>> Hello and thanks for joining us on Chicago tonight.

I'm Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

One board.

It's not Complicated to get into While makers wrap-up a series of hearings on public transit funding and whether to combine the CTA, Metra and pace.

>> And I say this, she is not a smart >> Former President Donald Trump visits Chicago, our Spotlight politics team on that and more.

And movie buffs mark your calendars as the Chicago International Film Fest prepares to kick off its 60th year.

And now to some of today's top stories, former President Donald Trump talked business with members of the Economic Club of Chicago today.

The hour.

Plus interview with Bloomberg's Editor-In-Chief John Mikel Weight range topics from.

>> Tariffs to conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and immigration.

Trump also refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power.

Should he lose in November's election?

>> He also claims there was a peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 election despite the violent attack on the Capitol in on January 6th, thank you.

Want do here is have people feel big making rain comes in full bank.

You get things we could do That.

>> They don't like.

>> So this way they go around shopping that they're in Murray on those are all these that pick out on the shelves, things that they like to eat.

>> And those that didn't care about it.

>> All right.

That was not President Trump.

That was a father, Michael Pfleger for another story.

But meanwhile, demonstrators gathered outside the Fairmont Hotel where the event was to protest.

What they say are Trump's anti-immigrant racist and misogynistic views.

Deerfield based.

Walgreens says it plans to close about 1200 locations over the next 3 years.

The company says the first 500 will close later this fiscal year.

The retail and pharmacy giant suffered a whopping 3 billion dollar quarterly loss in the struggling to turn the business around.

>> No word on where the store closures will take place.

But Walgreens says it will prioritize poor performing stores on property.

And those were the leases are expiring.

Neighbors who lost access to the Saint Sabina food Pantry when it closed 2 weeks ago will now be able to shop for food there again.

>> We want to do here is have people feel that they rain comes in full bank.

You get things we could do That.

They don't like.

So this way they go around shopping like they're in jeweler.

Murray on those are all these that pick out on the shelves, things that they like to eat.

And those that didn't care about that.

>> Catholic charities close the food pantry in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood.

At the end of September, Father Michael Pfleger of Saint Sabina says he and the church spent the last 2 weeks painting reorganizing and partnering with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to reopen the pantry to serve the 8 to 900 people who use it monthly.

Neighbors in the north suburbs avoided a cat Astra fee.

See what we did there.

Police in Hoffman Estates captured an exotic wild Carrick.

How kept this afternoon saying it was found hiding under residents deck and was unharmed.

Authorities say the feisty feline had been on the loose for the past few days and residents were warned to keep their distance if they spotted it.

It's unclear where the animal came from a bill currently pending in the Illinois Legislature would make it illegal to keep a Carrick.

How as a pet, the cat is now heading to a sanctuary in Wisconsin that specializes in rescuing and caring for abused, abandoned and exotic injured animals, injured, exotic animals.

Glad that doing OK, up next, the latest on efforts to merge the CTA, Metra and Pace.

Nick Bloomberg is live from Springfield right after this.

>> Chicago tonight is made possible in part by the Alexander and John Nichols family.

The gym and K maybe family.

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> When Chicago's transit system facing a 730 million dollar budget gap, state lawmakers have been holding a series of hearings on the future of public transportation, how to fund it and how it should be managed.

Earlier today, the Senate Transportation Committee met for the last of those hearings for now and expanded their focus to look at the importance of transit around Illinois, but they still spent plenty of time debating the hot topic in transit land whether to merge the CTA, Metra and pace as some lawmakers and advocates are proposing W t Tw News reporter Nick Lambert has been following this issue and joins us live from Springfield.

Nick.

>> Well, Grande is this idea of a transit merger has been floating around for more than a year.

Lawmakers asked the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to come up with ideas to reform the region's transit system ridership is still off of its pre-covid peak and federal relief money.

Plugging that gap is only expected to last through the end of the year.

Now, one of the ideas that seem at came up with was to merge the 3 Chicagoland transit agencies and to funnel in a billion and a half extra dollars of funding from the state annually.

State Senator Ron believe and some of his colleagues have taken up that idea sponsoring legislation that aligns with the maps merger proposal.

The refrain you often hear from folks is no funding without reform.

>> And believe also chairs.

The state transportation of the Senate, rather Transportation Committee, which had 6 hearings on the topic.

The final one was today, though, he said this is a weedy an important issue.

So it's likely this really be the last hearing on the matter now, as we've reported CTA, Metra Pace, the regional Transportation Authority, they've all been pushing back against this idea of a merger.

So have quite a few suburban lawmakers.

They're concerned about losing representation right now.

Many county chairs can appoint one person each to the metro piece, an RTA boards under this new merged Metropolitan Mobility Authority.

Big get just one appointment each.

Now Illinois Municipal League's John Cota said it's not just about representation.

It's also about money.

Legacy, financial obligations or debt.

>> Including CTA, pension liabilities should not be passed on to other constituent groups.

This would result in significant increases in pension The other boards of CTA is combined of them in this fashion, a less drastic approach to governance reforms should be considered.

>> Nick, you mentioned that this hearing look at the issue of transit statewide Woodley here.

>> That's right.

We heard from public transportation leaders around Illinois now to be sure a lot of the systems are fairly different from those serving the Chicago area.

We heard from folks who work mostly in rural communities are primarily with on-demand rides, but they're still facing similar challenge is that Chicago area agencies are working to draw back passengers responding to changing travel patterns or kinds of riders.

Those are concerned about getting enough state funding to provide the services that they want to even expand that service.

Some of them say they're worried if there's a big restructuring of Chicagoland transit and a huge influx of cash to the Chicago area.

>> other parts of the state might lose out.

>> Our state's history providing critical financial support to the public transit statewide.

The only constitution establishes access to public transportations, essential service in our state as we partnered with our communities.

We dinner implemented programs such as free rides for veterans in our community.

Free rides for K through 12 in our community on effort to reduce the gaps and barriers to opportunities, whether it be employment or education.

But that comes with a cost.

>> Now the theme of today's hearing was that funding transit is a statewide priority.

Lawmaker said they don't want that funding to be a 0 sum game.

The Assembly is expected to take up this issue of Chicagoland transit in its spring session.

That will be a huge question of governments as well as funding.

Will talk more about that in just a bit.

Friend us.

>> Nic, thanks.

We'll see soon for spotlight.

And you can read Nicks full story on our website.

It is all at W T Tw Dot com Slash news.

Up next, the rest of our Spotlight Politics team joins us on Donald Trump's visit to Chicago and much more.

The consent decree that require Chicago Police Department reforms may expand to include traffic stops.

Meanwhile, Springfield held the last of the Senate Transportation Committee hearings maybe today to discuss the future public transit in the city and across the state and former President Donald Trump was back in Chicago today which was met with some opposition.

>> The progressive.

Movement in Chicago.

does not.

>> Allow.

>> Racists to come to our city.

Donald Trump.

A racist.

A misogynistic.

He's in a phobic.

He's anti-black his anti Palestinian.

He's absolutely.

Anti-immigrant.

>> Every all right here with all that and more is our spotlight Politics team, Amanda Finicky, header, Sharon and Nick Blumberg still in Springfield.

Joining us again tonight, Heather.

So let's start with some city stuff.

Federal monitor has recommended giving the community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability Authority over the police departments.

Traffic stop policy.

This, of course, follows the fatal shooting of Dexter read.

Why is this important?

Well, almost immediately after Dexter read stat the monitoring team and the Chicago Police Department agreed to expand the consent decree for the 4th time since 2019 to include traffic stop.

>> That was met with significant opposition.

Not just from progressive.

Also, Pete, older people, but also the ACLU who said that the consent decree wasn't the right way to ban pretextual stops.

They want Chicago police officers to be banned from making the kind of stop that they say led to Dexter read to death.

Now what the monitors have done in their most recent report is basically try to split the baby.

They say the truck consent decree should expand to include traffic stops, but the new community Commission should have some authority over that policy.

How exactly that will all work out is very much up in the air.

But is the first indication of the monitor sea.

The CCP SA is having a formal role in the consent decree.

So, Nic, we just talked about this.

You clued us in earlier in the Senate Transportation Committee hearings.

What is next for this debate?

>> Well, in addition to these public hearings, there's also a working group that's, you know, having more private meetings that's made up a lead by members of the Illinois house of the idea there is that there's both a public process where folks can can come and talk about this in an open hearing.

And then there's also quieter closed door meetings.

We heard from Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch that he expects this issue to come up in the spring session in 2025.

But it's not likely to be resolved until the end of the spring session, even if it is no more modest reform, say a empowered RTA, which is one of the ideas that's been floated as well.

There are just so many questions.

So many stakeholders.

And of course, there's the question of where do we get all the extra money, whether it's just to plug the gap, you know, with the immediate fiscal cliff or if it is this extra billion and a half dollars each year, perennial >> Amanda, let's turn to schools.

I think we've all got a little bit of whiplash after last week's back and forth over Chicago, public schools.

What is the likelihood that the state will intervene hit for?

Nothing that would slash isn't going to head.

And by the way, keep it watching.

W T Tw in Chicago tonight for more on that, including Friday, state intervention.

I mean, I think it really depends on what direction the Johnson administration and the new school board takes in terms of what the state is going to do right now.

It's just this lingering.

Hey, everybody, it's out there.

I think that you have legislators who have talked about that say that there calling for a state response in response to their own constituents who are really frustrated and scared about what they perceived to be is chaos and questions over their children's education and their children's very future.

So I a lot of this will depend on is a, you know, high interest loan taken out.

And is that something that is perceived to be helpful to education or is that something good is going to be seen is bankrupting CPS.

So legislators will very much take their cues from the future here.

But right I want to say to me that this notion isn't completely unprecedented.

It was hugely push back on when Governor Bruce Rauner raise the notion of a state takeover of CPS just because it was cpsu.

But you have certainly had, in fact, there's state law that dictates when there is going to be state innovation intervention with district.

First time CPS has has had about a budget hole or struggle with most out East St. Louis have had financial oversight from the state before.

This isn't a state is looking at.

So Heather CPS CEO Peter Martinez and School board members are invited to tomorrow's City Council Education Committee.

What can we expect?

What we can expect to Pedro Martinez to show up because he had already agreed to speak to the Budget committee.

And it seems like a bunch of council chairs got together and said, hey, let's do this all at the same time.

>> Save everybody.

Another trip to city Hall.

I personally appreciate But it's not clear whether any school board members are going to show up.

We talked about this after the city council meeting last night.

Mayor Brittany Johnson has been very clear that they are invited to attend but are under no obligation to do so.

>> The real question, I think that Pedro Martinez is going to face is about what the city should do to help CPS sort of fill that 300 million dollar haul.

And I will be very interested to hear from Alder People like Bill Conway and Brendan Reilly about whether they're willing to sort pony up some of their precious TIF dollars, of course, earmarked first projects that they are very much in favor of their downtown words to help fill that hole because they are very opposed to that high interest lone.

The thing about budgets branded is that it's a 0 sum game.

You can only spend one dollar in one place.

And I think that is the fundamental truth that both the city and the school district have to come to grips with OK?

So real quick, let's talk about former President Donald Trump back in town, speaking at the Economic Club of Chicago, his running mate, JD Vance was in the suburbs yesterday for fundraising event.

Heather?

>> are they here?

I knew.

I think is the simple reason.

We know that Vice President Kamala Harris has a pretty significant financial advantage over the Republican ticket.

They are still raising money.

It's easier to do that in states like.

>> Like Illinois, where you can sort of go in and get out.

But, you know, I think they also we saw the president or the former president, I should say, talk to sort of the business community and sort of make his pitch for sort I don't really know how well received that was I I've seen different reports from inside that room, but it's clear that he is pitching himself on an economic basis.

While we see the vice president doing a little bit more sort of cultural reach out.

She's on the radio this afternoon with Charlamagne.

And, you know, of course we heard are on call her daddy last week president.

By the way, brand us I did talk about, by the way, money.

He said, hey, you're rich audience here, Chicago business community.

He was pretty happy about that.

There were times they would it sound like a friendly crowd with some applause and some cheering for him.

>> That is spotlight for the night.

Amanda Vicki had Onek Blumberg in Springfield for us.

Thanks, gang.

And be sure to check out our W T Tw News Voter Guide.

It is a one-stop shop for everything you need to know before voting.

You'll find candidate profiles and questionnaires as well as key dates to know and whether you're registered to vote because that feels like it's important.

That is all at W t tw dot com slash voter guide.

Up next, what to expect at this year's Chicago film Festival?

Stay with us.

It's lights, camera action for North America's longest running competitive film festival this week.

The Chicago International Film Festival kicks off October 16th and will commemorate its 60th anniversary at the time of its founding.

Its director couldn't have imagined what it would become.

And joining us now are Michael Cook said the founder of the Chicago International Film Festival.

And many plows Shade the festival's artistic director.

Welcome.

Thanks to both for joining Thank Michael could.

let's start with you first, let's go back to 1964.

You were in your 20's.

Why did you want to start a film festival?

Was Chicago.

>> And that's just started focus.

I wanted to change Chicago.

So as a filmmaker and a graphic designer, as you can see little bit.

Yeah.

And they short films entry in film festivals sent and Poland and France and and see what we're missing in this town.

And that's how it all got.

A group people right after college.

And let's to international from those to something big because places to see a film Chicago stays and let's lucky enough.

You have a mentor name calling more.

This silent film star.

She taught me the ropes really?

Because I'm just a kid.

I just kid knows a lot more now thing or 2.

So the festival features the at first maybe second time director is the idea that was the idea.

And obviously it's been 60 years.

So you've expanded but for second-time directors as the opening film each year.

Me and that's a super food.

But man is doing right.

So this year there's a film that is called the Piano lesson directed by Malcolm Washington.

Why this one?

>> I mean, I think going back to the original kind of Michael's idea about what the festival is about this idea of discovery and providing a platform for emerging directors was really important and first of and we saw the film, we found that with that.

And then it felt like it was really the bonus that it was a first time director, his work.

We really wanted to showcase and introduce to Chicago into the world.

And to be clear, Malcolm Washington, brother of John David Washington, who starring in the Sons of >> Denzel talent runs in the family.

It does.

It Michael, you've mentioned before that the idea was very new at the time.

Why was it important for you to create something new?

I was I doing that.

consider this festival is before Sundance and Toronto and Telluride >> tried that on trawl.

It was unheard of.

from Austin, West Side.

And I want to check utterly.

I want change the city, change the whole scope of things to see what you're missing convincing the world brought the world here.

We still >> What went into planning the festival?

What goes into planning at each year?

Sure.

I'm sure it's easier over over the years.

So the first year, of course, nobody They were really to see foreign film really so the only way get Chicago people interested in these international films the Spice it up with movie stars.

So it's very star-studded its early years.

And then that caught on.

And the temptation was.

That he Davis's see Joan Crawford see some of our famous director.

Maybe you'll stay for 100 Hungarian film.

May be a stay for something.

Italian.

tough are tough.

then I caught I mean, I would say they're still kind of that kind of magical combination of bringing some of the stars and the >> celebrated directors to the festival to Chicago.

But then also that allows us to shine a spotlight on this amazing sending my from around the world.

like Michael said, it's caught on and we have a really loyal caring Assad continues to show up after year.

And one thing that's particularly exciting as our audience is getting younger and younger and we love that the younger generation has become very interested and excited about international independent film at the festival.

And how is was going to ask, though, how it since it's been 60 years?

How is the festival?

>> Marking its 60th anniversary this year.

It's a combination of a bit of looking backwards with some retrospective screenings and celebrating filmmakers work we've shown in the festival in the past and also some partnership with some countries.

So we have a really long relationship with like in the 70's.

Michael is the first in the U.S. to showcase a lot of the German new wave directors.

So we're have a nice partnership with German some of this year to showcase the new talent that's emerging out of Germany, but also really looking forward about like what's next for cinema.

And that's still that commitment to first and second time direct, you know, with what's important.

Audiences.

>> have to see the was a niche is an issue.

going to get a Netflix or HBO or anything?

What she has the festival.

This is my granddaughter by I was called the father, the film's.

That's the other day.

I thought, we work together.

>> 12 or 13 years.

Gosh.

You would like to see something world basically.

And you've got you've got to go in the super 25 of myself.

>> Well, in how has the film festival industry or how have festivals altogether influenced the film industry and streaming in particular.

>> But even as yeah, I think I mean, again, festivals create this excitement around buzz around film.

I think also just the sense of film feeling or a film festival feeling like you're attending an event.

And so with that buzzer creating that platform for films to be launched out into the world some of them.

Well, already have distribution.

But then there's a lot of films that because of playing in festivals, they get noticed by distributors by it and says, you know, even by the streamer's and they start paying attention to them.

You know what's what's >> wonderful about the home?

whole situation is.

A young filmmaker make sure the student film.

Of Oliver Stone.

No one heard of Ellis the first film a bill free can then dollar we come back to the future are built it ever except to Scorsese.

As you know, you were together that.

crazy.

She Chicago depart.

She always important my career started here because of the film festival.

He still to cervical.

Yeah.

And this here we're closing with 3 hours that here.

>> Made of Chicago and but also showed wife owned short film in the early 70 is of Michael, why do you think this festival has lasted as long as it has?

Well, because it may is the cause of the engine.

And I think teaching is generation to it feel as that it's been part write and and 300 volunteers and the excitement.

it less along because you can't get this anywhere else.

And I think a trend I like to think a great mentor to so many people that gone on.

is the president and turn was my guidance.

The county's programmer, one my left Chicago and he ended up becoming the head of production from Paramount Pictures.

So obviously it's a place for for the directors to start, but also the folks who helped to organize has going on.

This shows Jones things, you know.

>> We're gonna have to leave it there because we want folks to go to the film festival.

They can't hear about all of it So our thanks to Michael meeting for joining us.

Thanks to both.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And the Chicago International Film Fest kicks off tomorrow and runs through the 27th.

There's more information on our website.

>> Were back to wrap things up right after this.

And that's our show for this Tuesday night.

Be sure to sign up for our free email newsletter, the Daily Chicago and at W T Tw Dot Com Slash newsletter.

And while you're there, check out our website for the very latest from W T Tw News and join us tomorrow night at 5, 30 10, the new president of Northeastern Illinois University joins us amid turbulent times on college campuses across the country.

And public Schools, CEO Pedro Martinez and School board members are set to attend a city council committee meeting.

Now for all of us here at Chicago tonight and Brandis Friedman, thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

>> Closed captioning is made possible by Clifford and Clifford Law, offices of personal injury, law firm committed to giving back to