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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> DID YOU MEET WITH THE F.B.I.?

ARE YOU GOING TO APOLOGIZE?

>> AN EMBATTLED 45TH WARD AT MAN MAKES AN APPEARANCE AT CITY COUNCIL AFTER A F.B.I.

PROBE INTO RETALIATORY BEHAVIOR.

>> WE FOUGHT HARD TO GET THIS CONTRACT DONE.

>> NOW, CHICAGO'S POLICE UNION HAS A NEW CONTRACT DETAILS ON THAT AND MUCH MORE FROM TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO PUNISH OUR STUDENTS IN ANYWAY.

>> DOZENS OF SCHOOLS STARTED THE YEAR WITH MASKING OPTIONAL AND MOST CHANGED COURSE.

>> PLUS PARENTS FACE OFF OVER THE SAFETY OF RETURNING TO INCLASSROOM LEARNING AT CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> DAYCARE WORKERS ARE EXPERIENCING A HIGH DEMAND IN CHILDCARE SERVICES AS PARENTS TRANSITION TO IN-PERSON WORK.

>> AND EMPLOYER PROVIDED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE DROPPED IN 2020 BUT PUBLIC COVERAGE INCREASED.

WE BREAKDOWN NEW CENSUS BUREAU DATA.

>> AND MEET THE NEW PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE LINCOLN PARK ZOO AND THE FIRST WOMAN TO HOLD THE POSITION.

>> KNEE ON AND LIGHT ARE THE FOCUS ON A POP-UP GALLERY.

>> I HAVE MORE ON DECORATED BIKE POSTS LIKE THESE IN THE CITY AND THE ARTISTS BEHIND THEM.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES...

DOCTOR... >> MORE HEAT ON JIM GARDINER AS SOME COLLEAGUES ARE FLOATING THE POSSIBILITY OF CENSURE AFTER THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" REPORTED GARDINER IS THE TARGET OF AN F.B.I.

PROBE.

SOURCES TELL WTTW FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS ARE ALSO LOOKING INTO ALLEGATIONS OF BRIBERY AND PAID TO PLAY.

ALL THIS COMES AFTER WEEKS OF ALLEGATIONS AND TEXT MESSAGES SHOWING THE ALDERMAN THREATENING TO RETALIATE AGAINST CONSTITUENTS WHO OPPOSED HIM AND USING MISOGYNISTIC LANGUAGE AGAINST WOMEN TODAY HE APOLOGIZED ON THE FLOOR GROWING AMID A GROWING OUTCRY.

>> THE MEETING GOT UNDERWAY AND WE CAUGHT HIM WALKING IN HALF AN HOUR LATER.

>> DID YOU MEET WITH THE F.B.I.?

ARE YOU GOING TO APOLOGIZE?

>> GARDINER WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE REPORT THAT HE IS THE SUBJECT OF AN F.B.I.

PROBE.

GARDINER ENTERED CITY COUNCIL AS A CONSTITUENT SPOKE VIA REMOTE FEED DURING PUBLIC COMMENT CALLING ON THE ALDERMAN TO RESIGN.

>> SERVICES ARE STILL BEING DENIED IN THE 45TH WARD.

GARDINER TOLD ANOTHER CRITIC TO SAY IT TO HIS FACE.

I JUST TRIED JIM EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE IN YOUR BUNKER.

ALDERMAN GARDINER SHOW SPINE JUST RESIGN.

>> 33rd WARD ALDERWOMAN ROSSANA RODRIGUEZ-SANCHEZ WANTS COUNCIL TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF ACCUSATIONS AGAINST GARDINER WHICH WOULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO CENSURE OR EXPULSION.

>> IT CALLS FOR A HEARING FOR US TO DETERMINE IF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS ENOUGH TO CENSURE THE ALDERMAN.

>> THIS COMES AMID GROWING OUTCRY FROM HIS COMMUNITY.

LAST EVENING A GROUP CALLED UNITED NORTHWEST SIDE HELD A RALLY OUTSIDE HIS OFFICE DEMANDING THAT HE STEP DOWN.

>> HEY, HEY, HO, HO, GARDINER HAS TO GO.

>> GARDINER APOLOGIZED ON THE FLOOR OF CITY COUNCIL.

>> I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR I HAVE NEVER ACTED ON THOSE RANTS.

HOWEVER THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED AND IT CERTAINLY WAS NOT MY INTENTION TO DEMEAN ANYONE.

>> BUT ROSSANA RODRIGUEZ-SANCHEZ SAYS IF GARDINER IS INDEED FOUND TO BE USING CITY SERVICES TO RETALIATE, HE IS ABUSING HIS POWER.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE SCARED OF HIM.

WE SHOULD NOT BE SCARED OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS EVER.

WE ARE ELECTED TO SERVE NOT TO INTIMIDATE.

>> GARDINER MET PRIVATELY WITH TWO WOMEN WHO WERE THE SUBJECT OF SOME OF HIS RANTS.

THE TWO SAY THEY ACKNOWLEDGE HIS APOLOGY.

AND WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE ON TODAY'S PACKED CITY COUNCIL MEETING WITH WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S PROPOSAL TO ALLOW THE CITY TO SUE GANG MEMBERS HITS A ROADBLOCK IN CITY COUNCIL AS AN ALDERPERSON PUTS THE BRAKES ON IT.

THE MEASURE WILL HEAD TO THE RULES COMMITTEE WHERE THE MAYOR SAYS SHE IS CONFIDENT IT WILL BE ADVANCED.

>> THE VICTIM'S JUSTICE ORDINANCE IS A CIVIL REMEDY THAT TARGETS THE GANG LEADERSHIP AND OTHERS WHO WIELD GUNS AND DRIVE VIOLENCE IN OUR CITY BY SEIZING THE ASSETS THAT FUEL AND PERPETUATE THEIR LIFESTYLE.

TO BE VERY BLUNT AND CLEAR, WE ARE GOING AFTER THEIR BLOOD MONEY.

MONEY THAT THEY HAVE PROFITED FROM THE KILLING OF INNOCENTS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> THE PROPOSAL RECEIVED SOME PUSHBACK AMONG CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS AND LAWYERS.

>> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER AND MEMBERS OF ILLINOIS' CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ARE CALLING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PASS A REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAW.

THE GOVERNOR CALLED A NEW LAW IN TEXAS THAT BANS NEARLY ALL ABORTIONS IN THAT STATE QUOTE AN ABOMINATION.

HE AND OTHER LAWMAKERS VOW TO CONTINUE PROTECTING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN ILLINOIS.

>> WE ARE PROUD TO BE A BEACON OF HOPE IN THE MIDWEST WHILE IN STATES LIKE MISSOURI WOMEN ARE FORCED TO TRAVEL HERE IN PURSUIT OF REFUGE FOR THEIR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

LET'S BE CLEAR... NOBODY AND I REALLY MEAN NOBODY SHOULD BE FORCED TO CROSS STATE LINES TO SEE A DOCTOR.

THE LATEST EXTREMIST ATTACKS ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROVE THAT WE NEED A FEDERAL LAW TO PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CONTROL THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE.

>> AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO REACHES AN AGREEMENT WITH SOME ON-LINE E-CIGARETTE RETAILORS.

VAPING COMPANIES HAVE AGREED TO PAY $600,000 IN FINES AND TO CHANGE BUSINESS PRACTICES.

THE SETTLEMENT COMES AFTER A 2018 LAWSUIT THE CITY FILED AGAINST E-CIGARETTE RETAILORS FOR MARKETING TO MINORS.

SIX ON-LINE RETAILORS AGREED TO STOP SELLING IN CHICAGO.

WHILE OTHERS AGREED TO IMPLEMENTING CHANGES LIKE IMPROVED AGE VERIFICATION AND HEALTH WARN NOOTION AND UP NEXT, DETAILS ON CHICAGO'S NEW POLICE UNION CONTRACT THAT CITY COUNCIL JUST APPROVED.

SO STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> CITY COUNCIL HAD LOTS OF PRESSING BUSINESS TO GET TO BEYOND TODAY'S INTRIGUE SURROUNDING JIM GARDINER.

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTED 40-8 IN FAVOR OF THE NEW EIGHT-YEAR LABOR CONTRACT WITH POLICE OFFICERS.

AND THOUGH THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING SOME SAY THEY SHOULD HAVE WAITED A WHILE LONGER BEFORE VOTING ON IT.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

HEATHER, I WAS DOWN THERE WITH YOU GOOD TO SEE YOU.

ACTION PACKED CITY COUNCIL.

REMIND US WHAT IS IN THE FOP CONTRACT?

>> WELL, IT INCLUDES ANNUAL RAISES OF ABOUT 2.5% BOTH RETROACTIVE FOR FOUR YEARS AND FOUR YEARS IN THE FUTURE.

IT WILL ALSO END A 40-YEAR BAN ON THE INVESTIGATION OF ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS AND IT WILL PROHIBIT THE DISCLOSURE OF COMPLAINANT'S NAMES TO OFFICERS UNTIL THE END OF INVESTIGATION.

HOWEVER IT WILL STILL ALLOW OFFICERS TO WAIT 24 HOURS BEFORE THEY GIVE A STATEMENT AFTER A SHOOTING.

AND IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE A DEDICATED POSITION WITHIN THE POLICE UNION FOCUSED ON OFFICERS' MENTAL HEALTH AS THREE OFFICERS HAVE DIED BY SUICIDE THIS YEAR AND OFFICIALS ARE CONCERNED THAT OFFICERS ARE SUFFERING TRAUMA AS THEY FIGHT A VERY, VERY VIOLENT YEAR IN CHICAGO.

>> THIS SAILED THROUGH COUNCIL BY A WIDE MARGIN WHY WERE SOME COUNCILMEMBERS AND GROUPS OPPOSED TO THIS?

>> THERE'S ONE MAIN OUTSTANDING ISSUE THAT THE CITY WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE AT THE BARGAINING TABLE WHICH WILL END UP LIKELY BEFORE AN ARBITRATOR AND THAT IS THE ISSUE WHETHER POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO WORK SECOND JOBS AND HOW MANY HOURS PER WEEK THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO WORK.

THE CITY'S INSPECTOR GENERAL AND MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAY THAT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT OFFICERS COME TO WORK FRESH AND READY TO DEAL WITH WHATEVER COMES THEIR WAY.

OFFICERS WANT TO BE ABLE TO EARN OUTSIDE INCOME AND EVERYONE IS AT AN IMPASSE.

SEVERAL ALDERMEN SAID THAT ISSUE IS KEY AND THIS CONTRACT ISN'T COMPLETE UNTIL THAT ISSUE IS RESOLVED.

>> IT'S EXPENSIVE CONTRACT.

THE CITY SAYS IT SET ASIDE $100 MILLION THIS YEAR TO PAY FOR IT AND IT WILL NEED 275 MILLION.

HOW IS THE CITY GOING TO PAY FOR THIS?

>> WELL, RIGHT NOW, WE THINK THAT THE CITY IS GOING TO PROPOSE USING REFINANCING OF SAVINGS.

THEY ARE GOING TO REFINANCE $1 BILLION TO SAVE ABOUT $250 MILLION.

WE WILL KNOW PRECISELY HOW THE CITY PLANS TO PAY FOR IT ON MONDAY WHEN MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT IS SCHEDULED TO UNVEIL HER SPENDING PLAN FOR 2022.

>> AND AS WE MENTIONED THERE WAS A LOT GOING ON IN CITY COUNCIL TODAY.

TELL US ABOUT THE OTHER BIG HIGHLIGHTS?

>> ONE BIG THING WAS SOMETHING THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

ALDERMAN ANTHONY BEALE AND RAYMOND LOPEZ BLOCKED A VOTE ON RULES THAT WOULD ALLOW THE SALE OF CANNABIS IN MOST OF DOWNTOWN CHICAGO AND LOOSEN THE RULES CITYWIDE THEY DON'T THINK IT GOES FAR ENOUGH TO HELP BLACK AND LATINO ENTREPRENEURS SO THAT WILL BE BACK ON THE AGENDA ON MONDAY WHEN WE ARE ALL BACK AT CITY COUNCIL FOR ANOTHER ROUND.

>> AND WE MENTIONED BLOCKING THE MAYOR'S GANG LAWSUIT ORDINANCE.

A LOT OF CHESS PLAYED BETWEEN CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR.

ALL RIGHT FASCINATING STUFF.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS PARIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S STORY WHERE YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE NEW CONTRACT AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

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

>> PARIS, THANK YOU.

ILLINOIS SCHOOLS CAN FACE HEFTY REPERCUSSIONS FOR NOT COMPLYING WITH GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT EVERYONE KEEP THEIR FACES COVERED IN SCHOOLS.

BUT THERE'S PUSHBACK AND MULTIPLE FRONTS.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

>> YEAH, JUST BEFORE MOST STUDENTS RETURNED TO THE CLASSROOMS, GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER ISSUED THAT ORDER.

STUDENTS, STAFF, TEACHERS, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS WEAR A FACE COVERING OR ELSE FACE CONSEQUENCES.

DISTRICTS COULD BE PUT ON PROBATION FOR 60 DAYS AND THEN IF THEY STILL DO NOT COMPLY THEY COULD LOSE STATE RECOGNITION.

BE STRIPPED OF STATE FUNDING, LOSE STATE ACCREDITATION.

THE ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION ALSO SAY TO GO WOULD NOT ALLOW SCHOOLS ON PROBATION TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO PUNISH OUR STUDENTS IN ANYWAY.

THEY'VE LOST ENOUGH.

THEY LOST MOST OF THEIR SEASONS LAST YEAR WITH ATHLETICS AND IT JUST DOESN'T COVER SPORTS WE HAVE PART OF THE IHA WHICH IS AN ACADEMIC TEAM AS WELL AS BAND, MUSIC, THAT IS ALSO SO THOSE IN THE ARTS ARE AFFECTED.

THIS WAS NOT GOING TO BE PUNISHMENT TO OUR KIDS.

AND WE DIDN'T WANT ANY PART OF THAT.

>> THE K-HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE MATT VOLLMAN IS SUPERINTENDENT IS IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF ILLINOIS.

A COUNTY AWAY FROM KENTUCKY IS HOW HE DESCRIBES IT.

MATT VOLLMAN SAYS THE SCHOOL BOARD VOTED TO RECOMMEND BUT NOT REQUIRE MASKS IN JULY.

BEFORE THE EXECUTIVE ORDER.

BUT AFTER THE GOVERNOR'S MANDATE THEY GOT A WARNING FROM THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION THAT THEY WERE BEING PUT ON PROBATION.

MATT VOLLMAN SAYS THEN THE BOARD HELD AN EMERGENCY MEETING AND VOTED TO COMPLY.

FOR THE SAKE OF STUDENTS HE SAYS AND ALSO COULDN'T AFFORD NOT TO.

>> WE ARE VERY RURAL COMMUNITY WE DON'T HAVE A HIGH TAX BASE.

WHERE OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE MORE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, AND A LITTLE BIT LESS DEPENDENT ON STATE AID WE ARE DEPENDENT ON STATE AID.

>> THEY MAY HAVE CHANGED COURSE BUT ACCORDING TO THE LATEST STATE DATA, FOUR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN ILLINOIS ARE ON PROBATION NOW.

PARENTS IN SOME SUBURBAN DISTRICTS ARE PUSHING THEIR SCHOOL BOARDS TO DO THE SAME.

A PARENT OF FIVE WHO ATTENDED A SCHOOL WORD MEETING FOR LAKE FOREST DISTRICT 115 AND HE SAYS IT GOT HEATED WHEN THE MASK MANDATE CAME UP.

A MANDATE HE WANTS LIFTED.

>> THE MASKS ARE MORE OF A DETRIMENT TO THE CHILDREN AND THEIR INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION THROUGH SCHOOL THAN NOT WEARING THEM.

SO IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO MORE HARM YOU HAVE TO ERR ON THE SIDE OF THE CHILD.

>> MARSHA MCCLARY A PARENT OF FIVE AND SAYS IT SHOULD BE A FAMILY'S CHOICE AS WELL AS UP TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD.

>> AGAIN, THE DYNAMICS OF EACH COMMUNITY AND THE NEEDS AND THE DATA DIFFERS ACROSS THE STATE IF YOU LOOK AT IT.

AND I REALLY THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE UP TO OUR ELECTED THE LOCAL OFFICIALS TO MAKE THE TOUGH DECISIONS.

AND THEY KNOW THAT BETTER THAN AT THE STATE LEVEL.

>> TODAY, IS THE AUTHORITY TO MOVE TO REVOKE A SCHOOL'S STATUS AND RECOGNITION CAME UNDER FIRE FROM LEGISLATORS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF A BIPARTISAN COMMISSION CHARGED WITH OVERSEEING STATE AGENCY RULES.

>> UNDER WHAT AUTHORITY DOES ISB BELIEVE THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO RESTRICT FUNDING TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT CHOOSE NOT TO ABIDE BY THE MASK MANDATE?

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE STATUTE THAT GRANTS ISB THE AUTHORITY TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE I DON'T BELIEVE THAT AUTHORITY EXISTS.

>> DON DEWITTE SAYS HIS QUESTIONING DOES NOT MEAN HE IS ANTIMASK HE WEARS ONE TO PROTECT HIMSELF AND OTHERS.

BUT HE SAYS THAT IT IS A GOVERNMENT OVERREACH THAT'S BEING ENFORCING THIS MEASURE ESPECIALLY WITH SUCH HEFTY CONSEQUENCES FOR DISTRICTS.

OTHER LAWMAKERS AGREED AND IN A 10-0 VOTE, THAT COMMISSION VOTED TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO COME BACK TO THE LEGISLATIVE PANEL AND RUN NEW MASK RULES BY THEM.

DURING THAT HEARING AN ATTORNEY FOR ISB SAID SHE WAS UNABLE TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS CITING A PENDING LAWSUIT OVER THAT MASKING MANDATE BUT THEN ALSO SAID THAT THE AGENCY BELIEVES THAT ISB HAS THE AUTHORITY NOW TO NOT RECOGNIZE SCHOOLS BECAUSE OF AN EARLIER COURT RULING.

NOW, THIS WHOLE PROCESS IS DIFFERENT FOR ILLINOIS' PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

THEY DON'T GET ANY PROBATION PERIOD IF THEY DON'T COMPLY WITH THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, ISB CAN QUICKLY STRIP THEM OF STATE RECOGNITION.

NINE PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN ILLINOIS ARE IN THAT STATUS, INCLUDING SOME IN COOK, DUPAGE AND KANKAKEE COUNTIES ISB DID NOT RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR COMMENT.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MOST CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE BEEN BACK IN THE CLASSROOM FOR 11 DAYS NOW.

BUT SOME FAMILIES SAY THEIR KIDS AREN'T SAFE FROM COVID-19 IN SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND THEY ARE DEMANDING MORE ACCESS TO REMOTE LEARNING.

OTHER PARENTS SAY IN-PERSON LEARNING IS NECESSARY TO MAKEUP FOR THE YEAR OF LEARNING LOSS TO THE PANDEMIC.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT C.P.S.

REOPENING ARE BRENNA O'BRIEN, A LEADER OF THE GROUP C.P.S.

SICK OUT.

SHE EARNED HER PH.D.

IN CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION AND HAS A SECOND GRADER AND FOURTH GRADER IN C.P.S.

AND NOLBERTO CASAS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING HAS BEEN CALLED CHAOTIC BY SOME.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HOW WOULD YOU EXPLAIN IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SOME OF US PARENTS WERE HAPPY TO SEND OUR KIDS BACK IN JUNE.

WE WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FIVE-DAYS A WEEK.

BUT AS THE SUMMER PROGRESSED AND WE SAW HOW DELTA WAS HITTING OTHER STATES AND OTHER SCHOOLS AND JUST THAT IT WAS TRANSMISSIBLE TO PEOPLE IF THEY ARE VACCINATED OR NOT.

WE JUST FELT THAT AUGUST 30TH WAS TOO SOON AND WE WANTED TO KEEP OUR KIDS HOME.

WE'VE ADVOCATED THAT THOSE WHO NEED TO GO IN-PERSON CAN GO BUT THOSE OF US THAT WANT A REMOTE OPTION TO HAVE THAT CHOICE TO CONNECT FROM HOME.

>> NOLBERTO CASAS YOU HAVE TWO YOUNG CHILDREN WHAT HAS BEEN THEIR AND YOUR EXPERIENCE THIS SCHOOL YEAR?

>> SO FAR THE SCHOOL YEAR HAS GONE VERY WELL.

WE HAD THE -- >> I WILL COME BACK TO YOU BECAUSE WE'RE STRUGGLING TO HEAR FROM YOU.

BRENNA O'BRIEN YOU HELPED TO ORGANIZE THE PROTEST YESTERDAY.

WHAT ARE YOU AND YOUR THE OTHER PARENTS OF C.P.S.

SICK OUT WHAT ARE YOU DEMANDING?

>> WELL, BASICALLY, WE'RE DEMANDING FOR LORI LIGHTFOOT TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THIS LACK OF LEADERSHIP AT THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT LEVEL.

IT SEEMS LIKE NOBODY IS STEERING THE SHIP RIGHT NOW AND THE THIRD LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IS JUST ADRIFT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS PANDEMIC.

WE WANT HER TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY AND ALSO TO JUST RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S MANY DIFFERENT WAYS THAT THE DISTRICT IS FAILING STUDENTS.

NOT ONLY ARE KIDS LIKE MY OWN NOT ABLE TO ACCESS REMOTE INSTRUCTION, BUT THE KIDS THAT ARE GOING THEY ARE BEING SENT HOME IN QUARANTINE, AND PARENTS ARE RECEIVING LETTERS FROM THE CONTACT TRACERS UP TO 10 DAYS LATER THAT THEIR KID WAS EXPOSED AND THAT IS NOT HELPFUL TO ANYONE.

>> AND NOLBERTO CASAS, I WILL ASK YOU THAT QUESTION AGAIN YOU HAVE TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN C.P.S., WHAT HAS BEEN THEIR AND YOUR EXPERIENCE SO FAR THIS SCHOOL YEAR?

>> THE SCHOOL YEAR STARTED WITH AN OPEN HOUSE FOR MY FIRST GRADER.

AND I ASKED THE PRINCIPAL I ASKED HER HOW DO YOU SEE THE NEW YEAR SHAPING UP?

AND SHE ANSWERED ME I WISH WE COULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN.

AND I ASKED HER WHAT DO YOU MEAN, PRINCIPAL?

SHE SAID THEY'VE LOST SO MUCH IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION TIME AND THEY ARE SO BEHIND I WISH WE COULD DO THE PAST 12 MONTHS OVER AGAIN I'M SCARED.

>> AND DO YOU HAVE CONCERNS IF SOME KIDS SHOULD SHIFT TO REMOTE LEARNING ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE PANDEMIC AND FOR THE TEACHING AND THE ATTENTION THAT YOUR CHILDREN ARE GETTING?

>> YES, AS FAR AS MY CHILDREN GO I PICKED UP MY SON YESTERDAY FROM FIRST GRADE AND HIS TEACHER TOLD ME HE NEEDS TO WORK ON MATH AND WRITING, HE NEEDS TO WORK ON SPELLING AND I TOLD THE TEACHER THAT SEEMS LIKE A LOT AT ONE TIME.

AND SHE SAID HE IS NOT AT LEVEL RIGHT NOW.

IT SEEMS THAT HE IS COMING FROM BEHIND.

AND I SAID DO YOU THINK THAT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE PANDEMIC AND SHE IS LIKE YES, IT SEEMS LIKE THE STUDENTS ARE AT A DISADVANTAGE BECAUSE OF ALL THE TIME THAT WAS LOST IN IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION.

>> AND THAT IS THE CASE FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND A LOT OF STUDENTS.

BRENNA, C.P.S.

OFFICIALS CITY'S HEALTH DEPARTMENT REQUIRED MASKS INDOORS.

MANDATED THE VACCINE FOR EMPLOYEES.

IS THAT STILL NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU TO FEEL SAFE ESPECIALLY IN THE HIGH SCHOOLS WHERE ALSO THE STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO THE VACCINE?

>> WE'RE VERY HAPPY THAT THERE IS A MASK MANDATE AND THEY ARE ENCOURAGING VACCINES FOR THE CHILDREN THAT THEY ARE MAKING SURE THAT THE TEACHERS ARE VACCINATED BUT WE KNOW THERE ARE STILL POSITIVE CASES ALL OVER THE DISTRICT.

THERE WERE KIDS IN QUARANTINE ON THE FIRST DAY.

SO AFTER THE PROTEST YESTERDAY I CAME HOME AND GOT A LETTER THERE WAS A POSITIVE CASE IN MY CHILD'S SCHOOL.

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE SAFETY MITIGATIONS THERE ARE POSITIVE CASES HAPPENING IN SCHOOLS ALL OVER THE DISTRICT.

WE WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO HAVE THE TESTING IN PLACE THAT THEY PROMISED WOULD BE SEPTEMBER 1 AND IT'S STILL NOT IN PLACE AND ALSO THE CONTACT TRACING HAS BEEN AN UTTER FAILURE WHEN PARENTS ARE GETTING NOTICES JUST THIS WEEKEND ABOUT KIDS HAVING EXPOSURE ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

SO IT'S 10, 11 DAYS LATER THAT IS NOT HELPING THEM STOP THE SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS.

>> AND WE'RE HEARING REPORTS THAT THE DISTRICT NEEDS TO HIRE CLOSE TO 28 CONTACT TRACERS.

NOLBERTO CASAS YOUR KIDS ARE TOO YOUNG TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE.

HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU ABOUT THEM BRINGING HOME COVID?

>> IT'S ALWAYS A CONCERN WHEN YOU HAVE AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE.

BUT AS FAR AS ARE WE CONCERNED IT'S ON OUR RADAR BUT WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND TODAY WE HAVE NON-PHARMACEUTICAL INTERVENTIONS WHICH ARE THE MASKS, THE WASHING OF THE HANDS.

WE ALSO HAVE PHARMACEUTICAL INTERVENTION WHICH ARE THINGS THAT DIDN'T EXIST PANDEMICS.

SEEING THERE'S PHARMACEUTICAL AND NON-PHARMACEUTICAL INTERVENTION WE SLEEP BETTER KNOWING THOSE WEAPONS ARE BEING DEPLOYED.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

BEST OF LUCK TO THE BOTH OF YOU AND THANKS TO NOLBERTO CASAS AND BRENNA O'BRIEN FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT WAS A PLEASURE.

>> MORE PEOPLE IN THE U.S.

WENT UNINSURED LAST YEAR.

AND THE RATE OF EMPLOYER PROVIDED HEALTH INSURANCE DROPPED LIKELY DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO NEW DATA FROM THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU RELEASED TODAY.

BUT THOSE GAPS IN COVERAGE COME WITH AN INCREASE OF PEOPLE COVERED BY PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE.

JOINING US ARE KATHERINE BAKER, HEALTH ECONOMIST AND DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO'S HARRIS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY.

AND ANN LUNDY, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF ACCESS COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK AND A MEMBER OF THE STATE'S MEDICARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

KATHERINE BAKER, THE DATA THAT WAS RELEASED TODAY SHOWED THAT 28 MILLION PEOPLE HAD NO HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE AT ANY POINT IN 2020.

THAT IS AN INCREASE FROM 26 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE YEAR BEFORE.

BUT DOES THAT NUMBER SURPRISE YOU?

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT NUMBER TELLS US HOW MANY PEOPLE HAD NO HEALTH INSURANCE AT ALL DURING THE YEAR.

IF YOU HAD INSURANCE IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND LOST IT, MIDWAY THROUGH, IN THIS DATA SET YOU WOULD BE COUNTED AS BEING INSURED.

>> I WANT TO GET MORE INTO THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC AS WE DISCUSS THIS.

ANN, SO THE RATE OF EMPLOYER PROVIDED COVERAGE DROPPED FROM 2018 TO 2020 BY NEARLY A PERCENTAGE POINT BUT THE RATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE INCREASED SLIGHTLY.

ARE YOU SEEING MORE PATIENTS WITH PUBLIC HEALTH COVERAGE.

>> WE ABSOLUTELY ARE.

WE'VE SEEN THIS INCREASING OVER THE LAST 18, 19 MONTHS.

AND WHERE REALLY IT'S SOMEWHAT THREE FOLD.

WE'VE SEEN INCREASES IN ILLINOIS MEDICAID, PROBABLY THAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SUBSTANTIAL FOR US AND PART OF THAT, TOO, IS THAT IT'S BEEN SOMEWHAT RELAXED AS FAR AS THE REQUIREMENTS TO GET ON MEDICAID IN ILLINOIS.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IF YOU ARE ON MEDICAID YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP IT OR THERE'S CONTINUITY OF COVERAGE BECAUSE REDETERMINATION HAS BEEN EASED.

SO THAT HAS HAD GREAT BENEFITS FOR A POPULATION THAT WE SERVE PRIMARILY WE SEE 55% MEDICAID INDIVIDUALS IN THE CHICAGO AND GREATER CHICAGOLAND.

BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, GET COVERED ILLINOIS WHICH IS THE EXCHANGE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WE HAVE SEEN INCREASES WITH THAT POPULATION AND REALLY IT'S ALSO TOO AS A RESULT IT'S BROUGHT IN MORE COMPETITION FROM ADDITIONAL INSURANCE COMPANIES WHICH HAS LOWERED THE INDIVIDUAL COSTS.

AND WE'VE ALSO SEEN BETTER BENEFITS ON SOME OF THE PLANS, TOO.

>> THERE ARE BENEFITS TO WHAT IS HAPPENING.

KATHERINE, IT SEEMS LIKELY THAT THE DECREASE IN EMPLOYER PROVIDED COVERAGE COULD BE TIED TO JOB DISRUPTIONS AS A RESULT OF COVID-19.

HOW MUCH IS HEALTH COVERAGE STILL TIED TO THE LABOR MARKET?

>> ALMOST ALL PRIVATELY INSURED PEOPLE STILL GET THEIR INSURANCE THROUGH THEIR JOB NOT THROUGH THE HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGES OR MARKETPLACES.

WHEN WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE OF A RECESSION THAT IS GOING TO CREATE RISKS FOR PEOPLE LOSING THEIR INSURANCE WHEN THEY NEED HEALTHCARE THE MOST.

THAT IS WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE EXPANDED ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACES DURING THE PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS AND HAVE THAT MEDICAID SAFETY NET FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE.

WE SEE A LOT OF DIFFERENCES ACROSS THE STATE IN THE CHANGE IN HEALTH INSURANCE BETWEEN 2018-2020.

THERE WAS A MUCH BIGGER INCREASE IN THE RATE OF UNINSURE IN STATES THAT DID NOT EXPAND MEDICAID PROGRAMS COMPARED TO STATES LIKE ILLINOIS THAT DID.

>> ANN, YOU JUST TOUCHED ON THIS BUT WE KNOW THAT COVID-19 REMAINS A HUGE DISRUPTOR IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

BUT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT WHAT SOME OF THE SILVER LININGS MIGHT BE AS A RESULT OF THIS.

LIKE TELEHEALTH WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SILVER LININGS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, AND REALLY TO US, TOO, SOME OF THE SILVER LININGS HAS BEEN ABLE TO BRING EQUITY TO POPULATIONS THAT PREVIOUSLY WOULD NOT HAVE HAD ACCESS TO TELEHEALTH.

ALTHOUGH WE WERE REALLY FORCED TO DO THAT SO THAT WE COULD STAY ENGAGED WITH OUR PATIENTS.

IT'S BEEN A GREAT BEN ABOUT FIT TO OUR PATIENTS.

THOSE THAT HAVE CHRONIC CONDITIONS.

EARLIER IN THE PANDEMIC WHEN THEY WERE NOT FEELING COMFORTABLE COMING TO THE HEALTH CENTERS WE COULD REMAIN CONNECTED WITH THEM THROUGH TELEHEALTH WITH VIDEO AND CONTINUE THAT EDUCATION AND THAT MONITORING AND INSURING THAT THEY WERE STAYING CURRENT WITH THEIR MANAGEMENT.

THAT HAS BEEN A GREAT BENEFIT TO THE POPULATION WE SERVE.

>> AND KATHERINE, HOW IMPORTANT IS ACCESS TO INSURANCE COVERAGE AND HEALTHCARE WHEN IT COMES TO PREVENTING ILLNESS NOT JUST TREATING IT?

>> ACCESS TO CARE IS VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC CONDITIONS LIKE DIABETES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, OBESITY.

BUT IT IS ALSO IF YOU ARE NOTING IMPORTANT FOR THE PREVENTION OF THE ONSET OF THOSE CONDITIONS.

HEALTH INSURANCE IS CRUCIAL FOR ACCESSING HEALTHCARE.

WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE WITHOUT INSURANCE HAVE MUCH REDUCED ACCESS TO PREVENTATIVE CARE, MAINTENANCE, CANCER DIAGNOSED LATER THERE ARE MANY ADVERSE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES TO BEING UNINSURED AND FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES.

PEOPLE FOCUS ON THE HEALTH FOR GOOD REASON BUT INSURANCE PROTECTS YOU FROM BEING EVICTED BECAUSE YOU DID NOT PAY YOUR RENT BECAUSE OF MEDICAL BILLS YOU HAD TO PAY INSTEAD AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PROVIDERS PEOPLE WHO GET UNCOMPENSATED CARE FROM SAFETY NET PROVIDERS IF THEY ARE UNINSURED THE PROVIDER ARE BEARING A FINANCIAL BURDEN.

HEALTH INSURANCE IS IMPORTANT FOR FINANCIAL PROTECTION FOR OUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS.

>> OK. WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU TO YOU KATHERINE BAKER AND ANN LUNDY FOR JOINING US.

>> UP NEXT, WE TOUR A NEW POP-UP MUSEUM THAT IS ELECTRIFIED.

STAY WITH US.

>> AND THERE'S MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING A ONE-ON-ONE WITH LINCOLN PARK ZOO'S NEW LEADER.

FIRST IT IS THREE DIMENSIONAL ARTWORK THAT GLOWS IN THE DARK.

NEON COMBINES CRAFTSMAN SHIP AND SCIENCE.

WE VISITED A KNEW SPACE TO FIND OUT IF IT'S TRULY LIT.

MARC VITALI HAS THAT STORY.

>> THERE IS A WORK FASHIONED AFTER A DRAWING BY JOHN LENNON.

THERE IS A FAMOUS PIECE BY THE ARTIST TITLED THE TRUE ARTIST HELPS THE WORLD BY REVEALING MYSTIC TRUTHS.

AND THERE ARE SOMEHOW DID THEY DO THAT WORKS WITH STROBE LIGHT EFFECTS.

AND OTHERS THAT SEEM TAILOR MADE FOR THE INSTAGRAM AGE.

>> THE CELEBRITY HERE IS NEON.

WE HAVE THE BEST INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL ARTISTS WORKING IN THE NEON BUT THE MATERIAL ITSELF IS SO SEDUCTIVE, LOVELY AND CALMING.

IF YOU ARE OF A CERTAIN AGE IT'S RETRO YOU REMEMBER THE NEON SIGNS IN FRONT OF EVERY STORE, BAR AND PIZZA PARLOR.

IF YOU ARE YOUNGER, THE WORK HAS ALMOST A UTOPIAN STEAM QUALITY, A SENSE THAT THERE IS A BETTER PLACE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A EXPERIENCE BASED ON FLASHING COLORED LIGHTS.

>> MOST WORKS ARE CONTEMPORARY AND TEMPORARY.

THIS POP-UP SHOWROOM IS IN THE RIVER NORTH GALLERY DISTRICT THROUGH OCTOBER.

>> ARTISTS WHO WORK IN NEON ARE BENDING GLASS.

THE BIG TECHNICAL CHALLENGE IS TO LEARN HOW TO BEND GLASS AND MAKE IT DO WHAT YOU WANT IT TO DO.

YOU CAN THINK YOU'RE DESIGNING SOMETHING IN SCRIPT BUT IF IT'S ILLEGIBLE YOU ARE NOT DESIGNING ANYTHING.

THERE ARE CERTAIN SKILLS THAT COME INTO PLAY.

ONCE THE GLASS TUBES ARE BENT, THEY ARE FILLED WITH GAS, NEON ARGONNE, XENON AND EACH ONE OF THOSE GASES CREATES ITS OWN COLOR AND THEN THE TUBE IS CLOSED OFF A VACUUM CREATED AN AN ELECTRICAL CHARGE IS SENT THROUGH THE TUBE AND ACTIVATES THE GAS, EXCITES THE GAS AND THE GAS TURNS A COLOR.

>> WE HAVE GOT FUN, EXCITING PIECES, CLEVER THINGS THAT WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH.

BUT WE HAVE ARTISTS WHO ARE DIPPING INTO THE PHILOSOPHICAL, SOCIAL LOCK CAL, AND DEEPER ISSUES.

SOME ARTISTS WANT TO BE VERY SERIOUS AND SOME ARTISTS WILL USE MEANS THAT ARE PERHAPS A MISDIRECTION TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION ON YOU.

TO GET YOU TO LOOK TWICE AND CONSIDER.

>> AND SOME OF THEIR WORKS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE.

>> I AM AN ART DEALER I HAVE BEEN A GALLERIST FOR 30 YEARS I MAKE MY LIVING SELLING ARTWORK.

THIS EFFORT REFLECTS A CHANGE IN THE WAY WE'RE VIEWING ART THESE DAYS.

AND THE INTERACTION WITH ART GOES BEYOND PURCHASING THINGS AND COLLECTING THEM AND BRINGING THEM HOME AND NOW WE'RE TRYING TO DIFFUSE CULTURE IN DIFFERENT MAYBE RADICAL WAYS.

>> IT IS WHAT IT IS.

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

>> AND IT'S CALLED NEON AND LIGHT MUSEUM AND IT JUST OPENED AT 325 WEST HURON IN RIVER NORTH THROUGH OCTOBER.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... DAYCARE WORKERS ARE EXPERIENCING A HIGH DEMAND IN CHILDCARE SERVICES AS PARENTS TRANSITION TO IN-PERSON WORK.

LINCOLN PARK ZOO NAMES THE NEXT PRESIDENT.

SHE IS THE FIRST WOMAN TO LEAD THE INSTITUTION IN THE ZOO'S 153 YEAR HISTORY.

AND ANGEL IDOWU INTRODUCES US TO A GARN BOMBER WHO MADE THE CITY HER CANVAS.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> 9 PROTESTORS WERE HANDCUFFED AND REMOVED FROM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS DURING TODAY'S MEETING.

THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS CALLED ON MAYOR LIGHTFOOT TO USE FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES HARDEST HIT BY THE PANDEMIC.

THIS COMES AS THE MAYOR PREPARES TO PRESENT HER 2022 BUDGET ON MONDAY.

SHE SAYS SHE PLANS TO USE A PORTION OF THAT FUND TO BALANCE THE CITY'S DEFICIT.

>> THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT'S INSPECTOR GENERAL IS RESIGNING.

ELAINE LITTLE WAS LEADING THE INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT BY LIFEGUARDS AFTER WBEZ REPORTED LITTLE WAS SUBJECT TO INVESTIGATION WHILE WORKING AT COOK COUNTY'S JUVENILE JAIL.

IN A STATEMENT LITTLE SAYS QUOTE... >> THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SAYS THE RESIGNATION WILL NOT INHABIT THE INVESTIGATION.

AFTER VICE LAVELLE CALLED ACCUSATIONS AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE BOARD HAVE BEEN WORKING TO INTERFERE WITH THE INVESTIGATION.

LAVELLE SAYS QUOTE... >> ALL THIS AFTER INVESTIGATIONS FROM WBEZ.

>> A CHICAGO POLICE SERGEANT IS SUING THE CITY OVER RETALIATION ALLEGATIONS STEMMING FROM CIVIL UNREST IN 2020.

SERGEANT MARK VANEK SAYS HE BLEW THE WHISTLE ON A SUPERIOR USING DEPARTMENT RESOURCES TO PROTECT HIS HOME.

VANEK SAYS A POLICE LIEUTENANT ABUSED HIS POSITION, SUBJECTING VANEK TO QUOTE REPEATED ACTS OF RETALIATION.

THE LAWSUIT NAMES THE CITY OF CHICAGO, POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN, FIRST DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT ERIC CARTER AND OTHERS AS DEFENDANTS.

THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT DECLINED COMMENT ON THE LAWSUIT TODAY.

>> THE THOMPSON CENTER COULD BECOME A SCHOOL, A WATER PARK OR MIXED-USE BUILDINGS OF HOMES AND COMMERCIAL SPACE.

AT LEAST THOSE ARE THE VISIONS OF THREE WINNERS IN A DESIGN COMPETITION BY THE CITY ARCHITECTURE CENTER AND CLUB.

ORGANIZERS HOPE THE COMPETITION WOULD DRAW ATTENTION TO THE BUILDING DESIGNED BY HELMET JAN AND PREVENT THE DEMOLITION.

THE STATE PUT THE BUILDING UP IN MAY.

THE WINNING DESIGNS AND FOUR FINALISTS CAN BE VIEWED AT A POP-UP EXHIBIT AT THE CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE'S CENTERS WHACKER GALLERIES THROUGH OCTOBER.

ROOTING FOR THAT WATER PARK.

>> AND BACK TO BRANDIS AND HOW SOME LOCAL DAYCARES ARE HANDLING AN UPTICK IN DEMAND.

>> AND PARIS AS SOME PARENTS RETURN TO IN-PERSON WORK MANY ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND CHILDCARE FOR THEIR SMALL CHILDREN.

A SHORTAGE OF DAYCARE WORKERS ACROSS ILLINOIS MEANS DEMAND FOR SERVICES IS HIGH LEADING SOME CENTERS TO PAUSE ENROLLMENT.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE DAYCARE WORKER SHORTAGE ARE LINA RIVERA, A PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT LITTLE EINSTEIN'S DAYCARE.

AND JAMAL MALONE, C.E.O.

OF ADA COMMUNITY SERVICES AND REBECCA AUSTIN, A DAYCARE TEACHER AT KIDDIE ACADEMY IN BOLINGBROOK.

WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT" AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

LINA RIVERA LET'S START WITH YOU PLEASE, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT STAFF ARE FACING IN DAYCARE CLASSROOMS AS WE SEE THIS LABOR SHORTAGE NOT JUST IN CHILDCARE WORK BUT ACROSS INDUSTRIES?

>> WELL, I FEEL THAT LIKE YOU MENTIONED WE DID HAVE TO PAUSE ENROLLMENT AS WELL BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO FIND STAFF MEMBERS QUALIFIED STAFF MEMBERS AT THAT TO FILL THE POSITIONS THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO FILL.

WE CAN'T HAVE AN OPEN CLASSROOM IF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF OR ENOUGH TEACHERS.

WE ARE DEFINITELY FEELING THE IMPACT OF THE SHORTAGE.

A LOT OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE IT'S HIGH STRESS AND THEY ARE OVERTIME IS OPTIONAL.

BUT A LOT OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS CHOOSE TO GO AHEAD AND WORK A FULL NINE-HOUR, 10-HOUR SHIFT BECAUSE WE'RE SHORT STAFFED.

IT'S GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE WHAT DO WE DO AT DAYCARE CENTERS?

>> AND REBECCA AUSTIN HOW ARE YOU FEELING MANAGING A CLASSROOM OF SMALL CHILDREN UNDER SIMILAR CONDITIONS WHERE YOU WORK IN BOLINGBROOK?

>> MANAGING THE CHILDREN AND LIKE THE SITUATION THAT WE ARE IN WITH WE CURRENTLY ARE LOW WITH STAFF, IT DOES BECOME VERY STRESSFUL.

THE STRESS COMES FROM YOU KNOW WITH THE ENROLLMENT OF BEING HIGH AND HAVING KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM AND IT DOES BECOME OVERWHELMING.

BUT WE DO HAVE THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ARE THERE FOR THE PARENTS AND WE ARE ALSO THERE FOR THE KIDS AS WELL.

>> AND REBECCA DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE THE SUPPORT THAT YOU NEED?

DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH STAFF THERE?

>> SO CURRENTLY, THE STAFF THAT WE DO HAVE WE DO HAVE THE STAFF THAT WE DO HAVE IS AMAZING.

WE ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING AND LOOKING FOR TEACHERS BUT WE DO SUPPORT EACH OTHER VERY, VERY WELL EVERY SINGLE DAY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE HELPING EACH OTHER OUT CARRYING THE WORKLOAD.

>> STICKING TOGETHER.

JAMAL MALONE HOW IS YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR DAYCARE WORKERS AND FAMILIES DURING THE SHORTAGE?

>> YES, SO WE'RE ABOUT 10 TO 15% DOWN ON STAFF ACROSS OUR NETWORK OF ABOUT 15 CHILDCARE CENTERS THROUGHOUT CHICAGO.

AND WE'VE TAKEN THE APPROACH OF ADDRESSING IT THREE WAYS.

FIRST, LOOKING AT COVID AT LARGE.

HOW WE MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING HEALTHY AND SAFE ENVIRONMENTS.

SO WE DO HAVE A VACCINE MANDATE.

WE'VE POSTED VACCINE CLINICS THROUGHOUT THE LAST 18 MONTHS.

WE'VE PROVIDED MILITARY GRADE COVID CLEANING PERIODICALLY AT OUR DIFFERENT LOCATIONS BECAUSE WE AT ADA WITH THE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE WHERE WE DO FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AND JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR NAVAL BASE AND OTHER VERY LARGE CONTRACTS.

AND ALSO LOOKING AT AS IT RELATES TO THE MENTAL HEALTH.

THE MENTAL WELLNESS OF OUR STAFF.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO CHECK IN NOT JUST ON OUR STAFF BUT OUR FAMILIES.

AND WE UTILIZE ONE OF OTHER PROGRAMS MENTAL HEALTH AND MOBILE CRISIS RESPONSE PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND COUNSELING TO OUR STAFF AND FAMILIES ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS A CRISIS THAT TAKES PLACE.

AND ALSO WE HAVE OUR EMPLOYEE FITNESS PROGRAM WHERE STAFF CAN CALL AND GET DIRECT CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELING FROM A THIRD PARTY AS WELL.

AND LAST THING IS FINANCIAL.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE RECENT INCENTIVE THAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER MENTIONED AND ANNOUNCED THE $1,000 BONUS TO ALL CHILDCARE WORKERS.

>> AND THAT IS GOOD BECAUSE I DO WANT TO COME BACK TO SOME OF THE STEPS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS TAKEN AS WELL.

LINA RIVERA BACK TO YOU, WHAT IS YOUR CENTER DOING TO BE ABLE TO BRING MORE EDUCATORS INTO THE CLASSROOM?

>> WE DO PUT OURSELVES ON-SITES THAT WE'RE HIRING WE'RE LOOKING TO HIRE STAFF.

WE CONNECT WITH FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE THE CCC COMMUNITY COLLEGES FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE ALREADY IN THIS CAREER PATH LOOKING FOR A LONG-TERM POSITION.

SO WE PUT OURSELVES OUT THERE IN THAT WAY SO THAT THOSE STUDENTS KNOW IF THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING LONG-TERM, THEY ARE LOOKING FOR TEACHERS WHO ARE QUALIFIED AND HAVE A PASSION FOR THIS FIELD.

>> AND YOU MENTIONED NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND ENOUGH QUALIFIED TEACHERS.

WHAT MAKES A DAYCARE CENTER WORKER OR TEACHER QUALIFIED?

>> WELL, I BELIEVE THAT FIRST THEY HAVE TO HAVE A PASSION BECAUSE IN THIS FIELD, YOU WON'T LAST LONG IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PASSION FOR TEACHING.

BECAUSE IT'S IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER, IT'S NOT JUST TEACHING.

IT'S CARING FOR KIDS.

IT'S DIAPERING AND SAFETY AND ALL THESE OTHER COMPONENTS AND THEY ARE WITH US FOR 10, 11 HOURS A DAY THEY ARE NOT JUST WITH US FOR EIGHT OR SEVEN HOURS A DAY.

SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR QUALIFIED STAFF MEMBER WOULD BE SOMEBODY WHO HAS PASSION, WHO HAS EXPERIENCE, WHO HAS THE QUALIFICATIONS AND THE TRAINING NEEDED.

AND TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY PUT THAT INTO PRACTICE IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> WATCHING A CLASSROOM FULL OF LITTLE PEOPLE IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S CHILDCARE INITIATIVE WE BROUGHT IT UP A SECOND AGO.

IT PROVIDES BONUSES OF $1,000 FOR CHILDCARE WORKERS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE.

A FEW CHANGES TO THE CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM COPAYS WOULD BE DECREASED 80% OF LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

AND 300 MILLION IN GRANTS MADE AVAILABLE TO CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ACROSS THE STATE.

JAMAL MALONE DO YOU THINK AS YOU SAID, IS THIS GOING TO HELP BRING WORKERS BACK AND TO FIND THE WORKERS THAT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE YOURS NEED?

>> I THINK IT IS A GOOD STEP.

AND WE'VE BEEN WEATHERING THE STORM SO WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO ENROLL ACROSS OUR SITES.

SOME HAVE MORE CAPACITY THAN OTHERS.

IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE AS LINA RIVERA MENTIONED THIS IS ABOUT GROOMING THE PIPELINE OF TALENT.

WE CAN'T JUST SAY THAT THERE'S MONEY TO BE PAID IF WE DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT CROP OF NEXT GENERATION OF EDUCATORS COMING DOWN THE PIPELINE AND GOING THROUGH THE CREDENTIALING AND EDUCATION PROCESS.

BUT IT IS A GREAT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> QUICKLY, REBECCA AUSTIN WHAT DO YOU WANT FAMILIES TO KNOW AS THEY ENCOUNTER CHALLENGES FINDING CARE FOR THEIR KIDS?

>> I THINK IT'S JUST IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE THE BEST CARE THAT WE CAN FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES.

WE HAVE THE UNDERSTANDING THAT YOUR CHILDREN ARE YOUR PRIDE AND JOY AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SHOW YOU THAT WE ARE HERE TO GIVE YOU THE BEST CARE THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND BEST OF LUCK THANKS TO LINA RIVERA, REBECCA AUSTIN AND JAMAL MALONE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> THANKS.

LINCOLN PARK ZOO NAMED THE NEXT PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

CURRENT ZOO DIRECTOR Dr. MEGAN ROSS HAS BEEN SELECTED TO LEAD THE VENERABLE INSTITUTION WHEN KEVIN BELL STEPS DOWN.

ROSS IS AN ANIMAL BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST AND JOINED THE ZOO WAS CURATOR OF BIRDS IN 2000 AND WILL BE THE FIRST WOMAN TO LEAD THE ZOO IN THE 153-YEAR HISTORY AND JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF THE PANDEMIC AND HER VISION FOR THE ZOO IS Dr. MEGAN ROSS, PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

ELECT AT LINCOLN PARK ZOO.

Dr. ROSS CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT".

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE MENTIONED THAT DISTINCTION FIRST WOMAN TO LEAD THE ZOO AND THE FIRST PRACTICING SCIENTIST.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL WHEN I THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT I WANTED TO DO WITH MY LIFE, THE IDEA THAT I COULD WORK WITH ANIMALS DID NOT CROSS MY MIND BECAUSE A VETERINARIAN OR YOU DIDN'T WORK WITH ANIMALS.

FOR ME I LOVED THE IDEA TO SHOWCASE THAT I AM A SCIENTIST, I STUDY ANIMALS, I STUDY ANIMALS BY WATCHING THEM AND FIGURING OUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THEIR MIND AND TRY AND PROVIDE THE BEST CARE THAT I CAN FOR THEM.

I THINK IT IS EXCITING TO HIGHLIGHT SCIENCES.

>> AND YOU'VE BEEN RUNNING THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS FOR A LONGTIME ESPECIALLY THIS LAST YEAR-AND-A-HALF IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT HAVE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES BEEN?

>> WE'RE FOR WILDLIFE FOR ALL AND WE ARE FREE AND OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR.

I THINK OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE WAS THAT WE CLOSED BACK IN MARCH 2020 FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME SINCE 1868 WE HAVE ONLY BEEN CLOSED FOR FIVE DAYS BEFORE THAT.

THAT WAS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES.

AND WHEN WE REOPENED TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO RESERVATIONS WAS NEW TO US.

SO THOSE ARE SOME OF OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES BUT I'M HAPPY THAT WE ARE BACK AND THE GATES ARE OPEN AND NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED AND CONTINUING TO BE FREE AND AVAILABLE TO ALL OF CHICAGO.

>> AND I WONDER IF THE ANIMALS ARE HAPPY OR SAD TO SEE ALL THE VISITORS AGAIN.

WE'VE SEEN COVID OUTBREAKS AT OTHER ZOOS AT THE ZOO ATLANTA 18 OF 20 GORILLAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID.

HOW DO YOU PREVENT A COVID OUTBREAK AT LINCOLN PARK ZOO AND WHAT IS THE SITUATION THERE?

>> WE'RE PREVENTING COVID OUTBREAKS LIKE YOU ARE PROTECTING OTHER PEOPLE THAT YOU KNOW.

WE'RE WEARING MASKS AND USING OUR PPE AND WASHING OUR HANDS AND DOING THE SAME THINGS.

WE HAVE BEEN USING PPE FOR ALL OF OUR ANIMALS FOR A GOOD TWO DECADES NOW.

FOR US, THERE WASN'T TOO MUCH OF A SHIFT WORKING WITH OUR NONHUMAN PRIMATES THE MONKEYS AND APES AND NOW THE REST OF THE STAFF IS USING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND WE HAVE BEEN PLEASED WE HAVE NOT HAD A SINGLE CASE OF COVID HERE WITH OUR ANIMALS.

>> ARE YOU GIVING COVID VACCINES TO ANIMALS?

AND WHAT ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE ANIMALS.

>> WE ARE GOING TO BE GIVING COVID VACCINES TO OUR ANIMALS IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

THE MOST VULNERABLE ANIMALS FROM WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN OTHER INSTITUTIONS TEND TO BE NONHUMAN PRIMATES, CATS AND FERRETS AND OTTERS THAT TYPE OF ANIMAL.

THE SMELLY ANIMALS.

>> THE SMELLY ANIMALS GO FIRST.

YOU KNOW ZOOS HAVE THE DUAL FUNCTIONS VISITORS COME AND SEE ANIMALS BUT ALSO THEY LEAD THE WAY IN CONSERVATION EFFORTS AROUND THE WORLD.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION IN TERMS OF LINCOLN PARK ZOO HELPING OUT WITH ANIMAL CONSERVATION?

>> LINCOLN PARK ZOO IS ROOTED IN SCIENCE AND HOW WE DO EVERYTHING HERE AT THE ZOO.

AND ALL OF OUR CONSERVATION WORK.

WE ARE FOCUSED ON PROVIDING THE BEST CARE, PROVIDING AMAZING CONSERVATION IMPACTS AND ALSO WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY.

OUR CONSERVATION EFFORTS FOCUSED IN ON SOME KEY AREAS.

SO WE WORK WITH THE REPUBLIC OF CONGO STUDYING CHIMPANZEES AND GORILLAS IN AN UNTOUCHED PART OF THE WORLD AND MAKING SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPACTS OF LOGGING ON THEM TO HELP MITIGATE THOSE ISSUES.

WORKING IN TANZANIA TO UNDERSTAND HOW MAMMALS ARE MIGRATING ACROSS THAT LANDSCAPE AND WORK WITH COMMUNITIES WHO NEED LAND PROTECTED FOR THEIR HISTORIC RIGHTS IN TANZANIA AND MAKING SURE THAT THE ANIMALS THAT USE THOSE PATHS WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THOSE SPACES PROTECTED FOR THEM.

AND WE'RE ALSO WORKING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA LOOKING AT MITT GRATING WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING.

WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE WORLD AS IT URBANIZES AND MORE HUMANS ARE IN CONFLICT OR COULD BE IN CONFLICT WITH WILD - AND HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE TO DESIGN THE CITIES OF THE FUTURE.

WE HAVE A FIELD CALLED THE URBAN WILDLIFE INFORMATION NETWORK PARTNERING WITH DIFFERENT CITIES ACROSS NORTH AMERICA.

WHERE WE ARE STUDYING URBAN WILDLIFE AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DESIGN THE CITIES OF THE FUTURE WHERE BOTH HUMANS AND WILDLIFE CAN THRIVE.

>> I'VE BEEN TO THE NATIONAL PARKS IN TANS KNEIAN THE ANIMALS ARE SPECTACULAR.

ZOOS ARE BELOVED PLACES BUT THEY HAVE HAD CRITICS SAYING THAT ANIMALS BELONG IN THE WILD AND ZOO SPACES ARE TOO LIMITING FOR THEM.

HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THOSE CRITICS?

>> I THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THOSE CRITICISMS OF ZOOS DON'T NECESSARILY UNDERSTAND WHAT ZOOS ARE TODAY.

THE ZOOS ARE ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTORS TO VON'S INDICATION IN THE -- CONSERVATION IN THE WORLD AND ZOOS ARE STUDYING ANIMALS THAT ARE IN OUR CARE TO CONSERVE THEM IN THE WILD.

A GOOD EXAMPLE WE DO A LOT OF STUDIES WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE MINDS OF SOME OF OUR ANIMALS.

SOME INTERFACE WITH TOUCH SCREEN COMPUTERS AND WE CAN ASK THEM QUESTIONS THAT HELP US UNDERSTAND THEIR PERCEPTION OF THE WORLD.

AND BY UNDERSTANDING THAT WE CAN TAKE THAT INFORMATION AND PUT IT INTO CONSERVATION IMPACTS IN THE WILD.

>> A LOT OF IMPORTANT WORK.

WELL, ONCE AGAIN Dr. MEGAN ROSS CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND UP NEXT, YARN WHERE YOU MIGHT NOT EXPECT IT.

BUT FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> AND IF YOU'VE SEEN RANDOM CITY OBJECTS COVERED IN YARN PARENT YOU ARE IN LUCK.

ANGEL IDOWU RECENTLY INTRODUCED US TO CHICAGO'S YARN BOMBER AND SHARES HOW A FAVORED PASTTIME LED HER TO BEAUTIFYING THE CITY.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

[♪♪♪] >> MEET VALERIE SHERMAN.

>> EASY CRAFT TO DO THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ALREADY KNOW HOW TO DO IT IS A MIDWESTERN CRAFT AND IT ALSO JUST MAKES THINGS COZY.

>> KNOWN AS THE YARN BOMBER.

>> INITIALLY IT WAS JUST SOMETHING I HEARD ABOUT OTHERS DOING.

I FOUND WEBSITES IN CHICAGO THAT SHOWED OTHER PEOPLE DOING IT IN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS AROUND THE CITY AND I WAS LIKE I WANT TO DO THAT.

>> HER FIRST BOMB HIT THE CITY IN NOVEMBER OF 2019.

WHICH LED HER TO PUTTING UP BOMBS MADE UP OF ACRYLIC YARN ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

VALERIE'S YARN BOMBS HAVE EXPLODED ALL OVER THE CITY FROM BUILDINGS TO BIKE POSTS TO EVEN BICYCLES.

NOTHING IS OFF LIMITS.

>> ONCE SHE STARTED TO GET MORE NOTORIETY, SHERMAN REDIRECTED HER WORK TO THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE LIKE AT THE FORUM IN BRONZEVILLE.

>> THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW TO CONTINUE TO BEAUTIFY AND EXPAND THIS NEIGHBORHOOD WITHOUT NECESSARILY GENTRIFYING.

SO I ASKED THEM WHAT I COULD DO.

SO WE DECIDED TO DO THE FACADE OF THE FORUM AND REFLECT THE EXISTING ART ON THE BUILDING AND I THINK WE'VE RAISED ABOUT $3,000 FOR THE SPECIFIC RENOVATION OF THE PLACE.

>> THIS PAST EARTH DAY SHERMAN CREATED BOMBS FOR SOUTH SIDE BLOOMS A COMMUNITY RUN FARM TO VASE FLORIST AND SAW IT AS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC.

>> EACH OF MY EARTH DAY YARN BOMBS YOU COULD HAVE A QR CODE THAT WOULD BRING YOU TO A DIFFERENT CAUSE.

A BEE PANEL LIKE SAVE THE BEES.

>> THAT IS NOT THE ONLY RESOURCE SHE PROVIDES.

SHERMAN DONATES ANY MONEY SHE MAKES DIRECTLY TO THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS SHE WORKS WITH.

EVEN THOUGH THE PIECES ONLY LAST FROM ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR.

>> IT IS NOT DESIGNED TO BE FOREVER.

IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE TAKEN DOWN AND SO YOU DON'T PUT THE SAME LEVEL OF EFFORT INTO IT NECESSARILY.

>> THAT'S WHY SHERMAN MAKES AN EFFORT TO KEEP UP WITH THE BOMBS AS THEY GET DIRTY AND FADE FROM SUN SA LIGHT SOMETIMES WITH HELP FROM FANS.

>> THEY WILL POST IT YARN BOMBER WHERE YOU AT?

LIKE IT'S IT NEEDS A FIX OR SOMETHING.

IT'S LIKE THIS -- I WILL BE RIGHT THERE.

>> WHILE THE YARN BOMBS BROUGHT MANY OPPORTUNITIES SHERMAN SAYS SHE IS ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE CHANCE TO WORK WITH COMMUNITIES AGAIN.

>> IT BRINGS OUT PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO DO KNITTING CROCHET AND ADD A PIECE TO T THIS IS A WAY TO GET INVOLVED IN A PIECE OF PUBLIC ART THAT IS SOMETHING YOU DO THAT YOU DIDN'T THINK WAS ART BUT IT IS.

AND SO THE OWNERSHIP OF THAT, PEOPLE REALLY ENJOY DOING THAT EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD HAS RUSTY PIPES OR LIKE SAD LOOKING BIKE RACKS AND TO CHANGE THAT INTO SOMETHING BRIGHT AND FUN I THINK EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD LOVES THAT.

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

>> AND SHERMAN WILL BE INSTALLING HER NEXT BIG PROJECT TOMORROW AT JEN CON IN INDIANAPOLIS WHICH CONSISTS OF 32,000 YARDS OF YARN.

PROCEEDS FROM THAT YARN BOMB WILL GO TOWARD THE SOUTH SIDE GIVING CIRCLE OF THE CHICAGO FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TOURING NURSING HOME YARN BOMBS VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION.

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

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

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

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

>> YOU CAN GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7.

THE ARCHITECT OCCUR BIENNIAL RETURNS AND THE FOCUS IS ON THE UNBUILT.

>> YOU'VE SEEN HER MUSINGS ON TWITTER AND NETFLIX WE SPEAK TO THE PERSON BEHIND THE CHICAGO PARTY AUNT.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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