>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

HERE'S A WE ARE LOOKING AT.

>> I'VE BEEN HERE 33 YEARS, I HAVE NOTHING TO RETIRE ON.

>> CHAOS OFF THE COURT AS A LABOR DISPUTE ERUPTS DAYS BEFORE THE BIG TOURNAMENT TIPS OFF.

IT'S BEEN MORE THAN A DECADE SINCE THE CITY DISSOLVED ITS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT.

WE ASKED A PANEL OF COMMUNITY LEADERS WHAT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES CHICAGO'S NEXT MAYOR SHOULD PRIORITIZE.

>>> WILL THEY PAVED PARADISE AND PUT UP A NEW RUNWAY?

QUESTIONS LOOM OVER THE POSSIBLE SALE OF LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE LAND.

>>> AND A NEW SPECIAL FROM JEFFREY BAY SHOWCASING THE RICH BEAUTY OF CHICAGO.

NOW TO OUR TOP STORY TONIGHT.

THERE COULD BE MAJOR DISRUPTIONS FOR FANS WHO HAVE UNITED CENTER TICKETS.

CONCESSION WORKERS THERE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.

JOANNA TELLS US MORE.

>> FOR DECADES JAMIE O'NEILL HAS WORKED COUNTLESS GAINS AT THE UNITED CENTER.

>> I ENJOY THE ATMOSPHERE.

I ENJOY MINGLING WITH THE FANS AND MY COWORKERS.

WE BECOME A FAMILY.

>> ON SUNDAY DOZENS OF WORKERS WALKED OUT ON A ONE-DAY STRIKE DURING A GAME.

O'NEILL IS ONE OF HUNDREDS OF UNION EMPLOYEES WHO SAY THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR A FAIR CONTRACT.

>> WE ARE STRIKING FOR HEALTH BENEFITS, WE ARE STRIKING FOR PENSIONS, WE ARE STRIKING TO BE EQUALS.

>> O'NEILL SAYS THE UNION , HAS BEEN NEGOTIATING A CONTRACT SINCE 2021.

IT'S A GIANT HOSPITALITY COMPANY THAT RUNS FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICE IN THE ARENA.

>> IT WAS THE END OF JANUARY OF THIS YEAR WHEN WE TOOK A STRIKE VOTE WITH A 98% VOTE TO GO ON STRIKE.

>> ON TOP OF HAVING NO PENSION TO RETIRE WITH, O'NEILL SAYS THERE'S HUNDREDS OF EMPLOYEES WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE.

DURING THE PANDEMIC, SHE CLAIMS THEY DIDN'T OFFER ASSISTANCE.

>> WHAT THEY CONSIDER HEALTH INSURANCE IS NOT HEALTH INSURANCE.

THEY CALL IT HEALTHCARE, IT'S ESSENTIALLY A CLINIC THAT YOU CAN GO TO.

>> THE CONCESSION STAND OPERATOR SAYS SHE PAYS $400 A MONTH FOR PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE, A PRICE SHE SAYS MANY OF HER COWORKERS CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY.

>> WE'VE DEDICATED MOST OF OUR LIFE TO THIS COMPANY, AND THEY DON'T APPRECIATE US THE WAY THAT WE WANT THEM TO.

>> A SPOKESPERSON TELLS US THE COMPANY HAS BEEN AT THE BARGAINING TABLE MORE THAN 20 TIMES, AND THE MOST RECENT PROPOSAL, THEY SAID THEY ARE OFFERING A NEW HEALTHCARE PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS WORKERS TO BUNDLE HOURS FROM JOBS AT THE UNITED CENTER, WRIGLEY FIELD AND GUARANTEED RATE FIELD TO QUALIFY FOR COVERAGE.

THEY SAID THEY ARE OFFERING AT LEAST $20 AN HOUR AS A STARTING WAGE.

AND A PENSION PLAN, O'NEILL SAYS THAT DOESN'T START UNTIL 2025.

>> SO THAT DOESN'T HELP ME AND YOU CAN'T COLLECT ON IT RIGHT AWAY.

THE LITTLE BIT OF MONEY THAT'S CONTRIBUTED INTO IT.

I COULD BE DEAD BY THEN.

>> WITH THE BIG TEN TOURNAMENT STARTING WEDNESDAY AT THE UNITED CENTER, O'NEILL SAYS WORKERS WILL BE READY FOR ANOTHER STRIKE.

A DECISION THAT WE ARE TOLD, LEVY WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT.

>> PERSONALLY I DON'T THINK THEY CAN ACQUIRE THAT MUCH STAFF TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT ON JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>>> THE NEXT BARGAINING SESSION IS SET FOR TOMORROW.

>>> NOW TO SOME MORE OF TODAY'S STOPS -- TOP STORIES.

FACEBOOK USERS MIGHT BE GETTING ANOTHER CHECK FROM THE COMPANY AS PART OF THE SETTLEMENT OVER VIOLATING THE STATE'S BIOMETRIC PRIVACY LAW.

FACEBOOK CUT ANOTHER CHECK THIS MONTH WHICH SHOULD RESULT IN A LITTLE MORE THAN $30 APIECE.

43 MILLION WAS LEFT OVER IN THE FUND AFTER PEOPLE DID NOT CASH THEIR CHECKS FROM THE $397 PAYOUTS FROM LAST YEAR.

>>> A DAY OF DUELING ENDORSEMENTS IN THE CHICAGO MAYOR'S RACE.

RODRICK SAWYER THROUGH HIS LOT IN WITH PAUL VALLAS SAYING HE'S WEARY OF THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNIONS INFLUENCE ON BRANDON JOHNSON.

MEANWHILE JOHNSON GOT THE ENDORSEMENT OF DANNY DAVIS , AND IS TOMORROW SLATED TO GET THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT.

>>> IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN OBSERVING THE UNIQUE ILLINOIS HOLIDAY KNOWN AS CASHMERE DAY.

THE MUSEUM OF AMERICA HELD THE EVENT FEATURING DIGNITARIES AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE POLISH BORN REVOLUTIONARY WAR HERO.

MAKING THIS DAY AN OFFICIAL STATE HOLIDAY BACK IN 1977.

>>> UP NEXT ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS ON WHAT THEY HOPE CHICAGO'S NEW MAYOR CAN ACCOMPLISH FOR THE CITIES GREEN EFFORTS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

>>> TWO DECADES AGO MAYOR RICHARD M DALEY TURNED HIS HOMETOWN INTO THE GREENEST CITY IN AMERICA.

THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT HAS BEEN DISMANTLED AND ALLEGATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM CONCENTRATING INDUSTRIAL POLLUTERS IN BLACK AND BROWN NEIGHBORHOODS PERSISTS.

WE LOOK AT THE TOP ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES FACING THE NEXT MAYOR.

JOINING US IS CHERYL JOHNSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RECOVERY.

AND ADVOCACY GROUP BASED ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE.

AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTHEAST ENVIRONMENTAL TASK FORCE, SERVING THE SOUTHEAST SIDE AND SOUTH SUBURBS OF CHICAGO.

AND KIM WASSERMAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATION.

THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING THE TREK UP HERE ON THIS MONDAY EVENING.

VERY QUICKLY, THE TOP ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES THAT THE MAYOR FACES IN YOUR MIND?

>> I HAVE THE TOP THREE THAT I HAVE TO MENTION.

IT HAS TO LOOK AT, HELPING US TAKE ABANDONED BUILDINGS, SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND TURNING THEM INTO A NEW ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CENTER.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE FACT THAT THE REDLINE EXTENSION 230th STREET IS A BIG INVESTMENT FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS VERY EQUITABLE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

OUR THIRD THING IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE A GROCERY STORE.

WE DON'T HAVE A COMMERCIAL STRIP.

AND WE WANT TO SEE THOSE THINGS BE REVITALIZED.

>> SO YOU WANT THE MAYOR TO PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE ISSUES, HOW ABOUT FOR YOU IN THE 10th WARD?

>> YOU MENTIONED ALLEGATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM, IT'S NOT ALLEGATIONS, IT'S ACTUALLY THE HUD.

HUD HAS ISSUED A FINDING THAT THE CITY WAS ACTUALLY INVOLVED IN MOVING POLLUTING COMPANIES FROM PREDOMINANTLY WHITE WEALTHY COMMUNITIES IN LINCOLN PARK, >> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT GENERAL IRON.

>> YET, TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THOSE ALLEGATIONS HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED.

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SAYING IS WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SAID IS HAPPENING IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND THAT HAS TO STOP.

>> THAT MOVE BY THE WAY IS ON PAUSE INDEFINITELY AS THEY KIND OF, WADE THROUGH THE LEGAL ISSUES.

>> THE SHREDDER HAS NOT BEEN DISMANTLED.

>> WE WANT THAT TO BE DISMANTLED.

THAT'S SOMETHING THE NEXT MAYOR NEEDS TO ABSOLUTELY DO.

THEY COULD JUST FLIP THAT SWITCH AND IT COULD BE WORKING AGAIN.

SO THAT BRINGS US BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

WE NEED CUMULATIVE IMPACT ORDINANCES.

WE NEED REGULATIONS THAT WILL PREVENT ANOTHER GENERAL IRON, ANOTHER CATASTROPHE IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> EXPLAINED THE CUMULATIVE IMPACT IN JUST A SECOND BUT I WANT TO BRING IN KIM.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE IMPACT ON LITTLE VILLAGE IN THE BIG DUST PLUME , WHAT DO YOU WANT THE NEXT MAYOR TO DO?

>> WE DEFINITELY WANT TO SEE THE CUMULATIVE IMPACT ORDINANCE PASSED.

WE WANT THE NEXT MAYOR TO RELEASE THE REPORTS SO THAT WE CAN SEE IT AT THE COUNCIL LEVELS.

>> WE WANT THAT RELEASED SO THERE CAN BE HEARINGS IN THE CITY COUNCIL UNDERSTANDING EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED AND ENSURE, THE SAME THING DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

THESE ARE STAFFERS WHO MADE THIS DECISION HAPPEN.

LASTLY WE NEED TO BAN IMPLOSIONS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

WE CANNOT TRUST THIS ADMINISTRATION TO HANDLE ANOTHER IMPLOSION.

>> TWO OF YOU HAVE MENTIONED THE CUMULATIVE IMPACT STUDY.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO VIEWERS WHAT THAT IS?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE LOOK AT, HOW MANY FACILITIES ARE LOCATED IN A GEOGRAPHICAL AREA.

>> AND LOOK AT ITS IMPACT BASED ON AIR QUALITY ISSUES, THE PM 2.5 AND OTHER MATTERS, THE PARTICULARLY HAPPEN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND ALSO LOOK AT THE HEALTH DISPARITIES ALREADY IMPACTED IN THAT COMMUNITY, AND WOULD THIS BE AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN IN THE COMMUNITY BASED ON ALL OF THESE OTHER ACTIVITIES LOCATED IN THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA.

>> ONCE THIS STUDY IS DONE AND IT'S STILL ONGOING RIGHT NOW, YOU WANT THERE TO BE AN ORDINANCE TO COME OUT OF IT, WHAT SHOULD IT SAY?

>> JUST TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF CHERYL, APART FROM JUST HOW MANY POLLUTING COMPANIES OR COMPANIES ADMITTING THINGS INTO THE AIR IN ONE AREA, ALSO THE DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THESE ASSESSMENTS.

IN THESE DECISIONS REGARDING ZONING AND LAND USE.

WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT, A POLLUTING COMPANY IN ONE NEIGHBORHOOD IS GOING TO IMPACT VERY DEFINITELY IF IT'S SITUATED IN A WEALTHY NEIGHBORHOOD.

IN A POOR NEIGHBORHOOD YOU MAY NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, SO THE DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS NEED TO BE A FACTOR IN HOW WE MAKE THESE DECISIONS.

>> SO WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS, IF SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET AN INDUSTRIAL PERMIT TO BUILD IN A SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOOD, THESE THINGS HAVE TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION?

>> ABSOLUTELY AND IT LOOKS AT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR ZONING DEPARTMENTS AND HOW CAN THE COMMUNITIES BE IDENTIFIED.

AND THAT MORE PROTECTION CAN BE GIVEN TO THEM , AND THE CITY AND ADMINISTRATION CAN BE THINKING ABOUT NOT JUST STOPPING THEM FROM BRINGING POLLUTION.

>> CHERYL JOHNSON JUST BROUGHT UP THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT IN THE CITY UNDER THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, THAT'S BEEN GOTTEN RID OF.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT KIND OF ALLUDED TO WANTING TO BRING IT BACK.

OBVIOUSLY THERE WILL BE A NEW MAYOR COME MAY SO WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT SPECIFIC DEPARTMENT?

>> IS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE DON'T JUST NEED AN ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT, WE NEED AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT THAT WILL STAND UP WITH ALL THE OTHER AGENCIES AND SEE WHERE THEY ARE CREATING HARM AND TRY TO REDUCE THOSE HARMS AND BURDENS THAT IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

CHICAGO HAS ALREADY DEMONSTRATED, IT'S DISRESPECT FOR THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES THAT ALLOW THESE THINGS TO HAPPEN.

SO WHY NOT HAVE AN INSTITUTION ESTABLISHED , AND FUNDED , WITHIN THE CITY OF CHICAGO, TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.

BECAUSE IT AFFECTS OUR QUALITY OF LIFE, IT AFFECTS OUR SCHOOLS , IT AFFECTS OUR HEALTH AND BUSINESSES.

AND THE PERMITTING PROCESS.

THE CITY OF CHICAGO NEVER DENIED A PERMIT UNTIL NOW.

>> YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT GENERAL IRON, THERE IS AN INDUSTRIAL COMPANY, MATT ASPHALT, THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MEETING AIR-QUALITY STANDARDS BUT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO OPERATE.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE NEXT MAYOR DO WITH MATT ASPHALT.

>> I THINK ONE IS ENSURE THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

AND HOW DO WE DEAL WITH BAD ACTORS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THIS IS ABOUT BAD ACTORS WHO HAVE OSHA VIOLATIONS.

YOU SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET A PERMIT OR A CONTRACT WITH THE CITY WHEN YOU ARE FIGHTING TICKETS FROM THE CITY OR IN COURT LITIGATION.

THIS IS VERY BASIC.

JUST LIKE WE ARE RESPONSIBLE IF WE GET A TICKET.

THESE INSTITUTIONS AND COMPANIES SHOULD BE HELD THE SAME STANDARDS.

>> ON THAT NOTE THERE WAS A RECENT STUDY THAT SHOWED FEWER THAN HALF OF ALL AIR POLLUTION CITATIONS FROM CITY HEALTH INSPECTORS AND UP STICKING.

SO COMPANIES OFTEN GET THEM DROPPED.

WHY IS THAT HAPPENING?

>> THERE ARE SO MANY LOOPHOLES AND WAYS FOR THEM TO GET VARIANCES FROM THE RULES.

ALSO WITH THE CITY IS NOT ADJUDICATING THESE VIOLATIONS, AND THEY SETTLE, THEN THEY GET ERASED FROM THE RECORD .

SO THEN THEY COULD GO BACK AND APPLY FOR ANOTHER PERMIT.

THAT IS JUST UNCONSCIONABLE.

THEY HAVE ALL THESE VIOLATIONS THAT THEY PAY IN SETTLEMENTS THAT ARE ERASED.

FOR THEM, PAYING THESE FINES IS JUST THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS.

THESE FINES ARE NOT PUNITIVE ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY CHANGE WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

SO WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE.

BECAUSE RIGHT AFTER , THERE WAS AN IG REPORT TALKING ABOUT ENFORCEMENT AFTER THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT WAS DISMANTLED.

THOSE ENFORCEMENTS WENT WAY DOWN.

WE HAVE ALL THE PROOF THERE, THE NEXT MAYOR NEEDS TO COME THROUGH AND ACTUALLY FOLLOW THROUGH.

WE HAVE THE DATA, WE NEED TO STOP GAS LIGHTING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ACTIVISTS.

WE HAVE THE INFORMATION AND THE HEALTH STUDIES, THESE REGULATIONS, IT'S NOT JUST ONE CATCHALL THING, IT'S GOING TO BE A SWEEP OF REGULATIONS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN AND THERE HAS TO BE INTERAGENCY COORDINATION .

>> HERE'S ONE OTHER GIGANTIC ISSUE THAT THE NEXT MAYOR FACES, THE REPLACEMENT OF LEAD SERVICE LINES FOR WATER.

LESS THAN 1% HAVE BEEN REPLACED SO FAR, CHERYL JOHNSON, HOW SHOULD THE NEXT MAYOR GO ABOUT TACKLING THIS?

>> THEY CAN'T CREATE TWO CITIES.

I LIVED IN PUBLIC HOUSING FOR AN EXAMPLE AND THERE'S NO DATA.

THEY HAVE NO DATA ABOUT LEAD SERVICE LINES , AND HAVE THEY BEEN EXPECTED OR ANYTHING.

I'VE BEEN AN ACTIVIST FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS AROUND LEAD POISONING ISSUES.

IT'S JUST TERRIBLE THAT WE HAD TO GET TO THIS POINT WHEN WE KNEW 30 YEARS AGO THAT LED WAS TERRIBLE AND IT WAS IN OUR SCHOOLS AND HOMES.

IT TAKES A CRISIS DOWN HERE, I THINK IT WAS ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY, THAT'S WHEN WE STARTED HAVING THE DISCUSSION.

WE SHOULD BE MORE PROACTIVE BECAUSE WE NOW, SINCE 1978, LEAD IS BAD.

WE DEFINITELY KNOW THAT MOST OF THE HOUSING AND HOMES, AND SERVICE LINES EXIST.

WE HAVE A LOT OF OLD HOUSES.

>> SO THE WORK HAS STARTED ON THAT WITH THE HELP OF FEDERAL MONEY BUT THERE'S A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> AND OUR KIDS ARE GETTING POISONED.

>> IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RECENTLY DID A TEST, 75% HIGHER THAN WHAT'S LEGALLY ACCEPTABLE IN A SCHOOL RIGHT NOW.

>> SO A LOT ON YOUR PLATE AND A LOT ON THE NEXT MAYOR'S PLATE .

WE HAVE MORE TO DISCUSS BUT WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT HERE FOR NOW.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.

UP NEXT, COULD A RUNWAY DISPLACE A FOREST.

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>>> LAKE COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE IN THE MIDST OF TALKING ABOUT SELLING LAND FROM THE FOREST PRESERVE TO THE KEEGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT.

IT'S RAISING QUESTIONS AND DRAWING PUSHBACK.

PATTY JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

THIS AIRPORT, WHY DOES IT WANT THIS EXTRA LAND THAT HAPPENS TO BE FOREST PRESERVE LAND?

>> THE AIRPORT FOR CONTEXT IS FOR GENERALLY PRIVATE SMALL AIRPLANES, LARGER CORPORATE 737S, LIGHT FLIGHTS AND COAST GUARD.

THEY HAVE A 6000 FOOT RUNWAY THAT THEY SAY HAS REACHED THE END OF ITS USEFUL LIFE.

THEY WANT TO BUILD A 7000 FOOT RUNWAY AND TO DO THE LONGER RUNWAY THEY NEED SOME ADJACENT LAND FOR A PROTECTION SAFETY BUFFER ZONE.

THAT ADJACENT LAND HAPPENS TO BE FOREST PRESERVE.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT A GRAPHIC OF THESE RUNWAY PLANS.

WHAT'S THE RESPONSE FROM FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY?

>> IT'S A MIXED BAG.

YOU HAVE OFFICIALS FROM SURROUNDING COMMUNITY WHO APPRECIATE THE ECONOMIC ENGINE.

THEN YOU HAVE FOLKS WHO ARE ON PRINCIPLE SAYING THE FOREST PRESERVE SHOULD NEVER BE SELLING ANY LAND.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTED AND PRESERVED.

SO THERE ARE MULTIPLE SIDES.

>> CAN THE AIRPORT EXPAND THE RUNWAY AND NOT ACQUIRE THAT LAND?

>> IT COULDN'T HAVE THAT 7000 FOOT RUNWAY.

PEOPLE ARE SUSPICIOUS ABOUT WHAT THEY NEED THE LONGER RUNWAY FOUR.

THEY ARE WORRIED THAT THE REAL PURPOSE IS TO BRING IN MORE JETS, BIGGER JETS, THE AIRPORT SAYS , WE ARE NOT GOING TO GO THE PASSENGER ROUTE AND WE ARE NOT TRYING TO BE THE NEXT ROCKFORD WITH CARGO PLANES.

IT'S JUST THAT FOR SAFETY, THE KINDS OF PLANES THAT ARE CURRENTLY USING THESE RUNWAYS NEED THAT LONGER RUNWAY.

>> WHERE IS THIS IN THE PROCESS?

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE WAITING ON AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT.

SO WE DON'T HAVE THE ANSWERS YET OF, IS IT GOING TO BRING MORE POLLUTION, MORE NOISE, WILL IT BE AN ISSUE FOR WILDLIFE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

ONCE THAT IS RELEASED AND POLICE -- PEOPLE GET TO REVIEW IT, THERE WILL BE A PUBLIC MEETING, A FEEDBACK PROCESS AND THEN THE FAA CAN SAY YES OR NO OR DO SOME MORE WORK.

THE FOREST PRESERVE CAN OBVIOUSLY SAY NO.

>> HOW MUCH LAND ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

IS IT FROM THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY?

>> NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT MONEY YET BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO BLOW A DEAL.

>> SO WE DON'T KNOW THE COST.

>> NO ONE IS SAYING HOW MUCH MONEY WOULD BE SPENT ON THE LAND BUT WHERE IS THAT MONEY COMING FROM.

DOES THAT MEAN TAXPAYERS WILL PAY FOR IT TWICE?

LOTS OF QUESTIONS ARE STILL UP IN THE AIR AND HOPEFULLY DURING THIS PUBLIC PROCESS, A LOT OF THAT INFORMATION WILL COME OUT.

>> I KNOW YOU WILL BE FOLLOWING ALL THOSE STEPS PATTY THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> YOU CAN READ HER FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>>> IN A NEW SPECIAL JEFFREY BAER TAKES US ON A TOUR OF SOME OF CHICAGO'S MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES.

SOME MAYBE FAMILIAR, OTHERS LESS SO, HERE'S A CLIP FROM THE SHOW FEATURING A BUILDING YOU'VE ALMOST CERTAINLY DRIVEN BY BUT NEVER SEEM QUITE LIKE THIS.

>> BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS AND CHICAGO'S NEIGHBORHOODS DON'T GET AS MUCH OF THE SPOTLIGHT AS THE ARCHITECTURAL SUPERSTARS DOWNTOWN.

BUT HE HAS DESIGNED STRIKING BUILDINGS ALL OVER CHICAGO LIKE THIS NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY FACILITY.

>> JOINING US IS JEFFREY BAER.

I HAD NEVER SEEN THAT BUILDING FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE AND I DRIVE BY IT EVERY DAY.

AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE EMPLOYED THE LATEST SCIENTIFIC TECHNOLOGY TO COME UP WITH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES RIGHT?

>> I PUT A BUNCH OF SLIPS OF PAPER IN A MASON JAR AND PULLED THEM OUT, NO, IT'S AN INTENTIONALLY PROVOCATIVE TITLE.

WE REALLY FIND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN CHICAGO.

WE WANT TO GET A CONVERSATION GOING, SO WE CAN GET NEARLY EVERYTHING .

SO MANY BUILDINGS AND HOUSES OF WORSHIP AND NATURAL AREAS, THERE WILL BE A LOT OF DEBATE.

>> THROUGHOUT THIS FILM THERE IS A LOT ABOUT THE RICH EXPERIENCE IN CHICAGO, HOW DID YOU WEAVE THAT INTO THE DISCUSSION ABOUT BEAUTIFUL PLACES.

>> THAT'S KIND OF WHAT EMERGED AS WE WERE MAKING THE PROGRAM, THIS IDEA THAT, REALLY IT'S SORT OF THIS MELTING POT OF IMMIGRANTS THAT HAVE COME TO CHICAGO WITH THEIR IDEAS OF BEAUTY FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

THIS IS A PARK THAT WAS DESIGNED BY A CHINESE-AMERICAN, A WONDERFUL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, ERNIE WONG, HE ALSO DID THE PARK IN CHINATOWN WHICH IS ALSO ONE OF OUR BEAUTIFUL PLACES.

HE GOT TO EXPLORE HIS OWN HERITAGE, HE HAD NEVER EVEN BEEN TO CHINA TILL HE WAS IN HIS 20s.

>> OUT OF ALL THESE SPECIALS THAT YOU HAVE DONE, YOU'VE SEEN EVERY CORNER OF THE REGION, DOES ANYTHING STILL SURPRISE YOU?

DID ANYTHING IN THIS PROJECT SURPRISE YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY, THIS IS AN ABANDONED STEEL MILL THAT WE JUST SAW.

A BEAUTIFUL HINDU TEMPLE.

THIS IS ENTIRELY HANDMADE IN INDIA, HAND CARVED FROM MARBLE.

THERE WERE ALL KINDS OF PLACES.

THERE WAS A MOSQUE THAT I HAD NEVER EVEN HEARD OF.

>> WE ALL KNOW THAT BUT, THE OTHER PLACES ARE COMPLETELY OBSCURE.

>> I WANTED TO FIND A BEAUTIFUL MOSQUE AND HERE IT IS, OUT IN THE WESTERN SUBURBS.

I HAD NEVER EVEN HEARD OF THIS PLACE, AND LOOK AT THIS!

I'M ALWAYS SURPRISED WHEN WE DO OUR PROGRAM.

I ALWAYS FIND SOMETHING I HAD NEVER EVEN HEARD OF.

>> SERIOUSLY, HOW DID YOU PICK THE FINALISTS?

>> WE WANTED DIVERSITY IN THE PROGRAM SO WE WANTED NOT ONLY DIVERSITY OF WHERE THEY WERE LOCATED LIKE IN THE CITY AND IN THE SUBURBS BUT ALSO TYPES OF PLACES.

SO WE HAVE SKYSCRAPERS, HOUSES OF WORSHIP, NATURAL AREAS, WE WANTED TO REPRESENT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY BUT THE OTHER THING THAT WAS REALLY DIFFERENT WAS ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WE GOT INTO IT.

ALL THE PEOPLE WHO TOLD US WHY THESE PLACES WERE SO BEAUTIFUL TO THEM WHICH REALLY EXPANDED OUR DEFINITION OF BEAUTY.

I THOUGHT WE WERE JUST GOING AFTER VISUAL BEAUTY BUT IT'S REALLY THE STORIES THAT COME WITH IT.

>> THAT BEING SAID AS WITH ALL YOUR SPECIALS IT IS VISUALLY BEAUTIFUL.

YOU ARE UP IN AN AIRPLANE AT SUNSET.

>> AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE SHOW, THIS PILOT IN A LITTLE AIRPLANE WANTED TO SHOW ME HIS FAVORITE VIEW OF CHICAGO CELL, I'M AN AVIATION GEEK SO I'M ALWAYS THE GUY LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW ON THE AIRPLANE.

HERE I GOT TO FLY UP AND DOWN FOR 45 MINUTES AT SUNSET.

I WAS SO EXCITED I FORGOT TO INTERVIEW THE GUY.

I'M UP THERE WITH THE PILOT AND I JUST TAKING PICTURES, IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL.

>> YOU GET TO HAVE SO MUCH FUN IN THIS JOB.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO IT AIRING TOMORROW NIGHT .

AGAIN YOU CAN WATCH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN CHICAGO TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 ON WTTW .

ALSO STREAMING AT 7:00 ON THE PBS VIDEO APP.

>>> WE ARE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT, JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 10:00.

WHY LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING TOUGHER STANDARDS FOR RIDESHARE COMPANIES.

AND THE STORIES OF THREE LOCAL DOCTORS JUST BACK FROM SYRIA AND TURKEY FOLLOWING THE DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKES.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT I'M PARIS SCHUTZ, STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW EVENING.