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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> A PREVIEW OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AS TENSIONS ARE HIGH IN UKRAINE.

>> MEANWHILE MORE THAN 500,000 REFUGEES HAVE FLED UKRAINE.

WE HAVE THE LATEST ON RUSSIA'S INVASION.

>> ANYONE IN A CAR IS A POTENTIAL VICTIM.

>> WASHINGTON TURNS ITS EYE TOWARDS THE SPIKE IN CARJACKINGS.

>> WE ARE NOW ON DAY TWO OF THE MASK REQUIREMENT BEING LIFTED.

>> A LOOK WHERE COVID-19 MITIGATIONS FROM THE STATE AND C.D.C.

STAND.

>> WE HAD 20 MISSILES AND 21 WARHEADS.

>> CHICAGO WAS ONCE HOME TO NEARLY TWO DOZEN NIKE MISSILE BASES WHAT THE SITES LOOK TODAY IN AN ALL NEW "ASK GEOFFREY".

>> MAYBE SOME DAY THEY WILL BE HISTORY.

>> A PODCAST SERIES EXPLORES THE LGBTQ ARCHIVES OF THE GERBER HART LIBRARY.

>> THE FEELINGS WILL BE LIKE LIKE [INAUDIBLE] >> IN TIME FOR FAT TUESDAY WHAT HAPPENS WHEN POLAND'S MOST FAMOUS PASTRY MEETS TROPICAL FLAVORS.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY RECEIVED A STANDING OVATION AFTER MAKING AN EMOTIONAL AUTO POLE TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT.

>> WE ARE FIGHTING FOR OUR RIGHTS, FOR OUR FREEDOMS FORKS OUR LIFE AND NOW WE'RE FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL.

SO DO PROVE THAT YOU ARE WITH US AND THEN LIFE WILL WIN OVER DEATH.

AND LIGHT WILL WIN OVER DARKNESS.

GLORY BE TO UKRAINE.

[APPLAUSE] >> AND THIS COMES A DAY AFTER ZELENSKYY ASKED FOR THE EUROPEAN TO ADMIT UKRAINE AS THE COUNTRY'S RESIST RUSSIA'S INVADING FORCES.

WE WILL HAVE MORE ON UKRAINE LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

>> ILLINOIS' TOP PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIAL ANNOUNCES SHE IS STEPPING DOWN.

DR. NGOZI EZIKE HAS LED THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR THREE YEARS AND BEEN THE PUBLIC FACE TO TO DELIVERING THE CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE DR. NGOZI EZIKE SAID SERVING IN THE ROLE HAS BEEN THE PINNACLE OF HER CAREER SO FAR.

>> I HAVE NO ANNOUNCEMENTS IN TERMS OF WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE.

THE NEXT STEPS ARE TO FINISH OUT THESE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS AND TRY TO EFFECT A SEAMLESS TRANSITION TO BE ABLE TO STEP AWAY FROM THE ROLE, TRY TO RECONNECT WITH SELF AND FAMILY AND JUST CATCH A BREATHER.

>> DR. NGOZI EZIKE'S LAST DAY IS MARCH FOURTEENTH.

THE CURRENT ASSISTANT DIRECTOR WILL SERVE AS INTERIM DIRECTOR WHILE THE SEARCH FOR A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT TAKES PLACE.

>> FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION ARNE DUNCAN WILL NOT BE RUNNING FOR MAYOR AGAINST LORI LIGHTFOOT.

DUNCAN WHO SERVED PRESIDENT OBAMA'S EDUCATION SECRETARY.

HE SAID QUOTE... DUNCAN RUNS CHICAGO CRED A NONPROFIT FOCUSED ON VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND HOMICIDES IN CHICAGO ARE ON PACE TO MATCH 2021.

ONE OF THE CITY'S DEADLIEST YEARS IN THE PAST QUARTER CENTURY.

THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT'S RECORDED 92 HOMICIDES IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 2022.

THAT IS ONE MORE THAN THE CITY RECORDED THROUGH THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 2021.

A YEAR THAT ENDED WITH NEARLY 800 HOMICIDES.

THE 43 HOMICIDES LAST MONTH TIED FOR THE THIRD HIGHEST TOTAL FOR ANY FEBRUARY IN CHICAGO IN THE PAST 25 YEARS.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SHOOTINGS RECORDED IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY WAS 331.

THAT IS DOWN 6% OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.

>> UP NEXT, WHAT WE MIGHT EXPECT IN PRESIDENT BIDEN'S FIRST STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> IN ABOUT AN HOUR PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS SET TO GIVE HIS FIRST STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS HE FACES AN APPROVAL RATING HOVERING AROUND 40% AND AMERICANS UPSET OVER RISING INFLATION DESPITE ECONOMIC GROWTH.

ALL THIS AMID THAT ONGOING CRISIS IN UKRAINE.

HOW WILL THE PRESIDENT ADDRESS THESE ISSUES AND CAN HE REVERSE THE PERCEPTIONS AS HIS PRESIDENCY AS DEMOCRATS BRACE FOR WHAT COULD BE A DIFFICULT MIDTERM ELECTION.

JOINING US WITH MORE, ARE JASON DESANTO, A POLITICAL SPEECHWRITER AND DEBATE STRATEGIST FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND A SENIOR LECTURER AT NORTHWESTERN'S SCHOOL OF LAW AND NORTHWESTERN'S SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION.

AND MICHAEL STEELE THE FORMER CHAIR OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE AND THE FORMER REPUBLICAN LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

JASON DESANTO HOW MUCH OF THIS SPEECH DO YOU THINK SHOULD FOCUS ON THE CRISIS IN UKRAINE?

AND WHAT TONE DO YOU EXPECT THE PRESIDENT TO STRIKE ON THAT?

>> A FAIR AMOUNT OF IT HAS TO FOCUS ON THE ISSUE AT HAND.

THESE ARE SPEECHES THAT TAKE PLACE AT ONE MOMENT IN TIME AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE PAST WHAT IS GOING TO COME IN THE FUTURE BUT RIGHT NOW AND THIS IS WHAT IS DOMINATING PEOPLE'S TELEVISION AND SOCIAL MEDIA IT IS THE BIG ISSUE A A LOT OF THE SPEECH SHOULD BE ABOUT IT.

THE TONE SHOULD BE SOBER.

IT RECOUNTS WHAT THE PRESIDENT AND THE ADMINISTRATION DONE.

THAT BUILDS CREDIBILITY FOR THE LEADERSHIP HE HAS PROVIDED AND OFFERS A BRIDGE INTO HOW THAT SAME LEADERSHIP IS A CONTRAST AT HOME AND ABROAD ON SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WILL BE PRESSING FOR PEOPLE IN TERMS OF THE ECONOMY.

>> AND MICHAEL STEELE SPEAKING OF THE ECONOMY, THE UKRAINE CRISIS MIFT EXACERBATE TENSIONS WITH INFLATION AND THE COST OF GAS.

>> THAT IS WHY I THINK IT BECOMES A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A CHALLENGE FOR THE PRESIDENT.

BECAUSE WHILE EVERYONE IS SORT OF FIXATED A LITTLE BIT ON THE REALITIES OF WHAT RUSSIA IS DOING, THAT IS NOT TRANSLATING INTO APPROVAL FOR THE PRESIDENT.

HIS HANDLING OF THIS CRISIS SO FAR IS NOT BUMPING HIS NUMBERS UP.

SO TO JASON'S POINT, WHILE IT'S IMPORTANT TO FOCUS ON THAT AND HE WILL HE HAS TO GET IT BACK TO THE KITCHEN TABLE.

HE HAS TO MAKE IT REAL.

I GO TO THE GROCERY STORE OR FILL UP MY CAR I'M GOING TO HAVE A REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE HE HAS TO MAKE THAT UNDERSTOOD BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT THIS IS A CULMINATION OF EVENTS, DOLLARS SPENT EARLY BEFORE HE SHOWED UP.

$8 TRILLION IN SPENDING TO DEAL WITH COVID AND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS.

AND NOW, THE PRESSURE OF THIS GLOBAL COMPLICATION IN UKRAINE ALL OF THIS IS HAVING AN IMPACT ON THEIR BOTTOM LINE AND HE HAS TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHAT HE HOPES TO DO ABOUT IT THROUGH HIS POLICIES AND THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR.

>> AND HAVING AN IMPACT ON HIS APPROVAL RATING WHICH IS HOVERING AROUND 40%.

JASON DESANTO, HISTORICALLY DOES THE STATE OF THE UNION IMPACT A PRESIDENT'S APPROVAL RATING?

>> IT CAN BECAUSE IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SPEAK FOR SOMETIMES TOO LONG A PERIOD OF TIME WITHOUT BEING INTERRUPTED TO GARNER A LARGE AUDIENCE AND IN OUR PARTICULAR ENVIRONMENT OUR COMMUNICATIONS ENVIRONMENT THAT IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY.

BUT BY THE SAKE TOMORROW EN THE -- TOKEN THE SPEECHES ARE SO LONG THE PEOPLE ARE NOT CONSUMING THEM.

IT IS NOT IN BITE SIZED PIECES.

BUT HE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY HERE.

HE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ABOUT ECONOMIC ISSUES AND THE POINT IS TO TELL THE STORY OF PROGRESS.

TO GO WHERE PEOPLE ARE.

YOU CANNOT CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE IN A GREAT ECONOMIC SITUATION RIGHT NOW.

BUT WHAT YOU CAN IDENTIFY FOR THEM IS THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME PROGRESS.

AND THERE ARE TANGIBLE PRACTICAL SPECIFIC PROPOSALS WHICH WILL HELP FURTHER.

AND I WOULD TAKE THE THINGS FROM THE MUCH LARGER KALEIDOSCOPE OF PROPOSALS WHICH HAVE BEEN OUT THERE AND TAKE THE ONES THAT ARE THE MOST MIDDLE CLASS.

THINGS IN CHILDCARE FOR EXAMPLE.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WILL RESONATE WITH PEOPLE.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, ALL OF THIS SHOULD BE WITHIN A FRAME OF DEMOCRACY.

AND THE FACT THAT THE POINT OF DEMOCRACY IS SO THAT MORE PEOPLE PROCESS SPECIAL THAN LESS.

PROSPER THAN LESS.

AND POWER AND OPPORTUNITY ARE WITH MANY AND NOT IN THE HANDS OF A FEW.

THE EVENTS IN UKRAINE PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THAT AND ALSO TO PROVIDE CONTRAST WITH WHAT IS GOING ON AT HOME.

INCLUDING IN THAT CHAMBER.

WE KNOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN A PARTY IS ENTHRALLED TO ONE PERSON SOMETHING THAT BIDEN WARNED ABOUT AND ROOSEVELT WARNED ABOUT ON THE EVE OF CONFLICT IN EUROPE BACK IN 1939 AND 1940.

>> AN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT DEMOCRACY IS THREATENED AROUND THE GLOBE BY ATHOR TEARIAN LEADERS LIKE VLADIMIR PUTIN.

MICHAEL STEELE TO THE G.O.P.

REBUTTAL HOW UNUSUAL IS IT TO SEE THREE DIFFERENT DEMOCRATS GIVING THEIR OWN REBUTTALS?

>> THAT IS THE NEW NORM AFTER THE SPEECH WHERE NOT JUST THE OPPOSITION FROM THE OTHER POLITICAL PARTY BUT OPPOSITION FROM WITHIN YOUR OWN POLITICAL PARTY DECIDES TO GO OUT THERE AND LAY DOWN WHAT THEY THINK THE PRESIDENT SHOULD HAVE SAID OR WHAT THE PRESIDENT SHOULD BE DOING.

YOU KNOW, LOOK, I KIND OF GET THAT IT MAKES SENSE.

ALTHOUGH TO BE HONEST WITH YOU I'M FROM THE OLD SCHOOL.

I SEND MY SPEECH UP TO THE CAPITAL AND CALL IT A DAY.

BECAUSE IN MANY RESPECTS THIS SPEECH HAS BECOME -- HAS MORE VALUE FOR OPPONENTS, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SPECIFIC AGENDAS, THAN TO THE POINTS YOU JUST MADE FOCUSING THE NATION'S ATTENTION ON A VERY CRITICAL PIECE THAT MAY BE IN FRONT OF THEM; THE ECONOMY, WAR OR WHATEVER.

AND IF WE'RE IN THOSE TYPES OF CRISIS THEN YES.

I THINK AT THIS POINT, I'M NOT A BIG FAN OF HAVING THE REBUTTALS AND THE REBUTTAL TO THE REBUTTAL.

THIS IS THE PRESIDENT'S MOMENT TO GIVE US HIS ASSESSMENT OR HOPEFULLY IN THE FUTURE HER ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF OUR UNION.

LET THEM DO THAT WITHOUT ALL THE POLITICAL GAD FLYING.

AND THEN AMERICANS CAN TO JASON'S FIRST POINT LISTEN SOBERLY.

AS WELL AS HEARING AS THE PRESIDENT DELIVERING SOBERLY THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE SITUATION WE FIND OURSELVES IN.

I'VE NEVER BEEN A BIG FAN OF THE REBUTTALS BY EITHER PARTY DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN AND NOT NOW.

THE REBUTTALS FROM WITHIN YOUR OWN RANK-AND-FILE.

>> AND JASON DESANTO SO MUCH OF MODERN POLITICS IS IMAGERY, IS THERE AN IMPACT HERE OF SENATORS LIKE MARCO RUBIO SAYING HE IS NOT GOING TO BE THERE BECAUSE HE DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE A COVID TEST AND A FEW OFFICIALS FOLLOWING SUIT?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

BUT I THINK THERE IS IMAGERY THERE AND THE MOST IMPORTANT IMAGE IS JOE BIDEN DELIVERING THE SPEECH WITH E-CIGARETTES FOR.

WE TALKED ABOUT AND THOUGHT ABOUT IN THE PAST WEEK WHAT IS THE SPEECH GOING TO ENTAIL.

HOW MUCH HAS TO BE REWRITTEN GIVEN WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND THE WORLD BUT A LOT HAS TO DO WITH BIDEN APPEARING TO BE SOMEBODY WHO IS VIGOROUS AND ON TOP OF IT.

SOME OF THE MOST ALARMING NUMBERS IN THE POLL FROM THE "WASHINGTON POST" THIS WEEKEND WAS NOT NECESSARILY ABOUT THE APPROVAL RATING PER SE.

BUT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO WEREN'T SURE THAT JOE BIDEN CONTINUED TO BE UP TO THE TASK.

I THINK HE IS.

BUT I THINK ONE OF THE PARTS OF THAT IS DESCRIBING IN A VERY LIST ORIENTED FASHION ALL THE STEPS TAKEN IN A PRUDENT WAY TO BUILD AN ALLIANCE THAT KEYNOTES STRENGTH AND SKILL AND DELIVER IT IN A WAY THAT IS STRONG AND OPTIMISTIC AND THAT WILL HAVE MORE OF AN IMPACT OF WHO AND WHO ISN'T THERE.

AND MICHAEL WAS SAYING, SPEAKING AFTER HIM WHEN THE AUDIENCE DROPPED OFF A FAIR AMOUNT.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

WE WILL BE JOINED BOWER R BY OUR GUESTS LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

THANKS TO JASON DESANTO AND MICHAEL STEELE THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> CARJACKINGS ARE ON THE RISE ACCORDING TO THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TRIPLED IN CHICAGO OVER THE PAST DECADE.

CITIES INCLUDING NEW YORK CITY, PHILADELPHIA AND WASHINGTON D.C. HAVE SEEN SIMILAR UPTICKS AS WELL.

SENATORS ARE EXPLORING WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN DO ABOUT IT.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

AMANDA?

>> YES, PARIS.

ROUGHLY 2,000 CARJACKINGS LAST YEAR AMOUNT TO ONE EVERY FOUR HOURS.

>> CARJACKING IS A SCOURGE TO BE SITTING IN YOUR CAR WITH YOUR FAMILY AND HAVE A PERSON STICK A GUN IN-YOUR-FACE AND FORCE YOU TO GET OUT SO THEY CAN STEAL THE CAR.

THAT IS A SITUATION NO AMERICAN SHOULD HAVE TO FACE.

>> AND WITH CARJACKERS RECIPROCALLY ARMED IT IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS CRIME.

>> IT HAPPENS IN A SPLIT SECOND.

THERE IS A MOVING CAR INVOLVED SOMETIMES THERE'S PASSENGERS IN THE CAR NOT SEEN TO THE PERPETRATOR INCLUDING CHILDREN THAT RAISES THE RISK THERE IS GOING TO BE RESISTANCE EITHER BY VIRTUE OF SURPRISE OR TRYING TO DEFEND FAMILY MEMBERS FROM THE PERSON WHO IS A VICTIM OF THE CRIME.

THE INCLUSION OF A FIREARM IN THAT SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES GREATLY INCREASES THE RISK OF SOMEBODY BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED IN THE COURSE OF A CARJACKING.

WE SEE THAT OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

>> EXPERTS CALLED FOR A U.S. JUDICIARY COMMITTEE POINT TO VARIOUS REASONS BEHIND THE SURGE WITH DEMAND HIGH AND SUPPLY LOW FOR USED CARS CRIMINALS CAN MAKE A PROFIT FROM STOLEN VEHICLES.

>> CARS ARE BEING STOLEN HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

THERE'S VIN SWAPS TO RESELL THE VEHICLE SO THEY ARE NOT KNOWN THEY ARE STOLEN.

SHIPPED OVERSEAS.

THEY GO OUTBOUND AND FUNDING FOR TERRORISM INVESTIGATIONS AND CARS ARE SHIPPED TO MEXICO.

WE REPATRIATE HUNDREDS OF CARS A YEAR SHIPPED TO MEXICO AFTER STOLEN.

>> PERPETRATORS MAY BE LOOKING FOR AN ANONYMOUS CAR TO USE IN A CRIME LIKE A DRIVE-BY SHOOTING.

TOM DART POINTS TO THAT AS A COMMON MOTIVE AND CARJACKINGS ARE EASY FOR THE OFFENDERS TO CARRY OUT AND HARD TO SOLVE AND HARD CRIMES TO PROSECUTE.

ONE ISSUE: IT IS TOUGH TO KNOW THE EXTENT DUE TO DESPERATE DATA.

SENATOR DURBIN IS CALLING ON THE F.B.I.

AND DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL DATABASE AND ACCESSING VEHICLE LOCATION TRACKING DATA IN A TIMELY FASHION.

>> I AM A FORMER PROSECUTOR AND I CAN TELL YOU FIRSTHAND THE QUICKER WE CAN GET THE VEHICLE THE LESS CHANCE IT WILL BE USED IN ANOTHER CRIME AND THE MORE LIKELY WE ABLE TO CONVICT SOMEBODY THE LONGER IT TAKES THE LESS LIKELY WE CAN CONVICT ANYONE.

>> DART SAYS QUICK ACCESS TO A CAR'S LOCATION IS A GAME-CHANGER WHEN IT COMES TO CATCHING THE CULPRITS AND GIVES AN EXAMPLE.

>> LICENSE PLATE READERS.

LOOKING FOR CARS THAT ARE ON HOURLIES BECAUSE THERE'S WARRANTS FOR THEM, THEY HAVE BEEN STOLEN AND SO ON BY THE TIME THE READER HITS IT'S FOUR SECONDS BEFORE WE GET IT THEY ARE ON THE EXPRESSWAY ON THE DAN RYAN AND FIVE MILES DOWN.

JUST WE'RE COMPLETELY OPERATING IN THE DARK.

WHEN IT'S TRACKED WE ARE THERE ON TOP OF IT WHEN IT'S NOT TRACKED IT'S COMPLETELY RANDOM AND WE OCCASIONALLY WILL GET LUCKY.

>> MOST CARS MANUFACTURED AFTER 2015 HAVE TRACKING SYSTEMS BUILT IN.

BUT DART TOLD SENATORS IT IS NOT OFTEN CLEAR WHO TO CALL TO ACCESS THAT INFORMATION.

SOME AUTO COMPANIES HAVE LIMITED HOURS THERE IS NO ONE TO CALL AT TIMES WHEN A CARJACKING OCCURS AND THAT IMMEDIATE ACCESS IS NEEDED.

SOME CASES COMPANIES INSIST A CUSTOMER PAY A FEE TO BEGIN TRACKING THEIR STOLEN CAR.

IN LIGHT OF THESE ISSUES SENATORS ARE EXPLORING OPTIONS LIKE GIVING U.S.

ATTORNEYS A GREATER ROLE.

>> I'M LOOKING AT EXPANDING THE REACH OF FEDERAL CARJACKINGS STATUTE.

PROGRESSIVE PROSECUTORS AT THE STATE LEVEL HAVE TOLD CRIMINALS THAT THEY WON'T GET IN TROUBLE WITH CERTAIN CRIMES.

WELL, THAT WON'T FLY WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> ALSO ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL STANDARD FOR WHEN AND HOW LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN ACCESS THIS DATA.

PRESIDENT OF THE ALLIANCE FOR AUTOMATED INNOVATION, SAYS THAT THIS IS A SENSITIVE AREA.

HE SAYS THAT THERE IS NOT ONE STANDARD OPERATING SYSTEM THAT IS USED ACROSS THE BOARD.

HE ALSO SAYS THAT CAR COMPANIES HAVE TO BALANCE SHARING LOCATION INFORMATION WITH THE CONSUMER'S PRIVACY RIGHTS.

HE SAYS THE COMPANIES SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO SHARE THAT DATA WITH A THIRD PARTY EVEN LAW ENFORCEMENT WITHOUT EXPRESS CONSENT FROM THE VEHICLE'S OWNER.

UNLESS WELL THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS UNLESS THERE IS A COURT ORDER, A WARRANT, OR UNLESS THERE ARE CIRCUMSTANCES.

HE SAYS CAR OWNERS, HOWEVER NEED TO KNOW WHAT EXACTLY CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD QUALIFY.

>> ANY CASE WHERE A VEHICLE IS STOLEN BY FORCE DOES IT ONLY APPLY IN A CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE THE THEFT PLACES THE OWNER OR A PASSENGER IN IMMINENT DANGER?

AT A MINIMUM WE FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A PROCESS TO CERTIFY THERE ARE EXGENT CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> PRIVACY CONCERNS ARE NO REASON TO BE PARALYZED FROM MOVING FORWARD THERE ARE WAYS TO OVERCOME THE OBSTACLES.

DART COULD FACE A COUPLE OF CHALLENGERS AS HE RUNS FOR REELECTION THIS YEAR.

WITH THAT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND NOW TO BRANDIS FOR A RECAP ON THE LATEST COVID-19 DEVELOPMENTS.

>> AND PARIS, COOK COUNTY IS NOW AT THE LOWEST LEVEL OF COVID-19 RISK UNDER NEW GUIDANCE SET BY THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION.

THIS NEW FRAMEWORK LOOKS BEYOND CASES AND TEST POSITIVITY TO DETERMINE RISK AND FOCUSES ON HOSPITALIZATIONS AND HOSPITAL CAPACITY.

JOINING US WITH THEIR TAKE ARE Dr. SUSAN BLEASDALE, MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL AT UI HEALTH AND Dr. MICHAEL BAUER MEDICAL DIRECTOR AT LAKE FOREST HOSPITAL.

SUSAN BLEASDALE WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT THE C.D.C.

IS USING TO DETERMINE THE RISK?

>> SO THE FACTORS ARE NOT POSITIVITY ALONE, BUT ALSO HOSPITAL CAPACITY AND IT'S RELATED TO THE STAFF BEDS THAT HAVE NEW ADMISSIONS.

IT'S REALLY A MORE INTERACTIVE MORE RELIABLE MEASURE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY AND WHAT IS PUTTING A STRAIN ON THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

THIS IS SIMILAR TO WHAT THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH PUT FORTH NOT JUST USING THE POSITIVITY AND NEW CASES BUT THE IMPACT ON OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IMPACT PATIENTS ILL WITH COVID BUT THE POTENTIAL TO IMPACT PATIENTS ILL WITH OTHER ISSUES THAT NEED CARE.

>> WHY IS THE FOCUS ON HOSPITALIZATIONS THE BETTER METRIC TO USE VERSUS CASE RATES?

>> WELL, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THANKFULLY WE HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE VACCINATED AND WE HAVE SEEN IN THE OMICRON SURGE PEOPLE ARE PROTECTED WITH VACCINATION AND BOOSTING.

SOMEONE YOUNG AND HEALTHY AND VACCINATED IT IS UNLIKELY YOU WILL END UP IN THE HOSPITAL.

THE NUMBERS OF POSITIVES THAT ARE GOING TO DO WELL HAVE MILD ILLNESS THAT ALONE ISN'T A FACTOR THAT IMPACTS HOW WE NEED TO PUT IN MITIGATION MEASURES IT HAS TO DO WITH WHAT IS OUR STRAIN ON OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

AND I THINK THIS NEW MEASURES THAT THE C.D.C.

PUT IN PLACE IS MORE MEANINGFUL IN HELPING US TO DECIDE WHAT MITIGATION STRATEGIES WE NEED AT DIFFERENT POINTS.

AND IT ALIGNS WITH WHAT WE'VE DONE AS A STATE AND A CITY IN SAYING THAT NOW MASKS CAN BE OPTIONAL FOR INDIVIDUALS IN CERTAIN SETTINGS.

BASED ON OUR TRANSMISSION RATE AND OUR HOSPITAL CAPACITIES.

>> Dr. BAUER ARE ARE YOU FEELING THE EFFECTS OF THIS SURGE?

>> YES.

WE'RE ALSO FEELING THE EFFECTS FORTUNATELY OF THE PRECIPITOUS DECLINE AS LITTLE AS THREE WEEKS AGO, WE HAD OVER 40-50 PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED WITH DOVED.

THIS MORNING -- COVID.

THIS MORNING WE WERE DOWN TO EIGHT HOSPITALIZATIONS.

AND WHAT THE NEW METRICS HELP REFLECT IS THE LEVEL OF SEVERITY OF THE DISEASE IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE DON'T GO THROUGH THESE MEASURES ARE FLU SEASON IF WE CAN SEE THAT THE LEVEL OF SEVERITY IS LESS AND NOT GOING TO OVERBURDEN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND RESULT IN EXCESSIVE HOSPITALIZATIONS, IT'S GOING TO ALLOW US TO START TO PULLBACK ON SOME OF THE MEASURES LIKE MASKING.

>> TO SORT OF ILLUSTRATE WHAT THE C.D.C.

HAS DONE WE HAVE TWO MAPS.

ONE SHOWS MUCH OF THE COUNTRY AT HIGH-RISK FOR COVID USING C.D.C.

'S OLD METRICS.

THE OTHER UNDER THE UPDATED SYSTEM MUCH OF THE COUNTRY IS AT LOW TO MEDIUM RISK.

Dr. BLEASDALE HAS REDUCING COVID HOW SHOULD PEOPLE LOOK AT THIS DIFFERENCE?

>> WELL, THERE ARE A TWO FACTORS.

THE NEW MEASURE BUT THERE HAS BEEN A DRAMATIC DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID-19 IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS.

IT'S COME DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.

SO I THINK THAT TWO FACTORS.

NEW MEASURE IS MORE AT LEAST REFLECTS MORE WHAT WE NEED TO DO FROM A MITIGATION STRATEGY AND THE FACT WE DID HAVE HAD A RAPID DECLINE FROM A PEAK IN THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY.

>> C.D.C.

HAS ENDORSED HAD ENDORSED UNIVERSAL MASKING IN SCHOOLS SINCE JULY AND UNDER THE GUIDANCE RECOMMENDING MASKING IN SCHOOLS IN COUNTIES THE HIGH-RISK.

Dr. BAUER WHAT PROMPTED THIS ADJUSTMENT?

>> AGAIN NOW BEING ABLE TO SAY THAT AREAS ARE LOW OR MEDIUM RISK, AND DEEMING THOSE TO BE RELATIVELY SAFE FOR THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE THAT AREN'T AT RISK, BECAUSE MOST OF OUR STUDENTS AND PEDIATRIC POPULATIONS ARE NOT AT HIGH-RISK.

THERE ARE CERTAINLY SOME THAT MAY BE AND OBVIOUSLY WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GET VACCINATED AND BOOSTED IF ELIGIBLE.

BUT THESE NEW METRICS ALLOW US TO SAY NOT ONLY OUT IN PUBLIC, BUT EVEN IN SCHOOL WHERE WE KNOW TRANSMISSION BY AND LARGE IS NOT BEEN A HUGE ISSUE FROM STUDENT TO STUDENT.

IT'S GOING TO ALLOW US TO GET BACK TO LEVELS WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO WEAR A MASK.

OF COURSE, WE WANT TO MAKE IT A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS.

AND IF ANYBODY STILL FEELS LIKE THEY WANT TO MASK, ESPECIALLY IN THESE NEXT FEW WEEKS AS EVERYBODY ADJUSTS TO IT, WE WANT TO CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE ANYBODY TO DO THAT SAFELY FOR THEMSELVES.

>> Dr. BAUER ARE YOU WORRIED THAT THE NEW GUIDELINES COULD LEAD TO ANOTHER SURGE?

>> I THINK THERE IS THE POPE THAT WE MAY SEE A BIT OF A BUMP.

BUT I FOR 1:00 A.M.

FAIRLY OPTIMISTIC THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO SEE THAT AT THE CURRENT LEVEL.

WE NEED TO BE VIGILANT COME FALL AND NEXT WINTER AND BE PREPARED TO GO BACK TO LAYERED MITIGATION INCLUDING MASKS IF WE DO SEE A NEW VARIANT CROP UP OR SOMETHING ELSE.

BUT AT THE MOMENT, I DON'T EXPECT THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE A BIG BUMP, NO.

>> AND TO THAT POINT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE VACCINE JUST ROLLED OUT EVERYONE WAS EXCITED ABOUT A RELATIVELY NORMAL SUMMER AND DELTA HIT.

OMICRON SHORTLY AFTER THAT.

Dr. BLEASDALE HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU ABOUT A NEW VARIANT CROPPING UP SOON?

>> I THINK THERE IS A SUBVARIANT OF THE OMICRON WE'RE WATCHING AND THERE IS A CHANCE WE WILL SEE A NEW VARIANT.

BUT I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE OMICRON IS NOT GONE AND COVID IS NOT GONE.

AND EVEN NOW WITH THE MEASURES IT ISN'T NO MASKS IT IS MASKS ARE OPTIONAL.

AND MUCH OF THIS NOW IS A PERSONAL DECISION FOR MANY PEOPLE IN MANY SETTINGS ABOUT WHAT IS THEIR PERSONAL RISK THERE MAYBE COVID IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION.

AND THIS WILL HELP INDIVIDUALS DECIDE ABOUT MASKING AND THIS WILL HELP US TO PREVENT THE NEXT VARNT VARIANTS IF WE CAN KEEP CONTROL AND IT HELPS US WHEN WE NEED TO IMPLEMENT MORE SIGNIFICANT MITIGATION MEASURES AS A COMMUNITY AS A SCHOOL, WAS HIGHLIGHTED ALREADY, OR IN A LARGER SETTING.

>> OK WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS TO Dr. SUSAN BLEASDALE AND Dr. MICHAEL BAUER FOR JOINING US.

>> DIGGING IN ARCHIVES FULL OF STORIES INTO ILLINOIS' LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

>> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING THE LATEST ON RUSSIA'S INVASION IN UKRAINE.

FIRST, A LIBRARY FILLED WITH COLLECTIONS OF PEOPLE'S STORIES IS COMING TO LIFE IN A NEW PODCAST SERIES.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" JOANNA HERNANDEZ HEADS TO THE GERBER HART LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES TO MEET THE PEOPLE UNBOXING LGBTQ HISTORY.

>> MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND MAKE PLANS TO GO TO WISCONSIN OVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.

WE'LL VISIT THE OUT BACK A WOMEN ONLY CAMPGROUND HALF AN HOUR NORTH.

>> AT THE GERBER HART LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CAN YOU FIND ANYTHING FROM OLD NEWSLETTERS TO COSTUMES.

AND A BARBIE OF ROSIE O'DONNELL.

THERE'S AISLES TELLING STORIES OF THE PAST.

>> HISTORY GETS DOWN TO A STONEWALL, AIDS AND GAY MARRIAGE.

AND THERE IS NO CONVERSATION HOW RICH THE HISTORY IS BEFORE STONEWALL AND NO CONVERSATION ABOUT POSITIVE MOMENTS.

>> PROGRAM COORDINATOR JEN DENTEL STARTED AS A VOLUNTEER EIGHT YEARS AGO.

AND WAS ENCHANTEDDED BY THE LIFE OF A CHICAGO DRAG QUEEN MISS TILLLY.

>> LOOK AT MISS TILLLY RIGHT?

SHE HAS THE CAT EYE THERE'S FRINGE THERE'S GLOVES.

SHE WAS IN AND -- PASSED IN 2005.

THE BIGGEST PERFORMANCES WERE THE 60s AND 70s.

>> NOW, MISS TILLLY'S STORY IS COMING TO LIFE IN PODCAST CALLED UNBOXING QUEER HISTORY.

>> IT'S EXCITING TO SEE YOURSELF REFLECTED BACK AT YOU IN HISTORY.

I FEEL THAT WITH THE LATINA COLLECTION A GROUP THAT GATHERED MONTHLY IN THE LATE 90s TO JUST BE LATINA AND QUEER TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT IT AND BRING IN THEIR FAMILIES.

PGH ONE THING THEY WERE EXCITED ABOUT WAS A SOFTBALL TEAM.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE ACTUAL HATS AND UNIFORMS.

AND IMAGINE THE PRIDE WEARING SOMETHING THAT HAS BOTH OF THESE IDENTITIES.

>> AUDIO PRODUCER ARIEL MEJIA PITCHED THE IDEA TO GERBER HART AND WITH THE HELP OF A GRANT IT GREW INTO AN EIGHT-EPISODE SERIES.

ACTIVISTS AND PERFORMERS AND ORGANIZATIONS.

>> THE ACTUAL JOURNAL AND THIS IS A COLLECTION WE HAVE MANY COPIES OF AND YES THEY INTERVIEWED WONDERFUL LORRAINE.

>> IT STARTED HERE IN CHICAGO IN EDGEWATER IN 1995.

>> THIS IS HER.

SO CUTE.

>> PODCAST CREATORS SAY THE SERIES GIVES LGBTQ TRAIL BLAZERS A VOICE TO UNPACK THEIR EXPERIENCES.

>> THE PEOPLE WE INTERVIEWED TALKING TO US ABOUT THEIR HISTORY AND THAT WE WERE EVEN INTERESTED IN IT WAS A POINT OF SO MUCH EMOTION FOR THE ELDERS WE TALKED TO.

IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

>> 1991.

>> 191 THEY WERE SEIZING FILMS.

>> IT EMPOWERED THEM AND HOPES LISTENERS FEEL THE SAME.

>> 22 YEARS.

>> THINK ABOUT YOUR PHOTOS OF YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS HAVING FUN AT A BAR.

THINK ABOUT THE BROCHURES FROM THE ORGANIZATION YOU ARE STARTING.

YOUR SHIRTS YOUR HATS.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE SO IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE.

AND I HOPE PEOPLE REALIZE THAT JUST EXISTING IS IMPORTANT.

>> HOPE THEY LAUGH.

I THINK WE'VE FOUND WAYS TO BRING JOY AND LAUGHTER BECAUSE QUEER HISTORY IS A LOT OF FUN IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THE HEARTBREAK WE'VE HAD TO ENDURE.

I -- I AM HAPPY AND IT FEELS LIKE A CELEBRATION.

CURVEVIE GIRL.

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

>> THE LIBRARY HAS BEEN PRESERVING QUEER ITEMS AND COLLECTIONS SINCE 1981.

YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN LISTEN TO THE PODCAST.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... A UKRAINIAN AMERICAN JOURNALIST JOINS US TO SHARE THE LATEST ON THE DEVELOPING SITUATION IN EASTERN EUROPE.

>> A LOOK THE THEMES AND MESSAGES EXPECTED TO BE EMPHASIZED IN PRESIDENT BIDEN'S FIRST STATE OF THE UNION STATE.

>> CHICAGO'S LAKEFRONT USED TO HOME TO NIKE MISSILE BASES AND THE HISTORY AND WHAT THE GROUNDS LOOK LIKE TODAY IN "ASK GEOFFREY".

AND WHERE CAN YOU FIND PACZKI WITH A TROPICAL PUNCH ONLY IN THE LAND OF POLOMBIA.

>> FIRST MORE OF TODAY'S STOP STORIES.

CHICAGO POLICE HAVE BEEN MORE LIKELY TO STOP BLACK CHICAGOANS THAN WHITE CHICAGOANS AND MORE LIKELY TO USE FORCE AGAINST THEM, THE CONCLUSION OF A REPORT RELEASED BY INSPECTOR GENERAL WILLIAM MARCH BACK.

IT AUDITED POLICE STOPS THROUGH 2017-2020.

IT FOUND SOUND EVIDENCE OF RACE BASED DISPARITIES AND BLACK CHICAGOANS WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY STOPPED BY CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS ACROSS THE CITY.

WHEN A POLICE STOP RESULTED IN AN OFFICER USING FORCE MORE THAN 83% INVOLVED A BLACK PERSON ACCORDING TO THE REPORT.

>> THE UNITED STATES AND ALLIES ANNOUNCED THEY WILL RELEASE 60 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL FROM THE STRATEGIC RESERVES AS GAS PRICES SOAR IN RESPONSE TO RUSH'S INVASION OF UKRAINE.

HALF IS SET TO COME FROM U.S. RESERVES AND THE REST FROM ALLIES IN EUROPE AND ASIAN.

BENCHMARK OIL PRICES HIT A SURGE TO $106 A BARREL.

A SEVEN-YEAR HIGH.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION A GALLON OF REGULAR GAS COSTS $4.10 IN CHICAGO WITH PREMIUM GOING FOR $4.89.

>> AFTER BEING SHUT FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS DUE TO COVID-19 THE ADLER PLANETARIUM WILL REOPEN FRIDAY.

MICHELLE LARSON SAYS STAFF ARE QUOTE EXCITED TO WELCOME GUESTS BACK TO CONNECT AND EXPLORE WITH US IN-PERSON.

DURING THE FORCED CLOSURE, A NEW TELESCOPE WAS INSTALLED.

AND ACCORDING TO LARSON IT IS THE LARGEST PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE TELESCOPE IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA.

>> HOPE MAY SPRING ETERNAL FOR CUBS AND SOX FANS BUT THIS YEAR THE HOPE IS TO HAVE ANY GAMES AT ALL.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCED THE FIRST TWO SERIES OF THE FIRST REGULAR SEASON WILL BE CANCELED AFTER THE PLAYERS ASSOCIATION REJECTED THE MLB'S LAST OFFER ON THE LABOR CONTRACT.

ISSUE ARE LEAGUE MINIMUM SALARIES AND A BONUS PAYMENT POOL.

THE TWO SIDES ARE NOT EXPECTED TO RETURN UNTIL THURSDAY AT THE EARLIEST.

>> REFUGEES ARE FLEEING UKRAINE BY THE THOUSANDS AS RUSSIA APPEARS TO HAVE STEPPED UP ATTACKS.

RUSSIAN BOMBS HIT CIVILIAN AREAS INCLUDING A BUILDING NEAR UKRAINE'S SECOND LARGEST CITY CAR CHIEF KEEFE -- KHARKIV.

AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION IS UKRAINIAN AMERICAN JOURNALIST JULIAN HAYDA WHO CLAIMED RESIDENCE IN JANUARY AND FORMER PRODUCER OF WORLD VIEW PROGRAM.

YOU WERE LAST IN UKRAINE ABOUT A MONTH AGO.

WHAT YOU ARE HEARING FROM YOUR CONTACTS ON THE GROUND RIGHT NOW?

>> WELL, THANKS PARIS FOR HAVING ME ON THE SHOW.

I'M HEARING A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY.

AND I THINK IT'S A PRETTY FAIR RESPONSE.

WHEREAS ON THURSDAY WHEN BOMBS STARTED TO FALL ACROSS UKRAINE, A THOUSAND MILES ACROSS, IN CITIES EAST AND WEST, NORTH AND SOUTH, WHILE THE INDIES CRIME NANT NATURE OF THE -- INDISCRIMINATE NATURE OF THE FIRE SEEMS TO HAVE SETTLED DOWN AND THE ATTACKS SEEM TO NOW FOCUS AROUND MORE STRATEGIC CITIES.

FIRST YOU HAD LIKE A SHOCK AND AWE SITUATION THAT PEOPLE ARE STILL TRYING TO SHAKE OFF.

AND PEOPLE STILL DON'T NECESSARILY FEEL SAFE WHEREVER THEY ARE.

NOW, IT IS TRULY THE SKIES ARE OPENING UP IN PLACES WHERE RUSSIA IS TRYING TO MAKE LAND ADVANCES FROM THE NORTH PAST CHERNOBYL INTO KYIV.

FROM THE SOUTH FROM CRIMEA OCCUPIED SINCE 2014 AND FROM THE NEWLY RECOGNIZED BY RUSSIA BREAK AWAY REGIONS IN EASTERN UKRAINE PUSHING PEOPLE WEST AND KHARKIV ALTHOUGH HAVING RESISTED ANY SORT OF SERIOUS SEPARATIST MOVEMENT OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS IS CLOSE TO THE RUSSIAN POUREDDER.

THAT IS THE CITY -- BORDER.

THAT IS THE CITY WE SAW ATTACKED IN ADDITION TO KYIV.

IN KYIV 10 PEOPLE ARE DEAD.

IMAGINE IT BEING GRANT PARK.

IT IS THE CENTER OF TOWN RIGHT NEXT TO A MAJOR FINANCIAL DISTRICT RIGHT NEXT TO MAJOR UNIVERSITIES.

AND IT'S SHOCKING BECAUSE MANY OF THE ATTACKS SO FAR HAVE BEEN ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF CITIES MILITARY INSTALLATIONS, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND NOW WE'RE SEEING ROCKETS STRIKE THE MIDDLE OF URBAN CENTERS.

>> YOU MENTIONED KHARKIV AND KYIV A LOT OF REPORTING ABOUT CONVOYS GETTING CLOSER TO THOSE CITIES AND YOU MENTIONED THE HORRIBLE AIR ATTACKS THIS MORNING.

IS THE CONSENSUS RUSSIA IS GOING TO STEP UP ITS ATTACKS ON THESE CITIES?

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY.

I MEAN, THE CONSENSUS SEEMS TO BE THAT RUSSIA WASN'T EXPECTING SUCH A STRONG FIGHT ON THE PART OF THE UKRAINIANS BASED ON NUMBERS.

THIS IS ONE SIDE OF THE CONFLICT.

BUT UKRAINIANS ARE MANAGING TO HAVE A CASUALTY RATE OF ONE UKRAINIAN TO 10 RUSSIANS.

SO I DON'T THINK ANYBODY ON THE RUSSIAN SIDE WAS EXPECTING UKRAINIANS TO PUT UP SUCH A FIGHT.

PROVIDING UKRAINE WITH WEAPONS.

UKRAINIANS DO NOT WANT THIS TO ESCALATE, I THINK PROPERLY EQUIPPED EVEN TODAY MORE THAN THEY EVEN WERE A FEW DAYS AGO.

THEY ARE FIGHT FOG ARE THEIR HOME -- FIGHTING FOR THEIR HOMES AND THAT IS MORE COMPELLING THAN WHAT RUSSIANS ARE FIGHTING FOR.

WHICH IS UNCERTAIN.

NOBODY IN RUSSIA IS SURE WHAT THE FIGHT IS IT ABOUT.

AND RUSSIAN MEDIA IS REPORTING NO CASUALTIES OR FEW CASUALTIES AND SOME OFFICIALS LET THAT SLIP.

AND YET IN CITIES LIKE ST. PETERSBURG THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF ANTIWAR DEMONSTRATORS AND PEOPLE ARE GETTING ARRESTED IN DROVES.

IT IS ALSO WAR OF INFORMATION AND WILL WITH THE RUSSIAN SOLDIERS ARE NOT SURE WHAT TO FOLLOW.

>> AND RUSSIA SHUTTING DOWN INDEPENDENT MEDIA OUTLETS AND STICKING WITH THE STATE SPONSORED PROPAGANDA.

>> WHAT ARE YOU HEARING OF THE EVACUATION THERE, WE'RE HEARING ABOUT SOME NOT BEING ALLOWED OR BUSES OR TRAINS.

>> I'VE SEEN THOSE PAINFUL REPORTS AS WELL.

I THINK THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF CONFUSION AND LACK OF PREPAREDNESS ON THE SIDE OF UKRAINE.

AGAIN HALF THE COUNTRY WAS NOT EXPECTING THE WAR TO ESCALATE IN SUCH A WAY.

AND THEN YOU HAD THE GOVERNMENT OF POLAND ORIGINALLY EXTEND A TEMPORARY REFUGEE REGIME WITH CITIZENS OF UKRAINE THERE ARE OF COURSE UKRAINE IS A VERY DIVERSE AND MUTUAL ANY ETHNIC COUNTRY.

AFRO UKRAINIANS HAVE BEEN IN UKRAINE FOR OVER 100 YEARS.

THERE ARE BLACK CITIZENS OF UKRAINE WHO HAVE THE RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS OF UKRAINE.

AND I THINK THE CONFUSION IS SOME OF THEM BEING PROFILED WITH THE UP TO 20,000 AFRICAN EXCHANGE STUDENTS WHO DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE THE SAME CIVIL RIGHTS AND A LOT OF THAT LED TO TRAGIC SITUATIONS.

>> WE'VE HEARD THOSE REPORTS.

WE'LL HAVE YOU BACK TO CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

BUT FOR NOW THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> AN ALL NEW EDITION OF "ASK GEOFFREY" IS UP NEXT.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE MAY BRING BACK MEMORIES OF THE COLD WAR AS THE U.S. AND OTHER COUNTRIES ENACT SANCTIONS FOR INVADING UKRAINE.

A VIEWER SENT US A QUESTION.

WE DIG INTO THAT AND MORE IN OUR LATEST INSTALLMENT OF "ASK GEOFFREY".

WELCOME BACK TO THE STUDIO.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> THE QUESTION IS FROM JOHN REESE... >> WELL, OUR QUESTIONER IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

THERE WERE NO ICBM OR INTERNATIONAL CONTINENT ALBALISTIC MISSILES AT MONTROSE HARBOR BUT THERE WAS A NIKE MISSILE BASE THERE AT MONTROSE HARBOR.

NIKE MISSILES WERE DEFENSIVE WEAPONS THE COUNTRY'S FIRST SURFACE TO AIR GUIDED MISSILE SYSTEM AND ICBM'S WERE OFFENSIVE WEAPONS WHO LED TO NIKE MISSILES BECOMING OBSOLETE.

THE U.S.

DEVELOPED THE NIKE MISSILES IN THE COLD WAR TO DEFEND AGAINST RUSSIAN BOMBERS.

>> WOW.

HOW MANY OF THESE SITES WERE THERE AROUND THE COUNTRY?

>> ACROSS THE COUNTRY THERE WERE 300 NIKE MISSILE SITES INSTALLED IN RINGS AROUND MAJOR 34E7 AREAS AND SITES AROUND THE COUNTRY IN THE EARLY 1950s.

IN CHICAGO AREA THERE WERE 20.

MONTROSE HARBOR WAS THE RADAR AND COMMAND CENTER THAT CONTROLLED A BATTERY OF MISSILES LOCATED NEXT DOOR AT BELMONT HARBOR.

ANOTHER LAUNCH FACILITY HARD TO PICTURE THIS NOW WAS ON THE SOUTH SIDE IN JACKSON PARK WITH RADAR AND CONTROL RIGHT ON THE POINT.

AND THERE WERE ALSO CHICAGO AREA SITES AT WOLF LAKE, FORT SHERIDAN.

AND PLACED TO OVERLAP SO THAT NO PART OF THE AREA WOULD BE LEFT UNPROTECTED.

I ACTUALLY GREW UP NOT FAR FROM THE SKOKIE LAGOONS AND OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER AS A KID SEEING THE MISSILES THERE RIGHT IN THE SKOKIE LAGOONS FROM TIME TO TIME AS WE DROVE BY.

INITIALLY THE UNITED STATES USED NIKE AJAX MISSILES.

BUT THE AJAX COULD ONLY TRAVEL 25 MILES AND LEADERS FELT IT WAS NOT FAR ENOUGH TO BE EFFECTIVE.

HERCULES COULD TRAVEL UP TO 90 MILLIONS.

AND THE FIRST NIKE HERCULES IN CHICAGO WAS AT THAT BELMONT HARBOR SITE.

THE MISSILES ALONG WITH THE FUEL AND WASTE PRODUCTS WERE STORED IN THE LARGE UNDERGROUND BASEMENTS BIG VAULTS.

SOMETIMES MANY STORIES DEEP AND A LARGE ELEVATOR WOULD BRING THE MISSILES UP TO THE SURFACE AND THE CREW MEMBERS WOULD PUSH THE MISSILES INTO POSITION.

NO MISSILES WERE EVER LAUNCHED IN CHICAGO.

BUT THE MISSILE CREWS WOULD PRACTICE BRINGING THEM UP FROM UNDERGROUND AND POINTING THEM AT THE SKY AND AS A LITTLE KID WE COULD SEE FROM THE EXPRESSWAY IN THE SKOKIE LAGOONS.

>> WOW.

YOU MENTIONED THE INTERNATIONAL CONTINENT ALBALISTIC MISSILES LED TO THE END OF NIKE.

HOW SO?

>> NIKE WAS MEANT TO DEFEND AGAINST MANNED AIRCRAFT.

BY THE LATE 1950s THE SOVIET UNION SHIFTED BECAUSE THE AIRCRAFT WERE VULNERABLE TO ATTACKS FROM THE NIKE MISSILES, THE SOLUTION WAS INTERCONTINENT AM BALLISTIC MISSILES AT THE ORIGIN OF THIS QUESTION AND THOSE COULD BE LAUNCHED FROM SOVIET SOIL.

SO THIS CHANGE MADE NIKE'S AIR DEFENSE OBSOLETE AND U.S. DEFENSE DOLLARS WERE SHIFTED TO DEVELOPING AMERICA'S OWN INTERCONTINENT ALBALISTIC MISSILES AND MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEMS AND ALSO THE GROWING WAR IN VIETNAM.

THE U.S. GOVERNMENT BEGAN PHASING OUT NIKE BASES IN THE MID-1960s AMID BUDGET CUTS AND FULLY DEACTIVATED MOST OF THE SITES AFTER THE SECOND STRATEGIC ARMS LIMITATION TREATY WAS SIGNED BY THE SOVIET UNION AND THE U.S.

IN 1974.

AND BY THE WAY, THE U.S.

STILL HAS AN ARMS LIMITATION TREATY WITH RUSSIA THAT RUNS THROUGH 2026.

>> DID THE U.S.

INSTALL SITES FOR INTERCONTINENT ALBALISTIC MISSILES IN THE CHICAGO AREA?

>> NO, NEVER HAD THAT.

THERE WAS A PROPOSAL TO INSTALL ANTIBALLISTIC MISSILES IN VERNON HILLS DESIGNED TO SHOOT DOWN INCOMING ICBM'S AS THE NATIONAL SENTINEL PROGRAM.

BUT THAT PLAN FACED A LOT OF CRITICISM AND PUSHBACK LOCALLY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE MISSILES' MARGIN OF ERROR TOGETHER THE FACT THAT FACTORS COULD HAVE LED TO AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR.

THERE WAS A LAWSUIT BUT BEFORE THAT, CAME TO TRIAL PRESIDENT NIXON ANNOUNCED THE MISSILE PROGRAM WOULD BE SCRAPPED SO NO MISSILES WERE INSTALLED AROUND MAJOR CITIES.

>> WERE REMNANTS OF THE NIKE SITES STANDING?

>> ALL OF THE TOWER AND CONTROL FACILITIES ARE GONE INCLUDING ALL TRACES AT MONTROSE HARBOR TO OUR VIEWER'S QUESTION.

AND SOME REMNANTS STAND INCLUDING IN WOLF LAKE WHERE THERE IS AN ACTUAL NIKE MISSILE ON DISPLAY.

THIS FOOT ANG WAS SHOT IN THE SUMMER.

ONE SITE IS PART OF THE LAKEFRONT TRAIL AND BELMONT HARBOR THE SAME THING.

BECAME A LARGE GRASSY AREA.

IN 1971 BEFORE THE U.S. GOVERNMENT GAVE UP THE SITE, A FEW DIGITAL PEOPLE OCCUPIED IT -- INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

AND THEY WERE REMOVED FROM BELMONT HARBOR AND THEY WENT ON TO OCCUPY OTHER FORMER MILITARY GROUNDS.

>> FIVE DECADES AFTER THE NIKE THE LAST NIKE SITE CLOSED SINCE THEN RUSSIA INVADED UKRAINE.

CAN WE DRAW ANY LESSONS BY RECALLING THAT ERA OF NIKE MISSILES AND THE COLD WAR ARMS RACE?

>> FOR ONE THING THAT I REMEMBER IT WAS VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE AND FOR THAT AND OTHER REASONS, THE TWO COLD WAR SUPERPOWERS STEPPED BACK FROM THE BRINK SIGNING THAT SALT TREATY THAT I MENTIONED AIMED AT LIMITING PRODUCTION OF NUCLEAR MISSILES AND THE SOVIET UNION COLLAPSED.

WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THE WORLD HAS LEARNED FROM HISTORY AS EVENTS UNFOLD IN UKRAINE TODAY.

>> CERTAINLY DEVASTATING WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE.

AND GEOFFREY BAER GOOD TO SEE YOU IN THE STUDIO ALWAYS LEARNING SOMETHING.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> AND YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION TO GEOFFREY BAER.

>> UP NEXT, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A BELOVED POLISH PASTRY MEETS COLOMBIAN FLAVORS?

BUT FIRST A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... TH CHICAGO, TODAY, THE LAST DAY BEFORE LENT IS OFTEN CALLED PACZKI DAY WHEN CHICAGOANS DOUBLING IN THE POLISH DOUGHNUTS A THAT WAS CAN EAT.

A COUPLE BROUGHT A FUSION CONCEPT.

ERICA GUNDERSON VISITED THE LAND OF POLOMBIA FOR THE STORY.

[♪♪♪] >> WE'RE GOING TO GRAB OUR POWERFUL PACZKI JUST STRAIGHT OUT OF THE OFF SCHENN?

IN THE TIME-OUT MARKET DEMO KITCHEN MARRIED RESTAURANT EARS, CYNTHIA OROBIO AND PHILLIPE SOBON ARE PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES.

>> A NICE DIFFERENT VOTE IN THERE WHERE THE FILLING WITH GO?

>> ON THEIR VERSION OF A FAT TUESDAY TRADITION.

>> IT GETS EVERY CORNER.

THIS IS THE GUAVA COCONUT.

>> THE SMELL OF PACZKI IN THE AIR IS ONE OF THE FIRST SIGNS THAT SPRING IS AROUND THE CORNER AND EVERYONE THE CLASSIC VERSIONS OF THE SWEET TREATS IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A TROPICAL FLAVOR POLOMBIA IS THE PLACE.

>> PACZKI IS A BEAUTIFUL FRIED OR BAKED DOUGHNUT AND THEN YOU WOULD HAVE A FILLING THAT CONSISTS OF CUSTARD AND SOMETIMES CHOCOLATE AND THE SECRET INGREDIENT PEOPLE PUT IN WHY IT'S SOFT AND NOT HEAVY AND LOAD IT WITH A LOT OF GOODNESS IS THE VODKA.

THERE IS VODKA THAT IS PUT IN A LOT OF SECRET RECIPES.

>> POLISH DESSERTS ARE NOT VERY, VERY SWEET AND COLUMBIANS ARE.

AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE SURE THAT BOTH ARE RESONATING IS ADD THE TROPICAL FILLINGS LIKE PINEAPPLE, WILD BERRY.

THINGS LIKE THAT ESPECIALLY CARMEL AS WELL.

IT'S VERY BIG COMPONENT IN LIKE WHAT IS COLUMBIAN DESSERTS.

>> HOUSTON NATIVE, CYNTHIA OROBIO MOVED TO CHICAGO IN 2019 AND MET PHILLIPE SOBON AT A PARTY.

>> IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT AS AND IS CYNTHIA WILL TELL YOU.

>> NOT LONG AFTER THEIR RELATIONSHIP BLOSSOMED THE PANDEMIC HIT.

MY GOT LAID OFF FROM MY JOB AND WE STARTED COOKING FROM HOME DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> THE SEED OF THEIR COLLABORATION WAS PLANTED WHEN HE ADDED COLUMBIAN TOP ITION TO A PIZZA LIKE SNACK.

>> I THOUGHT LIKE THIS COULD BE A COOL CONCEPT A POLISH-COLOMBIAN FUSION.

>> THEY NAMED THE CONCEPT POLOMBIA.

STARTING WITH POP-UPS THEY BEGAN OFFERING INFUSION FOODS A COMBINATION OF THE COLOMBIAN ESPECIALLY NADA AND THE PIEROGI.

>> WE MELT THE TWO.

AND YOU WILL FIND THAT FARMERS CHEESE, ONION AND SHORT RIB BEEF AND POTATO.

AND THE OUTSIDE LOOKS LIKE A PIEROGI.

>> TWO YEARS AND ONE POLOMBIAIAN LATER THE RESTAURANT IS GOING STRONG INSIDE THE TIME-OUT MARKET.

AS PANDEMIC RESCHOOL DISTRICT STRICTS BEGIN TO LIFT.

>> I THINK THE ONE THING WE MISS IS SEE PEOPLE'S REACTION.

>> WE'RE HOPEFUL FOR THAT AND HOPEFUL TO BE BRINGING NICHOLAS AND PEOPLE SEE NICHOLAS AS WELL.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> YOU WILL FIND MORE ON POLOMBIA ON OUR WEBSITE.

PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS.

EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM WE PREVIEWED PRESIDENT BIDEN'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AND WE ARE JOINED AGAIN BY JASON DESANTO AND MICHAEL STEELE WITH FINAL THOUGHTS AHEAD OF THE SPEECH.

THE PRESIDENT IS EXPECTED TO FOCUS ON THINGS HE BELIEVES CAN GET BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AMID THE FAILURE OF THE BUILD BACK BETTER AGENDA WHAT DO YOU THINK THE ITEMS WOULD BE?

>> I THINK THOSE ITEM ALSO TOUCH ON THE KITCHEN TABLES OF AMERICA.

IT WILL IMPACT CHILDCARE, IT'S GOING TO IMPACT VOTING, I THINK IT'S GOING TO IMPACT THE ABILITY FOR FAMILIES TO MOVE OUT OF THIS RECESSION, ADDRESSING WHAT THE PRESIDENT CAN DO TO HELP SORT OF STEM THE PRESSURE FROM INFLATION.

SO I THINK THE MORE HE FOCUSES ON THAT ECONOMIC PIECE, THE MORE SECURE PEOPLE WILL BECOME IN HIS ABILITY TO HANDLE IT.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY ARE NOT SURE.

AND I THINK THAT MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IS WHERE HE NEEDS TO STEADY THE COURSE FOR A LOT OF AMERICANS.

>> AND JASON DESANTO POLLS SHOW THAT BIDEN LOST THE MOST SUPPORT AMONG INDEPENDENT AND REPUBLICAN LEANING VOTERS THAT VOTED FOR HIM.

HOW DOES HE APPEAL TO THE VOTERNERS THIS SPEECH?

>> WELL, I THINK SPEAKING ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT MICHAEL OUTLINES, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, CRIME AND SPEAKING ABOUT CHILDCARE.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT CUT ACROSS AND SPEAK TO INDEPENDENTS.

BUT THE OTHER PIECE IS ON THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND ON THE SITUATION WITH UKRAINE RECOUNTING A DELIBERATE THOUGHTFUL LEADERSHIP WHICH BUILDS ALLIANCES AND BEGIN TO CONTRAST THAT WITH A GO IT ALONE APPROACH AND TO CONTRAST THE ABILITY TO SUPPORT SOMEBODY LIKE ZELENSKYY WHO IS INSPIRATIONAL CONTRASTING THAT WITH WHAT HAPPENED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

THAT IS THE VISCERAL APPEAL THAT WILL BE COUCHED IN WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND WITH RUSSIAN SAVAGERY AND UKRAINE BRAVERY THAT WILL APPEAL TO PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SPECTRUM AND TO YOUR QUESTION THAT IS WHERE PEOPLE ARE RESIDING AND THEY WANT ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS.

>> WELL YOU GAVE US A LOT OF ANSWERS TONIGHT OUR THANKS TO JASON DESANTO AND MICHAEL STEELE THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> AND YOU CAN WATCH PRESIDENT BIDEN'S STATE OF THE YB ADDRESS RIGHT HERE ON WTTW COMING UP.

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

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

REMEMBER TO STAY TUNED NOW TO WTTW FOR LIVE NEWSHOUR COVERAGE OF THE PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS FROM A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS.

THAT BEGINS HERE AT 8:00 P.M. AND NOW 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.

[♪♪♪]