THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M NICK BLUMBERG.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

THE SUPREME COURT KICKS ILLINOIS'S ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN DOWN THE ROAD.

PLUS, WE UNPACK THE HIGH COURT'S DECISION ON PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN GOING FORWARD.

I'M ROUTE 66.

HE PUT HIS LIFE BACK TOGETHER.

AND A NEW EXHIBITION FROM A PHOTO JOURNALIST WITH DEEP CONNECTION TO A FAMOUS ROADWAY.

AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT WON'T TAKE UP A CHALLENGE TO ILLINOIS'S ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.

AT LEAST NOT RIGHT NOW THAT LAW WAS PASSED IN THE WAKE OF THE JULY 4TH PARADE MASS SHOOTING IN HIGHLAND PARK 2 YEARS AGO.

THE 7TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS UPHELD THE BAN LAST YEAR.

EARLIER TODAY, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DENIED A REQUEST TO HEAR THE CASES.

BUT WITH JUSTICES SAMUEL ALITO AND CLARENCE THOMAS MAKING CLEAR THEY BE WILLING TO TAKE UP THE ISSUE.

THOMAS WROTE THAT THE SECOND AMENDMENT CANNOT BECOME A QUOTE, SECOND CLASS RIGHT?

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THIS IN A MOMENT WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

CHICAGO'S POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AGENCY RELEASES VIDEO OF AN OFFICER FATALLY SHOOTING A MAN EARLIER THIS YEAR.

TRACI WATSON WAS KILLED BY POLICE IN SOUTH AUSTIN IN MAY.

BODY CAM FOOTAGE SHOWS HIM APPARENTLY TRYING TO STAB ANOTHER MAN AND IGNORING COMMANDS TO DROP HIS WEAPON AT WHICH POINT OFFICERS FIRED.

WATSON WAS KILLED AND THE OTHER MAN WAS WOUNDED.

WATSONS FAMILY HAS REPORTEDLY SAID HE WAS ACTING IN SELF-DEFENSE AND THAT HE AND 2 COUSINS HAD BEEN ATTACKED BEFORE THE SHOOTING.

WE'VE GOT MUCH MORE ABOUT THIS STORY, INCLUDING THE FULL VIDEO ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND MORE STREET CLOSURES ARE AHEAD AS PREPARATION FOR THIS WEEKEND'S NASCAR STREET RACE CONTINUE.

NEW SHUTDOWNS TOOK EFFECT THIS MORNING ALONG CONGRESS WITH MOST MAJOR STREET CLOSURES EXPECTED TO BE IN PLACE BY THIS FRIDAY AHEAD OF THE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY EVENT.

AND IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOME NOT NASCAR HOLIDAY WEEKEND ACTIVITY, MILLENNIUM PARK, THE LAKEFRONT TRAIL AND THE MAJOR MUSEUMS WILL BE OPEN.

WE'VE GOT A GUIDE TO HELP YOU GET THERE ON OUR WEBSITE.

UP NEXT, PRESIDENTIAL POWER IN THE WAKE OF A MAJOR COURT DECISION.

THAT'S RIGHT AFTER THIS.

CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART WHY THE ALEXANDER AND JOHN NICHOLS FAMILY.

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S SENTENCING OVER HUSH MONEY PAYMENTS IS ON HOLD FOR ANOTHER 2 MONTHS AFTER THE SUPREME COURT RULES, PRESIDENTS HAVE BROAD IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION.

THAT'S 6 TO 3 RULING DRAMATICALLY EXPANDS THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENT WITH THE DECISION THAT THEY CANNOT BE CHARGED FOR OFFICIAL ACTS.

THE DECISION WAS SPARKED BY ANOTHER OF TRUMP'S INDICTMENTS OVER CHARGES.

HE TRIED TO SUBVERT THE 2020 ELECTION.

TRUMP IMMEDIATELY CELEBRATED THE RULING AS A BIG WIN FOR THE COUNTRY.

BUT MANY DEMOCRATIC LEADERS AND DISSENTING JUSTICES ON THE COURT CALLED THE DECISION A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT THAT COULD CREATE DICTATOR LIKE POWERS.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THIS ARE CAROLYN SHAPIRO, PROFESSOR OF LAW AND CO-DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE ON THE SUPREME COURT AT ILLINOIS TAX.

CHICAGO CAN'T COLLEGE OF LAW.

SHE ALSO CLERKED FOR JUSTICE STEPHEN BREYER AND JOINING US BY ZOOM IS ASHLEY KELLER, A SENIOR PARTNER AT KELLER POSTMAN.

HE ALSO CLERKED FOR JUSTICE ANTHONY KENNEDY.

THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

CAROLYN SHAPIRO, I'D LIKE TO START WITH YOU, PLEASE.

FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEEN FACING MULTIPLE LEGAL CHALLENGES.

REMIND US THAT THE BACKGROUND OF THE CASE THAT THE SUPREME COURT JUST RULED THE BACKGROUND IS JANUARY 6TH AND IT EVENTS LEADING UP TO IT IN THE INDICTMENT.

CHARGES HIM IN VARIOUS WAYS CONSPIRING TO ARE ATTEMPTING TO ESSENTIALLY OVER THROW THE ELECTION, THE TECHNIQUE, THE LEGAL CHARGES ARE.

SO THE MORE TECHNICAL THAN THAT.

BUT THAT'S WHAT THE CASE IS ABOUT.

AND THAT'S WHAT THE SUPREME COURT TODAY SAID, AT LEAST AS TO SOME OF THE ACTIONS THAT HE TOOK.

HAS ABSOLUTE IMMUNITY AS TO SOME OF THE ACTIONS THAT HE TOOK.

HE HAD.

THEY ARE THAT ARE ALLEGED HIS PRESUMPTIVE IMMUNITY, WHICH THE PROSECUTOR MAY BE ABLE TO OVERCOME AND THAT THERE MAY BE SOME UNOFFICIAL ACTS FOR WHICH IS UNITY, BUT THEY DID NOT SAY WHAT ANY OF THE ACTS HE IS ALLEGED TO OR THAT WE ALL WITNESSED DO.

WE'RE AN OFFICIAL ACT.

WE'VE GOT A BIT OF THE DECISION THAT SAYS THE PRESIDENT ENJOYS NO IMMUNITY FOR HIS UNOFFICIAL ACT AND NOT EVERYTHING THE PRESIDENT DOES IS OFFICIAL.

THE PRESIDENT IS NOT ABOVE THE LAW BECAUSE ON TO SAY CONGRESS MAY NOT CRIMINALIZE THE PRESIDENT'S CONDUCT IN CARRYING OUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THAT?

MY REACTION IS THIS DECISION?

EXTRAORDINARY, REALLY BROAD THERE MAY WELL BE THINGS FOR WHICH THE PRESIDENT SHOULD HAVE IMMUNITY AND THERE ARE OTHER THEIR VARIETY OF WAYS TO GET THERE.

BUT THIS OPINION SAYS THAT NOT ONLY DOES THE PRESIDENT HAVE ABSOLUTE IMMUNITY FROM CERTAIN ACTS?

IT JUST FINDS THOSE THAT RANGE OF ACTS EXTREMELY BROADLY.

IT SAYS AND AND SO THERE'S NO POSSIBILITY OF ALLEGATIONS THERE.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, HIS CONVERSATIONS WITH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT THE COURT SAYS PART OF HIS CORE CONSTITUTIONAL FUNCTIONS AND THEREFORE HE HAS ABSOLUTE IMMUNITY.

2 OTHER THINGS.

THE COURT SAID THAT WE'RE REALLY PROBLEMATIC.

ONE IS THAT THE MOTIVE THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS OR IS ALLEGED TO HAVE IS IRRELEVANT WHEN DETERMINING WHETHER AN ACT IS OFFICIAL OR UNOFFICIAL.

SO THE FACT THAT HE HAD IT, CORRUPT MOTIVE TO TRY TO OVERTURN THE ELECTION IS IRRELEVANT TO THE IMMUNITY DETERMINATION.

AND FINALLY, THEY SAID THAT THE ACTS FOR WHICH CANNOT BE ENTERED EVEN AS EVIDENCE IN ANY TRIAL AGAINST HIM.

ASHLEY TAYLOR, LIKE TO BRING YOU AND PLEASE, WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO THE SUPREME COURT DECISION?

YEAH, I THINK SO.

I'M A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT LET ME GIVE YOUR LISTENERS A HYPOTHETICAL.

IF CONGRESS PASSED A LAW SAYING THAT W T TW COULD NOT POST THIS BROADCAST BECAUSE CONGRESS DISAGREES WITH YOUR POLITICAL PATENTS.

AND IF THIS BROADCAST AND GO FORWARD, ANYBODY WHO WAS INVOLVED IN IT WOULD BE PUNISHED BY 10 YEARS IN PRISON.

YOU WOULD BE IMMUNE FROM PROSECUTION IF YOU NEVERTHELESS WENT FORWARD WITH THIS BROADCAST BECAUSE THE FIRST AMENDMENT WOULD RENDER THAT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND THE SAME PRINCIPLE IS WHAT THE SUPREME COURT IS PICKING UP HERE UNDER ARTICLE 2 OF THE CONSTITUTION.

IF CONGRESS PASSES A LAW SAYING THE PRESIDENT SHOULD GO TO JAIL FOR 10 YEARS IF HE VETOES ANY LEGISLATION THAT CONGRESS PASSES.

OF COURSE THAT WOULD BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS A RECORD EXECUTIVE PREROGATIVE, VETO LEGISLATION.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT PROFESSOR SHAPIRO JUST DISCUSSED.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IS VESTED WITH ALL OF THE EXECUTIVE POWER.

OF COURSE, HE HAS A POOR CONSTITUTIONAL PREROGATIVE TO CONSULT WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ABOUT WHETHER TO PROSECUTE ELECTION FRAUD.

AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER YOU THINK HE'S RIGHT ABOUT ELECTION FRAUD, JUST LIKE IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER YOU THINK HE SHOULD VETO THE LEGISLATION ARE NOT.

SO THE PRINCIPAL IN PLAY HERE IS THAT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES WHICH DEFINES THE SCOPE OF THE PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY IS SUPREME LAW OVER ANY CRIMINAL STATUTE.

OF COURSE, THE PRESIDENT'S NOT A KING.

WE DON'T HAVE A MONARCHY TODAY WHEN WE YESTERDAY THOUGHT WE HAD A CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC, THE SUPREME COURT DRAWS TOP LINE QUITE CLEARLY.

BUT PROFESSOR SHAPIRO IS OBVIOUSLY CORRECT.

IT DOESN'T GO THROUGH AND DELINEATE ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE OFFICIAL CONDUCT VERSUS AN OFFICIAL CONDUCT.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE SUPREME COURT IS COURT OF REVIEW.

NOT FIRST VIEW IT.

SEND IT BACK TO THE OBAMA APPOINTED DISTRICT COURT JUDGE TO MAKE THOSE DETERMINATIONS IN THE FIRST INSTANCE.

AND THAT'S ENTIRELY APPROPRIATE FOR THE SUPREME COURT TO DO.

SO, ASHLEIGH, DO YOU SEE THIS AS AN EXPANSION OF PRESIDENTIAL POWER OR IS THIS THE COURT SIMPLY DELINEATING, YOU KNOW, POWER OR IMMUNITY THAT ALREADY EXISTED?

YEAH.

I DON'T THINK IT'S AN EXPANSION OF EXECUTIVE POWER AT ALL.

THE DETERMINATION ABOUT WHETHER THE PRESIDENT HAS IMMUNITY HINGES ON THE PRESIDENT EXERCISING HIS CONSTITUTIONAL ARTICLE 2 PREROGATIVES.

SO HE'S ONLY GOING TO GET IMMUNITY WHEN HE'S ACTING PURSUANT TO THE OFFICIAL POWERS.

THESE GIVEN BY THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES, IT DOESN'T EXPAND THOSE POWERS ONE BIT.

AND CAROLYN SHAPIRO TALKING ABOUT THOSE SORT OF CORE CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS.

HOW BROAD A SET OF AUTHORITY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE?

WELL, I DEGREE THAT THERE ARE SOME SO I WOULD AGREE WITH THE HYPOTHETICAL ABOUT VETOING LAWS THAT CONGRESS COULD CANNOT CRIMINALIZE THE PRESIDENT VETOING CERTAIN LAWS.

BUT I COMPLETELY DISAGREE THAT THE PRESIDENT CANNOT BE SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL LAWS.

THE PRESIDENT IS OBLIGATED TO TAKE CARE THAT THE LAWS BE FAITHFULLY EXECUTED.

THAT IS ONE OF HIS OBLIGATIONS AND THE MAJORITY IN THIS CASE HAS ACTUALLY TURNED THAT OBLIGATION ON ITS HEAD BY SAYING THAT WHEN THE PRESIDENT SAYS THAT HE'S ACTING TO TAKE CARE THAT THE LAW BE PROPERLY EXECUTED, HE'S ACTUALLY IMMUNE FROM PROSECUTION FOR ANYTHING THAT HE DOES AND SEEMS TO ME TO BE THE OPPOSITE OF TAKING CARE THAT THE LAWS BE FAITHFULLY EXECUTED.

YOU KNOW, SHOULD PRESIDENT TRUMP BE RE-ELECTED?

COULD HE SIMPLY INSTRUCT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO DROP THE SUFFERED?

YOU COULD DO THAT ANYWAY.

THAT WAS TRUE BEFORE THIS RULING.

SO BIG.

IF HE IS RE-ELECTED, HE WAS ALWAYS GOING.

HE WOULD HAVE DONE THAT BEFORE AND HE WILL WILL DO THAT REGARDLESS OF THE IMMUNITY.

REALLY BELOVED.

ASHLEY KELLER, ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT THERE ARE ENOUGH CHECKS AND BALANCES IN PLACE ON OF PRESIDENTIAL AUTHORITY ON THE PREROGATIVES THAT THEY HAVE.

I THINK THAT THE PRESIDENCY HAS EXPANDED QUITE A BIT IN TERMS OF ITS PREROGATIVE.

I THINK THAT WE SHOULD GET BACK TO THE CORE VERTICAL, TOO.

SO I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE MODERN PRESIDENCY.

I DON'T THINK THAT THAT HAS ANYTHING SPECIFIC TO DO WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

I THINK THIS HAS BEEN A CREEPING ISSUE FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

SO KNOW I'M NOT CONFIDENT ABOUT THAT, BUT IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DECISION THAT ISSUE THE OTHER DAY.

CAROLYN SHAPIRO, THE JUSTICES SENT THIS CASE BACK TO THE LOWER COURT TO DETERMINE WHICH ACTS IN THE INDICTMENT ARE OFFICIAL, WHICH ARE UNOFFICIAL.

DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THAT PROCESS ENTAILS?

WE REALLY DON'T.

THEY THEY GAVE ACTUALLY SURPRISINGLY LITTLE GUIDANCE TO THE LOWER COURTS ABOUT HOW TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION.

AND I WILL SAY I AM SURPRISED THAT THEY COULD SAY THAT THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH MEMBERS OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, WE'RE ABSOLUTELY IMMUNE AND COULD NOT SAY THAT.

FOR EXAMPLE, HIS SPEECH ON THE ELLIPSE ON JANUARY 6TH AN OFFICIAL ACT THAT THAT WAS AN ACT DESIGNED TO KEEP HIM IN POWER AFTER 1/20/2021 THAT CANNOT BE AN OFFICIAL ACT.

SO I I WAS SURPRISED BY THAT.

AND THEY DID NOT GIVE ANY GUIDANCE TO THE LOWER COURT ABOUT HOW TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE THAT THE FACT THAT THAT'S WHAT THIS WAS ALL ABOUT ABOUT TRYING TO OVERTHROW A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION THAT WE'VE GOT ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.

ASHLEY KELLER, YOU A GALLUP POLL FOUND ABOUT 40% OF FOLKS APPROVE OF THE SUPREME COURT IN AN ALL-TIME LOW.

IS THIS THE KIND OF CASE THAT COULD AFFECT PUBLIC TRUST IN THE JUSTICES?

I DON'T KNOW.

I'M NOT A GOOD POSTER OR A POLITICIAN ON MORE OF 3RD.

I PROBABLY WANT TO STICK IN MY LANE.

BUT BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES HERE GOT BRIEFING FROM BOTH SIDES.

THAT WAS VERY ABSOLUTE.

TRUMP SAID HE CAN DO WHATEVER WANTS THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ESSENTIALLY SAID HE CAN'T DO ANYTHING.

HE CAN BE PROSECUTED EVEN FOR OFFICIAL ACTS.

AND SO THE SUPREME COURT HAD TO REJECT BOTH OF THOSE POSITIONS.

THEY HAD TO DO IT ON A TRUNCATED TIMETABLE.

THERE WAS NO WAY THEY COULD DODGE THIS CASE.

IT'S OBVIOUSLY A CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT CASE.

AND SO THEY HAD TO HEAR IT AND THEY CHOSE A MIDDLE GROUND AND THEN LEFT FOR THE LOWER COURT TO DECIDE IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, WHAT TO DO WITH THE BROAD PRINCIPLES THEY ANNOUNCE.

I UNDERSTAND PROFESSOR SHAPIRO'S FRUSTRATION THAT THEY DIDN'T GIVE A DETAILED ROADMAP ABOUT HOW TO DO IT, BUT IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT THAT THE PARTIES DIDN'T BRIEF THESE ISSUES.

AND SO THEY'RE SENDING IT BACK DOWN AS THEY ALWAYS DO.

IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, DISTRICT COURT.

AND I KNOW WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE TO TALK ABOUT AS THIS CASE PROGRESSES, BUT THAT'S WHERE WE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE IT FOR RIGHT NOW.

ASHLEY KELLER, CAROLYN SHAPIRO, THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH.

WE APPRECIATE UP NEXT, MOUNTAIN DEBT, RISING TAXES AND MORE IN OUR SPOTLIGHT CAN STAY WITH US.

THE SUPREME COURT PASSES ON HEARING THE CASE AGAINST ILLINOIS'S ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.

FOR NOW, MEANWHILE, CHICAGO'S GROWING PENSION DEBT AND INDEPENDENCE DAY.

DRIVERS BEWARE.

NOT NASCAR.

A BUMP IN THE GAS TAX IS HERE.

ALL THAT AND MUCH MORE IN OUR SPOTLIGHT.

POLITICS.

I'M HERE WITH THE AND OF IN A KEY AND HEATHER, SURE AROUND.

GOOD TO SEE BOTH YOU.

SO AS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT, SUPREME COURT PASSED ON THAT ASSAULT WEAPONS CHALLENGE.

BUT JUSTICE THOMAS WANTS THE COURT TO TAKE THE CASE WHEN IT'S FULLY BAKED HIM.

AND WHAT ARE THE DETAILS THERE?

YEAH, BUT WE ALSO THE NUTLEY JUSTICE ALITO SAYING THAT HE WOULD HAVE TAKEN THIS UP RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS CASE THAT REALLY HEARKENS BACK TO TIMELY, UNFORTUNATE, TRAGIC 2 YEARS AGO WHEN THERE WAS A HORRIFIC MASSACRE.

APRIL 4TH OF JULY PARADE IN HIGHLAND PARK THAT LED ILLINOIS 6 MONTHS LATER TO PASS.

WHAT'S BROADLY KNOWN AS AN ASSAULT WEAPONS THE TERMINOLOGY GUN-RIGHTS ACTIVISTS TAKE UMBRAGE WITH SAYING THAT THESE ARE COMMON GUNS SUCH AS THE AR 15 THAT ARE BEING BANNED BY THIS LAW AND BETH IMPACT, PART OF THE ARGUMENT THAT YOU JUSTICE THOMAS WEIGHT IF THERE'S A LAW THAT IS GOING TO MAKE ILLEGAL AND DOESN'T MAKE A LEGAL ONE OF THE MOST COMMON GUNS IN THE UNITED STATES?

WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THAT.

REALLY.

WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO IS THE LOWER COURTS ARE STILL DEALING WITH THIS ON.

YOU HAD VARIETY MIXED OPINIONS, INCLUDING ONE THAT DID NOT RULE ON THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE ACTUAL SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF THIS CASE.

SO REALLY, WE'RE STILL WHAT GOES FORWARD HERE.

BUT IT MEANS FOR NOW THAT THE U.S.

GUN CONTROL MEASURE, WHICH PUT A BAN ON REALLY HUNDREDS OF GUNS AS WELL AS CAP ON THE NUMBER OF MAGAZINES THAT CAN BE PURCHASED AND USED.

THAT'S REMAINS IN PLACE FOR NOW AND SEEMS LIKE IS IT'S A FAIRLY COMPLEX CASE.

THE TIMELINE HERE IS PRETTY MURKY IN TERMS OF IF IT EVER MAKES IT UP TO THE SUPREME COURT WHERE THINGS GO NEXT.

YEAH, WE DON'T HAVE ANY SORT OF TIMELINE.

DON'T KNOW WHAT THE COURTS ARE GOING TO DO OR WHEN YOU SURE HEATHER, CHICAGO'S UNFUNDED PENSION DEBT UP NEARLY 5% ABOUT 2 BILLION DOLLARS TO 37.2 BILLION.

HOW BIG A PROBLEM IS THIS FOR MAYOR AND CITY LEADERS SEEMS LIKE AN OBVIOUS QUESTION, BUT I HAVE TO SCALE.

IT IS VERY BIG PROBLEM BECAUSE FINANCES 0 SUM GAME.

IF YOU HAVE TO SPEND NEXT YEAR CLOSE TO 30 BILLION DOLLARS JUST TO SORT OF SERVICE THE DEBT, THERE'S A LOT LESS YOU CAN DO IN TERMS OF PROGRAMS LIKE MENTAL HEALTH CARE OR ADDITIONAL VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION OR ANY OF THE THINGS THAT MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON CAMPAIGNED ON THE ONLY SLIGHTLY GOOD NEWS IN THIS REPORT OUT THIS WEEK, WHICH IS THE CITY'S ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT, WAS THAT SHARE OF THE PENSION?

LET THAT PENSIONS ARE A BIT BETTER FUNDED THIS YEAR THAN THEY WERE LAST YEAR.

LAST YEAR.

THEY WERE 24% FUNDED.

IT'S ALL THE WAY UP TO A GRAND SPANKING.

TOTAL OF 26% FUNDING KEEP IN MIND THAT THE CITY SPENT AN EXTRA 300 MILLION DOLLARS THIS YEAR TO SORT OF MAKE SURE THAT THE PENSIONS CAN GET EVEN WORSE.

AND IS THERE A SENSE OF URGENCY TO FIND SOME NEW REVENUE SOURCES TO HELP PAY DOWN THAT SURE IS.

AND THE CITY IS SORT OF ENTERING WHAT WE LIKE TO REFER TO IS BUDGET SEASON.

IT'S NOT JUST THE THING.

IT'S A TIME OF YEAR AND THAT THEY WILL START TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE ENDS MEET BECAUSE REALLY, FOR DECADES, THE CITY'S FINANCES HAVE BEEN OUT OF WHACK NOT SOLELY BECAUSE OF PENSIONS, BUT IT IS A LARGE PART OF THE PROBLEM.

AND I KNOW BUDGET SEASON IS YOUR FAVORITE OF ALL THE LIKE SUMMER.

SOME NEW LAWS JUST WENT INTO EFFECT YESTERDAY, INCLUDING AN INCREASE ON THE GAS TAX JUST IN TIME FOR HOLIDAY TRAVEL.

AMANDA, WHAT SHOULD BE EXPECTING TO PAY AND WHERE THOSE TAX DOLLARS GOING TO GO?

HOLIDAY TRAVEL THEY BELIEVE IT SUPPOSED TO HIT YET ANOTHER RECORD POST COVID.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO HIT THE ROAD.

GO SOMEWHERE.

NOW IF YOU FEEL UP YOUR TANK, AT LEAST IN ILLINOIS.

AND THIS IS ALWAYS A POINT OF CONTENTION, PARTICULAR WITH LEGISLATORS WHO REPRESENT COMMUNITIES THAT ARE ON THE BORDER SAY OF WISCONSIN OR IOWA PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO GET TEAR GASSED IN ILLINOIS.

INSTEAD, THEY'LL TRAVEL TO ONE OF THOSE STATES THAT'S GOING COST AN EXTRA $0.02 A GALLON.

THAT'S JUST THE LAW THAT THAT'S HOW IT GOES.

IT PAYS ACTUALLY FOR THE ROADS.

AND SO WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, POTHOLES AND REPAIRS AND THE HIGHWAYS, THAT'S WHAT THAT EXTRA MONEY AT PUMP GOES TOWARD.

BUT IT'S GOING TO BE COMING, I GUESS, CREDIT GREAT TIME TO HURT TAXPAYERS IN THEIR WALLET OR MOTORISTS ANYWAY.

BUT IT WILL BE TO THE BENEFIT OF THE STATE BUDGET.

ALL WELL, THIS IS A VERY MONEY HEAVY SEGMENT TONIGHT, BUT CHICAGO'S TIPPED WORKERS ALSO SEEING THEIR WAGES RISE AS PART OF A SLOW RAMP-UP TO PARITY WITH MINIMUM WAGE IN 4 YEARS.

HEATHER DIDN'T.

IT'S LIKELY INCREASED.

LABOR COSTS ARE GOING TO STEEPER BILLS FOR RESTAURANT WELLS RESTAURANT OWNERS ARE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THIS SORT OF STARTS TO SHIFT THE BURDEN FROM DINERS AND PATRONS TO SORT OF MAKE UP THE SALARIES FOR WAITERS AND WAITRESSES, 2 FRONTS FROM THE PATRONS THEMSELVES TO THE RESTAURANTS THEMSELVES.

SO EVERYBODY'S SUPPOSED TO GET LEAST THE MINIMUM WAGE, WHICH ALSO WENT UP.

AND RESTAURANT WORKERS DON'T GET THAT IN TIPS, THE RESTAURANT OWNERS ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE THAT OUT.

WHETHER THEY DO OR DON'T ALWAYS IS A POINT OF CONTENTION.

BUT THIS IS REALLY SORT OF THE CENTERPIECE OF MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON, SORT LABOR AGENDA IN HIS FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE.

HE SAYS THIS IS REALLY ABOUT EQUITY AND THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SORT OF EXPOSE THEMSELVES TO SORT OF HAVING TO FLIRT WITH CUSTOMERS ARE SORT OF LIVE AND DIE ON SORT OF THEIR TIPS TO LIVE SORT OF A FINANCIALLY SECURE WELL, IT HAS BEEN A HUGE POLITICAL STORY THE LAST FEW DAYS AFTER THE PRESIDENT'S SHAKY DEBATE PERFORMANCE LAST WEEK.

LOT OF NERVOUS DEMS GATHERING FOR CALLS ABOUT THE UPCOMING ELECTION, INCLUDING GOVERNOR PRITZKER WHO STANDING BY THE CANDIDATES SO FAR.

AMANDA, DO WE KNOW ANY OF THE DETAILS OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS?

WE JUST KNOW THAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER WAS PART OF A CALL WITH OTHER DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS YESTERDAY AND IS SET TO BE ON A CALL TOMORROW WITH THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF.

THIS IN V A OR WHATEVER VIDEO PLATFORM THEY USE NOT AN IN-PERSON MEETING, BUT WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE AN AGENDA.

WE JUST KNOW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF NERVOUS DEMOCRATS, AS YOU NOTED, NICK, THE GOVERNOR HAS CERTAINLY BEEN STANDING BY HIS MAN THAT IS NOT UNEXPECTED.

IT PARTICULARLY GIVEN THAT HIS NAME IS ON MEDIA UNLESS I'M ABOUT QUITE SHORT LIST, BUT AT LEAST IN THE MEDIUM LIST FOR POTENTIAL REPLACEMENTS IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN, THE VERY, VERY TOP OF THE TICKET.

SO YOU'RE NOT GOING TO PRITZKER BEING THE ONE TO SPEAK UP, TRYING TO OUST BIDEN.

WE'VE GOT ABOUT 15 SECONDS LEFT.

TODAY WAS THE FIRST DEMOCRATIC OFFICIAL TO PUBLICLY CALL ON BIDEN TO STEP DOWN.

HEATHER, PUT YOUR PREDICTION CAP ANYMORE.

SO WE JUST HEARD THE PRESIDENT SORT OF AN EVENT SAYING THAT HE WAS TIRED FROM ALL OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL THAT HE HAD MADE AND THAT HE DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD BE A FATAL FLAW TO HIS CAMPAIGN.

SO HE CERTAINLY HOPES HE'S THE LAST.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, TIME WILL TELL ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO SEE THE 2 OF AND HE HAD THE SURE AROUND.

THANK YOU.

UP NEXT, HOW A PHOTOGRAPHER'S LIFE AND WORK INTERSECTED WITH AN ICONIC HIGHWAY.

FOR EDWARD KEATING.

A ONE-OFF ASSIGNMENT TO PHOTOGRAPH ROUTE.

66 TURNED INTO A YEARS LONG LABOR OF LOVE AND AWARD-WINNING PHOTOJOURNALIST KING ALSO HAD A DEEP PERSONAL CONNECTION TO THE FAMOUS ROADWAY.

NOW HIS WORK HIGHLIGHTING A MORE COMPLICATED SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY MEMORIALIZED IN THAT FAMOUS TUNE IS BEING SHOWN AT UPTOWN CHICAGO CENTER FOR PHOTOJOURNALISM.

WHAT COULD BE MORE CLASSIC AMERICANA THEN ROUTE.

66, ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S ORIGINAL HIGHWAYS, STARTING IN ILLINOIS AND RUNNING THROUGH THE MIDWEST, SOUTHWEST AND INTO CALIFORNIA.

BUT PHOTOGRAPHER EDWARD HEATING DIDN'T TAKE SUCH A ROSY VIEW OF THE ROADWAY.

THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR HIM.

NOT JUST A DOCUMENT THAT THIS DOES NOT A BACKDROPS OF ROUTE.

66 FROM CHICAGO TO LA REALLY DOCUMENT THE PEOPLE THAT MANY FORMER LEFT BEHIND PEOPLE THAT MOVED HERE FOR, YOU KNOW, SO MANY HOPES AND DREAMS AND A LOT OF THOSE DREAMS WERE SHATTERED.

HE WANTED TO DOCUMENT REALITY OF THIS HIGHWAY, NOT JUST GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE.

66.

AND FOR CHEATING ROUTE.

66 WASN'T JUST A HIGHWAY.

IT WAS A PLACE TO HEAL WHILE HE WAS ON THE ROAD DURING A CHAOTIC TIME IN HIS LIFE.

HE WAS ABOUT 21 YEARS OLD WITH A MAJOR DRINKING PROBLEM, JUST FINDING HIMSELF ON ROUTE 66.

AND IT WAS THE PLACE THAT HE REALLY HIT ROCK BOTTOM.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, NOT TOO LONG AFTER THAT ROUTE.

66, HE PUT HIS LIFE BACK TOGETHER.

HE GOT SOBER AND MADE A CAREER AS A PHOTOGRAPHER.

KEATING SPENT YEARS ON THE STAFF OF THE NEW YORK TIMES.

HE WORKED FOR WEEKS AT GROUND 0 AS PART OF ITS PULITZER PRIZE WINNING PHOTOGRAPHY.

TEAM.

IT WAS NICE TO HAVE THAT ACKNOWLEDGMENT, BUT THAT'S NEVER WHY HE DID IT.

YOU KNOW, HE COVERED THE COAST OF A WAR.

HE WAS ALWAYS RUNNING AFTER TOUGH THINGS IN LIFE BECAUSE HE JUST FELT LIKE SOMEONE HAD TO DOCUMENT IT AND HE FELT LIKE IT HAD TO BE HIM.

ONE OF THOSE THINGS, KEATING FELT CALLED TO DOCUMENT WAS THE REALITY OF ROUTE.

66 FROM 2000 TO 2011, KEATING MADE MULTIPLE TRIPS TRAVELED THOUSANDS OF MILES AND TOOK TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PHOTOGRAPHS.

ACTUALLY DIDN'T EVEN DEVELOP A LOT OF THE WORK.

HE ALWAYS SAID THAT THE BEST PART ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY FOR HIM WAS JUST ACTUALLY TAKING THE PICTURE, NOT EVEN ACTUALLY SEEING THE IMAGE IN THE END.

IN 2018, KEATING PUBLISHED THE BOOK MAIN STREET, THE LAST DREAM OF ROUTE.

66.

HE DIED IN 2021 AT AGE 65 OF CANCER.

HE BELIEVED WAS FROM EXPOSURE TO TOXIC DUST AT THE RUINS OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER.

BEFORE THAT, HE STRESSED HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS FOR HIM TO SHOW THIS WORK, ESPECIALLY ALONG ROUTE 66 BECAUSE THIS WORK HE SAID WHEN HE PUBLISHED IN THE BOOK HE DIDN'T OWN IT ANYMORE.

THE CHICAGO STOP IS ONE OF SEVERAL EXHIBITIONS ALONG ROUTE.

66 ORGANIZED BY KEATING'S DAUGHTER, CAITLIN, A DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER AND HIS WIFE, KERRY.

ALSO A PHOTOGRAPHER, CAITLIN SAYS BRINGING HER FATHER'S WORK TO GALLERIES ALONG THE HISTORIC HIGHWAY OFFERS A CHANCE TO SHOW THE REALITIES OF LOST JOBS, LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES, STRUGGLING SMALL TOWNS AND THE SENSE OF HOPE AND HUMANITY THAT PERVADES EVEN THE MOST CHALLENGING PICTURES.

SOME OF THESE IMAGES ARE REALLY HARD TO LOOK AT.

AND I JUST HOPE THAT PEOPLE REALLY STILL TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK AND DON'T TURN AWAY BECAUSE IF WE DO, WE'RE GOING TO FORGET ABOUT THE PAST.

SO HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE HERE AND SEE ALL THIS WORK UP ON THE WALLS?

YEAH, I MEAN, IT MAKES ME FEEL SO EMOTIONAL.

I GOT FULL CHILLS WHEN I WALKED IN BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTED JUST MEANS SO MUCH TO MY ENTIRE FAMILY.

AND THE ONLY PART IS THAT HE'S NOT HERE, BUT WE KNOW THAT HE WOULD BE SO SO HAPPY WITH HOW IT TURNED OUT.

MAIN STREET, THE LAW STREAM OF ROUTE.

66 RUNS AT THE CHICAGO CENTER FOR PHOTOJOURNALISM THROUGH JULY.

29TH.

AND WE'VE GOT THE DETAILS ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING NEWSLETTER AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10.

CONCERNS OVER AGE IN THE RACE FOR PRESIDENT.

BUT HOW MUCH DOES THAT MATTER IN RUNNING THE COUNTRY?

AND WHY SOME HOMEOWNERS IN THE SOUTH SUBURBS ARE SEEING THE LARGEST PROPERTY TAX INCREASE IN 30 YEARS.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE IN CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M NICK BLUMBERG.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT.

A CLIP AND CLIFFORD SHOULD CA GO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL THAT IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE ITS FOUNDER AND SENIOR PARTNER ROBERT CLIFF, WHO RANKED NUMBER ONE IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS BY