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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WE'LL HAVE OUR DAY IN CONGRESS.

>> CONGRESS IS SET TO CERTIFY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE TOMORROW.

SOME REPUBLICANS PLAN ON CONTESTING IT.

WE TALK WITH MEMBERS OF ILLINOIS' DELEGATION ABOUT THE VOTE AND GEORGIA'S RUNOFF ELECTION.

>> WE NOW KNOW DAWN IS BREAKING.

>> IT IS A COVID MILESTONE.

HEALTHCARE WORKERS BEGIN GETTING THEIR SECOND CORONAVIRUS VACCINE DOSE EVEN AS THERE'S TROUBLE WITH THE BROADER ROLL OUT.

>> PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED AT HOME IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MAKE REMOTE LEARNING ETIQUETTABLE.

>> SOME CHICAGO TEACHERS AND STAFF SAY SCHOOL BUILDINGS ARE NOT SAFE ENOUGH TO RETURN TO BEFORE THEY GET VACCINATED.

WE HEAR FROM C.T.U.

'S VICE-PRESIDENT.

>> OUTDOOR DINING AND CARRY OUT AND HOPE FOR A STIMULUS HOW RESTAURANTS ARE TRYING TO SURVIVE THE COVID-19 WINTER.

>> THE LIGHT IS AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL WHICH IS NICE TO SEE.

>> WHAT THE SAVE OUR STAGES ACT COULD MEAN FOR CHICAGO'S INDEPENDENT MUSIC AND ARTS REN VIEWS.

>> A LOCAL LGBTQ GROUP IS TEAMING UP WITH LAWMAKERS TO SUPPORT TRANSGENDER CHICAGOANS WHO EXPERIENCE VIOLENCE.

>> EXPERTS EXPECT THEM TO NEST ON MONTROSE BEACH COULD IT BECOME THEIR PERMANENT SUMMER HOME?

>> FIRST SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES STARTING IN KENOSHA WHERE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY ANNOUNCES HE WILL NOT PURSUE CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST THE WHITE POLICE OFFICER WHO SHOT JACOB BLAKE IN THE BACK LAST SUMMER.

AND MORE SO, JACOB BLAKE WILL NOT FACE CHARGES.

>> FOR MANY OF THE SAME REASONS IN TERMS OF AN OVERALL DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS CASE, THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE INTENDS TO PURSUE.

>> KENOSHA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY MICHAEL GRAVELY TOLD REPORTERS HE DID NOT BELIEVE THE STATE WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVE THAT THE OFFICER, RUSTEN SHESKEY, WAS NOT FIRING IN SELF-DEFENSE.

THAT SHOOTING CAUGHT ON CAMERA BY A WITNESS LEFT BLAKE PARALYZED AND SET OFF NIGHTS OF PROTESTS AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY AND RACISM IN THE CITY SOME VIOLENT.

IN ADVANCE OF THE KENOSHA DA'S ANNOUNCEMENT THE GOVERNOR ACTIVATED THE NATIONAL GUARD AND THE KENOSHA COMMON COUNCIL HAD GIVEN THE MAYOR AUTHORITY TO SET CURFEWS.

ANTIOCH TEENAGER ACCUSED OF KILLING TWO PEOPLE AND WOUNDING ANOTHER DURING THOSE KENOSHA PROTESTS THIS SUMMER PLEADED NOT GUILTY IN A WISCONSIN COUNTY COURT.

18-YEAR-OLD KYLE RITTENHOUSE WAS 17 WHEN HE ALLEGEDLY FIRE AN ASSAULT STYLE RIFLE ON PROTESTORS DURING THE DEMONSTRATIONS AFTER BLAKE'S SHOOTING.

RITTENHOUSE SEEN IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF YOUR SCREEN SEATED NEXT TO HIS ATTORNEY HE APPEARED IN COURT VIRTUALLY TO ENTER HIS PLEA.

>> A PROMINENT MEMBER OF THE COLOR GI IS FACING SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS.

FATHER MICHAEL PFLEGER OF ST. SABINA HAS BEEN ASKED TO STEP ASIDE AFTER THE ARCHDIOCESE RECEIVED AN ALLEGATION AGAINST PFLEGER ALLEGING SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR 40 YEARS AGO.

HE HAS AGREED TO COOPERATE AND LIVE AWAY FROM THE PARISH.

PFLEGER IS KNOWN HOR HIS WORK ON SOCIAL AND RACIAL JUSTICE.

THE ST. SABINA CABINET IS SHOWING SUPPORT FOR PFLEGER SAYING IN A STATEMENT QUOTE WE BELIEVE THAT OUR SENIOR PASTOR WILL BE FULLY EXONERATED FROM ALL ACCUSATIONS AND WE WILL STAND WITH HIM DURING THIS PROCESS AS HE STOOD WITH VICTIMS OF INJUSTICE.

>> ILLINOIS IS APPROACHING A MILLION CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN WITH AN ADDITIONAL 6800 CASES TODAY AND 126 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

THE STATE-WIDE CASE TOTAL IS OVER 991,000.

ALONG WITH 16,959 DEATHS.

THE STATE'S TEST POSITIVITY RATE IS 9.8%.

>> AND NOW BACK TO PARIS AND MEMBERS OF ILLINOIS' CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

PARIS?

>> BRANDIS, GEORGIA'S RUNOFF ELECTION ENDS TODAY POISED TO DETERMINE THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THE U.S. SENATE AND CONGRESS IS PREPARING TO VOTE FOR TOMORROW FOR WHAT IS UP TOED TO BE A CEREMONIAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE RESULT OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE WITH SOME REPUBLICANS PLANNING TO CHALLENGE THE CERTIFICATION OF THOSE VOTES.

JOINING US ARE CONGRESSMAN MIKE QUIGLEY A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF CHICAGO'S NORTH SIDE AND STRETCHES WEST TO PARTS OF ELMHURST.

CONGRESSMAN RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING ILLINOIS' 8TH DISTRICT, ELGIN, SCHAUMBURG AND ADDISON.

AND MARIE NEWMAN, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING ILLINOIS' THIRD DISTRICT INCLUDING PARTS OF CHICAGO'S SOUTHWEST SIDE AND SHE WAS SWORN IN SUNDAY.

WE SHOULD MENTION WE INVITED EVERY REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF THE ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND NONE ACCEPTED OUR INVITATION BUT WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

CONGRESSMAN KRISHNAMOORTHI LET'S HEAR A PART OF THAT PHONE CONVERSATION THAT THE "WASHINGTON POST" ON TANNED BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP -- OBTAINED PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> I JUST WANT TO FIND 11,780 VOTES, WHICH IS ONE MORE THAN WE HAVE.

BECAUSE WE WON THE STATE.

>> CONGRESSMAN KRISHNAMOORTHI, SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES CALLED FOR A SECOND IMPEACHMENT VOTE OF THE PRESIDENT OVER THIS EXTRAORDINARY PHONE CALL.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WILL HAPPEN?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

IT DOES THAT PHONE CALL DOES REMIND ME OF THE VLAD LIRE ZALEWSKI CALL WHERE THE PRESIDENT IS USING HIS POWER TO GET SOMEONE TO IN THIS CASE CREATE BOGUS VOTES.

THAT BEING SAID, I MEAN RIGHT NOW, I GOT TO TELL YOU, PARIS, MY CONSTITUENTS ARE MOST WORRIED ABOUT THE PANDEMIC AND COVID.

AND THEY ARE WANTING ME TO DIRECT MY ATTENTION TO ENERGIES WITH A LASER FOCUS ON FIXING THIS BOTCHED VACCINE ROLLOUT THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS CONDUCTING.

AND JUST TO SEE THE END OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ASAP.

>> AND THAT COMES IN 15 DAYS.

CONGRESSWOMAN NEWMAN THIS HAPPENS AMID A SPECIAL RUNOFF ELECTION IN GEORGIA TODAY.

TELL US WHAT IS ON THE LINE IN THOSE SENATE ELECTIONS?

>> WELL, IN SOME WAYS OUR ABILITY TO GET AS MUCH DONE AS POSSIBLE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

HAVING BOTH OF OUR DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES WIN WILL BE OUTSTANDING AND GIVE US MORE MOMENTUM.

I HAVE ALL MY FINGERS AND TOES CROSSED AND I WATCH WILL BE WATCHING.

WE ARE ALL GOING TO WORK HARD AND COME TOGETHER AS A COUNTRY.

IT'S WHY PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS ELECTED.

WE WILL GET A LOT DONE.

WE WILL BRING A STRONGER RELIEF PACKAGE TO THE POOR FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND PEOPLE GET PAYMENTS THAT ARE PAYMENTS THAT THE WILL HELP.

AND GET SMALL BUSINESSES SUPPORTED, CITIES TOWNS AND STATES.

AND MY COLLEAGUE RAJA SAID IT WE HAVE TO GET THE VACCINE SITUATION THE SHIP RIGHTED.

WE HAVE TO GET THAT ROLLING OUT FASTER SO THEY ARE DISTRIBUTED EQUITABLELY.

>> AND WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT LATEER IN THE SHOW.

BUT, AT THE TOP, TOMORROW IS SUPPOSED TO BE WHAT IS NORMALLY CONGRESSIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE CERTIFIED STATE ELECTORS IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

ALTHOUGH SOME SENATE AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO CHALLENGE SOME OF THOSE CERTIFICATIONS.

CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY HOW DO YOU BELIEVE IT WILL GO TOMORROW?

>> THIS IS A MINISTERIAL FUNCTION BY THE VICE-PRESIDENT.

I'M STRUCK BY THE DIFFERENCE.

VICE-PRESIDENT GORE LOST BY AROUND 530 VOTES CONTESTED VOTES IN FLORIDA.

THE SUPREME COURT CUT THAT COUNT OFF.

YET, HE ADMINISTERED THAT PROCESS.

THE ADMINISTERRIAL FUNCTION WITHOUT DISRUPTION SHOWING HOW THIS SHOULD BE DONE.

FEW OF US HAVE NOT LOST AN ELECTION AND KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE.

BUT IT IS INCUMBENT ON THAT PERSON ESPECIALLY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO ACCEPT THAT PEACEFUL TRANSFER.

MY STAFF HAS BEEN TOLD TO GET HERE EARLY.

DON'T PARK OUTSIDE.

USE THE TUNNELS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE NATION'S CAPITOL AND WE'RE TOLD THAT OUR STAFF AREN'T SAFE IN LARGE PART BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT IS INCITING VIOLENCE.

AND THIS COULD BE A 24-HOUR OR LONGER PROCESS TO GET THIS DONE.

>> AND INDEED THERE ARE REPORTS THAT DEMONSTRATORS ARE ALREADY CONGREGATING IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL AND ALL EYES ARE ON VICE-PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE.

HERE IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT HIS ROLE IN THE CERTIFICATION.

>> I WANT TO ASSURE YOU, I SHARE THE CONCERNS OF MILLIONS OF CONCERNS ABOUT VOTING IRREGULARITIES.

I PROMISE YOU, COME THIS WEDNESDAY, WE'LL HAVE OUR DAY IN CONGRESS.

WE'LL HEAR THE OBJECTIONS.

WE'LL HEAR THE EVIDENCE.

>> AND EARLIER TODAY PRESIDENT TRUMP TWEETED QUOTE THE VICE-PRESIDENT HAS THE POWER TO REJECT FRAUDULENTLY CHOSEN ELECTORS.

POINT OF FACT HE DOES NOT HAVE THAT POWER IN THE CONSTITUTION AND THERE WERE NO FRAUDULENTLY CHOSE ESPECIALLY ELECTORS.

CONGRESSMAN KRISHNAMOORTHI WHAT DO YOU THINK VICE-PRESIDENT PENCE WILL DO UNDER MOST READINGS OF THE LAW HE IS OBLIGATED TO READ THE RESULTS OF THE CERTIFICATIONS?

>> I THINK THAT IS WHAT HE'LL END UP DOING.

HOWEVER THERE WILL BE OBJECTIONS.

OVER 100 OF MY COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE MINE AND MARIE AND MIKE'S COLLEAGUES HAVE ALREADY SAID THEY WILL BE OBJECTING TO UPWARDS OF SIX STATES ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES.

AND WHAT THEY NEED IS A SENATOR TO CONQUER IN THOSE OBJECTIONS AND IT LOOKS LIKE THEY WILL AT LEAST ONE SENATOR WILL.

SO WE COULD BE HERE FOR ABOUT 24 HOURS WASTING TIME.

WE ALL KNOW WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL BE WHICH IS THAT JOE BIDEN WILL WIN.

HOWEVER, OUR DEMOCRACY WILL LOSE.

BECAUSE THESE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE WILL EFFECTIVELY BE SAYING WE WANT TO THROW OUT THE BALLOTS OF MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS WHICH IS THE ULTIMATE ACT OF DISENFRANCHISE.

>> AND CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY, IN THE INSTANCE THAT THE VICE-PRESIDENT GOES OFF SCRIPT AND GOES AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION, WHAT IN EFFECT HAPPENS THEN?

>> LOOK, I DON'T EXPECT THAT TO HAPPEN.

BUT ANY OTHER ACTIONS OTHER THAN JUST OPENING THE ENVELOPES THE PROCESS OF PUTTING THEM TOGETHER AND COUNTING IS DONE BY THE CLERKS.

ANYTHING BEYOND THAT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

IT WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

AND THE REMEDIES WOULD HAVE TO BE IF YOU TAKE IT TO THE ILLOGICAL EXTREME WOULD HAVE TO BE A COURT REMEDY.

AGAIN I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING.

I SEE WHEN I HEAR -- WHEN I HEARD WHAT HE SAID ABOUTTIES, HE WAS SAYING WE'LL HAVE OUR DAY WHERE PEOPLE CAN OBJECT TO THIS AND THEY WILL IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

I DON'T THINK HE WILL DO ANYTHING BEYOND WHAT HE TALKED ABOUT.

OPENING THESE UP.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN NEWMAN, CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY REFERRED TO THE FRAUGHT SITUATION ON THE STREETS THERE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN IN TERMS OF UNREST?

THE NATION'S CAPITAL TOMORROW?

>> WELL, IT DOES APPEAR AND WE'VE RECEIVED THE SAME WARNINGS.

MY TEAM IS CONCERNED AND I'VE HAD CLEAR WARNINGS HOW TO BEHAVE TOMORROW.

IT IS EXTREMELY UNFORTUNATE.

AND FRANKLY VERY SAD THAT WE ARE AT THIS POINT.

I DO THINK THAT THERE WILL BE UNREST.

AND I DO THINK THERE WILL BE SOME TROUBLE AND I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE GOOD TROUBLE.

WE ARE ALL HOPING TO REMAIN SAFE AND WE ARE GOING TO DO AS SECURITY TELLS US TO.

>> SHOTS OF SOME BUILDINGS BEING BOARDED UP THAT IS A SIGHT WE SAW IN CHICAGO AND OTHER CITIES.

WE WILL BE JOINED LATER IN THE PROGRAM BY THESE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO DISCUSS COVID-19 RELIEF AND THE VACCINE ROLLOUT.

WE INVITED EVERY REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF THE ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, NONE TODAY ACCEPTED OUR INVITATION BUT WE THANK, MIKE QUIGLEY, RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI AND MARIE NEWMAN FOR JOINING US.

>> THERE IS A HOLD-UP IN VACCINE SHIPMENTS AND OTHERS WHO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY ARE NOT TAKING IT.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

>> WELL, PARIS, LET'S START WITH THE GOOD NEWS.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYS THE CITY HAS DISTRIBUTED 95% OF THE VACCINE THAT IT HAS RECEIVED.

AS FOR THE BAD NEWS, SHE SAYS THAT CHICAGO RECEIVED NOWHERE NEAR THE AMOUNT OF VACCINE THAT IT NEEDS AND THAT IT HAS BEEN PROMISED.

IN ORDER FOR CHICAGOANS TO GET BACK TO ANY SEMBLANCE OF AN ORDINARY LIFE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO EXPONENTIALLY INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF VACCINES.

>> WE WERE PROMISED 20 MILLION DOSES BY THE END OF 2020.

WE CAME THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAME NOWHERE CLOSE TO MEETING THAT MARK.

LIVES ARE AT STAKE.

IT IS ESSENTIAL, ESSENTIAL, THAT IN THE WANING DAYS OF THIS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION AND THE INCOMING ADMINISTRATION THAT THEY STEP UP THOSE EFFORTS AND DELIVER ON THE PROMISES BECAUSE LIVES ARE HANGING IN THE BALANCE.

>> THE MAYOR MADE HER HARSH CRITIQUE AT NORWEGIAN HOSPITAL AS A HANDFUL OF CHICAGO HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHO WERE THE FIRST TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE THREE WEEKS AGO GOT THE SECOND FOLLOW-UP DOSE.

THE POSITIVITY RATE IN CHICAGO FOR COVID IS 10.6% ACCORDING TO THE LATEST DATA.

THE C.E.O.

SAYS THERE IT HAS STOOD AROUND 30% FOR THE PAST EIGHT WEEKS.

>> IT IS ACTUALLY DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTING OUR COMMUNITY MORE THAN ANY OTHER GROUP.

SO MINORITIES ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY SUFFERING AND DYING FROM COVID-19 IN ALARMING NUMBERS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY WITH HIGH MINORITY POPULATIONS LIKE OURS.

AND WE ARE CONSISTENTLY RAISING AWARENESS OF THESE TYPES OF HEALTHCARE DISPARITIES WE HAVE SEEN IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> SANCHEZ SAYS THOSE WHO GET AND SURVIVE COVID MAY EXPERIENCE LONG-TERM HEALTH EFFECTS AND SAYS THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE HOSPITAL IS PREPARING FOR.

ONE OF THE REASONS THAT CHICAGO HAS MADE A BIG PUBLIC TO DO ABOUT THE VACCINES IS TO ENCOURAGE BLACK AND BROWN RESIDENTS WHO THE LEADERS SAY ARE UNDERSTANDABLY SKEPTICAL ABOUT GETTING THE VACCINE DUE TO RACISM IN THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY THAT THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE IS SAFE.

THE C.E.O.

OF THE LORETTO HOSPITAL IS LEADING BY EXAMPLE.

>> PEOPLE OF COLOR CAN NOW THAT I TOOK IT ALONG WITH OTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND THE FACT THAT THE VACCINATION IS BOTH SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR.

AND TO END THE THREAT OF THE VIRUS FOR US INDIVIDUALLY AND MAKE SURE WE DON'T GIVE IT TO OTHERS.

A DUEL BENEFIT.

>> CHICAGO IS SET TO RECEIVE 33,000 DOSES OF CORONAVIRUS VACCINE THIS WEEK BUT THE Dr. ALLISON ARWADY SAYS IT WILL BE WEEKS BEFORE IT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO NON-HEALTHCARE FRONTLINE WORKERS AND TO SENIORS.

>> REALLY ENCOURAGING PEOPLE WHEN YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET VACCINATED, TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> BUT NOT EVERYONE WHO HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET INOCULATED HAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THAT CHANCE.

ONLY 220 OF 519 EMPLOYEES HAVE HAD THE VACCINE.

AND THAT'S NOT FOR LACK OF AVAILABILITY.

>> I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF MISINFORMATION OUT THERE.

THERE IS A LOT OF FEAR.

AND THESE ARE PERSONAL DECISIONS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE.

BY EACH STAFF PERSON.

WE HAVE PUT OUT INFORMATION AND CONTINUE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM SOME OF OUR STAFF ABOUT SOME MYTHS THAT ARE OUT THERE AND SOME JUST CONCERNS THAT THEY HAVE AND WE SHARE WITH THEM THAT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO OUR PART FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND TO GET BACK SOME TYPE OF NORMALCY.

>> IT'S NOT JUST AT QUINCY, 40% OF STAFF WHO RECEIVED THE VACCINE ACCORDING TO THE LATEST DATA RELEASED ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, ONLY 18% OF EMPLOYEES AT THE VETERANS HOME IN MAN CONTINUE KNOW AND 28% AT LATINO SAL VETERANS HOME DESPITE IT BEING THE SITE OF COVID-19 OUTBREAKS.

RESIDENTS ARE GETTING IT IN INCREASING NUMBERS THAT SEVERAL HOMES AT A RATE OF 90% OF THE RESIDENTS.

AGAIN MOSTLY VETERANS AND FAMILIES RECEIVED THE VACCINES.

QUINCY'S ADMINISTRATOR TROY CULBERTSON SAYS HE IS THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT IS GIVEN TO STAFF AND RESIDENTS.

HE SAYS THAT HE ALSO RECEIVED THE VACCINE.

HE IS GOING TO GET THE SECOND DOSE ON THE 14TH.

TONIGHT THE VETERANS HOME IS PUTTING OUT MORE EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL TO ENCOURAGE STAFF TO GET INOCULATED.

AND WANTS TO BE CLEAR THAT NO DOSES HAVE GONE TO WASTE.

THEY TAKE VERY MUCH CARE TO BE DILIGENT ABOUT THEIR USE AND USE EVERY DROP IN EACH OF THE VIALS.

PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, SHOCKINGLY LOW RATES OF VACCINATION AT SOME OF THE FACILITIES.

AND WE WILL HAVE MORE WITH CONGRESSMEN IN A MOMENT.

TO BRANDIS AND WHAT THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION HAS TO SAY ABOUT GOING BACK TO THE CLASSROOM.

>> MORE THAN 6,000 STUDENTS FROM CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL PRE-K AND SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAMS ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN TO CLASSROOMS NEXT WEEK.

5800 TEACHERS AND STAFF ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE PROGRAMS WERE EXPECTED IN SCHOOLS THIS WEEK BUT ONE-THIRD OF THEM REQUESTED TO STAY HOME.

SOME CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION MEMBERS CONTEND THAT SCHOOLS ARE NOT SAFE FOR REOPENING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

CITING WHAT THEY CALL A LACK OF PROPER VENTILATION IN BUILDINGS AMONG OTHER CONCERNS.

JOINING US TO SHARE MORE ON THE IN-PERSON LEARNING STANCE IS VICE-PRESIDENT STACY DAVIS-GATES.

WELCOME BACK.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR UNION MEMBERS REGARDING THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEK'S IN-PERSON REOPENING FOR PRESCHOOL STUDENTS AND CLUSTER STUDENTS?

>> A LOT OF FEAR.

MANY OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR A WHILE AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE HEADLINES OFTEN DO NOT MATCH WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND.

SO THEY ARE HAVING A TOUGH TIME UNDERSTANDING HOW ALL FIVE MITIGATION FACTORS WOULD BE IN PLAY AT THE SAME TIME ALL THE TIME AND THEIR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

AND MANY ARE RETURNING INTO SCHOOL COMMUNITIES WHERE THE MITIGATION FACTORS ARE ALREADY NOT IN PLACE.

>> THE DISTRICT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT JUST UNDER 50% OF TEACHERS ASKED TO RETURN TO SCHOOLS DID RETURN.

WHAT IS THE UNION ADVISING TEACHERS TO DO REGARDING TO RETURN THIS WEEK?

>> WE ARE ADVISING THEM TO DO WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING IS TO PRIORITIZE SAFETY.

WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC WITH THE VIRUS THAT IS MUTATING.

TODAY WE LEARNED FROM CDPH IT IS LIKELY THAT THAT MUTATION IS HERE IN CHICAGO.

AND THE UNITED KINGDOM HAS SHUTDOWN ON THAT VARIANT ALONE AND THE DAMAGE THAT IT IS DOING TO PEOPLE.

THAT BEING SAID, LOOK OUR MEMBERS LIVE IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

THEY WORK FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

THEY SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE ARE INVESTED IN CHICAGO.

AND WHAT WE WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW IS THAT THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING IN THIS MOMENT IS TO MAKE IT SAFE.

NOT JUST FOR OURSELVES NOT JUST FOR OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES BUT FOR THIS ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

WE KNOW THAT WHEN COMMUNITY SPREAD IS OUT OF CONTROL, LIKE IT IS.

AND TOO MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES RIGHT NOW THAT SCHOOLS ARE NOT SAFE.

AND WE WANT OUR SCHOOLS TO BE SAFE.

AND WE WANT TO REOPEN IN A WAY THAT PROMOTES SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS FOR OUR STUDENTS.

>> WHAT KIND OF DISPINKSLIP COULD TEACHERS FACE IF YOU ALL DO NOT REPORT TO WORK?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE WERE TOLD TODAY VIA THE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT SCHOOLS WILL HANDLE IT ON A INDIVIDUAL BASIS, ONE BY ONE BASIS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST WITH YOU.

AND I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DISCIPLINE PEOPLE FOR SAVING THEIR LIVES IN A PANDEMIC.

I DON'T YOU HAD THE CONCEPT OF DISCIPLINE.

>> AT THAT PRESS CONFERENCE JANICE JACKSON SAID THAT THE COMMUNITY'S MOST IMPACTED BY REMOTE LEARNING ARE THE CITY'S BLACK AND LATINO COMMUNITIES.

>> THE IMPACT OF THIS TRANSITION HAS BEEN MOST PROFOUND AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND LATINX STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

FOR MANY OF OUR STUDENTS, REMOTE LEARNING ISN'T JUST ABOUT ACCESS TO A COMPUTER AND THE INTERNET IT REQUIRES SUPPORT FROM A GUARDIAN.

AND MANY OF OUR PARENTS ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE OPTION OF SUPPORTING REMOTE LEARNING ALL DAY.

>> STACY WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THE FAMILIES WHO NEED THAT HELP WITH LEARNING BECAUSE REMOTE LEARNING IS NOT WORKING FOR THEM?

>> I SAY THAT 70% OF THOSE FAMILIES HAVE CHOSEN SAFETY.

BLACK AND BROWN FAMILIES IN CHICAGO HAVE OVERWHELMINGLY SAID THAT WE ARE KEEPING OUR CHILDREN HOME.

I'M ONE OF THOSE FAMILIES.

I'M BLACK.

THREE BLACK CHILDREN IN THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WE KNOW THE SAFEST PLACE FOR US IS HOME.

JUSTIFICATION OPPOSED TO THAT, THOSE WOMEN THOSE MEN WHO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHO ARE BLACK AND BROWN ARE HAVING A REAL EXPERIENCE WITH COVID-19 THEY ARE SEEING FAMILY MEMBERS GET SICK AND SEEING FAMILY MEMBERS DIE.

SOME EXPERIENCED THAT IN THEIR HOUSEHOLDS.

THAT BEING SAID, IT IS AMAZING TO PEE THAT OUR MAYOR AND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM CANNOT HEAR BLACK PARENTS AND FAMILIES.

THEY ARE NOT UNDERSTANDING THAT BROWN FAMILIES AND BROWN FAMILIES AND BLACK FAMILIES ARE ASKING FOR COMPETENCE, ASKING FOR TRANSPARENCY, ASKING FOR AGENCY.

AND IN FACT IF YOU WERE REALLY PRIORITIZING EQUITY IN THIS MOMENT THOSE FAMILIES WOULD HAVE BETTER REMOTE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO STAY AT HOME.

>> I KNOW THE UNION AND THE DISTRICT YOU ALL ARE BARGAINING TODAY EXPECTING TO BE BARGAINING AND YOU'VE MET SINCE THE CONVERSATIONS OPENED ABOUT REOPENING SCHOOLS.

AND JANICE JACKSON HAS SAID AN AGREEMENT ISN'T NECESSARILY REQUIRED TO OPEN SCHOOLS.

UP WITH OF THE PROPOSALS THE UNION IS ASKING FOR IS A 3% POSITIVITY RATE IN THE COMMUNITY OR A VOLUNTARY RETURN FOR TEACHERS UNTIL THAT IS MET.

COULD THAT NOT MEAN THAT STUDENTS ARE OUT OF THEIR SCHOOLS IT WILL BE A YEAR IN MARCH.

IT COULD BE LONGER WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR STUDENTS?

>> WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT FOR THE LAST NINE MONTHS THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE CONTINUED TO IGNORE THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

YOU HAVE A SUPER MAJORITY OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

YOU HAVE LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCILS ACROSS THE CITY AND TEACHERS, PARAPROFESSIONALS AND CLINICIANS TELLING YOU WE NEED SAFETY AND TRANSPARENCY AND AGENCY.

BUT THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO DO IS TO MAKE A PLAN.

THAT IS A BENEFIT OF ALL THE STAKE HODDERS AND TELL US TO TRUST THEM.

THEY HAVE IT.

AND WHAT MANY MEMBERS ARE FINDING WHEN THEY COME INTO THE SCHOOL COMMUNITIES CAN YOU NOT TRUST THEM BECAUSE ALL OF THE MITIGATION FACTORS THEY HAVE SAID ARE NOT THERE.

THEY PROMISED US 4 HUNDRED CUSTODIANS.

THEY HIRED 150.

THEY SAID ALL THE AIR PURIFIERS WOULD BE IN THE CLASSROOM AND APPROPRIATE FOR THE SQUARE-FOOTAGE.

THOSE THINGS ARE NOT TRUE.

>> THANKS TO STACY DAVIS-GATES THE BEST OF LUCK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND WE HAVE MUCH MORE COMING UP IN TONIGHT'S PROGRAM INCLUDING LOCAL CONGRESS MEMBERS RESPONSE TO THE COVID VACCINE ROLLOUT.

FIRST THEY ARE FIRST TO CLOSE LAST TO OPEN.

IT'S BECOME A COMMON REFRAIN FOR MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS REN USES FORCED TO CLOSE THEIR -- VENUES FORCED TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS.

AND TURNED INTO A RALLYING CRY ONE THAT IS STARTING TO PAY OFF.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" QUINN MYERS HAS MORE ON THE SAVE OUR STAGES ACT AND WHAT ITS PASSAGE BY CONGRESS COULD MEAN FOR CHICAGO.

>> IT'S BEEN A PAINFUL YEAR FOR CHICAGO'S MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS VENUES.

>> OVERNIGHT EVERYTHING DRIED UP.

THERE WAS NO INCOME.

THERE WAS NO SHOWS.

THERE WAS NOTHING GOING ON ANYMORE.

>> THERE WAS SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY WHEN COVID CAME ON THE SCENE AND WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THIS.

>> WE KNEW WE HAD TO CLOSE FOR THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY.

WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW LONG WE WOULD BE CLOSED OR WHAT THE FUTURE WAS GOING TO BRING.

>> BUT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FIRST SHUTDOWN LAST SPRING, VENUE OWNERS AROUND THE COUNTRY LAUNCHED AN EXTENSIVE CAMPAIGN CALLED SAVE OUR STAGES.

TO CONVINCE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS AND TO WHOEVER ELSE MIGHT LISTEN THAT THEY NEEDED HELP.

ONE OF THEM IS CHRIS WHO OWNS AND OPERATES AVONDALE MUSIC HALL AND THE PATIO THEATRE.

>> IT WAS 80 HOURS A WEEK ZOOMS WITH CONGRESSMEN, SENATORS, GOVERNORS, MAYORS.

IT WAS ONE TIME WE HAD MEAT LOAF CALL A SENATOR ONE MORNING.

IT WAS GETTING HUNDREDS OF THE BIGGEST AMERICAN MUSICIANS TO SIGN LETTERS AND SEND THAT TO CONGRESS.

>> AND ALMOST 10 MONTHS AFTER THE LAST CONCERTS IN CHICAGO, CONGRESS FINALLY CAME THROUGH.

ALLOCATING $15 BILLION UNDER THE SAVE OUR STAGES ACT.

PASSED AS PART OF THE $900 BILLION COVID STIMULUS PANEL.

SOON VENUES WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR GRANTS THROUGH THE FEDERAL SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION TO HELP RECOUP LOST REVENUE AND PAYROLL PROTECTION PROGRAM ROLL, MORTGAGES AND UTILITY BILLS.

>> THERE'S DIFFERENT WAVES OF APPLICATIONS THE GOAL IS TO GET MONEY TO THE VENUES HARDEST HIT.

THE FIRST WAVE IS 90% PLUS REVENUE REDUCTION WHICH A VAST MAJORITY OF US FALL IN.

AND THEN 70% AND 50% AND SO ON.

>> IT WILL BE A LIFELINE FOR MUSIC HALLS AND NIGHTCLUBS UNTIL THEY CAN REOPEN WHENEVER THAT MAY BE.

IN BRONZEVILLE ON THE SOUTH SIDE THE HAROLD WASHINGTON CULTURAL CENTER HAS PIVOTED TO VIRTUAL.

FROM ON-LINE DANCE CLASSES TO SCIENCE WORKSHOPS.

>> NOW WE'RE ABLE TO DO LIVE IN THE MOMENT SHOWS.

AND WE'RE ABLE TO PRERECORD THEM AND EDIT THEM AND STREAM THEM AS A REVENUE SOURCE AND EDUCATIONAL MODULE.

>> SAVE OUR STAGES IS A STRONG FIRST STEP TO KEEP VENUES IN BUSINESS.

BUT SHE WOULD LIKE TO SEE ADDITIONAL HELP FROM SPRINGFIELD.

>> WE HAVE TO HAVE OUR STATE OFFICIALS SAY OK LISTEN WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO GET THE RIGHT HVAC SYSTEM OR A CONTACT LIST CONTACTLESS SINK AND DOORS THINGS WE NEED TO MUTT IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PATRONS OF THE ARTS ARE SAFE.

>> IN LOGAN SQUARE, THE WHISTLER IS ONE OF CHICAGO'S COZIER MUSIC VENUES OFFERING FREE SHOWS EVERY NIGHT.

WEEK.

BILLY HELMKAMP ALSO OPERATES THE LARGER SLEEPING VILLAGE IN AVONDALE AND HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN SAVE OUR STAGES.

BUT BILLY HELMKAMP SAYS BECAUSE HOW THE BILL IS WRITTEN HE WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR A GRANT FOR SLEEPING VILLAGE NOT THE WHISTLER.

>> THE WHISTLER CHECKS OFF THE BOXES EXCEPT ONE A TICKETING COMPONENT.

WE DON'T CHARGE A COVER AT THE DOOR.

IT'S FREE ADMISSION EVERYDAY.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SOS FUNDS.

>> STILL, BILLY HELMKAMP SAYS ASPECTS OF THE BILL WILL BE A HUGE HELP FOR HIS SMALLER VENUE AND EMPLOYEES.

LIKE A SECOND ROUND OF PAYROLL PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS.

OR PPP.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE HELPFUL EVEN IF IT'S NOT SAVE OUR STAGES WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE PICKY.

WE AND OUR COMMUNITY NEED THAT HELP.

THERE'S BEEN STUDIES THAT HAVE SHOWN FOR EVERY DOLLAR THAT HAS BEEN SPENT ON A TICKET TO A SHOW, $12 IN REVENUE IS GENERATED IN THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.

SO YOU KNOW, YEAH, WE'RE CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS BUT WE ARE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT ECONOMIC DRIVERS IN CHICAGO AS WELL.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT", I'M QUINN MYERS.

>> THE CHICAGO INDEPENDENT VENUE LEAGUE OR CVL PRODUCED A CONCERT SERIES FEATURING MUSICIANS AND VENUES.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... A NEW CONGRESS AND A PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION UNDERWAY.

THE OUTLOOK FOR ADDITIONAL COVID RELIEF WE TALK WITH MEMBERS OF ILLINOIS' CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

>> WITH INDOOR DINING RESTRICTED IN ILLINOIS WE CHECK IN WITH RESTAURANT OWNERS WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO SURVIVE THE WINTER.

A LOCAL LGBTQ ADVOCACY GROUP IS TEAMING UP WITH LAWMAKERS TO CREATE FUNERAL FUNDS FOR VICTIMS OF ANTI-TRENS VIOLENCE.

AND THE PIPING PLOVERS ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN BUT WILL THE HOME BE IN A PROTECTED NATURE AREA?

BUT FIRST MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

THE FAMILY OF JACOB BLAKE IS REACTING TO THE NEWS THAT THE KENOSHA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY WILL NOT PURSUE CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST THE OFFICER WHO SHOT HIM.

JACOB BLAKE, SENIOR, SAYS HIS FAMILY IS UNHAPPY WITH THE NEWS BUT THEY KNEW IT WAS COMING.

>> WE MUST ABOLISH THE RIGHT FOR A POLICEMAN TO BE SEEN ON A HIGHER PLAIN THAN CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES.

YOU CANNOT HAVE A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR THE POLICE AND THEN HAVE A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR THE PEOPLE.

WE'RE ALL PEOPLE.

WE'RE ALL THE SAME PEOPLE.

>> DA MICHAEL GRAVELY INFORMED BLAKE THAT NEITHER HE NOR OFFICER RUSTEN SHESKEY WOULD FACE CHARGES BEFORE HE ANNOUNCED IT TO REPORTER.

BLAKE A BLACK MAN WAS SHOT SEVEN TIMES IN THE BACK BY THE WHITE POLICE OFFICER TOUCHING OFF SEVERAL NIGHTS OF PROTEST SOME VIOLENT.

WATER TO YOUR PLACE IS LOSING AN ANCHOR TENANT.

MACY'S DECIDED TO CLOSE THE LOCATION AFTER 45 YEARS.

IN A STATEMENT THE DEPARTMENT STORE SAYS THE CLOSURE IS PART OF A STRATEGY TO RIGHT SIZE THE FLEET OF STORES ANNOUNCING A YEAR AGO THAT IT WOULD CLOSE 125 LOCATIONS OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD.

REVENUE FELL FROM 85 MILLION IN 2 PO 14 TO 54 MILLION IN 2019.

AND NOW BACK TO PARIS WITH PORE FROM LOCAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

>> THANK YOU.

EARLY IN THE PROGRAM WE TALKED ABOUT GEORGIA'S RUNOFF ELECTION AND TOMORROW'S VOTE ON THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND JOINING US ARE MEMBERS OF THE ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, MIKE QUIGLEY, RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI AND MARIE NEWMAN AND WE INVITED EVERY REPUBLICAN MEMBER AND NONE ACCEPTED OUR INVITATION.

WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE ALL OF YOU.

MARIE NEWMAN YOU WERE SWORN IN THIS WEEK FOR YOUR FIRST TERM IN CONGRESS.

THERE WAS CONTENTION ABOUT COVID PROTOCOLS PEOPLE WEARING MATCHINGS.

HOW DID THAT -- MASKS.

HOW DID THAT GO?

>> THERE WAS A WIDE VARIETY OF ADHERENCE TO THE RULES SHALL WE SAY?

I THINK MOST WERE TRYING DESPERATELY IN A BUSY CHAOTIC DAY TO DO THEIR BEST.

THERE WERE FOLKS NOT ADHERING TO THE RULES.

BUT WE GOT SWORN IN.

AND THAT'S WHAT IS IMPORTANT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO QUICKLY.

WE HAVE GOT TO GET RELIEF OUT TO SMALL BUSINESSES AND TO INDIVIDUALS AS WELL AS THE CITIES TOWNS AND STATES.

WE ARE ALL LASER FOCUSED ON THAT.

>> AND ALL THREE OF YOU VOTED TO REELECT NANCY PELOSI AS THE HOUSE SPEAKER.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT WILL PORE TEPID FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS?

>> I THINK SPEAKER PELOSI IS GOING TO HELP JOE BIDEN AND KAMALA HARRIS USHER THROUGH VERY IMPORTANT LEGISLATION TO COMBAT THE PANDEMIC.

BOTH FROM A HEALTHCARE STANDPOINT AND ALSO FROM AN ECONOMIC STANDPOINT FROM A HEALTHCARE STAND POINT, WE'VE GOT -- WE LITERALLY HAVE TO GIVE EVERYONE A SHOT IN THE ARM, PARIS.

AND THAT IS A JOB NUMBER ONE.

WE GOT TO GET THE VACCINES OUT THE DOOR AND ADMINISTERED.

AND THE SECOND IS WE HAVE TO REPAIR THE ECONOMIC DAMAGE.

THERE IS MORE THAN 10 MILLION PEOPLE UNEMPLOYED.

I PERSONALLY THINK THAT WE CAN'T DENY STATES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THE VITAL AID THAT THEY NEED.

TO KEEP THEIR HEALTHCARE WORKERS ON STAFF AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE'RE ASKING THEM TO ADMINISTER ALL THE VACCINES.

THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE LAYING THEM OFF.

THIS IS VITAL AID WE NEED TO DELIVER AND WE NEED TO HELP STRUGGLING BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS AS WELL.

>> CHICAGO AND ILLINOIS ARE CROSSING THEIR FINGER FOR MORE AID FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY IT IS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE VACCINE ROLLOUT HAS BEEN SLOWER.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO SPEED THAT UP?

>> VERY DISTURBING.

AMONG THE THINGS WE HEARD TODAY THE NUMBER OF COVID CASES MAY BE FOUR TIMES HIGHER THAN REPORTED.

THEY ARE LIMITING CARE IN AREAS LIKE LOS ANGELES AND THE FLORIDA A FRACTION OF THE DOSES THAT WERE DELIVERED HAVE BEEN INJECTED INTO ARMS.

LOOK, THIS IS GOING TO TAKE A REORGANIZATION AND COORDINATION BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

AND THE ASSISTANCE IF NECESSARY.

THE COVID CARE BILL THAT WE PASSED RECENTLY HAD $69 BILLION TO FIGHT THE COVID.

UNFORTUNATELY IT'S GOING TO TAKE MORE.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A PROCESS THAT PROBABLY TAKES US THROUGH THE MAJORITY OF THIS COMING YEAR.

>> AND CONGRESSWOMAN QUIGLEY YOU TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FOR STIMULUS WOULD A NEW STIMULUS PACKAGE IN THE NEW CONGRESS UNDER A NEW ADMINISTRATION INCLUDE $2,000 DIRECT PAYMENTS?

>> I THINK IT NEEDS TO INCLUDE THAT AND NEEDS TO INCLUDE WAS STATED HELP FOR STATE AND LOCAL.

THERE ARE SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY THAT WILL NEED ADDITIONAL ASSIST TENSE LIKE RESTAURANTS, OUR FITNESS CENTERS AND GYMS.

ANY NUMBER OF THOSE.

THE FACT IS THIS IS -- THE COVID RESPONSE HAS TO COME FIRST.

BECAUSE THE ECONOMY WILL NOT RECOVER UNTIL THAT HAPPENS.

SO PART OF THAT STIMULATING THE ECONOMY.

AND CRITICAL FIRST IS WE SIMPLY HAVE TO GET THIS VACCINE OUT THERE AND WE HAVE TO BE PROTECTING EACH OTHER BY WEARING OUR MASKS AND DISTANCING.

>> A LOT IS CONTINGENT ON THE RUNOFF ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA.

HERE IS WHAT PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN SAID ABOUT THIS SPECIAL ELECTION.

>> BE ELECTING JON AND THE REVEREND YOU CAN MAKE AN IMMEDIATE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR OWN LIVES.

THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

BECAUSE THEIR ELECTION WILL PUT AN END TO THE BLOCK IN WASHINGTON ON THAT $2,000 STIMULUS CHECK THAT MONEY WILL GO OUT THE DOOR IMMEDIATELY.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN NEWMAN IS IT A SURE THING THAT AND HE IS REFERRING TO JON OSSOFF AND RAPHAEL WARNOCK AGAINST KELLY LOEFFLER AND DAVID PERDUE.

COULD ILLINOIS EXPECT MORE GOVERNMENTAL RELIEF FOR THEIR VARIOUS CASH STRAPPED BUDGETS?

>> WELL, WE ARE GOING TO WORK HARD TOWARDS THAT.

I THINK THAT WHAT MITCH McCONNELL WHO HAS BEEN THE LEADER OF STOPPING THE RELIEF CHECK AND KEEPING IT DOWN TO $600 AMOUNT, WHAT MITCH McCONNELL FORGETS IS THIS IS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S MONEY AND WE SHOULD BE INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE.

SO IT IS NOT HIS MONEY.

AND SO IF IN FACT WE ARE ABLE TO WIN THIS RACE BOTH RACES IN GEORGIA WHAT IT MEANS IS WE STOP THAT REIN OF TERROR AND EVERYBODY COMES AROUND AND REALIZES THAT THIS IS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S MONEY WE ARE GOING TO INVEST BACK IN THEM.

AND WHAT HE ALSO FORGETS IN ADDITION TO IT'S NOT HIS MONEY IS THAT ALL OF THAT MONEY THAT RELIEF MONEY THAT WE PROVIDE GETS INJECTED BACK INTO THE ECONOMY AND CREATES REVENUE SO WE CAN SUPPORT THE NATION AND OUR ECONOMY COMES BACK.

SO THE FATALIST ACTIVITY BY MITCH McCONNELL DOES NOT WORK AND I THINK THAT IF WE STOP THAT REIN OF TERROR AND ELECT THE TWO WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN GEORGIA WE WILL BE IN BETTER SHAPE.

>> I THANK ALL THREE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

MIKE QUIGLEY, RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI AND MARIE NEWMAN.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> HOLDING UP IN THE COLDER MONTHS.

PHIL?

>> WITH THE HOLIDAYS BEHIND US PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE WATCHING FOR A FEARED UPTICK IN CORONAVIRUS CASES.

WHEN COVID NUMBERS SURGED IN THE FALL INDOOR DINING WAS SHUTDOWN.

THE LATEST BLOW TO STRUGGLING RESTAURANTS AND BARS.

WITH COLD WEATHER NOW IS OUTDOOR DINING AND CARRY OUT ENOUGH TO KEEP THEM GOING?

JOINING US ARE PHILLIP WATERS COFOUNDER OF B HOSPITALITY COMPANY WHICH INCLUDES FORMENTO'S' AND SWIFT AND SONS.

AND RACQUEL FIELDS OWNER OF 14 PARISH RESTAURANT AND RUM BAR IN HYDE PARK.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

RACQUEL FIELDS WHEN WE SPOKE TO YOU IN OCTOBER YOU SAID YOU WERE TOO CLOSE TO THE LAKE TO MAKE OUTDOOR WINTER DINING WORK.

WHERE IS MOST OF YOUR BUSINESS COMING FROM NOW?

>> MOST OF OUR BUSINESS IS COMING FROM TAKE OUT.

WE DO SOME THIRD PARTY DELIVERY SERVICE BUT MOST OF IS COMING FROM SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT LIVE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY.

>> WHAT DOES IT MEAN IN TERMS OF REVENUE?

>> OUR REVENUE HAS DROPPED ABOUT 90% SINCE THE SHUTDOWN.

THE MOST RECENT SHUTDOWN.

>> 90%.

AND YET YOU ARE PERSEVERING.

WHAT ARE YOUR PROSPECTS AT THIS POINT?

>> SO WE'VE MADE SOME SMART DECISIONS EARLIER IN OUR DEVELOPMENT WHERE WE PUT SOME MONEY AWAY FOR A RAINY DAY TO COVER OVERHEAD.

SO REALLY WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH REVENUE IS COVER STAFF.

SO WE'RE DOING OUR BEST TO KEEP AS MANY OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS EMPLOYED AS WE CAN.

AND UTILIZING ALL OF THE REVENUE THAT COMES IN TO TAKE CARE OF OUR PEOPLE.

BUT IT'S DEFINITELY BEEN A STRUGGLE.

WE HAVE HAD SOME EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS WITH CATERING THAT DID HELP US OUT A LITTLE BIT IN THE DECEMBER MONTHS FOR THE HOLIDAY WE DID INNOVATIVE CATERING AND WE DID SOME OF OUR PREVIOUS CLIENTS WHICH WAS HELPFUL.

BUT WE KNOW THAT WON'T SUSTAIN US FOR MUCH LONGER SO WE ARE HOPING THAT THE CITY AND THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMES UP WITH SOMETHING TO SUPPORT THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND THE RESTAURANTS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT HOW OUR BUSINESSES WERE DESIGNED.

WE WERE NOT DESIGNED TO NOT HAVE BUTTS IN THE SEAT.

WE WERE DESIGNED TO SERVE PEOPLE AND WE ARE SUFFERING WITHOUT IT.

>> PHILLIP WATERS YOU DO HAVE OUTDOOR DINING.

HOW CLOSE DOES THAT COME TO FILLING THE NEED?

>> WELL, WE MADE THE MISTAKE OF RENTING LARGE RESTAURANTS AT THE TIME THAT THE ECONOMY WAS MOVING UP.

SO IT'S A CHALLENGE.

WE C.E.O.

TO TRY TO GET IN FRONT OF THE COLDER DECEMBER SON BY PROCURING TENTS WITH PROPANE HEATERS.

AND BASED UPON WHAT THE CITY NEEDS TO SEE WITH OPEN TENT DOORS IT IS A CHALLENGE TO ENTICE GUESTS TO GO IN UNDER THE ADVISORY WE TRIED TO PUT OUTDOOR SNOW GLOBES IN PLACE WITH MINI CAMPER HEATERS AND A BLUE TOOTH SPEAKER AND INDIVIDUAL FILTER FOR THE TABLES SO GUESTS FELT SAFE ALL OF THAT IS A CHALLENGE.

THE FACTS ARE WE FURLOUGHED SOMETHING IN THE REALM OF 75% OF OUR STAFF.

WE HAVE TRIED TO KEEP EVERYONE WE CAN IN ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS.

WE TOPPED OUT AT 450 EMPLOYEES THROUGH MY GROUP.

WE ARE DOWN TO AROUND 85-90 RIGHT NOW.

WE LOVE TO GET MORE BACK AND PERHAPS THE PPP WILL PROVIDE THE JOLT.

IN REALITY, I THINK THE REAL RUB IS THAT I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY DATA WHERE RESTAURANTS HAVE BEEN THE CATALYST FOR INFECTION RATES.

FROM COAST TO COAST AND THROUGHOUT THE MIDWEST.

SO I CHALLENGE ANY STATE OFFICIAL THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND CHICAGO PUBLIC HEALTH TO GIVE US DATA AS TO HOW WE ARE THE ISSUE.

AND WE'LL PIVOT.

WE ARE HARD-WORKING WE NOW HOW TO LISTEN AND FOLLOW ALL THE REGULATIONS EXISTING SANITATION BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

SO WE WOULD LOVE TO GET FULLY OPEN BUT WE'LL START WITH 25% FOR NOW AND MOVE UP FROM THERE AND THE SOONER THE BETTER.

>> THE RESTAURANTS BOTH OF YOU REPRESENT ARE A MICROCOZUM WHAT IS GOING ON STATE-WIDE AND WE SEE THE ASSOCIATION SAYS ILLINOIS LOST 31,000 BAR AND RESTAURANT JOBS IN NOVEMBER THE MOST NATIONWIDE AND 20% OF RESTAURANTS MAY NOT SURVIVE.

RACQUEL FIELDS, HOW OPTIMISTIC ARE YOU THAT YOU MIGHT GET HELP FROM CONGRESS?

>> I HAVE TO BE OPTIMISTIC TO SLEEP AT NIGHT.

JUST TO SECOND PHILLIP'S SENTIMENT WE ARE DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE WE ARE COMMITTED WE ARE SHOWING OUR COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

I THINK RESTAURANTS ARE PROBABLY THE CLEANEST BUSINESSES NEXT TO MEDICAL FACILITIES ALREADY.

WE HAVE VERY RIGOROUS SANITATION PRACTICES THAT WE PUT IN PLACE JUST TO OPEN THE DOORS EVERYDAY.

WE'VE BEEN COMMITTED TO OUR EMPLOYEES.

WE NEED CONGRESS AND WE NEED THE MAYOR AND THE GOVERNOR TO BE COMMITTED TO US AS WELL.

AND IF WE CAN'T GET ANY TYPE OF STIMULUS FOR OUR OWN INDUSTRY BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE A UNIQUE SITUATION WITH THE HANDFUL OF OTHER BUSINESSES THEN IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO BE OPTIMISTIC THAT WE WILL SURVIVE MUCH LONGER.

>> PHILLIP WATERS ACCORDING TO THE CITY VACCINES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AVAILABLE TO THE FOOD SERVICES INDUSTRY NEXT MONTH, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

>> YOU KNOW IT'S MIXED IN REGARDS TO AVAILABILITY.

WE YOU HAD THE FIRST-RESPONDERS AND THE HEALTH ADMINISTRATORS ARE GETTING IT FIRST OBVIOUSLY NURSING HOMES AND THE ELDERLY.

WE ARE WAITING AND SEEING HOW THAT IS GOING TO CULMINATE.

THE BIGGEST THING I SEE RIGHT NOW IS OBVIOUSLY WITH BETTER PRACTICES AND HONESTLY BEST PRACTICES WHEN IT COMES TO SANITATION AND STERILIZATION, I THINK TO FURTHER RACQUEL'S POINT THERE IS LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS THAT FOUND ITS WAY THROUGH TO THE SENATE SPECIFIC TO THE RESTAURANT ACT WHICH WOULD RELEASE $120 BILLION THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES ONLY TO INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS THEY HAVE TO CAP OUT AT A MARKET CAPSIZE AND THEY HAVE TO HAVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF RESTAURANTS THEY CANNOT GO OVER THAT.

THIS WILL TAKE OUT THE LARGE GROUPS AND IT WOULD BE A KICK IN THE PANTS TO GET THE INDUSTRY STARTED AGAIN WITH 16 MILLION JOBS INCLUDING ALL VERTICAL SUPPLY CHAINS INVOLVED IN THAT.

AND REALLY SAVE EVERYONE'S BACON.

IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT, TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

IT'S PASSED A MAJORITY IN CONGRESS AND HAS MORE THAN THE MAJORITY IN THE SENATE.

SO TAKE A LOOK AND CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN NOW Mr. QUIGLEY I'M TALKING TO YOU.

RACQUEL FIELDS AND PHILLIP WATERS THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHTS AND THIS UPDATE.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT HONORING VICTIMS OF ANTI-TRANSGENDER VIOLENCE BUT FIRST A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

LATINOS WHO MAKEUP ONE-THIRD OF THE POPULATION CONTINUE TO POWER THE CITY THAT WORKS.

>> THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING THREE JOBS, KNOWING THAT COVID IS OUT THERE, THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT NEED THE HELP AND WE SHOULD HELP THEM.

>> THERE WERE A RECORD NUMBER OF TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON-CONFORMING PEOPLE KILLED IN 2020 AT LEAST 37.

ON CHRISTMAS DAY A BLACK TRANSWOMAN WAS KILLED IN A SHOOTING IN CHICAGO.

ONE LOCAL LGBTQ ADVOCACY GROUP ALONGSIDE LAWMAKERS IS TRYING TO CREATE A FUND TO GIVE TRANSPEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED A DIGNIFIED BURIAL.

JOINING US WITH MORE ARE STATE REPRESENTATIVE KELLY CASSIDY OF CHICAGO.

AND LASAIA WADE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BRAVE SPACE ALLIANCE WHO IS HELPING PUT TOGETHER THIS BURIAL FUND.

AS WE KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A RISE IN THE MURDERS OF TRANSPEOPLE IN THE U.S.

THIS YEAR, THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN REPORTED 37 DEATHS AND IT SHOULD BE NOTED THIS DATA IS OFTENTIMES UNDER REPORTED DUE TO DEATHS NOT BEING REPORTED AND OTHERS WHERE THE VICTIMS HAVE NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AS TRANSGENDER.

LASAIA WADE AND REPRESENTATIVE WELCOME BACK.

REPRESENTATIVE CASSIDY, WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THIS?

>> IT'S HEARTBREAKING.

AND HONESTLY, AS WE I THINK AS YOU PUT IT, THESE ARE UNDER COUNTED SO OFTEN.

THE FOLKS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HAVE BEEN ABANDONED BY FAMILY AND VERY EASILY SLIP THROUGH THE CRACKS UNTIL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE BRAVE SPACE AS LIE ANSWER COMES FORWARD TO BE A HOME.

AND WHAT I WATCHED OVER YEARS FRANKLY, IS WE HEAR ABOUT ONE OF THESE CASES AND LASAIA WADE OR SOMEONE WILL STEP UP THE WORK AND TRY TO RAISE MONEY PULL TO GO OUT OF PERSONAL SAVINGS PUTTING OFF NEEDS IN ORDER TO INSURE THAT THIS PERSON IS TREATED LIKE A PERSON IN DEATH EVEN IF THEY WERE NOT TREATED THAT WAY IN LIFE.

AND FRANKLY AFTER THIS MOST RECENT CASE WHEN I WAS TALKED TO LASAIA WADE I COULD HEAR THE DRAIN IN HER VOICE AND AS WE TALKED ABOUT IT MORE AND HOW MANY TIMES THIS HAS TO HAPPEN, THIS -- WE CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA TO TRY TO PUT IN PLACE A MORE PERMANENT SOLUTION.

THESE ARE CASES THAT ARE OFTEN UNSOLVED.

THESE ARE CASES WHERE FOLKS DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE FAMILY WHO CAN SEEK CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION FUND FOR THEM.

WE ARE REALLY TALKING ABOUT BECOMING A FAMILY FOR PEOPLE.

>> AND REPRESENTATIVE CASSIDY SINCE YOU MENTIONED IT I WILL POSE THIS QUESTION TO LASAIA WADE WHAT IMPACT HAS HAD ON YOU?

REPRESENTATIVE CASSIDY DESCRIBED IT AS DRAINING FOR THE WORK YOU DO?

>> I'M 33 YEARS OLD AND I'VE BURIED OVER 100 PEOPLE TRANSPEOPLE EVERY EVERYONE I HAD TO FUNDRAISE FOR TO MAKE SURE THEY HAD A PROPER BURIAL.

IN MOST CASES, THAT THE NEWS HAS REPORTED HOW POLICE OFFICERS CONTINUE TO MISS GENDER THIS PERSON AND WILL NOT ALLOW THIS PERSON TO HAVE A DIGNIFIED DEATH.

SO WE ALREADY KNOW THEY FOUGHT FOR THEIR LIFE TO SURVIVE WHEN THEY WERE MURDERED.

IT IS DRAINING WHEN WE HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY GO BACK AND FORTHWITH COMMUNITY TO HELP US BURY YOUTH PERSON THAT WAS TRYING TO JUST THRIVE THROUGHOUT LIFE AND LIVE THEIR LIFE THE WAY THEY WANTED TO LIVE IT.

>> THE MAJORITY OF VICTIMS OF THE HATE CRIMES HAVE BEEN PEOPLE OF COLOR FROM 2013 TO 2020, 73% OF DEATHS WERE BLACK TRANSPEOPLE.

12% WERE LATINO.

LASAIA WADE WHY IS THIS COMMUNITY FACING SO MUCH OF THIS VIOLENCE?

>> BECAUSE OF LACK OF SURVIVAL AND A LACK OF PUSHING TO THRIVE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO PUSH JOBS, EDUCATION, BUT SOCIETY DEEM US NOT A NORM.

WHEN SOCIETY DEEM US PEOPLE NOT NORM THEY DON'T THINK WE ARE DESERVING OF LIFE OF THRIVING.

AND THIS IS WHAT THE NARRATIVE THAT WE'RE PUSHING BACK AGAINST.

WE ARE THAT.

WE ARE PEOPLE AND WE DESERVE TO LIVE AS SUCH.

AND YOU CANNOT TAKE THAT THAT AWAY FROM US AS PEOPLE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CASSIDY TELL ME ABOUT THE LEGISLATION YOU ARE WORKING ON REGARDING BURIALS?

>> THIS IS NOT LEGISLATION.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MYSELF AND THE OTHER LGBTQ MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE ALONG WITH A FEW SENATORS INCLUDING TWO WITH TRANSKIDS ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO RAISE THE MONEY TO ESTABLISH THIS FUND.

ONCE WE DO THAT WE CAN LOOK AT WAYS TO DIRECT GRANT FUNDS INTO THAT RESOURCE TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT RESOURCE CONTINUALLY IS REPLENISHED.

THIS IS NOT A LEGISLATIVE ACT.

THIS IS US MAKING THE CALLS SO THAT LASAIA WADE DOESN'T HAVE TO NEXT TIME.

>> WHILE WE WERE ON IT WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS TO THE TRANSCOMMUNITY HAVING ACCESS TO FUNDS AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THEIR OWN DIGNIFIED BURIAL?

>> IT'S UNDERSTANDING WE ARE NOT TREATED AS PEOPLE.

THAT IS THE FIRST CASE OF MOST CONVERSATIONS WHEN MOST PEOPLE SEE ME THEY DON'T KNOW I HAVE A MASTERS DEGREE.

SO I HAVE TO COME OUT POPPING WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING THE CONVERSATIONS AND TREAT ME AS SUCH AS A GROWN WOMAN.

SO THE CONVERSATIONS THEY SEE ME AS A PERSON BECAUSE I HAD TO PUSH MYSELF THROUGH THE CONVERSATIONS AND THAT IS THE PART THAT WE NEED TO BREAKDOWN.

AS SUCH AS THE FIRST SEE ME 'AS A PERSON AND THEN SEE ME AS A PARTICULAR PERSON SO THAT IS THE FIRST CONVERSATION WE NEED TO HAVE WITH PEOPLE AS I AM WHO I SAY I AM.

>> WE'VE GOT 20 SECONDS LEFT.

REPRESENTATIVE CASSIDY, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO DO THIS WORK?

>> QUITE FRANKLY, YOU KNOW THERE ARE FIVE OPENLY GAY MEMBERS OR THERE WERE FIVE THERE'S FOUR NOW OF THE ILLINOIS HOUSE.

AND EACH OF US BELIEVES AT OUR CORE THAT OUR RESPONSIBILITY GOES BEYOND OUR DISTRICTS.

THIS COMMUNITY THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS WELL REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY LIVE NOT JUST IN THE STATE BUT GENERALLY.

AND YOU KNOW THIS WORK THE WORK ON BEHALF OF THE TRANSCOMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR, YOU KNOW, UNTIL THERE ARE TRANSFOLKS IN MY CHAMBER WITH ME, RAISING THESE ISSUES, I'M NOT GOING TO STOP.

THIS COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP.

>> AND THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU.

REPRESENTATIVE KELLY CASSIDY AND LASAIA WADE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, DETAILS ON THE FIGHT TO PROTECT THE HOME OF A PAIR OF ENDANGERED BIRDS.

STAY WITH US.

>> PIPING PLOF VERS, MONTY AND ROSE CAPTURED ATTENTION WHEN THEY DECIDED TO NEST ON MONTROSE BEACH.

THEY HAVE NO DOUBT THE LOVE BIRDS WILL RETURN TO THE BEEP FOR A THIRD YEAR.

BUT WILL THE ENDANGERED PAIR BE UPGRADED FROM RENTERS TO HOMEOWNERS THIS TIME AROUND?

WTTW NEWS REPORTER PATTY WETLI JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

I LOVE TALKING ABOUT MONTY AND ROSE.

WHAT DO ADVOCATES WANT TO HAPPEN TO MONTROSE BEACH TO MAKE A MORE PERMANENT HOME FOR THEM?

>> SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO CLARIFY THAT WHEN MONTY AND ROSE ARRIVED IN 2019, WHAT THEY UNDERSTANDABLY DID NOT KNOW IS THERE IS A LINE IN THE SAND ON MONTROSE BEACH.

ONE SIDE IS FREE-FOR-ALL PLAIN OLD BEACH AND THE OTHER SIDE IS MONTROSE BEACH DUNES NATURAL AREA WHERE ACTIVITIES ARE MORE RESTRICTED AND THERE ARE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE FOR THE WILDLIFE AND THE PLANTS THAT LIVE THERE.

AND WHAT ADVOCATES WANT IS FOR -- AND THEY'VE REQUESTED IS TO HAVE THE AREA OF MONTROSE BEACH WHERE MONTY AND ROSE NESTED, INCORPORATED INTO THE PROTECTED DUNES AREA SO THAT THE PLOVERS CAN BE MANAGED WHEN THEY ARRIVE IN CHICAGO.

>> WHAT HAS THE PARK DISTRICT SAID?

RESPONSE?

>> ADVOCATES SAY THEY HAVE GOTTEN MIXED MESSAGES.

FIRST THE REQUEST WAS OUT RIGHT DENIED AND NOW THE PARK DISTRICT IS SAYING THEY ARE CONSIDERING THE REQUEST AND THAT, OF COURSE, REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE AREA, THE PLOVERS WILL BE PROTECTED WHEN THEY ARRIVE IN CHICAGO.

BUT AS YOU SAID, WHETHER THEY WILL BE RENTERS OR HOMEOWNERS IS STILL VERY MUCH UP IN THE AIR.

>> AND MONTY AND ROSE ARE COMING BACK?

WHERE ARE THEY RIGHT NOW?

>> THEY FLY SOUTH FOR THE WINTER.

BUT EXPERTS SAY THAT PLOVERS ONCE THEY HAVE SUCCESSFULLY HATCHED A CHICK OR TWO AND NESTED THEY ARE VERY FAITHFUL TO THEIR SITE.

SO THEY ARE 99.999% SURE THAT MONTY AND ROSE WILL COME BACK TO MONTROSE BEACH THIS SUMMER.

>> WE WATCHED THEM FALL IN LOVE AND NOW THE FAMILY IS GROWING.

LIFE GOES BY IN A BLINK.

THANK YOU.

>> THANKS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT EFFORTS TO PROTECT MONTY AND ROSE AND THE MONTROSE BEACH DUNES NATURAL AREA.

ALL AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> MONTY, ROSE.

MONTROSE.

>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

>> JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. >> FOR ALL OF US HERE I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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