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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ IS ON ASSIGNMENT.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THE LOST THE POWER COULD MEAN THE LOSS OF LIVES.

>> HURRICANE FIONA HITS PUERTO RICO.

CHICAGOANS ISSUE A CALL FOR ACTION.

>> .

>> DECENT, HONORABLE, AND ALL ABOUT SERVICE.

>> QUEEN ELIZABETH II IS LAID TO REST.

A LOOK AT THE CEREMONY AND WHAT LIE AS HEAD FOR GREAT BRITAIN.

>> CHECKING OUT THE GROWING NUMBER OF CHALLENGES TO BOOKS IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES.

WE HEAR FROM A CONCERNED PARENT AND A FREE SPEECH ADVOCATE.

>> LAWSUIT AFTER LAWSUIT.

CRITICS ARE CALLING FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY FROM MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S ADMINISTRATION AFTER ITS REPEATEDLY DENIED ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS.

>> YOU GO INTO ANOTHER RESTAURANT AND SEE A GOOD EMPLOYEE AND ASK THEM WHAT THEY ARE GETTING PAID AND I'LL GIVE YOU MORE.

>> BEGGING, BORROWING AND STEALING.

HOW ONE RESTAURANT OWNER IS DESCRIBING THE INDUSTRY'S WORKER SHORTAGE.

>> THE DEVELOPER BEHIND THE LINCOLN YARDS MEGA PROJECT PLANS TO CREATE A LARGE APARTMENT BUILDING NEARBY THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> I WANTED IT TO LOOK NONTRADITIONAL.

>> AND EXPLORING THE IMPACT ART CAN HAVE ON MENTAL HEALTH.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> HURRICANE FIONA BROUGHT MORE RAIN TO PORT CO-TODAY INTENSIFYING FLOODING AFTER THE STORM HIT THE ISLAND SUNDAY.

MORE THAN A THOUSAND HAVE BEEN RESCUED AND ONE PERSON HAS DIED.

THE STORM KNOCKED OUT POWER AND WATER TO MOST OF THE ISLAND AND WE'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT THE SITUATION AND GET LOCAL REACTION IN A MOMENT.

>> .

>> QUEEN ELIZABETH II WAS LAID TO REST TODAY.

THE BURIAL WAS PRECEDED BY A FUNERAL THAT DREW LEADERS AND CROWDS MOURNING THE LOSS OF THE 96-YEAR-OLD MONARCH.

THE SERVICE ENDED WITH TWO MINUTES OF SILENCE OBSERVED WITH ADENNEDDIES ATTENDEES, NAMED GOD SAVE THE KING.

MORE LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

>> AN ILLINOIS MAN HELD HOSTAGE IN AFGHANISTAN FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS IS BEING RELEASED.

NAVY VETERAN MARK FRERICHS SPENT MORE THAN A DECADE IN AFGHANISTAN AS A CIVIL CONTRACTOR AND WAS ABDUCTED IN JANUARY 2020.

HE WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN HELD BY A TALIBAN LINKED NETWORK.

MARK FRERICHS IS BEING RELEASED IN EXCHANGE FOR A CONVICTED TALIBAN DRUG LORD JAILED IN THE U.S.

IN A STATEMENT, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAID MARK FRERICHS' RELEASE IS QUOTE THE CULMINATION OF YEARS OF TIRELESS WORK BY DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS ACROSS OUR GOVERNMENT AND OTHER PARTNER GOVERNMENTS.

I SPOKE WITH MARK'S SISTER TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS AND EXPRESS HOW I AM FOR MARK'S FAMILY.

UP NEXT MORE DETAILS ON THE DEVASTATING HURRICANE THAT HIT PUERTO RICO.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> PUERTO RICO IS BATTLING DEVASTATION CAUSED BY HURRICANE.

CHICAGO RESIDENTS OF PUERTO RICAN DESCENT SAYS IT CALLS FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHANGE.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> BRANDIS, SACHAYRA CINTRON WAS BORN AND RAISED IN CHICAGO AND MOVED TO PUERTO RICO IN 2010 AND IN 2017 MOVED BACK DAYS BEFORE HURRICANE MARIA HIT.

>> WE WERE LIVING WITHOUT WATER AND LIGHT FOR A MONTH ALREADY BECAUSE OF THE TROPICAL STORM IRMA.

AND LIFE CONTINUED.

AND THEN WE SAW HOW BAD HURRICANE MARIA WAS GETTING.

SO MY MOM BEGGED FOR ME TO COME BACK TO CHICAGO.

>> SHE AND HER KIDS BECAUSE HURRICANE MARIA WAS A CATEGORY FOUR THAT WREAKED HAVOC ON THE ISLAND THE COMMONWEALTH THAT IS UNINCORPORATED U.S.

TERRITORY.

THOUSANDS DIED.

POWER WAS KNOCKED OUT FOR WEEKS, MONTHS EVEN.

>> THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES THAT LIVE IN HOUSES THAT STILL HAVE BLUE TARPS ON THEM AFTER HURRICANE MARIA.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HURRICANE MARIA TOMORROW.

AND WE STILL DO NOT HAVE AN INFRASTRUCTURE IN WHICH PUERTO RICO CAN SURVIVE A CATEGORY ONE.

>> A CATEGORY ONE STORM LIKE HURRICANE FIONA WHICH RIPPED THROUGH PUERTO RICO AND CAUSED MUD LIED SLIDES AND FLOODING, AND AGAIN, LEAVING PUERTO RICANS WITHOUT POWER.

>> NOT HAVING POWER IN PUERTO RICO MEANS NO CLEAN WATER.

NOT HAVING POWER IN PUERTO RICO MEANS THE INDIVIDUALS DO NOT GET TO STORE AND KEEP THEIR MEDICINE WELL.

THAT PEEPS NOT HAVING -- MEANS NOT HAVING POWER MEANS THE PEOPLE IN HOSPITALS ON RESPIRATORS OR ATTACHED TO TREATMENT THAT REQUIRES POWER CANNOT GET THE TREATMENT OR CANNOT HAVE WORKING RESPIRATORS.

>> JESSIE FUENTES OF THE PUERTO RICAN AGENDA OF CHICAGO SAYS THE SITUATION THEN AND NOW HAS EXPOSED THAT PUERTO RICO DOES NOT GET THE SAME TREATMENT IN CLIMATE EMERGENCIES AS DOES, SAY, TEXAS OR OTHER U.S. SOUTHERN STATES.

>> HURRICANE MARIA EXPOSED THE CONSEQUENCES OF COLONIALISM.

I THINK THAT HURRICANE MARIA EXPOSED THE LACK OF RESOURCES THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS WILLING TO GIVE AN ISLAND LIKE PUERTO RICO.

AND I THINK HURRICANE MARIA RAISED CONSCIOUSNESS NOT JUST THE ISLAND BUT THE DIASPORA.

>> RAISED CONSCIOUSNESS AND BUILT MOMENTUM FOR A TRUE REQUEST ABOUT THE IMPACT OF COLONIALIZATION FOR ACTION TOWARDS DECOLONIZING LIKE EFFORTS TO PUERTO RICO TO APPOINT A SELF DETERMINATION WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IS FOR PUERTO RICANS TO DECIDE.

BE IT U.S. STATEHOOD, KEEPING THE CURRENT STATUS OR BECOMING AN INDEPENDENT NATION AS IN SOME WAYS WITH A NOW PRIVATIZED BUT YET TROUBLED ELECTRIC GRID THINKS ARE NOT WORKING.

JESSIE FUENTES SAYS THINGS ARE BEING BETTER THAN IN 2017 THAN UNDER THE PRESIDENT TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THEN GRANTED THIS STORM IS NOT AS STRONG BUT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ANSWERED APPROVING AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION WHICH ACTIVATES FEMA TO COORDINATE AND MOVE ON RECOVERY EFFORTS.

ALSO THE PUERTO RICAN AGENDA WHICH MOBILIZED AFTER HURRICANE MARIA IS NOW READY TO JUMP INTO ACTION AGAIN.

STATE SENATOR CRISTINA PACIONE-ZAYAS SAYS FIVE YEARS AGO, THE COALITION SWIFTLY RAISED $70,000.

>> AND WE QUICKLY TRANSLATED THAT INTO PALLETS OF EMERGENCY SUPPLIES.

BECAUSE AT THAT POINT, MONEY WOULD NOT MAKE SENSE.

WE NEED TO GET SUPPLIES THERE.

WE WERE ABLE TO LEVERAGE OUR RELATIONSHIPS SOCIALLY AND POLITICALLY TO BE ABLE TO SECURE A PLANE FROM UNITED AND GET THAT PLANE OUT FIVE DAYS AFTER THE HURRICANE.

WE WERE THE FIRST COMMUNITY TO LAND A PLANE AND WE DID IT THREE TIMES OVER.

>> SHE SAYS THAT ACTION NOW CAN TAKE VARIOUS FORMS FOR FAR TOO LONG PUERTO RICO HAS BEEN AN AFTERTHOUGHT.

AND SOME ASPECTS NOT SAY DEALING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE WILL TAKE TIME AND OTHERS CAN BE MORE IMMEDIATE.

>> IT'S NOT JUST ONE THING.

SOME PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND FIRST THAT PUERTO RICO RIGHT NOW IS A COLONY OF THE UNITED STATES.

SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF THAT.

AND HOW DID THAT RELATIONSHIP COME ABOUT?

AND HOW DID THAT BRING IT TO THE POINT THAT IT'S AT TODAY, RIGHT?

SOME PEOPLE ARE STILL GRAPPLING WITH IS CLIMATE CHANGE REAL?

AND HERE IS A CLEAR EXAMPLE THAT MOST INDEED IT IS.

AND THEN SOME FOLKS YOU KNOW, REALLY WANT THE MORE CONCRETE, RIGHT?

>> AS IN, YES, CONCRETE CASH DONATIONS.

BUT SHE SAYS THIS SHOULD BE DONE WITHOUT A SAVIOR MENNALITY MAKING SURE TO GIVE TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE LOCAL CONNECTIONS.

MEANWHILE, HER FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT ARE STILL IN PUERTO RICO ARE SAFE RIGHT NOW?

NOW.

>> I THINK WITH PUERTO RICO EVERYDAY.

BUT I AM HERE AND I'M WILL BE OPENING UP MY BUSINESS HERE.

PUERTO RICAN OWNED AND YOU KNOW, PUERTO RICAN RELATED.

>> PLANNING TO OPEN THAT PUERTO RICAN COFFEE SHOP AND CAFE IN HUMBOLDT PARK AS SOON AS THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HAS OFFERED A STATEMENT THIS AFTERNOON IN RESPONSE TO HURRICANE FIONA.

NO DIRECT PROMISES OF AID FROM THE STATE BUT SAYING ILLINOIS WILL OFFER ANY NECESSARY SUPPORT TO VICTIMS.

SAYING THAT ILLINOIS IS NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF TURNING AWAY THOSE IN NEED AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WELCOME THESE TRAVELERS IN ANY PUERTO RICAN CLIMATE REFUGEES SEEKING A SAFE PLACE TO LAND WITH OBVIOUSLY OF OUR AVAILABLE RESOURCES.

WITH THAT BRANDIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> AMANDA, THANK YOU.

>> A NATIONWIDE EFFORT TO BAN CERTAIN BOOKS FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARIES HAS GAINED SO MUCH STEAM THAT MORE BOOKS HAVE BEEN BANNED SO FAR THIS YEAR THAN ALL OF LAST YEAR.

THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN 681 EFFORTS TO TARGET MORE THAN 1600 BOOKS BETWEEN JANUARY AND AUGUST OF JUST THIS YEAR.

AND A NEW REPORT FROM THE FREE SPEECH ADVOCACY GROUP PEN AMERICA SAYS IT'S NOT JUST CONCERNED PARENTS, BUT AN ORGANIZED EFFORT TO MAKE POLITICS OUT OF WHAT KIDS ARE READING.

JOINING US ARE TERRY NEWSOME FATHER OF TWINS WHO ATTEND DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL.

HE HEADS UP THE ILLINOIS CHAPTER OF THE GROUP PARENTS INVOLVED IN EDUCATION.

AND JONATHAN FRIEDMAN, DIRECTOR OF FREE EXPRESSION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT PAN AMERICA HE WAS THE LEAD AUTHOR OF THIS REPORT AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

JONATHAN FRIEDMAN LET'S START WITH YOU FIRST, PLEASE, GIVE US SOME OF THE MAKE TAKEAWAYS FROM YOUR REPORT, PLEASE?

>> SURE.

PAN AMERICA IS A 100-YEAR-OLD FREE EXPRESSION AND LITERARY ORGANIZATION AND OUR CONCERN IS THE WAYS IN WHICH SCHOOL BOARDS ARE MOVING TO RESTRICT AND DIMINISH ACCESS TO LITERATURE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

THE TOP LINES OF OUR REPORT IS THAT WE COUNTED 2500 EFFORTS TO BAN AND RESTRICT ACCESS TO BOOKS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THIS IS SPREADING RAPIDLY FROM TEXAS TO FLORIDA TO PENNSYLVANIA TO RIGHT HERE IN ILLINOIS.

AND THE PATTERNS ARE CONSISTENT.

THAT PEOPLE ARE PRODUCING LISTS OF BOOKS ON-LINE BRINGING THOSE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND DEMANDING THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS ABANDON POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO REMOVE THE BOOKS RIGHT AWAY.

>> TERRY NEWSOME, YOU ARE THE PARENT OF TWINS AT DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL.

YOU WENT TO YOUR FIRST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING A YEAR AGO.

TELL US HOW YOU GOT INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE?

>> I SAW MY TWINS WERE STARTING FRESHMAN YEAR AND NEVER BEEN TO A BOARD MEETING.

RAISED DEMOCRATIC UNION FAMILY.

AND CAME ACROSS SOME OF THE SUBJECT MATTER THAT IS BEING PRESENTED IN THE SCHOOL.

EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT THE MASKS AND OTHER THINGS TIED INTO THIS SLIDE.

ONCE I LEARNED ABOUT SOME OF THE GRAPHIC MATERIAL THAT WAS BEING OFFERED TO THE CHILDREN IN SCHOOL, THAT'S WHEN I REALLY SERIOUSLY GOT INVOLVED WAS MORE VOCAL.

A LOT OF PARENTS ARE SCARED WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS POPPING UP THEY ARE PARENTS.

PARENTS THEY SAW WHAT WAS GOING ON IN OUR KIDS' SCHOOLS DURING THE COVID LOCKDOWN.

SO THEY STARTED GETTING INVOLVED.

AND TO THIS DAY MANY, MANY PARENTS DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE GRAPHIC NATURE OF SOME OF THESE BOOKS.

I DO NOT CALL US BOOK BANNERS MORE LIKE PORN BANNERS.

THE BOOKS TO SERVE THE LGBTQ AND THE KIDS AND HELPING THEM COPE WITH THEIR SEXUALITY THAT IS FINE.

I SAID IT THAT IS FINE.

LET'S HELP THE CHILDREN DO THAT.

BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARY IN SOME OF THE BOOKS TO SHOW THE GRAPHIC IMAGES OF PERFORMING SEX.

>> ARE YOU REFERRING TO THE BOOK GENDER QUEER?

>> YES.

AND I KNOW I NEED TO BE CAREFUL WHAT WE SAY.

I SHARED THE IMAGES BUT CAN'T SHOW THEM AND IT IS A IRONIC WE'RE HERE ON THE SHOW WHEN MY KIDS' SUPERINTENDENT LOOKED US IN THE EYES AND SAID THIS IS NOT PORNOGRAPHY BUT WE CAN'T SHOW IT ON THE RADIO STATIONS WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT IT.

IT'S STUFF LIKE THAT.

IT'S NOT THE BOOKS TO HELP THE KIDS.

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR WE ARE LOOKING AT IMAGES FROM THE MEMOIR ABOUT A COMING-OF-AGE AS NONBINARY.

AND THERE ARE SOME IMAGES THAT ARE A BIT TOO GRAPHIC FOR US TO SHOW ON TELEVISION BUT THE DROWNERS GROVE SCHOOL BOARD DID VOTE TO KEEP THE BOOK ON THE SHELVES AND IT IS THE MOST BANNED BOOK IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.

JONATHAN WHAT IS THE CASE FOR KEEPING IT ON PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARIES?

>> WELL IT IS THE MOST BANNED BOOK AND FOR A REASON IT IS A GRAPHIC NOVEL.

IT'S EASY TO PEOPLE TO PICK IT UP AND THUMB THROUGH IT AND FIND OBJECTIONABLE.

SCHOOLS SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES.

IF THERE ARE A MAJORITY OF PARENTS WHO WANT TO GET INVOLVED THAT IS THEIR [INAUDIBLE] MY CONCERN IS IN A LOT OF CASES [INAUDIBLE] AREN'T BEING.

THE BOOK GENDER QUEER IN PROTECT BECAUSE OF THE LGBTQ CONSENT IN ADDITION TO ITS SEXUAL.

BUT THE BOOK HAS SPOKEN TO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE.

THERE ARE MANY PARENTS OUT THERE WHO HAVE ACCESS FOUND THAT AT A TIME WHEN TEENAGERS ARE UNDER TREMENDOUS PRESSURE TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ACTS A BOOK THAT IS ABOUT A PERSON'S JOURNEY OF WRESTLING WITH THOSE PRESSURES AND WRESTLING TO FIND A SENSE OF SELF, THAT BOOK CAN BE HELPFUL AND IT SPEAKS TO YOUNG PEOPLE AND TEACHES SOMETHING.

MY CONCERN IS THAT, YES, DO SOME PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THIS BOOK?

FOR SURE BUT IT CAN'T ENCROACH ON OTHER PEOPLE'S RIGHTS TO READ IT AND THE RIGHT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> TERRY WHOSE JOB IS IT TO DECIDE WHAT KIDS HAVE ACCESS TO IS IT THE PARENTS OR THE TEACHERS AND THE LIBRARIANS?

>> THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME COLLABORATION.

I WANT TO ADDRESS A COMMENT THAT JONATHAN MADE WHY THE BOOKS ARE BEING BANNED.

IT'S ABOUT LGBTQ.

NO IT'S ABSOLUTE NOTHING TO DO WITH LGBTQ.

I SENT INTO WTTW AN E-MAIL BEFORE ONE OF THE APPEALS.

I SENT IT TO THE PRINCIPAL.

I SAID PLEASE BRING ANY AND ALL HETEROSEXUAL BOOKS THAT ARE LIKE THIS THAT HAVE THIS SEXUAL GRAPHIC.

THERE IS NONE.

HEY LET'S LOOK UNDER LGBTQ.

I ASKED AND HIS RESPONSE IT'S ONLY ABOUT GENDER QUEER HE DID NOT GIVE ME AN AN OPTION.

I'M BEING ATTACKED FOR SOMETHING THAT IS NOT THE TRUTH.

WITH RESPECT TO THEM VOTING TO KEEP THE BOOK IN, THE SUPERINTENDENT HAND PICKED SEVEN PEOPLE AND TEACHERS WOULDN'T TELL US HOW.

I ASKED THEM WHAT GROUPS THEY REPRESENT AND HE SAID THAT IS IRRELEVANT.

I HANDED OUT THE E-MAIL ABOUT THE PRINCIPAL TRYING TO SHOW THE PEOPLE AND OTHER THINGS.

ONE OF THE GUYS THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT PICKED EVERYTHING I HANDED OUT, HE FOR IT UP.

HE TORE IT IN HALF.

IT WAS THE STACKED, RIGGED HE DID NOT GIVE US A CHANCE TO SPEAK OUR VOICE.

WE HAD A CHANCE TO PRESENT.

AND HE AS THE JUDGE ALLOWED THEM TO TEAR UP EVERYTHING I WAS HAPPENING OUT AND SAID NOTHING.

SO I JUST LIKE TO VACCINATE EN THAT OUT.

THERE NEEDS TO BE A COLLABORATION.

I CANNOT SPEAK FOR THE WHOLE COUNTRY BUT THE PARENTS OF MY COMMUNITY ARE AGAINST THE GRAPHIC PORNOGRAPHY.

I HAVE A BOY-GIRL TWINS I DON'T WANT MY SON TO BE OUT TO GIVE ORAL SEX AND I DON'T WANT MY DAUGHTER TO BE HOW TO PERFORM ORAL SEX IN A BOOK.

AND EVEN IF YOU ARE GAY OR NOT GAY IT IS A CHALLENGE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

AND ALL THOSE THINGS ARE HARD FOR THE KIDS BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN BECAUSE IT FALLS UNDER GAY THAT YOU HAVE GAY PRIVILEGE AND SAY YOU CANNOT CRITICIZE THIS OR YOU ARE ATTACKED AND IT'S PORNOGRAPHY.

>> I WANT TO JUMP IN WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

JONATHAN LIBRARIANS ARE FINDING THEMSELVES ON THE FRONTLINES OF A CULTURE WAR.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM LIBRARIANS AROUND THE COUNTRY ABOUT THE PRECARIOUS POSITION THEY ARE BEING PUT IN HERE?

>> WELL, JUST TO ADDRESS SOME OF TERRY'S COMMENTS HERE.

I THINK IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE FOR YOUR VOICE TO BE HEARD IF YOUR COMMENTS WERE RIPPED UP THAT COULD BE A SOURCE OF CONCERN.

THERE OUGHT TO BE WAYS FOR YOU TO PRESENT YOUR IDEAS.

WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY WITH OPEN DEBATE.

AND WITH WHERE OUR INSTITUTIONS HAVE TO REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF IDEAS.

TOO OFTEN IT IS LIBRARIANS ON THE FRONTLINES WHO ARE SOMETIMES AND I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ILLINOIS, BUT IN SOME CASES EXPERIENCING PERSONAL HARASSMENT, DOCKING, DEATH.

THAT PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THEIR PROFESSIONAL CAREERS DESTROYED AND PERSONAL SENSE OF EXPERTISE SO THREATENED.

WE HAVE TO START WITH A STARTING POINT HAS TO BE A PLACE OF RESPECT.

RESPECT FOR HOW INSTITUTIONS ARE RUN.

HOW PUBLIC SCHOOLS SERVE US ALL AND TO THE CONTENT IN GENDER QUEER THERE IS NOTHING IN THE BOOK THAT IS A MOON YOU'LL HOW TO ENGAGE IN ORAL SEX.

IT HAS DEPICTIONS AND THAT IS SURPRISING GIVEN THE HISTORY OF WHAT HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO BE PUT IN NOVELS AVAILABLE TO YOUNG PEOPLE BUT THERE ARE LEGIONS OF PEOPLE THAT BELIEVE THAT INFORMATION OUGHT TO BE ACCESSIBLE.

WHEN YOU READ BOOKS COVER TO COVER IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND THOSE IMAGES IN SOME WAY.

THE BOOK IS ABOUT THE MAIN CHARACTER'S FEELINGS OF ASEXUALITY AND HOW OFF PUTTING THEY FIND THE ACTS.

IT IS NOT ABOUT SEX AT ALL IT'S ABOUT NOT ENGAGING IN SEX.

>> SORRY I WILL HAVE TO JUMP IN WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

IT IS A LOT TO TALK ABOUT HERE.

SO A DISCUSSION THAT WE'LL NEED TO CONTINUE.

JONATHAN FRIEDMAN AND TERRY NEWSOME THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CRITICS ARE CALLING FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY FROM MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S ADMINISTRATION.

SINCE SHE TOOK OFFICE IN 2019, 100 LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION FOR DENYING ACCESS TO PUBLIC INFORMATION INCLUDING DOCUMENTS, E-MAILS, POLICE BODY-CAM FOOTAGE AND MORE.

THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT KNOWN AS FOIA ALLOWS PUBLIC AGENCY RECORDS TO BE ACCESSED BY THE PUBLIC UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.

HERE TO UNPACK TRANSPARENCY AMONG CITY AGENCIES AND THE ADMINISTRATION IS MATT TOPIC AN ATTORNEY AT LOEVY & LOEVY AND THE FOUNDER OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT PRACTICE.

AND WTTW HAS CONSULTED WITH Mr. TOPIC ON FOIA REQUESTS IN THE PAST.

WE REACHED OUT TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR A STATEMENT BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE AS OF YET.

MATTHAU THANK YOU AGAIN.

SO, WE KNOW THE MAYOR RAIN ON THE IDEA OF CLEANING UP CITY GOVERNMENT ON HER LIST OF CITY GOVERNMENT REFORMS FROM HER 2018 CAMPAIGN, NUMBER FIVE IS COMPLYING WITH FOIA AND ENDING FOIA ABUSE.

HOW IS THE LIGHTFOOT ADMINISTRATION DOING WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSPARENCY?

>> TERRIBLY TO PUT IT SIMPLY.

AS YOU NOTED, AND THIS IS JUST OUR FIRM.

WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO HANDLE THESE CASES WE FILED 104 LAWSUITS FOR OUR CLIENTS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF INSTANCES THERE'S NOTHING PROHIBITING THE CITY FROM RELEASING THOSE DOCUMENTS IF THEY WANTED TO.

THEY JUST CHOSE TO NOT PROVIDE THEM.

AND IT REALLY DOES AS YOU MENTIONED, KIND OF COVER ASI ASI SPECS OF CITY GOVERNMENT WHETHER IT'S HOW MONEY IS BEING SPENT, HOW POLICE SOMETHING BEING CONDUCTED, SCHOOLS, PARK DISTRICT, YOU NAME IT, THERE'S PROBABLY BEEN A CASE WE FILED ON THE ISSUE OF THOSE 104 SUITS, 54 WERE RESOLVED IN THIS LAST TWO YEARS.

48 OF THEM IN OUR CLIENT'S FAVOR.

THE CITY'S BATTING AVERAGE IS ABYSMAL.

AND IT'S GOTTEN EVEN WORSE IN THAT NOT ONLY IS THE CITY VIOLATING THE BASELINE STATUTE WHEN WE SUE THEY FREQUENTLY VIOLATE THE RULES IN THE LAWSUIT.

THEY VIOLATE COURT ORDERS.

THEY VIOLATE DEADLINES THAT APPLY IN LAWSUITS REQUIRING US TO FILE MOTIONS FOR SANCTIONS AND MOTIONS FOR CONTEMPT.

IT'S REACHED JUST A NEW LEVEL OF DISREGARD FOR WHAT THE CITY'S OBLIGATIONS ARE.

>> MATT, THE TRIBUNE WON ITS CASE AFTER THE CITY FOUGHT TO KEEP SECRET DOCUMENTS CONCERNING ALLEGED EMPLOYEE MISCONDUCT.

WHAT DID THIS CASE REVEAL HOW THE CITY HANDLES COURT RULINGS?

>> IT SHOWS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF PEOPLE HAVING TO FIGHT TO GET RECORDS AND THAT IS THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE".

IMAGINE IF YOU ARE NOT THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" YOU ARE A CONCERNED CITIZEN OR A LOCAL HYPER LOCAL NEWSPAPER WITHOUT MUCH OF A BUDGET OR YOU'RE COMMUNITY ACTIVIST ORGANIZATION IMAGINE HOW HARD IT IS THEN.

IF THEY ARE WILLING TO FIGHT THE TRIBUNE, IT'S EVEN MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE AVERAGE TAXPAYER OR SMALL ORGANIZATION.

>> MATT, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE MOST CONCERNING ABOUT THE WAY THE OFFICE HAS BEEN HANDLING THIS?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S PARTICULARLY FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO RAN ON A TRANSPARENCY PLATFORM.

AND FAMOUSLY BRING IN THE LIGHT WAS THE SLOGAN.

AND YOU SHOWED THE GRAPHIC OF THE PRESS RELEASE AND THIS WAS GOING TO BE A PRIORITY.

AND YOU KNOW IT REALLY DOES INCREASE DISTRUST IN GOVERNMENT WHEN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE NOT COMPLYING WITH THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO BE TRANSPARENT.

IT MAKES PEOPLE THINK THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS UP TO NO GOOD.

AND GIVES US NO REASON TO TRUST GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND THAT IS AMPLIFIED WHEN ON TOP OF IT IT WAS SOMEONE THAT SAID THEY WERE GOING TO FIX THINGS AND HAS NOT FIXED THINGS.

I MADE A FOIA REQUEST MYSELF FOR CALENDAR ENTRIES AND AGENDAS ANYTHING THAT WOULD SHOW THE MAYOR'S PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT IN ANY FOIA RELATED EFFORTS THERE WERE ALL OF TWO MEETINGS OVER THE COURSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

ONE OF WHICH WAS THE FIRST DAY.

THIS IS NOT BEEN TAKEN AS A PRIORITY.

AND IT OFTEN COMES FROM THE TOP DOWN.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A CULTURE OF TRANSPARENCY, FROM THE VERY TOP OF THE ORGANIZATION THEN YOU WILL HAVE PROBLEMS ALL AROUND CITY DEPARTMENTS AND YOU GET THE SITUATIONS WE HAVE HERE THAT ULTIMATELY, IT HURTS THE ABILITY OF THE PUBLIC TO HOLD THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE.

AND IT COSTS THE TAXPAYERS A LOT OF MONEY WHEN THE CITY FIGHTS THESE CASES AND WHEN THEY LOSE THESE CASES.

>> AMONG WHICH AGENCIES WOULD YOU SAY YOU'RE SEEING THE FOIA REQUESTS ARE MOST COMMONLY DENIED?

>> THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT I CAN SAY THAT WITHOUT HESITATION AND THAT IS PARTICULARLY TROUBLESOME WHEN A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IS ROUTINELY VIOLATING THE LAW.

IT SETS A TERRIBLE EXAMPLE FOR PEOPLE WHEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DOESN'T COMPLY WITH ITS LEGAL OBLIGATIONS.

THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES WITH THE PARK DISTRICT.

AND THINGS RELATED TO THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF LIFEGUARDS.

LAWSUITS OVER THAT.

YOU HAVE THINGS IN CONTRACTING, THINGS IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

IT REALLY IS WIDESPREAD.

>> AND MATT, REMIND US HELP US TO UNDERSTAND IN WHAT INSTANCES IS THE CITY ABLE TO LEGALLY DENY A FOIA REQUEST?

>> THERE IS A VARIETY OF EXAMPLES.

IF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT COULD PROVE THAT IT WOULD HARM AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION TO RELEASE A RECORD, THEN THEY ARE ALLOWED TO WITHHOLD IT.

BUT THEY ROUTINELY WILL JUST SAY THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION AND WE WON'T GIVE YOU ANYTHING AND THAT IS NOT THE LAW.

I DID THE LAQUAN McDONALD CASE YEARS AGO, AND THAT WAS THE ARGUMENT THEY MADE THEN AND THEY LOST AND THEY CONTINUED TO MAKE THAT ARGUMENT.

THINGS LIKE PEOPLE'S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, TRADE SECRETS ANY OF THINGS THAT CAN BE WITHHELD BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT RARELY DOES THE LAW SAY THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RELEASE IT.

MORE OFTEN IT SAYS THEY CAN WITHHOLD IT IF THEY WANT TO.

SO THESE ARE DECISIONS THEY ARE MAKING THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO MAKE AND PUTTING TRANSPARENCY AND TAXPAYER MONEY AT RISK EVERY TIME THEY DECIDE THEY ARE GOING TO WITHHOLD A RECORD.

>> AND YOU MENTIONED THE LAQUAN McDONALD VIDEO WHICH FELL UNDER MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE LIGHTFOOT ADMINISTRATION AND THEIR TRANSPARENCY COMPARED TO PREVIOUS MAYORS?

>> IT'S NOT ANY BETTER.

I DON'T HAVE THE STATISTICS.

WE'VE SORT OF TAKEN ON MORE AND MORE CASES OVER TIME.

WE PROBABLY HAD LESS SUITS AGAIN THE RAHM EMANUEL ADMINISTRATION BUT CAN YOU NOT CORRELATE THAT TO ONE BEING MORE TRANSPARENT THAN THE OTHER.

BUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION IN THE LAST SIX OR NINE MONTHS IT WOULD BE AS IF AFTER THE RAHM EMANUEL ADMINISTRATION LOST THE LAQUAN McDONALD CASE THEY DECIDED THEY WERE NOT GOING TO RELEASE THE VIDEO EVEN THOUGH A COURT TOLD THEM THEY HAD TO.

THAT IS WHAT IS NEW AND PARTICULARLY TROUBLING.

>> AND MATT, WE'VE GOT 10 SECONDS LEFT.

HAVE YOU HEARD MUCH FROM THE ADMINISTRATION ABOUT THIS?

>> I HAVE NOT HEARD JUSTIFICATION FOR WHY THEY ARE CONTINUING TO ENGAGE IN THIS OTHER THAN WHAT THEY FILE IN COURT WHERE THEY ROUTINELY LOSE.

>> MATT TOPIC THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> MY PLEASURE, THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, A NEW EXHIBIT EXPLORING ART THERAPY AND MENTAL HEALTH.

STAY WITH US.

>> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING REACTION TO QUEEN ELIZABETH FUNERAL.

AN ENGLEWOOD NATIVE IS SHOWING THE IMPACT ART THERAPY CAN HAVE ON MENTAL HEALTH IN AN EXHIBITION TITLED THERAPEUTIC REASONING.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU TAKES US TO A VERY SERIOUS GALLERY IN WHICHEVER WEST FOR A LOOK.

AND SOME OF THE NOTE SOME OF THE ARTWORK IS GRAPHIC.

>> WHEN YOU THINK OF THE PHRASE A LOT CAN CHANGE IN A YEAR ONE THAT COULD BEST BE USED TO DESCRIBE ARTIST DAVID ELLIS AND THE ROLL EXPRESSION HAS PLAYED IN HIS LIFE.

>> SO I HAVE REALLY AGGRESSIVE SUICIDAL IDEATION.

AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT WAS LISTED ON THE SAFETY LIST WAS TO PAINT WHEN I FELT LIKE AGGRESSIVE IDEATION COME ON.

THAT IS WHAT I STARTED DOING.

WENT BACK TO WHAT I REMEMBERED MADE ME HAPPY WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND IT WAS DRAW SNOOK WHEN IT CAME TIME TO PAY RENT "EWRKS" DECIDED TO SELL PAINTINGS ON HIS LAWN.

HE DECIDED TO DO IT MONTHLY.

>> I HAD MY FIRST TWO SALES AS SOON AS PEOPLE STOPPED AND BUYING ART AND OTHER PEOPLE SEE BUYING ART IT PULLED MORE PEOPLE'S EYES IN YOUR DIRECTION.

>> WHETHER IT BE FOR HIMSELF OR COMMISSIONS, "EWRKS" SAYS HE NEEDS TO PAINT EVERYDAY.

>> PEOPLE IGNORE THE NEED FOR ART.

AND IGNORE THE PLACE IT HOLDS IN SOCIETY THAT GIVES EVERYTHING MEANING.

ART IS NEEDED.

>> HE SHOWS THAT NEED FOR SELF EXPRESSION IN A NEW EXHIBIT AT A SERIOUS GALLERY IN RIVER WEST WHERE HE DOCUMENTS SOCIETAL MOMENTS AND TIME WITH ACRYLIC ON CANVAS.

EACH PIECE TAKING NO MORE THAN A DAY.

I WILL TAKE SCREEN SHOTS OF MOMENTS OF POP CULTURE MOMENTS THAT ARE MEANINGFUL TO ME.

AND NOTHING IS SUPER INTENTIONAL IN TERMS OF WHAT I CREATE.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THERAPEUTIC REASONS.

LIKE I CREATE TO FEEL GOOD, TO FEEL NORMAL, TO BALANCE MYSELF, IT'S NEVER BEEN ABOUT JUST SOLELY THE ART.

IT'S BEEN ABOUT MY HEALING.

>> WHILE ART AND SELF EXPRESSION HELPED "EWRKS" IMPROVE HIS MENTAL STATE IT IS A PRACTICE HE WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO WORK ON.

>> I FEEL LIKE IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT IT'S NOT THE END ALL SOLUTION IT'S NOT THIS THING THAT WILL HELP YOU FOREVER THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

IT'S THE THING THAT YOU ALSO KNOW YOU CAN COME BACK TO TO CENTER YOURSELF.

>> THE CHARACTERS "EWRKS" CREATED LIVE IN THE DAY ROOM.

AND HOPES HIS ART DISMANTLES RACISM, HOMOPHOBIA AND ELITISM AMONG OTHER THINGS.

>> ART HAS ALWAYS BEEN INTERGENERATIONAL.

I CAN ENGAGE WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, PEOPLE MY AGE, OLDER BLACK FOLKS.

YOU DON'T LIKE THE PICTURE LET'S TALK ABOUT IT.

A LOT OF IT SPEAKS TO MY SEX UNIT I IDENTIFY AS FLUID IT CREATES A BIGGER SPACE FOR HEALING AND UNDERSTANDING INTERGENERATIONALLY.

>> WHILE THE ART HE CREATES IS FOR PERSONAL HEALING HE HOPES IT INSPIRES BLACK AND BROWN CHILDREN SPECIFICALLY.

>> THE INVESTMENT HAS TO START AT SOME POINT.

AND THERE IS NO WAY AROUND NOT SPENDING THE MONEY AND NOT SPENDING THE TIME AND NOT PRACTICING.

TAKING CREATIVE AGENCY OVER WHAT IT IS YOU LOVE TO DO.

DON'T LET ANYBODY ELSE PILOT YOUR LIFE'S DECISIONS.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES", I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> YOU CAN SEE THERAPEUTIC REASONING AT A VERY SERIOUS GALLERY IN RIVER WEST THROUGH OCTOBER 23.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... >> HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TAKE TO THE STREETS OF LONDON FOR A GLIMPSE OF QUEEN ELIZABETH COFFIN AS THE MONARCH IS LAID TO REST.

>> PROPERTY OWNERS OF A GOLD COAST STAPLE ARE LOOKING TO REVAMP WE TALK ABOUT THAT AND TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES FROM CRAIN'S.

AND A NEW REPORT SHOWS RESTAURANTS ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO FIND EMPLOYEES.

A LOOK AT THE REASONS BEHIND THIS WORKER SHORTAGE.

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S PICK FOR THE ZONING BOARD IS NOW HER PICK TO LEAD THE 43rd WARD.

TIMMY KNUDSEN THE CHAIR OF THE ZONE BOARD OF APPEALS HAS BEEN APPOINTED.

TIMMY KNUDSEN'S NOMINATION IS HEADED TO A COMMITTEE BEFORE TIME VOTE IS EXPECTED BY THE FULL COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY.

>> A JURY RULES A WILLOWBROOK WOMAN WHO SURVIVED BREAST CANCER AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS SHOULD BE PAID 363 MILLION IN DAMAGES BY STERIGENICS AND TWO COMPANIES.

THIS BECAUSE THE JURY RULED THE NOW SHUTTERED MEDICAL TOOL PLANT EXPOSED THEM TO DANGEROUS LEVELS OF CANCER-CAUSING GAS.

>> IT'S BEEN A LONG FOUR YEARS.

IT WAS SO GOOD FOR OUR STORY TO GET OUT BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING WE WERE HANDICAPPED NOT TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT MY SON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER.

THERE WAS 800 PEOPLE FOLLOWING.

SO I HOPE THIS MAKES IT EASIER FOR ALL OF THEM.

>> STERIGENICS THE PARENT COMPANY MIGHT APPEAL THE VERDICT.

>> RESIDENTS IN ROGERS PARK ARE ALLEGING INMIEUX MAIN LIVING CONDITIONS FACED BY CHILDREN, ELDERLY AND POOR RESIDENTS OF COLOR.

THE MANAGEMENT OF NORTH POINT APARTMENTS PROMISED TO ADDRESS REPLACING FAULTY STOVES AND RODENT INFESTATIONS THIS YEAR BUT THE COMPANY HASN'T DONE SO.

>> THIS IS REALLY A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION FOR A LOT OF OUR FAMILIES LIVING IN THESE UNITS YOU HAVE A UNIT THAT WAS FLOODED WITHSTANDING WATER WITH OPEN WIRES.

YOU HAVE CHILDREN LIVING IN HOMES CONTACTING LEAD POISONING.

YOU HAVE CANCER PATIENTS LIVING IN THESE UNITS WITHOUT A WORKING STOVE.

WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD CONTINUE TO LET THIS HAPPEN?

>> IN A STATEMENT, RELATED MIDWEST WHICH OWNS AND MANAGES THE APARTMENTS SAYS... >> THE DEVELOPER BEHIND THE LINCOLN YARDS MEG GEORGIA PROJECT HAS PLANS FOR A LARGE APARTMENT BUILDING CLOSE BY.

A SOFTWARE COMPANY BASED IN FINLAND IS LOOKING TO HIRE MORE PEOPLE AT THE U.S. HEADQUARTERS IN CHICAGO AND THE BUILDING OWNERS OF THE LONG TIME GOLD COAST ESTABLISHMENT TAVERN ON RUSH ARE EYEING AN OVERHAUL.

HERE IS CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS REPORTER DANNY ECKER.

WELCOME BACK, DANNY.

THE DEVELOPER BEHIND THE LINCOLN YARDS MEGA PROJECT ON THE NORTH SIDE, THEY HAVE PLANS TO CREATE A BIG APARTMENT BUILDING NEARBY.

FIRST, REMIND US WHAT THE LINCOLN YARDS MEGA PROJECT IS AND HOW BIG OF AN APARTMENT BUILDING ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

>> LINCOLN YARDS IS A 55-ACRE MIXED-USE CAMPUS THAT STERLING BAY IS TRYING TO GET GOING ON THE NORTH SIDE BETWEEN LINCOLN PARK AND BUCKTOWN.

YOU MAY RECALL THERE WAS A LOT OF COVERAGE OF THIS.

THEY WON APPROVAL FROM THE CITY THREE-AND-A-HALF YEARS AGO NOW FOR THAT MEGA PROJECT.

SO FAR THEY HAVE COMPLETED ONE BUILDING IT IS A LIFE SCIENCES BUILDING WHERE THEY ARE HUNTING FOR TENANTS.

NOW STERLING BAY IS PITCHING PLANS FOR A 15 STOREY, 359 UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING ON KINGS BERRY OUTSIDE THE LINCOLN YARDS SITE TO THE EAST.

AND THE IDEA IS THEY WANT TO BREATHE LIFE INTO THE PROJECT AND IT'S EASIER TO GET FINANCIAL BACKING FOR APARTMENTS THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

>> SOFTWARE COMPANY ARE OUT OF FINLAND BUT HAVE U.S. HEADQUARTERS HERE IN CHICAGO.

THEY ARE PLANNING TO HIRE MORE PEOPLE LOCALLY.

TELL US ABOUT THAT PLAN AND WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT CHICAGO'S TECH SCENE?

>> THEY MAKE A BUSINESS SOFTWARE THAT HELPS COMPANIES TRACK SPENDING THEY RAISED $44 MILLION FROM THE INVESTORS TO GROW THEIR TEAM.

THEY HAVE ABOUT 40 EMPLOYEES HERE IN CHICAGO NOW BUT WITH THE NEW FUNDING THEY WILL TRY TO GET TO 200 IN CHICAGO OVER THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR YEARS.

MOST JOBS ARE IN SALES AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT.

IT SHOWS THE VALUE THAT TECH COMPANIES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD HAVE HISTORICALLY AND CONTINUE TO PLACE IN CHICAGO FOR THE YOUNG TECH SAVVY TALENT WE HAVE HERE AND THE DEEP BENCH OF CORPORATIONS THAT USE SERVICES LIKE WHAT THEY OFFER.

IT IS AN INTERNATIONAL WIN HERE FOR CHICAGO.

>> SO LONG TIME GOLD COAST RESTAURANT TAVERN ON RUSH CLOSING AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

THE OWNERS ARE LOOKING TO REVAMP IT.

WHAT DO THEY HAVE PLANNED?

>> SO FAR THEY ARE SAYING THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE THAT BUILDING A FACELIFT.

THIS IS A HIGH PROFILE BUILDING ON RUSH STREET.

ALDERMAN REILLY SAID THE OWNERS OF THE BUILDING ARE TAKING THE BUILDING DOWN TO THE STUDS AND MAKE MAKING IT MORE MODERN AND LAYOUT.

THEY WILL BE PUTTING A NEW RESTAURANT IN THERE.

PART OF A BROADER REFRESH WE'RE SEEING IN THAT POCKET OF THE GOLD COAST.

CARMINE'S NEXT DOOR WAS PURCHASED AND IT WILL BE KNOCKED DOWN AND REBUILT WITH A NEW CARMINES IN THERE.

GIBSONS RESTAURANT GROUP IS LOOKING TO ADD BALCONIES.

THAT BLOCK COULD LOOK A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

>> IT COULD HAVE A NEW LOOK.

DANNY ECKER AT CRAIN'S THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

>> IT WAS A DAY OF POMP AND PAGEANTRY.

HUNDREDS OF WORLD LEADERS AND POLITICIANS AS WELL AS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS MORE IN THE STREETS CAME TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO QUEEN ELIZABETH II.

BEFORE THE FUNERAL SERVICE BEGAN, A BELL TOLLED 96 TIMES ONCE FOR EACH YEAR OF THE MONARCH'S LIFE.

THE LAST TIME GREAT BRITAIN SAW A FURNISH RALPH THIS MAGNITUDE WAS 1955 AFTER THE DEATH OF WINSTON CHURCHILL.

IT MARKS THE END OF AN ERA AS THE WORLD BIDS FAREWELL TO THE LONGEST REIGNING MONARCH OF ENGLAND.

JOINING US NOW TO BREAKDOWN TODAY'S CEREMONY AND TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF EN GLANGS ARE ROBERT BUCHOLZ HISTORY PROFESSOR AT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO.

AND SETVEN PINCUS THE THOMAS E DONLEY PROFESSOR OF BRITISH HISTORY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

WELCOME BACK TO BOTH OF YOU.

WHAT WERE YOUR IMPRESSIONS OF TODAY'S FUNERAL AND ALL OF THE EVENTS OF THE LAST 10 DAYS, ROBERT I WILL START WITH YOU?

>> FIRST IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THIS IS THE FIRST STATE FUNERAL OF A DECEASED SOVEREIGN IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY SINCE 1760.

NOBODY ALIVE AS SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

WHAT STRUCK ME ABOUT THE CEREMONY WAS IN FACT HOW TRADITIONAL IT WAS.

WE EXPECT IT TO BE TRADITIONAL.

BUT IN TERMS OF CHOICES OF READINGS AND HER CHOICES OF MUSIC THERE WAS NOTHING POPULAR IT WAS NOTHING APPEALING TO HER GENERATION.

IF YOU COMPARE IT TO THE SERVICE FOREVER PRINCESS DIANA 25 YEARS AGO, THERE WAS ELTON JOHN AND A LOT OF STUFF THAT WAS PERSONAL TO HER BUT ALSO TO HER GENERATION.

NONE OF THAT.

YOU COULD HAVE DONE THIS PARTICULAR SERVICE FOR GEORGE V. >> FOR GEORGE V. SETVEN PINCUS WHAT WERE YOUR IMPRESSIONS AND TAKEAWAYS?

>> MINE WERE SIMILAR TO BOB'S WITH THE EXCEPTION THERE WAS AN INTERESTING INTERPLAY BETWEEN THE TRADITION OF THE FUNERAL AND THE PROCESSION AND THE MUSIC AND THE READINGS.

AND THE SORT OF SUBTLE HINTS OF INNOVATION.

HAVING THE FIRST BLACK SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH GIVE HER READING OF A TEXT.

HAVING THE SERMON BEING DELIVERED BY THE ARCHBISHOP OF CAN'TTER BURY.

VERY TRADITIONAL ESPECIALLY THIS IS A GRANDSON OF A JEW AND HAVING ALL OF THE VARIOUS STATEMENTS MADE BY RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF NON-ANGLICAN DENOMINATION.

THE CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OF WESTMINSTER.

THE TWO COMPETING ARC BISHOPS AND THE LEADER OF THE FREE PROTESTANT CHURCHES ALL INDICATES MORE OF AN SORT OF MOVE TOWARDS INDICATING A MORE MODERN BRITAIN.

THAT SORT OF STRUCK ME.

AND I GUESS I WAS ALSO STRUCK BY ANOTHER INTERESTING THING.

WHEN ELIZABETH'S CASKET WAS TRANSFERRED FROM THE CARRIAGE INTO THE HEARST, THAT TOOK PLACE OUTSIDE OF WELLINGTON ARCH.

RIGHT BESIDES WELLINGTON ARCH.

AND WELLINGTON ARCH IS NAMED AFTER THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON BY HIS LONDON RESIDENCE AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON WAS PRIME MINISTER WHEN THE GREAT REFORM ACT WAS THE BIGGEST TRANSMOREMATION TOOK PLACE.

AND I THINK IT IS AN INTERESTING MOMENT TO THINK AND REFLEX ON THAT AS THIS MOMENT WHEN THERE IS A SERIOUS CHANCE OF A INDEPENDENCE OF SCOTLAND AND POSSIBLY NORTHERN IRELAND JOINING WITH THE REPUBLIC.

IF SHIN FAIN GETS ITS WAY.

SO THIS IS A MOMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS IN BRITAIN AND ALSO FOR THE EMPIRE.

AND HE IS DISCUSSING GETTING RID OF -- GETTING RID OF THE MONARCH AS THE HEAD OF STATE.

JAMAICA MIGHT BE DOING SO IN THE FUTURE.

AND AUSTRALIA THAT HAD A REFERENDUM ON BECOMING A REPUBLIC MIGHT WELL REVISIT THIS ISSUE.

>> THE QUEEN WE KNOW THE FUNERAL WAS HELD AT WEST MINOR ABBEY AND THE QUEEN HAD A LOT OF HISTORY WITH THE ABBEY.

GIVE US A SENSE OF SOME OF THAT HISTORY THAT SHE HAD.

>> WELL, OF COURSE THIS IS WHERE SHE WAS CROWNED IN 1953.

IF YOU'VE SEEN THE FILMS IT'S MOVING, YOUNG SLIGHT WOMAN MAKING ALL THESE PROMISES.

I BELIEVE IT LASTED THREE-AND-A-HALF HOURS SHE IS WEARING THE HEAVY CROWN AND IT WAS -- AT THE TIME AND WHEN YOU WATCH IT NOW IT'S HARD FOR PEOPLE NOT TO FEEL FOR HER AND FEEL SHE IS TAKES ON THIS TREMENDOUS TASK WHICH OF COURSE, SHE WAS.

AND THEN EVERYTHING COMES FULL CIRCLE TO HER FUNERAL IN THE ABBEY TODAY.

AT THE SAME TIME WHAT STRUCK ME WAS ALL THE RESIDENCES WITH WINDSOR A PLACE THE ROYAL FAMILY LOVES.

THEY ARE NAMED AFTER WINDSOR CASTLE AND THE FACT THAT FOR HER TO BE BURIED AT WINDSOR IS A KIND OF A COMING HOME.

>> SHE ALSO SHE HERSELF PLAYED A GREAT ROLE IN PLANNING THE EVENTS OF THE LAST 10 DAYS AND HER FUNERAL.

PROFESSOR TELL US WHAT SHE DID AND HOW THIS FUNERAL COMPARES TO HER FATHER'S WHICH WAS NOT TELEVISED?

>> YES, THIS IS NOT -- TO BE HONEST THAT IS MORE SORT OF IN BOB'S REALM OF EXPERTISE.

I AM LESS A STUDENT OF CEREMONIAL AND MORE A STUDENT OF POLITICS.

BUT IT DOES STRIKE ME THAT YOU KNOW, I MEAN THE LONDON BRIDGE PLAN AND HER INVOLVEMENT INDICATES SOMETHING OF HER ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND HER ATTENTION TO -- INSISTENCE ON CONTINUITY.

I THINK HER VIEW I THINK SHE UNDERSTOOD VERY WELL PERHAPS MUCH BETTER THAN MANY PEOPLE, HOW THE MONARCHY AS AN INSTITUTION IS IN A VERY FRAGILE POSITION IN THE MODERN WORLD.

AND I THINK SHE UNDERSTOOD THIS FROM THE DEATH OF DIANA WHERE SHE GAVE THE WONDERFUL SPEECH WHICH IN MANY WAYS RESUSCITATED THE MONARCHY.

THE ATTITUDES WERE AT THE LOWEST EBB AFTER DIANA'S DEATH AND SHE GAVE THE WONDERFUL SPEECH THAT EMBRACED DIANA'S LEGACY AND BRITAIN'S AND THE NEW KIND OF WAY.

I THINK THAT THAT SENSITIVITY THEN SHE GAVE 25 YEARS AGO AND HER OWN SENSITIVITY TO HOW THE CEREMONIAL OF HER FUNERAL AND THE 10 DAYS OF MOURNING WOULD BE SO IMPORTANT FOR REESTABLISHING THE MONARCHY UNDER HER SON.

I THINK THAT WAS THE KIND OF DETAIL AND THE KIND OF ATTENTION TO THE INSTITUTION WHICH FOR HER WAS VERY, VERY NEAR AND DEAR.

>> ROBERT BUCHOLZ DO YOU WANT TO JUMP IN THERE?

>> YOU COULD COMBINE BOTH OUR POINTS.

WHAT WE SAW WAS THIS TRADITIONAL CEREMONY AND PRAYERS AND MUSIC IN TONE BY PEOPLE FROM A WIDE VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS, THAT ARE VARIOUS RELIGIOUS BACKGROUNDS.

YOU SORT OF HAVE THE QUEEN SORT OF TRYING TO BRING THOSE PEOPLE INTO THE MONARCHY OR BRING THE MONARCHY TO THEM IN A WAY THAT MAKES IT MORE UNIVERSAL THAN JUST A CELEBRATION OF ENGLISHNESS AND THAT WAS HER GENIUS.

>> YOU KNOW, MILLIONS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, A LOT NOT SURE OF THE NUMBERS LINED UP CAMPED OUT TO BID FAREWELL.

BUT OF COURSE NOT EVERYONE IN BRITAIN CELEBRATES THE EXISTENCE OF THE MONARCHY AND WE'VE DISCUSSED THE COMMONWEALTH CONSIDERING REMOVING THE MONARCH AS THE HEAD OF STATE.

THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANOTHER WOMAN AS MONARCH AND ANOTHER WOMAN TO SERVE AS SOVEREIGN FOR LITERALLY GENERATIONS UNLESS SOMETHING HAPPENS.

DO YOU THINK HOW DO YOU THINK THAT SERVES THE CASE FOR THE MONARCHY?

>> FIRST OF ALL THOSE QUESTIONS AREN'T GOING TO GO AWAY.

AND THEY ARE VERY, VERY LEGITIMATE QUESTIONS.

AND I THINK PEOPLE HAVE REMARKED WHEN YOU SEE CHARLES WHEN YOU SEE HIM WALKING BEHIND THE COFFIN AND HE SEEMS TO HAVE THE WEIGHT ON THE WORLD ON HIS SHOULDERS AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE NEW JOB AND THE TROUBLES IN HIS FAMILY.

BUT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT HE WAS A HISTORY MAJOR AT CAMBRIDGE AND KNOWS WELL WHAT THE HISTORY IS.

AND HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BEGIN TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES IN A WAY PERHAPS MORE THAN HIS MOTHER DID.

BECAUSE THEY COULD BE SWEPT UNDER THE RUG A LITTLE BIT.

THAT IS NO LONGER THE CASE AND HE KNOWS IT.

AND IT IS A BIG TASK.

>> THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE IT LEAVE IT.

WE'LL TALK NEXT YEAR AT HIS CORONATION.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND STAY WITH WTTW FOR A RECAP OF EVENTS FROM QUEEN ELIZABETH'S FUNERAL RIGHT AFTER OUR PROGRAM AT 8:00 P.M.

HERE ON WTTW.

>> UP NEXT, A WORKER SHORTAGE IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

THAT IS IN A CONVERSATION THAT FIRST AIRED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" LATINO VOICES WITH UNIVISION'S ALEX HERNANDEZ.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER...

DESPITE MANY BUSINESSES OPENING UP AFTER THE COVID SHUTDOWN, RESTAURANTS SAY THEY ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO FILL THE VOID OF EMPLOYEES.

THE U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS REPORTS NEARLY 1.3 MILLION JOB OPENINGS IN THE ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD INDUSTRY WHICH MAKEUP 11% OF TOTAL OPENINGS ACROSS ALL OCCUPATIONS NATIONWIDE.

THE SHORTAGE HAS CAUSED A STRAIN ON CURRENT RESTAURANT WORKERS.

SHORTENED BUSINESS HOURS AND LED TO THE CLOSING OF MANY RESTAURANTS.

JOINING US WITH MORE ARE ROBERT GOMEZ, OWNER OF BEAT KITCHEN.

AND SAM SANCHEZ, CHAIRMAN OF THE ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION.

WELCOME BOTH AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

NEW DATA FROM THE U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SHOW THERE ARE INCREASED JOB OPENINGS FOR THOSE IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

SAM, WHY ARE BUSINESSES STILL STRUGGLING TO FIND WORKERS TO FILL THESE ROLES?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS HERE.

A LOT OF NEW INDUSTRIES, CANNABIS TOOK A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AND THEY DECIDED NOT TO COME BACK.

THE UBER DELIVERY DRIVERS AND THE DRIVING SERVICES, YOU KNOW LYFT TOOK A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES DURING THE SHUTDOWN OF THE PANDEMIC AND CANNABIS TOOK A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES.

WE CONTINUE TO PUT OFFERS OUT THERE FOR MORE JOBS, SIGNING BONUSES, THE LABOR COST HAS INCREASED UP TO 30%.

AND IT IS A GREAT TIME TO APPLY FOR A RESTAURANT.

THE $15 MINIMUM WAGE IS SOMETHING OF THE PAST.

IT DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE.

PEOPLE ARE COMING IN AT 18, 19, 20 AN HOUR UP TO 25 AN HOUR.

REALLY ADVISE PEOPLE TO APPLY NOW.

>> AND EVEN WITH THAT, WE'RE STILL SEEING SHORTAGES.

>> ROBERT, REALISTICALLY SPEAKING THE PANDEMIC SHOWED MANY PEOPLE THAT WORK-FROM-HOME IS A POSSIBILITY AND THEY GET PAID DOING IT.

WHY SHOULD INDIVIDUALS RETURN TO AN IN-PERSON OCCUPATION WHEN THEY CAN WORK-FROM-HOME?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT IS DIFFICULT TO COMPETE WITH.

WHO DOESN'T.

MY MAKE-BELIEVE OFFICE RIGHT NOW.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO COMPETE WITH THAT AND ALL THE OTHER FACTORS THAT SAM MENTIONED ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE JUST AREN'T ENOUGH PEOPLE.

THIS COUNTRY'S ECONOMY HAS BEEN BUILT [INAUDIBLE] OWN PART OF OUR CULTURE.

OUR SOCIETY.

AND WE SHUT THAT OFF.

IT JUST TOOK TIME FOR US TO FEEL THE PINCH BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE AND WE ARE NOT ALLOWING WHAT WE NEED IN IMMIGRANT WORKERS TO COME INTO THE COUNTRY.

>> YOU LIVE THIS EVERYDAY, ROBERT, CAN YOU GIVE US A PICTURE WHAT THE SHORTAGE LOOKS LIKE ON THE GROUND?

>> YOU'RE BEGGING, BORROWING AND STEALING.

YOU GO INTO ANOTHER RESTAURANT AND SEE THE EMPLOYEE AND ASK THEM WHAT THEY ARE GETTING PAID AND I WILL GIVE YOU $2-$3 MORE.

I'M OPERATING WITHIN A SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD AND DOWNTOWN IS EASIER.

THERE'S TOURISM AND FOOT TRAFFIC.

NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTS HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME BEING ABLE TO COMPETE.

IT HAS HIGHER VALUE.

AND THAT IS A LOT OF SMALLER OPERATORS REALLY STRUGGLE AND THE REST OF THE ECONOMY SMALLER BUSINESSES.

>> RIGHT.

I IMAGINE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE TO DO LONGER HOURS BECAUSE THERE IS A SHORTAGE.

>> SAM, DO YOU THINK RESTAURANTS WILL EVER RETURN BACK TO HOW THINGS WERE BEFORE COVID?

>> WE'RE HOPING.

I MEAN THERE'S NEVER GOING TO BE THE SAME EXPERIENCE AS BEING AT HOME AND GETTING A DELIVERY.

THE NETWORK IS IMPORTANT FOR THE HAPPY HOUR, THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT IS NOT BACK.

WE ARE LUCKY IF THERE'S 30% OF THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT BACK.

FROM 600,000 EMPLOYEES DURING THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT WE ARE LUCKY IF 200,000 ARE BACK.

WE KNOW THAT THE COMPETITION ON THE STREET AND A NETWORKING IN-PERSON IS GOING TO DRAW THE PEOPLE BACK TO WORK AND PEOPLE BACK TO DOWNTOWN AREA HOPEFULLY THE SERVICE RESTAURANTS THAT OCCUPIED THE COMMON AREAS AND THEE HIGH-RISES CAN GO BACK TO BUSINESS.

THEY ARE ABOUT TO GO UNDER AND CLOSE.

WE CONTINUE TO SEE THIS SHORTAGE OF LABOR.

WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW, IS THAT WE WILL SEE THAT WE CAME INTO OPEN WHEN THE SUMMER JOBS WERE AVAILABLE.

SO A LOT OF PEOPLE WENT TO THE SUMMER JOBS AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO QUIT THOSE JOBS NOT KNOWING IF THE RESTAURANT IS GOING TO SHUTDOWN.

WE'RE HOPING ONCE THE SUMMER JOBS ARE SHUTDOWN, THE LANDSCAPING AND CONTRACTORS, AND THEY WILL COME BACK TO WORK.

WHAT WE'RE MISSING HERE IS A PUSH FROM THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT TO BRING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK IN THE OFFICE.

>> ROBERT, I HAVE THE SAME QUESTION FOR YOU.

DO YOU THINK WE'LL GET BACK TO THE WAY THINGS WERE BEFORE COVID?

>> IF YOU REMEMBER DURING COVID THERE WAS A SHORTAGE.

NOW YOU OPEN UP THE ECONOMY AND COVID STARTS TO HAVE LESS OF AN IMPACT ON OUR ECONOMY AND NOW WE HAVE A MORE SERIOUS SHORTAGE.

NOT WITHOUT OUR POLITICIANS COMING TO AN AGREEMENT HOW PEOPLE CAN LEGALLY ENTER THE COUNTRY TO HAVE THE LABOR FORCE IT WILL NOT BOUNCE BACK.

I OPENED UP ON NAVY PIER AND THERE IS A ROOM I CAN'T STAFF IT.

IT'S TOO BIG OF A SPACE AND THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE.

>> SAM, WHAT SUGGESTIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR RESTAURANTS THAT WANT TO RETAIN WORKERS?

WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS MOMENT?

>> YOU KNOW, I MEAN HERE IT IS.

NUMBER ONE, EVERYBODY KNOWS YOU CAN WORK FOR LESS MONEY IF YOU TREAT THEM PROPERLY AND YOU GET THE RIGHT BENEFITS.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT MONEY IT'S WHERE YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE.

WE'RE I WILL JUMP ON THIS QUICK BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT.

THE DELIVERIES ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE'RE WORKING ON LEGISLATION TO GET HIGH SCHOOL KIDS WHO ARE UNDOCUMENTED GET THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE.

WE ARE WORKING ON GETTING UNDOCUMENTED CHAUFFEURS LICENSES IN ILLINOIS.

WE ARE MOVING FORWARD IN PROVIDING MORE LABOR AND SERVICE.

IT IS A MATTER OF TIME.

IT IS A MATTER OF TIME.

WE WILL COME BACK AT FULL FORCE IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME.

>> LITTLE TIME BUT I WANT TO GET THIS QUESTION IN.

AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT SENT BUSES OF MIGRANTS TO CHICAGO.

HAS THERE BEEN OUTREACH FROM RESTAURANTS TO THE MIGRANTS?

IS THAT THE WORKFORCE WE'RE MISSING?

>> REALLY QUICK.

THEY CANNOT WORK.

THEY ARE TOLD THAT YOU UNDER THE ASYLUM WORK YOU CANNOT WORK UNTIL YOU GET A WORK VISA WHICH IS 190 DAYS.

THEY ARE SITTING THERE FOR A WORK VISA WE CANNOT HIRE THEM.

>> AFTER THEY GET IT?

>> AFTER THAT GET IT WE'LL HIRE THEM.

>> BUT THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.

WE NEED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WE ARE NOT SHORT NATIONWIDE.

>> INCREDIBLE THAT WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT A SHORTAGE OF EMPLOYEES STILL TO THIS DAY.

ROBERT GOMEZ AND SAM SANCHEZ THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS... >> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT HE IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY 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.

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

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. MORE ON THE JURY VERDICT ORDERING STERIGENICS TO PAY MILLIONS FOR DECADES OF TOXIC AIR POLLUTION AND A LITTLE VILLAGE IS BRINGING SOMETHING NEW BY MAKING A WHEAT TREAT THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY.

AND REMEMBER TO STAY TUNED FOR SPECIAL PBS COVERAGE OF THE FUNERAL OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II.

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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