> >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO O TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

>> I WILL BE IMPARTIAL.

>> TWO CONTESTS COULD FLIP CONTL FLIP CONTROL OF THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT.

MEET THE CANDIDATES SEEKING TWO SEATS ON THE BENCH.

> >> RUSSIA'S MILITARY RAINS DOWNS DOWN MISSILES ON UKRAINIAN CITIES.

BUT IS THE FOCUS ON CIVILIAN TARGET THE SIGN OF RUSSIA'S WEAKNESS RATHER THAN STRENGTHS?

> >> PROGRESSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS R ACCOMPLISHMENTS OR CAMPAIGN TACTICS.

A LOOK AT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ELECTION FROM ALL SIGNS.

> >> THE GOVERNMENT SPENT MORE MOY SPENT MORE MONEY ON CHILDREN DURING THE PANDEMIC.

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT SPENDING IS MEANT TO LAST.

> >> NATIONAL PUBLIC HOUSING IS I.

>> 15 YEARS IN THE MAKING, THE L THE NATIONAL PUBLIC HOUSING MUSEUM BREAKS GROUND RIGHT HERE IN CHICAGO.

> >> THE CHICAGO LOWRIDER FESTIVAL IS TURNING IN PERSON.

THIS TIME IT'S BEING HELD AT NAVY PIER.

L PIER.

WE'LL TALK WITH THE SISTER DUO WHO STARTED THE EVENT TO LEARN ABOUT LOWRIDER CULTURE.

> >> AND VENDING MACHINES FILLED WITH ART AND GOODIES.

MEET THE EFFORT BEHIND THE SUPPORT OF LOCAL ARTISTS.

> >> BUT FIRST SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

AS AMAZON'S PRIME EARLY ACCESS SALE BEGINS, WORKERS AT THE AMAZON WAREHOUSE IN JOLIET ARE WALKING OUT.

THET OUT.

THE JOLIET WAREHOUSE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AMAZON FS IN ILLINOIS.

A PETITION SIGNED BY 700 WORKERS CALLED FOR BASE BAY OF $25 AN HOUR AND STRONGER HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES.

WTW POLICIES.

WTTW NEWS HAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ON CLAIMS OF A RACIALLY HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT INCLUDING DEATH THREATS AGAINST BLACK EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYEES WEARING CONFEDERATE FLAG CLOTHING.

THE WALKOUT COMES AFTER AMAZON ANND AMAZON ANNOUNCED PLANS TO HIRE 3,500 WORKERS IN ILLINOIS.

> >> CHICAGO POLICE SUPERINTENDEN, POLICE SUPERINTENDENT, DAVID BROWN, IS TOUTING A DROP IN CRIME.

>> CHICAGO CONTINUES TO SEE DECS SEE DECLINES IN BOTH HOMICIDES AND SHOOTINGS IN THE CITY.

>> SO BROWN SAYS HOMICIDES OVERE OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND WERE DOWN 50% OVER THE SAME WEEKEND LAST YEAR.

POLICE SAY SHOOTINGS THIS PAST WEEKEND WERE DOWN 24%.

STILL 28 PEOPLE WERE WOUNDED AND TWO KILLED BY GUNFIRE.

> >> ILLINOIS IS SET TO GET MORE N MORE THAN TWO AND A QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS IN INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> THIS IS THE LARGEST INVESTMET LARGEST INVESTMENT FUNDING SINCE THE CREATION OF THE INTERSTATEY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM.

>> TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETG PETE BUTTIGIEG ANNOUNCED NEARLY $60 BILLION FROM THE BIPARTISAE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE 50 STATES.

HE SAYS THE MONEY WILL GO TOWARDS ROADS, BRIDGES, TUNNELS, CARBON EMISSION REDUCTION, AND SAFETY IMPROVEM.

> >> AND COMING UP IN THE PROGRAM, A NEW NATIONAL MUSEUM HIGHLIGHG MUSEUM HIGHLIGHTING PUBLIC HOUSING IS SET TO OPEN IN CHICAGO NEXT YEAR.

WE'LL GET A PREVIEW.

> >> BUT FIRST WE INTRODUCE THE CS THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT RIGHT AR THIS.

> >> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POY MADE POSSIBLY IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE JIM AND KAY NAVY FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

> >> SUBURBAN VOTERS OUTSIDE COOKY COOK COUNTY HAVE BIG CHOICES TO MAKE THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

AMONG THE BIGGEST, WHO DO THEY WANT TO SIT ON THE STATE'S HIGH COU?

IT'S A DECISION THAT'S TAKEN ONA DECISION THAT'S TAKEN ON EXTRA PROMINENCE IN LIGHT OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION THAT LES THAT LEAVES ABORTION RIGHTS UP TO THE STATES.

AMANDA VINICKY IS HERE WITH MORE.

WHAT DO THESE VOTERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THESE PARTICULAR RACES?

>> Reporter: HAVING TERMS THAT T THAT LAST 10 YEARS, HAVING TWO E TWO COMPETITIVE SUPREME COURT CS COURT CONTESTS IS RARE, AND THE, THE RESULTS, WELL, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT CASES WILL GET TO TH, THE COURTS, SO IT COULD BE SIGN.

IN NORTHERN COUNTIES, VOTERS HAE VOTERS HAVE THE CHANCE OF REPUBLICAN MARK CURRAN OR FORMER LATE COUNTY SHERIFF, FORMER PROSECUTOR, AND DEMOCRAT LIZ ROCHFORD.

A FORMER ASSISTANT STATES ATTORNEY WHO HAS BEEN A LAKE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE FOR A DECADE.

IN THE SOUTHWESTERN SUBURBS, IT'S CURRENT REPUBLICAN SUPREME COUT JUSTICE MICHAEL BURKE VERSES DEMOCRAT MARY KAY O'BRIEN.

SHES KAY O'BRIEN.

SHE'S A FORMER STATE LEGISLATOR WHO HAS BEEN AN APPELLATE COURT JUDGE FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS.

>> AND AMANDA, OVER THE LAST SEL LAST SEVERAL DAYS, YOU HAVE INTD HAVE INTERVIEWED EACH OF THESE .

WHAT DID YOU LEARN?

>> Reporter: WELL BRANDIS, FIRSI FIRST I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE CLEAR BECAUSE THEY ARE RUNNING FOR POSITIONS ON THE SUPREME COURT, THE JUSTICES ARE BOUND BY DIFFERENT RULES.

THEY CANNOT IMPARTIALLY AND DID NOT SHARE THEIR PERSONAL VIEWS ON ISSUES ESPECIALLY ISSUES THAT D THAT COULD COME BEFORE THE COURT.

LIKE THOSE DEALING WITH HOT TOPICS SUCH AS GUN RIGHTS OR ABORTION.

YOU MAY EVEN HAVE SEEN TV ADS THAT HAVE VIEWS TO THESE CANDIDATES, CLAIMS AND CS AND COMMERCIALS THAT HE IS AGAINST ABORTION, EVEN IN CASES OF RAPE OR INCEST OR THAT HE BELIEVES MINORS WHO HAVE ABORTIONS SHOULD GO TO JAIL.

HE SAYS THOSE ARE FALSE.

AND SMEAR TACTICS INAPPROPRIATE FOR A JUDICIAL RACE.

>> I'M VERY GUARDED IN WHAT I TK I TALK ABOUT.

I CAN SAY WITH GREAT, YOU KNOW, SINCERITY AND CONVICTION THAT I'VE NEVER MADE THOSE STATEMENTS.

SO TO IMPUTE THOSE STATEMENTS TO ME, TO DESCRIBE THOSE STATEMENTS TO ME IS JUST PURE FABRICATION.

>> Reporter: NOW OF COURSE, CHIO COURSE, CHICAGO HAS PROMINENT PERKS THAT I WANT TO POINT OUTE OUT.

JUSTICE BURKE IS NO RELATION TO EITHER CHICAGO ALDERMAN BURKE OR TO HIS WIFE WHO IS ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE ANNE BURKE.

SHE, BY THE WAY, IS SET TO RETIRE AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH.

BACK TO JUSTICE MICHAEL BURKE, HE HAS N ON THE COURT FOR TWO YEARS.

HE S YEARS.

HE WAS APPOINTED TO FILL A VACANCY OF A JUDGE WHO RETIRED.

HE SAYS HE WISHES JUDGES DIDN'T HAVE TO RUN IN IS IN ILLINOIS AS PARTISANS.

HE SAYS IT BLURS THE LINES AND SEN LINES AND SEPARATION OF POWERS, AND THAT ONCE SEATED ALL JUDGES WEAR THE SAME COLOR ROBE.

HE SAYS HE'S PROVEN HIMSELF AS A E A JUSTICE INCLUDING TAKING UP IS UP ISSUES RELATED TO HOW ILLINOIS' COURT SYSTEM DEALS WITH THE MENTALLY ILL. NOW HIS OPPONENT, JUDGE MARY KAY O'BRI, KAY O'BRIEN, SAYS HER TIME AS AR A LEGISLATOR GIVES HER THE BESTE BEST PERSPECTIVE FOR A JOB.

CAST WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DECG OF DECIDING THE LEGALITY OF STATUTES THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY .

SHE SAYS ATTACKS ON BURKE AREN'T AREN'T JUST SMEARS.

BUT SHE TOO WILL NOT SHARE HER VIEWS ON ABORTION.

BEYOND THAT, THE TOP DECISION SHE SAYS DOES NOT REFLECT THE CONSTITUTION.

>> THE ORIGINALIST PHILOSOPHY, E PHILOSOPHY, BECAUSE I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT WHERE WE'RE AT AS A COUNTRY IN THE 1860s, WOMEN, ONCE THEY WERE MARRIED, HAD NO RIGHT TO OWN PROPERTY, THEY COULDN'T VOTE.

SO YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T LOOK SIMPLY TO THE HISTORY OF WHERE OUR COUNTRY WAS AT THE TIME WHEN IT WAS PASSED TO LOOK AT WHERE WE SHOULD BE TODAY.

>> AND AMANDA, WHAT ABOUT THE OR RACE?

THE SECOND DISTRICT?

>> Reporter: BRANDIS, THERE AREE ARE SOME PARALLELS BETWEEN THE TWO RACES.

BOTH YOU HAVE OUTSIDE SPENDING INCLUDING ON .

IN BOTH RACES, DEMOCRATS HAVE TE HAVE THE FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE ING ADVANTAGE INCLUDING THE SUPPORT FROM ABORTION RIGHTS GROUPS, FROM UNIONS.

AND THEN EACH DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE RECEIVED A HALF MILLION DOLLARS FROM GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER.

REPUBLN PRITZKER.

REPUBLICAN CURRAN SAYS VOTERS SHOULD BE WARY OF THOSEL THOSE FINANCIAL TIES.

>> REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU FEEL AT FEEL ABOUT J.B. PRITZKER, HE'S JUST, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE WHATEVER HE WANTS TO DO, THERE AREN'T GOING TO BE ANY ROADBLOCKS.

REALLY THE ONLY CHANCE AT HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF A BALANCE IN THE STATE IS TO TURN THE SPRINKLER 4-3 DEMOCRAT, 4-3 REPUBLICAN.

>> BUT DEMOCRAT ROCHFORD SAYS IS IT IS CURRAN WHO VOTERS SHOULD BE WARY OF.

SAYING HE EXPRESSED EXTREME POLITICAL VIEWS WHEN HE RAN FOR U.S. SENATE.

VIEWS THAT SHE SAYS WOULD MAKE IT HARD FOR HIM TO APPEAR IMPARTIAL.

>> MY OPPONENT HAS EXPRESSED EXE EXPRESSED EXTREME POLITICAL VIEWS ON ISSUES THAT COULD POTENTIALLY COME BEFORE THE COURT.

AND THAT IS ALWAYS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT DOES, IN FACT, DEMONSTRATE A COMMITMENT TO A POTENTIAL OUTCOME IN A CASE.

AND IN THAT WAY, IT IS, YOU KNOW, A CHALLENGE TO THE IE THE INDEPENDENCE THAT'S SO NECESSARY IN THE COURTS.

SO ESSENTIAL TO OUR FUNCTION.

>> AND AMANDA, BEFORE WE LET YO.

ANYTHING ELSE VOTERS NEED TO KN?

>> EACH OF THESE CANDIDATES HAVG HAVE LONG RECORDS IN PUBLIC SERVICE, TO CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITES AND LEARN A LOT ABOUT THEM.

WE'LL INCLUDE MORE OF THAT ON OUR OWN WEBSITE.

AND ALSO A LOT OF VOTERS MAY USE RS USE RATINGS FROM BAR ASSOCIATIONS.

SO FROM FELLOW LAWYERS TO MAKE THEIR DECISIONS AND THAT CAN BE A GOOD PLACE TO START.

THE ILLINOIS STATE BAR N BAR ASSOCIATION HAS RECOMMENDED ALL OF THESE JUDICIAL CANDIDATES THAT ISN'T NECESSARY SURPRISING, GIVEN HE'S THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO HAS NOT PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS A JUDGE.

N JUDGE.

CURRAN SAYS THERE ARE OTHER JUDGES WHO HAVE BEEN DEEMED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

SO LIKE U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE KAGAN WHO HAD NO JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE EITHER.

SO VOTERS MAKE OF THAT WHAT YOU WILL.

NOW BY THE WAY, COOK COUNTY VOTERS WILL HAVE A SAY ON WHO SITS ON THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT.

THE SUPREME COURT.

THERE IS NO ACTUAL CONTEST, BUT THIS IS WHETHER TO RETAIN JUSTICE MARY JANE TICE FOR ANOTHER 10 YEARSN YEARS ON THE COURT.

SHE IS IN NEXT IN THE ROTATION TO BE THE CHIEF JUSTICE FOR THE STATE'S HIGH COURTS.

>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD TO KNOW.

AMAA KNOW.

AMANDA VINICKY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

> >> AND NOW TO PARIS, AN ESCALATG AN ESCALATING WAR IN UKRAINE.

P?

>> BRANDIS, RUSSIAN FORCES HAVED HAVE STEPPED UP MISSILE ATTACKS INSIDE UKRAINE THIS WEEK AFTERS AFTER UKRAINIANS BOMBED A KEY BE IN CRIMEA.

THIS COMES AS PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS WARNED HE BELIEVES RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PUTIN IS SERIOUS WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

AND JOINING US NOW TO SHARE THEIR INSIGHTS ON THE CONFLICT ARE EVO ALDER PRESIDENT OF THE GLOBAL AFFAIRS.

AND FORMERLY SERVED AS THE U.S.

AMBASSADOR TO NATO.

JN NATO.

JOHN HUCO WHO ASSISTED THT ASSISTED THE PARLIAMENT DRAFTED FIRST POST SOVIET CONSTITUTIONO SOVIET CONSTITUTION.

HUCO IS CURRENTLY THE GENERAL SECRETARY AND CEO AT ROTARY INTERNATIONA, ROTARY INTERNATIONAL, ONE OF THE MANY ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING HN PROVIDING HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE.

AND IAN KELLY, THE AMBASSADOR AND RESIDENCE AT NORTHWESTERN UNIV.

KELLY FORMERLY SERVED AS U.S. AR U.S.

AMBASSADOR TO GEORGIA.

PRIR TO THAT HE WAS THE U.S. AMBASSAR U.S.

AMBASSADOR FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF SECURITY AND CORPORATION IN EUROPE.

GENTLEM, IN EUROPE.

GENTLEMEN, WELCOME TO ALL OF YOU IN PERSON TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I KNOW WE'VE SPOKEN OVER ZOOM.

WELCOME HERE TO OUR NEW STUDIO.

AMBASSADOR DALDER, YOU HEARD PRESIDENT BIDEN CALL THIS THE MOST SERIOUS THREAT OF ARMAGEDDON SINCE THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISISW MISSILE CRISIS.

HOW BIG OF A MOMENT IS THIS?

>> IT IS VERY SERIOUS.

THE RUSSIANS ARE LOSING THE WAR.

VR THE WAR.

VLADIMIR PUTIN IS LOSING INTERNALLY IN HIS OWN COUNTRY BY PEOPLE ON THE ONE SIDE WHO DON'T WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WAR AND ON THE OTHER SIDE WHO REALLY WANT TO PROSECUTE THE WAR WITH AS MUCH FORCE AS POSSIBLE.

AND HE IS SORT OF CAUGHT IN THE BETWE.

SO HE'S LOOKING FOR A WAY OUT.

E OUT.

ONE OF THE WAYS THAT HE MIGHT WELL CONSIDER AND HE HAS BEEN HINTING AT IT IS THE POSSIBLE USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPON.

IF YOU'RE THE PRESIDENT OF THE D THE UNITED STATES, YOU BETTER TAKE IT SERIOUSLY BECAUSE THE S THE CONSEQUENCES OF DOING SO WILL BE EXTRAORDINARY FOR, OF COURSE, UKRAINE, IF THEY WERE USED IN UKRAINE.

THE CONSEQUENCE WILL BE REAL AND AO AND ALSO FOR THE WORLD.

THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1945 THAT A NR A NUCLEAR WEAPON WOULD HAVE BEE.

SO THE PRESIDENT IS RIGHT TO BED AND TO WARN US ALL ABOUT IT.

>> JOHN, WHAT IS THE APPROPRIATE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE FOR NOT ONLY THE U.S., BUT THE WEST FROM THIS KIND OF RATTLING FROE FROM THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT?

>> AS THE UNITED STATES, WE NEEO NEED TO DO EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE UKRAINE WINS THE WAR.

BY PUSHING RUSSIA BACK AT LEAST TO THE FEBRUARY 24 BORDER.

THAT'S PROVIDING THEM WITH THE AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS THEY'VE BEEN CG BEEN CLAMBERING FOR, ASKING FORE FOR.

THE ANTI-MISSILE SYSTEMS THEY'VE BEEN ASKING FOR.

GIVING THEM WHAT THEY NEED AND NOT CAVE TO THIS REALLY NUCLEAR BL.

>> AND TO THAT POINT PRESIDENT Y PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY IN UKRAINE, PLEADED WITH THE G7 COUNTRIES TO PROVIDE SOME OF THOSE DEFENSE SYSTEMS.

HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS THE UNITY OF THE WESTERN RESPONSE RIGHT NOW?

I MEAN IT'S BEEN UNIFIED SINCE FEBRUARY.

IS THIS COALITION STILL HOLDING T?

>> I THINK REMARKABLY YES, IT H. AND ONE OF THE REASONS FOR IT IE IS BECAUSE OF THE BEHAVIOR OF P. HE HAS BEEN -- HE HAS WAGED THIR THIS WAR IN A VERY BRUTAL FASHION.

AND THE PRESIDENT HAS DONE A GOOD JOB IN KEEPING THE ALLIANCE TOGETHER.

AND THE ALLIANCE IS STAYING TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHAT THE STAKES ARE IN THIS, IF PUTIN IS ABLE TO PROSECUTE THIS WAR.

HE WILL HAVE COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE EUROPEAN SECURITY ORDER.

SO SO FAR IT HAS HELD TOGETHER.

>> HOW SIGNIFICANT WAS THAT ATTK THAT ATTACK ON THE BRIDGE IN CRIMEA?

>> YOU KNOW IT WAS SIGNIFICANT.T WAS A REMINDER TO THE RUSSIANS THAT THIS WAR IS GOING TO COME HOME TO THEM IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER.

AND IT WAS A REMINDER THAT AS FAR AS UKRAINE IS CONC, CRIMEA IS A PART OF UKRAINE.

AND THE BRIDGE THAT'S LINKING CRIMA LINKING CRIMEA DIRECTLY TO THE RUSSIAN MAINLAND IS THE ONLY CONNECTION TO CRIMEA.

SO CUTTING IT OFF AND PREVENTING E PREVENTING THE RUSSIANS FROM REINFORCING PARTICULARLY BY RAIL, THEIR FORCES, NOT ONLY IN CRIMEA, BUT THROUGHOUT THE SOUTH IN UKRAINE WAS EXTRAORDINARILY IMPORTANT.

THIS IS A MILITARILY SIGNIFICANT MO.

AND THE ONLY WAY PUTIN RESPONDSO RESPONDS TO THIS, IT LOBS HUNDREDS OF MISSILES AGAINST CN TARGETS.

YOU CAN SEE IT ON BRIDGES.

>> AND THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING INE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

>> IT JUST UNDERSCORES, I THINKS THINK, IAN'S POINT THAT THIS IS A CREDIBLY BRUTAL WAR WITH REALLY NO PROSPECT OF VICTORY ON THE PART OF THE RUSSIAN'S SIDE.

>> THOSE MISSILES LAUNCHING AGAN LAUNCHING AGAIN IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF KYIV, HITTING CIVILIAN TARGETS.

ARE THOSE -- IS THAT PUSHING UKRAINE BACK?

I MEAN IT SEEMS LIKE UKRAINE WAS A BIT ON THE OFFENSIVE UP UNTIL THIS POINT.

>> YOU KNOW, THE GOAL OF PUTIN N PUTIN IN THIS WAS TO TRY TO PUT -- MAKE UKRAINIANS DOUBT THE POLICY OF ZELENSKYY'S VICTORY.I VICTORY.

I THINK HE WAS GREATLY MISTAKEN, IF ANYTHING, IT'S RENEWED THEIR DETERMINATION TO CONTINUE THIS WAR AND PUSH PUTIN OUT.

AND BY THE SAME TOKEN, I THINK IT'S RENEWED THE WEST COMMITMENT TO UKRAINE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN PUSHING THE RUSSIANS OUT.

>> AND JOHN HUCO, A PART OF THEN THE MISSION IS THE HUMANITARIAN.

WHAT IS THE STATE OF GIVING AIDO AID TO UKRAINE AT IT THIS POINT FROM HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS LIKE YOURS?

>> WELL, THESE ATTACKS, THIS HAN HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE BEGG THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD.

LETS WORLD.

LET'S NOT FORGET WHAT WE SAW ON MONDAY, IT WAS AN ESCALATION THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN SEEN IN A WHILE.

BUT EVERY DAY IF YOU FOLLOW THE LOCAL PRESS OF UKRAINE, EVERY DAY THERE'S A REPORT OF MISSILE STRIKES ON SOME CITIES AND CIVILIANS GETTING KILLED.

WE CAN'T FORGET THE HUMANITARIAN ASPECT OF THIS.

UKRAINE IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE REBUILT AND COST HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

AND SO THE EXTENT, WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE UKRAINE WITH MILITAY ASSISTANCE.

WE ALSO NEED TO KEEP PROVIDING THE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE.

THESE ARE CIVILIANS, THESE ARE REAL PEOPLE THAT ARE SUFFERING.

AND MY ORGANIZATION ROTARY, WE INVESTED ABOUT $30 MILLION SO FAR HELPING UKRAINE.

MANY ORGANIZATIONS ARE DOING THE SAE THING.

SO IF YOU'RE OUT THERE AND YOU WANT TO HELP UKRAINE, SUPPORT THOSE HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE WORKING FOR THE POPULATION.

>> AND AMBASSADOR DALDER, YOU SE YOU SEE REPORTS OF HIGH LEVEL OS THAT ARE KIND OF COMING TO A REALITY THAT THIS WAR IS NOT OVER.

SO MANY FOLKS HAVE FLED.O FLED.

WHO IS LEFT IN RUSSIA TO HOLD THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT ACC?

>> WELL CLEARLY THE PEOPLE WHO T WHO DIDN'T WANT TO SERVE IN THIS WAR HAVE LEFT.

AND NOW MORE PEOPLE HAVE LEFT RUSSIA THAN THEY HAVE BEEN MOBILIZED, WHICH IS QUITE REMARKABLE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

THE REALITY IS PEOPLE KNOW THE WAR IS NOT GOING WELL.

WE HAVE REPORTS, THE WASHINGTON POST REPORT, A VERY SENIOR OFFICIAL TOLD PUTIN TO HIS FACE THE WAR IS NOT GOING WELL.

AND CLEARLY ESCALATION, WHICH IS THE ONLY THING HE HAS LEFT IS NOT WORKING VERY WELL EITHER.

SO ONE WOULD HOPE THERE IS INTERNL IS INTERNAL PRESSURE FROM SOME E SOME PEOPLE AROUND VLADIMIR PUTIN TO SAY LISTEN, WE NEED TO FIND A WAY OUT.

THIS WAS A GAMBLE THAT TURNED OUT TO BE MISTAKEN.

YOU ARE STILL IN CONTROL OF THE COUNTRY.

THE COUNTRY, ITSELF, CAN SURVIVE, BUT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO WIN THIS WAR AND YOU BETTER FIND A WAY OUT.

>> YOU HONESTLY THINK THOSE KINS THOSE KINDS OF APPEALS WOULD WORK ON SOMEONE LIKE THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT?

>> PROBABLY NOT.

BUT THE REALITY IS WHAT ELSE IS HE GOING TO DOS DO?

IS HE GOING TO TAKE THE ENTE WORLD WITH HIM?

THAT IS IN MANY WAYS THE CHOICE HE HAS.

EITHER HE'S GOT TO PULL BACK OR HE'S GOT TO ESCALATE IN A WAY THAT WILL BE EXTRAORDINARY AND LEAD TO HIS PERSONAL DEFEAT AS WELLT AS WELL.

AT SOME POINT ONE WOULD HOPE WHEN YOU'VE MADE A MISTAKE, WHEN YOU'RE IN A HOLEP DIGGING.

>> AMBASSADOR KELLY, I DON'T KNW DON'T KNOW HOW SERIOUS OR UNSERIOUS THIS IS, BUT YOU HAVE ELON MUSK TWEETING OUT A POTENTIAL PEACE DEAL THAT WOULD BASICALLY SEED A LOT OF THOSE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES TO RUSSIAN RUSSIA.

IN THE EXTREMES OF BOTH AMERICAN POLITICAL PARTIES, YOU HAVE FOLKS CALLING FOR A DEAL, NO FURTHER ESCALATION.

AND IT SEEMS TO BE SEEPING MORE INTO THE MAINSTREAM OF THE REPUBLICN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THAT IF THAT KIND OF PERSPECTIVE SPREAS PERSPECTIVE SPREADS IN THE U.S.?

U.S.?

>> I THINK THAT'S ONE THING THAN IS COUNTING ON.

JUDGING BY HIS PAST EXPERIENCE WITH THE WEST N WEST WHEN HE INVADED GEORGIA IN 2008, WHEN HE ANNEXED CRIMEA IN 2014.

THE WEST HAS COME TO TRY TO GIVE HIM WHAT THEY CALL, WHAT WE CALL AN OFFRAMP, A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION.

BUT WHAT'T WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS IS WE -- BECAUSE OF THE WITHDRAWAS THE WITHDRAWALS FROM THE NORTH D FROM THE EAST WHERE RUSSIAN FORS RUSSIAN FORCES HAVE PULLED OUT, WE'RE SEEING WHAT HAPPENS WHENS WHEN RUSSIANS OCCUPY ANOTHER CO. WE'RE SEEING TERRIBLE WAR CRIME.

AND SO IN MANY WAYS NEGOTIATED S NEGOTIATED SOLUTIONS ESPECIALLY FOR THE UKRAINIANS ARE OFF THE TABLE BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO LEAVE THE UKRAINIANS IN THAT TERRITORY TO THE TENDER MERCIES OF RUSSIAN RULE.

SO I THINK NEGOTIATING A SOLUTION IS NOT VERY POSSIBLE, AND IT'S BECOMING LESS AND LESS POSSIBLS LESS POSSIBLE AS WE SEE THE REALITY OF PUTIN'S BRUTAL REGIME.

>> AND JOHN, HOW DOES THE WEST Y WEST STAY INVOLVED WITHOUT FURTHER ESCALATING THIS CONFLICT TO INVOLVE MORE WESTERN COUNTRIES DIRECTLY?

>> WELL AGAIN FOR ME THE KEY HERE IS WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO ENSURE UKRAINIAN VICTORY, SHORT OF PROVOKING A DIRECT ESCALATION CONFRONTATION WITH NATO.

AND THAT IS PROVIDING THEM WITH THE AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS THEY'VE BEEN ASKING FOR.

CONTINUING WITH THE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE, THE INTELLIGENCE, EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING TO DATE, BUT JUST EVEN MORE.

UKRAINE HAS TO WIN.

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH IAN, AND NO NEGOTIATING SOLUTIONS FROM THE UKRAINIAN SIDE ON THIS.

AND IT IS SORT OF THE ISSUE AND THE NIGHT THAT IT HAS EVER BEEN AND WORKED IN UKRAINE IN THE EARLY 90s.

IF YOU SEE THE EVOLUTION OF UKRAIE OF UKRAINE AND THE SOCIETY OVER THE LAST 30 SOMETHING YEARS, CAPPED BY THE DISASTROUS INVASION THAT PUTIN STARTED.

IS STARTED.

IT'S A COMPLETE DIFFERENT SOCIETY.

SO THEY HAVE TO WIN THE WAR.

THERE IS NO OTHER IN MY VIEW.

AND THAT MEANS AT LEAST PUSHING RUSSIA BACK TO THE PRE-FEBRUARY 24th BORDERS.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE'LL NEED TO LEAE TO LEAVE IT THERE FOR NOW.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND FOR YOUR EXPERTISE.

> >> NOW TO BRANDIS FOR DETAILS IN TO A NEW REPORT ABOUT FEDERAL G FEDERAL SPENDING ON CHILDREN.

BRANDIS?

>> PARIS, FEDERAL SPENDING ON CN ON CHILDREN REACHED A NEW HIGH G HIGH DURING THE PANDEMIC.

ACCORG PANDEMIC.

ACCORDING TO THE URBA, URBAN INSTITUTE, FEDERAL SPENDING PER CHILD REACHED ABOUT $10,700 IN 2021.

THAT'S COMPARED TO BEFORE THE PANDEMIC WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SPENT ABOUT $6,800 PER CHILD IN 2019.

BUT RESEARCHERS SAY THATE THAT INCREASE SPENDING LEVEL IS NOT EXPECTED TO LAST.

JOINING US NOW ARE MARIANA MANNING, WHICH FOCUSES ON EARLY CHILDHO.

AND HEATHER HAHN, ASSOCIATE VICT VICE PRESIDENT FOR MANAGEMENT AT THE CENTER ON LABOR, HUMAN SERVICES, AND POPULATION AT THE URBAN INSTITUTE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

THANKS TO YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

HEATHER, LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE.

YOUR RESEARCH LOOKED AT FEDERAL SPEG FEDERAL SPENDING FOR THE LAST YEAR.

GIVE US A SENSE OF HOW THAT FEDERAL SPENDING IS DIVIDED AND HOW MUCH WAS SPENT ON CHILDREN.

>> YES.

SO ABOUT 9%, 9.4% OF FEDERAL SPENDING WENT TO CHILDREN IN 2021.

SO THINK ABOUT THAT.

LESS THAN 10% OF FEDERAL SPENDING IS FOCUSED ON.

AND THAT IS ACTUALLY ABOUT THE E THE SAME AS IT HAS BEEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

BUT AS YOU MENTIONED, THAT IS EXPECTED TO DECLINE IN THE FUTURE.

WHAT TOOK UP THE BIGGEST PART OF THE BUDGET, ABOUT A THIRD OF ALL FL ALL FEDERAL SPENDING, WAS GOING TO ADULT PORTIONS OF SOCIAL SE, SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, AND .

GO AHEAD.

>> I JUST WANT TO JUMP IN AND A.

IT SEEMS BEFORE WE BRING MARIANN MARIANA IN HERE AS WELL, IT SEEMS LIKE THE PANDEMIC CERTAINLY HAD A ROLE IN THAT INCREASED AMOUNT AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER FROM ABOUT $0 ABOUT $6,800 UP TO OVER $10,000.

$10,000.

>> YES.

THE PANDEMIC REALLY LED TO A SPIKE IN FEDERAL SPENDING ON CHILDREN.

WHAT'S INTERESTING IS IT ALSO LED TO A SPIKE IN FEDERAL SPENDING OVERALL.

SO THE SPENDING ON CHILDREN DID NT DID NOT GO UP MUCH, BUT THE AMOUNT THAT WENT TO CHILDREN LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE WENT UP A LOT.

AND THAT WAS PRIMARILY THROUGH TAX PROVISIONS.

SO WE HAD THOSE STIMULUS CHECKS, REMR CHECKS, REMEMBER GETTING THOSE CHECKS IN THE MAIL?

THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, AND THEN OTHER INCREASES IN EDUCATION AND CHIE AND CHILDCARE FUNDING AND SO FORTH.

>> MARIANA, WHAT'S THE IMPACT OS OF THIS INCREASED SPENDING ON C?

>> WELL, I THINK ONE OF THE THIS THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED WITH TE PANDEMIC, WE BECAME AWARE -- ALF ALL OF US BECAME AWARE OF HOW FE HOW FRAGILE EARLY CARE EDUCATION IN THE SYSTEM IS.

SO IT REALLY ALLOWS FOR PEOPLE WHO WERE WORKING AT HOME, WHO WERE WORKING REMOTELY TO HAVE ACCESS TO CHILDCARE AS THEY WERE ENGAG WERE ENGAGING IN REMOTE WORK.

BT WORK.

BUT REALLY EVEN WITH THOS, WITH THOSE INCREASES, IN COOK COUNTY, FOR INSTANCE, CHICAGO, WE KNOW 13% OF THE MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME IS SPENT ON CHILDCARE.

AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS IT SHOULD NOT GO OVER 7%.

SO IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO SEE THAT.

WE HAVE KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 5, AND 25% OF THEM ARE BELOW THE POVEY THE POVERTY LEVEL.

SO THOSE INVESTMENTS REALLY ARE IMPORTAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR US TO INVEST IN THE HISTORICALLY DIVESTED C. EVEN WITH THESE INCREASES, THE N THE MEDIAN INCOME FOR EARLY CHID EARLY CHILDHOOD IN ILLINOIS WAS $13 AN HOUR, WHICH IS NOT A LIVING WAGE.

SO RIGHT NOW TEACHERS ARE LEAVING THE PROFESSION FOR HIGHER PAYING JOBS.

SO I SAY ALL OF THAT BECAUSE THE IMPACT HAS BEEN FELT, BUT I WARN AGAINST THE DIVESTMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION BECAUSE WE ALREADY DT WE ALREADY DON'T SPEND AS MUCH AS COUNTRIES LIKE NORWAY.

>> AND TO THAT POINT, HEATHER, T HEATHER, WHAT DOES YOUR RESEARCH SAY ABOUT THIS FEDERAL SPENDING SPENDING BEGINNING TO DECLINE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS?

>> YEAH.

AND I FIRST WANT TO SAY TOO, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE CS THE CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS ON THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, THOSE ARE ACTUALLY A PRETTY SMALL AMOUNT, A SMALL SHARE OF THE SPENDING ON CHILDREN.

AND THE SINGLE LARGEST CATEGORY IS ACTUALLY TAX PROVISIONS.

SO WHEN WE'RE THINKING ABOUT SPENG ABOUT SPENDING ON CHILDREN, WE DON'T USUALLY THINK ABOUT TAXES.

THE NEXT HIGHEST IS HEALTH.

WE DON'T USUALLY THINK ABOUT THAT.

BUT THOSE ARE REALLY WHERE THE HIGH POINTS ARE.

BUT EVEN THOSE INCREASES IN CHILDCARE AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION THAT HAPPENS DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT WERE SO IMPORTANT FOR THOSE CHILDREN.

THOSE INCREASEE INCREASES ARE GOING AWAY.

THE FACT ALMOST ALL OF THE INCREASS THE INCREASES THAT HAPPENED DURING THE PANDEMIC ARE GOING TO FALL AWAY AND GOING FORWARD MOST CATEGORIES OF SPENDING ARY ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO FALL BELON BELOW EVEN THE PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS WHEN WE LOOK AT THEM ON THE SHARE OF GDP.

>> MARIANA, WHAT DOES THAT MEANR MEAN FOR CHILDREN ACROSS THE COUNTRY, OF COURSE, AND WHAT WAYS CAN EITHER LOCAL OR EITHER STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS STEP IN TO SUPPORT CHILDREN BETTER?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO WHAT WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT OR DEALING WITH IS THE ACTRESS THAT IS WITH THE PANDEMIC.

THE PANDEMIC REALLY BROUGHT HOW INEQUITABLE THE SYSTEMS ARE, BUT ALSO GENERATED A LOT OF AWARENESS RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH.

AND SO AS WE THINK ABOUT CHILDREN, 0-5 AND THEIR BRAIN DEVELOPMENT, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE INVESTING IN MENTAL HEALTH AS WE ARE DOING IN HEALTH IN GENERAL.

AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE SEE QUITE A BIT IS RIGHT NOW THE PANDEMIC IS SUPPOSEDLY OVER.

BUT THE AFFECTS OF BEING AT HOME OF NOT INTERACTING, NOT GOING THROUGH MULTIPLE TRANSITIONS, AND SO MUCH MORE.

REALLY IT WILL CONTINUE TO AFFECT CHILDREN.

AD CHILDREN.

AND UNLESS WE REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO MENTAL HEALTH AND WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT YOUNG CHILDREN EDUCATION, WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE SOME OF THE ISSUES IN THE FUTURE, WHICH WILL DEMAND MORE SPENDING IN HEALTH AND SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL SUPPORT.

>> HEATHER, WE'VE GOT ABOUT 45 S 45 SECONDS LEFT.

DO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, DO THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES TO FILL IN WHERE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REDUCES SPENDING?

>> WELL WE'LL SEE.

WE DON'T HAVE THE LATEST SPENDING ON STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT LAG BEHIND.

BUT WHAT WE KNOW IS IN GENERAL OVER THE LONG HAUL ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF ALL PUBLICG PUBLIC SPENDING ON CHILDREN WILL COME FROM STATES AND LOCALITIES.

ALMOST ENTIRELY FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

AND WHAT WE SAW DURING THE GREAT RECESSIONS GREAT RECESSION WAS THAT IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STEPPED UP AND INCREASED THE SPENDING BECAUSE THE STATES DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY AT THAT TIME TO FILL IN.

SO WE WILL HAVE TO SEE WHAS WHAT HAPPENS GOING FORWARD WHETHER THE STATES AND LOCALITIES CAN PICK UP.

>> OKAY, THAT'S WHAT WE'LL HAVEO HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

MY THANKS TO HEATHER HAHN AND MANNING FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

> >> UP NEXT, LIGHTFOOT PREPARES O PREPARES TO TAKE ON CHALLENGERS IN THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

HEAR HOW RIGHT AFTER THIS.

> >> WE'RE INVITING THE ENTIRE CO, THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, SO THEY CAN SEE YOUTHS ARE DOING SOMETHING POSITIVE.

KEEPING KIDS OUT OF TROUBLE, YOU'RE SAVING LIVES.

>> SEEING PROGRAMS LIKE THIS IST IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TW TO KNOW THAT FIRST YOU HAVE TO SEE IT, THEN YOU CAN BE IT.

[ C ] > >> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT WON THE9 THE 2019 RACE FOR CHICAGO MAYORR MAYOR AFTER CAMPAIGNING AS A PRE A PROGRESSIVE DETERMINED TO MAKE MAKE THE CITY MORE OF AN EQUITABLE PLACE TO LIVE.

BUT SHE'S RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION AFTER HAVING SPENDING HER TERM AT ODDS WITH CHICAGO'S PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY.

TO FEND OFF CHALLENGES FROM ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, LIGHTFOOT IS TOUTING HER $16.4 BILLION SPENDING PLAN, THE BEST WAY TO BUILD ON WHAT SHE SAYS ARE HER PROGRESSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

LS PROGRESSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

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LES PROGRESSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

LES LISTEN TO WHAT SHE TOLD CITY COUNCIL LAST WEEK.

>> WHAT I HAVE ASKED THIS BODY O BODY TO DO OVER THREE SUCCESSFUS SUCCESSFUL YEARS AND NOW AGAIN TODAY WITH A FOURTH BUDGET IS TO BE BOLD WITH ME.

CONTINUE TO RISE HISTORIC WRONGS, SO ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS WHO CALL THIS BELOVED CITY HOME WILL BENEFIT AND BE ABLE TO FULFILL THEIR GOD GIVEN POTENTIAL.

>> AND WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHR WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHIRONE JOINS US NOW.

>> Reporter: WELL, SHE MADE A NR A NUMBER OF PROGRESSIVE PROMISEG PROMISES DURING THAT 2019 CAMPAIGN THAT SHE DID NOT FULFILL WHEN SHE GOT INTO OFFICE.

THAT INCLUDES SUPPORT FOR AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.

SE SCHOOL BOARD.

SHE BACKED IT DURING THE CAMPAIGN, BUT FOUGHT THE BILL THAT ULTIMATELY PASSED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WHO COULD FORGET THE STRIKES AND THE WORK STOPPAGE TAKING ON THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION DIRECTLY.

>> THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION ED UNION ENDORSED TONI PRECKWINKLE IN THAT RACE.

SO MAYBE THE ENTITY WAS ALREADY BOILING A LITTLE BIT.

SO THE SPENDING PLAN, WHAT PARTS OF IT ARE DESIGNED TO APPEAL TO THAT COMMUNITY?

>> WELL IT INCLUDES $10 MILLIONE MILLION MORE DOLLARS TO HELP PEOPLE LEAVE HOMELESSNESS.. THT WAS THE KEY PROMISE SHE MADE IN 2019.

SHE SAID SHE WOULD RAISE THE TRANSFER TAX ON REAL ESTATE, BUT SHE NEVER PUSHED THAT BILL.

THAT WAS THE SOURCE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE CITY'S BUDGET IS FLUSHED WITH CASH FROM THE RED HOT REAL ESTATE MARKET.

>> SO SHE UNVEILED THIS BUDGET T BUDGET LAST WEEK.

WE'VE SAID MANY TIMES IT LOOKS LIKE AN EASY BUDGET TO PASS GIVEN WHAT WE'VE COVERED OVER THE YEARS.

Y YEARS.

ANY CHANCE THE PROGRESSIVE GROUP MIGHT PUSH BACK ON IT?

>> WELL, WE HEARD A LOT FROM PRE FROM PROGRESSIVE ALDERMAN THAT THE MAYOR'S BUDGET DOES NOT FULFILL ANOTHER 2019 CAMPAIGN PROMISES, THE RECREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT, WHICH THOSE PROGRESSIVE ALDERMAN SAYS IS MORE NECESSARY NOW THAN EVER GIVEN THE STRONG STORMS FUELED BY CLIMATE CHANGE WE'RE SEEING IN CHICAGO.

THE MAYOR SAYS SHE'LL EXPAND THE NR THE NUMBER OF CITY EMPLOYEES FOD ON THOSE ISSUES, BUT SHE WON'T E WON'T CREATE A STANDALONE DEPARTMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT, ARE WE GOING TO SEE SOME HORSE TRADING BETWEENE BETWEEN THE MAYOR AND PROGRESSIVE ALDER PEOPLE BEFORE THERE'S A FINAL SPENDING PLAN?

>> THAT IS HOW IT ALWAYS WORKS T WORKS AT CITY HALL.

YOU KNOW THAT, PARIS.

NOW IN 2022, THE MAYOR'S BUDGET WOULD NOT HAVE D HAVE PASSED WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS.

IS SHE GOING TO HAVE TO SORT OF TE OF TRADE SOME THINGS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN IN 2023?

TIME WILL TELL.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE GIE ARE THE GIVE AND TAKE ITEMS HERE?

>> THE BUDGET INCLUDES $100 MILN $100 MILLION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.S SAFETY.

THAT'S GOING TO REALLY STICKEN THE CRAW OF ALDER PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING TO REDUCE THE POLICE BUDGET, WHICH IS NOW ALMOST $2 BILLION.

SHE'G BILLION.

SHE'S GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A CASE FOR THAT ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS ITS TIME IN THE HOT SEAT DURING BUDGET WEEK.

>> AND ALSO THAT EXTRA $200 MILN $200 MILLION DEPOSIT INTO THE BELEAGUER PENSION FUNDS OF CIT, CITY EMPLOYEES, WHICH FISCAL WAS FISCAL WATCHDOGS SAY GOOD MOVE, BUT COULD THAT BE A CONTENTION?

CONTENTION?

>> IT COULD BECAUSE THAT $200 MN $200 MILLION COULD GO TOWARDS PS TOWARDS PROJECTS TO HELP THE ALDER PEOPLE AND THE MAYOR GET.

SOMETIMES A HARD EXPLANATION TOY TO SAY HEY, LET'S PAY DOWN THE T THE CREDIT CARD DEBT RATHER THAG THAN RUNNING ON A SHOPPING SPREE.

>> ALL RIGHT, HEATHER, YOU WERET WERE AT THE BUDGET HEARINGS TODAY AND THE BUDGETS GO ON THE NEXT FEW WEEKS OR SO.

WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO MORE UPDATES FROM YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

> >> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT," THE NATIONAL PUBLIC HOUSING MUSEUM BREAKS GROUND IN CHICAGO.

WE SHARE A PREVIEW OF WHAT VISITORS CAN EXPECT WHEN THE MUSEUM OPENS NEXT YEAR.

> >> THE CHICAGO LOWRIDER FESTIVAL IS RETURNING IN PERSON.

THIS TIME IT'S BEING HELD AT NAVY PIER.

WE'LL TALK WITH THE FOUNDERS ABOUT LOWRIDER CULTURE AND PREVIEW THE FESTIVAL.

> >> AND ART VENDING MACHINES.

A K INSIDE A NEW EFFORT TO HELP LOCAL ARTISTS SELL THEIR CREAT.

THEIR CREATIONS.

> >> BUT FIRST HERE ARE MORE OF TS OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN ADAM KINZINGER MIGHT NOT BE RUNNING FOR REELECTION, BUT HOPING TO HAVE HIS INFLUENCE FELT.

ENDORSING MULTIPLE CANDIDATES INCLUDING MANY DEMOCRATS.

>> IF THE PAST FEW YEARS HAVE SD HAVE SHOWED US ANYTHING, THAT PS THAT POLITICIANS AND PENDANTS PROFIT BY MAKING OUR PROBLEMS WORSE.

THEY FEED INTO AND PRAY ON TRIBALISM.

>> AFTER THE JANUARY 6 ATTACKS ON THE CAPITOL.

ENDORSEMENTS INCLUDE CANDIDATES RUNNING AGAINST PRO-TRUMP POLITICIANS, MOST OF WHOM HAVE SAID THEY BELIEVE THE 2020 ELECTION WAS STOLEN.

> >> THE PUSH TO USE DOWNTOWN PROY DOWNTOWN PROPERTY TAXES TO FUND THE FAR SOUTH SIDE RED LINE EXTENSION HAS OVERCOME ITS FIRST HURDLE.

TODAY, THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SENT A PROPOSAL TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION, WHICH WILL NOW CONSIDER THE ISSUE NEXT WEEK.

F NEXT WEEK.

IF ENDORSED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION, THE CITY COUNCIL COULD HAVE A FINAL VOTE ON THE ISSUE IN DECEMBER.

ALTHH DECEMBER.

ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THE CITY COUNCIL WILL PASS IT AT THIS POINT AS THE NUMBER OF ALDER PEOPLE HAVE RAISED CONCERNS.

THE $3.6 BILLION PROPOSAL WOULD EXTEND THE CTA'S RED LINE PAST 95th STREET ALL THE WAY DOWN PAST 130th.

> >> ILLINOIS IS SET TO GET MORE N MORE THAN $2.5 BILLION IN INFRAE IN INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> THIS IS THE LARGEST INVESTMET LARGEST INVESTMENT IN ROADS, BR, HIGHWAYS SINCE THE CREATION OF E OF THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM.

>> U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARE SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG ANNOUNCED $60 BILLION IN THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE 50 STATES.

SAYS THE MONEY WILL GO TOWARDS ROADS, BRIDGES, TUNNELS, CARBON EMISSION, AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS.

> >> NOW BACK TO BRANDIS FOR A LOK A LOOK AT THE NEW NATIONAL MUSEUM SET TO OPEN IN CHICAGO NEXT YEAR.

BRANDIS?

>> THE NATIONAL PUBLIC HOUSING M HOUSING MUSEUM WILL SOON HAVE A HOME.

MUSEUM STAFF, CITY OFFICIALS, AND ADVOCATES BROKE GROUND TODAY AT THE FUTURE SITE OF THE MUSEUM, WHICH IS ALSO ON THE PROPERTY OF THE LAST REMAINS OF THE JANE ADDAMS HOMES.

ONE OF CHICAGO'S OLDEST FEDERAL HOUSING PROJECT.

THE MUSEUM HAS BEEN IN THE MAKING FOR SOME 15 YEARS.

STAFF MEMBERS SAY IT WILL BE THE ONLY CULTURAL INSTITUTION TO GO TO TELLING THE STORY OF PUBLIC HOG PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE UNITED STATES.

HERE TO TELL US MORE ARE LISA YUN LEE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MUSEUM.

AND REVEREND MARSHALL HATCH WITH TE WITH THE NEW MOUNT PILGRIM CHUR.

WELCOME BACK TO THE "CHICAGO TO" STUDIO.

LISA, LET'S START WITH YOU.

15 YEARS IN THE MAKING.

HW MAKING.

HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW THAT YOU HAVE FINALLY BROKEN GROUND?

GROUND?

>> TODAY WAS LIKE A DREAM COME .

SO MANY PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENT, HOUSING RESIDENTS, PRESERVATIONISTS, ACTIVISTS, AND ADVOCATES HAVE REALLY WORKED SO HARD TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE ABOUT PUBLIC HOUSINGN HOUSING IN AMERICA AND IN THE C. AND ALSO TO CREATE A SPACE WHERE WHERE WE CAN AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS INR IN ORDER TO CREATE A MORE PUBLIE PUBLIC DIALOGUE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HOUSING.

SO TODAY WAS JUST MAGICAL AND ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DAYS OF MY ENTIRE LI.

>> CONGRATULATES.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES OF THE LAST 15 YEARS THAT HAVE MADE IT TAKE SO LONG?

>> YEAH, WELL ONE OF THE THINGSS THINGS IS WE HAD TO REALLY ENGAGE IN NARRATIVE SHIFTS.

CHG SHIFTS.

CHALLENGING PEOPLE'S NOTIONS OF WHAT THEY THINK THEY KNOW ABOUT PUBLIC HOUSING, ABOUT THE RACIALIZED HISTORY OF AMERICA THAT MADE PEOPLE THINK THAT ONLY CERTAIN PEOPLE LIVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING, WHICH IS NOT TRUE.

ABOUT THE REASONS THAT PUBLIC HOUSING EITHER WERE SUCCESSFUL OR OVER A FAILURE.

O FAILURE.

SO WE'VE HAD TO DO A LOT OF WORK IN THAT ARENA OF STORY TELLING AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

BUT ALSO WE HAD TO RAISE A LOT OF FUNDS.

AND SO WHEN PEOPLE HAVE ONE STEREOTYPL ONE STEREOTYPICAL PUBLIC HOUSING, THEY'RE NOT SORT OF THINKING ABOUT EVERYTHING THIS MUSEUM COULD AND SHOULD BE.

AND WE ARE GOING TO BE AN INCREDIBE AN INCREDIBLE INSTITUTION ON THR THE NEAR WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO AND ALSO, WHICH IS JUST WONDERFUL TO BRING A CULTURAL AND CIVIC ANCHOR TO THIS SPACE.

SPACE.

>> SO CONVINCING FOLKS THAT IT'H IT?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

AND THE JANE ADDAMS HOME, I CAN'T TALK TODAY, WILL BE RECREATED FOR THE MUSEUM.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE WILL LEARN FROM THE STORIES OF YOUR FAMILY?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, FOR US, AND THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLE DAY.

MY MOM, IN FACT, PASSED AWAY IN TE IN THE APARTMENT RIGHT ON THE PLACE WHERE ALL OF THE HOUSES WERE.

AND SO OUR FAMILY, THIS IS INCREDIBLY MEANINGFUL.

BUT WHEN WE GREW UP THERE, IT WAS -- IT WAS IDELIC.

THE FAMILIES WERE CLOSE.

WE ACTUALLY -- IT WAS NOT RACIALLY INTEGRATED, BUT IT WAS ECONOMICALLY INTEGRATED.

MY MOM WORKED FOR E FOR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.

AND SO FOR US, IT LITERALLY IS HOME.

>> LISA, GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAE WHAT THE MUSEUM WILL OFFER ATTE.

>> YEAH, WELL ONE OF THE THINGST THINGS THAT REVEREND HATCH WAS TALKING ABOUT, IT IS SUCH A GIFT THAT WE MET HIS FAMILY AND THAT THEY'VE SHARED THEIR STORIES WITH US.

WE ARE RECREATING THE REVEREND HATCH'S FAMILY'S APARTMENT IN THE JANE ADDAMS HOMES.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE A BEAUTIFUL HOUSE THAT NOT ONLY IS GROUNDED IN THEIR FAMILY'S HISTORY, BUT ALSO A WW A WINDOW THAT OPENS UP, FOR EXA, INTO THE STORY WITH MARTIN LUTHER KING AND GRETTA SCOTT KING WHEN THEY CAME TO CHICAGO TO FIGHT FOR OPEN HOUSING, FOR EXAMPLE.

BUT ALSO STORIES OF THEIR FAMILY AND EVERYTHING THEY SURVIVED AND HOW THEY THRIVED IN PUBLIC HOUSING.

SO WE'LL HAVE THREE RECREATED APAS RECREATED APARTMENTS FROM THREE DIFFERENT GENERATIONS OF PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENCE INCLUDING JEWISH FAMILY'S STORY THAT DETERS THE FAMILY THAT WILL HAVE A RECREATED KOSHER KITCHEN.

AND THERE IS ALSO A BEAUTIFUL MUSEUM STORE COOPERATIVE THAT'S OWNED IN PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENCE.

A HUGE EXHIBITION GALLERY THAT BS THAT BRINGS TOGETHER EVERYDAY AS EVERYDAY ARTIFACTS AND OBJECTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENCE WITH LABELS THEY WRITE, WITH WRITERS SUCH AS PETTY AND NATE MARSHALL AND RICH CAHAN, AND A MUSIC ROOM THAT CELEBRATES THE MUSIC THAT WAS CREATED IN PUBLIC HOUSING THAT IS CURATEDD CURATED.

AND SHE GREW UP IN THE PINK HOUSES IN NEW YORK.

AND ONE LAST THING I WANT TO SAY.

Y TO SAY.

HISTORY MUSEUM, BUT WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL CONTEMPORARY ART.

BECAUSE ART AND ARTIFACTST ARTIFACTS BROUGHT TOGETHER CAN TELL A RICH STORY.

SO AMANDA WILLIAMS HAVE AN ENTRANCE THAT IS BEING DESIGNED FOR THE MUSEUM AND THE RESTORED WPA SCULPTURE IS MADE BY EDGAR MIL.

THERE IS A LOT TO SEE.

IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT TO PUT IN THERE.

WHT DO YOU THINK IS LEFT OUT OF THE NARRATIVE OF THE PUBLIC HOUSIN?

HOW DO YOU THINK THE MUSEUM COUD MUSEUM COULD BE INCITEFUL FOR PEOPLE?

AND MAYBE CORRECTING SOME MISUNDERSTOOD NARRATIVES?

>> MOST PEOPLE DON'T PROBABLY KNOW THAT PUBLIC HOUSING WAS OY WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT FOR EUROPEAN IMMIGRANTS.

AND NOT NECESSARILY AFRICAN AMERICANS OFF THE BAT.

AND SO THAT THE JANE ADAM PUBLIC HOUSING, FOR EXAMPLE, HAD ITALIAN AMERICAN FAMILIES AND JEWISH AMERICAN FAMILIES.

THE SCHOOL THAT I WENT TO WAS NAMED AFTER JACOB A.REIS, WHO TOOK PICTURES OF JEWISH GHETTOS IN NEW YORK.

AND SO THERE WAS THIS SENSE OF FAMY OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY PUBLIC POLICH POLICY WITH PUBLIC HOUSING, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COLLEGES.

BEFOE COLLEGES.

BEFORE WE REALLY RACIALIZED OUR UNDERSTANDING OF POVERTY.

IT'S A GREAT STORY OF AMERICAN IDEALS, JANE ADDAMS, WHO WORKED IN THAT COMMUNITY, AND THE MOTHER OF SOCIAL WORK S WORK AS AN ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE.D DISCIPLINE.

AND ALL OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING INCLUDING NAMED AFTER THESE GRAY SOCIAL REFORMERS.

AND THAT IS A GREAT HISTORY, WHERE WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SAY WE CAN BECOME THAT KIND OF IDEALISTIC COMMUNITY AGAIN.

>> REVEREND, WHAT CONVERSATIONS DO YOU WANT TO COME OUT OF THEC THE PUBLIC HOUSING?

>> THAT WE REALLY CAN DO BETTERN BETTER THAN WE'RE DOING WHEN IT COMES TO THIS WIDE DISPARITY BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR.T POOR.

THAT IS UNSUSTAINABLE.

AND WHEN WE LOOK AT WHAT PUBLIC HOG PUBLIC HOUSING ADDRESSED, THE SAME WAY WE WOULD LOOK AT WHAT SCHOOLS ARE ADDRESSED, IT WAS REALLY ADDRESSING THE DISPARITIES BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR BECAUSE WE CAN'T SUSTAIN THE STABLE BODY POLITICS.

WE GET TO HAVE THE C, THE CONVERSATIONS, REALLY IMAGINE A FUTURE THAT WE DESIGN TO WHEN WE DRIFT INTO AS A NATION.

>> WE'VE GOT ABOUT 30 SECONDS L. GO AHEAD.

>> I ALSO SAY PUBLIC HOUSING IST IS NOT JUST THE HISTORY OF HOUS.

IT'S THE HISTORY OF PUBLIC SAFE, PUBLIC SAFETY, PUBLIC EDUCATION, THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

AND EVERYTHING THAT OUR DEMOCRACY VALUES AS A PUBLIC GOOD AND WHAT WE NEED AS A COMMONWEALTHD WE NEED AS A COMMONWEALTH.

AND IN ORDER TO SOLVE THE MOST PREG MOST PRESSING ISSUES OF TODAY, WE HAVE TO GO BACK IN TIME AND ASK WHAT HAVE WE NOT YET LEARNED FROM HISTORY IN ORDER FOR US TO CREATE A MORE COLLECTIVE FUTURE.

AND THIS MUSEUM HAS THAT.

>> SO OUR VIEWERS KNOW, UNDER CN UNDER CONSTRUCTION OBVIOUSLY.

YU EXPECT TO OPEN IN A YEAR?

>> YES, ONE YEAR.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU THEND THEN AND BEST OF LUCK AND OUR THANKS TO LISA AND REVEREND HAH REVEREND HARSH FOR JOINING US.

> >> EXPLORING LOWRIDER FESTIVAL.T LOWRIDER FESTIVAL.

IT FIRST AIRED ON LATINO VOICES WITH GUEST HOST ALEX FERNANDEZ.

BUT FIRST A LOOK AT OUR WEATHER.

[C ] > >> A FESTIVAL SHOWCASING LOWRIDR SHOWCASING LOWRIDER CULTURE, COMMUNITY, AND ART IS RETURNING NEXT WEEKEND.

IT'S LOW AND LOW, CHICAGO LOWRIDER FESTIVAL, AND IT'S BEING HELD AT NAVY PIER FOR THE FIRST TIME.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ON LOWRIDER CULTURE AND WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE EVENT ARE BROTHER AND SISTER DUO, CO-FOUNDERS OF THE FESTIVAL.

LAUREN PACHECO AND PETER KEPHA, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PURPOSE BEHIND HAVING THIS FESTIVAL.

>> SURE.

WELL THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING US TODAY.

YOU KNOW, THE PURPOSE OF THE FESTIVAL IS REALLY NOT TO HIGHBROW OR HIGH ART LOWRIDER CULTURE IN COMMUNITY, RIGHT?

THE PURPOSE IS REALLY TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE PLATFORM FOR A BROR A BROADER COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE TY PEOPLE TO ENJOY AND BETTER UNDERSTAND THE NUANCES AND CULTURE.

AND TO REALLY SORT OF HIGHLIGHT THE SORT OF ORIGIN STORY OF LOW RIDING.

IT'S MEXICAN-AMERICAN, CHICANO MAINM CHICANO MAINSTREAM TODAY.

>> PETER, WHAT DO YOU THINK IT'T IT'S ABOUT LOWRIDERS THAT CAPTIVATES PEOPLE?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S PROBABLY THE S THE ARTS AND THE CRAFTSMANSHIP OF IT.

AND ALSO THAT VEHICLE IG VEHICLE IS BOUNCING OR MOVING DOWN THE STREET.

IT'S GOT TO BE A PRETTY BIG DEAL.

BUT I THINK FOR ME AND, YOU KNOW, TALKING WITH THE COMMUNITY, IT IS REALLY ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND THE FAMILIES THAT ARE BEHIND IT.

TO ME, THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT AND WHAT I GET THE MOST OUT OF IT.

I ENJOY MEETING TO PEOPLE, TALKING TO EVERYBODY.

I THINK THAT'S WHATE WHAT WE TAKE AWAY FROM IT THE MT THE MOST IS THE BEST PART OF IT.

IT.

>> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT COMMUNI.

WHAT DOES LOWRIDER CULTURE MEANO MEAN TO THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY AND BROADER THE LATINO COMMUNITY?

>> SURE.

OFTENTIMES THE MIDWEST IS NOT REALLY SORT OF SEEN AS HAVING A THRIVING LOWRIDER COMMUNITY.

IT'S OFTENTIMES SORT OF REGULATED TO GEOGRAPHY OF CA OF CALIFORNIA ON THE SOUTHWEST.O SOUTHWEST.

SO NEXT SATURDAY DURG SATURDAY DURING THE FESTIVAL, WE'LL HAVE OVER 40 CLUBS REPREG 40 CLUBS REPRESENTING THE MIDWEST AREA, WHICH IS A GATHERING AND CELEBRATION OF LOWRIDER CULTURE.

ULTIMATELY IT'S THE EXPRESSION OF IDENTITIES, WHICH IS REALLY GRD REALLY GROUNDED IN MASTER CRAFT, MASTER CRAFTSMANSHIP, CUSTOMIZED CARS, AND THAT SORT OF SORT OFY OF MACHINERY THAT'S INVOLVED IN THE LOWRIDER CULTURE AND COMMUNITY.

SO WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT HAVING PEOPLE SORT OF SHOW OFF AND PRESENT THE VERY BEST NEXT WEEK.

>> RIGHT, YOU WERE SAYING HOW MY HOW MANY CARS ARE YOU EXPECTING?

EXPECTING?

>> OVER 250.

>> DEFINITELY OVER 250.

AND POSSIBLY 40 MOTORCYCLES, ROUGHY MOTORCYCLES, ROUGHLY AROUND 70 OR SO LOWERED BICYCLES AS WELL.

WELL.

>> THAT'S A HUGE EVENT, DEFINIT.

PETER, BOTH YOU AND YOUR SISTERD SISTER FOUNDED THE CHICAGO LOWRR FESTIVAL.

HOW DO YOU THINK THAT PLAYS INTO YOUR MISSION IN PLANNING OF THE FESTIVAL?

>> HOW DOES IT PLAY INTO IT?

I T REALLY KNOW.

THAT'S A HARD ONE.I ONE.

I MEAN WE'RE BROTHER AND SISTER, SO WE'RE CONSTANTLY FIGHTING WITH THINGS.

BUT I THINK SINCE WE ARE BROTHER AND SISTER, IT MAKES IT EASIER, AND THERE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE PASSN MORE PASSION BEHIND IT.

I THINKI THINK, I FORGOT WHAT I WAS TALKG WAS TALKING ABOUT.

I THINK THERE'S MORE LOVE.

DO YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING?

>> MY BROTHER AND I HAVE BEEN CE BEEN CREATIVE COLLABORATORS FOR OVER 15 YEARS.

SO WE KIND OF HAVE A REALLY GOOD IDEA OF HOW EACH OTHER SORT OF THINKS AND CAN PUSH TERRITORIAL BOUNDARIE.

WE HAVE A REALLY GREAT FORMULA F FORMULA OF PAST FESTIVALS THAT WE HAVE OUTSOURCED.

SO I THINK THIS IS A LOVELY SORT OF COLLABORATIVE MOMENT FOR PETER AND I.

AND AS CHICAGOANS, BORN AND RAISED ON THE SOUTH SIDE O, IT'S REALLY SORT OF IN A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE LOWRIDR THE LOWRIDER COMMUNITY.

>> PETER, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME TIME THE FESTIVAL IS BEING HELD.

AND IT'S AT NAVY PIER.

SUCH AN ICONIC PLACE HERE IN CHICAGO.

W WILL IT BE DIFFERENT FROM PREVIS FROM PREVIOUS FESTIVALS?

>> WELL, THE ONE MAJOR DIFFERENE MAJOR DIFFERENCE IS GOING TO BE THE OUTDOOR FESTIVAL.

WE ARE OUTDOORS OBVIOUSLY.

IT WAS ALWAYS USUALLY SOMEWHAT OF A PARADE.

I ALWAYS KIND OF TALK ABOUT THE CARS BEING PEACOCKS AND THEY WERE STRUTTING DOWN THE CAT WALK.

THIS IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CARS UP AND DOWN, BUT THEY WILL BE STATIONARY, WHICH IS NICE BECAE IS NICE BECAUSE WE CAN SHOW OFF A LITTLE BIT MORE.

A COUPLE OF CARS THAT WILL HAVE SOME DISPLAYS, WHICH IS DIFFERENT, AND WE HAVEN'T SEEN THIS FOR A WHILE IN CHICAGO.

I THINK THAT'LL BE THE MAJOR DIFFERENC.

A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A TERRITORL A TERRITORIAL TOUCH TO IT.

>> AND LAUREN, FOR PEOPLE GOINGR GOING FOR THE FIRST TIME, WHAT SHOULD THEY EXPECT?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFERENT BE DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT'S INDOORS, RIGHT?

SO WE DON'T HAVE THESE BEAUTIFUL URBAN LANDSCAPE AS OUR BACKDROP.

BUT I THINK WE'VE PLAYED A REALLY -- WE'VE BEEN THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW WE'RE BRINGING IN ELEMENTS OF THE OUTDOORS INTO THE SPACE FROM TE FROM THE ARTISTIC PERSPECTIVE.

T ARTISTIC PERSPECTIVE.

BUT ALSO THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE'RE REALLY SORT OF KNOWN FOR, RIGHT?

HAVING REALLY GREAT BLACK AND BROWN DJs AND OTHER SORT OF FOLK.

AND SORT OF THE TAKEOVER, A NOTIONF A NOTION OF A TAKEOVER.

THE FEST IS COMING INTO NAVY PIER, THE CIVIC SPACE, THE PEOPLE'S PIERD PIER.

AND REALLY SORT OF, YOU KNOW, STRETCHING OUT ACROSS 170,000 SQUARE FEET.

AND FOR THIS ONE DAY, RIGHT, IT'S GOING TO JUST BE AN AMAZING AND PHENOMENAL CELEBRATION OF LOWRR OF LOWRIDER CULTURE AND COMMUNITY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ENTHUSIASTS, IN THE COMMUNITY, AND PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST CURIOUS.

SO AGAIN, WE ARE QUITE EXCITED FOR NEXT WEEK.

>> DEFINITELY.

I THINK YOU JUST ANSWERED IT, BUT WHAT ELSE DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WILL TAKE AWAY FROM THIS FESTIVAL?

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WIL PEOPLE WILL WALK AWAY WITH?

>> SURE.

WELL IT'S HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, RIGHT?

WE'RE CLOSING UP THE MONTHS.

BUT I THINK WITH PEOPLE AND WHAT WE HOPE FOR PEOPLE TO WALK AWAY WH AWAY WITH IS THIS IS AN AMERICA, AMERICAN INVENTION, RIGHT?

THE IDEA OF LOW RIDING, WHICH IS BN IS BORN OUT OF SELF-EXPRESSION,L SELF-EXPRESSION, SOCIAL CHANGE, AND IN OUR COUNTRY.

AND IT IS REALLY GROUNDED IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS, CHICANO COMMUNITIES, MEXICAN-AMERICAN .

SO I WOULD WANT PEOPLE TO WALK Y WALK AWAY WITH A HISTORICAL MOMENT, A HISTORICAL ELEMENT TO UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF IT.

S IT.

IT'S BEEN OVER 20 YEARS SINCE THE LAST SORT OF INDOOR EVENT OF LOWRIDER CARS.

AND WE ARE REALLY, YOU KNOW, QUITE HAPPY TO PRESENT IT TO CHICAGO, IT'S A CHICAGO'S FEST.

>> PETER, WE ARE ALMOST OUT OF , BUT WE NEED TO GIVE OUT THE DETAILS OF THE EVENT.

HOW CAN PEOPLE ATTEND?

>> YOU CAN GET TICKETS AT NAVY PIER'S WEBSITE, THEY HAVE A QR.

YOU CAN BUY EVERYTHING THROUGH .

IT'S OCTOBER 15, 10:00 TO 8:00,I 8:00, I BELIEVE, CORRECT?

250 PLUS CARS.

HOPE TO SEE PEOPLE OUT, ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD, BEER, A LOT OF COOL STUFF TO SEE THERE.

HOPEFULLY EVERYONE WILL BE OUT THERE.

>> WHAT ARE YOU TAKING OUT OF TE OF THE EVENT?

WHAT MESSAGE IS THE EVENT GOING TO LEAVE FOR YOU?

>> THAT WE DID IT.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

>> WE'RE BACK AFTER COVID BECAUE I DIDN'T THINK THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> ME TOO.

>> WE DID IT AGAIN.

>> IT'S A SAFETY EVENT FOR FAMI.

>> DEFINITELY.

>> NOT AN EASY PROCESS.

>> IT'S A HUGE EVENT.

BEST OF LUCK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE A SU.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

K US.

BACK WITH MORE "CHICAGO TON" RIGHT AFTER THIS.

> >> IT'S THE KIND OF ART GALLERYE GALLERY INSIDE A VENDING MACHINE.

THERE'S A NEW EFFORT TO BOOST THE PROFILES OF ARTISTS AND MAKERS IN CHICAGO AND PUTS SOME MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS.

PRODUCER MARK VITALE BROUGHT US THIS STORY OF ARTWORK AND OTHER FUN STUFF TO GO ALONG WITH YOUR BEER.

HERE S YOUR BEER.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

LOOK.

>> Reporter: AT METROPOLITAN BREWING IN AVONDALE AND THE CHO THE CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER IN THE LOOP, REPURPOSED VENDING MS VENDING MACHINES ARE STOCKED WITH PAPER BACKS, NOVELTIES, AND ART.

WE SCORED A SIGNED PRINT FOR $15.

THE MACHINES AND OWNED AND OPERATED BY GOOD THINGS VENDING.

>> GOOD THINGS VENDING IS A CREE A CREATIVE VENDING MACHINE PROJ.

IT STOCKS LOCAL ART, VINTAGE ANA AND NOSTALGIA ITEMS, AND PRACTICAL CORNER STORE TYPE STUFF.

I'LL TRY PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS OF THE MACHINE.

THERE IS A PRICE RESTRICTION, WHICH IS $1 TO $20.

THERE IS A SIZE RESTRI.

IT NEEDS TO BE ABOUT THE SIZE OA OF A BAG OF CHIPS OR ABOUT THE SIZE OF A CANDY BAR.

>> Reporter: PRODUCTS MIGHT INCE MIGHT INCLUDE A GAME OF BIRD BINGO, JEWELRY, OR EMBROIDERED.

AND BUSINESS IS BOOMING WITH MAS WITH MACHINES NEEDING TO BE RESTOCKED WEEKLY.

>> I WENT TO THE SCHOOL IN CHIC.

AND THE THING I LEARNED THERE IT IS WHAT MAKES ANY EDUCATION, ANY ANY COMMUNITY BEAUTIFUL OR ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED I.

>> Reporter: THE VENDING MACHINS VENDING MACHINES THEMSELVES ARE CANVAS FOR LOCAL ARTISTS, PERMISSION TO PAINT THEM.

THE ITEMS ARE TAILORED AT THE CULTL THE CULTURAL CENTER, SEEING THEY ARE MORE FAMILY FRIENDLY.

BUT U FRIENDLY.

BUT YOU HAVE TO VISIT THE BREWERY IF YOU WANT A LOCALLY MADE PIN THAT IDENTIFIES YOU AS A CHEESE.

>> I LOVE THAT PEOPLE REACH OUTO OUT TO SLAB RATE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY COME TO IDEAS THAT BREAK THE SIDE OF WHAT I HAVE DONE BEFORE BECAUSE IT HAS ITS OWN SATELLITE RETAIL MOMENT THAT DOESN'T REALLY HAVE THE SAME SORTS OF RULES THAT LIKE BRICK AND MORTAR SHOP WOULD.

WE CAN GET PRETTY PLAYFUL.

>> ONE COLLABORATOR IS HANNAH S, IS HANNAH SELLERS, THE CREATIVE OF CAT DROOL, COLORING BOOKS, AND MORE.

>> CAT DROOL IS MY ART PRACTICET WAS BORN OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

IM THE PANDEMIC.

I'M A DESIGNER BY.

AND SO DOING CAT DROOL ALLOWS MO SET DOWN A LOT OF THE RULES OF THE DESIGN AND JUST LIKE PROCES LIKE PROCESS MY EMOTIONS AND MY.

AND CAT DROOLS BECAUSE MY CAT DS CAT DROOLS WHEN HE'S HAPPY.

IT TOTALLY GIVES MY ART A DIFFERET A DIFFERENT FORM AND SHAPE AND O AND ALSO GIVES ME A DIFFERENT V. LIKE I WOULDN'T HAVE MY ART AT O AT METRO BREWING.

I'M STILL FLOORED THAT PEOPLE BUY THEM.

E THEM.

LIKE YOUR ROW IS SOLD OUT.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

SOMEONE BOUGHT A STICKER PACK OF MY CAT DROOLING.

LIKE I DON'T KNOW.

>> Reporter: THE MACHINES ACCEP, ACCEPT CASH, AND PROFITS ARE DIVVIED UP.

>> THE WAY IT'S SET UP, ARTIST S ARE IN THE MACHINES ON CONSIGNM.

IT'S 60/40 IN FAVOR OF THE ARTI.

IF ITEMS ARE REALLY GREAT AND IE I HAVE TROUBLE KEEPING THEM STO, THEM STOCKED, SOMETIMES I'LL PURCHASE WORK WHOLESALE.

>> JOY.

THAT'S THE THING THAT I FEEL MOST BECAUSE THAT PERSON S PROBABLY INTO WHAT I'M INTO.

AND SEEING SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING ON SOMETHING OPEN AND GRAB BAGS OR CHECK OUT A NEW ARTIST PRODUCT WHILE HANGING HERE.

THOSE TYPES OF THINGS MAKE ME FEEL LIKE THE PROJECT REALLY COMES TO LIFE.

>> Reporter: FOR "CHICAGO TONIG" "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARK VITALE.

>> GOOD THINGS VENDING MACHINESN MACHINES CAN BE FOUND AT THE CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER AND METROPOLITAN BREWING.

A THIRD MACHINE IS BEING PAINTED AND IS SET TO BE INSTALLED IN LOGAN SQUARE LATER THIS MONTH.

YOU CN MONTH.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ON THEIR INSTAGRAM PAGE, WHICH YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO ON OUR WEBSITE.

BACK TO WRAP THINGS UT AFTER THIS.

> >> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" MADE IN PAT IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN N. THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

TE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AND THE SUPPORT OFE THE SUPPORT OF THESE OF THESE DONORS.

> >> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUEY THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

SIGN UP FORR FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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

>> PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHE NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00.

ONE ON ONE WITH FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER ON WHAT HE CALLS THREATS TO DEMOCRACY.

> >> AND REMEMBERING THE DEAD ANDG AND CELEBRATING LIFE AT THE ANNUAL DAY OF THE DEAD AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART IN TULSAN.

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

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

HAVE A HEALTHY AND SAFE GREAT EVENING.

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