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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> PARIS SCHUTZ IS ON ASSIGNMENT.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WE HAVE DONE A LOT WE GOT A LOT MORE TO DO BUT THIS WAS A GREAT START.

>> IT WAS A JAM-PACKED WEEKEND FOR ILLINOIS LEGISLATORS AND THEIR WORK ISN'T OVER.

>> AS COVID RESTRICTIONS LIFT A LOOK AT WHICH SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO KEEP FOLLOWING AND WHICH TO RELAX.

>> THIS COLLABORATION CANNOT BE UNDERESTIMATED WITH OUR VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS.

>> THE LEAST DEADLY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN A DECADE AND VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS DESERVE A LOT OF CREDIT.

>> RIDESHARE PASSENGERS ARE SPACING LONG WAITS AND HIGH FARES AND ONE ALDERMAN WANTS TO LIMIT SURGE PRICING IN CHICAGO.

>> AND OUT CORPORATIONS COULD HELP IN ACHIEVING AN EQUITABLE ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

FROM A FRUIT TO A LIFE SAVER, THE STATE MICROBE, PENICILLIUM.

>> I'M ANGEL IDOWU AND WE'RE GOING ON A TRIP TO THE SISTINE CHAPEL.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

THE LONG MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND THE UNOFFICIAL KICKOFF TO SUMMER SAW VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO WITH THREE DEAD AND 34 WOUNDED IN SHOOTINGS.

DESPITE THOSE NUMBERS SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN REPORTED THE VIOLENCE WAS THE LOWEST IN 10 YEARS.

>> NO ONE CELEBRATED ANYTHING.

FOUR PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES OVER THE WEEKEND.

AND WE ARE IN PRAYER FOR THOSE FAMILIES AND WE ARE DETERMINED TO CONTINUE TO HAVE AN EFFECT ON VIOLENCE THROUGH THIS COLLABORATIVE THIS WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT APPROACH.

>> AND TO BE CLEAR, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THREE PEOPLE DIED OVER THE WEEKEND.

THIS YEAR, THE NUMBER OF SHOOTING VICTIMS ROSE 24% OVER 2020.

THROUGH THE END OF MAY MORE THAN 1300 PEOPLE WERE SHOT IN CHICAGO.

A JUMP FROM 1100 IN 2020.

AND HOMICIDES HAVE RISEN 5% COMPARED TO 2020 WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTING 252 HOMICIDES SO FAR THIS YEAR.

AND WE'LL HAVE MORE ON CHICAGO'S WEEKEND VIOLENCE LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

>> ILLINOIS HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT 401 NEW CASES OF COVID-19 IN ILLINOIS INCLUDING EIGHT ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

THAT MAKES FOR A TOTAL OF 1.382 MILLION CASES AND 22,835 DEATHS.

AND THE SEVEN-DAY TEST POSITIVITY RATE TICKED DOWN TO JUST BELOW 2%.

>> AND BECAUSE THE CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS ARE TRENDING IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION, CHICAGO UPDATED ITS TRAVEL QUARANTINE ORDER.

ALL STATES ARE NOW IN THE YELLOW TIER.

THAT MEANS TRAVELERS COMING TO CHICAGO FROM ANY STATE DO NOT NEED TO QUARANTINE OR TEST NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19 PRIOR TO THEIR ARRIVAL.

THAT IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE TRAVEL ORDER WAS FIRST ISSUED 11 MONTHS AGO.

THAT NO STATES ARE ON THE CITY'S QUARANTINE LIST.

AND THE GOVERNOR SAYS ILLINOIS IS ON TRACK TO FULLY REOPEN ON JUNE 11TH.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THE COVID MILESTONES LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

>> ILLINOIS' LEGISLATIVE SESSION WAS SUPPOSED TO BE OVER YESTERDAY.

INSTEAD, SENATORS WERE BACK AT IT TODAY.

AMANDA VINICKY IS LIVE IN SPRINGFIELD WHERE SHE HAS THE LATEST.

AMANDA LONG HOURS FOR LAWMAKERS?

>> PLEASE PARDON THE BAGS UNDER MY EYES.

LAWMAKERS WERE HERE UNTIL 3:00 A.M. WITH THAT, HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REASON A DEAL ON SOME MAJOR OUTSTANDING ISSUES.

NAMELY A MASSIVE ENERGY PACKAGE THAT HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED FOR YEARS AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD FOR CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS WE WILL GET TO BREAK NEWS THERE.

AND DEALING WITH THE STATE'S GUN LICENSING SYSTEM.

HENCE, EVEN AFTER THAT LATE NIGHT OR EARLY MORNING INTO THE WEE HOURS TODAY, SENATORS HAVE BEEN BACK IN THE STATE HOUSE AS YOU SAID ALL DAY.

THEY REALLY ONLY GOT MOVING LATE THIS AFTERNOON THAT WAS ON THE C.P.S.

SCHOOL BOARD ISSUE.

JUST OVER AN HOUR SOMETHING COMMITTEE ADVANCING A MEASURE TO MOVE ILLINOIS THROUGH AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD BY 2027 AND IT WOULD BE HYBRID UNTIL THEN WITH THE MAYOR NEEDING TO GET CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL ON SOME OF HER APPOINTEES, THE MEASURE PUTS A MORATORIUM ON SCHOOL CLOSINGS.

AND JUST MINUTES AGO, THE SENATE ON PARTY LINES WITH DEMOCRATS VOTING FOR IT AND REPUBLICANS VOTING AGAINST IT, DID ADVANCE THAT MEASURE.

NOW, THIS EVEN AS FORMER STATE SENATOR AND THE MAYOR'S APPOINTEE AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE C.P.S.

BOARD OF EDUCATION, MIGUEL DEL VALLE, SAYS THAT HE IS CONCERNED THAT THIS IS GOING TO LEAD TO HUGELY EXPENSIVE SCHOOL BOARD RACES AS IT DOES IN LOS ANGELES.

>> AND IT BECOMES A BATTLE BETWEEN LABOR, THE UNIONS, AND CHARTER SCHOOLS AND THE CORPORATE SECTOR THE A BATTLE BETWEEN THE TWO.

AND SO MUCH MONEY BEING POURED INTO RACES MEANS THAT THE AVERAGE PERSON, THE AVERAGE PARENT WHO SHOULD BE RUNNING FOR A SCHOOL BOARD SEAT, GETS SHOVED ASIDE, PUSHED ASIDE.

>> NOW, MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT HAS BEEN LOBBYING TO TRY TO KEEP HER POWER TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE BOARD.

AND HER TEAM HAS BEEN INVOLVED, HOWEVER, WITH NEGOTIATIONS FOR SOME SORT OF COMPROMISE.

THIS VERSION NOT A PLAN THAT THE LIGHTFOOT ADMINISTRATION IS ONBOARD WITH.

LIGHTFOOT'S DEPUTY MAYOR FOR EDUCATION SAID A 21-MEMBER BOARD WOULD BE TOO UNWIELDY.

>> THE CITY UNDERSTANDS AND ACKNOWLEDGES THE HISTORY THAT PROPELLED THIS BILL FORWARD AND WE KNOW THAT THE STATUS QUO MUST CHANGE.

WE APPRECIATE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS BUT WE CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THIS PROPOSAL HAS BEEN RUSHED AND THE BILL IS FLAWED IN WAYS THAT COULD HAVE GRAVE CONSEQUENCE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

>> RUSHED BECAUSE WE DID SEE THE FIRST ITERATION OF THIS PARTICULAR MEASURE TODAY.

EVEN SO, IT DOES HAVE TRACTION.

AGAIN, JUST MINUTES AGO PASSING IN THE ILLINOIS SENATE.

AND ONE OF THE HOLD-UPS HAS BEEN REACHING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS REPRESENTATIVE RAMIREZ WHO HAS BEEN NEGOTIATING WITH THIS SAYS THAT NOW THAT IT HAS PASSED THE SENATE SHE DOES PLAN TO CALL IT FOR A VOTE AND WORK TO GET IT THROUGH THE HOUSE.

SHE MAY HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY SOONER THAN LATER BECAUSE NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE ON THAT HUGE ENERGY PACKAGE THAT I MENTIONED.

WE'RE TALKING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO SUPPORT SOLAR AND RENEWABLE ENERGY THAT WOULD SUPPORT GOALS OF HEEDING OFF CLIMATE CHANGE AND A LOT OF JOBS ARE AT STAKE AND IT WOULD PHASE OUT COAL AS AN ENERGY SOURCE AND ANOTHER COMPONENT IS DECIDING HOW MUCH ILLINOIS WILL HAVE RESIDENTS PAY 0 ON THEIR ELECTRIC BILLS TO KEEP OPEN SEVERAL NUCLEAR ENERGY PLANTS THAT EXELON IS THREATENING TO CLOSE BECAUSE THEY ARE UNPROFITABLE.

DAVID WELTER SAYS A LOT IS AT STAKE WITH THE PLANTS.

>> FOR US TO MEET OUR CLEAN ENERGY GOALS A PRIORITY OF THE GOVERNOR AND A PRIORITY OF THE STAKEHOLDERS YOU NEED NUCLEAR TO GET THERE.

CLOSING THOSE PLANTS DOWN WOULD NOT BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ILLINOIS, IT WOULD NOT BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE RATEPAYERS BECAUSE IF THOSE SHUTDOWN PRICES WILL GO UP.

AND WE WON'T BE PROTECTING THOSE JOBS.

WE WON'T HAVE THAT BASE LOAD CAPACITY THAT IS THERE.

WE MAY NOT BE AN EXPORTER OF ENERGY WHICH WE ARE TODAY.

>> BUT ALL OF THIS IS TRICKY GIVEN, OF COURSE, THAT SWIRLING CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION WITH EXELON SUBSIDIARY ComEd.

THERE IS A WARINESS TO INCREASE ELECTRIC RATES ON THE COMPANY'S BEHALF.

AND ALSO THE LATEST HOLD-UP, A DOWN STATE POWER PLANT WANTS AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REST OF COAL PLANTS WOULD HAVE TO GO OFF LINE BY 2035.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HAS A LOT RECYCLED ON THIS.

HERE IS HIS ASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION THIS AFTERNOON.

>> WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING WE CAN TO STAND UP FOR CLEAN ENERGY PRINCIPLES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE EXPANDING RENEWABLES IN THIS STATE.

I HAVE SET OUT MY PRINCIPLE AND I'VE STUCK TO THOSE PRINCIPLES.

MY HOPE IS THAT WE WILL END UP WITH A GOOD ENERGY BILL.

WE WERE CLOSE AS OF LAST NIGHT.

AND SO I'M HOPEFUL.

>> SOME LEGISLATORS TALK ABOUT BEING BACK IN THE CAPITOL CONDITION COMING WEEKS.

ANOTHER ISSUE THEY COULD NOT GET AN AGREEMENT ON IS SOMETHING THAT LEGISLATORS FROM CHICAGO AND DOWN STATE ARE GETTING MORE CALLS ABOUT THAN ANYTHING ELSE AND THAT IS GUNS.

DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC THERE'S BEEN A SURGE IN INDIVIDUALS APPLYING FOR THE STATE REQUIRED LICENSE NEEDED IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO OWN A FIREARM, A FIREARM OWNER'S IDENTIFICATION CARD OR FOID.

PART OF THE HOLD-UP IS CRITICS LIKE SENATOR NEIL ANDERSON WHO SAYS THAT THEY ARE REALLY TRYING TO HAVE AN OVERREACH WITH A MANDATE FOR ALL FINGERPRINTING FOR ALL FOID CARD APPLICANTS.

>> THE ONLY THING WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE CREATING MORE PAPERWORK, MORE COSTS AND MORE HEADACHE FOR LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS TO PRACTICE WHAT IS ENSHRINED IN THE CONSTITUTION AND THAT SAYS SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.

YET WE KEEP ADDING ON AND ADDING ON AND THE ONLY PEOPLE IT HURTS ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE THE GOOD PEOPLE.

>> SO EVEN THOUGH DEMOCRATS DO HOLD THOSE SUPER MAJORITIES IN BOTH CHAMBERS THERE'S CROSS TALK WITH THE HOUSE FAVORING A MANDATORY FINGERPRINTING FOR ALL FOID CARD APPLICANTS AND THE SENATE FAVORING A MORE INCENTIVIZED VERSION WHICH YOU GET YOUR CONCEALED CARRY OR FOID CARD QUICKER IF YOU AGREE TO SHARE YOUR FINGERPRINTS WITH THE STATE.

THAT IS AMONG THE ISSUES STUCK IN LIMBO.

AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE LATER ABOUT WHAT THE LEGISLATURE DID DO.

THERE IS A LOT OF THAT.

FOR NOW, BRANDIS BACK TO YOU.

>> FOLKS LOOKING FORWARD TO FINDING OUT THAT, THANK YOU.

>> SOME MAJOR COVID RELATED MILESTONES IN CHICAGO.

TODAY THE CITY REPORTED ITS LOWEST NUMBER OF NEW CASES AND LOWEST POSITIVITY RATE SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

CHICAGO NOW SEES AN AVERAGE OF 157 NEW COVID CASES PER DAY.

THAT IS UP 38% DROP FROM ONE WEEK AGO AS PUBLIC LIFE GETS MORE BACK TO NORMAL, BUSINESSES, REOPEN AND CROWDS GATHER IN THE WEATHER, QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT WHAT COVID PRECAUTIONS TO KEEP AND WHICH TO RELAX.

JOINING US TO ANSWER SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS IS Dr. SUSAN BLEASDALE, MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL AT UI HEALTH.

WELCOME BACK Dr. SUSAN BLEASDALE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SO TWO MAJOR COVID-19 MILESTONES TODAY.

LOW TEST POSITIVITY AND THE FEWEST CASES SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

THINGS SEEM TO BE GETTING BACK TO NORMAL.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE WE'RE REOPENING THE A SAFE RATE?

>> SO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THIS RECENT HOLIDAY WEEKEND AND WE HAVE SEEN SURGES BEFORE IN THE LAST YEAR BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE VACCINE OUT THERE.

AND WE HAVE REALLY GOOD VACCINE NUMBERS.

WE HAVE AT LEAST OVER 50% OF CHICAGOANS HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOSE.

AND COUNTRY WIDE AT LEAST 62% OF ADULTS HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOSE.

SO WE ARE REALLY MADE SOME SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN GETTING THE VACCINE OUT THERE TO HELP US TO SAFELY OPEN UP.

AND WE HAVE GREAT DATA THAT SHOW HOW SAFE AND HOW EFFECTIVE THE VACCINE IS AT PROTECTING PEOPLE THAT IS WHY THE NUMBERS HAVE COME DOWN SO DRAMATICALLY.

>> ARE THERE STILL SITUATIONS OR SETTINGS WHERE YOU WOULD ASK PEOPLE TO EXERCISE CAUTION?

OR CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO SHOULD TAKE EXTRA CAUTION?

>> RIGHT.

I THINK THAT THE BIG THING TO HIGHLIGHT IS THE VACCINE IS VERY EFFECTIVE AND IT'S GOING TO PROTECT YOU FROM GETTING SEVERELY ILL FROM COVID FROM HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH.

UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE STILL SIGNIFICANT AREAS OF THE POPULATION THAT HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED YET.

PEOPLE NOT VACCINATED SHOULD CONTINUE TO USE WHAT IS REALLY EFFECTIVE IS WEARING A MASK AND KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE VACCINATED AROUND YOU WILL HELP PROTECT YOU IF YOU ARE UNVACCINATED BUT WE'RE SEEING MUCH OF THE TRANSMISSION IS THAT GROUP THAT IS STILL NOT VACCINATED.

WE SAW THIS EARLY IN THE YEAR WHEN WE STARTED WITH THOSE OVER 65 TO TARGET THE VACCINE FIRST AND THAT IS THE NUMBERS THAT DROPPED VERY QUICKLY RELATED TO HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATHS.

AND WE SAW IT UNFORTUNATELY, UNTIL WE HAD MORE VACCINE OUT THERE, IT SHIFTING TO YOUNGER GROUPS.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT MAKE SURE YOU ARE BEING CAREFUL AND USING YOUR MASK AND YOU ARE KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE.

AND FOR THOSE THAT MIGHT BE AT RISK FOR NOT GETTING FULL PROTECTION FROM THE VACCINE, MAYBE YOU HAVE A CONDITION LIKE HAVING HAD A TRANSPLANT OF SOME SORT THAT MIGHT 19 YOUR VACCINE PROTECTION MIGHT NOT BE AS STRONG MAKE SMART CHOICES WHEN IT USE YOUR MASK AND WHEN TO KEEP YOUR DISTANCE AND WHO YOU ARE GOING TO GATHER AROUND TO KNOW THEIR VACCINE STATUS BEFORE YOU TAKE OFF YOUR MASK.

>> AND PEOPLE ARE OUT AND ABOUT THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND ON THE LAKEFRONT, DINING AT RESTAURANTS, THERE WILL BE MORE OF THAT.

BESIDES HELPING THE ECONOMY, HOW DOES THIS RETURN TO NORMALCY ALSO HAVE ITS OWN HEALTH AND WELLNESS BENEFIT?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

OBVIOUSLY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR ECONOMY BUT OVER THE LAST ALMOST A YEAR-AND-A-HALF NOW WE HAVE BEEN ISOLATED THAT SOCIAL ISOLATION HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT AND FROM THE STANDPOINT OF OVERALL WELLNESS AND BEING ABLE TO BE MORE ACTIVE WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ISOLATED AND MENTAL HEALTH WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US NOT TO FORGET IF YOU HAVE SIGNS OF ILLNESS, YOU THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE A COUGH YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE NOT GOING OUT YOU ARE NOT BEING AROUND OTHERS.

YOU WILL GET YOURSELF TESTED FOR COVID TO MAKE SURE SO THAT WE CAN KEEP THINGS OPEN AND PREVENTION ONGOING TRANSMISSION.

>> AS THE VACCINE UPTAKE BEGINS TO SLOW, ARE YOU CONCERNED AT ALL THAT THERE COULD BE A RESURGENCE?

>> WELL, I THINK WE JUST NEED TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THE HESITANCY THAT PEOPLE HAVE.

WE SAW A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT CLIMB WHEN WE HAD SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE AND THEN AS LONG AS WE MADE THAT INFORMATION VERY AVAILABLE AND TRANSPARENT AND SHARED IT WITH EVERYONE IT'S VERY RARE AND THE RISK OF ANY CLOTTING FROM GETTING COVID IS MUCH, MUCH HIGHER THAN ANY VACCINE THAT IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, I THINK THAT HELPED PEOPLE TO SEE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE VACCINATED AND SAFE AND WE ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING CAREFULLY TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS AS THE VACCINE HAS ROLLED OUT.

WE'RE GETTING MORE PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING VACCINATED.

AGAIN THERE'S BEEN MILLIONS OF VACCINE DOSES DELIVERED SAFELY AND YOU CAN SEE HOW IT IS PREVENTING THE HOSPITALIZATIONS, PREVENTING DEATHS AND PEOPLE ARE SAFE WHEN THEY ARE GETTING IT.

THIS IS REASSURING.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO TRY TO GET TO THOSE THAT HAVE QUESTIONS TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN MAKE AN EDUCATED DECISION ABOUT GETTING VACCINATED AND HOPEFULLY THEY CHOOSE TO BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO PROTECT THEM AND ALLOW FOR INCREASED ACTIVITIES AND TO PROTECT THOSE CLOSE TO THEM THAT MAY BE VULNERABLE FROM SEVERE COMPLICATIONS FROM THE INFECTION.

>> IS HERD IMMUNITY STILL A GOAL?

AND MIGHT IT JUST TAKE US LONGER TO REACH THAT AS YOU WORK TO CONVINCE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE HESITANT BECAUSE THEY HAVE QUESTIONS?

>> WELL, I THINK THE TRAJECTORY LOOKS GOOD.

WE HAD A LITTLE DECLINE BUT AS THE VACCINE BECAME AVAILABLE FOR THAT AGE GROUP 12-15 WITH PFIZER, AND I THINK THAT HELPED US TO HAVE ANOTHER SURGE OF VACCINE AVAILABILITY.

AS PEOPLE ARE SEEING THE DATA WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE MORE VACCINATED WITH 62% OF THE UNITED STATES HAVING HAD AT LEAST ONE DOSE, MOST PEOPLE WILL GET TWO DOSES COMPLETE THE SERIES IF NOT FOR ANY REASON THAT THEY CAN.

AND SO I THINK WE'RE STILL IN A TRAJECTORY TO GET TO AT LEAST 70% WHICH IS SOMEWHAT OF OUR GOALS OF COMMUNITY IMMUNITY OR HERD PROTECTION.

I'M HOPEFUL WE WILL STILL CONTINUE TO GET IN THAT DIRECTION AS WE HAVE WE ARE FORTUNATE IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE HAVE ENOUGH VACCINE SUPPLY SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THE MAJORITY OF OUR POPULATION IS PROTECTED WITH VACCINATION.

>> Dr. SUSAN BLEASDALE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THREE PEOPLE WERE SHOT AND KILLED IN CHICAGO THIS PAST MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND WHILE ANY LOSS OF LIFE THROUGH GUN VIOLENCE IS A TRAGEDY BY HISTORICAL STANDARDS THE NUMBER OF DEATHS RECORDED MARKED A 10-YEAR LOW.

LAST YEAR, 10 PEOPLE WERE SHOT AND KILLED OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

CHICAGO'S TOP COP CREDITS THE DROP IN VIOLENCE IN PART TO GREATER COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND THE DEPARTMENT'S COLLABORATION WITH VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS.

HERE IS A LITTLE OF WHAT SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN SAID THIS MORNING.

>> THEY HAVE STEPPED UP.

THEY HAVE STEPPED INTO THE GAP, PARTICULARLY REGARDING SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE INCREASINGLY MORE VIOLENT THAN OTHERS.

THEY ARE THERE UNTIL 2-4:00 A.M. WITH OUR CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS INTERVENING IN WAYS THAT CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS CAN'T.

>> JOINING US ARE TWO PEOPLE ARE ARE ENGAGED IN THAT CRITICALLY IMPORTANT WORK AND DANGEROUS IN WORK TO INTERRUPT THE VIOLENCE THAT PLAGUES HOUR CITY.

EDDIE BOCANEGRA SENIOR DIRECTOR OF HEARTLAND ALLIANCE'S READY PROGRAM AND VAUGHN BRYANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF METROPOLITAN PEACE INITIATIVES IN CHICAGO AND COMMUNITIES PARTNERING FOR PEACE.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

EDDIE BOCANEGRA LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE.

TO WHAT WOULD YOU ATTRIBUTE THIS WEEKEND'S REDUCTION IN VIOLENCE?

>> ONE OF THE CORE ELEMENTS THAT TOOK PLACE THIS WEEK IS THAT YOU HAD A LOT OF WORK THAT WAS DONE PREVIOUSLY LAST SEVERAL MONTHS THAT BUILT UP TO WHAT HAPPENED THIS PAST WEEKEND.

STRONG EFFORTS FROM COMMUNITY AGENCIES PARTNERING WITH THE POLICE BUT OTHERS WHO ARE IN SIMILAR SPACE CONTINUING TO BE CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE IN A WAY THEY ARE GOING ABOUT ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY.

THAT IS ONE OF THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO SEEING THE REDUCTION OF VIOLENCE WE SAW THIS PAST WEEKEND.

>> IS THIS RELATIVELY LOW NUMBER DO YOU THINK IT IS A COINCIDENCE?

COULD SOME OF THE CITY'S ANTIVIOLENCE STRATEGIES BE WORKING?

>> WELL, I AM A SKEPTIC AROUND THAT ONE.

I THINK OVERALL THERE'S HUGE EFFORTS FROM A LOT OF THE COMMUNITY AGENCIES, REPRESENTING THROUGH READY CHICAGO AND OTHERS, THAT I WOULD SAY THEY HAVE BEEN PUTTING MORE WORK INTO THE STREETS PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO COVID.

HAVING TO DEAL WITH THAT ISSUE.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WOULD SAY THAT THERE IS A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT FACTORS THAT DID HELP REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE YESTERDAY.

MY BIGGEST QUESTION IS: WE HAVE HISTORICAL HIGHS THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE THAT.

SO I AM HOPING IN GOOD FAITH THAT A LOT OF THE EFFORTS THAT TOOK PLACE THIS PAST WEEKEND IS RELATED TO THOSE EFFORTS.

HOWEVER, IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO PROVE THAT WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEKEND WAS EFFECTIVE IN PART OF A LARGER STRATEGY WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DEMONSTRATE THE IMPACTS IN THE WEEKS TO COME AND THAT MEANS THE MAYOR HERSELF AND HER STRATEGIES THAT NEED TO BE REASSESSED ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> AND VAUGHN BRYANT, AS WE JUST HEARD, SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN HAD PRAISE FOR THE ROLE OF VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS AND OUTREACH WORKERS FOR THE REDUCTION.

WOULD YOU SAY VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS AND C.P.D.

OFFICERS HAVE A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP?

>> I WOULD SAY WE HAVE A PROFESSIONAL UNDERSTANDING.

THE REALITY IS OUTREACH WORKERS CAN'T ASSOCIATE THEMSELVES WITH POLICE OFFICERS IN TERMS OF WORK BECAUSE THEY CAN'T BE CREDIBLE FOR THE WORK THEY DO WITH A RELATIONSHIP.

BUT I THINK WE ARE AT A HISTORIC POINT OF UNDERSTANDING AN ACCEPTANCE OF THE ROLE OF OUTREACH WORKERS.

I THINK THE POLICE TRUST THE TRAINING AND THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS THEY ARE ADHERING TO.

I THINK THERE IS A MUTUAL RESPECT AND WE'RE ABLE TO COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER DOING OUR WORK.

>> EDDIE TALK ABOUT THE VIOLENCE OF BEING -- DANGERS OF BEING A VIOLENCE INTERRUPTER AND HOW GANGS RESPOND WHEN ORGANIZATIONS LIKE YOURS ARE DOING THE WORK YOU DO?

>> KIND OF A TWO-WAY I WILL ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

ONE, HOW I STARTED MY CAREER WAS DOING VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION WORK IN THE WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO, LITTLE VILLAGE.

AND LEVERAGING YOUR NETWORK, AND RELATIONSHIPS IS SOMETHING THAT GETS OVERLOOKED BY MANY PEOPLE BUT IT'S THE BIGGEST INVESTMENT THAT SOMEONE LIKE WHO IS DOING STREET OUTREACH, INTERVENTION WORK RELIES ON THAT INTEL THAT YOU ARE GATHERING FROM THE RELATIONSHIPS YOU ARE BUILDING TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF THE RETALIATIONS OR PLOTTING IN MANY CASES.

SO THAT IS CRITICAL AND TOO OFTEN MEN DO PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY.

ABOUT A YEAR-AND-A-HALF AGO TWO YEARS AGO TWO OF OUR STAFF READY CHICAGO THROUGH ONE OF OUR PARTNERS IN THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY THEY WERE ENGAGING A YOUNG MAN TO MAKE SURE THEY COME BACK INTO THE PROGRAM AND AS THEY ARE DOING THAT SOMEBODY COMES OUT AND SHOOTS INTO THE CROWD.

ABOUT THREE OR FOUR SHOTS WERE FIRED INTO THE CAR.

NOBODY WAS HIT.

BUT THAT IS ONE EXAMPLE OF MANY EXAMPLES THAT TOO OFTEN OUR FRONTLINE STAFF ARE CHALLENGED WITH THOSE SITUATIONS.

I WOULD ALSO SAY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING DIFFERENTLY IS THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE NOT ONLY BUILD RELATIONSHIPS BUT ENGAGE THEM AND PROVIDE SOMETHING TANGIBLE.

MANY CASES THROUGH EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER CASES TO ADDRESS THE BEHAVIORS THAT IS LEADING TO THE ISSUES.

SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH OR THERAPY ARE SOME EXAMPLES HOW THE FIELD IN ITSELF HAS EVOLVED >> NOW, VAUGHAN, WE KNOW THAT C.P.D.

CANCELED DAYS OFF AND PUT OFFICERS ON 12-HOUR SHIFTS.

WHAT IS THE REACTION FROM THE COMMUNITY TO THAT INCREASED POLICE PRESENCE FOR A COMMUNITY THAT BELIEVES ITSELF TO BE OVERPOLICED?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE IS A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD OR A LITTLE BIT OF AMBIVALENCE.

WE WANT TO BE POLICED WE WANT TO BE POLICED IN A HUMANE WAY.

AND I THINK WE WANT OUR POLICE OFFICERS TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND WE WANT THE INSTITUTION TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE HEALTHY BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY TO GO OUT AND DO THE JOB THEY DO.

OF COURSE, WE SAY WE ARE OVERPOLICED BUT I THINK WE WANT HEALTHY POLICE.

>> AND VAUGHAN BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME, WE KNOW THAT SUPERINTENDENT BROWN TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF A WHOLE GOVERNMENT APPROACH.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE SEEING THAT OUT OF THIS MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION AND ALSO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO THE EXTENT THAT IT CAN?

>> YES.

I MEAN WE'VE DONE SOUTH SIDE AND WEST SIDE COORDINATION MEETINGS FOR THE LAST TWO-THREE YEARS THIS HAS BEEN BUILDING FOR US TO GET TO THIS POINT OF COORDINATION WE WOULD HAVE DONE IT LAST YEAR HAD COVID NOT HIT BECAUSE THE CITY INVESTED IN OUTREACH IN A WAY THEY HADN'T.

WITH THE INVESTMENT AND THE COORDINATION, I THINK WE'RE BETTER OFF TODAY THAN WE WERE.

>> VAUGHAN, WE HAD A DREADFUL SUMMER IN 2020.

HOW DO YOU FEEL AS WE HEAD INTO THE START OF 2021 THIS SUMMER?

>> I'M CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC.

IN ORDER TO DO THIS WORK I HAVE TO HAVE FAITH IF WE KEEP AT IT WE WILL OVERCOME IT.

I UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY AND I UNDERSTAND THE CITY WE LIVE IN.

AND PEOPLE ARE NOT ROBOTS.

SO PEOPLE ARE UNPREDICTABLE AND THEY CAN DO WHATEVER.

BUT I BELIEVE IN PEOPLE AND I BELIEVE IN OUR INSTITUTIONS ESPECIALLY THE GAINS WE'VE MADE IN TERMS OF CREATING THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO STOP VIOLENCE AND WE HAVE TO KEEP IT GOING.

>> BOTH OF YOU STAY SAFE.

THANKS TO EDDIE BOCANEGRA AND VAUGHN BRYANT FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, RECREATIONS OF MASTERPIECES BY A LEGENDARY ITALIAN ARTIST.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD, INCLUDING AMANDA VINICKY LIVE FROM SPRINGFIELD WITH MORE DETAILS FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

BUT FIRST, ROME COMES TO THE CHICAGO AREA IN AN EXHIBIT FEATURING RECREATIONS OF THE MOST RECOGNIZED WORKS BY ITALIAN ARTIST MICHELANGELO.

HERE IS ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU.

[♪♪♪] >> WELCOME TO THE VATICAN CONSTITUENCIES TEEN CHAPEL, WELL, A RECREATION FEATURING ALL 34 FRESCOES THAT MICHELANGELO PAINTED ON THE CHAPEL'S CEILING MORE THAN 500 YEARS AGO.

>> THESE ARE REPRODUCTIONS OF THE FRESCOES IN THE ORIGINAL SIZE.

SO YOU SEE THEM PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE HOW BIG THEY ARE BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE IN THE SISTINE CHAPEL AND YOU LOOK UP 60 FEET THEY LOOK LIKE A STAMP.

>> DESCRIBED AS HIGH RENAISSANCE ART, MICHELANGELO PAINTED ON TO WET PLASTER.

THE CEILING PIECES DEPICT STORIES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT INCLUDING THIS WELL-KNOWN CREATION OF ADAM PAINTING.

NOW, UNLIKE THE OTHER PIECES, THE LAST JUDGMENT WAS CREATED ABOUT 25 YEARS AFTER THE CEILING FRESCOES.

THE LAST JUDGMENT WAS PAINTED ON THE ALTER WALL OF THE CHAPEL NOT THE CEILING.

IT FEATURES MORE THAN 400 CHARACTERS INCLUDING A SELF PORTRAIT OF MICHELANGELO A SAINT AFTER HE HAD BEEN SKINNED ALIVE.

PRODUCED BY TOURING EXHIBITION GROUP SEE GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT, THE LIFE SIZED RECREATIONS ALLOW FOR AN EXPERIENCE SEPARATE FROM THE ORIGINAL EXPERIENCE IN THE VATICAN CITY.

>> WHAT THIS DOES, IS IT COMPLIMENTS THAT EXPERIENCE.

BECAUSE NOW YOU CAN SEE THEM IN A WAY THAT YOU CAN'T SEE THEM OVER THERE.

AND THAT IN ITSELF AN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE.

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

>> AND YOU CAN TAKE A TRIP TO ROME AT THE OAKBROOK CENTER THROUGH AUGUST 15TH.

TICKETS ARE $20.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US LIVE FROM SPRINGFIELD WITH MORE ON THE SPRING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> ONE CHICAGO ALDERMAN WANTS RIDESHARE COMPANIES TO CAPP SURGE PRICING AND DRIVERS WANT UBER AND LYFT TO DO MORE TO KEEP THEM SAFE.

FROM MOLDLY FRUIT TO LIFE SAVER.

THE ROLE ILLINOIS PLAYED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PENCIL UM WHICH IS HONORED.

AND A NEW INITIATIVE IS INVITING THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO MAKE COMMITMENTS TO AN EQUITABLE ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

A LOOK AT THE IMPACT BUSINESSES AND CORPORATIONS COULD HAVE.

BUT FIRST, MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

AN OFFICIAL NAME CHANGE FOR ALDERMEN.

LAWMAKERS PASSED A BILL CHANGING THE TERMINOLOGY FOR ALDERMAN TO ALDERPERSON DURING THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IT WAS CHANGED TO BE NON-GENDERED AS PART OF THE BILL THAT MOVED THE ILLINOIS PRIMARY IN 2022 FROM MARCH TO JUNE.

THE GOVERNOR IS EXPECTED TO SIGN THE BILL.

>> IT'S GRADUATION SEASON AND NOT JUST FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS AND COLLEGE STUDENTS.

THE MAYOR SPOKE TO 102 OF THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT THIS MORNING AT THEIR GRADUATION.

IT WAS THE FIRST TIME FRIENDS AND FAMILY JOINED THE FIREFIGHTERS AND EMT'S FOR THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY IN A YEAR-AND-A-HALF.

>> ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS WERE BUSY OVER THE WEEKEND AND OUR AMANDA VINICKY WAS BUSY AND WAS THERE TO WATCH THEM IN ACTION.

WE'RE BACK TO GO OVER WHAT WENT ON.

AMANDA, WHAT DID THEY DO?

>> BRANDIS I'M IN FRONT OF GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S OFFICE AND HE IS THE ONE THAT IS GOING TO BE BUSY NEXT AND WILL BE THE ARBITOR OF THE SCORES OF BILLS THAT LEGISLATORS APPROVED.

THIS WAS THE FIRST SESSION FOR ILLINOIS' FIRST BLACK SPEAKER OF THE ILLINOIS HOUSE CHRIS WELCH NO MORE HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN AND 3:00 A.M., WELCH IS ALL SMILES.

>> WE HAD A SUCCESSFUL SESSION.

I THINK THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL SESSIONS AROUND HERE IN A LONGTIME.

BUT YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY THIS TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

DIVERSITY IS THE STRENGTH OF OUR STATE.

AND DIVERSITY IS THE STRENGTH OF THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS AND THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS WE ARE NOT ALWAYS GOING TO AGREE.

SOMETIMES WE DISAGREE AND THAT IS BECAUSE OF OUR GREAT DIVERSITY.

>> NOW, ANOTHER REASON THAT THEY'VE GOT STRENGTH, BECAUSE THEY HAVE SUPER MAJORITIES BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND DEMOCRATS USE THAT TO FULL EFFECT PASSING A BUNCH OF PROGRESSIVE-MINDED MEASURES OVER THE OBJECTIONS OF REPUBLICANS.

WHICH IS WHY THE ASSESSMENT THAT YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER JIM DURKIN ABOUT THE SESSION CONTRACTS WITH WELCH'S.

>> EVEN IN WHAT WAS PROMISED AS A NEW DAY, WE SAW A THOUSAND-PAGE BUDGET BILL DROPPED AT THE 11TH HOUR.

LITERALLY.

11:30.

THIS GAVE ZERO TIME FOR REVIEW AND NO NOTICE OR ANY TRANSPARENCY FOR THE PUBLIC.

THAT WAS CLASSIC MICHAEL MADIGAN.

CLASSIC 65TH AND PULASKI STYLE.

>> THE ADDRESS BY THE WAY OF MADIGAN'S CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS.

AS FOR THE $42 BILLION BUDGET, IT PUMPS MORE MONEY INTO SCHOOLS AS WELL AS INTO THE STRUGGLING HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

AND CREATES A $100 MILLION GRANT PROGRAM FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> THIS BUDGET ABSOLUTELY FUNDS OUR PRIORITIES.

BECAUSE WE ARE FIGHTING FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO CANNOT FIGHT FOR THEMSELVES.

SO THIS BUDGET IT ABSOLUTELY INVESTS IN INDIVIDUALS AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE WORKING MEN AND WOMEN OF THIS GREAT STATE BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT OUR PRIORITIES SHOULD BE.

NOT BIG BUSINESSES WHO ARE MORE PROFITABLE THAN THEY HAVE EVER BEEN.

>> NOW, THE BUDGET ALSO RELIES ON BILLIONS OF DOLLARS COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN COVID RELIEF MONEY AND IN PART BECAUSE OF THAT THERE ARE NO TAX INCREASES.

AT LEAST FOR INDIVIDUALS.

THE PLAN DOES CLOSE WHAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER DEEMED CORPORATE LOOPHOLES BUT REPUBLICAN SENATOR CHAPIN ROSE SAYS THAT THOSE ARE TAX BREAKS AND THEY DO THINGS LIKE ALLOW COMPANIES TO BUY MACHINERY AND ONCE COMPANIES PURCHASE THAT THEY HAVE TO HIRE SOMEBODY TO RUN THE EQUIPMENT HE SAYS.

MAY SOUND LIKE AN ARCANE MEASURE BUT HE SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALIZE WHAT THIS MEANS FOR JOBS.

>> WHAT DOES LOOPHOLE?

YOU CALL A LOOPHOLE?

IT PUTS ILLINOISIANS TO WORK FROM CHICAGO TO CAIRO THAT IS WHAT IT DOES.

THE 666 MILLION IN JOB KILLING TAX INCREASES HERE.

JUST AT A TIME WHEN OUR ECONOMY IS STARTING TO COME OUT OF COVID.

>> NOW, PRITZKER, THOUGH, SAYS THAT THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE G.O.P.

CARING MORE ABOUT BIG BUSINESS THAN THEY DO THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE.

>> IN CONTRAST, WE, DEMOCRATS, ARE INVESTING IN PRIORITIES THAT WILL GROW AND REVITALIZE OUR ECONOMY, IMPROVING OUR FISCAL OUTLOOK DRAMATICALLY AND REDUCING TAX EXPENDITURES ON THE WEALTHIEST CORPORATIONS.

IT'S THE DEMOCRATS THAT ARE GETTING THE STATE'S FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER.

THAT'S THE STORY OF THIS BUDGET.

>> THE NEW FISCAL YEAR BEGINS A MONTH FROM TODAY.

BUT AFTER ALL THOSE YEARS OF FISCAL INSTABILITY, AND IMPASSES EVERYBODY AROUND THE CAPITOL AND PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON THE STATE OFTEN ON PINS AND NEEDLES ABOUT WHETHER A BUDGET IS GOING TO PASS AND BE ON TIME.

PRITZKER TODAY LEAVING NO ROOM FOR SURPRISE.

HE SAYS HE IS GOING TO SIGN INTO LAW THAT BUDGET.

HE WAS, HOWEVER, NONCOMMITTAL ON A HIGHER STAKES ISSUE AND THAT IS NEW LEGISLATIVE MAPS.

THESE ARE DISTRICTS THAT WERE DRAWN BY DEMOCRATS TO GIVE THEIR OWN PARTY THE UPPER HAND IN ELECTIONS FOR YEARS TO COME.

AND YOU HAD DEMOCRATS GOING FORWARD WITH THAT.

THEY DID, HOWEVER, HOLD OFF ON DRAWING NEW MAPS FOR CONGRESS.

AND THAT IS THE REASON FOR THE CHANGE THAT YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, BRANDIS THAT MOVING OF THE PRIMARY DATE FROM MARCH UNTIL SUMMER THAT SAME LAW CREATES A REGISTRY FOR FOLKS WHO LIKED VOTING BY MAIL AND WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO IT PERMANENTLY.

SO THE ELECTIONS BILL WAS ON A PARTISAN BASIS, A LOT OF PARTISAN MEASURES BUT NOT EVERYTHING.

THERE WAS A BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT ON AN ETHICS BILL AT LONG-LAST.

THIS ONE MAKES ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE TO SHARE MORE IF THEY MIGHT HAVE STOCKS OR COMPANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND THEN IT ALSO LIMITS BUT DOES NOT OUT RIGHT BAN LAWMAKERS WHO WHILE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOLD DOWN JOBS AS LOBBYISTS.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE AVERY BOURNE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSAL.

BUT SHE SAYS IT'S WAY TOO WEAK.

>> IF WE ARE GOING TO SHOW THE PUBLIC THAT THEY CAN HAVE A RENEWED SENSE OF TRUST IN STATE GOVERNMENT, WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING A WHOLE HECK OF A LOT BETTER THAN THIS WATERED DOWN, DILUTED AND IN SOME INSTANCES, DECEPTIVE ETHICS REFORM.

>> ETHICS REFORM ONE OF THE SCORES AS I'VE MENTIONED OF LEGISLATION PASSED OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

SO I WILL GIVE YOU A COUPLE HIGHLIGHTS.

ILLINOIS UPON THE GOVERNOR'S EXPECTED SIGNATURE WILL BECOME THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TEACH ASIAN-AMERICAN HISTORY.

ALSO A MEASURE THAT WAS SPONSORED BY THE LATINO CAUCUS MEANS THAT LOCAL POLICE WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ASKING SOMEBODY ABOUT THEIR BIRTH ORIGIN AND IMMIGRATION STATUS AND ANOTHER PLAN IS GOING TO AT LONG-LAST SUPPOSEDLY HELP ILLINOIS GET MOVING ON THE PROMISES OF EQUITY FROM WHEN THE STATE MADE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA LEGAL.

AND THAT WILL LEAD TO NEARLY 200 NEW CANNABIS DISPENSARIES IN ILLINOIS.

SO A LOT MORE TO COVER BUT WITH THAT I WILL SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> WE WILL GET TO IT.

THANK YOU.

>> AND LATER IN THE PROGRAM, WE SHARE DETAILS ABOUT ANOTHER BILL THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED THIS WEEKEND DESIGNATING A STATE MICRO.

FIRST WE TOSS IT TO PHIL PONCE FOR A LOOK HOW RIDESHARE COMPANIES ARE HOLDING UP AMID THE PANDEMIC.

>> PASSENGERS IN CHICAGO AND AROUND THE U.S. HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT A SHORTAGE OF RIDESHARE DRIVERS IN MONTHS WITH FEWER LYFT AND UBER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD CUSTOMERS SAY THEY ARE FACING LONG WAITS AND HIGH PRICES.

LAST WEEK, A MEMBER OF CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL PROPOSED PUTTING A CAP ON SO-CALLED SURGE PRICING.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE RIDESHARE SHORTAGE ARE REVEREND WALTER TURNER PASTOR OF YOUTH SPIRITUAL LIGHT MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH AND AN ADVOCATE FOR RIDESHARING IN CHICAGO.

>> ALDERMAN BRENDAN REILLY OF THE 42nd WARD WHO PROPOSED THE CAP ON SURGE PRICING AND KEVIN NELSON IS A RIDESHARE DRIVER AND ORGANIZER WITH THE INDEPENDENT DRIVERS GUILD.

LYFT DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR INVITATION AND A SPOKESPERSON FOR UBER SAID... JAVMENT KEVIN NELSON I WITH LIKE TO BEGIN WITH YOU.

BEFORE WE GET TO THE ISSUE WITH SURGE PRICING AND WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING DURING COVID-19 THERE IS A CONCERN AS I UNDERSTAND IT AND A GROWING CONCERN ABOUT CARJACKINGS.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM DRIVERS ABOUT THIS CONCERN?

>> WELL, THAT'S VERY GOOD QUESTION.

ACTUALLY I WAS SPEAKING TO A DEALER EARLIER ABOUT THAT.

OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ASIDE FROM COVID THE CONCERNS YOU KNOW JUST THE NEWS OF THE SURGE OF CARJACKINGS AGAINST RIDESHARE DRIVERS WHERE THEY ARE ABLE TO EXPLOIT A SERIOUS FLAW IN THE APP WHERE THE NEITHER LYFT NOR UBER DO A JOB REQUIRING PASSENGERS TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES TO ORDER RIDES IN THE WAY THAT DRIVERS HAVE TO.

SO THAT COMBINATION OF CIRCUMSTANCES HAS DECIMATED THE AMOUNT OF DRIVERS.

OUR RECORDS INDICATE THAT THE AMOUNT OF DRIVERS ACTIVE IN THE CHICAGO AREA IS DOWN TO ONE FIFTH OF WHAT THEY WERE JUST ONE YEAR AGO.

>> YOUR RESPONSE TO CONCERNS THAT RIDESHARE DRIVERS HAVE ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL SAFETY?

>> THEY ARE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS.

AND I THINK THE RIGHT SHARE COMPANIES COULD DO MORE TO SECURE THEIR DRIVERS AND I ARGUE THOUGH SEPARATE FROM THE CRIME ISSUE WHEN YOU HAVE A LABOR SHORTAGE YOU INCENTIVIZE THE WORKFORCE TO COME BACK TO WORK.

AND I KNOW RIDESHARE COMPANIES LIKE UBER AND LYFT ABOUT SIX, SEVEN WEEKS AGO ANNOUNCED AN INITIATIVE TO LURE MORE DRIVERS BACK TO THE ROAD.

IT SEEMS THAT THAT OFFERING IS TOO WEAK BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE INFLUX OF DRIVERS WE EXPECT.

AND FOR CONSUMERS IN CHICAGO, THEY DON'T HAVE THE COMPETITIVE PRESSURE OF TAXICABS TO HOLD THOSE RIDESHARE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE IT IS A SHAME THAT OFTENTIMES THE RIDESHARE COMPANIES AND UBER'S STATEMENT SAID THEY COULD NOT JOIN US THEY HIDE BEHIND THEIR DRIVERS YET THEY TREAT THEM SO POORLY.

I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT BUT ALSO HOW POORLY CHICAGO CONSUMERS ARE BEING TREATED BY THE SURGE PRICING THAT THE APPS ARE ENGAGING IN.

>> REVEREND TURNER, YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SHORTAGE OF DRIVERS AND THE IMPACT IT HAS ON PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

>> YES.

BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS AVIECIOUS CYCLE THAT IS BEGINNING TO HAPPEN ALL OVER AGAIN WHEN WE HAD THIS WITH CAB DRIVERS TAXSY DRIVERS IN OUR COMMUNITIES ON THE SOUTH AND THE WEST SIDES OF CHICAGO.

MANY SINGLE MOMS, SENIORS, MANY WERE NOT ABLE TO HAVE EFFECTIVE SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO GET BACK AND FORTHWITH TRANSPORTATION.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS MY COMMUNITY IS CONCERNED ABOUT IS MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH DRIVERS AND WE DO KNOW THAT THE WAY THIS CAP WOULD HURT WOULD BE THAT WE ALREADY HAVE A SHORTAGE OF DRIVERS AND THEN MANY OF OUR RIDERS WOULD BECOME MORE FRUSTRATED, WILL BECOME MORE DISAPPOINTED AND MIGHT MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO GET AROUND THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT ALDERMAN REILLY LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL BECAUSE IT WOULD CAP SURGE PRICING AT 150% OF THE COMPANY'S REGULAR FARE.

VIOLATING THE CAP WOULD TRIGGER A $100 FINE AND THREE VIOLATIONS IN A 12-MONTH PERIOD COULD MEAN A SUSPENDED OR REVOKED LICENSE.

WHY IS CAPPING SURGE PRICING THE RIGHT MOVE RIGHT NOW?

>> AND TO BE CLEAR THOSE PENALTIES WOULD BE PAID BY THE PLATFORM NOT THE INDIVIDUAL DRIVER THAT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE.

WE ARE NOT TARGETING DRIVERS WITH ENFORCEMENT ON THIS.

BUT THE SURGE CAP IS IMPORTANT.

I'VE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF CONCERNS FROM NOT JUST RESIDENTS BUT PEOPLE WHO WORK DOWNTOWN.

AND FOR FOLKS THAT WORK LATER AT NIGHT, NURSES, BARTENDERS, COCKTAIL WAITRESSES GETTING OFF AT 3-4:00 A.M. A FARE USED TO BE 10 OR 15 DOLLARS AND NOW COSTING THEM 50 OR 60 AND THEY ARE HAVING TO MAKE A DECISION FOR THEIR SAFETY MANY GOING HOME WITH TIPS IN THEIR POCKETS DO I SPEND MY HARD-EARNED MONEY ON THAT SURGE PRICE FARE OR RISK MY LIFE TAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AT 3-4:00 A.M. AND THAT IS A DIFFICULT DECISION FOR FOLKS AND THAT IS MY PRIMARY CONCERN.

BUT LIMITING SURGE PRICING ON A $10 FARE, TO $15, I THINK IS REASONABLE.

I'D LIKE TO SEE THE RIDESHARE COMPANIES DIG DEEPER IN THEIR MARKET CAP.

UBER AND $96 BILLION MARKET CAP WITH A B AND THEY CAN'T FIND MORE IN THAT PROFIT MARGIN FOR THEIR DRIVERS?

THAT IS RIDICULOUS.

SO PITTING CHICAGO CONSUMERS AGAINST DRIVERS IS WRONG.

I THINK THE COMPANY NEEDS TO STEP UP AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

>> KEVIN NELSON YOUR REACTION TO THE PROPOSED SURGE CAP?

>> ACTUALLY, YES, I DEFINITELY HAVE ONE.

ALDERMAN REILLY WE HAVE MADE A NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS TO ASK YOU TO MEET WITH US REGARDING YOUR PROPOSED FARE CAP BUT TO SUM UP OUR POSITION ON THAT, WE STAND WITH YOU.

WE BELIEVE THAT PASSENGERS ARE BEING CHARGED WAY TOO MUCH FOR THE RIDES.

YOU KNOW, 150% MAXIMUM 200% WE BELIEVE IS A FAIR FARE CAP BUT THE ONE FACTOR WE'RE FAILING TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT UBER AND LYFT TAKEOVER 50% OF THE FARE FOR EVERY RIDE.

SO IF YOU PROPOSE A FARE CAP THERE NEEDS TO BE A CAP ON THE COMMISSIONS THAT IS BEING COLLECTED BY UBER AND LYFT AS WELL AS THE CITY SO THAT THE DRIVERS ARE BEING PAID FAIRLY IF THERE IS A CAP ON THE COMMISSIONS WITHOUT A CAP ON THE COMMISSIONS IT'S GOING TO DESTROY THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY FOR RIDESHARE DRIVERS.

>> REVEREND TURNER ARE THE RIDESHARE COMPANIES OVERREACHING AND CHARGING AS MUCH AS THEY ARE?

IS IT A TYPE OF GOUGING?

>> WELL, PHIL, ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID BECAUSE AS A LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY AND AS AN ADVOCATE FOR WORKERS ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE BEEN IN THE PANDEMIC FOR OVER 63 WEEKS IT HAS BOTHERED MANY OF US FAITH LEADERS BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING THAT MANY OF OUR DRIVERS HAVE LOST WAGES.

MANY OF OUR DRIVERS, MAN, NOT ONLY DRIVERS BUT MANY DURING THIS PANDEMIC HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE ASKED UBER TO DO WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY LOOKED AFTER THEIR DRIVERS.

BECAUSE THESE ARE PEOPLE EMPLOY EAST THAT HAVE FAMILIES, THEY HAVE INCOMES, THEY HAVE MORTGAGES, THEY HAVE RENTS, THEY HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILY.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY INSTITUTED WAS A $250 MILLION PROGRAM TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THEIR DRIVERS WERE LOOKED AFTER AND TAKEN CARE OF.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT OVERNIGHT.

BUT ALL OF THIS AS MY FELLOW BROTHERS ARE ON WITH ME TONIGHT, WE KNOW THAT THIS IS GOING TO TAKE A PROCESS.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WORK TOGETHER ON TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE LOSES A JOB AT A TIME WHEN UNEMPLOYMENT ACROSS THIS COUNTRY IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO WORK AND STILL ABLE TO TAKE MONEY HOME AND NOT OUT OF THEIR POCKET.

>> THANK YOU.

ALL OF YOU THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND INSIGHTS IT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

THANKS TO KEVIN NELSON, AND ALDERMAN REILLY.

THANK YOU WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS, WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, PHIL.

SOME CORPORATIONS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR SAY THEY ARE WORKING TOWARDS AN EQUITABLE ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

THIS COMES A YEAR AFTER THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD WHEN MANY COMPANIES RESPONDED WITH STATEMENTS AND PROMISES.

NOW, THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST'S NEW MOVE TO ACTION INITIATIVE IS ASKING MORE CORPORATIONS TO MAKE A FIRM COMMITMENT BY JUNE 21.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE INITIATIVE AND THE ROLE THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN PLAY IN EQUITY IS GLORIA CASTILLO ASSOCIATE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE WE RISE TOGETHER INITIATIVE AT THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST.

GLORIA THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SO THE TRUST HAS GIVEN EXAMPLES OF COMMITMENTS TO ACHIEVING EQUITY IN THREE AREAS: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, STRENGTHENING BLACK AND LATINX BUSINESSES AND NEIGHBORHOOD INVESTMENT.

GLORIA CASTILLO TELL US MOYER ABOUT THE INITIATIVE AND WHAT IMPACT THESE INVESTMENTS MIGHT HAVE?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME ON.

THE 525 MOVE TO ACTION IS AN INITIATIVE THAT ALIGNS WITH THE WHAT WE CALL THE MOONSHOT AT THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST OUR 10-YEAR MISSION TO CLOSE THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC WEALTH GAP AND THIS SPECIFIC INITIATIVE IS TAKING A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO AN EQUITABLE ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

ITS CONTEXT COMING OUT OF THE COVID RECESSION WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE INCLUSIVE OF THE BLACK AND LATINX COMMUNITIES IN WAYS WE HAVE NOT SEEN PRIOR RECESSIONS.

WHAT WE'VE DONE WE RECOGNIZED THAT A NUMBER OF COMPANIES HAVE MADE SOLIDARITY STATEMENTS AND PLEDGES TO ADVANCE EQUITY.

AND WE WANTED TO PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR THEM TO TAKE ACTION IN WAYS THAT WERE MEASURABLE IN THOSE THREE AREAS OF WORKFORCE, IN SUPPORTING AND EXPANDING THEIR BUSINESS WITH LATINX AND BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES AND IN INVESTING IN NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND BY DOING THAT, WE KNOW THAT WE CAN ADVANCE AND AXLE RATE A GOOD OUTCOME TO THIS ECONOMIC RECESSION.

>> 25 ORGANIZATIONS HAVE PLEDGED TO MAKE A COMMITMENT SO FAR THOSE INCLUDE UNITED AIRLINES, FIFTH THIRD BANK AND RUSH.

WHY DO YOU THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO STEP UP IN THIS WAY?

>> WELL, WHAT WE KNOW FIRST OF ALL, IS THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS DEEPLY INVESTED IN OUR REGION.

AND SO THEY WANT TO SEE A HEALTHY REGION.

WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS THAT WE HAVE LOST SOME POPULATION, AND SOME OF OUR ECONOMIC INDICATORS HAVE LAGGED.

AND SO BY STRENGTHENING THE REGION IN THIS WAY, WE'RE ACTUALLY MAKING IT STRONGER FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE REGION.

SO THAT IS A VERY PRIMARY CONCERN FOR MANY OF THESE CORPORATIONS.

A HEALTHY REGIONAL ECONOMY.

>> HOW CAN THE ORGANIZATIONS BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR DIVERSITY AND EQUITY GOALS?

>> WELL, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF MEASUREMENTS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE TODAY AS WE SPEAK.

BUT IN OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CORPORATE COALITION WE HAVE BEEN DESIGNING THIS INITIATIVE IN A WAY BY TAKING SPECIFIC ACTIONS THAT ARE MEASURABLE ACTIONS THAT ARE INTEGRATED INTO THEIR OPERATIONS.

WE WANT THE COMMITMENTS TO BE KIND OF BUSINESS IMPERATIVES FOR EACH OF THE COMPANIES.

WE WILL BEGIN TO COLLECT THE DATA AND WE WILL BE REPORTING OUT THE DATA IN AN AGGREGATE FORM IN THE NEXT YEAR.

SO THE 525 MOVE TO ACTION, YOU SHOULD EXPECT TO HEAR FROM US AGAIN IN A YEAR WITH THE OUTCOMES OF THE FIRST YEAR OF THIS.

AND THEN WE WILL CONTINUE YEAR-OVER-YEAR TO MEASURE THE OUTCOMES OF THE COMMITMENTS.

>> WHAT ROLE DO BUSINESSES AND CORPORATIONS PLAY IN ALL THIS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS CAN'T PLAY?

>> WELL, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FOR EXAMPLE THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

THE PUBLIC SEC SORE IS WORKING ON POLICY THAT REPRESENTS VOTERS.

BUT IN THIS CASE, IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THEY ARE LOOKING AT HOW TO MAXIMIZE THEIR OPERATIONS.

SO THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THEY CAN MAKE THAT ARE EXPECTATIONS OF THE MARKETPLACE.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WAS A POLL IN 2020.

77% OF THE RESPONDENTS SAID THAT THEIR COMPANIES NEEDED TO RESPOND TO INJUSTICE IF THEY WANTED TO EARN OR KEEP THEIR TRUST.

SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR CORPORATIONS AS THEY MOVE FORWARD TO HAVE A WORKFORCE THAT BELIEVES THAT THEY ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

AND WHAT WE ALSO KNOW IS THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE CORPORATE ARENA, COMPANIES THAT HAVE GREATER DIVERSITY IN THEIR LEADERSHIP, GREATER DIVERSITY IN THEIR RANKS THE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN US THEY ARE MORE PROFITABLE.

THERE IS A REALLY GOOD BUSINESS MOTIVE TO TAKE PART IN AN INITIATIVE LIKE MOVE TO ACTION.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK BUSINESSES IN THE PAST MAY HAVE BEEN SLOW OR RESISTANT TO MAKING THIS KIND OF CHANGE OR INVESTMENT OR COMMITMENT?

>> I THINK IN THE PAST COMPANIES FELT THAT IT WAS A LITTLE BIT RISKY TO MAKE THIS KIND OF COMMITMENT THAT THEY WERE MOVING TOO FAR INTO THE SOCIAL REALM.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

PEOPLE HAVE AN EXPECTATION THAT CORPORATIONS ARE GOING TO BE GOOD CITIZENS THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE GOOD CORPORATE CITIZENS AND SOMETIMES THAT MEANS STANDING UP WHEN YOU SEE INJUSTICE.

YOU REPRESENT AS A CORPORATION ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND STAKEHOLDERS YOUR INVESTORS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS, YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR BUSINESS PARTNERS.

THEY ARE ALL AFFECTED BY THE POSITIONS THAT YOU TAKE.

NOW IT BECOMES LESS OF A RISK AND IT BECOMES MORE OF A BUSINESS IMPERATIVE TO TAKE A STAND.

>> SOMETHING I'M SURE WE WILL BE KEEPING AN EYE ON GOING FORWARD.

THANKS TO GLORIA CASTILLO THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST FOR JOINING US.

NEXT, DETAILS ON THE OFFICIAL STATE MICROBE.

STAY WITH US.

>> ILLINOIS HAS A STATE PIE, PUMPKIN, A STATE MINERAL, FLOWER RIGHT AND A STATE EXERCISE CYCLING.

NOW IT HAS A STATE MICROBE.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER PATTY WETLI JOINS US WITH THE MICROAL DETAILS COMING OUT OF THE LAWMAKERS LATEST SESSION WE THOUGHT AMANDA HAD ALL THE DETAILS.

IT SEEMS UNUSUAL FOR THIS TO HAVE PASSEDS AA BILL BUT WHAT IS OUR STATE'S OFFICIAL MICROBE AND WHY?

>> WELL IT IS PENICILLIUM RUBENS, I HOPE I'M PRONOUNCING THAT CORRECTLY.

AND AS YOU MIGHT HAVE GUESSED IT IS IMPORTANT IT'S WHAT WE USE TO MAKE PENICILLIN.

AND A SMALL KNOWN HISTORICAL FACT THAT MIGHT SURPRISE FOLKS ABOUT ILLINOIS IS THAT THERE IS A RESEARCH LAB IN PEORIA THAT PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN DEVELOPING PENICILLIN FOR MASS PRODUCTION.

>> AND REMIND US THE IMPORTANCE OF PENICILLIN.

>> YOU USED TO MAYBE DIE IF YOU GOT A SCRATCH.

ANTIBIOTICS ARE A GOOD THING.

I THINK WE TAKE THEM FOR GRANTED AND WE'RE LOOK AMAZED THAT WE WERE ABLE TO CREATE A COVID VACCINE IN A YEAR.

BUT PENICILLIN WAS THE WONDER DRUG OF ITS TIME.

AND YOU KNOW, SURPRISINGLY, ILLINOIS CRUCIAL ROLE IN ALL US STAY AGO LIVE.

>> I'M THANKFUL EVERYDAY FOR MODERN MEDICINE AND THANKFUL FOR YOU PAT PAT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> -- PATTY WETLI.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

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

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

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. GARY, INDIANA LAUNCHES A QUARANTINED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM FOR MORE THAN 1,000 RESIDENTS.

WE'LL HAVE THE DETAILS.

AND A GLASS EDITION TO THE ARTS INSTITUTE IN THE FORM OF A HISTORIC TIFFANY WINDOW.

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

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]