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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE SET TO VOTE THIS WEDNESDAY BUT NOT WITH THE USUAL PEN AND PAPER.

DETAILS ON CITY HALL'S NEW MULTIMILLION DOLLAR ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEM.

>> DURING THIS HEARING, I HOPE THAT YOU WILL SEE HOW MUCH I LOVE OUR COUNTRY.

>> THE SENATE BEGINS HISTORIC HOOVERRINGS FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN'S SUPREME COURT NOMINEE WHAT IS AHEAD AS JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON PREPARES FOR TOUGH QUESTIONS FROM LAWMAKERS.

>> IT IS NOT JUST A ONE OFF SITUATION.

>> ELECTRONIC MONITORING IS USED TO TRACK YOUR LOCATION AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE TECHNOLOGY GETS IT WRONG?

CAROL MARIN HAS THE DETAILS.

AND WE WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE TECHNICIANS WHO WORK ON THIS PROGRAM ARE ON STRIKE.

PLEASE BE ASSURED IN THE COMING DAYS WE WILL HONOR OUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY TO COVER THE ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU.

>> AND NOW TO TOP STORIES.

CONFIRMATION HEARINGS AGAINST FOR PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S SUPREME COURT PICKET, KETANJI BROWN JACKSON.

INCLUDING PRAISE FROM DEMOCRATS AND STATEMENTS FROM REPUBLICANS INSINUATING THAT JACKSON MIGHT BE SOFT ON CRIME.

ILLINOIS U.S.

SENATOR DICK DURBIN WHO CHAIRS THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE DISMISSED THOSE CLAIMS.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY CREDITABILITY TO IT.

HOW COULD THIS WOMAN POSSIBLY HAVE THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE AND THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE AND BE SOFT ON CRIME?

SHE IS BALANCED AND HER RECORD SHOWS IT AND SHE HAS 573 WRITTEN OPINIONS TO PROVE T. >> IF CONFIRMED SHE WOULD BE THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO SERVE ON THE NATION'S HIGHEST COURT.

SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS REMAINS HOSPITALIZED AFTER BEING ADMITTED FRIDAY WITH FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS.

ACCORDING TO A SPOKESPERSON, THOMAS DOES NOT HAVE COVID-19.

IS BEING TREATED FOR AN INFECTION WITH ANTIBIOTICS AND IS EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

>> AND WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE ON JACKSON'S HEARING COMING UP SHORTLY.

IT WILL BE AN EARLY START FOR CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

ASSUMING THE CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES THE C.P.S.

PROPOSED CALENDAR ON WEDNESDAY C.P.S.

STUDENTS WILL BE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM ON AUGUST 22.

HISTORICALLY SCHOOLS HAVE STARTED THE NEW YEAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER LABOR DAY.

SCHOOL IS SCHEDULED TO END THIS YEAR JUNE 14TH.

ALTHOUGH C.P.S.

HAS YET TO SAY WHETHER IT WILL ADD DAYS TO MAKEUP FOR THE FIVE LOST TO STRIKE ACTION BY THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION IN JANUARY.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYS THE CITY'S ECONOMY HAS BOUNCED BACK FROM THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

>> WE ARE BACK.

THE LEVEL OF ENTHUSIASM, THE THOUSANDS AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO CAME BACK DOWNTOWN OUR RESTAURANTS OUR BARS I'M HEARING FROM OWNERS EVERYWHERE THEY HAVE A BETTER YEAR THAN THEY ANTICIPATED AND SOME INSTANCES BETTER THAN PREPANDEMIC.

>> LIGHTFOOT WAS SPEAKING AT O'HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO PROMOTE A MARKETING CAMPAIGN CALLED QUOTE WHAT WE'RE MADE OF AIMED AT ATTRACTING MORE TOURISTS TO THE CITY.

TRAVELER NUMBERS HAVE COME ROARING BACK WITH 124% INCREASE IN PASSENGERS IN DECEMBER 2021 COMPARED TO DECEMBER 2020.

MIDWAY AIRPORT SAW A 57% INCREASE IN PASSENGERS.

>> AND UP NEXT, A NEW ERA OF VOTING FOR CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

WE EXPLAIN RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> FOR DECADES VOTES BY THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL HAVE BEEN TALLIED WITH PEN AND PAPER.

WEDNESDAY THAT METHOD WILL BE A RELIC OF THE PAST AS THE CITY CLERK FIRES UP A NEW ELECTRON INVETTING SYSTEM.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US WITH MORE DETAILS.

SO DESCRIBE HOW THIS NEW ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEM IS GOING TO WORK.

>> WELL, EACH ALDERPERSON HAS THEIR VERY OWN TABLET EQUIPPED WITH THE TOUCH SCREEN AND WHEN THE VOTE IS OPENED BY CITY CLERK ANNA VALENCIA OR WHOEVER IS OPERATING AS THE CLERK THEY WILL TAP A GREEN YES OR A RED NO AND CAST THEIR VOTE THAT WAY.

IT IS A FAR CRY FROM WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING FOR DECADES AS YOU AND I WELL KNOW CALLING OUT EACH ALDERPERSON BY NAME ONE BY ONE AND HAVING THEM RESPOND AYE OR NAY.

THAT IS SO 19TH CENTURY.

>> I LOVE THAT.

DOES THAT MEAN WE WILL NEVER HEAR THAT AGAIN?

>> ALDERPEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO REQUEST A VOICE VOTE AND IF THE PRESIDING OFFICER USUALLY MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT AGREES THEY CAN HAVE ONE.

BUT THIS SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO BE A MORE EFFECTIVE AND EASIER WAY TO TALLY THE VOTE.

BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL WHAT ALDERMAN VOTED NO AND THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY CLOSE VOTES AND PROCEDURAL HIJINKS, ANNNA VALENCIA SAYS IT WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO KEEP TRACK HOW THEIR ALDERPERSON DOES OR DOESN'T VOTE.

>> 'S 3.5 MILLION PRICE TAG WHAT IS THE BENEFIT NOT PUBLIC?

>> MORE TRANSPARENTLY AND MORE ACCOUNTABILITY.

PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOOK UP EASILY HOW THEIR ALDERPERSON VOTED AND FIRE OFF AN E-MAIL, FULL OF PRAISE OR AFFIRMATION.

>> A BRAVE NEW WORLD IN CITY COUNCIL.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

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

>> AND UP NEXT, A HISTORIC SUPREME COURT CONFIRMATION HEARING IS UNDERWAY.

LOCAL ANALYSIS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> APPELLATE COURT JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON IS PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PICK TO REPLACE STEPHEN BREYER ON THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

HEARINGS FOR JACKSON BEGAN TODAY WITH OPENING STATEMENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND FROM JACKSON HERSELF WHO ELUDED TO THE HISTORIC NATURE OF HER NOMINATION.

>> I STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF SO MANY WHO HAVE COME BEFORE ME INCLUDING JUDGE CONSTANCE BAKER MOTLEY, THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN APPOINTED TO THE FEDERAL BENCH WITH WITH WHOM I SHARE A BIRTHDAY.

AND LIKE JUDGE MOTLEY, I HAVE DEDICATED MY CAREER TO INSURING THAT THE WORDS ENGRAVED ON THE FRONT OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW ARE A REALITY AND NOT JUST AN IDEAL.

>> AND JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE HEARINGS ARE KALIA COLEMAN, THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE BLACK WOMEN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION OF GREATER CHICAGO.

AMANDA SAVAGE AN ASSOCIATE POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO.

AND AUDRA WILSON, PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE SHRIVER CENTER ON POVERTY LAW.

WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

AMANDA, THESE HEARINGS USUALLY CONTAIN PONTIFICATING FROM THE SENATORS AND ANSWERS LIKE I PLAN TO CALL THE BALLS AND STRIKES.

IS THAT WHAT YOU ANTICIPATE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

NOMINEES ARE EXPECTED TO NOT GIVE STRAIGHT ANSWERS THAT HAS BEEN THE TRADITION FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS.

THIS NOMINEE IN PARTICULAR WILL BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT A LOT OF THE POLITICALLY DIVISIVE ISSUES NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT IS TRADITION BUT THE COURT IS HEARING A LOT OF THOSE ISSUES RIGHT NOW.

THE COURT HAS PENDING CASES ON ABORTION AND IMMIGRATION LAW ON GERRYMANDERING ISSUES THAT SENATORS MIGHT WANT TO FOCUS ON IN THE ABSTRACT JUDGE JACKSON HAS A STRONG CASE FOR NOT ANSWERING BECAUSE THEY ARE BEFORE THE COURT AS WE SPEAK.

>> RIGHT.

A LOT OF ISSUES BEFORE THE COURT.

AUDRA, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE BROUGHT UP IS JUDGE JACKSON'S BACKGROUND AS A PUBLIC DEFENDER.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE QUESTIONING ALONG THOSE LINES?

>> POSSIBLY, YES.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC DEFENDERS THAT HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR FEDERAL JUDGES, A STATISTIC 318 AS OF APRIL 2021318 FORMER PROSECUTORS WERE FEDERAL JUDGES OVER ONE-THIRD OF THE 880 ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND CONVERSELY, THE SMALLEST FRACTION THAT BECAME FEDERAL JUDGES LET ALONE TO THE SUPREME COURT WERE FORMER CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS THAT ACCOUNTED FOR 7% OF ALL JUDGES.

THERE'S BEEN HISTORICALLY A BIAS TOWARDS PROSECUTORS.

AND PRO PROSECUTORS ARE NOT SUBJECTED TO THE SAME SCRUTINY AS PUBLIC DEFENDERS NOR ARE CORPORATE ATTORNEYS AS FAR AS IMPATIENCALITY.

THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS HAVE BEEN SCRUTINIZED MUCH MORE HARSHLY AND THERE IS NO REASON TO THINK HER RECORD IS NOT GOING TO BE DISSECTED AS A PUBLIC DEFENDER.

>> AND DEMOCRATS POINTED TO THIS AS A POSITIVE TALKING ABOUT THE BREADTH OF HER EXPERIENCE.

PATRICK LEAHY SAID SHE WOULD HAVE A MAST ERIE OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> JUDGE JACKSON'S NOMINATION OF COURSE IS HISTORIC IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.

HER NOMINATION PENDING A CONFIRMATION BY THE SENATE, WILL BRING US ONE STEP CLOSER TO HAVING A SUPREME COURT THAT IS MORE REFLECTIVE OF OUR NATION.

ONE WHERE THE DIVERSE, RACE, GENDER, BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE ALLOW ALL AMERICANS TO LOOK TO THEIR COURT AND SEE IN ITS JUSTICES' L A REFLECTION OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> KALIA COLEMAN DO YOU LOOK AT THIS DIVERSITY OF BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE AS AN ASSET OR HINDERANCE?

>> ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THAT THE DIVERSITY OF EXPERIENCE IS AN ASSET.

IN THE 233-YEAR HISTORY WE HAVE NEVER HAD A BLACK WOMAN ON THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT.

YOU KNOW THIS IS A LAND WHERE OUR CREED IS THAT THERE'S EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EQUAL JUSTICE FOR EVERYONE.

AND IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THAT YOU HAVE THE HIGHEST COURT OF THE LAND THAT IS MISSING A VERY, VERY, VERY IMPORTANT VOICE AND THAT IS THE VOICE OF THE BLACK WOMAN, THE MINORITY WOMAN.

JUDGE JACKSON'S EXPERIENCE AS A BLACK WOMAN, HER EXPERIENCE AS A FORMER FEDERAL DEFENDER, HER UNIQUE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND HOW BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE ARE ADVERSELY IMPACTED IN A UNIQUE WAY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS A VOICE THAT NEEDS TO BE PRESENT ON THE SUPREME COURT.

OFTENTIMES THE SUPREME COURT HIGHEST COURT IN THE LAND THEY DEAL WITH ISSUES AFFECTING THE FOURTH AMENDMENT, THE FIFTH AMENDMENT AND THE SIXTH AMENDMENT AND WHEN THE ISSUES GET TO THE SUPREME COURT THEY ARE IN THE GRAY AREA WHERE YOU KNEE THE DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS AND CAN SEE ISSUES FOR AN ADDED UNIQUE VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION IN ORDER TO INSURE THAT AS THE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE, PRECEDENT THAT IS SET THAT WILL HAVE LONGSTANDING IMPACTS THAT AS PART OF THAT DELIBERATION THAT EVERY VOICE WAS UNIQUELY CAPTURED AND HEARD.

I DEFINITELY THINK THAT HER DIVERSE EXPERIENCE WILL BE AN ABSOLUTE ASSET TO THE COURT.

>> AND AMANDA SAVAGE WE BROUGHT UP THE POLITICS AT PLAY IN THE HEARINGS BOTH PARTIES TEND TO PLAY TO THEIR RESPECTIVE POLITICAL BASES.

HOW DOES THAT AFFECT THE STRATEGIES THAT YOU EXPECT DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS TO EMPLOY IN THEIR QUESTIONING?

>> WELL, I THINK THE DEMOCRATS' JOB IS EASY.

BOTH BECAUSE JUDGE JACKSON'S NOMINATION IS HISTORIC AND HAS THE STELLAR CREDENTIALS AND AN EASY SELL ON WHY SHE SHOULD BE A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE.

AND THEY HAVE THE VOTES.

AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S EXCEEDINGLY UNLIKELY THAT JUDGE JACKSON IS NOT CONFIRMED TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

REPUBLICANS' JOB IS GOING TO BE HARDER.

BECAUSE SHE IS SUCH A STELLAR NOMINEE AND SHE WILL BE HARD TO ATTACK.

WHAT WE SAW REPUBLICANS DO TODAY IS NOT MAKE ARGUMENTS AGAINST JUDGE JACKSON OR HER RECORD BUT INSTEAD THEY MADE ARGUMENTS HARKENED BACK TO JUDGE KAVANAUGH'S HEARINGS AND THE OBJECTIONS THAT DEMOCRATS WERE MAKING TO JUDGE NOW JUSTICE BARRETT'S CONFIRMATION HEARINGS OF THE SENATORS WERE FOCUSED ON THE PROCESS AND THAT INDICATES THEY ARE TRYING TO GET THEMSELVES COVERED IN THE COMING DAYS TO MAKE ARGUMENTS AGAINST JUDGE JACKSON ALONG THE LINES WHAT THEIR POLITICAL BASE WANTS TO HEAR.

AND ALONG THE LINES OF WHAT THEY CAN TALK ABOUT GIVEN HER RECORD THAT SHE IS SOFT ON CRIME WHICH WE'RE GOING TO SEE AS A CENTRAL FOCUS OF REPUBLICANS IN THE MIDTERM.

AND I THINK THIS ALL HAS TO BE CONTEXTUALLYIZED THERE IS AN ELECTION COMING UP SOON.

THE REPUBLICANS WILL TRY AND ATTACK HER ON BEING A PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR EXAMPLE.

>> A LOT OF POLITICS AT PLAY.

AUDRA WILSON ASIDE FROM THE BACKGROUND WHEN YOU LOOK AT HER JUDICIAL RULINGS DO YOU GET A SENSE OF AN OVERARCING SENSE OF PHILOSOPHY?

>> THIS SCRUTINIZE ABOUT HER PHILOSOPHY AND YOU CAN PICK THAT APART, TOO.

I MEAN I THINK WHAT YOU SEE IN HER DECISIONS OVER AND OVER IS JUST IT'S THE PERSPECTIVE SHE IS BRINGING.

IT'S THE DIFFERENCE IN PERSPECTIVE AND EXPERIENCE THAT IS REFLECTED THAT HAS BEEN MISSING FRANKLY BY NOT HAVING THIS SORT OF PERSON ON THE SUPREME COURT.

I THINK IS THIS GOING TO BE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THING.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT SHE IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST SCRUTINIZED INDIVIDUALS IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION.

BEFORE SHE NOMINATED TO THE SUPREME COURT SHE HAD THREE CONFIRMATIONS TO THE SENTENCING COMMISSION, SECOND TIME WHEN NOMINATED FOR TRIAL JUDGE, A THIRD TIME NOMINATED TO HER CURRENT JUDGE AS THE FEDERAL APPELLATE JUDGE.

THIS QUITE FRANKLY IS SOMETHING TO WHAT YOU HAD MENTIONED BEFORE, IT'S GOING TO BE REVOLUTIONARY QUITE FRANKLY IN WATCHING THIS NOMINATION IN THE SENSE THAT HAVING HER FIRST PUBLIC DEFENDER THAT WILL BE SITTING ON THE SUPREME COURT IS GOING TO BE THE BLUEPRINT FOR HOW FUTURE NOMINATIONS GO WHEN OTHER WHO ARE COMING FROM THE NONTRADITIONAL PROSECUTOR OR CORPORATE BACKGROUNDS TO SUPREME COURT.

IT'S GOING TO BE HISTORIC IN SO MANY WAYS.

>> WE WILL FOLLOW THE HISTORIC HEARINGS ALL WEEK.

OUR THANKS TO KALIA COLEMAN, AMANDA SAVAGE AND AUDRA WILSON THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ELECTRONIC MONITORING TECHNOLOGY SENDS THE WRONG LOCATION?

CAROL MARIN JOINS US WITH MORE ON THAT.

FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... ELECTRONIC MONITORING HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL WHEN SOMEONE IS ALLOWED TO STAY OUT OF JAIL UNTIL TRIAL AS LONG AS THEY WEAR A GPS ANKLE BRACELET THAT TRACKS THEIR LOCATION.

WHAT HAPPENS IF WHERE HE OR SHE IS SUPPOSED TO BE BUT THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING DEVICE GETS IT WRONG?

CAROL MARIN AND STUDENTS HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING AND CAROL JOINS US WITH MORE.

CAROL?

>> PARIS, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MICHAEL MATTHEWS.

BUT AS WE PREPARED TO REPORT THIS STORY OUT, THINGS BEGAN TO CHANGE FOR HIM IN A BIG WAY.

IT WAS BACK IN DECEMBER THAT HE WAS PUT INTO COOK COUNTY JAIL FOR ALLEGEDLY VIOLATING HIS ELECTRONIC MONITORING.

BUT LAST WEEK IN COURT A STATE'S ATTORNEY DID AN ABOUTFACE AND HE WAS RELEASED.

THE QUESTION TONIGHT IS: IF IT COULD HAPPEN TO HIM, COULD IT HAPPEN TO OTHERS?

>> LET ME JUST CUT TO THE CHASE HERE, Mr. MATTHEWS, HAVE YOU EVER VIOLATED THE TERMS OF YOUR ELECTRONIC MONITOR?

>> NEVER.

NOT ONE TIME.

>> SINCE DECEMBER, 44-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL MATTHEWS HAS BEEN LOCKED UP IN THE COOK COUNTY JAIL.

BUT HIS ATTORNEY, TRACY HARKEN SAYS SHE HAS DATA AND VIDEO RECORDINGS WHICH SHOW HE NEVER VIOLATED THE TERMS OF HIS RELEASE.

>> THE CIRCUMSTANCES SUPPORT OUR POSITION THAT MICHAEL NEVER LEFT THE HOUSE.

>> MICHAEL MATTHEWS IS CHARGED ALONG WITH TWO OTHERS WITH MURDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE MARCH 2019 SHOOTING OUTSIDE A RIVER NORTH NIGHTCLUB.

HE ENTERED A PLEA OF NOT GUILTY AND PLACED ON ELECTRONIC MONITORING.

BUT IN DECEMBER, AFTER AUTHORITIES CLAIMED HE LEFT THE HOUSE IN WHICH HE WAS STAYING WITHOUT PERMISSION, HE WAS PUT BACK BEHIND BARS.

>> THE SHERIFF TYPICALLY ALLEGES THAT MICHAEL LEFT THE HOUSE FOR FIVE TO EIGHT-MINUTE PERIOD AND GONE TO A SERIES OF ADDRESSES.

>> COULD HE PHYSICALLY HAVE DONE THAT?

>> NO.

>> WELCOME TO THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ELECTRONIC MONITORING PROGRAM.

>> THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF TOM DART ADMINISTERS THE PROGRAM.

THE BRASS LET ATTACHES TO YOUR ANKLE AND IS IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

>> HERE IS PART OF WHAT SHERIFF DART SAID DURING A RECENT FACEBOOK LIVE EVENT.

>> THERE IS OCCASIONAL ANOMALIES NOT TOO OFTEN AND WHEN THERE IS MOVEMENT THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO WE CONTACT PEOPLE AND SEE IF THERE IS AN EXPLANATION IF NOT WE SEND CARS OVER AND THE LIKE.

>> SOMETHING WE'VE SEEN THAT I'VE SEEN PERSONALLY A NUMBER OF TIMES.

>> ACCORDING TO THE COOK COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE THERE ARE MORE THAN OCCASIONAL ANOMALIES.

ASSIST TANT PUBLIC DEFENDER WARD SAYS MATTHEWS' EXPERIENCE IS NOT ISOLATED.

>> I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH COLLEAGUES ABOUT IT WITH THEIR CASES.

SO IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS ENOUGH WHERE WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT AND IT'S NOT JUST A ONE-OFF SITUATION.

>> SINCE JANUARY OF 2021 MATTHEWS WAS STAYING IN THE BASEMENT OF HIS BROTHER'S HOUSE IN HAZEL CREST.

WHERE HE AND HIS BROTHER WALTER BEGAN DOCUMENTING HIS WHEREABOUTS AT ALL TIMES.

>> WE DECIDED TO GET A CAMERA AND PUT A CAMERA IN THE BASEMENT TO MONITOR TO MAKE SURE THAT IN THE EVENT THEY CALL IT AGAIN AND SAYING HE WAS NOT HOME, THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVE THAT HE WAS HOME.

>> THESE ARE AMONG THE VIDEOS THAT PROVE HE WAS HOME AT THE TIME OF SOME OF THE ALLEGED VIOLATIONS.

>> I LAID ON A RECLINER CHAIR THE ONLY TIME I LEFT IS TO TAKE A SHOWER AND USE THE WASHROOM.

>> ACCORDING TO RECORDS FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THERE WERE GPS NOTIFICATIONS AT HE VIOLATED HIS ELECTRONIC MONITORING 15 TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER.

HIS LAWYER SAYS THIS AND OTHER VIDEOS OF HIM IN THE BASEMENT DISPUTE THAT.

>> YOU HAVE EVIDENCE OF SEVEN.

IF I'M THE PROSECUTOR I WOULD SAY BUT YOU DON'T HAVE EVIDENCE ON EIGHT OF THEM.

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

>> MICHAEL DID NOT REALIZE UNTIL DECEMBER 8 WHEN I CALLED HIM AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE ALLEGATIONS WERE BEING MADE THAT HIS SECURITY SYSTEM WENT BACK 30 DAYS.

>> THE EIGHT OTHER TAPES WERE ROUTINELY ERASED BY THE SECURITY COMPANY.

>> ON A COLD JANUARY SUNDAY MORNING, HARKENS WENT DOOR-TO-DOOR ASKING IF MICHAEL MATTHEWS HAD EVER BEEN AT THE ADDRESSES LISTED ON THE SHERIFF'S REPORT.

>> I EXPLAINED TO HER, THAT MICHAEL'S BROTHER LIVED ACROSS THE STREET HIS BROTHER WAS ON EM AND THE SHERIFF'S ARE CLAIMING THIS IS ONE OF THE ADDRESSES THAT HE WENT TO.

AND SHE SAID HE HAS NEVER BEEN TO THE HOUSE.

>> NOTHING IS RELIABLE IN ALL INSTANCES.

>> THE CODIRECT FOR FOR THE CENTER OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCH, POLICY AND PRACTICE AT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY.

>> SO I THINK EVERYBODY'S EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY PULL UP THE MAP ON THE PHONE AND WANT TO FIND WHERE THEY ARE AT DEPENDING WHERE THEY ARE AT IT MAY NOT SHOW A PRECISE LOCATION BUT IT WILL GIVE YOU A LARGE CIRCLE THAT YOU ARE WITHIN THIS AREA.

>> FOR INSTANCE HE SAYS PROBLEMS CAN OCCUR WITH GPS MONITORING AREAS WITH SKYSCRAPERS, PARKING GARAGES AND BASEMENTS.

THOSE AREAS AGREES ANOTHER EXPERT ARE PROBLEMATIC.

OWE OVERSEES A SEPARATE ELECTRONIC MONITORING SYSTEM FOR TIMMOTHY EVANS THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY.

>> THE ANALOGY IF ARE YOU TRYING TO GET DIRECTIONS OUT OF THE GROCERY STORE AND PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE OR UNDERGROUND STRUCTURE THE MAP WILL HAVE NO IDEA WHERE YOU ARE.

>> IN THE END IT IS A JUDGE WHO MAKES THE FINAL DETERMINATION IF A DEFENDANT HAS VIOLATED HOME CONFINEMENT.

COOK COUNTY JUDGE RULED IN DECEMBER THAT MATTHEWS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO COUNTY JAIL.

>> I ATTEMPTED TO PRODUCE THE VIDEOS TO HER HONOR ON DECEMBER 14TH, 2021.

THE COURT REFUSED TO REVIEW THE VIDEOS AND IMMEDIATELY REVOKED Mr. MATTHEWS' BOND.

>> THE JUDGE SAYS A COURT SPOKESPERSON DOES NOT SPEAK ON PENDING CASES.

TOM DART WHO DECLINED OUR INTERVIEW REQUEST DID ADDRESS THIS ISSUE THIS YEAR IN A PUBLIC FORUM.

>> WE GET ANY ANOMALIES AND ANY VIOLATIONS WE ARREST PEOPLE IF NEED BE OR TAKE THEM IN FRONT OF THE JUDGE FOR THE JUDGE TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION.

BUT IT'S VERY FRUSTRATE TOO LONG ALL OF US.

>> PERSONALLY IF IT'S JUST ONE CLIENT WHO IS RETURNED TO CUSTODY WHOSE CHILDREN ARE IMPACTED WHOSE JOBS ARE IMPACTED THAT IS TOO MUCH.

>> SO IT IS A REALLY TRICKY BALANCING ACT THAT THE JUDGES HAVE TO DO MAINTAINING PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF THE DEFENDANT.

>> BEFORE THE SHOOTING AT THE NIGHTCLUB MICHAEL MATTHEWS WORKED FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

HE ALSO OPERATED A CHARITY USING BASKETBALL AS A MEANS TO KEEP KIDS OUT OF TROUBLE.

HE HAS NEVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME.

HE IS MARRIED WITH SIX CHILDREN.

THERE WILL NOT BE A LOT OF SYMPATHY IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR YOU, YOU FACE A SERIOUS CHARGE.

YOU ARE ON ELECTRONIC MONITORING.

THE FACT THAT IT POSSIBLY CAN MISFIRE WILL NOT EN GENDER A LOT OF SYMPATHIES.

>> I'M NOT LOOKING FOR SYMPATHY I WANT TO GET IT RIGHT AND MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN TO THE NEXT PERSON.

>> IN COURT LAST WEEK, THE STATE'S ATTORNEY DROPPED THE CHARGE THAT Mr. MATTHEWS VIOLATED HIS ELECTRONIC MONITORING AND THE JUDGE RELUCTANTLY APPROVED HIS RELEASE.

HE IS NOW ON EM BUT AT HIS SISTER'S HOUSE AS HE AWAITS HIS PENDING TRIAL.

>> PARIS.

>> AND CAROL, HAVE YOU TALKED TO MICHAEL MATTHEWS SINCE HE GOT RELEASED FROM COOK COUNTY JAIL?

>> I HAVE.

I TALKED TO HIM THIS AFTERNOON, PARIS.

HE SAID HE HAS SINCE FRIDAY BEEN SEEING FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE COME TO VISIT HIM, HIS KIDS AND HIS GRANDKIDS.

AND HE NOTES HE HAS A CAMERA AT HIS SISTER'S HOUSE FOCUSED ON HOME AT ALL TIMES 24/7 TO BE ABLE TO PROVE HE IS EXACTLY WHERE HE SAYS HE IS.

>> ALL RIGHT CAROL THANK YOU AND THE STUDENTS AT DePAUL UNIVERSITY.

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

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT EOUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YouTube AND OUR WEBSITE WTTW.COM/NEWS.

AND YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. >> UP NEXT, WE HAVE "JAY'S CHICAGO".

AND NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]