>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT", I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT -- >> I MADE A COMMITMENT THAT WE' PROVIDE STUDENT DEBT RELIEF, AN I'M HONORING THAT COMMITMENT TODAY.

>> APPLICATIONS FOR FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN DEBT RELIEF ARE NO OPEN.

FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY AND HOW TO APPLY.

>>> SOME BLACK VOTERS ARE MOVIN TO THE POLITICAL RIGHT.

A NEW BOOK DIVES INTO WHAT'S BEHIND THE SHIFT.

>>> DARREN BAILEY IS A TRUMP EXTREMIST.

CHICAGO IS THE NIGHTMARE CALLED PRITZKERVILLE.

>> GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER AND HIS OPPONENT DEBATE.

THAT AND MORE.

>>> PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING IN THE STREETS, AND THEY'RE GETTING KILLED.

>> WHAT LOCAL IRANIANS WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT THE COUNTRY'S DEADLY PROTEST.

>>> A NEW STUDY FINDS SOME INVESTORS ARE PROFITING FROM A TAX DEBT OWED ON ABANDONED PROPERTIES.

>>> I AM IMMENSELY SUCCESSFUL.

NO, I AM.

NO, IT IS TRUE.

>> AND COMEDIAN AND ACTOR JEFF GARLAND ON HIS UPCOMING APPEARANCE AT THE CHICAGO HUMANITIES FESTIVAL AND HIS DEPARTURE FROM HIS SITCOM THE GOLDBERGS.

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

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF BARRELS OF OIL FROM THE RESERVE TO COMBAT HIGH GAS PRICES.

>> WITH MY ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO STABILIZE MARKETS AND DECREASE THE PRICES AT A TIME WHEN THE ACTIONS OF OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE CAUSED SUCH VOLATILITY.

>> THE ADMINISTRATION ALSO PLAN TO PURCHASE OIL TO REFILL THE EMERGENCY RESERVE.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT IS AN ATTEMPT TO BALANCE GLOBAL OIL MARKETS.

ILLINOIS' CURRENT GAS PRICE AVERAGE FOR REGULAR IS $4.30, U FROM LAST MONTH'S AVERAGE OF $3.90.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO AAA.

>>> A LOCAL ALDERMAN IS RECOVERING AFTER HE SHOT HIMSEL IN THE HAND ON MONDAY.

ALDERMAN DEREK CURTIS OF THE 18th WARD, CONCEALED CARRY INSTRUCTOR, SAY A FRIEND'S WEAPON MALFUNCTIONED AND DISCHARGED AFTER HE CLEANED IT AND MADE REPAIRS.

THE ALDERMAN HAS UNDERGONE MINOR SURGERY ON HIS HAND AND IS SAID TO BE DOING WELL.

>>> DELIVERY DRIVERS AT NATTY'S PIZZA ARE ALLEGING MASSIVE WAGE THEFT.

CURRENT AND FORMER WORKERS GATHERED WITH THE WORKE RIGHTS ORGANIZATION ARISE CHICAGO, SAYING WORKERS ARE NOT PAID AN HOURLY WAGE, PROPER OVERTIME, OR FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR FUEL.

[ SPEAKING NON-ENGLIS ] >> AND WE REACHED OUT TO NATTY' PIZZA FOR COMMENT AND DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE.

>>> COMING UP IN THE PROGRAM, OUTCRY FOR PROTESTERS IN IRAN.

WHAT LOCAL ACTIVISTS ARE DOING TO HELP THE EFFORT.

>>> BUT FIRST, APPLICATIONS FOR STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS ARE NO OPEN.

WE DIVE INTO HOW BORROWER CAN APPLY.

THAT'S RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRIA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE JIM AND KAY MAEBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> PENDING SEVERAL LAWSUIT, STUDENTS CAN NOW APPLY FOR FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN DEBT RELIEF.

>> IN TOTAL, MORE THAN 40 MILLION AMERICANS CAN STAND TO BENEFIT FROM THIS RELIEF.

LET M BE CLEAR, NOT A DIME WILL GO TO THOSE IN THE TOP 5% OF THE INCOME BRACKET, PERIOD.

>> SO WHO QUALIFIES, WHO DOESN'T, AND HOW DOES ONE GO ABOUT APPLYING.

HERE TO EXPLAIN APPLICATION DETAILS IS SARA ESPINOZA, MANAGER OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE ILLINOIS STUDENTS ASSISTANCE COMMISSION.

FIRST OF ALL, REMIN US WHO QUALIFIES FOR THIS RELIEF.

>> YES, SO THANKS FOR HAVING ME SO THIS PROGRAM WILL APPLY FOR BORROWERS THAT HAVE FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS.

MOST LOANS WILL QUALIFY.

I MEAN, I'M SURE WE'LL GET INTO THAT AS WELL, BUT MOST LOANS WILL QUALIFY FOR THIS PROGRAM, AND THE PROGRAM WILL ALLOW BORROWERS TO RECEIVE UP T $20,000 IN DEBT RELIEF IF THEY ARE PEL GRANT RECIPIENTS OR UP TO $10,000 FOR NON-PELL GRANT RECIPIENTS.

FOR INDIVIDUALS THA FILED TAXES ON THEIR OWN, LESS THAN $125,000 AS THEIR ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME IN 2020 OR 2021.

AND FOR FAMILIES THAT WOULD BE AN ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME OF LES THAN $250,000.

>> WE'RE LOOKING AT SOME OF THOSE FIGURES.

SARA, HOW MANY ELIGIBLE BORROWERS DOES THIS MEAN FOR ILLINOIS?

>> YEAH, SO IN ILLINOIS, WE HAV ABOUT 1.5 MILLION STUDENTS WITH -- OR STUDENT BORROWERS.

AND THERE'S -- I MEAN, THE NUMBER, IT'S HARD TO SAY SPECIFIC NUMBERS, BUT WE DO HAVE -- IT'S ABOUT 32% I WANT TO SAY OF BORROWERS THAT HAVE LESS THAN $10,000 IN DEBT RELIEF AND THEN ABOUT ANOTHER 40% THAT HAVE BETWEEN $10,000 AND $40,000.

FO THOSE BORROWERS THAT HAVE $10,000 OR LESS, THIS MEANS THEIR DEBT WOULD BE WIPED COMPLETELY CLEAN.

FOR THOSE IN THE $10,000 TO $40,000 RANGE IT WOULD VARY ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE PELL GRANT RECIPIENTS >> RIGHT, YOU MENTIONED PELL GRANT RECIPIENTS GET UP TO $20,000 IN RELIEF.

PRIVATE LOAN ARE NOT INCLUDED ON HERE.

FOR THE FOLKS THAT TOOK OUT SOME OF THOSE LOANS, IS THERE ANY KIND OF RELIEF FOR THEM?

>> YEAH, UNFORTUNATELY, PRIVATE LOANS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS FOR ANY TYPE OF RELIEF OR PROGRAMS.

THEY WOULD HAVE TO WORK DIRECTLY WITH THEIR PRIVAT LENDER TO SEE IF THERE ARE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THEM.

AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, SINCE THESE ARE FEDERAL LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAMS OR FORGIVENESS PROGRAMS, IT ONLY APPLIES TO FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS.

>> AS PART OF THIS PROGRAM, OR THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN, WAS TO REINSTALL THE PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN PROGRAM.

EXPLAIN WHAT THAT IS.

>> THE PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM IS A PROGRA THAT ALLOWS BORROWERS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE SECTOR TO RECEIV FORGIVERNESS ON REMAINING BALLOTS AFTER THEY HAVE MADE 12 QUALIFIED PAYMENTS WHILE WORKIN FOR A QUALIFIED EMPLOYER.

ESSENTIALLY, IF THEY WORKED IN PUBLIC SERVICE WHILE MAKING 120 QUALIFYING PAYMENTS, AT THE END OF THOSE PAYMENT, APPROXIMATELY 10 YEARS, THEY WOULD HAVE THE REMAINING BALANCE FORGIVEN.

THERE IS WHAT'S CALLED A LIMITE WAIVER FOR PFLF, WHICH MEANS THROUGH OCTOBER 31st OF THIS YEAR, SOME OF THOSE RULES ARE A LITTLE BIT FLEXIBLE IN TERMS OF WHAT'S CONSIDERED A QUALIFYING PAYMENT, WHAT TYPES OF LOANS AR ELIGIBLE FOR PFLF, AND BORROWER COULD POTENTIALLY RECEIVE BACK CREDIT FOR SOME OF THOSE PAYMENTS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY INELIGIBLE.

>> THAT CLARIFIES ALL THAT.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FOLKS THAT WORK AT ANY LEVEL, WHETHER IT'S LOCAL GOVERNMENT, STATE GOVERNMENT, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

OBVIOUSLY, SARA, THIS IS -- THE STUDENT LOAN ISSUE IS A SYMPTOM IN THE BROADER PROBLEM OF TUITION COSTS, ROOM AND BOARD COSTS, HAS LOAN RELIEF KEPT PAC WITH THE RISING COSTS OF EDUCATION?

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY.

I THINK HERE IN ILLINOIS, OUR STUDENT BORROWERS HAVE SOMEWHERE BETWEE $30,000 AND $40,000 IN AVERAGE OF STUDENT DEALT.

ACTUALLY, THI LAST YEAR, 2020, THE MOST RECEN CLASS WE HAVE A FIGURE FOR, THE ACTUALLY HAD -- >> I DON'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT YOU.

WE'RE LOOKING AT A GRAPHIC RIGHT NOW SHOWING A GRAPH OF HO MUCH THE COSTS HAVE GONE UP, ESPECIALLY FOR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES, BUT GO AHEAD, SARA.

>> YEAH, SO FOR, I MEAN, THE COST OF COLLEGE HAS BEEN RAISIN IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

CLASS OF 2020 IS THE LAST ONE WE HAD DAT FOR, WHICH THEY HAD SLIGHTLY LESS THAN $30,000 IN STUDENT LOAN DEBT, WHICH MEANS THIS PROGRAM FOR THEM WOULD COVER, I ELIGIBLE, ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THEIR STUDENT LOAN DEBT, WHICH MEANS, YOU KNOW, AFTER THE RELIEF, THEY WOULD BE LEFT WITH LESS THAN $10,000 ON AVERAGE IN STUDENT LOAN DEBTS, WHICH, I MEAN, EVEN IF THEY HAVE LOAN DEBT AFTER THE RELIEF PROGRAM, THIS IS ACTUALLY REALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT NOW WITH THAT RELIEF, THAT DEBT THAT YOU HAVE IS ALSO GOING TO BE LESS, WHICH MEANS YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENTS WILL ALSO BE LOWER.

>> AND SARA, WALK US THROUGH TH STEPS FOR THOSE THAT ARE ELIGIBLE.

HOW DO THEY APPLY?

>> THE FIRST THING IS TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT TYPE OF LOAN YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY QUALIFY.

IT'S HONESTLY EASIER T GO OVER THE LOANS THAT DON'T QUALIFY BECAUSE IT'S A SMALLER LIST, BUT ESSENTIALLY COMMERCIALLY HELD FELL UP LOANS WHICH ARE THE -- WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE.

PRIVATE LOANS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE EITHER.

THAT'S, AGAIN, THROUGH ANY PRIVATE LENDER.

THA INCLUDES ANY FEDERAL LOAN THAT HAS BEEN CONSOLIDATED INTO A PRIVATE LOAN.

SOME PEOPLE REACHED OUT, THEY HAD FEDERAL LOANS, BUT THEY'VE CONSOLIDATED SO THEY'RE NOT ELIGIBLE.

ONCE YOU KNOW THE TYPE OF LOAN, VISI STUDENTAID.GOV TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEBT RELIEF PROGRAM A WELL AS COMPLETE THE APPLICATION.

THE APPLICATION IS PRETTY SIMPLE.

IT TAKES LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES TO COMPLETE.

IT REQUIRES YOUR BASIC DEMOGRAPHIC INFO, SO YOU'LL NEE TO PROVIDE YOUR FIRST NAME, LAS NAME, AND THEN YOU'LL ALSO NEED TO REPORT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, DATE OF BIRTH, AND THEN CONTACT INFORMATION IN THE FORM OF PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL.

IF ANY ADDITIONAL DETAILS ARE REQUIRED, THE DEPARTMENT OF ED WILL REACH OUT TO YOU.

BUT AS O NOW, THAT'S ALWAYS THAT'S INCLUDED IN THAT APPLICATION.

>> SOUND ADVICE THERE.

SARA, WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME, BUT I HAVE TO ASK, THERE'S AN EMERGENCY REQUEST BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT RIGHT NOW TO HALT THE RELIEF PROGRAM RIGHT NOW AS THESE LAWSUITS AGAINST IT MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE COURTS.

WHAT IS THE CASE AGAINST DEBT RELIEF?

>> SOME OF THESE LAWSUITS ARE ARGUING THAT UNDER THE HEROES ACT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION DOE NOT HAVE THE POWER TO ENACT STUDENT DEBT RELIEF POLICIES SO THAT THOSE WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE HEROES ACT.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AN SEE WHAT'S DETERMINED IN THE COURTS TO SEE WHAT THE FUTURE O THE PROGRAM ENDS UP BEING.

>> ALL RIGHT, YEP, AS WE MENTIONED, RELIEF IS ABOUT TO GET GOING PENDING THESE LAWSUITS, SARA ESPINOZA, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS FOR A LOOK AT A GROWING TREND AMONG BLACK VOTERS, BRANDIS?

>> PARIS, BLACK AMERICANS HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN THE MOST RELIABLE VOTING BLOCK FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY FOR DECADES, BUT IN HER BOOK BLACK SKINHEAD, CHICAGO NATIVE BRANDY COLLINS DEXTER SAYS THE PICTURE IS MUCH MORE NUANCED.

THROUGH INTERVIEW WITH VOTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, SHE EXPLORES THE PERSPECTIVES O BLACK VOTERS WHO ARE DISILLUSIONED WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, AND WHY SHE SAYS ALL POLITICAL PARTIES NEED TO PAY ATTENTION.

JOINING US NO IS BRANDY COLLINS DEXTER.

WELCOME BACK -- WELL, WELCOME BACK TO CHICAGO.

TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT".

TITLE OF YOUR BOOK, ALSO A KANYE WEST SONG, TO BE CLEAR.

>> YES.

>> EXPLAIN FIRST, THOUGH, WHAT BLACK SKINHEAD IS.

>> WHEN I USE THE TERM BLACK SKINHEAD, I'M DEFINING IT AS PEOPLE THAT FEEL POLITICALLY AN SOCIALLY ALIENATED FROM STATUS QUO, POLITICS, AND PARTICULARLY ARE UNDERSTANDING OF WHO BLACK PEOPLE ARE AS VOTERS, WHETHER THAT'S A CAPITAL D DEMOCRAT OR EVEN SOME OF THE THINGS WE UNDERSTAND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT, FOR EXAMPLE, BLACK REPUBLICANS AND WHAT WE ASSUME ABOUT THEM.

BUT PEOPLE THAT FEEL LEFT OUTSIDE OF THE BOUNDS OF HOW MEDIA DISCUSSES US AS VOTERS AN PEOPLE.

>> AND YOU'RE EMPLOYING SORT OF AN OLDER DEFINITION OF SKINHEAD NOT THE ONE THAT MOST OF US ASSOCIATE WITH A WHITE SUPREMACIST.

>> YES.

SO IT COMES -- SO SKINHEADS STARTED IN LONDON IN BELIEVE THE '60s.

AND IT WAS TH FIRST MULTICULTURAL SUBCULTURE IN LONDON AFTER A NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM COLONIZED COUNTRIES RELOCATED THERE.

YOU HAD WORKIN CLASS TEENAGERS ACROSS VARIOUS ETHNICITIES THAT WERE DRIVEN BY A CERTAIN DISILLUSIONMENT AND POLITICAL ALIENATION, AND THAT' WHAT I'M EXPLORING.

>> YOU'VE CALLED YOURSELF A KANYE WHISPERER.

>> I THINK GROWING UP HERE AND BEING OF A CERTAIN AGE, LIKE I REMEMBER THE MOMENT WHERE KANYE YOU KNOW, POPPED ON TO THE MAIN STAGE AND HOW EXCITING THAT WAS I FELT LIKE HIS EARLIER MUSIC REALLY SPOKE TO THINGS THAT I FELT.

AND SO -- AND OBVIOUSLY, HIS MOTHER CAST A HUGE SHADOW I CHICAGO AND HAS MEANT A LOT TO THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

AN SO I THINK FOR ME I RELATED TO HIM A LOT.

AND THEN I SAW HIM DOING A LOT OF THINGS WHERE I WAS LIKE, OH, WHAT IS GOING ON HERE.

AND TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF IT.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHAT THE BOOK AND THE ESSAYS AR ABOUT, LIKE TRYING TO MAKE SENS OF WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT THING WE'RE SEEING AND THE WAYS IN MANY PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY'VE LOST COMMUNITY.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF MUSICAL REFERENCES IN YOUR BOOK, HOW DO YOU SEE THE ROLE OF POPULAR MUSIC IN POLITICS, ESPECIALLY FOR BLACK AMERICANS?

>> I THINK WE'VE SEEN MUSIC BE VEHICLE FOR POLITICAL PERSPECTIVES AND TRANSITION OF CERTAIN MESSAGES.

I THINK PARTICULARLY WITH BLACK PEOPLE IT'S HELD A SPECIAL PLACE, BECAUSE WE AREN'T OFTEN ALLOWED HISTORICALLY TO SPEAK PUBLICLY AROUND OUR POLITICS.

MUSIC HAS BEEN A WAY TO SEND ENCRYPTED MESSAGES, A PLACE FOR BRAZILIAN TO RUN CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTS, IT'S BEEN A PLACE OF PUSHING BACK AGAINST THE STATUS QUO IN HIP HOP OR EVEN MOVING CONSPIRACY THEORIES, SO TO ME I WAS IMPORTANT TO BRING IN THOSE CULTURAL ELEMENTS.

>> OF COURSE, YOU TALK TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL LET DOWN BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND HAVE BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE PROCESS.

ARE THERE ANY DEMOCRAT DOING THINGS TO WIN BLACK VOTER BACK?

>> YEAH, I THINK SO.

AND I THIN SO -- I WOULD SAY DISENGAGED FROM, YOU KNOW, ELECTORAL POLITICS WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, BUT I SPOKE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WERE, FOR EXAMPLE, ORGANIZING AROUND THIRD PARTY CANDIDATES AND FOLKS THAT WERE FROM HERE IN CHICAGO THAT WERE LOOKING AT THE LOCAL REPUBLICAN PARTY AS ESSENTIALLY AN EMPTY VESSEL IN BLACK COMMUNITIES.

AN SO I THINK THEY'RE LOOKING FOR OTHER PLACES, BUT I DO THINK THAT THE DEMOCRATS -- I THINK THEY'RE LISTENING.

I MEAN, I THINK EVEN ON THE NATIONAL LEVE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN HAD A REALL GOOD AUGUST AND MOVED A LOT OF POLICIES THAT I THINK ARE GOING TO GIVE PEOPLE SOME OF THE TANGIBLE CHANGES THAT THEY'RE LOOKING TO SEE.

IT'S LIKE IS IT ENOUGH, IS IT FAST ENOUGH IS ALWAYS THE QUESTION.

>> WHAT WOULD REPUBLICANS HAVE TO DO TO WIN 20% OF THE BLACK VOTE?

>> HOPEFULLY THEY'LL HAVE TO DO MORE THAN WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

BUT I MEAN, AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, WE'VE ACTUALLY HAD A HISTORIC YEAR FOR BLACK REPUBLICANS RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

30, I BELIEVE, MADE IT TO THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER FOR CONGRESS AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE'LL HAVE A HISTORICAL NUMBER OF BLACK REPUBLICANS ENTERING INTO CONGRESS NEXT YEAR.

SO THAT IN AND OF ITSELF, DEPENDING ON WHA TYPE OF REPUBLICANS THEY ARE, I THEY'RE SOMEONE THAT HOLDS A PRO-BLACK AGENDA OR SOMEONE MOR INTERESTED IN PROVIDING COVER FOR WHITE SUPREMACIST TALKING POINTS, BUT WHAT WE SEE FROM THAT I THINK WILL SHOW US WHETHER OR NOT REPUBLICANS CAN MAKE THAT DENT IN THE BLACK VOTER BASE.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE LOSS OVER TIME OF BLACK-OWNED SPACES, ESPECIALLY SMALL BUSINESSES AND MEDIA AS BEING DETRIMENTAL TO BLACK LIFE.

DO YOU THINK SOME O THAT HAS LED US TO WHERE WE ARE NOW?

>> YES, 100%.

I TOLD PEOPLE I THINK CHICAGO IS GROUND ZERO FO BLACK CULTURE.

PEOPLE WERE LAFG AT ME, BUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE NEWSPAPERS HERE AND HOW PEOPLE CAME UP THROUGH GREAT MIGRATION AND EVE WITH THE PULLMAN PORTERS ON THE RAIL LINES, SHARING THE CHICAGO DEFENDER AND BLACK NEWSPAPERS, THAT'S HOW WE'RE BUILDING BLACK STORY AND CULTURE AND BUSINESSE THAT WERE SUPPORTING CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTS.

THOSE WERE TH SPACES WHERE WE BUILT A BLACK CONSENSUS.

THAT'S HOW WE GOT TO THE VOTER BASE WHICH WE ARE WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

AS WE LOSE SPACES OF PRIVACY AND BEGIN TO WONDER HOW CAN WE TALK ABOUT AND NEGOTIATE A BLACK AGENDA FOR ECONOMIC POWER AT SCALE.

>> I THINK NO BLACK CHICAGOAN I GOING TO ARGUE WITH YOU ABOUT CHICAGO BEING GROUND ZERO.

>> MY MOTHER WAS LIKE I THINK W NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE AKAs, TH ROLE FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIE PLAYED.

>> HUGE ROLE.

SOCIAL MEDIA, HOW HAS THE THAT CHANGED THE CONVERSATIONS BLACK PEOPLE HAVE WITH EACH OTHER?

>> A NUMBER OF WAYS.

I THINK, ONE, INSTEAD OF THE BARBERSHOP OR THE CLOSED BIDS WE'RE HAVING IT IN PUBLIC.

THAT LEAVES IT OPEN TO SURVEILLANCE.

YOU DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW WHO YOU'RE HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH.

AND IT LEAVES A LOT OF ROOM FOR THA TO BE OBSERVED FROM THE OUTSIDE AND CRITIQUED WITHOUT NUANCE.

THE OTHER THING WE SEE IS BECAUSE OF SOUND BITE ECONOMY, SO MUCH OF OUR INFORMATION MOVE IN THESE, LIKE, SMALL WAVES WITHOUT A FULL, ROBUST CONVERSATION.

AND SO THAT CAN GET A -- LOST IN TRANSLATION.

>> WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR BOOK?

>> SO IT'S A COLLECTION OF ESSAYS.

EXCITE REALLY DOES DELV INTO ALL OF THE DIFFERENT FIGHT THAT WE'RE UP AGAINST, ECONOMIC FIGHTS, POLITICAL FIGHTS.

IT'S FUNNY.

I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO CRACK A JOKE, BUT CHECK IT OUT.

>> WE GOT TIME FOR JOKES.

I'M KIDDING.

NEXT TIME.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ONCE AGAIN, THE BOOK IS CALLED BLACK SKINHEAD: REFLECTIONS ON BLACKNESS AND OU POLITICAL FUTURE.

YOU CAN HEAR MORE FROM BRANDY COLLINS DEXTER TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE SEMINARY CO-OP BOOK STORE.

DETAILS ON OU WEBSITE.

>>> UP NEXT, LOCAL REACTION TO THE ONGOING PROTESTS IN IRAN.

STAY WITH US.

>>> HOW DO WE FIND RESOURCES WE HAD NO IDEA ABOUT.

>> THE COMMUNITY SEEMS TO WANT US TO BE IN THE SPACE.

>> THERE'S PLENTY OF POTENTIAL TO DO A LOT OF STUFF AND KEEP I WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, KEEP I OURS.

>>> CHICAGOANS ARE TAKING TO TH STREETS IN PROTEST OF IRAN'S REGIME.

HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS SAY MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN IRAN SINCE DEATH OF A 22-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN THE CUSTOD OF POLICE THERE.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ TELLS US HOW LOCAL IRANIANS ARE SPREADING AWARENESS.

>> Reporter: IRANIAN AMERICANS HAVE A MESSAGE THEY WANT YOU TO HEAR -- STAND WITH IRANIAN WOMEN.

>> EVEN IF I LIVE HERE, I DON'T FEEL HAPPY, AND I DON'T FEEL FREE IF MY SISTERS IN IRAN ARE NOT FREE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS IN ORDER TO PROTECT HER FAMILY BACK HOME SHE DOES NOT WANT TO REVEAL HER LAST NAME.

SHE KNOWS WHAT IT'S LIKE LIVING UNDER THE REGIME, ESPECIALLY PATROLLED BY THE MORALITY POLICE A UNIT OF IRAN' LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSIGNED TO ENFORCE RULES ON ISLAMIC DRESS CODE.

>> CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT EVEN NO I'M GETTING ANXIETY WHEN I SEE POLICE.

I DON'T FEEL SAFE JUST BECAUSE OF THE TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: SHE'S ONE OF SEVERAL IRANIAN WOMEN CALLING FOR ACTION.

MASHA IS A LOCAL DOCTOR AND SHARES THESE EXPERIENCES.

>> I STARTED TO GO TO SCHOOL, I HAD TO WEAR HIJAB.

I WASN'T A BELIEVER, BUT YOU HAD TO WEAR HIJAB.

EVEN DURING MY MIDDLE SCHOOL AND MY HIGH SCHOOL WE HA THIS RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES AND NOONTIME OBLIGATORY PRAYERS.

WE HAD TO EVACUATE THE FULL CLASS.

IF YOU WEREN'T DOING THAT, THEY WERE CALLING YOU AND THREATENIN YOU.

SO THIS IS LIKE AN ONGOING THING ALL THE TIME.

>> Reporter: THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY IN IRAN, DEADLY ANTI--REGIME PROTESTS HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR NEARLY A MONTH.

AN UPRISING DEMANDING THE END OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF 22-YEAR-OLD MAHSA AMINI .

>> PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING IN THE STREETS, AND THEY'RE GETTING KILLED.

BUT THESE ARE THESE GREAT WOMEN WHICH ARE SUPPORTED BY THE BRAVE MEN OF IRAN, AND THEY'RE ALL CHANTING WOMEN LIKE FREEDOM.

>> Reporter: IN CHICAGO, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN T THE STREETS IN SOLIDARITY.

INSTALLATIONS LIKE THIS ONE HAV BEEN PUT TOGETHER BY AN ANONYMOUS GROUP.

>> WHEN YOU SEE THE SIGN, WHEN YOU SEE IRANIAN PEOPLE MARCHING WHEN YOU SEE YOUR IRANIAN FRIENDS, TALK TO THEM.

OR AT LEAST DO A LITTLE SEARCH.

>> Reporter: MATEO IS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF HISTORY AT NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY.

HE SPECIALIZES IN THE HISTORY OF WOMEN AND JENDER IN IRAN.

>> SO DESPITE ALL THE THINGS THEY'RE GOING THROUGH, THEY'VE KIND OF KEPT THE HOPE GOING THA THROUGH EDUCATION THEY CAN ACHIEVE WHAT THEY WANT.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THE INSTITUTIONA -- THE REGIME THAT THEY'RE DEALING WITH, DOESN'T THINK LIK THAT.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS DISMANTLIN IRAN'S GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE IS COMPLICATED.

>> THERE IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION UNLESS THE SUPREME LEADER PASSES AWAY AND A NEW GROUP OF PEOPLE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHMENT RISE TO THE OCCASION AND THINK DIFFERENTLY, THIS SYSTEM HAS PROVEN TO COME OUT REALLY HARD IF IT SEES ITS INTERESTS BEING THREATENED BY ANYONE.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE MASS ARRESTS, INTERNET BLACKOUTS, AN DOZENS REPORTEDLY KILLED, I IRANIANS ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE THEIR LIVES.

>> I THINK THE WHOLE THING IS SUPPOSED TO CHANGE AND GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO EITHE UNDERSTAND WHAT PEOPLE ARE REQUESTING AND GET WHAT THEY WANT, OR IF THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT ABLE TO UNDERSTAND SUCH A THING, THEN THE CONCEPT OF REVOLUTION IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: DETERMINED TO AMPLIFY IRANIAN VOICES, SHE BELIEVES THERE'S STRENGTH IN NUMBERS, NOT ONLY IN IRAN BUT ACROSS THE NATION.

>> NOW THE WIND IS BLOWING MY HAIR.

I CAN WEAR WHATEVER I WANT.

I CAN TALK ABOUT WHATEVER I THINK FREELY HERE.

I CAN IGNORE THIS, THAT MY FRIENDS, M SISTERS IN IRAN DON'T HAVE RIGHTS.

>> Reporter: FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT", I'M JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> ACTIVISTS SAY THEY'RE HOPING LOCAL OFFICIALS DO MORE TO STAN WITH PROTESTERS IN IRAN.

>>> PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", A NE STUDY FINDS SOME INVESTORS ARE PROFITING FROM A TAX DEBT OWED ON ABANDONED PROPERTIES.

>>> JB PRITZKER AND DARREN BAILEY CLASH IN THEIR FINAL DEBATE BEFORE THE ELECTION.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM BREAKS DOWN THE ACTION.

>>> AND WE TALK WITH COMEDIAN AND ACTOR JEFF GARLAND ABOUT HI DEPARTURE FROM THE HIT SITCOM THE GOLDBERGS AND HIS UPCOMING APPEARANCE AT THE CHICAGO HUMANITIES FEST.

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

CHICAGO POLICE ARE WARNING ABOUT AN ONLINE MARKETPLACE SCAM ASKING BUYER WHO IS WANT TO PURCHASE A MOTORBIKE OR SUV TO GO TO ENGLEWOOD, WHERE THEY'RE ROBBED AT GUNPOINT.

THERE HAVE BEEN 19 SUCH ROBBERIES BETWEEN JULY AND OCTOBER, ACCORDING TO A COMMUNITY ALERT PUT OUT BY POLICE.

IN EACH INCIDENT, POTENTIAL BUYERS ARE LOOKING TO BUY A VEHICLE OVER FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE OR THE OFFERUP MARKETPLACE WEBSITE.

THEY'RE ME WITH SOMEONE ARMED WITH A HANDGUN UPON ARRIVAL.

MANY INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED IN THE 6700 BLOCK OF SOUTH ELIZABETH STREET.

>>> FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR HOMEOWNERS WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE COOK COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.

STARTING TOMORROW, RESIDENTS CAN TURN TO A HELP DESK FOR LEGAL HELP CONCERNING THEIR HOME, CHAIN OF TITLE, OR OTHER LAND RECORDS.

THE HELP DESK WILL OPERATE THE THIRD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH.

>>> MAYBE THE CHICAGO BULLS CAN BRING MUCH-NEEDED HOPE TO LOCAL SPORTS FANS, BECAUSE THE BEARS AREN'T BRINGING MUCH OF THAT.

THE TEAM'S SEASON TIPS OFF TONIGHT AGAINST THE MIAMI HEAT, AND ZACH LEVINE IS MISSING IN ACTION BECAUSE OF A LEFT KNEE INJURY.

UNCLEAR IF HE'LL BE BAC FOR FRIDAY'S GAME AGAINST THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS.

>>> AND NOW, BRANDIS, WE TOSS I BACK TO YOU.

>> PARIS, THANK YOU.

A NEW STUD FROM THE COOK COUNTY TREASURER' OFFICE DETAILS HOW PRIVATE INVESTORS ARE EXPLOITING AN ARCANE LAW TO PROFIT FROM PROPERTY DEBT.

IT COMES AT A COST TO COMMUNITIES WITH MOSTLY BLACK AND LATINO RESIDENTS.

REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US NOW WITH A LOOK AT WHAT THE STUDY FOUND, AND HEATHER, WHAT DID THE STUDY FIND?

>> IT AUCTIONS OFF PROPERTY TAX DEBT EVERY YEAR.

THIS IS ATTRACTIVE FOR BIG HEDGE FUNDS AND PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS, BECAUSE THEY CAN EARN UP TO 56% IN INTEREST OVER THREE YEARS.

NOW, THAT'S WHEN A PROPERTY OWNER HAS TO PAY THAT DEBT IN FULL OR POTENTIALLY LOSE THAT - THEIR DEED TO THAT PROPERTY.

NOW, IF THEY DON'T PAY THAT DEBT, THAT MEANS THE HEDGE FUND NOW OWNS THAT PROCHLT LOT OF TIMES THEY DON'T WANT TO OWN THAT PROPERTY, SO THEY USE THE LOOP HOLE THAT'S AT THE CENTER OF THE STUDY BY THE COUNTY TREASURER'S OFFICE TO GET OUT O THAT.

>> OKAY, SO THIS IS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF EFFORTS BY THE COOK COUNTY TREASURER'S OFFICE EXAMINING HOW OFFICIALS HANDLE DISTRESSED PROPERTIES AND THOSE WITH UNPAID PROPERTY TAX DEBT.

WHAT ARE THESE STUDIES DESIGNED TO DO?

>> WELL, THESE PROPERTIES, ONCE THESE HEDGE FUNDS SORT OF WASH THEIR HANDS OF THEM USING WHAT' CALLED AN ERROR PROCESS, THESE PROPERTIES END UP IN LIMBO.

NOBODY'S PAYING TAXES.

THEY FAL INTO DISREPAIR.

AND IT IS FUELLING THE CYCLE OF DISINVESTMENT THAT IS REALLY TH LEGACY OF SEGREGATION IN CHICAG AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> DOES THIS STUDY MAKE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS?

>> YES, COOK COUNTY TREASURER MARIA SAYS THE STATE LEGISLATUR SHOULD CHANGE THE LAW THAT MAKE THIS POSSIBLE, BECAUSE A LOT OF THE TIME THE ERRORS THEY'RE CITING ARE CLERICAL IN NATURE.

MISSPELLED STREET NAME OR THE PROPERTY DESCRIPTION SAYS THE HOUSE IS MADE OF BRICK INSTEAD OF STUCCO.

SO SHE WANTS SERIOUS ERRORS ONLY TO CANCEL SALES, AN SHE SAYS THAT COOK COUNTY AGENCIES LIKE HER OWN OFFICE SHOULD DO A BETTER JOB MAKING SURE THOSE ERRORS DON'T HAPPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> HEATHER CHERONE, THANK YOU S MUCH.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

>> AND OF COURSE, YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>>> NOW TO PARIS AND A CONVERSATION WITH A CHICAGO NATIVE ON HIS UPCOMING PROJECTS PARIS?

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

COMEDIAN AN ACTOR JEFF GARLAND IS BACK HOME IN CHICAGO.

HE'LL BE APPEARING AT THE CHICAGO HUMANITIES FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND FOR AN EVENT TITLED JEFF GARLAND, OUR MAN IN CHICAGO.

TALK COMES AS GARLAND HAS COME OUT ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES HE'S STRUGGLED WITH AND A YEAR AFTER A VERY PUBLIC SPLIT WITH THE SITCOM, THE GOLDBERGS, WHICH HE WAS THE STAR OF.

JOINING US NOW IS JEFF GARLAND.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU.

LAST TIME I TALKED TO YOU, YOU WERE ON A CELLPHONE ON ZOOM SO IT'S REALLY GREAT TO HAVE YO IN PERSON.

>> IT IS GREAT TO BE IN PERSON.

THANK YOU.

>> WELL, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

I GOT TO START WITH THE NEWS, BECAUSE YOU VERY RECENTLY CAME OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND SAID THAT YOU HAD STRUGGLED WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS LAST YEAR.

YO CHECKED YOURSELF INTO A TREATMENT FACILITY.

GIVE US SOM INSIGHT INTO WHAT YOU WERE GOIN THROUGH.

>> YEAH, IT WASN'T EVEN -- IT WAS I WAS GOING TO COMMIT SUICIDE ON A SPECIFIC DAY WHERE I REACHED OUT FOR HELP.

I CALLE SUZIE ASMAN, SHE'S ONE OF MY FRIENDS.

AND CALLED MY -- LIKE GAVE INTO THEM, AND THEY FOUND TWO PLACES, ONE IN BEVERLY HILLS, ONE IN CINCINNATI.

IT'S THE MIDDLE OF THE WINTER, BUT THERE'S NO WAY I'M GOING TO BEVERLY HILLS.

I DON'T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY, LET ALONE OTHER PEOPLE.

SO I WENT TO CINCINNATI IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINTER, SPENT A MONTH AT THE LINDOR CENTER, AND YEAH, THROUGH -- AT ONE POINT AFTER I LEFT THERE, A ONE POINT, FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME I HAD THERAPY SEVEN HOURS WEEK.

ELECTIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY PSYCHOTHERAPY, ADDICTION THERAPY, LIKE ALL SORTS OF THERAPY.

AND I'M FUNCTIONING AT A HIGH LEVEL.

I'M VERY -- I'M VERY CONTENT AND, YEAH, IT CHANGES.

SO IF YOU REACH OUT FO HELP, AND THEN IF YOU GET HELP, TAKE IT SERIOUSLY, WHICH I DID.

AND I NEVER THOUGHT I'D SMILE AGAIN AFTER THAT.

I NEVER THOUGHT -- I THOUGHT NOTHING GOOD WILL COME.

>> YOU ALSO SAID YOU STRUGGLE WITH BIPOLAR.

DO YOU FEEL A WEIGHT OFF YOUR SHOULDERS GOING PUBLIC ABOUT THAT?

>> THERE'S NO WAY.

THERE'S NO WAY.

I PUT IT OUT THERE -- GIVE I BARELY POST TO INSTAGRAM.

I PUT IT OUT THERE BECAUSE I WAS FEELING FRUSTRATED.

AND I REFER TO BIPOLAR AS A TERM I CAN'T US HERE.

AND I WAS SUDDENLY, IT WA ON THE NEWS.

I JUST PUT IT OUT NOT TO BE A HERO OR -- BUT WITH THE LETTERS THAT I GOT, I REALL INSPIRED SOME PEOPLE, AND I WAS THANKED.

THERE WAS NO -- ANYTHING, AND THEN RECENTLY I PUT OUT THE SUICIDE STUFF.

AGAI -- AND I TOLD PEOPLE, HEY, REAC OUT, REACH OUT.

AND LOOK -- >> YOU SEEM GREAT, WHAT WAS YOU ROAD BACK LIKE?

>> IT WAS EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT.

BECAUSE I -- MY MIND BODY, I ALSO AM IN RECOVERY.

SO THERE WAS SO MUCH GOING ON.

BUT I DID NOTHING ELSE BUT THAT.

I PUT EVERYTHING -- I DEVOTED EVERYTHING TO GETTING BETTER.

I'M BETTER.

NOW, BETWEEN MEDICATION AND THE THERAPY, I'M NOW DOING THREE HOURS A WEEK, AND I ACTUALLY AM LIKE, WOW, I' ONLY DOING THREE HOURS.

SO THAT'S MY ATTITUDE.

ONLY DOING THREE HOURS.

AND I FORGOT WHERE I WAS.

>> WELL, THERAPY'S A GOOD THING >> GREAT THING.

AND I DO BOTH THERAPY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY.

>> SO LET ME ASK YOU -- AND IT WAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO OR MORE THAT THE SPLIT WITH THE GOLDBERGS HAPPENED -- >> YES.

>> -- I MEAN, THERE WERE ALLEGATIONS YOU WERE MAKING CRUDE HUMOR.

YOU'VE ADDRESSED ALL THAT AND THAT YOU WERE CERTAINLY ABUSIVE TO SOME PEOPLE.

HOW DO YOU REFLECT ON THAT?

>> WELL, I REFLECT ON THAT AS I IS WHAT IT IS.

THERE'S A POLITICAL CORRECTNESS THAT GOES ON, AND I DO SAY -- SING SONGS THAT ARE INAPPROPRIATE.

STUFF I COULD EVEN SING HERE.

BUT CERTAIN PEOPLE FOUND THEM OFFENSIVE.

WHAT AM I GOING TO DO.

BUT I'VE BEEN WANTING TO QUIT THAT SHOW FOR LIKE THREE YEARS BECAUSE OF THAT.

IT DIDN' JUST SUDDENLY HAPPEN.

EVERY YEA IT WAS POINTED OUT TO ME.

YOU CAN'T DO THIS.

AND I'M LIKE, WHAT.

THIS IS SILLINESS.

>> IS THIS A RESULT OF CHANGING CULTURAL STANDARDS?

DID YOU HAV TO DO SOME SELF-REFLECTION.

>> I PUT IT ALL ON ME.

I DON'T PUT IT ON THE GOLDBERGS.

NOPE, IT IS MY SITUATION TO DEAL WITH I WISH THEM THE BEST.

I'M HAPPY NOT TO BE THERE ANYMORE, BUT I WISH THEM THE BEST, AND I HAVE NO ILL FEELINGS.

THAT'S DOING THE WORK THAT I'M DOING.

YOU HAVE TO GET RID OF RESENTMENT AND ANGER.

SO I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY.

>> IT HELPS WHEN YOU HAVE ANOTHER HIT SHOW YOU'RE ABOUT T FILM.

>> THAT ONE'S BEEN MY PRIORITY MY WHOLE, YOU KNOW, FOR 20 YEARS.

SO YEAH, WE'RE ABOUT TO START FILMING A WEEK FROM NOW.

>> SOME MAY SAY IT'S THE MORE CULTURALLY RELEVANT SHOW.

>> IT'S VERY CULTURALLY RELEVAN BECAUSE WE DEAL WITH EVERYTHING >> RIGHT.

>> WE'RE IR REV RANT WITH PURPOSE.

>> YOU HAVE THE OUTLINE FOR THI SEASON?

>> I'VE READ THE WHOLE OUTLINE.

>> EXCITED ABOUT IT?

>> VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

IT'S DELIGHTFUL.

AND BY THE WAY, I HAD TO FILM THE GOLDBERGS AND CURB AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH WA EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT.

NOW GET TO FOCUS ON CURB, AND I FEE LIKE A HUGE WEIGHT'S BEEN LIFTED.

>> HOW MUCH OF THE DIALOGUE, YOU'VE PROBABLY TALKED ABOUT THIS A MILLION TIMES, YOU'RE RIFFING VERSUS WHAT'S SCRIPTED OR WHAT'S PLANNED.

>> YEAH, IT'S IMPROVISED.

>> ALL OF IT?

I MEAN, YOU HAVE AN OUTLINE THAT YOU DO.

>> LET'S SAY THERE'S AN OUTLINE EACH SCENE IS LIKE A PARAGRAPH LONG.

I'M SHOWING THE SIZE OF THE PARAGRAPH.

AND WE IMPROVISE BUT SOMETIMES IN THERE THERE'S JEFF SAYS.

NOT VERY OFTEN AT ALL, BUT I SAY IT, WHATEVER THA IS.

OUTSIDE OF THAT IT'S IMPROVISED.

AND THEN EVERY TAKE WE DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

AND THEN WHEN WE GOT A GROOVE IT'S WE NEED THAT FROM THIS ANGLE, CAN YOU JUST REPEAT THAT.

BUT IT'S DELIGHTFUL.

>> NOW YOU'RE BACK HOME FOR THI TALK AT THE COMMISSION HUMANITIES FEST.

YOU GREW UP IN MORTON GROVER, WHEN YOU COME BACK HOME, WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS?

>> MY BED FOR A GOOD NAP.

I LOV NAPPING.

YOU KNOW, FOR ME, LOOK FIRST OFF, OBVIOUSLY, A CUBS GAME.

I HAVE SEASON TICKETS TO THE BEARS.

I GO TO SEE THE BULLS.

SO THERE'S THAT.

>> I'VE SEEN YOU AT CHICAGO MUSIC EXCHANGE TOO.

BIG MUSIC DUDE.

>> I WAS ALREADY AT CHICAGO MUSIC EXCHANGE.

I GO EVERY TIME I'M HERE.

I LOVE GUITARS.

I GO TO LUMANATI'S, 11 CITY DINER, MANNY'S ON ROOSEVELT ROAD.

I WENT TO THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART.

LIKE I TRY AN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL OF IT.

I WALK ON LAKESHORE DRIVE.

I HAVE A NICE WALK EVERY TIME I'M HERE BY THE WATER.

DELIGHTFUL.

>> AND YOU HAVE ALL THESE HOP HOBBIES, YOU LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY.

>> PHOTOGRAPHY IS MORE THAN A HOBBY, THOUGH.

>> IT'S A PASSION.

>> IT IS A PASSION.

I'VE HAD TW SHOWS.

THE SECOND ONE WAS AT TH GALLERY HERE AND AT THE LUCKY GALLERY IN LOS ANGELES.

MY NEXT IS IN BOSTON.

THEN I'M GOING TO DO EUROPE AND PUBLISH A BOOK.

>> WE INTERVIEWED YOU ON YOUR LAST SHOW, A CANDID SHOT OF COMEDIANS AND ACTORS, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE WORKING ON NOW?

>> BY THE WAY, I WANTED TO BE WHEN I TOOK UP PHOTOGRAPHY A GREAT STREET PHOTOGRAPHER.

>> LIKE VIVIAN HIGHER.

>> I PRODUCED THAT MOVIE, FINDING VIVIAN MEYER.

FOR JOHN, WHAT A WONDERFUL GUY.

>> HE DISCOVERED ALL THAT.

>> HE'S SUCH A SWEET MAN.

WHAT WAS THE QUESTION?

>> I DON'T REMEMBER, BUT WHAT YOUR CURRENT SHOW IS.

>> OH, MY CURRENT.

IT'S THE SAM ONE THAT WAS IN CHICAGO.

>> RIGHT.

>> SO I'M DOING THAT SHOW, BUT THERE'LL BE A BOOK ON IT.

SO I WANTED TO BE A STREET PHOTOGRAPHER, GREAT STREET PHOTOGRAPHER, STAND ON THE CORNER TAKING PICTURES OF PEOPLE.

I STINK AT THAT.

I STINK.

WHAT I'M GOOD AT IS IN CANDID MOMENTS TAKING PICTURES OF OTHER COMEDIANS, OF OTHER ACTORS, DIRECTORS, WHEN I'M ON MOVIE I JUST TAKE, YOU KNOW -- MY LAST MOVIE, WHICH IS CALLED BABYLON.

I THINK IT COMES OUT I DECEMBER.

MARGOT ROBBIE AND BRA PITT ARE IN IT.

I GOT AMAZING SHOTS.

SPECIFICALLY ONE EACH.

BUT I GOT NUMEROUS ONES OF EACH OF THEM, WHO ARE KIND OF PHOTOGENIC.

>> DID THEY KNOW YOU WERE DOING IT?

>> I ASKED PERMISSION.

BOTH OF THEM GAVE ME THE GREEN LIGHT, WHICH IS -- BY THE WAY, I'VE NEVER HAD SOMEBODY SAY NO.

BECAUSE WHEN I'M ON THE SET WIT LARRY DAVID, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU THINK HE'D LET ANYBODY TAKE HIS PICTURE LIKE THAT?

>> RIGHT.

>> BUT FOR HIM, BECAUSE I ALWAY HAVE MY CAMERA, EVEN WHEN WE'RE DOING SCENES IT'S BETWEEN MY LEGS, ON THE FLOOR.

I SHOOT HIM HE HAS NO REACTION TO IT.

DOESN'T SMILE, YOU KNOW.

BOB EINSTEIN, I HAVE A GREAT PICTUR OF HIM, WHO PLAYED MARTY.

PASSE AWAY, ONE OF MY DEAR FRIENDS.

HE'S THE ONLY ONE THAT WHENEVER I WENT TO TAKE A PICTURE OF HIM HE PUT A BIG SMILE ON HIS FACE.

AND IT WAS INSANE BECAUSE IT WA AN ABSURD SMILE.

AND HE KNEW WHAT I WANTED, SOMETHING CANDID AND HE WOULD NEVER GIVE IT TO ME.

SO IN MY SHOW THERE'S A SHO OF HIM JUST MAKING THIS BIG SMILE.

>> YOU'VE GOT THE ABSURD BOB EINSTEIN SHOT IN YOUR SHOW.

>> BY THE WAY, I WOULDN'T EXPEC ANYTHING ELSE FROM HIM.

>> JEFF GARLAND, WE'RE ALREADY OUT OF TIME.

>> BY THE WAY, I'M JUST GETTING STARTED.

>> YOU ARE.

HUMANITIES FEST ON SATURDAY.

>> I'M GOING TO BE TALKING AT THE HUMANITIES FEST.

IF I TALK TO THEM, THAT WOULDN'T BE MUCH OF A SHOW.

>> NO.

THIS IS AN INTERACTIVE IMMERSIVE SHOW.

>> IT'S IMMERSIVE IN MY MIND.

IT'S INTERACTIVE WITH MY VOICE.

BUT YOU'RE GOING TO GO INTO MY MIND.

ALL RIGHT, WRAP IT UP.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH -- I WANT TO TALK TO YOU A LOT MORE, BUT WE DO HAVE TO WRAP IT UP.

SEE JEFF GARLAND AT CHICAGO HUMANITIES FESTIVAL THIS SATURDAY.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THAT EVENT, VISIT OUR WEBSITE, AND UP NEXT, OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM TACKLES LAST NIGHT'S FINAL DEBATE BETWEEN GOVERNOR PRITZKER AND DARREN BAILEY.

>>> FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> THE FINAL DEBATE IN THIS YEAR'S GOVERNOR'S RACE TURNS OU TO BE SHORT ON SUBSTANCE BUT HIGH ON NAME CALLING.

A CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER WITH CONNECTIONS TO THE RACIST EXTREMIST GROUP THE PROUD BOYS GETS TO KEEP HIS JOB, AND FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN'S LEGAL PROBLEM GROW.

HERE WITH ALL THAT AND MORE IS OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM, WELCOME BACK, GANG.

IT WA A DEBATE THAT WAS, AGAIN, HIGH ON NAME CALLING AND SOME MUD SLINGING.

HERE'S A LITTLE BIT O IT.

>> DARREN BAILEY IS A TRUMP EXTREMIST.

HE OPPOSES ABORTION.

HE THINKS IT'S OKAY TO FORCE A 13 RAPE VICTIM TO GIVE BIRTH.

WANTS TO END THE STATE'S MINIMU WAGE AND THROW CHICAGOANS OUT O ILLINOIS.

>> CHICAGO IS THE NIGHTMARE CALLED PRITZKERVILLE, AND IT'S STILL TWO WEEKS FROM HALLOWEEN.

>> I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT DARREN BAILEY HAS SURROUNDED HIMSELF WITH RACIST, MISOGYNISTIC, XENOPHOBIC PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING CHASING AFTER THE CHIEF AMONG THEM DONALD TRUMP.

>> FRIENDS, LIFE IS WORSE TODAY THAN IT'S EVER BEEN IN ILLINOIS NOTHING, NOTHING HAS GOTTEN BETTER IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

>> LOT OF LABELS THERE.

PARIS, WAS THERE MUCH IN TERMS OF A SUBSTANTIAL DEBATE?

>> FIRSTLY, HAVE TO HAND IT TO THE MODERATORS, THE THING I TOO AWAY WAS MIKE SHUSHING DARREN BAILEY FOR INTERRUPTING, GOING LIKE THAT.

THAT WAS AN INTERESTING GIVE AND TAKE.

BUT NO, THEY WERE BOTH VERY EVASIVE ESPECIALLY DARREN BAILEY, ANSWERED ALMOST NONE OF THE QUESTIONS DIRECTLY.

BAILEY KEPT GOING TO THESE BUZZWORDS, GOING TO THE SAFETY ACT, GOING TO THE CULTURE WAR ISSUE, REAL OR PERCEIVED.

PRITZKER DIDN'T OFFE MUCH IN THE WAY OF SPECIFICS.

I'LL GIVE YOU A COUPLE EXAMPLES A QUESTION ABOUT THE PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL THAT BAILEY FOUNDED DOWN STATE, HE COMPLETELY EVADED AN ANSWER ON THAT QUESTION.

THAT SCHOOL, STAFF MEMBERS CARRY WEAPONS AND IT HAS TAUGHT CURRICULUM FROM THE BOB JONES UNIVERSITY, WHICH IS FAIRLY CONTROVERSIAL.

I THIN VOTERS DESERVE TO KNOW IS THIS THE PHILOSOPHY HE WANTS FOR STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN ILLINOIS.

PRITZKER ON DCFS PRETTY MUCH EVADED WHAT HE WOUL DO ABOUT THE MAJOR PROBLEMS THA BEFALL THAT AGENCY, ESPECIALLY ITS DIRECTOR.

HE DID NOT COMMIT TO FIRING HIM, EVEN THOUGH HE'S BEEN HELD IN CONTEMPT.

YOU HEAR A LOT OF BUZZWORDS AND TALKING POINTS, AND THIS IS WHAT DEBATE HAVE BECOME.

>> IT WAS CLEAR MIKE WAS FRUSTRATED WITH THE INTERRUPTIONS.

AMANDA, DID YOU HEAR ANYTHING?

>> I KIND OF ALMOST LIKE THE INTERRUPTIONS.

IT FEELS LIKE AN ACTUAL DEBATE VERSUS FORM YU .

DID I HEAR ANYTHING THAT WOULD CHANGE A VOTER'S MIND?

I'M NOT SURE.

THIS IS THE SORT OF RACE WHERE I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN B UNDECIDED.

THEY ARE SO DIFFEREN IN THEIR POSITIONS ON NEAR EVERYTHING, AT LEAST ANYTHING THEY HAVE A POSITION ON.

AS YOU SORT OF NOTED, PARIS, THE GOVERNOR BASICALLY JUST SAID I'VE DONE WELL FOUR YEARS, ELEC ME TO ANOTHER TERM WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING THAT HE ACTUALL WANTS TO ACCOMPLISH WERE HE TO BE ELECTED IN THOSE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

AND DEFLECTING WHEN ASKE AGAIN, DO YOU INTEND TO ACTUALL SERVE THAT, WHAT DOES INTEND MEAN.

AND BAILEY DEFLECTING, I'LL ADD ON TO IT.

HE SEEMED TO TRY TO STEP AWAY FROM HIS ASSOCIATION WITH FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, DESPITE WORKING FOR HIS ENDORSEMENT IN THE PRIMARY.

HE SAID IT WAS A FOOL'S ERRAND TO TALK ABOUT HIS STANCE ON ABORTION, WHEN WE KNO THAT'S ON VOTER'S MINDS.

IT'S FASCINATING TO WATCH SOMEBODY WHOSE POSITIONS ON THESE MATTER ARE VERY WELL KNOWN TO ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO TAKE A TWO-SECOND GANDER.

>> BAILEY NOT SAYING HOW HE WOULD CUT THE BUDGET.

HE USED THIS PHRASE MAYORS HAVE USED, ZERO BASED BUDGETING.

WE DON'T HEAR PLANS HERE.

>> BAILEY HAS BEEN IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR YEARS AT THIS POINT.

YOU WOULD THINK IF THERE WAS $10 BILLION TO $15 BILLION, WHICH WAS THE NUMBER H THREW OUT, HE WOULD HAVE PROPOSED PLANS TO DO THAT.

YOU KNOW, BUT THIS VAGUE HAND WAVIN ABOUT CUTTING BELIES THE FACT THAT MOST OF THE DISCRETIONARY BUDGET GOES TOWARDS EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

AND THOSE PROGRAMS ARE REALLY NEEDED IN THIS STATE.

HE DIDN'T SAY WHAT HE WOULD CUT.

>> HE TALKED ABOUT CUTTING EDUCATION, GENERALLY NOT A WINNING MESSAGE.

>> HE KIND OF EVADED -- HE WAS ASKED ABOUT THAT LAST NIGHT.

HE WAS PRETTY CONFUSING AND EVASIV ON THAT TOO.

I GUESS HE MEANT CUTTING THE BUREAUCRACY.

>> RIGHT.

WE KNOW WHEN THE STAT SHIFTED TO THAT NEW FUNDING FORMULA, THERE'S A CERTAIN DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT THE STATE IS COMMITTED -- ABSOLUTELY.

THE STATE IS ON THE HOOK FOR COMMITTING A CERTAIN DOLLAR AMOUNT TO THAT POT ANNUALLY OR THE MODEL IT DOESN'T FUND.

IT DOESN'T WORK, ACCORDING TO THE EDUCATION FOLKS I'VE SPOKEN WITH.

DARREN BAILEY HAS REPEATEDLY CALLED CHICAGO A HEL HOLE, AN UNRULY CHILD.

WE HEARD HE REFERRED TO IT LAST NIGHT AS THE NIGHTMARE CALLED PRITZKERVILLE.

>> DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S GOING T CATCH ON.

>> NOT VERY CATCHY.

HEATHER, WH DOES BAILEY KEEP ATTACKING CHICAGO, DON'T YOU NEED IT?.

>> SURE, THE MOST VOTES ARE IN THE COUNTIES.

IT'S A MATH PROBLEM I THINK DOES NOT MAKE A WHOLE LOT OF SENSE.

BUT THIS IS CLEARLY DARREN BAILEY SIGNALLIN TO THE REST OF THE STATE THAT H IS ANTI-CHICAGO.

AND THAT, YOU KNOW, IT CAN BE PERCEIVED AS A DOG WHISTLE.

HE IS SOMEBODY WHO HAD CAMPAIGNED AND SUPPORTED A MOVE TO SES SEED ILLINOIS FROM CHICAGO.

THIS IS A WAY TO DO IT IN A QUICK WAY.

>> I THINK HE'S TRYING TO SPEAK TO CHICAGOANS THAT ARE SCARED O CRIME, THAT ARE UPSET, THAT DON'T LIKE MAYOR LIGHTFOOT, THA ARE UPSET WITH STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX.

IT'S BOTH.

HE'S TRYIN TO SPEAK TO THEM BECAUSE CHICAGOANS DON'T KNOW HIM.

HE I FULLY A LEGISLATOR WHO'S BEEN EMBRACED DOWN STATE UNTIL, OF COURSE, HE BECAME THE MAJOR PARTY NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR.

BUT STILL, I THINK IT IS TWOFOLD.

H REALLY IS TRYING TO REACH A SEGMENT OF CHICAGO THAT HE SAYS HAS BEEN IGNORED.

>> IF HISTORY IS ANY GUIDE, THE NUMBER IN THE TEENS IN TERMS OF PERCENTAGE OF VOTERS IN CHICAGO THAT'S ABOUT WHAT GOP CANDIDATE GOT.

IT'S NOT A HIGH NUMBER.

THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE SUBURBS THAT MIGHT AGREE WITH HIM AND PEOPLE DOWN STATE.

THERE'S A POLL THAT SHOWS HE'S NECK AND NECK WITH PRITZKER DOWN STATE.

THAT'S NOT A GOOD SIGN FOR BAILEY.

BAILEY'S GOT TO RUN THE TABLE DOWN STATE IF HE HAS ANY CHANCE.

>> IN TERMS OF CALLING CHICAGO HELL HOLE, PRITZKERVILLE, IT REMINDS ME, LIKE MY BROTHER, I'VE GOT A YOUNGER SIBLING.

SOMETIMES HE'S ANNOYING.

I CAN CALL HIM A BRAT, NOBODY ELSE CAN.

AND SO THAT'S WHERE I'M NO SURE IT RESONATES WHEN YOU HATE ON CHICAGO AND YOU'RE NOT A CHICAGOAN.

PEOPLE GET PRETTY -- THEY'LL STAND UP FOR THEIR CITY >> PEOPLE ARE PROTECTIVE OF THEIR CITY, ABSOLUTELY.

HE'S FOCUSED ON THE ISSUE OF CRIME, ATTACKING THE SAFETY ACT THAT WOULD END CASH BAIL, SAYING IT WOULD LET VIOLENT CRIMINALS OUT OF JAIL, CIRCULATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA AS A NOT FACT.

>> THEY'VE LEANED INTO IT AS IF IT WAS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE, ALTHOUGH IT DID NOT POLL THAT HIGH.

ALL THESE ADS ABOUT THE SAFETY ACT AND ABOUT CRIME, I WILL SAY PRITZKER WAS PUT INTO LITTLE BIT OF A BIND ON THIS, BECAUSE HE HAS ACKNOWLEDGED IT NEEDS TO BE REVISED.

THERE IS A PLAN PUT FORTH BY STATE SENATOR BENNET FROM CHAMPAIGN THAT WOUL CLARIFY THE LANGUAGE AND SAY, NO, THERE AREN'T CRIMES EXCLUDE HERE FROM FOLKS HAVING TO BE HELD IN JAIL, AND SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO CLARIFY THE LANGUAGE THERE.

THERE ARE PEOPLE ON PRITZKER'S LEFT THAT SAY, WAIT, WE'RE WARY OF THAT.

THAT MIGHT MEAN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE CARTE BLANCHE TO HOLD ANYBODY IN JAIL WITHOUT BAIL.

THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE A NEGOTIATION ON THA BETWEEN THE LEFT FLANK AND PERHAPS THE CENTER LEFT FLANK O WHAT THIS LANGUAGE SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

>> HEATHER, GOVERNOR PRITZKER INDICATED HE WAS OPEN TO AMENDING THE SAFETY ACT THAT WOULD END CASH BAIL IN THE STATE.

ANY IDEA WHAT HE MIGHT B OPEN TO?

>> HE HAS DECLINED TO SAY WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.

AND I THINK PARIS MENTIONED SORT OF ONE OF THE AREAS THAT THERE SEEMS TO B AT LEAST SOME EMERGING CONSENSU THAT NEEDS TO BE CLARIFIED.

BUT WHATEVER THE GOVERNOR WOULD SAY IN THIS CONTEXT WOULD MAKE AN ENEMY, RIGHT?

HE WOULD EITHER REALLY SORPT OF FRUSTRATE MORE CENTER DEMOCRATS OR HE WOULD REALLY ANGER PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS WHO REALLY CHAMPIONED THIS LEGISLATION AS A WAY TO REALLY CORRECT THE SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THERE'S NO WINNING THERE FOR HIM, WHICH IS WHY HE'S NOT PLAYING THE GAME.

>> AMANDA, IS THIS THE KIND OF THING THAT NEEDS TO COME FROM THE FOLKS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND MAYBE THERE ARE CONVERSATIONS HAPPENING SO SOMETHING CAN BE PRESENTED PUBLICLY.

>> THERE ARE CONVERSATIONS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THIS WIDESPREAD ACKNOWLEDGEMENT DEMOCRATS, FRANKLY, COULD HAVE SAVED THEMSELVES A LOT OF TROUBLE HAD THEY -- BECAUSE THESE ARE LONG RECOGNIZED ISSUES.

THEY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY THERE WAS A VERY SHORT SESSION, IN PART BECAUSE, OH WAIT, WE HA A PRIMARY ELECTION.

AND SO THEY COULD HAVE HEEDED OFF A LOT OF THESE ISSUES HAD THAT NIPPED IT IN THE BUD AND SAID THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE GOING NOW.

IS IT SOMETHING THAT HAS TO COME FROM THE LEGISLATURE?

YES, TECHNICALLY THAT'S HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW.

BUT PRITZKER, HE'S THE GOVERNOR, HE HAS TAKEN THE LEAD, HAS TAKEN CREDIT FOR TAKING THE LEAD ON PLENTY OF OTHER ISSUES, SO YES, IF HE WANTED TO, HE COULD BE LEADING THE CONVERSATION IN THOSE DEMANDS.

HE HAS NOT.

>> HEATHER, YOU'VE BEEN REPORTING POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN HAS SUSPENDED BUT NOT FIRED AN OFFICER WHO LIED ABOUT HIS TIES TO THE PROUD BOY EXTREMIST GROUP.

THE LEADERS HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH SEDITIOU CONSPIRACY.

THE CITY'S INSPECTO GENERAL URGED BROWN TO CONSIDER FIRING THE OFFICER.

HAS BROWN SAID WHY A SUSPENSION IS ENOUGH >> MY REQUEST FOR COMMENT HAS NOT BEEN ANSWERED.

I ASKED THE MAYOR ABOUT WHETHER IT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR THAT OFFICER TO STAY ON THE FORCE, GIVEN THAT CHIEF CAMPAIGNED ON EFFORTS TO RESTORE TRUST BETWEEN THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY AT LARGE.

SHE DECLINED TO ANSWER.

>> THE MAYOR'S PRESS SCARE TOLD THE MAYOR THAT THE MAYOR IS CLEAR THERE SHOULD BE NO ROOM FOR WHITE SUPREMACISTS OR OTHER EXTREMIST IDEALOGIES, BUT THIS IS WHAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAID ABOUT BROWN'S DECISION.

>> THAT OFFICER WAS GIVEN A LENGTHY SUSPENSION.

I DON'T GET INTO THE DETAILS OF, THAT BUT I THINK IT'S ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND I THINK THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TOOK THE STEPS THAT THE EVIDENCE THAT WAS GATHERED THROUGH THE COURSE OF TWO INVESTIGATIONS WARRANTED.

>> HEATHER IS THERE A CONTRADICTION HERE?

>> WELL, THERE APPEARS TO BE, RIGHT?

BECAUSE THERE'S NO PLACE FOR ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE CHICAG POLICE DEPARTMENT, HOW CAN YOU HAVE A MEMBER OR AT LEAST SOMEBODY WHO HAS DIRECT TIES TO THE PROUD BOYS ORGANIZATION REMAIN A MEMBER.

AND I SHOULD SAY THAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT JOE FERGUSON BEFORE HE LEFT OFFICE EARLIER, A YEAR AGO NOW, TIME FLIES, SAID, LOOK, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER FIRING THIS OFFICER BECAUSE HE LIED AS PART OF THIS PROBE.

AND IT IS AGAINST DEPARTMENTAL POLICY IF YOU LIE DURING AN INVESTIGATION, YOU CA BE TERMINATED BECAUSE THAT WILL COMPLICATE EFFORTS FOR THIS OFFICER TO GO TO COURT AND TESTIFY AGAINST CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS, BECAUSE THAT DEFENS LAWYER IS GOING TO GET UP AND SAY, GOOD SIR, DID YOU NOT LIE IN THIS PROBE.

NOW, THAT HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT PROBLEM IN HOLDING POLICE OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE.

AND IT REALLY GOES TO THE HEART OF WHAT THE CONSEN DECREE, WHICH HAS BEEN IN EFFEC FOR, YOU KNOW, A GOOD WHILE NOW IS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS.

>> WHEN YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE GOOD GUYS OPERATING IN A FASHION, AKA LYING, ANTI-SEMITISM, RACISM, OPERATIN LIKE THE BAD GUYS, THAT'S A PROBLEM.

>> I THINK THE MAYOR RUNNING FO RE-ELECTION CAN'T BE SEEN PUBLICLY DISAGREEING OR DISPUTING HER HAND-PICKED POLIC SUPERINTENDENT.

SHE HAS A NARRO PATH TO RE-ELECTION, ALTHOUGH EVERYBODY IN THAT RACE HAS AN EXTREMELY NARROW PATH, HOWEVER MANY HUNDRED PEOPLE ARE GOING T GET INTO THIS RACE.

>> ANYONE.

>> IT'S NOT 100.

>> EASY NOW.

>> RIGHT.

>> SO SINCE LAST WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT, WE'VE HAD SOME NEW CHARGES AGAINST THE FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN, RELATED THIS TIME NOT TO EDISON BUT THE AT&T ILLINOIS THE COMPANY HAS AGREED TO PAY A $23 MILLION FINE.

AMANDA, WHAT GOT THEM IN TROUBLE?

>> THESE MONSTER UTILITIES.

I THINK THAT THAT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE THEY HAVE SUCH POWER.

THEY'RE NEAR MONOPOLIES.

SO THE ALSO NEED GOVERNMENT APPROVAL, UNLIKE PRIVATE COMPANIES, TO DO CERTAIN CHANGES.

FOR EXAMPLE, WHAT AT&T BACK IN 2017 WAS CAMPAIGNING FOR AND SUCCEEDED I PASSING A LAW THAT ALLOWED THEM TO NO LONGER KEEP UP LANDLINES IN THE STATE.

SOMETHING THEY SAID AS PEOPLE ARE MOVING TO CELLPHONES, DROPPING THEIR LANDLINES WITH WAY TOO EXPENSIV FOR THEM, THEY WERE LOSING MONEY.

THEY GOT APPROVAL TO DO THAT.

ALSO, BY THE WAY, ADDITIONAL MONEY TO FUND 911 CALLS.

BUT THEY LITERALLY YOU CAN READ IT WERE TAKING A CUE FROM CON ED AND CONED'S SUCCESS THERE ARE EMAILS THAT ARE PART OF THIS WHERE IT IS TALKED ABOUT.

YOU HAVE THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF AT&T ILLINOIS, BY THE WAY, ALSO SIMILAR TO CONED' FORMER EXECUTIVE FACING HIS OWN SET OF CHARGES AS WELL BECAUSE OF THIS.

SAYING, ALL RIGHT, BASICALLY LET'S PLAY BALL AND MAKE SURE THAT WE GET CREDIT WITH MADIGAN FOR IT.

>> THE TRIBUNE HAD AN INTERESTING ARTICLE.

FAMOUSLY THE FEDS USUALLY DON'T BRING CHARGES AGAINST POLITICIANS WITHIN, WHAT IS IT, A 30-DAY WINDOW OF THE ELECTION.

90-DAY ELECTION.

YOU WONDER WHY THEY WOULDN'T WAIT UNTIL AFTER.

DID THEY NEED TO BRING IT NOW?

ALTHOUGH, I WILL SAY I DON'T THINK THIS HAS AN IMPACT ON THE ELECTION.

IT'S FALLING FLAT.

IT'S JUST NOT REGISTERING AS A CAMPAIGN ISSUE.

>> HE'S NOT ON THE BALLOT.

HE'S NOT AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

>> STILL.

THE FEDS ARE ALWAYS SUPER CAREFUL ABOUT THAT.

>> ESPECIALLY THESE DAYS.

>> HE STILL REMAINS THE 13th WARD COMMITTEE PERSON.

THAT'S A FACT I THINK PEOPLE OVERLOOK.

H HOLDS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF POWER IN THAT WARD OPERATION.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE IS INTERESTING, IF WE HAVE A SECOND, TO ME IT'S $22,500 WAS PAID TO A MADIGAN ALLY WHO DIDN'T DO ANY WORK VIA AT&T THROUGH A CONSULTANT.

THIS IS A FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

KE IN ON THAT, A FORMER REPRESENTATIVE AT THE TIME THIS WAS HAPPENING.

WHY DID MADIGAN NEED TO GO THERE.

WHY DID THEY NEED TO KEEP ON GIVING MONEY TO SOMEBODY WHO NO LONGER WAS WIELDING ANY POWER.

>> IT MAKES YOU WONDER HOW MUCH MORE THERE IS IN TERMS OF THESE KINDS OF DEALS.

>> WE MIGHT MORE TO TALK ABOUT NEXT WEEK.

THAT'S SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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

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

THE JIM AND KAY MAEBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THI WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

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JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00.

THE CITY IS LOOKING TO REINVENT THE CHICAGO FINANCIAL DISTRICT IN THE FACE OF HIGH VACANCY RATES.

WE'LL HAVE A LIVE REPORT ON LaSALLE.

>>> AND WE HEAD TO THE WEST LOO FOR PHOTOS OF SOME OF CHICAGO'S MOST COMMUNAL MOMENTS FEATURED IN A NEW EXHIBIT.

NOW FOR ALL O US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT", I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

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