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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> SOUTHWEST SIDE COMMUNITY MEMBERS SAY WHEN IT COMES TO SOLVING MURDER CASES C.P.D.

ISN'T DOING ENOUGH.

HOW THEY ARE HOPING FEDERAL AGENTS CAN HELP.

>> OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY IN OUR GOVERNMENT AND LET THE RESIDENTS UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN CITY COUNCIL.

>> OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON CHICAGO BECOMING THE FIRST MAJOR CITY TO FIRE UP ELECTRONIC VOTING IN CITY COUNCIL.

>> AND JUST IN TIME FOR MARCH MADNESS, ILLINOIS RELAXES THE RULES ON SPORTS BETTING BUT WHAT ABOUT THE HUMAN COSTS?

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, THE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE AS SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE U.S. HAS DIED OF CANCER.

ALBRIGHT SERVED IN THAT POSITION FROM 1997-2001 UNDER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON.

AT THE TIME SHE WAS THE HIGHEST RANKING WOMAN IN THE HISTORY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.

HERE SHE IS ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IN 2012 TALKING ABOUT RECEIVING THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM.

>> I AM A NATURALIZED AMERICAN WHO IS SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE RAISED IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND NOW TO BE RECOGNIZED BY PRESIDENT OBAMA IS BEYOND MEASURE.

AND I'M VERY, VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE HONOR.

>> MADELEINAL PRIORITY WAS 84 YEARS OLD.

>> DAY THREE OF CONFIRMATION HEARINGS FOR KETANJI BROWN JACKSON WRAPPED TODAY.

ONE OF THE ISSUES REPUBLICANS BROUGHT UP WAS ABORTION AS THE SUPREME COURT IS SET TO TAKE UP A MISSISSIPPI CASE THAT IS CHALLENGING ROE VS. WADE.

HERE IS JACKSON TALKING ABOUT THE COURT'S INDEPENDENCE.

>> THE SEPARATION OF POWERS IS CRUCIAL TO LIBERTY.

IT IS WHAT OUR COUNTRY IS FOUNDED ON AND IT'S IMPORTANT AS CONSISTENT WITH MY JUDICIAL METHODOLOGY FOR EACH BRANCH TO OPERATE WITHIN THEIR OWN SPHERE.

THAT MEANS FOR ME, THE JUDGES CAN'T MAKE LAW.

JUDGES SHOULDN'T BE POLICYMAKERS.

THAT IS A PART OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL DESIGN AND IT PREVENTS OUR GOVERNMENT FROM BEING TOO POWERFUL AND ENCROACHING ON INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY.

>> AND WE'LL HAVE MORE ON DAY THREE OF JACKSON'S HEARING WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

>> FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE REPRESENT EDWARD ACEVEDO HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO SIX MONTHS IN PRISON AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO TAX EVASION IN A CASE TIED TO FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN.

ACEVEDO SERVED AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF CHICAGO FROM 199 KNIFE UNTIL TWO 017.

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN REJOICE AFTER THE DISTRICT SAYS NO EXTRA DAYS WILL BE ADDED TO MAKEUP FOR TIME LOST DURING JANUARY'S LABOR STRIVE.

ANNOUNCED C.P.S.

SAYS INSTEAD THERE WILL BE FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS INTERESTED IN ADDITIONAL AFTER SCHOOL OR WEEKEND PROGRAMMING TO MAKEUP FOR LOST INSTRUCTION.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE CALENDAR FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

STUDENT ALSO RETURN TO CLASSES ON AUGUST 22, A WEEK EARLIER THAN THEY HAVE IN THE PAST.

>> AND IF YOUR CAR IS RUNNING LOW ON GAS TOMORROW MAY BE THE DAY TO FILL UP.

BUSINESSMAN AND FORMER MAYORAL CANDIDATE WILLIE WILLSON IS GIVING OUT $1 MILLION WORTH OF GAS TO DRIVERS IN CHICAGO AND THE SUBURBS TOMORROW.

EACH CAR CAN FILL UP ON $50 OF GAS BEGINNING AT 7:00 A.M. AFTER LAST WEEK CAUSED MASSIVE TRAFFIC JAMS CITY OFFICIALS ADVISE THE PUBLIC TO SEEK ALTERNATE ROUTES AROUND PARTICIPATING STATIONS AND FOR A LIST OF THOSE STATIONS ARE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> THE CITY IS CALLING ON C.P.D.

TO DO MORE TO SOLVE CHICAGO HOMICIDE CASES.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> FAMILIES IN CHICAGO'S SOUTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD SAY THEY HAVE LONG BEEN FRUSTRATED OVER WHAT THEY CALL THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT'S FAILURE TO SOLVE MURDER CASES ESPECIALLY THOSE OF THEIR LOVED ONES.

NOW, THOSE FAMILIES ARE CALLING ON FEDERAL AGENTS FOR HELP.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER JOANNA HERNANDEZ JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON WHAT THEY ARE SEEKING AND JOANNA THERE WAS A RALLY HELD BY THE LITTLE VILLAGE COMMUNITY COUNCIL THAT TOOK PLACE OUTSIDE OF F.B.I.

HEADQUARTERS AND YOU WERE THERE.

TELL US ABOUT IT AND WHY COMMUNITY MEMBERS GATHERED THERE?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

IT WAS A VERY EMOTIONAL RALLY MORE THAN 20 PEOPLE GATHERED OUTSIDE THE F.B.I.

HEADQUARTERS AND PLEADING TO STEP IN AND ASSIST IN SOLVING THEIR LOVED ONES MURDERS.

CALLING OUT THE F.B.I.

TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO BRING JUSTICE TO THE FAMILIES.

THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT DONE ENOUGH AND WANT THE F.B.I.

TO USE THE RESOURCES.

ONE OF THE VICTIMS WAS FOUR YEARS OLD THE OTHERS ARE BETWEEN 18-30 YEARS OLD.

>> SAD STORIES TO HEAR ABOUT THAT FOUR-YEAR-OLD.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PARTICULAR CASES OR ANY PARTICULAR CASES OF FAMILIES YOU ENCOUNTERED?

>> OF COURSE, I SPOKE WITH THE FAMILY OF RA MIRO MORALES, HE WAS 19 WHEN KILLED IN A DRIVE-BY SHOOTING OUTSIDE A WALMART.

IT'S BEEN MONTHS SINCE THEY'VE HEARD FROM THE DETECTIVES AND THEY FEEL FRUSTRATED THEY WANT TO KNOW THE EVIDENCE THEY'VE GATHERED OR AT LEAST KNOW ANY TYPE OF LEADS THE DETECTIVES HAVE.

THE FAMILIES WANT CLOSURE.

BUT AS FAR AS WE KNOW RIGHT NOW, THE LITTLE VILLAGE COUNCIL ARE HOPING TO SETUP A MEETING WITH THE F.B.I.

AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHERE FAMILIES CAN GET A CHANCE TO SPEAK AND HOPEFULLY GET THE CLOSURE THEY NEED.

>> OK. JOANNA HERNANDEZ THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> AND YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> UP NEXT, GAMBLING OPTIONS IN ILLINOIS ARE EXPANDING.

WHAT RISK DO THOSE PRONE TO ADDICTION FACE?

STAY WITH US.

>> SINCE OPENING UP TO SPORTS BETTING IN 2019, ILLINOIS HAS RAPIDLY EMERGED AS ONE OF THE TOP GAMING MARKETS IN THE NATION.

THE ILLINOIS GAMING BOARD SAYS RESIDENTS WAGERED $7.1 BILLION LAST YEAR ALONE.

IN TIME FOR MARCH MADNESS ILLINOIS DROPPED AN IN-PERSON REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT MAKING IT EASIER TO GAMBLE USING ON-LINE APPS.

BUT THE EXPANSION OF GAMBLE SOMETHING NOT WITHOUT COST.

JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE OF PROBLEM GAMBLING ARE DANIEL TROLARO VICE-PRESIDENT AND GAMBLING PREVENTION SPECIALIST AT EPIC RISK MANAGEMENT A CONSULTING FIRM FOCUSED ON MINIMIZING THE HARM CAUSED BY GAMBLING.

HE IS IN RECOVERY FROM A GAMBLING ADDICTION AND Dr. TERESA GARATE SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT AT THE GATEWAY FOUNDATION A NON-PRFT THAT TREATS ADDICTION INCLUDING GAMBLING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

Dr. TERESA GARATE LET'S START WITH YOU.

HOW MUCH HAS PROBLEM GAMBLING INCREASED SINCE ILLINOIS LEGALIZED SPORTS BETTING IN 2019?

>> SO IT'S DIFFICULT TO MEASURE HOW MANY PEOPLE SUFFER FROM A GAMBLING DISORDER BECAUSE IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE IT AS OPPOSED TO A SUBSTANCE USE WHERE WE HAVE DATA FROM HOSPITAL OVERDOSE, EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS ET CETERA.

BUT WE KNOW IN ILLINOIS THE NEED HAS GROWN BECAUSE ONE OF THE WAYS THAT ILLINOIS HAS RESPONDED TO THE INCREASED OPPORTUNITY FOR GAMBLING IS BY PROVIDING RESOURCES TO EXTEND MORE TREATMENT FACILITIES.

GATEWAY WAS ONE OF THOSE FACILITIES THAT RECEIVED FUNDING FOR THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE THEY REALIZED THEY NEEDED MORE PROVIDERS TO BE ABLE TO TREAT THE INCREASING NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH A GAMBLING DISORDER.

>> DANIEL TROLARO JUST IN TIME FOR MARCH MADNESS THE STATE MADE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO GAMBLE ON-LINE.

USING APPS AND THEY'VE DROPPED THE REQUIREMENT THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SIGN UP IN PERSON AT A CASINO.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THAT GOING TO BE?

>> IT'S INTERESTING AS WE SEE GAMBLING AND SPORTS BETTING EXPAND AROUND THE COUNTRY WE ARE SEEING AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY TO BE TWO OF THE AREAS OF CONCERN.

WITH THAT SAID, WE CERTAINLY KNOW THAT GAMBLING CAN BE ENJOYED BY MANY PEOPLE WITHOUT DEVELOPING A PROBLEM.

BUT PROBLEM GAMBLING EXISTS ALONG A CONTINUUM.

IT'S HARD TO IDENTIFY THOSE PEOPLE.

WHEN SOMEONE CAN SIGN UP THEY ARE GAMBLING FOR THE FIRST TIME PERHAPS THEY WOULD NOT HAVE DONE IT LAST YEAR NOW YOU ARE INTRODUCING THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME PEOPLE THAT OPPORTUNITY CAN BE THE LAUNCHING PAD INTO PROBLEM GAMBLING THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFE.

>> TERESA GARATE IN 2021 ILLINOIS RESIDENTS WAGERED MORE THAN $7.1 BILLION.

HOW MUCH MORE IS THIS MARKET LIKELY TO GROW WITH A CHICAGO CASINO IN THE WORKS AS WELL AS THE STATE MAKING IT EASIER TO BET ON-LINE ON SPORTS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK OBVIOUSLY WE CAN'T PREDICT THE FUTURE BUT ALREADY ILLINOIS HAS MORE VIDEO GAMING TERMINALS THAN ANY OTHER STATE INCLUDING NEVADA IN THE COUNTRY.

THIS WAS A GROWING PROBLEM AND IT WILL BE EXACERBATED.

THE CASINO IN CHICAGO I THINK IS ALSO GOING TO BRING SOME MORE ATTENTION TO THE ISSUE.

AND HOPEFULLY SOME OF THE REVENUES AND THE BENEFIT OF THAT WILL BE INVESTED INTO TREATMENT AND MOST IMPORTANTLY PREVENTION AND EDUCATION.

BECAUSE SOMETHING THAT DAN SAYS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

ALL ADDICTION IS, WHETHER IT IS A SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUE.

MORE WE CAN EDUCATE PEOPLE THAT YOU CAN DEVELOP A GAMBLING DISORDER THE BETTER WE WILL BE ABLE TO SUPPORT PEOPLE.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IS THAT PEOPLE DON'T SEE IT AS I'M NOT GOING TO GET ADDICTED.

NOT LIKE ALCOHOL.

BUT THAT IS REALLY A MYTH.

IT IS DANGEROUS AND IT CAN HAPPEN.

>> TO THAT POINT, DANIEL TROLARO, LOTS OF PEOPLE CAN GAMBLE WITHOUT BECOMING AN ISSUE FOR THEM.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE GAMBLING ADDICTION?

>> SURE.

YOU KNOW, LIKE ANY ADDICTION WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER WHEN IT START STOS CREATE NEGATIVE IMPACT IN AN INDIVIDUAL'S LIFE.

AND THERE ARE WARNING SIGNS AND SO MANY VARIOUS WAYS TO MEASURE.

THE DIAGNOSTIC MODEL IDENTIFIED GAMBLING AS A FORMAL DISORDER ON PAR WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

AND SOME OF THE TELLTALE SIGNS THE CHASING OF LOSSES.

THE LYING TO THOSE CLOSE TO YOU.

RELATIONSHIP ISSUES.

AND PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTIVITY ISSUES WHETHER ON THE FIELD OR IN YOUR JOB OR AT HOME OR IN SCHOOL, WHEN THEY START TO TAKE A TOLL THAT IS WHEN YOU KNOW IT'S STARTING TO BECOME A PROBLEM.

AND I THINK TERESA GARATE WAS RIGHT, WE DON'T SEE TREAT GAMBLING THE SAME WAY AS SUBSTANCE USE BECAUSE IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SMACKS US IN THE FACE.

THERE IS NO POSITIVE URINE SCREEN AND NO FEDERAL FUNDING FOR GAMBLING DISORDER IT'S DONE AT THE STATE LEVEL.

STATE BY STATE WE NEED TO BE CREATING EDUCATION AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS JUST LIKE THIS DURING PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARENESS MONTH AND BEYOND TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE CONCERNS ARE AND HOW BEST TO TREAT AND ADDRESS THEM.

>> AND TERESA GARATE, WHAT ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO TREAT A GAMBLING ADDICTION?

>> WELL, THE FIRST THING I THINK S. TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH ANY ADDICTION.

THE MORE WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT AND OPPORTUNITIES THE BETTER.

PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT SUICIDE IS FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY AMONG PEOPLE WITH A GAMBLING DISORDER.

FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY WHEN WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH SUICIDE AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

THE BEST WAY IS MAKE SURE YOU TALK ABOUT IT AND MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE YOU LOVE AND THINK MAY HAVE SOME ISSUES KNOW THERE'S TREATMENT OUT THERE.

THERE IS A GREAT WEBSITE WE KNOW THE FEELING IT IS A NATIONAL WEBSITE PEOPLE CAN ACCESS INFORMATION.

GATEWAY HAS OUR OWN RESOURCES ON OUR WEBSITE.

THE BEST WAY IS DO AN ASSESSMENT, MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND HOW GAMBLING IS AFFECTING YOU, YOUR SOCIAL PERSON WHO YOU ARE AND THEN GET THE TREATMENT THAT YOU NEED WHETHER IT'S OUTPATIENT, COUNSELING WHATEVER IT IS BUT TREAT IT LIKE A DISEASE WHICH IS WHAT IT IS.

>> AND STICKING WITH YOU FOR THE LAST QUESTION BEFORE WE GO, TERESA GARATE, THE SPORTSBOOK HAS GROSS RECEIPTS THE MONEY THEY KEEP AFTER WINNINGS PAID OUT.

$525 MILLION.

THE STATE RECEIVED 79 MILLION IN TAX REVENUES.

6 MILLION WENT TO COOK COUNTY.

WHAT DO WE KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY IS EARMARKED FOR TREATMENT PROGRAMS?

>> UNFORTUNATELY I'M NOT AT THE STATE SO I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT IS GOING TO WORKOUT.

I CAN TELL YOU IS WHAT I SHARED AT THE BEGINNING IS WE ARE A NEW PROVIDER TO THIS WORK.

WE HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR 53 YEARS DOING ADDICTION TREATMENT.

BUT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS WE WERE ASKED TO JOIN AND ALSO PROVIDE SERVICES.

THERE IS DEFINITELY A DESIRE FROM THE STATE, TO USE A LOT OF THAT MONEY TO CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE GREATER ACCESS TO TREATMENT, CLOSE TO THEIR HOME, VIRTUALLY OR IN-PERSON.

>> THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

THANKS TO DANIEL TROLARO AND TERESA GARATE FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT WE TALK MORE ABOUT THE LATEST ON CHICAGO'S CASINO WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT STALLED PROPOSAL TO GO AFTER GANG PROFITS FAILS TO RECEIVE A VOTE.

ELECTRONIC VOTING IS UNDERWAY IN CITY COUNCIL AND SUPREME COURT NOMINEE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON UNDERGOES DAY THREE IN THE HOTSEAT AT HER CONFIRMATION HEARING THAT AND MORE WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

WELCOME BACK, AMANDA VINICKY HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

STARTING WITH CITY COUNCIL THEY FIRED UP THE NEW ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEM BECOMING THE FIRST MAJOR U.S. TO DO THIS.

HEATHER HOW EFFICIENTNESS THIS COMPARED TO THE OLD METHOD?

>> THE OLD METHOD LITERALLY USED A YELLOW PIECE OF PAPER AND A PEN AND RELIED ON EACH ALDERPERSON TO YELL OUT LOUD ENOUGH TO BE HEARD AYOR NAY.

THERE WERE GLITCHES.

SOME ALDERPEOPLE HAD TROUBLE GETTING THEIR TABLET CONNECTED TO THE NETWORK.

BUT IT DID WORK IN THE END.

A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT BY CLERK ANNA VALENCIA WHO CHAMPIONED THE PROJECT WHICH WILL COST THE CITY $3.5 MILLION AND MOVE THE COUNCIL FROM A PAPER-BASED SYSTEM TO A CLOUD-BASED PAPERLESS SYSTEM AND ENTER THE 21ST CENTURY.

>> I HAVE TO SAY AS SOMEBODY WHO POPS IN TO COVER CITY COUNCIL EVERY NOW AND AGAIN IS USED TO THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM WHICH HAS BEEN ELECTRONIC IT'S SHOCKING THAT IT TOO SO LONG AND CHICAGO IS A LEADER LIKE HELLO.

BUT ALSO IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO HEAR EVEN WHEN THEY SHOUT TO GET A HANDLE ON WHAT IS BEING VOTED ON AND SO I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE IT SOUNDS LIKE WHO CARES, BUT IT'S PIVOTAL FOR TRANSPARENCY SAKE.

WANT TO POINT OUT THAT VA -- VALENCIA IS GOING TO BE SURE TO CHAMPION THIS EFFORT AS PART OF HER CAMPAIGN FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> GOOD POINT.

MEANWHILE, THE MAYOR'S STALLED PROPOSAL TO GO AFTER GANG PROFITS DID NOT GET A VOTE YET AGAIN.

WHY NOT?

>> WELL, THEY ARE JUST -- THERE SIMPLY ISN'T THE VOTES.

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE THE VOTES YOU CALL A VOTE.

THEY DIDN'T ATTEMPT TO VOTE TODAY.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT IT AFTER TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING THE MAYOR ACKNOWLEDGED SHE HAS MORE EDUCATION TO DO.

HOWEVER, THIS PROPOSAL IS NEARLY SIX MONTHS OLD.

IT HAS BEEN REVISED SEVERAL TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET A MAJORITY OF CITY COUNCIL VOTES AND IT'S NOT CLEAR TO ME WHAT THE MAYOR CAN DO TO CONVINCE ALDERPEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN CONVINCED BY THIS POINT, TO JUMP ONBOARD.

I SPOKE WITH ED YONKAOF THE A.C.L.U.

AND SAID THE MAYOR SHOULD DROP THIS AND MOVE ON TO OTHER INITIATIVES HE SAYS WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN STOPPING GUN AND GANG VIOLENCE.

>> OFFICIALS UNVEILED THE THREE FINALISTS FOR CHICAGO'S NEW CASINO YESTERDAY AND IT WILL NOT BE BUILT AT McCORMICK PLACE BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT SELECTED IN THE TOP THREE.

PARIS, WHAT CHALLENGES DO THE REMAINING THREE PROPOSALS HAVE?

>> THEY EACH HAVE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES, BRANDIS.

THEY ARE ALL ON BIG PARCELS OF LAND AND CLOSE TO THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS.

WHO WILL BE THE RESIDENTS SHOWING UP AT THE COMMUNITY HEARINGS.

THE ONES THAT DON'T WANT IT IN THEIR BACKYARD.

YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE IF YOU ARE OK WITH A CASINO GOING IN YOUR BACKYARD YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SHOW UP TO THE MEETING.

THAT IS GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE ESPECIALLY AS ALDERPEOPLE ARE UP FOR REELECTION.

AND THEN YOU'VE GOT THE ONE CENTRAL DEVELOPMENT THAT IS THE HARD ROCK PROPOSAL OVER THE AIR RIGHTS OVER THE TRAIN TRACKS BIKE SOLDIER FIELD.

THIS IS A PIE IN THE SKY PROPOSAL, THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE IT IS ASKING FOR NEARLY $4 BILLION IN STATE FUNDING THEY'VE PROPOSED A TRANSIT CENTER AND IF THE BEARS MOVE FROM SOLDIER FIELD TO ARLINGTON HEIGHTS WILL THE DEVELOPER EVEN WANT TO BUILD THIS MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT ANYWHERE.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS UP IN THE AIR BUT ALL THREE WILL FACE CHALLENGES.

IT WILL BE UNTYING A KNOT TO GET A PERCEPTION OF PUBLIC APPROVAL FOR THE SITES.

IT'S NOT SAYING IT CAN'T BE DONE BUT IT WILL BE A LONG ROAD.

>> FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE EDWARD ACEVEDO WAS SENTENCED TO SIX MONTHS IN PRISON AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO TAX EVASION TIED TO THE INDICTMENT OF FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN.

AMANDA HE IS NOT THE FIRST TO PLEAD GUILTY BUT THE FIRST TO BE SENTENCED TO JAIL TIME.

WHAT COULD IT MEAN FOR MADIGAN'S CASE?

>> WE DON'T HAVE ANY INDICATION PARTICULARLY FROM THE COURT REPORTERS AT THE COURTHOUSE EVERYDAY AND FOLLOWING THIS THAT HE IS COOPERATING WITH THE FEDS TO GET TO MADIGAN BUT WE ARE CERTAINLY AWARE THAT THE FEDS HAVE BEEN TALKING TO ACEVEDO ABOUT THIS.

BY THE WAY HIS SON IS IMPLICATED AND FACING TRIALS OF THEIR OWN.

IT TIES IN THERE AND WE ARE GOING TO BE WATCHING, WAITING WHAT IS REVEALED ABOUT THE SPEAKER.

ANOTHER BIG DEVELOPMENT BY THE WAY, IS THAT MADIGAN'S CO-DEFENDANT IN THIS LATEST INDICTMENT, MIKE McCLAIN LONG TIME ALLY OF MADIGAN IS FACING PREVIOUS CHARGES ALONG, OF COURSE, WITH OTHERS FROM ComEd, EXELON AND THEY ARE GOING TO BE GOING TO TRIAL SEPTEMBER 12 AND THAT, BY THE WAY, IS JUST ABOUT WHEN THINGS ARE REALLY GETTING UNDERWAY FOR THE NEXT ELECTION SO THAT COULD CAUSE ISSUES FOR DEMOCRATS AS SOME OF THAT DIRTY LAUNDRY IS AIRED DURING THAT CASE.

>> WE'RE ALSO, AMANDA, SEEING PETITION FILING OBJECTIONS.

HOW COMMON ARE THEY THIS EARLY ON?

>> SO THEY ARE VERY COMMON AND SO YOU DON'T NEED TO TAKE NOTICE NECESSARILY THAT ONE CAMPAIGN FILED AN OBJECTION TO ANOTHER CANDIDATE TRYING TO GET THAT CANDIDATE KNOCKED OFF THE BALLOT.

BUT THERE IS SOME QUESTION AT THE TOP OF THE BALLOT AND THAT IS WHETHER JESSE SULLIVAN WHO HAS POURED A LOT OF MONEY, IF YOU TURN ON AND MOVE AWAY FOR PUBLIC TV AND TURN ON COMMERCIAL TV YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN HIS ADS BUT THERE IS A LOT OF QUESTION.

DOES HE HAVE THE SIGNATURES TO MAKE IT ON THE BALLOT AFTER SPENDING ALL OF THAT MONEY BECAUSE HE WAS A LATE ENTRY TO THE RACE AND HAD TIME PAIRING UP WITH A LIEUTENANT CANDIDATE.

DOES THE G.O.P.

PRIMARY CHANGE AND THERE WAS A LOTTERY AND DETERMINED THERE IS A COVETED SPOT, DARRIN BAILEY WILL BE THE TOP THAT VOTERS WILL SEE.

>> RICHARD IRVIN HAS BEEN CRITICIZING GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE PACKAGE SAYING IT SHOULD BE REPEALED.

IS HE OUT THERE?

IS HE A FRONTRUNNER CANDIDATE AMONG THE CANDIDATES AND WHAT ARE THE OTHER CANDIDATES SAYING?

>> IT'S DIFFICULT TO TELL WHO IS OUT IN FRONT.

IT'S STRANGE ELECTION YEAR.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE CAMPAIGNING OVER SUMMER.

PARTICULARLY ODD.

STILL PANDEMIC TIMELINE IS MOVED.

BUT CERTAINLY IRVIN IS THE GUY WITH THE BUCKS.

AND SO THAT MAKES HIM SOMEBODY WHO IS A FRONTRUNNER.

WE HAVE THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" QUESTIONING THAT THOUGH HE IS CAMPAIGNING SAYING THAT HE IS ANTI-PRITZKER'S STANCE ON CRIME THERE WAS A LETTER WHICH HE APPEARED TO BE COMPLIMENTRY OF FACETS OF THAT CRIME PACKAGE.

THIS IS SORT OF GETS TO THE DIFFICULTY THAT ANY REPUBLICAN IN ILLINOIS IS GOING TO HAVE TO HAVING TO APPEAL TO A CONSERVATIVE BASE IN THE PRIMARY AND GO MODERATE IN A GENERAL ELECTION.

>> AND A LOT OF POSITIONS HE APPEARS TO HAVE TAKEN IN THE PAST THAT APPEAR TO BE 180'S NOW.

HAVING POSITIVE COMMENTS FOR BLACK LIVES MATTER ALL LIVES MATTER HAVING POSITIVE COMMENT FOR THE WAY GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HANDLED COVID IN THE BEGINNING.

NOW, SORT OF STAKING HIS CAMPAIGN ON SLAMMING THAT AS OTHER REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO DO.

ALL OF THAT MONEY IS GOING TO GO TOWARD PERHAPS REDEFINING THE CANDIDATE.

>> AS WE HEARD, IT'S DAY THREE OF CONFIRMATION HEARINGS FOR PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S SUPREME COURT NOMINEE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON.

REPUBLICAN SENATORS CRITICIZING HER SAYING SHE HAS QUOTE TOO MUCH EMPATHY.

>> HERE IS WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY.

>> MY ATTEMPTS TO COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH DEFENDANTS IS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

BECAUSE MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED VIA THE FEDERAL SYSTEM AND VE AT STATE SYSTEM WILL COME OUT, WILL BE A PART OF OUR COMMUNITIES AGAIN AND SO IT IS TO OUR ENTIRE BENEFIT AS CONGRESS AS RECOGNIZED TO INSURE THAT PEOPLE WHO COME OUT STOP COMMITTING CRIMES.

>> PARIS WHAT POINT ARE G.O.P.

SENATORS TRYING TO MAKE BY ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND ALLEGING SHE IS NOT TOUGH ENOUGH ON CRIME?

>> LET'S LEVEL WITH VIEWERS THE HEARINGS HAVE BECOME AND ARE TODAY EXCUSES IN MANY CASES FOR SENATORS WHO SEEK HIGHER OFFICE LIKE THE PRESIDENCY TO WEIGH-IN AND LOOK TOUGH ON HOT BUTTON ISSUES.

IF THERE IS AN ANSWER FROM THE JUDGE THEN IT'S LIKE SECONDARY TO THEIR DESIRE TO GET SOUNDBYTES AND TO BE ON CABLE NEWS THEY CAN USE TO BRAND THEMSELVES AND FUNDRAISE.

I'M NOT TRYING TO BE TOO CYNICAL NOT TO SAY THERE ARE NOT QUESTIONS FROM SENATORS THAT TRY TO GET TO THE HEART.

YOU SEE SO MANY SENATORS USING THIS TIME FOR THEIR OWN CAMPAIGN ENDS THEIR OWN POLITICAL ENDS.

AND THAT'S THE WAY IT'S BEEN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

>> THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE IT LEAVE IT FOR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS, AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

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

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEDNESDAY 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 GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

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

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]