WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR THIS PERFORMANCE FOR THE FIRST THREE WEEKS OF THE YEAR?

>> WELL, I THINK WE HAD A TREMENDOUS YEAR LAST YEAR AND A TREMENDOUS YEAR THE YEAR BEFORE.

AND THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR A CORRECTION IN THE FACE OF A LONGER TERM UPTREND AND I THINK THAT WHAT WE'RE SEEING DRIVEN BY A COUPLE FACTORS.

LEE MENTIONED THE INFLATION AND INTEREST RATE STORY.

WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF EARNINGS SEASON AND RESULTS HAVE BEEN OK BUT PERHAPS NOT LIVING UP TO THE HEIGHTENED EXPECTATIONS RELATIVE TO PAST QUARTERS.

THAT IS WEIGHING ON INVESTORS AS WELL.

AND WE DO HAVE GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS UNFOLDING IN EASTERN EUROPE.

I REITERATE THIS IS ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS EXTREME AND TODAY WAS EXTREME, IT IS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE BROADER UPTREND WE HAVE BEEN IN.

SOMETHING THAT CAN BE CONSIDERED QUITE NORMAL.

>> LEE BAKER IS THIS A NORMAL CORRECTION TO THE HOT MARKET OF THE LAST YEAR OR SO?

OR DOES IT PORTEND SOMETHING MORE OMINOUS LIKE A BEAR MARKET?

>> I BELIEVE THIS IS A NORMAL CORRECTION.

I THINK ONE OF THE ISSUES WE'VE GOT OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST FEW YEARS WE HAVE BEEN LULLED INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY BECAUSE CORRECTIONS THAT ARE NORMAL IN MOST YEARS, JUST HADN'T HAPPENED.

WE'D HAVE MINNIE CORRECTIONS IF YOU WILL WHERE THE MARKETS WOULD PULLBACK FOUR OR FIVE POINTS AND THAT WOULD LAST FOR I AWEEK.

HAVING A PULLBACK OF 10% IS QUITE NORMAL UNDER MOST CIRCUMSTANCES.

IT'S JUST THAT THAT HADN'T BEEN THE CASE FOR THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.

>> AND INVESTOR FEARS OVER THE FED RAISING INTEREST RATES.

THE FED CHAIRMAN HINTED THOSE MIGHT BE COMING.

MICHAEL STRITCH WHY DOES THIS MAKE INVESTORS SO SKIDDISH?

>> WELL, I MEAN THERE'S THE PRIMARY REASON I THINK FROM THE FEDS PERSPECTIVE OF INTEREST RATES GOING UP HAS TO DO WITH THIS IDEA OF NO BETTER ALTERNATIVES AND REALLOCATION OF FUNDS WHEN YOU SEE INTEREST RATES IN 1% RANGE AND NOW 2 AND ABOVE 2 LATER THIS YEAR YOU START TO ASK IS THERE A BETTER OPPORTUNITY THAN THE FIXED INCOME INSTRUMENTS VERSUS EQUITIES.

THERE IS A CONSIDERATION AND THAT IS IMPACTFUL FOR TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES OR HIGH GROWTH COMPANIES WHERE YOU DON'T REALIZE THE VALUE IN TERMS OF FREE CASH FLOWS WELL INTO THE FUTURE AND WHEN YOU SEE INTEREST RATES GO UP AND THINK ABOUT HOW EQUITIES ARE IN EFFECT A DISCOUNTED VALUATION BACK FOR THE FUTURE CASH FLOWS IF RATES GO UP THAT CHALLENGES THAT LONG-TERM VALUATION LEVEL WHICH IMPACTS TECHNOLOGY AT THE MARGIN.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING LEADING TO DOWNSIDE.

THAT IS THE RISK WITH THE FED AND INFLATION.

THE CONCERN FOR THE MARKET IS THAT THE FED GOES TOO FAR TOO FAST AND TOO HIGH.

I THINK AS LEE SAID WE'RE PROBABLY AT THE PEAK HAWKISHNESS RIGHT NOW.

WE SHOULD SEE THIS STUFF RETRENCH IN THE COMING WEEKS AND MONTHS.

AFTER THE MEETING THIS WEEK IN PARTICULAR.

>> LEE BAKER WHAT ABOUT THE GEOPOLITICAL FACTORS, A PENDING MILITARY ACTION ON THE BORDER OF UKRAINE AND RUSSIA.

THE OMICRON VARIANT OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

HOW BIG A FACTOR ARE THESE?

>> I THINK THOSE FACTORS ARE FAIRLY LARGE.

PARTICULARLY THE GEOPOLITICAL WITH RUSSIA AND UKRAINE.

ANYTIME YOU'VE GOT THE SPECTER OF POTENTIAL MILITARY ACTION ON A LARGE SCALE, THAT MAKES PEOPLE NERVOUS BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW HOW ALL THE DOWNHILLS WILL FALL.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE LEARNED THROUGH THE YEARS IS MARKETS LIKE CERTAINTY.

WELL, IF YOU ARE BRINGING IN THE SPECTER IF YOU WILL OF DOES THIS THING WITH RUSSIA AND UKRAINE END UP BEING SOMETHING BIG?

DOES IT SPREAD TO OTHER COUNTRIES?

HOW DO OTHER COUNTRIES GET INVOLVED?

THAT IS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY AND THE MARKETS JUST DON'T LIKE THAT UNCERTAINTY.

NOW, ON THE COVID FRONT GIVES PEOPLE HOPE OR BELIEVE PERHAPS OMICRON IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END, IF YOU WILL, TO THE TRANSITION FROM PANDEMIC TO ENDEMIC.

BUT IF THERE COMES ALONG ANOTHER VARIANT THAT IS AS TRANSMISSIBLE AS OMICRON BUT AS DEADLY OR SICKENING AS DELTA THEN ALL BETS ARE OFF.

>> MICHAEL STRITCH WE HAVE A FEW SECONDS LEFT WHAT ABOUT CRYPTO?

A LOT OF THE CRYPTOCURRENCY ARE WORRIED OF THE FREE FALL OF BITCOIN IS THIS PART OF THE NORMAL VOLATILITY?

>> IT IS.

THAT IS THE SEGMENT MUCH LONGER SESSION.

CRYPTO IS A SPECULATIVE TECHNOLOGY THERE IS CRYPTO IS FRONT AND CENTER IN THAT REGARD.

I EXPECT MORE PRESSURE IN THAT SEGMENT IN THE FUTURE AS WELL.

>> AND THAT CERTAINLY IS A TOPIC FOR ANOTHER DAY AND WE THANK LEE BAKER AND MICHAEL STRITCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> PARIS, THANK YOU.

>> WITH MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY CONTROLLING THE LEGISLATURE, IT IS RARE FOR GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER TO DISAGREE WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON ANY BILL THAT REACHES HIS DESK ESPECIALLY ONE BACKED BY HIS TRADITIONAL ALLIES IN LABOR.

TODAY THE GOVERNOR DID USE HIS VA VETO PEN GRANTING PAID LEAVE TO TEACHERS AFFECTED BY COVID.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> BRANDIS, JUAN HAS BEEN A CUSTODIAN FOR 30 YEARS AND IS NOW THE HEAD CUSTODIAN IN NAPERVILLE.

HE REMEMBERS WHEN THE PANDEMIC FIRST HIT IT WAS A SCARY TIME.

HE WAS ONE OF THE FEW PEOPLE GOING INTO WORK AND AS SOON AS HE GOT HOME HE WOULD CHANGE HIS CLOTHES.

TWO YEARS LATER HE DID GET COVID IT HIT HIM HARD.

HE COULD NOT RETURN TO WORK FOR TWO WEEKS.

>> ONCE YOU GOT HIT WITH IT, THEN YOU REALLY DRAINED.

AND TRY TO GET YOUR ABILITY YOU KNOW HOW MUCH YOU HAVE TO DO IN THIS JOB EVERYDAY.

AND HOW LONG IT TAKES YOU.

IT'S LIKE A TRIATHALON.

THERE ARE DAYS WHEN WE DO 30,000 STEPS EASILY.

>> HE HAD USED ALL OF HIS SICK DAYS DUE TO A HAND INJURY.

SO IN ORDER TO KEEP GETTING PAID HE HAD TO DIP INTO HIS VACATION TIME.

THESE ARE THE SITUATIONS THAT THE MEASURE THAT PRITZKER VETOED WAS MEANT TO ADDRESS.

IT GIVES TEACHERS UNLIMITED PAID LEAVE FOR COVID RELATED ABSENCES.

>> WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO COME TO WORK SICK AND THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FACING THE DILEMMA.

YOU ARE SICK OR IN ISOLATION OR YOUR CHILD IS, AND YOU HAVE TO STAY HOME FOUR OR FIVE DAYS.

BUT YOU HAVE NO SICK TIME WHICH MEANS YOU ARE NOT BEING PAID.

SO THIS SAYS LOOK WE'LL MAKE SURE THE DISTRICTS PAY THEM.

>> BUT THE MEASURE WAS OPPOSED BY VARIOUS EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS THE STATE'S PRINCIPAL ORGANIZATION AMONG THEM.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO PRIORITIZE IN-PERSON LEARNING.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE TO DO THAT.

SO WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THIS WOULD DO TO THE ONGOING TEACHER SHORTAGE, ONGOING SUBSTITUTE SHORTAGE AND BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN ENOUGH CLASSROOMS TO MAINTAIN IN-PERSON LEARNING.

>> JOHN BURKEY IS A FORMER SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT AND NOW WITH THE LARGE UNIT DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.

HE SAYS THAT HE UNDERSTANDS THAT MANY EARLY CAREER TEACHERS AS WELL AS BUS DRIVERS, PARAPROFESSIONALS AND SUPPORT STAFF MAY NOT HAVE A LOT OF SICK TIME OR VACATION TIME ACCRUED.

BUT HE SAYS THIS IS A MEASURE THAT PASSED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WAY TOO QUICKLY WITHOUT ENOUGH DISCUSSION AND HE SAYS HE DOESN'T LIKE IT DOESN'T HAVE LIMITS.

>> WE DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO SAY A FIRST YEAR TEACHER TO RUN OUT OF SICK LEAVE AND THEN NOT BE ABLE TO GET PAID.

BECAUSE YOU'RE HOME WITH COVID.

SO I THINK WE JUST NEED TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT HOW CAN WE PUT REASONABLE LIMITS IN PLACE.

WE'RE CONCERNED THE BILL IS RETROACTIVE TO THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

SO EVERY SICK LEAVE DAY THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR ANYTHING RELATED TO COVID IS GOING TO BE GIVEN BACK.

>> A NEW COMPROMISE REACHED BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE TEACHERS' UNIONS IS AN IMPROVEMENT BUT STILL ON A BAD BILL.

THE NEW PLAN IS NEARLY IDENTICAL TO THE ONE THAT THE GOVERNOR VETOED.

EDUCATORS FROM ELEMENTARY TO THOSE WHO WORK AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND THE STATE'S PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES AS WELL AS SUPPORT STAFF WILL GET PAID LEAVE IF THEY CANNOT GO TO WORK BECAUSE OF COVID WHETHER IT BE BECAUSE THEY HAVE IT, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO QUARANTINE OR BECAUSE THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF A CHILD WHO HAS THE CORONAVIRUS.

NOW, THE UPDATE THIS IS ONLY SOMETHING AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO ARE VACCINATED.

>> IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED AND YOU'VE BEEN WEARING YOUR MASK AND YOU IDENTIFY AS A CLOSE CONTACT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO QUARANTINE SO LONG AS YOU DON'T HAVE SYMPTOMS THAT INSURES THAT A TEACHER OR A STAFF MEMBER WHO IS IN THAT SITUATION CAN STILL COME TO WORK.

THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO BE QUARANTINED OR TAKE TIME OFF.

>> THIS NEW AGREEMENT WAS INTRODUCED THIS AFTERNOON.

SO IT MAY LEAVE PRINCIPALS AND ORGANIZATION DOES NOT HAVE A STANCE ON IT.

BUT THE IFT PRESIDENT SAYS THIS COMPROMISE WITH PRITZKER IS GOOD PUBLIC AND GOOD PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY.

>> ONCE THIS IS ENACTED, IT WILL GIVE PEOPLE A TIME WINDOW TO GET VACCINATED.

AND WE THINK THAT IS THE JUST AND FAIR THING TO DO AND IT HELPS TO MAKE THIS A GOOD INCENTIVE.

>> TO GET VACCINATED.

BY THE WAY THIS MEASURE IS ONLY GOOD FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR AND, AGAIN, NOT FOR ANY OTHER HEALTH ISSUES ONLY IF SOMEBODY CANNOT GO TO SCHOOL TO WORK BECAUSE OF SOMETHING RELATED TO COVID.

THE DEAL DOES MEAN THAT THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO AVOID A STICKY ELECTION YEAR TUSSLE WITH ONE OF HIS ALLIES THAT IS TEACHERS' UNIONS.

THE COMPROMISE IS LIKELY TO PASS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHEN IT GOES BEFORE POINT LEGISLATURE.

IT IS UNCLEAR HOW MANY TEACHERS HAVE UNUSED SICK TIME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO RESORT TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND HOW MANY HAVE A LOT IN THE BANK.

BOTH TEACHERS SAY A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS ARE ALREADY VACCINATED.

THERE IS A LOT OF CONTROVERSY HERE, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ASK WHY LIMIT THIS POLICY TO ONLY EDUCATORS?

BACK TO YOU.

>> AMANDA, THANK YOU.

>> IN THE FIRST HALF OF JANUARY AN ESTIMATED 8.8 MILLION U.S. WORKERS REPORTEDLY STAYED HOME EITHER BECAUSE THEY WERE SICK WITH COVID OR CARING FOR SOMEONE WHO WAS SICK.

ACCORDING THIS IS NOT ONLY AN INCREASE OF TWO MILLION PEOPLE YEAR-OVER-YEAR BUT ALSO THE BIGGEST WORKFORCE SHORTAGE SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

THIS COMES AS SOME WORKERS ARE RUNNING OUT OF SICK DAYS FROM THEIR EMPLOYERS.

HERE TO DISCUSS THIS AND MORE IS JORGE MUJICA, A STRATEGIC ORGANIZER FOR THE COMMUNITY LABOR ADVOCATE ORGANIZATION ARISE CHICAGO.

WELCOME BACK AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SO WHEN EMPLOYEES HAVE TO TAKE OFF FOR COVID RELATED SICKNESS, HOW ARE THEY IMPACTED?

>> WELL, WITH THE LOSS OF INCOME TO START WITH.

IN SOME CASES EMPLOYERS TAKE VACATION TIME AS SICK TIME.

I KNOW VACATION AND SICK TIME IS NOT THE SAME THING BUT LEGALLY THEY ARE AUTHORIZED TO DO THAT.

IN THOSE CASES YOU MAY GET PAID BUT IT ALSO DEPENDS HOW MANY VACATION DAYS YOU HAVE.

IF YOU HAVE FIVE DAYS A YEAR, AND YOU'RE DISEASE YOUR SICKNESS LASTS 10 DAYS YOU WOULD LOSE FIVE DAYS AT LEAST.

I THINK THAT IS THE GENERAL DENOPE MATER.

LOSS OF INCOME.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE EMPLOYERS THEMSELVES?

HOW ARE THEY IMPACTED?

>> WELL, THE EMPLOYERS, OF COURSE, IMPACTED BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT PRODUCING YOU ARE NOT MAKING MONEY FOR THEM.

SO OBVIOUSLY THEY DON'T WANT THAT.

WE HAVE SEEN MANY CASES WORKERS HAVE DENOUNCED THAT EMPLOYERS ARE FORCING THEM TO GO EVEN WHEN THEY TEST POSITIVE.

THEY SAY IF YOU DON'T HAVE SYMPTOMS COME OVER AND KEEP WORKING AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED.

THAT IS DANGEROUS FROM THE HEALTH POINT OF VIEW, TOO.

>> EARLIER TODAY WE SPOKE WITH A FACTORY WORKER WHO TOOK UNPAID LEAVE FOR FIVE DAYS BECAUSE SHE NEEDED TO CARE FOR HER THREE-YEAR-OLD SON WHO TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID.

HERE SHE IS.

>> [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> SHE IS SAYING HER EMPLOYER TOLD HER BECAUSE IT WAS NOT HER, HER SON WHO TESTED POSITIVE THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE PAYING HER FOR THE SICK TIME SHE HAD TAKEN.

EXPLAIN TO US WHAT THE SITUATION IS LIKE FOR WORKERS WHEN IT COMES TO SICK DAYS.

ARE YOU STILL HEARING FROM PEOPLE WHO NEED TO TAKE TIME OFF BECAUSE OF THE OMICRON SURGE?

>> DEFINITELY YES MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.

AND PEOPLE HAVE IN MIND THAT IN 2020 YOU GOT PAID FOR YOUR QUARANTINE UP TO 80 HOURS.

IF YOU GOT SICK OR IF YOUR RELATIVES GOT SICK.

BUT THAT ENDED IN DECEMBER OF 2020.

IT WAS A SMALL EXTENSION TO MARCH OF 2021.

DEPENDING ON IF THE EMPLOYER WANTED TO PAY YOU.

BUT PEOPLE STILL HAD THE IDEA SO THEY ARE STILL ASKING EMPLOYERS TO PAY FOR THE QUARANTINE.

AND EMPLOYERS ARE FLATLY DENYING THAT.

SO THAT IS WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

NOT ONLY WORKERS GETTING SICK BUT THEIR FAMILIES GETTING SICK AND IF YOU HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN YOUR NANNY IS NOT GOING TO BE TAKING CARE OF TWO SICK CHILDREN.

SHE WILL STAY AWAY SO YOU HAVE TO STAY HOME TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

>> AND THAT IS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE A NANNY.

AT THE END.

SHE WAS REFERRING TO THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT WHICH USED TO REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE PAID SICK LEAVE TO EMPLOYEES UNABLE TO WORK DUE TO COVID-19 RELATED REASONS.

INCLUDING CARING FOR SICK FAMILY MEMBERS.

YOU MENTIONED THAT EXTENSION AND THAT ENDED IN MARCH 2021 THAT IS NEARLY A YEAR AGO BACK WHEN THE VACCINE BECAME WIDELY AVAILABLE.

HAS THERE BEEN ANYTHING TO REPLACE THIS SINCE?

>> NOT AT ALL.

CHICAGO AND 22 CITIES IN COOK COUNTY HAVE WHAT IS CALLED THE EARNED SICK DAYS.

YOU EARN SICK TIME AS YOU GO WORKING.

BUT THAT STARTS IN CALENDAR YEARS STARTING ON JANUARY FIRST FOR EVERY 40 HOURS YOU WORK YOU ACCUMULATE ONE HOUR OF PAID SICK LEAVE THAT MEANS SO FAR IN THIS THREE WEEKS YOU HAVE ACCUMULATED LIKE 45 MINUTES OF PAID SICK LEAVE.

BY THE END OF OCTOBER, YOU WILL HAVE FULL FIVE DAYS.

BUT THAT -- IF YOU DON'T GET SICK BEFORE.

THAT DOESN'T CUT IT.

AND THAT IS THE ONLY PROVISION THERE IS IN THE LAND FOR PAID SICK LEAVE.

>> NO OTHER PROTECTIONS THEN FOR EMPLOYEES WHO DON'T HAVE THE REMOTE WORK OPTION?

>> NO.

AS LONG AS YOU HAVE A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH A LABOR UNION THEN MAYBE YOU GET IT OR YOU GET PAID VACATION SO YOU TAKE YOUR VACATION TIME AS SICK LEAVE.

>> JORGE, DO YOU SEE A LAW OR MANDATE IN ILLINOIS SOON THAT COULD GIVEN ESPECIALLY THESE RECENT SURGES WITH OMICRON, ANYTHING ELSE THAT IS COMING THAT CAN PROTECT WORKERS?

>> NOTHING.

NOTHING AT ALL.

AND THE SITUATION IS EVEN WORSE BECAUSE OF THE C.D.C.

FIVE-DAY NOTICE THING.

EMPLOYERS ARE TELLING PEOPLE OH, AFTER FIVE DAYS, YOU COME BACK TO WORK.

DON'T GET TESTED ANYMORE.

YOU KNOW BECAUSE THE C.D.C.

SAY FIVE DAYS I WANT YOU BACK IN FIVE DAYS.

AND NOBODY I KNOW OF IS WORKING ON EXTENDING PAID SICK LEAVE TO ANYONE IN ILLINOIS.

>> OK. AND QUICKLY BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, ANYTHING THAT EMPLOYERS CAN DO TO BETTER PROTECT THEIR EMPLOYEES?

>> WELL, OF COURSE, COMPLY WITH ALL THE PRECAUTIONS IN THE WORKPLACE.

BE CAREFUL TO WATCH THAT EVERYBODY WEARS A MASK VACCINATED OR NOT VACCINATED.

THAT EVERYBODY WEARS A MASK TO KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCE.

DO IT WASH YOUR HANDS.

EVERY SO OFTEN.

SCATTER SHIFTS SO NOT EVERYBODY GETS THERE THE SAME TIME TRYING TO PUNCH IN.

10 WORKERS EVERY FIVE MINUTES.

>> CONTINUING TO MAINTAIN SOME OF THE PRACTICES THAT WE'VE HAD TO PUT IN PLACE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

JORGE MUJICA THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, AN INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT FOUND THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LITTLE VILLAGE SMOKESTACK IMPLOSION HAVEN'T BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

REACTION TO THOSE FINDINGS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

THERE ARE RENEWED CALLS FOR ACTION FROM THE CITY OVER THE SMOKESTACK IMPLOSION THAT SPENT A CLOUD OF DUST OVER LITTLE VILLAGE A YEAR AGO AFTER THE REPORT CONCLUDES CITY EMPLOYEES AND THE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE FACED TOUGHER CONSEQUENCES FOR A LACK OF OVERSIGHT LEADING UP TO THE DEMOLITION.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ SPOKE WITH RESIDENTS ABOUT THIS NEW REPORT AND ISSUES THAT GO BEYOND THIS ONE EVENT.

>> KIND OF A BIG YOU KNOW, WHATEVER TO THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE.

LIKE WHO CARES?

I KNOW THAT EVEN BEFORE THE PLANT GOT TAKEN DOWN, A LOT OF THE RESIDENTS DEVELOPED LIKE UPPER RESPIRATORY ISSUES.

>> THIS IS AN IMAGE RESIDENTS OF LITTLE VILLAGE MAY NEVER FORGET.

GASPAR MACIAS LIVES NEXT TO A TARGET WAREHOUSE AND WATCHED THE SHADOW OF DUST BLANKET THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> IN APRIL 2020, THEY DEMOLISHED THE FORMER CRAWFORD POWER PLANT.

NEIGHBORHOODSES ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE WERE LEFT TO DEAL WITH THE AFTERMATH NOW AN INVESTIGATION BY THE CITY INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE CONTENDS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHOULD HAVE TERMINATED ONE OFFICIAL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING SHOULD HAVE DISCIPLINED TWO OTHERS DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE IMPLOSION.

THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED.

BUT TO SOME EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH ANYWAY.

>> BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE ACTIONS THAT YOU DID.

FIRING SOMEBODY IS NOT GOING TO TELL US WHAT IS IN THE SOIL.

FIRING SOMEBODY IS NOT GOING TO FIX THE FACT THAT INDIVIDUALS CHOSE TO NOT GIVE INFORMATION.

INDIVIDUALS CHOSE TO NOT FOLLOW-UP ON THINGS AND ALL THEY GET IS A REPRIMAND.

>> KIMBERLY WASSERMAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LITTLE VILLAGE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATION WAS ONE OF MANY WHO TRIED TO STOP THE DEMOLITION.

NOW SHE WANTS THE MAYOR TO RELEASE THE FULL INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT.

>> WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WE WERE EXPOSED TO.

WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IS IN THE SOIL A YEAR-AND-A-HALF LATER.

SO I THINK THAT IS WHAT HILCO NEEDS TO BE PUTTING UP MONEY FOR IS TO TELL US WHAT WERE WE EXPOSED TO?

CAN WE DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

HILCO SHOULD BE PUTTING AIR FILLERS IN HOMES IN THE AREA.

THERE'S MORE TRUCKS BECAUSE OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT THEY NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT AND SO MUCH MORE.

>> THE REPORT FOUND THOSE IN CHARGE HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH WARNING OF POTENTIAL HAZARDS.

IN FACT 213 DAYS BEFORE THE DESTRUCTION OF THE POWER PLANT.

AND SAID THAT TOPPLING THE SMOKESTACK WOULD BE A DISASTER.

>> THE IG LAID OUT WHAT POTENTIALLY THAT WOULD BE AND I THINK THE CITY HAS FALLEN SHORT.

>> THE REPORT IS CRITICAL OF THE OVERSIGHT OF THE PROJECT LEADING TO THAT DAY.

IT CLAIMS OFFICIALS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS APPROACHED THEIR REGULATORY ROLESNESS RESPONSIBILITIES AND NOT MY JOB FASHION RATHER THAN TAKING MEASURES TO MEET THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS AT THE CORE OF THE DEPARTMENT'S MISSION.

MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ SAYS THE REPORT LEAVES HIM WANTING TO KNOW MORE.

>> MY NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING AGAINST THE FORMER POLLUTER AND THE ENERGY COMPANY.

NOW THEY HAVE HAD THE DUST THROWN ON THEM, WHAT HAS BEEN GIVEN SO FAR HAS NOT RESTORED THE JUSTICE THAT IS DESERVED TO MY NEIGHBORS THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE DOWN THE STREET FROM ME.

>> THE REPORT CONCLUDED BY CLAIMING CITY OFFICIALS IGNORED THE RED FLAGS AND INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THEM THAT THE DEMOLITION POSED A RISK OF ENVIRONMENTAL HARM TO THE NEIGHBORING LITTLE VILLAGE COMMUNITY.

CALLING OUT THE CITY FOR POOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND DERELICTION OF RESPONSIBILITY.

THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS HAS CLAIMED EMPLOYEES DID NOT VIOLATE ANY RULES.

>> AS A MATTER OF FACT I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DO ENOUGH TO RESTORE FULL JUSTICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

HILCO NEEDS TO DO MORE.

I THANK THEM FOR GIVING ACCESS HEALTH RESOURCES.

>> IN A SETTLEMENT HILCO AND SUBCONTRACTORS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY $370,000 THAT WILL GO TO ACCESS COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK TO SUPPORT A PROJECT CALLED THE LITTLE VILLAGE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM.

HILCO AND CONTRACTORS WERE HIT WITH MULTIPLE CITATIONS RULING IN 33500 IN FINES.

BUT FOR ACTIVISTS LIKE KIMBERLY WASSERMAN THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE ROAD AHEAD.

>> THE SCARS OF THAT DAY HAS DONE TO OUR PEOPLE NO AMOUNT OF MONEY CAN FIX WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY.

BUT BEST BELIEVE WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE WE ARE WORTH IT.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> WE REACHED OUT TO HILCO FOR COMMENT BUT THEY HAVE YET TO RESPOND.

THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAYS IT'S ADOPTED NEW POLICIES FOR FUTURE IMPLOSIONS BUT DISAGREES WITH THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S FINDINGS WITH REGARD TO ANY EMPLOYEE ACTING IN A NEGLIGENT MANNER.

AND MAYOR LIGHTFOOT DECLINED TO RELEASE THE FULL INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... A CHICAGO BASED BANK IS PULLING OUT OF A PRO GOLF SPONSORSHIP THAT AND MORE BUSINESS HEADLINES FROM CRAIN'S.

>> ILLINOIS DENTISTS ARE FACING WORKER SHORTAGES AMID THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT IS THE DENTAL COMMUNITY DOING TO FILL THE GAP?

>> PREVENTING INVASIVE CARP FROM REACHING THE GREAT LAKES.

AND AN ARTIST LOOKS BACK AT SOME OF HIS LIFE'S GREATEST WORK PORTRAITS OF HIMSELF.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> LOCAL AND FEDERAL LEADERS CELEBRATED THE CTA'S L OVERHAUL.

OFFICIALS GATHERED HERALDING THE RED PURPLE BYPASS AND ELIMINATE THE CHOKE WHERE THEY INTERSECTED.

IT WAS THE FIRST MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE CTA'S MODERNIZATION EFFORT WHICH INCLUDES A MAJOR REBUILD OF TRACKS AND STATIONS IN EDGEWATER, UPTOWN AND IN LAKEVIEW WHICH GOT A CEREMONIAL GROUNDBREAKING THIS MORNING.

>> THE FULL RED PURPLE LINE OVERHAUL IS SCHEDULED TO RUN THROUGH EARLY 2025.

>> ALDERMAN EYE ANOTHER PAY OUT FOR TWO MEN CONVICTED BASED ON COERCED CONFESSIONS OBTAINED BY DETECTIVES WHO TRAINED UNDER DISGRACED JOHN BURGE.

KEVIN BAILEY AND COREY BATCHELOR WERE CONVICTED FOR THE MURDER OF THE RETIRED POLICE OFFICER'S WIFE.

BAILEY SPENT 28 YEARS IN PRISON AND COREY BATCHELOR 15 YEARS.

THE CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVED THE MEASURE TO PAY THE MEN $14 MILLION.

THE FULL COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON THE SETTLEMENT WEDNESDAY.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS FOR SOME OF TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> PARIS?

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

MCDONALD'S FACES A LAWSUIT THAT CLAIMS SYSTEMIC RACISM IN THE COMPANY'S PRACTICES.

A CHICAGO BASED BANK IS PULLING OUT OF A PRO GOLF SPONSORSHIP AFTER 14 YEARS AND THE LUXURY HOME SALE TREND FOR 2022 IS LOOKING QUITE LUXURIOUS.

AND HERE TO GO BEHIND THE HEADLINES IS CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS EDITOR ANN DWYER.

RECENTLY A FEDERAL JUDGE DENIED A REQUEST BY MCDONALD'S TO TOSS A DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT.

REMIND US WHAT THE STAKES OF THIS LAWSUIT ARE AND WHAT IS NEXT.

>> WELL, MCDONALD'S HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET OUT OF THIS LAWSUIT FOR QUITE SOMETIME, PARIS.

AND THE REASON WHY IS I THINK THEY REGARD IT AS SOMETHING OF A NUISANCE BUT IT'S ACTUALLY PRIORITY NUMBER ONE FOR BYRON ALLEN, THE MEDIA MOGUL REFERENCED ON A NUMBER OF ENTERPRISES INCLUDING THE WEATHER CHANNEL.

AND HE HAS ALLEGED FOR QUITE SOMETIME AND SEVERAL FILINGS THAT MCDONALD'S IS INVESTING IN SMALL FRACTION OF THE MARKETING BUDGET IN BLACK-OWNED MEDIA.

HE CLAIMS HE HAS EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THAT ASSERTION.

AND HE HAS BEEN SUING MCDONALD'S FOR QUITE A WHILE TO TRY TO HAVE HIS DAY IN COURT.

THIS WAS A PROCEDURAL MOTION TODAY THAT WAS DENIED BY THE FEDERAL JUDGE OVERSEEING THE CASE WHICH MEANS BOTH SIDE ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FILE AGAIN.

WE WILL BE WATCHING IT CLOSELY.

>> THE CASE WILL GO ON.

AFTER 14 YEARS, NORTHERN TRUST BANK IS PULLING OUT OF THE PRO GOLF TOURNAMENT SPONSORSHIP GAME AND THIS IS RIGHT AFTER IT SPONSORED THE 2021 NORTHERN TRUST TOURNAMENT IN NEW YORK.

HOW COME THEY ARE PULLING OUT?

>> WELL, THEY SAY THAT THEY FEEL THEY'VE GOTTEN WHAT THEY WANTED OUT OF THIS PARTNERSHIP.

AND YOU THINK ABOUT THE AUDIENCE FOR PROFESSIONAL GOLF AND THE MARKET FOR NORTHERN TRUST FINANCIAL SERVICES.

THEY CATER TO A VERY WEALTHY, OFTEN FAMILY CLIENTELE.

AND I THINK THAT THEY FELT LIKE THE PGA WAS A GREAT MARKETING FIT FOR THEM AT A TIME WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TO RAISE THEIR PROFILE IN THE MONEY MANAGEMENT BUSINESS.

AND IT APPEARS THAT THEY FEEL CONTENT WITH WHAT THEY GOT OUT OF THAT PLAN AND THEY ARE GOING TO DIRECT THE MONEY THAT THEY DO HAVE FOR MARKETING IN OTHER DIRECTIONS.

>> CERTAINLY THOSE SPONSORSHIPS CAN BE COSTLY.

AND LASTLY, STOCK MARKET HAD A ROUGH RIDE AND THAT HAS NOT EXTENDED TO THE LUX YOUR ARE YOU HOME MARKET IN THE AREA.

CRAIN'S REPORTED INTRIGUING HIGH-END HOME SALES.

TELL US ABOUT THOSE?

>> THE HIGH-END IS JUST ON FIRE RIGHT NOW.

PARTICULARLY IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

JUST TODAY, CRAIN'S REPORTED ON A 6.5 MILLION MANSION SALE IN THE GRACELAND WEST AREA.

IT'S THE SECOND SALE IN CHICAGO AT OR NEAR THAT PRICE POINT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

THE SUBURBS ARE HOT, TOO.

NOT QUITE AS HOT YET AS CHICAGO.

BUT EVEN FARTHER AFIELD BEYOND THE SUBURBS TODAY WE ALSO GOT NEWS ON A MASSIVE HOME SALE IN LAKE GENEVA OVER THE BORDER.

THE RICHARD DEGREE HOUSE ESTATE ON THE MARKET FOR A WHILE WE REPORTED THAT IT HAD SOLD FOR $36 MILLION.

TODAY WE LEARNED THE BUYER IS NONE OTHER THAN CHRIS REYES AND HIS WIFE, ANN, WHO PURCHASED THE PROPERTY.

CHRIS REYES IS ONE OF THE COFOUNDERS OF REYES HOLDINGS A VERY LARGE BEVERAGE SUPPLIER.

>> ALL RIGHT ANN DWYER THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> PARIS, THANK YOU.

>> THE PANDEMIC HAS FORCED ALL KINDS OF WORKERS TO ADAPT AND THAT INCLUDES VARIOUS MEDICAL FIELDS LIKE THOSE IN DENTISTRY.

AS DENTISTS ACROSS ILLINOIS EXPERIENCE STAFFING SHORTAGES INDIANA CREASE IN APPOINTMENTS THEY ARE ASKING OFFICIALS TO CONSIDER TELEDENTE INDUSTRY TO HELP WITH DEMAND.

JOINING US ARE SCOTT TOMAR AT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO'S COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY.

AND Dr. KIRK NORAIAN.

DENTISTS ACROSS ILLINOIS WE KNOW THEY ARE EXPERIENCING STAFF SHORTAGE AMID THE PANDEMIC.

HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED THAT AND HOW ARE YOU HANDLING IT?

>> IT'S AFFECTED PRIVATE PRACTICE DENTISTS BUT IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE EXPERIENCING IN THE COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY AND I KNOW MOST OF THE FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS ARE HAVING THE SAME STRUGGLES.

I THINK THAT THERE'S NO MAGIC BULLET TO SOLVE THIS.

BUT I KNOW OUR ORGANIZATION AND OTHERS ARE TRYING ALL KINDS OF INTERESTING AND INNOVATIVE APPROACHES.

EVERYTHING FROM STARTING THEIR OWN DENTAL ASSISTING PROGRAMS IN THE COLLEGE WE'RE STARTING AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM TRYING TO BRING FOLKS INTO DENTAL ASSISTING TO HELP US WITH OUR ACUTE STAFFING SHORTAGE.

>> AND YOU SAID THE COLLEGE IS EXPERIENCING THE SHORTAGE AS WELL.

HOW IS IT AFFECTING YOU ALL THERE?

>> WELL, IT'S CREATING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT PRIVATE PRACTICE DENTISTS ARE HAVING.

THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE A SHORTAGE IN MANY CLINICS OF DENTAL ASSISTANTS.

IT SLOWS THINGS DOWN AND OUR STUDENT DENTISTS ARE NOT ABLE TO WORK AS EFFICIENTLY WHEN WE DON'T HAVE ADEQUATE SUPPORT STAFF.

WE'RE TRYING A NUMBER OF THINGS TO BOLSTER THAT.

>> AND Dr. KIRK NORAIAN YOUR ORGANIZATION IS TALKING ABOUT TELLY DENTISTRY HOW WOULD THAT WORK?

>> THERE ARE TWO CHANGES WE ARE LOOKING TO PROPOSE.

ONE IS TO EXPAND THE USE OF TELEDENTISTRY AND THE OTHER IS TO ADDRESS THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE ISSUE.

WHEN IT COMES TO EXPANDING TELEDENTE INDUSTRY -- TELEDENTISTRY WHILE MAINTAINING HIGH PATIENT SAFETY STANDARDS AND ALSO ADDRESSING THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE BY ALLOWING DENTAL ASSISTANTS TO PROVIDE MORE PATIENT SERVICES UNDER THE CARE OF LICENSED DENTISTS AFTER TRAINING.

>> THERE'S CONCERN ABOUT THAT FROM OPPONENTS THAT IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT TO DO THIS.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT THAT TELEDENTE INDUSTRY IS EFFECTIVE?

>> WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF TRAINING TO OFFER THE SERVICES.

SO WHEN IT COMES TO LIKE A DENTAL ASSISTANT BEING ABLE TO OFFER THE SERVICES, WE'RE LOOKING AT THEM GOING THROUGH A CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT IS APPROVED OR GOING THROUGH A DENTAL ASSISTANT TRAINING PROGRAM APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION ON DENTAL ACCREDITATION OF THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION OR PROGRAMS APPROVED BY ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF FEDERAL REGULATION.

WE ARE LOOKING AT BEING ABLE TO HAVE APPROPRIATE STAFF TRAINED TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE PROCEDURES.

>> ACCORDING TO A 2021 STUDY FROM THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION, ABOUT 86% OF DENTISTS SAID RECRUITMENT OF HYGIENISTS WAS CHALLENGING 83% SAID RECRUITMENT OF DENTAL ASSISTANTS WAS CHALLENGING.

AND 70% SAID ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WAS CHALLENGING.

BASED ON YOUR ORGANIZATIONS RESEARCH WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD FROM DENTISTS ABOUT THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS?

>> IT'S QUITE CHALLENGING ACROSS ALL ASPECTS OF DENTISTRY.

5% OF HYGIENISTS LEFT THE PRACTICE.

AND THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED TO WORK.

>> AND Dr. TOMAR DICK DURBIN URGED HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, HOSPITALS AND UNIVERSITIES TO PUBLICIZE THIS SCHOLARSHIP AND LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM FOR WORKERS ENTERING THESE FIELDS WHERE THERE ARE SHORTAGES.

HOW COULD THAT HELP DENTAL WORKERS WITH RECRUITMENT AND STAFF?

>> I THINK IT'S CERTAINLY A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THERE IS A NATIONAL PROGRAM THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS BUT STATE PROGRAM ADDS TO THAT.

I SAY IT'S CERTAINLY HELPS US TRY TO RECRUIT DENTISTS AND HYGIENISTS TO UNDERSERVED AREAS.

BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO GO BEYOND THAT.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE SEE IN ILLINOIS IS AT LEAST IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF DENTISTS WE ARE FAIRLY WELL SUPPLIED.

WE HAVE ABOUT THE 11TH HIGHEST DENTIST POPULATION IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT WE STILL HAVE 75 OF THE 102 COUNTIES IN ILLINOIS THAT HAVE DENTAL HEALTH PROFESSION SHORTAGE AREAS.

PART OF IT I THINK HAS TO DO WITH A RECRUITMENT AS WELL AS PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS AND LOAN REPAYMENTS.

WE HAVE TO TRY TO RECUTE PEOPLE FROM AREAS THAT ARE UNDERSERVED WITH THE HOPES THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE CARE.

>> AND BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, WHAT MORE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MAYBE FROM POLICYMAKERS OR THE GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT WHAT YOU ALL NEED IN 20 SECONDS?

>> WELL, I THINK THE BIGGEST THING IS FOR US TO GET THIS BILL PASSED THROUGH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

WE REALLY NEED TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF TELEDENTISTRY TO GET THE ACCESS TO CARE MOVING ALONG AND HELP ALLEVIATE THE STRESS ON THE SYSTEM BY TRYING TO UTILIZE TELEDENTISTRY WHEN WE CAN.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NOW, TO PARIS AND NEW FUNDING IN THE FIGHT AGAINST AN INVASIVE SPECIES.

>> PARIS?

>> THE UNWANTED INVADERS THAT COST BILLIONS TO KEEP AWAY.

THE LATEST EFFORT TO KEEP ASIAN CARP OUT OF THE GREAT LAKES IS GETTING A 226 MILLION FEDERAL BOOST GOING TOWARD PLANNING AND ENGINEERING OF THE BRANDON ROAD DAM BARRIER BUT MORE FUND SOMETHING REQUIRED.

LAST MONTH A COALITION OF GREAT LAKES GOVERNORS INCLUDING J.B. PRITZKER SIGNED A LATER SAYING THEY WERE TAPPED OUT AND NEEDED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO FUND THE PROJECT.

HERE ARE COLONEL JESSE T. CURRY COMMANDER OF THE ROCK ISLAND DISTRICT OF THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WHICH IS WHERE THE DAM AND LOCK IS LOCATED.

MARC SMITH GREAT LAKES POLICY DIRECTOR AT THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION AND MARGARET FRISBIE FRIENDS OF THE CHICAGO RIVER.

OUR VIEWERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM OF INVASIVE CARP BUT REMIND EVERYONE THE THREAT THEY POSE TO THE GREAT LAKES.

>> SURE.

INVASIVE CARP ARE ESSENTIALLY A BIG THREAT TO THE GREAT LAKES AND A THREAT TO A LOT OF THE WATERWAYS IN OUR COUNTRY.

THEY WERE BROUGHT IN TO THE COUNTRY IN THE LATE 70s, EARLY 80s TO EAT THE ALGAE PONDS AND THROUGH FLOODING GOT INTO THE ARKANSAS RIVER AND THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND SWAM NORTH UP INTO THE ILLINOIS RIVER THE GATES OF THE GREAT LAKES.

AND THE PROBLEM WITH INVASIVE CARP THAT WE KNOW ABOUT IS THEY OUT COMPETE ALL THE NATIVE FISH THAT WE CARE ABOUT.

THE GAME FISH THAT WE FISH FOR, THE BASS, THE FISH THAT THE KIDS CATCH THAT IS AT RISK BECAUSE CERTAIN STRETCHES OF THE RIVER SYSTEMS IN AND AROUND PEORIA THE CARP CAN ACCUMULATE 90% OF THE FISH IN STRETCHES.

THEY OUT COMPETE AND EAT ALL THE FOOD SOURCES.

AND IF YOU GO ON YouTube YOU CAN SEE THEM JUMPING OUT EVERYWHERE.

THE THREAT IS REAL.

WE DON'T NEED THEM IN THE GREAT LAKES WE HAVE A $7 MILLION FISHERY AND 15 BILLION BOATING INDUSTRY WE DON'T NEED THESE IN THE GREAT LAKES.

>> THEY ARE KNOCKING ON THE DOOR AND HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS BUT THEY ARE EVERYWHERE IN THE ILLINOIS RIVER ESPECIALLY DOWN NEAR PEORIA.

HOW HAVE THEY CHANGED THE ECOLOGY OF THE RIVER SYSTEM?

>> THE FACT IS LIKE MARK ELUDED TO THEY CAN 90% OF THE FISH CAN BE ASIAN CARP INVASIVE CARP.

THEY ARE OUT COMPETING THE FISH.

THEY SCOOT ON THE BOTTOM AND DESTROY HABITAT FOR NATIVE FISH AND THE FEAR IS THAT THE CHICAGO RIVER SYSTEM AND RIVERS AROUND THE GREAT LAKES WILL BE INFESTED WITH THESE CREATURES WE ARE DETERMINED TO USE ALL THE TECHNIQUES AT OUR FINGERTIPS TO STOP IT.

>> AND COLONEL JESSE T. CURRY THE FEDS HAVE COME IN WITH MONEY FOR THE LOCK AND DAM.

TELL US HOW THE PROJECT WILL WORK.

>> THIS LATEST INVESTMENT STANDS AA SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE FOR THIS PROJECT.

THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND THE ROCK ISLAND DISTRICT HAS BEEN WORKING OVER A YEAR AT THAT PRECONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND DESIGN AND THE FUNDING GIVES US THE ABLE TOI START DRIVING FORWARD TOWARDS CONSTRUCTION.

AS THEY PUT TOGETHER THE FEATURES OF THIS PROJECT, AND WE ARE WORKING TO DEVELOP THIS LAYERED DEFENSE AGAINST THIS INVASIVE SPECIES THAT AGAIN WILL OUTPROTECT THE ECO-SYSTEM IN THE ILLINOIS RIVER.

>> DESPITE THAT FEDERAL MONEY THAT MIGHT MAKEUP A QUARTER OF THE FUNDING THAT WILL BE NEEDED TO FINISH THIS.

WHERE WILL THE STATE GET THAT FUNDING?

>> WELL, THAT IS THE QUESTION.

AND THE GOOD THING IS THAT LAST WEEK'S NOUNS.

THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL PICK UP THE BILL FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION IS HELPFUL AND MAKING THE PROJECT FROM THE END OF THE DESIGN PHASE INTO THE FIRST YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION.

THE PROBLEM IS THE NONFEDERAL SPONSOR, ILLINOIS WOULD HAVE TO COME UP WITH THE REMAINDER OF THE COST.

I THINK THE BIG PICTURE WE NEED THIS IS NOT AN ILLINOIS PROBLEM.

IT IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM.

AND ALL THE MORE REASON WHY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REALLY SHOULD COME IN.

IT IS A MULTIPLE DISTRICT, MULTIPLE STATE JURISDICTIONAL PROBLEM.

PERFECT ROLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO COME IN AND COVER THE ENTIRE COST THIS IS A NATIONAL ISSUE.

AND ILLINOIS SHOULD NOT BE THE FULL [INAUDIBLE] PAY THE FULL PRICE AND THERE'S PRECEDENT PROJECTS PAID FOR BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THIS IS CONSISTENT.

>> MICHIGAN HAS JUMPED IN WITH FUNDING AS WELL BECAUSE IT AFFECTS ALL THE GREAT LAKES STATES.

MARGARET FRISBIE WILL ILLINOIS BE ABLE TO KEEP ASIAN CARP OUT OF THE GREAT LAKES WITHOUT THE COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT?

>> I THINK NOT THE PROJECT IS IMPERATIVE AND SMART TECHNOLOGIES CAN WORK AGAINST INVASIVE ARE IMPERATIVE.

WE'VE SEEN RECOVERY OF OUR RIVER SYSTEM.

THE CHICAGO RIVER SYSTEM HAD SEVEN SPECIES OF FISH IN THE 1970s AND WE ARE UP TO 80 AND WE WANT TO PROTECT OUR WATER ENVIRONMENT AND THIS IS A GOOD WAY TO DO IT.

THERE'S OTHER TECHNIQUES WE'VE TALKED ABOUT FISHING THE CARP OUT FOR FERTILIZER AND FOOD BUT WE NEED TO WORK ON KEEPING THEM OUT ALTOGETHER AND DETERMINED FASHION LIKE THE ARMY CORPS PROPOSED HERE.

>> AND JESSE T. CURRY TAKE US INSIDE THE TECHNOLOGY USED AT BRANDON ROAD HOW DOES IT KEEP THE CARP OUT BUT NOT OTHER FISH THAT ARE WELCOME TO SWIM INTO THE GREAT LAKES IF THEY CHOOSE.

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

WHERE WE CURRENTLY STAND IN ENGINEERING AND DESIGN EVALUATING A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES FROM ELECTRIC BARRIERS TO BUBBLERS TO ACOUSTIC DETERRENTS.

AND DETERMINING HOW IN THIS NATIONAL UNIQUE PROJECT THOSE WORKING TOGETHER CAN REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THE ABILITY FOR THE SPECIES TO MAKE IT THROUGH A PARTICULAR LOCATION LIKE THIS.

WE'RE STILL WORKING THROUGH THAT SCIENCE.

AND CERTAINLY ARE RESPECTFUL OF THE URGENCY TO GET THAT COMPLETE TO GET IT INTO THE LOCK AND DAM AND BUILD IN THAT LAYER OF DEFENSE.

>> MARC SMITH IS THERE A CONSENSUS IN THE SCIENCE COMMUNITY WHICH SCIENCE WORKS THE BEST HERE?

>> WELL, YES AND NO.

THE BEAUTY OF BRANDON ROAD IT'S GOING TO BE AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT THAT WE CAN PUT IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF TECHNOLOGIES AND SEE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF IT.

AS THE COLONEL MENTIONED IT IS A LAYERED APPROACH.

YOU CAN PUT IT DETERRENTS THAT ADD UP.

SOME OF THE LOCK AND DAM PROJECTS ACOUSTIC SOUNDS IN THE RIVER SYSTEM USED IN KENTUCKY, COULD BE BROUGHT UP TO BRANDON.

AND VICE VERSA.

THE CORPS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE THIS PROJECT AS A TESTING GROUND A PILOT PROJECT TO DEPLOY IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY TO KEEP BACK INVASIVE SPECIES.

IT IS A UNIQUE AND NEEDED PROJECT.

>> AND MARGARET FRISBIE YOU MENTIONED POSSIBLY COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN FISHING THEM OUT.

AND PEOPLE EATING THEM.

HOW HELPFUL WOULD THAT BE?

>> WELL, DNR THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES THEY'VE PAID FISHERMEN AND THERE IS A TOOL BUT IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE WANT TO RELY ON.

THESE FISH ARE HEALTHY THEY ARE GOOD FOR YOU.

WE SHOULD BE EATING THEM.

WE SHOULD ALL BE EATING MORE FISH.

THERE ARE LOCAL EFFORTS BUT WE WANT TO USE EVERY TECHNOLOGY AT OUR DISPOSAL.

AND I FOR ONE, THE CHICAGO RIVER WE'VE TRIED TO EDUCATE PEOPLE AND HELD ASIAN CARP GRILLS TO PEOPLE CAN TRY IT AND BUILD AWARENESS AND THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT THE FISH.

BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN AND NOT RELYING ON ONE TECHNIQUE.

>> AND WE REPORTED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THE STATE-WIDE EFFORT TO CHANGE THE NAME TO MAKE IT MORE FRIENDLY FOR PEOPLE TO WANT TO EAT THEM.

OUR THANKS TO COLONEL JESSE T. CURRY, MARC SMITH AND MARGARET FRISBIE THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

>> UP NEXT, A SERIES OF ONE-MAN SELF PORTRAITS SPANNING 75 YEARS.

BUT FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> FOR THE FIRST TIME SELF PORTRAITS OF ARTIST LEO SEGEDIN ARE ON DISPLAY IN AN EXHIBITION.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT" JAY SHEFSKY FIRST INTRODUCED US TO THE EVANSTON BASED ARTIST 10 YEARS AGO.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU TAKES US TO DES PLAINES EXHIBIT SHOWCASING THE SERIES OF SELF PORTRAITS SPANNING 75 YEARS IN A NEW INTERVIEW WITH THE 95-YEAR-OLD ARTIST.

>> THIS IS LEO SEGEDIN.

THIS IS ALSO LEO SEGEDIN.

AND AND THIS IS HIM HERE, TOO.

AND IN FACT, THEY ARE ALL LEO SEGEDIN ALL PAINTED BY THE ARTIST OVER THE COURSE OF 75 YEARS.

>> BUT THE PAST IS MY PRESENT AND MY PAINTING ANYWAY.

>> JAY SHEFSKY FIRST INTRODUCED US TO THE ARTIST IN 2013.

WHILE A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE THEN, SOME THINGS REMAINED THE SAME.

>> I GREW UP ON THE WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO, OK.

ANYTIME I PAINT THE CITY NOW IT'S THE WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO FROM 1940s.

>> DESPITE RAISING HIS FAMILY IN EVANSTON FOR THE LAST 50 YEARS, LEO SEGEDIN'S WORK HAS BEEN ROOTED IN THIS CHILDHOOD MEMORIES.

AND WHILE AGE FORCED HIM TO RELOCATE THE STUDIO SPACE AT HOME FROM THE TOP FLOOR TO THE LIVING ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR.

>> NOW I'M DOWN HERE MY STUDIO.

THAT IS A STUDIO?

>> HIS DRIVE REMAINS THE SAME.

>> WITH MOST ARTISTS DO IS BULL...

PARDON THE EXPRESSION.

I THINK SINCE THE BEGINNING THAT MY PAINTING IS GO TO BE ABOUT SOMETHING THEY HAVE TO HAVE A SUBJECT AND BE AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT.

>> THOSE SUBJECTS ARE ON DISPLAY IN AN EXHIBIT AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SELF PORTRAITS YOU SEE IN THE EXHIBIT?

>> THERE IS ONE THAT USED TO HANG HERE IN WHICH I AM THREE TIMES.

AND I'VE SEEN IT HERE EVERYDAY BUT WHEN I SAW IT IN THE MUSEUM, I SAID WOW, DID I DO THAT?

>> ONE OF THE PAINTINGS IN THE SHOW ACTUALLY IT SHOWS A KID WITH A HELMET AND THEN AN OLD MAN WITH A BEARD AND THAT IS ME WHEN I WAS NINE YEARS OLD AND I WANTED TO BE A PILOT.

WHAT WOULD I THINK WHEN I WAS 95 YEARS OLD?

AND NOW THAT I'M 95 YEARS OLD, WHAT DID I THINK I WAS WHEN I WAS A KID?

AND I'M CONFRONTATION THAT IS WHAT THE PAINTING WAS ABOUT.

>> WITH NO HELP FROM A MIRROR HE PAINTS HOW HE HAS KNOWN HIMSELF TO BE NOT NECESSARILY WHO HE SEES.

>> I ACTUALLY HAVE ALMOST NO MEMORY OF WHAT I WAS THINKING WHEN I DID THEM.

I LOOK AT THEM.

AND I ALMOST PROJECT THE PAST INTO THEM.

>> LEO SEGEDIN SAYS HE DOESN'T PAINT TO PLEASE PEOPLE BUT HOPES HIS WORK DOES.

IT'S FOR THAT REASON LEO SEGEDIN SAYS HE DOESN'T BELIEVE HIS STYLE IS DESCRIBABLE.

>> I DON'T THINK I CAN EXPLAIN IT IN BOARDS.

I DON'T THINK THE VISUAL IMAGE IS TRANSLATABLE.

>> WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WANT VIEWERS TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOU AND YOUR WORK AND WHAT THEY INTERPRET?

>> BE AWARE OF ME AS A PERSON AND LIVED FOR A LONGTIME AND PRODUCED AND AS LONG AS I CAN I WILL.

SO I MAY GO BACK TO MORE SPONTANEOUS STUFF AND PULL IT OUT AND NO EDGES AND ALL THAT.

I WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

IS THAT INTIMIDATING?

>> YES.

YES, IT IS THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

I'M SCARED.

THE ADVICE TO JUDGE PEOPLE IS DO IT WHILE YOU CAN.

THERE'S ONLY ONE MATERIAL THAT IS IRREPLACEABLE AND THAT IS TIME.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> AGAIN THOSE PORTRAITS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CONE LINE MUSEUM OF ART IN DES PLAINES THROUGH THE END OF THE MONTH.

LEO SEGEDIN'S NEXT EXHIBIT IS SCHEDULED FOR THIS SPRING AT AN ARTS CENTER IN EVANSTON.

AND WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YouTube AND OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

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

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT 11 AT 7:00 P.M. A PROPOSED SETTLEMENT FOR TWO MEN AFFECTED BY DISGRACED POLICE COMMANDER JOHN BURGE'S CONFESSION METHODS.

>> AND FEWER STUDENTS ARE ENROLLING IN COLLEGE WHAT IS BEHIND THE DECLINE.

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

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND WARM AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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