>>> [ MUSIC ] HELLO EVERYONE AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ AND WE HOPE YOU ARE SAFE ON THIS STORMY EVENING.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN IS ON ASSIGNMENT.

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S INDICTMENT WITH OPPOSING VIEWS FROM THE DELEGATION.

>> IS IN VIOLATION OF OUR BYLAWS.

>> SOME CTU NUMBERS MEMBERS TAKE ACTION BECAUSE OF BIG SPENDING.

IT COULD BE THAT CLOSE TO ELECTION AS POSSIBLE, BRANDON JOHNSON MAKING HIS CASE IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THE CAMPAIGN.

CHICAGOANS ARE COMING TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE TRANSGENDER DAY.

>> WE MADE THE DECISION.

>> AND AIRPORT BULLDOZED UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS THE 20th ANNIVERSARY OF THE DESTRUCTION OF REDFIELD.

WE DO WANT TO UPDATE YOU ON THE WEATHER SITUATION THIS EVENING.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUED SEVERAL SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WATCHES AND WARNING THROUGHOUT THE EVENING.

MANY OF THOSE HAVE JUST NOW EXPIRED INCLUDING TORNADO WARNING IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHERN COOK COUNTY.

RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN WARNED OF HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS, HAILSTONES AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 90 MILES PER HOUR IN SOME REGIONS.

SWEPT THROUGH PARTS OF ARKANSAS WITH AT LEAST ONE PERSON REPORTED DEAD IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK AND DOZENS INJURED.

MORE NEWS TODAY AMID A HIGHLY CONTESTED MAYORAL ELECTION FRICTION IS GROWING WITHIN THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION.

A GROUP OF TEACHERS HAS FILED LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE UNION ALLEGING UNION LEADERS ARE WRONGLY SPENDING DUES MONEY ON POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING BRANDON JOHNSON FOR MAYOR.

THEY SAY THIS IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS BUT THEIR CONTENTION THAT THEIR OWN UNION HAS DECEIVED THEM.

>> THIS IS NOT THE WAY OUR UNION DOES BUSINESS.

>> MARY ESPOSITO IS A HANDFUL -- IS ONE OF HANDFUL OF TEACHERS AT ODDS WITH THE POLITICAL ACTIVITY.

THE UNION HEALTH OF DELICATES VOTED TO DIVERT UP TO $2 MILLION TO POLITICAL COMMITTEES SUPPORTING BRANDON JOHNSON FOR MAYOR.

SHE SAYS THAT IS A VIOLATION OF THE UNIONS BYLAWS WHICH STATE THAT POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE VOLUNTARY AND DO NOT COME OUT OF DUES.

SHE AND OTHERS REPRESENTING THE MEMBERS FIRST CAUCUS HAVE FILED AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES CHARGE WITH THE STATE EDUCATION LABOR RELATIONS BOARD.

AND THEY WANT AN IMMEDIATE HALT TO THE PAYMENTS.

>> WE ARE ASKED THAT PACKED MONEY BE DONE VOLUNTARILY AND ARE DUES MONEY SHOULD GO TOWARDS MEMBERS.

>> IS AN ESCALATION OF INTERNAL FEUD WITHIN CTU WHICH IS SPENDING BIG TO ELECT ONE OF THEIR OWN AS MAYOR.

LAST MONTH WE SPOKE WITH MEMBERS WHO SAID THEY WERE UPSET THAT THE UNION ALREADY LENT MONEY TO POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS WITHOUT GETTING APPROVAL FROM MEMBERS.

>> REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, CONSERVATIVES, PROGRESSIVES, LIBERTARIANS, EVERY ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HEARD AND THEY AREN'T.

>> A SPOKESMAN FOR CTU RESPONDED SAYING WITH SO MUCH AT STAKE FOR OUR STUDENTS THEIR CLASSROOMS AND CHICAGO'S EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT SUCH A FLIVVER IS FRIVOLOUS MATTER -- ESPOSITO SAYS THE UNION THROUGH ITS VAST POLITICAL SPENDING IS DRAINING MONEY FOR STANDARD UNION ACTIVITIES.

>> HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR MONEY IS KEPT SEPARATE AND THAT THE MONEY THAT IS MEANT FOR MEMBERS GOES TOWARDS MEMBERS.

>> AND I SPOKE THIS EVENING WITH USC LABOR EXPERT ROBERT BRUNO SAID THE NUMBERS HAVE STALL BUT IT ALSO SAYS HE BELIEVES UNION LEADERSHIP IS ON -- LEGAL GROUNDS BECAUSE THEIR HOUSE OF DELEGATES VOTED ON THE MONEY ON BEHALF OF ALL MEMBERS.

THE MAN CONVICTED OF FILLING -- KILLING 15-YEAR-OLD HADIYA PENDLETON HAS BEEN GRANTED A NEW TRIAL.

THEY SAY THE DETECTIVES WHO INTERROGATED HIM VIOLATED HIS RIGHTS TO REMAIN SILENT.

HADIYA PENDLETON WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN 2013 ONE WEEK AFTER SHE PERFORMED AT THE SECOND INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.

STATES ATTORNEY KIM FOX SAYS SHE IS REVIEWING THE MATTER TO DETERMINE NEXT LEGAL STEPS.

INFLATION IS SLIGHTLY EASY , IT SHOWS THAT CONSUMER PRICES ROSE .4% FROM JANUARY TO FEBRUARY.

WILL BE IN A FAVORABLE DIRECTION AS COMPARED WITH .6% INCREASE FROM DECEMBER TO JANUARY.

UP NEXT REACTION TO FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S INDICTMENT RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDER AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE GYM AND CAME 80 FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> BIPARTISANSHIP IS RARE IN WASHINGTON THIS -- MORE SPECIFICALLY THEY ARE PROPOSING BIG-TIME CIVIL PENALTIES FOR ANYONE THAT MIS-HANDLES DOCUMENTS.

SOME HIGH PROFILE INVESTIGATIONS INCLUDE ONE AGAINST DONALD TRUMP AND CURRENT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

JOINING US IS CONGRESSMAN MIKE QUIGLEY A DEMOCRAT FROM CHICAGO'S NORTH SIDE AND A REPUBLICAN WHO HAS -- WE THINK YOU BOTH FOR BEING WITH US ON THIS STORMY ILLINOIS EVENING.

CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY I HAVE TO ASK ABOUT THE NEWS OF THE DAY AND THAT IS THE INDICTMENT OF DONALD TRUMP FOR HIS ALLEGED ROLE IN A HUSH MONEY SCHEME INVOLVING ADULT FILM STAR STORMY DANIELS.

GIVEN ALL THESE INVESTIGATIONS DO YOU AGREE WITH THE MANHATTAN D.A.

BRINGING THESE CHARGES?

>> AT THE GRAND JURY THAT MAKES THOSE DECISIONS.

I WAS A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY FOR A LONG TIME.

I LET THEM DO THEIR OWN LEGAL PROCESS.

I CAN'T SPOIL THIS COOL BIO MOMENT.

>> THIS BIPARTISANSHIP , I HAVE TO ASK YOU CONGRESSMAN LEVEILLE YOUR REACTION TO THESE CHARGES.

?

>> FIRST OF ALL I THINK IT'S UNREASONABLE WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE INDICTMENT AND WE WILL NOT BE UNTIL NEXT TUESDAY BUT I HAVE REAL CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM -- WHEN YOU INDICT SOMEONE AND IT'S POLITICALLY MOTIVATED AND A COUPLE THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND PARIS.

THE FORMER D.A.

FIGHT CYRUS VANCE REVIEWED THIS CASE AND DECIDED NOT TO PROSECUTE.

THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN NEW YORK LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE AND DECIDED NOT TO.

YOU HAVE THIS PROSECUTOR THAT COMES IN , GEORGE SOROS GIVES HIM $1 MILLION AND HE DECIDES TO PROSECUTE.

>> THAT'S MISINFORMATION.

THAT IS INDIRECTLY TO AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS SUPPORTED THEM.

>> ABUT GEORGE SOROS TODAY DIDN'T DENY HE GAVE $1 MILLION TO THIS FUND.

THE LAST POINT THAT I WOULD MAKE IS I THINK IF THIS WAS SOMEBODY NAMED JOHN SMITH I'M NOT SURE THEY WOULD BE PROSECUTING THEM SEVEN YEARS LATER ON A CHARGE THAT'S NEVER BEEN PROSECUTED IN THE D.A.S OFFICE BEFORE.

>> ALL RIGHT LET'S MOVE ON TO THE BIPARTISANSHIP.

YOU BOTH HAVE INTRODUCED THE LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THE MISHANDLING OF CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS.

A LOT AT STAKE OBVIOUSLY.

TELL US WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO SPECIFICALLY.

>> CURRENTLY THE PROSECUTORS AND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

THEY ONLY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESS CRIMINAL CHARGES.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN HERE IS THAT IS PRETTY HIGH BAR.

IF THERE IS A LACK IN INTENT OR -- INTENT THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

WHAT WE DECIDED AS MEMBERS AND FOR MEMBERS OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE IS THERE HAS TO BE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY SO IT MAKES SENSE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL PENALTIES.

WHEN IT DOESN'T REACH THE LEVEL OF CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

>> WHAT WOULD BE CIVIL PENALTIES?

AND IS THERE A DIFFERENT STANDARD BASED ON INTENT SPECIFICALLY IF SOMEONE MEANT TO CAPE KEEP THE RECORDS VERSUS THEY FORGOT ?

>> I THINK WE REALIZED THERE WERE LOOPHOLES IN THE LAW AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT ADDRESSED CARELESSNESS, NEGLIGENCE, MAKING MISTAKES, SLOPPINESS.

WE DON'T KNOW THE END OF THE INVESTIGATION WHEN IT COMES TO PRESIDENT BIDEN OR PANTS OR TRUMP .

WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT BUT THERE CLEARLY IS DEFICIENCIES IN THE LAW AND WHAT MIKE AND I DID IN A BIPARTISAN WAY IS CAME TOGETHER AND SAID WHAT CAN WE DO TO FIX THIS?

THE CIVIL PENALTIES ARE A PUNITIVE MEASURE THAT PROSECUTORS WILL HAVE AS ANOTHER TOOL OR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WHICH WOULD DO THE PROSECUTION AND THEY SAY MAYBE IT WAS UNINTENTIONAL BUT WE WILL FIND YOU WITH A CIVIL PENALTY UP TO $500,000 FOR EACH COUNT AND THEN SECONDLY IF IN FACT MOVING FORWARD PROACTIVELY IF YOU DON'T GO THROUGH THE PROPER CERTIFICATION PROCESS FOR CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS YOU COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE YOUR PENSION REDUCED AS A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL.

LOSE YOUR SECURITY CLEARANCES AND THESE ARE MEASURES PUT IN PLACE AGAIN TO DETER THIS TYPE OF ACTIVITY.

>> CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY, WE HAVE THE HIGH PROFILE INVESTIGATION OF THE MAR-A-LAGO DOCUMENTS WITH FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ISSUES WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN WHEN HE'S -- WHEN HIS VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE HAD CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS.

WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS BUBBLING UP NOW?

>> I THINK THEY ARE STARTING TO LOOK FOR THIS STUFF PROBABLY AND LET ME TELL YOU, THERE IS NO EXCUSE.

EVERYONE WHO HANDLES TOP-SECRET DOCUMENTS IS TOLD AND TRAINED OVER AND OVER AGAIN HOW TO HANDLE THESE DOCUMENTS AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.

NOT JUST NATIONAL SECURITY AT STAKE IS THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP IT SAFE AND IT'S THOSE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES WHO HELP US.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM OF COOPERATION THAT IS INVOLVED THAT IS SO IMPORTANT TO KEEP THIS COUNTRY SAFE.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE WHY IT'S HAPPENING NOW.

IT MAKES NO SENSE.

I THINK WE WILL TELL YOU I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT HAPPEN AND EIGHT YEARS AS A MEMBER OF A COMMITTEE.

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS TRAINED HARD ON THIS AND THE PROCESS IN WHICH WHICH WE SEE CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS IS VERY NARROW.

I'VE NEVER SEEN AN OOPS TAKE PLACE ALONG THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH SO FAR.

>> OBVIOUSLY IN EXECUTIVE BRANCH A FEW POTENTIAL OOPS.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CLASHES OF BIPARTISAN IN THIS CONGRESS.

DO YOU THINK THIS BILL WILL PASS ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS?

>> I DO.

WHEN MIKE AND I GOT TOGETHER AND TALKED ABOUT THIS WE WENT TO EACH OF OUR CONFERENCES AND TALKED TO OUR COLLEAGUES WHETHER IT'S ON THE JUDICIARY OR OVERSIGHT OR INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE AND BROADLY REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS SAID YES, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.

WE NEED TO FIX THE STATUTE AND MAKE SURE THIS ISN'T HAPPENING BECAUSE PARIS, IN THE END THIS JEOPARDIZES NATIONAL SECURITY.

THE LAST THING WE WANT TO HAVE IS OUR SOURCES AND METHODS OF OUR INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY EXPOSED.

FOR SOME REASON OUR NUCLEAR CODES EXPOSED.

HAVING A CIA CASE AGENT EXPOSED.

WE ARE THINKING ABOUT THE NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE U.S.

IT TOOK US ABOUT FOUR WEEKS TO PUT THIS TOGETHER BUT I THINK IT HAS BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

I KNOW MIKE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND GETTING A HEARING AND TESTIFYING.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE WILL SEE WHERE THAT GOES.

VERY QUICKLY CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY.

RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE, THE U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF SAID THAT HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS ARE SHOCKING THE ROOT -- SHOCKINGLY ROUTINE IN RUSSIA.

ARE WE IN A STALEMATE THAT WILL BE PERENNIAL FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS?

>> IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AN AGAIN ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS I KNOW THERE ARE THOSE BUT I THINK THEY ARE ON THE FRINGES.

WHAT I SEE ON THE DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN SIDE IS STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT BUT WHAT DID PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY SAY WHEN HE CAME HERE?

HELP US WIN QUICKLY.

IT'S HARD TO FIND -- SUPPORT FOR ANY CONFLICT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND HE SAID THE SAME THING WHEN I VISITED UKRAINE LAST SUMMER.

I THINK WE GIVE THEM THE WEAPONRY THEY NEEDED TO WIN THIS WAR AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> WE JUST HAD INTERVIEW WITH FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARY CHUCK HABER WHO SAID THIS YEAR IN THE COMING MONTHS ARE HIGHLY CRITICAL IN THIS CONFLICT.

ALL RIGHT, I HAVE TO LEAVE IT HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

BACK WITH MORE AFTER THIS.

>>> WITH ONE FINAL WEEKEND OF CAMPAIGNING AHEAD OF THEM THE RACE BETWEEN BRANDON JOHNSON AND PAUL VALLAS IS DOWN TO THE WIRE.

WE HAVE A LOOK AT THE FINAL DAYS OF WHAT IS SHAPING UP TO BE THE CLOSEST IN CHICAGO HISTORY.

FIRST OF ALL WE HAVE THIS INDICTMENT IN NEW YORK.

THE INDICTMENT OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP .

>> WE HEARD PAUL VALLAS COME OUT WITH THE STATEMENT HERALDING THE INDICTMENT AS A VICTORY FOR THE RULE OF LAW BUT REALLY BRANDON JOHNSON SOUGHT TO TURN IT TO HIS ADVANTAGE USING IT TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT BETSY -- ARMOR PRESIDENT TRUMP EDUCATION SECRETARY HAS A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE THAT SHE FOUNDED AND THAT WAS GIVEN $50,000 TO BOOST HIS CAMPAIGN AND OPPOSE JOHNSON.

>> THERE WAS COMMENTS -- SO THIS MAYORS CONFLICT HAS BEEN DEFINED BY CRIME AND VIOLENCE.

WHO IS THE CANDIDATE -- WHO HAS THE ADVANTAGE WITH THE VOTERS ON THIS ISSUE ?

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHAT PART OF THE CITY YOU ARE CAMPAIGNING IN AND WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO.

PEOPLE IN NORTHSIDE AND DOWNTOWN THEY WANT THE CARJACKINGS AND STREET ROBBERIES TO STOP AND IF YOU LIVE IN A PLACE LIKE INGLEWOOD OR AUSTIN YOU ARE MORE WORRIED ABOUT POLICE REFORM AND POLICE CONDUCT IN ADDITION TO VIOLENT CRIME SO THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT MEANS VERY DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND IT'S NOT CLEAR WHICH CANDIDATE IS GOING TO PREVAIL.

>> SOME OTHER ISSUES?

>> THE NEXT MAYOR IS GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE PROJECTED DEFICIT OF ALMOST $500 MILLION.

STILL NO AGREEMENT TO KEEP THE CITIES -- ON IN HOMES AND BUSINESSES.

HE ALSO MENTIONED THE FACT THAT THERE ARE STILL RISK REAL ISSUES WHETHER INVESTMENT IN THE SOUTH AND THE WEST SIDE ARE EQUITABLE AND HOW OF COURSE THE CITY IS REALLY GOING TO CONTINUE TO RECOVER FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

>> REALLY EVERYTHING ON THE TABLE.

EVERYTHING IS AN ISSUE RIGHT NOW.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY VOTED OR BY MAIL?

>> THE TREND THAT WE SAW IN THE FIRST ROUND OF VOTING IS CONTINUING AND MORE PEOPLE ARE VOTING BY MAIL.

20% MORE PEOPLE VOTED BY MAIL THAN THEY DID IN 2019.

THAT TREND APPEARS TO BE CONTINUING.

THE BIG QUESTION IS HOW MUCH MORE WILL VOTER TURNOUT RAISE , ABOUT 36% IN THE FIRST ROUND AND WHO DOES THAT BENEFIT?

>> THE OTHER QUESTION IS WHEN WILL WE KNOW?

SOME SAY WE WERE NOT GOING TO KNOW THE PRIMARY -- >> I THINK IT'S A CLOSER CALL SO BETWEEN ELECTION NIGHT AND WHEN ALL OF THE MAIL-IN VOTES ARE COUNTED -- IF THE FINISH IS CLOSE YOU WILL NOT SEE THE MEDIA MAKING A CALL SO THAT MEANS WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT WHEN ALL OF THOSE BALLOTS COME IN BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BE BOOKMARKED ON TUESDAY BUT THEY HAVE TWO WEEKS TO ARRIVE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS PEERS.

>> AND VISIT OUR VOTER GUIDE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE CANDIDATES AND CITY COUNCIL.

YOU CAN SEARCH BY NAME , RACE, OR AWARD AND FIND OUT WHERE THEY STAND.

YOU CAN GO TO WTTW.COM/VOTERGUIDE.

>>> ALL AROUND THE WORLD CAME TOGETHER FOR TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY A DAY TO CELEBRATE THE RESILIENCE OF TRANS-AND NON-BINARY PEOPLE.

AND DESPITE THE HEAVY RAINFALL IN CHICAGO AND OTHERS DOESN'T GATHER TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE ONGOING DISCRIMINATION COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE FACING.

WE HAVE MORE.

>> Reporter: OUT OF THE CLOSET AND INTO THE STREET.

>> OUT OF THE CLOSET AND INTO THE STREET!

>> THAT'S WHAT DOZENS OF PEOPLE CHANTED.

>> WE MUST TAKE ACTION!

>> Reporter: INTERNATIONAL TRANS-DAY OF VISIBILITY TAKES PLACE EACH YEAR ON MARCH 31st.

FOR 20-YEAR-OLD WINTER DARCY IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO STAND WITH HER COMMUNITY.

>> IT SEEMS NOW TRANS-PEOPLE NEED TO COME OUT AND LET EVERYONE KNOW WE ARE NORMAL.

>> MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: AT THE RALEIGH SPEAKERS RAISED THEIR VOICES ABOUT THE ONGOING BATTLE THOUSANDS OF TRANSGENDER PEOPLE CONTINUE TO FACE AROUND THE WORLD.

VOLUNTEER BETTY -- SAYS AS A QUUER WOMAN THIS WAS IMPORTANT FOR HER.

>> -- DRACONIAN MEASURES.

I'M THINKING OF PLACES LIKE MISSOURI, IOWA, THE STATE OF INDIANA PEOPLE LIVE THERE THAT ARE GOOD AND POLITICIANS WHO ARE MAKING THINGS MORE DIFFICULT.

>> ACCORDING TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN DONATIONS LARGEST LGBTQ+ RIGHTS ORGANIZATION MORE THAN 340 ANTI- LEGISLATIVE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED HERE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THIS INCLUDES 90 BILLS RESTRICTING MEDICAL CARE FOR TRANS-USE.

>> WHEN I FOUND OUT YOU WOULD COME OUT AS TRANS AND SAY I DON'T WANT TO BE CONSIDERED A WOMAN I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO LOOK AT ME WITH PREJUDICES JUST BECAUSE OF THE I WAS BORN WITH.

IT'S A RELIEF AND ONCE THAT OPENS UP IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE THAT UP AGAIN.

>> Reporter: ORGANIZER -- HARTWELL TRANSITIONED FROM FEMALE TO MALE, A JOURNEY HE HOPES INSPIRES OTHERS.

>> THERE WERE ORGANIZATIONS POPPING UP SPECIFICALLY TO ERASE US AND STOP US FROM EXPRESSING OURSELVES, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND IT'S INSPIRING BECAUSE IT MEANS TRANS-PEOPLE ARE MORE VISIBLE THAN EVER AND THIS IS A REACTION AND FEAR TO PEOPLE WHOSE EXISTENCE IS MAKING OTHER PEOPLE QUESTION THEIR ABILITY TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES.

>> A CALL FOR PEOPLE TO SHOW UP FOR LOVE AND REJECT HATE IS WHAT HARTWELL SAYS HE WANTS PEOPLE TO WALK AWAY WITH.

>> PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND THE TRANS COMMUNITY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO RELATE AND SUFFERING AND PITY DON'T REALLY AFFECT PEOPLE TO MAKE ACTUAL CHANGES.

WE WANTED TO MAKE THIS MORE OF A CELEBRATION LIKE A HOLIDAY, LIKE TRANS-DAY VISIBILITY WHICH IS ABOUT CELEBRATING IS AN IMPORTANT DAY TO HOST AN EVENT LIKE THIS ON.

>> Reporter: DARCY IS ABLE TO LIVE IN A CITY SHE SAID HAS MADE HER FEEL SAFE.

>> I'M FROM PENNSYLVANIA OUTSIDE PHILLY AND IT'S A LOT DIFFERENT THERE.

HERE I FEEL A LOT MORE ACCEPTED AND I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A COMMUNITY.

BACK THERE I USED TO LIVE, THERE'S ONLY ONE OTHER TRANS PERSON I KNEW.

HERE THERE IS A WHOLE A LARGE COMMUNITY OF US.

>> -- LOSS OF LIFE -- >> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT ON JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER DE LA ALLOWING ILLINOISANS TO CHANGE THEIR GENDER ON THEIR FIRST TO FORGET.

AN AIRPORT DESTROYED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT BY THE GOVERNMENT.

IT SOUNDS LIKE THE PLOT OF A SPY FILM BUT MANY OF YOU REMEMBER IT HAPPENED IN CHICAGO 20 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK.

A MAN-MADE PENINSULA LOCATED BETWEEN McCORMICK PLACE AND SOLDIER FIELD BY THE LAKE HAS A LARGE CONSERVATION AREA.

IF YOU WERE IN CHICAGO PART OF 2003 YOU MAY REMEMBER WHEN THIS LIST SLICE OF THE OUTDOORS WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

BUILT IN 1925 IT HOSTED THE CENTURY PROGRESS WORLDS FAIR STARTING IN 1948 IT WAS THE SINGLE RUNWAY AIRPORT USED BY POLITICIANS AND THE ELITE JET IN AND OUT OF DOWNTOWN.

WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN TO LOOK AT THE UNIQUELY CHICAGO DESTRUCTION OF -- FIELD, MARCH 20th, 2003 HERE'S RICH SAMUELS.

>> Reporter: AT 11:00 LAST NIGHT THE CONDYLE OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT MOVE DOWN ROOSEVELT ROAD TOWARD THE LAKE.

AT THE AIRPORT THE BACKHOES TOOK SUBSTANTIAL BITES OUT OF MAKES ONE RUN RIGHT.

WATCHING THIS WAS A HANDFUL OF ADVOCATES WHO FOR YEARS HAD FOUGHT THE CITY IN HOPE OF SAVING MEIGS FIELD.

>> WE ARE OUTRAGED.

THIS WOULD BE AWFUL.

A TERRIBLE TRAVESTY OF DEMOCRACY.

IT'S NOT THE WAY THINGS SHOULD WORK.

>> SECRECY SHOUTED THE CITY'S OPTIONS.

THEY WERE NOT NOTIFIED INTO THE RUNWAY DESTRUCTION WAS UNDERWAY.

THERE WAS NOT TIME TO NOTIFY OUR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS THAT THEY NEED NOT COME TO WORK THIS MORNING.

>> I FOUND OUT LIKE A PRO ATHLETE THAT I WAS TRADED BEFORE THE TEAM TOLD THEM HE WAS TRADED.

I FOUND OUT DRIVING INTO WORK THIS MORNING ON THE RADIO THAT IT WAS CLOSE.

I WAS RACING IN AND I GOT NERVOUS.

I THOUGHT IS THIS MY JOB.

THEY GAVE ME A HECKLE AT THE GATE AND I GOT IN AND IT WAS TORN UP.

CITY HALL TODAY WHERE PROTESTERS GATHERED IMMEDIATELY, THE MAYOR SAYS THIS WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT.

>> WE TOOK APPROPRIATE STEPS.

>> WHY DO IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT?

>> THEREUPON THE MAYOR BROUGHT FORWARD A CITY LAWYER WHO SAID NOT ONLY COULD THE CITY SHUT DOWN WHAT THEY HAD TO SHUT DOWN MEIGS FIELD.

>> OPERATES ON A LAND LEASE WITH THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT THAT IS A 30 DAY MONTH TO MONTH LEASE.

THE LEASE WAS TERMINATED AND WE ARE OBLIGATED TO CLOSE THIS.

>> YOU DIDN'T EVEN NOTIFY THE FAA BEFORE YOU BEGAN, DID YOU?

>> THE FAA AND HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT WERE BOTH NOTIFIED.

THEY HAD BEEN NOTIFIED.

IT WAS THEIR POSITION THAT IT WAS A LOCAL ISSUE.

THEY SAID ANYTHING WE DID TO ENHANCE SECURITY THEY WERE IN AGREEMENT WITH.

>> STILL CLEAR TO LAND.

>> THE BATTLE OF MEIGS FIELD GOES BACK SEVEN YEARS WITH THE CITY TRYING TO CLOSE IT AND BUILD A NEW PARK IN ITS SIDE, AND A GENERAL AVIATION INTEREST TRYING TO KEEP IT OPEN.

THEY HAD PLANNED TO CLOSE IT ONE YEAR AGO BUT THE MAYOR MADE A DEAL WITH FORMER GOVERNOR GEORGE RYAN TO KEEP IT OPEN IN EXCHANGE FOR THE GOVERNOR TO SUPPORT O'HARE EXPANSION.

THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT DEAL DIED WHEN A FUNDING BILL DIED IN CONGRESS.

>> THEY WENT TO WASHINGTON AND TOLD US THEY THREW IN THE TOWEL.

>> MEIGS FIELD FEELS DEAD AS WELL IN THE WAKE OF ALL OF THIS.

>> HE GOT IT WITH THE NO BIG CONTRACTS ON THOSE BENCH , YOU KNOW, PTA BENCHES AND NOW HE WILL TRY TO GET AWAY WITH THIS.

ENOUGH.

PUT A FORK IN ME.

I'M DONE.

>> I DON'T KNOW.

>> THIS WAS ONE OF THE BOLDEST STROKES OF THE MAYOR'S CAREER.

>> FASCINATING HISTORY.

THE GREAT RICH SAMUELS REPORTING ON THE OVERNIGHT DESTRUCTION OF MEIGS FIELD THAT YOU NOW KNOW AS NORTHERN --.

20 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK.

THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:00 FOR LATINO VOICES.

COULD UNDECIDED LATINOS BE THE SWING VOTE IN THE MAYORAL ELECTION?

AND THEN AT 6:30 LAST VOICES, A MAJOR CHANGE COMING TO -- REPARATIONS PROGRAM.

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, STAY SAFE, STAY SHELTERED.

THE STORMS ARE JUST PASSING BY AND WE WILL SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND.