>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M PARIS SCHUTZ , BRANIS FRIEDMAN WILL JOIN US SHORTLY.

HERE'S WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

>> LET THE PEOPLE VOTE ON IT.

>> IT IS TIME TO DECIDE WHETHER ILLINOIS CAN ABOLISH CASH BAIL.

>>> OFFICIALS PUSH TO ACCOMMODATE NASCAR'S THREE RACES, WE TALK ABOUT THE PRIORITIES.

>> I DO NOT WANT TO TAINT DRINKING WATER FOR MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUALS.

>>> A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS COAL BYPRODUCT NEAR LAKE MICHIGAN, IS DRINKING WATER AT RISK?

>> AND PAUL VALLAS'S PLAN TO TAKE THE STAGE FROM LORI LIGHTFOOT.

NOW TO OUR TOP STORY TONIGHT.

>>> OF THE FAITH OVER WHETHER CASH BAIL WILL BE ELIMINATED IN ILLINOIS IS IN THE HANDS OF THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES.

ILLINOIS WAS SUPPOSED TO DO AWAY WITH CASH BAIL AT THE START OF 2023, IT BECAME PART OF A BROADER CRIMINAL JUSTICE OVERHAUL PASSED BY STATE LAWMAKERS.

INSTEAD, JUSTICE WAS SET TO GO INTO EFFECT, AND THE COURT RULED THAT THE PRETRIAL BOND REVISIONS WERE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND TODAY, THE HIGH COURT HEARD ORAL ARGUMENTS ON THAT CASE.

AMANDA, TELL US WHAT THIS CASE IS ABOUT.

>> Reporter: AS THE LAWSUIT TENDS TO STATE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE AGAINST LEADERS AND SOME SHERIFFS, AND IT IS IN THE HANDS OF THE SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT.

BOTH SIDES CAN AGREE ON THIS MUCH, THE JUSTICES DECISION ON THE CASE WILL HAVE MAJOR RAMIFICATIONS ON THE FUTURE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN ILLINOIS.

THE PLAINTIFF FIGHTING THE LAW ONCE THE COURT TO WAIT UNTIL THE MAIN ARGUMENTS, ONE, BECAUSE THE STATE CONSTITUTION REFERENCES BAIL, THE LEGISLATURE CANNOT JUST ABOLISH CASH BAIL, THAT SHOULD REQUIRE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

>> THEY ARE FREE TO SET PUBLIC POLICY BUT ON SOME OCCASIONS, THEY HAVE TO TAKE THAT TO THE VOTERS.

>> Reporter: HE POINTS OUT THAT TWICE IN THE 80s, ILLINOIS WENT TO VOTERS TO APPROVE QUESTIONS REGARDING BAIL.

PLAINTIFFS ALSO SAID THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINALLY HAS A SEPARATION OF POWER, MEANING LAWMAKERS CANNOT UNILATERALLY MOVE INTO THE MONEY BAIL TO THE JUDICIARY.

THEY ALSO FOUND OUT HOW THEY CAN DETAIN AN ALLEGED OFFENDER FOR CERTAIN CRIMES.

>> THE JUDICIARY PROTECTIVE AND AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT BAIL, TO DENY BAIL AND CONTROL THE PROCEEDINGS BEFORE IT BECAUSE IT IS NECESSARY TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY PROCEEDINGS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A PROCESS AND PROCEDURE.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THAT CRITICS DID NOT PROVE THEIR CASE AND THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD THEREFORE REVERSE THE LOWER COURT'S DECISION, WHICH WOULD MEAN NO MORE CASH BAIL IN ILLINOIS.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE SEPARATION OF POWER ISSUE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ARGUED THE PLAINTIFFS ARE TAKING AN EXPANSIVE VIEW OF JUDICIAL POWER AND TO NARROW A VIEW OF THE LEGISLATOR SCOPE.

>> THE LEGISLATURE IS CHARGED WITH MAKING BIG DECISIONS ABOUT THE WAY THAT THINGS SHOULD OPERATE IN THE STATE.

AND THAT IS THE KIND OF FUNDAMENTAL POINT HERE, THE LEGISLATURE HAS MADE EXACTLY THAT DECISION ABOUT THE WAY THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE TREATED WHILE THEY ARE PENDING TRIAL AND PRESUMED INNOCENT.

THERE IS NOTHING IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT PROHIBITS THAT DECISION.

>> Reporter: OF THE DEPUTY SOLICITOR GENERAL SAID WHILE LEGISLATORS HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF SETTING POLICY, THAT GOVERNS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A SENTENCE IS AWAITING TRIAL AND OVERTURNING THE SAFETY ACT WOULD JEOPARDIZE YEARS OF LAW .

LAWS LIKE MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES.

>> WHAT GRANT CLAIMS AN EXTRAORDINARY WINDFALL TO FIND THIS STRANGELY UNCONSTITUTIONA L AND TO STRIKE IT DOWN TO ALL PARTIES IN ENTIRETY BECAUSE THERE MIGHT BE SOME HYPOTHETICAL CASE, IN WHICH THE COURT WANTS TO DETAIN A LOW LEVEL MISDEMEANOR AND LACK THE STATUTORY TO DO SO.

>> Reporter: THE JUSTICES DID HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

AND THE STATES ATTORNEY GOT OUT ONLY A SINGLE SENTENCE OF WHY HE BROUGHT THIS LAWSUIT WHEN THE CHIEF JUSTICE INTERJECTED WITH THE QUESTION.

THE SAFETY ACT PASSED WITH ONLY SUPPORT FROM DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS AND THE SUPREME COURT TESTIFIED BEFORE JUDGES, ONLY TWO WHO RAN AS REPUBLICANS.

THE COURTS TOOK THIS CASE ON AN EXPEDITED BASIS BUT DIDN'T GIVE ANY INDICATION TODAY AS TO WHEN THE OPINION SHOULD BE EXPECTED.

>>> AMANDA, THANK YOU.

BACK TO PARIS, AND MORE OF THESE TOP STORIES.

>> JURY SELECTION IS UNDERWAY IN A TRIAL THAT IS SO-CALLED COMED FOUR.

THE FORMER LOBBYIST, MIKE McLEAN AND CEO ALL FACE FEDERAL BRIBERY CHARGES, PROSECUTORS ALLEGED THE BRIBES WERE PAID TO THE FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER IN RETURN FOR HIS SUPPORT OF FAVORABLE LEGISLATION.

A LITTLE MORE THAN 60 POTENTIAL JURORS ARE LEFT OVER RIGHT NOW AFTER DOZENS WERE QUESTIONED TODAY BY A PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE ATTORNEYS.

MORE ON THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR HUMAN SERVICE NONPROFITS MIGHT SOON FIND IT EASIER TO UNIONIZE, THE CHICAGO WORKFORCE ADVANCEMENT ORDINANCE PASSED THROUGH A JOINT VOTE OF TWO COMMITTEES TODAY, IT REQUIRES ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTRACT WITH THE CITY TO ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO ORGANIZE A UNION AS LONG AS THOSE SAME WORKERS AGREE NOT TO DISRUPT COMPANY OPERATIONS WHILE ORGANIZING.

SUPPORTERS ARGUE, UNIONIZATION WOULD ALLOW WORKERS TO PROVIDE CRITICAL SERVICES LIKE MEDICAL HEALTHCARE, MORE AGENCY AND HOW THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED, BUT A COALITION OF 44 OF THE LARGEST HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS OPPOSE THE MEASURE .

THEY ARGUE, IT WOULD HURT THEIR ABILITY TO STRETCH LIMITED BUDGETS PENDING GROWING DEMAND.

>>> ROAD RAGE IS ON THE RISE IN ILLINOIS, ILLINOIS STATE POLICE SAY ROAD RAGE WAS REPORTED IN ABOUT 40% OF EXPRESSWAY SHOOTINGS, THE AGENCY HANDLED THEM IN 2022, THAT IS UP 12% FROM 2021.

IT HAS ALREADY WRITTEN AS REPORTED IN NINE EXPRESSWAY SHOOTINGS THIS YEAR EVEN THOUGH EXPRESSWAY SHOOTINGS HAVE DECREASED OVERALL SINCE 2021.

THAT IS IN ADDITION TO OTHER INCIDENTS LIKE CRASHES AND PHYSICAL FIGHTS.

ISP ADVISORS SAY KEEP YOUR DISTANCE TO AVOID BEING A VICTIM.

>>> A CHAOTIC DAY FOR MANY TRAIN RIDERS TODAY, THE TRAINS EXPERIENCED MAJOR DELAYS DOWNTOWN THIS AFTERNOON BECAUSE THE SYSTEM LOST POWER NEAR CLARK AND LAKE.

AT ONE POINT, FIREFIGHTERS HAD TO HELP EVACUATE PASSENGERS ON THE BROWN LINE WHO WERE OVER THE BRIDGE OVER THE CHICAGO RIVER NEAR THE STATION.

BASICALLY THEY HAD TO WALK OVER THE BRIDGE TO GET TO THE STATION.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESCUE DOZENS AND DOZENS OF PEOPLE AND SERVICES ARE BACK TO NORMAL ON ALL BUT THE BROWN LINE.

ONE PERSON TOLD US THEY WERE STRANDED MORE THAN TWO HOURS UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND TOOK THEM TO RESCUE.

AND STILL THIS EVENING, THE BROWN LINE IS EXPERIENCING SERVICE DELAYS AND ONLY OPERATING BETWEEN KIMBALL AND ARMITAGE.

>>> UP NEXT, GRANT PARK CLOSURES THIS SUMMER ARE CAUSING QUITE A STIR, THE DEBATE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS, YOU WILL HAVE ACCESS TO PART OF GRANT PARK FOR FOUR DAYS THIS SUMMER, THE PARK WILL BE CLOSED FOR EVENTS OCCLUDING THE FIRST EVER NASCAR RACE, LOLLAPALOOZA WILL BE SETTING UP , AND ALL THAT BEGS THE QUESTION, WHO EXACTLY ARE THE PARKS FOR?

WE HAVE MARK SHULMAN, A LONGTIME PARTICIPANT IN TASTE OF CHICAGO, AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FRIENDS OF THE PARKS.

AND LESLIE , PRESIDENT OF THE GRANT PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL, WE ALSO INVITED REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CITY, NASCAR, AND THE CITY'S TOURISM BUREAU OF CHICAGO .

THIS AFTERNOON , HE CANCELED, BUT WE DO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

STARTING WITH YOU, MARK , YOU HAVE BEEN THERE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

HOW DO YOU AND THE OTHER VENDORS FEEL ABOUT MOVING TO SEPTEMBER?

>> WE'VE HAD 43 YEARS OF THIS , AND WE HAD A GREAT TASTE LAST YEAR AROUND BUCKINGHAM FOUNTAIN, I DO BELIEVE IT IS GREAT TO DO IT IN GRANT PARK.

WE WILL ADJUST TO DOING IT A LITTLE BIT LATER IN THE YEAR, BUT REALLY EXCITED AFTER NOT HAVING A TASTE IN 2021, IT WAS GREAT TO BE BACK.

>> AND ALBEIT SMALLER, AND THIS ONE WILL BE SMALLER, TOO.

NOW IT IS JUST OVER THE WEEKEND.

IS THIS THE RIGHT SOLUTION TO THIS LOGJAM ?

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE NASCAR AND THE TASTE ON THE SAME WEEKEND, NOW IT'LL JUST BE IN SEPTEMBER.

>> I THINK IT MAKES SENSE TO NOT TRY TO DO IT ALL AT THE SAME TIME DOWNTOWN.

I DO THINK ALL OF IT HAS BEEN COMMUNICATED TO THE PUBLIC SO QUICKLY AND WITHOUT A LOT OF TRANSPARENCY, WE DON'T KNOW ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT PROBLEMS MAY STILL EXIST.

SOME ARE GOING OUT TO NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, THAT MIGHT BE A GOOD THING BUT WE ARE NOT SURE THE FOLKS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES MAY HAVE HAD OTHER EVENTS ALREADY SCHEDULED , HAD THAT BEEN COORDINATED WITH.

>> LESLIE IS SOMEBODY THAT IS VERY INVOLVED WITH GRANT PARK, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS THAT USE IT AS THEIR PARK.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS?

>> WE THINK TASTE HAS A WONDERFUL SELECTIVITY, AND WE HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED IT.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS TO MOVING INTO THE WEEKEND THAT WAS CHOSEN, THE GRANT PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL HAD A FUNDRAISER PLANNED FOR THAT WEEKEND.

THE PARKED DISTRICT DOESN'T PUT CAPITAL MONEY INTO GRANT PARK, THEY HAVEN'T FOR YEARS.

AND WE WERE TRYING TO RAISE SOME FUNDING FOR GRANT PARK.

SO AGAIN, THESE LAST-MINUTE DECISIONS WITH NO COORDINATION IS REALLY A PROBLEM FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED.

>> MARK, DOES IT AFFECT THE BUSINESS FOR THE RESTAURANT TOURS WHO DO RELY THIS EVENT AND TO DRUM UP PUBLICITY?

>> IT USED TO BE OVER THE FOURTH OF JULY, IT STARTED ON JULY 4, WE HAD THE BIG FIREWORKS SHOW, THEN IT WAS MOVED A WEEK LATER.

WE WILL SEE.

IS IT A GREAT WEATHER WEEKEND?

SEPTEMBER IN CHICAGO CAN REALLY BE BEAUTIFUL.

THE STUDENTS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL.

SO I THINK WE WILL FIND OUT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, NEXT TO OUR FRIEND, CHARLIE ROBINSON, WE LOOK FORWARD TO IT .

>> OF OAK PARK, THE GREAT ROBINSON.

>> YES, HE HAS BEEN A GREAT PARTNER AND FRIEND OF OURS.

SO IT DEPENDS ON HOW WE SPENT OUR SUMMER AND EARLY FALL.

>> AND THE BIGGER ISSUE AS WE MENTIONED, 83 OUT OF 87 DAYS, THE PARK WAS JUST SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THE PUBLIC, AND IT WILL NOT BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR FREE.

HOW ARE PEOPLE SUPPOSED TO FEEL ABOUT THAT?

>> I THINK MOST OF US ARE PRETTY FRUSTRATED.

THERE ARE SOME FOLKS WHO ARE FOR THE HIGH-PRICED TICKETS FOR SOME OF THESE EVENTS, WHO WILL CERTAINLY ENJOY THEMSELVES.

BUT A LOT OF US WILL BE PRICED OUT, AND WE THINK IT SHOULD BE A DEMOCRATIC SPACE, IT SHOULD NOT COST A LOT OF MONEY TO USE THEM AND THERE SHOULD BE TIMES WHERE NOTHING IS DATED AT ALL.

IT'S ALSO A PLACE FOR RESIDENTS TO COME WALK THEIR DOG AND ENJOY AN AFTERNOON.

>> WE MENTIONED THIS FIRST EVER CONTRACT WITH NASCAR , WHICH COULD TAKE THE PARK OUT FOR 40 DAYS, AND THEN THERE IS LOLLAPALOOZA, IT IS WEEKS OF SETUP AND TAKEDOWN TIME, IS THIS WHAT GRANT PARK IS SUPPOSED TO BE USED FOR?

>> I THINK THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND THE LACK OF INPUT IS REALLY THE ISSUE AND NASCAR WAS WASTING IT ON US AND THE TENURE CONTRACT WITH LOLLAPALOOZA WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS SIGNED WITHOUT ANY CONSULTATION.

BUT THE KEY IS , PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW NASCAR IS GOING TO FUNCTION.

THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY, THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW MUCH OF THE PARK AND LAKESHORE DRIVE ARE GOING TO BE CLOSED OFF TO THIS EVENT.

SO, WE HAVE YET TO SEE HOW THIS IS GOING TO WORK OUT.

CERTAINLY, IT'S GOING TO KEEP THE PARK INACCESSIBLE FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

>> WHAT ABOUT FOR THE RESIDENCE THAT SAY WE NEVER ASKED FOR THIS , AND THESE DEALS KEEP COMING IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT, THE MAYOR IS MAKING THEM WITHOUT CONSULTING ANYBODY.

>> IT IS INTERESTING, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE CALLED THE PARKS AND SAID, WHY DON'T YOU SUE?

AND THE PROBLEM IS, NOT EVERYTHING HAS A LEGAL REMEDY.

SO, IT IS REALLY UP TO US RESIDENTS TO PUSH BACK THROUGH THE MEDIA, THROUGH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO SAY WAIT A MINUTE, WE THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE MAYBE A MORE THOUGHTFUL PROCESS TO BALANCE THE VARIOUS NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> MARK, I KNOW YOU ARE CONCERNED , DO YOU WANT TO WEIGH IN ON THAT AND THE CLOSURES OF THESE PARKS FOR SO LONG?

>> WE HAVE USED THESE PARKS AND OTHER PARKS, AND YOU WANT TO MAKE THEM GREAT.

THE GREAT THING IS, IT IS FREE AND ACCESSIBLE, AND YOU REALLY WANT TO MINIMIZE WHAT IS TIED UP.

SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO A GREAT SUMMER, AND I THINK BY PEOPLE SPEAKING UP AND ASKING, WHERE IS TASTE?

WE SAID WE WANT IT, SO WHETHER IT IS IN JULY OR SEPTEMBER, IT'LL BE A GREAT YEAR.

>> JUANITA , THERE HAS BEEN SOME TALK ABOUT THIS, BUT THE BEARS MIGHT LEAVE SOLDIER FIELD, THEY ARE PROBABLY GOING TO LEAVE SOLDIER FIELD, WHAT ABOUT THE USE OF THAT SPACE IN THE PARKING LOTS AS A PERMANENT SPACE TO HAVE THESE KINDS OF ACCESSIBLE EVENTS?

>> SOME PEOPLE THINK THIS IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PARK DISTRICT AND FOR CHICAGO TO THINK ABOUT WHICH EVENTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY TAKING UP OTHER PARK SPACE COULD GO INTO THE INTERIOR FIELD.

>> NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS.

>> RIGHT.

AND SOME OF THEM NEED MULTIPLE STAGES, BUT THERE ARE PARKING LOTS AROUND THE FIELD THAT COULD HELP ACCOMMODATE.

>> LESLIE, IS THERE SOME CONCERN HERE, AGAIN, THIS PARK IS MEANT FOR PUBLIC USE, IT IS SLOWLY BECOMING PRIVATIZED.

THESE ARE BIG EVENTS THAT MAKE A LOT OF MONEY.

ALTHOUGH, IT MAKES MONEY FOR THE CITY, TOO.

IS THERE A BALANCING ACT HERE?

>> THERE DEFINITELY SHOULD BE A BALANCING ACT BUT THE BALANCES ARE NOT BEING KEPT.

DOWNTOWN, THERE ARE OVER 110,000 RESIDENTS RIGHT NOW AND GROWING .

GRANT PARK IS A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE DOWNTOWN.

AND WE'VE GOT STUDENTS, WE'VE GOT SENIORS, WE'VE GOT CHILDREN, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO USE GRANT PARK FOR ALL KINDS OF PARK ACTIVITIES.

AND THE PROBLEM IN MY MIND IS, IF YOU DON'T BALANCE THE NEEDS, NEIGHBORHOOD NEEDS VERSUS THE CITYWIDE NEEDS AND PUT MONEY BACK INTO GRANT PARK TO REPAIR IT, YOU DON'T HAVE A BALANCE.

AND THAT IS THE WAY IT IS RIGHT NOW.

>> THIS IS AN ONGOING DISCUSSION, WE WILL SEE HOW IT TURNS OUT IN SEPTEMBER AND HOW PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO USE THEIR PARKS FOR A LOT OF THE SUMMER AND WE HOPE SUMMER GETS HERE FAST.

THANK YOU, ALL.

>>> BRANIS FRIEDMAN, BACK TO YOU.

>> BURNING COAL FOR POWER CREATES A BYPRODUCT CALLED COAL ASH, KIND OF LIKE THE RESIDUE LEFT BEHIND WHEN YOU BURN CHARCOAL.

COAL ASH CONTAINS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS MATERIAL LIKE ARSENIC, MERCURY , AND IT CAN ENDANGER NEARBY WATER SUPPLIES.

STATE LAWMAKERS WANT TO FORCE THE OWNER OF A DECOMMISSIONED GENERATION STATION TO CLEAN UP ALL OF THE COAL ASH LEFT BEHIND.

THAT EFFORT COMES AS FEDERAL REGULATORS ARE ALSO EYEING TOUGHER RULES.

>> Reporter: COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS USE A LOT OF WATER TO KEEP THE EQUIPMENT COOL, THAT IS WHY THEY ARE OFTEN YOUR BODIES OF WATER LIKE LAKE MICHIGAN.

>> THE LAST THING WE WANT TO DO IS HAVE A CATASTROPHE ON THE LAKE THAT IS GOING TO IMPACT THE DRINKING WATER.

>> Reporter: FOR YEARS, ORGANIZERS WITH LAKE COUNTY FOUGHT TO CLOSE THE MIDWEST GENERATION POWER PLANT IN WAUKEGAN, NOW THEY ARE FIGHTING TO GET THE COMPANY TO CLEAN UP ALL OF THE COAL ASH LEFT BEHIND.

>> THEY WANT TO LEAVE IT IN PLACE.

I FEEL LIKE IT'S KIND OF LIKE LEAVING A TICKING TIME BOMB.

>> Reporter: THOSE PONDS ARE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE PROPERTY, JUST A FEW HUNDRED FEET FROM LAKE MICHIGAN.

THE OWNER AT NRG WANTS TO ADDRESS THE TWO PONDS, ADVOCATES NOTE THERE'S ALSO A LANDFILL ON SITE.

>> I WANT TO BE PROACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE.

>> Reporter: THIS STATE LAWMAKER IS SPONSORING A BILL THAT WOULD FORCE THEM TO REMOVE ALL OF THE COAL ASH FROM THE WAUKEGAN FACILITY, WHICH THEY ARE NOT CURRENTLY REQUIRED TO DO.

>> IT'S NOT THAT YOU CAN'T DO IT, IT'S THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO DO IT.

>> Reporter: IN A STATEMENT, THE PLANT OWNER DEFENDS THE PLAN TO REMOVE THE ASH FROM ANOTHER POND, CONTRARY TO A MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN DRIVEN BY A SMALL BUT VOCAL GROUP WHO DO NOT TRUST THE REGULATORY PROCESS, THE PLAN IS SCIENTIFICALLY AND HISTORICALLY PROVEN TO BE A SAFE, SOUND, AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO PROTECT GROUNDWATER IN WAUKEGAN FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

>> THERE ARE OTHER COAL ASH SITES ALONG LAKE MICHIGAN THAT HAVE BEEN CLOSED, AND THERE HAS BEEN NO ISSUES WITH THAT.

>> Reporter: DONNA BEN GRIFFIS IS WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S ASSOCIATION WHICH ARGUES COAL ASH REGULATION SHOULD BE STATED BY THE EPA , NOT LAWMAKERS.

>> THEY ARE THE EXPERTS, THEY SHOULD MAKE THAT DETERMINATION, NOT JUST ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY.

>> Reporter: THE REGULATION OF ELEMENTS IN THE EXISTING REGULATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN IN PLACE LONG ENOUGH TO ASSESS THEIR EFFECTIVENESS.

THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IS CONSIDERING TIGHTENING ITS REGULATIONS ON COAL ASH LANDFILL.

FEDERAL RULES DON'T MANDATE CLEANUP OF SITES THAT STOPPED RECEIVING THE BYPRODUCT FOR 2015, WHEN THE CURRENT REGULATION WENT INTO PLACE.

JENNIFER IS THE SENIOR ATTORNEY , THAT ORGANIZATION DID A STUDY OF COAL ASH LEFT BEHIND ACROSS THE U.S. >> IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S ABOUT A HALF 1 BILLION TONS OF COAL ASH IN THOSE ACTIVE LANDFILLS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: THAT IS WHY EARTH JUSTICE LED A LAWSUIT AIMED AT FORCING THEM TO REGULATE ALL COAL ASH LANDFILL.

THE CARCINOGENIC AND NEUROTOXIC MATERIAL IN THE ASH CAN SEEP INTO THE GROUNDWATER AND MANY PONDS AND LANDFILLS MAY NOT BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND.

>> WE THINK THE EVIDENCE IS GOING TO BE CLEAR, THAT THEY DO POSE A RISK TO HEALTH, AND THE ENVIRONMENT AND IT NEEDS TO BE REGULATED.

>> Reporter: MORE ACTION AT THE STATE LEVEL IS CRITICAL FOR PLACES LIKE WAUKEGAN WHICH IS ALREADY HOME TO FIVE EPA DESIGNATED SUPERFUND SITES CONTAMINATED WITH HAZARDOUS MATERIAL.

>> WE JUST WANT TO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY TO STRIVE IN.

>>> THE WAUKEGAN BILL HAS CLEARED A HOUSE COMMITTEE, IF IT IS PASSED BY THE HOUSE, IT HEADS TO THE STATE SENATE.

AS TO THE POTENTIAL RULE CHANGE, A PUBLIC COMMENT JUST ENDED, THE AGENCY WILL HAVE ITS DECISION BY EARLY MAY.

>>> NEXT, HOW DOES ONE OF THE CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR PLAN TO BOOST DEVELOPMENT IN CHICAGO, WE HAVE THAT STORY RIGHT AFTER A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY AREN'T THE ONLY ISSUES IN THE RACE FOR CHICAGO MAYOR, BOTH CANDIDATES TALK ABOUT HOW THEY WOULD BOOST OF ELEMENT ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE.

HEATHER JOINS US FOR A LOOK AT THE PLAN WHICH TAKES A PAGE FROM THE SOON TO BE FORMER MAYOR, LORI LIGHTFOOT.

HEATHER, JOHNSON AND PAUL VALLAS SAY THEY WANT TO CONTINUE INVESTING IN THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES.

>> Reporter: PAUL VALLAS WANTS TO CREATE AN INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY AUTHORITY, HE SAYS THEY WILL OPERATE POLITICS FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND THE UNWRITTEN RULE THAT GIVES EVERY OTHER PERSON THE FINAL SAY ON WHAT HAPPENS IN THAT WARD.

EVEN THOUGH HIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN RUNS NEARLY 1500 WORDS, IT'S NOT QUITE CLEAR HOW THIS BODY WOULD WORK, WHAT AUTHORITY IT WOULD HAVE AND HOW MUCH MONEY IT WOULD COST THE STAFF.

THE CAMPAIGN DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

>> TYPICALLY, THE MAYOR STILL HAS CONTROL OVER IT, SO WHY DOES PAUL VALLAS THINK THIS NEW APPROACH IS NEEDED?

>> Reporter: HE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THOUSANDS ON THE WEST SIDE HAVE ENDURED DECADES OF THIS INVESTMENT, AND HE SAID THIS BODY WILL LEVERAGE THE CITY'S RESOURCES AND NOT JUST THIS ANNUAL BUDGET, BUT THE SISTER AGENCY BUDGET AND THE ABILITY TO BORROW, TO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN COMMUNITIES WHERE THERE ARE VACANT LAND AND OF COURSE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO CRIME AND POVERTY.

>> THIS GETS AT THE ISSUE OF THEIR PREROGATIVE, WHERE THERE IS A DEVELOPMENT IN A CERTAIN WARD, THEY USUALLY HAVE THE FINAL SAY AND ALL OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS DEFER TO THAT.

LORI LIGHTFOOT PROMISED TO END THAT IN HER CAMPAIGN, WE KNOW HOW THAT SOURED RELATIONSHIPS.

WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT IS THERE FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR PAUL VALLAS ?

>> Reporter: THERE IS VERY LITTLE APPETITE ON THE CITY COUNCIL TO TACKLE THIS HOT BUTTON ISSUE AGAIN, IT IS REALLY HARD TO OVERSTATE HOW GRUESOME THE BATTLES WERE ON CITY COUNCIL AND THERE IS A REASON WHY LORI LIGHTFOOT WILL LEAVE OFFICE WITH HIS PREROGATIVE INTACT, BUT A LITTLE WEEKEND.

>> SO, IF HE PUSHES THE SCALE BACK AND HE FALTERS, WHAT HAPPENS FOR THIS ISSUE?

>> Reporter: THE BIGGEST THREAT TO THE PREROGATIVE IS AN ONGOING FEDERAL PROBE WHICH STEMS FROM A 2018 COMPLAINT FROM COMMUNITY GROUPS WHO SAID THIS PRACTICE REALLY PREVENTS AFFORDABLE HOUSING FROM BEING BUILT IN LIGHT AREAS OF THE CITY.

THAT COULD TRIGGER BIAS IN HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPER DEPARTMENTS, BUT WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

>>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU CAN READ THESE FULL STORIES ON HER WEBSITE, WTTW .COM/NEWS .

>>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT, PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:00.

WITH THE RUNOFF ELECTIONS JUST WEEKS AWAY, HOW MIGHT THE MAYOR HANDLE POLICING AND PUBLIC SAFETY?

PLUS, IT'S THE PERMANENT FORM OF SELF-EXPRESSION, THE UP CLOSE LOOK AT THE ART OF TATTOOING.

NO TATTOOS FOR ME.

FOR ALL OF US HERE, I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE