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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THAT'S UNDER DISCUSSIONS HAVE STARTED.

>> CHICAGO'S DUE FOR A NEW MAP OF CITY WARDS.

WE CHECK IN ON THE DRAFTING PROCESS.

>> WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE ALWAYS HELD TO A DIFFERENT STANDARD.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

I'VE KNOWN THAT MY WHOLE LIFE.

>> TENSIONS ARE RUNNING HIGH AT CITY COUNCIL AND THE STATE GETS A CREDIT UPGRADE PLUS MUCH MORE NO SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> IT'S OFFICIAL.

COLLEGE ATHLETES CAN GET PAID FOR THEIR NAME, LIKENESS AND IMAGE UNDER A NEW ILLINOIS LAW.

>> WHAT THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES ARE DOING TO PROMOTE VACCINE EQUITY ACROSS THE WORLD.

>> THE WHOLE THING SEEMED LIKE A GIANT PUZZLE.

>> EXPLORING THE COMPLICATED HISTORY OF CHICAGO'S LAKEFRONT AND HOW IT COULD HAVE TUSHED OUT VERY -- TURNED OUT VERY DIFFERENTLY.

>> AND BROADWAY HITS ARE COMING BACK TO CHICAGO.

THEATRE CRITIC CHRIS JONES HAS THE LATEST PLUS AN UPDATE ON HIS NEW ROLE AT THE TRIBUNE.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES...... CITY COUNCIL'S PLANNING TO CONVENE A SPECIAL MEETING FRIDAY TO ADDRESS CITYWIDE VIOLENT CRIME.

19 COUNCILMEMBERS INVOKED A RARELY USED PROVISION OF STATE LAW TO HOLD THIS MEETING AND CALL SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN TO TESTIFY ABOUT THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION STRATEGY.

IF HE DOES NOT SHOW UP THEY WILL VOTE ON A NO CONFIDENCE RESOLUTION.

THIS IS THE SECOND MEETING AND IT WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY AND WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND DIGNITARIES WERE ON HAND IN BRONZEVILLE TO DEDICATE A SCULPTURE OF IDA B.

WELLS.

LIGHT OF TRUTH WAS DESIGNED BY ENGLEWOOD-BORN RICHARD HUNT.

LOCATED ON THE FORMER SITE OF THE IDA B.

WELLS HOME AND SAID TO BE THE FIRST MONUMENT DEDICATED TO AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN.

>> SHE FOUND A HOME HERE IN OUR CITY, IN CHICAGO.

AND WE CLAIM HER AS OUR OWN.

SHE CAME HERE MAKING SURE THAT SHE WOULD HAVE THE NECESSARY WORK AND TO CONTINUE DEMANDING CHANGE AND ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF BLACK PEOPLE.

AND YES, SHE DID.

>> AND YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO WATCH OUR CONVERSATION WITH SCULPTOR RICHARD HUNT.

>> FORMER U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY AND CHICAGO NATIVE DONALD RUMSFELD HAS DIED.

LUMPS FELD FAMILY HAS HE WAS SURROUNDED BY FAMILY IN NEW MEXICO HERE IS ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" WITH JOHN CALLAWAY IN 1987.

HE WAS THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE UNDER THE GEORGE W. BUSH ADMINISTRATION FROM 2001-2006 WAS ONE OF THE KEY ARCHITECTS OF THE WARS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.

SERVED IN THE SAME POSITION FROM 1975-77 UNDER PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD.

HE GREW UP IN WINNETKA AND IS ALUMNUS OF KNEW TREE HIGH SCHOOL.

HE WAS 88 YEARS OLD.

BRANDIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE LINES OF POWER ARE SET TO SHIFT AT CITY HALL.

IN WHAT IS A COMPLICATED AND SHROUDED PROCESS THAT HAPPENS EVERY 10 YEARS AFTER THE U.S. CENSUS NEW WARD MAPS MUST BE DRAWN AND IT COULD CHANGE THE SHAPE OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US MORE ON WHERE THIS PROCESS STANDS.

LOTS OF REMAPPING GOING ON AFTER THE CENSUS?

>> YES, BRANDIS IT IS A YEAR FOR NEW MAPS EVERYWHERE.

THERE'S ALREADY A NEW MAP FOR ILLINOIS HOUSE AND SENATE DISTRICTS AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS IN CHARGE OF DRAWING NEW CONGRESSIONAL BOUNDARIES THEY ARE PUTTING THAT DUTY OFF UNTIL FALL.

CHICAGO IS UNDER ITS OWN TIMELINE AND IN THE CASE OF THE CITY IT'S STILL EARLY.

ROBERTO MALDONADO SAYS THINGS ARE HAPPENING.

>> THAT'S UNDER DISCUSSIONS HAVE STARTED.

AT THIS POINT, WE STILL DO NOT HAVE THE MAP ROOM.

THE CITY IS IN THE PROCESS OF ACQUISITION OF THE SOFTWARE SO THAT WE CAN START DRAWING THE POTENTIAL MAPS THAT WE ALL WOULD WANT TO HAVE >> NOW, MAP ROOM IS A LONGTIME BAR IN BUCKTOWN.

THAT IS NOT WHAT ROBERTO MALDONADO MEANS.

RATHER, THIS IS A ROOM A SPACE EQUIPPED WITH A COMPUTER MAYBE A FEW I HAVE I DON'T KNOW I'VE NEVER BEEN IN ONE AND THAT IS A BIG POINT BECAUSE THEY ARE FOR UNOFFICIAL RULE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC, BUT THESE ARE COMPUTERS EQUIPPED WITH SPECIALIZED MAP MAKING SOFTWARE.

NOW, THE LAW DOES LEAVE IT TO CURRENT MEMBERS OF CHICAGO'S CITY COUNCIL TO DRAW FUTURE MAPS OF WARDS.

WARDS THAT THEY MAY BE RUNNING IN.

ROBERTO MALDONADO SAYS ALDER PEOPLE ARE IN EARLY TALKS WHAT THEY WANT THE MAP TO LOOK LIKE.

HE IS A MEMBER OF THE LATINO CAUCUS AND THERE IS A CHANCE THAT PICKING UP ONE OR TWO MORE WARDS THAT HAVE A MAJORITY OF LATINO RESIDENTS HE SAYS THE LATINO CAUCUS IS DETERMINED TO PRESENT A UNITED FRONT.

>> I'M GOING TO BE LOOKING OUT FIRST AND FOREMOST FOR THE INTERESTS OF THE LATINO COMMUNITY AT LARGE IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

SO THAT WE CAN REALLY AND TRULY GET A FAIR, A FAIR MAP.

NOT LIKE WE DID 10 YEARS AGO.

WE WERE SHORTCHANGED 10 YEARS AGO BY THE PREVIOUS MAYOR AT THE TIME.

MAYOR EMANUEL.

WE WILL NOT ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> HE SAYS HE IS GOING TO ENGAGE WITH CONSTITUENTS, WITH LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS AS NEGOTIATIONS PROGRESS.

AND WHEN A MAP IS DRAFTED THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO GIVE INPUT.

BUT THERE IS A COMMISSION TOTALLY SEPARATE FROM THE CITY COUNCIL THAT IS TAKING A MORE PREEMPTIVE AND TRANSPARENT APPROACH.

LAST WEEK BEGINNING HOLDING A SERIES OF MEETINGS.

SOME VIRTUAL OTHERS WILL BE HYBRID ALL THESE HAVE A SIGN LANGUAGE AND SPANISH INTERPRETER OPTION THAT IS SEEKING PUBLIC INPUT ON THE NEW MAP.

THE CHICAGO ADVISORY REDISTRICTING COMMISSION PLANS TO USE ALL OF THE PUBLIC FEEDBACK COUPLED WITH THE CENSUS DATA ONCE IT ARRIVES IN MID-AUGUST TO COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL OF ITS OWN.

CHANGE ILLINOIS HELPED TO ORGANIZE THIS MISSION AND CHAUNDRA VAN DYK IS THE PROJECT MANAGER.

>> WE BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE AN INDEPENDENT PROCESS WHERE RESIDENTS HAVE SOME POWER, SOME VOICE IN IT.

RESIDENTS SHOULD BE A PART OF THIS PROCESS.

IT SHOULDN'T BE DONE IN A BACK ROOM THAT ROOM DOESN'T INVOLVE ANY ALDER EITHER WHICH MEANS THERE IS A LACK OF REPRESENTATION THERE IS A VOICE MISSING AT THE TABLE WHEN THE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE FOR THE GREATER PUBLIC.

>> BUT JUST WHO IS ON THE COMMISSION?

SHE SAYS IN THE SPRING SOME 430 PEOPLE SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS TO BE PART OF IT AND LEADERS YOU CAN LEARN WHO ON THE WEBSITE CHICAGO'S WARDS.ORG PICKED 13 AND THEY WERE CHOSEN WITH A MINDSET OF REFLECTING CHICAGO'S AGE, GEOGRAPHIC AND RACIAL DIVERSITY.

THE GOAL IS TO HAVE A MAP DRAWN BY FALL AND 10 MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL WILL GIVE IT WINGS.

A PORTAGE PARK RESIDENT GAVE PUBLIC TESTIMONY AT A VIRTUAL MEETING LAST NIGHT, DAN BUTTERWORTH LIVES IN THE 38TH WARD BUT WITH WARDS NEARBY, THE VARIOUS ALDERPEOPLE WHO REPRESENT THE AREA OFTEN PASS THE BUCK.

>> IF I WALK TWO BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE OR EAST I AM IN THE 45TH WARD.

A WARD IS FULL OF ENERGY, VIBRANCY.

IF I WALK SIX BLOCKS SOUTH I AM IN THE 36TH WARD.

IF I GO TWO MORE BLOCKS I AM IN THE 30TH WARD UNLESS, OF COURSE, I AM ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE STREET THEN I'M IN THE 31ST WARD.

>> CHAUNDRA VAN DYK SAYS THIS IS THE INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

>> IT IS PEOPLE LIVE IN THESE SPACES EVERYDAY WHO KNOW BOUNDARIES AND UNDERSTANDS THE TERRITORIES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND HOW THE COMMUNITIES FUNCTION IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THEIR VOICES SO WE DON'T PUT PEOPLE IN A SITUATION WE'RE PUTTING LINES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY CANNOT COME TOGETHER AND ORGANIZE AND GET RESOURCES AND ADVOCATE FOR BETTER THINGS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THREE, FOUR, TWO, REPRESENTATIVES WHO SPINS THEM IN CIRCLES.

>> ALDERMAN ROBERTO MALDONADO SAYS HE HAS BEEN IN POLITICS LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT EVERYONE HAS AN AGENDA.

HE SAYS MAP MAKING SHOULD STAY IN UNDER THE CITY COUNCIL'S CONTROL AND EXPECTS THE ALDERPEOPLE WILL REACH A COMPROMISE ON A NEW MAP BEFORE DECEMBER.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE IN INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONS BECAUSE INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONS BY DEFINITION SHOULD BE INDEPENDENT.

THERE WON'T BE INDEPENDENT.

THOSE MEMBERS WILL BE APPOINTED BY SOMEBODY.

THEY WILL RESPOND TO SOMEBODY.

AND I'M NOT NAIVE ENOUGH THAT THAT WOULD REALLY BE PEOPLE COMING AND BEING DROPPED FROM HEAVEN INTO THIS SO-CALLED INDEPENDENT COMMISSION THAT NOBODY KNOWS WHO THEY ARE AND THEY ARE GOING TO COME WITH THE PERFECT IDEAL CONFIGURATION OF 50 WARDS >> NOW, AS I MENTIONED, GETTING BACK TO THE STATE LEVEL ILLINOIS DEMOCRATS DID PASS A LAW THAT ESTABLISHES NEW BOUNDARIES FOR STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS BUT IT MAY NOT BE THE FINAL MAP.

IT IS FACING TWO LAWSUITS.

ONE IS FROM REPUBLICANS.

THE OTHER FROM THE MEXICAN AMERICAN EDUCATION FUND SO WE WILL BE WATCHING THAT.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND IT IS OFFICIAL... AS OF TOMORROW, UNDER ILLINOIS LAW, COLLEGE ATHLETES IN THE STATE CAN CASH IN ON THEIR NAME, LIKENESS AND IMAGE.

YESTERDAY, J.B. PRITZKER SIGNED THE STUDENT ATHLETE ENDORSEMENT RIGHTS ACT WHICH PASSED THE HOUSE AND SENATE WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND THE NCAA HANDED DOWN ITS OWN RULING THAT ALLOWS COLLEGE ATHLETES TO MAKE MONEY OFF OF ENDORSEMENTS IN STATES LIKE ILLINOIS THAT PASSED LEGISLATION.

AND JOINING US TO OFFER HIS PERSPECTIVE IS ONE OF THE SPONSORS, REPRESENTATIVE KAM BUCKNER, WHOSE DISTRICT COVERS NEAR NORTH SIDE AND SOUTH SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS IN CHICAGO.

REPRESENTATIVE BUCKNER WELCOME BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT".

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

>> FIRST OF ALL HOW WILL THIS LAW IMPACT COLLEGE ATHLETES IN ILLINOIS?

>> SO THIS LAW CHANGES THE ENTIRE COLLEGE ATHLETICS LANDSCAPE IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

IT ALLOWS OUR YOUNG STUDENT ATHLETES ACROSS THE BOARD BOTH AT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS TO BE ABLE TO PROFIT OFF OF THEIR OWN NAME, THEIR OWN IMAGE AND THEIR OWN LIKENESS WHICH UP UNTIL THIS POINT WAS PROHIBITED BY NCAA RULE AND BY LAW.

>> AND HOW LUCRATIVE COULD IT BE FOR COLLEGE ATHLETES?

WHAT ENDORSEMENTS MIGHT WE SEE FROM LET'S SAY A FOOTBALL PLAYER AT NORTHWESTERN OR A BASKETBALL PLAYER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS?

>> THIS HAS THE ABILITY TO BE EXTREMELY LUCRATIVE FOR PLAYERS ACROSS THE BOARD IN MANY SPORTS.

A LOT OF US ARE LOOKING AT A WINDFALL FOR THE STAR QUARTERBACK OR THE STAR POINT GUARD BUT PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE IT MEANS THAT THE YOUNG LADY WHO IS A TENNIS PLAYER AT BRADLEY UNIVERSITY HAS THE ABILITY TO MAKE MONEY OFF OF HER NAME AS WELL.

AND THAT INCLUDES BEING ABLE TO GIVE TENNIS LESSONS AND BEING ABLE TO THEY ENDORSE THE LOCAL PIZZERIA OR COOKIE SHOP ON CAMPUS.

THIS IS ABOUT EQUITY.

IT'S FAIRNESS AND CREATING A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD TO GIVE THE YOUNG WOMEN AND MEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPENSATE OF FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THEIR OWN IMAGE.

>> AS I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE LIMITS TO HOW AN ATHLETE IN COLLEGE CAN USE THEIR LIKENESS, EXPLAIN THAT.

>> WE WANT TO BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT THREADING THE NEEDLE NOT JUST GIVING THE PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY BUT PROTECTING THEM FROM WHAT MAY BE ACTORS OR INDUSTRIES THAT MAYBE DETRIMENTAL TO THEIR OWN IMAGE.

IN THE BILL, WE PROHIBIT ENDORSEMENTS OF CERTAIN THINGS LIKE ALCOHOL, LIKE CANNABIS, LIKE GAMBLING, THINGS THAT WE THINK COULD CAUSE A PROBLEM FOR OUR STUDENT ATHLETES IF NOT IMMEDIATELY DOWN THE LINE.

>> DOES THIS GIVE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN ILLINOIS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE TO ATTRACT AND KEEP MORE TOP TIER ATHLETES IF THEY DECIDE TO COME TO THIS STATE WHERE THIS SLAW IN PLACE VERSUS OTHER STATES WHERE IT'S NOT IN PLACE?

>> WE BELIEVE SO.

THIS SIGNALS TO ATHLETES THAT WE AS A STATE ARE LEANING FORWARD AND READY TO PUT THEM IN THE BEST POSITIONS POSSIBLE.

AS A 17-YEAR-OLD HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RECRUIT LOOKING AT WHAT COLLEGE I WAS GOING TO GO TO IF, IF I HAD TO CHOOSE AND THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I GOT TO CHOOSE WHAT SCHOOL I WAS GOING TO AND WHAT STATE, THIS WOULD BE A HUGE FACTOR IN MY DECISION 20 YEARS AGO.

>> AND THE NCAA CAME DOWN WITH THIS RULING TODAY.

BASICALLY, AGREEING SAYING YES IT IS OK FOR STUDENT ATHLETES TO MAKE MONEY OFF THEIR LIKE ANDSES IN STATES THAT PASSED LAWS.

HOW DOES THE NCAA'S DECISION IMPACT ILLINOIS?

>> IT BASICALLY SAYS THAT WE DID THE RIGHT THING.

WHILE I'M EXCITED THAT THE NCAA WOKEN UP AND SMELLED THE COFFEE, I THINK IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

THE NCAA IS ARRIVING AT MIDNIGHT TO A PARTY THAT STARTED AT 7:30.

LATE.

NOT ONLY LATE, EMPTY HANDED.

THIS IS SOMETHING THEY SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED A LONGTIME AGO BUT THE FACT THAT STATE LEGISLATURES HAD TO DO THIS SPEAKS VOLUMES TO THE WORK THEY REFUSED TO DO.

>> AND NCAA MAKES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS LUCRATIVE TELEVISION AND RADIO DEALS AND COACHES MAKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IS THAT SOMETHING THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE WANTS TO TAKE UP?

THE FURTHER DISCUSSION ON WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE COMPENSATION FOR STUDENT ATHLETES BESIDES ENDORSEMENTS AND MAKING MONEY OFF THEIR LIKENESS?

>> WE HAVE TO HAVE DEEPER CONVERSATIONS ABOUT OVERALL COMPENSATION FOR THE YOUNG WOMEN AND MEN WHO ARE HUGE GENERATORS FOR SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY.

WE SAW LAST WEEK IN THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION IS THAT JUSTICE COUGH GNAW WAS CLEAR ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE NCAA IS WORKING IN MURKY WATER AND MUCH OF THE MODEL MAY BE PREDICATED ON ANTITRUST ISSUES.

SO I THINK SOON WE'LL SEE COMPENSATION COME TO THE TABLE AND WE'LL HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT BUT THIS WAS THE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> I WANT TO TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING YOU SAID.

A TENNIS PLAYER THAT WANTED TO GIVE TENNIS LESSONS THEY COULDN'T DO THAT UNDER PREVIOUS LAW?

>> PREVIOUS LAW AND UNDER PREVIOUS RULES SET FORTH BY THE NCAA ANYONE WHO WAS A SCHOLARSHIP ATHLETE IS NOT ABLE TO MARKET THEIR SKILLS OR USE THEIR NAME OR IMAGE TO MAKE MONEY.

THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT ADVERTISING FOR NIKI OR THE LOCAL CAR DEALER, THIS IS ALSO FOR THE GOLF OR THE TENNIS ATHLETE WHO IS UNABLE ON SUMMER BREAK TO USE THEIR NAME, LIKENESS MAJOR USE THE LOCAL COUNTRY CLUB AND BRING IN A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND SOMETIMES THEIR FAMILIES.

>> ALL RIGHT INTERESTING DEBATE.

AND OBVIOUSLY GOES ON AROUND THE COUNTRY.

OUR THANKS TO STATE REPRESENTATIVE KAM BUCKNER.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS FOR A LOOK AT VACCINE DISTRIBUTION AROUND THE WORLD.

>> PARIS, ABOUT 46% OF THE UNITED STATES POPULATION IS FULLY VACCINATED.

BUT MANY COUNTRIES HAVE SHOWN LAGGING VACCINATION RATES.

AS THE DEMAND FOR VACCINES WANES IN THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO DISTRIBUTE VACCINES WORLDWIDE.

>> WE'RE TAKING A MAJOR STEP THAT WILL SUPER CHARGE THE GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST THIS PANDEMIC.

AT MY DIRECTION, THE UNITED STATES WILL PURCHASE AN ADDITIONAL HALF BILLION DOSES FROM PFIZER, PFIZER VACCINE THAT WILL DONATE NEARLY 100 LOW AND LOWER MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES THEY WILL BE THE BENEFICIARIES.

>> JOINING US IS IS TOM HOPE PROFESSOR OF CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

WELCOME PROFESSOR HOPE.

WE KNOW THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PLAN CALLS FOR DISTRIBUTING 200 MILLION COVID-19 VACCINES BY THE END OF 2021.

500 MILLION VACCINES TO BE DISTRIBUTED BY JUNE 2022.

AND AS HE SAID, THAT IS TO 92 COUNTRIES WITH LOW TO LOWER TO MIDDLE INCOME LEVELS.

PROFESSOR HOPE, WHAT MORE CAN THE ADMINISTRATION DO?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THEY HAVE TO TRY TO COME UP WITH CREATIVE WAYS TO GET THIS DONE.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BILLIONS OF PEOPLE AND THE NUMBERS WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT WERE AROUND 100 MILLION OR HALF A BILLION.

BUT WE HAVE TO GET THIS DONE QUICKLY.

WE GOT TO SEE THIS AMAZING DISPLAY HOW THE VACCINE SPOTS THE VIRUS RIGHT HERE IN THE U.S. WE'VE GOT TO FINISH THAT JOB AND NOW WE HAVE TO VACCINATE THE WORLD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THIS DELTA VARIANT IS PROBABLY TRANSMITTING 10 TIMES MORE EFFICIENTLY THAN THE ORIGINAL VIRUS.

IF WE LET THE VIRUS HAVE CHANCES TO MUTATE IT COULD STARTED TO EVADE THE VACCINE.

>> WHAT AREAS OF THE WORLD ARE LACKING MOST IN VACCINATIONS?

>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT FOR INSTANCE IN AFRICA THEY HAVE VACCINATED 1 OR 2%.

AND THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND PLACES TO TRY TO GET THE VACCINES IF THEY CAN FIND THE RESOURCES TO COLLECT THEM.

AFRICA IS A PLACE THAT IT'S BEEN A BLESSING THAT THE VIRUS REALLY HASN'T TAKEN OFF THERE.

BUT WE'RE SEEING THE VIRUS TAKING OFF IN PLACES WHERE IT DIDN'T REALLY GET A HOLD OVER THE PAST YEAR.

AND SO AGAIN, WE JUST HAVE TO COME UP WITH WAYS TO GET THE RESOURCES TO GET THIS DONE WE HAVE TO DO IT AS A POPULATION.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS OR WHAT IS CAUSING THE BARRIERS IN GETTING ACCESS TO THE VACCINES FOR THOSE COUNTRIES?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK PART OF IS JUST BEING ABLE TO PRODUCE ENOUGH.

I THINK THEY ARE PRODUCING A LOT.

AND I THINK THAT UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF TIMES IT COMES DOWN TO RESOURCES, COMES DOWN TO MONEY.

AND REALLY, THAT SHOULD NOT BE THE QUESTION AT THIS POINT.

THOSE ARE INVESTMENTS WE HAVE TO MAKE FOR THE WORLD FOR OURSELVES.

AND WE'VE GOT TO GET OTHER VACCINES THAT ARE BEING DEVELOPED AND OPTIMIZED ON-LINE AND OUT TO PEOPLE.

THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT COUNTRIES AS THEY FALL BEHIND IN VACCINATING AGAINST THE VIRUS THAT THE VIRUS MUTATES FURTHER AS WE KNOW THIS DELTA VARIANT IS SPREADING?

>> SO MY PRIMARY CONCERN IS THAT THE VARIANTS WE'RE SEEING THEY POP-UP AND THEY TAKEOVER BECAUSE THEY ARE THEY CAN RUN FASTER THAN THE NEXT VIRUS AND SPREAD FASTER THEY CAN OVERTAKE IT AND SO THAT SORT OF A PRESSURE THE VIRUS' HAVE WITH EACH OTHER.

AS WE ROLL OUT THE VACCINE, AND THE VIRUS HAS A CHANCE TO BUMP INTO SOMEBODY THAT IS VACCINATED AND ALSO SOMEBODY ELSE THAT ISN'T AND CAN START TO GO BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN A VACCINATED INDIVIDUAL AND NON-VACCINATED INDIVIDUAL THAT'S THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT CAN LEAD TO A VARIANT COMING UP THAT THEN SEES IT HAS AN ADVANTAGE AND CAN INFECT VACCINATED PEOPLE.

>> WHAT IS THIS VACCINATION GAP SAY ABOUT THE GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH INEQUITIES THAT EXIST?

>> I THINK IT PUTS IT ON THE TABLE FOR ALL OF US TO SEE WITHOUT ANY FANCY DRESSINGS.

THIS UNFORTUNATELY HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT IS PART OF THE WORLD.

MAYBE GETTING A LITTLE BETTER BUT DURING THE PANDEMIC IT WAS VERY SORT OF VERY OBVIOUS AND I KNOW MYSELF MANY PEOPLE WERE HOPING THAT SOME OF THE LESSONS WE LEARNED WE HAVE A CHANCE TO STOP AND THINK, A CHANCE TO ORGANIZE THINGS BETTER AND MAKE THINGS MORE EFFICIENT.

AND WE STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO DO THAT.

AND THIS COULD BE A GOOD REASON TO DO IT.

BUT IT WILL BE SAD IF WE GO BACK TO SOME OF THE BAD HABITS AND UNFORTUNATE THINGS THAT WERE COMMON IN OUR LIVES BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

>> TO THAT END IS THIS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND PREVENT THIS VACCINATION GAP FROM HAPPENING WITH FUTURE GLOBAL VACCINATION EFFORTS?

>> MY ANSWER TO THAT IS YES.

THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST REMARKABLE EYE-OPENING LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR SOMEONE THAT HAS BEEN STUDYING VIRUSES FOR 30 YEARS.

THIS IS TO WATCH IT ALL UNFOLDING IN REALTIME IS SOMETHING ELSE.

AND IT'S KIND OF AMAZING THAT WE DIDN'T KNOW THIS VIRUS EXISTED A YEAR-AND-A-HALF AGO AND THE COUNTRY IS NOW VACCINATED PRETTY MUCH.

WE HAVE TO FINISH THAT JOB BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS QUITE REMARKABLE AND WHAT WE LEARN FROM THAT IS NEXT TIME WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO BETTER.

WE HAVE TO STOP THESE THINGS EARLIER.

THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO KEEP IT FROM BECOMING THE BIG PROBLEM THAT IT BECAME.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TO LEARN.

>> THANK YOU TO NORTHWESTERN PROFESSOR TOM HOPE FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> UP NEXT A NEW BOOK ON THE COMPLICATED HISTORY OF CHICAGO'S LAKEFRONT.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... CHICAGO'S LAKEFRONT IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS ONE OF THE CITY'S CROWN JEWELS.

AND AS WITH MANY VALUABLE THINGS IT'S BEEN THE SUBJECT OF FREQUENT HIGH PROFILE POLITICAL AND LEGAL FIGHTS.

AS "CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" NICK BLUMBERG REPORTS A NEW HISTORY TRACES 150 YEARS OF NONSTOP LITIGATION.

>> CHICAGO'S WATERFRONT IS REN NOUNED.

PARKLAND AND BEACHES THE LAKEFRONT TRAIL AND THE LACK OF A INDUSTRIAL PRESENCE BUT THOSE WERE NEVER A SURE THING.

>> CHICAGO'S JUST DARNED LUCKY.

>> ATTORNEYS AND LEGAL SCHOLARS, JOSEPH KEARNEY AND THOMAS MERRILL ARE AUTHORS OF THE BOOK LAKEFRONT WHICH TRACES THE NAMESAKE BACK TO 1862 WHEN THE COUNCIL LET THE CENTRAL RAILROAD LAY TRACK NEXT TO LAKE MICHIGAN.

>> WHAT WE KNOW AS GRANT PARK WAS BEING WASHED AWAY BY THE CURRENTS OF THE LAKE SO FROM THE BEGINNING, THE RAILROAD PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAKEFRONT.

>> BUT THE RAILROAD ALSO SPARKED IMMEDIATE CONTROVERSY AMONG WEALTHY PROPERTY OWNERS ON TONY PRAIRIE AND MICHIGAN AVENUES IN.

1890s A LEGAL BATTLE GAVE US WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC TRUST DOCTRINE.

>> THE COMMONLY KNOWN IF NOT ALTOGETHER UNDERSTOOD DOCTRINE.

>> IT HOLDS THE SUBMERGED LAND UNDER LAKE MICHIGAN IS TOO VALUABLE A RESOURCE TO SELL-OFF TO A PRIVATE OWNER AND MUST BE HELD IN THE PUBLIC TRUST.

>> THE DOCTRINE ENTERED WITH A BIG BANG AND IT ENTERED INTO DORMANCY.

>> IT GOT ATTENTION FROM PARK ADVOCATES AROUND THE TIME OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT OF THE 1970s.

>> IT'S BECOME KIND OF THE VEHICLE IN RECENT DECADES TO CHALLENGE VARIOUS PROJECTS LIKE THE LUCAS MUSEUM OR THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER.

THE OUTCOMES ARE I MIXED.

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT HOW THE LAWSUITS WILL BE RESOLVED.

>> THE BOOK DOES DEEP ON HISTORICAL FIGURES LIKE THE SKAUT SQUATTER CAPTAIN STREETER THAT FOUGHT FOR THE LAND WITH THE SCAMMERS AND POTWATOMI.

>> MORE OF A WILD WEST STORY.

MUCH MORE INTERESTING THAN JUST STREETER VERSUS THE RICH INVESTORS.

>> BUT THE WEALTHY AND POWERFUL WERE THE ONES WHO COULD FILE LAWSUITS AND LOBBY LAWMAKERS.

THE CAUSES THEY TOOK UP DETERMINED MUCH OF THE LAKEFRONT'S DESTINY IN CASES LARGE AND SMALL LIKE THE FIGHT OVER A MAKESHIFT LAKEFRONT BALL PARK ONCE HOME TO THE CHICAGO WHITE STOCKINGS A FORERUNNER TO THE CUBS.

>> THE PROPERTY OWNERS DID NOT LIKE THE BASEBALL PLAYED IN FRONT OF THEIR PROPERTY SO THEY GOT THE U.S. ATTORNEY TO SHUTDOWN THE BASEBALL CLUB.

>> MERRILL SPENT 20 YEARS IN CHICAGO AND KERN ANY GREW UP HERE HE CAME AT THE PROJECT... >> AS THE LEGALLY TRAINED TO BE SURE BUT NATIVE CHICAGOAN WHO WANTED TO UNDERSTAND WHY VARIOUS THINGS ARE AS THEY ARE.

WHY LAKE SHORE DRIVE ENDS AT HOLLYWOOD AND 0 THE NORTH SIDE OR WHY THE 1893 COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION WAS IN JACKSON PARK AS OPPOSED TO WHAT WE NOW KNOW AS GRANT PARK.

>> IN TRYING TO ANSWER SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS, MERRILL SAYS IT BECAME CLEAR THERE'S NEVER BEEN A MASTER PLAN GUIDING THE LAKEFRONT'S DEVELOPMENT.

>> IT WAS A SERIES OF EVENTS THAT COULD HAVE GONE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER WAY BUT IN CHICAGO IT ENDED UP WITH A VERY, VERY SPLENDID AND HAPPY OUTCOME.

>> AND A RESOURCE THE AUTHORS THAT DEMANDS CONTINUED VIGILANCE IT MIGHT BE PRESERVED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M NICK BLUMBERG.

>> AND YOU CAN READ AN EXCERPT FROM LAKEFRONT ON OUR WEBSITE.

PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> YOU REALLY CANNOT TAKE THE LAKEFRONT FOR GRANTED AND HOWEVER IT HAPPENED, CHICAGOANS ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THAT FOREVER FREE AND CLEAR STIPULATION.

AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", THEATRE RETURNS TO THE CHICAGO LOOP.

CHRIS JONES HAS THE LATEST AND TALKS ABOUT HIS ROLE AT THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE".

>> WE NEED TO OVERCOME THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIT OF THE STATE.

WE HAVE NOT FULLY OVERCOME THAT.

>> THE STATE'S FINANCES GET A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE, TENSION REINS THE CITY HALL AND DELTA VARIANT SPREADS.

ALL THAT AND MORE IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES..., AN ALLEGED POLICE TORTURE SURVIVOR OF CHICAGO POLICE COMMANDER JOHN BURGE IS SUING THE CITY AND OTHERS INCLUDING FORMER MAYOR RICHARD M. DALEY HE WAS WRONGLY CONVICTED OF A MURDER OF TWO POLICE OFFICERS AND SPENT A DECADE IN PRISON.

HE IS ALLEGING THAT CITY OFFICIALS CONSPIRED FOR CRIMES THAT THEY KNEW HE DID NOT COMMIT.

AND COVERED UP THE TORTURE.

>> I STILL AM MAD BY ALLOWING MYSELF TO BE MAD IT WILL KEEP ME UP LIKE A CHILD.

I'M TIRED OF BEING THAT.

THAUD GNAWED.

>> AND TODAY MARKS FOUR YEARS AT THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WITHOUT A LABOR CONTRACT.

THE LAST AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND POLICE EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2017.

POLICE OFFICERS HAVE BEEN WORKING WITHOUT A CONTRACT AS TALKS HAVE STALLED OUT OVER POLICE REFORM PROVISIONS.

POLICE OFFICERS STILL WORK UNDER THE RULES OF THE EXPIRED AGREEMENT WHICH WAS FIRST SIGNED IN 2012.

>> BROADWAY AND CHICAGO ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR THE FALL AND NEXT YEAR AND THE ACTUAL BROADWAY REOPENED WITH A REBOOT OF SPRINGSTEEN.

OUR NEXT GUEST WAS THERE AND CAN TELL US ABOUT THAT AND WHAT IS IN STORE FOR CHICAGO THEATRE.

AND JOINING US IS THE TRIBUNE'S CHIEF THEATRE CRITIC AND NEWLY NAMED EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR, CHRIS JONES WELCOME AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> AS A LONGTIME ARTS CRITIC YOUR NEW ROLE AS EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR IS THIS A JOB THAT YOU WANTED?

>> WELL, I EXPRESSED INTEREST IN BEING WRITING EDITORIALS OVER THE YEARS.

I THINK I LIKE WRITING OPINION COLUMNS AS YOU KNOW.

AND I THINK THE VOICE OF THE PAPER IS A CRUCIAL PART OF CHICAGO AND I CERTAINLY SAID I THINK OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS THAT WOULD BE INTERESTED IN ONE DAY DOING THAT.

I DIDN'T EXPECT IT TO COME DOWN LIKE THIS.

BUT AS EVERYBODY KNOWS THE TRIBUNE HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT OF CHANGES IN THE LAST THREE OR FOUR WEEKS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE LEFT AND RESHUFFLING AND THINKING WHAT WE WANT TO DO NEXT AND I THINK OPPORTUNITIES TO TRY SOMETHING IN A BIT OF A DIFFERENT WAY.

I THINK I AM AN UNUSUAL CHOICE FOR THAT JOB BUT I WILL GIVE IT MY BEST SHOT.

>> AND TRADITIONALLY THE VOICE OF THE TRIBUNE EDITORIAL BOARD HAS BEEN RIGHT OF CENTER ON MOST ISSUES.

IS THAT THE POINT OF VIEW THAT YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE FOR THE EDITORIAL PAGE?

>> WELL, I WOULD DESCRIBE MYSELF AS A MODERATE AND A CENTRIST.

I DO SUBSCRIBE TO SOME OF THE CORE VALUES OF THAT PAGE AND HAS EXISTED FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE BEEN WORKING THERE.

PRO BUSINESS.

BRINGING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO CHICAGO.

THAT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS VERY IMPORTANT.

INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL LIBERTY IS VERY IMPORTANT.

SO ALL OF THOSE CRITERIA I AM ONBOARD WITH.

I'D LIKE TO HOPE UNDER ME THAT THE PAGE WILL BE ALSO A PLACE OF DIVERSE VIEWPOINTS INCLUDING PEOPLE THAT WE DON'T TYPICALLY HEAR FROM.

AND MAYBE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM IN THE PAST AND I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

AND WE COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC THERE'S FRANKLY, A HEALING ROLE FOR THE PAGE.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT EVERYBODY IN CHICAGO WE ALL HAVE TO BE BROUGHT ALONG TOGETHER AND WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

AND IT'S BEEN A DIVISIVE AND DIFFICULT TIME FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND I'D LIKE TO BE THE PLACE WHERE WE SORT OF WORK THROUGH THAT AS A CITY.

>> CERTAINLY HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT VOICE IN THE CITY FOR MANY, MANY DECADES.

AND YOU, WILL YOU CONTINUE REVIEWING THEATRE, REVIEWING ARTS PERFORMANCES WITH THIS NEW ROLE AS EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR?

>> I HOPE TO DO THAT.

THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE PAPER.

THERE IS A GREAT TRADITION OF THAT AND ALSO ONE OF MY GREAT JOYS IN LIFE TO EXPLORE AND EXPLAIN TO MY READERS THE FANTASTIC ARTS COMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE IN CHICAGO AND I WOULD HATE TO LOSE THAT OPPORTUNITY AND SO MY INTENTION HOPEFULLY IS TO BE ABLE TO DO ALL OF THIS.

THE REALITY WE ARE A SMALLER PAPER NOW SO I'M NOT UNUSUAL THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE DOING DIFFERENT JOBS WHO ARE STRETCHING THEMSELVES INTO THINGS THEY HAVE NOT DONE BEFORE.

>> AND THOSE THAT ARE PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE TRIBUNE ESPECIALLY SINCE THE TAKEOVER FROM ALDEN THEY HAVE SEEN THE AVALANCHE OF BUYOUTS, 40 PEOPLE LEAVING IN THIS ROUND.

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO LONG TIME READERS THAT WORRY HOW LONG THE TRIBUNE CAN CONTINUE?

>> I THINK WE'RE STILL THERE.

IS NUMBER ONE MESSAGE.

AND NUMBER TWO I'M HOPING WE CAN BE A PLACE THAT ELEVATES THE CIVIC DISCOURSE.

WE HAVE BEEN IN A PLACE OF LATE WHERE THE CIVIC DISCOURSE HAS NOT BEEN ELEVATED I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GET PEOPLE THINKING ABOUT BIG ISSUES.

SOME OF THE REASONS FOR THE BUYOUTS HAD TO DO WITH WHAT PEOPLE ARE FEELING AT THE END OF THE PANDEMIC WHICH IS AM I DOING WHAT I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO?

AND MAYBE THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE.

AND I THINK THAT IS PARTLY ABOUT ME, TOO.

AND I THINK THAT IS A COMMON FEELING AT THE MOMENT.

AND SO I THINK THAT I'M HOPING THAT PEOPLE WILL STICK WITH US.

THERE ARE SOME SENSATIONAL REPORTERS IN THE NEWSROOM.

IT IS AN INCREDIBLE BENCH OF TALENT EVEN NOW.

AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THERE ARE REALLY DEDICATED TO BEING THERE.

THEY CHOSE NOT TO DO THIS AND THEY ARE TAKING ALL THE RISKS YOU TAKE IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT.

>> WE LOOK TO FORWARD.

LET'S MOVE TO THE ARTS.

WHEN DO YOU EXPECT THE LOOP THEATRE SCENE TO GET BACK TO WHAT IT WAS?

AND WHAT ARE THE SHOWS THAT CHICAGOANS SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR?

>> WELL, I THINK WE'RE SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF REOPENING WITH THE CIRCUS SHOW COMING IN AUDRA WILSON.

I DON'T THINK IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE UNTIL OCTOBER AT THE LOOP IS BACK TO NORMAL.

FROZEN IS ON THE WAY WHICH A LOT OF FAMILY ALSO WANT TO GO TO.

I THINK PARENTS ARE SCARED THEIR KIDS AGED OUT OF FROZEN DURING THE PANDEMIC SO I THINK THAT WILL DO WELL PEOPLE WILL GO WE HAVE TO SEE IT NOW.

AND MULAN ROUGE IS COMING.

9/11 IS COMING.

TWO PREBROADWAY TRYOUTS ONE IN THE FALL PARADISE SQUARE WHICH HAS A BROADWAY DATE.

AND CHICAGO HAS A GREAT TRADITION OF OFF BROADWAY TRYOUTS AS AN INTERNATIONAL LEADER IN THAT.

AND THAT IS GOING TO BE HAPPENING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FALL.

I DON'T THINK THE FALL WILL BE NORMAL, THOUGH.

I DON'T THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SEE A NORMAL FALL.

I THINK WE ARE INTO 22 BEFORE WE CAN SAY THAT.

>> LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

AND WHAT ABOUT THE OFF LOOP THEATERS THAT REALLY MAKE CHICAGO A GREAT ARTS TOWN LIKE THE HOUSE THEATRE?

WHAT SHAPE ARE THEY IN?

ARE THEY READY TO BOUNCE BACK?

>> IF YOU ASKED ME THAT QUESTION TWO OR THREE WEEKS AGO I WOULD HAVE SAID NOT GOOD SHAPE.

WHAT HAPPENED IS SOME OF THE FEDERAL MONEY THROUGH THE SHUTTERED VENUE OPERATORS GRANTS HAS BEEN COMING THROUGH.

SOME OF THE THEATERS GOT A GOOD INFUSION OF FEDERAL CASH DESIGNED TO A SWAGE THEIR LOSSES DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

WE ARE SEEING SOME VENUES AND THEATERS AND MUSIC CLUBS GETTING GRANTS IN THE ORDER OF FIVE, SIX MILLION WHICH IS A LOT OF MONEY.

AND I THINK THAT IS A GAME-CHANGER.

BECAUSE THAT IS GOING TO ALLOW THEM TO REOPEN AND TO RESTART THE PRODUCTION COSTS.

AND SO THERE'S DEFINITELY BEEN A SHIFT FINANCIALLY.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY THIS WAS SO DEVASTATING TO A LOT OF ARTS ORGANIZATIONS BECAUSE THEY LOST ALL THEIR INCOME.

ESPECIALLY THE COMMERCIAL OPERATORS.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE NOW THE CHANCE TO REBOOT.

I THINK AS I SAID, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WONDERING IS THIS WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO IN MY LIFE?

AND ARE WE DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY?

PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO GO BACK.

THEY WANT TO GO FORWARD THEY WANT CHANGE AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE AN INTERESTING TRANSITION, YOU MIGHT SAY, BACK INTO RECOVERY.

>> AND SPEAKING OF TRANSITION, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WENT TO REBOOT HIS SHOW ON BROADWAY THAT YOU SAW.

WHAT WAS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE?

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS INDICATIVE HOW NOTHING IS THE SAME AS IT WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

BRUCE DID THAT SHOW IN 2017.

AND HE IS NOW 71 YEARS OLD.

HIS MOM HAS ALZHEIMER'S HE TALKED ABOUT THAT AND HIS DAD PASSED AWAY.

HE IS VERY MUCH ABOUT THE LOSS OF HIS PARENTS.

YOU MIGHT THING IS STRANGE FOR A BRUCE SPRING TEEN SHOW AND HE IS FOUR YEARS OLDER AND CLEARLY IN THE PANDEMIC THINKING ABOUT THESE THINGS.

THE SHOW HAS BECOME DEEPER AND MORE MOVING.

AND HE'S MORE VULNERABLE THAN I'VE SEEN HIM BEFORE.

TWO THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT IN THE ARTS: ONE IS PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WANT TO FEEL MORE DEEPLY.

BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE TO PROCESS ALL OF THE LOSSES THAT SO MANY OF US HAVE BEEN THROUGH.

THEN THE OTHER THING IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT IS WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED.

SITTING IN THE THEATRE HEARING BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN I MIGHT HAVE TAKEN THAT FOR GRANTED BUT NOT ANYMORE.

IT'S MOST GLORIOUS IN THE WORLD.

>> AND THERE WERE ANTI-VAX HECKLERS OUT THERE?

>> I TURNED THE CORNER OF THE BLOCK AND THERE WERE SEVERAL HUNDRED OF THEM.

AND THERE YOU HAVE THIS ISSUE GOING ON IN THE ARTS WHERE SOME PEOPLE ARE REQUIRING VACCINATIONS.

BROADWAY GENERALLY HAS SAID THAT YOU HAVE TO BE VACCINATED TO GO TO A SHOW.

SO THE SPRINGSTEEN SHOW HAD NO MASKS BUT A GUARANTEE THAT EVERYBODY WAS VACCINATED.

BUT THAT DOESN'T SIT WELL WITH SOME PEOPLE BECAUSE IT COLLIDES WITH THE SENSE OF INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AND IN CHICAGO WE ARE NOT SEEING AS MUCH OF THAT YET, ANYWAY.

THAT IS A BIG DECISION THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO MAKE AM I GOING TO REQUIRE VACATION?

AND HOW ARE PEOPLE GOING TO PROVE IT.

IN NEW YORK HAVE A 'NSYNC DIGITAL RECORD OF THE VACCINATIONS WE DON'T HAVE THAT IN ILLINOIS.

IT'S FAR MORE COMPLICATED.

>> WE HAVE TO SEE HOW THEATRE COMPANIES DEAL WITH THAT.

ALL RIGHT, CHRIS JONES THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND BEST OF LUCK TO YOU IN YOUR NEW ROLE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL IS CALLED FOR FRIDAY FIND OUT WHY WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

SO STAY WITH US.

>> AN EMERGENCY CITY COUNCIL MEETING CALLED FOR FRIDAY AS ALDERPEOPLE PUSH MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT AND POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN TO TAKE ADDITIONAL STEPS TO REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME.

THE STATE OF ILLINOIS' CREDIT OUTLOOK GOT ROSIER.

A LANDMARK CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL GOES INTO EFFECT AND THE SPREAD OF THE DELTA VARIANT PROMPTS QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER MASK MANDATES AND COVID RESTRICTIONS SHOULD RETURN.

A LOT TO GET TO.

WELCOME BACK.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM OF AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

HEATHER LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE, HOW DID THIS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING COME TOGETHER?

>> WELL, 19 ALDERMEN SIGNED A LETTER CALLING A CITY COUNCIL MEETING THAT IS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN THE THREE ALDERMEN STATE LAW REQUIRES FOR THIS EMERGENCY MEETING.

AND THEY WANT ANSWERS FROM SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN ABOUT HOW HE PLANS TO TAMP DOWN VIOLENT CRIME DURING THE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND JUST AROUND THE CORNER AND IS TYPICALLY ONE OF THE MOST VIOLENT WEEKENDS IN CHICAGO.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT DID NOT WANT A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

SHE SAYS THE ALDERMEN HAVE BEEN FULLY BRIEFED ON THE PLAN IF THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON THAT IS UP TO THEM.

AND SHE PUT OUT A BLISTERING STATEMENT ACCUSING THE ALDERMEN WHO FORCED THE MEETING OF USING PUBLIC SAFETY AS A QUOTE POLITICAL WEDGE ISSUE.

AND WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT THAT IS THAT MANY OF THOSE ALDERMEN WHO SIGNED ON TO THE CALL FOR THE MEETING ARE AMONG HER CLOSEST ALLIES ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

TENSIONS ARE CERTAINLY RUNNING HIGH.

>> AND THIS COMES AS THE MAYOR AND ALDERPEOPLE CONTINUE TO SPAR PUBLICLY INCLUDING THAT HIGH PROFILE SHOWDOWN BETWEEN LIGHTFOOT AND JEANETTE TAYLOR LAST WEEK IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

HERE IS MAYOR LIGHTFOOT YESTERDAY ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT".

>> I THINK THAT WE HAVE VERY STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH A GOOD WORKING MAJORITY OF THE ALDERMEN.

PROCEDURALLY, TWO PEOPLE CAN SHUTDOWN THE ENTIRE PROCESS.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, HISTORICALLY THAT HAS BEEN USED VERY SPARINGLY, BUT WE'RE SEEING IT BEING USED MORE BY PEOPLE WHO WANT TO TURN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS INTO SOME KIND OF STAGE PERFORMANCE RATHER THAN DOING THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE.

>> WE SHOULD MENTION WE ALSO HAD ALDERPERSON JEANETTE TAYLOR ON THE SHOW MONDAY NIGHT AS WELL.

PARIS, ALL THE TENSION IS FRAMED AS COUNCIL WARS 2.0.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT ON THE IMPORTANT CITY BUSINESS THAT HAS TO GET DONE AND THE PUBLIC IMAGE?

>> IT IS PROBABLY A MISNOMER TO CALL IT COUNCIL WARS 2.0 IT IS NOT LIKE THE BLOCK OF WHITE ALDERMEN IN THE 80s AND THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAYOR HAROLD WASHINGTON THIS IS A DIFFERENT DYNAMIC IN CITY COUNCIL.

AND WITH THE ALDERMEN CALLING THIS SPECIAL MEETING EVERYBODY WANTS TO LOOK LIKE THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT VIOLENCE.

AND WHAT CAN ALDERMEN DO?

THEY CAN CALL HEARINGS AND HAVE THE SUPERINTENDENT TESTIFY.

IT'S ALSO AS THE MAYOR SAID IT IS A POLITICAL CO-JULY THAT THEY CAN USE AGAINST THE MAYOR.

LOPEZ, AND JEANETTE TAYLOR AND ED BURKE WHO IS NOT A FAN OF THE CURRENT MAYOR.

AND THEY CAN CALL A MEETING LIKE THIS OVER HER OPPOSITION SAYING WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF YOU.

WE'RE [INAUDIBLE] AND SOME MIGHT SAY IT'S DEMOCRACY IN ACTION AND DEMOCRACY CAN BE MESSY.

I MEAN WHEN THERE IS A BIG LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE LIKE THE BUDGET THE MAYOR HAS AND DOESN'T HAVE 26 VOTES THAT IS WHEN WE'LL KNOW.

WE ARE NOT AT THAT POINT YET.

>> AMANDA THERE IS THIS ONGOING BATTLE OF WHAT IS KNOWN AS ADD MANIC PREROGATIVE PUT TO THE TEST LAST WEEK.

REMIND US WHAT IT IS.

>> ADD MANIC ALDERMANIC PREROGATIVE GIVES SWAY ON WHAT GOES ON IN THE WARDS THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO SIGN ON OR SIGN OFF ON THINGS LIKE WHAT CAME UP LAST WEEK WAS SIGNS IN THEIR WARDS.

A PART OF THE PLAN MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT WANTED TO MAKE IT THESE ARE THE RULES YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW PUT IT UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE ARM AND INSTEAD ALDERMEN SAID NO WE WANT TO KEEP THAT ABILITY TO DETERMINE WHEN THESE SIGNS CAN GO IN OUR WARDS AND WHEN THEY SHOULDN'T.

AND THIS IS A BIG DEAL FOR TWO REASONS: NUMBER ONE, THE MAYOR RAN ON ELIMINATING THAT ALDERMANIC PREROGATIVE BECAUSE IT'S BEEN ABUSED WITH SIGNS.

A BIG SIGN HERE REFERENCING PARIS JUST MENTIONED COUNCILMEMBER ED BURKE WHO, OF COURSE, IS FACING AN INDICTMENT FOR ALLEGEDLY NOT APPROVING SOME SIGNAGE BECAUSE HE WANTED INSTEAD MONEY TO BE KICKED BACK TO HIS LAW FIRM.

>> AND HEATHER WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE PANDEMIC GROWING CONCERNS OVER THE COVID-19 DELTA VARIANT.

NOW, THE W.H.O., WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION NOW RECOMMENDING THAT EVEN FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE WEAR MASKS INDOORS.

BUT THE CITY'S TOP DOCTOR SAYS IT IS NOT NECESSARILY NECESSARY IN CHICAGO.

HOW SHOULD WE MAKE SENSE OF THIS LATEST MESSAGING?

>> WELL, THE CITY'S HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN IN LOCK STEP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS WITH THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION AND THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION SAY LOOK THE DELTA VARIANT IS CERTAINLY VERY CONCERNING IT WAS THE VARIANT FIRST DISCOVERED IN INDIA THAT HELPED FUEL THE HUGE RISE IN CASES THERE.

ALL OF THE VACCINES THAT ARE OFFERED THE PFIZER, MODERNA, AND JOHNSON & JOHNSON APPEAR TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY EFFECTIVE IN STOPPING IT.

PEOPLE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED, TWO WEEKS POST THE FINAL DOSE ARE PROTECTED FROM THE DELTA VARIANT.

THAT IS WHY THOSE PEOPLE DON'T NEED TO WEAR MASKS.

IF YOU ARE NOT FULLY VACCINATED ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS YOU SHOULD BE WEARING MASKS AND EVERYBODY SHOULD BE WEARING MASKS IN SOME SETTINGS LIKE HOSPITALS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

THE CITY IS FOLLOWING THE FEDERAL GUIDANCE, THE WORLDWIDE GUIDANCE HAS CHANGED A LITTLE BIT BUT BECAUSE AMERICA IS SO MUCH MORE VACCINATED THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY, THE IT IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT HERE ON THE GROUND.

>> MOVING OVER TO STATE BUSINESS.

THIS WEEK MOODY'S UPGRADED ILLINOIS' CREDIT RATING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

HERE IS GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER TALKING ABOUT THE STATE'S FINANCES.

>> AID FROM CONGRESS WAS NOT USED TO BALANCE THE BUDGET IN 2022.

THAT IS A FALLACY.

WHOEVER IS SAYING THAT HAS GOT IT WRONG.

THE TRUTH IS WE HAD BOTH INCREASED REVENUE FROM ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE STATE THAT WE DIDN'T EXPECT.

I THINK NOBODY EXPECTED THE KIND OF UPSURGE OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THAT WE HAD THAT IS PART OF IT.

AND THE OTHER IS WE HELD THE LINE ON SPENDING.

THAT IS HUGELY IMPORTANT.

MOSTLY FLAT SPENDING ACROSS STATE GOVERNMENT OTHER THAN EDUCATION VITAL SOCIAL SERVICES.

>> AMANDA HOW BIG OF A DEAL IS THIS CREDIT UPGRADE FROM MOODY'S?

>> IT IS A BIG DEAL CONSIDERING ILLINOIS HAD BEEN ON THE BRINK HAD IT GONE IN THE OTHER DIRECTION ON REACHING BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE STATUS.

ILLINOIS HAS BEEN THE LOWEST CREDIT RATED STATE OF ANYWHERE IN THE NATION.

THIS IS A BIG FIRST TIME IN 23 YEARS.

THE LAST TIME INSTEAD ILLINOIS HAS SEEN DOZENS OF DOWNGRADES.

THE LAST TIME THERE WAS AN UPGRADE WHICH SHOULD SAVE TAXPAYERS MONEY IS BACK WHEN GEORGE RYAN WAS GOVERNOR AND THE BULLS WON A CHAMPIONSHIP.

AND SO, THIS IS TRULY VERY SIGNIFICANT.

THAT SAID, ILLINOIS NOT OUT OF THE WOODS.

ILLINOIS STILL HAS A RELATIVELY LOW CREDIT RATING COMPARED TO OTHER STATES AND WHILE THE STATE WAS RECOGNIZED FOR BEING PRUDENT MOODY'S POINTED OUT THAT IF LEGISLATORS HAVE A TEMPTATION TO SKIP A PENSION PAYMENT WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HAD PROPOSED DURING HIS TENURE, THAT GIVING 140 BILLION UNFUNDED PENSION LIABILITY THAT ILLINOIS COULD SEE THINGS GO BACK DOWN AGAIN.

>> GEORGE RYAN WAS GOVERNOR AND THE BULLS WERE REALLY GOOD A LONGTIME AGO.

WE'VE HEARD FOR SO MANY YEARS ABOUT ILLINOIS' BELEAGUERED FINANCES IS THE STATE TURNING A CORNER?

>> I THINK THE BULLS WILL BE GOOD AGAIN, TOO.

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.

YEAH, AS AMANDA SAID IT'S SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF BUT NOT TO BE THE DEBBIE DOWNER HERE.

THE PENSION LIABILITY IS 140 BILLION OR 200 BILLION.

AND THE STATE PUT 7 BILLION A YEAR ABOUT 30% OF ITS BUDGET AND IT BARELY MAKES A DENT IN THAT BELIEVE LIABILITY.

AS THE CREDIT RATING AGENCIES POINTED OUTDO NOT EXPECT THE RATINGS TO GO UP UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT PENSIONS WHETHER IT BE MORE TAX REVENUE DEDICATED TO PAYING DOWN THE LIABILITIES?

OR DOING SOME REFORM THAT IS WITHIN CONSTITUTIONAL BOUNDS WHICH DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THERE IS ANY OR STRETCHING OUT HOW LONG IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO PAY OFF THOSE LIABILITIES.

RIGHT NOW 30 YEARS, 40 YEARS, MAYBE IT HAS TO BE 50 YEARS.

BUT BEYOND THAT THE STATE STILL HAS IF NOT THE WORST ONE OF THE WORST PENSION LIABILITY SITUATIONS IN THE COUNTRY.

AND SO IT CAN BALANCE A BUDGET FROM YEAR TO YEAR BUT THAT LONG-TERM CLOUD LOOMS.

>> THE 2022 ILLINOIS PRIMARY THAT IS EXACTLY ONE YEAR AWAY AFTER LEGISLATORS MOVED IT TO JUNE STARTING NEXT YEAR.

HEATHER WHY THIS MOVE?

AND WHAT IS THE POLITICAL FALLOUT GOING TO BE HERE?

>> WELL, THE SIMPLE ANSWER IS THAT THE CENSUS IS LATE AND THAT THE NEW CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS WON'T BE READY FOR PEOPLE TO PULL PAPERS AND GET THEIR CAMPAIGNS IN GEAR.

EVERYBODY DECIDED TO JUST PUSH IT BACK AND LET THAT CENSUS DATA FLOW IN WE EXPECT IT IN MID-AUGUST A LITTLE BIT LESS OR A LITTLE BIT MORE.

THAT WILL ALLOW PEOPLE TO GET GOING.

IT'S JUST TO GIVE EVERYBODY BREATHING ROOM AS THE CENSUS WAS DELAYED BY FIRST THE PANDEMIC AND THEN COURT CHALLENGES BROUGHT BY FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

>> AMANDA WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S RACE?

>> YEAH, IT'S GOING TO BE TIME FOR HIM TO MAKE A DECLARATION SOON.

WHEN HE WAS LAST ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" WE ASKED HIM ARE YOU PLANNING TO RUN AGAIN?

AND HE SAID YOU I HAVEN'T DECIDED I HAVE TO HAVE SERIOUS TALKS WITH MY FAMILY.

THAT SAID, HE HAD PUT $35 MILLION WHICH TO HIM MAY NOT BE THAT MUCH, BUT THAT A HEFTY CHUNK OF CHANGE WHEN IT COMES TO SPENDING ON ADS AND WHAT HAVE YOU FOR A CAMPAIGN IT CERTAINLY SEEMS AS IF HE IS GEARING UP AND WHAT A TIZZY IT WOULD BE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IF THAT THIS POINT HE WERE TO BACK OUT.

I'M EXPECTING HE WILL BE NEEDING TO MAKE PUBLIC DECISION SOMETIME SOON.

BUT ALL THE BETS ARE THAT THAT IS JUST HE DIDN'T WANT TO SAY THAT HE WAS RUNNING PUBLICLY AND THAT WE WILL GET THAT DELAY IN THE PRIMARY DATE GAVE HIM BREATHING ROOM.

>> IN WASHINGTON D.C. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TODAY FORMED A COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE JANUARY 6TH INSURRECTION AT THE CAPITOL BUT GETTING TWO VOTES FROM REPUBLICANS.

LIZ CHENEY AND ADAM KINZINGER.

WHAT DO YOU THINK KINZINGER'S CALCULUS IS HERE?

HE HAS BEEN A FREQUENT TRUMP CRITIC AND FLOATED AS A CANDIDATE FOR STATE-WIDE OFFICE.

>> THE HOUSE SPEAKER GETS TO APPOINT 8 MEMBERS IF THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER KEVIN McCARTHY WANTS TO GO ALONG WITH IT GETS APPOINT FIVE.

THE FACT THAT ONLY TWO HOUSE REPUBLICANS VOTED FOR THE COMMITTEE TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT HAPPENED WHEN DEMOCRACY WAS THEIR LIVES WERE UNDER THREAT.

IT'S STAGGERING AND IT TELLS ME THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER PROBABLY WON'T WANT TO BE PART OF THIS.

IS WOULD MAKE SENSE TO PUT A REPUBLICAN KINZINGER ON A COMMISSION TO GIVE IT THE CREDIBILITY OF BIPARTISANSHIP.

WHATEVER THEY COME UP WITH CAN'T BE DISMISSED AS A PARTISAN WITCH HUNT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

AND CONGRESSMAN KINZINGER HAS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN DOING SOMETHING LIKE AND LIZ CHENEY IN WYOMING.

I THINK THEY HAVE GONE FOR BROKE HERE.

THEY ARE THE HOLD OUTS IN THEIR PARTY SAYING WE NEED TO RID THE PARTY OF THE LIES AND RID THE PARTY OF THE EXTREMISM AND MOVE ON FROM DONALD TRUMP.

AND CLEARLY, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PARTY IS NOT WITH THEM.

HOW DOES THAT IMPACT THEIR POLITICAL CAREERS?

I DON'T KNOW.

IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF ONE OF THEM IF NOT BOTH OF THEM GETS PUT ON THAT COMMISSION.

>> HEATHER CIRCLING BACK TO CITY NEWS, IT'S BEEN FOUR YEARS SINCE CHICAGO'S POLICE UNION'S CONTRACT EXPIRED WITH THE CITY.

HOW HAS THAT IMPACTED POLICING IN THE CITY?

IS THERE ANY SIGNS THE TWO SIDES WILL BE ABLE TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT SOON?

>> NOPE, THERE IS NO DEAL IN SIGHT IT EXPIRED FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY THE LARGEST CONTRACT NEGOTIATION NOW IN THE CITY'S HISTORY.

AND THE ISSUE IS TWO FOLD.

THE CITY WANTS REFORMS AND THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE DOES NOT WANT REFORMS.

BOTH SIDES ARE DUG IN.

AND EVEN THOUGH THE CITY IS PREPARED TO GIVE OFFICERS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RETROACTIVE PAY TO MAKEUP FOR PAY RAISES THEY HAVE MISSED, THERE SEEMS TO BE NO WAY IN SIGHT TO BREAK THE LOGJAM BECAUSE THE MAYOR WILL NOT ENDORSE A DEAL THAT DOES NOT HAVE REFORMS AND THE UNION WILL NOT.

>> THIS IS THE HOLD PUT ON BY THE MEASURE'S SPONSOR WHILE SOMETIMES CAN YOU PLAY TRICKS AND SOMEBODY AGAINST THE BILL WILL USE THIS TO PREVENT THIS FROM COMING LAW.

IT COMES AFTER STATE REPRESENTATIVE DELIA RAMIREZ MET WITH LORI LIGHTFOOT NOT A LOT OF NEWS.

I DON'T THINK EITHER SIDE IS BUDGING IT'S GOING TO THE GOVERNOR WHO SAID HE WILL SIGN IT.

C.P.S.

ON THE WAY TO AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.

>> MORE TO TALK ABOUT ON THE NEXT SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

THANKS TO AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

AND YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE STORIES DISCUSSED TONIGHT BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND A NOTE BEFORE WE GO.

A LONGTIME MEMBER OF THE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" AND WTTW FAMILY IS TRANSITIONING AWAY FROM FULL-TIME WORK TODAY AFTER 45 YEARS.

MICHELLE McKENZIE VOIGHT CAME TO WTTW IN 1975 AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND MOVED THROUGH A WIDE VARIETY OF POSITIONS.

YOU MAY HAVE SEEN HER ON OUR AUCTION OR PLEDGE BREAKS SHE WAS AN ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR THIS PROGRAM FROM THE DAY IT WENT ON AIR IN 1984 UNTIL 2010 WHEN SHE BECAME MANAGER OF PRODUCTION SCHEDULING.

SHE HAS BEEN DUBBED THE SWISS ARMY KNIFE OF WTTW TRUE STORY FOR HER VERSATILITY INCLUDES BEING THE STATION'S GRANDMA GURU AND SHE WILL BE SPENDING MORE TIME WITH HER HUSBAND OF 42 YEARS, DON VOIGHT, AND SON AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AND NEW GRANDSON.

MICHELLE YOU HAVE BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PROGRAMMING FROM THE BEGINNING.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE AND ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT.

LOTS OF BABY SNUGGLES I WISH FOR YOU.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOUR GRANDBABY IS GOING TO SEE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND MILITIA VEL IS A WONDERFUL THEATRE ACTOR THAT HAS PERFORMED IN VENUES AROUND TOWN AND SHE CERTAIN SLI IS A LEGEND HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

AND I KNOW FULL WELL THAT IF ANYTHING I SAY RIGHT NOW IS GRAMATICLY INCORRECT AND I WILL HEAR ABOUT IT AND I'M THANKFUL FOR THAT.

>> I HEARD ABOUT A HOLIDAY PARTY WHERE THE TWO OF YOU SANG A DUET.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YouTube AND OUR WEBSITE.

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

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

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES.