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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> PRESIDENT TRUMP IS A 76-YEAR-OLD MAN.

HE IS NOT AN IMPRESSIONABLE CHILD.

>> DAY SEVEN OF THE JANUARY 6TH HEARINGS.

LOCAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WAY IN ON THAT, GUN CONTROL EFFORTS AND ABORTION ACCESS.

>> DCFS IS A MESS.

>> A STATE AGENCY DIRECTOR HAS BEEN HELD IN CONTEMPT OF COURT 12 TIMES WHAT EXPLAIN WHAT IT MEAN AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE YOUTH IN STATE'S DIRECTION.

>> THE LATEST OMICRON VARIANT IS BEING BLAMED FOR A WAVE OF COVID REINFECTIONS.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

>> NEARLY 4-AND-A-HALF YEARS AFTER HIS INDICTMENT A TRIAL DATE HAS WITHIN SET FOR ALDERMAN ED BURKE.

DETAIL WHAT IS TO EXPECT.

NASA REVEALS SPHUNG COLOR IMAGES FROM THE $10 BILLION SPACE TELESCOPE.

>> EVERY SINGLE PERSON, THEIR FLAIR, THEIR STYLE MORE THAN JUST THEIR EXPERTISE AND THEIR INSTRUMENT MAKES LATE NITE LAUNDRY WHAT IT IS.

>> AND PSYCHEDELIC SOUL BAND LATE NITE LAUNDRY SERVES UP SOME SONIC SYNERGY.

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP PLANNED IN ADVANCE TO DIRECT PROTESTORS TO THE CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6TH.

THAT IS THE LATEST ALLEGATION FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING THE INSURRECTION THAT HELD ITS SEVEN PUBLIC HEARING TODAY.

>> EARLY IN THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 19TH, THE PRESIDENT SENT OUT A TWEET URGING HIS FOLLOWERS TO TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON D.C. FOR JANUARY 6TH.

BE THERE.

WE'LL BE WILD THE PRESIDENT WROTE.

AS Mr. RASKIN WILL DESCRIBE IN DETAIL, THE TWEET SERVED AS A CALL TO ACTION AND IN SOME CASES A CALL TO ARMS FOR MANY OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S MOST LOYAL SUPPORTERS.

>> TODAY'S HEARING FOCUSED HOW FAR RIGHT INDIVIDUALS WERE EMBOLDENED BY TRUMP'S ELECTION LIES SHOWING GRAPHIC TEXT MESSAGES AND VIDEOS SPEAKING ABOUT JANUARY 6TH.

REPUBLICAN CONGRESSWOMAN LIZ CHENEY OF WYOMING REVEALED THAT TRUMP TRIED TO PHONE A WITNESS AFTER THE LAST HEARING.

>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JULIANA STRATTON WAS IN WASHINGTON D.C. TO SPEAK ON THE IMPACT OF OVERTURNING ROE VS. WADE.

TESTIFYING BEFORE THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE STRATTON SAID ILLINOIS IS A SAFE HAVEN FOR PEOPLE SEEK AGO BORINGSES AND THE STATE NEEDS MORE FEDERAL HELP BECAUSE OF IT.

>> WE ARE NOT JUST AN OASIS OF REPRODUCTIVE CARE BUT AN ISLAND AND HERE IS WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

IT LOOKS LIKE DISENFRANCHISED YET DETERMINED PATIENTS COMING FROM EVERY SURROUNDING STATE AND ALSO FROM AS FAR AWAY AS TENNESSEE, TEXAS, LOUISIANA, ALABAMA AND FLORIDA.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE ENTIRE STAFF OF OUR STATE'S ABORTION CLINICS FIELDING PHONE CALLS FOR APPOINTMENTS BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF OUT OF STATE PATIENTS HAS DOUBLED SINCE ROE VS. WADE WAS OVERTURNED.

>> STRATTON SPOKE ALONGSIDE FOUR WITNESSES INCLUDING THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER OF THE PLANNED PARENTHOOD REGION OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI.

AND THERE IS A NEW FACE AT THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

Dr. SAMEER VOHRA NAMED THE NEXT DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT.

HE FILLS THE POSITION FORMERLY HELD BY DR. NGOZI EZIKE WHO LEFT IN MARCH.

VOHRA IS THE CHAIR OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY'S DEPARTMENT OF POPULATION SCIENCE AND POLICY.

HE BEGINS THE NEW POSITION AUGUST FIRST.

>> AND UP NEXT, MORE ON DAY SEVEN OF THE JANUARY 6TH HEARINGS WITH LOCAL CONGRESS MEMBERS.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE IN PART BY... >> DAMNING TESTIMONY AT THE LATEST JAP 6TH COMMITTEE HEARING.

THIS AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JULIANA STRATTON APPEARS ON CAPITOL HILL TO TESTIFY AT AN AUTO BORINGS HEARING.

PLUS HIGHLAND PARK IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT YESTERDAY'S WHITE HOUSE CEREMONY MARKING THE PASS SANG OF A BIPARTISAN GUN CONTROL BILL.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND MORE ARE CONGRESSWOMAN ROBIN KELLY A DEMOCRAT FROM MADISON.

CONGRESSMAN RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI A DEMOCRAT FROM SCHAUMBURG.

AND CONGRESSWOMAN JAN SCHAKOWSKI A DEMOCRAT FROM EVANSTON.

WE INVITED ALL OF THE REPUBLICANS IN THE ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

NONE ACCEPTED OUR INVITATION FOR THIS EVENING BUT WE THANK THE THREE OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

SO, TODAY'S JANUARY 6TH COMMITTEE HEARING PAINTED A DETAILED PICTURE WHAT WENT ON IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE ROLE FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND HIS ADVISERS PLAYED IN THE RIOTS.

LOOK AT WHAT REPUBLICAN CONGRESSWOMAN LIZ CHENEY HAD TO SAY.

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP IS A 76-YEAR-OLD MAN.

HE IS NOT AN IMPRESSIONABLE CHILD.

JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE IN OUR COUNTRY, HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS OWN ACTIONS AND HIS OWN CHOICES.

AS OUR INVESTIGATION HAS SHOWN, DONALD TRUMP HAD ACCESS TO MORE DETAILED AND SPECIFIC INFORMATION SHOWING THAT THE ELECTION WAS NOT ACTUALLY STOLEN AND ALMOST ANY OTHER AMERICAN.

AND HE WAS TOLD THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN JAN SCHAKOWSKI WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO TODAY'S HEARING?

>> I THINK IT'S SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE JUST TO HEAR THE TRUTH.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDER OATH.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT WAS REALLY GOING ON.

AND I THINK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION.

WE KNOW THAT.

AND ARE GOING TO ACT ACCORDINGLY.

CERTAINLY WANT TO HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY DO [AUDIO INTERRUPTION].

>> WHO IS THE AUDIENCE HERE?

IS IT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE?

THE G.O.P.

THE REPUBLICANS?

>> I THINK IT'S THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

I THINK IT'S THE REPUBLICANS AS WELL.

AS MY COLLEAGUE JUST SAID WE'RE HOPING THAT AMERICANS ARE WATCHING SO THEY CAN REMEMBER THIS WHEN THEY GO TO THE POLLS AS WELL AS OTHER THINGS ALSO.

>> CONGRESSMAN KRISHNAMOORTHI FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP TRIED TO CALL AN UNNAMED WITNESS IN THE PANEL REFERRED THAT INCIDENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

VICE-CHAIR LIZ CHENEY EXPLAINED THIS DURING THE HEARING TODAY.

SHOULD THE FORMER PRESIDENT FACE ANY SORT OF WITNESS TAMPERING OR WITNESS INTIMIDATION CHARGES?

>> POSSIBLY.

AND I THINK THAT ANY ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THESE WITNESSES WOULD ABSOLUTELY VIOLATE THE LAW.

AND I THINK THAT THE WHOLE PROBLEM THAT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS WITH DONALD TRUMP IS TRYING TO PROVE CORRUPT INTENT THAT IS DOING THINGS KNOWING THAT THEY ARE UNLAWFUL OR ILLEGAL.

AND THIS MAN KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT HE IS DOING TO BE UNLAWFUL AND ILLEGAL.

SO MANY OF THE ADVISORS KEEP TELLING HIM WHAT HE IS DOING IS UNLAWFUL AND ILLEGAL AND HE CONTINUES AND THAT PROVES CORRUPT INTENT.

I THINK HE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

>> JAN SCHAKOWSKI ARE THERE CRIMES YOU BELIEVE THE FORMER PRESIDENT SHOULD BE CHARGED WITH?

>> YOU KNOW, FROM THE BEGINNING TO END, THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT HE DID WITH THE BIG LIE WHICH HAS SO MANY OFF SHUTES THAT HE DID YOU KNOW, TRYING TO ACTUALLY ENCOURAGE FINDING THOUSANDS MORE VOTES THAT HE KNEW WERE NOT HIS VOTES.

INTIMIDATING PEOPLE AND LEGITIMATE PEOPLE WHO WERE AT THE POLLS.

THAT KIND OF BEHAVIOR IS WHAT PEOPLE ON TELEVISION, NOT TO MENTION THROWING HIS LUNCH AGAINST THE WALL.

I GUESS THAT IS NOT A CRIME.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN KELLY 19% OF G.O.P.

VOTERS WHO BELIEVE TRUMP'S EFFORT TO OVERTURN THE 2020 ELECTION THREATENED AMERICAN DEMOCRACY ACCORDING TO A POLL FROM THE "NEW YORK TIMES" AND SENNNA COLLEGE.

HOW CERTAIN R CONCERNING IS IT THE HEARINGS DO NOT SEEM TO BE MOVING THE NEEDLE ON REPUBLICAN VOTERS?

>> IT'S DISAPPOINTING.

AS ONE THAT WAS IN THE GALLERY ON JANUARY 6TH ON MY HANDS AND KNEES DISAPPOINTING THAT MORE OF THEM ARE NOT INTERESTED IN WHAT THE TRUTH IS.

AND KEEPING OUR DEMOCRACY INTACT.

I MEAN IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

BUT PEOPLE SAY A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS DURING POLLS.

WE'LL SEE WHEN THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE POLL AND WILL THEY SUPPORT DONALD TRUMP IN 2024 IF HE DOES IN FACT DECIDE TO RUN.

>> SO TURNING THE DISCUSSION TO GUNS AND REFORM THERE.

REPRESENTATIVE JAN SCHAKOWSKI YOU MET WITH THE SURVIVORS OF THE HIGHLAND PARK MASSACRE TODAY.

TELL US WHAT YOU HEARD WITH THEM?

>> I MET WITH HIGHLAND PARK PEOPLE WHO ARE TRAUMATIZED.

THEIR CHILDREN WERE WITH THEM.

THEIR CHILDREN ARE FRIGHTENED AND WILL BE FOR A LONGTIME.

BUT THEY FORMED AN ORGANIZATION IN THE LAST SIX DAYS OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE DETERMINED TO GET A BAN ON ASSAULT WEAPONS.

AND I'M TELLING YOU THE PEOPLE ARE FIERCE.

THEY ARE THAT GOING AWAY AND THAT IS WHY THEY ARE IN WASHINGTON RIGHT NOW AND THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE A RALLY TOMORROW.

>> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER AND HIGHLAND PARK NANCY ROTERING WERE AT THE WHITE HOUSE YESTERDAY PRIVATELY URGING PRESCRIBE PRESIDENT BUSH TO PUSH FOR A BAN ON ASSAULT WEAPONS.

WE BANNED ASSAULT WEAPONS NINE YEARS AGO.

THE FACT THAT GUNS IN THESE SHOOTINGS ARE LEGALLY OBTAINED, SAYS THAT THE LAWS NEED TO BE CHANGED.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY WEAPONS DESIGNED FOR COMBAT NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE STREETS OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN KELLY YOU WERE AT THE WHITE HOUSE TO MARK THE SIGNING OF THE SAFER COMMUNITIES ACT.

IS REINSTITUTING A BAN ON THE HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES AND ASSAULT WEAPONS IS THIS A REAL POSSIBILITY?

>> I THINK IT IS A REAL POSSIBILITY.

SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY GUN VIOLENCE, PERIOD.

BY GUN VIOLENCE WITH THESE MILITARY WEAPONS AND AS WAS SAID NOT ONLY IN HIGHLAND PARK BUT IN MANY OTHER PLACES PEOPLE WANT TO SEE US BAN THESE AND THEY WANT TO SEE US RAISE THE AGE WHO CAN BUY GUNS TO 21.

THERE IS A LOT OF PUBLIC SENTIMENT OUT THERE.

AND AS JAN SAYS THE HIGHLAND PARK FOLKS ARE TRAUMATIZED.

IMAGINE THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE WITH IT EVERYDAY.

AND THEIR BLOCKS AND NEIGHBORHOODS THE YOUNG KIDS FROM SOME OF THOSE AREAS.

SO YOU KNOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A TRAUMATIZED COUNTRY AND THIS IS SUCH AN AMERICAN PROBLEM.

IT'S JUST SO, SO VERY SAD AND HOPEFULLY SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE WILL REALIZE THAT AND WILL WANT TO DO RIGHT ESPECIALLY FOR OUR CHILDREN.

>> CONGRESSMAN KRISHNAMOORTHI BEFORE WE TAKE A BREAK HERE IN THE WAKE OF HIGHLAND PARK JULY 4TH PARADE SHOOTING HUNDREDS OF ACTIVISTS ARE HEADING TO WASHINGTON D.C. TO PUSH MARCH BASICALLY FOR CHANGE TO PUSH FOR AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE SANDY HOOK SHOOTING.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO ACTUALLY MOVE THE NEEDLE WITH LAWMAKERS?

IS IT CALLS?

LETTERS?

MARCHS AND DEMONSTRATIONS?

>> ALL THE ABOVE.

THERE IS A CHANGE QUITE FRANKLY I DIDN'T THINK THAT WE WOULD ARRIVE AT A BIPARTISAN PACKAGE THE OTHER DAY THAT GOT SIGNED INTO LAW.

BUT WE DID BECAUSE THERE IS A CHANGE THAT I SENSE AMONG INDEPENDENTS AND REPUBLICANS ON THIS ISSUE.

I PERSONALLY THINK THAT WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND PASS THIS LEGISLATION.

IT MAY GET FILIBUSTERED IN THE SENATE BUT THEN WE HAVE TO CREATE A CARVE OUT WITHIN THE FILIBUSTER AND ELIMINATE IT ALTOGETHER TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THIS GUN LEGISLATION TAKEN UP FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE SENATE.

IT ONLY TAKES TWO OR THREE MORE VOTES IN THE SENATE TO GET AN ELIMINATION OF THE FILIBUSTER OR A CARVE OUT WITHIN THE FILIBUSTER FOR GUN RIGHTS FOR THAT MATTER REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AND VOTING RIGHTS.

THAT WHAT WE NEED TO GO TO THE POLLS AND CONVINCE PEOPLE TO HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE TO THAT PLEDGE.

>> THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT FOR NOW.

WE WILL BE JOINED AGAIN BY CONGRESS MEMBERS LATER TO DISCUSS ABORTION ACT IS SES AND FUNDING IN A POST ROE AMERICA.

THANKS TO ROBIN KELLY, RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI AND JAN SCHAKOWSKI.

>> CHICAGO'S COVID RATES REMAIN STABLE AND HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE LOW.

HOWEVER, CITY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE STRONGLY UNDERGROUNDERRING PEOPLE TO WEAR MASKS IN INDOOR PUBLIC SETTINGS IN LIGHT OF THE CONTAGIOUS BA.5 SUBVARIANT IT'S CAUSING MANY WHO HAD COVID TO BE REINFECTED.

OMICRON BA.4 AND 5 ARE AS CONTAGIOUS AS THE MEASLES AND HAVE THE MOST EVASION OF ANY VARIANTS SEEN TO DATE.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW VARIANT AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY IS Dr. LAMAR HASBROUCK CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF THE COOK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SO LET'S START WITH THE BASICS, PLEASE.

OMICRON BA.4 AND BA.5 WHAT DO WE KNOW HOW TRANSMITTIBLE THEY ARE?

>> WHAT WE KNOW IS THE SUBVARIANTS OF THE VARIANT THE OMICRON VARIANT WHICH IS A VARIANT ITSELF ARE MORE CONTAGIOUS.

THEY SPREAD MORE EASILY.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT CURRENTLY THE BA.5 IS THE MOST PREDOMINANT VERSION OF THE COVID VIRUS IN CIRCULATION.

TWO-THIRDS OF THE CASES ARE BEING INFECTED WITH THE BA.5 SUBVARIANT.

>> DO THEY MAKE PEOPLE SICKER THAN WE'VE SEEN FROM OTHER VARIANTS AND SUBVARIANTS OVER THE COURSE OF THIS PANDEMIC?

>> SO, THE ISSUE IS OR THE CONCERN IS THAT ALL VARIANTS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL.

THESE PARTICULAR ONES B4 AND 5 ARE MORE CONTAINING JUST BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SHOWN TO BE MORE DEADLY OR MORE VIRULENT WE CALL IT CAUSING MORE SEVERE DISEASE BUT THEY DO TRANSMIT MORE EASILY.

>> WHAT ARE OUR CURRENT HOSPITALIZATION RATES LOOK LIKE AND WHAT DO THEY TELL US ABOUT THE SPREAD AND THE IMPACT OF BA.5?

>> WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THAT BA.5 IS THE MOST PREDOMINANT ONE.

WE USE A NUMBER OF METRICS, HOSPITALIZATIONS, ICU ADMISSIONS.

WE USE DEATHS AND CASES.

SO WE'RE SEEING A SLIGHT UPTICK IN TERMS OF HOSPITALIZATIONS IT GOES UP AND DOWN.

CASES AS A METRIC IS NOT AS RELIABLE ANYMORE BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, MOST FOLKS ARE GETTING TESTED AT HOME.

AND SO THOSE ARE NOT BEING REPORTED E OF.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT PERCENTAGE OF THE CASES THAT MIGHT BE HOSPITALIZED.

>> SO SOME PEOPLE MIGHT THINK THEY ARE NOT AT RISK OF CONTRACTING COVID IF THEY HAVE AN OMICRON VARIANT.

BUT WHAT ARE WE SEEING HAPPEN WITH BA.5?

>> WELL, IT IS MORE CONTAGIOUS AND ONE VARIANT JUST LIKE ONE SUBVARIANT WILL NOT PROTECT YOU NECESSARILY FROM GETTING REINFECTED.

SO THERE'S BEEN A DOZEN VARIANTS SO FAR AND FOLKS REMEMBER DELTA NOW OMICRON AND THE SUBVARIANTS ONE INFECTION DOES NOT PROTECT YOU FROM THE OTHER.

THE VACCINES CAN HAVE A GOOD LEVEL OF CROSS PROTECTION AND IT'S STILL PROBABLY THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

>> AND I THINK THAT IS SOME PEOPLE POST INFECTION WERE UNDER THE IMPRESSION CASUALLY SUPER IMMUNITY AFTER YOU'VE BEEN INFECTED, YOUR CHANCES OF GET TO GO IN THE NEAR TERM AFTER THAT ARE PRETTY LOW.

ARE WE HEARING REPORTS OF PEOPLE GETTING B AF 5 IN RAPID SUCCESSION?

>> YES.

FOLKS ARE STILL AT SOME RISK.

WHENEVER YOU GET INFECTED WITH ANY VERSION OF THE COVID VIRUS, YOU ARE GOING TO GET SOME IMMUNITY.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW IS HOW LONG THAT IMMUNITY IS GOING TO LAST AND WHAT THE LEVEL OF CROSS PROTECTION IS FOR OTHER VARIANTS.

AS LONG AS THE VIRUS IS OUT THERE AND CIRCULATE TO GO WILL BE CHANGING AND CREATING MORE VARIANTS SOME ARE GOOD THEY ARE LESS DEADLY AND SOME ARE BAD BIOME CORONAVIRUS MORE INFECTIOUS OR MORE TRANSMITTIBLE.

>> SOME HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE SAYING THIS SUBVARIANT HAS THE SAME IMMUNOEVASION OF ANY VARIANT OR SUBVARIANT WE HAVE SEEN TO DATE.

WOULD YOU SAY THE SAME THING?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT TO BE TRUE.

BUT I WILL SAY THAT THE VACCINE MANUFACTURERS ARE TRYING TO RACE TO KEEP UP WITH THE VARIANTS SO THEY CAN CUSTOMIZE OR MODIFY THE CURRENT VACCINES.

BECAUSE AGAIN ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH ANY VARIANT THAT IT CAN BE MORE CONTAGIOUS AND DEADLY AND MORE EVASIVE.

ANYTIME THERE'S VARIANTS OUT THERE THERE IS THAT POTENTIAL CONCERN THAT THE CURRENT VACCINE IS BEING USED IS NOT GOING TO BE AS PROTECTIVE.

>> SOME DOCTORS WE'RE HEARING ARE SAYING THAT THE SUBVARIANT IS AS CONTAGIOUS AS THE MEASLES.

HERE IS WHAT Dr. PETER HOTEZ OF BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE SAYS.

>> IF YOU'VE HAD OMICRON BACK IN JANUARY AND NOT BEEN VACCINATED BEFORE OR AFTER YOU CAN BE STILL POTENTIAL TO A SERIOUS REINFECTION.

WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE BEEN INFECTED, YOU NEED TO GO THROUGH THE FULL VACCINATION SERIES AND GET BOOSTED.

>> TELL US ABOUT HOW THE VACCINE AND BOOSTERS MIGHT MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF BA.5?

>> THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO AVOID GETTING INFECTED.

BECAUSE IT'S CIRCULATING IT'S HARD TO DO.

SO THE SECOND BEST THING IS MAKE SURE YOUR IMMUNITY IS READY TO FIGHT THE INFECTION.

SO THAT HAPPENS BY EITHER GETTING INFECTED AND HAVING PASSIVE AMOUNT OF I AMITY FOR A IMMUNITY FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME AND GETTING VACCINATED FULLY BOOSTED TWICE FULLY VACCINATED AND TO HAVE THE BEST POTENTIAL OF THE PROTECTION THAT YOU CAN POSSIBLY HAVE.

AND EVEN THAT DOESN'T GUARANTEE THAT YOU DON'T GET INFECTED WITH THE B AVMENT 4 OR 5 BUT IT SHOWS THAT IF YOU DO GET INFECTED THAT COURSE OF ILLNESS IS GOING TO BE FAR LESS SEVERE THAN IF YOU NOT BEEN VACCINATED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

IT'S LAYERS OF PROTECTION THAT YOU WANT TO TRY TO PREPARE YOURSELF WITH AND YOUR FAMILY.

>> SOME HEALTH OFFICIALS CALLING FOR MASK MANDATES TO BE REINSTATED.

WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD THAT IS A NECESSITY AGAIN?

>> I THINK THAT IS A CHANGING PICTURE.

IT'S EVOLVING AS WE'RE MONITORING AND TRACKING THE NUMBERS.

I'LL GIVE THE ADVICE TO EVERYBODY TO CONTINUE TO BE VIGILANT ON THEIR OWN.

BUT, AGAIN, IT'S ABOUT LAYERS OF PROTECTION.

IF YOU ARE WEARING THE MASK AND IF YOU ARE DOING INDOOR ACTIVITIES YOU WANT TO TRY TO REDUCE YOUR RISK AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> Dr. LAMAR HASBROUCK THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, BRANDIS.

>> AND COMING UP, A STATE AGENCY IN TROUBLE.

FIND OUT WHY AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUTH IN THE STATE'S CARE.

THAT IS UP NEXT.

>> ILLINOIS' DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES IS THE STATE AGENCY CHARGED WITH CARING FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN.

INVESTIGATORS VISIT HOMES WHERE THERE ARE REPORTS OF ABUSE.

DCFS STANDS IN AS THE GUARDIANS FOR YOUTH REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES OR YOUTH WHO DO NOT HAVE SOMEONE TO FILL THAT ROLE.

THE AGENCY HAS BEEN VULGING TO FIND PLACEMENTS FOR MANY CHILDREN TO THE POINT THAT THE DCFS DIRECTOR HAS CONTINUALLY BEEN FOUND IN INR CONTEMPT OF COURT.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US TO EXPLAIN.

>> BRANDIS, DCFS HANDLES A LOT OF TOUGH SITUATIONS AND MANY WARDS OF THE STATE HAVE GONE THROUGH THEIR OWN TOUGH TIMES.

COOK COUNTY'S PUBLIC GUARDIAN WHO IS RESPONSIBLE LEGALLY ANYWAY FOR ABOUT 7,000 ABUSED AND NEGLECTED LOCAL CHILDREN SAYS IT IS NO SURPRISE THAT SOME OF THEM HAVE BEHAVIORAL OR MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS.

>> BY DEFINITION ANY CHILD IN DCFS'S CARE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE CUSTODY OF THEIR PARENTS DUE TO ABUSE OR NEGLECT OR SEX ABUSE.

>> IT IS OFTEN THESE HIGHER NEEDS YOUTH WHO DCFS IS HAVING A HARD TIME PLACING LIKE CHILDREN OR TEENS WHO STAYED AT PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS BUT ARE THEN KEPT THERE AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN CLEARED FOR RELEASE BECAUSE THERE'S NOWHERE FOR THEM TO GO.

THAT'S KNOWN AS BMN.

BEYOND MEDICAL NECESSITY.

>> THE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALIZATION SHOULD RARELY, RARELY EVER BE MORE THAN A WEEK OR TWO TO STABILIZE SOMEBODY AND FOR THEM TO BE DISCHARGED WITH THE TREATMENT PLAN.

A PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL IS NO WAY INTENDED TO BE ANYTHING LONGER.

FOR ONE YOUR LIBERTY IS CURTAILED.

YOU'RE LOCKED UP.

>> LOCKED UP MEANING NOT ABLE TO GO OUTSIDE.

LITTLE TO NO VISITATION.

PETER HOTEZ WAS DROPPED OFF AT A PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL THAT ABUSED AND TORTURED HIM.

>> IT IS LIKE YOU ARE THE ONLY SANE PERSON IN AN INSANE ASYLUM.

YOU KNOW.

YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE ONLY THERE BECAUSE THERE'S NO PLACE ELSE FOR YOU TO GO.

AND WHEN YOU ARE THERE, YOU HAVE NO ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL SERVICES OR LITTLE ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

I REMEMBER GETTING WORKSHEET ON MATH THAT SECOND OR THIRD GRADER COULD DO.

>> ACCORDING TO MICHAELA KARIM AS WELL AS GOL BERT AND OTHERS, DCFS IS KEEPING YOUTH IN THE PSYCHIATRIC FACILITIES TOO LONG.

OR BEYOND WHEN IT IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY.

A JUDGE HAS AGREED.

SPECIFICS OF THE VARIOUS SITUATIONS DO VARY BUT CASES HAVE YOUTH AREN'T JUST IN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS BUT ALSO THEY HAVE BEEN KEPT IN JUVENILE FACILITIES BEYOND THEIR SENTENCES AND HAVING TO STAY ON OFFICE FLOORS BECAUSE DCFS DOES NOT HAVE A PROPER PLACE OR BED FOR THEM.

IN TOTAL DCFS DIRECTOR MARC SMITH HAS BEEN FOUND IN CONTEMPT OF COURT A DOZEN TIMES FOR NOT FINDING A SAFE, PROPER PLACE FOR YOUTH IN DCFS CARE WITHIN A DEADLINE SET BY A JUDGE.

THE LATEST INSTANCE OF THIS WAS JUST LAST WEEK FOR A GIRL WHO HAD BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL 170 DAYS SINCE SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED.

>> THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED.

AND SPEAKS TO WHAT A MESS DCFS IS IN.

I'VE BEEN WITH THE PUBLIC GUARDIAN'S OFFICE NOW FOR 31 YEARS.

NON-31 YEARS, TO THE BEST OF MY MEMORY, THE JUVENILE COURT HERE IN CHICAGO HAS NEVER ONCE SETUP A SPECIAL CONSOLIDATED DOCKET TO DEAL WITH ALL OF THE CASES AND ALL OF THE OTHER COURTROOMS BECAUSE A PROBLEM WITH DCFS HAD BECOME SO WIDESPREAD AND WAS HARMING SO MANY CHILDREN.

>> DCFS IS FIGHTING THE CONTEMPT CHARGES AND SAYS IN A STATEMENT SINCE DCFS IS DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO PLACE THESE CHILDREN, DCFS HAS TAKEN AND CONTINUES TO TAKE THE LEGAL POSITION THAT THESE CONTEMPT ORDER ORDERS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE AND APPEALED TO A HIGHER COURT 0 OVERTURN THE ORDERS.

NOW, AGAIN, YOUTH CANNOT BE PLACED ANY SET TO GO HAS TO BE A PROPER ONE FOR THE SPECIFIC YOUTH'S NEEDS.

THERE ARE LIMITED SPACES FOR THEM PARTICULARLY IN THESE HIGHER NEED SETTINGS.

WHERE EVEN BEFORE THE RESIGNATION WE'VE SEEN DURING THE PANDEMIC THERE WAS A WORKFORCE SHORTAGE IN THE CHILD WELFARE SPACE.

DCFS SPOKESMAN POINTS OUT WHILE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS IN GENERAL ASSEMBLIES HALLOWED OUT DCFS UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM IN ILLINOIS RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

THE AGENCY'S BUDGET HAS INCREASED UNDER PRITZKER.

DCFS SAYS IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS IT'S UPPED BY 58% WHAT IT REIMBURSES THE NOT-FOR-PROFITS TO RUNS WITH THAT HOUSE YOUTH IN CARE.

IT'S OPENED 60 BEDS IN THIS CALENDAR YEAR ALONE.

THE SPOKESMAN FOR DCFS HAS MOST OF THE YOUTH INVOLVED IN THE CONTEMPT OF COURT SITUATION HAVE BY NOW BEEN PROPERLY PLACED AND THAT GIRL IN THE LATEST ONE FROM LAST WEEK IS SET TO BE RELEASED FROM THE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL TO A BETTER SETTING FOR HER JULY 25.

MEANWHILE, GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HAS STOOD BY DIRECTOR SMITH.

HE HAS BLAMED THE LOSS OF BEDS AND PLACEMENTS ON HIS PREDECESSOR GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER.

McINTYRE IS NOT SATISFIED.

HE SAYS THIS IS A BUREAUCRATIC ISSUE AND HE WOULD BE REMOVING EVERY RED TAPE OBSTACLE TO INSURE THESE YOUTH WERE PLACED PROPERLY.

HE ALSO SAYS THAT PRITZKER, HIMSELF, SHOULD VISIT THE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING TO YOUTH KEPT BEYOND WHEN THEY SHOULD BE.

>> TO SEE FIRSTHAND WHAT IT IS LIKE ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS FOR A CHILD THAT DOESN'T NEED TO BE THERE ANY LONGER.

YOU KNOW.

THE GOVERNOR HAS HAD TROUBLE IN HIS OWN PERSONAL LIFE AS A CHILD.

YOU KNOW.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT GAVE ME HOPE.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT GAVE ME FAITH.

AND IF IT WASN'T FOR HIS FAMILY BEING THERE, FOR HIM AND HIS SIBLINGSES HE COULD HAVE ENDED UP IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

I WOULD LIKE HIM TO REMEMBER WHAT IT FELT LIKE WHEN HE HAD NOBODY.

BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THESE KIDS ARE GOING THROUGH.

>> DCFS DID RECENTLY INCREASE WHAT IT IS PAYING FOSTER CARE PARENTS AND FAMILIES.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT GUARDIAN CHARLES GOLBERT SAID WILL HELP OVERALL BUT NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP THESE PARTICULAR YOUTH.

HE IS ASKING A FEDERAL COURT TO INTERVENE AND TO ENFORCE CHANGE.

BRANDIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> COMPLICATED SITUATION THERE.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", A TRIAL DATE HAS BEEN SET FOR ALDERMAN ED BURKE.

WHAT THE CASE COULD MEAN FOR THE FUTURE OF CHICAGO POLITICS.

>> ILLINOIS' LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TESTIFIES BEFORE THE SPHAT ON ABORTION ACCESS.

LOCAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WEIGH-IN ON THE FUTURE FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

>> NASA REVEALS STUNNING IMAGES FROM THE $10 BILLION TELESCOPE THE MOST POWERFUL OBSERVATORY DEPLOYED IN SPACE.

AND LATE NITE LAUNDRY SERVES UP SONIC SYNERGY.

WE TAKE YOU BEHIND THE SCENES AT A RECORDING SESSION.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE EIGHT-YEAR-OLD LEFT PARALYZED AFTER BEING SHOT IN THE HIGHLAND PARK FOURTH OF JULY MASS SHOOTING NEEDS MORE COMPLEX SURGERY AS HIS CONDITION HAS WORSENED ACCORDING TO THE FAMILY'S "GOFUNDME" PAGE.

COOPER ROBERTS IS BACK IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WHERE HE WILL NEED TO UNDERGO A SEVENTH SURGERY.

THE FAMILY SAYS THAT A PROCEDURE YESTERDAY REVEALED A TEAR IN HIS ESOPHAGUS AND ONE OF HIS LUNGS IS PARTIALLY COLLAPSED.

A "GOFUNDME" PAGE RAISED $1.4 MILLION TO PAY FOR MEDICAL CARE AND LONG-TERM REHABILITATION.

>> IF YOU APPLIED FOR REBATES ON SECURITY CAMERAS THROUGH THE CITY A CHECK WILL BE ON ITS WAY SOON.

CHECKS WILL BE SENT TO RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS WHO APPLIED FOR REBATES ON PRIVATE CAMERAS, LIGHTING AND SECURITY DEVICES WITHIN THE CITY.

>> THESE ARE DEVICES THAT NOT ONLY HELP PEOPLE TO SECURE THEIR OWN PROPERTY BUT WE HOPE ALSO AID IN FUTURE INVESTIGATIONS IF CRIME OCCURS OUTSIDE A HOME IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> OFFICIALS SAY POLICE WOULD NOT HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO ANYONE'S CAMERA SYSTEM NOR COULD THEY ACCESS FOOTAGE WITHOUT THE OWNER'S CONSENT.

THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE FOOTAGE TO THE C.P.D.

AT ANY TIME.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR APPLY FOR A REBATE YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

>> A JUDGE ORDERED NO BAIL FOR THE THREE MEN CHARGED IN A SHOOTING THAT LEFT AN OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICER PARALYZED THEY ARE FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES WITH TWO CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER.

A "GOFUNDME" PAGE TO COVER THE OFFICER'S MEDICAL BILLS RAISED MORE THAN $500,000.

THERE'S MUCH MORE ON OUR WEBSITE AS WELL.

>> IT'S BEEN FOUR-AND-A-HALF YEARS SINCE FEDERAL PROSECUTORS CHARGED ALDERMAN ED BURKE WITH A DOZEN COUNTS OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR AND TODAY, A TRIAL DATE HAS FINALLY BEEN SET FOR THE 14TH WARD ALDERMAN.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US WITH MORE.

THE BIG QUESTION IS: WHEN WILL BURKE'S TRIAL TAKE PLACE?

AND HOW LONG IS IT EXPECTED TO LAST?

>> NOVEMBER 6, 2023, WHICH WILL IN FACT BE FOUR-AND-A-HALF YEARS SINCE HIS MAY 2019 INDICTMENT.

AND IT'S GOING TO LAST SIX WEEKS.

THE BULK OF THAT WILL BE TAKEN UP BY PROSECUTORS AGAINST THE PROSECUTION'S CASE AGAINST ALDERMAN ED BURKE AND TWO CO-DEFENDANTS.

PETER ANDREWS AN AIDE TO BURKE AND CHARLES CUI A BUSINESSMAN WHO IS ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTING TO BRIBE BURKE.

>> LOTS OF FOLKS MARKING THEIR CALENDARS TO KEEP AN EYE ON THAT DATE EASTERN THOUGH IT IS MORE THAN A YEAR AWAY.

REMIND US WHAT CHARGES BURKE FACES?

>> BURKE FACES A UPON ON IMPLEMENT OF PANOPLY OF CHARGES.

RACKETEERING, EXTORTION, BRIBERY AND MAIL FRAUD ALL RELATED TO PROSECUTORS' CONTENTION THAT HE USED HIS OFFICE IN CITY HALL TO BASICALLY EXTORT PEOPLE WHO HAD PEOPLE IN BUSINESSES I SHOULD SAY, WHO HAD BUSINESS BEFORE THE CITY AND TO HIRING HIS PRIVATE LAW FIRM.

OF COURSE, BURKE AND HIS CO-DEFENDANTS PLEADED NOT GUILTY AND THIS TRIAL IS GOING TO BE A DONNIE BROOKE OF ACQUISITIONS AND COUNTERACTIZATIONS THAT WILL PUT A MICROSCOPE HOW CHICAGO POLITICS WORKS.

>> BURKE WAS INDICTED FOUR-AND-A-HALF YEARS AGO.

WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG TO GET TO THIS TRIAL DATE?

>> THERE ARE TWO EXPLANATIONS.

ONE IS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

THE COURTS WERE SHUTDOWN FOR MOST OF TWO YEARS WHICH DELAYED EVERYTHING.

AND THERE IS A HUGE BACKLOG OF CASES THAT JUDGES AND THE COURTS HAVE TO GET THROUGH FIRST.

ESPECIALLY FOR DEFENDANTS THAT ARE IN CUSTODY.

THE OTHER COMPLICATING FACTOR IS THE FACT THERE IS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF EVIDENCE IN THIS CASE.

ALDERMAN BURKE WAS THE SUBJECT OF THE LONGEST TELEPHONE TAPPING IN 2018 WITH NEARLY MORE THAN 9,000 TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS RECORDED.

THAT WAS A LOT OF EVIDENCE.

>> AND NOVEMBER 2023 THE TRIAL IS SET TO TAKE PLACE AFTER THE ELECTION.

ANY WORD WHETHER BURKE WILL RUN FOR HIS SEAT AGAIN?

>> NOT YET.

HE DID RUN IN 2020 FOR THE 14TH WARD COMMITTEE PERSON POST.

HE LOST TO STATE REP AARON ORTIZ AND EVERYBODY IS WATCHING TO SEE WHETHER BURKE DECIDES TO RUN AGAIN OR IF AARON ORTIZ TRIES TO CHALLENGE BURKE IN A REDRAWN 14TH WARD MUCH LESS FRIENDLY TO ED BURKE.

>> ANOTHER ONE TO WATCH.

HEATHER CHERONE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE, THAT'S WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> EARLIER IN THE SHOW WE DISCUSSED THE LATEST JANUARY 6TH HEARING AND AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN POTENTIALLY.

NOW WE'RE JOINED AGAIN BY REPRESENTATIVES ROBIN KELLY, RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI AND JAN SCHAKOWSKI.

AGAIN, WE ALSO INVITED ALL OF THE REPUBLICANS IN THE ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION BUT NONE ACCEPTED OUR INVITATION.

AND THANKS TO THE THREE OF YOU FOR STAYING WITH US FOR THIS CONVERSATION.

I WANT TO START WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JULIANA STRATTON WHO TESTIFIED IN WASHINGTON TODAY THAT ILLINOIS IS QUOTE AN ISLAND FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AFTER THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE AND THE STATE NEEDS HELP WITH THE FLOOD OF PATIENTS COMING HERE.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> ILLINOIS AND OTHER STATES WITH LEGAL ABORTION NEED MORE ACCESS TO FEDERAL MONEY TO SUPPORT DEMAND.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN JAN SCHAKOWSKI COULD ILLINOIS GET FEDERAL FUNDING TO HELP WITH THE INFLUX OF PATIENTS COMING HERE?

AND WHERE WOULD THE FUNDING COMING FROM?

>> I'M HOPING IT WOULD.

THERE IS AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT HAS A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WILL HELP WOMEN, HELP WOMEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BUT IN ILLINOIS WE HAVE REASON TO BE PROUD.

WE HAVE ONE OF THE VERY BEST LAWS AND I THINK WOMEN WILL BE COMING TO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS IN DROVES PROBABLY TO GET ACCESS TO ABORTIONS.

I HOPE THAT THERE COULD BE MORE FEDERAL DOLLARS TO HELP THEM.

BUT WE HAVE EVERY REASON TO BE PROUD OF ILLINOIS.

AND THE PRESIDENT TALKED ABOUT WHAT HE WANTS TO DO IS FOR SURE IN THE EXECUTIVE ORDER PROTECT THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL.

IMAGINE SOME OF THE STATES WANT TO PROHIBIT WOMEN FROM EVEN GOING OUT OF STATE TO HAVE THEIR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS REALIZED.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN KELLY DEMOCRATS HAVE SCHEDULED VOTES ON ABORTION ACCESS INCLUDING PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL, BUT WITH REPUBLICANS AND ONE DEMOCRAT OPPOSED IN THE SENATE ARE THE MEASURES THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED ARE THEY BOUND TO FAIL?

IS THERE A LEGISLATIVE PATH HERE?

>> WE STILL HAVE TO TRY.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED ON THE GUN VOTE THAT PEOPLE NEVER THOUGHT WOULD PASS.

WE STILL DID WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO AND PASS IT OVER TO THE SENATE.

IT DID NOT COME BACK EXACTLY WHAT WE WANTED AND WE HAVE TO TRY.

ALL THESE ADVOCATES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WE NEED THEIR HELP AND SUPPORT ALSO.

BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY WILL OR WON'T DO THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T DOUGH WHAT WE NEED TO DO AND DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT SOMETHING GETS PASSED IN THE SENATE SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP NOT JUST ANYTHING.

>> CONGRESSMAN KRISHNAMOORTHI YOU TALKED ABOUT THE FILIBUSTER AND THE PRESIDENT SUPPORTS CHANGING THE FILIBUSTER IN THE SENATE TO CODIFY ABORTION RIGHTS BUT NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN YET ON THAT OR VOTING RIGHTS.

ARE DEMOCRATS FRUSTRATED HOW SLOWLY THINGS ARE MOVING ESPECIALLY AS WE APPROACH THE MIDTERMS?

>> YES.

BUT IT IS NOT A TIME TO AGONIZE IT IS A TIME TO ORGANIZE.

THIS IS THE TIME WHEN WE HAVE TO GET PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE THAT IN ONE ELECTION CYCLE, WE COULD ELECT AT LEAST TWO OR THREE NEW SENATORS.

I DON'T CARE IF THEY ARE REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO CREATE THAT CARVE OUT AT THE LEAST IN THE FILIBUSTER RULES FOR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM, GUN RIGHTS, VOTING RIGHTS.

AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GAME-CHANGER.

IN THE MEANTIME, HOLDING THE VOTES IS IMPORTANT FOR MAKING SURE WE GET PEOPLE ON THE RECORD.

WE KNOW WHERE THEY STAND ON REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AND THEN WE HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE IN NOVEMBER.

AND ONE OTHER ISSUE THAT I WANT TO BRING UP WE HAVE TO ABSOLUTELY PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF ALL DATA THAT WOMEN HAVE ENTRUSTED TO TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES, AD COMPANIES WITH THEIR REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL HEALTH.

I'VE LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION WITH CAROLYN MALONEY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE APP COMPANIES THAT HAVE THIS DATA SHARE EXACTLY WITH WHOM THEY'VE PROVIDED THIS INFORMATION OR TO WHOM THEY HAVE PROVIDED THIS INFORMATION AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DON'T PROVIDE IT TO OVERZEALOUS PROSECUTORS WHO WILL GO AFTER THESE WOMEN BASED ON THAT INFORMATION.

SO WE HAVE TO TAKE ALL THESE MEASURES.

PROTECTING WOMEN'S RIGHT TO TRAVEL.

PROTECTING THEIR PRIVACY OF THEIR SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH INFORMATION AND MAKING SURE THAT MEDICATION, ABORTION MEDICATION IS ALSO AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE AND WE PROTECT THE PROVIDERS AND PHARMACISTS WHO DISPENSE IT.

>> AND SPEAKING OF THE MIDTERMS, PRESIDENT BIDEN'S LOW APPROVAL RATINGS, 39% VOTER TURNOUT FOR THE PRIMARY ALSO LOW AROUND 20% STATE-WIDE.

AS THE CHAIR OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF ILLINOIS WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MOBILIZE VOTERS AS INFLATION AND GAS PRICES ARE SO HIGH RIGHT NOW?

>> THE GAS PRICES ARE COMING DOWN.

AS THE NEWS REPORTED.

WE'RE TRYING TO TOUCH AS MANY DEMOCRATS AS POSSIBLE AND GET AS MANY PEOPLE REGISTERED.

WE HAVE VOLUNTEERS ALL OVER THE STATE.

WE HAVE DATA AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE.

WE HAVE ALLIES THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH AND COUNTY CHAIRS AND TOWNSHIPS, DEMOCRATIC CHAIRS.

WE ARE ALL OVER.

AND ALSO TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE VOTE IN NOVEMBER.

IT'S GENERATIONAL NOT JUST ABOUT TWO YEARS AND WHY SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE DEALING WITH NOW THAT WE DON'T LIKE WHY WE'RE DEALING WITH IS BECAUSE WHO IS AT THE TABLE PARTICULARLY ON THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

SO WE WANT TO SEE VOTING GUNS AND GUN VIOLENCE AND WOMEN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE AND PRIVACY AND EVEN THINGS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WE HAVE TO HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE AT THE TABLE AND IT'S UP TO THE PUBLIC TO CAST THEIR VOTES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE JAN SCHAKOWSKI, SPEAKS OF PRESIDENT BIDEN, IS IT A MISSTEP FOR HIM TO GO TO SAUDI ARABIA AFTER HE PROMISED DURING HIS CAMPAIGN THAT HE WOULD MAKE THE KINGDOM A PARIAH?

>> WELL, WE'LL SEE WHAT THE GOAL IS TO MAYBE EXTRACT SOME THINGS FROM THE -- FROM THE SAUDIS.

I JUST I WANT TO SAY THIS.

THERE HAS BEEN RIGHT NOW, A SEA CHANGE IN THE ENTHUSIASM GAP.

DEMOCRATS RIGHT NOW ARE IN THE LEAD.

AND ALL OF THE INCUMBENT SENATORS ARE DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT SENATORS ARE WINNING RIGHT NOW ACCORDING TO THE POLLS.

SO I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CONCENTRATING MORE NOT ON THE FOREIGN TRIPS THAT THE PRESIDENT IS MAKING.

BUT ON THE ISSUES THAT ARE AFFECTING THEIR DAILY LIVES.

LIKE TAKING AWAY ABORTION RIGHTS IT IS A TSUNAMI OUT THERE OF PEOPLE PROTESTING THAT AND WE'RE SEEING THAT IN THE POLLS NOW.

>> OK. OUR THANKS TO REPRESENTATIVES ROBIN KELLY, RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI AND JAN SCHAKOWSKI FOR JOINING US.

>> UP NEXT, OUT OF THIS WORLD IMAGES FROM NASA'S NEW TELESCOPE.

STAY WITH US.

>> HERE AT WTTW NEWS WE MAY BE YOUR WINDOW TO THE WORLD, BUT THE NEW JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE AIMS TO BE YOUR WINDOW TO THE COSMOS.

IT IS THE LARGEST AND MOST POWERFUL SPACE-BASED TELESCOPE EVER BUILT WITH THE CAPACITY TO LOOK BACK TO THE VERY DAWN OF TIME.

IT'S BEEN MORE THAN TWO DECADES IN THE MAKING AND COST $10 BILLION.

AND TODAY, NASA UNVEILED THE FIRST SCIENTIFIC IMAGES CREATED BY THE TELESCOPE.

JOINING US WITH MORE IS Dr. MICHAEL McELWAIN PROJECT SCIENTIST FOR THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> OF COURSE.

TODAY AS WE SAID WE GET THIS LOOK AT THE FIRST FULL COLOR IMAGES FROM THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE.

BUT TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE INSTRUMENT ITSELF.

IT IS AN INFRARED TELESCOPE DIFFERENT FROM THE HUBBLE.

TELL US HOW SO?

>> WHETHER THE INFRARED TELESCOPE INFRARED IS WAVELENGTHS THAT ARE REDDER THAN OUR EYES CAN SEE.

THESE ARE IMPORTANT FOR SPACE SCIENCE BECAUSE THE INFRARED ALLOWS US TO PEER THROUGH DUST CLOUDS IN SPACE AND SEE THE BEGINNING OF THE UNIVERSE BECAUSE THE UNIVERSE IS EXPANDING LIGHT HAT WAS EMITTED IN THE VISIBLE WAVELENGTH THAT OUR EYES SEE HAS GOTTEN STRETCHED OUT INTO THE INFRARED.

>> THE FIRST IMAGE RELEASED.

THE DEEP FIELD IMAGE.

TELL US WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT >> YES, SO THE FIRST IMAGE WAS RELEASED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN LAST NIGHT.

IT'S WEBB'S FIRST DEEP FIELD.

IT IS A VERY SMALL SIZE ON THE SKIES ABOUT THE SIZE OF A GRAIN OF SAND AT ARM'S LENGTH.

IF YOU HOLD THAT UP TO THE SKY IT IS A DARK PART OF THE SKY.

AND YOU SEE THERE'S THOUSANDS OF GALAXIES.

THE FIRST THING YOU RECOGNIZE CLOSE TO THE CENTER OF THE FRAME THERE IS A GALAXY CLUSTER AND THAT IS YELLOWISH IN COLOR.

THAT IS ABOUT 4.6 BILLION YEARS OLD AND THAT IS LIGHT WAS EMITTED RIGHT WHEN OUR PLANET WAS FORMING.

AND WE NOW HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO COLLECT THAT LIGHT USING THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE AND ANALYZE IT.

BUT WHAT IS REALLY AMAZING IF YOU LOOK AROUND THAT GALAXY CLUTTER THERE ARE LENS GALAXIES THAT ARE BEHIND THAT CLUTTER.

THIS IS A PREDICTION THAT ALBERT EINSTEIN MADE THAT WHEN THERE'S MASS IN SPACE TIME IT CAN DISTORT SPACE TIME AND CREATE A GRAVITATION ALLENS.

YOU SEE THE RED FILAMENTS ARE BACKGROUND GALAXIES THAT ARE BEING MAGNIFIED BY THE LENS OF THAT SUPER CLUSTER.

>> SO THE SECOND IMAGE THERE WERE A TOTAL OF FOUR IS AN ANALYSIS OF THE ATMOSPHERE OF AN EXOPLANET CALLED WASP 96B, WHERE IS THAT PLANET AND WHAT DOES THE GRAPH REVEAL?

>> THAT PLANET IS AROUND A NORMAL STAR IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.

IT WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT'S KNOWN TO TRANSIT ITS STAR.

AND IT'S BEEN OBSERVED WITH THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE BEFORE WE HAD IDEAS WHAT ATMOSPHERE IT WOULD HAVE.

BUT WE THOUGHT THAT WAS A GOOD FIRST OBSERVATION WITH WEBB.

AND IN FACT, WEBB ALREADY MADE DISCOVERIES.

WE DETECTED WATER IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND THAT IS WHAT IS BEING PLOTTED.

THAT IS CALLED A SPECTRUM.

SO EACH ONE OF THOSE DATA POINTS REPRESENTS A DIFFERENT COLOR IN THE INFRARED AND YOU SEE THE WIGGLES THAT ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF DIFFERENT ABSORBING FEATURES IN THE ATMOSPHERE.

SO WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING IS THAT THE PLANET IS TRANSITING IN FRONT OF ITS STAR AND WE OBSERVED THE STAR BEFORE THE TRANSIT HAPPENED DURING THE TRANSIT AND AFTERWARDS.

AND STARLIGHT GETS FILTERED THROUGH THE PLANET'S ATMOSPHERE AND THAT IS WHAT IS GENERATING THE SPECTRUM.

BASED ON THE WIGGLES WE KNOW WHAT MOLECULES ABSORB AT CERTAIN WAVELENGTHS IN THIS PLOT YOU SEE THAT IS A RETRIEVE AM OF THE DATA SET AND IT IS NOT THAT GOOD OF A FIT.

THE DATA WAS TAKEN A FEW WEEKS AGO.

SO THE SCIENCE HAS NOT BEEN DONE YET BUT THE DATA QUALITY IS EXQUISITE.

THE DATA IS VERY GOOD AND THIS IS ALREADY AN EXAMPLE OF THE DATA SET WHERE WE HAVE WORK TO DO TO TRY AND UNDERSTAND THAT MATERIAL PROPERLY.

WE HAVE CONCLUSIVE DETECTIONS OF WATER VAPOR IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND WE KNOW THERE'S SIGNS OF HAZES AND CLOUDS BASED ON THE SIZE OF THE FEATURES.

>> THERE WERE SEVERAL IMAGES RELEASED.

COULD THIS ABILITY TO ANALYZE THE ATMOSPHERE OF EXOPLANETS ALLOW US TO IDENTIFY SIGNS OF LIFE IN OTHER PLACES?

>> THAT WEBB IS GOING TO TOTALLY REVOLUTIONIZE OUR CAPABILITY TO STUDY ATMOSPHERES.

WEBB WILL BE STUDYING PLANETS INSIDE OUR SOLAR SYSTEM AND THE ONES OUTSIDE.

THE ONES OUTSIDE ARE CALLED EXOPLANETS AND THERE ARE 5,000.

FOR THE VAST MAJORITY WE HAVE BASIC PROPERTIES LIKE MASS AND SIZE AND HOW LONG IT TAKES TO ORBIT.

THE STAR WITH WEBB WE ARE GOING TO BE STUDYING THE ATMOSPHERES WITH EXQUISITE DETAIL.

TOTAL PARADIGM SHIFT HOW WE WILL UNDERSTAND EXOPLANETS.

WE WILL LOOK AT 100 TO STUDY THEIR ATMOSPHERES.

THIS IS GOING TO REVOLUTIONIZE EXOPLANET REVOLUTIONARY SCIENCE.

>> A PICTURE IS A QUINTET OF GALAXIES.

TALK US THROUGH WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT AND HOW FAR AWAY ARE THE GALAXIES AND WHAT MOST WE LEARN?

>> SO UNLIKE THAT DEEP FIELD THAT IS 4.6 BILLION YEARS OLD THIS QUINTET OF GALAXIES IS 300 MILLION YEARS OLD.

THE LIGHT YEARS AWAY FROM THE EARTH.

AND SO THE LIGHT WE'RE GETTING IS 300 MILLION YEARS OLD.

AND THIS QUINTET IS INTERESTING IN THAT THEY HAPPEN TO BE ALIGNED IN THE SKY ALL FIVE.

BUT ONE OF THE GALAXIES HAPPENS TO BE IN THE FOREGROUND.

WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER FOUR.

AND SO THE FOUR TO THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE YOU CAN SEE ARE INTERACTING.

AND WE THINK THIS IS REPRESENTATIVE OF HOW GALAXIES INTERACT IN THE EARLY UNIVERSE.

IT GIVE US US A FRONT ROW SEAT TO WHAT IS HAPPENING THE DYNAMICS INVOLVED BETWEEN THE GALAXIES.

CAN YOU SEE A BIG EJECTION FROM ONE OF THE GALAXIES FROM STARS FLUNG OUT OF THE GALAXY.

IT IS A DRAMATIC SCENE AND AN EXCELLENT DATA SET WITH BETTER DATA QUALITY THAN WE'VE BEFORE WITH NEW WAVELENGTHS.

THIS IS A LARGE IMAGE I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DOWNLOAD THE IMAGE IT'S PUBLICLY AVAILABLE.

AND YOU CAN JUST ZOOM IN.

IT'S 150 MEGAPIXELS SPECTACULAR IMAGERY.

IN THE BACKGROUND THERE IS ALSO LOTS OF GALAXIES.

EVERYWHERE WE LOOK WILL HAVE THE BACKGROUND OF GALAXIES.

>> AND SO THE FINAL IMAGE THAT WAS RELEASED OF THE KA RINNA NEBULA AND THIS IS A STUNNING PICTURE.

EXPLAIN WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

>> SO THE NEBULA IS A STAR FORMING REGION.

THIS IS A STELLAR NURSERY.

WE LIKE TO SAY.

YOU CAN SEE THE GAS AND DUST VERY DRAMATIC AND BEAUTIFUL AND EMBEDDED IN THAT DUST ARE STARS BEING FORM WILLED OUT OF THAT DUST.

-- FORMED OUT OF THAT DUST.

OFF THE PAGE ABOVE WHERE THE IMAGE IS SHOWN THERE IS A STAR A BRIGHT STAR THAT IS ACTUALLY HAS EJECTED GOING DOWN INTO THE DUST.

CREATING THE DRAMATIC SCENE WITH THESE COSMIC LIFTS IS WHAT WE'RE CALLING THEM AND YOU CAN SEE EMBEDDED IN THAT DUST IS THE PROTO STARS THAT ARE JUST FORMING.

THAT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE STELLAR LIFE CYCLE IS THE FIRST MOMENTS WHEN STARS FORM.

WE'VE RELEASED AN IMAGE OF STELLAR DEATHS.

THE ENTIRE CYCLE.

AND SO WE'RE SETTING ALL STAGES OF STAR EVOLUTION.

>> WE DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO GET TO THE STELLAR DEATH BOTH ARE AMAZING PICTURES LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING AN ARTIST MIGHT HAVE DRAWN.

BUT OUR VIEWERS CAN GO ON-LINE TO SEE THOSE AS WELL.

I THANK MICHAEL McELWAIN FOR JOINING US.

>> UP NEXT, SOUNDS FROM A PSYCHEDELIC SOUL BAND.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> AND A LOCAL BAND LATE NITE LAUNDRY UNIQUELY INTIMATE SOUND COMBINES DREAMY VOCALS AT A RECORDING STUDIO THEY EXPLAINED HOW DELIVERING THAT FEELING STARTS WITH TAKING ONE DEEP BREATH.

>> WHEN YOU GET ON STAGE NO MATTER HOW GOOD YOU ARE, THERE IS LIKE JITTERY THING.

SO WE'VE STARTED THIS THING WE DO WHERE WE SIT NO MATTER WHO WE ARE IN FRONT OF AND YOU WE BREATHE IN AND BREATHE OUT.

>> WE JUST WANT TO CLOSE EVERYTHING OFF.

LOOK AT EACH OTHER.

KNOW WHERE WE'RE AT AND THEN WE CAN BRING EVERYONE ELSE IN.

[♪♪♪] >> WE'VE BEEN DESCRIBED AS PSYCHEDELIC SOUL.

WHICH IS COOL.

WE DEFINITELY HAVE A LOT OF [INAUDIBLE] A LOT OF US DO HAVE A BACKGROUND IN JAZZ, NEOSOUL, FUSION.

[♪♪♪] >> THIS WHIRLWIND OF JAZZ AND BRAZILLIAN INFLUENCE AND JAZZ'S BROTHERS AND COUSINS WRAPPED IN THE INDY BEDROOM POP SOUND.

[♪♪♪] >> REALLY IF WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME ROOM AND IF THERE IS A MEDIUM IN FRONT OF US WHETHER IT IS AN INSTRUMENT OR A COMPUTER, EVEN, WE TEND TO WRITE A LOT, CREATE A LOT.

[♪♪♪] >> WE HAVE ALL PLAYED A PART IN SONG WRITING WHETHER IF WE'RE WRITING TOGETHER OR EMILY AND ALEX LAYING DOWN A GROOVE.

>> I WILL BE JUST CHUNKING WITH ALEX THROUGH A SONG AND THAT'S THE GROOVE I LIKE TO HIT IT FEELS REALLY GOOD.

WHEN THAT HITS DRUM AND BASS ARE ONE.

[♪♪♪] >> ONE OF THE RAREST THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN IN THE MUSIC SCENE IS TO FIND A UNIT THAT IS A UNIT.

[♪♪♪] MUSIC IS ANY OTHER ART WHEN IT'S COLLABORATIVE YOU REACH HIGHER LEVELS THAN YOU COULD AS ANY GIVEN INDIVIDUAL COULD.

AND I THINK WE ALL BELIEVE THAT.

[♪♪♪] >> EVERY SINGLE PERSON THEIR FLAIR, THEIR STYLE MORE THAN JUST THEIR EXPERTISE AND INSTRUMENT, MAKES LATE NITE LAUNDRY WHAT IT IS.

[♪♪♪] >> THERE'S SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS WITH SPIRITUAL THAT CANNOT BE INTELLECTUALIZED THAT HAPPENS WITH A FAMILY AND WHEN PEOPLE SEE THAT LIVE THEY ARE JUST LIKE WOW.

[♪♪♪] >> WE WANT TO GET THAT EMOTIONAL CONNECTION AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO WANT MORE AND TO FEEL SOMETHING FROM WHAT WE'RE PROJECTING.

[♪♪♪] >> FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO FEEL THE SENSE OF FAMILY WITHIN THE BAND FEELING THE SHOW AND THAT IS [INAUDIBLE] [♪♪♪] >> LATE NITE LAUNDRY WILL BE PERFORMING AT THE CHOP SHOP AND JULY 29TH.

YOU WILL FIND MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

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

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

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.

AS WELL AS THE PODCAST AND THE PBA VIDEO APP.

AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. NEW DETAILS FROM DAY SEVEN OF THE JANUARY 6TH CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WEIGHS IN ON THAT AND MORE.

>> PLUS, THE HIGHLAND PARK COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER FOR A VIGIL FOLLOWING LAST WEEK'S MASS SHOOTING.

WE WILL HAVE A LIVE REPORT FROM THE AREA >> NOW, FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]