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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF MATTERS THAT ARE HANGING UP THE PROCEEDINGS RIGHT NOW.

>> NEGOTIATIONS FOR A MASSIVE ENERGY BILL ARE UNDERWAY IN SPRINGFIELD WE TALK ABOUT ITS OUTLOOK WITH STATE LAWMAKERS.

>> ANOTHER CONTROVERSIAL PIPELINE IS PROPOSED.

THIS ONE IN A VILLAGE NEAR KANKAKEE.

A LOOK AT WHY SOME FARMERS ARE CONCERNED.

>> WE'RE OFF TO THE RACES AT ARLINGTON PARK.

A CLOSE-UP AT THE RACE COURSE'S REOPENING GUIDELINES AMID ITS MURKY FUTURE.

>> IT IS AN EARLIER ERA OF SPACE EXPLORATION WAS DRIVEN BY COMPETITION AND THIS ONE WILL BE DEFINED BY COLLABORATION.

>> WHAT A PERMANENT HUMAN PRESENCE ON THE MOON COULD LOOK LIKE.

>> AN EFFORT TO MAKE CHICAGO'S E-SCOOTER PROGRAM PERMANENT HITS A POTHOLE.

>> TODAY IS 259 STRAIGHT DAYS IN LAKE MICHIGAN.

>> AND THAT NUMBER HAS GROWN TO 365 DAYS MEET THE GREAT LAKES JUMPER.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES...... ANOTHER VIOLENT NIGHT IN CHICAGO.

FOUR PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND EIGHT OTHERS SHOT AT A HOUSE PARTY ON SOUTH MORGAN IN ENGLEWOOD.

THE SHOOTING REPORTEDLY STARTED AFTER AN ARGUMENT.

THE SHOOTING IS CHICAGO'S SECOND MASS SHOOTING IN FOUR DAYS.

HERE IS WHAT THE MAYOR HAD TO SAY TODAY ABOUT THE VIOLENCE.

>> THE REALITY IS OUR CITY IS SAFE AND I STAND BY THAT.

WE HAVE DONE YEOMEN'S WORK OVER THE COURSE OF A VERY DIFFICULT YEAR WHERE EVERY MAJOR CITY, NEW YORK, LOS ANGELES, SAN FRANCISCO, WASHINGTON D.C., ATLANTA, AND ON AND ON AND ON THE LIST GOES HAVE SEEN A SIMILAR SURGE IN VIOLENCE.

AND IT IS DISTRESSING.

>> A GROUNDBREAKING REPORT ON THE HEALTH OF BLACK CHICAGOANS IS RELEASED BY THE CITY'S PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE FINDINGS ARE STARTLING.

THE LIFE EXPECTANCY GAP BETWEEN BLACK AND NONBLACK CHICAGOANS IS 9.YEARS AND RISING AND SHOWS THE HOMICIDE RATE AMONG BLACKS IS NINE TIMES HIGHER.

THE DIABETES DEATH RATE IS 70% FOR BLACK RESIDENTS.

BLACK INFANTS ARE THREE TIMES LIKELY TO DIE IN THEIR FIRST YEAR OF LIFE.

BLACKS ACCOUNTED FOR HALF OF THE PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV.

AND THE DEATH RATE FOR OPIOID RELATED OVERDOSES AMONG BLACKS IS MORE THAN THREE TIMES THE RATE AMONG NONBLACKS >> NOW, TO AMANDA VINICKY WITH A RUNDOWN WITH NEWS OUT OF SPRINGFIELD.

AMANDA?

>> BRANDIS, STATE LAWMAKERS ARE BACK IN SPRINGFIELD THIS WEEK TO COMPLETE UNFINISHED BUSINESS FROM THEIR REGULAR SESSION AN ENERGY BILL, LEGISLATION FOR AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD IN CHICAGO AND A MEASURE RELATED TO FIREARM OWNER IDENTIFICATION CARDS.

THE SENATE MET TODAY AND THE HOUSE IS IN TOMORROW.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ARE STATE SENATOR MICHAEL HASTINGS A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF KINLY PARK.

ANN WILLIAMS A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF CHICAGO, DAVID WELTER, A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF LASALLE AND STATE SENATOR JASOM PLUMMER A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS.

NOW, SENATOR HASTINGS, THE SENATE BROUGHT BACK TO SPRINGFIELD REALLY THE BIG THING, THE ENERGY LEGISLATION.

WHAT ON EARTH HAPPENED?

WE DIDN'T GET ANY?

>> WE HAVE SOME DISAGREEMENTS IN TERMS OF THE ENERGY BILL IN GENERAL AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US TONIGHT I APPRECIATE IT.

WE HAVE ABOUT 85% OF THE TOPIC AREAS AGREED UPON BUT WE HAVE HANGUPS AND A LOT RESOLVE AROUND DECARBONIZATION AND OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS I THINK WE WILL COME TO HOPEFULLY AN AGREEMENT AND HOPEFULLY MAKE ONE OF THE LARGEST INVESTMENTS NOT ONLY IN RENEWABLE INFRASTRUCTURE IN ILLINOIS BUT SAVING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS ACROSS THE STATE AS WELL.

>> WE HEARD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT EARLIER TODAY DURING A SENATE COMMITTEE.

LET'S TAKE A LISTEN ON THAT HOLD-UP.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S BAD NEWS.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF MATTERS THAT ARE HANGING UP THE PROCEEDINGS RIGHT NOW.

ONE, TURN IT OVER TO SENATOR CASTRO IN A SECOND TO TALK ABOUT INVOLVES A MATTER INVOLVING THE PAYMENT OF PREVAILING WAGE ON RENEWABLE PROJECTS THAT I THINK IS CLOSE TO AN AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER PROBLEM IS JUST BEEN A MUCH BIGGER OBSTACLE AND THAT IS AGREEING ON A SCHEDULE FOR DECARBONIZATION.

>> SO DECARBONIZATION, REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR A PHASE OUT COMPLETELY OF COAL PLANTS.

WHY IS THAT SO IMPORTANT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AMANDA, WE NEED TO HAVE A CLIMATE BILL NOT A UTILITY BILL IN SPRINGFIELD AND I'M ONE OF ALMOST 50 LEGISLATORS THAT FIND A LETTER TO OUR LEADERS WHICH STATED WITHOUT CLIMATE AND WITHOUT EQUITY WE HAVE NO DEAL.

SO WHILE WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE PLACES THAT WE FOUND AGREEMENT AND ARE EXCITED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH LEGISLATION WE HAVE TO HAVE A BILL THAT PUTS COMMUNITIES, CLIMATE AND CONSUMERS FIRST AND WE'RE HOPEFUL WE CAN GET THERE.

>> HOPEFUL THAT YOU CAN GET THERE.

AGAIN, NO DEAL YET DESPITE THE LEGISLATORS BEING BROUGHT TO THE CAPITOL TO VOTE ON THIS VERY PLAN.

REPRESENTATIVE WELTER, CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT IS THE POINT OF CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION WHEN THERE IS NO COMPROMISE?

>> WELL, I THINK AS WITH ANY NEGOTIATIONS THINGS COME TOGETHER AND SOMETIMES THEY FALL APART AND THERE'S ISSUES.

I BELIEVE THAT WHEN WE WERE INTENDING TO COME BACK TO SPRINGFIELD THERE WAS SOME AGREEMENT ON THE MAJORITY OF THIS BILL.

HOWEVER AS MY COLLEAGUES TOUCHED ON AND TALKED ABOUT TODAY, DECARBONIZATION IS THE STICKING POINT HERE IN TERMS OF WHY I BELIEVE A BILL WAS NOT PASSED TODAY IN THE SENATE.

BUT IT IS A GREAT QUESTION I AM IN THE SUPER MINORITY SO THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A SUPER MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

THEY DON'T NEED REPUBLICAN VOTES BUT TO GET AN ENERGY PACKAGE DONE AS WE'VE SEEN IN 2016 HAS BEEN A BIPARTISAN EFFORT.

AND THAT IS WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO GET THIS ENERGY BILL PASSED.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS IN IT THAT MAY SEEM CONTROVERSIAL TO ONE CAUCUS OR ONE AND MAYBE NOT SO MUCH TO THE OTHERS.

MAYBE TRYING TO FIND COMMON GROUND AND I BELIEVE WHAT REPUBLICANS CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE IS FOR A GREEN ENERGY FUTURE BUT WHAT I WOULD SAY IT WE HAVE A DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHY HOW WE GET THERE TO COMPARED TO MANY OF OUR DEMOCRAT COUNTERPARTS.

A ONE SIZE FOR ALL IS NOT GOING TO WORK.

WHAT WORKS IN TO NORTHERN ILLINOIS IS NOT GOING TO WORK IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS AND I DON'T BRIEF WE ARE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT.

BUT HOPEFULLY THAT WILL HAPPEN AND WE NEED TO GET SOMETHING BY THE END OF JUNE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WELTER WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT FOR THE AREA THAT REPRESENT VERSUS THE CHICAGO AREA?

>> WELL, I HAVE A VERY UNIQUE DISTRICT IN THAT IT'S THE MOST ENERGY INTENSIVE DISTRICT IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

I GET TO REPRESENT THREE OF THE NUCLEAR PLANTS.

SO A LOT OF JOBS.

A LOT OF DIRECT JOBS AT THESE PLANTS AND SECONDARY JOBS THE VENDORS THAT WORK.

SO THAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME.

BUT IT SHOULD BE IMPORTANT TO THOSE FOLKS LIKE REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS AND OTHERS WHO ADVOCATE FOR ZERO CARBON AND NO CARBON EMISSIONS IN ORDER FOR ILLINOIS TO GET TO THE GOALS OF WHERE WE WANT TO GO WE CAN'T DO THAT IN SHORT-TERM WITHOUT NUCLEAR AND I THINK IT'S COMMON AGREEMENT ABOUT THAT.

BUT IT'S ABOUT WHAT SUPPORT WE GIVE AND IN THE NEGOTIATIONS RIGHT NOW, THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE THE STICKING POINT.

THE NUCLEAR PROVISIONS HAVE BEEN AGREED TO VERBALLY SINCE WE LEFT SPRINGFIELD ON MAY 31.

AGAIN, THE STICKING POINT IS THE DECARBONIZATION THAT TARGETS CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS JOBS.

FORCES CLOSURES.

PREMATURELY.

PUTS MUNICIPALITIES ON THE HOOK FOR HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN BONDS ISSUES UNACCEPTABLE TO OUR CAUCUS AND DOWN STATE.

AND I'M HEARING THAT FROM DOWN STATE DEMOCRATS AS WELL AT THIS POINT.

>> I DO WANT TO TOUCH ON THE NUCLEAR PLANTS BECAUSE, OF COURSE, FEW YEARS BACK, ILLINOIS DID COME FORWARD WITH SUBSIDIES PAID FOR BY RATEPAYERS TO KEEP OPEN A PAIR OF NUCLEAR PLANTS.

NOW, EXELON ASKING FOR MONEY TO KEEP OPEN ANOTHER FOUR OF THESE PLANTS THAT WOULD BE BYRON, AND DRESDIN, LOOKING AT MY LIST HERE.

SO WE SEE THEM.

QUAD CITIES AND CLINTON IN YELLOW ON YOUR SCREENS WILL HAVE ALREADY GOT THIS RATE PAYER SUBSIDY AND THE OTHERS LOOKING FOR A RATE PAYER BAILOUT.

HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY THAT AT THIS POINT IN TIME REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS, GIVEN THAT EXELON AT LEAST THE SUBJECTSYRY ComEd HAS BEEN MIRED IN THE CORRUPTION SCANDAL?

>> WELL, AMANDA, WE HAVE CLEARLY NOT HAD THE APPROPRIATE OVERSIGHT OVER THE UTILITIES PRIOR TO THIS.

AND THAT HAS BEEN IN THE ONGOING ComEd SCANDAL.

I THINK ONE IMPORTANT FOUNDATIONAL PIECE OF ANY ENERGY LEGISLATION DEALS WITH UTILITY ACCOUNTABILITY AND ETHICS PROVISIONS THAT INCLUDES EVERYTHING FROM PUTTING AN INDEPENDENT MONITOR AT THE ICC TO MONITOR COMPLIANCE AND ETHICS PROPOSALS FOR THE UTILITIES TO CHANGING HOW WE DO RATE MAKING TO ELIMINATE AUTOMATIC OR FORMULA RATES.

THE REALITY IS NUCLEAR IS A NECESSARY BRIDGE TO GET US TO A RENEWABLE ENERGY FUTURE AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO CONTINUE ON A CARBON EMISSIONS INTO THE AIR.

WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO GET THOSE PLANTS OFF LINE RELY ON NUCLEAR TO GET US WHERE WE CAN BE 100% RENEWABLE.

>> WE'VE TALKED ABOUT HOW THE BIG POINT OF CONTENTION IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH ILLINOIS' COAL PLANTS AND WHEN THEY NEED TO BE PHASED OUT AND THAT PRAIRIE PLANT THAT PROVIDES ELECTRICITY TO THE WESTERN SUBURBS OF CHICAGO.

BUT ALSO IS BASED IN YOUR DISTRICT.

WE HAD A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF 52 LAWMAKERS WRITING A LETTER OPPOSING THE CLOSURE OF PLANTS LIKE PRAIRIE STATE SAYING IF CITY WATER LIGHT AND POWER ARE PREMATURELY SHUTTERED ILLINOIS WILL NEED TO IMPORT POWER FROM OTHER STATES AND THIS WOULD TRANSFORM ILLINOIS INTO A NET IMPORTER INTO DIRTIER POWER AND NET EXPORTER OF JOBS.

WHAT IS YOUR ANSWER FOR THE FUTURE OF PRAIRIE STATE?

>> SO FIRST OFF, AMANDA THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

THIS IS IMPORTANT CONVERSATION.

ONE THING WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE IS THE FACT WE'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT AN ENERGY BILL RIGHT NOW SHOWS THIS IS A COMPLETE FAILURE.

WE HAVE FOLKS IN SPRINGFIELD THAT THINK BY IDEOLOGY INSTEAD OF FACTS.

AND THE REALITY IS WE NEED TO HAVE AUDRA WILSON ENERGY BASE IN ILLINOIS.

THAT WE HAVE [INAUDIBLE] PROBLEMS WHEN IT COMES TO ATTRACTING JOBS, ATTRACTING BUSINESSES.

AND YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE FEW THINGS WE HAVE IN OUR FAVOR RIGHT NOW IS LOW COST ENERGY AND A RELIABLE GRID AND WE ARE KNOWN FOR THAT AND WE HAVE THOSE THINGS BECAUSE OF THE DIVERSE ENERGY SUPPLY WE HAVE.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE [INAUDIBLE] GOING OFF NUKES AND COAL AND GAS AND THERE IS A LOT OF SPECIAL INTEREST INVOLVED IN THE CONVERSATION.

MY QUESTION IS WHO IS IN THIS ROOM THAT IS STANDING UP FOR THE RATEPAYERS?

WHO IS IN THIS ROOM STANDING UP FOR THE WORKING CONSTITUENTS OF ILLINOIS.

IF YOU GO AFTER PRAIRIE STATE AND GO AFTER SOME OF THE SUPPLIERS YOU ARE GOING TO JUST LIKE YOU SAID BE BRINGING IN POWER FROM LESS EFFICIENT PLANTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND WE'RE ACTUALLY STEPPING BACKWARDS INSTEAD OF MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER.

>> WE'LL GET TO THAT MORE PERHAPS COMING UP.

YOU GUYS WILL BE JOINING US AGAIN IN A BIT.

LEGISLATORS THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT FOR NOW.

WE WILL BE JOINED BY STATE LAWMAKERS LATER IN THE PROGRAM TO DISCUSS THE CHICAGO ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD PROPOSAL, AND FOID CARD LEGISLATION THANKS TO SENATOR HASTINGS, REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS AND WELTER AND SENATOR PLUMBER.

>> PLUMBER.

>> THANK YOU.

CHICAGO BASED GLOBAL ARCHITECTURAL POWERHOUSE SKIDMORE OWINGS AND MERRILL DESIGNS EVERYTHING FROM TRAIN STATIONS TO HIGH-RISES TO AIRPORTS.

AND IN FACT, IT'S CURRENTLY WORKING ON A REDESIGN OF THE STATE AND LAKE L STATION DOWNTOWN AND HAS ITS SIGHTS SET BEYOND EARTH.

IN COLLABORATION WITH THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY AND M.I.T., THE FIRM DEVELOPED A DESIGN FOR A LUNAR COLONY GROUNDED IN SCIENCE FACT RATHER THAN SCIENCE FICTION.

THAT DESIGN IS NOW BEING SHOWCASED AT THE VENICE BIENNALE ART FESTIVAL IN ITALY.

JOINING US TO TELL US MORE IS GEORGI PETROV WHERE HE WORKS AT SKIDMORE OWINGS AND MERRILL.

AS I MENTIONED, THIS WAS AN INITIATIVE FROM THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY HOW DID SKIDMORE OWINGS AND MERRILL COME TO BE DESIGNING A COLONY FOR THE MOON?

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME TONIGHT.

IT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

LOOK, MOST THINGS THAT HAVE FLOWN IN SPACE SO FAR HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY ENGINEERS IT STARTS WITH THE ROCKETS AND THEN THE SPACESHIP IN AND THE LAST THING THAT GOES IN IS THE HUMAN.

WE FEEL THAT ARCHITECTURE FIRM IN OUR WAY OF THINKING OF DESIGNING WITH THE HUMANS IN MIND FIRST AND WRAPPING THE ECOLOGY AROUND THEM CONTRIBUTES TO HOW WE DESIGN THINGS FOR OUTERSPACE.

WE'RE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE THE SPACE AGENCY TO COLLABORATE AND GIVE FORUM TO THEIR VISION HOW WE COULD GO BACK TO THE MOON IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

>> WHAT WERE SOME OF THE PARAMETERS OF THE DESIGN PROJECT?

WERE YOU DESIGNING HABITATS OR THE ECOSYSTEM OF THE LUNAR COLONY?

>> WE ACTUALLY STARTED ON MANY LEVELS.

WE STARTED WITH A MASTER PLAN, IDEAS OF URBANISM AND HOW YOU FORM A COMMUNITY THAT CAN GROW OVER TIME.

WE ALSO TRIED TO INTRODUCE THE SENSE OF PLACE MAKING POETRY, A HABITAT WHERE A HUMAN COMMUNITY NEEDS NOT JUST TO SURVIVE BUT AN IDENTITY EVERY CITY AND EVERY TOWN ON EARTH HAS A LANDMARK RESIDENTS ARE PROUD OF.

WE DESIGNED ONE OF THE POSSIBLE HABITATS.

ON A SCALE OF A SINGLE UNIT, AND THEN WE'VE LOOKED AT TECHNOLOGY AND OUR EXPERTISE HOW TO BUILD IT AND WORK TOGETHER.

WE WORK ON MANY LEVELS.

IS WHAT YOU'VE ENVISIONED WHAT YOU REALIZABLE WITH THE CURRENT TECHNOLOGY?

>> YES, WE TRIED TO START WITH THE IDEA THAT EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE DESIGNED IS SOMETHING THAT HAS EITHER BEEN TESTED OR FLOWN IN SPACE OR IS BEING DEVELOPED RIGHT NOW.

IT'S GIVEN THE RESOURCES AND THE WILL IT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>> HOW WOULD THESE HABITATS BE BUILT?

AS YOU'VE BEEN SPEAKING WE HAVE BEEN SHOWING FOLKS SOME OF THE RENDERINGS THAT YOU HAVE SHARED WITH US.

WOULD THE MATERIALS HAVE TO BE BROUGHT TO THE MOON OR THE HABITATS BE BROUGHT TO THE MOON AND ASSEMBLED THERE?

WHAT ARE THE RESOURCES LIKE ON THE MOON TO BUILD THEM?

>> ONE OF THE PLACES ON THE MOON THAT HAS BEEN THE MOST INTERESTING IS THE TWO POLES AND SICKLY THE SOUTHERN POLE.

BECAUSE OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS THROUGH MANY MISSIONS BOTH FROM NASA AND OTHER COUNTRIES WE'VE REALIZED THAT THERE IS A LOT OF RESOURCES IN THE SOUTHERN POLE.

ORIGINALLY EVERYTHING THAT YOU BRING WOULD HAVE TO BE BROUGHT FROM EARTH.

BUT THE IDEA IS THAT WE WOULD GO TO THE POLES WHERE THERE'S WATER AND THE RESOURCES THAT YOU COULD LEARN HOW TO USE THE MATERIAL THERE.

EVEN WITH THE CURRENT SORT OF ADVANCEMENTS IN ROCK KELL TECHNOLOGY, IT'S STILL VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE TO GET TO THE MOON.

ANYTHING THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO BRING FROM EARTH WILL BE USED FROM THERE.

>> AND NASA TARGETED RETURNING HUMANS TO THE MOON BY 2024 WITH THE ART MISS MISSION MOST EXPECT THAT DATE TO BE PUSHED BACK.

DO YOU THINK WE'LL SEE DESIGNS ON THE MOON IN OUR LIFETIMES?

>> I SINCERELY HOPE SO.

ALTHOUGH IT'S BEEN QUITE A WHILE SINCE WE SET FOOT THERE.

IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES LIKE NASA AND E S A AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS GIVEN NEW LIFE AND NEW HOPE THAT WE COULD GET THERE SUSTAINABLY SOON.

>> AND OF COURSE THERE'S THE VENICE BIENNALE WHAT INSTALLATION CAN VISITORS SEE IF THEY GET THE CHANCE TO GO 0 VENICE THIS SUMMER?

>> THE VENICE BIENNALE TOPIC THIS YEAR IS HOW WE WILL LIVE TOGETHER.

AND THE IDEA OF OUR MOON VILLAGE IS THAT WE WOULD GO TOGETHER COLLABORATIVELY NOT AS A COMPETITION.

WE HAVE BUILT OUR EXHIBIT ALONG THOSE LINES.

WE HAVE A MODEL OF THE MASTER PLAN AND WE HAVE PRODUCED A VIDEO THAT SHOWS A LITTLE BIT TELLING OUR STORY.

>> OK. GEORGI PETROV WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT YOU COME UP WITH ON MOON.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, WHAT TO EXPECT THIS SEASON AT ARLINGTON INTERNATIONAL RACE COURSE.

STAY WITH US.

>> IT'S HOME TO TRAINERS, JOCKIES AND OTHERS IN THE HORSERACING INDUSTRY AND DURING SUMMER WEEKENDS IT IS A PLACE FOR FANS TO BET ON THEIR FAVORITE RACE HORSE.

ARLINGTON INTERNATIONAL RACE COURSE IS OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR WHAT COULD BE ITS LAST SEASON.

WE STOPPED BY FOR A VISIT ON THE DAY OF THE STATE'S FULL REOPENING.

>> MORNINGS AT ARLINGTON INTERNATIONAL RACE COURSE ARE QUIET IF YOU DON'T COUNT THE RUMBLE OF GALLOPING HORSES.

JOCKEY SAYS THOSE EARLY HOURS ARE ESSENTIAL.

>> EVERY MORNING YOU ARE HERE WORKING HORSES TRYING TO KEEP THEM IN SHAPE AND THEN USUALLY THE CROWD COMES AND SEES THE END RESULT.

BUT MONTH TO MONTH AND SOMETIMES YEARS OF WORK TO GET TO THE POINT OF THAT ONE RACE.

>> THE HIGH SPEED AND THE ADRENALINE RUSH DREW AMY TO THE SPORT AFTER HIS MIDDLE SCHOOL BUS DRIVER SUGGESTED HE AND HIS TWIN BROTHER GIVE IT A TRY.

>> IT'S BETTER THAN A REAL JOB.

AND THERE'S NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE WORLD.

>> FAST FORWARD TO TODAY AND AMY HAS BEEN RACING AT ARLINGTON FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS BECOMING THE RACETRACK'S THIRD ALL TIME LEADING RIDER.

>> IT'S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL TRACK ONE OF THE BEST IN NORTH AMERICA.

WHEN YOU WIN HERE IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT IS A SMALL RACE OR BIG RACE WHEN YOU HAVE THE CROWD AND IT'S SO LOUD AND YOU CAN FEEL THE ENERGY OF THE PEOPLE.

>> THE PARK REOPENED APRIL 30TH WITH SAFETY PRECAUTIONS LIKE LIMITED CAPACITY, SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SANITIZING STATIONS IN PLACE.

NOW VACCINATED GUESTS CAN DO AWAY WITH MASKS.

BUT DESPITE THE GOOD FEELINGS THIS MIGHT BE THE COURSES FINAL SEASON.

>> WE COIN THIS THE FINAL TURN TO SEND THE MESSAGE TO PEOPLE GET OUT AND COME OUT AND EXPERIENCE ARLINGTON FOR ONE LAST TIME OR REVISIT MEMORIES THAT YOU MAY HAVE AND CREATE NEW MEMORIES.

>> ONE LAST TIME, BECAUSE ARLINGTON'S PARENT COMPANY CHURCHILL DOWNS PUT THE RACE COURSE UP FOR SALE IN FEBRUARY THERE IS A CHANCE THE NEW OWNERS COULD REDEVELOP THE 326-ACRE PROPERTY.

BUT TONY PETRILLO SAYS ARLINGTON HAS OVERCOME PAST CHALLENGES AND BELIEVES ARLINGTON'S LEGACY AND NAME WILL PERSEVERE.

>> HE HAD A FIRE IN 1985 AND 21 DAYS LATER RISING FROM THE ASHES, WAS A TENT CITY.

AND THE IT WAS NOW COINED AMERICAN MILLION.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE WE'VE RISEN TO THE CHALLENGE BUT IT'S THE PEOPLE THAT DO IT.

AND THE INVESTMENT THAT THEY HAVE IN ARLINGTON.

>> WHEN WE STOPPED BY ON THE DAY OF THE STATE'S FULL REOPENING FANS APPEARED INVESTED IN MAKING THE MOST OF THEIR TIME.

>> IT'S JUST SO NICE TO BE BACK.

IT'S SO SAD IT'S CLOSING.

WE ARE ALL LIKE YOU KNOW, THIS USED TO BE OUR THING WE'D EAT AND COME HERE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO COME BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE TO BET ON A HORSE.

AND THAT IT IS A PLACE TO GATHER AND ASSOCIATE AS A FAMILY AND COME ON SUNDAY ON FAMILY DAY.

AND THEN WHEN THEY COME OUT THEY SAY THAT IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED.

>> ARLINGTON HAS ALSO BECOME A FAMILY PLACE FOR AIM CHRIS EMIGH WHERE HE SPENT THE MAJORITY OF HIS CAREER AND WHERE HE MET HIS FIANCEE AND NEXT MONTH IT'S WHERE THEY WILL GET MARRIED.

>> I WANT TO KEEP IT GOING I HAVE A HOME HERE I HAVE A HORSE FARM WE LOVE BEING HERE AND RACING ALL YEAR.

IT IS A FAMILY PLACE AND THE GROOMS WE ALL GET ALONG GREAT WE HOPE TO CONTINUE STAYING HERE INSTEAD OF MOVING AWAY.

>> AND TODAY MARKS THE LAST DAY FOR DEVELOPERS AND INVESTORS TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS TO CHURCHILL DOWNS FOR THE PROPERTY.

YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES ON THE RACE COURSE'S FUTURE.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", LEGISLATION TO CREATE AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD IN CHICAGO HEADS TO THE HOUSE.

WE TALK WITH ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS.

YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD OF A CONTROVERSIAL SKIEN TO PIPELINE PROJECT NOW THERE'S TALK OF A PROPOSED PIPELINE OUTSIDE KANKAKEE.

DID LAST YEAR'S ELECTRONIC SCOOTER HELP TRANSIT EQUITY AS PLANNED?

EYE FULL YEAR OF JUMPING IN LAKE MICHIGAN MEET THE GREAT LAKES JUMPER AND THE STORY BEHIND THE CAUSE.

FIRST, MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

DAY TWO OF A CHEMICAL FIRE BURNING IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS.

THE FIRE STARTED YESTERDAY AT KIM TOOL LOCATED IN ROCKTON NEAR THE WISCONSIN BORDER.

OFFICIALS SAY IT COULD TAKE SEVEN DAYS TO BURN-OUT AS EVACUATIONS AND ROAD CLOSURES CONTINUE.

RESIDENTS WITHIN A THREE-MILE RADIUS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO MASK UP AS THE EPA MONITORS THE SITUATION.

HERE IS WHAT KIRK WILSON HAD TO SAY ABOUT EXTINGUISHING THE HALF MILLION GALLONS OF BURNING OIL.

>> ONCE THAT IS DONE AND WE CAN GET THE PLUME TO DISSIPATE AND AIR QUALITY IS GOOD IN THE AREA THEN WE CAN START LOOKING AT BRINGING OUR RESIDENTS BACK.

>> AND GOOD NEWS FOR TRAVELERS COMING TO CHICAGO.

ALL U.S. STATES AND TERRITORIES ARE LISTED AS YELLOW ON THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S EMERGENCY TRAVEL ORDERLIES.

THAT MEANS TRAVELERS ARRIVING IN CHICAGO FROM ANYWHERE IN THE U.S. DO NOT NEED TO QUARANTINE OR HAVE A NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST BEFORE ARRIVING.

THE COUNTRY'S COVID-19 DEATH TOLL HAS TOPPED 600,000 ACCORDING TO JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY THE LIVES LOST IS EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS WHO DIED OF CANCER IN 2019.

THE REPORTED COVID-19 DEATH TOLL WORLDWIDE IS 3.8 MILLION.

>> AS THE CITY EXPANDS ITS REOPENING THE ORGANIZERS OF LOLLAPALOOZA ANNOUNCED THE LINEUP OF 50 AFTER SHOWS.

THOSE WILL HAPPEN AROUND TOWN AT 14 CHICAGO VENUES WHICH IS HUGE NEWS TO SMALLER VENUES THAT WERE SHUTTERED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AFTER SHOW TICKETS ARE SLATED TO GO ON SALE AT 10:00 A.M. FRIDAY.

>> AND IF RAVINIA IS MORE YOUR SPEED, TICKETS ARE SET TO GO ON SALE TOMORROW FOR SHOWS JULY 1-AUGUST 15 YOU CAN ONLY FIND TICKETS FOR RAVINIA ON THEIR WEBSITE.

NOW BACK TO AMANDA WITH MORE FROM STATE LAWMAKERS.

>> THANK YOU.

WE DISCUSSED A MASSIVE ENERGY BILL THAT STALLED IN SPRINGFIELD AND WE ARE BACK WITH STATE SENATOR HASTINGS AND REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS AND WELTER AND STATE SENATOR PLUMMER.

THE GOVERNOR ISSUED A MANDATORY VETO ON THE BUDGET TO FIX A LOT OF AFTERS THAT WOULD HAVE MEANT SOME OF THE BUDGET WOULD NOT HAVE GONE INTO EFFECT UNTIL A YEAR FROM NOW.

SENATOR HASTINGS HOW COULD SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAVE HAPPENED?

>> JUST LIKE THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BILL SOMETIMES THERE'S ERRORS AS A WHOLE WHETHER IT'S DATES, WHETHER THAT IS ONE WORD OR TWO WORDS HERE OR THERE THAT REQUIRE CORRECTIONS.

TODAY IN THE SENATE WE VOTED TO PASS A REVISED VERSION OF THAT TO CORRECT THOSE ERRORS.

SO FROM TIME TO TIME THIS HAPPENS.

WE DID IT ON A TELECOMMUNICATIONS BILL THERE WAS AN ERROR THAT AFFECTED THE BILL.

SOMETIMES YOU REALIZE A PROBLEM, THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO IS CORRECT IT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WELTER ANY RESPONSE WITH THAT?

MIGHT THIS HAVE TO DO WITH THE QUICK FASHION IN WHICH THE BUDGET WAS DRAFTED PROPOSED AND VOTED ON?

>> YEAH, IT'S COMMON COMPLAINT OF OURS.

YOU GET A BILL THAT IS HUNDREDS OF PAGES LONG AND DROPPED ON YOU A COUPLE HOURS BEFORE YOU ARE EXPECTED TO VOTE ON IT.

IT IS A TERRIBLE PROCESS.

IT IS NOT A GOOD WAY TO LEGISLATE AND THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN.

WHEN YOU ARE BUSY SPEAKING IN LEGISLATORS' PAY RAISES YOU ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT DETAILS.

THAT IS WHAT WE RAN INTO HERE.

THE DEMOCRATS HAVE THE VOTE AND IF THEY ALL SHOW UP FOR WORK TOGETHER WE CAN PASS IT IN THE HOUSE.

>> WHAT ARE THE PAY RAISES?

I BELIEVE IT'S ABOUT $2,000 EXTRA A YEAR.

REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS DO LEGISLATORS DESERVE THAT?

WHY NOT?

>> YOU MAY BE AWARE THERE IS LITIGATION ONGOING AS TO HOW LEGISLATORS' PAY IS TREATED.

I THINK THAT ISSUE IS UNDER CONSIDERATION RIGHT NOW BY THE COURTS AND IT WILL BE HELPFUL TO SEE WHAT THE COURTS ADVISE US IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD.

I'M CERTAINLY OPEN TO LOOKING AT A DIFFERENT PROCESS FOR THAT.

BUT WHAT WE HAVE IN THE CONSTITUTION IS HOW WE'RE DOING IT AND I THINK LIKE I SAID THE COURT SHOULD BE WEIGHING IN ON THIS AND WE'LL TAKE DIRECTION FROM THE COURT.

>> AMANDA IF I COULD, I COME FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND WE'RE DPORCHED BY THE SAME STATUTES BY THE CONSTITUTION ON ELECTED OFFICIALS COMPENSATION AND PAY NOT BEING CHANGED DURING A CURRENT TERM.

OUR LOCALS, ALDERMEN, COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS THEY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATIONS BEFORE THE NEW BOARDS ARE ELECTED.

IT WOULD BE SIMPLE FOR THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THROW UP ON THE BOARD RIGHT NOW PRIOR TO THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE THAT THOSE LEGISLATORS WILL GET A PAY FREEZE.

THE WAY IT'S SETUP IT'S AUTOMATIC.

WE COULD AT ANY TIME PRODUCE LEGISLATION AND PUT IT FORWARD BUT THE MAJORITY HAS CHOSE NOT TO DO THAT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS BACK TO YOU.

SOMETHING THAT THE HOUSE IS EXPECTED TO BE VOTING ON TOMORROW.

NOT AN ENERGY BILL PER SE BUT THE C.P.S.

ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD LEGISLATION.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS?

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO VOTE?

>> I WILL BE SUPPORTING THE ELECTED SCHOOL BILLBOARD.

IT'S PASSED THE HOUSE AT LEAST THREE TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS.

THERE IS A COUPLE POINTS.

FIRST OF ALL, THE CHICAGO SCHOOL BOARD IS THE ONLY SCHOOL BOARD IN THE STATE THAT IS NOT ELECTED AND WE ARE ONE OF FEW MAJOR CITIES THAT HAVE A NONELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.

SECONDLY, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THE WAY WE'RE STRUCTURING THIS BILL INSURES ALL PARTS OF CITY ARE TRULY REPRESENTED THAT IS WHY WE LOOKED AT THE STRUCTURE THAT WE DID.

AND FINALLY, THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW ITEMS WHERE I'VE GOT REAL DATA AS TO WHERE MY CONSTITUENTS STAND.

THERE HAVE BEEN TWO ELECTORAL REFERENDA ON THIS ISSUE AND BOTH HAVE SHOWN SUPPORT UPWARDS OF 85%.

I WILL BE IN SUPPORT.

>> HOUSE EXPECTED TO VOTE ON LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PAVE FOR WAY FOR QUICKER PROCESSING OF FIREARM IDENTIFICATION CARDS NOT MANDATING FINGERPRINTING BUT IF YOU WANT A SPEEDY CARD YOU HAVE TO GIVE YOUR FINGERPRINTS.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS IF THE HOUSE PASS IT IS IT GOES TO GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S DESK?

>> IT IS NOT A FIX THAT IS GOING TO SATISFY GUN OWNERS.

WE ARE MAKING LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS JUMP THROUGH HOOPS WHEN THEY ARE TRYING TO EXERCISE THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

WOO HE CAN GET RID OF THE FOID AND TAKE ALL THE STATE POLICE RESOURCES AND GET THEM ON THE STREET AND GO AFTER THE CRIME WE KNOW IS RAVAGING OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS IS [INAUDIBLE] >> AND WE MIGHT HAVE LOST YOU THERE.

LET'S GO.

I WANT TO BE SURE TO GET A BETTER IDEA.

WE TALKED ABOUT ENERGY WHEN WE INITIALLY WERE CHATTING.

BRINGING BACK TO THAT, AGAIN, THIS MASSIVE PACKAGE A LOT OF EXPECTATIONS.

DOES EVERYBODY ON THIS PANEL BELIEVE THAT AN ENERGY PACKAGE IS GOING TO PASS BEFORE EXELON MAKES GOOD ON ITS THREATS OF CLOSING NUCLEAR PLANTS?

THERE ARE RENEWABLE JOBS AT STAKE?

IS SOMETHING GOING TO HAPPEN.

A QUICK YES OR NO.

>> I SPENT THE LAST THREE YEARS WORKING ON IT AND WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT THIS IS GOING TO BE THE MOST SUBSTANTIAL PACKAGE INVESTMENT IN RENEWABLE ENERGY AND PRESERVE OUR POSITION AS A LEADER IN THE COUNTRY.

OUR DECARBONIZATION PLAN WHETHER THE PLAN WE HAVE AS OUR WORKING GROUP IS THE MOST AGGRESSIVE DECARBONIZATION PLAN WHILE MAINTAINING PEOPLE'S JOBS.

AND NUCLEAR, COMING OFF OF COVID LOSING 28,000 JOBS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS IS THIS GOING TO HAPPEN?

>> IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

WE ARE POISED TO PASS ONE OF THE MOST NATION LEADING COMPREHENSIVE CLIMATE BILLS THAT HAS BEEN SEEN AND IT HAS TO HAPPEN FOR CLIMATE AND JOBS AND RECOVERY FROM COVID.

>> HEARING IT HAS TO HAPPEN.

REPRESENTATIVE WELTER?

>> I'M CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC.

>> AND SORRY SENATOR PLUMMER QUICK?

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT REPRESENTS THE RATEPAYERS.

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MORE THAN INVITED TO ATTEND.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME TO COME IN.

>> WE ARE CREATING A NEW ETHICS NIGHTMARE IN SPRINGFIELD BECAUSE WHY ARE WE NOT APPLYING THE SAME RULES AND THE SAME ETHICS REQUIREMENTS TO RENEWABLES THAN WE ARE TO THE UTILITIES?

WE NEED TRANSPARENCY IN THIS PROCESS.

>> WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO BE AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE HAVING CONVERSATIONS HERE ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I AM AFRAID WE HAVE TO LEAVETH THERE THANK YOU TO MICHAEL HASTINGS, ANN WILLIAMS AND DAVID WELTER AND JASOM PLUMMER.

TO PHIL PONCE WITH A CONTROVERSIAL PIPELINE PROFESSOR R PROPOSAL.

>> A BILL HEADING TO GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S DESK IS CAUSING CONTROVERSY IN A VILLAGE OUTSIDE OF KANKAKEE.

THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE FUNDING FOR A PROPOSED NATURAL GAS PIPELINE FOR THE VILLAGE OF HOPKINS PARK IN PEMBROKE TOWNSHIP.

SUPPORTERS SAY THE PIPELINE COULD PROVIDE ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR THE AREA.

BUT THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PARTICULARLY IN AN AREA THAT WAS ONCE THE LARGEST BLACK FARMING COMMUNITY IN THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES.

JOINING US WITH MORE ARE MARK HODGE THE MAYOR OF THE VILLAGE OF HOPKINS PARK.

REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE JACKIE HAAS WHO SPONSORED THE BILL AND BRUCE MCMILLIM AND JIFUNZA WRIGHT CARTER.

WHAT WOULD THE PIPELINE DO?

>> WELL, THE PIPELINE WOULD BRING INDUSTRY TO OUR COMMUNITY IT WOULD GROW OUR COMMUNITY IN A WAY IT HAS NOT SEEN BEFORE.

MEANING IT WOULD BRING JOBS, JOBS WOULD BRING FAMILIES TO THE COMMUNITY.

FAMILIES WOULD BRING THEIR CHILDREN AND IT WOULD DPAN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM WHICH HAS BEEN DEPRESSED FOR QUITE SOMETIME AS WE'VE BEEN LEFT BEHIND FOR MANY DECADES.

PEOPLE HAVE IN SPRINGFIELD HAVE RECOGNIZE THE THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS BASKETBALL LEFT BEHIND AND THEY WANT TO MORTIZE OUR COMMUNITY.

>> MY AMI DAVIS IT SOUNDS LIKE THE MAYOR'S POINT IT COULD CATCH THINGS UP THAT THIS IS A COMMUNITY THAT IS IS ACCORDING TO A SPOKESPERSON FOR RAINBOW PUSH EXPERIENCING ENERGY POVERTY.

HOW DO YOU SEE IT?

>> THE REPRESENTATION THAT THERE WILL BE A PIPELINE THAT WILL CREATE JOBS IS A FICTION.

THE ENTIRE SOUTH COOK COUNTY IS REPLETE WITH BLACK COMMUNITIES WITH FUELED BY NATURAL GAS WHICH ARE EXPERIENCING ECONOMIC DEPRESSION RIGHT NOW.

AND HOW MANY TIMES HAVE BLACK COMMUNITIES HEARD OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT SOMETHING WAS GOING TO BRING JOBS.

WE ARE EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO KNOW AND ESPECIALLY THOSE OF US IN THE CLEAN ENERGY FIELD THAT THERE IS NO SILVER BULLET THAT IS GOING TO BRING JOBS AND INDUSTRY DOES NOT COME TO COMMUNITIES WITHOUT BROADBAND AND POLICE, FIRE, OR OTHER PROTECTIONS AGAINST LEAKS WHICH ARE LEGEND.

>> REPRESENTATIVE JACKIE HAAS WHY DO YOU THINK IT WAS A PROJECT THAT MERITED YOUR SUPPORT?

>> SURE, THANK YOU, PHIL.

I AM A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF KANKAKEE COUNTY AND THIS DISTRICT AND I GREW UP IN THE NEIGHBORING TOWN NEXT TO PEMBROKE TOWNSHIP AND THIS HAS BEEN A DECADES' LONG ISSUE FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER.

THIS IS AN INITIATIVE WORKED ON BY MY PREDECESSOR AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU I'M SO EXCITED THAT THIS BILL HAS HAD SUCH WONDERFUL BIPARTISAN SUPPORT NOT JUST ON THE LOCAL LEVEL.

BUT IT WAS ALSO WELL EVIDENCED IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND IN THE SENATE CHAMBERS AS IT PASSED BOTH WITH OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> MY NAOMI DAVIS THE FACT IS IT PASSED WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT DOES THAT SPEAK TO THE MERITS OF THE PROJECT IN YOUR MIND?

>> LET ME IT SPEAK TO THE DECEIT IT REPRESENTS.

REALLY, REALLY GOOD PEOPLE WERE MISLED IN A CAMPAIGN OF MISS EDUCATION, SOUTHERN COMPANY AND NICOR OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR THE QUALITY OF THE REPORTING THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, THE INFORMATION THE ENGINEERING THE CONVENING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HELD AND WE KNOW FROM OUR EXPERIENCE WHAT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS.

THERE'S NO EVIDENCE IN ANY PUBLIC RECORDS AND WE ARE FOIAING THEM THAT THERE HAS BEEN ANY MEANINGFUL SUBSTANTIAL OR ACCURATE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HAPPENING OVER A FEW YEARS PROCESS.

AND I WILL TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE IT WAS AT THE 13TH HOUR AFTER MIDNIGHT, AFTER THE SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE WAS OFFICIALLY OVER, THAT WE HAD WORKED SO HARD AND WON THE OPPORTUNITY TO PULL THE BILL FROM THE ROLL CALL.

THERE WAS A 13TH HOUR DEAL AFTER MANY LEGISLATORS HAD AGREED THAT IT WAS NOT THE RIGHT THING AT THE RIGHT TIME AND THAT RENEWABLE ENERGY IN PEMBROKE WAS THE WAY TO GO.

LET ME SHOW YOU SOMETHING.

RENEWABLE PEMBROKE THERE IS A CAMPAIGN AND THERE HAS BEEN A CAMPAIGN FOR A LONGTIME AGAINST PIPELINES IN PEMBROKE.

WE ARE NOT STOPPING.

WE ARE GOING TO THE GOVERNOR.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO REQUEST AN A AMMANNER TO VETO BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THE THIN MARGIN OF OPINION THAT SEPARATES A BAD BILL, AND A GOOD BILL AND ITS PASSING.

>> LET'S GET THE MAYOR BACK IN THIS.

>> Mr. MAYOR, DESCRIBE PHYSICALLY WHAT THE PIPELINE IS GOING TO DO AND HOW BIG IS IT GOING TO BE AND IT'S GOING TO CONNECT WHAT TO WHAT?

>> WELL, THE PIPELINE IS GOING TO COME DOWN OUR MAIN AND CENTRAL AVENUES AND GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY JUST LIKE THEY HAVE IN EVERY COMMUNITY AROUND US TO BRING INDUSTRY TO THE COMMUNITY BUT FIRST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT 97%, 97% OF THE PEOPLE THAT COMPLETED THE SURVEY IN THE VILLAGE OF HOPKINS PARK AND PEMBROKE TOWNSHIP 93% SAID YES TO NATURAL GAS.

>> Mr. MAYOR WHAT I'M ASKING IS HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE CONNECTED TO THIS NATURAL GAS PIPELINE?

HOW EXTENSIVE IS IT?

WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT 400 HOMES.

TO GET BACK TO MY POINT, 97% OF THE PEOPLE IN THE VILLAGE OF HOPKINS PARK AND 93% OF THE PEOPLE IN PEMBROKE TOWNSHIP SAID YES.

AND THE PEOPLE SAYING NO TO NATURAL GAS LIVE IN CHICAGO AND THEY ENJOY NATURAL GAS AND THE PEOPLE IN PEMBROKE AND HOPKINS PARK WANT TO ENJOY THE SAME CLEAN ENERGY.

WE HAVE USED WOOD, FUEL OIL, AND PROPANE FOR DECADES.

IT IS TIME TO MODERNIZE THIS COMMUNITY AND IT'S TIME FOR PEOPLE STANDING IN THE WAY TO MOVE TO THE SIDE.

THE PEOPLE IN SPRINGFIELD, THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE AND THE FLOOR CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE BEEN HELD BACK INTENTIONALLY OR NOT.

WE HAVE BEEN AND THEY UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD.

THE REPRESENTATIVES TRIED TO PULL THIS DEAL AT THE LAST-MINUTE OF THE LAST HOUR WHERE WE HAD TO HAVE 60 VOTES BEFORE 12:00 A.M. AND THEY MADE THE SURE THE BILL WAS CALLED AFTER 12:00 A.M. 71 VOTES WERE NEEDED.

LET'S NOT GET INTO THE WEEDS ON THAT ONE.

NAOMI DAVIS THIS IS ONCE THE LARGEST BLACK FARMING COMMUNITY ON THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES.

WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN FARMERS IN THE AREA?

>> IT IS A GLOBALLY RARE ECOLOGY IN PEMBROKE WHICH FARMERS FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY AND INTENTIONALLY CONSERVING AGAINST THE INTRUSION FOUR TIMES RESISTING A GAS PIPELINE COMING INTO THE COMMUNITY.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE 24 DOCUMENTED CASES OF MICRO GAS LEAKS AT A $500 MILLION COST.

THERE WAS AN EXPOSE THAT CLEARLY POINTED OUT THE CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER.

NICOR IS UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

FOR SAFETY INCURSIONS.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT CONSERVING THE LAND, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A CULTURE THAT IS LOOKING TO CONTINUE ITS TRADITION.

IT IS THE LONGEST AFRICAN FOUNDED TOWN IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

AND UNDERGROUND RAILROAD STRONGHOLD.

A LEADING BLACK FARMING STRONGHOLD IN THE COUNTRY.

AND BY THE WAY, THE GERRYMANDERING OF THE VOTE AND IT'S INSULTING THAT EVERY TIME MAYOR HODGE SPEAKS HE HAS A DIFFERENT STATISTIC THAT HE CITES FOR HOW MANY PEOPLE VOTED AND REPRESENTATIVE HODGE HERSELF -- >> EXCUSE ME.

MS. DAVIS, WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET REST JACKIE HAAS IN HERE.

THE BILL IS ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK, ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO SIGN IT?

>> I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN IT.

BECAUSE IT IS A GREAT BILL AND A GREAT THING FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

THIS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN ASKING FOR THIS AND THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS UTILITY SERVICE FOR DECADES.

AND TO ASK THEM TO WAIT ANY LONGER, YOU KNOW, LET'S BE HONEST THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING LONG ENOUGH AND IT WOULD BE A DISSERVICE TO THIS COMMUNITY AND WOULD ONLY MARGINALIZE THEM FURTHER.

>> MARGINALIZE -- [ALL TALKING AT ONCE] >> THIS BILL TO GET IT ON TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK AND I DO FEEL CONFIDENT THAT HE WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND SIGN THIS.

>> THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH ALL OF YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT WILL CHICAGO'S E-SCOOTER PROGRAM BECOME PERMANENT?

STAY WITH US FOR MORE.

>> LAST YEAR'S ELECTRONIC SCOOTER PROGRAM WHICH RAN FROM AUGUST TO DECEMBER SAW AN INCREASE IN SCOOTERS PROVIDED BUT A DECLINE IN OVERALL RIDERSHIP.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE FINDINGS OF A CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REPORT EXAMINING THE CITY'S 2020 E-SCOOTER PROGRAM.

WHILE SOME OFFICIALS DISCUSS A POSSIBLE PERMANENT E-SCOOTER PROGRAM SOME MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL ARE RAISING SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT THE SWIFT MODES OF TRANSPORT.

JOINING US WITH MORE ARE ALEX PEREZ, ADVOCACY MANAGER OF THE NONPROFIT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE.

>> AND JOHN GREENFIELD, COED TORE OF STREETSBLOG FOR THE CHICAGO READER.

ALEX PEREZ, WHAT WERE YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FROM CDOT'S REPORT OF THE 2020 PROGRAM?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

ONE OF THE BIG TAKEAWAYS THAT I SAW WAS THE 30% OF THE TRIPS WERE PLACED THE SCOOTERS WERE GOING TO BE DRIVING OR USING RIDE HAIL AND TAKE A LOT OF WALKING TRIPS.

YOU COULD SEE THAT PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN USING SCOOTERS TO GET AROUND CHICAGO AND IT WAS EFFICIENT AND CHEAPER WAY THAN DRIVING OR TAKING A RIDE HAIL.

>> JOHN GREENFIELD HOW ABOUT YOU, YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS?

>> WELL, THE REMARKABLE THING ABOUT LAST YEAR'S PILOT WAS THAT EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE A LOT MORE SCOOTERS THERE WAS A 10,000 SCOOTER CAP COMPARED TO 2500 IN 2019 AND A MUCH LARGER SERVICE AREA.

IN 2019 IT WAS ONLY 50 SQUARE MILES.

THE WEST AND NORTHWEST SIDES.

LAST YEAR IT WAS THE ENTIRE CITY EXCEPT FOR THE LOOP AND THE NEAR NORTH SIDE.

THERE WERE FEWER RIDES TAKEN LAST YEAR.

THERE WERE 665,000 RIDES TAKEN IN 2019 BUT 540,000 RIDES TAKEN LAST YEAR.

THAT IS SORT OF PUZZLING.

LIKE IF THE PROGRAM EXPANDED SO MUCH WHY WERE THERE FEWER RIDES?

>> TO THAT POINT DO YOU THINK THE PANDEMIC WAS THE PRIMARY REASON FOR DECREASE IN RIDES >> YES, THAT DEFINITELY WAS A FACTOR.

PEOPLE WERE NOT USING THE SCOOTERS FOR WORK COMMUTES OR MUCH LESS GOING TO DOWNTOWN OFFICE JOBS.

OTHER POSSIBLE FACTORS WERE THAT DIVVY ROLLED OUT THE ELECTRIC BIKES WHICH WAS A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM.

DIVVY HAD FOUR OF ITS MOST BUSIEST MONTHS EVER DURING THE SUMMER AND FALL.

AND SO THAT PROBABLY STOLE SOME OF THE THUNDER FROM E-SCOOTERS THERE WAS ANOTHER WAY YOU COULD GO FAST ON A MICRO MOBILITY DEVICE.

AND ALSO THE FACTOR THAT IN 2019 SCOOTERS WERE NEW WHEREAS LAST YEAR THEY WERE OLD HAT SO THERE WEREN'T THAT MANY PEOPLE TAKING THEM FOR JOYRIDES.

>> ALEX, THE CITY DID MAKE AN EFFORT TO EXPAND THIS FORM OF TRANSIT TO THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES AND IT HAD A GREATER RADIUS.

DATA SHOWS 23% OF TRIPS WERE TAKEN WITHIN THE EQUITY PRIORITY AREA.

WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU?

DOES THAT PROVE THAT THE INITIATIVE WAS A SUCCESS?

>> IT IS A GOOD INITIATIVE.

DEFINITELY POSITIVE TO INCREASE THE RANGE WHERE THE SCOOTERS COULD BE PLACED AND ESPECIALLY BRINGING IT DOWN TO THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES WHERE TRANSIT OPTIONS AREN'T AS GOOD.

AND AS WELL AS WITH THE PRIORITY ANOTHER THING THAT CAN BE DONE IS THE STREET CONDITIONS WHEN IT COMES TO THE EXPANSION A LOT OF THE STREETS IN THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES ARE NOT THE SAFEST STREETS TO BE RIDING SCOOTERS ON.

THERE IS A LOT OF SPEEDS AND TRUCKS IN THE AREA AND NOT PROTECTED BIKE LANES TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE RIDING ON THE STREET.

>> THE CITY SAID THE E-SCOOTER RELATED COMPLAINTS DECREASED IN 2019.

DO YOU THINK THAT THE PUBLIC SORT OF ACCLIMATED TO THE SCOOTERS?

LAST YEAR THERE WAS THE REQUIREMENT MEANT THAT SCOOTERS HAD TO BE LOCKED TO SOMETHING IS THAT THE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR HERE?

>> NO.

THERE WAS A CONCRETE REASON WHY THE COMPLAINTS WENT DOWN.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT STREETSBLOG CHICAGO ADVOCATED FOR IN 2019 THERE WERE PLENTY OF ISSUES WITH VANDALISM OF SCOOTERS.

AND THERE WAS FUNNY PICTURES OF SCOOTERS HANGING FROM TREES AND FOUNTAINS AND SCOOTERS BEING PARKED IMPROPERLY BROCKING THE SIDEWALKS THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ANNOYED PEOPLE.

SO WE ADVOCATED FOR HAVING A LOCK TO RULE WHICH MEANS THE SCOOTERS HAVE TO BE A BUILT IN LOCK AND REQUIREMENT THAT WHEN YOU PARK THE SCOOTER YOU HAVE TO LOCK IT TO A FIXED ON A PARKING METER, SIGN POLE OR A BIKE RACK AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO TOOK OUR ADVICE.

BUT THEY DID PASS THAT RULE.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I THINK PROBLEMS WITH SIDEWALK CLUTTER AND VANDALISM WERE MUCH LESS LAST YEAR.

>> ALEX SOME ALDERMEN EXPRESSED OPPOSITION TO A PROPOSED PERMANENT SCOOTER PROGRAM CITING SAFETY CONCERNS AND A DESIRE TO HAVE MAYBE THE SCOOTERS DOCKED TOGETHER WITH THE DIVVY BIKES.

WHAT IS YOUR ASSESSMENT OF THIS OPPOSITION TO A PERMANENT PROGRAM?

>> ULTIMATELY, WHEN IT COMES TO BRINGING IN A PERMANENT PROGRAM IT SHOULD BE ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT THE SAFETY BEING THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE WHEN IT COMES TO BRINGING IN MORE SCOOTERS ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO CRASHES OR POTENTIAL CRASHES.

SO I FEEL LIKE THE ALDERMEN ESPECIALLY THE ALDERMEN THAT DON'T WANT SCOOTERS IN THEIR WARDS IT AFFECTS THE WHOLE CITY IF THE PROGRAM GETS SHUTDOWN WHEN IT HAS BEEN PROVEN THAT SOME WARDS WOULD BENEFIT FROM SCOOTERS COMING INTO THE CITY.

>> JOHN YOUR THOUGHTS WHAT IS YOUR ASSESSMENT OF THE OPPOSITION AND WHAT THE ALDERMEN IS SAYING?

>> I WAS SAYING IT'S ANALOGOUS TO THE REACTION TO DIVVY STATIONS.

IN SOME NEIGHBORHOODS PEOPLE VIEWED DIVVY STATIONS AS A NUANCE SOMETHING THAT CREATES LOITERING WE'VE HAD PROBLEMS SO PEOPLE ARE WORRIED THAT LIKE DIVVY STATIONS WILL BE A CRIME GENERATOR.

BUT THEN OTHER PEOPLE POINTED OUT THAT DIVVY IS A RESOURCE SOMETHING THAT HELPS PEOPLE GET TO WORK, GET PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, GET TO SCHOOL.

SO IF WE DON'T PROVIDE DIVVY STATIONS PEOPLE ARE MISSING OUT.

SAME THING DEPOSE WITH SCOOTERS.

THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR PEOPLE TO MISUSE THEM AND THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR SCOOTERS TO HELP GET PEOPLE WHERE THEY NEED TO GO AND HELP FILL HOLES IN THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK AND THE TRANSIT NETWORK AND IMPROVE TRANSIT EQUITY.

THEREFORE I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD CAVE TO ALDERMEN WHO DON'T WANT SCOOTERS.

>> THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

THANK YOU TO ALEX PEREZ AND JOHN GREENFIELD FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> WELL, HE DID IT.

LAST WEEKEND, DAN O'CONOR A MAN KNOWN AS THE GREAT LAKES JUMPER COMPLETED HIS 365TH CONSECUTIVE JUMP INTO LAKE MICHIGAN.

EVERYDAY FOR A FULL YEAR O'CONOR LEAPT INTO THE LAKE TO RAISE MONEY FOR LOCAL MUSIC VENUES.

ON THIS SPECIAL DAY, JEFF TWEETIE OF THE INDY ROCK BAND PLAYED HIM OUT.

MORE THAN 100 JUMPS AGO, EVAN GARCIA MET UP WITH THE GREAT LAKES JUMPER TO SEE HIM SWIM IN COLDER WATERS LAST FEBRUARY, HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> IT IS A CHILLY MORNING IN LATE FEBRUARY AND DAN O'CONOR IS PLANNING HIS EXIT STRATEGY.

>> I PROBABLY SPEND ABOUT 25 MINUTES WITH A SHOVEL AND MOSTLY A HAMMER JUST CHIPPING AWAY AT THE ICE SO I HAVE A CLEAR PATH OUT TO THE LADDER.

>> DAN IS DOING SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE FIND UNTHINKABLE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

PLUNGING INTO LAKE MICHIGAN.

THE WATER TEMPERATURE TODAY?

33°.

DAN SAYS THIS IS THE 259TH STRAIGHT DAY HE HAS JUMPED IN THE LAKE.

HE SAYS IT ALL BEGAN WITH A HEADACHE BACK IN JUNE.

>> I STARTED DOING IT BECAUSE I WAS HUNG OVER THE FIRST DAY.

AND IT FELT SO GOOD TO BE OUT IN THE LAKE.

WASH AWAY ALL THE STUFF THAT WAS HAPPENING IN AMERICA AT THE TIME BETWEEN THE PANDEMIC AND THE POLITICS AND THE PROTESTS AND THE UNREST.

AND IT JUST FELT LIKE A GOOD CLEAN START TO THE DAY.

>> DUBBING HIMSELF THE GREAT LAKES JUMPER DAN HAS GAINED AN AD YEBS ON-LINE FROM FILMING HIS JUMPS FROM LOCATIONS.

DAN SAYS THE DIVING HELPS HIM COPE WITH THE DISAPPEARANCE OF LIVE MUSIC DURING THE PANDEMIC.

BEFORE COVID-19 SHUTDOWN CHICAGO'S LIVE MUSIC SCENE, DAN SOLD CUSTOM CLOTHING FROM MUSIC VENUES LIKE THIS ONE.

METRO IN THE WRIGLEYVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> DOING THIS FOR ABOUT CLOSE TO 15 YEARS FOR THE FIRST, SAY, SIX, EIGHT YEARS I WAS DOING IT FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES AT FESTIVALS.

THERE'S 100 BANDS I WOULD PICK 10, AND CUT A STENCIL AND SPRAY PAINT 10 SHIRTS AND WEAR ONE AND GIVE 9 OUT TO MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

>> WHILE HE WORKS FULL-TIME AS A BUS DRIVER IN THE NORTH SUBURBS SELLING HOMEMADE SHIRTS HAS BEEN A SUCCESSFUL SIDE HUSTLE FOR BEGAN.

DAN.

HE WAS INVITED TO SELL AT LOLLAPALOOZA'S POP-UP STORE.

>> WITH IN-PERSON CONCERTS STILL ON HOLD DAN IS TRYING TO RAISE MONEY FOR CIVIL AN ORGANIZATION FORMED BY 14 OF THE CITY'S INDEPENDENT MUSIC VENUES.

>> DIRECTING PEOPLE HEY IF YOU LIKE THIS CONSENT ON-LINE OF ME -- CONTENTED ON-LINE OF ME JUMPING IN THE LAKE OF 259 DAYS IN A ROW, DONATE TO THERE.

>> SOMETIMES LOCAL ACTS ACCOMPANY HIM WITH MUSIC.

>> JUST TRY TO GET A DIFFERENT GENRES, DIFFERENT INSTRUMENTS TO SHOW THE BREADTH OF CHICAGO.

>> AND A WARNING TO ANY DARING DIVERS LOOKING TO FOLLOW DAN'S LEAD.

PLUNGING IN COLD WATER CAN CAUSE COLD SHOCK OR GASPING THAT CAN LEAD TO DROWNING ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

THE LIFE JACKET IS RECOMMENDED.

>> I HAVE SERENE MOMENTS AND PART OF IT IS DIVING IN AND THAT SHOCK TO THE BODY YOU GET THIS FULL BODY BUZZ THOSE ENDORPHINS RELEASED.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M EVAN GARCIA.

>> AND AFTER A FULL YEAR, DAN SAYS HE TOOK HIS FIRST DAY OFF FROM JUMPING INTO LAKE MICHIGAN ON SUNDAY.

HE PLANS TO CONTINUE HIS LAKEFRONT HABIT ALTHOUGH NOT EVERYDAY.

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

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. STATE LAWMAKERS MEET TOMORROW IN SPRINGFIELD OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM BREAKS IT DOWN.

AND "GAME OF THRONES" AUTHOR ON HIS TIME AT NORTHWESTERN AND HOW CHICAGO INFLUENCED HIS WORK.

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

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]