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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANNOUNCES PLANS TO LIFT ITS MASK MANDATE BUT THE TEACHERS' UNION IS PUSHING BACK.

>> THIS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT ELECTION I HAVE EVER BEEN INVOLVED IN.

>> IT'S CANDIDATE FILING DAY.

WHY POLITICIANS SAY THIS ELECTION SEASON IS DIFFERENT AND TOUGHER THAN USUAL.

>> THE INDICTMENT ACCUSES MADIGAN OF LEADING FOR NEARLY A DECADE A CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE.

>> AND AS FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN IS INDICTED WE SPEAK WITH A LONGTIME POLITICAL REPORTER ON HIS NEW BOOK.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> IT'S OFFICIAL.

MASKING IN CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS SET TO BECOME OPTIONAL.

MONDAY ALL C.P.S.

SCHOOL ALSO DROP THE MASK MANDATE CITING THE CITY'S LOW NUMBER OF COVID CASES AND THE CHANGE IN C.D.C.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

MEANWHILE, THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION SAYS IT WILL FILE AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE CHARGE.

WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE IN A MOMENT WITH DISTRICT C.E.O.

PEDRO MARTINEZ AND CHICAGO PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER Dr. ALLISON ARWADY.

>> A BIG DAY FOR THE FACILITY ONCE KNOWN AS MERCY HOSPITAL ON THE CITY'S SOUTH SIDE.

[CHEERING] [APPLAUSE] THE BROWNSVILLE HOSPITAL IS RECEIVING AMBULANCES.

THE HOSPITAL WAS BOUGHT IN APRIL AND IS NOW KNOWN AS INSIGHT HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER.

THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORIZED INSIGHT TO ACCEPT CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT AMBULANCES AFTER A YEAR OF BEING BYPASSED.

>> VERY EXCITED TO OPEN OUR DOORS.

WELCOME CHICAGO'S FIRST-RESPONDERS, CARE FOR PATIENTS BROUGHT BY AMBULANCES TO OUR CRITICAL CARE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND PROVIDE THE BEST OF CARE.

>> COULD THE RICKETTS FAMILY EXPAND THEIR SPORTS EMPIRE FROM BASEBALL TO SOCCER?

THE CUBS OWNERS ARE REPORTEDLY LOOKING INTO MAKING A BID FOR THE CELLTY FOOTBALL CLUB.

THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM WON'T COME CHEAP.

A RUSSIAN OLIGARCH WHO OWNS THE CLUB IS REPORTEDLY ASKING FOR $4 BILLION.

HE WAS EXPECTED TO FACE SANCTIONS FROM THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AFTER THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE.

THERE ARE UP TO 10 POSSIBLE SUITERS INTERESTED IN BUYING A TEAM.

THE RICKETTS FAMILY UNSUCCESSFULLY EXPLORED BUYING AN ITALIAN SOCCER TEAM IN 2018.

UP NEXT MORE ON CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS' DECISION TO GO MASK OPTIONAL.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AS WE MENTIONED CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAYS IT WILLIST ITS MASK MANDATE NEXT WEEK.

THE DISTRICT ANNOUNCED THE MOVE TO OPTIONAL MODEL TODAY CITING A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN COVID METRICS IMPROVED TESTING IN SCHOOLS AND A RISE IN VACCINATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.

BUT THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION IS PUSHING BACK SAYING THE DECISION VIOLATES A SAFETY AGREEMENT MADE IN JANUARY.

AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE DECISION ARE Dr. ALLISON ARWADY, COMMISSIONER OF THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

AND PEDRO MARTINEZ, THE C.E.O.

OF CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

PEDRO MARTINEZ I WILL START WITH YOU, WHY THIS DECISION TO MAKE MASKS OPTIONAL STARTING NEXT WEEK?

>> WELL, PARIS, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALMOST IT'S BEEN ALMOST TWO YEARS SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED HITTING OUR SCHOOLS.

AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN THOSE TWO YEARS I'VE SEEN AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL WITH THE C.D.C., AT THE STATE LEVEL WITH IDPH AND THE LOCAL LEVEL WITH OUR LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WHERE ALL THREE SAYING WE ARE IN A LOW RISK ENVIRONMENT.

SO AFTER CONSULTING WITH Dr. ARWADY, WE DECIDED IT IS TIME FOR OUR DISTRICT TO GO MASK OPTIONAL.

WE WERE THE FIRST DISTRICT THAT WENT UNIVERSAL MASKINGS AND ONE OF THE LAST DISTRICTS GOING MASK OPTIONAL.

I'M ENCOURAGED WITH THE SAFETY CONDITIONS.

>> DESPITE THE ANALYSIS THAT FOUND THREE QUARTERS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAD 50% VACCINATION RATE SOME SCHOOLS ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES THEY ARE IN THE TEENS OR 20s.

WHY A ONE SIZE MASK POLICY HERE GIVEN THE VARIANTS?

>> NO DOUBT WE NEED TO CONTINUE WORKING ON VACCINATIONS.

BUT AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL 56% OF C.P.S.

STUDENTS HAVE HAD AT LEAST THAT FIRST DOSE.

49% ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

THOSE ARE THE NUMBERS WE LOOK AT WHEN WE MAKE DECISIONS.

AND, LOOK, WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE IF FOLKS ARE NOT VACCINATED THEY CAN CHOOSE TO CONTINUE MASKING.

WE ARE IN A GOOD PLACE HERE IN CHICAGO AND WHEN WE ARE IN A GOOD PLACE FROM A COVID PERSPECTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, IT ALSO MEANS WE ARE IN A GOOD PLACE IN THE SCHOOLS WHERE WE KNOW THE RISK IS LOWER THAN IN THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY BECAUSE OF ALL THE OTHER MITIGATIONS THAT ARE IN PLACE.

>> AND THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION IS NOT HAPPY WITH THIS DECISION.

IN A STATEMENT RELEASED THE TEACHER UNION PUSHED BACK SAYING QUOTE... >> PEDRO MARTINEZ, IS THIS A VIOLATION OF THAT AGREEMENT?

>> WELL, PARIS, WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO OUR C.T.U.

PARTNERS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS AS WE WERE SEEING BOTH THE MEASURES GETTING BETTER AND TELLING US IT'S MUCH MORE SAFER.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO CLARIFY Dr. ARWADY SAYS WE ARE STILL GOING TO ENCOURAGE MASKING IN COMMUNITIES WITH CHILDREN UNVACCINATED.

I FEEL CONFIDENT WE WILL COME TO SOME AGREEMENT.

BUT I DO FEEL I'M HOPEFUL, HOPEFUL THAT WE'RE NOW SAFE AND WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DOUBLE DOWN ON VACCINATION EFFORTS IN SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SO WE STAY SAFE.

>> PEDRO MARTINEZ YOU TALKED TO FOLKS IN THE C.T.U.

DID YOU TALK TO JESSE SHARKEY?

WERE THEY ONBOARD OR DID THEY PUSHBACK?

>> WE HAVE BEEN TALKING TO NOT ONLY JESSE BUT THE TEAM AND MY TEAM HAS BEEN TALKING AND SO WHEN WE WERE JUST HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT FIRST OF ALL WE MIGHT HAVE STAFF THAT MIGHT HAVE HEALTH CONDITIONS SOME OF OUR CHILDREN HOW DO WE PROTECT THEM AND ENCOURAGE MASKING IN ENVIRONMENTS WE KNOW THERE'S RISK.

AND ALSO DISCUSSIONS WE'VE BEEN HAVING AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

I BELIEVE RIGHT NOW WE'VE SAID WE ARE GOING TO LISTEN TO THE SCIENCE AND LISTEN TO OUR MEDICAL EXPERTS INCLUDING Dr. ARWADY.

AND LIKE I SAID I'M HOPEFUL THIS IS THE SAFEST SEEN OUR COMMUNITY BE.

>> WHAT ABOUT TEACHERS AND STUDENTS THAT HAVE MEDICAL VULNERABILITIES?

SHOULD THERE BE A MASK POLICY MAYBE A DIFFERENT OPTION FOR A MASK MANDATE FOR CERTAIN CLASSROOMS?

>> SO, AS YOU KNOW, C.P.S.

HAS MADE AVAILABLE NOT JUST MASKS BUT THE BEST QUALITY MASKS FOR KIDS AND ADULTS WHO CHOOSE TO CONTINUE TO WEAR THEM.

AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR IT IS NOT LIKE MASKS ARE GOING TO VANISH OVERNIGHT.

MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR EXAMPLE AFTER STUDENTS OR STAFF HAVE BEEN HOME FOR FIVE DAYS OF ISOLATION OR QUARANTINE, TO COME BACK THEY WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE WEARING THEM IN DAYS 6-10.

IF WE HAVE CONCERNS FOR SPREAD OR INVESTIGATING POTENTIAL CLUSTER, WE WILL BE ASKING AND REQUIRING IN THOSE LIMITED SETTINGS SOME MASKING.

BUT THE GOOD NEWS, BY EVERY METRIC, OLD C.D.C.

METRIC, NEW C.D.C.

METRIC EVERY MEASURE THAT YOU COUNT WE ARE AT .8% POSITIVITY AS A CITY.

AND C.P.S.

IS SCREENING POSITIVITY IS .14%.

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY A PLACE WHERE THE RISKS REMAIN LOW.

WE NEED BOTH TO STAY OUT IF THEY ARE HAVING SYMPTOMS.

WE ARE NOT DONE WITH COVID BUT WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE WE CAN LIFT THIS REQUIREMENT FOR EVERYBODY WHILE CONTINUING WHERE PEOPLE CONTINUE TO CHOOSE TO WEAR IT, WANT TO BE CLEAR, THAT THAT IS NOT ONLY ACCEPTABLE BUT IT'S ENCOURAGED IF YOU ARE NOT VACCINATED.

>> AND THE UNION IN THEIR AGREEMENT SAID THAT THE MASKS SHOULD REMAIN UP UNTIL AUGUST.

THEY WILL FILE AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE CHARGE.

YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, WE'VE SAID WE'RE COMMITTED TO THE SAFETY AND FOLLOWING THE SCIENCE.

AND RIGHT NOW WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHERE WE'RE AT WITH OUR POSITIVITY RATE HOW LOW OUR CASES ARE.

THE FACT WE ARE DOING MORE COVID TESTING.

OUR SAFETY PROCEDURES HAVE NEVER BEEN STRONGER.

THE MAJORITY OF OUR SCHOOLS BECAUSE WHEN I GO TO VISIT CLASSROOMS WE NEVER SEE ANY CHALLENGES WITH MASKING.

THE MAJORITY OF OUR CHILDREN ARE STILL GOING TO WEAR MASKS AND WE ARE GOING TO BE PROVIDING LESSION PLANS TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN WE ARE ACCEPTING WHETHER OUR CHILD IS WEARING A MASK OR NOT AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE RISK.

IF ARE YOU NOT VACCINATED AND NOT MASKING.

MOST OF OUR SCHOOLS WILL CONTINUE TO MASK.

WE WILL DOUBLE DOWN ON VACCINATION EFFORTS WITH MOBILE EVENTS.

Dr. ARWADY HAS AN AMAZING PROGRAM WHERE THEY GO TO YOUR HOME TO GET VACCINATED.

PLEASE GET VACCINATED AND KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

>> THAT LABOR AGREEMENT CAME AFTER FIVE DAYS WHERE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS HAD WALKED OFF THE JOB.

CAN YOU PROVIDE ASSURANCE FOR PARENTS HERE THAT A WORK STOPPAGE LIKE THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN?

>> I WILL BE AN OPTIMIST.

I THINK THE MAJORITY OF OUR STAFF ARE ALSO FEELING GOOD WHERE OUR CITY AND DISTRICT IS AT.

BECAUSE THAT IS CLEAR.

WE'RE TRANSPARENT.

AND SO AGAIN, WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR C.T.U.

PARTNERS AND CONTINUE TO WHEREVER THERE IS ANXIETY, WE WILL HAVE MASKS IN EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL AND HAVE THEM AVAILABLE THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR.

NSK FOR THE CHILDREN N95 MASK FOR THE CHILDREN AND STUFF.

>> THERE IS A LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY A REPUBLICAN NOW RUNNING FOR POLITICAL OFFICE, A JUDGE IS SET TO HEAR THE CASE IS THIS DECISION INFLUENCED BY THAT CASE?

>> THE FIRST DRIVER IS SAFETY AND WHERE THE HEALTH METRICS ARE AT AND WHAT OUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ARE SAYING.

I WILL TELL YOU WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE RETAINED OUR ABILITY TO PIVOT IF THE PANDEMIC CHANGES.

BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN IT CHANGE MULTIPLE TIMES.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO CONTINUE TO KEEP OUR AUTHORITY.

IT DID WEIGH INTO THE DECISION BUT THE PRIORITY IS ALWAYS SAFETY AND WHERE THE HEALTH METARE AT.

THANK YOU Dr. ALLISON ARWADY AND PEDRO MARTINEZ.

>> ON A PROGRAMMING NOTE, A MEMBER OF THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION LEADERSHIP WILL JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT.

>> IN A TYPICAL YEAR ILLINOIS WOULD BE DEEP IN THE THROES OF CAMPAIGN SEASON.

THE PRIMARY WOULD BE TAKING PLACE NEXT WEEK.

INSTEAD ELECTION SEASON IS JUST GETTING UNDERWAY THE FIRST DAY CANDIDATES WERE ABLE TO FILE TO RUN INTO A JUNE PRIMARY.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> YEAH, PARIS IT WAS COLD AND SNOWY IN ILLINOIS' CAPITAL CITY BUT NO MATTER.

FOLKS SCORES REALLY SPENT HOURS OUTSIDE AND ALIGNED IN A NON-DISCRIPT STRIP MALL WHERE THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS IS BASED.

SIMILAR HOW FOLKS USED TO CAMP OUT AND BUY CONCERT TICKETS.

THESE WERE NOT JUST RANDOM ANYBODIES.

SOME WERE PROMINENT POLITICIANS OTHERS ARE ASPIRING TO BE.

>> THAT'S DEMOCRACY IN ACTION.

IT IS A SPECIAL DAY.

AND I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE AND THIS IS HOW THE SAUSAGE IS MADE.

>> I'M GLAD TO BE HERE AN IMPORTANT PHASE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOT AND IT STARTS WITH THE PETITIONS.

I'M HONORED TO HAVE PEOPLE HELP ME CIRCULATE MY PETITION.

>> WE HAD A GREAT RESPONSE FROM VOTERS AT THE DOORS AND YOU WILL SEE THAT WEE WE FILE OUR PETITIONS.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT CAMPAIGN SEASON 2022.

>> THAT IS A CUSTOM TO GET MEDIA ATTENTION AND A CHANCE FOR A LEG UP.

ANYONE IN LINE TO FILE PETITIONS BY THE TIME ELECTION AUTHORITIES OPEN THEIR DOORS THIS MORNING HAD A CHANCE TO BE LISTED FIRST FOR THEIR RACE ON THE BALLOT.

A POSITION THAT COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF THERE IS A CLOSE CONTEST N ORDER TO MAKE IT ON THE BALLOT ILLINOIS CANDIDATES HAVE TO COLLECT SIGNATURES FROM REGISTERED VOTERS.

THE AMOUNT VARIES, BUT FOR STATE-WIDE CANDIDATES THOUSANDS OF SIGNATURES ARE REQUIRED.

SOME CANDIDATES FILING FOR LOCAL OFFICE HERE IN COOK COUNTY SOUNDED LESS THAN ENTHUSED.

>> THIS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT ELECTION I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN.

FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS CHICAGO.

THIS IS WINTER, THERE IS A PANDEMIC.

THEY SQUEEZED US USUALLY WE HAVE 90 DAYS WE HAD 60 DAYS TO GET PETITIONS.

PEOPLE DID NOT ANSWER THEIR DOORS.

LOVE RING CAMERAS THEY DON'T WORK FOR US.

>> THIS IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PETITION DRIVE WE'VE HAD IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF WEATHER AND THE SHORTENED TIME PERIOD.

AND THE PANDEMIC I MEAN EVERYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF MADE IT MORE CHALLENGING.

>> COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE HAS DONE THIS ROUTINE BEFORE AND IS RUNNING FOR A FOURTH TERM OF OFFICE SHE HAS HELD SINCE 2010.

AND PRECKWINKLE IS CHAIR OF THE COOK COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY SO SHE HAS RESPONSIBILITIES TO INSURE THAT PETITIONS FOR OTHER CANDIDATES SLATED BY THE PARTY ARE IN ORDER.

PRECKWINKLE DID NOT MENTION ANOTHER REASON THAT VOTERS MAY NOT BE KEEN TO SIGN PETITIONS.

BUT THEY MIGHT BE FED UP, DISGUSTED WITH POLITICS.

PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF WEDNESDAY'S INDICTMENT OF FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER AND FORMER DEMOCRATIC STATE PARTY CHAIR MICHAEL MADIGAN.

>> THE CHARGES ARE AGAINST SPEAKER MADIGAN.

HE IS THE ONE WHO IS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

>> DO YOU THINK VOTERS RECOGNIZE THAT, THOUGH?

>> YOU KNOW I'M HOPEFUL THAT IS THE CASE IT'S TO BE DETERMINED I SUPPOSE.

>> PRECKWINKLE DID NOT VOICE CONCERN ABOUT MADIGAN BEING A DRAG ON DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS ARE SURE TO SPEND THE NEXT THREE MONTHS TRYING THEIR DARNEDEST.

>> I'M HEARING THAT THEY BELIEVE CRIME IS OUT OF CONTROL UNDER J.B. PRITZKER.

CORRUPTION IS OUT OF CONTROL.

AND OUR RESIDENTS OF ILLINOIS WANT A DIFFERENCE THEY WANT SOMEBODY WHO IS GOING TO LOOK OUT FOR THEIR INTEREST.

WHAT MAKES THIS EXCITING FOR US IS THAT KNOW THAT WE HAVE A DISTINCT MISSION.

PRITZKER AND THE DEMOCRAT PARTY HAVE FAILED ILLINOIS.

BEEN SERVING FOR THREE YEARS NOW.

PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THAT.

THE GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT IS ALIVE AND WELL WE HAVE 20,000 SIGNATURES TO TURN IN AND WE'RE PROUD OF THAT AND WE THINK THAT REFLECTS OUR MOVEMENT.

>> WHAT WE NEED TO REMEMBER IS SPEAKER MADIGAN IS THE SYMPTOM HE IS NOT THE CAUSE OF CORRUPTION IN ILLINOIS.

WE NEED A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM AND IT STARTS REALLY WITH VOTERS ELECTING CANDIDATES AND OFFICIALS THAT ARE TRUSTWORTHY.

>> REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR ILLINOIS' GOVERNOR IS AMONG THE CROWDED CONTESTS YOU SHOULD SEE ON THE BALLOT.

BUT THERE ARE RACES FOR CONGRESS, FOR SECRETARY OF STATE, AND ALSO FOR COOK COUNTY SHERIFF.

ONE CHALLENGER RUNNING FOR SHERIFF GOT TEARY TALKING ABOUT THE GRAVITY OF SUBMITTING THE ELECTION PAPERWORK AND WHAT IS AT STAKE IS HER CAMPAIGN IS NOW REALLY BEGINNING.

>> THIS IS A HUMAN JOB.

THIS IS A POSITION ABOUT PEOPLE.

IF YOU LOSE, THAT EMPATHY, YOU CANNOT CONNECT.

>> THAT FIRST TIME CANDIDATE EMOTIONAL, EXCITED BUT AS WE NOTED EARLIER, SOME CANDIDATES HAVE REALLY BEEN SAYING IT'S BEEN TOUGH TO GET THE REQUIRED SIGNATURES AND THAT IS ESPECIALLY THE CASE OFTEN FOR FIRST-TIMERS WHO LACK MONEY AND WHO LACK POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS, HELPERS TO GO DOOR-TO-DOOR TO GET THE SIGNATURES.

THOSE CANDIDATES HAVE ANOTHER WEEK TO GET THAT JOB JOB.

PETITIONS ARE DUE MARCH 14TH.

PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> A RACE TO THE FINISH LINE.

THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT, A NEW BOOK TAKES AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT JUST INDICTED FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN.

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

BUILT THE RECORD RUN BY ILLINOIS' VELVET HAMMER".

>> GREAT TO SEE YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BOOK.

AND I WANT TO START WITH THE 1981 LEGISLATIVE REMAP WHICH LAUNCHED MADIGAN'S RISE TO POWER.

HE TOOK ON THEN HOUSE SPEAKER GEORGE RYAN AND WON.

EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED?

>> WELL, THEY WERE BOTH BATTLING GEORGE RYAN WAS THE HOUSE SPEAKER THEN.

THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE SPEAKER.

MICHAEL MADIGAN WAS THE DEMOCRATIC MIFORT LEADER.

AND -- MINORITY LEADER.

AND THEY WERE TRYING TO GET A MAP THROUGH THE HOUSE THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT THEY COULD PASS TO THE SENATE AND GET TO THE GOVERNOR AND GEORGE RYAN WAS STRUGGLING TO GET CONGRESSIONAL MAP THROUGH.

HE GOT THAT THROUGH BY A VOTE OR TWO.

AND CAME THE LEGISLATIVE MAP.

AND IT ALL CAME DOWN TO ONE VOTE AND RYAN HAD DRAWN LINES SO THAT DOWN STATE DEMOCRATS WOULD HAVE SAFE SEATS AND HE WAS OPENING TO LURE PEOPLE OVER AND GARY, ROSE UP INTO MADIGAN'S LEADERSHIP LATER ON STOOD UP AS A YOUNG ONE OR TWO-YEAR LAWMAKER AND SAID YOU KNOW THIS IS A REALLY GOOD MAP AND WE'RE SITTING IN THE PRESS BOX AND HE IS GOING TO JUMP FOR GEORGE RYAN'S MAP BUT I WILL STICK WITH MY FRIENDS HERE.

HE DANCED WITH THE ONE WHO BRING THEM HE STAYED WITH DEMOCRATS.

RYAN LOST THAT MAP.

AND AS A RESULT THEY WENT INTO A COMMISSION.

THEY TIED IN THE COMMISSION.

THEY DREW BY LOTS.

AND THE DEMOCRATS WON.

AND BY LUCK OF THE DRAW, MICHAEL MADIGAN WAS DRAWING THE DEMOCRATIC MAP THAT MADE HIM SPEAKER AND LAUNCHED THAT 36-YEAR RUN.

>> THAT BATTLE PORTENDED WHAT WOULD COME.

IN 1988 YOU WRITE ABOUT THE WHITE SOX MIRACLE.

HOW MICHAEL MADIGAN WORKED BEHIND THE SCENES WITH GOVERNOR THOMPSON TO KEEP THE SOX AND THE OWNER FROM MOVING TO FLORIDA.

>> IT WAS AN AMAZING NIGHT.

THERE WAS THE CLOCK WAS TICKING DOWN, THE SENATE PASSED THE BILL WOULD 20 MINUTES LEFT BEFORE MIDNIGHT.

THEY HAD TO PASS IT BEFORE MIDNIGHT.

OR THE BILL WOULD BE DEAD.

THOMPSON ROARED ACROSS THE ROTUNDA.

THEY OPENED THE BIG WOODEN DOORS AND HE JUMPED IN AND STARTED WRANGLING WITH REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS DESK BY DESK.

MADIGAN SCURRIED TO GET HIS LIST.

HE WENT INTO A DARKENED SPEAKER'S OFFICE WITH ONE OF HIS DAUGHTER WAS SLEEPING AND FOUND THE LIST AND RAN OUT.

STEVE BROWN HIS AIDE RECENTLY WAS QUOTED SAYING THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME I SAW MADIGAN RUN.

AND HE RAN ON TO THE FLOOR AND GOING DESK BY DESK.

SOON THEY HAD ALL THE VOTES THEY NEEDED EXCEPT FOR MAYBE TWO OR THREE AND THE CLOCK WAS RUNNING DOWN.

AND THEN THEY DISMANTLED THE CLOCK SO YOU COULD NOT TELL WHAT TIME IT WAS.

AND RADIO BROADCASTER CHARLIE SAID I DON'T KNOW WHAT TIME THEY ARE USING RIGHT NOW BUT IT'S GOT TO BE CLOSE TO MIDNIGHT.

WELL, THEY GOT THE FINAL VOTE, JAMES STANG DID IT WHILE THOMPSON WAS STANDING ON TOP OF HIM AT HIS DESK.

AND HE PUSHED THE BUTTON AND JIM WAS IN THE CHAIR AND SLAMMED THE GRAVEL AND SAID IT'S 11:59.

THE BILL PASSES AND THE PLACE WAS UP FOR GRABS.

>> ON A GENERAL LEVEL, RAY ALL OBSERVERS MYSELF INCLUDED WONDERED ABOUT MADIGAN IF HE HAD A POLITICAL IDEOLOGY OR ALL ABOUT BUILDING POWER AND REMAINING SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND THERE IS NO IDEOLOGY.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THAT MORE AND MORE.

AS I DUG IN MORE AND MORE, EVEN SOME INTERVIEWS ONE INTERVIEW IN PARTICULAR DONE OUT OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS THAT I SAW WHERE HE HAD SAID I DON'T USE A SPECIFIC ADJECTIVE TO DESCRIBE ME AS A DEMOCRAT LIKE CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRAT OR LIBERAL DEMOCRAT.

I AM A DEMOCRAT.

AND AS A RESULT HE WAS ABLE TO HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY AND AS HE MOVED FORWARD, HE WENT FROM A GUY WHO WAS VERY CONSERVATIVE COMING OUT OF THE IRISH-CATHOLIC ENCLAVE ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE.

AND THEN HE MOVED TO A GUY WHO WOULD SUPPORT HIGHER TAXES FOR SCHOOLS AND CITIES.

AND ALSO GAY MARRIAGE AND ABOLISHING THE DEATH PENALTY AND EXPANDING ABORTION RIGHTS.

VERY MUCH DIFFERENT FROM THE GUY WHO STARTED OUT AS A CONSERVATIVE GUY.

>> WENT WHERE THE PARTY WENT AND WE HAVE THE POLITICAL BALL CAPPED OFF BY THE FEDERAL CHARGES.

HERE IS WHAT THE U.S. JOHN LAUSCH HAD TO SAY LAST WEEK.

>> THE INDICTMENT ACCUSED MADIGAN OF LEADING FOR NEARLY A DECADE A CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE WHOSE PURPOSE WAS TO ENHANCE MADIGAN'S POLITICAL POWER AND FINANCIAL WELL-BEING WHILE ALSO GENERATING INCOME FOR HIS POLITICAL ALLIES AND ASSOCIATES.

UNFORTUNATELY, THIS TYPE OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT UNDERMINES THE PUBLIC'S CONFIDENCE IN OUR GOVERNMENT.

>> RAY, WITH PATRONAGE AND PAY TO PLAY YOU HAVE INSTANCES WHERE HE GOES UP TO THE LINE OF LEGALITY AND DOESN'T CROSS IT.

THE WISDOM WAS HE KNEW WHERE THE LINE WAS.

WERE YOU SURPRISED ABOUT THE INDICTMENT?

>> IT WAS A DIFFERENT MADIGAN THAN DESCRIBED TO US BY ALL OF HIS ACCOLADES AND CHEERLEADERS OVER THE YEARS WHO SAID NO, HE WILL NEVER CROSS THE LINE.

HE KNOWS WHERE IT IS.

HE DREW THE LINES, TOO.

SO HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN WHERE THEY WERE.

BUT HE KNEW WHEN HE THOUGHT HE WOULDN'T GET CAUGHT AND THIS TIME HE DID GET CAUGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, A LOT OF INTERESTING ANECDOTES THAT GIVE YOU INSIGHT INTO THE MAN AND HIS HISTORIC REIN OUR THANKS TO RAY LONG.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

>> AND THAT BOOK CALLED THE HOUSE THAT MADIGAN BUILT, THE RECORD RUN OF ILLINOIS' VELVET HAMMER.

YOU CAN READ AN EXCERPT ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> WE'RE BACK IN A MINUTE TO WRAP THINGS UP.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

ABBREVIATED TO BRING YOU CHICAGO ON VACATION WITH GEOFFREY BAER.

STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YouTube AND WTTW.COM/NEWS.

AND YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS GOES MASK OPTIONAL STARTING NEXT WEEK.

THE TEACHERS' UNION LEADERSHIP RESPONDS.

>> AND MEET A CHEF HONORING HIS GRANDMOTHER BY CREATING A UKRAINIAN INSPIRED MENU TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE WAR-TORN COUNTRY.

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

[♪♪♪]