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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THERE IS ANOTHER REASON WHY I VOTE NO, MAYOR.

AND IT'S BECAUSE THE CITY CANNOT TRUST YOU.

>> DESPITE BACKLASH CITY COUNCIL VOTES YES FOR THE MAYOR'S MULTIBILLION DOLLAR BUDGET WHAT IT DOES AND DOES NOT INCLUDE.

>> YOU CANNOT LEGISLATE HEALTHY PARENT-CHILD COMMUNICATION.

>> ADVOCATES ARE WORKING TO STRIKE DOWN THE STATE'S FINAL ABORTION RESTRICTIONS THAT AND MORE FROM SPRINGFIELD.

>> NEW CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL C.E.O.

PEDOR MARTINEZ ON A STEEP DROP IN ENROLLMENT A RECORD-HIGH GRADUATION RATE AND HIS VISION FOR C.P.S.

>> WE ARE COMING FOR EVERYONE OF YOUR DAMN SEATS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT THE WAY A GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO RUN.

>> THE BATTLE OVER VACCINE MANDATES OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM BREAKS IT DOWN.

>> AN F.D.A.

PROPOSAL COULD MAKE HEARING AIDS AVAILABLE OVER-THE-COUNTER AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR PEOPLE WITH MILD TO MODERATE HEARING LOSS.

>> RESTROOMS A RARITY A TRIBUNE INVESTIGATION THAT LOOKS THE A SHORTAGE OF PUBLIC RESTROOMS IN THE CITY.

>> AND SEARCHING FOR EQUITY ON MUSEUM WALLS AN EXHIBIT LOOKS THE WHICH ART GETS SHOWN AND WHY.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> ILLINOIS STRAPTS STRUGGLING TO MAKE RENTED COULD BE GETTING ASSISTANCE FOR THE STATE.

GRANTS WILL BE AVAILABLE STARTING NOVEMBER 8TH.

>> THE REOPENING OF THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PAYMENT PROGRAM IS CRITICAL RIGHT NOW.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE RIGHT NOW WHO ARE AFRAID THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE A PLACE.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE AFRAID THEIR SHELTER MAY NOT HAVE ENOUGH BEDS AND OUR DUTY IS TO MAKE SURE WE PREVENT HOMELESSNESS AT ALL COSTS.

>> THE PROGRAM PAYS RENT DIRECTLY TO LANDLORDS.

ILLINOIS APPROVED 57 APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE WORTH MORE THAN $515 MILLION IN THIS FIRST ROUND.

>> FEWER STUDENTS ARE ATTENDING CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IT FELL TO 330,000 STUDENTS A DECLINE OF 3%.

BUT IT'S PART OF A DECLINE OF 18.3% OVER THE LAST DECADE.

THE DISTRICT COUNTS AN OVERALL DECLINE IN THE BIRTH RATE AND TRANSFERS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS OUTSIDE OF C.P.S.

AS REASONS FOR THE DECLINE.

THE DISTRICT CALCULATES ENROLLMENT BASED ON THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ON THE 20TH SCHOOL DAY OF THE YEAR WHICH IS ONE MONTH AGO ON SEPTEMBER 27.

AND WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH NEW C.P.S.

C.E.O.

PEDOR MARTINEZ IN A FEW MINUTES.

ALDERMAN PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON IS EXPECTED TO STAND TRIAL ON FEDERAL CHARGES STARTING IN FEBRUARY.

A JUDGE SET THAT TRIAL DATE THIS MORNING.

HIS TRIAL HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO START LAST WEEK BUT WAS POSTPONED AFTER A MEMBER OF THE PROSECUTOR'S FAMILY SUFFERED A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

THE ALDERMAN IS ACCUSED OF LYING TO BANK REGULATORS AND FILING FALSE TAX RETURNS.

HE HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY ONE OF THREE SITTING ALDERPEOPLE CHARGED WITH FEDERAL CRIMES.

CAN YOU READ MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

UP NEXT, THE FULL CITY COUNCIL SOCIETIED ON AND -- VOTED ON AND PASSED THE MAYOR'S MULTIBILLION DOLLAR BUDGET.

BUT WAS EVERYONE ONBOARD?

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY...

IF A FINAL VOTED, CHICAGO'S CITY COUNCIL APPROVES MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S $16.7 BILLION BUDGET TODAY.

THIS COMES AFTER A SERIES OF LAST-MINUTE CHANGES INCLUDING THE BUDGET'S MENTAL HEALTH AND HOUSING COMPONENTS.

AND HERE IS THE MAYOR AFTER TODAY'S BIG VOTE.

>> WITH THE PASSAGE OF THIS BUDGET, THE COLLECTIVE WE ARE SERVING NOTICE THAT OUR FUTURE AS A GREAT GLOBAL CITY LIES IN ALL 77 OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

ALL OF THEM.

[APPLAUSE] AND THAT WE WILL LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND.

>> AND WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US WITH MORE.

LET'S GO THROUGH THE FINER POINTS OF THIS BUDGET THAT PASSED TODAY.

FIRST, IT TAKES EFFECT JANUARY 1 OF NEXT YEAR.

IT SPENDS NEARLY $2 BILLION IN FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS AND SETS ASIDE 31 MILLION FOR DIRECT CASH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN THE FORM OF $500 PER MONTH FOR A YEAR TO 5,000 FAMILIES AND SENDS $2 BILLION TO THE PENSION FUNDS AND MARKS 275 MILLION FOR OFFICER PAY INCREASES.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, 2 BILLION FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY HOW ELSE IS THE CITY GOING TO PAY FOR THIS LARGE SPENDING BUDGET?

>> NOT ONLY THAT THE CITY HAS TO CLOSE A $733 MILLION BUDGET GAP WHICH WAS WHAT WAS LEFTOVER FROM THE RAVAGES OF THE WORST OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC INDUCED ECONOMIC COLLAPSE.

SO THE CITY'S GOING TO REFINANCE $1.2 BILLION TO SAVE ANOTHER QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS.

AND IT IS -- AND THE MAYOR IDENTIFIED ANOTHER $300 MILLION IN SAVINGS TO MAKE THIS VERY COMPLICATED BUDGET PLAN WORK.

>> AND THERE'S LAST-MINUTE CHANGES INCLUDING SPENDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER CITY SERVICES.

IT DIDN'T MAKE EVERY SINGLE ALDERPERSON HAPPY.

HERE IS ONE THAT STILL VOTED NO.

>> YOU ARE STILL HERE, THE MAYOR WORKED WITH PROGRESSIVE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ON HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS, MENTAL HEALTH.

BUT WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT WE SETTLE FOR A PITTANCE OF AN EXTRA 10 MILLION IN FUNDING OUT OF THE $100 MILLION REQUESTED.

10% OF WHAT IS NEEDED.

DESPITE THERE BEING TWO BILLION FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE FUNDING.

>> MOST WERE HAPPY WITH THE SPENDING ON MENTAL HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING ASSISTANCE WHAT IS THIS ALDERMAN GETTING AT?

>> ALDERMAN BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ WAS ONE OF SEVERAL PROGRESSIVE ALDERMEN WHO WANTED 1.9 BILLION FROM THE RESCUE PLAN TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE CHICAGOANS HIT HARDEST BY THE PANDEMIC.

BUT THE MAYOR SUSPENDED 70%, 1.3 BILLION TO FILL THE BUDGET GAPS LEFT FROM 2021 THIS YEAR AND TO SAVE MONEY FOR NEXT YEAR, 2023 IN CASE THE PANDEMIC CONTINUES TO RAGE.

TO MAKE IT ALL WORK, THE MAYOR ALSO GOT PUSHED THROUGH A PLAN TO BORROW $660 MILLION TO FUEL THOSE PROJECTS THAT EARNED HER THE SUPPORT OF THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS AND MOST OF THE SOCIALIST CAUCUS AS WELL.

BUT SOME ALDERMEN DID NOT THINK IT WAS ENOUGH.

>> ONE OF THE PROJECTS HAD $31 MILLION FOR DIRECT CASH ASSISTANCE TO 5,000 CHICAGO FAMILIES.

OR IS IT 500 FAMILIES.

REMIND US NOT EVERYONE WAS HAPPY WITH THAT, EITHER?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT PROJECT HAD BEEN BLOCKED FOR MONTHS BY THE CITY COUNCIL'S BLACK CAUCUS WHO WANTED THE CITY TO FIRST ADDRESS REPARATIONS FOR THE DEFENDANTS OF ENSLAVED AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

IT ALSO DREW FIRE FROM CONSERVATIVE ALDERMEN WHO CONSIDERED IT A GIVEAWAY THAT WOULD DISCOURAGE CHICAGOANS FROM SEEKING JOBS AND GETTING BACK ON THEIR OWN FEET.

IT PASSED BUT WE WILL HAVE TO WATCH WHAT THE RULES FOR THE PROGRAM ARE IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW THE 5,000 FAMILIES WILL BE CHOSEN AND WHAT CRITERIA WILL BE USED.

>> 5,000 FAMILIES GETTING $500 MONTHLY PAYMENTS.

>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE ABOUT THIS WHEN YOU JOIN US FOR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

BUT FOR NOW THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S STORY AND OUR WEBSITE ALL AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS AND THE NEW CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS C.E.O.

BRANDIS?

>> AND PARIS, AS WE MENTIONED ENROLLMENT DATA SHOWS A STEEP DROP IN THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ATTENDING CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

10,000 FEWER THAN LAST YEAR BUT THE DISTRICT IS BOOSTING A RECORD-HIGH GRADUATION RATE WHEN THE PANDEMIC HAS INTENSIFIED THE CHALLENGE OF KEEPING STUDENTS ENGAGED.

THIS IS ALSO A TIME WHEN C.P.S.

IS UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP WITH A FORMER GRADUATE TAKING THE HELM AFTER SERVING HEAD AS SAN ANTONIO'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

JOINING US IS THE NEW C.P.S.

C.E.O.

PEDOR MARTINEZ.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THE OFFICIAL ENROLLMENT NUMBERS CAME OUT SHOWING 10,000 FEWER STUDENTS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ACCOUNTS FOR THE DECLINE?

>> WE'RE SEEING IN THE DATA WE HAD A LARGER THAN NORMAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT TRANSFERRED OUT OF CHICAGO.

AS WELL AS WE'RE SEEING FOR YEARS JUST LOWER BIRTH RATES WHEN WE FACTORED IN THE GRADUATED WE HAD A RECORD GRADUATION RATE THIS LAST YEAR.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT CHILDREN COMING INTO THE SYSTEM AND YOU NET THAT OUT WITH CHILDREN LEAVING THE SYSTEM WE WERE DOWN 10,000 STUDENTS.

>> WHAT DO YOU PLAN ON DOING TO REVERSE THAT TREND?

>> FOR ME, I'M ABOUT TO FINISH MY FIRST MONTH.

AND I JUST HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS AS I LOOK AT OUR NEIGHBORS WE HAVE 27 NEIGHBORHOODS AND WE ARE A CITY OF NEIGHBORHOODS.

I WANT TO LOOK AT NEIGHBORHOOD BY NEIGHBORHOOD WHAT HAPPENED IN TERMS OF ENROLLMENT AND QUESTIONS AROUND THE QUALITY OF THE PROGRAMMING.

ASKING DO WE HAVE A CLEAR STANDARD OF WHAT EVERY CHILD IN C.P.S.

SHOULD BE RECEIVING AND WITH THAT STANDARD WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE NEIGHBORHOOD BY NEIGHBORHOOD?

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I HAVE IS ARE CHILDREN READING BECAUSE THE QUALITY PROGRAM IS NOT AS ACCESSIBLE OVER EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE NEXT MONTH I WILL BE BRINGING MORE INFORMATION TO THE COMMUNITY AND DEVELOPING A PLAN WITH THEM HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD TO BOTH ADDRESS NOT ONLY THE ENROLLMENT DECLINE AND MAKING SURE CHILDREN FEEL GOOD AND HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMMING.

>> THE DISTRICT HAS TAKEN CRITICISM FOR WHAT IS BELIEVED TO NOT BE DOING ENOUGH TO PROTECT STUDENTS AND STAFF FROM COVID-19.

GIVE US A BRIEF UPDATE WHERE YOU ALL STAND WITH REGARD TO TESTING AND CONTACT TRACING?

>> WHEN I STARTED IN THE DISTRICT I COULD FEEL THE ANXIETY FROM OUR STAFF AND OUR PARENTS.

AND SO FOR THE LAST MY FIRST FEW WEEKS I SPENT JUST A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME ON THIS.

I'VE BEEN DOING PARTNERING WITH OUR LEADER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

AND WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS FIRST OF ALL OUR CONTACT TRACING AND COVID TESTING SIGNIFICANTLY HAS BEEN RAMPED UP AND IMPROVED FROM WHEN WE STARTED THE SCHOOL YEAR AND I'M SEEING CASES AT A ALL TIME LOW.

HOVERING LETS THAN 200 CASES PER WEEK FOR STUDENTS AND WE HAVE 330,000 STUDENTS IN-PERSON EVERYDAY AND WITH 40,000 STAFF WE ARE SEEING UNDER 100 CASES OF STAFF HAVING COVID.

WITH THAT I WILL SAY THIS... WE ARE QUARANTINING WAY TOO MANY STUDENTS AND THAT IS I AM -- I'M HEARING MORE CONCERNS FROM MY STAFF AND PARENTS ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE WERE QUARANTINING TOO MANY CHILDREN.

IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FOLLOWING NATIONAL AND STATE GUIDANCE HOW TO USE COVID TESTING IN A MORE STRATEGIC WAY SO WE LESSEN THE QUARANTINE OF CHILDREN.

>> THE DISTRICTS IN THE PAST THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TEACHERS' UNION HAS BEEN STRAINED TO PUT IT MILDLY.

ARE YOU HOPEFUL THAT YOU CAN MEND FENCES AND WHAT IS THAT RELATIONSHIP LIKE SO FAR?

>> I WAS ABLE TO HAVE DINNER WITH JESSE AND STACY THE LEADERSHIP OF THE C.T.U.

AND WE TALKED ABOUT IS JUST SINCE THE TIME I'VE BEEN GONE THERE'S TRUST THAT HAS BEEN LOST.

I'VE BEEN GONE FOR 12 YEARS AND WE TALKED ABOUT HOW DO WE START RETHE THAT TRUST?

-- REBUILDING THAT TRUST.

WE MADE THE COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE TO TALK AND MEET ON A REGULAR BASIS AND DISCUSS ISSUES.

I THINK WE HAVE MORE THINGS IN COMMON THAN APART.

THAT IS MY GOAL.

TO WORK WITH THEM.

THEY ARE A CRITICAL PARTNER FOR US IN TERMS AS WE MOVE THE WORK FORWARD AND I WANT THEM AT THE TABLE.

THAT WAS MY COMMITMENT TO THEM IS LET'S AT LEAST MEET AND TALK AND WE'LL HAVE DIFFERENCES BUT WE WILL HAVE MORE THINGS IN COMMON.

>> C.P.S.

RELEASED THE YEARLY REPORT CARD SHOWING A RECORD-HIGH GRADUATION RATE AS A RECORD LOW DROPOUT RATE.

AND ALMOST ALL STUDENTS HAVING DEVELOPED A GRADUATION PLAN AS THE LEARN, PLAN, SUCCEED PROGRAM.

TO WHAT DO YOU CREDIT A LOW DROPOUT RATE DURING THE SECOND YEAR OF A PANDEMIC WHEN ENGAGEMENT IS A CHALLENGE AND ENROLLMENT NUMBERS HAVE FALLEN?

>> I COULDN'T BE PROUDER OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS.

LAST YEAR ONE OF THE THINGS I SAW WE HAD 6,000 12TH GRADERS DISENGAGED AT RISK OF NOT GRADUATING AND THE HIGH SCHOOLS LEVERAGED THE RELATIONSHIPS THEY HAD.

ONE OF THE THINGS I'M SEEING IN OUR HIGH SCHOOLS IS THE RELATIONSHIPS WHEN I TALK TO OUR STUDENTS AND ASK THEM DO YOU HAVE SOMEBODY IN THE SCHOOL THAT YOU CAN TRUST AND GO TO WHEN YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT SOMETHING AND I'M HEARING FROM OUR STUDENTS THAT THEY DO.

AND WE'RE SEEING IT IN THE DATA.

YOU LOOK AT THE ENROLL MANY DROPS THE HIGHEST NUMBERS ARE IN HIGH SCHOOLS BECAUSE THEY ARE STAYING IN SCHOOL.

I'M SEEING AMAZING PROGRAMMING AND ENGAGING THE CHILDREN PATHWAYS AND THINGS LIKE SOLAR TECH AND COMPUTER SCIENCE, IT PROGRAMS, FINE ARTS.

SO I THINK ALL OF THESE ITEMS ARE CONTRIBUTING AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR GRADUATION OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, BEFORE I LEFT, OUR GRADUATION RATE WAS UNDER 60% AND NOW WE'RE WELL CLOSE TO 84% ON A FIVE-YEAR RATE AND FOUR YEAR 80% AND DISTRICTS OUR SIZE, YOU DON'T SEE THESE HIGH GRADUATION RATES AND NOT ONLY THAT 70% OF OUR CHILDREN ARE GOING TO COLLEGE.

THEY ARE GENERATING OVER A BILLION DOLLARS IN SCHOLARSHIPS.

I'M PROUD OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS.

AND IT IS A TEAM EFFORT BETWEEN OUR ELEMENTARIES AND HIGH SCHOOLS TOGETHER.

>> AND PEDRO, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND IT'S IN BUSINESS AND NONPROFITS RATHER THAN THE CLASSROOM AND BEFORE JOINING C.P.S.

UNDER THEN C.E.O.

ARNIE DUNCAN AND SERVING AS BUDGET DIRECTOR, HOW DOES ALL OF THAT BACKGROUND INFORM THE WORK THAT YOU WILL DO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I'VE BEEN BLESSED.

I STARTED ON THE BUSINESS SIDE AND THE OPERATIONS SIDE OF THE WORK BUT I WAS MENTORED TO GO INTO THE ECONOMICS.

WHEN I ENDED MY FIRST TIME I WAS HERE WITH C.P.S.

I WAS SUPERVISING A GROUP OF SCHOOLS ON THE WEST SIDE AND WENT TO BECOME THE NUMBER TWO LEADER OVERSEEING ACADEMICS FULL-TIME, PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS REDESIGNING CURRICULUM AND CREATING NEW MODELS AND I DID THAT FOR YEARS.

THE LAST 12 YEARS THAT IS WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING FOCUSED ON ACADEMICS.

NOW COMING BACK TO CHICAGO I HAVE THE UNIQUE BLESSING TO BE ABLE TO SEE AND YOU HAD EACH OF THE ROLES.

BUT I TELL YOU, I AM HUMBLED BY THE WORK OF OUR TEACHERS.

WHEN I WALK INTO CLASSROOMS AND SEE OUR AMAZING TEACHERS HELPING OUR CHILDREN THAT ARE STRUGGLING WITH RIGOR OR A SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT OR STANDARD I'M HUMBLED BY JUST THEIR AMAZING WORK.

I WILL ALWAYS, ALWAYS HUMBLE MYSELF WITH OUR TEACHERS AND I ALSO FEEL BLESSED THAT I HAVE A WELL ROUNDED EXPERIENCE AND IT'S GOING TO SERVE ME WELL IN THIS ROLE.

>> CHICAGO'S MOVING TOWARD THE PARTIALLY APPOINTED PARTIALLY ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD FIRST ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR 2024 AND YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.

HOW DO YOU THINK THAT SHIFT WILL CHANGE C.P.S.

HERE?

>> IT'S ALL I'VE KNOWN AS A SUPERINTENDENT AND C.E.O.

IS ELECTED SCHOOL BOARDS.

I'VE HAD TWO SUPERINTENDENTSIES WHERE I WAS THERE FOR SEVEN YEARS.

I HAD A FULLY ELECTED BOARD AND THERE WAS TURNOVER WITH DIFFERENT ELECTIONS I NEVER HAD LESS THAN A 7-0 VOTE.

THAT HAS BEEN THE EXPERIENCE I'VE HAD.

FOR ME, I THINK IT'S LESS ABOUT THE GOVERNANCE IT'S MORE ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS AND THOSE HAVING A CLEAR VISION FOR THE DISTRICT AND BEING ALIGNED IN VALUES.

MY VALUES IS EQUITY MAKING SURE THAT EVERY CHILD HAS ACCESS TO QUALITY PROGRAMMING AND EVERYBODY HAS ACCESS TO REACH THEIR GOALS AND DREAMS.

>> AND PEDRO BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, RECENT C.P.S.

C.E.O.S SERVED FOR A SHORT TIME WITH THE EXCEPTION OF OUR PREDECESSOR.

ARE YOU HOPEFUL YOU WILL HAVE A LONG TENURE?

>> THE REASON I CAME TO CHICAGO I WAS DOING WELL IN SAN ANTONIO.

I HAD A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT AND IT WAS RENEWED AND EXTENDED TWICE.

I HAD A BOARD THAT COMPLETELY SUPPORTED ME.

AND THE ONLY REASON I CAME WAS NOT ONLY TO COME HOME BUT I WANTED TO BUILD ON THE SUCCESS THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST.

AND WHAT I ASKED FOR WAS THE LONGEST CONTRACT I COULD GET AND I HAVE A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT AND YOU GO BACK 10 C.E.O.S, SUPERINTENDENTS, YOU WON'T FIND SOMEBODY WITH A CONTRACT AS LONG AS THIS ONE.

SO THAT IS WHAT I FEEL BLESSED AND GRATEFUL TO MAYOR LIGHTFOOT GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY AND I AM GOING TO BE A CHAMPION FOR OUR CHILDREN HERE IN CHICAGO.

>> AND PEDOR MARTINEZ I KNOW YOU HAD YOUR FIRST BOARD MEETING.

I CAN SEE YOU ARE STILL IN THE OFFICE A LONG DAY FOR YOU.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU BACK ON THE SHOW SOON.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND NOW, PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU.

AND ILLINOIS IS ON THE VERGE OF ELIMINATING THE STATE'S LAST RESTRICTION ON ABORTIONS.

THAT IS AMONG THE ACTION IN SPRINGFIELD WHERE THE LEGISLATURE IS IN THE MIDST OF THE LAST SCHEDULED SESSION OF THE YEAR.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH THE LATEST.

WHAT IS THE LATEST?

>> WELL, SO, PARIS, ILLINOIS HAS HAD A LAW ON THE BOOKS SINCE 2019 FAIRLY RECENTLY THAT PROTECTS ACCESS TO AN ABORTION AS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT.

BUT CRITICS SAY THERE IS ANOTHER OLDER LAW THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE THAT INFRINGES ON THAT RIGHT AND THIS REQUIRES THAT PARENTS RECEIVE AT LEAST 48 HOURS NOTICE BEFORE THEIR MINOR CHILD CAN HAVE AN ABORTION.

AND CRITICS ARE WORKING TO REPEAL THAT PARENTAL NOTIFICATION ACT.

TAYLOR LANE IS A STUDENT AT UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO AND SAYS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LEGISLATE HEALTHY CHILD-PARENT CONVERSATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS.

>> CONVERSATIONS WITH CERTAIN DESIGNATED FAMILIES MEMBERS THIS LAW SERVES TO PUT YOUNG PEOPLE IN DANGER.

WE KNOW OUR LIVES AND SITUATION.

OUR WORK SHOWS US THAT YOUNG PEOPLE FORCED TO NOTIFY THEIR PARENTS FACE CONSEQUENCES AS HOMELESSNESS, ABUSE, AND LOSS OF FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT.

>> NOW, EXISTING LAW DOES OFFER A WORK AROUND TO PARENTAL NOTIFICATION BY ALLOWING TEENS WHO ARE IN POTENTIALLY ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS TO HAVE A CONFIDENTIAL HEARING WITH A JUDGE AND REPRESENTATIVE AVERY BOURNE A REPUBLICAN FROM CENTRAL ILLINOIS SAYS THAT OUTSIDE OF THOSE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, PARENTS SHOULD VERY MUCH BE MADE AWARE IF THEIR CHILD IS GOING TO HAVE A PROCEDURE THAT HAS GRAVE, SHE SAYS, EMOTIONAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND POTENTIAL HEALTH CONSEQUENCES.

>> THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT IF THIS WERE TO PASS THAT ANY PARENT WOULD EVER KNOW, EVER KNOW THAT THEIR 13-YEAR-OLD GOT AN ABORTION BECAUSE THEIR 20-YEAR-OLD BOYFRIEND TOOK THEM.

THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT THAT THEY WOULD KNOW.

>> THE SENATE LAST NIGHT VOTED TO REPEAL THAT PARENTAL NOTIFICATION ACT BUT THE HOUSE BEGINNING TO GATHER GOT A FULL NIGHT STILL YET AHEAD.

THERE IS STILL A LOT OF HESITANCY IN THE CHAMBER.

WE WILL BE WATCHING TO SEE WHETHER THEY SEND THAT MEASURE TO GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER WHO SUPPORTS REPEAL.

IT IS, HOWEVER, FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR OTHER ISSUES INCLUDING CHANGES TO THE RELATIVELY NEW LAW THAT GIVES CHICAGO AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.

AMONG THOSE CHANGES, PUTTING AN IMMEDIATE MORATORIUM ON CLOSURE OF ANY C.P.S.

SCHOOLS.

ALSO, A PROVISION THAT FORBIDS MEMBERS OF THIS TO BE ELECTED BOARD FROM GETTING PAID FOR THAT.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE CURTIS TARVER CONCERNED.

HE SAYS THAT TO DO THAT, BOARD JOB EFFECTIVELY YOU HAVE TO PUT IN 25-30 HOURS A WEEK AND HE IS CONCERNED THAT ONLY WEALTHY INDIVIDUALS WILL RUN TO BE ON THE ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD IF THERE ARE NOT GOING TO GET PAID FOR THAT WORK.

>> I KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF TALK NO OTHER SCHOOL BOARD IN ILLINOIS THAT IS ELECTED GETS PAID AND THEY DON'T HAVE 400,000 AND THE GUN VIOLENCE WE HAVE AND THE STUDENTS WITH PTSD THAT WE HAVE IN CHICAGO.

I JUST FEEL PERSONALLY AND I WANT TO SAY THIS FOR MY DISTRICT WHO WILL COME AFTER ME ABOUT THIS, THAT I THINK WE DO NEED TO PAY PEOPLE ON THAT BOARD.

WE PAY PEOPLE ON THE POLICE BOARD AND THEY DO NOTHING.

>> ANOTHER MEASURE POISED TO BE LIKELY HEADING TO PRITZKER'S DESK GUARANTEES THAT TEACHERS, CUSTODIANS, FOOD SERVICE WORKERS, BUS DRIVERS WILL BE PAID EVEN IF CLASSES ARE CANCELED OR THEY HAVE TO GO REMOTE.

CHRISTOPHER BELT TEACHERS ARE IMPORTANT AND WATCHED THE NEW MOVIE HALLOWEEN KILLS.

AND THE THOUGHT STRUCK HIM THAT COVID HAS DONE MORE TO WREAK HAVOC AND DEATH IN THE PAST TWO YEARS THAN THAT VILLIAN MICHAEL MEYERS HAS IN 40 YEARS.

>> AND, YET, WE REQUIRE OUR TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF TO GO IN-PERSON TO GO BACK IN-PERSON TO TEACH, TO DO THEIR JOBS AND ENCOUNTER THEIR STUDENTS AND QUITE POSSIBLY ENCOUNTER COVID.

>> NOW, SOME TEACHERS AS WELL AS NURSES AND OTHER WORKERS HAVE BEEN USING ILLINOIS' HEALTHCARE RIGHT OF CONSCIENCE ACT TO SKIRT COVID TESTING, MASKING, VACCINATIONS.

AND THAT LAW WAS PUT IN PLACE IN ILLINOIS TO PREVENT DOCTORS AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS WITH RELIGIOUS OR MORAL OBJECTIONS FROM HAVING TO PERFORM PROCEDURES SUCH AS ABORTIONS GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SAYS IT WAS NOT INTENDED TO AVOID THE RULES DURING A DEADLY PANDEMIC.

>> THAT'S VERY DIFFERENT THAN SOMEONE REFUSING TO GET TESTED WHEN THEY ARE WALKING INTO A SCHOOL.

THAT'S NOT A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER THAT IS JUST AN INDIVIDUAL JUST YELLING OUT CONSCIENCE AND SAYING I DON'T WANT TO DO IT.

ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH.

WE HAVE TO KEEP PEOPLE HEALTHY AND SAFE THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE MITIGATIONS THAT WE'VE PUT IN PLACE.

>> BUT THE PRITZKER ADMINISTRATION IS STRUGGLING TO WIN LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL FOR MODIFYING THE HEALTHCARE RIGHT OF CONSCIENCE ACT TO CLARIFY THE PROTECTIONS DO NOT COVER THESE COVID PROTECTIONS AND MITIGATIONS.

AT AN UNRELATED EVENT THIS MORNING PRITZKER WAS ASKED WHETHER THE STRUGGLE TO GET HIS WAY ON BOTH THIS AND THE PARENTAL NOTIFICATION REPEAL WHAT THAT SAYS ABOUT HIS POLITICAL INFLUENCE AND RELATIONSHIP WITH LEGISLATORS OR LACK THEREOF?

HE BRUSHED OFF THAT QUESTION INSTEAD SHIFTING THE BLAME SAYING THOSE ARE NOT HIS KEY INITIATIVES.

PRITZKER SAYS HIS PRIORITY IS WINNING TAX CREDITS AND INCENTIVES FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS AND THERE ARE NEGOTIATIONS ONGOING WITH THAT.

BUT SO FAR THAT, TOO, APPEARS TO BE STALLED THERE IS A RIFT WITH UNIONS.

PRITZKER TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT NEXT MONTH HE IS TRAVELING OVERSEAS GOING TO LONDON AND GLASGOW TO TALK ABOUT ILLINOIS' MAJOR ENERGY PACKAGE AND ALSO TO TALK ABOUT ILLINOIS AS A DESTINATION FOR CLEAN ENERGY BUSINESSES.

HINGING ON THAT INSTEAD OF THE PACKAGE GETTING PASSED HE WANTS ILLINOIS TO PLAY BALL IN THAT SECTOR AND PEEKING OF PAYING BALL ANOTHER PROPOSAL THAT WE'RE GETTING ATTENTION IN THE CAPITOL WOULD ALLOW BETTING ON ILLINOIS COLLEGE SPORTS EVENTS.

RIGHT NOW YOU CANNOT PLACE A BET IF THERE IS ANY SORT OF GAME OR MATCH WITH AN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE PLAYING.

BUT IT SEEMS AS IF THERE IS SOME -- IF I WAS GOING TO PLACE MY BETS IF YOU WILL, THAT THAT IS ANOTHER MEASURE THAT WILL BE GOING TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK TO ALLOW IT.

BACK TO YOU.

>> A LOT OF ACTIVITY RIGHT NOW.

INCLUDING AS YOU MENTIONED, THE PARENTAL NOTIFICATION LAW WHICH WE WILL TALK ABOUT MORE IN SPOTLIGHT.

UP NEXT SEARCHING FOR EQUITY ON MUSEUM WALLS.

SO STAY WITH US.

WHEN ART MUSEUM DOSE NOT REFLECT ON THE PAST SOMETIMES ARTISTS DO IT FOR THEM.

IN 1989 THE ARTISTS CALLED GUERILLA GIRLS RAISED THE QUESTION DO WOMEN HAVE TO BE NAKED TO GET INTO THE MET MUSEUM.

5% OF THE ARTISTS WERE WOMEN AND 85% OF THE NUDES WERE FEMALE THAT IS AMONG THE WORKS OF A NEW SHOW AT THE BLOCK MUSEUM OF ART.

MARC VITALI HAS THE STORY ON AN EXHIBITION CALLED WHO SAYS, WHO KNOWS, WHAT COUNTS.

[♪♪♪] >> WHO SAYS, WHO SHOWS WHAT COUNTS IS AN EXHIBITION OF CONTEMPORARY ART THAT CHALLENGES US TO QUESTION HOW WE THINK ABOUT THE PAST.

IT INCLUDES MORE THAN 80 WORKS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

ALL OF WHICH ARE NEW TO THE BLOCK'S COLLECTION.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING THINKING ABOUT WHAT WE COLLECT AND HOW AND WHY.

WE WANTED TO LOOK AT ARTISTS WHO ARE USING INTERESTING STRATEGIES TO HELP US TO THINK ABOUT THE PAST IN NEW WAYS.

>> ARTISTS INCLUDE CAR KARA WALKER WHOSE SILHOUETTES DEPICTURE RACIAL TRAUMA AND PAT PHILLIPS, REFERENCES THE MOVIE BOYS IN THE HOOD AND DISNEY ANIMATION.

ARTWORKS ARE GROUPED IN FOUR CATEGORIES: INSTITUTIONS, REFRAMING THE PAST, PLACE AND MEMORY, AND PORTRAITURE.

>> WITH PORTRAITURE WE ARE THINKING ABOUT WHO IS REPRESENTED IN HISTORY AND HOW AND BY WHOM.

IN THIS SPACE WE'RE THINKING ABOUT PLACE AND MEMORY.

HOW IS HISTORY ETCHED ON TO A LANDSCAPE OR ERASED FROM IT.

>> THERE ARE WORKS FROM TONIKA LEWIS JOHNSON FOLDED MAP PROJECT WHICH CONNECTS RESIDENCES CORRESPONDING ON THE NORTH AND SOUTH SIDES OF CHICAGO.

A STUDY OF MILES DAVIS MADE FOR THE WALL OF RESPECT THAT ONCE STOOD AT 43rd STREET AND LANGLEY.

INTERNATIONAL WORKS INCLUDE EMBROIDERY DEPICTING A TRAGEDY IN SOUTH AFRICA.

CIVIL UNREST IN MEXICO AND PHOTOS THAT DOCUMENT THE JILIN PROVINCE OF CHINA.

IT WAS WRITTEN BY MORE THAN THE CURATORS.

>> WE WANTED TO THINK OF WHO WAS GIVEN VOICE OF EXPERT.

YOU WILL SEE ALL OF THE LABELS IN THE EXHIBITION ARE WRITTEN BY STUDENTS, FACULTY, ALUMNI AND STAFF OF NORTHWESTERN.

DECENTRALIZING THAT VOICE AND GIVING IT OVER TO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> STUDENTS HAD A VOICE IN SELECTING SOME NEW ACQUISITIONS INCLUDING THIS.

>> IT WAS A WORK CREATED DURING COVID CALLED QUARANTINE BLUES A LOT OF THE STUDENTS AND I FELT LIKE IT WAS REFLECTIVE OF A LOT OF OUR EXPERIENCES AND ALSO IN AN INTERESTING WAY IMAGINING AND USING KIND OF THIS COLOR AND WHIMSY TO CHARACTERIZE IT IN A NEW WAY.

WE FELT IT WAS A MARKER OF THE HISTORY THAT WE WERE ALL EXPERIENCING AT THAT TIME.

>> MUSEUMS ARE ALWAYS MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT WE COLLECT AND WHAT WE EXHIBIT.

AND THAT SENSE WE ARE DECIDING WHOSE STORIES ARE MOST VALUED AND MOST VISIBLE.

AND WE FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO TAKE TIME THINKING ABOUT THAT TO INCLUDE MORE DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES AND THE STORIES THAT WE TELL.

WITH THIS EXHIBITION WE'RE PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN A BIT TO SHOW HOW THIS WORK THAT WE'RE DOING OF COLLECTING IS INTENDS TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE AND MORE INTENTIONAL.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> AND THE SHOW WHO SAYS, WHO SHOWS WHAT COUNTS, I SAID IT WRONG AT THE BLOCK MUSEUM OF ART ON NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY'S EVANSTON CAMPUS IT'S FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH DECEMBER 5.

YOU CAN SEE MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... AN F.D.A.

PROPOSAL COULD MAKE HEARING AIDS AVAILABLE OVER-THE-COUNTER.

WHAT THIS COULD MEAN FOR ACCESS TO HEARING TECHNOLOGY.

ARE RESTROOMS A RARITY?

WE HEAR ABOUT A INVESTIGATION HOW A SHORTAGE OF BATHROOMS ARE IMPACTING CHICAGOANS.

>> WE ARE COMING FROM EVERYONE OF YOUR DAMN SEATS.

>> THE SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THE BATTLE OVER THE MAYOR'S VACCINE MANDATE AND THE HEARING SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE JOHN DOE AT THE CENTER OF THE CHICAGO BLACKHAWK SEXUAL ABUSE SPEAKS OUT.

KYLE BEACH WAS A MINOR LEAGUER IN THE BLACKHAWKS ORGANIZATION AN INVESTIGATION CONFIRMED HE WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY A FORMER BLACKHAWKS VIDEO COACH.

BEACH SPEAK OUT ON CANADIAN SPORTS NETWORK AN OUTSIDE INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED CONFIRMED BEACH'S ALLEGATION AND THAT TOP BLACKHAWKS BRASS AND KEPT HIM AROUND FOR THE STANLEY CUP RUN.

STAN BOWMAN RESIGNED AMID OF THE FALLOUT.

AND HE TALKED ABOUT THE DISGUST HE FELT WHEN HE SAW ADD RIDGE OF RICH CELEBRATE.

>> IT MADE ME FEEL LIKE NOTHING.

IT MADE ME FEEL LIKE I DIDN'T EXIST.

IT MADE ME FEEL I WASN'T IMPORTANT.

AND IT MADE ME FEEL LIKE THAT HE WAS IN THE RIGHT AND I WAS WRONG.

>> BEACH SAYS HE BELIEVES BLACKHAWKS PLAYERS, COACHES STAFF AND MEDIA KNEW ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS AT THE TIME.

AND LATE THIS EVENING THE BLACKHAWKS RELEASED A STATEMENT COMMENDING BEACH'S COURAGE FOR COMING FORWARD AND APOLOGIZING ONCE AGAIN FOR THE TEAM'S MISCONDUCT.

>> U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND ADDRESSED CHICAGO GUN VIOLENCE TODAY.

GARLAND WAS TESTIFYING BEFORE THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY ILLINOIS SENATOR DICK DURBIN.

DURBIN ASKED ABOUT BEEFING UP EFFORTS TO GO AFTER STRAW PURCHASERS AND GUN TRAFFICKERS PARTICULARLY IN NEIGHBORING STATES LIKE INDIANA AND WISCONSIN WHERE ILLEGAL GUNS ROUTINELY WINDUP ON CHICAGO STREETS.

>> AS YOU KNOW CHICAGO IS ONE OF THE TASK FORCE CITIES THAT WE HAVE ANNOUNCED FOR PURPOSES OF TRACING THIS GUN TRAFFICKING PROBLEM.

AND WE ARE DOING SO AND FINDING THE STRAW PURCHASERS AND ARRESTING THEM AS WELL.

I COULD NOT AGREE MORE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS, SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS THE ATTENTION OF THE ENTIRE COUNTRY'S LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT.

>> AND NOW WE GO BACK TO BRANDIS WITH DETAILS INTO A NEW F.D.A.

PROPOSAL.

>> AND HEARING AIDS MAY SOON BE AVAILABLE OVER-THE-COUNTER.

THE F.D.A.

ISSUED A PROPOSAL TO ALLOW HEARING AIDS TO BE SOLD DIRECTLY TO CONSUMERS WITHOUT A MEDICAL EXAM OR FITTING BY AN AUDIOLOGIST.

AFTER CONGRESS PASSED LEGISLATION IN 2017 REQUIRING THE F.D.A.

TO CREATE AN OVER-THE-COUNTER CATEGORY.

THE AGENT SILL SAYS SOME 37 MILLION AMERICAN ADULTS HAVE DIFFICULTY HEARING BUT ONLY ONE IN FIVE PEOPLE WHO NEED HEARING AIDS ACTUALLY HAVE THEM.

ONE BARRIER IS THE COST.

SOME SAY THIS LEGISLATION COULD LOWER THAT FINANCIAL BURDEN.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSAL AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR PEOPLE WITH MILD TO MODERATE HEARING LOSS ARE BARBARA KELLY DIRECTOR OF THE HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA A CONSUMER GROUP WHICH HAS A CHAPTER IN CHICAGO.

AND MIKE SHARP AN AUDIOLOGIST AND THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF AD LOGICAL AFFAIRS AT THE ILLINOIS SPEECH LANGUAGE HEARING ASSOCIATION.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FIRST, MIKE, IF YOU WOULD, PAIN THE PROPOSAL AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR PEOPLE WITH HEARING LOSS?

>> SO THE PROPOSAL IS CURRENTLY FROM THE F.D.A.

IN A 90-DAY COMMENT PERIOD FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND CONSUMERS TO COMMENT ON.

WE DON'T HAVE A DEADLINE AS FAR AS WHEN THAT WILL BE OUT FOR CONSUMERS BUT IT SHOULD CREATE A CATEGORY OF HEARING DEVICES THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE OVER-THE-COUNTER FOR PATIENTS TO ACCESS.

WHAT IS NICE ABOUT THAT, IS FOR THE RIGHT CONSUMER THEY COULD BE A VERY GOOD OPTION FOR SOMEONE WHO MAYBE HAS PRICING ISSUES OR HAS SOME SORT OF MAYBE DOESN'T WANT TO ENTER THE HEARING AID MARKET SO THERE'S LOTS OF OPTIONS FOR PATIENTS.

AND HOPEFULLY WHAT IT WILL CREATE.

>> AND BARBARA KELLY WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE PROPOSAL FROM THE F.D.A.

AFTER THE 2017 LEGISLATION THAT PUSHED FOR OVER-THE-COUNTER HEARING AIDS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THE PROPOSED RULE AND WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

THESE ARE JUST FOR ADULTS WITH MILD TO MODERATE HEARING LOSS WHEN SOMEONE FINDS OUT THEY HAVE A HEARING LOSS THEY WAIT 5-10 YEARS BEFORE THEY DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND THAT IS TOO LONG TO GO WITHOUT THE HUMAN CONNECTIONS AND THERE'S CO-MORBIDITIES ASSOCIATED WITH HEARING LOSS.

IF IT GETS THE PERSON TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP SOONER WHEN HEARING HEALTH IS APPEARS TO BE MORE MAINSTREAM THAT SAY GOOD THING.

>> AND BARBARA YOU MENTIONED CO-MORBIDITIES WHAT ARE THOSE?

>> UNTREATED HEARING LOSS IS ASSOCIATED WITH FALLS AND THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT TAKES OLDER PEOPLE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

ISOLATION.

BECAUSE YOU'RE CUTOFF FROM HUMAN CONNECTIONS AND IT'S TOO HARD TO GO OUT IN GROUPS AND NOT BE ABLE TO HEAR OR FAMILY GATHERINGS.

SO PEOPLE TEND TO ISOLATE WHICH COULD LEAD TO ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION, AND THERE'S RESEARCH BEING DONE ON THE COGNITIVE LINK BETWEEN UNTREATED HEARING LOSS AND COGNITIVE DECLINE.

HEARING HEALTH IS VERY MUCH A PART OF OVERALL HEALTH AS IS EVERYTHING ELSE.

OUR BLOOD PRESSURE, CHOLESTEROL LEVELS, EVERYTHING.

>> AND MIKE SHARP WHO ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE?

THERE IS A MISCONCEPTION THAT IT'S JUST OLDER ADULTS IMPACTED BUT IT'S MORE PREVALENT?

>> MUCH MORE PREVALENT.

THERE IS A LOT MORE YOUNGER ADULTS WHO MAY HAVE LONG-TERM NOISE EXPOSURE BECAUSE OF THEIR JOB OR SOME PEOPLE FOR GENETIC FACTORS ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEARING LOSS.

WE SEE PATIENTS ALL THE TIME THAT ARE IN THEIR 40s AND 50s THAT MAY HAVE MILD HEARING LOSS.

MAYBE THEY ARE NOT READY TO WANT A TRADITIONAL HEARING AID AT THAT POINT.

A COUPLE THINGS TO BE CAREFUL OF THERE ARE HEARING LOSS CAUSED BY MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

SO AN EVALUATION IS ALWAYS THE MOST BENEFICIAL BUT IT'S ALWAYS NOT THE MOST REALISTIC.

AND AN OVER-THE-COUNTER HEARING TEST COULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR PEOPLE MAYBE THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE THE PROBLEM THAT WARRANTS A TRADITIONAL HEARING AID.

>> HOW EXPENSIVE CAN HEARING AIDS GET?

AND HOW MIGHT OVER-THE-COUNTER AIDS MITIGATE THAT.

>> HERE HEARING AIDS RUNS THE GAMUT THEIR TOP OF LINE WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE THAT MONITOR YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE AND WHEN YOU FALL AND THEY CAN RUNDOWN TO $2,000 A PAIR.

INSTEAD OF TALKING THOUSANDS, WE WOULD BE TALKING HUNDREDS.

BUT THE IMPORTANT THING TO NOTE IS WHEN YOU GET A HEARING AID WITH AN AUDIOLOGIST OR SPECIALIST YOU ARE PAYING FOR THOSE SERVICES.

AND FOR SOME PEOPLE THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

THE AFTER CARE, THE FOLLOW-UP.

THE FITTING THE ORAL REHABILITATION.

WITH OVER-THE-COUNTER PRODUCTS THESE ARE GOING TO BE TOTALLY SELF FITTING WITHOUT THE HELP OF A PROFESSIONAL.

SO WE'RE TALKING HUNDREDS AS OPPOSED TO THOUSANDS.

AND SOME PEOPLE JUST NEED A LITTLE HEARING ENHANCEMENT IN THEIR 50s MIGHT BE IN THE WORKPLACE, AGING INTO THEIR HEARING LOSS OR HAD A LIFETIME OF EXPOSURE MIGHT NEED HELP IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM AT A TABLE AROUND WITH THE MEETING.

SO THAT IS WHY THE OVER THE COUNTER MARKET OPENS UP A LOT OF POSSIBILITIES FOR PEOPLE.

>> AND MIKE, THERE ARE ALSO DEVICES CALLED PERSONAL SOUND AMPLICATION PRODUCTS THAT THE ARE AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET.

WALK US THROUGH THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE AND WHAT COULD BE THIS NEW CATEGORY OF HEARING AIDS?

>> AMPLIFIERS ARE NOT REGULATED.

THEY ARE THE WILD, WILD WEST.

MOST OF THEM TEND TO BE AMPLIFIERS THAT CAN TURN EVERYTHING LOUDER AND SOFTER.

THE DOWNSIDE IS MOST HEARING LOSS IS MORE COMPLEX.

MOST HEARING LOSS HAPPENS BECAUSE OF AGING PEOPLE WILL HAVE GOOD LOW PITCH HEARING AND MORE HEARING LOSS IN THE HIGH PITCH RANGE AND ISSUES WHERE I CANNOT HEAR I HAVE TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

THE PROBLEM IS PERSONAL SOUND AMPLIFIERS ONCE YOU TURN IT UP LOUD ENOUGH YOU MAY BE OVER AMPLIFYING AREAS OF THE HEARING LOSS OR LACK THEREOF.

AN OTC WOULD BE EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO HEARING TEST FROM AN AUDIOLOGIST OR SPECIALIST, YOU WOULD BE TAKING A SORT OF HEARING TEST USUALLY AN APP ON THE PHONE.

WE DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE ANSWERS YET.

>> AND IS SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE OUT OF TIME IT SOUNDS LIKE THE OTC HEARING AIDS WOULD BE MORE SPECIFIC DEVICES COMPARED TO THE OTHERS.

THAT IS ALL WE HAVE TIME FOR.

MIKE SHARP AND BARBARA KELLY THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> THANKS.

CHICAGO HAS A CRITICAL SHORTAGE WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC BATHROOMS ACCORDING TO AN INVESTIGATION BY THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" THAT FOUND CITY GOVERNMENT FAILED TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH EASY ACCESS TO FREE TOILETS WITH SCANT INFORMATION AVAILABLE ABOUT THOSE THAT DO EXIST.

THE STORY FOUND NOT ONLY A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE BUT A PUBLIC SAFETY ONE WAS WELL.

AND JOINING US IS ITS AUTHOR, EMILY HOERNER A REPORTER WITH THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE"'S INVESTIGATIVE TEAM.

EMILY THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

HOW MANY AVAILABLE RESTROOMS PUBLICLY ARE THERE IN THE CITY AND WHERE DO THEY TEND TO BE LOCATED?

>> SO I FILED A BUNCH OF INFORMATION REQUESTS TO COMPILE ALL OF THE BARRIER FREE RESTROOMS.

PUBLIC RESTROOMS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE YOU TO GO THROUGH SECURITY OR PAY FOR ENTRANCE, BE A CUSTOMER OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND AND WE FOUND THERE WERE FEWER THAN 500 OF THESE BARRIER-FREE, EASY ACCESS PUBLIC RESTROOMS IN THE CITY.

AND THEY ARE LOCATED ALL THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

WE DID FIND THAT THERE WERE SLOTS OF THE CITY THAT HAD FEW OR NONE OF THESE FACILITIES.

SO IT JUST VARIES FROM NEIGHBORHOOD TO NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> EMILY, HOW DOES THIS LACK OF BARRIER FREE RESTROOMS IMPACT CHICAGO RESIDENTS?

NOT JUST ON A PUBLIC HEALTH LEVEL BUT PUBLIC SAFETY?

>> I TALKED WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE UNHOUSED IN THE CITY WHO STRUGGLE DAILY, REGULARLY TO FIND A PLACE TO USE THE RESTROOM FACILITY.

WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE NEED TO DO EVERYDAY TIMES MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY.

AND IT CAN BE REALLY DIFFICULT FOR FOLKS YOU KNOW.

THEY STIGMA IT IS DEHUMANIZING TO HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM OUTDOORS IN ALLEYS TO BE SEEN DOING THIS SO IT PUTS PEOPLE IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION IF THEY DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO GO AND IT CAN LEAD TO PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS AS WELL PASSAGE AND SPREAD OF HUMAN BAFT AND IT CAN BE DANGEROUS.

>> AND IT CAN BE BAD FOR SOMEBODY'S CRIMINAL RECORD BECAUSE AS YOU FOUND, THE CHICAGO POLICE DO ISSUE A CITATION AND ARREST FOLKS FOR PUBLIC URINATION OR DEAF INDICATION TELL US WHAT YOU FOUND WITH THOSE STATISTICS?

>> SINCE 2016 THERE HAVE BEEN 29,000 TICKETS ISSUED FOR PUBLIC URINATION, AND DEAFFY INDICATION THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES.

THERE IS A SMALLER AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ARRESTED INCLUDING THERE WERE ABOUT 50 PEOPLE SINCE 2014 WHO HAVE BEEN ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS FOR PUBLIC URINATION AND DEFICATION.

>> AND WASHINGTON D.C. AND SAN FRANCISCO TRIED PILOTS WITH PUBLIC RESTROOMS HAS THE CITY OF CHICAGO INDICATED THEY HAVE POLICY THOUGHTS IN MIND TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE?

>> THE CITY TOLD ME THEY CURRENTLY HAVE NO EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO PUBLIC RESTROOMS AT THIS TIME.

>> AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER CITIES DOING AND ARE THEY WORKING?

>> YES.

SO DC IS A VERY INTERESTING PLACE.

THEY ARE TRYING TWO PROGRAMS.

ONE IS TO PLACE PERMANENT TOILETS THAT ARE INDESTRUCTIBLE OPEN 24/7.

AND BUSINESSES CAN OPT-IN TO BECOME A PUBLIC RESTROOM AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL INCENTIVIZE THEM THEY CAN LEAVE THE PROGRAM AT ANY TIME.

SO THOSE ARE TWO INTERESTING THINGS IN SAN FRANCISCO.

EMPLOYEES ARE POSTED AT PUBLIC RESTROOMS SO THEY HAVE SOMEBODY MONITORING THE RESTROOMS THAT DO EXIST.

AND PEOPLE THAT IN SAN FRANCISCO SAID THAT HELPED THEIR PUBLIC RESTROOM ISSUES.

>> AND YOU MENTIONED STAT STARBUCKS TRIED ALLOWING THAT AND IT'S BEEN KIND OF HIT OR MISS IN TERMS OF HOW THAT IMPACTS BUSINESS.

I WANT TO THROW UP A MAP WHERE THE PUBLIC RESTROOMS ARE.

PUBLIC PARKS ONE THING THE COLORS REPRESENT THE DIFFERENT PUBLIC BUILDING.

I LEARNED IN YOUR ARTICLE THAT POLICE STATIONS THOSE ARE PUBLIC RESTROOMS THAT ANYONE CAN GO IN AND USE, CORRECT?

>> YES.

AND THEY ARE SOME OF THE FEW RESTROOMS THAT ARE OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY OVER THE NIGHTTIME AND ALL YEAR LONG IN THE WINTER.

>> AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T USE THEM?

>> YEAH.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ARE UNAWARE THAT THAT IS AN OPTION.

>> AND YOU SAID THAT THIS IS PART OF THE PROBLEM THAT THE CITY ISN'T REALLY ADVERTISING WHERE YOU CAN GO.

>> RIGHT.

THERE IS NOT A TON OF INFORMATION.

THERE ISN'T ONE AGENCY THAT OVERSEES ALL THE PUBLIC RESTROOMS IN THE CITY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

SO PART OF WHAT WE WANTED TO DO WITH THIS REPORTING WAS BUILD A TOOL FOR PEOPLE TO USE AS WELL TO BE ABLE TO LOCATE SOME OF THE RESTROOMS.

>> CERTAINLY AN IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT DOES AFFECT A BROAD SWATH OF THE CHICAGO BODY POLITIC.

EMILY HOERNER THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> UP NEXT OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON VACCINE MANDATES, THE CITY BUDGET AND MUCH MORE.

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

THE MAYOR'S BUDGET PASSES BY A VOTE OF 35-15 AND PER PROPERTY TAX HIKE PASSES BUT WITH FEWER VOTES.

HERE IS OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM, HEATHER CHERONE, AMANDA VINICKY AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

SO EVERYBODY, AS WE HEARD EARLIER MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S BUDGET SAILED THROUGH CITY COUNCIL TODAY.

LOOK AT SOME OF WHAT SHE SAID THIS AFTERNOON.

>> THAT'S WHY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I AM SO PROUD OF THIS BUDGET.

TRULY THE MOST PROGRESSIVE AND FORWARD LOOKING BUDGET IN OUR CITY'S HISTORY.

PROPERTY TAXES GOING UP INCLUDING THE HIKE TIED TO THE RATE OF INFLATION WILL THERE BE POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS FOR THE HIKE?

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY BECAUSE IT'S ONLY GOING TO AMOUNT TO $38 A YEAR FOR A OWNER OF A HOME WORTH $250,000.

FOR SOME ALDERMEN IT WAS A DEAL BREAKER THEY COULD NOT ASK THEIR VOTERS TO PAY MORE.

AND THE NEXT ROUND OF MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IS NOT THAT FAR AWAY IN 2023.

AND IT SEEMS TO SEVERAL PEOPLE IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF INSULT TO INJURY ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH SPENDING ON A WIDE RANGE OF OTHER SOCIAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS.

>> AND CITY COUNCIL APPROVED $500 MONTHLY PAYMENTS TO 5,000 LOW INCOME CHICAGOANS.

WHO QUALIFY FOR THIS?

>> THAT IS REALLY THE $500 QUESTION.

WE JUST DON'T KNOW HOW THE CITY IS GOING TO CHOOSE THESE FAMILIES AND WHAT SORT OF CRITERIA THEY WILL HAVE TO MEET AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL'S BLACK CAUCUS CHAIR JASON IRVIN TOLD ME HE WILL BE LOOKING AT.

THIS IS ONE OF THE PROGRAMS WHERE THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS.

HIS CAUCUS HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR REPARATIONS TO THE ENSLAVED AFRICAN-AMERICANS HE IS HOPING TO SHAPE THE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THAT DESIRED IN AT LEAST A START WAY.

>> AND THIS IS A PILOT FOR ONE YEAR?

>> RIGHT.

JUST ONE YEAR.

AND IT WILL BE THE LARGEST IN THE NATION.

AND YOU HEARD MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAY IT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS SHE IS PROUD OF THIS BUDGET.

>> PARIS, THERE'S BORROWING IN THE BUDGET IN SPITE OF A WINDFALL FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WHY IS THAT?

>> THAT WAS TO GET PROGRESSIVE VOTES ONBOARD.

A LOT OF PROGRESSIVES WERE UPSET THAT THAT $2 BILLION IN FEDERAL MONEY A LOT WAS GOING TO PAYBACK A LOT OF HIGH INTEREST BORROWING THAT HAPPENED IN THE PANDEMIC AND HOLES IN THE BUDGET BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

THEY WANTED MORE OF THAT FOR SOCIAL SPENDING PROGRAMS.

AND SO THE COMPROMISE HERE APPEARS TO BE THE $660 MILLION IN BORROWING TO SPEND ON THE REST OF THOSE PROGRAMS.

REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER THE CITY CAN AFFORD THAT OVER THE LONG-TERM WITH THE DEBT POSITION.

ALTHOUGH AS SCOTT WAGUESPACK THE ALDERMAN MENTION TO DO DID GET A RATING UPGRADE THIS WEEK.

AND THE PROGRAMS THERE ARE A LOT OF NEW PROGRAMS WILL THEY BE SUSTAINABLE IN YEARS TO COME WHERE THERE WILL NOT BE FEDERAL MONEY.

>> AND SOME ALDERPEOPLE FORCED A MEETING ON THE MAYOR'S VACCINE MANDATE FOR FRIDAY.

GIVE US A PREVIEW.

>> WELL, 13 ALDERMEN SIGNEDDED A LETTER FORCING A MEETING AT 11:00 A.M. FRIDAY AND THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER CRACK AT PASSING THEIR MEASURE WHICH WAS BLOCKED FROM ADVANCING ON MONDAY.

THAT WOULD ROLLBACK THE VACCINE MANDATE IMPOSED BY MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT.

SOME OF THEM OPPOSE THE VACCINE MANDATE AND SAY IT'S NONE OF THE CITY'S BUSINESS.

AND OTHERS SAY THAT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SHOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH THE CITY COUNCIL AND HAD THE ALDERMEN WEIGH-IN AS THEY TRY TO CRAFT A COMPROMISE.

26 ALDERMEN WILL HAVE TO SHOW UP FOR THE MEETING TO TAKE PLACE.

AFTER THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TODAY THE MAYOR DID NOT TAKE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT SPECIAL MEETING SAYING SHE WANTED TO FOCUS ON THE CELEBRATION OF HER BUDGET.

SO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF THE CITY COUNCIL WILL MEET FOR THE THIRD TIME THIS WEEK.

>> OK. AND THEN SPEAKING OF VAN MANDATES STATE LAWMAKERS WILL DEBATE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR WHETHER ILLINOIS RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE STATE'S HEALTHCARE RIGHT OF CONSCIENCE ACT TO SKIRT THE GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC EMPLOYEE MANDATE.

AMANDA, WHO AND WHAT WAS THE LAW INTENDED TO COVER AND WHAT IS THE OVER UNDER, WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> WELL, SO THIS LAW WAS INTENDED FOR A NARROW SCOPE FOR DOCTORS, WHO DON'T WANT TO PERFORM ABORTIONS BUT IT IS NOT WRITTEN IN THAT WAY IT'S WRITTEN IN A BROAD FASHION.

AND SO THE HOUSE STILL TONIGHT COULD TAKE UP A VOTING ON NARROWING THAT SCOPE SOME BY EXPLICITLY STATING THAT EMPLOYERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND PRIVATE BUSINESSES WOULD BE ABLE TO INCLUDE COVID MANDATE SHORT OF REQUIREMENTS FOR MASKINGS, TESTING, VACCINATIONS THOSE THINGS.

THE OVER UNDER WE WILL SEE PUSHBACK DEBATE BY AN HOUR OR SO.

AS LEGISLATORS CONTINUE TO MEET BEHIND CLOSED DOORS ABOUT THIS.

AND WE COULD SEE IT PASSING BECAUSE THERE IS AN AMENDMENT ON THE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD MEAN IT WON'T TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

AND THAT IN PLACE BECAUSE IT'S EASIER TO PASS.

YOU NEED A SUPER MAJORITY FOR ANYTHING THAT IS GOING TO TAKE EFFECT RIGHT AWAY.

AND THAT PROVIDES A LITTLE BIT OF A PROBLEM BECAUSE YOU HAVE REALLY AN AFTER LAND.

OF -- AVALANCHE OF LAWSUITS IF YOU HAVE ILLINOIS WANTING TO KEEP UP WITH THE MANDATE, DELAYING ANY CHANGE TO THE RIGHT OF CONSCIENCE ACT COULD CAUSE TROUBLE FOR THE MANDATES STAYING AROUND.

>> AND ABORTION ITSELF IS ON THE AGENDA THIS WEEK.

CHANGES TO THE PARENTAL NOTIFICATION ABORTION LAW PASSED IN THE SENATE IN SPITE OF A BIG SHOWING FROM FAITH LEADERS WHO PROTESTED AGAINST THE REPEAL.

IS THIS GOING TO BE A TOUGH VOTE FOR THE DEMS?

>> IT WILL BE A TOUGH VOTE FOR SOME DEMOCRATS.

BUT SEVERAL YEARS AGO AFTER GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER TOOK OFFICE, HE SAID HE WANTED TO MAKE ILLINOIS THE MOST PROGRESSIVE STATE IN THE NATION WHEN IT COMES TO REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND THIS IS PART OF THAT EFFORT.

THIS LAW HAS ONLY BEEN ON THE BOOKS SINCE 2019 AND IT IS OPPOSED BY REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ADVOCATES BECAUSE THEY SAY IT FALLS MOST HEAVILY ON WOMEN AND GIRLS WHO ARE IN UNSAFE SITUATIONS, SO IT HAS LONG BEEN SORT OF AT THE TOP OF REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ADVOCATES WISH LIST TO REPEAL.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF IT WILL GET DONE NOW IN THIS POST TEXAS WORLD WITH THE SUPREME COURT WEIGHING THE FUTURE OF ROE VS. WADE.

>> THE POLITICS HERE IS THIS IS OCCURRING IN A TIME WHERE THERE ARE STATES LIKE TEXAS AND MISSISSIPPI PUTTING MORE ABORTION RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE AND CHALLENGING ROE V. WADE.

ILLINOIS THIS IS GOOD POLITICS FOR ILLINOIS TO AT LEAST FOR ILLINOIS DEMOCRATS TO BE SEEN AS TAKING THIS STATE IN THE OTHER DIRECTION BECAUSE THAT ISSUE HAS PROVEN TO BE A WEDGE ISSUE MIDTERMS COMING UP.

PROVES TO GET PEOPLE MOBILIZED AND KNOCKING ON DOORS AND PERHAPS GETTING OUT AND VOTING IN MIDTERMS.

>> AND LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING ON THE LATEST INCARNATION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MAP.

THEY LISTENED TO THE BLOCK BACK ABOUT THE FIRST MAP WHAT IS THE SCUTTLEBUTT ON THIS ONE AND ARE THEY STILL NEGOTIATING?

>> THEY ARE AND I -- THEY ARE CLOSED DOORS AND CLEARLY DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE TO TAKE PLACE I HAD SEEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE STATE SENATE AND HE SAID THAT IS THE PRIORITY FOR GETTING DONE THIS VETO SESSION PASSING THE CONGRESSIONAL MAPS.

YET WE HAVE NOT SEEN A FINAL VERSION.

SEEMS AS IF THAT STILL COULD COME TONIGHT.

AGAIN LOTS GOING ON.

IF NOT IT WILL BE TOMORROW AND THAT WILL BE DAY FOR MAPS AND THE LATEST VERSION CREATES TWO MAPS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO HAVE A LOT OF LATINO VOTERS.

BUT THERE ARE THOSE THAT SAY WAIT IS THAT DIVIDING THE LATINO POPULATION UP TOO MUCH?

AND THEN NOT GIVING A GUARANTEED LATINO MAJORITY SEAT.

SO THAT IS AMONG THE CONCERNS.

AT LEAST I IMAGINE AND FROM WHAT I'M HEARING THIS IS A SECRETIVE PROCESS AND ONE THAT WE DON'T HAVE A TON -- DON'T KNOW A TON ABOUT UNTIL THE MAPS COME OUT AND PRESUMABLY BE VOTED ON IN SHORT ORDER.

>> OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING YOU ARE ALL WATCHING THAT IS SPOTLIGHT, HEATHER CHERONE, AMANDA VINICKY AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

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

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

STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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

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

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. CONSERVATIONS OWISTS LAST-MINUTE EFFORT TO SAVE A PATCH OF RARE PRAIRIE THREATENED BY AN AIRPORT EXPANSION.

>> AND LIVE IN PILSEN FOR OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" A PREVIEW OF THE DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATIONS AND MUCH MORE.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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