>> AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON A SPECIAL ELECTION NIGHT EDITION OF CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

IT'S ELECTION DAY IN ILLINOIS.

WE CHECK IN WITH THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS ON EARLY BALLOTS, VOTER TURNOUT AND MUCH MORE.

VOTERS WILL DECIDE ON A SIGNATURE PIECE OF MAYOR JOHNSON'S PROGRESSIVE AGENDA, OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON BRING CHICAGO HOME AND OTHER KEY RESULTS TO WATCH.

>> IN CHICAGO WHEN YOU FEED YOUR AND SEEN ON ELECTION DAY, YOU'RE ESSENTIALLY PUTTING IT IN A BALLOT BOX WITH 2 COMPARTMENTS.

>> AND WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENS YOUR BALLOT AFTER YOU VOTE.

WDW NEWS EXPLAINS.

>> IT WILL KICK OFF OUR SPECIAL ELECTION COVERAGE SHORTLY.

BUT FIRST, HERE ARE SOME OF TODAY'S OTHER TOP STORIES.

A POPULAR GUN MANUFACTURER IS FACING A LAWSUIT FROM THE CITY OF CHICAGO OVER GUNS THAT THE CITY CLAIMS CAN EASILY BE CONVERTED INTO ILLEGAL MACHINE GUNS.

THE CITY SAYS IN THE LAST 2 YEARS IT'S RECOVERED 1100 BLOCK GUNS THAT HAVE BEEN CONVERTED USING AN AUTO SEAR, WHICH IS CHEAP DEVICE KNOWN AS A GLOCK SWITCH AND THEY'VE BEEN USED IN A VARIETY OF CRIMES FROM HOMICIDE TO ATTEMPTED ROBBERY.

THE LAWSUIT FILED TODAY IN COOK COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT ALLEGES THE COMPANY KNOWS HOW TO FIX THE GUNS BUT REFUSES TO DO SO.

UNREASONABLY ENDANGERING CHICAGOANS.

THE SUIT IS THE FIRST TO USE ILLINOIS'S NEW FIREARMS INDUSTRY RESPONSIBILITY ACT MADE LAW LAST YEAR IN AN EFFORT TO HOLD GUN COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> ARLINGTON HEIGHTS OFFICIALS REPORTEDLY ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE GOALPOST TO KEEP THEIR STADIUM PLANS ON TRACK.

THE VILLAGE IS REPORTEDLY PROPOSING TO LOWER THE PROPERTY TAX BURDEN.

THE BEARS WOULD HAVE TO PAY ON THE PROPERTY AND THEN NEGOTIATE TAX HIKES IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS.

THERE'S A VEILED ROUGH PLANS FOR A 2 BILLION DOLLARS PRIVATE INVESTMENT TO BUILD A PUBLICLY OWN STADIUM JUST SOUTH OF SOLDIER FIELD ON THE LAKEFRONT STILL DO ON THAT GIANT PARCEL OF LAND THAT USED TO BE ARLINGTON INTERNATIONAL RACECOURSE.

>> SEVERAL CHICAGO NONPROFITS HAVE A COUPLE MILLION MORE DOLLARS TO WORK WITH AFTER ANOTHER ROUND OF GIVING FROM PHILANTHROPIST.

MACKENZIE SCOTT.

THIS TIME SCOTT IS GIVING A TOTAL OF 640 MILLION DOLLARS TO 361 SMALL NONPROFITS AROUND THE COUNTRY AFTER AN OPEN CALL FOR APPLICATIONS LAST YEAR AMONG LOCAL RECIPIENTS ARE RACIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATION, COMMUNITIES UNITED LESS ADVOCATES.

I AM A LESS AND THE ALLIANCE TO END HOW HOMELESSNESS IN SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY, THESE AND SEVERAL OTHER GROUPS RECEIVED ONE OR 2 MILLION DOLLARS EACH.

THESE ARE JUST A FEW ON YOUR SCREEN THROUGH HER FOUNDATION YIELD GIVING SCOTT BEGAN GIVING AWAY BILLIONS IN 2019 AFTER HER DIVORCE FROM AMAZON FOUNDER JEFF BEZOS.

>> AND IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR, ALMOST LOLLAPALOOZA HAS ANNOUNCED ITS 2020 FOR MUSIC LINEUP.

THE ANNUAL MEGA FESTIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE AUGUST 1ST THROUGH 4TH IN GRANT PARK HEADLINES THIS YEAR INCLUDE SAYS, TYLER, THE CREATOR LIQUIDATED TO THE KILLER'S FUTURE ACTS AND HOSE HERE.

TICKETS GO ON SALE THURSDAY.

YOU CAN HELP FIND THE FULL.

YOU CAN FIND THE FULL LINEUP ON OUR WEBSITE.

SHOWS YOU WHAT I KNOW ABOUT.

HOW SHOULD I STILL TO COME, A LOOK AT THE KEY RACES TO WATCH IN A SPECIAL ELECTION NIGHT EDITION OF SPOTLIGHT POLITICS AND FIRST REPORTED BLOOMBERG IS LIVE FROM THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO TALK VOTER TURNOUT AND MUCH MORE.

>> WE CHECK IN WITH HIM 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.

>> FEW ARE CHICAGO TURNED OUT TO VOTE EARLY THAN THEY DID DURING THE PRIMARY ELECTION 4 YEARS AGO.

SO HOUSE ELECTION DAY TURNING LOOK OUT TURNOUT LOOKING AT HOW SMOOTHLY HAVE THINGS BEEN RUNNING.

REPORTER NICK BLOOMBERG JOINS US NOW WITH MORE FROM THE CHICAGO ELECTIONS BOARD IN THE LOOP SUPER SITE.

NICK.

>> WELL, PARIS CERTAINLY TURN OUT TODAY HAS BEEN PRETTY SLUGGISH, BUT WE'RE SEEING THAT LATE AFTERNOON EVENING RUSH OF INTEREST.

THERE IS A LINE DOWN THE BLOCK ALONG LAKE OUTSIDE OF THE SUPER SITE HERE AND HERE WITH MAX BEVER'S FROM THE CHICAGO BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO TALK ABOUT ALL THINGS ELECTIONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON A BUSY DAY.

FOR STARTERS, JUST WHAT ARE WE SEEING TODAY IN TERMS OF TURNOUT?

WELL, WE'RE SEEING A LOT LESS TURNOUT THAN WE'D LIKE TO SEE FOR PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION.

>> WERE LOW EVEN BY PRIMARY STANDARDS BUT WERE LOW BY EVEN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS AND ARE GENERALLY KNOWN AS SOME OF OUR LOWEST TURNOUT ELECTIONS THAT'S BEEN PICKING UP FROM 04:00PM TO 05:00PM.

WE SAW ALMOST 20,000 VOTERS SHOW UP.

WE'RE EXPECTING OUR BIGGEST SURGE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

AS YOU SAID, IT'S NICE TO SEE A LINE RIGHT OUTSIDE THE SUPER SITE AND VOTERS HAVE UNTIL 07:00PM TO GO TO THEIR ASSIGNED PRECINCT POLLING PLACE.

WE'VE GOT 51 VOTES ENTERS ALL THOSE WARD EARLY VOTING SITES AND ARE SUPER SITE DOWNTOWN OPEN TO 07:00PM NICE.

AND VOTERS THERE IS THAT YOU CAN VOTE AT ANY OF THOSE SITES NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE.

AND I KNOW THERE ARE STILL, YOU KNOW, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS THAT FOLKS HAVE RECEIVED.

BUT THAT HAVEN'T COME BACK TO YOU AS OF LAST NIGHT.

HOPEFULLY YOU'LL SEE A SURGE FROM THOSE EITHER IN THE COMING DAYS BY MAIL OR MAYBE THEY'LL COME DOWN AND DROP THEM OFF TODAY.

WE EXPECT A LOT OF VOTE BY MAIL.

BALLOTS RETURNED THROUGH OUR SECURE DROP BOXES.

AND IN THE MAIL TODAY, HOWEVER, THOSE AREN'T GOING TO BE PROCESSED AND COUNTED FOR TONIGHT'S ELECTION RESULTS.

THAT'S GOING TO BE PROCESSED OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

DEPENDING ON THE TURNOUT TONIGHT AT THE RACES ARE CLOSE, WE MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE HOW SOME OF THOSE VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS COME BACK IN.

WE HAD 66,000 RETURNED AS OF LAST NIGHT.

THOSE ARE GOING TO COUNCIL WITH ELECTION NIGHT RESULTS.

WE'VE GOT OVER 109,000 VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS THAT ARE STILL OUT THERE.

ALL OF THOSE ARE GOING TO BE RETURNED BACK.

WE'RE EXPECTING PROBABLY MORE CLOSER TO 70 TO 80,000 BUT THAT MIGHT BE A QUITE BEGIN A CITYWIDE YES, CERTAINLY SOME CLOSE RACES THAT COULD HELP DECIDE YOU MENTIONED THE SLUGGISH TURNOUT COMPARED TO PREVIOUS PRIMARIES.

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU TEND TO SEE WHEN THE TOP OF THE TICKET ISN'T NECESSARILY IS CONTESTED?

IT IS COMMON WHEN THERE ISN'T A VERY COMPETITIVE BALLOT, EITHER DEMOCRATIC OR REPUBLICAN.

FACT, WE'RE SEEING NUMBERS CLOSER TO THE 2012 PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES.

THEY CAN BE A LITTLE BIT ALL OVER THE PLACE WHEN IT'S MORE COMPETITIVE, ESPECIALLY FOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.

YOU'RE SEEING NEARLY 56%, MAYBE 60% CITYWIDE TURNOUT.

ON THE LOWER AND LIKE 2012 24% TURNOUT.

NOW WE'VE GOT MORE REGISTERED VOTERS THAN EVER IN CHICAGO.

SO WHILE WE MIGHT CAST MORE BALLOTS, ULTIMATELY, I THINK THAT WE WILL IN 2012, YOU MIGHT HAVE A LOWER CITYWIDE TURNOUT JUST BECAUSE WE'VE GOT MORE VOTERS.

I KNOW THERE WAS A FIRE THAT FORCED YOU TO MOVE ONE OF THE VOTING YOU KNOW, KIND OF LAST MINUTE, OTHER THAN YOU KNOW, HAVE THINGS BEEN GOING PRETTY SMOOTHLY WITH ALL THE PHYSICAL LOCATION?

WELL, THE ONLY THING ABOUT A LOW TURNOUT THAT'S GOT A SILVER LINING IS THAT GENERALLY IT ALSO MEANS A SMOOTH ELECTION DAY.

WE HAVE JUST A HANDFUL OF SITES THAT DID NOT OPEN BY 06:00AM MOST ARE OPEN BY 6.15, AM.

WE'RE NOT HAVING ANY POLLING PLACES THAT ARE OPEN PAST 07:00PM.

POLLS WILL CLOSE AT 7 AND COMPLAINT WAS WHEN IT COMES TO OUR HELP DESK LUNCH ELECTION CENTRAL, IT'S BEEN PRETTY SLEEPY, TOO, THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS.

ALL RIGHT.

HOPEFULLY THINGS ARE PICKING UP HERE IN THE NEXT HOUR AND A HALF OR SO.

MAX BETTER, THANKS SO MUCH.

THANK YOU.

AND WE WILL HAVE MORE FROM THE ELECTION SUPER SITE HERE IN THE LOOP LATER ON IN THE PROGRAM.

BUT FOR NOW, PARIS, BACK TO ALL RIGHT, NIC, THANKS VERY MUCH.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

AND UP NEXT, OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM DIGS INTO THE BIG RACES ON THE BALLOT.

SO STICK AROUND.

>> AND AS WE JUST HEARD FROM NIC BLUMBERG, TURN OUT FOR TODAY'S ELECTIONS, SO GREAT.

THAT IS DESPITE A HIGH-PROFILE BALLOT MEASURE FOR CHICAGO VOTERS TO CONSIDER AND SOME CONTENTIOUS RACES ACROSS THE STATE HERE TO DELVE INTO ALL THAT AND MORE IS OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM AND AUTHENTIC.

HE HAD OR SHARON AND PARISH SHUT.

SO HEATHER, THE BRING CHICAGO HOME BALLOT MEASURE IN THE HANDS OF VOTERS NOW.

AND WE ALL RECALL THIS VERY EXTENDED LEGAL FIGHT THAT'S BEEN GOING ON OVER THAT.

WE NOW KNOW, OF COURSE, VOTES THAT THAT ARE CAST TODAY IN DURING EARLY VOTING.

THEY WILL BE COUNTED.

BUT REMIND US WHAT A YES VOTE ON THIS BALLOT MEASURE WOULD MEAN WELL, IT WILL GIVE THE CITY COUNCIL THE POWER TO BASICALLY CHANGE THE WAY THE SALES OF REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS ARE TAXED RIGHT NOW.

REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH YOU BUY A PROPERTY FOR YOU SAY YOU PAY THE SAME REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX.

THIS MEASURE WOULD ALLOW THE CITY COUNCIL TO SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, IF YOU BUY OR SELL A PROPERTY OF MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS, YOU PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE AND THEY'RE GOING USE THAT MONEY.

THEY SAY TO HELP THE UNHOUSED IN CHICAGO.

>> AND THIS IS REALLY SORT OF THE CENTERPIECE OF THE PROGRESSIVE POLITICAL MOVEMENT, EVEN DATING BEFORE MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON WAS EVEN CONSIDERING A RUN FOR MAYOR.

IT WAS ENDORSED BY FORMER MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT IN THE 2019 MAYORAL ELECTION.

SHE WERE FIRST THAT POSITION AND IT HAS BEEN THE SOURCE OF JUST JUST REALLY CONCERTED EFFORTS AND IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE VOTE TODAY.

OF COURSE, IT DOES.

WHAT WHAT'S THE CAMPAIGNING BEEN LIKE ON THIS ISSUE?

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS?

IT'S GOING TO CLOSE.

LOOK, IT'S BEEN A REALLY STRANGE CAMPAIGN, RIGHT?

IT WAS UPENDED BY THE LEGAL FIGHT BECAUSE A COOK COUNTY JUDGE INVALIDATED AND THEN THE APPELLATE COURT REVERSED THAT DECISION IN THE SUPREME COURT UPHELD THAT APPELLATE DECISION.

BUT THAT MEANT REALLY THAT BOTH SUPPORTERS AND OPPONENTS.

>> DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO IT VOTERS BY USING NEW DID THOSE EFFORTS?

NO, THAT'S NOT TO SAY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR NOT SET SPENT ON BOTH SIDES BECAUSE IT ABSOLUTELY WAS SORT OF HOW THAT ALL SORT OF COMES OUT IN THE END, I THINK IS A VERY BIG QUESTION AND DOES STARTED THESE ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE FORM OF THE BALLOT QUESTION TO DISCONTINUE SORT OF CREATING LEGAL CHALLENGES AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

SO MAYOR JOHNSON, HE'S SPOKEN PASSIONATELY ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN PARTICULAR AT A RALLY BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL CLEARED THE BRING CHICAGO HOME ORDINANCE IN NOVEMBER.

>> HERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

THEN.

>> WE KNOW 70% OF THOSE ARE ALL LIVE IN COMMUNITIES LIKE MINE AND COMMUNITY.

IT IS WELL TIME THAT WE PRIORITIZE THE INTERESTS OF WORKING PEOPLE, BUT ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE MOST.

SO WE'RE NOT JUST BRINGING IN CHICAGO.

WE'RE NOT JUST RAISING DEMONSTRATING HOW THE CITY OF CHICAGO IS LEADING THE WAY, BUT THE REST OF THE WORLD.

>> HEATHER, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY THIS IS, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE MAYOR'S SIGNATURE HOW MUCH IS AT AT STAKE FOR HIM?

IF THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN, IT IS GOING TO BE A BIG TEST OF HIS POLITICAL MUSCLE, EVEN THOUGH AS I SAID, THIS PREDATED HIM, HE HAS REALLY EMBRACED THESE PROGRESSIVE POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS AND WHETHER IT SUCCEEDS OR FAILS, IT WILL BE CONSIDERED SORT OF A LITMUS TEST OF HIS SORT OF POLITICAL POWER.

NEARLY A YEAR INTO HIS TENURE AS MAYOR OF CHICAGO.

AND I THINK ALSO JUST WHERE THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT IS, HOW STRONG IT IS.

THIS IS A MOVEMENT THAT GOT HIM INTO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

BUT THERE HAS SINCE BEEN SOME SOME WITH THAT.

AND SO I THINK IT IS BOTH A TEST OF JOHNSON HIMSELF BECAUSE HE'S BEEN OUT IN FRONT OF IT.

BUT >> EXCLUSIVELY IT'S NOT AS IF HE'S BEEN FRONTING THE COMMERCIALS.

ARE THE ADS FOR IT OR ANYTHING.

BUT STILL IT IT SORT OF SHOWS WHERE THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT CAN GO.

CAN IT GET OUT THE VOTE?

>> THAT'S WHY THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION HAS POURED MONEY INTO THIS CAMPAIGN AS WELL.

AND WHO HAS EXERTED A LOT OF EFFORT TO TRY AND GET OUT THE VOTE FOR THIS ISSUE THIS CYCLE.

YES, SOMETHING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT LAST WEEK AS WELL WITH US.

HE TEAMS ROLE IN TRYING GEN UP SUPPORT FOR THIS ISSUE.

>> I'M AMANDA, THIS MEASURE GIVES THE CITY COUNCIL THE POWER TO INCREASE THE REAL ESTATE ON PROPERTY USING THE REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX.

THANK YOU, HEATHER SENATE.

EARLIER ON PROPERTY SALES OVER A MILLION PASSES, THOUGH, IS THE CITY COUNCIL GOING TO GO AHEAD WITH IT?

YOU THINK THEY'LL RAISE THE TAX?

I MEAN, I THINK YOU'VE NOTED IN YOUR INTRODUCTION TO JOHNSON'S REMARKS AT THAT RALLY WHILE BACK IN CITY COUNCIL HAD TO VOTE TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT THAT WE CAN SEE.

>> VERY MUCH AS AN INDICATOR.

IF VOTERS GIVE YOU THAT POWER, WHY WOULD YOU NOT USE IT?

THAT WOULD BE ITS OWN SENSE OF SORT OF FRUSTRATION.

I WOULD THINK WITH VOTERS AND PARTICULARLY THE MOVEMENT THAT IS WE'VE JUST BEEN TALKING ABOUT HIS, A LOT OF MONEY AND ENERGY TO PUT IT THERE.

SO WHILE THE OPPONENTS ARE NOT GOING TO STOP AND I THINK IS HEATHER, HEATHER ALLUDED TO JUST A BIT AGO, WE COULD SEE ADDITIONAL COURT CHALLENGES.

EXPECTATION WOULD BE.

BUT YES, A CITY COUNCIL IS GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE FURTHER.

THIS WOULD ALLOW JOHNSON TO HOLD HIS PROMISE OF NOT INCREASING PROPERTY TAXES.

JUST SOMETHING THAT AGAIN, THE OPPONENTS WILL BE SORT OF A DEFACTO PROPERTY TAX INCREASE, PARTICULARLY THEY SAY IT'S NOT JUST THE MANSION'S OLD.

I THINK THAT IS A VERY SMART WAY FOR THE ADVOCATES TO TRY AND GET THIS PASSED BY CALLING IT A MANSION TAX.

IT'S ALSO ON A BUSINESSES.

AND YOU COULD THINK, YOU KNOW, FOLKS WHO BUY MAYBE A 3 FLAT.

YEAH, I'LL BE LOOKING AT THE MARGIN IN THIS CASE IF IT DOES PASS.

SO IF IT PASSES BY SORT OF A SIGNIFICANT, COMFORTABLE MARGIN, THE CITY COUNCIL IS GOING TO UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE SORT OF IMPOSE THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.

I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT NOW OR YOU'RE GOING TO SEE PEOPLE LIKE ALDERMAN BRENDAN REILLY WHO REPRESENTS DOWNTOWN SORT OF SAY, HEY, LOOK, THIS WAS A SPLIT DECISION.

YOU KNOW, THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO DO AND WE SHOULDN'T.

AND SO THAT I THINK IS REALLY WHERE PERHAPS TODAY'S LOW TURNOUT COULD REALLY SORT OF COME INTO PLAY IT BEYOND JUST A VICTORY OR LOSS.

SO ANOTHER BIG RACE ON THE BALLOT.

PARIS, YOU'VE BEEN FOLLOWING COOK COUNTY STATE'S RACE AND DEMOCRATS COMPETING TO REPLACE, OF COURSE, OUTGOING KIM FOXX.

LOT OF MONEY IN THIS SHARP EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE 2 CANDIDATES.

>> WHAT'S AT STAKE HERE AND HOW DIFFERENT CLAYTON HARRIS AND EILEEN O WHEN IT COMES TO APPROACH TO FIGHTING CRIME A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THEIR APPROACH.

THIS CENTERS AROUND RETAIL THEFT.

SO EILEEN O'NEILL BURKE SAYS THAT WE'RE GOING TO PROSECUTE RETAIL THEFT OF GOODS.

>> OVER $300 AS A FELONY.

THAT'S CONSISTENT WITH STATE LAW UNDER KIM FOXX.

THEY RAISE THAT THRESHOLD TO $1000.

SO IF YOU IF STEAL $1000 WORTH OF GOODS FROM THE STORE OR MORE, YOU CAN TRY TO THE FELONY BELOW THAT YOU GET CHARGED WITH A MISDEMEANOR.

MISTER HARRIS HAS SAID HE'S GOING TO CONTINUE THAT POLICY SAYING MISTER METERS IN JUST A SLAP ON THE WRIST AND YOU CAN CHARGE, YOU KNOW, SIGNIFICANT JAIL TIME FOR MISDEMEANORS THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THAT POLICY OF MAYBE GOING A LITTLE SOFTER, A LITTLE CREAM.

THEY BOTH SAID THAT THEY PLAN TO GO FORWARD WITH THE NO CASH BAIL A PROVISION WILL THEY HAVE BUT THEY WOULD PROSECUTE ANY CASE INVOLVING A GUN.

EILEEN O'NEILL, BURKE, PERHAPS A LITTLE STRONGER THAN ANY ANY KIND OF ARMED ROBBERY ON THE CTA.

AGAIN, BOTH OF THEM SAYING ANYTHING WITH A GUN.

CLAYTON HARRIS, CLEAR SAYS PRIZE ENDORSED BY TONI PRECKWINKLE.

ALSO ENDORSED KIM FOXX DOES NOT TO SAY THAT CLAY HARRIS IS GOING TO APPROACH OFFICE THE EXACT SAME WAY AS KIM FOXX WOULD, BUT HE WOULD BE CLOSER TO THAT PROGRESSIVE VISION THAN WHILE EILEEN O'NEILL BURKAS ONE, SOME CROSSOVER SUPPORT HERE, ESPECIALLY WITH MONEY BY SAYING SHE'LL BE TOUGHER ON HAS TO PARIS CLAYTON HARRIS HAS THE BACKING OF THE ESTABLISHMENT, INCLUDING TONI PRECKWINKLE.

>> WHAT IS THE OUTCOME OF THIS RACE MEAN FOR HER STILL, AS YOU KNOW, SORT THE HEAD OF A COOK COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

WELL, IT'S A BIG TEST BECAUSE NOT ONLY IS SHE COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT, NOT ONLY WAS SHE SORT OF MENTOR TO BRANDON JOHNSON.

>> BUT SHE'S ALSO SORT OF PUT THE FULL FORCE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BEHIND CLAYTON HARRIS.

THE 3RD.

AND IF EILEEN O'NEILL BURKE CAN WIN A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY WITHOUT THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE COOK COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY, SHE'S GOING TO FACE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THAT ENDORSEMENT TRULY MEANS.

NO, I SHOULD SAY THAT WE WERE HAVING BASICALLY THE SAME DISCUSSION FOR YEARS AGO WHEN KIM FOXX WAS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION.

SHE WAS UNDER FIRE, BASICALLY FROM ALL SIDES.

AND SHE PULLED OUT A COMFORTABLE VICTORY.

BOTH IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THEN IN THE GENERAL ELECTION, THE ISSUES ARE VERY SIMILAR THIS TIME AROUND.

THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE RESULT BE VERY SIMILAR, AT LEAST WHEN IT COMES TO 20 PRECKWINKLE'S CHOSEN CANDIDATE LIKE IT'S A RULE THAT I'M IN A LOW TURNOUT ELECTION AND IT DOESN'T SO MUCH COME DOWN TO WHO HAS THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

THAT'S THE MACHINE BACKING.

I WOULD THINK THAT YOU HAVE A BETTER CHANCE IF YOU'VE GOT THAT KIND OF SO-CALLED MACHINE BACKING IN A LOW TURNOUT, ELECTIONS ARE GOING TO THE FOLKS OUT AND OTHER FOLKS JUST AREN'T MOTIVATED.

>> QUICKLY WANT TO GET TO A CONGRESSIONAL RACE BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME AND OBVIOUSLY WE SHOULD NOTE TO VIEWERS, WE WILL BE BACK 10 O'CLOCK TO TALK ABOUT A WHOLE LOT MORE.

BUT A FEW HIGH-PROFILE CONGRESSIONAL RACES, PARTICULARLY IN THE 7TH GOT VETERAN CONGRESSMAN DANNY DAVIS FACING 4 CHALLENGERS, INCLUDING CHICAGO TREASURER MELISSA CONYERS.

IRVINE.

IS THIS THE BIGGEST THREAT TO DAVIS GETTING 15TH TERM?

>> WELL, I MEAN, HE HAD A PRETTY TOUGH GO AROUND FOR HIS CURRENT TERM AND IT WHEN YOU SAW IT CAN ACCOUNT REALLY NEARLY CAN CLINCH THIS SEAT.

SHE'S TRYING TO RUN AGAIN, BUT SHE DOES NOT QUITE HAVE THAT PROGRESSIVE BACKING THAT SHE DID.

YOU ALSO HAVE SOME OF THAT SPLIT BETWEEN MELISSA WHICH COULD THE VERY HELPFUL TO DAVIS AS HE SEEKS US ADDITIONAL TERM.

THE MORE OPPONENTS YOU HAVE, THE EASIER IT IS FOR AN INCUMBENT TO SLIDE ON THROUGH.

POLLS ARE STILL OPEN.

SO DON'T WANT TO MAKE TOO MANY PREDICTIONS.

THERE.

BUT THE COUNTY RESERVE AND CERTAINLY DOES HAVE SOME NAME RECOGNITION GIVEN THAT SHE CITY TREASURER.

BUT SHE ALSO HAS ALONG WITH THAT SOME ETHICAL TROUBLES THAT HAVE COMPOUNDED HER THROUGHOUT THIS QUICKLY SAY, COLLINS COUPLE YEARS AGO CAME REALLY CLOSE.

>> JUST A COINCIDENCE.

NOW HE'S GOT 4 CHALLENGERS TO SPLIT TICKET.

I JUST WANT DO WITH YOU SHOULD RUN EVERYBODY.

DO IT.

ALL RIGHT.

SO OBVIOUSLY A LOT MORE TO TALK ABOUT LATER ON TEAM >> SPOTLIGHT FOR NOW, HEATHER, AMANDA PARIS.

WE'LL SEE YOU GUYS IN A LITTLE BIT.

AND AS I MENTIONED, OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WILL BE BACK AGAIN LIVE AT 10 O'CLOCK TONIGHT TO GO THROUGH SOME OF THE RESULTS OF THESE RACES.

BE SURE TO JOIN US.

THEN.

BUT UP NEXT, WE'LL CHECK BACK IN WITH NIC BLOOMBERG, WHO'S REPORTING LIVE FROM THE CHICAGO BOARD OF ELECTIONS LOOP SUPER SITE.

NOW CHECK BACK IN WITH WDW NEWS REPORTER NICK BLUMBERG WHO IS AT THE CHICAGO LOOP SUPER SITE POLLING PLACE.

>> NICK, WE HEARD ABOUT THE LOW TURNOUTS.

SO WHATEVER DEMOGRAPHICS LIKE SO FAR.

>> WELL, IN TERMS OF THE AGE BREAKDOWN, PARIS, IT'S THE WAY THINGS OFTEN GO IN ELECTIONS AS OF 5 O'CLOCK.

THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS SAID ABOUT 57% OF VOTERS WHO CAST A BALLOT.

SO FAR WE'RE AGE.

55 OR UP, ALTHOUGH I WILL SAY WE'VE HAD 2 FIRST-TIME VOTERS WHO GOT A NICE BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE IS FROM ELECTION WORKERS HERE AT THE SUPER SITE JUST IN THE THE HOUR OR SO THAT WE'VE BEEN THERE.

SO GOOD TO SEE YOUNGER FOLKS DOING THEIR CIVIC DUTY.

I YOU KNOW, WE WE HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT HOW THIS COMPARES TO OTHER PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTIONS IN TERMS OF TURNOUT.

ALSO LOOKING, YOU KNOW, JUST IN TERMS OF WHAT THINGS HAVE BEEN LIKE BY THE END OF THE DAY FOR LAST YEAR'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, THOSE WERE ABOUT 32 33% WHEN THE POLLS CLOSED AT 7 O'CLOCK LAST YEAR.

WHEN YOU KNOW, WE ELECTED THE MAYOR AND WHOLE BUNCH OF THE CITY YOU KNOW, NOT QUITE CLEAR WEATHER WILL HIT THOSE NUMBERS.

ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE HEARD THAT WAS INTERESTING IN TERMS OF DEMOGRAPHICS, PARTY WAYS, MAX TOLD US THAT THERE'S BEEN AN INCREASED INTEREST IN A NON-PARTISAN BALLOT.

SO THAT WOULD BE A BALLOT THAT YOU CAN POLL WHERE YOU'RE JUST VOTING ON THE REFERENDUM QUESTION.

NOT THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY.

THAT'S, YOU KNOW, SPECIALLY SOMETHING THAT MIGHT MAKE SENSE THIS YEAR.

WHEN YOU KNOW, BOTH PRESIDENT BIDEN, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP ESSENTIALLY HAVE IT SOLD OUT.

>> EVERY ELECTION CYCLE.

WE HEAR STORIES OF JUDGES THAT DIDN'T SHOW UP OR SOMEONE WAS DRUNK AND CAUSED A SAYS THAT THINGS BEEN RUNNING SMOOTHLY ANY REGULARITY SO FAR.

>> NO, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S BEEN PRETTY QUIET.

PEOPLE ARE STAYING OFF THE SAUCE.

SAID, YOU KNOW, COUPLE PLACES OPEN 6, 15, 6.20, BUT EVERYBODY WAS ABLE TO EITHER HANG AROUND OR COME BACK OR GO TO ANOTHER NEARBY, A SUPERSTAR.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF ALL CITY SITES, SO NOT ANYTHING THAT STAYING OPEN LATE THERE.

THERE WAS A BIT OF A SPAT EARLIER IN THE DAY WHEN CONGRESSMAN CHUY GARCIA ACCUSED HIS CHALLENGER, OTHER PERSON, RAY LOPEZ IS CAMPAIGN OF BRINGING DONUTS AND ENVELOPES OF MONEY TO ELECTION JUDGES.

YOU KNOW, I SENSIBLY FOR THEM TO BUY LUNCH.

THAT IS NOT ANY REPORTING THAT HAS BEEN A CONFIRMED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS OR BY ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES YET.

AND THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS MADE CLEAR THEY ARE NOT INVESTIGATIVE BODY.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE HAPPY TO, YOU KNOW, PARTICIPATE IN THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES CERTAINLY WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO BE GIVING ELECTION JUDGES ANY CASH.

BUT THERE IS, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS SOMETHING ACCUSATION HAS YET TO BE LOOKED INTO AND IT WILL NOT BE THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS DOING THAT WHILE LOVE TO SEE WHERE THAT ONE GOES.

THAT'S A LITTLE BIZARRE.

EVEN BY CHICAGO STANDARDS.

OK, VERY QUICKLY, NIC.

>> STILL ABOUT AN HOUR LEFT TO VOTE.

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR LAST MINUTE VOTERS?

WELL, CERTAINLY YOU CAN SHOW UP IN-PERSON IF YOU'RE IN LINE AT 7, YOU CAN STAY IN LINE AND CAST YOUR BALLOT.

IF YOU'VE GOT A VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT THAT YOU HAVEN'T RETURNED.

>> YOU CAN BRING THOSE IN THEIR SECURE DROP BOXES SEVERAL SITES, YOU KNOW, SITE IN EVERY WARD AND COUPLE OF SUPER SITES AROUND THE CITY AS WELL AS DROP-OFF SITES AT THE UNITED CENTER WINTRUST ARENA AND WRIGLEY FIELD.

BUT YOU DO NEED TO GET THOSE IN BY 7 O'CLOCK.

SO IF YOU STILL HAVEN'T CAST YOUR BALLOT, GET MOVING.

>> ALL RIGHT, YOU'LL BE MOVE AROUND THROUGHOUT THE EVENING WILL SEE LATER TONIGHT.

AND BRAND AS WE GO BACK TO YOU.

HARRIS.

THANK YOU.

>> IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T FIGURED IT OUT YET.

TODAY IS ELECTION DAY IN ILLINOIS.

SO WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BALLOT AFTER YOU VOTE AS PART OF OUR EMMY AWARD-WINNING SERIES WTW NEWS EXPLAINS.

AMANDA EXPLORES THE JOURNEY OF A CHICAGO BALLOT.

>> YOU'D UNDER RESEARCH MAJOR CHOICES.

CAST YOUR BALLOT.

THEN YOU CAST A COUPLE MORE ON BEHALF OF YOUR DEAD RELATIVES.

IT'S THE CHICAGO WAY.

>> JUST KIDDING.

SO YOU EARNED YOUR I VOTED STICKER.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

IN CHICAGO WHEN YOU FEED YOUR AND SEEN ON ELECTION DAY, YOU'RE ESSENTIALLY PUTTING IT IN A BALLOT BOX WITH 2 COMPARTMENTS.

NOW, LET'S WITH WRITE IN CANDIDATES, STAY SEPARATE IN ONE COMPARTMENT ELECTION COUNTIES BY HAND.

THE END THE NIGHT, ALL OTHER BALLOTS ARE SCANNED AND COUNTED BY MACHINE FROM LOOKING FOR THE JUDGES OF THE PLACE.

IT WOULD A LOT OF COUNT.

IT ONCE THE POLLS CLOSE MACHINE SPITS OUT A TAPE OF THE TOTALS LIKE A RECEIPT ELECTION.

JUDGES WORK IN BIPARTISAN TEAMS AT EACH PRECINCT TO KEEP AN EYE ON EVERYTHING CERTIFY THINGS WENT SMOOTHLY AND THAT PELLETS WERE COMPROMISED WHEN THEY SIGNED THE RECEIPT AND OTHER LEGALLY BINDING DOCUMENTS, THEN THE USE CELLULAR DEVICE TO TRANSMIT THE TOTALS DOWNTOWN TO ELECTION CENTRAL.

>> THAT'S WHEN WE BEGIN TO SEE THE RESULTS.

BUT IT'S NOT ALL HIGH-TECH.

THE PAPER BALLOTS THAT INTO THE MACHINE DON'T TOSSED.

THEY GO INTO A BIG HARD SHELL CASE ON WHEELS PACKED UP WITH A PRETTY BOW OR RATHER A SECURITY SEAL TO ENSURE NOBODY MESSES WITH THE PRECIOUS CARGO FROM THEN ON ANYONE WHO TOUCHES THE CASE HAS TO SIGN A CHAIN OF CUSTODY.

WARM LIKE EVIDENCE.

AND ONE OF THOSE TV PROCEDURAL DRAMAS.

THOUSANDS OF SUITCASES FROM EVERY CHICAGO PRECINCT TO GO TO A WAREHOUSE WHERE THEY STAY SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED FOR AT LEAST 22 MONTHS.

JUST IN CASE SOME WILL BE OPEN AND REVIEW AS AN EXTRA LAW.

A STATE AUDIT RECOUNTS VOTES FROM 5% ALL PRECINCTS PROCEDURES DIFFER SLIGHTLY FOR VOTING BY MAIL EARLY VOTING AND THOSE WHO VOTE FROM OVERSEAS.

BUT NOT BY MUCH.

ALL LEGITIMATE BALLOTS ARE COUNTED, KEPT SECURE AT EVERY TURN AND END UP IN THE SAME WAREHOUSE FOR SAFEKEEPING.

SO WHERE THAT STICKER WITH PRIDE AND PEACE OF MIND, HAPPY >> AND YOU CAN WATCH MORE FROM EMMY AWARD-WINNING SERIES WTW NEWS EXPLAINS ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT'S WTW DOT COM SLASH EXPLAINS.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW.

BE SURE TO JOIN US LIVE AT 10 FOR MORE SPECIAL ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE.

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

AND UNTIL THEN, CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST RESULTS AS THE POLLS CLOSE IN JUST ABOUT AN HOUR NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE, CHICAGO TONIGHT IN PARIS SHOTS AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND SEE YOU AT 10.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT, A CLIFF AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH THAT HE'S PROUD TO BE A MULTI-LINGUAL LAW FIRM