>> HELLO AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING CHICAGO.

TAXPAYERS ARE HANDED MASSIVE OVERTIME BILL FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THAT AND MORE.

>> THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING.

SOMEONE WHO CAN DO BIG THINGS SO THEY NEED WIN MULTI-DIMENSIONAL.

>> MEET THE 2 DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES IN THE CONTENTIOUS RACE TO REPLACE OUTGOING COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX.

>> AND HAS THE PENDULUM SWUNG TOO FAR OR CHRONIC PAIN SUFFERERS?

THE LATEST VICTIMS OF THE OPIOID CRISIS.

>> UNABLE TO GET THE MEDICINE THEY NEED.

AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, A LOCKDOWN IS BEING LIFTED AT THE ILLINOIS CAPITOL BUILDING.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALEXI GIANNOULIAS SAYS POLICE RECEIVED NOTICE OF A THREAT INVOLVING THE ILLINOIS CAPITOL BUILDING.

POLICE ISSUED A LOCKDOWN ORDER AROUND 2 O'CLOCK THIS AFTERNOON TO CONDUCT A SWEEP OF THE BUILDING.

CHICAGO PUT PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE REPORTING 3 NEW CASES OF THE MEASLES TODAY BRINGING THE TOTAL IN THE LAST WEEK TO 8 CASES.

OFFICIALS SAY THE NEW CASES WERE ALL REPORTED AT THE MIGRANT SHELTER IN PILSEN.

THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAYS A TEAM FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION ARRIVE TODAY TO HELP SUPPORT EFFORTS TO CURB THE SPREAD OF THE HIGHLY INFECTIOUS VIRUS.

CDPH IS ENCOURAGING CHICAGOANS TO REVIEW THEIR IMMUNE ATION IMMUNIZATION RECORDS AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE UP TO DATE ON THE MEASLES VACCINE.

CHICAGO CITY EMPLOYEES EARNED NEARLY HALF A BILLION DOLLARS IN OVERTIME LAST YEAR.

THAT'S UP 19% OVER 2022.

AND THE BULK OF THAT NEARLY 300 MILLION DOLLARS WENT TO CHICAGO POLICE EMPLOYEES AWT TW NEWS ANALYSIS SHOWS CPD OVERTIME.

SPENDING LAST YEAR WAS 40% MORE THAN IN 2022.

AND 3 TIMES HIGHER THAN THE 100 MILLION DOLLARS EARMARKED FOR POLICE OVERTIME.

THE ONLY 2 DEPARTMENTS TO SPEND LESS ON OT.

WARREN, CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT PUBLIC HEALTH.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WILL HAVE MORE ON THIS IN A FEW MINUTES.

AND THE CTA ALSO RELIED ON OVERTIME TO KEEP BUSES AND TRAINS RUNNING LAST YEAR.

BUT DESPITE A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST NEARLY 2 MONTHS AGO, THE AGENCY STILL HASN'T PROVIDED DETAILED DATA ON OPERATING HOURS.

IT'S PART OF A PATTERN OF CHRONIC FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH FOIA REQUEST IN A TIMELY MANNER, THOUGH A SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE CTA WORKS TO FILL REQUESTS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

BUDGET DATA PROVIDED TO WTW NEWS SHOWS OVERTIME FOR RAIL AND BUS OPERATIONS CAME IN UNDER BUDGET LAST YEAR.

BUT THE AGENCY STILL SPENT NEARLY 2 MILLION MORE JUST AND OVER TIME.

DID PRE-PANDEMIC.

WE'VE GOT MUCH MORE, INCLUDING AN UPDATE ON RECRUITMENT EFFORTS AT CTA ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND IF YOU DRIVE TO OR FROM WORK ON THE KENNEDY, YOU MIGHT HAVE NOTICED THE HONEYMOON IS OVER.

CONSTRUCTION SEASON IS BACK WORK ON THE SECOND PHASE OF THE KENNEDY EXPRESSWAY CONSTRUCTION BEGAN.

>> WITH CLOSURES LAST NIGHT, THIS YEAR'S WORK FOCUSED ON THE EXPRESS LANES STARTED EARLIER THAN EXPECTED BECAUSE OF WARMER TEMPERATURES.

THE EXPRESS LANES ARE EXPECTED TO STAY CLOSED UNTIL CONSTRUCTION WRAPS IN THE FALL.

SOME YOUNG VOTERS ARE CASTING THEIR BALLOTS EARLY IN LIFE.

>> THEY DID RESEARCH.

THEY ENGAGED CIVIC DIALOGUE IN THE CLASSROOM.

AND THIS IS JUST BRINGING THAT WORK OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM.

AGAIN, TO THE ONLY WE BELIEVE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE VOTE EARLY.

THEY WILL BE LIFELONG >> CITIZENS AND VOTERS MIKVA CHALLENGE LED SEVERAL 100 LOOPS.

EARLY VOTING SUPER SITE THIS MORNING TO VOTE IN THIS YEAR'S PRIMARY ELECTION.

>> THE INITIATIVE TO THE POLLS IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO REGISTER AND VOTE.

17 YEAR-OLDS CAN VOTE IN THE ILLINOIS PRIMARY IF THEY WILL BE 18 BY THE GENERAL ELECTION, YOU CAN BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE VOTER GUIDE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO VOTE AND WHAT OFFICES YOU'LL SEE ON YOUR BALLOT.

THAT'S AT W T TW DOT COM SLASH VOTER GUIDE.

UP NEXT, WE MEET THE 2 DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE ALEXANDER AND JOHN NICHOLS FAMILY.

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> IT'S ONE OF THE MOST HOTLY CONTESTED RACES IN NEXT WEEK'S PRIMARY.

2 DEMOCRATS ARE BATTLING IT OUT TO BECOME COOK COUNTY'S TOP PROSECUTOR TO TAKE OVER FOR THE OUTGOING STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX.

THE ATTACK ADS ARE FLYING.

THE MONEY IS FLOWING IN AND THE CANDIDATES ARE ATTEMPTING TO PAINT A STARK DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EACH OTHER.

HERE'S PAIR SHOTS WITH THE STORY.

>> IT'S THE SECOND LARGEST PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE IN THE COUNTRY AND HOME TO MORE THAN 3,000 EMPLOYEES, OUTGOING COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX TENURE HAS BEEN MARKED BY A SOFTER APPROACH TO LOW LEVEL CRIME AND HER CONTROVERSIAL HANDLING OF THE JUSSIE SMOLLET CASE.

BUT THE 2 DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES TO REPLACE HER HAVE TAKEN A HARD TACK AGAINST EACH OTHER.

EILEEN O'NEILL BERG, A FORMER PROSECUTOR, DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND TRIAL AND APPELLATE COURT JUDGE.

HE'S OUTRAISED HER OPPONENT, CLAYTON HARRIS, BY MORE THAN DOUBLE WITH SOME BIG DOLLARS COMING FROM REPUBLICAN DONORS.

HARRIS, A FORMER AIDE TO FORMER GOVERNOR RON BLAGOJEVICH, HEAD OF THE ILLINOIS INTERNATIONAL PORT DISTRICT.

AND LOBBYIST IS A CHOICE OF THE COOK COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND CHAIR TONI PRECKWINKLE WHO HAS CAMPAIGNED ON HIS BEHALF.

HE'S RECEIVED BIG DOLLAR DONATIONS FROM PROMINENT DEMOCRATIC DONORS, INCLUDING THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION.

HE SAYS THE MONEY TRAIL PAINTS A LARGE CONTRAST FROM VERY EXTREME RIGHT >> FUNDS.

AND AND THAT'S WHAT'S TROUBLING.

MISSION TROUBLE, EVERYONE, BECAUSE THIS THIS PORT HEADS AND HIGHLIGHTS EXTREMISM OF MAYA OF MY OPPONENT.

BUT O'NEILL BERG SAYS HARRIS WORKED AGAINST UNIONS AS A GOVERNMENT LOBBYIST FOR LYFT.

>> AND LACKS THE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO DO THE JOB.

AND EVERY DAY I'M HEARING THE SAME THING.

>> THAT PEOPLE ARE AFRAID AND THEY'RE AFRAID TO COME DOWNTOWN.

THEY'RE AFRAID TO RIDE THE CTA.

AFRAID TO GO OUT AT NIGHT.

THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE SUPPORTING ME.

>> BOTH O'NEILL BURKE AND HARRIS SAY THEY SUPPORT THE NO CASH BAIL PROVISION OF THE STATE'S NEWLY ENACTED SAFETY ACT, WHICH ONLY 6 PRETRIAL DETENTION FOR THE MOST VIOLENT OFFENDERS.

>> IF YOU'RE NOT A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC, YOU DON'T NEED TO BE DETAINED.

PRE-TRIAL.

WHEN WILL WE ASKED FOR DETENTION HONOR MY STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ANYTIME SOMEBODY IS THREATENING SOMEBODY WITH A GUN ANYTIME SOMEBODY IS COMMITTING A VIOLENT CRIME ON THE CTA AND ANYTIME SOMEBODY IS.

>> CAUGHT WITH AN ASSAULT WEAPON, ANY CRIMES COMMITTED WITH A GUN.

WE'RE AGGRESSIVELY PROSECUTING AND MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT A CERTAINTY IN THE PROSECUTION THAT COMES WITH ANY CRIME THAT'S COMMITTED.

THE 2 DIFFER, HOWEVER, ON THEIR APPROACH TO SOME OF THE SO-CALLED LOWER-LEVEL CRIMES LIKE RETAIL THEFT, HARRIS SAYS HE CONTINUE KIM FOXX POLICY OF ONLY CHARGING FELONIES TO OFFENDERS WHO STEAL MORE THAN $1000 IN GOODS.

>> OR HAVE A LONG RAP SHEET OF SHOPLIFTING.

>> AGAIN, FOR ME AND MY ADMINISTRATION, $1000 IS THE THRESHOLD FOR A FELONY.

BUT BELOW THAT, WE'RE STILL HOLDING EVERYONE ACCOUNTABLE AND WE CAN DO THAT WITH MISDEMEANOR O'NEILL.

BURKE SAYS SHE'D STICK TO STATE LAW CHARGING FELONIES TO OFFENDERS WHO STEAL MORE THAN $300 IN GOODS.

YOU CAN CLEAR OUT SEVERAL AISLES OF A MOM AND POP GROCERY STORE OR SEVERAL AISLES OF THE WALGREENS.

BEFORE YOU GET TO $1000.

>> THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THIS POLICY OR THAT.

WALGREENS.

CVS WALMART.

TARGET MOM AND POP GROCERY STORES ARE CLOSING.

THEY'RE CLOSING ALL OVER THE CITY BECAUSE OF THEFT, SOMETIMES IN NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THEY'RE NEEDED.

THE MOST RECENT ATTACK AD FROM HARRIS HIGHLIGHTS REPORTING THAT SHOWS O'NEILL BURKE WORKED AS A PROSECUTOR IN 1993 TO CONVICT A YOUNG BLACK BOY FOR MURDER.

>> IN 2002, A FEDERAL JUDGE RULED THAT THE ARREST WAS ILLEGAL AND THE CONFESSION WAS COERCED BY THE QUESTIONING.

OFFICER AND THAT THE CASE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT.

SHE SHOULD LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE IN FRONT OF HER.

>> AND REALIZED THAT IN MORE MOVING FORWARD ON THE PROSECUTION, AT LEAST NOT AT THAT POINT IN TIME AT BEST, IT'S BAD JUDGMENT.

AND THE FACT EVEN TODAY THAT SHE DOUBLED DOWN ON IT, THERE'S NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT IS THE PART THAT'S ALSO SCARY.

I PROSECUTED, YOU 30 YEARS AGO WHO CONFESSED TO THE BRUTAL MURDER OF HIS ELDERLY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR.

>> HIS ATTORNEY MADE THE DECISION TO PUT HIM ON THE STAND WHERE HE REPEATED THE CONFESSION.

NEITHER THE JUVENILE, HIS MOTHER OR HIS ATTORNEY EVER ALLEGED THAT THERE WAS ANY COERCION IN THAT CONFESSION.

>> ALSO RUNNING FOR COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY ARE FORMER CHICAGO ALDERMAN BOB FIORETTI AS A REPUBLICAN AND ANDREW CHARLES KOCH PENSKE AS A LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE PARIS.

YOU KNOW, THE RECENT POLL HAS THIS RACE NECK-AND-NECK.

HOW WOULD YOU SIZE WELL, ANSWER ALL THESE QUESTIONS, IT JUST DEPENDS ON TURNOUT.

WHAT WHAT DO WE KNOW?

IT'S GOING TO PROBABLY BE A LOW TURNOUT ELECTION THAT TENDS TO FAVOR THE PERSON THAT HAS THE APPARATUS BEHIND THE CAN GET OUT THE VOTE IN THIS CASE.

MISTER HARRIS HAS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

TONI PRECKWINKLE, THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION.

THAT'S A LOT OF FOLKS THAT HAVE BOOTS ON THE GROUND THAT CAN KNOCK ON DOORS THAT CAN DRIVE PEOPLE TO THE POLLS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

SO HE WOULD TEND TO BE FAVORED IN THAT REGARD.

ALTHOUGH IF TURNOUT FAVORS FOLKS THAT WANT TO MORE QUOTE, UNQUOTE, LAW AND ORDER A TYPE OF CANDIDATE IN THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AND THAT WOULD FAVOR AYE EILEEN O'NEILL BURKE.

SO AGAIN, IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO WHO TURNS OUT.

BUT WE DO KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE LOW TURNOUT.

SHE'S ALSO RAISED QUITE A BIT OF MONEY SHE'S RAISED MORE THAN 2 TIMES THAT HE HAS.

ALTHOUGH PAUL VALLAS RAISED MORE THAN BRANDON JOHNSON, AGAIN, IT CAME DOWN TO TURNOUT.

NOT ALWAYS A PREDICTOR.

ALRIGHT, PARIS SCHUTZ, THANK YOU.

WE'RE GOING TO BRING IN YOUR TEAMMATES AND JUST A BIT BECAUSE CHICAGO TAXPAYER TAXPAYERS ARE HANDED A MASSIVE OVERTIME BILL.

>> FROM CITY EMPLOYEES WHILE THE CHICAGO BEARS PLEDGE BILLIONS FOR A LAKEFRONT STADIUM.

AND WITH ONE WEEK UNTIL THE PRIMARY RACES ARE HEATING UP, THE TEAMMATES I MENTIONED ARE THE ONES KNOW, AND LOVE OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM AMANDA BENNETT, HAD OR SHARON AND HARRIS IS STILL HERE BECAUSE HEATHER, YOU AND OUR COLLEAGUE ANDREW DID A DEEP DIVE INTO THE CITY'S 2023 OT NUMBERS, OVERTIME NUMBERS.

AND IT TURNS OUT TAXPAYERS ARE PICKING UP A PRETTY HEFTY BILL.

WELL, IT IS A SIGN THAT THE CITY IS STILL REELING FROM START PANDEMIC STAFFING CRUNCH.

THERE WERE A LOT OF RESIGNATIONS BEEN HARDER TO FILL.

THAT'S MEANT THAT DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE BOARD HAVE HAD TO RELY ON OVERTIME.

>> TO GET THE WORK OF THE CITY DONE.

HOWEVER, THE BIGGEST EXPENSE, OF COURSE, IS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHICH SPENT NEARLY 300 MILLION DOLLARS IN OVERTIME.

AND I THINK IF YOU SURE TO TAKE OUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS ARE SORT OF IN LINE WHAT IT SPENT THE LAST 5 YEARS.

BUT IT'S CLEAR THAT POLICE DEPARTMENT, DESPITE REPEATED CLAIMS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GET THIS UNDER CONTROL FOR LIE ON OVERTIME IN A WAY THAT RAISES SIGNIFICANT QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER CHICAGO'S OFFICERS FULLY DEPLOYED AND MANAGED APPROPRIATELY KNOW.

CHICAGO POLICE SUPERINTENDENT LARRY SNELLING.

HE VOWED TO REIN IN OVERTIME FOR OFFICERS.

IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE THAT HE'S BEEN ABLE TO MAKE GOOD ON THOSE EFFORTS KNOW AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT ACT ANSWER DETAILED QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR USE OF OVERTIME.

BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT OVER TIME SURGED IN THE 2ND HALF OF 2023.

SO IN THE 1ST HALF OF THE YEAR OVER TIME AND ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT 126 MILLION DOLLARS IN.

JUMPED NEARLY 30% IN THE 2ND HALF OF THE YEAR, WHICH IS I THINK AN INDICATION THAT THEY RELY ON OVERTIME TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS.

BUT OF COURSE, CAN BE VERY VIOLENT AS WELL AS SORT OF THE SUMMER FESTIVAL SEASON.

A LOT OF THOSE EVENTS THAT WE KNOW AND LOVE DO NOT REIMBURSE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR ADDITIONAL OFFICERS AND SECURITY AND THAT IS AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

HOWEVER, I WOULD IMAGINE CITY OFFICIALS LOOKING AT THIS IS THIS IS A WAY TO GET MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO DO ALL SORTS OF OTHER THINGS.

THEY WILL BE LOOKING AT THIS VERY CLOSELY BECAUSE THIS MONEY IS SPENT WITH ALMOST NO OVERSIGHT BY THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPART FOR THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL.

I SHOULD BRIEFLY HAD A 350 CITY EMPLOYEES EARNED MORE THAN $100,000 IN OVERTIME ALONE.

THAT'S ON TOP OF THEIR SALARIES TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY THAT THEY DIDN'T.

THE MAYOR'S OFFICE ALSO DID NOT ANSWER MY DETAILED QUESTIONS ABOUT MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON'S USE OF OVERTIME.

AND I THINK IT'S CLEAR THAT, AGAIN, THIS IS BEING DRIVEN BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SO ALMOST 238 POLICE OFFICERS MADE AND THAT MUCH IN JUST IN OVERTIME ON TOP OF THEIR AMPLE SALARIES, WHICH IS AN INDICATION THAT THIS IS NOT CITYWIDE OVERTIME PROBLEM.

THIS IS A POLICE OVERTIME AMANDA, LET'S GO INTO THE PRIMARY ELECTION JUST A WEEK AWAY AS WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING IN THE RACE TO REPLACE STATE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE ANNE BURKE HEATING UP.

WHAT'S THE LATEST THERE?

WELL, SO SHE STEPPED DOWN EARLY FROM THIS TERM.

SO IF PERSON WHO KILLED HER SPOT.

>> COMING UP IS RUNNING FOR ELECTION.

THIS IS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE ESSENTIALLY THERE'S NO REPUBLICAN IN RACE.

WHOEVER WINS THE PRIMARY IS LIKELY TO GET THAT JOB AND THEY GET IT FOR A LONG TIME FOR 10 YEARS AT THE MINIMUM.

AND THEN IT'S PRETTY EASY TO ACTUALLY KEEP THAT POST ONCE YOU'VE GOT SO CUNNINGHAM IS UP AGAINST A JUDGE JESSE RAYA'S.

AND HAS BEEN A BIG DEAL AS WELL BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN NO LATINO EVER ON THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT.

LATINOS FEEL REALLY DISENFRANCHISE.

THEY SAY THAT THERE THAT THIS IS UNFAIR, THAT OR ANOTHER LATINO JUDGE SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED APPOINTMENT WHEN BURKE SET DOWN THE FIRST PLACE.

SO THAT'S PART OF IT.

AND THEN, BY THE WAY, AND BURKE MARRIED TO NONE OTHER THAN FORMER ALDERMAN BURKE.

AND OF COURSE, AS WE KNOW, HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING GET A LOT OF JUDGES TO THEIR POSTS IN COOK COUNTY.

SO YOU HAVE THAT AND THEN YOU HAVE IS A LAWYER.

THERE IS A BODY THAT APPROVES DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS WHEN LAWYERS GET IN TROUBLE LIKE, OH, WAIT, BURKE HE WAS CONVICTED OF CORRUPTION.

AND SO BUT HE IS ALLOWED NOW WITH HIS REPORTING FROM WBEZ TO KEEP HIS LAW LICENSE BECAUSE THERE ARE MEMBERS APPARENTLY ON THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT THAT SAID THEY HAD A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN DECLARING WHETHER HE SHOULD LOSE HIS LAW LICENSE.

AND SO HE GETS TO KEEP IT.

AND RAY IS MAKING A BIG DEAL ABOUT THIS.

WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER CUNNINGHAM WAS ONE OF THEM, PRESUMABLY SO.

BUT THERE IS THAT IS THE BIG ISSUE IN THE RACE RIGHT NOW.

OK?

SO THERE'S ANOTHER CONTROVERSY THAT'S BREWING THE BRING CHICAGO HOME REFERENDUM, WHICH IS STILL MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE COURTS.

BUT THIS ONE INVOLVES CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION ENCOURAGING THEIR MEMBERS TO BRING STUDENTS TO A FRIDAY MORNING RALLY AT SEA TO EU HEADQUARTERS.

PARIS.

SOME ARE CLAIMING THAT THERE'S A CONFLICT OF INTEREST HERE BECAUSE THE CTU IS SO CLOSELY ALIGNED WITH MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON AND HIS BRING CHICAGO HOME REFERENDUM.

>> BRIEFLY BEFORE, COMING UP, A CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ISSUED THIS STATEMENT, QUOTE, CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ENCOURAGES STUDENT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.

WE DO NOT ENDORSE SPECIFIC CAMPAIGNS OR ADVOCATE FOR SPECIFIC DIRECT ELECTION RESULTS.

CBS IS SHARED WITH THE SEA TO YOUR CONCERNS AT THE MARCH 15TH EVENT WILL BE NON-PARTISAN.

CTU HAS A SHORT CPS.

THE BRING CHICAGO HOME IS NOT A PARTNER OR SPONSOR OF THIS EVENT AND IS NOT ON THE AGENDA.

WITH.

A SITUATION THAT ARISES BECAUSE OF THE COMPLICATED NATURE CTU THAT THE MOST POWERFUL POLITICAL ORGANIZATION IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

BUT ALSO THEY REPRESENT TEACHERS THAT TEACH STUDENTS.

>> ACCORDING TO CPS ETHICS CODE THAT YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO POLITIC ON SCHOOL TIME.

THIS IS SCHOOL TIME.

THEY'RE INVITING KIDS TO THE UNION HEADQUARTERS FOR RALEIGH.

NOW THEY SAY IT'S GOING TO BE NON-PARTISAN.

THEY SAY THEY INVITED FOLKS FROM BOTH PARTIES ON ALL SIDES.

BUT WHEN CTU ITSELF IS A VERY IDEOLOGICALLY DRIVEN ORGANIZATION THAT GIVES MONEY TO CANDIDATES AND CAUSES LIKE BRING CHICAGO HOME, IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THAT THIS IS JUST INNOCENT SORT OF GET OUT THE VOTE RALLY FOR STUDENTS.

IT'S IT'S IT'S AMAZING TO ME THAT SEAT HE WAS ABLE TO SORT OF ARRANGE THIS BEFORE THEY EVEN WENT TO CPS.

CPS FOUND OUT ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATION FILED AN ETHICS COMPLAINT AND CPS IS THAT WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS.

I MEAN, POLITICS SHOULD BE OUT OF THE CLASSROOM IF YOU'RE GOING TO BRING INTO THE CLASSROOM, GOT TO PRESENT ALL SIDES EITHER.

>> I THINK PARIS IS RIGHT WHEN YOU HAVE THE MOST POWERFUL POLITICAL ORGANIZATION ALSO BEING THE REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE TEACHERS IN THE SCHOOLS.

IT'S AN ISSUE YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THERE IS SORT OF COMPETING VALUES HERE, RIGHT?

YOU WANT TO GET KIDS INVOLVED.

YOU WANT TO GET KIDS STARTED INVOLVED IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS IS THE UNION HALL THE RIGHT PLACE TO DO IT?

I THINK THAT'S A QUESTION THAT, YOU KNOW, I THINK REASONABLE PEOPLE CAN DISAGREE ON, BUT THE FACT MATTER IS, IS THAT, YOU KNOW, CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND I THINK THE SEAT YOU FEEL AN OBLIGATION, SORT ENERGIZE STUDENTS.

YOU KNOW IT SORT WHAT YOU BRING IN.

AND THERE WAS SOME INDICATION THAT CLEAR THAT BRING CHICAGO HOME WAS GOING TO BE ABLE ORGANIZE ARE GOING TO BE PART THAT.

THAT GOT VERY LOUD ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR DURING THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

WHEN MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT, WHEN HER CAMPAIGN INVITED STUDENTS >> TO TO BEGIN VOLUNTEERING IN AND GET INVOLVED IN THE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS.

REAL QUICK BEFORE WE HAVE TO GO, THE BEARS SEEM TO BE KEEPING CHICAGO AS THEIR HOME.

WE'RE HEARING REPORTS OF THE TEAMS PREPARE TO SPEND 2 BILLION TO BUILD A NEW DOMED LAKEFRONT STADIUM.

PARIS.

A WAY THEY DON'T HAVE A DRAWINGS ARE ENDING RENDERINGS THAT THEY'RE REALLY FRIENDS OF THE PARKS.

OBVIOUSLY THEY CAME OUT WITH A STATEMENT TODAY AND IT'S INTERESTING THAT IN ST. LOUIS AND MISS THAT, THEY DIDN'T SAY THE STATEMENT THEY FOR SURE ARE GOING TO THEY JUST SAID WE WISH THE BEARS WILL WORK WITH THERE'S OTHER SITES LIKE THE MICHAEL REESE HOSPITAL SITE THAT AREN'T, YOU KNOW, PART OF THE LAKEFRONT PROTECTION ORDINANCE.

>> SO MORE TEMPERED RESPONSE THERE'S MIGHT WANT TO PLAY BALL WITH HIM.

A BIT OF THE BEARS YOU THAT WAS INTENTIONAL.

ALSO THERE THEY THEY PUT OUT A POLL SAYING THAT TO CHICAGOANS WILL LIKE THIS KIND OF IDEA OF OF HAVING THEM STAY ON THE LAKEFRONT LIKE THIS MAY BE FRIENDS OF THE PARKS, REALIZE THAT BECAUSE THEY SAID IN THEIR STATEMENT LIKE WE HATE TO BE THE NO MORE PEOPLE TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS CONVERSATION IS IS ALSO WHAT THEY SAID.

OKAY, THAT SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

THANK YOU.

TEAM AMANDA, HEATHER, PARIS.

>> AND AS WE MENTIONED MULTIPLE TIMES ELECTION DAYS A WEEK AWAY, PEOPLE SO BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE VOTER GUIDE.

WE'VE GOT DETAILS ON HOW TO VOTE EARLY, WHERE TO VOTE AND INFORMATION ON THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

IT IS ALL AT W T TW DOT COM SLASH VOTER GUIDE.

UP NEXT, CHRONIC PAIN SUFFERERS STRUGGLING TO GET THE PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS THEY NEED.

STAY WITH US.

MOST OF US KNOW SOMEONE WHO SUFFERS FROM PAIN IN THE U.S. AN ESTIMATED 51 MILLION PEOPLE LIVE WITH CHRONIC PAIN.

TODAY.

THEY'RE SUFFERING IS COMPOUNDED BY RESTRICTIONS ON THE MEDICATION.

MANY NEED OPIOIDS, CAROL MARINE AND STUDENTS FROM DEPAUL UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR JOURNALISM, INTEGRITY AND EXCELLENCE INVESTIGATE IN CARROLL JOINS US NOW.

WELCOME BACK.

CAROL, THANK YOU, BREE AND THIS.

WE KNOW ABOUT THE OPIOID CRISIS THAT'S KILLED 640,000 PEOPLE NATIONWIDE SINCE 1999.

PORTING.

>> NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.

BUT TONIGHT THERE'S ANOTHER CRISIS.

A RESULT OF THE FORMER CRISIS, MANY CHRONIC PAIN SUFFERERS ARE STRUGGLING TO GET THE PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS THEY NEED.

AND YOU'RE ABOUT TO MEET 2 OF THEM.

WE BEGIN WITH THE NORWOOD PARK WOMAN WHO SAYS SHE HAS TO GO FROM PHARMACY TO PHARMACY TO FILL HER PRESCRIPTION.

>> YOU HAVE THE WHILE WALKING IN AND HOPING AND PRAYING IT THAT THIS PROMISE WILL SYMPATHY, EMPATHY AND HELP YOU FILL THIS PRESCRIPTION BILL.

XENIA CONLEY IS 66 YEARS OLD.

>> SHE SAYS SHE STARTED EXPERIENCING CHRONIC PAIN IN 2006.

GET LIVE WITHOUT THESE NOT.

NOT TO TRY AND EASE THE HURT SHE TAKES 6 PILLS A DAY PRESCRIBED OPIOIDS CALLED PERCOCET.

IT ALLOWS YOU TO MANAGE.

BUT AT LEAST YOU ARE ABLE TO KEEP YOUR HOUSE GO TO GROCERY STORE.

YOU KNOW, YOU GOT TO HURT.

>> BUT IT IT KEEP SHOE.

>> SAME AS HER DAY WEARS ON THE PAIN, SHE SAYS INCREASES BY 2 O'CLOCK THIS I FEEL LIKE I'M AND MY LEFT SIDE OF MY BODY.

BY THAT IS SHEER PANIC.

ONLY THING I CAN DO IS LAY DOWN AND COMPLAIN.

>> CONLEY IS DIAGNOSED WITH COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME OR CR P S THE PAIN IS SO BAD.

IT IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE SUICIDE DISEASE.

>> I CAN BE ON THERE'S BEEN SO MANY TIMES I WANTED TO GIVE UP.

>> SOME 50 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CHICAGO IN SANDWICH, ILLINOIS.

CHRISTIE EARNS LAKE MILLS CONLEY STRUGGLES WITH PAIN.

I THINK PEOPLE LOOK AT YOU AND SAY.

FINE.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

YOU LOOK FINE AND ALL UNDERSTAND.

BUT IT'S PERVASIVE AND ITS.

THEY'RE ALL THE TIME.

SO THIS IS WHAT WHAT I DID TAKE ON DAILY BASIS MY PURSE.

SHE HAS HAD 15 MAJOR SURGERIES AND THEN IN CHRONIC PAIN FOR OVER A DECADE.

LIKE CALMLY, SHE IS PRESCRIBED PERCOCET AND LIKE CONLEY, IT'S INCREASINGLY HARD.

SHE SAYS TO FILL HER PRESCRIPTION FROM HER LOCAL PHARMACIST.

THEY'RE TELLING ME THAT IT'S A SUPPLY ISSUE THAT THEY'RE JUST NOT ABLE TO ACCESS, THAT THAT THE SUPPLY HAS BEEN CUT WAY BACK.

SO SHE MAKES THE ROUND TRIP FROM SANDWICH ALL THE WAY TO NAPERVILLE TO FILL HER PRESCRIPTION AT EDWARD HOSPITAL.

WHAT'S HAPPENING EARNED IN CONLEY IS HAPPENING TO MANY OTHERS.

THE OPIOID CRISIS HAS NOW CREATED A SECONDARY CRISIS.

>> IN THE EARLY 2, THOUSANDS OPIOIDS WERE HEAVILY MARKETED AND IN SOME CASES, OVERPRESCRIBED, WHAT FOLLOWED WAS A RISE IN OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS.

FEDERAL REGULATORS MOVED TO CONSTRICT BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE PRESCRIBING OF THOSE DRUGS.

THE QUESTION NOW, WHETHER THAT BECAME OVER CORRECTION THAT WENT TOO FAR.

>> IT'S BECOME A CRISIS, SAYS CHRIS HERNDON, WE ARE CURRENTLY IN A NUMBER OF WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER TO BE CRISIS STATUS OF SHORTAGES OF A INDIVIDUAL DRUGS WHERE OUR PATIENTS JUST CAN'T GET HIM BECAUSE THE PHARMACIES CAN'T GET UP.

>> HE'S A PROFESSOR OF PHARMACY PRACTICE AT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY.

EDWARDSVILLE.

>> THAT THERE'S A PENDULUM THAT SWINGS AROUND THESE THIS PARTICULAR CLASS MEDICATIONS WHERE WE HAVE LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING OF THE BELT IN TERMS OF ACCESS.

>> IN NORTH SUBURBAN BARTLETT AT THE LOCAL PHARMACY THERE.

DOCTOR NOREN CAUSE SHOW EASE THE SHORTAGE PLAY OUT ON A DAILY WE ARE MONITORED BY THE D A PHYSICIANS PRESCRIBERS AND PHARMACISTS.

SO WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL HOW MUCH WERE DISPENSING THEM TO BE CAREFUL HOW MUCH THE PRESCRIBING.

WE'RE ALL TRYING TO FOLLOW THE RULES.

>> CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE.

ARE THOSE IN PAIN SEEKING MEDICATION?

THE WHITE FORD AT THE BARTLETT PHARMACY SHOWS DRUG AFTER DRUG ON BACK ORDER.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT THE DA PLACE A LARGE PART THE CONSTRUCTION.

THEY SET PRODUCTION QUOTA.

IT'S SO HOW MUCH OPIOID WERE ALLOWED TO ACTUALLY MANUFACTURE IN THE UNITED STATES EVERY YEAR DURING THOSE QUOTAS BEEN GOING DOWN ANNUALLY.

>> AND GOING UP IS THE FRUSTRATION OF CHRONIC PAIN SUFFERERS LIKE MEL XENIA, CONLEY AND CHRISTIE STARTS.

>> SO THERE ARE SOME DAYS WHEN I YOU KNOW, WILL NOT SOME DAYS EVERY DAY I WOULD LOVE TO GO PARTICIPATE.

BUT THERE'S JUST SOME DAYS WHEN YOU KNOW, GET MY COAT ON.

AND I I BE IN TEARS.

I CAN'T I CAN'T DO IT.

>> YOU KNOW, I HAVE PEOPLE ALWAYS ME HOW DO YOU TAKE THAT TO YOU FEEL ABOUT GIVE TAKE THAT?

YOU KNOW, IT'S SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND.

HOW I GET UP IN THE MORNING.

PUT THESE CLOTHES ON AND SHOWER AND HOW I FEEL.

>> DESPITE REPEATED REQUESTS, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE DEA CONCERNING THE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THAT HAS BEEN A CONSTRICTION ON THE MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTION OF OPIOIDS.

OR IN THE WORDS OF CHRIS HERNDON, THE PENDULUM OF PRODUCTION FRIEND US.

>> CAROL, IT CAN BE KIND OF HARD TO UNDERSTAND AND DESCRIBE THAT PAIN.

WHAT DO THE PEOPLE WHO MONITOR PAIN MANAGEMENT TELL YOU?

THEY CALL IT THE 5TH VITAL SIGN.

NOW.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS, I CAN MEASURE YOUR RESPIRATION, YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE, YOUR CHOLESTEROL.

>> TARA, NOT MEASURE.

YOU'RE PAYING.

YOU HAVE TO TELL ME AND I HAVE TO BELIEVE YOU.

OKAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WELCOME.

>> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW AT 5, 30 10 FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO BRANDIS FRIEDMAN, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, CHICAGO, PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH THAT IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE ITS 18 ATTORNEYS