>> HELLO AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

HERE IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

NORTHWESTERN'S RYAN FIELD IS GETTING A CONTROVERSIAL MAKEOVER.

WE HEAR FROM THE MAYOR WHO CAST THE DECIDING VOTE.

CHICAGO STARTED LIMITING MIGRANTS TO 60 DAYS IN SHELTERS ARE SPOTLIGHT.

POLITICS TEAM WEIGHS IN ON WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

>> NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

>> AND A HISTORIC DAY FOR NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY'S NEWEST GRADUATES.

NOW TO SOME TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

IF YOU LIVE IN COOK COUNTY AND WERE IMPACTED BY SEVERE RAIN AND FLOODING EARLIER THIS YEAR, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TODAY APPROVED GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER'S REQUEST AND SIGNED A DISASTER DECLARATION.

IT ALLOWS FEMA OFFER INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE FOR COOK COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO ARE IMPACTED BY SEPTEMBER'S SEVERE WEATHER RESIDENTS WHO QUALIFY COULD RECEIVE GRANTS FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING AND HOME REPAIRS FOR LOW-COST LOANS TO COVER UNINSURED PROPERTY LOSSES.

THIS PROGRAM SUPPLEMENTS THE FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE STATE WHEN GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER ISSUED A STATE DISASTER PARK PROCLAMATION LAST MONTH.

AND ICONIC SOUTHEAST SIDE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT SUFFERS EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE TODAY.

THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO A FIRE THIS AFTERNOON.

CALUMET FISHERIES, THE ROOF AND UPPER AREA OF THE BUILDING WERE DAMAGED.

THE BUSINESSES JUST REOPENED SATURDAY AFTER IT WAS CLOSED BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH FOLLOWING A FAILED HEALTH INSPECTIONS.

CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNCLEAR.

NO REPORTED INJURIES.

JURORS IN THE CORRUPTION TRIAL OF ED BURKE HEAR EVIDENCE OF THE FORMER ALDERMAN IS ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO EXTORT BURGER KING OWNERS.

SHE CAUGHT NOMINEE TESTIFIED TODAY.

HE'S THE CO-CEO OF THE ON THE GROUP WHICH OWNS AROUND 150 THATS FOOD RESTAURANTS ACROSS ILLINOIS.

PROSECUTORS ALLEGE BURKE USE THE COMPANY'S PERMIT REQUEST TO REMODEL A BURGER KING IN HIS WARD AS A WAY TO LEVERAGE MORE BUSINESS FOR HIS PROPERTY TAX LAW FIRM.

TONIGHT HE TESTIFIES THAT DURING THEIR MEETING.

BURKE MENTIONED UNPROMPTED THAT HE OWNED A, QUOTE, VERY SUCCESSFUL LAW FIRM LEADING HIM TO BELIEVE THAT GIVING BURKE IS BUSINESS MIGHT MAKE A TRAINING THAT PERMIT EASIER.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON TODAY'S PROCEEDINGS WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

THE ANNUAL CHICAGO THANKSGIVING PARADE WILL KICK OFF ITS 89 YEAR ON THURSDAY.

SPECTATORS CAN WATCH HELIUM BALLOON CHARACTERS, CULTURAL GROUPS AND OTHER PERFORMERS MARCH ALONG STATE STREET FROM IDA B WELLS DRIVE TO RANDOLPH STREET BEGINNING AT 08:00AM THE EVENT IS FREE.

BUT FOR A $70 ADMISSION FEE VIEWERS CAN INTO THE VIP ZONE TO WATCH THE PERFORMANCES FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO WATCH THE PARADE FROM HOME.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

UP NEXT, ONE ON ONE WITH EVANSTON MAYOR FOLLOWING LAST NIGHT'S VOTE ON RYAN FIELD RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> EVANSTON RESIDENTS ARE GETTING A NEW NEIGHBOR AND 800 MILLION DOLLAR REBUILT RYAN FIELD.

EVANSTON CITY COUNCIL VOTED YES ON THE FIELD REVAMP AND ON A CONTROVERSIAL ZONING CHANGE TO ALLOW CONCERT.

MAYOR DANIEL BISS CAST THE TIE BREAKING VOTE IN FAVOR OF NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY'S PITCH AND EVANSTON MAYOR DANIEL BISS JOINS US NOW.

WELCOME BACK.

MAYOR, GOOD TO SEE GOOD TO SEE SO YOU TODAY SENT A 2400 WORD LETTER TO RESIDENTS EXPLAINING YOUR DECISION-MAKING PROCESS.

I DID READ EVERY WORD.

WHY DID YOU FEEL THE NEED TO EXPLAIN THAT PROCESS IN SUCH DETAIL?

>> THIS WAS A CONTROVERSIAL DECISION.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE A LOT OF OPINIONS ABOUT.

WE HEARD FROM MANY, MANY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON ALL SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

AND I JUST FELT THAT I OWED IT TO PEOPLE TO EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENT CONSIDERATIONS THAT I BROUGHT TO BEAR BEFORE MAKING A DECISION.

ULTIMATELY, I FELT THIS WAS A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY TO HAVE A ENORMOUS INVESTMENT IN THE STATE OF THE ART FACILITY TO HAVE CULTURAL EVENTS THAT WILL BRING PEOPLE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND FUNDAMENTALLY TO RESTRUCTURE THE FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NORTHWESTERN CITY EVANSTON WITH THE HISTORIC NEW LEVEL OF SUPPORT.

WELL, OVER 100 MILLION DOLLARS.

SO LET'S GET INTO SOME OF THAT CONTROVERSY TO CONTROVERSY.

ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL PARTS WAS THE ZONING CHANGE FOR THE 6 CONCERT.

WHY VOTE TO ALLOW THE CONCERTS?

BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT THE YOU KNOW, THEY CAN GET BUILT WITHOUT THE CONCERTS.

>> AND THAT THE THE ASSERTION TO THE CONTRARY, AS NORTHWESTERN HAD SAID, THAT THEY COULDN'T GO FORWARD WITHOUT THE CONCERTS THAT THAT WAS A BLUFF.

WELL, ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT BUT YES, SOME PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT THE CONCERTS WOULD BE WONDERFUL BRING PEOPLE TO THE COMMUNITY THAT THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM SMALL BUSINESSES WHO >> FELT LIKE, HEY, YOU KNOW, IN THE WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC, THE LAST OFFICE WORKERS IN OFFICE BUILDINGS THAT WE NEED CUSTOMERS WHICH WILL COME FROM PEOPLE COMING TO TOWN FOR OTHER REASONS.

THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE CONCERNED.

FELT LIKE THERE WOULD BE TOO MUCH TRAFFIC, TOO MUCH NOISE, TOO MUCH IMPACT ON A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND SO THROUGH VERY, VERY LENGTHY NEGOTIATION HAVE TO SAY THE CITY OF EVANSTON DROVE A VERY HARD BARGAIN.

WE MERELY THE SCOPE.

WE BROUGHT THE REQUEST ON CONCERTS FROM 15 DOWN TO 6.

WE PUT IN PLACE.

GUARDRAILS WERE PUT IN PLACE.

SIGNIFICANT FINDS OF NORTHWESTERN DOESN'T MEET THE THEIR TARGETS ON THINGS LIKE NOISE AND CURFEW AND TRAFFIC.

AND SO WITH ALL OF THOSE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE, I FELT LIKE, HEY, THIS IS A GOOD, HAPPY MEDIUM AND WE CAN THEN USE IT TO BRING IN PEOPLE TO OUR COMMUNITY, TO IMPROVE OUR SMALL BUSINESS CLIMATE AND BRING AWFUL LOT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM NORTHWESTERN DIRECTLY INTO EVANSTON.

>> ANOTHER POINT OF CONTROVERSY WAS THE AMENDMENT ALLOWING THE UNIVERSITY TO AMEND THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT THE CITY PLACES WHERE QUOTE, UNREASONABLE RESTRAINTS ON ITS ABILITY TO HOLD CONCERTS, WHAT ARE UNREASONABLE RESTRAINTS?

>> WELL, SO HERE'S HERE'S THE DEAL.

THE NEGOTIATION THAT LED TO THIS HISTORIC LEVEL OF SUPPORT WAS ABOUT NOT JUST ALLOWING THEM TO BUILD THE STADIUM, BUT ALSO THE CONCERTS.

WHAT SO WHAT THEY WANTED SAY IS IF WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE CONCERTS, THAT LEVEL OF SUPPORT WILL CONTINUE.

OTHERWISE, IT WON'T.

AND SO YOU MIGHT IMAGINE LIKE, LISTEN, THE CITY OF EVANSTON COULD IMPOSE A 10,000% A CONCERT TICKET TAX AND AT WILL OVERCOME TO RIGHT FIELD.

AND SO THAT WOULD BASICALLY MAKE THIS CONCERT A POSSIBLE NORTHWESTERN WANT TO SAY YOU CAN'T DO SOMETHING THAT MAKES CONCERTS IMPOSSIBLE.

ON THE OTHER HAND, WHAT I WOULD SAY IS YOU MIGHT WANT TO INCREASE THE TICKET WANT TO IMPOSE NEW RESTRICTIONS REASONABLE FINES.

IF THEY DON'T DO WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.

AND SO THE PURPOSE OF THIS LANGUAGE IS TO SAY WE ARE ALLOWED TO CHANGES.

THOSE CHANGES WILL NOT ENDANGER THE SUPPORT THAT CONTINUES TO COME FROM.

NORTHWESTERN LIST CHANGES ARE ON RECESS.

BUT NORTHWESTERN THINKS WE'VE MADE UNREASONABLE CHANGE, THEN HAVE TO GO LOSE THAT.

IF THEY WANT TO MAKE A CHANGE TO OUR COMMUNITY BENEFITS.

>> YOU POINT OUT YOUR STATEMENT THAT NORTHWESTERN'S LACK OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF EVANSTON HAS BEEN A POINT OF CONTENTION FOR DECADES.

BUT IT CENTERS WHILE WE'RE AT IT.

BUT YOU SAY THAT THEY'RE 157.0, 7 MILLION DOLLAR COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT REPRESENTS A NEW CHAPTER.

HOWEVER, CRITICS SAY THAT THAT CBA ONLY LAST 15 YEARS AND INSTEAD SHOULD LAST FOR THE LIFE OF THE STADIUM.

15 YEARS?

>> AS COMPROMISE, BUT I WILL TELL YOU IF YOU LOOK AROUND AT OTHER UNIVERSITIES, I THINK OF IN STONE IAN'S, INCLUDING MYSELF, HAVE BEEN FAIR TO SAY THAT HISTORICALLY NORTHWESTERN HAS NOT REALLY BEEN ON PAR WITH ITS PEER INSTITUTIONS IN TERMS OF WHAT IT DOES FOR THE COMMUNITY.

SO WE LOOKED AT OTHER AGREEMENTS AND THIS REALLY MOVES THE MUCH CLOSER TO WHAT THEIR PEER INSTITUTIONS DO.

THOSE PEER INSTITUTIONS DON'T HAVE INDEFINITE AGREEMENTS.

THEY DON'T HAVE 100 YEAR AGREEMENTS.

15 YEARS IS ACTUALLY PRETTY LONG BY THE STANDARDS OF A LOT OF OTHER UNIVERSITIES, COMMUNITY BENEFITS, AGREEMENTS.

FRANKLY, IF YOU LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THOSE AGREEMENTS EXPIRE?

THEY GET RENEGOTIATED UP EVERY TIME AND SO 15 YEARS AS A LOT OF CERTAINTY FOR US, WHICH IS GOOD.

BUT IT ALSO PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY IN 15 YEARS FOR US TO RENEGOTIATE AT 50 EXAMPLES THAT WE SEE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

OUR INDICATION OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN HERE, THAT RENEGOTIATION WILL GOOD FOR THE CITY OF EVANSTON.

>> A GROUP OF EVANSTON LAWYERS SIGNED A LETTER ARGUING A PROCEDURAL VIOLATION.

IT READS IN PART, QUOTE, THE PROCEDURAL SHORTCUT AND MANY MISSTATEMENTS IN MISS DIRECTIONS THAT HAVE CHARACTERIZED CONSIDERATION OF PLANS FOR REZONING RYAN FIELD SHOULD ALARM ALL EVANS, TONY AS LAWYERS.

HOWEVER, WE ARE ESPECIALLY CONCERNED THAT THE CONVERSATION HAS PRECEDED IT AS IF ONLY 4 OF 9 COUNCIL MEMBERS ALONG WITH THE MAYOR AMEND ZONING CODE.

EVANSTON LAW REQUIRES AT LEAST 6 VOTES TO DO THAT SEPARATELY, THE MOST LIVABLE U.S. CITY ASSOCIATION PLEDGES SOME LEGAL RECOURSE.

DO YOU THINK THIS ENTIRE AND THE VOTES THAT WERE CAST LAST NIGHT IN DECISION IS SOMETHING THAT THE CITY IS GOING TO HAVE TO DEFEND IN COURT.

>> ANYBODY'S GOT THE RIGHT TO SUE.

AND YOU JUST READ FROM PEOPLE WHO SEEM TO BE THREATENING TO SUE IN THERE.

WELCOME TO LET ME JUST BE CLEAR.

I'M SURE VIEWERS ARE NOT MOSTLY INTERESTED IN THE LONG PROCEDURAL LECTURE ABOUT EVANS, PROCESS OF PASSING ORDINANCES.

BUT HERE'S THE DEAL.

WE'VE GOT 9 PEOPLE ON CITY COUNCIL, ONE OF THEM WORKS FOR NORTHWESTERN.

SO HE FELT HE HAD A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ARE RECUSED HIMSELF THAT LEFT 8 THAT LEFT A 4, 4, TIME AND THOSE 8 AND WHAT OUR CITY CODE SAYS THAT WHEN THERE'S A TIE AMONG THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, THE MAYOR BREAKS THAT I BROKE THAT TIES.

THIS WAS A SIMPLE MAJORITY, WHICH I THINK IS WHAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD THINK OUGHT BE REQUIRED TO PASS A NEW LAW.

OUR LEGAL COUNSEL, INCLUDING ONE OF THE TOP MUNICIPAL LAW FIRMS THAT WE RETAIN TO HELP US WITH AGREES WITH THAT INTERPRETATION.

AND SO FOR SUPER PREPARED TO DEFEND >> BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, MAYOR, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, AS YOU SAID, AS WE DISCUSS, THIS HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL.

HOW CAN THE CITY REBUILD THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY AND FRUSTRATED NEIGHBORS.

>> WELL, I THINK THE RUBBER NOW MEETS THE ROAD.

THERE'S GOING TO BE CONSTRUCTION.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A STADIUM.

THERE'S GOING TO BE EVENTS IN THE STADIUM AND THE UNIVERSITY NEEDS TO APPROACH ALL OF THAT IN THE SPIRIT OF PARTNERSHIP.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WE'VE ALREADY SIGNED GUARANTEES SOME OF THAT, BUT THEIR ACTIONS ARE ALSO GOING TO SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.

AND I THINK ALL NEIGHBORS AND ALL RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO BE WATCHING FOR THAT PARTNERSHIP.

I DO THINK WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED LAST NIGHT SETS THE TABLE FOR A NEW LEVEL OF PARTNERSHIP THAT'S GOING TO BE REALLY PRODUCTIVE FOR BOTH UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY.

BE OFF TO ACTUALLY MAKE GOOD ON THAT PROMISE TO DELIVER WHAT OUR RESIDENTS NEED.

>> OKAY.

EVANSTON MAYOR DANIEL THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

APPRECIATE IT.

THANKS FOR HAVING UP NEXT, THE FIRST TIME A TOP 10 UNIVERSITY GRANTS BACHELOR'S DEGREES TO GRADUATES INCARCERATED.

STAY WITH US FOR A LOOK.

>> THE MAN YOU'RE ABOUT TO MEET HAVE BEEN CALLED MANY NAMES, MOSTLY INMATE, BUT THEY'VE ALSO BEEN CALLED STUDENT SCHOLAR, AUTHER AND NOW COLLEGE GRADUATE HISTORY MAKER LAST WEEK, THE NORTHWESTERN PRISON EDUCATION PROGRAM GRADUATED ITS FIRST COHORT WITH MORE ON THE WAY.

>> FIRST GRADUATES IN CUSTODY IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO EARN A BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM UNIVERSITY.

IT'S NOT GRADUATION SEASON.

>> BUT THAT'S NOT THE ONLY REASON TODAY WAS A LONG TIME COMING FOR THIS CLASS OF 2023 AGO.

THIS MOMENT RIGHT I DEFINITELY WANT >> FOR LAST WEEK STORY, WE FIRST MET BERNARD MCKINLEY AND HIS 15 CLASSMATES A YEAR AGO.

MIDWAY THROUGH THEIR LAST YEAR AT PROFESSORS AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS MAKING THE REGULAR TRIP TO STATE BILL CORRECTIONAL CENTER NEAR JOLIET FOR CLASSES.

>> IN BETWEEN CLASSES, STUDENTS DO THE WORK BEHIND PRISON WALLS.

THIS COHORT SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC.

>> THEY DID.

YOU 6 BY CORRESPONDENCE.

WE HAD STAFF DRIVING BOXES TO AND FROM REALLY COMMUNITY, GRASSROOTS EFFORT >> DURING THEIR CEREMONY, A CLEAR CELEBRATION IN A PLACE WHERE THERE'S OFTEN LITTLE TO CELEBRATE.

EACH GRADUATE.

GET A 2 MINUTE SPEECH.

THIS MOMENT.

IS THE CULMINATION OF LITERALLY 30 YEARS.

OF PEOPLE POURING INTO ME DEMONSTRATING WHAT THEY'VE LEARNED WHEN YOU COME TO PRISON, YOU'RE GOING TO GET AN EDUCATION NO MATTER WHAT.

I GUARANTEE IT.

>> BUT IT'S UP TO THE LAWMAKERS WHAT EDUCATION YOU GET AND HOW THEY INTEND TO USE IT AT DAWN COMMITTEE.

AND YOUR LIFE.

YOU THINK YOU DESERVE HOPE.

PURPOSE?

>> ONE OF THE GRADUATES 44 YEAR-OLD ANDRE PATTERSON, WHO USED HIS LESSONS IN PERFORMANCE TO MAKE HIS POINT.

I REALLY WANTED TO.

CONVEY TO TALENT THE CHALLENGES THAT I HAD TO PERSONALLY BUT ALONG THE WAY, WHILE I WAS FACING PERSONAL CHALLENGES.

>> I KIND OF HAD A REALIZATION THAT.

I WASN'T GOING THROUGH THIS JUST FOR ME.

I'M GOING THROUGH THIS FOR.

ALL OF US.

MY COMMUNITY HERE, BUT ALSO THE COMMUNITY, OUTSIDE.

>> PATTERSON GREW UP IN EVANSTON IN THE SHADOW OF NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

NEVER THINKING HE WOULD SOMEDAY HOLD A DEGREE FROM THE ELITE INSTITUTION, THOUGH HE DOES TODAY.

IT'S NOT THE DIPLOMA.

HE'S MOST PROUD THESE THINGS THAT'S THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO ME.

>> THIS ACHIEVEMENT IS THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT.

BUT IT'S THE JONI TO GET HERE.

AND IT'S THE POTENTIAL POSSIBILITY OF WHAT.

>> I CONTRIBUTE.

ANOTHER SHOW OF HOW EXCEPTIONAL SCENES LIKE THIS ARE RENOWNED JOURNALIST TOM COATS SERVED AS COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER.

I READ SOMEONE WHO WAS, YOU KNOW, COPING WITH STAGE 4 PROSTATE CANCER AS THEY WENT THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

>> RATHER YOU THE SAME ONE THAT THIS IS YOUR BOOK TO WRITE.

>> TELLING THEM AND HOW MUCH YOU CAN RELATE TO WHERE THEY COME FROM.

AND I KNEW I HAD TO COME BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW YOU.

BUT I KNOW YOU.

I DON'T KNOW YOU.

BUT I LOVE IT.

THROUGHOUT THE CEREMONY.

THERE WERE MULTIPLE CHEERS FOR ONE PERSON IN PARTICULAR.

LOVE YOU.

JENNIFER >> JENNIFER LACKEY.

THE PROGRAM'S DIRECTOR AND THE COHORTS MATRIARCH PROFESSOR JENNIFER LACKEY WHO SAYS SHE DOES THIS WORK IN PART TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE PLACES LIKE NORTHWESTERN WITH TRIP, YOU KNOW, KIND OF >> MENTS RESOURCES AND EXCELLENCE REALLY SHOULD BE THE ONES TO STEP UP TO DO THIS WORK.

I THINK THAT WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS SET A MODEL FOR WHAT PRISON EDUCATION CAN LOOK LIKE.

WE WANT TO SHOW WHAT'S POSSIBLE AND THAT YOU CAN TRULY OFFER THE SAME QUALITY OF EDUCATION THAT YOU PROVIDE ON YOUR CAMPUS IS EVEN US FACILITY THAT HAS NOT SOME SECURITY STUDENTS BUT ALSO TO INSPIRE HOPE.

THIS IS A COMMUNITY TOO.

AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE VERY DIRECTED AT LIKE WHAT ARE WHAT YOU DO WITH THIS ON OUTSIDE?

THIS IS A SPACE TO WHERE THERE ARE LIVES LIT AND BEING ABLE TO BRING MENTORS AND TUTORS SENT, YOU KNOW, TEA'S TO THIS SPACE IS LIFE CHANGING FOR MANY OF THE MEN HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

AND FOR THERE CHILDREN AND MOTHERS.

AND, YOU KNOW, LOVED ONES BACK HOME.

WHILE SOME OF THESE MEN MAY ONLY TRY THEIR DEGREES FROM INSIDE PRISON, OTHERS WILL RETURN TO THEIR COMMUNITIES.

BENARD MCKINLEY IS ONE OF THEM GOING HOME IN MARCH AFTER 19 YEARS IN PRISON.

THIS IS WHAT YOU OPPORTUNITY.

LOOKS >> WIND IS NOT THE ROLE BLOCKS.

KEEPING FROM BEING ABLE TO COMPETE WITH THE OTHER SOCIAL DYNAMICS THAT PUT IN PLACE OATH.

AND IF YOU GIVE THE CHANCE TO LIKE I THE CREWS GO REST IT.

>> BERNARD MCKINLEY WAS THE FIRST PERSON IN ILLINOIS TO TAKE THE L SAT WHILE INCARCERATED.

HE'S PLANNING TO APPLY TO NORTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL AND HOPES TO BECOME A CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY.

THERE ARE 3 OR COHORTS OF MEN ENROLLED AT STATESVILLE, 2 COHORTS OF WOMEN AT LOGAN LOGAN CORRECTIONAL CENTER.

THE FIRST ARE EXPECTED TO GRADUATE IN THE NEXT 2 YEARS.

WE'RE BACK WITH MORE IN JUST A MOMENT.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

JURORS HEAR EVIDENCE OF THE SECOND OF 4 CRIMINAL SCHEMES.

PROSECUTORS SAY FORMER ALDERMAN ED BURKE WAS INVOLVED MEANWHILE, A NEW STATE LAW BRINGS FURTHER ACCOUNTABILITY TO KEEP ILLINOIS POLITICIANS FROM ABUSING THEIR OFFICE.

AND CHICAGO HAS STARTED LIMITING MIGRANTS TO 60 DAYS IN SHELTERS HERE WITH ALL THAT AND MORE IS OUR SPOTLIGHT.

POLITICS TEAM HEADER, SHARON, AMANDA, VICKI AND PARIS JURORS HEARD EVIDENCE TODAY, AS WE MENTIONED, THE FORMER ALDERMAN ED BURKE, ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO EXTORT BURGER KING OWNERS.

HEATHER, WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

WELL, THIS IS THE ORIGINAL CHARGE LEVIED AGAINST ALDERMAN ED BURKE.

HE'S ACCUSED OF ESSENTIALLY SHAKING DOWN THE OWNERS OF SEVERAL BURGER KING RESTAURANTS IN CHICAGO.

ONE SPECIFICALLY IN THE 14TH WARD, WHICH WAS REPRESENTED BY ALDERMAN ED BURKE FOR 54 YEARS.

THEY WANTED TO RENOVATE THAT RESTAURANT BURKE WANTED THEIR PROPERTY TAX APPEALS BUSINESS.

AND ACCORDING TO PROSECUTORS, HE LINK THE 2 IN A SERIES OF MEETINGS.

>> THAT HE DIDN'T KNOW BEING SURVEILLED BY THE FBI AS THEY HOMED IN ON THE VERY POWERFUL ALDERMAN.

NOW WE HAVE NOT FINISHED HEARING THE TESTIMONY ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR SCHEME IN WHICH HIS LONGTIME AIDE PETE ANDREWS IS ALSO CHARGED AND THE DEFENSE HAS SAID, LOOK, IT WAS NOT A CRIME.

FRED BURKE TO WORK AS PROPERTY TAX ATTORNEY AT THIS POINT, IT WAS NOT A CRIME FOR HIM TO TRY TO SOLICIT BUSINESS FROM THESE PEOPLE.

NOW, PROSECUTORS ARE GOING TO SAY IT WAS A CRIME BECAUSE HE HELD UP A PERMIT THAT THEY NEEDED TO DO THE WORK.

AND THAT'S WHERE EXTORTION CAME.

SO THERE WAS ALSO A CONTINUING DISCUSSION OF BERKS ALLEGED ATTEMPTS TO EXTORT THE FIELD MUSEUM IN 2017.

>> HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT TEMPER BECKONS EXPERIENCE WITH BURKE.

>> THAT WAS PRETTY FRIGHTENING.

SO DIFFERENT BACK IN ON BEHALF OF THE FIELD MUSEUM ON THE PHONE WITH ED BURKE AND HE'S AUDIO AUDIO SAID THAT HIS PREFERRED INTERN CANDIDATE TO NOT GET HIRED.

THE DAUGHTER OF TERRY CONVINCE KI HIS LONGTIME FRIEND AND HE SAID, WELL, I SUPPOSE AS SOMETHING OF ME NOW, YOU KNOW, HE'S GRUFF KIND OF COMMUNITY IS CUTTING HER OFF BECAUSE, YES, SHE WANTED TO GO TO THE CHAIR OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO TRY AND INFLUENCE PARK DISTRICT BOARD TO APPROVE A RATE HIKE FOR THE FIELD MUSEUM.

>> AND, YOU KNOW, HE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING OVERTLY OR EXPLICITLY ABOUT WHAT HE WOULD OR WOULDN'T BUT HE PRETTY MUCH SUBLIMINALLY SAID THAT THIS IS NOT A VERY GOOD IDEA IS NOT SOMETHING REALLY WANT TO DO RIGHT NOW.

SO SHE GOES AND SENT AN EMAIL TO HER.

IS SAYING I THINK WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM HERE.

SHE TOOK IT AS A TESTIFIED.

SHE TOOK IT TO THE THREATS TO FIND THAT AND THEN FURTHER, I THINK IS ALWAYS INTERESTING AND YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT WHAT THE JURY'S GOING TO PROCEED BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THIS, OF COURSE, IS ALL ABOUT RIGHT?

>> IS WHAT YOU HEAR.

THIS IS ONE YOU HEAR THE PHONE CALL.

>> YOU HEAR THAT GRAFANA SORT OF THAT DOMINANCE IN BERKS VOICE AND I DON'T KNOW HOW THE JURY CAN IGNORE THAT.

YOU ALSO HEAR IN HER VOICE SORT OF THAT THE FEAR THE OH, MY GOSH, I'M INTIMIDATED.

WHAT AM I GOING TO DO THAT?

OH, YOU HEAR THAT IN HER VOICE.

AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THAT WILL RESONATE IN SORT OF LINGER.

THIS.

THIS TRIAL GOES ON LONGER.

THOSE ARE THE MEMORIES WILL.

THE JURY ALSO HEARD TESTIMONY THAT NOT ONLY DID SHE SEND THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM E-MAIL, BUT EVERYBODY AT THE FIELD MUSEUM IMMEDIATELY LAUNCHED INTO ACTION, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED WITH MOLLY DOBUZINSKIS APPLICATION AND WHAT COULD THEY TO MOLLIFY HIM BECAUSE THEY WERE TERRIFIED THAT HE WAS GOING TO HOLD UP.

THE PROPOSED ADMISSION FEE HIKE THAT THEY DESPERATELY SCHOLARSHIP, WRITE YOUR AND DIFFERENT.

I CAN PUT IN AN EMAIL.

WE NEED TO OFFER HIM A CULPA PRIZE AND IT WAS CLEAR THAT THEY KNEW.

>> THAT BURKE WAS ANGRY AND THAT HE ESSENTIALLY WANTED EXCEPT SOMETHING TO MAKE IT BETTER.

AND WHAT'S INTERESTING HERE IS THAT BURKE HAD NO AUTHORITY OVER PRICE HIKE FOR FIELD MUSEUM.

NOT DONE, BUT THEY KNEW THAT IF HE WENT TO REPORTERS, HE CAN GUM IT UP OR HE COULD INTRODUCE SOMETHING TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND MAKE PASS.

AND ANOTHER INTERESTING THING FOR ME IS ALSO THAT AGAIN, SIMILAR TO HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN, WHO HE'S ALSO SAID HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG AS DID PARK.

>> OVER AN INTERNSHIP.

THESE ARE REALLY POWERFUL.

>> SUCCESSFUL CAREERS POLITICIANS KNOW THE RULES AND IT IS ASTOUNDING TO LOOK AT SOME OF THIS AND SEE SORT OF JUST THAT THAT OVERPAID EXACTLY WHAT.

BUT IT A QUESTION OF THE MATTER OF WIELDING THAT POWER BY LETTING LITTLE THING GO.

THEN OTHER BIG THINGS ARE GOING TO GET OUT OF MY BUT IT WAS THAT AND WHAT ELSE DID RIGHT THING?

AND BURKE USED UTILIZES KIND OF ALLEGED BEHAVIOR FOR A LOT.

PROBABLY SO.

YOU MENTIONED AND SPEAKING BEING ACCUSED OF ABUSING YOUR AMANDA, THERE'S A NEW STATE LAW THAT PROHIBITS POLITICIANS CONVICTED OF A FELONY OR CERTAIN TYPES OF CRIMES FROM HOLDING STATE OFFICE.

>> HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM EXISTING LAWS WILL JUST FASCINATING TO ME.

I'M NOT SURE SPEAKER MADIGAN, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER HE'S CONVICTED OR NOT, HAS ANY.

>> INDIA, FOR ASIANS OR HOPES FROM VOTERS OF RETURNING TO OFFICE.

BUT I MEAN, BY STATE LAW, WHAT IS IN WHAT HAD BEEN THE CASE IS THAT IF YOU HAVE ONE OF THESE CONVICTIONS, BRIBERY OR CERTAIN OTHER FELONIES, YOU COULDN'T RUN FOR MUNICIPAL OFFICE.

SO THERE WILL BE NO CHANCE OF BECOMING MAYOR OR A SPOT ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

BUT YOU RUN FOR A SEAT IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

YOU COULD RUN FOR GOVERNOR AND THIS IS A LAW THAT CHANGES THAT.

IT'S NOT JUST IF YOU HAVE ANY SORT OF ON FELONY CONVICTION.

IT IS IF IT IS SOMETHING THAT OCCURS ONE, YOU ARE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

SO IF YOU ARE A SITTING MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IF YOU ARE THE GOVERNOR AND YOU COMMIT A IF YOU DO SOMETHING FELONIOUS AND YOUR CONVICTED OF THAT, THEN YOU WOULD NO LONGER BE ABLE TO HOLD ANY OTHER ELECTED STATE OFFICE, MUNICIPAL OR STATE.

AND WE KNOW THAT THESE THINGS HAVE HAVE BEEN CAN IN OFFICE.

>> SO MEANWHILE, THERE ARE SOME MIGRANTS WHO'VE BEEN STAYING IN CITY-RUN SHELTER SINCE 2022.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND PERMANENT HOUSING BY THERE ARE ALSO NO LONGER BE ABLE TO RECEIVE STATE ADMINISTERED RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

WHAT OPTIONS WILL THEY BE LEFT WITH?

VERY FEW AND THIS IS PART OF A NEW APPROACH ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK BY MAYOR JOHNSON AND GOVERNOR PRITZKER TO THE CRISIS.

IT IS COUPLED WITH BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND THE MAYOR SAY WILL BE INTENSE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO HELP THESE PEOPLE FIND SOMEWHERE TO LIVE IS TO GET WORK PERMITS IN TO GET JOBS.

I THINK THE QUESTION IS CAN THEY MAKE THAT WORK OR IN MID-JANUARY AND THEN AGAIN IN EARLY SPRING, ARE WE GOING TO SEE THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS PUT OUT A CITY SHELTERS WITH NOWHERE ELSE TO GO?

>> AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE JOHNSON ADMINISTRATION SAYS THAT THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT THEY HAVE A PLAN THAT WILL KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING.

I THINK THERE ARE REAL CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER THIS IS GOING TO SUPERCHARGE CHICAGO'S UNHOUSED POPULATION.

AND LET'S BE CLEAR, THESE PEOPLE ARE EXCEEDINGLY VULNERABLE.

THEY COULD BE VICTIMS OF CRIME AND THEY COULD POTENTIALLY BE EXPOSED TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES.

WE HEARD GOVERNOR PRITZKER SAY LAST WEEK THAT HE DID NOT WANT TO SEE PEOPLE FREEZING TO DEATH ON CHICAGO STREETS AND THAT WILL GIVE YOU THAT GIVES YOU A SENSE OF SORT OF WHERE WE ARE AT THIS MOMENT IN THE CRISIS.

>> PARIS, YOU KNOW 30 45 SECONDS LEFT.

WHAT IMPACT COULD THIS HAVE ON THE CRISIS?

WELL, I MEAN, THERE ARE THERE ARE LIMITED SPACES FOR MIGRANTS.

SO IT'S SORT OF FREES UP SPACE 60 DAYS ON MAYOR SAID WE'RE NOT GOING TO JUST KICK YOU OUT ON THE STREET, BUT THIS IS SORT OF THE SCHEDULE WANT TO STICK TO ALSO ON A POLITICAL LEVEL.

IT'S A SHIFT IN MESSAGING FOR MAYOR JOHNSON WHO HAS TAKEN SOME FEEDBACK FROM AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY, EVEN LATINO WHITE COMMUNITY THAT LIKE WE CAN'T JUST HAVE A BLANK CHECK.

WE WANT TO OPEN OUR HEARTS, BUT THERE'S GOT TO BE LIMITS IN THE PAST.

HE HAS SAID WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN NOW IT'S KIND OF A SHIFT IN MESSAGING.

WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING.

SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME STRICT GUIDELINES.

HERE ARE SOME GUIDELINES AROUND IT, OK, THAT SPOTLIGHT FOR THIS AND OF ANY HE HAD A PARISH THANKSGIVING.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING.

>> AND YOU CAN GET YOUR CARGO TONIGHT STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE AND OUR WEB SITE W T TW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10 FOR A SPECIAL EDITION OF CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT BRANDIS FRIEDMAN, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A CLIFF AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH THAT IS PROUD