>> Hello and thanks for joining us on Chicago tonight.

I'm Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

The Chicago Police Department blows its overtime budget.

What it means for the city's finances.

A new intelligence sharing platform as part of Illinois's efforts stop organized retail crime.

>> And the White Sox set a new record for futility.

A look at how the team got here and what comes next.

>> And now to some of today's top stories.

The closure of an almost 100 year-old Illinois State Prison is nearly complete.

The Illinois Department of Corrections says all men in general population at Stateville Correctional Center have been transferred to other facilities around the state.

24 men remain in custody at the prison's health care unit in August, a federal judge ordered the incarcerated individuals there moved because of the prison's decrepit conditions.

The state had already been planning to close the prison and rebuild it.

The court order hastened that plan.

Meanwhile, the union representing most workers within see met again today with management firm or bargaining over the prison closures.

Impact on staff.

And for more back story on the state bill closure.

Check out tomorrow's daily Chicago newsletter.

You can sign up now so don't miss it at W T Tw Dot com Slash newsletter.

Meanwhile, activists are calling on Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx to vacate some convictions before her term comes to an end.

>> If not just party that is corrupt.

Can't do a kill box.

back on.

doubt that right >> The Chicago Alliance against racist and political repression held a rally outside of Fox's office earlier today calling on her to free survivors of torture in wrongful convictions.

They say FOX has moved to vacate 300 from full conviction cases since she took office in 2017, but that it's just the tip of the iceberg.

FOX is not running for re-election instead.

Voters in November will decide between former appellate Judge Eileen O'Neill, Burke and former Chicago Alderman Bob Fioretti.

Some Verizon users in Chicago and across the country were without cell service today after a widespread outage.

More than 100,000 customers nationwide reported issues this morning.

That's according to DownDetector which tracks complaints about service outages and 04:00PM Verizon.

Apologize for the issue and says its engineers are making progress on the issue.

And that service has started to resume.

Coming up, the rising cost of police overtime had a Sharon joins us next to explain.

>> Chicago tonight is made possible in part by the Alexander and John Nichols family.

The gym and K maybe family.

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> The city of Chicago's financial condition is dire.

And for the 6th consecutive year, the Chicago Police Department has blown its overtime budget.

It spent nearly 30% more than city council set aside for the entire year in just 6 months.

W t Tw News reporter Heather Sharon joins us now with more on the cost of police overtime Heather break the numbers down for us.

How much did Chicago spend on police overtime during the 1st half of 2024?

Chicago taxpayers spent 129 million dollars to pay members of the Chicago Police Department to work overtime.

>> Even though the City council's budget only gave the department 100 million dollars for overtime for the entire year.

And as you said, this is a recurring problem and it comes even after Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling stopped paying officers to sit downtown with their life, splashing to prevent crime.

And it is significantly more than any other city department.

In fact, all other the 21 other departments combined for 121 million dollars.

And that includes 43 million dollars that went to members of the Chicago Fire Department to work overtime.

So we know the city is facing a massive budget crunch right now.

Can they afford to spend this much over time?

So it's not clear where this money is going to come from because if police department spends just as much in the 2nd half of the year as it did during the 1st half of the year on overtime.

>> They will end the year spending 258 million dollars.

And oh, by the way, we had the Democratic National Convention for a week or 2 in August.

And that meant officers had the regular days off canceled.

And there is no doubt that that will cost a significant amount of overtime where that money is going to come from.

It's not clear even as Mayor Brandon Johnson isn't puts limits on overtime for other departments other than the police and fire department.

It's not gonna make a huge difference.

Superintendent Larry Snelling his promise as Chicago City Council about a year ago that he would get a handle on employee overtime, vowing to be a lot more fiscally responsible.

>> Did he live up to those promises?

Well, like most things involving Chicago's budget, it's complicated.

The city changed the way reports overtime on its data portal and Jared techie and I were able to sort of try to compare apples to apples and we realize that last year in the 1st half 2023.

>> The police department actually spent more than 163 million dollars on overtime.

So, yes, the city spent about 20% less the 1st half of this year than it did last year.

But that's still a lot of money.

What did snowing in Johnson had to say about overtime spending?

Well, the mayor's office to get back to us, but the police department gave us a statement that said we regularly review our use of overtime to ensure it is being used appropriately while balancing the need for public safety.

We understand our fiscal responsibility and will continue ensuring overtime is being used to maintain and bolster public safety.

We'll keep asking mayors office for comment.

As I know.

You will have a Sharon.

Thanks so much.

Thanks, Prentice.

>> And you can read the full story on our website.

It's all at W T Tw Dot com slash news.

Up next, the latest on efforts to combat organized retail theft.

Illinois law enforcement has a new tool to help tackle organized retail theft.

The Illinois organized retail Crime Association says it's launching a platform intended to make it easier for agencies to investigate and solve these crimes.

And advocates say retail theft is costing Illinois businesses.

Nearly 2 billion dollars every year.

Here to talk more about it.

Our Rob Carr, president and CEO of the Illinois retail Merchants Association and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul gentleman.

Welcome back.

And thank you for joining us.

Kwame, let's skews me Rob.

Let's start with you, If you would tell us what the Illinois organized Retail Crime Association is and how it works.

>> Well, first, it's the it's present in most states already around the nation.

So Ellen just beginning this adoption, but it is an intelligence gathering platform that will enable all of the interested parties in the continue trying to fight organized retail crime to gather intelligence, to share intelligence and hopefully to get ahead of that give them a better right now.

You know, the attorney general doesn't task forces, which I'm sure he'll speak about it.

Fraud investigations together, but this will enable local law enforcement state, federal as well as asset protection professionals, attorney, the attorney general's office.

But states attorneys as well to to be able to piece together cases that they might not ordinarily be able to piece together.

Now.

>> And rob, give us a sense of what role the Illinois Retail Merchants Association plays.

>> We will cooperation with the state.

We're ministering the platform taking it statewide.

So will be administering.

It will be screening.

The people who applied to participate in a 10 to make and ensure they're eligible will be convening a board of little over 30 people that will be made up of retailers as well as various entities, including law enforcement of these at the state, federal and local level to talk about the best policies board going forward.

How best to use it and to create educational content for all of those entities and users as well to help again break bring better knowledge skill to this fight.

>> And I'm gonna bring the AG and in just a second.

But Rob, first, how do you define organized retail crime?

>> Under state laws to find a someone who's trying steal into the in with the intent to monetize the products.

Are you not to say talking about someone who stole a loaf of bread?

All that should be something that we don't just minimize.

But you're talking about people who are stealing 10's or hundreds of things at a time and they're looking to monetize it for the for the purposes of funding other illicit activities.

>> Ag your office established, as we mentioned, the first organized retail crime task force in 2021. where you partnered with law enforcement agencies across the state to investigate and stop individuals who are engaging in this organized retail theft.

What we know about who is committing these crimes and what trends have you noticed?

>> Well, there is task force started out, not only is a collaboration of law enforcement, but also collaboration with brick and mortar.

The retailers as well as calling online platforms which usually the vehicle to monetize.

The proceeds of things to to collaborate with law enforcement to sell these problems.

With regards to the actions and the trends, you know, unfortunately is this because easel?

Is to monetize the proceeds this 14 ayes retail seen all sorts of back the international active such as the cartel organized gangs and other organized crime and to tease domestic and then a local operators the nay have initially been utilizes new rules in the process organizing with with for themselves, municipalities and counties and and within states.

>> Are you are there specific retailers who are more likely to be targeted than others?

>> You know, if there is has historically, it be used unfortunately characterize their that's been characterized in the media is something that happens.

by way of smash-and-grabs urban areas.

But this is happening in rural areas.

Many of our operations are staying said and it's while state.

You are happy to I myself traveled the state with that individuals from regards to different brick and mortar retailers to educate local law enforcement.

>> Prosecutors offices as to the importance of focusing on this and distinguishing from boarding retail theft.

Rob said, you're not ignoring what know that would mean.

We But this is something that is usually connected to other crime like human trafficking, drug trafficking, trafficking and and then and even terrorism.

Some some instances.

And and so it to a degree.

is just critically important us to evaluate what it is focus.

>> Ag to that point, what some of the ripple effects of this kind of crime?

>> Well, you you know, you get part, particularly with seniors seniors less likely to be shot shopping online platforms.

They like to shop in person.

You know, it's my birthday today, I qualify as one of those seniors in the eye to shopping for.

I and but want to feel safe in doing so.

And to the extent that matches, if you think of our neighbors miles, once a student state that people don't comfortable shopping in person because some of these brazen acts, it impacts not just the retailer, buddy, packs, city of large in terms of its 2 others.

We've just celebrated a very successful.

Do you see where law enforcement to those tremendous job?

We want to sustain that.

We want to sustain time.

And that's in addition to to the legislation, addition to the platform is a champions we have also the Legislature's also given U.S. funding to incentivize support local law enforcement.

Well, let's just focus on organized retail crime and for instance, Cook County sheriffs as tremendous job, supplementing Chicago Police Department in our Central business district.

there's also obviously there's the last of the items that get stolen right to the business is losing money, not being able to sell it.

But there's also the loss of the tax revenue to the state because, again, those items can be sold.

>> Rob, today, you all are launching a roar.

It's a platform to help share this intel.

We've been teasing it during this discussion.

But tell us how it works.

Please.

>> There a roar is actually the the platform itself.

is underneath orca its the technology piece of it how it works is once people are screened to be in it, they can upload it since that are occurring.

It in their area.

You could be the pictures of the individuals that could be the type of car license plate that they're driving or utilizing.

It could be the types of merchandise they're targeting or the methods that they're using.

it's a variety of factors that go into it that enables now others to see.

Okay, we have a group that's targeting these items in this area and it puts them on alert.

It puts law enforcement work.

It helps law enforcement, for example, the local level who might a car you know, 10 items in it not think anything of it realize.

Wait a second.

We saw him on the own you know, platform that similar items were stolen 30 miles away.

And so they can start to piece these things together, contact the attorney general or someone else and start an investigation.

So I think it helps constrain and provide points of reference for law enforcement.

>> Okay.

That's a good place to leave That or cause also gonna be working on implementing it with regards to getting businesses and agencies.

Retailers loss prevention experts on board with a including that Intel on a roar.

So we look forward to learning more about it down the road and how it goes for now.

My thanks to Rob car at the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and of course, Illinois Attorney General And Happy Birthday a G. Up next, a historically brutal season for the White Sox and their fans.

We recap the season and look ahead right after this.

the White Sox may have won 5 of their last 6 games, but it was all too little too late.

The 2024 White Sox officially set a new record for Major League Baseball futility on Friday in their loss to Detroit, which became they're 100 and 21st of the season.

Just how has a team that only 3 years ago won the American League Central Division title.

>> Fallen so far so fast.

Joining us now to delve into that question, is Lamont Pope White Sox reporter for the Chicago Tribune.

Thanks for joining us Thank you.

Okay.

So expectations.

Maybe they weren't that high after 100 and they lost 101 games in 2023.

But this wasn't just bad.

It was bad.

Bad.

What were the factors that sort of created this embarrassment for the White Sox and fans the season.

They did start off the 3.

And 22 and part of that was because of 3 other star players.

>> Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert Junior among Cada, the each got injured in early April.

And those are 3 guys and counting on to be really important parts that offense.

And so with those 3 guys went out, everyone else on the offensive side just started struggling and trying to do too much kind of compensate for those losses.

It was also situation where if you're taking a look at it with White trying to figure on out what they were going to do as far as wanting when it started with 3 to 22 0nd season.

You know they have a kind of play perfect every single night to to if they're going a ballgame.

And so.

When they when they started losing sort late.

>> well, I mean do that, you know, they started losing.

It sounds like, you know, it just like a snowball, right?

Kind of picked up speed from there.

They made some changes, you know, for you, what was what's it been like?

You know, as a reporter to cover team and this season being around the clubhouse?

>> just announced just didn't astonishing year health effects of this ball club.

As you said, they have this opportunity, the kind of losing after losing one or one games last year, you know, kind of coming back and trying to figure out what they're going to be as ballclub knowing that, you know, the expectations are we're going to love me that this the club that Oriole, knowing that expectations were going to be high, but they had the opportunity to kind of show what they're going to be enough.

But they kind of feel if think going on into the All-Star break with 7, 1, loss is the most in Major League Baseball history from out with the 21 game losing streak.

After and then losing continue having 100 losses by the end of April August.

And then obviously steal 120 losses by San Diego.

And then the 100 21st loss there in Detroit.

we're just looking at some not so good plays by some of the players there as you're talking.

>> And I know baseball expert, but I can tell that wasn't good.

Are there any positives to take away from this season of them from the pitching standpoint care crochet.

He was their lone all-star.

He made the transition from a beautifully pitcher to being a starter and was really got and then had funny.

>> Another pitcher who came over from the Korean Baseball organization.

He performed pretty well before going ahead eventually contributed.

But the really weren't all that really were hot and offensive Lee, that he was really struggle their last and several offensive categories.

And so you back with me, Robert Junior.

He was a guy who was an All-Star previously.

He had a down year, struck out a lot guys like Andrew Benintendi eventually had 20 home runs, but he struggled early on the year.

>> And so he was able to kind of pick up later on here.

But we really need to guys like Andrew Vaughn, Andrew Benintendi win.

Those other guys got hurt in the season.

things up and they were unable to.

And that led to a lot of losses early the season.

>> White Sox owner and chairman Jerry Reinsdorf sent a letter to fans yesterday.

I think it probably happened when everybody was paying attention to Bears game.

Here's a little bit of what he had to say.

Quote, by all measures on field performance.

This season was a failure as the leader of this organization.

That is my ultimate responsibility.

There are no excuses.

I want to thank you for continuing to support the team throughout what was an embarrassing season.

You all deserved better.

So Ryan Stewart says that he ultimately he accepts the responsibility.

But a lot of the reporting says that he has been a large part of the problem.

Can he turn things around in?

Is that criticism fair?

Yeah.

I the criticism is fair.

I think the big thing is, you know, words can only get so far and so like, what are you going to far as going to be diving into the analytics is going to be.

>> But international scouting, we're going to be the steps that you take as far as getting this ball club back and join in the right direction of the first thing is trying figure out who the next managers going to You know, names like skip Schumacher appeared Grady Sizemore, who had stepped on him.

And it's the interim manager after Full.

>> was like, you know, the winds were up and he had the team plane energetically.

You Lou, guys in the clubhouse had a lot of respect for him.

And so he's someone that the teams can sit is under consideration.

But it'll be really interesting to see what direction the ball club goes in.

>> As we mentioned, was just 3 years ago that the Sox won the NL Central.

One of the most exciting teams in baseball at the time thought to be on the brink of real success head of the fall so quickly in 3 years.

I mean, that's that's the essential thing, right?

And the fact that here's this club that was so young, so talented and it just seemed like injuries put a major factor.

It seems like you're an era when you're depending guys like Mike Honda in Eloy.

>> And Luis to kind of come on through and those guys get injured year in year out.

other guys have to step on up.

And that hasn't been the case.

You know, pet pretty solid pitching.

But other guys in other roles of the bullpen hasn't been all that solid.

You know, thing is guys in different situations.

And so so it's one of those things you those windows closed so quickly in Major League Baseball.

And so you can be on top one second and then where they are right Just just in the flag.

And they get a long season to liken feels like, you know, it kind of drags out.

And I'm impressed that, you know, that the players were able to to keep doing despite, you know, despite it all.

>> All of them Reinsdorf said, you know, in his letter to all actually already talked about with the new hiring manager.

But I wanted to ask about the fans actually lot of a lot of them are pointing to the reappointment of Tony La Russa back in 2021.

Is sort the beginning of the problems when he became manager that.

What's your take on that?

But it was surprising when they went that direction.

A lot of people thought was going to be AJ who now has led the Tigers to the postseason.

But it's situation where you know that for sure they did make the playoffs under Tony.

when there were some injuries, there able to overcome, that is make sure they're right around 500. actually were 581 81.

And so, >> you know, that became a situation where 20 have the health issues.

went over to pick a fall.

They had some of that talent still there last year.

And everything just sort of Adam on out with one or one last season.

And then this year when the year, they knew they had to get off to a solid start, in fact, that they started so poorly.

It sort of snowballed, as you said.

And it got to a point where they need to make a change at the manager situation.

And and that's how led to we're at right now.

All right.

So 2025.

>> hesitant to ask, but expectations, Annie.

>> Not particularly you know, because and I don't know what they're going to his first free agency.

I don't really anticipate them spending a whole lot from from that standpoint.

Your question, who was there?

All star likely be treated as well.

And so it's going situation where you have some young pitchers, Sean, drew for some some young guys that they get the opportunity last year.

they're gonna have a chance again.

But but, you know, also going to be really young and really have to tune in to a 25.

We'll have you back to to tell us more about it.

Lamont Pope.

>> At the Chicago Tribune, thanks so much for joining Thank you.

And that is our show for this Monday night.

Be sure to sign up for our newsletter.

The Daily Chicago when it W T Tw Dot Com Slash newsletter.

And while you're there, check out our website for stories you may have missed today.

Like our countdown to Christmas.

We know it's early.

>> Join us tomorrow night at 5, 30 10 candidates for vice president faceoff tomorrow on the debate stage partly politics team on that and more.

And before we go, Chris Christopherson died this weekend at the age of 88 in 1975.

The singer-songwriter performed on sound stage.

Here's a look back at his performance of me and Bobby McGee now for all of us here in Chicago Brandis Friedman, thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

And back.

>> Aides say and why Bob, >> when you a topic plan and families a song grab a >> her.

I think in a free.

the >> are.

>> by community to have phone use on.

I to we have thing at for all.

>> when is so close, caption made possible by Robert a And Clifford law Congo, personal injury and wrongful that is