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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ION THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> PARDON MY FRENCH, THE REPUBLICANS WERE SCREWED ON THE MAP.

>> ILLINOIS LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TALK REDISTRICTING, ETHICNESS THE FIRST SESSION WITHOUT FORMER SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN.

>> THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CLEARLY FELL ON WAY TOO MANY DEAF EARS.

LAWMAKERS IN THE SENATE PASSED AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD BILL AND CHICAGO'S MAYOR IS NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT THAT AND MORE IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> MORE RENTAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR CHICAGOANS WE HEAR MORE HOW TO APPLY.

>> I THINK GARY IS GOING TO RISE AND I HOPE TO BE A PART OF IT.

>> $500 A MONTH FOR A YEAR NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

GARY, INDIANA, LAUNCHED A QUARANTINE INCOME PILOT PROGRAM.

>> FROM A NEW ENGLAND CHURCH TO A CHICAGO MUSEUM BEHIND THE JOURNEY OF A GIANT TIFFANY STAINED GLASS WINDOW.

FIRST TOP STORIES...

HONORING CHICAGO'S FIRST PERMANENT NONINDIGENOUS SETTLER JEAN BAPTISTE POINTE DuSABLE HAS BEEN A POINT OF CONTENTION WITH CITY HALL.

TODAY THE MAYOR ELABORATED ON HER PLAN.

>> HAVING SOMETHING PERMANENT IS TO ME IMPORTANT BUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING AND RERENAMING A STREET WE INTEND TO ACTIVATE THE AREAS OF THE RIVERWALK WITH YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING TO EDUCATE BOTH TOURISTS AND ALSO OUR RESIDENTS ABOUT WHO DUSABLE WAS.

AND HIS WIFE.

WHAT THEIR ROLE IS IN THE HISTORY OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> SOME ALDER PEOPLE HAVE CALLED FOR RENAMING OUTER LAKE SHORE DRIVE BUT THE CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE HAS BEEN KICKED TO NEXT MONTH'S MEETING.

LAST WEEK MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT INTRODUCED HER PLAN WHICH WOULD POOL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DOLLARS TO CREATE ART PROJECTS A DUSABLE PARK AND PROGRAMMING ALONG THE RIVERWALK AND THE DUSABLE FESTIVAL.

THE MAYOR SAID PARTS OF THE PLAN WOULD REQUIRE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL BUT NOT ALL.

REDLINE RIDERS WILL NOTICE LESS CROWDING ON TRAINS AND SHORTER COMMUTE TIMES IN THREE YEARS.

FIRST, RIDERS WILL NOTICE A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION.

OFFICIALS BROKE GROUND TODAY ON THE HISTORIC LAWRENCE TO BRYN MAWR PROJECT WHICH WILL REBUILD THE STATION THAT THE REDLINE STATIONS.

THE UPGRADES WILL INCLUDE ADDING ELEVATORS, WIDER PLATFORMS AND REBUILDING TRACK STRUCTURES FOR THE SECTION OF THE BUSIEST LINE.

DORVAL CARTER SAYS MAKING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE IS A MAJOR GOAL.

>> WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE WORK WE WILL HAVE FOUR MORE STATIONS THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE THAT WERE NOT BEFORE.

CURRENTLY CTA HAS 70% OF THE SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE.

AND I HAVE ESTABLISHED A GOAL WE WILL GET TO WIN00%.

>> ALL OF THE NEW STATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE OPEN BY THE END OF 2024.

>> STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT 478 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19 SINCE YESTERDAY.

AND NINE PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

A TOTAL OF 1.383 MILLION PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED SINCE THE PART OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND 22,842 PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

THE STATE'S TEST POSITIVITY RATE REMAINS UNDER 2% AT 1.8%.

>> AND NOW TO AMANDA VINICKY WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ON THE SESSION IN SPRINGFIELD.

AMANDA?

>> BRANDIS, AFTER SEVERAL LATE NIGHTS AND AN EXTRA DAY ON THE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR, STATE LAWMAKERS WRAPPED UP THEIR SPRING SESSION.

THE FINAL DAYS WERE FIERY AT TIMES EVEN WITHOUT LONG TIME HOUSE SPEAKER AND G.O.P.

FOE MICHAEL MADIGAN.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS WHAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DID AND DID NOT GET DONE ARE HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER JIM DURKIN AND SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER DAN McCONCHIE.

WE DID ALSO INVITE HOUSE SPEAKER CHRIS WELCH AND SENATE PRESIDENT DON HARMON WHO WERE UNABLE TO JOIN US.

WE WILL HEAR FROM GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER ON TOMORROW EVENING'S SHOW.

LET'S GET THINGS STARTED WITH YOU LEADER McCONCHIE, REPUBLICANS SLAMMED THE NEW LEGISLATIVE MAPS.

IN TWO SENTENCES TELL ME WHY?

>> WELL, IT'S BASED ON FAULTY DATA AND IT WAS PUSHED THROUGH IN A PARTISAN BASIS IN WHICH REPUBLICANS WERE NOT EVEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE AND WE COULDN'T HAVE PARTICIPATED RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE DATA THAT IS BEING USED IS SURVEY DATA IT IS NOT THE REAL CENSUS DATA WHICH WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MID-AUGUST.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER WELCH SAYS THESE NEW MAPS PASSED FOR ILLINOIS HOUSE AND SENATE DISTRICTS INSURE THAT ALL ILLINOISIANS WILL BE REPRESENTED.

HERE IS SOME OF HIS SPEECH FROM THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> TAKE A LOOK AROUND THIS CHAMBER, TAKE A LOOK.

TAKE A GOOD LOOK!

LOOK AT THE DIVERSITY IN THIS CHAMBER!

TAKE A LOOK.

WE REPRESENT THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

DIVERSITY IS THE STRENGTH OF THIS GREAT STATE.

>> THE SPEAKER MAKING THE POINT THAT DIVERSITY IS ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE OF THE AISLE.

LEADER DURKIN CAN YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT THOSE WORDS ARE STRONG AND THEY MAKE THE HEADLINES BUT IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THE SPEAKER AND 30 OF HIS MEMBERS LIED TO ILLINOISIANS OF THEIR POSITION ON FAIR MAPS.

THEY HAVE CAMPAIGNED ON IT.

THEY HAVE VOTED FOR IT.

THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT THIS YEAR.

BUT THEY TURNED THEIR BACK ON ALL THE CITIZENS OF ILLINOIS AND BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD BE IN CONTROL OF DRAWING THE LEGISLATIVE MAPS TO THEIR ADVANTAGE.

AND THAT IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED.

EACH ONE OF THE DEMOCRATS TOP TO BOTTOM REVERSED THEIR POSITION ON WHETHER OR NOT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD DRAW MAPS AS OPPOSED TO AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN PROMOTING AND I PUSHED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

THIS IS ABOUT POWER AND CONTROL AND WHAT I SAW THE OTHER NIGHT WAS NOTHING MORE THAN WHAT I'VE SEEN IN THE PAST WITH MICHAEL MADIGAN.

SO THE PLAYBOOK IS STILL THERE AND NOW IT'S UP TO THE GOVERNOR TO LIVE UP TO HIS PROMISE TO ILLINOIS CITIZENS TO VETO A MAP THAT IS DRAWN BY ELECTED OFFICIALS, POLITICIANS, LEGISLATORS WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED.

I WANT THE GOVERNOR TO BE STRAIGHT UP WITH ILLINOIS CITIZENS AND LIVE UP TO THE COMMITMENTS THAT HE MADE AS A CANDIDATE.

>> CONTINUE TO ASK QUESTIONS OF HIM ABOUT THAT.

EACH OF YOU, OF COURSE, COMPLAINING ABOUT THESE MAPS.

BUT ARE YOU PLANNING TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION TO STOP THEM FROM TAKING EFFECT?

LEADER McCONCHIE?

>> WELL, CERTAINLY, ALL OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE.

BUT RIGHT NOW, THE LEADER IS RIGHT.

WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IS ENCOURAGING THE GOVERNOR TO FOLLOW THROUGH MAKE SURE THAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER IS REMINISCENT OF CANDIDATE PRISS SCATTER HE PROMISED ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO SUPPORT AN INDEPENDENT MAP DRAWING PROCESS AND TO VETO MAPS THAT WERE DRAWN BY POLITICIANS PICKING THEIR OWN CONSTITUENTS.

THIS IS HIS GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW TO PROVE THAT HE WASN'T LYING TO THE PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS.

>> NOW, LEADER DURKIN, YOU'VE ALREADY BROUGHT HIM UP AND THAT IS OF COURSE FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN FIRST SESSION WITHOUT HIM.

WHAT WAS THIS FIRST POST MADIGAN SESSION LIKE?

>> I EXPECTED A LOT MORE.

THERE WAS A LOT OF HARMONIOUS WORDS SAID?

JANUARY.

I ALSO AGREE THIS IS A TIME FOR US TO GO FROM THE PAST AND WORK TOGETHER ON IMPORTANT ISSUES OF DAY LIKE OUR BUDGET, PENSIONS, PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND I WAS DISAPPOINTED.

I EXPECTED MORE FROM SPEAKER WELCH.

AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AND I WILL SAY THE WAY THE MAPS WERE DRAWN AND THE RATIO IN 5-1 DEMOCRAT BILLS CALLED OVER REPUBLICAN BILLS IS MORE PARTISAN RIGHT NOW UNDER SPEAKER WELCH THAN IT HAS BEEN UNDER SPEAKER MADIGAN.

>> MORE PARTISAN THOSE ARE STRONG WORDS.

LET'S MOVE ON TO THE BUDGET.

THE GOVERNOR DOES SAY THAT HE IS GOING TO SIGN.

>> LAW THE SPENDING PLAN THAT THE DEMOCRATS DID APPROVE OVER G.O.P.

OPPOSITION AND HE HAD MORE TO SAY ABOUT IT.

LET'S LISTEN.

>> REPUBLICANS LIKE TO BAD MOUTH THE STATE AND YET THEY ARE THE ONES WHO WANTED TO IRRESPONSIBLELY SPEND ONE-TIME AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN DOLLARS TO PAPER OVER OUR STRUCTURAL DEFICIT.

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.

>> LEADER McCONCHIE I WOULD LIKE YOU TO RESPOND TO THAT.

IS THIS NEW SOON TO BE BUDGET FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE?

>> NO, OF COURSE IT ISN'T.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WE HAVE IS WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANTLY MORE REVENUE THAN WE WERE EXPECTING.

OVER $15 BILLION.

IF YOU COUNT THE UNEXPECTED REVENUE AT THE STATE LEVEL AS WELL AS THE EXTRA MONEY COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND THE ISSUE AT THE END OF THE DAY IS HOW DO WE MAKE SURE WE GET THROUGH THE COVID PANDEMIC, A LOT OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THAT WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT IS DUE TO GOVERNOR PRITZKER DUE TO THE MITIGATIONS HE PUT IN PLACE THE LOCKDOWNS WHERE HE WAS DISCRIMINATORY IN THE WAY IN WHICH HE DID THOSE.

HE WOULD LET WALMART TO BE OPEN BUT A SMALL BUSINESS WAS FORCED TO CLOSE AND LAYOFF PEOPLE AND NOW WE HAVE $5 BILLION DEFICIT IN OUR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND WHAT PAYS THOSE BILLS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN LAID OFF FROM WORK AND THIS BUDGET ONLY PUTS A VERY, VERY SMALL AMOUNT INTO THAT FUND TO HELP MAKE THAT RIGHT.

WHAT WE GOING TO BE FACED WITH IS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED TAXES.

PERHAPS THE BIGGEST TAX INCREASES ON BUSINESSES IN ILLINOIS HISTORY COMING DOWN THE ROAD OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS WHICH IS GOING TO HURT US BEING ABLE TO TRY TO CLIMB OUT OF THE HOLE THAT THE GOVERNOR HELPED PUT US IN ALONG WITH THE PANDEMIC.

>> LEADER McCONCHIE, YOU DID MENTION THE MITIGATIONS.

MORE STRINGENT THAT PLAN CHANGED FROM THE PRITZKER ADMINISTRATION AS THE PANDEMIC WORE ON.

HAVE HIS ACTIONS IN TERMS OF MITIGATIONS BEEN APPROPRIATE?

>> WELL, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM THAT I HAVE AT THE END OF THE DAY HE IS STILL DOING A GO IT ALONE APPROACH.

HERE WE ARE, OVER A YEAR AND A QUARTER INTO THE PANDEMIC, AND HE DECIDES ALL SORTS OF ISSUES ON HIS OWN WITHOUT ALLOWING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO HAVE ANY SORT OF INPUT ON HOW IT IS THAT HE IS DOING THAT.

I UNDERSTAND GIVING THE GOVERNOR ABILITIES AND AUTHORITIES FOR EMERGENCIES ON A SHORT-TERM BASIS WHEN WE HAVE TORNADOES OR FIRES OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

BUT THIS IS A YEARLONG PLUS THAT HE HAS CONTINUED TO HAVE HUGE ASPECTS OF STATE GOVERNMENT AND FRANKLY EVERYDAY PEOPLE'S LIVES JUST HIM AND HIS PEN AND THAT'S PROBLEMATIC FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.

>> THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DID NOT TAKE ACTION TO TAKE THAT POWER BACK WHEN THERE WAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.

LEADER DURKIN, YOU HAVE VOTED AGAINST C.P.S.

ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD MEASURE REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE DID AS WELL.

HOW DOES THAT SQUARE WITH YOUR REPUBLICANS' COMMITMENT TO LOCAL CONTROL SOMETHING WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT DURING THE RAUNER ERA.

>> YOU HAVE TO THROW THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION INTO THE FACTOR.

THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING EXCEPT DISRUPT THE MANAGEMENT AT CITY HALL AFTER MAYOR LIGHTFOOT WAS ELECTED INTO OFFICE.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT C.T.U.

SHOULD TAKEOVER THE CHICAGO SCHOOL BOARD IT IS A DANGEROUS, DANGEROUS SITUATION.

THEY ARE UNIQUE FROM ANY OTHER SCHOOL BOARD AND ANY OTHER UNION IN THE IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

I DO BELIEVE IN LOCAL CONTROL BUT I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE IT OVER TO A GROUP OF ACTIVISTS WHO HAVE NOTHING BUT THEIR ONLY DESIRE IS TO WIN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND THAT IS THEIR SOLE FUNCTION NOR DO I HAVE THE FAITH THEY WOULD BE RIGHT FOR THE CHICAGO TAXPAYERS AND THE KIDS.

I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION ONE THING ON THE BUDGET THE GOVERNOR THINKS IT'S FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE HE HAS TO EXPLAIN WHY WE ARE GIVING THE LEGISLATURE A PAY RAISE AND DOUBLING THE OFFICE ALLOTMENT THAT IS NOT NECESSARY AND EXPLAIN WHY HE IS USING $1 BILLION FOR DEMOCRAT PORK PROJECTS NOTHING MORE THAN A SLUSH FUND OUT OF THE FEDERAL RECOVERY ACT.

THE GOVERNOR NEEDS TO EXPLAIN THAT AND I HOPE YOU CAN ASK HIM THOSE QUESTIONS TOMORROW.

>> LEADER McCONCHIE THE PRIMARY WAS MOVED TO JUNE, HOW DOES THAT TIMELINE CHANGE THINGS AS YOUR PARTY IS GOING TO BE HAVING TO NAIL DOWN A NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR?

>> WELL, IT IS A CHALLENGE BUT THE REAL QUESTION TO ME IS WHY IS IT THAT THEY DID THAT?

AND IT'S OBVIOUS.

THEY WERE UNWILLING TO DRAW CONGRESSIONAL MAPS USING ACA, AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY DATA BECAUSE THERE'S STRINGENT RULES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

EVERY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT HAS TO BE THE SAME SIZE.

BUT THEY THEN WENT AHEAD AND DREW A PARTISAN MAP FOR THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN ORDER TO MEET THE JUNE 30 DEADLINE THAT THEY HAD TO BE ABLE TO EXERT THEIR CONTROL THAT IS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

IT'S ABOUT MAXIMIZING CONTROL OF THE STATE AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO PUT OFF THE PRIMARY AND UNWILLINGNESS TO DRAW A MAP USING ACS DATA SHOWS HOW BAD THE DATA IS FOR THIS PURPOSE.

THE CENSUS HAVE SAID THIS DATA IS NOT TO BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE.

>> SOMETHING ELSE WE WILL BE KEEPING -- LEADER DURKIN ANOTHER MEASURE PART OF THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO SIGN INTO LAW WILL ALLOW THE STATE TO HAVE A VACCINE LOTTERY.

WE DON'T KNOW DETAILS.

IS THIS A GOOD USE OF STATE DOLLARS?

>> WELL, THERE'S A LOT OF HOLES IN THE BUDGET AND MUCH LIKE YOU WE'RE NOT AWARE OF IT.

WE WERE SHUTOUT OF NEGOTIATIONS.

VACCINATION DOES NOT SMELL RIGHT OR SEEM RIGHT WE SHOULD STAY ON THE PATH OF ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATEDDED AS SOON AS THEY CAN.

AND CONTINUE WITH PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS.

THIS IS A BUDGET PRESENTED TO US AT 11:30 IN THE MORNING THE OTHER NIGHT.

FRANKLY I CANNOT ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

>> 11:30 BEFORE MIDNIGHT.

>> YES.

>> I UNDERSTAND IT'S BEEN LONG DAYS AND IT ALL RUNS TOGETHER.

WE THANK EACH OF YOU FOR SPENDING SOME OF YOUR TIME WITH US AFTER ALL THE LONG HOURS.

JIM DURKIN OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE DAN McCONCHIE THANK YOU WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER WILL JOIN US ON TOMORROW'S PROGRAM.

NOW, PARIS, WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

THE CITY'S PROVIDING A ROUND OF RENT AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE TO CHICAGOLAND LORDS AND RENTERS.

THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES GRANTS UP TO 12 MONTHS UNPAID RENT AND THREE MONTHS OF FUTURE RENT PAYMENTS.

TENANTS WHO APPLY MUST HAVE LEARNED LESS THAN THE MAXIMUM INCOME DURING 2020 OR AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION.

BY AUGUST THE EVICTION BAN IS SET TO BE LIFTEDDED IN ILLINOIS.

WILL THIS BE ABLE TO KEEP PEOPLE AFLOAT AS POSSIBLE EVICTIONS COME BACK ON-LINE.

HERE ARE CAROL OSHANA A REAL ESTATE LAWYER WHO WORKS WITH LANDLORDS AND MICHELLE GILBERT, LEGAL AND POLICY DIRECTOR WITH LAWYERS COMMITTEE FOR BETTER HOUSING.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

FIRST, MICHELLE, HOW IMPACTFUL CAN THIS LATEST ROUND OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE BE FOR CHICAGOANS?

>> I THINK THIS RENTAL ASSISTANCE IS THE KEY.

NOT ONLY IN PREVENTING EVICTIONS BUT PREVENTING THE EFFECTS THE EVICTIONS WILL HAVE OR THE DEBT WILL HAVE.

LONG-TERM NOT JUST ON THE LANDLORDS AND TENANTS BUT ON THE ECONOMY GENERALLY.

AND IT IS A VERY GOOD CHUNK OF MONEY.

IT'S ALL FEDERAL MONEY.

THE CITY AND THE STATE ARE ADMINISTERING RENTAL ASSISTANCE FUNDS RIGHT NOW THAT CHICAGO RESIDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR.

AND I THINK THAT IT REALLY WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> AS YOU SEE ON OUR GRAPHIC THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS JUNE 8TH.

>> CAROL YOU WORKED ON SOME COUNTY ASSISTANCE THERE'S BEEN STATE AND COUNTY AND CITY ASSISTANCE COMING.

YOU'VE WORKED WITH LANDLORDS WHAT HAS THAT EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE?

>> IT'S DIFFICULT.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT SOME LANDLORDS MAY NOT HAVE.

FOR EXAMPLE YOU HAVE TO HAVE WRITTEN LEASES AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T HAVE WRITTEN LEASES.

SOMETIMES THEY DON'T HAVE THE TENANT'S PHONE NUMBER AND OFTENTIMES THAT IS THE CASE BECAUSE ONE TENANT LEFT AND ANOTHER TENANT MOVED IN LIKE IT WAS A ROOMMATE OR WHOEVER THE PERSON WAS AND THE LANDLORD HAS NO IDEA WHO THE PERSON IS.

AND THE PERSON WON'T CALL WON'T ANSWER THE DOOR THEY WON'T GIVE AWAY THEIR PHONE NUMBER OR E-MAIL.

SO IT HASN'T REALLY BEEN SEAMLESS.

FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH WELL IT'S DIFFICULT.

>> THERE CAN BE SNAGS IN GETTING THIS ASSISTANCE.

>> I'M GLAD THAT COUNTY HAS OPENED ITS PROGRAM FIRST AND IT HAS AN ONGOING DASHBOARD AND IT'S IT REPORTED AS OF TODAY COMMITTED $24 MILLION IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

THAT IS A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT AND THAT IS JUST.

>> IN THIS LATEST ROUND FROM CHICAGO THERE ARE NO UPPER LIMITS ON THE GRANT.

WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

>> WELL, IN THE PAST ROUNDS OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO EXPEDITE GETTING THE MONEY OUT, THE FUNDERS PROVIDED A FLAT AMOUNT.

SO IN THE FALL IT WAS 5,000 WHICH WAS GOOD.

LANDLORDS AND TENANTS NEEDED THAT MONEY BUT IT DOESN'T SATISFY THE NEED.

SO I WAS VERY HAPPY THAT BOTH THE ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING LISTENED TO COMMENTS FROM ADVOCATES, LANDLORDS AND TENANTS AND MAKING HERE WITH THIS 2021 MONEY ARE MAKING SPECIFIC GRANTS IN THE AMOUNTS THAT THE LANDLORDS AND TENANTS NEED TO SATISFY THE OBLIGATION.

SO THIS SHOULD PAY OFF THE RENT THAT IS DUE AND AS YOU INDICATED AT THE BEGINNING ALSO WILL PAY THREE MONTHS GOING FORWARD TO BRING HOUSING STABILITY TO THE MARKET.

>> CAROL, IT'S BEEN A TOUGH YEAR PLUS FOR RENTERS AND THAT MEANS A TOUGH YEAR AND CHANGE FOR LANDLORDS THAT DEPEND ON RENTAL INCOME TO PAY THEIR MORTGAGES OR BILLS THAT THEY HAVE.

COULD YOU TELL US THE SCOPE OF THE SITUATION RIGHT NOW FOR HOMEOWNERS, LANDLORDS AND BUILDING OWNERS?

>> THE PEOPLE SUFFERING THE MOST ARE LIVING IN THE LOWER ECONOMIC AREAS OF CHICAGO.

AND THIS HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE.

MOST OF MY PHONE CALLS ARE FROM AREAS OF THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE WHERE RENTS ARE INEXPENSIVE BUT RELATIVELY SPEAKING, OF COURSE, BUT THE PEOPLE ARE UNEMPLOYED OR THEY ARE WORKING BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY BECAUSE THEY DON'T CARE.

>> HAVE YOU RUN INTO A LOT OF LANDLORDS SAYING THEY BELIEVE PEOPLE CAN PAY BUT THEY ARE NOT?

>> OH, YEAH, LOTS.

ONE LADY WHO BOUGHT A MERCEDES HAS NOT PAID RENT SINCE APRIL.

>> THAT IS NOT TO MINIMIZE THE REAL PAIN THAT WE ASSUME MOST RENTERS ARE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW.

>> THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT SOMEBODY CAN FIND ONE EXAMPLE OF SOMEBODY ABUSED THE PROCESS.

A U.S.

SENATOR WHO TRADED FOR INSIDE INFORMATION ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

BUT I'M PART OF THE COUNTY LEGAL AID FOR HOUSING DEBT AND WE ARE IN EVICTION COURT EVERYDAY TALKING TO OUR OFFICE TALKING TO TENANTS WHO DON'T HAVE REPRESENTATION.

WE'VE DEFENDED A NUMBER OF THESE SO LANDLORDS WHO BELIEVE THAT THEIR TENANTS HAVE NOT PROPERLY FILED A DECLARATION AND A MOTION TO CHALLENGE THAT.

AND I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE HAD VERY GOOD RESULTS IN DEFENDING THOSE MOTIONS USUALLY THE FACTS ARE HEARTBREAKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR JOBS, PAID THEIR RENTS CONSISTENTLY AND THEN THIS HAPPENED PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO QUIT THEIR JOBS BECAUSE THEIR CHILDREN WERE BEING EDUCATED REMOTELY OR PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR JOBS AND AND THEN HAVE REACHED THE SITUATION WHERE THEY HAVE NO OTHER RESOURCES.

>> CAROL, WITH THIS LATEST ROUND OF ASSISTANCE FROM THE CITY, OBVIOUSLY IT'S NOT JUST IN THE RENTERS' INTEREST IF THEY ARE STRUGGLING BUT ALSO THE LANDLORD INTEREST.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE HELPING THEM HELP RENTERS APPLY FOR THIS?

>> OH, YEAH, LANDLORDS WILL DO IT THEY'LL RUN.

THEY WANT IT.

OF COURSE THEY ARE CALLING ME SAYING THE TENANTS ARE NOT HELPING AND THE PROBLEM WITH THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM A TENANT CAN APPLY AND EVEN IF THE LANDLORD DOES NOT RESPOND THEY ARE ELIGIBLE BUT THE REVERSE IS NOT TRUE.

IF A LANDLORD APPLIES AND THE TENANT DOES INTO THE PARTICIPATE, THE LANDLORD IS NOT ELIGIBLE.

>> SO POTENTIAL SNAG THERE TO WORKOUT.

CAROL, ONCE THIS EVICTION MORATORIUM IS LIFTED, WE EXPECT IN AUGUST WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE EVEN WITH THESE ROUNDS OF ASSISTANCE?

COULD THERE BE A LOT OF ACTIVITY IN EVICTION COURT?

>> YES, THERE WILL.

A LOT OF IT IS GOING TO BE PEOPLE MOVING OUT OF AN APARTMENT AND GOING TO ANOTHER ONE.

IF YOU ARE CALLING ME, YOU PROBABLY HAVE A TENANT THAT CAN'T PAY -- CAN PAY.

>> CAROL I WANTED TO GET MICHELLE IN ON THAT, TOO.

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN AUGUST?

>> I THINK THERE WILL BE DISLOCATION.

BUT I DON'T THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE NATIONAL DISASTER WE HAVE FEARED ALL ALONG.

THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE IS GOING TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.

>> OUR THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU FOR BEING HERE.

CAROL OSHANA AND MICHELLE GILBERT THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT, GARY, INDIANA LAUNCHES A QUARANTINED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM FOR MORE THAN 100 RESIDENTS.

STICK AROUND FOR THE DETAILS.

>> IT IS AN IDEA THAT HAS GROWN INCREASINGLY POPULAR IN RECENT YEARS.

QUARANTINED OR UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME PAYMENTS.

A PILOT PROGRAM IS LAUNCHING IN GARY, INDIANA WHERE MORE THAN 100 RESIDENTS STARTED TO RECEIVE MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $500.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" QUINN MYERS HAS MORE ON HOW IT WORKS AND HOW LOCAL OFFICIALS HOPE IT COULD BE A MODEL FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

>> AUGUSTINE LEWIS HAS LIVED IN GARY, INDIANA SINCE 1976.

WHEN HE MOVED HERE TO WORK IN THE STEEL MILLS.

>> I MET PEOPLE IN THE AIR FORCE WITH ME AND TOLD ME ABOUT THE STEEL MILLS AND HOW YOU COULD ACCUMULATE MONEY IN A FAST, FAST WAY LEGALLY.

AND THEY WERE RIGHT.

THE STEEL MILL PAID REALLY COULD PAY YOUR BILLS AND HAVE SOMETHING LEFTOVER.

>> HE WORKED AT U.S. STEEL UNTIL THE EARLY 2000'S WHEN LAID OFF HE IS RETIRED AND LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME.

JUST ENOUGH TO MEET EXPENSES AND OCCASIONALLY SUPPORT HIS SON, AUSTIN WHO HAS AUTISM AND LIVES NEAR INDIANAPOLIS.

>> MY BILLS COME OUT EXACTLY TO WHAT MY CHECKS FROM SOCIAL SECURITY AND VETERANS PAY IS.

AND I'M ABLE TO BUY ONE MCDONALD'S AND NOTHING EXTRA.

>> BUT STARTING IN MAY, LEWIS RECEIVED HIS FIRST OF 12 MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $500.

AS PART OF A NO STRINGS ATTACHED GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM.

>> MY SPENDING HABITS WILL CHANGE I WILL BE ABLE TO SPEND A LITTLE BIT MORE.

EITHER ON GROCERIES OR GASOLINE TO GO TO SEE AUSTIN WHEN THIS PANDEMIC EASES UP.

>> LEWIS IS ONE OF 125 GARY RESIDENTS GETTING THE MONEY.

CHOSEN BY LOTTERY OUT OF AROUND 4,000 APPLICANTS.

WHO HAD TO SHOW THEY MADE LESS THAN 35,000 A YEAR.

AMONG OTHER CRITERIA.

FOR GARY MAYOR JEROME PRINCE, THE PUBLIC PRIVATE PILOT IS ABOUT EXPANDING THE SAFETY NET FOR RESIDENTS STRAINING TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

>> WE HAVE FOLKS WHO ARE EXISTING FROM PAYDAY TO PAYDAY.

AND OFTENTIMES THEY DON'T HAVE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO MEET UNEXPECTED EXPENSES.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHEN THINGS SORT OF HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE LARGER IMPEDIMENTS OR SOME INSTANCES CATASTROPHIC SITUATIONS.

>> THE PROGRAM IS BEING PAID FOR WITH $500,000 IN SEED MONEY FROM THE GROUP MAYORS FOR A GUARANTEED INCOME.

WITH THE REST COMING FROM PRIVATE FUNDING.

PRINCE STRESSES THE MONTHLY PAYMENTS ARE ABOUT COMPASSION NOT A GOVERNMENT HANDOUT.

>> IF YOU WERE GIVEN AN ADDITIONAL $6,000 A YEAR, WOULD YOU STOP WORKING?

I THINK THE ANSWER WOULD BE RESOUNDING NO.

THIS IS ABOUT PROVIDING PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER THEMSELVES AND GIVING THEM THE IMPETUS TO DO SO.

>> OFFICIALS RUNNING THE PILOT PROGRAM SAY SUCCESS COULD MEAN A LOT OF THINGS.

LIKE LETTING PEOPLE FIX UP THEIR CARS SO THEY CAN DRIVE TO WORK.

OR TAKING THEIR KIDS ON A VACATION OUT OF STATE TO VISIT FAMILY FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.

BURGESS PEOPLES IS THE DIRECTOR OF GIVE GARY.

OR GUARANTEED INCOME VALIDATION EFFORT.

THE GROUP FACILITATING THE PILOT'S LOW JIS PROTECTS AND -- LOW JESS PARTICULARS AND IS WORKING WITH A CONTROL GROUP 150 RESIDENTS WHO ARE NOT RECEIVING PAYMENTS, BUT FILLING OUT SURVEYS ABOUT THEIR ECONOMIC NEEDS AND CHALLENGES.

>> WHAT IS IT THAT YOU NEED IN YOUR COMMUNITIES?

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU NEED IN YOUR CITY?

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE DOING FOR INDIVIDUALS IN OUR NATION?

>> UNIVERSAL INCOME HAS BECOME A MAINSTREAM IDEA THANKS IN PART TO POLITICIANS LIKE ANDREW YANG WHO HAVE CHAMPIONED THE CAUSE AS WELL AS FEDERAL STIMULUS PAYMENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

PEOPLES SAYS ONE OFF CHECKS ARE GREAT BUT REGULAR SUPPORT IS WHAT IS NEEDED TO ACTUALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT IS IN THE HOLE.

YOU GIVE THEM $600 OR $1200 THEY HAVE TO PAY BILLS OR RENT TO KEEP THEIR HOMES.

THEY ARE BACK IN THE RUT.

THEY CAN CONSISTENTLY PULL THEMSELVES OUT OF THE SITUATION AND THEN START BUILDING AND STARTING OVER AGAIN.

>> FOR AUGUSTINE LEWIS, STARTING OVER AGAIN MEANS GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

TO STUDY SOCIAL WORK.

HE IS HOPING TO USE PART OF HIS MONTHLY PAYMENTS TO BECOME A COUNCILOR FOR ADDICTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> I THINK GARY IS GOING TO RISE AND I HOPE TO BE A PART OF IT.

ONCE I GET INTO THE SOCIAL WORK.

I EXPECT TO ONE DAY HAVE A COUNSELING OFFICE OF MY OWN WHERE PEOPLE WOULD COME TO ME AND I WOULD BE ABLE TO GO OUT INTO THE FIELD.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M QUINN MYERS.

>> MEANWHILE, IN THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL, A PROPOSAL HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO USE FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS FOR A SIMILAR GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAM BUT IT HAS YET TO ADVANCE OUT OF THE RULES COMMITTEE.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... A STATE BILL FOR AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD ADVANCES AND MAYOR LIGHTFOOT THINKS IT WILL HURT THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL'S C.E.O.

IN CHICAGO.

>> THAT WAS CLASSIC MICHAEL MADIGAN.

>> WHY STATE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARE SO OUTRAGED ABOUT THE SPRING LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> AND A CLOSE-UP LOOK AT THE COLORFUL HISTORIC TIFFANY WINDOW THAT IS TURNING HEADS AT THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO.

>> FIRST, MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

A HISTORIC MOMENT TODAY AS THE CITY'S FIRST OPENLY GAY MAYOR WAS ON HAND TO BREAK GROUND ON CHICAGO'S FIRST PUBLIC MONUMENT RECOGNIZING THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CITY'S HIV EPIDEMIC.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ACTIVISTS OF THAT TIME.

>> WE STAND ON THEIR SHOULDERS EVERY SINGLE DAY IN OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE WITHOUT THAT ACTIVISM, WITHOUT THAT DETERMINATION, TO HAVE BETTER NOT JUST HEALTH OUTCOMES BUT A RECOGNITION OF EACH AND EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY AS HUMAN BEINGS WHO DESERVE TO HAVE THE FULL ARRAY OF CITIZENSHIP WITHOUT THAT ACTIVISM, I WOULD NOT BE STANDING HERE TODAY AS THE MAYOR OF CHICAGO AND I KNOW THAT.

>> THE FIRST PHASE OF THE GARDEN WAS COMPLETED IN 2019 WITH THE INSTALLATION OF THE ANCHOR PIECE ENTITLED SELF PORTRAIT.

A 30 FOOT SCULPTURE BY THE ARTIST AND ACTIVIST KEITH HERRING.

AIDS GARDEN CHICAGO SITS NEAR THE FORMER BELMONT ROCKS WHERE THE LOCAL GAY COMMUNITY OFTEN GATHERED.

THE TWO-AND-A-HALF ACRE PARK SOUTH OF BELMONT HARBOR IS EXPECTED TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC THIS FALL.

AND AS PRIDE MONTH KICKS OFF JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT WHEN PARIS WILL BE IN NORTH HALSTED FORMERLY KNOWN AS BOYSTOWN FOR OUR WEEKLY "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> STATE OFFICIALS REPORT 478 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19 SINCE YESTERDAY AND 9 DIED.

A TOTAL OF 1.383 MILLION PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND 22,842 PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

41% OF THE STATE'S POPULATION HAS BEEN FULLY VACCINATED.

AND GETTING YOUR COVID SHOT COULD EARN YOU A FREE SHOT OR WHATEVER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE YOU PREFER.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SIGNED A BILL ALLOWING BUSINESSES TO SERVE ALCOHOL TO OFFER A FREE DRINK TO ANYONE WITH A VACCINE YOU HAVE TO BE 21 AND YOU HAVE TO SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION.

THIS EXPIRES ON JULY 20TH.

THE LAW ALLOWS BARS AND RESTAURANTS TO TINSELING COCKTAILS FOR PICK UP AND DELIVERY THAT IS LEGAL UNTIL 2024.

>> PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD ADVOCATES ARE CELEBRATING THE PASSING OF A STATE BILL BY LEGISLATORS THAT WOULD TRANSFORM THE CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION INTO AN ELECTED BODY AND THOUGH MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT CALLED FOR AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD AS A CANDIDATE SHE SHARED A DIFFERENT OPINION TODAY.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL CHANGE IN GOVERNANCE FOR THE CHICAGO PUNISH SCHOOLS.

IT CAN'T BE ABOUT THE POLITICS.

IT'S GOT TO BE ABOUT THE PEOPLE.

THE PEOPLE MATTER MOST ARE OUR CHILDREN.

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT DEMOCRACY.

BUT WHAT HAPPENED IN SPRINGFIELD HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH DEMOCRACY.

BUT DEMOCRACY MARK MY WORD WILL PREVAIL.

>> AND WTTW NEWS REPORTER MATT MASTERSON JOINS US WITH MORE.

MATT, THIS IS COMMON IN TERMS OF HOW MANY MEMBERS AND WHEN IT BECOMES HYBRID AND ALL ELECTED BOARD.

REMIND US WHAT IS IN THE BILL.

>> THERE ARE DIFFERENT PARTS.

BUT IT WILL TURN THIS FROM AN APPOINTED BOARD INTO AN ELECTED BOARD BY 2027.

THE FIRST ROUND OF THAT COULD BEGIN AS SOON AS 2024 WHEN THE BOARD WOULD MOVE TO ELECTIONS FOR HALF OF A 21-MEMBER BOARD IT WOULD BE A HYBRID MODEL BETWEEN APPOINTED MEMBERS AND ELECTED MEMBERS.

AND TWO YEARS LATER DURING THE 2026 ELECTION IS WHEN THE BOARD WOULD BE 21 MEMBERS WOULD BECOME FULLY ELECTED.

BY THE 2026 ELECTION THE CITY IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN SPLIT UP INTO 20 DISTRICTS AND EACH ONE IS GOING TO BE ALLOWED TO ELECT ITS OWN MEMBER TO THE BOARD AND A 21 MEMBER WILL RUN TO BE THE PRESIDENT.

AND CHICAGO IS THE ONLY BOARD COMPLETE MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS SO THIS WOULD BE A SHIFT IF IT IS TURNED INTO LAW.

>> THE MAYOR CAMPAIGNED PARTIALLY ON SUPPORTING AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD WHY IS SHE OPPOSED TO THIS?

>> SHE IS PUSHING FOR A MORE PERMANENT HYBRID MODEL WITH APPOINTED AND ELECTED MEMBERS NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL TRANSITION INTO A FULLY ELECTED MODEL.

LIGHTFOOT SAID THE BILL IS BEING RUSHED AND IGNORES THE VOICES OF STUDENTS AND PARENTS.

BUT TODAY SHE ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE IMPACT IT COULD HAVE ON THE CITY'S ONGOING SEARCH FOR A NEW CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS C.E.O.

JANICE JACKSON IS LEAVING AT THE END OF THIS MONTH AND LIGHTFOOT SAID THIS BILL COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THAT SEARCH IF A POTENTIAL CANDIDATE FEELS THAT AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD COULD HAMPER THEIR ABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS.

>> A FUTURE C.E.O.

COULD BE COMING INTO AN UNCERTAIN SITUATION.

IT PASSED THE SENATE.

WHAT ABOUT THE HOUSE?

>> IT NEEDS TO GO BACK TO THE HOUSE.

IT'S UNCLEAR WHEN THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN BUT IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AIS POSSIBLE FINANCE IT RECEIVES APPROVAL IT WILL GO TO THE DESK OF GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER FOR FINAL APPROVAL AND TURN INTO LAW.

>> WE WILL KEEP FOLLOWING IT AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AND YOU CAN READ MATT'S STORY ON OUR WEBSITE WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND UP NEXT, OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM DISSECTS THE SPRING LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND MUCH MORE.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> ANOTHER SPRING LEGISLATIVE SESSION CHOCK FULL OF BILLS ON LEGISLATORS DESKS.

WELCOME BACK AMANDA VINICKY HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> ILLINOIS LEGISLATORS AS AMANDA KNOWS WELL, WENT DOWN TO THE WIRE WITH SOME OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES OF THE SPRING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

LET'S START WITH THE BUDGET.

THIS THOUSAND-PAGE BILL DROPPED AT 11:30 WITH A MIDNIGHT DEADLINE WITH SOME OF THE LAWMAKERS.

NEW LEADERSHIP SAME OLD LEADERSHIP STYLE?

>> 3,000 PAGES.

SO I SPOKE WITH SOMEBODY WHO SAID A REPUBLICAN SAID THEIR ANALYST HAD A DIFFICULT TIME OPENING IT ON THEIR COMPUTER AND THEREFORE BEING ABLE TO ANALYZE IT IN TIME BEFORE THE VOTE BECAUSE IT WAS SO BIG HIS COMPUTER DIDN'T OPEN.

PART OF THIS IS THE STYLE OF HOW SPRINGFIELD OPERATES.

THERE IS A LOT OF WHEELING AND DEALING AND THAT GETS BROUGHT IN THE LAST-MINUTE WHERE JOURNALIST DEADLINE DRIVEN BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT BECAUSE I DON'T YET KNOW I CANNOT REPORT EXACTLY WHAT IS IN IT AND PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW IS THIS A BALANCED BUDGET?

ALL OF THESE NUMBERS ARE FUNGIBLE IT IS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT TO DO SO AT MIDNIGHT WHEN YOU HAVE NOT HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE IT A GLANCE LET ALONE A READ.

>> THE ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD BILL THAT PASSED THE SENATE LATE LAST NIGHT PAST THAT MAY 31 DEADLINE LOOK WHAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAD TO SAY ABOUT ITS IMPACT OF HIRING A NEW C.E.O.

>> BECAUSE IT IS NOT REAL YET.

WE'LL SEE WHAT THE FINAL BILL LOOKS LIKE.

IT COULD HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT IF A C.E.O.

DOESN'T BELIEVE THAT HE OR SHE IS GOING TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE IN THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN THE LIVES OF OUR CHILDREN.

>> HEATHER, WHAT IS IN THIS BILL?

AND WHY DID THE MAYOR LOSE ON THIS ONE?

>> WELL, IT IS A 21-MEMBER BOARD WHICH AS WE HEARD FROM MATT, WOULD EVENTUALLY CREATE A FULLY ELECTED BOARD WHICH WOULD END MAYORAL CONTROL WHICH BEGAN IN 1995.

AND I THINK THAT LIGHTFOOT LOST THIS ONE AND ALTHOUGH WE HEARD HER SAY IT IS NOT A DONE DEAL YET IT HAS TO GO BACK TO THE HOUSE AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HAS TO SIGN IT.

BUT IT'S WORTH REMINDING EVERYBODY THAT LORI LIGHTFOOT CAMPAIGNED IN FAVOR OF THE FULLY ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.

SO I THINK SHE'S HAD TROUBLE COMMUNICATING ABOUT WHY THAT CHANGED.

WHY SHE FAVORED A FULLY ELECTED BOARD AND SAYS THE CITY NEEDS HYBRID AND SHE SAID THE CITY SUBSIDIZES THE SCHOOLS FOR PENSIONS.

THAT IS SURE TO BE AN ISSUE AND I EXPECT WE WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT IN THE COMING WEEKS AS THE HOUSE GEARS UP TO COME BACK TO VOTE ON THE MEASURE THAT PASSED THE SENATE.

>> AND NOW PAST THE DEADLINE WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO PASS?

>> THAT IS A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE.

WHICH IN A NORMAL LEGISLATOR MIGHT BE A TALL ORDER BUT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE SUPER MAJORITY AND AS AMANDA REPORTED, THE DEMOCRATS HAVE MARCHED IN LOCK STEP UNDER SPEAKER WELCH'S AUTHORITY AND I WOULD EXPECT THAT ALL OF THEM WILL VOTE IN FAVOR OF AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.

THEY HAVE VOTED SEVERAL TIMES IN FAVOR OF AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAS AN UPHILL BATTLE TO CONVINCE THEM WHAT THEY HAVE VOTED FOR SEVERAL TIMES IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO GO.

>> AND TRUTHFULLY THE MAYOR HAS NOT HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS IN SPRINGFIELD PERIOD.

THIS ADDS TO THE LIST.

IT IS NOT AS IF SHE HAS HAD THE VICTORIES THAT HER PREDECESSORS DID AND A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP IN PARTICULAR, THE LEGISLATORS FROM CHICAGO, THE DELEGATION FROM CHICAGO IS OUT OF SYNC WITH THE MAYOR ON THIS ONE.

>> IN ETHICS REFORM PASSED BUT CRITICS SAY IT DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH WHICH IS SURPRISING SINCE MICHAEL MADIGAN TIM MAPES WAS INDICTED DURING THE SESSION.

>> WELL, IT'S NOT THAT SURPRISING WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE FACT IT'S HARD TO GET LAWMAKERS TO PASS LEGISLATION THAT PERHAPS GOES AGAINST THEIR PERSONAL INTERESTS OR FINANCIAL INTERESTS.

THERE WERE SOME THINGS ACCOMPLISHED.

THE LEGISLATIVE INSPECTOR GENERAL HAS THE AUTHORITY TO OPEN INVESTIGATIONS OF POSSIBLE CORRUPTION AMONG THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

BUT, THEY CAN'T MAKE THOSE RESULTS PUBLIC UNLESS THEY GET THE APPROVAL OF A COMMISSION OF CURRENT AND FORMER LAWMAKERS AND THIS IS HOW THE IG LAWS GET STRIPPED OF THEIR TEETH ALL OVER THE STATE.

THE BIG PROBLEM THAT REFORM GROUPS HAVE WITH THE LACK OF ACTION ON ETHICS IS THAT NOT MUCH WAS DONE TO SOLVE THE REVOLVING DOOR OF LAWMAKERS GOING INTO LUCRATIVE CAREERS IN LOBBYING OR LAWMAKERS THAT LOBBY OTHER UNITS OF GOVERNMENT WHILE THEY ARE A LAWMAKER.

LUIS ARROYO THIS IS ONLY IN ILLINOIS THINGS.

REFORM GROUPS WANTED A COOLING OFF PERIOD.

YOU CAN'T BECOME A LAWMAKER.

>> OR A BAN.

>> OR A BAN OUT RIGHT BUT THEY WOULD HAVE SETTLED FOR ONE YEAR OR TWO YEARS YOU CANNOT BECOME A LOBBYIST.

HERE IN THE RETIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR TERM YOU HAVE TO WAIT UP TO SIX MONTHS BUT IF YOU FINISH YOUR TERM YOU COULD BECOME A LOBBIEST THE NEXT DAY SO THE REFORM GROUPS SAY THAT DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THE REVOLVING DOOR WHICH IS AT THE HEART OF THE FEDERAL INVESTIGATION OF ComEd.

>> AND THIS UTILITY IS ASKING FOR A RATE HIKE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BRIBERY SCANDAL WHERE FOUR PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INDICTED INCLUDING ITS FORMER C.E.O.

AMANDA IS THIS AFFECTING THE BILL AT ALL?

>> ComEd'S PARENT COMPANY EXELON BUT THOSE COMPANIES WILL TRY HARD TO SEPARATE THEM IN'S LOT OF PEOPLE'S EYES THEY AREN'T AND THAT INCLUDES IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR THE PUBLIC YES HOW CAN THAT NOT CAST A SHADOW OVERALL OF THESE THINGS PARTICULARLY IT'S THE VERY LAW THAT IS CITED IN THOSE DOCUMENTS WHERE ComEd ADMITTED TO HAVING THIS LONG RUNNING BRIBERY SCHEME REALLY IS NOT EVEN A YEAR AGO WAS TO SUPPORT NUCLEAR PLANTS AND THAT IS PART OF THIS MASSIVE ENERGY BILL AND NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON NOW.

AND I THINK IT IS FURTHER COMPLICATED BECAUSE IT IS A FLAT OUT YOU WILL SEE AND YOU CAN SEE ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL HOW BIG THAT SUBSIDY IS IT'S GOING TO EXELON WHICH IS A PROFITABLE COMPANY.

SO THERE'S THE CORRUPTION AND JUST THE ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW, HAS OR WANTS TO GIVE MORE MONEY OUT OF THEIR POCKET TO A UTILITY.

>> PARIS LAWMAKERS MOVED THE PRIMARY INTO 2022 FROM MARCH TO JUNE.

WHY DID THEY DO THAT?

>> AS YOU HEARD THE REPUBLICAN LEADER McCONCHIE SAY IT'S BECAUSE THEY NEED TO WAIT FOR THAT LATE ARRIVING CENSUS DATA TO COME IN BEFORE THEY DRAW THE NEW CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT MAPS BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF POPULATION IN EACH MAP.

THEY DID NOT HAVE THE RESTRICTIONS WITH THE STATE.

BUT MOVING THIS PRIMARY BACK AND THIS IS JUST A ONE-TIME DEAL MOVE IT TO JUNE FROM MARCH, GIVES FOLKS TIME TO WAIT FOR THESE NEW MAPS TO BE DRAWN BEFORE THEY HAVE TO START GETTING STUFF READY TO RUN FOR OFFICE FILING ALL THE PAPERWORK.

IT WAS AN ACCOMMODATION FOR THAT.

AND IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE ILLINOIS IS GOING TO BE VERY INFLUENTIAL IN THE NEXT PRIMARY ELECTION IF THE PRIMARY IS THAT FAR INTO THE SUMMER YOU HEARD FOLKS THAT ILLINOIS SHOULD BECOME ONE OF THE FIRST PRIMARY STATES SO THAT IT PLAYS A BIGGER ROLE IN THE PRIMARY BECAUSE ILLINOIS IS THE MOST REPRESENTATIVE STATE POPULATION WISE OF THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

THIS IS THE OPPOSITE OF THAT.

>> HEATHER HERE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WROTE ABOUT YESTERDAY.

THE NEW TERM FOR ALDERMEN IS NOW ALDERPERSON.

GO ON?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO ALDERMAN IS NOT A GENDER NEUTRAL TERM AND A FULL 30% OF THE CHICAGO'S CITY COUNCIL IS FEMALE.

AND IT HAS BEEN WAIT FOR IT... 50 YEARS SINCE THE FIRST WOMEN WERE ELECTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL SO THIS BIG ELECTIONS OMNIBUS BILL WOULD CHANGE THE FORMAL TITLE FROM ALDERMAN TO ALDERPERSON OR ALDERPEOPLE.

AND SOME ALDERMEN ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS AND ONE ALDERMAN ANDRE VASQUEZ INTRODUCED A RESOLUTION SEVERAL MONTHS AGO TO CHANGE THE TITLE TO ALDER.

THAT DIDN'T FLY FROM WITH HIS COLLEAGUES THIS SEEMS LIKE THE NEXT BEST THING BUT IT CAUGHT MANY ALDERMEN OFF GUARD THAT IT ENDED UP IN THE BILL.

THE MYSTERIOUS WAYS OF SPRINGFIELD YOU HAVE TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON IT EVERY SECOND.

>> SURPRISE.

SO BOTH THE CITY AND THE STATE ARE ON TRACK FOR FULL REOPENINGS AS COVID-19 INFECTIONS REMAIN LOW.

THE CDC RECOMMENDED THAT PEOPLE DON'T GET TESTED IF THEY THINK THEY HAVE THE CORONAVIRUS THIS REFERS SPECIFICALLY TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

BUT COULD BE INFECTION RATE BE HIGHER?

>> I'M NO EPIDEMIOLOGIST, BUT YES.

BUT CLEARLY THE CDC IS MAKING THIS RECOMMENDATION BECAUSE THAT IS NOT REALLY [INAUDIBLE] MORE AND MORE PEOPLE GETTING VACCINATED WE KNOW IT WOULD BRING THINGS DOWN THE PSA JOURNALISTS WE LIKE TO REMAIN AS OBJECTIVE AS POSSIBLE BUT IN THIS CASE, IT'S ALL OVER.

GET THE VACCINE.

>> EARLIER WE TALKED ABOUT THE BILL OFFERING A SHOT AND A BEER WAS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR AND THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO GIVE OUT LOTTERY TICKETS AN INCENTIVES FOR FOLKS TO GET VACCINATED.

HEATHER ANY EVIDENCE THESE TACTICS MAY WORK?

>> YES.

OHIO WAS THE FIRST STATE TO INSTITUTE A VACCINATION LOTTERY AND A SAW A 45% INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO GOT VACCINATED AFTER THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED MAYBE THEY WOULD WIN $1 MILLION OR IN HIGH SCHOOL, A FULL RIDE TO A STATE UNIVERSITY.

SO IT'S CLEAR THAT THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE WAITING TO MAKE IT WORTH THEIR WHILE AND STARTING ON JUNE 10TH IF YOUR FAVORITE WATERING HOLE IS PARTICIPATING IN THIS BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 6:00 P.M.-10:00 P.M., AND YOU ARE OF LEGAL DRINKING WAGE YOU CAN BRING YOUR VACCINATION CARD AND DEMAND THE BOOZEY DRINK AND CELEBRATE THE END OF THE PANDEMIC FOR YOU HOPEFULLY PERSONALLY.

>> SOUNDS LIKE PEOPLE WILL BE MAKING PLANS THEN.

RELATIVE GOOD NEWS FOR THE START OF THE SUMMER, THE NUMBER OF MURDERS OVER THE ST. PATRICK'S --MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND WAS DOW.

>> 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.

>> NOW, HEATHER WE KNOW VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS HAVE BEEN ACTIVE IN YEARS PAST WHAT IS IT THAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE THIS PAST WEEKEND FOR THAT DECREASE IN MURDERS?

>> WELL, I THINK WE HAVE TO WAIT-AND-SEE THE SUMMER IS VERY YOUNG.

IT WAS NOT HOT.

IT WAS IN FACT COLD THIS WEEKEND.

AND EXPERTS WILL TELL YOU THAT SUMMER VIOLENCE TRACKS SOMETIMES WITH THE TEMPERATURES.

THIS WEEKEND IS SUPPOSED TO BE VERY, VERY HOT.

SO I KNOW THAT SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN AND MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ARE ALSO SORT OF FOCUSING ON THOSE EFFORTS.

BUT THE MAYOR'S STRATEGY TO ADDRESS THIS VIOLENCE HAS PUT MORE MONEY TOWARDS SENDING PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE GANG LIFE WHO HAVE CRIMINAL HISTORIES TO GO BACK INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND TALK TO THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE CONFRONTATIONS AND TRY TO MEDIATE A SOLUTION.

THE MAYOR SEES THAT AS A POTENTIALLY MORE EFFECTIVE WAY OF REDUCING VIOLENCE THAN JUST ARRESTING AND THROWING PEOPLE IN JAIL.

IT'S VERY UNCLEAR WHETHER THAT WILL MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE THIS SUMMER AFTER WE'VE SEEN A REALLY STEADY INCREASE IN BOTH SHOOTINGS AND MURDERS TRULY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC IN MARCH 2020.

>> AND THE BAD NEWS IS THAT SHOOTINGS ARE STILL UP FOR THAT SAME PERIOD OF 2020.

AMANDA THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A NEW GUN BILL BUT THE SESSION WHAT IMPACT ARE THEY HOPING THAT WILL HAVE?

>> THE HOUSE PASSED A BILL THE SENATE PASSED A BILL AND THE HOUSE PASSED THE SAME BILL WE ARE NOT REALLY LEFT WITH MAJOR CHANGES WHEN IT COMES TO GUN LICENSING AS WE SEE THAT DEMAND FOR GUNS SOAR, WE HEAR FROM CHICAGO LEGISLATORS THEY SAY THEY WANT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

THEY ARE HEARING FROM PEOPLE WHO WANT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND FRUSTRATED THEY CANNOT GET THE FOID CARD THAT YOU NEED TO LEGALLY CARRY A GUN AND YOU HAVE CRITICS SAYING WAIT, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ONES THAT ARE PERPETRATORS OF THESE SHOOTINGS THAT WE SEE AND MUCH OF THE VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO ARE NOT PAYING MUCH ATTENTION TO THE STATE'S SYSTEM TO APPLY FOR A GUN LICENSE AND THEY ARE NOT PARTICULARLY WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

THIS IS MOST CERTAINLY IS INTERESTING GIVEN THAT GUNS ARE NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.

IT IS GENERALLY MORE OF A REGIONAL ONE IN ILLINOIS.

AND, YET, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE SUPER MAJORITIES THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE AND STILL, AFTER YEARS AFTER THE AURORA MASS SHOOTING THAT BROUGHT IT INTO A CLOSER LOOK, NOTHING'S CHANGED >> PARIS COULD THIS HELP WITH CHICAGO'S GUN PROBLEM?

OR IS THAT MORE CAUSED BY ILLEGAL GUNS?

>> I HATE TO BE PESSIMISTIC MAYBE IT COULD CAUSE A SMALL DENT THERE IS A PROVISION TO REQUIRE BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR PRIVATE SALES.

BUT HAVING COVERED THIS IN THE PAST AND TALKED TO COUNTY AND FEDERAL PROSECUTORS THERE IS NO WAY TO TRACK THE PAPER TRAIL OF GUN TRANSFERS.

AND THERE IS NO PAPER TRAIL IS THE THING.

SO THERE IS NO WAY TO PROCESS DUTY THAT AND THE GUNS THAT WINDUP IN THE STREETS IN CHICAGO THE MAJORITY WERE NOT PURCHASED HERE.

THERE ARE MANY PURCHASED IN COOK COUNTY OR DOWN STATE BUT PURCHASED IN INDIANA OR PURCHASED IN WISCONSIN WHERE THERE ARE LAX RULES IN TERMS OF PURCHASING AND BACKGROUND CHECKS.

AS LONG AS THOSE BORDER STATES HAVE THE POLICIES THEY HAVE, IT'S REASONABLE TO ASSUME IT'S GOING TO BE EASY FOR THE GUNS TO GET IN THE HANDS OF PEOPLE THAT MISUSE THEM.

>> AND BEFORE WE GO, BARACK OBAMA IS IN CHICAGO THIS WEEK TO TOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL CENTER ARE YOU SURPRISED HE HAS NOT BEEN HERE MORE TO DRUM UP SUPPORT FOR IT WHEN THERE'S BEEN OPPOSITION?

>> THERE HAS BEEN.

AND I THINK WE ARE REALLY SEEING THE FACT THAT THIS IS NOW A DONE DEAL.

THEY HAVE ALL THE APPROVALS IN PLACE.

THE LEGAL ISSUES BY AND LARGE HAVE BEEN RESOLVED.

AND SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, THE CITY STARTED WORKING ON THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY WORK AND THE ROADWORK THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE AN OFFICIAL GROUNDBREAKING CAN TAKE PLACE WHICH IS EXPECTED LATER THIS SUMMER OR EARLY FALL.

SO WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THAT PR PUSH TAKE SHAPE.

AND YOU KNOW, IT HAS ALWAYS HURT THE CHICAGOAN IN MY HEART THAT BARACK OBAMA HAS NOT BEEN BACK HOME AS MUCH AS WE HAVE THOUGHT AFTER HIS PRESIDENTIAL TERM.

>> THE PORTRAIT IS COMING SOON.

IN THE MEANTIME, MY THANKS TO AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> UP NEXT, A GLASS ADDITION TO THE ART INSTITUTE.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER...

IT IS A HEAVENLY DEPICTION OF A PLACE ON EARTH.

IT'S A FINE WORK OF ART AND ONE OF THE NEWEST ACQUISITIONS AT THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO.

PRODUCER MARC VITALI VISITED TO EXPLORE AN ILLUMINATING LANDSCAPE MADE FROM LIGHT AND GLASS.

[♪♪♪] IT IS 26 FEET HIGH AND CONTAINS 48 SECTIONS OF STAINED GLASS.

IT WAS MADE BY TIFFANY STUDIOS AND COMPLETED IN 1917.

>> TIFFANY STUDIOS WAS THE FOREMOST STUDIO FORESTAINED GLASS AND HELPED REVOLUTIONIZE THE MEDIUM IN THE UNITED STATES.

THEY WERE CREATING NEW TYPES OF GLASS NEW COMBINATIONS.

WHERE THE NATURAL EFFECTS OF THE LANDSCAPES AND THE SCENES THEY WERE DEPICTING IS COMING THROUGH THE MATERIAL.

THIS ISN'T A WORK WHERE THE SURFACES ARE PAINTED.

THIS IS REALLY NATURE REALIZED THROUGH THE MEDIUM.

SO IN ITS SCALE AND ITS SIZE IN THE INTRICATE COMBINATION OF THE GLASS TYPES THERE'S NOTHING LIKE IT.

>> ACQUIRED FROM A CHURCH IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, THIS MASTERPIECE DEPICTS A NEW ENGLAND LANDSCAPE NOT A SCENE FROM THE BIBLE.

>> THIS WAS A NEW DIRECTION THAT TIFFANY STUDIOS WAS FORGING.

LOUIS COMFORT TIFFANY LUIS HAD AN INTEREST IN LANDSCAPING AND IT WAS NOT COMMON IN RELIGIOUS SETTINGS BUT YOU START TO SEE THEM EXPLORING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN NATURE AND SPIRITUALITY HERE THAT IS CONNECTED LITERALLY THROUGH THE PSALM VERSE THAT APPEARS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW BUT IT'S ALSO SOMETHING SITTING IN THAT SPACE YOU WOULD HAVE LOOKED UP INTO THIS NATURAL WORLD AND BEEN MOVED IN THAT WAY.

>> IN THE CHURCH, THE WINDOW WAS POSITIONED HIGH ABOVE THE ALTER.

AND THE NEW SETTING IT'S MORE APPROACHABLE.

THE WORK IS ATTRIBUTED TO AGNES NORTHROP, WHO WORKED IN THE SO-CALLED WOMEN'S DEPARTMENT AT TIFFANY STUDIOS.

>> SHE WAS THE FOREMOST LANDSCAPE DESIGNER DOING SPECIAL COMMISSIONS AND WE CAN SEE HER HAND IN THE COMPOSITION AND THE FLORA AND FAUNA THROUGHOUT THE SCENE SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN THE VISION BEHIND THIS AND YOU WOULD HAVE HAD OTHER PEOPLE THAT WERE CHEMISTS MIXING THE GLASS FORMULAS TO CREATE THE SPECTACULAR COMBINATIONS TO ACHIEVE THE NATURAL EFFECTS.

>> THE GLASS ARRIVED IN GOOD CONDITION BUT IT IS OVER 100 YEARS OLD AND NEEDED RESTORATION AND CAREFUL INSTALLATION.

OTHER ARCHITECTURAL TREASURES SHARED A SPACE WITH THE WORK LIT FROM BEHIND WITH LED LIGHTING.

THE STAIRCASE ADDS HIGHLIGHTS.

>> THE LIGHT CHANGES IT'S NEVER THE SAME.

SO THE LIGHT COMING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS DOWN THE WATERFALL IT'S DIFFERENT FROM PERSPECTIVES THROUGHOUT THE GALLERY AND IS DIFFERENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

TO ME, IT IS A SINGULAR WORK IN THIS SPACE AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S BEEN HERE ALL ALONG.

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

>> NEITHER THE CHURCH WHICH REMAINS OPEN NOR THE ART INSTITUTE WILL SAY HOW MUCH THAT WINDOW COST.

THE CHURCH WANTED STEWARDS TO RESTORE IT AND PLACE WHERE IT CAN BE SEEN BY MORE PEOPLE AND THE ART INSTITUTE WANTED A UNIQUE PIECE OF AMERICAN ART.

IT'S PERMANENTLY ON VIEW.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

>> JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. >> ONE-ON-ONE WITH GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER AND HIS ASSESSMENT OF THE SPRING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> AND A NEW SKATEBOARD PROGRAM GIVES CHICAGO YOUTH A CHANCE TO SHRED AT LOCAL BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.