>> Hello and thanks for joining us on Chicago tonight and Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

>> I think all of those who made.

This >> Congressman Danny Davis says he won't be running for re-election, adding to a growing list open congressional races across Illinois.

so on.

>> We protect our findings and defend our rights.

>> Organizers are calling for a federal immigration agents to stay away from this weekend's Fiesta Del Sol event.

>> When you are intentionally disenfranchised, it's gonna take billions of dollars to rebuild this community.

>> And his violent crime drops in Chicago.

Local anti-violence groups are sounding the alarm about funding cuts.

>> now to some of today's top stories.

A new state law will make it easier for schools to spot students who may need mental health care.

>> But what we have heard from families and from young people is that an annual check on sadness, worry fear and other problems would help to identify young people who need to talk before they experienced the crises that require more serious, even hospital based interventions.

>> Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation that will require school districts to offer free mental health screenings to students in 3rd through 12th grades beginning with the 2027 28 school year under the law, the State Board of Education would also provide resources like access to screening tools.

Chicago Public schools is facing down a 734 million dollar budget deficit.

The state of the district's finances were the subject of a hearing today with state lawmakers CPS, the teachers union and others.

They all had opinions about who's responsible for fixing them.

>> But no matter how committed we are about how committed our school communities are.

We can't do this work alone.

We need the partnership of the General Assembly.

This is not a single entities problem to saw.

This is our shared responsibility.

And one we must address.

I don't think that it's a job Springfield to rescue the school districts that might have been responsible.

One time money they received poor fiscal management on the part of the local government.

It's not necessarily the responsibility Springfield.

It said that it has been in the past.

So clearly there has to be a conversation.

Cps has significant financial issues.

We know that.

>> Cps has until the end of August to approve a balanced budget for fiscal year 2026.

Though the temps have fallen.

You may have noticed the hazy skies, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued and air pollution action day for today and tomorrow for the entire state.

The National Weather Service as smoke from Canadian wildfires moved into the area today causing unhealthy air quality.

They recommend limiting prolonged outdoor activity.

And you may want to consider closing your windows at night.

If you were thinking of letting the cooler temperatures in.

Up next, another local member of Congress is stepping down.

Matt Masterson has that story right after this.

>> Chicago tonight is made possible in part why the Alexandra and John Nichols family.

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> Congressman Danny Davis, who has represented the state's 7th district for nearly 3 decades, says he will not seek a 16th term.

The veteran Democrat announced his decision this morning and has already thrown his support behind State Representative La Shawn Ford to fill his seat.

That represents downtown portions of the South side and several western suburbs.

Here's a little of what Davis had to say as he thanked his supporters.

>> Chicago.

>> done marvelous thing marvelous Yeah.

>> Yeah.

The road has not always been.

That yes.

But I tell you, I've had so much fun doing I would do it not I would hate to do it.

You know?

>> Davis's announcement adds to the list of open congressional races across Illinois are Matt Masterson joins us now with more.

Matt.

So as we just heard, Davis says he clearly loved his time representing the 7th district.

What did he say about his decision to to call time now?

Brandis Davis didn't come right out and say age, but that's clearly a big factor.

The 83 year-old is going to wrap up his 15th term in office.

>> When he completes this in 2027 before he leaves office, he spent more than half of his life in politics in a career that dates back to the 1970's.

He's a Chicago Alderperson.

He was a Cook County commissioner before joining Congress in 1996.

So at that age with that type of career, he's decided it's time to step away.

Also face several challengers during his last reelection campaign in 2024.

>> Came out ahead in But he was likely to face even more during the next campaign as well.

>> So as we mentioned, Davis has endorsed state Representative La Shawn Ford to replace him.

Does that automatically make for the frontrunner in what we expect to be a crowded race?

It's going to be a big help.

Davis's word obviously goes very far as evidenced by the fact that he was re-elected 14 times in that district.

Those constituents clearly.

>> Value his word and his endorsement very strongly.

So for it has been in state legislature since 2007, he clear clearly can stand his own credentials as well.

But Davis throwing his support behind, cannot hurt, but he will be alone in this field.

It is a very crowded field.

Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyers, Irvine.

She through her name into the rain today.

She finished second behind Davis in the Democratic primary for the seat back in 2024 businessman, Jason Friedman Forest Park, Mayor Hoskins, these or other candidates also join the race.

But now also the defense has stepped aside.

It's likely that even more candidates will come into this.

The race kicks off pretty quickly soon as he makes the announcement already seeing the for campaign signs at the event, the Davis just had.

>> Ok, so as we know, he is among a number of veteran Illinois politicians, including Senator Durbin and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky, who are also choosing to go ahead and bring the curtain down on their careers right now.

Are we seeing a generational change in the Illinois delegation rates?

Pretty clear that it is.

These are 3 Congress, people who have all served since the 1990's.

They're all in their 80's and they're all stepping away at essentially the same time.

It's clearly a very stark.

>> Changed the face of Illinois politics and Congress.

These Congress people have talked about bringing in new leadership.

Davis talked about it today.

He called Shawn Ford.

We supporting Young and energetic 4 to 30 years younger than Davis.

He's 53.

So these are candidates who are running for the spots who really going to change the face.

Take over the face of Illinois politics going forward.

It is a stark change going forward.

should be fun to watch the campaign.

Of course, that election in 2026.

Matt Masterson, thanks so much for >> And you can read Matt's full story on our website.

It's all at W T Tw Dot com Slash news.

4 days of food music, carnival rides and more are kicking off today at Fiesta Del Sol event in Pilsen, the annual Latino Cultural celebration draws over a million people.

But as the fun starts, the festival's organizers worry that federal immigration agents could target the area.

Organizers say they want ice to stay away and are preparing to protect community members.

Joining us with more are Alderman Byron, Lopez of the 25th Ward, which includes Pilsen.

Ortega, the festival's co-chair and Jennifer Aguilar, executive director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce.

Thanks to all 3 of you for joining us.

Alderman Bar and secure Lopez.

Let's start with you, please.

What are some of the fears some of the concerns going into this event?

>> as we in Carmel Park federal agents arrived the Puerto Charles Arts Center.

You know the fear, the terror that when when people don't feel safe, according to public spaces for this year are being snatched.

My for ages a few that is across the country.

And you know, think that is good to see how the ACLU and other civil rights organizations already filed.

Also expect many of them are going to be successful because this unconstitutional to provide a lot justice kidnap people without due process without warrant or does it want what we are here Chicago protecting is the right.

lot people to a facility is being reviewed for 50 years.

We're proud to celebrate largest U.S. first of all, and will west Latino festival.

And we will make sure that we we protected or procedures with the final families.

And I make sure that there's always the process is not cooperation with things.

He quit and the federal agents.

so we invited people to calm the fears real, but also we are prepared to make sure that people can safely enjoy these beautiful >> Solely or take what makes this year's preparations different from previous years.

>> Well, the one thing that we're really trying to focus on is obviously like I say, is public safety.

I mean, we are trying to avoid at all costs to have any type miscommunication, any fear, any panic happening amongst goers?

And so we've created protocols in a house with the mayor's office with local leaders.

organizers just be able have the best practice and how so we do have attorneys on hand just in case anything does happen.

And we have communicated to have protocols with the Chicago Police Department that are actually here at the event.

Just make sure that we prevent any type cancer, any type of panic within the crowds.

>> Jennifer, the Little Village Chamber of Commerce has been supporting the preparations.

Of course, how should community organizations respond when there are fears about ICE targeting large events like this one?

>> I think it's important to work together as community.

Community organizations are the heartbeat of our communities and working together, sharing ideas, supporting each other and really making sure that we're spreading the know your rights information that we have been working on.

I'm Sharon since the beginning of the year is is very important.

>> Alderman, how have you been working with the festival's organizers to address the concerns from the community?

>> Did you like Jennifer said, you know, greener communities together protect their families, defend.

All right.

is the mother of the festival with neighbors committee counsel, and that the officials, many organizations and we kick not only the reception but a presser informing residents making sure that people know that we are here in the city that are proud to be.

You're welcome.

In Century City, making sure that we, mentioned, we have organizations sharing information, water rights on making sure that we have protocols with legal support, remote communities together making sure that people understand.

I know that festivals should not be a reasonable, pair of tiny.

But quite the contrary, I wasn't percent or a comb.

if I didn't become a Senate race will be working very closely.

little age with eyes are too many other legal organizations.

Organizers that will be on the ground weed out the mayor, Mayor Johnson and the deputy mayor that this early on ensuring the CPD is there to protect the safety no way to collaborate.

I was I eyes or any federal agency and making sure they get the we by people.

They know that we We're confident that we will beautiful regions we can because we have worked together with local businesses with our community to guarantee the come to a lower open secrets.

Obviously it Leo, are there concerns that attendants might be lower this year because of ICE activity?

Fears?

>> We honestly feel that, you know, safety comes in numbers.

So we're really trying to advocate for more people to join me because we also have been how secure it went.

Private security as well, too.

So we're trying to make sure the public feel safe in our environment and we will try to do our best to try create that type of environment.

>> Jennifer, you've been going to this festival since you were a kid.

What does this festival mean to the people who attended to the businesses that surround it?

>> Yes, this festival is iconic in our community.

I remember going with my family since I was 2 or 3 years old in for the community.

It's something that they look forward to every year.

It's a place where you can celebrate culture, enjoying music.

Eat delicious food.

it's just a place to be in community really celebrated our culture.

>> Do you feel like that's something in a time like this when so many people might be fearful of celebrating and sharing their their culture and where they come from.

>> Definitely, it's very important to more than ever to celebrate our culture and to be proud and to have these spaces to to feel comfortable in to be ourselves.

It's an act of resistance to to hold, hold heads up high right now.

And that's exactly what we want to do it with the celebrations.

>> the Cinco de Mayo Parade was canceled earlier this year because of deportations.

Here's why is it important to keep the festival going despite those concerns?

>> Hilson Neighbors, Community Council along with the obvious.

And so that is we use day to me this festival to highlight some of the resources within our local community and were able to amplify that message to the rest of the residents to be able to get more information and housing immigration employment.

So we want the community come out to the could have access to all the resources that we have to offer.

>> Jennifer, what, what?

communities lose when events like this are canceled or if attendance should be lower.

>> These events usually bring a lot of economic flow and activity and prosperity to our communities.

And a lot of vendors rely on these type of events there.

The biggest events for their business throughout the year and losing these events diminishes the economic prosperity that our communities and a small businesses, especially lose the ability to to do business and in the community, but also culturally loosing these these big events keep our community from being able to partake in in fun activities and and to get to enjoy everything that our our neighborhoods offer.

>> Alderman, obviously I saw operations continue to remain a concern because especially after federal DS DHS agents, they showed up to the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and culture just days before the passed earlier this month.

What advice are you giving to people who are still worried and may not?

And whose main choose to not attend?

>> Well, just just know that hear that in the community you weekend sure that people that they are safe in these in beautiful festival iconic.

I think that we also, of encourage people warm.

Water rights case important that people are willing We also have worked very diligently as he Jennifer mention to make sure that we foster not only a safe environment, money from with people come being former and help spread the word.

for those who continue to be afraid, know that here that got what we're doing, everything we can to protect city.

We've been successful on the on the only thing, lawsuits challenging the withdrawal federal funds because center As I mentioned our most, what's challenging our Constitution on actions by just matching people without warrants.

And I and I feel very confident we're going to continue to win in court.

In the meantime, a thing is even with that, we know each that we have our back that we as a as a community.

We know that people I apologize.

I've got to interrupt.

actually we are fresh out of time.

I wish you all the best at so at the events of this week.

>> Best of Luck.

My thank Sir.

Alderman Byron Lopez, Jennifer Aguilar and Lee Ortega.

Thank you.

>> Up next, looking at the effects of defunding anti-violence program.

Advocates say with violent crime and homicides down in Chicago, their work is more important than ever.

However, recent federal funding cuts have created a domino effect on state and local budget violence.

Prevention groups say they're seeing a decrease in funding that's already starting to have an impact on what they're able to do here with more on this are just Shaun Hill, executive director of Chicago's Survivors and Reverend Robin Hood, founder of Move, which stands for Mothers opposed to violence everywhere.

Thanks to both for joining us.

Thank So just on start with you.

Tell me a little bit about the work that your organization does.

>> Chicago survivors is a free service to families have been directly impacted by a homicide in the city of Chicago.

And we are for wrap-around services for those families who are seeking to live beyond the violent and traumatic loss of a loved one in the city of Chicago.

Reverend Hood.

>> opposed by Lefebvre rework Anti balance inicia tu.

One of our main focus keeping you from ploy education, housing.

We've learned is that if we don't focus on that, you can stay but left community.

If you know, I have a house.

Good school.

Not safe in your community.

>> Just showing you currently operate out of 16 schools across the why is it important to be in the schools?

>> Well, that's where children return after that exposure to a homicide, a traumatic event.

And no one would ever fathom to experience.

And we expect our children to be present to learn to retain information.

And we know that traumatic death, an exposure in Paris, how the brain functions and how they can be present.

But we want to intervene in the best way to do it is to be in the school setting so that they can be unhealthy in a safe environment to learn and to have choices beyond their community violence.

>> Robin Hood today, you some other anti-violence groups in North Lawndale and you met with some cities and state officials addressing specifically the shooting that took place in West Garfield Park last Sunday, which injured 4 teens.

What do you want to come of that meeting?

So and that reality.

I live 4 doors down from where the shooting happened.

>> And for the I'm here.

We have hit you jobs.

We hit a shooting 5 years.

And just the first 5 years on that particular that particular which was a block that the police, I should call it.

The disco block of the police their lights flashing around the club.

You know, all night long, 7 days a week, all going to win in the to go from that to no ballots.

If AB years and then.

The job's not some adoptable.

They call you for appointment.

Now, I don't know why should be jobs you need to be school, not focusing on job.

We recommend bit those jobs that pay too little money.

huge impact and to the community that is much needed.

So when that happened, it's in a long time.

yeah, hundreds of millions of dollars all around the community.

We couldn't see where the service will.

So we hit that meeting today with the other groups that that I working.

Yes, that's part of it to find a disconnect.

And to me, it felt just like if you have a electrician, the static.

There wasn't a total So we did get some dialogue you know, people So they contend it was very But guess what?

We have got to deal with the elephant in the little it speak truth to power.

These resources.

I'm not getting into the communities like they should.

obviously, I mean, since jobs, one of your your folks, I it sounds like you feel like the jobs are really getting to the young people the way they need to be no cut.

And then if you apply for one of the reasons why I know our people felt light.

>> not going to sign the papers for that money.

Here's what's going to happen.

You know, let's say the be there and all So, you know, it's little like a up to a lack of trouble, say nobody from left or government, right.

So is So just showing your organization, you are expected to receive 2 million dollars in state funding for next year.

That's been cut in half.

How has that impacted you already?

Well, we've had to already lay off 7 of our staff members.

>> And so in homicide work, we're 24 7 and the week that this had to happen.

Jones, 30 of if you know the numbers of homicides that took place over July 4th weekend, there were over 20 touches with half the staff to respond.

24 7 it's a 20 like need like calls for violence, intervention us to a homicide 90.

But we're not just talking about shooting victims who survived, which are other organizations, you know, who had to respond to those victims systems.

But our families, those victims represent just 20 but connected to them is an average of 4.5 people.

So we're talking about 90 individuals who were directly impacted and as staffing has cut because if yes, the reduction, but like any good medicine in a kid in the system, and is this a stay and continue on that path?

Not remove the resources while we see positive outcomes.

to be clear, this is state funding as of state sort of tightening up.

This is not federal that has been lost right?

Because, well, no, you know, their violence prevention.

It's a collaborative effort.

What else do you think needs to be done?

What else do you think government officials could do?

>> And other agencies to help fund the work that you do with with budget cuts that are happening like this.

Absolutely.

Just being able to communicate and be flexible about how we delegate those files and communities, especially when we know it's proven that it's working is reducing.

>> Ptsd in those family systems and our organization, we've been able to be here for over 10 years now.

This our 10th year since serving communities.

We have huge clinical services, as stated in the schools in the family's community of survivors, which number over 10,000 we're gonna have a whole reunion weekend.

What you can see that much.

But why remove at that time?

Not why not resolved and find ways to ensure we sustain and continue to reduce those impacts.

Because we're wraparound service.

We're not just intervention and they have their place right way interrupters.

But we stay with river.

got 10 seconds.

15 seconds.

What do you think the government needs to do?

What you like saying government government needs to be true for I'm talking about the state with the legislative.

The legislators do their job to get the resources.

>> And then they the got to hear from We're not receiving the resources great back to Springfield what it sounds like.

You're you're you're pointing towards need for help from That's where we'll have to leave it to Shaun Hill and River Robin Hood, thanks to both for joining Thank you.

>> And that's our show for this Thursday night.

Join us tomorrow night at 5.37, for the weekend review.

>> Now for all of us here at Chicago Brandis Friedman, thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

>> Closed caption made possible.

I Robert a cliff and Clifford a Chicago personal