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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THE CITY OF CHICAGO WILL NO LONGER REQUIRE MASKS FOR FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE IN MOST SETTINGS.

>> CHICAGO'S TOP DOCTOR ON THE CITY'S UPDATED MASK GUIDELINES AND WHAT IS SAFE FOR THE FULLY VACCINATED.

>> IT'S NECESSARY FOR US TO TRANSITION.

>> ILLINOIS EDUCATION LEADERS SAY STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS SHOULD PREPARE TO GET BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> A DIRECT DEPOSIT INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.

>> WHAT PRESIDENT BIDEN'S NEW MONTHLY CHILD TAX CREDIT MEANS FOR YOUR FAMILY.

>> THE CITY IS DIVING RIGHT INTO SUMMER WITH THE RETURN OF LOLLAPALOOZA, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

BUT IS IT TOO MUCH TOO SOON?

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WEIGHS IN.

>> BACK LIKE BEING IN YOUR LIVING ROOM.

IT FEELS LIKE HOME.

>> A NEW HOME FOR THE JOFFREY AND NEW ROOMMATES FOR THE LYRIC OPERA BOTH COMPANIES ANNOUNCE A PLAN TO RETURN TO LIVE PERFORMANCES THIS FALL.

>> THE POLITICS OF BLACK HAIR AND THE DISCRIMINATION OF BLACK HAIR STYLES IN SCHOOLS AND WORKPLACES.

>> AND PUPPETS AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE COME TOGETHER FOR A LOOK AT RACIAL PROFILING.

>> FIRST SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

SOON THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE ACCESS TO POLICE MISCONDUCT FILES DATING BACK TO 2000 IN A STORY REPORTED BY HEATHER CHERONE, THE MAYOR AND ALDERMEN AGREED TO ESTABLISH A DATABASE OF CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT MISCONDUCT FILES THAT WOULD INCLUDE SUSTAINED AND DISMISSED COMPLAINTS.

THE DATABASE WAS RECOMMENDED BY CITY INSPECTOR GENERAL JOSEPH FERGUSON BUT TODAY JOSEPH FERGUSON CRITICIZED THE PLAN WITH TRANSPARENCY ADVOCATES SAYING THAT IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY SMALLER THAN THE PLAN ORIGINALLY PUT FORTH AND WE WILL HAVE MORE LATER IN THE PROGRAM IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT 1600 NEW CASES OF COVID-19 AND 28 DEATHS.

THAT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES TO 1.37 MILLION.

AND 22,494 DEATHS.

OFFICIALS REPORT MORE THAN 38% OF THE STATE'S POPULATION IS FULLY VACCINATED.

>> FORMER ILLINOIS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CORINNE WOOD HAS DIED.

WOOD WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF THE STATE.

SHE SERVED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF FORMER ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR GEORGE RYAN FROM 1999-2003 AND HERE SHE IS ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IN 1999.

WOOD SERVED MANY YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

SHE WAS 66 YEARS OLD.

>> CHICAGOANS YOU CAN OFFICIALLY TAKE THE MASKS OFF.

THE CITY ANNOUNCED A NEW MASK POLICY ALIGNING IT WITH THE GUIDELINES FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION THE TOP DOCTOR ALLISON ARWADY ADVICES TO REQUIRE PEOPLE TO WEAR MASKS UNLESS THEY CAN VERIFY THEY ARE FULLY VACCINATED AND MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYS SHE WILL CONTINUE MASKING HERSELF FOR NOW.

JOINING US TO HELP US UNDERSTAND THE GUIDELINES IS Dr. ALLISON ARWADY COMMISSIONER OF THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

AND LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE SOME OF THE CHANGES HERE REGARDING MASKS AND THE NEW ADVICE.

MASKS ARE NO LONGER MANDATED FOR THOSE FULLY VACCINATED.

MASKS ARE STILL REQUIRED IN CITY-OWNED BUILDINGS AND IN HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS AND ON PUBLIC TRANSIT AND BUSINESSES ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO VERIFY THAT PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED.

Dr. ARWADY, YOU HAVE SEEN THERE IS CONFUSION AMONG THE PUBLIC OVER THE NEW RULES IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT TO ADD OR CLARIFY ABOUT THAT?

>> I REMIND FOLKS THAT CDC GUIDANCE APPLIES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED TWO WEEKS POST THE SECOND DOSE OF VACCINE.

IF THEY'VE GOT EN PFIZER OR MODERNA OR TWO WEEKS POST THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON DOSE.

IF YOU ARE NOT FULLY VACCINATED YOU NEED TO CONTINUE WEARING A MASK.

WE FELT IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO FOLLOW THE CDC GUIDANCE, FOLLOW THE STATE AND DROP THE MASK MANDATE BUT WE KNOW IT'S HARD FOR BUSINESSES TO CHECK VACCINATION STATUS.

FOR THE SHORT-TERM FUTURE HERE WHILE WE HAVE SOME OF THE RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE, STILL RECOMMENDING THAT UNLESS BUSINESSES FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO CHECK, ENCOURAGING THEM TO CONTINUE TO HAVE MASKS IN PLACE.

>> AND THERE ARE SOME BUSINESSES THAT HAVE GOTTEN RISK OF THE MASK MANDATE.

HOW DIFFICULT WILL IT BE FOR THEM TO VERIFY WHETHER FOLKS ARE VACCINATED?

>> WELL, I THINK THIS IS A CHALLENGE.

IT'S NOT LIKE WE WALK AROUND WE DON'T HAVE A VACCINE PASSPORT AND NOT WEARING SOMETHING THAT SAYS WHETHER SOMEONE IS VACCINATED.

WE ARE ASKING PEOPLE IF THEY ARE NOT TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND WEAR THE MASK BUT WE KNOW NOT EVERYBODY IS LIKELY TO DO THAT.

IF A BUSINESS MADE THAT DECISION, WE WOULD HOPE THAT THEY ARE ASKING THE PEOPLE TO SEE VACCINE CARDS OR ASKING THEM WE KNOW THAT THAT MIGHT NOT BE HAPPENING.

I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS AND IF THEY HAVE CONCERNS IN THE SHORT-TERM WEAR A MASK.

I WEAR IT IN INDOOR SETTINGS FOR THE SHORT-TERM HERE.

UNTIL WE GET TO PHASE FIVE.

>> AND PHASE FIVE WHICH MIGHT BE IN PLACE BY THE TIME LOLLAPALOOZA HAPPENS IN LATE JULY AND THAT FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED IT'S COMING BACK TO GRANT PARK WITHOUT CAPACITY LIMITS.

IS THERE A RISK HERE WITH THE VIRUS STILL AROUND IN SOME CAPACITY THAT IT COULD BE A SUPER SPREADER EVENT?

>> SO THE REASON THAT WE FELT CONFIDENT BRINGING LOLLAPALOOZA BACK NUMBER ONE WE ARE EXPECTING TO BE AT THAT PHASE FIVE OPEN CAPACITY BY THEN MAYBE BEFORE THEN IF WE KEEP SEEING GOOD PROGRESS.

NUMBER TWO IT'S OUTDOORS.

AND THREE EVERYBODY ATTENDING WILL NEED TO BE FULLY VACCINATED OR GET A TEST EVERY SINGLE DAY OF ATTENDANCE SHOWING THEY ARE NEGATIVE.

WITH THOSE THINGS IN PLACE VACCINATION DOES HELP PROTECT WE ARE CONFIDENT.

>> DOES THAT MEAN THOSE AT THE GATE HAVE TO CHECK EVERY PERSON, UPWARDS OF 400,000 PEOPLE THAT ATTEND THEY HAVE TO CHECK EVERY PERSON ATTENDEE FOR A VACCINATION CARD OR PROOF OF A NEGATIVE TEST.

THERE COULD BE LONG LINES TO GET IN.

>> WE ARE NOT PLANNING ON ON-SITE CHECK THERE WILL BE MORE INFORMATION COMING BY EARLY JULY THERE WILL BE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE SHARING THAT INFORMATION IN ADVANCE LIKELY ELECTRONICALLY.

WE'RE WORKING ON SOME OF THE DETAILS.

IT'S BEEN A LARGER CONVERSATION BUT WE WILL FIGURE OUT AND LOLLAPALOOZA IS COMMITTED TO FIGURING OUT THE WAY TO OPERATIONALIZE THIS.

YOU WANT TO MAKE THIS EASY GET VACCINATED NOW SO YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED TWO WEEKS POST YOUR SECOND DOSE BY THE TIME WE GET TO THE END OF JULY AND LOLLAPALOOZA.

>> WE WILL FOLLOW HOW THAT IS GOING TO WORK AND WE HAVE A MONTH TO FIGURE THAT OUT AND OTHER CONCERTS AND FESTIVALS HAPPEN.

THE RATE OF VACCINATION IS SLOWING.

IT'S WAY DOWN FROM WHERE IT WAS.

DO YOU THINK THAT INCENTIVES LIKE GOING TO LOLLAPALOOZA AND FESTIVALS WILL GET SOME OF THE HOLDOUTS INTO THE VACCINATION LINE?

>> YEAH, WE THINK CERTAINLY THAT'S PART OF IT.

MOST PEOPLE ARE GETTING VACCINATED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.

BUT WE KNOW PEOPLE MAY GET TIPPED OVER THAT DECISION POINT BY THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO A CONCERT AND WHERE THAT MAKES SENSE AND IT'S IN LINE WITH OUR GOALS WE ARE SUPPORTING.

WE WILL BE SHARING MORE INCENTIVES AND OTHER EVENTS AND WE'VE HAD LOTS OF PEOPLE STEPPING UP SAYING I WANT TO HELP.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED.

>> AND THE NEWS AROUND THE VACCINE HAS BEEN ALMOST UNIVERSALLY POSITIVE EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT PEOPLE WITH COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEMS THERE'S SOME DATA SHOWING THE VACCINE IS NOT AS QUITE EFFECTIVE.

CONDITIONS LIKE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS YOU ARE HEARING OF PEOPLE GETTING BREAKTHROUGH CASES OR DYING.

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES DO TO STAY SAFE?

>> ALWAYS WE RECOMMEND PEOPLE WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES OR ANY INDIVIDUAL CONCERNS HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH YOUR DOCTOR.

THE RECOMMENDATION IS STILL VERY MUCH TO GET VACCINATED.

BUT THERE ARE CONCERNS THAT YOUR PROTECTION LEVEL MAY NOT BE AS HIGH.

FOR EXAMPLE THEY MAY RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONTINUE TO WEAR A MASK, CONTINUE TO DISTANCE.

THIS IS A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE IT IS NOT EVERYBODY WITH ANY POTENTIAL AUTOIMMUNE PROBLEM BUT THERE HAVE BEEN A LIMITED NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT THE VACCINE YOU DON'T MOUNT AS MUCH OF AN IMMUNE RESPONSE.

AND THOSE ARE REASONS WHY YOU MAY SEE PEOPLE CONTINUING TO WEAR MASKS OR IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS A RISK.

BUT FOR THE GREAT MAJORITY OF PEOPLE GETTING VACCINATED IS THE BEST PROTECTION.

THE VACCINE IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE A VACCINE THAT REMAINS PROTECTIVE AGAINST THE VARIANTS AND GETTING VACCINATED NOW IS HOW WE PROTECT EVERYBODY AT THE POPULATION LEVEL.

>> IT IS A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE BUT PEOPLE WE KNOW AND FOLKS WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES WILL BE CONCERNED ABOUT.

AND THERE IS A BIT OF A LAG IN THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

WHY DOES THAT STILL EXIST AT THIS POINT?

>> THERE IS.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE'VE SEEN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE LARGEST CITY, CHICAGO HAS THE BEST COVERAGE FOR LATINX AND BLACK CHICAGOANS BUT IT IS NOWHERE NEAR ENOUGH.

IT IS A COMBINATION THERE'S PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE I DON'T NEED TO GET THE VACCINE IF I HAD COVID.

YOU SHOULD STILL GET THE VACCINE EVEN IF YOU HAD AND RECOVERED FROM COVID.

AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE BUSY LIVES.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO BRING VACCINE INTO COMMUNITIES LESS VACCINATED ALL OVER THE CITY.

AND MAKING IT CONVENIENT FOR FOLKS AND IT'S NOT -- THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT SAY I AM NOT GOING TO GET VACCINATED AND OTHERS SAY THIS IS CONVENIENT.

>> Dr. ALLISON ARWADY THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AS ALWAYS.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> PARIS, THANK YOU.

TAKE IT AS ANOTHER SIGN THAT THE PANDEMIC IS IN A NEW STAGE.

ILLINOIS SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN OPERATING UNDER PANDEMIC STATE REGULATIONS AND DISASTER PROCLAMATIONS.

EDUCATION LEADERS TODAY FOCUSED THEIR ATTENTION THE DAY THE SPECIAL ORDERS WILL BE LIFTED.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> BRANDIS, WITH GRADUATIONS, FINALS, FOR SOME PROM WHETHER IT BE IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL ALL OF THOSE THINGS ON THE HORIZON IT'S LIKELY THAT A LOT OF STUDENTS ARE NOT READY TO TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

BUT THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS, YES, PLANNING FOR FALL MAKING THE DECISION TODAY WITH A VOTE TO REQUIRE ALL SCHOOLS BE FULLY IN-PERSON FOR THE 21-22 SCHOOL YEAR.

>> ON-LINE CLASSES ARE A FAR BETTER OPTION THAN NO CLASSES AT ALL, MULTIPLE STUDIES SHOW THAT STUDENTS LEARN BEST WHEN PRESENT IN-PERSON ALONGSIDE THEIR TEACHERS, PEERS AND SUPPORT NETWORK.

THAT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR CHILDREN WHO STRUGGLE ACADEMICALLY OR WHO STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH.

>> ACCORDING TO THE STATE'S LATEST FIGURES FROM EARLIER THIS MONTH, A MAJORITY OF STUDENTS ARE DOING THE BLEND OF IN-PERSON AND REMOTE LEARNING.

ROUGHLY 420,000.

YOU CAN SEE THAT IN THE LINE GREEN BAR.

ARE FULLY IN-PERSON.

BUT COME NEXT YEAR, A DECLARATION FROM STATE SUPERINTENDENT CARMEN AYALA MEANS THAT SCHOOL HALLWAYS WILL NOT BE EMPTY ANYMORE.

THERE ARE LIMITED EXCEPTIONS.

THE RESOLUTION CALLS FOR REMOTE INSTRUCTION MADE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A COVID VACCINE AND WHO ARE UNDER A POTENTIAL QUARANTINE ORDER BY THE STATE OR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

AND THEY MADE THIS DECISION DESPITE PROTESTS FROM PARENTS WHOSE IMMUNE SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.

>> TO PUSH SCHOOL FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS, MY STUDENTS WILL BOTH BE VACCINATED AS SOON AS THEY CAN.

HOWEVER MY YOUNGEST MIGHT NOT HOLD THE VACCINE HE AND HE STUDENTS WITH HEALTH ISSUES NEED WIDESPREAD VACCINE DISTRIBUTION IN SCHOOLS TO BE SAFE.

>> SHE SAYS HER SON UNDER THE RULES WOULD QUALIFY FOR BEING ABLE TO CONTINUE TO LEARN VIRTUALLY.

BUT SHE SAYS HIS CLASSMATES WOULDN'T.

HER FAMILY HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY ISOLATED FOR 432 DAYS.

AND ON-LINE LEARNING IS HER SON'S LIFELINE TO NORMALCY.

>> HAVING FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SCREEN IS THE ONLY THING KEEPING HIM ENGAGED IN SCHOOL RIGHT NOW.

WE'VE BEEN INCREDIBLY ISOLATED FOR THE LAST 432 DAYS.

THIS DECISION WOULD FURTHER ISOLATE CHILDREN WITH HEALTH ISSUES.

PLEASE ALLOW STUDENTS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO BE VACCINATED TO REMAIN VIRTUAL FOR ANY REASON.

>> SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD EXPRESSED RESERVATIONS AND CONCERNS.

BOARD MEMBER DONNA LEAK IS THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DISTRICT 168 OUT OF SOUTH VILLAGE.

>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO A LOT OF WORK TO HELP SCHOOLS BE ABLE TO KNOW WE'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING WE'RE FOLLOWING CDC AND FOLLOWING PUBLIC HEALTH AND THAT AGAIN IT'S REASONABLE.

IF I AM A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AND YOU TELL ME I HAVE TO BRING EVERYBODY BACK AND THEY HAVE TO BE THREE FEET APART I DON'T HAVE THE SPACE TO DO THAT.

>> AT ONE POINT LEAK SUGGESTED CHANGING THE LANGUAGE INSTEAD OF MANDATING A RETURN TO SCHOOLS, SAYING THE SCHOOLS SHOULD RETURN TO IN-PERSON BUT THAT GOT SHOT DOWN WITH STAFF SAYING THAT WOULD ONLY CAUSE MORE CONFUSION.

A BIG REASON THEY WANTED TO TAKE A VOTE ON THIS REQUIREMENT NOW IS SO SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS HAVE TIME TO MAKE STAFFING AND BUDGET DECISIONS AND HELPS FAMILIES WITH THEIR OWN PLANNING.

THERE IS NO MANDATE THAT STUDENTS GET THE COVID VACCINE.

THOUGH CARMEN AYALA DOES ENCOURAGE IT.

STATE IS GOING TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO SCHOOLS WITH PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE INVOLVING THE SITUATION INVOLVING GENERALLY AND THAT IS GOING TO CONTINUE OVER THE SUMMER.

NOW, ALL OF THIS, IS THE FUTURE OF CERTAIN STUDENTS WHO ATTEND PRIVATE SCHOOLS IS ALSO IN FLUX.

ILLINOIS IS THREE ACADEMIC YEARS IN A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES TO DONATE TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR LOW INCOME STUDENTS IN EXCHANGE THE DONORS GET A TAX CREDIT WORTH 75% OF WHAT THEY GAVE.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER IN HIS PROPOSED BUDGET WANTS TO BRING THAT TAX CREDIT DOWN TO 40%.

ADVOCATES OF THE PROGRAM LIKE THE HEAD OF THE SCHOLARSHIP GRANTING ORGANIZATION EMPOWER ILLINOIS HE SAYS THAT WOULD DISSUADE THE SMALL DONORS THE LIFE BLOOD OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND THAT POTENTIALLY MEANS THAT STUDENTS COULD LOSE THEIR SCHOLARSHIPS.

>> SO CERTAINLY WHAT IS PROPOSED CURRENTLY, WE DO CONSIDER A THREAT THAT TO THE PROGRAM.

BUT I WILL TAKE THE GOVERNOR AT HIS WORD SAYING HE WANTS TO FIND A WAY TO NOT CUT SCHOLARSHIPS.

I THINK THERE'S ROOM FOR A CONVERSATION.

CERTAINLY, THE 22,000 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS AND THE TENS OF THOUSANDS MORE WHO WANT THESE, THEIR VOICES ARE BEING HEARD AND WE HOPE WE CAN BRING THAT TO THE TABLE.

>> PRITZKER ALSO RECOMMENDING THAT OTHER TAX CREDITS BE DONE AWAY WITH AS PART OF THE BUDGET PLAN.

SO LOOK FOR ALL THAT TO BE IN HEATED NEGOTIATIONS THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS IN SPRINGFIELD.

BACK TO YOU GUYS IN THE STUDIO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS FOR A DEBATE OVER THE CHILD CREDIT EXPANSION.

>> THIS SUMMER NEARLY 40 MILLION AMERICAN FAMILIES WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO START RECEIVING MONTHLY DIRECT DEPOSITS IN THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS.

THE EXPANSION OF THE CHILD TAX CREDIT IS INCLUDED IN JOE BIDEN'S AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

>> 90% OF THE FAMILIES ALL WORKING CLASS FAMILY ALSO GET THE TAX CUT.

IT IS A ONE-YEAR CUT THAT REDUCES YOUR TAXES BY $3,000 A YEAR FOR EACH CHILD YOU HAVE UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

TWO KIDS IT IS A $6,000 TAX CUT.

AND IF THOSE KIDS ARE UNDER THE AGE OF SIX YOU WILL GET $3600 PER CHILD.

>> SOME ARE PRAISING THE EFFORT OTHERS ARE WONDERING IF THE RIS IS EQUIPPED TO DELIVER.

AND JOINING US TO PROVIDE THEIR PERSPECTIVES ARE DAVE PERRY, A DAVID HENDERSON.

AND JEREMY ROSEN DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC JUSTICE AT THE SHRIVER CENTER ON POVERTY LAW A GROUP AIMED AT PURSUING ECONOMIC AND RACIAL JUSTICE.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU GENTLEMEN.

I JUST WANT TO GET INTO WHAT THIS EXPANDED CHILD TAX CREDIT ENTAILS.

IT'S $3600 PER CHILD.

$3,000 BETWEEN AGES 6-17.

AND WE SHOULD MENTION THERE ARE INCOME LIMITS IN RECEIVING THE BENEFITS.

DAVID HENDERSON, THE PRESIDENT SAYS IT CAN CUT CHILD POVERTY IN HALF AND ESPECIALLY HELP LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

DO YOU SEE IT THAT WAY?

>> I DO.

BUT I THINK THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH IT.

IS THAT IT IS A TRANSFER TO PEOPLE NOT FOR DOING ANYTHING BUT FOR HAVING CHILDREN AND THAT IS A BAD WAY TO GO.

>> JEREMY ROSEN, WHAT ABOUT THAT?

DAVID IS SAYING IT PROBABLY WILL CUT CHILD POVERTY BUT GIVING MONEY FOR THE SAKE OF HAVING CHILDREN?

>> WELL, NOT JUST FOR THE SAKE OF HAVING CHILDREN IT'S RECOGNIZING IN THIS COUNTRY WE DON'T FAMILIES VERY WELL AND IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THE ECONOMY IS WORKING WELL THAT FOLKS ARE WORKING AND FAMILIES ARE STABLE WE SHOULD DO WHAT MOST COUNTRIES IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE AND EUROPE MANY OF OUR PEER NATIONS DO AND BEGIN TO THINK ABOUT OFFERING A CHILD ALLOWANCE TO FAMILIES IN OUR COUNTRY.

AND THIS PROGRAM WOULD BE A FIRST STEP IN THAT DIRECTION I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

>> DAVID AS A CONSERVATIVE DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS A DIFFERENT APPROACH THAT WOULD ACHIEVE THE SAME OUTCOME OF CUTTING CHILD POVERTY DOWN AND HELPING LOW-INCOME FAMILIES DEFRAY THE COSTS?

>> I AM NOT A CONSERVATIVE.

I DO THINK THERE IS A BETTER WAY.

THE NUMBER ONE WAY OUT OF POVERTY IS HAVING A FULL-TIME JOB IF YOU HAVE TWO PEOPLE HAVING FULL-TIME JOBS THEY WILL NOT BE POOR AND THEY CAN BUILDUP EARNINGS AND HAVE KIDS ONCE THEY ARE SETTLED.

I THINK THAT IS A MUCH BETTER WAY.

GET RID OF THERE ARE 800 OCCUPATIONS IN WHICH PEOPLE NEED GOVERNMENT PERMISSION TO OPERATE TO WORK.

AND 20% OF THE LABOR FORCE IS IN THOSE INDUSTRIES.

GET RID OF THOSE RESTRICTIONS.

AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO GET WORK.

>> JEREMY ROSEN PART OF THIS PLAN IS GIVING MONTHLY PAYMENTS TO FAMILIES BETWEEN $200-$300 INSTEAD OF CLAIMING A REFUND ONCE A YEAR ON YOUR TAX RETURN.

TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THAT HAVING THAT OPTION?

>> THAT'S GOING TO BE A HUGE IMPACT.

FOR FOLKS WHO KNOW THAT PREDICTABLY EVERY MONTH FOR FROM JULY THROUGH DECEMBER THEY ARE GOING TO GET A CASH PAYMENT THAT THEY CAN PLAN FOR TO USE FOR IMPORTANT EXPENSES IN THEIR HOUSEHOLDS.

IT'S CRITICAL THIS IS A PRO FAMILY PLAN AND A PLAN THAT WILL CUT CHILD POVERTY TREMENDOUSLY IN OUR COUNTRY.

I'M NOT SURE HOW ANYONE COULD POSSIBLY ON TO THAT.

>> AND INDEED, UTAH REPUBLICAN SENATOR MITT ROMNEY AGREES IN PRINCIPAL HIS MONEY WOULD PROVIDE MORE MONEY AND NO INCOME LIMITS.

DAVID HENDERSON WHAT ABOUT THAT PLAN?

>> WELL THAT IS MORE EXPENSIVE IT IS THAT THERE ARE NO INCOME LIMITS BUT THEY ARE HALF A MILLION A YEAR FOR A MARRIED COUPLE.

NO ONE COULD CALL THEM POOR.

SO I THINK IT'S A WAY MORE EXPENSIVE PLAN.

>> AND WHAT ABOUT THE CRITICISM, JEREMY ROSEN, THAT THE I.R.S.

IS GOING TO HAVE TROUBLE IDENTIFYING WHO QUALIFIES HERE?

AND SETTING UP A SYSTEM WHEREBY FAMILIES CAN RECEIVE THIS BENEFIT?

>> WELL, I SAY THEY HAVE SETUP A SYSTEM AND THEY'VE SAID THEY ARE GOING TO START MAKING THE PAYMENTS IN JULY.

SO I'M OPTIMISTIC IT'S GOING TO WORK WELL.

I THINK WE CERTAINLY PREFER IN THE LONG-RUN A PERMANENT PLAN WHICH THIS IS A ONE-YEAR PLAN AS THE PRESIDENT NOTED.

AND IF WE ESTABLISHED A PERMANENT PLAN I WOULD EXPECT THAT WE COULD DO BETTER STREAMLINING HOW PEOPLE WOULD RECEIVE THE BENEFITS.

BUT I'M EXPECTING THIS PLAN TO WORK WELL, GET MONEY INTO PEOPLE'S POCKETS AS THE RECOVERY GOES FORWARD.

>> WE CARE ABOUT CHILDREN, BUT CHILDREN BECOME ADULTS.

AND SO WHEN THEY BECOME ADULTS THEY ARE GOING TO BE FACING THEIR SHARE OF A HUGE, HUGE FEDERAL DEBT.

AND WE ARE SO BURIED IN DEBT NOW AND THAT IS ONLY INCREASING.

AND THAT IS ANOTHER REASON I THINK THIS IS -- IF YOU EVER WORRIED ABOUT HOW TO TIME THIS, THIS IS NOT THE TIME.

>> JEREMY ROSEN, THE PRESIDENT HAS ALSO PROPOSED $1.8 TRILLION AMERICAN FAMILIES PLAN THAT WOULD DEFRAY CHILDCARE COSTS AND PROPOSING TO PAY FOR THAT THROUGH HIGHER TAXES ON HIGHER INCOME EARNERS.

WHAT EFFECT DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD HAVE ON LOWER INCOME FAMILIES AND THE ECONOMY AT LARGE?

>> THAT IS RIGHT, PARIS AND IN FACT THE PLAN PROPOSES TO EXTEND THIS PARTICULAR CHILD TAX CREDIT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THROUGH 2025 AND MY COLLEAGUE MENTIONED THE NATIONAL DEBT BUT THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN INCLUDES A PROPOSAL TO PAY FOR THIS.

BY RAISING TAXES ON THE HIGHEST INCOME FOLKS IN OUR COUNTRY WHO HAVE DONE VERY, VERY WELL EVEN AS MIDDLE CLASS AND WORKING CLASS FOLKS IN OUR COUNTRY STRUGGLED IN THE CURRENT ECONOMY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS TO DAVID HENDERSON AND JEREMY ROSEN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT A CHICAGO PUPPEERS EXPERIENCE WITH RACIAL PROFILING.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THE GOVERNOR LIFTING ILLINOIS' EVICTION BAN.

FIRST, RACIAL PROFILING HAS BEEN FRONT AND CENTER IN THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION OVER THE PAST YEAR AND LONGER.

A MEMBER OF CHICAGO'S THEATRE COMMUNITY TURNED HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE INTO A SHORT FILM WITH THE HELP OF THE CHICAGO PUPPET FESTIVAL.

HERE IS A LOOK AT A ONE-MAN, ONE PUPPET SHOW OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF WALKING WHILE BLACK.

>> IT'S NOT ABOUT ME, RIGHT?

IT'S ABOUT THE PUPPET.

MAKING SURE THAT I PUT ALL OF MY ENERGY INTO HIM WHERE HE IS LOOKING.

WHAT HE SMELLS WHAT HE HEARS.

>> JERRELL L. HENDERSON DEMONSTRATES HOW HE MOVES JL HIS AVATAR AND COSTAR OF A NEW SHORT FILM.

>> I DON'T DRIVE.

I GET STOPPED BY THE POLICE AT LEAST THREE TIMES A YEAR JUST WALKING HOME FROM BARS FROM SCHOOL, GOING TO OR COMING FROM WORK.

LIKE SIMPLE EVERYDAY THINGS THAT BECOME NOT SO SIMPLE AND NOT SO ORDINARY.

I SAW THE COP CAR PULL UP AS I WALKED PAST I SAW IT STOP.

>> WHEN HE IS OUT IN PUBLIC, HENDERSON IS HYPE AREA WEAR.

WHERE ARE MY HANDS?

DO I LOOK AGGRESSIVE.

I DON'T WANT TO MAKE A NATURAL MOVEMENT THAT PROJECTS AGGRESSIVENESS TO SOMEONE ELSE THAT MIGHT CAUSE THEM TO END MY LIFE.

>> ALL I REALLY HEARD WAS YOU FIT THE DESCRIPTION, YOU FIT THE DESCRIPTION, YOU FIT THE DESCRIPTION.

>> IT IS SOMETHING HE HAD TO DEAL WITH HIS ENTIRE LIFE.

>> FIRST TIME I WAS FOLLOWED IN THE STORE I WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING SO I ASKED THE GUY IF HE HADN'T PROBLEM.

I RESENT THE FACT THAT I HAVE TO BREAKDOWN MY HUMAN MOVEMENTS BECAUSE BREATHING THE WRONG WAY, OR SHIFTING MY WEIGHT, MIGHT BE SEEN AS AN ACT OF AGGRESSION FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS A WEAPON AND IS ALLOWED TO DISCHARGE THAT WEAPON AND I DON'T HAVE THAT.

I DON'T YOU HAD WHY THE POLICE GET TO PANIC WITH GUNS AND BLACK PEOPLE WHO GET STOPPED DON'T GET TO PANIC IT MAKES NO SENSE.

>> HENDERSON'S STAGE CREDITS INCLUDE DIRECTING, WRITING AND PERFORMING HE CREATED THEY HAUNTING VERSION OF THE PIED PIPER OF HAMLET.

PRODUCED BY JIM HENSON'S DAUGHTER.

HIS LATEST WORK MAYBE THE MOST PERSONAL EVEN THOUGH IT DEPICTS A COMMON EXPERIENCE.

>> SO MANY TIMES THE SITUATIONS I FIND MYSELF IN BECAUSE I HAPPEN TO BE BLACK, I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S REALITY OR IF IT'S IN MY OWN MIND.

WHEN PIECES LIKE THIS ARE CREATED AND SAY NO YOU ARE NOT CRAZY.

THESE THINGS HAPPEN YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

>> TO THEM, I AM THE BEAR.

WHOEVER CAN FIND THE MESSAGE OF HELPFULNESS OR JOY INSIDE OF THIS, OR JUST SOMETIMES THE JOY THAT COMES FROM KNOWING THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE ANGRY AND UPSET AS WELL OTHER PEOPLE ARE FED UP.

ENOUGH, RIGHT?

THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT, RIGHT?

BEGINNING TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND HEAL YOURSELF SO THAT YOU CAN THEN HELP HEAL OTHERS HOPEFULLY.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> JERRELL L. HENDERSON'S FILM IS CALLED I AM THE BEAR.

IT'S AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING VIA THE CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL PUPPET THEATRE FESTIVAL.

>> AND NOW PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS.

AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... CURTAIN CALL TWO CHICAGO ARTS GIANTS ARE ANNOUNCING A RETURN TO LIVE ON STAGE PERFORMANCES IN THE FALL AND THEY WILL BE UNDER THE SAME ROOF.

BLACK HAIR HAS BEEN POLITICIZED AND LEGISLATED THROUGHOUT HISTORY AS A BILL ADDRESSING HAIR DISCRIMINATION HEADS TO THE ILLINOIS HOUSE WE TALK ABOUT THE POLITICS OF BLACK HAIR.

AND THE CITY IS DIVING INTO SUMMER WITH THE RETURN OF LOLLAPALOOZA BUT IS IT TOO MUCH, TOO SOON OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WEIGHS IN.

FIRST MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

THE U.S. HOUSE VOTES TODAY TO APPROVE AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE JANUARY 6 CAPITOL RIOTS.

THE VOTE CAME WITH UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FROM DEMOCRATS AND 35 REPUBLICAN MEMBERS WHO ARE ALSO IN FAVOR.

ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN KINZINGER AND DAVIS VOTED YES AND MILLER AND BOST AND LaHOOD VOTED AGAINST IT.

THE BILL HEADS TO THE SENATE WHERE MINORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL HAS COME OUT IN OPPOSITION.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYS SHE WANTS TO USE THE OCCASION OF HER TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO SPOTLIGHT THE ISSUE OF DIVERSITY AMONG CHICAGO'S JOURNALISTS.

THE MAYOR SENT A LETTER INCLUDING TO WTTW BLASTING WHAT SHE CALLS THE OVERWHELMING WHITENESS AND MALENESS OF CHICAGO MEDIA OUTLETS.

THE MAYOR FALSELY ASSERTED THERE ARE NO WOMAN OF COLOR IN THE CITY PRESS CORE WBEZ SAYS THEY HAVE TWO WOMEN OF COLOR.

THE TWO YEAR MARK FALLS TOMORROW AND WE WILL HAVE MORE IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS COMING UP.

>> AFTER 15 MONTHS OF DARK THEATERS AND LIVE STREAMING PERFORMANCES TWO OF CHICAGO'S MOST FAMOUS COMPANIES ANNOUNCE THEY ARE RETURNING FOR LIVE PERFORMANCES UNDER ONE ROOF.

BRANDIS HAS MORE ON THIS STORY.

MANY OF US WILL BE ABLE TO GUESS WHAT TWO ESTEEMED COMPANIES WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

FILL US IN.

>> OF COURSE, AND IT WOULD BE EASY TO GUESS.

BUT LEADERS OF LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO AND THE JOFFREY BALLET ARE CALLING EACH OTHER ROOMMATES SINCE THE JOFFREY WILL BE THE RESIDENT BALLET COMPANY.

THE TWO COMPANIES ANNOUNCE A FULL SLATE OF LIVE PERFORMANCES WITH SEASONS STARTING IN SEPTEMBER FOR THE OPERA AND OCTOBER FOR THE BALLET.

AND SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE ON SALE.

WE WERE TREATED TO A LIVE PERFORMANCE FROM BOTH COMPANIES BUT WE WERE NOT ALLOWED TO FILM IT.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THE VIDEO OF THE PRODUCTION OF THE "NUTCRACKER" ONE OF FIVE PRODUCTIONS THE JOFFREY IS PRESENTING.

THOUGH THE JOFFREY HAS BEEN OFFERING LIVE VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES KEEPING PROFESSIONAL BALLET DANCERS ON POINT WITHOUT A SEASON REQUIRED EXTRA EFFORT.

>> THEY ARE FINALLY TUNED ATHLETES AND THAT YOU KNOW SPENDING THE SUMMER IN THEIR KITCHEN AND LIVING ROOM TRYING TO STAY IN SHAPE IS ONE THING.

BUT REALLY TO RUN A RACE, YOU NEED THE SPACE.

IT'S REALLY HELPED PUSH THE COMPANY TO STAY AT THE TOP OF THEIR GAME EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT READY FOR THE FULL RACE, THEY WILL BE COME THE FALL.

>> HERE IS A LOOK AT A COUPLE OF THE VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES FROM THE JOFFREY THAT KEPT THE DANCERS IN SHAPE AND WORKING.

THE TWO COMPANIES ANNOUNCED PLANS TO SHARE SPACE WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE STARTED IN THE FALL OF 2020 BUT THE PANDEMIC PUT A STOP TO THAT.

THE JOFFREY HAD BEEN PERFORMING AT THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE FOR YEARS BUT ASHLEY WHEATER EXPLAINED WHY THIS PARTNERSHIP MAKES SENSE.

>> THE BUSINESS MODEL WHICH WORKS FOR BOTH OF US.

THIS IS A STATE-OF-THE-ART THEATRE.

AND BACKSTAGE IT HAS EVERYTHING THAT YOU COULD EVER WANT.

WHEREAS BEFORE WE WERE ALWAYS HAVING TO LOAD IN AND LOAD OUT EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT NOW EVERYTHING IS HERE.

WE WALK IN THE DOOR AND WE ARE READY TO GO.

>> NOW, THE JOFFREY AND THE LYRIC DID COLLABORATE ON A PRODUCTION A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND I DID ASK IF THERE MIGHT BE A JOINT PRODUCTION LIKE THAT.

NOT THIS SEASON EVERYONE IS BEING CONSERVATIVE WITH REVENUE AND EXPENSES COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC BUT PERHAPS DOWN THE ROAD.

>> GREAT THEATERS THE AUDITORIUM AND IT WILL BE GREAT TO SEE THAT WONDERFUL THEATRE THE LYRIC HAVE ACTIVITIES.

BRANDIS, WHAT CAN VISITORS EXPECT TO SEE WHEN THEY GO BACK TO THE OPERA HOUSE?

>> TO START EVERYONE GETS A BETTER SEAT WHILE THE THEATRE WAS DARK IT ALLOWED TIME FOR THE COMPANY TO INSTALL ALL NEW SEATING THROUGHOUT THE THEATRE.

THEY ARE MORE COMFORTABLE, CAN CONFIRM AND THERE IS A STAGGERED LAYOUT.

AND THERE ARE WIDER AISLES BETTER WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY AND IN RESPONSE TO KEEPING COVID AT BAY, LYRIC WILL KEEP THE OPERAS TO TWO-AND-A-HALF HOURS AND SKIPPING THE TRADITIONAL INTERMISSION.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW CUTS TO THE MUSIC BUT NOT TOO SEVERE.

BUT IT SEEMED TO US TO BE IMPORTANT THAT WHEN WE ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO BUY TICKETS HAVE THEIR CONFIDENCE RESTORED THEY SHOULD KNOW THAT THE NORMAL MILLING AROUND IN CROWDS DURING INTERMISSIONS WILL NOT BE TAKING PLACE THROUGH THE FALL.

>> LYRIC SAYS TICKET HOLDERS WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO LIVE STREAM PERFORMANCES IF THEY PURCHASE A TICKET AND FOR WHATEVER REASON THEY FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO RETURN THEY CAN WATCH IT HOME AND THIS IS THE FIRST SEASON FOR MUSIC DIRECTOR ENRIQUE MAZZOLA AS THE LYRIC'S CONDUCTOR.

AND PARIS, SUBSCRIPTIONS WENT ON SALE TODAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> WELL DONE.

AND ENRIQUE MAZZOLA'S DEBUT LONG ANTICIPATED HE WAS ON THE SHOW WHEN INTRODUCED AS THE NEW DIRECTOR.

THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT THE POLITICS OF BLACK HAIR EXPLORED IN A CONVERSATION THAT AIRED ON SUNDAY'S "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>> BLACK AMERICANS ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE RULES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPOSED 0 AND THEIR HAIR THROUGHOUT HISTORY.

STYLES TRADITIONALLY ASSOCIATED WITH NATURAL BLACK HAIR LIKE LOCKS, BRAIDS, TWISTS AND AFROS HAVE BEEN ALLED FROM EVERYTHING TO DISTRACTING AND UNPROFESSIONAL.

LEAVING MANY PRESSURE TO STYLE THEIR HAIR IN WAYS THAT CONFORM WITH EURO CENTRIC IDEALS.

A BILL PASSED IN THE ILLINOIS SENATE AIMS TO ADDRESS BLACK HAIR DISCRIMINATION IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

JOINING US ARE PATRICE GRELL YURSIK WRITER AND CREATOR OF THE BEAUTY BLOG AFRO BELLI.

AVA THOMPSON GREENWELL FILMMAKER, JOURNALIST AND PROFESSOR AT NORTHWESTERN'S UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF JOURNALIST AND SENATOR MIKE SIMMONS WHO INTRODUCED THE BILL AND INCLUDES NEIGHBORHOODS ON THE FAR NORTH SIDE.

SENATOR SIMMONS, WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PROPOSE THIS BILL?

>> I'VE READ SO MANY STORIES IN THE LAST YEAR OF BLACK YOUTH WHO HAVE BEEN TRAUMATIZED BY BEING FORCED TO TAKE OUT NATURAL HAIR STYLES SUCH AS THE STYLE I WEAR, DREADS, LOCKS, BRAIDS AND THE TIPPING POINT IS WHEN I READ ABOUT JET HAWKINS HE WAS A FOUR-YEAR-OLD WHO WAS EXCITED TO GO TO SCHOOL AND EXCITED ABOUT HIS BRAIDS AND HE WAS FORCED TO TAKE OUT HIS BRAIDS AND THERE WAS A STORY AND I SAID I HAVE TO TAKE ACTION WE HAVE TO TURN THE PAGE ON THIS HISTORY.

>> AVA THOMPSON GREENWELL, YOU'VE WRITTEN ABOUT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST BLACK HAIR IN THE WORKPLACE ESPECIALLY FOR BLACK WOMEN WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

>> THERE IS A REAL HISTORY BEHIND THAT PARTICULARLY IN TELEVISION NEWS WHERE IMAGE TENDS TO BE EVERYTHING.

SO WE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH BA TOLLLY VER WORE HER HAIR IN AN AFRO AND WAS TOLD YOU DON'T LOOK FEMININE AND SHE WAS DEFIANT SHE DECIDED THAT SHE WAS GOING TO KEEP HER HAIR THE WAY IT WAS.

SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE COVERING A STORY ON RICHARD NIXON'S DAUGHTER'S WEDDING AND DECIDED SHE WAS GOING TO WEAR HER AFRO AND THEY SAID NO YOU CAN'T AND THEY DELETED HER PORTION.

WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY CERTAINLY SINCE THE 1970s.

BUT WE STILL HAVE A WAYS TO GO.

AND IT STARTS CERTAINLY WITH CHILDREN BEING ABLE TO BE THEMSELVES FULLY IN SCHOOL.

I'M HAPPY TO HEAR ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION FROM SENATOR SIMMONS.

>> AND YOU'VE WRITTEN ABOUT MORE MODERN-DAY INSTANCES SIMILAR NOT THE SAME THING BUT MODERN-DAY INSTANCES THAT STILL HAPPENS TO SOME TV NEWS REPORTERS.

PATRICE GRELL YURSIK THERE IS MORE LEGISLATION ON THE HORIZON REGARDING BLACK HAIR WHAT WOULD THE CROWN ACT MEAN?

>> CROWN ACT STANDS FOR CREATING A RESPECTFUL AND OPEN WORLD FOR NATURAL HAIR IT'S BEEN PASSED IN CALIFORNIA IN 2019.

SEVEN STATES PASSED SIMILAR LAWS AND IT MEANS PROTECTION FOR US TO NOT BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST IN THE WORKPLACE AND IN SCHOOLS.

IT'S SO IMPORTANT WHAT SENATOR SIMMONS IS INTRODUCING.

AND TO SEE ACTS LIKE THIS ENACTED ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO PROTECT OUR RIGHTS.

>> AND SENATOR HOW WOULD THIS BILL WORK?

>> SO THE BILL SBA17 WOULD PROHIBIT SCHOOLS FROM INCLUDING DISCRIMINATORY LANGUAGE ON HAIR STYLES TRADITIONAL ASSOCIATED WITH RACE AND ETHNICITY IE PEOPLE'S HAIR OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN DESCENT.

YOU CANNOT DISCRIMINATE.

SO THE ENFORCEMENT STRATEGY HERE IS EVERY ONCE A YEAR THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL DO A COMPLIANCE AUDIT OF ALL SCHOOLS AND THE HANDBOOKS WILL REMOVE ANY LANGUAGE THAT WOULD SAY THAT YOU CAN'T HAVE THOSE HAIR STYLES.

AND IF THEY ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE THERE WOULD BE CONSEQUENCES THE SCHOOLS COULD LOSE THEIR RECOGNITION BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

>> AND SENATOR SIMMONS YOU'VE SAID THIS IS SOMETHING YOU'VE EXPERIENCED PERSONALLY AS WELL.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> YEAH, IT'S A CHRONIC THING I'VE EXPERIENCED MORE SO IN MY EARLIER YEARS AS A TEENAGER.

THERE WAS ALWAYS THE SENSE FROM AUTHORITY FIGURES, SCHOOL SETTINGS THAT I WOULD HEAR RANDOM COMMENTS ABOUT MY HAIR.

I RAN TRACK AND FIELD AND DID A LOT FOR THE PEOPLE ON THE TEAM AND COACH WOULD SAY THE MOST INAPPROPRIATE THINGS AND BACK THEN I KNEW IT WASN'T RIGHT.

I FELT LIKE A BOUNDARY WAS BEING CROSSED BUT I DID NOT HAVE THE LANGUAGE.

AND I WANT TO SAY THAT A BIG PART WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO THIS IS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

THE PANDEMIC HAS ALREADY BESIEGED OUR YOUTH TO SUCH A DEGREE THE LAST THING WE NEED TO DO IS BE POLICING HAIR STYLES.

WE HAVE MUCH BIGGER FISH TO FRY.

I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO HAVE AUTHORITY FIGURES BELITTLE YOU IN FRONT OF YOUR PEERS.

AS AN ADULT I'VE HAD INSTANCES WHERE ADULTS MADE INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS WHERE THEY WILL REACH OUT AND TOUCH ONE OF MY LOCKS.

IF I SAY IF THEIR MOTHERS SAW THEM DOING THAT THE MOTHERS WOULD CRINGE AND THAT IS THE LITMUS TEST ON THAT TYPE OF BEHAVIOR.

I DON'T KNOW ANY CONSULTING OR CULTURAL SENSITIVITY IS GOING TO FIX THAT IF YOUR MOM WOULD SEE THAT AND BE EMBARRASSED THAT IS OBVIOUS LINE THAT WE SHOULDN'T CROSS.

>> EVERYBODY IN THIS CONVERSATION WITH RELATE TO THAT EXPERIENCE.

AVA, BLACK HAIR HAS A POLITICAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY CAN YOU GIVE US EXAMPLES OF THE HISTORICAL DISCRIMINATION WE HAVE EXPERIENCED AROUND OUR HAIR.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN WOMEN IN LAW FIRMS, AIRLINE WORK WHO HAVE BEEN DISCRIMINATED NOT PROMOTED OR NOT OFFERED THE JOB BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY ARE WEARING THEIR HAIR.

THIS IS AFFECTING THEIR LIVELIHOOD.

CERTAINLY, IT IS AFFECTING THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AS THE SENATOR MENTIONED.

BUT IT'S REALLY IMPACTING THEIR WALLETS.

SO I THINK WHAT WE'RE SAYING PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE CHOICE THEIR PARTICULAR RACIAL IDENTITY SHOULDN'T DICTATE THE KIND OF WORK THAT THEY CAN DO.

AND IT SHOULDN'T LIMIT THEM IN TERMS OF THEIR POSSIBILITIES PROFESSIONALLY OR PERSONALLY.

>> AND PATRICE, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE GROWING UP IN TRINIDAD.

>> BORN IN TRINIDAD AND DEFINITELY SEEN STORIES ABOUT THIS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS ESPECIALLY THERE'S SO MUCH DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LOCKS, DREADLOCKS AS WE'VE CALLED IT IN THE CARRIBBEAN.

OR BRAIDS.

JUST THE WAY THAT PEOPLE TRADITIONALLY HAVE LEARNED TO STYLE OUR HAIR.

THERE IS A EURO CENTRIC STANDARD ACROSS THE DIASPORA AND WE HAVE TO EXAMINE AND ROOT OUT OURSELVES.

>> A CONVERSATION WE COULD HAVE ALL NIGHT.

I YOU HAVE TO LET YOU GO BECAUSE WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

THANKS TO AVA THOMPSON GREENWELL, SENATOR MIKE SIMMONS AND PATRICE GRELL YURSIK FOR JOINING US.

>> BACK WITH MORE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" RIGHT AFTER THIS.

MIXED MEMBERS ON MASKS FROMMED MAYOR AS SUMMER IN THE CITY IS STARTING TO LOOK MORE NORMAL.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM LOOKS THE THAT WELCOME BACK AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

THE STATE AND THE CITY LINED UP WITH THE CDC ON MASKING THIS WEEK BUT THE MAYOR SAYS SHE IS GOING TO KEEP HER'S ON FOR NOW.

ARE THESE MIXED MESSAGES GOING TO CONFUSE PEOPLE?

>> THERE IS AN ELEMENT OF CONFUSION THE GOVERNOR SAID HE IS KEEPING THE MASK ON FOR NOW.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF CONFUSION THIS PANDEMIC AND THIS IS YET ANOTHER LAYER OF THAT.

IT ALSO IS I THINK PERHAPS A RECOGNITION BY THE CITY AND SOME OF THE OFFICIALS THAT THOSE WHO ARE NOT VACCINATED WHO PERHAPS CAN'T BEATRICE CALHOUN THEY CHILDREN OR THOSE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED THIGHS IS EASING IT TO A LITTLE BIT.

I SEE IT AS SOMEWHAT OF PICK YOUR BATTLES AT THIS POINTS IN TIME.

THE WEATHER IS GETTING NICER, MORE FOLKS ARE VACCINATED.

AND BY RELAXING THE MASKS GUIDELINES MIGHT CONVINCE PEOPLE TO GO AHEAD AND GET VACCINATED BECAUSE THEN THEY DON'T HAVE TO PRETEND.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT HERE IT IS CONFUSING.

BUT PEOPLE NEED TO REMEMBER TO BE SAFE, BE CAREFUL AND THAT IS WHAT THE CITY IS ENCOURAGING.

>> HEATHER YOU WROTE ABOUT LOLLAPALOOZA'S COMEBACK IS THE CITY ALLOWING A FULL CROWD?

>> THEY ARE.

IT WILL BE FULL CAPACITY, ROCKING 2019 STYLE.

AND WE HEARD Dr. ALLISON ARWADY SAY EARLIER IN THE SHOW THAT THE CITY IS CONFIDENT THAT THE CITY WILL BE FULLY REOPENED BY JULY 29 WHEN THE FESTIVAL KICKS OFF AND THAT THEY ARE GOING TO REALLY ATTEMPT TO VERIFY PEOPLE'S VACCINATION STATUS AND THEIR TEST STATUS.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A TEST OF THE BIG FESTIVALS IN THIS POST COVID ERA THAT WE APPEAR TO BE ENTERING AND WHETHER OR NOT IT'S POSSIBLE TO VERIFY THAT INFORMATION AND MAKE PEOPLE FEEL SAFE AND READY TO MINGLE IN HUGE CROWDS LIKE THAT.

>> PARIS, WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE LINEUP AND ARE YOU PUTTING IN FOR VACATION THAT WEEK?

>> DON'T STOP BELIEVING.

WE HEARD THAT JOURNEY, THAT BAND THAT ALL THE KIDS ARE LISTENING TO WILL BE PART OF IT.

THE FOO FIGHTERS.

I'VE BEEN TO LOLLAPALOOZA IT'S FUN BUT I DON'T THINK ANYTHING JUMPS OUT AT ME.

AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT EXACTLY THEY COME UP WITH IN TERMS OF ELECTRONICALLY MONITORING WHO HAS LEGITIMATE COVID VACCINATION CARDS YOU HEARD Dr. WADWARD SAYING THEY ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE YOU PRESENT THE CARD THAT WOULD CAUSE LINES THAT WOULD LAST THREE, FOUR HOURS AND WRAP AROUND TO THE HANCOCK BUILDING.

IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHAT THIS IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

>> THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES A PLAN TO PHASE OUT THE EVICTIONS BAN BY AUGUST BUT THOSE HOUSING PROBLEM ALSO STILL PERSIST.

WHAT DO WE KNOW?

>> YEAH, I MEAN AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS A PERSISTENT ISSUE IT WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND EXACERBATED.

TALKED TO FOLKS WOULD THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THE LIFTING OF THE BAN IS GOING TO LEAD TO A SUDDEN RUSH OF EVICTIONS BUT OTHERS SAY THE PROGRAM MIGHT NOT GO FAR ENOUGH BUT OF THE STRICTER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS OR IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER THAT BACK RENT AND LANDLORDS THEY ARE STILL REALLY, REALLY STRUGGLING AND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN TOO NEGLECTED THIS IS ONE-SIDED ON THE PART OF THE RENTERS OR PERHAPS THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES COULD HAVE BEEN PAYING THEIR RENT AND DIDN'T AND ARE JUST GOING TO SKIP OUT AND TAKE IT AS A FREEBIE.

WE WILL BE WATCHING THAT AND BRANDIS I WILL ADD QUESTIONS AS WELL ON THE PART OF HOUSING ADVOCATES WHAT IS TO COME FOR PEOPLE WHO OWN HOMES AND HAVE HAD STRUGGLED TO PAY THEIR MORTGAGE THERE'S SOME MONEY FOR THAT BUT AGAIN IS IT ENOUGH?

AND WE DON'T HAVE ANSWERS HOW THAT IS GOING TO WORK.

>> THE HEATHER THE STATE IS OFFERING $835 MILLION TO PREVENT A TSUNAMI OF EVICTIONS IS THAT ENOUGH?

>> SO NOBODY REALLY KNOWS BECAUSE UNLIKE THE FIRST ROUND OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE PEOPLE CAN APPLY FOR UP TO $25,000 THAT WOULD COVER 15 MONTHS OF RENT 12 MONTHS RETROACTIVELY AND THREE MONTHS IN THE FUTURE AND THE HOPE IS THAT THAT WILL HELP PEOPLE GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AS THE PANDEMIC WANES BUT IT'S NOT CLEAR WHETHER THAT MONEY WILL FLOW EASILY TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT AND TO THE LANDLORDS WHO NEED IT.

OR WHETHER IT'S GOING TO GET TIED UP IN ISSUES AND TAKE A LONGTIME TO GO.

THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAS $80 MILLION THAT IT'S PREPARING TO OPEN IN TERMS OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

SO THERE'S MONEY OUT THERE.

THE TASK OF THE STATE AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS RIGHT NOW IS TO GET IT TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT TO PREVENT THAT TSUNAMI OF EVICTIONS THAT EVERYBODY HAS BEEN WORRIED WILL HAPPEN ONCE THE EVICTION BAN LIFTS.

>> MOVING ON TO THE STORY THAT REPORTERS ACROSS THE CITY HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT TWEETED THIS AND EXPLAINED IT FURTHER IN A LETTER.

THAT SHE ONLY WANTED BLACK AND BROWN REPORTERS INTERVIEWING HER AT THIS TWO-YEAR HALFWAY POINT DURING HER TERM.

THIS MADE NATIONAL NEWS AND LIT TWITTER ON FIRE.

ARE REPORTERS PUSHING BACK?

>> THEY ARE AND IN FULL DISCLOSURE TALK ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THIS.

AT THE DIRECTION OF OUR BOSS I REACHED OUT TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE TO INVITE THEM FOR AN INTERVIEW ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" TOMORROW AND I GOT WORD FROM THE PRESS OFFICE THEY WOULD BE DECLINING OUR REQUEST SAYING THEY WOULD ONLY BE DOING INTERVIEWS WITH BLACK AND BROWN REPORTERS AND HYPER LOCAL OUTFITS.

THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED ON OUR PART.

YOU GREG PRATT IS A HISPANIC LATINO REPORTERS THAT THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" THAT COVERS CITY HALL HE TURNED DOWN HIS INTERVIEW WITH THE MAYOR IN SOLIDARITY AGAINST THIS MOVE BY THE MAYOR SAYING THAT POLITICIANS DO NOT GET TO CHOOSE WHO INTERVIEWS THEM AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT JOURNALISTS ALL LIVE BY HERE IN ORDER TO INSURE THE INDEPENDENCE FOR OUR VIEWERS AND READERS THE AGENDA IS SET HERE BY JOURNALISTS HERE WHO DECIDE INTERVIEWS POLITICIANS THAT IS DECIDED HERE NOT BY POLITICIANS.

THERE ARE OTHER THINGS HAPPENING.

CRITICISM ABOUT REPRESENTATION AND DIVERSITY IS FAIR GAME AND LORD KNOWS WE KNOW THESE ARE THINGS WE'RE GRAPPLING WITH ALL MEDIA INSTITUTIONS ARE GRAPPLING WITH.

BUT ALSO QUESTIONING THE MAYOR'S MOTIVES FAIR GAME.

BECAUSE GOING BACK TO RICHARD J. DALEY MAYOR HAVE COMBATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PRESS CORPS AND THAT IS THE JOB TO SCRUTINIZE THE MAYOR AND SOMETIMES THE COVERAGE WILL BE CRITICAL AND WE HAVE HAD MAYORS TRY TO MANIPULATE COVERAGE WHO DON'T LIKE THAT CRITICAL COVERAGE AND THIS MAYOR MADE NO BONES ABOUT THE FACT SHE DOES NOT LIKE THE COVERAGE FROM THE DAY-TO-DAY PRESS CORPS.

THIS IS A TACTIC SHINING THE FIRE BACK ON THE MEDIA WHEN THEY HAVE TOUGH QUESTIONS FOR HER.

I WANT TO THROW THIS BACK TO YOU.

WHAT STRUCK YOU ABOUT ALL THIS?

>> YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN WATCHING THIS THE STATIONS AND LISTENING TO MY FELLOW AFRICAN-AMERICAN JOURNALISTS IN CHICAGO ARE SAYING AND SOME ARE RAISING THE FACT SHE HAS A POINT.

THERE'S NOT A NEWSROOM IN THIS COUNTRY UNLESS IT IS BLACK IN PARTICULAR THAT IS IMMUNE TO THIS PROBLEM WORKING TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF DIVERSITY IN YOUR NEWSROOM YOUR NEWSROOM REFLECTS THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU COVER.

THAT SAID IT WAS A SURPRISE BUT THIS IS HER TACTIC AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS SAID AS MUCH WHILE THEY DO NOT CONDONE THE TACKTIES OF EXCLUDING ANY JOURNALIST FROM ACCESS TO COVERING THE MAYOR AND ELECTED OFFICIAL IN THE THIRD LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTRY, SHE MAKES A GOOD POINT ABOUT THIS.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT JOURNALISTS OF COLOR HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING AS LONG AS THEY HAVE BEEN JOURNALISTS.

IT ALL STRIKES A LITTLE STRANGE THAT THIS IS WHAT SHE IS CHOOSING TO FOCUS ON RIGHT NOW.

YOU KNOW, HEATHER, YOU COVER CITY HALL OBVIOUSLY.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THIS AND WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM OTHER CITY HALL REPORTERS?

>> I THINK THAT WE NEED TO HOLD TWO THOUGHTS IN OUR HEADS AT THE SAME TIME.

ONE THAT THE MEDIA AT LARGE IN CHICAGO IN PARTICULAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH DIVERSITY AND THAT IS A 100% ACCURATE THAT THE PRESS CORPS AT CITY HALL DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THE CITY AND THAT IS ON ALL OF US TO GRAPPLE WITH AND ATTEMPT TO CHANGE.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE CAN NOTE THAT WE HAVE NOW SPENT A GOOD BIT OF TIME ON TONIGHT'S SHOW TALKING ABOUT THIS INSTEAD OF THE FACT THAT THE MAYOR IS FACING A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CHALLENGES AS SHE APPROACHES THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY MARK.

SHE IS STRUGGLING TO GET AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD BILL THAT WOULD BE HYBRID.

SHE IS FACING CHALLENGES ON CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SHE IS FACING CHALLENGES IN TERMS OF HOW TO HOLD OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE FROM FOR MISCONDUCT AND BE TRANSPARENT WITH THOSE RECORDS.

SHE HAS A HOST OF ISSUES NOT TO MENTION THE CITY'S RECOVERY FROM THE PANDEMIC WHICH IS VERY MUCH SORT OF ON A KNIFE'S EDGE.

I THINK PARIS' POINT ABOUT THIS BEING A TACTIC IS WELL TAKEN.

I THINK HER CALL FOR US TO DO MORE ABOUT DIVERSITY AND MAKE SURE THAT THE PRESS CORPS LOOKS LIKE CHICAGO IS WELL TAKEN.

>> IS SHE OK'd A PUBLIC DATABASE OF CLOSED INVESTIGATIONS OF C.P.D.

OFFICERS GOING BACK TO THE YEAR 2000 IS THIS A MORE WATERED DOWN VERSION OF WHAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL CALLED FOR?

>> IT IS.

INITIALLY SHE BALKED AT THE IDEA OF DATABASE SAYING IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE AND UNNECESSARY.

SHE AGREED TO THE COMPROMISE MEASURE THAT WON THE SUPPORT OF THE ALDERMAN SCOTT WAGUESPACK.

BUT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL THE WATCHDOG JOSEPH FERGUSON SAID IT WAS SIGNIFICANTLY SCALED BACK AND IT WOULD NOT TRULY REPRESENT TRANSPARENCY FOR THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I ALSO SPOKE WITH JAMIE CALVIN OF THE INVISIBLE INSTITUTE HE WAS THE JOURNALIST WHO FORCED THE RECORDS OF LAQUAN McDONALD MURDER OUT INTO THE PUBLIC WHO SAID THIS WAS TRULY NOTHING MORE THAN SMOKE AND MIRRORS BECAUSE THERE IS SO MANY MORE RECORDS THAT THE DATABASE AS PROPOSED AND BACKED BY THE MAYOR WOULD EXCLUDE THAT IT WOULDN'T DO MORE THAN SCRATCH THE SURFACE OF THE PROBLEM OF A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> AND CHICAGO'S HOMICIDES ARE UP 14% COMPARED TO THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR AND SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN IS PREPARING THE DEPARTMENT FOR THAT ANNUAL SPIKE IN SUMMER VIOLENCE.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> SO IF ALL THAT PESSIMISTIC UP ENERGY BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN QUARANTINED, EXPLODES WITH ALL OF THIS PEOPLE BEING OUT, MORE PEOPLE BEING ACTIVE, IN THE OUTDOORS, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S SAFE.

>> PARIS, IS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DOING ANYTHING DIFFERENT THAT HASN'T ALREADY BEEN TRIED TO TAMP DOWN THAT SUMMER VIOLENCE SPIKE?

>> I DON'T HEAR ANYTHING DIFFERENT AND ALL OF US COVERED CRIME IN CHICAGO LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THE POLICE AND THE MAYOR COMES OUT TO SAY HERE IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WE ARE GOING TO FLOOD THE ZONE AND HAVE MOBILE STRIKE FORCES.

THE REALITY IS THERE IS NO MAGIC BULLET THAT IS GOING TO -- THAT IS NOT A GOOD -- THERE IS NO MAGIC FORMULA THAT THE POLICE CAN UTILIZE TO TAMP DOWN CRIME.

MAYBE THEY CAN GET IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT BUT IT'S THE WRAP AROUND SERVICE THE UNDERLYING ISSUES; MENTAL HEALTH, GANG MEDIATION ALL THESE THINGS HAVE TO BE A PART OF IT.

BECAUSE THE POLICE CANNOT CONTROL THE VIOLENCE IN THE CITY ON THEIR OWN.

IN MANY WAYS OUT OF THEIR CONTROL.

I DON'T HEAR ANYTHING NEW THIS YEAR.

>> AND HOPEFULLY I WAS HOPING WE WOULD HAVE A MINUTE TO TALK ABOUT THE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE AS ILLINOIS' LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, CORINNE WOOD WHO PASSED AWAY AFTER A LONG BATTLE WITH BREAST CANCER.

BUT WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE FOR NOW.

THANKS TO THE SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM, AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND YOU CAN FIND MORE ON THE STORIES DISCUSSED TONIGHT WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON OUR WEBSITE.

WHILE YOU ARE THERE READ OUR STORY ABOUT HOW TO SUBMIT NAME SUGGESTIONS FOR PIPING PLOVERS MONTY AND ROSE'S BABIES AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

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

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I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

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STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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