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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> AFTER 24 YEARS SECRETARY OF STATE JESSE WHITE IS HANDING OFF THE BATON.

WE HEAR FROM TWO DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES VYING TO FILL HIS POST.

>> BLOOD SHORTAGE IS SUCH A BIG PROBLEM.

>> PRESSURE FOR A CHANGE IN THE RULES OF WHO CAN DENATURE BLOOD THAT AND MORE IN THE EFFORT TO INCREASE SUPPLY FOLLOWING A SEVERE SHORTAGE.

>> TEMPERATURES ARE RISING BUT PARK DISTRICT POOLS ARE NOT OPEN.

WE LOOK AT THE CITY'S LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE.

>> HOW DOES THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HOLD-UP WHEN IT COMES TO COVID-19 VACCINATIONS?

WE SHARE NEW WTTW NEWS FINDINGS.

>> A SHORTAGE OF FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS IS BEING FELT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

HOW ORGANIZATIONS ARE COPING.

>> AND THE FIGHT TO RECOGNIZE JUNETEENTH AS AN OFFICIAL HOLIDAY AND WHY ADVOCATES SAY IT'S ONLY THE BEGINNING.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE WAS IN CHICAGO TODAY CALLING FOR A QUOTE CHANGE IN DIRECTION TO COMBAT THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.

SPEAKING AT THE UNIVERSITY CLUB OF CHICAGO, PENCE RAILED AGAINST PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S HANDLING OF THE ECONOMY.

>> UNLIKE THE GREAT DEPRESSION OF THE 1930s, THE STAGFLATION OF THE 1970s OR THE GREAT RECESSION OF 2008, THE ECONOMIC WOES HAVE BEEN CAUSED ALMOST SINGLE-HANDEDLY BY ONE PERSON.

THE 46TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

JOE BIDEN.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT IS TAPPING MONIQUE SCOTT TO FILL THE 24TH WARD CITY COUNCIL SEAT MADE VACANT BY SCOTT'S BROTHER.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT MADE NO STATEMENT TO THE CONNECTION TO THE FORMER ALDERMAN MICHAEL SCOTT, JUNIOR ONE OF LIGHTFOOT'S RELIABLE ALLIES IN COUNCIL.

HE ANNOUNCED HIS SURPRISING RETIREMENT AND JOINED CINESPACE STUDIOS.

MONIQUE SCOTT WAS ONE OF 19 PEOPLE WHO APPLIED TO FILL THE POSITION.

A FINAL VOTE ON HER NOMINATION IS EXPECTED AT THE FULL CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY.

>> ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS SPENT THE MORNING CELEBRATING THE JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY AT KENWOOD HIGH SCHOOL.

IT RECOGNIZES JUNETEENTH, 1865 WHEN THE LAST ENSLAVED PEOPLE IN GALVESTON, TEXAS WERE FREED.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER POINTED OUT THAT ILLINOIS MADE JUNETEENTH A STATE HOLIDAY BEFORE THE FEDERAL HOLIDAY.

JULIANA STRATTON REFLECTED ON HER RISE TO LEADERSHIP AND HER ANCESTORS.

>> I'M PROUD TO SERVE AS ILLINOIS' FIRST BLACK LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

BUT EVERY SINGLE DAY, I AM ALSO PROUD TO BE THE GREAT, GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER OF WILLIAM AND MARCH RELEVANT STEVENS OF SUNFLOWER COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI WHO LIVED UNDER THE BRUTALITY OF SLAVERY UNTIL PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.

>> UP NEXT, HEAR FROM TWO OF THE DEMOCRATS VYING TO BE THE STATE'S NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> THE ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IS THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT PERHAPS HAS THE MOST INTERACTION WITH ILLINOISANS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

MOST OF US HAVE BEEN GETTING A LICENSE RENEWAL OR TITLE BUT THE OFFICE MANAGES 4,000 EMPLOYEES AND CARRIES OUT MANAGING THE DISCLOSURE OF STATE LOBBYISTS AND THE REGISTRATION OF ALL ENTITIES DOING BUSINESS IN THE STATE.

THE POST HAS BEEN HELD FOR 24 YEARS BY THE POPULAR JESSE WHITE BY RETIRING.

WE FEATURED TWO REPUBLICANS VYING FOR THE POST AND TONIGHT SOME OF THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY CONTENDERS.

JOINING US ARE CITY CLERK, ANNA VALENCIA AND 17TH WARD DAVID MOORE.

WE INVITED CANDIDATES AND ALEXI GIANNOULIAS HE ACCEPTED AND LATER CANCELED.

ALSO ON THE BALLOT IS SYDNEY MOORE AND YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT HIM AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

BUT WE DO THANK BOTH OF YOU FOR BEING HERE.

QUICK, ANNA VALENCIA I WANT TO START WITH YOU, WHAT WILL YOU DO TO MANAGE THE OCCASIONAL LONG LINES AND WAIT TIMES AT THE MOTOR SERVICES FACILITY KNOWN AS THE DMV?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

AS THE CITY CLERK OF CHICAGO I'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK IN MY OFFICE DURING THE MODERNIZATION PROJECT.

BECAUSE THE PANDEMIC THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES WE WILL NEED SO I HAVE THE EXPERIENCE DOING THAT AT THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE GOING TO E-COMMERCE AND E FORMS AND MODERNIZING THE CITY COUNCIL WHERE OUR ALDERMEN FOR THE FIRST TIME CAN VOTE ON-LINE.

WHEN I TAKE THIS EXPERIENCE AND BUILD ON SECRETARY WHITE'S LEGACY THAT HE BUILT I'M PROUD TO HAVE SECRETARY WHITE'S ENDORSEMENT AND WE HAVE BEEN BRAINSTORMING WHAT I CAN DO AS I TAKE OFFICE TO BUILD ON THAT EMPIRE HE HAS BUILT.

LOOKING AT THE ONE STOP SHOP PORTAL TO LOOK AT E FORMS, PAYING ON-LINE.

RENEWING YOUR LICENSE AND YOUR CAR VEHICLE, BUT ALSO REGISTERING A BUSINESS AT A ONE-STOP SHOP.

I WANT TO LOOK AT FLEXIBLE HOURS OFFERING SATURDAY HOURS OR EVENING HOURS.

WE HAVE DONE THIS DURING MY MOBILE CITY HALL FEATURE WE HAD A SATURDAY OFFERED LAST MONTH AND NORTH LAWNDALE.

IF WE CAN OFFER MORE FLEXIBLE HOURS AND PARENTS DON'T HAVE TO TAKE TIME OFF WORK.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO AND MORE HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO BRING IT TO LIFE.

>> ALDERMAN MOORE HOW DO YOU MODERNIZE THAT OFFICE?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TONIGHT.

ONE OF THE THINGS I SPENT 10 YEARS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WORKING FOR A FORTUNE 500 COMPANY, THE CHLOROX COMPANY AND [INAUDIBLE] AND WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT TECHNOLOGY YOU START PARALLELLING TO YOUR SYSTEMS THOSE THINGS TAKE TIME AND THAT IS WHY I'M THE PERSON THAT TALKS ABOUT DIGITAL LICENSE PLATES AS AN OPTION TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF LINE.

DIGITAL LICENSE PLATES ARE BEING USED IN ARIZONA AND MICHIGAN AS AN OPTION TONIGHT SERVES THREE PRIMARY PURPOSES: ONE WITH THE EPIDEMIC WE ARE IN, IT SERVES AS A SAFETY MECHANISM IF YOUR CAR IS CARJACKED OR STOLEN THAT DIGITAL LICENSE PLATE CAN FLASH STOLEN AND THE PERSON CAN GET APPREHENDED AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND SERVES AS A DETERRENT TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM CARJACKING.

AND THE OFFICE IN LINE THAT IS THREE TIMES YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO INTO THE OFFICE BUT FROM THE DIGITAL PLATFORM.

YOU CAN DO YOUR REGISTRY YOUR TITLING AND RENEWAL FROM THE DIGITAL PLATFORM.

AND THEN FOR PEOPLE LIKE MY MOTHER WHO IS SAYING I'M NOT USING TECHNOLOGY, AT THE STATE LIBRARIAN I'M THE FIRST ONE TO SAY I WILL USE OUR LIBRARIES AS SATELLITE OFFICES AND COMMUNITY CONNECTORS WHERE YOU CAN COME IN AND DO THESE THINGS LIKE RENEWAL, REGISTRATION AND TITLING WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TO THE MAIN FACILITY AND YOU CAN REDUCE LINES.

A LOT OF IDEAS FOR DIGITIZING AND MODERNIZING THE OFFICE.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT FATALITIES NOT ONLY FROM CAR ACCIDENTS BUT DEATHS IN THE CITY FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS HIT BY MOTORISTS.

IS THERE ANYTHING THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE COULD DO TO INSURE SAFER ROADS FOR EVERYBODY THAT USES THE ROAD?

>> YES.

I WANT TO START AN VERIZONRY COUNCIL AND WORKING WITH M.A.D.D.ES AND OTHER SAFETY GROUPS WHAT WE CAN DO TO INCREASE OUR ROAD SAFETY.

I THINK GRASSROOTS FROM THE BOTTOM UP NOT THE TOP DOWN POLICY IS THE BEST WAY TO DO IT.

I AM NOT THE EXPERT.

THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE OUR ORDINARY RESIDENTS THAT ARE EXPERTS WORKING ON THIS FOR YEARS.

THAT IS GOING TO BE A PRIORITY TO LOOK AT ROAD SAFETY AND TAKE THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

I WANT TO CREATE A JOWT JOB PROGRAMS THAT ALLOWS OUR STUDENTS TO BE CIVICALLY ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND EMPOWER AND TAKE INITIATIVE.

I WANT OUR YOUTH TO BE AT THE TABLE WHEN WE ARE MAKING DECISIONS WHAT ROAD SAFETY LOOKS LIKE.

WE HAVE NOT TAPPED INTO WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE ON POLICY WITH MARIJUANA NOW THAT IT'S LEGALIZED FOR ILLINOIS.

DRUNK DRIVING WHICH IS ALSO INCREASED SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT.

AND WHAT WE ARE DOING TO GET TOUGH ON THE FOLKS REPEAT OFFENDERS AND OUR SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY IS UPGRADED SO WE CAN USE INFORMATION TO ALL 102 COUNTIES SEAMLESSLY AND EFFICIENTLY SO WE KNOW WHO THE FOLKS ARE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE WANT TO DO.

WE WILL START WITH THE ADVISORY COUNCIL AND BUILD OUT POLICIES FROM THE COMMUNITY.

>> ALDERMAN MOORE WE MENTIONED TRAFFIC FATALITIES IT'S GONE UP FROM A THOUSAND IN 2019 ON ILLINOIS ROADS TO 1300 IN 2021.

HOW CAN THE STATE BRING THAT DOWN?

AND WOULD YOU CONSIDER STIFFER PENALTIES FOR D.U.I.'S?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

BEFORE YOU GET TO THE STIFFER PENALTIES YOU HAVE TO FOCUS ON COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION.

YOU HAVE TO RUN A CAMPAIGN AND LET PEOPLE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS NOT TO TEXT.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOUNG PEOPLE WE'RE TEACHING THEM AND SHOWING THEM THAT TEXTING IS EQUIVALENT DRINKING TWO TIMES OVER THE LIMIT.

THERE ARE STUDIES.

THE MORE WE EDUCATE NOT ONLY OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS WHO TEXT AS WELL, THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE DO THAT.

RUNNING THAT CAMPAIGN IS CRITICAL.

AS THE ALDERMAN I HAVE BEEN A SUPPORTER OF VISION ZERO A PROGRAM BY CDOT MAKING SURE WE HAVE SPACES WHERE BIKERS CAN SAFELY RIDE THEIR BIKES.

BUT AS THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHO TOUCHES EVERYBODY FROM THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE A CHILD TALKING ABOUT BIKE SAFETY ALL THE WAY UP TO THEM GETTING THEIR LICENSES, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ENGAGE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THAT PROCESS.

THAT WHY I WAS THE FIRST IN THE RACE TO TALK ABOUT CREATING 122 YOUTH ENGAGEMENT OFFICES ACROSS THE STATE GIVING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND YOUNG ADULTS FULL-TIME YEAR-ROUND INTERNSHIPS TO GET THEM CIVICALLY ENGAGED.

AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO THAT.

BUT MAIN THING USING THAT OFFICE TO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE VOICE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE RUNNING A PROGRAM AND EDUCATING PEOPLE.

>> CLERK WE NEED TO BRING UP ETHICS ISSUES YOU FACE.

THE ALEXI GIANNOULIAS CAMPAIGN POINTED TO 700 E-MAILS FROM YOUR CITY ACCOUNT WHERE YOUR HUSBAND, A LOBBYIST, IS REFERENCED OR YOU'RE E-MAILING HIM INCLUDING ONE E-MAIL WHERE YOU ARE ASKING A STAFFER QUOTE WHEN YOU ARE CONSTITUENTS DOWN WITH YOUR HUSBAND?

DID YOU BLUR THE LINES IN YOUR OFFICE BETWEEN HIS LOBBYING PRACTICE AND YOUR DUTIES AS CITY CLERK?

>> LOOK, MY -- I'M NOT THE FIRST RUNNING FOR OFFICE WHERE MY HUSBAND DOESN'T SPEAK FOR ME NOR WILL HE EVER.

WE HAVE SEPARATE CAREERS.

AS I COME INTO PUBLIC OFFICE I HAD GROWING PAINS AND LOOKING BACK I WISH I WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE CAREFUL WITH MY PROFESSIONAL AND PUBLIC E-MAILS BUT IT'S MADE ME A BETTER PUBLIC SERVANT.

IF I'M HONORED TO BE SECRETARY OF STATE MY HUSBAND WILL NOT DO ANY BUSINESS WITH THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

I THINK IT'S VERY -- WE KNOW THAT ALEXI GIANNOULIAS I AM HERE READY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS, OPPONENT ALEXI GIANNOULIAS CHOSE NOT TO BE HERE BECAUSE HE DOES NOT WANT TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS PAST AT BROADWAY BANK WHERE YOU GAVE SKETCHY LOANS TO MOBSTERS OR THE STATE TREASURER AND LOST $1110 MILLION IN SCLEG STUNNED SAVINGS.

NO ANSWERS THERE.

OR WHEN HE RAN FOR U.S. SENATE AND LAST, BHAR BAR'S WAS ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD.

WE DESERVE A CANDIDATE THAT HAS BEEN THERE.

HE HAS NOT BEEN AROUND IN 12 YEARS AND POPPED UP TO RUN FOR THE OFFICE WHERE I'VE BEEN WORKING FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND WOMEN IN MARCHING TO FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS AND OUR BODIES.

AND I THINK THAT DEMOCRATS SECRETARY WHITEN DORSED ME, GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER AND DURBIN, THEY KNOW MY CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY AND HEART AND COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AND KNOW I'M THE BEST CANDIDATE TO WIN THIS.

>> I WANT TO BRING UP A COUPLE E-MAILS IGNITE CITIES WHICH YOUR HUSBAND IS A PARTNER IN.

IT WAS REPORTED THAT YOU USE YOUR CITY E-MAIL TO SUPPORT A CITY PROJECT THAT COULD HAVE BENEFITED THAT COMPANY TO THE TUNE OF $15 MILLION IN REVENUE.

DID YOU COORDINATE WITH YOUR HUSBAND OR HIS BUSINESS PARTNER ON THAT PROJECT AT ALL?

>> AND WE SHOULD MENTION THAT PROJECT NEVER CAME TO FRUITION?

>> ABSOLUTELY FALSE.

ABSOLUTELY FALSE.

AGAIN I WILL SAY I HAVE SEPARATE CAREERS FROM MY HUSBAND, PERIOD.

AND THIS IS A FALSE ATTACK BY MY OPPONENT ALEXI GIANNOULIAS TO DIRTY ME UP BECAUSE HE DOESN'T HAVE A RECORD TO RUN ON SO HE HAS TO TAKE DOWN A WOMAN OF COLOR.

AND HE'S NOT HERE AGAIN TO ANSWER ANY OF THE QUESTIONS WE SHOULD BE KNOWING ABOUT.

WHO HIS CLIENTS WERE ON WALL STREET.

WHAT HE DID WHEN THE HE WAS STATE TREASURER AND LOST 110 MILLION IN COLLEGE SAVINGS FUND PROGRAM.

WHY SHOULD WE GIVE THAT ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY?

>> I'M HERE I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

ESPECIALLY ABOUT MY ETHICS I HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE.

>> WE DO NOTE YOU ARE HERE AND CANDIDATE ALEXI GIANNOULIAS IS NOT HERE.

ALDERMAN MOORE, CLERK VALENCIA BROUGHT UP ALEXI GIANNOULIAS' PAST WITH BROADWAY BANK AND DEALT WITH THIS IN 2010 WHERE THERE WAS ALLEGATIONS HE LOANED MONEY TO MOBSTERS AND THE BAKE SHUTDOWN AFTER THE RECESSION.

ARE THESE ISSUES THAT VOTERS SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT IN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE ILLINOIS DARK HISTORY OF CORRUPT POLITICS HAVE RETURNED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S RACE.

THAT IS WHY BACK IN 1997, I CIRCULATED PETITIONS FOR SECRETARY OF STATE JESSE WHITE.

I WENT IN THE RACE TO GET ELECTED BECAUSE THAT CORRUPTION IS SCANDAL.

THE PREVIOUS SECRETARY OF STATE OR HE WENT TO JAIL NOT FOR BEING GOVERNOR BUT WHAT HE DID IN HIS PREVIOUS POSITION.

IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> -- TALKING ABOUT GEORGE RYAN [INAUDIBLE] >> IT'S IMPORTANT THE SEAT REMAINS A SERVANT SEAT.

THE NOVEMBER ELECTION IS CRITICAL.

KEN GRIFFIN IS GOING TO PUMP A LOT OF MONEY INTO WHATEVER REPUBLICAN WINS THE PRIMARY.

AND AT THIS POINT, I'M THE ONLY ONE IN THE RACE THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE ETHICAL ISSUES THAT KEN GRIFFIN CAN GO AFTER.

WE HAVE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A GREAT CHANCE OF LOSING THIS SEAT IF I AM NOT ELECTED BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO USE THAT MONEY AS THE COMMERCIALS ARE WRITING FROM THE CANDIDATES THEY WILL GO DEEPER AND WE WILL BE LISTENING TO COMMERCIALS ABOUT SCANDALS AND E-MAILS INSTEAD OF DEALING WITH THE ISSUES OF THE PEOPLE.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

>> CLERK VALENCIA, A POINT THAT DAVID MOORE MADE AND THAT BEFORE JESSE WHITE AND HIS 24 YEARS THE OFFICE WAS A STEPPING STONE TO GOVERNOR.

GEORGE RYAN COMES TO MIND.

TH THIS A STEPPING STONE FOR HIGHER OFFICE FOR YOU?

>> SECRETARY OF STATE JESSE WHITE MADE HISTORY AS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO SERVE AS SECRETARY OF STATE.

WHEN I WIN I WILL BE THE FIRST WOMAN OF COLOR TO BE THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

IT'S ABOUT OUR YOUNG GIRLS SEEING THEMSELVES IN GOVERNMENT GROWING UP IN A WORKING CLASS IN MY FAMILY, FIRST TO GO TO COLLEGE.

I'VE WORKED SO HARD TO GET WHERE I AM.

AND FOR WOMEN OF COLOR THE STANDARDS ARE DIFFERENT.

I'M BREAKING THE BARRIER NOT FOR ME BUT MY DAUGHTER TO SEE AND OTHER GIRLS, THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT INTERNING IN OUR OFFICE WHO IS GOING TO BE FIRST IN OUR FAMILY TO GO TO COLLEGE SO SHE CAN SEE HERSELF REPRESENTED IN LEADERSHIP.

I'M FOCUSED ON THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS.

IT'S BEEN A LONG 18 MONTHS.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE MOMENTUM AND ENDING THE RACE ON A POSITIVE NOTE.

BECAUSE WE HAVE WORKED SO HARD AND SO MANY PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE WORKED HARD TO MAKE THIS A REALITY.

>> ALDERMAN MOORE, YOU DO WANT TO BE ELECTED ALTHOUGH YOU ARE BEING OUTRAISED TO THE TUNE OF 10-1 FROM VA LENS GEORGIA AND 10-1 BY ALEXI GIANNOULIAS CAN YOU COMPETE AND HOW COME THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE NOT GOING TO YOU?

>> I AM COMPETING.

SO IT'S NOT CAN I COMPETE, I AM COMPETING.

AND BASED ON YOUR LAST COMMENT I'M THE ONLY ONE IN THE RACE THAT SAID I WILL NOT USE THIS SEAT AS A STEPPING STONE.

I WOULD NOT BE SEEKING THOR OFFICE LIKE SECRETARY WHITE.

I WOULD NOT LOOKING TO BE A SENATOR OR GOVERNOR.

THIS WOULD BE MY LAST STOP SO I CAN FOCUS ON SERVING THE RESIDENTS OF ILLINOIS.

I AM THE ONLY ONE IN THE RACE WHO SAID THAT AND I WILL NOT BE DOING THAT.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT BEING OUTRAISED 20-1 THAT HAPPENED TO ME RUNNING FOR ALDERMAN.

I DIDN'T HAVE ALL THE ENDORSEMENTS OR THE MONEY BUT PEOPLE LOOKED AT MY SERVICE RECORD.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING A MILLIONAIRE OPERATIVE OR PUBLIC SERVANT, I WAS APPOINTED TO A SEAT I DIDN'T HAVE BIG MONEY TO GET TO A SEAT.

IT WAS THE PEOPLE THAT ELECTED PEOPLE AND I DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK AND ANSWER TO ANYONE.

I JUST HAVE TO ANSWER TO THE PEOPLE.

AND THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

SO ALL THAT MONEY AND ALL THOSE ENDORSEMENTS AT THE END OF THE DAY DON'T MEAN ANYTHING BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN ACROSS THE STATE REACHING PEOPLE AND TOUCHING PEOPLE AND WE'RE WINNING EVERYBODY IN A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ON JUNE 28TH.

>> SEVEN DAYS TO THE ELECTION.

THANKS TO ANNA VALENCIA AND DAVID MOORE FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS >> AND YOU CAN CHECK OUT OUR 2022 VOTER GUIDE TO HEAR MORE FROM THE CANDIDATES WHY THEY WANT YOUR VOTE.

ALL THAT... >> AND WE'RE BACK WITH MORE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IN JUST A MOMENT.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> TOMORROW IS THE FIRST OFFICIAL DAY OF SUMMER AND IT'S GOING TO BE A HOT ONE.

TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO HIT 100°.

A CHICAGOANS PLAN FOR HOW THEY WILL STAY COOL MANY ARE FRUSTRATED THE CITY'S POOLS ARE NOT YET OPEN.

A LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE HAS CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT POOLS CLOSED UNTIL AT LEAST JULY FIFTH AND NATIONALLY ESTIMATES ARE ONE-THIRD OF THE COUNTRY'S POOLS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THIS SUMMER.

IT HAS SWIMMERS WONDERING WHEN THEY CAN VISIT THE CITY'S POOLS.

HERE WITH ALL THE DETAILS IS PARK DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT ROSA ESCARENO WELCOME BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

LAST WEEK, THE PARK DISTRICT REVEALED THAT 91% OF SEASONAL LIFEGUARD POSITIONS ARE STILL VACANT.

THAT WAS LAST WEEK.

IS THAT STILL THE CASE?

HOW MANY POSITIONS ARE YOU STILL TRYING TO FILL?

>> WELL, YOU SAID IT BEST.

THERE IS A NATIONAL SHORTAGE AND WE ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM.

YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW, MY HOPE IS TO HAVE ABOUT 300 LIFEGUARDS TO OPEN AN AMPLE NUMBER OF POOLS FOR THE SUMMER.

IT DOESN'T MEAN ALL THE POOLS.

BUT 300 IS AN AMPLE NUMBER TO INSURE WE ARE IN EVERY COMMUNITY IN SOME WAY.

>> AND WHEN YOU SAY AMPLE, HOW DO YOU PRIORITIZE WHICH POOLS?

HOW MANY IS AMPLE POOLS?

>> WELL, AGAIN, I DON'T WANT TO SAY BECAUSE IT'S REALLY ABOUT THE NUMBERS.

IF WE GET EVERY TIME WE GET A CERTAIN NUMBER OF LIFEGUARDS THAT WILL DETERMINE EVERY SO MANY LIFEGUARDS HOW MANY POOLS WE CAN ACTUALLY OPEN.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE EFFORTS TO RECRUIT ARE REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.

IF WE CANNOT RECRUIT AT LEAST 300, THE NUMBER OF POOLS WILL PROBABLY BE VERY LOW NUMBER.

>> SUPERINTENDENT, CAN YOU TELL US ARE ANY OF THE POOLS OPEN AT THIS POINT?

AND WHEN IS YOUR ESTIMATED IS JULY FIFTH STILL YOUR ESTIMATED DATE FOR YOUR DATE TO OPEN SOME?

>> WHEN WE OPEN FOR THE SUMMER THE POOLS ARE ALWAYS SCHEDULED TO OPEN AROUND JUNE 24.

WE ALWAYS OPEN THE BEACHES FIRST AT THAT STEP AND ONCE THE KIDS ARE OUT OF SCHOOL IS WHEN WE LOOK TO OPEN THE POOLS.

WE DELAYED THE OPENING FROM JUNE 24 TO JULY FIFTH.

OUR DAY CAMPS OPEN JULY FIFTH.

WE WANTED TO HAVE THAT DELAY TO WHEN WE COME OUT TO THE PUBLIC AND WE CAN BE MUCH MORE PREDICTABLE LETTING THE PUBLIC KNOWS WHAT POOLS WILL BE OPEN ASSUMING WE HAVE AN ADEQUATE NUMBER OF LIFEGUARDS HIRED BY THEN.

>> AND SUPERINTENDENT, OF COURSE, SOME SAY NOT EVERYONE CAN ACCESS THE BEACHES, THE POOLS ARE MORE ACCESSIBLE.

BUT THERE'S BEEN CONCERN FROM SOME ALDERMEN SOUTH SIDE BEALE, VOICED CONCERNS THAT SOME NEIGHBORHOOD POOLS MAY NOT OPEN AT ALL THIS SUMMER.

IS THAT A POSSIBILITY?

>> AGAIN, THIS IS WHY THIS CAMPAIGN WHICH WE STARTED -- FIRST OF ALL IT'S GOING TO BE ESSENTIAL.

WE STARTED THE RECRUITMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR LIKE WE DO EVERY LIFEGUARD RECRUITMENT DOES NOT START IN THE SUMMER T STARTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

BUT IN MAY WE RAMPED UP THAT CAMPAIGN.

AND WE REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A NATIONAL SHORTAGE AT THAT POINT WE PUT A LOT OF INCENTIVES IN PLACE.

AND JUST RECENTLY WE AMPED UP THE INCENTIVES.

BECAUSE THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD THAT SOME POOLS IN SOME NEIGHBORHOODS DEPENDING HOW MANY LIFEGUARDS WE HAVE OR DON'T HAVE, WILL LIKELY NOT SEE ALL THE POOLS OPEN.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT RECRUITMENT LET'S TALK ABOUT WHY THIS IS HAPPENING, SUPERINTENDENT.

WE'VE SEEN ONE OF THE RECRUITMENT ADS THE PARK DISTRICT IS RUNNING.

POOLS RELY ON HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS TO FILL THE ROLE OF FIVE GUARDS AND THEY ARE TYPICALLY COVETED POSITIONS.

WHERE ARE THE YOUNG PEOPLE THIS YEAR?

>> I THINK THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS.

YOU INDICATED THERE IS A NATIONAL SHORTAGE THAT IS RECRATEIATING A LOT OF COMPETITION FOR JOBS.

OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WORKING HERE AT THE PARK DISTRICT ARE PROBABLY FINDING JOBS THAT ARE PAYING MUCH HIGHER WAGES IN OTHER SECTORS.

THAT IS NUMBER ONE.

THERE IS A LOT OF COMPETITION NOT JUST BETWEEN OUR INDUSTRY AND PRIVATE SECTOR INDUSTRY, THERE'S ALSO COMPETITION BETWEEN US AND OTHER PRIVATE POOLS WHERE THERE ARE MEMBERSHIPS.

MOST OF OUR PROGRAMS ARE VERY LOW COST AND FOR FAMILIES THAT DON'T HAVE MONEY TO PAY FOR OUR PROGRAMS THEY ARE FREE.

ALL OF THE POOLS THAT ARE OPEN DURING THE SUMMER IS FREE.

WE'RE COMPETING WITH SOME OF THE PRIVATE POOL OPERATORS.

IN ADDITION, THE COVID IMPACT IS REAL AS WELL.

MANY OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WE HAVE FEEDER PROGRAMS THAT WE PARTNER WITH THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS, OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL POOLS WERE OPEN OUR LIFEGUARDS RELY AND TRAIN SOME OF THE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS COMING THROUGH THOSE POOL PROGRAMS TO BE OUR LIFEGUARDS.

WE GET BETWEEN 200-300 STUDENTS COMING OUT OF THE FEEDER PROGRAMS INTO OUR PROGRAMS.

BECAUSE OF COVID MANY OF THE PROGRAMS WERE NOT FULLY OPERATIONAL.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE INCENTIVES YOU ARE OFFERING.

A $600 SIGNING BONUS.

YOU'VE DROPPED THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT AND ADDING $500 BONUSES TO EMPLOYEES WHO REFER SOMEONE WHO SUCCESSFULLY SIGNS UP FOR AND BECOMES A LIFEGUARD.

DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE GETTING MORE APPLICANTS AS A RESULT OF THE INCENTIVES?

>> WE'RE HOPEFUL.

WE'RE HOPEFUL.

WE'RE PUSHING UP SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNICATING WITH OUR PARTNERS AND WE SEND INFORMATION TO OUR LOCAL ALDERMEN.

ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND SO WE'RE HOPEFUL.

WE WILL BE TRACKING THE NUMBERS IN THE NEXT COMING DAYS.

OUR GOAL IS TO PUT AS MUCH EFFORT HERE.

WE WANT TO SUPPORT OUR RESIDENTS.

WE ARE NOT GIVING UP.

AND WE'RE HOPING FOR THE BEST.

>> AND SUPERINTENDENT, I'M WONDERING ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE THAT THE PARK DISTRICT HAS HAD OVER THE LAST YEAR RESULTING IN THE RESIGNATION OF PARK DISTRICT EMPLOYEES AS A RESULT OF THE ALLEGATIONS OF THE SEXUAL ASSAULTS SITUATION AND HOW THAT WAS HANDLED.

DO YOU BELIEVE ANY OF THAT HAS BEEN A FACTOR IN TEENAGERS NOT APPLYING OR PARENTS NOT WANTING THEIR TEENS TO APPLY FOR THE JOB?

>> YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS.

I HAVE LOTS OF OPEN DIALOGUE AND CONVERSATIONS.

WE'VE PUT A LOT IN PLACE TO INSURE THAT OUR AGENCY IS LEADING A CULTURE OF RESPECT, A CULTURE WHERE REPORTING THESE KINDS OF ISSUES ARE BEING TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY.

AND YOU KNOW, WE ARE A TRANSPARENT AGENCY.

WE ARE PUTTING A LOT OF ADDITIONAL SUPERVISORY EFFORTS INTO ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS, SPECIFICALLY OUR AQUATICS PROGRAM AND THE PARENTS I'VE BEEN TALKING TO THEY KNOW ALL WE HAVE DONE TO PROTECT ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES.

WE'RE LEADING WITH A CULTURE OF RESPECT AND ACCOUNTABILITY THAT WILL CONTINUE.

AND SO I KNOW THAT WE'VE DONE A LOT.

WE'RE DOING ALL WE CAN TO EMBRACE AND EXPAND OUR RECRUITMENT EFFORTS AND SAFETY TRANSPARENCY, RESPECT AND SAFETY IS A PART OF THAT.

>> I'M SURE A LOT OF SWIMMERS REMAIN HOPEFUL THEY WILL GET TO EXPERIENCE THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD POOL.

CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT ROSA ESCARENO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, BRANDIS.

>> AND NOW PARIS, WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" WANT TO HELP SAVE A LIFE?

DONATE BLOOD.

BANKS ARE IN NEED.

AND HEAR ABOUT AN EFFORT TO CHANGE WHO CAN DONATE.

A LOOK WHY CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS MAKEUP THE MAJORITY OF COVID VACCINE EXEMPTIONS MORE THAN ANY OTHER CITY DEPARTMENT.

THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS IN STORES HOW ONE ORGANIZATION IS WORKING TO COMBAT THE ISSUE.

AFTER YEARS OF CAMPAIGNING, JUNETEENTH IS BEING RECOGNIZED AS A FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL HOLIDAY.

WHY ADVOCATES SAY IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> AS WE MENTIONED FORMER MIKE VICE-PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE WAS IN TOWN CRITICIZING JUNE AND TOUTING A CONSERVATIVE AGENDA HE BELIEVES THE ECONOMY IS SLIDING BACKWARDS BECAUSE HE WHAT HE CALLED OPPRESSIVE TAX INDICATION AND OVER REGULATION.

BUT PENCE DID HAVE A FAMILIAR PRESCRIPTION FOR THE ECONOMY'S WOES?

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST WE NEED TO EXTEND THE TRUMP-PENCE TAX CUTS THAT HELPED CREATE MILLIONS OF AMERICAN JOBS AND ELIMINATE SPECIAL BREAKS FOR LIBERAL STATES THAT GET REWARDED FOR TAXING AND SPENDING IRRESPONSIBLELY.

>> HE CALLED FOR SLASHING GOVERNMENT SPENDING TO HELP CURB INFLATION AND EASING RESTRICTIONS ON ENERGY PRODUCER.

A CHICAGO BASED DEVELOPER REPORTEDLY HAS PLANS TO DEVELOP HOTEL AND APARTMENT COMPLEXES CLOSE TO WHERE THE NEW CASINO WILL BE DEVELOPED.

FULTON MARKET BASED DEVELOPER SHAPACK SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS.

THE DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE ALONG GRAND AVENUE NEW BETWEEN DES PLAINES AND UNION AVENUE ON A SITE OCCUPIED BY A SHUTTERED SALVATION ARMY STORE AND DONATION CENTER.

SHAPACK PLANS TO BUILD APARTMENTS.

AND IF YOU NEED TO BE REMINDED THE HOT WEATHER IS BACK.

CNN REPORTS IN THE COMING WEEK 70% OF THE U.S. POPULATION WILL SEE TEMPERATURES IN THE 90s AND 20% OF PEOPLE NATIONWIDE WILL EXPERIENCE TEMPERATURES GREATER THAN 100°.

MANY MAJOR AREAS INCLUDING CHICAGO MIGHT EXPERIENCE THOSE TEMPERATURES NEAR OR ABOVE 100.

POSSIBLE THAT MORE THAN 100 HIGH TEMPERATURE RECORDS COULD BE BROKEN THIS WEEK ACROSS THE SOUTHERN AND EASTERN REGIONS OF THE U.S. MISS THOSE POOLS RIGHT NOW.

BACK TO BRANDIS FOR A LOOK WHAT IS BEHIND THE BLOOD BANK SHORTAGE.

>> FACTORS OUT OF OUR REACH CAUSED EVERYTHING FROM HIGH GAS PRICES TO SHORTAGES OF PRODUCTS LIKE BABY FORMULA AND TAMPONS AND WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THAT IN A BIT.

THERE IS ANOTHER SHORTAGE WEI ZHANG CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT.

THE SUPPLY OF BLOOD THAT HOSPITALS AND PATIENTS DEPEND ON DAILY.

THE SHORTAGE HIGHLIGHTED DONATION RULES THAT CRITICS CALL HOMOPHOBIC.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

HOW BAD IS THE SHORTAGE?

>> BRANDIS, BECAUSE WE HEAR ABOUT BLOOD SHORTAGES FROM TIME TO TIME AND Dr. SALLY CAMPBELL-LEE, SHE IS THE DIRECTOR OF TRANSFUSION MEDICINE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS HOSPITAL AT CHICAGO, SHE SAYS IT'S NEVER BEEN AS BAD AS IT WAS THROUGHOUT THE COVID PANDEMIC.

SHE SAYS THINGS HAVE IMPROVED SINCE EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>> WE ARE STILL SHORT OF WHAT WE NEED.

AND THE DIFFERENCE BEING YOU KNOW MOST BLOOD COLLECTORS LIKE TO HAVE A GOAL OF FOUR TO FIVE DAYS INVENTORY ON HAND AND WE'RE GENERALLY AT ONE OR DO I DAYS.

>> THERE ARE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

YOU HAD MAJOR BASES FOR COLLECTING BLOOD CLOSED.

NOW, WITH SCHOOL BACK THINGS IMPROVED.

THOUGH NOT TOTALLY.

OFFICES DO DRIVES FOR EXAMPLE AND A LOT OF WORKERS ARE NOT FULLY BACK.

AND NOW IT'S SUMMER AND THAT IS WHEN DONATIONS PERENNIALLY DIP.

PEOPLE'S ROUTINES ARE TAKING VACATIONS.

THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF TRANSFUSION MEDICINE FOR UNIVERSITY BLOOD CENTER AND HE IS LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FOURTH OF JULY LONG WEEKEND.

>> WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO THAT FOURTH OF JULY TIME PERIOD WITH MORE BLOOD.

ONCE WE START GETTING UNDER A TWO-DAY SUPPLY OF RED BLOOD CELLS, ESPECIALLY OWE NEGATIVE WE HAVE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME IN.

WE WATCH THIS BY ALL BLOOD TYPES EVERYDAY.

>> BLOOD AS A LIMITED SHELF LIFE OF 42 DAYS.

IT CAN BE FROZEN BUT IT TAKES TOO LONG TO THAW TO BE USEFUL IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY.

AND BLOOD IS NEEDED FOR EMERGENCIES.

IT HAS TO BE ON HAND FOR SURGERIES, BABIES, TO HELP OX NATURE THEIR BLOOD, CANCER PATIENTS AND TRAUMA VICTIMS EVERYDAY 24/7.

HELPING OUT BY DONATING TAKES AN HOUR OF YOUR TIME.

THE DONATION IS 10-15 MINUTES.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS A VOLUNTEER ACT AND IT SAVES LIVES.

IT ABSOLUTELY SAVES LIVES.

IF YOU DONATE TODAY BY TOMORROW OR THE NEXT DAY, UP TO THREE BLOOD PRODUCTS WILL BE MADE OUT OF THAT BLOOD DONATION THAT CAN HELP THREE DIFFERENT PATIENTS.

BUT NOT EVERYBODY THAT WANTS TO CAN DONATE.

THE F.D.A.

HAS REGULATIONS THAT ALL BLOOD COLLECTION AGENCIES MUST FOLLOW.

GETTING A TATTOO COULD TEMPORARILY DISQUALIFY YOU.

AND MALES WHO HAVE SEX WITH OTHER MALES CANNOT GIVE BLOOD FOR THREE MONTHS WITHIN THAT TIME OF SEXUAL INTERCOURSE.

RESTRICTIONS THAT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MED STUDENT SAYS IS A SWEEPING GENERALIZATION THAT WRONGLY EXCLUDES MEN WHO WANT TO HELP.

>> BY NOT ALLOWING THESE PEOPLE TO DONATE I THINK IT ALSO PUTS A LITTLE BIT OF SOCIAL STIGMA ON THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

AND I THINK THAT BY HAVING THIS RULE KIND OF LOOKS AT THE QUEER COMMUNITY AND SAYS WE DON'T TRUST YOU ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO DONATE BLOOD.

AND THERE ARE SO MANY QUEER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS THAT THE ARE TRUSTED TO DO THIS AMAZING WORK FOR PATIENTS THEY CANNOT DONATE BLOOD.

>> THAT COOLING OFF PERIOD IS SIGNIFICANTLY SHORTER THAN IT USED TO BE.

>> PRIOR TO 2008 MEN WHO HAD SEX WITH MEN, SINCE 1977 WERE PERMANENTLY DEFERRED.

IN 2018, IT BECAME A 12-MONTH DEFERRAL.

AND IN 2020 IT WAS REDUCED TO A THREE-MONTH DEFERRAL.

>> THE DOCTOR PHYSICIAN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CANCER CENTER HERE IN CHICAGO SAYS THE RULE IS OUTDATED.

SHE SAYS IT WAS MADE EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC.

BUT SHE SAYS MEDICINE KNOWS A LOT MORE ABOUT HIV NOW PLUS ALL THAT BLOOD THAT HAS BEEN DONATED GETS SCREENED.

SHE SAYS THAT BLANKET BAN RESULTS IN MORE PREJUDICE THAN IT DOES IN PROTECTING THOSE RECEIVING TRANSFUSIONS.

>> WHEN YOU FILL OUT A QUESTIONNAIRE TO DONATE BLOOD IT SHOULDN'T BE WHO YOU ARE SEXUALLY ACTIVE WITH, IT'S HOW MANY PARTNERS, IT PROTECTED OR UNPROTECTED?

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE MORE IMPORTANT.

>> THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THAT BAN COULD BE LIFTED COMING UP IN THE FUTURE.

THE F.D.A.

IS DOING A STUDY RESEARCHING THIS AND OTHER BLOOD DONATION QUALIFICATIONS.

AND THE DOCTOR IS WAITING FOR THOSE RESULTS.

>> WE NEED TO FOCUS ON IS MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF BLOOD THAT IS SAFE FOR OUR RECIPIENTS.

>> UNIVERSITY IS HOSTING A BLOOD DRIVE ON WEDNESDAY AT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL.

A LIST OF PLACES TO DONATE OTHERWISE, A FULL LONG LIST IS AT AABB.ORG.

YOU HAVE TO BE IN ILLINOIS AGE 16 WITH YOUR PARENT'S PERMISSION TO DONATE BLOOD AND THERE IS NO MAXIMUM AGE.

THE DOCTOR KNOWS OF FOLKS WHO DONATE INTO THEIR 90s.

HE RECOMMENDS THAT YOU GO AFTER HAVING FOOD AND HYDRATED.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THE A LOT OF STUFF TO KEEP IN MIND.

THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS FOR A LOOK AT COVID VACCINATION AND EXEMPTION RATES FOR CITY WORKERS.

>> THANKS, BRAN SIS.

A WTTW NEWS ANALYSIS FINDS WHEN IT COMES TO COVID VACCINATIONS FOR CITY WORKERS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF EXEMPTIONS THAN ANY OTHER CITY DEPARTMENT.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

YOU GOT A TALLY OF THE FINAL EXEMPTION LIST FROM THE COVID-19 VAX FOR ALL THE 31,000 EMPLOYEES.

WHAT DOES THE PICTURE LOOK LIKE?

>> NEARLY 8.3% OF CITY EMPLOYEES CITYWIDE WILL NOT HAVE TO BE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 AFTER SUBMITTING AND GETTING A REQUEST FOR AN EXEMPTION APPROVED.

NOW, THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT MAKES UP ABOUT 40% OF THE CITY'S WORKFORCE BUT ACCOUNTED FOR 69% OF ALL VACCINE EXEMPTIONS THAT WERE GRANTED.

A HUGE NUMBER.

>> AND WE KNOW THE LEGAL FIGHT HERE BETWEEN MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND THE CITY AND THE FOP PRESIDENT CATANZARA PLAYS OUT IN THE COURTS.

HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS?

>> NEARLY 14% OF ALL CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS HAVE BEEN GRANTED AN EXEMPTION FROM THE VACCINE AND THAT IS COMPARED WITH THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT WHOSE UNION ALSO SUED THE CITY.

ONLY 7% OF THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT IS EXEMPT FROM THE VACCINE AND NO OTHER DEPARTMENT COMES CLOSE TO EITHER OF THOSE TWO DEPARTMENTS.

>> AND WE KNOW THERE ARE TWO REASONS FOR AN EXEMPTION.

ONE IS RELIGIOUS AND ONE IS MEDICAL.

HOW DID THAT BREAKDOWN FOR POLICE OFFICERS?

>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF ALL VACCINE EXEMPTIONS GRANTED CITYWIDE WERE BASED ON RELIGIOUS OBJECTIONS.

AND THAT WAS PARTICULARLY TRUE FOR THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE 98% OF ALL GRANTED VACCINE EXEMPTIONS WERE BASED ON RELIGIOUS OBJECTIONS EVEN THOUGH THE CITY ARCHDIOCESE FORBIDDEN ITS PRIESTS AND PASTTORS FOR SIGNING AN ATESSTATION THAT THE VACCINE VIOLATES CATHOLIC BELIEFS.

>> AND WE KNOW THAT THE MAYOR THREATENED TO WITHHOLD PAY FROM POLICE OFFICERS OR TERMINATE.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF DISCIPLINE HERE?

>> ONLY SIX OFFICERS ARE BEING DISCIPLINED RIGHT NOW BY BEING IN A NO PAY STATUS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE VACCINE MANDATE.

AND NO OFFICERS ARE FACING DISCIPLINE AT THIS POINT THAT COULD LEAD TO THEIR TERMINATION.

EVEN THOUGH, AS I SAID, THE FINAL DEADLINE PASSED NEARLY TWO MONTHS AGO.

>> SEEMS LIKE IT WAS A LONG BATTLE THAT BOTH SIDES SEEM TO WANT TO MOVE ON.

HEATHER, THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS, PARIS >> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S FULL STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS FOR A LOOK AT THE RECENT SHORTAGE OF FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS.

BRANDIS?

>> PARIS, THAT IS RIGHT.

THE LATEST SHORTAGE TO BE FELT ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS AFFECTING ABOUT HALF OF THE POPULATION.

PEOPLE WHO MENSTRUATE ARE SCRAMBLING TO FIND TAMPONS AND SANITARY PADS AS MANUFACTURERS SAY SECURING THE COTTON AND PLASTIC USED TO MAKE THE PRODUCTS IS VOLATILE.

A RAW MATERIALS SHORTAGE PLUS STAFFING CHALLENGES HAVE CAUSED PRICES TO INCREASE AS MUCH AS 10%.

EVEN NONPROFITS THAT TYPICALLY SUPPLY THE PRODUCTS TO WOMEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND THEM.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE I AM PAGES OF THIS SHORTAGE IS DANA MARLOWE, FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ORGANIZATION I SUPPORT THE GIRLS.

DANA, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SHORTAGE.

YOUR ORGANIZATION IS SEEING AN INCREASETH DEMAND BECAUSE OF THIS.

WHAT KIND OF AN INCREASE IN NEED ARE YOU EXPERIENCING?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, BRANDIS.

THE DEMAND HAS BEEN FELT BY I SUPPORT THE GIRLS ON BOTH THE INDIVIDUAL FRONT AND ALSO THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE SERVE.

WE'RE A B TO B MODEL NONPROFIT WHEREAS A NONPROFIT WE ARE SUPPLYING OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AND 501C3 WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TAMPONS AND PADS AND ITEMS FOCUSED ON DIGNITY OR WOMEN AND GIRLS AND MENSTRUATERS IN NEED.

OUR DEMAND HAS ABSOLUTELY SPIKED.

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, WE SAW AN INCREASE IN 35% FOR MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AND IT LEVELED OFF A YEAR AGO BACK TO WHERE WE WERE PREPANDEMIC BUT STILL HIGH AND ELEVATED.

AND WE'RE BACK AGAIN VERY, VERY HIGH.

I THINK WE'RE LIKE AROUND 25% INCREASE IN DEMAND SPECIFICALLY FOR TAMPONS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

DEFINITELY CHICAGO AND CHICAGOLAND AREA, AS WELL AS ARIZONA AND RHODE ISLAND, FLORIDA, TO TEXAS.

IT'S BEING FELT EVERYWHERE.

>> WE'RE SEEING THIS INCREASE IN PRICE FOR FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS UPWARDS OF 10%.

WHAT IMPACT DOES THAT HAVE ON PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT COULDN'T AFFORD THE PRODUCTS AS IT WAS?

>> SO IT'S MORE THAN 10% IN SOMEPLACES.

I PERSONALLY STARTED GOING OUT AND I SAW REGULAR PACKAGES OF TAMPONS ON AMAZON AND I TOOK SCREEN SHOTS BECAUSE IT WAS MIND BLOWING FOR $45, 55, 65 DOLLARS FOR THE SAME BOX YOU MIGHT BUY AT YOUR PHARMACY FOR $8, $9.

PRICE GOUGE SOMETHING HAPPENING AND LOCALLY IT'S 10, 13, 19% UP DEPENDING WHERE ANYONE IS IN THE COUNTRY.

WHICH IS LIKE IMPOSSIBLE.

HOW THAT IS HAPPENING FOR SOMETHING THAT IS SO ESSENTIAL AROUND DIGNITY, IS MIND BLOWING.

BUT THE IMPACT THAT THAT IS HAVING ON FOLKS WHO ALREADY STRUGGLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE BASIC NEEDS IT'S MAKING THESE ITEMS MORE OUT OF REACH.

AND IN 26 STATES THERE'S ALREADY A TAMPON TAX OR A LUXURY TAX ON MENSTRUAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS AND THEY ARE NOT COVERED BY SNAP OR WIC PROGRAMS SO FOLKS HAVE TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS DO THEY WANT TO BUY THAT PACKAGE OF TAMPONS OR THAT SANDWICH?

AND THESE ARE HARD CHOICES.

>> AND SOMETIMES THAT DECISION MIGHT BE TO USE THE PRODUCT LONGER THAN ITS SUGGESTED TO STRETCH THE USE OF IT.

WHY IS THAT DANGEROUS?

>> WELL, FOR STARTERS, WITH TAMPONS, RIGHT, EVERY BOX OF TAMPONS THERE IS INFORMATION ABOUT TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME.

YOU DON'T WANT TO KEEP A TAMPON INSERTED IN ONE'S BODY FOR TOO LONG AND THERE ARE OTHER RISKS WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO TAMPONS IF THAT IS THE PREFERRED MENSTRUAL PRODUCT FOR A PERSON.

AND THAT IS SCARY, TOO.

BECAUSE THEY ARE TAKING PADS AND OPENING THEM UP AND TRYING TO ROLL THE COTTON INTO A MAKESHIFT TAMPON AND THAT IS DANGEROUS.

THE REAL, REAL DANGER IS FOLKS THAT I TALK TO THAT ARE WOMEN EXPERIENCING, USING RIPPED UP CARDBOARD.

THE INSIDES OF MATTRESSES.

TORN T-SHIRTS.

RIPPED UP SHEETS AND TOILET PAPER.

>> THE DIGNITY THAT YOU'VE MENTIONED A COUPLE OF TIMES.

WHAT KIND OF CHANGES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE AN A LEGISLATIVE LEVEL THAT MIGHT MAKE AN IMPACT?

REFERRED TO BEFORE AS PERIOD POVERTY?

>> PERIOD POVERTY IS ABSOLUTELY REAL AND MENSTRUAL EQUITY IS A COMMON TERM IN OUR SPACE.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS REALLY LOOKING AT HOW THEY CAN MAKE SOME KIND OF NATIONAL LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FREE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS PADS AND TAMPONS IN PUBLIC SPACES LIKE WE EXPECT TOILET PAPER IN THE U.S.

IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE ACCESS IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, IN CITY HALLS.

PLACES WHERE YOU COULD GO AND EXPECT TO SEE TOILET PAPER WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS ON CAPITOL HILL.

ON THE STATE LEVEL ON THE 26 STATES THAT HAVE A TAX ON MENSTRUAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS MANY, THESE I'M HOLDING A TAMPON THESE ARE A NECESSITY.

THESE ARE ESSENTIAL AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THOSE STATES THAT HAVE A TAX ON TAMPONS I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE STATE SENATORS REPEAL THAT TAX SO THEN IT MAKES IT THAT MUCH SLIGHTLY MORE AFFORDABLE FOR MENSTRUATERS IN NEED TO ACCESS THE ESSENTIAL ITEMS.

>> DANA ARE YOU SEEING PEOPLE TURN TO ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS?

>> WE HAVE.

SO AND I SUPPORT THE GIRLS IN ADDITION TO DONATING TAMPONS WE DONATE MILLIONS OF PADS, MAXI PADS, LINERS, MENSTRUAL CUPS, DISKS AND REUSABLE PADS.

EVERYTHING FROM REUSABLES TO OTHER ALTERNATIVES.

WE REGULARLY DONATE THOSE OUT TOO.

BUT WE SAW THE WRITING ON THE WALL, BRANDIS, BACK IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY WHEN OUR NUMBERS OF DONATIONS COMING INTO US WERE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE.

AND IT'S GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE LAST FIVE MONTHS WHERE WE'VE TRACKED IT.

AND WE'VE DONATED 60% LESS TAMPONS THAN TWO YEARS AGO AND 50% LESS THAN LAST YEAR.

>> THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

DANA MARLOWE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, THE FIGHT TO RECOGNIZE JUNETEENTH AS AN OFFICIAL HOLIDAY.

THAT IS A CONVERSATION THAT AIRED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES" JUNETEENTH SPECIAL.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> AFTER YEARS OF ADVOCATING AND CAMPAIGNING, JUNETEENTH IS BEING RECOGNIZED AS A FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL HOLIDAY ARE NOT FIRST TIME THIS YEAR.

THE DAY RECOGNIZES JUNE 19TH, 1865, WHEN THE LAST ENSLAVED PEOPLE IN GALVESTON, TEXAS WERE FREED MORE THAN TWO YEARS AFTER THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.

THE EFFORT TO MAKE JUNETEENTH A CHICAGO HOLIDAY STARTED IN 2019 NOW THREE YEARS LATER IT IS OFFICIALLY ON THE CITY'S CALENDAR LIKE THE FOURTH OF JULY AND ANY OTHER MAJOR AMERICAN HOLIDAY.

JOINING US NOW ARE TWO PEOPLE WHO MADE THAT HAPPEN.

TORRENCE GARDNER WHO HELPED DRAFT CHICAGO'S JUNETEENTH LEGISLATION ALONG WITH MARIA HADDEN'S OFFICE AND LACRESHIA BIRTS FOUNDER AND CO-CHAIR OF THE BLACK REMEMBRANCE PROJECT.

WELL COAL TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES" AND HAPPY JUNETEENTH.

LACRESHIA BIRTS YOU KICKED OFF THE PUSH TO MAKE JUNETEENTH A CHICAGO HOLIDAY.

WHY WAS THE CAUSE SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?

>> IT WAS IMPORTANT TO US BECAUSE IN 2019 WHEN WE KICKED OFF THE CAMPAIGN IT WAS A HISTORIC PERIOD FOR BLACK PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY.

2019 MARKED THE 400 YEAR UNIVERSITY OF AFRICANS BROUGHT HERE AS SLAVES.

AND ALSO REPRESENTED 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF CHICAGO 1919 RACE RIOTS AS WELL AS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF [INAUDIBLE] ASSASSINATION.

AND WHEN WE REALIZED THAT 2019 WAS SUCH A HISTORIC YEAR, WE SAID THAT WE NEED TO DO TO GO SING TO RECOGNIZE THE LINEAGE OF BLACK AMERICANS OF SLAVERY.

>> TORRENCE GARDNER WHEN THE BLACK REMEMBRANCE PROJECT APPROACHED MARIA HADDEN'S OFFICE WHY DID YOU WANT TO TAKE IT ON?

>> IT TO ME WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS LONG OVERDUE.

AFRICAN-AMERICANS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO SHOULD NEVER BE OVERLOOKED NO LONGER.

AND IT HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED FOR FAR TOO LONG.

SO ME IT WAS THE RIGHT THING THING TO DO AND ALSO SOMETHING THAT I FELT IN MY BONES THAT IF WE DID NOT DO THIS, IT SHOWED THAT WE COULDN'T GET A HOLIDAY RECOGNITION LET ALONE THE OTHER NEEDED SOLUTIONS TO OUR PROBLEMS IN OUR BLACK COMMUNITIES THAT WE NEED TO GET RESOLVED.

THE HOLIDAY TO ME SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE REGARDLESS.

BUT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I FELT MUCH JOY IN TAKING ON WITH THE OTHER FOLKS WHO HELPED JOIN ALONG AND SOMETHING THAT OUR ANCESTORS WOULD BE PROUD OF.

>> YOU STARTED THIS IN 2019.

DO YOU THINK THE SUMMER OF 2020 WHAT IMPACTS DO YOU THINK THAT HAD ON FURTHERING YOUR CAUSE?

>> I THINK THE SUMMER OF 2020 HAD A HUGE IMPACT ON OUR CAUSE.

IT WAS THE YEAR THAT GEORGE FLOYD WAS ACASS NATURED BY POLICE.

-- ASSASSINATED BY POLICE.

AND THE UPRISING HELPED PUT ATTENTION ON THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT I THINK WE WERE STILL GAINING MOMENTUM AS WELL.

THERE WAS A WHOLE NEW GENERATION OF ACTIVISTS THAT WERE BORN FROM BLACK LIVES MATTER, MYSELF INCLUDED.

SO I THINK THAT HAS A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON JUNETEENTH.

I THINK FOR ME PERSONALLY AS SOMEONE WHO HAD BEEN ORGANIZING AROUND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY ISSUES I SAW JUNETEENTH AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO THINK BEYOND JUST THAT AND START TO ENVISION THE WORLD WE WANT BLACK PEOPLE TO LIVE IN.

WHERE BLACK PEOPLE ARE LIBERATED.

IT MESHED WELL WITH GIANT.

>> DURING A CITY JUNETEENTH EVENT EARLIER THIS WEEK, CITY LEADERS RECOGNIZED THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF DESIGNATING JUNETEENTH AS A HOLIDAY.

BUT SAID THERE IS MORE WORK TO DO.

HERE IS A BIT OF WHAT THEY SAID.

>> WE'RE 246 YEARS INTO THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT AND WE'RE NOT DONE.

AND I THINK THAT WHAT JUNETEENTH MEANS TO ME.

IT WAS A REMINDER THAT WE'RE NOT DONE.

>> AND SHOW SLAVERY MIGHT HAVE OFFICIALLY ENDED IN 1865 AS WE 0 ALL KNOW ITS EFFECTS ARE STILL VERY MUCH PRESENT AS WE ARE DEALING WITH THE RIPPLE EFFECTS AND THE VESTIGES OF OF THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM WHICH IS NOT SEEING AFRICANS AND BLACKS AS REAL PEOPLE DESERVING OF THE FULL RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP IN THIS COUNTRY.

THIS CONTINUES TO BE A SIN THAT WE MUST IRRADICATE IF WE ARE GOING TO EVER BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> TORRENCE GARDNER DO YOU THINK THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF JUNETEENTH COULD STRENGTHEN OTHER RACIAL EQUITY EFFORTS?

>> MOST CERTAINLY AND HONESTLY THAT IS THE PUSH THAT WE MEANING LACRESHIA BIRTS AND I AND ALDERWOMAN HADDEN DISPIRRED.

THERE WAS -- DESIRED.

THERE WAS A NOTION WHEN IT PASSED THAT THE HOLIDAY WHY DO WE NEED A HOLIDAY?

IS THAT ALL WE GOT IS A HOLIDAY?

THAT IS THE IRONIC PART TO THE STORY.

WE WANTED JUNETEENTH TO BE A TESTAMENT TO MOVE THINGS FORWARD.

A CATALYST TO BRING FOLKS TOGETHER.

AND THROUGH JUNETEENTH THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER, AGAIN, SOLVE THOSE ISSUES THAT WE STILL HAVE NOT RESOLVED IN OUR AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES.

JUNETEENTH IS A BEGINNING.

AND JUNETEENTH SHOULD BE UTILIZED AS A WAY TO FURTHER BUILD ON TO MORE MOVEMENTS THAT I FORESEE COMING AND HIGHLY WHAT LACRESHIA BIRTS SAID, JUNETEENTH'S VICTORY IS PARTLY PREDICATED ON THE UNFORTUNATE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN JUNETEENTH ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT THE MOVEMENT THAT OCCURRED POST THAT MURDER.

>> YOU WERE PART OF A COALITION FOCUSED ON KEEPING COMPANIES FROM MONETIZING JUNETEENTH.

WE SAW THIS WITH CORPORATIONS LIKE WALMART AND DOLLAR TREE CREATED JUNETEENTH-THEMED PRODUCTS.

TELL ME ABOUT THAT EFFORT AND WHAT IT IS YOU ARE TRYING TO PROTECT?

>> AS A BLACK AMERICAN DESCENDANT OF SLAVERY, I BELIEVE IN BEING A GOOD STEWARD OF JUNETEENTH MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO TAKE PART IN THE HOLIDAY DON'T MONETIZE OR PROFIT ADVERTISE OFF OF IT IN A WAY THAT IS DISRESPECTFUL TO THE LINEAGE OF SLAVERY DESCENDANTS.

I THINK IF CORPORATIONS WANT TO PARTICIPATE THEY SHOULD BE DOING IT IN A WAY THAT IS RESPECTFUL TO THE PEOPLE THIS HOLIDAY IS SET UPON.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO START A CONVERSATION ABOUT CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITIES AND EQUITIES IF YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE PART IN DOING SOMETHING AROUND JUNETEENTH, THAT PARTICULAR GROUP FOR ANY HOLIDAY, CULTURAL EXPERIENCE WHETHER IT BE CINCO DE MAYO OR ANY INDIGENOUS HOLIDAY THOSE GROUPS SHOULD BE CENTERED IN THE PRODUCTS AND BRANDING AND EVERY PART EVERY ASPECT IN THE WAY THE CORPORATIONS PARTICIPATE.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO WIDEN THOSE INTO THE CORPORATIONS RESPONSIBLE TO NOT BE DISRESPECTFUL AND TO THIS CASE BLACK AMERICANS.

>> WE HAVE 15 SECONDS LEFT.

WHAT IS NEXT?

YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED THIS WHAT IS NEXT ON YOUR AGENDA?

>> WHAT IS NEXT IS REPARATIONS.

I'M A REPARATIONS ORGANIZER AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE CAN PUSH FORWARD TO GET SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT THE LEGISLATORS TALKED ABOUT.

MORE TO COME.

WE'LL TALK FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD.

LACRESHIA BIRTS AND TORRENCE GARDNER THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND COOL AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

[♪♪♪]