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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WE KNOW THAT OUR WORK IS CERTAINLY NOT DONE.

>> A BUDGET AND ETHICS PACKAGE ARE AT THE TOP OF SPRINGFIELD'S TO DO LIST AND WHAT ELSE LEGISLATORS HAVE BEEN UP TO.

>> WE THINK WE'VE HIT THE RIGHT NOTE WITH THIS POLICY.

>> BREAKING DOWN THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT'S INTERIM FOOT-PURSUIT POLICY ON THE IMPACT ON THE GROUND.

>> AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE DON'T WANT TO BE ERASED.

>> WE'RE LIVE IN HUMBOLDT PARK AND LOOK AT COMMUNITY MEMBERS' EFFORTS TO SLOW GENTRIFICATION IN THE AREA.

>> KELLY'S WAS A HIP, HAPPENING PLACE YOU KNOW.

IT WAS JUST COOL.

>> A NEW DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE CHICAGO NIGHTCLUB Mr. KELLY'S AIRS TONIGHT AND WE HAVE A PREVIEW AND GEOFFREY BAER ON THE HISTORY AND RESTORATION OF A WELL-KNOWN CHICAGO BUILDING IN THIS WEEK'S "ASK GEOFFREY".

>> AND PARIS I'M IN HUMBOLDT PARK ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE WHERE I WILL BE REPORTING LIVE AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" WE'LL HEAR ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOCAL ARTISTS AND THE CHALLENGE POSED FOR TEENS AND FOR NOW, BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT NICK A LOT THERE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

FIRST SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ANNOUNCE A MAJOR DRUG BUST.

ILLINOIS U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT JOHN LAUSCH ANNOUNCED CHARGES AGAINST 17 PEOPLE FOR DISTRIBUTING HEROIN AND COCAINE THROUGHOUT CHICAGO.

THE OPERATION TRAGIC PLOW WAS CONDUCTED ALONG WITH FEDERAL HOME LAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT AND THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

LAUSCH SAYS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND C.P.D.

RELIED ON UNDER COVER OPERATIONS TO CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATIONS DURING THE PROBE.

>> LAW ENFORCEMENT RECEIVED MULTIPLE KILOS OF HEROIN AND COCAINE INCLUDING A 14 KILO COCAINE SEIZURE IN THE BELMONT CRAGIN NEIGHBORHOOD AND A TWO KILO HEROIN SEIZURE IN UP ON THE NORTH SIDE.

>> AND ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT 800 NEW COVID-19 CASES IN THE LAST 24 HOURS.

WITH 42 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

THAT MAKES FOR A STATE-WIDE TOTAL OF 1.379 MILLION AND 22,718 DEATHS.

>> AND THE MEMBER CAL DAY TRAVEL WEEKEND IS UPON US AND THOSE ON THE ROAD CAN GET VACCINATED ALONG THE WAY.

THERE WILL BE CLINICS AT UNION STATION AND AT TRAVEL CENTER AS LONG HIGHWAYS DOWN STATE AND PLACES LIKE MOUNT VERNON, BLOOMINGTON AND PONTIAC.

NO APPOINTMENTS ARE NECESSARY AND THOSE 18 AND UP ARE ELIGIBLE.

>> THERE WILL NOT BE UNWINDING FOR ILLINOIS LEGISLATORS.

THEY ARE HEADING INTO THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND AS ALWAYS WITH A JAM-PACKED TO DO LIST AND THEY HAVE GOT THROUGH MONDAY, MEMBER ST. PATRICK'S DAY TO GET IT DONE.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

LEGISLATORS HAVE BEEN MEETING ALL WEEK.

WHERE ARE THINGS AT?

>> THE BIG TICKET ITEMS THOSE ARE IN THE WORKS.

ETHICS LEGISLATION, AN ENERGY PACKAGE AND TALKING IN THE PROGRAM WITH GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER LEAD NEGOTIATOR ON THAT AND THE BUDGET.

THE BUDGET PICTURE IS ACTUALLY ROSIER THAN EXPECTED GIVEN THE PANDEMIC WITH REVENUES COMING IN HIGHER THAN FISCAL FORECASTERS HAD PREDICTED.

PLUS THE STATE GETTING $7.5 BILLION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN COVID RELIEF FUNDING.

REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS SAY GIVEN THAT THERE IS NO NEED FOR -- A PACKAGE OF $932 MILLION ANNUALLY IN WHAT GOVERNOR CALLS CORPORATE LOOPHOLES.

BUT JIL TRACY SAYS IT WAS NOT LONG AGO THAT THE GOVERNOR SIGNED SOME OF THESE CORPORATE LOOPHOLES INTO LAW AS PART OF A BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE DEAL.

>> AND ONES THAT HE CHAMPIONS AROUND THE STATE AS ESSENTIAL JOB CREATION TOOLS.

UNFORTUNATELY, WHAT HE ONCE VIEWED AS VALUABLE JOB CREATION INCENTIVES YOU NOW CALLS LOOPHOLES IN HIS EFFORT TO REVERSE HIS POSITION.

LET ME PEE CLEAR... ANY TAX INCREASE AS PART OF THIS YEAR'S BUDGET MUST BE OFF THE TABLE.

>> SO NOW THE FATE OF THOSE TAXES HERE THEY ARE, THAT IS STILL UNKNOWN AMONG THEM IS ONE THAT REGARDS PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS TO PRIVATE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND PARENTS ARE FIGHTING TO KEEP IN PLACE THE TAX CREDIT THAT GOES TO DONORS FOR HELPING TO FUND THESE PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS.

WRESTLING OVER HOW TO USE THAT COVID RELIEF MONEY.

EVERY INTEREST AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF THEM HERE AT THE CAPITOL HAS A DEMAND.

LATINO LEGISLATORS WANT SOME OF THAT MONEY TO BE DEDICATED TO IMMIGRATION WELCOME CENTERS AND PROGRAMS.

>> PROGRAMS THAT HAVE AN IMPERATIVE IN OUR RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AS THESE PROGRAMS HAVE LITERALLY BEEN LIFELINES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES LOCKED OUT OF FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

WE ARE ALSO WORKING TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR MEDICAID FOR UNDOCUMENTED OLDER ADULTS.

>> SO THE SPENDING PLAN, THAT IS STILL UNRESOLVED.

BUT THERE HAS BEEN, A LOT OF ACTION UNDER THE CAPITOL DOME.

I'M ENVISIONING BILLS LIKE A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS FLOATING AND FLYING OVER TO GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S OFFICE FOR HIM TO TAKE ACTION ON.

I WILL HIGHLIGHT A FEW OF THEM.

ONE MAKES JUNE 19TH, JUNETEENTH, A STATE HOLIDAY.

>> IT MARKS THE DAY WHEN THE FEDERAL TROOPS ARRIVED IN GALVESTON TEXAS TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE STATE AND INSURE THAT ALL ENSLAVED PEOPLE BE FREE.

IT WAS THE TIME WHEN THE END OF CATLE SLAVERY WAS DONE AWAY WITH IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> NOW, ALSO PASSING WITH BIPARTISAN BACKING AN EXPANSION OF A LAW PASSED DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT ALLOWS ESTABLISHMENTS TO SERVE COCKTAILS TO GO THIS TIME WINE ALSO IS ALLOWED TO BE TAKEN TO GO.

AND THE PLAN ALSO LETS BARS THROUGH PART OF THE SUMMER GIVE PATRONS A FREE DRINK IF THEY SHOW PROOF OF A COVID VACCINATION.

YOU WILL SEE AN EXCHANGE BETWEEN KEITH WHEELER ON CAMERA WITH THE MEASURE'S SPONSOR MIKE ZALEWSKI.

>> A SHOT FOR A SHOT IS THAT HOW WE'RE LOOKING AT IT.

>> A SHOT AND A SHOT.

A SHOT AND A BEER.

IT'S DESIGNED TO HELP PEOPLE GET VACCINATED.

>> THIS CASE I SAY LET'S GIVE IT A SHOT.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> YOU HEAR THOSE GROANS OF GOOD NATURED HUMOR THERE.

BACKERS SAY THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT COULD MAKE A SERIOUS IMPACT.

>> I THINK THIS IS A GREAT INITIATIVE TO REALLY DO TWO THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN OUR COMMUNITIES RIGHT NOW.

ONE IS TO SUPPORT THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY THE RESTAURANTS AND BARS THAT WERE DRAMATICALLY IMPACTED AND ARE NOW STARTING TO REOPEN THEIR DOORS TO INVITE PEOPLE BACK IN TO YOUR LOCAL WATER HOLE TO SEE FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS GET TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN.

THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO DO THAT AND ALSO AT THE SAME TIME PROMOTING AN IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVE OF VACCINATIONS.

>> NOW, THAT IS JUST A SIP, A FLAVOR, IF YOU WILL, OF THE MEASURES THAT PASSED.

ALSO PASSING, A BILL THAT WE'VE REPORTED ON THAT AIMS TO BAN SCHOOLS FROM RESTRICTING STUDENTS' HAIR STYLES.

AFROS AND BRAIDS AND YOU HAVE OTHER LEGISLATION THAT ARE STILL HELD UP.

LIKE AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD FOR C.P.S., NEGOTIATIONS ONGOING THERE.

AND A PLAN HAS STALLED TO REQUIRE MANDATORY FINGERPRINTING AND BACKGROUND CHECKS WHENEVER SOMEONE APPLIES FOR A STATE GUN LICENSE.

ILLINOIS IS ALREADY VERY BEHIND ON ISSUING THESE FOID CARDS TO THE POINT THE STATE IS FACING LAWSUITS OVER IT.

BACKERS SAY THE MEASURE IS ABOUT VIOLENCE PREVENTION THEY CALL IT THE BLOCK ILLEGAL OWNERSHIP OR BIOBILL.

>> LOOK AT YOU CAN FIND ON THE NEWS AND ASK YOUR NEIGHBOR, YOU CAN ASK CHILDREN IN YOUR COMMUNITIES WHY DO WE NEED TO PASS THE BIO-BILL?

WE NEED TO SAVE THE LIVES OF OUR CHILDREN AND OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

>> SO, SOME OF THOSE STALLED MEASURES THERE IS STILL TIME FOR THEM TO QUICKLY PASS WITH SESSION CARRYING THROUGH MONDAY.

ONE TO WATCH OUT FOR THERE IS AN EFFORT TO REPEAL AN ILLINOIS LAW THAT REQUIRES PARENTAL NOTIFICATION BEFORE ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 CAN HAVE AN ABORTION.

BY THE WAY, JUST BEFORE WE WENT ON AIR, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT REDISTRICTING.

DEMOCRATS UNVEILED NEW MAPS FOR THE ILLINOIS HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

THEY SAY THEY'VE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT FEEDBACK THAT THEY RECEIVED YESTERDAY AND YESTERDAY AND HAD THE CHANCE TO LOOK THEM OVER TO SEE IF IT WILL DO NOTHING TO ASAGE THE COMPLAINTS FROM THE G.O.P.

AND ORGANIZATIONS AND THAT MAJOR ENERGY PACKAGE AND WE WILL BE LATER IN THE PROGRAM WITH DEPUTY GOVERNOR CHRISTIAN MITCHELL TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT.

BACK TO YOU.

>> WITH THE MAPS, THAT FIRST PASS WAS A STRATEGY TO THEN COME BACK WITH A VERSION SAYING SAYING HEY, WE LISTENED TO EVERYBODY.

>> AND HERE IT IS.

>> THERE YOU GO.

ALL RIGHT.

SHIFTING GEARS, DIVISION STREET IN HUMBOLDT PARK HAS BEEN THE HEART AND SOUL OF CHICAGO'S PUERTO RICAN COMMUNITY FOR DECADES.

AS THE NEIGHBORHOOD RECOVERS FROM COVID-19 LEADERS WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE WHO CALLED HUMBOLDT PARK HOME FOR GENERATIONS CAN STICK AROUND.

"IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" NICK BLUMBERG AND QUINN MYERS SPENT THE DAY IN HUMBOLDT PARK AND NICK JOINS US WITH MORE.

NICK?

>> WELL, PARIS, IF YOU'VE BEEN TO THIS PART OF DIVISION YOU CANNOT MISS THE GIANT PUERTO RICAN FLAG SCULPTURES.

THIS AREA IS HOME TO DOZENS OF MURALS CREATED BY LOCAL ARTISTS BUT FOR MANY, MAKING A LIVING CAN BE TOUGH.

TO HELP KEEP THEM WORKING AND LIVING IN THE AREA A BUILDING GOING UP WILL FEATURE 24 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, LIVE, WORK SPACE FOR PEOPLE WHO DEFINE THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT'S BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR A DECADE-AND-A-HALF AND A PASSION PROJECT DRIVEN BY EDUARDO AROCHO A HUMBOLDT PARK PARK SAYING GENTRIFICATION IS NOT GOING TO ERASE THIS COMMUNITY.

>> A PROJECT IS GOING TO MAKE SURE WE WILL BE AROUND FOR A WHILE AS A COMMUNITY.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN ECONOMIC ANCHOR TO STIMULATE NOT ONLY THE LONG TIME BUSINESSES HERE BUT CREATE NEW BUSINESSES AND ALLOW LONG TIME ARTISTS TO REALLY CONTINUE TO CONSIDER HUMBOLDT PARK THEIR HOME.

>> THE BUILDING WILL ALSO FEATURE A GALLERY, RETAIL SPACE INCLUDING A LATIN WINE AND SPIRITS BAR AND A 99-SEAT THEATRE THE NEW HOME OF URBAN THEATRE COMPANY LOCATED JUST DOWN THE STREET.

THE THEATRE SELL OPERATED ITS 16TH ANNIVERSARY YESTERDAY.

COFOUNDER IVAN VEGA SAYS THE COMPANY'S MISSION IS TO REPRESENT ITS COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO MIGHT NOT THINK THEATRE IS FOR THEM AT FIRST.

>> IF THEY DON'T SEE BLACK AND BROWN FACES ON STAGE, THEY CANNOT RELATE TO THE WORK.

AND IT IS OVER IMPORTANT THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT THESE STORIES ARE ACCESSIBLE AND WE HAVE THAT ACCESS FOR OUR YOUTH, WE ARE AUTOMATICALLY GRAB THEM.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT THEATRE IS TRANSFORMATIVE THROUGH THEATRE WE CAN REALLY STAY CONNECTED NOT ONLY TO THE WORK BUT TO OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

>> AFTER A DIFFICULT YEAR WHERE LIVE THEATRE WAS MORE OR LESS SHUTDOWN, VEGA'S MESSAGE IS SIMPLE... >> SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL THEATRE.

THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE A MISCONCEPTION WHAT THEATRE IS.

AND THERE ARE THEATERS THAT ARE EXTREMELY CONNECTED TO COMMUNITY.

AND ARTS IS IMPORTANT.

SO IF YOU SEE THEATERS OR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS IN YOUR COMMUNITY SUPPORT THEM.

>> NOW, A SHORT WALK FROM THE THEATRE IS THE LOLITA LEBRON FAMILY LEARNING CENTER WHERE YOUNG PARENTS CAN DROP-OFF THEIR KIDS SO THEY CAN ATTEND PEDRO ALBIZU CAMPOS HIGH SCHOOL.

COVID HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR STUDENTS JUGGLING REMOTE LEARNING AND SOME NEED TO WORK, MENTOR CRYSTAL MORALES SAYS THEY ARE DEFYING EXPECTATIONS.

>> KIDS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYS THEY ARE NEVER GOING TO ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING AND SEEING THEM FIGHT FOR WHAT THEY WANT AND ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL, GO TO COLLEGE AND HAVE CAREER, IT IS AMAZING TO SEE THAT.

>> THE LEARNING CENTER IS GIVING AWAY FOOD TO THE STUDENTS AND CHILDREN AND DONATING LEFTOVERS TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS GROCERIES.

AT THE HONEY COMB NETWORK, CRISTINA GUTTIERREZ IS THINKING ABOUT EDUCATION AND WELLNESS WITH AN EYE TOWARD INCLUSION.

HONEYCOMB IS A BOUTIQUE AND CO-WORKING SPACE THAT OFFERS MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND WORKSHOPS ON HERBALISM.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF SPACES THAT ARE WHITE-LED AND DON'T CREATE [INAUDIBLE] AND YOU KNOW WE ARE A CO-WORKING SPACE BUT MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT COWORK ARE WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY DOING OUTREACH WORKING ON THINGS THAT HAVE CHALLENGES AROUND THEM.

AND SO THE FEEDBACK THAT I'VE HAD CONSISTENTLY FROM PEOPLE WHETHER IT'S JUST TO VISIT OR SHOP, TO WORK, TO HANG ART IS THEY FEEL SO SAFE HERE.

>> HONEYCOMB OPENED IN OCTOBER 2020 AND DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF THE PANDEMIC, CRISTINA GUTTIERREZ SAYS SHE IS PROUD TO SAY IT WAS 100% COMMUNITY SUPPORTED.

THAT WAS THE MESSAGE FROM EDUARDO AROCHO, TOO, WHO SAID A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD TO COME TOGETHER TO MAKE THE ARTS BUILDING HAPPEN.

>> WE DON'T ALL HAVE J.LO MONEY BUT IT TOOK US WITH A LOT OF DETERMINATION, IT TOOK US 12 YEARS TO GET THE FINANCING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

SO IT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT MANY YEARS BUT NOW IT'S HAPPENING AND I THINK IT'S BRINGING A LOT OF HOPE TO A LOT OF BUSINESSES AND A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT COME HERE FOR SERVICES.

AND IT'S MAKING A LOT OF PEOPLE HAPPY.

>> WE'LL HAVE MORE ON HOW ORGANIZATIONS IN HUMBOLDT PARK ARE HELP MEETING THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> WE'LL SEE YOU IN A BIT.

UP NEXT A LONG AT THE LONG ANTICIPATED CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT FOOT-PURSUIT POLICY.

OFFICERS MUST ACTIVATE BODY-CAMERAS TO RECORD PURSUITS IN FULL AND PROHIBITS FOOT-PURSUITS STEMMING FROM MINOR TRAFFIC OFFENSES.

AND JOINING US WITH THEIR TAKE ARE ROBERT BOIK FROM THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT, HE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING AND REFORM.

AREWA KAREN WINTERS A CO-CHAIR OF THE COMMUNITY WORKING GROUP THAT WAS ASSEMBLED TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY INPUT ON POLICE REFORM.

RETIRED POLICE OFFICER RICHARD WOOTEN FOUNDER OF GATHERING POINT COMMUNITY COUNCIL AND NUSRAT CHOUDHURY LEGAL DIRECTOR AT THE A.C.L.U.

OF ILLINOIS.

WELCOME ALL OF YOU BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

ROBERT BOIK THE FIRST QUESTION I HAVE WHEN LOOKING AT THIS LIST OF RULES IT IS A LOT OF THINGS FOR OFFICERS TO KEEP IN MIND.

LIKE A CHECKLIST IN A SITUATION THAT COULD BE HEAT OF THE MOMENT.

HOW IS AN OFFICER ABLE TO GO THROUGH THESE THINGS WHEN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO ENGAGE?

>> ONE THING THAT POLICY PRIORITIZES IS NOT ONLY OFFICER SAFETY BUT SAFETY FOR THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

IT REALLY CREATES SEVERAL LINES FOR OFFICERS WHERE THEY HAVE TO WEIGH THE RISK OF ENGAGING IN THE PURSUIT WITH THE NEED TO APPREHEND THE OFFENDER.

AND ENHANCES SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES SUCH THAT OFFICERS REALLY ARE TAKING DIRECTION ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS AND THAT, AGAIN, THAT IS DESIGNED AROUND ENHANCING SAFETY.

>> AND NUSRAT CHOUDHURY THIS COMES IN THE WAKE OF THE TOLEDO AND THE ANTHONY ALVAREZ SHOOTINGS THAT CAME AFTER FOOT-PURSUITS.

DO YOU THINK THE RULES HELP PREVENT FUTURE SITUATIONS LIKE ANTHONY ALVAREZ AND TOLEDO?

>> THE RULES DON'T GO FAR ENOUGH.

WE KNOW THAT CHICAGO HAS A PROBLEM WITH DEADLY FOOT-PURSUITS BORN OUT BY THE KILLINGS YOU MENTION AND YEARS OF DATA AND WHAT WE NEED A POLICY TO DO IS TO BE CLEAR AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND FOR OFFICERS TO REALLY GRASP AND IMPLEMENT IN REALTIME UNDER IMMENSE PRESSURE AND THIS POLICY IS VERY LONG.

IT INCLUDES VAGUE LANGUAGE AND IT DOESN'T PUT UP CLEAR ENOUGH GUARDRAILS ESPECIALLY WITH RESPECT TO PROHIBITING FOOT-PURSUITS FOR MINOR OFFENSES.

YOU REFERRED EARLIER CLASS A MISDEMEANORS BUT THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS FOR CLASS B AND C MISDEMEANORS IN THE POLICY AND IT'S WORTH UNDERSCORING THAT SOMETHING AS LOW AS GAMBLING POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR, POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA THOSE OFFENSES FOR WHICH A FOOT-PURSUIT WOULD BE PERMITTED UNDER THIS POLICY.

>> YESTERDAY SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN EMPHASIZED THAT HE FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY AND HERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT HE SAID.

>> WE LIKELY WILL HEAR SOMETHING THAT WE DIDN'T THINK OF.

AND WE WANT THE BENEFIT OF HEARING THAT FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT WE NEED TO INCLUDE IN THIS POLICY.

IT'S WORTHWHILE.

YOU WILL NEVER HEAR ME SAY ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY IS A BAD THING.

THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO BE ENGAGED AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO HELP US BUILD TRUST.

>> AREWA KAREN WINTERS DO YOU THINK THIS POLICY WAS A RESULT OF COMMUNITY INPUT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND NOW I WANT TO SAY THIS PROBABLY STARTED PRIOR TO EVEN THE COALITION COMING FORWARD WITH THE CONSENT DECREE.

BECAUSE HISTORICALLY THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AND OVER TIME AND TIME AGAIN IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

SO I DEFINITELY THINK IT WAS FROM THE PEOPLE THE PRESSURE FROM THE PEOPLE TO NOT ONLY HAVE THE CONSENT DECREE BUT TO HAVE POLICE REFORM.

BECAUSE IT IS VERY NECESSARY VERY NEEDED IN THIS CITY.

SO IN THIS POLICY DOESN'T CUT IT.

>> YOU ARE SAYING IT WAS NOT ENOUGH INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY AS THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS HE WANTED TO LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY.

RICHARD WOOTEN, AS A FORMER COP I WILL PRESENT THIS QUESTION TO YOU HOW DO YOU GO THROUGH IN YOUR HEAD IS THIS A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR?

IS THIS PERSON A THREAT TO THE COMMUNITY?

A CHECKLIST IN A SITUATION THAT CAN BE HEATED?

>> EXACTLY.

THIS IS PUTTING MORE STRESS ON THE OFFICERS AND CAUSING THEM TO MAKE MORE MISTAKES.

WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO CHASE AND WHEN IS NOT A GOOD TIME IS GOING TO PUT THEIR LIVES FURER IN DANGER.

I THINK THE POLICY SHOULD BE MORE SPECIFIC AND CLEAR AND ADDRESS WHAT THEY CAN CHASE FOR AND WHEN THEY CAN CHASE.

BECAUSE WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH THE POLICY MYSELF, IT IS JUST SO WISHY WASHY AND LEAVES OUT A LOT OF ROOM FOR MUCH ERROR.

>> ROBERT BOIK THERE ARE A LOT OF RESPONSES.

YOU'VE HEARD THE CRITICISM NOT ENOUGH COMMUNITY INPUT, IT DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH, IT'S TOO VAGUE IN ITS LANGUAGE AND THAT IT COULD BE DANGEROUS FOR THE POLICE HAVING TO CONSIDER ALL THESE THINGS.

YOUR RESPONSE TO THOSE ISSUES?

>> SO I WANT TO START WITH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BECAUSE IT'S JUST NOT TRUE TO SAY THIS POLICY WASN'T DEVELOPED WITH ANY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

MS. WINTERS GROUP MET WITH US AND WE TALKED EXTENSIVELY WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A FOOT-PURSUIT POLICY.

AND I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT THE A.C.L.U.

AND OTHERS ARE SEEKING SPECIAL TREATMENT WITH RESPECT TO ENGAGEMENT AND WHAT WE'VE PUT FORWARD IS A VERY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT THE DEPARTMENT EVER ENGAGED IN TO GET FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY AND OUR OFFICERS INCLUDING A WEBINAR ON JUNE 1 TWO COMMUNITY MEETINGS ONE IN JUNE AND ONE IN JULY.

THE POLICY IS OPEN NOW FOR PUBLIC COMMENT WE INVITE PUBLIC COMMENT FROM EVERYONE ACROSS THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DO IS TO HAVE BROAD COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND TO HEAR FROM EVERY COMMUNITY ACROSS THE CITY.

WITH RESPECT TO THE POLICY ITSELF, AGAIN, IT PRIORITIZED OFFICER SAFETY.

IT DOES CREATE A BRIGHT LINE AND CLEAR RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SUPERVISORS.

>> AND NUSRAT CHOUDHURY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THIS IS INTERIM THEY ARE STUDYING THIS AND WANTED TO GET SOMETHING OUT QUICKLY IN THE WAKE OF ANTHONY ALVAREZ AND TOLEDO.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT YOU BELIEVE SHOULD BE IN A PERMANENT POLICY?

>> I THINK TO UNDERSCORE THAT OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE CHANCE TO GIVE INPUT AS DEVELOPING AN INTERIM POLICY MAKING THAT POINT CLEAR IT IS NOT ABOUT THE A.C.L.U.

BUT FROM PEOPLE IN DIRECTLY IMPACTED COMMUNITIES.

AND WHAT THE POLICY SHOULD INCLUDE THIS POLICY DOES NOT INCLUDE EARLY AND A CLEAR STATEMENT THAT FOOT-PURSUITS ARE EXTRAORDINARILY DANGEROUS.

WE KNOW THE CITY HAS A PROBLEM WITH DEADLY FOOT-PURSUITS AND THAT IS NOT MADE CLEAR IN THE PURPOSE OF THE POLICY OR BUT WHAT WE GET INSTEAD WISHY WASHY STATEMENTS THAT LEAVE A LOT OF ROOM FOR OFFICER DISCRETION TO ENGAGE IN A FOOT-PURSUIT EVEN WHEN THERE ARE MINOR OFFENSES, EVEN IF THE CATEGORIES OF OFFENSES THAT ARE IDENTIFIED IN THE FOOT-PURSUIT AND THAT IS NOT THE CLEAR, EASY TO OPERATIONALIZE GUIDANCE THAT WILL RESTRICT WHAT HAS BEEN A DEADLY PRACTICE IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOR A LONGTIME.

>> AND AREWA KAREN WINTERS COMMUNITY GROUPS DID SUGGEST DOZENS OF RECOMMENDATIONS MANY DID NOT MAKE IT IN HERE.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE SHOULD MAKE IT INTO THIS POLICY THAT WAS LEFT OUT?

>> I APPRECIATE RICHARD WOOTEN.

I CANNOT SAY WE HAD AN EXTENSIVE CONVERSATION THEY DID INTRODUCE CONCEPTS BUT WE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANYTHING WRITTEN SO WE DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO PROCESS AND GO THROUGH AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS.

BUT IN 2019, THE COALITION DID SUBMIT THINGS.

WHAT I'M MORE CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE PROHIBITIONS.

I DIDN'T SEE PROHIBITIONS WITH IT AND ONE OF THEM FOR ME IS SO MANY OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SHOT IN THEIR BACKS WHILE THEY ARE RUNNING AWAY, FLEEING, THEY SAY THAT THEY ARE A THREAT TO THE COMMUNITY BUT REALLY AT THAT INSTANCE THEY ARE ONLY A THREAT TO THEMSELVES HOW CAN POLICE OFFICERS ENGAGING THE THREAT WITHOUT KILLING THEM AND HARMING THEM?

SO THAT IS I THINK SERVE AND PROTECT IN THE WORST CASE SCENARIOS WHERE THEY HAVE A WEAPON NOT HAVE A WEAPON IF THEY ARE NOT OPENLY SHOOTING AT ANYONE IN MOST CASES THEY ARE NOT THEY ARE RUNNING AWAY.

CLIMBING FENCES AND THEY LOSE THEIR LIVES.

I WANT TO SEE OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT ENGAGE WITH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES WHERE EVERYONE CAN COME OUT SAFE.

>> RICHARD WOOTEN HOW DO POLICE OFFICERS FEEL ABOUT FOOT-PURSUITS IN GENERAL?

DO THEY FEEL THAT THEY CARRY A LOT OF RISK AND DANGER WITH THEM?

WOULD THEY RATHER NOT ENGAGE IN A FOOT-PURSUIT?

OR RATHER BE ABLE TO ENGAGE THAT WAY?

>> YOU KNOW, FOOT-PURSUITS IS PART OF THE JOB AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT.

AN AUGUST OF 192001 WE LOST A GREAT OFFICER FROM A FOOT-PURSUIT WHO WAS SHOT BY AN OFFENDER.

BUT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT FOOT-PURSUITS SOMETIMES IS JUST NOT NECESSARY.

YOU KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE GAMBLING, IN A BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES THESE ARE MOST YOUR FOOT-PURSUITS.

GAMBLING, SUSPENDED DRIVER'S LICENSE, DRINKING ON A PUBLIC WAY OR SOME OTHER MINOR INCIDENT WHERE YOU KNOW THE INDIVIDUAL IS GOING TO RETURN IN THAT AREA AGAIN THE NEXT DAY.

WHY PURSUE HIM WHEN YOU KNOW THEY ARE GOING TO BE THERE.

AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN OFFICER SEES THE PARTICULAR CRIMES IN ITS ACT THEY BEGIN TO KICK IN AND THEY GO RUNNING.

WHAT WE NEED IS A STATEMENT WITHIN THE POLICY THAT SAYS WE WILL NOT CHASE ANYONE UNLESS IT'S LIFE-THREATENING AND A CLASS A FELONY.

YOU KNOW, OTHER THAN THAT THERE SHOULD NOT BE FOOT-PURSUITS YOU PUT THE OFFICER IN DANGER AND THE COMMUNITY IN DANGER AND THE INDIVIDUAL THAT IS RUNNING IN DANGER BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO BE CAUGHT BY THE POLICE.

>> AND POLICY MENTIONS THERE IS MORE TO COME ON THIS.

THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE A COMMUNITY REVIEW PROCESS AND COME OUT WITH MORE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS IN SEPTEMBER.

OUR THANKS TO AREWA KAREN WINTERS, NUSRAT CHOUDHURY, RICHARD WOOTEN AND ROBERT BOIK.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW WE CHECK BACK IN WITH NICK BLUMBERG LIVE IN HUMBOLDT PARK AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> NICK?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

I'M HERE WITH Dr. MELISSA LEWIS PRINCIPLE OF PEDRO ALBIZU CAMPOS HIGH SCHOOL AND A MEMBER OF THE PUERTO RICAN AGENDA'S EDUCATION COMMITTEE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

EVERYBODY'S BEEN DEALING WITH REMOTE LEARNING IN THE EDUCATION SETTING OVER THE PAST 14 MONTHS.

NOT EVERYBODY HAS THE SAME ACCESS OR THE RESOURCES.

HOW HAS THAT PLAYED OUT FOR SOME OF THE STUDENTS YOU WORK WITH?

>> SOME OF THE STUDENTS WE WORK WITH AT PEDRO ALBIZU CAMPOS HIGH SCHOOL, ARE STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW.

THEY ARE HAVING TO REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW DO THEY BALANCE BEING STUDENTS, BEING FULL-TIME STUDENTS AND ALSO HAVING TO WORK FULL-TIME AND SUSTAIN THEIR FAMILIES.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T TALK ABOUT.

WHAT DOES THE WORKING SCHOLAR HAVE TO DO IN A PANDEMIC TO SUSTAIN THEIR FAMILIES?

WE ARE NOT DISCUSSION THAT RIGHT NOW.

>> AND I IMAGINE THERE IS AN ELEMENT OF STRESS AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THAT IS NEEDED THEY ARE BALANCING SO MUCH IS THAT SOMETHING YOU'VE SEEN?

>> WRAP AROUND SUPPORTS ARE NEEDED.

WE NEED MOBILE HEALTH CLINICS THAT CAN ADDRESS THE NEEDS OUR STUDENTS.

THERE IS SO MUCH GOING ON RIGHT NOW AND THAT FEAR IS IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIVES AND WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT.

>> IS THAT ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT GOES UNADDRESSED?

>> I THINK THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH A LOT.

THERE IS A LOT OF ANXIETY, A LOT OF FEAR AND THEY TEND TO BE STRONG AND THEY WILL BE RESILIENT BUT THEY NEED TO TALK ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS.

WE NEED TO MODEL WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE WHEN ADULTS CAN BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHAT WE'RE FEELING.

EDUCATORS ARE FEARFUL, TOO.

WE NEED TO MODEL WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE AND HOW DO YOU HAVE HONEST CONVERSATIONS.

>> VACCINATION RATES START TO GO UP AND COVID CASES GOING DOWN, DEATHS GOING DOWN THANKFULLY ARE YOU HOPEFUL YOU CAN HAVE A RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING MODEL?

FOR ME I'M HOPEFUL I AM ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF MY STUDENTS F MY STUDENTS NEED TO BE IN PERSON BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WHAT THEY NEED I WILL DO THAT.

IF A YOUNG PERSON HAS TO CHOOSE BETWEEN WORKING AND SCHOOL?

I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO -- I WANT TO BE FLEXIBLE AND WANT OPTIONS I DON'T WANT TO FORCE THE STUDENT'S CHOICE.

>> HEADING INTO THE TIME OF YEAR WHERE CHICAGO TENDS TO SEE AN INCREASE IN VIOLENCE WHAT IS ON YOUR MIND IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT YOUR STUDENTS STAY SAFE?

>> WELL, I UNDERSTAND THAT MY YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE AND WORK RIGHT NOW.

I AM 0 SO THANKFUL THEY ARE.

THE VAST MAJORITY ARE WORKING 35 HOURS A WEEK AND IF YOU ARE WORKING YOU ARE NOT ON THE STREETS YOU WILL BE SAFE.

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO BE IN A SPACE THAT SUSTAINS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND I NEED TO HONOR THAT EXPERIENCE.

FOR ME, AND THIS PAST YEAR WE HAVE LOST A HANDFUL OF YOUNG PEOPLE I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MORE WE CAN ENDURE AS A SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY.

>> 20 SECONDS LEFT, ARE THERE SPECIFIC RESOURCES OR NEEDS THAT YOU THINK THE HUMBOLDT PARK COMMUNITY REALLY NEEDS IN TERMS OF SUPPORT FOR COVID RECOVERY?

>> I NEED TO UPLIFT THE WORK OF THE PUERTO RICAN AGENDA HAVING A COMMUNITY A COLLECTIVE OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE PUSHING THE POLICIES THAT COME FROM WITHIN A COMMUNITY IS KEY.

THEY UNDERSTAND WE ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT COMMUNITY IS FACING AND WE UNDERSTAND AS A COMMUNITY WHAT WE NEED.

AND THE PUERTO RICAN COMMUNITY DOES THAT WELL.

>> MELISSA LEWIS THANK YOU FOR JOINING US WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND PARIS BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" ILLINOIS' ENERGY FUTURE WE'RE LIVE WITH THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR TO TALK ABOUT NEGOTIATING A BILL THAT COULD IMPACT WHAT YOU PAY FOR ELECTRICITY.

>> I FIRST CAME TO CHICAGO WHEN I WAS 21 YEARS OLD.

TO SING AT Mr. KELLY'S.

>> FAMILIAR VOICE A DOCUMENTARY DELVES INTO AN ICONIC CHICAGO PERFORMANCE VENUE AND YOU WILL RECOGNIZE ARTISTS WHO PERFORMED THERE.

AND GEOFFREY BAER QUIZZES US ON OUR KNOWLEDGE OF A CHICAGOLAND MARK BEING PARTIALLY RESTORED IN THIS WEEK'S "ASK GEOFFREY".

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYS SHE HAS A NEW COMPROMISE PLAN FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO HONOR CHICAGO'S FIRST SETTLER JEAN BAPTIST DID YOU STAB AFTER AN ORDINANCE TO RENAME LAKE SHORE DRIVE GOT PUNTED.

THE MAYOR IS PROPOSING A DuSABLE FESTIVAL IN ADDITION TO A PROMISE TO NAME THE RIVERWALK AFTER HIM AND SPUR ON A $40 MILLION PUBLIC PRIVATE PLAN TO COMPLETE DID YOU STAB PARK NORTH OF THE CHICAGO RIVER ON LAKE MICHIGAN.

ALDERMEN HAVE BEEN CHILLY TO THE MAYOR'S COUNTER PROPOSALS TO THIS POINT.

>> AND STATE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT MORE THAN 800 NEW COVID-19 CASES IN THE LAST 24 HOURS WITH 42 DEATHS MAKING FOR A TOTAL OF 1.379 MILLION CASES AND 22,718 DEATHS.

THE SEVEN-DAY POSITIVITY RATE IS 2.5%.

AND THIS IS SUCH AN INCREDIBLE BASEBALL PLAY WE HAD TO TALK ABOUT IT IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT.

CHECK OUT CUBS GROUNDS TO THIRD WITH TWO OUTS.

AND HE DECIDES TO GET INTO A RUNDOWN WHEN ALL THE PITTSBURGH HAD TO DO IS STEP ON THE BAG.

SO HERE GO.

CUBS GO UP AND AN ERROR.

BIAZ TAKES SECOND.

AMAZING.

THE CUBS WON 5-3.

>> JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD SEEN IT ALL IN BASEBALL.

AND AMANDA VINICKY STRIKES AGAIN IN SPRINGFIELD.

WHAT DO SNUFF.

>> I'M -- DO WHAT DO YOU HAVE.

>> CHRISTIAN MITCHELL SERVEDS A MEMBER OF THE ILLINOIS HOUSE.

SPEAKING WITH YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE THE LEAD NEGOTIATOR ON THE MAJOR ENERGY PACKAGE.

GIVE ME A RUNDOWN.

I'M TOLD AFTER A WHOLE LOT OF MEETINGS WE'RE BEGINNING TO SEE A FRAMEWORK.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

LOOK, THE GOVERNOR PUT FORWARD PRINCIPLES MONTHS AGO ON ENERGY AND WE BELIEVE THAT A FINAL PACKAGE IS GOING TO TRACK THOSE PRINCIPLES.

ETHICS AND MAKE SURE WE ARE DOUBLING OUR COMMITMENT TO RENEWABLE ENERGY AND PRESERVING OUR NUCLEAR FLEET AND TAKING STEPS DECARBONIZATION PHASING OUT COAL AND GAS GETTING TO 100% ZERO EMISSION POWER BY 2050 AND MAKING ILLINOIS THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD TO MAKE ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

AND WE'LL MAKE SURE WE END FORMULA RATES THAT GOT FOLKS IN TROUBLE.

>> TALKING ABOUT THAT CORRUPTION SCANDAL ComEd ADMITTING TO LONG RUNNING BRIBERY SCHEME.

PART OF THAT ComEd'S PARENT COMPANY EXELON IS ASKING FOR HALF A BILLION DOLLARS FROM RATEPAYERS IT'S NEEDED OTHERWISE THEY ARE GOING TO CLOSE A PAIR OF NUCLEAR PLANTS THAT WOULD MEAN LOSING JOBS AND HURTING ILLINOIS' ATTEMPTS TO REACH THOSE CLEAN ENERGY GOALS.

HOW MUCH APPETITE IS THERE FOR IT GIVEN THE CORRUPTION WE HAVE MENTIONED TO GIVE EXELON MORE MONEY AND WHAT FIGURE IS APPROPRIATE FOR RATEPAYERS?

>> FIRST OF ALL THIS IS WHY THE GOVERNOR TOOK A DIFFERENT APPROACH WE DID AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT AND DO THEY NEED HELP AND DO THEY NEED.

THE TWO PLANTS DO NEED HELP AND THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE RIGHT DEAL FOR TAXPAYERS AND HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE YOU RIGHT SIZE THAT.

NEGOTIATIONS HAVE CENTERED AROUND WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE AND HOW LONG IS THAT PERIOD OF HELP AND WE THINK WE CAN GET THERE BECAUSE REALITY IS SINKING IN THERE IS NOT A TON OF APPETITE TO PAY MORE THAN WE NEED TO.

>> WHAT MIGHT THAT LOOK LIKE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL RATE PAYER?

>> WELL, LOOK, NUCLEAR POWER IS ROUGHLY 54% OF OUR POWER IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND 60% OF OUR CLEAN POWER.

WE NEED TO PRESERVE THE GOOD JOBS.

WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT IS A FEW CENTS ON A BILL BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT GIVEN EVERYTHING IN COVID AND HOW PEOPLE ARE HURTING WE ARE DOING AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PRESERVING THE JOBS BUT NOT HURTING THE RATE PAYER.

>> AND WE HAVE 50 DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS SIGNING ON JUST THIS WEEK TO A LETTER SAYING THAT UNLESS THERE IS A SET DATE FOR ILLINOIS TO GO CARBON FREE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE FOR ANY PACKAGE.

WHAT MIGHT THAT DATE BE?

WILL THAT BE PART OF THIS PLAN?

>> THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED PHASING OUT COAL BY 2030, NATURAL GAS 2045.

100% CLEAN POWER BY 2050 BUT THE GOVERNOR WILL NOT SIGN A BILL THAT DOES NOT DO SIGNIFICANT STEPS ON THE CLIMATE CHANGE.

AND WE BELIEVE THAT AND IT'S NOT GOING TO GET TO HIS DESK IF PEOPLE ARE SAYING THEY WILL NOT VOTE WITHOUT IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US WE WILL HAVE THE LATEST ON IT.

>> THANK YOU TO DEPUTY GOVERNOR, CHRISTIAN MITCHELL.

>> THESE ENERGY BILLS ARE SO COMPLEX WITH SO MANY PRONGS.

ONLY A FEW DAYS AGO.

AND WE CHECK BACK IN WITH NICK BLUMBERG WHO SPENT THE DAY IN HUMBOLDT PARK AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> EARLIER TODAY, WE SPOKE WITH TALINA CARTER, DIRECTOR OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR CHICAGO YOUTH CENTERS WHICH OFFERS PROGRAMMING FOR KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE AT THE FACILITY WEST OF HERE.

I BEGAN BY ASKING HER ABOUT THE LINGERING IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON THE KIDS SHE WORKS WITH.

>> MOST OUR WORK WE'VE DONE PREPANDEMIC HAS BEEN VERY MUCH SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL FOCUS.

WORKING ON CHILDREN IN TERMS OF THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH EACH OTHER AND NOW SHIFT THAT NOW WE'RE SEPARATING THEM AND SEPARATING TOYS AND SEPARATING THEIR FRIENDS.

AND WEARING MASKS AND MOST OF OUR WORKERS CONTINUE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CHILDREN AND GET A SENSE HOW THEY FEEL AND READ THEIR EMOTIONS.

SO HAVING TO WEAR THEIR MASKS AND JUST SHIFT TO THAT AND THEN SHIFT TO VIRTUAL WE'VE WORKED TO SHIFT FOR MOST PART OF THE YEAR JUST OUR PROGRAMS PLATFORMS SO WE CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR FAMILIES AND GET RESOURCES OUT TO THEM WITH RETURNING BACK IN-PERSON AND MAKING OUR FACILITIES AND PREPARING THEM FOR THE CHILDREN.

INDIVIDUALALIZEING THEIR MATERIALS AND WORKING TO MEET THE NEEDS IN A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT.

WITH A DIFFERENT FOCUS.

I THINK THE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN SO RESILIENT AND THEY WEAR A MASK BETTER THAN ADULTS.

AND WHAT WE WANTED TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TAPPED INTO THAT SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF OUR STAFF, TEACHERS, BECAUSE IT'S MOST OF THEM HAVE FAMILIES THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF.

TEACHERS AND TEACH THEIR CHILDREN.

SHIFTING TO MEET ALL OF THOSE NEEDS WHILE WE WANT TO MAINTAIN ENROLLMENT, FUNDING SOME OF OUR ENROLLMENT DROPPED BECAUSE THE FAMILIES WERE NOT READY TO COME BACK.

AND IT IS A MATTER OF INSURING THEM SOME OF THE PROPERTY AYATOLLAH COLES WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE.

HOW WE RECEIVE CHILDREN.

DISTANCING OUTSIDE.

OUR FAMILIES ARE NOT COMING BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM AT THIS MOMENT.

SO MAKING SURE WE KEEP THAT COMMUNICATION AS WELL AS LETTING THEM KNOW HOW THEIR CHILDREN'S DAY HAS GONE.

>> HOW CHALLENGING CAN BE FOCUSING ON THAT SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING, MENTAL HEALTH IN-PERSON INTERACTIONS ALL THE THINGS WHEN ARE YOU IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT OR A SOCIALLY DISTANCED MASK ENVIRONMENT?

>> IT IS WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT TOUCH AND WE'RE PICKING UP CHILDREN AND EMBRACING THEM, GOOD MORNING AND GIVING THEM THOSE EMBRACES.

SO FIGURING OUT A WAY TO DO THOSE AS A WAY ALSO TO KEEP THE FAMILIES ENGAGED VIRTUALLY.

MEETING THOSE NEEDS IF A PARENT WAS WORKING, NOT TRADITIONAL SHIFT THEN WE HAVE TO FIGURE OT HOW TO MEET THAT NEED AND HAVE A STORY TIME AT 6:00 P.M.

INSTEAD OF 3:00 P.M. >> I KNOW WE'RE ALL HOPEFUL FOR THE RECOVERY AND THE COMING MONTHS.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR?

WHAT DO THE YOUNG FOLKS YOU WORK WITH HERE NEED FOR THAT RECOVERY?

>> I THINK GIST OF JUST A SENSE THAT THE TEACHERS FEEL GREAT ABOUT THAT RECOVERY AND COMING BACK AND WELCOMING THEM AND WE'RE STILL HERE.

STILL HERE TO SERVE FAMILIES, PROVIDE THOSE INTENTIONAL EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES IN A EARLY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT IS SAFE FOR ALL.

>> AND TALINA CARTER SAYS SHE KNOWS SOME PARENTS MIGHT BE HESITANT TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN BACK BUT THE CHICAGO YOUTH CENTERS THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO KEEP KIDS SAFE AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT ON TRACK.

PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, NICK.

BARBARA STREISAND, RICHARD PRYOR, DICK GREGORY IF YOU WERE A PERFORMER AND PLAYED Mr. KELLY'S YOU KNEW YOU WERE ON YOUR WAY.

A DOCUMENTARY ON WTTW SHARES THE HISTORY OF THE ICONIC PERFORMANCE VENUE THAT LAUNCHED SO MANY CAREERS.

LIVE AT Mr. KELLY'S TELLS THE STORY OF THE PLACE THAT PUT CHICAGO ON THE MAP AND FOUND AMERICAN CULTURE THROUGH JAZZ AND COMEDY AND SO MUCH MORE.

>> MY MIND THERE ARE TWO UNIQUELY AMERICAN ART FORMS: JAZZ AND STAND UP COMEDY.

AND Mr. KELLY'S WAS AN INCUBATOR FOR BOTH.

>> MANY OF THE MOST TALENTED AND FAMOUS RECORDING ARTISTS IN THE HISTORY OF POPULAR MUSIC, INCLUDING ELLA FITH GERALD, BILLY HOLIDAY, SARAH VAUGHAN, DELLA REESE AND ANITA OWE DAY.

RECORD LIVE AT Mr. KELLY'S.

[♪♪♪] >> A FAMILIAR VOICE NECESSARY GATING AND JOINING US IS THE >> DAVID MARIENTHAL WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT".

>> I'M GLAD YOU ARE A FAN OF THIS ERA.

>> AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE DOCUMENTARY.

FOR THOSE LIKE MYSELF NOT FORTUNATE TO BE AROUND TO GO TO Mr. KELLY'S OR LONDON HOUSE, REMIND VIEWERS THE REPUTATIONS THEY HAD IN CHICAGO AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

>> WELL, THEY WERE KNOWN AS THE TASTE MAKERS TO THE NATION.

AND THEY BROUGHT IN LITERALLY CURATED THE BEST UP-AND-COMING TALENT FROM AROUND THE NATION AND BROUGHT IT TO CHICAGO.

AND GAVE THESE STARS A PLACE TO REALLY HONE THEIR CAREERS.

>> AND WE MENTIONED THE NAMES AND YOU ADD IN PEOPLE LIKE BOB NEWHART OR STEVE MARTIN.

WAS IT JUST THAT YOUR FATHER AND UNCLE HAD THEIR FINGER ON THE PULINGS OF WHO WAS UP-AND-COMING AND THAT IS HOW IT DEVELOPED THE REPUTATION Mr. KELLY'S AS A PLACE TO CATCH THE HOT ACTS?

>> STARTING IN 1953 WHEN IT OPENED, MY UNCLE OSCAR HAD AN EYE FOR TALENT.

HE WAS IN AND OUT OF NEW YORK AND LA AND HE BROUGHT PEOPLE LIKE STREISAND AND THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS OUT OF THE COFFEE HOUSES OF NEW YORK CITY AND BROUGHT THEM INTO CHICAGO.

AND FOR YEARS HE HAD THIS VISION OF SINGER AND A STAND-UP COMIC.

HE WAS NOT SHY TO BRING IN CONTROVERSIAL, GROUNDBREAKING ACTS.

>> PUTTING CHICAGO ON THE MAP.

AND A LOT OF ARTISTS LIKE SARAH VAUGHAN THEY LOVED THE ATMOSPHERE AT Mr. KELLY WHEN THEY CUT THEIR LIVE ALBUMS THEY CUT IT THERE.

TELL US ABOUT THE ATMOSPHERE AT Mr. KELLY'S, WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?

>> YOU ARE CORRECT THESE WERE OBVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED STARS.

SARAH VAUGHAN, ELLA FITZGERALD, BILLY HOLIDAY.

THEY CAME INTO KELLY'S.

YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THESE STARS WERE PLAYING 10 SHOWS A WEEK, TWO ON THE WEEK AND THREE ON WEEKENDS UP TO TWO, 3:00 A.M. AND THEY WOULD STAY FOR TWO AND THREE WEEKS.

SO IT WAS AN AMAZING VENUE.

IT WAS A VERY INTIMATE SPOT.

ER THAT KITS TALKS LIKE YOU WERE ALMOST A PART OF AUDIENCE WHEN YOU WERE PERFORMING THERE.

AND THEY HAD GREAT FOOD THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CHICAGOANS REQUIRED.

THE BEST STEAKS.

THE BEST FISH.

AND MY FATHER REALLY TOOK CARE OF MAKING THAT RIGHT AND MAKING SURE THAT THE CUSTOMERS WERE TREATED RIGHT AND THE STAFF.

THEY WERE VERY GOOD TO THEIR STAFF OF ALL KINDS AND ALL COLORS.

THEY HAD EMPLOY EAST THAT STAYED WITH THEM FOR YEARS.

>> THE SLOGAN WAS MAKE A DATE WITH A STEAK.

AND YOU MENTIONED YOUR FATHER AND UNCLE DID NOT SHY AWAY FROM CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECTS.

LET'S LISTEN TO DICK GREGORY WHY HE LOVED PLAYING Mr. KELLY'S.

>> AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN THE AUDIENCE AS WELL?

>> AT KELLY'S?

>> KELLY'S, NO PLACE ELSE.

THAT IS ONE OF THE SAFE PLACES WE KNEW WE COULD GO.

>> THEY ARE BRINGING IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN ARTISTS, LATINO ARTISTS AND MALE AND FEMALE AND THE CROWD, AFRICAN-AMERICANS FEEL THAT IS A SAFE PLACE FOR THEM TO GO ONE OF THE FEW SAFE PLACES INTEGREATED PLACE.

WAS THAT IMPORTANT TO THE FAMILY TO CULTIVATE A PLACE LIKE THAT IN CONTROVERSIAL TIMES?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I NEVER HEARD THEM PREACH IT AS SUCH BUT MY FATHER TOLD ME, HE SAID THERE WAS ONE ROLE AND THAT WAS THE GOAL AND YOU SHOULD TREAT PEOPLE FAIRLY AND OBVIOUSLY THAT DIDN'T RESTRICT PEOPLE OF ANY COLOR.

AND SO CERTAINLY THEY WERE FORWARD THINKING BUT IT WAS A SIGN OF THE TIMES.

THERE WERE A FEW CLUBS IN CHICAGO THAT WE HAVE THE ARTICLE FROM THE CHICAGO DEFENDER THAT SAYS THEY THESE VENUES WELCOMING THE CPA TRADE A LONG WITH PROFESSIONAL SPORTS THINGS WERE OPENING UP.

BUT THE BROTHERS MADE IT SURE THAT PEOPLE FELT WELCOME.

WE HAVE A GREAT STORY OF EARN ANY BANKS SITTING DOWN AN A WHITE COUPLE GOT UP AND WALKED OUT.

AND MY COUSIN WORKING THERE AT THE TIME SAT DOWN AND HAD DINNER WITH ERNIE.

THEY MADE SURE THAT EVERYBODY FELT GOOD.

>> AND IT WASN'T JUST THAT BUT COMICS START TO REALLY STRETCH THE LIMITS HERE OF WHAT IS APPROPRIATE ESPECIALLY AS WE GET INTO THE LATE 60s AND THINGS GET TURBULENT.

HOW COME YOUR FATHER AND UNCLE WERE COOL WITH THAT?

THEY DIDN'T SHY AWAY FROM COMICS THAT WOULD COME IN AND SORT OF TEST OUT THE CONTROVERSIAL MATERIAL?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT WAS A COMBINATION OF WILLING TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES AND THEY WERE RUNNING A BUSINESS AS WELL.

IT WAS JUST A VERY INTERESTING TIME BECAUSE THEY COULD HAVE A VERY NOT ONLY WAS THE CROWD INTEGRATED BUT IT WAS BUSINESS PEOPLE, CONVENTIONEERS, FAMILIES FROM THE SUBURBS.

AS WELL AS THE HIP CROWD THE BEAT KNICKS AT THE TIME.

IT WAS A MIX AND PEOPLE WERE WILLING TO GET TOGETHER AND SHARE AND WATCH LIKE THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS ENTERTAIN AT THE SAME TIME PROMOTE FREE SPEECH AND ANTIWAR AND I THINK THAT WAS THE COMMON GROUND THIS WAS ENTERTAINMENT.

PEOPLE WERE LAUGHING.

SO YOU COULD DICK GREGORY DOES TELL JOKES THAT I DON'T KNOW IF HE CAN GET AWAY WITH TODAY ABOUT SLUM CLEARANCE, ABOUT SEGREGATION, AND PEOPLE WERE LAUGHING.

THAT'S WHAT BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.

>> YOU HAD ACTS LIKE TIM AND TOM, FROM HARVEY WHO THEY WERE A BLACK AND WHITE ACT.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

YOU WERE YOUNG WHEN IT WAS STILL AROUND.

DO YOU HAVE MEMORIES OF FAVORITE ACTS THAT YOU SAW AT Mr. KELLY'S?

>> WELL, I HAVE A LOT OF GREAT, GREAT MEMORIES AND THE FILM IS A COMBINATION OF THE SOCIAL MOVEMENTS THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, THE GREAT ENTERTAINERS THAT GOT THEIR START AND SOMEWHAT OF MY PERSONAL AND THE BROTHERS FAMILY AND OUR EDITOR, SCOTT, AND DIRECTOR TEDDY WERE ABLE TO INTERWEAVE THESE STORIES IN AN ENGAGING WAY.

AS A KID I WOULD GO IN AND MY FAVORITE ACTS WERE ONES THAT WERE FUN.

I LOVED LESS MCCANN MY FATHER WOULD ENTERTAIN THE ENTERTAINERS AND LESS WOULD COME IN THE BACK AND PLAY WITH MYSELF AND MY BROTHERS.

THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS WOULD GOOF AROUND WITH US AND BE FUNNY.

OF COURSE I WAS BLOWN AWAY WHEN I SAW BARBARA STREISAND AT 12 YEARS OLD AND WALKS UP AS A KID AND OPENS HER MOUTH AND YOU KNEW YOU WERE IN THE PRESENCE OF GENIUS.

>> AND YOU OPEN THE FILM TALKING ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT Mr. KELLY'S WAS TO HER AND SHE DID A PHOTO SHOOT WHICH BECAME THE COVER OF HER ALBUM PEOPLE.

GREAT STORIES AND WISH WE COULD TELL THEM ALL BUT VIEWERS GET TO WATCH IN A BIT.

THANK YOU TO DAVID MARIENTHAL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF GREAT STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE AT WWW Mr. KELLY'S CHICAGO.COM.

AND THE FILM WILL BE RELEASED IN THE FALL.

>> CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT AND LIVE AT Mr. KELLY'S AIRS TONIGHT AT 8:00 P.M. ON WTTW AS WE MENTIONED.

UP NEXT A PREMEMBER CAL DAY ENCORE PRESENTATION OF "ASK GEOFFREY".

FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... A PIECE OF CIVIL WAR HISTORY IS BEING RESTORED IN ONE OF CHICAGO'S MOST WELL-KNOWN PUBLIC BUILDINGS BUT WHAT WAS IT DOING THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE?

GEOFFREY BAER HAS THE ANSWER IN THIS WEEK'S "ASK GEOFFREY" OR DOES HE?

HOW'S IT GOING?

>> GREAT HOW ARE YOU?

>> THERE WAS MYSTERIOUSNESS WITH THE WAY I ASKED THAT QUESTION.

OUR LETTER IS... >> I THOUGHT WE WOULD START OFF DIFFERENTLY.

I WILL ASK YOU A QUIZ QUESTION ON THIS SUBJECT.

I WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU A MULTIPLE CHOICES HERE.

AND YOUR LEAD IN GAVE AWAY THE ANSWER.

LET'S SEE WHAT WE'VE GOT.

WHAT DOES GAR STAND FOR?

DOES IT STAND FOR...

GENTLEMAN AUTHORS ROOM?

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC GARFIELD, ADAMS AND ROOSEVELT OR THE GENERAL ARCHIVE AND REPOSITORY.

>> THE CIVIL CAR IN THE LEAD THAT GAVE IT AWAY I HAVE TO GO WITH THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.

>> YOU ARE CORRECT GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.

SO THE GAR WAS ESSENTIALLY A FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION AND SOCIAL CLUB FOR VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR ON THE UNION SIDE.

WAS ESTABLISHED THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF CHAPTERS ESTABLISHED ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY.

THE GROUP HAD REGULAR MEETINGS AND HELD PARADES I LOVE THIS PICTURE.

LOOK AT THE GUY OFF THE ROOF.

COMMEMORATING THEIR TIME IN THE SERVICE IN SOME WAYS IT WAS LIKE A PROTO VFW AND THE GAR HAD A MEETING KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT AND IN 1900 IT WAS HELD HERE IN CHICAGO AND YOU WILL NOTICE IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THIS POSTER A BUILDING THAT MIGHT LOOK FAMILIAR TO YOU LABELED MEMORIAL HALL GAR.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT BUILDING IS?

>> GEOFFREY SINCE WE MENTIONED THE CULTURAL CENTER THAT IS THE CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER WHICH WAS THE FIRST CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY.

>> YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY.

THAT IS WHAT HE WE CALL THE CULTURAL CENTER LOCATED ON MICHIGAN AVENUE ACROSS FROM MILLENNIUM PARK.

>> HOW DID THE GAR, THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MANAGE TO SCORE SPACE AT THE LIBRARY?

>> IT ACTUALLY WE MIGHT ASK HOW DID THE LIBRARY MANAGE TO SCORE SPACE IN THE GAR HALL?

BECAUSE IN THE LATE 1800'S WHEN THE CITY WAS LOOKING FOR A SITE TO BUILD A LIBRARY THEY DECIDED WHAT SEEMED AT THE TIME TO BE THE PERFECT LOCATION ON MICHIGAN AVENUE BUT THERE WAS A CATCH.

PORTIONS OF THE LAND WERE OWNED BY THE GAR WHICH HOPED TO USE IT AS A CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL.

THE LAND HAD BEEN GIVEN TO CIVIL WAR VETERANS GROUPS BY THE STATE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE.

THE CITY GOT A COMPROMISE.

AND PARTS OF THE NORTHERN SECTION OF THE BUILDING BECAME THE GAR'S CHICAGO HEADQUARTERS WHERE THEY HELD MEETINGS AND HOSTED AN EXHIBITION OF CIVIL WAR MEMORABILIA IN CASES.

TODAY, THE SPACE IS USED FOR ALL KINDS OF PRIVATE FUNCTIONS, AND PUBLIC EVENTS INCLUDING THE CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE BIENNIAL SEEN HERE IN 2019.

AND AS QUESTIONER MENTIONS THE GAR ROOMS ARE UNDERGOING RESTORATION PROJECT.

THIS INCLUDES REFURBISHING THE DOME OUTSIDE THE GAR MEMORIAL HALL IN THE ROTUNDA THERE DESIGNED BY THE BUILDING'S ARCHITECT.

AND FABRICATED BY THE RENOWNED ART GLASS COMPANY HEALY AND MILLION LAY.

AND THIS IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE FAMOUS TIFFANY GLASS DOME AT THE SOUTHERN END WHICH WAS MAGNIFICENTLY RESTORED A FEW YEARS AGO.

THE PROJECT IS RESTORING MORE OF THE SURFACES WALLS AND IN THE MEMORIAL HALL ORNAMENTED WITH SYMBOLS OF WAR THROUGHOUT HISTORY.

>> THANK YOU GEOFFREY.

AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE GAR AND SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS TO GEOFFREY BAER.

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

GREAT PROGRAMMING COMING UP AND THAT IS OUR SHOW.

STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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

AND OF COURSE YOU CAN GET THE SHOW ON VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

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

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND WARM AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]