>> Hello and thanks for joining us on Chicago Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

Data centers and hotter weather are driving up.

Electricity costs in Chicago, the CEO of Electric utility ComEd joins us.

>> And it's going to be a beacon of hope to the world.

>> A first look inside the Obama presidential center as it set to open to the public in just 2 weeks.

>> Chicago's tall buildings keep it safe from tornadoes.

Think again.

Dorothy.

>> that's right.

The danger of tornadoes isn't confined to Kansas.

Our latest edition of WT Tw News explains blows into bust some tornado MS.

First off tonight, the doors to the much anticipated Obama presidential center are just about to open.

And we got a sneak peek.

>> Inside the eight-story tower that holds the museum itself.

Visitors with timed entry.

Tickets will get first a history lesson of one of the country of the country's journey from its foundation through pivotal movements that all led to the nation's first black president.

They'll see artifacts and memorabilia from the Obamas early years.

The campaign trail, the Obama family's life in the White House and both his successes and shortcomings as a president as part of the bid process more than 10 years ago, a joint venture of for black owned companies came together to form the Lakeside Alliance, which was selected as the builder for the center members of the Alliance shared with the journey has meant for them.

>> We had a seat at the table.

We work to create opportunity and seats at other tables.

For those who typically do not have them.

The contracting approach that we had on this project was different from the beginning.

And we also set about to have a workforce that was inclusive of the city of Chicago.

Residents of the south and West side and the local community.

>> In addition to the museum itself, the nearly 20 acre, 850 million Dollar campus includes multiple areas open to the public, a community and civic space, a brand-new Chicago Public Library branch, a multipurpose athletic and event facility.

Dozens of garden beds with local plants and a whimsical playground for the kiddos.

The center expects 750 billion 2 million visitors annually.

We'll have more on the center's upcoming opening later in the show.

Chicago saw its fewest may homicides in decades last month.

The Chicago Police Department says 36 people were killed last month.

That's the lowest total in since 2007 last month.

Also marks Chicago's first homicide Free Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Reportedly for the first time in at least a decade.

But homicides are up 6% in the first 5 months of 2026. compared to the same time last year.

School is out for Chicago.

Public school students, but the district's top educators, CEO Macklin King is reminding parents there are still plenty of learning opportunities for young people over the summer.

If you can convince them the Chicago Public Library is running its annual reading program summer at CPL.

Students can visit the CPS website for some STEM activities and for bigger kids, Chicago Youth works formally one summer.

Chicago is putting some young folks to work with an anticipated 29,000 jobs and internships.

One on one with the leader of ComEd.

He joins us right after this.

>> Chicago tonight is made possible in part by the Alexander and John Nichols family.

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> As the temperature climbs, your electric bill likely will too.

Commonwealth Edison, Chicago's primary electricity distributor has announced that city residents monthly bills will increase beginning June 1st, the utility points to higher energy supply.

Clock costs increased demand from data centers and strain on the nation's largest power grid.

As key reasons for the increase come its CEO.

Guilt in Eunice joins us now to explain some of that and more welcome.

Thank you for joining us.

Thank you for having me.

calm announced in May, of course, that it is expecting monthly electricity prices to rise for consumers beginning June first.

So couple days ago, how much more per month can Chicagoans expect to see their bills about 2 or $3 per month.

And it's really because of the.

PJM interconnection supply costs.

This is the >> great operator that controls power markets.

And we passed that supply costs to our customers without any markup.

>> Okay.

ComEd also announced a snoo small business Customer affordability initiative today.

Tell us about that yet this morning we were at the Chicago Urban League and we announced our small biz small and medium-sized business customer relief fund.

This is really to help customers who are late.

A small businesses who are late in paying their electric bills to ease the burden, especially now in the summertime.

When air conditioning uses.

It says much more than that other normal times white what will feel is important to to focus on small businesses, small and medium-sized businesses where we last year we did for residential customers.

So we had a 10 million customer relief fund for residential customers last year.

And then we instituted a low-income discount rate.

This is an income base discount rate for families up to 300% of the federal poverty level.

So this year we thought that it would be wise to add customer relief fund for small and medium-sized businesses.

They are the anchors of our community.

They create a lot of the jobs and and provide the tax base for our communities.

And it's very, very important, especially at this time.

What affordability an issue for us to step in and try and help is that in addition to that same program for consumers again this year, or is just a matter of can help everybody?

Every?

Yeah.

So this is a separate fund.

2 and half million specifically for small and medium-sized businesses.

And it's also not the only program that we would like to offer them.

We have energy efficiency programs, solar energy, battery storage, things that can really help our customers save on their bills.

Not only this summer, but ongoing.

you know, I said exactly okay.

So another huge factor, of course, that we've all been talking about.

This driving across is data centers.

The demand for the centers has skyrocketed with the use of AI quite a lot of electricity has come it approaching in energy demand created by these data centers we're making sure that data centers are paying their fair share.

We introduce a tariff.

It was approved.

>> By the Illinois Commerce Commission to make sure that the costs imposed by data centers on our transmission and distribution system is paid for by those data centers to make sure that those extra costs are not passed through are the rest of our customers.

There's been some legislation floating around.

Springfield did not pass in this previous legislative session that would regulate data centers.

That was the power Act.

>> Lawmakers say would prevent tech companies from shifting those energy costs on to consumers.

Just comment support the Power Act.

Well, we support responsible development of data centers.

First, we want to make sure there are no cost shifting.

We also support that it should be it should limit its impact on the environment.

Water use noise, cetera.

So I think you'll see a lot more >> initiatives, whether it's the legislation or through executive action to make sure that data centers that are developing a responsible way.

>> that possible on the is is some of the price that consumers are seeing in our pay?

Is that not also based on sort the speculation, right?

The anticipation more data centers that are expected to hopes to come online and they may or may not materialize.

So it's really a matter of supply and demand.

You're right.

There is a forecast on what will be connected to the grid.

Some of them may happen.

Some of them may not.

That's the reason why we created this new tariff.

>> And we require data centers.

The post financial security to make sure that if their applications or their plans don't happen.

U.S.

planned that those costs are not transfer to the rest of the rate payers.

So in an order issued in March, the Illinois Commerce Commission wrote, quote, The cumulative maximum demand or request to serve new large load projects that are already in the application process is nearly 1.2 times greater.

>> Then the highest demand comment has ever needed to serve those lowered load large load projects, of course, referring mainly to data centers is come in ready to meet this demand going forward.

Yes.

And then the way we're doing this is we want to make sure that.

Those application that you cited are all of the projects that we have in the pipeline.

Most likely not all of them are going to happen the tariffs that were requiring the financial security that we're imposing the higher application fees that we are asking from this data centers.

I think we'll really flush out those that are speculative and will only be processing the real ones.

And I believe that if we do that, we should be able to meet the needs specially if the supply and demand imbalances resolve by PJM so come its franchise agreement with the city of Chicago.

It expired back in December 2020 know this is the deal that has been in place due to its remains in place to the automatic extensions that are baked into the agreement.

>> But the new deal would give the city more leeway to transition to clean cleaner energy.

This deal was initially in 1992, so is what's the hold up?

Is there a plan to a new franchise deal?

Well, said the existing agreement in place.

>> I don't think we need an agreement to transition in Chicago to to a you know, clean, transitional, clean energy.

We're already doing that.

But if and when the city's ready to look at that, a renewal of that agreement will be happy to engage with them.

Ok, have there been any conversations?

I think not recently, OK?

So you haven't heard from the mayor's office, for example, or anyone not not recently recently, OK, we know that also come it is still dealing with the fallout from the corruption scandal in which former CEO and Promise your E and other company executives were.

>> Found to have bribed former House Speaker Michael Madigan to secure favorable legislation.

Promissory is awaiting a new trial.

It should be said what steps has taken over the years to rebuild trust with customers?

Well, we really have been instituting a lot of reforms over the last 5, 6 years.

And we operate at the highest level of standard of standards of integrity and ethics.

And, you know, that is, you know, those are things that are on the rearview mirror at this point for us in the rearview mirror.

And I mean, is there anything community things that you might be steps that you all might be taking to.

Well, in short it comes to the customers some review, absolutely all of our policies and procedures have been reformed and we are everything that we are duty.

We're making sure that it's all within the regular regulations and the rules.

>> the state and of the city.

Okay.

Comment CEO go Eunice, thank you so much for joining us.

We thank you for having me to see gray shaded.

>> Up next, mounting excitement for the opening of the Obama center.

>> After >> nearly 5 years of construction, the Obama presidential center is now just 2 weeks away from its grand opening, the sprawling Jackson Park campus features basketball courts gardens a branch of the Chicago Public Library and an 8 story museum.

Here's former President Barack Obama talking about his vision for the center.

>> Our goal.

>> It's not to.

And just create a watching to to my presidency, but rather to it described for anybody who visits.

>> How?

>> Michelle and and so many other stood on the shoulders of those who had fought the good fight before us.

Hopefully that and then inspire.

A new generation activists.

We want them.

Go Exhibits stories of.

My presidency and this is a part of me.

This belongs to >> And here to share their reaction to the center's opening.

Are Chicago Public Library Commissioner Chris Brown and Cheryl Durst executive vice president and CEO of the International Interior Design Association.

She was also designated a changemaker by the Obama presidential center.

We're going to get into what that means that a little bit.

Welcome to you both.

Thanks for joining us.

Thanks so you know, what about the center?

Are you most looking forward to commissioner you first?

>> Well, I'm a little biased.

We 80 second branch of the Chicago Public Library.

>> And it's gorgeous.

Said future presidential reading room on top of it is the Eleanor Roosevelt Gardens.

So we'll have a partnership with them see We're really thrilled open this new first of its kind public library presidential center.

Cheryl.

>> I'm unabashed library lover.

I over the library portion.

But building itself is really a testament to the service of the Obamas.

It isn't credible art collection.

It speaks to those who access the space.

It's not an altar it is immediately accessible.

It is a testament to great storytelling.

It is a testament to words and how we use words, the power of words, the power of art and the power of place.

You know, to that point, because you've mentioned this, you know, the president also, we just heard him say it's not intended to be a monument.

You said it's it's not intended to be an altar.

>> You know, it's an 850 million dollar campus.

There's a lot happening there.

And some critics as of late have said that, you know, some has been presidential libraries have turned into that.

They turned into monuments to the former president, whoever he might be.

Commissioner, you're the library man.

What do you believe to be the function of a presidential library is why?

I think redefined.

It's not just a a collection of our cause related to the administration.

A lot of it.

>> Is space for the community.

You mentioned the incredible public art that's accessible all around the campus.

There's and incredible playspace area that is gorge is that my 3 and a half year old loves think it's incredible that when thinking about a library they put a public library forward for this community as opposed just something for the administration.

Yeah.

>> The lower level of the presidential center which often in museums and public spaces, that lower level is often forgotten.

This feels like a living room.

And it is accessible by the community.

There's a podcasting studio, a music studio, their places to work and study almost like a co-working space.

And so the word that I keep coming back to is it is so immediately accessible to visitors into the community.

>> The center is is emphasizing is that digital.

A presidential archive calling President Obama the first digital president commissioner.

How does that sort of change the way people access history as compared to traditional Well, I a lot of this material is now available online.

And so I think it's exciting to we envision like what is a lot of credit President center then?

Look, mentioned the fact that there's a public library that space and there's also the president's reading room.

So it's in our branch library, but it's 3,000 books that have been selected by the Obamas that speak to their role as readers the importance of literary art in their You know, political memoirs and also weighed their favorite vials in that space and just touches that reflect their ministry and the use of audio and video, right?

It's it's history seen through the lens of technology.

So really leveraging technology to tell their story, but also tell the story of community activism as well.

>> Cheryl, you're a featured changemaker in an interactive exhibit at the center called Imagine Your Impact.

And I was just there yesterday so that didn't see you.

But that part of the exhibit, I think it's towards the end has a feel for you to be represented there.

And and what is the the intent of part of exhibit such an incredible honor.

The Obama Foundation chose some.

35 people across the country who are enacting local change.

And that's really what what is really focused on at the Museum ordinary people.

>> Doing perhaps extraordinary things to make change in their community.

And so the area that I'm in is around inclusivity and making the profession that I represent design which often isn't seen as something that is accessible to all making design accessible to diverse communities.

Tell me more about that.

How do you do that?

Through the International to Redesign Association, we have a program called design your world targeted kids in high school.

We started in Chicago in 2020 with now spread to other cities.

But essentially it's a high school program.

I dislike the word pipeline, it's a pathways program.

Introducing kids from under-resourced areas who may have not seen their role in designer.

See design.

design is a luxury and design is a necessity for all of us.

And this is taking design as a career choice and putting it right in front of kids.

That's why we call it design your world.

So were giving kids access to design in their own neighborhoods.

And what can you tell us about what exhibit looks like?

The exhibit in the museum?

It's a series of changemakers and were all displayed on a kiosk and we're telling our personal stories about professions about our occupations, how we're bringing change to the world.

And so you can find the chaos on the 5th You gotta go to the library.

Did want to see commissioner.

There was effort earlier last year to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

This is the federal agency that funds.

>> The nations libraries are provides funding to the nation's libraries.

The Trump administration is again proposing to eliminate it in this year's budget for the ILS.

What what does it mean to you that the center is choosing to to emphasize reading and literacy this way?

>> We need to see our leaders and our, you know, are thought leaders and our civic leaders and our politicians and and our presidents promoting reading promoting culture, promoting our stories.

And so I think it means a great deal to have someone in the highest books are important.

We here in reading is important and my friends are important.

Cheryl, what does it mean to have the presidential center, especially one of this scale located on the south side of Chicago?

I think it's essential to Chicago and essential to the South side.

dries much-needed positive attention to a part of the city that doesn't always get positive attention.

>> I think it will be a show piece.

It will draw people from all over the world.

2, Chicago were already a world class city, but this is just adding adding to that aspect of Chicago.

very exciting to you you have tickets yet >> have already banned the of like going to work.

branch or you have to go multiple.

Surely the 2 of, you know, a guy.

Thanks to you both for joining us.

We appreciate it.

Chicago Public Library Commissioner Chris Brown and Cheryl Durst.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Up next, why an old adage about Chicago weather is a myth.

Among the many issues facing Chicago, tornadoes aren't on the list right?

Think again in tonight's edition of WT Tw News explains, Patty Wet Lee follows the yellow Brick road to clear up some of the myths surrounding the city.

And this weather phenomenon.

>> Toto, is possible?

I heard Chicago's tall buildings, keep it safe from tornadoes.

Think again, Dorothy.

No one knows when or how this myth about Chicago in tornado started.

But Mister Tornado himself flat out Mister could put the and its skyscrapers whose mister Tornado.

That would be the Lake University of Chicago.

Scientists tend Jeter.

Why should we believe him?

Well, this scale that rates for NATO intensity from EF 0 to 5 is literally named after him.

is for Tornadoes not only can touch down in Chicago.

They do.

So.

What else are we getting wrong about twisters for starters, the term tornado season is kind of misleading.

Well, it's true that most of the tornadoes recorded Illinois have hit between April June.

They've also struck the state every other month of the year and tornado alley.

That's another misconception.

Tornadoes have touched down all 50 states.

Twisters can form anywhere at any time.

That's what makes tornado so dangerous.

They're wildly unpredictable.

need is the perfect storm of weather conditions starting with the clash dry, cold air with warm, moist air.

This is the kind of atmospheric instability that produces thunderstorms now, not every thunderstorms spawned tornado, but sometimes and scientists don't fully understand why these conflicting currents starts inside underclass.

And if this final drops down from the cloud and touches the ground, it's a tornado Wiens inside.

Tornadoes have been measured at more than 300 miles per hour.

And even weakest twister can pack wallop with winds of 80 miles per hour.

It's jails in the debris they send line that caused so much damage, not a change in air pressure.

That's another myth.

Thanks to advanced technology, meteorologists are getting better at predicting when tornadoes might occur and warning people to take cover.

>> Air sirens were first used for tornado warnings in the 1970's.

Chicago has 112 of positioned every couple of miles across the city.

>> When they start wailing, that's door get indoors.

>> Because getting caught in a tornado is with good experience.

>> And now, you know, you can see more of our W T Tw News explains series at W T Tw Dot com Slash explains.

And that's our show for this Thursday night.

Be sure to sign up for our free e-mail newsletters.

The Daily Chicago in and urban nature at W T Tw Dot Com Slash newsletter and join us tomorrow night at 5.37, for the weekend review.

Now for all of us here in Chicago tonight and Bridges.

Friedman, thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe.

>> And have a good night.

>> caption is made possible why Robert, a cliff.

for Chicago personal injury and wrongful death that the needs