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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> IT'S LIFE-THREATENING FOR ME AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT UNLESS THERE IS SIGNIFICANT MEDICAL SUPPORT.

>> WHAT TO DO ABOUT FEARS OF VACCINE ALLERGIES?

>> SORRY ABOUT THAT.

COVID VACCINES COMING TO A DOWNTOWN BUILDING NEAR YOU THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> FORECASTERS ARE PROJECTING WE'LL SEE THE FASTEST ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NEARLY 40 YEARS.

>> STRONG ECONOMIC GROWTH BUT AFTER A DISAPPOINTING JOBS REPORT, IS THERE A MISMATCH BETWEEN JOBS AVAILABLE AND THE SKILLS OF WORKERS?

>> WHY SOME LAWMAKERS WANT TO BLOCK STATE FINANCE FOR A PROPOSED SOUTH LOOP MEGA DEVELOPMENT.

>> LOCAL EFFORTS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN INDIA AFFECTED BY THE COUNTRY'S MASSIVE COVID-19 OUTBREAK.

>> I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT WHAT YOU WILL OBSERVE IS A VAST WASTELAND.

>> IS TELEVISION STILL A VAST WASTELAND?

WE CHECK IN WITH A FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ON THE STATE OF THE MEDIA.

>> WE ARE A BREWERY, A BAKERY, A PIZZA PLACE, GROCERY STORE.

ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

>> A SAMPLING OF VENDORS TAKING PART IN THE LOGAN SQUARE FARMERS MARKET.

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

AS ILLINOIS MARCHS TOWARD A REOPENING IN A FEW WEEKS, PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE WORKING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR DOWNTOWN WORKERS AND SOME IN THE SUBURBS TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

THE STATE IS PARTNERING WITH LOCAL UNIONS AND THE BUILDING OWNERS AND MANAGERS ASSOCIATION TO ENCOURAGE FRONT DESK STAFF, CUSTODIANS, BUILDING SECURITY AND OTHER WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING IN OFFICE BUILDINGS DURING THE PANDEMIC, TO GET THE VACCINE AT CLINICS NOW SETUP IN SEVERAL DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS.

INCLUDING THE MERCHANDISE MART, THE WRIGLEY BUILDING AND OTHERS.

>> THIS IS ABOUT MAKING IT AS EASY AS POSSIBLE.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET GOD EN VACCINATED TO DO SO.

VACCINES ARE NOT ONLY EFFECTIVE AND PROTECTIVE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO GETS THEM AND JUST AS IMPORTANTLY VACCINES MAKE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY SAFER.

>> AND WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THIS EFFORT AND OTHER BUSINESS HEADLINES FROM CRAIN'S LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

>> ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT 1400 NEW CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS AND 12 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

THE STATE'S TOTAL CASE COUNT IS 1.356 MILLION AND 22,235 PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

THE STATE'S TEST POSITIVITY RATE IS 3.4% DOWN FROM 4% A WEEK AGO.

>> 81-YEAR-OLD GERMAN ARCHITECT HELMUT JAHN BEST KNOWN IN CHICAGO FOR DESIGNING THE THOMPSON CENTER IN THE LOOP WAS KILLED IN A BICYCLE CRASH OVER THE WEEKEND.

HELMUT JAHN MOVED TO CHICAGO IN THE 60s TO STUDY UNDER AN ARCHITECT AND WENT ON TO WORK ON MAJOR PROJECTS INCLUDING McCORMICK PLACE, THE UNITED AIRLINES TERMINAL AND THE F.B.I.

HEADQUARTERS.

J EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING IN WASHINGTON D.C.

HE APPEARED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IN 2003 AND DISCUSSED WHAT MAKES A GOOD ARCHITECT.

>> HE HAS TO GET ALONG WITH THE CONTRACTOR.

HE HAS TO BE SOMETIMES A POLITICIAN.

AND HE HAS TO BE SOMETIMES TOUGH.

BECAUSE ONLY THIS WAY, A VISION, AND A GOOD BUILDING ALWAYS STARTS WITH A VISION CAN BE REALIZED.

>> AND THE THOMPSON CENTER WHICH WENT ON SALE HAS BEEN MORE CONTROVERSIAL.

STATE OFFICIALS SAY THE 17 STOREY BUILDING HAS BEEN A STRAIN ON STATE FINANCES BECAUSE IT'S INEFFICIENT TO OPERATE.

PRESERVATION IS WORKING TO PROTECT THE BUILDING FOR SIGNIFICANT ALTERATIONS OR BEING DEMOLISHED.

>> THE PROPOSED MEGA DEVELOPMENT ONE CENTRAL WOULD CREATE RESIDENTIAL, RETAIL, PARKLAND AND ATRANSIT HUB ON TOP OF THE METRA TRACKS WEST OF SOLDIER FIELD.

THE SPLASHY $20 BILLION PLAN HAS GOTTEN LOTS OF ATTENTION INCLUDING FOR THE RELIANCE ON $6.5 BILLION IN STATE FINANCING.

SOME LAWMAKERS SAY THE LANGUAGE THAT MADE THE FINANCING POSSIBLE WAS SNUCK INTO LAST YEAR'S STATE BUDGET AND ONE WANTS TO PUT A STOP TO THE PORTION OF THE PLAN.

JOINING US ARE REPRESENTATIVE KAM BUCKNER A DEMOCRAT FROM CHICAGO WHO JUST INTRODUCED A BILL TO BLOCK STATE FINANCING FOR ONE CENTRAL.

AND JACK LAVIN PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE CHICAGOLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND A SUPPORTER OF THE ONE CENTRAL DEVELOPMENT.

GENTLEMEN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

REPRESENTATIVE BUCKNER LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE, WHY DO YOU WANT TO BLOCK STATE FUNDING FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT?

>> THANK YOU, BRANDIS.

SIMPLY PUT MY ISSUE IS NOT WITH THE PROPOSAL.

IT IS WITH THE PROCESS AND THE PRIORITIES.

REPEAL THE REVISIONS THAT CREATED THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN THAT WOULD BE USED BY THIS ONE CENTRAL PROPOSAL, IS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE HAVING INTENTIONAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT.

THIS WAS A $6.5 BILLION GOLDEN TICKET THROWN BETWEEN A BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION BILL WITHOUT BACKGROUND OR CONVERSATIONS HAD WITH THOSE OF US WHO REPRESENT THE AREA.

SO AS WE LOOK AT THE PRECARIOUSNESS OF THE NEW STATE BUDGET AND THINGS THAT HAPPENED SINCE COVID BECAME AN ISSUE WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE STATE CAN AFFORD AND A PRIORITY FOR ALL OF US.

>> AND JACK LAVIN WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THAT BILL?

>> WELL, BRANDIS THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT THE REPRESENTATIVE IS SAYING.

I THINK THIS PROJECT IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR CHICAGO, IT CAN GENERATE OVER THE NEXT 40 YEARS, 150 BILLION IN REVENUE AND 70,000 JOBS.

RIGHT NOW THAT LAND PRODUCES 23,000 OF PROPERTY TAXES.

IT IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY.

THERE IS A PROCESS THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

IT WON'T BE BUILT FOR A FEW YEARS.

BUT WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE LEGISLATION IS IT WAS A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE STATE HAS NOT DONE TOO MANY OF THESE.

THE PRIVATE MONEY IS UP FRONT AND NOT A DIME COMES OUT FROM THE STATE UNTIL THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED.

SO THERE IS A PROCESS TO GO.

IT'S STILL HAPPENING BUT IT IS A GREAT UNIQUE PRIORITY PARTNERSHIP THAT THE STATE IS DOING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A GATEWAY TO THE SOUTH SIDE AND CONNECT SOUTH SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS WITH THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.

>> AND REPRESENTATIVE BUCKNER HAVE YOU GOTTEN REACTION TO YOUR BILL FROM GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER OR COLLEAGUES IN SPRINGFIELD?

>> I'VE SPOKEN TO A NUMBER OF MY COLLEAGUE WOULDS ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE FACT THIS IS ON THE TABLE.

I HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO THE GOVERNOR BUT THE GOVERNOR HAS COME OUT PUBLICLY AS HE TALKED ABOUT THE BUDGET THAT WE WILL PASS IT HERE IN SPRINGFIELD.

AND HE HAS INDICATED THAT THIS IS NOT A PRIORITY OF HIS.

I'VE GOTTEN WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FROM COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE, ACROSS THE STATE ABOUT THIS.

BECAUSE WHAT ALSO IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL TIF DEAL WHERE THERE IS A VALUE CAPTURE BASED ON A GEOGRAPHIC AREA.

THIS WOULD BE SALES TAX COMING TO THE PROJECT FROM EVERY REGION OF THE STATE.

WHEN WE LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE AS A STATE, THE THINGS WE NEED TO FOCUS ON TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MOVING FORWARD IN A HOPEFULLY POST PANDEMIC WORLD, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS.

>> JACK LAVIN WHAT WOULD THE STATE FINANCING GO TOWARD?

>> THE STATE FINANCING WOULD GO TOWARDS A TRANSIT HUB, A CIVIC BUILD THAT BRINGS NATIONAL RAIL, AMTRAK, METRA, CTA TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE.

BUILDS THAT CIVIC BUILD THAT TRANSIT HUB, TRANSPORTATION STUDIES TRANSIT STUDIES HAVE BEEN DONE TO SHOW THIS WILL WORK.

IT CONNECTS THE SOUTH SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.

THERE IS A RAIL YARD THERE.

IT IS A BARRIER TO OPPORTUNITIES.

A BARRIER TO THE SOUTH SIDE CONNECTING WITH THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT AND CREATING JOBS.

LOWERING COMMUTE TIMES THAT IS WHAT CREATES JOBS AND HELPS PEOPLE GET TO JOBS.

AND I THINK IN RESPONSE TO REPRESENTATIVE BUCKNER ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT THIS PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IT IS NOT TIF DOLLARS.

THE MONEY THE STATE PUTS IN THEY GET BACK, IN 20 YEARS SO THEY OWN THE ASSET AT THE END.

TIF DOLLARS TYPICALLY THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN.

THEY OWN THE ASSET AND THEY CAN USE IT FOR UNFUNDED PENSION LIABILITY.

THEY CAN TRANSFER THE ASSETS INTO THERE WHEN THE LEGISLATION PASSED THAT IS ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF IT THAT I THINK WHEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE GOVERNOR PASSED IT AND THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL THAT WAS ONE OF THE UNIQUE PARTS OF THIS PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

>> AND JACK, HOW MUCH DOES THE DEVELOPER NEED THIS MONEY?

CAN A MEGA PROJECT GET OFF THE GROUND WITHOUT STAND FUNDING TO BACK IT UP?

>> I THINK THESE LARGE PROJECTS ESPECIALLY THIS ONE, WHEN WE BUILT MILLENIUM PARK WE BUILT A TABLETOP OVER THAT RAIL YARD.

LOOK AT THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN MILLENIUM PARK AND WHAT TOURISM BRINGS TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

IT'S THE SAME ISSUE HERE.

YOU HAVE A RAIL YARD.

YOU NEED TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE OVER IT.

ALL THESE BIG PROJECTS REQUIRE INFRASTRUCTURE OTHERS HAVE GOTTEN TIF DOLLARS THIS HA A UNIQUE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE WHERE THE STATE TAKES OWNERSHIP OF THE ASSET AT THE END OF THE 20 YEARS AND THAT IS UNIQUE IN THAT THEY ARE GETTING THEIR MONEY BACK.

THEY ARE GETTING A RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

THEY ARE GETTING AN ASSET THEY CAN PUT IN FOR UNFUNDED PENSION LIABILITY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BUCKNER, YOU HAVE SAID THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE ANALYSIS OF HOW NECESSARY THIS IS.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER BACKING STATE FINANCING FOR THIS PROJECT IF THERE WERE CHANGES TO IT?

OR MORE ANALYSIS OF THE TRANSPORTATION IMPACT?

>> THAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS IS MAKING SURE WE HAVE MORE THOROUGH, INTENTIONAL INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS OF WHAT THIS MEANS BOTH FROM THIS IS ABOUT TRANSPORTATION, EQUITY, ABOUT AIR POLLUTION, ABOUT TRAFFIC ALL THE THINGS THAT WILL BE IMPORTANT WE HAVE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

AS WE TALKED ABOUT TRANSIT THERE IS NOBODY WHO WANTS THE SOUTH SIDE TO BE CONNECTED TO THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT MORE THAN I. I LIVE IN THE SOUTH SIDE AND WE SHOULD BE CONCENTRATING ENERGY ON SUSTAINING, IMPROVING AND COORDINATING OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM.

I'M LOOKING FOR CLARITY WHY THIS IS NEEDED.

BRANDIS, GROWING UP AS A KID, I HAD A MATH TEACHER WHO WAS FAMOUS FOR PUTTING SHOW YOUR WORK ON TOP OF A MATH ASSIGNMENT IF YOU HAD THE RIGHT ANSWER BUT THE PROCESS DID NOT MAKE SENSE HE WAS MORE CONCERNED WITH THE PROCESS.

ALL WE'RE ASKING IS TO SHOW YOUR WORK.

>> AND BRANDIS, THERE ALREADY IN A PROCESS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO BEFORE THEY CAN GO BACK TO THE STATE AND NEGOTIATE THE FINAL PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PLANNING DEVELOPMENT PROCESS WITH THE CITY.

THEY SUBMITTED THE TRANSPORTATION STUDY THE TRANSIT STUDY, THE MARKET STUDY ALL THE THINGS THAT REPRESENTATIVE BUCKNER IS MENTIONING AND I DON'T KNOW IN THOSE ARE PUBLIC OR WILL BE SOON, THE PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IS BEGINNING.

WHEN THAT HAPPENS, I'M SURE ALL THIS INFORMATION WILL BE PUBLIC.

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR REPRESENTATIVE BUCKNER.

>> BEFORE I LET YOU GO, REPRESENTATIVE BUCKNER IS THERE ANY CONCERN BY BLOCKING THE STATE FINANCING THAT COULD NIX THE ENTIRE PROJECT?

>> I HOPE THAT THIS CAN MOVE [INAUDIBLE] WE CAN HAVE THE MORE INTENTIONAL CONVERSATIONS.

6.5 BILLION IS REAL MONEY WE ALL KNOW THAT.

WE HAVE PASSED A NUMBER OF BILLS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT MAKE NEIGHBORHOODS STRONGER AND SAFER AND PUT DOLLARS IN EDUCATION AND THE QUESTION WE GET IS WHERE WILL THE MONEY COME FROM?

THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO BE A QUESTION FOR THE MEGA PROJECT.

WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO US.

>> THANKS TO REPRESENTATIVE KAM BUCKNER AND JACK LAVIN FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, BRANDIS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS AND DETAILS ON WHAT MAY BE DRIVING VACCINE HESITANCY FOR SOME AMERICANS.

>> DEMAND FOR THE COVID VACCINE IS DROPPING.

AND AS A RESULT, STATES ARE REQUESTING LESS THAN THEIR NORMAL ALLOCATIONS.

THIS AS THERE IS STILL A LARGE POPULATION HESITANT TO GET THE VACCINE.

SOME OF THAT MIGHT BE POLITICAL OR THE RESULT OF MISINFORMATION.

OTHERS ARE BASING HER HESITANCY OF FEARS OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION.

WE MET ONE WOMAN WHO SAID SHE HAS GOOD REASON TO HOLD OUT.

>> DONNA PRESTELL WANTS TO GET THE COVID VACCINE BUT REFUSES BECAUSE OF A HISTORY OF REACTIONS.

>> I HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ALLERGIC RESPONSE TO MEDICATIONS.

>> SHE IS ALLERGIC TO A COMPOUND FOUND IN BOTH THE PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINES.

SHE IS ALSO ALLERGIC TO POLY SORRY BAIT 80 IN THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE.

THE CDC RECOMMENDS THAT PATIENTS WITH THOSE ALLERGIES NOT GET THOSE SHOTS.

>> IT'S LIFE-THREATENING FOR ME AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT UNLESS THERE IS SIGNIFICANT MEDICAL SUPPORT.

>> THERE IS NUANCE WITH ALLERGY.

AND THAT RESULTS IN SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO GET VACCINATED, MISSING OUT ON THE VACCINE.

>> Dr. ANNA WOLFSON IS AN ALLERGIC WITH MISGENERAL HOSPITAL AND SAYS THOSE PARTICULAR ALLERGIES ARE UNCOMMON AND RECOMMENDS THAT PATIENTS GET AN ALLERGY TEST BEFORE DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT TO GET THE VACCINE.

>> IF THE ALLERGIC REACTION HAPPENED DECADES AGO AND NO RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE WE CAN DO THE TESTING TO SEE IF IT IS STILL AN ALLERGY.

>> AN ANALYSIS FOUND RARE CASES OF ANAPHALAXIS AFTER TAKING ONE.

MRNA VACCINES 2.15 IN 1 MILLION IN RA.

>> I UNDERSTAND STATISTICS THE PROBLEM IS IT ONLY MATTERS IF YOU ARE NOT THAT PERSON.

>> DONNA PRESTELL IS WILLING TO TAKE THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE BUT ONLY IN A HOSPITAL.

SHE SAYS SHE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND AN APPOINTMENT THAT MEETS THAT CRITERIA TO THIS POINT.

Dr. ROBERT MURPHY LEADS THE INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH AT NORTHWESTERN'S FEINBERG SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

HE SAYS THERE IS FAR MORE FLEXIBILITY REQUEST A CERTAIN VACCINE AT A CERTAIN LOCATION NOW BECAUSE OF THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND SITUATION.

>> THERE IS MORE VACCINE NOW THAN PEOPLE WILLING TO TAKE THE VACCINE.

SO THOSE ISSUES WHERE EVERYTHING WAS SO TIGHT IT LOOSENED UP.

AND YOU CAN LOOK AROUND AND FIND A PARTICULAR PLACE TO TO GIVE A VACCINE.

>> WHICH SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR DONNA PRESTELL TO FIND AN APPOINTMENT.

SHE WANTS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS TO DO MORE TO CATER TO PEOPLE WITH ALLERGIES LIKE SETTING ASIDE SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS WITH MORE EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS.

>> I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON.

AND IF THE GOAL IS TO GET EVERYBODY VACCINATED, THEN THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

>> TO THIS DATE, THE CDC REPORTS NO KNOWN DEATHS RELATED TO THE PFIZER OR MODERNA VACCINES AND THREE POSSIBLE DEATHS LINKED TO JOHNSON & JOHNSON DUE TO A RARE BLOOD CLOTTING DISEASE.

>> THE U.S. ECONOMY HAS COME ROARING BACK FROM PANDEMIC LOWS BUT A DISAPPOINTING JOBS REPORT FRIDAY THAT FELL SHORT OF PREDICTIONS, HIGHLIGHTED POTENTIALLY WORRYING TRENDS.

ONE OF THOSE IS THAT WITH 8 MILLION UNFILLED JOBS THERE IS A MISMATCH BETWEEN AVAILABLE JOBS AND THE SKILLS OF WORKERS AND SOME WORKERS APPEAR RELUCTANT TO RETURN.

HERE IS WHAT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAID TODAY ABOUT THOSE UNFILLED JOBS.

>> WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT ANYONE COLLECTING UNEMPLOYMENT WHO IS OFFERED A SUITABLE JOB, MUST TAKE THE JOB OR LOSE THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

>> AND JOINING US TO GIVE THEIR TAKE ON THE ECONOMY AND THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACTS ON THE WORKPLACE ARE REBECCA RYAM, ECONOMIST AND FUTURIST AND THE FOUNDER OF NEXT GENERATION CONSULTING.

>> AND TOM MCNAMARA FOUND TOM GIMBEL STAFFING AND RECRUITING FIRM BASED HERE IN CHICAGO.

WELCOME BACK.

REBECCA.

AS AN ECONOMIST YOU SEE THESE VARYING SETS OF DATA HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE THIS JOB MARKET RIGHT NOW AND WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS?

>> WELL, THE MOST RECENT REPORT WAS DISAPPOINTING AND I THINK THERE ARE TWO THINGS GOING ON.

ONE IS THAT THERE WERE STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS WITH OUR JOB MARKET BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

SO WE'VE GOT A HUGE MIDDLE SKILLS GAP AND THAT PERSISTS AND THE SECOND ISSUE IS THE NOTION PEOPLE NOT BEING IN A HURRY TO RETURN TO WORK.

AND I CERTAINLY THINK THAT WAGES CAN BE PART OF THE PROBLEM.

BUT THAT IS A VERY NARROW SLICE.

THE OTHER PIECE ARE WHETHER WORKERS FEEL SAFE GOING BACK TO WORK PHYSICALLY SAFE REGARDING COVID AND WHETHER THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT SWITCHING CAREERS.

FOR SOME OF THE ESSENTIAL AND KEY WORKERS THIS PANDEMIC HAS RAISED BIG QUESTIONS ABOUT THE KINDS OF WORK THEY WANT TO BE DOING IN THE FUTURE.

>> THERE'S HEADWINDS HERE AND TOM GIMBEL YOU SAID THIS IS THE BEST JOB MARKET YOU HAVE SEEN IN 25 YEARS AT LEAST THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE IF THERE ARE PEOPLE WILLING AND SKILLED TO DO THEM.

WHAT COUNTS HERE FOR THE DISCREPANCY?

>> THERE IS A JOB OUT THERE FOR ANYBODY WHO WANTS ONE.

AND I AGREE WITH REBECCA ON SEVERAL POINTS IT IS NOT UP TO THE GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHILE THEY ARE LOOKING TO DO A CAREER CHANGE ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT SIDE.

I AGREE THAT PEOPLE MAY BE LOOKING FOR THAT BUT THAT IS NOT FOR THE GOVERNMENT IE THE TAXPAYER TO BE SUPPORTING.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS WHAT REBECCA SAID AND THAT IS A HUGE SKILLS GAP, ESPECIALLY IN THE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR, HEALTHCARE, SUPPLY CHAIN WHERE WE DON'T HAVE THE PEOPLE WITH THE SKILLS AND I'M NOT SURE IF PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO COME BACK TO WORK THE CITIES HAVE NOT OPENED UP FULLY.

AND WHEN WE SEE NEW YORK AND CHICAGO OPENING UP, AND THEN ALL OF THE HOSPITALITY AND THE SERVICE WORKERS AND RESTAURANT FOLKS CAN BE BACK WORKING WE'LL SEE THE NUMBERS INCREASE AND THEN WE HAVE A FULL SET OF COLLEGE STUDENTS GRADUATING IN MAY AND WE'LL SEE THAT IN THE JUNE AND JULY NUMBERS THAT REFLECT WHAT THIS ECONOMY IS CAPABLE OF FROM AN EMPLOYMENT AREA.

>> REBECCA RYAM FOR THAT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT PART OF IT, YOU HEARD THE PRESIDENT ELUDE TO THIS WOULD IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF SOME OF THE ADDED BENEFITS WENT AWAY, AND THEY TIGHTENED THE REINS ON UNEMPLOYMENT?

>> YOU THINK IT WILL FOR SOME SECTORS OF EMPLOYEES.

BUT WE'VE ALL HAD A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE DURING COVID.

AND THERE'S NOT ONE SILVER BULLET THAT IS GOING TO SOLVE THIS.

>> TOM GIMBEL, I DID A REPORT ELUDING A A STUDY FROM A DESIGN CENTER THAT THEY EXPECT 70% OF FOLKS TO GO BACK TO THE WORKPLACE AT LEAST FOR MOST OF THE WEEK.

DOES THAT SQUARE WITH WHAT YOU'VE BEEN SEEING?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE A NEW NORMAL WHICH IS A HYBRID WORKFORCE.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE THINKING IT WILL BE WHEN THE EMPLOYEE WANTS TO AND I'M NOT HEARING THAT FROM THE HR LEADERS AND C.E.O.S THAT I MEET WITH.

WHAT WE ARE HEARING IS PEOPLE WILL BE COMING BACK ON A DESIGN PLAN BETWEEN THREE AND FOUR DAYS A WEEK FOR THE MAJORITY OF COMPANIES WHICH WOULD BE 60-80% WHICH HITS RIGHT IN LINE WITH THE REPORT AND PEOPLE WILL STILL USE A SIMILAR SIZE FOOTPRINT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO HAVE THEIR PEOPLE IN THE OFFICE AT THE SAME TIME.

>> REBECCA RYAM WHAT DOES THAT PORTEND FOR THE ECONOMY AT LARGE FOLKS IN THE OFFICE THREE, FOUR DAYS A WEEK, MAYBE REMOTE TWO, THREE DAYS A WEEK?

>> THERE ARE TWO THINGS LONGER TERM.

ONE IS AN INCREASE IN PRODUCTIVITY.

WE'VE MADE THE CASE IN COVID THAT WE CAN KEEP AND SOME CASES IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY WHEN PEOPLE ARE NOT WORKING IN AN OFFICE.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE BENEFITS.

AND THE OTHER IS THIS...

EMPLOYERS SAVED ON AVERAGE $11,000 PER EMPLOYEE WHEN THEY ALLOW WORKERS TO HAVE THE HYBRID SCHEDULE AT LEAST A COUPLE DAYS A WEEK.

SO WE ARE GOING TO GET PRODUCTIVITY GAINS AND ALSO GOING TO GET PROFITABILITY GAINS LONGER TERM.

>> ALL POSITIVE SIGNS THERE.

TOM GIMBEL, IN THE PANDEMIC HERE WE'VE SEEN TWO MILLION WOMEN AND 1.5 MILLION MEN DROPPING OUT OF THE LABOR FORCE.

HOW DID THE PANDEMIC AFFECT THE ABILITY OF WOMEN TO BE IN THE WORKFORCE?

>> WELL, IT SHOWS THE GENDER DISCRIMINATION THAT EXISTS IN THE HOME WHEN WOMEN WERE DROPPING OUT OF THE WORKFORCE MORE THAN MEN, IT PROBABLY SHOWS THAT THEY TAKE ON THE MAJORITY OF THE PARENTING DUTIES AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT AS A SOCIETY THAT IS NOT AS POPULAR TO TALK ABOUT.

THAT IT SHOULD BE A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY.

SIMULTANEOUSLY, THOUGH, IT SHOWS THAT MORE SERVICE JOBS, RESTAURANTS, ARE HELD BY WOMEN AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE TO DO IF IN FACT BEING IN A RESTAURANT IS NOT POSSIBLE ANYMORE.

AND THAT IS WHY WE'RE SEEING SO MANY CUSTOMER SERVICE JOBS CALLED CUSTOMER SUCCESS IN TECHNOLOGY JOBS, HELP DESK JOBS WHERE PEOPLE CAN LEARN AND GROW ENTRY LEVEL ACCOUNTING AND TIME FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WORK TO WORK IN AN OFFICE AND MAKE THAT TRANSITION AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

>> REBECCA RYAM, WHAT ARE WAYS TO CLOSE THIS GENDER GAP WE'RE SEEING BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE?

>> I THINK TOM IS RIGHT ABOUT THE CHILDCARE BURDEN FALLING PRIMARILY TO THE WOMEN.

BUT THERE ARE OTHER CONCERNS AS WELL.

WE HAVE ELDERLY PARENTS.

PEOPLE ARE LIVING LONGER THAN THEY EVER HAVE.

WE HAVE THAT CRUNCH.

THE CARE CRUNCH OVERALL.

AND I THINK THIS RAISES THE SPECTER OF A FEW THINGS.

PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS ARE INNOVATIVE.

SO IF THEY WANT TO BRING MORE WOMEN BACK TO WORK, YOU CAN EXPECT ON-SITE CHILDCARE IN SOMEPLACES AND POSSIBLY DAYCARE STIPENS TO HELP.

AND OVERALL MOST COMMUNITIES MOST OF THE MAJOR METROPOLITAN AREAS HAVE HAD A DAYCARE SHORTAGE GENERALLY.

SO WHAT WE'VE GOT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FAST TRACKING CHILDCARE AND DAYCARE PROVIDERS TO EASE SOME OF THE RESTRICTIONS, INCREASE THE COMPENSATION THAT PEOPLE CAN MAKE IN THOSE FIELDS OR POLICY CHANGES.

>> A LOT OF WORK LIFE IMPROVEMENTS MIGHT COME OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC.

>> TOM GIMBEL BACK TO THE GAP BETWEEN THE JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND PEOPLE WITH THE SKILLS AND THE WHEREWITHAL TO DO THEM.

YOU SEE IMMIGRATION OBVIOUSLY IS A SORE SUBJECT FOR BOTH PARTIES.

WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS HERE TO CLOSING THAT GAP A LITTLE BIT?

>> WELL, WE'VE GOT TO MAKE A BIGGER PUSH ON LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT AND THAT IS ACROSS THE BOARD WHERE COMPANIES THAT ARE PROFITABLE AND HAVE A GAP ESPECIALLY AT ENTRY LEVEL JOBS WHERE THEY CAN TRAIN PEOPLE AND IMPLEMENTING BETTER ONBOARDING AND TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE.

SECONDARYLY, UTILIZING THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT ARE BUILT FOR TRAINING AND LEARNING NEW SKILLS.

ESPECIALLY IN SOFTWARE, ACCOUNTING, IT, THINGS ALONG THOSE LINES.

THERE IS OPPORTUNITY.

THE CHALLENGE WE FACE IS WE LIVE IN A TIME WHERE PEOPLE EXPECT AND ARE FEELING ENTITLED TO GET SOMETHING.

AND 20 YEARS, 30 YEARS AGO, PEOPLE DID WHAT THEY HAD TO DO TO GET THEIR FOOT IN THE DOOR AND WE'VE LOST THAT EVERYONE IS 1° AWAY FROM SOMEBODY WHO MADE A MILLION DOLLARS ON THE INTERNET CREATING AN APP AND THEY DON'T WANT TO PUT IN THE HARD WORK AND A LOT OF TIMES THAT IS WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE A TRANSITION INTO A NEW CAREER.

>> I STARTED HERE AT WTTW 16 YEARS AGO AS AN INTERN.

IT CAN PAY OFF TO BE PATIENT AND TO GET IN AT THE GROUND LEVEL.

INTERESTING FEW MONTHS AHEAD.

OUR THANKS TO REBECCA RYAM AND TOM GIMBEL FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, WE MEET SOME OF THE VENDORS BEHIND THIS SEASON'S LOGAN SQUARE FARMERS MARKET.

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE SHOW INCLUDING A LOOK AT LOCAL EFFORTS TO EASE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 IN INDIA.

>> FIRST, LOCATED ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF CHICAGO THE LOGAN SQUARE FARMERS MARKET IS ONE OF THE CITY'S ONLY WEEKLY NEARLY YEAR-ROUND FARMERS MARKET.

STARTED IN 2005 THE OUTDOOR MARKET IS PROVIDING A MUCH-NEEDED EXTRA REVENUE STREAM FOR RESTAURANTS STRUGGLING DURING THE SHUTDOWN.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" EVAN GARCIA TOOK A TRIP TO LOGAN SQUARE.

>> WE ALL GET ON THE TABLE AND START DIVIDING THE DOUGH AND SHAPING IT.

AND ONCE IT'S SHAPED IT WILL REST IN ITS SHAPED FORM OVERNIGHT.

AND THEN IN THE MORNING WE START ALL OVER AGAIN.

>> JESS GALLI IS THE HEAD BAKER, A BREW PUB LOCATED IN THE LOGAN SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD.

ONE YEAR AGO, THAT RESTAURANT EXPANDED ITS BREAD BAKING OPERATIONS TO THE PLANT, A COMPLEX IN THE BACK OF THE YARDS.

>> DURING COVID DEMAND FOR OUR BREAD GREW THAT WE NEEDED MORE SPACE WE OPENED UP THAT SPACE.

THERE'S THREE DELIVERIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY FROM OUR SPACE AT THE PLANT TO BUNGALOW HERE.

>> THIS YEAR, BUNGALOW BY MIDDLE BROW WILL BE SELLING PRODUCTS AT THE LOGAN JAIR FARMERS MARKET AN OPEN AIR FOOD MARKET STARTED 16 YEARS AGO.

PETE TERNES SAYS THE OPPORTUNITY HELPS EXPAND HIS CUSTOMER BASE.

>> ROGERS PARK COMES DOWN AND GRABS BREAD AND HOPEFULLY THEY WANT TO TRY OUR PIZZA.

IT DRAWS FROM THE ENTIRE CITY.

>> FOR HERE ON LOGAN BOULEVARD BETWEEN MILWAUKEE AND WHIPPLE YOU CAN SEE BETWEEN 40-53 VENDORS EVERY SUNDAY THAT RANGE FROM FARMERS TO BAKERS AND PRODUCE VENDORS.

>> NILDA ESPARZA IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LOGAN SQUARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THE HEAD ORGANIZER OF THE FARMERS MARKET WHICH RUNS NEARLY YEAR-ROUND.

>> I HAVE A FIVE-SIX-WEEK BREAK AFTER OCTOBER WE BRING IT INDOORS IT IS A DIFFERENT LOCATION AND WE RUN THROUGH MARCH.

>> AS PART OF A REDESIGN OF THE TRAFFIC CIRCLE THIS STRETCH WILL BE TURNED INTO A PEDESTRIAN PLAZA THE PERMANENT HOME OF THE LOGAN SQUARE'S FARMERS MARKET.

>> THAT WHOLE CIRCLE WILL GET A NEW LOOK FOR US IT IS A NICE IMPLEMENTATION TO HAVE A HOME WHERE WE WILL HAVE STORAGE SPACE AND BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE MORE VENDORS.

>> TOMATO... >> THE FARMERS MARKET'S VENDORS COME FROM ACROSS ILLINOIS, INDIANA, WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN.

LETIZIA SORANO OWNER OF A BAKERY IN CHICAGO'S WEST TOWN HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE LOGAN SQUARE FARMERS MARKET FOR 10 YEARS.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I LOVE THE MARKET.

AND WE WENT OVER THERE OFFERING OUR NATURAL PRODUCT THE BAKING AND THE FRESH PASS SA.

>> THE TREATS SHE WILL SELLOUT SIDE WILL BE A WELCOME INDULGENCE AFTER A DIFFICULT YEAR.

>> I THINK, YES, THE PEOPLE IS ALSO STRESSED OUT AND TIRED TO BE HOME AND DON'T COME TO THE RESTAURANT.

SO THEY ARE GOING TO COME HAPPILY TO THE MARKET.

I LOVE THE MARKET.

I LOVE THE MARKET.

REMIND ME THE FEELING OF ITALY, THE FEELING OF PEOPLE FREE.

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

>> COVID-19 DID NOT STOP THE FARMERS MARKET LAST YEAR.

THE MARKET BEGAN IN JUNE A MONTH LATER THAN NORMAL BUT CONTINUED THROUGH THE FALL.

PLUS, AN INDOOR WINTER SEASON AT ROCKWELL ON THE RIVER.

YOU CAN VISIT THE LOGAN SQUARE FARMERS MARKET EVERY SUNDAY FROM 9:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M.

THE FIRST HOUR IS RESERVED FOR HIGH-RISK INDIVIDUALS TO SHOP.

YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"...

THE CITY IS INVESTING BIG IN THE FORMER MICHAEL REESE SITE HOW AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS FROM CRAIN'S.

>> IS TELEVISION STILL A VAST WASTELAND?

WE CHECK IN WITH A FORMER FCC CHAIRMAN ABOUT THE STATE OF TELEVISION AND MEDIA.

EFFORTS FROM LOCAL CHICAGOANS TO PROVIDE RELIEF FOR PEOPLE IN INDIA AMID THE COUNTRY'S DEVASTATING COVID-19 OUTBREAK.

BUT FIRST, SOME MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT 1400 NEW CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS AND 12 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

THE STATE'S TOTAL CASE COUNT IS 1.356 MILLION.

AND 22,235 PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

NEARLY 35.5% OF THE STATE'S POPULATION HAS BEEN FULLY VACCINATED.

BIKERS, JOGGERS AND PEDESTRIANS WHO ENJOY TRAVELING ALONG THE LAKEFRONT CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THE NAVY PIER FLYOVER SEVEN YEARS AFTER THE CITY BROKE GROUND.

>> IT'S DONE.

IT'S TAKEN A WAY BUT WE DID IT AS FUNDING BECAME AVAILABLE AND WE NEVER GAVE UP WE KEPT PUSHING FORWARD AND HERE WE ARE.

IT'S DONE.

CHICAGO WORKS AND THIS IS AN EXAMPLE HOW WE GET WORK DONE.

>> THE TARGETED DATE FOR THE FLYOVER WAS THREE YEARS AGO.

BUT TODAY CITY AND STATE OFFICIALS CUT THE RIB DON ON THE $64 MILLION PROJECT.

THE FLYOVER FEATURES SEPARATED PATHS FOR CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS, MUCH OF IT ON A STRUCTURE RUNNING ALONGSIDE LOWER LAKE SHORE DRIVE.

AMONG THE DELAYS WERE MAINTENANCE ON THE BRIDGE AND TUNNELING OUT TWO BRIDGE HOUSES ON A NORTHBOUND PORTION OF THE TRAIL.

THERE IS MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS, FOR OF TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

COVID VACCINATIONS WILL SOON BE OFFERED IN THE DOWNTOWN OFFICE BUILDING NEAR YOU.

RUSH UNIVERSITY AND BMO FINANCIAL TEAMED UP TO IMPROVE HEALTH DISPARITIES AND THE MICHAEL REESE SITE GETS A FINANCIAL BOOST FROM THE CITY.

HERE IS CRAIN'S' BUSINESS REPORTER DANNY ECKER.

WE WILL HAVE FREE VACCINE CLINICS SETUP AT OFFICE BUILDINGS.

WHICH BUILDINGS AND WHAT THE PURPOSE IS HERE?

>> SO THERE'S HIGH PROFILE BUILDINGS THE MERCHANDISE MART, THE WRIGLEY BUILDING, 150 NORTH RIVERSIDE, 311 SOUTH WHACKER.

THE GOAL IS GETTING PEOPLE OPTIONS FOR PLACES TO GET VACCINATED.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN THEIR SHOTS.

BUT THE PACE HAS BEEN SLOWING DOWN SO THE STATE IS PARTNERING TO TRY TO ADDRESS THAT.

AND THE SECOND WHICH IS JUST AS IMPORTANT OF A GOAL, IS THE CITY IS TRYING TO GET PEOPLE BACK DOWNTOWN AGAIN.

THIS IS SOMETHING THEY NEED TO REKINDLE THE CITY AND IF OFFERING FREE VACCINE CLINICS WILL HELP DO IT THEY ARE ALL ABOUT IT.

BECAUSE WE ARE AT 35% OF THE STATE'S POPULATION THAT IS VACCINATED AND THAT PACE IS SLOWED DOWN.

>> SO ANOTHER WAY TO LURE PEOPLE BACK DOWNTOWN AND CLOSING DOWN STATE STREET AND OTHER THINGS.

BMO DONATING $10 MILLION TO CREATE THE RUSH BMO INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH EQUITY WHAT WILL IT BE ABOUT?

>> IT'S SEED MONEY FOR AN INSTITUTE THAT HOPEFULLY WILL RAISE $70 MILLION ACCORDING TO RUSH, TO ADDRESS A FEW THINGS; STRUCTURAL RACISM AND EXPANDING COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH, USING DATA-INFLUENCED PUBLIC POLICY.

THE IMPETUS IS SOMEONE LIVING IN AN OFF FLUENT DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD HAS A 30 YEAR LIFE EXPECTANCY THAN SOMEONE IN A POOR NEIGHBORHOOD.

BMO AND RUSH ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT, ADDRESSING SOCIAL FACTORS THAT IMPACT HEALTH LIKE FOOD INSECURITY AND EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THE THINGS THAT THE FOCAL POINTS FOR THE INSTITUTE.

>> HUGE PROBLEMS WE'LL SEE IF THIS CAN PUT A DENT IN THAT.

ANOTHER INVESTMENT FROM THE CITY, $60 MILLION FROM THE CITY BUDGET TO FUND INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES AROUND THE OLD MICHAEL REESE HOSPITAL SITE.

REMIND US WHAT THE PLANS FOR THAT SITE ARE AND WHAT THE CITY MONEY IS GOING TO FUND?

>> THIS PLAN IS FOR 3.8 BILLION MIXED-USE CAMPUS SOUTH OF McCORMICK PLACE BUILT OUT OVER THE NEXT 10-20 YEARS.

ANCHORED BY A MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER RUN BY THE LARGEST HOSPITAL IN ISRAEL.

AND REMEMBER THE CITY OWNS THIS LAND THE LAND THE CITY BOUGHT IN 2009 WHEN THEY WERE HOPING WOULD BECOME OLYMPIC VILLAGE IF THE CITY WON THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN 2016.

IT'S BEEN SITTING EMPTY AND THE CITY IS PAYING $13 MILLION A YEAR FOR DEBT SERVICE IT WILL BE A TOUGH THING.

THIS IS BASICALLY, THE CITY IS GOING TO BE -- IT'S UNCLEAR WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM, IT COULD BE A BOND OR INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY OR FEDERAL FUNDS USED TO BUILD NEW ROADS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

>> SO MANY PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SOUTH LOOP AND ACROSS MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS WE'LL SEE WHAT THOSE ALL COME TO FRUITION.

DANNY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS.

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS AND THE ANNIVERSARY OF AN ICONIC SPEECH ABOUT AMERICAN TELEVISION.

BRANDIS?

>> PARIS THANK YOU.

TELEVISION A VAST WASTELAND.

THAT IS HOW THEN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR NEWTON MINOW CHARACTERIZED THE STATE OF TELEVISION SIX DECADES AGO.

DURING HIS SPEECH ON MAY 9, 1961, NEWTON MINOW ADVOCATED FOR TELEVISION THAT SERVED THE PUBLIC'S INTEREST AND CRITICIZED PROGRAMMING.

TELEVISION HAS EXPANDED FROM THREE COMMERCIAL NETWORKS TO SEEMINGLY UNLIMITED CHANNELS DELIVERED IN NEW WAYS ALONGSIDE THE RISE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND AMID HEIGHTENED DISTRUST IN THE NEWS MEDIA.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE CURRENT STATE OF TELEVISION IS NEWTON MINOW HIMSELF, AN ADVOCATE FOR EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION AND CHAMPION OF PUBLIC SERVICE MEDIA.

HE IS SENIOR COUNSEL AND A MEMBER EMERITUS OF THE WTTW BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND WELCOME TO YOUR DAUGHTER WHO JOINS US SITTING BEHIND YOU AS WELL.

>> GLAD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> IT HAS BEEN SIX DECADES SINCE THAT SPEECH.

DID YOU ANTICIPATE THAT YOUR WORDS WOULD CARRY SO MUCH WEIGHT 60 YEARS LATE SENATOR.

>> I HAD NO IDEA IT IS AMAZING TO ME THAT SIX DECADES LATER, I THINK THE ISSUES PERSIST.

AND I THINK THE ISSUES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION ARE THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE AND SOCIAL MEDIA I THINK KEEPING BROADCASTERS SERVING THE PUBLIC INTEREST BEING FAIR AND REPORTING THE NEWS, DECIDING WHAT IS A FACT THAT MOST IMPORTANT THING.

NOT MIXING FACT WITH OPINION THOSE QUESTIONS REMAIN.

I THINK CHILDREN'S TELEVISION HAS IMPROVED ENORMOUSLY AND PARTICULARLY PROUD TO HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN GETTING SESAME STREET STARTED.

>> YES.

I WILL COME BACK TO THOSE THINGS.

SESAME STREET AND THE FACT VERSUS OPINION DEBATE.

AT THE TIME TELEVISION WAS GROUNDBREAKING TECHNOLOGY IT WAS GROWING IN POPULARITY THEN.

WHAT WAS THE REACTION FROM THE PUBLIC?

AND FROM THOSE WITHIN THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY?

>> THE PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY DIDN'T LIKE IT AT ALL.

BUT IN FACT, THE PRODUCER AND WRITER OF GILLIGAN'S ISLAND WAS SO IRRITATED WITH ME THAT HE NAMED THE SINKING SHIP THE SS MINOW ON GILLIGAN'S ISLAND AND WE LATER HAD A WONDERFUL CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT IT.

THE REACTION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC BY PARENTS OF SMALL CHILDREN WAS OVERWHELMINGLY POSSIBLE.

>> AND YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THE LAUNCH OF "PBS NEWSHOUR" AND INSTRUMENT AT UNTIL CREATION OF SESAME STREET.

WHAT MADE PUBLIC TELEVISION WHICH WAS AT THE TIME CALLED EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION, WHAT MADE THAT PART OF THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM THEN?

>> WELL, I WENT TO THE FCC FROM CHICAGO, PRESIDENT KENNEDY WENT TO THE WHITE HOUSE FROM BOSTON AND BOTH OF US WERE FAMILIAR WITH WHAT WAS CALLED EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION.

CHICAGO HAD WTTW.

BOSTON HAD WGBH AND WE WERE ASTONISHED TO FIND NO SUCH STATION IN WASHINGTON D.C.

THE NATION'S CAPITOL.

NO SUCH STATION IN NEW YORK, THE NATION'S BIGGEST CITY.

NO SUCH STATION?

LOS ANGELES.

AND WE DETERMINED TO ENLARGE THE NUMBER OF CHANNELS THAT ARE MADE AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE WHAT WE NOW CALL PUBLIC TELEVISION AND THERE ARE NOW 350 PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS UNITED WITH PBS ACROSS THE NATION.

>> SOME WOULD SAY WE ARE LIVING IN A GOLDEN AGE OF TELEVISION WE HAVE STREAMING SERVICES AND OFFERINGS THERE IS A LOT OF TELEVISION TO BE CONSUMED WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ABOUT THE STATE OF TELEVISION NOW?

IS IT STILL A VAST WASTELAND?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF TRUTH IN THAT.

AND WE DID SUCCEED IN ONE THING AND THAT WAS TO ENLARGE CHOICE FOR THE VIEWER.

IF YOU ARE A SPORTS JUNKY YOU HAVE SPORTS.

IF YOU WANT 24 HOURS A DAY.

YOU ARE A NEWS JUNKIE YOU GOT NEWS.

SO WE'VE ENLARGED CHOICE AND AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK, WE HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN OUR NEWS REPORTING WHERE FACTS AND OPINION ARE MIXED UP TOGETHER WHERE WE NO LONGER HAVE AN AGREEMENT ON WHAT IS A FACT.

>> LET'S GET INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

WHAT IS THE ANECDOTE TO DISAGREEMENTS ON WHAT IS FACT AND WHAT IS OPINION?

>> WELL, WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO SAY WE HAVE ALTERNATIVE FACTS AND MAKEUP FACTS.

IF YOU DON'T AGREE ON FACTS I DON'T SEE HOW YOU CAN HAVE A CIVILIZED DISCUSSION.

PAT MOYNIHAN WHO I KNEW WAS A YOUNG PERSON AND LATER HE BECAME A SENATOR, HE PUT IT ALL IN ONE SENTENCE: HE SAID THIS IS A FREE COUNTRY.

EVERYBODY'S ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN OPINION.

BUT NOT TO THEIR OWN FACTS.

AND IT SEEMS TO ME TODAY THAT SAY VERY CRITICAL ISSUE IN NEWS REPORTING.

WTTW I'M PROUD TO SAY NEVER MIXES OPINION AND FACTS.

THEY LABEL WHEN IT IS AN OPINION AND ALWAYS ON THE TRUTH AND THE FACTS.

>> THANK YOU THAT IS SOMETHING WE WORK HERE TO DO.

IF YOU WERE THE CHAIR OF THE FCC TODAY ARE THERE POLICIES, STEPS YOU WOULD TAKE TO REMEDY THAT PROBLEM?

>> I WOULD GO BACK TO WHAT WE THEN HAD WHAT WAS CALLED A FAIRNESS DOCTRINE WHICH ENCOURAGED BROADCASTERS TO COVER CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES BUT TO PROVIDE BALANCES OF THE OPINION AND BALANCES OF NOT JUST PRESENTING ONE POINT OF VIEW BUT TO IN FAIRNESS TO PROVIDE DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW SO THAT THE VIEWER CAN MAKEUP HIS OR HER OWN MIND.

>> HOW WOULD YOU SAY SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE PROLIFERATION OF MEDIA IMPACTED THE CURRENT STATE OF TELEVISION?

>> WELL, I THINK YOUNG PEOPLE MANY OF THEM DON'T HAVE A TELEVISION SET.

THEY WATCH STREAMING I SEE THAT IN MY GRANDCHILDREN.

I THINK IT'S TECHNOLOGY MOVES TO QUICKLY.

IT MOVES FASTER THAN PUBLIC POLICY.

IN THE FUTURE WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT ALTERNATIVE -- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, WHERE THEY CAN TAKE A PERSON'S PICTURE, PUT WORDS IN THE PERSON'S MOUTH AND THEY ARE DIFFERENT WORDS THAN THE PERSON SAID.

THEY CAN CHANGE THE POSITION OF A PERSON'S FACE.

ALL THIS IS TECHNOLOGICALLY POSSIBLE.

AND WE HAVE TO HAVE POLICIES FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SO THAT THE VIEWER STILL GETS THE STRAIGHT TRUTH.

>> AND YOU ON FORMER COLLEAGUE HERE CAROL MARIN YOU'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR YEARS SHE SAYS YOUR WIFE LIKES TO KEEP YOU HUMBLE PARTICULARLY ABOUT THIS SPEECH.

HOW HAS YOUR WIFE, JO, HELPED TO GROUND YOU OVER THE YEARS?

>> MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD A WONDERFUL HAPPY MARRIAGE THIS MONTH WILL BE OUR 72nd WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

WE'VE PRODUCED THREE GREAT DAUGHTERS.

HAVE A MARVELOUS FAMILY.

AND MY WIFE HAS A TERRIFIC SENSE OF HUMOR.

AND KEEPS ME GROUNDED IN EVERYTHING I DO.

>> CONGRATULATIONS ON THOSE 72 YEARS OF MARRIAGE.

WTTW NEWS TRUSTEE FORMER CHAIR JIM MABIE WE KNOW HE PASSED AWAY RECENTLY.

SERVING AS A TRUSTEE HERE FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

HE WAS ALSO A CHAMPION FOR PUBLIC MEDIA.

WHAT IMPACT WOULD YOU SAY HE MADE ON WTTW?

>> JIM, I WAS SO SHOCKED AND SADDENED TO LEARN OF HIS PASSING TODAY.

JIM AND I WERE VERY GOOD FRIENDS WE WORKED TOGETHER FOR YEARS.

HE WAS NOT ONLY THE CHAIRMAN OF WTTW HE WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF WBEZ, THE PUBLIC RADIO STATION IN CHICAGO.

HE WAS DEVOTED TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

HE CARED ABOUT THE INDEPENDENT NEWS GATHERING AND.

HE WAS A MODEL CITIZEN DEVOTED TO THE ARTS.

>> OR CONDOLENCES AND WE WILL HAVE MORE ON JIM'S LEGACY LATER ON IN THE PROGRAM.

WHILE WE HAVE YOU, THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE"'S OWNERSHIP IS IN FLUX WITH HEDGE FUND ALDEN GLOBAL BUT REPORTERS ARE PUSHING BACK.

Mr. MINOW WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS THIS IMPACT IT COULD HAVE IN CHICAGO?

>> I LOVE NEWSPAPERS AND I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SUN TRIBUNE AND THE "THE SUN TIMES" AND THE DAILY NEWS.

AND I SEE SADLY THAT NEWSPAPERS ARE IN BIG TROUBLE.

NEWSPAPER IS ESSENTIAL IN A DEMOCRACY AS A GUARDIAN OF FOR THE PUBLIC OF BEING A CRITIC OR SUPPORTER WHATEVER IS APPROPRIATE OF THE GOVERNMENT.

MOSTLY IT'S GOT TO BE A WATCHDOG.

SO I PRAY FOR THE TRIBUNE AND "SUN-TIMES" AND ALL NEWSPAPERS TO CONTINUE BUT I WORRY THAT THE TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION HAS CREATED THE PRINTED NEWSPAPER INTO A TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE CORNER.

>> AND LASTLY, Mr. MINOW, THE SPEECH, OBVIOUSLY THAT WE ARE NOTICING THE ANNIVERSARY OF IS THIS WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED BY?

YOUR MANY OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS WELL?

>> IF I COULD BE REMEMBERED FOR ONE THING, I WOULD HOPE IT WOULD BE FOR HELPING TO BUILD THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE IN AMERICA.

I'M VERY, VERY PROUD OF THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> I'M MORE PROUD OF MY FAMILY.

>> I'M SURE YOU ARE.

AND CONGRATS ON YOUR FAMILY AS WELL.

THANKS TO NEWTON MINOW IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> BRANDIS, THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS FOR DETAILS ABOUT LOCAL EFFORTS TO HELP FIGHT COVID-19 IN INDIA.

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO HEAR FROM NEWTON MINOW A CERTAIN NORTH STAR FOR ALL OF US HERE.

IN INDIA IS GOING THROUGH A MASSIVE COVID-19 OUTBREAK.

FUELED IN PART BY THE SPREAD OF A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS RARE ANT.

SATURDAY THE COUNTRY REPORTED THE HIGHEST DAILY DEATH TOLL, 4187 PEOPLE ALL IN ONE DAY.

HERE IN CHICAGO GROUPS ARE WORKING WITH OVERSEAS ORGANIZATIONS TO DONATE SUPPLIES AND FUNDS AND JOINING US ARE UM SANTOSH KUMAR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE METROPOLITAN ASIAN FAMILY SERVICES AND Dr. SAJAL TANNA AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST WITH NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE.

WELCOME BOTH OF TO YOU "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

BOTH OF YOU HAVE FAMILY IN INDIA.

SANTOSH KUMAR HOW HAS THIS HIT CLOSE TO HOME.

>> I'M SANTOSH KUMAR FROM THE FAMILY SERVICES AND I'M SERVING OUR COMMUNITY FOR LAST 30 YEARS CALLED METROPOLITAN ASIAN FAMILY SERVICES AND UNIVERSE TALL METRO SERVICES AND WE ARE SERVING THE SENIOR POPULATION.

MY FAMILY IS IN DANGER.

I HAVE LOST FOUR OR FIVE PEOPLE ALREADY AND RIGHT NOW THE HOSPITAL IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF OXYGEN THERE.

INDIA IS A VERY HEAVILY POPULATED KE COUNTRY.

AND THIS PANDEMIC IS TAKING A TOLL ON THE VERY HIGH NUMBER OF THE PEOPLE AS YOU KNOW IT IS SPREADING EXPONENTIALLY.

300,000 PEOPLE IN A DAY IS INFECTED.

>> IT'S CERTAINLY APOCALYPTIC SITUATION.

Dr. SAJAL TANNA BEFORE WE GET TO SOME OF THE ISSUES BEHIND THIS HOW ABOUT YOUR OWN PERSONAL FEELINGS ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING?

HAS THIS HIT CLOSE TO HOME AS WELL?

>> I AM AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE PHYSICIAN AT NORTHWESTERN TAKING CARE OF COVID PATIENTS.

MY PARENTS SIBLINGS ARE STILL THERE AND THEY HAVE BEEN HARD HIT.

MOST OF MY RELATIVES HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO STAY AT HOME.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE LOST CLOSE FAMILY FRIENDS AND EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> SANTOSH KUMAR WHAT ARE SOME OF THE EFFORTS IN THE CHICAGO AREA THAT ARE UNDERWAY TO HELP THE SITUATION?

>> CHICAGO WE ARE TRYING HERE IN MANY AVENUES LIKE CIVIL INTERNATIONAL THEY COLLECTED $8 MILLION AND THE VACCINES AND OTHER PPE STUFF FOR THE HOSPITALS AND THE PEOPLE AND THEY HAVE THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS WORKING THERE.

AND WE HAVE ACROSS INDIA WE ARE HELPING THEM THROUGH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE FIA CHICAGO AND WE HAVE A PRIVATE PUBLIC DOCTORS AND THEY ARE SENDING LIKE.

AND MANY, MANY PEOPLE ARE SENDING.

BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH WHAT INDIA POPULATION.

I URGE THE COMMUNITY TO HELP INDIA RIGHT NOW TO STOP SPREADING RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS A DANGEROUS VARIANT.

IT'S SPREAD THROUGH THE AIR AND IT DOESN'T KNOW THE BORDER.

ANYTIME.

>> AND YOU MENTIONED IT IS A DANGEROUS NEW VARIANT.

Dr. SAJAL TANNA THIS IS A COMPLEX QUESTION BUT WHAT CAUSED THE CURRENT OUTBREAK IN INDIA?

AND HOW DANGEROUS IS THAT VARIANT THAT IS SPREADING RIGHT NOW?

>> SURE.

I THINK THAT THE CURRENT OUTBREAK IS MULTIFACTORIAL.

IN FEBRUARY INDIA WAS A SUCCESS STORY.

AND THINGS HAD OPENED UP AND PEOPLE WERE HAVING SOCIAL GATHERINGS AND WEDDINGS, RELIGIOUS EVENTS.

THE VARIANT BEGAN TO SPREAD.

IT'S COMMONLY KNOWN AUDRA WILSON.

BUT IT HAS TWO MUTATIONS.

ONE IS THE ONE THAT IS FOUND IN THE VARY ANTED IN CALIFORNIA WHICH MAKES IT MORE EASILY TRANSMISSIBLE AND THEN IT ALSO HAS THE E484K VARIANT AND THE SAME LOCATION THAT ONE SEEMS TO INVADE NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODIES AS WE'VE SEEN IN THE VARIANT THAT ORIGINATED IN BRAZIL AND THE ONE THAT ORIGINATED IN SOUTH AFRICA B11 IS 7.

>> SANTOSH KUMAR THERE'S BEEN A LOT MADE OF THE LOW RATE OF VACCINATION 10% OF THE POPULATION WITH ONE DOSE AND 2% FULLY VACCINATED.

INDIA IS KNOWN TO HAVE -- TO BE ADVANCED IN TERMS OF THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY AND COMING UP WITH THINGS LIKE MEDICAL PRODUCTS AND VACCINES.

HOW COME IT'S LAGGING HERE?

>> IT'S LAGGING BECAUSE THEY HAVE A LOT OF VERY GOOD PHARMACY SYSTEM.

BUT THEY NEED THE RAW MATERIAL.

WHICH I THINK BIDEN HAS STOPPED FOR A WHILE AND THAT IS CAUSING A DELAY IN THE VACCINATION.

OTHERWISE, INDIA HAS HELPED 30 COUNTRIES.

THEY SENT FREE VACCINES TO THE COUNTRIES BEFORE.

BUT NOW THEY ARE -- BECAUSE THE WORLD COMMUNITY IS NOT HELPING IN THE RAW MATERIAL.

>> SO PERHAPS HELPING OUT WITH THAT SENDING MORE VACCINES.

Dr. SAJAL TANNA, SANTOSH KUMAR MENTIONED THE OXYGEN SUPPLY FOR PATIENTS IN HOSPITALS RIGHT NOW.

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THAT CRISIS?

A CRISIS OF AN OXYGEN SHORTAGE?

>> YES.

SO THERE HAS BEEN A GIFT WAIVER FOR OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS THAT CAN BE SENT ABROAD WHICH IS GREAT.

THAT RELIEVES SOME OF THE NITROGEN FROM THE AIR AND MAKES THE OXYGEN PURIFIED FOR THE PATIENTS THAT NEED IT.

PEOPLE NEED OXYGEN THEY HAVE NOT ENOUGH OXYGEN TO FILL THEM UP THEY DON'T HAVE VENTILATORS AND THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO RUN THE VENTILATORS.

>> AND WE HAD A DEBATE ON THIS SHOW ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF RELAXING OR SUSPENDING VACCINE PATENTS WOULD THAT HELP THE SITUATION IN INDIA BY SUSPENDING THE PATENTS AS PRESIDENT BIDEN NOW SUPPORTS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK PRIORITIZING PEOPLE OVER PAT AT THE PRESENT TIMES IS KEY AND DECREASING THE DISPARITY BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR COUNTRIES.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE A MAJOR FIRST STEP IN SAYING THAT THEY SUPPORT THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION IN GETTING RID OF THE WAIVING THE PATENTS.

BUT THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO VACCINATE OUR WAY OUT OF THE SURGE SENDING AID IS GOING TO BE KEY IN HELPING THE PEOPLE OF INDIA BEFORE THEY LOSE MORE LIVES.

>> CERTAINLY SEEMS LIKE THE ONLY SOLUTION IS WORLDWIDE SOLUTION.

AND OUR THANKS TO SANTOSH KUMAR AND Dr. SAJAL TANNA THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND WE'RE BACK WITH MORE.

BUT FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> BEFORE WE GO TONIGHT, A PERSONAL NOTE ABOUT AN IMPORTANT MEMBER OF THE WTTW FAMILY.

AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE HOUR, JIM MABIE WHO SERVED FOR 20 YEARS ON THE WTTW, WFMT BOARD AND WAS ITS CHAIR FROM 2014-2020 DIED OVER THE WEEKEND.

JIM WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION AND WAS A TIRELESS ADVOCATE FOR OUR CONTINUED GROWTH AND SUCCESS.

HE WAS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN MAKING SURE WTTW NEWS COULD EXPAND TO BETTER SERVE CHICAGO'S DIVERSE COMMUNITIES IN INCREASINGLY DEEPER WAYS.

IN AN INTERVIEW LAST YEAR, JIM TOLD US WHY HE WANTED TO BE A PART OF THIS ORGANIZATION.

>> PUBLIC BROADCASTING IS ESSENTIAL TO DEMOCRACY AND ESSENTIAL TO THE INDEPENDENT, BRINGING OF NEWS AND INFORMATION AND OPINIONS TO THE EVERYDAY PERSON.

>> OUR SISTER STATION WFMT BENEFITED FROM EVERYTHING FROM CLASSICAL TO FOLK MUSIC.

AMONG HIS OTHER FLOPPIC ENDEAVORS -- PHILANTHROPIC ENDEAVORS HE SERVED WITH THE WBEZ BOARD.

HE SPEND MOST OF HIS CAREER IN LEADERSHIP AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT POSITIONS WITH WILLIAM BLAIR AND AJ BECKER AND AS CHAIR OF THE CHICAGO CAPITAL.

WE THANK JIM MABIE FOR HIS STAUNCH SUPPORT AND IN PARTICULAR FOR THIS STEADFAST SUPPORT OF "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

OUR THOUGHTS TONIGHT GO OUT TO JIM'S WIFE KAY AND THEIR CHILDREN, SARAH, DAVID, MARTHA AND ANN AS WELL AS THE REST OF JIM'S FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

JIM MABIE WAS 85.

>> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

>> JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. >> FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING AND STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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