>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US SON "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

HERE IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

>>> A SMALL BUSINESS CAN'T TAKE THAT.

>> A SUBURBAN BAKERY HOSTING DRAG PERFORMANCES.

>> WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THEM AND HELP THEM.

>>> MEET A LOCAL PASTOR HELPING MIGRANTS BUST TO CHICAGO FROM THE BORDER.

>>> ELDER PEOPLE UP TO SHORE UP THEIR POWER BEFORE THERE IS A NEW MAYOR IN TOWN.

>>> THE PRESSING ISSUE FACING PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS A CITY CHOOSES ITS HUMIRA WEEK FROM TODAY.

>>> WE START TONIGHT WITH A WTTW NEWS EXCLUSIVE.

THE NEW LIFELINE FOR SUBURBAN BUSINESS TARGETED FOR HOSTING DRAG PERFORMANCES.

THE OWNER OF UPRISING BAKERY AND CAFE ANNOUNCED SHE CLOSED HER DOORS AFTER MONTHS OF HARASSMENT, PROTEST , AND THREATS.

>> IT CAME AFTER THE CAFE ANNOUNCED PLANS TO HOLD TWO FAMILY-FRIENDLY DRAG SHOWS AS PART OF AN EVENT SERIES.

NICK BLUMBERG REPORTS THAT UPRISINGS OWNER PLANS TO STAY IN OPERATION AND FIND A NEW HOME FOR HER BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: KARINA SACHS THOUGHT SHE'D HAVE TO SHUDDER HER BAKERY AND CAFE AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

>> I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS KIND OF VITRIOL HATE AND INTOLERANCE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: BUT A WAVE OF ONLINE ATTACKS FLOODED THE BUSINESS AFTER ANNOUNCING PLANS TO HOST TWO FAMILY-FRIENDLY DRAG SHOWS.

>> IT WAS AFTER HOURS, TICKETED EVENTS.

COLLEGES WERE WELCOME.

WE WORKED REALLY HARD WITH FINDING GREAT LOCAL PERFORMERS WHO UNDERSTOOD WHAT ALL AGES WAS ABOUT.

>> Reporter: SINCE THE EVENTS WERE ANNOUNCED IN JULY, PERSONAL INFORMATION ABOUT HER FAMILY WAS POSTED ONLINE, THE BUILDING WAS VANDALIZED, AND PROTESTERS GATHERED OUTSIDE FOR 126 DAYS STRAIGHT .

>> AND WHEN IT GOT TOO COLD FOR THEM TO PROTEST, THEY SWITCHED TO ONLINE , BAD REVIEWS, MISINFORMATION, FALLS CALLS TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

ANYTIME THEY SEE US DOING AN EVENT HERE FOR THEY CALL THE POLICE ON US.

>> Reporter: THE ATTACKS ON HER BUSINESS COME AMID A WAVE OF LEGISLATION TARGETED AT THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY TRANS PEOPLE, AND ATTACKS ON FRIENDLY SPACES INCLUDING A DEADLY MASS SHOOTING AT A COLORADO SPRINGS NIGHTCLUB.

NUMEROUS OTHER DRAG EVENTS HAVE FACED DEMONSTRATORS OR WERE CANCELED ALTOGETHER BECAUSE OF THREATS.

>> I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE .

I WAS BORN BISEXUAL.

WITH SUCH A WELCOMING PLACE FOR ME, SO WHEN ALL OF THAT HAPPENED , IT HAS BEEN KIND OF LIKE, THIS IS MY HOME .

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

>> Reporter: AFTER MONTHS OF THREATS, SAC ANNOUNCED PLANS TO CLOSE EARLIER THIS MONTH, BUT SUPPORTERS STARTED A GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN THAT FAR EXCEEDED ITS $30,000 GOLD.

SAC SAYS THAT MEANS THAT UPRISING CAN KEEP GOING.

>> IT'S VERY CLEAR PEOPLE WANT IS HERE.

THEY DON'T JUST BELIEVE WHAT I AM DOING OR ESTABLISHMENT, BUT THEY ALSO WANT A SAFE SPACE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THAT IS MY SAC SAYS SHE IS COMMITTED TO STAYING IN McHENRY COUNTY, BUT WITH THE LOCATION TARGETED FOR SO LONG, SHE PLANS TO FIND A NEW HOME FOR UPRISING.

>> PEOPLE REALLY CAME TO OUR AID THAT GIVE ME AN MY FAMILY LITTLE MORE HOPE, AND I JUST SOLIDIFIES THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING IS RIGHT.

HER BACK FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT", I AM NICK BLUMBERG.

>> SAC SAYS SHE HAS NOT HAD ANY SPACE FOR THE BAKERY AT , BUT THAT SHE HOPES TO MOVE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>>> NOW TOMORROW TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

THE GOVERNMENT'S STAR WITNESS TELLS JURORS HE BELIEVES THE ALLEGED BRIBERY PLOT 'S WRITING MIKE MADIGAN WAS, QUOTE, JUST NOT RIGHT.

THE COMPANY'S FORMER VP OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS WAS ON THE WITNESS STAND FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT DAY.

JURORS SAW VIDEO RECORDINGS THAT MARK HAS MADE DETAILING THE ALLEGED PLOT TO AWARD ALLIES JOBS IN EXCHANGE FOR PASSING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD RESULT IN A WINDFALL FOR THE COMPANY.

THE FORMER ARE ALL FACING FEDERAL BRIBERY CHARGES.

YOU FIND MORE COVERAGE ON TODAY'S EVENT ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> THE SOUTH STREET CORRIDOR , ONCE A HUB FOR OFFICE SPACES, WILL BE HOME TO MORE THAN 100,000 CHICAGO RESIDENTS IF THIS GETS APPROVED.

THE CITY HAS SELECTED THREE PROPOSALS TO BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO THE CITY'S FINANCIAL DISTRICT.

>> WE ARE MAKING THE LATEST AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITMENT EVER IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO, IN THAT WE ARE ALSO MAKING ONE OF THE LARGEST OFFICE TO RESIDENTIAL CONVERSIONS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY .

WE ARE RISING TO THE CHALLENGE OF OUR TIMES WITH UNPRECEDENTED EQUITY CENTERED AMBITION HERE IN CHICAGO.

>> THE THREE PROPOSALS WOULD INVEST $550 MILLION IN BUILDING MORE THAN 1000 APARTMENTS WITH A THIRD OF THEM SET ASIDE FOR LOW AND MODERATE INCOME RESIDENTS.

CITY OFFICIALS LAUNCHED AN EFFORT TO REVITALIZE THE CORRIDOR, WHICH HAS BEEN UNDERUTILIZED SINCE THE PANDEMIC CHANGED HOW AND WHERE CHICAGOANS WORK.

ALL THREE PROPOSALS WOULD STILL NEED APPROVAL FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.

>>> HAVE ANY IDEAS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT?

THE AGENCY WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU.

TODAY THE PARK DISTRICT ANNOUNCED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR A STRATEGIC PLAN TO, QUOTE, MOVE THE DISTRICT INTO THE FUTURE.

APPLICANTS SHOULD COME UP WITH WAYS TO REIMAGINE THE PURPOSE AND STRUCTURE OF PARKS AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS AND A BUDGET PLAN TO PUT THE DISTRICT ON A SOUND FISCAL PATH.

PROPOSALS ARE DUE APRIL 28th.

>>> YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON YOUNG PEOPLE FOR A GOOD PARTY, BUT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WERE PARTYING TO THE POLLS.

HUNDREDS OF ELIGIBLE HIGH SCHOOL VOTERS TOOK PART IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS BY CASTING THEIR VOTE .

AFTER A RALLY IN MILLENNIUM PARK, STUDENTS VOTED AT THE EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS.

THEY ALSO HEARD FROM REVEREND JESSE JACKSON WHO LED A PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE NASHVILLE SCHOOL SHOOTING.

IT WAS ORGANIZED BY CHICAGO VOTES, A NONPROFIT THAT ADVOCATES AND ORGANIZES FOR VOTING RIGHTS.

>>> WITH THE RUNOFF ELECTION A WEEK AWAY, DON'T FORGET TO VISIT OUR WTTW NEWS A VOTER GUIDE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.

YOU CAN SEARCH BY NAME, RACE, OR WARD, AND YOU CAN FIND OUT WHERE CANDIDATES STAND ON THE ISSUES IN THEIR OWN WORDS.

>>> WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS THE CITY CHOOSES ITS NEXT MAYOR.

>>> A LOCAL PASTOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF MIGRANTS BUSSED TO CHICAGO.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ HAS A STORY BUT AFTER THIS.

>>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" WAS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDER AND JOHN NICHOLS , THE GYM AND K NEEDY FAMILY , THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION , AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN SIX MONTHS SINCE HUNDREDS OF MIGRANTS ARRIVED IN BUSES FROM THE TEXAS BORDER.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ VISITS A CONGREGATION IN CHICAGO'S NORTH AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD HELPING ASYLUM-SEEKERS THROUGH THEIR JOURNEY.

>> Reporter: IT IS ALL HANDS ON DECK INSIDE OF THIS FOOD PANTRY.

PASTOR JOHN OF GRACE AND PEACE CHURCH RUNS THE OPERATION.

>> [ SPEAKING NON ENGLISH ] >> WE DO OUR FOOD BANK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY.

WHAT WE'VE DONE HERE IS WE'VE TRIED TO HELP FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITIES WITH FOODS THAT THEY DON'T RECEIVE.

>> Reporter: THAT MISSION NOW GOES BEYOND THE FOOD PANTRY.

LAST YEAR, THE PASTOR AND HIS WIFE OPENED THE DOORS OF THEIR CHURCH TO WELCOME DOZENS OF MIGRANTS ARRIVING ON BUSES FROM TEXAS.

>> ONCE THEY WERE COMING HERE , WE WERE ABLE TO FEED THEM, CLOTHE THEM.

THEY RECEIVED SHOWERS , AND WE WOULD PLACE THEM IN DIFFERENT PLACES TO LIVE.

>> Reporter: RAMIREZ IS ONE OF THE MIGRANTS WHO ARRIVED AT GRACE AND PEACE CHURCH ON A BUS FROM THE BORDER.

>> [ SPEAKING NON ENGLISH ] SPEAKING NON ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: THE MOTHER OF TWO SAYS THE CONGREGATION HAS GIVEN HER FAMILY A FRESH START FROM THE HARDSHIPS OF VENEZUELA.

>> [ SPEAKING NON ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE IS MUCH AND 25 SAYS IT STARTED TO HAPPEN .

DEMANDS FOR SERVICES STARTED TO GROW.

>> RETURNING MIGRANTS THAT WE GET WEEKLY, ABOUT 150 THAT WOULD COME HERE WEEKLY RECEIVING SERVICES, BUT WE STILL GET FAMILIES TO MY FAMILIES THAT COME FROM OTHER STATES THAT ARE TRYING TO FIND BENEFITS AND RESOURCES AND HELP.

>> Reporter: SHE AND HER TWO KIDS SPENT 10 DAYS WALKING TO THE PANAMANIAN JUNGLE PICK HER 10-YEAR-OLD SON MADE A LONG JOURNEY WITH ONE LEG.

>> [ SPEAKING NON ENGLISH ] SPEAKING NON ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: IS THE FIRST TIME THEY ARE VISITING THE CHURCH IN HOPES OF GETTING HELP FOR HER SON.

>> [ SPEAKING NON ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: HE HAD HIS LEG AMPUTATED WHEN HE WAS JUST FOUR YEARS OLD.

>> [ SPEAKING NON ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: WHAT STARTED AS A YOUTH PROGRAM IN 1995 HAS EXPANDED TO A MASSIVE OPERATION, A MISSION PASTOR ZAYAS SAYS IS GOD'S WORK.

>> Reporter: WHERE DOES YOUR PASSION COME FROM?

>> I'LL CALL TUITT.

I'M SERIOUS, I'M CALLED TO IT.

NOT JUST MYSELF, BUT THE STAFF IS ALL CALLED TO HELP PEOPLE.

IS NOT ABOUT A PAYCHECK.

IT'S ABOUT BEING CALLED THIS TYPE OF WORK AND HELPING THE FOLKS WHO ARE MARGINALIZED IN LIFE.

>> Reporter: FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT," I'M JOANNA HERNANDEZ .

>> TRAN20 FIVE SAYS THE NEXT PROJECT IS GETTING A CLINIC IN THE BUILDING, AND THE FOOD PANTRY OPERATES EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY.

>>> WE'RE BACK WITH MORE MIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> REGARDLESS OF THE NEXT MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE POISED TO TAKE A VOTE TO GIVE THEMSELVES HER INDEPENDENCE FROM THE FIFTH FLOOR.

WE BREAKDOWN WITHIN THIS PROPOSAL AND WHETHER IT IS LIKELY TO BE APPROVED.

TELL US ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL AND HOW IT WOULD CHANGE THE DYNAMIC IN CITY COUNCIL.

>> Reporter: THE CITY COUNCIL HAS ALWAYS HAD THE POWER TO PICK THEIR OWN COMMITTEE CHAIRS, BUT IT IS A POWER THEY HAVE DEFERRED TO CHICAGO BEARS FOR DECADES.

THE CENTERPIECE OF THIS PROPOSAL WOULD BE TO NAME THEIR OWN COMMITTEE CHAIRS EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE 14 CITY COUNCIL RUNOFFS, AND OF COURSE WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER PAUL VALLAS OR BRANDON JOHNSON WILL BE THE NEXT MAYOR OF CHICAGO.

>> TRADITIONALLY THIS HAS BEEN A POWER RESERVED FOR THE MAYOR AND A POWER THAT THEY REALLY USED AS A CARROT TO CONTROL OTHER PEOPLE.

THERE ARE 27 COMMITTEES RIGHT NOW.

THAT MEANS A MAJORITY OF COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD BE A COMMITTEE CHAIR.

MUCH WITH THIS COST?

>> IT WOULD COST MILLIONS, PERHAPS AS MUCH AS $6 MILLION OR $7 MILLION.

EACH COMMITTEE HAS AN AVERAGE BUDGET OF ALMOST $300,000.

IT'S NOT CLEAR EXACTLY WHAT COMMITTEE WILL GET WET BUDGET, AND OF COURSE THAT WOULD BE UP TO THE NEXT MAYOR OF CHICAGO, WHO BY LAW HAS TO PROPOSE A BUDGET, AND COULD SCUTTLE ALL OF THIS ONCE THEY GET INTO OFFICE.

>> A REMINDER FOR VIEWERS, THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT ELDER PEOPLE LOVE THESE CHAIRMANSHIPS, BECAUSE MONEY AND JOBS.

THEY CAN GIVE PEOPLE JOBS.

WHERE IS THE OPPOSITION TO THIS PLAN COMING FROM?

>> BUT THE BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION AND THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS DON'T WANT THIS VOTE TO TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY.

THEY SAY IT IS BETTER TO TAKE LACE AFTER THE NEW CITY COUNCIL BEGINS ITS NEW TERM AFTER MAY 15th WITH THE NEW MAYOR AND OFFICE.

THEY SAY IT WILL DISENFRANCHISE THOSE AWARDS THAT HAVE NOT FINALIZED THEIR PICK FOR THE CITY COUNCIL.

ALSO THERE HAS NOT BEEN A LOT OF TIME FOR PUBLIC REVIEW OF WHATEVER IT IS COULD BE UP FOR A VOTE ON THURSDAY.

>> HOW UNUSUAL.

WE NEVER SEE STUFF LIKE THAT.

I'M BEING FACETIOUS, OF COURSE.

WE WILL HAVE A NEW MAYOR IN MAY BUT WE WILL ALSO HAVE MORE THAN A DOZEN NEW CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

OR ANY OF THEM SAYING LET'S PUT THE BRAKES ON THIS ?

>> IS INTERESTING.

THERE IS A PROPOSAL FLOATING OUT THERE TO NAME BOTH THE ALDERMAN GILBERT VHS AND THE OTHER ELDER PEOPLE WHO ARE FACING COMMITTEE CHAIRS.

IF THEY LOSE THIS WILL ALL BE UP FOR GRABS AND IT'S ALSO GOING TO BE A VERY DIFFERENT CITY COUNCIL NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS IN THESE RUNOFFS, WHICH MUCH MORE YOUNGER , MUCH MORE LATINO, AND MUCH MORE PROGRESSIVE CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES THAT EVEN THE PAST CITY COUNCIL WAS.

>> I KNOW PAUL VALLAS HAS ENDORSED THIS WHOLE IDEA.

WHAT ABOUT BRANDON JOHNSON?

>> HE HAS AS WELL.

HE SAID IT SHOULD OPERATE AS AN INDEPENDENT LEGISLATIVE BODY MY SOMETHING IT HAS NEVER DONE AND ITS STORIED HISTORY.

>> THIS COULD BE SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT FOR THOSE OF US TO COVER THIS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> WITH A FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>>> WHAT EDUCATION CHALLENGES FACED THE CITY'S NEXT MAYOR.

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>>> AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD, NEW TEACHERS UNION CONTRACT, THE END OF A MORATORIUM ON SCHOOL CLOSURES, THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE HURDLES FACING CHICAGO'S NEXT MAYOR.

THEY WILL BE OVERSEEING CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS DURING WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE A TRANSFORMATIVE PERIOD.

JOINING US IT ON ABOUT ALL OF THIS ARE ELAINE ALLENSWORTH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CONSORTIUM ON SCHOOL RESEARCH, AND CHARLES TAJIK, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION AT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY, CHICAGO.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

LET US SET THE STAGE WITH THE BIG PICTURE HERE YOU CAN MOMENTOUS DOWN ABOUT A QUARTER OVER THE LAST DECADE .

PARENTS HAVE CITED THINGS LIKE THE CONSTANT TURMOIL, LABOR STOPPAGES AS REASONS THAT THEY PULLED THEIR KIDS FROM CLASSROOMS.

HOW CAN CPS CHINA'S LONG-TERM DECLINE AROUND?

>> THE BIGGEST DRIVING FACTOR IS THE CHANGE IN THE POPULATION IN CHICAGO AND THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

WE HAVE SEEN HUGE DECLINES IN SCHOOL-AGED POPULATIONS.

SO, ONE VERY IMPORTANT FACTOR IS WHAT ARE WE DOING AS A STATE AND A CITY TO ATTRACT PEOPLE, AND TO KEEP FAMILIES SO THAT THE CITY IS AFFORDABLE, LIVABLE , A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO BE.

>> SO IT IS TIED TO THESE BIGGER DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES.

CHARLES, ACCORDING TO CPS, 40% OF SCHOOLS ARE DEEMED UNDERUTILIZED RIGHT NOW.

22 HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE LESS THAN 250 STUDENTS AS THEIR ENROLLMENT.

A MORATORIUM ON FURTHER SCHOOL CLOSURES WILL LIFT IN 2025.

WHICH OF THE NEXT MAYOR TO ABOUT THE SITUATION?

>> THIS REALLY IS A PRESSING ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS A SIGNIFICANT COST FOR THE DISTRICT, AND IT DOES BEAR ON THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION THAT THESE SCHOOLS ARE ABLE TO OFFER IN A SMALLER POPULATION SCHOOLS.

I WORRY ABOUT CLOSURES AS THE FIRST LINE OF APPROACH TO THIS ISSUE , BECAUSE THERE IS A LONG HISTORY OF MISTRUST AND HARM BETWEEN CPS AND MANY OF THE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE CITY , ESPECIALLY OUR BLACK COMMUNITIES.

IT REALLY HAS TO BE A STRATEGY OF INVESTMENT , HADAWAY BUILD IN THE SCHOOLS.

WE'VE HEARD BOTH CANDIDATES TALK ABOUT THIS , EXCEEDING NIGHT AND WEEKEND PROGRAMS TO KEEP BUILDINGS OPEN MORE OFTEN, WHICH HARKENS BACK TO A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

WE'VE HEARD JOHNSON TALK ABOUT CREATING NEW PROGRAMS AND UTILIZING SPACE IN BUILDINGS AND NEW WAYS.

I BE INTERESTED IN SEEING MORE ABOUT THAT AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

>> BOTH CANDIDATES TO SOME EXTENT HAVE TALKED ABOUT REPURPOSING SOME OF THESE UNDER ENROLLED SCHOOLS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FISCAL SITUATION AT CPS, THERE COULD BE A GAP OF ABOUT HALF $1 MILLION OR SO.

HOW CAN THE SYSTEM AFFORD TO GO ON THE SIZE IT IS WHEN THAT ENROLLMENT KEEPS SHRINKING?

>> ONE THING YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER IS ACTUALLY THE COST OF CLOSING SCHOOLS THAT A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT.

IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS, THE NUMBER OF STAFF MEMBERS, AND REORGANIZING THEM IN A SMALLER NUMBER OF BUILDINGS.

WHENEVER YOU CLOSE SCHOOLS, THERE ARE LOGISTICAL COSTS .

THERE ARE ALSO COSTS IN TERMS OF RELATIONSHIPS, IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY , AND THERE ARE ALSO EFFECTS ON THE RECEIVING SCHOOLS THAT RECEIVE THE NEW STUDENTS AND STAFF, WHERE THEY MAY ALSO FEEL FEELINGS OF LOSS BECAUSE THERE ARE DIFFERENT NORMS OR MAY BE DIFFERENT CURRICULUMS.

IT'S HARD.

IT'S NOT AUTOMATIC .

>> SO PERHAPS REPURPOSING SOME OF THESE SCHOOLS.

>> WELL , THINKING ABOUT WHAT ARE THE OTHER OPTIONS, AND THEN CERTAINLY THINKING ABOUT WHAT ARE THE OTHER OPTIONS, WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS OF THE SCHOOLS THAT YOU CAN BUILD ON.

AND THEN IF IT DOES COME TO THAT, REALLY BEING THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW IT'S DONE.

THE WAY THAT IT'S DONE FOR THE MESSAGING CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF PEOPLE'S FEELINGS OF LOSS, AND ALSO THE LONG-TERM HARM THAT CAN BE DONE FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.

>> A LOT TO CONSIDER FOR THE NEXT MAYOR, AND THE NEXT MAYOR WOULD HAVE THE KIND OF CONTROL OF HER CPS THAT THE MAYOR HAS ENJOYED OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS, ALTHOUGH IN THE FIRST TERM HERE, IT'S GOING TO BE A HYBRID SCHOOL BOARD STARTING IN TWO YEARS WHERE THE MAYOR APPOINTS 11 MEMBERS AND THEN 10 ARE ELECTED.

CAN YOU THINK THIS WILL IMPACT THE SYSTEM AND STUDENTS AND PARENTS?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE A TRANSFORMATIONAL PERIOD FOR CPS.

THE FIRST PIECES HAD US THE NEXT MAYOR HELP REIMAGINE WHAT AN INDEPENDENT CPS LOOKS LIKE IN RELATIONSHIP TO ALL THE OTHER AGENCIES IN THE CITY.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME THOUGHTS ON HOW THIS GETS UNWOUND, BUT THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT METAPHOR.

IT'S ABOUT RENEGOTIATING THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CPS AND ALL THE OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT.

THE SECOND PIECE OF THIS IS HOW WILL WE CARVE UP THE MAP TO CREATE A SCHOOL BOARD THAT IS REFLECTIVE OF THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE CITY .

WHAT IS THAT ELECTORAL MAP LOOK LIKE.

AND THEN THE THIRD PIECE IS HOW MUCH IMMEDIATE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE WITH THE NEW MAYOR TRY TO MAKE, WILL THEY TRY TO OPEN A NUMBER OF CHARTERS , CLOSE A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS, FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE THE PROFILE OF THE DISTRICT BEFORE HANDING OVER CONTROL?

>> ELAINE , AT SOME POINT IT WILL BE A FULLY ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD OF 21 MEMBERS.

THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT 21 POLITICAL BASIS AND SPECIAL INTERESTS DOMINATING THOSE RACES.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THAT?

>> FOR ME WHAT I THINK ABOUT IS HOW IS IT WILL BE REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE REALLY STRONG EVIDENCE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN SCHOOLS THAT PEOPLE CAN USE TO SAY THAT FOR TWO REASONS.

ONE, WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE VERY DIFFERENT POLITICAL PERSPECTIVES IN OUR SCHOOL BOARD.

IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE PRODUCTIVE CONFLICTS, PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE ARE ALL OPERATING ON THE SAME UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOLS AND NOT HEARSAY AND ASSUMPTIONS.

THEN WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC KNOWS WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING AT SCHOOLS SO THEN THEY CAN MAKE GOOD DECISIONS IN THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD.

>> A LOT OF FOLKS ARE CONCERNED THAT THE TEACHERS UNION MIGHT BE FINDING A LOT OF RACES OR CHARTER INTERESTS MIGHT BE FINDING A LOT OF RACES OR COMPANY THAT HAVE WON CONTRACTS WITH CPS, ALL OF THAT COULD BE AT PLAY IN THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.

SPEAKING OF CHARTER SCHOOLS, I HAVE EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE HERE THAT SAYS THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE A NET POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE ON EDUCATION IN THE URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> I THINK ACROSS THE BOARD THE EVIDENCE IS MIXED.

THEY WORK IN SOME CASES FOR SOME PEOPLE AT SOME TIMES, SO THERE IS NOT CLEAR-CUT EVIDENCE THAT CHARTERS ARE BETTER THAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR THAT CHARTERS ARE ALWAYS WORSE THAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THERE IS A MIXED BAG OF EVIDENCE.

I THINK THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION IS HADAWAY FULLY RESOURCE AND MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS ACROSS ALL SCHOOL TYPES.

THE BASIC QUESTION IS HOW WE DRIVE RESOURCES UNDER THOSE SCHOOLS, WHATEVER TYPE THEY ARE THAT IS THE BASIC PROBLEM THAT THE NEW MAYOR AND EVENTUALLY THE BOARD IS GOING TO HAVE TO TACKLE.

>> BOTH CANDIDATES HAVE SAID ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THEY WANT TO DO IS GO TO SPRINGFIELD FOR MORE STATE MONEY.

AGAIN FOR CONTEXT, LAWMAKERS IN SPRINGFIELD SEVERAL YEARS AGO TO CHANGE THE FORMULA.

OR MONEY TO COME TO CPS.

HOW MUCH MORE MONEY DO YOU THINK STATE LAWMAKERS MIGHT BE WILLING TO ALLOCATE?

>> I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS.

KUDOS.

>> IS AT THE BEST APPROACH FOR FINDING?

>> YOU KNOW, RESOURCES ARE GENERALLY HELPFUL IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO HAVE SUFFICIENT STAFFING, SUFFICIENT RESOURCING.

MONEY ALONE IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE THINGS, THOUGH .

IT IS WHERE YOU ARE PUTTING YOUR MONEY, AND ARE YOU ACTUALLY PUTTING RESOURCES INTO PROGRAMS AND SUPPORTS THAT ARE KNOWN TO HELP STUDENTS, TO SUPPORT TEACHERS?

IF YOU JUST THROW MONEY AT SCHOOLS, IT ACTUALLY CAN MAKE THINGS MORE CHAOTIC.

SO REALLY , BEING THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THE KINDS OF PROGRAMS THAT ARE PUT INTO PLACE, THE KINDS OF POLICIES, AND WHERE THOSE RESOURCES ARE GOING.

>> BOTH CANDIDATES HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT.

PAUL VALLAS SAYS 60% OF RESOURCES ARE NOT GOING TO THE ACTUAL SCHOOLS AND ARE STAYING IN CENTRAL OFFICE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND BRANDON JOHNSON IS AN OVERALL WE NEED MORE RESOURCES.

WHERE IS THE TRUTH IN TERMS OF HOW RESOURCES ARE BEING ALLOCATED?

>> IT IS A COMPLEX PICTURE.

CPS IS A MASS OF INSTITUTIONS AND SCHOOLS AND BUDGET AND MANY OFFICES.

IT'S ALSO ENTANGLED IN OTHER CITY AGENCIES .

MONEY GOES TO CPD AND THE PARK DISTRICT.

IT IS HARD TO PARSE OUT WHERE EVERYTHING GOES.

>> VERY QUICKLY, WE KNOW THAT STUDENT READING AND MATH SCORES WENT DOWN AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC AND STOPPAGE, WHAT ABOUT CPS?

HOW ARE THE TEST SCORES LOOKING RIGHT NOW?

>> RIGHT.

MATH SCORES WENT DOWN.

WE KNOW THAT.

READING SCORES , IF YOU LOOK AT THE ASSESSMENT THAT I HAVE THE MOST FAITH IN, IT DID NOT GO DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY IN CHICAGO .

WE DO NOTE THAT DURING THE TIME OF REMOTE LEARNING, AND SINCE, YOU KNOW , THERE WERE MANY STUDENTS THAT REALLY STRUGGLED, ESPECIALLY IN PARTICULAR SCHOOLS .

WE SEE STUDENTS REALLY STRUGGLED.

REALLY THINKING ABOUT HOW WE MAKE SURE THOSE STUDENTS AND THOSE SCHOOLS HAVE THE SUPPORTS THEY NEED.

AND IT WASN'T ALL STUDENTS.

PEOPLE HAVE THIS IDEA THAT THE PANDEMIC WAS REALLY HARD FOR EVERYBODY AND IT REALLY WAS, BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT STUDENT ENGAGEMENT DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE SEE THAT IT REALLY DIFFERED BY WHAT THE GRADE LEVEL OF THE STUDENTS WERE IN AND WHAT SCHOOLS THEY ATTENDED.

>> SO SOME STUDENTS FARED OKAY AND OTHER STUDENTS NOT SO MUCH.

ELAINE, CHARLES, A LOT OF VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US.

>>> WE ARE BACK WITH A LOOK AT WHAT IS ON TAP FOR TOMORROW RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED WITH US BUT SIGNING UP FOR A DAILY BRIEFING.

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

>>> YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE FROM 10:00.

WHAT BUSINESS LEADERS WOULD LIKE TO SEE FROM THEIR NEXT MAYOR.

>> PLUS A RECAP OF TESTIMONY AND WHAT IS NEXT IN THE SO-CALLED TRIAL WITH THE SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

FOR ALL OF HERE, I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A WONDERFUL EVENING.

>>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE