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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> VOTERS HAVE CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

WE'RE LIVE WITH THE LATEST AS PRIMARY POLLS ARE ABOUT TO CLOSE.

>> THE PRESIDENT SAID SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT OF I'M THE HE HAVING PRESIDENT TAKE ME UP TO THE CAPITOL NOW.

>> SHOCKING TESTIMONY ON WHAT THE PRESIDENT DID AND DID NOT DO ON JANUARY 6TH.

>> DARREN HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT.

>> KEN GRIFFIN PUT $50 MILLION BEHIND HIS PICK FOR THE REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL RACE BUT IS FALLING BEHIND.

HOW MONEY IS IMPACTING ELECTIONS.

>> THESE ARE VACCINES THAT HAVE BEEN VINED FOR THE YOUNGEST CHILDREN THEY ARE SAFE FOR THE JUDGEST CHILDREN.

>> AND WHILE KIDS UNDER 5 ARE GETTING VAXED WHY THE COUNTY IS BACK AT HIGH COVID RISK.

>> YOU SHOULD BE GLAD, PROUD BEING WHO YOU ARE.

>> HOW AN ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN EMPOWERING YOUNG ADULTS WITH AUTISM FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS.

>> WHAT EVERYONE EVEN URBANITES NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CREEPY CRAWLY CRITICS KNOWN AS TICKS.

>> YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THE METROPOLITIAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT ON YOUR BALLOT BUT WHAT DOES THAT AGENCY DO?

GEOFFREY BAER HAS THE ANSWER IN TONIGHT'S "ASK GEOFFREY".

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> 37 OF CHICAGO'S 49 NEIGHBORHOOD POOL ALSO OFFICIALLY OPEN ON JULY 5TH.

THAT IS WITH A SWITCH TO LIMITED ACCESS TO WHAT THE PARK DISTRICT CALLS UNDER UTILIZED BEACHES.

POOLS WERE SUPPOSED TO OPEN FRIDAY BUT THERE IS A LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE.

55% ARE FILLED AND 12 POOLS WILL REMAIN CLOSED.

IN A STATEMENT THE PARK DISTRICT SAID QUOTE... >> AND YOU CAN FIND THE FULL LIST OF POOLS SET TO OPEN ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> PART OF A McCORMICK PLACE STRUCTURAL WALL CRUMBLED ON TO DUSABLE LAKE SHORE DRIVE.

THE LAKESIDE BUILDING CAME LOOSE AND FELL ON TO TWO NORTHBOUND LANES FOLLOWING THE EVENING RUSH-HOUR.

ACCORDING TO THE AUTHORITY, THERE WAS MINOR VEHICLE DAMAGE AND NO INJURIES REPORTED.

CREWS HAVE SINCE REMOVED THE ADDITIONAL FACE BRICK AROUND THE DAMAGED AREA.

THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN AT THIS POINT.

>> THE CITY REJECTED BIDS FOR AS FAULT CITY WORK DUE TO POLLUTION CONCERNS.

MCKINLAY ASPHALT MAKER WERE ASKED TO SHOW PLANS AT THAT TIME WOULD CONTROL POLLUTION AFTER COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS EXPRESSED ANGER OF POLLUTION AND ODOR.

THEY WILL ISSUE A NEW SOLICITATION FORBIDS IN OCTOBER FOLLOWING NEW PUBLIC HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> UP NEXT WE CHECK BACK IN WITH AMANDA VINICKY WHO IS REPORTING LIVE FROM OUTSIDE THE CITY BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> POLLS ARE CLOSING IN TODAY'S PRIMARY ELECTION.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US FROM OUTSIDE 69 WEST WASHINGTON WHERE WORK IS BEING DONE TO PUT TOGETHER TODAY'S ELECTION TOTALS.

AMANDA?

>> YES, BRANDIS.

TYPICALLY ILLINOIS VOTERS HAVE TO BRAVE THEIR ELEMENTS BUT THE PRIMARY WAS PUSHED BACK BY 15 WEEKS.

BAD WEATHER NO EXCUSE FOR NOT CASTING A BALLOT.

VETERAN AGAPITO VALENCIA, SAYS SHAME ON THOSE WHO HAVEN'T.

>> IT'S MY DUTY AS A CITIZEN.

WE CAN'T LET THINGS GO, YOU KNOW WITHOUT US, I AM A HISTORY READER.

I GO BACK TO HITLER I DON'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED I LOST TWO BROTHERS IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR.

I DON'T WANT TO SEE THE SAME THING HAPPEN HERE.

>> PETE IS 89 HE CREDITS A DIET OF A LOT OF TORTILLAS AND BEANS FOR KEEPING HIM YOUNG.

DATA DOES SHOW THE 55 AND OLDER HAVE VOTED BY FAR IN THE GREATEST NUMBERS THIS PRIMARY CYCLE.

AS OF 5:00 P.M., THE LATEST NUMBERS THAT WE HAD FROM THE CITY'S ELECTIONS BOARD REGISTERED VOTER TURNOUT WAS 16.8%.

THE SPOKESPERSON MAX BEVER TELLS ME HE HOPE IT IS REACHES 20% BY THE TIME THE DAY IS DONE.

THAT DOES INCLUDE ALL MAIL AND EARLY VOTING BALLOTS.

MAX BEVER SAYS THINGS HAVE GENERALLY GONE ALL RIGHT BUT 5% OF THE CITY'S 1043 POLLING PLACES WERE NOT ABLE TO OPEN BRIGHT AND EARLY AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO.

AND THAT WAS DUE TO A LACK OF STAFF AS A RESULT SOME OF THE POLLING PLACES DIDN'T HAVE PAPER BALLOTS.

>> WE HAD A GOOD AMOUNT OF RESIGNATIONS OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS A GOOD NUMBER AT 5:00 A.M. AND 6:00 A.M.

WHEN THINGS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE OPENING, TOO.

AND THAT IS THE CAUSE FOR A DELAY FOR SOME OF THE 6:00 A.M.

OPENINGS AT OUR LOCATIONS THAT BALL PARK IS ABOUT 56 THAT WERE NOT OPEN AT 6:00 A.M. THAT IS NOT A GREAT NUMBER.

BUT OUR INVESTIGATORS ARE OUT IN THE FIELD WE'RE FILLING IN THE GAPS WITH COORDINATORS AND STAFF MEMBERS.

>> THOSE GAPS IN ELECTION JUDGES AND THE DELAYS HAVE NOT BEEN ENOUGH TO KEEP CITY POLLING PLACES OPEN PAST 7:00 P.M. MAX BEVER SAYS THAT PROBLEMS ARE NOT UNUSUAL HE SAYS IT'S GENERALLY NOT OF THIS MAGNITUDE NOR DO YOU HAVE PEOPLE CALL TO GO SO LATE IN THE ELECTION DAY.

HE SAYS IT IS HARD TO PINPOINT AN EXACT REASON FOR CAUSED IT THIS TIME AROUND.

>> WE'RE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC.

THERE IS A LOT OF PERSONAL ISSUES PEOPLE WERE REPORTING IN.

IT IS A SUMMER DATE THERE ARE COMFORTABILITY FACTORS.

I WISH I HAD ONE REASON BUT THIS WAS A HARD HITTING RIGHT BEFORE WE OPENED.

WE DON'T WANT TO BLAME ANY JUDGES BUT THIS IS SOMETHING WE WILL PREPARE FOR FOR NOVEMBER 8 THOUSAND GET MORE STAND BY MOVING INTO THE FUTURE.

IF YOU HAVE VIEWERS INTERESTED PLEASE BE AN ELECTION JUDGE FOR NOVEMBER 8 AND HELP US DEFEND DEMOCRACY.

>> IT PAYS $230.

THIS IS A PRIMARY.

WHICH MEANS THAT IT IS NOT VOTER'S FINAL SAY YOU HAVE TO PICK A PARTISAN BALLOT WHEN PARTIES CHOOSE THEIR NOMINEES TO RUN IN NOVEMBER'S GENERAL ELECTION.

AND THAT IS FROM STATE-WIDE TO LOCAL RACES.

AND GIVE A COUPLE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS.

REPUBLICANS WILL GO TO CHOOSE SOMEONE TO TRY TO TAKE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FROM J.B. PRITZKER HE IS EXPECTED TO EASILY WIN THE NOMINATION TONIGHT.

REPUBLICANS HAVE SIX MEN TO CHOOSE FROM.

IT IS A CONTEST THAT BROUGHT ATTENTION FROM FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND A DOWN STATE PRIMARY BETWEEN TWO CURRENT REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS RODNEY DAVIS AND MARY MILLER ARE SEEN AS A FIGHT BETWEEN THE MODERATE WING AND THOSE CONSERVATIVE AND AFFILIATED WITH TRUMP.

DEPENDING ON WHO WINS, SOME OF THOSE HIGHLIGHTED CONTESTS COULD CHANGE THE NATURE OF THE G.O.P.

IN ILLINOIS.

ALSO, IN THE SUBURBAN SIXTH DISTRICT YOU HAVE TWO DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT MEMBERS FACING OFF CONGRESSMAN SEAN CASTEN AND MARIE NEWMAN AND THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT THAT IS AN OPEN SEAT GIVEN THAT BOBBY RUSH HAS RETIRED AFTER 15 TERMS.

REVEREND JESSE JACKSON'S SON JONATHAN IS AMONG THE BIG NAMES IN A CROWDED FIELD.

THERE IS NO CLEAR FRONTRUNNER AND WITH SO MANY PEOPLE IT'S HARD TO DO THAT.

CAMERAS WERE ON HAND AS BOTH JACKSON'S CAST THEIR BALLOT.

>> WE ARE VERY EXCITED FOR THIS PRIVILEGE, THIS OPPORTUNITY AGAIN TO VOTE AND TO GO OUT AND VOTE WITH MY FATHER AGAIN AS CERTAINLY A FAMILY TRADITION AND THANK GOD WE'RE HERE TO DO THIS ONE MORE TIME.

THIS IS A PRIVILEGE MY FATHER OFTENTIMES TOLD ME MOST PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD DON'T HAVE AND IS THE RIGHT FOR SELF DETERMINATION THROUGH A BALLOT BOX AND WE TAKE THIS AS SOMETHING VERY VALUABLE.

>> NOW, THIS AFTERNOON, SPEAKING OF THE VALUE OF VOTING I CAUGHT UP WITH A FIRST YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT STUDYING TO BE AN OBGYN I DIDN'T ASK FOR WHO SHE VOTED BUT WILL ONLY SUPPORT CANDIDATES THAT SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ABORTION.

>> THE BIGGEST MOTIVATING FACTOR WAS THE OVERTURN OF ROE VS. WADE.

I MEAN I AM IN MY SCRUBS I'M GOING INTO HEALTHCARE THIS IS A TOPIC THAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME.

AND I THINK IT'S EASY TO FEEL POWERLESS IN TIMES LIKE THIS.

AND IT'S ELECTION DAY AND THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO DO WHAT I CAN.

>> WE WILL BE WATCHING THE RESULTS.

FILING STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND INCLUDING THERE'S MORE THAN JUST THE RACES I SPOKE ABOUT JUST A BIT AGO AND THAT IS RACES FROM THE LOCAL LEVEL THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY UP TO CONGRESS YOU HAVE A CONTESTED PRIMARY FOR THE COOK COUNTY ASSESSOR FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE, AND ALSO FOR YEAH, A BUNCH OF CONTESTED RACES.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK OUR WEBSITE.

BY THE WAY, MEMBERS OF THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL AND ALSO THE MAYOR NOT GOING TO SEE THEM THEY ARE NOT UP YET NOT UNTIL 2023.

THERE WERE A HANDFUL OF POLLING PLACES IN SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY THAT WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 8:00 P.M. AND WE'LL SPEAK WITH THE COUNTY CLERK WHY THAT IS.

AND ONE FINAL REMINDER IF YOU ARE WATCHING ON THE PHONE IN LINE, STAY THERE IF YOU ARE AT A CROWDED LOCATION AS LONG AS YOU ARE IN LINE BY 7:00 P.M., YOU CAN CAST THAT BALLOT.

>> THANK YOU >> NOW, TO PARIS AND A LOOK AT DRAMATIC TESTIMONY AT TODAY'S JANUARY 6TH COMMITTEE HEARING.

>> BOMBSHELL TESTIMONY IN THE COMMITTEE HEARING FROM A TOP AIDE TO THE FORMER WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF.

CASSIDY HUTCHINSON AMONG OTHER THINGS TESTIFIED THAT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP ATTEMPTED TO GRAB THE STEERING WHEEL OF HIS CAR FROM A SECRET SERVICE AGENT TO TRY AND JOIN THE MOB ASSAULTING THE U.S. CAPITOL.

ONE OF MANY SHOCKING REVELATIONS THAT COULD TURN UP THE LEGAL HEAT ON TRUMP.

AND CHIEF OF STAFF MARK MEADOWS.

AND JOINING US ARE JOE WALSH A FORMER REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN AND HOST OF WHITE FLAG WITH JOE WALSH AND RENATO MARIOTTI, A LEGAL ANALYST FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR AND ATTORNEY AT THOMPSON COBURN, LLP.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

LET'S PLAY THAT BOMBSHELL REVELATION ABOUT TRUMP ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO GRAB THE STEERING WHEEL FROM THE SECRET SERVICE AGENT.

>> THE PRESIDENT SAID SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT OF I'M THE EFFING PRESIDENT TAKE ME UP TO THE CAPITOL.

TO WHICH BOBBY RESPONDED, SIR WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE WEST WING.

THE PRESIDENT REACHED UP TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO GRAB AT THE STEERING WHEEL.

Mr. ENGEL GRABBED HIS ARM.

AND SAID SIR, YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR HAND OFF THE STEERING WHEEL.

WE'RE GOING BACK TO THE WEST WING.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO THE CAPITOL.

Mr. TRUMP THEN USED HIS FREEHAND TO LUNGE TOWARDS BOBBY ENGEL AND WHEN HE RECOUNTED THE STORY HE MOTIONED TOWARDS HIS CLAVICLES.

>> JOE WALSH WHAT ABOUT THE BASE OF REPUBLICAN VOTERS THAT YOU INTERACT WITH?

WHAT DO YOU THINK THEIR REACTION IS GOING TO BE TO THE REVELATIONS?

I TELL YOU WHAT IT WAS QUITE THE DAY BECAUSE THAT WASN'T THE BIGGEST BOMBSHELL.

TO ME IT WAS THIS...

THE FORMER PRESIDENT KNEW HIS SUPPORTERS WERE ARMED.

HE KNEW THAT HIS RALLY GOERS IN WASHINGTON D.C. THAT DAY WERE ARMED AND HE TOLD THEM AND INSTRUCTED THEM ARMED TO GO DOWN TO THE CAPITOL.

PARIS, I THINK THESE HEARINGS ARE DINGING TRUMP.

I THINK THEY ARE IMPACTING HIM EVEN AMONG HIS SUPPORTERS BECAUSE IT'S CLEAR THAT DONALD TRUMP INCITED AND ORCHESTRATED A COUP.

YOU WATCH THAT HEARING TODAY, DONALD TRUMP ORCHESTRATED A COUP AND TRIED TO CARRY OUT A COUP.

>> AND HE IS TELLING THE ORGANIZERS TO TAKE DOWN THE METAL DETECTORS SAYING THEY ARE NOT GOING TO SHOOT ME.

RENATO MARIOTTI BOMBSHELL AS THE REVELATIONS ARE, DO YOU SEE ANYTHING, ANYTHING HERE THAT SERVE AS EVIDENCE IN A POSSIBLE CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST THE FORMER PRESIDENT OR PEOPLE LIKE MARK MEADOWS OR RUDY GIULIANI?

>> WE'VE HEARD SO MANY BOMBSHELLS FROM AND ABOUT THE FORMER PRESIDENT, THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ASSUME WERE GOING GOING TO TURNPIKE INTO LEGAL LIABILITY AND IT DIDN'T.

TODAY ONE OF THE RARE INSTANCES WHERE THERE'S BEEN BOMBSHELL EXPLOSIVE TESTIMONY THAT MAY HAVE LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE THAT I THINK MIGHT MOVE THE BALL HERE.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE STATEMENT THAT Mr. WALSH MENTIONED THAT IS [INAUDIBLE] BECAUSE TRUMP DID GIVE A SPEECH TO THE RALLY GOERS AND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT I THINK TRADITIONALLY WOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT CHARGING THE THAT AS AN INCITEMENT TO VIOLENCE BECAUSE THE FIRST AMENDMENT HAS BROAD PROTECTIONS FOR POLITICAL SPEECH PARTICULARLY BY THE SITTING PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND THE SUPREME COURT STANDARD IS THAT YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO BE INCITING IMMINENT LAWLESS ACTION.

I THINK HIS ARGUMENT UP TO NOW HIS SPEECH WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THERE WERE TALKS ABOUT BEING LAWFUL AND YOU HAVE A STATEMENT BY THE FORMER PRESIDENT KNOWING THE FOLKS WERE ARMED AND HEADED TO THE CAPITOL, THE LOCATION OF THAT STATEMENT AND HE KNEW THEY WERE NOT GOING TO -- OWE HE KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO HURT SOMEBODY BUT NOT HIM SO HE DID NOT CARE.

>> AND THE WHITE HOUSE KNEW DAYS IN ADVANCE THAT THERE WERE WARNINGS OF VIOLENCE AND DID NOT ACT ON THOSE.

JOE WALSH THERE IS AGAIN WE'VE HEARD ABOUT THE REVELATION BUT THAT HE AGREED WITH THE SUPPORTERS THAT WANTED TO HANG MIKE PENCE.

LET'S LIST TOP THAT TESTIMONY.

>> I REMEMBER PAT SAYING SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT OF MARK, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING MORE.

THEY ARE LITERALLY CALLING FOR THE VICE-PRESIDENT TO BE EFFING HUNG AND MARK RESPONDED SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT OF YOU HAVE PAT HE THINKS -- HE DOESN'T THINK THEY ARE DOING ANYTHING WRONG.

>> WE'VE SEEN ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO ESTABLISH A PATTERN OF SOCIOPATHIC BEHAVIOR DO YOU THINK THIS WEAKENS HIS STANDING IN THE PARTY?

YOU HAVE MADE THE POINT IT'S STILL HIS PARTY AND HE IS THE NOMINEE IF HE WANTS IT.

>> IT'S HIS PARTY.

I THINK HE IS STILL THE NOMINEE IF HE WANTS IT.

I DON'T THINK THE HEARINGS WILL IMPACT THE 2022 INTERMS.

AND SUPPORTERS HAVE BEEN ANGRIER AND MORE DEFENSIVE ABOUT JANUARY 6TH THAN THEY NORMALLY ARE.

I THINK THIS BOMBSHELLS AND INFORMATION THAT WE'RE HEARING BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THEY'RE WATCHING I THINK THEY ARE FINDS OUT ABOUT THIS INFORMATION.

AND I DO BELIEVE AMONG TRUMP'S BASE, IT'S BEGINNING TO HURT HIM.

>> AND PERHAPS PIERCING THE BUBBLE OF INFORMATION WE TEND TO GO INTO OUR INFORMATION BUBBLES.

BUT RENATO MARIOTTI, AS YOU WATCH THE PROGRESSION OF THE HEARINGS FEELS LIKE THE PANEL AND LIZ CHENEY MOVED UP THE FOOD CHAIN.

FROM THE TESTIMONY TODAY, DO YOU THINK IT PUTS A SQUEEZE ON MARK MEADOWS THE CHIEF OF STAFF AND PAT THE FORMER CHIEF COUNSEL TO COME FORWARD AND SAY WHAT THEY KNOW OR FACE LEGAL PROBLEMS?

>> I THINK PAT HAS SOME REASONS NOT TO TESTIFY I THINK HE IS GOING TO HANG HIS HAT ON.

HE IS AN ATTORNEY.

THE WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL.

I THINK HE IS GOING TO SAY LOOK, I WAS AN ATTORNEY AND I HAVE TO KEEP THE SECRETS OF THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENCY.

I SUSPECT HE WILL TRY TO REMAIN SILENT.

Mr. MEADOWS, HE IS PURSUED A CAREFULLY ORCHESTRATED STRATEGY BY HIS ATTORNEY NOT TO AVOID TESTIFYING.

THEY FILED LAWSUITS.

THEY DID COMPLY IN PART WITH THE COMMITTEE AND PROVIDED TEXT MESSAGES.

I THINK AND THE JUSTICE HERMAN SAID THEY DO NOT INTEND TO PROSECUTE MEADOWS.

MEADOWS IS PROBABLY GOING TO STAY SILENT.

I THINK THE QUESTION IS IS THERE OTHER EVIDENCE THAT IS GOING TO CONNECT THE DOTS POTENTIALLY THAT EITHER IS GOING TO GENERATE A PROSECUTION BY JUSTICE OF TRUMP OF OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDING OR KEEP GOING AFTER THE CROOKED ATTORNEYS THE STRONGEST EVIDENCE IS AGAINST EASTMAN, CLARK, GIULIANI AND WILL THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TRY AND CHARGE AND FLIP THEM.

>> PARIS, THIS NEEDS TO BE SAID.

HOW COURAGEOUS WAS THIS YOUNG 26-YEAR-OLD WOMAN TODAY?

MARK MEADOWS WHAT A COWARD.

ALL THESE REPUBLICANS, PARIS, KNEW TRUMP'S LIE WAS A BUNCH OF BS THEY ALL KNEW IT.

THEY KNEW WHAT TRUMP WAS DOING YET NONE HAVE SPOKEN UP.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

A LOT OF FOLKS AROUND TRUMP KNEW ABOUT HIS PROBLEMATIC BEHAVIOR.

YOU HAVE THE TESTIMONY ABOUT THROWING STUFF AGAINST THE WALL.

THROWING CHINA AGAINST THE WALL.

WHY DO YOU THINK THEY REFUSE TO COME FORWARD.

>> BECAUSE THEY ARE SCARED TO DEATH OF HIS SUPPORTERS.

THEY WANT TO KEEP THEIR JOBS.

THEY WANT TO KEEP THEIR OFFICES AND KEEP THEIR INFLUENCE IT'S COWARDLY.

>> RENATO MARIOTTI AT THE END LIZ CHENEY ELUDED TO POTENTIAL EVIDENCE OF WITNESS TAMPERING.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF WHAT SHE REVEALED?

>> INTERESTING WORTH FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

BASED ON WHAT WE'VE SEEN THUS FAR IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THAT IS GOING TO RESULT IN ANYTHING.

>> SHE WANTED TO PUT IT UP THERE SAYING THERE WAS COERCE I HAVE WAYS THAT FOLKS CLOSE TO THE PRESIDENT WERE IMPLORING TO GET AT SOME OF THE WITNESSES BEFORE THEY TESTIFIED.

ALL RIGHT, WOW WHAT A DAY AND THANKS TO JOE WALSH AND RENATO MARIOTTI FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> BACK TO BRANDIS FOR A LOOK HOW MONEY IS IMPACTING ELECTIONS.

>> PARIS, THIS YEAR'S GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY HAS BEEN DUBBED THE BATTLE OF THE BILLIONAIRES WITH HYATT HOTEL J.B. PRITZKER'S LARGELY SELF FUNDED CAMPAIGN FACING OFF AGAINST THE $50 MILLION KEN GRIFFIN DONATED TO RICHARD IRVIN.

IRVIN HAS HAD NO CAKE WALK IN THE G.O.P.

PRIMARY AND IF POLLS ARE TO BE BELIEVED HE COULD LOSE TO CONSERVATIVE STATE SENATOR DARREN BAILEY WHO RECEIVED DONALD TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT SATURDAY.

BAILEY HAS GARNERED MILLIONS IN DONATIONS FROM BUSINESSMAN DICK UIHLEIN.

MONEY AND POLITICS IS THIS THE BEST SYSTEM FOR DEMOCRACY?

JOINING US TO DISCUSS WEALTH, POWER AND CAMPAIGN FINANCING ARE ALISA KAPLAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF REFORM FOR ILLINOIS A NONPARTISAN ORGANIZATION WORKING ON THE ROLE OF MONEY AND POLITICS.

AND JAY YOUNG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMON CAUSE ILLINOIS WHICH CHAMPIONS CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM AND OTHER ISSUES.

WELCOME BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

>> KEN GRIFFIN BEGAN SPENDING MILLIONS ON RICHARD IRVIN'S CAMPAIGN AND THE MAYOR SEEMED LIKE THE FRONTRUNNER BUT THE POLLS SHOW THAT AT THE LEAST HE IS NOT GOING TO RUN AWAY WITH THIS NOMINATION HE MIGHT LOSE IT.

ALYSSA, ANY THOUGHTS WHAT HAPPENEDTH THIS GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY?

>> COULD BE ONE OF TWO THINGS.

HE COULD BE THE WRONG CANDIDATE FOR THE TIME.

AND THAT NO AMOUNT OF MONEY CAN FIX THAT.

WE'VE SEEN THAT BEFORE.

I'M THINKING BLOOMBERG AND THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE FOR EXAMPLE.

SOMETIMES THERE IS A CANDIDATE THAT JUST NO AMOUNT OF MONEY CAN HELP.

OR THE POSSIBILITY DE NOT SPEND ENOUGH MONEY AND PEOPLE SPENT MORE MONEY.

AS WE'VE SEEN BAILEY HAS HIS OWN BILLIONAIRE BECK FACTOR WITH DICK UIHLEIN AND NOT ONLY THAT HE HAS J.B. PRITZKER AND SOME ORGANIZATIONS THAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER SUPPORTS LIKE THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION SPENDING MILLIONS RUNNING ADS AGAINST IRVIN.

THERE'S ALTOGETHER MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE PRIMARY AND THE THIRD RUNNER-UP, JESSE SULLIVAN HAS BILLIONAIRE BACKING.

SO ALL THREE FRONTRUNNERS RIGHT NOW ARE ENJOYING OR SUFFERING FROM LOTS OF FUNDS FROM BIG DONORS.

LOTS OF MONEY INTO THE RACE.

JAY YOUNG WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW THE RACE HAS SHAPED UP?

>> I THINK SHE NAILED IT.

I THINK THE DOLLARS THAT ARE SPENT IN THE RACE SORT OF DWARF WHAT WE SEE AROUND THE COUNTRY.

I THOUGHT LAST TIME AROUND, LAST TIME GOVERNOR PRITZKER RAN FOR THIS OFFICE WE SET A NATIONAL RECORD.

I EXPECT THAT THEY WILL DO THAT TODAY.

I EXPECT WE'LL DO IT IN THIS RACE.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

IF POLLS ARE TO BE BELIEVED MAYBE IT WON'T BE THE EXPECTED SLATE AT LEAST MAYBE WHAT Mr. GRIFFIN THOUGHT.

BUT I THINK THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT REALLY WHERE IS THE POLL IN THE G.O.P.?

IS IT MONEY?

OR IS IT THE INFLUENCE THAT A PRESIDENTIAL ENDORSEMENT FROM DONALD TRUMP WITH PROVIDE?

IT IS AN INTERESTING MIX.

>> IS IT POSSIBLE THAT GRIFFIN'S MILLIONS MIGHT HAVE BACKFIRED WHERE VOTERS TURNED OFF THAT GRIFFIN WAS HAND PICKING IRVIN?

>> IT'S CERTAINLY POSSIBLE THERE ARE SO MANY FACTORS IT'S HARD TO SAY WHICH ONE IS PREDOMINATING.

MAYBE WE'LL KNOW A LITTLE MORE AFTER THE ELECTION.

IT'S POSSIBLE PEOPLE LOOKED AT GRIFFIN'S RELATIONSHIP WITH IRVIN AND SAID THEY DON'T WANT SOMEBODY WHO MAY BE BEHOLDENT TO A BILLIONAIRE, WHO IS HIS OWN MAN OR RESPONSIBLE TO A BROADER RANGE OF DONORS.

AND POSSIBLE HE WAS NOT THE RIGHT CANDIDATE.

OR THERE WAS MORE MONEY POURING IN ON THE OTHER SIDE.

>> COMMON CAUSE HAS BEEN WORKING ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM FOR DECADES.

AFTER THAT WORK IS IT DISHEARTENING TO SEE A RACE LIKE THIS BEING REDUCED TO WHAT WE'RE CALLING THE BATTLE OF THE BILLIONAIRES?

>> COMMON CAUSE IS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION.

WHEN I TRY TO EXPLAIN TO THEM NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT THE MONEY LOOKS LIKE AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET IN THE RACE FOR THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION BUT UNCONTESTED RACES FOR THE HOUSE AND SENATE WHERE THERE ARE MILLIONS WHICH WILL PREVENT INCUMBENTS FROM FACING A REAL CHALLENGE.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET INTO THE RACES.

IT'S INCREDIBLE DISHEARTENING AND HONESTLY, THE FOLKS THAT SUFFER MOST ARE ORDINARY PEOPLE.

PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW A BILLIONAIRE AND CAN'T RUN FOR OFFICE IF THEY FEEL A CALL TO PUBLIC SERVICE OR YOU KNOW, THERE IS ALWAYS THAT CONCERN ABOUT WELL IF THEY ARE GETTING MONEY FROM AN OUTSIDE SOURCE, IS MY ELECTED OFFICIAL GOING TO CARE ABOUT MY NEEDS?

OR ANSWER THE PHONE WHEN THE GUY WHO CUT THEM THE CALL CALLS.

>> ALYSSA WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS THAT MONEY IS HAVING ON ELECTIONS?

>> I WOULD ECHO JAY.

THIS IS A TERRIBLE SYSTEM FOR A DEMOCRACY.

IT IS NOT HEALTHY AT ALL.

THE ROLE OF BILLIONAIRES HERE DROWNS OUT OTHER VOICES.

IT DISCOURAGES PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE REALLY DEEP POCKETS FROM RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

AND IT MAKES ORDINARY PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY DON'T HAVE A VOICE IN THE PROCESS.

AND IT MAKES PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEIR POLITICIANS ARE BOUGHT AND PAID FOR OR ARE SO RICH THAT THEY DON'T SHARE THEIR INTERESTS OR KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR DAILY STRUGGLES.

SO THAT'S JUST NOT A GOOD SYSTEM IN ANYWAY.

>> JAY, WHAT STEPS CAN WE TAKE TO MINIMIZE THE ROLE OF BIG MONEY IN ELECTIONS?

>> WELL, WE'VE GOT OUR HANDS TIED BECAUSE WE HAVE BAD CASE LAW COMING OUT OF THE SUPREME COURT WHICH IS ALLOWING A LOT OF THIS -- ALLOWING THE INFLUENCE OF MONEY JUST TO CONTINUE TO GROW.

SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET SORT OF A SAVIOR COMING DOWN FROM THE FEDS.

BUT THERE'S THINGS WE CAN DO AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

THERE ARE POLICIES WE'VE SEEN IN TERMS OF PUBLICLY FINANCED ELECTIONS IN PLACES LIKE NEW YORK AND SEATTLE AND LA AND BALTIMORE AND DC.

THE LIST IS GROWING.

AND SO THERE'S REALLY AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THE LAW HERE AT THE STATE LEVEL OR EVEN AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR JUST SOMEBODY WHO WANTS THE CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE BUT CANNOT CUT THE CHECK THEIR VOICE WOULD GET AMPLIFIED A LITTLE BIT.

>> ALYSSA PRITZKER AND THE GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION HAVE BEEN SPENDING MONEY ON AFERREDS THAT CRITICIZE RICHARD IRVIN AND WE'VE SEEN THAT NATIONWIDE, THE DEMOCRATS HELPING THE FAR RIGHT CANDIDATES TO FACE THEM IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS HOW THAT IMPACTS THE POLITICAL PROCESS?

>> WHAT DOES THAT DO TO PEOPLE WATCHING THE COMMERCIALS?

HOW ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHO IS TRYING TO INFLUENCE THEIR VOTE.

IT CREATES A HALL OF MIRRORS EFFECT.

WHO IS TELLING YOU WHAT?

WHO CAN I TRUST?

WHO'S CHOICE AM I SUPPOSED TO LISTEN TO.

I'M AFRAID WE WILL SEE MORE OF IT.

AND I DID WANT TO ADD THERE'S ONE MORE THING ABOUT ILLINOIS POLITICS THAT UPS THE ANTE WHEN IT COMES TO CAMPAIGN MONEY WE HAVE A LOOPHOLE THAT ENABLES CANDIDATES TO ELIMINATE CONTRIBUTION CAPS ON THE RACES.

WHY WE SEE THE HUGE DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN RACES IN ILLINOIS THAT YOU DON'T SEE IN OTHER STATES.

>> HALL OF MIRRORS THAT IS UNFORTUNATE FOR VOTERS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

THANKS TO ALISA KAPLAN AND JAY YOUNG FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> UP NEXT, HOW A LOCAL ORGANIZATION IS HELPING STUDENTS WITH AUTISM THRIVE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM.

STAY WITH US.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING MORE FROM THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

FIRST, GROWING UP WITH AUTISM CAN BE CHALLENGING BUT WITH THE RIGHT SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE CAN LIVE, HEALTHY FULFILLING LIVES.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ HEADED TO THE WEST SIDE TO HEAR FROM AN ORGANIZATION EMPOWERING YOUNG ADULTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM TO LEARN LIFE SKILLS ALL AS IT CELEBRATES A MILESTONE.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO FARMING ALEJANDRO SANCHEZ CAN TELL WHAT YOU IT TAKES TO GROW VEGETABLES.

>> TEAMWORK.

LIKE PEOPLE CAN WATCH YOUR BACK AND HELP YOU EACH OTHER.

>> SANCHEZ HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE GROWING SOLUTIONS FARM FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.

>> PEOPLE DONATE PEOPLE WHO NEED [INAUDIBLE] >> THE 1.2 ACRE PRODUCE FARM IS A HANDS ON PROGRAM TEACHING YOUNG ADULTS THE BASICS OF FARMING WITH THE GOAL OF ENHANCING THEIR SOCIAL AND VOCATIONAL SKILLS AS THEY CONTINUE TO GROW INTO ADULTS.

>> URBAN SOLUTIONS HELPS YOU?

>> YES.

>> WHAT DO THEY TELL YOU?

>> NEVER GIVE UP.

LOVE YOURSELF.

>> THE FARM IS PART OF URBAN AUTISM SOLUTIONS CALLED UAS.

IT IS AN ORGANIZATION JULIE TRACY AND MICHAEL WERE DRIVEN TO START WHEN THEY WENT TO FIND SERVICES FOR THEIR SON.

>> THE SUFFERING OUR FAMILY WENT THROUGH WHEN WE LOOKED FOR SERVICES AND SO WE KNEW WE WERE GOING TO HAVE TO SUPPORT JOHN AND CREATE A COMMUNITY AROUND HIM OF LIKE MINDED PEOPLE, A COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY WHERE HE COULD WORK AND THRIVE WHERE HE COULD GROW.

>> THE ORGANIZATION RECENTLY CELEBRATED ITS 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

AND GAVE PAST PARTICIPANTS A CHANCE TO SHOWCASE WHAT THEY'VE LEARNED.

>> I HAVE A GREAT TIME DOING THIS.

AND I NEVER PLANNED IT BEFORE.

MY FIRST TIME PLANTING LIKE A PLANT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PLANT.

OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

I WATCH AND LEARN HOW TO DO IT.

>> ELVIS STARTED THE FARM PROGRAM LAST SUMMER AND HAS SINCE LEARNED SKILLS TO PREPARE FOR JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

>> WE LEARNED ABOUT INTERVIEWS HOW TO PREPARE AN INTERVIEW JOB.

DRESS WELL.

>> UAS PARTNERS WITH DIFFERENT SCHOOLS ON THE WEST SIDE OFFERING SERVICES TO SUPPORT YOUNG ADULTS FROM 16-22.

>> WE REALLY OFFER THE SKILLS THAT WE DON'T THINK THAT THE SCHOOLS HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO DO.

IN TERMS OF SOCIAL WORK SERVICES AND SOCIAL THINKING AND SOCIAL COMMUNICATION.

THAT IS A BIG PART OF WHAT WE DO SO OUR STUDENTS CAN BE SUCCESSFUL ONCE THEY REACH THEIR FIRST JOBS.

>> THE FOUNDERS SAY THEY'VE HELD YOUNG ADULTS FIND JOBS AND MOTIVATE THEM TO PURSUE GOALS.

>> I WANT TO BE F.B.I.

AND MY CAREER AND SERVE PEOPLE WHO NEED A MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR.

AND MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR MYSELF.

AND WHO HELPED ME A LOT.

THEY INSPIRE ME.

>> ELVIS SAYS THE PROGRAM HAS GIVEN HIM DIFFERENTIAL TERNE ACTIVES TO FEEL INDEPENDENT AND NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGES OF HIS DISABILITY.

HE IS CURRENTLY WORKING AT WALMART.

>> I TELL MY MOM WHY WAS I BORN, I SHOULD HAVE BEEN BORN MORE NORMAL.

I DID CRY MUCH.

SO MY MOM GAVE ME LIKE IT'S FINE THAT YOU HAVE THE DISABILITY.

AND YOU DON'T NEED TO BE MAD ABOUT IT.

I JUST REALIZED THAT SOMETHING GOT CHANGED I SHOULD BE A PART OF WHO I AM AS A PERSON.

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

>> AND THE GROWING FARM SUMMER PROGRAM IS SET TO START NEXT MONTH.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" AFTER A FULL DAY OF ILLINOISANS CASTING THEIR VOTES WE'RE LIVE FROM OUTSIDE THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO HEAR FROM THE COUNTY CLERK.

>> COOK COUNTY IS CURRENTLY AT A HIGH-RISK FOR COVID-19.

WE'LL CHECK IN WITH CHICAGO'S PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER Dr. ALLISON ARWADY.

AND SUM MERE TIME MEANS NO SCHOOL, ICE CREAM AND TICKS WHAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW BEFORE HEADING OUT FOR THE NEXT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE.

AND WHAT IS THE METROPOLITIAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT?

GEOFFREY BAER HAS THE ANSWER IN TONIGHT'S "ASK GEOFFREY".

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL CONFIRMED A FOURTH PERSON HAS DIED AS A RESULT OF YESTERDAY'S AMTRAK DERAILMENT OF A TRAIN HEADED TO CHICAGO INCLUDING THREE PASSENGERS AND THE TRUCK DRIVER THAT WAS STRUCK.

THE TRAIN DERAILED IN MISSOURI WHEN IT STRUCK A DUMP-TRUCK AT A PUBLIC CROSSING IN MENDON.

AMTRAK SAID IN A STATEMENT IT IS CONTINUING TO WORK WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO MAKE SURE THOSE WHO ARE INJURED GET MEDICAL CARE AND EVERYONE ELSE RECEIVES SERVICES AND TRANSPORTATION.

>> WORD ON THE STREET... ELMO GOT HIS COVID-19 VACCINE.

>> I HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT ELMO GETTING THE COVID VACCINE.

WAS IT SAFE?

WAS IT THE RIGHT DECISION?

I TALKED TO OUR PEDIATRICIAN SO I COULD MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

I LEARNED THAT ELMO GETTING VACCINATED IS THE BEST WAY TO KEEP HIMSELF, OUR FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS AND EVERYONE ELSE HEALTHY AND ENJOYING THE THINGS THEY LOVE.

>> SESAME STREET, THE PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWS THE F.D.A.

'S AUTHORIZATION OF THE SHOT FOR CHILDREN UNDER FIVE.

WE ARE ONE-ON-ONE WITH CHICAGO'S TOP DOCTOR WITH THE LATEST COVID DATA.

>> BUT FIRST, BACK TO AMANDA VINICKY WHO IS REPORTING TONIGHT FROM OUTSIDE THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS WHERE THE COUNTY CLERK AMONG OTHERS IS WORKING TO TALLY TODAY'S VOTES.

AMANDA?

>> YES, BRANDIS WE ARE JOINED BY THE COUNTY CLERK KAREN YARBROUGH AND THE DEPUTY OF ELECTIONS.

WE DID SAY THERE WERE A HANDFUL OF COOK COUNTY ELECTIONS POLLING SITES THAT HAD TO STAY OPEN CONTINUE TO BE OPEN UNTIL 8:00 P.M. WHY IS THAT ANYTHING TO DO WITH A LACK OF JUDGES?

>> IT'S LESS THAN 1%.

LET ME SAY IT HAPPENS EVERY ELECTION.

WE HAD FOLKS THAT DID NOT SHOW UP.

THE JUDGES ARE A PROBLEM FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN THEY DON'T SHOW UP WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING AND WE WENT TO THE COURT AND WE HAVE THEM OPEN UNTIL 8:00 P.M. WE BELIEVE THAT DEMOCRACY IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THEM OPEN.

>> DO YOU EXPECT THE ELECTION JUDGES IS AN ISSUE DUE TO WATCHING WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN WASHINGTON D.C., WE HAD AN ELECTIONS WORKER TESTIFY ABOUT HARASSMENT.

>> NOT SEEN THE HARASSMENT.

THE AVERAGE AGE OF OUR JUDGE IS AROUND 70.

AND WE HAVE TO GET YOUNGER JUDGES AND WE HAVE A PILOT PROGRAM AND GIVES COLLEGE CREDIT AND THEY WILL GO THROUGH A CURRICULUM AS SOON AS WE GET IT CERTIFIED AND THEY WILL BE PAID 700 BUCKS TO BE A JUDGE.

ABSOLUTELY MAYBE YOU WANT TO SIGN UP.

>> SURE.

GOT THAT, BOSS?

HOW ABOUT TURNOUT?

IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO IT WAS NOT QUITE EDGING 20%.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS FOR SUBURB WANT COOK COUNTY?

>> WE WILL BE AT 20% AS WELL.

180,000 PEOPLE SHOWED UP TO VOTE AND AT THE END OF THE DAY BE 50,000 BALLOTS.

WHERE DOES THAT RANK IN TERMS OF PARTICIPATION COMPARED WITH PREVIOUS PRIMARIES AND THIS IS DIFFERENT IT'S IN JUNE.

BUT ALSO A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES TO CAST YOUR BALLOT.

IT DIDN'T JUST HAVE TO BE TODAY?

>> WE SET THE RECORD FOR A JUNE PRIMARY BUT WE'RE 9% SHORTER THAN FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN WE HAD A HOTLY CONTESTED GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION.

DEMOCRACY IS IMPORTANT LIKE THE CLERK SAID AND PEOPLE SHOWED UP TODAY.

180,000 PEOPLE SHOWED UP TO VOTE TODAY IN SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY AND WE'RE HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

>> AND WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT DATA?

WHO IS SHOWING UP TO VOTE?

>> WE HAVE NOT DISSECTED THE DATA YET WE ARE WAITING FOR THE POLLS TO CLOSE.

>> MOSTLY PEOPLE CASTING THEIR BALLOTS IN-PERSON OR MOVING TO SIGN UP, BECAUSE THERE ARE CHANGES IN ILLINOIS LAW, RIGHT TO MAKE IT EASIER TO VOTE-BY-MAIL?

>> THEY CAN.

AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DO IT THIS TIME AROUND.

THEY CAN SIGN UP AND THEY CAN GET THEIR BALLOT IN THE MAIL AND THEY CAN DO THAT.

WHAT I FOUND TODAY, THOUGH, WAS THERE WAS A MIX OF PEOPLE WHO SOME PEOPLE WANT TO BE THERE.

THEY LIKE THE ACTION ON ELECTION DAY.

BUT THEN THERE ARE OTHERS LET'S FACE IT WE NEVER HAD AN ELECTION IN JUNE.

THE KIDS ARE OUT OF SCHOOL.

PEOPLE ARE GOING ON VACATION.

THEY BETTER GET THEIR BALLOTS IN EARLY RATHER THAN I RAN INTO SOMEBODY YESTERDAY AT THE GROCERY STORE WHO SAID TO ME, KAREN, I'M SEEING ALL THE SIGNS, AND I THOUGHT THAT IS THIS FOR THE ELECTION IN NOVEMBER AND I SAID THIS IS FOR THE ELECTION TOMORROW.

>> ON TUESDAY.

>> AND WE HAVE 10 SECONDS LEFT.

ED, WHEN ARE WE EXPECTING TO GET RESULTS?

PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHO WON?

>> WE WILL HAVE A TON OF RESULTS AT 8:00 P.M.

WHEN THE POLLS CLOSE.

>> BE WATCHING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> 8:00 P.M. THAT IS IN A LITTLE OVER 20 MINUTES.

THANK YOU.

COOK COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE ONCE AGAIN AT HIGH-RISK OF CONTRACTING COVID.

THIS AFTER THE COUNTY HAD MOVED BACK DOWN TO MEDIUM RISK FOR JUST ABOUT A WEEK.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS FOR AREA RESIDENTS IS Dr. ALLISON ARWADY, COMMISSIONER OF THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

Dr. ARWADY WELCOME BACK AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU, BRANDIS.

>> COOK COUNTY BACK AT A HIGH-RISK.

YOU'VE SAID THAT THE CITY YOU EXPECTED THE CITY TO RETURN TO MEDIUM RISK ON FRIDAY.

WHAT ARE THE TRENDS AND THE DATA THAT IS TELLING YOU THAT?

>> IN CHICAGO AND IN COOK COUNTY BROADLY WE HAVE BEEN RIGHT ON THIS BORDERLINE FOR THE METRICS SET ALL OVER THE COUNTRY BETWEEN MEDIUM AND HIGH.

AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING WE ARE AT 202 FOR THE COUNTY WHERE THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES PER 100,000 AND WE WANT TO GET THAT UNDER 200.

AND WE'RE SEEING 10.2 NEW ADMISSIONS PER 100,000 IN A WEEK AND WE WANT TO GET THAT UNDER 10.

GIVEN WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF COVID, GET UP-TO-DATE WITH YOUR VACCINES.

GET YOUR BOOSTERS.

DO PLEASE PUTTING THAT MASK ON INDOORS.

AND WE'RE NOT SEEING A MAJOR SURGE EVEN WHILE WE'RE SEEING MORE VARIANTS AND THE BA4 AND 5 BEING THAT PREDOMINANT OMICRON VARIANT.

>> AND A FEW WEEKS AGO THE AREA FELL FROM HIGH TO MEDIUM BRIEFLY.

WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE THEN TO PUT US BACK INTO THE HIGH-RISK CATEGORY?

>> WE ACTUALLY SAW A FEW MORE HOSPITALIZATIONS NOT REALLY IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO BUT THE C.D.C.

USES THE WHOLE REFERRAL AREA.

SO OUTSIDE OF COOK COUNTY IF THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE GETTING HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID THEN THAT WILL COUNT AGAINST OUR NUMBERS A LITTLE BIT.

BOTH OF THE MAIN METRICS WE FOLLOW ARE JUST OVER THE THRESHOLD AND WE FOLLOW THE NATIONAL THRESHOLDS.

LESS THAN 4% OF OUR HOSPITAL BEDS ARE TAKEN UP BY COVID PATIENTS.

AND MOSTLY THIS IS PEOPLE OVER 65, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WHO HAD NOT BEEN UP-TO-DATE WITH THE BOOSTERS.

NOW IS THE TIME.

WE WANT THE NUMBERS TO COME BACK DOWN TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE UP-TO-DATE.

IF YOU GOT YOUR FIRST VACCINE IN 2021 YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD THREE VACCINES BY NOW.

MEANING YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD A BOOSTER.

OVER 50 OR UNDERLYING CONDITIONS SHOULD HAVE HAD FOUR.

THEY ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL AGES AND IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO HELP KEEP THOSE MORE SEVERE OUTCOMES DOWN.

>> AND YOU'VE SAID Dr. ARWADY THAT THE POSITIVITY RATE SHOULD NOT BE A CAUSE OF CONCERN IT'S 10.9%.

WHY NOT THE POSITIVITY RATE.

>> YES WE DON'T USE THE POSITIVITY RATE ANYMORE WHILE WE ARE LOOKING AT RISK METRICS.

BECAUSE AS I DO AT HOME MOST OF OUR TESTING IS TAKING PLACE AT HOME.

SO THAT FORMAL POSITIVITY RATE THAT GETS REPORTED IS REALLY PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO GET A FORMAL LABORATORY PCR TEST.

THEY ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO DO THAT IF THEY ARE SYMPTOMATIC OR HAD A POSITIVE TEST AT HOME AND WANTING TO DOUBLE-CHECK.

WE WERE DOING SO MUCH SCREENING IN CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH SCHOOL OUT OF SESSION THE NUMBER OF TESTS DROPPED.

I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THAT CHANGE WE'VE SEEN.

I'M NOT HUGELY CONCERNED OVERALL WITH THE VARIANTS.

BUT THERE IS A THE OF COVID AND JUST ASKING PEOPLE WHILE WE ARE AT THIS RISK TO TAKE ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS.

MOVE OUTSIDE AND PUT THE MASK ON AND PLEASE GET UP-TO-DATE WITH THE VACCINES.

>> AND YOU MENTIONED THE OMICRON SUBVARIANTS BA4 AND 5 AND THEY'VE BECOME THE DOMINANT STRAIN IN THE U.S. WHAT.

DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE SUBVARIANTS?

>> WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SEE HING WITH OMICRON BECAUSE WE ARE ONGOING TRANSMISSION EVERY TIME THERE IS A SPREAD OF COVID IT IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE VIRUS TO MUTATE.

THIS BA4 AND 5 IS THE MOST CONTAGIOUS VERSION YET.

BUT THE GOOD NEWS IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE PUTTING PEOPLE MORE IN THE HOSPITAL.

THE REASON IT OUTCOMPETES THE VARIANTS THAT CAME BEFORE IT IS MORE CONTAGIOUS.

AND WE'RE STARTING TO SEE SOME PEOPLE EVEN IF THEY WERE INFECTED WITH THE ORIGINAL OMICRON BACK IN JANUARY WE ARE STARTING TO SEE SOME PEOPLE GET INFECTED AGAIN NOW WITH BA4 OR 5.

GETTING UP-TO-DATE WITH VACCINES IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

WE'RE CONTINUING TO MONITOR IT.

I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT A HUGE SURGE COMING FROM BA4 OR 5 BUT THAT IS DRIVING SOME OF THE SLIGHT INCREASE THAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE REGION.

>> DO WE KNOW YET MUCH OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VACCINES AGAINST THE SUBVARIANTS?

>> THANKFULLY THE VACCINES REMAIN INCREDIBLY EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING HOSPITAL AND DEATH.

AND THE BOOSTERS MATTER EVEN MORE THAN THEY DID IN THE PAST.

WITH EACH OF THE NEW SUBVARIANTS OF OMICRON THAT BOOSTER DATA MAKES MORE OF A DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF KEEPING PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

WE ARE SEEING MORE BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS BECAUSE IT IS SO CONE TEENAGE JUST AND THE F.D.A.

VERDICTS GROUP -- ADVISORY SUGGEST THAT WE HAVE AN UPDATED BOOSTER MADE MORE SPECIFICALLY TO HELP FIGHT AGAINST OMICRON.

THE WAYS THE VIRUS HAS CHANGED.

I ANTICIPATE LATER THIS FALL, OCTOBER, POSSIBLY NOVEMBER WE MAY HAVE AN UPDATED COVID VACCINE THAT WILL HELP NOT JUST WITH SEVERE OUTCOMES BUT SOME OF THE INFECTIONS.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE ARE SEEING MOST PEOPLE IF THEY ARE UP-TO-DATE WITH VACCINES NOT GET SERIOUSLY ILL. AND I WANT PEOPLE TO WEAR MASKS ON THE L. >> THE CITY RECENTLY CITED POLLUTION CONCERNS AS THE REASON FOR REJECTING $500 MILLION IN ASPHALT BUILDS FROM AN AS FAULT MAKER.

WHAT WAS CONCERNING TO THE CITY ABOUT THAT?

>> SURE.

OBVIOUSLY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEEDS ASPHALT TO BE ABLE TO REPAIR OUR ROADS AND WE CAN GET AROUND.

WHAT WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT WAS THAT THE LOWEST BIDDER WHEN THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PUT OUT THE BID WOULD HAVE PUT ALL THE ASPHALT PRODUCTION IN ONE LOCATION WITHOUT PROTECTIONS FOR AIR POLLUTION, NOISE POLLUTION, TRUCK TRAFFIC ET CETERA.

SO THE CITY IS GOING TO REBID THAT WE WILL BE PROCURING ASPHALT ABOUT THE WITH MORE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE LATER IN THE FALL.

>> AND SOMETHING THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAD BEEN VOICING THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT AS WELL.

Dr. ALLISON ARWADY THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, SUMMERTIME MEANS MORE TIME SPENT OUTDOORS WITH ALSO MEANS TICKS.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE BLOOD SUCKERS.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> YOU HEAD OUT DOORS AND YOU FIND AN UNWELCOME GUEST HAS HITCHED ALONG FOR THE RIDE.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TICKS.

BUT SOME WILDLIFE PROFESSIONALS ARE SAYING EVERYTHING YOU HEARD ABOUT TICKS IS PROBABLY A MYTH.

HERE TO SEPARATE FACTS FROM FICTION IS WTTW NEWS REPORTER PATTY WETLI.

ALL RIGHT PATTY, WHAT ARE THE MYTHS HERE ABOUT TICKS THAT WE HOLD AS TRUTH?

>> I'M EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT I'VE FALLEN VICTIM TO SOME MYSELF AND A LOT HAS TO DO WITH HOW YOU REMOVE TICKS.

ONE OF THE MYTHS BEING IF YOU DON'T GET ALL OF THE MOUTHPIECES OUT THAT IT'S GOING TO WORM ITS WAY IN UNDER YOUR SKIN AND GROW ANOTHER HEAD OR LAY EGGS.

NONE OF WHICH IS TRUE ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS.

IF YOU LEAVE A TINY BIT IT'S NOT GOING TO REGENERATE AND IT'S NOT GOING TO CAUSE MORE HARM THAN YOUR BUSINESSIC SPLINTER.

OTHER ONES ARE THAT YOU SHOULD TRY AND BURN THEM OFF.

OR PUT PERFUME ON THEM.

NO, NO, NO.

GET A PAIR OF TWEEZERS AND GIVE IT A GOOD SINGLE TUG OFF AS CLOSE TO THE SKIN AS POSSIBLE.

>> GOOD FODDER FOR A SCI-FI MOVIE.

WHAT ARE THE REALITIES OF TICKERS WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THEM?

>> THE REALITY IS THEY ARE NOT JUST IN THE DEEP WOODS.

THEY ARE ALSO FOUND IN CHICAGO CITY PARKS.

THEY LIKE TALLGRASS JUST AS MUCH AS THE WOODS.

YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED IF YOU ARE HEADING OUTDOORS AND THAT MEANS SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS USING A SPRAY THAT HAS DEET OR EVEN BETTER PUT ON LONG SLEEVES, PUT ON LONG PANTS, TUCK THEM INTO YOUR SOCKS, YOU KNOW.

DON'T GIVE THEM ANYTHING TO LATCH ON TO.

AND UNLIKE MOSQUITOES THEY ARE NOT GOING TO NECESSARILY BE ABLE TO JAB THROUGH YOUR CLOTHES.

SO THE EXPERTS SAY DON'T BE SCARED.

BE PREPARED.

SO TAKE THAT AS A GUIDE YOU CAN STILL HEAD OUTSIDE AND ENJOY THE OUTDOORS.

BUT JUST KNOW WHERE TICKERS MIGHT BE AND LOOK FOR THEM WHEN YOU GET HOME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WAYS TO REFRAIN FROM BEING TICKED OFF.

PATTY WETLI THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> GOOD JOB!

>> NO, I DON'T DESERVE CREDIT.

AND CAN YOU READ PATTY'S STORY ON OUR WEBSITE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TICKERS IN THE LOCAL AREA ALL AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND WE'RE BACK WITH AN EXPLANATION ABOUT A GOVERNMENTAL BODY RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> TONIGHT WE GO TO OUR "ASK GEOFFREY" ARCHIVES FOR A TIMELY QUESTION.

AMONG THE OFFICES ON THE BALLOT ARE COMMISSIONERS OF THE METROPOLITIAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT OF GREATER CHICAGO.

THAT BODY MAY BE A MYSTERY TO MANY OF YOU.

BUT JUDGING FROM THE RESPONSE ON OUR VOTER GUIDE WHERE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF YOU HAVE SEARCHED FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THOSE CANDIDATES, THAT'S MORE THAN ANY OTHER OFFICE.

INTEREST SEEMS STRONG.

SO HERE FROM THE GEOFFREY ARCHIVES, GEOFFREY BAER ON THE PLAN FROM SKOKIE.

>> WELL, YES, THIS BUILDING IS IN FACT PART OF A MASSIVE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY CALLED THE O'BRIEN WATER RECLAMATION PLANT IN SKOKIE FEAR THE BORDERS OF LINCOLNWOOD AND CHICAGO OPERATED BY THE METROPOLITIAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT OF GREATER CHICAGO THAT IS A MOUTHFUL.

SHORTENED AS MWRD.

IT'S DEFINITELY QUITE OTHER NATURE FOR A -- ON NATURE FOR A PLACE THAT TREATS SEWAGE AT A TIME WHEN THE BUILDINGS WERE GIVEN DESIGN FLAIR.

I USED TO PASS THIS BUILDING EVERYDAY DRIVING MY YOUNG DAUGHTERS TO DAY CAMP AND SOME OF THE KIDS CALL IT THE STINKY CASTLE OR THE PIANO PALACE.

-- POO PALACE.

THE FACILITY TAKES IN AND CLEANS AROUND 230 MILLION GALLONS A DAY OF WASTEWATER FROM OUR BATHROOMS, KITCHEN SINKS AND STORM SEWERS BUT IT DOES NOT PRODUCE DRINKING WATER.

IT CLEANS WASTEWATER ENOUGH TO BE RELEASED SAFELY INTO THE RIVER SYSTEM.

THE ORNAMENT BUILDING IS KNOWN AS THE PUMP AND BLOWER BUILDING.

AND AS YOU CAN SEE HERE IT'S FULL OF SEWAGE PUMPS THAT LIFT WASTEWATER INTO THE PLANT.

THE BLOWERS IN THIS BUILDING PROVIDE COMPRESSED AIR FOR A BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT PROCESS THAT REMOVES POLLUTANTS FROM THE WATER.

AND NO, THE BUILDING HAS NEVER BEEN ANYTHING BUT A WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY.

WHEN IT OPENED IN 1928, THE METROPOLITIAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT DID HAVE A DIFFERENT NAME IT WAS CALLED THE CHICAGO SANITARY DISTRICT.

>> I'VE DONE STORIES ON THIS PROCESS REMIND US HOW THAT WATER GETS CLEANED EXACTLY.

>> IT'S FASCINATING.

WATER ENTERS THE FACILITY WASTEWATER.

FIRST IT'S FILTERED TO REMOVE DEBRIS AND IT FLOWS THROUGH TANKS THAT REMOVE OILS AND FATS AND SEPARATE OUT HEAVY ORGANIC MATTER THAT'S A EUPHEMISM.

AIR IS PUMPED THROUGH THE WATER IN AERATION TANKS TO GROW GOOD MICROBES THAT EAT BACTERIA AND MATTER.

O'BRIEN CLAIMS TO HAVE THE LARGEST ULTRAVIOLET DISINFECTION SYSTEM IN THE U.S.

POWERFUL ULTRAVIOLET LIGHTS NEUTRALIZE BACTERIA IN THE WATER BEFORE RELEASING IT INTO THE NORTH SHORE CHANNEL AND THE MWRD HAS A PROCESS AND IN STICKNEY THAT RECLAIMS PHOSPHEROUS AND NITROGEN THAT CAN CAUSE TOXIC ALGAE BLOOMS AND MAKE THOSE MATERIALS INTO THIS STUFF, IT'S FERTILIZER THAT BRINGS IN REVENUE TO THE MWRD.

>> GEOFFREY, YOU MENTIONED THIS BUILDING NEVER HAD ANY OTHER USE IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THE POO PALACE FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM IT IS QUITE ATTRACTIVE FOR HAVING SUCH A GRITTY FUNCTION TO IT?

>> WELL, RIGHT.

AS I MENTIONED IT COMES FROM A TIME WHEN EVEN THE MOST UTILITARIAN BUILDINGS HAD PANACHE AND THAT INSPIRED US TO SHARE OTHER EXAMPLES FROM AROUND CHICAGO LIKE THIS ComEd SUBSTATION ON DEARBORN STREET DOWNTOWN ACROSS FROM THE DALEY PLAZA.

I LOVE THIS.

THIS ART DECO STYLE MUSCLE MAN WITH THE FISTS FULL OF LIGHTNING REPRESENTS THE ELECTRICAL MACHINERY HIDDEN INSIDE.

ANOTHER ART DECO STAND OUT IS THE UNION STATION POWERHOUSE.

PEOPLE ON MY BOAT TOUR ASK IF THIS IS FROM THE COVER OF A PINK FLOYD ALBUM.

IT WAS AN OLD COAL-FIRED PLANT THAT PROVIDED ENERGY TO UNION STATION BUT SINCE IT CLOSED IN 2011 IT'S FALLEN UNDER THE THREAT OF DEMOLITION FROM AMTRAK.

OTHERS ARE MORE TUCKED WAY IN CITY NEIGHBORHOOD LIKE THIS NEOCLASSICAL STYLE THOMAS JEFFERSON PUMPING STATION IN LINCOLN SQUARE.

IT'S OPERATED BY THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT WHICH IS PART OF THE SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES DRINKING WATER TO HOMES ON THE NORTH SIDE.

THERE ARE PRAIRIE STYLE SUBSTATIONS AROUND CHICAGO.

AND TAKE HEART, MAKING UTILITY BUILDINGS BEAUTIFUL IS NOT JUST A THING OF THE PAST.

ON THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CAMPUS FOR JUST ONE EXAMPLE, TWO EXAMPLES ARE THE TWO CONTEMPORARY SLEEKLY DESIGNED MECHANICAL BUILDINGS BY HELMET JAN.

THIS IS THE SOUTH CAMPUS CHILLER PLANT WHICH LEAVES THE MACHINERY EXPOSED FOR THE OUTSIDE WORLD TO SEE.

AND A SIMILAR IDEA IN THE WEST CAMPUS COMBINED UTILITY PLANT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO WITH ITS COLOR CODED STEAM AND CHILLING EQUIPMENT VISIBLE THROUGH THE GLASS WINDOWS.

>> FORM AND FUNCTION.

THANK YOU GEOFFREY.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> AND YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE O'BRIEN METROPOLITIAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT AND WHILE ARE YOU THERE SUBMIT YOUR OWN QUESTION TO GEOFFREY BAER.

AND THAT IS AT... >> BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

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

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]