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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THIS IS FUNDAMENTALLY ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

IT'S ABOUT SAVING LIVES.

A HEATED EXCHANGE OVER A MEASURE TO ROLLBACK SPEED CAMERA TICKETS THAT AND MORE FROM CITY HALL.

>> MY PARTY HAS UTTERLY FAILED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AT TRUTH IT MAKES ME SAD.

>> AN ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN WILL PLAY A LEADING ROLE IN THE JANUARY 6TH CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS OUR OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAMS WEIGHS IN.

>> 300 WORKERS ARE ON STRIKE AND IT'S HAVING AN EFFECT ON SUMMER ROAD PROJECTS.

>> WE ARE PAILING OUR KIDS.

>> TEACHERS EXPRESS FRUSTRATION AFTER CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS APPROVED THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR'S BUDGET.

>> HOW BILLS INVOLVING LGBTQ RIGHTS ARE AFFECTING YOUNG PEOPLE'S MENTAL HEALTH.

>> LGBTQ HOMELESSNESS FLIES UNDER THE RADAR.

>> PLUS, A VISIT TO A SHELTER IN HUMBOLDT PARK.

>> AND GET READY TO NEVER HAVE TO SAY THAT FOUR LETTER WORD AGAIN.

IT'S FOUR LETTERS AND ANOTHER WORD, ASIAN CARP WE'LL EXPLAIN WHY.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS CALLING FOR RELIEF AT THE GAS PUMP AMID SOARING PRICES HE IS ASKING CONGRESS TO VOTE ON A TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF THE FEDERAL TAX WHICH AMOUNTS TO 18 CENTS ON GAS AND 40 CENTS ON DIESEL AND CALLING ON A STATE-WIDE GAS TAX HOLIDAY AND OIL COMPANIES TO INCREASE REFINING CAPACITY.

>> TOGETHER THESE ACTIONS TO HELP DROP THE PRICE AT THE PUMP BY UP TO $1 A GALLON OR MORE.

IT DOESN'T REDUCE ALL THE PAIN BUT IT WOULD BE A BIG HELP.

I'M DOING MY PART.

I WANT THE CONGRESS, STATES AND THE INDUSTRY TO DO THEIR PART AS WELL.

>> CRITICS SAY THE SAVINGS WILL NOT AMOUNT TO MUCH.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SIGNED A TEMPORARY FREEZE OF THE STATE'S GAS TAX WHICH WOULD PREVENTED A TWO-CENT INCREASE IN JULY.

A NEW ALDERPERSON WAS SWORN IN.

MONIQUE SCOTT WAS CHOSEN BY LIGHTFOOT OUT OF 19 CANDIDATES AND IS THE SISTER OF OUTGOING ALDERMAN MICHAEL SCOTT.

MONIQUE SCOTT IS A SUPERVISOR IN THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT.

>> CHICAGOLAND LORD ALSO HAVE TO REQUIRE COOLING AREAS FOR TENANTS TO ESCAPE THE EXTREME.

THE MEASURE CALLS FOR ALL APARTMENT COMPLEXES WITH MORE THAN 100 UNITS AND FOR SENIOR CITIZENS TO PROVIDE AIR-CONDITIONING IN ALL COMMON AREAS IF RESIDENTS DO NOT HAVE IT IN THEIR APARTMENTS.

IT COMES AFTER THREE WOMEN DIED IN A ROGER PARK SENIOR LIVING FACILITY DURING A MID-MAY HEATWAVE.

THE COOLING AREAS MUST BE OPEN WHEN THE TEMPERATURES REACH 80° OR ABOVE.

>> AND UP NEXT, A SHOWDOWN OVER SPEED CAMERAS AT TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING, SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... A MEASURE TO ROLLBACK $35 SPEEDING TICKETS WAS BLOCKED AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING BUT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND IT WAS NOT WITHOUT PUSHBACK.

LOOK AT SOME OF THE MAYOR'S CONFRONTATION WITH ALDERMAN ANTHONY BEALE.

>> NO, NO, SIR.

IT'S INTERESTING THAT EVERY TIME YOU ARE WRONG YOU CHALLENGE EVERYTHING.

SIR, PLEASE, I WOULD APPRECIATE... [INAUDIBLE] NO.

THAT'S NOT WHAT THE RULES ARE, SIR.

I THINK WE'VE DEBATED THIS LONG U.N. >> WTTW NEWS REPORTERS HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US WITH MORE DETAILS.

REMIND WHAT THIS MEASURE WOULD HAVE DONE?

>> IT MEANS IF YOU SPEED PAST SOME CHICAGO SCHOOLS AND PARKS AND YOU'RE GOING AT LEAST SIX MILES OVER THE LIMIT AND YOU'RE SNAPPED BY ONE OF THE SPEED CAMERA YOU WILL GET HIT WITH A $35 TICKET.

LIGHTFOOT IMPOSED THE FINES IN AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE SPEEDS DOWN ON CHICAGO STREETS AND MAKE THEM SAFER FOR KIDS.

>> SO TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR DISPUTE WE SAW THAT PROMPTED THIS INTENSE CONFRONTATION BETWEEN MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND ALDERMAN BEALE?

>> WELL, FROM THE MOMENT THAT LORI LIGHTFOOT TOOK OFFICE, AS MAYOR OF CHICAGO, ANTHONY BEALE HAS BEEN ONE OF HER MOST VOCIFEROUS CRITICS AND THIS ISSUE HAS STUCK IN THIS CRAW AND HE HAS BEEN TRYING TO ROLL THEM BACK FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.

TODAY HE WAS ON THE VERGE OF VICTORY AND, AND YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED WHEN LIGHTFOOT STEPPED IN TO PREVENTED THAT HAPPENING.

IT WAS A VERY, VERY INTENSE SCENE.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS DISPUTE GOT PERSONAL BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM.

THERE IS NO LOVE LOST.

>> BEALE JOINED FORCES ARE RAY LOPEZ TO RETALIATE BY BLOCKING A DOZEN MEASURES SUPPORTED BY THE MAYOR.

LET'S LISTEN TO MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S RESPONSE.

>> ME AND ALDERMAN LOPEZ WISH TO DEFER AND PUBLISH.

>> MAYBE WE CAN SAVE TIME.

ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO PLAY THIS GAME ON EVERY ITEM AND DEFER AND PUBLISH.

>> YEP.

>> HEATHER WHAT DID THAT ACCOMPLISH?

IT.

MEANT THERE WAS NO VOTE ON NEARLY A DOZEN ROUTINE ITEMS THAT WAS -- WERE SUPPORTED BY EVERYBODY ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

AND THIS WAS ALDERMAN BEALE'S WAY JOINED BY RAY LOPEZ WHO IS RUNNING FOR MAYOR AGAINST LORI LIGHTFOOT TO SAY IF YOU ARE GOING TO PLAY THIS GAME WE CAN PLAY, TOO.

A LITTLE BIT OF TIT FOR TAT.

AT A VERY UNUSUAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING TODAY.

>> WHAT HAPPENS NOW TO THE PROPOSAL TO ROLLBACK THE COST OF A SPEEDING TICKET FOR DRIVERS?

>> THE MANEUVER THE MAYOR USED TODAY MEANS THAT THE MEASURE CAN COME BACK AT THE CITY COUNCIL'S NEXT MEETING SET FOR JULY 20TH.

AND ALDERMAN BEALE TOLD US HE WAS CERTAIN HE HAD THE VOTES TODAY AND HE WILL TRY TO LINEUP THE VOTES AGAIN NEXT MONTH.

AS ALWAYS, BRANDIS, TO BE CONTINUED.

>> WAIT A MONTH AND FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS.

THANK YOU AND OF COURSE WE'LL SEE YOU LATER IN THE PROGRAM FOR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

>> AND CAN YOU READ HEATHER'S STORY ON OUR WEBSITE AND READ MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE MEASURE ALL AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS APPROVED THE DISTRICT'S $9.5 BILLION BUDGET FOR THE COMING FISCAL YEAR.

PEDRO MARTINEZ SAYS THE INCREASED BUDGET PROVIDES FOR CRITICAL FOUNDATIONAL INVESTMENTS SOME STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SAY THEY ARE FEELING THE EFFECTS OF BUDGET CUTS.

>> AN IMPORTANT PLACE YET WE ARE FACING CUTS.

I AM THE SECOND SENIOR TEACHER.

AND I'M BEING CUT BECAUSE I AM THE JUNIOR MEMBER OF THE SCIENCE FIRM.

IT'S HARD TO WORK.

I'M MAKING AS MUCH AS I MADE 11 YEARS AGO.

>> THAT WAS THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING WHERE BOARD MEMBERS TOOK THE VOTE ON THE BUDGET.

JOINING US ARE JESSE SHARKEY, THE OUTGOING PRESIDENT OF THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION, RALPH MARTIRE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR TAX AND BUDGET ACCOUNTABILITY AND LAWRENCE MSALL PRESIDENT OF THE CIVIC FEDERATION WE INVITED CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO JOIN US BUT THEY DECLINED OUR INVITATION.

>> HERE IS THE BREAKDOWN.

9.4 BILLION BUDGET.

THERE ARE 8 BILLION FOR OPERATING COSTS.

769 MILLION FOR DEBT SERVICE AND 645 MILLION FOR THE CAPITAL BUDGET.

THIS IS A 2.5% INCREASE OVER FISCAL YEAR 2022.

AND THE FUNDING COMES FROM THREE SOURCES; LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES, STATE TAXES AND FEDERAL EMERGENCY FUNDS.

RALPH MARTIRE LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON C.P.S.

'S BUDGET?

>> WELL IT IS A FAIRLY RATIONAL BUDGET GIVEN THE CONTEXT WHICH YOU FIND C.P.S.

'S FINANCES.

A FEW YEARS BACK ILLINOIS PASSED THE SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA THAT TIES SCHOOL FUNDING INTO COVERING THE COST OF JUST THOSE EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES WITH THE EVIDENCE SHOW ENHANCE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT OVER TIME.

BASED ON WHAT THE EVIDENCE-BASED MODEL INDICATES, C.P.S.

NEEDS TO EDUCATE THE CHILDREN IT SERVES AS IT STANDS TODAY THEY ARE SHORT BY 5494 PER PUPIL.

THAT COMES TO A SHORTAGE OF $2 BILLION.

THAT IS $2 BILLION LESS IN RESOURCES THAN WHAT THE EVIDENCE INDICATES THEY NEED TO SERVE THE CHILDREN THAT ATTEND THE SCHOOL.

THAT'S REALLY BAD NEWS GIVEN THE BREAKDOWN OF THE STUDENT POPULATION AT C.P.S.

78% LOWER INCOME AND 85% MINORITY.

THESE ARE SCHOOLS CHILDREN THAT HAVE HAD A DISADVANTAGE IN EDUCATION FUNDING FOR A LONGTIME.

THE FACT THAT C.P.S.

IS WILLING TO INVEST A LITTLE BIT MORE IS A GOOD THING.

I WOULD SAY THAT THE INCREASE IS MODEST GIVEN THAT INFLATION IS AS HIGH AS IT IS.

THE OPERATING COSTS ARE ONLY GOING UP 2 PERCENTAGE POINTS.

AND EVEN THE EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX WHICH MEASURES CHANGES IN THAT PART OF THE LABOR MARKET, IS UP BY 4.5, 4.6%.

THE INCREASES ARE MODEST.

AND THEY REALLY SHOULDN'T BE SCALING BACK OR CUTTING SPENDING GIVEN THEY ARE SO SHORT IN WHAT THEY NEED TO SERVE THE CHILDREN THAT ATTEND THEIR SCHOOLS.

>> LAWRENCE MSALL YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THE DISTRICT IS PAYING FOR THIS.

WHAT ARE THEY?

>> OUR GREATEST CONCERN IS THAT THE DISTRICT IS NOT SHOWING ANY RESTRAINT AND RECOGNITION OF THE FINANCIAL CONDITION MOST OF THE RESIDENTS AND THE PROPERTY TAXPAYERS OF CHICAGO ARE FACING.

THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS RECEIVED EXTRAORDINARY RESOURCES WHICH THE CIVIC FEDERATION HAS SUPPORTED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS TO ADDRESS THE ECONOMIC INTERRUPTION OF COVID AND THE PANDEMIC.

SO THEY ARE SITTING ON OVER $700 MILLION IN UNALLOCATED FEDERAL RESOURCES THEY ARE INDICATING THAT THEY WILL USE NEXT YEAR.

AT THE SAME TIME THEY ARE ASKING PROPERTY TAXPAYERS TO HAVE THE HIGHEST INCREASE POSSIBLE A 5% INCREASE.

THIS WOULD BE THE HIGHEST PROPERTY TAX LEVY THAT THE SCHOOL PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR ANY LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN ILLINOIS HAS BEEN ABLE TO INCREASE SINCE THE PROPERTY TAX EXTENSION LIMITATION LAW TOOK EFFECT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS IN THE BUDGET BUT THE DISTRICT NEEDS TO BE SHOWING RESTRAINT THEY NEED TO SHOW HOW THEY ARE GOING TO MANAGE THE FUNDS WITHOUT TURNING TO THE TAXPAYERS ALL THE TIME TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS.

THEY HAVE RESOURCES RIGHT NOW THAT THEY SHOULD BE UTILIZING.

>> SCHOOLS C.E.O.

PEDRO MARTINEZ ADVOCATED FOR THIS PROPOSAL DURING THE BOARD MEETING.

HERE IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> IF THE RESOURCES DON'T FOLLOW THE STUDENTS IT CREATES INEQUITIES WITHIN OUR SYSTEM AND WITHIN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> SO JESSE COMING TO YOU YOU WHAT ARE YOUR MEMBERS EXPERIENCING?

WE HEARD FROM THE TEACHER AT THE BEGINNING WHO HAS BEEN LAID OFF.

>> THERE'S [INAUDIBLE] THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TAKEAWAY IS THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN HARD ON STUDENTS.

I HAD A COUNSELOR TELL ME THAT THIS YEAR THEY'VE REFERRED MORE STUDENTS TO SERVICES FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WITH EITHER SELF HARM OR THE THREAT OF SELF HARM THAN THEY HAD IN THE PREVIOUS 16 YEARS COMBINED.

THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY RELIEF MONEY IS DESIGNED TO HELP PEOPLE GET THROUGH THE TRAUMA.

THAT TEACHER SHE TAUGHT -- A TEACHER BUT TAUGHT IN AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL TEACHING STUDENTS AT MOST OF RISK AS VIOLENCE.

AND THESE ARE THE PEOPLE SHE IS A TEACHER WE WANT TO HAVE HELPING US REACH THE STUDENTS.

AND THERE'S BEEN A ROUND OF CUTS IN SCHOOLS.

SO, YOU KNOW, I DO THINK WE NEED MORE FUNDING IN THE SCHOOLS.

THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY RELIEF MONEY HAS BEEN NEEDED BUT IT IS A SHORT-TERM STOPGAP.

WHAT WE NEEDED TO HAVE DONE ASKED PEOPLE TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE AND PEOPLE LIKE LAWRENCE'S ORGANIZATION ADVOCATED AGAINST THAT.

SO TO THE EXTENT THAT WE HAVE A STRUCTURAL DEFICIT, IT COMES FROM NOT ASKING THE PEOPLE WHO CAN MOST AFFORD TO TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> I WANT TO FOLLOW-UP ON THE FISCAL PART OF IT A LITTLE BIT.

RELYING ON ONE TIME NOT OCCURRING FEDERAL REVENUE TO DELVE INTO YOUR OPERATING SPENDING IS IRRESPONSIBLE.

THAT MONEY GOES AWAY AND YOU HAVE A FISCAL CLIFF.

THE THING ABOUT THE 140 MILLION BUMP IN PROPERTY TAXES THAT IS RECURRING REVENUE AND STATE-WIDE, LOCAL PROPERTY TAX IS THE MOST CURRENT DATA COVERS 60% OF THE COST OF K-12 EDUCATION AND IN C.P.S.

IT ONLY COVERS 50% OF THE COST.

C.P.S.

DOES HAVE TO HAVE RECURRING REVENUE SOURCES AVAILABLE TO FUND EDUCATION.

AND UNTIL THE STATE HAS ADVOCATE CAPACITY TO FUND THE EVIDENCE-BASED MODEL FROM STATE BASED RESOURCES, IT'S INCUMBENT ON C.P.S.

TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN EDUCATE THE KIDS WALKING THROUGH THE DOOR AND THAT PROPERTY TAX INCREASE EVEN THOUGH IT IS A TOUGH TIME, AND INFLATION, I AGREE IS A RATIONAL AND SUSTAINABLE WAY TO INSURE YOU HAVE RECURRING REVENUE TO FUND NEEDED EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

>> IT IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY LEFT, RIGHT?

IF YOU DON'T TIE AS PEDRO SAID THE MONEY TO THE STUDENTS.

AND THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS BEEN LOSING STUDENTS THE A PRECIPITOUS RATE.

THEY CANNOT CONTINUE TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES.

THEY HAVE TO LOOK AT CONSOLIDATION AND MORE EFFICIENCIES.

>> THE STUDENTS, LAWRENCE, THE GAP PER PUPIL IS 5434.

>> WE'VE GOT 30 SECONDS.

LAWRENCE YOU HAVE THE LAST WORD.

>> WE DIDN'T -- I BELIEVE HE IS IMPLYING THE GRADUATED INCOME TAX WHICH WAS A STATE INITIATIVE NOT TIED TO GUARANTEES FOR INCREASED MONEY FOR THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IT WASN'T TIED TO A RATIONAL PLAN.

THE CIVIC FEDERATION SUPPORTED NUMEROUS PROPERTY TAX INCREASES TO THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WHAT WE'RE SAYING RIGHT NOW AT A TIME WHEN THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS IN BETTER FINANCIAL SHAPE AND RECEIVED EXTRAORDINARY INCREASES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND FROM THE STATE OF ILLINOIS NOW IS THE TIME TO SHOW RESTRAINT FOR THE PROPERTY TAXPAYERS.

AND TO TIE IT TO ACOMPREHENSIVE PLAN SO WE ARE NOT ALWAYS GOING FOR TAX INCREASES.

NOTHING IS SUSTAINABLE TO GROW FOREVER.

THE TAX BASE HAS TO BE CONSIDERED AS IT RELATES TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT RELY ON IT.

>> NOTHING WE'RE ALL GOING TO AGREE ON.

THANK YOU ALL THREE OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

I HOPE WE WILL HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.

THANK YOU, EVERYBODY.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> THANKS.

THERE IS A SAYING THAT CHICAGO HAS TWO SEASONS: WINTER AND CONSTRUCTION.

WE COULD SEE DELAYS THIS CONSTRUCTION SEASON DUE TO A STRIKE.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN MORE.

>> YEAH, PARIS, SINCE JUNE 7 SOME MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 150 HAVE BEEN ON STRIKE EMPLOYED BE LEHIGH HANSON, VOLUME KEN AND WHOLESOME.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORK IN PIT QUARRIES, SAND, GRAVEL, CRUSHED STONE, AGGREGATE MATERIALS THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN MAKING CONCRETE, CEMENT, CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS ASPHALT THEY OPERATE HEAVY EQUIPMENT.

>> HE WAS SAYING THE STOP THAT IS CRUSHED IN THE QUARRIES IS PURCHASED BY ASPHALT AND CONCRETE COMPANIES AND THEY USE THAT RAW MATERIAL TO MAKE THE CONCRETE AND ASPHALT.

>> THE COMPANIES TYPICALLY HAVE STOCKPILES THAT WILL LAST THEM FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME.

AS THE STRIKE HAS CONTINUED THE STOCKPILES HAVE BEGUN TO DWINDLE.

>> WHICH MEANS THERE ARE NOT MATERIALS NEEDED TO REPAIR ROADS AND DO CONSTRUCTION WORK.

A SPOKESWOMAN WITH THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAYS THE LONGER THAT STRIKE GROWS THE LONGER THE IMPACT WILL BE IN THE CHICAGO AREA.

AND IF THE STRIKE PERSISTS, SHE SAYS THE MAJORITY OF PROJECTS IN CHICAGO WILL BE IMPACTED SOME ALREADY HALTED.

LIKE SOON, SOME WORK ON THE JANE BYRNE INTERCHANGE.

OTHER PROJECTS LIKE RESURFACING ARE NOT GETTING STARTED WITHOUT GUARANTEES THERE WILL BE PRODUCTS TO DO THE WORK.

THAT AS THE STATE ROAD BUILDERS ASSOCIATION BACKS THIS UP AND SAYS THE MATERIAL STRIKE IS IMPACTING CONSTRUCTION JOB SITES THROUGHOUT CHICAGOLAND.

LAYOFFS ARE HAPPENING.

AND IF THE STRIKE GOES INTO NEXT WEEK OR TWO, WE WILL SEE MANY MORE LAYOFFS OF WORKERS AT IMPACTED JOB SITES.

THAT WAS FROM THE ASSOCIATION ROAD BUILDERS ASSOCIATION C.E.O.

IT'S NOT JUST ROADWORK.

BUILDINGS IS ALSO IMPACTED.

I ASKED MICHAEL CWLENKALA WHO CHAIRS THE CHICAGOLAND ASSOCIATED CONTRACTORS IF CONTRACTORS ARE NERVOUS?

>> WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET A SMALL AMOUNT OF ASPHALT FROM SOME OF OUR SUPPLIERS.

THEIR INVENTORIES ARE RUNNING LOW.

>> AND HE SAYS WORD IS THAT THOSE SUPPLIES COULD SOON BE COMING TO AN END.

THE CONTRACTORS GROUP IS TELLING ITS MEMBERS TO GET A HOLD HOW BIG THIS IMPACT HAS BEEN AND COULD BE.

>> WE'RE HEARING STORIES OF PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN DELAYED THAT CAN'T GET MATERIALS.

SOME OF THE OWNERS AND AGENCIES ARE NOT ALLOWING SUBSTITUTE MATERIALS.

AND ALSO WE'RE HEARING STORIES OF SOME OF OUR MEMBERS THAT ARE SHIPPING IN MATERIALS FROM QUARRIES THAT ARE OUT OF THE AREA.

>> AND, YES, THAT DOES RAISE COSTS.

THERE ARE OTHER COMPANIES THAT DO MINE THE RAW MATERIALS.

BUT THE STRIKE IS IMPACTING THE TRIO OF THE COMPANIES THAT PRODUCE THE BULK OF THE LIMESTONE, SAND AND AGGREGATE PRODUCED AROUND THIS AREA.

THEY NEGOTIATE COLLECTIVELY THE COMPANIES AS THE CHICAGO AREA AGGREGATE PRODUCERS.

NOBODY WAS AVAILABLE FOR AN ININTERVIEW BUT THEY SENT A STATEMENT SAYING THEY CONTINUE NEGOTIATIONS ON A NEW CONTRACT.

KAPPA RECEIVED THE FIRST PROPOSAL FOR LOCAL 150 ON FRIDAY JUNE 17TH AFTER SIX SESSIONS WITHOUT ONE.

KAPPA OFFERED A COUNTER PROPOSAL MONDAY THIS PAST MONDAY JUNE 20TH.

THE BALL IS IN LOCAL 150'S COURT.

WE ARE WILLING AND READY TO CONTINUE TALKS AND TO GET EMPLOYEES BACK TO WORK.

KAPPA SAYS IT'S PAYING WORKERS IMPACTED HERE WELL, THEY GENERALLY HE THEY WORK OVERTIME THEY GET PAID ONE-AND-A-HALF TIMES THE REGULAR WAGE AND THE WORKERS HAVE HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS COVERED 100% AND WORKERS DURING COVID GOT ADDITIONAL PAY AND A BONUS FOR BEING VACCINATED.

LOCAL 150 SAYS IT'S NOT STRIKING OVER BENEFITS AND PAY.

>> OVER UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE CHARGES AGAIN.

UNILATERALLY CHANGING THE TERMS OF A AGREEMENT, THREATENING EMPLOYEES AND INTERROGATING EMPLOYEES ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE BASIC WORKER RIGHTS LAID OUT IN THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT AND ALL WHICH THE COMPANIES VIOLATED.

>> THE UNION SAYS IT'S READY, WILLING AND WANT TO GET AT AND STAY THE THE BARGAINING TABLE BUT THE PRODUCERS ARE REFUSING TO DO SO.

AS WE HEARD A LITTLE BIT FROM THE HEAD OF THE ROW BUILDERS ASSOCIATION WHEN ROAD AND CONSTRUCTION WORK IS DELAYED, THAT DOESN'T JUST IMPACT THOSE OF US WHO DRIVE ON THE ROADS.

IT MEANS THAT OTHER WORKERS SO THOSE WHO DRIVE TRUCKS WHO BUILD THE ROADS COULD BE OUT OF WORK.

AND SOME ROAD CONSTRUCTION HAS HALTED BECAUSE OF THE STRIKE.

THERE WILL BE OTHER CONSTRUCTION WORK STILL GOING ON.

SO THEY WARN DRIVERS TO FOLLOW THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE SPEED LIMITS AND BE CAREFUL TO AVOID ANY WORKERS OUT THERE ON THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY, IN THIS HEAT.

BACK TO YOU.

>> OF COURSE BE AWARE OF THAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN FOR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS A BIT LATER IN THE SHOW.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU HIM.

THANK YOU.

AS PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD CELEBRATE PRIDE MONTH THIS JUNE, JOANNA HERNANDEZ SPOKE WITH A WOMAN DRIVEN TO PROVIDE QUEER YOUTH A PLACE TO LIVE.

>> ZENAIDA LOPEZ IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE TRANSITIONAL LIVING IN HUMBOLDT PARK.

>> FOR 10 YEARS, LOPEZ HELPED HUNDREDS OF LGBTQ YOUTH GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

>> MOST OF THE RESIDENTS THAT COME TO US ARE RESIDENTS HOMELESS YOUTH THAT ARE READY TO SAY I HAVE TO CHALLENGE MYSELF TO CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF MY LIFE.

I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO FIND A PLACE WHERE I CAN LEARN TO BECOME SELF SUFFICIENT AND REACH INDEPENDENCE AND THIS IS WHAT EL RESCATE IS ABOUT.

>> EL RESCATE MEANING RESCUE IS A SHELTER PROVIDING RESIDENTS LIKE IZAREZA RODRIGUEZ A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE.

>> I REALLY SAID I WAS BISEXUAL AND I TOLD MY MOM AND SHE IS LIKE OH, THAT'S INAPPROPRIATE.

BUT ALSO SHE SAID THAT IT WASN'T RIGHT.

>> RODRIGUEZ CAME OUT WHEN SHE WAS 12 AND IT'S BEEN HARD TO GAIN HER MOTHER'S ACCEPTANCE.

>> I NEVER UNDERSTOOD SHE TOLD ME IF ANYBODY ELSE WAS GAY BUT I COULDN'T BE.

AND THAT REALLY MESSED WITH ME.

>> AS A NEW RESIDENT AT EL RESCATE, RODRIGUEZ WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW AND RECEIVE JOB AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT.

>> TO ME IT'S VERY BEAUTIFUL THAT I CAN TAKE A RESIDENT IN HERE AND PROVIDE THEM WITH THEIR BASIC NEEDS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET AHEAD AND THEN THEY CAN SUCCEED AND THEY HAVE A PLACE WHERE THEY ARE NOT AFRAID TO SAY I'M GAY.

ARE NOT AFRAID TO SAY I'M A LESBIAN.

NOT AFRAID TO SAY I'M TRANSGENDER.

>> LOPEZ SAYS HER PASSION COMES FROM HER OWN EXPERIENCES THE CHALLENGES OF FEELING DIFFERENT AT A TIME WHEN BEING QUEER WAS LOOKED DOWN UPON.

>> I LIVED A LIE.

I DID NOT LIVE AN AUTHENTIC LIFE GROWING UP AND IT WAS A DIFFICULT JOURNEY FOR ME.

AND TALKING ABOUT IT STILL RESONATES WITH ME IN TERMS OF THOSE EMOTIONS THAT I HAD UNTIL THIS DAY.

>> BEING DISOWNED BY PARENTS OR GETTING KICKED OUT OF HER HOMES IS A SCENARIO THAT HAPPENS TOO OFTEN.

ACCORDING TO A SURVEY CONSTRUCTED BY THE TREVOR PROJECT MORE THAN 40% OF LGBTQ PLUS YOUTH ACROSS THE COUNTRY REPORTED THERAPY KICKED OUT OR ABANDONED DUE TO THEIR SEXUAL IDENTITY.

>> SHE KICKED ME OUT AND IT WAS THE FINAL STRAW.

NO, I NEED TO FIND A PLACE.

AND MY BEST FRIEND JACOB HAS BEEN A RESIDENT HERE BEFORE AND HE TOLD ME ABOUT EL RESCATE AND HE BROUGHT ME.

>> THE CENTER RUNS AS A COMMUNITY LIVING SPACE WHERE RESIDENTS HAVE JOBS, COOK AND PREPARE THEMSELVES TO FIND A PLACE OF THEIR OWN.

>> I HAVE KIDS THAT CAME THROUGH OUR PROGRAM THAT GRADUATED COLLEGE.

>> WHAT STARTED WITH SIX RESIDENTS 10 YEARS AGO HAS HOUSED HUNDREDS OF LGBTQ PLUS AND HIV POSITIVE YOUTH.

>> IT IS MY SECOND HOME BUT ALSO I STILL CAN CONNECT WITH ALL THE YOUNG INDIVIDUALS.

AND THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF THIS.

THAT I STILL CAN REACH OUT TO THEM AND TALK TO THEM AND I CAN STILL TEACH THEM BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT LOVE.

>> HOW DOES IT FEEL TO TEAR SOMEONE FROM THE INSIDE OUT WITHOUT REMORSE?

>> AS RODRIGUEZ BEGINS THEIR JOURNEY SHE IS FOCUSED ON OPENING HER OWN THEATRE COMPANY.

>> IT'S HARD TO KNOW THAT I AM ON THE RIGHT PATH AND THAT I'M DOING WHAT I NEED TO DO AND WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO.

AND MY FAMILY JUST DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THAT OR ACCEPT THAT.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> EL RESCATE IS AN INITIATIVE OUT OF THE PUERTO RICAN CULTURAL CENTER.

YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" HOW PRIDE MONTH CAN PROVIDE HOPE AND COMMUNITY FOR LGBTQ YOUTH STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH.

>> YOU MAY NOT THINK IT BUT IT'S TRULY A LOT OF LOVE INSIDE OF THIS CHAMBERS.

>> MONIQUE SCOTT SISTER OF MICHAEL SCOTT JUNIOR IS CONFIRMED TO REPLACE HIM.

THAT AND MORE ON SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> FOUR LETTER WORD NOBODY WANTS TO SAY.

>> GET READY TO NEVER HAVE TO SAY THE NAME ASIAN CARP AGAIN.

WE EXPLAIN WHY.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> RESIDENTS LOOKING FOR HELP WITH SUBSTANCE, DISORDERS OR MENTAL HEALTH HAVE ANOTHER RESOURCE.

>> WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S COMPLICATED TO NAVIGATE THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

AND THAT WE DON'T ALWAYS FEEL LIKE WE CAN TRUST IT AND WE DON'T ALWAYS FEEL LIKE WE ARE GOING TO GET A CALL BACK.

BUT THERE WILL BE PEOPLE HERE WHO ARE GOING TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE A COMPLICATED SYSTEM AND NOT LET YOU FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

>> THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS LAUNCHING THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET HELP WITH A WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS INCLUDING HOUSING OR EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, FOOD AND CLOTHING.

MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA SAYS MORE THAN 700,000 PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS WITH A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER DO NOT RECEIVE TREATMENT NEITHER DO A MILLION PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.

>> NEIGHBORS IN AUBURN GRESHAM WILL HAVE EASIER ACCESS TO THE METRA.

>> WE UNDERSTAND THE SPACE TO PROVIDE RESIDENTS WITH EASY ACCESS TO JOBS AND TO THE REGION WHICH ALONE CAN BENEFIT.

BUT THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY'S VITALITY.

EASY ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION IMPROVES HOME VALUES AND ATTRACTS NEW RESIDENTS.

AND AS JIM SAID OUR STATION BECOMES THE COMMUNITY HUB THAT SUPPORTS LOCAL, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

>> THE $28 MILLION FACILITY IS SET TO HAVE A LARGE PLAZA WITH BIKE RACKS AND BENCHES AND A VENDOR BUILDING.

CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO LAST ABOUT 30 MONTHS.

>> AND BASKETBALL FANS HAVE ANOTHER ALL-STAR.

SKY FORWARD CENTER CANDACE PARKER IS SET TO PLAY IN THE ALL-STAR GAME ON HER HOME COURT WHEN THE CAME COMES TO THE WINTRUST ARENA JULY 10TH.

THIS IS HER SEVENTH ALL-STAR SELECTION.

>> ASIAN CARP ARE OFFICIALLY NO MORE.

WHAT IS THAT?

THE LEAPING FISH THAT THREATENS THE GREAT LAKES ECOSYSTEM HAVE SWUM AWAY TO FRIENDLIER WATERS?

NOT NECESSARILY.

BUT THE NAME IS A THING OF THE PAST ILLINOIS OFFICIALS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY ANNOUNCED A REBRANDING.

THE FISH WILL NO LONGER BE CALLED ASIAN CARP AND WILL BE KNOWN AS CRUMB ROLL, COPI.

IT IS A LONGTIME COMING AND LAST SUMMER I VISITED FISHERMEN WHY THE NAME CHANGE HAD THEM SWEEPING WITH ON MISSION.

>> DIRK FUCIK HE SAYS ASIAN CARP MAY ONE DAY BE MORE POPULAR THAN TILAPIA.

>> IT'S HEALTHIER.

TA YOU GET LESS PEN AT THIS TIMES FROM TA LIP YEAH.

>> HE IS GRILLING UP CARP BURGERS TO TACOS TO REGULAR OLD SMOKED CARP.

BUT DESPITE, THE ASIAN CARP IS NOT YET A BEST-SELLER.

>> I'M NOT MAKING ANY MONEY ON IT.

>> AS YOU MAY KNOW, ASIAN CARP ARE THE LEAPING FISH THAT HAVE TAKEN ILLINOIS WATERWAYS BY STORM.

GOVERNMENTS SPENT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS KEEPING THEM OUT OF THE GREAT LAKES FOR FEAR THEY COULD DESTROY THE ECOSYSTEM.

BUT NOW, THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, BELIEVES IT MAY HAVE FOUND A FIX.

AND IT OF THE COULDS NEXT TO NOTHING.

THEY ARE GOING TO CHANGE THE FISH'S NAME.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE THEM THE NAME MORE ATTRACTIVE SO PEOPLE MORE INCLINED TO PURCHASE THESE FISH AND TRY THEM AND HAVE THEM AS TABLE FARE FOR DINNER.

>> WHAT EXACTLY IS WRONG WITH THE NAME ASIAN CARP?

>> YOU MADE A FACE WHEN YOU SAID CARP.

>> IT IS A BOTTOM FEEDER A GOOEY FISH THAT IS NOT APPETIZING TO ANYONE.

ASIAN CARP ARE NOT LIKE OTHER CARP.

>> AS FAR AS FRESH WATER FISH, ABOUT AS GOOD AS IT GETS.

>> WE VISITED DAVE BUCHANAN AND CLINT CARTER HAULING IN 4,000 POUNDS WORTH OF ASIAN CARP AND OTHER FISH IN THE PEORIA POOL PART OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER.

CARTER SAYS HE RECENTLY INVESTED IN A NEW BOAT AND FISHING EQUIPMENT HOPING THE NAME CHANGE LEADS TO A COMING BOOM IN DEMAND.

>> IT WILL HELP US EXPAND ON OUR BUSINESS.

>> RIGHT NOW, COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN GET A SUBSIDY TO FISH THEM OUT OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER TO CONTROL A MASSIVE POPULATION THAT MOVED IN AND TAKEN OVER.

>> SOME OF THE FISH ARE DESTINED FOR FERTILIZES AND OTHERS COULD BE ON YOUR DINNER PLATE.

ONCE THEY HAVE AN ENTICING NEW NAME.

AS FOR THE CRITERIA... >> SIMPLE AND SHORT AND NOT CARP.

>> AND THERE IS PRECEDENT FOR THIS.

CHILEAN SEA BASS WAS CALLED A TOOTH FISH.

ORANGE ROUGHFY KNOWN AS PACIFIC SLIME HEAD.

AFTER A PRODUCTIVE DAY, DAVE AND CLINT HAULED THEIR LOAD TO A FISH PROCESSER AND DISTRIBUTOR.

OWNER ROY SORCE SAYS HE PIVOTED HIS BUSINESS NINE MONTHS AGO AFTER 50 YEARS DISTRIBUTING FOOD AND DRIED GOODS.

HE, TOO, IS BETTING BIG ON THE NAME CHANGE.

>> RIGHT NOW, WE'VE ALREADY CREATED 30-40 NEW JOBS JUST IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS THROUGH THE FISHERMEN.

>> HE SAYS THE MEAT IS LILLEY WHITE AND PLENTIFUL.

>> THE ONE BAD THING ABOUT CARP IT'S BONY.

AND I CANNOT GIVE YOU A BONELESS PIECE OF CARP.

IT HAS TO BE GROUND UP, IT HAS TO BE ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF WITH GROUND MEAT.

>> WHICH BRINGS US BACK TO THE TASTE TEST.

THE CARP BURGERS.

HERE YOU GO.

>> GOOD.

>> NEXT, THE ASIAN CARP FISH TACO.

>> REALLY, REALLY GOOD.

>> AND FINALLY, SMOKED ASIAN CARP.

>> IT'S LIKE SMOKED FISH.

>> AND THE REVIEWS WERE MOSTLY SATISFACTORY AMONG CUSTOMERS.

>> THE GENERAL IMPRESSION THEY WERE SORT OF THROW AWAY FISH.

BUT IT TASTES FINE.

>> ILLINOIS PUBLIC OFFICIALS WILL REVEAL THE NAME CHANGE OPENING SEAFOOD LOVERS PROTECT THE GREAT LAKES FROM AN AGGRESSIVE INVASIVE SPECIES BY EATING LOADS OF IT.

AND AGAIN THAT AGGRESSIVE INVASIVE SPECIES IS CALLED COPI.

THE WE'RE TOLD THAT OFFICIALS FROM GREAT LAKES STATES WANTED IN ON THE REBRAND DISCUSSION SO IT GOT DELAYED.

THE NAME COPI IS A PLAY ON THE WORD COPIOUS AND OFFICIALS BELIEVE THE WORDS COPI TACO OR COPI BURGER WILL CATCH ON.

MAYBE COPI JERKY, TOO.

PATTY WETLI HAS MORE ON TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT ON OUR WEBSITE.

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

FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> A RECORD OF BILLS AFFECTING LGBTQ RIGHTS ARE BEING INTRODUCED THIS YEAR IN THE U.S. OVER 300 BILLS AND MORE THAN 130 SPECIFICALLY TARGET TRANSGENDER PEOPLE ACCORDING TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN.

MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS SAY THIS IS HAVING A GREAT IMPACT ON LGBTQ YOUTH AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

AND JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THAT IMPACT IS LOLA WANG, FOUNDER OF FIG TREE CONSULTING AND PAVIELLA FOSTER CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER WITH HOWARD BROWN HEALTH.

WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

>> WHAT EFFECT ARE THE BILLS?

>> THERE ARE BARRIERS BEING SETUP.

FOR EXAMPLE, SOME YOUTH THEY NEED TRANSGENDER CARE AND THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE SERVICE THEY NEED.

THE SERVICE ARE NOT JUST REGULAR SERVICE THESE ARE LIFE-SAVING SERVICES SO THAT IS CRUCIAL FOR THEIR SAFETY.

THE OTHER THING IS THEY ALSO PREVENT THEM FROM USING SOME OF THE COPING SKILLS.

FOR SOME YOUTH THEY WOULD DO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TO COPE WITH THEIR SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY AND NOW BECAUSE OF THEIR TRANSTHEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO DO THOSE THINGS.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO COPE WITH THE RAPID CHANGING PANDEMIC WORLD IN WHICH INSECURITIES AND CHANGE HAVE BECOME THE HALLMARKS AT THE SAME TIME, OUR MENTAL HEALTH IS SO FRAGILE.

FOR ADULTS, TRANSYOUTH OR LGBTQ YOUTH, THEY WORRY WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT WHAT ELSE COULD BE TAKEN AWAY.

>> AND IN FACT TO THAT POINT, "USA TODAY" PUBLISHED A SURVEY SAYING THAT THERE'S BEEN AN INCREASE IN LGBTQ YOUTH REPORTING INSTANCES OF DISCRIMINATION OR HARASSMENT.

PAVIELLA FOSTER YOU'VE ASKED US TO CALL YOU Dr. P IS THIS INCREASE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THIS WAVE OF LEGISLATION WE'RE SEEING IN THE COUNTRY TARGETING LGBTQ RIGHTS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND WHILE IT HAS BEEN WAY BEFORE THE BILLS HAVE BEEN PASSED YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THERE'S BEEN 240 BILLS IN 2022 ALONE.

THAT IS THREE BILLS A DAY THAT IS ANTI-LGBTQ.

OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THEY ARE ON DAILY ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

THIS IS THEIR PLATFORM ANYTHING THAT IS SHARED AND RESHARED AND DISCUSSED AND TALKED ABOUT THEY ARE SEEING AND IT IS AN IMPACT WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

HOW THEY NAVIGATE SYSTEMS AND COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER FOLKS.

AND SO THAT IS A HUGE WAY OF HOW FOLKS ARE GETTING ALL THE THINGS.

THESE BILLS ARE PROHIBITING THE SERVICE LINES AND THE WRAP AROUND SERVICES THAT THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET THE SUPPORT THEY NEED ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

>> AND SPEAKING OF SUPPORT, PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER AIMED AT COMBATING SOME OF THE BILLS.

AMONG OTHER THINGS IT DIRECTS MORE FEDERAL HEALTH AND EDUCATION FUNDING FOR GENDER AFFIRMING CARE AND ADVANCE LEARNING INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS IN SCHOOLS.

WHAT PRACTICAL IMPACT DO YOU THINK IT HAS?

>> THE IMPACT JUST ALONE, HERE AT HOWARD BROWN ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS IS HAVING THE SERVICE LINES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

WHEN YOU HAVE SERVICES WHERE THEY CAN WASH THEIR CLOTHES WHERE THEY CAN TAKE A NAP, WHERE THEY CAN GET MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES OR THEY CAN SIT DOWN AND REST AND RELAX.

YOU NEED THOSE SERVICES.

BECAUSE WITHOUT THAT THEN THEY ARE NOT LEARNING.

HOW THEY ARE GOING TO CONNECT WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

HOW THEY ARE LEARN BEING THEMSELVES AND SYSTEMS THAT THEY ARE CONNECTED TO.

AND HOW THESE BILLS IMPACT THEIR DAY-TO-DAY.

AND YOU TOP ON TOP OF THAT DRAMA.

SOMEBODY WHO MAYBE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH THE OTHER THINGS, THAT JUST MAKES YOUR JOURNEY YOUR LIFE'S JOURNEY YOUR EXPERIENCE A LITTLE BIT ROUGHER THAN THE NEXT PERSON.

>> LOLA WANG IS IT BETTER TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE COUNTRY?

OR IF THAT IS CAUSING MORE STRESS ON TOP OF THE STRESS THIS COMMUNITY ALREADY FACES IS IT BETTER TO AVOID THE CONVERSATIONS?

>> FIRST YOU SHOULDN'T BE AVOIDING ANY OF THE CONVERSATIONS.

ANYTHING FOR EXAMPLE, ACCORDING TO NEW RESEARCH SUPPORTIVE ACTIONS TAKEN BY PARENTS CAN LOWER THEIR RISK OF SUICIDE BY MORE THAN 40%.

YOU NEED TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES YOU NEED TO CONSIDER YOUR CHILDREN'S AGE AND DEVELOPMENT STAGE.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO TRY TO HIDE WHAT IS HAPPENING AND AT THE SAME TIME YOU NEED TO DEAL WITH YOUR OWN ANXIETY AND TRY NOT TO LET YOUR WORRIES AFFECT YOUR CHILDREN.

AND WHEN THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTROL, TALK WITH THE KIDS ABOUT WHAT IS UNDER THEIR CONTROL WHAT CAN BE DONE AS A FAMILY.

MAYBE YOU CAN USE THE CORRECT PRONOUNCE AND EDUCATE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS.

AND MAYBE YOU CAN CONNECT YOUR KIDS TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICE OR A MENTOR TO SHOW THEM THAT EVEN THERE ARE THINGS OUT OF OUR CONTROL, JUST BEING LGBTQ THERE'S STILL A LOT OF POSSIBILITIES AND YOUR SUPPORT AS A PARENT WILL MAKE IT SO MUCH EASIER FOR THEM.

>> AND Dr. P WE HAVE THE DISCUSSION AS PRIDE WEEKEND IS COMING UP THE PARADE, DOES THIS COMBAT SOME OF THE STRESS THAT THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IS FACING DUE TO THE LEGISLATION?

TO CELEBRATE THE COMMUNITY?

DOES IT PROVIDE HOPE?

>> YEAH.

PRIDE MONTH TO PRIDE WEEK, PRIDE CELEBRATION ALWAYS IS GOING TO GIVE HOPE BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE'RE BUILT OFF OF IS ADVOCATING FOR THESE TYPE OF SPACES AND CONVERSATIONS TO HAPPEN.

WHEN YOU HAVE A MONTH THAT IS GEARED TOWARDS SELL OPERATING YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF WHO YOU ARE TO SHOW UP WHO YOU ARE IT DOES HELP.

AND THERE ARE WAYS WHERE IT CAN CAUSE STRAIN BECAUSE YOU ARE TRYING TO EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARE ATTENDING CERTAIN THINGS AND WHEN YOU GO TO THE EVENTS SOME PEOPLE ARE NOT THERE TO CELEBRATE JUST YOU OR THE LOVE.

SO HAVING THE TYPE OF CONVERSATIONS EDUCATING YOUNG PEOPLE ON THERE ARE GOING TO BE FOLKS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO AGREE.

AND THIS IS HOW WE HANDLE THESE THINGS.

THIS IS WHY WE ADVOCATE.

THIS IS WHY WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS BECAUSE WE WANT YOU TO FEEL SUPPORTED.

DOES IT BRING JOY AND EXCITEMENT?

ABSOLUTELY.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE WANT YOUNG PEOPLE TO FEEL.

>> AND I ASSUME SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE AMID THE REVOLUTIONARY THAT IS -- FUN THAT IS EXPECTED TO GO ON.

WE APPRECIATE IT AND THIS CONVERSATION IS PART OF A FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH THIS MONTH.

ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" LEADING UP TO THE JUNE 27TH PREMIER OF THE TWO-PART DOCUMENTARY HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT.

YOUTH MENTAL ILLNESS PRESENTED BY KEN BURNS HERE ON WTTW.

>> AND YOU WILL STAY RIGHT THERE BECAUSE THE REST OF OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM IS ALSO HERE TO DISCUSS DAMNING REVELATIONS FROM THE JANUARY 6TH HEARINGS AND WE HAVE THE LATEST ON SOME KEY PRIMARY RACES WITH ELECTIONS LESS THAN ONE WEEK AWAY AND IT'S ALL IN THE FAMILY AT CITY HALL.

HERE WAS THAT AND MORE AS OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM, HEATHER CHERONE, AMANDA VINICKY AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

LET'S START IN THE FIRST DISTRICT AFTER NEARLY 30 YEARS IN CONGRESS, ILLINOIS' FIRST CONGRESS AT DISTRICT BOBBY RUSH IS DECIDING NOT TO RUN FOR A 16TH TERM.

THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF CANDIDATES BUT WHO STANDS OUT?

>> ANYONE WHO LIVES THERE THEY MIGHT SIGN UP AND RUN.

EVERYONE HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE WHEN YOU HAVE 21 CANDIDATES.

SOME ELECTED OFFICIALS, JACQUELINE COLLINS, PAT DOWELL, JONATHAN JACKSON, JONATHAN, SWAIN, THE C.E.O.

OF AMINA MATT TUESDAY WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS AND KAREN NORGE TON REEFS.

THERE'S BEEN INTRIGUE.

JONATHAN JACKSON RECEIVED HALF A MILLION FROM A BILLION OWNER OF A CRYPTOCURRENCY EXCHANGE AND THAT SAME BILLIONAIRE SUPPORTED CHUY GARCIA BUT JACKSON HAS GOTTEN ENDORSED BY BERNIE SAN SANDERS.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHY HE IS BEING SUPPORTED BY A BILLIONAIRE IF HE IS A TRUE PROGRESSIVE.

THAT MIGHT LEAD ONE TO BELIEVE THAT MAYBE THEY VIEW HIM AS THE FRONTRUNNER MAYBE BECAUSE OF HIS NAME.

KAREN NORGE TON REEVES ENDORSED BY RUSH, I'M NOT GOING TO VENTURE TO GUESS WHO IS GOING TO WIN THAT ONE OTHER THAN THE ONE WHO WINS IT MIGHT GET LESS THAN 20%.

>> ONE TO WATCH FOR SURE.

ANOTHER AFRICAN-AMERICAN CONGRESSMAN FROM CHICAGO DANNY DAVIS WHO REPRESENTATIVE REPRESENTATIVED THE SEVEN DISTRICT AND HE FACES A CHALLENGE IN THE LEFT OF KINA COLLINS.

HOW IS THE RACE SHAPING UP?

>> KINA COLLINS A YOUNG COMMUNITY ACTIVIST 31, SUPPORTED BY JUSTICE DEMOCRATS DANNY DAVIS IS NOT USED TO GETTING A CHALLENGE.

HE HAS BEEN THERE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

A STAPLE IN THE WEST SIDE AND WESTERN SUBURBS BUT COLLINS IS GETTING MONEY FROM THE GROUP.

SHE HAS BASKETBALL ABLE TO RUN AFERREDS CALLING DAVIS OUT FOR MISSING VOTES FOR NOT STANDING WITH THE COMMUNITY ENOUGH IN HER MIND.

SHE INTERESTINGLY THERE WAS A CONCERT AT METRO THIS WEEK FROM THE ROCK BAND THE STROKES ENDORSING HER.

I'M NOT SURE WHY THAT PROGRESSIVE GROUP PICKED THIS RACE TO TARGET.

DANNY DAVIS HAS BEEN VOTED SOLIDLY DEMOCRATIC.

BUT YOU HAVE THE PROGRESSIVE GROUP, KINA COLLINS.

DAVIS HAS NOT PARTICIPATED IN DEBATES.

SO THE DAVIS CAMP BELIEVES THEY ARE FINE IT IS NOT A HUGE CHALLENGE BUT WE'LL WAIT-AND-SEE.

>> AND THE RACE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL A POSITION THAT IS HELD BY DEMOCRAT KWAME RAOUL, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF ILLINOIS IS TRYING TO PROP UP THE CANDIDACY OF G.O.P.

CANDIDATE TOM DEVORE, AMANDA, WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> WE'VE SEEN CROSS PARTY INTERFERENCE AND THIS IS AN INTERESTING ONE.

YOU HAVE A G.O.P.

PRIMARY BETWEEN A SUBURBAN LAWYER AND STEVE KIM HE HAS RUN STATE-WIDE BEFORE A KOREAN AMERICAN AND HE IS ON THIS SLATE THAT HAD BEEN FUNDED BY KEN GRIFFIN.

HAD MONEY WAS A EXPECTED TO BE THE CANDIDATE.

BUT THEN TOM DEVORE ENTERED AND THAT NAME MIGHT SOUND FAMILIAR.

HE IS THE ATTORNEY THAT FOUGHT AGAINST THE MASK MANDATES IN SCHOOLS AND RESTAURANTS AND PUBLIC PLACES AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HAS OPENLY CALLED HIM A GRIFTER AND TAKEN UMBRAGE WITH TOM DEVORE AND NOW WE SEE FROM THE DPI PAYING FOR WHAT IS VIRTUALLY AN ADVERTISEMENT PROMOTION FOR DEVORE.

THIS IS SOMETHING SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR WITH THE DEMOCRATS FUNDED LARGELY BY PRITZKER ARE GETTING INTO THAT RACE TRYING TO GET A CONSERVATIVE ELECTED THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER IN THE GENERAL ELECTION IT SEEMS AS IF THEY FEAR FOR EXAMPLE KIM WERE TO WIN, THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE A TOUGH TIME KEEPING ON.

AND YOU TALK TO DEMOCRATS AND THEY SAY WHAT?

WE'RE TRYING TO HELP VOTERS.

AND THEY ARE GETTING OUT IN FRONT BECAUSE THEY WOULD PREFER DEVORE WIN WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT IS GOING TO MAKE THE GENERAL ELECTION EASIER FOREDEMOCRATS.

>> BACK TO CITY HALL YOU WERE THERE A LIVELY CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

BEFORE WE GET TO THE FIREWORKS WITH ALDERMAN BEALE AND THE MAYOR, LET'S TALK ABOUT MONIQUE SCOTT SHE WAS CONFIRMED IN A 47-0 VOTE TO REPLACE THEIR BROTHER, MICHAEL SCOTT JUNIOR AS ALDERPERSON.

HERE IS WHAT MONIQUE SCOTT SAID JUST AFTER THE CONFIRMATION VOTE.

>> I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY IN CITY COUNCIL RIGHT NOW.

I AM A PART OF THIS.

AND THE LOVE AND YOU MAY NOT THINK IT BUT IT IS TRULY A LOT OF LOVE INSIDE OF THESE CHAMBERS.

YOU ALL ARE OUR MY ROLE MODELS AND I WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK TO YOU FOR ADVICE AND COUNCIL FOR THE NEXT CHALLENGING MONTHS AND THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE ALL THE LOVE IN THE ROOM I WONDER IF SHE SAID THAT BEFORE OR AFTER THE SPAT BETWEEN ALDERMAN BEALE AND THE MAYOR.

THE IDEA OF PASSING ON THE POSITION FROM ONE FAMILY MEMBER TO ANOTHER DID THAT RAISE EYEBROWS?

>> IF IT DID THE EYEBROWS WERE SILENT.

NOBODY MENTIONED THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM THE NEW ALDERMAN SCOTT REPLACING THE OLD ALDERMAN SCOTT IN A NEWLY CREATED FAMILY DYNASTY JOINS THE RANKS OF THE BURKES AND THE MELS AND NOBODY MENTIONED ANYTHING AND IT WAS AWKWARD WHEN ONE OF MONIQUE SCOTT'S FIRST VOTES SHE HAD TO RECUSE BECAUSE THE CITY AGREED TO SELL TWO VACANT LOTS TO MICHAEL SCOTT'S WIFE.

AND YOU CANNOT VOTE ON SOMETHING THAT MIGHT CREATE AN APPEARANCE OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST BUT NOBODY MENTIONED THAT CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

>> AND SHE DID MENTION THE NEXT FOUR YEARS SHE INTEND TO SEE OUT HER BROTHER'S TERM AND RUN FOR MORE?

>> THAT IS THE IMPLICATION.

THIS APPOINTMENTS LASTS THROUGH MAY OF 2023.

IF SHE WANTS TO SERVE FOUR YEARS SHE HAS TO WIN THE TERM ON HER OWN AND THIS IS HOW THE FAMILIAL DYNASTIES LASTED THAT LONG.

YOU RESIGN EARLY, GIVE YOUR CHOSEN SON, BROTHER, FRIEND, A LEG UP AND HELP THEM RUN FOR OFFICE AND THAT IS THE PLAYBOOK HERE.

WE'LL SEE IF IT WORKS HERE.

>> WE HAVE THE FOURTH JANUARY 6TH CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE HEARING ABOUT THE ATTACKS ON THE CAPITOL.

THERE WAS SOME POWERFUL TESTIMONY YESTERDAY INCLUDING FROM GEORGIA ELECTION WORKER SHAY MOSS WHO TESTIFIED ABOUT THE HARASSMENT SHE AND HER FAISAL KHAN.

HERE SHE IS RECOUNTING A PANICKED CALL SHE GOT FROM HER GRANDMOTHER.

>> THE WOMAN IS MY EVERYTHING.

I'VE NEVER EVEN HEARD HER OR SEEN HER CRY EVER IN MY LIFE.

AND SHE CALLED ME SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF HER LUNGS LIKE SHAY, THEY, OH, MY GOD, SHAY!

FREAKING ME OUT.

SAYING THAT THERE WERE PEOPLE AT HER HOME AND THEY JUST STARTED PUSHING THEIR WAY THROUGH CLAIMING THAT THEY WERE COMING IN TO MAKE A CITIZENS ARREST.

THEY NEEDED TO FIND ME AND MY MOM.

>> AMANDA, I IMAGINE IT WILL BE HARD TO KEEP FEELING THE ROLE OF ELECTION WORKER?

>> I HONESTLY DON'T HAVE AN EASY ANSWER FOR WHO WOULD WANT TO TAKE THAT JOB IN THIS CLIMATE.

THEY ARE PEOPLE WHO DO SO AND THEY ARE LONG HOURS AT THE POLLS AND THE PAY THERE IS SOME BUT IT IS NOT GREAT.

AND REALLY THE WAY YOU HAVE SECURE ELECTIONS IS BECAUSE OF POLL WATCHERS, BECAUSE OF PEOPLE WHO STEP UP TO DO THOSE SORT OF JOBS.

CERTAINLY THAT TESTIMONY A LOT OF IT WAS REALLY HEART WRENCHING AND FRIGHTENING AND THAT IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER THING THAT ELECTION OFFICIALS WILL HAVE TO CONTEND WITH.

>> ANOTHER HEARING IS SET FOR TOMORROW AND ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN KINZINGER IS SUPPOSED TO PLAY A LEAD ROLE.

HERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT HE HAS SAID WHAT HE TOLD ABC ON SUNDAY.

>> I'M NOT WORRIED PERSONALLY THIS THREAT THAT CAME IN IT WAS MAILED TO MY HOUSE.

WE GOT IT A COUPLE DAYS AGO AND IT THREATENS TO EXECUTE ME AND MY WIFE AND FIVE-MONTH-OLD CHILD.

NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

IT WAS SENT FROM THE THE LOCAL AREA.

NOW I HAVE A WIFE AND KIDS IT'S DIFFERENT.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT -- THERE'S VIOLENCE IN THE FUTURE I WILL TELL YOU UNTIL WE GET A GRIP ON TELLING PEOPLE THE TRUTH WE CANNOT EXPECT DIFFERENTLY.

>> KINZINGER IS A VETERAN, A CONSERVATIVE.

WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT THE STATE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT KINZINGER IS BEING OSTRACIZED FOR SPEAKING UP?

>> GETTING DEATH THREATS THE RHETORIC HAS GONE TOO FAR.

YOU HAVE A CANDIDATE, A LEADING CANDIDATE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE FOR SENATOR IN MISSOURI RUNNING AN AD CALLING TALKING ABOUT HUNTING RHINOS, REPUBLICANS WITH A SHOTGUN GOING BUSTING IN WITH A S.W.A.T.

TEAM.

AND NOT REALLY APPEARING TONGUE-IN-CHEEK HERE BUT IMPLICATING VIOLENCE?

FOR REPUBLICANS THAT DARED TO GO AGAINST TRUMP THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

AND YOU DID NOT SEE A LOT OF FOLKS ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE CALLING THAT OUT.

YOU HAVE KINZINGER THERE SAYING HE HAS AN OMINOUS FORECAST THERE IS VIOLENCE IN THE FUTURE WE HAVE HAD RHETORIC FOR SO MANY YEARS AND IT'S BEEN PROFITABLE FOR A LOT OF MEDIA COMPANIES.

A LOT OF FOLKS BELIEVE NOW THAT VIOLENCE OR THOUGHTS OF VIOLENCE ARE JUSTIFIED AND THEN YOU HAVE POLITICIANS LIKE THE GUY RUNNING IN MISSOURI FEEDING INTO THAT SAYING THEY ARE JUSTIFIED AND ELECT ME SENATOR IT'S GONE WAY TOO FAR.

>> WE HAVE FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP COMING TO QUINCY, ILLINOIS TO STUMP FOR MARY MILLER.

HOW MUCH IS TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT WORTH IN ILLINOIS?

>> IT DEPENDS WHERE IN ILLINOIS.

IN THAT DISTRICT THE 15TH IT CARRIES A LOT OF WEIGHT.

THIS GETS BACK TO THE ROLE THAT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE PLAYED IN POLARIZING THE COUNTRY AND THE STATES THIS IS A DISTRICT REDRAWN IN THE LATEST REDO OF THE MAP TO PACK AS MANY REPUBLICANS IN AS POSSIBLE.

THIS IS MARY MILLER RUNNING AGAINST FIRST TERM CONGRESS PERSON RUNNING AGAINST RODNEY DAVIS.

HE IS HOPING NAME RECOGNITION MUCH OF THE DISTRICT HE REPRESENTS AND ALTHOUGH HE WAS CO-CHAIR OF TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN, HE DID NOT GET THE NOD FROM TRUMP.

RODNEY DAVIS IS NOT BACKING AWAY SAYING HE IS PROUD OF HIS WORK WITH TRUMP BUT THIS IS SOMETHING MILLER'S CAMPAIGN WILL CELEBRATE AND WE WILL BE WATCHING TO SEE HOW MUCH WEIGHT DOES TRUMPCARERY.

>> AND WE KNOW FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT PENCE WAS IN TOWN.

AND KAMALA HARRIS IS EXPECTED FRIDAY.

AND WE'LL HAVE MORE TO TALK ABOUT.

THANKS TO THE SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM, HEATHER CHERONE, AMANDA VINICKY AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

AND WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YouTube AND OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> YOU CAN GET THE SHE VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M.

THE PRIDE PARADE RETURNS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE COVID-19 HIT.

WE VISIT NORTH HALSTED FOR OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> AND A NEW ART SHOW ABOUT MASKS AND VISIBILITY CURATED BY RAPPER AND ACTIVIST.

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 HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

[♪♪♪]