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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> ONE'S LIBERTY IN OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IS PRECIOUS.

>> COOK COUNTY'S CHIEF JUDGE SAYS CRIME IS A SIEGE ON THE CITY BUT ALLEGED CRIMINALS DESERVE DUE PROCESS.

THE CHICAGO BEARS MAY HAVE A NEW HEAD COACH.

BUT CAN HE TURN THE TEAM AROUND?

>> THE CHURCH GOT TO BE MORE THAN A CHURCH.

>> A SOUP KITCHEN HAS BEEN SERVING KENWOOD RESIDENTS FOR DECADES THROUGHOUT COASTED.

WE'RE LIVE FROM CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE.

>> I HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH TEACHERS BASICALLY TALKING THEM OFF THE EDGE.

>> SCHOOL LEADERS SAY ILLINOIS IS FACING A TEACHER SHORTAGE AND THEY FEAR IT'S GETTING WORSE.

WE TALK WITH EDUCATORS.

>> ADVOCATES ARE SAYING A CHANGE TO ILLINOIS' FELONY MURDER STATUTE DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH.

A NEW REPORT REVEALS THE LAW'S IMPACT.

>> A VISIT WITH THE HIGH FLYING SKIERS AT AN AREA CLUB THAT IS SENDING THREE SKI JUMPERS TO THE WINTER OLYMPICS.

>> AND AS YOU MENTIONED I AM IN KENWOOD AS PART OF "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE KENWOOD IS ON THE SHORE OF LAKE MICHIGAN WITH THE MAKES ASTONISHING MANSIONS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

A AREA FIGHTING GUN VIOLENCE AND WE SPEAK WITH RESIDENTS LIVING HERE FOR DECADES ABOUT THEIR INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY.

FIRST, I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> GLAD YOU ARE WARM JOANNA, THANK YOU.

>> TO TODAY'S TOP STORIES... A MAN AND TEEN CHARGED WITH FATALLY SHOOTING A CHILD.

A JUDGE ORDERED 27-YEAR-OLD XAVIER GUZMAN AND EMILIO CORRIPIO TO BE HELD WITHOUT BAIL THEY ARE FACING FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGES FOR THE SHOOTING DEATH OF 8-YEAR-OLD MELISSA ORTEGA.

THEY ARE DUE BACK IN COURT FEBRUARY 15TH.

>> A SENTENCING DATE HAS BEEN SET FOR JUSSIE SMOLLETT.

A COOK COUNTY JUDGE SAYS SMOLLETT HIS ATTORNEYS AND PROSECUTORS MUST APPEAR IN-PERSON ON MARCH 10TH TO HANDLE SENTENCING AND POST TRIAL MOTIONS.

SMOLLETT WAS CONVICTED ON FIVE FELONY DISORDERLY CONDUCT CHARGES FOR LYING TO POLICE ABOUT ORCHESTRATING A HOAX HATE CRIME AGAINST HIMSELF.

HE COULD FACE PRISON PRIME BUT IT'S POSSIBLE HE IS SENTENCED TO PROBATION.

>> ANOTHER NEW FACE IS COMING TO HALLIS HALL.

ACCORDING TO OUTLETS THE BEARS HIGHERED COLDS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR MATT EBERFLUS AS THE HEAD COACH.

THEY RANKED 6TH IN DEFENSE AND STRUGGLED OFFENSIVELY.

THE MOVE COMES TWO DAYS AFTER THE BEARS ANNOUNCED THE HIRING OF RYAN POLES AS GENERAL MANAGER.

>> UP NEXT, COOK COUNTY'S CHIEF JUDGE WEIGHINGS IN ON CHICAGO'S VIOLENCE PROBLEM.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> IN THE BACK AND FORTH OVER WHAT IS CAUSING THE SURGE IN CRIME SOME CRITICS INCLUDING THE MAYOR POINTED AT THE JUDICIAL BRANCH.

THE CONTENTION: THAT CHANGES TO THE BAIL SYSTEM ELECTRONIC MONITORING AND LENIENCY FROM JUDGES ARE MAKING LIFE TOO EASY FOR CRIMINALS IN A RARE PUBLIC APPEARANCE THE CHIEF JUDGE PUSHED BACK.

AMANDA VINICKY WAS THERE AND JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> YES, COOK COUNTY'S CHIEF JUDGE TIM EVANS POSED THE QUESTION THAT HE KNOWS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ASKING AND THAT IS ARE COURTS PROPERLY HOLDING ACCOUNTABLE DEFENDANTS ACCUSED OF CRIMES.

WITH 3800 SHOOTINGS AND 1800 CARJACKINGS PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN HERE AND HE SAYS THE DANGEROUS CRIMINALS RESPONSIBLE MUST BE STOPPED.

BUT HE SAYS NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED LIBERTIES.

>> PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO SAFETY.

BUT, OF COURSE, AS DESIRABLE AS IT MIGHT BE IN THIS CRIME CRISIS THAT WE FACE, TO KEEP THE DANGEROUS INDIVIDUALS BEHIND BARS, WE STILL HAVE TO DO SO BY PROVIDING THOSE ACCUSED OF COMMITTING THE HORRENDOUS CRIMES THE DUE PROCESS OF LAW.

>> THE RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE PARTICULARLY IN FOCUS TODAY AS THE PUBLIC LEARNED THAT THE 16-YEAR-OLD ACCUSED OF KILLING EIGHT-YEAR-OLD MELISSA ORTEGA HAD BEEN ARRESTED AND RELEASED THREE TIMES FOR CARJACKINGS LAST YEAR.

EVANS CANNOT SPEAK TO THE SPECIFICS OF THIS OR ANY PENDING CASE BUT HE SAYS WITH JUVENILES THE ROLE OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS TO REHABILITATE NOT TO PUNISH.

>> DON'T HAVE THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX THAT IS DEVELOPED AND THE CORTEX OF THE BRAIN DOES NOT ITSELF FULLY DEVELOP UNTIL YOU ARE CLOSER TO THE AGE OF 25 YEARS OF AGE.

THIS KID IS 16.

THERE'S NO WAY THAT HE WOULD HAVE THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX ALREADY DEVELOPED.

WHILE I CANNOT TALK ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR CASE, I'M JUST TALKING ABOUT THE TYPICAL 16-YEAR-OLD HE DOES NOT HAVE THE PART OF THE BRAIN DEVELOPED THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND THE WRONG THING TO DO.

>> HE WAS ASKED AT WHAT POINT WOULD SOMEONE PARTICULARLY A JUVENILE WITH A PRIOR RECORD BE CUTOFF FROM ELECTRONIC MONITORING AND EVANS SAYS WE DON'T GIVE UP ON KIDS.

>> I WILL TAKE A HYPOTHETICAL 16-YEAR-OLD.

WHAT DO WE DO IF WE GIVE HIM A CHANCE AND HE GOES OUT AND HIJACKS A CAR.

DO WE THROW HIM AWAY?

>> WHILE THE POLICE AND PROSECUTORS BELIEVE SOMEONE ACCUSED OF A CRIME IS GUILTY, HE SAYS IT IS THE JUDGE'S JOB TO PLAY A DIFFERENT ROLE.

>> AND IF THAT JUDGE DOESN'T SEE THE EVIDENCE THERE, NO MATTER WHAT THE CHARGE IS, HE OR SHE MIGHT DECIDE TO RELEASE THE PERSON PRETRIAL.

NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PRETILE.

THAT DOESN'T -- PRETRIAL.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY WALK FREE THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH A TRIAL.

THIS IS THE PRETRIAL PHASE.

AS YOU SAID, YES, THEY HAD A CONVICTION IN THE PAST AND THEY ARE CHARGED WITH SOMETHING SIMILAR NOW.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT BECAUSE THEY ARE CHARGED WITH IT THAT THEY DID IT.

>> EVANS HOPES HIS COMMENTS TODAY WILL HELP THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND THIS.

ONE OF THE TOOLS JUDGES USE TO MAKE DECISIONS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ASSESSMENT.

AND THAT HE SAYS IS UNDER REVIEW NOW BY HARVARD.

ANOTHER FACTOR IN WEIGHING THE DECISIONS WHETHER THE STATE'S ATTORNEY FILED A PETITION ASKING THAT A DEFENDANT REMAIN DETAINED.

WITHOUT THAT HE SAYS A JUDGE CANNOT LEGALLY REQUIRE A DEFENDANT BE HELD.

I ASKED HIM HOW OFTEN IS THE STATE'S ATTORNEY NOT FILING THAT REQUIRED PETITION?

HERE IS HIS RESPONSE.

>> WELL, WE ARE CHECKING THAT, TOO.

AND WE HAVE SOME DISTURBING INFORMATION THAT IS COMING IN SO FAR.

>> HE SAYS IT'S COME TO LIGHT THAT THE STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAID IT HAS FILED PETITIONS THAT WOULD PREVENT SOMEONE ACCUSED OF A CRIME FROM BEING RELEASED BUT THE COURT CLERK'S OFFICE HAS NO RECORD OF IT.

MEANING THAT EVEN IF A JUDGE WANTED SOMEONE HELD THEY MAY NOT HAVE THAT OPTION.

IT IS UNCLEAR AT THIS POINT WHAT IS GOING ON, HOW OFTEN, AND WHY.

THE COURT CLERK'S OFFICE SAYS IT IS SETTING UP A MEETING WITH THE JUDGE TO LEARN MORE.

NOW, MEANWHILE THERE HAS BEEN NO FORMAL CHANGE IN DIRECTIVE IN ELECTRONIC MONITORING BUT EVANS SAYS SINCE OCTOBER NOBODY ACCUSED OF MURDER OR ATTEMPTED MURDER HAS BEEN PUT ON ELECTRONIC MONITORING.

WITH THAT BRANDIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> THAT IS INTERESTING NEWS ABOUT THE COURT FILINGS.

I'M SURE WE WILL BE LEARNING MORE ABOUT THAT.

AMANDA VINICKY THANK YOU.

>> YOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE KENWOOD FOR ITS ARCHITECTURAL BEAUTY LOCATED ON CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS RICH IN STUNNING HOMES AND 19TH CENTURY MANSIONS BUT CATERS TO A LARGE WORKING CLASS POPULATION.

IN YEARS THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAS UNDERGONE CHANGES.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" JOANNA HERNANDEZ SPENT THE DAY THERE AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" TO LEARN MORE AND JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> BRANDIS, I'VE LEARNED SO MUCH THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS STARTING FROM THE RICH HISTORY OF THIS AREA AND THE JOURNEY HIS NEIGHBORHOOD HAS EMBARKED ON REGARDING SEGREGATION, GUN VIOLENCE, INEQUALITIES THE COMMUNITY HAS WORKED HARD TO PROSPER.

AND THIS CAFE CARVER 47 IS AN EXAMPLE OF THAT.

IT IS A CAFE SAFE SPACE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO EXPLORE FOOD AND CULTURE.

THE OWNER OF THIS CAFE MONICA HASLIP FOUNDED AN ARTS PROGRAM IN A BASEMENT 28 YEARS AGO AND IT'S FLOWSHISHED INTO BLACK PEARL A ARTS CENTER FOR THE COMMUNITY.

NOW SHE AND LIZZ WRIGHT HAVE TAKEN ON A TASK INTRODUCING HEALTHY EATING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THEY OFFER SALADS AND SANDWICHES AND JUICES AND THE VARIETY OF NATURAL HOME GOODS.

>> I THINK THE PANDEMIC MADE IT EASIER FOR US ALL TO GET MORE SENSITIVE AROUND OUR HEALTH.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT I PUT COMFORT AND NOURISHMENT TOGETHER FOR FOOD AND ALSO AS AVAILABLE SELECTIONS.

I WANT SOMEONE WITH A BREAKFAST SANDWICH AND JUICE I MADE.

I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE TWO.

>> THE CAFE IS NAMED AFTER GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER A LEADER IN AGRICULTURE AND HUMANITARIAN.

MONICA HASLIP WANTS PEOPLE TO FEEL INSPIRED WHEN THEY WANT INTO THE CAFE.

>> WE WANT THEM TO TAKE THE TIME TO ENJOY FOOD AND THAT EVERYTHING IS NOT FAST.

THESE DAYS IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SLOW DOWN AND SEE ONE ANOTHER, TO APPRECIATE EACH OTHER AND TO BRING SOME BEAUTY INTO EVERYTHING THAT WE DO TOGETHER.

>> AND MILLION DOLLAR HOMES IS YOUR ROUND PARTS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE AREA HAS BEEN HOME TO WELL-KNOWN NAMES.

MOHAMMED ALI LIVED IN KENWOOD AND MUDDY WATERS AND THERE IS A LARGE POPULATION OF MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES AND LOW INCOME RESIDENTS.

THE COMMUNITY HAS BATTLED SEGREGATION WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING AND KEEPING SCHOOLS OPEN.

LEROY SANDERS HAS BEEN PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR 40 YEARS.

>> WE SEE BLACK PEOPLE BE ABLE TO COME BACK BECAUSE THEY HAVE JOBS AND THE PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE COME BACK TO THE COMMUNITY IT IS A STRIVING COMMUNITY I'VE WATCHED FOR 41 YEARS THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN BACK IN 1979.

2022, IS A NEW YEAR, NEW DAY, A NEW MONTH.

SO WE LOOK FOR THE JOY, THE HOPE AND THE PEACE THAT WE CAN SURVIVE EVEN THOUGH IN THIS CORONAVIRUS.

>> ALONG HYDE PARK BOULEVARD THE OLDEST JEWISH CONGREGATION IN CHICAGO.

CANTOR DAVID BERGER FROM ISRAEL TEMPLE SHARES HOW THE CONGREGATION HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY THROUGH MUSIC AND SERVICE WORK.

>> WE ARE AN INCREDIBLY RACIALLY DIVERSE CONGREGATION.

WE DON'T SEE IT AS THERE'S BLACK CULTURE OUT THERE AND JEWISH CULTURE IN HERE.

OURSELF PERCEPTION BECAUSE THAT IS WHO OUR PEOPLE ARE IN THE ROOM WE ARE TEACHING OUR KIDS HOW TO BE REALLY EMBRACING THE JEWISH CULTURE AND THEIR BLACK IDENTITY.

I HAVE TWO KIDS AND MY KIDS ARE NOT WHITE EITHER.

TEACHING THEM WHAT IT IS TO BE BLACK AND JEWISH IN THIS WORLD, IS NOT EASY EVERYWHERE.

>> AND THE CONGREGATION HAS BEEN IN THE AREA FOR 100 YEARS AND GOING THROUGH HUGE RENOVATIONS.

THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST HAS BEEN SERVING PEOPLE FOR DECADES.

>> THE CHURCH OUGHT TO BE OPEN EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK BECAUSE PEOPLE NEED HELP.

NOT JUST ON SUNDAY.

BUT WE NEED THE WORD OF GOD TO BECOME ALIVE AND BY FEEDING THE HUNGRY BY GIVING CLOTHES TO THE NAKED.

BY PROVIDING HEALTHCARE THAT IT COULD NOT GO NOWHERE ELSE AND THAT IS DOING A SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

THAT GOD HAS ASSIGNED US TO DO.

>> AND THE PASTOR IS OPENING TO REOPEN THE CLINIC HOPEFULLY SOON HE IS LOOKING FOR A NURSE OR A DOCTOR TO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME.

AND COMING UP WE SPEAK WITH AN ORGANIZATION FIGHTING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

BUT FIRST, I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> JOANNA, THANK YOU.

>> THE BEARS REPORTEDLY HAVE A NEW HEAD COACH.

AFTER DISMISSING MATT NAGY THREE WEEKS AGO, THE CHICAGO BEARS ARE WIDELY REPORTED TO HAVE HIRED INDIANAPOLIS COLTS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR MATT EBERFLUS.

TWO DAYS AFTER THE BEARS ANNOUNCED THE HIRING OF RYAN POLES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL FOR THE CHIEFS AS THE NEW GM.

JOINING US TO GIVE US HIS TAKE IS JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS FORMER OFFENSIVE LINEMAN FOR THE CHICAGO BEARS.

JAMES WELCOME BACK AS ALWAYS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK OF EBERFLUS?

>> I'M INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT ELSE HAPPENS.

I MEAN THIS IS THE FIRST SHOE TO DROP.

AND HE'S GOT TO PICK AN OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR.

AND HE HAS TO PICK A DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR.

BUT I LIKE WHAT I HEAR ABOUT HIM.

HE IS A DETAIL ORIENTED GUY AND I THINK HE WILL BE ABLE TO PUT A GOOD PROGRAM TOGETHER AS LONG AS HE IS ABLE TO FILL THE TWO SPOTS WITH GOOD PEOPLE.

>> JIM CALDWELL AND THE COWBOYS DAN QUINN AMONG THE OTHER FINALISTS WHAT DO YOU THINK MADE EBERFLUS THE BEARS' PICK?

>> THAT I'M NOT SURE OF.

YOU KNOW, YOU TALK ABOUT THE COLLABORATIONS THAT GO ON AT HALLIS HALL AND YOU WONDER HOW MUCH OF THIS WAS ACTUALLY DONE BEFORE POLES GOT INTO THE BUILDING.

BEFORE RYAN POLES GOT INTO THE BUILDING.

AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU KNOW YOU HEAR THAT HE WAS ACTUALLY ON POLES' LIST.

SO YOU HAVE TO THINK THAT HIM BEING ON POLES' LIST, THE BEARS LIKING HIM A LITTLE BIT AND THEM BEING ABLE TO COMBINE AND HAVE A VISION THAT YOU KNOW, COMING FROM INDIANAPOLIS, A GUY COMING FROM KANSAS CITY, TWO GOOD ORGANIZATIONS.

NOW IF YOU CAN COMBINE THEIR THOUGHT PROCESS AND FORM THE BEARS IN A SIMILAR SITUATION, YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING GOOD.

>> DO YOU THINK THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH EBERFLUS COMING FROM A DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR ROLE GIVEN ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT JOBS IS REDEVELOPING THE QUARTERBACK JUSTIN FIELDS AFTER A TOUGH ROOKIE SEASON?

>> NO, I THINK IT IS A GOOD THING.

I THINK WITH EBERFLUS' BACKGROUND AS A DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR IT WILL SLOW DOWN THE OFFENSE A LITTLE BIT.

BECAUSE HE IS GOING TO WANT TO FOCUS ON THE DEFENSE.

AND IF THE DEFENSE CAN GET GOOD, THE INDY DEFENSE FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS HAS BEEN IN THE TOP 10 OF THE LEAGUE.

SO IF HE CAN COME IN AND CHANGE THE DEFENSE AROUND, GET THEM ON THE SAME MINDSET HE IS ON.

SLOW DOWN THE OFFENSE A LITTLE BIT.

RUN THE BALL MORE.

MORE PLAY ACTION WHICH HELPS TO KEEP THE DEFENSE OFF THE FIELD IT GIVES FIELDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN.

IT GIVES HIM A CHANCE TO SLOW DOWN AND NOT HAVE TO BE IN THE FIVE, SEVEN STEP DROPS ALL THE TIME.

HE CAN DO THINGS AT A SLOWER PACE BECAUSE OF THE DEFENSIVE EMPHASIS.

>> HE HAD FOUR SEASONS WITH THE COLTS AMONG THE LEAGUE'S BEST DEFENSES HOW YOU DO YOU THINK HE IS GOING TO VIEW THE ROSTER?

>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER HE WILL WANT TO CHANGE FROM THE THREE-FOUR DEFENSE THAT THE BEARS RUN NOW OR GO TO A FOUR-THREE DEFENSE WHICH WAS VERY POPULAR HERE IN CHICAGO FOR SEVERAL YEARS, ESPECIALLY UNDER LUVVIE SMITH WITH THAT DEFENSE.

THE ABILITY TO HAVE THOSE FOUR DOWN LINEMEN AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT POSSIBLY TURNING KHALIL MACK BACK INTO A DEFENSIVE END AND HAVING QUINN ON THE OTHER SIDE WITH HIS HAND DOWN IN THE DIRT MAKING HIM THE FOURTH DEFENSIVE LINEMAN.

YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE A LOT OF DECISIONS TO MAKE.

THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GET MORE DEPTH AT LINEBACKER BECAUSE YOU JUST DON'T KNOW WHO IS GOING TO BE HERE WITH ALL THE FREE AGENTS.

>> AND EBERFLUS WAS HIRED WE THINK HE HAS BEEN HIRED BY GM RYAN POLES WHO HIMSELF WAS ONLY NAMED AS THE GENERAL MANAGER A COUPLE DAYS AGO.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF POLES AS THE GM?

>> IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR HIM.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT WHAT HAS BEEN DONE OVER THE LAST COUPLE DAYS AS FAR AS RYAN POLES BEING BROUGHT IN.

AND YOUR NEW HEAD COACH AND YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF FAMILIARITIES BETWEEN PACE AND NAGY.

YOUNG GENERAL MANAGER.

A FIRST-TIME HEAD COACH.

BUT IF THESE TWO ARE ABLE TO COMBINE THEIR TALENTS, WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT POLES BEING A GUY THAT IS COMING FROM A BACKGROUND OF COLLEGE SCOUTING WHICH IS A -- IT IS A GOOD BACKGROUND TO HAVE BECAUSE YOU'RE FOCUSING ON THE YOUNG ATHLETES.

FOCUSING ON WHAT TYPE OF PEOPLE YOU WANT TO BRING INTO YOUR FACILITY.

AND I THINK THAT REALLY HELPS POLES.

AND IT WILL HELP HIM IN HIS DECISION MAKING AS LONG AS THE TWO CAN STAY ON THE SAME PAGE.

>> SO AS YOU SAID, POLES BEING A FIRST-TIME GENERAL MANAGER AND ONE OF THE YOUNGEST GM'S IN THE LEAGUE AT 36 YEARS OLD, EBERFLUS A FIRST-TIME HEAD COACH AT 51 YEARS OLD.

IS THAT RISKY TO HIRE TO BRING IN TWO FIRST-TIMERS AT THEIR JOB OR DOES IT SAY THE BEARS ARE TRYING TO SHAKE IT UP?

>> WELL, IT IS RISKY.

AND I THINK WE SAW HOW RISKY IT WAS THE LAST FOUR YEARS WITH NAGY AND PACE TOGETHER.

IT'S ALWAYS RISKY HAVING TWO PEOPLE THAT HAVEN'T PROVEN THEMSELVES YET.

NOW, THE GOOD THING ABOUT IT IS THIS IS THEIR OPPORTUNITY.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THIS HAS TO BE THEIR FIRST YEAR OUT HAS TO BE A 10-6 SEASON.

IF THEY ARE 8-9 OR 7-9 TEAM, BUT YOU ARE SEEING IMPROVEMENTS.

YOU'RE SEEING A TEAM THAT HAS BEEN GUTTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT A TOTAL REBUILD, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REBUILD CERTAIN PARTS OF THIS TEAM AND ORGANIZATION.

AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOMETIME TO DO THAT.

>> AND QUICK BEARS ARE REPORTED TO HAVE 33 AGENTS INCLUDING THE LIKES OF STAR RECEIVER ALLEN ROBINSON AND HICKS AND ANDY DALTON IS IT A GOOD THING FOR THEM TO HAVE HIS MANY FREE AGENTS?

OR DOES IT PRESENT AN OPPORTUNITY?

>> WELL, I THINK IT DOES BOTH.

IT PRESENTS YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET RID OF -- I DON'T WANT TO CALL IT DEAD WEIGHT -- BUT GET RID OF PLAYERS YOU DON'T FEEL YOU WILL NEED WITH THE CHANGES.

WHETHER THAT IS GUYS IN THE PAST THAT HAVE NOT BEEN -- THE GUYS THAT SHOW UP ONE MINERAL FOR A MEETING.

YOU WANT GUYS THAT ARE IN THE PROGRAM THAT WILL BE ALL IN AND MEETING ROOMS AND THE WEIGHT ROOMS ON THE FIELD, TAKING ALL THE DIRECTIONS THEY CAN TAKE.

AND WITH THIS GROUP OF FREE AGENTS, IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE LIKE HAKIM HICKS WHAT THE PROBLEMS THEY HAD AT THE END OF THE SEASON WERE THOSE HAKIM HICKS OR AND THE ORGANIZATION PROBLEMS?

THAT'S A PLAYER THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE BACK BECAUSE OF THE EFFORT AND THE THINGS THAT HE CAN GIVE YOU ON SUNDAY.

BUT YOU HAVE GUARANTEES THAT HE CAN GET IT DONE.

>> JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS.

>> AS THE BEARS HOPE TO TURN THINGS AROUND OUR NEXT STORY TAKES YOU TO A HISTORIC CLUB WHOSE ATHLETES ARE FLYING HIGH.

WE EXPLAIN RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING A LOOK AT THE SHORTAGE OF SCHOOLTEACHERS IN ILLINOIS.

>> BUT FIRST, THERE ARE ONLY FOUR MEMBERS OF THE 2022 U.S. OLYMPICS MEN'S SKI JUMPING TEAM COMPETING AND THREE OF THOSE TRAINED AT A HISTORIC CLUB 40 MILES NORTHWEST OF CHICAGO.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT" VISITED THE NORGE SKI CLUB TO MEET HIGH FLYING ATHLETES WITH NERVES AND LEGS OF STEEL.

PRODUCER MARC VITALI HAS THE STORY.

>> AT THE NORGE SKI CLUB IT IS A LONG WAY TO THE TOP OF THE BIGGEST OF THE FIVE HILLS.

A 70 METER SKI JUMPING TOWER.

>> NO FEAR OF HEIGHT FOR ME.

>> IT IS AN 8-SECOND THRILL RIDE TO REACH THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL.

>> I'M HERE FOR THE TOURNAMENT, YEP, TRAVELING FROM SALT LAKE CITY TO HERE.

I'M KEEPING IT SIMPLE AND WORRIED ABOUT ONE THING AND A GOOD END RUN POSITION AND RELAXING MY UPPER BODY SO I CAN JUST TAKE OFF.

>> YOU ARE FLOATING LIKE A BIRD.

YOU ARE NOT JUST DROPPING OUT OF THE SKY YOU ARE FLOWING OUT AND FOLLOWING THE CONTOUR OF THAT HILL.

>> TRYING TO PULL DOWN THE HILL.

>> MIKE GLASDER TRAINED AT NORGE.

HE WAS A WINTER OLYMPIAN IN 2018 AND TOOK HIM THREE ATTEMPTS TO EARN HIS BIB.

>> LONG JOURNEY I JUST MISSED OUT ON 2010 AND 2014.

SO I DECIDED TO GIVE IT ONE MORE SHOT AND WON THE TRIALS IN 2018.

AND GOT MY FIRST AND LAST BIB.

>> NORGE SKI CLUB IS OPEN YEAR-ROUND.

THEY JUMP ON TO WATERED DOWN PLASTIC WHEN THE WEATHER GETS WARM AND THEY HAVE A PROGRAM THAT INTRODUCES JUNIOR JUMPERS TO SPORT CURRENTLY TRAINING 50 PEOPLE.

IN THE CLUBHOUSE THEY CELEBRATE THE PAST.

HERE IS A PAINTING OF EXPLORER HANGING NEXT TO A PAIR OF HIS SKIS.

>> WE'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 1905.

AND THREE NORWEGIANS THAT STARTED OUR CLUB.

THEY FOUND THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY AND IT'S BEEN GOING EVER SINCE AND WE KEEP MAKING IMPROVEMENTS.

OUR CLUB ORIGINATED IN CHICAGO.

THE FIRST TWO TOURNAMENTS WERE HELD IN REESE PARK AND HUMBOLDT PARK.

IN 1908 THEY WERE ABLE TO LEASE THIS PROPERTY AND AFTER A FEW YEARS WE WERE ABLE TO PAY OFF THE NOTE AND OWN THE PROPERTY FOR THE REST OF THE TOURNAMENTS WERE HERE.

>> NORGE CONTINUED TO PROMOTE ITSELF IN CHICAGO INCLUDING A DEMONSTRATION AT SOLDIER FIELD.

>> IN 1934, AND 1954, THE CLUB BUILT A JUMP MUCH LIKE THE ONE YOU SEE HERE BUT ON THE ROOF OF SOLDIER FIELD.

AND THEY JUMPED OFF OF THAT.

>> TO PROMOTE THE WAR EFFORT DURING WORLD WAR II NORGE JUMPERS TOOK THE LEAP AT WRIGLEY FIELD.

THIS YEAR MARKS NORGE'S 117TH ANNUAL SKI JUMP TOURNAMENT AND THE GROUNDS ARE GROOMED FOR THE OCCASION.

THE EVENT FEATURES JUNIOR SKIERS AND ADULT COMPETITORS FROM THE U.S. AND CANADA.

>> SKI JUMPING IS A SMALL COMMUNITY EVEN WORLDWIDE.

OUR TOP JUMPERS ON THE TEAM THEY HAVE LOTS OF FRIENDS IN EUROPE AND IT IS A SMALL COMMUNITY AND EVERYBODY CHEERS ON EACH OTHER.

>> AND AT THE BEIJING OLYMPICS THEY WILL BE CHEERING ON KEVIN THE SECOND WINTER OLYMPICS WITH THE THREE JUMPERS FROM THE NORGE SKI CLUB.

>> PROUD TO HAVE ALL THREE FROM MY HOME CLUB AND TWO REPEATS FROM 2018.

JUST UNBELIEVABLE.

>> GREAT JUMPERS AND GREAT KIDS, TOO.

WE'RE PROUD OF THEM AND PROUD OF THE WHOLE PROGRAM.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> WOW.

THE 117TH ANNUAL NORGE SKI CLUB TOURNAMENT IS THIS WEEKEND YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND THE BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS KICKOFF NEXT FRIDAY FEBRUARY FOURTH.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" ADVOCATES SAY A CHANGE TO ILLINOIS' FELONY MURDER STATUTE DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH.

DETAILS ABOUT THE NEW REPORT THAT LOOKS AT THE DATA.

>> A KENWOOD ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT IN THE BATTLE AGAINST GENTRIFICATION.

WE TALK WITH THE HEAD ORGANIZER.

AND SCHOOL LEADERS SAY ILLINOIS IS FACING A TEACHER SHORTAGE AND FEAR IT'S GETTING WORSE.

WE TALK WITH EDUCATORS HOW THE PANDEMIC IS IMPACTING THE PROBLEM.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS IS ABOUT TO BEGIN THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE LAKEFRONT IN MORE THAN 25 YEARS.

USING CITY AND FEDERAL FUND TOTALING $3 MILLION.

THE INVESTMENT MADE POSSIBLE BY THE PASSED INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT WILL IN PART LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS TO PROTECT THE SHORELINE AND THOSE WHO LIVE AROUND IT.

THIS COMES AS THE LAKEFRONT HAS SEEN STORM DAMAGE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THE SURVEY IS EXPECTED TO TAKE THREE YEARS.

>> THE CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER TEAM UNVEILS PLANS FOR A NEW HOME.

THE TEAM WOULD TRANSFORM 30 ACRES OF VACANT LAND ON THE WEST SIDE INTO A TRAINING FACILITY.

THAT LAND HAS BEEN VACANT SINCE THE LAST OF THE ABLA PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT WAS DEMOLISHED.

A SERIES OF PUBLIC MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE.

AFTER THE TEAM DROPPED THE PLAN TO BUILD A $90 MILLION FACILITY IN HANSON PARK THAT PROPOSAL DREW FIRE FROM NEIGHBORS OVER CONCERNS OF DISPLACING CHILDREN AND CLASSES AT NEARBY SCHOOLS.

>> THE U.S. ECONOMY GREW AT THE FASTEST PACE SINCE THE REAGAN PRESIDENCY.

THIS AS ALL THREE MAJOR INDEXES CLOSED LOWER ON WALL STREET AGAIN TODAY.

OVERALL, THE COUNTRY'S GROSS DOMESTIC OUTPUT GREW 5.7% IN 2021 AFTER THE MARKET SAW A BRIEF RECESSION FROM THE PANDEMIC IN 2020.

HOWEVER, THE ECONOMY IS EXPECTED TO SLOW THIS YEAR DUE TO INFLATION AND HIGH COVID CASE LOADS.

>> ADVOCATES ARE SAYING A CHANGE TO ILLINOIS' FELONY MURDER STATUTE DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH.

THE CHANGE WAS MADE BY STATE LAWMAKERS LAST JANUARY AS PART OF THE SWEEPING CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

THE LAW REMOVES THE POSSIBILITY OF PROSECUTORS CHARGING DEFENDANTS WITH MURDER IN CASES WHEN A THIRD PARTY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE KILLING.

BUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES SAY THE REFORM SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE RETROACTIVE AND ARE LOBBYING FOR FURTHER CHANGES.

A NEW REPORT FROM INJUSTICE WATCH REVEALS FELONY MURDER LAWS HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON PEOPLE OF COLOR AND WOMEN.

AND JOINING US ARE RITA OCEGUERA AN INJUSTICE WATCH REPORTER WHO COVERS IMMIGRATION, POLICING AND CLASS EQUITY.

>> AND CHLOE HILLES, A REPORTING RESIDENT WITH INJUSTICE WATCH.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

RITA OCEGUERA LET'S START WITH YOU.

PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT FELONY MURDER IS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US BRANDIS.

SO FELONY MURDER IS THE RULE STATES WHEN A PERSON COMMITS CERTAIN FELONIES AND SOMEONE DIES IN THE COURSE OF THAT FELONY THAT PERSON CAN BE CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE MURDER EVEN IF THEY DID NOT KILL THE PERSON.

>> AND THE TYPES OF FELONIES ARE SEXUAL ASSAULT, ROBBERY, BURGLARY.

>> YES.

CORRECT.

>> AND CHLOE HILLES EXPLAIN TO US THE REFORM.

THE REFORM THAT WENT INTO EFFECT WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

>> SO THE REFORM IS GOING TO CHANGE THE RULES SO THIRD PARTY FELONY MURDER WHEN SOMEONE NOT INVOLVED IN THE DIRECT COURSE OF THE FELONY A THIRD PARTY MAYBE A HOMEOWNER OR A POLICE OFFICER IF THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE KILLING THE FELONY MURDER RULE IS NOT GOING TO TAKE PLACE FOR THOSE DEFENDANTS.

BUT HOWEVER, IT STILL INCLUDES MURDERS IN THE CASE OF A DEFENDANT KILLING SOMEONE DURING THE COURSE OF A FELONY AND THOSE DEFENDANTS THE CO-DEFENDANTS CAN BE CHARGED WITH FELONY MURDER STILL.

>> RITA, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE INMATES INCARCERATED FOR FELONY MURDER?

>> SO IT IS NOT RETROACTIVE.

SO THAT MEANS THOSE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE CASE WHERE A THIRD PARTY WAS INVOLVED THEY CANNOT BE RESENTENCED.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE MEANS TO SAY, HEY THIS RULE DOESN'T APPLY TO ME ANYMORE.

AND ALSO THOSE WHO CO-DEFENDANTS KILLED SOMEONE DURING THE COURSE OF A FELONY THEY ALSO ARE NOT -- THEY DON'T APPLY TO THE REFORM AS WELL.

>> RITA IN YOUR RESEARCH, YOU ALL SPOKE WITH VKS WHO THINK THAT MORE SHOULD BE DONE AND YOU CITED OTHER STATES WHERE FELONY MURDER REFORM LAWS HAVE GONE FARTHER.

WHAT WOULD ADVOCATES LIKE TO SEE?

>> SO ADVOCATES WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE DONE.

THEY DO WANT TO HAVE A REAL PUT IN FOR THE REFORM WHERE THE CO-DEFENDANTS THAT WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

IF THE CO-DEFENDANT WAS THE ONE WHO KILLED SOMEONE DURING A FELONY, THEN THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE OTHER CO-DEFENDANT WHO WAS MAYBE A LOOKOUT AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE AN INTENT TO CAUSE ANY VIOLENCE THEY SHOULDN'T BE CHARGED WITH MURDER SINCE THEY DID NOT DIRECTLY KILL ANYONE.

>> IN YOUR ANALYSIS YOU FOUND THAT BLACK MEN UNDER THE AGE OF 25 YEARS OLD MADE UP 40 PERCENT OF PEOPLE CHARGED WITH FELONY MURDER AND WOMEN MADE UP 26% OF PEOPLE SERVING TIME FOR FELONY MURDER COMPARED WITH 5% OF WOMEN IMPRISONED IN MURDER CHARGES OVERALL.

KHLOE WHAT DID YOU LEARN WHY FELONY MURDER IMPACTS YOUNG PEOPLE AND WOMEN?

>> WOMEN WITH HISTORIES OF DOMESTIC ABUSE OFTEN ARE GOING TO ENCOUNTER THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

A RECENT STUDY IN ILLINOIS SHOWS THAT MOST WOMEN IN ILLINOIS PRISONS HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR ABUSE.

AND NOW WHAT DOES THIS MEAN IN TERMS OF FELONY MURDER?

WELL, IT CAN MEAN THEY ARE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP AND BEING MANIPULATED OR FORCED TO GO ALONG WITH THE CRIME THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO COMMIT.

OR IT CAN MEAN THEY HAVE LESS OF AN ABILITY TO SAY NO WHEN SOMEONE SUGGESTS CONDUCTING A CRIME DUE THE MINDSET BECAUSE OF THE HISTORY OF TRAUMA AND ABUSE.

>> WITH REGARD TO YOUNG PEOPLE YOU ALSO DID RESEARCH ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRAIN AND THE FREE FRONTAL CORTEX.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN THERE.

>> YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO PEER PRESSURE AND INFLUENCED BY THE ENVIRONMENT THEY GREW UP IN AND THE DOCTORS ARE NOT BEING TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN CHARGING SOMEONE WITH A MURDER THAT THEY DID NOT COMMIT.

>> WHAT IS THE ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN SOME OF THESE FELONY MURDER CASES?

>> SO THE ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, SOMETIMES THOSE ARE THE THIRD PARTIES THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THE FELONY.

SO THE EXPERTS ARE SAYING THAT HAD REDIRECTS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DEATH TO THOSE WHO CITED THE FELONY INSTEAD OF THE OFFICERS.

IF AN OFFICER IS CHASING SOMEONE AND THEY SHOOT A BYSTANDER THE PERSON COMMITTING THE FELONY COULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH FELONY MURDER.

SO THAT IS THE ISSUE THAT THEY WERE HAVING WHY THE REFORM WAS PUT IN PLACE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> AND YOUR RESEARCH FOUND THAT IS THE CASE FOR SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED THAT MAY HAVE BEEN A SIMILAR SITUATION WHEN THEY WERE CHARGED AND SENT TO PRISON.

RITA, ADVOCATES ARE ASKING LEGISLATORS TO REMOVE THIS LEGISLATION ALTOGETHER OR TO MAKE MUCH MORE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES.

HOW LIKELY IS THAT?

>> THAT IS UP TO LEGISLATORS.

WE ARE NOT SURE.

ILLINOIS HAS A HISTORY OF NOT PUTTING RETROACTIVE CLAUSES INTO THEIR LEGISLATION.

BUT ADVOCATES ARE THEY WANT TO REASSURE PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE NOT SAYING THAT THE PEOPLE DON'T DESERVE TO GO TO PRISON FOR THE CRIME THEY COMMITTED.

THEY ARE SAYING THEY DID NOT DESERVE TO GO TO PRISON FOR A MURDER THEY DID NOT COMMIT.

>> CHLOE HILLES EXPLAIN HOW YOU ANALYZED THE DATA?

>> WE RECEIVED DATA FIRST FROM THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

USING CHARGES OF MURDER OR OTHER FORCIBLE FELONY.

WE THEN WENT PERSON BY PERSON LOOKING THROUGH NEWS CLIPPINGS READING CASE SUMMARIES TO DETERMINE IF THEY WERE THE PERSON WHO DIRECTLY KILLED SOMEONE, IF IT IS A CO-DEFENDANT OR A THIRD PARTY AND CODING BASED ON OUR FINDINGS FROM CLIPPINGS.

AND WHAT THIS DIDN'T INCLUDE WERE DEFENDANTS WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF ANOTHER CRIME IF THEY TOOK A PLEA DEAL AND GOT MANSLAUGHTER OUR DATA IS NOT COMPLETE FOR THIS REASON, BUT THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS DOESN'T TRACK ANY FELONY MURDER CHARGES.

THIS HAD TO BE DONE BY HAND BY US.

>> GOT IT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FROM INJUSTICE WATCH, RITA OCEGUERA AND CHLOE HILLES.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> AND NOW BACK TO JOANNA WHO SPENT THE DAY IN KENWOOD AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> AND THANK BRANDIS WE ARE HERE WITH SHANNON BENNETT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF KENWOOD OAKLAND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS COCO.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATIONS WORK IN THE COMMUNITY?

>> KENWOOD OAKLAND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1965 WE ARE BIRTHED IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND IT WAS BROUGHT TOGETHER BY COMMUNITIES FROM KENWOOD AND OAKLAND WHICH HAD DIFFERENT THINGS HAPPENING.

SOME OF THE ISSUES OF YOUNG PEOPLE NOT GETTING ALONG AND GANGS BROUGHT THE PARENTS TOGETHER TO COME WITH CLERGY AND FORMED THE ORGANIZATION.

WE WORK FOR YOUTH INVESTMENT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, STRONG PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SENIOR RIGHTS.

>> YOU'VE BEEN HERE FOR JUST OVER 30 YEARS WHAT HAS THE FIGHT TO SECURE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BEEN LIKE?

>> WOW IT IS A BIG FIGHT.

WE ARE FIGHTING LEGACY AND TRADITION OF STRONG COMMUNITY ORGANIZING.

YOU CAN WALK THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY AND SEE LIVING MONUMENTS OF THAT WORK.

SO THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF GREAT THINGS DOWN DONE HERE IN SPITE OF A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAPPENED LIKE WHITE FLIGHT IN THE EARLY 50s AND 60s AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS DEALING WITH RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS WHICH RESTRICTED BLACK FOLK TO SEGMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY AND YOU HAD ONE STREET A DIVIDING LINE WHERE BANKS AND HOMEOWNERS WOULD NOT SELL TO BLACK PEOPLE.

OVERCOMING ALL OF THAT THEN YOU RUN INTO THINGS LIKE THE CONDO BOOM OF THE 90s.

STARTING TO PUSH AND SQUEEZE OUT LOW INCOME AND WORKING FAMILIES TO WHAT WE HAVE TODAY WHERE WE HAVE 700,000 AND MILLION DOLLAR HOMES WE WELCOME THE PROGRESS.

BECAUSE OF OUR PROXIMITY TO THE LAKE MANY FAMILIES ARE BEING SQUEEZED OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THEY HAVE BEEN BORN IN AND THEY LOVE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE PRESSURES AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT COCO STRIVES TO MAKE SURE WE CAN CREATE POLICY TO MAKE SURE THE FAMILIES ARE PROUD TO LIVE HERE STAY HERE.

>> I WANT TO GO AND MOVE FORWARD TO YOUR TEAM HAS BEEN FIGHTING TO KEEP SCHOOLS OPEN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WHAT HAS THAT MOVEMENT CONSISTED OF AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?

WE WERE GROUND ZERO KENWOOD AND OAKLAND AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES FOR POLICIES THAT WERE HARMFUL AGAINST FOLK.

BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF HOUSING FROM THE PUBLIC HOUSING, MANY OF THE SCHOOLS WERE DEPOPULATED.

SOME PEOPLE TOOK THAT OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT A MASS TRANSFORMATION THAT WAS COMING FROM THE BANKS.

IT CAME FROM FOLK WHO WERE PART OF THE COMMERCIAL CLUB OF CHICAGO NOT FROM THE PARENTS OR THE PRINCIPALS.

AND IT WAS A PROPOSAL CALLED THE MID-SOUTH PLAN THAT PREDATED DALEY'S PLAN IN 2010 WHICH PUT PRESSURES TO CLOSE 20 OUT OF 22 SCHOOLS.

WE WORKED HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP PUBLIC SCHOOLS STRONG AND EQUITABLE AND WE HAD THE RESOURCES BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT HAS BEEN MISSING.

>> AND THAT FIGHT CONTINUES.

>> CONTINUES.

>> AND I DO WANT TO MOVE ON.

WE HEARD THERE IS A NEW RENOVATION HAPPENING TO THE BUILDING.

CAN YOU BRIEFLY TELL ME WHAT CAN PEOPLE LOOK FORWARD TO?

>> WE ARE RENOVATING OUR OFFICE SPACE AND IT WILL BE CALLED THE SILVER FOX THAT WILL BE ON THE FIRST LEVEL THE OFFICES WILL MOVE TO THE SECOND LEVEL AND A RETREAT PACE SA ON THE THIRD LEVEL IT WILL BE A SENIOR CAFE THAT WILL FOCUS ON HAVING AFFORDABLE COMFORT FOOD AND A SPACE WHERE SENIORS CAN COME AND FEEL COMFORTABLE AND SAFE.

IT WILL BE A NICE PLACE.

AND IN THE EVENING, IT WILL FLIP TO BE A JAZZ AND BLUES VENUE FOR LIVE BLUES AND JAZZ.

>> SOUNDS LIKE AN EXCITING PROJECT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> AND STAY TUNED WE SPEAK TO A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL, FIRST I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> A LOT OF HISTORY THERE IN KENWOOD.

UP NEXT A CALL FOR ACTION AS SCHOOL LEADERS SAY THE STATE IS EXPERIENCING A TEACHER SHORTAGE.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... ILLINOIS IS FACING A TEACHER SHORTAGE AND LEADERS FEAR IT'S GETTING WORSE.

88% OF SUPERINTENDENTS SURVEYED REPORT A TEACHERS SHORTAGE PROBLEM AND 96 BELIEVE THEY HAVE A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER SHORTAGE.

THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BEFORE THE OMICRON VARIANT WHICH POSES ADDED CHALLENGES TO SCHOOLS AS SOME STRUGGLE TO KEEP BUILDINGS STAFFED ENOUGH TO HOST IN-PERSON CLASSES.

JOINING US ARE MARK KLAISNER PRESIDENT OF THE ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF SUPERINTENDENTS AND REGENTS OF ST. SCHOLASTICA SCHOOLS AND KATHI GRIFFIN PRESIDENT OF THE ILLINOIS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION A UNION REPRESENTING EDUCATORS OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

KATHI GRIFFIN LET'S START WITH YOU PLEASE.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY?

>> WE ARE NOT SURPRISED AT ALL.

WE KNOW THAT OUR CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN DETERIORATING.

WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE FEWER COLLEGE GRADUATES CHOOSING A MAJOR IN EDUCATION.

WE HAVE LOWER PAY.

WE APPLAUD THE LEGISLATURE FOR PASSING THE $40,000 MINIMUM SALARY BUT IT WILL THAT BE APPLIED UNTIL 2023.

AND THE PANDEMIC HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH MAINTAINING OUR SCHOOL STAFF.

THEY ARE EXHAUSTED.

THEY ARE COVERING CLASSES.

I THINK THAT PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT THE SCHOOLS WERE GOING TO OPEN IN THE FALL AND OF THE WAS GOING TO BE PERFECT.

BUT THAT IS NOT A REALITY.

IT'S DIFFICULT WITH OUR STUDENTS BECAUSE THEY ARE HAVING DIFFICULTIES WITH SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL NEEDS AND WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS THOSE.

AND PEOPLE ARE COVERING CLASSES AND DOING THE BEST WE CAN BECAUSE WE TRULY CARE ABOUT OUR KIDS.

>> IT IS A LOT OF WORK FOR TEACHERS.

MARK KLAISNER WHAT DOES THE SURVEY TELL YOU HOW SIGNIFICANT OF A PROBLEM THE TEACHER AND EDUCATOR SHORTAGE IS TODAY?

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

WE STARTED CALLING THIS A CRISIS BACK IN ' 17 WHEN WE STARTED OUR FIRST FORMAL STUDIES.

16, 18 AND 19 WE SAW IT AS A CRISIS AND NOW I'M SAYING IT'S BECOME A CLIFF.

OUR STUDY SURVEYS SUPERINTENDENTS ACROSS THE STATE AND NEARLY 80% OF THE SUPERINTENDENTS RESPONDED.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS MOST CONCERNING IS OUR SUPERINTENDENTS BELIEVE 93% OF THEM RESPONDED THAT THEY THINK THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS.

THE PANDEMIC HAS ONLY MADE IT WORSE.

>> EARLIER TODAY WE SPOKE WITH KAREN MOORE, SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER IN HARVEY ABOUT THE SHORTAGE HERE IS WHAT SHE SAID.

>> THE TEACHER SHORTAGE HAS ONLY BEEN MAGNIFIED WITH THE PANDEMIC AND HAVING LESS TEACHERS CAUSES TEACHERS THAT ARE HERE TO HAVE TO COVER AND THAT IS ADDED STRESS BECAUSE I'M DOING ANOTHER TEACHER'S NOT THE FAULT OF THE TEACHER BUT I'M DOING ANOTHER JOB.

>> AND KATHY THIS IS SOMETHING YOU WERE TOUCHING ON.

HOW COMMON IS THIS?

>> IT IS COMMON THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

IT IS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE.

TEACHERS ARE GETTING OMICRON AS YOU MENTIONED.

AND THEY ARE COVERING THEIR CLASSES.

THEY ARE GIVING UP A PLANNING PERIOD.

GIVING UP LUNCHES BECAUSE WE HAVE DEDICATED TEACHERS THAT WILL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS THEN THEY GO HOME TO PLAN FOR THE NEXT DAY AND IT'S CAUSING EXHAUSTION.

>> EARLIER TODAY WE SPOKE WITH MARGE ZIELINSKI, A SCHOOL NURSE IN THE NORTHWEST SUBURBS AND SAID WHILE LAST SEMESTER WAS DIFFICULT FOR HER, SHE TRIES TO ENCOURAGE HER COLLEAGUES TO KEEP GOING.

HERE IS WHAT SHE SAID.

>> YOU KNOW I MENTIONED TO STAFF AT STAFF MEETINGS WE HAVE TO OUTSMART THIS VIRUS WE ARE SMARTER AND BIGGER THAN THE VIRUS WE HAVE TO BE ADAPTABLE AND RIDE THIS ROUGH TSUNAMI WAVE WITH THE OMICRON VARIANT WE HAVE TO RIDE IT THROUGH.

>> MARK, TALK ABOUT THE BURN-OUT THAT TEACHERS AND OTHER EDUCATORS IN SCHOOL BUILDINGS SAY THEY ARE EXPERIENCING.

>> YEAH.

SO AS I MENTIONED, THE CRISIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONGTIME.

AND THAT RESULTS IN RAISING CLASS SIZES, WE KNOW THAT OUR STUDENTS COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC ARE BRINGING THE EFFECTS OF TRAUMA IN THEIR HOME SETTINGS, COMING INTO SCHOOLS THEY HAVE DEALT WITH LOSS.

THEY'VE DEALT WITH ISOLATION.

ALL THOSE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL ISSUES ON TOP OF JUST ACADEMIC LEARNING.

WE'RE ASKING MORE AND MORE AND MORE OF TEACHERS.

AND AS KATHY POINTED OUT, WHEN YOU HAVE 2,000 UNFILLED POSITIONS TEACHERS ARE DOING AMAZING THINGS OF USING THEIR PLAN TIME OR LUNCH-HOURS FILLING IN FOR THEIR COLLEAGUES, TRYING TO DO THE BEST THEY CAN FOR KIDS.

AND ALL ALONG WE'RE ASKING MORE AND MORE OF OUR TEACHERS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THEY ARE DEALING WITH THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR OWN PERSONAL CHALLENGES IN THE PANDEMIC.

>> THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE PANDEMIC AS WELL AND MARK YOU TALKED ABOUT THE SHORTAGE EXISTING BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AND OF COURSE THE PANDEMIC HAVING MADE IT WORSE.

OUTSIDE OF THE PANDEMIC WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT LED TO THE SHORTAGE BEFORE COVID-19?

>> WELL, WE SEE A NUMBER OF FACTORS.

ONE OF THEM IS IN FACT THE FACT THAT WE ARE ASKING MORE AND MORE AND MORE OF TEACHERS.

EVERY YEAR THERE'S MORE CURRICULUM MANDATES AND REQUIREMENTS ON OUR TEACHERS.

OUR CLASS SIZES ARE GOING UP.

AS KATHY POINTED OUT, THE TEACHERS HAVE NOTORIOUSLY BEEN PAID LESS THAN THE MARKET EQUIVALENT.

IN ADDITION, WE'VE SEEN TEACHER SALARIES ARE NOT RAISING AS QUICKLY AS CPI AND OTHER FACTORS.

SOME IS ABOUT MONEY.

SOME IS ABOUT DEMANDS.

SOME IS JUST THE COMPLEXITY OF THE JOB AND THE REQUIREMENTS.

AND AT THE SAME TIME, TO BE FRANK, OUR SOCIETY IS ASKING A LOT OF TEACHERS.

TEST SCORES, REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENT GRADUATIONS AND SO WE'RE PUTTING MORE PRESSURE AND WE'RE PROVIDING LESS SUPPORTS AND WE ARE ASKING AN AWFUL LOT OF OUR TEACHERS.

SO IT ISN'T NECESSARILY SURPRISING THEY ARE LEAVING.

>> AND EARL WESTFORTH TODAY WE MENTIONED KAREN MOORE SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER HERE IS A LITTLE BIT MORE OF WHAT SHE SAID.

>> THERE IS A DEFINITE NEED FOR TEACHERS OF COLOR.

AND THESE HIGH POVERTY AREAS WHERE WE HAVE STUDENTS OF COLOR, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TEACHERS THAT LOOK LIKE THE STUDENTS AND WE DEFINITELY ARE SEEING A LACK OF THE MALE PRESENCE IN THE TEACHING PROFESSION.

>> KATHY WHAT CAN BE DONE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN MORE TEACHERS ESPECIALLY TEACHERS OF COLOR?

>> THERE IS ONE PROGRAM THAT IA IS ENGAGING CALLED EDUCATORS RISING.

IT IS A HIGH QUALITY INTRODUCTION TO TEACHER PREPARATION COURSES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

AND WE ARE REALLY HOPING THAT MORE HIGH SCHOOLS GET ENGAGED BECAUSE IT ALLOWS FOR DUAL CREDIT AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL MAKE CHOOSING A CAREER IN EDUCATION ATTAINABLE AND IT ALSO HELPS WITH OUR TEACHERS OF COLOR.

BECAUSE WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT 60% OF TEACHERS COME BACK TO TEACH WITHIN 20 MILES WHERE THEY GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL.

WHICH REALLY JUSTIFIES THE NEED FOR ALL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS TO HAVE HIS TYPE OF GROW YOUR OWN PROGRAM.

>> MARK IN 15 SECONDS WHAT IS AT STAKE?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF WE DON'T ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE?

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK IT IS JUST A QUICK SAYING THAT THE CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE.

AND WE NEED HIGH QUALITY EDUCATORS IN FRONT OF OUR STUDENTS PROVIDING THEM WITH THE VERY BEST INSTRUCTION AND ACTUALLY, A HOPE TO CHANGING OUR FUTURE.

IF WE DON'T CHANGE THE TIDE THEN THE OUTLOOK FORWARD IS NOT SO GREAT IN TERMS OF HAVING QUALITY PEOPLE QUALITY TEACHNERS FRONT OF OUR STUDENTS.

ALL OF THAT MEANS A QUALITY EDUCATION FOR OUR STUDENTS.

KATHI GRIFFIN AND MARK KLAISNER THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, BRANDIS.

>> UP NEXT, WE CHECK BACK IN WITH JOANNA HERNANDEZ WHO IS REPORTING TONIGHT FROM KENWOOD.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT SOME EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND.

>> AND NOW WE CHECK BACK IN WITH JOANNA WHO SPENT THE DAY IN KENWOOD AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> THANKS.

WE ARE HERE WITH KENWOOD ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CORY MORRISON AND KAREN GARLAND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I WANT TO START OFF CORY WITH YOU, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE KENWOOD ACADEMY AS A SCHOOL?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

ONE WE THINK OF KENWOOD WE ARE THE HBCU OF HIGH SCHOOLS FOUNDED IN 1966 AND MOVED INTO OUR BIG BUILDING IN 1969 AND SINCE THEN I THINK THE HISTORY OF KENWOOD IS REALLY DIVERSE.

WE HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE CITY.

BUT WE TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN BEING A NEIGHBORHOOD HIGH SCHOOL ROOTED IN HYDE PARK AND ROOTED IN THE BLACK EXPERIENCE AND BLACK CULTURE.

WE TAKE PRIDE IN THAT.

COMING UP ON BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS A SPECIAL MONTH FOR US AT KENWOOD.

>> AND KAREN THIS IS YOUR FIRST YEAR AS AN ATHLETIC DIRECTOR.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO COME IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC?

>> COMING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE THERE WERE NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THE BUILDING ESPECIALLY SPORTS.

WHEN I FIRST CAME INTO THE BUILDING I BECAME FAMILIAR WITH CORY WHO INTRODUCED ME TO THE SPORTS LIKE-AND-A-HALF DATING MY WAY AROUND AND ONCE THE KIDS STARTED TO COME INTO THE BUILDING AND GOT TO MEET THE TEAMS AND THE COACHES IT WAS WONDERFUL.

I'M LOVING EVERY BIT OF IT.

>> AND CORY WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE TO BUILD NOT ONLY YOUR SPORTS PROGRAMS AND ACADEMICS?

>> IT WASN'T JUST ME.

SHOUT-OUT TO ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT ALL THE PRINCIPALS IN THE PAST KENWOOD BUILDS ON THE IDEA OF A SUCCESSION PLAN.

THE WORK DONE IN THE 90s PASSED ON TO THE WORK IN THE PRINCIPALS IN 2000 AND DOWN TO PRINCIPAL CALLAWAY AND KEEPING THAT LEGACY AROUND NOT ONLY ARE WE HAVING A FANTASTIC EXCELLENT ATHLETICS WE HAVE EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMICS.

WE LEAD THE CITY IN COLLARSHIPS.

WE ARE SETTING THE PACE ON WHERE STUDENTS ARE GOING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE A STUDENT THAT HAS A FULL RIDE TO STANFORD UNIVERSITY.

SO WE TAKE OUR PRIDE IN DOING ALL THINGS NOT JUST ATHLETICS.

>> I WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THE IMPACT OF THE PROGRAMS ARE ON THE LIVES OF STUDENTS AND THE KENWOOD COMMUNITY WHEN IT COMES TO SPORTS?

THEY WON MULTIPLE CHAMPIONSHIPS?

THAT HAS TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE STUDENTS.

>> YEAH, I THINK CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE EASY FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO WHEN PALM, FOOTBALL WON, BASKETBALL IS ON THEIR WAY TO WINNING ONE IT BRINGS IN A LOT OF THE COMMUNITY.

BUT WE WINNING A LOT OF DIFFERENT ONES.

WE HAD A CITY CHAMPION IN SWIMMING IT SPARKS THE FIRE IN THE CITY.

AND TO THEIR SURPRISE WHEN THEY WALK THROUGH THE DOOR OUR DEBATE TEAM IS ONE OF THE BEST.

WE HAVE BEEN WINNING EVERY TOURNAMENT.

WE HAVE A MATH TEAM.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON IN THE SCHOOL AND WHEN PEOPLE START TO GET INVOLVED THEY GET EXCITED AND THEY WANT TO STAY ENGAGED AND INVOLVED.

WHY WE'VE BEEN SO GOOD WHAT WE ARE DOING.

>> AND KAREN MOORE WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO IMPLEMENT WHAT PROMISES.

>> LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST YEAR THAT CTS OFFER TO DO TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS THE HISTORIC MOMENT FOR US.

WE WENT REALLY FAR IN OUR JOURNEY IN FLAG FOOTBALL AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SPRING BECAUSE THEY WILL OFFER COED FLAG FOOTBALL.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THAT SPORTS DOES TO STUDENTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> I THINK SPORTS GIVES A LOT OF STUDENTS THAT DON'T NECESSARILY EXCEL IN ACADEMICS IT GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEL.

IT'S ALSO A WAY TO EXPRESS YOURSELF AND JUST BE RECOGNIZED FOR WHO YOU ARE.

I THINK SPORTS ARE REALLY GOOD AND IMPORTANT LIKE ARTS ARE.

BUT SPORTS ARE GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> AND FUN, RIGHT?

>> A LOT OF FUN.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> BRANDIS I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> SPORTS AND ARTS IS FUN AND SO IS SHOPPING WHAT CAN RESIDENTS FIND AT THE MARKET WHERE YOU ARE?

>> I MEAN LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL THIS LOOKS.

IT'S ALL LOCAL PRODUCTS.

THIS RIGHT HERE IS A BATH SCRUB MADE OF LAVENDER AND T-SHIRTS THAT ARE COOL BECAUSE IT'S MADE FROM A GRAPHIC DESIGNER HERE.

AGAIN IT IS A PICTURE OF Dr.

CARVER.

IT'S AWESOME AND YOU CAN FIND ALL KINDS OF STUFF THERE'S FLOWERS AND GOODS AND THE BEST PART WAS THE FOOD.

I HAD THIS AWESOME STEAK BISCUIT YOU HAVE TO TRY IT.

BUT THAT IS ALL WE HAVE FROM KENWOOD I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THAT MEANS YOU ARE BRINGING BACK SAMPLES.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY 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 AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

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

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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