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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN MANY ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> RIGHT NOW, AMERICA'S FIGHTING ON TWO FRONTS.

>> INFLATION AND THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR.

PRESIDENT BIDEN ADDRESSES THAT AND MORE DURING HIS TRIP TO CHICAGO.

>> THIS KIND OF THING DOES HAVE ECHOS OF THE WAY THAT SPEAKER MADIGAN EXERCISED HIS POWER.

>> DID HOUSE SPEAKER CHRIS WELCH USE CLOUT TO HELP OUT HIS WIFE'S JUDICIAL CAMPAIGN?

WE HAVE A EXCLUSIVE REPORT.

>> A SENATE VOTE ON ABORTION AND MUCH MORE WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

>> NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY AUNITED STATES NOS A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND LONG-TERM LUNG STUDY A LOOK WHO THEY ARE RECRUITING FOR THE RESEARCH.

>> I'VE SEEN IT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 66 BILLION YEARS.

AND I THINK WE HAVE A DINE SORE.

>> RESEARCHERS FOUND FOSSILS THE VERY DAY AN ASTEROID WIPED OUT THE DINOSAURS.

>> OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE WORK ABOUT PLACES WORTH PRESERVING.

>> A HUSBAND AND WIFE COUPLE AIMS WITH THEIR ARTWORK TO SHOW THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE CHICAGO.

>> AND I A PIANO PRODIGY FROM UKRAINE FINDS SOLIS IN MUSIC AND THE COMMUNITY HE FOUND IN CHICAGO.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT HAS A PERMANENT C.E.O.

THE BOARD IS APPOINTING ROSA ESCARENO TO THE POINT.

ROSA ESCARENO WAS SERVING AS THE AGENCY'S INTERIM AS IT WAS DEALING WITH A DISAN CAL REGARDING THE LIFEGUARDS.

SHE REPLACES MICHAEL KELLY AFTER HE MISHANDLED THE INVESTIGATION.

IN A AT THE SAME TIME MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAID QUOTE... >> A PAIR OF MASS SHOOTINGS ON THE SOUTH SIDE LEAVES ONE TEEN DEAD AND 10 OTHERS WOUNDED.

POLICE SAY THE TEEN WAS KILLED IN A SHOOTING IN THE BACK OF THE YARDS NEIGHBORHOOD YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE IT WAS THE RESULT OF ESCALATING GANG VIOLENCE IN THE AREA.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THOUGH, THE LEVEL OF VIOLENCE WE EXPERIENCED LAST NIGHT IS JUST BEYOND WHAT IS REASONABLE -- THERE IS NO REASON FOR IT.

BUT WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN YEARS PAST, IT'S UNACCEPTABLE ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE LEVEL OF EFFORT PUT INTO THE COMMUNITY BY THE 9TH DISTRICT AND COMMANDER JEROME AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> ANOTHER MASS SHOOTING OCCURRED THAT EVENING IN JACKSON PARK WHERE SIX PEOPLE WERE STRUCK TWO WERE HOSPITALIZED IN SERIOUS CONDITION ANOTHER SUFFERED NONLIFE THREATEN INJURIES.

THE WHITE SOX GAME IS BEING POSTPONED.

THE REASON: MULTIPLE POSITIVE COVID-19 TESTS WITHIN THE CLEVELAND ORGANIZATION.

THE FIRST MLB COVID POSTPONEMENT.

THE LEAGUE WILL PROVIDE A RESCHEDULING UPDATE WHEN AVAILABLE.

>> UP NEXT PRESIDENT BIDEN IS BACK IN CHICAGO.

WHAT HE WAS UP TO RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WAS IN CHICAGO TODAY ON A CAMPAIGN STYLE VISIT AFTER SEVERAL STOPS HE MADE BIDEN ADDRESSED THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING HIS PRESIDENCY: THE SURGE OF INFLATION CAUSED IN PART BY THE RUSSIAN WAR IN UKRAINE.

WTTW NEWS REPORTS HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US WITH A LOOK INTO BIDEN'S TRIP TO ILLINOIS.

STARTING WITH WHEN HE LANDED AT O'HARE AND GREETED BY COOK COUNTY PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ABSENT HOW COME?

>> SHE IS ON A FIVE-DAY TRIP TO TEXAS INVOLVING BOTH POLITICAL AND OFFICIAL BUSINESS.

SO SHE WAS FAR AWAY FROM THE PRAIRIE STATE TODAY EVEN THOUGH THE PRESIDENT WAS IN TOWN.

>> AND BIDEN HEADED TO O'CONOR FARMS IN KANKAKEE WHERE HE SPOKE ABOUT HIS PLANS TO FIGHT INFLATION AND PRAISED AMERICA'S FARMERS.

LET'S LISTEN WHAT HE SAID.

>> FARMERS, YOU FEED AMERICA.

YOU GOT US THROUGH A PANDEMIC.

AND YOU'RE LITERALLY THE BACKBONE OF OUR COUNTRY.

AND YOU ALSO FEED THE WORLD AND WE'RE SEEING WITH PUTIN'S WAR IN UKRAINE YOU ARE LIKE THE BACKBONE OF FREEDOM.

>> WHAT DID THE PRESIDENT SAY ABOUT HIS PLANS TO FIGHT INFLATION?

>> WELL, HE SAID THAT THE TRICK TO FIGHTING INFLATION IS BASICALLY TO INCREASE PRODUCTION AT HOME.

AND PART OF THAT IS INVOLVED INCREASING THE PRODUCTION OF WHEAT AND OTHER CROPS.

UKRAINE WAS ONCE THE BREAD BASKET OF EUROPE AND NOW THERE ARE LITERALLY TONS AND TONS OF SILOS OF GRAIN THAT NOBODY CAN GET TO BECAUSE OF THE CONFLICT.

AND THE PRESIDENT SAID TODAY THAT HE WAS WORKING WITH AGRICULTURE SECRETARY TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR FARMERS TO PLANT MORE THAN ONE CROP AND TO INCREASE THAT PRODUCTION WHICH WILL HELP BRING DOWN FOOD PRICES AND INFLATION.

>> SURE THAT WOULD PERK UP THE EARS OF ALL THE FARMERS HERE IN ILLINOIS.

AND BACK TO CHICAGO WHERE HE SPOKE TO THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS NATIONAL CONVENTION.

LIGHTFOOT MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN THERE BUT THE PRESIDENT MENTIONED THE CONVERSATION.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT TALKED ABOUT HOW CHICAGO HAS MORE LEAD PIPES MORE THAN ANY CITY IN AMERICA.

AND GUESS WHAT?

THAT LEAD CAUSES BRAIN DAMAGE, PARTICULARLY THE KIDS.

THOSE PIPES.

LAW IS GOING TO FIX THAT.

BECAUSE EVERY AMERICAN DESERVES TO BE ABLE TO TURN ON A SPIGOT AND DRINK CLEAN WATER.

>> AND HE GOT A WARM RECEPTION.

WHAT ELSE DID HE TALK ABOUT?

>> HE REALLY DELIVERED QUITE A BARN BURNER OF A POLITICAL SPEECH PRAISING UNIONS FOR AS HE SAID BRINGING HIM TO THE DANCE.

OF COURSE THEY WERE ESSENTIAL TO HIS SUCCESSFUL 2020 CAMPAIGN AND FLASHINGLY CRITICAL OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT WHOM HE DID NOT MENTION BY NAME BUT REFERRED TO HIM AS QUOTE THE GREAT MAGA KING, REFERRING TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.

AND TOOK AIM AT FLORIDA SENATOR RICK SCOTT'S PLAN THAT HE SAYS WOULD INCREASE TAXES ON ALL AMERICANS AND THREATEN SOCIAL SECURITY AND TALKED ABOUT HIS TRAGIC BACK STORY HOW HIS FIRST WIFE AND BABY DAUGHTER WERE INJURIED?

A CAR ACCIDENT AND HOW HE BELIEVED THAT HE WAS WORKING TO MAKE AMERICA THE PLACE THAT HELPED HIM RECOVER AND THAT WHERE ALL AMERICANS CAN THRIVE.

>> AND FINALLY, IT WAS A FUNDRAISING TRIP FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE.

HE RAISED SOME FUNDS HERE IN CHICAGO FOR THEM.

DOES THAT SAY THAT MAYBE CHICAGO COULD HAVE A LEG UP ON HOSTING THE DNC IN 2024?

>> I DON'T DOUBT THAT ALL OF THE PEOPLE AT THAT FUNDRAISER ARE BENDING THE PRESIDENT'S EAR ABOUT THEIR DESIRE TO BRING THAT CONVENTION TO CHICAGO IN THE SUMMER OF 2024.

I'M SURE HE IS HEARING ABOUT ILLINOIS' PITCH TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST FIVE PRIMARIES IN THAT PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST.

SO ILLINOIS VERY MUCH IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT TODAY AND PERHAPS FOR MONTHS TO COME.

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND OF COURSE WE'LL SEE YOU LATER IN PROGRAM FOR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS THANKS.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE THAT'S WTTW.COM/NEWS.

QUESTIONS HOW HOUSE SPEAKER'S CHRIS WELCH CLOUT IN A JUDICIAL CAMPAIGN.

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> PRIMARY ELECTIONS ARE A MONTH AWAY.

OFTEN OVERLOOKED ARE THE RACES FOR JUDGMENT ONE COOK COUNTY DISTRICT IS GETTING ATTENTION BECAUSE OF THE EYE POPPING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS ONE OF THE CANDIDATES HAS RECEIVED FROM DEMOCRATIC STATE LAWMAKERS.

THE CANDIDATE IS SHAWNTE RAINES-WELCH, WHO HAPPENS TO BE THE WIFE OF ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER CHRIS WELCH.

PARIS SCHUTZ JOINING US WITH THE LATEST.

>> SHAWNTE RAINES-WELCH IS AN ATTORNEY AND A PARTNER IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.

SHE IS RUNNING FOR JUDGE IN THE COOK COUNTY FOURTH JUDICIAL SUBCIRCUIT.

THAT IS A NEWLY CREATED DISTRICT ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF COOK COUNTY.

AND SHE IS THE WIFE OF ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER CHRIS WELCH WHO TOOK OVER THAT POSITION FROM DISGRACED FORMER SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN.

ME IS OUTRAGED HER OPPONENTS AND CAN THANK SOME OF HER HUSBAND'S COLLEAGUES FOR THAT.

CHRIS WELCH ASKED DEMOCRATIC HOUSE MEMBERS IF THEY WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO HIS WIFE'S CAMPAIGN AND MANY OF THEM STEPPED UP AND DELIVERED.

ACCORDING TO CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURES, ELECTED DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVES HAVE DONATED MORE THAN $200,000 FROM THEIR CAMPAIGNS INTO RAINES-WELCH'S CAMPAIGN.

155,000 OF THAT CAME LAST FRIDAY.

AND THOSE DONATIONS INCLUDE AS SEEN HERE... ON DOWN TO LANG WHO IS RETIRED WITH $20,000.

AND REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS WHO IS RETIRING HIMSELF TOLD US QUOTE I GOT ASKED IF I COULD HELP OUT SO I WAS HAPPY TO DO SO.

THE SPEAKER ASKED AND YOU CAN SAY YES OR NO.

ANOTHER STATE REP TOLD US HE DONATED.

WE'RE FRIENDS INDEPENDENT OF CHRIS WELCH I BELIEVE IN HER PERSONALLY AND BELIEVE IN HAVING BLACK WOMEN AS JUDGES.

WE SPOKE WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE WATCHDOG GROUP REFORM FOR ILLINOIS WHO TOLD US THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT DOES THAT CROSS ANY LEGAL LINES BUT RAISES ETHICS CONCERNS GIVEN SPEAKER WELCH'S POWERFUL POSITION.

>> THERE'S INNOCENT EXPLANATIONS.

LOTS OF TIMES THEY WILL ASK FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES FOR MONEY.

THE DIFFERENT HERE IS YOU BASICALLY YOU HAVE AN BOSS-EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SPEAKER AND HIS MEMBERS.

AND SO HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOUR BOSS ASKED YOU FOR MONEY FOR YOUR WIFE'S CAMPAIGN OR FOR YOUR WIFE'S CHARITABLE EFFORT IN SOME WAY?

YOU WOULD FEEL A LOT OF PRESSURE TO HAND OVER THAT MONEY.

AND THAT CREATES A COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP.

>> WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE FROM THE CAMPAIGN?

>> A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE CAMPAIGN DID NOT ANSWER BUT SEND R SENT A STATEMENT SAYING QUOTE... >> THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN RAISED ABOUT DONATIONS.

"THE SUN TIMES" REPORTED LAST MONTH THAT SHE RECEIVED $10,000 FROM A HOSPITAL COMPANY THAT BENEFITED IN A CHANGE IN STATE LAW PUSHED BY SPEAKER WELCH THAT ALLOWED THEM TO REOPEN THE SHUTTERED WESTLAKE HOSPITAL.

RAINES-WELCH RETURNED THAT DONATION ACKNOWLEDGING IT WAS ILLEGAL BECAUSE A JUDICIAL CANDIDATE CANNOT TAKE OUT OF STATE DONATIONS.

AS MICHAEL MADIGAN IS UNDER INDICTMENT AS PART OF A 22-COUNT ALLEGED CORRUPTION SCANDAL INVOLVING ComEd.

ILLINOIS DEMOCRATS SIGNALED THEY WANT TO MOVE ON FROM THE WAYS OF THE PAST BUT THEY WONDER HOW MUCH THEY HAVE.

>> SPEAKER WELCH AND SPEAKER MADIGAN ARE TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE BUT THIS KIND OF THING HAS ECOS OF THE WAY SPEAKER MADIGAN EXERCISED HIS POWER AND DEMANDED LOYALTY BOTH IN THE LEGISLATURE AND AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.

>> WE WANT TO BE VIGILANT TO MAKE SURE NO ONE IN THE SPEAKER'S POSITION OR ANY POSITION IN ILLINOIS CAN EXERCISE THAT TYPE OF POWER AGAIN.

>> AND RAINES-WELCH IS RUNNING AGAINST THREE OTHER CANDIDATES IN THAT DISTRICT... >> AND PETERSON HAS THE CLOUT CONNECTION TOO SHE IS THE NIECE OF COOK COUNTY CLERK KAREN YARBROUGH.

AND WE TRIED TO SPEECH OUT TO SPEAKER WELCH AND CAMPAIGN PERSONS AND WE DID NOT GET THOSE RETURNED.

>> A LOT FOR VOTERS TO THINK ABOUT AS THEY HEAD TO THE POLLS NEXT MONTH.

>> UP NEXT, DETAILS ON A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND LUNG STUDY.

STAY WITH US.

A FIRST OF ITS KIND TO FIND CORONAVIRUS ROOTS OF CROPPIC LUNG -- CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE.

>> AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS THIS RESEARCH ARE HAROLD WIMMER, NATIONAL PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION.

Dr. RAVI KALHAN, DEPUTY DIVISION CHIEF OF PULMONARY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE AND PROFESSOR AT NORTHWESTERN.

AND LINDY OLIVE ONE OF THE STUDY'S PARTICIPANTS.

WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

WE MENTIONED THIS IS A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND STUDY WHAT MAKES IT SO SIGNIFICANT?

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS THAT MAKE IT SIGNIFICANT.

THE FIRST IS WE'VE NEVER REALLY ATTEMPTED TO STUDY RESPIRATORY OR LUNG HEALTH IN A COMPREHENSIVE WAY IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT OVER THE PAST MANY YEARS ABOUT HEART DISEASE AND CANCER, AND IT IS A PRODUCT OF CONDUCTING STUDIES.

AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ACROSS THE LIFETIME OF PARTICIPANTS TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT DETERMINES WHO DEVELOPS CERTAIN CONDITION AND OUR CAUSE CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE.

AND THE OTHER UNIQUE THING THIS IS A FIRST AND ONLY STUDY OF THE MILLENNIALS WE ARE RECRUITING 25-30-YEAR-OLDS AND THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN STUDIED.

AND THIS GENERATION HAS UNIQUE HEALTH BEHAVIORS AND UNIQUE VIEWPOINTS ON THEIR HEALTH AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN HOW THEY APPROACH THEIR LIVES AND HOW THAT AFFECTS THEIR HEALTH IS EXCITING FOR US.

>> HAROLD WIMMER, ON THAT POINT, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO STUDY MILLENNIALS AND HOW DO YOU FACTOR IN THINGS LIKE GEOGRAPHY, WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE LIVES CLOSE TO POLLUTED AIR OR WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE HAS ASTHMA OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> WELL, I MEAN, ALL OF THOSE FACTORS ARE REALLY GOING TO BE IMPORTANT FOR THIS STUDY.

AND FOR THAT REASON, WE HAVE MORE THAN 39 INSTITUTIONS THAT WILL BE PARTICIPATING THROUGH THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION'S AIRWAY CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER NETWORK THAT OUR ORGANIZATION OPERATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND NORTHWESTERN IS THE FIRST CENTER THAT IS KICKING THIS STUDY OFF.

AND Dr. CALLAHAN IS ONE OF OUR PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATORS.

AND BY STUDYING MILLENNIALS, IT'S REALLY LOOKED AT THAT INDIVIDUALS IN THIS AGE GROUP SHOULD BE AT THE POINT WHERE THEY HAVE THE HEALTHIEST LUNGS AND SO THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO START WITH THIS GROUP, MILLENNIALS IN ORDER TO STUDY AND TO FOLLOW THEM OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.

>> AND LINDY OLIVE YOU ARE ONE OF THE MILLENNIALS THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS RESEARCH?

I WANTED TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS RESEARCH BECAUSE I HAVE REFLECTED ON MY LUNG HEALTH HISTORY FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS ESPECIALLY AFTER COVID AND REALIZED MY LUNGS HAD BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH OVER MY LIFE.

IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, I WORKED IN A FACTORY WHERE I WAS EXPOSED TO PLASTIC DUST AND I LIVED AT THE INTERSECTION OF A LANDFILL AND ARMY BASE.

AND THEN I GOT COVID.

AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS I FEEL LIKE COULD HAVE LONG-TERM IMPACTS.

HOWEVER WE DON'T KNOW BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE DATA YET.

AND BEING A PART OF THE STUDY MEANS WE GET TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE THINGS CAN MEAN OVER A LONG-TERM.

>> Dr. RAVI KALHAN HOW DID COVID IMPACT YOUR STUDY?

YOU DID WANT TO GET IT STARTED BEFORE COVID AND IT PUSHED IT BACK AND NOW IT MIGHT FACTOR INTO THE STUDY MAJORLY.

>> YEAH.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, PARIS, BECAUSE COVID-19 IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IS PERHAPS THE GREATEST THREAT TO HEALTH THAT THIS GENERATION OF MILLENNIALS HAS FACED TO DATE AND MIGHT FACE THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIME.

THE FACT IT IS A RESPIRATORY INFECT SON AND EVEN WHEN IT IS AMILD I WILL NTS WE DON'T KNOW THE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES ON THE LUNGS AND BREATHING OVER TIME MAKES IT A KEY EXPOSURE THAT WE WANT TO STUDY IN ADDITION TO ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES, AIR POLLUTION, WHETHER SOMEONE SMOKES AND EXPOSED WORKPLACE ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT NOW COVID AND RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS EMERGED US TO LOOK AT.

>> HAROLD WIMMER I WANTED TO BRING UP THE NOTION OF VAPING AND SMOKING HOW DOES THAT FACTOR INTO THE STUDY?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THROUGHOUT HISTORY, WE KNOW THAT SMOKING TOBACCO IS A RISK FACTOR TO LUNG DISEASE.

BUT WHAT WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FOR THROUGH THIS STUDY IS TO IDENTIFY THE CURRENT AND THE FUTURE RISK FACTORS.

AND THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION IS VERY INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE RISK FACTORS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH VAPING AND ALSO THE INHALATION OF CANNABIS.

THESE ARE JUST TWO EXAMPLES.

ALONG WITH THE IMPACT THAT CLIMATE CHANGE COULD HAVE ON THE LUNGS.

THERE IS A NUMBER OF CURRENT AND NEW RISK FACTORS THAT WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT REALLY BETTER UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT THAT IT CAN HAVE ON THE LUNGS.

>> AND LINDY OLIVE YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THE RISK FACTOR YOU WORRY ABOUT.

WHAT IS THIS STUDY GOING TO ENTAIL FOR YOU?

WHAT WILL YOU HAVE TO DO OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?

>> WELL, I'VE DONE THE BASELINE STUDY WHICH INCLUDED AN IN CLINIC ASSESSMENT, INCLUDING A CT SCAN, NASAL SWAB WHICH WAS SIMILAR TO GETTING A COVID TEST.

A URINE SAMPLE AND WE HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONNAIRES WHERE THE OCCUPATIONAL AND RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS COME IN.

AND THEN THERE'S ALSO A COMPONENT WHICH MEASURES YOUR LUNG'S HEALTH AND WE DO THAT ASSESSMENT AT HOME OVER THE PHONE.

AND I WILL DO THAT I THINK EVERY FOUR MONTHS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER I WILL NOT LIE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

I'M SURE YOU WILL CONFIRM THAT.

AND Dr. RAVI KALHAN IS FIVE YEARS ENOUGH TO REALLY GET A SENSE OF LONG-TERM EFFECT IN CONTRIBUTING TO LUNG DISEASE?

>> NO IT'S NOT THE STUDY FUNDED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES HEALTH NATIONAL HEART LUNG AND BLOOD INSTITUTE IS FUNDED FOR A FIVE YEAR PERIOD TO ESTABLISH THE BASELINE.

IT IS OUR GOAL AND ON TO HAVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LUNG ASSOCIATION TO FOLLOW THE INDIVIDUALS THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

WE PLAN TO USE THIS COHORT TO SEEK FURTHER FUNDING AND KEEP IN TOUCH WITH LYNNDIE UNTIL SHE IS WELL-BEING BEYOND A 25-35-YEAR-OLD AND UNDERSTAND OVER THE LIFETIME, THE RISKS THAT ARE PRESENTED BY CURRENT EXPOSURES AND BEHAVIORS.

>> SO HAROLD WIMMER, IS IT FAIR TO SAY OUR SCIENTISTS HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT CAUSES HEART DISEASE, WHAT CAUSES OBESITY AND THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE SAME LONG-TERM RESEARCH ON LUNG DISEASE?

>> THAT'S EXACTLY IT.

AND AS Dr. RAVI KALHAN HAS REALLY ENGRAINED IF MY HEAD IS THAT THIS -- IN MY HEAD IS THIS STUDY SHOULD BE WHAT THE FRAMINGHAM STUDY WAS FOR HEART DISEASE FOR US TO REALLY DETERMINE THE CHOLESTEROL OF LUNG DISEASE.

AND I REALLY LIKE WHEN HE USED THAT ANALOGY.

IT HIT HOME.

AND IN TERMS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK THAT IS GOING TO BE DONE OVER THE NEXT 10, 20 YEARS IN FOLLOWING OUR PARTICIPANTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IMPORTANT RESEARCH AND WE HAVE TO CHECK IN WITH ALL OF YOU OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.

THANKS TO HAROLD WIMMER, Dr. RAVI KALHAN AND LINDY OLIVE FOR JOINING US.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> PARIS, THANK YOU.

>> A LOCAL MUSIC PRODIGY BEGAN STUDYING IN UKRAINE BEFORE HE MOVED TO CHICAGO WITH HIS FAMILY.

THE COMMUNITY OF MUSICIANS HE FOUND HERE AND MUSIC ITSELF HAVE HELPED SUSTAIN HIM DURING AN UNEASE TIME -- UNEASY TIME.

MARC VITALI HAS THE STORY WITH A LOT ON HIS MIND AND A LOT OF SUPPORT.

[♪♪♪] >> AT EVANSSTON'S CONCERT HALL A FORMER CHURCH A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR PLAYS A SONATA.

>> I FEEL IMPACTED BY THE IT WAS DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND IT IS VERY DRAMATIC AND POWERFUL AND I CAN'T IMAGINE TANKS ROLLING IN AND ROCKETS AND BOMBS.

IT'S OVERWHELMING.

[♪♪♪] >> 17-YEAR-OLD IS IN THE ACADEMY PROGRAM OF THE MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO.

AN ELITE GROUP OF 35 MUSICIANS AMONG THE 2,000 STUDENTS.

>> HE IS REMARKABLY UNIQUE PIANIST AS PART OF OUR ACADEMY PROGRAM.

ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK DRAWS PEOPLE TO GREAT PERFORMERS IS THE STORY BEHIND THE INDIVIDUAL.

>> I WAS BORN IN KYIV, UKRAINE AND I MOVED TO THE UNITED STATES JUST FOUR YEARS AGO WITH MY FAMILY.

ALL MY MEMORIES FROM UKRAINE ARE DEAR TO ME AND SHAPED ME AS A PERSON AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND A PERFORMER.

THE WAR CREATED A GREAT DEAL OF ANXIETY FORKING FIRST MY EXTENDED FAMILY IS STILL IN UKRAINE AND SECOND THAT BOTH OF MY UNCLES ARE SERVING RIGHT NOW IN THE UKRAINIAN MILITARY AND DEFENDING MY COUNTRY.

SO WE'RE PRAYING FOR THEM.

[♪♪♪] >> AT THE MUSIC INSTITUTE HE FOUND SUPPORT AMONG HIS PEERS.

TO LIFT HIS SPIRITS THE STUDENT ORCHESTRA PERFORMED UKRAINE'S NATIONAL ANTHEM WITH MIROSLAV ON PIANO.

>> THAT PERFORMANCE WITH THE ORCHESTRA PLAYING MY NATIONAL ANTHEM IT STIRRED ME UP TO DO MORE FOR MY UKRAINIAN COMMUNITY AND IT HEALED ME FROM ANXIETY AND WORRY THAT I HAD BEFORE.

[♪♪♪] >> I THINK HE'S DOING VERY WELL.

AND I THINK THE NICE THING IS THERE IS A DRAT COMMUNITY OF UKRAINIANS HERE IN THE CHICAGO AREA AND HE HAS GOTTEN THE SUPPORT OF THAT.

>> MUSIC IS A GREAT WAY TO KIND OF HELP WORK YOUR WAY THROUGH TOUGH AND DIFFICULT TIMES.

>> I WANT MYKOLA BURGADNYK AUDIENCE CAPTURED BY WHAT I PLAY AND TO BE HONEST ONE OF MY GOALS IS TO MAKE MY AUDIENCE CRY WHEN I PLAY AN EMOTIONAL PIECE.

THIS WILL BE MY GOAL FOR THE FUTURE.

THE WAR HAS REALLY PUT A STRAIN ON ME AND MY FAMILY AND ALL THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.

WE HOPE THAT THE WAR WILL END SOON.

[♪♪♪] >> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> AND MIROSLAV GRADUATES HIGH SCHOOL NEXT MONTH AND FOUND OUT HE HAS BEEN ACCEPT INTO THE PEA BODY CONSERVATORY.

THE MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO THIS WEEKEND HOSTS TWO CONCERTS AT NICHOLS CONCERT HALL MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

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

UNHAPPY ALDERPEOPLE SAY THE PACE OF APPROVING THE NEW CHICAGO CASINO IS REMINISCENT OF THE PARKING LOT DEAL.

MORE IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> RESEARCHERS CLAIM TO HAVE FOUND SKELETON OF A DINE SORES THE MINE AN ASTEROID HIT THE EARTH.

>> AND WORKS OF ART TO SHOW THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME IN CHICAGO.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS HIT THE HIGHEST LEVEL ON RECORD LAST YEAR ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION MORE THAIN 107,000 PEOPLE DIED AND A 15% FROM 2020'S ONCE RECORD-BREAKING NUMBER N COOK COUNTY 2021 SURPASSED THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S DATA WITH 1900 OPIOID RELATED DEATHS.

>> THE CITY IS EXPANDING ITS LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM BUT THE EFFORT HAS BEEN SLOW TO START.

EXPANSION WILL ALLOW ALL CHICAGO HOUSEHOLDS EARNING LESS THAN 80% OF THE MEDIAN INCOME TO QUALIFY TO HAVE LEAD SERVICE LINES REMOVED FROM THEIR HOME FOR FREE.

SINCE THE PROGRAM WAS UNVEILED IN SEPTEMBER 2020, CREWS HAVE REPLACED JUST 54 OF THE APPROXIMATELY 400,000 LINES RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTAMINATING CHICAGOANS' TAP WATER ACCORDING TO DATA OBTAINED BY WTTW NEWS.

SINCE IT HAS LAUNCHED THEY HAVE RECEIVED 8800 APPLICANTS FOR THE PROGRAM.

>> THE HEADLINERS FOR THIS YEAR'S RIOT FEST.

IT WILL TAKE PLACE AT DOUGLAS PARK SEPTEMBER 16-18.

ACTS INCLUDE... >> THREE DAY TICKETS ARE ON SALE FOR 300 AND SINGLE DAY PASSES ARE ON SALE FOR $100.

>> AND BACK TO BRAN SIS FOR A LOOK AT A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE DINOSAUR APOCALYPSE.

>> IT'S ACCEPTED BY SCIENTISTS THAT MOST DINOSAURS DIED OUT ROUGHLY 66 MILLION YEARS AGO AS A RESULT OF A MASSIVE ASTEROID IMPACT IT HIT WHAT IS NOW YUCK TAN PENINSULA.

A TEAM OF RESEARCHERS SAY THEY FOUND FOSSILIZED REMAINS OF FISH AND DIE SORES THAT THEY BELIEVE DIED ON THE VERY DAY OF THE ASTEROID IMPACT AND THE STORY IS BEING TOLD IN A STORY CALLED DINOSAUR APOCALYPSE.

>> THAT IS SCALEY SKIN.

NO, LOOK, LOOK, LOOK AT THAT PATTERN RIGHT THERE.

>> SEEING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 66 BILLION YEARS.

>> I THINK WE HAVE OURSELVES A DINOSAUR.

>> THIS IS THE MOST INCREDIBLE THINGS WE CAN IMAGINE.

WE'RE EXCAVATING THE FISH FROM THE SURGE SENT UP BY THE IMPACT AND WE HAVE DINOSAUR REMAINS.

>> 66 BILLION YEARS LATER.

JOINING US TO TELL US MORE ARE ROBERT DePALMA, ADJUNCT PROFESS ARE AT FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY AND UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER IN ENGLAND AND HE IS LEADING THES KA VACCINATION OF THE SITE.

>> AND PHILLIP MANNING PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER AND COAUTHOR OF THE STUDY OF THE SITE.

GENTLEMEN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

ROBERT DePALMA LET'S START WITH YOU AND BEFORE WE GET TO THE DETAILS OF THIS DISCOVERY, TELL ME ABOUT THE TANIS SITE IN NORTH DAKOTA, I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE BEEN STUDYING THAT SITE SINCE 2012 WHAT DREW YOU TO THAT LOCATION?

THE TANIS SITE IS PHENOMENA NATIONAL AND IT AMAZED THE WHOLE TEAM MY COLLEAGUES AT MANCHESTER AND THE TEAMS INVOLVED.

BECAUSE IT GIVES US AN IDEA OF BASICALLY A WINDOW INTO A SNAPSHOT IN TIME THAT WAS HAZY.

WE KNEW THE ASTEROID CAME DOWN AND 75% OF SPECIES WENT EXTINCT.

BUT TO GET THINGS AT A DAY TO HOUR SCALE THAT WAS REALLY HAZY IN HISTORY WE DON'T HAVE A GOOD IDEA WHAT HAPPENED AND TANIS GIVES US A MUCH BETTER IDEA WHAT OCCURRED IN THE FIRST MOMENTS AFTER IMPACT.

IT LOCKS THOSE IN TIME.

AND TANIS HAS THE FIRST KNOWN AASSEMBLY BLANC OF CARCASSES THAT ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THAT IMPACT EVENT.

>> WHAT IS THAT LOCATION LIKE NOW?

AND WHAT WOULD NORTH AMERICA AND THE SITE HAVE BEEN 66 MILLION YEARS AGO?

>> WE ARE TALKING NIGHT AND DAY.

RIGHT NOW YOU ARE ON THE NORTH DAKOTA PRAIRIE YOU HAVE CONSTRUCT BELLY ROCKS AND PRAIRIE GRASS, RATTLESNAKES AND NEGATIVE 40s WEATHER IN THE WINTERTIME.

NOW, IT'S VERY DIFFERENT.

BACK THEN, IT WAS A TROPICAL TO SUBTROPICAL PARADISE.

YOU HAD CYPRUS TREES AND ALLIGATORS, DINOSAURS.

IT WAS THRIVING WITH THAT LIFE UP UNTIL THE MOMENT OF IMPACT AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A NICE PLACE TO VISIT.

>> SOMEPLACE FOR A VACATION PERHAPS?

PHILLIP MANNING I UNDERSTAND THE FOSSILS FOUND THERE ARE IN LAYER OF DEPOSITS WHERE EVERYTHING SORT OF AS ROBERT SAYS JUMBLED UP DEPOSITED WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU?

>> I HAVE TO SAY THANK YOU YOU SAID MOST OF THE DINOSAURS WENT EXTINCT I APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE THE BIRDS ARE STILL WITH US TODAY.

THANK YOU.

THAT WAS A BIG THING FOR ME.

YES, THIS WONDERFUL CONNECTION OF LIFE WHICH IS BUNDLED INTO A DISCREET PACKAGE WHICH ROBERT SAID IS TIME CONSTRAINED.

WE KNOW IT HAPPENED ON THIS DAY WHEN THIS OBJECTS SMASHED INTO THE PLANET.

THERE'S SO MUCH INFORMATION WE PEEL FROM THIS.

WE HAVE ADVANCES IN SCIENCE THAT ALLOW US TO USE IMAGING TECHNOLOGY TO LITERALLY PICK APART THE CHEMISTRY THAT HOLDS THESE OBJECTING TO NOT ONLY TODAY BUT THERE'S HINTS OF WHAT THEY WERE COMPOSED WHEN ALIVE SOME 66 MILLION YEARS AGO.

THERE'S SO MUCH INFORMATION WE CAN, TRACT FROM THE WONDERFUL FOSSILS.

>> WE KNOW THE TEAM MADE EXTRAORDINARY FINDS INCLUDING AN PRESERVED LEG OF A DINOSAUR THAT YOU BELIEVE DIED ON THE VERY DAY OF THE ASTEROID IMPACT AND WE HAVE VIDEO OF YOU EXPOSING THAT FOSSIL.

HERE IT IS.

>> AFTERHOURS OF PAINSTAKING WORK... >> AND WE CAN GO FROM THE THIGH OF THE ANIMAL THERE IS THE KNEE AND YOU'VE GOT THE CALF MUSCLES OF THE DINOSAUR BUDGING OUT AND DOWN TO THE ANKLE BONES AND THESE ARE THE TOES OF THE FEET.

WE HAVE NAILS ON THE TIPS OF THE TOES.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFULLY PRESERVED LEG COVERED WITH SKIN.

>> WE HEAR THE VOICE OF SIR RICHARD VOICE-OVER.

ROBERT TELL US ABOUT THE EVIDENCE THAT LEADS YOU TO BELIEVE THAT THAT DINOSAUR DIED ON THE DAY OF IMPACT AND HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO TIE YOUR FINDS SO PRECISELY TO THAT MOMENT?

>> THAT SIR DAVID AND I ARE EQUALLY IN LOVE WITH THAT SPECIMEN.

THE PRESERVATION IS EXQUISITE AND IT'S THAT PRESERVATION THAT GIVES US AN IDEA WHEN THE ANIMAL DIED.

THE LEG IS STILL INFLATED.

IT'S THREE DIMENSIONAL AND WE HAVE SKIN IMPRESSIONS AND BONES INSIDE THAT TELLS US BEFORE THIS THING WAS BURIED IN THE SURGE MUD IT DID NOT HAVE TIME TO DECAY, THE MUSCLES DID NOT HAVE THE DECAY THAT OCCURS WHEN YOU HAVE A LONGTIME BEFORE BURIAL.

IF THIS ANIMAL DID NOT DIE ON THAT DAY, IT DIED PERHAPS MAXIMUM WEEKS PRIOR.

MOST PROBABLY BASED ON THE PRESERVATION IT PROBABLY DID DIE ON THAT DAY IN WHICH CASE IT WOULD HAVE EXPERIENCED A FRONT ROW SEAT TO THE WORST DAY.

>> WE WERE LOOKING AT PICTURES OF FOSSILIZED FISH FROM THAT TIME PERIOD AS WELL.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THOSE FINDS AS WELL, PLEASE.

>> THE FISH ARE PROBABLY THE FIRST THING THAT GOT US EXCITED ABOUT THE SITE.

FROM THE MOMENT THE SITE WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION, BY THE TEAM THAT WAS THERE BEFORE US, WHEN THAT TORCH WAS PASSED TO US WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BEST THING FISH LIKE THAT ARE UNKNOWN IN HELL CREEK.

TO PUT TOGETHER THE EARLY EVOLUTION OF THE FISH THIS SITE WAS KEY.

AND WHEN WE LOOKED A LITTLE BIT CLOSER WE GOT A BIGGER SURPRISE IN THE GILLS OF MOST OF THE FISH ARE BLOBS OF MOLD TON GLASS THAT CAME OUT OF THE SKY BLASTED FROM THE CRATER, ASTEROID IMPACT DEBRIS AND THEY WERE SUCKED INTO THE GILLS BY THE FISH AS THEY WERE TRYING TO GET OXYGEN IN THAT SURGE.

THOSE FISH ABSOLUTELY DIED THAT DAY.

THEY WERE PART OF THAT EVENT AND PART OF THAT SURGE.

AND I CAN'T BEGIN TO IMAGINE WHAT TURMOIL THEY WENT THROUGH THAT DAY.

>> AND THE DAVID AT 10BORO.

>> PHILLIP THERE ARE SKEPTICS SAYING THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE RESEARCH DONE BEFORE WE ACCEPT WHAT THE TANIS SITE REPRESENTS.

WHAT CONVINCES YOU THIS IS INDEED A HISTORIC FIND?

>> [INAUDIBLE] OR THE ONE PUBLISHED IN NATURE SCIENTIFIC REPORT THERE'S LOTS OF LOVELY DAY TO START WITH.

THE NICE THING ABOUT SOME OF THE FOSSILS FROM THE SITE IT LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE A DINOSAUR.

IF YOU SAW A CHICKEN RUNNING DOWN THE ROAD YOU WOULD SAY IT IS A CHICKEN.

YOU MIGHT NEED A CHICKEN BREEDER TO TELL YOU WHAT TYPE OF CHICKEN AND THIS IS A DINOSAUR.

AND IF FOLKS NEED TO READ A PAPER TO TELL THEM IT IS A DINOSAUR THEY ARE IN THE WRONG BUSINESS.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS TO ROBERT DePALMA AND PHILLIP MANNING FOR SHARING THIS INFORMATION WITH US.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND DINOSAUR APOCALYPSE AIRS TONIGHT ON WTTW STARTING AT 9:00 P.M. >> UP NEXT, OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM RECAPS THE PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO CHICAGO.

STAY WITH US.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN HITS DOWN AS A HISTORIC ABORTION VOTE IS TAKEN ON THE FLOOR OF THE U.S. SENATE AND MUCH MORE IN TONIGHT'S SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

JOINING US ARE HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ WELCOME BACK, GANG.

THE PRESIDENT HIT ILLINOIS TO TALK ABOUT INFLATION AND SUPPLY CHAIN STRUGGLES TAKE A LOOK WHAT HE SAID THIS MORNING.

>> AMERICA'S FIGHTING ON TWO FRONTS.

AT HOME IT'S INFLATION AND RISING PRICES.

ABROAD IT'S HELPING UKRAINIANS DEFEND THEIR DEMOCRACY AND FEEDING THOSE LEFT HUNGRY AROUND THE WORLD.

>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TRYING TO BLAME THE RUSSIAN WAR IN UKRAINE FOR INFLATION AND HIGH GAS PRICES IS THAT MESSAGE RESONATING?

>> A MESSAGE THAT PRESIDENT AND DEMOCRATS HOPE RESONATE WITH VOTERS AND THERE IS TRUTH TO THE NOTION THAT THE CONFLICT IN UKRAINE IS HEAVILY IMPACTING INFLATION.

ALTHOUGH IN THE CAMPAIGN, THIS IS ISSUE NEWSPAPER ONE AS MIDTERMS APPROACH.

AND REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN AND WILL BE LAYING THIS AT THE FEET OF THE PRESIDENT AS THEY LOOK TO TAKE BACK THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

SO THE PRESIDENT LIKE HE DID TODAY IS GOING ON THE TRAIL TO HAMMER HOME THE MESSAGE THAT HEY I'M TRYING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT INFLATION REMEMBER IT'S DUE TO FACTORS BEYOND OUR CONTROL.

>> HEATHER, PRESIDENT IS AT A UNION CONVENTION AND A HIGH TICKET FUNDRAISER WITH GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER.

WILL THOSE FUNDS GO TOWARDS BOLSTERING THE DEMOCRATS IN THE MIDTERM?

>> THEY ABSOLUTELY WILL.

AND IT WILL GIVE A CHANCE FOR ILLINOIS OFFICIALS LIKE THE GOVERNOR TO BEND THE PRESIDENT'S EAR LIKE I SAID BEFORE ON BRINGING THE CONVENTION TO CHICAGO AND MAKING SURE THAT ILLINOISANS IN THE MIX FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES IN 2024 AND ALSO TO MAKE SURE THAT CHICAGO AND ILLINOIS GETS A GOOD CHUNK OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THE PRESIDENT SPENT A GOOD DEAL OF TIME TALKING ABOUT TODAY.

BECAUSE THAT IS GOING TO BE KEY.

BECAUSE POLITICIANS LOVE RIBBON CUTTING ESPECIALLY IN THE MONTHS AND WEEKS LEADING UP TO ELECTION DAY.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT IS IN TEXAS TODAY.

I MEAN, WOULDN'T SHE WANT TO GET FACE TIME IN THE PRESIDENT?

>> YOU WOULD THINK.

IT IS UNPRECEDENTED.

I REMEMBER THE PRESIDENT COMING TO TOWN THE MAYOR OF CHICAGO HAS BEEN THERE TO MEET THE PRESIDENT.

THE TEAM SAID IT WAS A PREPLANNED TRIP TO TEXAS BUT YOU WOULD THINK THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO POSTPONE IT FOR A DAY AND AS A CHICAGO RESIDENT YOU WANT THE MAYOR TO BE IN THE PRESIDENT'S EAR AND HAVE THE PRESIDENT ON SPEED DIAL AND TALK ABOUT THE CONCERNS OF CHICAGO AND GIVE US FUNDING FOR CRIME OR FUNDING OR INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND THAT IS A LOST OPPORTUNITY.

GOING ALL THE WAY BACK.

GREAT TAPES AT UIC A PHONE CALL BETWEEN LBJ AND RICHARD J. DALEY THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT THE MAYOR DOING.

BIG LOST OPPORTUNITY TODAY.

>> HEATHER THE U.S. SENATE TOOK A SYMBOLIC VOTE ON ABORTION AS GOVERNOR PRITZKER PUSHED FEDERAL LAWMAKER TO THE PROTECT ABORTION.

WEATHER APPED TODAY?

THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY TRIED TO PUSH THROUGH A BILL THAT WOULD NOT ONLY CODIFY ROE VS. WADE BUT INSURE THAT WOMEN WHO WANTED AN ABORTION COULD GET AN ABORTION AND IT WON THE SUPPORT OF 49 DEMOCRATS ALL BUT JOE MANCHIN BUT NO REPUBLICANS.

EVEN IF THE BILL HAD BEEN ABLE TO WIN 50 VOTES IT WOULD BE FALLEN VICTIM TO THE FILIBUSTER BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT 60 VOTES TO END THE FILIBUSTER LEAVING DEMOCRATS IN THE SAME PRAISES THEY WERE BEFORE THEY TOOK THE VOTE AND WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE SUPREME COURT DECIDES.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT WORKING 500,000 IN CITY FUNDS TO INSURE ABORTION ACCESS.

>> THAT IS COMING FROM THE BUDGET OF THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND GIVEN TO ORGANIZATIONS ALREADY WORKING TO INSURE THAT PEOPLE WHO NEED REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE CAN ACCESS THAT CARE.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE NEED HELP WITH A RIDE OR A HOTEL ROOM OR OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES.

AND THAT'S WHAT ORGANIZATIONS ARE REALLY CONSTATING ON.

CONCENTRATING ON AS THEY PREP FOR AN INFLUX OF PATIENTS IN ILLINOIS AND CHICAGO IF ROE VS. WADE IS OVERTURNED AS EVERYONE EXPECTS IT WILL LIKELY BE BANNED IN MISSOURI AND INDIANA, LEAVING ILLINOIS THE ONLY OPTION FOR WOMEN LOOKING TO GET ' ABORTION.

>> THE NEW WARD MAP IS BEING BLASTED AS THE LATEST BACK ROOM DEAL BUT AN EXPENSIVE REVEREND OF REFERENDUM HAS BEEN AVOIDED.

IS ANYBODY HAPPY ABOUT THE OUTCOME?

>> WHO SHOULD BE UNHAPPY EVERY RESIDENT OF CHICAGO.

IT IS A COMPLETE MESS ALL ABOUT PRESERVING POWER.

AND YOU'VE GOT WARDS THAT MAKE NO SENSE THEY CARVE UP NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS HOW THAT IS BAD FOR REPRESENTATION.

ENGLEWOOD HAS BEEN CARVED UP INTO SIX WARDS HOW DO RESIDENTS GET DEVELOPMENT GOING AND ONCE AGAIN IN THE NEW MAP IT'S CARVED UP INTO SIX WARDS AGAIN AND THE 36TH WARD.

BEING BEING AFRICAN-AMERICAN VERSUS THE LATINO CAUCUS AND IT MAKES NO SENSE IT IS A THROW AWAY WARD BUT THIS IS ABOUT BACK ROOM DEALS ALDERPEOPLE CUTTING DEALS TO MAP OUT POTENTIAL OPPONENTS AND TO SOLIDIFY THEIR POWER.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT BROKE HER PROMISE ON THIS SHE TOLD US SHE WAS INTO A PEOPLE'S MAP.

NOWHERE TO BE HEARD ON THAT AND REFORM ALDERMEN ELECTED WHO WANTED TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY THEY WERE NOT ANYWHERE TO BE SEEN ANYBODY R NOBODY STUCK THEIR NECK OUT IN THE PEOPLE'S MAP THEY ENGAGED IN THE OLD SCHOOL BACK ROOM DEALING THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR DECADES AND IT'S GOING TO BE THE SAME OLD SAME OLD.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE GILBERT VILLEGAS WAS RETALIATED AGAINST WITH A NOODLE SHAPED MAP.

IS THIS RETALIATION?

>> WELL, PARIS ASKED JASON ERVIN THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BLACK CAUCUS AND HE SAID NO IT IS NOT PAYBACK IT'S HOW IT WORKED OUT.

AND I THINK THAT THIS MAP HAS CLEAR WINNERS AND LOSERS.

VILLEGAS LOST, LOPEZ LOST, AND SO DID TABARES WHOSE WARD NOW DOES NOT INCLUDE MIDWAY AIRPORT AND IS SHAPED LIKE A BACKWARDS C AND THIS WE'VE SEEN FOR DECADES LIKE PARIS SAID THIS IS A ONCE A DECADE OPPORTUNITY FOR INCUMBENT ALDERMEN TO PROTECT THEIR REELECTION PROSPECTS AND PUNISH ENEMIES AND HELP THEIR FRIENDS.

EVERYONE PROMISED THIS YEAR WAS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT THE CITY WAS READY FOR REFORM, PARIS IS RIGHT WHEN HE SAID THIS IS JUST LIKE WE'VE SEEN IN PREVIOUS DECADES.

>> THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS CHOOSING THEIR VOTERS AS OPPOSED TO THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

>> SO FORMER ALDERMAN DICK SIMPSON IS OUT WITH A CORRUPTION REPORT DOES THIS BACK ROOM DEAL SUPPORT WHAT HE FOUND?

>> WELL, CHICAGO IS AGAIN THE NUMBER ONE CITY FOR CORRUPTION IN AMERICA.

IT IS FOR THE THIRD YEAR RUNNING.

ILLINOIS IS THE THIRD MOST CORRUPT STATE.

I GUESS WE HAVE SOMETHING TO WORK UP FOR.

AND MOST OF THESE CONVICTIONS WERE CENTERED AROUND TWO BIG SCANDALS.

OF COURSE, THE SCANDAL THAT DEVELOPED AND FORCED HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN OUT OF OFFICE AND NOW INDICTED.

AND THE SCANDAL SURROUNDING THE STATE'S RED LIGHT CAMERA SYSTEM.

FIRM SAFE SPEED IS ACCUSED OF BRIBING DOZENS OF OFFICIALS TO GET THAT THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THOSE COMBINED TO KEEP CHICAGO IN THAT NUMBER ONE POSITION.

>> ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, REPUBLICAN ATTACK ADS ARE AIRING AT A FAST AND FURIOUS PACE.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE LATEST COMMERCIALS FROM GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES RICHARD IRVIN AND JESSE SULLIVAN.

>> PRETTY DISGUSTING.

>> JESSE SULLIVAN REPEATEDLY IMPLIED HE IS A COMBAT VETERAN KNOWING HE WAS NOT IN THE MILITARY DID NOT SERVE IN COMBAT.

>> IT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE.

>> RICHARD IRVIN IS NOT TELLING THE TRUTH.

IRVIN'S ATTACK ON ON SULLIVAN'S SERVICE IN AFGHANISTAN IS DISGUSTING.

>> S A AVETT RAN IT IS OFFENSIVE.

JESSE SULLIVAN WAS AN ARMY CIVILIAN DEPLOYED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO AFGHANISTAN.

>> THERE IS AN ATTACK ON SULLIVAN'S MILITARY RECORD THE ISSUE IS SULLIVAN HAD PICTURES OF HIMSELF IN MILITARY GEAR IN HIS CAMPAIGN PARAPHERNALIA AND HE DID GO TO AFGHANISTAN BUT HE WAS A CIVILIAN.

HE WAS THERE IN MORE OF A SOCIAL WORK CAPACITY TO HELP ARMY EFFORTS BUT HE WAS NOT A MEMBER OF THE ARMY.

IRVIN IS CALLING HIM OUT FOR CALLING HIMSELF A VETERAN MAYBE HE OBSCURED THE TRUTH.

IRVIN DID SERVE IN OPERATION DESERT STORM.

SO, AGAIN, GOING AFTER EACH OTHER'S MILITARY RECORD.

BUT THERE'S SO MUCH MONEY HERE FROM DIFFERENT BILLIONAIRES AND THE MUD IS FLINGING.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT BIG MONEY AT PLAY IN THIS PRIMARY.

REMIND US WHO IS FUNDING THE ADS AND THE CANDIDATES?

>> RICHARD IRVIN IS THE BENEFICIARY OF THE LARGESSE OF KEN GRIFFIN THE HEDGE FUND BILLIONAIRE ILLINOIS' RICHEST MAN AND HE HAS PUT $45 MILLION TOWARD IRVIN'S CAMPAIGN.

BUT HE IS NOT THE ONLY BILLIONAIRE INVOLVED.

DICK UIHLEIN WHO IS THE OFFICE GOODS BILLIONAIRE IS SUPPORTING A PACT THAT HAS BEEN PUTTING ADS OUT FOR DARREN BAILEY WHO IS ALSO RUNNING.

AND OUR FRIENDS AT WGN PUT OUT A POLL IT SHOWED IT BEING A RACE BETWEEN BAILEY AND IRVIN.

BAILEY TRAILS IRVIN BY 4 PERCENTAGE POINTS YOU WILL SEE MORE ADS BECAUSE THAT IS A VERY CLOSE RACE.

>> SO BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE CASINO BECAUSE SOME ALDERPEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING THIS PROCESS IS MOVING TOO QUICKLY.

AND THAT'S REMINISCENT OF THE INFAMOUS PARKING METER DEAL.

ARE THEY SORE LOSERS?

OR IS HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF?

>> IT'S HARD TO KNOW.

THIS IS A MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT 1.7 BILLION THAT WILL RESHAPE THE RIVER WEST AND RIVER NORTH AREAS AND THE MAYOR IS DETERMINED TO PUSH THIS THROUGH BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH.

THERE WAS A SECOND CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULED TODAY.

THE CITY COUNCIL WAS SCHEDULED TO MEET ON MAY 23 AND IT WILL ALSO MEET AGAIN ON MAY 25.

THAT WILL PREVENT OPPONENTS OF THE CASINOS FROM US AUTOING A PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE TO DELAY APPROVAL OF THE CASINO.

IT IS NOT CLEAR, I THINK, WHETHER THE MAYOR HAS THOSE 26 VOTES.

BECAUSE NOBODY, NOBODY WANTS TO FACE REELECTION JUST IN LESS THAN A YEAR HAVING APPROVED ANYTHING THAT LOOKS ANYTHING LIKE THAT MUCH PARKER METER DEAL.

BUT THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURE FROM UNIONS AND THE LIGHTFOOT ADMINISTRATION TO GET THIS DONE BECAUSE IT WILL MEAN TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE CITY.

AND APPARENTLY, THE CITY IS AGAIN CASH STRAPPED NEXT YEAR.

>> AND TO THAT POINT DOES LIGHTFOOT NEED THIS JACKPOT TO BOLTTER HER IN THE ELECTION?

>> ALL THE UNIONS THAT LOVE THIS MAYBE SHE GETS LABOR'S ENDORSEMENT IT PROVIDES A GREAT NARRATIVE AND THAT IS PROBABLY WHY THE MAYOR IS TRYING TO FAST TRACK THIS.

THAT'S SPOTLIGHT POLITICS HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, CHICAGO TAKES CENTER STAGE IN ART MADE PIE A HUSBAND AND WIFE DUO, BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>> AMONG THE MANY CHANGES THE FIRE OF 1871 BROUGHT WAS ARCHITECTURE.

THE CITY CONSTRUCTED FROM FIREPROOF BRICK AND STONE.

THE CHANGE IN MATERIALS BROUGHT ABOUT NEW HOUSING STYLES LIKE BUNGALOWS AND THREE FLATS.

THE HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM BEHIND A ART STUDIO THE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE PRESERVING IN THE ART THEY CREATE.

ERICA GUNDERSON BROUGHT US THE STORY LATE LAST YEAR AND HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> WE ARE TRANSPLANTED TO CHICAGO BUT WHEN WE MET WE WOULD WALK THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND LOOK AT THE HOMES AND BUILDINGS AND WE ARE IN AWE OF THE ARCHITECTURE.

>> OUR TOWERING SKYLINE GETS THE PRESS BUT FOR ARTISTS KATIE LAUFFENBURGER AND PHIL THOMPSON IT MAKES CHICAGO A PLACE WORTH CALLING HOME.

>> LIKE CHICAGO THE WHOLE CITY BORDER TO BORDER IS BEAUTIFUL.

GRAY STONES ARE MY FAVORITE.

YOU GOT THE BUNGALOW AND THE WORKER'S COTTAGE THOSE PARTICULAR ESPECIALLY ONES UNIQUE TO CHICAGO STYLE LIKE MAKE THE CITY SING.

>> MANY HAVE BEEN CHARMED BY THE BUNGALOWS, THREE FLATS THAT LINE CHICAGO'S NEIGHBORHOODS BUT THEY MADE THAT CHARM THEIR BUSINESS AND IT IS A BUSINESS THAT COULD ONLY MAKE ITS HOME IN CHICAGO.

>> I FEEL LIKE THE REACTION WE GET TO OUR WORK IS SO SPECIAL THAT YOU CAN TELL IT RESONATES WITH PEOPLE.

>> THE COUPLE MET IN 2006 WHEN BOTH WERE IN GRADUATE SCHOOL.

KATIE LAUFFENBURGER WAS PURSUING A FINE ARTS DEGREE AND THOMPSON WAS STUDYING INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.

>> DRAWING WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT I LOVED TO DO EVER SINCE I WAS A KID IT NEVER SEEMED LIKE THAT WAS A GOOD CAREER PATH.

MEETING KATIE, OPENED MY EYES TO POSSIBILITIES.

WE GO TO GALLERIES TOGETHER AND ART SHOWS AND SO SHE GOT ME BACK ON THE ART TRACK.

>> THOMPSON BEGAN MAKING COMMISSIONED ILLUSTRATIONS UNDER THE NAME CAPE HORN I WILL ADMINISTRATION.

THIS YEAR KATIE LAUFFENBURGER LEFT A JOB IN DIGITAL IMMEDIATE AND RETURNED TO ART FULL-TIME CREATING CERAMIC PLANTERS OF CHICAGO HOMES.

>> IT SEEMED LIKE A NATURAL THREAD THAT I COULD START DOING CERAMICS OF ARCHITECTURE AS WELL BECAUSE WE LOVE IT SO MUCH.

AND I FIND THAT PEOPLE LOVE FUNCTIONAL PIECES THAT ARE BEAUTIFUL AND THAT IDENTIFY AND ALSO SERVE A USE AROUND THE HOUSE.

>> SHE HAS A HARDER JOB THAN I DO.

FIGURING IT OUT.

I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE BACK OF THE HOME.

>> I LIKE TO ADD WASHES OF COLOR TO ADD RICHNESS TO IT AND I LET THE CLAY SHINE THROUGH.

>> THE GRACE AND COMBINED ENTERPRISE.

WONNER IS IS WONDER RESONATED WITH US.

>> AS WONDER CITY STUDIO, THOMPSON AND KATIE LAUFFENBURGER WITH HELP FROM THEIR DOG VINCENT OFFER PRINCIPALS THAT CAPTURE NOT ONLY THE CITY'S HOME STYLES BUT CHICAGOLAND MARKS AND NEIGHBORHOODS AND SELECT FROM OTHER LESSER CITIES.

THE LINE OF BUSINESS COMES FROM COMMISSIONS FROM HOME PORTRAITS AND PLANTERS.

>> A YOUNG PEOPLE MOVING INTO THEIR FIRST HOME IT'S TOUCHING TO KNOW YOU ARE HELPING COMMEMORATE SOMEBODY'S MEMORIES AND THAT THEY WILL HAVE THIS PIECE IN THEIR FAMILY POTENTIALLY FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> WHEN YOU ALWAYS HAVE THEY TELL YOU A STORY LIKE THIS WAS MY GRANDMOTHER'S HOME SOMETIMES IT'S OVERWHELMING WHEN YOU GET TO CONNECT TO SOMEBODY LIKE THAT AND THAT IS WHAT ART IS.

IT'S REALLY SPECIAL.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> WONDER CITY STUDIO SELLS THEIR PRINTS AND CERAMICS ON THEIR WEBSITE AND THEY WILL BE AT THE RENEGADE CRAFT FAIR THIS MONTH.

YOU WILL FIND INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

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

>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW.

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON TOQUE, YouTube AND WTTW.COM/NEWS.

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

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

INSIDE AN EFFORT TO DOCUMENT AND PRESERVE A CLASSIC FORM OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN CHICAGO.

>> AND WE VISIT THE SHORT-TERM BALLY'S CASINO SITE THE MEDINAH TEMPLE IN RIVER NORTH AND WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH MORE FROM LOCAL MUSIC PRODIGY FROM UKRAINE, MIROSLAV.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

[♪♪♪]