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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M AMANDA VINICKY.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WE WERE PREPARED TO GIVE THE PATIENTS THE CARE THEY NEEDED.

>> A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN TO PROVIDE ABORTION CARE ACROSS STATE LINES.

>> SO I GIVE YOU THIS PREVIEW.

THE PRESIDENT DIDN'T DO VERY MUCH BUT GLEEFULLY WATCHED TELEVISION DURING THIS TIME-FRAME.

>> THE JANUARY 6TH HEARINGS RETURN TO PRIMETIME TO FOCUS ON WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS DOING AS THE U.S. CAPITOL WAS ATTACKED.

>> SHE CANNOT HAVE A PARTNERSHIP BASED ON FEAR.

>> WHY LOCAL STARBUCKS EMPLOYEES ARE ACCUSING THE COMPANY OF VIOLATING LABOR LAW AMID A PUSH TO UNIONIZE.

>> ADVICE WHETHER NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE MAJOR PURCHASES WITH INFLATION AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

>> SUMMER TRAVEL HEATING UP AROUND THE WORLD BUT HOW IS LOCAL TOURISM HOLDING UP?

>> A MEMBER OF THE RICKETTS FAMILY LAUNCHES AN ALTERNATIVE TO GOOGLE THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY KNOW THAT THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE PERFORMING ARTS ARENA.

>> A LOCAL JAZZ VOCALIST IS EXPOSING CHICAGO YOUTH TO OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN PERFORMING ARTS.

>> WORKING MEDIUMS BUT WE HAVE A RESPECT FOR MARCH ASH CHICAGO.

>> AND MARIACHI MEETS IMPROV COMEDIENNESES ARE BRINGING LATIN CULTURE TO THEIR ROUTINE.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES..., A VIOLENT SUMMER WEEKEND ACROSS CHICAGO.

POLICE SAY 25 PEOPLE WERE SHOT, SEVEN FATALLY.

AMID THE VIOLENCE THE CHICAGO POLICE SERGEANT SUCCUMBED TO A SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT, THE THIRD CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER WHO HAS DIED BY SUICIDE IN IN THE LAST MONTH.

SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN DEFENDS HIS DECISION TO CANCEL DAYS OFF DURING THE HISTORICALLY VIOLENT SUMMER MONTHS.

>> TOUGH DECISION BETWEEN MEMORIAL DAY AND LABOR DAY IS ABOUT OFFICERS' SAFETY IN THAT DARK ALLEY ON EVENING SHIFT WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE OFFICERS TO COMING TO HELP YOU WHEN YOU ARE BEING SHOT AT?

OR NOT ENOUGH OFFICERS AT WORK AND NO ONE COMING TO HELP YOU.

THAT IS THE TOUGH, TOUGH, TOUGH DECISION THAT SUPERINTENDENTS HAVE MADE FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS.

>> AND WE HAVE MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

AS WELL AS ON TOMORROW NIGHT'S PROGRAM.

>> IN THE WAKE OF THE HIGHLAND PARK MASSACRE, THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ARE MOVING TO USE AN EMERGENCY RULE TO BROADEN THE USE OF CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER REPORTS.

THEY ARE USED BY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS TO NOTIFY IF THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO IF GRANTED ACCESS TO A FIREARM OR AMMUNITION POSE AN ACTUAL IMMINENT THREAT OF SUBSTANTIAL BODILY HARM TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.

THE RULE MEANS THE STATE POLICE WOULD KEEP AND USE HISTORIC INFORMATION TO REVOKE OR IDENTIFY A FOID CARD IF THAT PERSON'S CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGERS INCLUDES PHYSICAL OR VERBAL BEHAVIOR SUCH AS VIOLENT, SUICIDAL, ASSAULTED THREATS ACTIONS OR BEHAVIOR.

IN 2019, HIGHLAND PARK POLICE FILED A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER REPORT ON THE ALLEGED PARADE SHOOTER BUT STATE POLICE HAD TO TOSS IT BECAUSE THE SHOOTER HAD NOT APPLIED FOR A GUN LICENSE AT THE TIME.

ILLINOIS LATER ISSUED THE SUSPECT A FIRE OWNER'S ID WHICH HE USED TO PURCHASE THE GUNS USED ON JULY 4TH.

ACCORDING TO REPUBLICANS, HAD STATE POLICE FULLY EXERCISED THEIR AUTHORITY UNDER THE LAW PREVIOUSLY, THEY COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE SUSPECT FROM GETTING A FOID CARD.

>> THE LAST FUNERAL SERVICE FOR ONE OF THE VICTIMS OF THE HIGHLAND PARK SHOOTING WAS HELD TODAY.

KEVIN MCCARTHY WAS LAID TO REST TODAY, SIX DAYS AFTER HIS WIFE ARENA'S FUNERAL.

THEY WERE AMONG SEVEN PEOPLE KILLED AND DOZENS INJURED IN THE JULY 4TH PARADE MASSACRE.

THEIR TWO-YEAR-OLD SON WHO WAS WITH THEM WHEN THE GUNFIRE STARTED WAS RESCUED BY A STRANGER AND REUNITED WITH HIS GRANDFATHER AT THE HIGHLAND PARK POLICE STATION.

>> UP NEXT, AN ILLINOIS-WISCONSIN PARTNERSHIP TO PROVIDE ABORTION CARE.

WE SHARE THE DETAILS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> ILLINOIS IS BEING SEEN AS AN ISLAND FOR ABORTION ACCESS WITH MANY SURROUNDING STATES NOW RESTRICTING THE PRACTICE SINCE THE SUPREME COURT'S DOBBS DECISION.

BUT DOCTORS OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD WISCONSIN FOUND A WAY TO STILL PROVIDE CARE.

TEAMING UP WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF ILLINOIS.

WISCONSIN DOCTORS AND PATIENTS ARE NOW TRAVELING TO ILLINOIS FOR ABORTION CARE.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE IS Dr. KATHY KING, OBGYN AND ASSOCIATE MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF WISCONSIN.

Dr. KING, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I UNDERSTAND YOU'VE ALREADY BEEN TRAVELING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TWO STATES TO PROVIDE CARE.

WHAT HAS THAT BEEN LIKE FOR YOU?

>> UM, DURING THIS EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT TIME IN WISCONSIN WHEN YOU KNOW, WHAT SEEMED LIKE A BLINK OF AN EYE, WE LOST THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE ABORTION CARE IN OUR STATE AND THE PATIENTS WE SERVE SUDDENLY WERE LEFT WITH NO ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL HEALTHCARE THAT THEY NEEDED AND WANTED.

YOU KNOW, I WAS IN OUR HEALTH CENTER ON THE DAY OF THE SCOTUS DECISION AND IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST HEARTBREAKING DAYS OF MY CAREER WHEN I HAD TO TELL PEOPLE THAT I COULD NOT PROVIDE THE ABORTION CARE THAT THEY EXPECTED TO RECEIVE THAT DAY.

AND THE LOOK OF FEAR AND DESPERATION AND CONFUSION ON THEIR FACES WILL STAY WITH ME FOREVER.

BUT ONE OF THE BRIGHT SPOTS MAYBE THE ONLY BRIGHT SPOT IS THAT PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF WISCONSIN AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF ILLINOIS HAD BEEN PREPARING FOR A LONGTIME FOR THIS EXACT MOMENT.

>> RIGHT, PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF ILLINOIS SAYS THAT THE WAUKEGAN TELL CENTER IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS OVERTURNING OPENED IN 2020 WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN HEARING FROM YOUR PATIENTS NOW THAT THIS IS A REALITY?

>> UM, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE RESILIENT.

OUR PATIENTS ALREADY FACE SO MANY BARRIERS TO ACCESS IN CARE EVEN WHEN IT WAS LEGAL IN WISCONSIN BECAUSE WE HAD SO MANY RESTRICTIVE LAWS.

SO WHAT WE HEAR WHEN PATIENTS CONTACT US IS SOME FOLKS ARE RESOURCEFUL AND WE DIRECT THEM TO ABORTION FINDER.ORG AND THEY DO WELL.

OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SO MANY BARRIERS TO ACCESSING CARE, A LOT OF IT FINANCIAL, THAT THEY NEED SOME ASSISTANCE TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THAT CARE TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO TRAVEL TO GET THAT CARE AND OF ALL THE OTHER EXPENSES THAT GO ALONG WITH HAVING TO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE TO SEEK HEALTHCARE.

IN WORKING WITHIN THE CENTERS, THE PATIENTS ARE JUST ENORMOUSLY GRATEFUL.

I WAS IN WAUKEGAN PROVIDING CARE LAST THURSDAY ON THAT DAY, THE MAJORITY OF THE PATIENTS WE SAW WERE FROM WISCONSIN.

ON THAT DAY, THE MAJORITY OF THE STAFF PROVIDING ABORTION CARE WERE FROM WISCONSIN.

SO WHILE WE ARE ENORMOUSLY GRATEFUL AND PLEASED THAT WE CAN UTILIZE THAT SPACE IN WAUKEGAN TO PROVIDE CARE IT IS NONETHELESS HEARTBREAKING THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE TO ACCESS CARE.

>> HOW WOULD YOU SAY, DOCTOR, AND ARE YOU AWARE, IS PLANNED PARENTHOOD DOING ANYTHING TO PROTECT PATIENTS AND CLINICIANS FROM POSSIBLE LEGAL ACTION?

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT A LOT.

>> I MEAN, FOR PATIENTS, YOU KNOW, WE TRY TO EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT THE LAW IS AND WE TRY TO DIRECT THEM TO REPUTABLE SOURCES TO ACCESS ABORTION CARE.

IN WISCONSIN AS OF NOW, THEY ARE CRIMINALIZING ABORTION PROVIDERS BUT NOT CRIMINALIZING PATIENTS SEEKING ABORTION.

AND WE TRY TO MAKE THAT CLEAR TO THEM.

BUT, AGAIN, THERE'S A LOT OF CONFUSION AMONGST PATIENTS FOR FEAR THAT THEY WILL DO SOMETHING WRONG SO WE ARE TRYING TO PROVIDE THEM FACTUAL GUIDANCE.

FOR PHYSICIANS AND PROVIDERS AND OUR STAFF, WE ARE FOLLOWING THE LAW.

AND SO, AGAIN, THE ACTUAL PERFORMANCE OF AN ABORTION IN WISCONSIN IS A CRIME UNLESS IT IS DEEMED LIFE-SAVING.

AND SO WE ARE FOLLOWING THAT LAW.

WE HAVE ALL THE LICENSED STAFF FROM PHYSICIANS TO CLINICIANS TO NURSES HAVE OBTAINED ILLINOIS LICENSURE SO WE ARE FOLLOWING ALL THE STATUTES AND GUIDELINES TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE CARE LEGALLY AND SAFELY OUTSIDE OF THE STATE.

>> SO WE ALSO KNOW THERE'S BEEN A 10-FOLD INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF WISCONSIN RESIDENTS COMING TO ILLINOIS TO RECEIVE ABORTION SERVICES.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY WISCONSIN PROVIDERS ARE HELPING TO MANAGE THAT INCREASE?

>> WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN.

SO, AGAIN, WITH OUR STAFF BEING AT THE WAUKEGAN SITE WE HAVE ESSENTIALLY DOUBLED THE CAPACITY AT WAUKEGAN TO PROVIDE ABORTION CARE.

WE ALSO HAVE STAFF THAT ARE LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY TRAVELING TO OTHER PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF ILLINOIS SITES TO TRY AND INCREASE ACCESS AT THOSE SITES AS WELL.

AND THEN ALSO BY US BEING ABLE TO SOMETIMES SEE MORE OF THE PATIENTS WHO ARE REQUIRING ABORTION CARE THAT WILL ALSO OFFSET THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE MEDICATION ABORTION.

PHYSICIANS ARE REQUIRED IN ILLINOIS TO PROVIDE AN INCLINIC ABORTION BUT IN ILLINOIS ADVANCED PRACTICE CLINICIANS CAN PROVIDE MEDICATION ABORTION.

SO WE HAVE OUR CLINICIANS TRAVELING DOWN THERE WHO CAN PROVIDE MEDICATION ABORTION IN ILLINOIS LEGALLY.

>> Dr. KATHY KING THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD IN WISCONSIN.

>> THANK YOU.

IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE SPEAKING WITH YOU TODAY.

>> AND TO AMANDA AND PREVIEWING A PRIMETIME CONGRESSIONAL HEARING.

>> ON THURSDAY, THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE PROBING THE JANUARY 6 ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL WILL RETURN TO PRIMETIME.

THE COMMITTEE IS EXPECTED TO ZERO IN ON THEN PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S ACTIONS OR LACK THEREOF OF VIOLENT MOB RANSACKS THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

ADAM KINZINGER IS GIVING US A PREVIEW ON FACE THE NATION YESTERDAY.

>> THE PRESIDENT DIDN'T DO MUCH BUT GLEEFULLY WATCHED TELEVISION.

WE'RE GOING TO PRESENT A LOT MORE THAN THAT.

I COULD ONLY IMAGINE I KNEW WHAT I FELT LIKE AS A U.S.

CONGRESSMAN.

IF I WAS A PRESIDENT SWORN TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION THAT INCLUDES THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH WATCHING THIS ON TELEVISION, I KNOW I WOULD HAVE BEEN GOING BALLISTIC TO TRY AND SAVE THE CAPITOL.

HE DID QUITE THE OPPOSITE.

>> JOINING US ARE PAT BRADY CHAIRMAN OF THE ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY FROM 2009-2013.

BRADY IS A FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR AND RENATO MARIOTTI A LEGAL ANALYST ALSO A FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR AND ATTORNEY AT THOMPSON COBURN.

Mr. BRADY, BASED ON WHAT WE'VE HEARD AND WHAT WE ARE LIKELY TO HEAR ON THURSDAY, HOW COMPELLING A CASE HAS THE COMMITTEE MADE AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP?

>> I THINK THEY'VE MADE A COMPELLING CASE AGAINST HIM.

I'VE WATCHED A LOT OF THE HEARING AND THEY LAID OUT WHAT HE DID AND DIDN'T DO.

MAYBE IT'S OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS OR CONSPIRACY.

I THINK HE PROBABLY COULD BE CHARGED AND FOUND GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.

IT'S TOUGH TO PROVE THOSE SPECIFIC CRIMES.

AND I'VE SAID THIS ALL ALONG NOT JUST AS A REPUBLICAN YOU DO NOT WANT TO SEE A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ON A PERP WALK.

THE HEARINGS ACCOMPLISHED THE GOAL TO MAKE A RECORD OF WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY.

AND WE'LL LET THE AMERICAN PEOPLE JUDGE AND I DO BELIEVE THAT THE NET EFFECT OF THE HEARINGS THEY HAVE ELIMINATED ANY CHANCE OF WANTING TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AGAIN.

>> AND RENATO MARIOTTI, FROM WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD, WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE THINKING AT THIS POINT?

MIGHT THE DOJ HAVE HEARD ENOUGH FROM THE HEARINGS TO WARRANT CRIMINAL CHARGES?

>> GREAT QUESTION, AMANDA.

I WILL SAY THAT WHILE I AGREE THAT THIS IS A COMPELLING PRESENTATION AND I DO THINK THAT THERE MAYBE A POTENTIAL CHARGE HERE PARTICULARLY I THINK AN INDICTMENT TO VIOLENCE MADE VIABLE CHARGE HERE.

BASED ON WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN PUBLIC REPORTING I AM AHE NOT CONFIDENT THAT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO PURSUE A CASE.

IT APPEARS BASED ON RECENT REPORTING THAT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS MOVING SLOWLY AND CAUTIOUSLY HERE.

AND I THINK IT'S UNLIKELY THAT THE GARLAND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WILL BRING CHARGES AGAINST DONALD TRUMP.

>> WHERE HAS THE DOJ BEEN GETTING THEIR INFORMATION FROM THE HEARINGS?

OR PERHAPS GETTING THEIR OWN INFORMATION THAT IS NOT PUBLICLY LAID OUT IN THIS PUBLIC PRIMETIME ON THURSDAY DISPLAY?

>> WE DO KNOW THAT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS A NUMBER OF ACTIVE INVESTIGATIONS.

THEY ARE INVESTIGATING THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND STORMING THE CAPITAL.

CAPITOL.

THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION OF THE FALSE ELECTORS SCREAM AND AN INVESTIGATION IN OIG INVESTIGATION OF Mr. GEOFFREY CLARK WHO PENNED THAT FALSE LETTER ON DOJ LETTERHEAD.

THERE WERE PUBLIC REPORTS THAT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP WAS JOLTED AFTER THE TESTIMONY OF CASSIDY HUTCHINSON AND SO GIVEN THAT AND THE FACT THAT AT LEAST ACCORDING TO PUBLIC REPORTING THAT THE LEADERSHIP IN THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT BEEN FOCUSED ON POTENTIAL LIABLELY TORE THE FORMER PRESIDENT IF I'M PREDICTING WHAT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WILL DOVER SUSPEND WHAT I MIGHT DO, I THINK THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO ACT.

>> ARE YOU DISMAYED AT ALL THAT THE DOJ WAS JOLTED BY EVIDENCE IN A PUBLIC HEARING?

>> NOT REALLY.

YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE INVESTIGATIONS ARE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL TO PROTECT PEOPLE THAT ARE INNOCENT OR.

WE NEVER KNOW WHAT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS DOING AND WHAT THEY KNOW.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WATCH THAT TESTIMONY WERE JOLTED BY THE IRRATIONAL BEHAVIOR OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

HE WAS COMPLETELY UNHINGED THAT DAY.

THERE'S REPORTING THAT HAS COME OUT THAT SAYS THAT MAY NOT BE 100% ACCURATE.

STILL, THE HEARINGS HAVE BEEN COMPELLING EVIDENCE IN MY OPINION THAT THIS PRESIDENT WAS UNFIT TO BE COMMANDER IN CHIEF AND ENGAGED IN AFFIRMATIVE ACTS TO OVERTURN AN ELECTION WHICH HE WAS TOLD BY EVERYBODY INCLUDING HIS FAMILY WAS NOT STOLEN FROM HIM.

BUT HE WENT AHEAD WITH THIS FALSE NARRATIVE AND DID A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> AT THE END OF THAT LAST HEARING, LIZ CHENEY APPEARED TO WARN THE FORMER PRESIDENT AGAINST THIS TAMPERING NOTING AT A POTENTIAL WITNESS RECEIVED A CALL FROM FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> THAT PERSON DECLINED TO ANSWER OR RESPOND TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CALL.

AND INSTEAD, ALERTED THEIR LAWYER TO THE CALL.

THEIR LAURA LETTERED US.

AND THIS COMMITTEE SUPPLIED THAT INFORMATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

LET ME SAY ONE MORE TIME... WE WILL TAKE ANY EFFORT TO INFLUENCE WITNESS TESTIMONY VERY SERIOUSLY.

>> AND Mr. RENATO MARIOTTI WHAT OF THAT?

IS THERE ANYTHING THE COMMITTEE CAN DO?

WILL THAT PERK THE DOJ'S EARS?

>> I THINK WHAT LIZ CHENEY DID WAS A SAVVY MOVE WHICH IS TO CALL OUT THE FORMER PRESIDENT TO PUT A SHOT ACROSS THE BOW AND MAKE IT CLEAR THEY ARE GOING TO FOLLOW-UP REGARDING THE POTENTIAL WITNESS TAMPERING.

AND IT APPEARS THIS IS SOMEBODY A LOW LEVEL EMPLOYEE WHO THE FORMER PRESIDENT WOULD HAVE HAD NO REASON TO CONTACT.

I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING TO THIS.

A PHONE CALL DIDN'T RESULT IN A CONVERSATION.

BUT IT'S INTERESTING IT SHOWS THAT THE COMMITTEE IS DEFINITELY MAKING -- GETTING CLOSE TO HOME FOR THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

>> RENATO MARIOTTI REPORTS ARE SOUNDING THAT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IS GETTING READY TO SOONER THAN LATER ANNOUNCE ANOTHER BID FOR THE PRESIDENCY IN 2024.

NOW, IF HE DOES DO THAT, WOULD THAT AFFORD HIM ANY SORT OF LEGAL PROTECTION OR COVER AT THE LEAST TO CLAIM THAT HE IS BEING POLITICALLY PERSECUTED?

>> I DON'T THINK IT GIVES HIM ANY COVER.

AND IT DOESN'T MATTER LEGALLY.

BUT IT OBVIOUSLY COMPLICATES THE DECISION FOR THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT WOULD BE THE ALLEGATION AT THAT TIME WOULD BE PUBLICLY MADE AND I THINK THAT MERRICK GARLAND AND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PERCEPTION OF THE POLITICIZATION OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT PARTICULARLY UNDER THE TRUMP YEARS WHEN HE WAS TRYING VERY HARD TO ATTACK THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND F.B.I.

>> AND PAT BRADY IS THERE ANY MOVING AWAY FROM THAT POLITICIZATION OF THE ENTIRE PROCESS AT THIS POINT?

>> I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK IT WAS POLITICIZED.

TRUMP MADE IT POLITICAL THE DAY HE WENT IN AND FIRED THE F.B.I.

DIRECTOR I THINK HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.

THE POLITICIZATION STARTED WITH TRUMP.

AND MOST PEOPLE A LONGTIME ARE GOOD PUBLIC SERVANTS ARE NOT POLITICAL AT ALL.

HE ATTACKED THE F.B.I.

AND ATTACKED EVERY INSTITUTION OF OUR GOVERNMENT CLAIMING THEY ARE OUT TO GET HIM.

THE REALITY IS THE HEARING, EVERYONE THAT TESTIFIED, I THINK IT'S INVOLVED IN POLITICS IS A REPUBLICAN.

THIS IS HIS FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THESE ARE PEOPLE HIS FORMER GENERAL COUNSEL PEOPLE AROUND HIM THAT ARE TELLING THE STORY THAT IS DAMAGING.

AND I AGREE HE IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE CHARGED CRIMINALLY.

I THINK HE IS DONE POLITICALLY.

>> PAT BRADY YOU HAVE THE FORMER -- THE CURRENT SPEAKER OF THE ARIZONA HOUSE IS SAYING HE WOULD BE SURPRISED IF HE WOULD GET THE PRIMARY AND WOULD BACK TRUMP AGAIN.

DOES THE FORMER PRESIDENT STILL HAVE A SOLID BASE PARTICULARLY GOING INTO 2024?

>> YES AND NO.

THE OTHER HALF OF THE EQUATION IN ARIZONA THE GOVERNOR AND OTHERS DO NOT BACK HIM INCLUDING THE FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT THAT ARE NOT BACKING HIM.

THERE IS A WAR IN ARIZONA FIGHTING FOR THE HEART AND SOUL OF THAT PARTY.

THE HEARINGS DID A LOT OF DAMAGE TO PRESIDENT TRUMP AND I TALK TO A LOT OF DONORS AND WHETHER THEY AGREED OR SUPPORTED HIM BEFORE, IF SAID ENOUGH IS ENOUGH NO MORE OF THE DISTRACTIONS.

MORE PEOPLE ARE BEHIND DE SANTIS THAT HAVE THE SAME POLICIES BUT NOT THE SAME APPROACH TO POLITICS WHICH MADE IT SO DIFFICULT TO WATCH.

>> Mr. BRADY AS FORMER CHAIR OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHAT OF THOSE SUCH AS CHENEY AND ADAM KINZINGER?

WHAT IS HIS FUTURE IN THE ILLINOIS G.O.P.

OR THE G.O.P.

AT LARGE?

>> I'M NOT SURE.

I GIVE BOTH CREDIT FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING.

AND HISTORY WILL JUDGE THEM AS HEROIC.

AND ADAM KINZINGER IS A FRIEND OF MINE HE HAD A DEATH THREAT WITH A FIVE-YEAR-OLD BABY.

LIZ CHENEY THEY ARE COMING AFTER HER.

THERE USED TO BE A TIME IN POLITICS WHEN COURAGE WAS REWARDED.

AND POST TRUMP THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE THE CASE IT'S ABOUT SPIN AND MAKING UP STORIES.

I HOPED THEY ARE JUDGED BY HISTORY.

>> AND WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THE HEARING AIRING HERE ON WTTW ON THURSDAY.

WITH THAT THANKS TO PAT BRADY AND RENATO MARIOTTI.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS AND CLAIMS OF LABOR LAW VIOLATIONS FOR A MAJOR U.S. COMPANY.

BRANDIS?

>> WORKERS AT STARBUCKS COFFEE SHOPS IN CHICAGO AND PEORIA ACCUSED THE COMPANY OF A SLEW OF LABOR LAW VIOLATIONS DURING THE UNIONIZING EFFORT THAT NOW NUMBERS NEARLY 200 LOCATIONS.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO CHARGES FILED WITH THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD OBTAINED BY WTTW NEWS.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" NICK BLUMBERG HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY AND JOINS US WITH MORE.

WHICH STARBUCKS LOCATIONS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

>> THE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE CHARGES COME FROM LOCATIONS IN DOWN STATE PEORIA AND NORTH SUBURBAN WILMETTE AND EDGEWATER, LOGAN SQUARE, THE LOOP AND HYDE PARK.

AMONG THE CLAIMS ARE THAT THE COMPANY HAS INTERROGATED, DISCIPLINED AND THREATENED RETALIATION AGAINST PRO UNION EMPLOYEES AND TOLD WORKERS THEY CANNOT DISCUSS TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.

THEY TOLD AN EMPLOYEE TO QUIT IF THEY HATE STARBUCKS.

ENGAGED IN SURVEILLANCE OF UNION SUPPORTERS.

NOW, MOST OF THE LOCATIONS ARE AMONG THE COFFEE SHOPS THAT SOUGHT TO UNIONIZE AS PART OF A NATIONWIDE EFFORT THAT STARTED LAST YEAR IN BUFFALO NEW YORK AND COUNTS 200 UNIONIZED STARBUCKS.

CARLOS GINARD IS WORKING WITH THE SEIU AFFILIATE REPRESENTING THE EMPLOYEES.

>> WE HAVE SEEN A PATTERN NOT JUST IN CHICAGO AND SEATTLE, AND DENVER AND PLACES IN CALIFORNIA, WHERE WE'RE SEEING THE PATTERN THAT STARBUCKS IS NOT AFRAID OF WHATEVER REPERCUSSIONS THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD MAY HAVE FOR FIRING UNION SUPPORTERS.

ALL WE WANT IS TO SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE CAN STARBUCKS AND START NEGOTIATING THE CONTRACT IN SOME OF THE SHOPS THAT HAVE ALREADY WON THE UNION VOTE.

>> AND WHAT HAS BEEN THE COMPANY'S RESPONSE?

>> IN A STATEMENT A STARBUCKS SPOKESPERSON SAYS QUOTE... >> IT IS JUST THE LOCAL CASES THAT STARBUCKS IS DEFENDING.

WORKERS FILED HUNDREDS OF CHARGES ALLEGING LABOR LAW VIOLATIONS AROUND THE U.S.

WHICH THE COMPANY HAS BEEN FIERCELY OPPOSING.

UNION EMPLOYEES SAYS STARBUCKS HAVE BEEN FIRING ORGANIZERS AND CLOSED STORES AND THREATENED TO TAKE AWAY GENDER AFFIRMING HEALTH COVERAGE FOR TRANSWORKERS.

STARBUCKS SHOPS IN SEATTLE, BOSTON AND ONE HERE IN EDGEWATER HAVE GONE ON STRIKE OVER A VARIETY OF ISSUES.

THE CHICAGO LOCATION DID SO TO PROTEST WHAT EMPLOYEES SAY IS CHRONIC UNDER STAFFING.

DESPITE THE STRONG PUSHBACK FROM THE COMPANY THIS ORGANIZING EFFORT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE SLOWING DOWN.

TWO CHICAGO LOCATIONS ARE VOTING BY MAIL ONE IN NORTH PARK AND EDGEWATER WITH RESULTS EXPECTED EARLY NEXT MONTH.

AS FOR THE RESULTS OF THOSE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE CHARGES, CARLOS GINARD SAYS IT'S UNCLEAR HOW LONG THE INVESTIGATIONS ARE GOING TO TAKE.

>> YOU'LL KEEP AN EYE ON IT FOR US.

THANK YOU.

>> AND YOU CAN READ NICK'S FULL STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> UP NEXT, A LOCAL JAZZ ARTIST INSPIRING KIDS TO EXPLORE THE PERFORMING ARTS.

STAY WITH US.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING ADVICE ON WHETHER NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE MAJOR PURCHASES CAN INFLATION AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

FIRST, A LOCAL EMMY WINNING JAZZ VOCALIST IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE PATHS IN PERFORMING ARTS.

THE SUMMER PROGRAM OFFERS EXPOSURE FOR ALL AGES AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT WHAT THEY LEARNED TO THE TEST IN TWO PUBLIC CONCERTS.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU TAKES US TO THE WEST LOOP FOR TIMELESS GIFTS A MUSICAL REVIEW.

[♪♪♪] >> IT IS A REMEMBRANCE, IT IS A REIMAGINING, IT IS A TRIBUTE TO SOME OF THE GREAT ICONIC PIECES IN MUSICAL THEATRE, FILM AND TELEVISION THAT FEATURED AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

YOU WILL SEE LITTLE SNIPPETS FROM SERAPHINNA, BOREGY AND BESS, DREAM GIRLS WE HAVE MOTOWN MEDLEY.

>> COMPRISED OF STUDENTS 3-24, TIME BUILDING GIFTS IS A NONPROFIT CREATED BY JOAN COLLASO WHO WANTED TO INSURE CHILDREN HAVE THE SAME EXPOSURE TO MUSICAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT HAVE ALLOWED HER TO SING AROUND THE WORLD.

>> IT'S JUST THAT OUTLET.

THAT BEING ABLE TO EXPRESS YOURSELF IN ANOTHER WAY.

BEING ABLE TO REALLY BE WHO YOU ARE, SOMETIME IN YOUR LIFE.

>> WHILE THE SEVEN-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM OFFERS MUSIC AND DANCE LESSONS THEY EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES.

THAT PERFORMING ARTS CAN BE PURSUED PASSIONATELY AND PRACTICALLY.

>> AS YOU GET OLDER, IT BECOMES LESS AND LESS ABOUT THE FAME AND THE FORTUNE AND MORE AND MORE ABOUT MAKING A LIVING.

AND BEING REALISTIC ABOUT WHAT LIFE IS LEADING US INTO.

>> THIS COMMITMENT TO PRACTICALITY AND PERFORMING ARTS EXTENDS TO RELATIONSHIPS AS WELL.

EIGHT-YEAR-OLD CHRISTIAN WILLIAMS HAS BEEN A PART OF THE PROGRAM FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND HAS FOUND A MENTOR IN HIS PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR TONY CARPENTER.

>> HE MIGHT BE THE BEST PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR I COULD EVER HAVE.

>> THEY LEARN THE DIFFERENT PARTS AND PUT THEM TOGETHER TO MAKE A RHYTHM.

TONE, TONE, HEEL, TIP.

>> YES.

>> CHRISTIAN HAS APPLIED THIS TO HIS FIRST SOLO.

>> ♪OH, HAPPY DAY♪ [♪♪♪] >> IT WASN'T UNTIL CHRISTIAN JOINED THE PROGRAM THAT HE REALIZED HE WANTED TO SING.

JOAN COLLASO SAYS THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY SUCCESS STORIES FOR THE PROGRAM.

>> A LOT OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS MUSIC.

ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS DANCE.

ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS PLAY PIANO AND WRITE SONGS AND THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

AND THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

BUT THE ONES THAT ARE HERE AND THEY DON'T KNOW THEY ARE ON THE FENCE ABOUT IT OR I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE TALENT THAT WAY, BUT I STILL AM DRAWN TO THIS.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO KNOW THERE IS A PLACE FOR THEM HERE AS WELL.

[♪♪♪] >> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> IMPRESSIVE SINGING AND DANCING.

CAN YOU SEE TIMELESS GIFTS TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:30 AT THE EPIPHANY CENTER FOR THE ARTS IN THE WEST LOOP.

THEY WILL BE HAVING THE END OF SUMMER SHOWCASE AUGUST 7TH AT THE DUSABLE MUSEUM.

AND WE HAVE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

NOW BRANDIS, WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" FOLLOWING ANOTHER LOSS ON STATE STREET WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THE LOOP SHOPPING STRIP?

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO MAKE A MAJOR PURCHASE LIKE A HOME OR CAR SHOULD YOU HURRY UP AND DO IT BEFORE THE INTEREST RATES GO HIGHER?

A FINANCIAL PLANNER WEIGHS IN.

HAS LOCAL TOURISM RECOVERED YET FROM THE PANDEMIC?

WE CHECK IN ON TRAVEL WITH THE HEADS OF ILLINOIS' HOTEL ASSOCIATION AND THE CITY'S TOURISM BUREAU.

>> WORKING MEDIUMS BUT WE HAVE A RESPECT FOR MARIACHI, A SERIOUS ART FORM >> AND MARIACHI MEETS IMPROVE.

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD BOY PARALYZED IN THE HIGHLAND PARK SHOOTING IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION BUT MAKING PROGRESS.

HE IS BREATHING ON HIS OWN.

THE YOUNG BOY REMAINS IN THE PEDIATRIC INSENSITIVE CARE UNIT.

HIS SPINAL CORD WAS SEVERED BY A BULLET AND HE IS PARALYZED FROM THE WAIST DOWN.

HE TOOK A BRIEF RIDE IN A WHEELCHAIR WHICH THE FAMILY SAYS WAS QUOTE VERY DIFFICULT AND EMOTIONAL FOR HIM AND HIS FAMILY.

THE FAMILY ADDS THE FLUID IN HIS PELVIS IS CONCERNING BUT TEAMS ARE WORKING TO DETERMINE THE NEXT STEPS.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYS HER NEW BUDGET WILL NOT OVERBURDEN PROPERTY OWNERS THOUGH THE PROPERTY TAXES ARE TIED TO INFLATION.

INFLATION REACHED 9% LAST MONTH AND WITH THE HIGHEST INFLATION IN DECADES, PROPERTY TAXES COULD NEARLY QUADRUPLE IN 2023.

THE MAYOR SAYS HER ADMINISTRATION WILL PUT GUARDRAILS AROUND THE BUDGET TO INSURE THAT PROPERTY OWNERS ARE NOT PUBLISHED.

HERE IS WHAT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAID.

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY REGRETS BUT NOBODY ANTICIPATED THAT THE CPI WAS GOING TO EXPLODE.

>> CHICAGO IS SET TO PAY MORE THAN $11 MILLION TO SETTLE THREE POLICE MISCONDUCT CASES.

CITY COUNCIL'S FINANCE COMMITTEE IS ENDORSING THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CITY'S ATTORNEYS.

6.75 MILLION WOULD GO TO NORMAN MACINTOSH WHO SPENT 15 YEARS IN PRISON FOR A MURDER BEFORE BEING EXONERATED.

A FINAL VOTE IS SET FOR WEDNESDAY BY THE FULL CITY COUNCIL.

>> AND THE CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS LOSE ITS TV ANALYST EDDIE OLCZYK.

THE FORMER NHL CENTER AND VOICE OF THE BOOTH IS JOINING THE SEATTLE CRACKENS TEAM.

EDDIE OLCZYK COULD NOT REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH MANAGEMENT.

HE IS THE LATEST BIG NAME TO LEAVE THE ORGANIZATION.

HALL OF FAME PLAY BY PLAY PAT FOLEY RETIRED AND THE TEAM TRADE STAR WINGER ON DRAFT DAY.

>> A RICKETTS FAMILY MEMBER TAKES ON GOOGLE WITH A SEARCH ENGINE.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN POT BELLY'S TORTURED HISTORY WITH A FEDERAL LOAN PROGRAM AND THE LOOP'S SHOPPING DISTRICT LOSES ANOTHER STORE.

HERE IS CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS REPORTER DANNY ECKER.

WELCOME BACK.

TODD RICKETTS OF THE RICKETTS FAMILY THAT OWNS THE CHICAGO CUBS LAUNCHING A SEARCH ENGINE CALLED FREE SPOKE.

WHY PUT OUT A NEW SEARCH ENGINE WHEN GOOGLE DOMINATES THE MARKET HERE AND DOES THIS HAVE A CHANCE OF MAKING IT?

>> YEAH, HE CALLS THIS A SEARCH ENGINE FOR THE HEART OF AMERICA AND GOOGLE IS A VERB WHEN IT COMES TO INTERNET SEARCH THAT HOW DOMINANT IT IS.

RICKETTS BELIEVES THAT GOOGLE IS BIASED IN THE RESULTS IT BRINGS UP AGAINST CONSERVATIVE POLITICAL CONVERSATION.

AND AS I'M SURE YOU RECALL RICKETTS IS THE FORMER REPUBLICAN NATIONAL FINANCE CHAIRMAN.

HIS SITE WOULD LABEL NEWS STORIES THAT ARE BROUGHT UP WITH A LEFT OR MIDDLE OR RIGHT TAG BASED ON THE SOURCE.

WILL IT WORK?

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME SOMEONE TRIED TO CHIP AWAY AT GOOGLE.

NO ONE SUCCEEDED BUT WE'LL SEE WHETHER IT BECOMES A SEARCH PLATFORM OR A POLITICAL NEWS FILTERING SITE BUT HE'S A HEADSTART WITH THE NAME RECOGNITION.

>> CURIOUS TO SEE HOW THAT PLAYS.

THERE MIGHT BE AN END TO THE SAGA WITH POT BELLY AND THE PPP, THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM THIS COULD IMPACT TAXPAYERS.

REMIND US WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE CHICAGO BASED SANDWICH CHAIN?

>> POT BELLY WAS CAUGHT A LOT OF HEAT EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC FOR TAKING A PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOAN WHEN SMALL BUSINESSES COULDN'T GET THEM.

THEN THEY RETURNED IT.

AND GOT ANOTHER $10 MILLION LOAN WHICH THEY SAID WAS NEEDED TO RETAIN PAYROLL.

THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION HAD BEEN REVIEWING THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THAT LOAN AND POT BELLY'S WARNED INVESTORS THEY MIGHT HAVE TO PAY IT BACK AND THEY DISCLOSED THE LOAN HAS BEEN FORGIVEN.

THE LOANS COULD BE FORGIVEN IF THE COMPANY KEPT THE EMPLOYEE AND COMPENSATION LEVELS BEFORE COVID AND SPENT THE MONEY ON PAYROLL AND THE SBA SAID POT BELLY FOLLOWED THE RULES.

>> OLD NAVY ANNOUNCES IT IS NOT RENEWING THE LEASE ON STATE STREET.

WHAT IS THIS GOING TO MEAN FOR THE LOOP WITHOUT THE STORE THERE?

>> WELL, FOR ONE IT MEANS THERE COULD BE A 32,000 SQUARE-FOOT VACANCY AT STATE AND RANDOLPH IT IS A BIG SPACE IN A HIGH PROFILE LOCATION A MONTH AFTER DSW CLOSED ITS STORE ON STATE STREET.

THIS IS THE TYPE OF THING THE CITY WORRIED ABOUT PEOPLE NOT COMING BACK TO OFFICES.

YOU HAVE A LOT LESS FOOT TRAFFIC AND BUSINESSES THAT RELY ON PEOPLE BEING THERE, CANNOT SURVIVE OR WILL NOT STICK AROUND AND THAT LEAVES SPACES EMPTY.

RETAIL WAS NOT THRIVING BEFORE THE PANDEMIC BUT IT IS A BAD SIGN WHEN ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR SHOPPING STRIPS IS LOSING ANCHOR TENANTS.

>> ANOTHER LOCATION TO WATCH OUT FOR.

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

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW AMANDA WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS.

AND YES, SHOPPING GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE.

INFLATION AT A 40-YEAR HIGH AND THE FEDS ARE EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE ANOTHER INTEREST RATE HIKE AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

SO SHOULD YOU RUSH TO BUY THAT NEW HOME?

AND WHAT IF YOU NEED TO UPGRADE YOUR CAR?

IS IT GOOD TO PAY OFF YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPLETELY OR SHOULD YOU CARRY A SMALL BALANCE TO BOOST YOUR SCORE?

HERE TO BREAK IT DOWN AND GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE TRYING FINANCIAL TIMES IS COLUMNIST TERRY SAVAGE.

MORE ACTION IS EXPECTED BEFORE THE FEDERAL RESERVE.

WHAT IS YOUR PREDICTION?

>> IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A CRYSTAL BALL.

THE FED SAID IT WILL RAISE INTEREST RATES ANOTHER 75 BASIS POINTS THAT THREE QUARTERS OF A PERCENT.

AND SOME ARE PREDICTING AFTER THE STRONG CONSUMER PRICE AND THE PRICE REPORT AT THE RATE INCREASE CAN BE AS MUCH AS 1%.

INTEREST RATES ARE GOING UP.

THE WAY THE FED CAN FLIGHT INFLATION.

THE INFLATION WHICH WE SEE ALL AROUND US YOU HEARD THE MAYOR SAY THAT THEY HAD MADE THE CRITICAL MISTAKE OF TYING PROPERTY TAX INCREASES TO CPI WITH AT LEAST ONLY A 5% INCREASE LIMIT.

BUT THE FACT IS PRICES OF EVERYTHING ARE GOING UP.

AND THE WAY THE FED FIGHTS INFLATION IS SLOWING DEMAND AND THAT IS DONE BY RAISING INTEREST RATES.

YOU CAN LOOK FOR MORE OF THE SAME IN THE END OF THIS MONTH BUT LIKELY IN SEPTEMBER WHEN THE FED MEETS AGAIN.

>> AND SO WE HAVE HEARD THAT THAT COULD PRESENT A RISK OF A RECESSION.

WE KNOW PRICES GOING UP.

WHAT GENERALLY DOES THIS MEAN FOR CONSUMERS?

IS IT TIME TO HOLD BACK AND SAVE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE?

OR MAYBE BUY GOODS BEFORE INFLATION TICKS UP AND THE PRICE GOES UP EVEN MORE?

>> THAT IS THE INFLATION MENTALITY.

GOT TO BUY IT NOW BECAUSE THE PRICE IS GOING UP.

BUT THE SENSIBLE THING FOR ANY CONSUMER TO DO ESPECIALLY, ESPECIALLY, SO MANY SENIORS AND OTHERS ON FIXED INCOMES, WHERE THEIR INCOMES WILL NOT EXPAND, IS TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK NOW AT YOUR SITUATION.

WE'VE SEEN JUST A BIT OF RISING CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT RIGHT NOW THERE ARE JOBS GOING BEGGING.

IT MAY NOT BE YOUR PREFERRED PROFESSION BUT IF YOU CAN WORK A FEW NIGHTS A WEEK AND GET EXTRA MONEY AND PAY DOWN YOUR CREDIT CARD DEBT.

CREDIT CARD DEBT IS AVERAGING 20% INTEREST RATES.

IF WE GO INTO A RECESSION WHICH MEANS POTENTIAL UNEMPLOYMENT AND GO IN WITHOUT DEBT AND TAKE ADVANTAGE RIGHT NOW OF TIGHT LABOR SUPPLY AND PERHAPS WORK TO BRING IN EXTRA MONEY TO HAVE A SAVINGS PUT TO PAY DOWN THE DEBT THAT IS THE RIGHT MOVE TO MAKE.

>> GETTING MORE PEOPLE APPLYING FOR AND FILLING THE JOBS.

LET'S TALK FOR A MOMENT ABOUT CREDIT CARDS.

SO IF SOMEBODY HAS AN INTEREST RATE WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD, CAN YOU EXPECT THE INTEREST RATE TO RISE AS THE FEDS CONTINUE TO ACT?

>> ONLY WHEN THEY KNOW THEY'VE GOT YOU.

THAT IS NOT THE MOST IMMINENT THING THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

BUT IT IS A HUGE BURDEN.

IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT PRICES RISING AT 9%, HOW ABOUT PAYING AN EXTRA 22% ON WHATEVER YOU BOUGHT?

YES, THE FIRST THING TO DO IS PAY DOWN YOUR CREDIT CARD.

YOU MENTIONED MAYBE YOU SHOULD LEAVE A LITTLE.

MANY PEOPLE CAN'T PAY DOWN THE BALANCES.

THAT IS WHAT THE EXTRA MONEY IS FOR.

BUT IF YOU CAN DOUBLE THE CURRENT MINIMUM MONTHLY PAYMENT AND KEEP PAYING THAT AMOUNT EVERY MONTH NO MATTER WHAT THE BALANCE OR THE RATE YOU WILL HAVE THE BALANCE PAID OFF IN LESS THAN THREE YEARS.

DOUBLE THIS MINIMUM MONTHLY PAYMENT AND DON'T CHARGE ANOTHER PENNY.

>> THE ADVICE IS PAY THE CREDIT CARD DEBT DOWN.

WHAT ABOUT, THOUGH, SPECIFIC CONSUMERS FOR EXAMPLE THOSE LOOKING TO BUY A HOUSE.

YOU HAVE MORTGAGE RATES UP AND RENT.

WHAT SHOULD BUYERS CONSIDER?

>> THAT'S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING NOW.

RENTS ARE OUTPACING MORTGAGE PAYMENTS.

AND MORTGAGE -- IT'S INTERESTING.

WE SAW MORTGAGE RATES AROUND 3% A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO.

AND NOW WE HAVE RATES OVER 5.6%.

THEY'VE BACKED OFF A LITTLE BIT NOW.

THAT SOUNDS TERRIBLE.

BUT THOSE OF US WHO REMEMBER THE LAST INFLATION I WAS AROUND AND SO WERE SOME OF YOU WE HAD MORTGAGE RATES OF 13 AND 14%.

THE POINT IS IF YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A JOB AND IF YOU HAVE MONEY TO MAKE A DOWN PAYMENT THERE ARE GREAT PROGRAMS, THIS WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO LOCK IN A HOME PURCHASE.

YOU CAN MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE AFFORDABLE WITH AN ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE.

THE MONTHLY PAYMENTS COULD ADJUST UPWARDS.

RIGHT NOW WE'VE SEEN HOME PRICES BACK OFF A LITTLE BIT FROM THAT TREMENDOUS INFLATION.

A BIT OF A SLOWDOWN EVERYBODY IS WORRIED ABOUT A RECESSION.

SO YOU MIGHT IF YOU HAVE GOOD CREDIT, CASH AND CAN APPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIND A RELATIVE BARGAIN RIGHT NOW.

>> HAVEN'T SEEN THAT MANY BARGAINS ON CAR LOTS.

WHAT ABOUT SOMEBODY WHO NEEDS TO UPGRADE THEIR VEHICLE WHETHER IT'S BROKEN DOWN OR PARENTS WITH A GROWING FAMILY IS THIS THE CASE OF HURRY OR TRY TO WAIT IT OUT?

>> YOU ARE NOT GETTING DEALS NOW BECAUSE THE SHORTAGES OF CARS THERE ARE NOT CARS COMING OFF THE RENTAL FLEETS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO BUILD AS MANY NEW CARS BECAUSE OF CHIP SHORTAGES.

THAT IS WHY THAT SUPPLY CHAIN THING THAT FEEDS INTO THE INFLATION.

THERE ARE NO BARGAINS IN CARS.

HAVE A FRIENDLY MECHANIC AND SEE IF THEY WANT TO DO THE WORK YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET A BARG ANYONE CARS RIGHT NOW.

>> AND TERRY SAVAGE WE HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT.

WHEN IT COMES TO OTHER MAJOR PURCHASES, DOES THE SAME PRINCIPLE APPLY?

ANY THOUGHTS FOR INVESTORS?

>> WELL, WE HOPE IT WON'T BE A TERRIBLE RECESSION.

IF YOU CAN REMAIN LIQUID AND HAVE GOOD CREDIT THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU.

WE WILL GET THROUGH IT WE HOPE WITHOUT A TERRIBLE RECESSION.

AND THE STOCK MARKET WILL GET THROUGH THIS.

IF THERE IS A RECESSION EARNINGS GO DOWN THAT IS WHAT IS TROUBLING THE STOCK MARKET RIGHT NOW.

LOOK PAST THAT.

WE ARE GOING TO GET BEYOND THIS.

BUT THIS COULD BE TOUGH TIMES PREPARE YOURSELF NOW WHILE YOU CAN GET A JOB AND MAKE EXTRA MONEY AND PAY DOWN YOUR DEBT IT LOOKS LIKE WE SHOULD HAVE A YEAR OF TOUGH TIMES AHEAD.

>> SOUND ADVICE.

PREPARATIONS TO MAKE.

THANKS FOR OFFERING THAT, TERRY SAVAGE.

>> THANKS AMANDA.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

SUMMER TRAVEL IS HEATING UP.

BUT WHAT ABOUT TOURISM HERE IN CHICAGO?

HAS THE CITY BOUNCED BACK TO PREPANDEMIC LEVELS?

ARE THE HOTELS FULL AGAIN?

AND WHAT ABOUT BUSINESS TOURISM AND CONVENTIONS WILL THEY BE FOREVER CHANGED?

HERE TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS AND MORE ARE MICHAEL JACOBSON, PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE ILLINOIS HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOCIATION.

AND LYNN OSMOND, PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE CITY'S TOURISM OFFICE CHOOSE CHICAGO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

LYNN OSMOND LET'S START WITH YOU, HAS CHICAGO TOURISM FULLY RECOVERED FROM THE PANDEMIC YET?

>> WE HAVE NOT FULLY RECOVERED BUT WE'RE WELL ON OUR WAY TO RECOVERY.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR, WE ACTUALLY HAD OVER 75% OF OUR 2019 LEVELS.

YOU LOOK AT IT, WE HAVE 45,000 ROOMS FILLED PER NIGHT.

AND WE HAD 4.18 MILLION ROOMS THAT WERE FILLED.

THAT WAS TERRIFIC FOR US.

AND WE LOOK AT IT AND THAT GAVE US $156 MILLION FOR THE TAX REVENUE.

ROOM RATES ARE RISING.

THEY ARE HIGHER THAN 2019 LEVELS.

SO IT'S 82% IN TERMS OF TAXES ARE RAISED.

82% OF THE LEVELS OF 2019.

WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF PROGRESS AND ALSO THE CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS ARE ALMOST BACK TO 2019 LEVELS.

WE'RE REALLY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE CITY.

>> ALL OF THAT SAID, MICHAEL JACOBSON, FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE HOW ARE CHICAGO HOTELS DOING?

>> THEY ARE DOING FAR BETTER THAN WHERE WE WERE.

WE ARE PROGRESSING WELL.

BUT WE ARE NOT BACK TO 2019 LEVELS.

IN FACT, WE DID REACH ONE METRIC EARLIER THIS MONTH FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY SECOND, ACTUALLY FOR THE VERY FIRST WEEK SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC WE SURPASSED THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY RATE.

BEYOND WHERE WE WERE IN 2019.

SERVICE 78% THIS YEAR COMPARED TO 66% IN 2019.

SO IT SHOWS YOU THAT THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER.

THEY ARE FRANKLY PROGRESSING FASTER THAN WE ORIGINALLY EXPECTED.

BUT WE'RE STILL NOT QUITE WHERE WE WERE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

>> AND MICHAEL HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE HOW HOTELS ARE DOING WITH FINDING ENOUGH STAFF?

>> THAT IS OUR TOP CHALLENGE FINDING STAFF.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE MISUNDERSTAND WHAT OUR JOBS ARE IN OUR HOTELS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PAY WE DON'T COME CLOSE TO MINIMUM WAGE.

OUR STARTING WAJ IN MOST HOTELS IS $23 AN HOUR FOR THE MOST ENTRY LEVEL POSITION.

WE ALSO OFFER A LOT MORE BENEFITTINGS.

HEALTHCARE, TRANSIT SUBSIDIES, RETIREMENT, FREER DISCOUNT IN TRAVEL AND FREE MEALS AND FREE CHILDCARE FOR WORKING MOMS OUT THERE.

AND ALSO THE FLEXIBILITY.

PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE OUR HOTELS ARE OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY AND WE HAVE JOBS IN THE HOTELS EVERY HOUR OF EVERYDAY.

IF YOU ARE A SINGLE MOM OR A STUDENT WORKING FOR FLEXIBLE WORK OPTIONS WE CAN PROVIDE THAT FOR YOU AND PROVIDE IT FOR YOU R5RDLESS OF WHAT YOUR INTEREST IS IN CULINARY OR CUSTOMER SERVICE OR MAINTENANCE AND ENGINEERING, OR FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING NO MATTER WHAT YOUR INTEREST IS WE HAVE A JOB FOR YOU.

AND NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE AN ENTRY LEVEL JOB, THE CAREER ADVANCEMENT IS SO MUCH FASTER AND GREATER THAN MOST INDUSTRIES IN CHICAGO.

>> LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES.

A GOOD PITCH FOR A JOB IF I'VE HEARD ONE.

LYNN, I WANT TO SHIFT OVER TO BUSINESS TRAVEL WILL WE SEE IT RETURN TO PREPANDEMIC LEVELS OR HAVE WE GOTTEN COMFORTABLE AND USED TO BE ABLE TO WORK VIRTUALLY?

>> YOU KNOW THERE IS SUCH A PENT UP DEMAND.

WE'RE SEEING THAT WITH THE CONVENTIONS AND WE ARE HAVING SUCCESSFUL CONVENTIONS.

STARTING IN MAY WE HAD THE NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION COMING IN.

THEY HAD OVER 52,000 PEOPLE ATTENDING COMPARED TO JUST OVER 60,000 PEOPLE IN PREPANDEMIC LEVELS.

THEN WE'VE GOT JUST FINISHED THE AXO THAT CAME IN WITH A SUCCESSFUL NUMBER.

COMING THIS FALL WE HAVE THE MANUFACTURING SHOW.

THAT WILL BE ABOUT 100,000.

WE'RE SEEING IT.

THERE'S PENT UP DEMAND TO MEET IN-PERSON AND TO BE TOGETHER AND THIS YEAR GOING FORWARD WE HAVE 183 EVENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING.

1.5 MILLION PEOPLE WILL BE COMING TO CHICAGO.

AND THAT IS JUST REALLY EXCITING TO SEE THIS DEMAND COMING BACK.

AND WE'RE ALSO SEEING STEADY INFLUENCE WITH THE AIRLINES.

THEY ARE UP TO VERY AGGRESSIVE SCHEDULES COMING INTO CHICAGO.

AND WE LOOK SIX MONTHS OUT.

THAT ALLOWS US TO SAY PEOPLE ARE FEELING POSITIVE ABOUT THE RETURN OF CHICAGO AND THAT SHOWS THEY ARE.

>> AND THE AIRLINES, LYNN, BUT OBVIOUSLY THE SUMMER WE'RE HEARING A LOT ABOUT THE AIRLINES THE STRUGGLING FOR STAFF AND HAVING TO CHANGE THEIR SCHEDULES AND FLIGHTS.

DELAYS, CANCELLATIONS AND LOST LUGGAGE ARE THESE AIRPORT FRUSTRATIONS ARE THEY IMPACTING CHICAGO HOTELS?

>> THEY AREN'T.

AND THE SAME CAN BE SAID ABOUT GAS PRICES.

WE THOUGHT IT WOULD HAVE A BIGGER IMPACT ON TRAVEL.

WE HAVE NOT HEARD THAT.

YOU SEE THAT IN THE METRICS THEY CONTINUE TO RISE EACH WEEK AFTER WEEK.

I THINK BY THE TIME YOU REACH THE FRONT DESK OF A HOTEL YOU ARE SO EXCITED TO EXPERIENCE ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT CHICAGO HAS TO OFFER THAT IF THERE WERE FRUSTRATIONS GETTING HERE, THEY ARE LONG FORGOTTEN BY THE TIME THEY CHECK IN.

AND WE'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE IN CHICAGO ARE TWO PHENOMENAL AIRPORTS WHERE WE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCING THE ISSUES THAT YOU'VE SEEN IN THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD.

WE HAVE NOT HAD THE ISSUES HERE IN CHICAGO.

THAT SETS US APART AS EVEN BETTER CITY TO TRAVEL TO THAN MANY CITIES ACROSS THE WORLD.

>> WE'RE TWO WEEKS AWAY FROM WHAT I IMAGINE IS AN ALL HANDS ON DECK SCENARIO WITH LOLLAPALOOZA, 400,000 PEOPLE IN THE CITY ARE THE HOTELS READY?

>> THEY ARE.

LOLLAPALOOZA IS ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT WEEKS OF THE YEAR.

CAN YOU NOT UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT FESTIVAL TO THE CHICAGO TOURISM MARKET AND THE CHICAGO ECONOMY.

WHEN THE PEOPLE COME IN FROM THE REGION AND THE COUNTRY ALL OVER THE WORLD, THEY ARE NOT STAYING IN OUR HOTELS THEY ARE EATING IN OUR RESTAURANTS AND VISITING OUR ATTRACTIONS INCLUDING THE MUSEUMS AND RIVER BOAT CRUISES.

THEY ARE DOING SO MUCH MORE.

IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO US.

WE ARE READY FOR IT AND EXCITED TO WELCOME VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR LOLLAPALOOZA.

>> LYNN A FEW SECONDS LEFT, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS WHAT THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS COULD BE DOING TO HELP TOURISM RECOVER?

>> WELL, THEY WERE GOOD WITH US DURING COVID AND WE NEED THAT TO CONTINUE.

WE'RE SELLING THE LARGEST CONVENTION CENTER IN NORTH AMERICA 2.6 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF EXHIBIT SPACE.

WE NEED TO BE OPEN INCENTIVIZE MEETINGS TO COME TO CHICAGO WHICH ARE COMPETITORS IN LAS VEGAS AND ORLANDO.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THAT CONVENTION BUSINESS AND IN OUR TOURISM BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO TO MAKE OURSELVES THE WORLD CLASS CITY WE ARE.

WE GOT RATED BY TIME AS THE NUMBER TWO CITY IN NORTH -- IN THE WORLD BEHIND GLASGOW.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT STATUS AND PEOPLE SHOULD WANT TO COME HERE.

>> TAKE THAT, NEW YORK.

OK. LYNN OSMOND AND MICHAEL JACOBSON THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THERE'S MORE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" JUST AHEAD SO STICK AROUND.

>> CHICAGO IS WELL-KNOWN AS THE BIRTHPLACE OF IMPROVISATIONAL COMEDY.

SINCE THEATRE GOT ITS START HERE IN THE LATE 1950s IT'S BEEN A WHITE DOMINATED SPACE.

FOR THE PAST DECADE A GROUP OF LOCAL COMEDIANS PLAYED A DIFFERENT TUNE THROUGH A TWIST ON MEXICAN MARIACHI MUSIC THEY ARE BRINGING A TASTE OF LATINO CULTURE TO AUDIENCES.

ERICA GUNDERSON INTRODUCED US TO THEM.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> ARE YOU FROM HERE OR VISITING?

>> WE'RE VISITING.

FROM WHERE?

>> WISCONSIN.

NO!

>> THE MEMBERS WILL BE THE FIRST TO TELL YOU THEY ARE NOT TRADITIONAL MARIACHISSISM WE ARE COMEDIANS BUT WE HAVE A RESPECT FOR MARIACHI IT IS A SERIOUS ART FORM.

>> [♪♪♪] ♪EMILY YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL.

SHE IS WORTH MORE THAN A PESO.

>> IT'S PAYING HOMAGE TO THINGS THAT COME FROM MEXICAN CULTURE BUT WE THROW IT ON ITS HEAD.

[♪♪♪] >> HE ADMITS THEY ARE NOT PARTICULARLY GOOD MUSICIANS.

PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY EXPECTING THE GUYS ARE THE ATTIRE THEY WILL SOUND GREAT AND I GET ON MY HORN AND IT'S A B FLAT ALL THE WAY.

[♪♪♪] >> BUT FOR THEIR BRANDS OF IMPROV COMEDY IT'S PART OF THE PLAN.

>> IMPROVISING THE MUSIC PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY THAT LOWER BARRIER TO ENTRY WHERE YOU CAN JUST GO FOR IT AND HAVE A GOOD TIME.

>> SHE STARTED THE GROUP 10 YEARS AGO.

AND STEVEN JOINED IN 2015.

>> IT WAS OUT OF THE LONGEST RUNNING SKETCH COMEDY LATINO THEATRE COMPANY IN CHICAGO AND I WANTED TO PUT TOGETHER A SHOW THAT NOT ONLY CELEBRATED MEXICAN CULTURE AND LATINO CULTURE BUT ALSO HAD A TON OF FUN WITH T WE GOT OUR.

>> VICKS VAPO RUB JOKES.

>> SPRITE.

PEPSI.

OUR SEXUAL APPETITE BEING THE LATIN LOVER STUFF LIKE THAT.

WE MAY DO A BIRTH OF EL RAY.

DO THE TRADITIONAL SPANISH VERSE OF IT AND THE SECOND VERSE IS COMPLETELY IN ENGLISH AND IMPROVISED RIGHT ON THE SPOT BASED ON WHAT THEY ARE GIVEN.

>> WE ARE AMBASSADORS WE ARE THE INTRO TO THE INTRO CLASS THAT YOU WOULD TAKE ON A COMMUNITY COLLEGE ON LATINO CULTURE.

>> THEIR ACT ADDS VARIETY AND RELATABILITY TO A WHITE DOMINATED SPACE.

>> THERE IS NOT A LOT OF SPANISH IMPROV OR COMEDY ON THE NORTH SIDE OF CHICAGO THAT WILL YOU SEE.

>> IF YOU GO TO DIFFERENT STAGES ACROSS THE CITY, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SEE A LOT OF OUR FACES.

AND NOT SAYING I WILL BE THE NEXT STEPHEN COLBERT OR WHATEVER.

>> STEFAN COLBERT.

>> AND DON FRANCISCO.

WHATEVER, RIGHT?

YOU KNOW, WE JUST THAT'S WHAT WE BRING.

WE BRING A LITTLE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CULTURE AND HOW THAT IS AND HOW THAT PLAYS A PART IN COMEDY BUT EVERYDAY LIFE.

>> LIKE ANY OTHER COMEDY SHOW THEY SAY THEIR PRIMARY MISSION IS TO MAKE THEM LAUGH EVEN WHEN THE RESULTS CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE.

>> THERE IS A BIT OF READING THE ROOM ESPECIALLY IN THE SITUATION LIKE ARE YOU TWO TOGETHER?

OH, YOU'RE NOT?

THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT NELSON ASKS THAT QUESTION THAT HE NOTICED BODY LANGUAGE OR HOW THEY'RE SEATED.

>> WE'VE KNOWN HANNAH FOR 10 YEARS.

WE'VE HAD PEOPLE LOVE CONNECTIONS.

WE'VE PROBABLY RUINED A FEW MARRIAGES BUT THAT IS COLLATERAL DAMAGE DOING COMEDY.

THAT IS THE WAY WE LOOK AT IT.

>> WHAT CAN DO YOU?

>> [♪♪♪] >> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES" THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> HOW ABOUT THE TRADITIONAL T'S?

FOR MORE AND WHEN YOU CAN CATCH A PERFORMANCE VISIT 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 MONDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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

>> 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. >> AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH MORE FROM TIMELESS GIFTS A MUSICAL REVIEW.

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

>> I'M AMANDA VINICKY.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]