>> THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

DONALD TRUMP IS BACK ON THE BALLOT AFTER A MAJOR RULING FROM THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

A BREAK ON GROCERIES, BUT A TAX INCREASE ON SPORTS BETTING TAKEAWAYS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL.

A NEW BILL COULD ELIMINATE THE ROAD TEST FOR SENIORS IN ILLINOIS.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.

THIS ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL CLOCKED IN AT A STAGGERING 12 STORIES AND 180 FEET.

>> AND LOOKING AT CHICAGO'S LOFTY PLACE IN THE HISTORY OF THE SKYSCRAPER.

NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES INDICTED FORMER PRESIDENT AND CURRENT REPUBLICAN FRONTRUNNER DONALD TRUMP WILL APPEAR ON THE ILLINOIS BALLOT AFTER ALL.

>> THAT'S BECAUSE OF TODAY'S UNANIMOUS U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING STATES THAT STATES CANNOT KEEP A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FROM APPEARING ON STATE BALLOTS UNDER THE 14TH AMENDMENT.

CASE WAS IN RESPONSE TO THE COLORADO HIGH COURT FINDING TRUMP INELIGIBLE FOR THAT STATE'S BALLOT DUE TO HIS ROLE IN THE JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION IN LAST WEEK'S RULING FROM A COOK COUNTY JUDGE THAT HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR ILLINOIS'S BALLOT ON THE SAME GROUNDS.

THE RULING EFFECTIVELY MEANS HE WILL INDEED BE ON ALL 50 STATE BALLOTS.

TRUMP TOOK TO SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORK TO CALL QUOTE, A BIG WIN FOR AMERICA.

AND THE RULING COMES ON A DAY THAT CHICAGO'S EARLY VOTING IS EXPANDING TO ALL 50 WARDS SITES EACH OF THE WARDS WILL BE OPERATING ALL THE WAY UP TO MARCH 18TH.

THE DAY BEFORE ILLINOIS'S OFFICIAL MARCH 19TH PRIMARY ON TUESDAY.

AS OF THE START OF BUSINESS TODAY AROUND 2700, CHICAGO OPTED TO VOTE EARLY.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO NUMBERS FROM THE CHICAGO BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

YOU CAN VISIT OUR ONLINE VOTER GUIDE FOR INFORMATION ON HOW AND WHERE TO VOTE AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON THE CANDIDATES RUNNING THAT SOLID WTW DOT COM SLASH VOTER GUIDE.

A PARTIALLY CONSTRUCTED BUILDING IN HUMBLE PARK BEGINS GETTING DEMOLISHED TODAY.

THE CONTROVERSIAL STRUCTURE WAS INTENDED TO BE IN ARCHIVE FACILITY FOR THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF PUERTO RICAN ARTS AND CULTURE.

BUT THE BUILDING HAS BEEN AT THE CENTER OF CONTROVERSY FOR NEIGHBORS SINCE 2022, WHEN CONSTRUCTION BEGAN WITHOUT PROPER CITY PERMITS AND APPROVALS.

THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT SAYS THE DEMOLITION IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 2 TO 4 DAYS.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, >> HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

CHICAGO OFFICIALLY TURNS ONE 87 YEARS OLD TODAY AND SOME CHICAGOANS TO THE OCCASION TO WHICH THE CITY MANY HAPPY RETURNS.

I WAS OFFICIALLY FOUNDED ON THIS DAY IN 18.

37 BY HAITIAN TRADERS ON BAPTISTE POINT DUSABLE ENDURED HIS SHARE OF TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH IN THE 187 INTERVENING YEARS AS WE WELL KNOW, CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR YOU DON'T LOOK A DAY OVER ONE.

86.

AND UP NEXT, TAKEAWAYS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL TO LAWMAKERS JOIN US RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN WHY THE ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS FAMILY.

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> MORE MONEY FOR MIGRANTS INCREASED ACCESS TO PRESCHOOL.

A BREAK ON GROCERY BILLS AND A PRESCRIPTION FOR HOW THE STATE COULD WIPE OUT MEDICAL DEBT.

THERE ARE SOME OF THE SPENDING PLANS AND GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER'S NEARLY 53 BILLION DOLLAR PROPOSED STATE BUDGET.

BUT HOW TO PAY FOR ALL THIS.

THE GOVERNORS EYEING NEARLY 900 MILLION IN TAX INCREASES, INCLUDING A CORPORATE TAX HIKE AND INCREASING THE STATE SPORTS BETTING TAX DURING HIS BUDGET ADDRESS LAST MONTH.

PRINCE GOT OUT AND HOW HE'S GOTTEN THE STATE'S FINANCES BACK ON TRACK OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS.

>> WE CREATED A 2 BILLION DOLLAR RAINY DAY FUND.

WE ACHIEVED 9 CREDIT UPGRADES AND IN THE FACE OF A PANDEMIC AND HIGH INFLATION, WE DELIVERED HISTORIC TAX RELIEF.

>> AND HERE TO DEBATE BUDGET POLITICS ARE STATE SEN LG SIMS, A DEMOCRAT FROM CHICAGO AND JOINING US FROM SPRINGFIELD, REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR DAVE SEVERSON, WHOSE DISTRICT INCLUDES PORTIONS OF DEKALB KANE AND MCHENRY COUNTIES.

WELCOME TO BOTH OF YOU.

SO LET'S GET TO SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS BUDGET.

52.7 BILLION DOLLARS IN ALL BETWEEN 8, 900 MILLION DOLLARS IN NEW TAXES LARGELY ON SPORTS BOOKS AND ELIMINATING SOME EXEMPTIONS FOR BUSINESS LOSSES 182 MILLION DOLLARS FOR A MIGRANT RESPONSE.

ELIMINATION OF THE ONE PERCENT GROCERY TAX, 12 MILLION DOLLARS.

NEWT AT CHILD TAX CREDIT AND A PLAN TO FULLY FUND THE STATE'S PENSION SYSTEMS BY THE YEAR 2048.

SENATOR SIMMS INITIAL REACTION ALL THIS STUFF IN THE BUDGET.

BUT I THOUGHT THE GOVERNOR TOOK BALANCED APPROACH TO MAKING SURE WE HAVE A BUDGET THAT WAS DISCIPLINED BUT ALSO TO CARE TAKES CARE OF OUR PRIORITIES AND ALSO AS COMPASSIONATE TOO, THE MOST VULNERABLE CASE.

OUR YOUNG PEOPLE PAY CZAR DEBTS.

I THINK WE WERE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

THAT'S WHY YOU SEE OUR ECONOMY TOPPING 1 TRILLION DOLLARS.

NOW WE'RE WE'VE PAID OUT.

WE'RE GOT 9 CREDIT RATING UP GREECE.

WE PAID BILLS.

BUT IF YOU LOOK BACK JUST FEW YEARS AGO, WE HAVE OVER 60 MILLION DOLLARS BILLS.

NOW WE'RE LESS THAN 500 MILLION BY THE END OF BIDEN, THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR IN THE NEXT GREAT.

NEXT FISCAL GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT A RAINY DAY FUND RAISE.

THAT IS PUTTING MONEY INTO SENATOR SEVERSON UVA SAID THAT THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL REFLECTS THE GOVERNOR'S RADICAL AGENDA.

WHEN YOU BELIEVE IN THIS BUDGET IS RADICAL.

WELL, I THINK WHAT WHAT IT DOES IS WE HAVE WORKED HARD OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS TO TRY TO GET THE FINANCIAL HOUSE IN ORDER.

BUT >> THIS SETS THE STAGE FOR A REALLY GOING DOWN THE WRONG EVERYONE WE HAVE TAX INCREASES ON HERE AT A TIME ILLINOIS FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.

WE HAVE PERSONAL DATA ALL TIME HIGH.

WE HAVE CREDIT CARD DEBT AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES OF PEOPLE DRAWING OFF OF THEIR 4, 1, K'S.

SO PEOPLE ARE USING DEBT TO SURVIVE.

AND SO THE IDEA OF RAISING TAXES, ESPECIALLY TEAMS, THOSE ACTUALLY INCREASES TO PROVIDE WHAT IS DEEMED AS THE BEST HEALTH CARE IN THE WORLD GIVEN TO NONCITIZENS.

IT'S SOMETHING I THINK A LOT OF VOTERS ARE NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY.

WHAT AND FRANKLY, A LOT OF LEGISLATORS, I DIDN'T FIND IT DIFFICULT TO VOTE FOR TAX INCREASES.

ON ONE HAND.

DON'T GET THAT.

THOSE TAXES ARE BEING INCREASED TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE.

THAT'S BETTER HEALTH CARE.

THEN THE CITIZENS OF THE TAXPAYERS GET THEMSELVES.

AND SO THERE ARE SOME STICKING POINTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE A CERTAINLY A CONCERN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO THE SENATOR, THERE'S TALK ABOUT HEALTH CARE FOR MINORS.

THERE'S ALSO 186 MILLION DOLLARS THAT THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED ADDITIONALLY TO HELP CHICAGO SETTLING MINERS ARE RESETTLING AS A NURSE A DIFFERENT POT OF MONEY POT OF MONEY.

SO INTENT TO RESPOND TO THE SENATOR'S CLAIMS THAT I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT.

I THINK THE REALITY IS THAT YOU DON'T SEE THE TAXES BEING RAISED ON EVERYDAY FAMILIES.

WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IS CORPORATIONS HAVING RECORD PROFITS, INCLUDING DURING A PANDEMIC.

SO THAT THEY REACHED THE REACHED THE REVENUES THAT THE GOVERNOR'S JUST TALKING ABOUT RAISING AND THEY'RE RETIRING, RAISED ON CORPORATIONS.

BUT I WOULD ALSO REMIND GOOD FRIEND COLLEAGUE.

THIS IS JUST A PROPOSAL AND THAT'S WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IS ALL ABOUT.

IT'S ABOUT U.S. VETTING THE PROPOSAL AND SEEING WHERE AGREE AND WE DON'T AGREE TO SENATOR SEVERSON.

YOU KNOW, THE MIGRANTS ARE THE CITY HAS HAD TROUBLE TAKING CARE THE STATE'S KIND OF HAD TO COME IN.

>> AND BAIL ARE YOU SUGGESTING THE STATE SHOULDN'T BE SPENDING ANY OF THIS MONEY?

>> COUPLE PROBLEMS.

NUMBER ONE IS WE'RE STILL MAINTAINING OR CELLS AND ADVERTISING YOURSELVES AS A SANCTUARY STATE.

WE'RE ONE OF ONLY 2 STATES THAT PROVIDE UNLIMITED.

CADILLAC HEALTH CARE.

SO NOT ONLY ARE WE BRINGING IN NONCITIZENS WERE BRINGING IN THE SICKEST OF THE SICK THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PAY FOR AND UNTIL IT ALSO GETS TURNED OFF, IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM.

IT'S LEAKING OUT INTO ALL OF OUR DISTRICTS INTO ELLEDGE AURORA AND ROCKFORD WHERE IT'S CAUSING LOCAL COSTS.

AND SOME OF THESE INCREASES OF THESE TAX INCREASES, AS MY COLLEAGUE MENTIONED, THEY MAY INCREASES ON A LOCAL BUSINESSES OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, BUT THAT JUST GETS PASSED ON TO EITHER EMPLOYEES OR GETS TAXED ON HIGHER PROPERTY WHEN YOU ELIMINATE, YOU KNOW, THINGS THE GROCERY TAX.

THAT'S A HUGE HIT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHO IN TURN, WE'LL PROBABLY JUST RAISE PROPERTY TAX TO MAKE UP FOR THAT.

AGAIN, THAT'S CREATES PROBLEMS FOR WORKING FAMILIES.

SO WE JUST THINK THAT THE BUDGET SHOULD BE LEANER.

WE SHOULD BE PREPARING FOR SLOWER ECONOMIC TIMES THAT ARE COMING AND WE SHOULD HAVE A BUDGET THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE MORE TAX INCREASES AFTER WE'VE HAD RECORD AMOUNTS OF REVENUE THE LAST 4 YEARS.

AND WE NEED TO DELINEATE THAT THAT THE VAST VAST MAJORITY OF THE MIGRANTS ARE COMING.

OUR ASYLUM SEEKERS, THEIRS.

>> THE DIFFERENT A SET OF FOLKS THAT ARE UNDOCUMENTED THAT COMING.

SO THAT'S WHAT SANCTUARY STATE SANCTUARY CITY APPLIES TO.

BUT SENATOR SIMMS, I WANT TO ASK ABOUT DOING AWAY WITH THAT ONE PERCENT SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

YOU KNOW, GROCERY SHOPPERS MIGHT BE HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

BUT LOCAL MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS RELY ON SOME OF THOSE TAXES TO FUND.

>> THERE NEEDS IS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM FOR THEM.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT HIS PROPOSAL ALLOWING THE GOV, ALLOWING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO TO REINSTATE THOSE TAXES IF THEY SO CHOOSE.

THAT'S NOT WHAT THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT THE BUT THE REALITY IS AT THE WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS PASS A BUDGET THAT TAKES CARE OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE.

THAT IS IT EDUCATION.

OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

YOU SEE A BUDGET THAT INVESTS RECORD NUMBER RECORD NUMBERS OF DOLLARS INTO EDUCATION TAKES CARE OF IT HIRES, GET OUR HIGHER EDUCATION BUT MORE MONEY INTO MAP GRANTS SO THE STUDENTS CAN GO TO SCHOOL, PUT MORE MONEY INTO HEALTH CARE, FOR FORESTS TO FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE ALL BEFORE CITIZENS WERE HERE.

WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO AND WHAT THIS BUDGET IS, MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT JUST THE NEXT ELECTION, BUT FOOT FOCUSING ON THE NEXT GENERATION.

AND THAT'S WHAT I THINK MY MY MY COLLEAGUE WE'VE WE'VE ASKED OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TO JOIN US IN EFFORT.

THEY'VE NOT DONE THIS DURING THOSE RECORD YEARS.

WE HAVE THOSE RECORD WE HAD RECORD REVENUES AND WE'RE MAKING THOSE DECISIONS TO INVEST IN THE DECISIONS THAT NOW WE'RE ABLE TO NOW IS THIS TIME TO GET GOING NOW WE'RE ABLE TO TO FOCUS ON ON MAKING THOSE CHOICES.

WE'VE DONE THAT THE PAST AND WE'VE ASKED THEM TO PARTICIPATE.

SENATOR SEVERSON REPUBLICANS AREN'T SUPER MINORITY YOU KNOW, DEMOCRATS AND A GOVERNOR COULD THEORETICALLY PASSED WITHOUT REPUBLICAN INPUT.

BUT YOU SEE REPUBLICANS HAVING A ROLE HERE IN THE NEGOTIATING.

SOME CHANGES.

>> WELL, GET THERE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS IN THIS BUDGET.

IN FACT, LAST YEAR, I THINK A LOT OF PROGRESS IS MADE AND THERE WAS A GOOD, LIKELIHOOD THAT THEY WERE NUMBER REPUBLICANS HOLDING THE SUPPORT THAT UNTIL, YOU KNOW, WE SLIPPED IN THE COVERAGE FOR THE YOU'RE NOT CITIZENS, WHICH AGAIN, THAT COST IS GETTING TO BE A PRETTY DRAMATIC.

AND SO THAT WAS THAT WAS THE ISSUE.

I THINK THAT REALLY DERAILED WHEN WE SAW THAT ROLLING COST THAT ONLY TAX PAYERS WILL HAVE TO HAVE.

I THINK BACK TO THE GROCERY TAX BUT NOT MISTAKEN.

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN'T GO TO GROCERY TAX ON WEED AT THE PAST LEGISLATION TO ALLOW THEM TO DO A REFERENDUM TO DO THAT.

SO MANY OF THOSE COMMUNITIES AND WE HAVE A NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T HAVE A PROPERTY TAX.

SO WHEN THEY LOSE THE GROCERY TAX, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT'S A PROBLEM DURING THE COVID DAYS AS A STATE WHERE WE TOOK GAS THE GROCERY TAX OFF.

WE BACKFILL THAT AND HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SO THEY WOULD TAKE THAT KIND OF A HIT.

I HOPE WE CAN DO HERE.

I'M IN FAVOR OF TAKING THE GROCERY TAX OFF.

WE NEED TO BACKFILL THAT TO HELP LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

SO THEY'RE NOT STUCK THE SO WE WE HAVE WE ONLY HAVE A FEW SECONDS LEFT, BUT I HAVE TO QUICKLY ASK BOTH OF YOU.

>> THERE'S A REPORT NOW THAT THE BEARS AND THE WHITE SOX ARE PERHAPS TALKING TOGETHER ABOUT JOINT FINANCING FOR 2 NEW STADIUMS.

>> VERY SENATOR SIMMONS, WE THANK.

I WASN'T SEEN FOR POLLS.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING BOTH.

AM LIFELONG BEARS AND WHITE SOX FAN SOME.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE STAY HERE IN THE CITY.

WHAT ABOUT THAT?

NRC VERSE AND IT'S KIND OF TOUGH SELL FOR JERRY REINSDORF TEST FOR BILLION.

BUT IF THESE 2 FRANCHISES THAT WORK OUT SOME TOGETHER, IS THAT AN EASIER SELL FOR LAWMAKERS TO GET ON BOARD WITH?

>> WELL, TO WORKING OUT TOGETHER IN THE SAND IN A IN A COMMON FACILITY.

BUT IF TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, BUILDING TOO 2 NEW STADIUMS THAT IS CAN BE SOMETHING AS CAN BE HARD PRESSED TAXPAYERS THAT DURING THESE DAYS TO TRY TO STEP UP TO DO WE SEE OTHER STATES TO A LOT OF MERGING OF OF OF TEAMS AND COMING UP WITH CREATIVE IDEAS FOR TO MAKE STADIUMS.

BUT I'M NOT SURE THE STATES IN THE POSITION TO FINANCE TO NEW STADIUMS.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, SENATOR DAVE SEVERSON AND SENATOR LG SIMS THAT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANKS SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT, MORE JUST ABILITIES TO BUILD.

A NEW BILL COULD ELIMINATE THE ROAD TEST FOR SENIORS IN ILLINOIS, DESPITE SOME CONFLICTING RESEARCH THAT ARGUES OTHERWISE.

MORE ON THAT RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> TREVOR >> 75 YEARS AND OLDER ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY 8% OF ILLINOIS DRIVERS AND ARE AMONG THE SAFEST ON THE ROAD.

ACCORDING TO A REPORT FROM THE ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

GET ILLINOIS IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY REQUIRE BEHIND THE WHEEL ROAD TEST FOR SENIORS RENEWING THEIR LICENSES, PROPOSED LEGISLATION IN SPRINGFIELD IS LOOKING TO ELIMINATE THIS MANDATE DESPITE CONFLICTING RESEARCH FROM SOME NATIONAL SAFETY GROUPS.

AND JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ARE RYAN GRUDEN FELDER, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH FOR AARP, ILLINOIS STATE REPRESENTATIVE JEFF KIGER, A REPUBLICAN FROM SYCAMORE AND RYAN PH THE PROGRAM, TECHNICAL CONSULTANT FOR DRIVER SAFETY, EDUCATION AND TRAINING AT THE NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL.

WELCOME ALL 3 OF YOU HERE TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

REPRESENTATIVE KIKER, THIS IS YOUR PROPOSAL.

WHILE EMANATE THE DRIVING TEST FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, ESPECIALLY THOSE OVER 75.

>> SIMPLE ANSWER IS IT'S IT'S A JUST AND IT DOESN'T GET TO THE HEART OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'RE HAVING.

I THINK ANYBODY OUT THERE WHO'S LISTENING THIS RIGHT NOW RECOGNIZE THE NUMBER OF UNSAFE DRIVERS THAT WE'VE SEEN ON THE ROADWAYS, ESPECIALLY SINCE COVID AND MANY OF THEM ARE YOUNGER DRIVERS TEXTING AND SWERVING.

YOU KNOW, SENIORS, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE VOLUME, JUST DON'T HAVE THE ACCIDENT TENDENCIES AT THE VOLUME THAT WE DO IT.

YOUNGER DRIVERS.

AND AS YOU SAID, PARIS, ILLINOIS IS THE ONLY STATE THAT SUBJECT SENIOR SAYS VERY ONEROUS PROCESS.

>> AND IF WE CAN MAKE THE DMV VISIT A LITTLE BIT EASIER, A LITTLE BIT LESS ONEROUS.

>> I THINK THAT'S HELPING EVERYBODY OUT.

ALRIGHT, TO RYAN GRUDEN FELDER A COMMON COMPLAINT FROM SENIORS THAT THERE'S JUST A LOT OF BARRIERS FOR THEM TO GO RENEW THEIR LICENSES.

>> IT ABSOLUTELY IS.

AARP, ILLINOIS IS 1.7 MILLION MEMBERS IN THE STATE.

AND THIS ISSUE IS ONE OF THE ONES THAT WE HEAR MOST ABOUT FROM OUR MEMBERSHIP.

>> THEY ARE SHOCKED AND REPRESENT COUNTRY SAID THAT THEY FEEL LIKE THIS IS AGE DISCRIMINATION.

THERE ARE SIGNS THAT THEY HAVE TO GO IN THAT AS THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION TO HAVE TO TAKE THAT ROAD TEST EVERY TIME THEY HAVE TO RENEW THEIR LICENSE.

>> ALL RIGHT, PETE, WE MENTIONED STATISTICS THAT SHOW SENIORS TO BE AMONG THE SAFEST DRIVERS ON THE ROAD.

DO THOSE NUMBERS TELL THE WHOLE STORY HERE?

>> PROBABLY THE NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL.

WE WILL PRIMARILY AT NATIONWIDE NUMBERS.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT ILLINOIS S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT LEGISLATION LIKE THIS.

VERY IMPORTANT.

BUT WHAT WE FIND IS IF YOU REALLY LOOK AT THE RATE, SO THE RATE OF INCIDENT FOR THOSE DRIVERS AGE, 75 AND OVER WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE TYPE OF INCIDENT.

SO YOUR TEENAGE DRIVER FOR MOST OFTEN, THE ONES INVOLVED IN CRASHES INVOLVING A SINGLE VEHICLE.

HOWEVER, YOU'RE ELDERLY DRIVERS AND THOSE OVER 75 ARE THE ONES THERE 2 TIMES AS LIKELY TO BE INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE.

AND THAT'S WITH 5 ON THE ROADWAYS IN THAT'S THAT'S TROUBLESOME FOR ME.

SO THERE IS A LITTLE BIT WAYS.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THE NUMBERS OVERALL.

THE NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL IS NOT.

WE DON'T WE'RE NOT SAYING WE'RE DISAGREEING WITH THIS LANGUAGE AT ALL.

WE BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD ALWAYS PREVENT UNNECESSARY RESTRICTIVE PRACTICES ON THE BASIS OF AGE ALONE.

AND WE'VE TRULY BELIEVE IN THE SAME SYSTEMS APPROACH AND WE SHOULD PROVIDE FOR MULTIPLE DISCIPLINED APPROACH, WHICH ADDRESSES ALL ELEMENTS OF DRIVER SAFETY, INCLUDING EDUCATION, EDUCATING PEOPLE SAYS NEW NEW VEHICLES.

THINK ABOUT THE CARS ON THE ROAD TODAY VERSUS WHAT THEY WERE WHEN THESE DRIVERS PER STARTED DRIVING.

SO IT'S NOT ONLY THE DRIVERS LIKE SOMETHING, BUT THAT'S ONE ELEMENT IT.

BUT IT'S EDUCATION.

IT'S SAFER ROADWAYS AND ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE.

SO SAFEST APPROACH IS REALLY WAY WHAT WE SHOULD LOOK AT HERE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE KIKER, AS I UNDERSTAND YOUR LEGISLATION, THERE MIGHT BE CERTAIN THINGS THAT WOULD TRIGGER A DRIVING TEST TO SAY THAT THE DRIVER'S RECORD HAS, YOU KNOW, HISTORY OF ACCIDENTS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO CAN YOU JUST TALK ABOUT THAT ASPECT OF IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY PARA.

THINK ABOUT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THIS SYSTEM WHERE WE ALLOW PEOPLE TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD BY GETTING LICENSE RIGHT.

AND WHAT WE DON'T DO ENOUGH IS WE DON'T HOLD THOSE ACCOUNTABLE.

WE'RE HAVING THE TICKETS AND THE ACCIDENTS TO SHOWING DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE DRIVERS.

AND I REALLY THINK THAT REGARDLESS OF AGE, THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT WE SHOULD BE FOCUSED ADDRESSING WITH DRIVER TESTS.

IMAGINE EVERY 2 YEARS NEEDING TO GO AND RENEW YOUR LICENSE BY DOING A DRIVER'S TEST.

AND ONCE YOU GET OVER CERTAIN AGE, IT'S EVERY YEARS SITTING BEHIND THE WHEEL.

THE TIME THAT IT TAKES THE EFFORT THAT IT TAKES TO GET THERE TO GET THE TIME SLOT.

WE'VE ALL WAITED IN LINES AT THE DMV AND WE HAVE TO FIND PEOPLE THAT WORK AT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IN THESE FACILITIES.

NOTHING AGAINST THEM.

BUT THIS SHOULD PROBABLY EASE THEIR BURDEN.

MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT EASIER AND REALLY GO AFTER THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A HIGHER PROPENSITY CAUSE ADDITIONAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THOSE THAT DO HAVE AN ACCIDENT ARE MORE LIKELY TO REPEAT AN ACCIDENT.

SO IF WE CAN PUT THAT METRIC IN PLACE OR REGARDLESS OF AGE, I THINK WE'RE MAKING ILLINOIS ROADS SAFER, STATE AND TO STATE >> RYAN GRANT FELDER.

I MEAN, IS IT FAIR TO HAVE THINGS LIKE VISION TESTS OR AGAIN, LIKE WE SAID, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT A DRIVER'S RECORD WHEN SOMEONE GETS UP THERE TO BE, YOU KNOW, 80 85 YEARS OLD BEYOND.

>> IT IS FAIR.

WE DO SUPPORT THOSE FUNCTIONAL ABILITY TESTS.

THAT'S WHAT COMES DOWN TO IT.

BUT THIS LEGISLATION, BASED THE LAW, THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN CURRENTLY IS BASED ON AGE.

IF WE CAN GET 12 ILLINOIS TO WHERE DRIVERS LICENSE RENEWALS ARE BASED ON FUNCTIONAL ABILITY.

AND THAT INCLUDES THE VISION TESTS YOU KNOW, WHATEVER OTHER TESTS, THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE REQUIRES TO GET THAT LICENSE, THEN THAT IS ACHIEVING OUR OBJECTIVE HERE.

AND IT WILL MAKE SURE THAT OLDER DRIVERS ILLINOIS ARE TREATED FAIRLY AS ALL THE REST >> RYAN PH 20 REALLY GOOD AND YEAH, GO AHEAD.

YEAH.

IF I COULD THROW THIS INTO WHAT WE PRESENTED AND RYAN AND I AND AARP HAVE BEEN EXCELLENT PARTNERS WITH ME.

TRYING TO GET THIS A MODIFIED.

>> WHAT WE HAVE TODAY ISN'T NECESSARILY THE FINAL PRODUCT AND WE'RE LOOKING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN PLACE SO THAT WE DO PROTECT ALL OF ILLINOIS DRIVERS AND HAVE SAFE ROADS.

SO GATHERING IMPACT.

IF YOU IF FOLKS OUT THERE WOULD REACH OUT TO AARP OR I'VE GOT A CONTACT FORM ON REP HIKER DOT COM AND SHARE WITH US YOUR IDEAS.

SHARE WITH US YOUR INSIGHT.

WE DON'T HAVE A A PATENT ON BEST IDEAS IN THE STATE.

SO I'D LOVE TO HEAR CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO SOLVING THIS PROBLEM.

>> RYAN WHAT WHAT?

WHAT WOULD BE SOME THINGS THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO SEE PERHAPS CHANGE THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION OR OTHER SUGGESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.

>> I THINK IT'S NOT NECESSARILY A CHAIN THAT I DO BELIEVE THEY'VE DONE A NICE JOB OF LOOKING AT SOME OF THE DATA, ESPECIALLY SINCE COVID.

REALLY?

THAT'S WHAT THAT THAT WAS.

THE TEST PILOT TIME FRAME, RIGHT?

SO THAT'S IMPORTANT.

BUT REMEMBER THAT ONE YEAR IS NOT A SO WE MUST KEEP AN EYE ON THIS NO MATTER WHAT THE STATE DECIDES TO BUT WE MUST CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THIS.

EVEN WE DO GO AHEAD WITH THIS LEGISLATION AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE CHANGING AS WE GET DRIVERS ENCRYPT AND START GETTING INTO THIS.

75 PLUS, BECAUSE WE WE ANTICIPATE AN INFLUX TO RESET.

75 YEAR-OLD A RATE IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS.

SO THAT WILL BE REALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP AN EYE ON THIS AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S EDUCATION ON IT.

AND I CAN'T STRESS THAT ENOUGH.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT EDUCATING PEOPLE.

AND I KNOW OUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND I KNOW IN ILLINOIS FOR A FACT, MANY OF THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ARE TAKING AND USING THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY WHEN THEY REACH A CERTAIN AGE, LIKE 70 YEARS OLD IN MANY STATES, 65 IN MANY STATES TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO FAMILY MEMBERS TO THOSE THOSE DRIVERS THAT ARE REACHING THOSE AGE MILE MARKERS.

BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THAT WE PROVIDE RESOURCES TO PEOPLE SO THEY CAN MIGHT THEIR OWN DECISIONS ABOUT DRIVING.

GOT IT.

ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

THERE ARE THANKS TO REPRESENTATIVE KIKER A RYAN GRANT FELDER AND RYAN PH.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> AND NEXT WHERE CHICAGO STANDS IN SKYSCRAPER HISTORY.

WTW NEWS EXPLAINS.

>> RIGHT AFTER A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

CHICAGO HAS A NEW SKYSCRAPER PROJECT READY TO RISE ON THE CHICAGO RIVER AT DUSABLE LAKESHORE DRIVE CONSTRUCTION JUST STARTED AT THE SITE WHERE A BUILDING CALLED THE CHICAGO SPIRE WAS PLANNED MORE THAN A DECADE AGO.

THAT TOWER WAS TO BE 2000 FEET HIGH, MAKING IT THE TALLEST IN NORTH AMERICA.

BUT MONEY PROBLEMS STALLED CONSTRUCTION IN 2008 AND THE SITE HAS INSTEAD BEEN HOME TO A BIG HOLE IN THE GROUND FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS NOW, 2 TOWERS ARE SET TO BE BUILT ON THE SITE, INCLUDING A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

IT WILL BE 72 STORIES AND IS EXPECTED TO BE FINISHED IN EARLY 2027.

ALL THIS GOT US TO THINKING ABOUT CHICAGO'S PREEMINENT PLACE IN THE HISTORY OF THE SKYSCRAPER.

BLOOMBERG HAS THE STORY IN THIS ADDITION OF WTW NEWS EXPLAINS.

>> CHICAGO IS A CITY OF FIRSTS.

EVERYTHING FROM THE FIRST FERRIS WHEEL TO THE FIRST BROWNIE AND THE WORLD'S VERY FIRST SKYSCRAPER IN 18.

85, THE HOME INSURANCE BUILDING WENT UP ON THE CORNER ADAMS AND WAS THIS ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL CLOCKED IN AT A STAGGERING 12 STORIES AND 180 FEET.

OKAY.

MAYBE NOT A SKYSCRAPER BY MODERN STANDARDS, BUT FOR A TIME IT WAS AN IMPRESSIVE SUPPORTED BY A STEEL FRAME, REINFORCED CONCRETE AS THE YEARS TO BUY THE CITY OF BIG SHOULDERS BECAME A CITY OF BIG BUILDINGS.

BUILDERS GOT MORE AMBITIOUS AND THE HEIGHTS JUST KEPT ON GETTING HIGHER.

>> THE WRIGLEY BUILDING TRIBUNE TOWER, CARBON CARBON LESS THAN 50 YEARS AFTER THE HOME INSURANCE BUILDING AND MORE THAN 3 TIMES AS TALL, THE ICONIC CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE BUILDING RISES AND REIGNS AS THE CITY'S TALLEST FOR MORE THAN 3 DECADES LATER ON THE STANDARD OIL BUILDING NOW KNOWN AS A ON CENTER HELD THE TITLE FOR A YEAR BEFORE BEING BEATEN OUT IN 1974.

BY THE MASSIVE SEARS TOWER AT MORE THAN 1400 FEET, IT BECAME THE TALLEST BUILDING, NOT JUST IN CHICAGO, BUT THE WORLD THE WINDY CITY SKYLINE HAS CHANGED A LOT OVER THE YEARS IS NOW ONLY THE CITY'S 4TH TALLEST STILL FOLLOWED BY THE BUILDING THRONE IN 1973, THE JOHN HANCOCK CENTER NOW CALLED 8.75 NORTH MICHIGAN THE SAINT REGIS COMPLETED IN 2020 IS THE CITY'S 3RD TALLEST AND TRUMP TOWER COMPLETED IN 2009 6 AND THE NUMBER 2 WILLIS TOWER AS WE RIGHT CALL.

IT STILL HOLDS THE TITLE OF TALLEST IN CHICAGO BUT WAS LONG AGO KNOCKED OFF ITS PERCH AS THE TALLEST IN THE U.S. AND THE WORLD.

>> ACCORDING TO THE COUNCIL ON TALL BUILDINGS AND URBAN HABITAT.

NEW YORK'S ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER IS NOW TOPS IN THE COUNTRY.

DEAR OLD WILLIS'S 3RD TALLEST IN THE U.S. AND 23RD WORLDWIDE.

BUT EVEN THOUGH WE LOST TOP SPOT, CHICAGO'S PLACE IN THE HISTORY OF THE SKYSCRAPER, STILL TOWERS ABOVE EVERYONE ELSE.

>> TAKE THAT BURJ KHALIFA, BURJ, DUBAI, AND MAYBE THAT'S NOT THE TALLEST BUILDING.

THE WILLING WERE ANY WAY.

YOU CAN SEE THIS IN OTHER EPISODES OF OUR EMMY AWARD-WINNING SERIES WDW NEWS EXPLAINS ON OUR WEBSITE WWW DOT COM SLASH EXPLAINS.

AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10 FEARS OVER ACCESS TO IN VITRO FERTILIZATION.

AFTER RECENT ALABAMA SUPREME COURT RULING THREATENS THE PRACTICE AND THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHICAGO'S CONSENT DECREE, OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THAT AND MUCH MORE.

AND NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE CHICAGO TONIGHT PARIS SHOTS.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND ENJOY THIS EVENING.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, CHICAGO, PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH THAT IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE ITS 18 ATTORNEYS