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

I'M PHIL PONCE.

>> I'M AMANDA VINICKY.

PHIL IT'S NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK TONIGHT AS BRANDIS FRIEDMAN AND PARIS SCHUTZ HAVE THE EVENING OFF.

ON THE SHOW... WE'RE NOT IN THE DANGER ZONE.

IN PART BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF VACCINATIONS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

>> LOLLAPALOOZA STARTS THURSDAY AS COVID CASES SPIKE IN CHICAGO AND NATIONALLY.

WE ASK CHICAGO'S TOP DOCTOR IF THE FESTIVAL SHOULD BE CANCELED.

WILDFIRES RAGING ACROSS THE WEST CAST A SMOKEY HAZE VISIBLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY INCLUDING HERE IN CHICAGO.

WILL AN EXTENDED FIRE SEASON BECOME THE NEW NORM?

>> ON THE 31ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, PRESIDENT BIDEN INTRODUCES PROTECTIONS FOR LONG COVID SYMPTOMS.

>> RUSH MEDICAL CENTER IS REQUIRING ALL WORKERS TO BE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.

THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> LOOKING AT POVERTY'S ROLE IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM IN A NEW BRIEF FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

>> WOMEN ARE THE FASTEST GROWING INCARCERATED GROUP IN THE COUNTRY.

WE TALK WITH FORMERLY INCARCERATED WOMEN AND COMMUNITY LEADERS ABOUT THE SYSTEM'S IMPACT.

>> I'M ANGEL IDOWU AND TONIGHT WE'VE GOT DANCE LESSONS WITH LIPIZZAN STALLIONS.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> ANOTHER VIOLENT WEEKEND IN CHICAGO IN ALL 70 PEOPLE WERE SHOT INCLUDING 12 FATALITYLY ACCORDING TO CHICAGO POLICE.

TO HAVE OF OF THE 52 SHOOTINGS 2 WERE BY POLICE THAT LEFT ONE PERSON WOUNDED.

POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN CONTINUED TO LAY BLAME ON THE COURTS.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> CAN THE COURTS THAT HOLD PEOPLE IN JAIL?

WHO ARE VIOLENT, WHAT HAVE BEEN ARRESTED, WHO HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER.

MURDER!

I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANOTHER CITY IN THIS COUNTRY RELEASING PEOPLE CHARGED WITH MURDER BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY ON ELECTRONIC MONITORING!

>> MEANWHILE, THE CHICAGO POLICE UNION IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO A NEW CONTRACT.

BALLOTS ARE BEING MAILED TO THOUSANDS OF ACTIVE AND RETIRED RANK-AND-FILE POLICE OFFICERS ON A PROPOSAL THAT COULD LEAD TO A CONTRACT.

IN A U TUBE VIDEO THE PRESIDENT OF PHENOMENA TERM ORDER OF POLICE JOHN CATANZARA URGED MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE.

>> PLEASE VOTE.

I CANNOT STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING IN THIS TIME OF SUCH AN ANTIPOLICE CLIMATE.

WE NEED TO SEND A MESSAGE NOT ONLY TO CITY HALL BUT TO CITY COUNCIL WHO WILL STILL HAVE TO RATIFY THIS EVEN IF THE MEMBERSHIP SAYS YES.

>> IF APPROVED THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST CONTRACT IN FOUR YEARS AFTER BITTER NEGOTIATIONS ENDING THE LONGEST RUNNING UNION NEGOTIATIONS IN CHICAGO HISTORY.

THE CONTRACT WOULD LIFT A BAN THAT PROHIBITED COMPLAINTS ABOUT POLICE MISCONDUCT AND PROVIDES POLICE WITH MORE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS.

>> I'M PLEASED WE FINALLY GOT IT DONE.

IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN THIS LONG I SHOULD HAVE BALKED INTO A OFFICE THAT WAS TWO YEARS EXPIRED AND TAKE US TWO MORE YEARS TO GET IT DONE BECAUSE WE HAD AN FOP LEADERSHIP REFUSING TO GET TO THE TABLE.

I TOLD THEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN WE ARE NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT MONEY UNLESS WE TALK ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> CHICAGO'S LOLLAPALOOZA IS ON SCHEDULE TO OPEN IN SPITE OF THE SPIKE IN COVID CASES.

THE SETUP IN GRANT PARK WAS GEARING UP TODAY AS THE MAYOR TOLD REPORTERS SHE HAS NO SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT THE MUSIC FESTIVAL.

LOLLAPALOOZA STARTS THURSDAY AND CROWDS OF MORE THAN 100,000 FANS PER DAY, ARE EXPECTED.

YOU WILL NEED PROOF OF VACCINATION TO GET IN.

BUT IF YOU ARE UNVACCINATED THERE ARE CONFLICTING GUIDELINES RIGHT NOW.

YOU WILL NEED PROOF OF A NEGATIVE COVID TEST AND THE MAYOR SAYS IT IS A 48-HOUR NEGATIVE TESTING WINDOW BUT THE LOLLAPALOOZA WEBSITE SAYS 72 HOURS.

TO PHIL PONCE AND MORE LOLLAPALOOZA AND COVID CASES AND A CONVERSATION WITH CHICAGO'S TOP DOCTOR.

PHIL?

>> AMANDA, COVID-19 CASES ARE SKYROCKETING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND CHICAGO HAS NOT BEEN IMMUNE.

THE CITY IS NOW AVERAGING 165 DAILY CASES THAT IS A 76% INCREASE SINCE JUST LAST WEEK.

THE CASE POSITIVITY RATE ALSO CONTINUES TO GROW WHILE 52% OF ALL CHICAGOANS HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED AS LOLLAPALOOZA BEGINS THURSDAY.

THE FOUR-DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL IS EXPECTED TO DRAW HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO GRANT PARK AND THE WORRY IS THAT IT COULD BECOME A SUPER SPREADER EVENT.

JOINING US IS Dr. ALLISON ARWADY COMMISSIONER OF CHICAGO'S DEPARTMENT PUBLIC OF HEALTH.

Dr. ARWADY THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

AND AS WE MENTIONED, THE CASES CONTINUE TO KLINE AND THERE'S WIDESPREAD CONFUSION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE SHOULD BE WEARING MASKS.

SHOULD PEOPLE BEWARING MASKS INDOORS WHEN THEY GO TO STORES, WHEN THEY GO TO SHOPPING FOR FOOD AND DRUGSTORES AND SO FORTH?

>> SO AT THIS POINT, ANYBODY WHO IS NOT VACCINATED SHOULD BE WEARING A MASK INSIDE ALL OVER CHICAGO AND ALL OVER THE U.S.

IF FOLKS ARE VACCINATED WE ARE NOT AT THIS POINT RECOMMENDING THAT PEOPLE ROUTINELY NEED TO WEAR A MASK BUT CERTAINLY IF ARE YOU CONCERNED, HAVE SOMEONE AT HOME YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT.

I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PUT A MASK ON IF IT DOES NOT BOTHER YOU TO WEAR IT.

WE ARE SEEING HOSPITALIZATIONS AND THAT IS OCCURRING IN PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT VACCINATED.

BUT CASES ARE ON THE INCREASE EVERYWHERE.

AND IF WE GET TO A POINT WHERE WE NEED TO MAKE THAT RECOMMENDATION FOR ALL CHICAGOANS TO GO BACK TO THE MASK WE'LL DO THAT.

>> AND PERSONAL QUESTION: WHAT ARE YOU DOING WHEN YOU GO OUT AND ABOUT INSIDE A STORE WHEN YOU GO SHOPPING?

>> I DEFINITELY DEFAULT TO HAVING MY MASK ON I KEEP IT ON GOING INTO A SETTING BECAUSE I WANT TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THAT SETTING.

AND MY MASK DOES NOT BOTHER ME.

PARTICULARLY I'M USED TO IT.

I ALSO KNOW THAT PEOPLE WILL RECOGNIZE ME AND MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN WHETHER OR NOT I AM WEARING THAT MASK BUT CERTAINLY IF I AM IN A SETTING THAT IS SMALL ARE I ASK IF EVERYBODY IS VACCINATED?

AND IF EVERYBODY IS VACCINATED WE TAKE OUR MASKS OFF.

>> LOLLAPALOOZA AND 100,000 PEOPLE A DAY ARE EXPECTED AT GRANT PARK.

THE CITY HAS BEEN FINE WITH THE FESTIVAL GOING FORWARD.

IS THAT THE SMART THING TO DO GIVEN THE RISE IN CASES?

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE A SETTING AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

LOLLAPALOOZA HAS TRIED TO DO THAT.

FIRST IT'S OUTDOORS AND THERE IS FOCUS BECAUSE IT'S DOWNTOWN BUT WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF OUTDOOR GATHERINGS WHERE YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT THE PARADES AND PARTIES AND FESTIVALS THAT ARE BACK.

OUT OF DOORS IS IMPORTANT.

AND LOLLA SAID WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS THE RIGHT WAY AND MAKE SURE FOLKS ARE VACCINATED OR HAVE THE NEGATIVE TEST AND THEY HAVE DONE WHERE THERE ARE INDOOR SPACES WORKING ON THE AIR HANDLING AND MAKING SURE STAFF ARE GETTING TESTED AND VACCINATING.

THERE IS NO SETTING WITHOUT RISK BUT I THINK IN THIS CASE WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO MAKE THIS AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

IF FOLKS ARE COMING AND THEY ARE VACCINATED AND OR HAVE HAD THAT RECENT NEGATIVE TEST THE RISK IS NOT ZERO BUT FOR AN OUTDOOR SETTING IT'S CONTROLLED.

>> WE SAW VIDEO OF PAST LOLLAPALOOZA'S AND YOU SEE PEOPLE MOSHING TOGETHER AND PASSING BODIES ACROSS THE CROWD.

REALLY YOU ARE OK WITH THAT?

>> YOU KNOW WE HAVE TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT RISK SETTINGS.

AND WE'VE SEEN THERE WERE A NUMBER OF BIG STUDIES THAT LOOKED AT THESE OUTDOOR GATHERINGS.

AND GENERALLY SPEAKING THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SEEN TO HAVE INCREASED RISK.

WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT A MUSIC FESTIVAL IN NORWAY THAT HAD SPREAD AND WE LEARNED THEY WERE ALLOWING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED AND WALK INTO THE FESTIVAL.

WE KNOW THAT IS NOT SUPER PROTECTIVE THE VACCINE IS NOT IMMEDIATELY PROTECTIVE IT TAKES A NUMBER OF WEEKS.

AND SO WE HAVE TRIED TO LOOK AND SEE WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE THINGS AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

DO I WISH WE WERE STILL WHERE WE WERE A MONTH AGO?

SURE.

AM I GLAD WE ARE NOT ARKANSAS OR LOUISIANA OR SOME OF THE OTHER STATES WHERE CASES ARE SURGING AND I WOULD BE MORE CONCERNED?

YES.

WE ARE IN A PLACE OF CERTAINLY SOME CONCERN.

BUT WE ARE NOT AT A POINT TO BE SHUTTING THINGS DOWN YET.

IF WE GET TO THAT POINT WE'LL MAKE THAT HARD DECISION BUT IT IS NOT WHERE WE ARE NOW AND I WANT TO MAKE THE DECISIONS BASED ON DATA AND THE RISK WE HAVE IN CHICAGO.

>> THE CITY FIRST SAID ATTENDEES WOULD NEED TO PRESENT A NEGATIVE COVID TEST FROM THE PRIOR 24 HOURS AND THAT'S NOW BEEN EXPANDED TO 72 HOURS.

WHY THE CHANGE?

>> SO I MEAN I DON'T THINK THIS WAS A RECENT CHANGE.

WHEN WE FIRST MADE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IT WAS EARLY ON.

AND OBVIOUSLY THE FINAL DECISIONS ARE WITH LOLLAPALOOZA.

WE FELT IT WAS MOST IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE HAVE THAT NEGATIVE TEST BUT THE MAIN THING WE HAVE BEEN PUSH SOMETHING VACCINE AND THE GREAT MAJORITY OF FOLKS ARE VACCINATED THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE HAD A TEST BUT THE HOUR WINDOW IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE DONE THE WORK OF INSURING THEY HAVE A NEGATIVE TEST AND THEY ARE NOT HAVING SYMPTOMS.

I DON'T SEE THAT HOUR DIFFERENCE AS BEING THE BIG POINT.

THE MAIN THING WE WANT IS FOR FOLKS TO GET VACCINATED.

AND WE'VE SEEN PEOPLE GET VACCINATED PARTLY TO ATTEND LOLLA.

WE HAVE DONE OUTPERFORM OUTREACH TIED TO THAT.

WE'VE TRIED TO USE IT TO BUILD VACCINATION AMONG THIS YOUNGER CROWD.

>> AS YOU KNOW, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAID THAT IF CASES HIT 200 NEW CASES A DAY, THAT SHE WOULD CONSIDER IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS.

WHAT RESTRICTIONS WOULD THOSE BE?

>> 200 CASES PER DAY MARKS THE POINT WHERE WE WOULD MOVE FROM LOWER RISK INTO MODERATE RISK ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE UNVACCINATED.

THE RISK BECOMES HIGHER AND HIGHER.

ONCE WE GET OVER THAT 200 MARK WHICH I EXPECT WILL HAPPEN, THAT IS WHEN YOU MIGHT SEE US START RECOMMENDING MASKS IN INDOOR SETTINGS.

IF WE GET OVER THAT 400 CASE PER DAY MARK WHICH WOULD BE EQUIVALENT OF THE TRAVEL ADVISORY THAT WE USE AROUND THE COUNTRY, THAT MIGHT BE MORE WHEN WE GO BACK TO MAYBE THE MASK MANDATES.

WE'LL SEE.

WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE DATA.

THE SURGE IS COMING A LITTLE BIT BEHIND WHAT WE'RE SEEING AROUND THE COUNTRY.

SO WE'RE HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM OTHER SETTINGS.

AND IMPORTANTLY WHILE WE HAVE BEEN SEEING CASES INCREASE WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT MAJOR INCREASE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS AND IN DEATHS.

DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE THE VACCINE.

IT IS NOT QUITE AS BLACK AND WHITE AS SOMETIMES PEOPLE THINK IT IS.

WE WILL BE WATCHING THE DATA AND MAKING SURE WE ARE MAKING THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PROTECT THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED BECAUSE THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

>> DOCTOR ONE QUESTION, PARENTS GRANDPARENTS AND SO FORTH WHEN WILL KIDS UNDER 12 BE VACCINATED?

WHEN MIGHT THAT TRIGGER?

>> YEAH, SO WE'RE WAITING THOSE STUDIES TO FINISH AND ON THE EARLIER SIDE WE WERE GETTING A LOT OF HOW DID THIS VACCINE COME TO FRUITION SO QUICKLY?

WITHIN A YEAR.

AND AT THIS POINT WE'VE GOTTEN USED TO THAT WHERE PEOPLE HAVE SEEN WE USE THE SAME STUDIES AND FOLLOW PEOPLE FOR LONG-TERM AND YOU CANNOT SPEED UP THE PROCESS.

THERE ARE STILL STUDIES THAT ARE HAPPENING FOR KIDS.

WE'RE HEARING POTENTIALLY THIS FALL IS WHEN WE MAY START TO SEE THE FDA APPROVE VACCINE FOR SCHOOL-AGED KIDS.

IT COULD BE LATER IN THE FALL MAYBE END OF THE YEAR WE DON'T KNOW AT THIS POINT.

BUT WE KNOW WE ARE STARTING SCHOOL WITHOUT YET THE ABILITY TO VACCINATE CHILDREN UNDER 12.

>> Dr. ALLISON ARWADY THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR INSIGHTS.

WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT AS ALWAYS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW AMANDA WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, PHIL.

MORE THAN 80 ACTIVE FIRES ARE BURNING ACROSS 12 STATES WITH CALIFORNIA, WASHINGTON AND OREGON HIT ESPECIALLY HARD.

ROUGHLY 1.5 MILLION ACRES HAVE BURNED AS FIREFIGHTERS STRUGGLE TO CONTAIN THE BLAZES.

THE FIRES MAYBE IN THE WEST BUT THEY HAVE CAST A HAZE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

TODAY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUED A WARNING ABOUT POOR AIR QUALITY IN CHICAGO.

CITING THE SMOKE FROM THE WESTERN WILDFIRES.

JOINING US NOW TO SHARE HIS INSIGHT IS RAO KOTAMARTHI THE CHIEF SCIENTIST AND DEPARTMENT HEAD OF THE ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE AND RESEARCH GROUP AT ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

IN TERMS OF THE FIRES THAT WE'RE SEEING ACROSS MUCH OF THE WESTERN UNITED STATES AS WELL AS IN CANADA, ARE THESE SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS?

>> ACTUALLY RIGHT NOW THEY ARE NOT WORSE THAN BEFORE LIKE 2020 WAS THE WORST YEAR.

SO THEY ARE ABOUT RANGING ABOUT AN AVERAGE AND I THINK LATER ON IN EARLY AUGUST PROBABLY THEY WILL BE MORE INTO THE EXTREME.

>> 2020 ALWAYS THE WORST YEAR FOR SO MANY WAYS.

WHY HAVE THEY -- THEY ARE BAD THIS YEAR AS WELL ON TOP OF LAST YEAR.

WHY IS THIS?

IS IT A SIGN OF CLIMATE CHANGE?

>> SO A CAUTION ALWAYS BETTER TO LOOK AT ONE INSTANT AND SAY IT'S CLIMATE CHANGE BUT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE TREND.

THE LAST 10-15 YEARS THE AMOUNT OF FIRES ARE INCREASING STEADILY.

AND IT IS GETTING WORSE EACH YEAR AND IT IS PRETTY CERTAIN THAT PART OF IT IS CONTRIBUTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

BUT THIS PARTICULAR ONE THERE IS A DROUGHT IN CALIFORNIA UNEXPECTED IN THE SENSE THAT 2019 CAME OUT OF A DROUGHT AND WENT INTO THE DROUGHT EARLY THIS YEAR.

THAT WAS A REASON FOR CALIFORNIA FIRES IN MUCH OF THE WEST.

AND THERE WILL BE RAPIDLY OVER THE TWO MONTHS EARLY SUMMER NOT COMMON TO HAVE ONE FIRE THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON.

>> SO THAT IS A CHANGE IN TERMS OF THE SEASONALITY, TYPICALLY YOU WOULD HAVE FIRES OCCURRING PERHAPS MORE IN THE FALL AND NOW WE'RE SEEING THEM MORE IN THE SUMMER.

YOU BROUGHT UP THE DROUGHT CONDITIONS IN THE WEST.

SO CAN YOU SPEAK MORE TO THAT LONGER FIRE SEASON BROUGHT ON BY THE DROUGHTS, HOW LONG HAS THIS DROUGHT BEEN GOING?

>> IT'S ABOUT SIX-EIGHT MONTHS.

THE THING WITH THE DROUGHT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE A DROUGHT AND YOU GET A HOT AND LOW MOISTURE CONDITIONS, IT SUCKS THE WATER IN THE SOIL AND CONVENTIONTATION IT BECOMES MORE DRY.

-- VEGETATION IT BECOMES MORE DRY.

WHEN YOU HAVE HOT TEMPERATURE AND LOW RAIN CONDITIONS IT'S MAKING THE VEGETATION MORE DRY.

THAT ALL YOU NEED IS SOMETHING TO LIGHT A FIRE IN SOMETHING LIKE A FIREWORKS OR CAMP FIRE THAT IS WHY IT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IN MUCH OF THE WEST.

AND IT'S PARTLY DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE SENSE THAT WE'VE NEVER SEEN THIS IN THE WEST FOR EXAMPLE MOST OF THE RECORDS WERE BROKEN OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS AND THESE ARE NOT USUAL CONDITIONS IN MUCH OF THE [INAUDIBLE] IT IS A PRETTY INTERESTING SITUATION THAT IS BROUGHT ON BY THE CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THE THOUGHT IS THAT THIS FIRE IN OREGON THE BOOTLEG BEGAN PERHAPS BECAUSE OF A LIGHTNING STRIKE.

CAN'T BLAME THAT ON ANYBODY BUT TERRIBLE NONETHELESS.

IN TERMS OF HOW THAT IMPACTS US, MANY STATES MANY MILES AWAY, WE NOTED THAT HAZE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AGAIN ISSUING AN AIR QUALITY ALERT THAT WARNS PEOPLE WITH RESPIRATORY ISSUES TO LIMIT TIME OUTDOORS.

IS THAT WHY WE'RE SEEING SEEMINGLY SMOGGY AIR WHEN WE GO OUTSIDE?

AND HOW HAZARDOUS TO OUR HEALTH IS IT?

>> I THINK LAST PROBABLY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY SEEN SOME OF THIS.

IF YOU LOOK ABOVE AROUND FOUR KILOMETRES IN THE ATMOSPHERE WE HAVE BEEN TAKING MEASUREMENTS AT ARGONNE AND YOU CAN SEE A THICK LAYER OF SMOKE AROUND FOUR KILOMETRES AND ABOVE.

IT IS NOT COMFORTABLE BECAUSE IT'S ACROSS THE COUNTRY BUT WHEN IT MIXES TO THE SURFACE LIKE WHERE WE LIVE, THEN THAT IS WHEN IT BECOMES A HEALTH PROBLEM.

THE CONDITIONS DEVELOP LATER IN THE EVENING LIKE 5, 6:00 P.M., MIXED DOWN TO THE CONDITIONS AND YOU WOULD SEE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PARTICLES.

I THINK WE SAW LAST WEEK ABOUT 14 MY GROW GRAHAMS MICROGRAMS, TWICE WHAT WE EXPECTED IN CHICAGO.

THAT IS THE EPA STANDARD IS AROUND 30 MICROGRAMS.

WE ARE SEEING ELEVATED PARTICLE POLLUTION HERE.

AND THAT DOES HAVE HEALTH EFFECTS.

>> ON TOP OZONE, SMOG AND THE REGULAR ISSUES THAT WE WITH AIR QUALITY THAT WE EXPERIENCE IN THIS REGION.

>> THE BOOTLEG FIRE STARTED TWO WEEKS AGO.

THE FIRE IN CALIFORNIA ABOUT A WEEK-AND-A-HALF.

HOW LONG ARE THESE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SMOLDER?

>> SO SMOLDERING CAN TAKE FIVE-SIX MONTHS.

SOME OF THE FIRES SMOLDER FOR A LONGTIME.

THE FIRE THEMSELVES THE FORECASTERS ARE SEEING SOMETIME AROUND MIDDLE OF AUGUST YOU WILL REACH PEAK OF BURNED AREA.

ACCORDING TO FORECASTS.

YOU CAN EXPECT THESE THINGS TO HAPPEN FOR THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR WEEKS BEFORE THEY START DYING DOWN.

AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT EXPLANATION.

OUR APPRECIATION TO YOU RAO KOTAMARTHI.

>> AND NOW BACK TO PHIL FOR SOME OF TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

PHIL?

>> THANK YOU.

A MERGER THAT WOULD HAVE CREATED THE WORLD'S LARGEST INSURANCE BROKERAGE FAMILIARS THROUGH.

RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER IS REQUIRING COVID VACCINATIONS FOR ALL WORKERS AND VOL TEARS AND MCDONALD'S HAS A NEW CORPORATE TEAM ON THE MENU THAT NOT EVERYONE MIGHT BE ORDERING.

HERE TO GO BEHIND THE HEADLINES IS CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS EDITOR ANN DWYER.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER BETWEEN AON AND WILLIS TOWERS WATSON IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN A $30 BILLION MERGER AND IT FELL THROUGH.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> WELL, THESE ARE VERY LARGE COMPANIES THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY HEADLINE MAKING COMPANIES BUT THEY ARE ONES THAT DRIVE THE CHICAGO ECONOMY IN MANY WAYS.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS HERE.

AON ONE OF THE COMPANIES WAS FOUNDED HERE IN CHICAGO.

BOTH COMPANIES ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF HELPING LARGE CORPORATE CLIENTS TO SHOP AROUND FOR RISK MANAGEMENT PRODUCTS THEY ARE NOT A SMALL MOM AND POP RETAIL OPERATION BY ANY STRETCH.

NOW, WHAT HAPPENED WHAT CHANGED IS DC.

AT THE TIME THAT THEY FIRST STARTED TALKING ABOUT MERGING, DONALD TRUMP WAS IN OFFICE.

NOW, JOE BIDEN IS PRESIDENT AND HIS ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING A MUCH DIFFERENT STANCE TOWARD ANTITRUST MATTERS AND I THINK BOTH COMPANIES RECOGNIZED THAT BY FORMING WHAT WOULD BE THE LARGEST INSURANCE BROKERAGE IN THE WORLD, THEY WOULD LIKELY UNDERGO ANTITRUST SCRUTINY THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE PAINFUL FOR BOTH.

NOW, THE COLLAPSE OF THIS DEAL IS PROBABLY INSPIRING SIGHS OF RELIEF AT AON CENTER BECAUSE THIS WOULD HAVE LED TO MAJOR LAYOFFS HERE IN CHICAGO.

SO THAT IS THE SILVER LINING ON THIS CLUB.

>> LET'S MOVE ON TO THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND OTHER GROUPS ARE CALLING FOR A COVID VACCINE MANDATE FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND THIS AS RUSH MEDICAL CENTER ANNOUNCES IT'S REQUIRING ALL ITS WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS TO BE VACCINATED.

THIS PUSH FOR VACCINES HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOMETIME.

BUT WHAT CHANGED NOW?

>> WHAT CHANGED NOW IS AN ALARMING RISE IN COVID VARIANTS THE DELTA VARIANT AS WELL AS NOW THE LAMBDA STRAIN WHICH I'M SURE YOU'VE READ ABOUT WHAT WAS SURPRISING TO ME WHEN WE FIRST STARTED RESEARCHING RUSH UNIVERSITY'S STORY TODAY, WAS THAT ONLY ONE IN FOUR U.S. HOSPITAL WORKERS, PHIL, WHO ARE IN CONTACT WITH PATIENTS ON A REGULAR BASIS NATIONWIDE HAVE RECEIVED ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE AS OF MAY.

THE MOST RECENT DATA AVAILABLE.

AND I THINK THAT HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS ARE NOW LOOKING AT THIS THROUGH A VARIETY OF LENSES FROM THE PUBLIC HELENS TO THE LIABILITY LENS AND SAYING TO THEMSELVES, IT'S TIME FOR US TO TELL OUR STAFF THAT WE NEED TO MITIGATE THIS.

>> AND LASTLY MCDONALD'S HAS A NEW TEAM OF WORKERS TO COLLECT CONSUMER DATA.

SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED NEXT TIME WE ARE ZIPPING THROUGH THE DRIVE-THRU LANE?

>> EVERYTHING WE DO NOWADAYS, WITH OUR SMARTPHONES OR CREDIT CARDS SEEMS LIKE IT'S FODDER FOR MARKETING AND MON TIIZATION AND MON TIIZATION.

AND MCDONALD'S DEDICATED A TEAM THAT WILL BE DATA MINING ALL OF YOUR BUYING HABITS AT MCDONALD'S WITH AN EYE TOWARD PITCHING MORE EFFECTIVE MARKETING IDEAS AND SPECIAL OFFERS YOUR WAY.

AND THEORETICALLY THIS IS SUPPOSED TO SPEED UP ORDER DELIVERY PARTICULARLY IN THE DRIVE-THRU WHICH IS A CRITICAL PART OF MCDONALD'S BUSINESS.

THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS, I GUESS, IF YOU ARE THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO IS TROUBLED BY THE NOTION OF BIGHAM BURGER KNOWING EVERYTHING YOU DO, MAYBE YOU ARE NOT GOING TO MCDONALD'S ANYWAY.

>> ONE DOESN'T RELISH THE THOUGHT OF THAT.

[LAUGHTER] >> NO.

>> ANN, THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, PHIL.

>> AND UP NEXT, DANCE LESSONS WITH THE LIPIZZAN STALLIONS.

STAY WITH US.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.

BUT FIRST, THERE IS A FARM NORTH OF THE CITY THAT IS WORKING TO PRESERVE AN ART FORM WE'LL SEE AT THE TOKYO OLYMPICS.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU TAKES US TO TEMPLE FARMS AND THE LIPIZZAN STALLIONS THEY ARE TEACHING TO DANCE.

[♪♪♪] >> WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP THE ART FORM ALIVE AND TRYING TO KEEP THE TRAINING AND THE HISTORY INVOLVED INTO CURRENT DAY.

WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW PLACES STILL DOING IT.

>> TEMPLE FARMS IN OLD MILL CREEK ILLINOIS AS THE LIPIZZAN STALLION IS TRAINED IN A FORM OFS QUESTIONSIAN RIDING.

THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES.

WE HAVE HORSES THAT ARE IN THE QUAD DRILL THE SOLO HORSE.

HE SHOWS ALL OF THE MOVEMENTS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL IN FRONT OF THE CROWD BY HIMSELF.

WE TAKE SOME OF OUR MOST TALENTED HORSES AND VOLUME THEM INTO SOLO HORSES.

>> IT'S USUALLY FOUR YEARS BEFORE A LIPIZZAN STALLION LIKE COOKIE BEGINS THEIR FORMAL EQUESTRIAN TRAINING.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT REAL ICE THE AMOUNT OF TIME WE PUT INTO THE HORSES BEFORE THEY ARE READY TO PERFORM.

IT IS A LIFELONG ENDEAVOR FOR THE RIDERS AND THE HORSES.

>> THE RELATIONSHIP IS BUILT OVER A FIVE-SIX YEAR PERIOD WITH THE TRAINERS WORKING WITH THE HORSES FOR AN HOUR A DAY.

ONCE THEY HAVE THE ROUTINES DOWN IT'S SHOWTIME.

>> IN THE CENTER WE HAVE A 16-YEAR-OLD MARE WITH UNUSUAL MARKINGS.

>> THE SHOW WEEKLY RECITALS THE NEWEST EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY OFFERED BY TEMPLE FARMS WHERE ATTENDEES CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ART FORM.

>> THIS BREED WAS ESTABLISHED 400 YEARS AGO.

BEGINNING WITH THE YOUNGEST OF OUR HERD OUR FOALS WE MODERATE BASICALLY WHAT IT IS ABOUT THE LIPIZZAN HORSE THAT ENABLES IT TO DO WHAT WE CALL DANCING.

SO WE ACTUALLY SHOW FROM YOUNG HORSE TO INTERMEDIATE HORSE TO ADVANCED HORSE WHAT IT IS THAT THE RIDER IS DOING.

>> PROGRAM DIRECTOR ESTHER BUONANNO NARRATES THE WEEKLY RECITALS.

ESTHER BUONANNO SAYS IT'S THE HORSE'S NATURAL ABILITY AND CURIOSITY TO ADAPT TO THIS ART FORM THAT MAKES HER PROUD TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ON THIS LEGACY.

>> THE GIANTS LEARN TO WORK WITH ONE ANOTHER AND NEXT TO ONE ANOTHER AND NOT JUST MOVE ON STRAIGHT LINE AND CIRCLES BUT TO CROSS THEIR LEGS IN ELEGANT WAYS.

WE DO A PETITION PETITION USE WET.

THEY ARE DOING A CIRCLE CARRYING THEMSELVES AND WHAT WE DO THE AMPLE LIPIZZAN NOT DONE ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY IS THE AIRS ABOVE THE GROUND AND FORMER BATTLE MANEUVERS STYLIZED INTO AN ART FORM WHERE YOU SEE HORSES JUMP OFF THEIR FEET AND KICK IN THE AIR.

>> SHOW RIDER CATHY GRIMES AGREES.

SHE SAYS TO WITNESS THE LIPIZZAN STALLIONS PERFORM IN PERSON IS TRULY A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE.

>> THEY EMANATE A PERSONS AND ENERGY AND A POWER AND TO SEE THE WAY THEY LISTEN TO THEIR TRAINERS I DON'T THINK THAT YOU CAN EVER FULLY CAPTURE CLASSICAL RIDING UNLESS YOU ARE RIGHT HERE.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE HOW THE LIPIZZANS DANCE CLASSES CONTINUE THROUGH THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER ON WEDNESDAYS SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS WE HAVE TICKET INFORMATION AND MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

AMANDA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... ON THE 31ST YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT PRESIDENT BIDEN INTRODUCES PROTECTIONS FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM LONG-TERM COVID SYMPTOMS.

>> HOW MUCH OF A ROLE DOES POVERTY PLAY IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM AND COULD DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES BE THE ANSWER?

AND WOMEN ARE THE FASTEST GROWING INCARCERATED GROUP IN THE COUNTRY.

A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BARRIERS FACING THESE WOMEN WHEN THEY REENTER SOCIETY.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT IS FOCUSED ON HER FIRST TERM WHEN ASKED IF SHE IS RUNNING AGAIN HERE IS WHAT SHE SAID TODAY ABOUT RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

>> ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN OUR CITY, ALL THE CHALLENGES THAT WE ARE FACING, AND I THINK THAT RESIDENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO DEMAND MY FULL ATTENTION ON MY REELECTION IS NOT A PRIORITY FOR ME AT THIS POINT.

IT WILL BECOME SOMETHING THAT WE TALK ABOUT AS A FAMILY LATER ON BUT THAT IS NOT NOW.

>> SHOWTIME IS GIVING BACK TO CHICAGO.

THE CABLE NETWORK IS DONATING $500,000 TO THE CITY'S GREEN CORPS AND PUBLIC ARTS GROUP TO PROGRAMS ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES WHEN THE CHI IS FILMED.

>> WE SAID IT WAS ESSENTIAL TO FIND A WAY TO GIVE BACK TO THE CITY.

AND THANKS TO THE MAYOR AND YOUR OFFICE WE WERE ABLE TO PULL TOGETHER THIS PROGRAM AND THOUGHT ABOUT GIVING BACK TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE OUR SHOW IS SHOT WHERE IT IS PRODUCED.

THE STORIES WE TELL.

>> THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO HAS A NEW SCHOOLS CHIEF, GREG RICHMOND A FORMER PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATOR WILL BEGIN LEADING THE 162 ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

RICHMOND IS KNOWN FOR ESTABLISHING C.P.S.

'S CHARTER SCHOOLS PROGRAM IN 1997.

HE STARTS HIS NEW POSITION AUGUST 16TH.

>> MORE THAN THREE DECADES AGO, LANDMARK LEGISLATION WAS SIGNED TO DECK DISABLED PERSONS FROM DISCRIMINATION FROM AREAS OF EMPLOYMENT, TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNITY LIVING AND PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ONE OF THE COSPONSORS OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT TODAY ON THE 31ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA ANNOUNCED PROTECTIONS FROM THOSE SUFFERING FROM LONG-HAUL COVID-19 SYMPTOMS.

MANY AMERICANS WHO SEEMINGLY RECOVER FROM THE VIRUS, STILL FACE LINGERING CHALLENGES LIKE BREATHING PROBLEMS, BRAIN FOG, CHRONIC PAIN AND FATIGUE.

THESE CONDITIONS CAN SOMETIMES, CAN SOMETIMES, RISE TO THE LEVEL OF A DISABILITY.

SO WE'RE BRINGING AGENCIES TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE 34ER7BS WITH LONG COVID WHO HAVE A DISABILITY HAVE ACCESS TO THE RIGHTS AND RESOURCES THAT ARE DUE UNDER THE DISABILITY LAW.

>> JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE EXECUTIVE ORDER AND THE ADA ARE BARRY TAYLOR VICE-PRESIDENT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND SYSTEMIC LITIGATION AND EQUIP FOR QUALITY THE STATE OF ILLINOIS' DISABILITY AND ADVOCACY AGENCY AND ASHLEY EISENMENGER, PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR FOR ACCESS LIVING A DISABILITIES SERVICES AND SUPPORT ORGANIZATION.

WE APPRECIATE BOTH OF YOU JOINING US.

BARRIE I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH YOU.

YOU HAVE BEEN PRACTICING LAW SINCE THE LATE 80s EARLY 90s AND THEREFORE COULD YOU SUMMARIZE THE IMPACT OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT BEFORE IT TOOK EFFECT IN 1990?

>> YES.

SO BEFORE THE ADA IN THE 1960s, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTS WERE PASSED BUT DID NOT INCLUDE DISABILITIES.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES DID NOT HAVE FEDERAL PROTECTIONS FOR YEARS AND 1990 CONGRESS SAID DISABILITY NEEDS TO BE PART OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS CONVERSATION THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO ELEVATE DISABILITY INTO THE CIVIL RIGHTS ARENA AS OPPOSED TO A MEDICAL ISSUE.

AND SOME EMPLOYERS AND BUSINESSES WERE PROVIDING ACCESS ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, WHAT THE ADA PROVIDEDS AWAY NATIONAL STANDARD THAT EMPLOYERS AND TRANSIT AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND PRIVATE BUSINESSES ALL ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR.

AND MANY HAVE MOVED AFFIRMATIVELY TO COMPLY WITH THE ADA AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE SO MUCH MORE ACCESS.

IT IS A REASON TO CELEBRATE EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE WAYS TO GO.

>> QUICK MATERIAL EXAMPLE YOU COULD GIVE US?

OF A CHANGE?

>> CERTAINLY.

CERTAINLY.

I THINK MY FIRST CASE WAS WHEN WE HEARD THAT THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS WAS ASKING EVERY TEACHER APPLICANT ABOUT THEIR DISABILITY.

AS A CONDITION FOR BEING EMPLOYED AND THE ADA SAYS YOU CANNOT DO THAT.

YOU HAVE TO EVALUATE THE PERSON'S ABILITY TO DO THE JOB BEFORE YOU HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT DISABILITY.

PEOPLE WERE BEING EXCLUDED FROM EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE ASKING THESE QUESTIONS AND THE ADA SAYS NO.

WE WANT TO EVALUATE YOU LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE AND THEN MOVE FORWARD FROM THERE.

>> DESPITE ALL OF THE SUCCESSES OF THE ADA HURDLES REMAIN, ACCESS LIVING OFFERS SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL, PHYSICAL AND SENSORY DISABILITIES.

WHAT EVERYDAY HURDLES DO THE CLIENTS STILL FACE?

>> SO THE ADA HAS NOT BEEN FULLY REALIZED.

I AM FORTUNATE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE ADA GENERATION I HAVE NEVER NOT KNOWN THE PROTECTIONS THAT THE ADA AFFORDS ME.

IT'S BEEN IN EFFECT MY ENTIRE LIFE.

WE SEE PROBLEMS AND ISSUES ARISE FOR FOLKS WE SERVE IN HEALTHCARE INEQUITIES, RACIAL INEQUITIES, HOUSING DISPARITIES.

THE WORK IS NOT DONE FOR US.

>> AND ASHLEY TO THAT END AS SOMEBODY THAT IS A MEMBER OF THE ADA GENERATION, ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC IMPROVEMENTS OR PROTECTIONS THAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND BE ADDED?

>> I THINK WHEN WE LOOK AT THE IMPACTS ESPECIALLY NOW WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND HOW OUR ENTIRE WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION SECTORS HAVE HAD TO SHIFT TO RELYING ON DIGITAL MEANS OF COMMUNICATION, WE NEED TO LOOK AT TWO THINGS: SOLVING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND ADDRESSING THE INEQUITIES WITHIN ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BUT WE ALSO NO MAKE SURE THAT OUR DIGITAL ENVIRONMENTS ARE ACCESSIBLE.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE ADA IT DOES A FAIRLY GOOD JOB OF RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO MAKE THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT ACCESSIBLE.

BUT WHEN THE ADA WAS SIGNED INTO LAW IN 199 O.

THE INTERNET IS NOT WHAT IT WAS NOW.

AND SO WE'VE WORK TO DO IN REGARDS TO MAKING THE INTERNET A MORE ACCESSIBLE PLACE.

>> I NOTICED ON THE WEBSITE THERE IS LANGUAGE FONT SIZE CONTRAST AND THOSE THINGS SO THAT INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE PARTICULAR DISABILITIES WOULD BE ABLE TO UTILIZE A WEBSITE.

DEPOSIT MONEY FROM A CHECK INTO THEIR BANK ACCOUNT SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.

>> SO FURTHER LET'S MOVE ON TO YOU BARRY, YOU BROUGHT UP THE COVID SYMPTOMS AND WE HAVE TODAY PRESIDENT BIDEN DISCUSSING PROTECTIONS FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM THE LONG COVID SYMPTOMS THAT RENDER THEM DISABLED BUT THOSE PROTECTIONS COME AFTER AN EVALUATION.

WHAT SORT OF THRESHOLD DO YOU ENVISION FOR QUALIFYING FOR THAT DISABLED STAT CBS NEWS.

>> STATUS?

>> I THINK THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE HOW ADA EVOLVED WE DIDN'T HAVE EMERGENCY PROTECTIONS AND PREPAREDNESS BEFORE THE ADA.

AND WE'VE HAD 9/11 AND KA RINNA AND COVID.

THE DEFINITION YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PHYSICAL AND MENTAL IMPAIRMENT THAT LIMITS A MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITY AND PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THE GUIDANCE THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN PUT OUT SAID LONG-HAULERS THAT IS A PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT.

AND WHAT YOU NEED TO SHOW IS THAT YOU HAVE SUBSTANTIAL LIMITATION IN A MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITY.

THE EXAMPLE THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN MENTIONED SOMEBODY WHO HAS LUNG DAMAGE YOU WOULD NEED TO SHOW SOME SORT OF MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITY IS LIMITED LIKE THE ABILITY TO BREATHE.

IF THAT IS THE CASE IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY THEN THE PROTECTIONS KICK IN.

THE ACCOMMODATIONS WOULD KICK IN.

MAYBE SOMEBODY WHO HAS THAT TYPE OF ISSUE MIGHT NEED TO TELEWORK SO THEY ARE NOT AROUND FOLKS WHO MIGHT MAKE THEM MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ADDITIONAL SYMPTOMS.

THAT IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT WHILE THERE IS NO PER SE DISABILITY WHAT THIS SAYS IS THAT GENERALLY PEOPLE WITH LONG-HAUL COVID ARE GOING TO HAVE PROTECTIONS UNDER THE ADA THAT WILL KICK IN AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ALL THE INTENSITIES TO KNOW ABOUT THIS DEVELOPMENT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT EXPLANATION.

BARRY TAYLOR AND ASHLEY EISENMENGER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO PHIL PONCE FOR A CONVERSATION ON CHILD WELFARE AS PART OF OUR MONTHLY FIRSTHAND POVERTY SERIES.

PHIL?

>> THANK YOU.

FAMILIES LIVING IN POVERTY ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM AND IN MORE THAN 60% OF CASES NATIONWIDE, AUTHORITIES FIND CHILDREN BEING NEGLECTED NOT ABUSED.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO A BRIEF FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO THAT ARGUES DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WOULD RUPT IN FEWER CHILDREN BEING MALL TREATED.

TONIGHT AS PART OF OUR FIRSTHAND LIVING IN POVERTY SERIES WE LOOK AT THE BARRIERS FACING FAMILIES WHO NEED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

AND JOINING US TO HEAR MORE, IS DANA WEINER SHE IS A SENIOR POLICY FELLOW AT CHAP OPINION HALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO AND THE LEAD AUTHOR OF THE REPORT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WHAT WAS YOUR MAIN FINDING ABOUT FAMILIES AND POVERTY AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM?

>> YES, HI PHIL THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

SO WHAT WE WERE PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON WAS CONVEYING THE COMPLEXITY AND THE MULTIDETERMINANT NATURE OF FAMILY'S INVOLVEMENT IN CHILD WELFARE SYSTEMS THAT REQUIRES A TOTAL RESPONSE FROM THE HUMAN SERVICE SECTOR.

WE HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE OFTENTIMES TEACHERS PLACE CHILD MALTREATMENT REPORTS TO THE CHILD ABUSE REPORTING HOTLINE AND TEACHERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LARGE OF THE PROPORTION OF THOSE REPORTS 20%.

BUT THE MAJORITY WHAT TEACHERS REPORT IS NEVER SUBSTANTIATED AS CHILD MALTREATMENT SECONDARY TO POVERTY.

WE NEED OTHER PATHWAYS FOR THE FAMILIES TO RECEIVE THOSE SUPPORTS.

>> AND ONE OF THE POINTS YOU MAKE YOU ASSERT IS THAT MODEST ECONOMIC SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES CAN STABILIZE FAMILIES SO THESE ISSUES DO NOT ARISE.

WHAT KIND OF ECONOMIC SUPPORT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

>> WELL, SO THE RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT THINGS LIKE HOUSING AND CHILDCARE SUBSIDIES IN ADDITION TO OTHER BENEFITS PROVIDE FAMILIES WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO STABILIZE AND PROMOTE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THE CHILDREN IN THEIR CARE.

I THINK WE'RE AT A KEY JUNCTURE NOW BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO OBSERVE THE DIRECT CASH PAYMENT TO FAMILIES AND RESEARCHERS ARE DISCUSSING WHAT THE BEST WAY TO EVALUATE THE DIRECT SUPPORTS BEING DISPERSED AS PART OF THE CHILD TAX CREDITS.

>> AND IN TERMS OF MONEY TAR FIGURES WHAT AMOUNT IS BEING DISCUSSED?

>> WE'VE SEEN THAT MODEST FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS CAN HELP FAMILIES TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE BASIC CONCRETE NEEDS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO STABILIZE.

>> AND SPELL OUT FOR US HOW THIS EVEN MODEST SUPPORT ACCORDING TO YOUR REPORT WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF MALTREATMENT REPORTS.

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE OBSERVED AS -- AND PART OF THIS WAS A BYPRODUCT OF THE PANDEMIC AS THE PANDEMIC BEGAN MANY PEOPLE WERE CONCERNED BECAUSE CHILD ABUSE REPORTING RATES PLUMMETED BECAUSE MOST OF THOSE ARE BEING CALLED IN BY TEACHERS AND KIDS WERE NOT SEEING TEACHERS.

IN THE PROCESS OF INVESTIGATING WHETHER THERE WAS CAUSE FOR CONCERN THAT TEACHERS WEREN'T REPORTING CHILD MALTREATMENT WE WERE ABLE TO OBSERVE INTERESTING PATTERNS IN THE DATA.

ONE I MENTIONED A SMALL PROPORTION OF TEACHER REPORTS ARE SUBSTANTIATED AS ABUSE OR NEGLECT.

AND WE EXAMINED THE COMMUNITY LEVEL CORRECT LATINOS THE OTHER THINGS THAT GO ALONG WITH CHANGES IN THE RATE OF CHILD MALTREATMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT WAS THE SINGLE BIGGEST PREDICTOR OF FLUCTUATIONS IN THE RAY OF CHILD ABUSE REPORTING.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THEORIES WHY THAT IS.

HOW ECONOMIC HARDSHIP AND ECONOMIC RISK CONTRIBUTES TO RISK TO CHILD SAFETY.

SOME OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH PARENTAL STRESS AND A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE SYSTEMS THAT ARE SETUP TO DETECT PROBLEMS AMONG FAMILIES REALLY ARE ONLY LEFT WITH A SINGLE OPTION WHICH IS A CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES HOTLINE CALL AS OPPOSED TO A NETWORK OF COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORTS FACING THAT FAMILIES COULD ACCESS TO GET HELP.

>> JUST TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING THAT FINANCIAL STRESSES ON FAMILIES CAN LEAD TO THE KIND OF STRESS THAT CAUSES PARENTS TO MISTREAT THEIR KIDS IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING?

>> NOT NECESSARILY THAT.

WHAT I'M SAY SOMETHING THAT ECONOMIC HARDSHIP CAN CREATE CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE HOUSING INSTABILITY OR POSSIBLY INADEQUATE CHILDCARE THAT THEN CAN LEAD THOSE FAMILIES TO COME TO THE ATTENTION OF CHILD WELFARE SYSTEMS EVEN THOUGH THE NEEDS WOULD BE BETTER MET BY A DIFFERENT INTERVENTION AND NOT A CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES INVESTIGATION.

>> YOU ELUDED TO THIS, BUT YOU ASSERT THAT MANDATORY REPORTING LAWS CAUSED AN INCREASE SURVEILLANCE ON FAMILIES.

EXPAND ON THAT?

>> YES.

MANDATORY REPORTING LAWS ARE ACROSS THE COUNTRY BUT THEY VARY AND THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF DISCRETION INVOLVED IN MANDATED REPORTING.

BUT AS I MENTIONED TEACHERS BEING ONE OF THE BIGGEST SOURCES OF THOSE REPORTS, OFTEN REPORT A VARIETY OF CONCERNS MANY OF WHICH WOULD BE BETTER ADDRESSED BY ANOTHER SYSTEM A CHILD WELFARE INVESTIGATION INITIATES A PUNITIVE AND EXPENSIVE AND INTRUSIVE PROCESS.

WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE RESEARCH ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS LIKE DIFFERENTIAL OR ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE FAMILIES SOME OF THOSE ECONOMIC SUPPORTS BUT ALSO OTHER TYPES OF SUPPORTS WITHOUT HAVING A CHILD PROTECTION INVESTIGATION WHEN THERE IS LIKELY TO BE NO SUBSTANTIATED MALTREATMENT.

>> DANA WEINER THANK YOU.

WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND UP NEXT, BRANDIS FRIEDMAN AND A LOOK AT A GROWING POPULATION: WOMEN IN PRISON.

THAT IS A CONVERSATION THAT FIRST AIRED ON SUNDAY'S "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> MORE WOMEN ARE DYING IN U.S. JAILS.

IN 2000 WOMEN ACCOUNTED FOR 10% OF JAIL DEATHS N2018 THAT NUMBER GREW TO 16%.

AND BLACK WOMEN ARE OVERREPRESENTED IN THE NATION'S JAILS AND PRISONS.

AND IT WAS SIX YEARS AGO THAT CHICAGO AREA NATIVE SANDRA BLAND WAS FOUND HANGED IN HER CELL AFTER A TRAFFIC STOP LED TO HER ARREST.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT WOMEN, WOMEN OF COLOR FACE IN THE CARCERAL SYSTEM IS NNEKA JONES TAPIA, A MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR JUSTICE INITIATIVE AND SERVED AS WARDEN FOR COOK COUNTY JAIL BETWEEN 2015-2018.

WILLETTE BENFORD, DECARCERATION ORGANIZER AT LIVE FREE ILLINOIS SHE WAS INCARCERATED FOR TWO DECADES.

AND CELIA COLON, FOUNDER OF GIVING OTHERS DREAMS.

SHE IS ALSO FORMERLY INCARCERATED AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE.

NNEKA JONES TAPIA, LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE, WELCOME BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

WHAT FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO THE INCREASING MORTALITY RATE OF INCARCERATED WOMEN?

>> FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO PAINT THE LAND SCAPE WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THOUGH THE NUMBER OF WOMEN WHO ARE INCARCERATED IS RELATIVELY SMALL COMPARED TO MEN THE RATE OF INCARCERATION FOR WOMEN INCREASED ALMOST 700% IN THE LAST 40 YEARS.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IN THESE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS HAVE NOT INCREASED WITH THAT RATE.

WOMEN ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PROGRAMS AND TREATMENT AND ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE WITHIN THESE SYSTEMS BECAUSE THE NUMBER IS RELATIVELY SMALL COMPARED TO MEN.

AND CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS AS A WHOLE ARE CATASTROPHICALLY DARK PLACES.

THEY DISCONNECT PEOPLE FROM EVERYTHING THAT THEY KNOW AND LOVE.

THEY DRAIN HOPE OUT OF A PERSON'S LIFE.

THEY ARE DARK AND PEOPLE ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND ESPECIALLY BLACK WOMEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR ARE OVERLY EXPOSED TO TRAUMA WITHIN THESE SYSTEMS LIKE SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND PHYSICAL VIOLENCE.

>> WILLET WHAT CHALLENGES TO BLACK WOMEN FACE IN JAIL?

>> BLACK WOMEN OFTEN FACE YOU KNOW THE RACISM THAT IS STILL GOING ON OUTSIDE.

RACISM IS JUST AS PURVEY LENGTH INSIDE AS IT IS OUTSIDE.

BLACK WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE OVERLOOKED AND GIVEN LOW LEVEL JOBS.

LIKE CLEANING TOILETS AS OPPOSED TO WORKING IN THE OFFICES OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDINGS INSIDE.

BEING INSIDE, I HAD TO FIGHT FOR WOMEN OF COLOR TO GET A JOB THAT AFFORDED THEM MORE MONEY, DAYS OFF THEIR SENTENCE AND ALSO A TWO MF MAN [INAUDIBLE] WHAT WAS OFTEN GIVEN TO WHITE WOMEN.

THEY HAD ONLY HIRED TWO WOMEN OF COLOR IN FIVE YEARS BEFORE I WROTE A SIX-PAGE GRIEVANCE ON RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION.

AFTER THAT GRIEVANCE, THEY BEGAN TO HIRE WOMEN OF COLOR AT A RAPD PACE.

>> THERE IS A LOT THAT GOES ON THERE.

80% OF WOMEN IN PRISON ARE MOTHERS.

MORE THAN 60% ARE MOTHERS TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE SENTENCING PROJECT AND THE PRISON POLICY INITIATIVE.

CELIA HOW DOES INCARCERATION IMPACT THE FAMILY UNIT AND A PERSON'S EXPERIENCE WITH THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM?

>> ONE OF THE MOST HORRIFIC THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO OUR NATION.

THERE'S PLENTY OF DATA THAT SHOWS TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT INCARCERATION DOES NOT MAKE COMMUNITIES SAFER IT DOESN'T STOP THE VIOLENCE IF ANYTHING IT CREATES MORE VIOLENCE AND MORE CHAOS BECAUSE THERE'S MORE PEOPLE THAT ARE HARMED AND IT CREATES GENERATIONAL HARMS.

GENERATIONAL BARRIERS.

THERE'S INNOCENT CHILDREN ACROSS THIS NATION THAT ARE PAYING FOR DEBTS THAT THEY DO NOT OWE.

THERE'S CHILDREN THAT ARE BEING BLOCKED PARENTS MOTHERS THAT ARE BEING BLOCKED FROM THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES.

WE ARE NOT ALLOWED SOMEBODY WITH A RECORD TO BE A PARENT AND WHAT I MEAN, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IF YOU HAVE A RECORD YOU CANNOT VOLUNTEER, CAN YOU NOT CHAPERON, YOU CANNOT DO ANYTHING BUT PICK UP A REPORT CARD.

THEREFORE THAT IS CREATING THE PRISON PIPELINE AND CREATING A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE CHILD AND THE PARENT.

AND THERE IS A LOT OF THAT THAT IS GOING ON.

THERE ARE JOBS YOU CANNOT GET IF YOU ARE TIED TO SOMEONE WHO HAS A RECORD AND THAT IS WORKING IN THE POLICE FORCE WORKING FOR THE F.B.I.

A LOT OF SCHOOLS.

I'M SOMEONE WHO GOT MY RECORD SEALED I DID WHAT AMERICA IS SAID TO DO I'VE BEEN HOME FOR 21 YEARS.

GIVING BACK TO MY COMMUNITY.

SERVE PEOPLE THAT ARE HARMED THE MOST.

HAVE MY RECORD SEALED BUT YET I DON'T HAVE ALL MY CIVIL RIGHTS BACK.

I STILL CANNOT RUN FOR OFFICE.

I CANNOT WORK AT SCHOOL.

THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS THAT I CANNOT DO AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT ENDING GENERATIONAL HARM AND LOOKING AT THE IMPACT OF WHAT THIS DOES TO CHILDREN OUR FUTURE LEADERS ARE BEING DESTROYED BEFORE GIVEN A CHANCE.

>> NOW -- >> WE KNOW THAT THERE IS AN OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED WHO ARE PARENTS, MEN AND WOMEN.

BUT WHAT MAKES THE EXPERIENCE OF WOMEN UNIQUE IS THAT MOST OF THEM ARE THE SOLE CAREGIVERS FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

ONE OF THE FIRST WOMEN I ENCOUNTERED AT COOK COUNTY JAIL WAS A MOTHER WHO WAS CHARGED WITH MURDER OF HER PARTNER SHE WAS EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHICH IS THE KEY FOR A LOT OF WOMEN THAT WE DON'T TALK ABOUT.

AND SHE WAS SEPARATED FROM HER CHILDREN SHE WAS PUT IN THE SQUAD CAR AND DRIVEN AWAY FOR A WEEK SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE HER CHILDREN WERE AND IF THEY WERE SAFE.

I CANNOT IMAGINE THAT AS A MOTHER BEING MY EXPERIENCE AND NOT KNOWING WHETHER OR NOT MY CHILDREN ARE SAFE.

I THINK THE SOLE CARE GIVING OF MOTHERS WHO ARE INCARCERATED HAS TO BE ELEVATED WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF INCARCERATION.

>> AND YOU JUST MENTIONED THIS, THE NUMBER OF INCARCERATED WOMEN HAS BEEN RISING.

IN 198026,000 WOMEN WERE INCARCERATED AND IN 2019, MORE THAN 222,000 WERE.

AN INCREASE OF 700%.

WILLETTE BENFORD, WHY IS THAT?

ARE THERE PROBLEMS THAT WOMEN FACE THAT ARE UNIQUE TO THEM AND WHAT ARE BARRIERS THEY FACE WHEN REENTERING?

>> BRANDIS, YOU KNOW BLACK WOMEN ARE OFTEN POLICED DIFFERENTLY.

THAT'S WHY THEY MAKEUP 14% OF THE ILLINOIS ADULT POPULATION BUT OVER A THIRD OF EVERYONE THAT IS INCARCERATED.

AND WE KNOW THAT IN 1980, YOU KNOW, THE WAR ON DRUGS AND THEN THE 1992 CRIME BILL YOU KNOW, REALLY SAID IT WAS THE WAR ON DRUGS BUT IT WAS A WAR ON BLACK COMMUNITIES.

AND YOU KNOW BLACK COMMUNITIES WERE DECIMATED BY POLICE COMING IN AND KICKING IN DOORS, ARRESTING WOMEN AND SAYING THE CONSPIRACY LAW, THE FEDERAL CONSPIRACY LAW WHERE EVEN IF YOUR MAN SOLD DRUGS AND YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT THEY WANTED TO LINK YOU IN WITH THAT SO THEY JUST DESTROYED BLACK FAMILIES BACK THEN.

AND MANY WOMEN ARE SITTING IN PRISON TODAY WITH NATURALIZED SENTENCES ON DRUG CHARGES THAT THEY ACQUIRED BACK WHEN WE KNOW THAT THERE WAS SUCH A DISPARITY IN THE CRACK COCAINE LAW AND THE POWDER COCAINE LAW.

BECAUSE WHITE PEOPLE USED POWDER MORE SO THEY GOT LESSER SENTENCES.

AND THEN CRACK COCAINE WAS NORMALLY FOUND IN LOW INCOME POVERTY STRICKEN COMMUNITIES.

AND REALLY, POVERTY HAS BEEN CRIMINALIZED.

IF A BLACK WOMAN HAS A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM SHE IS CRIMINALIZED AND SENT TO PRISON.

WHEREAS OUR WHITE COUNTERPART IS SENT TO A REHAB SO SHE CAN GET HER LIFE TOGETHER AND RETURN HOME TO HER CHILDREN.

POVERTY IS REALLY POVERTY AND SYSTEMIC RACISM IS THE UNDERLYING ISSUE FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE PRISON POPULATION IN ILLINOIS AND ACROSS THIS NATION.

>> CELIA COLON YOUR ORGANIZATION TO WORK TO SUPPORT WOMEN ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES WHICH THEY LEAVE PRISON WHAT.

RESOURCES ARE NECESSARY FOR THEM WHEN THEY GET HOME?

>> OH, YOU KNOW, JUST BEING INCARCERATED HAS LAYERS OF HARM.

REQUIRES MULTIPLE LAYER SOLUTION.

I'M JUST ONE OF MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE OUT HERE DOING THE WORK AND I WOULD LIKE TO UPLIFT SOME AROUND ORGANIZATIONS LIKE CHICAGO BEYOND, FULLY FREE, KIDS OFF THE BLOCK, GIRLS LIKE ME, RAGE, THERE IS A LOT OF US.

MY GROUP, GIVING OTHERS DREAMS HERE ON THE FRONTLINES DOING THE WORK AND WE SUPPORT PEOPLE OUR PEOPLE UNAPOLOGETICLY.

WE SHOW UP WITH NO JUDGMENT JUST GIVING THEM RESOURCES AND TOOLS AND BEING THEIR GUIDES AND ALSO GIVING THEM ALL THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED FOR THEIR FIRST MONTHS HOME.

MEANING WE SUPPORT THE WOMAN, AND HER FAMILY.

BECAUSE WHEN SOMEBODY IS INCARCERATED THE WHOLE FAMILY IS IMPACTED.

THE WHOLE FAMILY IS HURTING.

AND RIGHT NOW IN THE CITY IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS THERE'S SEVEN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT 27,000 PEOPLE THAT ARE RELEASED EVERY YEAR COME HOME TO AND THEY ARE ON THE WEST AND THE SOUTH SIDES.

AND THE ECONOMICS IN OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE NOT CHANGED.

THE OPPORTUNITIES IN THESE COMMUNITIES HAVEN'T CHANGED.

THE LACK OF RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITIES HAVEN'T CHANGED.

IT'S UP TO US TO SHOW UP FOR EACH OTHER AND BRING THE RESOURCES.

WE SERVE THE WOMEN WITH A WE WIN WELCOME HOME PACKAGE BECAUSE WEE WE INVEST IN WOMEN WE WIN AS A COMMUNITY AS A SOCIETY.

AND WE TRY TO GIVE THEM ALL THE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED.

MEANING WE DO A BARRIER ASSESSMENT OVER THE PHONE AND WHAT MANDATES THEY NEED TO DO SO THEY DON'T HAVE A TECHNICALITY AND GO BACK AND WE BRING THEM CONNECTIONS TO THEM DIRECTLY RESOURCES BECAUSE WE HAVE COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND WE DRESS THEM WITH INTERVIEW CLOTHES AND ALL THE HYGIENE PRODUCTS.

>> AND GETTING THEM OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT.

WE WIN IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US, NNEKA JONES TAPIA, CELIA COLON AND WILLETTE BENFORD.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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

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

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. >> A BREAKTHROUGH DISCOVERY LED BY A UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO TEAM WOULD BOOST GLOBAL CROP PRODUCTION.

>> AND CHICAGO'S COLORFUL ROLE IN THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMIC STRIP AND IN A FEW MINUTES JOIN OUR VIRTUAL COMMUNITY CONVERSATION.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU WILL TALK WITH INDEPENDENT ARTISTS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF CHICAGO'S ART SCENE.

THAT EVENT STARTS AT 8:00 P.M. VISIT WTTW.COM/EVENTS TO RSVP.

>> FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PONCE POONS.

>> I'M O >> I'M PHIL PONCE.

>> AND I'M AMANDA VINICKY.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]