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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THESE ARE BOLD IDEAS THAT IS GOING TO BRING BOLD CHANGES.

>> JUST WEEKS AFTER RETURNING LEGISLATORS ARE HEADING BACK TO SPRINGFIELD.

WE'LL TELL YOU WHY.

>> WHAT COULD DRYER THAN NORMAL WEATHER MEAN FOR YOUR GARDEN AND CLIMATE CHANGE, A CLIMATE CHANGE SPECIALIST JOIN US.

>> I WAS NOT SHOCKED.

WE HAVE A REGRESSIVE AND UNFAIR TAX SYSTEM.

>> A BOMBSHELL EXPOSE BY ProPublica FINDS SOME OF THE RICHEST MEN IN AMERICA PAY LITTLE TO NO TAX AS THEIR WEALTH GROWS BY BILLIONS.

HOW DISCUSSIONS ON CRITICAL RACE THEORY HAVE MOVED FROM THE CLASSROOM TO POLITICIANS' OFFICES.

>> WE WOULD JOKINGLY SAY IF YOU HAVE A REMBRANDT THAT YOU ARE SURE IS REAL DO NOT SEND IT TO US.

>> HEAR ABOUT A CHICAGO BASED SCIENTIST WHO HELPED FIND ART WORLD FRAUD AND WAS FEATURED IN A DOCUSERIES.

>> ANOTHER CORPORATE DATA BREACH, A MALONEER IN GOES BANKRUPT AND GOOD NEWS FOR AIRLINE EMPLOYEES.

THE LATEST BUSINESS HEADLINES WITH CRAIN'S.

>> IN THE WAKE OF MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S COMMENTS ON THE DIVERSITY OF MEDIA WHY SOME SAY NEWSROOMS NEED TO DO BETTER.

A HARDHAT TOUR OF A SPECTACULAR RESTORATION TAKING PLACE IN THE GRAND ARMY PUBLIC MEMORIAL HALL IN THE CULTURAL CENTER.

>> CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL SOON HAVE AN INTERIM C.E.O.

THE DISTRICT ANNOUNCED JOSE TORRES WILL LEAD C.P.S.

WHILE THE CITY SEARCHES FOR A PERMANENT C.E.O.

TORREZ WAS SUPERINTENDENT OF ELGIN SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR SIX YEARS AND WAS A REGIONAL SUPERINTENDENT AT C.P.S.

CURRENT C.E.O.

JANICE JACKSON WHO IS LEAVING AT THE END OF THE MONTH SAID CHOOSING TORREZ WAS AN EASY DECISION.

WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT HE IS COMPETENT AND ABLE TO DO THE WORK AND I HAVE 150% CONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY TO DO THAT.

HE IS A VETERAN EDUCATOR AND HAS DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN DIFFERENT ROLES.

>> THE CITY OF CHICAGO WILL MAKE JUNETEENTH AN OFFICIAL CITY HOLIDAY THE MAYOR ANNOUNCED TODAY.

IT COMMEMORATES THE END OF SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES.

49TH WARMED ALDERPERSON MARIA HADDEN SAYS IT IS BOTH CELEBRATION AND RESISTANCE.

>> SOMEWHAT -- SOME WOULD HAVE US GLOSS OVER HISTORY INSTEAD OF MOVING ON.

THEY TELL US OUR CALLS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WRONGS ARE DIVIDING US.

BUT DON'T HEED THEIR CALL.

DO NOT BE SILENT.

FOR THERE CAN BE NO HEALING WITHOUT TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION.

>> AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER IS DEPLOYING THE NATIONAL GUARD TO RESPOND TO A CHEMICAL FIRE IN ROCKTON, ILLINOIS WHICH IS JUST SOUTH OF THE WISCONSIN BORDER.

THE FIRE STARTED THIS MORNING AT KIM TOOL ONE OF THE LARGEST GREASE MANUFACTURERS IN THE UNITED STATES.

AUTHORITIES ISSUED A MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER NEAR THE PLANT.

INSTEAD OF RISKING CHEMICAL RUNOFF IN THE ROCK RIVER, FIREFIGHTERS ARE ALLOWING THE FIRE TO BURN ITSELF OUT WHICH COULD TAKE SEVERAL DAYS.

AND TASTE OF CHICAGO IS RETURNING THIS JULY BUT NOT AS THE LARGE DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL.

THERE WILL BE POP-UP FOOD AND MUSIC EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY BETWEEN JULY 7-11.

OFFICIALS SAY 40 EATRIES ARE PARTICIPATING.

FOR MORE ON THE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS VISIT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> ILLINOIS LEGISLATORS LEFT SPRINGFIELD A COUPLE WEEKS AGO BUT ALREADY THEY ARE HEADING BACK.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH A RUNDOWN WHY, AND WHAT IS ON THE DOCKET THAT IS CALLING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BACK TO THE CAPITOL WHEN THEY WOULD NOT BE RETURNING UNTIL THE FALL?

>> YEAH, BRANDIS IT IS UNUSUAL FOR LEGISLATORS TO BE CALLED BACK TO THE CAPITOL IN THE SUMMER WHEN THEY HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THEIR MAJOR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY AND THAT IS PASSING A BUDGET.

THIS TIME AROUND IT IS NOT A SURPRISE.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS IN MAY UPON RETURNING FOR THE REGULAR SESSION SIGNALED THAT LAWMAKERS WOULD BE CALLED BACK TO THE CAPITOL TO TAKE UP MAJOR ENERGY LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN A LONGTIME COMING.

PASTOR SCOTT ONQUE WHO IS FROM THE SOUTH SIDE HAS BEEN PART OF ENERGY TALKS ON BEHALF OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR THREE YEARS.

HE SAYS WHAT THEY HAVE COME UP WITH IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE AND BOLDEST ENERGY PACKAGE IN THE NATION.

>> IF WE STAY ON THE SAME PATH WE ARE GOING TO DO MORE DAMAGE TO THE CLIMATE THAN EVER WE HAVE TO START THINKING ABOUT OUR FUTURE WHAT WORLD WILL WE LEAVE OUR CHILDREN.

>> THERE IS WIDESPREAD AGREEMENT THAT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ON ENERGY.

AND PART BECAUSE EXELON IS THREATENING TO CLOSE NUCLEAR ENERGY PLANTS UNLESS LAWMAKERS APPROVE THE SUBSIDY FOR THEM AND THAT IS DICEY BECAUSE OF THE CORRUPTION SCANDAL THAT ENGULFED ComEd.

WITHOUT THOSE NEW PLANS, ILLINOIS CAN'T MEET ITS GOAL OF GETTING TO ALL CLEAN ENERGY BY THE YEAR 2050.

PLUS THOSE NUCLEAR PLANTS EMPLOY A LOT OF UNION JOBS.

NOW, THE CURRENT PROPOSAL HAS CUSTOMERS PAYING NEARLY $700 MILLION TO EXELON TO KEEP THOSE PLANTS OPEN.

IT IS A HEFTY POT OF MONEY JOHN NOTHDURFT NEARLY WHAT THE COMPANY HAS BEEN ASKING FOR.

>> EXELON IS NOT IN THE NEGOTIATING ROOM THEY ARE NOT IN CHARGE OF THIS LEGISLATION.

THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR HANDS AROUND THE NECKS OF POLITICIANS IN SPRINGFIELD ANY LONGER.

THESE ARE BOLD IDEAS THAT IS GOING TO BRING BOLD CHANGES AND BOLD OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE OFTEN BEEN LEFT BEHIND.

>> BUT, ABE SCARR OF ILLINOIS' PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP SEE IT IS DIFFERENTLY.

>> TO SEE IT LOOKS LIKE EXELON AND ComEd STILL HAVING A LOT OF POWER AND STILL BEING ABLE TO GET THE PULSE THAT THEY WANT EVEN IF THERE IS NOT A GOOD INDEPENDENT JUSTIFICATION.

>> TODAY CAME OUT AA NEW REPORT THAT FINDS THE ENERGY PACKAGE ON THE TABLE WOULD BOOST ComEd'S PROFITS IN ANOTHER WAY BY KEEPING IN PLACE PORTIONS OF A FORMULA THAT ABE SCARR SAYS GUARANTEES IT WILL MAKE PROFITS WORTH AN ESTIMATED $700 TO $900 MILLION OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO TRANSLATE WHAT THAT COULD MEAN FOR A CUSTOMER'S ELECTRIC BILL.

>> CUSTOMER BILLS HAVE ON THE DELIVERY SIDE, HAVE GONE UP 39% DURING FORMULARIES.

WE WOULD SEE WE WOULD SEE SOMETHING SIMILAR IF NOT GREATER THAN THAT.

>> THE FORMULA RATE ISSUE IS FAR FROM THE ONLY DENT IN THE LEGISLATION.

EVEN IF LAWMAKERS HEADING BACK TO THE CAPITOL THERE IS NOT A FINAL DEAL NO LANGUAGE FOR THEM TO VOTE ON.

THE BIG FIGHT RIGHT NOW IS OVER WHEN AND HOW TO PHASE OUT EMITTING COAL PLANTS AND YOU HAVE A COALITION OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS BEGGING LAWMAKERS TO DELAY PASSING ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WILL SADDLE THEM WITH HIGHER ELECTRIC BILLS AT A MINIMUM WE PROJECT THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF THE COST INCREASE ON BUSINESSES AND MUNICIPALITIES TO BE $700 MILLION ANNUALLY INCLUDING 215 MILLION TO PAY FOR NEW PROGRAMS PAID FOR BY RATEPAYERS WITHOUT THEIR INPUT.

THIS LEGISLATION WILL BE A CREDIT CARD THAT KEEPS SPENDING MONEY WITHOUT ANY ACCOUNTABILITY PERIOD.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S OFFICE HAS PUSHED BACK ON THAT CRITICISM.

MEANWHILE YOU HAVE ADVOCATES HOPEFUL THAT A DEAL IS GOING TO GET THROUGH.

BUT AT LEAST ONE LEGISLATOR WHO IS PART OF THE TALKS SAID IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT NOTHING HAPPENS ON ENERGY THIS WEEK.

NOW, LEGISLATORS HAVE A COUPLE MEASURES ON THE AGENDA FOR TOMORROW AND WEDNESDAY.

I SPOKE WITH REPRESENTATIVE DELIA RAMIREZ, A CHICAGO DEMOCRAT WHO IS FOUNDER OF THE C.P.S.

ELECTED SCHOOL MEASURE THAT PASSED THE STATE SENATE AND SHE IS GOING TO CALL IT FOR A VOTE IN THE HOUSE.

RAMIREZ SAID SHE HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT ABOUT IT.

SHE SAYS THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT CONTACTED HER BUT COLLEAGUES FROM THE BLACK CAUCUS TOLD HER THE MAYOR'S BEEN IN TOUCH ASKING THEM TO VOTE NO.

THIS PARTICULAR PLAN WOULD TRANSITION C.P.S.

LEADERSHIP WITH SOME APPOINTED AND SOME ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD UNTIL ALL ELECTED COME 2027.

ALSO GOT IN TOUCH WITH THE HOUSE SPONSOR OF A MEASURE THAT WOULD IMPLEMENT OPTIONAL FINGERPRINTING FOR FIREARM OWNERS IDENTIFICATION APPLICANTS AND MANDATE BACKGROUND CHECKS DURING PERSON TO PERSON GUN SALES.

AND HE SAYS HE PLANS TO BRING THAT FOR A VOTE AND THAT WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE AFTER YEARS OF TRYING IT'S STALLED.

WE COULD SEE MORE MINOR BILLS TAKEN UP FOR ACTION INCLUDING SOME FIXES TO THE BUDGET AND SOMETHING ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

WE WILL BE WATCHING.

BACK TO YOU.

>> AMANDA, THANK YOU.

>> IT SEEMS IN GENERAL PEOPLE DON'T PREFER RAIN ON THEIR WEEKEND.

BUT RAINFALL THE LAST FEW DAYS WAS SURELY WELCOMED BY SOME CHICAGOANS BECAUSE 3.75 INCHES OF PRECIPITATION IN CHICAGO BETWEEN MARCH AND MAY.

MAKES FOR THE CITY'S THIRD DRYEST SPRING SINCE RECORD KEEPING BEGAN IN 1871 ACCORDING TO THE STATE CLIMATOLOGIST.

TODAY, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLASSIFIES THE NORTHERN PART OF COOK COUNTY AS FALLING UNDER SEVERE DROUGHT CONDITIONS.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE DRYER THAN NORMAL WEATHER AND IMPACT ARE, JULIE JANOSKI, THE MORTON ARBORETUM PLANT CLINIC MANAGER AND SCOTT COLLIS A SCIENTIST WITH ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY.

SCOTT, HOW UNUSUAL ARE THESE RECENT CONDITIONS?

>> WELL, THIS IS WHAT WE CALL A FLASH DROUGHT.

WE WENT FROM LAST YEAR HAVING ONE OF THE WETTEST MAYS ON RECORD TO THE SECOND DRYEST MAY ON RECORD.

WE ARE REALLY FALLING BEHIND IN RAINFALL AND WHILE THERE WAS MUCH-NEEDED RAINFALL THIS WEEKEND, IT FELL IN A PATCHY MANNER.

>> AND JULIE, WHAT IMPACT DOES THIS DROUGHT HAVE ON OUR ECOSYSTEM?

>> WELL, IT'S GOING TO HAVE BOTH SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM IMPACTS AT THIS POINT.

THE SOIL IS VERY DRY DOWN TO 10-12 INCHES.

SO IN THE SHORT-TERM YOU WILL SEE PLANTS WILTING, YOU WILL SEE CRISPY LEAVES AND SCORCH.

POSSIBLY EVEN SOME PLANT DEATHS.

LONG-TERM, HOWEVER, WHAT THIS IS DOING THIS DRYNESS IS KILLING ROOT SYSTEMS OF TREES AND SLUSHES.

OVER TIME, THEY WILL BE UNABLE ONCE WE GET WATER TO ABSORB AS MUCH WATER.

SO IT WILL A LONG-TERM IMPACT AS WELL AS THE SHORT-TERM.

>> ON A NATIONAL SCALE WHO KINDS OF DROUGHT CONDITIONS ARE DIFFERENT PARTS OF COUNTRY EXPERIENCING?

>> SO AS JULIE SAID IN THE MIDWEST WE'RE SEEING THIS NORTH-SOUTH GRADIENT FROM SOME DROUGHT TO SEVERE DROUGHT.

IT'S REALLY BAD OUT WEST.

FROM COLORADO THROUGH NEVADA TO CALIFORNIA, WE ARE AT HISTORIC DROUGHT LEVELS RIGHT AS WE GO INTO THIS YEAR'S FIRE SEASON.

>> JULIE, HOW SHOULD ANYONE WHO IS TENDING THEIR YARD OR GARDEN WHAT SHOULD THEY BE DOING FOR A DROUGHT?

>> IF IT'S AVAILABLE AND ABLE YOU SHOULD BE WATERING.

WATER ALL OF YOUR PLANTS AS MUCH AS YOU CAN.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT EVERYDAY.

LONG SLOW WATERING IS MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE.

OVER ONCE A WEEK RATHER THAN DOING 15 MINUTES EVERYDAY.

BUT EVEN BIG OLD TREES WHO PEOPLE THINK ARE IMMUNE TO THESE DROUGHTS WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS ONE.

IF YOU'VE GOT TREES IN YOUR YARD THAT HAVE BEEN THERE A LONGTIME THOSE WILL NEED WATER AT THIS POINT.

>> SCOTT, WHAT IMPACTS HAS THE DRYER THAN NORMAL WEATHER HAD ON LOCAL LAKE LEVELS?

>> LAKE LEVELS ARE SITTING AT AROUND ABOUT 36 INCHES ABOVE NORMAL.

AND WHY THAT MIGHT SOUND LIKE REALLY FULL THEY ARE DOWN 20 INCHES FROM THIS TIME LAST YEAR FROM THE RECORD LAKE LEVELS WE HAD.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT AN AVERAGE LAKE LEVEL WE ARE HALFWAY BACK TO THAT AVERAGE LEVEL IN LESS THAN A YEAR AND GIVEN THE VOLUMES OF THE GREAT LAKES AND THE FACT WE LOSE MOST OF THAT WATER FROM THE GREAT LAKES THROUGH EVAPORATION AND IT REALLY IS A SIGNATURE OF JUST HOW DRY IT'S BEEN.

>> AND JULIE, ARE THERE CERTAIN THINGS TO PLANT THAT ARE MORE DROUGHT RESISTANT?

MAYBE A WAY YOU COULD SPARE YOURSELF THAT ADDED WATERING?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN THERE ARE TREES AND SLUSHSHRUBS, THINGS LIKE SUMACSD NINE BARKS AND SOME OAK TREES THAT ARE TOLERANT OF DROUGHT ONCE THEY ARE ESTABLISHED.

THE TRICK IS IF THEY ARE NEW PLANTS THEN YOU DO STILL NEED TO WATER THEM.

>> ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT, ARE THERE PLANTS THAT DON'T DO WELL IN DROUGHTS AT ALL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND I THINK YOU WILL SEE THAT STARTING TO HAPPEN NOW.

WE'RE SEEING BIRCHES, LOSING THEIR LEAVES WITH YELLOWING LEAVES.

RED BUD LEAVES ARE STARTING TO CURL UP A LITTLE BIT.

WE'RE SEEING SCORCH ON A NUMBER OF THINGS.

YEAH, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT DO NOT TOLERATE DROUGHT AT ALL.

>> SCOTT, CHICAGO SAW THE DRYEST SPRING SINCE THE 19 30s.

WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DROUGHTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE?

>> YOU CAN'T ATTRIBUTE ANY ONE DROUGHT OR ANY ONE STORM TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

WHAT CLIMATE CHANGE DOES IT IS LOADS THE DICE.

IF YOU HAD SIX-SIDED DICE AND EVERY TIME YOU ROLLED ONE YOU WOULD GET A DROUGHT.

AND SOME AREAS THAT IS THE CASE.

YOU ARE GOING TO ROLL THAT ONE MORE OFTEN.

WITH CLIMATE CHANGE, IT IS TRICKY.

BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT DROUGHT.

IN FACT MOST CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECTIONS HAVE ILLINOIS SEEING MORE RAIN.

BUT MORE RAIN IN MORE EXTREME EVENTS WITH GREATER DRYER PERIODS BETWEEN.

SO AS A PLANT LOVER AND LOOKING AFTER MY RED BUDS IN MY FRONT GARDEN IT'S SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T MAKE ME HAPPY LISTENING TO WHAT JULIE IS SAYING.

>> WOULD YOU NORMALLY EXPECT MORE THUNDERSTORMS DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR?

IS.

>> YES, IF YOU LIKE THUNDERSTORMS YOU HAVE BEEN SORELY DISAPPOINTED.

CHICAGO'S PEAK STORM SEASON IS IN MAY-JUNE TYPE OF PERIOD.

AND WHAT IS HAPPENING WE'VE HAD ALL THE INGREDIENTS IT'S BEEN HOT AND HUMID.

EVERYTHING AT THE SURFACE SEEMS LIKE IT'S LINING UP BUT THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE HAS NOT COOPERATED.

WE DON'T HAVE THE COLD AIR BROUGHT DOWN BY THE JETSTREAM ABOVE US WE HAVE A WARM AIR ABOVE WHICH IS CAPPING THOSE THUNDERSTORMS, BRING SO MUCH OF CHICAGO'S SPRINGTIME AND EARLY SUMMERTIME RAINFALL.

>> WHAT KIND OF SUMMER CONDITIONS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FOR BETTER PLANT GROWTH?

>> I DEALLY IT WOULD RAIN AN INCH ONCE A WEEK.

FOR MIDWESTERN PLANTS THAT IS THE RULE OF THUMB.

YOU ARE HOPING EVERYBODY GETS AN INCH OF WATER A WEEK.

AT THIS POINT WE WOULD BE HAPPY WITH ANYTHING.

ANY RAIN AT ALL IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WOULD BE HELPFUL.

>> NOT THAT IT'S UP TO US TO PICK THE WEATHER I'M SURE SOME RAIN WOULD BE NICE.

THANKS TO JULIE JANOSKI AND SCOTT COLLIS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> LAST WEEK, FLORIDA BECAME THE LATEST STATE TO BAN SCHOOLS FROM TEACHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS NOT A SINGLE LESSON OR CURRICULUM BUT A TEACHING A OF TEACHING DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT PRIVILEGE, SYSTEMIC BIAS AND RACISM.

BUT THE TERM HAS MOVED FROM THE ACADEMIC CIRCLES INTO LAWMAKERS' OFFICES WHETHER IT SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

JOINING US ARE NATHAN HOFFMAN AN ADVISOR WITH THE FOUNDATION AGAINST INTOLERANCE AND RACISM AND ILLINOIS STATE REPRESENTATIVE LaSHAWN FORD WHOSE WEST SIDE DISTRICT INCLUDES MUCH OF THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY.

WELCOME BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

>> NATHAN HOFFMAN, HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE CRITICAL RACE THEORY?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S AS MUCH HOW I WOULD DEFINE CRITICAL RACE THEORY BUT AS I UNDERSTAND IT, CRITICAL RACE THEORY GOES BACK SEVERAL DECADES AND IT IS BUILT ON THE IDEA THAT AMERICA AT ITS CORE IS A RACIST PLACE.

AND THAT THERE ARE SORT OF PERMANENT OPPRESSORS AND PERMANENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE OPPRESSED.

AND IN THAT CASE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHITE INDIVIDUALS BEING THE OPPRESSOR AND BLACK INDIVIDUALS BEING THE OPPRESSED.

>> REPRESENTATIVE FORD HOW DO YOU VIEW CRITICAL RACE THEORY?

>> YOU KNOW, BRANDIS, IT IS AN EXAMINATION OF HOW OUR LAWS INTERSECT WITH ISSUES AND SOCIETY AS IT RELATES TOES ARE AND WHEN YOU -- RACE.

AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT YOU HAVE 13% OF SOCIETY BEING BLACKS THAT BELIEVE WE NEED TO EXAMINE HOW MORE BLACK PEOPLE ARE INCARCERATED.

HOW THE WAR ON DRUGS IMPACTED BLACK PEOPLE MORE.

WHY BLACK PEOPLE ARE MORE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY THE LAWS THAT WE HAVE.

WE HAVE TO EXAMINE THAT CRITICALLY.

>> NATHAN WHAT IS YOUR CONCERN WITH TEACHING CRT AS IT'S OFTEN CALLED WITH TEACHING THAT THEORY IN SCHOOLS?

>> I THINK MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE THEORY, I THINK THE CONCERN IS THAT IT IS SORT OF AN IDEOLOGY THAT HAS LARGELY BEEN UNTIL RECENTLY, KEPT WITHIN THE ELITE INSTITUTIONS AND THE ELITE POLITICAL CIRCLES FOR A MATTER OF INTELLECTUAL DEBATE AND THE CHALLENGE COMES IN WHEN YOU BRING THAT INTO CLASSROOMS PARTICULARLY ELEMENTARY AGED CLASSROOMS WHERE STUDENTS DON'T YET HAVE THE ABILITY TO THINK CRITICALLY AND AT THAT POINT LEARNING HOW TO LEARN.

WHEN YOU INTRODUCE SOME OF THESE VERY CONTENTIOUS PIECES OF INFORMATION IN THEORIES, IT IS CHALLENGING AND TAKES AWAY FROM WHAT I BELIEVE SHOULD BE THE CENTRAL FOCUS OF EDUCATION WHICH IS A STRONG FACE OF LIT RACELY, MATH AND INSTRUCTION.

>> DO YOU THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT AGE-APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY?

>> YOU KNOW, EVERY CHILD SHOULD BE THINKING CRITICALLY NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN TAUGHT.

WE CAN NO LONGER ALLOW STUDENTS TO JUST GO IN AND LEARN THE SPELLING WORDS AND JUST REMEMBER THINGS.

THEY HAVE TO CRITICALLY UNDERSTAND WHY THINGS ARE HAPPENING THE WAY THEY ARE HAPPENING.

THEY HAVE TO KNOW.

AND THAT'S WHAT CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS ABOUT.

IF YOU TAKE AWAY RACE WE KNOW THAT OUR FOCUS IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND IN THE EDUCATION IS TO MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS THINK CRITICALLY.

>> NATHAN, WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THIS THEORY HAS BECOME A POLITICAL FOOTBALL OVER THE LAST YEAR BUT ESPECIALLY IN RECENT MONTHS?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF HIGH PROFILE POLITICAL FIGURES FROM THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO OFFICIALS IN CONGRESS TODAY WHO HAVE ELEVATED THE ISSUE.

AND I THINK THE BIG CHALLENGE WITH AN IDEA LIKE CRITICAL RACE THEORY OR THE OTHER SORT OF CONTENTIOUS ISSUES IT BRINGS OUT THE WORST OF BOTH SIDES AND POLITICS, AND IT DOESN'T ALLOW FOR THESE TYPES OF NUANCED CONVERSATIONS BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS A MIDDLE GROUND AND A WAY THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT THIS.

IN TERMS OF I AGREE A LOT OF WHAT REPRESENTATIVE FORD SAID STUDENTS SHOULD BE THINKING CRITICALLY AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE HISTORY THE GOOD AND THE BAD.

THE CHALLENGE IS IT'S BECOME A POLITICIZED ISSUE THAT IS MORE INTERESTED IN PERFORMANCE.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK THIS HAS GOTTEN POLITICAL?

>> BECAUSE PEOPLE FEAR CHANGE AND WHEN YOU BRING ABOUT CHANGE IT'S GOING TO IMPACT THEIR WAY OF LIFE BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN AND EVERYONE WITH CHILDREN THEY KNOW THEIR CHILDREN SAY YEAH?

CHILDREN ARE BORN TO THING CRITICALLY.

AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE TEACH THEM CRITICAL THINKING.

I THINK THAT WHEN YOU HAVE A CERTAIN SEGMENT OF OUR POPULATION WHERE EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE GOING WELL FOR THEM THEY DON'T WANT TO CHANGE IT.

BUT WE KNOW THAT JUST TODAY, WE REALIZED THAT THE CITY OF CHICAGO AS WE SAID, WILL RECOGNIZE JUNETEENTH.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DIDN'T YOU HAD THAT AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT.

AND THAT IS CRITICAL THINKING.

>> NATHAN IF NOT THROUGH CRITICAL RACE THEORY WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS HOW SHOULD SCHOOLS DISCUSS RACISM IN THAT HISTORY?

>> I THINK REPRESENTATIVE FORD HIT ON A GOOD POINT THAT JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY AND I CAN SAY I'M NOT SUPER FAR REMOVED FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND-YEAR-OLD LEARNING ABOUT -- I DON'T LEARNING ABOUT JUNETEENTH.

WHAT DOES THE HISTORY CURRICULUM LOOK LIKE AND THAT IS A HONEST CONVERSATION WE CAN HAVE A LOT OF THINGS WE CAN DO FROM DIFFERENT CURRICULUM FORMS.

THE CHALLENGE BECOMES WHEN YOU GET TO THE MORE RADICAL PARTS OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY WHICH LOOK AT STUDENTS BASED SOLELY ON THE SURFACE LEVEL DIVERSITY FEATURES LIKE RACE AND TRY TO LUMP THEM INTO CIRCUMSTANCES AS EITHER PRIVILEGED, OPPRESSORS OR THE OPPOSITE.

AND I THINK WE SHOULD STAY FOCUSED ON INDIVIDUALS AND THE CHARACTER AND THINGS THAT THEY BRING AS INDIVIDUALS NOT AS SOME SERVICE LEVEL DIVERSITY FEATURE THEY HAVE.

>> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO TEACHERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS, NATHAN WHO FEEL CONTROLLED BY THE LAWS AND LIMITED IF THEY HAD PLANS FOR TEACHING AND CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT A PLAN FOR TEACHING A PIECE OF BLACK AND AMERICAN HISTORY MIGHT BE TOUCHED BY A STATE'S NEW LAW THAT BANS CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

>> I HAVE TO SAY THAT I'M GENERALLY OPPOSED TO ANY MANDATES THAT IS GOING TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR TEACHERS TO DO THEIR CRAFT IN THE CLASSROOM.

I THINK WE NEED TO INSURE THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN GUIDING PRINCIPLES IN PLACE THAT LOOK AT WHAT SPECIFICALLY WE NEED TO HAVE STUDENTS LEARN IN THE CLASSROOM BUT BESIDES THAT WE OUGHT TO LEAVE IT TO TEACHERS TO FIGURE OUT HOW THAT IS ULTIMATELY TAUGHT.

>> AND REPRESENTATIVE FORD IN 30 SECONDS WHAT DO SOME OF THE BANS IN OTHER STATES WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT SAYS ABOUT HOW AMERICANS VIEW RACE AND HISTORY?

>> THEY WANT TO SEE HISTORY AS IT IS.

AND AS WE SAID ON YOUR SHOW BEFORE, HISTORY SHOULD NOT BE SOMETHING THAT MAKES US FEEL GOOD IT SHOULD TELL THE TRUTH.

AND WE KNOW NOW THAT THE 1619 STRONG OUT AND PEOPLE FEAR TEACHING THE 1619 PROJECT BECAUSE WE DON'T TEACH KIDS HOW TO CRITICALLY THINK.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE HISTORY WE'RE TEACHING WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS FLAWED AND IT IS BAD IF IT'S NOT ACCURATE AND IF IT DOESN'T TELL THE WHOLE STORY.

IT'S DOING MORE DAMAGE THAN THINKING ABOUT TEACHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS.

>> THANKS TO YOU BOTH, NATHAN HOFFMAN AND REPRESENTATIVE LaSHAWN FORD FOR JOINING US.

>> UP NEXT, THE ROLE A CHICAGO BASED MICROSCOPIC ANALYST PLAYED IN TRYING TO SOLVE A FAMOUS HEIST.

STAY WITH US.

THE RECENTLY RELEASED NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY "THIS IS A ROBBERY", IT'S.

ONE OF THE POTENTIAL PATHS TO RECOVERING THE $500 MILLION IN STOLEN ARTWORK INVOLVES SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS OF PAINT CHIPS.

AS "CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" NICK BLUMBERG REPORTS THAT DETECTIVE WORK WAS DONE BY AN INNOVATOR IN THE FIELD BASED IN CHICAGO.

>> THE ENORMITY OF IT.

YOU CAN IMAGINE IS OVERWHELMING.

>> AFTER THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT HEIST, INVESTIGATORS, MUSEUM OFFICIALS AND JOURNALISTS SPENT YEARS GOING DOWN DEAD ENDS.

ONE LEAD CAME INTO A FORMER "THE BOSTON HERALD" REPORTER.

A CROOK CLAIMED TO HAVE ONE OF THE STOLEN WORKS REMBRANDT'S STORM ON THE SEA OF GAL LEE.

HE NEEDED TO PROVE THE WORK WAS A,000 PARTICULAR.

>> AND WE THOUGHT ABOUT PAINT CHIPS.

AND I SAID WOULD IT BE THAT HARD TO SCRAPE PAINT OFF.

WALTER McCRONE OUT OF CHICAGO HAD DONE A LOT OF WORK DEBUNKING FRAUDS USING A MICROSCOPE.

>> NOT EXACTLY.

McCRONE EXAM I DON'T KNOWED A SIMPLER AND POWERFUL TOOL THE POLARIZED LIGHT MICROSCOPE.

>> SORT OF AN UNDERDOG PEOPLE ASSUMED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY OR USEFUL ANYMORE BECAUSE OF THE BIG GUNS AND I'M ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED WE CANNOT GET ALONG WITHOUT IT.

>> AFTER STUDYING AT CORNELL, McCRONE TOOK A RESEARCH JOB IN 1944.

IN 1960 HE FOUNDED THE McCRONE RESEARCH INSTITUTE AND RUN BY GARY LAUGHLIN.

>> FOR ALL OF THE YEARS I WORKED WITH HIM WHICH WAS THE FIRST 17 YEARS OF MY CAREER, HE STARTED HIS DAY AT 3:30 AM AND I NEVER SAW HIM LEAVE THIS BUILDING OR QUIT WORK AVELINA MALDONADO HE LISTENED TO THE NEWS AT 6:00 P.M.

SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

>> THE INSTITUTE CARRYING ON THE MISSION, RESEARCHING, PUBLISHING AND TEACHING COURSES ON HOW TO USE A MICROSCOPE LEARNING TO IDENTIFY SUBSTANCES, SHAPES, SIZE, COLOR, TRANSPARENCY.

>> THE STUDENTS RANGE IS ENORMOUS.

THEY COME FROM EVERY INDUSTRY FROM ACADEMIA FROM THE GOVERNMENT ANY LABORATORY WHERE A SCIENTIST MIGHT BE WORKING AND A MICROSCOPE MIGHT BE PRESENT.

>> SINCE THE INSTITUTE WAS FOUNDED IN 1960, 30,000 STUDENTS HAVE COME THROUGH ITS DOORS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD.

>> McCRONE GAINED WORLDWIDE NOTORIETY FOR ANALYZING ARTWORK AND HISTORICAL OBJECTS.

AMONG THE PIECES McCRONE WAS THE SHROUD OF TUR REN, THE SHOWD THAT WAS BURIED P JESUS.

>> HIS CONCLUSION WAS THERE WAS NO BLOOD IT WAS A PIGMENT.

>> TO TRAINED EYES TWO COLORS THAT MIGHT APPEAR IDENTICAL ON CANVAS LOOK DIFFERENT UNDER A MICROSCOPE.

TAKE FRENCH ULTRA MARINE.

>> THIS IS SYNTHETIC SO THIS IS MODERN.

THE ORIGINAL YOU WILL STRA MARINE WAS A CRUSHED ROCK, LAP PISS, WHICH IS VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE AND NOBODY USES IT TODAY.

IF A FORGER KNEW THAT THEY WOULD USE THE ORIGINAL MATERIAL AND GRIND IT THEMSELVES.

I HATE TO SUGGEST IT BUT IT MIGHT MAKE A GOOD FORGER.

Dr. McCRONE USED TO GIVE A TALK.

>> AFTER HE USED HIS MICROSCOPE HE HANDED HIS RESULTS TO CONFIRM THEM WITH AN ELECT TORONTO MICROSCOPE.

>> AND HIS CONCLUSION WITH THAT LIMITED PALLET HE WAS ONLY GIVEN A FEW CHIPS THIS CERTAINLY COULD BE A REMBRANDT AND THAT WAS THE QUESTION ASKED.

>> THE PAINT CHIPS COULD HAVE COME FROM ONE OF REMBRANDT'S TEMPORARIES, McCRONE WROTE ABOUT THIS WORK.

THE PAINT CHIPS ENDED UP BEING A GLIMMER OF FALSE HOPE FOR RECOVERING THE STOLEN ART.

>> YOU CAN THROUGH SO MANY OF THESE THAT YOU GET EXHAUSTED FROM THE HIGH THAT YOU THINK YOU'RE ON IT.

AND THEN THE TERRIBLE DISAPPOINTMENT WHEN IT'S NOT REAL.

>> McCRONE'S WORK ANALYZING ART MAY HAVE BEEN EXCITING BUT GARY LAUGHLIN SAYS IT WAS A SIDE PROJECT.

THE HEART OF HIS WORK TEACHING PEOPLE ABOUT MICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS CONTINUES TODAY.

THE PANDEMIC FORCED ON-LINE LEARNING AND DROP IN ENROLLMENT BUT THINGS ARE ON THE UPSWING.

>> YOU KNOW THERE IS THIS INSTRUMENT THAT CAN DO THINGS THAT YOU KNOW NO OTHER INSTRUMENT CAN DO.

AND YOU WANT TO SHARE THAT WITH THE WORLD.

>> WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS MAGNIFYING THE PARTICLES UP TO THE SIZE THAT WE SEE MICROSCOPIC OPTICS AND IF WE CAN RECOGNIZE THESE THINGS YOU CAN DO THE SAME THING UNDER A MICROSCOPE IT'S THAT EASY.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M NICK BLUMBERG.

>> WALTER McCRONE DIED IN 2002 AND THE SUSPECTED REMBRANDT THAT HE ANALYZED IT, NEITHER IT OR THE OTHER PIECES STOLEN FROM THE GARDINER MUSEUM HAVE BEEN RECOVERED.

STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", A DATA BREACH AT MCDONALD'S, GOOD NEWS FOR AIRLINE WORKERS.

A DROVE OF LEAKED I.R.S.

TAX RETURNS REVEALS AMERICA'S RICHEST BILLIONAIRES PAY LITTLE TO NO INCOME TAX.

THE CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER REOPENS TO THE PUBLIC AND GETS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE 19TH CENTURY HISTORY RESTORED.

IN THE WAKE OF MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S COMMENTS ON THE DIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MEDIA WE HEAR FROM LEADERS OF LOCAL JOURNALIST GROUPS AND WHY NEWSROOMS NEED MORE DIVERSITY.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... CHICAGO WILL RECOGNIZE JUNE 19TH AS AN OFFICIAL CITY HOLIDAY THE MAYOR SAID TODAY.

THE DAY COMMEMORATES THE END OF SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES.

DURING THE ANNOUNCEMENT, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAID THE JOURNEY TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION CONTINUES TODAY.

>> SLAVERY MIGHT HAVE OFFICIALLY ENDED IN 1865 BUT WE ARE STILL GRAPPLING WITH THE VESTIGES OF THAT ORIGINAL SIN HERE TODAY.

FROM HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD DISINVESTMENT TO INSTITUTIONALIZED RACISM THAT HOLDS PEOPLE BACK FROM REALIZING THEIR GOD GIVEN POTENTIAL JUST BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN >> A FORMER SUPERINTENDENT OF ELGIN SCHOOL DISTRICT 46 WILL SERVE AS CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS INTERIM C.E.O.

JANICE JACKSON ANNOUNCED JOSE TORRES WILL LEAD THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

TORREZ SPENT TWO YEARS AS REGIONAL SUPERINTENDENT AT C.P.S.

CURRENT C.E.O.

JANICE JACKSON SAYS SHE IS CONFIDENT IN TORREZ'S ABILITY TO RUN THE DISTRICT IN THE INTERIM AT HER DEPARTURE AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

IT ONE THINGS THAT GIVES ME EASE HE BELIEVES WHAT WE BELIEVE.

HE BELIEVES IN OUR KIDS.

HE BELIEVES IN EQUITY.

AND HE BELIEVES IN DOING SINGLE THING WITHIN HIS POWER TO MAKE SURE KIDS GET THE EDUCATION THAT THEY NEED.

FOR THAT, IT'S AN EXTRAORDINARY HONOR TO BE PASSING THE BATON TO HIM TODAY AND I KNOW HE WILL MAKE US ALL PROUD.

>> DePAUL UNIVERSITY'S PRESIDENT WILL LEAVE HIS POSITION NEXT SUMMER.

THE UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED GABRIEL ESTEBAN WILL STEP DOWN AFTER SERVING FIVE YEARS AS PRESIDENT.

HE SAID IN A STATEMENT HE IS LEAVING TO FOCUS ON HIS QUOTE PERSONAL AND FAMILIAL ENERGY.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEE ALSO START A NATIONAL SEARCH FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENT IN THE FALL.

>> AND NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE A DROUGHT AS YOU HEARD, BUT JUNE HAS BEEN HOTTER THAN USUAL.

THE TEMPERATURE HAS REACHED 90° OR HIGHER 10 DAYS SO FAR THIS MONTH.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE'S REPORTING STATION IN ROCKFORD SETTING A RECORD FOR THE MOST DAYS WITH TEMPERATURES AT OR ABOVE 90° SO EARLY IN THE MONTH.

>> THE OWNER OF A PROMINENT SUBURBAN MALL FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY ONE OF CHICAGO'S LARGEST COMPANIES FALLS VICTIM TO A CYBERATTACK AND FURLOUGHS ARE LIKELY OVER FOR UNITED AIRLINES EMPLOYEES AS TRAVEL REBOUNDS.

HERE IS CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS EDITOR ANN DWYER.

ANN, WE KNOW THE OWNER OF THE LINCOLNWOOD TOWN CENTER MALL AND LOCAL PROPERTIES IS FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE COMPANY'S FUTURE?

>> RIGHT NOW, BRANDIS, THIS BANKRUPTCY FILING WILL ALLOW THIS COMPANY WASHINGTON TRIAL TO STAY IN -- WASHINGTON PRIME TO STAY IN BUSINESS WHILE IT WORKS OUT DEALS WITH KRETTORS.

AND IT INCLUDES SIMILAR PROPERTIES IN OTHER LAND PARK, WALK BEGAN AND -- JOACHIM GIAVER AND COUNTRYSIDE.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE MORE BANKRUPTCIES LIKE THIS OR DEBT RESTRUCTURINGS.

BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, THE RETAIL INDUSTRY WAS IN BAD WAY.

AND NOW, EVEN WITH THE ECONOMY STARTING TO WARM-UP AGAIN POST COVID, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN SOON ENOUGH FOR SOME RETAILORS.

AND ALSO THE ON-LINE SHOPPING HABITS WE DEVELOPED DURING THE LOCKDOWN ARE LIKELY TO PERSIST AND THAT IS NOT GOOD FOR RETAIL REAL ESTATE INVESTORS.

>> MCDONALD'S IS REPORTING A BREACH OF SOME CUSTOMER DATA IT'S BECOMING THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF CORPORATIONS THAT EXPERIENCED THESE CYBERATTACKS.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT WHAT IS DRIVING THEM?

>> WELL THERE IS A HOST OF FACTORS ONE OF THE ONES THAT IS MOST RELEVANT TO THE MCDONALD'S STORY IS ONE THAT IS COMMON ACROSS A LOT OF CONSUMER FACING COMPANIES LIKE MCDONALD'S THESE COMPANIES ARE CURATING A RAFT OF PERSONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS EVERYTHING FROM CREDIT CARD NUMBERS TO ORDERING HABITS.

AND THIS IS ALL DESIGNED TO MAKE THE BUYING EXPERIENCE EASIER AND TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE COMPANIES TO MARKET THEIR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO YOU.

BUT IT ALSO CREATES A TARGET-RICH ENVIRONMENT FOR HACKERS.

>> AFTER THE PAST YEAR WE ARE STARTING TO SEE AIR TRAVEL NUMBERS ARE REBOUNDING OF COURSE.

SOUNDS LIKE THAT IS GOOD NEWS FOR UNITED AIRLINES EMPLOYEES?

>> IT IS.

ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THE INDUSTRY HAVE BEEN BRACING FOR A ROUND OF FURLOUGHS THAT WERE EXPECTED TO HAVE TO KICK IN IN OCTOBER WHEN FEDERAL COVID AID IS EXPECTED TO END.

BUT IT TURNS OUT THAT THE MARKET HAS TURNED AROUND TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT RAMP WORKERS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENTINGS AND FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AT UNITED AIRLINES ARE BEING TOLD NEVER MIND THE FURLOUGHS ARE NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN.

WE ARE GOING TO NEED EACH PERSON ALL HANDS ON DECK BECAUSE THE INDUSTRY IS EXPECTING A MAJOR REBOUND TO CONTINUE.

IN FACT AT O'HARE, CAPACITY IS AT ABOUT 80% OF WHERE IT WAS AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

AND THAT'S EXTRAORDINARY WHEN YOU CONSIDER WE WERE FLAT ON OUR BACKS IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

>> MORE TO COME.

THANKS TO ANN DWYER AT CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS.

>> THANKS.

>> COMING UP, THE IMPLICATIONS OF A HUGE INVESTIGATION INTO HOW MUCH TAXES PROMINENT BILLIONAIRES PAY.

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> A BOMBSHELL REPORT FROM ProPublica BASED ON A TROUGH OF LEAKED TAX RETURNS OF THE SUPER WEALTHY REVEALED SOME OF THE RICHEST PEOPLE ON THE PLANET PAY LITTLE TO NO INCOME TAX.

THE REPORT FOUND THE 25 RICHEST AMERICANS INCLUDING THE LIKES OF AMAZON'S JEFF BASES AND TESS LONE'S ELON MUSK COLLECTIVELY PAID A TRUE TAX RATE OF 3.4% EVEN AS THEIR WEALTH GREW BY BILLIONS.

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS WAS NOT SHOCKED AS HE REACTED TO THE REPORT WHEN IT WAS RELEASED LAST WEEK.

>> WE HAVE A REGRESSIVE AND UNFAIR TAX SYSTEM WE HAVE A CORRUPT POLITICAL SYSTEM IN WHICH THE WEALTHIER ARE ABLE TO MAKE HUGE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND HAVE LOBBYISTS HERE ON CAPITOL HILL.

AND THEN IF YOU ARE RICH, UNLIKE AN ORDINARY WORKING PERSON, YOU HAVE DOZENS OF LAWYERS AND ACCOUNTANTS HELPING YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY LOOPHOLE THAT IS OUT THERE.

>> JOINING US NOW TO DISCUSS THE U.S. TAX SYSTEM AND HOW BILLIONAIRES CAN PAY SO LITTLE IS NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY LAW PROFESSOR AND TAX SPECIALIST, PROFESSOR CHARLOTTE CRANE.

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THERE IS NOTHING TO SUGGEST THAT THE LIKES OF JEFF BEZOS AND MIKE BLOOMBERG AND WARREN BUFFETT HAVE DONE ANYTHING TO BREAK THE LAW, BUT EXPLAIN HOW SOME OF THE RICHEST MEN ON THE PLANET HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AVOID PAYING TAXES ON THAT WELL IN?

>> THE RICHER YOU ARE THE EASIER IT IS TO AVOID PAYING TAXES AS YOUR WEALTH INCREASES.

BECAUSE THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX ONLY REACHES WEALTH THAT IS TRANSFORMED BY SELLING YOUR ASSETS NOT WEALTH AS IT GROWS.

SO IF YOU CAN LIVE BY NOT CASHING IN YOUR WEALTH, YOU NEVER OWE ANY INCOME TAX.

WELL, HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

WELL, THE EASIEST WAY TO DO THAT IS BY BORROWING AGAINST THAT WEALTH.

SO IF YOU HAVE $500 MILLION, SOMEBODY WILL READILY LEND YOU $10 MILLION AND CAN SPEND THAT $10 MILLION ON WHATEVER YOU WANT AND NEVER PAY TAXES ON THE CASH THAT YOU ARE USING TO SUPPORT YOUR CONSUMPTION.

>> ProPublica CALCULATED THE 25 RICHEST AMERICANS ARE PAYING THE ARTICLE CALLED A TRUE TAX RATE OF 3.4% BASED ON THEIR WEALTH NOT THEIR INCOME.

BY YOUR UNDERSTANDING HOW THEY CAME TO THAT NUMBER IS THAT A FAIR CALCULATION?

>> WELL, IT MAY BE.

I HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE NONE OF US HAVE TO LOOK AT THE DATA THAT THEY HAVE USED.

BUT I BELIEVE THAT WHAT THEY DID WAS USE THE INCREASE IN THEIR WEALTH AS A MEASURE OF WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO TAX AND COMPARE THAT WITH THE AMOUNT THAT WAS ACTUALLY PAID INTO TAX.

SO THEIR CALCULATION EXPANDED THE INCOME TAX BASE TO INCLUDE NOT JUST THE CASH FLOW STREAMS THAT WE EXPECT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE INCOME TAX, BUT ALSO THE SIMPLE INCREASES IN VALUE THAT THESE VERY RICH PEOPLE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.

THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE INCOME TAX COULD BE EXPANDED TO REACH THOSE INCREASES.

BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT THE TAX WE HAVE NOW DOES.

>> AND HOPEFULLY I WANT TO COME BACK TO THAT.

BUT FOR NOW, WHY ARE WEALTH AND IN PARTICULAR INVESTMENT INCOME WHY ARE THEY TAXED DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHER INCOME LIKE WAGES?

>> SO WAGES ARE TAXED AS YOU EARN THEM.

AND YOU HAVE VERY LITTLE CHOICE BUT TO PAY THEM BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE WHO ARE RECEIVING WAGES FROM AN EMPLOYER THEIR EMPLOYER IS OBLIGATED TO WITHHOLD AND PAY OVER THOSE TAXES OR PAY OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS.

SO THOSE OF US WHO ONLY GET WAGES HAVE VERY LITTLE OPPORTUNITY TO AVOID THOSE TAXES WHETHER OR NOT WE WOULD BE WILLING TO BREAK THE LAW IN ORDER TO DO IT.

THE VERY RICH CAN ARRANGE THINGS SO THAT THEIR CASH FLOW IS HARDER TO FIND EITHER BY HAVING OFFSHORE BANK ACCOUNTS OR BY BEING INVOLVED IN FAIRLY COMPLICATED FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS WHEREBY THE INCOME THEY RECEIVE AS PARTNERS AND RECEIVED BY OTHER PARTNERSHIPS AND RECEIVED BY OTHER PARTNERSHIPS IN WAYS THAT IT'S VERY HARD FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO FIND THOSE INCOME STREAMS AND NOBODY IS OBLIGATED TO COLLECT TAX ON THE PEOPLE WHO ULTIMATELY HAVE THE INCOME.

BUT HANG ON.

WHAT THE VERY RICHEST ProPublica REPORT WAS OBSERVES WASN'T ANYTHING NEFIOUS IT WAS JUST THE FACT THAT THE INCREASE IN WEALTH, THE RISE IN STOCK PRICES, ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE TAX BASE AT ALL.

INTEREST AND DIVIDENDS ARE.

CAPITAL GAINS WHEN THEY ARE TAXED ARE.

WHEN YOU ACTUALLY SELL YOUR CAPITAL GAINS ARE TAXED.

ADMITTEDLY AT LOWER RATES BUT THE RATES ARE STILL 20% WHICH IS NOT -- >> FROM A POLICY STANDPOINT REPUBLICANS ARGUE THIS TAX PROMOTES INVESTMENT AND HELPS GROW THE ECONOMY BY NOT INCLUDING THAT WEALTH IN THE TAX BASE.

>> THAT PROBABLY IS TRUE.

THERE CERTAINLY IS A GOOD ARGUMENT THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO BURDEN INVESTMENT TOO MUCH OR PEOPLE WILL JUST NOT BOTHER TO INVEST.

THERE IS A MORE DIFFICULT PROBLEM THAT IS A TECHNICAL PROBLEM THAT DOESN'T GET TALKED ABOUT AS MUCH, WHICH IS IF WE WERE TO EXPAND THE TAX BASE SO THAT THESE INCREASES IN WEALTH WERE INCLUDED, FOR INSTANCE BY TAXING PEOPLE ON THE INCREASE IN THE VALUE OF THE STOCK THEY HOLD THAT'S THE COMMON ONE.

IT WOULD BE EASY TO DO BUT IT WOULD ONLY BE EASY TO DO WITH RESPECT TO PUBLICLY TRADED STOCKS.

IT WOULD PUSH PEOPLE INTO INVESTMENT STRUCTURES THAT WERE LESS EASILY VALUED AND THAT WOULD COMPLICAT FINANCIAL STRUCTURE CAL STRUCTURES AND CAPITAL MARKETS WERE SUFFER.

SO THE PROBLEM IS A DIFFICULT ONE IF YOU THINK THE PROBLEM IS NOT TAXING INCREASES IN WEALTH.

BECAUSE THE MORE YOU TRY TO TAX MERE INCREASES IN WEALTH, THE MORE DISRUPTIVE YOUR TAX LAW IS GOING TO BE OF THOSE CAPITAL MARKETS AND IN FACT -- THE RICH WILL HAVE AN ADVANTAGE.

>> SORRY.

SORRY WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT WE KNOW THE DEMOCRATS ARE SAID TO BE LOOKING AT A TAX PACKAGE SO THERE COULD BE CHANGES.

OBVIOUSLY ALL EYES ARE ON WASHINGTON TO FIND OUT HOW THAT GOES DOWN.

THANKS TO PROFESSOR CHARLOTTE CRANE FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> UP NEXT, BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO ONE OF CHICAGO'S CULTURAL ICONS.

THE CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER REOPENED THIS MONTH AND GETTING A NEW COAT OF PAINTED.

WHEN IT OPENED IN 1897 IT SERVED AS THE CENTRAL LIBRARY AND A MEMORIAL HALL FOR CIVIL WAR VETERANS.

THAT HALL HAS BECOME A HARDHAT ZONE OF RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION.

MARC VITALI CAUGHT UP WITH THE CITY'S CULTURAL HISTORIAN.

>> WHEN CHICAGO DECIDED TO BUILD A LIBRARY ON MICHIGAN AVENUE PART OF THE LAND WAS OWNED BY A GROUP OF ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR VETERANS SO THE CITY DEDICATED A HALL ON THE NORTH END FOR THE MEN WHO FOUGHT FOR THE NORTHTH.

IT WAS A MEETING SPACE.

AND IT SERVED THE UNION VETERANS OF THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, THE GAR.

THE GAR MEMORIAL HALL IS UNDERGOING A VIGOROUS RESTORATION.

THE SITE IS NOW THE FRONTLINE FOR THE SMALL ARMY OF WORKERS CARING FOR A PIECE OF HISTORY.

MUCH OF THE WORK IS GON DONE 30 FEET ABOVE THE FLOOR.

>> FIRST THEY TACKLE THE ROTUNDA, ART GLASS THAT HAD BEEN FALLING APART THAT HAS BEEN REMOVED FOR REPAIR OFFSITE LEAVING THE SKELETON OF THE DOME.

ANOTHER TEAM DOES ANALYSIS ON PAINT FISHES TO DETERMINE THE ORIGINAL COLORS.

IT'S TIME CONSUMING WORK.

>> WE SPENT WELL OVER THE YEAR IN THE RESEARCH BUT THE KEY THINGS THING WAS DOING THE PHYSICAL INVESTIGATION TO EXPOSE THE COLOR AND SEE WHAT IT WAS AND HOW THEY ACHIEVED IT AND THEN TO DO THE MOCK-UPS.

>> IT WAS WAS NOT A SIMPLE PAINT JOB.

THE COLORS ARE MADE BY LAYING UP AS MANY AS FIVE DIFFERENT COLORS SIMPLY ON TOP OF EACH OTHER TO CREATE THE FINISHED COLOR.

THIS NEOCLASSICAL PALACE OF GRANITE AND LIMESTONE WAS DESIGNED BY THE FIRM THAT DESIGNED THE ART INSTITUTE.

>> 1897 IS WHEN THE BUILDING OPENED UP AND THIS WAS PART OF A BIG EFFORT THAT FOLLOWED AROUND THE TIME OF THE 1893 WORLD'S FAIR AND CONTINUING INTO THE 1890s AND THE 20TH CENTURY FOR CHICAGO WANTED TO DEMONSTRATE IT WASN'T JUST SOME UPSTART YOUNG CITY OF STOCKYARDS BUT A CITY OF CULTURE.

THIS BUILDING WAS ALMOST TOAST YEARS AGO AND IT WAS A LIMITED NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WERE STANDING UP FOR IT BUT IT MANAGED TO SURVIVE AND NOT ONLY SURVIVE IT WAS REPURPOSED.

>> THE CITY'S CULTURAL HISTORIAN RETIRED THIS YEAR.

BUT HE IS AS BUSY AS EVER.

>> I'M THE CULTURAL HISTORIAN SO I'M STILL ON THE JOB.

IT IS A GOOD GIG, WHY WOULD I GIVE THAT UP?

CHICAGO IS IS GREAT IT HAS THIS AMAZING ENERGY AND HAS THE ABILITY TO DO THINGS AND NOT FOLLOW THE RULES.

AND SO THERE IS A LOT OF CUTZPAH TO EVERYTHING IT DOES AND IT'S OFTEN OVER THE TOP AND IT WILL RESULT IN THINGS OF GREAT CULTURE AND ARTIST PARTICULAR VALUES LIKE AN ORNERY SMART KID THE WAY IT EVOLVED.

THE KID EVER GROW UP?

AND OF COURSE FOR MYSELF IS THE KID IN ME GOING TO GROW UP?

I HOPE NEITHER OF US DO, IT STILL KEEPS IT INTERESTING AND EVOLVING.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MEMORIAL HALL REMAINS CLOSED WHILE RESTORATION CONTINUES BUT THE CULTURAL CENTER IS OPEN AND BACK TO HOSTING FREE VISUAL ART AND PERFORMANCE PROGRAMS PRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS.

AND HERE IS ANGEL IDOWU WITH A DISCUSSION ON DIVERSITY IN LOCAL MEDIA FROM A CONVERSATION THAT AIRED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT KICKED OFF A FIRESTORM OF CRITICISM IN LOCAL AND NATIONAL MEDIA WHEN SHE ANNOUNCED THAT INTERVIEWS ABOUT HER SECOND ANNIVERSARY AS MAYOR WOULD ONLY BE GIVEN TO REPORTERS OF COLOR.

THE MAYOR SAYS SHE WAS HOPING TO COUNTERACT THE QUOTE OVERWHELMING WHITENESS AND MALENESS OF CHICAGO MEDIA.

AND WHILE THERE WAS PLENTY OF SPECULATION ASKED FOR REASONS FOR THAT ANNOUNCEMENT HER COMMENTS HAVE THROWN A SPOTLIGHT ON DIVERSITY IN CHICAGO.

JOINING US NOW ARE BRANDON POPE, PRESIDENT OF THE CHICAGO CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS AND LAURA RODRIGUEZ SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR FOR THE CHICAGO CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HISPANIC JOURNALISTS.

BRANDON WOULD YOU SAY THAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S STRATEGY WAS GOOD TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF NEWSROOM DIVERSITY?

>> THE STRATEGY ITSELF, NO.

BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ANY COORDINATION OR CONTACT WITH ANY NHJ BEFORE JUMPING IN IT.

WE HAVE TO QUESTION MOTIVE.

IT WASN'T BAD ROLL OUT.

HOWEVER, YOU KNOW, I'M HOPING THAT IT CAME FROM A GOOD PLACE.

BECAUSE THE ISSUE IS REAL AND THE ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

NEWSROOM DIVERSITY IS A PROBLEM BUT IT IS A FIGHT THAT WE'VE BEEN LEADING.

NOT THE MAYOR USUALLY AND WE WANT THE MAYOR TO JOIN US IN LEADING THE FIGHT NOT GOING ON HER OWN.

>> LAURA WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT HOW THE MAYOR HANDLED THE SITUATION?

>> COMPLETELY AGREE WITH BRANDON I THINK THE INTENTION WAS THERE AND HIGHLIGHTED THE CONVERSATION AND IT SPARKED A CONVERSATION AND IT'S HIGHLIGHTING THE LACK OF DIVERSITY IN THE NEWSROOMS.

BUT ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING WE UNDERSTAND WHERE THIS IS COMING FROM BUT WE DON'T AGREE WITH THE ESSENTIALLY THE POLITICS BEHIND IT LEAVING OUR COLLEAGUES BEHIND AND THE ESSENCE OF JOURNALISM TO THE SIDE WHERE IT'S -- SHE CAN CHOOSE WHO WILL COVER HER OR THE WAY THEY WILL COVER HER.

>> AND ORGANIZATIONS ARE NOT BEEN EXCLUDING ANYBODY THAT IS NOT WHAT WE'RE ABOUT.

WE ARE ABOUT INCLUSION AND INCLUSION IS A GREAT THING.

YES, BRING US TO THE TABLE AND GIVE US MORE OPPORTUNITY BUT LET'S NOT EXCLUDE PEOPLE.

>> LAURA WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF THOSE SOLUTIONS LOOK LIKE?

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE WORK YOUR ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN DOING.

>> WELL, I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THE SOLUTION THAT MANY OF US TALK ABOUT WE USE THAT A LOT AND IT'S ALMOST SOUNDS EMPTY IT'S [INAUDIBLE] WHEN WE WORKED WITH THEM WE SAID HASHTAG MORE DIVERSITY AND IT MEANS BRINGING IN MORE REPORTERS AND JUST JOURNALISTS OVERALL OF COLOR.

BUT I THINK IT'S NOT JUST BRINGING US IN IT'S FOSTERING OUR GROWTH WITHIN THE NEWSROOMS AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE POSITIONS THAT ARE ALSO A LEADERSHIP AND ALSO HELP TO SHAPE THE NEWSROOM OVERALL.

IT IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF BRINGING IN A VOICE AND A FACE.

IT'S REALLY ABOUT RESTRUCTURING EVERYTHING WITHIN THE NEWSROOM SO WE ARE ALL INCLUSIVE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND SO LOOKING AT SOLUTIONS, BRANDON WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT NEWSROOMS COULD DO MORE TO BE MORE REFLECTIVE OF DIVERSITY IN THE COMMUNITIES THEY COVER WITH THE REPORTERS THEY HAVE?

>> WELL, THAT IS THE THING.

DIVERSITY IS ABOUT BEING ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.

CHICAGO IS SO DIVERSE IT IS LARGELY BLACK AND LATINO CITY SO IT MAKES SENSE THAT THE PEOPLE COVERING IT AND THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES MAKING DECISIONS REFLECT THAT DIVERSITY.

OFTENTIMES THAT IS NOT THE CASE AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS YOU HAVE PROBLEMATIC THINGS GO DOWN.

THE BEST WAY TO HANDLE THIS IS TO FOSTER A CULTURE WITHIN THESE ORGANIZATIONS OF INCLUSION BUT ALSO FOSTERING SOME PROGRAM AND SYSTEM WHERE THEY CAN ACTUALLY GO AND TAP INTO THIS TALENT POOL THAT SO MANY ORGANIZATIONS HAVE AND THE INTENTIONAL ABOUT PUTTING THOSE PEOPLE INTO POSITIONS TO LEAD AND IN POSITIONS TO MAKE DECISIONS.

THAT IS REALLY WHERE THE CHANGE HAPPENS.

WE SEE DIVERSITY ON SCREEN IT'S BEHIND THE SCENES WHERE THE POWER LIES.

>> YES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

GO AHEAD, LAURA.

>> IF I MAY ADD, I THINK THIS THING WHEN WE SPEAK ABOUT BRINGING MORE DIVERSITY IN THE NEWSROOMS AND MORE LATINOS OR BLACK JOURNALISTS IN NEWS IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT HAVING THEM IN THERE AND COVER CERTAIN COMMUNITIES OR CERTAIN ART COMMUNITIES OR ISSUES.

IT IS ABOUT JUST NOT SEEING US AS THE OTHER.

ANYMORE.

WE NEED TO BE FULLY A PART OF THE CONVERSATION AAS A WHOLE.

AS WE ARE A PART OF SOCIETY AS PART OF OUR COMMUNITIES IN CHICAGO AND CHICAGO.

>> THANKS TO BRANDON POPE AND LAURA RODRIGUEZ.

BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. A VISION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FUTURE LUNAR COLONY FROM CHICAGO BASED POWERHOUSE.

AND WE ARE OFF TO THE RACES AT ARLINGTON PARK A LOOK AT THE REOPENING GUIDELINES AND FUTURE.

AND WE LEAVE YOU CONDITION WITH A LOOK AT THE RESTORATION OF THE GAR MEMORIAL HALL IN THE CULTURAL CENTER.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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