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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HERE IN OUR NORTHWEST SIDE STUDIO.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ OUTSIDE THE KENOSHA COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN KENOSHA, WISCONSIN.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

>> IT TAKES ONE PERSON TO START IT ALL AND IT'S NERVE-WRACKING.

>> WE'RE LIVE IN KENOSHA WISCONSIN AS RESIDENTS AWAIT A VERDICT IN THE MURDER TRIAL OF KYLE RITTENHOUSE.

>> I DO NOT SUPPORT THIS POSSESS IN WHICH WE ARE DOING THIS.

>> CONTROVERSY OVER THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT'S GANG DATABASE AT TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

>> HE HAS DISGRACED HIMSELF AND DISGRACED THE DEPARTMENT.

>> A POSSIBLE RACE BETWEEN MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT AND POLICE UNION PRESIDENT JOHN CATANZARA OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WEIGHS IN.

>> ADVOCATES ARE CALLING ON THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO CANCEL STUDENT DEBT AS NEW LOAN CHANGES COME INTO EFFECT NEXT YEAR.

>> GOD BUILD THIS PLACE WITH MY KID ONE CRAWLING ON THE FLOOR.

HE LIVED ABOVE FOR THREE YEARS.

>> MEET A LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR WHO IS POURING HIS LOVE OF BIKES AND COFFEE INTO A NEW BUSINESS.

[♪♪♪] >> GEOFFREY BAER ON CHICAGO'S SEARCH FOR AN OFFICIAL SONG IN TONIGHT'S "ASK GEOFFREY".

>> AND BRANDIS I'M CO-CAN R ANCHORING LIVE OUTSIDE THE KENOSHA COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN WISCONSIN WE HAVE TESTY EXCHANGING IN AND OUTSIDE OF THE COURTROOM AND THE LATEST HOW THEY ARE PREPARING FOR A POTENTIAL VERDICT.

FIRST WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> PARIS, SEE YOU SOON.

>> NOW TO TODAY'S TOP STORIESES, PEOPLE RETURNING BACK TO COMMUNITIES AFTER RELEASE FROM PRISON, LORI LIGHTFOOT SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING THE AGENCY REENTRY COUNCIL.

THE COUNCIL WILL BE COMPOSED OF CITY DEPARTMENTS AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY GROUPS AND WILL PRIORITIZE HELPING PEOPLE RETURNING FROM PRISON WITH ESTABLISHING ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND HOUSING.

REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE WILL BE ON THE PROGRAM LATER ON TO DISCUSS MORE NEWS OUT OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND CITY COUNCIL TODAY.

>> ANOTHER CHICAGO AREA POLITICIAN CAUGHT IN A FEDERAL BRIBERY PROBE.

WHILE PLEADING GUILTY TO A BRIBERY CHARGE TODAY, FORMER CRESTWOOD MAYOR LOUIS PRESTA SAYS HE IS RETIRED OF THE MAYOR.

PRESTA ACCEPTED A $5,000 BRIBE FROM AN EXECUTIVE OF A RED LIGHT CAMERA COMPANY SAFE SPEED WHILE RUNNING FOR COMMISSIONER.

THE MONEY GIVEN BY THE EXECUTIVE WAS IN EXCHANGE FOR MORE CAMERAS AND REVENUE FROM EXISTING CAMERAS IN CRESTWOOD.

>> THE CITY'S SCHOOL DISTRICT IS COMING UP WITH PLANS FOR THE WINTER AS COVID NUMBERS RIDES.

CHICAGO PUBLICS SCHOOL C.E.O.

PEDOR MARTINEZ SAYS THE DISTRICT IS DEVISING PLANS FOR RESPONDING TO POSSIBLE OUTBREAKS AND HOW TO CLOSE SCHOOLS IF NECESSARY.

AHEAD OF THANKSGIVING BREAK, CHICAGO IS AVERAGING 465 NEW COVID CASES PER DAY AN 11% SPIKE COMPARED TO A WEEK AGO.

NOW THAT THE COVID VACCINE IS APPROVED FOR KIDS, C.P.S.

IS TRYING TO GET MORE STUDENTS VACCINATED INCLUDING A CANCELLATION OF CLASSES LAST FRIDAY FOR VACCINE AWARENESS DAY.

>> AND UP NEXT WE'RE LIVE FROM KENOSHA WITH LOCAL REACTION TO THE MURDER TRIAL OF KYLE RITTENHOUSE.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... 7 >> JURORS IN THE MURDER TRIAL OF KYLE RITTENHOUSE HAVE COMPLETED TWO DAYS OF DELIBERATIONS WITHOUT A VERDICT.

IT COMES AS TENSIONS HEAT OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE AND IS NATIONALLY POLITICALLY CHARGED CASE.

PARIS HAS MORE FROM KENOSHA.

>> BRANDIS, JURORS HAVE GONE HOME FOR THE EVENING AND THEY WILL BE BACK HERE TOMORROW AT 9:00 A.M. NO VERDICT OBVIOUSLY.

SOME EXPECT ADMINISTRATORS LEFT ON THE COURTROOM STEPS IN THE KENOSHA COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND THE BIG ACTION INSIDE THE COURTROOM THIS AFTERNOON CENTERED AROUND VIDEO FOOTAGE SPECIFICALLY THE QUALITY AND THE RESOLUTION OF VIDEO FOOTAGE.

DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ASKED THE JUDGE TO DECLARE A MISTRIAL ARGUING THAT PROSECUTORS SEPTEMBER THEM DRONE VIDEO THAT WAS LOWER RESOLUTION THAN WHAT PROSECUTOR HAD ACCESS TO THEMSELVES.

THE PROSECUTORS ARGUE IT WAS A FUNCTION OF SENDING THE VIDEO FILE VIA E-MAIL AS DEFENSE ATTORNEYS SUGGESTED.

BRUCE SCHROEDER WHO WHOSE COMMENTS AND ACTIONS RECEIVED PUBLIC SCRUTINY DEFENDED HIS DECISION NOT TO RULE YET ON THE MOTHS FOR A MISTRIAL.

>> I HAVE NOT EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO READ THE MOTION TO DISMISS.

I JUST GOT IT YESTERDAY.

AND I REALLY THINK BEFORE I RULE ON A MOTION, I SHOULD LET THE STATE RESPOND.

WHY ANYONE WOULD THINK THAT IT'S ODD FOR THE JUDGE TO SIT ON A MOTION TO DISMISS I HAVE NO IDEA.

>> AND THE JUDGE ALSO HAD STRONG REACTION ON THE BENCH TO CRITICISM AND SCRUTINY THAT HE HAS RECEIVED IN THE PUBLIC FOR THE WAY THE TRIAL HAS PROCEEDED AND THIS COMES AS DEMONSTRATORS MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD OUTSIDE THE KENOSHA COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

KYLE RITTENHOUSE FACES FIVE COUNTS IN THE CONNECTED TO THE DES OF THOSE TWO YOUNG MEN, THE JURY OF THE THIRD.

THE MOST SERIOUS COUNT IS INTENTIONAL HOMICIDE WITH A SENTENCE OF LIFE IN PRISON.

THEY GOT INTO ARGUMENTS ALL IN VIEW OF THE MEDIA.

KENOSHA POLICE ANNOUNCED TWO ARRESTS FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND BATTERY A 20-YEAR-OLD MALE AND 34-YEAR-OLD WOMAN AND A FAR RIGHT PROTESTER BRANDISHING A RIFLE.

THIS CASE HAS INFLAMED PARTISAN DIVISIONS NATIONALLY.

SOME BELIEVE RITTENHOUSE SHOULD BE CONVICTED OF MURDER AND OTHERS BELIEVE HE WAS ACTING IN SELF-DEFENSE AND PROSECUTORS SHOULD NOT HAVE BROUGHT THE CASE.

>> FOR THIS YOUNG MAN TO WALK DOWN THE STREET WITH AN AR15 AND SHOOT THREE PEOPLE KILLING TWO IS INEXCUSABLE HE HAD NO REASON TO SHOOT THEM EXCEPT HE WANTED TO BE A VIGILANT.

>> A RACE TO JUDGMENT AND CHARGED THIS INNOCENT YOUNG MAN WHO WAS DEFENDING HIS LIFE IN A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION, IT IS AN AMERICAN RIGHT WE ALL HAVE IT.

KYLE HAD TO USE IT.

>> AND ALL THIS PLAYS OUT AS KENNAIANS ARE ON EDGE.

IF YOU GO DOWNTOWN FROM THE COURTHOUSE IT IS A NORMAL DAY.

THE GOVERNOR CALLED IN 500 MEMBERS OF THE WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD BUT THEY ARE NOT VISIBLE ANYWHERE AROUND THE CENTER OF TOWN.

THEY ARE STATIONED OUT ON THE PERIPHERY IN CASE THINGS GET TENSE AND RESIDENTS ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE CITY IS PREPARED AND THAT THE VERDICT DOES NOT BRING THE SAME UNREST THAT THE SHOOTING OF JACOB BLAKE DID OVER A YEAR AGO.

>> WELL, THEY DO HAVE THE 500 PEOPLE IN THE NATIONAL GUARD READY TO GO.

LAST TIME WE WERE NOT IN THAT POSITION.

IF IT'S NECESSARY, WE CAN HAVE THEM HERE AND I HOPE IT'S NOT NECESSARY.

BUT I THINK THAT BETWEEN THAT AND WHAT THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS DONE, I THINK WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE.

>> MOST OF THE KENOSHAIANS ARE NOT HERE.

SOME EARLIER LISTENED BUT KENOSHA HAS A WIDE RANGE OF FEELINGS.

RIGHT NOW PRESENTLY, I THINK THEY ARE HOPEFUL PROBABLY FRIGHTFUL, ESPECIALLY AFTER WHAT WE WENT THROUGH ONE YEAR AGO.

>> AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN A LOT OF BOARDED UP WINDOWS ON BUSINESSES THIS TIME.

SOME LOCAL SHOP OWNERS TOLD ME IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL.

WE'RE CARRYING AS NORMAL WHILE OTHERS LOCAL BAR MANAGER TOLD US SHE IS PROCEEDING WITH CAUTION WORRIED ABOUT MORE DAMAGE IN A TOWN THAT IS STILL HEALING FROM THE BATTERING IT TOOK OVER A YEAR AGO.

>> I WAS HERE WHEN WE HAD ALL OF OUR WINDOWS BOARDED UP AND THE CITY WENT UP IN FLAMES BASICALLY.

I HOPE THAT WE'RE MORE PREPARED THIS TIME AND I THINK WE ARE.

BUT ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW.

I'M ON FACEBOOK AND YouTube AND I'M LOOKING UP THE TRIAL.

AND I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE THINGS STAY CALM.

>> AGAIN, DAY THREE OF DELIBERATIONS TOMORROW.

MOST OF THE DEMONSTRATORS HAVE GONE HOME FOR THE EVENING.

AND WE WILL BE BACK LATER IN THE SHOW WITH MORE ON HOW KEN THANS FEEL ABOUT THEIR TOWN BEING AT THE CENTER OF THE SPOTLIGHT AGAIN.

WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> A DIVIDED CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO GIVE THE CHICAGO POLICE BOARD THE POWER TO REMOVE PEOPLE FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S GANG DATABASE.

SOME ALDERPEOPLE ARE CRITICAL BECAUSE THE VOTE COMES AS THE RULES GOVERNING THE CONTROVERSIAL SYSTEM HAVE YET TO BE TIMELIZED.

HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US WITH MORE.

GIVE US A SENSE WHAT THIS VOTE MEANS FOR REINSTATING THE GANG DATABASE?

>> WELL, IT ADDRESSES ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE GANG DATABASE OR TO OBJECT TO THAT DESIGNATION AND TO HAVE YOUR NAME REMOVED.

AND THAT WAS A CENTRAL COMPLAINT OUTLINED NOT ONLY BY FORMER INSPECTOR GENERAL FERGUSON BUT ALSO A LAWSUIT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT PROMPTED THE CITY TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES.

NOW, WE KNOW THAT THAT FELL DISPROPORTIONATELY ON BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGOANS.

95% OF THE 135,000 CHICAGOANS LISTED IN THAT DATABASE IN 2019 WERE BLACK OR LATINO.

>> OK. ALDERMAN LOPEZ SPOKE ON WHY HE VOTED NO.

HERE HE IS.

>> SUPPORTING A REFINED AND USEFUL GANG DATABASE IS SOMETHING THAT I PERSONALLY BELIEVE IN.

BUT I HAVE AN ISSUE WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE TODAY WE ARE PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE AND SAYING WE ARE GOING TO COME UP WITH AN APPEALS PROCESS BEFORE WE KNOW HOW YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS TO BEGIN WITH.

>> WHY IS THIS A SEPARATE ORDINANCE AND NOT PART OF THE LARGER CONVERSATION ON THE RULES GOVERNING THE DATABASE?

>> THE CITY COUNCIL DOES NOT HAVE DIRECT AUTHORITY TO SET POLICY FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THAT IS THE PURVIEW OF SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN AND HE QUIETLY RELEASED NEW RULES FOR WHAT THEY ARE CALLING THE CRIMINAL INFORMATION ENTERPRISE SYSTEM AND THAT WAS RELEASED FRIDAY.

SO IT LAYS OUT THE RULES BUT THOSE RULES WILL NOT BE FINAL UNTIL NOVEMBER 29, WHEN MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE TO WEIGH-IN ON THOSE RULES.

SO ALDERMAN THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE SAID DO BOTH AT THE SAME TIME AND THAT IS WHY YOU SAW 18 ALDERMEN VOTE AGAINST IT BECAUSE THEY SAID WE DON'T KNOW HOW PEOPLE GET LISTED IN THE DATABASE IN THE FIRST PLACE IT'S TOO SOON TO TALK ABOUT HOW TO HELP THEM GET OUT OF THE DATABASE IF A MISTAKE WAS MADE.

>> WHAT WOULD BE THE PROCESS?

>> WHAT THE CURRENT POLICY LAYS OUT WHICH IS OF COURSE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE TO GO TO EITHER POLICE HEADQUARTERS, A CITY CLERK'S OFFICE OR A POLICE DISTRICT STATION AROUND THE CITY AND INQUIRE WHETHER THEY ARE LISTED IN THE DATABASE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AND I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A SUBJECT OF CONTROVERSY GOING FORWARD BECAUSE THERE IS NO RULE REQUIRING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO NOTIFY ANY CHICAGOAN THAT THEY HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE DATABASE.

ONCE THEY FIND OUT IF THEY ARE IN THE DATABASE THEY CAN THEN ASK THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO REMOVE THEM AND IF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT REFUSES, THEY CAN NOW ASK THE CHICAGO POLICE BOARD UNDER THE ORDINANCE THAT WAS APPROVED TODAY BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

>> AND OF COURSE AS YOU MENTIONED THE LAST GANG DATABASE WAS RHINE WITH ABUSE AND -- RIPE WITH ABUSE AND TARGETED BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGOANS HOW ARE COUNCILMEMBERS DOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NEW SYSTEM DOESN'T COMMIT MORE HARM?

>> WELL, WE JUST DON'T KNOW HOW THE NEW SYSTEM WILL WORK.

AND I ASKED MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT THAT AFTER TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING WHETHER SHE WAS CONFIDENT THE NEW SYSTEM HAD ENOUGH CHECKS AND BALANCES IN PLACE TO BE USEFUL FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHILE PROTECTING CHICAGOANS' RIGHTS AND SHE SAYS SHE WAS CONFIDENT AND THAT IF CHANGES NEEDED TO BE MADE THEY WOULD MAKE THEM.

HOWEVER THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE ALDERMEN AND US WILL BE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON BECAUSE SO MANY CHICAGOANS SAID THEY HAD TROUBLE FINDING JOBS OR RENTING AN APARTMENT OR SOME WERE DEPORTED BY FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AGENTS SO THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE FOR MANY CHICAGOANS.

>> OF COURSE.

THANK YOU AND WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN LATER IN THE PROGRAM FOR OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> ADVOCATES ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM ON ANOTHER POTENTIAL FINANCIAL CLIFF APPROACHING IN THE NEW YEAR.

THE STUDENT LOAN DEBT CRISIS UP TO $1.7 TRILLION.

MANY FEDERAL LOAN BORROWERS WERE RELIEVED OF REPAYMENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC BUT THEY ARE SET TO RESUME FEBRUARY 1.

AND WHILE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE SWEEPING CHANGES TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM THERE'S NO MOVEMENT ON CANCELING STUDENT DEBT.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE STUDENT LOAN DEBT CRISIS IS CODY HOUNANIAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STUDENT DEBT CRISIS CENTER.

WELCOME BACK AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AGAIN.

WE KNOW THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD EXPAND THE PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM WHAT CHANGES ARE IN THE WORKS THERE?

>> YEAH, SO BRANDIS THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME THESE UPDATES ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

THE PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ERASE THE STUDENT LOAN DEBT FOR TEACHERS, NURSES, SOCIAL WORKERS AND PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS IN NONPROFIT AND GOVERNMENT SPACES.

BUT FOR THE LAST DECADE THE PROGRAM HAS NOT WORKED AS INTENDED AND WE SEE TOO MANY BORROWERS NOT GET THE STUDENT DEBT THEY WERE PROMISED BY LAW.

THE WAY THIS EXPANSION IS WORKING IS THAT IT WILL EASE THE RULES AND MAKE THE APPLICATION PROCESS MUCH EASIER FOR STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS SO THE PEOPLE THAT EXPECTED TO HAVE STUDENT DEBT FORGIVEN AFTER TEN-YEARS OF COMMITTING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITIES WILL GET THAT RELIEF.

IT IS A BIG WIN BUT IT IS A TEMPORARY FIX SO WE ARE RUSHING TO GET PEOPLE APPLIED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> THE PROGRAM HAS NOT WORKED AS INTENDED.

WHAT HAS GONE WRONG?

>> WE HAVE A GENERATION OF PUBLIC WORKERS WHO MADE PERSONAL SACRIFICES AND DECISIONS AS FAR AS THEIR CAREER AND FINANCES BASED ON THE EXPECTATION THAT THEIR STUDENT LOANS WOULD BE FORGIVEN AFTER 10 YEARS.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE TECHNICALITIES AS FAR AS WHAT TYPE OF LOPE SOMEONE HAS OR PROGRAM THEY SIGN UP FOR, HAS BLOCKED TENS OF THOUSANDS MAYBE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS FROM GETTING THE RELIEF.

THE NEW WAIVER THE UPDATE PASSED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN THE LAST MONTH, WOULD MAKE IT SO THAT ANYONE WHO HAS A FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN AND MADE A PAYMENT WHILE WORKING FOR A PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEE WILL HAVE THAT TIME COUNT TOWARDS STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS.

>> WHAT CONCERNS DO YOU HAVE ABOUT STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENTS RESUMING IN FEBRUARY?

>> YEAH, I'M GLAD YOU CALLED IT A FINANCIAL CLIFF BECAUSE THAT IS HOW I SEE T ON FEBRUARY 1, TENS OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WILL BE SENT BACK INTO STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT.

WE HAVE NEVER IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY SEEN A FINANCIAL SITUATION LIKE THIS WHERE MILLIONS OF ACCOUNTS FOR FINANCIAL PRODUCT WILL ARE TO BE TURNED ON IT IS AN UNPRECEDENTED MOMENT.

AND BEYOND THAT WE SURVEYED 33,000 STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND 9 OUT OF 10 OF THEM TOLD US THAT THEY ARE NOT READY TO RESUME STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FINANCIALLY SECURE ENOUGH.

SO THIS PANDEMIC IS NOT OVER YET AND THE ECONOMIC HARM CAUSED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS CERTAINLY NOT DONE.

AND SO WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PAUSE STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS AND WE NEED TO PERMANENTLY CANCEL STUDENT DEBT SO WE CAN LIFT THE BURDEN OFF THE BACKS OF AMERICANS ONCE AND FOR ALL.

>> LET'S GET INTO THE SURVEY.

AMONG EMPLOYED BORROWERS, 89% SAID THEY ARE NOT READY FOR LOAN PAYMENTS TO RESUME.

88% SAY THEY DEPENDED ON COVID-19 RELIEF FOR THEIR LOANS.

45% SAY THEY HAVE POOR FINANCIAL WELLNESS.

AND 21% SAY THEY WILL NOT BE FINANCIALLY SECURE WHEN PAYMENTS RESUME.

AND AS YOU JUST SAID YOUR ORGANIZATION WITH OTHERS CALLED FOR CANCELING STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

HOW WOULD THAT IMPACT THE ECONOMY LET ALONE THE BORROWERS?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

FIRST, ON THE SURVEY, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT WHAT WE FOUND THIS TIME AROUND THIS IS OUR FOURTH SURVEY DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT BORROWERS ARE BACK TO WORK.

TWO-THIRDS OF THEM TOLD US THEY ARE FULLY EMPLOYED AND YET THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION STILL MAKES PAYING STUDENT LOANS AND AFFORDING OTHER BILLS CHALLENGING.

WITH THAT TELLS US IS THAT STUDENT LOAN DEBT IS A HARBINGER ON THE ECONOMY.

IT PREVENTS PEOPLE FROM FULLY PARTICIPATING IN THE ECONOMY.

BUYING HOMES, PURCHASING CARS, STARTING SMALL BUSINESSES.

STUDENT LOAN DEBT ISN'T JUST AN EXTRA WEIGHT THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS HOLDING OUR ENTIRE ECONOMY BACK.

SO IF WE CAN CANCEL THE DEBT WE CAN WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN WE WILL SEE PEOPLE HAVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL UNLEASHED.

THEY WILL BE ABLE TO INVEST IN THEMSELVES AND INVEST IN THE ECONOMY AND THEIR FAMILIES AND NOT ONLY WILL THOSE BORROWERS BENEFIT, ALL OF US IN AMERICA WILL BENEFIT BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE LIFTED UP TENS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO CAN PARTICIPATE MORE FULLY.

>> 45 MILLION PEOPLE COLLECTIVELY OWE $1.73 TRILLION IN STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

HOW BLACK AND LATINO BORROWERS IN PARTICULAR ARE IMPACTED BY STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

>> WE CANNOT NOT TALK ABOUT THE RACIAL EQUITY PIECE IT IS SO IMPORTANT.

WE KNOW THAT BLACK AND BROWN BORROWERS HAVE TO TAKE ON MORE DEBT TO PAY FOR SCHOOL.

AND THAT IS BECAUSE THEY LACK GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

SYSTEMICALLY AND HISTORICALLY, BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DEVELOP THE LONG-TERM WEALTH THROUGH PURCHASING HOMES, INHERIT TENSES ALL OF THAT.

SO BLACK AND BROWN YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE TO BORROW MORE TO PAY FOR SCHOOL.

THEY FACE MORE OBSTACLES WHEN IT COMES TO REPAYING THE LOANS.

THERE'S DATA THAT SUGGESTS AFTER 12 YEARS, THE AVERAGE BLACK BORROWER OWES MORE THAN WHEN THEY BORROWED AND THAT IS NOT FOR A LACK OF MAKING PAYMENTS.

AND THEN THREE WE ALSO KNOW THAT BLACK WOMEN ARE PARTICULARLY IMPACTED BY STUDENT LOAN DEBT EVEN THOUGH THEY ATTEND GRADUATE SCHOOL AND HIGHER LEVELS OF EDUCATION AT A HIGHER PROPORTION.

AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CANCELING STUDENT LOAN DEBT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS A RACIAL EQUITY PLAN THAT HELPS ADDRESS THE WEALTH GAP BETWEEN THOSE THAT HAVE WEALTH AND THOSE THAT DO NOT.

AND THAT IS INHERENTLY TIED TO RACE.

>> A LOT TO THINK ABOUT.

CODY HOUNANIAN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

IT IS A PLEASURE TO TALK ABOUT THIS TOPIC.

>> UP NEXT HOW A LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR IS BREWING COFFEE AND BICYCLES IN HIS OWN BLEND.

STAY WITH US.

AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING PUSHBACK ON THE MAYOR'S PICK TO LEAD THE CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

BUT FIRST, THERE ARE NUMEROUS COFFEE SHOPS AND BIKE SHOPS ACROSS CHICAGO.

BUT ONE LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR IS POURING HIS LOVE FOR BOTH OF THOSE ACTIVITIES INTO HIS BUSINESS IN LAKEVIEW.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" JOANNA HERNANDEZ MET THE BUSINESS OWNER TO LEARN MORE.

>> MICHAEL SALVATORE HAS COMBINED TWO THINGS HE LOVES: COFFEE AND BICYCLES.

>> THE IDEA OF BIKES AND COFFEE CAME ABOUT BECAUSE WE COULD NOT AFFORD THE RENT IN NEW YORK AND IT WAS EASY TO SEE HOW PEOPLE WERE ENGAGING WHEN THEY HAD COFFEE IN HAND AND LET'S CREATE THAT ENVIRONMENT PERMANENTLY.

>> MICHAEL SALVATORE IS A FIFTH GENERATION CHICAGOAN BUT WHEN HE LIVED IN NEW YORK HE AND HIS BUDDIES STARTED A BICYCLE BUSINESS AND IT EVOLVED WHEN OPENED HIS FIRST SHOP IN LAKEVIEW.

>> FOR ME IT WAS A TERM TO CELEBRATE MY FAMILY HERITAGE AND THE CYCLING HERITAGE IN CHICAGO WE COME FROM A RICH HISTORY OF ALL THE MANUFACTURERS THAT ONCE USED TO BE HERE.

>> THE MATCHUP IS SIMPLE.

CUSTOMERS CAN ENJOY A CUP OF COFFEE WHILE CHECKING OUT CUSTOM-MADE BIKES.

THERE IS REPAIR ASSISTANCE OR JUST COME IN SIP A CUP OF COFFEE AND HANGOUT.

>> WHAT IS COOL YOU COME IN AS A CUSTOMER.

AND YOU RIDE ALL THE BIKES WE HAVE FIVE MODELS.

BUT YOU RIDE THE BIKE, YOU PICK WHICH ONE OR WORK WITH THE MECHANIC TO PICK WHICH WORKS BEST AND FROM THERE YOU BUILD IT OUT.

>> WHAT STARTED OUT SMALL IN DWEF HAS GROWN INTO ITS OWN BRAND.

DURING COVID WE EXPANDED AND TURNED THIS INTO THE BIKE ROOM.

THIS USED TO BE AN OFFICE AND SEATING AND NOW BECAUSE OF THE BIKE DEMAND THE PAST COUPLE YEARS, WE'VE HAD TO EXPAND THE BIKE ROOM.

>> DESPITE THE HARDSHIPS OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES, SALVATORE MANAGED TO STAY AFLOAT AND OPENING BUSINESSES AROUND THE CITY.

THIS IS OUR BIG BANG AND FROM HERE WE CREATED A LITTLE UNIVERSES THAT WE HAVE ALL OVER THE CITY FROM LITTLE COFFEE SHOPS TO BIG COFFEE SHOPS TO BARS TO DINERS.

SO IT'S BECOME A HOSPITALITY COMPANY ON ITS OWN WHICH IS SUPER EXCITING.

>> THE ESSENCE OF THE SHOP THAT SALVATORE SAYS MAKES IT SPECIAL PAYING HOMAGE TO HIS ROOTS.

>> THE OLD RECORD PLAYERS ARE FROM MY PARENTS BASEMENT AND GRANT GRANDPARENTS BATTLED DUST.

>> DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD?

>> I CANNOT GET OVER THE FACT THAT PEOPLE BUY THE BIKES WE MAKE WHICH IS SUPER COOL AND I'M APPRECIATIVE OF IT.

AND THE COOL THING IS SPEAKING OF MY HERITAGE WE GOT THIS DONE.

THIS IS BASED ON A PERUVIAN DESIGN MY MOTHER IS FROM.

SO WE PUT IT ON HERE AND WE'RE MAKING THE FIRST ROUND OF BICYCLES MADE BY HAND IN LIMA.

THEY ARE COMING HERE EARLY NEXT YEAR IT WILL BE THE FIRST OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO MADE BIKE.

>> SALVATORE IS NOW PROUD TO SET ROOTS IN HIS HOMETOWN AND LOCALLY MANUFACTURING ONE OF A KIND BIKES HOPING TO INSPIRE OTHERS TO START RIDING BICYCLES.

>> IT'S NEVER BEEN ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE OF A BICYCLE IT'S BEEN ABOUT THE LIFESTYLE OF A BIKE AND THAT CARRIES ON WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

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

>> AND IN ADDITION TO HERITAGE TEALING UP WITH THE COFFEE TO CREATE A ROAST, MICHAEL SALVATORE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO EXPANDING THE CONCEPT OF ENJOYING A DRINK WHILE SHOPPING.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... HOW LOCAL KENOSHA LEADERS ARE TRYING TO TURN NATIONAL ATTENTION INTO A POSITIVE LOOK AT THE COMMUNITY.

>> ANDREA HAS TO EXPLAIN HERSELF AND APOLOGIZE TO THE FAMILY.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT STANDS BY HER NOMINEE TO HEAD THE CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

AS ALDERPEOPLE BLOCK HER FROM THE JOB.

>> PLUS A MAYORAL TIF INDICTED ALDERMAN AND ROCK HUDSON.

GEOFFREY BAER IS HERE WITH MORE ON THE SEARCH FOR AN OFFICIAL CHICAGO SONG.

>> FIRST MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS SETTLED 10 YEARS AFTER ITS FILING.

THE AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION SUED THE CITY ALLEGING DISPARITIES IN POLICE RESPONSES TO 9-1-1 CALLS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

STILL THE FILING HAS SHOWN LONGER RESPONSE TIMES AND A LACK OF POLICE TO DEPLOY FOR EMERGENCY CALLS IN BLACK AND BROWN NEIGHBORHOODS COMPARED TO WHITE AREAS OF THE CITY.

THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION WHICH FILED THE SUIT SAYS POLICE MUST IMPROVE RESPONSE TIMES AND THE REPORTING AND PUBLICATION OF 9-1-1 CALL DATA.

>> A PROMINENT MEMBER BEHIND CHICAGO'S ENTERTAINMENT SCENE IS ACCUSED OF USING HIDDEN CAMERAS.

MICHAEL JOHNSTON FOUNDER OF AUDIO TREE WHICH OWNS LINCOLN HALL AND SHOE BAS AS OWE SCHUBAS WAS CHARGED WITH MAKING ILLEGAL RECORDINGS IN BATHROOMS.

JOHNSON AND HIS WIFE WERE NAMED IN A CIVIL LAWSUIT FILED BY TWO RECENT DePAUL UNIVERSITY GRADUATES WHO ALLEGE THE COUPLE RECORDED THEM CHANGING WHILE HOUSE SITTING JOHNSTON'S APARTMENT.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, AUDIO TREE ANNOUNCED JOHNSTON WAS OUT AS C.E.O.

OF THE LABEL.

>> WE HEAD TO BACK TO KENOSHA, WISCONSIN WHERE PARIS IS COVERING DEMONSTRATIONS AROUND THE KYLE RITTENHOUSE TRIAL.

>> AND BRANDIS MOST OF THE DEMONSTRATORS ARE GONE.

AS YOU HEARD RESIDENTS SAY EARLIER IN THE SHOW THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ANY OF THE DEMONSTRATORS ARE FROM KENOSHA.

FOUR TO FIVE BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE COURTHOUSE RESIDENTS HELD THEIR OWN AFTERNOON EVENT TO TRY TO CALL ATTENTION TO ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO THEM.

NOW EARLIER I SPOKE WITH KYLE JOHNSON THE HEAD OF BLACK LEADERS ORGANIZING CHANGE AND I ASKED HIM HOW RESIDENTS FEEL ABOUT THIS NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT COMING BACK TO THEIR TOWN.

>> FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY WANT TO FIGURE HOW WE HEAL AND HOW WE MOVE FORWARD AS A COMMUNITY TOGETHER.

WE KNOW OFTENTIMES WHEN CAMERAS GET INVOLVED THERE CAN BE FOLKS OUTSIDE OF THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY WANT TO GET ATTENTION.

AND WE'RE FIGURING OUT HOW TO REIMAGINE OUR COMMUNITY.

HOW WE MAKE THIS A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL CITIZENS IN KENOSHA AND HOPEFULLY THAT CAN REVERBERATE AROUND THE STATE AND THE NATION.

>> AND WHAT ISSUES DO YOU WANT ON THE MINDS OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS?

>> THE THINGS WE'RE HOPING TO ADDRESS ARE THINGS LIKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

HOMELESSNESS.

WE WANT TO REINVEST AND REFOCUS ON EDUCATION SYSTEM BECAUSE AWE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR NEXT GENERATION AND THE LAST THING IS FOCUSING ON DEMILITARIZING THE POLICE.

WE KNOW THE EQUIPMENT THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT GETS FROM THE MILITARY AT A CHEAP DISCOUNT BECAUSE IT EXISTS FROM ALL THE WARS WE HAVE BEEN A PART OF, AND I THINK THE BOTTOM LINE IS COPS DO NOT NEED THAT EQUIPMENT.

BEAR CATS THAT WE SAW ON THE STREETS.

WE SHOULD NOT SEE THOSE THINGS IN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT COPS ARE ABLE TO DO THEIR JOB AND ACKNOWLEDGE WE DON'T NEED THIS KIND OF EQUIPMENT THAT IS BUILT FOR WAR ON AMERICAN STREETS.

>> WHEN YOU SEE THE PROTESTORS AND DEMONSTRATORS AT THE COURTHOUSE AND WHAT HAPPENED LAST SUMMER, MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT FROM KENOSHA THAT ARE HERE MAKING NOISE.

DOES THAT HELP OR HURT THE CITY OF KENOSHA IN ACCOMPLISHING THE GOALS THAT YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH?

>> I MEAN I KNOW IT HELPS BECAUSE PEOPLE CARE.

FOLKS WOULDN'T BE HERE IF THEY DIDN'T CARE.

WE SAW SOME FOLKS FROM ST. LOUIS YESTERDAY STROLL THROUGH NEVER HEARD THEM TALK ABOUT KENOSHA OR HOW THEY CARE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY.

BUT THEY WERE HERE.

BUT WE KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS ARE HERE BECAUSE THEY DO CARE AND WANT TO HELP US HEAL AND WANT TO HELP US REIMAGINE HOW WE MOVE FORWARD AS A COMMUNITY.

A LOT OF FOLKS ARE COMING FROM RACINE AND THESE ARE SISTER COMMUNITIES.

FOLKS LIVE THERE AND WORK HERE.

AND FOLKS FROM SURROUNDING AREAS AND WANT TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN MOVE TOGETHER AND HEAL NOT ONLY AS A CITY BUT AS A REGION.

>> AND CERTAINLY NO ONE WANTS TO SEE THE SCENES THAT WE SAW LAST YEAR.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE COMMUNITY HAS MADE STRIDES IN THE LAST YEAR IN HEALING FROM THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK YOU CAN LOOK AROUND.

LAST YEAR YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN WOODEN BOARDS ON ALL THE BUILDINGS DOWNTOWN.

WE HAD A FENCE AROUND THE COURTHOUSE THAT COST HALF A MILLION AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE PUT IN THE WORK TO GET FOLKS TO BUY IN ABOUT THE NEED FOR HEALING AND REIMAGINING HOW WE APPROACH THINGS.

WE CANNOT DO THE SAME RECIPE AND EXPECT A DIFFERENT RESULT.

>> NATIONALLY THIS CASE IS VIEWED POLITICALLY AND PEOPLE ARE IN THEIR CAMPS POLITICALLY HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT Mr. RITTENHOUSE AND WHAT HAPPENED.

IS THAT THE WAY KENOSHA SEES IT ARE THEY DIVIDED LIKE THAT?

>> I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY CAN AGREE ON IN MY COMMUNICATIONS WITH FELLOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WE AGREE THAT HAVING VIGILANTES IS NEVER THE WAY TO GO ABOUT THINGS.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY WE DID HAVE A VIGILANT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND IT ENDED IN DEATH AND MURDER.

AND WE DON'T NEED THAT.

>> THAT'S KYLE JOHNSON THE HEAD OF A GROUP CALLED BLACK LEADERS ORGANIZING CHANGE.

THEY THREE OF DELIBERATIONS TOMORROW.

WE WILL BE BACK HERE TOMORROW FOR THAT.

AND BRANDIS I WILL JOIN YOU IN A SECOND FOR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

NOW I TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> SEE YOU IN A BIT THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WITH A LOOK AT A POTENTIAL CHICAGO WARD MAP DEAL.

STAY WITH US.

>> THE MAYOR'S CHOICE TO LEAD THE CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY HAS CAUSED SOME CONTROVERSY WITH CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THAT AND MUCH MORE IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

JOINING US ARE OF COURSE HEATHER CHERONE AND AMANDA VINICKY AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

WELCOME BACK, TEAM.

WE KNOW THAT RAY LOPEZ BLOCKED MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S NOMINATION OF ANDREA KERSTEN FROM INTERIM COPA CHIEF TO THE POSITION PERMANENTLY AFTER C.O.P.A.

RECOMMENDED THAT SLAIN CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER ELLA FRENCH BE SUSPENDED IN A REPORT THAT WAS FINISHED MONTHS BEFORE FRENCH WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

HEATHER LET'S START WITH YOU, ALDERMAN LOPEZ SENT THE KERSTEN NOMINATION TO THE RULES COMMITTEE AND THAT IS WHERE MEASURES GO TO DIE IS THE MAYOR'S NOMINATION GOING TO BE DEFEATED THERE?

>> WELL, IT CAN BE AND WE ASKED MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ABOUT THAT AFTER THE CITY COUNCIL TODAY AND SHE SAID THAT SHE PICKED ANDREA KERSTEN BECAUSE SHE WAS THE BEST QUALIFIED OF THE PEOPLE WHO APPLIED.

AND THAT SHE HAD HER FULL SUPPORT.

BUT SHE ALSO SAID THAT ANDREA KERSTEN IS GOING TO HAVE TO APOLOGIZE FOR INCLUDING ELLA FRENCH'S NAME IN THAT REPORT WHICH AS YOU SAID WAS COMPLETED IN APRIL.

ELLA FRENCH WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY IN AUGUST.

AND THIS REPORT WE SAW BECAUSE THAT IS WHEN SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN ACTED AND ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS SEEKING TO FIRE THE SERGEANT WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF THE RAID AT ANJANETTE YOUNG'S APARTMENT.

AND WE ALL REMEMBER THAT IMAGES OF HER LEFT NAKED AND BEGGING FOR HELP WHILE HANDCUFFED.

THAT IS WHERE THIS COMES FROM.

WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THE STORY TOMORROW.

ANDREA KERSTEN IS SCHEDULED TO ADDRESS THE CHICAGO POLICE BOARD AND I EXPECT HER TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES THEN.

>> MORE TO TALK ABOUT THEN FOR SURE.

MEANWHILE THERE WAS A SEPARATE PROPOSAL FROM ALDERMAN LOPEZ THAT JASON ERVIN BLOCKED TO CHANGE C.O.P.A.

'S RULES TO PREVENT THEM FROM SUSPENDING A DECEASED OFFICER.

WHY DID ALDERMAN ERVIN BLOCK IT?

>> HE IS THE CLOSE ALLY OF MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S NO DOUBT A LITTLE BIT TURNABOUT IS FAIR PLAY.

BUT ALSO ALDERMAN LOPEZ'S ORDINANCE WOULD NOT HAVE AFFECTED THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THE REPORT WAS COMPLETED IN APRIL AND ELLA FRENCH SADLY WAS KILLED IN AUGUST.

SO THIS REPORT AND I EXPECT THAT ANDREA KERSTEN IS GOING TO MAKE THIS POINT TOMORROW, IS GOING TO SAY WE HAD NO AUTHORITY TO GO BACK AND CHANGE THIS REPORT.

AND IN FACT, DOING SO COULD SORT OF COMPLICATE THE INTEGRITY OF OUR INVESTIGATION.

SO IT'S VERY COMPLICATED AND THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT ALDERMEN LIKE RAY LOPEZ SEIZED ON HIS THIS ISSUE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT C.O.P.A.

WHICH HAS A FULL DECK OF ALLEGED POLICE MISCONDUCT THAT IS EXAMINING INCLUDING THE ANJANETTE YOUNG RAID WHICH WAS A MAJOR, MAJOR CONTROVERSY.

>> MOVING ON, DID THE LATINO CAUCUS CHAIR OFFER A CITY WARD MAP DEAL TO THE CHAIR OF THE BLACK CAUCUS ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" LAST NIGHT?

TAKE A LOOK.

>> THE BLACK CAUCUS CAN DRAW 18 WARDS LEGALLY AND ALLOWING LATINO CAUCUS TO HAVE 15 SEATS THAT IS SOMETHING DEFINITELY WE WOULD BE WILLING TO ENTERTAIN.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT MY COLLEAGUE HAS STATED WHAT HE HAS STATED AND THAT'S A CHALLENGE THAT I WILL ASK THE MOPPING TO FERS TO SEE IF THEY ARE ABLE TO MEET THE CHALLENGES HE PUT ON THE TABLE.

>> DOES THE REMAP MATH ADD UP THERE?

>> I DON'T THINK IT DOES.

I THINK IF THERE WAS A WARD MAP THAT YOU CAN DRAW WITH 18 WARDS WITH THE MAJORITY OF BLACK VOTERS AND 15 WARDS WITH THE MAJORITY OF LATINO VOTERS, IT WOULD BE OVER AND WE WOULD BE GETTING READY FOR THANKSGIVING WITH A CLEAR DECK.

BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S POSSIBLE.

IT'S COMPLICATED BY THE COMMITMENT OF BOTH THE BLACK CAUCUS AND THE LATINO CAUCUS TO CREATE A WARD CENTERED AROUND CHINATOWN THAT WOULD HAVE A MAJORITY OF ASIAN-AMERICAN VOTERS.

MATH WAS NOT MY STRONG SUIT IN SCHOOL BUT I DON'T THINK IT ADDS UP AND I EXPECT THIS TO COME DOWN TO THE WIRE NOVEMBER 30TH.

THE DEADLINE IS DECEMBER FIRST.

AND WHY IT MAY ULTIMATELY END UP IN THE HANDS OF CHICAGO VOTERS VIA A REFERENDUM.

>> TO THAT END, AMANDA, THE MAP NEEDS 41 VOTES BY DECEMBER 1 IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THEY WON'T REACH AN AGREEMENT?

>> BY DECEMBER FIRST AND YOU HAD THE MAYOR TODAY CALLING FOR THERE TO BE AN AGREEMENT BEFORE THAT BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THE CAMPAIGN PLEDGES OF TRANSPARENCY AND BRINGING IN THE LIGHT.

AND MAKING A DEAL PUBLIC FOR YOU, ME, ALL RESIDENTS OF CHICAGO TO BE ABLE TO GLANCE AT AND WEIGH BEFORE THERE IS AN ACTUAL VOTE.

IT'S HARD TO PREDICT WHAT THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE GOING TO DO.

BUT I WOULD SAY THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE THE NOTION OF PASSING THIS TO A REFERENDUM MEANS THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE GIVING UP CONTROL.

SO INSTEAD YOU HAVE BOTH SIDES FIGHTING SUPER HARD AND PUBLICLY TRYING TO TELL THEIR OWN CONSTITUENCIES WHICH ARE NOT JUST VOTERS AND RESIDENTS BUT ANYBODY WHO IS POLITICALLY INVOLVED THEY ARE FIGHTING HARD BUT THEY WILL DO THEIR DARNEDEST TO GET A DEAL SO THEY DO NOT LEAVE IT TO VOTERS/TO CHANCE.

>> PARIS, IT SEEMS LIKE IF THERE IS AN AGREEMENT ABOUT ADDING AAN ASIAN WARD FOR THE FIRST TIME, BUT WITH THE CAUCUSES WRESTLING, HOW CAN THEY ADD AN ASIAN WARD AND WHO WOULD HAVE TO BE DRAWN OUT.

>> COME AT THE EXPENSE OF WARDS WITH MAJORITY WHITE VOTERS AND THERE ARE UNHAPPY CAMPERS HERE WITH THE MAP THAT THE LATINO CAUCUS HAS PUT FORWARD ONE OF THEM ALDERMAN ED BURKE THE REMAINING WHITE PART OF HIS WARD WOULD BE DRAWN OUT.

AND IT WOULD BE ENTIRELY HIP.

IT'S HISPANIC.

IT'S MAJORITY HISPANIC RIGHT NOW BUT HE DOES NOT HAVE A STRONG SUPPORT BASE IT WOULD MAKE REELECTION TOUGH FOR THAT 14 COUNT INDICTED ALDERMAN ED BURKE AND THERE'S AUSTIN.

AND THOSE ARE UNHAPPY PROBABLY TRYING TO HOLD THIS UP A BIT.

>> JOHN CATANZARA HE QUITS THE C.P.D.

DURING HIS OWN TERMINATION HEARING HERE IS MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT.

>> NOT SURPRISING ME THAT JOHN CATANZARA SAW THE WRITING ON THE WALL.

HE HAS DISGRACED HIMSELF AND DISGRACED THE DEPARTMENT.

AND I THINK THERE WAS A STRONG CASE THAT WAS GOING TO BE MADE AGAINST HIM IT IS NOT SURPRISING TO ME HE DID NOT WANT TO FACE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR HIS OWN CONDUCT.

>> JOHN CATANZARA WAS UNAPOLOGETIC, REMIND US WHY HE IS FACING TERMINATION AND WHY HE THINKS RUNNING FOR MAYOR IS THE NEXT LOGICAL STEP?

>> JOHN CATANZARA WAS ACCUSED OF MAKING OBSCENE AND BIGOTED FACEBOOK COMMENTS.

HE TARGETED MUSLIMS AND TARGETED PEOPLE PROTESTING POLICE MISCONDUCT.

HE WAS ALSO ACCUSED FILING A FALSE REPORT AGAINST NOW DISGRACED FORMER POLICE SUPERINTENDENT EDDIE JOHNSON AND I KEEP REMINDING PEOPLE THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT TRIED TO FIRE HIM.

THIS WAS REALLY THE END OF A LONG CHECKERED CAREER.

HE IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE BECAUSE HE IS STILL PRESIDENT OF THE POLICE UNION AND HE HAS POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS.

>> SO PARIS, CATANZARA WROTE QUOTE FINALLY LET'S GO BRANDON IN THE REMARKS SECTION OF HIS RETIREMENT PAPERWORK.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> WELL, THE LET'S GO BRANDON THING I DON'T HAVE TO GO INTO THAT MEME IT IS A YOU'VE MITCHELL FOR EUPHENISM FOR F JOE BIDEN IT'S POPULAR IN SOCIAL MEDIA SO IT PROVES THAT Mr. CATANZARA IS AN ACTIVE CONSUMER OF THAT MEDIA.

AND HE IS TRYING TO SPIN THIS WHOLE SITUATION AS A POSITIVE FOR HIM BECAUSE IT DOES SEEM LIKE THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL AND RATHER THAN GET FIRED HE WILL GO ON MY OWN ACCORD.

>> SO HERE IS WHAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAID ABOUT CATANZARA RUNNING AGAINST HER.

>> IT WOULD BE A GIFT.

>> IN ALL SERIOUSNESS.

>> IN ALL SERIOUSNESS IT WOULD BE A GIFT.

>> IF HE WOULD RUN.

>> LET HIM RUN.

I WOULD HAVE A LOT OF FUN WITH THAT.

>> IF HE DOES RUN WHAT OTHER VOTERS MIGHT HE ATTRACT BESIDES SOME COPS?

>> I MEAN LET'S BE CLEAR.

LIGHTFOOT IS NOT PARTICULARLY POPULAR RIGHT NOW.

BUT, YES, IN COMPARISON TO CATANZARA WITH MOST OF THE CHICAGO PUBLIC I DO THINK THAT SHE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE SOME FUN IF YOU WILL DURING A POLITICAL DEBATES IF THAT WERE TO BE ANY SORT OF MATCHUP.

WHO WOULD HE HAVE ONBOARD?

THE POLICE AND BY THE WAY, HIS CONTINUED PATH HERE IS INTERESTING, I THINK, AS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PEOPLE PERCEIVE THE UNION WHO ELECTED CATANZARA AS THEIR PRESIDENT, THAT IS WHAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO PERCEIVE WHEN THEY HAVE INTERACTIONS WITH COPS THAT HE IS THE FACE OF THE C.P.D.

WHO ELSE WILL HE GET?

PERHAPS SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE UPSET WITH THE DIRECTION THE CITY OF CHICAGO IS TAKING.

BUT THE BIG TAKEAWAY HERE IT MAY NOT IF LIGHTFOOT REMAINS AS WEAK AS SHE IS NOW IT MIGHT NOT BE A LIGHTFOOT CATANZARA MATCHUP, ANYBODY ELSE COULD ENTER THE RACE.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT REALLY WILL GAUGE WHO WOULD VOTE FOR WHO ONCE WE GET A BETTER INCLINATION WHAT THAT 23 RACE IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

>> HEATHER CATANZARA LEAVES THE POLICE UNION THAT HAS THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATE OF CITY WORKERS AT 62%.

WHAT DOES THAT SAY AND REMIND US WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE FOP'S BATTLE WITH THE CITY OVER THE VACCINE MANDATE.

>> WELL, IT SHOWS THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS A LONG WAY TO GO TO GET FULLY VACCINATED WHICH IS OF COURSE, SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

WE'RE ABOUT A MONTH-AND-A-HALF AWAY FROM THAT.

AND THIS IS ALL TIED UP IN COURT AND IT'S NOT CLEAR WHETHER AN ARBITRATOR WILL RULE IN THE MAYOR'S FAVOR AND ALLOW HER TO TERMINATE CITY WORKERS INCLUDING POLICE OFFICERS WHO DON'T COMPLY WITH THE MANDATE.

IT'S CLEAR THE MAYOR HAS NO APPETITE TO FIRE THOUSANDS OF OFFICERS ESPECIALLY WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF A CRIME SURGE OF GUN AND GANG VIOLENCE.

IT IS A VERY FRAUGHT SITUATION AND IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW IT ALL ENDS UP.

BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS RESISTANCE TO THE VACCINE MANDATE IS CENTERED IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TO A LESSER EXTENT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY ONLY HAVE TO REPORT THEIR VACCINATION STATUS AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OFFICERS AND HUNDREDS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS WHO REFUSED TO DO THAT.

AND SOME HAVE STOPPED BEING PAID BY THE CITY AS A RESULT.

>> SO HEADING BACK TO THE WISCONSIN PARIS, WHILE THE JURY IS DELIBERATING IN THE MURDER TRIAL OF KYLE RITTENHOUSE, COURTHOUSE DEMONSTRATORS CONFRONTING EACH OTHER YOU'VE BEEN COVERING THIS TODAY.

HOW CONCERNED ARE FOLKS ABOUT VIOLENCE FOLLOWING THE VERDICT?

>> THEY ARE CONCERNED BUT I THINK TO A T THE RESIDENTS FEEL THEY HAVE A BETTER PLAN THIS TIME TO KEEP THINGS IN CONTROL.

THE NATIONAL GUARD HAS BEEN CALLED.

BUT THEY ARE NOT ANYWHERE AROUND THE COURTHOUSE.

THEY ARE NOT VISIBLE.

THERE IS NOT FENCING UP BECAUSE PERHAPS PEOPLE WORRY THAT WOULD AGITATE PEOPLE FURTHER.

BUT AS YOU HEARD RESIDENTS SAY, PEOPLE DEMONSTRATING DO CARE ABOUT THE CASE AND YOU HAVE A GROUP OF FOLKS THAT ARE FROM THE OUTSIDE THAT THE CASE IS SECONDARY.

YOU WILL HAVE LIKE A BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTER AND A RIGHT-WING MESH PROTESTER AND PEOPLE GO UP WITH CAMERAS AND iPHONES TO TRY TO RECORD IT.

AND YOU SEE PEOPLE STREAMING THEIR OWN YouTube SHOWS OR PARASCOPE SHOWS AND FOR SOME OF THE PEOPLE IT APPEARS THE TRIAL THE CASE IS KIND OF A MEANS TO ADVANCE THEIR OWN BRAND GET MORE FOLLOWERS GO VIRAL AND THAT IS LIKE THE BAD FAITH ELEMENT OF WHAT YOU SEE.

IN ADDITION TO FOLKS THAT TRULY ARE HERE THAT DO CARE A LOT ABOUT THE SPECIFICS OF THIS CASE.

SO REMAINS TO BE SEEN BUT WE'LL PROBABLY SEE MORE OF THAT.

>> AN ARMED ILLINOIS MAN WAS DEMONSTRATING WITH A SEMIAUTOMATIC RIFLE WHAT DID SHERIFFS TOLD MASERATI MIKE?

>> THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAME UP TO THE AGENDA WALKING AROUND WITH A RIFLE AND BODY ARMOR AND CAMO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY SAID HE LEFT.

HE DID RETURN LATER AND HE WAS KIND OF TROLLING UP AND DOWN THE SIDEWALK OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE.

NOT REALLY SAYING ANYTHING.

SO I DIDN'T ASK HIM ANY QUESTIONS I DON'T KNOW ANYMORE ABOUT THAT.

BUT CLEARLY WHATEVER THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SAID TO HIM WALKING AROUND HERE WITH A RIFLE IS A PROVOCATIVE ACTION WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHOSE EMOTIONS ARE RUNNING HIGH.

>> ESPECIALLY.

BEFORE WE LET YOU ALL GO, AMANDA, GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SIGNED A NEW ELECTION LAW.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> THIS IS AN ELECTION LAW IT'S GOING TO CARRY OVER MANY OF THE CHANGES THAT WERE MADE PREVIOUSLY BUT WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME AROUND IS IT BANS DARK MONEY CONTRIBUTIONS AND OUT OF STATE MONEY FOR JUDICIAL RACES.

JUST FOR JUDICIAL RACES AND THAT IS AN INTERESTING TACTIC GIVEN WE DO EXPECT TO SEE THE BALANCE OF THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT PUT TO VOTERS NEXT YEAR.

DEMOCRATS CONTROL EVERY FACET OF ILLINOIS STATE GOVERNMENT AND REPUBLICANS REALLY SEE THE SUPREME COURT AS THEIR ONE OPPORTUNITY.

THAT IS A BIG CHANGE.

AND ALSO SOMETHING DISABLED ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN WANTING, THERE IS A GUARANTEED ABILITY FOR THOSE WHO ARE WHEELCHAIR NEED OTHER ACCESSIBILITIES WHEN THEY ARE VOTING TO BE GIVEN THAT AND THERE WILL BE A TASK FORCE EXAMINING RIGHTS AS WELL.

>> THAT IS SPOTLIGHT.

HEATHER CHERONE, AMANDA VINICKY AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANKS, EVERYBODY.

UP NEXT, THE SEARCH FOR CHICAGO'S OFFICIAL SONG IN AN ENCORE EDITION OF "ASK GEOFFREY".

STAY WITH US.

>> A CONTEST MEANT TO INSPIRE CIVIC PRIDE GETS KNOCKED OFF COURSE AFTER ACCUSATIONS OF POLITICAL SCHEMING.

BUT, HEY, THIS IS CHICAGO.

GEOFFREY BAER IS HERE WITH MORE ON THE CITY'S ROCKY SEARCH FOR AN OFFICIAL SONG IN THIS WEEK'S "ASK GEOFFREY".

THIS ONE SHOULD BE GOOD I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> YOU'LL NEVER GET THE SONG OUT OF YOUR HEAD.

>> WHEN MAYOR JANE BYRNE WAS IN OFFICE I COMPOSED A SONG FOR AN ANTHEM CONTEST.

I CREATED A NEW RECORDING TO GIVE CHICAGOANS A BOOST.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE ORIGINAL CONTEST AND THE SEARCH FOR A CHICAGO ANTHEM?

>> SO LET'S TAKE A QUICK LISTEN TO PART OF THE SONG WHO DESCRIBES HIMSELF AS A RETIRED ONION PEDDLER FROM EDGEWATER.

♪AND WHEN TWILIGHT FALLS ON THE PRAIRIE♪ ♪YOU TWINKLE LIKE THE STARS♪ ♪OH, SO HEAVENLY BY YOUR INLAND SEA♪ ♪CHICAGO YOU'RE OUR HOME♪ >> WHAT HARMONY.

I GOT GOOSE BUMPS IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

>> SO THE STORY OF THE ANTHEM CONTEST BEGINS IN 1982.

WHEN 36TH WARD ALDERMAN STEPPED UP TO THE PODIUM AT AN OFFICIAL CITY LUNCHEON AND SINCE THE CITY HAD NO ANTHEM BACK THEN THIS WALK UP MUSIC WHICH WAS NOT CHOSEN BY HIM WAS FRANK SINATRA'S RENDITION OF MY KIND OF TOWN LIKE A NIGHTCLUB TONE.

THE EMBARRASSED ALDERMAN DECIDED THE CITY NEEDED SOMETHING MORE DIGNIFIED.

SO HE PUSHED A RESOLUTION THROUGH CITY COUNCIL TO LAUNCH AN OFFICIAL SEARCH BACKED BY THE MAYOR JANE BYRNE.

AFTER BYRNE TOOK OVER THE CONTEST SHE ASSEMBLED COMPOSERS, AND TV PERSONALITIES AND PUT UP $5,000 FROM HER OWN CAMPAIGN FUND AS A PRIZE.

THE RULES WERE SIMPLE.

WRITE A SONG THAT EMBODIES THE HISTORY OF CHICAGO.

THE WINNER WAS GOING TO GET TO PERFORM IN FRONT OF CITY COUNCIL AND HAVE THEIR ANTHEM IMMORTALIZED AT CITY LUNCHEONS AND EVENTS.

>> WHAT RESPONSE DID THE CITY GET?

>> OVERWHELMING.

IF YOU COULD BELIEVE IT THE CITY ENDED UP RECEIVING MORE THAN 2,000 SUBMISSIONS RANGING FROM POLKA TO MARIACHI TO BLUES AND THERE WAS A RANGE OF QUALITY AS WELL.

FINALLY IN JULY 1983, THE JUDGES NAMED A WINNER.

MUSICIAN FROM EVANSTON JEFF JACOBS FOR SONG OF CHICAGO ALIVE.

NOW, UNFORTUNATELY WE COULDN'T FIND ANY RECORDINGS OF THAT SONG OR GET IN TOUCH WITH JACOBS BUT WE DID FIND LYRICS.

THE SONG ENDS WITH THESE LINES: STAND WITH THE STRENGTH OF THE OLD WATER TOWER THROUGH HARDSHIP AND VICTORY TALL IS HER SKYLINE AND PRIDE AND POWER.

CHICAGO IS HOME TO ME.

>> OF COURSE, SOMETHING TELLS ME THAT IS NOT THE END OF THE STORY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AS YOU CAN TELL BY THE FACT WE COULDN'T FIND ANY RECORDINGS OF THE SONG, THE STORY DOES NOT HAVE A HAPPY ENDING.

THIS IS CHICAGO AFTER ALL.

WHERE EVERYTHING IT SEEMS EVEN A FEEL GOOD SONG CONTEST BECOMES POLITICAL.

ONE CHALLENGE WAS THAT THE SPONSOR ALDERMAN WAS CONVICTED OF EXTORTION IN 1983.

AND SPENT 13 MONTHS IN JAIL.

SO MUCH FOR DIGNITY.

A BIGGER PROBLEM WAS THAT MAYOR JANE BYRNE LOST REELECTION THAT SAME YEAR TO HAROLD WASHINGTON WHO BECAME CHICAGO'S FIRST BLACK MAYOR AND ACCORDING TO NEWSPAPER REPORTS AT THE TIME WASHINGTON WATTS NOT A FAN OF THE -- WAS NOT A FAN OF THE SONG HE REPORTED SIMPLY I AM NOT MOVED AND THE SONG WAS DISCARDED.

THE MAYOR'S PRESS SECRETARY TOLD "THE NEW YORK TIMES" THAT WASHINGTON WANTED A SONG TO CAPTURE CHICAGO'S HISTORY AND DIVERSITY, WANTING TO HEAR A MENTION OF JEN BAPTIST DUSABLE THE FIRST NONNATIVE SETTLER AND A PERSON OF COLOR.

THE CONTESTS JILTED WINNER SPECULATED THE DECISION WAS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

ONE OF THE ANTHEM'S DEFENDERS WAS ALDERMAN ED BURKE ONE.

RINGLEADERS OF THE COUNCIL WARS THAT PITTED 29 MOSTLY WHITE ALDERMEN AGAINST WASHINGTON'S ENTIRE AGENDA.

JACOBS NEVER DID RECEIVE THE PROMISED $5,000 PRIZE AND MOST OF THE JUDGES RESIGNED IN PROTEST.

BUT THE CONTROVERSY DID GET THE SONG PLAYED ON RADIO STATIONS AS FAR AWAY AS CALIFORNIA.

>> THE WHOLE THING SEEMS LIKE A DEBACLE.

>> INDEED.

AND I SHOULD NOTE THIS WASN'T THE LAST SEARCH FOR A CHICAGO ANTHEM.

IN 1985, CHICAGO'S TOURISM BOARD SPONSORED A CONTEST THE WINNER TITLED CALLING ME HOME CHICAGO, BY PAUL DAVID WILLSON RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL PLAY ON THE RADIO AS A SINGLE AND IT WAS FEATURED IN A CITY COMMERCIAL STARRING THE ONE AND ONLY ROCK HUDSON.

YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE THIS.

♪CHICAGO AND NO MATTER WHERE I'VE BEEN WHERE I GO, YOU KEEP CALLING ME HOME♪ ♪CALLING ME HOME CHICAGO♪ ♪.

>> NO MATTER WHERE YOU'RE FROM IN AMERICA, CHICAGO IS YOUR HOMETOWN.

COME HOME.

♪IT'S A FEELING THAT CALLS ME.

>> LITTLE ROY.

[♪♪♪] CHICAGO IS CALLING ME HOME.

>> YES.

SO THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER ATTEMPTS TO ESTABLISH A SONG AFTER THAT.

THAT WENT NOWHERE.

SO BOTTOM LINE WE'RE HOPING WE FULFILLED OUR QUESTIONER'S HOPE OF GIVING PANDEMIC WARY CHICAGOANS AN UPLIFT WITH HIS SONG.

>> AND I WAS UPLIFTED BY THE SEGMENT THANKFULLY CHICAGO HAS A LOT OF SONGS THAT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT IT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> AND YOU CAN HEAR THE SONG IN FULL ON OUR WEBSITE AS WELL AS FIND MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE SEARCH FOR AN OFFICIAL CHICAGO ANTHEM.

SUBMIT YOUR OWN QUESTION TO GEOFFREY BAER.

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

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEDNESDAY 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.

>> AND YOU CAN GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. >> A CURRENCY EXCHANGE TURNED HUB FOR SOUTH SIDE CREATIVES.

WE COVER THAT AND OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES IN WASHINGTON PARK FOR OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> AND A LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER DOCUMENTS NATIVE-AMERICAN PEOPLE AND TRADITIONS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW.

[♪♪♪]