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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THERE HAS TO BE SKBENSES.

THOSE CONSEQUENCES ARE ECONOMIC AND SIGNIFICANT.

NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

>> AS RUSSIA'S ECONOMY IS PUMMELED WITH SANCTIONS HOW THE DOWNTURN CAN IMPACT THE U.S. >> ANOTHER SOUTH SIDE HOSPITAL IS STRUGGLING TO STAY AFLOAT AS ADMINISTRATORS CALL FOR MORE STATE FUNDING.

WE'LL HEAR FROM ONE OF ITS LEADERS.

>> WEST LAWN IS A VERY STRONG COMMUNITY WHERE FAMILIES WANT TO HELP EACH OTHER.

>> WEST LAWN COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE INCREASING THE AREA'S VACCINATION RATE.

WE ARE ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE FOR OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> AMERICA'S STAFORT PASTIME RETURNS.

WHAT IS THE NEW CONTRACT MEANS FOR PLAYERS AND HOW SOON WILL THE SEASON START?

>> ONE OF OUR FIRST TOO BLOOMING FLOWERS OF THE SEASON.

>> THE NAME DOESN'T SPEAK FOR ITSELF BUT THE SKUNK CABBAGE IS A TELLTALE SIGN OF SPRING.

>> TRADITIONAL PAINTINGS ON GLASS AND CONTEMPORARY WORKS BY A LOCAL UKRAINIAN ARTIST DOING WHAT SHE CAN FOR THE WAR EFFORT BACK HOME.

>> WHAT MAKES MY MUSIC SPECIAL IS ME, RIGHT AND WHAT MY SOUND IS IS ME.

>> AND A CHICAGO RAPPER SHARES HE HE HAS EVOLVED AS A RAPPER ROOTED IN SCIENCE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.

>> AND BRANDIS I WILL BE REPORTING LIVE FROM WEST LAWN AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

THE SOUTHWEST SIDE COMMUNITY IS MOSTLY RESIDENTIAL AND THERE ARE BUSINESSES AND MANUFACTURING, RESTAURANTS, SMALL BUSINESSES, AS I MENTIONED.

THIS WAS AN AREA HARD HIT BY COVID.

BUT NOW, BOTH SOME OF THE CITY'S HEIGHTEST VACCINATION RATES.

AND AS YOU MENTIONED IT'S THE HOME OF THE NOW INDICTED FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN.

MORE ON THAT AHEAD BUT FOR NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> SEE YOU SOON.

>> A COOK COUNTY JUDGE SENTENCES ACTOR JUST JUST TO 150 DAY JUSSE SMOLLETT TO 150 DAYS IN COOK COUNTY JAIL AND 30 MONTHS PROBATION AFTER A JURY FOUND HIM GUILTY FOR LYING TO POLICE AFTER STAGING A HOAX HATE CRIME THREE YEARS AGO.

THE JIJ JUDGE HAD ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS SENTENCE SMOLLETT RESPONDED.

>> I'M NOT SUICIDAL.

I AM NOT SUICIDAL.

I AM INNOCENT.

AND I'M NOT SUICIDAL.

IF I DID THIS THEN IT MEANS I STUCK MY FIST IN THE FEAR OF BLACK AMERICANS IN THIS COUNTRY FOR 400 YEARS AND THE FEAR OF THE LGBTQ I RESPECT YOU AND YOU RESPECT THE JURY BUT I DID NOT DO THIS AND I AM NOT SUICIDAL AND IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO ME WHEN I GO IN THERE I DID NOT DO IT TO MYSELF AND YOU MUST ALL KNOW THAT.

>> THAT WAS IN A COOK COUNTY COURTROOM 30 MINUTES AGO.

SMOLLETT A ONE-TIME STAR EMMERSON BUIE, JR. PIR WAS ORDERED TO PAY $25,000 AND RESTITUTION OF OVER $120,000.

THE CRIME WAS PREMETHOD DATED AND DONE DAMAGE TO VICTIMS OF REAL HATE CRIMES.

>> U.S. INFLATION SOARS TO A 40-YEAR HIGH.

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX A BROAD MEASURE OF THE COST OF GOODS AND SERVICES ROSE 7.9% OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS.

THE PRICE OF FOOD ROSE 7.9% OVER THE YEAR THAT WAS DWAFERRED BY A 38% INCREASE IN THE COST OF GAS.

IN FEBRUARY THE PRICE ROSE 6.6% AS GLOBAL MARKETS REACTED TO RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE.

>> BASEBALL IS MAKING A COMEBACK AFTER A 99-DAY LOCKOUT, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AND THE PLAYERS UNION EXECUTIVE BOARD REACHED AN AGREEMENT ON A NEW LABOR DEAL.

THE BOARD VOTED 26-12 TO APPROVE THE DEAL WITH OWNERS RATIFYING THE AGREEMENT WITH 30-0 VOTE.

THE DEAL SALVAGES A 162-GAME SEASON WITH OPENING DAY SET FOR APRIL 7.

YOU CAN FIND OUT WHAT THE STICKING POINTS WERE COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW.

>> KHALIL MACK MAY HAVE PLACED HIS LAST GAME FOR THE CHICAGO BEARS.

THE BEARS HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT TO TRADE THE DEFENSIVE END A SIX-TH TIME PRO BOWLER TO THE LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AND RECEIVE A SECOND ROUND DRAFT PICK AND A 6TH ROUND PICK FOR TO 023.

MACK HAS TO PASS A PHYSICAL FOR THE DEAL TORE INKED.

>> LIVE FROM WEST LAWN COMMUNITY.

STAY WITH US.

>> FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN AS A FIXTURE IN THE COMMUNITY, A PROFESSIONAL POLITICIAN AND AS A SOUTH SIDE CHICAGO IRISH MAN.

FOR THIS WEEK'S "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" WE ARE GOING TO THE COMMUNITY HE LONG CALLED HOME WEST LAWN.

OUR AMANDA VINICKY AND MARISSA NELSON SPENT THE DAY THERE AND AMANDA JOINS US NOW.

>> YES, MADIGAN IS A FIXTURE OF WEST LAWN BUT I'M COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM A COLLEGE CAMPUS NAMED AFTER ANOTHER SOUTH SIDE CHICAGO POLITICIAN, THE FIRST MAYOR DALEY.

PRESIDENT OF THE RICHARD J. DALEY COLLEGE, JANINE JANOSKY SAYS THE SCHOOL IS A COMMUNITY BEACON WHERE STUDENTS CAN GET HANDS ON LESSONS INCLUDING AT THE M TECH MANUFACTURING TECHNICAL ENGINEERING CENTER AND TRAINING IN WELDING, CNC MACHINES AND ROBOTICS.

CHICAGO RESIDENTS CAN TAKE PLACE CLASSES FOR FREE THROUGH THE FUTURE READY PROGRAM.

JANINE JANOSKY SAYS JOBS ARE WAITING ON THE BACK END.

>> RIGHT NOW, INDUSTRY REACHES OUT TO US ASKING FOR WHEN STUDENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO GRADUATE BECAUSE THEY ARE READY FOR THEM TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE WITHIN THE INDUSTRY HERE IN SOUTHWEST CHICAGO.

AND THE DEMAND IS EVER INCREASING ESPECIALLY POST PANDEMIC.

>> STUDENTS WHO ARE ENTERING THE WORKFORCE BUT DON'T HAVE PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE CAN PICK UP FREEBIES CLOTHES AT THE CAREER WARDROBE BOUTIQUE.

IT STARTED A FEW YEARS AS A POP-UP AND WAS SO SUCCESSFUL THAT IT OPENED AS A PERMANENT SPACE LAST WEEK.

AND THE BOW TOQUE IS TAKING -- BOUTIQUE IS TAKING DONATIONS.

YOUNG FAMILIES THAT NEED TO SUPPORT CAN LOOK TO METROPOLITAN FAMILY SERVICES.

DAWN DELGADO-MENDEZ LEADS THE HOME VISITORS IN WEST LAWN DESIGNED TO HELP EXPECTING AND NEW PARENTS.

SINCE DAWN DELGADO-MENDEZ STARTED THIS WEEK A DECADE AGO SHE SAYS THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPATING FAMILIES HAS DECREASED AND TO HER THAT IS A SIGN OF PROGRESS.

MORE FAMILIES ARE EMPLOYED AND NO LONGER NEED AT HOME VISITS AND CARE.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR CENTER BASED CHILDCARE WHILE THEY ARE AT WORK.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO REACH THOSE AT RISK FAMILIES AND BRING THEM UP TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL FOR THEMSELVES INDIVIDUALLY WHETHER IT IS EDUCATION OR EMPLOYMENT BUT ALSO TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A SAFE HOME FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

>> FOR SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN MONDAY IS A BIG DAY, THAT IS THE FIRST SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN THAT AT C.P.S.

STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO GO MASK FREE.

JUDY IDROVO LEADS A VACCINE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM IN WEST LAWN AND SAYS THAT CHANGE IS MOTIVATING PARENTS TO GET THEIR KIDS SHOTS.

>> JUST BECAUSE THE MASKS ARE LIFTED DOES NOT MEAN THAT FOLKS ARE VACCINATED.

NOW WE'RE JUST COMMUNICATING WITH FAMILIES IT'S UP TO THEM TO MAKE SURE THEIR CHILD IS VACCINATED AND RIGHT OUR 0-5-YEAR-OLDS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO GET THE VACCINE.

>> NOW, ONE OF THE MAJOR CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS IN WEST LAWN IS THE BALZEKAS MUSEUM OF LITHUANIAN CULTURE.

>> WE FEEL VERY CONNECTED TO THE AREA BECAUSE JUST EAST OF HERE WAS THE STOCKYARDS THE JUNGLE YOU KNOW LITHUANIANS WERE INTEGRAL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY.

THEY'VE CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO THE CULTURE OF THE CITY.

THEY HAVE ESTABLISHED OPERAS WE HAD FOLK DANCE FESTIVALS TO THE STOCKYARDS TO THE STOCK EXCHANGE LITHUANIANS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE FIBER OF CHICAGO.

>> CHICAGO IS HOME TO THE LARGEST LITHUANIAN COMMUNITY AND TOMORROW IS WHEN LITHUANIAN CELEBRATES THE RESTORATION OF ITS INDEPENDENCE THAT IS POIGNANT GIVEN WHAT IS HAPPENING IN UKRAINE AS IS THE MUSEUM'S NO HOME TO GO TO EXHIBIT ABOUT REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PEOPLES.

SHE SAYS PUTIN'S EFFORTS TO EXPAND RUSSIA COMPARE TO STALIN.

SHE HOPES LESSONS OF THE PAST GUIDE TODAY'S LEADERS BEFORE HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.

>> I DON'T THE HOLOCAUST WOULD HAVE HAPPEN FEDERAL STALIN AND HITLER HAD BEEN STOPPED NOW WE'RE WATCHING ANOTHER TRAGEDY UNFOLD IN PART OF EUROPE THE SAME PART OF EUROPE.

>> POLITICAL BUFFS MAY THINK ANOTHER AREA OF THE MUSEUM BUILDING IS WORTHY OF AN EXHIBIT.

MADIGAN'S LONG TIME WARD OFFICE IS LOCATED ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE BUILDING.

MADIGAN IS KNOWN FOR PUTTING HIS NOSE TO THE GRIND STONE AND SPENT A LOT OF SATURDAYS IN THE OFFICE.

YOU COULD THINK TO HAVE AS HIS SECOND HOME.

HIS HOME IS ABOUT A HALF A MILE AWAY.

MADIGAN WAS BORN IN CLEARING BUT THE FORMER SPEAKER AND HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS LONG LIVED IN WEST LAWN REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY SINCE HE ENTERED THE LEGISLATURE IN 1970.

THIS AFTERNOON WE DID SPEND TIME ON PU LAST SKY AND ASKED FOLKS THOUGHTS ON MADIGAN.

WE TOLD A DIFFERENT COMMUNITY EVERY THURSDAY.

>> WE GO TO DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES EVERY WEEK AND ONE OF THE REASONS WE ARE HERE THIS WEEK IS BECAUSE OF SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HIM?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS.

WHO IS HE?

>> I KNOW HIS HOUSE.

I'VE BEEN THERE DRIVEN BY THERE.

AND ED BURKE.

AND POLITICIANS THEY ARE ALL DIRTY AT SOME POINT.

>> I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SPEAK ON THAT.

>> DO YOU KNOW THE NAME?

>> I DO NOT.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT HIS INDICTMENT?

>> LONG TIME COMING.

LONG TIME COMING.

YOU PLAY WITH FIRE YOU GET BURNED.

>> THIS WAS A RANDOM SAMPLING OF FOLKS ON PULASKI.

WEST LAWN HAS CHANGED A LOT SINCE MADIGAN WAS ELECTED.

IN THE PAST DECADE ALONE THE LATINO POPULATION INCREASED BY 10% ACCORDING TO THE U.S. CENSUS.

JOSE GONZALEZ SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT THE COMMUNITY HAVE LATINO REPRESENTATION IN GOVERNMENT.

>> 100% LATINOS WE HAVE A -- WE'RE CULTURALLY RICH AND DRIVEN TOWARDS FAMILY AND ONLY OTHER LATINOS CAN COMPREHEND WHAT OUR NEEDS ARE.

>> THE 22nd HOUSE DISTRICT IS NOW REPRESENTED BY A RA TINA AFTER MADIGAN STEPPED DOWN A YEAR AGO.

THAT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANGELICA QUAY AR AND SHE WAS APPOINT AND IS NOW RUNNING FOR ELECTION.

WITH THAT WE HAVE MORE AHEAD FOR NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> AMANDA THANK YOU.

>> RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE HAS BROUGHT THE KREMLIN INTO A NEW CONFLICT AN ECONOMIC WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND WESTERN ALLIES.

FROM A BAN ON U.S. IMPORTS OF RUSSIAN OIL AND GAS TO SANCTIONS TARGETING THE OLIGARCHS SUPPORTING PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN RUSSIA'S ECONOMY IS GETTING HIT HARD.

HOW ARE THE PUNISHMENTS PLAYING OUT IN WESTERN COUNTRIES?

AND WHAT IS BEHIND RUSSIA'S CONCENTRATION OF WEALTH.

JOINING US ARE ANDREAS HAUSKRECHT, CLINICAL PROFESSOR OF BUSINESS ECONOMICS AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY AND JEFFREY WINTERS A POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SPECIALIZING IN THE STUDY OF OLIGARCHS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

ANDREAS HAUSKRECHT LET'S START WITH YOU, HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTER RIDE THE DEPTH OF THE U.S. SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA?

>> I THINK THAT RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT WAS EXTREMELY SURPRISED ABOUT THE WELL ORGANIZED RESPONSE OF ALL WESTERN COUNTRIES.

IT'S NOT ONLY THE UNITED STATES IT'S THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.

THE SANCTIONS ARE VERY WELL DESIGNED.

THEY HAVE SHORT-TERM EFFECTS AND LONG-TERM EFFECTS.

THEY HAVE TAKEN AWAY BASICALLY THE CENTRAL BANK RESERVES OF RUSSIA.

THE CENTRAL BANK OF RUSSIA DOESN'T HAVE THE MEANS ANYMORE TO [INAUDIBLE] THE FISCAL POLICY IN RUSSIA DOESN'T HAVE THE MEANS TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY.

SO THERE ARE ALREADY NOW SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS FOR THE RUSSIAN ECONOMY, EXCHANGE RATE IS BASICALLY OUT OF CONTROL.

WITH SIGNIFICANT WELFARE COSTS FOR EVERYONE IN RUSSIA.

WE ALSO SEE THAT THE BANKS ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE WORLDWIDE PAYMENT SYSTEM CALLED SWIFT WHICH MAKES ANY FORM OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT FOR RUSSIA.

ALSO INTERNATIONAL [INAUDIBLE] SO WHAT WE SEE HERE, I BELIEVE THE PUNISHMENT OF INDIVIDUALS OF OBVIOUSLY GARKS ALSO PART OF THE PUNISHMENT I LEAVE THAT TO GEOFFREY.

>> JEFFREY WINTERS, AS WE JUST HEARD AMONG THE SANCTIONS ARE THE TARGETING THE OLIGARCHS WHAT ARE RUSSIAN OLIGARCHS?

AND WHAT ARE THE SANCTIONS DOING TO THEM IN PARTICULAR?

>> THANK YOU, BRANDIS.

FIRST OF ALL, OLIGARCHS WHICH IS A WORD THAT IS GETTING USED A LOT RIGHT NOW WITH REGARD TO RUSSIA IS AN ANCIENT WORD THAT GOES BACK TO ROME AND AN THENS AND IT AGENT THENS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPER POWERFUL BECAUSE THEY ARE WEALTHY.

RUSSIA HAS OLIGARCHS THE U.P.S.

HAS OBVIOUSLY GASHES.

COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD HAVE THEM.

THEY USE WEALTH POWER TO INFLUENCE POLITICS.

WHETHER THOSE POLITICS ARE DEMOCRATIC OR AUTHORITARIAN IN THE CASE OF PUTIN.

AFTER THE SMALL OF THE SOVIET UNION WHEN THERE WERE NOT ANY OLIGARCHS IN THE SOVIET UNION WHEN RUSSIA WAS RESTARTED, VERY QUICKLY A GROUP OF OLIGARCHS AROSE BY CEASING AND GRABBING STATE ASSETS BIG CORPORATIONS, GAS, AMONG THEM.

OIL AND THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE EMERGED AS BEING TREMENDOUSLY POWERFUL.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT RUSSIA HAS STRUGGLED WITH EVER SINCE THE RISE OF THESE NEW OLIGARCHS, IS WHETHER THEY CONTAIN THEM OR NOT -- CAN TAME THEM OR NOT.

THE RULE OF LAW IS NOT STRONG IN RUSSIA.

SO PRUNE R PUTIN HIMSELF, THE BIGGEST OLIGARCH OF ALL IN RUSSIA, HAS A CARROT AND STICK RELATIONSHIP WITH THESE VERY POWERFUL PEOPLE.

BEING CLOSE TO PUTIN MATTERS A LOT FOR HAVING OPPORTUNITIES AND HAVING PROTECTION.

BUT ALSO YOU CAN BE SELECTIVELY TARGETED SO THAT THE GAME THAT IS GOING ON.

>> AND ANDREAS HAUSKRECHT WE KNOW THAT STOCKS ARE SLUMPING TODAY WITH THE S&P ON PACE FOR THE FIFTH DROP IN SIX DAYS IS THE U.S. ECONOMY FEELING THE IMPACT OF WHAT SOME CALL THE ECONOMIC WAR AGAINST RUSSIA?

>> YES AND NO.

THERE IS AN ECONOMIC WAR.

LET ME PUT THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE.

THE U.S. ECONOMY IS THE SIZE OF 23 TRILLION A YEAR.

RUSSIA HAS A SIZE OF 1.5 TRILLION A YEAR.

NOW WITH THE APPRECIATION CLOSE TO 1 TRILLION.

THE RUSSIAN ECONOMY IS SMALLER THE CANADIAN ECONOMY AND SOUTH KOREAN ECONOMY.

BY USING THOSE SANCTIONS THE WEST HAS THE ABILITY TO BRING THE RUSSIAN ECONOMY TO A STOP.

AND THIS IS VERY EFFECTIVE.

THE EFFECTS FOR THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY ARE LIMITED.

I LOOKED UP RUSSIA IS THE 30TH BIGGEST TRADING PARTNER WITH THE UNITED STATES.

WHAT WE IMPORT FROM RUSSIA IS MAINLY MINERALS, OIL AND GASOLINE.

>> BUT WE ARE EXPORTING TO RUSSIA PLANES, CARS, VEHICLES, CHIPS, SO EXPERTS ARE GUESSING WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS BECAUSE RUSSIA'S PLANES ARE FROM BOEING AND AIRBUS.

THEY WILL BE GROUNDED BECAUSE THERE IS NO SERVICENESS NO SPARE PARTS.

FOR THE UNITED STATES WE SEE THE STOCK MARKET BUT THE STOCK MARKET NEEDED A CORRECTION, I SEE THE RUSSIAN CRISIS MORE AS THE START OF A NEEDED STOCK MARKET CORRECTION.

>> AND I WANT TO GET JEFFREY WINTERS BACK IN HERE RUSSIAN OLIGARCHS HOW DO THEY FACTOR INTO THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMY?

CAN THEY SHIFT THE DYNAMIC IN THE CONFLICT?

>> THE BIGGEST IMPACT IS POLITICAL.

SO I MEAN IT'S ECONOMIC BUT IT'S REALLY POLITICAL.

OLIGARCHS HAVE INDIVIDUALLY THE POWER AND THE INFLUENCE OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE COMBINED.

AND SO IF THESE SANCTIONS REALLY HURT THE OLIGARCHS WHO ARE AROUND PUTIN IT PLACES TREMENDOUS PRESSURE ON HIM.

IF THEY BECOME ALARMED AND ALIENATED AND IF THEY SEE THIS ATTACK ON UKRAINE AS DAMAGING THEM, IF THEY TURN EN MASS AGAINST PUTIN THAT COMPLICATES HIS SITUATION POLITICALLY, A GREAT DEAL.

AND THESE SANCTIONS WHICH ARE AS ADRAN YEAHS SAID THEY ARE THAT JUST DIRECTED AT THE COUNTRY AND THE ECONOMY THEY ARE DIRECTED SPECIFICALLY AT THE OLIGARCHS WITH THAT VERY INTENTION IN MIND.

THE IDEA IS TO SEPARATE PUTIN FROM THE OLIGARCHS PUT PRESSURE ON THEM SO THEY IN TURN PUT PRESSURE ON HIM.

>> OBVIOUSLY A LOT TO WATCH GOING FORWARD ECONOMICALLY IN RUSSIA IN PARTICULAR.

MY THANKS TO ANDREAS HAUSKRECHT AND JEFFREY WINTERS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT WAS A PLEASURE.

>> ROSE LAND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS ARE CALLING FOR MORE STATE FUNDING TO KEEP THE STRUGGLING SOUTH SIDE HOSPITAL L AFLOAT.

COVID HAS EXACERBATED THE HOSPITAL'S FINANCIAL NEED DUE TO PART TO ADDED EXPENSES AND EQUIPMENT AND OVERTIME FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

THE MOVE COMES AS FOUR OTHER SAFETY NET HOSPITALS HAVE CLOSED THEIR DOORS ON THE SOUTH OR WEST SIDES SINCE 2018.

HERE TO DISCUSS THIS AND MORE IS TIM EGAN PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF ROSELAND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL.

TIM, WELCOME BACK.

WE SPOKE TO YOU TWO YEARS AGO, WHEN ROSELAND WAS ALREADY FACING FINANCIAL CHALLENGES.

JUST AS COVID WAS RAMPING UP.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE HOW THE HOSPITAL IS STANDING FINANCIALLY RIGHT NOW?

>> WE'RE IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

MORE SO THAN WE WERE TWO YEARS AGO.

WE HAD A GREAT FIGHT.

CREATED OUR OWN TESTING PROGRAM FOR THE SOUTH SIDE.

THAT WAS EPIC EFFORT AND JUST A TREMENDOUS CHANGE IN THE CURVE OF COVID IN THE BEGINNING.

BUT THIS LAST ROUND OF OMICRON REALLY WOUNDED US.

YOU MENTIONED THE ADDED EXPENSE WE ARE $6 MILLION IN DEBT RIGHT NOW TO NURSING AGENCIES ALONE.

AND THAT IS CRIPPLING TO US IN OUR BUDGET.

>> $6 MILLION TO NURSING AGENCIES ALONE THAT HELP YOU STAFF YOUR NURSES IN THE HOSPITAL, CORRECT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, OUR COVID NUMBERS SOARED DURING OMICRON.

WE HAD A SHORTAGE OF NURSING LIKE EVERY OTHER HOSPITAL ACROSS THE UNITED STATES WE HAD TO PLUG THE HOLES AND HAD TO USE NURSE AGENCIES AND DURS THE FIRST STAGES OF COVID IT WAS UNDERSTANDABLE TO PAY $10 MORE PER HOUR AND THEN THE AGENCIES TOOK ADVANTAGE DURING THE OMICRON AND RAISED THEIR HOURLY WAGES BY ALMOST 200% IN SOME AREAS.

AND IT'S BEEN ABSOLUTE DEVASTATING.

>> HOW MUCH TOTAL WOULD YOU SAY IS NEEDED TO KEEP THE HOSPITAL AFLOAT?

>> WELL, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO SOLVE THAT $6 MILLION DEBT AND THEN WE HAVE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN HAD TO SHUT THOSE PROGRAMS DOWN LIKE OUR ADOLESCENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH UNIT.

TO HAVE THOSE THINGS PUT ON PAUSE, WE NEED INFLUX OF FUNDING TO GET THOSE PROGRAMS BACK UP AND RUNNING.

AND EXPAND THE REST OF THE SERVICES WE HAVE.

INCLUDING A CYCLE CELL ANEMIA CLINIC.

>> IN RESPONSE TO THE BNG PROPOSAL, THE SENATOR JONES HE CALLED FOR MORE INVESTMENT IN SAFETY NET HOSPITALS SAYING QUOTE SAFETY NETS MAKEUP 19.1% OF OUR STATE HOSPITALS AND CARE FOR OUR STATE'S MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

WE MUST INSURE THEY ARE FUNDED PROPERLY AND EQUIPPED WITH STAFFING AND RESOURCES I URGE THE GOVERNOR TO RELEASE THE $30 MILLION FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDING FOR SAFETY NET HOSPITALS.

WHAT HAS THE STATE AND FEDERAL INVESTMENT LOOKED LIKE THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC FOR YOUR HOSPITAL?

>> WELL, IN THE BEGINNING THE FEDERAL INFLUX OF FUNDING WAS OUTSTANDING.

WE GOT A PPP POOL OF MONEY THAT THE PAYROLL PROTECTTION PLAN WE IMMEDIATELY TURNED IT OVER TO OUR EMPLOYEES.

THOSE HEROS ON THE FRONTLINE THEY GOT HERO PAY AND THAT DRIED UP.

AND THE REST OF THE MONEY WE GOT SOME OF IT THROUGH COVID.

BUT A LOT IS STILL SITTING ON THE SIDELINES.

AS TIRED, FRUSTRATED AS ANGRY AS I AM, WE ARE FORCED TO -- FORCED TO BEG DOWN IN SPRINGFIELD EVERY SPRING JUST TO KEEP OUR DOORS OPEN.

>> WHAT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PROTECT SAFETY NET HOSPITALS SUCH AS ROSELAND?

WHAT ARE YOU ASKING FOR IN SPRINGFIELD?

>> AS AN OUTSPOKEN LEADER I HAVE A TARGET ON MY BACK IF THAT TARGET PUTS MONEY IN ROSELAND'S BANK I'M WILLING TO DIE ON MY SHIELD FOR SAFETY NET HOSPITALS AND THAT MAKES ME OPTIMISTIC.

THERE ARE POOLS OF MONEY THAT ARE AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW.

WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER TAX WE DON'T NEED A CASINO WE DON'T NEED MORE MARIJUANA SALES THE MONEY IS THERE.

AND YOU MENTIONED TRANSFORMATION THAT IS WHAT WE ARE PUSHING FOR.

WE'VE HAD A PLAN PENDING WITH THE STATE OF ILLINOIS SINCE APRIL OF LAST YEAR.

AND THAT IS A $40 MILLION INVESTMENT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS SO WE CAN EXPAND OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AND BRING IN ORTHOPAEDIC PROGRAMS AND EXPAND OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TO INCLUDE HEALING CENTERS FOR ADOLESCENT PATIENTS SUFFERING.

THAT TRANSFORMATION IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL FOR THE FUTURE OF ROSELAND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL.

AND IT HAS A BROAD RANGE OF SUPPORT FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS LIKE OUR HERO SENATOR JONES, WHAT A CHAMPION UNMATCHED.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK THE FUNDS HAVEN'T BEEN RELEASED?

>> SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN RELEASED IN PILOT PROJECTS WE'RE WAITING FOR OURS.

AND THAT BROAD RANGE OF SUPPORT WE HAD IS FROM THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, THE MEDICAL DISTRICT COMMISSION AND THE BETTER HEALTH SUPPORTS OUR TRANSFORMATION PLAN.

ONE PLANNER LOOKED AT OUR PLAN AND SAID IT WOULD BE A SIN IF ROSELAND DOESN'T GET THIS TRANSFORMATION PLAN FUNDED FROM THE STATE.

>> TIM, ANOTHER CONCERN FOR HOSPITALS HAS BEEN THIS ONGOING WORKER SHORTAGE.

COVID CASES ARE ON THE DECLINE.

ARE YOU SEEING MORE NURSES AND DOCTORS RETURN TO WORK?

WHAT IS YOUR STATUS THERE?

>> NOT YET.

WE ARE ABSOLUTELY HEAVILY RECRUITING OFFERING SIGN ON BONUSES INCREASE IN WAGES.

WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT INFLUX OF NURSES BACK YET A LOT OF THE NURSES THAT LEFT THE CHICAGO AREA THEY WERE GETTING BONUSES OF $25,000 IN TEXAS AND TRAVEL, LIVING EXPENSES.

THEY WERE GOING WHERE THE HIGHEST BIDDER WAS.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN THEM COME BACK AND WE'RE PRAYERFUL THAT THE NURSES DO COME BACK.

I WILL GIVE THE STATE OF ILLINOIS A THOUSAND PERCENT CREDIT FOR THE POOL OF NURSES THEY HELPED PROVIDE FOR SAFETY NET HOSPITALS.

WE HAD 36 NURSES COME THROUGH AND HELP US FROM THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND WITHOUT THAT WE WOULD HAVE ABSOLUTELY HAD TO SHUTDOWN OPERATIONS.

THE STATE OF ILLINOIS CAME TO OUR AID AND RESCUE AND I GIVE THEM A THOUSAND PERCENT KUDOS FOR THAT.

>> I'M SURE THE COMMUNITY APPRECIATIVE.

TIM EGAN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT MEET A UKRAINIAN ARTIST WHO IS DOING WHAT SHE CAN TO HELP THE WAR NESTER HER HOME COUNTRY.

STAY WITH US.

>> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING DETAILS ON THE PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LOCKOUT COMING TO AN END.

FIRST, A LONG DELAYED ART EXHIBITION HAS OPENED BUT WITH A NEW FOCUS.

A CHICAGO ARTIST AND TEACHER BORN IN UKRAINE MAKES BOTH TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY PAINTINGS AND IS USING HER ABILITY TO CREATE TO COUNTER FORCES OF DESTRUCTION.

MARC VITALI HAS THE STORY.

[♪♪♪] >> MANY IMAGES ARE PAINTED DIRECTLY ON TO GLASS.

A CUSTOMARY FORM OF UKRAINIAN FOLK PAINTING THAT CELEBRATES HERITAGE AND RELIGIOUS ICONS.

OTHERS ARE MODERN WORKS WITH SPIRITUAL THEMES.

AT THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CHICAGO WE MET AN ARTIST ON A MISSION.

>> I'M ELENA DIADENKO I HAVE BEEN AN ARTIST ALL MY LIFE.

I STARTED TO PAINT FROM MY CHILDHOOD AND I NEVER STOPPED.

WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL I WAS SAYING I WILL BE AN ARTIST.

ARTIST, COLLEGE, MARRIAGE THAT IS WHAT I USED TO SAY WHEN I WAS A KID.

TWO YEARS AGO I PLANNED THIS ART SHOW AND COVID STARTED AND WE COULDN'T HAVE A SHOW.

I WAS PLANNING TO HAVE THE SHOW RIGHT NOW AND THE WAR STARTED IN UKRAINE AS SOON AS I FOUND OUT ABOUT WAR I WAS THINKING HOW GOD HOW CAN I HELP?

I DECIDED THAT EVERY SINGLE PAINTING FROM THE SHOW THAT I WILL MAKE WILL GO TO HELP WOUNDED SOLDIERS IN UKRAINE.

>> SHE SAYS PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF HER WORK WILL BENEFIT TWO UKRAINIAN VETERANS GROUPS.

ILLINOIS DICK DURBIN BOUGHT SEVERAL OF HER PAINTINGS ON GLASS.

A LOT OF PAINTINGS OF MINE HAVE ANGELS AND PEOPLE ASKING FOR HEALING.

OR PEOPLE PRAYING FOR PEACE.

OR PEOPLE PRAYING FOR WHATEVER IS SACRED TO THEM.

AND FOR THE VICTORY OF OUR SOLDIERS, OF COURSE.

I CALL UKRAINE DAILY.

I GO ON FACEBOOK AND CONTACT MY FRIENDS.

VIA TEXT OR PHONE CALL.

AND TODAY IN THE MORNING I TALKED TO MY FRIEND SOUTHERN UKRAINE SHE SAID IT'S SHELLING WE HEAR BOMBS EXPLODING OUTSIDE.

I DON'T HAVE AN INTERVIEW TODAY AND SHE SAY TELL AMERICANS THAT WE ARE IN TROUBLE.

LET THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW ABOUT IT.

UKRAINE IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY AND KYIV IS INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL CITY.

WE HAVE FIELDS OF BEAUTIFUL SUNFLOWERS I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE UNITED STATES FOR ADOPTING ME.

I'M VERY THANKFUL TO THIS COUNTRY FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO FOR UKRAINE.

AND FOR THE PEOPLE.

BECAUSE YOU HELP A LOT OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES IN TROUBLE.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> ELENA DIADENKO TEACHES FINE ARTS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE.

HER EXHIBITION IS CALLED COLORS OF LIFE AT THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CHICAGO THROUGH THE END OF MARCH.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" EFFORTS TO SUPPORT WEST LAWN RESIDENTS AS THE COST OF FOOD AND GAS INCREASE.

WE TALK WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS.

>> BASEBALL IS SET TO RETURN AFTER AN EXTENSIVE LOCKOUT.

WHAT THE CONTRACT MEANS FOR PLAYERS.

>> THIS PLANT LITERALLY MELTS THE SNOW AROUND IT AND EMERGES FROM THE DEPTHS OF WINTER.

>> IT MIGHT NOT LOOK OR SMELL LIKE A TRADITIONAL FLOWER BUT THE SKUNK CABBAGE IS SPRING'S LEADING BLOOMER.

WE'LL EXPLAIN.

>> AND WE INTRODUCE YOU TO CHICAGO RAPPER FEMDOT AHEAD OF HIS FIRST POST PANDEMIC CONCERT HAPPENING TOMORROW.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> A NEW RECRUITMENT EFFORT AIMS TO EXPAND THE POOL OF CANDIDATES FOR THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

STRUGGLING TO RECRUIT NEW OFFICERS, SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN ANNOUNCED THE DEPARTMENT WILL NO LONGER REQUIRE SOME OFFICERS TO HAVE 60 HOURS OF COLLEGE CREDIT.

APPLICANTS WHO HAVE THREE YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION OR TRADE INDUSTRIES WILL NOT HAVE TO SHOW ANY COLLEGE CREDIT THAT IS IN ADDITION TO THOSE WHO WORKED AS PRIVATE SECURITY GUARDS, CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS OR OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

>> RELATIVES OF VICTIMS WHO DIED IN THE CRASH OF EAT YOPIAN AIRLINES ARE CALLING ON STATE LAWMAKERS TO HOLD BOEING ACCOUNTABLE.

ON THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE CRASH OF THE MAX AIRCRAFT RELATIVES EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATION TO ALLOW FOR PUNITIVE DAMAGES AGAINST MANUFACTURERS IN THE CASE OF WRONGFUL DEATHS AND INJURY.

LA SHAWN FORD SPONSORED THE BILL.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BOEING IS INCENTIVIZED TO MAKE THEIR JETS SAFE AND PREVENT FUTURE CRASHES.

>> AND BOEING WHISTLE BLOWER AND RETIRED MANAGER SAYS HE BELIEVES THE 737 MAX CRAFT ARE STILL UNSAFE.

>> THE PROBLEMS WITH THE MAX GO BEYOND SOFTWARE AND PILOT TRAINING.

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE POTENTIALLY HUNDREDS OF AIRPLANES OPERATING WITH HIDDEN HAZARDS BOEING LEADERSHIP IS ONCE AGAIN TALKING ABOUT RAMPING UP PRODUCTION.

SHAME ON THEM.

>> ETHIOPIA FLIGHT CRASHED SIX MINUTES AFTER TAKE OFF IN 2019 KILLING ALL 157 PEOPLE ONBOARD IT WAS THE SECOND CRASH OF THE MAX PLANE IN THE SPAN OF FIVE MONTHS TRIGGERING A WORLDWIDE GROUNDING OF THE AIRCRAFT.

>> THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN ILLINOIS IS DOWN AND JOBS ARE UP.

ACCORDING TO THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY, THE STATE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FELL 0.1% IN JANUARY TO 5%.

ILLINOIS CONTINUES TO LAG BEHIND THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WHICH NOW STANDS AT 4%.

>> AND NOW BACK TO AMANDA VINICKY WHO SPENT THE DAY IN WEST LAWN AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> I'M JOINED BY ENRIQUE MENDOZA, HE IS A WEST LAWN RESIDENT AND THE BOARD PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHWEST COLLECTIVE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

WE'VE TALKED WITH THE COLLECTIVE BEFORE REMIND US OF YOUR WORK.

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE ENGAGED IN HEALTH EQUITY WORK WE HELP TO ORGANIZE EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY BUT WE'RE ALSO TRYING TO PUSH MORE FOR LIKE VACCINE EQUITY, FOOD EQUITY, SO EQUITY IS LIKE THE BIG WORD HERE.

SO.

>> WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD?

>> BASICALLY, WE JUST BECAME MEMBERS OF THE CHICAGOLAND FOOD SOVEREIGNTY COALITION.

THAT IS A GROUP OF MUTUAL AID GROUPS WHO RESCUE FOOD.

WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE FOODWARE HOUSE WHERE WE CAN BRING FOOD TO PLACES LIKE WEST LAWN.

>> AND DELIVER IT TO HOMES?

>> WE HAVE LIKE A SETUP FOOD PANTRIES SO WE STOCK THOSE WITH SHELF STABLE ITEMS.

AND WE ALSO HOST FREE MARKERS MARKETS -- FREE FARMERS MARKETS.

INGREDIENTS VARY.

BUT FOLKS CAN COME THROUGH AND GRAB THAT AS WELL.

>> INFLATION IS A CONCERN FOR A LOT OF FOLKS.

IS THAT IMPACTING YOUR WORK?

ARE YOU SEEING MONEY DONATIONS NOT GO AS FAR?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO THE THING WE'RE STRUGGLING WITH I MEAN WE'VE SEEN RENT INCREASES.

SEEN FOOD INCREASES, GAS INCREASES.

ALL ACROSS THE BOARD.

YOU ARE SEEING RESIDENTS STRUGGLE THEY ARE FEELING THE WEIGHT OF THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ONLY COVID BUT GEOPOLITICAL CONFLICTS.

THEY ARE BEARING THE BRUNT RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S JUST MORE DEMAND FOR MORE ACCESS TO FOOD, MORE DEMAND FOR PUBLIC BENEFIT PROGRAMS, I MEAN WE'VE HOSTED RENTAL ASSISTANCE SIGN UPS AND STUFF.

SO I MEAN WE'RE TRYING TO HELP AS MUCH AS WE CAN IT'S STILL NOT ENOUGH.

>> FAIR TO SAY MORE DEMAND FOR THE WORK, THE SERVICES, THE GOODS YOU PROVIDE THAN YOU ARE ABLE TO OFFER?

>> YES.

WE DEFINITELY NEED MORE AS MUCH AS WE CAN CONNECT FOLKS TO RESOURCES, IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

WE NEED MORE TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACHES.

AND NEED SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT MORE THAT TACKLES THE ROOT CAUSE NOT JUST TREATING THE SYMPTOMS.

>> AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT IS ALL THAT WE HAVE TIME FOR WE THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH ENRIQUE MENDOZA OF THE SOUTHWEST COLLECTIVE AND A WEST LAWN RESIDENT AND WE WILL BE BACK WITH MORE BRANDIS BUT FOR NOW, I'M TOSSING IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT, AMERICA'S FAVORITE PASTIME IS BACK WE HAVE THE DETAILS.

STAY WITH US.

AMERICA'S FAVORITE PASTIME IS RETURNING.

AFTER A 99-DAY LONG OUT BY OWNERS, PLAYERS REPS VOTED TO ACCEPT MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL'S LATEST OFFER FOR A NEW LABOR DEAL AND THE SEASON IS EXPECTED TO GET UNDERWAY ON APRIL 7.

JOINING US ARE CHERYL RAYE-STOUT SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR AT WBEZ AND TIM STEBBINS COVERING THE CUBS FOR NBC SPORTS CHICAGO.

CHERYL, AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED.

WHAT WERE THE STICKING POINTS THAT HAD TO GET RESOLVED?

>> ONE WAS LUXURY TAX AS FAR AS ELEVATING IT MORE.

AND ONE OF THE REAL BIG ONES WAS THE MINIMUM WAGE GOING FROM 570,000 TO 700,000.

THAT IS A HUGE LEAP.

THE LEAGUE HAS GOT 69% OF IT WILL BE PART OF THAT UMBRELLA.

SO IT WILL BE HELPING THE YOUNG KIDS GETTING THE DEAL THEY ARE WORTH.

IT WILL BE A FIVE-YEAR DEAL AND THAT THEY ARE GOING TO PLAY 162 GAMES.

SO WHEN THEY START ON APRIL 7 THEY WILL MAKEUP THE OTHER GAMES DOING DOUBLE-HEADERS OR ON THE BACK END AND HAVE 12 TEAMS IN THE PLAYOFFS.

THERE'S GOING TO BE UNIVERSAL DH.

THERE ARE SEVERAL.

BUT THE BIG THING WAS THE CONTRACT FOR THE KIDS, THE YOUNGER PLAYERS MINIMUM WAGE AND RAISING THE LUXURY TAX.

AND THE ONE THING THAT WAS KIND OF A STICKLER LAST NIGHT INTO TODAY WAS THE INTERNATIONAL DRAFT.

THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE TIME FROM NOW UNTIL JULY 25 TO HAVE TALKS ABOUT GETTING AN INTERNATIONAL DRAFT.

>> AND TIM STEBBINS HOW SOON WILL SPRING TRAINING CAMPS BEGIN?

>> BUCKLE UP IT'S COMING.

PLAYERS CAN REPORT AS SOON AS FRIDAY.

AND THEIR MANDATORY REPORT DATE IS SUNDAY, EXCLUDING PLAYERS WHO NEED TO GET -- IT IS A QUICK TURN AROUND TO GET THAT DONE.

SO THEY WILL HAVE MORE LEEWAY.

AND FROM THERE WE WILL HAVE GAMES IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO MARCH 13TH IS THE REPORT DATE.

DAMES WILL FOLLOW SOMETIME IN THE DAYS AFTER THAT IN THE COMING WEEK.

>> CHERYL, TALK ABOUT THE FREE AGENT FRENZY THAT IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.

WHAT IS IT?

>> WELL, THERE'S SEVERAL GUYS THAT ARE FREE AGENTS.

SO RIGHT NOW TIM AND I WERE TALKING, WAS THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF SIGNINGS BECAUSE THE ROSTERS SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN TALKING BEFORE THE NEGOTIATIONS -- BEFORE THEY WERE LOCKED OUT.

A LOT OF THINGS ARE IN PLACE NOW THEY CAN PUT PEN TO PAPER AND GET THE GUYS IN THE CAMP AND FILL OUT THEIR ROSTERS.

INTERESTING BY RAISING THE LUXURY TAX KEEP TEAM ALSO FEEL IT WILL BE OK TO SPEND MORE MONEY.

LIKE A CHRIS BRYANT IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET POTENTIAL OUT OF THIS.

>> TIM, ONE OF THE BIGGEST POINTS IS THIS LUXURY TAX.

EXPLAIN HOW THIS WORKS AND WHAT THE RESOLUTION WAS ON THAT?

>> YES, SO BASEBALL THE PLAYERS UNION HAS LONG FOUGHT TO IMPLEMENT A SALARY CAP WHAT YOU SEE IN DIFFERENT NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS LEAGUE.

AND THE LUXURY ACTS AS A DEFACTO SALARY CAP IT DISEN SENT ADVISES TEAMS FROM SPENDING ON A SET FIGURE, 2021 IT WAS 2.10 MILLION.

AND A LOT OF TIMES YOU SEE TEAMS THEIR PLAYER SALARIES THEY NEAR THAT FIGURE BUT THEY DON'T ECLIPSE IT AND THE SAME TIME BASEBALL'S REVENUES HAVE BEEN INCREASING THIS CENTURY SINCE THE LAST COUPLE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS.

AND THE SPENDING BY TEAMS HAS NOT REALLY BEEN IN SYNC WITH REVENUES AND PLAYERS SALARIES HAVE NOT BEEN IN SYNC WITH REVENUES.

BY INCREASING THAT LUXURY TAX THRESHOLD THE PLAYERS MORE PLAYERS MORE ROOM TO SPEND BECAUSE TEAMS ARE THAT GOING TO WANT TO ECLIPSE THAT FIGURE BECAUSE OF THE TAXES THAT COME WITH IT NOW IF IT'S 20 MILLION MORE MAYBE RUIN SENT ADVISED TO SIGN THAT ONE BIG EXTRA CONTRACT AND BOOST YOUR TEAM IN THAT REGARD.

>> AND TIM, GIVE US A REMINDER HOW DID WE GET HERE TO BEGIN WITH?

>> IT'S BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING.

WE SAW BACK IN 2020 WHEN COVID-19 UNFORTUNATELY HIT UPENDED THE SPORTS WORLD AND THE ENTIRE WORLD, THEY WERE NEGOTIATING TO RETURN TO PLAY IN 2020 AND THEY COULDN'T AGREE TO TERMS FOR THAT AT A TIME WHEN THE WORLD AND THE COUNTRY WHAT HAVE YOU THEY NEEDED BASEBALL AND SPORTS MORE THAN EVER.

THERE'S BEEN LONG BREWING ANIMOSITY BETWEEN THE SIDES.

THE LAST TWO AGREEMENTS BEFORE THIS THE PLAYERS FRANKLY GOT BEAT PREET PRETTY BAD IN IT AND THEY WANTED TO MAKEUP SOME OF THOSE GAINS AND IT HASN'T BEEN SOMETHING THAT THIS 99-DAY PERIOD IT'S BEEN SOMETHING YEARS IN THE MAKING THAT BOILED OVER AND THAT IS WHY YOU SAW IT TOOK ALMOST 100 DAYS TO GET A RESOLUTION ON THIS.

>> AND BEFORE WE GO, I WILL ASK YOU BOTH THIS STARTING WITH CHERYL YOUR CUBS EXPECTATIONS FOR 2022 AND THE SOX?

>> THE WHITE SOX HAVE A LOT OF POSITIVE THINGS GOING THEY NEED TO FILL IN THE BLANKS THEY HAVE TO ADDRESS THE RIGHT FIELD SITUATION AND SECOND BASE AND NAIL DOWN A STARTER STARTING PITCHER.

THE CUBS HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG PLAYERS AND THEY HAVE TO DO MORE WORK.

THEY HAVE TO DECIDE THEY DID GET FREE AGENT PITCHERS BEFORE THE LOCKOUT.

SO THEY ARE GOOD THERE.

BUT THEY REALLY NEED TO FIGURE OUT THEIR ROSTER AS FAR AS A LOT OF AREAS.

CENTER FIELD IS ONE.

THEY NEED TO DO THAT.

>> TIM SAME QUESTION TO YOU?

>> THE WHITE SOX AS CONSTRUCTED ARE A CONTENDER TO MAKE IT TO THE WORLD SERIES, AND ONE OR TWO MORE PLAYERS CAN PUT THEM OVER THE TOP.

THE CUBS THEY TRADED ALL THE CORE PIECE OF LAST SUMMER SO THEY ARE IN A TRANSITION PERIOD THEY MADE ADDITIONS BEFORE THE LOCKOUT AND DEPENDING WHAT THEY DO THEY HAVE EXPANDED THE PLAYOFFS THEY COULD BE IN THE THICK OF TRYING TO GET ONE OF THOSE LAST PLAYOFF SPOTS DEPENDING WHERE THEY MOVE FROM HERE.

>> A LOT OF FANS ARE THANKFUL THEY CAN START BUYING THE TICKETS.

OUR THANKS TO TIM STEBBINS AND CHERYL RAYE-STOUT FOR JOINING US.

>> IT MIGHT NOT LOOK MUCH LIKE A FLOWER OR SMELL LIKE ONE, OR EVEN SOUND LIKE ONE.

BUT THE SKUNK CABBAGE IS ARGUABLY A MORE RELIABLE SIGN OF SPRING THAN THE GROUND-HOG.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER PATTY WETLI JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN.

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS A SKUNK CABBAGE?

>> WELL, IT'S NOT A SKUNK IT'S NOT A CABBAGE.

IT'S ACTUALLY A FLOWERING PLANT THAT IS RELATED TO THE CALI LILLEY.

AND IT IS ONE OF IF NOT THE FIRST NATIVE PLANT TO EMERGE IN THE SPRING IN THIS REGION.

>> SO IT MIGHT SMELL LIKE A SKUNK AND DOESN'T QUITE LOOK LIKE A FLOWER BUT IT HAS COOL PLANT SUPERPOWER TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> YEAH.

WELL, FOR ONE THING IT SMELLS SO BAD THAT IS HOW IT ATTRACTS POLLINATORS.

THAT IS GENIUS BUT THE OTHER SUPERPOWER IS CALLED THERMO GENESIS IT CREATES ITS OWN HEAT.

AND THAT IS ACTUALLY HOW IT IS ABLE TO EMERGE SO EARLY.

IT LITERALLY CAN MELT THE SNOW AS IT'S COMING UP THROUGH THE GROUND BECAUSE IT MAKES SO MUCH OF ITS OWN HEAT WHICH DON'T WE ALL WISH WE COULD DO.

>> AND SO WHAT ARE TIPS HOW TO SPOT ONE?

>> WELL, COMING LOW TO THE GROUND AND IT LIKES WATER SO LOOKING LIKE WETLANDS, MARSHY AREAS AND IT WILL MIX IN WITH THE LEAF LITTER HAD AS A EGGPLANTY MODELED COLOR TO IT.

BUT THE FLOWER I HATE TO MAKE THIS COMPARISON LOOKS LIKE THE CORONAVIRUS.

LIKE A BALL WITH LITTLE SPIKEY THINGS ON IT.

LOOK FOR THAT.

>> WE KNOW WHAT THE CORONAVIRUS LOOKS LIKE SO IT MIGHT BE EASY TO SPOT AND THEY SMELL LIKE MEAT?

>> LIKE ROTTING MEAT.

>> ROTTING MEAT.

>> OR A SKUNK.

>> OK. GOOD TO KNOW.

PATTY WETLI THANK YOU.

ALWAYS WITH THE INTERESTING STORIES.

>> SURE.

>> AND YOU CAN READ PATTY'S STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> UP NEXT, WE CHECK IN WITH AMANDA VINICKY WHO IS REPORTING LIVE FROM CHICAGO'S WEST LAWN COMMUNITY AREA.

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> AMANDA?

>> YES, BRANDIS I'M HERE WITH A PUBLIC OFFICIAL WHOSE DISTRICT COVERS PARTS OF WEST LAWN AND THAT IS COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER ALMA ANAYA THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WE WANT TO TOUCH ON THE POLITICAL NEWS IN WEST LAWN IN PART BECAUSE IT IS HOME OF FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER AND DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR MICHAEL MADIGAN.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HIS INDICTMENT?

AND HOW DOES THAT IMPACT PUBLIC TRUST?

>> SO I JUST LIKE EVERYONE I WAS ASTONISHED.

BUT I THINK ONE OF THE BEAUTIES OF WEST LAWN IS IT IS A CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND JUST LIKE THEY RELY ON EACH OTHER AS A COMMUNITY, RELY ON ELECTED OFFICIALS AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR AND MAINTAIN JUST AND INTEGRITY IN PUBLIC OFFICE TO GO WE ALL NEED TO SDRIF FOR.

>> DO YOU IMAGINE HIM NO LONGER HAVING THE HOLD IN SPRINGFIELD WILL BRING FEWER RESOURCES TO WEST LAWN?

>> THE COMMUNITY IS CLOSE-KNIT WE TIE TODAY ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS WORK TOWARDS ONE COOL INSURING THERE ARE RESOURCES AND THERE'S INFORMATION AVAILABLE.

WE HAVE WONDERFUL NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND CLINICS AND HEALTH INSTITUTIONS AND OF COURSE, INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE ONE WE ARE IN TODAY THAT BIND TOGETHER AND PROVIDE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE THERE FOR EVERYONE.

WE DO IT AS A COLLECTIVE.

>> ONE OF THE IMPACTS SO MUCH THAT IS AWFUL IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE PANDEMIC IS AN INCREASE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RATES.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE ADVOCATED FOR BRINGING MORE RESOURCES TO REPAIRING THOSE HARMS, PREVENTION.

CAN YOU SHARE WITH US WHAT ACTION THE COUNTY HAS TAKEN?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

LIKE EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT THERE'S BEEN AN INCREASE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

IT MAY SHOCK A LOT OF PEOPLE BUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IS NOT SOMETHING FROM THE 1940s, 1950s.

IT'S WELL ALIVE AND IMPACTING AND CAUSING TRAUMA IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND IT DOESN'T CONCENTRATE IN ONE AREA OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE EXPANDING SERVICES AND WE HAVE DONE THAT IN COOK COUNTY.

WE HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT WE WILL BE HAVING GENDER BASED VIOLENCE RESOURCES AND GRANTS FOR NOT-FOR-PROFITS.

AND I WAS MADE AWARE AS WELL THAT THE CITY OF CHICAGO DID THE SAME THING AS WELL.

WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WE NEED TO PROVIDE STRUCTURE FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND OUR CONSTITUENTS SURVIVORS.

>> AND YOU DO REPRESENT COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN HIT HARD BY THE PANDEMIC PARTICULARLY LATINX COMMUNITIES ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE.

HOWEVER NOW HIGHER THAN ELSEWHERE VACCINATION RATES.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE REASON FOR THAT?

>> I THINK INDIVIDUALS ARE REALIZING THE FACT THAT VACCINES DO WORK AND THEY ARE PROVIDING RECOVERY IN OUR HEALTH ATMOSPHERE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

I THINK ALTHOUGH THAT THERE IS AN INCREASE IN IN CASES AND WE ARE IN 60629, WHICH WAS TO RECORD ONE OF THE AREAS THAT HAD THE MOST POSITIVE CASES THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, WE SEE WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES AND RIGHT INFORMATION TO OUR CONSTITUENTS TO SEE WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF RECEIVING VACCINES AND ALSO BEING SAFE.

WEARING OUR MASKS, WASHING OUR HANDS AND STAYING SAFE AND HEALTHY.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

AND STAY SAFE TO YOU AS WELL THAT WAS COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER ALMA ANAYA.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, EARLIER TONIGHT YOU SPOKE WITH ENRIQUE MENDOZA FROM THE SOUTHWEST COLLECTIVE AND THE ORGANIZATION HAS A PROGRAM THAT YOU WANTED TO ASK ABOUT BUT WE RAN OUT OF TIME.

TELL US ABOUT THE PROGRAM?

>> I WILL WRITE OUT THIS SEGMENT BY TALKING ABOUT DIVVIES WHICH WEREN'T OVER HERE ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE FOR A LONGTIME NOT COMING PAST PULASKI AND THE COLLECTIVE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING THOSE BIKES TO THIS AREA NOW THERE ARE A COUPLE DIVVY STATIONS AT WEST LAWN PARK AND ENRIQUE MENDOZA TELLS ME THEY ARE QUITE POPULAR.

AND I EXPECT MORE SO ONCE THE SNOWY WEATHER PASSES AND SPRING FINALLY ARRIVES.

>> I'M SURE THEY WILL BE.

THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT WE INTRODUCE YOU TO THE UNIQUE SOUNDS OF A LOCAL RAPPER.

FIRST A LOOK AT EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND... [♪♪♪] >> THE CHICAGO ARTIST KNOWN FOR SPORTING A MECHANICAL PENCIL BEHIND HIS RIGHT HERE IS A DUING HIS FIRST POST PANDEMIC ALBUM AT AN ALL AGES CONCERT TOMORROW NIGHT.

ANGEL IDOWU CAUGHT UP WITH THE RAPPER FEMDOT AND SHARES WHY HE HOPES HIS MUSIC ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO REMAIN TRUE TO THEMSELVES.

[♪♪♪] MEET FEMDOT.

FOR THIS CHICAGO RAPPER HIS MUSIC HAS ALWAYS BEEN A REFLECTION OF TWO THINGS: WHO HE IS AND WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO HIM.

[♪♪♪] >> I KNOW WHO I AM.

I'M KNOW LIKE WHAT MY VALUE IS PAUSE OF ALL THE THINGS I'VE BEEN THROUGH NOT NECESSARILY JUST BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I'M BETTER THAN ANYBODY THE EXPERIENCES I'VE BEEN THROUGH ALLOWED ME TO CREATE AN EXPERIENCE THAT IS ME AND ONLY ME.

AND ME BEING ME WORKS EVERY TIME.

[♪♪♪] >> HE RECENTLY RELEASED HIS FIRST POST COVID BODY OF WORK TITLED NOT FOR SALE.

WHICH WILL BE DEBUTING AT THE FIRST CHICAGO HEADLINING CONCERT SINCE 2018.

>> NOT FOR SALE, THE WHOLE LIKE TAG LINE YOU CAN'T PUT A PRICE ON EXPERIENCE.

I CONSIDER MYSELF A STORYTELLER AND IT MAKES IT EASIER TO PULL FROM ELEMENTS TO HUMANNIZE AN EXPERIENCE AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE LIKE BLACK PEOPLE ARE TYPICALLY DEHUMANIZED.

[♪♪♪] THE HUMAN EXPERIENCES HE WORKS TO BRING ATTENTION TO ARE PRIMARILY ROOTED IN HIS EXPLORATION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

>> PEOPLE ASSUME THAT BLACK MEN MUSICAL OR NOT ARE BLACK PEOPLE IN GENERAL THAT LIKE YOU'RE JUST IF YOU DO THIS YOU ARE IN ONE LANE AND OR IF YOU TALK ABOUT THIS THIS IS THE ONLY THING YOU CAN TALK ABOUT.

SO MY MUSIC I REALLY TRY TO BE AS MULTIDIMENSIONAL AS POSSIBLE.

A LOT OF MY SONGS ARE VULNERABLE AND OPEN, I WRITE FROM A PLACE OF EXPERIENCE AND A PLACE OF LIKE THERAPY.

SO IT'S OPEN.

AND I THINK LIKE ALLOWING MEN TO BE OPEN IS A THING THAT I FEEL LIKE SHOULD BE COOL.

SO WHY NOT PUT IF IN RAP SONGS.

[♪♪♪] THAT EMPHASIS ON HUMANITY IS ALSO A REFLECTION OF HIS COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY.

>> I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT IT ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IN THAT TIME OF THE PANDEMIC WE ESTABLISHED MY NONPROFIT, WHERE WE GIVE OUT SCHOLARSHIPS AND COAT DRIVES AND GROCERY INITIATIVES.

[♪♪♪] >> WITH A BACKGROUND IN BIOLOGY, FEMDOT ENJOYS USING SCIENCE AS A WAY TO CONNECT THE DOTS WITHIN HIS MUSIC.

>> I LOOK AT IT VERY SCIENTIFICALLY.

I THINK WHAT RAPPERS DO IS GIVE CONTEXT TO SITUATIONS.

AND ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT OF THE SITUATION NOW YOU HAVE THE HUMAN ELEMENT OF THE SITUATION YOU CAN RELATE AND THAT NO DIFFERENT THAN WHAT PEOPLE DOING RESEARCH.

[♪♪♪] >> IT'S THE STORY ASPECT THERE IS A SENSE OF AUTHENTICITY IN THE MUSIC THAT IS NOT LIKE FORCED.

I'M NOT TRYING TO BE ANYBODY ELSE.

AND I'M ALLOWING PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT AND KNOW THAT IS OK. AND ALSO TO BRING PEOPLE INTO MY WORLD.

SO IT'S LIKE I'M TELLING YOU STORIES THAT YOU MAY NOT RELATE TO BUT YOU CAN RELATE TO THE EMOTION AND THE FEELING THAT IS THERE.

[♪♪♪] >> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> AND YOU CAN CATCH THE FULL CONCERT FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE BOTTOM LOUNGE WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

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

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT'S 0 OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]