>>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M PARIS SHUTS.

>> AND I'M BRANDICE FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

>> A GENERAL LACK OF SUPPORT FOR THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT OF POLICE FROM OUTSIDE CHICAGO RALLY AROUND CITY OFFICERS FIGHTING THE COVID-19 MANDATE.

>> AND STATE LAWMAKERS ARE BACK IN SPRINGFIELD TO HASH OUT THE NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP.

WE'LL TALK WITH TWO WHO ARE ON THE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE.

>> AND AMID A SURGE ACROSS THE NATION AND HERE IN CHICAGO, WE'LL TALK ONE ON ONE WITH U.S. ATTORNEY JOHN LAUSCH ABOUT SYSTEMATIC VIOLENCE.

>> AND A DEEP DIVE INTO ALDON GLOBAL CAPITOL, THE ELUSIVE HEDGE FUND THAT CAUGHT THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE.

>> AND HOW A TRUMP ERA IMMIGRATION POLICY COULD IMPACT PEOPLE M.L.

NEXT MONTH.

>>> AND A BUILDING THAT ONCE STOOD IN BROWNSVILLE IN OUR "ASK JEFFREY."

AND PRESERVING CHICAGO'S BLACK CULTURE THROUGH ART AND FASHION.

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

CHICAGO OFFICIALLY BECAME SKY TOWN, THE BRAND-NEW WNBA CHAMPIONS PARADED UP MICHIGAN AVENUE AND CELEBRATED THEIR HISTORIC WIN WITH A RALLY IN MIL YUM PARK WHERE THE GOVERNOR OFFICIALLY NAMED THE PROCLAMATION FOR PARKER IT'S THEIR SECOND WNBA TITLE BUT THE FIRST FOR CHICAGO AND THE FIRST FOR THE FRANCHISE.

DURING TODAY'S RALLY SHE THANKED THE FANS FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOW, US THIS OPPORTUNITY AND TO PLAY FOR YOU AND IN FRONT OF YOU.

YOU GUYS ARE ELECTRIC.

YOUR GUYS' ENERGY GOT US THROUGH THAT GAME 4.

HEY, GUESS WHAT, Y'ALL, GAME 4.

>> EMANUEL FACES SEVERAL DIRECTIONS TO BECOME THE U.S.

AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN.

AHEAD OF CONFIRMATION HERE ON CAPITOL HILL TOMORROW, ACTIVISTS IN CHICAGO CRITICIZE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN FOR TAPPING EMANUEL CALLING THE NOMINATION, QUOTE, A SYMBOL OF LETHAL DISRESPECT FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN LIVES FIGHTING EMANUEL'S HANDLING OF NEQUON McDONALD'S MURDER.

>> HERE WE ARE CONTENDING WITH THE FACT THAT A MAN COVERING UP THE MURDER IS GETTING A FEDERAL PROMOTION ON AN INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM.

>> THAT AIN'T RIGHT!

>>> I DON'T THINK I EVER EXPERIENCED AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT WHO HAS CEASE TO AMAZE ME AND DIDN'T WOEFULLY DISAPPOINT ME.

>> ADDITIONALLY A NUMBER OF PROGRESSIVE MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE ARE ALSO OPPOSED TO EMANUEL'S NOMINATION.

BUT THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS IT IS CONFIDENT THAT THE SENATE WILL VOTE TO CONFIRM EMANUEL AND LET BIDEN'S POLICE REFORM COMMITMENT SPEAK FOR ITSELF.

TOMORROW'S HEARING HAPPENS ON THE 7th ANNIVERSARY OF 17-YEAR-OLD McDONALD BEING SHOT AND KILLED BY FORMER POLICE OFFICER JASON VAN DYKE.

>>> UP NEXT, CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS ARE PUSHING BACK ON THE COVID VACCINE MANDATE.

WILL THEIR SUBURBAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN BLUE STAND WITH THEM?

DETAILS ON THAT RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE REFUSE TOGGLE HE IT THE CITY WHETHER THEY'VE BEEN VOICED AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS ARE BEING FORCED TO GO ON LEAVE AND SOME SUBURBAN POLICE DEPARTMENTS SAY THEY WILL NOT INTERCEDE THAT YOU CAMES OF STAFFING SHORTAGE.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US NOW.

AMANDA, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

>> FIRST RESPONDERS AND OTHER CITY EMPLOYEES HAVE UNTIL THE 1st OF THE YEAR TO GET VACCINATED AND NOW THEY HAVE TO AT LEAST REPORT THEIR VACCINATION STATUS AND THOSE WHO HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE SHOT HAVE TO UNDERGO REGULAR TESTING.

AND THIS REP YOU CANNINGS ARE BEGINNING TO TAKE EFFECT WHO DEFY THAT ORDER WITH THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN ANNOUNCING NEARLY 68% OF CPD OFFICERS AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES HAVE SUBMITTED THEIR VAC STATUS TO THE CITY'S PORTAL AND ALSO THE MAJORITY, MAYBE 2%, HE SAYS, ARE VACCINATED.

THE CPD HAVE ROUGHLY 32% OF POLICE WHO HAVE NOT SHARED WITH THE CITY THEIR VACCINE STATUS.

BROWN SAYS AFTER MEETING WITH HR AND GETTING A DIRECT ORDER FROM THEIR SUPERVISORS, SOME OFFICERS DID REGISTER BUT SO FAR 21 HAVE NOT, AND THEY HAVE BEEN PLACED ON NO PAY STATUS.

NOT WORKING.

BROWN SAYS THAT IT IS A MATTER OF SAFETY.

COVID HAS KILLED FOUR CPD OFFICERS.

GETTING VACCINATED, BROWN SAYS, WILL SAVE LIVES.

>> THIS VIRUS IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THE GUNFIRE WE TAKE AT COPS.

AND I WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN, AND I WILL SAY ANYTHING I NEED TO CONVINCE OFFICERS TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO SAVE THEIR LIVES, THE LIFTS OF THEIR FAMILIES, THE LIVES OF THEIR OTHER OFFICERS, AND THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE WHO WE ARE SWORN TO PROTECT IN THIS COMMUNITY.

WE'RE SWORN TO PROTECT THESE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

WHO WILL GO AGAINST THEIR OATH TO TAKE THIS VIRUS INTO THEIR HOME.

>> NOW, HAD THERE IS NO VACCINE MANDATE FOR KANE COUNTY DEPUTIES.

AND THE SHERIFF SAYS IT SHOULD BE A PERSONAL CHOICE AND CHICAGO' REQUIREMENT IS MORE THAN A VACCINE MANDATE.

>> THIS IS A GENERAL LACK OF SUPPORT FOR THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AND MY HEART MY STAFF'S HEART WORKS WITH THE CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS ON A DAILY BASIS, BECAUSE OF THE VIOLENCE THEY HAVE TO WORK IN, AN OFFICER WAS SHOT YESTERDAY.

AND THERE IS AN APPARENT LACK OF SUPPORT FROM THE CITY FOR THOSE OFFICERS.

>> KING COUNTY IS AMONG THE SUBURBAN DEPARTMENT ASKED TO BE ON STANDBY.

WHILE THEY WOULD NOT BE CALLED ON TO DO ROUTINE PATROLS, THEY WERE ASKED BY THE STATE'S LAW ENFORCEMENT ALARM SYSTEM WHETHER THEY WOULD HELP SHOULD CHICAGO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL POLICE RESOURCES FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS BECAUSE OF THE DISAGREEMENT OVER VACCINATIONS.

>> THEY ARE LOOKING AT THOSE WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY ENCOURAGED OFFICERS NOT TO SHARE THEIR VACCINE STATUS WITH THE CITY.

AND THE SHERIFF HAIN SAYS THIS IS A DIFFERENT SITUATION.

>> TYPICAL FOR FOR THE EMERGENCY ALLIANCE ACTIVATION BECAUSE OF A TORNADO OR SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED THROUGH PROPER PLANNING AND PROPER SUPPORT OF YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

>> HE SAYS THAT KANE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES WOULD DO ANYTHING TO HELP AN OFFICER WHO IS IN DANGER IF THERE IS A TRUE EMERGENCY BUT HE'S REJECTING THIS CALL BECAUSE HE SAYS HE FEAR IT IS COULD PUT KANE'S DEPUTIES IN HARM'S WAY.

HE SAYS THAT GIVEN THE SCENT DECREE OVER THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ALSO GIVEN STATE ATTORNEY'S INDEMNIFICATION ON OFFICERS, HE FEARS DEPUTIES WOULD NOT BE PROTECTED SHOULD THEY NEED TO USE FORCE IN CHICAGO.

NOW, MEANWHILE, THE HEAD OF THE STATE FROM A TERN ORDER OF POLICE SAYS HE STANDS BY THE CHICAGO'S SUPERINTENDENT THAT VACCINE REQUIREMENTS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND ALSO SAYS THAT GIVE THE LACK OF MANDATES AT OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENTS, CHICAGO'S BACK-UP PLAN DOESN'T MAKE IT BEST.

>> SO YOU'RE GONNA ASK UNVOICED OFFICERS TO COME IN AND REPLACE CHICAGO CITY POLICE OFFICERS WHO REFUSE TO BE VACCINATED, YOU'RE GONNA REPLACE THOSE WITH UNVACCINATED OFFICERS.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE HYPOCRISY.

>> AND OTHER FEAR THAT CHICAGO COULD FACE AN EVEN GREATER SPIKE IN VIOLENCE SHOULD THE VACCINE STANDOFF LEAD TO FEWER OFFICERS IN THE CITY'S PRECINCT.

SO FAR THE SUPERINTENDENT BROWN SAYS THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE.

>> OFFICERS HAVE COME TO WORK.

WE'VE BEEN FULLY STAFFED, THERE HASN'T BEEN A SHIFT THAT'S BEEN SHORT, THERE HASN'T BEEN THIS 30, 40, 50% SHORTAGE THAT I'VE HEARD FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

21 PEOPLE ARE AT NO PAY STATUS.

21.

EVERYONE ELSE IS AT WORK.

DOING THE BUSINESS AND TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE OF CHICAGO.

>> THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAS FILED A LAWSUIT USING THE FOP AS I.N.S.

LATHE GATING THAT'S TANTAMOUNT TO A STRIKE OVER ITS VACCINE PROTEST AND THERE IS A COURT HEARINGLE COMMITTEE ISED ON THAT FOR TOMORROW MORNING.

WITH THAT BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>> AND WE'LL FOLLOW THAT TOMORROW, AMANDA, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> NOW TO BRANDIS WITH LOCAL STATE LAWMAKERS ON THE LATEST ACTION OUT OF SPRINGFIELD.

BRANDON.

>> AND PARIS, LAWMAKERS ARE IN FACT IN SPRINGFIELD FOR THE FALL LEGISLATIVE SESSION, ONE OF THE CENTRAL FOCUSES OR POINTS OF FOCUS, OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, WILL BE THE CONGRESSIONAL MAP THAT'S BEEN REDRAWN BY STATE LEGISLATORS WHO HAVE USED THE LATEST CENSUS FIGURES.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND MORE ARE STATE REPRESENTATIVE TIM BUTLER, THE ASSISTANT REPUBLICAN LEADER AND HOUSE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE'S REPUBLICAN SPOKESMAN AND ILLINOIS STATE SENATOR JASON BARICKMAN, THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS CHAIR.

WE SHOULD SAY WE INVITED ALL OF THE DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEES BUT NONE ACCEPTED OUR INVITATION.

WE THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

WE UNDERSTAND, WE KNOW, REPUBLICANS NOT THAT HAPPY WITH NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAPS.

ILLINOIS IS MOVING ONE SEAT BECAUSE THE CENSUS SHOWS A SHIFT IN UPON PLACE BUT DEMOCRATS TRYING TO SHRINK THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE MEMBERS FROM FIVE TO THREE.

NOW, SENATOR BARICMAN, THE REMAP EXPERT AT THE COOK POLITICAL REPORT SAYS THESE NEWLY DRAWN DISTRICTS COULD ACTUALLY HELP REPUBLICANS BY CREATING SWING DISTRICTS.

IF THE RACES ARE ACTUALLY COMPETITIVE, WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THE MANNER IN WHICH THESE HAVE BEEN HANDLED WITH THE DEMOCRATS IS DOWNRIGHT SHAMEFUL.

THESE MAPS ARE DRAWN FOR ONE PURPOSE ONLY WHICH IS TO FULFILL A PARTISAN GOAL.

IT'S NOT ABOUT GIVING OWNER'S CHOICES AND MAKING REPRESENTATIVES MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS WITH REGARDS TO THE CONGRESSIONAL MASSES ABOUT GETTING MORE VOTES TO SPEAKER PELOSI SO THAT SHE CAN CONTINUE HER REIGN AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

DEMOCRATS NO LONGER -- IN ILLINOIS ARE NO LONGER BEGIN AN INDEPENDENT PROCESS AND THE GOVERNOR HIMSELF -- WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS NOTHING MORE THAN POLITICS THAT HARMS PEOPLE, AND YOU KNOW, THE HARM HAS BEEN SHOWN BY WHAT'S PLAYED OUT TODAY AND IN THE RESULTS WHERE GOVERNMENT IS LESS RESPONSIVE.

>> SO THE WAY THE MAPS ARE DRAWN, BUT YOU DON'T BELIEVE THE WAY THEY'RE DRAWN COULD ALSO GIVE ANY REPUBLICAN OR ANYONE IN YOUR PARTY AN ADVANTAGE?

MAYBE ACTUALLY SWINGING THE DISTRICT IN YOUR DIRECTION?

>> WELL, AGAIN, IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT WEATHER IT ADVANTAGES ONE PARTY OR THE OTHER.

IT DOESN'T FAIRLY REPRESENT THE PEOPLE.

THESE MAS HAVE BEEN DRAWN THROUGH A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS AND NO ONE OUTSIDE THE PARTISAN DEMOCRATIC ACCESS.

SO WE'VE LONG SAID MAP MAKING SHOULD BE DONE IN AN INDEPENDENT PROCESS.

POLITICIANS SHOULD NOT BE DRAWING MAPS, THEY SHOULDN'T BE PICKING THEIR VOTERS.

AND THESE MAPS CLEARLY DESIGNED BY DEMOCRATS IS TO SAVIOR THEMSELVES AND ADD TO PELOSI'S ROLE YOU SEE I THINK DO NOTHING TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BUTLER, WE KNOW THAT ARE YOU IN A SUPER MINORITY AND SOME CRITICS SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS JUST BITTERNESS, HAVING BEEN LEFT OUT OF THE PROCESS.

BUT YOU ARE BOTH OBVIOUSLY ON YOUR RESPECTIVE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEES, HOW MUCH OF THE PROFITS HAVE YOU BEEN IN?

>> WELL, I'VE BEEN AT ALL THE HEARINGS.

I THINK I'VE BEEN AT EVERY SINGLE HEARING BUT MAYBE ONE.

BUT CERTAINLY AS FAR AS OPENING THE DOOR AND HAVING A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS, AS SENATOR BARICKMAN SAID, WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT AT ALL.

DEMOCRATS HAVE DECIDED TO GO DOWN THE ROAD WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO DO THIS ON THEIR OWN BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, NOT EVEN NAVIGATING US BUT REALLY SHUTTING THE DOOR ON THE PUBLIC.

WE'VE HAD SO MANY ADVOCACY GROUPS THAT HAVE TESTIFIED THROUGHOUT THE CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS AND CERTAINLY THE MAY HEARINGS THAT WE HAD IN THE LEGISLATOR THAT WANTED AN OPEN TRANSPARENT PROCESS THAT WANTED A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO REACT TO THE FINAL MAPS BEFORE WE ACTUALLY VOTE ON IT AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO I THINK PARTICIPATING IN THE PROCESS LIKE JASON AND I HAVE, JUST SHOWING UP TO THE HEARING IS ONE THING, BUT ACTUALLY OPENING THE DOOR AND SAYING LET'S DO THIS IN A COLLABORATIVE MANNER CERTAINLY HASN'T HAPPENED, AND WE'VE GIVEN THE DEMOCRATS LOTS OF OPTIONS TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

WE'VE INTERVIEWED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW THE COMMISSION PROCESS TO TAKE PLACE.

YOU KNOW, ALL OF THE DEMOCRATS ON THE CONGRESSIONAL LEVEL IN ILLINOIS HAVE SUPPORTED HR1, WHICH IN IT HAVE AN INDEPENDENT PROCESS TO DRAW FRESH MAPS, SO PEOPLE LIKE MARIE NEWMAN AND WARREN UNDERWOOD -- YET WHEN YOU READ NEWS REPORTS THAT THEY'RE MEETING WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNTERPARTS TO DRAW MAPS, IT REALLY DOESN'T DO THE PROCESS WELL AND CERTAINLY DOESN'T REFLECT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE'VE SEEN THROUGHOUT ALL OF THIS.

>> MOVING ON TO SOMETHING THAT IS LIKELY COMING UP THIS WEEK OR NEXT WEEK, ANOTHER ISSUE UNDER CONSIDERATION, IS THE REVOCATION OF THE ILLINOIS PARENTAL NOTIFICATION LAW THAT REQUIRES THE PARENTS OR ADULT FAMILY MEMBER TO BE NOTIFIED AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF A MINOR RECEIVING A SURGICAL OR MEDICATION ABORTION.

NOW, HERE'S WHAT REPUBLICAN SENATOR SUE REDMOND SAID EARLIER TODAY.

>> THE PARENTS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED.

THEY SHOULD KNOW THAT THEIR CHILD, THEIR MINOR CHILD, IS HAVING SUCH A MAJOR PROCEDURE THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT THEM THEIR ENTIRE LIFE.

>> PARENTAL PERMISSION IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THE ABORTION TO BE PERFORMED AND THE MINOR CAN ASK A JUDGE TO WAIVE THE NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT.

REPRESENTATIVE BUTLER, BACK TO YOU, WHY DO DEMOCRATS WANT THIS REPEALED?

>> WELL, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I THINK SUCH A MAJOR MEDICAL DECISION FOR A MINOR SHOULD BE DISCUSSED WITH SOMEONE'S PARENTS.

I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF IT.

LOOK, I DON'T -- I'M NOT AN ABORTION SUPPORTER.

I'M PRO-LIFE.

BUT CERTAINLY HAVING THE ABILITY IN THE LAW TO DISCUSS THIS WITH YOUR PARENT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO.

THIS IS A MAJOR, MAJOR DECISION AND I THINK THE DEMOCRATS ARE OVERREACTING IN THIS SITUATION, OVERREACHING.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT A WIDE SWATHE OF PEOPLE ON ALL ENDS OF THE SPECTRUM SUPPORT.

AND I THINK IT'S REALLY OVERREACHING TO DO AWAY WITH PARENTAL NOTIFICATION AND SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY WORKS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT ALL OF US WANT TO SEE IS REDUCTION IN ABORTIONS.

AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS UNDER DEMOCRAT CONTROL IN THE LEGISLATURE AND GOUW GOVERNOR PRITZKER IS AN EXPANSION OF THE ABORTIONS.

AND THAT'S NOT THE WAY TO GO.

>> AND THE GOVERNOR ALSO WANTS TO CHANGE THE HEALTHCARE RITE OF CONSCIOUS ACT, THAT PEOPLE ARE USING IT TO AVOID GETTING THE COVID-19 VACCINE THE INTENTION OF THIS LAW WASSER PEOPLE TO BE ALLOWED TO USE CERTAIN MEDICAL SERVICES BUT SHOULD THEY BE ABLE TO USE IT TO AVOID A PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINE LIKE THIS?

>> WELL, THIS IS ANOTHER INCIDENT OF GOVERNOR PRITZKER HAS BEEN MANDATING AND CONTROLLING PEOPLE'S LIVES FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.

I THINK THE PUBLIC IS RESISTING THAT, AND THEY'RE LOOKING TO THINGS LIKE THIS EXISTING LAW TO PROTECT THEM.

IF THE GOVERNOR REALLY WANTED TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS, HE WOULD HAVE ENGAGED THE LEGEND TOUR IN A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS.

WE CALL THAT THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

THEY HAVE APPROACHED THIS COVID PANDEMIC FROM A ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH RATHER THAN EMBRACING THE 177 MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE WHO REPRESENT MISSES OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE IN ALL GEOGRAPHIES, INSTEAD THE GOVERNOR'S GONE IT ALONE AND HE'S CONTINUING TO TRY TO DO THAT WITH THIS ATTEMPT TO REWRITE THIS LAW AND TAKE AWAY THE FREEDOMS THAT MANY ILLINOISANS ALREADY HAVE.

>> THAT'S WHEREWELL HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

OUR THOONGSZ ILLINOIS STATE REPRESENTATIVE TIM BUTLER AND STATE SENATOR JASON BARICKMAN FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> AND NOW PARIS, WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

PUBLIC CORRUPTION, GUN VIOLENCE, FINANCIAL CRIMES, HOME-GROWN TERRORISM, THESE ARE JUST A SELECTION OF THE CASES BROUGHT IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS BY THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HIGHLIGHTED BY A MAJOR BRIBERY CASE INVOLVING COM-ED AND IMPLICATING MICHAEL MADIGAN.

THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH ACTIVITY OUT OF THAT OFFICE THAT ILLINOIS' TWO U.S.

SENATORS INTERVENE TO KEEP CURRENT U.S. ATTORNEY JOHN LAUSCH ON THE JOB DESPITE THE CHANGE IN PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT ALL THESE BIG CASES AND MORE IS JOHN LAUSCH, U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS ED ADS ONE EXAMPLE WE CHARGED A MURDER CASE THE OTHER DAY WITH RACKETEERING AND IT INVOLVED THE MURDER OF SOMEONE IN BROAD DAYLIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON.

>> THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTION AND IT LEADS TO ACTIONS IN ALL PARTS OF THE CITY.

>> AND NEIGHBORS SAY AT COOKE COUNTY STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND HAVE SEEN LAX SENTENCING AND LAX PROSECUTION OF GUN CENTERS.

HAVE YOU SEEN THOSE PERHAPS FEELING.

>> I THINK THERE'S HAD A LOT OF FACTORS THAT COME INTO PLAY.

THERE ARE CERTAINLY THINGS OUTSIDE THE ENFORCEMENT AND THINGS THAT AS LAW ENFORCEMENT WE DO NOT CONTROL.

BUT THE ONE THING ON THE FEDERAL SIDE THAT I HAVE DECIDED IN PARTICULAR IS REALLY HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE'VE PRIDE HAVE A BASELINE LEVEL.

WE KNOW TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE ARE DRIVING VIOLENCE, THEY'RE PULLING THE TRIGGER, THEY'RE PUTTING GUNS INTO THE HANDS OF PEOPLE THAT SHOULD HAVE THEM, THAT WE HOLD THOSE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE AND THAT'S ONE OF THE KEY THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE FEDERALLY IS TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE DOING OUR PART TO HELP.

27 SHOOTINGS IN IN CHICAGO.

DO FEDERAL PROSECUTORS HAVE THE TOOLS TO EFFECTIVELY GO AFTER GUN TRAFFICKERS WHEN YOU STILL DO SEE SO MANY GUNS WINDING UP ILLEGALLY ON CHICAGO STREETS?

>> WE CERTAINLY HAVE TOOLS.

I THINK ANY PROSECUTOR WOULD TELL AND YOU LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WOULD TELL YOU THAT WE DO HAVE PLENTY OF TOOLS NOW.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ATF EMPLOYEES, SUCH AS DIVE-IN TRACING, WHICH REALLY APPEALS WITH THE TRACING OF BALLISTICS AND WEAPONS, IS HOW WE'RE ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THAT ONE PRIOR ARM WAS INVOLVED.

THAT'S REALLY A TREMENDOUS TOOL TO BE ABLE TO TIE DIFFERENT SHOOTINGS TO A PARTICULAR, YOU KNOW, WEAPON AND TO A PARTICULAR OFFENDER YOU WANTLY THAT WE CAN CHARGE IN COURT.

IF THE FIREARMS TRAFFIC TEAM IN OUR RENEWED EFFORTS TO REALLY PROSECUTE MORE PEOPLE THAN THAT, IT'S REALLY JUST ONE PROD OF WHAT WE DO.

EVEN ON THE GUN SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

THERE'S THE LEGAL TRANSFER, BUT THE ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS IS SOMETHING THAT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHAT WE SEE IS THAT MOST OF THE SHOOTINGS IS HAPPENING FROM PEOPLE WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE GUNS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

ULTIMATELY THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SHOOTING THE FIREARMS AND KILLING PEOPLE.

THOSE ARE THE WORST OF THE WORST AND THOSE ARE THE OFFENDERS THAT WE SPENT MOST OF OUR TIME ON.

>> AND IN THAT CASE YOU HAVE DIFFERENT STATUTES ON THE FEDERAL SIDE THAN ON THE STATE SIDE, SO YOU CAN GO AFTER GANG MEMBERS FOR RACKETEERING CASES.

WE'VE SEEN GANGS SPLINTER OVER THE LAST DECADE OR SO AND HOMICIDE RATES REMAIN HIGH.

SO GOING AFTER THOSE CASES, PROSECUTING THOSE CASES, IS THAT EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING GUN CRIME?

>> IT IS.

ALL THREE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE TALKED ABOUT JUST TO PICK UP ON YOUR POINT IS THE ORGANIZATIONAL GANG CASE IS SOMETHING WE STILL DO.

THAT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

TO DO CASES, ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS IS REALLY IMPORTANT AS WELL.

AND THE SAME THING, THE TRANSFER.

WE KNOW TO -- WE REALLY NEED TO WORK AT EVERY PARTICULAR LEVEL BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS SO ACUTE, ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW THAT WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> I WANT TO MOVE ON TO THE OTHER BIG PRONG, SEVERAL PRONGS IN YOUR OFFICE, BUT PUBLIC CORRUPTION CASES, ALWAYS BEEN A HALLMARK OF THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS.

THE BIG ONE, COM-ED, ALLEGATIONS OF BRIBERY, A FORMER TOP OFFICIAL OF THAT COMPANY, LOBBYISTS FROM THAT COMPANY.

THEY PLED NOT GUILTY TO THOSE CHARGES.

PUBLIC OFFICIAL A IDENTIFIED AS THE FORMAL HOUSE SPEAKER IMPLICATED BUT NOT CHARGED.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE MORE INDICTMENTS COMING IN THIS BIG CASE?

>> GIVEN THAT IT'S AN ONGOING CASE, IT REALLY WOULDN'T BE APPROPRIATE FOR ME TO COMMENT ANY FURTHER ON THAT OTHER THAN TO SAY THAT OUR INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUE.

>> WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS CASE IS THE TRADING OF OFFICIAL BUSINESS, TRADING OF JOBS, SOME OF THOSE NON-PERFORMING JOBS IN CHANGE FOR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BE FAVORABLE TO COM-ED, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S THE ALLEGATIONS AND INDICTMENTS THAT WE BROUGHT TODAY, EXACTLY.

>> AND ALL THE FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN INDICTED PLED NOT GUILTY, DO YOU ANTICIPATE COOPERATION FOR SOME OF THESE DEFENSES?

>> WELL, THAT'S ACTUALLY -- JUST TO CORRECT YOU ON THAT, THERE IS.

>> I'M SORRY, COM-ED DIDN'T STRIKE THE DEFERRED PROSECUTION BUT -- >> THERE IS ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS CHARGED IN THE CASE THAT DID PLEAD GUILTY TO INFORMATION RELATED TO THE MISCONDUCT.

>> I STAND CORRECTED.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE IN ANY MORE COOPERATION?

>> IT WOULDN'T BE APPROPRIATE FOR ME TO COMMENT ON THAT GIVEN THAT THIS IS ONGOING AND WE OBVIOUSLY WELCOME ANYBODY, WHETHER CHARGED OR UNCHARGED TO CONTINUE TO HELP US IN PROSECUTING CASES LIKE THIS.

>> SPEAKING OF PUBLIC CORRUPTION, WE HAD A RECENT CONVICTION OF THE FORMER ALDERMAN, MUNOZ, AND THREE THAT WERE UNDER INDICTMENT, CARRIE AUSTIN, PATRICK BURK AND THOMPSON.

WHAT DO ALL OF THESE CASES SAY ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE OF CITY COUNCIL AND PUBLIC CORRUPTION?

>> HE IS TALKING DIRECTLY ABOUT ANY OF THE CASES THAT ARE CHARGED OR ANY THING OF THE THINGS THAT YOU POINTED OUT WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE UNDER INVESTIGATES.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, AS THE FBIS AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT APARTMENTS IN OUR OFFICE, WE RECEIVE ALLEGATIONS REGARDING HOW TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND SCRUB IT AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER THERE IS AN ILLEGAL SITUATION GOING ON, AND SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED IN THE OFFICE FROM THE TIME THAT I WAS A REGULAR PROSECUTOR UP UNTIL NOW AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE A PRIORITY IN OUR OFFICE GIVEN THAT THE PROBLEM THAT WE SEE IN CHICAGO IS A STUBBORN ONE OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS, FROM TIME TO TIME, USING THEIR PUBLIC OFFICE FOR THEIR OWN PRIVATE GAIN.

>> CAN YOU SEE THE PROBLEM IS WORSE NOW THAN IT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST, YOU SAY IT'S STUBBORN, SO KIND ABOUT THE SAME.

>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, ME OR ANYBODY ELSE CAN REALLY DESCRIBE, YOU KNOW, WORSE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

THERE'S BEEN A LONG HISTORY OF CORRUPTION, YOU KNOW, INSIDE ILLINOIS AND INSIDE THE CHOIGHT AREA.

SO I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD SAY ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR TERM.

YOU WERE APPOINTED BY THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

YOU STAYED ON DESPITE THE CHANGE IN PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION.

YOU SERVED AT THE PLEASURE OF THE PRESIDENT, TWO SENATORS FROM ILLINOIS TALKED ABOUT HAVING YOU WILL STAND IN TIRM UNTIL THEY FIND A SUCCESSOR ALTHOUGH ONE OF THE SENATORS TOLD US TODAY THEY HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED THAT PROCESS.

WHAT IS YOUR STATUS AND HOW LONG DO YOU PLAN TO STAY?

>> WELL, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'VE HIT THE STATUS RIGHT ON THE HEAD.

I MEAN, THIS IS A GREAT JOB.

I LOVE THIS JOB AND IT'S SUCH A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH SUCH FANTASTIC STAFF, BOTH LAWYERS AND STAFF MEMBERS.

SO I SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE PRESIDENT AND, YOU KNOW, SHARING NOTHING I WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP MY HEAD DOWN AND KEEP WORKING IN DISTRICT 19 TO DO WHAT WE CAN.

>> U.S. ATTORNEY JOHN LAUSCH, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, TAKE CARE.

>> UP NEXT AN EXHIBITION PAYING TRIBUTE TO GROWING UP ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> THERE IS MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING A NEW LOOK AT THE CAN'T THAT RECENTLY TOOK OVER THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE.

BUT FIRST AS CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE SURROUNDING THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER'S POTENTIAL DEPLACEMENT, AN INGLEWOOD ARTIST IS MAKING SURE THE NEIGHBORHOOD REMAINS IN TACT, EVEN IF IT'S JUST THROUGH THE DOCUMENTATION OF MEMORY.

>> ANGEL ETO TAKES US TO KEGS GALLERY IN HYDE PARK TO SHOW US THE TRIBUTE TO GROWING UP ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

>> WHEN YOU FIRST WALK IN, IT'S LIKE A SMALL HOMEAGE TO THE DOCTOR.

THE PEOPLE THERE WOULD TELL YOU WHAT YOU NEEDED TO BUY.

>> A MINI ARCADE.

THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE STAPLES VISITORS SEE WHEN WALKING INTO.

NUKI ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT MANSION, YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THE SOUTH SIDE IS.

THEY CONNECT AND GET THIS FEELING AND THIS WARMTH @LOVE LETTER TYPE THING OF WHAT IT FEELS LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE TOGETHERNESS, THE UNITY OF IT.

>> Reporter: THIS DOCUMENTATION OF TOGETHERNESS AND UNITY IS TARA LOVE WITH BLACK CHICAGO EXPERIENCES FROM THE STREET SIGN THAT READS COMMON LINGO TO A PIECE THAT REFERENCES THE SPIKE LEE DISPLAYED ON A THROW BLANKET YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN IN YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S LIVING ROOM GROWING UP.

>> SO TEXT ME WHEN YOU GET HOME, TELL ME ABOUT THIS SCULPTURE AND HOW IT'S REPRESENTATIVE OF CHICAGO.

>> IT REALLY SHOWS WHAT THE CHICAGO CONVERSATION IS AND ALSO TO A POINT TALKING ABOUT THE DANGER OF CHICAGO WHERE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, MAKE HOME SAFE, THE SOUTH SIDE PAINT SOMETHING LIKE A GUY REFERENCING, DO THE RIGHT THING.

HE'S GOT A FIESTA SHIRT ON, WHICH IS SUPER CHICAGO.

AND IN THAT PAINTING YOU SEE A NEON SIGN AND SPEAKING ABOUT THE HAS THE.

BUT IT REALLY DIDN'T DO MUCH IN THE SENSE EVER, YOU KNOW, POSITIVE THINGS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO IT'S A JUXTAPOSITION.

>> Reporter: AMONGST THESE PARALLELS, ALSO SOFTER MOMENT ITS OF ADOLESCENTS.

THERE'S ALSO TRIBUTES TO COMMUNITY ELDERS.

>> LOOKING AT THE RELATIONSHIPS SO YOU HAVE TOGETHER LIKE A PAINTING OF OLDER GRANDPARENT TYPE FIGURES AND A GRANDMOTHER, AND HE'S LIKE EXPRESSING THESE FLOWERS TO HER ON THE PORCH.

BUT THEN ALSO IT'S TO PATRICK KELLY, THE DESIGNERS OF A LOT OF THE OUTFITS AND MOVIES AND ALSO THOSE THAT INSPIRE ME WHEN I FIND OUT THEY EXIST.

IT'S LIKE TAKING OVER EVERYTHING.

THESE ARE THE FOREFATHER S. YOU HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD LIKE WHITLOCK AND HERBY HANCOCK, MICHELANGELO, ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT COME THROUGH THERE.

WE KNOW THAT.

YOU KNOW, EMPOWERING TO FEEL THAT THEY CAN DO IT OR CREATE THEIR OWN THING.

>> I JUST HOPE PEOPLE CAN SEE THE BEAUTY OF THE SOUTH SIDE, THE BEAUTY IN THE STORY OF THE SOUTH SIDE.

YOU KNOW, THIS HE NEED TO BE HIGHLIGHTED WAY MORE.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M ANGEL ITO.

>> YOU CAN RELIVE MOOKIE ON THE SOUTH SIDE AND ALL OF THOSE MEMORIES THROUGH THE END THIS WEEK AT CONNECT GALLERY IN HYDE PARK.

VISIT OUR WEB SITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, BRANDIS.

THANKS, STILL TO COME ON CHICAGO TONIGHT, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION COULD RESUME TRUMP'S REMAIN IN MEXICO POLICY THROUGH NECK POSSIBILITY.

WE HAVE SOME LOCAL PERSPECTIVES.

INSIGHTS FROM THE ATLANTIC WRITER WHO DID A DEEP DIVE INTO THE ELUSIVE HEDGE FUNDS AT CHICAGO TRIBUNE.

AND AN ALMOST BUILDING INFLUENCED BY THE ARCHITECT'S MENTOR LOUIE SULLIVAN.

BUT FIRST MORE ON TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

MASK MANDATES AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS COULD BE LIFTED IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

GOVERNOR PRITZKER AND THE STATE'S TOP HEALTH OFFICIAL DR. EZIKE CITED DECLINING COVID OUTBREAKS AND TALKED ABOUT ILLINOIS' EFFORTS TO GET ALL THE STATE'S SENIORS A VACCINE BOOSTER SHOT.

>> ADVANCED AGE IS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT RISK FACTORS IN BREAK-THROUGH HOSPITALIZATION AND DES.

WHICH IS EXACTLY WHY BOOSTER SHOTS ARE BEING RECOMMENDED FOR EVERYONE 65 AND OLDER AS WELL AS ALL PEOPLE LIVING IN LONG TERM CARE FILL ITS.

ALSO TODAY CITY OFFICIALS REMOVED FLORIDA AND HAWAII AND WASHINGTON D.C. FROM THE TRAVEL RESTRICTION LIST NOTING DECLINING OCCASIONS IN THOSE AREAS.

THAT LEAVES 45 STATES ON THE LIST WHERE TRAVELERS ARE ASKED TO QUARANTINE FOR 10 DAYS OR REQUIRE A NEGATIVE COVID TEST WITHIN 72 HOURS OF ARRIVAL.

>> A $5,000 FINE AGAINST THE OWNER OF THE WNBA CHAMPION CHICAGO SKY.

SKY OWNER MICHAEL ALTER EMAILED CHICAGO FIRST LADY AMY ECKLEMAN TO ASK FOR MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S HELP CONVINCING STATE LAWMAKERS TO GRANT THE SKY A GAMBLING LICENSE BACK IN DECEMBER.

ALTER'S EMAIL SAID THAT HE HAD ALREADY SPOKEN TO LIGHTFOOT.

THE $5,000 FINE IS THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED UNDER THE CITY'S LAW FOR A SINGLE VIOLATION OF THE CODE.

BUT IT WAS STILL ALL SMILES FOR CHICAGO SKY PLAYERS AND FANS ALIKE AS THE CITY CELEBRATED THEM WITH A BIG PARADE IN MILL YES, MA'AM PARK TODAY.

>> THEY MADE THEIR WAY DOWN MICHIGAN AVENUE ABOARD DOUBLE-DECKER BUSES.

AND THE CITY THEN HELD THE BIG RALLY AT MILLENNIAM PARK FEATURING CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE GOVERNOR, THE MAYOR AND OTHER PUBLIC OFFICIALS AS WELL AS VICTORY SPEECHES FROM MANY OF THE TEAM'S STARS.

>>> READERS OF THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE MAY KNOW THAT THE TRIBUNE'S CAPITOL IS FROM A TAKEOVER BACK IN MAY.

WITH THAT FOLLOWED A MASSIVE ROUND OF BUY-OUTS AND SOME OF THE PAPER'S MOST WELL-KNOWN.

ONE WRITER WITH THE ATLANTIC DOVE DEEP INTO THE HISTORY OF THE COMPANY AND WHAT ITS OWNERSHIP COULD SPELL FOR THE FUTURE OF THE TRIBUNE IN AN ARTICLE THAT APPEARS IN THE MAGAZINE'S LATEST ISSUE.

AND JOINING TO US TALK ABOUT THAT STORY IN THE ATLANTIC IS McKAY COPPIN, A STAFF WRITER AT THE ATLANTIC.

WE REACHED OUT FOR COMMENT AND NEITHER HAVE RESPONDED TO OUR QUESTION.

McKAY, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> SO REMIND US WHO ALDON GLOBAL CAPITOL IS AND WHAT THE COMPANY BUSINESS MODEL IS WITH RESPECT TO NEWSPAPERS.

>> YEAH, ALDON IS A HEDGE FUND KNOWN TO FOCUS ON DISTRESSED COMPANIES, DISTRESSED BUSINESSES AND EITHER DRIVE THEM INTO BANKRUPTCY OR FIND WAYS TO MAXIMIZE PROFITS THROUGH COST CUTTING.

IN THE CASE OF THE NEWSPAPER BUSINESS, WHICH IS REALLY WHAT IT'S BECOME KNOWN FOR, IT PREYS ON LOCAL NEWSPAPERS THAT ARE FINANCIALLY STRUGGLING AND STARTED AT THE TAIL END OF THE GREAT RECESSION, BUYING UP NEWSPAPERS AT BARGAIN PRICES, CUTTING THE STAFF, SELLING ITS REAL ESTATE, IN SOME CASES INCREASING SUBSCRIPTION PRICES AND IN SOME CASES OUTSOURCING CERTAIN SERVICES LIKE LAYOUT DESIGN OR COPY EDITING TO THE PHILIPPINES, AND GENERALLY FINDING WAYS TO INCREASE ITS OWN PROFITS AND CASH FLOW OFTEN AT THE EXPENSE OF A LONG TERM VIABILITY.

>> AND THIS REPUTATION IS WHY A LOT OF REPORTS OF THE TRIBUNE TRIED TO FIGHT THIS TAKEOVER.

SO WHAT DOES THIS TELL YOU ABOUT WHAT'S IN STORE FOR THE FUTURE?

>> WELL, IF YOU LOOK AT ALDON'S TRACK RECORD, THERE IS NOT A LOT TO BE EXCITED ABOUT, IF YOU'RE SOMEBODY WHO CARES ABOUT THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE NEWSPAPER.

YOU KNOW, IN CALIFORNIA, FOR EXAMPLE, WHERE ALDON KIND OF -- IT WAS EARLY IN ITS NEWSPAPER INVESTING STRATEGY.

A LOT OF ITS NEWSPAPERS HAVE BEEN CONSOLIDATED, SHRUNKEN DOWN.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME ANALYSIS, FISCAL ANALYSIS THAT SHOW THAT ALDON'S NEWSPAPERS CUT THEIR STAFF AT TWICE THE RATE AS THE REST OF THE INDUSTRY.

SO I THINK MOST INDUSTRIES ARE EXPECTING CONTINUED TRACTION, SMALLER NEWSROOM, SPREAD MORE THINKER TRYING TO DO MORE AND MORE WITH LESS AND LESS.

>> AND YOU TALK ABOUT THE OWNERS OF THE COMPANY, YOU FINALLY GOT AHOLD OF ONE OF THEM.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THEM?

>> I SPOKE TO CHIEF FRIEDMAN WHO'S THE PRESIDENT OF ALDON GLOBAL CAPITOL AND THE PROTEGE OF THE PIONEERING VULTURE INVESTORS.

HE WAS INTERESTING, HIS ARGUMENT TO ME WAS, ESSENTIALLY, LOOK, THE NEWSPAPER BUSINESS IS IN BAD SHAPE.

A LOT OF THE NEWSPAPERS THAT WE HAVE PURCHASED HAVE BEEN ON THE BRINK OF BANKRUPTCY OR LIQUIDATION AND IF NOT FOR US THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN SHUT DOWN.

THAT IS CERTAINLY TRUE IN SOME CASES BUT IT'S NOT TRUE IN ALL CASES.

IN FACT, IN THE CASE OF THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE, THAT PAPER WAS PROFITABLE WHEN ALDON BOUGHT IT.

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE, THE TRIBUNE COMPANY IN GENERAL, WHICH INCLUDED A BUNCH OF NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WAS PROFITABLE.

ALDON BOUGHT IT AND STILL OFFERED THE BUY-OUTS AND FOUND WAYS TO CUT COSTS AND SHRINK THE NEWSROOM.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF THEY CAN CREDIBLY HE MAKE THE CASE THAT THEY'RE SAVING THE NEWSPAPERS.

IF ANYTHING, THEY'RE MAKING A PROFIT BY ESSENTIALLY DRIVING THEM INTO THE GROUND.

>> AND IN FACT THE THRIB BIEWN WAS PROFITABLE WAS A CASE THAT SOME OF THE REPORTERS OVER THERE WERE MAKING IN TRYING TO BLOCK THIS DEAL.

YOUR ARTICLE DID GET SOME BACKLASH FROM SOME OF THE STAFF MEMBERS THERE SAYING THE PAPER HIRED A NEW EDITOR, THERE ARE STILL REPORTERS THERE THAT TURN OUT A LOT OF CONTENT EVERY DAY SO REPORTS OF THE PAPER ARE PERHAPS A LITTLE PREMATURE.

>> YEAH, AND LOOK, I SYMPATHIZE WITH THEM.

THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF GREAT JOURNALISTS HERE DOING GREAT WORK.

AND THEY'RE RIGHT ABOUT THAT, YOU KNOW.

I DON'T THINK THAT YOU CAN WRITE OFF THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE AT ALL ANY MORE THAN YOU CAN WRITE ALL ANY OF THESE GREAT LOCAL NEWSPAPERS.

THE TENOR OF THE STORY THAT I WROTE WAS TO LOOK AT AND EXAMINE THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THESE JOURNALISTS ARE LABORING, THEY'RE BEING ASKED TO DO AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT WITH FEWER AND FEWER RESOURCES, AND THAT TASK THAT THEY'RE BEING GIVEN IS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT, BUT I THINK THEY DESERVE A LOT OF CREDIT TRYING TO SERVE THEIR CITY.

>> AND YOUR ARTICLE TALKS ABOUT DISTURBING CORRESPONDENCE LAYINGS BETWEEN MARKETS WHERE LOCAL -- CORRELATIONS WHERE MARKETS HAVE ALL BEEN DISAPPEARED AND MARKETS ARE ALL BUT A DOMINANT PLAYER.

>> YEAH, THIS IS A KEY POINT.

THIS ISN'T JUST A STORY THAT SHOULD MATTER TO JOURNALISTS, RIGHT.

THERE'S A HUGE BODY OF RESEARCH THAT SHOWS THAT WHEN A LOCAL NEWSPAPER SPECIFICALLY DIMINISHES, VOTER TURN-OUT, POLARIZATION INCREASES, THERE'S A JENNY ROGUES OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT CITY BUDGETS GET BIGGER ALONG WITH AN INCREASE IN DYSFUNCTION AND CORRUPTION BECAUSE THERE ARE JOURNALISTS LO -- THERE AREN'T JOURNALISTS LOOKING INTO ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION, SO BASICALLY BAD APPLES ARE ABLE TO GET AWAY WITH MORE.

SO THIS IS A STORY THAT MATTERS JUST -- BEYOND THE NEWSROOMS THAT ARE BEING EFFECTED.

>> AND OBVIOUSLY THE RESIDENTS HERE IN CHICAGO, WE COVERED THE FIGHTS FROM SOME REPORTS TO TRY TO FIND WEALTHY SOUTERS TO INVEST IN THE PAPER TO BLOCK ALDON'S TAKEOVER.

WHY DO YOU THINK ULTIMATELY NO ONE STEPPED FORWARD?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

THE OTHER NEWSPAPERS OWNED BY TRIBUNE COMPANY HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE SUCCESS FINDING PEOPLE TO STEP UP AND TRY TO SAVE THEM FROM ALDON AND IN THE END ALDON WAS ABLE TO PRINT WHAT THEY WANTED.

I THINK THAT IN CHICAGO, IN PARTICULAR, THE TRIBUNE HAS HAD A SUCCESSION OF LESS THAN IDEAL OWNERS FROM MICHAEL PHARAOH, THIS IS A PAPER THAT'S BEEN THROUGH A LOT OVER THE LAST DECADE AND A HALF AND I THINK THAT MAYBE IT'S EARNED SOME CREDIBILITY ON THE BUSINESS SIDE, BUT HONESTLY, LOOK, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS SECTOR IS STRUGGLING, SO WHEN YOU'RE A DEEP POCKETED HEDGE FUND, YOU COME IN AND WANT TO BUY A NEWSPAPER, YOU'RE PROBABLY GONNA BE ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER THE BEST BID AND THAT'S KIND OF THE STARK REALITY THAT WE'RE FACING RIGHT NOW.

LESS PHILANTHROPIC, CIVIC LEADERS DECIDE TO STEP UP, UNLESS THEY DECIDE TO STEP UP.

>> OUR THANKS TO McKAY COPPINS, THANKS SO MUCH.

>>> UP NEXT, WHAT IMPACT DOES THE REMAINING MEXICO POLICY HAVE ON ASYLUM SEEKERS IF IT'S RESUMED NEXT MONTH.

BUT FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

THE?

THE REMAIN IN MEXICO POLICY MAKES ASYLUM SEEKERS WAIT FOR THEIR U.S. IMMIGRATION HEARING ON THE MEXICAN SIDE OF THE BORDER.

THIS IS A POLICY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ENDED ON HIS FIRST DAY IN OFFICE AND NOW HIS ADMINISTRATION FACES LEGAL CHALLENGES AFTER BEING SUED BY TEXAS AND MISSOURI FOR REMOVING IT HERE TO DISCUSS THIS POTENTIAL IMPACT ARE SUSAN GZESH, AND HELL LANE THAT OLEA, A DIRECTOR FOR ALIANZA AMERICAS IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE REGIONAL PRESIDENT OF CENTRAL AMERICA.

BIDEN ORIGINALLY DECLARED THIS TRUMP IRA POLICY AS INHUMANE.

WALK US THROUGH BRIEFLY, IF YOU CAN, WHY HE'S RESUMING IT.

>> WELL, HE'S NOT RESUMING IT EXACTLY VOLLEY.

A DISTRICT COURT IN TEXAS IS IN AN UNUSUAL LOOP.

>> THEY ORDERED THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION REINSTATE THIS AND THE DISTRICT COURT UPHELD THE SUPREME COURT ORDER SO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS TO REI STATE IN GOOD FAITH IS WHAT THE TERMS OF THE ORDER ARE BUT THERE'S ALSO ALMOST A PING-PONG MATCH GOING ON ACROSS THE BOARD WE ARE MEXICO.

BECAUSE IT REALLY IS A PIECE OF FOREIGN POLICY.

>> ABSOLUTELY, HELENA OLEA, YOU HAVE VISITED.

WHAT IMPACT HAVE YOU SEEN THIS HAVE ON THE LIVES OF MIGRANTS AT THE BORDER?

>> WELL, SOCIAL SERVICES, THE MVP CREATES REFUGEES CABS IN MEXICO FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SEEKING PROTECTION IN THE U.S. AND SENT BACK TO WORK IN MEXICO.

THESE CONDITIONS ARE NOT SAFE CONDITIONS.

THERE HAS BEEN A NUMBER OF REPORTS INDICATING THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE KILLED, AND WOMEN WHO ARE RAPED IF THEY ARE WAITING AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER, LIVING IN UNSANITARY, UNSATISFY CONDITIONS.

SO THERE IS NO REASON WHY -- UNSAFE CONDITIONS.

>> THIS POLICY HINGES ON THE APPROVAL OF THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT, SUSAN, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US RIGHT NOW ABOUT THE STATE OF THE MEXICO/U.S.

RELATIONS?

>> WELL, WE SAW DURING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THAT FOLKS WAS WILLING TO DO PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING THE U.S.

ASKED UNDER THE THREAT OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.

WE'RE NOT EXACTLY SURE FROM THIS SIDE WHAT'S GOING ON THERE BUT I'VE SPOKEN WITH MEXICAN COLLEAGUES WHO ARE MIGRANT REFUGEE ADVOCATES AND THEY ARE FILED A LAWSUIT URGING THE MEXICO GOVERNMENT NOT TO COOPERATE.

MEXICO SAID ITS COOPERATION IS BASED ON THE IDEA THAT PEOPLE, IF THEY'RE ALLOWED TO COME BACK TO MEXICO, THAT THEY WILL HAVE COUNSEL REPRESENTING THEM IN THE HEARINGS IN THE THE U.S.

SO THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE A PLAY FOR SOME KIND OF DECENCY IN THE WAY THESE ASYLUM SEEKERS ARE TREATED.

BUT A LIST OF ABOUT 83 U.S. LEGAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS HAVE TOLD THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO COOPERATE AND PROVIDE COUNSEL TO PEOPLE.

LAWYERS WERE IN AS MUCH DANGER ALMOST AS THE MIGRANTS IN THESE UNREGULATED INFORMAL CAMPS ON THE MEXICO'S SIDE OF THE BORDER FOR THEM TO MEET WITH CLIENTS AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT THEIR CASES.

DUE PROCESS IS NON-EXIST PENALTY AND FOR A TEXAS DISTRICT COURT JUDGE TO BASICALLY ORDER THE MEXICO GOVERNMENT TO DO SOMETHING IS OFFENSIVE TO MEXICO'S SOVEREIGNTY.

SO THE ADVOCACY COMMUNITY WITHIN MEXICO IS TRYING TO ASSIGN THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT AND SAY THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO COOPERATE BECAUSE OF OUTRAGE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW.

IT'S NICE TO KNOW THEIR EFFORTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER ARE TESTING THE LACK OF FUNDAMENTAL DECENCY AND ILLEGALITY OF WHAT THE MVP PROGRAM ACTUALLY IS.

>> AND HELENA, HOW DOES THIS POLICY AFFECT THE LIKELIHOOD OF ASYLUM SEEKERS HAVING THEIR CASES HEARD IN THE U.S.

IF THIS IS REIMPLEMENTED?

>> WELL, WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST THAT THE POLICY CREATES ALL TYPE OF VIOLATIONS TO DUE PROCESS RIGHTS IF THEY ARE ABLE TO FIND COUNSEL AND RECEIVE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPY AND TREATMENT THAT THEY NEED, THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO.

IN MANY CASES THEY ARE DENIED FUNDAMENTALS.

SINCE THE POLICIES HAVE BEEN REIMPLEMENTED WE CAN FORESEE THAT THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE LEGAL REPRESENTATION, THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, UNDERMIND THE BASIC RIGHTS OF THOSE WAITING AND AND THEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DIVE INTO THE PROCESS AND AVOID THE VIOLENCE AND -- [ INDISCERNIBLE ] LESS THAN 1% AND THOSE ARE THE STATISTICS OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE'VE BEEN RUNNING INTO IN THE PAST.

THIS IS NO ASYLUM PROGRAM.

>> SOME PRETTY HORRIBLE CONDITIONS AND OBVIOUSLY SOUNDS LIKE DIMINISHES CHANCES.

WHAT CHANGES IN POLICY ARE NEEDED IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF THE IMMIGRATION LAWYERS AND ADVOCATES?

>> AND THE REFUGEES REALLY, THE MOST IMPORTANT.

BUT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WAS STARTING TO DISMANTLE THE PROGRAM, THEY WERE ALLOWING -- I THINK IT'S UP TO 11,000 PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN PART OF 68,000 PEOPLE TO ALSO REMAIN IN MEXICO PROCEED INTO THE UNITED STATES UNDER CRIMINAL STATUS AND SOME OF THEM COME TO CHICAGO FOR EXAMPLE, THE NATIONAL JUSTICE CENTER, THAT ARE REPRESENTING THEM, SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE FULL AND FAIR HEARINGS ON THEIR ASYLUM BOOK.

SO THERE'S A WAY TO TEST PEOPLE FOR COVID AT THE BORDER AND A WAY TO MONITOR THEM COMING IN.

AND WHAT COMPARABLE HARM THE STATES OF TEXAS AND MISSOURI CAN BE PLEADING THAT COMPARES AT ALL TO THE HARM SUFFERED BY THESE FAMILIES?

I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS IN THE MIND OF THE JUDGE WHO ISSUED THAT ORDER.

>> A LOT MORE TO COME ON THIS.

WE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

MY THANKS TO SUSAN AND HELENA OLEA FOR EXPLAINING IT TO US.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> UP NEXT, DETAILS OF A MOSTLY FORGOTTEN FRANK FLOYD WRIGHT BUILDING.

STICK AROUND.

TODAY WE KNOW FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT AS ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL AMERICAN ARCHITECTS BUT EARLIER IN HIS CAREER HE DESIGNED PROJECTS YOU MIGHT HAVE TROUBLE RECOGNIZING AS HIS EVEN IF YOU LIVED IN THE BUILDING.

JEFFREY BEAR IS HERE WITH THE STORY OF ONE SUCH WRIGHT BUILDING THAT ONCE STOOD ON CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE IN THIS WEEK'S "ASK JEFFREY."

WELCOME BACK TO THE STUDIO, JEFFREY.

GOOD HAVE YOU HERE IN PERSON.

THIS QUESTION COMES FROM GLENLDZ LYNN WASHINGTON, I GREW UP IN BRONZEVILLE, AN EARLY BUILDING DESIGNED BY FRANK WRIGHT.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE BUILDING.

>> WELL, AS YOU ALLUDED TO, OUR QUESTION TO GLEN LYNN WHEN SHE WAS GROWING UP IN THIS BUILDING THAT WAS LOCATED AT 43rd STREET AND FORESTVILLE AVENUE IN WHAT IS TODAY BRONZEVILLE, SHE HAD NO IDEA IT WAS DESIGNED BY ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS ARCHITECTS AND IT'S ACTUALLY EASY TO SEE WHY.

IT LOOKS NOTHING LIKE THE GEE METRIC PRAIRIE STYLE THAT WRIGHT IS KNOWN FOR NOR HIS OTHER FAMOUS BUILDINGS LIKE THIS ONE IN OAK PARK, TALKING WATER, AND DOESN'T LOOK LIKE ANY OF THOSE AND THAT'S BECAUSE HIS STYLE WAS MORE REMINISCENT OF HIS ONE-TIME BOSS AND MENTOR LOUIE SULLIVAN AT THAT TIME.

WE OF COURSE KNOW SULLIVAN FOR REJECTING HISTORICAL STYLES AND PIONEERING THE ESTHETIC MODERN STORIED SKYSCRAPER WHICH IS HIS FAMOUS ADAGE INSTEAD OF PASTING ON GREEK COLUMNS AND ROMAN ARCHES TO HIS BUILDING.

LOUIE SULLIVAN WRITES I DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM INSPIRED BY ORGANIC NATURAL FERMENTS AS WELL AS THE BUILDING'S STRUCTURE.

SO YOU CAN REALLY SEE THIS PLAY OUT IN FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT'S FRANCE'S APARTMENT.

YOU CAN SEE THE TATER COT A ORNAMENTS THROUGH THE COURTYARD.

IT'S IN CONVERSATION WITH THE BUILDING'S GATE AND OTHER FLOURISHES.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT MORE OF THAT IN A MINUTE.

BUT IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY AT INTRT CONNECTING CIRCLES AND LINES.

IT FEELS STRIKINGLY CLOSE TO SOMETHING THAT SULLIVAN, HIS FORMER BOSS WOULD HAVE DONE.

I WOULD SAY IN LOUIE SULLIVAN'S DEPARTMENT STORE OR THE LAST MISSION WHICH WAS IN THE MUSIC STORE.

NOW, THIS WAS BUILT AS A MIDDLE INCOME HOUSING APARTMENTS ON THE UPPER FLOORS AND RETAY SPACE THERE ALONG 43rd STREET OVER THE YEARS THE FRANCIS APARTMENT SADLY DETERIORATED AND EVENTUALLY TORN DOWN REALLY WITHOUT MUCH PROTEST OR FANFARE THAT HAPPENED IN 1971.

>> NOW, WRIGHT AND SULLIVAN ARE BOTH TITANS WE KNOW OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE BUT THEY'VE HAD A COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP.

>> COMPLICATED WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT, I THINK.

WRIGHT JOINED SULLIVAN'S FIRM, WHICH IS CALLED ALER AND SULLIVAN IN 1888 AND WORKED AS A DRAFTSMAN ON ONE OF THE FIRM'S MOST FAMOUS PROJECTS, THE AUDITORIUM BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO.

THEY WOULD WORK TOGETHER FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS UNTIL WRIGHT STARTED MOON LIGHTING DESIGNING HOUSES FOR HIS OWN CLIENTS TO MAKE EXTRA CASH.

THIS WAS A TOTAL VIOLATION OF HIS CONTRACT WITH SULLIVAN AND SULLIVAN FURIOUSLY FIRED HIM AND THAT LED TO BAD BLOOD BETWEEN THE TWO THAT LASTED UNTIL NEAR THE END OF SULLIVAN'S LIFE WHEN EVENTUALLY THEY LOOKED AT RETRO STYLE.

NOW, THIS INCLUDED THE NOTABLE CHARMING PRETTIES KEY HOUSE, IS NOW THE HOME OF THE SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS.

THEY WERE THE ARCHITECTS OF RECORD ON THAT BUILDING, THE HOME.

BUT SOCIETY TELLS US THAT WRIGHT REALLY OVERSAW MANY OF THE DETAILS OF LIKELY INCLUDING THESE BALANCESTERS ON THE SECOND FLOOR WHICH REALLY FEEL -- BALISTERS WHICH FEEL LIKE A FORESHADOWING OF WRIGHT'S HISTORIC STYLE.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING LEFT OF THE FRANCIS APARTMENTS TODAY?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, NOT MUCH.

THE SITE IS NOW HOME TO A SERIES OF CONTRARY TOWNHOUSES, IT'S PART OF A LARGER WAVE OF CONSTRUCTION, NEW CONSTRUCTION IN BROWNSVILLE.

A FEW REMNANTS WERE THE BUILDING ARE NOW HOUSED AT THE ART INSTITUTE INCLUDING THIS CAGE FROM THE ORIGINAL ENTRANCEWAY AS WELL AS THIS INTRICATE VENTILATOR GRILLE THAT WRIGHT DESIGNED FOR THE BUILDING.

BUT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SEE A RARE SURVIVING EXAMPLE OF WRIGHT'S EARLY SULLIVANESQUE WORK, YOU HAVE TO GO ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF NORTH OF THE SITE OF THE FORMER APARTMENTS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AND YOU'LL GET TO THE ROLESON ROW HOUSES ON HAD 32nd STREET.

NOTICE THE SULLIVANESQUE ORIENTATION ON THE FRONT.

WRIGHT DID THE REMODELING JOB IN 1884 A YEAR BEFORE HE DESIGNED THE FRANCIS ARM APARTMENTS AND JUST A YEAR AFTER SULLIVAN VOTED HIM OUT, SO IT WAS RIGHT BEFORE HE WAS WRIGHT.

AND THE INTERIORS OF THE ROWS HOPES WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE IN 1991 BUT THE ORIGINAL SKELETONS REMAIN AND ARE A LOCAL LANDMARK.

>> ALL GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>>> DON'T FORGET YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEB SITE FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE FRANCIS PARTIALS AND WHILE YOU'RE THERE, DON'T FORGET TO SUBMITTED YOUR OWN QUESTION TO JEFFREY BEAR... AND WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> IS THAT IS OUR SMOA FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

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

THE LATEST ON MIX-MATCH COVID BOOSTERS AND THE DESPITE AGAINST VACCINE HESITANCY.

>> PLUS, IN THE STUDIO AND AT THE MUSEUM WITH ARTIST TONY FITZPATRICK AND HIS DEPICTIONS OF NATURE IN THE CITY.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT.

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.