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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THE AYES ARE 27 AND THE NAYS ARE 20.

>> CITY COUNCIL APPROVES THREE POLICE MISCONDUCT SETTLEMENTS COSTING TAXPAYERS NEARLY $25 MILLION.

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I THINK WE ARE TOTALLY OUT OF ORDER.

>> DESPITE OBJECTIONS THE CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER TEAM GETS APPROVAL FOR A PRACTICE FACILITY.

>> KISS YOUR FAMILY GOOD-BYE.

>> CITY COUNCIL WELCOMED THE NEWEST MEMBER.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THAT AND MORE.

>> I MEAN TO MANY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT THIS WAS AN AMBUSH.

>> LAWSUITS SEEM TO STRIKE DOWN A CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL MONTHS BEFORE IT'S SET TO TAKE EFFECT.

>> ONE STORY WE TELL OURSELVES WE ARE IN THE LAND OF I AM GRANTS BUT IT BECOMES HARD FOR US TO LIVE UP TO THE STORIES.

>> THE NEW PBS DOCUMENTARY SERIES THE U.S. AND HOLOCAUST HOW AMERICA GRAPPLED WITH THE RISE IN NAZISM IN GERMANY.

THERE IS A REASON PEOPLE WANT TO RUN AWAY AND JOIN THE CIRCUS.

>> A COLLECTION AT THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY IS GOING UP FOR AUCTION.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL AND TOWER IN CHICAGO IS PART OF THE NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL'S LAWSUIT AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND HIS COMPANY.

THE SUITALS A STALLING GEARING LEVEL OF FINANCIAL FRAUD INVOLVING MUCH OF HIS ISRAELIS REAL ESTATE.

THE LAWSUIT IS A RESULT OF A THREE-YEAR CIVIL INVESTIGATION INTO THE TRUMP AND THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION T ALLEGES TRUMP ALONG WITH HIS CHILDREN AND EXECUTIVES USED A NUMBER OF TACTICS TO FRAUDULENTLY PERSUADE BANKS TO LEND HIM MONEY.

WITH THE CHICAGO PROPERTY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALLEGES THAT SINCE 2009 ITS VALUE HAD BEEN EXCLUDED FROM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

IT'S BECAUSE TRUMP DID NOT WANT TO TAKE A POSITION CONFLICTING WITH HIS ARGUMENTS WITH TAX AUTHORITIES THAT THE PROPERTY HAD BECOME WORTHLESS.

PROSECUTORS SAY A THREE-YEAR-OLD BOY IS NOT LIKELY TO SURVIVE AFTER HIS AUNT ALLEGEDLY PUSHED HIM INTO LAKE MICHIGAN.

VICTORIA MORENO IS HELD WITHOUT BAIL FOLLOWING ON HER ARREST.

COOK COUNTY PROSECUTORS SAY THE BOY SUFFERED MASSIVE INJURIES AFTER BEING IN THE WATER FOR AROUND 30 MINUTES.

MORENO WAS ARRESTED AFTER SHE ALLEGEDLY CAPTURED ON VIDEO SHOVING HER NEPHEW INTO THE WATER.

PROSECUTORS SAY SHE FAILED TO CALL FOR HELP AND CLAIMED SHE DIDN'T KNOW THE BOY OR HOW HE ENDED UP IN THE LAKE.

>> PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE WORKING TO SUPPORT ANOTHER ROUND OF MIGRANTS ARRIVING IN CHICAGO.

THE 74 MIGRANTS ARRIVED HERE ON BUSES FROM TEXAS YESTERDAY.

THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE SENT TO CHICAGO BY GREG ABBOTT TO 801.

DURING TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING, MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT PLEDGED TO INCLUDE FUNDING TO ASSIST MIGRANTS BEING SENT TO CHICAGO IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET.

>> AS PART OF OUR FY23 BUDGET WE WILL BE ASKING THE CITY COUNCIL TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN MEET THE MOMENT THAT WE ARE FACING NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE.

>> AND WE'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING SHORTLY.

>> UP NEXT THE BATTLE OVER THE ELIMINATION OF CASH BAIL.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> IN JANUARY, ILLINOIS WILL ELIMINATE CASH BAIL.

MONEY PAID TO RELEASE SOMEONE FROM JAIL AS A GUARANTEE THAT THEY WILL RETURN FOR TRIAL.

BUT IT WON'T GO INTO EFFECT IF A TRIO OF STATE'S ATTORNEYS HAVE THEIR WAY.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH THE STORY.

>> YOU LIKELY HEARD ABOUT THE LAW AND YOU WILL CONTINUE TO IT.

IT'S DUBBED THE SAFE-T ACT AND WHILE THE NO CASH BAIL PORTION IS GETTING THE BULK OF THE ATTENTION IT DOES A LOT MORE THAN THAT.

IT IS 764 PAGES LONG.

AND THAT ACCORDING TO A LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY McHENRY STATE'S ATTORNEY PATRICK KENEALLY IT CREATES CHANGES OR TOUCHES 40 STATE STATUTES AND THAT IS AMONG HIS AND OTHERS' PROBLEMS WITH THE LAW.

>> THIS WAS TO MANY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT THIS WAS A POLITICAL AMBUSH.

YOU HAD LEGISLATORS IN LEAD WITH A GROUP OF ACTIVISTS MANY OF WHOM DID NOT HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WAS DOING WHO TOOK A WISH LIST AND PUT IT INTO LEGISLATION AND ALL OF A SUDDEN AT THE 11TH HOUR DURING LAME DUCK SESSION THEY SPRUNG THIS THING AND STRONG ARMED AND EXCLUDED PROSECUTORS AND POLICE AS WELL AS OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FROM ANY TYPE OF NEGOTIATIONS.

THEY FORCED THIS THING THROUGH, AND NOW WE'RE LEFT WITH THE FALLOUT WHICH IS A BILL THAT NOT ONLY DOESN'T MAKE SENSE BUT IT IS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER TO THE PUBLIC.

>> OF COURSE, THOSE WHO ARE PROPONENTS OF THIS LEGISLATION TAKE UMBRAGE WITH THAT.

AND THAT STATE'S ATTORNEY IS AMONG THOSE WHO FILED THREE SEPARATE LAWSUITS ALSO BY STATE'S ATTORNEYS, REPRESENTING McHENRY, KANKAKEE AND WILL COUNTIES.

EACH OF THE SUITS HAVE VARIATIONS BUT ARE SIMILAR IN SCOPE.

THAT McHENRY, THE WILL COUNTY LAWSUIT THAT IS, SAYS THE QUICK MANNER AND HOW THE LAW WAS PASSED A VIOLATION.

BECAUSE LEGISLATION IS SUPPOSED TO GO BEFORE THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR A MINIMUM OF THREE SEPARATE DAYS.

THAT IS TRUE BUT IN SPRINGFIELD PROCEDURAL MOVES ARE USED REGULARLY SO THE REQUIREMENT IS MET TECHNICALLY IF NOT IN SPIRIT.

THE STATE CONSTITUTION MANDATES THAT LAWS ARE KEPT TO A SINGLE SUBJECT.

AND THE McHENRY SUIT ALLEGES THE SAFE-T ACT VIOLATES THAT CRAMMING IN EVERYTHING FROM THE POLICE CERTIFICATION TO THE BAIL OVERHAUL.

>> THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION AND WHAT OUR FOUNDERS THOUGHT THAT THAT WAS A BAD IDEA AND ULTIMATELY DESTRUCTIVE.

THEY WANT THE BILLS TO BE ABLE TO BE CONSIDERED ON THEIR OWN MERITS AND NOT JUST CRAMMED THROUGH WITH SORT OF PORK BARREL LEGISLATION.

>> WE'VE TRIED VERY HARD LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN SENSITIVE TO NOT MIXING DIFFERENT ISSUES IN THAT WAY.

SO WE'VE TRIED TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL BILLS ARE GERMAINE TO ONE SUBJECT AREA AND THE SAFE-T ACT DEALS WITH PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> STATE SENATOR ELGIE SIMS WAS A LEAD NEGOTIATOR ON THE LAW.

AND HE ALSO DISPUTES ANOTHER CRITICISM, THAT THE BAIL CHANGES VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION'S SEPARATION OF POWERS CLAUSE.

HE SAYS IT IS DISINGENUOUS FOR THE STATE'S ATTORNEYS TO CHALLENGE THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE LAW IS PASSED.

>> YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.

YOU CANNOT CHALLENGE THE WAY THE LEGISLATURE ACTS AND BY THE SAME TOKEN SAY THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS INFRINGING ON THE JUDICIARY'S POWERS.

IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY.

>> AND LEGISLATORS INCLUDING HIMSELF WERE INVOLVED IN AN ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT COMMISSION ON PRETRIAL FAIRNESS THAT WAS A PRECURSOR TO THE SAFE-T ACT AND THE SUPREME COURT HAS NOW BEEN WORKING ON THE LAW'S IMPLEMENTATION.

PATRICK KENEALLY SAYS BAIL IS A COMPLICATED BALANCE OF INTERESTS AND THAT PREROGATIVE SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE COURTS.

>> THAT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT DANGEROUS DEFENDANTS LIKELY TO FLEE OR NOT LIKELY TO COMPLY WITH THE PROCESS.

>> HIS LAWSUIT ALLEGES THAT THE SAFE-T ACT UNDERMINES THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT REQUIRES JUDGES TO CONSIDER A VICTIM'S SAFETY AND WELL-BEING WHILE SETTING BAIL.

THE SAFE-T ACT WILL MAKE A MARKED DIFFERENCE FOR VICTIMS BY INSURING THAT SOMEONE CONVICTED OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISN'T RELEASED SO THEY COULD REPEAT JUST BECAUSE THEY GOT THE CASH TO GET OUT OF JAIL.

SIMS SAYS THE LAWSUITS ARE A WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY.

HE SAYS THAT HE PROMISED EARLY ON TO NEGOTIATE THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE LAW AND HE SAYS THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AROUND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES SURROUNDING CASH BAIL'S ELIMINATION.

HE SAYS WHILE THE FIXES HAVE NOT BEEN MADE YET IT'S BECAUSE LEGISLATORS HAVE BEEN RESPECTFUL OF THE SUPREME COURT AS THE JUDICIARY GEARS UP FOR JANUARY.

>> THE STATEMENT OF THEM HAVING STATE-WIDE HEARINGS TO ADDRESS AND LISTEN TO THE IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES.

WE DIDN'T WANT TO GET IN FRONT OF THAT.

WE WANTED TO LET THAT PROCESS PLAY OUT.

IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THE THOUGHTFUL MANNER WHICH WE'VE BEEN LEADING THIS PROCESS AND GOING ABOUT THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN USURPED BY POLITICAL TALKING POINTS.

>> HE SAYS THAT CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN ADVOCATES, LAWMAKERS AND STATE'S ATTORNEYS ARE HAPPENING NOW.

BUT HE DOES SAY THAT ALL OF THE INFLAMMATORY RHETORIC HAS MADE THAT HARDER DRIVING BOTH SIDES TO DIG IN THEIR HEELS DEEPER.

THE McHENRY COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY SAYS HE IS NOT PART OF THOSE TALKS BUT HE IS FOLLOWING THEM.

PATRICK KENEALLY SAYS THAT HE HAD HELD OFF ON FILING A LAWSUIT UNTIL NOW IN ANTICIPATION THAT AN NEGOTIATION WOULD ADDRESS HIS AND OTHERS' CONCERNS WITH THE LAW.

>> NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.

AND SO NOW WE ARE AT THE PRECIPICE OF THIS THING TAKING EFFECT ON JANUARY FIRST AND THERE'S NOT BEEN NECESSARILY ANY GUARANTEES AND NOW WHAT WE'RE HEARING IS THAT NOTHING'S GOING TO HAPPEN UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO PUT THEIR NAME ON THIS THING.

>> IF IT ISN'T OBVIOUS, YES, THIS IS POLITICALLY FRAUGHT.

THE LEGISLATURE IS SCHEDULED TO RETURN AT THE EARLIEST NOVEMBER 15TH AND THAT IS A WEEK AFTER THE ELECTION.

WITH THAT BRANDIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> OF COURSE IT IS.

>> SEE YOU LATER IN THE PROGRAM FOR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> CHICAGO TAXPAYER ALSO PAY NEARLY $25 MILLION TO SETTLE THREE LAWSUITS CLAIMING CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS COMMITTED A WIDE RANGE OF MISCONDUCT.

THAT IS AFTER A DRAMATIC VOTE BY THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL TODAY.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US NOW WITH DETAILS ABOUT THE SETTLEMENTS AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE ACTION AT TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL.

WELCOME BACK.

AND BRING US UP-TO-DATE ON THE MISCONDUCT THESE THREE LAWSUITS ARE DESIGNED TO ADDRESS.

>> WELL, THE BIGGEST LAWSUIT WILL PAY $15 MILLION TO THE FAMILY OF MARTINEZ.

SHE WAS 37 YEARS OLD AND HAD SIX KIDS WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK AND KILLED BY A CAR DRIVEN BY A CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS CONTINUING A CHASE THAT HE HAD BEEN ORDERED TO STOP.

ANOTHER SETTLEMENT WILL PAY $9 MILLION TO PATRICK PRINCE WHO WAS WRONGFULLY CONVICTED OF MURDER BUT SPENT 25 YEARS IN PRISON.

THE THIRD SETTLEMENT ALSO THE SMALLEST TURNED OUT TO BE THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL.

>> OK. AND ALDERMAN SPOSATO URGED COLLEAGUES TO REJECT THE SETTLEMENT THAT WILL PAY $900,000 TO A MAN SHOT BY A CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER IN 2017.

HERE HE IS.

>> I BROUGHT A SMALL POCKET KNIFE THAT I LEAVE IN MY CAR.

IT IS AN INCH-AND-A-HALF.

I THINK THIS IS DEADLY.

I THINK THIS WOULD KILL YOU.

IT'S SHARP AND POINTY.

AND I BROUGHT A FIVE-INCH KNIFE.

THIS IS A FIVE-INCH KNIFE THIS IS WHAT HE HAD IN HIS CAR.

WHEN THE POLICE OFFICER SHOT HIM THIS IS WHAT HE WAS REACHING FOR AND HE WAS GOING TO GET TO GO DO WHAT?

I DON'T KNOW.

>> TWO KNIVES AT CITY COUNCIL TODAY.

WHAT PROMPTED THE ALDERMAN TO WAVE A KNIFE ON THE FLOOR OF CITY COUNCIL?

>> HE WAS HOPING TO CONVINCE HIS COLLEAGUES TO REJECT THAT $900,000 SETTLEMENT WHICH HE IS SAID HAD ANGERED HIM BECAUSE THERE WAS A KNIFE FOUND IN THE CAR WITH THE MAN WHO WAS SHOT BY POLICE.

BUT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THAT MAN AS THE ALDERMAN SAID WAS REACHING FOR THAT KNIFE AND ULTIMATELY, THE CITY COULD NOT DEFEND THE SHOOTING WHICH LEFT THIS MAN GRAVELY INJURED.

IT WAS QUITE A MOMENT TODAY.

>> SO $25 MILLION THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

IS IT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT TO PAY TO RESOLVE THREE LAWSUITS?

>> IT IS.

EVERY YEAR, THE CITY SETS ASIDE ROUGHLY $82 MILLION TO COVER THE COST OF SETTLING LAWSUITS THAT ALLEGE MISCONDUCT BY MEMBERS OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SO JUST TODAY THE SETTLEMENTS APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ACCOUNT FOR MORE THAN 30% OF THAT ANNUAL BUDGET.

>> 82 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR SHE SAID.

ALSO TODAY, CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A MEASURE DESIGNED TO PROTECT ABORTION ACCESS IN CHICAGO.

WHAT ARE THE CHANGES THAT ARE NOW IN EFFECT?

>> CHICAGO POLICE ARE NOW BANNED FROM HELPING OTHER STATES INVESTIGATE PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL TO CHICAGO FOR ABORTIONS OR GENDER AFFIRMING CARE.

THIS WAS A LAW AUTHORED BY ALDERMAN SANCHEZ MODELED ON THE CITY'S PROJECTIONS FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

>> OK.

THANK YOU.

AND WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN LATER IN THE PROGRAM FOR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S FULL STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS AND A FOLLOW-UP TO SOME REPORTING WE DID EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>> AFTER SOME MANEUVERING A CONTROVERSIAL DEAL SET TO TURN VACANT CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY LAND INTO A FIRE PRACTICE CITY PASSED CITY COUNCIL.

A STORY THAT WTTW AND PROPUBLICA REPORTED ON IN JUNE.

IT PASSED THE PANEL THIS MORNING AFTER AN OVERNIGHT RECESS.

AFTER HEATED DEBATE ON THE FLOOR, THE DEAL CLEARED THE COUNCIL 37-11.

AND JOINING US TO EXPLAIN THE BACKGROUND OF THIS DEAL AND BREAKDOWN WHAT HAPPENED IN CITY COUNCIL ARE PROPUBLICA REPORTER MICK DUMKE AND WTTW NEWS REPORTER NICK BLUMBERG.

MICK AND NICK WELCOME.

REMIND US WHAT THE CHICAGO FIRE IS PLANNING TO BUILD ON THIS FORMER CHA SITE.

>> THE CHICAGO FIRE WANTS TO BUILD A PRACTICE FACILITY WHICH WOULD INCLUDE MULTIPLE PRACTICE FIELDS I THINK SIX WAS THE LATEST COUNT.

AS WELL AS A TRAINING CENTER AND SOME MEETING SPACE.

AND THIS WHOLE THING WOULD TAKE UP THE BETTER PART OF 25, 26 ACRES IN THE MIDDLE OF WHAT USED TO BE THE ADDAMS-BROOKS-LOOMIS-ABBOTT HOMES PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.

>> AND NICK, THIS PLAN FAILED TO PASS COMMITTEE YESTERDAY AND A FEW VOTES FLIPPED AND IT PASSED TODAY.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

IT WAS A BIT OF A SURPRISE THAT YESTERDAY'S VOTE FAILED.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SUPPORTS IT.

AND WHEN IT CAME UP IN THE ZONING COMMITTEE YESTERDAY, IT FAILED ON A 7-5 VOTE IN A BIT OF ALDERMANIC MANEUVERING THAT MIGHT BE FAMILIAR FROM YOUR TIME AS A CITY HALL REPORTER.

THE CHAIR TOM TUNNEY RECESSED THAT MEETING UNTIL THIS MORNING AND THEY GOT TOGETHER BEFORE THE FULL CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

THREE PEOPLE CHANGED THEIR VOTE AND IT PASSED.

THERE IS A LOT OF CONVERSATION YESTERDAY AND TODAY WHY ARE WE BUILDING THIS SOCCER FACILITY ON LAND THAT USED FOR CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY RESIDENTS?

WHY ARE WE TURNING THIS OVER?

WE NEED THE LAND PARTICULARLY ONE THAT IS OWNED BY JEO MANSUETO A BILLIONAIRE.

IT ENDED UP CLEARING THE FULL CITY COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.

>> AND AS I UNDERSTAND THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF A LONG DEBATE THIS AFTERNOON ON THE COUNCIL FLOOR.

IRVIN SAID THERE HAVE BEEN EFFORTS TO BUILD NEW HOUSING IN THAT AREA BUT THEN OPPONENTS SAID THE CHA'S FAILURES MEAN THE DEAL SHOULD NOT GO FORWARD.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> I THINK THAT THE PROGRESS IN THAT DEVELOPMENT HASN'T BEEN MADE.

AND I DO UNDERSTAND OTHERS HAVE CHALLENGES BUT PLEASE DO NOT HOLD THAT AGAINST THE RESIDENTS OF THE BROOKS HOME ON LOOMIS COURTS APARTMENTS.

>> I DON'T WANT TO HOLD THIS AGAINST YOUR CONSTITUENTS BUT WE GOT TO BE ABLE TO HOLD CHA ACCOUNTABLE AND WE HAVEN'T.

I SAT ON THE CHA WAITING LIST FOR 29 YEARS.

I HAVE A KID THAT IS 29 YEARS.

IF I WAITED WOULD ME AND MY CHILDREN BE HOMELESS?

>> A LOT OF FOLKS ARE ON THE CHA WAIT LIST.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE HOMES ON THE SITE AND WHY IT NEVER GOT REDEVELOPED?

>> THERE WAS ONE POINT IN TIME 3600 FAMILIES LIVED AT ABLA ON THE NEAR WEST SIDE NEAR THE UNIVERSITY OF "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THE MEDICAL CAMPUS IS WEST OF THERE.

THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGER HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CHA'S PORTFOLIO.

BUT IN THE YEARS 2000 THE CHA UNDERTOOK THIS CITYWIDE WHAT THEY CALLED A TRANSFORMATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING WHICH REALLY BOILED DOWN TO RAZEEING DOZENS OF BUILDINGS CITYWIDE DISPLAYING THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS AND THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED IN ABLA.

MOST OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING BUILDINGS WERE DEMOLISHED, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAD TO FIND NEW PLACES TO LIVE.

AND THE CHA PROMISED IT WOULD REBUILD THE COMMUNITY WITH 2400 UNITS OF NEW MIXED INCOME HOUSING FOR A VARIETY OF PEOPLE WITH A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS.

BUT SO FAR FEWER THAN A THIRD OF THOSE UNITS HAVE BEEN BUILT.

AND THAT IS WHAT HAS GOT PEOPLE HOT ASIDE FROM THE MERITS OF THIS PARTICULAR PROPOSAL WITH THE CHICAGO FIRE, THAT THE CHA REPEATEDLY HAD DELAYS AND BROKEN PROMISES ABOUT ITS PLANS TO BRING PEOPLE BACK TO THE AREA AND BUILD NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES.

THE PLANS SEEM TO BE OPAQUE AND TENS OF THOUSANDS ON THE WAIT LIST HERE TO GET INTO CHA HOUSING.

THIS FALLS INTO THE DEBATE OVER ALDERMANIC PRIVILEGE.

EXPLAIN THAT?

>> IT CERTAINLY DOES.

THERE WAS A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

WHEN THE MEASURE CAME UP FOR A VOTE BEFORE THE FULL CITY COUNCIL.

JASON IRVIN WHOSE WARD THIS DEVELOPMENT SITS SAID THIS IS SOMETHING I SUPPORT IT IS A GREAT IDEA IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE RESIDENTS THE CHA RESIDENTS IN THE AREA WOULD BENEFIT FROM AND THEY SUPPORT.

OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A BIT OF DEBATE ABOUT THAT CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT WERE NO LONGER LIVING ON THAT SITE.

THERE ARE FOLKS WHO HAD NOT HEARD ABOUT THIS EFFORT.

AND NEVERTHELESS HE SAID THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS THE BACKING OF THE COMMUNITY IT WILL BE A BENEFIT TO US AND YOU TRUST ME AND LISTEN TO ME.

THIS IS MY WARD I KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON HERE.

HE GARNERED A WIDE ARRAY OF SUPPORT FROM FOLKS FELLOW WEST SIDERS AND HEARD FROM ALDERMAN RAY LOPEZ, AND SPOSATO AND WHAT WAS INTERESTING NAPOLITANO, RAISED THE FACT IN DECEMBER THERE WAS A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN HIS WARD THAT GOT TAPPED ONE THAT HE DID NOT SUPPORT BUT IT GOT TAPPED OVER HIS ALDERMANIC PRIVILEGE.

AND HE SAID IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN IT'S COMING FOR YOUR WARD BUT I AM GOING TO VOTE TO SUPPORT THIS AS DID MANY OTHERS OF IRVIN'S COLLEAGUES.

>> ALDERMANIC PRIVILEGE STILL IN EFFECT.

MICK DUMKE SO THE PLAN IS DONE.

IT'S PASSED IT HAS THE APPROVAL.

WHAT IS THE TIMELINE TO BUILD IT?

>> WELL, THE CHICAGO FIRE SAID IT WOULD LIKE TO BREAK GROUND ON THE NEW FACILITY BY LATE WINTER OR NEXT SPRING.

THERE IS A COUPLE MORE HOOPS IT STILL HAVE TO BE JUMPED THROUGH BY THE CITY AND THE CHA.

THE BIGGEST ONE IS THAT ANY USE OF PUBLIC HOUSING LAND FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN HOUSING, HAS TO GET APPROVAL FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO THE CHA SAID TO ME A LITTLE WHILE AGO THAT THEY HAVE GONE AHEAD AND SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT TO GET APPROVAL FOR THIS DEAL WITH THE FIRE.

THAT COULD TAKE WEEKS IT COULD TAKE MONTHS.

BUT AS THE PAST INDICATES HUD USUALLY SIGNS OFF ON THESE THINGS IF THE CHA SHOWS THAT IT HAS RESIDENT SUPPORT AND HAS THE BACKING OF ELECTED OFFICIALS WHICH THEY GOT TODAY.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE IT MIGHT BE A PERFUNCTORY STEP.

THANKS TO MICK DUMKE AND NICK BLUMBERG THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, A BELOVED COLLECTION AT THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY IS GOING UP FOR AUCTION.

WE'LL SHARE WHICH ONE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THE BRIBERY CHARGES AGAINST STATE SENATOR EMIL JONES, III.

BUT FIRST, AN AUCTION HOUSE IS PREPARING TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO A COLLECTION OF FIGURINES THAT ONCE SYMBOLIZED DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE.

IT FEATURES PIECES FROM A POPULAR EXHIBIT AT THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY AND THE MUSEUM HOPES THE SELLING WILL ALLOW FANS TO EXPERIENCE THE LATEST SHOW ON EARTH FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR OWN HOME.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU REPORTS FROM THE BIG TOP.

>> [♪♪♪] >> CIRCUSES PUSHED WHAT WE THOUGHT ARE LIMITS AND OUR ABILITIES YOU WOULD NOT IMAGINE TO BE DONE UNLESS YOU SAW THEM.

>> AFTER MORE THAN 40 YEARS, THE BIG TOP AT THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY IS PACKING UP FOR GOOD.

IT IS A COLLECTION OF A MASSIVE MINIATURE CIRCUS THAT INITIALLY CONSISTED OF 22,000 FIGURINES.

CREATED BY CHICAGO RAIL WORKER ROLAND J. WEBER IT'S SAID TO HAVE TAKEN THREE DECADES TO COMPLETE.

>> IN 1920 WHEN HE STARTED IF YOU CAN IMAGINE PEOPLE DID NOT HAVE TELEVISION THEY MIGHT HAVE HAD RADIO.

THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENTERTAINMENT ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVED IN A SMALL TOWN.

SO A CIRCUS COMING TO TOWN WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, EXOTIC ACTS, SPECTACLE MUST HAVE BEEN GAME CHANGING.

>> AUCTION ITEMS FOR SALE INCLUDE SEVERAL MOTORIZED DIORAMAS THAT PORTRAY ACTS BY HANDCARVED ACROBATS AND ANIMALS AND OTHER ELEMENTS THAT REFLECT HOW THE CIRCUS SERVED AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL WHEN IT CAME TO TOWN.

>> THE CIRCUS IS AN INCREDIBLE INDUSTRY.

IT EMPLOYED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

IT USED INNOVATIVE BUSINESS MODELS AND IT OFTEN INTRODUCED NEW TECHNOLOGY TO THE AUDIENCES.

OUR MISSION HERE IS TO INSPIRE THE INVENTIVE GENIUS IN EVERYONE.

THERE WAS A REASON PEOPLE WANTED TO RUN AWAY AND JOIN THE CIRCUS.

>> THAT HAS CHANGED.

THAT IS WHY THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY IS SAYING GOOD-BYE TO THE COLLECTION IN AN UPCOMING AUCTION AT POTTER AND POTTER.

>> WELL, THE CIRCUS HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLY WONDERFUL EXHIBIT IT IS INSPIRING IT IS A NOSTALGIC LOOK BACK AT A CIRCUS THAT DOES NOT EXIST.

>> OTHERS INCLUDE ANTIQUES, CONSISTING OF 500 ADDITIONAL PIECES.

AND WITH THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY PLANNING TO USE THE AUCTION EARNINGS TO ACQUIRE NEW ARTIFACTS, THEY WANT THOSE NEW PIECES TO EMBODY THE SAME MESSAGE AS THE CIRCUS.

>> THROUGH THE AUCTION WE HOPE THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE TO INSPIRE OTHERS.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> POTTER AND POTTER'S AUCTION IS THIS SATURDAY AT 10:00 A.M. YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... >> IF I'M CONFIRMED TODAY, I AM THE YOUNGEST MEMBER ON CITY COUNCIL, THE SIXTH MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ PLUS CAUCUS AND THE FIRST OPENLY GAY ALDERMAN OF THE 43rd WARD.

>> THE WARD GETS A NEW ALDERMAN OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THAT AND MORE.

>> EXCLUSION OF PEOPLE AND SHUTTING THEM OUT HAS BEEN AS AMERICAN AS APPLE PIE.

>> AND THE U.S. AND THE HOLOCAUST.

WE TALK WITH HISTORIANS ABOUT KEN BYRNES LATER FILM.

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE FEDERAL RESERVE AGAIN ORDERED AN INTEREST RATE HIKE AND SIGNALED ADDITIONAL INCREASES ARE LIKELY TO COME.

TODAY IT APPROVES A THIRD CONSECUTIVE THREE QUARTERS OF A PERCENTAGE POINT HIKE IN HOPES OF QUELLING INFLATION.

>> RAISED THE POLICY INTEREST RATE BY THREE QUARTERS OF A PERCENTAGE POINT AND WE ANTICIPATE THAT ONGOING INCREASES WILL BE APPROPRIATE.

WE ARE MOVING OUR POLICY STANCE PURPOSEFULLY TO A LEVEL THAT WILL BE RESTRICTIVE TO RETURN INFLATION TO 2%.

>> IN AUGUST, THE ANNUAL INFLATION RATE WAS 8.3% DOWN SLIGHTLY FROM THE PREVIOUS MONTH.

>> THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY IS DECLARING THE LIBRARIES BOOK SANCTUARIES.

THEY ARE HOPING TO EXPAND LOCAL ACCESS TO BANNED AND CHALLENGED BOOKS THROUGH LIBRARY EVENTS LIKE STORY TIME.

IT COINCIDES WITH BANNED BOOK WEEK HIGHLIGHTING EFFORTS TO BAN BOOKS.

THE LIBRARY IS ASKING RESIDENTS TO HOST THEIR OWN BOOK TOSS AND EVENTS TO GENERATE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE HISTORY OF BOOK BANS.

>> THE THIRD LARGEST LOTTERY JOCK POT IN U.S. HISTORY HAS BEEN CLAIMED AND IT'S OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT ME.

TWO PEOPLE CHOOSING TO STAY ANONYMOUS CAME FORWARD TO CLAIM THE $1.3 BILLION MEGA MILLIONS JACKPOT.

THE TICKET WAS BOUGHT TWO MONTHS AGO AT A SPEEDWAY IN DES PLAINES.

THEY ARE STICKING WITH THE PLAN TO SPLIT THE PRIZE.

THE WINNERS HAVE CHOSEN THE OPTION TO TAKE THE LUMP SUM PAYMENT OF $780.5 MILLION.

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

>> BRANDIS, THE NEW PBS DOCUMENTARY THE U.S. AND THE HOLOCAUST EXPLORES THE DIFFICULT QUESTION OF HOW THE UNITED STATES GRAPPLED WITH THE RISE OF NAZISM IN GERMANY AND THE GENOCIDE OF SIX MILLION JEWS.

HISTORY LESSONS MAY RECALL THE U.S.

HELPED LIBERATE NAZI CONCENTRATION CAMPS AFTER DEFEATING GERMANY IN WORLD WAR II BUT THE ENTIRE STORY IS MORE COMPLICATED FOLLOWING CLIP SHOWS HOW HITLER DREW INSPIRATION FROM THE JIM CROW LAWS OF THE AMERICAN SOUTH.

>> AND WHEN THE NAZIS WERE REAPPROACHED FOR DISCRIMINATION AGAINST JEWS IN GERMANY, THEIR FIRST ANSWER WAS MISSISSIPPI.

>> AND THE THIRD AND FINAL PART OF THIS SERIES FROM KEN BYRNES AIRS TONIGHT ON WTTW.

AND JOINING US ARE TWO HISTORIANS IN CHICAGO AND CONTRIBUTORS TO THE FILM THEY ARE PETER HAYES, PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF HISTORY AND HOLOCAUST STUDIES AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

AND DANIEL GREENE PRESIDENT OF THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY IN CHICAGO AND CURATOR OF THE AMERICANS AND THE HOLOCAUST EXHIBITION AT THE HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MEMBER.

GENTLEMEN WE HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION AT THE ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM ON MONDAY I'M GLAD YOU ARE JOINING ME TONIGHT.

DANIEL GREENE WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SHOW THE HISTORY OF THE HOLOCAUST IN THE CONTEXT HOW THE U.S.

RESPONDED?

>> WELL, OF COURSE, THE HOLOCAUST IS AN EVENT THAT TOOK PLACE ON EUROPEAN SOIL.

AND OFTEN IN FAR EASTERN EUROPE.

BUT IT GRAPPLING WITH AMERICANS' RESPONSE TO THE HOLOCAUST HELPS US BETTER UNDERSTAND AMERICAN HISTORY AS YOU SEE THROUGH THIS DOCUMENTARY.

SO MUCH OF OUR RESPONSE TO NAZISM IS A DEBATE ABOUT WHO WE ARE AS AMERICANS.

WHAT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES?

HOW DO WE UNDERSTAND OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET INVOLVED IN A WAR THAT MANY AMERICANS CONSIDER A FOREIGN WAR?

AND THEN WHEN WE KNOW PEOPLE ARE TARGETED FOR GENOCIDE HOW DO WE DEBATE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO RESPOND?

THESE ARE ENDURING QUESTIONS IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

THAT BYRNES AND NOVAK CENTERED IN THE DOCUMENTARY AS WELL.

>> AND PETER HAYES SOME OF THE ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS MIGHT BE UNCOMFORTABLE FOR AMERICANS, MIGHT THEY NOT?

>> WELL, INDEED.

THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT WE FAILED THE CHALLENGE THAT WAS PRESENTED TO US IN THE 1930s AND 40s.

WE DID NOT LIVE UP TO THE HIGHEST ASPIRATIONS OF AMERICAN HISTORY, GIVE US YOUR TIRED, YOUR PURE AND HUDDLED MASSES YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE.

THERE IS AN UPSIDE THE UNITED STATES ADMITTED ANOTHER JEWISH REFUGEES FROM EUROPE THAN ANY OTHER NATION IN THE WORLD.

WE DIDN'T DO IT AS WELL BUT WE DID IT BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE.

I THINK THE STORY IS, HOWEVER, A MIRROR HELD UP TO US ABOUT OUR ATTITUDES TOWARDS OURSELF.

WHAT KIND OF COUNTRY WE WANT TO BE AND WHAT ROLE WE PLAY IN THE WORLD.

>> IN SPEAKING OF THOSE ATTITUDES, DANIEL GREENE THERE ARE SEVERAL STATISTICS CITED IN THE FILM ONE A POLL THAT SAID THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS WERE OPPOSED TO THE HOLOCAUST, BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS DID NOT SUPPORT ADMITTING MORE JEWS INTO THE COUNTRY.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT CONTRADICTION?

>> YES, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT A POLL THAT WAS TAKEN BY THE GALLUP ORGANIZATION IN NOVEMBER OF 1938 AFTER CRYSTAL NOTCH A NATIONWIDE VIOLENT ATTACK AGAINST JEWISH PEOPLE, JEWISH BUSINESSES, JEWISH PLACES OF WORSHIP.

AND AMERICANS ALMOST UNIFORM ALI DISAPPROVED.

THE POLL FINDS 94% OF AMERICANS DISAPPROVED OF THE NAZI TREATMENT OF JEWS BY 1938.

BUT THEN WHEN THEY ARE ASKED SHOULD WE LET IN MORE REFUGEES?

IT IS ABOUT 7-10 THAT SAY NO.

AND I THINK THIS IS ALSO A VERY INSTRUCTIVE MOMENT AS PETER IS SAYING A MIRROR FOR ASKING THE DIFFICULT QUESTIONS.

WHY WHEN WE DISAPPROVE OF SOMETHING BAD HAPPENING OVER THERE, IS IT SO DIFFICULT FOR AMERICANS TO BRIDGE THAT GAP BETWEEN DISAPPROVAL AND A WILL TO ACTION ON BEHALF OF THE VICTIMS.

AND WE SEE THAT THROUGHOUT THE 1930s AND 40s.

AND I THINK WE SEE THAT IN SUBSEQUENT ATROCITIES WHEN WE LOOK TO THE UNITED STATES FOR A RESPONSE.

IT'S EASY TO DISAPPROVE AND VERY DIFFICULT FOR AMERICANS TO TRANSLATE THAT DISAPPROVAL INTO CONCERTED ACTION ON BEHALF OF VICTIM GROUPS.

>> PETER HAYES WAS PART OF THIS AN ANTISEMITIC SENTIMENT IN THE UNITED STATES OR ANTI-IMMIGRATION SENTIMENT OVERALL?

>> I THINK ALL OF THE ABOVE.

THERE WAS A GOOD DEAL OF ANTISEMITISM IN THE UNITED STATES.

THERE WERE RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS THAT PREVENTED PEOPLE FROM SELLING THEIR HOUSES TO JEWS.

THERE WERE CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS AND RESORTS AND SO FOR THE THAT REFUSED ADMISSION TO JEWS.

THESE WERE NORMAL PARTS OF AMERICAN LIFE.

AND THAT HAD AN INFLUENCE ON OUR ATTITUDES TOWARD WHAT HAPPENED IN EUROPE.

THERE ALSO WAS A REVUL SON TOWARD AMERICA'S INVOLVEMENT IN WORLD WAR I THAT EUROPEAN POLITICS IS DIRTY AND NOT SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO GET MIXED UP WITH AGAIN AND THAT FED THE ISOLATIONIST MOVEMENTS OF THE 30s.

AND THEN THERE WAS THE DEPRESSION.

PEOPLE DID NOT WANT TO ADMIT REFUGEES OR IMMIGRANTS IN ANY LARGE NUMBERS BECAUSE THEY FEARED THAT THOSE PEOPLE WOULD COMPETE WITH THEM FOR JOBS.

AND THAT BECAME AN EXCUSE.

THERE WERE ONLY 500,000 JEWS IN GERMANY.

BUT THERE WERE 5 MILLION JEWS IN EASTERN EUROPE IN POLAND, AND ROMANIA AND LITHUANIA.

AND THE OPPONENTS OF ADMITTING PEOPLE SAID IF WE LET IN THE HALF MILLION GERMAN JEWS WHAT DO WE DO WHEN THE POLISH GOVERNMENT AND ROMANIAN GOVERNMENT TRYING TO REDUCE THEIR JEWISH POPULATIONS WHAT DO WE DO WHEN THEY SAY WE'RE GOING TO DRIVE PEOPLE OUT?

THIS SCARE TACTIC BECAME A WEAPON THAT PERSUADED PEOPLE THAT THE SAFEST COURSE WAS NOT TO LET ANYONE IN.

>> AND DANIEL GREENE WE SAW THAT HITLER DREW INSPIRATION FROM THE JIM CROW LAWS OF THE SOUTH AND AMERICAN CULTURE.

THIS IS A PIECE OF HISTORY THAT I LEARNED IN THE FILM.

THE MAJORITY OF U.S. STATES HAD EUGENICS LAWS ON THE BOOKS AT THE TIME.

WHAT WERE THOSE LAWS?

>> THERE IS A NOTION PSEUDO SCIENCE EUGENICS LAWS THE NOTION OF A HIERARCHY OF RACES AND A DRAWING THE STATE DRAWING A BOUNDARY OFTEN AROUND WHO SHOULD BE ABLE TO REPRODUCE.

WE HAVE STERILIZATION LAWS IN THE UNITED STATES AT THAT TIME.

BUT THIS NOTION OF A HIERARCHY OF RACES BECOMES ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN UNDERSTANDING A SERIES OF RESTRICTIVE IMMIGRATION POLICIES THAT ARE PASSED THROUGHOUT THE 1920s THAT REMAIN ON THE BOOKS AFTER THE NAZI'S RISE TO POWER WHEN MANY REFUGEES FROM NAZI GERMANY AND NAZI OCCUPIED EUROPE ARE TRYING TO INTER.

SO PETER TALKED ABOUT THIS ALREADY THERE'S ALMOST A PERFECT STORM IN THE UNITED STATES.

PSEUDO SCIENTIFIC BELIEFS THAT PUT JEWS NEAR THE BOTTOM OF A RACIAL HIERARCHY COMBINED WITH ISOLATIONISM, COMBINED WITH A DEPRESSION, COMBINED WITH THE ANTI-IMMIGRANT, ANTISEMITIC SENTIMENTS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES ALL WORKED TOGETHER TO MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE JEWS TO ENTER FOR JEWISH REFUGEES TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE TAKEAWAYS OF THIS SERIES IS TO THINK ABOUT THOSE COMPLEXITIES.

THE SERIES DOESN'T PUT FORWARD A SIMPLE SINGLE EXPLANATION FOR WHY THE UNITED STATES DIDN'T DO MORE TO RESPOND TO NAZISM.

IT REALLY CHALLENGES VIEWERS TO THINK ABOUT THE CONFLUENCE OF ALL OF THESE FACTORS.

>> AND PETER HAYES, FAST FORWARD TO THE CURRENT DAY, WHEN YOU SEE THE DEBATE AROUND IMMIGRATION TODAY AND YOU SEE HEADLINES IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS OF ASYLUM SEEKERS FROM SOUTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA BEING BUSSED TO OTHER CITIES FOR WHAT APPEAR TO BE POLITICAL STUNTS DO YOU SEE PARALLELS TO WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE FILM AND WHAT IS HAPPENING TODAY?

>> WELL, YOU CAN'T HELP BUT SEE PARALLELS.

THE ARGUMENTS USED AGAINST ADMITTING PEOPLE IN THE 1930s ARE IDENTICAL TO THE ARGUMENTS USED TODAY.

THEY WILL TAKE YOUR JOBS AND SPIES AMONG THEM IN THOSE DAYS NOW WE SAY TERRORISTS.

AND SO THESE ARGUMENTS ARE PRESENTED.

IT'S ALSO ARGUED TODAY AS IT WAS THEN THAT THE COUNTRY IS FULL.

THAT WE DON'T HAVE ROOM AND WE HAVE TWICE AS MANY AMERICANS TODAY AS WE DID IN THE 1930s SO WE OBVIOUSLY DID HAVE ROOM.

THESE ARE THE ARGUMENTS THAT RECUR IN OUR HISTORY.

THERE WERE ARGUMENTS LIKE THIS IN THE 1840s.

IN THE 1880s.

AND AFTER WORLD WAR I AND AGAIN IN THE 1930s.

IT IS A RECURRENT CYCLE IN AMERICAN LIFE.

WE HAVE TO FACE UP, HOWEVER, TO WE HAVE TO FACE UP TO WHEN WE ARE ADVOCATING SELFISHNESS AND IGNORING THE PLIGHT OF PEOPLE OUTSIDE.

>> WELL, IT IS A FASCINATING FILM WITH SO MANY LESSONS AND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FILM ARE OUTSTANDING.

A PLEASURE TO TALK TO YOU, THANKS TO PETER HAYES AND DANIEL GREENE THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> PLEASURE.

>> PART THREE OF THE SERIES AIRS TONIGHT AT 8:00 P.M. ON WTTW.

>> AND UP NEXT, OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON CITY COUNCIL WELCOMING ITS NEWEST MEMBER.

BUT FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> YET ANOTHER ILLINOIS POLITICIAN IS CHARGED IN RELATION TO THE INSTALLATION OF RED LIGHT CAMERAS IN THE STATE.

THE 43rd WARD GETS A NEW ALDERMAN AND THE CLERK SAYS THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF ELECTION WORKERS AND THE SAFE-T ACT AND THE REFORM OF THE CASH BAIL SYSTEM.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND MORE IS OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM, AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

WELCOME BACK TEAM.

HEATHER LET'S START WITH YOU PLEASE, EMIL JONES, III BECOMES THE LATEST POLITICIAN TO BE CHARGED BY THE FEDS IN RELATION TO THE INSTALLATION OF THE RED LIGHT CAMERAS IN ILLINOIS WHAT IS HE ALLEGED TO HAVE DONE?

>> HE IS ACCUSED OF PURPOSEFULLY SHIELDING A RED LIGHT CAMERA FIRM THAT DENIES ANY WRONGDOING FROM A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT HE INTRODUCED IN TURN FOR A $5,000 BRIBE AND A JOB FOR ONE OF HIS UNNAMED ASSOCIATES.

JONES IS SCHEDULED TO BE ARRAIGNED ON FRIDAY IN FRONT OF A FEDERAL JUDGE.

AND HE WAS CHARGED AS PART OF WHAT IS CALLED AN INFORMATION.

AND TYPICALLY THAT IS DONE IN CASES WHERE THE DEFENDANT IS PREPARED TO PLEAD GUILTY.

>> AND HEATHER, HAS HE RESPONDED TO THESE ALLEGATIONS AT ALL?

>> HE HAS NOT.

ALTHOUGH HE DID TODAY RESIGN FROM THE LEADERSHIP OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN THE ILLINOIS SENATE AS WELL AS HIS COMMITTEE POSITIONS AT THE REQUEST OF SNAP DON HARMON.

>> AND FORMER SNAP EMIL JONES, III JUNIOR HIS FATHER SAID HE IS INNOCENT HE IS A HARD-WORKING LAWMAKER AND IF WHAT HEATHER SAYS IS TRUE, IF HE PLEADS GUILTY IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HIS FATHER SAYS ABOUT IT THEN.

>> AND TO THAT POINT, AMANDA AS PARIS SAID JONES IS THE SON OF FORMER ILLINOIS SENATE PRESIDENT, HOW HAVE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS REACTED TO THIS?

>> WE HEARD THERE ALSO TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT'S REQUEST THAT HE DID STEP DOWN FROM HIS LEADERSHIP POSITION AND THE COMMITTEE POST.

AND THE COMMITTEE POSTS ARE PAYING JOBS.

YOU GET EXTRA CASH, YOU GET A COMMITTEE POSITION GENERALLY AS A REWARD FOR A LONG TENURE IN THE LEGISLATURE BY GIVING THAT UP HE IS LOSING I BELIEVE TO BE ABOUT DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY HE IS ALLEGED TO HAVE TAKEN AS PART OF THIS SCHEME FOR TRYING TO SHIELD THE RED LIGHT CAMERA COMPANY.

LOSING ALL AROUND BY THE WAY, DEMOCRATS HOWEVER HAVE NOT CALLED FOR HIS RESIGNATION THAT IS SETTING A PATTERN OF SOME OF THE OTHER SENATORS THAT HAVE GOTTEN IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW OR MISS DEEDS THEY ARE RETAINING THEIR POSITIONS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY COULD NOT BE FORCED OUT AND LEADERSHIP HAS NOT ASKED FOR THEM.

>> AND HE IS RUNNING FOR REELECTION UNOPPOSED IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

IT'S LIKELY THAT HE WILL GET ANOTHER TERM WHICH HE CAN WHILE HE IS NOT CONVICTED.

>> SURE.

AND ONE OTHER INTERESTING THING TO POINT OUT HERE BECAUSE THIS IS IN RELATION TO WHAT HE ALLEGED TO HAVE DONE IN HIS ROLE AS A STATE LEGISLATOR IF HE IS CONVICTED OR PLEADS HE WOULD LOSE AT LEAST A PORTION OF THIS STATE PENSION.

>> MOVING OVER TO CITY COUNCIL.

A NEW ALDERPERSON AS WE HEARD EARLIER, 43rd WARD TIMMY KNUDSEN, HE REPLACED MICHELE SMITH WHO STEPPED DOWN LAST MONTH.

HERE IS RETIRING ALDERPERSON SUSAN SADLOWSKI GARZA WELCOMING HIM TO THE COUNCIL FOLLOWED BY THE NEW ALDERMAN HIMSELF.

>> WELL COME ABOARD, BUCKLE YOUR SEATBELT AND KISS YOUR FAMILY GOOD-BYE.

>> IF I'M CONFIRMED TODAY, I AM THE YOUNGEST MEMBER ON CITY COUNCIL, THE PSYCHSTH MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ CAUCUS AND THE FIRST OPENLY GAY ALDERMAN OF THE 43rd WARD.

I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE.

REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE MY OWN EXPERIENCES AND UPLIFT THOSE OF OTHER DIVERSE COMMUNITIES IS A RESPONSIBILITY THAT I TAKE SO SERIOUSLY.

>> HEATHER, WE HEARD A LITTLE BIT OF TIMMY KNUDSEN'S BIO.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT HIM AND HOW HIS NAME GOT TO THE TOP OF THE MAYOR'S LIST?

>> HE IS A WELL-KNOWN LAWYER IN CHICAGO AND FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, HAS SERVED ON THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS WHICH DETERMINES WHETHER SPECIAL THINGS CAN BE BUILT AND WHAT BUSINESSES CAN BE OPEN AND HE WAS NOMINATED FOR THAT POST FROM MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT.

SO MOST CITY HALL OBSERVERS THOUGHT HE HAD THE INSIDE TRACK THE WHOLE TIME.

HE NOW HAS A SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGE IN THE ELECTION IN FEBRUARY.

HE WILL BE ABLE TO RUN AS AN INCUMBENT AND HE HAD THE BENEFIT OF STANDING ALONGSIDE MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AT CITY HALL TODAY GIVING HIS CAMPAIGN STUMP SPEECH AND GETTING HIS NAME OUT TO VOTERS WHO NOW WILL GET TO KNOW THEIR NEW ALDERPERSON AND HE WILL GET A CHANCE TO MAKE HIS CASE TO BECOME THEIR PERMANENT ALDERPERSON.

>> PARIS, WHAT ELSE DO WE KNOW ABOUT HIM AND POLITICAL PRIORITIES?

>> I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THIS IDEOLOGY IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTE HE IS RUNNING A PRO BONO LAW PRACTICE THAT ASSISTS LGBTQ IMMIGRANTS.

YOU WOULD IMAGINE THOSE TWO ISSUES WILL BE IMPORTANT TO HIM.

IT WOULD APPEAR HE WOULD BE PROGRESSIVE.

HE IS A SUPPORTER OF MAYOR AS HEATHER SAID.

SO IT WOULD BE LIKELY THAT HE WOULD PROBABLY SUPPORT THE PRIORITIES OF THE MAYOR.

AS HIS PREDECESSOR THE OUTGOING ALDERWOMAN MICHELE SMITH DID.

>> I'M SURE WE'LL LEARN.

COOK COUNTY CLERK KAREN YARBROUGH SAYS THE COUNTY HAS A SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF ELECTION WORKERS.

HERE IS WHAT SHE SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK.

>> WE HAVE A SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF JUDGES AND POLL WORKERS.

NOW, THE CLERK'S OFFICE MANAGES ELECTIONS IN SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY AND WE'VE SEEN OUR NUMBER OF ELECTION JUDGES SHRINK SIGNIFICANTLY IN RECENT YEARS.

OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, WE'VE SEEN A REDUCTION OF ABOUT 40%.

>> AMANDA, WE'VE HEARD OF THREATS AGAINST ELECTION WORKERS IN OTHER STATES IS THAT A POSSIBILITY, IS THAT WHAT IS GOING ON HERE AS WELL?

>> I'M SURE IT IS A POSSIBILITY.

ALBEIT NOBODY HOPES TO COME TO TO FRUITION.

KAREN YARBROUGH SAID IT HAS NOT BEEN AN ISSUE SHE IS AWARE OF.

YOU MIGHT GET A TANGLE OR TWO OR FOLKS CUTTING IN LINE OR WEARING A CAMPAIGN BUTTON THINGS YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO BECAUSE THAT IS CONSIDERED ELECTIONEERING.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN SUCH AN ISSUE IN ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL, THAT EVERYBODY IS SORT OF PREPARING FOR WATCHING FOR IT IS SOMETHING THAT WHEN YOU TALK FOR EXAMPLE THINKING BACK TO DURING THE STATE FAIR WHEN THE ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY HAD THE MEETING THEY ARE SAYING WE ARE RECRUITING AND THAT IS WHAT PARTIES DO THEY RECRUIT INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE AS JUDGES AND POLL WATCHERS.

THEY HAVE BIPARTISAN TEAMS.

BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT CERTAINLY THERE IS A LOT OF ATTENTION ON ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE ACQUISITIONS OF THE 2020 ELECTION UNFOUNDED AS THOSE MAY BE.

>> WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH JUDGES?

>> IT'S BAD IT MAKES IT HARDER TO VOTE.

USUALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS PRECINCTS OPEN LATE IF THEY CAN'T FIND THE JUDGES OR THEY ARE NOT THERE ON TIME.

PERHAPS, A PRECINCT HAS TO CLOSE AND YOU HAVE TO MOVE TO ANOTHER PRECINCT.

BUT WE SHOULD NOTE THAT THESE ELECTIONS ARE FAIRLY LOW TURNOUT WHEN NOT A PRESIDENTIAL YEAR AND THERE ARE WAYS TO VOTE, EARLY VOTING AND VOTE-BY-MAIL.

LINES HAVE NOT BEEN TERRIBLY LONG IN GENERAL.

YOU WOULD NOT THINK THIS IS GOING TO HAVE A HUGE IMPACT IN CHICAGO.

NATIONALLY, WHAT IS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE CONSPIRACIES AND THE THREATS AGAINST 2020 ELECTION WORKERS IT PORTENDS TO HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ESPECIALLY GOING FORWARD IF PEOPLE SIMPLY DON'T WANT TO DO THE JOBS IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT TO CARRY OUT FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS ESPECIALLY IN SWING STATES WHERE THIS IS NOW GETTING VERY CONTENTIOUS.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING PUBLIC OFFICIALS KNOW THERE WAS THE ELECTORAL VOTE COUNT ACT PASSED BY THE PASS TODAY.

THIS IS SOMETHING HAS THAT TO BE ADDRESSED.

IN CHICAGO, YOU MIGHT SEE A FEW LINES PRECINCTS OPENING LATE.

I WOULD NOT ANTICIPATE HUGE WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS.

>> AMANDA, YOU HAVE BEEN REPORTING ON THE SAFE-T ACT IN THE SHOW, TELL US ABOUT THE MESSAGING HERE.

BECAUSE IT REALLY DOES SEEM THERE IS A LOT OF CONFUSION AMONG THE PUBLIC AS TO WHAT THE ACT WILL DO AND NOT DO?

>> BRANDIS IT'S HARD TO PINPOINT HOW AND WHY THAT IS BUT YOU ARE RIGHT BECAUSE IT IS MUDDLED.

PART IS YES, IT'S ELECTION SEASON.

SO PART OF IT IS INTENTIONALLY SORT OF INFLAMED RHETORIC SURROUNDING THIS TRYING TO MAKE A POINT.

SOME OF IT OF COURSE IS ANOTHER NUANCED AND THAT NUANCE IS GETTING FOLDED IN WITH THE ACCUSATIONS OF MISINFORMATION AND POLITICKING.

SO IT MAKES IT ALL THE MORE DIFFICULT I THINK PART OF WHERE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT NUANCE IS THIS REALLY MAJOR STUFF.

IT IS A HUGE BILL.

IT DOES A LOT.

IT IS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WHICH IS SORT OF ON ITS OWN AND ON ITS FACE VERY CONFUSING AND INDIVIDUAL CASES ARE BORN OUT IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW IT IS GOING TO WORK BECAUSE WHEN IT COMES TO CASH BAIL IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PREDICTIONS AND FEARS AND A LOT OF HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS BY FOLKS REALLY HOPING THIS WILL WORK AND THAT WE WILL NO LONGER ALLOW FOR POOR INDIVIDUALS TO BE PUNISHED AND LOCKED UP.

I THINK THAT IS ALL A PART OF IT.

AND I DO EXPECT WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE THIS CONVERSATION BEING MUDDLED OUR BEST TO HELP CLEAR THOSE THINGS UP.

>> PARIS, ILLINOIS REPUBLICANS SEEING THIS AS A GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD FOR VIOLENT CRIMINALS.

IS THE PUBLIC HEARING THAT MESSAGE?

IS THAT WHAT IS GOING TO WIN VOTES FOR REPUBLICANS?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT'S GOING TO WIN VOTES FOR REPUBLICANS BUT IT IS ISSUE NUMBER ONE THAT REPUBLICANS ARE LEANING INTO.

THEY ARE SAYING THINGS LIKE SOME OF THE MORE EXTREME CASES THEY ARE SAYING THINGS LIKE IS IS A PURGE WHERE EVERYONE IS GOING TO BE LET OUT OF JAIL COME NEW YEAR.

AND THAT IS NOT TRUE.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE BELIEVED THAT IT'S LIKELY TO GET THEM THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION BECAUSE THAT IS AN UPHILL BATTLE BUT IT COULD CUT INTO SOME OF THE LEGISLATIVE RACES AND CUT INTO THE DEMOCRATIC SUPER MAJORITIES IN THE STATE HOUSE.

SO YOU SEE NOT JUST THE DARREN BAILEY CANDIDATE BUT OTHER CANDIDATES YOU SAW JIM DURKIN, THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER WRITING AN OP-ED AGAINST THIS AND TO PIGGY BACK WHAT AMANDA SAID THERE ARE THINGS AMID THE NOISE THERE ARE THINGS THAT HAVE HONEST DISAGREEMENTS SOME OF THE OPPONENTS OF THE BILL THEY DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT CRIMES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR NO BAIL?

AND PROPONENTS SAY IT'S NOT JUST A FEW OF THE MOST SERIOUS FELONIES A LOT OF CRIMES CAN BE ELIGIBLE FOR NO BAIL.

AND SOME OF THOSE CRIMES YOU HAVE TO GO THE EXTRA STEP OF HAVING AN EXTRA HEARING TO PROVE THAT THE PERSON WILL BE A FLIGHT RISK OR DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY.

BUT BECAUSE THERE'S DISAGREEMENT ON THAT IT IS GOING TO BE TOUGH TO SEE HOW IT'S ROLLED OUT.

AND YOU HEAR WHISPERS OF A POSSIBLE SPECIAL SESSION WHERE DEMOCRATS THINK THERE'S THINGS TO BE IRONED OUT.

>> ARE DEMOCRATS DOING ANYTHING TO REFINE OR CLARIFY THEIR MESSAGE?

>> THE LESSON IS THERE IN POLITICS IF YOU ARE ON THE DEEP END, THAT IS NOT WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.

AGAIN, I THINK THAT IN MOST CASES DEMOCRATS ARE FAIRLY SAFE IN TERMS OF IF YOU LOOK AT POLLING AND FUNDING.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HAS AND THE REST OF THE DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS BUT WERE IT NOT THAT CASE THEY MIGHT BE IN TROUBLE.

I THINK THE AMOUNT OF ATTENTION THIS ISSUE IS RECEIVING SHOWS THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS THAT VOTERS MAY HAVE FEARS ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH CRIME.

AND SO THERE'S CERTAINLY THIS IS A TOUCHY AND A HOT TOPIC.

DEMOCRATS ARE STARTING TO RECOGNIZE THAT AS PARIS NOTED THERE ARE ONGOING CONVERSATIONS RIGHT NOW AND THE EXPECTATION IS THAT MOST OF THOSE TALKS WILL COME TO FRUITION AFTER THE ELECTION AND THAT IS WHEN YOU WILL SEE VOTES.

BECAUSE IT IS SO VERY TOUCHY.

>> HEATHER COMING BACK TO YOU ON THE ISSUE OF LEAD SERVICE LINES, FOR TAP WATER IN CHICAGO YOU REPORTED VERY FEW HAVE BEEN REMOVED.

ARE THERE PLANS TO SPEED THAT UP?

>> THERE ARE NOT.

AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE LEAD SERVICE LINES IN CHICAGO.

CHICAGO IS A VERY DENSE URBAN ENVIRONMENT AND IT'S EXPENSIVE.

$15,000-$20,000 FOR EACH SERVICE LINE SO THERE IS NO EASY FIX.

THE QUESTION IS: IF LORI LIGHTFOOT AS SHE IS RUNNING FOR A SECOND TERM WILL FEEL PRESSURE TO SPEED UP THIS EFFORT AMID NEW REPORTING FROM THE GUARDIAN THAT SHOWS THAT THESE LEAD PIPES ARE CERTAINLY CONTRIBUTING TO A PROBLEM WITH LEAD IN CHICAGO'S DRINKING, COOKING, BATHING WATER.

>> WHAT HAS THE MAYOR SAID ABOUT THIS AND WHY ISN'T THIS MORE OF A PRIORITY FOR HER?

>> IT IS A QUESTION I WOULD LOVE TO ASK HER.

SHE DID NOT GET BACK TO ME WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS.

ALTHOUGH SHE DID TELL A GROUP OF MAYORS LAST WEEK IN A RECORDED ADDRESS THAT THIS WAS A HIGH PRIORITY FOR HER AND THAT SHE WAS DETERMINED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WHICH SHE CALLED AN ISSUE OF FAIRNESS AND EQUITY WHETHER THAT WILL TRANSLATE INTO ACTION, I THINK IS STILL AN OPEN QUESTION AT THIS POINT.

>> THERE ARE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR A LOT OF IT.

I WONDER HOW MANY OF THOSE MONIES ARE BEING PUT TO USE.

>> .

>> NONE SO FAR.

>> NONE SO FAR.

AT LEAST THEY GOT RID OF THE WOOD SERVICE LINES THEY WERE DIGGING UP FROM 120 YEARS AGO.

>> NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY IT IS A HARD THING TO DO THAT SAID IT'S NOT BEING DONE.

PARIS, THE DAILY HERALD IS HELPING CONSERVATIVE TALK SHOW HOST DAN PROFT DELIVER HIS FAKE NEWSPAPERS BY ALLOWING HIM TO UTILIZE THE HERALD'S DISTRIBUTION NETWORK.

>> I THINK A LOT OF YOU HAVE SEEN THESE THINGS THAT LOOK LIKE NEWSPAPERS AND SAYING CHICAGO CITY WIRE BUT REALLY THEY ARE CLEVERLY DISGUISED CAMPAIGN LITERATURE PRO REPUBLICAN, ANTI-DEMOCRAT.

AND THERE WERE REPORTS THIS WEEK THAT Mr. PROFT WAS USING THE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK.

PARENT COMPANY OF THE DAILY HERALD PADDOCK PUBLICATIONS.

PADDOCK PUBLICATIONS DOES HAVE A DISTRIBUTION NETWORK THAT IT DOES HAVE PRIVATE ENTITIES USE TO DO MAILERS AND MAIL THINGS OUT.

SO, I GUESS THAT IS NOT UNUSUAL.

BUT IT IS UNUSUAL IN THE SENSE THAT PADDOCK PUBLICATIONS' MAIN BUSINESS IS TO OWN NEWSPAPERS LIKE THE DARLD HERALD AND THAT BEING YOUR MAIN BUSINESS YOU WANT THAT TO BE UNTAINTED BY POLITICAL BIAS.

I THINK WHAT THEY'VE SAID IN STATEMENTS IS THAT THIS IS A SEPARATE PART OF THEIR BUSINESS, PADDOCK PUBLICATIONS IS THE PARENT COMPANY AND THE DAILY HERALD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT BUT THE COMPANY HAS A CHOICE WHO THEY WILL DO BUSINESS WITH.

IT'S INTERESTING THEY CHOSE TO DO BUSINESS HERE.

>> WE HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT, DOES THE FACT THAT PROFT IS USING THE DAILY HERALD OR PADDOCK PUBLISHING GIVE IT VALIDITY TO THE PEOPLE WHO VIEW IT?

MAYBE THEY DON'T NOTICE.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT IS THE RISK.

THE PUBLICATIONS ARE DESIGNED TO FEEL PEOPLE INTO ESSENTIALLY THINKING THEY ARE FACT CHECKED AND OBJECTIVE AND INCLUDE REAL INFORMATION.

AND I THINK THAT ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS THAT MAKES THEM LOOK MORE LIKE NEWSPAPERS AND SORT OF BEING SORT OF PRODUCED BY THE SAME PEOPLE WHO PRODUCES A FINE NEWSPAPER, THE DETAILED HERALD, I THINK HAS TO RAISE CONCERNS BECAUSE YOU KNOW, YOU AND I WE ALL KNOW THIS WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME TRYING TO GET PEOPLE THE FACTS.

IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING WHEN WE FIND OURSELVES PUSHING BACK.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

SPOTLIGHT POLITICS THANK YOU 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 IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED 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 THE PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7P.

HOME TO A ICONIC CHEESECAKE FACTORY AND CHICAGO'S FIRST VETERANS HOME WE ARE LIVE FROM THE DUNNING COMMUNITY.

>> AND HE REFLECTS ON 10 YEARS MAKING MUSIC WITH THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

THIS IS THE LAST DAY HERE FOR A LONGTIME WTTW ENGINEER, PETER.

PETER SPENT 25 YEARS WITH US AND WE THANK HIM FOR HIS HARD WORK, CAN DO ATTITUDE AND PROFESSIONALISM.

PETER ALL THE BEST IN YOUR RETIREMENT.

DON'T FORGET US.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" 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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