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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THE DEFILE OF FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IS MOST UNAMERICAN THING.

>> WE TALK TO LEGAL PROFESSIONALS ABOUT THE NATIONWIDE DEBATE.

>> DECAY, CRISIS, AND MASSIVE FUNDING AND RINSE AND REPEAT.

>> INFRASTRUCTURE IS FRONT AND CENTER AS THE ILLINOIS' GOVERNOR HAS AN AUDIENCE WITH THE PRESIDENT.

>> THIS IS A DRAFT BILL.

WE INTEND TO SHOW IT TO ALL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS.

>> OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON SENATE LEADER CHUCK SHUMER'S PUSH FOR THE FEDERAL LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS.

>> A POLICE RECORD IS NOT SOMETHING SOMEONE SHOULD WALKOUT OF HIGH SCHOOL WITH.

>> AS SCHOOLS DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO KEEP POLICE OFFICERS ON CAMPUS, A LOOK AT AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH.

>> THERE WAS A STIGMA IT WAS CONSIDERED A SERVICE ONLY NEEDED IF YOU WERE HAVING A MENTAL BREAKDOWN.

>> STIGMAS SURROUNDING MENTAL HEALTH IN LATINO COMMUNITIES HOW SOME ARE BREAKING BARRIERS.

THE NEWEST FACE ON THE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" TEAM, JOANNA HERNANDEZ HAS THAT STORY.

>> AND FROM GLORIOUS GRANT PARK TO RAVINA, MUSIC AND DANCE ARE BACK IN A BIG WAY AND HEDY WEISS IS RETURNING, TOO, TO TALK ABOUT RECENT SHOWS.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> A FORMER CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS PRINCIPAL IS CHARGED IN ANNALLED SCHEME TO COLLECT FRAUDULENT OVER TIME PAY.

SARAH JACKSON ABEDELAL A FORMER PRINCIPAL OF BRENNAN SCHOOL TOLD EMPLOYEES SHE WOULD PAY THEM FOR OVERTIME HOURS THEY DID NOT WORK AND GIVE HER THE PAY FOR SCHOOL EXPENSES AND POCKETED THE MONEY.

SHE IS CHARGED WITH 10 COUNTS OF WIRE FRAUD AND ACCUSED OF COLLECTING $200,000.

>> A GROUP OF CHICAGO RESIDENTS WANTS TO TAKEOVER THE HYPER POLITICAL PROCESS OF REDRAWING THE CITY'S WARD MAPS.

A 13-MEMBER GROUP BILLED AS THE CHICAGO WARD ADVISORY REDISTRICTING COMMISSION PUT OUT A CALL FOR RESIDENTS TO WEIGH-IN HOW THEY BELIEVE THE WARD MAPS SHOULD BE REDRAWN.

THE COMMISSION WILL HOLD HEARINGS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS WITH THE GOAL OF SUBMITTING TO THE COUNCIL THAT 10 ALDERMEN CAN APPROVE.

IF THAT HAPPENS THE GROUP SAYS THE MAP WOULD THEN GO TO A VOTER REFERENDUM.

>> WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE COLLECTING THE COMMUNITY DATA UNTIL THE CENSUS DATA IS RELEASED.

BASED ON THE TESTIMONY, THE ORAL, WRITTEN AND THE SUBMITTED MAPS WE WILL BE DRAFTING A WARD MAP AND PRESENT THE DRAFTS TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR FEEDBACK AND ADJUST THEM BASED UPON THE FEEDBACK.

>> AND NEW MURAL PAYS TRIBUTE TO A CHICAGOAN KILLED BY GUN VIOLENCE.

THE ANTIGUN VIOLENCE MURAL WAS UNVEILED IN HUMBOLDT PARK.

HE WAS 19 AND AN ASPIRING PITCHER WHEN KILLED.

THE MURAL WAS ADVOCATED FOR BY HIS PARENTS THAT WANT TO SHINE A LIGHT ON PROBLEM OF GUN VIOLENCE IN THE HUMBOLDT PARK COMMUNITY.

>> DUE TO A SENSELESS ACT OF GUN VIOLENCE THEIR DREAMS WERE TAKEN AWAY.

BUT HE MADE AN IMPACT IN HIS COMMUNITY.

>> AND NOW, BRANDIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ILLINOIS GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER WAS AMONG A HANDFUL OF GOVERNORS AND MAYORS WHO SCORED AN INVITATION TO THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY HIS VISIT COMES AS THE PRIMARY FOR THE 2022 GOVERNOR'S RACE IS LESS THAN A YEAR AWAY.

IT ALSO COMES AS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS AIMING TO SHORE UP SUPPORT FOR A PAIR OF BIG SPENDING PACKAGES.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

>> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HAS NOT ANNOUNCED THAT HE IS RUNNING FOR A SECOND TERM YET BUT YOU CAN BET HE WOULD NOT MIND ONE BIT THAT FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN PASSING BEING AS IT WOULD MEAN A LOT OF PROJECTS COMING TO ILLINOIS.

OF COURSE, GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER ALREADY HAS A LOT OF RIBBON CUTTING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE STATE BECAUSE OF IN 2019, A BIPARTISAN DEAL THAT HE SIGNED INTO LAW THAT CREATED REBUILD ILLINOIS, A LONG AWAITED $45 BILLION INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE.

NOW, PROJECTS FOR THAT ARE ONGOING CONSTRUCTION ANYWAY THAT IS AS YOU MAY WELL KNOW IF YOU HIT THE ROAD.

CLARK KAERICHER IS THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS FOR THE ILLINOIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND USED TO WORK FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HE SAYS THAT THE STATE IS IN A GREAT POSITION IF CONGRESS GETS ITS ACT TOGETHER AND PASS A FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE BECAUSE ILLINOIS ESSENTIALLY ALREADY HAS THE CASH ON HAND READY AND WAITING FOR A CHANGE FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE.

AND THAT MONEY COULD BE USED BECAUSE OF REBUILD ILLINOIS TO GET FEDERAL MATCHING DOLLARS TO HELP PAY FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS IN THE STATE.

YOU CAN THINK OF IT LIKE HAVING A BOGO COUPON SHOPPING FOR SOMETHING REALLY PRICEY.

>> INFRASTRUCTURE IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ILLINOIS CAN BRAG ABOUT VERSUS OUR SISTER STATES.

IT'S UP TO US TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

>> MIND YOU, THERE IS THIS ISSUE OF HOW TO PAY FOR ALL OF THAT BUILDING AT BOTH THE FEDERAL AND THE STATE LEVEL.

ILLINOIS IS PAYING FOR REBUILD ILLINOIS THROUGH INCREASES ON THOSE LICENSE PLATE STICKERS AND THROUGH GASOLINE TAXES.

THE STATE TAX ON A GALLON OF GAS TICKED UP AT THE START OF THE MONTH.

HOWEVER, THAT IS MORE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING ELECTRIC VEHICLES AS IN THOSE THAT DON'T USE GAS, THAT MEANS THAT A GAS TAX IS NOT THE RELIABLE FUNDING STREAM THAT IT ONCE WAS.

>> THE POLICYMAKERS IN WASHINGTON D.C. AND HERE IN SPRINGFIELD AND CHICAGO, IT'S GOING TO BE HOW DO WE PAY FOR THE NEXT CAPITAL PROJECT?

AND NOBODY HAS A GREAT ANSWER BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF ANSWERS.

IF WE DON'T GET TO THE CRISIS LEVEL NOW WE THINK THE TIME IS TO BEGIN DISCUSSION WHETHER THAT IS TOLLING ON URBAN INTERSTATES, CERTAIN LANES TO PAY FOR UPGRADES THAT WAY.

WHETHER THAT IS A VEHICLE MILEAGE TAX.

OR IS THAT A WAY FOR MAKING SURE THAT ELECTRIC VEHICLES PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.

>> NOW, IN WASHINGTON, THERE IS A BIPARTISAN DEAL ON A TRADITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN AND TODAY DURING THAT MEETING WITH GOVERNORS INCLUDING PRITZKER, PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID THAT IT IS IN GOOD SHAPE.

EVEN IF THAT QUESTION ISN'T FULL -- THE QUESTION HOW TO PAY FOR IT IS NOT FULLY ANSWERED YET.

>> GOING TO GET DOWN TO WHAT THE CONGRESS WANTS TO DO.

I HAVE LAID OUT HOW I THINK WE PAY FOR T AND WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT AND MAYBE SLIGHT CHANGES I'M NOT SURE WHAT MAY HAPPEN.

HOW IT'S GOING TO BE PAID FOR.

>> PRITZKER CALLED THAT MEETING PRODUCTIVE AND SAYS HE SHARED WITH THE PRESIDENT HOW ILLINOIS PASSED THAT REBUILD PLAN THAT HE NOTED LED ILLINOIS INTO GETTING TOP RATINGS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING FROM A RANKING FROM CNBC.

GIVEN THAT ILLINOIS HAS THAT $45 BILLION DEDICATED TOWARD CAPITAL PROJECTS I ASKED STEVE DONAHUE WHY A FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM IS NEEDED HE IS WITH THE ENGINEERING FIRM AND CHAIRS THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES OF ILLINOIS.

HE SAYS ILLINOIS' INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM WAS MOSTLY ABOUT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS.

>> YOU KNOW, RECEIVING FEDERAL FUNDS WOULD ALLOW US TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON MODERNIZATION AND EXPANSION OF FACILITIES SUCH AS THE 290 CORRIDOR, THE STEVENSON AND DOWN STATE, I255, AND 270 AND U.S. 67.

WE COULD TRANSITION FROM ILLINOIS FROM A REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE MODE INTO A MODERNIZATION MODE.

>> HE SAYS THAT THINGS HAVE GOTTEN BAD PRIOR TO THIS CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN, ESTIMATES WERE THAT HALF OF ILLINOIS BRIDGES WERE DETERIORATING.

>> IF IT DOESN'T HAPPEN NOW, I THINK IT'S A MATTER OF KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD A LITTLE BIT.

WE CAN MAYBE DELAY IT BUT THE NEED IS GOING TO BE THERE AND IT WILL HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH EVENTUALLY.

AND THE LONGER WE DELAY INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE THE MORE IT'S GOING TO COST DOWN THE ROAD.

>> MEMBERS OF ILLINOIS' CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION INVITED THEM TO SEE THIS FOR HIMSELF SAYING ILLINOIS HAS BEEN A LEADER IN TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT BUT ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND COORDINATION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL IS DESPERATELY NEEDED.

NOW HE HAS ACCEPTED THE U.S. TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS PETE BUTTIGIEG IS VISITING THE CHICAGO AREA ON FRIDAY.

WHERE HE IS GOING IS NOT YET PUBLIC.

BUT THE INVITATION SUGGESTS THAT BUTTIGIEG VISIT PROJECTS INCLUDING RECENT INNOVATIONS AT MIDWAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, THE I80 BRIDGE, CHICAGO'S UNION STATION AND THE CTA'S RED AND PURPLE MODERNIZATION PROGRAM.

AS FOR WHAT THE GOVERNOR AND THE PRESIDENT TALKED ABOUT TODAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE, IT WASN'T ALL INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAYS THAT PRITZKER WENT TO WASHINGTON D.C. WITH PLANS TO TALK WITH BIDEN ABOUT ILLINOIS' DEPLETING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUNDS AND COMBATING THE ISSUE COMBATING GUN VIOLENCE.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO MET WITH THE WHITE HOUSE'S COORDINATOR FOR THE COVID-19 RESPONSE.

BRANDIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS FOR A LOOK AT THE BRATTLE OVER VOTING RIGHTS.

>> EARLIER THIS WEEK, TEXAS DEMOCRATS FLED THAT STATE TO BLOCK REPUBLICAN EFFORTS TO CHANGE ELECTION LAWS AS REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS IN NUMEROUS STATES PUSHED FORWARD LEGISLATION TO TIGHT ESPECIALLY BALLOT RESTRICTIONS.

ILLINOIS HAS EXPANDED VOTER REGISTRATION AND ABSENTEE VOTING.

JOINING US ARE ZACK SMITH A LEGAL FELLOW WITH THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION AND ANEEL CHABALANI CHIEF COUNSEL WITH THE CHICAGO COUNCIL OF LAWYERS RIGHTS.

WELCOME BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

>> I WILL START WITH YOU, ANEEL CHABALANI WHAT IS CONCERNING TO YOU ABOUT THE BILL IN TEXAS AND OTHER BILLS CONSIDERED OR PASSED ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

>> THANK YOU.

WE ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE TEXAS BILL AND TEXAS IS NOT ALONE IN THESE EFFORTS TO RESTRICT VOTING RIGHTS.

JUST IN 2021, THERE HAVE BEEN 33 NEW LAWS THAT HAVE BEEN PASSED RESTRICTING VOTING RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO THE BALLOT FROM ALL THINGS INCLUDING LIMITING EARLY VOTING HOURS, ELIMINATING MAIL-IN VOTING OPTIONS, REMOVING DROP BOXES EFFORTS THAT ARE PUTTING YOUR BURDENS FOR ACCESS TO BALLOT AFFECTS GROUPS AND WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT TREND AND CONCERNED AT A TIME WHERE WE SHOULD BE PROMOTING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND THE BROADEST ACCESS OF THE EXERCISE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO VOTE WE'RE SEEING STATES HEADING THE OTHER DIRECTION.

>> ZACK SMITH REPUBLICANS PREDICATE THE LAWS ON THE NEED TO ROOT OUT VOTER FRAUD DESPITE NO EVIDENCE THERE WAS WIDE SPREAD FRAUD IN THE 2020.

WHY ARE THESE LAWS NECESSARY, DO YOU BELIEVE?

>> WELL, LOOK, I THINK ANY VOTER FRAUD IS TOO MUCH.

THE GOAL OF THE LAWS AND ANY REFORM MEASURES TO MAKE SURE AS MANY PEOPLE CAN VOTE AS POSSIBLE WHILE MAKING SURE THAT EVERY LEGALLY CAST BALLOT IS COUNTED AND NO ILLEGALLY CAST BALLOT IS COUNTED.

THE FACT IS VOTER FRAUD IS DIFFICULT TO DETECT AND MORE DIFFICULT TO PROSECUTE.

THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION.

>> THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAVING DEDICATED VOTER INTEGRITY UNITS TO ROOT OUT THAT THING.

BUT CONTINUE.

>> WELL, LOOK, AT THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION WE MAINTAIN A VOTER FRAUD DATABASE IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE COMPREHENSIVE IT CONTAINS INSTANCES OF VOTER FRAUD SUCH AS WHERE A PROSECUTION HAS BEEN BROUGHT BUT THE FACT IS FRAUD CUSTOMERS.

AND LOOK MANY OF THESE THINGS BEING CALLED RESTRICTIONS ARE COMMON SENSE MEASURES TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE BALLOT LIKE REQUIRING PHOTO ID AND PROHIBITING VOTE HARVESTING WHERE THIRD PARTIES GATHER HUNDREDS OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

AGAIN, THESE ARE COMMON SENSE MEASURES DESIGNED TO SECURE THE SAFETY AND INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTORAL SYSTEMS.

>> AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THERE ARE TWO BILLS THAT PASSED THE U.S. HOUSE.

FOR THE PEOPLE ACT, THE JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ACT THAT WOULD GO THE OTHER DIRECTION AND COMBAT THE LAWS IN THE STATES.

DICK DURBIN WAS ON THE SHOW LAST NIGHT AND SAY THEY ARE ALL BUT DEAD IN THE SENATE.

>> SENATOR DURBIN, TWO BILLS VOTING RIGHTS BILLS IN THE SENATE THAT WOULD COUNTER WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAYS 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 THAT THEY CAN ENGINEER VICTORIES IN THE FUTURE IS BY DISTRICTS DRAWN CAREFULLY AND SECONDLY BY SUPPRESSING THE VOTE OF THOSE WHO WILL VOTE AGAINST THEM.

>> ANEEL CHABALANI PRESIDENT BIDEN GAVE A SPEECH DEMOCRATS TRIED TO PRESSURE SOME SENATORS THAT THEY WILL SUPPORT A FILIBUSTER TO DO AWAY WITH IT.

BUT THAT IS NOT GOING TO -- GIVEN WHAT DICK DURBIN SAID THAT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> I THINK IT'S CRITICAL TO CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR THESE FEDERAL BILLS FOR THE PEOPLE ACT AND THE JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ACT IN ATTEMPTS TO RESTORE SOME OF THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

THESE NATIONAL MEASURES ARE CRITICAL AS WE'RE SEEING STATES PUT IN THE RESTRICTIVE MEASURES.

AND THESE MEASURES ARE REALLY TARGETED AT VOTERS OF COLOR AND IMPACTING THE VOTERS OF COLOR.

WE ABSOLUTELY NEED FEDERAL PROTECTIONS BOTH WITH THE LEGISLATION AND WITH BEING ABLE TO USE THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT TO CHALLENGE THESE MEASURES.

BUT WHILE AT THE SAME TIME WE PUSH FOR THOSE, IT IS CRITICAL WORK TO BE DONE AT THE COMMUNITY AND GRASSROOTS LEVEL.

THERE IS NOTHING THAT STANDS IN THE WAY OF WORKING TO INSURE BROAD REGISTRATION ACCESS AND BROAD VOTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOTERS IN EVERY STATE.

AND THERE IS A LOT THAT CAN BE DONE AT LOCAL AND STATE LEVEL.

SO THERE NEEDS TO BE MOVEMENT ON ALL FRONTS.

>> ZACK SMITH, I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE LOCAL AND STATE LEVEL.

SOME OF THE CONTROVERSIAL PARTS OF SOME OF THE STATE-WIDE PROPOSALS.

GIVING PARTISAN LEGISLATURES THE ABILITY TO TAKEOVER THE ELECTION AND REMOVE MEMBERS OF ELECTION BOARDS SHOULD THAT BE CONCERNING TO ARE HAVERS?

>> LOOK, THE CONSTITUTION ENVISIONS AND EMPOWERS STATE LEGISLATURES TO SET ELECTION RULES AND PROCEDURES.

AND WHAT HR1 AND 4 REPORT TO DO IS REMOVE THAT AUTHORITY FROM STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS WHERE IT'S ALWAYS RESIDED AND FEDERALIZE IT AND SEND IT TO WASHINGTON D.C.

THIS WOULD BE A FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT IN THE WAY ELECTIONS IN OUR COUNTRY ARE RUN.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT EVEN RECENT SUPREME COURT CASES LIKE THE ONE OUT OF ARIZONA, WHERE TWO OF ARIZONA'S VOTING LAWS WERE CHALLENGED ONE LAW WHICH REQUIRED VOTERS TO VOTE IN THEIR PRECINCT ON ELECTION DAY AND ANOTHER WHICH PROHIBITED BALLOT HARVESTING THE SUPREME COURT SAID THERE IS NOTHING DISCRIMINATORY THERE IT DOESN'T VIOLATE THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND THOSE LAWS ARE PERMISSIBLE THAT SHOULD BE ENCOURAGING FOR STATE LEGISLATURES AROUND THE COUNTRY AS THEY CONFRONT PROBLEMS WITH THE VOTING SYSTEMS IN THEIR STATE AND ENACT COMMON SENSE MEASURES LIKE PHOTO ID, PROHIBITING BALLOT HARVESTING AND OTHER MEASURES TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SAFE, SECURE, FREE, FAIR ELECTIONS.

>> AND AGAIN, THEY HAVE BEEN SAFE, SECURE, FREE, AND FAIR ELECTIONS THE LAST ELECTION WAS BY THE FORMER ADMINISTRATION MEMBERS IT WAS.

ANEEL CHABALANI WHAT ABOUT IN ILLINOIS SOME OF THE EFFORTS HERE TO EXPAND ACCESS WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THOSE?

>> ILLINOIS HAS MADE SOME VERY STRONG EFFORTS TO EXPAND ACCESS INCLUDING PASSAGE OF AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION WHICH WE HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN WORKING WITH GROUPS TO SECURE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT.

WE'VE SEEN POSITIVE THINGS HERE AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT.

>> WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

ZACK SMITH, YOUR TAKE ON SOME OF THE EFFORTS IN ILLINOIS QUICKLY?

>> LOOK, AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION, PERMANENT ABSENTEE ROLLS, MAKE ELECTIONS LESS SECURE IF ILLINOIS WANTS TO GET SECURE ABOUT EXPANDING ACCESS AND MAINTAINING INTEGRITY OF THE PROCESS THEY SHOULD HAVE THE VOTER ID REQUIREMENT AND EMPOWER THE STATE TO CHECK THEIR DATABASE AGAINST DIFFERENT FEDERAL AND STATE DATA BASES AS WELL.

AND IF THEY DO THOSE MEASURES, THEY CAN PROVIDE ACCESS WHILE MAKING SURE THAT ELECTIONS ARE SAFE AND SECURE.

>> WE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS TO ZACK SMITH ZACH AND ANEEL CHABALANI.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS FOR A LOOK AT EFFORTS TO BATTLE MENTAL HEALTH STIGMAS IN LATINO COMMUNITIES.

>> AND WE KNOW BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY COVID-19 IN BOTH THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.

NOW, A LOOK AT THE STIGMA SURROUNDING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE HISPANIC LATINO COMMUNITY AND WHAT SOME ARE DOING TO BREAK THE BARRIERS BY PROVIDING SERVICES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

HERE IS THE NEW FACE ON THE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" TEAM, JOANNA HERNANDEZ WITH THE STORY.

>> GROWING UP YOU DID NOT SPEAK ABOUT HOW YOU FELT OR WHY YOU FELT AND NOW, GROWING UP I KNOW I FEEL SOMETHING BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS OR I DON'T KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN IT.

>> FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS OZZY GAMEZ AND HIS PARTNER JUAN QUEZADA HAVE BEEN RUNNING PLANT CHICAGO.

GAMEZ WAS BORN IN BELIZE AND CAME TO KHE AS A CHILD.

HE NEVER IMAGED HE WOULD FIND HIS WAY BACK TO HIS ROOTS.

>> I STARTED GOING TO GARDEN CENTERS AND VISITING THE HOUSE PLANT SECTION AND HOUSE PLANT SHOPS THAT WERE AVAILABLE THEN.

AND I SAW THAT IT HELPED ME AND IT HELPED ME CLEAR MY MIND, PAUSE, LEAVE WORK AT WORK.

COME HOME TO MY HOME.

TO MY FAMILY.

AND THAT HELPED ME A LOT.

I BASICALLY WANTED TO TAKE THAT AND BUT MY ON TWIST AND OFFER IT TO WHOEVER WANTED TO COME IN.

>> NURTURING PLANTS IS A FORM OF THERAPY THAT HE IS NOTICING WITHIN HIS CUSTOMERS, PLANTS HELPING THEM WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

>> NOW THAT THINGS ARE REOPENING BACK UP, YOU SEE THAT A NEW WAVE OF PEOPLE SAYING PLANTS GOT THEM THROUGH QUARANTINE AND GOT THEM THROUGH BEING STRUCK AT HOME OTHERWISE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE DONE.

HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND YOU HEAR STORIES AND THEY SHARE THINGS.

>> ERNESTO A LICENSED CLINICAL ERNESTO >> I THINK A LOT OF IT WAS NOT HAVING THE LANGUAGE TO EXPRESS WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

YOU KNOW, IF SOMEBODY IS DEPRESSED, MAYBE IT'S NOT SEEN AS THAT ESPECIALLY BACK THEN THERE WAS NO REAL LANGUAGE TO SAY I THINK I'M FEELING STUCK OR I'M FEELING SAD AND MY MOOD IS DOWN.

I THINK IT'S BECAUSE OF SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TO ME.

>> LAST YEAR SHE FOUNDED LATINX TALK THERAPY ON MICHIGAN AVENUE WHERE SHE OFFERS IMMIGRATION EVALUATIONS WITH A TEAM OF THERAPISTS.

THE IDEA IS TO BE ABLE TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE ABLE TO SEE THEMSELVES AND SAY, MAYBE I COULD TRY IT.

THAT PERSON LOOKS LIKE ME OR THEY CAN UNDERSTAND ME.

AND THEN PEOPLE BEING MORE OPEN TO TRYING THERAPY.

>> ABOUT 16 MILES FROM PEREZ' PRACTICE, NESTOR FLORES IS DIRECTOR OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INITIATIVES AT PILSEN WELLNESS CENTER AND ON A PATH TO HELP OTHERS IDENTIFY THE SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF MENTAL WELLNESS.

>> IN MY FAMILY THERE WAS A TRAGEDY.

WHEN I SOUGHT SERVICES FOR MYSELF AND MY SON WE WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY CULTURALLY SENSITIVE SERVICES WHERE WE FELT SUPPORTED WHERE WE FELT SEEN THAT STARTED ME ON THIS JOURNEY.

>> ONLY ONE IN FIVE LATINOS WITH SYMPTOMS OF A PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER APPROACH A DOCTOR AND ONE IN 10 LATINOS APPROACH A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

>> WHAT HAPPENS WITH LATER GENERATIONS IS THAT ALL OF THIS GETS PASSED ON THROUGH BELIEF SYSTEMS THAT SOMETIMES VERBALIZED AND SOMETIMES ARE NOT.

>> HE IS SLOWLY STARTING TO SEE CHANGES.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT NINE, 10 YEARS AGO THAT WAS THE CASE IT WAS A STIGMA AND CONSIDERED A SERVICE THAT WAS ONLY NEEDED IF YOU WERE HAVING A MENTAL BREAKDOWN.

NOWADAYS WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF INROADS WE ARE KNOWN IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEY KNOW IF SOMEONE IS STRUGGLING WITH ANY SYMPTOM OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, BEHAVIOR WITH CHILDREN THEY CAN COME TO US.

>> GAMEZ SAYS HIS JOURNEY WITH MENTAL HEALTH HAS NOT BEEN EASY BUT HE IS TAKING STEPS TO UNPACK THE DRAMATIC EXPERIENCES.

>> IT TAKES TIME TO EXPLORE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AND YOUR FEELINGS AND EXPLORE WHAT YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN ABOUT YOURSELF TO THE WORLD.

THAT GROWING UP IN A COUNTRY THAT YOU ARE NOT NATIVE TOK YOU FEEL THE EMPTY SPACES WITH WORK.

>> HE IS CREE ITS AING A SPACE FOR OTHERS TO LEARN ABOUT PLANTS WHILE DISCOVERING HIS VOICE IN A WORLD WHERE HE FELT SILENCED.

>> I AM A FATHER AND MY DAUGHTER IS FOUR AND HAVING A DAUGHTER OR JUST A CHILD HELPS WITH THAT.

BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE TEACHING THEM AND SOMETHING THEY ARE LEARNING.

>> AND PLACES ARE RECRUITING THERAPISTS FROM COUNTRIES LIKE MEXICO AND COLOMBIA TO HELP CLIENTS FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE.

>> THANK YOU.

GREAT STORY.

WELCOME TO THE TEAM.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE HAS BEEN SO WELCOMING I'M EXCITED TO BE HOME IN CHICAGO AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REDISCOVER CHICAGO.

>> EXACTLY.

BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN IN NEW YORK.

BUT YOU ARE A CHICAGO NATIVE TELL US A LITTLE BIT.

>> I AM A CHICAGO NATIVE I WAS LIVING IN NEW YORK FOR FIVE LONG YEARS.

I LEARNED A LOT BUT I'M EXCITED TO RETURN TO MY CHICAGO.

IT'S BEEN A DREAM AND I'M EXCITED TO BE PART OF THE TEAM AND BE AROUND MY PEOPLE.

>> AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" AND CHICAGOANS ARE THRILLED YOU THINK FIVE LONG YEARS IN NEW YORK CITY.

WELCOME HOME WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> A LOOK AT THE DEBATE OVER POLICE IN CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

STAY WITH US.

>> TODAY'S THE DEADLINE FOR 50 LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCILS WITH CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WANT TO KEEP SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

THOSE ARE CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO WORK ON CAMPUS.

SO FAR C.P.S.

DATA SHOWS MOST OF THE SCHOOLS ARE SET TO KEEP AT LEAST ONE SRO.

SUPPORTERS ARGUE THEY CAN BE PART OF A SAFETY PLAN AND STUDENTS AND PARENTS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS PUSHED BACK SAYING POLICE ARE NOT THE ONLY WAYS TO KEEP SCHOOL SAFES.

JOINING US IS MEYIYA COLEMAN AN ORGANIZER WITH VOICES OF YOUTH IN CHICAGO EDUCATION OR VOICE WHICH HELPED DEVELOP SCHOOL SAFETY PLANS THAT DO NOT INVOLVE POLICE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE ALSO REACHED OUT TO NUMEROUS PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT KEEPING SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS BUT NONE WERE AVAILABLE TO JOIN US THIS EVENING.

>> HOW DID YOU GET INTERESTED IN THE ISSUE OF SCHOOL SAFETY?

>> HELLO, EVERYONE.

BASICALLY, I STARTED DOING THIS WORK AT A VERY, VERY YOUNG AGE.

MY FAMILY IS A BIG FAMILY OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS.

WE STARTED BECAUSE ONE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS WAS ACTUALLY GUNNED DOWN IN A GAS STATION NEAR MY NEIGHBORHOOD HOME.

AND I AT THE TIME HAD GONE THROUGH A TOUGH TIME.

I WAS CONSTANTLY PUT INTO DETENTION.

MY GRADES WERE DROPPING.

AND I WAS ACTUALLY AROUND EIGHT YEARS OLD AT THE TIME.

AND SO WHEN I WAS PUT INTO DETENTION AND WHEN YOU KNOW, I HAD SECURITY CALLING ME BECAUSE I WOULD PUT MY HEAD DOWN AT EIGHT YEARS OLD, I REALIZED THIS WAS NOT NORMAL THIS WASN'T RIGHT.

AND I JUST GOT OLDER AND WANTED TO DO MORE WORK INSIDE OF THE SCHOOL AND I SAW HOW WE DIDN'T HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT OTHER SCHOOLS HAD.

ONCE I GOT TO HIGH SCHOOL, I WENT TO AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL AND WHEN I GOT TO HIGH SCHOOL, I NOTICED THAT WHY ARE WE HAVING TO GO THROUGH METAL DETECTORS?

WHY ARE WE SEEING POLICE WALKING IN OUR SCHOOLS?

AND WHY IS THIS -- WHY ARE POLICE BEING THE ONLY RESULT TO SAFETY?

>> IT SOUNDS YOU STARTED ASKING A LOT OF IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.

I'M SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR FAMILY MEMBER BEING SHOT NEARBY ON THE TOPIC OF SCHOOLS WHAT DO YOU HEAR FROM THE STUDENTS YOU WORK WITH ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE FOR SCHOOL SAFETY?

WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE?

>> SO, YES.

THAT A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE THAT I WORK WITH ARE SAYING SCHOOLS ARE LIKE PRISON.

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEND OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO SCHOOL AND GET AN EDUCATION AND YOU KNOW IT SHOULDN'T FEEL LIKE A PRISON THAT STUDENTS ARE GOING TO AND THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WALK THROUGH METAL DETECTORS AND SHOULDN'T HAVE THE POLICE ROAMING THE HALLWAYS.

WE WANT TO TAKE THAT DYNAMIC OF POLICE MAKE US FEEL SAFE AND GIVE US THE RESOURCES WE NEED MAKES US SAFE AND THAT IS WHAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DOING SAYING HEY WE THINK MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES ARE IMPORTANT TO START TO TALK ABOUT KEEPING YOUNG PEOPLE PART OF THE CONVERSATIONS AND UNDERSTAND THAT YOUNG PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEY WANT.

WE -- >> I WANTED TO PLAY A LITTLE BIT OF VIDEO BECAUSE LAST YEAR WE SPOKE WITH A MEMBER OF KENWOOD HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY AND THEY VOTED TO KEEP THE OFFICERS BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THE OFFICERS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN A RESOURCE WHETHER IT'S STUDENTS WHO HAVE ENDURED VIOLENCE EN ROUTE TO SCHOOL OR VIOLENCE SURROUNDING THE SCHOOL THAT HAD TO RESULT IN A SOFT LOCKDOWN THOSE THINGS ONLY OCCUR BECAUSE WE HAD THE OFFICERS PRESENT TO BE THE RESOURCE OFFICERS THEY ARE INTENDED TO BE.

>> AND WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THOSE WHO SAY THAT REMOVING OFFICERS TO MAKE THE SCHOOLS LESS SAFE IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH VIOLENCE?

>> MY RESPONSE IS THAT SCHOOL IS MEANT TO BE ABLE TO EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE NOT MAKE THEM FEEL IMPRISONED.

I ALSO FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO START ASKING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WHAT THEY FEEL SAFETY IS.

BECAUSE AT MY ORGANIZATION THAT IS WHAT WE'RE DOING WE ARE ASKING YOUNG PEOPLE WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO FEEL SAFE AND A LOT OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SAYING WE NEED MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND WE NEED OUR SCHOOLS TO NOT FEEL LIKE WE ARE IN PRISON AND OVERLY RELIANT ON THE POLICE ALL THE TIME.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO ALWAYS FEEL SAFE WITH POLICE YOU CAN HAVE THOSE PROGRAMS AND HAVE THOSE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

LIVE DANCE AND THE GRANT PARK MUSIC FEST AND RAVINA.

HEDY WEISS RETURNS TONIGHT.

>> AND FIRST MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

ILLINOIS' BAN ON RENTAL EVICTIONS WILL LIFT ON THE END OF THIS MONTH.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER ANNOUNCED EVICTION PROCEEDINGS COULD BEGIN AUGUST FIRST AND ENFORCEMENT OF EVICTION ORDERS WOULD START AUGUST 31.

HE ANNOUNCED A NEW ROUND OF FUNDING WORTH $500 MILLION TO BE OFFERED FOR RENTAL AND LANDLORD ASSISTANCE.

IT'S BEEN IN PLACE SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC GOING BACK TO MARCH OF 2020.

>> CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOULD NOT HAVE THE POWER TO APPOINT WARD SUPERINTENDENTS TO MANAGE DAY-TO-DAY FUNCTIONS OF THEIR DISTRICT THE CONCLUSION OF A REPORT RELEASED BY INSPECTOR GENERAL JOSEPH FERGUSON.

THE REPORT STATES THAT THE POSITION DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS TO BE SHAKMAN EXEMPT MEANING POLITICS SHOULD NOT PLAY A ROLE IN HIRING.

THE SUPERINTENDENT SHOULD COME FROM A TRADITIONAL JOB HIRING PROCESS.

THE WARD'S SUPERINTENDENT IS IN CHARGE OF MANAGING GARBAGE COLLECTION, STREET CLEANING AND SNOW REMOVAL IN EACH WARD.

ALDERPEOPLE HAVE HAD FREE REIN TO HIRE WHOMEVER THEY WANT FOR THAT POSITION.

>> EMPIRE ACTOR JUSSE SMOLLETT APPEARED IN COOK COUNTY COURT.

HE IS ACCUSED OF STAGING AN ATTACK ON HIMSELF AND THE INITIAL CASE WAS DROPPED BY KIM FOXX BUT A SPECIAL COUNSEL WAS APPOINTED TO LOOK INTO IT AGAIN.

THERE WAS NO JUDGE'S RULING TODAY AND THE NEXT HEARING IS SET FOR EARLY AUGUST.

>> AND A COURT HEARING FOR AN IOWA MAN ACCUSED OF POSSESSING WEAPONS AND ROUNDS OF AMMO AT A CHICAGO HOTEL OVERLOOKING OHIO STREET BEACH.

CASTILLE APPEARED FOR THE SECOND COURT APPEARANCE HE IS FACING WHEY CHARGES FOR POSSESSING THE GUN IN ILLINOIS WITHOUT HAVING A FIREARM OWNER'S ID CARD.

LAWYERS CALLED THE CHARGES BASELESS AND SAY PROSECUTORS HAVE NO EVIDENCE THAT HE HAD ILL INTENT AND HE IS A LEGAL GUN OWNER IN IOWA DESPITE HARSH WORDS FROM MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT AND POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS, WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> AND DON'T GO FAR BECAUSE OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM IS TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED TODAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE WITH GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER AND EARLIER THIS WEEK WITH POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN.

HERE WITH THAT AND MORE ARE AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND OF COURSE, PARIS SCHUTZ.

AS WE HEARD, GOVERNOR PRITZKER MET WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN TO TALK ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE.

AMANDA WHAT IS IN IT FOR ILLINOIS?

>> WHAT IS IN IT FOR ILLINOIS IS HAVING A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WHITE HOUSE.

THIS OF COURSE AFTER YOU HAD PRITZKER, PRESIDENT TRUMP BUTTING HEADS NOT GETTING ALONG.

ACCORDING TO REPORTING BY CRAIN'S, ACTUALLY THE GOVERNOR HAD HIS OWN PRIVATE ONE-ON-ONE TOUR OF THE WEST WING WITH BIDEN.

PRITZKER, OF COURSE, PRIOR TO BECOMING GOVERNOR HIMSELF AND DONATING TO HIS OWN CAMPAIGN HAD GIVEN A LOT OF MONEY TO DEMOCRATS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

SO FIRST OF ALL YOU HAVE THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THEN COMING WITH THAT RELATIONSHIP, A LOT OF PROJECTS AND MONEY COMING TO ILLINOIS THAT, OF COURSE, WOULD BE GREAT TIMING FOR THE GOVERNOR EVEN AS YOU HAVE SORT OF THE NATIONAL PROGNOSTICATORS SAYING THAT PRITZKER WON'T BE IN TROUBLE IN 2022 AS HE ASSUME HE ASSUMED TO MAKE HIS BID FOR A SECOND TERM IT SURE CANNOT HURT TO BE ABLE TO BRAG ABOUT HAVING FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS BECAUSE OF A LAW HE SIGNED PUTS ILLINOIS IN A POSITION FOR THAT.

>> INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS SUPPORT IS THE PRESIDENT PREACHING TO THE CHOIR HERE?

>> YES, I THINK IN A SENSE HE WAS.

HE DID DID -- IT WAS NOT JUST GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER IN THE MEETING.

THERE WAS REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATION AND THIS IS PART OF A BROADER FIGHT BECAUSE WHILE THERE DOES APPEAR TO BE A BIPARTISAN DEAL WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE TRADITIONAL DESCRIPTION OF INFRASTRUCTURE, ROADS, BRIDGES, WATERWAYS THAT SORTS OF THINGS.

AND THOSE ARE ELEMENTS THAT ILLINOIS' CAPITAL FUND DOES NOT PAY FOR THAT WE NEED FEDERAL SUPPORT TO GET TO.

THE BROADER FIGHT IS ALSO OVER THINGS LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE AND THIS RECONCILIATION PACKAGE THAT YOU HEAR ABOUT.

>> SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ANNOUNCED A POSSIBLE BREAKTHROUGH ON THE $3.5 TRILLION INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN THAT INCLUDES ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE AS YOU SAID, EXPANDING MEDICARE AND HELP FOR STRUGGLING FAMILIES FOR THE NEXT DECADE USING RECONCILIATION.

AMANDA ALL 50 DEMOCRATS WOULD NEED TO VOTE FOR THIS.

ARE THE PROGRESSIVES ONBOARD?

>> YES.

ACTUALLY THERE HAS BEEN A LOT MADE ARE THE MODERATE DEMOCRATS AND THE MORE PROGRESSIVE SIDE OF THE PARTY GOING TO BE ABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT?

THE THOUGHT IS NO THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO.

IT SEEMS IS IF THEY ARE ONBOARD YOU HAD THE LEADER OF THE PROGRESSIVE WING, BERNIE SANDERS ONE SAYING THAT HE SUPPORTS THIS.

FOR ME, I AM A POLITICAL REPORTER, WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT DEALS.

IN ILLINOIS THEY WENT BACK TO SPRINGFIELD TO PASS AN ELECTRIC PLAN THIS OMNIBUS MEASURE THAT DID NOT HAPPEN UNTIL YOU ACTUALLY HAD THE VOTES I FOR 1:00 A.M. NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THERE IS A DEAL UNTIL IT'S WRITTEN AND SIGNED.

YOU HAVE PROGRESSIVES BACKING THIS MORE THAN BIDEN HAD INTRODUCED BUT LESS THAN THE PROGRESSIVES WANTED.

>> PARIS WHAT ABOUT SENATORS MANCHIN AND SINEMA THEY HAVE BEEN THE SWING VOTES?

>> THE 3.5 TRILLION THAT IS THE BUDGET PROPOSAL PUT OUT BY SENATE DEMOCRATS TO PASS BY RECONCILIATION IT WOULD GET NO REPUBLICAN VOTES AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE THAT IS BIPARTISAN AND WITH RESPECT TO THAT 3.5 TRILLION MANCHIN SAID HE IS CONCERNED WITH SOME OF THE CLIMATE CHANGE PROVISIONS.

THE DEMOCRATS HAVE NO MARGIN FOR ERROR IF THEY WANT TO PASS A VOTE THROUGH RECONCILIATION.

THEY WOULD LOSE BERNIE SANDERS IF THEY GOT RID OF SOME OF THAT STUFF.

IF THEY KEPT IT THEY WOULD LOSE MORE MODERATE MEMBERS THEY HAVE TO NEGOTIATE WITH THEIR OWN CAUCUS ON THAT BILL.

>> DEMOCRATS SAY IT'S FULLY PAID FOR BUT HOW?

MORE TAXES?

>> AMANDA IS RIGHT THIS IS A MASSIVE DEAL WHERE THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS.

THE PROPOSALS CALLS FOR INCREASE ON WEALTHY AMERICANS EARNING MORE THAN $400,000 AND INCREASE IN THE CORPORATE TAX FROM 21% TO 25%.

AND THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF PROPOSALS IN THERE THAT WOULD GIVE MORE MONEY TO THE I.R.S.

TO CRACKDOWN ON WHAT DEMOCRATIC SENATORS CALL TAX CHEATS RICH PEOPLE WHO USE ALL SORTS OF TRICKS AND THINGS TO AVOID PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE.

AND THEY SAY THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH TO GET TO THAT 3.5 TRILLION MARK.

BUT AGAIN, UNTIL YOU'VE GOT A PIECE OF LEGISLATION WRITTEN AND YOU'VE GOT VOTES COUNTED, THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY LONG PROCESS AND THERE IS AS PARIS SAID, NO ROOM FOR ERROR.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT POT.

SENATE LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER IS PUSHING THE LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS.

TAKE A LISTEN.

>> WE DON'T HAVE THE VOTES NECESSARY AT THIS POINT BUT WE HAVE A LARGE MAJORITY OF OUR CAUCUS FOR T WE'RE GOING TO SHOW IT TO THE OTHERS AND SAY WHAT DON'T YOU LIKE AND SEE IF WE CAN GET THE SUPPORT BUT WE ARE GOING TO PUT OUR MUSCLE AND EFFORT BEHIND IT AND WE ARE GOING TO GET THIS DONE ASAP.

>> PARIS, FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, MARIJUANA REVENUES WERE IN THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

ARE FEDERAL LAWMAKERS READING THE TEA LEAVES AND THINKING THERE SHOULD BE MORE FOR THE FEDS, TOO?

>> I THINK SHUMER'S MOVE IS MORE POLITICAL AS A MOTIVATING FACTOR FOR THE 2022 MIDTERMS MAYBE IT DRIVES VOTERS TO THE POLLS THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA FEDERALLY IS VERY POPULAR LIKE 70% OF THE COUNTRY SUPPORTS IT BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT HAS THE MAJORITY IN THE SENATE THERE'S MODERATE DEMOCRATS THAT ARE WISHY WASHY ABOUT IT AND MANY REPUBLICANS THAT ARE NOT SO CLEARLY ONBOARD.

I THINK THE PRESIDENT BIDEN HASN'T SAID HE IS COMPLETELY ONBOARD.

I THINK DEMOCRATS LIKE VOTING RIGHTS AND YOU SAW DICK DURBIN SAY THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ACTION ON THE VOTING RIGHTS BILL THEY ARE TALKING A LOT BECAUSE THEY WANT ACTION, BUT SAME WITH MARIJUANA.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS POPULAR THAT PERHAPS CAN HELP MOTIVATE THEIR VOTERS IN 2022.

>> SHIFTING TO SOMEONE ELSE AT THE WHITE HOUSE THIS WEEK, POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN.

HERE IS WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY ABOUT THE ADDITIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT COMING.

>> A STRIKE FORCE WILL FOCUS ON THE FLOW OF DPUNS WHICH -- GUNS WHICH INCLUDES BUYERS AND SELLERS OF ILLEGAL GUNS.

WE WILL HAVE MORE TO COME ON THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE WILL ROLL OUT THE STRIKE FORCE PLAN.

>> THE SUPERINTENDENT BROWN SAYING MORE TO COME WE KNOW THAT MERRICK GARLAND AND PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID THAT MORE A.T.F.

AGENTS WILL BE SENT BUT BROWN IS NOT GIVING DETAILS.

WHAT MAKES THIS FEDERAL HELP DIFFERENT FROM PREVIOUS YEARS AND PREVIOUS PRESIDENT'S FEDERAL HELP?

>> I WISH I COULD ANSWER THAT HE IS SAYING MORE DETAILS WILL COME.

AND SEEMS LIKE EVERY ADMINISTRATION AND ATTORNEY GENERAL PROMISED THINGS LIKE MORE FEDERAL AGENTS TO COME NON-TACKLE GUN VIOLENCE AND HELP SOLVE GUN CRIME AND GIVEN THE FLUCTUATING RATES OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS IT'S NEGLIGIBLE WHETHER THAT HELP HAS MADE A DENT IN THE VIOLENCE.

IT TEEM SEEMS LIKE THEY WANT TO GO AFTER ILLEGAL PURCHASES, FEDERAL AND ILLINOIS STATE LAWS ARE LAX WHEN IT COMES TO BEING ABLE TO TRACK DOWN LOST OR STOLEN WEAPONS OR ILLEGAL PURCHASES.

THERE IS NOT AN ELECTRONIC DATABASE OF GUN PURCHASES BY LAW GUN STORES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO KEEP IT.

THE LAWS ARE TRICKY TO ENFORCE.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REFERRING TO.

>> HEATHER, MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT FOCUSED ONED FLOW OF ILLEGAL GUNS COMING INTO THE CITY.

DICK DURBIN SAID THAT GUN LEGISLATION IS NOT REALISTIC.

HOW CAN OFFICIALS STEM THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL WEAPONS?

>> THIS IS REALLY THE CRUCIAL QUESTION AND WHEN LIGHTFOOT IS ASKED ABOUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO STAMP DOWN THE VIOLENCE THAT SWEPT THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS THAT IS HER ANSWER.

HER ANSWER IS WE NEED COMPREHENSIVE GUN CONTROL.

AND WHEN CONFRONTED WITH THE FACT THAT THAT IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE IN THE SENATE, SHE IS REALLY BEEN AT A LOSS.

THE MAYOR'S ALSO INCREASED FUNDING FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND SHE SORT OF PUSHED A WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT APPROACH WHERE SHE HAS EVERY CITY DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR REDUCING VIOLENCE.

AGAIN IT IS NOT DIFFERENT THAN WE'VE SEEN IN YEARS PAST AND HAS YET TO SHOW ANY MEANINGFUL CHANGE IN REDUCING VIOLENCE.

>> IN CITY COUNCIL, CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE GOING TO START DRAWING NEW WARD BOUNDARIES FOR THE NEXT DECADE WHAT HAPPENED TODAY?

>> WELL, WE ARE JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AWAY FROM THE OPENING OF THE MAP ROOM AT CHICAGO CITY HALL AND THAT IS WHERE ALDERMEN WILL CROWD AROUND COMPUTERS WITH MAPPING SOFTWARE AND GET DOWN TO DIVIDING THE CITY INTO 50 WARDS OF 54,000 PEOPLE EACH.

AND IT IS REALLY GOING TO SHAPE THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THE CITY FOR THE NEXT DECADE AND I AM SO EXCITED THAT IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING.

>> TO BE A FLY ON THE WALL.

IS THIS THE SAME BACK ROOM DEALING THAT IS GOING ON WITHOUT AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION TO DRAFT THE MAP?

>> IT ABSOLUTELY IS.

IT'S NOT ANY DIFFERENT THAN THE WAY IT WORKED IN 2011 OR 2001 OR IN 90s OR 80s.

AND THAT IS NOT WHAT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT PROMISED WHEN SHE WAS ELECTED.

SHE SAID THAT WAS A RELIC OF THE PAST AND THAT CHICAGO NEEDED TO BRING SUNSHINE INTO THE PROCESS.

BUT POLITICIANS ARE TRADITIONALLY LOATHE TO GIVE UP THEIR OWN POWER AND THERE IS NO GREATER POWER THAN PICKING YOUR OWN VOTERS.

>> AND PERHAPS THE ONLY CHANGE MIGHT BE THAT THE SOFTWARE IS EVEN BETTER SO THAT YOU CAN GET MORE PRECISE ABOUT CHOOSING YOUR VOTERS.

>> AND THE MAYOR CAMPAIGNED ON IT AND CAME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" TALKING ABOUT WE NEED TO HAVE MAPS CON CONTINUINGIOUS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WHAT HAPPENED 10 YEARS AGO AND WHAT IT WILL BE THIS YEAR IT BECOMES A BATTLE BETWEEN LATINO ALDERMEN, AFRICAN-AMERICAN ALDERMEN AND WHITE ALDERMEN AS HEATHER MENTIONED YOU HAVE THE POPULATION OF THE BLACK POPULATION IN CHICAGO GOING DOWN BUT BLACK ALDERMEN DO NOT WANT TO LOSE THE NUMBER OF SEATS AND THE LATINO WANTS TO GAIN SEATS.

AND THIS IS WHERE THE BACK ROOM DEAL MAKING HAPPENS AND THE MAYOR WILL HAVE LEVERAGE HERE.

SHE NEEDS ALL THE SUPPORT AND ALLIES ON CITY COUNCIL SHE HAS LEVERAGE IN THIS PROCESS.

>> TO THAT END WHAT IS SHE DOING TO FUTURE IT TO THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE?

>> IF I COULD GET INTO THE MAYOR'S HEAD I WOULD TELL YOU.

I DON'T KNOW.

ALL I KNOW IS WHAT SHE HAS SAID IN THE PAST.

I'M SURE SHE IS SERIOUS SHE DOESN'T WANT THE NEIGHBORHOODS TO BE CARVED UP IN SIX WARDS.

AFRICAN-AMERICANS THEY WANT TO KEEP THE NUMBER OF SEATS THEY HAVE AND SHE HAS LEVERAGE THERE AND LATINOS WANT TO GAIN SEATS BECAUSE THEY HAVE GAINED POPULATION AND SHE HAS LEVERAGE THERE AND THERE ARE CHIPS SHE CAN USE.

>> THE STATE EVICTION BAN IS OFFICIALLY ENDING YOU REPORTED ON THIS TODAY.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BEHIND IN RENT DUE TO THE PANDEMIC?

>> IT MEANS THAT THEIR REPRIEVE FROM EVICTION COURT PROCEEDINGS IS ENDING AND SOON.

NOW, THE GOVERNOR SAID IT'S BEEN 17 MONTHS IT'S TIME TO GET BACK TO THE NORMAL ORDER OF BUSINESS NOW.

THERE ARE STILL -- THERE IS STILL A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS AVAILABLE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE BEHIND CAN APPLY FOR THROUGH SUNDAY.

AND HE ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO DO THAT.

THE STATE HAS ALREADY RECEIVED MORE THAN REQUESTSES FOR MORE THAN $ 700 MILLION IN HELP AND THE STATE HAS $500 MILLION IN THIS ROUND.

THERE WILL BE MORE MONEY AVAILABLE IN THE FALL BUT WE ARE ABOUT TO SEE WHETHER THE FEARS OF THE EVICTION TSUNAMI HITTING THE STATE AND THE CITY WE ARE GOING TO SEE WHETHER THAT PROVES TRUE.

>> AND COVID-19 INFECTION RATES ARE TICKING UP THE WITH DELTA VARIANT.

QUICKLY, WITH ALL THIS HAPPEN SOMETHING THERE CONFUSION OVER MASKING STUDENTS FOR THE FALL SEMESTER?

>> THERE IS.

YOU HAVE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOLLOWING CDC GUIDELINES WHICH CALL FOR MASKING FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED.

AND THAT OF COURSE IS YOUNGER CHILDREN WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.

BUT THERE IS A LOT OF PUSHBACK AND CONCERN FROM PARENTS AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> THANKS TO OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM, AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> UP NEXT, THEATRE CRITIC HEDY WEISS WITH A LOOK AT OUTDOOR DANCE AND MUSIC OFFERINGS.

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> HEDY WEISS HASN'T BEEN ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2020.

THAT IS BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED SOON AFTER AS THE WORLD SHUTDOWN FOR COVID SO TOO DID MUSIC HALLS AND DANCE VENUES AND THEATERS AND NOW THEY ARE SLOWLY COMING BACK.

AND JOINING US AGAIN FINALLY IS HEDY WEISS.

HEDY GREAT TO SEE YOU, WELCOME BACK.

>> GREAT TO SEE YOU, TOO, PARIS I WISH I WAS IN THE STUDIO.

>> HOPEFULLY SOON.

BUT YOU HAVE BEEN IN-PERSON AT PERFORMANCES.

HOW HAS THAT FELT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW THE ONE THING I SORT OF HAD TO HOLD BACK WAS TO SHOUT THE LINE FROM THE FRANKENSTEIN FILM IT'S ALIVE!

BECAUSE THE AUDIENCE WAS ALIVE AND THE PERFORMERS WERE ALIVE AND MOST WERE NOT COVERED IN MASKS SO THEY COULD BREATHE AND YOU COULD SEE THEIR FACIAL EXPRESSIONS.

IT WAS A REVELATION AND IT WAS WONDERFUL.

>> SOMETHING MAGNETIC ABOUT BEING IN-PERSON AROUND OTHER PEOPLE WITNESSING A PERFORMANCE AND YOU WITNESSED THE AMERICAN BALLET LITRE TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> I DID.

IT'S PART OF THE SERIES THEY ARE DOING IT IS A BUS AND TRUCK TOUR WHICH IS UNUSUAL THEY USUALLY HAVE HOTELS AND THE REST.

THEY ARE GOING TO A VARIETY OF CITIES AND THEY STOPPED ON THE STAGE OF GRANT PARK.

AND THEY DID FOUR SMALL WORKS, VERY MIXED PROGRAM BECAUSE I THINK THEY KNEW THAT IT WAS FOR A GENERAL AUDIENCE NOT MAYBE THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE THEATRE TO SEE THEM.

THERE WERE TWO PIECES CLASSICAL ON PT SHOES AND POINT SHOES AND TWO PIECES TO JAZZ.

THE WEATHER WAS BEAUTIFUL AND YOU KNOW, IT WAS A GREAT THING TO SEE.

>> LIKE A GREATEST HITS OF BALLET.

AND.

>> ACTUALLY NEW PIECES SPECIFICALLY DONE SPECIFICALLY DONE FOR THIS KIND OF PERFORMANCE.

I THINK THEY KNEW WHAT THEY NEEDED TO DO.

THE ONE DISTRACTING THING WAS IT WAS VIDEOED AND THERE WAS A HUGE VIDEO THAT MAGNIFIED IT FOR THE AUDIENCE ON THE LAWN.

AND IT WAS VERY DISTRACTING BECAUSE IT WAS LOOKING AT A GRANDIOSE ZOOM RATHER THAN THE LIVE PERFORMERS.

>> WE'VE HAD ENOUGH OF ZOOM.

LET'S MOVE ON YOU HAVE TO RAVINA, THE FIRST TRUE SEASON FOR THE NEW CONDUCTOR.

HOW HAS SHE FIT IN CONDUCTING THE SHOW?

>> SHE HAS BEEN CONDUCTING IT FOR A NUMBER OF SUMMERS BUT SHE GOT THE TITLE.

AND SHE IS THE CURATOR AND SHE IS DOING INTERESTING PROGRAMMING.

THE FIRST ONE OPENED WITH THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER AND EVERYBODY WAS HAPPY TO SING THAT AND PROGRAMMED PIECE BY A FEMALE CONDUCTOR CALLED FANFARE FOR AN UNCOMMON WOMAN KIND OF A HOMAGE TO COPELAND AND ITS ALSO BEING FEMINIST.

AND IT WENT ON TO AN ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE BY A PIANIST WHO HAS ROOTS IN BOTH MEXICO AND IN CHICAGO.

HIS NAME IS WHORE SAY BORSORIO AND HE PERFORMED WITH THE ORCHESTRA THEY WERE BEAUTIFUL.

AND THEY CLOSED WITH A BEETHOVEN SYMPHONY AND THE CSO WHICH HAS BEEN PLAYING ON ZOOM THEY HAVE NOT LOST A THING THEY ARE FANTASTIC.

>> AS I UNDERSTAND THEY CLOSED WITH BEETHOVEN 7.

>> IT IS.

BUT THE INTERESTING THING WAS THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY VERY INTIMATE AND VERY DELICATE AND IT WAS AN INTERESTING INTERPRETATION.

>> I'VE SEEN IT DONE AT THE CSO BIG AND GRAND AND LOUD AND FAST.

>> YES.

AND BOMBASTIC.

AND THIS HAD A TON OF ENERGY BUT IT WAS AN INTERESTING INTERPRETATION.

>> LET'S MOVE DOWN TO MILLENIUM PARK THE GRANT PARK FREE MUSIC FESTIVAL IS BACK.

I WAS THERE FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY PROGRAM.

HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE?

>> WELL, I PASSED ON THE FOURTH OF JULY AND WENT TO A STANDARD CONCERT.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE WEATHER WAS NOT GREAT AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH OUTDOOR THINGS IN THE MIDDLE OF SAMUEL'S BEAUTIFUL STRING IT WAS POURING DOWN AND PEOPLE WERE MOVING AND IT WAS DISTRACTING BUT THE MUSICIANS ARE TERRIFIC.

THEY OPENED WITH A VAVALDI PIECE AND THEY HAD THE CHORUS ON RISERS.

AND IT WAS THEY CLOSED WITH A BRAHAMS SYMPHONY.

THE CONDUCTOR IS FANTASTIC ABOUT HE KNOWS THAT IT IS A MORE POPULAR AUDIENCE AGAIN THAN THE TRADITIONAL CONCERT HALL.

AND HE DID A REALLY ENGAGING INTRODUCTION TO EACH PIECE THAT I THINK REALLY HELPED THE AUDIENCE.

>> HE DID THAT FOR 1812 HE CAME OUT AND TALKED ABOUT HOW IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE UNITED STATES.

IT WAS QUITE HUMOROUS AND FUNNY.

YOU USUALLY DON'T HEAR CONDUCTORS TALK BETWEEN SONGS.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REST OF THE SUMMER OR THE FALL?

>> I WANTED TO JUST CALL OUT GARRICK OLSEN THE PIANIST WHO GAVE A SOLO CONCERT OF BRAHAMS BEFORE THE OPENING OF THE CSO THE DAY BEFORE.

AND I FELT REALLY BADLY FOR HIM BECAUSE THERE ARE 3500 SEATS AT RAVINA HE HAD LIKE MAYBE 250 PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE.

THAT WAS SAD.

WHAT AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO?

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO [INAUDIBLE] COMING BACK IN SEPTEMBER FOR HIS RESIDENCY THERE AND I THINK HE'S LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

I THINK HE IS TERRIBLY HOMESICK AND AWAY ALTHOUGH HE IS IN ITALY.

>> THERE ARE WORSE PLACES TO BE QUARANTINED.

>> YOU COULD HAVE THE PANDEMIC IN ANOTHER PLACE THAT WOULD NOT BEHALF AS NICE.

I THINK HE MISSES HIS ORCHESTRA.

AND THEY ARE GOING TO DO THE USUAL VARIETY OF PIECES.

AND THEN THEY JUST ANNOUNCED A GREAT SEASON FOR THE REST OF THE TIME OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND A LOT OF HOLIDAY SHOWS.

SO I THINK THEY ARE GEARING UP IF EVERYONE WEARS THEIR MASK WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO GO TO THE LIVE PERFORMANCE.

>> A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO MORE REVIEWS AND ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT VISIT THE GUIDE ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND ONCE AGAIN OUR THANKS TO HEDY WEISS.

GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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

>> AND YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

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

THE NEW CHILD TAX CREDIT BEGINS WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MONTHLY PAYMENTS.

>> AND THE STORY OF A FORGOTTEN FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT APARTMENT BUILDING ON THE SOUTH SIDE IN OUR ASK SKVMENT I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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