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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> EMBRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WHAT YOU WILL SEE IS A CHANGE IN THE CULTURE.

>> ILLINOIS' CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WILL UNDERGO MAJOR CHANGES THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND IT STARTS THIS THURSDAY.

>> YOU THINK ABOUT THIS GOING ON.

>> WE TALK WITH ALDERPEOPLE ABOUT WEEKEND VIOLENCE AND THE TWO CONTENTIOUS CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS LAST WEEK.

>> THE NEW DANGEROUS VARIANT CONTINUES TO EMERGE.

>> WHAT THE SUPER SPREADER DELTA VARIANT OF THE CORONAVIRUS MEANS FOR THE FUTURE OF REOPENING, MASKING AND TRAVEL.

>> INVESTMENT GROUPS BET ON FUTURE DEMAND FOR SENIOR HOUSING THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND STATE LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING TO ADDRESS SO-CALLED PERIOD POVERTY WE LOOK AT THE ISSUE IN OUR FIRSTHAND LIVING IN POVERTY SERIES.

>> A PHOTO EXHIBIT DOCUMENTS THE PAST AND CELEBRATES THE FUTURE OF WOMEN IN BLUES.

>> DAMN WE SHOULD TRY TO THINK HOW WE CAN TAP INTO THIS BIZARRE INTEREST IN YOU.

>> AS WE GET SET FOR PHIL PONCE'S LAST REGULAR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" APPEARANCE TOMORROW HE MOVES TO SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT STATUS.

A LOOK AT A MEMORIAL 2005 CONVERSATION HE HAD WITH THEN SENATOR BARACK OBAMA.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

CHICAGO POLICE SAY GANG CONFLICTS AND RETALIATIONS ARE THE CAUSES OF TWO MASS SHOOTINGS OVER THE WEEKEND EACH LEAVING ONE PERSON DEAD AND INJURING MORE THAN A DOZEN PEOPLE ALTHOUGH.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT CALLED THE VIOLENCE FRUSTRATING AND HEARTBREAKING CLAIMING THOSE WHO PULL THE TRIGGER IN ATTACKS HAVE NO DECENCY.

>> THEY DON'T WANT TO LET THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM PLAY ITSELF OUT.

THEY WANT TO ENGAGE IN STREET JUSTICE.

WHICH IS TRAGIC.

AND TERRIBLE BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS LIKE AS WE'VE SEEN HAPPEN SO MANY TIMES WITH WAY TOO MANY CHILDREN IN OUR CITY ACROSS THIS YEAR.

WHEN THEY AIM THEY DON'T GET THE TARGET.

THEY GET THE CHILDREN AND THE INNOCENT BYSTANDERS WHO HAS A RIGHT TO LIVE IN OUR CITY WITHOUT THE FEAR OF BEING FELLED BY GUN VIOLENCE.

>> AND PARIS HAS MORE FROM THE ALDERPEOPLE ON THE ANTIVIOLENCE STRANGE AND THE INVESTIGATIONS FROM SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND THE CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER WHO FATALLY SHOT ANTHONY ALVAREZ IN LATE MARCH HAS JUST NOW BEEN STRIPPED OF HIS POLICE POWERS.

THE CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY CIVIL WHICH INVESTIGATES POLICE MISCONDUCT MADE THE RECOMMENDATION TWO MONTHS AGO WHILE THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUED.

VIDEO OF THE SHOOTING SHOWS OFFICER EVAN SOLANO CHASING ALVAREZ ON FOOT THROUGH AN ALLEY.

EVAN SOLANO ORDERS ALVAREZ TO DROP HIS GUN BEFORE SHOOTING HIM IN THE BACK.

SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN WOULD NOT CLARIFY WHY HE WAITED SO LONG ONLY THAT HE ASKED C.O.P.A.

FOR MORE INFORMATION BEFORE MAKING THE DECISION.

AND TO FIND OUT MORE WHAT LORI LIGHTFOOT SAID OF THIS INCIDENT VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND A CENTRAL ILLINOIS SUMMER CAMP FOR YOUTH TURNED INTO A SUPER SPREADER WITH 85 TEENS AND ADULTS INFECTED WITH THE CORONAVIRUS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAYS CAMPERS AND STAFF WERE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE A HANDFUL RECEIVED IT AND THE CAMP DID NOT GET VACCINATION STATUS OR REQUIRE MASKING INDOORS.

IDPH SAYS A COUPLE OF PEOPLE ATTENDED A CONFERENCE RESULTING IN 11 OF THE CASES.

70% OF WHOM WERE UNVACCINATED.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS AND A GROUP OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

PARIS?

>> BRANDIS, SIX WERE KILLED AND 74 WOUNDED IN WEEKEND SHOOTINGS IN CHICAGO PARTIALLY THE RESULT OF TWO MASS SHOOTINGS ON THE SOUTH SIDE THAT POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN ATTRIBUTED TO LIKELY GANG TIES.

THE SUMMER VIOLENCE IS ONE OF MANY ISSUES FACING THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

FRESH OFF A VOTE TO RENAME LAKE SHORE DRIVE JEAN BAPTISTE POINTE DuSABLE LAKE.

JOINING US FROM MICHELE SMITH AND ALDERPERSON ANDRE VASQUEZ REPRESENTING THE 4TH WARD, JAMES CAPPLEMAN WITH THE 46TH WARD ON THE NORTH SIDE AND ALDERPERSON JEANETTE TAYLOR WHO REPRESENTS THE 20TH WARD ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

BEFORE WE GET STARTED HERE, LET'S HEAR FROM MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT WHO ADDRESSED THE WEEKEND VIOLENCE EARLIER TODAY.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> WE STILL HAVE TOO MANY MURDERERS THAT ARE NOT BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE NOT JUST IN CHICAGO BUT ACROSS THIS COUNTRY BUT OUR COUNTY IS BEING PLAGUED.

I'M CALLING ON OUR COUNTY PARTNERS AND THOSE IN THE CRIMINAL COURTS OPEN UP THE COURTS, PEOPLE NEED TO GET THEIR DAY IN COURT.

JUSTICE DELAY SECOND JUSTICE DENIED.

AND YOU'RE HURTING NOT ONLY THOSE WHO ARE CHARGED BUT ALSO THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE VICTIMS, THE SURVIVORS AND THE WITNESSES.

WHO NEED TO HAVE A MEASURE OF JUSTICE.

>> ALDERPERSON TAYLOR YOU HEAR MAYOR LIGHTFOOT CALLING OUT THE COURT SYSTEM SAYING THAT THAT IS POSSIBLY A PART OF WHY VIOLENCE IS SPIKING.

DO YOU SEE IT THAT WAIVED?

>> NO.

OF COURSE NOT.

THINK ABOUT THIS... YOU LIVE IN ONE OF THE RICHEST CITIES IN THE WORLD AND THE MINIMUM WAGE IS $15.

THIS WHAT WE SPEND 40% OF THE BUDGET ON POLICE AND WE DON'T FEEL ANY SAFER IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THIS IS DISINVEST IN COMMUNITIES.

WE CLOSED SCHOOLS.

WE DON'T HAVE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS WHERE THE SERVICES THINKING ABOUT US BEING IN A PANDEMIC FOR A YEAR-AND-A-HALF.

WHERE ARE THE SERVICES FOR THE PEOPLE?

SO THINK ABOUT THIS, A CAT WILL LOVE YOU BUT YOU BACK IT IN A CORNER WHAT HAPPENED?

IT WILL COME OUT SCRATCHING.

NO DIFFERENT THAN WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> AND WE HAVE THE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND COMING UP A TOUGH WEEKEND FOR VIOLENCE WHAT STRATEGY DO YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND DO RESIDENTS NEED TO HEAR FROM THE MAYOR AND YOU ALL?

>> I THINK WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT POLICING OR THE COOK COUNTY COURT SYSTEM PUTTING BAN AIDS OVER BULLET WOUNDS.

THE SAME THINKING THAT IMPOSES A LIQUOR CURFEW OR THINGS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT IT SOUNDS GOOD TO SAY TO THE PUBLIC IF YOU WANT TO SOLVE THE ISSUE, YOU INVEST IN COMMUNITIES, YOU HAVE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY TO INCREASE SOME KIND OF TRUST BETWEEN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND THOSE THAT SERVE AND PROTECT THEM.

BECAUSE THEN YOU WOULD HAVE THE INFORMATION THAT WILL LEAD TO BETTER INVESTIGATIONS TO SOLVE THE ISSUES THAT HAPPEN.

WITHOUT THAT, EVERYTHING ELSE IS WINDOW DRESSING.

>> AND ALDERMAN, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TALKED ABOUT CANCELING DAYS OFF THEY ARE IN THAT MODE.

OVERTIME MANDATORY OVERTIME.

THE FOP TALKED ABOUT A LACK OF MORALE PEOPLE LEAVING THE FORCE IN DROVES.

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT ALL THIS OVERTIME AND THE POLICE STRATEGY THAT IS BEING PUT FORWARD?

>> WELL, THIS WHOLE SITUATION OF THE VIOLENCE HAPPENING AND THE POLICE RESPONSE I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR POLICE RESPONSE.

BUT I AGREE WITH ALDERWOMAN TAYLOR.

POLICE RESPONSE IS JUST NOT GOING TO END IT.

WE NEED MORE INVESTMENT IN THESE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE FELT LEFT OUT FOR TOO LONG.

I WANT TO SEE MORE VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS AND THEY TOO WILL BE MUCH HELP WITH OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE FINDING THAT THERE'S NO OTHER SOLUTION FOR THEMSELVES EXCEPT TO TURN TO VIOLENCE.

THEY ARE VERY ANGRY AND THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE.

>> AND TO BE FAIR MAYOR LIGHTFOOT TALKED ABOUT A WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT APPROACH WHICH INCLUDES VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS AND OTHER CITY SERVICES.

ALDERWOMAN SMITH THIS COMES AS CITY COUNCIL STALLED IN ITS DEBATE OVER CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT A PLAN THAT WOULD GIVE A NEW PANEL THE POWER TO HIRE AND FIRE THE SUPERINTENDENT APPEARS TO BE GOING NOWHERE.

IS THERE A CONSENSUS PLAN THAT MIGHT EMERGE AMONG YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE IS A PATH FORWARD.

LET ME SAY AS TO THE FIRST ISSUE THAT THERE'S BEEN AN OUTBREAK OF INCREASED VIOLENCE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

AND I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUES.

THIS CITY NEEDS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF HISTORIC DISINVESTMENT IN COMMUNITIES.

MANY COMMUNITIES IN OUR CITY.

BUT TODAY THAT IS OF LITTLE SOLIS TO THE VICTIMS OF THESE CRIMES.

THESE CRIMES ARE BEING COMMITTED BY PEOPLE WHO NOW ARE USING EXTENDED MAGAZINES.

THAT IS THE REASON WE ARE HAVING MASS KILLINGS IS NOW THE FIRE POWER IS GOING UP AND EXTENDED MAGAZINES ARE STILL LEGAL IN ILLINOIS.

AND GUN VIOLENCE HAVING A GUN IN YOUR HAND, IS NOT MUCH OF A CRIME IN CHICAGO RIGHT NOW.

>> TALKING ABOUT -- >> I COMPLETELY AGREE WE NEED TO DO THIS BUT WE NEED TO HAVE STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS ON THE BOOKS TO SEND A SIGNAL TO PEOPLE WHO ARE COMMITTED VIOLENCE NOW AGAINST THEIR NEIGHBORS.

>> ALDERWOMAN SMITH AS A FORMER ATTORNEY IN THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, DO YOU THINK THAT THIS NEWLY ANNOUNCED FEDERAL HELP IN THE WAY OF STRIKE FORCES WILL ASSIST THE CITY IN ANY CAPACITY?

>> WELL, I THINK SO.

I THINK THE CITY NEEDS THE ASSISTANCE.

RECENTLY A DIFFICULT CARJACKING CASE WAS BROUGHT IN FEDERAL COURT A CASE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN STATE COURT BUT IT WAS BROUGHT IN FEDERAL COURT BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS MORE CONFIDENCE THAT JUSTICE IS GOING TO BE DONE FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE CRIMES MANY AND I THINK WE NEED TO DO MORE TO WORK WITH OUR STATE'S ATTORNEY, OUR U.S. ATTORNEY AND OUR POLICE WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE KILLING PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, INNOCENT BYSTANDERS, ARE GIVEN SOME JUSTICE.

AND THAT THE MESSAGE CAN BE SENT THAT IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO KILL YOUR NEIGHBORS AND KILL YOUR FRIENDS AND KILL EACH OTHER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.

>> ALDERWOMAN TAYLOR, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT PANEL.

AS I POSED THE QUESTION, IS IT GOING ANYWHERE?

IS THERE CONSENSUS THAT COULD EMERGE ABOUT CIVILIAN POLICE OVERSIGHT?

>> NO WE ARE AT A ROADBLOCK WE HAVE A COWORKER STOPPING US FROM HAVING A HEARING.

NO THIS IS SOMETHING THE MAYOR DOES NOT WANT.

>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ALDERMAN CRYSTAL FERRO?

>> OF COURSE I WASN'T GOING TO SAY IT.

HE IS STOPPING US FROM AT LEAST HAVING THE CONVERSATION WHICH IS THE PROBLEM AND THEN THE ENTIRE CITY WE CAN'T HAVE THE CONVERSATION WHEN YOU CAN'T HAVE THE CONVERSATION YOU ARE NOT SURE WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS.

WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH THE POLICE HASN'T WORK OVER THE YEARS.

COMMUNITY CONTROL OVER THE POLICE IS THE SAME WITH ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.

YOU CAN'T SAY WHAT WORKS WHEN YOU WON'T TRY IT.

>> ANDRE VASQUEZ DO YOU SEE CONSENSUS PROPOSAL EMERGING FROM THIS DEBATE THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON ABOUT CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> THERE HAS BEEN A CONSENSUS CALLED EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT WITH THE COMMUNITIES.

IT'S GOT SUPPORT FROM THE BLACK, LATINO, PROGRESSIVE AND SOCIALIST CAUCUSES THAT IS THE CONSENSUS.

THE CHALLENGE IS WHEN YOU HAVE A MAYOR THAT DOES NOT WANT TO MOVE IT FORWARD AND TO BE FRANK, WITH RESPECT TO MY COLLEAGUE, PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING RACIALLY PROFILED OR HAVING TO GO THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE AND THEY ARE BEING THE GATEKEEPERS OF OUR DEMOCRACY THAT IS A PROBLEM.

FOR ME, THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE IS ONE OF THE MOST CONSERVATIVE IN THE CITY AND WE NEED TO BRING IT TO THE COUNCIL FLOOR AND VOTE WHETHER THEY BELIEVE IN POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY OR DON'T.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> YOU KNOW, ALDERMAN VASQUEZ IS A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE AND WE CAN ALWAYS TALK AND I THINK THIS IS AN HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW TO TRY TO SIT DOWN IN MEETINGS NOT NECESSARILY ON THE FLOOR, NOT NECESSARILY UNDER A HARSH SPOTLIGHT AND TRY TO WORK THINGS OUT.

I HAVE BEEN A STRONG SUPPORTERS OF THE GAPA PLAN.

AND WAS PREPARED TO VOTE ON IT.

I WISH WE HAD VOTED ON IT.

I AGREE THAT WE SHOULD -- >> GAPA IS THE GRASSROOTS ALLIANCE FOR POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> AND I WAS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF IT.

AND I REALLY DID NOT AGREE THAT THAT VOTE WAS DELAYED.

SO I THINK THIS IS A CHANCE FOR OTHER MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL TO GET INVOLVED IN THE NEGOTIATIONS AND SEE IF WE CANNOT COME TO AN CONCLUSION THAT CAN PASS AND CAN BE PASSED.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT.

I THINK THAT THAT LEGISLATION COULD HAVE PASSED HAD THE MAYOR NOT WALKED AWAY FROM THE TABLE AND HAD NONE OF US TALK ABOUT POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR FIVE MONTHS TO INTRODUCE A WATERED DOWN VERSION OF THAT BILL.

I AGREE WE COULD HAVE TALK TO DO THROUGH BUT THE MAYOR STOPPED IT.

>> WE HAVE TO DELAY THE REST OF THIS PANEL BUT WE WILL BE JOINED AGAIN TO DISCUSS LAST WEEK'S RAUCOUS CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND THE NAME CHANGE FOR LAKE SHORE DRIVE.

OUR THANKS TO MICHELE SMITH, JAMES CAPPLEMAN, JEANETTE TAYLOR AND ANDRE VASQUEZ.

>> CHANGES ARE COMING TO ILLINOIS' CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ON ACCOUNT OF A NEW LAW PASSED SIX MONTHS AGO IN THE WAKE OF GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER.

THOSE CHANGES WILL START TO TAKE EFFECT IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

AMANDA WHAT DOES THE NEW LAW DO?

>> PARIS, THIS IS A BEHEMOTH OF A BILL AND HOW PREGNANT PRISONERS ARE TREATED TO CREATING A STATE-WIDE STANDARD FOR WHAT CONSTITUTES A USE-OF-FORCE.

ONE FOCUS HAS BEEN ON THE COMPONENT THE ELIMINATION OF CASH BAIL.

>> MOST FOLKS WHEN THEY THINK ABOUT THE SAFETY ACT ALL THEY THINK ABOUT IS THE END OF CASH BAIL.

AND THAT IS JUST ONE SEGMENT OF THE OVERALL PLAN.

>> THAT'S STATE SENATOR ELGIE SIMS FROM CHICAGO AND HE WAS A KEY NEGOTIATOR OF THIS PLAN.

HE SAYS THE TIME-FRAME IS PURPOSELY STRETCHED OUT SO THAT COURTS, STATES ATTORNEYS AND POLICE HAVE HAVE TIME TO GET SYSTEMS IN PLACE.

BUT OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE LAW DO TAKE EFFECT STARTING JULY FIRST.

18 PROVISIONS ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE.

THE ASSOCIATION TODAY ACTUALLY HELD A FOUR-HOUR TRAINING TO BEGIN TO GET POLICE UP TO SPEED ON THOSE CHANGES.

WE ARE GOING TO DO OUR BEST TO DISTILL THOSE INTO THE NEXT FOUR MINUTES.

AMONG THE CHANGES POLICE MUST BEGIN TO PERMANENTLY KEEP RECORDS OF OFFICER MISCONDUCT.

SIMS CITES THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER DEREK CHAUVIN CONVICTED OF KILLING GEORGE FLOYD IS AN EXAMPLE WHY IT'S NECESSARY.

>> AN OFFICER WHO HAD INSTANCE AFTER INSTANCE OF NEGATIVE INTERACTION WITH THE COMMUNITY.

IF YOU HAVE AN OFFICER WHO IS ENGAGINGED IN THAT KIND OF REPEATED BEHAVIOR AND THEIR MISCONDUCT RECORDS ARE SCRUBBED AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS, THERE'S NO RECORD THAT THE INDIVIDUAL'S CONDUCT.

>> THE NEW LAW DOES ESTABLISH A METHOD FOR DECERTIFYING POLICE WHERE THE PATTERNS AND THAT PAPERWORK COULD COME INTO PLAY.

AMONG THE OTHER CHANGES THURSDAY, POLICE WILL HAVE TO COLLECT AND TO REPORT WHEN THEY USE USE-OF-FORCE THAT RESULTS IN SOMEBODY DYING OR BEING INJURED.

ALSO WHEN THEY INTERVENE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS SITUATION WHEN THEY ARE DISPATCHED FOR ONE.

LAW ENFORCEMENT ALSO HAS TO HAVE A STATE REQUIRED LEGAL DUTY TO INTERVENE.

AND DIRECTOR OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE ED WOJCICKI EXPLAINS WHAT THAT MEANS.

>> IT MEANS IF THEY SEE AN OFFICER DOING SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE WOULD UNDERSTAND IS SOMETHING THAT AN OFFICER SHOULD NOT BE DOING, THEN NOW OFFICERS HAVE A LEGAL OBLIGATION TO INTERVENE AND PUT A STOP TO THAT.

THAT WAS PROMPTED OBVIOUSLY BY THE GEORGE FLOYD CASE.

BUT OTHER STORIES THAT HAVE EMERGED.

>> AND ADDITIONALLY, NOW A REQUIREMENT FOR POLICE TO RENDER FIRST AID WHEN IT IS NECESSARY.

MUCH OF THIS HAS BEEN ON TRACK SINCE JANUARY, FEBRUARY.

BUT OTHER ELEMENTS OF THIS JUST GOT CHANGED ON FRIDAY.

WHEN GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SIGNED INTO LAW WHAT IS KNOWN AS A TRAILER BILL THAT MAKES CORRECTIONS OR CLARIFICATIONS.

SENATOR SIMS SAYS GETTING THAT DONE WAS MAKING GOOD ON A PROMISE AND ED WOJCICKI AGREES HE SAYS A LOT OF THE NARRATIVE HAS BEEN POLICE VERSUS THE LEGISLATURE, LAW ENFORCEMENT VERSUS THE BLACK CAUCUS.

>> SO MUCH OF WHAT ENDS UP IN THE PUBLIC DISCOURSE MAKES IT LOOK LIKE US AGAINST THEM.

THE POLICE AGAINST THE LEGISLATORS.

THE POLICE AGAINST THE BLACK CAUCUS AND SO ON.

I WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW THAT THE LEADERS OF THE BLACK CAUCUS IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE WORKED WITH US FOR DOZENS PROBABLY HUNDREDS OF HOURS.

>> AND THAT HE SAYS HAS RESULTED IN CHANGES.

ALL THOSE NEGOTIATIONS FOR EXAMPLE, THE ORIGINAL LAW FORBID POLICE FROM TASING SOMEONE IN THE BACK.

THAT TRAILER BILL CHANGES IT.

IT WILL NO LONGER BE THE CASE.

>> LET'S LOOK AT FROM A COMMON SENSE STANDPOINT.

WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE SHOOTING SOMEBODY IN THE HEAD WITH A TASER OR IN THE HEART.

SO WE WANTED TO DISABLE THAT PERSON LET'S SHOOT AT A MASS LIKE THE BACK.

AND WHEN WE POINTED OUT THAT WAS THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE MANUFACTURER THEY SAID YEAH, THAT MAKES GOOD SENSE SO THEY CHANGED IT.

>> SENATOR SIMS SAYS THOSE CHANGES BE IT THOSE TAKING EFFECT SOON OR THOSE LIKE CASH BAIL THAT ARE COMING IN A FEW YEARS WILL MAKE A MATERIAL IMPACT.

HE SAYS FOR TOO LONG ILLINOIS LEGISLATED AROUND THE MARGINS ON POLICING ISSUES.

THE GOAL HERE WAS TO TAKE TOUGH ISSUES HEAD ON.

>> CHANGE TAKES TIME.

AND YOU MAY NOT SEE THE IMMEDIATE -- YOU MIGHT FEEL THE IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON DAY ONE WHAT YOU WILL SEE IS A CHANGE IN THE CULTURE.

THAT SAID, THERE ARE THOSE WHO WARNED ARE NOT ONBOARD WITH THIS.

WHILE DEFENDERS SAY THAT THE TRAILER BILL MADE FIXES AND NOT CHANGES, THERE ARE SOME MEMBERS OF THE BLACK CAUCUS WHO VOTED AGAINST IT.

ALSO VOCAL ADVOCATES WANT POLICE COMPLETELY DEFUNDED.

AND WHILE MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SAY THAT THESE RECENT CHANGES SIGNED ON FRIDAY DO HELP THEY ARE STILL WORRIED ABOUT WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON.

ED WOJCICKI IN PARTICULAR WATCHING FOR A REPORT THAT IS DUE IN THE FALL THAT ANALYZES THE IMPACT OF ELIMINATING QUALIFIED IMMUNITY FOR POLICE.

>> FOR US, THAT WOULD BE ALMOST A NONSTARTER BECAUSE QUALIFIED IMMUNITY IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT LEGAL TOOL THAT POLICE OFFICERS HAVE.

WE THINK THAT IT'S REALLY MISUNDERSTOOD.

>> NOW, THIS ISN'T THE ONLY NEW LAW THAT TAKES EFFECT ON THURSDAY JULY FIRST.

ALSO THE START OF THE STATE'S FISCAL YEAR.

SO THAT IS WHEN THE NEW STATE BUDGET WILL ALSO TAKE EFFECT.

PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, AMANDA A LOT TO DIGEST.

THANK YOU.

NOW TO BRANDIS FOR A LOOK AT CONCERNS REGARDING A VARIANT OF COVID-19.

>> AND PARIS, AS COVID-19 VARIANTS CONTINUE TO SPREAD OTHER COUNTRIES ARE STARTING TO REINSTATE MASKING MANDATES AND LOCKDOWNS.

HERE IS WHAT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAID ABOUT THE ONE VARIANT THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT.

>> THIS NEW DANGEROUS VARIANT CONTINUES TO EMERGE IT'S NOW THE MOST COMMON VARIANT IN AMERICA.

AND UNVACCINATED PEOPLE ARE INCREDIBLY VULNERABLE.

THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN WITH WHAT EXPERTS CALL THE DELTA VARIANT.

>> AND HERE TO HELP US UNDERSTAND THE DELTA VARIANT IS Dr. EMILY LANDON, EXECUTIVE MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL AT U CHICAGO MEDICINE.

WELCOME BACK.

WE KNOW THIS DELTA VARIANT EXPLODING GLOBALLY.

IS IT JUST INFECTING PEOPLE UNVACCINATED?

OR IS IT BREAKING THROUGH THE VACCINE?

>> WELL, ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN VACCINATED COULD STILL GET A MILD CASE OF COVID WITH DELTA VARIANT, DOESN'T MATTER.

ABOUT 5% OF THE TIME PEOPLE ARE CATCHING COVID WHEN IT COMES TO DELTA VARIANT EVEN VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS UP TO 12% OF THE TIME MIGHT GET A MILD CASE THE VACCINE IS PREVENTING MOST OF THOSE CASES AND IT IS CERTAINLY KEEPING THOSE PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

>> AS COVID-19 MUTATES, HOW DOES THAT IMPACT INFECTION RATES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS?

>> WELL, IT CERTAINLY -- THIS PARTICULAR VARIANT IS NASTY.

IT'S EXTREMELY CONTAGIOUS AND THE JURY IS A BIT OUT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT IT CAUSES MORE SEVERE DISEASE IN YOUNGER PEOPLE.

THAT SAID, IT IS ABLE TO SORT OF SPREAD THROUGH UNVACCINATED COMMUNITIES MUCH, MUCH BETTER THAN THE OLD CORONAVIRUS WAS SPREADING.

THESE THINGS THAT PEOPLE IF YOU ARE UNVACCINATED THE THINGS YOU WERE DOING BEFORE TO HELP PROTECT FROM YOU COVID ARE NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH YOU NEED TO TAKE ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS.

MASKING ALL THE TIME, STAYING OUT OF CROWDS.

STAYING HOME AND IF YOU ARE NOT DOING THAT IT LOOKS LIKE YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF GETTING COVID AND YOU MIGHT END UP HOSPITALIZED.

BUT A LARGE PROPORTION OF INDIVIDUALS END UP WITH LONG-TERM SYMPTOMS AND LONG COVID THERE ARE A LOT OF CONCERNS IF YOU CATCH THIS VARIANT.

>> THE DELTA VARIANT SYMPTOMS THEY DIFFER SLIGHTLY FROM THE ORIGINAL VIRUS.

INCLUDE STOMACH PAIN, LOSS OF APPETITE, NAUSEA AND VOMITING, JOINT PAIN AND HEARING LOSS.

WHY SO DIFFERENT?

>> WELL, THESE ARE SYMPTOMS THAT WE SAW IN A MINORITY OF CASES OF COVID FROM THE BEGINNING.

AND IN FACT, THE YOUNGER INDIVIDUALS ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE THESE UNUSUAL SYMPTOMS LESS COMMON SYMPTOMS.

THE GI TRACK, THE NAUSEA VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.

AND THE HEARING LOSS KIND OF SIMILAR TO THE LOSS OF TASTE AND SMELL SENSITIVE NERVE CELLS AND COVID HAS A WAY OF DEALING WITH THAT.

THIS IS NOT SURPRISING TO ME.

AND SINCE YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY GETTING THIS VARIANT MOST OLDER PEOPLE AND AT HIGH-RISK HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

THE ONLY PEOPLE AVAILABLE TO DELTA VARIANT TO SPREAD AROUND ARE THE YOUNGER PEOPLE NOT SURPRISING WE'RE SEEING MORE BROAD PRESENTATION OF SYMPTOMS.

YOU HAVE TO THINK ANY SORT OF ILLNESS THAT YOU MIGHT COME DOWN WITH YOU NEED TO GET TESTED FOR COVID IF YOU ARE UNVACCINATED.

>> ISRAEL REINSTATED THE MASK REQUIREMENT AND THE UNITED KINGDOM IS UNDER LOCKDOWN COULD THESE BE REINSTATED IN THE UNITED STATES?

>> I THINK IN THE UNITED STATES IT IS NOT VERY POPULAR TO HAVE LOCKDOWNS AND THEY ARE VERY DAMAGING FOR THE ECONOMY.

NOW, THAT SAID, I THINK MASKING IN INDOOR SPACES IS SOMETHING THAT WE MAY NEED TO GO BACK TO IN THE FUTURE.

I THINK ANYONE WHO THROWS OUT ALL OF THE MASKS AT THIS POINT IS BEING OVERLY OPTIMISTIC.

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION CAME OUT WITH A RECOMMENDATION SAYING THAT INDIVIDUALS FULLY VACCINATED MAY NEED TO WEAR MASKS INDOORS IN ORDER TO HELP KEEP THE SPREAD OF DELTA VARIANT IN CHECK.

ESPECIALLY BECAUSE VACCINES DO NOT SEEM TO WORK AS WELL.

ALTHOUGH I THINK THE MAIN ISSUE ARE THE UNVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS.

>> THE VARIANT ITSELF HAS MUTATED INTO A NEW STRAIN CALLED DELTA PLUS.

WILL BOOSTER SHOTS BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE MUTATIONS?

>> THE FASTER WE GET VACCINATED THE FEWER PEOPLE THAT WILL HAVE COVID THE LESS MUTATIONS WE WILL SEE.

AND THAT IS NOT JUST FOR US IN THE UNITED STATES IT'S EVERYWHERE.

WE REALLY NEED TO GET VACCINES OUT TO EVERY COUNTRY.

WE NEED TO STEP IT UP AND TREAT IT THE SAME WAY RETREAT TO DO HERE IN THE UNITED STATES AND THERE ARE A LOT OF AMERICANS GET THEIR SECOND DOSE.

THE FIRST DOSE IS NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO PROTECT YOU FROM THIS VARIANT YOU NEED BOTH DOSES.

AND IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED YET, THE CURRENT PLANS ARE BASICALLY, FOR YOU TO GET COVID OR GET THE VACCINE.

I WOULD CHOOSE THE VACCINE AND I THINK THE FASTER WE CAN DON'T THAT THE LESS LIKELY WE ARE TO NEED TOO MANY NEW VERSIONS OF THE VACCINE TO COMBAT LOTS AND LOTS OF VARIANTS.

>> AS COVID-19 MUTATES, THE MUTATIONS MUTATE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED?

>> I AM IMMUNOCOMPROMISED LIKE ANY OTHER PEOPLE.

I HAVE RHEUMATOID ARTERY AND AM IN THE MIDDLE -- ARTHRITIS AND AM IN THE MIDDLE CATEGORY.

YOU NEED TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.

THERE IS DATA COMING IN FAST AND FURIOUS THAT HAS MORE AND MORE DETAILS ABOUT WHO IS REALLY NOT RESPONDING TO THE SHOT, WHO IS RESPONDING WELL.

AND WHAT SORTS OF PRECAUTIONS YOU NEED TO TAKE.

DEFINITELY REACH OUT TO YOUR DOCTOR WHOEVER IS MANAGING YOUR IMMUNOSUPPRESSED CONDITIONS AND GET GOOD ADVICE HOW TO PRO SIDE BASED ON THE NEWEST DATA AND KEEP CHECKING BACK.

>> A LOT TO KEEP IN MIND.

Dr. EMILY LANDON THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, A VISIT TO A PHOTO EXHIBIT THAT HONORS WOMEN BLUES LEGENDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

STAY WITH US.

>> MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ON LAST WEEK'S COUNCIL MEETING AND PHIL PONCE 2005 CONVERSATION WITH BARACK OBAMA.

>> BUT FIRST, AS MUSIC FESTIVALS CONTINUE TO HONOR A GENRE THAT CALLS CHICAGO HOME A TRAVELING PHOTO EXHIBIT IS MAKING SURE CERTAIN ARTISTS RECEIVE RECOGNITION AS WELL.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU SHARES HOW ONE PHOTOGRAPHER IS USING SNAPSHOTS OF TIME TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE WOMEN OF THE BLUES.

>> THEY SAY A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.

THAT IS WHAT LYNN ORMAN TRAVELING PHOTOS EXHIBITION WOMAN OF THE BLUES IS ON THE ROAD TO SHARE.

HOW FEMALE ARTISTS CONTRIBUTED TO ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL MUSIC GENRES.

>> CHICAGO IS I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THE PORTAL.

IT IS A SIGNIFICANT, SIGNIFICANT CITY FOR WOMEN OF THE BLUES.

>> THIS COLLECTION OF HISTORIC SNAPSHOTS IS SIX YEARS IN THE MAKING AND FEATURES MORE THAN 100 WOMEN INCLUDING KOKANDY PRODUCTIONS TAYLOR.

>> COCO TAYLOR.

[♪♪♪] COCO TAYLOR BEING OUR CHICAGO QUEEN OF THE BLUES PLAYED SUCH A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN INFLUENCING AND EMPOWERING THE VOICES OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF WOMEN.

AND SHE WAS MY INSPIRATION FOR THIS SHOW.

[♪♪♪] >> THE BLUES IS WHAT SHE LOVED.

THE BLUES IS WHAT SHE LIVED BUT NOT HOW SHE LIVED.

>> TAYLOR'S DAUGHTER AGREES AND SAYS HER MOTHER WHO GREW UP IN THE CHURCH AND STARTED AS A GOSPEL SINGER REMAINED TRUE TO HERSELF AND HER FAITH WHILE WORKING WITH BLUES LEGEND WILLIE DIXON.

[♪♪♪] EVEN IN THE MAKING OF WANG DAMAGE DOODLE FOR HER SHE REFUSED TO SING IT BECAUSE IT WAS A LOT ABOUT LIKE THE DIRTY DOZEN.

[♪♪♪] AND MY MOTHER SAID I JUST CAN'T SING THAT SONG AND DIXON SAID YOU JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.

AND SHE SAID SOME OF THE WORDS YOU GOT TO CHANGE BECAUSE I CAN'T SING THAT.

>> ALSO FEATURED IS ARTIST MENTAL HEALTH DEANNE MELODY ANGLE WHO SAYS LEARNING THIS HISTORY IS IMPERATIVE TO HER DEVELOPMENT AS AN ARTIST.

[♪♪♪] >> NOT ONLY ARE YOU HONORING THE GENRE, BUT YOU ARE HONORING THE PEOPLE WHO CREATED IT.

BECAUSE FOR ME, LEARNING ABOUT MY HISTORY, LEARNING ABOUT MUSIC HISTORY, BUILT ME UP IN SUCH A WAY MYSELF ESTEEM WAS BUILT UP BY KNOWING THAT I COME FROM A PEOPLE THAT NOT ONLY FOUND A WAY TO SURVIVE THROUGH THE MOST HORRIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES BUT THEY THRIVED AND THEY INVENTED AND CREATED THINGS THAT WE ALL LOVE TODAY.

>> FROM CHICAGO TO ST. LOUIS, TO MEMPHIS THIS EXHIBIT NOT ONLY CELEBRATES ARTISTS WHO LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR THE GENRE BUT ALSO THE PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO HAVE DOCUMENTED THESE MUSICAL CELEBRATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR DECADES.

>> WE'RE USUALLY IN THE PIT RIGHT NOW STARTING TODAY AT BLUES FEST ELBOW TO ELBOW.

SHOOTING THESE REMARKABLE WOMEN.

SO I WANTED TO GIVE A VOICE ALSO TO THE PHOTOGRAPHERS, BECAUSE I'M ONE OF THEM AND EVERYBODY CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF THE PERFORMER DIFFERENTLY.

AND IT'S REALLY IT BECOMES THIS BEAUTIFUL NARRATIVE ON WHO THEY ARE.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> INCREDIBLE PERFORMERS AND PICTURES.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION HOW TO SEE WOMEN OF THE BLUES.

THE EXHIBIT FINISHED THE RUN AT DELMARK RECORDS AND HAS STOPS BEFORE HEADING TO BRONZEVILLE AND THEN YOU WILL FIND OUT INFORMATION ABOUT THE FEATURED ARTISTS AND THE PHOTOGRAPHERS BEHIND THEIR PICTURES.

AND NOW BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT IS VERY INTERESTING TO SEE THAT HISTORY ESPECIALLY WITH WOMEN AND THE BLUES IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU MIGHT HEAR AS MUCH ABOUT BUT THEY PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE.

STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", CITY OFFICIALS HOPE TO TURN VACANT LAND INTO NEW OPPORTUNITIES THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> WE CONTINUE OUR CONVERSATION WITH ALDERPEOPLE AND HEAR MORE ABOUT THE TWO CONTENTIOUS CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS LAST WEEK.

ILLINOIS' GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED A HANDFUL OF BILLS TO ADDRESS PERIOD POVERTY AND WE LOOK AT THE ISSUE IN OUR LIVING IN POVERTY SERIES.

>> I HAVE NO PLANS EVERY INTENTIONINGS OF RUNNING FOR HIGHER OFFICE IN 2008.

>> AND AHEAD OF PHIL PONCE'S LAST REGULAR APPEARANCE ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" BEFORE MOVING TO SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS A LOOK BACK AT A REVEALING CONVERSATION WITH BARACK OBAMA.

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

THE FORMER U.S. ASSISTANT ATTORNEY WILL BE LOOKING INTO ALLEGATIONS THAT A FORMER CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS COACH SEXUALLY ASSAULTED A PLAYER IN 2010.

C.E.O.

DANNY WIRTZ ANNOUNCED THE MOVE IN A MEMO THAT REID SCHAR NOW WITH THE PRIVATE LAW FIRM, IS CONDUCTING AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE ALLEGATIONS.

THE MOVE COMES AFTER TWO LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST THE TEAM.

ONE OF WHICH ALLEGES THAT BRADLEY ALDRICH, SEXUALLY ASSAULTED A PLAYER BUT THAT THE TEAM DID NOTHING AFTER LEARNING OF THE CLAIM.

IN 2013, BRADLEY ALDRICH WAS CONVICTED IN MICHIGAN OF FOURTH DEGREE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT INVOLVING A STUDENT.

AS LINES AT THE STATE'S DRIVERS LICENSE FACILITIES GROW SO IS THE DEADLINE.

DRIVERS HAVE THE FIRST OF 2022 TO RENEW LICENSES AND EXPIRED IDENTIFICATION CARDS.

WAITING LINES HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY LONG AS HAS FRUSTRATION THOSE WAITING IN EFFORTS TO IMPLEMENT SOCIAL DISTANCING AND LIMITED CAPACITY.

THE EXTENSION WAS INCLUDED IN A SENATE BILL GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SIGNED LATE LAST WEEK.

>> A CHICAGO BASED REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST REACHES A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR DEAL FOR MORE SENIOR HOUSING.

HUNDREDS OF NEW HOMES COULD BE COMING TO NORTH LAWNDALE THROUGH A CITY INVESTMENT AND A DISPUTE OVER A NATIONAL LANDMARK STATUS FOR THE THOMPSON CENTER.

HERE IS CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS REPORTER DANNY ECKER.

WELCOME BACK.

SO VENTIES REACHED A 2.3 BILLION DEAL WITH NEW YORK BASED NEW SENIOR INVESTMENT GROUP.

WHAT IS SIGNIFICANT ABOUT THIS DEAL?

>> WELL, IT JUST RAISES VEN THAT'S BET ON SENIOR HOUSING ONE OF THE LARGEST OWNERS OF SENIOR HOUSING PROJECTS IN THE COUNTRY.

WHAT IS INTERESTING IS THAT SENIOR HOUSING FACILITIES WERE JUST HAMMERED EARLY ON AND HAVE CONTINUED TO BE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

OWNERS OF THESE FACILITIES TRYING TO FIGHT OFF OUTBREAKS AND MAJOR FINANCIAL AND REPUTATIONAL DAMAGE DONE TO OWNERS OF ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND INDEPENDENT FACILITIES LIVING FACILITIES.

AND THEY HAVE SAID THEY ARE UNDETERRED AND THIS IS INDICATING THAT THEY ARE JUST AS CONFIDENT AS EVER IN THE FUTURE OF SENIOR HOUSING AND IT HAS TO DO WITH AGING BABY-BOOMERS AND WHAT THEY BELIEVE WILL BE NEW CUSTOMERS OVER THE NEXT DECADE.

IT'S SHOWING THAT THEY ARE NOT BACKING DOWN ON THEIR BET.

>> CHICAGO IS CHIPPING IN TO BUILD 250 NEW HOMES IN NORTH LAWNDALE.

HOW IS THIS INVESTMENT GOING TO WORK?

AND WHY DID MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SELECT THE WEST SIDE COMMUNITY AREA FOR THIS VENTURE?

>> IT'S BASICALLY MEANT TO GREASE THE SKIDS TO INDUCE MORE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN A DISINVESTED NEIGHBORHOOD IN THIS CASE NORTH LAWNDALE WHICH IS RIFE WITH VACANT AND DECAYING LOTS.

THE CITY OWNS A LOT OF THOSE LOTS AND OBVIOUSLY MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAS BEEN PUBLIC ABOUT PRIORITIZING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS LIKE THIS AND SO THE WAY THIS WOULD WORK THE CITY WOULD SELL LOTS-FOR-A DOLLAR TO A JOINT VENTURE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPERS THAT WOULD THEN BUILD HOMES AND IDEALLY SELL THEM WITH SUBSIDIES INCLUDING TIF AND STATE SUBSIDIES TO RESIDENTS THAT WOULD HAVE THEM AND BE ABLE TO BUILD WEALTH.

IT IS A RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT TO MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S INVEST OUT WEST INITIATIVE.

>> AND LASTLY, A STATE ADVISORY BOARD VOTED TO NOMINATE THE THOMPSON CENTER TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES BUT THAT BUTTS HEADS WITH STATE AGENCIES THAT OPPOSE THIS.

WHAT IS GOING ON THERE?

>> WELL, REMEMBER THE STATE RIGHT NOW IS ACTIVELY MARKETING THE THOMPSON CENTER FOR SALE TRYING TO GET IT OFF ITS BOOKS.

AND FOR THE TOP DOLLAR THAT THEY CAN GET.

WHICH MAY ALSO INCLUDE KNOCKING IT DOWN AND TURNING INTO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

YOU HAVE THIS ADVISORY BOARD THE ILLINOIS HISTORIC SITES ADVISORY COUNCIL AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION TO POINT OUT PROPERTIES THAT OUGHT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR HISTORIC LANDMARKING AND THEY VOTED THEY SAID WE WANT THIS TO BE A LANDMARK AND ELIGIBLE FOR TAX CREDITS SO A DEVELOPER CAN MAINTAIN THE BUILDING AND GIVE IT NEW LIFE BUT THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE AND OTHERS ARE SAYING WE DON'T SUPPORT THAT.

WE WANT TO GET THE BIGGEST HIGHEST BIDDER FOR THE SALE.

THERE'S A CONTINUING BATTLE THE SALE OF THIS PROPERTY GOES HERE ABOUT WHETHER IT SHOULD BE SAVED WHETHER IT CAN BE SAVED AND PART OF THE ONGOING SAWING GEORGIA THAT IS -- SAGA THAT IS BEING WRITTEN.

DANNY ECKER THANK YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> THANKS.

>> AND NOW WE TOSS IT BACK TO PARIS FOR MORE ON CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS.

>> WE DISCUSSED THIS WEEKEND'S VIOLENCE AND NOW WE'RE JOINED BY MICHELE SMITH, JAMES CAPPLEMAN, JEANETTE TAYLOR AND ANDRE VASQUEZ.

ALL RIGHT IT WAS A VERY EVENTFUL WEEK WITH AN ABORTED CITY COUNCIL MEETING DEVOLVING INTO CHAOS AND FRIDAY'S MAKEUP MEETING WHERE YOU PASSED A NAME CHANGE FOR LAKE SHORE DRIVE TO DID YOUABLE LAKE SHORE DRIVE.

YOU VOTED NO ON THIS NAME CHANGE.

FIRST TO YOU JAMES CAPPLEMAN, WHY DID YOU VOTE AGAINST IT?

>> WELL, I BELIEVE THAT DUSABLE DESERVES HIS DUE.

I WANTED TO CHANGE THE NAME TO DUSABLE LAKE SHORE DRIVE.

MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN THERE WAS EFFORT NOT TO GO THAT ROUTE BUT INSTEAD USE JEAN BAPTISTE POINTE DuSABLE LAKE SHORE DRIVE IT JUST MANY RESIDENTS WOULD FEEL OVERWHELMED BY IT AND THEY WOULD SAY FORGET IT I WILL GO WITH LAKE SHORE DRIVE WHICH MISSES THE POINT.

I THINK IF WE HAD CALL TO DO DUSABLE LAKE SHORE DRIVE IT WOULD REALLY CEMENT THE POINT THAT WE NEED TO MAKE AND THAT IS IT'S TIME FOR ALL CHICAGO TO RECOGNIZE AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WHO FOUNDED THIS CITY.

>> ALDERWOMAN TAYLOR, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT COMMENDED THE FACT THERE WAS A COMPROMISE AND PASSED BUT ALSO SAID THAT THIS ENDLESS DEBATE WAS A DISTRACTION FROM OTHER PRESSING ISSUES.

WAS IT A DISTRACTION FROM OTHER ISSUES LIKE CRIME?

>> IT WAS A DISTRACTION FROM REPARATIONS.

HOW IS THAT FOR DISTRACTION.

>> EXPOUND ON THAT?

>> SURE.

YOU HAVE THE BLACK HEROS COALITION WHO WANTED TO GET THE NAME CHANGE.

IT'S HILARIOUS THAT THE BLACK MAN WHO DISCOVERED CHICAGO WE'RE STRUGGLING TO NAME THE DRIVE AFTER HIM.

BUT I GUARANTEE IF WE WANTED TO CALL THIS TRUMP LANE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE YESTERDAY.

>> TRUMP LANE.

OK. >> YEAH.

>> ALDERWOMAN SMITH YOU ALSO VOTED AGAINST IT.

PRACTICALLY WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THIS NAME CHANGE GOING TO BE?

ARE THE SIGNS GOING TO READ JEAN BAPTISTE POINTE DuSABLE LAKE SHORE DRIVE?

>> I SUSPECT THE SIGNS MAY BUT I SUSPECT THE IMPACT IS GOING TO BE AT THE NEWS RADIO, TRAFFIC REPORT IT WILL BE DUSABLE LAKE SHORE DRIVE IS BACKED UP.

THAT IS THE PRACTICAL ACTIONABLE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CHANGE THE NAME OF A MAJOR STREET.

AND THAT'S HAPPENED.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

I HAVE TO SAY WE SPENT MANY MONTHS DEBATING RENAMING THE ROAD AND I DON'T THINK WE WOULD HAVE RENAMED IT UNDER DONALD TRUMP.

AND REALLY, I'M COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING INVESTMENT JOBS AND SAFETY IN PARTS OF OUR CHICAGO THAT HAVE BEEN DISINVESTED AND I TRUST WE WILL PUT THIS BEHIND US AND GET TO THE HARD WORK THAT IS REQUIRED IN WITH THAT I AGREE WITH ALDERMAN TAYLOR.

WE DO HAVE TO MAKE CHANGES TO ADDRESS ALL THE DISINVESTMENT THAT OCCURRED BY THE PEOPLE WHO CAME BEFORE US.

>> I'M SORRY GO AHEAD, FINISH.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, TOWARD THAT END, WE'VE CONVENED RACIAL EQUITY TASK FORCE IN MY WARD TO TRY TO SEE WHAT ROLE WE CAN PLAY IN THE WARD IN ORDER TO MAKE A SUBSTANTIVE DIFFERENCE IN EVENTS GOING ON IN THE REST OF THE CITY.

>> ALL RIGHT AND.

>> ALDERMAN VASQUEZ WEDNESDAY THAT CITY COUNCIL MEETING THAT ABRUPTTY ENDED YOU COSIGNED A LETTER ABOUT THE MAYOR AND WHETHER OR NOT SHE IS FOLLOWING THE RULES OF ORDER OR MAKING THEM UP AS SHE GOES ALONG.

IS SHE FOLLOWING THE RULES OF ORDER IN CONDUCTING THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS?

>> I THINK YOU CAN LOOK AT ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER THERE ARE TIMES WHEN SHE IS FOLLOWING AND TIMES WHEN SHE IS IGNORING IT AND EXERTING PRIVILEGE.

THE MUNICIPAL CAL CODE IT GIVES HER THE ADVANTAGE.

IF YOU WANT TO HAVE DEMOCRATIC CONVERSATIONS IT NEEDS TO BE A FAIR PLAYING FEED AND THE COUNCIL NEEDS A PARLIAMENTARIAN.

QUICK, I THINK THE NAME CHANGE WAS A DISTRACTION.

WE DIDN'T HAVE TO ARGUE ABOUT IT FOR TWO YEARS.

>> AND ALDERMAN -- ALDERWOMAN TAYLOR PART OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MEETING WAS THIS WELL PUBLICIZED ARGUMENT BETWEEN YOU AND MAYOR LIGHTFOOT.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT WAS EXCHANGED IN THAT DISCUSSION?

>> SO BASICALLY, WE DEFERRED AND PUBLISHED AND ALDERMAN LOPEZ, A ASSIGNMENT TO THE CORPORATION COUNCIL AND WE KNOW CORPORATION COUNCIL IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT AND WORK FOR THE CITIZENS.

AND TOO OFTEN IT SIDES WITH THE MAYOR.

SO THE PERSON THAT SHE WANTED TO APPOINT I DIDN'T PERSONALLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH.

BUT I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE WAY THEY ARE TREATING ANJANETTE YOUNG.

ANJANETTE YOUNG IS THE BLACK SOCIAL WORKER WHO STOOD NAKED FOR OVER 20 MINUTES WHILE THE POLICE RAIDED THE WRONG HOUSE.

IT WAS TO BRING ATTENTION TO THAT.

SHE POINTED TO ME TO WALK TO THE BACK AND I THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO SAY, HEY CAN YOU PULL THIS CAN WE DO CAN WE TALK ABOUT IT?

AND SHE WALKED UP TO ME AND STARTED TO SCREAM AND POINT HER FINGER AT ME.

AND I ASKED HER TO LOWER HER VOICE AND GET HER FINGERS OUT OF MY FACE.

I AM A GROWN WOMAN I AM NOT A CHILD.

SHE PUT HER HAND DOWN AND CONTINUED TO SCREAM.

I SPRAINED I AM A GROWN WOMAN I AM NOT A CHILD WE ARE COULD WORKERS YOU ARE NOT MY BOSS AND AT THE END OF THE DAY THE CITY WILL NOT MOVE WITHOUT YOU, AND ME AND THE CITIZENS BEING ABLE TO DO TOGETHER SO I DID SOMETHING I AM ALLOWED TO DO.

TO BE SCREAMED AT LIKE A CHILD I WAS NOT GOING TO HAVE.

THIS IS NOT A PERSON I DON'T CHECK ON.

THIS IS NOT A PERSON I DON'T TEXT.

THIS IS NOT A PERSON I DON'T EMBRACE IN PUBLIC.

I WAS THROWN OFF HONESTLY.

SHOCKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

>> THIS FOLLOWS THE PROPOSED APPOINTMENT OF CELIA MEZA HAS THE NEW CORPORATION COUNSEL WHO WAS AFFIRMED ON FRIDAY.

ALDERMAN CAPPLEMAN REPORTERS LIKE TO THROW AROUND THE PHRASE COUNCIL WARS, DO YOU SEE THE MAYOR AS HAVING A MAJORITY OF SUPPORTERS ON CITY COUNCIL TO BE ABLE TO MOVE TOUGH LEGISLATION FORWARD AT THIS POINT?

>> I THINK WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING CITY COUNCIL RIGHT NOW IS HEALTHY IN A DISAGREEMENT.

WE SHOULD NOT ALL BE RUBBER STAMPING EACH OTHER OR OUR MAYOR.

BUT, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE DECORUM.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE SDRONGLY IN.

>> FROM THE MAYOR OR YOUR COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNCIL?

>> FROM THE MAYOR OR YOUR COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNCIL?

>> WELL, I'M NOT -- MY BELIEF I'M NOT GOING TO CALL ANYONE OUT.

AND I WON'T DO THAT I NEVER HAVE IT GOES AGAINST MY SPIRITUAL BELIEFS BUT I DO BELIEVE WHAT CARRIE AUSTIN SAID IN CITY COUNCIL SHE IS ASKING ALL OF US EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THAT FLOOR WE NEED TO HAVE A PROPER DECORUM AND WE NEED TO BE WORKING WITH ONE ANOTHER AND WE NEED CIVILITY.

AND I THINK PART OF WHAT IS GOING ON IS WITH THE PANDEMIC IT'S DONE A NUMBER ON US EMOTIONALLY.

AND THERE ARE WE ARE NOT COPING WELL.

THIS WHOLE WORLD IS NOT COPING WELL AND YOU ARE SEEING WHAT THE REST OF THE WORLD IS GOING THROUGH.

WE NEED THAT REMINDER.

>> PARIS, LET ME ADD-ON TO THIS.

>> QUICKLY.

>> LET ME ADD I DO THINK THAT A MISTAKE IS BEING MADE IN CITY COUNCIL AND THAT IS LETTING ED BURKE BE THE GUIDING HAND ON HOW CITY COUNCIL SHOULD OPERATE.

AND GIVING ADVICE ON LEGAL PRECIPICE.

THIS STUFF HAPPENING IN CITY COUNCIL IS REMINISCENT OF THE ATTACKS ON MAYOR WASHINGTON AND ED WAS ONE OF THE LEADERS.

>> ED BURKE.

>> I RESPECTFULLY -- >> VERY, VERY.

>> RESPECTFULLY I WOULD NOT MAKE THAT CONNECTION TO THE COUNCIL WARS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT -- MAYOR LIGHTFOOT IS NO HAROLD WASHINGTON.

>> AND ED BURKE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE MAYOR NOT FOLLOWING THE RULES.

ED BURKE HAS BEEN A STICKLER FOR THE RULES FOR 50 YEARS.

OUR THANKS TO MICHELE SMITH, JAMES CAPPLEMAN, JEANETTE TAYLOR AND ANDRE VASQUEZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> PARIS, THANK YOU.

A SERIES OF BILLS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS PERIOD POVERTY ARE HEADED FOR THE GOVERNOR'S DESK AFTER PASSING IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY LAST MONTH.

THE TERM PERIOD POVERTY REFERS TO A PERSON'S INABILITY TO AFFORD MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS WHEN THEY NEED THEM.

TONIGHT AS PART OF OUR FIRSTHAND LIVING IN POVERTY SERIES WE TAKE A LOOK AT PERIOD POVERTY'S IMPACT IN ILLINOIS.

JOINING US ARE IDA MELBYE FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE PERIOD COLLECTIVE AND REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA HERNANDEZ WHOSE WESTERN SUBURBAN DISTRICT INCLUDES AURORA.

WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

IDA LET'S START WITH YOU.

THE PERIOD COLLECTIVE WORKS TO MAKE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS ACCESSIBLE TO LOW INCOME PEOPLE IN THE CHICAGO AREA.

WHAT IS PERIOD POVERTY?

AND WHO IS MOST IMPACTED BY IT?

>> AS I MENTIONED IT'S BEING UNABLE TO AFFORD SAFE HYGIENIC MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AND WE LIKE TO INCLUDE BEING UNABLE TO MANAGE YOUR PERIOD WITH DIGNITY.

OR LACKING ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE OR EDUCATION OF MENSTRUATION.

AND IT IS UPSETS -- AFFECTS PEOPLE AROUND THE GLOBE AND WE THINK OF IT USUALLY AS A GLOBAL SELF ISSUE.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING HERE IN OUR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR OWN DISTRICTS.

IN ILLINOIS WE SEE THAT ABOUT 64% OF WOMEN STRUGGLE TO A FORWARD PRODUCTS IN THE U.S. AND BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PRODUCTS THEY NEEDED.

>> SURPRISING NUMBERS.

ACCORDING TO THE ALLIANCE FOR PERIOD SUPPLIES, AS YOU SAID ONE IN FOUR TEENS MISSED SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY LACKED ACCESS TO THE SUPPLIES AND ONE IN FIVE WOMEN MISSED WORK OR SCHOOL OR COMMITMENTS.

REPRESENTATIVE HERNANDEZ WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THAT PERIOD POVERTY WAS AN ISSUE THAT SOME ILLINOISIANS FACED?

>> IT WAS A FEW YEARS AGO ONLY MAYBE TWO YEARS AGO AND IT TOOK A TRIP TO A LOCAL FOOD PANTRY TO REALIZE THAT THERE WERE WOMEN OUT THERE THAT DID NOT HAVE THESE PRODUCTS OR WERE REUSING THE PRODUCTS AND ONLY SUPPOSED TO USE ONE.

IT'S CRUCIAL AS WE KNOW IT COULD BE A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE AS WELL.

THIS IS WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE WE END PERIOD POVERTY HERE IN THE STATE AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN REACH OUT TO MORE COMMUNITIES AND OTHER STATES CAN FOLLOW ILLINOIS.

>> IDA, COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE WORK THAT THE PERIOD COLLECTIVE DOES TO ADDRESS PERIOD POVERTY?

>> YES.

WE ARE PARTNERED WITH 50 ORGANIZATIONS IN THE GREATER CHICAGO AREA TO DISTRIBUTE PERIOD PRODUCTS.

AND THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK WITH THE CLIENTS WE ARE TRYING TO REACH.

HOMELESS SHELTERS, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FACILITIES, FOOD BANKS, JOB NETWORKS, SCHOOLS, AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS, REALLY ANY TYPE.

ORGANIZATION THAT REACHES THESE INDIVIDUALS DIRECTLY.

AND IN THE LAST YEAR WE HAVE DONE MORE DISTRIBUTION EVENTS WHERE SOME OF OUR PARTNERS OR DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES HAVE ORGANIZED THE FOOD-DRIVE FOR THE DISTRIBUTING FOOD WHERE WE CAN DISTRIBUTE THE ITEMS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HERNANDEZ, A SERIES OF BILLS TO ADDRESS PERIOD POVERTY PASSED IN BOTH CHAMBERS IN MAY THIS INCLUDES BILLS THAT WOULD INCREASE ACCESS TO MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR GRADES 4-12.

PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND HOMELESS SHELTERS.

A BILL MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR RECIPIENTS OF SNAP AND OTHER PROGRAMS TO USE THOSE BENEFITS ON MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS PASSED IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

YOU FILED TWO OF THOSE BILLS.

WHAT WERE THEY?

>> I DID.

I PASSED HB155 THE SNAP AND WICK.

ONE TO INCLUDE THE PRODUCTS IN THOSE ITEMS BUT AT THE SAME TIME HB156 WOULD INCLUDE THAT MENSTRUAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS IN ALL BATHROOMS FROM 4-12 GRADE AND THOSE ARE THE BIGGEST ONES THAT I THINK ARE REALLY GOING TO IMPACT OUR YOUNG MENSTRUATERS IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

>> IDA WHAT IMPACT DO YOU THINK THE BILLS WILL HAVE ON THE ISSUE IN ILLINOIS?

HOW CAN THEY HELP PEOPLE?

>> I THINK THEY WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR THE INDIVIDUALS THAT DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE PRODUCTS THEY NEED.

BEING ABLE TO BUY THEM WITH A SNAP BENEFITS IS GOING TO MAKE THEM ABLE TO AVOID THE CHOICES THAT THEY OFTEN ARE NOW WHERE THEY HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN BUYING FOOD FOR THEIR FAMILIES OR BUYING PRODUCTS FOR TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR PERIODS.

AND INDIVIDUALS THAT LIVE IN POVERTY THESE KIDS THAT ARE MISSING SCHOOL IF THEY CAN GO TO SCHOOL AND HAVE ACCESS TO THE PRODUCTS IN EVERY BATHROOM IT IS A HUGE BURDEN OFF THEIR SHOULDERS AND WE KNOW WHEN KIDS DO NOT GO TO SCHOOL AND FALL BEHIND THAT CAN IMPACT WAY INTO THEIR LIFE.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE PROVIDE THESE PRODUCTS AND IT CAN HELP THEM GET AHEAD.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HERNANDEZ DOES THIS LEGISLATION COMPLETELY ADDRESS THE ISSUE?

OR IS THERE MORE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE DONE?

>> I'M HOPING THAT IN THE FUTURE WE CAN TALK MORE MAYBE INCLUDING SMALL BUSINESSES, AS WELL AND OTHER AREAS AND EXPAND THIS LEGISLATION.

TODAY IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF WHAT WE HOPE TO CLOSE THE GAPS IN PERIOD POVERTY IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

>> AND REPRESENTATIVE HERNANDEZ WHEN WE WERE WORKING ON THE LEGISLATION IN SPRINGFIELD WHAT CRITICISM OR RESISTANCE WAS THERE?

>> THERE WAS A FEW ESPECIALLY WHEN IT CAME TO THE ONE IN THE SCHOOLS AND MAKING SURE THE INDIVIDUALS CAN GET IT INCLUDING TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS AND SO THE ITEMS WILL BE IN THE MEN'S BATHROOMS AS WELL.

OF COURSE I GOT A LOT OF PUSHBACK FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T FEEL THIS WAS ACCORDING TO THEM, RIGHT.

>> AND IDA, BEFORE I LET YOU GO, WHAT IMPACT DOES PERIOD POVERTY HAVE ON THE MENTAL WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE WHO ARE FACING IT?

>> IT'S REALLY TOUGH.

THERE IS A LOT OF SHAME ASSOCIATED WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE SOMETHING SO BASIC FOR YOURSELF.

TO MAYBE NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE IT FOR YOUR TEENAGERS AND SEE THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FULLY PARTICIPATE IN THEIR LIVES BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE PRODUCTS THEY NEED.

IT'S TOUGH.

>> OK. WE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU TO IDA MELBYE AND REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA HERNANDEZ FOR JOINING US.

>> AND WE'RE BACK WITH MORE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> YOU'VE BEEN WATCHING YOU KNOW THAT TOMORROW PHIL PONCE MAKES HIS LAST REGULAR APPEARANCE ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

STARTING NEXT MONTH, PHIL WILL MOVE TO SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT STATUS APPEARING AS A GUEST HOST AND ON SPECIAL NEWS PROGRAMS AMONG OTHER DUTIES.

AND WE'VE BEEN SHARING FAVORITE "PONCE MOMENTS".

TONIGHT HIS CONVERSATION WITH THEN SENATOR BARACK OBAMA ABOUT HIS FIRST 100 DAYS ON THE JOB AND HIS FUTURE JOB PROSPECTS.

>> SPEAKING OF THE PRESIDENCY I'M LOOKING AT A CLIP FROM SOMETHING CALLED SPORTS BOOK.COM.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT THAT.

THEY LIST YOUR ODDS OF BEING THE NEXT PRESIDENT AS 30-1 WHICH PUTS YOU AHEAD OF JEB BUSH HE IS 35-1 AND BEHIND HILARY WALDRON AT 6-1.

>> CONSIDERING THAT I'VE RULED IT OUT.

>> AND GOVERNOR BUSH AND CONDOLEEZZA RICE IS 15-1.

HOW TIRESOME DOES THAT SPECULATION GET?

>> I MEAN IT'S FUN FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO -- >> PLACE BETS.

>> WHO PLACE BETS OR SEE POLITICS AS A SPORT.

I'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR I WAS CLEAR FROM THE FIRST DAY THAT THIS BIZARRE QUESTION CAME UP THE DAY AFTER I WAS ELECTED.

ARE YOU RUNNING IN 08?

LOOK I'M HERE TO BE THE UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

I HAVE NO PLANS AND INTENTIONS OF RUNNING FOR HIGHER OFFICE IN 2008.

>> YOUR BOOK HAS BEEN ON "THE NEW YORK TIMES" BEST SELLER LIST FOR HOW LONG?

>> 34 WEEKS.

>> IS THAT A SURPRISE TO YOU?

>> IT IS.

I HAVE TO SAY WHEN I FIRST WROTE THIS BOOK, I THINK IT WAS ON THE BARGAIN TABLE PRETTY QUICK WE DIDN'T SET ANY -- >> YOU SAID YOU HAVE BOXES IN THE CLOSET.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK SOME OF IT WAS THE EXPOSURE I RECEIVED DURING THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS AND THAT SEEMED TO STRIKE A CORD WITH PEOPLE.

AND I AM SURPRISED THAT IT HAS STAYED ON THE LIST.

IT SURPRISED MY PUBLISHER.

THEY I WAS TALKING TO MY PUBLISHER AND SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE HAD NOT DONE ANY PROMOTIONS OF THE BOOK.

IT'S BEEN ON THE BEST-SELLER LIST WITHOUT MUCH SUPPORT.

AND SHE SAID YEAH, WE SHOULD TRY TO THINK HOW WE CAN TAP INTO THIS BIZARRE INTEREST IN YOU.

AND I SAID THAT IS BIZARRE.

WELL, I DIDN'T MEAN IT THAT WAY.

BUT BETWEEN HER AND MY WIFE, I THINK, BOTH OF THEM ARE PUZZLED AS TO WHY I'M GETTING ALL THIS ATTENTION.

>> I THINK THAT SENATOR WENT ON TO DO A FEW THINGS SINCE THAT INTERVIEW THAT IS PHIL PONCE AND BARACK OBAMA BACK IN 2005.

AND BE SURE TO JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT FOR A LOOK BACK AT PHIL PONCE'S CAREER AND A REVIEWING ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE MAN HIMSELF.

>> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

>> PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. AS WE MENTIONED IT IS PHIL PONCE'S LAST DAY OF REGULAR APPEARANCES ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

HE GIVES HIS LAST INTERVIEW BEFORE MOVING ON TO SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS AND IT IS A ONE-ON-ONE WITH MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT.

>> AND WE VISIT WITH SCULPTURE RICHARD HUNT WHO MADE A NEW MONUMENT FOR IDA B.

WELLS IN BRONZEVILLE.

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

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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