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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WE ARE VERY CONCERNED.

>> OFFICIALS HAVE THEIR EYES ON RISING COVID CASES JUST AS THE VACCINE IS BECOMING MORE READILY AVAILABLE.

WHAT PRESIDENT BIDEN'S MUCH ANTICIPATED INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN COULD MEAN FOR ILLINOIS AND CHICAGO.

>> TO THEM IT'S SOMETHING NEW BUT TO US IT'S SOMETHING BIG.

>> TWO BILLS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY COULD EXPAND ILLINOIS' EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

A LOCAL LAWMAKER IS TIED TO THE COVID VACCINE SCANDAL AT LORETTO HOSPITAL THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> NEW BIDDERS STEP IN IN A BID FOR CONTROL OF TRIBUNE PUBLISHING.

>> CAN INDUSTRY AND HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS COEXIST?

WE LOOK AT MANUFACTURING ON CHICAGO'S SOUTHEAST SIDE.

>> A LOT OF GUYS WILL SAY THAT IS NOT REAL FISHING.

DON'T HAVE A FISHING POLE IT IS NOT REAL FISH SNOOK A CONTROVERSIAL YET POPULAR LOCAL FISHING STYLE THAT MAKES USE OF A FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

MORE ABOUT POWER LINING.

>> THE JURY TRIAL OF THE FORMER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER CHARGED IN THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD BEGAN TODAY.

DEREK CHAUVIN HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO CHARGES OF SECOND DEGREE UNINTENTIONAL MURDER OF FLOYD AFTER KNEELING ON HIS NECK FOR MORE THAN NINE MINUTES AND CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MANSLAUGHTER AND THIRD DEGREE MURDER.

HERE IS A BIT OF WHAT THE PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE HAD TO SAY.

>> DOESN'T GET UP EVEN WHEN THE PEDRO COMES TO CHECK FOR A PULSE AND DOESN'T FIND ONE.

Mr. CHAUVIN DOES NOT GET UP.

THE PARAMEDICS OFFERED THE GURNEY NEXT TO THE BODY OF IN FLOYD AND Mr. CHAUVIN STILL DOES NOT LET UP.

>> Dr. BAKER FOUND NONE OF WHAT ARE REFERRED TO AS THE TELLTALE SIGNS OF ASPHYXIATION.

THERE WERE BRUISES TO Mr. FLOYD'S NECK ON HIS SKIN OR AFTER PEELING HIS SKIN BACK TO THE MUSCLES BENEATH.

>> MIXED MESSAGES TODAY FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION.

OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COVID-19 VACCINES OUT IN THE REAL WORLD VERSUS IN CONTROLLED STUDIES.

PFIZER AND MODERNA FOUND VACCINES REDUCED INFECTIONS BY 90% IN FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE.

THE VACCINES WERE ABOUT 95% EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING COVID-19 IN CONTROLLED SETTINGS BUT THE CDC EXPRESSED DIRE CONCERNS TODAY OVER A FOURTH WAVE DESPITE THE VACCINE ROLLOUT.

>> I WILL REFLECT ON THE RECURRING FEELING I HAVE OF IMPENDING DOOM.

WE HAVE SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO OF WHERE WE ARE AND SO MUCH REASON FOR HOPE BUT RIGHT NOW I'M SCARED.

LET'S HOLD ON A WHILE LONGER.

I WANT TO BE DONE AND I KNOW YOU BADLY WANT TO BE DONE.

WE ARE ALMOST THERE BUT NOT QUITE YET.

>> AND BACK HERE IN ILLINOIS HEALTH OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE MORE THAN 1700 NEW AND PROBABLE CASES OF COVID-19.

AND FIVE ADDITIONAL FATALITIES THAT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INFECTIONS IN ILLINOIS TO 1.239 MILLION.

AND THE STATE-WIDE DEATH TOLL TO 21,256.

HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT THE STATE-WIDE POSITIVITY RATE IS AT 3.3% A RATE THAT IS CREEPING UP AND KEEPING ILLINOIS FROM OPENING UP FURTHER.

>> AND SPEAK OF CHICAGO HAS OPENED THE DOOR TO GET THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE TO A VAST MAJORITY OF CITY RESIDENTS NOW.

ELIGIBILITY IS ALSO LOOSER ELSEWHERE THROUGHOUT THE STATE BUT THE COVID CASE NUMBERS ARE RISING AT A PACE THAT HAS OFFICIALS AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT CONCERNED.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US NOW.

AMANDA HOW MUCH OF A CONCERN?

>> WELL, PARIS, WEEKS AGO, CHICAGO WAS SEEING COVID CASES DECLINE.

YOU WERE SEEING ABOUT 200 PEOPLE TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID DAILY AND THE POSITIVITY RATE HOVERING AROUND 2%.

NOW, ABOUT 400 PEOPLE A DAY WITH COVID AND THAT POSITIVITY RATE HAS DOUBLED.

>> WE ARE SEEING A RISE IN CASES IT'S NOT TO THE POINT WE WERE SEEING IN NOVEMBER BUT SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO FOLLOW.

WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THE OUTLOOK MAY BE OVER THE NEXT FOUR-EIGHT WEEKS.

>> THE MAYOR SAYS THAT INCREASE IN CASES IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO SPREAD AMONG 18-39-YEAR-OLDS.

AND ALSO COMING FROM THE NORTH AND NORTHWEST SIDES OF THE CITY.

>> IN OUR LINCOLN PARK OLD TOWN, AND PORTAGE PARK NEIGHBORHOODS WE'VE SEEN A NUMBER OF OUTBREAKS INVOLVING YOUNGER PEOPLE.

AMONG SPORTS TEAMS, AND AS A RESULT OF BAR CRAWLS.

AND LET ME BE CLEAR IT IS NOT THE PLAYING OF THE SPORTS ARE BEING AT BARS THAT IS CAUSING THE OUTBREAKS.

IT'S THE RISKY BEHAVIOR IN THOSE SETTINGS THAT IS CREATING THE PROBLEM.

>> NOW, THE ALARM ISN'T JUST IN CHICAGO.

PER GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S REOPENING GUIDELINES THE STATE CAN LOOSEN RESTRICTIONS AND GET TO A BRIDGE PHASE ONCE 70% OF SENIORS HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

NOW, THAT IS NOT, BY THE WAY, A FULL REOPENING AND LIFE BACK TO NORMAL BUT IT WILL BE MORE RELAXED AND SIZABLE OUTDOOR GATHERINGS WILL BE ALLOWED THEN.

ILLINOIS IS ON THE VERGE OF THAT WITH 69% OF THOSE AGE 65 AND OLDER HAVING BEEN VACCINATED STATE-WIDE.

BUT THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT CRUCIAL THRESHOLDS WILL HOLD BACK THE BRIDGE FADES AND IT IS UNCLEAR FOR HOW LONG IT IS UP TO PEOPLE WEARING MASKS AND TAKING PRECAUTIONS AND KEEPING COVID CASES DOWN.

IDPH SENDING NOTICE THAT HOSPITAL METRICS CONTINUE TO TREND UPWARD THE STATE HAS NOT MET THE CONDITIONS TO MOVE TO THE BRIDGE PHASE.

IT COMES AS YOU NOTED AS MORE PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE.

IN FACT, 84%.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF CHICAGO RESIDENTS NOW ELIGIBLE AS OF TODAY, IN THE CITY, ALL ESSENTIAL WORKERS CAN SIGN UP TO GET A COVID SHOT.

>> NOW, ALL ESSENTIAL WORKERS MANY OF WHOM ARE UNION WORKERS INCLUDING RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES, CLERGY MEMBERS, CONSTRUCTION WORKERS, DELIVERY DRIVERS AND WAREHOUSE WORKERS WHOSE HARD WORK HAS INSURED OUR CITY CONTINUES TO ENDURE DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF THE PANDEMIC CAN GET PROTECTED WITH THE VACCINE.

>> ALSO ELIGIBLE NOW... THOSE UNDERAGE 65 WHO HAVE CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

YOU CAN FIND A LIST ON OUR WEBSITE.

BUT IT INCLUDES CONDITIONS LIKE CANCER, HEART PROBLEMS AND PREGNANCY ALSO THOSE WITH DISABILITIES.

ANYBODY WHO WAS ELIGIBLE UNDER PRIOR PHASES, HEALTHCARE WORKERS, FRONTLINE ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND SENIORS, REMAIN SO.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT WILL BE EASY TO GET A VACCINE APPOINTMENT.

THEY MAY BE HARD TO COME BY IN THE CITY THE THING MOST RESIDENTS SHOULD EXPECT TO GET A SHOT AT A SHOT COME APRIL OR MAY.

CHICAGO... >> AS VACCINE SUPPLIES INCREASE, EVERYONE WHO WANTS A VACCINE WILL GET ONE.

ADDITIONALLY, BEGINNING TODAY, CAN INSURE CHICAGO RESIDENTS CAN BETTER ACCESS VACCINE APPOINTMENTS IN OUR CHICAGO.

CITY RUN SITES WILL ONLY SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS FOR CHICAGO RESIDENTS.

>> CHICAGO IS A TOWN WHERE A UNION HOLD A LOT OF SWAY AND THAT IS ON DISPLAY WITH THE CITY'S LATEST NEW MASS VACATION SITE.

>> HERE IN CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY I WANT TO WELCOME YOU ALL TO THE FIRST IN NATION VACCINATION CENTER RUN BY THE LABOR MOVEMENT FOR UNION WORKERS.

>> WHILE ONLY CARD CARRYING MEMBERS OF THE LABOR UNIONS CAN ACCESS AND USE THIS SITE WHICH IS NEAR CHINATOWN, ELIGIBILITY IS EXPANDING THROUGHOUT ILLINOIS.

ON FRIDAY, THE PRITZKER ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED THAT IN SOME AREAS OF THE STATE THERE HAVE BEEN A REDUCTION IN DEMAND FOR THE VACCINE.

SO MUCH SO THAT THOSE PLACES ARE FREE TO BEGIN VACCINATING ALL RESIDENTS ANYBODY 16 OR OLDER AT THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S DISCRETION FOR THE DOSES THAT THEY HAVE TO BE USED.

THE STATE SAYS THAT IN THE FUTURE IT IS GOING TO WORK TO DIVERT FUTURE ADDITIONAL ALLOCATIONS OF THE COVID VACCINES TO PLACES LIKE CHICAGO WHERE DEMAND IS OUTPACING SUPPLY.

BUT WHEN ASKED ABOUT THAT TODAY, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT DID NOT HAVE ANY CONCRETE WORD ON THE CITY RECEIVING ANY ADDITIONAL DOSES FROM THE STATE OR ELSEWHERE THROUGHOUT ILLINOIS.

SHE ALSO INDICATED THAT THE WITH THE RISE IN CASES SHE IS NOT PLANNING A TOTAL SHUTDOWN.

>> YOU THINK ABOUT WHERE WE WERE A YEAR AGO AND NOW, WE'VE LEARNED A INTRODUCE AMOUNT ABOUT THE VIRUS.

STILL A LOT WE DON'T KNOW.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE CAN DO THINGS IN A TARGETED WAY.

AND NOT HAVE TO SHUTDOWN THE ENTIRE ECONOMY IN OUR WAY OF LIFE.

>> MAYOR TODAY ALSO ASKED ABOUT THE SCANDAL WITH VACCINES AT LORETTO HOSPITAL, SHE SAYS IT IS NOT HER PLACE TO SAY WHETHER C.E.O.

GEORGE MILLER SHOULD BE TERMINATED BUT IT IS IN THE CITY'S INTEREST THAT LORETTO HOSPITAL CONTINUES TO SERVE RESIDENTS ON THE WEST SIDE.

SHE SAYS, HOWEVER, THIS DRIP, DRIP, DRIP OF NEGATIVE STORIES OF VACCINES GOING TO PLACES THEY SHOULDN'T AND TO INDIVIDUALS WITH PRIVILEGE AS OPPOSED TO THOSE WHO RESIDE ON THE WEST SIDE, SHE SAYS THAT IS HURTING CREDIBILITY AT A TIME WHEN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM NEEDS PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN IT MORE THAN EVER THAT PEOPLE GET THAT VACCINE AND THE PANDEMIC CAN END.

PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, AMANDA.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF A $3 TRILLION INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE THIS WEEK THEY HOPE THE PLAN WILL SET THE COUNTRY ON A COURSE TOWARD A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY TO TACKLE THE CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY.

WHAT COULD THAT MEAN FOR ILLINOIS AND CHICAGO?

JOINING US ARE MICHAEL STURINO, PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE ILLINOIS ROAD AND TRANSPORTATION BUILDERS ASSOCIATION.

>> KEVIN ARTL, PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES OF ILLINOIS.

AND REVEREND LARRY BULLOCK PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF THE U.S.

MINORITY CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION.

WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT".

>> THANK YOU.

GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> KEVIN ARTL I WILL START WITH YOU, $3 TRILLION EXPECTED OUT OF THIS PROPOSAL.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WILL ENTAIL?

>> WELL, HOPEFULLY IT WILL FOLLOW THE FRAMEWORK OF WHAT WE SAW PASS OUT OF THE HOUSE LAST YEAR WHICH WOULD BE $500 BILLION FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES ACROSS THE NATION WITH FLEXIBILITY GIVEN TO STATE D.O.T.'S.

AND I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT ILLINOIS, UNDER WHAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER DID IN A BIPARTISAN WAY WITH PEOPLE LIKE HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER DURKIN, ILLINOIS IS WELL SITUATED TO LEVERAGE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF FUNDS AVAILABLE.

>> THIS IS A 45 BILLION CAPITAL BILL THEY PASSED LAST YEAR?

>> CORRECT.

>> AND REVEREND BULLOCK WHAT ARE THE MOST PRESSING NEEDS IN ILLINOIS?

>> UNLIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE, I THINK THAT WE SAY INFRASTRUCTURE, WE REALLY NEED TO REIMAGINE THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT BRIDGES AND ROADS.

BUT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT LOOKING IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR AT FLINT, MICHIGAN AND CONCERNED ABOUT 5G BROADBAND HOW WE BUILD THAT OUT AND CREATE JOBS.

AND SO WHEN I HEAR INFRASTRUCTURE, I'M ALSO KEEPING AN EYE ON SUSTAINABILITY.

CLIMATE CONTROL THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO MY CONSTITUENTS AND THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO ALL AMERICANS.

>> INFRASTRUCTURE ENTAILS A LOT OF THINGS NOT JUST ROADS AND BRIDGES.

ON THE SUBJECT OF BRIDGES ILLINOIS HAS THE MOST STRUCTURALLY DEFICIENT BRIDGES IN THE NATION 2374 OF BRIDGES IN ILLINOIS.

DOES THAT, MICHAEL STURINO, MEAN THAT ALL OF THOSE BRIDGES ARE DANGEROUS?

>> IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT EXACTLY.

BUT THEY CERTAINLY NEED ATTENTION.

I DON'T WANT TO BE AN ALARMIST BUT FOR TOO LONG ILLINOIS KICKED THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD THROUGH BIPARTISAN EFFORTS OF GOVERNOR PRITZKER AND THE REPUBLICANS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE DEMOCRATS, WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO ADDRESSING IT.

THOSE ARE LONGER TERM ISSUES.

WHERE I D.O.T.

IS PUTTING OUT WORK TO THE COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS THE MOST TROUBLED BRIDGES.

I WOULD NOT HIT THE PANIC BUTTON YET.

WE ARE GOING TO GET OUT OF THAT DUBIOUS DISTINCTION OF BEING THE WORST IN THE NATION WITH THE BRIDGES.

>> A LOT OF EXAMPLES OF CRUMBLING BRIDGES.

KEVIN ARTL YOU MENTIONED THE $45 BILLION INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM REBUILD ILLINOIS THAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER PASSED ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS, HOW QUICKLY COULD NEW FEDERAL FUNDING TURN INTO JOBS ON THE GROUND?

>> WELL, I THINK IT COULD HAPPEN INTANIOUSLY.

YOU HAVE COUNTIES LIKE DUPAGE COUNTY AND LAKE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO, WHO HAVE TAKEN ACTION IN THE LAST 16 MONTHS TO MAKE THEIR OWN INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE.

ILLINOIS HAS NEVER BEEN IN A BETTER SPOT TO LEVERAGE FEDERAL FUNDS AND PUT MORE WORKOUT THAN AT THIS POINT RIGHT NOW.

IT TRULY IS PERFECT TIMING TO BEGIN REBUILDING AND MODERNIZING.

>> THE REVEREND BULLOCK A LOT OF TIMES IN CHICAGO THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS DIVERSIFYING TRADE UNIONS AND PROBLEMS GIVING SOME OF THE CONTRACTS MAKING IT DIVERSE AND EQUITABLE WOULD YOU EXPECT THIS BIDEN PACKAGE TO INCLUDE PROVISIONS FOR MINORITY CONTRACTING?

>> I CERTAINLY WOULD EXPECT IT AND I HOPE AND BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD.

UNLIKE THE PRIOR ADMINISTRATION THAT SEEMED TO BE ALLERGIC TO DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND EQUITY.

I BELIEVE THAT THE DBE STATUTE IS CLEAR THAT FEDERAL DOLLARS BRING WITH IT A CERTAIN LEVEL OF COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND, INCLUSION AND EQUITY.

WHEN I LOOK AT THE PEOPLE THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIS SURROUNDED THEMSELVES WITH, GRANT HOLM THE FORMER GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN IN THE EPA.

>> JENNER GRANT HOLM.

>> YES.

RESPONSIBLE FOR EQUITY.

RESPONSIBLE FOR SUSTAINABILITY.

I BELIEVE THAT.

I SAID TO ONE OF YOUR STAFF PERSONS EARLIER TODAY WHEN WE WERE DOING THE PREVIOUS BRIEFING, THAT WHILE IT SAYS 10% AND DBE IN SOME CASES I WOULD HOPE SOMEONE IS FORESIGHTED ENOUGH IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PERHAPS DOUBLE THAT BECAUSE WE ARE REACHING A POINT WHERE WE'RE SEEING RACIAL DISPARITIES IN HEALTHCARE, COVID-19, RACIAL DISPARITIES IN EDUCATION, RACIAL DISPARITIES HOW WE DO OUR POLICING AND I WOULD THINK THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIS WILL REVISIT THE NUMBER ON THE DBE LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION.

AND I KNOW THAT IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HONORABLE J.B. PRITZKER HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB WITH THE REBUILD ILLINOIS PROGRAM AND SET LEVELS FOR THE CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THE TOLLWAY AND OTHER AREAS.

WHERE THESE ARE NO LONGER ASPIRATIONAL AND ACCEPT GOOD FAITH EFFORT, PHONY REQUESTS BUT THEY ARE IN FACT DEMANDING THAT THE PERSONS WHO DO BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND PARTICIPATE IN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY HONOR THOSE DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND EQUITY RULES.

>> MICHAEL STURINO, WHAT PROJECTS RISE TO THE TOP IN ILLINOIS?

AND HOW DOES THAT WORK?

IS IT CONGRESS PEOPLE?

LAWMAKERS?

GETTING PROJECTS IN THEIR DISTRICTS UP FOR FUNDING FROM THIS PACKAGE?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

AND I ECHO LARRY'S SENTIMENT.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO AN INCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY BUILD ENVIRONMENT FOR ROAD BUILDING AS WELL.

TO ME, IT MADE THE NEWS THIS MORNING.

FIVE PEOPLE KILLED ON THE EISENHOWER.

THE EISENHOWER EXPRESSWAY HAS BEEN NAMED THE MOST CONGESTED IN THE COUNTRY.

THE BLUE LINE IS IN DEPLORABLE CONDITION.

IT SERVES THE MOST UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN ILLINOIS IF NOT THE NATION.

WE CAN DO BETTER.

IT'S NAMED THE EISENHOWER BUT DESIGNED WHEN EISENHOWER WAS PRESENT.

IT'S 200,000 A DAY.

WE CAN EXTEND THE BLUE LINE TO GET CLOSER TO JOB CENTERS AND GET FOLKS TO EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

WE CAN MAKE THE EISENHOWER WORK FOR ALL CHICAGOANS THAT IS A MULTIBILLION EFFORT AND WITHOUT THIS COMMITMENT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IT MIGHT FALL AWAY.

BUT EARMARKS ARE BACK IN WASHINGTON AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY SENATORS, DUCKWORTH AND DURBIN AND THE ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION CANNOT GET BEHIND SOMETHING THAT HITS EVERYTHING FROM TRANSIT TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND EMPOWERMENT AND MOBILITY AND BUILDING SOMETHING NEW, BETTER, RESILIENT.

>> THE EISENHOWER ONE EXAMPLE THERE.

>> YES.

>> AND EXTENDING.

>> AND THERE ARE MANY.

>> AND KEVIN ARTL, WE MENTIONED AT THE TOP THE INTENT OF THIS PACKAGE IS NOT JUST TO MAINTAIN THINGS BUT TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY.

WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT MEAN?

>> WELL, I THINK ILLINOIS ENGINEERS ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THAT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE OPPORTUNITIES TO NOT JUST REBUILD BUT MODERNIZE INFRASTRUCTURE.

LOOKING AT WAYS TO DO SMART ROAD TECHNOLOGY LIKE THE TOLLWAY ON I90 AND THE JANE ADAM.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO CHARGING STATIONS ON ROADS WHERE ELECTRIC VEHICLES CAN CHARGE WHILE THEY ARE DRIVING.

ALL THESE THINGS ARE OPTIONS ESPECIALLY WITH AN INFLUX OF FEDERAL FUNDING.

IT UNLEASH THE INNOVATIVE GENIUS OF THE ENGINEERING COMMUNITY AND BUILD ROADS READY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY.

>> THE PRESIDENT IS EXPECTED TO UNVEIL THIS ON WEDNESDAY.

FOR NOW THANKS TO MICHAEL STURINO, KEVIN ARTL AND REVEREND LARRY BULLOCK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> TWO MORE INVESTORS HAVE NOW STEPPED FORWARD IN A LAST-DITCH EFFORT TO PREVENT HEDGE FUND ALDEN GLOBAL CAPITAL FROM TAKING CONTROL OF TRIBUNE PUBLISHING A COMPANY THAT OWNS THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" AND EIGHT PAPERS THAT IS WELCOME NEWS TO JOURNALISTS AND READERS WORRIED ABOUT ALDEN'S REPUTATION FOR CUTTING NEWSROOM'S STAFFS TO THE BONE.

ALDEN OWNS A THIRD OF TRIBUNE PUBLISHING.

IT'S OFFERED $17.25 A SHARE VALUING THE COMPANY AT $630 MILLION AND THE COUNTEROFFER LED BY STEWART BAINUM IS FOR 18.50 A SHARE, A 650 MILLION VALUE.

AND JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE FAST-MOVING DEVELOPMENTS ARE CHARLES WHITAKER, DEAN OF NORTHWESTERN'S MACDILL SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM.

DAVID JACKSON OF THE BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION AND FORMER TRIBUNE REPORTER PART OF AN EFFORT TO FIND A BUYER FOR THE PAPER, AND GREGORY PRATT PRESIDENT OF THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" GUILD.

EVALUATING THE SALE DECLINED TO COMMENT.

ALDEN DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST FOR A COMMENT.

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE THREE OF YOU HERE.

WHERE IT STANDS NOW, ALDEN HAS A DEAL ON THE TABLE TO BUYOUT THE REMAINING SHARES OF THE COMPANY.

GREGORY PRATT REMIND US WHY JOURNALISTS AND STAFFERS ARE WORRIED ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL, ALDEN GLOBAL CAPITAL IS THE WORST COMPANY IN THE NEWS BUSINESS THEY ARE A HEDGE FUND THAT WRINGS PROFIT OUT OF THE NEWSPAPERS WITHOUT ANY REGARD TO INVESTING IN STAFF, IN COVERAGE, AND MAKING SURE THAT THINGS RUN WELL.

THE ONLY THING THEY CARE ABOUT IS WRINGING PROFITS OUT OF IT AND WRINGING MORE THAN IS REASONABLE OUT OF IT.

I'M NOT SPEAKING FROM A PERSPECTIVE OF CAPITALISM IS BAD BUT A PERSPECTIVE THEY ARE NOT PRACTICING CAPITALISM.

THEY ARE TRYING AT LEAST NOT IN ANY STRATEGIC WAY BECAUSE THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE LONG-TERM OR THE MIDTERM THEY CARE ABOUT THE SHORT-TERM AND THEY WILL CUT THE PAPER AS THEY SEE FIT.

>> THEY HAVE DONE THAT TO OTHER PUBLICATIONS THEY HAVE OWNED AROUND THE COUNTRY.

DAVID JACKSON YOU AND YOUR FORMER COLLEAGUE AT THE CONTRIBUTE YOU WENT ON A CRUSADE TO TRY TO FIND INVESTORS AND LEFT THE TRIBUNE BUT AN EDITORIAL YOU COWROTE IN "THE NEW YORK TIMES" CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF BILLIONAIRE, HANSJORG WYSS.

SO YOU HAVE BAINUM, AND WYSS AND POTENTIALLY A THIRD INVESTOR.

HOW PROMISING IS THIS?

>> WELL, IT IS A VERY BIG STEP BUT WITH ALL THIS PROMISING NEWS, FOR THOSE INVESTORS FOR TRIBUNE PUBLISHING AND THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" THERE COULD BE A LONG ROCKY ROAD AHEAD.

>> AND IN A "NEW YORK TIMES" INTERVIEW HANSJORG WYSS STEPPED UP AND SAID QUOTE DOCTOR CHARLES WHITAKER YOU HEARD DAVID JACKSON SAY IT COULD BE A LONG BUMPY PATH WHAT WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN FOR SUCH A DEAL TO GO THROUGH?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN FOR THE DEAL TO GO THROUGH.

THE PATH IS THIS DOESN'T ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITH LOCAL NEWS AND THAT IS THERE IS NO BUSINESS MODEL.

THE QUESTION IS WILL ANGEL INVESTORS HAVE THE STOMACH AND THE WILL TO ENDURE A LONGTIME OF INCREASING LOSSES IN LOCAL NEWS THAT BUSINESS MODEL IS BROKEN.

DISPLAY ADVERTISING CLASSIFIED ADVERTISE SOMETHING NOT GOING TO COME BACK.

THE QUESTION IS ARE WE GOING TO SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS AS A PUBLIC GOOD AND NOT AS A FOR-PROFIT ENTITY.

>> AND THE BUSINESS MODELS NEEDS TO BE RETHOUGHT THERE ARE NONPROFIT MODELS WORKING.

GREGORY PRATT, COULD ALDEN DECIDE TO BLOCK THE DEAL EVEN THOUGH THE PROPOSAL NOW IS RICHER THAN WHAT ALDEN ITSELF IS INTENDING TO DO?

>> WELL, THAT IS WHERE IT GETS INTERESTING.

BECAUSE ALDEN CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR SALE AND PATRICK, THE OWNER OF THE "L.A. TIMES", OWNS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF STOCK AND HE CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR ALDEN AND THESE GUYS -- THEY CAN BID EACH EACH OTHER AND BLOCK EACH OTHER AND CAUSE DIFFICULTIES CLOSING A DEAL FOR EACH OTHER.

AND THE QUESTION FOR ALDEN IS DO THEY REALLY WANT TO DEAL WITH THAT AND DO THEY WANT TO DEAL WITH A SITUATION WHERE THEY ARE BLOCKED ON A FULL PURCHASE?

BECAUSE WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO BUYOUT THE COMPANY AND MAKE IT PRIVATE AND THE GUYS ARE TRYING TO BUY IT OUT FROM UNDER THEM OR CERTAIN PAPERS TON WHAT EXTENT THEY THINK IT'S WORTH KEEPING AND ONLY HAVING THE AMOUNT OF CONTROL THAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT.

VERSUS OWNING IT OUT RIGHT OR SELLING IT OUT RIGHT.

IT IS A VERY COMPLICATED SITUATION WHERE I WOULD IMAGINE EVERYBODY HAS HEADACHES OFTEN.

>> IT IS NOT CLEAR WHAT WOULD BE IN ALDEN'S BEST INTEREST TO STILL BUY THE TRIBUNE OUT RIGHT OR TO SELL IT OUT RIGHT.

DAVID JACKSON I WANT TO GET BACK TO WHAT CHARLES WHITAKER SAID ABOUT MODELS FOR-PROFITABILITY.

IS THERE A PATH TO PROFITABILITY FOR THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" ESPECIALLY IF YOU LOOK AT PAPERS LIKE THE "WASHINGTON POST" WHICH JEFF BAY SUPERSONIC BOUGHT AND IT IS PROFITABLE IS THAT A MODEL?

>> CHARLES WAS TRYING TO MAKE THE POINT ABOUT LOCAL AND REGIONAL FUNS.

AND I THINK -- NEWSPAPERS AND I THINK IT IS A POINT WELL MADE.

I RESPECTFULLY RESERVE JUDGMENT ABOUT HIS POINT.

I'M NOT IN THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THE NEWSPAPER.

I AM A LONGTIME INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER WHO HAS DONE THE JOURNALISM FROM THE TRENCHES.

I THINK THAT THERE MAY BE NEW MODELS EMERGING BOTH IN THE FOR-PROFIT AND THE NONPROFIT WORLD.

CLEARLY, NEWSPAPERS HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO GATHER A NEW AND ROBUST DIGITAL AUDIENCE WHETHER THEY ARE NATIONAL LIKE THE "WASHINGTON POST" AND "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" OR WHETHER THEY ARE REGIONAL LIKE THE MANY SISTER PAPERS OF TRIBUNE PUBLISHING.

AND I WANT TO STRESS TO YOUR AUDIENCE I'M NOT A BUSINESS PERSON BUT I DO THINK I WOULD RESERVE JUDGMENT AS TO WHETHER THE MODEL IS BROKEN OR CRIPPLED OR ABOUT TO BE REINVENTED.

I THINK WE ARE IN A STATE OF REAL FLUX WHERE THE FUTURE IS I WOULD SAY TO BE DETERMINED IN A WAY BY THE NEXT GENERATION OF JOURNALISTS.

>> AND ALREADY LOTS OF ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE ONE YOU ARE WORKING FOR AND ORGANIZATIONS LIKE BLOCK CLUB THAT ARE DOING DIFFERENT MODELS.

CHARLES WHITAKER WHAT ABOUT THAT "WASHINGTON POST" COMPARISON IS THAT BECAUSE IT IS A NATIONAL PAPER?

THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" HAS BEEN A REGIONAL PAPER NOT JUST IMPORTANT TO CHICAGO BUT THE MIDWEST?

>> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN COMPARE THE "WASHINGTON POST" AND "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" TO THE REGIONAL PAPERS.

YOU HAVE HAD PAPERS PONY UP AND PAY TO RECEIVE THAT NEWS.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT MODEL WORK AS WELL ON A LOCAL LEVEL.

THE ONE THING WE HAVE NOT DONE IS MADE THE CASE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THEY SHOULD PAY FOR NEWS THE NEWS IS IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE SUPPORTED.

WAYS THAT LIKE WTTW OR WBEZ MAKES THE CASE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC THIS IS WORTHWHILE AND THAT YOU SHOULD PAY FOR T WE HAVE CONDITIONED THE PUBLIC TO BELIEVE THAT LOCAL NEWS IS LIKE AIR AND IT SHOULD BE FREE.

AND WE HAVE TO CHANGE THAT MINDSET IF WE ARE GOING TO CREATE SOMETHING SUSTAINABLE.

>> BECAUSE IN THE PAST NEWS ORGANIZATIONS RELIED ON ADVERTISING REVENUE WHICH DRIED UP.

GIVE US A SENSE OF HOW CUT TO THE BONE IT IS OVER THERE?

EVERYDAY, I HEAR OF ANOTHER GREAT REPORTER LEAVING?

>> WE HAVE LOST A LOT OF TREMENDOUS PEOPLE BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF TREMENDOUS PEOPLE THAT REMAIN.

IT'S STILL AN OUTSTANDING NEWSPAPER.

IT'S JUST -- IT'S STILL AN OUTSTANDING NEWSPAPER BUT WE HAVE LOST A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE GREAT JOURNALISTS THAT WE MISS VERY MUCH AND MY CONCERN IS IN STOPPING THE CUTS BEFORE THEY BECOME TOO MUCH WHICH IS NOT TO SAY THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS OR MINIMIZE THE LOSSES.

DAVID IS ONE OF THE GREATS WE LOST A GREAT YOUNG TALENT IN JESSICA GOMEZ.

BUT THERE IS A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE AND A LOT OF REASON TO STICK WITH US AND THE PLACE CAN BE SAVED AND IS WORTH SAVE SNOOK ALL RIGHT.

WE WILL CONTINUE THIS DISCUSSION.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

CHANGE TO GREGORY PRATT, AND DAVID JACKSON AND CHARLES WHITAKER.

>> MORE ABOUT A UNIQUE LOCAL STYLE OF FISHING CALLED POWER LINING.

AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING DETAILS ABOUT A STATE LAWMAKER INVOLVED IN THE COVID VACCINE SCANDAL AT LORETTO HOSPITAL.

FIRST, THIS TIME OF YEAR AT MONTROSE HARBOR YOU WILL SEE PEOPLE LINING THE LAKEFRONT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.

BUT THEY ARE NOT PUTTING OUT FLAMES.

THEY ARE FISHING.

POWER LINE SOMETHING A UNIQUE FISHING STYLE WITH LOCAL ROOTS.

EVAN GARCIA HIT THE HARBOR TO CATCH THIS STORY.

>> I STARTED IN ABOUT 2010, ABOUT 10 YEARS.

I'VE SEEN PEOPLE DOING IT BEFORE.

BUT I NEVER GOT INTO IT.

AND COWORKERS OF MINE WERE DOING IT AND I THOUGHT IT'S FUN SO I GIVE IT A TRY.

>> FLORIN DELEANU, A ROMANIAN IMMIGRANT WHO MOVED TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT" 22 YEARS IS POWER LINE FISHING ON MONTROSE HARBOR.

WHAT IS POWER LINE FISHING?

>> WE START WITH A WEIGHT ABOUT EIGHT TO 10 OUNCES.

THAT WE LAUNCH ABOUT 2-300 YARDS AND IT IS ATTACHED TO A RUBBER BAND THAT EXTENDS AND THIS IS WHAT TAKES THE POWER LINE AND THE BAIT OUT.

THERE WE AIM... >> A BURST OF CARBON DIOXIDE FROM A REPURPOSED FIRE EXTINGUISHER SENDS ONE LINE WITH 25 HOOKS INTO THE AIR AND THE WATER.

THAT ALLOWS THOSE WHO POWER LINE TO SEND LOTS OF BAIT FAR OUT FOR SALMON NEAR THE HARBOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>> YOU CAN BUY SALMON IN THE STORE EVEN IF IT SAYS WILD CAUGHT IT'S STILL THAT AT LEAST ONE WEEK OLD.

>> ON THIS MARCH MORNING, FLORIN DELEANU SAID THE CONDITIONS WERE GETTING BETTER BUT NOT IDEAL YET.

AFTER THE ICE IS GONE IT TAKES TWO, THREE WEEKS AND WE NEED WARM TEMPERATURE TO BRING THE FISH IN.

AND USUALLY THE GOOD INDICATION IS WHEN YOU SEE THE BIRDS HERE, THAT MEANS IT'S BAIT FISH THERE'S MORE FISH AND THE BIRDS ARE FEEDING ON THAT.

SO YOU KNOW, THE BIRDS UP THERE, THY THEY DIVE IT MEANS THE FISH WILL BE THERE, TOO.

>> NO BIRDS TODAY?

>> NO.

>> A TANGLED LINE REVEALS A SURPRISE FOR FLORIN DELEANU.

>> THAT IS WHY MY LINES GOT TANGLED.

SEE, THAT IS A SALMON.

>> HERE ON MONTROSE HARBOR THE GO TO RESOURCE FOR POWER LINE FISHERS IS THE PARK BAIT SHOP.

>> MORE PEOPLE WOULD DO IT IF THEY WERE NOT INTIM DATED.

IF LOOKS HARDER.

>> STACEY GREENE SELLS POWER LINE EQUIPMENT EVERYTHING BUT THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

IT BECAME POPULAR AFTER SALMON WERE STOCKED IN LAKE MICHIGAN 50 YEARS AGO.

>> THE SALMON WERE INTRODUCED SOMETIME IN THE 70s.

THE GUYS STARTED POWER LINING IN THE SPRING SOMEBODY CAME UP WITH A CO2 TANK THAT THEY STARTED SHOOTING THE WEIGHTS OUT.

>> AND WHILE THE HARBOR WAS PACKED WITH POWER LINERS ON THIS DAY, NOT EVERYONE IS A FAN OF THE FISHING STYLE.

>> YOU WILL GET GUYS AGAINST HAVING THAT MANY HOOKS AND AGAINST POWER LINE FISHING BECAUSE A LOT OF GUYS SAY THAT IS NOT REAL FISHING.

>> COME UP WITH MY OWN DESIGN A LOT OF STUFF THAT MY CREATION.

>> FOR FLORIN DELEANU WHO WORKS AS AN ENGINEER AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL POWER LINING GIVES HOME RUN A CHANCE TO GET CREATIVE WITH A HOMEMADE BAIT REFRIGERATION SYSTEM AND BUZZER.

>> IF THE FISH BITE HARD.

>> FOR ALL HIS EFFORTS HE DOESN'T HAVE AN APPETITE FOR FISH.

>> BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I DON'T EAT FISH.

MY FAMILY DOES.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M EVAN GARCIA.

>> POWER LINE FISH SOMETHING TECHNICALLY ALLOWED YEAR-ROUND NIL I WILL BUT FISHING FOR SALMON FROM THE HARBOR IS MOST POPULAR RIGHT NOW IN EARLY SPRING BEFORE LAKE MICHIGAN WARMS UP.

SHE SAYS THE SUMMER IS THE PERFECT TIME TO POWER LINE FOR PERCH WHICH SHE PLANS TO DO IN A FEW MONTHS.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FOR BOEING AS 100 OF THE 737 MAX JETS ARE SOLD.

WHO THE BUYER IS PLUS OTHER HEADLINES FROM CRAIN'S.

>> TWO BILLS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY COULD EXPAND ILLINOIS' EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

>> AND THE SOUTHEAST SIDE HAS BEEN A HUB FOR MANUFACTURING AND HOTSPOT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ABUSE.

CAN INDUSTRY CO-COMMUNIST WITH HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS?

AND MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

THE JURY TRIAL OF THE FORMER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER CHARGEDDED IN THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD BEGAN TODAY.

DEREK CHAUVIN PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO CHARGES OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER OF FLOYD AFTER KNEELING ON HIS NECK FOR MORE THAN NINE MINUTES AND CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MANSLAUGHTER AND THIRD DEGREE MURDER.

>> THERE IS A MASS VACCINATION SITE COMING TO GARY, INDIANA.

THE NEW SITE WILL ADMINISTER 2,000 VACCINATIONS A DAY AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER AT THE ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL IN GARY.

AN ADDITIONAL 1,000 DOSES WILL BE ALLOCATED TO MOBILE UNITS THAT WILL HOST CLINICS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT NORTHWEST INDIANA.

THE SITE WILL BE OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK STARTING APRIL 7, AND OPEN FOR EIGHT WEEKS AFTER THAT.

>> AN INFLUENTIAL STATE LEGISLATOR IS TIED TO LORETTO'S HOSPITAL FALLOUT.

BOEING RECEIVING A ORDER FOR SOUTHWEST AIRLINES.

AND ALL STATE MAKES THE EXIT FROM THE LIFE INSURANCE BUSINESS.

HERE IS CRAIN'S ANN.

WE'LL START WITH THE STORY THAT JUST WON'T GO AWAY.

ACCORDING TO CRAIN'S, LORETTO HOSPITAL STAFF MEMBERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO VACCINATE 80 PEOPLE ON A STATE REPRESENTATIVE'S LIST.

WHO IS THE LAWMAKER?

>> HER NAME IS CAMILLE LILLY, PARIS.

AND IN ADDITION TO SERVING IN THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SHE ALSO SERVES AS THE CHIEF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER FOR LORETTO HOSPITAL.

AND CRAIN'S HAS OBTAINED A LIST OF 85 NAMES THAT SOURCES SAY WERE SENT TO THE HOSPITAL BY REPRESENTATIVE LILLY.

AND THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE ON THAT LIST GOT VACCINATED AT LORETTO DESPITE NOT HAVING MADE APPOINTMENTS ON-LINE OR BY PHONE.

NOW, THIS NEWS RAISES FRESH QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FAIRNESS OF VACCINE DISTRIBUTION IN CHICAGO AND IT ALSO DOES ADD ANOTHER TWIST TO AN ONGOING DRAMA THAT HAS SURROUNDED LORETTO FOR A COUPLE WEEKS NOW, INCLUDING REVELATIONS THAT ASSOCIATES OF HOSPITAL INSIDERS AT PLACES LIKE TRUMP TOWER AND A LUXURY JEWELRY STORE MAY HAVE GOTTEN VACCINES VIA LORETTO WHICH IS A COMMUNITY-BASED HOSPITAL WHOSE MISSION IS TO SERVE THE WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO.

>> AND IT RAISES THE QUESTION ABOUT LAWMAKERS WHO BOTH WORK AT THE HOSPITAL AND THEN TOO WHO SERVED ON THE BOARD AND ONE WHO RESIGNED.

LaSHAWN FORD.

LET'S MOVE ON TO SOUTHWEST AIRLINES ORDERING 100, 737 MAX PLANES FROM BOEING.

ANN, YOU KNOW, BOEING HAS BEEN STRUGGLING ESPECIALLY WITH THIS PLANE WHAT DOES THIS DEAL MEAN FOR BOEING?

AND IS IT SAFE TO FLY ON THE 737 MAX AGAIN?

>> WELL, REGULATORS SAY IT'S SAFE AND IT DEPENDS HOW MUCH FAITH YOU HAVE WITH WHAT THE REGULATORS HAVE TO SAY.

SOUTHWEST IS BOEING'S BIGGEST CUSTOMER AND THIS BUY AFTER 100 JETS CERTAINLY IS A SIGN OF THEIR FAITH THAT THE 737 MAX IS SAFE TO FLY.

AND THIS IS A REAL LIFT FOR BOEING WHICH HAS BEEN TRYING HARD TO GET THE AVIATION INDUSTRY TO EMBRACE THIS MODEL DESPITE THE EARLIER PROBLEMS WITH AN EARLIER VERSION INVOLVED IN TWO FATAL CRASHES.

THE DEAL DOES STRENGTHEN BOEING'S FIRST QUARTER SALES AND IT ALSO SEEMS TO PUT AN END TO A VERY PUBLIC FLIRTATION THAT SOUTHWEST WAS DOING WITH AIRBUS, WHICH IS BOEING'S ARCH RIVAL.

SOURCES TELL BLOOMBERG NEWS THAT SOUTHWEST DIDN'T DO THIS OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF THEIR HEARTS.

THEY GOT A GOOD BARGAIN PRICE ON THE PLANES.

>> WE'LL SEE IF FOLKS FEEL GOOD ABOUT FLYING THOSE 737 MAX'S IF THEY KNOW WHAT PLANE THEY ARE FLYING.

AND THE THIRD STORY ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPANIES NORTHBROOK BASED INSURANCE GIANT ALL STATE IS EXITING THE LIFE INSURANCE BUSINESS.

WHY IS THAT?

>> THEY HAVE ANNOUNCED A DEAL TO SELL MAINLY BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SIMPLIFY THEIR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO AND FOCUS ON THE LUCRATIVE AUTO AND LIFE INSURANCE LINES.

SO THE DEAL ANNOUNCED FOR A SLIM PORTION OF THE LIFE INSURANCE BUSINESS DOES PUT A CAP ON ALL STATE'S LONGSTANDING INVOLVEMENT IN THE LIFE INSURANCE BUSINESS.

BACK IN JANUARY, BLACKSTONE GROUP STEPPED UP AND OFFERED $2.8 BILLION FOR A CHUNK OF THAT LIFE INSURANCE BUSINESS.

TODAY CAME THE NEWS THAT A CONNECTICUT BASED INSURANCE GIANT WILTON REED OFFERED TO BUY THE REMAINDER OF THAT BUSINESS.

SO THAT DOES, INDEED, PUT AN END TO THE LIFE INSURANCE BUSINESS FOR ALL STATE.

AND IT ALSO FREES UP NEARLY $2 BILLION IN CAPITAL THAT ALL STATE CAN NOW SPEND ON EITHER SHAREHOLDER BUYBACKS OR ACQUISITIONS.

THIS IS NOT AN ALTOGETHER BAD TURN OF EVENTS FOR ALL STATE AT ALL.

>> ANN, GREAT STUFF THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

>> MORE TAX RELIEF COULD BE ON THE HORIZON FOR LOWER INCOME ILLINOISANS.

TWO BILLS WOULD EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

THE PROPOSALS CALL FOR MORE ILLINOISANS COULD BE INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM AND THEY APPEAR TO HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

TONIGHT AS PART OF OUR FIRSTHAND LIVING IN POVERTY SERIES, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE CREDIT AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSALS ARE HARISH PATEL, DIRECTOR OF THE GROUP ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR ILLINOIS, THAT IS AN ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION LEADING A COALITION OF OVER 30 GROUPS STATE-WIDE IN SUPPORT OF THIS MEASURE.

AND LISA CHRISTENSEN GEE DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL INSTITUTES OF ECONOMIC AND POLICY.

WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

REMIND US WHAT THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT IS IN ILLINOIS AND WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO BENEFIT RIGHT NOW?

>> THE EARNED INCOME TAX IS A CREDIT TAX CREDIT TO OFFSET YOUR ILLINOIS PERSONAL INCOME TAXES OR PROVIDE YOU CASH FOR LOW INMODERATE INCOME FAMILIES THAT HAVE INCOME FROM EARNINGS FROM WORK.

SO HOUSEHOLDS THAT HAVE UNDER $60,000 MAK MAY QUALIFY.

AND ILLINOIS HAS HAD THE CREDIT FOR 21 YEARS AND HAS TAKEN STEPS OVER THE LAST 21 YEARS TO STRENGTHEN IT AND MAKE IT A STRONGER ECONOMIC SECURITY PROGRAM.

>> AND IT'S TIED TO THE FEDERAL EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

HARISH PATEL HOW DOES MONEY SAVED OR REIMBURSED TAX CREDIT AFFECT LOW-INCOME FAMILIES?

>> SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM AND THE STATE HAS A MATCHING PROGRAM.

AND MOST OF WHAT FAMILIES DO WITH THAT MONEY IS EITHER PAY OFF THEIR DEBT, THEIR SPENDING IT IN THE COMMUNITY THEY ARE BUYING THINGS AND BECAUSE IT TARGETS MOSTLY LOW INCOME FOLKS, THERE IS INVESTING RIGHT BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY AND PAYING TAXES ON IT.

WE KNOW FROM DATA THAT MOST OF THEM ARE CREATING A MULTIPLIER EFFECT FOR EVERY DOLLAR WE SPEND THEY ARE SPEND TO GO AROUND 1.50 OR $2.

AND THAT IS WHAT ULTIMATELY MAKES EARNED INCOME CREDIT A REALLY EFFECTIVE ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAM.

>> THERE IS A STIMULATIVE IMPACT.

LISA WE MENTIONED THE PROPOSAL TO EXPAND THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT UNDER THE PROPOSALS WHO NOW WOULD BE ELIGIBLE.

>> UNDER THE HOUSE BILLS UNDER CONSIDERATION IF YOU ARE AN 18-24-YEAR-OLD OR OVER THE AGE OF 65 AND YOU DON'T HAVE A CHILD YOU WOULD BECOME ELIGIBLE FORET CREDIT.

AND THERE IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE QUALIFYING INCOMES RIGHT NOW BUT BECAUSE THEY FILE THEIR TAXES AND PAY TAXES WHAT IS CALLED AN ITN NUMBER, THEY DON'T QUALIFY UNDER FEDERAL ELIGIBILITY RULES BUT THE BILLS WOULD ALLOW THEM TO BECOME ELIGIBLE.

>> IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES AS I UNDERSTAND.

AND CAREGIVERS WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE EXPANSION.

WE TALK WITH A MOTHER UNOF TWO KIDS UNDER SIX YEARS OLD WHAT THE CREDIT COULD MEAN FOR HER AND HER FAMILY.

>> THE EXPANSION CAN BE TREMENDOUSLY HELPFUL IN MANY WAYS.

I CAN LOWER DEBT.

I CAN ALSO SAVE SOME MONEY FOR RAINY DAYS.

GET MY CAR FIXED.

BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE NO ONE THAT CAN HELP ME.

I DON'T HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT CAN HELP ME AND MY FAMILY.

THIS LITTLE BIT OF MONEY CAN HELP A LOT OF FAMILIES IN MANY, MANY WAYS.

TO THEM IT'S LITTLE BUT TO US IT'S SOMETHING BIG.

>> WHAT EFFECT COULD THIS EXPANSION HAVE ON LOW-INCOME FAMILIES?

>> SHE IS RIGHT.

THIS EXPANSION LIKE SHE SHARED WILL IMPACT A LOT OF NEIGHBORS.

WHEN WE DID OUR ANALYSIS IT'S 1.27 MILLION MORE ILLINOISANS WOULD QUALIFY.

AND SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS IF YOU ARE A CAREGIVER AT HOME AND CURRENTLY YOU HAVE TO GIVE UP WORK OR REDUCE YOUR HOURS AND THEREFORE POSSIBLY NOT QUALIFY FOR THE EARNED INCOME CREDIT THIS EXPANSION BILL WE'RE PROPOSING WILL MAKE YOU QUALIFY AND PUT UP TO 600 MINIMUM INTO YOUR POCKET AND WE KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOU.

SHE CAN PAY OFF DEBT.

BUY A CAR.

INVEST IN A HOME AND THOSE HAVE A MULTIPLIER EFFECT TO REBUILD THE ECONOMY.

>> AND WE SPOKE TO SOMEONE THAT WAS NOT CRAZY THE PRESIDENT OF THE TAXPAYERS UNITED OF AMERICA.

HE IS IN SUPPORT OF THE CREDIT IF ALL OTHER WELFARE PROGRAMS ARE ELIMINATED BUT HE IS OPPOSED.

>> ILLINOIS, WE SHOULDN'T BE INCREASING SPENDING ON THIS RIGHT NOW.

BECAUSE ILLINOIS IS BANKRUPT.

IT IS WASTED THE MONEY THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SPENDING.

THEY HAVE BEEN WASTING MONEY ON SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR THE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.

>> LISA, NO SECRET ILLINOIS HAS BUDGET TROUBLES.

HOW MUCH COULD THIS COST THE STATE OF ILLINOIS?

>> OVER A TWO-YEAR PHASE IN PERIOD, THIS WILL COST $130 MILLION.

THE CURRENT PROGRAM COSTS $400 MILLION A YEAR AND THAT $130 MILLION IS EQUAL TO LESS THAN A THIRD OF A SINGLE PERCENTAGE POINT OF THE ENTIRE 40.6 BILLION BUDGET THAT THE STATE HAS FOR THE CURRENT YEAR.

>> THERE COULD BE A SMALL COST TO THE BUDGET THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO MAKEUP FOR THAT.

HARISH PATEL WE TOUCHED HOW THIS COULD IMPACT IMMIGRANT FAMILIES.

CAN YOU EXPAND ON THAT A LITTLE BIT?

>> SURE.

I WANT TO RESPOND TO THE QUESTION YOU ASKED WHICH IS QUESTION, IT COSTS $130 MILLION OVER TWO YEARS BUT EVERY ZIP CODE IN THE STAID STATE OF ILLINOIS HAS SOMEBODY WHO GETS THE EARNED INCOME CREDIT.

IT HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT OUR BILL HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

FEDERALLY WHEN IT WAS ANNOUNCED IT HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT BECAUSE IT IS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO PUT MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF PEOPLE AND WHO ELSE WILL QUALIFY, INDIVIDUAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER FILERS WILL WHO CURRENTLY DO NOT QUALIFY AND HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN LEFT BEHIND ON THE FEDERAL STIMULUS AND HERE, WILL BE QUALIFYING UNDER OUR PROPOSAL.

THEY WORK.

THEY PAY TAXES.

MANY OF US KNOW THEM.

THOSE ARE THE FOLKS WHO WOULD START GETTING A SMALL CREDIT OF LET'S SAY UP TO $1200 A YEAR FROM OUR EXPANSION PLAN.

IN ADDITION WHEN WE DID ANALYSIS, WE KNOW THAT BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES WILL QUALIFY AT A MUCH HIGHER RATE BECAUSE UNFORTUNATELY, MANY OF THEM HAVE JOBS THAT ARE LOW PAYING IN OUR STATE.

AND SO BECAUSE THIS IS A FOCUS ON LOW PAYING OR LOW EARNING TAX BENEFIT THAT IS WHO BENEFITS THE MOST.

>> ALL RIGHT WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE AND OUR THANKS TO HARISH PATEL AND LISA CHRISTENSEN GEE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, CAN HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS AND INDUSTRY COEXIST ON THE CITY'S SOUTHEAST SIDE?

THAT IS A CONVERSATION FROM SATURDAY'S "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES" WITH GUEST HOST MICHAEL PUENTE A REPORTER WITH WBEZ.

FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER...

THROUGHOUT MUCH OF CHICAGO'S HISTORY THE SKYLINE OF THE SOUTHEAST SIDE HAS BEEN SMOKESTACKS AND RESIDENTS WORKED AT THE MANUFACTURERS UNDER THEM.

OVER THE YEARS ALL THAT INDUSTRY HAS TAKEN A TOLL.

HARMING BOTH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE HEALTH OF RESIDENTS.

IN RECENT MONTHS, THE TENSION BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY HAS ESCALATED AS PROTESTS ERUPT AGAINST METAL SCRAPPER GENERAL IRON'S PROPOSED RELOCATION TO THE SOUTHEAST SIDE.

ACTIVISTS SAY THE AREA IS OVERBURDENED WITH INDUSTRY SOME RESIDENTS SAY THEY NEED THE JOBS MORE THAN EVER.

JOINING US ARE ERICA SWINNEY STALEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CHICAGO BASED ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NONPROFIT MANUFACTURING RENAISSANCE.

AND GINA RAMIREZ, ACTIVIST AND WITH OUTREACH MANAGER FOR THE NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL.

GINA, LET'S START WITH YOU.

THIS WEEK, THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A MEASURE TIGHTENING RULES ON INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS AND RECYCLING CENTERS IN AN ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS AIR POLLUTION IN COMMUNITIES LIKE THE SOUTHEAST SIDE.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT LEGISLATION?

>> THE LEGISLATION DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH.

WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO WORK ON THIS LEGISLATION WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR A FEW MONTHS.

AND A LOT OF WATERED DOWN VERSIONS ENDED UP GETTING PASSED.

AND SO THERE NEEDED TO BE COMMUNITY INPUT AND THIS PROCESS WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE ALWAYS URGING.

AND IT IS NOTABLE TO NOTE THAT 12 ALDERMEN AND ALL OF THE BIG GREENS WITHIN THE CHICAGO AREA WERE AGAINST THIS ORDINANCE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT THINK IT WAS STRONG ENOUGH.

>> ERIKA DO YOU BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN A MANUFACTURING PRESENCE IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO?

>> YES.

IN SHORT.

THERE IS A CRISIS LEVEL UNEMPLOYMENT, ESPECIALLY IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY IN YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT POPULATIONS.

CURRENTLY THERE ARE 58,000 JOBS MANUFACTURING JOBS GOING UNFILLED.

OVERALL, THESE ARE HIGH QUALITY, GOOD PAYING JOBS.

THEY OFFER DIVERSE CAREER PATHWAYS EVERYTHING FROM PRODUCTION, MACHINING BUT ALSO GOING INTO STEM CAREERS LIKE ENGINEERING AND ROBOTICS ANDITY UP TO IT AND BUSINESS OWNERSHIP.

THIS IS A STRATEGIC SECTOR AND IT WILL BE A STRATEGIC SECTOR AS PART OF ADVANCING A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ESPECIALLY IN CONTEXT OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE.

MANUFACTURING JOBS WILL BE PART OF OUR ECONOMY FOR A LONGTIME AND WE NEED TO GET MORE OF OUR COMMUNITY FOLKS IN THESE GOOD JOBS.

>> LET ME ASK YOU AS A FOLLOW-UP.

DO YOU THINK MANUFACTURERS WHO ARE PLANNING TO RELOCATE TO THE SOUTHEAST SIDE, AND SAY THE WEST SIDE, DO THEY NEED TO DO MORE TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE RESIDENTS THERE FROM POLLUTION?

>> I THINK THIS IS A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM THAN ANY INDIVIDUAL COMPANY OR EVEN ANY INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY CAN SOLVE INDEPENDENTLY.

THIS KIND OF DEVELOPMENT IS HAPPENING IN CONTEXT OF ENVIRONMENT THAT IS HARMED.

THIS IS ANY NEW DEVELOPMENT THAT IS HAPPENING IS IN CONTEXT OF DECADES OF CONCENTRATED ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ESPECIALLY IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AS A RESULT OF INSTITUTIONALIZED RACISM AND ZONING AND POLICIES OF THAT GUIDE WHERE THE COMPANIES CAN GO.

SO THESE ARE NOT PRISTINE ENVIRONMENTS TO BEGIN WITH.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES AND WE ADVOCATE FOR INDUSTRIAL POLICY THAT IT'S TIME TO PUT A LOT MORE PLANNING AND STRATEGIC PLANNING HOW WE AND WHERE WE LOCATE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.

WE NEED IT WE NEED THE JOBS WE NEED THE JOB, CLEAN JOBS BUT THEY NEED TO BE IN CONTEXT OF A MUCH MORE REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE AND NOT PITTING ONE COMMUNITY GROUP AGAINST ONE BUSINESS TO HASH IT OUT OFTENTIMES THE COMMUNITY GROUPS ARE THE ONES TO LOSE OUT.

>> GINA, SOME ACTIVISTS POINT TO THE NEARBY FACTORY IN PULLMAN AS GOOD ACTORS WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY ARE DOING RIGHT?

>> THE MESSAGE FACTORY IS A GREAT EXAMPLE.

IT BRINGS ECONOMIC VITALITY WITHOUT BEING A HAZARD TO THE COMMUNITY'S HEALTH.

AND WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS RIGHT NOW.

WE CAN USE TO CONTINUE TO BE ON THIS PATH OF ABUSING THE LAND, AIR AND WATER IN OUR COMMUNITY.

OR WE CAN BRING JOBS LIKE THE PULLMAN FACTORY THAT ARE RESTORATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE.

>> GINA THESE INDUSTRIES OFFER JOBS WITH LOW BARRIER TO ENTRY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THE ARGUMENT THAT THE COMMUNITIES NEED THESE JOBS NEARBY?

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, OUR HEALTH SHOULD BE A PRIORITY AND NOT A SUBSIDY TO DIRTY JOBS.

IT CLAIMS TO BE A STATE OF THE ARTICLE FACILITY BUT WITH THE BAR SET SO LOW IN ILLINOIS, IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING.

ESSENTIALLY ANYONE THAT APPLIES FOR A PERMIT IS GOING TO RECEIVE ONE BECAUSE OF THE WAY NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE THE SOUTHEAST SIDE ARE ZONED.

>> WELL, ERIKA, THE SOUTH SEFT SIDE HAS BEEN WHERE LARGE INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS WERE LOCATED AND SEEK TO LOCATE.

BUT SHOULD CHICAGO BE TRYING TO ATTRACT SMALLER MANUFACTURERS INSTEAD?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

ACTUALLY, CHICAGO HAS A REALLY UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY IT IS A COMMON AROUND THE UNITED STATES.

MOST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES ARE SMALLER FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES AND IN CHICAGO, JUST WITH THE RESEARCH RECENT RESEARCH WE FOUND THAT 2,000 OUT OF 6,000 MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA ARE IN RISK OF CLOSING ONLY BECAUSE OF LACK OF A SUCCESSOR.

THESE ARE COMPANIES ALREADY IN OUR COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE HIRE OUR NEIGHBORS THAT IT'S OUR NEIGHBORS WHO COULD BE NEXT IN LINE TO OWN THESE COMPANIES.

JOBS THAT EXIST AND WE THINK WE SHOULD BE WORKING MUCH MORE PRO-ACTIVELY TO KEEP THE SMALLER MANUFACTURERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

BUT, YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

SMALLER COMPANIES TEND TO BE ON THE WHOLE LOCALLY OWNED THEY TEND TO BE MUCH MORE HAVE AN IDENTITY WITH THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY AND TEND TO BE MUCH MORE RESPONSIVE AND INTERESTED IN LEARNING AND ADAPTING TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.

SO I DEFINITELY THAT IS WHO WE HAVE WORKED WITH OVER THE YEARS AND THEY ARE A CRITICAL PART OF THE SECTOR THAT NEEDS SUPPORT.

>> GINA A SHORT SECOND, I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH THE LAST QUESTION.

THE ILLINOIS PORT DISTRICT IS ON THE EASTSIDE AND LOOKING TO EXPAND.

AND PLANS SAYS TO BALANCE THE COMMUNITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT NEEDS WITH THE INDUSTRY GIVEN THE CURRENT AND HISTORIC PRESENCE IN THE AREA, DO YOU TRUST THEM TO DO WHAT THEY SAY THEY ARE GOING TO DO?

>> YOU KNOW, JUST FROM MY PAST EXPERIENCE, WITH ALL OF THE CONCENTRATION OF INDUSTRY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, I WANT TO GIVE THEM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT AND WE JUST REALLY NEED TO GET RID OF THE TOXIC LEGACY THAT EXISTS ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE.

LET'S GET TO WORK.

>> OUR THANKS TO ERICA SWINNEY STALEY AND GINA RAMIREZ FOR JOINING US.

>> BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> OUR THANKS TO MICHAEL PUENTE OF WBEZ AND THAT OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. AND TONIGHT JOIN OUR LATINO VOICES COMMUNITY CONVERSATION.

WBEZ REPORTER WILL BE JOINED BY LATINA LEADERS IN CHICAGO.

IT WILL SHINE THE LIGHT ON LATINAS AND THE ADVERSITY THEY FACE AND THE ROLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

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 WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

[♪♪♪]