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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> 104 PEOPLE WERE SHOT IN CHICAGO ON THE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND.

>> SENATOR DICK DURBIN IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE GUN VIOLENCE, VOTING RIGHTS, INFRASTRUCTURE AND MANY MORE THINGS ON THE AGENDA IN WASHINGTON.

>> THIS IS MY EIGHTH DAY AND I AM ANNOUNCING A $9.3 BILLION BUDGET.

>> CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS PREPS FOR STUDENTS TO COME BACK TO THE CLASSROOM IN THE FALL WITH A NEW AND BIGGER BUDGET.

>> PEOPLE ARE HURTING RIGHT NOW IN CUBA.

>> UNPRECEDENTED PROTESTS IN CUBA AMID A SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC CRISIS WHAT THE DEMONSTRATIONS MEAN FOR THE ISLAND AND U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS.

INFLATION IS ON THE RISE INCLUDING A 45% INCREASE IN GAS PRICES OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS.

WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE ECONOMY.

>> AS RIDERS COMPLAIN OF LONG WAITS AND HIGH RIDESHARE PRICES TAXI DRIVERS HOPE TO LURE THEM BACK.

>> CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ALSO BEGIN REDRAWING WARD BOUNDARIES THIS MONTH.

WHAT IMPACTS CAN THE MAPS HAVE?

>> AND A LOCAL MUSICIAN BRINGS A PERUVIAN BEAT TO HIS JAZZ BANTED.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... PLUS DEPUTY DAVID BROWN OPENS UP TO CHICAGO REPORTERS ABOUT HIS MEETING WITH PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND.

BROWN WAS PART OF A ROUNDTABLE ON GUN VIOLENCE YESTERDAY AND SAYS HE HAD QUOTE SIGNIFICANT AND SUBSTANTIVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT STRATEGIES TO REDUCE SURGING VIOLENT CRIME IN THE CITY.

BROWN SAYS THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE ROLLING OUT A NEW STRIKE FORCE THAT IS A COLLABORATION WITH THE U.S. BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES AIMED AT TRACING ILLEGAL GUNS AND INVESTIGATING THE BUYERS AND SELLERS OF THOSE GUNS.

>> PRESIDENT DID A LOT OF LISTENING.

SEEMS LIKE A TRIVIAL THING BUT HE REALLY LISTENED.

AND HE WAS HONEST ABOUT WHAT HE WANTED TO FOCUS ON IN ADDITION TO BEING OPEN AND HONEST.

>> AND WE'LL HAVE U.S.

SENATOR DICK DURBIN'S RESPONSE TO NATIONAL EFFORTS TO CURB VIOLENCE IN JUST A MOMENT.

MORE TOUGHER OVER IN MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S ADMINISTRATION TWO DEPARTMENT HEADS ANNOUNCED THEY ARE RETIRING.

ROSA, HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS.

AND MARK KELLY, THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS COMMISSIONER.

LIGHTFOOT PRAISED THEIR TENURES SAYING THEIR WORK HAS MADE THE CITY A BETTER PLACE.

THEY WERE APPOINTED UNDER FORMER MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL.

>> THE PRESIDENT GIVES AN IMPASSIONED SPEECH ON VOTING RIGHTS AS TWO BILLS FILIBUSTER CHANGES AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSALS ARE ALL ON THE TABLE WITH THE SENATE WITH A FEW WEEKS TO GO BEFORE THE AUGUST RECESS.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND MORE IS ILLINOIS SENATOR DICK DURBIN.

WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT" AS ALWAYS.

I WANT TO START WITH TEXAS LAWMAKERS, DEMOCRATS SPECIFICALLY ON THE LAND FROM THEIR STATE TO PREVENT THAT LEGISLATURE FROM VOTING ON RESTRICTIONS FROM PASSING VOTING RESTRICTIONS AND PRESIDENT BIDEN IS TURNING UP THE NATIONAL DEBATE ON A VOTES RIGHTS SPEECH HE GAVE TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> THERE'S AN UNFOLDING ASSAULT TAKING PLACE IN AMERICA TODAY IN AN ATTEMPT TO SUPPRESS AND SUBVERT THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN FAIR AND FREE ELECTIONS.

AN ASSAULT ON DEMOCRACY.

>> SENATOR DURBIN WHOI VOTING RIGHTS BILLS IN THE SENATOR THAT WOULD COUNTER IS AN ASSAULT ON DEMOCRACY, DO THEY HAVE ANY CHANCE OF GOING ANYWHERE?

>> NO.

AT THIS POINT THERE IS NO INDICATION REPUBLICANS WILL SUPPORT EITHER ONE.

LET'S FACE IT THE DEMOGRAPHICS ARE NOT ON THE SIDE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN ENGINEER VICTORIES IN THE FUTURE IS BY DISTRICTS DRAWN CAREFULLY AND SECONDLY BY SUPPRESSING THE VOTE OF THOSE THAT WILL VOTE AGAINST THEM AND THAT IS WHAT THEY SET OUT TO DO.

IF WE WERE A RANDOM STATE YOU WOULD SAY THERE IS NO PATTERN.

20 STATES WHERE REPUBLICANS DOMINATE THE LEGISLATURE FINDING WAYS TO REDUCE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE, REDUCE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO VOTE.

THAT IS A CONSCIOUS DESIGN AND I'M SORRY TO SEE IT.

>> WHEN YOU SAY IT SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT SENATOR MANCHIN AND SINEMA WILL CHANGE THEIR STANCE ON THE FILIBUSTER?

>> THEY ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES.

THEY'VE STATED IT CLEARLY AND PUBLICLY WHERE THEY STAND.

I THINK I UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY ARE.

THERE ARE OTHER SENATORS WHO HAVE MISGIVINGS, TOO AND MANY ARE SAYING FINE IF I AM FOR ELIMINATING THE FILIBUSTER WHO IS THE SENATE ABOUT AND HOW WILL THE RULES WORK?

YOU HAVE TO CREATE 8 RULES COMMITTEE.

IT DOESN'T END OVERNIGHT.

>> SOUNDS LIKE YOU THINK THAT WOULD BE A SLIPPERY SLOPE THEN?

>> IT IS A CHALLENGE.

I WILL TELL YOU I AM AS FRUSTRATED AS ANYBODY.

20 YEARS I INTRODUCED THE DREAM ACT MOST PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THAT IS ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE BROUGHT TO THE COUNTRY A CHANCE TO BECOME CITIZENS.

I'VE LOST IT ON THE SENATE FLOOR TO THE FILIBUSTER FIVE TIMES.

I KNOW WHAT IT IS ABOUT AND ISSUES LIKE IMMIGRATION AND CIVIL RIGHTS HUMAN RIGHTS ARE MAJOR TOPICS AND MAJOR TARGETS.

>> SO IF THE SENATE ISN'T GOING TO TAKE UP THESE BILLS IS THERE ANY OTHER ACTION THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO ASWAGE THE NERVES OF DEMOCRATS AT WATCHING SOME OF THESE STATE LEGISLATURES PASS VOTER RESTRICTIONS?

>> NO.

AND I WILL TELL YOU THE SUPREME COURT IN THE DECISION REITERATED THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE A VERY EXPANSIVE VIEW.

JUSTICE ALIT TOW WROTE THE OPINION, AN EXPANSIVE VIEW WHEN IT COMES TO LIMITATIONS ON VOTING.

I THINK THEY ARE FLAT OUT WRONG AND REFLECTS A CONSERVATIVE COURT AND ONE THAT MAY REFLECT TODAY'S REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> SPEAKING OF THE COURT SENATOR YOU ARE CHAIRMAN OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

THERE'S BEEN SOME TALK ABOUT SUPREME COURT JUSTICE STEPHEN BREYER ONE OF THE THREE LIBERAL MEMBERS DO YOU BELIEVE HE SHOULD RETIRE GIVEN THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE THE SENATE AND THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO PERHAPS CON FRM A REPLACEMENT SHORT OF THE MIDTERMS?

>> THE LAST THING YOU WILL GET RECORDED ON IS GETTING STEPHEN BREYER TO RETIRE.

I DON'T WANT HIM TO DO THAT AND OUTSIDE PRESSURE IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.

>> THE PRESIDENT TOUTED BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT ON A TRILLION DOLLAR INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE IT SEEMS LIKE SOME OF THE G.O.P.

SUPPORT IS WAVERING.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THAT RIGHT NOW?

>> I JUST TALKED TO ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES SITTING IN ON THE SESSIONS WITH THE WRITING THE BILL AND HE FEELS POSITIVE IT WILL BE DONE.

AND A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS THAT ARE RAISED ABOUT THE REPUBLICANS NOT STICKING WITH THE BILL AND FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS HE SAID HE HAS NOT HEARD ANY OF THAT.

I THINK THAT MAY BE MANUFACTURED.

AT THIS POINT I BELIEVE THERE ARE 10 MAYBE MORE NOW REPUBLICANS WILLING TO JOIN DEMOCRATS IN A GOOD, STRONG BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

>> DO YOU THINK THE SPECIFICS OF THAT AGREEMENT MIGHT CHANGE?

IT WAS ABOUT A TRILLION GIVE OR TAKE THE LAST WE HEARD.

NO TAX INCREASES ON HIGHER EARNERS AS THE PRESIDENT WANTED FOR THAT AND THE HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILLS THAT HE WANTED.

WHAT MIGHT CHANGE ABOUT THE BILL TO GET IT PAST THE FINISH LINE?

>> THE THREE THINGS TO RECALL.

THE BIDEN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL WAS LARGER, VIRTUALLY EVERY ITEM THAT IS NOW IN THE BIPARTISAN BILL WAS PART OF THE BIDEN BILL.

THE WHITE HOUSE AGREED TO THAT.

AND THE MECHANISM TO PAY FOR IT HAS BEEN AGREED TO BY THE REPUBLICANS AND BY THE DEMOCRATS WITH THE WHITE HOUSE.

AND THIRD, I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PARTICULARLY A DOZEN REPUBLICANS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE BIPARTISAN MEASURES PASSING IN THE SENATE AND I AGREE WITH THAT GOAL.

>> THE MINORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL HAS SAID HE DOESN'T WANT TO EXACTLY HELP ALONG THE BIDEN AGENDA.

DO YOU THINK HE WOULD BE A ROADBLOCK TO KEEPING SOME OF THE REPUBLICAN SENATORS ONBOARD?

>> PARIS, YOU'VE UNDERSTATED HIS POSITION.

HE SAID HE WAS 100% OPPOSED TO THE BIDEN AGENDA.

HE COMES TO THE FLOOR EVERYDAY BEGGING REPUBLICANS NOT TO VOTE WITH JOE BIDEN ON ANYTHING.

THE SAME THING HE DID TO BARACK OBAMA.

BUT THERE'S SOME REPUBLICANS WHO BELIEVE JUST SHOWING UP AND VOTING NO ON EVERYTHING IS NOT A GOOD WAY TO GET THE COUNTRY MOVING AGAIN.

I HOPE THEY WILL STICK WITH IT.

>> AND LET'S MOVE ON TO THE SUMMIT ON VIOLENCE THAT THE PRESIDENT HAD YESTERDAY THAT FEATURED CHICAGO POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN.

LET'S HEAR WHAT DAVID BROWN SAID ABOUT IT.

>> PROGRAMS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, JOBS, STREET OUTREACH, VIOLENCE INTERRUPTTERS.

THE WHOLE ECOSYSTEM NOT JUST THE ENFORCEMENT PIECE.

THE MOST DANGEROUS PEOPLE NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE STREETS THIS IS OUR FOCUS FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSPECTIVE BUT THERE IS AN ECOSYSTEM THAT WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A MASS INCARCERATION EFFORT WE KNOW THAT DIDN'T WORK.

>> SENATOR, PRESIDENT BIDEN AND ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND TALKED ABOUT INCREASED ASSISTANCE FOR VIOLENCE IN THE FORM OF JOINT FEDERAL AND LOCAL STRIKE FORCES TO GO AFTER ILLEGAL GUN DEALERS.

IS THERE ANYTHING DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS PLAN THAT HASN'T BEEN PROPOSED BY PAST ATTORNEYS GENERALS AND PRESIDENTS?

>> HERE IS THE DIFFERENCE.

THE DIFFERENT IS THE CONGRESS THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN AND PRESIDENT BIDEN WITHOUT A SINGLE REPUBLICAN VOTING IN FAVOR OF IT IN THE HOUSE OR THE SENATE HAS SENT DRAMATIC AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO THE STATES AND LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT.

WHAT JOE BIDEN SAID I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER TAKING A PORTION OF THAT AND SPENDING IT ON WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT JUST DESCRIBED NOT JUST TOOLS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT ALSO COMMUNITY INTERVENTION, CRISIS INTERVENTION IN THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

THE THINGS WE KNOW GET TO THE HEART WHY SOMEONE JOINS A GANG AND SHOOTS AN INNOCENT PERSON.

THAT IS A REALISTIC APPROACH BECAUSE WE SENT THE RESOURCES TO THE LOCAL LEVEL TO MAKE IT WORK.

>> AND THAT IS SOMETHING CITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN DEBATING.

ON THE GUN PART, CAN THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT GO AFTER ILLEGAL GUN SALES MORE FORCEFULLY THAN PREVIOUS JUSTICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE?

>> THE PRESIDENT IS IS HOPING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN I WANT TO BE CANDID WITH YOU.

THERE'S NO MEANINGFUL GUN LEGISLATION THAT IS GOING TO PASS IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

IT IS A 50/50 SENATE.

WE KNOW WHERE BOTH PARTIES ARE ALIGNED AND I DO NOT SEE CHANGE IN THE OFFING.

>> SPEAKING ABOUT SAFETY AND VIOLENCE, THE FENCING HAS COME DOWN AROUND THE CAPITOL AFTER THE INSURRECTION HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT YOUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF LAWMAKERS AND STAFF MEMBERS AT THE CAPITOL?

>> I FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT.

AND I WILL TELL YOU MOST MEMBERS OF CONGRESS DO, TOO.

WHAT A SAD DAY THAT WAS ON JANUARY 6.

THAT WAS A DAY FROM A CONGRESSIONAL VIEWPOINT THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY IN TERMS OF WITH WHAT THAT TRUMP-INSPIRED MOB DID TO US.

HUNDREDS OF THEM HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH CRIMES.

THEY OUGHT TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY DID ON THAT DAY.

IN TERMS OF THE FUTURE, I WISH WE PUT TOGETHER THE BIPARTISAN COMMISSION.

I WOULD LIKE TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GROUPS HAD TO DO WITH FINANCING, PLANNING.

>> AND PRESUMABLY THAT PART OF WHAT THE F.B.I.

IS INVESTIGATING AS WELL.

I WANT TO GET TO LOCAL STATE POLITICS THE FCC PUT OUT A RULING REGARDING ROBIN KELLY A PERSON YOU WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING TO REPLACE MICHAEL MADIGAN AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE ILLINOIS DEMOCRATIC PARTY BUT THE FEC IS SAYING BECAUSE SHE IS A FEDERAL OFFICER OF OFFICE HOLDER SHE CANNOT BE INVOLVED IN FUNDRAISING FOR STATE OR LOCAL RACES, DOES THAT HAMPER HER LEADING THE PARTY?

>> I WANT TO READ THE OPINION BECAUSE WE MADE AN OFFER TO THEM ON HER BEHALF THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN THE STATE AND LOCAL FUNDRAISING SHE WOULD CONFINE THE FUNDRAISING TO THE FEDERAL SIDE.

AND LET ME ADD FOR ALL OF THE PLUSES CHAIRMAN MADIGAN HE DID NOT REALLY DOLL OUT MONEY BEYOND HIS OWN HOUSE WHEN IT CAME TO CAMPAIGNS TO A GREAT EXTENT.

WE THINK IF WE CAN WORK WITH ROBIN AND THE FEC, THAT SHE CAN PLAY THE ROLE AS A SPOKESMAN FOR OUR PARTY AND ALSO WE CAN FIND FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES THAT COMPLY WITH THE LAW.

>> AND THAT RULING IS SAYING THAT THE PARTY HAS TO FORM A SPECIAL INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE TO DO THAT FUNDRAISING WHICH I THINK IS SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU WERE PROPOSING.

>> EXACTLY RIGHT.

WHAT WE PROPOSED.

AND THAT IS NOT OUTLANDISH APPROACH I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN FAWNED RAISING AND CONFINED BY THE SAME FEDERAL LAWS THAT GUIDED THE DECISION AND THERE IS A LIMIT TO WHAT WE CAN DO.

I KNOW ROBIN WANTS TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW AND SHE TOOK THE CASE TO THE FOOT-PURSUIT EC.

>> -- FEC.

>> SENATOR DICK DURBIN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS ON THE PATH TO A BIGGER BUDGET BUT IS IT BETTER?

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US NOW WITH DETAILS ON THIS SPENDING PLAN AS C.P.S.

PREPARES TO COMPLETELY RETURN TO INCLASSROOM LEARNING THIS FALL FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE PANDEMIC HIT.

AMANDA, WHAT IS IN THIS BUDGET?

>> IT IS A BUDGET THAT SPENDS $9.3 BILLION AND IT DOES COME AT A TIME OF TRANSITION FOR C.P.S.

THERE'S THAT RETURN TO IN-SCHOOL LEARNING AND TURNOVER AT THE TOP A SEARCH IS ON FOR A PERMANENT C.E.O.

IT IS INTERIM CHIEF JOSE TORRES CHARGED WITH INTRODUCING AND GETTING PAST A BUDGET PLAN BEFORE THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

HE HAS ONLY BEEN ON THE JOB EIGHT DAYS.

>> THE BUDGET PROVIDES CRITICAL RESOURCES THAT WILL SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AS THEY ENGAGE FROM AN UNPRECEDENTED TIME AND BEGIN THE JOURNEY TOWARD HEALING.

>> IT CALLS FOR SPENDING 130 MILLION ON SCHOOL REOPENING, VACCINE EFFORTS, TECHNOLOGY, PPE AND REENGAGEMENT.

100 MILLION ON IMPROVING AIR QUALITY SYSTEMS PLUS FUNDING TO EXPAND EARLY CHILDHOOD AND ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN.

>> AND WE'LL FUND SUCH INITIATIVES AAS A C.P.S.

TUTOR CORRESPONDENT WHICH INCLUDES HIRING AND TRAINING 150 LITERACY AND MATH TUTORS BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH TEAMS.

UPGRADED TECHNOLOGY TO HELP STAFF AND STUDENTS ACCESS GUIDELINES OR CURRICULUM.

AND KEEPING WITH OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, SCHOOLS THAT NEED MORE WILL GET MORE.

>> EQUITY REALLY A BIG DEAL.

AND ALSO SPEAKING OF HIRING... >> WE HAVE RECORD-HIGH STAFFING LEVELS FOR NURSES, AND SOCIAL WORKERS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION CASE MANAGERS AND EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES FOR OUR DIVERSE LEARNER'S.

>> THIS BUDGET SPENDS A BILLION MORE THAN THE CURRENT ONE AND THAT IS NOT DUE TO A SIZABLE PROPERTY TAX HIKE PAID FOR BY CHICAGO RESIDENTS.

LAURENCE MSALL SAYS LATELY IS WHEN?

JULY YOU HAVE C.P.S.

ANNOUNCING A FISCAL CRISIS BUT NOT THIS TIME.

>> GOT THE BEST FINANCIAL OUTLOOK THEY HAVE HAD IN A LONGTIME.

THEY HAVE THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF RESERVES THAT THEY'VE HAD.

THEY HAD TO BORROW MUCH LESS THAN THEY HAVE IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

THEY EVEN ARE HOLDING BACK ON SOME OF THE FEDERAL COVE RELIEF MORE FOR THE CURRENT YEAR SO THEY ARE NOT SPENDING EVERYTHING THE MINUTE IT COMES IN.

IT IS A GOOD CHRISTMAS PRESENT CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL BUDGET THIS YEAR.

>> BUT THAT GIFT DOES NOT HAVE A LONG SHELF LIFE HE SAYS.

THAT EXTRA BILL DOLLARS IN SPENDING BECAUSE OF THAT FEDERAL COVID RELIEF MONEY AND C.P.S.

WILL HAVE 1.8 BILLION LESS NEXT YEAR BUT THE MONEY IS NOT GOING TO KEEP COMING FOREVER.

C.P.S.

HAS OTHER CONCERNS.

PROPERTY TAX BILL DELAYS COULD CREATE FISCAL PRESSURES AND CHICAGO'S POPULATION IS DECLINING, SCHOOL ENROLLMENT IS DOWN.

>> IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO GET THEM OUT OF THE WOODS LONG-TERM UNLESS THEY GET VERY SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURAL RELIEF ON THE PENSIONS AND THEY ADDRESS THE DISPARITY BETWEEN A DECLINING STUDENT POPULATION AND A GROWING ADMINISTRATIVE COST.

>> I SPOKE THIS AFTERNOON WITH C.T.U.

'S VICE-PRESIDENT STACY DAVIS GATES WHOSE INITIAL REACTION WAS TWO FOLD.

APPRECIATING THIS OPPORTUNITY AS SHE CALLED IT OF AN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF MONEY BUT IT WAS MIXED WITH CAUTION AND A CAVEAT.

IT COMES AFTER WHAT SHE SAYS IS A LONG PERIOD OF CHICAGO DISINVESTING NOT SPENDING ENOUGH MONEY ON SCHOOLS.

ALSO SHE SAYS ALL THE EXTRA COUNSELORS AND NURSES STILL MAY NOT BE ENOUGH.

>> THAT WHILE WE ARE HAPPY TO RECEIVE THIS, WE STILL NEED TO SET BENCHMARKS THAT REFLECT THE NEEDS OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND WE ONCE AGAIN THE PROCESS OF MAKING THE INVESTMENTS SUSTAINABLE OVER TIME.

>> SHE SAYS WITH C.P.S.

PLUS THE CITY'S COVID RELIEF MONEY, LIGHTFOOT ADMINISTRATION SHOULD SPEND MORE TO INSURE THAT STUDENTS AREN'T JUST RECOVERING FROM COVID AT SCHOOL.

ALSO THEY NEED TO DO MORE.

FOR EXAMPLE, C.P.S.

FAMILIES WITHOUT HOMES THEY NEED HOUSING SUPPORT.

STACY DAVIS GATES ALSO ASKING FOR MORE SPECIFICS ON SPENDING.

>> IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO [INAUDIBLE] IT IS ENOUGH TO SHOW BENCHMARKS.

FOR INSTANCE WE ARE GOING TO NEED BENCHMARKS WITH RESPECT TO HOW THIS MONEY IS SPENT, HOW IT'S IMPACTING OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES.

WE THINK THAT IS AN UNDERSTANDING.

WE NEED WIDESPREAD STAKEHOLDER INPUT.

>> NOW, THE C.T.U.

AND C.P.S.

AGAIN WITH THAT BOARD FOR NOW APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR THEY ARE STILL IN TALKS ON A RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN FOR FALL AND WHAT THAT WILL LOOK LIKE.

THE UNION PROPOSING A GOAL OF 80% OF STUDENTS ELIGIBLE TO BE VACCINATED FOR COVID HAVE RECEIVED THAT SHOT BY OCTOBER.

ALSO, THEY WANT TELEWORK ACCOMMODATIONS FOR UNION MEMBERS WHO ARE THE PRIMARY CAREGIVERS FOR AT RISK INDIVIDUALS.

AND A BAN ON INSTRUCTORS HAVING TO TEACH STUDENTS WHO ARE IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL STUDENTS AT THE SAME TIME.

AS FOR THE BUDGET, IT IS JUST A PROPOSAL FOR NOW.

THE BOARD IS SET TO VOTE ON IT AT THE NEXT MEETING JULY 28TH.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SINCE THIS SPRING RIDESHARE USERS COMPLAINED OF HIGH SURGE PRICES AND LONGER WAITS.

A PRODUCT OF INCREASED DEMAND AND FEWER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD.

UBER AND LYFT SAY THEY HAVE ADDED THOUSANDS OF DRIVERS IN RECENT WEEKS LEADING TO A DROP IN WAIT TIMES AND SURGE PRICING.

MANY PASSENGERS ARE STILL UNHAPPY AND SOME ARE TURNING TO TAXIS.

IT IS AN INDUSTRY HIT HARD BY THE POPULARITY OF RIDESHARE AND BY COVID-19.

AS THE PANDEMIC EASES HOW ARE TAXI DRIVERS DOING?

AND ARE THEY TRYING TO LURE BACK RIDERS?

JOINING US ARE FAYEZ KHOZINDAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED TRANSPORTERS COMMUNITY COUNCIL.

AND FURQAN MOHAMMED A TAXI INDUSTRY ATTORNEY.

AND JASON GROSS VICE-PRESIDENT OF MOBILE AT THE TAXI HAILING APP CURB.

GENTLEMEN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FURQAN MOHAMMED LET'S START WITH YOU.

THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN HARD ON ESSENTIAL WORKERS WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE FOR TAXI DRIVERS?

>> SO IT'S BEEN VERY, VERY TOUGH AND THE REASON IS I THINK MOST PEOPLE FORGET THAT THE TAXI INDUSTRY WENT THROUGH A RECKONING OF SOME SORT OF FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN THE UBER AND LYFT COMPANIES AND PROVIDERS CAME INTO THE CITY AND STARTED COMPETING WITH THE TAXI INDUSTRY AND WE SAW A STEEP DECLINE IN THE MEDALLION THE VALUES HAD FROM 350,000 DOWN TO 25,000 IN MARCH 2020.

ON THE HEELS OF THAT WE WERE STARTING TO SEE STABILITY AND MARCH 2020 ROLLED AROUND AND THE INDUSTRY TOOK A STEEP DECLINE FROM THERE.

>> SIGNIFICANT DROP THERE.

FAYEZ KHOZINDAR ARE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS ARE THEY STARTING TO RETURN?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

OUR MEMBERS ALWAYS COMMUNICATE WITH US AND TELL US THAT CUSTOMERS ARE SEEKING TAXI DRIVERS AT BOTH AIRPORTS.

I HAVE HA METHOD MARR FROM MIDWAY ALWAYS CALLING ME AND TELLING ME CUSTOMER WAITING ONE HOUR TO GET TAXIS AND THEY ARE SEEKING THE CITY TO HAVE MORE HELP STARTERS AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT SHIFT TO HELP FACILITATE THE CUSTOMERS TO GET CABS TO THEIR DESTINATIONS.

FURTHERMORE, O'HARE USED TO BE LAST YEAR USED TO BE WAITING TIME FOUR-FIVE HOURS SOMETIMES THERE IS NO ACTIVITIES AT THE AIRPORTS.

AND NOW THERE'S MORE THAN HALF OF THE LOT IS FULL AND PEOPLE WAITING AND IN THE TERMINAL FOR TAXI RIDES.

>> WAITING FOR TAXIS THERE >> YES.

>> SEEKING TAXI AND THEY WANT RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION WHICH IS TAXICAB ON THE CURB.

>> AND JASON GROSS TAXI APP CURB IS ROLLING OUT A NEW FEET GEARS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE FARE UP FRONT.

TELL US ABOUT THAT, PLEASE.

>> SURE.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST YEAR SINCE THE RIDESHARING COMPANIES WENT PUBLIC AND EXACERBATED BY THE PANDEMIC, THE RIDESHARE PRICES HAVE GONE THROUGH THE ROOF AND THE WAIT TIMES HAVE INCREASED.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE UNAWARE OF IS THAT SAXSYS -- TAXIS HAVE BECOME CHEAPER AND THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE WHAT IS THE PRITS FOR THIS RIDE GOING TO BE.

THEY WANT TO COMPARE OPTIONS.

WE TOOK THE HISTORICAL METER DATA AND TAKE THE TIME AND THE DISTANCE FROM SOMEONE'S PICK UP TO THE DROP-OFF AND GIVE THEM A FIXED PRICE UP FRONT AND OFFER THAT FIXED PRICE TO THE DRIVER SO PEOPLE CAN COMPARE AND UNDERSTAND THIS IS THE CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE.

AND AS MY FRIEND MENTIONED, THESE ARE PROFESSIONAL TAXI DRIVERS THEY KNOW THEIR WAY AROUND TOWN AND FULLY LICENSED AND REGULATED.

TAXI IS OFTENTIMES A MORE DESIRABLE FORM OF TRANSPORTATION BUT IT'S BEEN OUR JOB TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO HAIL A CAB AND TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY WILL PAY IN ADVANCE AND IT IS CHEAPER SOMETIMES AS MUCH AS 50% CHEAPER THAN THE TNP'S.

>> AND DO YOU THINK MORE RIDERS WILL TURN TO TAXIS BECAUSE OF THE SURGE IN RIDESHARE PRICES?

>> I CERTAINLY THINK SO.

IT IS A GREAT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

BUT LONG-TERM, I SEE THIS BEING A SHORT-TERM BOOST RATHER THAN AN INDUSTRY FIX NECESSARILY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU ARE NOT SEEING NEW CAB DRIVERS COMING INTO THE INDUSTRY AND MEDALLION VALUES INCREASE IN PRICE YOU ARE SEEING THEM DECREASE THEY DECREASED 50% MORE SINCE MARCH OF 2020 AFTER DROPPING 85% OF THEIR VALUE SINCE 2013.

SO I MEAN IT WILL BE A LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY.

THE CURB APP IS A GREAT FIRST STEP IN RECOVERY.

>> FAYEZ KHOZINDAR ARE THERE OTHER STEPS THAT UBER AND LYFT COULD TAKE COULD HAVE DONE THAT TAXI INDUSTRY COULD ALSO ADOPT?

>> WELL, SEEKING MORE DRIVERS AND THEY WANT TO PAY THEM $35 AN HOUR.

WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THAT?

THE CUSTOMERS.

I HAVE A RECEIPT JANE, THE DIRECTOR GAVE ME A BILL FROM A RIDE FROM ROGER SPARK TO THE PRUDENTIAL PLAZA AND THE RECEIPT SAYS $360 FOR UBER RIDE.

WHO IS GOING TO AFFORD THAT?

NOW, TAXI INDUSTRY MUST COME TO TERMS WITH THE DEMAND.

MEANING THAT THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR EASY BOOKING, EASY PAY, FOR THE CUSTOMERS SO THEY CAN COME BACK TO A RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION MEANS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

WHICH IS TAXICAB FOR CONVENTIONEERS AND TOURISTS OTHER THAN THAT, ALL THIS WORK ABOUT THE APPS THEY MUST BE ONE APP IN THE CITY.

THERE MUST BE ONE COLOR IN THE CITY.

SO THE INDUSTRY WILL COME BACK AND THE MEDALLION WILL COME BACK.

>> FAYEZ KHOZINDAR WHAT ROLE CAN THE CITY PLAY?

>> THE CITY MUST, MUST COME UP WITH SOLUTION.

BECAUSE THEY ARE ON THE SIDELINE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

SEEING THAT THE INDUSTRY GOING DOWNHILL.

AND LOSING THE MEDALLION LOSING ITS VALUE.

BECAUSE THE CITY DID NOT DO ITS LEADERSHIP ROLE WHICH IS DICTATING TO THESE COMPANIES THAT OK ALL OF YOU MUST COME TO A SOLUTION.

ONE CENTRAL DISPATCH SYSTEM THAT IS WHAT WE CALLED FOR WHEN WE ESTABLISHED IN JANUARY OF 2008 CALLING FOR CENTRAL DISPATCH SYSTEM IF THE CITY AND THE COMPANIES COME UP WITH THE SOLUTION WE'LL HAVE NO PROBLEM AND WE'LL HAVE NO UBER OR LYFT.

>> BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME, JASON ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE TAXI INDUSTRY?

>> MORE SO THAN I HAVE BEEN IN A WHILE.

I THINK WHAT CURB IS DESIGNED TO DO IS BE EFFECTIVELY A UNIVERSAL APP FOR TAXIS ACROSS THE CITY AND THE COUNTRY.

WE WORK WITH THE REGULATORS IN TANDEM AND WE'LL SUPPORT WHAT THEY DO BUT IN THE MEANTIME WE'RE PROVIDING AN APPLICATION, PROVIDING SYSTEMS AND ENABLING ALL THE DRIVERS WHO WANT TO BE PART OF ONE APP TO WORK WITH CURB AND OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS WE'VE SEEN A 100% INCREASE IN BOOKINGS THROUGH.

THE CURB APP AND WE ARE OPTIMISTIC AND CANNOT CONTROL THE FUTURE BUT WE CAN DO OUR BEST TO HELP IT MOVE IT IN THE DIRECTION OF TAXI.

THANK YOU TO FAYEZ KHOZINDAR, JASON GROSS AND FURQAN MOHAMMED FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, ADDING SOUTH AMERICAN RHYTHMS TO A MODERN JAZZ COMBO.

STAY WITH US.

>> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING A LOOK AT THE ECONOMY AS GAS PRICES SOAR.

BUT FIRST A CHICAGO BASED MUSICIAN WITH PERUVIAN ROOTS PLAYS A TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENT IN A MODERN JAZZ SETTING HOW MANY DRUMMERS DO YOU KNOW THAT PLAY THE SEATS THEY ARE SITTING ON?

MARC VITALI MET A LOCAL PERCUSSIONIST.

>> JUAN PASTOR SWITCHES FROM HIS DRUM KIT TO THE CAJON IN MID-SONG.

>> AFRO-PERUVIAN INSTRUMENT THAT I GREW UP PLAYING MOST PERUVIAN PEOPLE KNOW WHAT AACAJON IS BECAUSE A LOT ARE IN HOUSES.

IT'S A POPULAR THING NOW TO EVEN FOR MUSICIAN THAT ARE NOT MUSICIANS TO HAVE A CAJON IN THEIR HOME.

>> IT IS A SIMPLE INSTRUMENT AND IT'S USED FOR MOST OF THE AFRO-PERUVIAN DANCES.

>> JUAN PASTOR GREW UP IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF LIMA.

>> THE FIRST 20 YEARS OF MY LIFE, I LEARNED A LOT OF FOCUSING ON PERUVIAN PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS AND HOW TO TRANSFER THE SOUNDS ON TO THE DRUM SET.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES HANGING OUT SOMETIMES IN CLUBS AND A LOT OF THE CLUBS HAVE LIKE JAZZ BUT WHY DO I SAY JAZZ IT'S NOT THE JAZZ THAT YOU WILL FIND IN THE U.S.

IT'S LIKE ALREADY SOME FUSION BETWEEN PERUVIAN FOLKLORE MUSIC AND COULD BE FROM THE PERUVIAN CULTURE OR THE AN DECEMBER.

THE GOOD AN DES.

>> LIMA IS DOING THEIR OWN THING THE MUSIC IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.

>> HE LEFT PERU TO STUDY AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND DePAUL AND FOUNDED A BAND, CHINCHANO.

>> IT IS MY TRIBUTE CREATING MY MUSIC IT'S WHO I AM NOW AS A PERSON WHO GREW UP IN PERU AND LATER ON DEVELOPED MUSIC CAREER IN THE STATES.

[♪♪♪] >> PASTOR IS AN IN DEMAND PLAYER.

MUSIC RUNS IN THE FAMILY.

>> MY MOTHER SHE IS A FORELOCATIC PERUVIAN SINGER AND MY FATHER IS A GUITAR PLAYER ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I DO MUSIC IS HAVING MUSIC IN THE HOUSE NOT NECESSARILY LIKE HEY LEARN THIS IT'S LIKE PERFORMING EVERYDAY YOUR MUSIC.

[♪♪♪] >> AFTER 13 YEARS IN THE CHICAGO REGION, AND STUDENT VISAS, WORK VISAS AND ARTIST VISAS HE IS STILL TRYING TO GET HIS GREEN CARD.

>> IT IS AMAZING THAT IT'S STILL VERY HARD FOR SOMEBODY WHO HAVE BEEN DOING THE RIGHT THINGS IN TERMS OF GETTING PAPERWORK IT IS A LONG PROCESS AND AFTER SHOWING ALL THESE THINGS, THE GREEN CARD PROCESS WILL ASK ME FOR LOTS OF EVIDENCE LIKE THINGS LIKE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A GRAMMY.

SO FAR I HAVE NOT GOT THE GRAMMY YET.

HOPEFULLY THE NEXT ALBUM WILL CUT IT.

WHILE I LOVE BEING IN PERU AND CLOSE TO MY FAMILY, CHICAGO IS MY HOME.

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

>> SADLY JUAN PASTOR JUST RETURNED FROM LIMA PERU TO ATTEND THE FUNERAL OF THIS FATHER CARLOS.

HE ASK WE DEDICATE TONIGHT'S STORY TO HIS MEMORY.

AND PASTOR IS WORKING ON A NEW ALBUM, THE BAND CHINCHANO ANNOUNCED TWO SHOWS NEXT MONTH... YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... ALDERPEOPLE ARE SET TO START REDRAWING CHICAGO WARD BROWNDIES BUT THERE'S CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE PROCESS.

>> INFLATION IS ON THE RISE WITH 5% INCREASE OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS DRIVEN IN PART BY THE SURGE IN HOME PRICES.

WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN FOR YOUR POCKETBOOK?

>> AMID UNPRECEDENTED PROTESTS IN CUBA SOME ARE CALLING ON THE U.S. TO LIFT ITS EMBARGO ON THE COUNTRY.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES..., RISING COVID RATES IN TWO STATES MEANS THE REINSTATEMENT OF A PARTIAL TRAVEL BAN.

MISSOURI AND ARKANSAS ARE ADDED TO THE BAN DUE TO RISING CASES IN THE STATES DRIVEN BY THE DELTA VARIANT.

UNVACCINATED VISITORS TO CHICAGO ARE URGED TO QUARANTINE FOR 10 DAYS OR RECORD A NEGATIVE TEST WITHIN 72 HOURS OF ARRIVAL.

SO SAY OFFICIALS.

>> THE CHICAGO BANKER IS CONVICTED FOR TRYING TO BRIBE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR A JOB.

STEVEN KOCH SEEN HERE IS A FORMER C.E.O.

OF FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK HERE IN CHICAGO.

HE IS CONVICTED OF AUTHORIZING $16 MILLION IN LOANS TO CONVICTED FORMER TRUMP CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN PAUL MANAFORT IN AN EFFORT TO GET A JOB IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

KOCH DID MEET WITH THE TRANSITION TEAM BUT WAS NEVER OFFERED A JOB.

THE LAWYER SAYS THEY WILL APPEAL THE RULING.

>> AND TO BRANDIS AND DETAILS ON CHICAGO'S REMAP PROCESS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT'S OFFICIAL.

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL START REMAPPING CHICAGO'S WARD BOUNDARIES LATER THIS MONTH AND THE RESULT COULD SHAPE CITY POLITICS FOR THE NEXT DECADE.

HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

WELCOME BACK.

WHAT DATES DO WE NEED TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR AS THE REMAPPING PROCESS BEGINS?

>> WELL, THE FIRST DATE TO REMEMBER IS JULY 26.

ON THAT DATE, ALDERMEN WILL HEAD TO A BACK ROOM WHICH WILL BE KNOWN AS THE MAP ROOM WHERE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO USE SPECIAL MAPPING SOFTWARE TO START THE PROCESS.

AFTER THAT THE NEXT THING TO KNOW IS AUGUST 16TH WHEN WE ARE SUPPOSED TO GET A LOOK AT DATA FROM THE 2020 CENSUS AND THEY HAVE UNTIL DECEMBER FIRST TO FIND A MAP THAT AT LEAST 41 ALDERMEN CAN AGREE ON.

>> WHY START THE PROCESS BEFORE THE CENSUS NUMBERS ARE RELEASED?

>> WELL, IT'S BECAUSE TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A CONTENTIOUS AND DIFFICULT PROCESS BECAUSE WHILE IN CHICAGO THE ISSUE ISN'T REALLY DEMOCRATS VERSUS REPUBLICANS THE ISSUE IS RACE IN A CITY THAT IS ALMOST SPLIT INTO THIRDS BETWEEN WHITE CHICAGOANS, BLACK CHICAGOANS AND LATINO CHICAGOANS AND THEY ARE ALL JOCKEYING FOR POWER ON THE CITY COUNCIL WHERE IT IS A ZERO SUM GAME IF THERE IS A MAJORITY BLACK WARD THAT MIGHT COME AT THE EXPENSE OF A MAJORITY LATINO WARD WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED IN 2011 AND BAD FEELINGS STILL LINGER ABOUT THAT.

>> NOT EVERYBODY SEEMS HAPPY ABOUT THIS REMAPPING PROCESS.

WHAT IS AT THE CENTER OF THE DEBATE HERE?

>> WELL, THE ISSUE IS WHETHER THERE WILL BE ENOUGH WARDS THAT WILL MAINTAIN A BASE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN POWER IN CHICAGO.

THE BLACK POPULATION IN CHICAGO HAS BEEN DROPPING PRECIPITOUSLY FOR MOST OF THE PAST DECADE AND A LOT OF BLACK ALDERMEN ARE CONCERNED THEY WILL SEE THEIR POWER REDUCED SIGNIFICANTLY WHILE AT THE SAME TIME LATINO POLITICIANS SEE THIS CENSUS AND THIS REMAPPING AS A CHANCE TO SEIZE THE POWER THEY WERE DENIED 10 YEARS AGO.

AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR WARD DOES NOT GET REDRAWN IN A WAY THAT WON'T BE ABLE TO WIN REELECTION IN 2023.

>> HEATHER CHERONE KEEPING AN EYE ON IT FOR US.

THANK YOU.

>> THANKS BRANDIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ THE STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND NOW PARIS WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> AND IT'S NOT JUST RIDESHARE THAT IS MORE EXPENSIVE YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THE DOLLAR IS NOT BUYING AS MUCH OF A LOT OF THINGS.

THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SAYS THE LEVEL OF INFLATION IS 5.4%.

WELL ABOVE ANALYSTS ESTIMATES AND THE FEDERAL RESERVES TARGET OF 2%.

SOME OF THAT IS DRIVEN BY TEMPORARY FACTORS RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC SUCH AS A45% RISE IN USED CAR PRICES.

BUT OTHER FACTORS MAY NOT BE SO TEMPORARY.

WHAT DO THESE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES MEAN FOR THE ECONOMY AND YOUR WALLET GOING FORWARD?

JOINING US TO HELP US UNPACK THIS, ARE EDWARD STUART, AMERIT TUS PROFESSOR AT NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY.

AND LUIGI ZINGALES, AND RACHEL GRESZLER FROM THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION.

WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT".

>> GOOD EVENING, PARIS.

>> LET'S GO THROUGH SOME OF THE COSTS.

INFLATION UP 5.4%.

GAS UP 45% OVER THE LAST YEAR.

USED CARS 45% AS WELL.

10% IN THE LAST MONTH ALONE.

DINING OUT 4.2%.

FOOD 2.4%.

EDWARD STUART WHAT ARE THE CULPRITS HERE?

>> I THINK ONE OF THE PHRASES I USE TO EXPLAIN THIS THIS IS BOUNCE BACK INFLATION.

AS YOU'VE SAID NOT ONLY ARE USED CARS PRICES ARE UP AIRLINE FARES ARE UP 24.6%.

HOTEL PRICES ARE UP.

THESE WERE SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY WHERE THERE WAS DEFLATION DURING THE PANDEMIC AND NOW WITH THE VACCINATION EFFORT SEMI SUCCESSFUL IN PEOPLE WITH SOME MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS BECAUSE OF STIMULUS AND SAVINGS DURING THE PANDEMIC DEMAND IS GOING FASTER THAN SUPPLY AND YOU ARE GETTING WHAT I THINK IS GOING TO BE TEMPORARY INFLATION.

>> AND SO YOU ARE SAYING TEMPORARY INFLATION ECONOMISTS AT THE FED SAID TEMPORARY INFLATION.

LUIGI ZINGALES HOW LONG IS TEMPORARY?

AND DO YOU BELIEVE THAT?

>> SO THERE IS A TEMPORARY COMPONENT BUT THIS QUICK CALCULATION IF PRICES WOULD NOT RISE FROM NOW TO THE END OF THE YEAR WE WOULD BE AT 3.6%.

IF PRICES RISE AT THE SAME LEVEL FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR, WE ARE DOUBLING TO 7.3%.

WE'RE WAY ABOVE ANYTHING THAT ANYBODY EXPECTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND ANYBODY AT THE FED EXPECTED EVEN ANTICIPATE IN THIS.

I THINK THAT THERE IS A CONCERN AND THE CONCERN IS NOT AS LARGE TO SAY WE SHOULD ACT NOW BUT I AM AFRAID OF THE FACT THAT THE FED DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AFRAID.

IN FACT, I WOULD SAY THAT THE ONLY THING TO FEAR IS THE LACK OF FEAR ITSELF.

>> THE LACK OF FEAR FROM THE FED.

YOU DON'T THINK THE FED IS TAKING IT SERIOUSLY AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE ACTION.

RACHEL GRESZLER, AT WHAT POINT DO YOU THINK THE FED DOES HAVE TO STEP IN HERE AND ATTACK THE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES OR GOVERNMENT POLICY WHEN SHOULD THEY STEP IN?

>> I THINK THAT GOVERNMENT POLICY SHOULD HAVE STEPPED OUT OF THE WAY QUITE A WHILE AGO BECAUSE I THINK THAT THERE'S THIS ARTIFICIAL BOUNCE BACK COMPONENT ALSO AND THAT HAS BEEN SPURRED ON BY THREE ROUNDS OF STIMULUS CHECKS.

SUPER SIZED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS NOW AVAILABLE A YEAR-AND-A-HALF AFTER THE PANDEMIC BEGAN SO IT IS NO WONDER WHEN YOU HAVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SIMULTANEOUSLY INCREASING DEMAND BY PUMPING THIS MONEY INTO THE ECONOMY AND RESTRICTING THE SUPPLY OF AVAILABLE WORKERS TO MEET THAT DEMAND BY OFFERING THESE SUPER SIZED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS IT IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE TO SEE HOW THAT IS WEIGHING ON CRISIS.

AND THAT COULD CONTINUE BEYOND JUST THE SHORT-TERM IF WE SEE THE POLICIES GO BEYOND THE PANDEMIC.

AND WE'RE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT $3-6 TRILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

EMPLOYERS ARE HAVING TO COMPETE TO GET THE WORKERS THEY DON'T NEED A JOBS PACKAGE CREATING MILLIONS MORE JOBS WHEN WE HAVE A RECORD-HIGH NUMBER OF JOBS OUT THERE.

>> AND THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY PEOPLE CANNOT FIND WORKERS.

IT'S A WEIRD SITUATION WHERE THERE ARE PRESSURES AND MANY, MANY JOBS OPEN THAT ARE NOT BEING FILLED.

WHAT IS GOING TO CHANGE THAT SITUATION?

>> WELL, WHAT IS GOING TO CHANGE IT IS BASIC ECONOMIC SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

WAGES ARE MUCH TOO LOW.

EMPLOYERS HAVE BEEN USED TO GETTING EMPLOYEES AT ROCK BOTTOM PRICES AND NOT PAYING BENEFITS AND HAVING IRREGULAR SCHEDULES.

AND FORTUNATELY IT'S BEING SHIFTED AT LEAST IN PART TO THE LABOR SUPPLY SIDE TO WORKERS AND THEY HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE BARGAINING POWER NOW.

AND WHAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO HAPPEN IS THAT EMPLOYERS WILL HAVE TO START PAYING FAIR WAGES AND TREATING EMPLOYEES LIKE HUMAN BEINGS WHICH THEY HAVE NOT DONE ESPECIALLY IN LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY FOR A LONGTIME.

I THINK THIS LABOR SHORTAGE IS A GOOD THING.

>> SO, ED, YOU ARE SAYING THE WAGES ARE THE PROBLEM.

RACHEL YOU ARE SAYING THE EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, LUIGI ZINGALES, WHERE DO YOU FALL ON THIS?

WHY ARE IS THERE SUCH A LABOR SHORTAGE?

IS IT ALL THE ABOVE?

>> I THINK IT'S ALL THE ABOVE.

THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ALLOW PEOPLE TO LOOK HARDER FOR THE BEST JOB THEY TAKE LONGER TO GO BACK TO THE WORKFORCE.

IT'S ALSO TRUE THERE IS A LOT OF DISRUPTION BECAUSE A LOT OF SCHOOLS ARE NOT IN FULL SWING.

SO CHILDCARE IS A HUGE ISSUE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CANNOT PROVIDE THAT FULL AMOUNT OF LABOR THEY WANT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO STAY HOME WITH THE KIDS.

AND I THINK THAT WHAT THAT IS SAYING IT IS TRUE THIS HELPS RAISING WAGES BUT IF THE WAGE LAST STAND INFLATION AT THE END OF THE DAY, WORKERS ARE NOT BETTER OFF.

IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS WE'VE SEEN HIGH INCREASE IN PRICES AND NOT PEOPLE INCREASING WAGES.

>> THAT IS THE POINT.

WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO SEE RISING WAGES ESPECIALLY AT THE LOWER END FOR THE INDIVIDUALS TO HAVE THAT UPWARD MOBILITY AND A CHANCE TO CLIMB THAT LADDER OF OPPORTUNITY BUT YOU HAVE TO SEE THE OTHER SIDE AND THE REALITY IS THAT HIGHER WAGES LEADS TO HIGHER PRICES LIKE THE COST OF CHILDCARE.

THAT IS WEIGHING ON THE RECOVERY, HIGHER WAGES FOR CHILDCARE WORKERS HIGHER COSTS FOR CHILDCARE FOR FAMILIES AND I DID AN ESTIMATE OF THE $15 MINIMUM WAGE AND THAT INCREASE IN CHILDCARE COSTS BY 21%.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT $3,000 MORE FOR AN AVERAGE FAMILY WITH TWO KIDS.

THERE ARE BOTH SIDES OF THE EQUATION GOING FORWARD.

>> AND RACHEL GRESZLER YOU ELUDED TO THIS IN THE LAST YEAR ABOUT $5 TRILLION IN GOVERNMENT STIMULUS SPENDING TO KIND OF PROP THE ECONOMY UP.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT STARTS TO PETER OUT AND THE ECONOMY HAS TO SURGE FORWARD ON ITS OWN?

>> RIGHT.

SO TALKING ABOUT OVER $40,000 PER HOUSEHOLD THAT HAS BEEN SPENT OVER THIS PAST YEAR BUT THAT IS ALL DEFICIT FINANCE SPENDING THAT HAS TO COME OUT OF SOMEWHERE IN THE FUTURE.

WHILE NOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS HELPING TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY IT WILL HAVE TO PAIR THAT BACK GOING FORWARD AND WE HAVE THE FACTOR OF HIGHER INFLATION THAT COULD LEAD TO HIGHER INTEREST RATES AND THEN THE FEDERAL RESERVE INCREASING INTEREST RATES, BRINGING THE HIGHER COST ON THE DEFICIT AND YOU GET A DOWNWARD SPIRAL THERE ARE RISKS OUT THERE.

>> LUIGI ZINGALES YOU ARE AFRAID THAT THE FED IS JUST NOT GOING TO ACT.

AT WHAT POINT DO YOU THINK THE FED HAS TO START THINKING ABOUT ACTING?

>> SO I THINK THAT THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WILL BE CRUCIAL BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF TRUTH IN WHAT ED SAID THAT THERE ARE TEMPORARY ELEMENTS IN THIS RISE.

BUT IF WE SEE THAT THIS IS CONTINUING FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS LONGER, AND IF WE SEE THIS IS EMBEDDED IN THE EXPECTATION OF ECONOMIC OPERATORS, I THINK THAT THE FEDS SHOULD INTERVENE.

MY FEAR IS I DON'T SEE THE FED SO ATTENTIVE OF THIS THEY SEEM TO BE RELAXED.

THEY MOVED TO A TARGET OF 2% OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND BECAUSE WE UNDERSHOT INFLATION FOR A WHILE THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM TO OVERSHOOT INFLATION FOR A WHILE.

I SEE A DEMAND FOR INFLATION BECAUSE IT WOULD REDUCE THE DEBT OF STUDENTS AND REDUCE THE GOVERNMENT DEBT IN REAL TERMS.

I SEE A LOT OF PRESSURE FOR INFLATION TO GO AROUND TO BE CONTAINED.

>> SOME OF THE UPSIDES OF THE CURRENT INFLATION SITUATION.

THANK YOU TO EDWARD STUART, LUIGI ZINGALES AND RACHEL GRESZLER THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> AND UP NEXT WHAT IS BEHIND THE UNPRECEDENTED PROTESTS IN CUBA?

FIRST WE LOOK AT THE WEATHER...

THE ISLAND NATION OF CUBA HAS SEEN UNPRECEDENTED DEMONSTRATIONS AMID THE COUNTRY'S WORST ECONOMIC CRISIS IN DECADES AND NEARLY 60 YEARS INTO THE UNITED STATES' EMBARGO ON THE NATION.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAYS HE SUPPORTS CUBAN CITIZENS IN THE WAKE OF ANTIGOVERNMENT PROTESTS ACROSS THE ISLAND.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THOSE PROTESTS AND THE STATE OF U.S. CUBA RELATIONS ARE MARIA DE LOS ANGELES TORRES, A PROFESSORS OF LATIN-AMERICAN LATINO STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO AND A NATIVE OF CUBA.

ERIC TORRES, OF THE CHICAGO COALITION AND SOLIDARITY WITH LATIN AMERICA IS CUBAN DESCENT.

AND ALBERTO COLL HAS A BACKGROUND IN U.S. FOREIGN POLICY AND U.S. RELATIONS AND PROFESSOR COLL IS.

>> [INAUDIBLE] >> WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE PROTESTS WE HAVE BEEN SEEING IN CUBA WHICH ARE EXTREMELY RARE?

>> I THINK WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS A COMBINATION OF THE THINGS.

NUMBER ONE THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT IS IN BAD SHAPE BECAUSE OF COVID, BECAUSE OF THE DETERIORATION IN THE ECONOMY.

SOME OF WHICH HAS TO DO WITH THE TRUMP SANCTIONS BUT A LOT HAS TO DO WITH ITS OWN ECONOMIC MISMANAGEMENT AND INCOMPETENCE AND THIRDLY THERE IS A NEW GENERATION IN CUBA TODAY PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 40 WHO WANT TO CHANGE THINGS.

THEY DON'T LIKE THE FACT THAT IN CUBA THERE'S ONE POLITICAL PARTY.

THEY DON'T LIKE THE FACT THAT POLITICAL ACTIVITY AND DISSENT ARE RESTRAINED.

AND THEY HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE GRADUAL SPREAD OF SOCIAL MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES TO BEGIN EXPRESSING THEIR DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY.

YOU HAVE SEEN ALL THIS COME TOGETHER AND SPONTANEOUS OUTBURSTS OF PROTESTS.

ONE OF THE SAD THINGS ABOUT CUBA TODAY BY THE WAY, IS THAT A LARGE MAJORITY OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION, PEOPLE UNDER 35, WANT TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY.

AND THAT INCLUDES PEOPLE WHO ARE CHILDREN OF HIGH PARTY OFFICIALS, SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND THEY WANT TO LEAVE CUBA BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEE HOPE FOR THEMSELVES IN THE ISLAND.

>> AND MARIA, BRIEFLY, WE'VE HEARD A BIT OF THIS FROM ALBERTO.

WHAT HAS LED US UP TO THE POINT OF THESE PROTESTS?

>> I THINK THAT I AGREE WITH ALBERTO.

I THINK THERE ARE MULTIPLE FACTORS GOING ON.

I WOULD SAY IT IS NOT JUST AN ECONOMIC CRISIS IT IS A POLITICAL CRISIS AS WELL.

AND THAT POLITICAL CRISIS WE CAN DATE IT BACK AT THE BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTION, THE PROMISE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DEMOCRACY.

THE SOCIAL JUSTICE WAS DELIVERED IN SOME WAYS BUT THE DEMOCRACY WAS NOT.

AND SO THIS HAS BEEN A CUMULATION, I THINK OF A POLITICAL CRISIS.

BUT MOST IMMEDIATELY THIS THE COMMUNIST PARTY HELD ITS CONGRESS.

AND AT THAT CONGRESS, VERY LITTLE WAS CHANGED.

AND I THINK THAT THE LAST LITTLE HOPE THAT MANY OF THE ECONOMISTS THAT WERE IN CONTACT WITH THAT WE HAVE EXCHANGES ACADEMIC EXCHANGES HAD ASKED FOR SIMPLE THINGS LIKE PROFESSIONAL LICENSES FOR ARCHITECTS.

AND SO THAT THE COMMUNIST PARTY DECIDED NOT TO DO THAT.

ON THE OTHER HAND THEY ARE ALLOWING FOREIGN INVESTORS TO COME IN.

THERE IS AN ELITE THAT MAKES A LOT OF MONEY AND THERE IS A LOT OF CORRUPTION IN CUBA BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, THE CONSTITUTION THAT WAS RATIFIED SOMETIME AGO MAKES IT ILLEGAL FOR CUBANS ON THE ISLAND TO INVEST.

>> ERIC, I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE PANDEMIC AS WELL.

ERIC TORRES HOW HAS THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IMPACTED THE SITUATION IN CUBA?

>> WELL, IT HAS HAD A STRONG IMPACT IN THE SENSE THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SYRINGES TO PROPERLY INOCULATE THEIR PEOPLE AGAINST COVID.

THEY HAVE THEIR OWN VACCINE THAT THEY'VE CREATED THEY HAVE SIX TYPES THEY HAVE CREATED ONE HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE WORLD BODIES IN CHARGE OF APPROVING THOSE THINGS.

PROBLEM IS THEY HAVE A SEVERE SHORTAGE OF SYRINGES AND THERE'S QUITE A FEW PEOPLE THAT NEED TO BE VACCINATED.

THEY HAVE HAD 7,000 NEW CASES OF COVID IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THEY ARE BEING UNDER THIS BLOCK AID FROM THE UNITED STATES THAT IS KEEPING THEM FROM GETTING PROPER MATERIALS FOR MAKING THE MEDICINES AND THE SYRINGES.

AND FOOD AND OTHER I AM IMPORTANT SUPPLIES.

FUEL FOR CREATING ELECTRICITY.

IT'S VITAL THAT YOU HAVE ELECTRICITY TO BE ABLE TO ADMINISTER YOUR SERVICES.

AND PEOPLE ARE UNDERSTANDABLY UPSET BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THOSE THINGS.

>> AND CUBAN PRESIDENT BLAMES THE U.S. EMBARGO FOR THE ECONOMIC SITUATION AND THE SHORTAGES.

MARIA IS THIS A KEY CONCERN FOR CUBANS RIGHT NOW?

>> I [INAUDIBLE] AND PEOPLE SAYING THEY WANT AN END TO THE EMBARGO.

THE EMBARGO IS THERE AND THERE'S IMPACTS BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE MISREADING THE SITUATION IN CUBA TO THINK THAT THAT IS THE PROBLEM AND THAT THAT THE WAY THAT PEOPLE ON THE STREETS ARE ARTICULATING IT.

THEY ARE ARTICULATING IT IS A POLITICAL DOMESTIC PROBLEM AND THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT DOES HAVE OPTIONS.

THERE ARE EVEN WITH THE EMBARGO THERE ARE OPTIONS.

YOU CAN ENGINE G ON A LISTENING TOUR OR ON A SHOOTING TOUR WHEN YOU HAVE PROTESTORS.

THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT VIOLENCE.

THE ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS THAT I THINK IT WOULD BE WRONG HEADED TO ENCOURAGE A MILITARY INTERVENTION ON THE PART OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND THERE IS A PLURALITY OF VOICES IN MIAMI SOME ARE ASKING FOR THAT, INCLUDING MARCO RUBIO BUT MANY, MANY MORE ARE NOT ASKING FOR THAT.

I THINK THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION NEEDS TO PUT ON GENTLY PUT ON A HUMANITARIAN HAT AND NEEDS TO DEAL WITH SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN THE UNITED STATES WHO WANT TO HELP THEIR FAMILIES.

THERE ARE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN ALSO BE SUPPORTED.

>> AND SO PRESIDENT BIDEN RELEASED A STATEMENT YESTERDAY EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR CUBAN CITIZENS.

HERE IS A BIT OF WHAT HE SAID... >> THE UNITED STATES STANDS FIRMLY WITH THE PEOPLE OF CUBA.

AS THEY ASSERT THEIR UNIVERSAL RIGHTS AND WE CALL ON THE GOVERNMENT OF CUBA TO REFRAIN FROM VIOLENCE AND ATTEMPTS TO SILENCE THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE OF CUBA.

>> ERIC YOU WERE PART OF A PRESS CONFERENCE CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT TO LIFT THE EMBARGO ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE U.S.

RESPONSE SO FAR?

>> NO.

NOT AT ALL SATISFIED WITH IT.

I THINK THAT ONE THING WE'RE NOT SPEAKING TO AT THIS POINT IS THE OTHER VOICES THE VOICES OF ALL THE CUBANS WHO DO SUPPORT THE REVOLUTION WHICH THERE ARE MANY.

EVERY TIME I'VE GONE TO CUBA MULTIPLE TIMES, THERE ARE JUST AS MANY VOICES IF NOT MORE IN FAVOR OF THEIR REVOLUTION THAT ARE AGAINST IT AND THE MEDIA TENDS TO FOCUS ON THE LOUD VOICES THAT ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO SUPPORT THE AGENDA OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WHICH IS BASICALLY OVERTHROW THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT AND NOT ALLOW THEM TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS.

I AM COMPLETELY AGAINST IT.

I THINK THAT BIDEN IS BASICALLY JUST PUTTING ON THE SUIT THAT TRUMP MADE.

TRUMP INSTALLED A LOT MORE RESTRICTIONS SANCTIONS AGAINST CUBA.

AND INSTEAD OF GOING BACK TO THE WAY THAT OBAMA WAS OPENING RELATIONS, RELAXING AND TRYING TO RESPECT MORE OF A PROPER RELATIONSHIP WITH CUBA, NO, BIDEN IS JUST ENACTING WHAT TRUMP PUT INTO PLACE.

NO, THAT NOT GOING TO BE HELPFUL.

>> I WILL GIVE ALBERTO COLL THE LAST WORD.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PROTESTS MEAN FOR THE FUTURE OF CUBA?

>> THE PROTESTS MEAN THERE IS A WHOLE NEW GENERATION IN CUBA MOST OF WHICH MOST OF WHOM, BY THE WAY, WANT CHANGE ON THE ISLAND.

AND THEY WANT PEACEFUL.

>> I DISAGREE.

>> I AGREE.

>> AND.

>> NOT THE CHANGE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>> THEY WANT THE SYSTEM IN WHICH PEOPLE CAN DISAGREE PEACEFULLY WITHOUT BEING ARRESTED FOR HAVING A PLACARD OPPOSING THE GOVERNMENT AND THEY WANT A SYSTEM WHICH THEY CAN PRESERVE A SOCIAL SAFETY NET AND HAVE ECONOMIC FREEDOM TO PURSUE THEIR OWN DREAMS.

AND THAT IS THE ROOT OF WHY SUCH A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF YOUNG CUBANS WANT TO LEAVE INCLUDING, I KNOW -- THE COMMUNIST SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE LIVING IN EUROPE, IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.

>> SORRY TO INTERRUPT WE ARE OUT OF TIME AND THIS IS SOMETHING PERSONAL TO ALL OF YOU.

SOMETHING YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT.

AND SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

THANKS TO THE THREE OF YOU ERIC TORRES, ALBERTO COLL AND MARIA DE LOS ANGELES TORRES FOR JOINING US.

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

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

>> JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M.

STIGMA SURROUNDING MENTAL HEALTH IN LATINO COMMUNITIES HOW SOME ARE BREAKING CULTURAL BARRIERS.

>> AND THEATRE CRITIC HEDY WEISS IS BACK WITH A LOOK AT OUTDOOR DANCE AND MUSIC OFFERINGS.

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

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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