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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WHAT TYPE OF LEADERSHIP DO WE WANT OF OUR TEACHERS?

>> CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION LEADERSHIP IS FACING COMPETITION FROM WITHIN THE RANKS.

>> IT IS AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST GANGS.

>> A PLAN TO GO AFTER GANG PROFITS THE ONGOING REMAP FIGHT AND MUCH MORE A PANEL OF ALDERPEOPLE WEIGH IN AHEAD OF THE YEAR'S FIRST CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

>> THERE WILL BE ENORMOUS CONSEQUENCES.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN WARNS RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN AGAINST INVADING UKRAINE.

>> NATIONAL DECLINES IN HIGHER EDUCATION ENROLLMENT WE CHECK IN WITH LOCAL INSURANCE CONSTITUTIONS TO HEAR ABOUT THEIR ADMISSIONS.

>> A LOOK AT CHICAGO FROM HUNDREDS OF MILES ABOVE.

WHERE THIS UNIQUE VIDEO CAME FROM.

>> THE COMMUNITY IS ONE OF THOSE COMMUNITIES THERE'S LITERALLY SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

>> MEET A CHICAGO BREWER HOPING TO MAKE THE CRAFT BEER INDUSTRY MORE INCLUSIVE ONE DRINK AT A TIME.

>> AND GEOFFREY BAER ON THE HISTORY OF THE SCHWINN BICYCLE COMPANY IN CHICAGO THAT IS IN TONIGHT'S "ASK GEOFFREY".

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> ANTIVIOLENCE GROUPS ARE CALLING ON THE CITY TO PROVIDE MORE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES IMPACTED BY GUN VIOLENCE.

HUSTLE MOMMIES AN ORGANIZATION AIMED AT HELPING SINGLE MOTHERS FIGHT GUN VIOLENCE AND LA THAN FORD MET WITH FAMILIES OF GUN VIOLENCE VICTIMS TODAY.

HERE IS THE MOTHER OF A FOUR-YEAR-OLD FATALLY SHOT OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND WHILE GETTING HIS HAIR BRAIDED.

>> WHOEVER DECIDED IT WAS A GOOD DAY TO COME IN THAT COMMUNITY AND DO A DRIVE-BY AND SHOOT 27 BULLETS INTO THE HOUSE AND TWO STRUCK MY SON.

IT'S BEEN OVER 140 DAYS SINCE MY SON WAS MURDERED.

WE HAVE NO JUSTICE FOR MY BOY.

WE HAVE NO ARRESTS MADE IN HIS CASE.

AND NO ADVANCEMENT ON THE INVESTIGATION.

THERE HAS TO BE RESOURCES IN PLACE BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I HAVE TO UPROOT AND RELOCATE TO CHICAGO TO HELP AND ASSIST WITH HIS INVESTIGATION.

I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY GRIEVE MY SON BECAUSE EVERYDAY I HAVE TO GET UP AND GO TO WORK FOR HIM.

>> AND CITY DATA SHOWS 19400 CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE IN QUARANTINE.

IT'S THE HIGHEST NUMBER SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

AN ADDITIONAL 809 STAFF MEMBERS ARE ALSO HOME IN ISOLATION OR UNDER QUARANTINE.

STILL, SCHOOL C.E.O.

PEDRO MARTINEZ SAYS CASES ARE ON A STEADY DECLINE.

C.P.S.

HAS BEEN CRITICIZED IN DAYS FOR NOT TELLING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THAT IT CHANGED THE WAY IT REPORTS POSITIVE CASES AMONG STUDENTS AND STAFF IN SCHOOL ON ITS ON-LINE DASHBOARD.

MARTINEZ SAYS THERE WAS NO ILL INTENT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE LOOKING AT NOW IS OK ARE THERE STRATEGIES WE CAN TRY TO MAXIMIZE ACCURACY WHILE MAKING SURE WE ARE PROVIDING COMPLETE DATA TO OUR FAMILIES.

WE ARE LOOKING AT CAN WE SEPARATE THE SELF REPORTING FROM THE ACTUAL SCREENING TESTS THAT WE DO ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

>> MARTINEZ ANNOUNCES THAT BEGINNING FEBRUARY FIRST, C.P.S.

WILL BEGIN FOLLOWING C.D.C.

GUIDANCE AND SHORTENING THE REQUIRED QUARANTINE TIME FROM 10 DAYS TO FIVE.

>> THE FAMOUS LITTLE VILLAGE ARCH IS SET TO BECOME AN OFFICIAL LANDMARK.

A VOTE BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS SET FOR WEDNESDAY AFTER THE COUNCIL'S ZONING COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED THE OFFICIAL DESIGNATION TODAY.

THE TWO STOREY ARCH DESIGNED WELCOMES VISITORS AND RESIDENTS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD KNOWN AS LA VITA.

>> THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION.

IS NEXT.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> FRESH FROM A STANDOFF WITH THE CITY WHERE SOME 25,000 CHICAGO TEACHERS DID NOT REPORT TO CLASSROOMS, C.T.U.

LEADERSHIP HAS ANOTHER FIGHT ON INR ITS HANDS FROM WITHIN ITS OWN RANKS.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> 2022 IS A YEAR WITH A WHOLE LOT OF ELECTION.

YOU HAVE CONGRESSIONAL CONTESTS NATIONWIDE, THE GOVERNOR'S RACE HEATING UP IN ILLINOIS AND ALSO THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION LEADERSHIP UP FOR REELECTION.

A CONTEST THAT TAKES PLACE ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS AND THIS TIME THEY HAVE COMPETITION.

THE MEMBERS FIRST DEBUTED WITH THIS DIGITAL AD.

>> HAVING A UNION THAT DELIVERS FOR US IS ESSENTIAL BUT THAT JUST ISN'T WHAT WE HAVE TODAY.

THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP OF THE C.T.U.

SEES WORK STOPPAGES AND STRIKES AS THE FIRST STEP IN NOT THE LAST ONE.

THEY ARE FAR MORE FOCUSED ON BEING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA AND ADVANCING THEIR OWN POLITICAL CAREERS THAN DELIVERING FOR US.

>> THE PARENT NOT SO VEILED REFERENCE TO C.T.U.

'S CURRENT VICE-PRESIDENT STACY DAVIS GATES.

HER NAME COMES UP AS A CONTENDER FOR MAYOR.

WHEN ASKED EARLIER THIS MONTH ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", RIGHT HERE, DAVIS GATES DID NOT RULE IT OUT FLAT.

>> RIGHT NOW I'M FOCUSED ON CONTINUING TO SERVE OUR MEMBERSHIP AND GIVING CHICAGO STUDENTS THE SCHOOLS THEY DESERVE.

>> I DID SPEAK WITH DAVIS GATES THIS AFTERNOON AND DECLINED TO TALK VIA ZOOM BUT WE CHATTED FOR A WHILE AND SHE IS FOCUSED ON HER TWO JOBS RAISING THREE C.P.S.

STUDENTS HER OWN CHILDREN AND SERVES UNION MEMBERS IN HER CURRENT ROLE WITH THE C.T.U.

SHE SAYS THAT THIS IS AN INNER SQUAD SCRIMMAGE AND EVERYONE IS ON THE SAME TEAM.

SHE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT ALL THAT THE UNION HAS ACCOMPLISHED RECENTLY INCLUDING SECURING A MORATORIUM ON SCHOOL CLOSURES, FILLING IN GAPS DURING THE PANDEMIC WITH MUTUAL AID EFFORTS, NEGOTIATING RESOURCES FOR HOMELESS YOUTH AND A CONTRACT THAT WILL PUT NURSES IN EVERY SCHOOL BECOMING A MAJOR FORCE IN THE CITY AND STATE'S PROGRESSIVE POLITICS.

MUCH OF THOSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS CAME AFTER TENSE AND BITTER STANDOFFS WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

INCLUDING WORK ACTIONS THAT HAVE LED TO CANCELED SCHOOL EACH OF THE PAST THREE YEARS.

THERE IS NO LOVE LOST BETWEEN THE C.T.U.

AND THE MAYOR.

GATES SAID THAT LIGHTFOOT IS ON A KAMIKAZE MISSION TO DESTROY C.P.S.

THOSE LOOKING TO WIN CONTROL OF C.T.U.

SAY THAT THEY OPPOSE THAT COMBATIVE STYLE.

>> AS TEACHERS WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TEACH OUR STUDENTS BY EXAMPLE HOW WE FIND SOLUTIONS WITHOUT ATTACKING OTHERS, WITHOUT USING HARMFUL RHETORIC.

I DON'T WANT TO BE THAT TYPE OF EXAMPLE.

THERE IS MY TEACHER, THERE'S SOMEBODY THAT IS COLLABORATING AND FINDING A SOLUTION AND DOES IT IN A PROFESSIONAL WAY.

>> FOR JIMENEZ A CIVICS TEACHER AND PART OF THE MEMBERS.

AND CAUCUS FOR CANDIDATE OF PRESS IS MARY ESPOSITO-USTERBOWSKI AN ELEMENTARY TEACHER NOW A DISTRICT WIDE PSYCHOLOGIST FOR C.P.S.

SHE FREQUENTLY BRINGS UP COLLABORATION.

>> WE NEED TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH ALL PARTIES.

PARENTS NEED A SEAT AT TABLE AND WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO IMPROVE LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR CHILDREN.

AND WORKING CONDITIONS FOR OUR MEMBERS.

BECAUSE IF OUR MEMBERS WORKING CONDITIONS ARE GOOD WE KNOW THAT IMPACTS OUR STUDENTS' LEARNING.

>> I ASKED WHETHER THAT SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION NEEDS TO EXTEND TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE SHE SAID OUR GOAL IS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS.

MARY ESPOSITO-USTERBOWSKI CURRENTLY SERVING ON C.T.U.

'S GOVERNING BOARD AND ELECTED THREE YEARS AGO AS PART OF THE MEMBERS FIRST CAUCUS.

SHE PRAISES GUARANTEES IN THE CURRENT CONTRACT BUT IS UNSATISFIED WITH THIS MONTH'S WORK STOPPAGE OVER COVID SAFETY AND ITS END RESULT.

>> OUR TEACHERS HAVE TO FIGHT FOR EVERY SINGLE THING THAT THEY NEED.

AND MEMBERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO TAKE FOUR DAYS OFF OF WORK TO GET BASIC SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN PLACE.

AND THAT IS ONE EXAMPLE.

>> COULD WE HAVE DONE BETTER FOR OUR MEMBERS AND BETTER FOR OUR STUDENTS?

THIS LAST AGREEMENT BASICALLY WAS SACRIFICING TIME AND EFFORT AND OR NOT MUCH.

>> AT THIS POINT, THOUGH IT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE, TEACHERS WILL NOT BE PAID FOR THE FOUR DAYS OF MISSED SCHOOL IF THEY DID NOT SHOW UP DURING THAT WORK STOPPAGE.

THIS ELECTION IS DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS I REFERENCED.

IT IS INTERNAL.

WE DON'T HAVE THE SAME ACCESS TO, SAY, WHO IS FUNDING THESE CAMPAIGNS.

UNION RULES ARE STILL BEING FINALIZED FOR THE ELECTION CYCLE BUT THEY CALL FOR DONATIONS ONLY FROM C.T.U.

MEMBERS.

CAMPAIGNING IS UNDERWAY NOW FOR WHAT WILL BE A MAY ELECTION.

AND ONLY THE C.T.U.

'S APPROXIMATELY 28,000 MEMBERS WILL BE ABLE TO ELECT THE UNION'S NEW LEADERSHIP.

BUT THE RESULT OF THAT IS GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT CITYWIDE.

BRANDIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS WITH SOME ALDERPEOPLE AHEAD OF CITY COUNCIL'S FIRST IMMEDIATING OF THE YEAR.

>> CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL MEETS TOMORROW FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR AND ITS MEMBERS STILL HAVE YET TO STRIKE A DEAL ON REDRAWING THE WARD MAPS AND CONTENDING WITH A CONTROVERSIAL ORDINANCE BACKED BY MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT TO GO AFTER STREET GANGS' PROFITS AND ASSETS AND THE WATCHDOG RELEASED TWO REPORTS ON A BOTCHED SMOKESTACK DEMOLITION AND A BOTCHED POLICE RAID.

AND JOINING US ARE BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ, OF THE 25TH WARD ON THE WEST SIDE.

JASON ERVIN.

ALDERMAN GILBERT VILLEGAS OF NORTHWEST SIDE 36TH WARD AND CHAIRS THE LATINO CAUCUS AND JEANETTE TAYLOR OF THE 20TH WARD ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

WELCOME ALL OF YOU BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

LET'S START WITH THE CONTROVERSIAL GANG ASSET FORFEITURE ORDINANCE THE MAYOR PUSHED.

HERE IS WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY ABOUT IT YESTERDAY.

>> IF WE GO AFTER THE PROFIT MOTIVES WE WILL REDUCE THE INCENTIVES AND REDUCE THEIR ABILITY TO BUY ILLEGAL GUNS.

AND USE THEIR PROFITS TO CONTINUE TO FURTHER THEIR BUSINESS.

WE HAD A PRODUCTIVE SUBJECT MATTER HEARING ON THIS ISSUE FRIDAY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING THE ORDINANCE FORWARD FOR A VOTE AND ITS PASSAGE SO WE CAN THEN USE THIS AS A TOOL IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST GANGS.

>> SO THIS ORDINANCE WOULD EMPOWER THE CITY TO GO AFTER GANG MEMBERS ASSETS AND FINE THEM.

ARE YOU IN SUPPORT OF THIS ALDERMAN ERVIN?

>> I AM IN SUPPORT OF THIS ORDINANCE.

THIS LEGISLATION THAT Mr. DOHERTY EXISTS AT THE STATE LEVEL FOR THE STATE'S ATTORNEY TO EXECUTE.

HOWEVER IT'S NOT BEEN EXECUTED HERE LOCALLY IN A WHILE.

GIVING THE CITY TO ALSO ACT WE FEEL IS NECESSARY I THINK IT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST IN THE CITY AND ALL CONCERNED.

>> GILBERT VILLEGAS THERE WERE A GROUP OF ATTORNEYS SAID THIS IS FRAUGHT WITH PROBLEMS NAMELY IT WOULD TARGET BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES DISPROPORTIONATELY AND RESULT IN COSTLY LITIGATION FOR THE CITY.

ARE THESE FAIR POINTS?

>> ANYTIME YOU GET THE A.C.L.U.

AND THE ORGANIZATIONS TOGETHER AND AGREEING, I THINK IT DOES GIVE US PAUSE.

WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IS CRIME IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAS BEEN OUT OF CONTROL AND WE NEED TO FIGURE WAYS TO PROVIDE THE CITY WITH ENOUGH TOOLS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

IS IT A PERFECT PIECE OF LEGISLATION?

NO.

BUT I THINK WE WILL BE ABLE TO FIGURE THIS OUT.

>> ALDERMAN BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ WHAT ABOUT YOU DOES IT HAVE A MAJORITY OF COUNCILMEMBERS IN SUPPORT OF IT?

>> I HOPE NOT.

I HOPE THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR A STRATEGIES THAT ARE BASED ON EVIDENCE-BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW WORKS.

THERE IS A NUMBER OF HOLES IN THE ORDINANCE INCLUDING EMPOWERING CORPORATION COUNSEL ON MAKING THE DECISIONS.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO PREVENT MORE CRIME.

WE'VE SEEN THE STATISTICS TRAGIC AND SAD WE NEED TO CHANGE DIRECTIONS THIS NOSTALGIA WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE REAGAN YEARS IS NOT GOING TO HELP US.

WE NEED TO INVEST IN PREVENTION AND MORE IN ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF VIOLENCE AND CERTAINLY SOMETHING MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAS DELAYED TIME TO CHANGE THE COURSES AND EFFECTIVELY I'M GLAD THAT THE COMMITTEE DID NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH A SLOT.

I -- VOTE.

I THINK THAT SIGNALS WE DON'T HAVE THE VOTE.

>> SO IT'S DELAYED.

ALDERWOMAN TAYLOR DO YOU BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE PART OF A STRATEGY TO BRING THE HOMICIDE RATE DOWN AND CRIME OVERALL DOWN IN THE CITY BY GOING AFTER SUSPECTED GANG MEMBERS ASSETS?

>> NO IT IS A BAND-AID ON A BULLET WOUND.

SO WE HAVE THE MONEY AND THE MEANS TO INVEST IN PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WHY ARE WE NOT INVESTING?

[INAUDIBLE] THEY HAVE SAFE PLACES TO BE.

WE HAVE NOT PROVIDED THAT AS A CITY BUT WE SAID [INAUDIBLE] AND IT IS A NO FOR ME.

AND PEOPLE ARE VOTING AGAINST THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE FIGHTING TO HELP.

WE'LL GIVE BASIC INCOME AND TURN AROUND AND SAY LET'S LOCK YOU UP FOR TRYING TO LIVE AND SURVIVE?

THERE HAS TO BE A BALANCE IT IS NOT JUST A CITY HALL PROBLEM IT'S THE COUNTY AND STATE WE NEED TO BE WORKING TOGETHER TO FIGURE IT OUT AND EVIDENCE-BASED NOT WHAT YOU COOKED UP IN YOUR BACKYARD OR A COOKOUT.

WE HAVE TO USE THE DATA AND THE RESEARCH.

>> JASON ERVIN THE GANG DATA BASES HAD PROBLEMS PEOPLE WINDUP ON THE DATABASE AND NOT PART OF A GANG COULDN'T THAT BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS LAW?

>> IT VERY WELL COULD BE.

BUT I THINK STEPS ARE BEING DONE TO RECREATE AND CLEAN UP THE DATABASE I BELIEVE WILL HELP MOVE US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

AND I DO AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUES AS IT RELATES TO DOING MORE THAN ONE THING AT ONE TIME.

I THINK WE HAVE TO WORK TOWARD CREATING A BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE AND AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THOSE WHO ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE LAW IN THE MATTER WHICH THEY NEED TO BE DEALT WITH.

AND I BELIEVE WE CAN DO BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT BOTH ACCESSES.

>> SPEAKING OF DOING MULTIPLE THINGS ALDERWOMAN TAYLOR YOU SAW THAT "SUN-TIMES" REPORT QUOTING TOP POLICE BRASS SAYING THEY HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN DAVID BROWN.

HE SAYS IT IS A FEW EMPLOYEES THAT DO NOT WANT REFORM.

DO YOU BELIEVE HE HAS LOST FAITH OF HIS TOP COMMANDERS?

>> HOW?

IT IS THE SAME THING WITH THE MAYOR.

THEY CAME IN WHERE THEY CREATED HE HAS TO DO A BETTER JOB WORKING WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND LET'S NOT ACT LIKE THIS IS 60 YEARS OF [INAUDIBLE] AND MAKE THE POLICE MAKE THEM LOOK BAD AND THE ACTIONS THEY DO AND DON'T DO.

>> [INAUDIBLE] >> ALDERMAN BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ THE MAYOR IS BACKING HIM.

SHOULD HE KEEP HIS JOB AS C.P.D.

SUPERINTENDENT?

>> WE'VE SEEN UNFORTUNATELY THE SAME CULTURE THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE FRUSTRATION AMONG THE WITHIN THE MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.

BUT CITYWIDE, WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON THE CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT THAT WE PASSED LAST YEAR.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY WITHIN EACH DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

WE CONTINUE TO SEE THAT IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THE NUMBER OF CASES THAT CONTINUE TO BE COMING FOR SETTLEMENTS, MILLION DOLLAR SETTLEMENTS ARE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND CERTAINLY HAVE NOT MAKE A SAFER CITY.

I JOIN THE OFFICE FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND CHANGES IN THE LEADERSHIP BECAUSE THE LEVEL OF CRIME AND TRAGEDIES IN OUR COMMUNITY IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE.

>> GILBERT VILLEGAS A COUPLE BIG INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORTS RELEASED ONE OF THEM CONCERNING THE BOTCHED POLICE RAID OF THE HOME OF ANJANETTE YOUNG AND THE MAYOR'S ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, BOTCHED RESPONSE TO IT.

THE MAYOR WILL NOT RELEASE THIS FULL REPORT.

SHOULD SHE DO THAT GIVEN THAT SHE CAMPAIGNED ON TRANSPARENCY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THE MORE THAT YOU'RE NOT TRANSPARENT IT FUELS THE FIRE OF GOVERNMENT TRYING TO HIDE SOMETHING.

LOOK, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN UNDER HER WATCH.

SHE SHOULD BRING OUT THE REPORT WHETHER IT'S THE REPORT ON ANJANETTE YOUNG, WHETHER IT'S THE REPORT AT THE DEMOLITION SITE.

ANYTHING THAT IS TRANSPARENT.

>> YOU'RE REFERRING TO HILCO.

>> WE HAVE TO BRING CONFIDENCE TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND THERE'S NOTHING THAT IS BETTER THAN BRINGING LIGHT TO SOMETHING.

>> SPEAKING OF BRINGING LIGHT, JASON ERVIN THIS COMES AS CITY COUNCIL HAS NOT FILLED AND THE MAYOR HAVE NOT FILLED THAT ROLE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL SINCE JOSEPH FERGUSON STEPPED DOWN AND GAVE AMPLE TIME.

WHY ARE WE HEARING ANYTHING ABOUT IT?

>> THAT'S NOT A QUESTION FOR THE COUNCIL TO ANSWER.

THERE IS A PROCESS THAT IS IN PLACE THAT PROCESS NEEDS TO BE FOLLOWED TO HAVE AN INSPECTOR GENERAL.

AND THAT PROCESS DOES NOT BEGIN IN COUNCIL WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROCESS IS MOVING FORWARD AND THAT WE GET A NEW INSPECTOR GENERAL IN DECENT TIME.

>> I UNDERSTAND THE COUNCIL DOES HAVE A ROLE.

THEY SELECT FINALISTS AND THE MAYOR SELECTS FROM THAT.

JEANETTE TAYLOR IS THERE ANY PROGRESS ON FILLING THAT POSITION?

>> NOT THAT I HAVE A PLAYED AND NOT THAT I KNOW OF.

WE -- THERE ARE MOVING PIECES TO THIS.

I DON'T WANT THEM TO RUSH AND PUT ANYBODY IN THE SEAT BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN THAT HAPPEN AND IT HASN'T WORKED FOR THE CITIZENS THAT WE'RE PAID TO REPRESENT.

I WOULD RATHER THEM TAKE LONGER AND DO THEIR JOB INSTEAD OF STICKING ANYBODY.

>> THERE'S BEEN WILLIAM IN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.

MOVE ON TO THE REMAP.

BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ IT APPEARS THE MAP SUPPORTED BY THE BLACK CAUCUS AND THE RULES COMMITTEE HAS MORE SIGNIFICANTTORS CAN YOU TAKE US INTO THE NEGOTIATIONS HAPPENING?

>> WE SEE WITH THE DIFFERENT CAUCUSES THE PROPOSALS THAT HAVE PUT FORWARD THE LATINO CAUCUS HAS A PROPOSAL AND THE BLACK CAUCUS AND THE RULES COMMITTEE HAVE A PROPOSAL AND WHAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THESE REPRESENTS THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR CONSTITUENTS.

WE HOPE THERE'S ROOM FOR A COMPROMISE BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CONSTITUENTS TO HAVE MORE PUBLIC 3450E9INGS AND MORE PARTICIPATION AND MAKE SURE THAT THE REMAP IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

WE HOPE THERE IS ENOUGH TIME FOR A COMPROMISE FOR FAIR REPRESENTATION ESPECIALLY NOW WHEN WE SEE WITH GREAT CONCERN WHAT IS HAPPENING NATIONWIDE.

THE SUPPRESSION OF VOTING RIGHTS AND THE ISSUES WE HOPE THE CITY OF CHICAGO WE GUARANTEE AND RESPECT THE CITIZENS SO WE HAVE THE REPRESENTATION FOR BOTH COMMUNITIES FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY AND ALSO FOR THE LATINO COMMUNITY AND I HOPE THAT IS A PRIORITY AND I HOPE THERE'S ROOM FOR AN AGREEMENT OTHERWISE WE GO TO REFERENDUM.

>> THE MAP HAS FEWER SIGNATORIES IN CITY COUNCIL.

WHAT IS THE END GAME HERE?

>> I THINK WHAT THE END GAME -- IT'S CALLED THE COALITION MAP BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET OTHER FOLKS BESIDES LATINOS.

THIS FRIDAY, THERE WILL BE A MEETING OF DELEGATES FROM BOTH CAUCUSES TO FIGURE OUT IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THERE.

LOOK, WE HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT ON MAKING SURE WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE DATA THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND LISTENING TO THE RESIDENTS OF CHICAGO AND THAT IS WHAT WE'VE DONE BASED ON HEARINGS.

I HOPE THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THERE BUT ULTIMATELY THERE'S THE REFERENDUM.

>> AND THAT WOULD COME IN JUNE.

A FEW MONTHS TO COME TO A DEAL.

AND WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE THANKS TO ALDERMAN BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ, JASON ERVIN AND GILBERT VILLEGAS AND JEANETTE TAYLOR THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT, SOME COLLEGES ARE SEEING A DECLINE IN ENROLLMENT.

A LOOK AT SOME OF THE REASONS WHY RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE STILL NOT RETURNING TO CLASSES VIRTUALLY OR IN-PERSON AT THEIR PREPANDEMIC LEVELS.

NATIONAL DATA SHOWS COLLEGE ENROLLMENT FELL 2.7% IN THE FALL OF 2021.

A BIT LARGER THAN THE PREVIOUS FALL WHEN INSTITUTIONS SAW A 2.5% DROP.

JOINING US WITH MORE ARE MICHELLE BROWN DIRECTOR OF ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT AT OAKTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

ANEESH SOHONI C.E.O.

OF ONE MILLION DEGREES A NONPROFIT AIMED AT HELPING LOW INCOME STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND OSCAR RODRIGUEZ ASSOCIATE VICE PROVOST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SO MICHELLE, WE KNOW THAT OAKTON HAS SEEN A DECLINE IN ENROLLMENT SINCE 2019 FROM 7600 IN 2019 TO 6200 IN THE YEAR 2021.

AND THIS IS A NATIONAL TREND AS WELL WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGES HAVING BEEN SPECIFICALLY HIT HARD PUBLIC TO YOUR COLLEGES AT 1.4% IN 2019 A DECLINE THAT YEAR.

DOWN 10% IN THE YEAR 2020 AND LAST YEAR 2021 DOWN 3.4%.

MICHELLE, TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE ALL OF THIS?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

YES, OAKTON'S ENROLLMENT IN RECENT YEARS HAS BEEN DECLINING IT IS IN LINE WITH THE NATIONAL TRENDS FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

OUR POPULATION IN ILLINOIS ESPECIALLY AMONGST YOUNGER PEOPLE IS DECLINING AND THAT IS IMPACTING US WITH FEWER STUDENTS TO SERVE.

SOME OF OUR CHALLENGES ARE THE STUDENTS HAVE DROPPED OUT BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE PANDEMIC HAS IMPACTED THEIR PERSONAL LIVES WITH CHILDREN, CHILDCARE, OLDER FAMILY CARE, FINANCIAL IMPACTS THAT HAVE IMPACTED THEIR ABILITY TO RETURN TO SCHOOL OR CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION.

>> AND ANEESH SOHONI, ONE MILLION DEGREES YOU WORK WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS TO HELP THEM PERSIST AND COMPLETE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

WHAT ARE THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS THAT YOU WORK WITH?

>> YEAH, SO I THINK THE BIGGEST THING WE'VE LEARNED DOING THIS WORK IS THAT YOU NEED TO WRAP YOUR ARMS AROUND THE STUDENT AND PROVIDE THAT COMMUNITY SUPPORT THAT STUDENTS NEED.

THE SCHOLARS WE WORK WITH, WE PROVIDE THIS RELATIONSHIP-BASED SUPPORT TO HELP STUDENTS NAVIGATE THEIR ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL JOURNEYS.

WE PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO REALLY SUPPORT STUDENTS OF ANY NEEDS THAT MIGHT EMERGE.

ACADEMIC TUTORING TO INSURE THEY ARE GETTING THE EXTRA SUPPORT THEY MIGHT NEED TO STAY ON TRACK WITH CLASSES AND PRO INDIVIDUAL A PROFESSIONAL NETWORK OF PEOPLE IN THE FIELD OF INTEREST THAT THEY MIGHT BE GOING DOWN OR ANOTHER SECTOR WHERE THEY CAN LEARN WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE IN COLLEGE AND ALSO BE IN THE WORKFORCE.

THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAY WE HAVE IS THE WRAP AROUND SUPPORTS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE ALWAYS NECESSARY FOR OUR STUDENTS BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST TWO YEARS DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT COMMUNITY HAS BEEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.

>> OSCAR IT'S DIFFERENT FOR YOU AT UIC YOU HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN ENROLLMENT WITH 33,000 IN 2019 UP TO 34,000 THIS YEAR.

TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THIS INCREASE?

>> WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE.

THE HANDFUL OF YEARS AGO WE DECIDED RETHOUGHT HOW WE WERE GOING TO APPROACH ENROLLMENT AND THAT COMBINED WITH THE LOCATION HERE IN CHICAGO SIMPLY BEEN A BENEFIT TO US.

FOR US LOCATION WITH THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTION HAS AND THEN STUDENTS BEING ABLE TO CHOOSE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL LIVE ON CAMPUS, LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY OR PERHAPS LIVE AT HOME WITH THEIR PARENTS.

BROUGHT US FLEXIBILITY IN THE TERMS OF THE KIND OF STUDENTS WE ATTRACT TO CAMPUS.

YOU PUT TOGETHER THAT TOP TIER RESEARCH INSTITUTION WITH THE REPUTATION AND TRYING TO REACH STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE AT AND TRYING TO SHARE WITH THEM WHO AND WHAT WE ARE HAS BEEN [INAUDIBLE] AT UIC.

>> HOW HAS OAKTON HAD TO ADAPT CLASSES DURING THE PANDEMIC?

>> THANKS FOR ASKING.

WE'VE CONTINUED TO ADD TO NEW PROGRAMS TO RESPOND TO THE LOCAL WORKFORCE NEEDS.

AN EXAMPLE INCLUDE THINGS LIKE OUR STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN.

THE CANNABIS CULTIVATION FIRST IN ILLINOIS.

OUR MANUFACTURING PROGRAM AND IMPORT EXPORT ADDRESSING THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES.

WE'VE HELPED STUDENTS BY OFFERING TECHNOLOGY LOAN PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT THEIR REMOTE LEARNING WITH WI-FI AND HOTSPOTS AND CHROME BOOKS.

WE HAVE GIVEN FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO STUDENTS.

WE HAVE A FREE CREDIT HOUR INITIATIVE AND GIVEN STUDENTS IN THE FALL AND ARE OFFERING IN THE SPRING TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR TUITION.

AND WE'VE RECEIVED FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS THAT WE'VE PASSED 0 AND TO STUDENTS AWARDING OVER $4.6 MILLION FOR STUDENTS TO HELP PAY FOR EDUCATIONAL COSTS AND EXPENSES.

>> AND MICHELLE HAS THE LOWERED ENROLLMENT HAS THAT HAD ANY IMPACT ON THE PROGRAMMING YOU ARE ABLE TO OFFER?

>> THE LOWER ENROLLMENT IS IMPACTING OUR STUDENTS BUT WE EXPECT THAT MANY WILL RETURN TO THEIR SAME LEVELS OF ACADEMIC IN CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION ONCE WE RETURN TO THE PREPANDEMIC LEVELS OF IN-PERSON LEARNING.

WE HAVE HEARD FROM OUR STUDENTS THEY DO NOT PREFER THE ON-LINE LEARNING.

THEY WANT TO RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM SO WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING THEM RETURN AND ARE GOING TO HAVE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO STILL ENROLL IN OAKTON CLASSES THIS SEMESTER WITH THE LATE START CLASSES OFFERED.

OPPORTUNITIES TO START APPLYING AND GETTING ENROLLED IN THE CLASS.

>> ANEESH SOHONI YOU TALKED ABOUT THE SUPPORT THAT YOU ARE ALL ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE PANDEMIC IMPACT THE STUDENTS?

HOW HAS IT CHANGED THEIR EDUCATION ALKA REARS?

>> YEAH, I THINK THE KEY HAS BEEN TO LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND THEIR NEEDS AND BE FLEXIBLE IN RESPONSES TO WHAT WE'RE HEARING.

ONE THING WE KNOW FOR SURE IS THAT THERE IS NO ONE COMMON NEED FOR ANY OF OUR STUDENTS.

BEING FREQUENTLY IN TOUCH WITH OUR STUDENTS THROUGH TEXT MESSAGING AND CHECKING ON THEM HAS BEEN IMPORTANT.

SECOND, WE'VE -- YOU MENTIONED THE IMPORTANT OF THINKING ABOUT THE PANDEMIC CONTEXT NEEDS FOR GROCERIES AND RESOURCES FOR MEDICAL CARE AND HOUSING HAVE CONTINUED TO BE HIGH PRIORITY FOR OUR STUDENTS.

WE HAVE BEEN REALLY FOCUSED ON PROVIDING EMERGENCY GRANTS AND SUPPORTS TO PROVIDE THE SUPPORTS THAT OUR STUDENTS MIGHT HAVE AS WELL.

AND EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT CUTTING DOWN SOME OF THE PROCESSES THAT ARE OFTENTIMES REQUIRED TO GET ACCESS TO FUNDING AND SAYING WE KNOW YOU HAVE THE NEED LET'S GET THE RESOURCES TO YOU QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

AND MICHELLE ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE REALIZING THERE IS A LOT YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE ONE-ON-ONE COMMUNICATIONS THAT WE HAVE HAD MORE TOUCH POINTS.

WHAT IS HARDER IS TO BUILD THAT COMMUNITY VIRTUALLY.

WHILE WE'RE FIGURING OUT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AS WE MOVE FORWARD WE KNOW THAT BUILDING COMMUNITY AND HAVING THE IN-PERSON TOUCH POINTS WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THAT BECAUSE THAT IS A CRITICAL PART OF OUR STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE WITH THEIR PEERS AND OTHERS AND AT HOME AT SCHOOL.

>> WE HEARD MICHELLE STUDENTS SAY THEY DO NOT ENJOY THE ON-LINE LEARNING AND NOT BENEFITING AS MUCH.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE TRENDS SAY ABOUT THE VALUE OF ON-LINE LEARNING PARTICULARLY AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL?

>> I THINK IT'S INTERESTING.

THOSE OF US IN HIGHER EDUCATION HAVE BEEN PERHAPS A LITTLE BIT LAX IN TRYING TO SHARE WITH OUR PROPOSITION IS WITH FAMILIES.

AND IT IS A BIT OF A CHALLENGE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS WE SPENT ALL THIS TIME TRYING TO BUILDUP CAMPUS AND CAMPUS COMMUNITY AND THE VALUE OF BEING IN-PERSON IN THESE SPACES.

IN ORDER TO HELP DRAW STUDENTS.

AND WHEN WE WERE FACED WITH A PANDEMIC WHERE WE WERE ALL FORCED TO MOVE ON-LINE WE FOUND THAT ALL THAT MARKETING AND THAT CONVERSATION WE WERE HAVING WITH FAMILIES ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF BEING ON OUR CAMPUSES WITH OUR FACULTY WITH THE OTHER STUDENTS, IT PERHAPS CAME BACK TO HURT US A BIT.

WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN BACK TO GETTING TOWARDS THE FUNDAMENTALS WHAT A HIGHER EDUCATION IS SUPPOSED TO BE.

>> IT'S DIFFICULT TO MAKE IT WORK THE SAME WAY YOU WOULD ON CAMPUS.

MY THANKS TO MICHELLE BROWN, ANEESH SOHONI AND OSCAR RODRIGUEZ FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> THANKS.

AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS PRESIDENT BIDEN WARNS OF ENORMOUS CONSEQUENCES IF RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE.

CAPTURED VIDEO OF CHICAGO SHOWS THE CITY FROM HUNDREDS OF MILES ABOVE.

WHAT WAS THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S METHOD AND NASA CAN HELP EXPLAIN.

>> THE COMMUNITY IS ONE OF THOSE COMMUNITIES THERE'S LITERALLY SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

>> A NEW SCHOLARSHIP AIMS TO BREW A MORE INCLUSIVE BLEW INDUSTRY AND GEOFFREY BAER TAKES US BACK WHEN CHICAGO WAS KNOWN AS THE DETROIT OF BICYCLES IN TONIGHT'S "ASK GEOFFREY".

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> COOK COUNTY OPIOID OVERDOSES FOR 2021 ARE SET TO SURPASS 2020'S NUMBERS.

AS OF TODAY, JUST OVER 1600 OPIOID RELATED DEATHS HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED FOR LAST YEAR WITH 717 CASES PENDING.

IT'S ESTIMATED THE FINAL COUNT OF OPIOID RELATED DEATHS WILL SURPASS 2100 CASES IN 2021 IN COMPARISON TO 1800 DEATHS IN 2020.

COOK COUNTY HEALTH WAS AWARDED $2 MILLION TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO TREATMENT FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH OPIOIDS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS.

>> ONE DOWN ONE TO GO FOR THE BEARS THE TEAM REPORTEDLY HIRED A NEW GENERAL MANAGER AND THEY MADE IT OFFICIAL.

HE IS RYAN POLES WHO MOST RECENTLY WORKED AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL FOR THE SUPER BOWL CONTENDING KANSAS CITY CHIEFS.

HE WAS MET AT O'HARE BY GEORGE McCASKEY AND ACCEPTED THE JOB THIS MORNING.

HE REPLACES RYAN PACE LET GO AFTER SEVEN SEASONS.

POLES HAS THE JOB OF FINDING THE TEAM'S NEXT HEAD COACH AND REPORTEDLY SETUP MEETINGS WITH FINALISTS.

>> CHICAGOANS ARE IN STORE FOR A BONE-CHILLING WIND-CHILL OF-25 TONIGHT.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUED A WIND-CHILL ADVISORY THROUGH NOON TOMORROW.

THE CITY IS ADVISING PEOPLE SEEKING ACCESS TO WARMING CENTERS OR INSUFFICIENT HEAT TO CONTACT 3-1-1 FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE.

>> 8500 U.S.

TROOPS ARE ON HIGH ALERT IN EASTERN EUROPE AS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN HAS CALLED A POTENTIAL RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE IMMINENT.

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN HAS ESCALATED TROOP ACTION BUT UKRAINE'S LEADERS ARE URGING CALM.

BIDEN SAYS THE GEOPOLITICAL STAKES OF A RUSSIAN INVASION COULD NOT BE HIGHER.

>> THERE WILL BE ENORMOUS CONSEQUENCES IF HE WERE TO GO IN AND INVADE AS HE COULD THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

ENORMOUS CONSEQUENCES WELL WIDE.

IF HE WERE TO MOVE IN IT WILL BE THE LARGEST INVASION SINCE WORLD WAR II AND WOULD CHANGE THE WORLD.

>> JOINING US ARE JULIAN HAYDA AN UKRAINIAN AMERICAN JOURNALIST.

WAS A PRODUCER FOR WORLD VIEW ON WBEZ AND IS SCHEDULED TO RETURN TO UKRAINE SATURDAY.

IAN KELLY THE ' AMBASSADOR AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY HE WAS UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO GEORGIA.

PRIOR TO THAT HE WAS THE U.S.

AMBASSADOR TO THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE.

>> AND JOHN HEWKO A UKRAINIAN AMERICAN LAWYER WHO HELPED ASSIST THE UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT DRAFT THE FIRST POST SOVIET CONSTITUTION.

WHAT WOULD THE CONSEQUENCES BE SHOULD RUSSIA INVADE UKRAINE?

>> WELL, IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE TODAY THE WHITE HOUSE A COUPLE SENIOR OFFICIALS OUTLINED WHAT THESE PAINFUL CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE.

THEY WOULD I THINK AFFECT THE ENERGY SECTOR WHICH IS OF COURSE THEIR BIGGEST SOURCE OF INCOME AND ALSO EXPORTS OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY WHICH RUSSIA AND MANY OTHER COUNTRIES DEPEND ON OUR SILICON VALLEY TECHNOLOGY.

BUT I THINK THAT THE REAL IMPACT IS GOING TO BE THE IMPACT ON MARKETS IN RUSSIA.

THE STOCK MARKET YESTERDAY LOST IN RUSSIA AND MOSCOW LOST 7% OF THE VALUE JUST FROM THE THREAT OF SANCTIONS.

>> 77% THAT IS -- >> 7%.

>> 7%.

I THOUGHT YOU SAID 77%.

STILL NOT GREAT.

JOHN HEWKO KNOWING THE REGION, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT AN INVASION IS IMMINENT OR COULD IT BE A BLUFF?

>> I THINK WHEN WE LOOK AT THE SITUATION WE NEED TO STEP BACK AND WHAT IS THE BIG PICTURE HERE AND PEOPLE TALK ABOUT NATO EXPANSION AND PUTIN FEELING ENCIRCLED THE KEY ISSUE IS PUTIN WANTS TO IN MY VIEW DESTROY UKRAINE AS AN INDEPENDENT SOVEREIGN STATE.

AND IT NEEDS TO DO THIS FOR TWO REASONS.

ONE IS THE HISTORICAL.

IF YOU READ THE ARTICLE THAT HE PUBLISHED LAST JULY OR SORT OF MAKES THE ERRONEOUS HISTORICAL CASE FOR UKRAINE NOT BEING A PEOPLE NOT BEING A COUNTRY THERE IS NO HISTORICAL BASIS ON WHICH UKRAINE SHOULD BE AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY.

YOU REALIZE THAT FOR HIM IT'S BEEN RECREATING THE SOVIET UNION AND THE SOVIET RUSSIAN EMPIRE AND TAKING BACK UKRAINE WHICH HE RUES IS PART AND PARCEL A PART OF RUSSIA.

AND THE SECOND REASON AN INDEPENDENT VIBRANT UKRAINE IS A HUGE DANGER TO HIS OWN POWER AND TO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN RUSSIA.

IF YOU LOOK AT UKRAINE OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT CORRUPTION AND ISSUES HAS NOT MOVED AS QUICKLY AS WE HOPED.

UKRAINE IS A DEMOCRACY.

IT HAS A FREE PRESS AND STRONG CIVIL SOCIETY.

MINORITY RIGHTS ARE RESPECTED.

THEY'VE HAD SIX PEOPLE BE PRESIDENT OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS.

FOR PUTIN THIS IS ABOUT DESTROYING UKRAINE AS AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY OR TURNING INTO A STATE AND BASED ON A HISTORICAL PREMISE AND ON THE FACT THAT HE CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE AN INDEPENDENT VIBRANT UKRAINE.

>> AND UKRAINE LEADERSHIP THAT TALKED ABOUT ITS DESIRE TO JOIN NATO AND HAVE SYMPATHY FROM WESTERN NATIONS.

JULIAN HAYDA PRESIDENT BIDEN TALKED ABOUT MORE SANCTIONS, SENDING ARMS IN TO USE CREPE IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO DETER MILITARY INVASION AT THIS POINT?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT TIME WILL TELL WHICH IS NOT AN ANSWER THAT 45 MILLIEU CRANIANS WANT TO HERE.

THIS IS A WAR THAT THEY HAVE BEEN LIVING THROUGH OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.

GRANTED IT'S BEEN A FROZEN 0 CONFLICT BUT A CONFLICT NO LESS.

AND SANCTIONS HAVE HAD MIXED SUCCESS.

SO WHAT I THINK THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE MOST WARRANT IS PEACE.

THEY WANT WHAT ANYBODY WANTS AND THE WAY YOU GET TO THAT IS AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, A SOURCE OF GREAT ARGUMENT.

NOW MANY UKRAINIANS ARE VERY HAPPY WITH THE FACT THAT THE U.S. HAS SUPPORTED UKRAINE, ESPECIALLY SINCE UKRAINE MADE THE BOLD MOVE TO TURN AWAY FROM RUSSIA AFTER A POPULAR UPRISING IN 2013 AND 2014.

AND NOW THEY ARE LOOKING AROUND AT THE COUNTRIES THAT PROMISED THEM SUPPORT.

UKRAINE GAVE UP ONE OF THE LARGEST NUCLEAR ARSENALS IN THE WORLD IN EXCHANGE FOR SPECIFICALLY AMERICAN AND RUSSIAN DEFENSE.

AND NOW THEY ARE LOOKING AROUND AND FEELING LONELY IN THE WORLD.

THEY ARE GRATEFUL FOR AMERICAN SUPPORT.

BUT THE WAY THAT PEACE WILL BE REACHED IS I THINK A BIG QUESTION BUT IT IS A QUESTION MOSTLY IN FRONT OF MIND FOR I THINK MOST OF THE UKRAINIAN POPULATION.

WHETHER OR NOT THERE WILL BE AN INVASION OR NOT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THERE IS A LOT OF DISCUSSION OVER AND UKRAINE.

>> UKRAINIAN LEADERS URGED CALM SAYING THE POPULATION SHOULD NOT GET ALL FORTIFIED FOR AN INVASION.

WHAT APPETITE IS THERE AMONG NATO COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE U.S. FOR SOME KIND OF A MILITARY CONFLICT TO ASSIST UKRAINE AND RUSSIA NOTING THAT THERE ARE COUNTRIES LIKE GERMANY THAT HAVE STAYED RELATIVELY NEUTRAL TO THIS POINT?

>> I WOULD THINK GERMANY IS NEUTRAL BUT WE ARE NOT REALLY ENCOURAGED BY THEIR EXTREME RELUCTANCE TO SIGN ON TO SOME OF THE MORE PAINFUL ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT IT'S A MATTER OF DEGREES IN TERMS OF EUROPE.

WHAT KINDS OF SANCTIONS THEY WANT.

AND THERE'S ALSO A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE WHO THINK THAT A STRONG RESPONSE WILL DETER PUTIN AND THOSE WHO THINK THAT A STRONG RESPONSE IS ESCALATION AND CAN MAKE THE SITUATION EVEN MORE TENSE.

I THINK THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES BELIEVE THAT HALF MEASURES OR WEAK RESPONSE ACTUALLY ENCOURAGES MORE AGGRESSION.

BUT I THINK THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN CENTRAL EUROPE PARTICULARLY IN DPERM ANY AND FRANCE WHO KIND OF SEE IT THE OPPOSITE WAY.

AND ARE LOOKING TO NOT DO MEASURES THEY SEE ASS KAER TO AND WE SEE AS DETER REST.

>> A HIGH LEVEL CHESS MATCH.

AND JOHN HEWKO WE KNOW THAT RUSSIA HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN CYBER AND HACKING OPERATIONS THE 2016 ELECTION.

WHAT COULD THE CONSEQUENCES BE ON THOSE FRONTS?

>> WELL, GOING BACK TO THE ISSUE OF WHETHER PUTIN IS GOING TO INVADE OR NOT, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE POINT THAT I THINK IF THERE IS A BINARY DECISION FOR HIM TO MAKE.

THERE IS AN OFF-RAMP A DIPLOMATIC OFF-RAMP OR IF IN FACT THE GOAL IS TO DESTABILIZE AND TURN UKRAINE INTO A VESSEL STATE IF HE IS GOING TO DO AN INCURSION HE WILL INCUR THE FULL WRATH OF WESTERN SANCTIONS WITH LITTLE GAIN.

HE CAN TRY TO TAKE A PORTION OF THE AREA AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO GET HIM ENOUGH.

IF HE MAKES A MOVE IT HAS TO BE BIG ENOUGH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF DESTABILIZING UKRAINE AND GETTING TO THE GOAL.

THAT IS GOING TO HAVE REPERCUSSIONS FOR HIM AND OBVIOUSLY HE HAS WEAPONS THAT HE CAN USE AGAINST US IN TERMS OF CYBERATTACKS GETTING INVOLVED IN OUR ELECTIONS AND WE NEED TO PREPARE FOR I'M SURE THE ADMINISTRATION IS LOOKING AT HOW ARE WE GOING TO COUNTER HIS MEASURES TO WESTERN SANCTIONS.

>> AND JULIAN HAYDA YOU TALKED ABOUT HOW THE POPULATION IN UKRAINE FEELS RIGHT NOW HOW PREPARED ARE THEY FOR A MILITARY INVASION AND HOW WELL CAN THEY WITHSTAND AN EXTENDED MILITARY OPERATION?

>> WELL, I THINK YOU KNOW MILITARY ANALYSTS SAY RUSSIA WOULD NEED MORE TROOPS TO OCCUPY THE COUNTRY.

I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD BE THE CASE BUT AS JOHN MENTIONED MIGHT NOT BE THE GOAL.

THE GOAL MIGHT BE TO DESTABILIZE UKRAINE TO THE POINT THAT UKRAINE CAN BECOME MORE SUBMISSIVE TO RUSSIA AND BE ABSORBED BACK INTO THAT SOVIET SPACE THAT VLADIMIR PUTIN WANTS TO RECREATE.

YOU KNOW IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY RIGHT NOW.

BUT THERE ARE NOW CITIZEN RIFLE TRAINING HAPPENING.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE PREPARING TO FIGHT BECAUSE IT IS THEIR LIVELIHOODS AND WHAT PEOPLE WANT AND THEY WANT PEACE FIRST AND THEY WANT WHAT ANYBODY HERE IN CHICAGO WANTS WHICH IS TO HAVE A WARM HOUSE, TO HAVE FOOD ON THE TABLE AND WITH ALL THE DIPLOMATIC TALKS GOING ON, THAT IS IMPORTANT.

>> CERTAINLY ESCALATION HAPPENING ALL OVER THE PLACE HERE AND WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS TO JULIAN HAYDA, IAN KELLY AND JOHN HEWKO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, IMAGES OF CHICAGO FROM HUNDREDS OF MILES ABOVE.

BUT FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> STUNNING IMAGES OF CHICAGO FROM HUNDREDS OF MILES ABOVE ARE CIRCULATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

THE PHOTOGRAPHER IS NONE OTHER THAN THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.

PATTY WETLI JOINS US WITH DETAILS.

WHAT EXACTLY DID THE SPACE STATION CAPTURE OF CHICAGO?

>> IT WAS GOING OVERHEAD AND THE FIRST IMAGE ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO IT CAPTURED ONE OF THE CLASSIC SATELLITE VIEWS OF CHICAGO COMING IN FROM THE WEST WHERE EVERYTHING IS DARK AND THEN YOU COME IN ON THE CITY AND AN EXPLOSION OF WHITE LIGHT.

THEN THE NEXT ONE WAS FROM OVER THIS WEEKEND COMPLETELY DIFFERENT VIEW OF A WHITENED CHICAGO BLANKETED IN SNOW LOOKS LIKE WE WERE INTO THE ARCTIC OR SOMETHING WHICH IS ACTUALLY FEELS LIKE.

>> I THINK THE SPACE STATION TWEETED CHICAGO THAT IT LOOKS COLD.

IT IS.

SO IF THE STATION CAN SEE US CAN WE SEE THE STATION?

>> WE CAN.

IF WE KNOW WHERE AND WHEN IT LOOK AND THE CONDITIONS ARE JUST RIGHT.

IT ORBITS THE EARTH ONCE EVERY 90 MINUTES BECAUSE IT'S GOING SO FAST.

WE CAN SEE IT WHEN IT'S OVERHEAD AT DUSK OR DAWN.

SO SOMETIMES IT'S OVERHEAD AND WE CANNOT SEE IT AND IT NEEDS TO BE HIGH ENOUGH ON THE HORIZON.

IT NEEDS TO BE LIKE A PERFECT STORM OF CONDITIONS FOR US TO SEE IT.

YEAH IT'S BRIGHT UP THERE WHEN THE CONDITIONS ARE JUST RIGHT.

>> I IMAGINE IT HELPS FOR IT TO BE CLEAR FOR US TO LOOK UP AND SEE IT.

>> YOU KNOW THAT IS ALWAYS THE TRICK.

>> THAT IS ALWAYS THE TRICK.

ALL RIGHT PATTY WETLI THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS BRANDIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ PATTY'S STORY ON OUR WEBSITE AND YOU WILL FIND A LINK TO THE DATE, TIME AND POSITION IN THE SKY TO LOOK FOR THE STATION ALL AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> BEER IS INTENDED TO BE FOR EVERYONE OF DRINKING AGE, OF COURSE, BUT IT IS NOT ALWAYS MADE BY EVERYONE.

THE CRAFT BEER INDUSTRY HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN DOMINATED BY WHITE MEN.

A 2021 SURVEY BY THE BREWERS ASSOCIATION WHICH REPRESENTS THOUSANDS OF BREWERIES NATIONWIDE FOUND MORE THAN 93% OF BREWERY OWNERS ARE WHITE AND 76% ARE MEN.

THAT LACK OF DIVERSITY IS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND A SCHOLARSHIP INITIATIVE IN ILLINOIS.

>> CRAFT BEER HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THAT MESSAGE IS PUSHED FORWARD.

>> JAY WESTBROOK IS ONE OF THREE WINNERS OF A NEW DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP CREATED BY THE ILLINOIS CRAFT BREWERS GUILD TO BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE INDUSTRY BY GIVING ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

>> THINKING BEER TO CELEBRATE LIFE AND BREAK LIQUID BREAD TOGETHER.

WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE COMMUNITY THAT CRAFT BEER NURTURED WHETHER TAPROOMS ON ON OUR PRODUCTION FLOORS IT WAS CLEAR THERE WAS A LACK OF DIVERSITY.

>> THE SCHOLARSHIP IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY A BREWING SCHOOL IN CHICAGO.

IT COVERS AN ENTRY LEVEL OR INTERMEDIARY COURSE.

WESTBROOK HAS BEEN BREWING HER OWN BEER FOR TWO YEARS AND HOPES THE TRAINING AND KNOWLEDGE WILL TAKE THE PASSION TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

>> I HAVE HAD A LOVE AND FASCINATION FOR CRAFT BEER ONCE I GOT INTO THE SERVICE INDUSTRY I BECAME MORE FASCINATED HOW IT WAS MADE AND CREATED.

>> WESTBROOK CREATED FOUR BEERS SO FAR.

INCLUDING HAROLD'S 83 HONEY ALE THAT YOU CAN FIND AT HAYMARKET IN WEST TOWN.

IT IS A HAT TIP TO HAROLD WASHINGTON BECOMING THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAYOR OF CHICAGO IN 1983.

A HAT TIP TO HAROLD BANKS WHO HAD A GOOD 1983.

A HAT TIPPED TO A CHICAGO INSTITUTION IN HAROLD'S CHICK NINETEEN IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT BEER FOR WESTBROOK.

HE WANTS TO INSPIRE OTHER BEER MAKERS OF COLOR AND TELL A STORY WITH EACH CREATION.

>> MY SUMMER 54 PROJECT I DID TOLD A STORY OF THE FRIEND SHIP BETWEEN EARN ANY BANKS AND MINOSO.

>> THAT MISSION IS A BIG PART WHY THE ILLINOIS CRAFT BREWERS GUILD CHOSE WESTBROOK.

>> HE HAD A LOT TO SAY HOW HE REALLY WANTS TO BE A BEACON OF DIVERSE AND EQUITY AND INCLUSION HE WANTS TO USE CRAFT BEER TO AFFECT POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> I'M VERY MUCH A PURPOSE DRIVEN BREWER THERE WILL BE A PHILANTHROPIC ASPECT AND I WANT TO TELL STORIES ABOUT MY CITY THROUGH CRAFT BEER.

BECAUSE THE EASIEST WAY TO GET SOMEONE'S ATTENTION IS TO PUT A PROPER DRINK IN THEIR HAND.

>> AND WESTBROOK'S HAROLD'S 83 HONEY CAN BE FOUND AT MOST BENNY'S LOCATIONS AS WELL AS LIQUOR STORES.

UP NEXT, AN ENCORE EDITION OF "ASK GEOFFREY".

>> BICYCLE SALES IN CHICAGO HAVE SURGED OVER THE PAST YEAR AS THE PANDEMIC HAS FORCED MORE AND MORE PEOPLE OUTSIDE FOR EXERCISE AND RECREATION.

BUT IT'S HARDLY THE CITY'S FIRST BIKE BOOM.

GEOFFREY BAER IS HERE TO TAKE US BACK TO WHEN CHICAGO WAS CALLED THE DETROIT OF BICYCLES IN THIS WEEK'S "ASK GEOFFREY".

GEOFFREY, THIS WEEK'S QUESTION IS... >> WELL, THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

WE MAY BE FLIRTING WITH SUBZERO TEMPERATURES THIS WEEK BUT THERE ARE STILL THOSE DEDICATED FEW CYCLING THROUGH THE ICE AND SLUSH TO REMIND US OF THE SURGE IN CYCLING WE'VE SEEN THIS PAST YEAR.

IN FACT, THE ORIGINS OF MODERN CYCLING CAN BE TRACED BACK TO OUR CITY OF CHICAGO.

THE BUILDING IN QUESTION ON COSTNER AVENUE WAS ONCE ONE OF THE FACTORIES OWNED BY THE SCHWINN BICYCLE COMPANY AT ONE TIME ONE OF THE LARGEST BICYCLE MANUFACTURERS IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES.

AS YOU MENTIONED, THE COMPANY'S ORIGINS DATE BACK TO THE GREAT BICYCLE BOOM OF THE LATE 19TH CENTURY.

BIKES WERE FINALLY BECOMING ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYDAY PEOPLE.

LARGELY DUE TO THE ADVENT OF THE MODERN BICYCLE CHAIN IN THE 1870s.

BEFORE OUR SO-CALLED SAFETY BICYCLES OF TODAY, MOST BIKES HAD THOSE ENORMOUS FRONT WHEELS AND WERE QUITE EXPENSIVE.

THEY WERE CALLED PENNY OR ORDINARIES AND LET ME TELL YOU I RODE ONE IN OUR SHOW BIKING THE BOULEVARDS AND IT DOES TAKE A LOT OF LEG POWER AND IT FELT WOBBLELY AND IT IS A LONG WAY DOWN IF YOU FALL.

BY THE 1890s THE CHICAGO REGION HAD MORE THAN 80 MANUFACTURERS WHICH COLLECTIVELY CRANKED OUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE COUNTRY'S BICYCLES MANY FACTORIES ALONG LAKE STREET IN FULTON MARKET.

THE FIRST SCHWINN WAS LAKE AND PEORIA, THE COMPANY WAS KNOWN AS ARNOLD SCHWINN AND COMPANY.

BUT THE PERSON BEHIND IT ALL WAS SCHWINN, THE SHORT MAN ON THE RIGHT IN THIS PROMOTIONAL PICTURE.

SCHWINN MADE RACING BIKES.

BUT THEY MADE PLEASURE CRUISERS LIKE THIS TANDEM BIKE DATING FROM THE 1890s.

>> NICE HANDLING.

HOW DID SCHWINN STICK OUT AMONGST THE OTHER DOZENS OF BIKE MANUFACTURERS IN CHICAGO?

>> WELL, THE SHORT ANSWER IS THE OTHERS WENT OUT OF BUSINESS.

THE BICYCLE BOOM WENT BUST IN THE EARLY 900'S DUE TO MARKET OVER SATURATION AND THE RISE OF THE AUTOMOBILE.

SCHWINN HAD POSITIONED HIMSELF TO STAY IN BUSINESS THANKS TO CREATIVE MARKETING, LUCRATIVE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS LIKE THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MAIL ORDER GIANT SEARS WHICH SHIPPED SCHWINN BIKES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IN 1901, SCHWINN MOVED HIS FACTORY TO THE COSTNER AVENUE FACILITY AND LATER SCHWINN OPENED THIS MUCH LARGER FACTORY A FEW BLOCKS AWAY.

AND THAT WOULD STAY OPEN UNTIL THE EARLY 1980s.

AFTER WORLD WAR II, SCHWINN'S SON LAUNCHED A REIMAGINED LINE OF BICYCLES APPEALING TO KIDS AND TEENAGERS.

THE COOLEST KIDS HAD THE STINGRAY REMEMBER THIS WITH THE BANANA SEAT AND THE STICK SHIFT.

POST-WAR MODELS LIKE THE PHANTOM FEATURED A SLEEK CHROME FINISH TO GIVE IT A SPACE AGE LOOK AND THE BRANDING WAS POPULAR BY THE 1950s.

THIS ONE COMPANY SCHWINN, WAS MANUFACTURING UP TO A QUARTER OF THE BICYCLES MADE IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES.

LIKE MOST KIDS, MY BIKES GROWING UP WITH SCHWINNS.

THE FIRST ONE WAS A CRUISER TODAY IT WAS SHINY BLACK WITH CHROME FENDERS, I USED TO DELIVER MY PAPERS WITH THAT BICYCLE.

LATER I HAD A YELLOW SCHWINN VARSITY WITH BLACK HANDLE BAR TAPE BUT MY BROTHER HAD THE STINGRAY.

>> WHAT?

WE DON'T HAVE PICTURES OF THE TWO OF YOU ON YOUR BIKES?

>> I WISH I COULD FIND ONE.

>> HOW CONVENIENT FOR YOU GEOFFREY.

SO SCHWINN IS STILL A HOUSEHOLD NAME BUT THEY ARE NO LONGER BASED IN CHICAGO, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

STARTING IN THE 1970s UNFORTUNATELY, SCHWINN WAS PRETTY SLOW TO REACT TO SEVERAL CHANGES IN THE BICYCLE MARKET AS WELL AS THE RISE OF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITORS.

AND THEN BY THE 90s, THE 1990s SCHWINN FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY AND SOLD OFF THE BRAND.

SCHWINN'S TODAY ARE MADE OVERSEAS EXCEPT FOR ONE MODEL A LIMITED RUN OF THE COLLEGIATE MANUFACTURED IN DETROIT.

AS OUR QUESTIONER POINTED OUT THERE ARE REMNANTS OF THE COMPANY LIKE THE BUILDING ON COSTNER NOW HOME TO A COMPANY THAT BREWS CHIDER, CALLED A SIDERY AND YOU CAN SEE SEE CHICAGO MADE SCHWINNS.

THIS SWEET 1974 VARSITY BELONGS TO WTTW PHOTOGRAPHER FELIX MENDEZ WHO OFTEN SHOOTS STORIES FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

>> GEOFFREY BAER THANKS AS ALWAYS.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> AND DON'T FORGET YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE SCHWINN BICYCLE COMPANY AND WHILE YOU ARE THERE SUBMIT YOUR OWN QUESTION TO GEOFFREY BAER.

>> AND WE'RE BACK OF THE YARDS TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR WHAT MEASURES WILL ALDERPEOPLE TAKE UP?

>> AND A PILSEN BOUTIQUE BRINGS MEXICAN HANDMADE CLOTHING DESIGNS TO PET OWNERS IN CHICAGO.

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND WARM AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]