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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I'M AMANDA VINICKY.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WE'RE BACK, WE'RE READY AND WHY NOT CHICAGO?

>> LEADERS PITCH CHICAGO TO HOST THE 2024 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION BUT WAS THE PITCH OVERSHADOWED BY PARTY INFIGHTING?

>> A CITY COUNCIL EXODUS.

WE TALK TO ALDERPEOPLE ABOUT THEIR DECISION TO LEAVE OFFICE >> INSIN A BATTLEGROUND FOR ABORTION RIGHTS WE HEAR FROM THAT STATE'S LAWMAKERS.

A NEW PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE SOLDIER FIELD.

CAN IT REALLY SWAY THE BEARS TO STAY?

>> THE ART INSTITUTE'S LIONS ARE BACK ON VIEW AFTER BEING CLEANED BUT HOW DID THE STRUCTURES COME TO BE IN CHICAGO?

FIND OUT IN "ASK GEOFFREY".

>> [♪♪♪] >> AND WE CHECK IN WITH WALT WHITMAN AND THE SOUL CHILDREN OF CHICAGO AHEAD OF THE BIG ANNIVERSARY CONCERT.

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> FEDERAL LEGISLATION TARGETING STRAW PURCHASES OF GUNS IS INTRODUCED NEARLY A YEAR AFTER CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER ELLA FRENCH WAS FATALLY SHOT WITH SUCH A WEAPON.

SENATOR DICK DURBIN CHAIR OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TITLED THE MEASURE THE OFFICER ELLA FRENCH TASK FORCE SUPPORT ACT TO HONOR FRENCH'S MEMORY >> TODAY I'M ANNOUNCING A NEW BILL WHICH WOULD PROVIDE FUNDING TO MULTIJURISDICTIONAL TASK FORCES THAT INVESTIGATE AND DISRUPT STRAW PURCHASING AND ILLEGAL FIREARMS TRAFFICKING.

THE BILL WILL BE NAMED AFTER OFFICER FRENCH.

>> THE BILL WILL HELP KEEP FIREARMS OUT OF THE HANDS OF PROHIBITED USERS.

MORE ON OUR WEBSITE >> .

>> CHICAGO'S OPENING AN EMPLOYMENT CENTER TO HELP PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

THE CAREER CENTER IS LOCATED ON THE NEAR WEST SIDE ON OGDEN -- OGDEN AVENUE NEW.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT ANNOUNCED IT ON THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PASS SANG OF AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.

SHE SAID... >> FORMER GOVERNOR PAT QUINN WANTS TO ENSURE THAT ANY SOLDIER FIELD MAKEOVER DOES NOT INCLUDE A NAMING RIGHTS DEAL.

QUINN FILED AN ORDINANCE AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN ASKING FOR A REFERENDUM ON PROTECTING THE NAME OF SOLDIER FIELD.

THE STADIUM WAS NAMED SOLDIER FIELD IN 1925 IN MEMORY OF SOLDIERS KILLED IN WORLD WAR I >> I AM A LIFELONG BEARS FAN BUT THE FIRST MOST IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES IN OUR SOCIETY IS WHEN WE DEDICATE SOMETHING TO THE MEMORY OF SERVICE MEMBERS WHO GAVE THEIR DEVOTION TO OUR DEMOCRACY WE DON'T CHANGE THE NAME WE DON'T ATTACH A CORPORATE NAME TO THE NAME SOLDIER FIELD.

>> QUINN'S ACTION COMES ONE DAY AFTER MAYOR LIGHTFOOT PROPOSED A DOMED SOLDIER FIELD.

MORE LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

>> BUT FIRST, CHICAGO OFFICIALS MAKE THEIR BID TO HOST THE 2024 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION SO STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> CHICAGO IS PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS TO CONVINCE DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADERS TO PICK THE CITY TO HOST THE 2024 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.

HERE IS MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT.

>> WE'RE READY FOR OUR CLOSE-UP.

THIS IS A GREAT GLOBAL CITY AND THIS IS A PLACE WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE NOT ONLY UNITING CHICAGO AND ILLINOIS BUT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY IGNITE THE ENTIRE MIDWEST.

THIS IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO GO RIGHT AT THE HEARTLAND AND MY VIEW IS YOU WIN THE HEARTLAND, YOU WIN THE ELECTION.

>> BUT IF IT GOES WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SOMETIMES DRAMA STEALS THE SHOW.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND MORE IS WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT MADE THIS PITCH A WHILE BACK WITH A CAMPAIGN STYLE VIDEO TELL US ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF TODAY'S EVENT AND WHERE IT WAS HELD?

>> WELL, THIS WAS REALLY CHICAGO'S CHANCE TO WINE AND DINE THE LEADERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE, SHOW THEM THE VENUES THEY ARE PITCHING TO HOLD FOR THE CONVENTION AND BASICALLY TO MAKE THEIR CASE THAT CHICAGO AS THE MAYOR SAID TODAY, IS THE ONLY CHOICE.

NOW, THEY DID THIS IN A GLEAMING NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE FULTON MARKET DISTRICT WHICH IS PART OF THE WEST LOOP THAT REALLY SPRUNG INTO LIFE AFTER THE 1996 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION TOOK PLACE MOSTLY AT THE UNITED CENTER KICKING OFF A WAVE OF REDEVELOPMENT INTO THE WEST LOOP TODAY WE KNOW WITH TRENDY RESTAURANTS AND COOL BOUTIQUES AND THE MAYOR SAID THAT IS THE INDICATION OF WHAT A CONVENTION CAN DO FOR CHICAGO IN 2024.

>> AND THE CHAIR JAMIE HARRISON WAS AT THE EVENT.

HERE IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY >> WE ARE LOOKING FOR A TURN KEY OPERATION.

I WANT THE ATTENTION 100% TO BE ON JOE BIDEN, KAMALA HARRIS AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND WE ARE GOING TO PUT ON THE BEST SHOW THAT WE HAVE EVER PUT ON, EVER IN THE HISTORY OF DEMOCRATIC CONVENTIONS.

>> WE ARE GOING TO GET INTO WHERE THE ATTENTION IS RIGHT NOW.

WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAVE IN HOSTING THE DNC AS MILWAUKEE MIGHT OR WILL GET THE RNC?

>> WELL, THE ISSUE IN CHICAGO IS THAT IT IS A LIVING, BREATHE, COMMERCIAL FOR WHAT THE DEMOCRATS WE HEARD TODAY SAY WERE THE VALUES OF THE PARTY.

DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY.

CHICAGO IS A DEEP BLUE CITY IN A DEEP BLUE STATE IN THE INCREASINGLY RED MIDWEST.

AND WHY ILLINOIS MAY NOT BE A SWING STATE, WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN ARE AND COVERAGE OF THE CONVENTION IN CHICAGO WILL REACH PEOPLE IN THOSE STATES.

WE ASKED JAMIE HARRISON ABOUT THAT WHY NOT HOLD IT IN A SWING STATE AND THEY MIGHT, HOUSTON, ATLANTA AND NEW YORK CITY ARE THE OTHERS.

>> NEW YORK CITY NOT IN A SWING STATE IT HAS BEEN TYPICAL FOR BOTH OF THE PARTY CONVENTIONS TO BE IN SWING STATES IN RECENT HISTORY.

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS?

>> WELL, NOW THAT THE CITY HAS MADE THEIR CASE THEY ARE WAITING WITH BAITED BREATH FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO MAKE THEIR CHOICE AND THE STAKES ARE HIGH.

BECAUSE OF COURSE EVERYBODY THINKS OF THE CONVENTIONS AND THINK OF 1968, AND 1996.

CHICAGO STILL HAS A LITTLE BIT OF A CHIP ON ITS SHOULDER TO PROVE THEY CAN HANDLE CONVENTIONS.

>> AND THIS COMES WITH A LITTLE BIT OF DRAMA.

THERE'S PALACE INTRIGUE IN THE ILLINOIS DEMOCRATIC PARTY NOW THAT GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER WANTS TO OUT OF THE CURRENT -- OUST THE CHAIR OF THE PARTY ROBIN KELLY.

HERE IS THE GOVERNOR ON THAT.

>> I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR CONGRESSMAN KELLY AND SUPPORT HER IN MANY WAYS.

IT'S JUST WE NEED TO RECONFIGURE THE WAY THE LEADERSHIP IS.

>> AWKWARD BECAUSE THEY WERE STANDING SIDE-BY-SIDE.

THIS IS A BATTLE THAT IS BREWING.

REMIND US THE BACK STORY >> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER DID NOT BACK ROBIN KELLY HAD WHEN SHE WAS ELECTED TO LEAD THE ILLINOIS DEMOCRATIC PARTY AFTER MADIGAN RESIGNED IN DISGRACE BACK IN MARCH OF 2021.

NOW HE WANTS TO PUT LISA HERNANDEZ, A STATE REP FROM CICERO IN THAT SPOT HE SAYS BECAUSE IT IS A FEDERAL ELECTED OFFICIAL ROBIN KELLY CANNOT RAISE MONEY FOR STATE CANDIDATES BECAUSE SHE IS GOVERNED BY STRICT FEDERAL RULES.

NOW, ROBIN KELLY SAYS THAT IS NOT AN ISSUE.

THEY HAVE CREATED A SEPARATE COMMITTEE AND GOTTEN A RULING FROM THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION AND EVERYTHING IS MOVING ALONG LIKE PLANNED AND SHE FEELS CONFIDENT ABOUT THE VOTE THAT WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY.

BUT IT IS TURNING INTO A REAL TEST OF THE GOVERNOR'S POLITICAL MUSCLE AND OF COURSE, AS YOU KNOW, PARIS HE IS THE LARGEST DONOR TO THE ILLINOIS DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

WE'LL SEE IF HE GETS HIS WAY.

>> NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

AND IT IS A BATTLE ALL OVER BECAUSE WE LEARNED THE A.F.L.-C.I.O.

IS ENDORSING A POWER SHARING AGREEMENT.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT TURNS OUT.

HEATHER THANKS >> THANKS, PARIS >> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S STORY AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND YOU COULD CALL IT A HAIL MARY OR A HAIL LORI AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE BEARS FROM MOVING TO ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

YESTERDAY MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT UNVEILED PROPOSALS TO PUT A ROOF ON SOLDIER FIELD AND MODERNIZE THE FACILITY.

THE IMPROVEMENTS COULD COST UPWARDS OF $2.2 BILLION AS THE CITY HAS 10 YEARS AND 640 MILLION DOLLARS TO GO PAYING OFF THAT 2003 REHAB.

THE BIGGEST QUESTION: ARE THE BEARS LISTENING?

HERE IS MARC GANIS PRESIDENT OF SPORTS BUSINESS CONSULTING FIRM SPORTS CORP AND A SPORTS SPECIALIST AND WORKED ON THE SALE OF THE CUBS TO THE RICKETTS FAMILY.

WE INVITED A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE CITY TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSAL BUT THEY DECLINED TO JOIN US.

MARK WE'RE GLAD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

COULD ONE OF THE PLANS ESPECIALLY THE ONE WITH THE ROOF CONVINCE THE BEARS TO STAY AT SOLDIER FIELD?

>> HIGHLY UNLIKELY.

THIS IS A 100-YEAR-OLD BUILDING, PARIS.

THIS WILL BE AT LEAST THE THIRD MAJOR RENOVATION THAT AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT THE PLAN IS.

AND THAT'S NOT REALLY GOING TO CUT IT.

IF THERE WAS A MEANINGFUL EFFORT TO KEEP THE BEARS IN CHICAGO, IT SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED A NEW STADIUM ON A PIECE OF LAND WITH THE BEARS HAVING CONTROL OVER THEIR OWN DESTINY AND THE BUILDING.

THIS IS JUST UNFORTUNATELY MORE OF THE SAME WITH A FEW TWEAKS HERE, SOME CONTROL THERE, MAYBE A NAMING RIGHTS DEAL WITH Mr. QUINN DOESN'T GET HIS WAY AS WE HEARD.

IT'S JUST NOT THE RIGHT PLAN AND IT'S NOT IN THE RIGHT LOCATION AND NOBODY TALKED ABOUT HOW THE PROPOSED $2.2 BILLION PROJECT WOULD BE PAID FOR.

>> IF IT'S EVEN GOING TO COST THAT WE KNOW THE PROJECTS OVERRUN THEIR COSTS A LITTLE BIT.

ASIDE FROM KEEPING THE BEARS, IS IT FEASIBLE?

YOU ANSWERED THAT.

BUT TO PUT A DOME ON SOLDIER FIELD IS IT WORTH IT TO DO THIS IF THE BEARS AREN'T GOING TO BE THERE?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

IT MAKES NO SENSE.

IF THE BEARS AREN'T GOING TO BE THERE, IT MAKES NO SENSE TO PUT MEANINGFUL MONEY INTO SOLDIER FIELD.

CERTAINLY COULD BE A LOVELY SOCCER FACILITY.

THE OWNER OF THE CITY FIRE IS ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

IF THEY WANTED TO GIVE HIM A LEASE TO PLAY LONG-TERM HE COULD BE TALKED INTO SHARING COST OF MODEST RENOVATIONS.

WHAT MAY MAKE SENSE IS EVERYTHING ELSE THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN THE THIRD OPTION.

WHICH IS TO MAKE THE MUSEUM CAMPUS MORE INTEGRAL.

HAVE MORE ACTIVITY.

HAVE IT BE EASIER TO GET TO.

INCREASE THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

BUT TO DO THIS, THE COST IN AN EFFORT TO TRY AND RETAIN THE BEARS IT'S TOO LITTLE, IT'S TOO LATE.

AND IT REALLY DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

>> IS THERE ANY SENSE, THOUGH, I MEAN IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS BIG THIS DEAL IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS BUT IT WOULD BE REALLY EXPENSIVE FOR THE BEARS TO FUND THIS.

IS THAT MAYBE TELL YOU THAT THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THEY WOULD STAY AT SOLDIER FIELD IF IT GETS TOO COSTLY AT ARLINGTON HEIGHTS?

>> THAT'S CERTAINLY THE HOPE TO CREATE A SOLDIER FIELD AS A FINANCIALLY LESS COSTLY OPTION AND THE McCASKEY FAMILY IS NOT THE UPPER ECHELON IN WEALTH IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

BUT THE NFL OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS HAS FOUND MANY WAYS OF FINANCING A NEW STADIUM IN MARKETS SMALLER THAN CHICAGO.

THE NFL PARTICIPATES.

THE NFL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION PARTICIPATES.

AND THE TEAM WILL PUT UP MONEY AND THE FANS WILL IN THE FORM OF LICENSES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

THERE ARE WAYS TO DO THIS, TO DO IT REASONABLY.

AND PROBABLY COST THE 2, 2.5 BILLION RANGE AND THEY WILL HAVE A LOT OF ADDITIONAL LAND AT ARLINGTON PARK TO BE ABLE TO DEVELOP TO OFFSET SOME OF THE COSTS OF OPERATING THE STADIUM.

>> YOU KNOW THE FOLKS THE POWERS THAT BE IN THE NFL WOULD THEY PREFER THE BEARS TO BUILD THAT ARLINGTON HEIGHTS STADIUM OR STAY AT SOLDIER FIELD?

>> IF THOSE ARE THE TWO OPTIONS THE ANSWER IS TO GO TO ARLINGTON HEIGHTS INTO A NEW STADIUM THAT THE BEARS DESIGN, OWN AND CONTROL.

THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING MUCH MORE MEANINGFUL WHICH IS TO TALK ABOUT BUILDING A NEW STADIUM SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF CHICAGO WITH MEANINGFUL PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE PROJECT.

BUT THEY CHOSE TO GO INTO A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

UNDERSTANDABLE.

IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR LET'S NOT FORGET THAT.

THE TOXIC RELATIONSHIP OF LANDLORD AND TENANT THE BEARS HAVE HAD WITH THE PARK DISTRICT IT'S BEEN A BAD RELATIONSHIP ESPECIALLY THE LAST FEW YEARS.

IT'S NOT A LOT OF TRUST THERE FROM THE BEARS' STANDPOINT.

>> NO DOUBT ABOUT IT AND THERE'S LAND THE CITY COULD OFFER BROKER A DEAL WITH.

THE SOUTH WORKS SITE, THE 78 TO NAME A FEW.

THE MAYOR SAID IF THE BEARS ARE GOING TO GO WE CAN GET ANOTHER NFL TEAM HERE.

IS THAT REALISTIC POSSIBILITY?

>> [LAUGHTER] >> NOT IN OUR LIFETIMES NOT IF WE'RE RENOVATING SOLDIER FIELD THAT IS FOR SURE.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

THE NFL AND THE OWNERS ARE VERY HAPPY WITH 32 TEAMS.

IT IS A PERFECT NUMBER FOR THE COMPETITIVE BALANCE.

ALSO THEY ONLY CONSIDER EXPANSION AND THEY WANT TO IF THERE WOULD BE A BUMP IN BROADCAST REVENUES AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN UNLESS IT IS A FOREIGN TEAM AND YOU GET THE INTERNATIONAL REVENUE.

AS FAR AS TEAMS RELOCATING?

TEAMS DO NOT RELOCATE INTO A 100-YEAR-OLD STADIUM WITH A ROOF THAT WAS TACKED ON TO IT.

THAT IS NOT WHAT HAPPENS.

WHEN TEAMS RELOCATE IT'S TO GO TO A NEW BUILDING AND TYPICALLY ONE THAT HAS MEANINGFUL PUBLIC SECTOR CONTRIBUTION AND THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ON THE TABLE, EITHER.

AND ANOTHER NFL TEAM BACKFILLING INTO SOLDIER FIELD IS NOT LIKELY TO OCCUR.

>> YOU PUT A ROOF ON SOLDIER AND MAKE IT USEFUL THE ENTIRE YEAR-ROUND DOES THAT PERHAPS INCREASE THE ECONOMIC IMPACT HERE?

>> MARGINALLY, NOT ENOUGH TO OFFSET $2 WORLD OF COSTS THAT IS FOR SURE.

WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE SOLDIER FIELD HAS BEEN A VERY USEFUL FACILITY FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

NOW, IF WE WANT TO GET A NEW STADIUM IN CHICAGO, IF WE WANT TO HAVE THE MULTIPURPOSE FACILITY THAT WILL HELP CONVENTIONS COME TO TOWN AND MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS, BRING IN FINAL 4s, YOU HAVE TO START FROM SCRATCH.

THERE WAS A PLAN LIKE THIS YEARS AGO.

GOVERNOR EDGAR WE'RE TALKING ANCIENT HISTORY, GOVERNOR EDGAR PROPOSED McDOME IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DOMED STADIUM.

THAT MADE A LOT OF SENSE.

TO EVERYONE EXCEPT THE POLITICAL DIVISION OF THE SPOILS.

GOVERNOR EDGAR WANTED TO BE UNDER THE McDOME AUTHORITY AND ANOTHER MAYOR WANT TO DO UNDER THE PARK DISTRICT AND AS A RESULT IT NEVER GOT BUILT BUT THAT WAS THE PLAN THAT MADE SENSE AND WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT A RENOVATION OF THAT STADIUM NOT THE BEARS MOVING TO ARLINGTON HEIGHTS TO A NEW STADIUM OR $2.2 BILLION TO BE THROWN TO A RETROFIT OF A 100-YEAR-OLD BUILDING.

>> THE POLITICS HAS BEEN AS DYSFUNCTIONAL AS THE BEARS ON THE FIELD.

THANK YOU.

MARC GANIS GREAT TO TALK TO US >> MY PLEASURE.

>> THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL ELECTED IN TWOO WILL 2023 WILL LOOK DIFFERENT THAT THE CURRENT ONE BECAUSE MANY ARE HEADING FOR THE EXITS.

SOME ARE DEALING WITH LEGAL ISSUES.

ALDERMAN CARRIE AUSTIN HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR TAKING BRIBES AND IS NOT RUNNING AGAIN.

HOWARD BROOKINGS IS WAITING FOR AN ETHICS BOARD RULING.

WHETHER TO DECIDE TO SEEK REELECTION AND PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON WAS FORCED TO RESIGN.

FOR ADDITIONAL MEMBERS WHO RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THEIR EXIT PLANS ARE JOINING US RIGHT NOW.

THEY ARE ALDERWOMAN MICHELE SMITH OF THE 43rd WARD SHE IS RESIGNING HER SEAT ON AUGUST 12.

HARRY OSTERMAN, OF THE 48TH WARD IN ANDERSONVILLE HE IS NOT SEEKING REELECTION.

GEORGE CARDENAS OF THE 12TH WARD ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE HE WON A SEAT ON THE BOARD OF REVIEW AND IS STEPPING DOWN IN DECEMBER.

AND ALDERMAN JAMES CAPPLEMAN HE IS NOT SEEKING REELECTION.

WELCOME BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT" PERHAPS FOR FINAL TIME IN YOUR CURRENT ROLES.

ALDERMAN OSTERMAN YOU ARE IN YOUR THIRD TERM, WHY HANG IT UP NOW?

>> IT WAS A DIFFICULT DECISION BECAUSE I'M BORN AND RAISED IN THE COMMUNITY.

LOOKING BACK AND REFLECTING I SPENT 11 YEARS AS STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND 12 YEARS AS ALDERMAN.

WORKING REALLY HARD TO IMPROVE MY NEIGHBORHOOD WORKING WITH MY NEIGHBORS.

AND FOR ME AT THIS TIME IT WAS A TIME TO REFLECT AND LOOK TO TRANSITION TO SOMETHING ELSE.

I WILL FINISH MY TERM.

I HAVE WORK TO DO FOR THE NEXT 10 MONTHS AND WE'LL SEE WHAT COMES AFTER THAT.

>> ALDERMAN CARDENAS YOU WON A SEAT ON THE COOK COUNTY BOARD OF REVIEW.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO CHANGE JOBS?

>> I SAW AN OPPORTUNITY OBVIOUSLY THAT I WANTED TO REACH A BROADER BASE AND I WANTED TO PUT MY SKILLS TO USE.

I AM AN ACCOUNTANT, DATA ANALYST, CONSULTANT.

AND IT WAS MY PASSION.

I WANTED TO SEE THAT THROUGH.

AND I THINK THAT OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS USE THE SKILL SETS TO HELP FOLKS OUT IN A BIGGER WAY.

>> ALDERWOMAN SMITH YOU ARE LEAVING TO CARE FOR AN AILING FAMILY MEMBER.

THE TIMING GOES GIVE MAYOR LIGHTFOOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO PICK A REPRAISE.

REPLACEMENT.

WHY NOT WAIT SEVEN MONTHS TO GIVE VOTERS THE CHOICE?

>> THE VOTERS WILL CERTAINLY HAVE A CHOICE.

IN MY WARD WE ARE PARTICIPANTS AND WHETHER OR NOT THE MAYOR APPOINTS SOMEBODY I'M SURE THERE WILL BE A CONTESTED ELECTION.

I AM THE YOUNGEST MEMBER OF MY FAMILY AT 67.

I HAVE AGING RELATIVES AND FRIENDS FOR WHOM I HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES.

AND I AM UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES I COULDN'T PERSONALLY WAIT SEVEN MONTHS.

AND I HAD TO SAY THAT IT WAS TIME TO LEAVE REALLY A JOB THAT I LOVE VERY MUCH.

>> AND YOU'VE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL ON ISSUES RELATED TO ETHICS REFORM PACKAGE.

ALDERMAN CAPPLEMAN YOU HAVE HAD TOUGH REELECTIONS AND YOU ARE DECIDING NOT TO RUN THIS TIME.

HOW COME?

>> I'M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO REALLY THINGS TURNED AROUND FOR ME WHEN COVID HIT ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE WE ALL HAD TO JUST KIND OF DO EVERYTHING REMOTELY.

I HEARD BAD NEWS FROM MY PHYSICIAN ON A NUMBER OF THINGS.

I HAD TO HAVE SURGERY.

AND THEN I HAD THREE MAJOR CANCER SCARES.

AND YOU KNOW, THERE IS NO CANCER.

I STILL HAVE TO BE MONITORED FOR IT.

BUT I WILL BE TURNING 70, THREE MONTHS FROM TODAY AND THIS GAVE ME A CHANCE TO REVIEW WHAT I WANT TO DO.

I WANT MORE ADVENTURES IN MY LIFE.

AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT IT IS YET.

BUT THAT'S PART OF THE FUN.

>> AND WE CERTAINLY WISH FOR YOUR CONTINUED HEALTH ALDERMAN.

YOU ALL HAVE THE ABILITY TO SPEAK FREELY NOW.

WHAT ALDERPERSON TOLD ME DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC THAT THE JOB WASN'T FUNNY MORE THAT FOLKS WERE NOT HAVING AS MUCH FUN DOING THE JOB.

ALDERMAN OSTERMAN IS THIS JOB JUST NOT AS MUCH FUN AS IT USED TO BE?

>> I THINK IT IS AN INCREDIBLY REWARDING JOB AND WE ARE ABLE TO GET THINGS DONE AND THAT IS WHY PEOPLE RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE.

THE ABILITY TO HELP NEIGHBORS AND ABILITY TO GET PROJECTS OR OPEN NEW BUSINESSES IN YOUR COMMUNITY, HELP SCHOOLS THAT IS INCREDIBLY FULFILLING.

I THINK THAT'S INCREDIBLY REWARDING JOB AND I THINK I THINK IT IS A CHALLENGING JOB IT IS NOT EASY BUT IT'S INCREDIBLY REWARDING WHEN YOU CAN HELP MOVE YOUR COMMUNITY IN A POSITIVE WAY.

>> FUN PERHAPS IS NOT THE OPERATIVE TALKING ABOUT THIS JOB WITH THIS RESPONSIBILITY.

ALDERWOMAN SMITH WHY DO YOU THINK SO MANY OF YOUR COLLEAGUES ARE LEAVING?

IT'S NO SECRET THAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAS HAD A CONTROVERSIAL GOVERNING STYLE, DOES THAT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS?

>> CITY COUNCIL TURNS OVER A LOT IN EACH ELECTION.

IN THE 11 YEARS THAT THE THREE OF US HAVE BEEN HERE IT'S TURNED OVER ALMOST ENTIRELY.

BUT NOT QUITE.

SO I THINK THAT -- I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA THERE'S ALWAYS A LOT OF TURNOVER AT CITY HALL.

I DO THINK THE PANDEMIC DID HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH HOW DIFFICULT THE JOB WAS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IT'S WONDERFUL THAT WE ARE FINALLY GETTING BEYOND IT.

AND I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A WORKAHOLIC AND I NEVER WORKED HARDER THAN DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AND WE ALL HAD TO REFLECT ON OUR LIVES AND LIVES OF THE PEOPLE WE CARE ABOUT.

AND IT WAS I WAS GLAD I WAS HERE DURING THE PANDEMIC I HOPE I HELPED MY COMMUNITY THROUGH IT CALMLY AND ATTENDING TO THEIR NEEDS.

AND I THINK THERE'S TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN PUBLIC SERVICE THE PANDEMIC WAS REALLY MORE DIFFICULT THAN IT WAS FOR EVERYBODY FOR WHOM IT WAS DIFFICULT.

>> AND YOU HAD THE PANDEMIC AND YOU HAD THE UNREST THAT HAPPENED SOON AFTER IN 2020.

ALDERMAN CARDENAS WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST CONCERNS AS YOU LEAVE THE POST FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO?

>> OBVIOUSLY IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE CIVILITY IN THE COUNCIL.

MORE COLLABORATION.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GETTING BACK TO SOME OLD HABITS OF GETTING THINGS DONE.

WHEN I FIRST CAME INTO OFFICE I SAT DOWN WITH AT THAT TIME R AND D, KNOWN AS RICHARD M. DALEY AND HE ASKED ME WHAT I WANTED TO ACCOMPLISH AS AN ALDERMAN.

AND WE WENT THROUGH A LIST OF THINGS I SAID A HIGH SCHOOL, I SAID SCHOOLS BADLY NEEDED.

WE HAD OVERCROWDING AT THE TIME.

I NEEDED A LIBRARY IN LITTLE VILLAGE AND A PARK.

AND MANY INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.

AND WE GOT ALL OF THOSE THINGS DONE.

AND IN THE MATTER OF 10 YEARS.

WHEN HE LEFT WHEN DALEY LEFT, I HAD ACCOMPLISHED PRETTY MUCH ALL OF THEM.

LITTLE VILLAGE PARK WAS INAUGURATED BY RAHM EMANUEL.

SO I WANT TO GET BACK TO THAT.

BACK TO GETTING THINGS DONE AND I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES GET BACK TO THE BASICS OF COLLABORATION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.

THAT'S HOW -- >> I REMEMBER THE RIBBON CUTTING IN THAT NEW PARK IN LITTLE VILLAGE.

ALDERMAN CAPPLEMAN ANY THOUGHTS ON WHERE THE CITY NEEDS TO GO IN SOLVING THE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE WHICH HAS CREPT INTO YOUR WARD IN UP UP TO AS WELL?

>> UPTOWN AS WELL.

>> I THINK WE KNOW THAT IT'S A TOUGH ANSWER NOT ONLY IN CHICAGO BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND WE KNOW THAT WE NEED MORE POLICE.

AND WE KNOW THAT POLICE REFORM IS ALSO NEEDED THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE COUNTRY AS WELL.

THE PROBLEMS WE'RE FACING IN CHICAGO ARE REALLY NOT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT OTHER CITIES ARE FACING.

SO BUT WE DO KNOW PART OF THAT SOLUTION MEANS WE MUST HAVE THE POLICE, WE MUST HAVE ELECTED OFFICIALS, WOO HE MUST HAVE THE COMMUNITY ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS AREA SAFER.

IT'S NOT JUST A JOB OF THE POLICE OR ELECTED OFFICIALS OR THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO DO THAT RIGHT NOW WITH THE POLARIZATION THAT EXISTS IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> AND THERE WILL BE A LOT OF NEW FACES ON CITY COUNCIL NEXT YEAR TO TRY TO TACKLE THE ISSUES.

WE WILL BE JOINED AGAIN LATER IN THE PROGRAM TO DISCUSS THE PRESSING ISSUES LIKE A DOME FOR SOLDIER FIELD AND MUCH MORE.

OUR THANKS TO MICHELE SMITH, HARRY OSTERMAN, GEORGE CARDENAS AND JAMES CAPPLEMAN.

>> AND UP NEXT, THE SOUL CHILDREN OF CHICAGO.

PREPARE FOR THEIR UP COMING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING INDIANA LAWMAKERS ON THE STATE'S ABORTION BAN EFFORTS.

FIRST, FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS, WALT WHITMAN AND THE SOUL CHILDREN OF CHICAGO HAVE BEEN TRAVELING THE WORLD TO SHARE THEIR LOVE OF MUSIC.

TOMORROW THEY WILL CELEBRATE THEIR 230UR 0TH ANNIVERSARY IN GRANT PARK FEATURING CURRENT MEMBERS AND PAST MEMBERS OF THE CHOIR.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU STEPPED IN ON THEIR REHEARSAL TO GET A TASTE OF WHAT TO EXPECT.

[♪♪♪] >> IT IS THE END OF AN ERA 40 YEARS GOING INTO ANOTHER ERA AND THIS PARTICULAR CONCERT IN MILLENNIUM PARK IS A FIRST AND BRING ALL FIVE GENERATIONS BACK IT IS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE AND TO HEAR THEM IS EVEN GREATER.

>> WALT WATT AND THE SOUL CHILDREN OF CHICAGO ARE TAKING CENTER STAGE AT THE GRANT PARK JUBILEE AS THEY CELEBRATE 40 YEARS.

[♪♪♪] MADE UP OF CURRENT AND FORMER CHOIR MEMBERS.

DIRECTOR WALT WHITMAN SAYS THE RETURN OF SO MANY FAMILIAR FACES IS DIRECTLY TO THE CHOIR'S SOUND.

SOMETHING HE HAS BEEN PERFECTING SINCE HE STARTED THE GROUP IN 1981.

>> FROM THERE, THE SOUND OF THE SOUL CHILDREN BECAME WHAT PEOPLE KNOW AS A MATURE SOUND FROM A CHILDREN'S CHOIR.

IT IS A MIXTURE OF EVERYTHING AND THE BLEND IS AMAZING.

BECAUSE THERE IS A CONNECTION.

YOU CAN'T FABRICATE THAT.

IT IS A CONNECTION SPIRITUALLY THAT BINDS THEM TOGETHER SO FROM 1981 THEY DON'T KNOW THE 22 KIDS.

BUT THERE IS A CONNECTION AND THAT CONNECTION IS PRODUCES THE SOUND AND THE PRESENCE THAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCE AND THEY CAN'T EXPLAIN.

YOU CANNOT ARTICULATE IT.

ALL YOU KNOW IS YOU FEEL THEM.

>> SOME KNOWN AS THE GOSPEL GROUP >> IT IS NOT A GOSPEL CHOIR WE ARE A CHOIR THAT CAN EMBRACE ALL MUSIC.

WE SING JEWISH MUSIC AND SING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND ABLE TO GO INTO DIFFERENT ARENAS.

>> WHITMAN SAYS THE ROOT OF THE WORK IS CENTERED AROUND THE LOVE FOR MUSIC >> PURPOSE IS WHAT DRIVES US.

WE ARE NOT DRIVEN BY BEING A RECORDING CHOIR OR DRIVEN BY POPULARITY.

WE ARE DRIVEN BY PURPOSE.

PURPOSE WILL ALWAYS KEEP YOU GOING.

I CAN BE A FRIEND OF JEWISH PEOPLE AND CORPORATE AMERICA AND THE CHURCH THE SAME RESPONSE BECAUSE THE SPIRIT IS WHAT TRANSLATES.

IT IS NOT NECESSARILY DOING SONG.

IT'S THE SPIRIT BEHIND THE SONG.

SO WHAT WE DO I TEACH A LOT ABOUT HOW DO YOU TRANSLATE WHAT YOU FEEL TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW?

>> THAT TRANSLATION WILL ALSO BE CONVEYED THROUGH CONDUCTOR CHARLES FLOYD WHO WILL LEAD THE CHOIR IN THE GOSPEL JUBILEE.

>> NICE TO BE ABLE TO REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY, REPRESENT THE BLACK COMMUNITY, TO REPRESENT THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY.

IT'S AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND I DON'T THINK IN MY ENTIRE LIFE FOR AS LONG AS I'VE LIVED HERE, BORN AND RAISED HERE IN CHICAGO, IT'S TAKEN ALL OF THIS TIME FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO COME TO FRUITION.

>> WHITMAN SAYS THE PERFORMERS LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING OTHERS THROUGH THE LOVE OF MUSIC >> WITH THE SOUL CHILDREN, THE GOAL IS TO LEAVE A LEGACY.

CHANGE LIVES.

EDUCATE, ELEVATE AND ENLIGHTEN.

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

>> [♪♪♪] >> MAKES ME WANT TO SING, CLAP, THAN, DANCE.

YOU CAN SEE WALT WHITMAN AND THE SOUL CHILDREN OF CHICAGO TOMORROW FROM 6:30-8:00 P.M. AT THE GOSPEL JUBILEE AT THE PRITZKER PAVILION.

PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> CERTAINLY GOING TO BE A FUN SHOW.

AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", INDIANA IS THE LATEST OF ILLINOIS' NEIGHBORS TO BE A BATTLEGROUND FOR ABORTION RIGHTS WE HEAR FROM THAT STATE'S LAWMAKERS.

>> FOUR OUTGOING ALDERPEOPLE ON WHETHER PUTTING A DOME ON SOLDIER FIELD AND NASCAR RACES ARE GOOD FOR CHICAGO AND THE TAXPAYERS.

AND THE LIONS RETURN FROM A ROUTINE CLEANING.

AND WHAT IS THE LION'S HISTORY?

WE LOOK INTO IT IN "ASK GEOFFREY".

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... AMERICAN AIRLINES PILOTS PICKETED DOWNTOWN THEY CLAIM THE COMPANY IS SELLING MORE FLIGHTS THAN IT HAS THE CAPACITY TO SERVE.

PROTESTORS SAY THE OVERBOOKING IS INCONVENIENCING PASSENGERS AND ALSO POTENTIALLY COMPROMISING SAFETY.

>> AMERICAN AIRLINES DOES NOT HAVE THE PILOTS TRAINED FOR THE TICKETS THAT THEY SOLD AND ARE NOT LIVING UP TO THE CONTRACT.

THEY ARE PUSHING PILOTS TO THE VERY MAXIMUMS ALLOWED BY THE F.A.A.

THEY ARE RECKLESSLY UTILIZING US.

AND THAT DOES TWO THINGS.

IT CREATES UNRELIABLE SCHEDULES.

AND THE OTHER ONE IS VERY DEAR TO AUR HEARTS IT PUSHES ON THE MARGIN OF SAFETY IN THE WRONG WAY.

THIS INSANITY HAS GOT TO STOP.

>> HE SAYS SINCE JUNE AMERICAN CANCELED 8200 FLIGHTS IMPACTING 1.2 MILLION PASSENGERS.

>> AN INMATE AT COOK COUNTY JAIL TESTED POSITIVE FOR MONKEYPOX.

THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS THE INDIVIDUAL WAS IMMEDIATELY ISOLATED AND THE UNIT WAS QUARANTINED AND MONITORED WITH SCREENINGS.

THE RISK TO THE JAIL POPULATION AND STAFF IS THOUGHT TO BE LOW.

THE DISEASE HAS SO FAR LARGELY BEEN FOUND AMONG MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH OTHER MEN.

THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION HAS CONFIRMED ALMOST 3600 MONKEYPOX CASES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING 350 HERE IN ILLINOIS.

>> A SEVEN WEEK STRIKE BY WORKERS THAT IMPACTED ROAD CONSTRUCTION IS FINALLY COMING TO AN END.

300 WORKERS EMPLOYED BY QUARRIES WENT ON STRIKE LAST MONTH PUTTING A STRAIN ON ROAD PROJECTS THROUGHOUT NORTHERN ILLINOIS.

BUT TODAY THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 150 SAYS MEMBERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO ACCEPT THE CONTRACT OFFER.

IN A STATEMENT MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE A 15% INCREASE IN PAY AND BENEFITS OVER THE THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT.

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

LAWMAKERS AND NEIGHBORING INDIANA ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A SPECIAL SESSION FOR A PROPOSED ABORTION BAN.

THE MEASURE WOULD BAN ABORTIONS EXCEPT IN CASES OF RAPE, INCEST OR THE LIFE OF THE PREGNANT PERSON IS AT RISK.

LAWMAKERS VOTED TO MAKE THE EXEMPTIONS MORE RESTRICTION SUCH THAT VICTIMS OF RAPE AND INCEST.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION AND MORE ARE STATE SENATOR SHELLI YODER A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA THAT INCLUDES THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON.

STATE SENATOR AND MINORITY LEADER, GREG TAYLOR A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF INDIANAPOLIS, AND PETER BREEN, VICE-PRESIDENT AND SENIOR COUNSEL FOR THE ANTIABORTION THOMAS MORE SOCIETY.

WE DID REACH OUT TO SEVERAL REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS FROM INDIANA AND THEY DID NOT RESPOND OR DECLINED TO COME ON THE PROGRAM.

LET'S BEGIN WITH YOU, SENATOR TAYLOR, YOU'RE ON THE COMMITTEE THAT ADDED THESE RESTRICTIONS ALSO ADDING CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR DOCTORS WHO DO OPPOSE ABORTIONS.

YOU VOTED AGAINST THEM BUT IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING MORE CHANGES COULD BE COMING BOTH IN THE SENATE AND LATER IN THE HOUSE.

ARE YOU EXPECTING FURTHER CHANGES AND WHAT MIGHT THAT LOOK LIKE?

>> YES, I DO EXPECT THERE TO BE CHANGES.

I DON'T THINK THE CHANGES ARE GOING TO BE IN THE DIRECTION I CAN SUPPORT.

BUT I DO EXPECT SOME CHANGES DEFINITELY IN THE SENATE ONCE WE GET TO SECOND READING AND WHEN IT GOES TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR CONSIDERATION.

>> SENATOR YODER ANY SPECIFICS ON THE CHANGES THAT YOU EXPECT COULD BE ADDED AS SENATOR TAYLOR NOTED LIKELY IT SEEMS TO FURTHER RESTRICT ABORTIONS?

>> WELL, WHAT IS REALLY UNFORTUNATE IS TODAY WE MADE A VERY BAD BILL WORSE.

AND I DON'T EXPECT ANY CHANGES THAT ARE GOING TO BE POSITIVE.

WE DIDN'T HEAR ONE TESTIMONY FROM HOOSIER IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL.

AND NOW WE'RE JUST TRYING TO WAIT-AND-SEE WHAT OTHER CHANGES ARE COMING.

WE HAVE NO IDEA.

EVEN TODAY, IN OUR COMMITTEE HEARING, WE COULDN'T GET A SENSE FOR WHO WAS AUTHORING THESE AMENDMENTS FROM OUR SUPER MAJORITY, THE REPUBLICANS.

AND SO IT'S GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTING IN THE COMING DAYS TO SEE WHAT KIND OF CHANGES WE'RE GOING TO SEE IF A BILL THAT IS ALREADY VERY UNPOPULAR.

>> Mr. BREEN, YOU WERE TESTIFYING IN INDIANA REGARDING THIS LEGISLATION.

AND MANY IN THE ANTIABORTION MOVEMENT CRITICIZED THE BILL AS WEAK.

DO YOU SEE IT THAT WAY?

OR DO THE LATEST AMENDMENTS PASSED VIA COMMITTEE TODAY MAKE IT MORE PALATABLE TO YOU?

>> WELL, THE AMENDMENTS THAT CAME IN LATE TODAY ARE WERE MINOR.

AND WHAT I WOULD SAY, WEAK IS NOT THE RIGHT WORD FROM THE PRO-LIFE IT'S FLAWED.

THERE ARE WE HAVE MODEL BILLS ON THE PRO-LIFE SIDE THE SAME ON THE PRO-CHOICE SIDE AND THAT SLANG NOT REFLECTED IN THE CURRENT BILL.

THE REASON EVERYBODY WHO TESTIFIED WAS OPPOSED IS BECAUSE THE LANGUAGE, FOLKS ON THE PRO-CHOICE SIDE DON'T KNOW WHY ARE THE WRDS IN THERE AND THE FOLKS ON THE PRO-LIFE SIDE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

>> WHAT DO YOU WANT IN THERE THAT IS NOT CURRENTLY PART OF THE LEGISLATION?

>> RIGHT.

HUGE, HUGE GLARING ERROR IN THE DRAFTING WAS THAT THEY REDEFINED THE ABORTIONS OF CERTAIN DISABLED CHILDREN AS NOT ABORTIONS AT ALL.

YOU CAN DEAL WITH THOSE ABORTIONS BUT YOU DON'T SAY THEY ARE NOT ABORTIONS.

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AGREE NO MATTER WHAT SIDE YOU ARE ON.

AND THE PROBLEM IS THROUGHOUT INDIANA LAW A LOT OF ABORTION REGULATION HINGES ON THAT DEFINITION.

SO THAT IS NOT AN ABORTION THEN WHAT DOES A CATHOLIC INSTITUTION THAT DOESN'T WANT TO DO THOSE PROCEDURES DO THEY HAVE RIGHTS ANYMORE?

AND THEY WOULD THE BILL WOULD MAKE MEDICAID COVER THOSE PROCEDURES.

YOU WOULD HAVE AN EXPANSION OF TAXPAYER FUNDED ABORTION IN INDIANA WHICH I THINK IS THE LAST THING THE FOLKS IN THE SUPER MAJORITY WERE LOOKING FOR WHEN THEY CAME DOWN TO THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK.

CERTAINLY THERE ARE CONSTITUENTS ON THE PRO-LIFE SIDE DO NOT WANT TO SEE AN EXPANSION OF TAXPAYER FUNDED ABORTION THEY NEED TO CLEAN UP THE LANGUAGE TO MAKE IT CLEAR WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO.

BECAUSE IT'S NOT MATCHING WHAT I'M HEARING OUT OF THE SUPER MAJORITY.

AND NOT WHAT THEIR CONSTITUENTS WANT TO SEE.

>> LOTS AHEAD IN TERMS OF THE DEBATE IN INDIANA.

SENATOR TAYLOR YOU AND OTHER LEGISLATORS DID MEET WITH VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS YESTERDAY ABOUT THIS MEASURE.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEKING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST STATES WHERE A FUTURE WITH ABORTION ACCESS IS NOT GUARANTEED?

>> FIRST OF ALL WE HAD A GREAT VISIT FROM OUR VICE-PRESIDENT AND DISCUSSIONS ABOUT COALITION BUILDING IN STATES LIKE INDIANA WHERE WE SEE SUPER MAJORITIES IN REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURES TRYING TO REGULATE WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING A COORDINATED CAMPAIGN TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THESE LAWS HAVE ACCESS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO KIND OF REGULATE WHAT IS GOING ON HERE.

I WOULD HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH Mr. BREEN ABOUT SOME OF HIS DISCUSSIONS TODAY ABOUT MEDICAID FUNDING FOR EXAMPLE WHICH IF Mr. BREEN WAS THERE LATER, HE WILL SEE THAT THE SUPER MAJORITY REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE HAD A FISCAL BILL THAT WAS GOING TO OPEN UP THE INDIANA BUDGET TO MORE FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THIS IS GOING TO LEAD TO MORE NEED FOR MEDICAID FUNDING WHEN IT COMES TO BIRTHS IN INDIANA.

>> THINGS LIKE CHILDCARE, PREGNANCY PLANNING, ET CETERA.

SENATOR YODER WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION?

>> I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE MADE VERY CLEAR THAT THE MAJORITY OF HOOSIERS WANT ACCESS TO ABORTION CARE.

OVER 80%.

AND SO WHEN Mr. BREEN SHOWED UP AND TESTIFIED IN OUR COMMITTEE, IT WAS A LEVEL OF [INAUDIBLE] THE WOMEN IN INDIANA HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THAT THE REASON WHY IT DIDN'T HAVE SUPPORT IS BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF HOOSIERS WANT ACCESS TO ABORTION CARE.

IT IS HEALTHCARE AND HOOSIERS WANT THAT ACCESS.

>> Mr. BREEN WE HAVE ABOUT ONE MINUTE LEFT.

I WILL LET YOU RESPOND TO THAT AND BRIEFLY, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EXEMPTIONS FOR PREGNANT PERSON WHOSE LIFE IS AT RISK HOW SHOULD THAT BE DEFINED?

THAT SEEMS LIKE A SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT MEASURE TO DETERMINE?

>> I WILL TELL YOU, AMANDA, WE HAVE DONE IT IN OTHER STATES.

KENTUCKY, TENNESSEE, MISSOURI, OKLAHOMA, TEXAS HAVE LAWS THAT THE ARE WELL CRAFTED ON THE BOOKS THAT IS WHAT THE PEOPLE OF INDIANA VOTED FOR.

NOW, AND I HAVE TO SAY THE LEGISLATORS OF INDIANA PROMISED PRO-LIFE LAWS AND THAT IS WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO GET.

WE'RE DEAL WITH MALE LEGISLATORS AND FEMALE SPEAKERS THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND THE PRO-LIFE SIDE HAD MORE FEMALE THAN MALE SPEAKERS.

IN TERMS HOW THE BILL CAN BE DRAFTED IT NEEDS TO BE DRAFTED BILL WITH THE MODEL LANGUAGE AND EXPRESS WHAT THE SUPER MAJORITY PROMISED WHICH IS A PRO-LIFE FUTURE FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA.

>> AND ABOUT 10 SECONDS SENATOR YODER IS THERE ANY POSSIBILITY THIS IS NOT GOING TO COME TO FRUITION PARTICULARLY GIVEN THAT DEMOCRATS HOLD SUPER MINORITIES IN BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE INDIANA LEGISLATURE?

>> WE DO HAVE AN EXCESSIVE MAJORITY IN THE INDIANA LEGISLATURE AND OUR CAUCUS WILL BE WORKING TIRELESSLY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT WOMEN THAT WE REITERATE TO HOOSIERS WE WILL STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR THEIR ACCESS TO FULL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE.

>> OUR THANKS TO STATE SENATORS SHELLI YODER AND GREG TAYLOR AS WELL AS PETER BREEN.

UP NEXT WE CHECK BACK WITH SOME OF CHICAGO'S OUTGOING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM WE DISCUSSED WERE ALDERMEN ARE HEADING TO THE EXITS AND WE'RE JOINED AGAIN BY MICHELE SMITH, HARRY OSTERMAN, GEORGE CARDENAS AND JAMES CAPPLEMAN.

ALL RIGHT WE ARE GOING TO DO A SPEED ROUND HERE OF SOME OF THE PRESSING ISSUES.

STARTING WITH YOU ALDERMAN OSTERMAN, NASCAR RACE AROUND GRANT PARK NEXT YEAR, GOOD IDEA OR A BAD IDEA >> BAD IDEA.

>> HOW COME?

>> I THINK THAT PRIORITIES OF EVENTS AND HOW WE'RE MARKETING THE CITY OF CHICAGO I THINK NASCAR IS NOT WHAT I WOULD SAY THINGS THAT CHICAGOANS AT LEAST IN MY COMMUNITY ARE ASKING FOR.

ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO SLOW TRAFFIC DOWN AROUND THE CITY.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE ISSUES.

NASCAR FLIES IN THE FACE OF THAT.

>> ALDERMAN CARDENAS?

GOOD OR BAD IDEA?

>> SO MANY OTHER CHALLENGES I WOULD TACKLE FIRST.

I'M NOT SAYING IT IS A BAD IDEA IT WOULD NOT BE MY PRIORITY TO BE FOCUSING ON.

THE BEARS, THE DOME, THE CRIME, THERE'S MANY, MANY THINGS THAT I WOULD TACKLE FIRST BEFORE NASCAR.

BUT, AGAIN, I'M NOT SITTING IN THAT SEAT.

BUT I THINK THAT CERTAINLY SOME OF US WANT TO BE SUPPORTIVE.

BUT WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THE OTHER PRESSING MATTERS THE CITY HAS.

>> ALDERMAN CAPPLEMAN DOES THE NOOR NEED TO BRING IN ALDERPEOPLE TO NEGOTIATE SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> YOU KNOW, I'M ALL FOR THIS BRING OUT ALL THE IDEAS, GOOD, BAD, WHATEVER AND LET'S BID AND THAT IS PART OF OUR JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT GOOD DECISIONS ARE MADE.

I'M WAITING TO HEAR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT.

>> ALDERWOMAN SMITH, GOOD IDEA, BAD IDEA?

>> WHEN I WAS HIRED TO BE ALDERMAN WAS TO BRING ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION TO OUR COMMUNITY, TO IMPROVE OUR SCHOOLS AND INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES IN THE CITY AND FOCUS ON THE TREASURES THAT CHICAGO HAS LIKE THEATRE.

AND IN GENERAL, I THINK THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE SHOULD BE TRUMPETING.

AND WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC AND SAFETY.

SO I THINK THERE IS A LOT THIS CITY HAS TO OFFER.

ON THE BASIS OF ITS TREMENDOUS ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICTS AND SCHOOLS AND PEOPLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ALDERMAN OSTERMAN A DOME ON SOLDIER FIELD THAT COULD COST UP TO $2.2 BILLION IF NOT MORE BECAUSE WE KNOW THESE THINGS INCUR OVERRUNS.

IS IT A GOOD IDEA AND IS IT GOING TO HAPPEN?

>> THERE SHOULD BE ACTIVE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE BEARS AND IT SEEMS LIKE BOTH SIDES ARE TALKING APART.

AND I THINK TRYING TO GET THEM WHETHER IT'S SOLDIER FIELD CHICAGO HAS A LOT OF LAND THROUGHOUT OUR CITY THAT COULD BUILD A NEW STADIUM WE SHOULD EXPLORE ALL THE OPTIONS BEFORE THEY GO TO ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

>> SEEMS LIKE A NEW PIECE OF LAND FOR A NEW STADIUM WOULD BE MORE ENTICING FOR THE BEARS FROM MY POINT OF VIEW.

ALDERMAN CARDENAS A DOME OVER SOLDIER FIELD?

A GOOD THING TO SPEND MONEY ON?

>> I'M OPEN MINDED.

BUT PRIORITIES.

I WANT TO SEE KIDS IN MY PARKS.

I WANT TO SEE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS THROUGHOUT SO THAT YOU KNOW THEY SEE THE BENEFITS OF CHICAGO THRIVING.

FOCUSING ON DOWNTOWN, IS NOT THE END ALL.

AND AGAIN, IT WOULD MEAN THAT COME SEE ME, COME TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND SEE AND ADDRESS THE NEEDS AND I'M ALL FOR THAT.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

PROGRESS HAS TO BE ACROSS THE BOARD.

I'M NOT AGAINST IT.

BUT I WANT TO LEVERAGE WHAT I NEED FOR MY COMMUNITY BEFORE I ATTEND TO THE NEEDS OF SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> ALDERMAN CAPPLEMAN, FOLKS SAY $2.2 COULD BE BEST SPENT ON OTHER PRIORITIES OF THE CITY.

IS THIS A GOOD IDEA?

>> MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS I'M HESITANT TO SPEND THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY GIVEN THE OTHER NEEDS.

BUT IF IT WILL GENERATE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR IT AND PAY FOR OTHER SERVICES THAT THE CITY NEEDS I'M OPEN TO IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ALDERWOMAN SMITH LOOKING BACK, WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN YOUR TERMS AS ALDERPERSON?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S THREE THINGS: WE DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN IN OUR AREA AND IMPROVED OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THRILLED TO HAVE TO NEED TO AND BUILD AN ADDITION TO OUR GREAT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

KEEPING PEOPLE IN THE FAMILIES IS WHY I RAN FOR ALDERMAN.

THE KEY TO TURNING THE CITY AROUND.

IMPROVING OUR LOCAL ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE WE TURNED AROUND SOME OF OUR SHOPPING CENTERS THAT HAD FALLEN BECAUSE OF BAD INVESTMENTS.

AND I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE WORK WE DID TO CREATE A MORE ETHICAL CITY COUNCIL AND HAVE THE STRONGEST LOBBYING BAN IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS IF NOT IN THE COUNTRY.

>> ALDERMAN OSTERMAN HOW ABOUT YOU?

LOOKING BACK ON SOME OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, WHAT IS THE THING THAT STANDS OUT THE MOST?

>> A LOT OF GREAT PROGRESS OUR COMMUNITY IS A SAFER COMMUNITY WITH BETTER SCHOOLS.

HUNDREDS OF NEW BUSINESSES.

THE C.T.A.

IS BUILD A $2 BILLION PROJECT THAT WILL TRANSFORM OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

BUT THE CORE IS HOW ME AND MY STAFF WORKED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE NEIGHBORS AND BLOCK CLUBS AND CHAMBERS TO MOVE OUR COMMUNITY FORWARD IN A POSITIVE WAY.

I THINK IT'S THE RELATIONSHIPS OVER THE PERIOD OF TIME WITH NEIGHBORS REALLY MAKING A NEIGHBORHOOD A BETTER PLACE.

>> ALDERMAN CARDENAS YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT?

>> GOD.

SCHOOLS.

MODERN SCHOOLS FOR CHICAGO.

WE DID A BOND OF $500 MILLION IN MY COMMUNITY AND GOT $200 MILLION.

A HIGH SCHOOL, TWO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND WE GOT OBVIOUSLY A FIREHOUSE AND A LIBRARY AS WELL AND A PARK.

WE GOT A LOT OF THINGS DONE IN THE LAST 20 YEARS.

OBVIOUSLY WE NEED TO DO MORE.

BUT THOSE THINGS ARE GOING TO BE A TESTAMENT IN OUR LEGACY, I THINK.

>> ALDERMAN CAPPLEMAN, HOW ABOUT YOU?

>> I'M SO PROUD THAT UPTOWN HAS TURNED THE CORNER.

IT IS REALLY NOW BECOME A COMMUNITY WHERE ANYONE, ESPECIALLY A YOUNG MOM WITH A THREE-YEAR-OLD CAN WALK DOWN ANY STREET AND FEEL SAFE.

I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT.

AND AS A GAY MAN, IT JUST I WAS ELATED WE ARE ABLE TO PASS AN ORDINANCE THAT REQUIRED BUSINESSES TO OFFER BATHROOMS TO MEMBERS OF THE TRANSCOMMUNITY.

>> ALL RIGHT WELL, AS WE MENTIONED THIS MIGHT BE THE LAST TIME YOU APPEAR WITH US IN THESE ROLES.

ALL THE BEST IN YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS OUR THANKS TO ALDERPEOPLE, MICHELE SMITH, HARRY OSTERMAN, GEORGE CARDENAS AND JAMES CAPPLEMAN.

>> UP NEXT, PHIL PONCE AND GEOFFREY BAER ON THE HISTORY OF ONE OF CHICAGO'S MOST PROMINENT PIECES OF ART IN AN ENCORE EDITION OF "ASK GEOFFREY".

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

FROM THE PICASSO STATUTE TO THE BEAN, PUBLIC ART IS A VIBRANT PART OF CHICAGO'S LANDSCAPE.

BUT CHICAGOANS HAVE TAKEN PRIDE IN A PAIR OF SCULPTURES WATCHING OVER MICHIGAN AVENUE.

AND JOINING US IS GEOFFREY BAER.

>> THIS IS GOOD BECAUSE WE'VE ALL SEEN THEM AND THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE LIONS OUTSIDE?

>> THE LIONS THEY ARE LIKE OLD FAMILIAR FRIENDS.

AS YOU'VE SAID WE'VE ALL PASSED THEM 100 TIMES AND YET WE DON'T KNOW THE STORY BEHIND THEM.

SO HERE WE GO.

LIKE SO MANY THINGS IN CHICAGO, THE HISTORY OF THE LIONS CAN BE TRACED BACK TO THE 1893 WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION, THE WORLD'S FAIR.

WHAT YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW IS THAT THE ORIGINAL SECTION OF THE ART INSTITUTE BUILDING ITSELF WHICH THE LIONS GUARD WAS ALSO BUILT FOR THE WORLD'S FAIR.

THE ONLY STRUCTURE OUTSIDE OF JACKSON PARK AND ONE THAT WEREN'T DEMOLISHED AFTER THE FAIR ENDED.

THE BUILDING OPENED IN 1893 BUT FOR ALMOST A YEAR ITS FRONT DOORS WERE UNGUARDED.

NO LIONS IN THAT PICTURE.

>> LIKE A MUSTACHE IS MISSING >> THE LIONS WERE NOT INSTALLED UNTIL MAY 1984 AND DESIGN BAD I A SCULPTOR EDWARD KEMPMYS.

>> HOW DID HE LAND SUCH A BIG COMMISSION?

>> HE WAS IN THE 1800'S HE WAS CONSIDERED THE COUNTRY'S PREMIER ANIMALLIER.

A FRENCH WORD FOR SCULPTOR OF ANIMALS.

LIKE MANY AMERICAN ARTISTS HE WAS DRAWN TO SCENES OF RAW UNFILTERED NATURE.

YOU CAN SEE THAT IN THE SMALLER PIECES WE'RE GOING TO SHOW HERE.

THE ART INSTITUTE HOSTED AN EXHIBITION OF HIS WORK INTH 1885 AT THEIR PREVIOUS LOCATION THIS IS BEFORE THE FAIR IT WAS A FEW BLOCKS SOUTH AT MICHIGAN AND VAN BUREN.

HE CREATED A DOZEN SCULPTURES FOR THE WORLD'S FAIR MORE THAN ANY AMERICAN.

AND LIKE MUCH OF THE EXPOSITION'S WHITE CITY THEY WERE MADE OF PLASTER AND NOT MEANT TO LAST AND THAT INCLUDED THE TWO LIONS AND INCLUDED TWO SCULPTURES THAT CHICAGOANS MAY RECOGNIZE.

THE BISON WHICH STAND IN HUMBOLDT PARK NORTH OF DIVISION STREET.

>> HOW DID TEMPORARY PLASTER LIONS BECOME PERMANENT BRONZE ONES?

>> AFTER THE FAIR CLOSED AN EARLY BENEFACTOR OF THE ART INSTITUTE COMMISSIONED BRONZE CASTS OF THESE DESIGNS.

PAGE WAS A SISTER-IN-LAW OF MARSHALL FIELD IN CHICAGO SOCIETY.

AND THE LIONS HAVE BECOME ICONS.

EACH OF THE LIONS WEIGHS OVER TWO TONS.

AND IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, YOU WILL REALIZE THEY ARE NOT IDENTICAL TWINS WHICH IS ANOTHER THING PEOPLE WALK BY.

HE TITLED THE NORTHERN LION AND THE PROWL WITH THE MOUTH SLIGHTLY OPEN GAZING INTO THE DISTANCE.

CONTRAST THAT WITH THE COURAGE OR THE SOUTHERN LION WHICH IS SHOWN IN AN ATTITUDE OF DEFIANCE.

CAN YOU SEE THAT COMING THROUGH IN THE BODY LANGUAGE AND THE UPTURNED REGAL HEAD.

YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO MESS WITH EITHER ONE OF THESE LIONS.

>> I SEE PEOPLE READING BACKS ON THE STEPS BECAUSE THEY LIKE TO READ BETWEEN THE LIONS.

THE LIONS ARE ALMOST THE CITY'S MASCOT >> ABSOLUTELY.

AND YOU KNOW THAT SORT OF REGAL STOIC REALISM THAT HE WAS GOING FOR IN THE DESIGNS GREETED WITH PLAYFULNESS GOING BACK DECADES YOU CAN SEE THAT IN THE WAY THEY ARE SHOWN ON THE COVER OF THE CHICAGOAN MAGAZINE IN 1928.

MORE RECENTLY, THE LIONS HAVE BECOME DIEHARD CHICAGO SPORTS FANS WHEN A TEAM HAS A STRONG POST SEASON THEY DON HELMETS OR CUBS OR SOX HATS ALAS.

MAYBE NEXT YEAR.

THERE'S ALSO THE CEREMONIAL WREATHING OF THE LIONS.

A COMPANY BY HOLIDAY THEMED PERFORMANCE.

AND I DIDN'T KNOW THIS, TODAY THE LIONS HAVE THEIR OWN TWITTER ACCOUNT.

THEY POST SEMI REGULARLY.

MOSTLY ABOUT LOCAL SPORTS AND BITS OF LOCAL CULTURE.

SUCH AS TALKING ABOUT THE ONLY PROPER WAY TO MAKE A CHICAGO HOT DOG.

A WILD CARNIVORE SHOULD KNOW.

>> I'M GLAD THE LIONS ARE KEEPING UP WITH THE TIMES >> THANK YOU GEOFFREY.

SO ARE YOU >> THANK YOU, MY PLEASURE.

>> AND YOU CAN FIND MORE ON CHICAGO'S BELOVED ART INSTITUTE LIONS ON OUR WEBSITE AND SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION TO GEOFFREY BAER.

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

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ >> AND I'M AMANDA VINICKY.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]