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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> OUR POST PANDEMIC RECOVERY, NO ONE, NOT ANYONE, CAN BE LEFT BEHIND.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT PRESENTS HER BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR 2022.

WE BREAKDOWN THE HIGHLIGHTS AND HEAR FROM THE MAYOR HERSELF.

>> THIS IS A FAIR, GOOD FAITH COMPROMISE.

>> POT'S COMING DOWNTOWN AND CITY COUNCIL LOOSENS ZONING RESTRICTIONS FOR DISPENSARIES AND OTHERS SAY IT DOES NOT DO ENOUGH ABOUT EQUITY.

THAT AND THE MAYOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL.

>> WE HOPE WE WILL HAVE A VACCINE FOR CHILDREN THAT IS SAFE.

>> CHILDREN COULD SOON BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE COVID VACCINE AS GOVERNMENTS ARE GRAPPLING WITH VACCINE MANDATES.

>> IT IS A COMPANY STEEPEST HIKE IN SIX YEARS.

GUY YO IS RAISING AUTO INSURANCE PRICES FOR ILLINOIS CUSTOMERS THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> $1 BILLION CROSSES OUR SHARED BORDER EVERYDAY.

>> THE U.S. AND MEXICO RESTART HIGH LEVEL ECONOMIC TALKS AFTER FOUR YEARS TO ADDRESS TRADE AND MIGRATION.

WE HAVE LOCAL REACTION.

>> AND MEET A CHICAGO ARTIST WHO EXPLORES THE CITY TO FIND BEAUTIFUL DETAILS IN SOME OF ITS GRITTIEST CORNERS.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> ANOTHER DEADLY SUMMER WEEKEND OF GUN VIOLENCE INCLUDING AN OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING AND DEATH.

MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE WERE SHOT IN ALL, NINE FATALLY BETWEEN 6:00 P.M. FRIDAY AND MIDNIGHT SUNDAY.

THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS OFFICERS WERE RESPONDING TO A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE CALL SUNDAY WHEN THEY ENCOUNTERED A MALE ARMED WITH A KNIFE.

ONE OFFICER OPENED FIRE AND KILLED THE 28-YEAR-OLD MAN.

THE CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY IS INVESTIGATING THE SHOOTING AS IT DOES WITH ALL POLICE RELATED SHOOTINGS.

>> WE DO KNOW OUR OFFICER DISCHARGED A WEAPON AND WE KNOW THE OFFENDER IS DECEASED.

BUT ALL THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN SEQUENCE BETWEEN WHEN THE OFFICERS GOT THERE AND WHAT DID THE VICTIM DO AND THE OFFENDER DO THAT IS FOR C.O.P.A.

TO INVESTIGATE.

>> DOWNTOWN CHICAGO COULD SOON BE SPRINKLED WITH POT SHOPS.

CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE MEASURE TODAY TO ALAW THE STORES IN DOWNTOWN WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MICHIGAN AVENUE AND STATE STREET IN THE LOOP.

THE PLAN IS TO SPUR ON BLACK AND LATINOS IN THE INDUSTRY.

STILL COUNCILMEMBERS SAY THEY DON'T BELIEVE THIS PLAN WILL FIX THAT EQUITY GAP.

>> AND HERE WE ARE AGAIN SAYING THE SKY'S FALLING AND WE NEED TO HURRY UP AND PASS THIS AND SOCIAL EQUITY SO PEOPLE CAN GET A PIECE OF THE PIE AND HALF ARE IN THE FRONT.

>> IS THIS A PERFECT ORDINANCE?

NO.

ARE WE IN THE PROCESS OF DRAFTING THE 10 COMMANDMENTS AND CHISELING THIS INTO STONE?

NO.

WE CAN ALWAYS COME BACK AND REVISIT THIS ORDINANCE AND MAKE TWEAKS AS NECESSARY.

>> AND WE HAVE COVERAGE OF TODAY'S MEETING AND BUDGET ADDRESS COMING UP INCLUDING AN INTERVIEW WITH MAYOR LIGHTFOOT.

AN ALDERPERSON HIT IN A PHYSICAL ALTERCATION WAS BACK IN CITY COUNCIL TODAY.

JAMES CAPPLEMAN SAYS HE IS FINE AFTER BEING ATTACKED IN UPTOWN IN HIS WARD.

OVER THE WEEKEND.

CAPPLEMAN SAYS HE KNOWS AND HAS BEEN ATTACKED BEFORE BY THIS ALLEGED ASSAILANT AND HE ATTENDED CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND BUDGET BRIEFING BY THE MAYOR TODAY.

>> A SMALL UNKNOWN UP-AND-COMING BAND IS PLAYING AT THE METRO IN WRIGLEYVILLE AND IT'S CAUSED QUITE A STIR.

CONCERT GOERS LINED UP FOR BLOCKS WHEN THE SHOW BY METALLICA WAS ANNOUNCED.

METAL BAND DECIDED TO DO THE SHOW AT THE SMALL LOCAL VENUE IS CHARGING $20 TO GET IN.

THE BAND'S SECOND SHOW AFTER COVID-19 PUT A HALT TO ALL THE TOURING.

CONCERT GOERS MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED TO GET IN AND THE VENUE ANNOUNCED THAT, OF COURSE, THE SHOW HAS BEEN SOLD OUT.

>> AND UP NEXT, WE BREAKDOWN MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S 2022 BUDGET SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT TODAY PRESENTED HER 2022 $16.7 BILLION BUDGET PROPOSAL TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

HER PLAN TO CLOSE $733 MILLION BUDGET GAP RELIES HEAVILY ON FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS AND SAVINGS IN CUTS.

THE BUDGET PROPOSAL VETS THAT THE CITY'S ECONOMY WILL IMPROVE QUICKLY WHEN THE PANDEMIC WANES.

LIGHTFOOT CALLED ON RESIDENTS AND LEADERS TO CHANNEL THE SPIRIT OF THOSE WHO REBUILT THE CITY FROM THE ASHES OF THE GREAT FIRE.

>> ON THE EVE OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE LET'S MATCH AND EXCEED THE DETERMINATION OF OUR ANCESTORS WHO BUILT THIS CITY AND LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR THE GREAT GLOBAL CITY THAT WE ARE TODAY.

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

WELCOME BACK HEATHER.

BEFORE WE GET INTO THE DETAILS LET'S RUN THROUGH SOME OF THE BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS.

THERE ARE NO NEW TAXES OR FEES BUT PROPERTY TAXES WERE ALREADY SET TO RISE BY MORE THAN $48 MILLION TO COVER THE INCREASE IN THE COSTS OF LIVING AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN.

THE BUDGET PROPOSES A $31 MILLION UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME PILOT PROGRAM IN THE FORM OF $500 A MONTH PER YEAR FOR 5,000 FAMILIES.

PLUS $52 MILLION TO EXPAND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

$189 MILLION TO THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT TO COVER PAY RAISES APPROVED IN THE LABOR CONTRACT.

AND $240 MILLION TO BUILD OR PRESERVE 4,000 HOMES FOR LOW INCOME CHICAGOANS.

HEATHER WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WAS THE MAIN THEME OR MESSAGE OF THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET THIS YEAR?

>> WELL, AS WE JUST HEARD FROM THE MAYOR, SHE REALLY SOUGHT TO CAST THIS BUDGET AS A WAY OUT OF WHAT SHE CALLED A QUOTE BRUTAL UNQUOTE CHAPTER IN CHICAGO'S HISTORY.

AND THAT THIS BUDGET WAS GOING TO STAUNCH THE FLOW OF RED INK CREATED BY THE ECONOMIC CATASTROPHE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

AND ALSO MAKE TARGETED INVESTMENTS TO ADDRESS THE SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS FACING CHICAGO; RACISM, POVERTY AND A LACK OF A SAFE, AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE.

SHE CLEARLY WAS CHANNELING DANIEL BURNHAM SHE PLANS NO LITTLE PLANS AND THAT IS WHAT THE BUDGET DOES.

>> THE MAYOR SAID HER PLAN CONTAINED NO NEW TAX OR SIGNIFICANT FEE INCREASES.

IS THAT ACCURATE?

>> IT IS, YES AND NO.

SO AS YOU SAID AT THE TOP, THE CITY COUNCIL LAST YEAR APPROVED A PLAN TO AUTOMATICALLY HIKE CHICAGO PROPERTY OWNERS' TAXES BASED ON THE INCREASE IN THE COST OF LIVING.

THAT WILL GENERATE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF ABOUT $23 MILLION FOR THE CITY.

ALSO AT THE SAME TIME, THE BILL FOR THE CITY'S MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN IS STARTING TO COME DUE AND THAT WILL MEAN THAT THE CITY WILL HAVE TO COLLECT $25 MILLION MORE TO START PAYING OFF THAT $1.4 BILLION IN DEBT.

JUST IN THE LAST HOUR OR SO, THE CHICAGOLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT JACK LAVIN CALLED ON THE MAYOR TO RETHINK THE PLANS SAYING LOOK IF WE HAVE THE FEDERAL RELIEF FUND ALL OF THE OTHER NEEDS THOSE PROPERTY TAXES ARE NOT SOMETHING THAT CHICAGOANS CAN BEAR RIGHT NOW.

AS THE PANDEMIC CONTINUES TO RAGE.

>> AFTER ANOTHER VIOLENT SUMMER LIGHTFOOT TALKED ABOUT A LOT ABOUT MAKING CHICAGO SAFER EVERYONE WANTS THAT BUT HOW DOES SHE PROPOSE DOING THAT WITH THE BUDGET?

>> SHE IS REALLY TAKING A PAGE FROM PROGRESSIVE GROUPS INCLUDING UNITED WORKING FAMILIES, POLITICAL ORGANIZATION THAT CALLS FOR INVESTMENTS IN THINGS LIKE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS, AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

THAT $52 MILLION OF NEW FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INCLUDES $15 MILLION TO EXPAND THE CITY'S PILOT PROGRAM TO SEND NOT POLICE OFFICERS BUT MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO CHICAGOANS WHO CALL 9-1-1 FOR HELP RATHER THAN AN ARMED OFFICER.

A LOT OF PROGRESSIVE ALDERMEN ARE HOPEFUL THAT THAT WILL BUILD TRUST IN THE CITY AND IT WILL PREVENT TRAGEDIES LIKE THE ONE WHERE WE SAW WHERE LA GREER WAS KILLED AND NUMEROUS ISSUES THAT THE CITY HAS FACED.

>> OF COURSE.

BEFORE WE LET YOU GO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

WHEN DOES THE BUDGET GET FINALIZED?

>> THE HEARINGS WILL START ON FRIDAY.

AND THE MAYOR IS HOPING THAT THE FINAL VOTE WILL COME BEFORE HALLOWEEN THAT IS AN ACCELERATED TIMELINE.

USUALLY WE GO THROUGH THIS IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER BUT THIS IS A COMPRESSED AND ACCELERATED BUDGET PROGRAM BECAUSE WE'VE GOT THAT $1.9 BILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN MONEY.

>> HEATHER CHERONE GREAT WORK AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

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

>> AND NOW PARIS OVER TO YOU FOR MORE ON THE BUDGET PROPOSAL.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

THE DEVIL'S ALWAYS IN THE DETAILS BUT AS WE HEARD THE MAYOR TOUTED SPENDING ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO CASH ASSISTANCE TO THE ARTS.

CAN THE NEW PROGRAMS BE SUSTAINED AMID RISING PENSION AND DEBT OBLIGATIONS?

HERE TO TALK ABOUT HER $16.7 BILLION BUDGET PROPOSAL IS CHICAGO'S MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT.

WELCOME AND WE SHOULD MENTION YOU ARE JOINED BY YOUR FINANCIAL TEAM, SUSIE PARK, JENNY BENNETT AND COMPTROLLER.

WE WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

MAYOR, I WANT TO START ACTUALLY THE SPENDING HERE IS A BILLION-AND-A-HALF OVER LAST YEAR'S BUDGET.

WILL THE CITY BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THIS LEVEL OF SPENDING WITHOUT PROPERTY TAX INCREASES?

>> THAT IS OUR GOAL AND THANK YOU FOR INVITING US TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

LOOK, WE KNOW THAT IN THIS TIME HOPEFULLY WE ARE FINALLY GOING TO BE PUTTING THE PANDEMIC IN OUR REARVIEW MIRROR, THAT WE HAVE TO BE BOLD AND TRANSFORMATIVE IN THE INVESTMENTS WE MAKE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE NOT ONLY TODAY AND TOMORROW, BUT INTO THE FUTURE.

WE HAVE REAL IMMEDIATE NEEDS THAT ARE MET BY THE INVESTMENTS WE PROPOSED AND ALSO ARE MAKING LONG-TERM BETS ON OUR NEIGHBORHOODS IN OUR DOWNTOWN AREAS TO STIMULATE BUSINESS ACTIVITY.

TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE CITY.

THAT WE ARE DEEPENING OUR COMMITMENT TO HEALTHCARE AND MENTAL HEALTH AND SUPPORTING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND ALSO THOSE MOST VULNERABLE OUR SENIORS, THOSE WHO ARE CURRENTLY FACING FOOD INSECURITY AN A HOST OF ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN EXACERBATED BY THE PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE TO DO BOTH AND AND THAT IS WHAT THIS BUDGET IS PROPOSED.

>> THERE'S $1.9 BILLION FROM FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS.

1.1 BILLION IS USED TO STAUNCH SOME OF THE RED INK THE CITY ENDURED OVER THREE YEARS INFLUENCED BY THE PANDEMIC.

PROGRESSIVE ALDERPEOPLE WANT MORE OF THAT FEDERAL RELIEF MONEY GOING TO THE PROGRAMS YOU ARE MENTIONING.

WILL THERE BE COMPROMISE IN THAT NUMBER?

>> I THINK WE'VE STRIKED THE RIGHT BALANCE THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TIME WE UNDERSTOOD WE WERE GOING TO BE GETTING RESOURCES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BE RESPONSIBLE, FISCAL STEWARDS OF THOSE TAX DOLLARS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MAKING AND CONTINUING TO MAKE INTERVENTIONS THAT GOT OUR INFRASTRUCTURAL BUDGET BALANCED.

BUT ALSO, RESPONDING TO THE MOMENT.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN NEED AND HURTING ALL OVER OUR CITY AND THAT IS WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT TODAY AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THAT IS WHAT WE HEARD.

WE HAVE ROBUST BUDGET ENGAGEMENTS PROBABLY MORE THAN IN RECENT TIMES.

AND THERE WERE CONSISTENT THEME.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS PEOPLE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE SHOWED UP FOR THEM, THAT WE WERE INVESTING IN THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT THE BUDGET DOES.

>> MAYOR WE MENTIONED RISING COSTS.

250 MILLION MORE IN STATUTORILY REQUIRED PAYMENTS TO THE PENSION FUNDS.

275 MILLION MORE FOR RETROACTIVE PAY INCREASES FOR POLICE OFFICERS THANKS TO THE NEW LABOR CONTRACT.

YOU ARE REFINANCING A BILLION TWO IN DEBT TO PAY FOR THIS, CAN YOU BE SPECIFIC HOW THAT MATH WORKS?

>> I WILL INVITE OUR C.F.O.

JENNY BENNETT INTO THE TEAM AND YOU CAN SEE RUSH OUR COMPTROLLER, AND OUR C.F.O.

AND SUSIE PARKS OUR BUDGET DIRECTOR.

BUT, LOOK, WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT WE'VE GOT TO CLIMB OUR PENSION RACK.

WE ARE REQUIRED TO DO THAT BY LAW.

AND WE ARE MAKING GREAT STRIDES IN DOING THAT.

TO GET OUR PENSION ON ACTUARIAL BALANCE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE PENSION FUNDS.

IT'S BEEN HARD WORK ROLLING UP OUR SLEEVES AND WE MADE THE HARD CHOICES AND WE'VE NOT AVOIDED DOING JUST ONE TIMER.

WE'VE LOOKED FOR A STRUCTURAL BALANCE AND AS I INDICATED IN THE SPEECH EARLIER TODAY, OVER A BILLION DOLLARS IN STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS SINCE THE TIME THAT I HAVE BECOME MAYOR AND MORE TO COME.

LET ME INVITE JENNY BENNETT TO ANSWER THOSE COMMENTS.

>> THE 1.2 BILLION IS A REFINANCING FOR SAVINGS THE SAME WAY YOU REFINANCE YOUR MORTGAGE.

THE MARKET IS GOOD FOR THE CITY BY WAY OF INTEREST RATES AND THE SPREADS SO WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

AND THE OTHER IS OUR [INAUDIBLE] AND WE ARE NOW STARTING TO PAY DOWN OUR DEBT NOT BE CLIMBING A MOUNTAIN OF DEBT AND AS A RESULT OF THAT, WE ARE ABLE TO INVEST IN THE CITY AND LONG-TERM PROJECTS THAT WILL BENEFIT THE CITY OF CHICAGO BROADLY.

>> SCOOP AND TOSS THAT CONTROVERSIAL BORROWING METHOD THAT YOU AND YOUR PREDECESSOR TRIED TO LIMIT BECAUSE OF THE RISK.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT INVESTMENT IN THE C.P.D.

IT'S GOING FROM 1.7 BILLION TO 1.9 BILLION.

AS YOU KNOW AS WELL, PROGRESSIVE ALDERPEOPLE THAT WANT LESS FUNDING FOR POLICE AND MORE FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND PROGRAMS YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT.

WILL THAT BE A TUG OF WAR THE FUNDING FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT?

>> FIRST OF ALL THE MAJORITY OF THAT INCREASE IS A RESULT OF PAYING FOR THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT THAT WE REACHED WITH THE FOP.

BUT ALSO HELPING ADD TO RESOURCES FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS AND OFFICER WELLNESS.

BUT THE OTHER THINGS THAT PROGRESSIVE VOICES ASKED FOR WE'RE DOING IN LARGE NUMBERS.

WHETHER IT'S MENTAL HEALTH, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, TAKING CARE OF THE HOMELESS, DIRECTK FOOD INSECURITY AND BUILDING REAL TRANSFORMATIVE INVESTMENTS IN COMMUNITIES.

ALL OF THAT IS IN THIS BUDGET AND MORE.

THIS IS TRULY RESILIENCY AND RECOVERY BUDGET.

THERE'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK SHOULD BE PALATABLE TO MOST ALDERMEN.

AND AS A RESULT OF ALL THE HARD WORK THAT WAS DONE IN PREVIOUS BUDGETS AND PARTICULARLY LAST YEAR, NOT KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AND MAKING THE HARD CHOICES I'M GRATEFUL TO WHAT I'VE CALLED THE 2021, THE 29 ALDERMEN WHO VOTED FOR THE BUDGET THIS LAST YEAR THEY MADE OUR PATH TO A BALANCED BUDGET AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.

THAT MUCH EASIER THIS YEAR AND IN THE OUTYEARS.

BUT THIS IS A BUDGET THAT SHOULD WIN OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

NOW, WE STAND READY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT WILL COME.

THEY WILL BE NEGOTIATIONS THAT HAPPEN BUT THIS IS A VERY SOLID BUDGET BORN OF LOTS AND LOTS OF TIME SPENT LISTENING TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT THEIR POINTS WERE WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE AND HOW WE SHOULD ALLOCATE THE PRECIOUS ONE-TIME FEDERAL DOLLARS.

>> AND OBVIOUSLY YOU ONLY NEED 26 VOTES TO PASS THE BUDGET.

YOU ALSO HAVE A CASH PAYMENT PLAN DIRECT PAYMENTS $500 PER MONTH TO 5,000 OF THE RESIDENTS YOU ARE CALLING IT THE LARGEST BASIC INCOME PLAN IN THE COUNTRY.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THIS WILL WORK AS WELL?

>> YES.

WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT THERE IS IMMEDIATE PAYMENT THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

THERE ARE SO MANY FAMILIES SITTING AROUND TABLES WITH THEIR BILLS SPREAD OUT AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY ARE GOING TO JUGGLE THE LIMITED DOLLARS THEY HAVE AND THEN THE CURVEBALL HAPPENS THAT CAN LEAD TO POTENTIAL FINANCIAL RUIN.

HAVING AN EXTRA $500 A MONTH FOR THOSE FAMILIES THAT ARE REALLY IN NEED THAT ARE NOT BEING COVERED BY OTHER KINDS OF GOVERNMENTS WHETHER IT BE AT THE CITY OR THE FEDERAL LEVEL THAT CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOLVENCY AND FINANCIAL RUIN AND WE NEED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS IN THIS EXTRAORDINARY TIME.

WE HAVE TO USE EXTRAORDINARY TOOLS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS AND THIS $11.5 MILLION THAT WE'RE PRO -- 31.5 MILLION ADDRESSES THAT NEED.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT INITIATIVES.

YOUR PROPOSAL TO SUE GANG MEMBERS AND SEEZ ASSETS YOU'VE RECEIVED PUSHBACK AND POTENTIALLY RIFE WITH CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS.

WHAT ABOUT THAT CRITICISM?

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST I WILL ALWAYS STAND ON THE SIDE OF THE VICTIM.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE VIOLENCE THAT IS HAPPENING IN CITIES FAR TOO OFTEN WE IGNORE THE REALITIES OF THE LIVES OF THE VICTIM.

WHEN TRAGEDY COMES TO THEIR DOORSTEP IT DOESN'T GO AWAY EVER.

AND LEAVE A LINGERING SCAR THAT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO HEAL.

SO WHY WE ARE SO DETERMINED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GO AFTER THE BLOOD MONEY THAT HAS BEEN GAINED BY GANGS WHO ARE VIOLENT WHO HAVE NO SENSE OF THE SANCTITY OF LIFE BECAUSE WE NEED TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF OUR VICTIMS AND OUR WITNESSES AND OUR SURVIVORS.

THERE WILL BE VIGOROUS DEBATE AND I RESPECT THAT.

WE WILL DO THIS IN A WAY THAT IS CONSTITUTIONAL.

WE WILL FILE A COMPLAINT AND IT WILL BE FILED IN COURT AND A JUDGE WILL DECIDE WHO WHETHER WE HAVE MET OUR BURDEN OF PROOF OR NOT AND THAT IS THE DIFFERENT THAN THE FORFEITURE ACTIONS FROM BEFORE.

WE NEED EVERY TOOL IN OUR TOOLBOX TO HELP FIGHT THE FIGHT AGAINST THE VIOLENT GANGS THAT ARE WREAKING HAVOC AND CHAOS IN OUR CITY AND HAVE NO REGARD FOR THE SANCTITY OF LIFE.

TOO MANY CHILDREN'S LIVES HAVE BEEN TAKEN RECENTLY.

A LITTLE BOY FOUR-YEAR-OLD, THE FAMILY CALLED HIM MJ, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE NO MORE MJ'S THAT ARE TAKEN FROM FAMILIES.

AND THE HARDSHIP AND HEARTBREAK THAT THAT BRINGS.

WE'RE GOING TO STAND ON THE SIDE OF THE VICTIMS AND WE ARE GOING TO GO AFTER THE GANG LEADERSHIP THAT IS PROFITING FROM KILLING OUR BABIES.

THAT IS PROFITING FROM TERRORIZING OUR ELDERS AND IS WREAKING HAVOC IN COMMUNITIES.

WE WANT TO SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE GUNS TO WREAK HAVOC, TO TAKE LIVES WE ARE COMING AFTER YOU WITH EVERY TOOL WE HAVE, INCLUDING TAKING YOUR BLOOD MONEY AND GIVING IT TO SUPPORT THE VICTIMS IN OUR CITY.

>> MAYOR, I HAVE TO MOVE ON TO COVID.

C.P.S.

RELEASED RECENT DATA SHOWING THAT ABOUT 481 CONFIRMED CASES AT SCHOOLS AND EXPOSURES OUT OF THAT COULD BE AS HIGH AS 9600.

WHERE IS C.P.S.

IN GETTING A SYSTEM WIDE TESTING STRATEGY UP AND RUNNING?

>> WELL, LOOK, I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS HAS BEEN ROLLED OUT BUT I WILL TELL YOU WE ARE NOW MADE SURE THAT THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH LED BY Dr. ALLISON ARWADY IS FULLY ENGAGED WITH C.P.S.

THIS IS NOT A MYSTERY ANYMORE.

WE KNOW HOW TO DO CONTACT TRACING AND KNOW HOW TO DO CASE INVESTIGATION AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT C.P.S.

IS USING THE TOOLS TO DO JUST THAT.

I'M CONFIDENT THE THINGS WILL IMPROVE AND THEY WILL IMPROVE BECAUSE WE HAVE Dr. ALLISON ARWADY AND HER TEAM ON THE CASE AND THEY WILL BE HELPING BUILDUP THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT C.P.S.

TO DO BETTER CASE INVESTIGATIONS AND BETTER CONTACT TRACING.

>> THE INTERIM C.E.O.

OF C.P.S.

DROPPED THE BALL ON THIS?

>> I'M SAYING IN ANTICIPATION OF THE OPENING OF SCHOOLS THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MORE ROBUST PLAN IN PLACE.

WE DID THIS WORK LAST SPRING WHEN SCHOOLS OPENED AND WITH THE FULL REOPENING AND BRINGING CHILDREN BACK FIVE DAYS A WEEK FULL-TIME THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE RESOURCES.

BUT THAT IS WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE WE'RE MOVING FORWARD.

CDPH IS ENGAGED AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT C.P.S.

WILL BE ON THE RIGHT PATH MOVING FORWARD.

>> AS YOU KNOW THE INSPECTOR GENERAL STEPS DOWN IN JUST ABOUT A MONTH OR LESS.

WILL THERE BE A REPLACEMENT IN PLACE FOR WHEN HE LEAVES?

AND CAN YOU ASSURE VIEWERS THAT PERSON WILL BE INDEPENDENT OF YOUR OFFICE AND OF CITY COUNCIL?

>> WELL, AS YOU KNOW, THERE IS A SPECIFIC PROCESS PRESCRIBED BY ORDINANCE FOR FOLLOWING THAT ORDINANCE.

THERE WILL BE A SELECTION COMMITTEE A SEARCH FIRM WILL BE ENGAGED AND WE WILL DO A SEARCH TO FIND THE NEXT INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

SOMEBODY WHO BELIEVES AND STRONGLY IN THE INDEPENDENCE OF INSPECTORS GENERAL AND I DO NOT EXPECT US TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN MAKE SURE WE GET A STRONG LEADER THAT CAN KEEP THE OFFICE MOVING FORWARD AND BUILD ON THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE I'M CONFIDENT WE WILL FIND THAT PERSON IN THE NATIONWIDE SEARCH AND IF WE FIND THAT PERSON BY OCTOBER 15TH, WE'LL BRING THEM IN AND GET THEM ENGAGED.

IF NOT THERE WILL BE A SHORT PERIOD BUT THE WORK OF THE OFFICE WILL CONTINUE WITHOUT ANY INTERRUPTION.

>> ALL RIGHT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT THANK YOU.

AND YOUR FINANCIAL TEAM FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AND LATER IN THE PROGRAM WE'LL SPEAK WITH MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR REACTION TO THE MAYOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL.

STAY TUNED FOR THAT.

FIRST, THE LATEST ON COVID-19 VACCINES FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN.

THAT IS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> STRANTS ARE PUSHING BACK ON THE SUGGESTION THEY MUST CHECK PATRONS VACCINATION STATUS.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH THE LATEST.

>> BRANDIS, THE LATEST ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH DATA SHOWS 64% OF ILLINOIS' ELIGIBLE POPULATION HAS BEEN VACCINATED.

NOW, IN CHICAGO, 66% OVER THE AGE OF 12 HAVE COMPLETED A FULL VACCINE SERIES.

THE COALITION OF RESTAURANTS SAY THAT NUMBER SHOULD BE HIGHER.

UP TO 90% BY THE END OF OCTOBER.

CHICAGO ANNOUNCED FRIDAY THAT THE CITY VACCINATED 10,000 PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES THROUGH THE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM AND FOLKS CAN QUALIFY FOR A GIFT CARD.

BUT THE HEAD OF THE FULTON MARKET ASSOCIATION HE COMMENDS THE CITY FOR THAT AND SAYS THERE SHOULD BE GREATER FOCUS IN PARTICULAR ONWARDS WHERE VACCINATION RATES ARE LOW AND THEN ALSO SPECIAL CASH PRIZES FOR RESIDENTS OF THOSE AREAS.

HE SAYS IT IS A RESPONSIBILITY FOR GETTING PEOPLE MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED, RESTS WITH THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

>> INSTEAD, WE'RE SEEING GOVERNMENT SPEND A LOT OF TIME NOT FOCUSED ON THE VACCINE.

THEY RENAMED LAKE SHORE DRIVE AND SPENT HOURS AND HOURS ON THAT.

AS OPPOSED TO FOCUSING ON VACCINATIONS.

AGAIN, CHICAGO'S VACCINATION RATE IS 57%.

IN EVERY SCHOOL THAT I ATTENDED ELEMENTARY, HIGH SCHOOL, AND COLLEGE, THANKFULLY THAT I HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY THAT IS A FAILING GRADE.

SO THE FAILURE IS NOT OF THE RESTAURANTS TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED, THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS NEED TO STEP UP.

>> HE SAYS THAT CITY LEADERS SHOULD NOT EXPECT SELECT BUSINESSES TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FAILURES AND FAULTS.

THIS MONTH, EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL SENT A LETTER TO CHICAGO'S HEALTH DEPARTMENT ASKING THAT THE CITY REQUIRE PROOF OF VACCINATION STATUS AT MOVIE THEATERS, GYMS AND RESTAURANTS.

THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITE THE DELTA VARIANT AND THE COLD WEATHER COMING THAT IS GOING TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM DINING AND HANGING OUT OUTSIDE AND BRING THEM INDOORS.

OWNER OF OLD TOWN'S TWIN ANCHORS RESTAURANT KNOWN FOR THEIR RIBS SAYS THAT HE IS VACCINATED AND ENCOURAGES HER STAFF TO BE BUT SHE DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF AS IS.

LET ALONE PEOPLE WHO CAN TAKE ON THE JOB OF CHECKING FOLKS VACCINATION CARDS NOR SHE SAYS SHOULD HOSTS WHO ARE YOUNGER HAVE TO DEAL WITH POTENTIAL BATTLES FROM PATRONS FROM CUSTOMERS WHO ARE UPSET THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE TO SHOW A VACCINE CARD.

>> HOW THEY EXPECT THAT WE'RE GOING TO THEN HAVE SOMEBODY WHO IS GOING TO BE AT THE DOOR CHECKING FOR VACCINATION CARDS IS BEYOND MY COMPREHENSION.

UNLESS THE CITY WANTS TO PROVIDE SOMEBODY TO STAND THERE AND DO THAT WE ARE A FAMILY RESTAURANT WE ARE NOT A NIGHTCLUB AND NOT A BAR AND THEN THOSE PLACES STILL DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF.

SO IT'S MINDBOGGLING HOW THE ALDERMEN CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA.

>> AGAIN, CHICAGO DOES NOT CURRENTLY REQUIRE ESTABLISHMENTS TO CHECK FOR PROOF OF VACCINATION STATUS BUT SOME ESTABLISHMENTS DO.

RIGHT NOW, ONLY THOSE 12 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER CAN GET THE VACCINE.

BUT PFIZER ANNOUNCED THAT THEIR DATA SHOWS A SMALLER DOSE DOES WORK TO WARD OFFICER ROUSE CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS AND THOSE AGES 5-11 AND THEY ARE GOING TO BE MOVING FORWARD TO SEEK F.D.A.

EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION.

HEAD OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS Dr. LEE BEERS SAYS CHILDREN DO NOT SEEM TO BE AT HIGH-RISK FOR SEVERE CASES AS ADULTS THE PROSPECT SAYS THE VACCINATION FOR KIDS IS EXCITING.

>> LOWER RISK DOES NOT MEAN NO RISK AND WE ARE SEEING WITH THE DELTA VARIANT, WE ARE SEEING LOTS OF CHILDREN GET ILL AND HOSPITALIZED.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE VACCINE THAT IS AUTHORIZED IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE AND IT IS A REALLY IMPORTANT TOOL TO HELPING KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE AND HEALTHY.

>> THE DOCTOR SAYS THAT SHE IS THE MOM OF TEENS WHO GOT THE COVID VACCINE AS SOON AS THEY WERE ELIGIBLE.

AND IF SHE HAD CHILDREN YOUNGER, SHE ALSO WOULD WANT THEM TO GET THE SHOT AS SOON AS THERE'S F.D.A.

CLEARANCE.

>> UNTIL OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO SEEK THE VACCINE AUTHORIZED FOR THEIR AGE IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT ONE OF THE BEST WAYS WE CAN PROTECT THEM IS FOR EVERYONE AROUND THEM WHO IS OLD ENOUGH TO BE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.

AND THAT HELPS DECREASE THE SPREAD OF COVID IN OUR COMMUNITIES GENERALLY WHICH HELPS KEEP OUR LITTLEST ONES SAFE.

>> AND THE VACCINE IS MANDATORY FOR CERTAIN GROUPS OF EMPLOYEES UNDER AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED BY GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER.

TEACHERS, EMPLOYEES OF UNIVERSITIES AS WELL AS THOSE WHO WORK AT HOSPITALS AND HEALTHCARE FACILITIES HAD TO RECEIVE AT LEAST THEIR FIRST DOSE OF THE COVID VACCINE BY YESTERDAY IF NOT, THEY DO HAVE TO PER EXECUTIVE ORDER UNDERGO MANDATORY REGULAR TESTING.

BRANDIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

A LOT OF PARENTS WAITING ON WORD FOR THE YOUNGER KIDS.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" SUPERMARKETS COULD SOON SEE A LOCAL PLANT BASED MEET COMPETITOR ON SHELVES THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT GIVES HER 2022 BUDGET ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS REACT TO HER SPENDING PLAN AND MORE.

LOCAL REACTION AS THE U.S. AND MEXICO RESTART HIGH LEVEL ECONOMIC TALKS AFTER FOUR YEARS TO ADDRESS TRADE AND MIGRATION.

AND WITH AN EYE FOR DETAIL, A LOCAL ARTIST NAVIGATES THE CITY TO FIND GRITTY SETTINGS FOR HIS UNUSUAL PAINTINGS.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE CHICAGO POLICE SAYS IT'S LASER FOCUSED ON GANGS AND DRUG CRIMES AFTER A WEEKEND WHERE NINE PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND 50 OTHERS INJURED BY GUN VIOLENCE.

C.P.D.

SAYS YEAR TO DATE IT'S ARRESTED MORE THAN 1900 PEOPLE ON DRUG CONSPIRACY CASES AND RECOVERED 158 WEAPONS AND RECOVERED MORE NARCOTICS WORTH MORE THAN $300 MILLION IN STREET VALUE.

>> IN THE LAST 28 DAYS, 61 DRUG CONSPIRACY ARRESTS.

61 MAY APPEAR TO BE A SMALL NUMBER BUT YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE HOURS AND THE DAYS AND THE WEEKS PUT INTO THESE CASES.

NOT ONLY THAT WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH OUTSIDE INDIVIDUALS TO BRING THESE INDIVIDUALS UNDER ARREST.

>> ATTORNEYS FOR DISGRACED R&B SINGER R. KELLY BEGUN PRESENTING THEIR DEFENSE IN A COURTROOM IN NEW YORK.

PROSECUTORS RESTED THEIR CASE TODAY AFTER PRESENTING DOZENS OF WITNESSES OVER THE LAST MONTH TO MAKE THE CASE THAT KELLY RAN AN ENTERPRISE OF BODYGUARDS AND MANAGERS AND EMPLOYEES WHO HELPED HIM RECRUIT AND TRANSPORT YOUNG WOMEN AND GIRLS HE IS ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING.

HE HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY CLAIMING THE WOMEN WERE GROUPIES WHO WANTED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HIS FAME UNTIL THE #METOO MOVEMENT TURNED THEM AGAINST HIM.

GEICO CUSTOMERS WILL BE PAYING MORE FOR CAR INSURANCE AFTER THE STEEPEST PRICE HIKE IN SIX YEARS.

AND AN AD TECH COMPANY MAKES FULTON MARKET ITS NEW HOME.

HERE TO GO BEHIND THE HEADLINES IS BUSINESS REPORTER DANNY ECKER.

WE KNOW THAT GEICO IS SET TO HIKE ILLINOIS AUTO INSURANCE PRICES BY MORE THAN 6% ON AVERAGE THAT TAKES EFFECT THIS DECEMBER.

THE COMPANY RECENTLY TRIED THE SAME THING IN CONNECTICUT BUT NO LUCK.

WHY HERE IN ILLINOIS?

>> WELL, SO OTHER STATES LIKE CONNECTICUT HAVE REGULATORY BODIES THAT THE CAN REJECT INSURANCE RATE HIKES.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT HERE IN ILLINOIS.

THOSE THAT HAVE REJECTED THIS MOVE BY GEICO SAID THE COMPANY HAD A HUGE WINDFALL IN 2020 BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE DRIVING LESS AND FEWER CLAIMS AND YET GEICO DID DISCOUNT THEIR RATES WHILE OTHERS LIKE STATE FARM AND ALL STATE AND PROGRESSIVE DID.

GEICO AUTO INSURANCE CUSTOMERS HERE SHOULD EXPECT ON AVERAGE AN INCREASE OF $100 PER YEAR PER CAR.

WHICH OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T LOOK GREAT WHEN YOU HAVE A COMPANY THAT MARKETS ITSELF AS MONEY SAVING ALTERNATIVE TO THE OTHERS.

>> THE GECKO WANTS MORE MONEY.

THERE IS A NEW TENANT AT FULTON MARKET?

>> HAZEL TECHNOLOGIES STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO BY A COUPLE NORTHWESTERN GRADS.

IT MAKES PRODUCTS THAT HELP PRODUCE KEEP LONGER AND THEY SELL IT TO WHOLESALERS AND FOOD RETAILORS.

THE COMPANY HAS BEEN BASED ON THE CAMPUS IN BRONZEVILLE FOR A FEW YEARS AND SIGNED THE LEASE IN FULTON MARKET.

GREAT NEWS FOR DOWNTOWN OFFICE LANDLORDS THAT ARE WATCHING THE DEMAND SLIP AWAY.

COMPANIES ARE RETHINKING THE OFFICE FOOTPRINTS AND THE TALE OF TWO CITIES HAPPENING WHERE THERE'S FULTON MARKET AND EVERYTHING ELSE WHEN IT COMES TO OFFICES THAT THE FORMER MEATPACKING DISTRICT CONTINUES TO BE A CORPORATE MAGNET.

>> AND THE $10 BILLION PLANT BASED MEAT INDUSTRY IS GETTING A COMPETITOR CHICAGO BASED ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND IS DIGGING IN.

DOES IT STAND A CHANCE AGAINST IMPOSSIBLE AND BEYOND MEAT?

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY WE KNOW IT IS A CROWDED GAME THEY ARE GETTING INTO RIGHT NOW.

THOSE TWO COMPANIES ARE IN IT.

TYSON FOODS AS WELL AND NOW ADM IS PARTNERING TO LAUNCH ITS OWN PLANT BASED MEAT.

THEY ARE RECOGNIZING THERE IS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY HERE.

THE GLOBAL PLANT PROTEIN INDUSTRY IS A $10 BILLION MARKET.

AND THAT IS EXPECTED TO TRIPLE THIS DECADE.

SO ADM SAYS MORE THAN HALF OF MEAT EATERS ARE INTERESTED IN ALTERNATIVE PROTEINS.

THEY ARE JOINING THE MEATLESS MEAT TREND TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE SERVING THOSE CUSTOMERS.

>> $10 BILLION ON NOT MEAT.

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

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

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

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU.

AND EARLIER IN THE SHOW WE HEARD FROM THE MAYOR ON THE CITY'S $16 BILLION PANDEMIC BUDGET HELPED OUT A BIT BY FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS.

HERE IS HOW SHE SUMMED UP THE PLAN AT HER ADDRESS BEFORE CITY COUNCIL... >> OUR ULTIMATE GOAL WITH THIS RECOVERY AND RESILIENCY BUDGET IS TO RECOVER AND DEVELOP CHICAGO INTO A SAFER, STRONGER, AND MORE PROSPEROUS CITY IN WHICH PEOPLE CAN TAKE ROOT IN AND RAISE A FAMILY AND BUILD A BUSINESS AND MAKE A BETTER LIFE.

>> AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE MAYOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL ARE RAY LOPEZ WHO REPRESENTS PARTS OF CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE.

ALDERWOMAN EMMA MITTS WHO REPRESENTS PARTS OF THE WEST SIDE AND GILBERT VILLEGAS.

AND ALSO ALDERMAN JASON IRVEN.

WELCOME ALL OF YOU BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I WILL START WITH YOU ALDERMAN IRVIN, NO SUBSTANTIAL TAX OR FEE INCREASES CAN THE CITY KEEP UP THIS LEVEL OF SPENDING WITHOUT BIG PROPERTY TAX HIKES OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS?

>> SOME OF THE SPENDING THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN PART OF THE ARP FUNDING I DO NOT ANTICIPATE SOME OF THE SPENDING THAT IS HAPPENING TO CONTINUE IN THE OUTYEARS BUT THE FACT WE HAVE ADDITIONAL $1.8 BILLION OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS IS DEFINITELY HELPING TO SPEND ON WHAT WAS PRESENTED IN TODAY'S BUDGET.

>> AND ALDERWOMAN, 1.8 BILLION COMING FROM THE FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDING, ABOUT 1.2 BILLION OF THAT WILL GO TOWARD PAYING DOWN DEBT AND DEFICITS INCURRED UNDER THE PANDEMIC.

IS THAT THE RIGHT BALANCE?

SHOULD MORE TO HAVE GO TO PROGRAMS TO HELP THOSE AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC?

>> I THINK THAT WE CAN LOOK AT BOTH AS WE LOOK AT THE BUDGET I'M SURE THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS AND WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER TO SEE WHAT IS IT THAT MOST IS NEEDED.

BECAUSE THE CONSENSUS OF THE COUNCIL AS WE CHANGE THOSE THINGS.

SO I'M LOOKING AT SOME THINGS TO MAKE CHANGE.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE CONCERNS.

CAUCUS MEMBERS DID NOT WANT TO SEE ALL THE MONEY BEING USED TO PAY DOWN DEBT.

INSTEAD MORE MONEY GOING TO MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS PROGRAMS.

>> YOU'RE SAYING THERE'S NEGOTIATING TO DO ON THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THAT WON'T BE THE FINAL NUMBER THAT THE MAYOR UNVEILED IF CITY COUNCIL DOES INDEED NEGOTIATE THIS.

LET'S HEAR FROM THE MAYOR ON ANOTHER INITIATIVE DIRECT CASH ASSISTANCE TO 500 NEEDY CHICAGO FAMILIES.

>> WE ALSO PROPOSE CREATING A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND PILOT IN CHICAGO OF A MONTHLY CASH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR HARD HIT, LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL STABILITY.

AS WELL AS EXPAND LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THROUGH THE LEGAL PROTECTION FUND IN COMMUNITY JUSTICE INITIATIVES AND LET ME PAUSE.

THIS CASH BENEFIT PLAN FOR OUR RESIDENTS IF APPROVED WILL BE THE LARGEST IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> AND IT WILL GO TO 5,000 CHICAGO FAMILIES NOT 500.

ALDERMAN VILLEGAS THIS IS SOMETHING YOU PROPOSED A WHILE AGO WHAT IMPACT DO YOU EXPECT THIS TO HAVE?

>> THANK YOU.

IMITATION IS THE GREATEST FORM OF FLAHERTY I'M GLAD IT MADE IT INTO THE BUDGET THIS IS PROPOSED BACK IN MARCH AND ACTUALLY AN ORDINANCE FORMAT IN APRIL.

I CONSULTED WITH THE WHITE HOUSE WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE SURE THAT AS THE RULES WERE BEING DONE RELATED TO THE EXPENDITURES THIS WOULD BE AN ALLOWED EXPENDITURE.

AND THE WHITE HOUSE AND I MOVED FORWARD WITH THE ORDINANCE.

I'M GLAD IT'S IN THE BUDGET NOW BUT WE ARE FIVE MONTHS PAST THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH MEANS THAT WE COULD HAVE BEEN FIVE MONTHS INTO A PILOT PROGRAM.

>> ARE YOU SAYING THE MAYOR DID NOT COLLABORATE WITH YOU ON THIS?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

ACTUALLY TOOK MY LANGUAGE AND INCORPORATED INTO HER BUDGET WHICH IS FRUSTRATING BECAUSE MY ASTAFF ALONG WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO GET THE LANGUAGE TOGETHER THAT WOULD INSURE THAT WE WERE CAPTURING AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

THIS PILOT PROGRAM AGAIN IT'S IN THE BUDGET AND THE TIMING DOESN'T LOOK GOOD IT LOOKS POLITICAL AND I'M FRUSTRATED AT THIS TIME FIVE MONTHS LATER SHE IS TOUTING THIS IS THE LARGEST PILOT PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY WHEN IN FACT THIS IS WHAT I TOLD HER FIVE MONTHS AGO LET'S MOVE FORWARD TO GET PEOPLE CASH IN PEOPLE'S HANDS SO THEY CAN RECOVER FROM THIS.

>> RAY LOPEZ YOU'VE HAD YOUR FRUSTRATIONS WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION, THE BUDGET PROPOSAL CALLS FOR $TWO00 MILLION MORE INTO -- $200 MILLION MORE INTO THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR PAY RAISES AND BACK PAY AND INCREASED MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

IS THAT THE RIGHT LEVEL TO HELP STEM THE VIOLENCE AND STEM THE TIDE OF RETIRING POLICE OFFICERS?

>> NO.

THIS BUDGET FALLS WOEFULLY SHORT OF MEETING THE NEEDS AND CHALLENGES OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

I FIND IT AMAZING THAT THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FACING CHICAGOANS PUBLIC SAFETY WAS GLOSSED OVER BY THE BUDGET WHICH IS BASICALLY A COLLECTION OF SMOKE AND MIRRORS AND LIES TO THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

TO SAY NO NEW TAXES IS JUST A PLAY ON SEMANTICS.

THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED 49 YEARS OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASES IN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET.

SHE DOESN'T NEED TO SAY NEW TAXES BUT THEY ARE AUTOMATICALLY GOING TO BE INCLUDED LAST YEAR AND EVERY YEAR FOR THE NEXT HALF CENTURY.

AND WHILE WE ARE LOOKING AT THE INVESTMENTS ON THERE AND MANY OF WHICH WE BEGAN UNDER RAHM EMANUEL, THERE'S NOTHING NEW OR SUSTAINABLE IN THE BUDGET DESPITE THE FACT THAT SHE SAYS IT'S ABOUT RESILIENCY AND RECOVERY.

THE LAST TWO BUDGETS HAVE BEEN A BILLION DOLLARS SHORT WHEN YOU LOOK AT SPENDING VERSUS REVENUE.

AND I'M SURE WE WILL SEE THAT TREND CONTINUE DURING THE NEXT AND LAST TWO YEARS OF HER ADMINISTRATION.

>> THE CLAIM THERE'S NO NEW TAXES HAS AN IMPORTANT CAVEAT PROPERTY TAXES WILL RISE A LITTLE BIT THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF INFLATION AND THAT WAS SET INTO THE LAW LAST YEAR.

ALDERMAN ERVIN SMOKE AND MIRRORS OR DO THE FINANCES ADD UP?

>> THE FINANCES ARE FINE.

THE FINANCES DO ADD UP AND I THINK IT'S FAIR TO STATE THAT WE WERE IN A PANDEMIC FOR THE LAST YEAR-AND-A-HALF AND OF COURSE WE SAW REVENUES DECLINE DURING THAT PERIOD AND THAT WAS PART OF THE ARP'S FUNDING NECESSITY TO REPLACE SOME OF THE REVENUE LOST.

IN RELATION TO PUBLIC SAFETY ALL OF THE INVESTMENTS TALKED ABOUT TODAY IN THE BUDGET ADDRESS GO TO THE CORE OF PUBLIC SAFETY BECAUSE PUBLIC SAFETY JUST IS NOT POLICE OFFICERS IN THE STREETS.

THERE ARE A MYRIAD OF ISSUES WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THAT CREATE THE CONDITIONS AND THE CHALLENGES THAT THEREFORE LEAD TO THE ISSUES OF VIOLENCE AND ISSUES OF CONCERNS.

TO THE POINT OF ADDING ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICERS RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE A THOUSAND VACANCIES APPROXIMATELY IN THE BUDGET AND PLUS WITH THE ATTRITION OF THE COMING YEAR IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO FILL ALL OF THE VACANCIES AND MOVING OFFICERS OUT OF THE ACADEMY AT 120 PER MONTH.

THIS IS A REALISTIC BUDGET THAT IS BEING PROPOSED AND IT'S REAL BECAUSE IT INVESTS IN COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS INVESTS IN OUR PUBLIC SAFETY ALL OF WHICH ARE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER TO BETTER THE LIVES OF EVERYDAY CHICAGOANS.

ALSO AS IT RELATES TO OUR PILOT PROGRAM DISCUSSED, AS I'VE STATED IN THE PAST, I DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS HANDING OUT CHECKS TO INDIVIDUALS IN SUCH A WAY WITHOUT PIECES OR ACCOUNTABILITY.

THERE'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO LOOK AT TO GET MORE DETAILS OF IT WHILE WHEN ALDERMAN VILLEGAS AND I TALKED ABOUT IT, I'M WILLING TO LOOK AND SEE HOW IT'S GOING TO HELP THE LIVES OF PEOPLE AND WE MUST TALK ABOUT DOING THE REPAIR OF MANY OF YEARS OF ATROCITIES IN THE COMMUNITIES.

WE LOOK AT CONCERNS IN CHICAGO.

>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT REPARATIONS.

PART OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS $150 MILLION FOR YOUTH PROGRAMMING.

$85 MILLION FOR VIOLENCE INTERVENTION.

ARE THESE LEVELS THAT ARE HIGHER THAN TYPICAL FOR THESE PROGRAMS?

AND CAN THEY MAKE AN IMPACT?

>> I THINK THAT I'M GRATEFUL THAT THE MAYOR INCLUDED THOSE PROGRAMS INTO HER BUDGET ADDRESS TODAY.

ONE WAS RETURN CITIZENS WHO HAVE BEEN RETURNING HOME FROM BEING INCARCERATED.

THE $10 MILLION PUT THERE PROBABLY COULD BE RAISED A LITTLE MORE.

WE CAN FIND SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR THAT.

AND THEN WHEN WE TALK ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLES, WE HAVE TO -- I'M ALWAYS GRATEFUL TO SEE PROGRAMS AND HELP OUR YOUTH.

AND I DON'T THINK WE DO IT ENOUGH FOR OUR YOUTH.

WHERE WE SOME FUNDING THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY IMPACT PEOPLE IN THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES PARTICULARLY IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY AND I WANT TO SEE MORE PROGRAMS WORKING FOR THEM.

THEY ARE OUR FUTURE AND WE HAVE TO INVEST INTO THEM SO THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET OUT HERE AND GET THESE GOOD PAYING JOBS AND BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS AND HAVE THAT AMERICAN DREAM.

WE DON'T INVEST IN THEM NOW WHEN WILL WE START TO?

I THINK THAT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY START AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR IT.

LOOKING TO SEE WHERE WE CAN DIG IN AND DO MORE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME AND I DID WANT TO TALK ABOUT POT SHOPS COMING TO DOWNTOWN BUT WE'LL HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THAT LATER IN THE WEEK.

THANKS TO MEMBERS RAY LOPEZ, EMMA MITTS, GILBERT VILLEGAS AND JASON ERVIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS AND DETAILS INTO RENEWED TALKS BETWEEN THE U.S. AND MEXICO.

>> PARIS, THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO RECENTLY RELAUNCHED HIGH LEVEL ECONOMIC TALKS AND PARTNERSHIPS AIMING TO ADDRESS INFRASTRUCTURE, TRADE AND MIGRATION IN BOTH COUNTRIES.

THE TALKS ORIGINALLY STARTED IN 2013 BUT WERE PUT TO A HALT UNDER FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

HERE IS VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS ON RESUMING THE TALKS.

>> FOLLOWING THIS DIALOGUE I'M CONFIDENT THAT OUR NATIONS WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER THAT OUR COMPANIES WILL CONTINUE TO CREATE JOBS TOGETHER, AND THAT OUR PEOPLE WILL ENJOY GREATER PROSPERITY AND A GREATER QUALITY OF LIFE.

>> AND JOINING US WITH MORE IS ESTER TRUJILLO, PROFESSOR OF LATIN-AMERICAN AND LATINO STUDIES AT DePAUL UNIVERSITY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FIRST, WHAT IS YOUR REACTION WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE U.S. AND MEXICO RESTARTING THE HIGH LEVEL ECONOMIC DIALOGUE.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME BRANDIS.

THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTION.

MY INITIAL REACTION IS A MIXED BAG OF EMOTIONS.

IT'S ALWAYS GOOD FOR THE U.S. AND MEXICO TO HAVE ECONOMIC DISCUSSIONS.

THE LAST FOUR YEARS WE HAVE NOT REALLY SEEN THE LEVEL OF DIPLOMACY THAT IS NEEDED FOR THESE VERY IMPORTANT DYNAMICS THAT AFFECT SO MANY ASPECTS OF LIVES OF FOLKS IN THE U.S. AND FOLKS IN MEXICO AND OUTSIDE OF THOSE TWO NATIONS AS WELL.

>> MEXICO HAS BEEN U.S.'S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER IN GOODS SINCE 2019 ESPECIALLY IN AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WERE SOME OF THE EFFECTS WHEN THIS DIALOGUE THIS BACK AND FORTH WAS STOPPED UNDER FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP?

>> TRADE PARTNERS IS A REALLY NEUTRAL WAY OF EXPLAINING AWAY THE POWER THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS OVER THE ECONOMIES OF OTHER NATIONS, SOUTH OF OUR BORDER.

PRIOR TO EVEN THE BEGINNING OF DONALD TRUMP'S PRESIDENCY THERE WAS A HUGE AMOUNT OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS FLOWING FROM THE UNITED STATES INTO MEXICO.

U.S. AGRIBUSINESS TAKES ADVANTAGE OF SOME VERY NECESSARY AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES AND SO THEY ARE ABLE TO PRODUCE AT A MUCH SMALLER MARGIN AT A SMALLER COST.

SO WITH THE ADVENT OF POLICIES LIKE THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WHICH REDUCES AND REMOVES A LOT OF IMPORT AND EXPORT TAXES, IT'S MUCH EASIER FOR U.S.-PRODUCED GOODS WHICH ARE PRICED LOWER TO BE SOLD IN MEXICO FOR LOW PRICES.

AND SO WHEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ENTERED INTO THE PRESIDENCY, THERE WAS SOME CONFLICT OVER COMMENTS THAT HE MADE REGARDING MEXICO AND THEIR FOLKS THAT THEY SEND.

AND SO AS YOU MAY RECALL THERE WAS A MOMENT THERE WHERE MEXICO PULLED BACK AND SAID OK. NOW LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DON'T ACCEPT YOUR AGRICULTURAL GOODS.

AGRIBUSINESS PANICKED AND WANTED THE REESTABLISH.

OF DIPLOMACY WITH MEXICO AND THAT HAS BEEN A FRAUGHT ISSUE OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

SO TO SEE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TAKE A TURN IN DIPLOMACY AGAIN IS A LITTLE CALMING.

BUT ALSO RAISES OTHER FLAGS OTHER RED FLAGS THAT WE SHOULD BE PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO.

>> WHAT INVESTMENTS DO YOU THINK ARE NEEDED IN MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA TO ADDRESS JOB CREATION, ESPECIALLY THE REDUCTION OF POVERTY AND INEQUALITY?

>> THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE INCLUDES LANGUAGE IN IT THAT STATES THAT THERE SHOULD BE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND DOESN'T JUST FOCUS ON CORPORATIONS WHICH IS A DEPARTURE FROM THE ANNOUNCEMENT MADE UNDER OBAMA.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S STATEMENT CLEARLY STATES THEY WANT TO INVEST IN MIDDLE SIZED AND SMALL ENTREPRENEURS IN MEXICO.

AND IT ALSO STATES THEY WANT TO TIE THE DEVELOPMENT OF JOBS IN CENTRAL AMERICA TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES THAT ARE RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

THE STATEMENT SAYS THEY WANT TO SUPPORT THIS TYPE OF JOB CREATION IN SOUTHERN MEXICO AND THROUGHOUT CENTRAL AMERICA IN RURAL AREAS.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT THIS DEVELOPMENT PLAN WILL ADDRESS THE LARGE MIGRATION THAT IS HAPPENING ON THE BORDER?

WE'VE SEEN WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF MIGRANTS WHO ARE THERE OR DO YOU THINK THE MIGRATION ISSUE IS SEPARATE FROM THE ECONOMIC TALKS?

>> IMMIGRATION CAN NEVER BE DIVORCED FROM ECONOMIC POLICIES.

THEY COME HAND IN HAND.

AN IMPORTANT THING TO THINK ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO MIGRATION AND ECONOMIC POLICY, IS THAT A LOT OF THE FOLKS WHO LEFT THEIR COUNTRIES IN GUATEMALA AND EL SALVADOR, HONDURAS AND NOW ALSO IN HAITI AND CUBAN OTHER NATIONS AS THEY WAIT TO CROSS INTO THE U.S. AND AS THEY WAIT IN MEXICO TO SEE WHAT THE STATUS OF THEIR ASYLUM CASE IS, THESE FOLKS GENERALLY ARE INDIGENOUS, GENERALLY ARE ALSO AFRO DESCENTENTS AND IT'S TARGETED TOWARD THOSE MIGRANTS WHO LEFT.

I'M LEFT TO WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH DEVELOPMENT IN URBAN AREAS?

HOW WILL THESE ECONOMIC CONVERSATIONS BE ALSO NOT JUST ABOUT FOLKS IN RURAL AREAS BUT ALSO IN THE URBAN CENTERS.

>> AND WE'VE GOT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

AS THIS DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES CONTINUES WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE BOTH ADMINISTRATIONS FOCUSING THEIR EFFORTS?

>> THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT COULD BE SAID HOW WE CAN IMPROVE TRADE CONVERSATIONS.

THESE SO-CALLED HIGH LEVEL ECONOMIC DISCUSSIONS SHOULD REALLY BELOW LEVEL.

LET'S THINK ABOUT THE EVERYDAY PERSON.

LET'S THINK ABOUT THE HUMAN DIGNITY THAT IS INVOLVED IN ECONOMIC POLICY.

A LOT OF ECONOMISTS LIKE TO TALK ABOUT TRADE AS IF IT DEVOID OF THE HUMAN FACTOR.

IT'S ESSENTIAL TO CONSIDER THE HUMAN FACTOR.

PEOPLE ARE NOT EXTERNALLALITIES.

>> ESTER TRUJILLO AT DePAUL THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> UP NEXT, A LOCAL ARTIST ON A QUEST TO FIND GRITTY SETTINGS FOR HIS UNUSUAL PAINTING.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

THE TRADITION OF ARTISTS PAINTING OUTDOORS BRINGING TO MIND LANDSCAPES OF LAKES AND GARDENS.

WE MET A CHICAGO ARTIST WHO FINDS BEAUTY IN THE GRIT OF THE CITY.

MARC VITALI HAS THE DETAILS ON AN ARTIST WHO IS VERY DETAIL OTHER YENNEDDED.

ORIENTED.

>> THESE ARE NOT THE IMAGES OF CHICAGO YOU'D SEE IN A VISITOR'S GUIDE.

STILL THE ODD CORNERS ARE AS MUCH AS PART OF THE CITY AS NAVY PIER OR THE MUSEUM CAMPUS.

ARTIST ANDY PACZOS HEADS TO THE SAME LOCATION HE WORKED AT FOR MONTHS.

A CORNER OF THE VAN BUREN STREET BRIDGE NEAR WHACKER DRIVE.

>> I NEVER SPEND LONG AT A SITE.

I LIKE THE DISCOVERY AND THE EXAMINATION TO COME.

IT SEEMS TO BE NO END TO THE AMOUNT OF SCRUTINY YOU CAN GET.

BUT I HAVE TO STOP SOONER SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SAY ENOUGH.

>> ANDY PACZOS IS APRACTICED TO THINGS THAT ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED.

>> NO ONE ASKED ME WHY I WOULD PAINT THIS.

IT HAS EVERYTHING THAT AN ARTIST MIGHT WANT.

WHAT ATTRACTED ME IS THE WONDERFUL PIECE OF CONCRETE IT LOOKED LIKE A SCULPTURE.

>> HE WORKS FOR TWO TO THREE MONTHS ON EVEN PAINTING AND WHEN PAINTING ON LOCATION IT IS A FIGHT TO THE FINISH.

>> IT IS A BATTLE.

SO MANY THINGS ARE WORKING AGAINST ME.

THE WIND, THE CHANGING SEASONS AND THE CHANGING SUN.

>> WE FIRST MET ANDY PACZOS IN 2020 A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE SHUTDOWN.

HE WAS DOING A STUDY FOR A PAINTING BESIDE AN EMPTY LOT NEAR THE METRA STATION.

THE DRAWING RESULTED IN THIS PAINTING.

>> I WANT TO BE SPECIFIC ABOUT EVERYTHING I'M PAINTING THAT HAS TO BE GALVANIZED STEEL TO BE SPECIFIC ABOUT THE MATERIAL IT IS NOT JUST THE FACTS.

>> THOSE FACTS DO NOT INCLUDE PEOPLE.

HIS PAINTING ARE UNPOPULATED.

>> THERE IS NO PEOPLE IN MY PAINTINGS.

THEY GENERALLY HAVE A CERTAIN SOLITUDE ABOUT THEM AND I'M NOT INTERESTED IN PEOPLE THAT MUCH.

I LOVE THEM BUT NOT AS A SUBJECT MATTER >> AND HE MIGHT LISTEN TO THEIR ADVICE.

>> ONE TIME AT RAINBOW BEACH THIS GIRL CAME UP AND LOOKING AND HEY YOU MISSED THAT OR THAT IS WRONG RIGHT HERE AND POINTING OUT AN ANGLE AND YOU KNOW YOU ARE RIGHT.

>> BORN IN DETROIT HE STUDIED AT THE ART INSTITUTE WITH TED HALL KIN.

ANDY PACZOS' WORKS HAVE BEEN FEATURED AT THE ARTS CENTER AND THE ARTIST CHRIS WARE IS A FAN AND OWNS A PAINTING.

WITH THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND EFFORT, THE PAINTINGS DON'T COME CHEAP.

>> I DON'T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY WHEN THEY GO FOR BETWEEN 8 AND 10,000.

A SIX-WEEK PAINTING PERIOD I'M MAKING MINIMUM WAGE.

>> EVERYTHING DOES CHANGE EVEN THE SAME LOCATION.

I CAN COME BACK AND SOME OF THE TREES THAT WERE THERE MIGHT NOT BE THERE.

IT'S FUNNY HOW YOU THINK THINGS CAN BE PERMANENT.

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

>> ANDY PACZOS CONTINUES TO PAINT ON THE VAN BUREN STREET BRIDGE AND IS SCOUTING THE NEXT LOCATIONS.

YOU CAN SEE MORE WORK ON HIS WEBSITE.

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 MONDAY NIGHT.

>> PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND GOOD NIGHT.

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