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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

>> AND 0 THE SHOW TONIGHT.

>> I WANT TO PARTICULARLY THANK THE GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS AND THE MAYOR OF HIGHLAND PARK FOR BEING HERE.

>> THE PRESIDENT TOUTS A NEW GUN SAFETY LAW A WEEK AFTER THE HIGHLAND PARK SHOOTING.

PLUS COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE AT THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY AND SHE JOINS US WITH MORE ON THAT NEW LAW.

>> HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WARN THE OVERTURNING OF ROE VS. WADE COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE HAD MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE.

>> WE'RE THINKING OF BRITTNEY GRINER SHE REMAINS A HUGE PRIORITY FOR US.

>> BRITTNEY GRINER TAKES CENTER STAGE AT THE WNBA STAGE.

A LOOK AT HER DETAIN.

IN RUSSIA.

>> THIS IS AN OPEN MURDER CASE.

>> THE DISCOVERY OF AN UNSERVED WARRANT IN THE 1955 KIDNAPPING OF EMMETT TILL HEAR FROM ONE OF TILL'S RELATIVES ON WHAT SHE WANTS TO SEE HAPPEN.

>> THE PALMER HOUSE IS A STEP CLOSER TO FORESALE.

THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> THE THING ABOUT GRACE AND FRANKIE THAT HAS BEEN SO MUCH FUN IT'S CHALLENGE SNOOK WE CHECK BACK IN WITH THE ARTIST BEHIND NETFLIX'S GRAYS AND FRANKIE.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> ILLINOIS WAS WELL REPRESENTED AT A WHITE HOUSE CEREMONY CELEBRATING THE FIRST MAJOR GUN LEGISLATION IN 30 YEARS.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER, HIGHLAND PARK MAYOR NANCY ROTERING AND COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESTON TON AND OTHER OFFICIALS WERE THERE FOR TODAY'S CEREMONY.

THE EVENT COMES ONE WEEK AFTER THE HIGHLAND PARK SHOOTING THAT LEFT SEVEN PEOPLE DEAD.

WE WILL HAVE MORE WITH A ONE-ON-ONE WITH TONI PRECKWINKLE COMING UP.

>> MAYORAL CANDIDATE AND 15TH WARD ALDERMAN RAY LOPEZ IS IN ISRAEL TO LEARN ABOUT WAYS TO HANDLE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES.

LOPEZ AND OTHERS FROM THE 2022 HISPANIC COMMUNITY LEADERS DELEGATION FLEW TO ISRAEL TO SEE HOW ISRAELIS DEAL WITH RANDOM TERRORISM AND HOW THEY CREATE SAFETY ZONES AROUND SCHOOLS.

THEY WERE INVITED AND IS PART OF AN AMERICAN-ISRAEL FRIENDSHIP LEAGUE TRIP.

>> NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY'S PRESIDENT ELECT IS STEPPING DOWN FOR HEALTH REASONS.

ECONOMIST REB DA BLINK WAS SET TO BECOME THE PRESIDENT BUT IS STEPPING BACK AFTER DIAGNOSED WITH AN AGGRESSIVE FORM OF CANCER.

MORTON SHARP ROW AGREED TO REMAIN AS PRESIDENT.

BLINK AND HER HUSBAND ARE RETURNING TO THE MADISON AREA FOR HER CANCER TREATMENT.

>> UP NEXT MORE ON TODAY'S WHITE HOUSE CEREMONY FOR THE FIRST MAJOR FEDERAL GUN LAW SIGNED IN DECADES.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY...

IT'S BEEN ONE WEEK SINCE SEVEN PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES WHEN GUN DOWNED AT HIGHLAND PARK INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE.

WHILE THE COMMUNITY WARNS THE FOCUS HAS CHANGED TO ACTION WHAT.

DIFFERENCE A NEW FEDERAL BIPARTISAN GUN LAW CAN MAKE.

ILLINOIS OFFICIALS WERE ON HAND IN WASHINGTON D.C. TO COMMEMORATE THE SIGNING IN LAW.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> HIGHLAND PARK MARKS THE ONE WEEK WITH THE TOLLING OF BELLS, ALSO A MOMENT OF SILENCE AT 10:14, THE TIME WHEN THE FIRST EMERGENCY CALLS CAME IN REPORTING THAT DEADLY BARRAGE OF BULLETS.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE BOB MORGAN WAS MARCHING IN THE PARADE WITH HIS WIFE AND YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEY WERE TWO BLOCKS AWAY AND COULD HEAR THE GUNFIRE.

>> IT'S ALL HORRIBLE AND PLAYING OUT SLOWLY AND WE'RE MAKING SURE WE ARE GETTING THE RESOURCES TO WHERE WE NEED TO.

AND THERE'S THE INITIAL ADRENALINE PUSH AND NOW IT'S MAKING SURE WE MOVE ON AND ALSO PUSH HARD AS HARD AS WE CAN TO CHANGE SO NO ONE ELSE GOES THROUGH WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH NOW.

>> I WAS TALKING TO MARK MORGAN ON HIS WAY BACK FROM DC HE WAS AMONG OFFICIALS AT THE WHITE HOUSE EVENT.

IT WAS A GUN CONTROL COMMEMORATION OF THE NEW FEDERAL GUN LAW.

THE BIPARTISAN SAFER COMMUNITIES ACT.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES RECENTLY BESIEGED BY MASS SHOOTINGS WERE THERE, TOO.

>> WE FINALLY MOVED THAT MOUNTAIN.

A MOUNTAIN OF OPPOSITION, OBSTRUCTION AND INDIFFERENCE THAT STOOD IN THE WAY AND STOPPED EVERY EFFORT OF GUN SAFETY FOR 30 YEARS IN THIS NATION.

NOW IS THE TIME TO GALVANIZE THIS MOVEMENT.

BECAUSE THAT IS OUR DUTY TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION.

THAT'S ALL THE FAMILIES IN BUFFALO WHERE A GROCERY STORE BECAME A KILLING FIELD.

WHAT WE OWE THE FAMILIES IN UVALDE WHERE AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BECOME A KILLING FIELD.

AND THE FAMILIES ON JULY 4TH IN HIGHLAND PARK BECAME A KILLING FIELD.

>> THE LAWS ARE INTENDED HELP AND FUND STATES RED FLAGS THE MEASURES INTENDED TO KEEP THE GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS THE JUDGE DEEMS DANGEROUS AND THE HIGHLAND PARK EXPOSED THERE HAVE BEEN GAPS IN ILLINOIS' RED FLAG LAW THAT KEPT IT FROM WORKING IN THAT INSTANCE.

THE FEDERAL LAW CONVICTED DOMESTIC ABUSERS TO BE LOGGED IN THE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM REQUIRES JUVENILE AND MENTAL HEALTH RECORDS BE CHECKED BEFORE SOMEBODY UNDER THE AGE OF 21 CAN PURCHASE A GUN.

AND WHAT MORGAN SAYS HE IS PARTICULARLY HOPEFUL WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE, IT CREATES FEDERAL PENALTIES FOR CROSS STATE GUN RUNNERS AND STRAW PURCHASERS.

>> WE'RE CLOSE TO THE WISCONSIN BORDER.

THE AMOUNT OF GUNS COMING THROUGH OUR BORDER INTO PLACES LIKE HIGHLAND PARK, THERE IS A LOT OF WEAPONS FROM OTHER STATES THAT HAVE LAX OR ALMOST NO GUN LAWS OR RESTRICTIONS.

SO HAVING A MEANINGFUL REFORMS AND MEANINGFUL LAWS AND PENALTIES FOR THOSE SHIPPING GUNS ACROSS STATE LINES I THINK IT WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT.

>> CRITICS SAY THE PACKAGE DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH.

AND A POINT DRIVEN HOME BY A MAN WHO INTERRUPTED THE WHITE HOUSE EVENT.

>> YOU... YOU -- >> [APPLAUSE] >> THAT MAN IS THE FATHER OF A TEEN WHO WAS KILLED IN THE PARKLAND HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING IN 2018.

HE EXPLAINED HIS FRUSTRATIONS ON CNN SAYING THERE IS NO REASON TO BE CELEBRATING THIS FEDERAL GUN LAW.

>> THAT USING THE WORD CELEBRATION, GETTING TOGETHER IS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO A PARTY, TO A WEDDING TODAY.

WE ALL RECEIVING INVITATIONS.

AND MEANWHILE YOU CAN SEE THE MOTHERS IN UVALDE THAT JUST SAW HOW THEIR KIDS WERE MASSACRED INSIDE THE SCHOOL.

SO FOR ME, IT'S NOT ONLY NOT ENOUGH WHAT WE'RE PASSING.

>> TALKING INCLUDING FROM THE PRESIDENT CALLING THIS ACTION A FIRST STEP.

SEEING AS CONGRESS COULD NOT WORKOUT A DEAL THAT WOULD BAN MILITARY GRADE WEAPONS AND HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES.

HIGHLAND PARK HAS A BAN AND MAYOR NANCY ROTERING SAYS IT'S TIME FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY TO CLEAR IT UP.

>> WE SHARE OUR LOVE OF OUR FIRST-RESPONDERS.

OUR FINISHERS ARE OUTGUNNED BY THE COMBAT WEAPONS.

I THINK IF PEOPLE LISTEN TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED WEEK AFTER WEEK AFTER WEEK IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS NOT WHAT OUR FREEDOM WAS FOUGHT FOR, WE ARE IN FACT GOING IN REVERSE.

THERE IS NO REASON PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE COMBAT WEAPONS IF THEY WANT TO SUPPORT THE SECOND THAT AMENDMENT THAT IS THEIR CHOICE.

COMBAT WEAPONS WERE NOT INTENDED BY THE FRAMERS.

>> SHE AND THE GOVERNOR HAD A PRIVATE MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT.

PRITZKER SAYING ADDITIONAL ACTION ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL IS URGENT.

>> I REALIZE THE WORK THAT WAS DONE TO GET THE SAFER COMMUNITIES ACT PASSED AND SIGNED.

IT'S GREAT WE GOT PROGRESS.

BUT WE'VE DONE MANY OF THOSE THINGS ALREADY IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

WE ARE AN OUTLIEER IN THAT WAY.

WE'VE GOTTEN SOME OF THE THINGS DONE BUT WE NEED MUCH MORE DONE.

BAN AGO AS A RESULT WEAPONS IN THE CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK OR JUST IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WON'T EFFECTIVELY KEEP ASSAULT WEAPONS FROM COMING INTO THE STREETS OF ILLINOIS.

>> ILLINOIS DOES NOT HAVE A STATE-WIDE BAN ON ASSAULT STYLE RIFLES.

PRITZKER'S OPPONENT IN NOVEMBER'S GENERAL ELECTION SCOLDED HIM IN A STATEMENT.

G.O.P.

NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR DARREN BAILEY SAYS LIVES DEPEND ON PRITZKER CATCHING CRIMINALS AND KEEPING FAMILIES SAFE.

J.B. PRITZKER IS HOB-NOBBING WITH HIS ELITE FRIENDS.

THIS MORNING SIX MEN WERE IN A SHOOTOUT IN THE SOUTH LOOP WHICH IS STARTING TO LOOK LIKE THE OK CORRAL.

THIS IS SURE TO BE SOMETHING WE'LL HEAR ABOUT LEADING UP TO NOVEMBER.

THE GOVERNOR, BY THE WAY, SAID AMONG THE ACTIONS, IS FIXING UP THE EXPOSED GAPS IN THE RED FLAG LAW.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND AS WE JUST HEARD, A NUMBER OF ILLINOIS POLITICIANS WERE AT THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY AS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN CELEBRATED THE PASSAGE OF A NEW GUN SAFETY LAW.

ONE WAS COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE WHO JOINS US FROM FROM WASHINGTON D.C. MADAM PRESIDENT, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

LET'S GET INTO THE EVENT AT THE WHITE HOUSE WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF IT AND WHAT YOU HEARD FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN?

>> I WAS VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE AN INVITATION FROM THE PRESIDENT.

IT WAS ELECTED OFFICIALS, ADVOCATES AND SURVIVORS.

AND IT WAS A VERY MOVING OCCASION.

AND THE PRESIDENT SPOKE ELOQUENTLY ABOUT THES IMPORTANCE OF THIS LEGISLATION AND THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> WE KNOW THE PUBLIC CLEARLY FAVORS MORE GUN CONTROL MEASURES.

BECAUSE WHAT WAS SIGNED TODAY WAS PASSED BY CONGRESS BEFORE THE TRAGEDY IN HIGHLAND PARK A WEEK AGO.

AND EVEN TODAY, ONE OF THE FATHERS OF THE PARKLAND SHOOTING VICTIMS SPOKE OUT DURING THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH CALLING FOR MORE TO BE DONE.

BEING IN DC TODAY DO YOU GET THE SENSE THAT WE'LL SEE MORE SIGNIFICANT ACTION ON GUNS IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

>> WELL, WE HAVE NOT HAD SENSIBLE GUN LEGISLATION COME OUT OF CONGRESS IN 30 YEARS.

THIS IS A PRETTY IMPORTANT MILESTONE.

THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

AND UNFORTUNATELY MOST OF THOSE IN FAVOR OF SENSIBLE GUN LAWS ARE DEMOCRATS.

UNTIL WE CHANGE SIGNIFICANTLY THE BALANCE IN THE SENATE, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TOUGH TIME.

>> WHAT MORE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE?

>> WELL, A NATIONAL BAN ON ASSAULT WEAPONS.

BUT AS PRESIDENT BIDEN SPOKE TODAY, WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE CONSIDERABLE INVESTMENTS IN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

IF WE LOOK THE THE TROUBLED HISTORY OF THE YOUNG MAN ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN THE HIGHLAND PARK SHOOTING, THERE'S CLEARLY POINTS OF INTERVENTION THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN.

AND I THINK WE ALSO NEED TO INVEST IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING THE MOST WITH THE VIOLENCE.

SO ON ONE HAND WE NEED GUN LAWS.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR PEOPLE BOTH IN THEIR GOOD MENTAL HEALTH AND THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH SO MANY LIVE THAT ARE MARGINALIZED AND WHERE PEOPLE DESPAIR.

>> AND TO THAT END, GIVEN THAT MANY OF THE GUNS USED TO COMMIT CRIMES IN COOK COUNTY COME FROM SURROUNDING STATES WITH LOOSER GUN LAWS.

WHAT MORE CAN YOU DO IN COOK COUNTY TO TIGHTEN THAT FLOW OF GUNS?

>> WELL, THIS IS AN ISSUE I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE UP AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

AS I SAID, IF WE HAD NATIONAL GUN LAWS THERE WOULDN'T BE SUCH AN ISSUE BETWEEN ILLINOIS AS A HAVEN FOR REASONABLE GUN LEGISLATION AND THE SURROUNDING STATES WHERE FOLKS MAKE STRAW PURCHASES AND COME INTO ILLINOIS AND SELL THEIR GUNS.

WE'VE GOT TO HAVE NATIONAL LEGISLATION.

AS I SAID, WE NEED INVESTMENTS IN MENTAL HEALTH.

AND IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE VIOLENCE.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE COMMUNITIES STRUGGLING WITH THE VIOLENCE.

IT IS A A MULTIPRONGED STRATEGY.

>> SHIFTING TO COOK COUNTY MORE SPECIFICALLY, LAST MONTH YOU RELEASED A PRELIMINARY BUDGET FORECAST FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

YOU BUDGET A BUDGET SHORTFALL JUST OVER $18 MILLION.

OVERALL HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE FINANCIAL PICTURE LOOKS FOR COOK COUNTY?

>> WELL, I CAME INTO OFFICE IN 2010 WE HAD A BUDGET GAP OF $47 MILLION.

AND [INAUDIBLE] ALL OF THE FOLKS IN OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICE, C.F.O.

'S OFFICE FOR THEIR GOOD WORK OVER THE LAST MORE THAN A DECADE.

IT'S PUT US IN A GOOD PLACE EVEN IN THIS DIFFICULT MOMENT WITH THE PANDEMIC AND THE ECONOMIC COLLAPSE THAT FOLLOWED TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET.

AND WE'VE DONE THAT EVERY YEAR.

IN MY TENURE.

AND I'M PROUD OF THE GOOD WORK DONE BY OUR FINANCING.

>> YOU TEND TO PRIORITIZE EQUITY IN NURSING HOME BUDGET PROCESS.

COOK COUNTY.

HOW IS THAT MONEY GOING TOWARDS THOSE SPECIFICALLY TOWARDS YOUR GOALS OF ACHIEVING EQUITY?

>> WELL, AT THE INSISTENCE OF MY CHIEF OF STAFF WE SPENT A YEAR TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT MADE THE MOST SENSE IN TERMS OF INVESTMENT AND WE PUT TOGETHER OUR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT INITIATIVES AND WE'VE BEGUN TO DISTRIBUTE THE MONEY THIS SUMMER.

PARTICULARLY BEGUN TO DISTRIBUTE OUR VIOLENCE PREVENTION, ANTI-REINDIVIDUALVISM AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE SERVICES.

OUR COOK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH FOR 180 YEARS HAVE PROVIDED QUALITY CARE TO RESIDENTS OF COOK COUNTY REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY, DOCUMENTATION STATUS THEIR RACE, RELIGION, THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

BUT WE HAVE FOCUSED MORE ON PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.

AND WE NEED TO RAMP UP OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.

WE WILL HAVE THE GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM.

AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT MEDICAL DEBT.

ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES THAT FAMILIES FACE AROUND PAYING MEDICAL BILLS.

THE PRIMARY REASON THAT ORDINARY PEOPLE END UP IN BANKRUPTCY.

IN ADDITION TO THE INVESTMENTS I'VE TALKED ABOUT IN COMMUNITIES, ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENTS, INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION WE WILL BE INVESTING IN THOSE THREE THINGS AS WELL.

>> THERE HAS BEEN A DELAYING IN SENDING OUT PROPERTY TAX BILLS THAT COULD LEAD TO SHORTFALLS FOR COOK COUNTY CITIES, VILLAGES, FIRE, LIBRARIES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

YOU ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO CREATE A BRIDGE FUNDING PROGRAM TO PROVIDE LOANS TO TAXING DISTRICTS IN COOK COUNTY.

REPORTING IT COULD TOTAL 300-500 MILLION S THAT ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THOSE TAXING BODIES?

>> WELL, SOME OF OUR TAXING BODIES ARE IN GREAT FISCAL SHAPE AND HAVE CASH RESERVES.

AND OTHERS ARE STRUGGLING AND DON'T HAVE THE SAME RESOURCE.

WE ARE GOING TO PROVIDE THIS BRIDGE FUND TO ENABLE THOSE FOLKS IT WILL BE NO INTEREST LOANS TO HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO CARRY ON THEIR FUNCTIONS AND OPERATIONS.

>> THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE AND THE BOARD OF REVIEW ARE BLAMING EACH OTHER FOR THE DELAY IN GETTING THE BILLS OUT.

WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHY THE BILLS HAVE NOT BEEN SENT OUT YET?

AND HOW SOON THAT MIGHT BE RESOLVED?

>> WELL, WE HAVE IN COOK COUNTY ARCHAIC TECHNOLOGY.

A LOT OF OUR DATA WAS STORED ON THE MAIN FRAME COMPUTER.

I DON'T THINK YOU FIND THAT ANY PLACE ELSE.

IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND SURELY MOST OF GOVERNMENT.

SO WE'VE BEEN INVESTING A LOT IN TECHNOLOGY.

AND THOSE TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS NOW COME TO THE PROPERTY TAX AND BEGAN IN THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE AND THEY WILL MOVE TO THE BOARD OF REVIEW.

THE TECHNOLOGY CHANGES WE HAD TO MAKE, WHICH WERE LONG OVERDUE WHEN IT KICKED IN THIS YEAR OR SO THAT LEAD TO DELAYS AS WE TRANSFERRED OVER.

AND IN THE PANDEMIC IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DO THE OPERATIONS WE NORMALLY DO GETTING THE BILLS OUT ON TIME.

I'M HOPEFUL THAT AFTER WE GET THROUGH THE DIFFICULT YEAR WE WILL BE ON A BETTER PATH TO RETURN TO OUR PATTERN FOR ALMOST A DECADE OF GETTING THE BILLS OUT ON TIME.

AND WHEN I CAME IN IN 2010, I DISCOVERED WE HAD NOT GOTTEN SECOND TAX BILLS OUT IN A TIMELY FASHION IN MORE THAN THREE DECADES.

SO WE HAD NOT MET THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THREE DECADES WE WORKED HARD TO DO THAT AND WE DID AND GOT CHALLENGED BY THE PANDEMIC IN A SERIOUS WAY AND OUR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE OUR TECHNOLOGY.

>> YOU ARE IN WASHINGTON D.C. FOR A FEW MORE DAYS ATTENDING OTHER EVENTS WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH?

>> WELL, WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT OUR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN INITIATIVES AND IN PARTICULAR, HOW WE INTEND TO WORK WITH THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY TO EVALUATE AND ANALYZE THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTMENTS THAT WE MAKE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO TOMORROW AND THE PANEL PRESENTATION WE WILL BE MAKING AS WELL AS OTHER ACTIVITIES.

WE WILL BE TRY TO BE MEETING WITH [INAUDIBLE] THIS IS GOING TO BE A WORKING TRIP AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAD TODAY TO JOIN PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS TO TALK ABOUT IT WAS CRITICAL ISSUE OF GUN SAFETY AND ADDRESSING THE VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY.

>> COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE IN WASHINGTON D.C. FOR US.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> RESEARCHERS SAY THE SUPREME COURT'S MOVE OVERTURNING ROE VS. WADE COULD HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON MATERNAL HEALTH.

THIS AS NEW RESEARCH SHOWS THE NATIONAL RATE OF MATERNAL MORTALITY INCREASED BY MORE THAN 18% BETWEEN 2019-2020 AND NEARLY 17% IN 2020 THE YEAR THE PANDEMIC FIRST STRUCK.

AND THE RATES OF BLACK AND LATINO WOMEN DYING DURING PREGNANCY WERE HIGHER.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS AND EXPLAIN THE CORRELATION BETWEEN LACK OF ACCESS TO ABORTION CARE AND MATERNAL MORALITY ARE Dr. ERICA HINZ DOCTOR OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO.

AND Dr. A=SADIA HAIDER DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF FAMILY PLANNING AT RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

Dr. A=SADIA HAIDER LET'S START WITH YOU.

COMPARE THE MORTALITY RATES IN DEVELOPED NATIONS.

THE U.S. IS 23.83 DEATHS WERE 100,000 LIVE BIRTHS.

COMPARED TO FRANCE STANDS AT 8.7 DEATHS.

NEW ZEALAND AT 1.7 DEATHS.

WHAT DO WE KNOW WHY MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES CONTINUE TO RISE IN THE LAST THREE CAREERS.

>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION.

I THINK THE REAL ISSUE THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT HEALTH AND SOCIAL INEQUITIES THAT EXIST ACROSS OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM WHEN SPEAKING ABOUT MATERNAL HEALTH AND MORBIDITY WE HAVE IDENTIFIED FACTORS INCLUDING LACK OF ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE.

WE'VE GOT STRUCTURAL RACISM.

AND JUST IN GENERAL, LACK OF CONTINUITY OF CARE.

ALL OF THESE FACTORS RESULT IN HIGHER RATES OF MATERNAL MORTALITY AND PORT PARTUM INEQUITIES AS YOU'VE VIBED IN TERM O OWE DESCRIBED AS YOU'VE DESCRIBED IN THE RATES IN THE UNITED STATES.

LOWER INCOME CORRELATING WITH THE LACK OF ACCESS AND THE PATIENTS FROM BLACK AND OTHER INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS WHICH HAVE ENGINE AGAIN FACING SOME OF THE ONGOING HEALTHCARE INEQUITIES RELATED TO STRUCTURAL RACISM.

I WOULD SAY THOSE ARE THE MAIN FACTORS THAT WE RECOGNIZE CONTRIBUTING TO MATERNAL MORTALITY IN OUR COUNTRY.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MEDICAL FACTORS ACROSS THE BOARD NO MATTER OF RACIAL OR ETHNIC BACKGROUND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FACTORS THAT LEAD TO A MOTHER DYING DURING OR SOMETIME AFTER CHILDBIRTH?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

CURRENTLY IN THE UNITED STATES, SOME OF THE MOST COMMON CAUSES ARE CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITIONS, INFECTION AND HEMORRHAGE.

MY FEAR AS AN OBGYN IS THAT WITH THE BANNING OF ABORTION IN THE UNITED STATES HAPPENING AROUND US THAT ABORTION WILL BECOME ONE OF THE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO MATERNAL MORTALITY.

>> AND LET'S TAKE THAT FURTHER.

HOW CAN LIMITED OR NO ACCESS TO ABORTION IMPACT MATERNAL MORTALITY?

>> YES.

ALSO VERY GOOD QUESTION.

WE KNOW THAT ALREADY ACCESS TO LIMITED ACCESS TO ABORTION IS TROUBLING CERTAIN COMMUNITIES PRIOR TO THE OVERCURRENTING OF ROE WHICH RESULTED IN LOWER INCOME, THOSE FROM BLACK AND BLACK BACKGROUNDS AS WELL AS PEOPLE OF COLOR BEING DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED.

AND WE THINK THE INEQUITIES WILL THEN BE EXACERBATED WITH LACK OF ABORTION ACCESS.

WE KNOW FROM STUDIES THAT STATES THAT HAVE RESTRICTED LEGISLATION HAVE HIGHER RATES OF MATERNAL MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY.

THERE IS A CORRELATION.

WITH THE RESTRICTION OF ABORTION ACCESS THE DISPARITIES WILL BE INCREASED.

WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN THIS HAPPEN IN OTHER STATES THAT ARE RESTRICTIVE AND THIS WILL CONTINUE.

AND THOSE ARE THE SAME STATES WITH THE LEAST SUPPORTIVE MATERNAL HEALTH POLICIES.

AND THE LEAST -- LOWEST -- POVERTY LEVELS AFFECTING PATIENTS OF COLOR.

>> ANTIABORTION CRITICS SAY THE C.D.C.

DATA UPON SOME OF THIS RESEARCH IS BASED IS UNCOMPLETE AND YOU CANNOT DRAW THE LINK BETWEEN ABORTION BANS AND MATERNAL MORTALITY.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> I THINK WE CAN'T 100% SAY THERE IS A CAUSALITY.

WE KNOW OVER DECADES THE RESEARCH HAS CONSISTENTLY SHOWN THAT NUMBER ONE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES ARE BEARING THE BRUNT OF THE ABORTION BANS AND RESTRICTIONS.

AND NUMBER TWO, THE STATES LIKE THE DOCTOR MENTIONED HAVE HIGHER MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES THERE IS A CORRELATION AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO RESEARCH IT AS WE SPEAK.

>> DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE HIGHER INCREASES IN MATERNAL MORTALITY PARTICULARLY IN STATES WE KNOW HAVE TRIGGER LAWS OR ABORTION BANS ALREADY IN PLACE?

>> YES, I DO.

I THINK THIS IS REFLECTED IN THE EVIDENCE THAT WE'VE SEEN PREVIOUSLY.

THAT IN STATES OF RESTRICTIVE LEGISLATION, ALREADY EXISTING HAVE HIGHER RATES OF MATERNAL MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY.

AND THOSE ARE MANY FACTORS.

THE PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND CONTINUE PREGNANCIES MAY NOT HAVE OTHERWISE.

AND THOSE CONDITIONS OFTEN WILL EXACERBATE DURING THEIR CONTINUATION OF THE PREGNANCIES.

HIGHER RATES OF MATERNAL MORBIDITY ARE EXPECTED.

THERE'S ALREADY DATA COLLECTED ON CERTAIN CONTEXT I THINK THERE'S DATA OUT OF TEXAS SHOWING THIS.

SO WE DO ANTICIPATE THIS.

>> AS WE'VE DISCUSSED, MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES OBVIOUSLY HIGHER IN THE BLACK AND LATINO POPULATIONS.

SO LOOKING AT A CHART THAT WE'VE GOT WE CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN RACE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND IT'S CLEAR.

IF WE LOOK AT THE SECOND CHART SHOWING THE RATES DURING THE PANDEMIC... ANOTHER CLEAR INCREASE.

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS?

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL THE REMOVAL OF THE BANS AND LIMITING ABORTION ACCESS AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE.

BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT PREGNANCY IS NOT THE END POINT.

THERE'S POSTPARTUM CARE AND SUPPORT OF FAMILIES TO THRIVE AND SURVIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND LIVE SAFE AND HEALTHY LIVES.

PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE ALL THINGS THAT GO INTO ONE'S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH JOURNEY.

AND LOOKING JUST AT ABORTION BANS IS NOT THE FULL PICTURE.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT ALL OF THE POLICIES IMPACTING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE.

>> WE'VE KNOWN ABOUT THE SEVERITY OF OUR MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES FOR SOMETIME, WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS TO REDUCE THEM AND HOW DO YOU LOOK AT THAT CONSIDERING THE RATES HAVE STILL INCREASED?

>> IT'S REALLY CONCERNING.

AND I THINK WE IN ILLINOIS, I THINK, ARE LUCKY AND FORTUNATE WE DO HAVE SUPPORTIVE POLICIES AND MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE.

WE'VE EXPANDED MEDICAID COVERAGE TO ALLOW FOR COVERAGE UP TO ONE YEAR PORT PARTUM.

WE HAVE WHICH ALLOWS PATIENTS TO GET CARE WHEN NEEDED.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS ACROSS ILLINOIS.

WE AT RUSH ARE TAKING PART IN A COLLABORATIVE FOCUSING ON THIS ISSUE OF BIRTH EQUITY WHERE WE ARE LOOKING AT HOSPITAL LEVEL DATA.

TO HONE IN ON WHAT ARE THE ISSUES WE SHOULD ADDRESS MORE CLOSELY IN THE POPULATIONS MOST AFFECTED.

WE HAVE NOT DONE THIS BEFORE SYSTEMICALLY.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF TRAININGS THAT WE ARE DOING TO REALLY LOOK AT OUR BIAS IN OUR MEDICAL SYSTEM.

WHICH IS NECESSARY TO BUILD HOLISTIC, COMPREHENSIVE CARE PRACTICES WITHOUT BIAS.

AND THEN I THINK A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS ARE BEING INSTITUTED TO MEET PATIENTS WHERE THEY ARE AT.

A LOT OF OUR PATIENTS ARE UNABLE TO COME BACK TO THE HOSPITAL PORT PARTUM POSTPARTUM.

THERE IS A NURSING HOME PILOTING PROGRAM.

SO THE NUMBER OF INITIATIVES THAT RUNDER WAY.

I THINK THERE'S MORE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

AND THESE ARE SOME OF THE SOLUTIONS UNDERWAY.

>> THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE T THANKS TO Dr. ERICA HINZ AND Dr. A=SADIA HAIDER FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, MEET THE ARTIST BEHIND NETFLIX'S GRACE AND FRANKTY SERIES.

STAY WITH US.

>> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING THE LOOK AT THE FIGHT TO BRING WNBA PLAYER BRITTNEY GRINER BACK HOME.

>> FIRST IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS SINCE WITH KEY INTRODUCED YOU TO THE ARTIST WITH OF GRACIE AND FRANKIE.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU WENT BACK FOR A VISIT.

>> FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, NANCY ROSEN HAS CREATEDDED THE ARTWORK BEHIND NETFLIX'S' LONGEST RUNNING SERIES GRACE AND FRANKIE.

>> WHEN GRACE AND FRANKIE CALLS IT'S ALWAYS A HOLLYWOOD EMERGENCY AND I GO AND THEY CALL.

AND THEN MY LIFE IS LIKE -- MY HUSBAND WATCHES MY HEAD AND IT GOES GLICK, GLICK, GLICK.

AND THAT IS THE THING ABOUT DOING A PAINTING FOR THEM.

IF IT'S FOR AN EPISODE IT STARTS OUT ONE THING AND KEEPS MORPHING UNTIL IT'S DONE.

>> THOSE CLICKS WERE PUT ON HOLD WHEN THE PANDEMIC FORCED PRODUCTION TO SHUTDOWN AFTER CREATING THE FIRST FOUR EPISODES OF THE FINAL SEASON.

ROSEN SAYS THE PAUSE ALLOWED HER TO WORK ON PERSONAL PROJECTS.

SOME SHE WOULD NOT HAVE DONE IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE SERIES.

>> I DID A SERIES OF DOGS.

BECAUSE I DID THE POODLES FOR THEM.

AND THEN SOMEBODY SAID TO ME, WOULD YOU DO A PORTRAIT OF MY DOG.

AND NORMALLY I WOULD BE LIKE NO.

NO.

BUT, PAINTING THE DOG WAS SO MUCH FUN.

>> BUT ONCE PRODUCTION RESUMED IT WAS FULL STEAM AHEAD.

>> SEASON 7 THEY HAD NOT CALLED ME MOST OF THE SEASON.

AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT WAS LIKE THIS PAINTING IS THIS SERIOUS AS A HEART ATTACK.

AND I WILL MISS THAT BECAUSE IT'S LIKE, I CLEARLY THIS IS IT FOR ME.

I WILL DO THIS MY WHOLE LIFE, RIGHT?

>> WHEN THE SHOW WRAPPED ROSEN RECEIVED PERSONAL ITEMS SHE TO PRODUCTION TO MAKE FRANKIE'S ART STUDIO MORE PERSONABLE.

>> THEY EITHER RENTED STUFF FROM ME OR COMMISSIONED LIKE IF I DID THE PAINTING OF JANE THAT WAS FOR AN EPISODE, SO THEY OWNED THAT PAINTING.

SHE IS ARE PAINTINGS THAT I JUST LOANED THEM FOR BACKGROUND.

>> EXACTLY.

>> THESE ALL WOULD LIKE IF YOU GO AND YOU LOOK AT FRANKIE'S STUDIO, THESE WILL JUST BE IN THE BACKGROUND KIND OF.

THERE IS A LOT OF MY STUFF THAT IS JUST.

MY FAVORITE PART IS THAT HER STUDIO WAS -- THERE'S ALL MY LITTLE STUFF.

>> I REMEMBER YOU SAID THEY WERE LIKE CAN YOU SEND PAINTBRUSHES.

>> MY COT SKY THING.

>> WE LOOKED BACK AT PIECES FROM SEASONS.

>> LILLEY LOVED PLAYING FRIEDA.

SHE ASKED ME TO DO A PAINTING OF FRANKIE AS LILLEY AS FREEDDY AS FRANKIE.

SO AFTER THEY FINISHED FILMING, THEY PRESENTED LILLEY WITH THE PAINTING OF FRIEDA AND JANE, THE PAINTING OF HER AS COUNT DRINK-KU-LA.

>> THE EXPOSURE LED TO TO BE COMMISSIONED TO CREATE MORE THAN 800 PIECES.

AND WHILE SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS NEXT, SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE WORK THAT LED HER TO THIS JOURNEY.

>> IT'S LIKE A WELCOME WAVE THAT CAME INTO MY LIFE AND WENT LIKE THIS AND THIS AND THIS AND THIS AND THIS.

AND THEN IT'S GONE.

AND IT'S JUST LEFT ME WITH REALLY LOVELY, WONDERFUL FEELINGS.

AND KNOWING LIKE I WOULD LOVE TO DO MORE.

I LIKE THE INTERRUPTION TODAY YOU WILL DRAW A TOILET.

OR A ROBOT THAT IS A WOMAN THAT MAKES DOUGHNUTS BUT THEY ARE BAGELS WITH SPRINKLES.

AND YOU ARE LIKE OH, I'VE NEVER THOUGHT OF A ROBOT IN MY LIFE LET ALONE A WOMAN ROBOT.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT I WILL MISS THE MOST.

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

>> AND YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION ON NANCY ROSEN'S ORIGINAL ARTWORK AND SEE HER FINAL WORKS FOR GRACE AND FRANKIE NOW PLAYING ON NETFLIX.

>> STILL STILL STILL >> THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> WNBA STAR BRITTNEY GRINER WAS THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEKEND'S ALL-STAR GAME IN CHICAGO.

HEAR ABOUT EFFORTS TO GET HER BACK TO THE U.S. AMID HER DETAIN.

IN RUSSIA.

>> JUSTICE DELAYED SHOULD NOT BE JUSTICE DENIED.

>> AND THE DISCOVERY OF AN UNSERVED WARRANT IN THE 1955 KIDNAPPING CASE OF EMMETT TILL.

HEAR FROM ONE OF EMMETT TILL'S RELATIVES CALLING TO SEE THAT WARRANT SERVED.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> HIGHLAND PARK STOPPED FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE A WEEK AFTER THE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE SHOOTING.

TODAY ALSO MARKS THE REOPENING OF THE STREET WHERE SEVEN WERE KILLED.

ONE OF THE SMALLER VICTIMS UNDERWENT ANOTHER SURGERY.

DOCTORS OPERATED ON COOPER ROBERT'S ESOPHAGUS.

THE BULLET HIT HIS LIVER AND EXITED THROUGH I BACK LEAVING A SEVERED SPINE.

HIS TWIN BROTHER HAS LEAD WOUNDS FROM SHRAPNEL AND THE MOTHER REQUIRED TWO SURGERIES.

COOPER IS IN A GREAT DEAL OF PAIN PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY AFTER HE WAS TOLD HE IS PARALYZED FROM THE WAIST DOWN.

A "GOFUNDME" PAGE RAISED MORE THAN $1.3 MILLION TO HELP PAY FOR HIS ONGOING MEDICAL CARE AND LONG-TERM REHABILITATION.

>> PARTICIPANTS OF CHICAGO'S GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME PROGRAM HAVE RECEIVED THE FIRST ROUND OF $500 PAYMENTS.

THE TEST WILL SEND THE PAYMENTS EVERY MONTH FOR A YEAR TO SEE WEATHER THE UNIVERSAL INCOME CAN REDUCE POVERTY.

61% OF PARTICIPANTS LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE WHICH IS 26500 FOR A FAMILY OF 4.

AND APPROXIMATELY 67% OF PARTICIPANTS IDENTIFIED AS BLACK AND 27% AS LATINO OR HISPANIC.

MORE THAN 176,000 CHICAGOANS APPLIED FOR THE PROGRAM AND 5,000 HOUSEHOLDS WON THE LOTTERY.

AND CHICAGO IS GIVING AWAY 5,000 FREE BIKES BY 2026.

THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ANNOUNCED THE BIKE CHICAGO PROGRAM TODAY.

500 BIKES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO AGE AND INCOME ELIGIBLE CHICAGOANS DURING THE PROGRAM'S FIRST YEAR.

APPLICANTS MUST BE A CHICAGO RESIDENT AT LEAST 14 YEARS OLD.

HAVE A HOUSEHOLD INCOME AT OR BELOW 100% OF THE CITY'S MEDIAN INCOME.

NOT ALREADY OWN A BICYCLE AND FACE MOBILITY HARDSHIP OR BE A PARTICIPANT IN A MOBILITY PROGRAM.

>> THE PALMER HOUSE HOTEL NEARS A FORECLOSE SALE BUT IT WILL LIKELY BE SOLD AT A FRACTION OF THE PROPERTY'S PREPANDEMIC VALUE.

A SUBURBAN APARTMENT COMPLEX SOLD FOR A RECORD PRICE.

AND GOOGLE SPENDS BIG ON FIVE LOCAL START-UPS.

HERE TO GO BEHIND THE HEADLINES IS CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS REPORTER DANNY ECKER.

WELCOME BACK DANNY.

TELL US WHAT IS THE LATEST WITH THE PALMER HOUSE?

AND REMIND US HOW THE CITY'S SECOND LARGEST HOTEL GOT TO THIS POINT.

>> THE PALMER HOUSE WAS SORT OF A POSTER CHILD FOR THE DISTRESS OF THE DOWNTOWN HOTEL MARKET EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC.

THE NEW YORK FIRM THAT OWN TO DO SINCE 2005 STOPPED MAKING LOAN PAYMENTS AT THE ONSET OF COVID AND THE LENDER FILED A FORECLOSE LAWSUIT IN 2020.

NOW, THE COURT ISSUED A FORECLOSE JUDGMENT A STEP TOWARD THE LENDER TAKING CONTROL OF THE PROPERTY THAT WOULD LIKELY LEAD TO A SALE OF THE HOTEL THAT WOULD BE A FRACTION.

PREPANDEMIC VALUE.

THE HOTEL WAS APPRAISED AT $326 MILLION IN MARCH.

AND THAT WAS 560 MILLION DOLLARS BACK IN 2018.

THIS HOTEL IS GOING TO BE A BELLWETHER FOR WHAT INVESTIGATORS THINK OF BEING FULL SERVICE HOTELS IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO WHICH HAVE BEEN SLOW TO RECOVER.

>> MEANWHILE AN APARTMENT COMPLEX IN PALATINE SOLD FOR UNDER $140 MILLION.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS PROPERTY AND ITS FUTURE?

AND IS THIS GOOD NEWS FOR LANDLORDS AND TENANTS?

>> YEAH, UNLIKE HOTELS APARTMENTS HAVE BEEN STRONG.

THIS IS A 612-UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEX ALONG LAKE-COOK ROAD CALLED BOURBON SQUARE.

THAT PRICE IS THE MOST EVER PAID FOR A MULTIFAMILY PROPERTY IN SUBURBAN CHICAGO.

THE PREVIOUS RECORD WAS SETBACK IN JANUARY IN GLENDALE HEIGHTS AND IT SHOWS THE STRENGTH OF THE SUBURBAN APARTMENT MARKET.

RENTS ARE RISING.

UP 17% FROM THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

AND RECORD-HIGHS AND THE BYER IN THIS CASE IS A GROUP OUT OF OAKBROOK.

THEY ARE BETTING THAT IS GOING TO CONTINUE AND PLANNING TO SPEND MORE THAN $30 MILLION UPDATING THE PROPERTY AND WE THINK THAT RENTS WILL CONTINUE TO RISE AND WE'LL ADD VALUE TO THE PROPERTY.

>> AND LASTLY, GOOGLE ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF THEIR START UP AWARDS.

TELL US ABOUT THIS?

>> GOOGLE HAS INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT MINORITY-OWNED START-UPS.

ONE OF THEM IS CALLED THE LATINO FOUNDERS FUND.

IT'S GIVING OUT $5 MILLION IN CASH AND SERVICES TO HELP LATINO ENTREPRENEURS GET THEIR BUSINESSES UP AND RUNNING.

FIVE OF THE RECIPIENTS ARE HERE IN CHICAGO THEY EACH GET $100,000 IN CASH.

THEY INCLUDE A COUPLE HEALTHCARE TECH COMPANIES, FINANCE APP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AS WELL AS A SOFTWARE COMPANY THAT PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR DIFFERENT SERVICE PROVIDERS.

THIS IS A BIG DEAL IN CHICAGO.

ESPECIALLY PEOPLE OF COLOR AND WOMEN TYPICALLY POINT TO A LACK OF ACT ISES TO CAPITAL AS A BARRIER TO ENTRY FOR STARTING A BUSINESS.

HAVING A SERIES OF LOCAL WINNERS HELPS CHICAGO BE ABLE TO HIGHLIGHT THE DIVERSITY OF TALENT IN THE CITY.

>> AND INTERESTING A COUPLE LIKE YOU SAID HEALTHCARE START UPS IN THE WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC THAT HAD A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON THE LATINO COMMUNITY.

DANNY ECKER AT CRAIN'S THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS.

>> AND AS THE WNBA ALL-STAR GAME TIPPED OFF ONE ABSENT PLAYER'S NAME WAS ON PEOPLE'S MINDS.

BRITTNEY GRINER PLEADED GUILTY TO DRUG CHARGES IN A RUSSIAN COURT DAYS AFTER SENDING A HANDWRITTEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN PLEADING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION THEY REMEMBER HER CASE.

SHE HAS BEEN DETAINED IN RUSSIA FOR FIVE MONTHS NOW.

JOINING US MORE IS T.J. QUINN A REPORTER FOR ESPN.

WELCOME BACK AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE KNOW BRITTNEY GRINER PLEADED GUILTY.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IN HER CASE?

>> WELL, THE CASE IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS MUCH AS WHAT IS GOING ON OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM.

UNDER A RUSSIAN CRIMINAL TRIAL IT'S NOT LIKE IN THE U.S. WHERE IF YOU PLEAD GUILTY THAT IS IT.

THEY ACTUALLY CONTINUE TO READ THE ENTIRE CASE INTO THE RECORD.

SO SHE WON'T BE SENTENCED HER LAWYERS THINK FOR THREE WEEKS COULD BE LONGER.

BUT WHAT IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT IS THE NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON OUTSIDE.

THE U.S. GOVERNMENT KNEW SHE WAS NOT GOING TO GET A FAVORABLE REMEDY INSIDE A COURTROOM.

IF SHE COMES HOME IT WILL BE THROUGH A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT AND TO THEM THAT IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT.

WHAT IS GOING ON BETWEEN THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT AND THE KREMLIN.

>> WHAT IS GOING ON OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM IS MORE IMPORTANT EXPERTS CAUTIONED NOT TO GET BOGGED DOWN IN THE DETAILS OF THE TRIAL.

IS THAT BECAUSE IT'S A FORMALITY AT THIS POINT?

>> IT REALLY ALWAYS WAS.

A FOREGONE CONCLUSION.

IF YOU ARE A NORMAL RUSSIAN CITIZEN WITH A REGULAR CRIMINAL CASE FEWER THAN 1% OF CRIMINAL CASES ARE ACQUITTED IN RUSSIA.

PGH IT IS A SYSTEM BUILT ON CONVICTION.

FOR A POLITICAL CASE INVOLVING A HIGH PROFILE AMERICAN THEY KNEW A GUILTY VERDICT WAS A CONCLUSION.

THE CALCULATION GOING INTO THE TRIAL WE KNOW SHE IS GOING TO BE FOUND GUILTY.

AND WE KNOW IF THERE'S GOING TO BE A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT RUSSIA WILL REQUIRE AN ADMISSION OF GUILT BEFORE THEY LET HER G LET'S GO AHEAD AND DO IT AND HOPES SHE GETS A MERCIFUL SENTENCE IN THE MEANTIME AND POSSIBLY PUSH THE NEGOTIATIONS ALONG.

>> AND REMIND US BRIEFLY HOW WE GOT HERE?

>> WELL, SHE WAS BRITNEY IS ONE OF A NUMBER OF TOP AMERICAN PLAYERS WHO HAVE BEEN PLAYING IN RUSSIA FOR YEARS BECAUSE THE MONEY IS MUCH BETTER PLAYING THERE THAN IN THE WNBA SUPPOSEDLY THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF BASKETBALL IN THE WORLD.

SHE WAS ENTERING THE COUNTRY AND PULLED OUT OF LINE.

LAW ENFORCEMENT SAID THEY FOUND VAPE CARTRIDGES HAVING HASHISH OIL IN THEM.

WE'VE NOT SEEN EVIDENCE OF THAT WAS TRUE.

SHE WAS IN DETENTION FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS BEFORE PEOPLE KNEW.

THE PEOPLE AROUND HERE BECAUSE SHE ADMITTED GUILT IN COURT IT'S NOT SAYING SHE ADMITTED THAT SHE REALLY DID THIS.

THEY DON'T KNOW THE TRUTH WHAT SHE TRIED TO BRING IN OR DIDN'T.

>> BRITTNEY GRINER WROTE A LETTER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN AND HERE IS HER WIFE CHERELLE GRINER TALKING ABOUT THE LETTER.

>> HE DID WRITE HER BACK AND I WAS ABLE TO READ THE LETTER.

AND IT BROUGHT ME SO MUCH JOY AS WELL AS BG.

I BELIEVE EVERY WORD SHE SAID TO HIM HE UNDERSTOOD AND HE SEES HER AS A PERSON.

AND HE HAS NOT FORGOTTEN HER WHICH WAS THE BIGGEST CRY IN HER LETTER.

>> WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE NEXT STEPS FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT?

>> KEEPING IT VERY QUIET.

THERE'S BEEN HOPE THAT THERE WOULD BE ENOUGH PROGRESS THAT BILL RICHARDSON FORMER U.S.

AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS SPENT YEARS WORKING AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN NEGOTIATING FOR THE RELEASE OF AMERICANS HELD ABOARD.

HE IS WORKING WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

HE IS THE LEAD NEGOTIATOR AND THEY ARE HOPING THERE IS A POINT SOON WHEN HE CAN GO TO RUSSIA AND TRY TO SECURE A DEAL.

THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSION ABOUT TRADING HER FOR A RUSSIAN MAN WHO HAS BEEN IN THE U.S. PRISON SERVING A 25-YEAR SENTENCE FOR SUPPORTING TERRORISM.

RUSSIA MADE IT CLEAR THEY'VE ASKED A NUMBER OF TIMES BEFORE BUT THERE WAS AN OFFICIAL NEWS AGENCY REPORT TAS THAT SA SAYS THAT THEY WERE LOOKING TO GET HIM.

IS THE U.S.

WILLING TO MAKE A DEAL FOR VICTOR BOOT?

WOULD THEY MAKE IT POSSIBLY PACKAGE DEAL FOR BRITTNEY GRINER AND ANOTHER AMERICAN PAUL WAYLAND WHO HAS BEEN THERE SINCE DECEMBER OF 2018 AND THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS TO BE WRONGFULLY DETAINED.

BUT THEY ARE KEEPING THE DETAILS QUIET.

>> THE RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER WARNED ATTEMPTS BY THE AMERICAN SIDE TO MAKE NOISE IN PUBLIC DO NOT HELP THE PRACTICAL SETTLEMENT OF ISSUES.

WHAT DOES HE MEAN BY THIS?

MY REASON TO BELIEVE IT'S TRUE?

>> IT'S HARD TO TELL.

I MEAN, EVERYTHING THAT YOU SEE IS CONSIDERED POSTURING BY U.S. OFFICIALS AND BY THE EXPERTS IN THE CASE.

RUSSIA -- ANY EXPERT SAID THEY NEED TO MAINTAIN THE FACADE OF A LEGITIMATE PROCEEDING.

THEY WANT THIS TO LOOK TO THE INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE THAT IT MIGHT BE JUSTICE.

THEY DON'T LIKE IT WHEN THE U.S. SAYS THIS IS A SHAM PROCEDURE THEY DON'T LIKE IT.

THE MINISTER YOU REFERRED TO SAID BEFORE IS LET'S ADJUDICATE THE CASE.

THE RUSSIAN STANCE IS THIS IS A SERIOUS TRIAL.

SERIOUS PROSECUTION.

WE'LL GET THROUGH TONIGHT SEE WHERE WE ARE.

BUT THE U.S.

THE OFFICIALS I HAVE SPOKEN TO DESCRIBE IT AS POSTURING.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MITIGATING FACTORS THAT MAKE SUPPORTERS HOPEFUL THAT THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT WILL BE LENIENT?

>> WELL, THE BIGGEST THING -- IN TERMS OF LENIENCY, THAT COMES DOWN TO THE TIMING WHEN THEY ARE WILLING TO RELEASE HER AND WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A DEAL THAT BOTH SIDES AGREE TO.

BRITTNEY GRINER SUPPORTERS PUT STEADY PRESSURE ON PRESIDENT BIDEN TO GET A DEAL DONE.

THEIR FEELING IS THAT IT'S ONE THING WHEN THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS INVOLVED BUT IF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND CHIEF OF STAFF CALL AND SAY WE WANT THIS DONE THAT IS THE WAY IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

EVEN AFTER THE LETTER TO BRITTNEY GRINER THERE WILL BE PRESSURE ON THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> T.J. QUINN AT ESPN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> UP NEXT, A DISCOVERY IN THE LYNCHING CASE OF EMMETT TILL A CONVERSATION THAT ORIGINALLY AIRED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

>> IN THE BASEMENT OF A MISSISSIPPI COURTHOUSE IN LATE JUNE, MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA BASED EMMETT TILL LEGACY FOUNDATION DISCOVERED AN UNSERVED WARRANT.

THE 1955 WARRANT CHARGED CAROLYN BRYANT DONHAM IN THE KIDNAPPING OF EMMETT TILL A BLACK 14-YEAR-OLD FROM CHICAGO.

TILL WAS ABDUCTED, TORTURED AND KILLED AFTER BEING ACCUSED OF WHISTLING AT CAROLYN BRYANT DONHAM AT A FAMILY STORE IN MISSISSIPPI.

CAROLYN BRYANT DONHAM'S HUSBAND AND HER BROTHER WERE TRIED AND ACQUITTED OF TILL A LYNCHING.

THE FOUNDATION WHICH INCLUDES MEMBERS OF TILL'S FAMILY IS DEMANDING THE WARRANT BE SERVED AND TO SEE CAROLYN BRYANT DONHAM CHARGED.

JOINING US WITH MORE IS DEBORAH WATTS EMMETT TILL'S COUSIN AND COFOUNDER OF THE EMMETT TILL LEGACY FOUNDATION.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FIRST, IF YOU WOULD EXPLAIN YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO EMMETT TILL HOW ARE YOU FAMILY?

>> I AM A COUSIN OF EMMITT'S AND MAMIE TILL.

OUR GRANDFATHER AND MY GREAT GRANDFATHER WERE BROTHERS.

JOE SMITH WAS MY GREAT GRANDFATHER AND EMMITT'S GREAT GRANDFATHER WAS JOE SMITH.

>> AND WE KNOW WE'RE ALL FAMILY NO MATTER HOW FAR BACK YOU GO.

>> YES.

>> YOU FOUND THIS WARRANT, CORRECT?

>> WELL, IT WAS FOUND BY COLI RASHEED WHO WAS WITH.

FIVE PEOPLE WERE WITH US AT THE TIME.

IT WAS MELISSA ERNEST ONE OF OUR AMBASSADORS WITH THE FOUNDATION.

MY DAUGHTER TERRY WATTS.

WITH KEITH BEAUCHAMP, THE FILM DIRECTOR AND JUSTICE ADVOCATE.

AND MYSELF.

SO CALI FOUND IT IN THE LOWER LEVEL BASEMENT AREA OF THE COURTHOUSE IN GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI.

>> AND WHAT WAS THAT SEARCH LIKE?

HOW DO YOU ALL GAIN ACCESS TO THE RECORDS?

>> WE GAINED ACCESS WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE COUNTY CLERK.

OUR FAMILY COUNSEL AND ATTORNEY, REQUESTED THAT ACCESS.

AND IT WAS INITIALLY GRANTED TOWARDS THE END OF MARCH.

AND MELISSA ERNEST WITH KEITH BEAUCHAMP DID AN EARLY ASSESSMENT.

AND WE AFTER PUTTING OUR CALENDARS TOGETHER AND MATCHING UPDATES, WE KNEW WE HAD TO GO BACK.

THEY DIDN'T ASSESSMENT AND IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WAS ANOTHER AREA THAT NEEDED TO BE SEARCHED AND THAT WAS THE LOWER BASEMENT AREA.

WE WENT WITH GLOVES, WITH HATS, WITH MASKS ON, READY TO FIND THE WARRANT.

AND WITHIN AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF, CALI RASHEED WAS ABLE TO LOW DECADE A BOX AND -- LOCATE A BOX AND LOOKING THROUGH IT FOUND THE ORIGINAL FILE THAT HAD BEEN THERE SINCE 1955.

>> DID YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WERE LOOKING FOR THIS WARRANT OR LOOKING TO SEE WHAT YOU COULD FIND?

>> WE KNEW THAT CRIMINAL CASES WERE IN A RED FOLDER AND THAT IS WHERE WE FOUND IT.

WE KNEW THAT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLY WE THOUGHT -- WE DIDN'T KNOW IT WOULD BE A PART OF WHETHER IT'S IN THE MINUTE BOOKS OF AUGUST 1955 OR WHETHER IT WOULD BE ALTOGETHER.

BUT WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO FIND IS A FILE FOLDER, RED IN COLOR WITH THE MINUTES, ALONG WITH THE AFT AND THE WARRANT INSIDE AND A COPY OF THE A PIECE OF PAPER THAT HAD THE ADDRESS ON IT.

EVERYTHING WAS IN THE ONE FOLDER.

WE WERE NOT SURE WHAT WE WERE GOING TO FIND.

BUT FORTUNATELY, THE ANCESTORS LED US TO THAT FOLDER AND TO THAT BOX AND IT WAS ALL CONTAINED THERE.

>> AND DEBRA WHAT WAS THAT MOMENT LIKE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO COME ACROSS THAT THE WAY YOU DID?

>> I'LL TELL YOU.

WE WERE OVERWHELMED.

WE WERE EXCITED.

AT THE SAME TIME WE WANTED TO BE QUIET SO WE HAD THIS QUIET LEVEL OF EXHILARATION AND EXCITEMENT.

AND JUST OVERWHELMED WITH EMOTION.

BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE FELT WAS ONE PIECE OF EVIDENCE THAT COUPLED WITH THE EVIDENCE THAT WAS GATHERED IN THE 2004-SIX INVESTIGATION THAT COULD BE USED AND WE JUST SOME OF US FELL TO OUR KNEES.

SOME CRIED.

WE HELD OUR BREATH.

IT WAS A MIXTURE OF EMOTIONS.

BUT WE WERE ALL I WOULD SAY WE KNEW WE WERE ON TO SOMETHING WE JUST WEREN'T QUITE SURE WHAT AND DIDN'T AT THAT TIME KNOW WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO NEXT.

WE DID HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER TOGETHER.

GATHER OURSELVES AND THINK THROUGH WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO NEXT AND WE CALLED ON THE EXPERTISE OF OUR ATTORNEY WHO GUIDED US TO CERTIFIED COPIES AND THEN GIVE THAT TO THE CLERK AND THAT IS NOW HELD IN A SAFE IN THE COURTHOUSE IN GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI.

>> WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT WHY THAT WARRANT WAS NOT SERVED?

>> NOTED ON THE BACK OF THE WARRANT IT SAYS -- I HAVE IT WITH ME HERE IT IDENTIFIES DOCTORS ROY BRYANT AND JW AND ROY BRYANT AS BEING BY THE PROSECUTOR THE FIGURES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SERVED THE WARRANTS.

BUT ON THE BACK IT SAYS MRS. ROY BRYANT NOT FOUND IN THE COUNTY.

AND THAT WAS SIGNED BY THE SHERIFF GEORGE SMITH.

WE KNOW AT THE TIME THAT AND LATER WE HEARD THAT BECAUSE SHE HAD SMALL CHILDREN THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BOTHER HER.

BUT BEING AN ACCOMPLICE IN A KIDNAPPING, AND ALSO A MURDER LATER, THAT'S NO EXCUSE TO NOT SERVE A WARRANT.

>> OF COURSE.

>> AND WE KNOW WARRANTS -- UNLESS THEY ARE RESCINDED THEY DON'T EXPIRE AND WE KNOW THIS IS AN OPEN MURDER CASE AND THERE'S NO STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON MURDER.

>> YOU AND THE LEGACY FOUNDATION Y'ALL ARE ADVOCATING THIS WARRANT BE EXECUTED AND THAT SHE BE AT LEAST ARRESTED UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS WARRANT.

WE KNOW THE F.B.I.

SPENT YEARS REINVESTIGATING THIS PARTICULAR CASE THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO TELL THAT SHE LIED AT THE TIME AND WHEN SHE DID OR DID NOT LIE, WHAT IF NOTHING COMES OF THIS?

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION THEN?

>> WELL, THIS IS EVERYTHING.

THIS IS EVERYTHING TO US.

IT SHOULD BE TOASTER OUR FAMILY AND OF COURSE WE HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED OVER THE YEARS.

THIS IS AN OPEN MURDER CASE.

AND SO WE IN THE COMMUNITY, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT, ALONG WITH THE D.A.

IN MISSISSIPPI THEY SHOULD BE DOING EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO MAKE SURE THAT JUSTICE PREVAILS.

JUSTICE DELAYED SHOULD NOT BE JUSTICE DENIED.

AND WE ARE NOT DOING THIS WITH HATE, VENGEANCE OR MALICE IN OUR HEARTS.

EMMITT'S MOTHER DID NOT HAVE THAT.

WE WANT JUSTICE TO PREVAIL.

WE WANTED TO WORK AS IT SHOULD.

WE WANT AT THE VERY LEAST THIS WARRANT TO BE EXECUTED AND THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES AND PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS.

I KNOW THE HEADLINES SAY ARREST HER AND ALL OF THAT.

BUT WE'RE SAYING AT THE LEAST EXECUTE THE WARRANT.

WE ALSO HOPE THAT THE D.A.

WILL IMPANEL A GRAND JURY AND YES, TRULY WE HOPE FOR A CONVICTION.

BUT WE WANT JUSTICE TO PREVAIL.

>> I UNDERSTAND.

>> OK. AND I THINK WE KNOW IN THE PAST THERE HAVE BEEN GRAND JURIES THAT FAILED TO INDICT HER BEFORE AND THIS IS A NEW PIECE.

WE WILL BE KEEPING AN EYE ON IT.

DEBORAH WATTS THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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

AND PLEASE JIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. LOCAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS JOIN US TO DISCUSS THE JANUARY 6TH HEARINGS, GUN SAFETY, APPORTION AND MORE.

AND NASA UNVEILS THE COLOR IMAGES FROM THE SPACE TELESCOPE.

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]