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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> NOW, THE CASE JUST ONE EXAMPLE ONE BAD APPLE THIS IS I SYSTEM THAT NEED TO BE CHANGED.

>> THE FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER PLEADS NOT GUILTY WE LOOK AT EFFORTS TO PREVENT CORRUPTION IN ILLINOIS.

>> THE STATE IS RELIANT ON THE INDUSTRY.

>> ILLINOIS HOTEL LEADERS ARE BACKING A BILL THAT COULD HELP SAVE THE INDUSTRY AFTER A DIFFICULT TWO YEARS OF COVID.

>> THE WORD IS DISABILITY.

>> OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S FOCUS ON CTA SAFETY.

>> THE CITY IS GETTING A GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM AND SOME THINK IT COULD NOT ONLY ADDRESS POVERTY AND ALSO REDUCE VIOLENCE.

>> TO CABRINI ROWHOUSES A LOOK AT THIS YEAR'S MOST ENDANGERED LIST BY PRESERVATION CHICAGO.

>> WE START CUTTING IT RIGHT AWAY IT'S FAIRLY SOFT.

>> CREATIVE EFFORTS TO REIMAGINE INVASIVE OR DEAD TREES.

>> I TELL MY GRANDSON YOU HAVE TO BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> AND A FAMILY OWNED HARDWARE STORE THAT HAS BEEN A FIXTURE IN PILSEN FOR DECADES GETS READY TO HAND OVER THE KEYS TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO 22 COUNTS ALLEGING HE ORCHESTRATED A CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE WHILE SERVING AS HOUSE SPEAKER.

A JUDGE ORDERED HIM RELEASED ON A PERSONAL RECONNAISSANCE BOND.

MIKE McCLAIN ONE OF MADIGAN'S CLOSEST AIDES ALSO PLEADED NOT GUILTY.

THE NEXT HEAR SOMETHING SCHEDULED FOR APRIL FIRST AND MORE ON ETHICS REFORM EFFORTS COMING UP NEXT.

>> MORE SECURITY FOR THE CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY THEY WILL BE ADDING OFFICERS AND SECURITY GUARDS ALONG PUBLIC TRANSIT ROUTES.

AMID A DOUBLE DIGIT UPTICK ALONG TRAIN AND BUS LINES THIS YEAR.

DAVID BROWN SAYS HIS DEPARTMENT WILL BE REASSIGNING OFFICERS TO PATROL THE CTA'S RED AND BLUE LINES AND OTHER ROUTES.

CTA DORVAL CARTER HAD THIS MESSAGE FOR RIDERS.

>> I WANT YOU TO KNOW WE ARE AWARE OF HOW SOME OF YOUR RIDING EXPERIENCES HAVE CHANGED AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING IT BETTER.

I'M PLEASED TO SHARE WITH YOU, THAT EARLIER TODAY THE CHICAGO TRANSIT BOARD APPROVED TWO NEW CONTRACTS FOR UNARMED SECURITY GUARDS WHICH WILL MORE THAN DOUBLE THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE TO PROVIDE SECURITY ON CTA.

>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF ILLINOISANS SAY THEY STRONGLY FAVOR AN HONEST TEACHING OF THE HISTORY OF RACISM AND SLAVERY IN AMERICA EVEN THEY ARE OPPOSED TO CRITICAL RACE THEORY ACCORDING TO A BIPARTISAN POLL OF 1,000 RESIDENTS BY THE ILLINOIS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

THE ASSOCIATION'S PRESIDENT KATHI GRIFFIN SPOKE ABOUT THOSE WITH CONCERNS OVER SO-CALLED CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THINGS WE HAVE TO ASK THOSE PARENTS AND POLITICIANS IS: WHAT DO THEY BELIEVE CRT IS?

I WILL SPECULATE MOST OF AMERICANS DID NOT HEAR OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY UNTIL IT BECAME POLITICAL BUT IT IS AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL AT MASTERS LEVEL CLASSES FOR LAWYERS, AND IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE TEACH IN OUR K-12 SCHOOLS.

>> THE POLL FOUND BROAD SUPPORT FOR INCREASING EDUCATION FUNDING AND MAKING TEACHING JOBS MORE ATTRACTIVE AMID EMPLOYEE SHORTAGES AND BURN-OUT.

>> UP NEXT, THE STATUS OF STATE ETHICS BILLS AIMED AT REDUCING CORRUPTION.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER AND LONG TIME CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF ILLINOIS FACES MULTIPLE CRIMINAL CHARGES THAT CARRY PRISON SENTENCES UP TO 20 YEARS EACH.

AS YOU HEARD HE HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY AND SAYS HE IS PROUD OF HIS CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE.

EVEN IF THAT IS THE CASE, ADVOCATES SAY MADIGAN'S INDICTMENT SHOULD BE A CALL FOR REFORM OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US MORE.

>> LET'S START WITH A VIEW INSIDE THE STATE CAPITOL AND SPECIFICALLY INSIDE THE HOUSE CHAMBERS UNTIL LAST YEAR MADIGAN REINED OVER FOR ALL BUT TWO YEARS SINCE THE 80s.

AND REPRESENTATIVES CARRIED ON AS USUAL AND THAT SAYS ALISA KAPLAN IS JUST THE PROBLEM.

HE IS NOT THE ONLY ALLEGED BAD APPLE.

>> HE IS NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO GET INDICTED IN ILLINOIS FOR PUBLIC CORRUPTION EVEN IN THE LAST, YOU KNOW, FEW MONTHS.

SO WE'VE JUST SEEN THIS GRIM LITANY OF INVESTIGATIONS AND INDICTMENTS, CONVICTIONS, PLEA DEALS FROM A WIDE RANGE OF LOCAL AND STATE OFFICIALS.

>> IT'S THE SYSTEM THEREFORE SHE SAYS THAT NEEDS CHANGING.

IN PARTICULAR, THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE SYSTEM.

FOR A TIME MADIGAN AMASSED $30 MILLION IN THE VARIOUS CAMPAIGN ACCOUNTS.

>> AND HE USED THAT MONEY TO MAINTAIN AND ENFORCE LOYALTY AROUND HIM.

HE WOULD GIVE IT TO CANDIDATES OR ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO WERE LOYAL TO HIM AND USE IT TO FUND THEIR OPPONENTS IF THEY WEREN'T.

SO THAT WAS REALLY ONE OF THE MAJOR SOURCES OF HIS POWER.

SO IF WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT CHANGING THE SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE SOMETHING LIKE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN WE NEED TO LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE SOURCES THE POWER THAT LED TO ONE MAN HAVING THIS AMOUNT OF CONTROL OVER HIS PARTY >> NOW, ILLINOIS WHILE MADIGAN WAS SPEAKER IN 2009, SET CAPS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

BUT CAPLAN SAYS ILLINOIS' CAMPAIGN FINANCE SYSTEM IS WEAK AND RIFE WITH LOOPHOLES THAT ALLOW TOP LEADERS TO SKIRT THOSE LIMITS AND THAT ALLOWS THEM TO EXERCISE A LEVEL OF CONTROL, SHE DESCRIBES, AS UNUSUAL AND DANGEROUS.

RUN RECOMMENDATION: MOVING TO PUBLIC FINANCING OF CAMPAIGNS SO THAT CANDIDATES DON'T HAVE TO DEPEND ON LEADERS.

CAPLAN SAYS THAT THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS A TRULY INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG.

THE LAST INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESIGNED CITING THE OFFICES A PAPER TIGER.

PROSECUTORS ALLEGE MADIGAN OF RUNNING A FULL ON ENTERPRISE WHICH HE USED HIS PUBLIC OFFICE TO HELP STEER BUSINESS TO HIS PRIVATE LAW FIRM.

CAPLAN SAYS IT'S THEREFORE TIME TO HAVE A SERIOUS CONVERSATION ABOUT REDUCING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST RELATED TO OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT.

>> THERE'S NOTHING THAT UNDERMINES PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THEIR DEMOCRACY THAN THINKING THEIR REPRESENTATIVES CARE MORE ABOUT THEIR OWN PERSONAL BANK ACCOUNTS THAN THEY DO ABOUT THE PUBLIC.

>> THE CURRENT SPEAKER OF THE ILLINOIS HOUSE AS WELL AS THE TOP REPUBLICAN IN THAT CHAMBER EACH WORK AT LAW FIRMS.

BUT SENATE PRESIDENT DON HARMON LEFT HIS LAW FIRM WHEN HE GOT THE TOP SENATE JOB.

LEGISLATING IN ILLINOIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A PART-TIME JOB AND HARMON IS RETICENT TO CHANGE THAT HE IS OPEN TO LIMITS FOR OUTSIDE WORK FOR THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

>> I HAVE FOUND IT USEFUL TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS ON MY WORK AS SENATE PRESIDENT AND I THINK THERE MAY BE VALUE IN CONSIDERING IT FOR THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

BUT I THINK THERE IS A BENEFIT OF HAVING A CITIZEN LEGISLATURE WHERE PEOPLE COME TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH DAY-TO-DAY EXPERIENCES AS UNDERTAKERS OR FARMERS OR TEACHERS OR SOCIAL WORKERS.

>> HARMON SAYS CHANGES IN LEADERSHIP SUCH AS HIMSELF, SPEAKER WELCH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AS WELL AS ETHICS LAW PASSED LAST YEAR THAT REQUIRES LEGISLATORS TO DISCLOSE MORE OF OUTSIDE INCOME AND CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS.

IT IS HE SAYS A NEW DAY IN SPRINGFIELD.

BUT REPUBLICANS SAY THERE'S MORE TO DO.

>> I ASK EVERYONE IN THIS CHAMBER TO JOIN ME IN STANDING FOR REAL REFORM AND ENDING PRACTICES THAT HAVE BROUGHT MASSIVE CORRUPTION AND SCANDAL TO OUR STATE.

>> SHE SAYS THAT DEMOCRATS ARE HOLDING UP ETHICS MEASURES LIKE ONE THAT WOULD END ALDERMANIC PRIVILEGE IN CHICAGO AND A BILL THAT WOULD PROHIBIT OFFICIALS FROM USING CAMPAIGN FUNDS TO PAY FOR CRIMINAL LEGAL DEFENSE BILLS SOMETHING THAT MADIGAN IS DOING RIGHT NOW.

THE DAY AFTER MADIGAN'S INDICTMENT, GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER ALSO SIGNALED THERE IS PROGRESS TO BE HAD ON ETHICS.

>> I'M FULLY COMMITTED TO IRRADICATING THE SCOURGE OF CORRUPTION.

WE'VE GOT MUCH, MUCH MORE TO DO AND IT'S CLEAR FOR AN INDICTMENT LIKE THIS, THAT OUR WORK IS NOT DONE.

>> I HOPE THAT THE GOVERNOR USES HIS POLITICAL CAPITAL AND TAKES A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN A WAY I DON'T THINK WE HAVE SEEN HIM TAKING BEFORE THIS.

HE SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT TO HIM.

SO LET'S SEE HIM REALLY PUT THE PRESSURE ON LEGISLATORS AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> PRITZKER DID NOT SPECIFY WHAT ETHICS PLANS HE WANTS PUSHED THIS SESSION.

CAPLAN SAYS THAT SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE WE ARE COVERING THE MADIGAN SCANDAL, SHE SAYS THAT ETHICS AND CORRUPTION HAVE REAL CONSEQUENCES AND THAT SOMETHING THAT LAWMAKERS SHOULD KEEP IN MIND.

WITH THAT BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>> WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN LATER ON THE PROGRAM FOR OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> FIRST WE GO TO PARIS FOR A LOOK HOW THE HOTEL INDUSTRY IS MANAGING AMID THE PANDEMIC.

>> PARIS?

>> BRANDIS, REPRESENTATIVES FROM ILLINOIS' HOTEL AND LODGING INDUSTRY SAY THEY ARE NOWHERE NEAR WHERE THEY WERE PRECOVID AND LOOKING FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF PUBLIC AID.

THEY ARE PROPOSING THE ACT WHICH WOULD ALLOCATE FUNDS TO HOTELS ACROSS THE STATE TO REHIRE WORKERS.

LEADERS ARE PROPOSING $250 MILLION TO COME FROM THE STATE'S RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING GIVING GRANTS OF 1500 PER ROOM FOR EVERY HOTEL IN ILLINOIS.

AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSAL AND THE STATE OF THE INDUSTRY ARE JUAN LEYVA, VICE-PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS OF OXFORD HOTELS AND RESORTS A CHICAGO BASED HOTEL COMPANY AND THE GENERAL MANAGER OF LONDON HOUSE CHICAGO.

MICHAEL JACOBSON PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE ILLINOIS HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOCIATION.

AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE KAM BUCKNER, VICE-CHAIR OF THE HOUSE TOURISM COMMITTEE AND HOUSE SPONSOR OF THE LEGISLATION.

WELCOME ALL OF YOU BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

MICHAEL JACOBSON FIRST OF ALL, GIVE US A SENSE OF THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF ILLINOIS HOTELS RIGHT NOW.

>> THROUGHOUT THE LAST TWO YEARS OF THE PANDEMIC OUR HOTELS LOST OVER $5.5 BILLION IN ROOM RENOUS AND IT'S NOT GETTING BETTER.

WE THOUGHT WE WOULD BE INTO THE RECOVERY PHASE BUT BECAUSE OF OMICRON AND OTHER CONDITIONS WE ARE BACK TO SQUARE ONE.

THE LAST TWO MONTHS, CHICAGO HAS BEEN DEAD LAST IN TERMS OF HOTEL OCCUPANCY WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR COMPETING MARKETS.

WE ARE 39% HOTEL OCCUPANCY IN CHICAGO COMPARED TO 78% IN ORLANDO, 60% IN NEW YORK CITY AND 62% IN LOS ANGELES.

>> WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THAT TO?

>> IT IS A COMBINATION.

IT'S WINTER IN CHICAGO NOT THE PRIMETIME TO COME HERE AND DO A VA VACATION AND CONDITIONS LIKE THE COVID MANDATES IN PLACE.

WHETHER THE VACCINE PASSPORT AND MASKS THAT HAD AN IMPACT.

AS WELL AS PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS ACROSS CHICAGO IS REALLY STARTING TO DRAG DOWN OUR OCCUPANCY WE ARE HEARING MORE AND MORE CONCERNS ABOUT THOSE AREAS.

>> AND JUAN, THE ASK FROM THE STATE IS $250 MILLION.

1500 PER ROOM.

WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN TO YOUR GROUP AND THE INDUSTRY AT LARGE?

>> SURE THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH INSTABILITY OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS IN OUR INDUSTRY AND IT WOULD HELP PROVIDE FUNDS FREE UP CASH FLOW TO PROVIDE JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO TEAM FORCE MEMBERS.

AND THE FUNDS WOULD HELP US TRAIN AND BRING PEOPLE BACK AND HELP REGROW OUR INDUSTRY BECAUSE IT'S IN A WORST PLACE THAN IT'S EVER BEEN.

>> KAM BUCKNER YOU ARE THE HOUSE SPONSOR, CAN THE STATE AFFORD THIS $250 MILLION CARVE OUT IN THAT FEDERAL RELIEF MONEY TO GO TO HOTELS?

>> I DON'T THINK THE STATE CAN AFFORD NOT TO DO IT.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE INDUSTRY AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO THE IMPACT THE ECONOMIC PICTURE WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BECAUSE IN CHICAGO A ROBUST RECOVERY OF OUR HOTEL TOURISM SECTOR.

>> AND MICHAEL JACOBSON AS I UNDERSTAND, 80% OF THIS PACKAGE WOULD GO TOWARD PAYROLL COSTS.

YOU HAVE THE ISSUE OF STAFFING SHORTAGES.

WOULD THIS HELP SOLVE THAT?

ESPECIALLY IF YOU PAY HIGHER RATES?

>> IT WOULD BE.

AND IN CHICAGO WE PAY HIGHER RATES.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT HOTEL JOBS ARE DEAD-END MINIMUM WAGE JOBS.

THEY ARE GREAT CAREER ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

80% WOULD GO TOWARDS WAGES AND BENEFITS.

WE HAVE 21,000 PEOPLE THAT WERE EMPLOYED IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY IN 2019 WITHOUT A JOB.

40% OF OUR JOBS WERE LOST THE THIRD WORST OF ANY STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

SO GOING BACK TO WHAT YOU ALSO SAID ABOUT CAN THE STATE AFFORD IT?

KEEP IN MIND THAT ILLINOIS GOT $8 BILLION IN THE FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WE ARE ASKING 3% OF WHAT THE STATE RECEIVED IN TOTAL.

>> JUAN LEYVA, MICHAEL JACOBSON MENTIONED THAT THE MANDATES LIFTED.

DOES THAT MEAN GOOD THINGS AHEAD FOR YOUR COMPANY MORE WEDDINGS, MORE BANQUETS MORE OCCUPANCY?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

THE SUPPORT FROM THE STATE WOULD HELP IN THAT.

BUT, YES, THE MANDATES LIFTED HAS HELPED OUR SEEING MORE PICK UP.

THE WEDDINGS ARE STARTING TO FEEL LIKE THEY CAN COME BACK TO TOWN BUT THERE ARE CHALLENGES OF THE WORKFORCE AND THAT IS WHAT THIS WILL ADDRESS GETTING MORE PEOPLE TO HELP SERVICE THE WEDDINGS AND EVENTS.

SO WE SEE GREEN CHUTES BUT THERE'S STILL OPPORTUNITY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BUCKNER YOU ARE THE HOUSE SPONSOR IS THERE BUY IN FROM YOUR COLLEAGUES?

>> THERE IS.

WE TALK TO FOLKS FROM ACROSS THE STATE DIFFERENT LEADERS OF THE STATE WHO ARE SINGING THE SAME SONG WHEN IT COMES TO THIS.

WE TALK TO DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS AND THERE'S BUY IN FROM FOLKS FROM ALL AROUND.

TALKING ABOUT AN INDUSTRY WITH $16 BILLION IN SALARY AND WAGES THAT HAS $4 BILLION IN SALES TAX FOR THE STATE AND LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES.

TALKING ABOUT $300,000 -- 300,000 JOBS.

THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE HOTELS OR THE GENERAL MANAGERS THIS IS ABOUT THE LADY IN WOODLAWN OR NEAR EAST ST. LOUIS WHO WORKS IN THE HOTELS IS TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO USE THE JOB AS A TRAIL FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS.

WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO SUPPORT THEM.

AND THAT IS THE SENTIMENT AROUND THE STATE.

>> MICHAEL JACOBSON HOTEL INDUSTRY DID GET PPP FEDERAL FUNDING.

HOW COME THAT WASN'T SUFFICIENT TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUES THAT HOTELS ARE FACING?

>> NOT ONLY DID SOME OF OUR HOTELS NOT RECEIVE PPP SOME OF THE LARGER DOWNTOWN HOTELS WERE TOO LARGE TO QUALIFY FOR PPP.

BUT THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE CONTINUING TO HURT THE MOST.

THE SAW OCCUPANCY RATES IN JANUARY IN THE 6-7% RANGE.

THEY WERE DISQUALIFIED WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOSPITALITY THE OTHER SECTORS OF HOSPITALITY WHETHER THE AIRLINES OR THE RESTAURANTS OR THE PERFORMING ARTS VENUES THEY HAD DEDICATED FEDERAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS.

HOTELS HAVE NOT RECEIVED A DEDICATED PENNY FROM THE FEDS OR THE CITY OF CHICAGO AS WELL.

REALLY THIS IS OUR LAST HOPE TO THROW A LIFELINE TO AN INDUSTRY HURT THE MOST BUT HAS BEEN LEFT OUT TO DRY BY CITY AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS.

>> JUAN LEYVA IS THERE A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THE SMALLER COMPANIES AND SOME OF THE LARGER HOTELS?

MICHAEL JACOBSON MENTIONED THAT PERHAPS THE LARGER COMPANIES DID NOT RECEIVE THIS FUNDING >> WELL, I THINK THE DISCREPANCY IS PEOPLE MIGHT SEE HILTON OR MARRIOTT ON THE BUILDING ASSUME IT IS A NATIONALLY CORPORATE HOTEL.

MOST OF THE HOTELS ARE FRANCHISES OWNED AND OPERATED BY LOCAL ILLINOIS RESIDENTS THAT ARE OPERATING THE PROPERTIES.

THOUGH YOU SEE A BIG BRAND ON THE TOP OF THE BUILDING IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S OWNED BY A CORPORATION THAT HAS A PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANY.

IT COULD BE A COUPLE OR A FAMILY OWNING THE HOTEL AND DECIDED TO FRANCHISE WITH THE BRAND FOR THE SUPPORT.

THERE IS A DISCREPANCY WHEN YOU SEE INDEPENDENT HOTELS AND BIG BRANDS AND WE ALL NEED THE SUPPORT.

>> INTERESTING POINT.

MARRIOTTS OR SHERATONS MIGHT NOT BE OWNED BY THE COMPANIES.

SOMEBODY MIGHT BE PAYING A LICENSE FEE FOR THE NAME.

KAM BUCKNER YOUR NAME WAS FLOATED IN "THE SUN TIMES" AS A POSSIBLE CANDIDATE FOR CHICAGO MAYOR IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE EXPLORING?

>> IT IS, PARIS.

I'M STRONGLY CONSIDERING IT.

I AM A CHICAGO BORN AND RAISED HERE.

I'M RAISING MY FAMILY HERE.

CHICAGO IS IMPORTANT TO ME.

AND I KNOW THE CITY IS AN A POINT WHERE WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE WANT FOR THE FUTURE OF CHICAGO.

I'M STRONGLY CONSIDERING IT.

>> IS THERE A TIMELINE OUR R ON YOUR DECISION?

>> WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION I WILL GET PAST THAT AND SEE WHAT IS NEXT.

>> ALL RIGHT WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW ALL OF THIS AND OUR THANKS TO JUAN LEYVA, MICHAEL JACOBSON AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE KAM BUCKNER THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS AND A POTENTIAL TOOL IN FIGHTING VIOLENCE.

BRANDIS?

>> PARIS, GUARANTEED INCOME HAVE OFTEN BEEN FRAMED AS RESOURCES TO PAY FOR MEDICAL BILLS OR RENT.

NOW A GROUP OF DOCTORS ARE PITCHES THE PROGRAM AS AN ANTI-POVERTY STRATEGY BUT ANTIVIOLENCE STRATEGY.

THEY ARGUE THAT IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAMS COULD REDUCE DIFFERENT FORMS OF VIOLENCE IN THE CITY.

HERE TO EXPLAIN THEIR TAKE ARE Dr. TANYA ZAKRISON, A PROFESSOR OF SURGERY AND DIRECTOR OF CRITICAL TRAUMA RESEARCH AT U CHICAGO MEDICINE.

Dr. ERIC REINHART A RESIDENT PHYSICIAN AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY AND PSYCHO ANALYST AT HARVARD ANNIVERSARY.

AND LEA HOEFER A RESIDENT AT U CHICAGO MEDICINE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TANYA ZAKRISON LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE, HOW HAS YOUR WORK IN THE TRAUMA CENTER LED YOU TO THE CONCLUSION THAT CASH TRANSFERS OR GUARANTEED INCOME ARE AN EFFECTIVE ANTIVIOLENCE TOOL?

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY.

EVERYDAY AND EVERY NIGHT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO TRAUMA WE SEE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY FIREARM VIOLENCE THE NUMBER ONE MECHANISM THAT WE SEE IN THE TRAUMA CENTER WHICH IS UNUSUAL COMPARED TO OTHERS.

PEOPLE COME IN NOT BECAUSE OF ACCIDENTAL GUNSHOT WOUNDS THIS IS INTENTIONAL INTERPERSONAL HARM AND A LOT IS RELATED TO SURVIVAL ECONOMY, THE SURVIVAL ECONOMY WHERE PEOPLE ARE LIVING ON THE EDGE DAY-TO-DAY IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO THAT HAVE THIS LEGACY OF ECONOMIC MARGINALIZATION FROM WE KNOW FROM STRUCTURAL RACISM, REDLINING AND SUCH THINGS.

AND WE SEE HOW THAT HARMS PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY COME IN SHOT.

PAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO WHAT THEY NEED TO FULFILL THEIR HUMAN POTENTIAL, TO FULFILL A LIFE WITH DIGNITY.

AND SO WHAT HAPPENS IS YOU SEE HOW ECONOMIC INEQUITY HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN THE DIRECT VIOLENCE WE SEE EVERYDAY.

IF WE CAN ENGAGE IN CASH TRANSFERS, GUARANTEED INCOME OF SORTS AS BEING PROPOSED BY OUR MAYOR, I CAN SEE THAT HOW THAT MIGHT SUPPORT OUR PATIENTS, IT MIGHT SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES TO THE SENSE THAT THEY ARE NOT STRUGGLING EVERYDAY TO SURVIVE JUST TO GET BY DAY-TO-DAY.

>> I WANT TO BRING IN SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES Dr. ERIC REINHART HOW DO THE GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME TRANSFER PROGRAMS HOW MIGHT THEY WORK TO ADDRESS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INEQUITY AND VIOLENCE?

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THIS IS NOT A HYPOTHETICAL CONNECTION.

INEQUALITY AND VIOLENCE ARE CONNECTED AND THERE'S RESEARCH THAT DEMONSTRATES THIS TIME AND TIME AGAIN AND AND A BODY OF LITERATURE LESS IN THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE OUR POLITICIANS HAVE NOT BEEN BOLD ENOUGH TO ROLL OUT PROGRAMS BUT OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD IN BRAZIL, MEXICO AND OTHER NATIONS THAT SHOW THE GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAMS IN BRAZIL REDUCE INTERNATIONAL R INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE THEY REDUCE SEXUAL ASSAULT RATES, HOMICIDE RATES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RATES.

WHY?

AS TANYA WAS SAYING PART HAS TO DO WITH THE SURVIVAL ECONOMICS THE DESPERATION THAT COMES FROM POVERTY.

TO PSYCHIC DISTRESS SOCIAL DISTRESS AND PRODUCES IRRATIONAL ACTIONS THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO BE ENGAGEDDED IN.

I SEE PATIENTS EVERYDAY WHO ARE ENGAGED IN VIOLENCE AS VICTIMS OR PERPETRATORS AND OFTEN BOTH AND THEY DON'T WANT TO BE INVOLVED.

BUT THEIR OWN CAPACITY TO REGULATE THEIR LIFE IS LIMITED BY ECONOMIC MARGINALIZATION.

IF YOU CAN GIVE THEM THE RESOURCES TO PURSUE THE LIVES THEY WANT TO PURSUE RATHER THAN MARGINALIZE THEM AND POSSESS THEM THROUGH POLICING SYSTEMS FOR EXAMPLE, THEN YOU SEE DIFFERENT THINGS MANIFEST IN SOCIAL REALITY.

>> YOU MENTIONED A BIT ABOUT POLICING.

LEA HOEFER IN HERE, GIVE US A SENSE OF HOW DOES THE CONCEPT OF PUBLIC SAFETY NEED TO BE REDEFINED?

>> WELL, OUR TAKE IS THAT PUBLIC SAFETY AS WE KNOW IT TODAY ISN'T TRULY MAKING PEOPLE SAFE AND IT IS NOT TRULY INCLUDING THE WHOLE PUBLIC.

SAFETY MEANS HAVING SAFE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER AND GOOD FOOD, ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND THAT IS NOT HOW IT'S FUNCTIONING TODAY.

THE POLICING SYSTEM TAKES PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR COMMUNITIES INCARCERATES THEM, PREVENTING THEM FROM DEVELOPING WEALTH, CAPITAL CAPITAL AND PUTTING BACK INTO THE COMMUNITIES AND THAT IS WHAT WE WANT TO FOCUS ON SAFETY MEANS BUILDING UP COMMUNITIES OVER TIME AND ALL COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR CITY AND NATION AND AROUND THE WORLD.

>> TANYA ZAKRISON WHAT ISSUES DO YOU HAVE WITH VIOLENCE PREVENTION INITIATIVES THAT FOCUS ON INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE VERSUS LARGER STRUCTURAL ISSUES?

>> THAT IS AN EXCELLENT QUESTION.

WHILE THERE ARE SOME VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL WITH INDIVIDUAL ISSUES, TAKING THE STANCE THAT THE INDIVIDUAL IS THE ONE WITH THE PROBLEM AND I JUST NEED TO TWEAK THAT PERSON'S PROBLEM AND TRY TO MITIGATE OR REDUCE THEIR OR CHANGE THEIR BEHAVIOR THE WAY THEY VIEW THEIR SITUATION, THAT'S LIKE ME GOING UP TO MY TRAUMA PATIENT WHO HAS BEEN SHOT AND SAY LET ME GIVE YOU TOOLS TO COPE WITH STRUCTURAL RACISM THAT >> FOR THAT REASON IT'S IMPORTANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT'S CASH TRANSFER PROGRAMS INCOME PROGRAMS BE COUPLED WITH MARKET REGULATIONS, WITH INVESTMENT IN STRONG PUBLIC SYSTEMS.

BECAUSE IF YOU GIVE SOMEBODY $500 BUT NOT REGULATING THE COST OF HOUSE AND THE COST OF HOUSING INCREASES YOU'VE NEGATED THE BENEFIT THAT YOU'VE PUBLIC RESOURCES TO GIVE SOMEBODY.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT CASH TRANSFER PROGRAMS NOT BE SEEN AS A CURE ALL BUT A SUPPLEMENT TO BROADER INVESTMENTS IN STRONG PUBLIC SYSTEMS THAT INSURE PEOPLE HAVE ACT ISES TO HEALTHCARE, ACCESS TO DIGNIFIED EMPLOYMENT THAT IS MEANINGFUL TO PEOPLE THEY WISH TO PURSUE.

AND THEY HAVE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT RESULT FROM INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE NEED CLEAN STREETS.

THERE IS DATA THAT SHOWS PLANTING TREES REDUCES VIOLENCE.

THESE INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC SPACES ARE IMPORTANT ALONGSIDE GUARANTEED INCOME.

>> LEA HOEFER, DO YOU ALL FORESEE PROBLEMS WITH MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S GANG ASSET FORFEITURE IF APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.

THIS ORDINANCE IS BUILT UPON THE PREMISE THAT THE GANGS ARE MASSIVE ORGANIZATIONS HEADED BY A KINGPIN.

AND IT'S NOT CLEAR THAT IS TRUE.

SOCIOLOGISTS WOULD TELL US GANGS ARE GROUPS OF YOUNG MEN IN CHICAGO WORKING TOGETHER SPENDING TIME TOGETHER, AND THE ORDINANCE ALL IT DOES IS TAKE AWAY FROM THE COMMUNITIES AGAIN.

ITS ONLY GOAL IS TO TAKE AWAY AND SEIZE THEM.

AND WE NEED TO BE INVESTING IN COMMUNITIES IN INDIVIDUALS AND THE COMMUNITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE AT LARGE IF WE WANT TO MAKE LASTING CHANGE AND AN IMPACT ON REDUCING VIOLENCE.

>> AND WE KNOW THAT CHICAGO IS BEGINNING TO TAKE APPLICATIONS FOR ITS PROGRAM BEGINNING IN APRIL.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS PROGRAM FOR NOW MY THANKS TO DOCTORS ERIC REINHART, TANYA ZAKRISON AND LEA HOEFER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, TURNING ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN CHICAGO'S NATIVE WILDLIFE INTO WORKS OF ART.

WE EXPLAIN RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING MORE ON FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN ARRAIGNMENT.

>> ACCORDING TO I 2020 TREE CENSUS, THE OVERALL NUMBER OF TREES IN THE REGION HAS INCREASED BUT NOT ALL TREES ARE SEEN AS EQUALS.

SOME ARE INVASIVE AND PREVENT PLANTS FROM FLOURISHING.

EVAN GARCIA CHECKS OUT TWO LOCAL INITIATIVES AIMED AT REPURPOSING INVASIVE OR DEAD TREES.

>> TIM MONDI IS A PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES.

AT CALDWELL WOODS HE TEACHES THE PUBLIC HOW TO MAKE THEIR OWN WALKING STICKS THROUGH WOODWORKING.

>> WHEN YOU START CUT TO GO RIGHT AWAY IT'S SOFT SO WE TRY TO GO RIGHT AWAY BUT IT SANDS BEAUTIFULLY AND AS YOU CAN SEE, IT PAINTS WELL.

>> THESE WALKING STICKS ARE MADE FROM A TYPE OF WOOD THE FOREST PRESERVE WOULD LIKE TO IRRADICATE EUROPEAN BUCKTHORN.

ONE OF THE MAJOR PROBLEM IT IS GROWS IN DENSE THICKETS AND SHADE TOLERANT >> THE BUCKTHORN WAS BROUGHT TO NORTH AMERICA IN THE 18 HUNDREDS FROM EUROPE.

WILDLIFE SPECIALIST KIM KALOSKY SAYS BUCKTHORN CREATES SHADY CONDITIONS THAT PLANTS CAN NOT GROW UNDER.

>> THEY MONOPOLIZE RESOURCES ESPECIALLY SUNLIGHT.

>> THE SMALL TREE IS EFFECTIVE AT SPENDING.

EUROPEAN BUCKTHORN IS THE MOST COMMON SPECIES IN THE SEVEN COUNTY CHICAGO REGION ACCORDING TO A 2020 TREE CENSUS.

THE SPECIES ACCOUNTS FOR 36% OF ALL TREES IN THE AREA.

ANOTHER INVASIVE SPECIES IS AN INSECT, THE END MA'AM ASH BOTHERRER.

>> THIS -- BORER.

THIS TREE HAS BEEN DEAD SEVERAL YEARS AND SUCCUMBED TO THE BEETLES AND ONCE WE GET TO THE BARK, CAN YOU SEE ALL THE GALLERIES THAT HAVE BEEN FORMED FROM THE INSECT ACTUALLY EATING THE INNER BARK OF THE ASH TREE.

>> LARVA CAN EAT THROUGH A ASH TREE'S VASCULAR SYSTEM KILL TO GO IN A FEW YEARS.

THE TREE CENSUS INDICATES OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS THE NUMBER OF STANDING ASH TREES DECREASED BY 45% IN THE REGION.

IN 2014 THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT PARTNERED WITH CHICAGO SCULPTURE INTERNATIONAL AND FORMED THE CHICAGO TREE PROJECT THAT TURNS DEAD TREES INTO WORKS OF ART.

>> LOOK TO SEE IT HAS GOOD PUBLIC EXPOSURE AND THIS DID BY THE PARK THERE IS AN EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT TO THIS.

THIS TREE IS A SUGAR MAPLE BUT IT WAS IN GOOD SHAPE IT BECAME A VIABLE PROJECT.

>> THE PARK DISTRICT'S MIKE DIMITROFF AND JANET AUSTIN RECRUITED JOHN BANNON TO REIMAGINE THIS DEAD TREE IN HOLLYWOOD PARK ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE A LOWER CASE Y SO I DECIDED TO MAKE IT LIKE A STRING OR A ROPE COMING OUT OF THE GROUND WITH A KNOT AND IT WILL WILL BE CALLED WHY NOT?

IT IS A PURIST PROJECT WHERE I'M NOT AADDING ANYTHING TO IT.

>> WHETHER IT'S WALKING STICKS OR WOODEN SCULPTURES AUSTIN SAYS THERE'S VALUE IN REPURPOSING DEAD OR INVASIVE TREES.

>> BY ALLOWING THE PIECES TO EXIST IN THE WORLD A LITTLE BIT LONGER THEY STILL ARE PROVIDING NUTRIENTS FOR THE GROUND UNDERNEATH PLACES FOR ANIMALS AND INSECTS TO LIVE THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL GIANT PIECES OF WOOD THAT ARE GOING TO BE AT LEAST A PIECE OF ARTWORK.

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

>> AND THE FOREST PRESERVES KIM KALOSKY SAYS THE AGENCY REMOVED 5,000 ACRES OF INVASIVE SHRUBS SINCE SHE JOINED THE AGENCY EIGHT YEARS AGO.

THE CHICAGO TREE PROJECT HAS 41 WORKS OF ART.

ARTISTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS AND YOU CAN LEARN MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND HOW THE BEARS ARE PARTNERING WITH THE LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST INVASIVE BUCKTHORN.

>> BRANDIS WE TOSS TA BACK TO YOU.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" FROM DUSABLE LAKE SHORE DRIVE TO A BF GAS STATION IN OLD TOWN A LOOK AT THIS MOST EVENING DANGERED BUILDINGS LIST BY PRESERVATION CHICAGO.

>> AS MUCH AS WE NEED TO SEND TO THE CTA TO MAKE IT SAFE.

>> OR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THE CITY'S ATTEMPT TO TAMP DOWN ON THE SPIKE IN VIOLENCE ON THE CTA.

A FAMILY OWNED HARDWARE STORE THAT HAS BEEN A FIXTURE IN PILSEN FOR DECADES GETS READY TO HAND OVER THE KEYS TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE SALVATION ARMY IS BEING ACCUSED OF ILLEGALLY UNDER PAYING WORKERS AT THE THRIFT STORES.

THREE FEDERAL LAWSUITS INCLUDING ONE IN ILLINOIS SAY THE SALVATION ARMY IS VIOLATING FEDERAL LABOR AND STATE WAGE LAWS BY FAILING TO PAY MINIMUM WAGE TO WORKERS IN THE ADULT REHABILITATION CENTERS.

ENROLLEES ARE REQUIRED TO PERFORM WORK THERAPY FOR 40 HOURS A WEEK FOR WAGES THAT START AT $1 A WEEK AND CAPPED AT AROUND $20 $30 A WEEK N A STATEMENT ONE OF THE PLAINTIFFS ATTORNEYS SAID QUOTE...

ASKED ABOUT THE LAWSUIT BY WTTW, THE SALVATION ARMY SAID IN A STATEMENT THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT COMMENT ON PENDING LITIGATION.

>> A NUMBER OF STATE LAWMAKERS CAME TOGETHER TODAY TO CONDEMN THE DISTRIBUTION OF ANTISEMITIC FLYNERS GLENVIEW LAST WEEK.

LAURA FINE RECEIVED COMPLAINTS FROM RESIDENTS.

>> THESE PACKETS BLANKETED NEIGHBORHOODS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS.

THESE ANTISEMITIC BAGS CONTAINED HATEFUL RHETORIC ABOUT JEWS AND INCLUDED PICTURES OF JEWISH ELECTEDS IN MY AREA INCLUDING ME, MY CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND OUR GOVERNOR.

>> FINE ADDED 62% OF ALL RELIGIOUS HATE CRIMES ARE ANTISEMITIC DESPITE JEWS MAKING UP 2% OF THE U.S. POPULATION.

AND 36 MUSEUMS ACROSS THE STATE ARE SET TO RECEIVE $20 MILLION IN GRANTS.

THE FUNDS COMING FROM THE STATE'S REBUILD ILLINOIS CAPITAL PROGRAM WILL HELP IMPROVE FACILITIES AND DEVELOP NEW EXHIBITS.

14 LOCAL INSTITUTIONS WERE SELECTED TO RECEIVE THE GRANTS THAT INCLUDES THE PEG... >> AND PARIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN.

PRESERVATION CHICAGO HAS RELEASED ITS ANNUAL MOST ENDANGERED LIST AND HERE TO BREAK IT DOWN IS WTTW NEWS REPORTER PATTY WETLI.

THEY COME OUT WITH THIS EVERY YEAR.

THE MOST ENDANGERED PUBLIC SPACES OR BUILDINGS.

>> PRESENT VACCINATION CHICAGO -- PRESERVATION CHICAGO ARE A NONPROFIT ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION THAT CHAMPIONS PRESERVING CHICAGO'S HISTORIC BUILT ENVIRONMENT.

AND THEY STARTED THIS BACK IN 2003 TO KIND OF RAISE THE ALARM ABOUT BUILDINGS THAT WERE MOST IN DANGER OF IMMINENT DEMOLITION, OR LOSS TO NEGLECT OR DEVELOPMENT.

>> SO TELL US WHAT MADE THE LIST THIS YEAR?

>> YES, THERE'S INTEREST ENTRIES THIS YEAR.

THERE IS A WHOLE SECTION ON PETERSON AVENUE ON THE NORTH SIDE.

A MID-CENTURY MOD DISTRICT OF OFFICE SPACES AND KIND OF FUNKY 1970s BP GAS STATION IN OLD TOWN THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE FACT THAT CHICAGO'S SURVEY OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS DOESN'T PROTECT ANYTHING THAT WAS BUILT POST 1940.

PRESERVATION CHICAGO IS HIGHLIGHTING THAT WE NEED TO UPDATE THAT.

AND WE HAVE LANDSCAPES IT IS NOT JUST BUILDINGS.

WE HAVE A SECTION OF NORTH DUSABLE LAKE SHORE DRIVE THAT THE CITY IS THINKING ABOUT REIMAGINING AND THERE'S CONCERN IT IS COULD BE ONE HIGHWAY.

AND THE POINT IS ON THE LIST.

PEOPLE IN THE SOUTH LAKEFRONT HAVE BEAT BACK FOR YEARS PLANS TO REPLACE THE CLASSIC LIMESTONE WITH THE CONCRETE BARRIER.

AND FINALLY THERE'S THIS SWEET LITTLE 1917 THEATRE IN NORTH LAWNDALE, THE CENTRAL PARK THEATRE BY THE SAME GROUP THAT DID THE CHICAGO THEATRE IN UPTOWN THEATRE.

AND THAT'S IN NEED OF SOMEBODY HERO TO COME IN WHITE KNIGHT AND HELP THE COMMUNITY REIMAGINE WHAT THEY COULD DO WITH THAT BUILDING.

>> INTERESTING.

AND THAT IS A CATS THEATRE LIKE THE THEATERS IN THE LOOP.

INTERESTING.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ PATTY'S STORY ON OUR WEBSITE AND FIND THE FULL LIST OF MOST ENDANGERED BUILDINGS AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> PARIS, THANK YOU AND DON'T GO ANYWHERE IT'S TIME TO COVER MICHAEL MADIGAN INDICTMENT AND MUCH MORE IN TONIGHT'S SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

WELCOME BACK AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

SO, SPEAKING OF MICHAEL MADIGAN INDICTMENT, HE WAS ARRAIGNED TODAY IN FEDERAL COURT.

HEATHER YOU LISTENED TO THIS ON THE PHONE OVER THE PHONE HEARING.

WHAT KIND OF PRISON TIME COULD MADIGAN FACE IF HE IS FOUND GUILTY OF THE 22 COUNTS AND BY PHONE?

>> BY PHONE, BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND WE DID NOT HEAR A SINGLE WORD FROM THE FAMOUSLY FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER HE LET HIS ATTORNEY DO THE TALKING FOR HIM ENTERING A PLEA OF NOT GUILTY.

HE IS FACING 22 COUNTS AND AT LEAST SEVEN OF THOSE COME WITH A MAXIMUM PRISON TIME OF 20 YEARS WHILE THE OTHER COUNTS COME WITH MAXIMUM SENTENCES BETWEEN FIVE AND 10 YEARS.

IT IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF PRISON TIME HE IS LOOKING AT IF CONVICTED.

ALTHOUGH, OF COURSE, HE IS UNLIKELY TO SERVE THOSE MAXIMUMS BECAUSE OF FEDERAL SENTENCING GUIDELINES.

I SHOULD POINT OUT THAT MICHAEL MADIGAN IS 79 YEARS OLD.

SO ANY SIGNIFICANT PRISON SENTENCE COULD POTENTIALLY MEAN THAT HE WOULD SPEND HIS RETIREMENT BEHIND BARS.

>> HEATHER, WHAT ALSO ABOUT HIS CO-DEFENDANT MIKE McCLAIN WHAT KIND OF PRISON TIME IS HE FACING?

>> HE IS ALSO FACING DECADES IN PRISON.

NOW, HE IS ALSO INDICTED ON MANY OF THE SAME CHARGES.

ALTHOUGH HE IS ALSO AWAITING TRIAL IN A SEPARATE CASE INVOLVING THE OR KES ADMINISTRATION OF THE COMMONWEALTH EDITION BRIBERY SCHEME WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT ON THIS PROGRAM.

FOR MONTHS NOW, SO HE IS ALSO IN A SIGNIFICANT FACING A SIGNIFICANT PRISON SENTENCE.

HE BARELY MADE IT ON TO THE TELEPHONE PHONE CALL TELLING THE JUDGE BEFORE THE JUDGE CUT HIM OFF HE WAS NOT GREAT WITH COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY.

>> AMANDA, NEXT HEARING IS APRIL FIRST HOW LONG DO YOU EXPECT THIS TO TAKE BEFORE IT GOES TO TRIAL?

>> GOSH THIS IS GOING TO TAKE A VERY -- IT'S GOING TO TAKE YEARS.

WE'VE BEEN PROMISED BY THE PROSECUTORS THAT THEY EXPECT LARGE AMOUNTS OF DISCOVERY TO BE MADE AVAILABLE APRIL FIRST IS GOING TO LIKELY BE A VIRTUAL HEARING AND ONE IN WHICH WE DON'T EXPECT THAT WE ARE GOING TO, AGAIN, HEAR ANYTHING FROM SPEAKER MADIGAN, SEE HIS FACE OR ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES IT WILL BE YEARS ONE EXPECTS BEFORE THAT HAPPENS.

>> SOME OF THE LAWMAKERS WHO BLOCKED MADIGAN'S SPEAKERSHIP THAT LED TO HIS RESIGNATION ASKED THE GOVERNOR TO HALT SOVMENT FORMER SPEAKER'S PORK PROJECTS.

TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> THERE IS A HANDFUL THAT WERE IN THE LAST $45 BILLION STATE CAPITAL BILL ONE OUTLINED WAS 98 MILLION FOR NOISE ABATEMENT FOR A RAIL YARD SOUGHT BY HOTEL OWNERS.

BEDFORD PARK IS SOUTH OF MIDWAY.

OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO HOTEL OWNERS AND IN THAT REPORT, IT SHOWED THAT ONE OF THE OWNERS HIRED MADIGAN FOR THEIR PROPERTY TAX APPEALS AND THAT IS AT THE HEART OF SOME OF THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST MADIGAN THAT PEOPLE DOING STATE BUSINESS HE IS ARM TWISTING THEM IN SO MANY WAYS TO HIRE HIS LAW FIRM.

WE DON'T KNOW IF THESE ARE CORRUPTION GOTTEN DEALS.

STATE REP ANN WILLIAMS LED THE CHARGE TO REVIEW THEM.

THE NOISE ABATEMENT MIGHT BE NEEDED.

WE DON'T KNOW.

THEY ARE GOING TO REVIEW TO SEE IF THERE WAS FUNNY BUSINESS IN THE WAY THOSE WERE AWARDED AND IF NOT THE DEALS MIGHT GO FORWARD.

>> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HE WENT ONE STEP FURTHER STRIPPING SHIRLEY MADIGAN OF HER STATE ROLE.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

SHIRLEY MADIGAN IS A LONGTIME SUPPORTERS OF ILLINOIS ARTS SCENE.

SHE WAS THE HEAD OF THE ILLINOIS ARTS COUNCIL WHICH WAS LARGELY A CEREMONIAL ROLE.

BUT IT IS CLEAR AFTER HER HUSBAND'S INDICTMENT, THAT THAT WAS NO LONGER TENABLE BECAUSE NO ILLINOIS POLITICIAN WANTS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH ANYONE FROM THE MADIGAN FAMILY AT THIS POINT.

ESPECIALLY GOVERNOR PRITZKER SINCE HE ACKNOWLEDGED HE WAS INTERVIEWED BY F.B.I.

AGENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROBE AS A WITNESS.

AND THAT HE SAYS HE WAS HAPPY TO HELP THEM AND SPOKE WITH THEM FOR AN HOUR JUST BEFORE MADIGAN WAS INDICTED A WEEK AGO.

>> REALLY INTERESTING HERE.

THAT THE GOVERNOR SHIRLEY MADIGAN REMAINS ON THE ARTS COUNCIL WHICH IS A NOTED CEREMONIAL BUT ALSO DOES ISSUE GRANTS TO ARTS ORGANIZATIONS.

AND SO MADIGAN REMAINS ON IT SHE IS NO LONGER GOING TO BE CHAIR.

AND THE GOVERNOR EVIDENTLY CALLED MADIGAN ON TUESDAY TO SAY, HEY I'M GOING TO HAVE YOUR WIFE STEP DOWN OR FORCE YOUR WIFE OUT OF THIS ROLE AND THAT WAS BEFORE THE INDICTMENT HAD BEEN ISSUED AND PRITZKER SAID WHEN HE TALKED TO THE FEDS HE DID NOT HAVE ANY INKLING ASKING ABOUT WHAT SEEMED TO BE WRONGDOING.

BUT IT SEEMS IN THE TIMING PRITZKER WAS LOOKING TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF SOMETHING HE THOUGHT WOULD BE COMING DOWN THE PIKE.

>> AND MICHAEL MADIGAN IN PARTICULAR USED $2 MILLION FROM HIS POLITICAL FUND TO PAY FOR HIS ATTORNEYS AND HE HAS 10.5 MILLION MORE TO GO.

NOW THERE IS A LAWSUIT ABOUT THIS PRACTICE.

REMIND US ABOUT THAT?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

IT HAS BEEN SETTLED ILLINOIS ELECTION LAW THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS CAN USE CAMPAIGN CASH TO PAY THEIR LAWYERS IF THEY GET INTO CRIMINAL TROUBLE.

AND ONE OF THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO HAS USED THAT CAMPAIGN FUND TO DO JUST THAT WAS DISGRACED FORMER ALDERMAN DANNY SOLIS.

HIS SUCCESSOR BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ SUED OVER THAT AND HAS TAKEN THE CASE ALL THE WAY TO THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT WHERE WE ARE AWAITING A RULING FROM THE HIGH COURT WHETHER THAT IS A PROPER USE OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS.

MADIGAN, OF COURSE, IS NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO DIP INTO HIS CAMPAIGN FUND AND I CRUNCHED THE NUMBERS.

HE HAS SPENT $4.8 MILLION OVER 2020 AND 2021 ON HIS LEGAL DEFENSE.

ALDERMAN ED BURKE HAS ALSO SPENT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON HIS LEGAL DEFENSE AND HE HASN'T GONE TO TRIAL YET.

MAYBE SOMETIME 2022, 2023 WE'RE STILL WAITING.

>> POLITICIANS AND CAMPAIGN STAFF THEY ARE FILING PETITIONS, ANY SURPRISES SO FAR?

>> DOESN'T SEEM LIKE SURPRISES FOLKS ANNOUNCED THEY ARE CANDIDATES FOR CERTAIN RACES.

THEY FILED THEIR PETITIONS EVERYONE HAS UNTIL NEXT MONDAY.

THE SURPRISES COME AFTER THE PERIOD WHEN YOU HAVE ELECTION LAWYERS CHALLENGING THE PETITIONS.

THE MOTIS OPERANDI IS GET THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF SIGNATURES THAN ARE REQUIRED BECAUSE PROBABLY UP TO HALF CAN BE PHONY PEOPLE WRITE GOOF ANY FAKE ADDRESSES AND SCREW AROUND AND OTHER TIMES WE SEE LAWYERS GETTING BALLOTS PETITIONS TOSSED BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T BIND THEM CORRECTLY.

AN UNDEMOCRATIC PRACTICE IF THAT IS WHY A CANDIDATE IS NOT ABLE TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

A LOT OF TIMES THEY DIDN'T DO A JOB GETTING CLEAN PETITIONS.

GOOD CAMPAIGNS KNOW THEY HAVE TO HAVE GOOD PETITION GATHERERS.

>> AN EARLY LIST OF POSSIBLE CHALLENGES TO MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT FLOATING AROUND KIND OF LONG.

>> THE FIELD IS WIDE OPEN.

WE ARE ABOUT A YEAR AWAY FROM ELECTION DAY.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT EVERYONE EXPECTS MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT TO SEEK A SECOND TERM SHE HAS YET TO ANNOUNCE THAT SHE WILL.

AND LET'S REMEMBER THAT A YEAR BEFORE THE 2019 MAYORAL ELECTION HAD I COME ON THE SHOW AND SUGGESTED THAT LORI LIGHTFOOT WOULD BE MAYOR IN 2019, YOU GUYS PROBABLY WOULD HAVE LAUGHED AT ME.

SHE WAS NOWHERE.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN 2023.

IT IS WIDE OPEN AND ESPECIALLY SINCE LORI LIGHTFOOT IS A THOUGHT TO BE VULNERABLE ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES INCLUDING CHICAGO'S PERSISTENTLY HIGH CRIME AND VIOLENCE RATE.

>> AND THERE ARE DIFFERENT INTERESTS LOOKING FOR A CANDIDATE LIKE BUSINESS GROUPS LOOKING FOR A CANDIDATE.

CONGRESSMAN MIKE QUIGLEY SAID IN THE SUN SHIMS HE HAS BEEN APPROACHED.

HE IS FOCUSED ON UKRAINE.

YOU HEARD KAM BUCKNER EARLIER IN OUR SHOW SAYING HE IS STRONGLY CONSIDERING.

HE IS GOING TO MAKE A DECISION AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

CURIOUS THERE IS NO COALESCED BUSINESS CANDIDATE.

KEN GRIFFIN IS THROWING $20 MILLION INTO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AND THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS CRIME.

AND CRIME IN CHICAGO THE CHICAGO MAYOR HAS MORE CONTROL OVER POLICE POLICY AND WE HAVE NOT HEARD KEN GRIFFIN TALK ABOUT ANY INTEREST IN THE MAYOR'S RACE.

>> HEATHER YOU MENTIONED THE CITY'S VIOLENCE, TODAY AT A NEWS CONFERENCE THE MAYOR ADDRESSED THE SPIKE IN VIOLENCE ON THE CTA.

>> THE WORD IS DISABILITY.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT ON EVERY PLATFORM, ACROSS OUR SYSTEM THAT YOU, THE COMMUTERS SEE THE VISIBILITY OF SWORN POLICE OFFICERS AS WELL AS THE UNARMED SECURITY GUARDS.

>> AMANDA WOULD YOU SAY THAT VIOLENCE IS HER CAMPAIGN ISSUE OR ACHILLES HEEL?

>> BOTH.

LET'S USE THE CTA AS AN EXAMPLE.

IF YOU HAVE FOLKS FRIGHTENED ABOUT TAKING THE CTA TO GO TO WORK, TO GO DOWNTOWN THEN YOU DON'T HAVE PEOPLE IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT AS YOU ARE TRYING TO GEAR UP AFTER THE COVID SHUTDOWNS AND RETURNING TO WORK AS OFFICES ARE GETTING BACK UP AND GOING.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS TOUCHES REALLY EVERY CORNER OF THE CITY POLITICS AND POLICY.

AND IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL SEE HER TRY TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF BUT IT WILL BE DIFFICULT THAT IS WHY YOU HAVE SUCH A WIDELY PEOPLE LOOKING TO TAKE HER ON.

>> SWIMMING GEARS TO COVID -- SWITCHING GEARS TO COVID.

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE ENDING THE MASK MANDATE NEXT WEEK WE'VE HEARD FROM PEDRO MARTINEZ AND C.T.U.

VICE-PRESIDENT STACY DAVIS GATES ABOUT THIS THIS WEEK.

COULD THE C.T.U.

POSSIBLY HAVE ANOTHER WORK STOPPAGE OVER DROPPING THE MASK MANDATE?

>> IT'S HARD TO TELL AT THIS POINT WHAT THE WILL OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES WILL BE.

I THINK IT SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED AT THE C.T.U.

LEADERSHIP WAS VERY CLEAR IN THEIR RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BY MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT THAT SHE DID IT WITHOUT CONSULTING OR NEGOTIATING WITH THEM.

AND THAT IT BREAKS THE AGREEMENT THAT THEY REACHED BACK IN JANUARY.

THOSE ARE TWO VERY SERIOUS THINGS WHEN IT COMES TO THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION.

AND REALLY ANY CITY LABOR ORGANIZATION.

THOSE AGREEMENTS ARE HARD-FOUGHT AND CAREFULLY NEGOTIATED.

AND I THINK THAT IT WILL HAVE PERHAPS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE MAYOR'S CONTINUING TENSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNION THAT SHE DECIDED TO BREAK THAT AGREEMENT.

SHE SAID HER HANDS WERE TIED BY THE DOWN STATE JUDGE REVIEWING AN ATTEMPT TO OVERTURN THE SCHOOL'S MASK MANDATE BUT I THINK WE ARE ONLY STARTING TO SEE HOW THIS ISSUE IS GOING TO PLAY OUT.

>> AND C.T.U.

HAS FILED AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE CHARGE AND I'M HEARING FROM A SOURCE THAT THIS COULD BE IN CONSIDERED AS SOON AS NEXT WEEK.

THAT IS A CONSIDERATION.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL BE AND THAT IS SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ THANKS, EVERYBODY.

UP NEXT WE VISIT A LOCAL HARDWARE STORE THAT HAS BEEN PART OF THE PILSEN COMMUNITY FOR DECADES.

STAY WITH US.

>> THROUGHOUT THE CITY'S HISTORY FAMILY OWNED HARDWARE STORES HAVE BEEN ANCHORED IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD IN TIME.

OVER TIME COMPETITION FROM BIG BOX STORES AND A LACK OF SUCCESSORS TO TAKEOVER THE FAMILY BUSINESS FORCED MANY TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS.

NOW, THE OWNER OF A LONGTIME FIXTURE ON 18TH STREET IS NAILING DOWN PLANS TO ENSURE HIS STORE AS A DIFFERENT FATE.

ERICA GUNDERSON STOPPED IN TO MEET TWO GENERATIONS BEHIND THE COUNTER AT ALVAREZ HARDWARE.

>> I TELL MY GRANDSON YOU HAVE TO BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

THEY HAVE TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

YOU HAVE TO TREAT EACH AND EVERYONE WITH RESPECT.

>> PEOPLE IF YOU WALK AROUND PILSEN AND THEY SEE HIM, LIKE PEOPLE HEY Mr. ALVAREZ, SALUTE HIM.

>> GIVING PEOPLE THE SERVICE IS MY PASSION.

I LIKE TO BE WITH PEOPLE AND TALK TO THE PEOPLE.

AND GIVE SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE.

>> OVER THE LAST FEW DECADES, JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING IN PILSEN HAS BEEN TOUCHED BY CHANGE.

BUT IN THAT TIME, THE FACE BEHIND THE COUNTER AT ALVAREZ HARDWARE HAS BEEN THE SAME.

>> RODOLFO ALVAREZ'S JAM-PACKED 18TH STREET STORE HAS BEEN THE PLACE TO GO FOR PILSEN RESIDENTS LOOK FOR A SHOVEL OR PIPE FITTING SINCE HE BOUGHT THE BUSINESS FROM HIS FATHER-IN-LAW IN THE 1980s INTEREST I DIDN'T KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE HARDWARE BUSINESS.

>> IN THE EARLY DAYS THE FINANCES WERE A BIT TOUCHING GO.

>> I USED TO RUN TO THE SUPPLIERS FOUR OR FIVE I TIMES A DAY BECAUSE I COULD NOT BUY A BOX OF ELBOWS OR NIPPLES OR WHATEVER YOU KNOW.

I USED TO BUY FIVE PIECES AT A TIME, SIX PIECES HERE AND THERE.

AND THEN WHEN I COME MY WIFE SAYS THEY ARE GONE GO BACK.

HERE'S THE MONEY.

AND IT WAS A STRUGGLE.

BUT IT PAID OFF.

>> OVER THE FIRST FEW YEARS HE SAYS THE COMMUNITY TAUGHT HIM WHAT IT NEEDED FROM THE LOCAL HARDWARE STORE.

>> I LEARNED WHAT TO GET AND SELL TO OUR PEOPLE.

AND WITH THE TIME YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN CHANGING.

SO NOW WE SELL A LITTLE BIT OF DIFFERENT MERCHANDISE.

ACCORDING TO THE CLIENTELE AND TIMES.

>> AT ALVAREZ HARDWARE THIS WASHER COSTS 18 CENTS WITH THAT 18 CENTS YOU ARE GETTING 40 YEARS OF KNOW HOW AND THAT IS WHAT Mr. ALVAREZ SAYS KEEPS PEOPLE COMING BACK.

>> WE HAVE CUSTOMERS THAT MOVE OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND GO TO THE SUBURBS, AND THEY STILL COME BACK THAUS THEY KNOW THAT WE'LL TAKE THE TIME TO EXPLAIN THINGS TO THEM.

>> RODOLFO ALVAREZ IS TEACHING HIS GRANDSON JULIAN ALVAREZ THE SOFTER SIDE OF THE HARDWARE BUSINESS.

>> WE DON'T PAY FOR DAYCARES THIS WAS A DAYCARE I GREW UP HERE EVERY SATURDAY MORNING WE WAKE UP EARLY AND I ASK QUESTIONS WHAT DOES THAT DO?

WHAT IS THIS USED FOR?

AND MY GRANDFATHER WOULD TELL ME.

>> I TELL MY GRANDSON THERE ALWAYS WILL BE A NEED FOR HARDWARE STORE IN PILSEN EVEN THOUGH THE BIG BOXES ARE A MONSTER, THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE AND KNOWING WHAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS, MAKE US UNIQUE.

>> YEAH, I'M GOING TO TAKE THIS OVER AND KEEP IT ONGOING LIKE A LEGACY THAT WE HAVE.

>> I'M LOOKING FOR A PIPE INNER TUBE.

>> I'M GOING TO MAKE HIM PROUD.

YEAH.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON >> NOW, RODOLFO ALVAREZ WANTS TO LET PEOPLE KNOW HE IS NOT RETIRING ANYTIME SOON.

SO IF YOU NEED ADVICE ON FIXING A LEAKY FAUCET HE WILL BE THERE BEHIND THE COUNTER SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

AND WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M.

AMONG THE MOST VACCINATED AREAS IN CHICAGO AND HOME TO MICHAEL MADIGAN WE VISIT WEST LAWN FOR OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> AND PAINTINGS ON GLASS AND CONTEMPORARY WORKS BY AN ARTIST FROM UKRAINE WHO IS DOING WHAT SHE CAN TO HELP THE WAR NESTER HER HOME COUNTRY.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

[♪♪♪]