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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WITH A FORMER MEDINAH TEMPLE PLANNED AS A TEMPORARY CASINO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE BRIEFED ON THE PLAN TO BRING BALLY'S CASINO TO RIVER WEST.

>> YOUR RISK OF CATCHING COVID-19 IS NOW AT A MEDIUM LEVEL IF YOU LIVE IN CHILDREN R SRN ILLINOIS COUNTIES.

CHICAGO'S TOP HEALTH OFFICIAL ON WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.

>> THAT IS WHAT J.B. PRITZKER WANTS US TO BE TALKING ABOUT.

>> RICHARD IRVIN WILL NOT SAY IF HE VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP OR SUPPORTS AN ABORTION BAN.

>> A WAY TO ROOT OUT POLICE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN MISCONDUCT.

>> OUR VICTIMS DESERVE JUSTICE AND THEIR FAMILIES DESERVE CLOSURE.

>> THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS LAWNING A NEW VIDEO SERIES HIGHLIGHTING MISSING PERSONS CASES.

HEAR FROM MOTHERS WHOSE KIDS HAVE BEEN MISSING FOR YEARS.

>> WE'RE WORKING ON P CIRCLES AND POP-UP SHOPS THAT WE ARE GOING TO USE FOR OUR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS.

>> THE AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD IS SET TO UNDERGO A TRANSFORMATION.

HOW A GROUP OF TEENAGERS ARE JOINING IN.

>> WE FEEL THAT OUR CULTURE DESERVES TO BE PERIOD.

>> AND A SHOP BRING ALL THE COLORS OF MEXICO TO CHICAGO'S DOWNTOWN HOPES TO STAKE A PERMANENT CLAIM ON THE MAG MILE.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> BREAKING NEWS ON A CHICAGO ALDERMANIC WARD REMAP TONIGHT.

SOURCES CONFIRMED TO WTTW NEWS THAT THE TWO COMPETING FACTIONS HAVE REACHED A DEAL.

ACCORDING TO THE SOURCES THE GROUP FRONTED BY THE COUNSEL'S LATINO CAUCUS WILL SUPPORT A PROPOSAL THAT HAS BEEN PUSHED BY THE BRACK CAUCUS.

THIS WOULD -- BLACK CAUCUS, 16 MAJORITY WARDS TO 14 LATINO WARDS.

IT AVOIDS THE ISSUE FROM GOING TO A PUBLIC REFERENDUM.

THERE'S MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> THE CITY OF CHICAGO IS SET AGO SIDE HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO SUPPORT REPRODUCTION HEALTHCARE ACCESS INCLUDING ACCESS TO ABORTIONS.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYS THE JUSTICE FOR ALL PLEDGE FUND INSURES THE CITY IS A SAFE HAVEN FOR CHICAGOANS AND THOSE OUTSIDE THE CITY OR STATE TO ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE AND OTHER HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

WE WILL PROTECT AND INCREASE ACCESS TO ALL SAFE, REPRODUCTIVE OBSTETRIC HEALTHCARE REGARDLESS OF PATIENT'S AGE, SEX, IDENTITY, RACE, DISABILITY, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, IMMIGRATION STATUS OR PLACE OF RESIDENCE.

>> THE MOVE COMES IN THE WAKE OF A LEAKED DRAFT OPINION FROM THE U.S. SUPREME COURT THAT INDICATES THE COURT APPEARS TO BE ON TRACK TO OVERTURN ROE VS. WADE AND TURN THE ISSUE OF ABORTION BACK TO THE STATES.

>> CHICAGO POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN RENEWS HIS CALLS FOR SUSPECTS CHARGED WITH VIOLENT CRIMES TO REMAINED IN JAIL PRIOR TO TRIAL.

BROWN'S COMMENTS COME AFTER ANOTHER VIOLENT WEEKEND IN CHICAGO WITH SIX PEOPLE KILLED AND 24 OTHERS WOUNDED IN 19 SEPARATE SHOOTINGS BETWEEN FRIDAY EXAND SUNDAY NIGHT.

>> WE ARE ARRESTING PEOPLE OVER AND OVER AGAIN WITH PREVIOUS CRIMINAL HISTORIES GETTING OUT OF JAIL AND CONTINUING TO COMMIT CRIME.

WITHOUT ANY REAL CONSEQUENCES.

WHEN WE DO MAKE THESE ARRESTS, MANY OF THESE DANGEROUS PEOPLE NEED TO BE HELD UNTIL TRIAL INSTEAD OF BEING RELEASED.

>> A PRIVATE U.S. COMPANY THAT IS A WORLD LEADER IN FACIAL RECOGNITION SURVEILLANCE IS BANNED FROM SELLING ITS PRODUCTS IN ILLINOIS AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

CLEAR VIEW AI CLAIMS TO HAVE CAPTURED MORE THAN 10 BILLION FACE PRINTS OF PEOPLE FROM ON-LINE PHOTOS.

UNDER A SETTLEMENT TODAY CLEAR VIEW WAS PERMANENTLY BANNED FROM MAKING THE DATABASE AVAILABLE TO BUSINESSES AND ENTITIES NATIONWIDE INCLUDING SEG ACCESS TO STATE AND DATABASE TO POLICE FOR FIVE YEARS.

IT CAME AFTER THE LAWSUIT CLAIMED CLEAR VIEW VIOLATED ILLINOIS' BIOMETRIC LAW.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS GAVE MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S DECISION TO PLACE A HIGH STAKES BET ON BALLY'S TO BUILD A CASINO IN RIVER WEST A COOL RECEPTION TODAY.

IT COMES AS THE MAYOR'S TEAM URGED THEM TO QUICKLY APPROVE THE PROPOSAL AND AVERT MASSIVE PROPERTY TAX HIKES.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US WITH A LOOK WHAT HAPPENED WHEN LIGHTFOOT'S PICK FACED THE FIRST TEST DURING A SIX-AND-A-HALF HOUR MEETING TODAY.

WHY THE CHILLY RECEPTION?

>> ALDERPEOPLE HAD THE GAMUT OF CONCERNS.

THEY WANTED TO KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY WOULD IT ACTUALLY BRING TO CHICAGO, WHO WOULD WORK THERE, WHO WOULD BUILD IT AND WHETHER IT WOULD PROTECT THE CHICAGO RIVER.

AND NOBODY FELT LIKE THEY GOT GOOD ENOUGH ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS AND THEY WERE, I THINK, ESPECIALLY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE ORAL NATIONALLY WHEN THE MEETING WAS SCHEDULED LAST WEEK THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE DISCUSSING ALL THREE FINALISTS BEFORE MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT MADE THAT HIGH STAKES BET YOU MENTIONED >> AND BRAN DAN REILLY HAS LED THE CHARGE AND IS AGAINST THE NOTION OF HOUSING A TEMPORARY CASINO AT THE MEDINAH TEMPLE IN RIVER NORTH.

YOU ASKED MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ABOUT THAT PLAN.

LET'S HEAR HER RESPONSE... >> BALLY'S HAVE TO GO WHERE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MAXIMIZE REVENUES.

WE HAVE EVALUATED IT AND WE'LL SUPPORT IT.

>> MEDINAH TEMPLE THE FORMER HOME OF BLOOMINGDALES.

WHY IS REILLY OPPOSED TO THAT?

>> IT WOULD HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN RIVER NORTH.

TWO OR THREE RESTAURANTS AS WELL AS 800 GAMING POSITIONS.

AND HE GOT THE CITY OFFICIALS TO ADMIT THAT THEY HAVE NOT STUDIED WHAT THIS TEMPORARY CASINO WOULD MEAN FOR THE TRAFFIC IN THE AREA.

WHICH EVERYBODY KNOWS IS NOT GREAT ON A NORMAL DAY.

AND THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF CONFUSION ABOUT WHO ACTUALLY WANTS TO PUT THE TEMPORARY CASINO THERE.

WE HEARD MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAY IT WAS BALLY'S IDEA.

BUT BALLY'S PROPOSAL WANTED TO PUT THE TEMPORARY CASINO ON AN UNUSED WAREHOUSE ON THE TRIBUNE PROPERTY WHERE THIS THE PERMANENT CASINO WILL BE BUILT.

THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT TEMPORARY CASINO.

AND WHETHER THE ALDERPEOPLE WILL HAVE THE VOTES TO BLOCK THEM FROM BEING ABLE TO SERVE ALCOHOL THERE.

>> A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND NONANSWERS AND YET THE MAYOR WANTS THIS FAST TRACKED FOR A VOTE ON MAY 23.

HOW COME SO QUICK?

>> WELL, COLD, HARD CASH.

WE'VE TALKED ADD NASEUM HOW THIS CASINO WILL BRING $200 MILLION TO THE CITY TO BE USED FOR POLICE AND FIRE PENSIONS.

THE CITY'S CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER SAID THE CITY IS FACING DOWN A DEFICIT OF 826 MILLION IN 2023.

THIS CASINO WILL CHIP AWAY AT THAT.

THAT WAS A SURPRISE TO ALDERPEOPLE WHO 20 DAYS AGO THE MAYOR GOING TO THE CITY CLUB OF CHICAGO AND SAYING THE CITY WAS IN A GREAT FINANCIAL POSITION WITH REVENUES COMING IN MORE TAN $200 MILLION MORE THAN EXPECTED AND PERHAPS ENDING WITH A SURPLUS.

THERE WILL BE ABOUT THE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NEED TO FAST TRACK THIS CASINO AND RELUCTANCE BY MANY TO DO SO.

>> I DO MAKE THAT COMMENT.

I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED.

HEATHER THANK YOU.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

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

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS FOR A LOOK AT THE RISE OF COVID-19 CASES WITH CHICAGO'S TOP DOC.

>> PARIS, RESIDENTS IN CHICAGO, COOK COUNTY AND SEVERAL SURROUNDING COUNTIES ARE ALL AT MEDIUM RISK FROM CONTRACTING COVID AS COOK COUNTY AS A RATE OF MORE THAN 259 CONFIRMED CASES PER 100,000 RESIDENTS PROMPTING HEALTH OFFICIALS TO ENCOURAGE MASKING UP BUT STOPPING SHORT OF REQUIRING IT.

JOINING US IS Dr. ALLISON ARWADY.

WELCOME BACK, DOCTOR.

HOW SHOULD RESIDENTS REACT TO THIS ELEVATED RISK?

>> SO, WE TRY TO KEEP IT SIMPLE.

LOW, MEDIUM AND HIGH.

AND THE FACT WE'VE MOVED FROM LOW INTO MEDIUM FOR ME IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF A LIGHT OF CAUTION FOR PEOPLE.

WE ARE ASKING FOLKS TO PUT THOSE MASKS BACK ON IF YOU ARE IN SETTINGS WHERE YOU DON'T NOVATION STATUS INDOORS.

-- VACCINATION STATUS INDOORS F WE WERE GET TO A HIGH LEVEL WHICH I AM NOT ANTICIPATING ANYTIME SOON, THAT IS WHEN WE MIGHT BE PUTTING REQUIREMENTS BACK ON.

ASKING PEOPLE TO HAVE MORE AWARENESS THERE IS MORE COVID AROUND.

WE WISH IT WEREN'T HERE AT ALL.

EVERYBODY PROBABLY KNOWS SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD COVID.

WE'RE SEEING FEW INFECTION TURN INTO SERIOUS ILLNESS MOSTLY BECAUSE OF VACCINATION.

GET UP-TO-DATE ON VACCINES AND BOOSTERS.

KEEP THAT MASK HANDY AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE WEARING IT ON PUBLIC TRANSIT AND OTHER SETTINGS AND KEEP DOING THE OTHER THINGS RELATED TO TESTING.

AND ISOLATING AND QUARANTINING.

>> RESIDENTS IN COOK COUNTY AND SEVEN NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS COUNTIES, McHENRY, LAKE, DEKALB, KENDEL, DUPAGE AND WILL AT MEDIUM RISK AS AS OTHER COUNTIES ARE AT THIS MEDIUM RISK, DOCTOR WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE INCREASING NUMBERS?

>> THAT COVID VIRUSES CONTINUE TO MUTATE AND CHANGE.

WE ARE STILL SEEING ALL OMICRON JUST TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT WE'RE WHAT WE CALL SUBVARIANTS OF OMICRON WHERE THE VIRUS CONTINUES TO ADAPT JUST A LITTLE BIT TO BE A LITTLE MORE INFECTIOUS, A LITTLE MORE CONTAGIOUS BEHAVE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENTLY.

EACH TIME WE SEE THE VIRUS CHANGE WE SEE THE LITTLE WAVES OF INCREASES OF INFECTION AND WE'RE TESTING A LOT IN THE CHICAGO AND NORTHERN ILLINOIS AREA.

MEANING THAT OUR CASE RATES WILL LOOK HIGHER BECAUSE WE ARE NOT MISSING AS MANY PEOPLE WITH COVID.

OUR POSITIVITY RATE IS BELOW 5%.

WHEN WE PUT EVERYTHING TOGETHER WE ARE JUST MOVING INTO THE MEDIUM RANGE AND I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT.

BECAUSE I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHEN TO TAKE MORE PRECAUTIONS.

BUT IT IS NOT A MOMENT FOR PANIC.

I CERTAINLY AM MY CHANGING MY PLANS.

I'M PUTTING MY MASK ON MORE OFTEN WHEN I'M GOING OUT RIGHT NOW.

>> YOUR OFFICE SAYS FRIDAY OUR TEST POSITIVITY BELOW -- 4.4% BUT THAT IS UP FROM 3.8% THE WEEK BEFORE.

AND CONFIRMED CASES UP TO 788 FROM 674 THE WEEK BEFORE.

WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT AND AT WHAT POINT DO YOU GET CONCERNED?

>> SO WE'VE SET SPECIFIC THRESHOLDS WHEN WE WOULD HIT THAT POTENTIALLY HIGHER RISK.

THE NUMBER OF CASES A DAY IF YOU TRANSLATE WE ARE HERE IN CHICAGO AROUND THAT 200 PER 100,000 LAST WEEKDAYSES.

AND THAT IS WHAT PUSHED US INTO MEDIUM.

NOT JUST CASES NOT HOSPITAL BEDS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS BUT IF WE STARTED TO SEE SIGNIFICANT STRAIN ON OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM A HIGHER NUMBER OF CHICAGOANS BEING HOSPITALIZED OR MANY MORE HOSPITAL BEDS TAKEN UP WITH COVID PATIENTS THAT WOULD BE THE SIGNAL WHEN WE WOULD NEED TO TAKE MORE ACTION.

WE'RE HOPING WE DON'T GET THERE.

I THINK WHAT IS DRIVING SOME OF IT IS MOSTLY PEOPLE FEELING RELAXED ABOUT COVID.

WE ACTUALLY ARE SEEING HIGHER RATES IN SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES THAN RIGHT HERE IN THE CITY.

BUT WHATEVER YOU START TO SEE INCREASES WE'RE SEEING FIRST TIME INFECTIONS.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE AVOIDED COVID.

AND MANY ARE FULLY VACCINATED AND BOOSTED AND SEEING BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS.

IT IS SHOWING UP DIFFERENTLY THAN IT HAS IN SOME OF THE EARLIER PARTS OF THE PANDEMIC.

JUST ASKING EVERYBODY GET UP-TO-DATE WITH THE VACCINES.

AND THINK ABOUT PUTTING THAT MASK ON IF YOU ARE IN INSIDE SETTINGS.

>> A COUPLE WEEKS AGO Dr. ANTHONY FAUCI HAD TO CLARIFY, WE ARE OUT OF THE PHASE OF THE PANDEMIC IN THE COUNTRY, MEANING THE ACUTE OUTBREAK WHEN CAN WE START TALKING ABOUT THE ENDEMIC PHASE?

>> I THINK EVERYBODY THINKS THAT COVID IS RELATIVELY ENDEMIC.

ENDEMIC MEANS HERE WITH US ALL THE TIME AS OPPOSED TO SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE IRRADICATED.

BUT THE REASON WE'VE TRIED TO SIMPLIFY IT, WHEN WE ARE AT A LOW COVID-19 LEVEL, MASKS ARE OPTIONAL.

WE SHOULD BE ANYTHING TO HELP DECREASE THE RISK IF THERE ARE FOLKS HIGHLY VULNERABLE BUT NOT A PUT OF MAJOR CONCERN.

HIGH IS WHEN WE'RE WORRIED AND MEDIUM WHERE WE ARE NOW IS IN-BETWEEN.

I THINK IT'S LIKELY WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE THE UP AND DOWN WAVES.

THE WAY THIS IS SHOWING UP IS HOW THE EARLIER VARIANTS ALPHA SHOWED UP.

IT'S NOT SHOWING UP LIKE THE BIG OMICRON SURGE AND THE VERY OUT OF CONTROL OUTBREAKS.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WITH VARIANTS.

IF THIS VIRUS DID DID NOT CONTINUE TO MUTATE WE WOULD BE IN BEAUTIFUL SHAPE.

BUT IT DOES.

AND AS IT CONTINUES TO MUTATE THAT IS WHAT PART OF MAKES IT LESS PREDICTABLE.

WE SAY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE THE INFORMATION HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND AT THE POINT WE ARE NOW IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE THE PRIMARY THINGS DRIVING ALL THE DECISIONS IN YOUR LIFE LIKE IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN EARLY ON AND THINKING ABOUT THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS OF COVID AND WANTING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE IN RECOVERY MODE AS A CITY EVEN WHILE WE CONTINUE TO FOLLOW VERY CLOSELY.

IF WE NEED TO MAJOR ALARM WE WOULD DO THAT AGAIN, OF COURSE >> THE WHITE HOUSE BRIEFLY IS WARNING THAT THE U.S. COULD SEE 100 MILLION COVID-19 INFECTIONS THIS FALL AND WINTER.

HERE IS WHITE HOUSE COVID-19 RESPONSE COORDINATOR.

>> IF WE DON'T GET AHEAD OF THIS THING, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT ARE WANING IMMUNITY AND THE VIRUS CONTINUES TO EVOLVE AND WE MAY SEE INFECTIONS, HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS.

>> AND THE WHITE HOUSE CALLS ON CONGRESS FOR FUNDING.

Dr. ARWADY 30 SECONDS LEFT WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THAT PREDICTION?

>> I THINK WE ARE FEELING LIKE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THIS VIRUS MAY BE MORE SEASONAL.

IT'S BEEN SEASONAL HERE IN CHICAGO BUT THAT HAS NOT BEEN TRUE EVERYWHERE.

WE ARE USED TO THINKING ABOUT FLU SEASON WE MAYBE THINKING, FLU AND COLD AND RESPIRATORY SEASON.

I THINK IT'S LIKELY IN THE FALL WE MAY BE RECOMMENDING A ROUND OF BOOSTERS OR UPDATED VACCINE POSSIBLY FOR EVERYBODY.

RIGHT NOW, IN THE SPRING AND THE SUMMER IN THE ABSENCE OF NEW VARIANT EMERGING I AM A CONFIDENT WE SHOULD HAVE A GOOD SUMMER AND WITH EVERYTHING WARMING UP IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE WHICH IS BEST TO LIMIT RISK.

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

>> NOW PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

AURORA MAYOR AND GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE RICHARD IRVIN HELD A RARE NEWS CONFERENCE WHERE HE SLAMMED J.B. PRITZKER'S HANDLE OF A COVID OUTBREAK IN A VETERAN'S HOME AND DODGED QUESTIONS QUESTIONS IF HE VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP AND HE SUPPORTS A NATIONWIDE BAN ON ABORTION.

NICK BLUMBERG WAS THERE.

>> PARIS, IRVIN WAS JOINED BY HIS CANDIDATE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, STATE REPRESENTATIVE AVERY BOURNE AS WELL AS TWO OTHER G.O.P.

STATE LAWMAKERS.

ALL OF WHOM SAY THE PRITZKER ADMINISTRATION AND THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FAILED TO ADEQUATELY RESPOND TO THE LASALLE HOME WHERE 36 RESIDENTS DIED.

WHEN THEY HOPED THINGS UP FOR QUESTIONS IRVIN WAS IMMEDIATELY ASKING ABOUT THE LEAKED BROADCAST OF THE SUPREME COURT DOCUMENT SIGNALING AN OVERTURNING.

>> I'M PRO-LIFE.

UNTIL WE GET THE DECISION FROM THE SUPREME COURT IT'S IMPORTANT WE DON'T SPECULATE WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL BE.

>> IRVIN SAYS ABORTIONS SHOULD BE ALLOWED IN CASES OF RAPE, INCEST OR WHEN THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER IS AT RISK.

BUT REPEATEDLY ASKED IF HE SUPPORTS A NATIONWIDE BAN ON ABORTION WHICH MITCH McCONNELL SAID IT IS A POSSIBILITY AND PIVOTED TO ATTACKS ON PRITZKER.

>> I CAN'T TALK ABOUT MITCH McCONNELL AND WHAT HE SAID AND WHAT ANY NATIONAL.

IN ILLINOIS, IN ILLINOIS, I'M RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

I'M NOT TALKING WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO DO.

WE HAVE OUR OWN LEGISLATURE AND WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY IS AN EXTREME THINGS THAT J.B. PRITZKER IS DOING.

>> AND THE ISSUE IRVIN CITED WAS THE MEASURE PRITZKER SIGNED TOO LAW MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR MINORS TO GET AN ABORTION IN ILLINOIS WITHOUT PARENTS BEING NOTIFIED.

>> IRVIN WAS ASKED ABOUT HIS PRIOR VOTING RECORD.

DID HE GIVE ANSWERS ON THAT?

>> NO HE DIDN'T.

HE IS RUNNING FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION HE PULLED DEMOCRATIC BALLOTS IN AND DID NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS TODAY ABOUT WHETHER HE VOTED FOR FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT J.B. PRITZKER WANTS.

THAT WHAT J.B. PRITZKER WANTS ALL OF YOU TO BE TALKING.

TALKING ABOUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN HIS FAILURES AND RECORDS AND MY SUCCESSES AS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AURORA TRUMP HIS FAILURES.

VOTERS KNOW MY RECORD.

I'M PRO-LIFE.

LET ME FINISH.

WHAT I'M HEARING AROUND THE STATE IS PEOPLE WANT TO FOCUS ON THE FUTURE AND THE FACT THAT TAXES AND ARE OUT OF CONTROL.

CORRUPTION IS OUT OF CONTROL.

THE CRIME IN THE STATE IS OUT OF CONTROL.

>> ALSO QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS VOTING RECORD.

CLEARLY THE ISSUES DOMINATED THE Q AND A.

WHAT DID IRVIN AND BACKERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE AUDIT AT THE LASALLE DEATHS?

>> THEY BLAME THE BLAME AT GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S FEET.

HE HAS DEFENDED HIMSELF SAYING HE FIRED THE V.A.

DIRECTOR WHEN HE LEARNED OF THE PROBLEM.

BUT IRVIN AND REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS AND AVERY BOURNE SAY IT WAS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TOOK 12 DAYS TO VISIT THE HOME DESPITE GETTING REPEATED UPDATES ABOUT THE SPREAD OF COVID.

>> THE STATE OF ILLINOIS EXPERIENCED A TRAGEDY AT THE QUINCY VETERANS HOME THAT GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER WAS HAPPY TO CAMPAIGN ON WHEN HE RAN FOR GOVERNOR.

BUT HIS WORDS DURING THE CAMPAIGN AND THE PANDEMIC DID NOT MATCH THE ACTIONS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION WHEN CONFRONTED WITH A TRAGEDY AT A VETERAN'S HOME.

>> TODAY'S EVENT WAS A RARE APPEARANCE BEFORE THE MEDIA FOR IRVIN.

MOSTLY RELIED ON A CAMPAIGN ADS.

IRVIN'S CAMPAIGN HAS GOTTEN $45 MILLION FROM KEN GRIFFIN THE STATE'S RICHEST MAN.

GRIFFIN'S TRADING FIRM BENEFITED FROM THE BUSINESS DEALINGS WITH A COMPANY THAT GOT AID FROM IRVIN AND CITY OF AURORA CONTRACTS ABOARDING TO RECORD -- ACCORDING TO REPORTING FROM BLOOMBERG AND WTTW NEWS.

AND AS HAVE OTHER INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES THAT RECEIVED BIG MONEY CITY INCENTIVE.

WE WILL ALL THE DETAILS ABOUT THAT WTTW NEWS REPORTING ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> A LOT OF QUESTIONS THE MAYOR HAS NOT ANSWERED BUT WE WILL KEEP ASKING.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT AN ORGANIZATION TURNING STUDENTS INTO URBAN DESIGNERS.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING A LOOK AT A NEW WAY RESEARCHERS FOUND TO ROOT OUT POLICE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN MISCONDUCT.

BUT FIRST, A GROUP OF TEENAGERS IS STEPPING INTO THE SHOES OF ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS TO HELP IMPROVE THEIR COMMUNITY.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" JOANNA HERNANDEZ SPEAKS WITH A LOCAL ORGANIZATION THAT IS ON A MISSION TO CREATE LEADERS THROUGH URBAN DESIGN.

>> THAT IS DEFINITELY A NICE ROOM FOR SEEDING.

>> ALONG CHICAGO AVENUE STUDENTS TO RENOVATE THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> WE'RE GOING TO BE MARKING OUT CIRCLES AND FIGURE OUT WHICH SIDEWALK WORKS FOR US.

TO SEE IF WE CAN DO A NATURALLY PIECE THAT WILL BE OUR BASE AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

I GOT YOU GUYS RIGHT HERE.

>> KEISHJUAN OWENS IS A PROGRAM MANAGER INTERN AT TERRITORIES A YOUTH DRIVEN NONPROFIT TEACHING STUDENTS URBAN DESIGN.

HE IS WORKING WITH TEENAGERS TO DESIGN ELEMENTS AIMED AT UPLIFTING THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY.

>> THIS IS REAL-LIFE.

WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE AND MORE OF US CHANGE CAN HAPPEN FASTER.

THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY IS MAKING THEM START TO RESPECT ONE ANOTHER AND OPTIMISTIC FOR THE FUTURE.

>> THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE CITY'S INVEST SOUTHWEST INITIATIVE TO REVITALIZE CHICAGO AVENUE FROM AUSTIN BOULEVARD TO CICERO AVENUE.

STREET SKAP SCAPE IMPROVEMENT FROM EDGE OF BUILDING TO EDGE OF BUILDINGS.

REPLACING THE SIDEWALK, CURBS, REPLACING THE LIGHTS SO A NEW ESTHETIC TREATMENT FOR THE CORRIDOR AND GIVE IT A NICE MODERN FEEL AND WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO ALLOW THEM TO PUT THEIR TOUCH ON IT.

>> THE VISION IS TO TRANSFORM THE AREA INTO SOUL CITY CORRIDOR SUPPORTING BLACK BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

TERRITORIES PROJECT IS FOCUSED ON CREATING SAFE SPACES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO HOST OUTDOOR POP-UP MARKETS AND FASHION SHOWS.

>> I WANT TO SEE EVERYBODY IN MY COMMUNITY GET TOGETHER TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY LOOK BETTER.

>> WE ALL THINK THE SAME THING SO GET ON THE COURT.

>> JARVIS REED IS ONE OF THE PARTICIPANT.

>> JACARA WALKER.

A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY SUFFERING IN SILENCE AND THE PEACE CIRCLE WILL GIVE STRANGERS AND PEOPLE THAT YOU MIGHT KNOW SIT DOWN AT THE PEACE CIRCLE AND TALK ABOUT ANYTHING YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT.

>> STUDENTS GET HANDS ON EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS.

PROGRAM MANAGER ISOBEL ARAUJOT HAS THE PROGRAM EMPOWERS TEENS TO BE THE CHANGE THEY NEED IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> SEEING YOUNG PEOPLE FIND POWERTH THEIR VOICE WHETHER THAT IS PRESENTING AT A COMMUNITY MEETING OR BUILDING A DESIGN BUILD VOCABULARY WITH PEERS OR OCCUPYING SPACE IN PUBLIC FREELY AND HAPPILY WHAT MAKES ME FEEL PROUD.

>> THE PROJECT IS MORE THAN A MAKEOVER BUT AN OPPORTUNITY TO BREAK GENERATIONAL PATTERNS IN HIS COMMUNITY AND FOCUS ON PEOPLE WORKING TO MAKE THE AREA A BETTER PLACE.

>> ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO CREATE A GENERATIONAL FORMULA THAT EVERYONE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD CAN FOLLOW NO MATTER WHAT YOUR ROLE IS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND BE ABLE TO BUILD A BELOVED COMMUNITY HERE.

I WANT US TO BE KNOWN FOR THINGS THAT ARE VERY, VERY CULTURE RELATED AND US.

AND I MEAN AS A PEOPLE.

I WANT US TO START CHANGING THE STEREOTYPES AS BLACK PEOPLE.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> AND CONSTRUCTION IS SET TO BEGIN THIS YEAR ONCE THE STUDENTS' PROPOSALS ARE FINALIZED.

TO BRANDIS FOR TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

THE MICK IN McDANCE TAKES CENTER STAGE IN A TRADEMARK DISPUTE.

ALLSTATE CUSTOMERS CAN EXPECT TO PAY MORE SOON.

AND BEER LOVER ALSO NOT HAVE TO WAIT MUCH LONGER FOR A TAPROOM TO OPEN.

HERE IS ANN DWYER FROM CRAIN'S.

>> A MERCHANT SELLING CBD PRODUCTS TO FILE A TRADEMARK TO FILE THE NAME McHEMP.

AND MCDONALD'S PROTECTING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THIS CASE?

>> A COUPLE OF THINGS.

FOR ONE THING, MCDONALD'S IS USUALLY PRETTY AGGRESSIVE ABOUT PROTECTING ITS BRAND IN THE FOOD SPACE.

IN THIS CASE THIS IS A COMPANY THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FOOD EXCEPT FOR THE EDIBLE GUMMIES.

BUT MCDONALD'S IS GOING HARD SAYING YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT USE THAT McPREFIX.

AND THE OTHER THINGS THAT MCDONALD'S SEEMS TO IMPLYING IS SAYING WE DON'T SELL PRODUCTS IN THIS SPACE AND ALLOWING YOU TO DO SO WITH A BRAND THAT REMINDS PEOPLE OF OUR TRADEMARK IS IN ESSENCE TARNISHING OUR BRAND AND YOU NEED TO CUT IT OUT.

WHAT IS INTERESTING ON THE OTHER SIDE A LOT OF LAWYERS WE TALKED TO WONDERED HOW FAR YOU CAN FORCE THE OWNERSHIP OF A COMMON PREFIX LIKE MC.

SO THIS CASE IS GOING TO BE WATCHED CLOSELY IN THE TRADEMARK AND PATENT SPACE.

>> WE RECENTLY HEARD ABOUT STATE FARM ANNOUNCING ITS INCREASING ITS AUTO INSURANCE PRICES AND ALLSTATE IS DOING THE SAME THING WHAT.

IS GOING ON?

>> THERE IS A COUPLE FACTORS.

FIRST AND FOREMOST IT'S INFLATION IT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE GLOBE AND HERE IN THE U.S. AND ALLSTATE ARGUES THAT IS DRIVING UP THE COST OF EVERYTHING THEY DO FROM REPAIRS TO AUTO PARTS RELATED TO THE CUSTOMERS CLAIMS.

ANOTHER ISSUE FOR ALLSTATE AND FOR OTHER INSURERS AS WELL, POST PANDEMIC WE'RE DRIVING MORE AND IT MEANS MORE ACCIDENTS AND THAT IS DRIVING UP COSTS.

WHY ALL STATE TODAY WARNED THAT EVEN THOUGH PREMIUMS HAVE RISEN 6.5% IF THE PAST SIX MONTHS, THEY EXPECT WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE HIKES IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>> NOT THE BEST NEWS FOR MOTORISTS.

LASTLY, GOOD NEWS FOR BEER DRINKERS.

LAG ANYTHING TA IS REOPENING THE TAPROOM?

>> NOT SET IN STONE THEY ARE THINKING THE FOURTH QUARTER AND THAT WILL BE WELCOME NEWS FOR THE FOLKS WHO LIVE AROUND THAT FACTORY WHICH IS A VERY POPULAR DESTINATION FOR BEER LOVERS.

THEY DID SHUTDOWN THE CONSUMER FACING PART OF THE BREWERY AROUND THE TIME THE PANDEMIC STARTED AND MANAGERS ARE GLAD THEY DID.

LESS COVID OUTBREAKS WITHIN THE PRODUCTION FACILITY AND ABLE TO KEEP THE BREWS PUMPING.

A LOT OF OTHER BEER MAKERS WERE NOT SO LUCKY.

>> OK. ANN DWYER AT CRAIN'S THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

>> AND NOW, PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

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

RESEARCHERS SAY THEY FOUND A WAY TO ROOT OUT GROUPS OF POLICE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN MISCONDUCT.

WE LOOK AT A NEW STUDY THEY HAVE RELEASED.

A GROUP OF MOTHERS ARE TEAMING UP TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FIND THEIR MISSING CHILDREN YEARS AFTER THEY HAVE DISAPPEARED AND A SHOP BRINGING ALL THE COLORS OF MEXICO TO CHICAGO'S DOWNTOWN HOPES TO STAKE A PERMANENT CLAIM ON THE MAGNIFICENT MILE.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> A BIG SELL-OFF ON WALL STREET AS ALL THREE MAJOR STOCK INDEXES FALL SHARPLY.

THE DOW LOST MORE THAN 650 POINTS AND THE S&P 500 DROPPED 3.2%, AND THE NASDAQ FELL 4.3%.

ACCORDING TO ANALYSTS A COMBINATION OF GLOBAL ENERGY SUPPLY CONCERNS TRIGGERED BY THE WAR IN UKRAINE AND ACTIONS AND FEARS OVER RISING INFLATION FUELED THE DROP.

LAST WEEK THE DOW DROPPED 1100 POINTS IN ONE DAY.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER WAS AT McCORPS PLACE -- McCORMICK PLACE SPEAKING TO THE DELEGATES AT THE BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS CONVENTION, PRITZKER EMPHASIZED THE CITY AND STATE'S LABOR HISTORY AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUPPORTIVE ORGANIZE LABOR TO HIS OWN CAMPAIGN.

>> THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE IBEW WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING ME TO DEFEAT THE REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION OF FORMER GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER WHO TRIED TO STRIP AWAY YOUR RIGHT TO ORGANIZE.

WE BEAT HIM BY THE LARGEST MARGIN AGAINST ANY INCUMBENT IN STATE HISTORY.

>> THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" AND THE BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION WIN A PULITZER PRIZE.

THE TRIB'S WON THE AWARD FOR AN INVESTIGATIVE COLLABORATION INTO FATAL FIRES THAT EXPOSED FLAWS IN CHICAGO'S BUILDING CODE.

THEY REVIEWED THOUSANDS OF PUBLIC RECORDS RELATED TO 140 FATAL FIRES AT CHICAGO HOMES BETWEEN 2014-2019.

THE WORK SHOWED 61 PEOPLE DIED IN FIRES DESPITE CITY OFFICIALS BEING WARNED OF MAJOR FIRE SAFETY ISSUES.

MOST OF THE VICTIMS WERE BLACK AND MANY WERE CHILDREN.

>> RESEARCHERS AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SAY FOUND A WAY TO TRACH R TRACK DOWN GROUPS OF OFFICERS ENGAGING IN MISCONDUCT AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.

THE CASES LIKE THE DISGRACED RONALD WATTS THEY CREATED A STATISTICAL MODEL TO IDENTIFY GROUPS.

AND JOINING US IS ANDREW PAPACHRISTOS, PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY AND WE REACHED OUT TO THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY DID PROVIDE A STATEMENT.

FIRST, ANDREW PAPACHRISTOS WELCOME BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

TELL OUR VIEWERS WHAT YOUR STUDY FOUND?

>> IN A NUTSHELL WE TRIED TO LOOK AT KNOWN CASES OF GROUPS OF COPS THAT TRIED TO ENGAGE IN OUT RIGHT CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.

WE STARTED WITH WATTS AND WE USED STATISTICAL MODEL WE CREATED TO SEARCH 50 YEARS OF MISCONDUCT AND ARREST RECORDS IN THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AS A CANARY IN THE COAL MINE TO SEE IF WE COULD DETECT SORTS OF SETS OF GROUPS LIKEWISE.

AND WE FOUND 160 CREWS OF POTENTIAL COPS THAT WERE ENGAGING IN THE BEHAVIOR.

AND THEY HAVE AN OUTSIDE IMPACT.

WE TALK ABOUT BAD 'ENS THESE -- APPLES.

THEY ENGAGE IN THE BEHAVIORS AND THE 160 CREW MEMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLAINTS AND PAYOUTS AND THE ARRESTS WERE THREE TIMES HIGHER.

AND THIS IS AGAIN A STARTING POINT FOR SUBSEQUENT SORTS OF INTERVENTIONS INVESTIGATIONS.

>> SO YOU IDENTIFY THE 160 CREWS WHICH MAKES UP 4% OF ALL THE POLICE OFFICERS YOU ARE LOOKING AT.

REMIND US WHAT A CREW IS.

>> WE LOOK AT THE CREWS LIKE WAFTS SEVEN TWO OF THE CREWS THESE ARE GROUPS OF OFFICERS THAT -- WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A COMPLAINT.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THEY GET COMPLAINTS TOGETHER.

THEY ARE ENGAGED IN HIGH VOLUMES OF ARRESTS AND SOME CASES IT'S CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.

ROBBING DRUG DEALERS AND CHARGING TAXES AND GOING TO LENGTHS TO CONCEAL THE BEHAVIORS.

WHEN WHISTLEBLOWERS FROM INSIDE THE DEPARTMENT WOULD RAISE AN ALARM THEY WOULD BE DISMISSED OR THREATENED OR MOVED.

ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE WORST OF THE WORST POTENTIAL SOURCES OF MISCONDUCT WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE FOG OF A TENSE SITUATION BUT COORDINATED BEHAVIORS.

>> AND WE KNOW ABOUT THE HIGH PROFILE CASES LIKE SERGEANT WATTS ARE YOU SAYING MOST OF THE POLICE OFFICERS DISCOVERED IN YOUR STUDY THE CREWS WERE NEVER REALLY DISCIPLINED OR MISCONDUCT NEVER CAME TO LIGHT BECAUSE THE CREWS WORKED TO SUPPRESS IT?

>> WELL, SOME WERE.

THAT IS ONE OF THE INTERESTING VALIDATIONS OF THE MODEL.

WE USED HISTORICAL DATA ENDING IN 2018 AND WE WERE ABLE TO DETECT THE CREWS.

AND WHAT WE DID WORKING WITH THE INVISIBLE INSTITUTE WE WENT TO VALIDATE THEM DID WE FIND ANYTHING.

AND SOME OF THE OFFICERRERS WERE CHARGED SOME WERE CHARGED AND P PAYOUTS.

BUT WHEN ARE YOU FOCUSED ON INDIVIDUALS YOU ARE MISSION THE ACTIVITIES AROUND THEM.

AND IT'S PROBABLY MORE PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE IF YOU'VE GOT HUNDREDS OF CREWS YOU HAVE THOUSANDS OF OFFICERS THAT KNEW AND LOOKED THE OTHER WAY ESPECIALLY SUPERVISORS.

THE IMPACT IS OUTSIDE EVEN THOUGH IT'S 4% OF THE OFFICERS WE FOUND.

>> THE WORD FROM POLICE DEPARTMENTS A LOT OF TIMES WITH MISCONDUCT IT IS A FEW BAD APPLES.

WHAT PRACTICAL APPLICATION COULD THIS HAVE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHEN THEY TRY TO ROOT OUT SYSTEM WIDE MISCONDUCT?

>> THAT IS THE IMPORTANT JOB.

WE HAVE DONE OTHER WORK LOOKING AT BAD ACTORS THAIN EXIST AND THE CORRECT NUMBER IN A DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE ZERO.

BUT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO SHOW IF THE GROUPS THAT EXIST AND PEOPLE LOOK THE OTHER WAY IT'S LARGER.

WHAT SORTS OF TOOLS DO SUPERVISORS NEED TO CURB THE BEHAVIORS?

WHAT LEVERAGE DO YOU NEED FOR INVESTIGATIONS IF YOU ARE FOCUSING ON ONE OFFICER AND NOT SOMETHING LARGER AS WELL AS THE CULTURE, WE ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE PROGRESS IN THIS SPACE.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANTLY A LAUNCHING POINT.

I'M NOT A LAWYER I AM A SCIENTIST.

I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT GUILT BUT IT SHOULD BE A WARNING FLAG.

CLASSROOM MANAGENT 101 IF THE GROUP OF PEOPLE ARE MISBEHAVING I SPLIT THEM UP AND THOSE TOOLS DO NOT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL POLICY.

USE RESOURCES THAT EXIST ESPECIALLY WITH THE WAIT OF THE CONSENT DECREE.

>> A LOT OF PSYCHOLOGY OF GROUP BEHAVIOR.

AS WE MENTIONED, C.P.D.

DID NOT SEND A REPRESENTATIVE BUT THEY GIVE US A STATEMENT... >> HAVE YOU TALKED TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT YOUR FINDINGS AND HAVE THEY HAD ANY RESPONSE TO YOU?

>> I TALKED WITH THEM BEFORE THE STUDY WAS RELEASED THIS IS THE NOT THE FIRST STUDY WE HAVE HAD TWO OR THREE OTHER ONES.

AND WE'VE HALF A DOZEN SIDE CONVERSATIONS THAT HAVE NOT LED TO ACTION.

SINCE THE STUDY HAS COME OUT I'VE BEEN REACHED BY OTHER CITY AGENCIES AND WE HAVE MEETINGS ON THE BOOKS.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

THE SIGH SENSE OUT THERE.

-- SCIENCE IS OUT THERE.

THE QUESTION IS HOW CAN YOU LEVERAGE THIS INFORMATION WITH EXISTING STRUCTURES AND LIMITATIONS ON THE ABILITY TO CURB MISCONDUCT.

>> AND GOING BACK TO THE FINDING 4% OF ALL RANK-AND-FILE OFFICERS WHEN YOU FOUND THE 160 CREWS THAT ACCOUNTED FOR DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGH NUMBER OF MISCONDUCT COMPLAINTS AND THE IMAGETY ARE AGAINST BLACK AND BROWN RESIDENTS IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THE ACTIVITY OF THE CREWS THE ARREST RATES ARE THREE TIMES HIGHER THAN YOUR AVERAGE POLICE OFFICER IN THE CITY AND THE COMPLAINTS ARE BLACK CHICAGOANS.

>> INTERESTING FINDINGS.

ALL RIGHT, WELL ANDREW PAPACHRISTOS THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, PARIS.

>> UP NEXT, A GROUP OF MOTHERS RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THEIR MISSING CHILDREN IN A CONVERSATION THAT FIRST AIRED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... A GROUP OF MOTHERS SPENT MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THEIR DAUGHTERS AND LOVED ONES WHO HAVE GONE MISSING.

IN 202125 >> THAT MEANS DESPITE MAKING UP 7% OF THE U.S. POPULATION, BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS WERE 17% OF MISSING PERSON CASES LAST YEAR.

MANY OF THESE CASES HAVE GONE COLD LEAVING FAMILIES SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS YEARS AFTER THEIR LOVED ONE DISAPPEARED.

JOINING US NOW ARE LA SHANN WALKER THE GRANDMOTHER OF KING WALKER AND MOTHER OF DIAMOND BIND FRUM.

AND KAREN PHILLIPS.

ORETHA MILLER WHOSE SISTER THERESA HAS BEEN MISSING FOR A YEAR.

AND FALLON GORDON DIRECTOR OF MISSING AND MURDERED BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS FOR THE ORGANIZATION FOR MOTHERS OPPOSED TO VIOLENCE EVERYWHERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US I'M SURE THIS IS A DIFFICULT WEEKEND FOR EACH OF YOU.

KAREN PHILLIPS LET'S START WITH YOU.

YOUR DAUGHTER KIERRA COLES AA POSTAL WORKER LAST SEEN IN 2018 SHE WAS 26 YEARS OLD AND THREE MONTHS PREGNANT AT THE TIME.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT HER.

>> KEY AREA RA WAS OUTGOING.

SHE LOVED HARD.

SHE HAD HER LIFE ON TRACK.

DOING EVERYTHING THAT SHE WANTED TO DO IN LIFE.

HAD THE DREAM JOB.

JUST GOT HER NEW APARTMENT.

AND HAVING HER FIRST CHILD.

JUST DEVASTATING RIGHT WHEN SHE GOT EVERYTHING ALTOGETHER THAT THIS HAPPENED.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT MIGHT LEAD TO ANSWERS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO HER?

>> THAT I'M GOING TO KEEP GOING TRYING TO DO WHATEVER I CAN TO GET HELP FROM WHOEVER AND I WILL KEEP HOLDING AS MANY CONFERENCES THAT GETS TIRED OF SEEING MY FACE AND GIVES US ANSWERS THAT WE CAN GO FORWARD TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO HER.

>> LA SHANN WALKER YOUR DIED DIAMOND BRINE NUMBER AND GRANDSON WERE SEEN AT A RELATIVE'S HOME IN GARY, INDIANA.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT DIAMOND AND KING'S DISAPPEARANCE?

>> THEY WENT ON JULY 2015.

THEY WERE WITH THE STEPMOTHER AND DIAMOND'S FATHER.

THE STEP-MOM SAID SHE LAID THEM DOWN THAT PARTICULAR MORNING WHILE SHE FED THEM BREAKFAST AND LAID THEM DOWN FOR A NAP AND WHEN SHE WOKE UP THEY BOTH WERE GONE AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN THEM SINCE THEN.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK COULD HAVE HAPPENED?

>> WELL, I KNOW SHE'S KNOWN TO WANDER BECAUSE SHE HAS A DISEASE WHICH IS AN OBESITY THAT CAUSES HER TO EAT AND NOT KNOW WHEN SHE IS FULL.

SHE WILL USUALLY WALKOUT AND LOOK FOR A STORE WHERE SHE CAN GET JUNK FOOD.

AND SHE PROBABLY FIND THE STORE BUT PROBABLY COULDN'T FIND HER WAY BACK HOME.

SHE PROBABLY GOT LOST MAYBE.

SHE TOOK KING WITH HER MAYBE.

AND THEY COULDN'T FIND THEIR WAY AND NEITHER COULD TALK VERY WELL.

KING WAS TWO AT THE TIME.

AND ONLY HER THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY WITH UNDERSTAND WHAT DIAMOND SAYS, IF A STRANGER SAW HER ON THE STREET THEY PROBABLY WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE IS SAYING.

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT A PROGRESSION IMAGE WHAT KING WOULD LOOK LEAK LATER.

OF WHAT HE COULD LOOK LIGHT RIGHT NOW.

WHAT IS THE INFORMATION YOU'VE RECEIVED FROM THE GARY POLICE?

>> SO FAR THEY SAID THEY ARE GOING ON TIPS.

THEY GOT MAYBE A FEW TIPS RECENTLY BUT NOTHING PANNED OUT FOR ANY OF THEM.

>> OK. ORETHA MILLER YOUR SISTER THERESA MORRISON WAS LAST SEEN FEBRUARY 26, 2021, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HER?

>> MY SISTER IS A 38-YEAR-OLD MOTHER OF TWO CHILDREN.

HER SON IS 21 AND HER DAUGHTER NOW IS 6.

MY SISTER WAS FOUR MONTHS PREGNANT AT THE TIME OF HER DISAPPEARANCE.

SHE DROPPED MY NIECE OFF AT SCHOOL.

AND NEVER CAME BACK TO GET HER.

AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN HER SINCE THAT DAY.

IT IS NOT UNLIKE MY SISTER TO DISAPPEAR.

A PART OF ME STILL HOPES AND PRAYS THAT SHE IS OUT THERE.

AND A PART OF ME THAT THINKS SHE IS NOT.

BUT I'M ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND EVERYONE AROUND THE WORLD IF YOU KNOW INFORMATION ON MY SISTER TO PLEASE CONTACT THE POLICE.

I DON'T KNOW MY SISTER WAS GOING THROUGH SOME TYPE OF DEPRESSION [INAUDIBLE] AMBITIOUS, OUTGOING.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF SHE WAS GOING THROUGH SOMETHING OR SOMETHING HAPPENED TO HER.

I JUST WANT CLOSURE ON THIS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.

>> CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT THEY HAVE LAUNCHED A WEEKLY VIDEO SERIES TO HIGHLIGHT UNSOLVED HOMICIDES AND MISSING PERSONS CASES.

SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN SPOKE ABOUT IT THIS WEEK.

>> WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING AS YOU KNOW OLDER CASES THAT HAVE DEAD-ENDS AND NO LEADS WITH THE HOPE OF GENERATING NEW TIPS AND LEADS.

AND WE REALLY DON'T CARE HOW LONG IT TAKES.

OUR VICTIMS DESERVE JUSTICE AND THEIR FAMILIES DESERVE CLOSURE.

>> FALLON GORDON WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS NEFORT.

>> EFFORT?

>> I THINK IT IS A VERY SMALL STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I THINK THAT THERE IS A LOT MORE THAT CAN BE DONE TOWARDS THESE CASES THAN THE VIDEO.

HOWEVER, IT IS A SMALL STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> WHAT MORE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE DONE?

THIS IS A SMALL STEP, THE POLICE -- >> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE WORK BEING DONE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE EFFORT BEING PUT BEHIND THESE WOMEN AND GIRLS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PLATFORM AND SPEAKING FOR THESE WOMEN AND GIRLS AND BEING GIVEN TO THEIR FAMILIES.

WE WANT TO SEE THE WORK BEING DONE.

>> LADIES WE KNOW IT'S MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND.

KAREN, YOU ARE HOPING TO DRAW ATTENTION TO YOUR CASES YOUR DAUGHTERS' CASES ON THIS MOTHER'S DAY.

HOW IS THIS WEEKEND DIFFERENT FOR YOU COMPARED TO ANY OTHER MOTHERS OR BEFORE YOUR DAUGHTER WENT MISSING?

>> WELL, IT'S KIND OF HARD BECAUSE YOU KNOW, I WANTED TO EXPERIENCE MOTHER'S DAY WITH HER, TOO, BECAUSE THIS WAS HER FIRST CHILD AND MY OTHER GIRLS HAVE KIDS.

IT JUST A BIG PART OF ME MISSING WHEN MOTHER'S DAY COME AROUND BECAUSE SHE IS NOT HERE AND I KNOW HOW SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH HER CHILD.

JUST NOT BEING ABLE TO SHARE THAT WITH HER, IS VERY EMOTIONAL.

>> I AM A SURE.

LA SHANN WALKER YOU HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR DIAMOND AND KING FOR SIX YEARS.

HOW HAS THIS AFFECTED YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?

>> IT'S BEEN A TREMENDOUS JUST, I CAN NEVER FIND WORDS.

IT BREAKS ALL OUR HEART.

IT'S BREAKING UP THE FAMILY APART BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW.

WE DON'T HAVE ANSWERS.

KING'S MOTHER ARIANNA WALKER IS VERY TRAUMATIZED BY THE SITUATION BECAUSE THAT WAS HER FIRST AND ONLY CHILD.

AND IT'S TRAUMATIZING TO ME AS WELL, BECAUSE I KNOW MY DAUGHTER WAS SPECIAL NEEDS AND JUST TO THINK SHE'S OUT THERE TO POSSIBLY BEING HARMED BY SOMEONE IS VERY TRAUMATIZING.

KNOWING THAT SHE CAN'T DEFEND HERSELF OR SHE CAN'T TAKE CARE OF HERSELF LET ALONE KING.

IT'S REALLY -- I JUST NEVER COULD FIND A PARTICULAR WORDS TO EXPLAIN HOW I FEEL.

IT'S HEARTBREAKING.

>> I'M SURE.

ORETHA MILLER SAME QUESTION HOW HAS THIS AFFECTED YOUR FAMILY?

>> IT HAS AFFECTED MY FAMILY A LOT.

IT'S VERY DEPRESSING.

VERY LOSING FAMILY MEMBERS AND TO LOOK IN MY NIECE AND NEPHEW'S FACE AND SEE THE HURT AND THE PAIN, THAT TEARS ME UP.

AND YOU KNOW, ME AND MY SISTER BIOLOGICAL MOM IS NO LONGER HERE.

AND WE ARE THE ONLY SIBLINGS AND RIGHT NOW THAT IS VERY HARD FOR ME TO GO ON WITH MOTHER'S DAY AND SHE IS NOT HERE.

NOT JUST MOTHER'S DAY ANY DAY FOR ME NOT KNOWING THAT SHE IS OK. >> HEAVY BURDEN.

I WILL ASK FALLON GORDON ONE MORE QUESTION.

POLICE OFFICERS THE MEDIA SCRUTINIZED A LOT FOR NOT GIVING THE CASES ENOUGH ATTENTION THERE WAS THE GABBY PET TOW ISSUE LAST YEAR.

DO YOU FEEL THE POLICE AND THE MEDIA HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB SINCE THAT RECOGNITION?

>> NO.

I DON'T.

WE HEARD ABOUT GABPY AT THE TIME TOW ALL THE WAY CREW -- GABBY PET TOW ACROSS THE COUNTRY EVERYDAY.

AND THERE'S NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION PUT OUT THERE ABOUT THEM.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION ON OUR IN THE MEDIA AND OUR LOCAL MEDIA.

IT'S JUST NOT.

>> OK. WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE MY CON DOLL HELPSES TO ALL OF YOU AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

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

>> THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS BEEN TOUGH ON RETAIL BUT ESPECIALLY EVIDENT ON CHICAGO'S MICHIGAN AVENUE SHOPPING DISTRICT.

ACCORDING TO ANALYSIS THE RETAIL VACANCIES RATE IS 9.3%, A 6% INCREASE FROM 2019.

LAST YEAR, A LOCAL FAMILY BUSINESS SAW AN OPPORTUNITY IN THOSE EMPTY STOREFRONTS.

THEY ARE OFFERING A DIFFERENT KIND OF LUXURY TO DOWNTOWN SHOPPERS.

HAND CRAFTED ARTISAN GOODS DIRECTOR FROM MEXICO.

ERICA GUNDERSON BROWSED THE MEXICAN MILE AT COLORES MEXICANOS.

>> NESTLED IN CHICAGO'S RITTIEST SHOPPING DISTRICT, COLORES MEXICANOS OFFERS AN AN EXPERIENCE A WORLD AWAY FROM THE NEIGHBORS.

>> EVERYTHING HAS A PART FOR SURE OF THE ENERGY.

OF THE HEART AND THE OF THE SOUL OF THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT.

>> SHOPPERS STEPPING INSIDE THE MICHIGAN AVENUE STORE ARE SWIFT SLI TRANSPORTED FROM BUSY URBAN STREETS INTO A MEXICAN STREET MARKET BURSTING WITH HAND CRAFTED GOODS.

>> ANYTHING THEY CHOOSE TO TAKE HOME FROM THE STORE IT IS NOT JUST A PRODUCT.

THE GREAT IMAGESY OF CASES THERE ARE NUMEROUS GENERATIONS BEHIND THE CRAFTS.

PEOPLE LEARNED THEIR CRAFTS FROM GRANDMOTHERS AND GREAT GRANDMOTHERS.

>> COLORES MEXICANOS GOT THE START FIVE YEARS AGO IN BELMONT CRAGEN NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THEY BEGAN SELLING IN NEIGHBORHOOD MARKETS.

>> FAMILY ALL AROUND MEXICO WE START TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS R EACH COMMUNITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE DIFFERENT KINDS OF WORKS.

SO WE START LOVING EVERY WORK AROUND.

AND JUST BUYING FOR OUR FAMILY COLLECTIONS AND THEN WE DECIDED THAT WE HAVE A LOT AND PEOPLE CAME TO OUR HOUSE, THEY SAY THIS IS VERY BEAUTIFUL.

OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

AND WE START TO SEND THINGS TO THEM.

>> CO-OWNERS ERIKA ESPINOSA-CRUZ, AND GABRIEL NEELY-STREIT AND TO SETUP START.

THEY NABBED A COVETED SPOT AND THE WARMER RESPONSE THEY RECEIVED INSPIRED THEM TO APPROACH THE CITY WITH AN ' BISH PROPOSAL.

>> DURING THE PANDEMIC WE REALIZED THAT A LOT OF SPACES HERE ON MICHIGAN AVENUE WAS CLOSED.

SO WE JUST ASK FOR ONE OPPORTUNITY WITH THE COMPANY OWNERS WE SEND A PROPOSAL AND THEY ACCEPT US.

>> WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE CITY'S COVID RECOVERY FUND AND THE HELP OF THE MAGNIFICENT MILE ASSOCIATION, COLORES MEXICANOS MOVED INTO AN EMPTY RETAIL SPACE ON MICHIGAN AVENUE.

THE SISTERS TRANSFORMED THE SPACE IN THREE DAYS TO OPEN IN TIME FOR BLACK FRIDAY.

>> WHEN PEOPLE CAME INTO THE STORE THEY FILL DIFFERENT.

THEY SAY ALL THE TIME THAT THEY FEEL HAPPY AND TAKING AN EXPERIENCE LIKE THEY ARE IN ANOTHER PLACE.

BUT IT'S FAR AWAY FROM CHICAGO.

>> WUL AT ROOM TO SPREAD OUT COLORES MEXICANOS HAS BEEN ABLE TO EXPAND THE ITEMS THEY OFFER EVERYTHING FROM JEWELRY TO HOUSEWARES TO APRONS TOO PRETTY TO COOK IN.

>> ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF THIS SPACE BECAUSE THEY WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL RIGHT ON WINDOWS IS WE CAN SHOW MORE ABOUT THE VIEDERSTY OF OUR CULTURE.

>> IT WAS A CHANCE FOR A REALLY SMALL BUSINESS TO PRESENT ITSELF PROFESSIONALLY DOWNTOWN.

>> THOUGH THE POP-UP WAS SCHEDULED TO END AFTER THE HOLIDAYS, COLORES MEXICANOS SUCCESS LED THEM TO EXTEND THEIR STAY.

NOW THE OWNERS ARE HOPING THEY CAN MAKE THEIR MAG MILE HOME A FOREVER HOME.

>> WE WOULD BE SO, SO HAPPY IF THE STORE COULD STAY DOWNTOWN ESPECIALLY FOR ERIKA ESPINOSA-CRUZ WHO FOR THEM THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REMAIN CONNECTED TO THEIR CULTURE.

>> ONE OF OUR WISHES NOW IS JUST CONTINUE TO SHOW THIS BEAUTIFUL THINGS WITH THE COMMUNITY AND OTHER COMMUNITIES.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT MICHIGAN AVENUE WE ARE VERY DIFFERENT.

WE ARE NOT THE USUAL STORE THAT YOU CAN FOUND.

BUT THAT IS THE POINT.

THAT WE ARE MORE PROUD NOW BECAUSE OUR CULTURE DESERVES TO BE HERE.

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

>> THE OWNERS OF COLORES MEXICANOS SAY THEY HAVE NEGOTIATED A STAY IN THE MICHIGAN AVENUE SHOP THROUGH JANUARY 2023 BUT IT INCLUDES A CLAUSE THAT STIPULATES THE BUILDING'S OWNER CAN MOVE THEM OUT OF THE SPACE WITH A MONTH'S NOTICE.

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

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND ONE NOTE BEFORE WE GO.

WTTW NEWS AND "CHICAGO TONIGHT" PICKED UP HARDWARE FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE PETER LISAGOR AWARDS.

THAT IS THE NATION'S LARGEST CHAPTER OF THE SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS.

A SHOUT-OUT TO ENTIRE WTTW NEWS TEAM WHICH TOOK HOME FIVE AWARDS INCLUDING BEST TV REPORTING ON CRIME AND JUSTICE, BEST TV REPORTING ON EDUCATION AND BEST TV REPORTING ON POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT.

BRANDIS WON FOR BEST TV INTERVIEW AND HEDY WEISS WON FOR BEST ON-LINE THEATRE COVERAGE.

CONGRATULATIONS.

>> AND THANK YOU.

AND WE CONGRATULATE CHICAGO STORIES TEAM WHICH WON TWO DOCUMENTARY AWARDS AND THE FIRSTHAND LIVING IN POVERTY TEAM FOR ON-LINE VIDEO.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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

>> YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT DEFENDS HIS DECISION TO INVADE UKRAINE WE TALK WITH FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHUCK HAGEL ON THAT AND MORE.

>> AND INTRODUCE YOU TO THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY'S COMPOSER JESSE MONTGOMERY.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I'M BRAND BRAND.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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