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

OUR GRANDEST FRIEDMAN.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

>> THE FATHER OF THE ALLEGED HIGHLAND PARK GUNMAN PLEADS GUILTY WHAT HIS SENTENCE LOOKS LIKE.

MEANWHILE, JURY SELECTION BEGINS IN THE CORRUPTION TRIAL OF FORMER ALDERMAN ED BURKE.

CHICAGO WORKERS WOULD GET 10 DAYS OF PAID TIME OFF UNDER A NEW PROPOSED ORDINANCE, LABOR GROUPS AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WAY AND THE STATE'S SECOND MOST POPULOUS CITY IS ACCUSED OF PLAYING FAVORITES COMPANIES AIRPORT.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES DRUMMER AT CITY HALL AS CITY COUNCIL'S MOST POWERFUL MEMBER RESIGNS FROM THE POSITIONS THAT GAVE HIM POWER 30TH WARD ALDERMAN CARLOS RAMIREZ.

ROSA HAS RESIGNED AS MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON CITY COUNCIL FLOOR LEADER AS WELL AS CHAIR OF THE ZONING COMMITTEE POSITIONS HE'S HELD FOR JUST 6 MONTHS.

IN A STATEMENT, RAMIREZ ROSAS APOLOGIZED FOR, QUOTE, DISRESPECTFUL INTERACTION DURING A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING LAST WEEK WHERE HE SCRAMBLED TO PHYSICALLY BLOCK 30TH WARD ALDERWOMAN AND OTHER OLDER PEOPLE FROM ENTERING COUNCIL CHAMBERS TODAY 31ST.

WARD ALDERMAN FELIX CARDONA SAID THAT RAMIREZ, ROSA GRABBED SHOULDER AND USED A THREATENING TONE WHILE WHISPERING IN HIS EAR THAT HE SHOULD NOT ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING.

THAT MEETING CENTERED ON THE CITY'S EFFORTS TO RESPOND TO THE MIGRANT CRISIS.

YOU CAN READ MUCH MORE ON THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

ANOTHER FORMER BLACKHAWKS HOCKEY PLAYER ALLEGES ASSAULT BY THE TEAM'S VIDEO COACH DURING THE TEAM'S STANLEY CUP WINNING 2009, 2010 SEASON.

THE LAWSUIT FILED LAST WEEK IN COOK COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT DOESN'T NAME THE PLAYER WHO WAS ON THE TEAM'S BLACK ACES SQUAD WHICH TRAVELED WITH THE TEAM DURING THE PLAYOFFS TO FILL IN IN CASE OF INJURIES BUT SAYS THE TEAM'S FORMER VIDEO COACH BRAD ALDRICH USED TO GOOD USE HIS AUTHORITY TO GROOM, HARASS, THREATEN AND ASSAULT.

THE PLAINTIFF DISH.

>> THIS IS KNOWN TO OTHER PLAYERS WHEN YOU ARE SUSPECTED OF BEING THE INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS BEEN ABUSED, YOUR OTHER PLAYERS BEGIN TO TREAT YOU DIFFERENTLY AND MAKE SHOWING UP EVERY DAY FOR PRACTICE AND FOR PLAYING THAT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.

SO IT HAS CERTAINLY IMPACTED HIS CAREER, BUT HE'S WILLING NOW TO TAKE THE RISK OF ANY FURTHER IMPACT.

>> ATTORNEYS FOR THE PLAINTIFF WHO HAS NOT BEEN NAMED POINT OUT THAT ALDRIDGE IS NAMED IN A SIMILAR LAWSUIT FROM 2021 BY FORMER PLAYER KYLE BEACH.

THAT SUIT HAS SINCE BEEN SETTLED.

BLACKHAWKS DECLINED TO COMMENT ON THE SPECIFICS OF THE LATEST LAWSUIT BUT HAVE IN A STATEMENT SAID IT TAKES ALLEGATIONS OF WORKPLACE MISCONDUCT SERIOUSLY AND HAS ALREADY IMPLEMENTED CHANGES LIKE EXPANDED MENTAL HEALTH AND NEW REPORTING MECHANISMS AND TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES.

>> A SURPRISING SKIPPER SHAKEUP AT THE FRIENDLY CONFINES.

TODAY THE CHICAGO CUBS ANNOUNCED THAT DAVID ROSS IS OUT AS MANAGER AND THE TEAM DIDN'T HAVE TO LOOK TOO FAR TO FIND HIS REPLACEMENT ANNOUNCING THEY'VE HIRED RIVAL MILWAUKEE BREWERS MANAGER CRAIG COUNSELL TO THE POST COUNCIL LED MILWAUKEE TO THE POSTSEASON IN 5 OF THE PAST YEARS.

HIS CONTRACT IS REPORTEDLY FOR 5 YEARS AND 40 MILLION DOLLARS MAKING HIM THE HIGHEST PAID MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL MANAGER.

UP NEXT, THE FATHER OF THE ALLEGED HIGHLAND PARK PARADE SHOOTER PLEADS GUILTY.

WHAT HAPPENED INSIDE THE COURTROOM RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> ROBERT CRIMO JUNIOR, THE FATHER OF THE ALLEGED HIGHLAND PARK GUNMAN PLEADED GUILTY TODAY TO RECKLESS CONDUCT.

THE PLEA CAME JUST MOMENTS BEFORE HIS BENCH TRIAL WAS SET TO BEGIN.

>> YOU'RE ENTERING PLEAS OF GUILTY TO 7 POUNDS CLASS, A MISDEMEANOR, ALL OF WHICH ARE PUNISHED WE'RE IN THE COUNTY JAIL.

$2500 FINE FOR BULL TO UNDERSTAND.

YES.

>> WTW NEWS REPORTER MATT MASTERSON WAS IN THE LAKE COUNTY COURTROOM TODAY AND JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

MATT, WHAT'S THE SENTENCE HERE?

SO HE WAS SENTENCED TO 2 YEARS PROBATION, WHICH WILL COME AFTER YOU SERVE 60 DAYS IN THE COUNTY JAIL THERE.

THAT'S GOING TO BE STARTING NEXT MONTH.

HE HASN'T BEEN TURNED INTO A CUSTODY JUST YET.

OKAY.

SO HOW DID THE FATHER OF THE ALLEGED SHOOTER GET INVOLVED IN CRIMO JUNIOR?

THE FATHER ARRESTED AFTER HE SIGNED AFFIDAVIT SUPPORTING HIS SON ROBERT CRIMO, THE 3RD APPLICATION FOR A FIREARM OWNERS IDENTIFICATION CARD OR CARD CRIMO.

THE 3RD WAS 19 AT THE TIME SO HE COULD NOT GET A FOID CARD WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT.

THE ISSUE, THOUGH, IS THAT CRIMO JUNIOR KNEW THAT THERE ARE SOME SUBSTANTIAL ISSUES WHEN HE SIGNED THAT AFFIDAVIT, HE KNEW THAT HIS SON HAD MADE THREATS AGAINST HIS FAMILY.

HE HAD MADE SUICIDAL THREATS AGAINST HIMSELF.

>> AND HE TALKED IN THE PAST ABOUT COMMITTING A MASS SHOOTING.

THIS HIGHLAND PARK.

IT ALSO BEEN SENT TO HOW THE CREAM ALE HOUSE AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE THIS AFFIDAVIT WAS SIGNED IN CRIMO JUNIOR KNEW ALL THIS WHEN HE WENT AHEAD AND SIGNED THAT.

SO THE CRIMES CHARGED WITH WAS KNOWING THAT HIS SON POSED A THREAT, 2 OTHER PEOPLE, BUT IGNORING THAT INFORMATION TO HELP THEM BUY THESE FIREARMS.

HOW COMMON IS IT FOR PARENTS TO BE CHARGED IN SIMILAR?

>> MASS SHOOTING CASES LIKE THIS?

YEAH, IT'S QUITE THE MOST WELL-KNOWN CASE RECENTLY PARENTS IN MICHIGAN OF THE PARENTS OF A SCHOOL SHOOTER THERE WHO'VE BEEN CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER THE STATE'S ATTORNEY IN LAKE COUNTY ALSO REFERENCED CASE IN NEW YORK.

BUT OUTSIDE OF THAT, IT'S IT'S PRETTY UNCOMMON FOR PARENTS TO BE CHARGED RELATION SOMETHING LIKE BRENDAN KELLY, THE HEAD OF THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE, HE SPOKE TODAY AS WELL.

HE SAID THAT THE PROSECUTION, ROBERT CRIMO JUNIOR AND THE SUBSEQUENT GUILTY PLEA WERE UNPRECEDENTED IN ILLINOIS.

>> ANY EXPLANATION AS TO WHY CRIMO JUNIOR TOOK THE PLEA HIS ATTORNEY SAID HIS CLIENT WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT HIS SON CRIMO THE 3RD GETS A FAIR TRIAL WHEN HE GOES CHILD SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE.

>> THAT SOME EVIDENCE THAT WOULD HAVE COME OUT IN THIS CASE COULD HAVE AFFECTED THAT INCLUDING SNIPPETS OR ON TRANSCRIPTS FROM A 7 HOUR INTERVIEW, THE CREAM OF THE 3RD HAD WITH HIGHLAND PARK POLICE AFTER HE WAS ARRESTED FOR THE SHOOTING THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ADMITTED AT THIS TRIAL AND GONE PUBLIC.

IT ALSO MEANT THAT NO CRIMO FAMILY MEMBER HAD TO TESTIFY AT THIS TRIAL.

THE DOT ABOUT CALLING CRIMO THE 3RD.

THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

THE PROSECUTION HAD SOUGHT TO BRING HIS BROTHER A YOUNGER BROTHER IN TO TESTIFY THAT WHAT HAPPENED TODAY.

BUT WITH THE PLEA DEAL THAT AVOIDED AND FROM THE PROSECUTION STANDPOINT, THEY GET SOME MEASURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A GUILTY VERDICT HERE EVEN WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TO THE TRIAL.

>> AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE ALLEGED GUNMAN CRIMO THE 3RD INNING IDEA WHEN HIS TRIAL IS IT'S GOING LIKELY BE SOMETIME NEXT YEAR.

HE'S DUE BACK IN COURT NEXT MONTH FOR A HEARING AT WHICH POINT THEY WILL SET A TRIAL DATE.

SOME POINT IN THE THAT MASTERSON YOU'LL BE KEEPING YOUR EYE ON IT FOR US.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

FRIENDS.

AND YOU CAN READ MATT'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

IT'S ALL AT W T TW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

>> AND AS ONE HIGH-PROFILE LEGAL BATTLE COMES TO A CLOSE, HEATHER SHARON JOINS US NEXT FOR DETAILS ON ANOTHER ONE.

JUST GETTING STARTED.

FORMER ALDERMAN ED BURKE GOT HIS DAY IN COURT TODAY AS JURY SELECTION GOT UNDERWAY IN HIS RACKETEERING TRIAL.

IT COMES NEARLY 5 YEARS AFTER FBI AGENTS RAIDED HIS CITY HALL AND WARD OFFICES.

BUT FINDING JURORS QUALIFIED TO DECIDE THE FATE OF THE ONCE POWERFUL ALDERPERSON WILL SLOW GOING.

WBTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER SHARON JOINS US NOW WITH THE LATEST ON THIS HISTORIC DAY IN FEDERAL COURT.

HEATHER, REMIND US WHAT ED BURKE IS CHARGED WITH.

WELL, HE FACES 14 COUNTS OF RACKETEERING, BRIBERY AND EXTORTION.

AND ONCE A JURY SELECTED, PROSECUTORS WILL ARGUE THAT HE USED HIS POWERFUL PERCH AT CITY HALL.

>> TO FORCE COMPANIES AND PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO DO BUSINESS CITY HALL TO HIRE HIS PRIVATE LAW FIRM IN ALL.

HE'S CHARGED WITH 4 SEPARATE CRIMINAL SCHEMES.

BUT THE BEST KNOWN IS PROBABLY THE SCHEME TO HOLD UP THE SUBSIDY FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE OLD POST OFFICE.

HE WAS CAPTURED ON SECRET RECORDINGS ASKING HIS CO-CONSPIRATOR ALDERMAN DANNY SOLIS IF THEY HAD, QUOTE, LANDED THE TUNA YET THEY HAD NOT.

AND HE HELD UP THE PROJECT.

OKAY.

SO CHICAGO SEEN A LOT OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION COURT CASES.

WHAT DOES THIS ONE MATTER?

BURKE WAS REALLY THE LAST MACHINE BOSS STANDING.

HE'S ACCUSED OF UNDERSTANDING HOW CITY HALL WORKED SO CAREFULLY THAT HE WAS ABLE TO USE HIS POWER TO FORCE THAT AND THE PEOPLE THAT IN THE JURY WILL HEAR ARGUMENTS THAT THAT WAS WHY CORRUPTION IN CHICAGO HAS BEEN ABLE FLOURISH FOR NEARLY A HALF-CENTURY.

OK, SO SET THE SCENE FOR AT THE DIRKSEN COURTHOUSE.

SO HE ARRIVED A LITTLE AFTER 8.30, WEARING A TANNED COAT OVER A DARK SUIT.

HE GAVE REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS JOHN T WAVE AND HE HEADED INSIDE ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE, ANNE BURKE, THE FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE OF ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT AND THE FAILINGS OF LAWYERS.

HE SPOKE ONLY TWICE IN COURT TODAY ONCE TO GREET THE JUDGE AND ONCE DEGREE THE FIRST GROUP OF 53 POTENTIAL JURORS WHO COULD BE ASKED TO DECIDE HIS SLOT OF JURORS TO GO THROUGH.

WHEN WILL WE HEAR WHEN WE THINK WE MIGHT HEAR OPENING STATEMENTS IN THIS CASE AND WHEN MIGHT WE HAVE A VERDICT, HEATHER?

WELL, SO ONLY ABOUT 2 DOZEN JURORS WERE QUESTIONED BY THE JUDGE IN THE WIRES TODAY.

MUCH IF YOU ARE THAN PEOPLE EXPECTED.

OPENING STATEMENTS HAD BEEN EXPECTED ON WEDNESDAY.

IT'S NOT CLEAR WHETHER THAT WILL HAPPEN IN ALL.

THE TRIAL IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 6 WEEKS, 6 WEEKS.

AS WE KNOW THERE WAS A LOT PAPERWORK BACK AND FORTH IN THIS TRIAL OR IN THIS CASE.

SO A LOT TO WORK THROUGH IN FEDERAL COURT THERE HAD ROOM.

THANKS SO MUCH.

THANKS, BRANDIS.

>> AND YOU CAN HIS FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

IT'S ALL A WTW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

WE'RE BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO WORKERS COULD SOON GET 10 DAYS OF PAID TIME OFF UNDER A PROPOSED ORDINANCE.

BUT OPPONENTS OF THE PLAN SAY IT WOULD DEVASTATE BUSINESSES IF THE ORDINANCE IS APPROVED BY A CITY COUNCIL VOTE THAT COULD COME THIS WEEK HERE WITH MORE ARE SO FEW ON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF RAISE THE FLOOR ALLIANCE AND BRAD TEATS, VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND STRATEGY FOR THE CHICAGOLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THANKS TO BOTH FOR JOINING US.

SOFIA.

LET'S START WITH YOU.

PLEASE YOUR WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION.

RAISE THE FLOOR.

YOU ALL SUPPORT THE PAID LEAVE ORDINANCE.

TELL US WHY SO THE PAID TIME OFF ORDINANCE WOULD BE A LIFELINE FOR THE WORKERS THAT RACE.

THE 4 ALLIANCE REPRESENTS.

>> HE'S A PREDOMINANTLY BLACK AND BROWN WORKERS WHO LABOR IN OUR LOW WAGE INDUSTRIES.

THESE ARE THE WORKERS THAT WE CALLED ESSENTIAL DURING THE PANDEMIC WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE TO KEEP OUR SOCIETY RUNNING AND WHO HAD TO DO SO BECAUSE THEY FORWARD TO MISS WORK AND TO MISS WAGES.

SO THE PAID TIME OFF ORDINANCE IS ABOUT RESPECTING THOSE WORKERS WHO ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR CITY.

IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT NO ONE HAS TO MISS A PAYCHECK OR A JOB TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR LOVED ONES.

IT'S ABOUT BEING ABLE TO SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY.

I'M GOING TO YOUR KID'S SOCCER GAME, MAKING MEMORIES WITH YOUR AILING ELDERS.

AND SO THIS REALLY IS AN ORDINANCE THAT IS GOOD FOR WORKERS AND GOOD FOR CHICAGO.

AND BRIEFLY, GIVE US A SENSE.

HE SAID, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIAL WORKERS, IT'S BEEN A FEW YEARS SINCE WE'VE HAD TO TALK ABOUT IT BRIEFLY.

A COUPLE OF A COUPLE OF POSITIONS ARE KINDS OF JOBS.

>> THAT YOU WILL REPRESENT SHORE.

SO WE REPRESENT WORKERS AND ALL LOW-WAGE SECTORS, WHETHER THAT'S MANUFACTURING THE CLEANING INDUSTRY STICK WORK.

CHILDCARE, RESTAURANTS, FOOD, PRODUCTION AGAIN, THAT THE INDUSTRIES THAT WERE REALLY ESSENTIAL TO KEEPING OUR SOCIETY RUNNING.

BRAD, OBVIOUSLY, WE KNOW SOME OF THE BUSINESS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE HAD SAID IT WOULD DEVASTATE BUSINESSES OF ALL SIZES.

TELL US HOW.

>> SURE.

AND AND I DO WANT TO CLARIFY OR AT THE TOP TO I MEAN, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS THERE'S A FOR A BALANCE PAID LEAVE POLICY.

IT'S WHY WE CAME TO THE TABLE AT THE STATE LEVEL TO DO THE 5 PTO DAYS BACK IN JANUARY OF 2023.

IT'S WHY WE'VE BEEN ON THE FOR THESE NEGOTIATIONS IS WHY WE PUT ON THE TABLE JUST A WEEK AND A HALF AGO, 10 PAID LEAVE DAYS WHERE THE EMPLOYER HAS ARE WITH THE EMPLOYEE HAS THE ABILITY TO TAKE THE DAYS AS THEY SEE FIT.

SO TO TO SOPHIA'S POINT, WE UNDERSTAND EVERY WORKER SHIP THE NEED TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES CARE FOR THEIR FAMILY AND JUST SIMPLY ENJOY THEIR LIVES.

YOU KNOW, HAVING SAID THAT, WHAT'S BEFORE CITY COUNCIL, IT GOES TOO FAR QUICKLY.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S IT'S GOING TO IT'S THE MOST COMPLICATED AND EXPENSIVE FOR PAID LEAVE IN THE COUNTRY AND IT WOULD ACUTELY IMPACT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL BUSINESS.

THE COMMUNITIES THAT CITY COUNCIL CLAIMS TO CARE THE MOST ABOUT, YOU KNOW, AND THIS IS ALL HAPPENING ON TOP PERSISTENTLY HIGH CRIME LABOR SUPPLY CHAIN SHORTAGES.

YOU KNOW WHAT HAVE YOU?

I'D LIKE, YOU KNOW, BAD POLICIES COMING OUT OF CITY COUNCIL LIKE THE TIP CREDIT, FOR INSTANCE.

DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW THIS MORNING BUT 121 RESTAURANT OWNER SIGNED ONTO AN OP-ED BLASTING THIS POLICY AND REMOVING THE TIPS.

MINIMUM YES, YES.

YOU SAID THAT THAT IT GOES TOO FAR TOO QUICKLY.

WELL, WHAT WOULD YOU PREFER TO SEE WHAT WOULD BE MORE WORKABLE?

WELL, AND LIKE I MENTIONED, WE ACTUALLY PUT FORTH A POLICY FOR 10 PAID LEAVE POLICY DAYS.

BUT >> ONE, WE NEED A WHOLE LOT MORE PROTECTION FROM LAWSUITS BEING FILED AGAINST BUSINESSES INTO PARTICULAR SMALL BUSINESSES WHO DON'T HAVE HR DEPARTMENTS TO, YOU KNOW, PUSH BACK AGAINST THIS.

WE'RE ALSO PUSHING BACK STRONGLY AGAINST THE PAYOUT REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE REQUIRED IN THE WHEN EMPLOYEES SEPARATED FROM EMPLOYMENT NEWS REQUIRED TO BE PAID OUT UNDER THE ORDINANCE.

NOWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY REQUIRED.

ILLINOIS, NEW YORK CITY LA.

SO WE'RE ASKING FOR SIMILAR POLICY HERE.

AND WE'RE ALSO ASKING FOR MORE PROTECTIONS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

SO THE CURRENTLY EXEMPT SMALL BUSINESSES FROM THE PAYOUT PROVISIONS.

BUT WE'RE ASKING FOR A TOTAL CARVE SO THAT ONLY THE NEW STATE REQUIREMENTS APPLY TO >> SO LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT ALDERMAN WILLIAM HALL HAD TO SAY IN SUPPORT OF THIS PROPOSAL.

>> AND ONE THING WE KNOW IS THAT SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO STEP AWAY SO THAT YOU CAN REFRESH AND RESET.

NO ONE SHOULD BE PENALIZE.

NO ONE SHOULD BE AFRAID TO TAKE TIME OFF TO DO WHAT'S NECESSARY TO BE A GOOD WORKER.

AND SO THIS IS A CITY OF BIG SHOULDERS.

SO TODAY WE'RE CARRYING SMALL BUSINESSES, BIG BUSINESSES, BUT ALL THE BUSINESS MATTERS CHICAGO.

IF THE WORKING CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT IN THE RIGHT?

>> SOPHIA, WHAT DO YOU TO SOME OF THE CONCERNS FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT THIS WOULD BE VERY HARD FOR THEM?

>> YES, SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO ASK WHAT ABOUT THEIR WORKERS?

SHOULD WORKERS AT SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE SECOND-CLASS RIGHTS?

I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK WORKERS AT SMALL BUSINESSES SHOULD HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AS WORKERS AT LARGER BUSINESSES MAJOR CHAINS WORKING AT A SMALL BUSINESS DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT LIFE HAPPENS AND PEOPLE NEED TIME OFF TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES BELIEVE ISN'T JUST A BENEFIT.

IT IS A NECESSITY FOR LIVING A DIGNIFIED LIFE AND EVERYONE ALL WORKERS SHOULD HAVE THIS RIGHT REGARDLESS OF THE SIZE OF THEIR EMPLOYER.

I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT ORDINANCE IS THE RESULT OF MANY MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS AND IT REPRESENTS COMPROMISE.

I'M NOT ONLY DID COMPROMISE ON THE ROLLOUT WE COMPROMISED ON THE NUMBER OF DAYS AND WE COMPROMISED ON THE PAYOUT THAT WORKERS WOULD RECEIVE.

SO THIS IS AN ORDINANCE THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IS TENABLE FOR BUSINESSES.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S ABOUT GIVING WORKERS THE RIGHT TO REST AND THE ECONOMIC SECURITY TO THRIVE.

FRED, YOU MENTIONED THAT THE INITIAL CALLED FOR 15 DAYS OF PAID LEAVE IN SUPPORTERS HAVE CALLED THIS, QUOTE, THE BARE MINIMUM FOR WORKERS DO NOT SEE THIS AS AS A AS A COMPROMISE.

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU SEE THIS STILL TOO MUCH.

WE KNOW WE HAVE.

WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS THROUGH OUR NEGOTIATIONS, BUT IT STILL IS STILL GOES TOO FAR TOO QUICKLY AND, >> YOU KNOW, DIDN'T MENTION THIS, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE ONLY HAVE 8 WEEKS UNTIL JANUARY ONE 2024.

>> THE STATE LAW WENT INTO EFFECT IN MARCH OF 2023 AND THERE'S CALLS AND EVEN LEGISLATION NOW TO PUSH BACK EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE STATE REQUIREMENTS BECAUSE WE WANT TO PARTNER LABOR CAN PROPAGATE THE RULES.

QUICK ENOUGH FOR THIS SO AGAIN, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GOING TO BE SETTING UP BUSINESSES OF ALL SIZES TO LAWSUIT EXPOSURE IN THE NEXT 8 WEEKS.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAUGHT THE HEARING ON THURSDAY, BUT CITY OFFICIALS COULDN'T ANSWER THE MOST BASIC OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS.

AND NOW THEY'RE CLAIMING BE DOING TRAININGS RULE PROMULGATION IN THE NEXT 8 IT'S HARD FOR US TO SEE THAT HAPPENING GIVEN HOW POORLY DRAFTED THE LANGUAGE IS.

THERE'S JUST SO MANY BEEN A FLAWED PROCESS FROM THE START IS LEADING TO A FLAWED PRODUCT.

COOK COUNTY ACTUALLY INTRODUCED ORDINANCE SIMPLY TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW STATE REQUIREMENTS BECAUSE IN THERE IN THEIR MINDS, WEEKS WAS NOT LONG ENOUGH THAT YOU DO THIS RIGHT.

SO IF YOU HOW ABOUT THAT, THE STATE LAW THAT THAT IS ALREADY IN EFFECT, IS THAT NOT ENOUGH?

>> KNOW, AND AND WORKERS IN CHICAGO ARE ACTUALLY AT RISK OF BEING BEHIND THAN THE REST OF THE STATE WHEN THE STATE LAW GOES INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY.

FIRST 2024.

>> YOU KNOW, BROADWAY'S TO POINT THE CONCERN AROUND FOR THOSE LAWSUITS.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO MENTION THAT PRIVATE ENFORCEMENT AND THE ABILITY TO GO TO THE COURTS IS FUNDAMENTAL AND IT'S A FACET OF MANY CHICAGO LAWS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WORKERS WHO ARE TRYING TO PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

THE IDEA THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THE MEANS OR THE TIME OR THE RESOURCES TO RECRUIT LAWYERS TO LOB FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS THAT THEIR EMPLOYERS IS BEYOND BELIEF.

AND IN ADDITION TO A PRIVATE ENFORCEMENT IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT GIVES WORKERS THE PAST TO ENFORCE THEIR RIGHTS.

WHAT WE SEE ALL THE TIME IS THAT EMPLOYERS VIOLATE WORKERS RIGHTS AND THEY DON'T JUST FIGHT VIOLATE SINGLE ISSUES.

THEY VIOLATE MANY RIGHTS.

THE WORKERS THAT WE REPRESENT ARE DEALING WITH UNPAID WAGES.

THEY'RE DEALING WITH DISCRIMINATION WITH WAGE THEFT WITH UNSAFE WORKING CONDITIONS AND THEIR FACE RETALIATION WHEN THEY TRY TO IMPROVE THEIR WORKPLACE.

AND THE ABILITY TO GO TO THE COURTS IS ALSO AN ABILITY TO CUT THROUGH THE RED TAPE OF ALL THE AGENCIES AND REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN THOSE RIGHTS.

THAT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR WORKERS WHO HAVE LIMITED TIME AND RESOURCES.

BRAD, HOW MIGHT THIS PROPOSAL IF ENACTED, HOW MIGHT IT IMPACT BUSINESSES ABILITY OR THE CITY'S ABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN?

>> BUSINESSES TO THE CITY?

>> WELL, THERE'S MULTIPLE LAYERS TO THIS ONE IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING.

MOST OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO A REALLY BIG IMPACT TRYING TO GET SMALL BUSINESSES THERE AS WELL AS BIG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

I THINK IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA YOU'RE GOING TO SEE COMPANIES HAVING A GETTING WORKERS TO ACTUALLY COME OR LIKE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BRING WORKERS INTO THE DOWNTOWN AREA BECAUSE OF THIS.

IF THEY IF THEY COME FROM THE SUBURBS OR SOMETHING ELSE LIKE THAT HAS IMPORTANT PIECE OF THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF EMPLOYEE IN THIS ONLY A WORKER TO WORK FOR 2 WEEKS OR 2 HOURS IN A TWO-WEEK PERIOD TO BE SUBJECT.

THIS ORDINANCE.

SO, YOU FOR A TRAVELERS COMING IN.

SO ACTUALLY, THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY IS NOW I'M KIND OF PERK IN THE YEARS UP TO THIS BECAUSE UNDER THAT DEFINITION, IF SOMEBODY FROM SEATTLE COMES IN FOR A CONVENTION AND HERE FOR 3 DAYS, THEY ARE NOW SUBJECT TO ORDINANCE.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS LIKE THAT WE'RE JUST STARTING TO GRAPPLE WITH IN OUR FIRST MEETING ACTUALLY HAPPENED ON OCTOBER.

13TH.

SO WE'VE ONLY HAD 4 WEEKS TO REALLY NEGOTIATE THIS.

I'M STILL GETTING E-MAILS FROM FROM BIGGER COMPANIES BK.

HAVE THEY CONSIDERED THIS YET?

HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT THIS YET.

SO A LOT OF UNANSWERED AND THERE'S THE CHANCE OF CITY COUNCIL MAY BE VOTING ON THIS TOMORROW.

SO >> SURE WE'LL BE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION GOING FORWARD.

SOPHIE IS A MIND.

BRAD, TEACH THANKS TO BOTH FOR JOINING US.

APPRECIATE IT.

THANKS FOR HAVING THANK YOU.

AND THERE'S MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT JUST AHEAD.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

THE CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS.

SECOND MOST POPULOUS IS FACING A FEDERAL LAWSUIT OVER CHARGES THAT IT'S BEEN ILLEGALLY PLAYING FAVORITES WITH THE PRIVATE COMPANIES THAT OPERATE OUT OF THE AURORA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.

>> ONE OF THOSE FIRMS CLAIMS ITS LONGTIME RIVAL HASN'T BEEN HELD TO THE CITY STANDARDS FOR AVIATION COMPANIES AT THE AIRPORT AND THE FIRM THAT ALLEGEDLY GOT A SWEETHEART DEAL HAS SINCE BEEN SOLD OFF TO BUSINESS.

THAT'S BECOME A BACKER OF AURORA'S MAYOR WBTW NEWS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER NICK BLUMBERG JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

NIC, WHAT'S THE BACKGROUND HERE?

WILL BRAND ON THE ONE HAND, THIS CASE IS ABOUT A LONG-RUNNING BUSINESS DISPUTE WITH ONE SIDE SAYING THAT THE CITY OF AURORA JUST ISN'T KEEPING ITS AND UP.

>> ON THE OTHER HAND, IT SHINES A LIGHT ON WHAT CRITICS OF CITY GOVERNMENT SAY IS A PATTERN OF INSIDERS GETTING A LEG UP.

AIR RELOCATED TO THE AURORA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT MORE THAN 15 YEARS AGO.

THAT'S A CITY-OWNED AIRPORT.

BUT PRIVATE BUSINESSES LEASED THE SPACE AND DO THINGS LIKE REFUELING MAINTENANCE, FLYING LESSONS.

WAS ONE OF 2 MAIN AVIATION COMPANIES OPERATING AT THE AIRPORT.

THE OTHER WAS KNOWN AS LUMEN AIR.

CLAIMS THAT FOR YEARS THE CITY LET LUMINARY OPERATE AT A MUCH LOWER COST THAN PUTTING THEM AT A HUGE FINANCIAL DISADVANTAGE.

AND THEY SAY FORCING TAXPAYERS TO PICK UP THE CHECK FOR YEARS WHEN THE AIRPORT WAS RUNNING AT A DEFICIT.

JAY ALSO CLAIMS THAT LUMINARIES FACILITIES DIDN'T EVEN MEET THE MINIMUM STANDARDS THE CITY HAS IN PLACE FOR AVIATION COMPANIES OPERATING OUT OF THE AIRPORT.

AMONG THOSE STANDARDS, SAYS ITS RIVAL LUMINARY WAS ALLOWED TO USE UNDERGROUND FUEL TANKS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY LEAK AND CONTAMINATE GROUNDWATER J AND OTHER FIRMS MUST USE ABOVE GROUND FUEL TANKS TO PREVENT A HAZARD LIKE THAT.

JAY ALSO SAYS WOMEN AS REFUELING FACILITY WASN'T UP TO WITH BUCKET USED TO CATCH LEAKING FUEL.

BOTH THESE PHOTOS THAT WE'RE SEEING OUR EXHIBITS IN THE SUIT.

NICK, WHAT'S BEEN THE RESPONSE TO THE LAWSUIT WILL NEITHER THE CITY NOR LUMINARIES FORMER OWNER WOULD COMMENT FOR THIS STORY.

BUT IN LEGAL FILINGS, ATTORNEYS FOR BOTH PARTIES HAVE BROADLY TONIGHT, JAY-Z CLAIMS SAYING THERE WASN'T ANY UNFAIR TREATMENT BEEN ESSENTIALLY THAT J DOESN'T HAVE A NATIONAL POLL CASE HERE.

NOW, INTERESTINGLY BACK IN 2015, THE CITY OF AURORA ITSELF DECIDED LUMINARIES BUSINESS WASN'T IN COMPLIANCE AND TRIED TO EVICT THE COMPANY FROM THE AIRPORT.

IN FACT, THEY TRIED 4 SEPARATE TIMES TO EVICT LUMINARY BETWEEN 2015 2018, BUT EVENTUALLY THE CITY AND LUMINARY CAME TO AN AGREEMENT AND SIGNED A NEW LEASE IN 2020.

THAT'S RIGHT.

AROUND THE SAME TIME THAT ACCORDING TO CITY DOCUMENTS, LUMINARIES OWNERS WERE NEGOTIATING WITH THE COMPANY THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY BUY THEM OUT.

AND WHO'S THIS NEW COMPANY WILL ENTERPRISES IS BASED OUT OF PERU, ILLINOIS.

THAT'S ABOUT 60 MILES OR SO SOUTHWEST OF AURORA.

IT'S A HOLDING COMPANY.

THEY HAVE FIRMS THAT DO A WHOLE RANGE OF THINGS.

WOOD PRODUCTS, CHEMICALS, AVIATION IN AURORA AND IN OTHER CITIES.

IT BROUGHT OUT LUMINARY IN 2021.

IT'S IN SIGNED AN UPDATED LEASE WITH THE CITY, ELISE THAT SAYS IN ITS LAWSUIT STILL CONTAINS THOSE ILLEGAL SWEETHEART TERMS.

THE COMPANY IS ALSO DEVELOPING A BREW PUB IN DOWNTOWN AURORA IN A BUILDING THAT IT BOUGHT FROM THE CITY FOR A DOLLAR, A DEAL THAT ALSO INCLUDES A $900,000 TAXPAYER BACKED FORGIVABLE LOAN SINCE COMING TO OR ARE AT CLE OWNERS HAVE BECOME BIG BACKERS OF MAYOR RICHARD IRVIN.

STATE RECORDS SHOW THEY NEAR A DONATED NEARLY $5,000 TO HIS CAMPAIGN FUND EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE COMPANY ALSO PLAYED HOST TO THE ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS AT AIRPORT HANGAR AND THEN WEEKS LATER HOSTED A POLITICAL FUNDRAISER FOR MAYOR OR BEEN IN THAT SAME SPACE OUT OF THE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT THAT FITS WITH WHAT CRITICS SAY IS A LONG-RUNNING PATTERN OF PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES GETTING TAXPAYER FUNDED DEALS, CONTRACTS AND OTHER BENEFITS FROM THE CITY WHO ALSO BACKED THE MAYOR AND HIS ALLIES.

THAT'S A PATTERN.

WBTW NEWS HAS BEEN REPORTING ON OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.

NOW FOR ITS PART, THE CEO OF SEAL ENTERPRISES TOLD US WHILE IT'S NOT A PARTY TO THE AIRPORT LAWSUIT, IT'S BEEN OPERATING ABOVE BOARD THAT IT'S THE COMPANY'S RESPONSIBILITY TO SUPPORT LOCAL LEADERS INTERESTED IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THAT ANY BENEFITS IT'S RECEIVED ARE COMPARABLE TO OTHER COMMON REDEVELOPMENT DEALS.

BRANDIS.

IT'S A TWISTY STORY.

THERE IS MUCH MORE TO DIG INTO ONLINE.

SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT REPORTING.

NIC BLOOMBERG, THANKS SO MUCH.

THANK YOU.

AND YOU CAN READ NEXT FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

IT'S ALL AT W T TW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

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

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5.30, AND A SPECIAL TIME 11.

AND WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH CHICAGO'S CHRISTMAS TREE ARRIVING IN MILLENNIUM PARK TODAY.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO 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 CHICAGO, PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH THAT IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION