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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> I KNOW THAT OUR PEOPLE, CHICAGOANS ARE TOUGH.

>> IS MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S BUDGET PROPOSAL TOO RELIANT ON FEDERAL COVID FUNDING?

WE HAVE ANALYSIS.

>> I SEE SOME CRAZY, RIDICULOUS WARDS.

>> THE EFFORT TO DRAW NEW BOUNDARIES FOR CHICAGO'S 50 WARDS GETS UNDERWAY AND IT GETS HEATED.

>> I AM FEELING CONFIDENT THAT THE DISTRICT IS IN CAPABLE HANDS.

>> CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEW C.E.O.

PREPARES TO TAKE THE HELM AMID COVID TESTING AND TRACING CONCERNS OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THAT AND MORE.

>> CHILDREN'S EMERGENCY ROOMS ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN PATIENTS BUT IT'S NOT DUE TO COVID.

WE HEAR WHY.

>> WE CARE MORE ABOUT ANIMALS, DOGS AND CATS THAN WE DO HUMAN BLACK WOMEN AND BLACK GIRLS.

A NEW MISSING PERSON'S PROJECT IS AIMED AT FINDING BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS IN CHICAGO.

>> THE CHICAGO SKY KICKOFF THE WNBA PLAYOFFS TOMORROW.

WE HAVE GAME PREDICTIONS AND MORE.

>> THERE'S SOMETHING TO THE POWER OF MUSIC IN THIS PLAY AND I THINK MAYBE IN THE WORLD.

>> AND A PREVIEW OF THE GOODMAN THEATRE'S MAERICAN MARIACHI.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS OFFICIALLY HAS A NEW FULL-TIME C.E.O.

BOARD MEMBERS VOTED TO APPROVE FORMER C.P.S.

STUDENT AND SAN ANTONIO SCHOOLS CHIEF PEDOR MARTINEZ FOR THE POSITION.

OUTGOING JOSE TORRES MADE REMARKS ABOUT HIS TIME ON THE JOB.

>> WHILE MY TENURE AS A DISTRICT INTERIM C.E.O.

WAS BRIEF I FEEL WE WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH OUR TWO HIGHEST PRIORITIES RESUMING CLASSES ON AUGUST 30 FOR FIVE DAYS OF FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUCTION FOR ALL STUDENTS AND REENGAGING THE 100,000 STUDENTS AT RISK OF NOT ENROLLING THIS FALL.

>> THE DISTRICT SAYS FIRST DAY ATTENDANCE THIS YEAR WAS JUST OVER 91%.

THAT IS 3% LOWER THAN TWO YEARS AGO BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND 7% HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR WHEN SCHOOL BEGAN REMOTELY.

THE BOARD ALSO APPROVED A ONE-YEAR $11 MILLION CONTRACT WITH THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT SO THAT THE 43 SCHOOLS THAT VOTED TO RETAIN ONE OR TWO SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS COULD KEEP THEM.

THERE'S MORE OF THAT STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> REVEREND JESSE JACKSON HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM A REHABILITATION HOSPITAL WEEKS AFTER HE WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19.

JACKSON AND HIS WIFE JACQUELINE WERE BOTH HOSPITALIZED AT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL WITH THE VIRUS IN AUGUST AND RELEASED IN EARLY SEPTEMBER.

MRS. JACKSON WENT HOME BUT REVEREND JACKSON WAS SENT FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY DUE TO HIS PARKINSON'S DISEASE.

HE RECEIVED HIS FIRST COVID VACCINE DOSE IN JANUARY TO PROMOTE VACCINES IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

>> CLOSING ARGUMENTS BEGAN TODAY IN THE FEDERAL RACKETEERING CASE FOR R&B SINGER R. KELLY.

THE DEFENSE RESTED AFTER TWO DAYS OF CALLING WITNESSES MOSTLY FORMER EMPLOYEES WHO SAY THEY NEVER SAW KELLY ABUSE ANYONE.

BY CONTRAST PROSECUTORS SPENT A MONTH CALLING DOZENS OF WITNESSES AND ARGUED THAT KELLY GOT AWAY WITH SEXUALLY ABUSING VICTIMS FOR TWO DECADES AND RULED WITH AN IRON FIST.

HE DID NOT TAKE THE STAND.

CLOSING ARGUMENTS ARE SET TO RESUME TOMORROW.

>> IF YOU ARE PLANNING A JOG OR BIKE RIDE ON THE LAKEFRONT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS ASKING YOU TO THINK ABOUT.

WAVES AS HIGH AS 12-18 FEET ON LAKE MICHIGAN WITH WINDS GUSTING FROM 40-45-MILES-PER-HOUR TODAY AND THURSDAY.

THE WEATHER SERVICE SUGGESTS STAYING AWAY FROM PIERS, PARKS AND TRAILS.

>> AND UP NEXT, A DEEP DIVE INTO MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S BUDGET PROPOSAL.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> THE MAYOR INTRODUCED HER $16.7 BILLION BUDGET PLAN EARLIER THIS WEEK AND IT RELIES ON FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR NEW SPENDING PROGRAMS AND PATCHING UP FINANCIAL HOSPITALS CAUSED BY COVID-19.

NOW COMES THE SAUSAGE MAKING WHERE CITY COUNCIL GETS ITS HANDS ON THE PLAN AND FORMULATES A FINAL DOCUMENT.

JOINING US WITH ANALYSIS ARE DEBORAH CARROLL DIRECTOR OF THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE RESEARCH CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO AND TED DABROWSKI PRESIDENT OF WIREPOINTS WHICH DESCRIBES ITSELF AS AN INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT DELIVERING ORIGINAL RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT" AND BEFORE I ADDRESS QUESTIONS LET'S GO OVER THE FINER POINTS OF THE BUDGET.

IT CLOSES A $733 MILLION GAP.

THERE'S $200 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL SPENDING FOR C.P.D.

OVER LAST YEAR.

$31 MILLION IN DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS TO STRUGGLING CHICAGOANS.

AND 68% OF THAT $2 BILLION THAT THE CITY RECEIVED IN FEDERAL COVID HELP WILL GO TO CLOSE PREVIOUS, CURRENT AND FUTURE BUDGET GAPS.

DEBORAH CARROLL WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BREADTH OF THIS IS THIS A SOUND FISCAL PROPOSAL?

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

I WOULD SAY YES.

I ACTUALLY VIEW THIS BUDGET AS ONE THAT PROMOTES FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR FISCAL RECOVERY.

IT'S CLEAR THAT THE MAYOR HAS LONG-TERM OUTLOOK FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO IN MIND WITH THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL.

IT IS PROPOSING TO MAINTAIN CITY SERVICES AND EMPLOYMENT LEVELS WITHOUT RAISING TAXES.

WHILE ALSO PATCHING UP THE BUDGET DEFICITS GOING FORWARD AND FURTHER CONTRIBUTING TO OUR PENSION FUNDS IN AN IMPORTANT WAY.

>> AND TED DABROWSKI THE MAYOR TOUTED OVER 1.5 BILLION IN NEW SPENDING THIS YEAR OVER LAST YEAR ON THINGS LIKE HOUSING AND DIRECT AID AND FOR THE POLICE AS WE MENTIONED.

DO YOU BELIEVE THE MAYOR IS SADDLING TAXPAYERS WITH NEW BURDENS THAT WILL BE HARDER TO KEEP UP WITH GIVEN THAT FEDERAL FUNDING LIKELY IS NOT TO COME ANYMORE?

>> YES, PARIS I THINK THE NEW BUDGET IS GOING TO CREATE A FISCAL CLIFF FOR CHICAGO A YEAR OR TWO DOWN THE ROAD.

SHE IS NOT USING THE MONEY TO TACKLE THE PENSION AND THE DEBT CRISIS.

INSTEAD SHE IS HAVING MASSIVE SPENDING AND WHEN THAT MEAN RUNS OUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE DEBT.

>> THE FEDERAL TREASURY SAID THAT THE MONEY COULD NOT BE USED FOR THOSE THINGS.

BUT GO AHEAD.

>> FOR LOCALS THEY CAN DO SOMETHING LIKE LOWER TAXES.

THERE'S QUITE A FEW WAYS OF DOING IT SHE SHOULD HAVE NEGOTIATED A BETTER CONTRACT.

INSTEAD SHE IS SPENDING IT ALL AND WHEN THE MONEY RUNS OUT PEOPLE WILL BE USED TO GETTING THAT MONEY.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ALMOST $2 BILLION AND MORE THAT SHE IS PUTTING INTO PROGRAMS.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT RUNS OUT?

>> AND DEBORAH CARROLL, PROGRESSIVE ALDERPEOPLE WANT MORE OF THAT FEDERAL RELIEF MONEY SPENT ON SOME OF THOSE PROGRAMS INSTEAD OF PATCHING UP THAT RED RINK.

IS THE MAYOR GOING DOWN THE RIGHT PATH USING 68% OF THAT TO RESTRUCTURE THE DEBT AND PLUG THE HOLES?

>> SURE, I THINK IT IS A LITTLE BIT VIEWPOINT BETWEEN A SHORT-TERM FOCUS ON ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

IT'S PERFECTLY UNDERSTANDABLE PEOPLE ARE HURTING RIGHT NOW IT'S BEEN A LONG PANDEMIC.

AND CERTAINLY, THERE ARE IMMEDIATE NEEDS WITHIN COMMUNITIES.

HOWEVER, AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK THE MAYOR, AGAIN, HAS THIS MORE LONG-TERM OUTLOOK.

IF YOU WILL RECALL, THERE WAS ACTUALLY A LINE OF CREDIT EXTENDED SHORT-TERM BORROWING TAKEN OUT TO PATCH PREVIOUS BUDGET DEFICIT.

IF WE DID NOT USE THE FUNDS NOW TO REPAY THAT SHORT-TERM BORROWING, THAT WOULD HAVE TO ROLL INTO LONG-TERM BORROWING AND THAT WOULD COST MORE FOR CHICAGO RESIDENTS.

AND SO I THINK SHE IS TAKING A VERY RESPONSIBLE APPROACH TO THIS BUDGET.

WHILE AT THE SAME TIME MAINTAINING IMPORTANT SERVICES FOR CITY RESIDENTS THAT ARE VERY MUCH-NEEDED.

>> AND TED DABROWSKI YOU BROUGHT UP SOME OF THE LABOR CONTRACTS ONE WITH CHICAGO POLICE.

EIGHT YEARS OF RAISES.

20% IN TOTAL THAT WILL COST THE CITY MORE THAN $200 MILLION THIS YEAR ALONE.

AND THE MAYOR SAID THAT THEY WILL PAY FOR THAT IN PART BY REFINANCING DEBT.

DOES THAT SOUND REASONABLE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET BETTER RATES TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PAY THAT MONEY?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

DON'T FORGET SHE DID THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION CONTRACT SHE CALLED THE MOST GENEROUS CONTRACT EVER IN 2019.

WE HAVE LOTS OF DEBTS TO PAY.

WHAT EVERYBODY IS FORGETTING BEFORE COVID CHICAGO WAS THE ONLY MAJOR CITY TO BE RATED JUNK WITH DETROIT.

ALL THE DEBTS HAVE NOT GONE AWAY THEY ARE GROWING.

AND THERE'S CONTRACTS ARE GOING TO MAKE THEM BIGGER.

IF LORI LIGHTFOOT WANTS TO HELP THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LEFT BEHIND OR STRUGGLING, THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AS LONG AS WE HAVE A CITY THAT IS BANKRUPT AND IN A FISCAL MESS.

IT WILL BE WORSE FOR THOSE VERY PEOPLE IF WE DON'T START ATTACKING THE REAL PROBLEMS.

>> DEBORAH CARROLL SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT PART IS A PILOT PROGRAM WORTH $31 MILLION TO GIVE $500 A MONTH TO THE NEEDIEST CHICAGO FAMILIES.

WHAT IS YOUR ASSESSMENT OF THIS PROGRAM?

I THINK CERTAINLY THE NEED IS THERE.

THE PANDEMIC HAS DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED CHICAGO RESIDENTS AND SO THIS PART OF THE PUBLIC SPENDING WILL HELP TO AMELIORATE SOME OF THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS.

I THINK THERE IS CAUTION TO BE THROWN TO THE WIND, HOWEVER, BECAUSE WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING IS NONRECURRING.

IF WE ARE CREATING SOME NEW PROGRAMS AND ADDING TO SPENDING WE WILL NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FINANCE THAT SPENDING GOING FORWARD AFTER THIS YEAR.

>> AND THERE'S PILOT PROGRAMS AND OTHER CITIES LIKE GARY, INDIANA THAT WERE USING FOUNDATION MONEY TO FUND SOME OF THAT.

GARY IS SMALLER THAN CHICAGO.

AND TED DABROWSKI YOU MENTIONED THE TAX BURDEN IN CHICAGO.

A MARGINAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE 76.5 MILLION.

DO YOU THINK THAT IS A TOUGH BLOW FOR PROPERTY OWNERS ESPECIALLY GIVEN REASSESSMENTS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO THIS YEAR?

>> THERE'S BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE ASSESSMENTS THAT IS ONE.

WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THIS PROPERTY TAX HIKE IS ON TOP OF THE ONE BEFORE THAT AND ON TOP OF RAHM EMANUEL'S RECORD $580 MILLION.

SO WE'VE BEEN ADDING TAXES AND OF COURSE CHICAGO'S VERY GOOD AT ADDING FEES AND FINES.

PEOPLE ARE GETTING NICKELED AND DIMED.

IN THE COVID PERIOD THINGS HAVE BEEN TOUGH TO ADD MORE PROPERTY TAXES IT IS THE WRONG DIRECTION.

CHICAGO NEEDS TO BE A BUSTLING CITY CREATING JOBS AND WE ARE GOING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION BY ALL THE TAXES FEES AND PROGRAMS.

WE SHOULDN'T MAKE PEOPLE DEPENDENT ON THE GOVERNMENT BUT A BUSTLING PLACE WITH GREAT JOBS AND COMPETES WITH AUSTIN, ATLANTA AND HOUSTON.

>> THERE WILL BE A LOT OF DEBATE AND WE'LL SEE WHERE IT GOES AS IT GETS VOTED ON IN OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER, I BELIEVE.

MAYBE HEATHER WILL CORRECT ME.

OUR THANKS TO DEBORAH CARROLL AND TED DABROWSKI.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> THANKS, PAIRS.

CHILDREN'S EMERGENCY ROOMS ACROSS THE CITY ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN PATIENTS BUT IT'S NOT DUE TO COVID.

DOCTORS SAY IT IS AN EARLY SURGE IN RSV A VIRUS THAT APPEARS IN THE WINTER THAT IS IN PART DRIVING THIS INCREASE.

LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL HAS SEEN A 78% INCREASE IN PATIENTS COMPARED TO LAST AUGUST.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT HIS INCREASE AND MORE IS Dr. THOMAS SHANELY, THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

Dr. SHANLEY THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU BRANDIS, APPRECIATE IT.

>> OF THE KIDS THAT COME IN ARE YOU SEEING MAINLY INTENSE CASES OF RSV OR IS IT PARENT AS FRAYED BECAUSE THEY THINK IT MIGHT BE COVID?

>> IT REALLY IS A COMBINATION OF BOTH OF THOSE.

THIS TIME OF YEAR, WE TYPICALLY DO NOT SEE THE VIRUSES LIKE RSV AS YOU MENTIONED WITH THOSE PROGRESSING THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY WE'RE STARTING TO SEE INFANTS THAT DO HAVE THE TYPICAL PRESENTATION WITH RSV WHICH DOES AFFECT INFANTS MUCH MORE THAN OLDER CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.

AND IT INFLAMES THE LINING OF THE LUNG WHICH WE CALL THE BROKEN KEYIALS WHY THE DISEASE IS CALLED BROKEN KEY LIABILITIES.

AND THAT IS A REASON TO BRING THE PATIENTS IN.

THEY OFTEN HAVE DIFFICULTY BREATHING AND THE OXYGEN LEVELS CAN BE LOW BECAUSE OF THEIR EFFECT ON THE LUNGS AND THEY WOULD NEED TO BE HOSPITALIZED FOR SUPPORT.

BUT THERE IS A CONSTELLATION OF SYMPTOMS THAT MAKES THEM ILL IN THAT STANDPOINT AND THE MAJORITY OF THE PATIENTS WE SEE WHILE THEY MAY HAVE RSV ARE NOT AFFECTED TO THAT DEGREE OF SEVERITY.

IN PART, HOWEVER, BECAUSE THERE IS OVERLAP WITH THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID, WE ALSO DO BELIEVE THAT TOO MANY PARENTS ARE UNNECESSARILY COMING TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT BECAUSE OF THAT WORRY THAT IT'S COVID.

AND WANT TO REASSURING TEST FOR COVID WITH A PATIENT THAT DOESN'T NEED TO BE SO ILL. PART OF THE CHALLENGE IS MAKING SURE THAT THE EMERGENCY ROOMS ARE SERVING THE KIDS THAT THEY NEED TO SEE AND THAT ARE IMMEDIATE AND URGENT CARE AREAS AND OUR PRIMARY CARE SETTINGS CAN BE USED OR TESTING SITES FOR THAT REASSURANCE IF FAMILIES ARE WORRIED ABOUT COVID THAN THEY ARE THE PRESENTATION OF THEIR CHILD.

>> HOW CAN PARENTS CAN PARENTS TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RSV AND COVID IS IS THAT WHAT A PROFESSIONAL NEEDS -- >> NO, IT CAN'T AND WE SHOULD NOT RELY ON THEM TO DO SO.

I HAVE SOMETIMES HAVING A DIFFICULTY MAKING THAT DISCRIMINATION.

BUT IT'S NOT SO MUCH ABOUT THE VIRUS THAT IS CAUSING THE ILLNESS THAT MAKES A PARENT WORRY ABOUT THEIR CHILD TO BRING THEM TO PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ATTENTION.

IT'S THE WHOLE GAMUT OF THE CONSTELLATION OF SYMPTOMS THAT PROFESSIONALS CAN TALK THROUGH, OR CAN DO VIRTUAL VISITS TO WALK THROUGH OR IF THEY DO NEED TO DO IT IN-PERSON CAN DO SO.

WE ARE ASKING FOR PARENTS TO REACH OUT AND SEEK THEIR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS THEIR PEDIATRICIANS AND IF THEY ARE WORRIED AND RUN THE CONSTELLATION OF SYMPTOMS.

THEIR PROFESSIONAL PHYSICIAN OR NURSE KNOWS THE RIGHT QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT THE PRESENTATIONS OF THE BABY WHAT THEY ARE DOING, HOW THEY ARE BREATHING, HOW THEY ARE DRINKING WHAT THEIR TEMPERATURE IS, DOES IT RESPOND TO TYLENOL OR IBUPROFEN AND IT'S THAT HISTORY COLLECTION BY A PROFESSIONAL THAT MORE DETERMINES WHETHER IT'S SERIOUS ENOUGH TO REFER TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OR MIGHT BE ABLE TO BE MANAGED IN A DIFFERENT SETTING INCLUDING KEEPING IT HOME IF THEY ARE ABLE TO DO THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT OTHERWISE WE WOULD SETUP FOR HOME CONVALESCENCE.

>> CALL YOUR PEDIATRICIAN OR GO TO IMMEDIATE CARE BEFORE SHOWING UP AT THE ER IT SOUNDS LIKE?

>> THAT IS THE ADVICE WE'RE PROVIDING PEOPLE.

UNLESS, OF COURSE, THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS A BABY NOT BREATHING VERY, VERY FAST.

NOT BEING ABLE TO CATCH THEIR BREATH.

A CHILD WHO IS NOT ABLE TO DRINK AND KEEP THEMSELVES HYDRATED AND STOP URNIATING.

CHILDREN THAT MAY BE SOFA TEAGUED THEY ARE NOT ACTING THEMSELVES ANYMORE.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE MORE SERIOUS SYMPTOMS THAT CAN BE TRIGGERED BY ANY VIRUS THAT WE WOULD WANT TO SEE THAT KID THROUGH THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

AND THOSE AGAIN ARE QUESTIONS THE PROFESSIONAL WILL ASK AND BE ABLE TO TRIAGE THE RIGHT SITE OF CARE FOR FAMILIES.

>> THE TECHNICAL TERM PARENTS USE IS THE SCARY STUFF.

WHAT IMPACT ARE THESE HIGH LEVELS OF PATIENTS IN EMERGENCY ROOMS HAVING ON THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM?

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY THAT THE MAIN CONCERN WE HAVE FIRST OF ALL WE DON'T WANT TO INCONVENIENCE FAMILIES.

WE KNOW IN A TRIAGE SYSTEM THAT THE SICKEST PATIENTS ARE GOING TO BE SEEN FIRST.

SO A FAMILY THAT SHOWS UP AT 8:00 WHOSE CHILD IS DOING OK MAYBE HAS A LOW-GRADE FEVER WHEREAS OTHER CHILDREN COME IN ARE WAITING AND A CHILD COMES IN AT 9:00 P.M. AND 10 WHO IS SICKER THAT IS THE INCONVENIENCE OF THE FAMILIES THAT ARE WAITING CAN BE FRUSTRATING FOR THEM AND THAT IS ONE THING WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE HOOP.

AND THE OTHER -- HAPPEN.

AND IT IS THAT FILTER PROCESS.

IF WE ARE HAVING TO ATTEND TO A NUMBER OF PATIENTS MANY WHO MAY BE NOT NEEDING EMERGENCY CARE, IT'S HARDER TO FIND THOSE PATIENTS THAT DO.

AND WE DO ON A GIVEN DAY, WE'RE CURRENTLY ADMITTING BETWEEN 15 UP TO 25 PATIENTS FROM THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE STAFF PRESENT AND ATTENTIVE AND CAPABLE OF MANAGING THOSE WHO ARE THE MOST SICK AND NEED THE INPATIENT CARE AND NOT DILUTING THAT CAPABILITY TOO MUCH BY VRG A SURGE OR A FLOOD OF PATIENTS WHO DON'T NEED TO BE IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

>> AND BEFORE WE LET YOU GO Dr. SHANLEY PARENTS ARE STILL WANT TO KNOW HOW SOON THEIR KIDS MIGHT HAVE ACCESS TO THE VACCINE SINCE PFIZER IS SAYING THAT VACCINATED CHILDREN 5-11 THEY ARE SHOWING PROTECTION AGAINST THE VIRUS?

>> WHAT THAT MEANS THUS FAR IS PFIZER SUBMITTED THE CLINICAL DATA TO THE F.D.A.

AND NOW IT IS IN THE F.D.A.

'S HANDS.

I THINK THAT THE F.D.A.

HAS TO BALANCE TWO THINGS; THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS SAFE AND OBJECTIVE OBSERVER AND OBJECTIVE SCIENTIST EVALUATING THE DATA THEY ARE NOT THE DRUG COMPANY THAT DID THE TRIAL.

WE DON'T WANT TO MIX THAT CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND LET THE SCIENTISTS ON THE PANEL HAVE THEIR TIME TO BE ABLE TO DISCERN THE DATA THAT HAS BEEN COLLECTED ON CHILDREN.

AND THEY ALSO KNOW HOW MUCH PRESSURE THERE IS FOR FAMILIES ESPECIALLY ALL OF US WANTING TO KEEP THE KIDS IN SCHOOL TO GET THE VACCINE APPROVED FOR EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION USE IN THAT AGE COHORT.

THEY ARE ALSO MOVING AS FAST AS THEY CAN.

IT IS THE BALANCE THEY ARE NAVIGATING BETWEEN SPEED AND SAFETY ON BEHALF OF THE KIDS.

I KNOW SOME OF THE PROFESSIONALS ON THAT BODY AND I KNOW THAT THEY ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO DO THIS AS QUICKLY AND SAFELY ON BEHALF OF KIDS.

IT'S PROBABLY A MATTER OF WEEKS.

>> MATTER OF WEEKS?

>> YES, MATTER OF WEEKS BEFORE WE GET F.D.A.

APPROVAL.

>> OK THANK YOU SO MUCH Dr. THOMAS SHANELY FOR JOINING US.

>> A LITTLE BIT LONGER.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE INVITATION.

>> UP NEXT MARIACHI MUSIC AT THE GOODMAN THEATRE.

>> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING THE LATEST IN CHICAGO'S WARD REMAP PROCESS.

>> BUT FIRST IT WAS JUST BEFORE OPENING NIGHT THAT THE CAST OF MAERICAN MARIACHI HAD TO CLOSE ITS DOORS.

BUT NOW 18 MONTHS LATER THAT CAST HAS RETURNED.

THE SHOW IS A COPRODUCTION BETWEEN THE DALLAS THEATRE CENTER AND CHICAGO'S GOODMAN THEATRE.

ANGEL IDOWU TAKES US BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE NEW PRODUCTION SET IN CHICAGO IN THE 1970s.

[♪♪♪] >> MUSIC IS SO POWERFUL, RIGHT I THINK THAT IS THE FIRST THING THERE IS A LOT IN THE SHOW THAT MUSIC IS MEMORY.

♪ [♪♪♪] >> THAT'S ESSENTIALLY THE PREMISE OF THE NEW GOODMAN THEATRE PRODUCTION, AMERICAN MARIACHI.

AFTER PLAYING A FAMILIAR TUNE FOR HER MOTHER WITH DEMENTIA AND SPARKING HER MEMORY, LUCY GODINEZ PLAYED TO START AN ALL FEMALE MARIACHI BAND.

[♪♪♪] >> THE ENSEMBLE FEATURES CURRENT AND FORMER MUSICIANS FROM CHICAGO GROUPS A GROUP FULLY CAPTURES THE MUSIC GENRE.

>> MARIACHI IS A CULTURE IN ITSELF.

>> ITSELF IT IS A SMALL ORCHESTRA THAT CAN REPRESENT ANY KIND OF MUSIC.

[♪♪♪] >> GOING UP AGAINST THE PATRIARCHS OF THEIR FAMILY, THE STORY EXPLORES THEMES WITHIN GENDER ROLES SOMETHING THAT LUCY GODINEZ HAS EXPERIENCED WHILE WORKING WITH HER DAD WHO IS DIRECTOR OF THE PLAY.

>> MY DAD DIRECTING THE SHOW COMES UP AND IF WE'RE ARGUING I WILL BE LIKE MA CHICAGO MOW WE TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME AND THERE IT IS.

NO IT'S NOT HOW COULD IT BE.

ARE YOU A LATINO MAN YOUR EXISTENCE CONTRIBUTES.

IT IS AN ONGOING THING WHERE THINGS IN THE SHOW INFORM THE DIALOGUES THAT WE HAVE JUST WITH OUR OWN FAMILIES ABOUT THESE EXACT SAME THINGS.

BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY REAL.

>> THE STORY SPARKS CONVERSATIONS AROUND MENTAL HEALTH AND THE ROLE MUSIC PLAYS IN HELPING PEOPLE HEAL.

>> IN PARTICULAR, OUR COMMUNITY, TO THINK ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS IN A WAY THAT IS NOT SOMETHING TO BE ASHAMED OF OR TO HAVE TO HIDE.

NOR SOMETHING NEGATIVE BECAUSE I THINK ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT THIS PLAY IT MAKES YOU WONDER WHAT WE CALL MENTAL ILLNESS MAY BE IT'S JUST ANOTHER REALITY FOR SOMEONE ELSE.

>> THAT IS NOT THE ONLY TAKEAWAY FROM THIS PRODUCTION.

AS LATINO WOMAN WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BRING THE STORY OF AMERICAN MARIACHI TO THE GOODMAN THEATRE?

>> YOU CAN'T BE WHAT YOU CAN'T SEE.

AND THERE ARE SO MANY AMAZING SPANISH SPEAKING COMMUNITIES IN CHICAGO AND THOSE FOLKS SHOULD BE ABLE TO FEEL LIKE THEY DESERVE TO HAVE WORLD CLASS THEATRE ABOUT THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES AND STORIES, PARTIALLY IN THE LANGUAGES THAT THEY MAY SPEAK IN THEIR HOME.

THEY ARE DESERVING OF THAT THEATRE AND ART IN THEIR OWN CITY.

I'M EXCITED FOR AUDIENCES OF ALL ETHNICITIES TO BE ABLE TO SEE IT BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO UNDERSTAND THIS STORY.

THEY ARE GOING TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY AND MUSIC AND TRADITION.

BUT FOR THEM TO GET TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IN MY HOUSEHOLD OR IN ANOTHER ALATINX HOUSEHOLD.

>> LATINX HOUSEHOLD.

[♪♪♪] >> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> AMERICAN MARIACHI RUNS THROUGH OCTOBER 24 AT THE GOODMAN THEATRE ONE OF SIX PRODUCTIONS IN THE CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL LATINO THEATRE FESTIVAL.

AND WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT FESTIVAL AND AMERICAN MARIACHI ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THE PROCESS TO REDRAW CHICAGO'S WARD MAPS BEGINS.

WE HAVE A RUNDOWN WHAT HAPPENED AT TODAY'S OPEN HEARING.

>> WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER IN ORDER TO BETTER THE LIVES OF OUR RESIDENTS.

>> AND CITY BUDGET HEARINGS BEGIN FRIDAY CHALLENGES THE MAYOR WILL FACE DURING NEGOTIATIONS OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM TALKS ABOUT THOSE AND MUCH MORE.

>> THE CASE OF MISSING WOMAN GABRIEL VILLA IS TAKEN OVER THE NATIONAL NEWS CYCLE WHAT ABOUT THE MANY BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS WHO HAVE GONE MISSING IN CHICAGO?

AND THE CHICAGO SKY ARE FACE THE DALLAS WINGS TOMORROW NIGHT THE KICKOFF TO THE WNBA PLAYOFFS WE HAVE PREDICTIONS AND MORE.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE COOK COUNTY CHIEF JUDGE'S OFFICE SAYS IT'S COOPERATING WITH AUTHORITIES ON AN INVESTIGATION INTO FRAUDULENT DOCUMENTS THAT CLAIMED TO BE COURT ORDERS FROM JUDGES.

CHIEF JUDGE TIM EVANS' OFFICE SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN OFFENSIVE DOCUMENTS CIRCULATING BY A PERSON OR A GROUP CLAIMING TO BE ORDERS FROM COUNTY JUDGES AND THEY ARE MEANT TO INTIMIDATE THE RECIPIENTS.

THE FAKE COURT ORDERS WERE SENT TO TWO RESTAURANTS.

AND THEY CONTAINED RACIST AND HATEFUL MESSAGES.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYS SHE IS STICKING WITH AN OCTOBER 15TH DEADLINE TO HAVE ALL CITY WORKERS INCLUDING POLICE OFFICERS VACCINATED AS A CONDITION FOR WORKING.

THIS DESPITE A LACK OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND LABOR UNIONS LIKE THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE.

FOP PRESIDENT CATANZARA SAYS HE IS OPPOSED TO THE MANDATE AND WOULD TAKE THE CITY TO COURT IF IT CAME TO THAT.

WE'LL HAVE MORE IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS COMING UP.

>> THERE IS AN EXTRA LAYER OF INTRIGUE FOR BEARS FANS WHEN THE TEAM PLAYS CLEVELAND.

MATT NAGY ANNOUNCED JUSTIN FIELDS WILL, INDEED GET THE START OVER ANDY DALTON BECAUSE DALTON IS NURSING A KNEE INJURY HE SUSTAINED DURING THE WIN AGAINST THE BENGALS.

FIELDS CAME IN LATE AND FINISHED WITH 60 YARDS PASSING.

NAGY STRESSED THAT DALTON WOULD BE THE STARTER ONCE AGAIN WHEN HE GETS HEALTHY.

>> AND WE'LL HAVE MORE WITH JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS ON TOMORROW NIGHT'S PROGRAM.

>> CHICAGOANS GOT A GLIMPSE OF WHAT GOES ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AT CITY HALL DURING THE FIRST HEARING TO EXAMINE THE CENSUS RESULTS AND A HINT, THE DEBATE GOT HEATED.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US NOW.

WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF TODAY'S MEETING?

>> WELL, THIS WAS THE HEARING TO GIVE ALDERMEN THE FIRST OFFICIAL GLIMPSE OF THE DATA THAT THEY WILL USE TO CRAFT NEW WARD MAPS FOR THE NEXT DECADE FOR EACH OF THE 50 WARDS IN CHICAGO.

AND THIS WAS SORT OF AN UNVEILING AT THE DATA THAT THEY HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT FOR TWO MONTHS IN THE CITY HALL MAP ROOM WITH THE PUBLIC AND THE IMMEDIATE MEDIA ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SEE.

>> 9TH WARD ALDERMAN ANTHONY BEALE HAD HEATED COMMENTS TODAY ABOUT THE DROP IN BLACK CHICAGO POPULATION AS A RESULT OF THE CENSUS.

>> I'M REALLY DISTURBED BY THE AMOUNT OF NUMBERS THAT THEY ARE SAYING THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY HAS DROPPED.

I JUST THINK THAT THE MANPOWER WAS NOT PUT IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY TO GO DOOR-TO-DOOR.

>> SO WHY IS THIS SO CONCERNING TO ALDERMAN BEALE?

>> WELL, THE CENSUS FOUND THAT CHICAGO IS NEARLY SPLIT IN THIRDS BETWEEN BLACK CHICAGOANS, WHITE CHICAGOANS AND LATINO CHICAGOANS WITH A GROWING ASIAN POPULATION.

BUT THE LATINO POPULATION GREW ABOUT 5% IN THE LAST DECADE WHILE THE BLACK POPULATION DROPPED ABOUT 10%.

NOW, THAT IS CONCENTRATED ON CHICAGO'S SOUTH AND WEST SIDES WHICH MEANS THOSE WARDS HAVE LOST POPULATIONS AND THOSE ALDERMEN ARE AT RISK OF BEING REDISTRICTED AND POTENTIALLY HAVING TO FACE A NEW ELECTORATE IN 2023.

ALDERMAN BEALE IS ONE OF THOSE ALDERMEN LOOKING AT THE DATA AND REALIZING IT COULD SHIFT THE BALANCE OF POWER IN CHICAGO FOR REALLY THE NEXT DECADE.

>> SO WHAT IS NEXT IN THE FORMULATION OF THE NEW WARD MAPS?

>> WELL, IT'S GOING TO BE A BUSY FALL AT CITY HALL NOT ONLY DOES THE CITY COUNCIL HAVE TO APPROVE THE 2022 BUDGET BY END OF THE YEAR THEY FACE YOU A DECEMBER FIRST DEADLINE TO FIGURE OUT THESE MAPS.

AND IF 10 ALDERMEN VOTE FOR AN ALTERNATIVE MAP THAT COULD TRIGGER A REFERENDUM WHERE BOTH MAPS WOULD GO BEFORE THE VOTERS AND THAT IT WOULD BE UNCHARTERED TERRITORY.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

IS IT OUTSIDE GROUP LED BY CHANGE ILLINOIS THAT HAVE FLOATED FAIR MAPS NON-GERRYMANDERED WARD MAPS THAT THEY WANT THE CITY TO CONSIDER.

WE'LL KEEP FOLLOWING THIS AND WE'LL SEE YOU IN A FEW MINUTES FOR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

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

>> AND UP NEXT RENEWED EFFORTS IN FINDING BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS WHO HAVE GONE MISSING IN CHICAGO.

THAT IS A CONVERSATION THAT AIRED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

BUT FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> NATIONWIDE, BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS ARE DES PATROLMAN AT RISK FOR ABUSE, EXPLOITATION AND HOMICIDE.

IN THE CHICAGO AREA, AN ALARMING NUMBER OF BLACK WOMEN HAVE BEEN KILLED AND THEIR DEATHS HAVE GONE UNSOLVED AND MORE BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS HAVE GONE MISSING.

CAN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS SAY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, GOVERNMENT AND THE NEWS MEDIA ARE NOT DOING ENOUGH.

COOK COUNTY SHERIFF TOM DART ANNOUNCED AN INITIATIVE ASSIGNING A NEW TEAM OF DETECTIVES TO WORK ON LONG TIME MISSING PERSON'S CASES.

THE DAUGHTER OF ONE OF THOSE MISSING WOMEN, VIOLA MARTIN SPOKE ABOUT HER MOTHER.

>> MY MOM, SHE WENT MISSING IN 2009.

MY MOM DID HAVE A DRUG PROBLEM.

BUT SHE WAS CLEAN FOR FIVE YEARS.

SHE WE THOUGHT IT WAS PROBABLY JUST A LITTLE RELAPSE AND LIKE THREE DAYS THAT SAID SHE COMES BACK HOME AND SHE KEPT A JOB, SHE WAS ALWAYS SELF SUFFICIENT, INDEPENDENT ALL OF THAT.

AND IT'S OUT OF NOWHERE WHEN MY SCISSOR AND I -- SISTER AND I SHE LEFT HER HOUSE FROM CHRISTMAS AND SHE WAS GOING TO MY SISTER HOUSE TO TAKE HER A PLATE BECAUSE SHE JUST GOT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

AFTER THAT WE DIDN'T HEAR FROM MY MOM OR SEE OUR MOTHER AGAIN.

>> AND JOINING US WITH MORE ARE REVEREND ROBINHOOD A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE WEST SIDE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION MOTHERS OPPOSED TO VIOLENCE EVERYWHERE.

AND NIKI, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR THE CHICAGO ALLIANCE AGAINST SEXUAL EXPLOITATION.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

NIKI LET'S START WITH YOU PLEASE DO YOU THINK THIS ISSUE HAS GOTTEN ENOUGH ATTENTION FROM THE NEWS MEDIA?

>> OH, GOD, NO, NOT AT ALL.

NOT AT ALL NOT EVEN CLOSE.

FOR ME, THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SO MANY WOMEN I BELIEVE 75 THAT ARE MISSING AND MURDERED SINCE 2001, AND WE TEND TO THINK OF THEM AS ONE BIG GROUP WHICH MEANS THAT WE DON'T SPECIFICALLY SAY FOLKS NAMES OUT LOUD AND WHAT I FIND IRONIC THE MEDIA WILL REPORT ON THE LACK OF MEDIA ATTENTION BUT WE ARE NOT GETTING THE INDIVIDUAL STORIES OF WOMEN AND GIRLS THAT HAVE GONE MISSING AND MURDERED.

IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE US FIGURE THAT OUT AND LET BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS KNOW THEY ARE JUST AS VALUED AND LOVED AND CHERISHED AND PROTECTED AS ANYONE ELSE.

>> REVEREND WE HEARD FROM THE FAMILY OF VIOLA MARTIN ONE OF MANY CASES TOM DART IS HOPING TO SOLVE AND HER DAUGHTER SAID YES SHE HAD A ASSAULT AND BATTERY STANCE ABUSE PROBLEM.

SOME WOMEN WHO GO MISSING ENDED UP BEING SEX WORKERS.

HOW MUCH OF THOSE THAT FACTORS INTO HOW THE CASES ARE PERCEIVED?

>> YOU KNOW, I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT ACTUALLY MURDERED WOMEN IN CHICAGO.

AND IN THE BEGINNING OF THE DOCUMENTARY, THE FIRST FOUR FAMILIES THAT TALK ABOUT THEIR LOVED ONES THAT COME UP DEAD WERE BUSINESS OWNERS, PROPERTY OWNERS, PROFESSIONALS, NOTHING TO DO WITH SEX WORK OR DRUGS.

DO THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

IT SHOULD NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE BECAUSE THAT'S SOMEBODY'S MOTHER, SISTER, DAUGHTER, WIFE, COUSIN, NEIGHBOR OR LOVED ONE.

>> SHERIFF TOM DART HE SPOKE WITH "CHICAGO TONIGHT" ABOUT HIS NEW MISSING PERSON'S PROJECT INITIATIVE.

HERE IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY WHY HE BELIEVES THIS INITIATIVE CAN HELP.

>> WE KNOW THAT A A NEW SET OF EYES HELPS AND B TECHNOLOGY AND OUR WAY OF INVESTIGATING HAS EXPANDED AND C, MANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAVE HIGH TURNOVER, THEY HAVE MAJOR BUDGET ISSUES.

SO THEY MAY HAVE HAD A DETECTIVE WORKING ON A CASE FOR QUITE SOMETIME WHO RETIRED AND NO ONE LOOKED AT IT AFTER THAT.

IT'S REALLY A METHOD OF TRYING TO PUT A THOUGHTFUL, LOGICAL APPROACH TO ANALYZING MISSING PERSONS AND TO HELP FIND PEOPLE IS OUR GOAL.

AND IF NOTHING ELSE TO GET RESOLUTION.

>> NIKI WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BUREAUCRATIC, PROCEDURAL ROADBLOCKS THAT A FAMILY OR THE VICTIM OF VIOLENCE AND EXPLOITATION THEY MIGHT ENCOUNTER WHEN THEY COME IN CONTACT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT?

>> THANK YOU THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

I THINK THE FIRST THING IS PEOPLE NOT BEING AWARE OF WHAT RIGHTS THEY DO HAVE.

AS VICTIMS.

OR AS THE FAMILY OF VICTIMS.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT RIGHTS YOU HAVE HOW CAN YOU ADVOCATE FOR THOSE RIGHTS?

THAT IS ONE THING.

ONE THING WE DO IN OUR WORK AT CASE, WE DO A MONTHLY SERIES CALLED SEEKING JUSTICE WHICH TEACHES PEOPLE WHAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE UNDER THE LAW AS VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

TOO OFTEN WE DON'T FIND OUT ABOUT THE PROCESS UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE UNTIL WE ARE IN CRISIS OR SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED AND AT THAT POINT, GOING TO GET A RAPE KIT OR DO A FORENSIC INTERVIEW OFTENTIMES IT'S TOO LATE TO GATHER THE RIGHT EVIDENCE TO GIVE THAT CASE THE BEST CHANCE OF BEING CHARGED AND CONVICTED.

I THINK THAT THOSE PROCESSES ARE NOT CLEAR ENOUGH TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

THE OTHER PIECE, TOO, IS THAT ASIDE FROM BUREAUCRATIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, I THINK WHAT WE HAVE IS A VALUES ISSUE.

IT'S NOT TO ME ALWAYS A MATTER OF TURNING IN POLICY IT IS A MATTER OF VALUE THAT YOU ARE A POLICE OFFICER AND YOU CAN SHOW UP TO A SITUATION THAT HAS A BLACK GIRL AT THE CENTER FOR EXAMPLE, AND YOU CAN LOOK AT HER AND SAY IT'S NOT WORTH MAKING THE ARREST OR NOT WORTH THE INVESTIGATION OR I THINK IT WAS CONSENSUAL THESE ARE ALL THINGS I'VE HEARD THROUGHOUT MY TIME DOING THIS WORK.

THAT TO ME IS A VALUES PROBLEM.

PART IS BUREAUCRACY AND THE BIGGER ISSUE IS VALUES.

>> REVEREND HOOD, WE KNOW THAT MANY OF THE WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN MURDERED WERE FOUND ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES AND WE ALSO HEAR THAT MANY COMMUNITIES IN CHICAGO BELIEVE THEY HAVE BEEN OVERPOLICED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HOW CAN LAW ENFORCEMENT PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION AND SUPPORT ON SOLVING SOME OF THESE POTENTIAL CRIMES WITHOUT CONTRIBUTING TO THAT PERCEPTION OF OVERPOLICING?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, LAW ENFORCEMENT NEED TO ANSWER THE PHONES THE CASES OF THE MISSING GIRLS AND WOMEN.

MAYBE TO ANSWER PHONES FIRST OF ALL.

THAT IS THE BEGINNING PROCESS OF IT.

AND THAT'S BEEN THE PROBLEM THAT I FOUND OUT OVER THE YEARS.

THEY DON'T GET BACK TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS IN A TIMELY FASHION.

BUT IF YOU ARE A WHITE, THEY INVESTIGATE THOSE MURDERS.

BLACK FAMILIES HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT DON'T FIND THIS AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN SO TO SPEAK.

IN OTHER WORDS THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT THEY GOT 2,000 GUNS OFF THE STREET AND FAMILIES SAY WHAT ABOUT MY MOTHER THAT HAS BEEN MISSING FOR TWO YEARS OR MY SISTER THAT COME UP DEAD?

>> NIKI 45 SECONDS LEFT.

WE KNOW THAT A COALITION OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS HAS FORMED CALLED PROTECT BLACK GIRLS, CASE YOUR ORGANIZATION IS ONE OF THOSE MEMBERS.

WHAT PROMPTED YOU ALL TO CREATE THIS COALITION?

>> I HAVE TO GIVE CREDIT THAT BRENDA MEYERS POWELL WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF DREAM CATCHER SHE IS A SURVIVOR OF THE SEX TRADE AND DOING AN INTERVIEW ABOUT THE CASE OF AN 11-YEAR-OLD BLACK GIRL WHOSE CASE WAS MISHANDLED AND BRENDA BROUGHT THE COALITION TOGETHER ALONG WITH US AND PASTOR HOOD, AND LIFESPAN WAS IN THE FACES PROJECT AND INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS AND ACTIVISTS AND ORGANIZERS.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW WE'RE OUT HERE DOING THIS WORK BECAUSE THE PERCEPTION IS NOBODY CARES AND THERE IS A BIG GROUP OF US THAT CARE AND HAVE BEEN WORKING AS PART OF THE COALITION SINCE MARCH THAT BRENDA PULLED TOGETHER.

>> BEST OF LUCK TO YOU BOTH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> BACK WITH MORE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> THE CHICAGO SKY IS HOSTING THE DALLAS WINGS TOMORROW NIGHT.

KICKOFF THE FIRST ROUND OF THE WNBA'S PLAYOFFS.

THE MATCHUP WILL BE A SINGLE GAME ELIMINATION.

THE TWO TEAMS MET EACH OTHER THREE TIMES, WITH THE WINGS TAKING TWO OF THOSE GAMES.

HERE TO DISCUSS THEIR GAME PREDICTIONS AND MORE ARE MARIA WILLIAMSON, HEAD COACH FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO'S WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM AND KATE ATCHER, HEAD COACH FOR LOYOLA UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO'S WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM.

COACHES THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MARIA, WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS AS THE SKY HEADS INTO THIS SINGLE-GAME ELIMINATION PLAYOFFS TOMORROW?

>> YEAH, I MEAN REALLY HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR THE SKY.

THEY PLAY A REALLY EXCITING BRAND OF BASKETBALL AND SO DO THE WINGS, IT SHOULD BE A HIGH SCORING GAME.

THE SKY'S OFFENSE IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE LEAGUE AND HOPEFULLY THEIR EXPERIENCE WILL PULL THROUGH AGAINST AN INEXPERIENCED DALLAS WINGS TEAM.

>> KATE ATCHER WHAT DO YOU THINK?

WILL IT BE A TOUGH CHALLENGE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN YOU DROP THE FIRST TWO GAMES, THERE'S SOMETHING EXTRA THERE BUT DALLAS PRESENTS CHALLENGES.

THEY ARE GOOD IN A BIG TIME BIG GAME PLAYER.

SO WHILE THE SKY WILL HAVE THEIR HANDS FULL I THINK THEIR EXPERIENCE IS GOING TO PAY OFF FOR THEM TOMORROW.

>> THERE'S BEEN PUSHBACK ON THE FORMAT OF THE WNBA PLAYOFFS BEING A SINGLE GAME ELIMINATION.

KATE, DO YOU THINK THE PLAYOFFS SHOULD STAY THAT WAY OR WOULD YOU RATHER SEE A SERIES?

>> YOU KNOW AS A BASKETBALL FAN YOU WANT MORE BASKETBALL.

AND AS A COACH YOU WANT TO GIVE YOUR TEAM THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED AND MOVE ON.

BUT FROM A COMPETITIVE STANDPOINT IT REALLY MAKES THE PLAYOFFS INTERESTING.

THERE IS A WHOLE LOT RIDING ON ONE GAME AND TRUTH BE TOLD THEY HAVE TO DO IT THIS WAY BECAUSE OF HOW MOST OF THE WOMEN IN THE WNBA PLAY OVERSEAS THEIR SEASONS WILL KICK IN SOON.

PERHAPS IT'S MORE PUSH FOR BETTER PAY IN THE WNBA TO EXTEND THE SEASON AND KEEP THESE WOMEN HERE.

BUT I'M ALL FOR EXTENDING THE SERIES FOR SURE.

>> AND WNBA'S LIST OF GREATEST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL PLAYERS IN THE LEAGUE.

WE ALL KNOW SHE MADE THE SWITCH TO THE SKY THIS YEAR.

MARIA HOW MUCH DOES HAVING HER ON THE TEAM HOW MUCH DOES THAT ELEVATE THE DEBATE?

>> OH, IT'S ELEVATED IT TREMENDOUSLY.

FROM A SPONSORSHIP PERSPECTIVE AND A STYLE OF PLAY, EVEN FROM THE AREAS OF SEEING THEM REUNITE HAS BEEN COOL.

HER BRAND IS SO EXTENSIVE AND SHE IS ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME.

SHE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BASKETBALLS OF ALL TIME.

IT'S BEEN GREAT TO HAVE DAN HERBERT.

BUT HER PLAY FITS THE SKY.

THE BIG TIME PLAYER WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR.

HOPEFULLY SHE CAN STAY HEALTH THREE THROUGH THE -- HEALTHY THROUGH THE PLAYOFF RUN AND IT'S NICE TO HAVE HER HERE.

>> AND KATE ARE YOU SEEING DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE SEEING A RISE IN THE POPULARITY OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL IN THE PROFESSIONAL AND COLLEGIATE LEVELS ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF THE GROWING FAN BASE AND ALSO ATTENTION TO WOMEN'S BASKETBALL IN GENERAL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I BELIEVE THAT YEAR THAT THE WNBA SPENT IN THE BUBBLE, IT REALLY GAVE THE CASUAL VIEWER AN OPPORTUNITY TO WATCH GOOD BASKETBALL.

AND BECAUSE THE SCHEDULE WAS A LITTLE BIT MORE CONDUCIVE TO TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER'S BODIES IT WAS NOT A GRUELING FOR TRAVEL WE GOT A BETTER PRODUCT AND THAT HELPED TO PUSH VIEWER SHIP AN TEND DANCE FOR WHEN PEOPLE COULD RETURN BACK TO GAMES AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL IS A HIGH QUALITY PRODUCT.

THEY ARE SKILLED THEY ARE GREAT ROLE MODELS.

PEOPLE WANT TO SEE IT.

AND JUST IT'S EVIDENCED BY HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COMING OUT TO SKY GAMES.

IF YOU PAID ATTENTION, ATTENDANCE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WAS UP FOR ALL TEAMS AND I'M EXCITED TO WHAT IT WILL BE LIKE IN THE FALL FOR COLLEGE.

>> AFTER WHAT WE SAW DURING MARCH MADNESS CAN REGARD TO THE DIFFERENT TREATMENT FOR THE WOMEN'S AND THE MEN'S TEAMS, DO YOU ALSO SEE THE SITUATION IMPROVING?

>> YEAH, PART IS JUST AWARENESS.

EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED OVER THE WOMEN'S FINAL FOUR ONE OF THE THINGS WAS PLAYERS WERE ABLE TO STEP UP AND SHOW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THE SAME THINGS HAVE BEEN TRUE ACROSS THE WNBA ACROSS SOCCER, VOLLEYBALL AND SOFTBALL THE CONVERSATION IS STARTING AND JUST THE NUMBERS AND THE TIME PEOPLE ARE PUTTING INTO IT IS MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE AND IT IS REALLY EXCITING BRAND OF BASKETBALL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I'VE TALKED TO WHO WERE MORE MEN BASKETBALL FANS NOW I TALKED TO SOME THE OTHER DAY SAYING I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THEY SCORED SO MANY POINTS OR THEY WERE SO STRONG THEY HAVE BEEN LIKE THAT FOR A LONGTIME.

AND BECAUSE THERE'S CONVERSATION ABOUT IT PEOPLE ARE WATCHING.

AND IT'S REALLY EXCITING.

I'M EXCITED FOR THE PLAYOFFS IN GENERAL BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF GREAT ATTENTION TO IT.

>> AND YOU ARE PREPARING FOR YOUR OWN SEASONS.

KATE WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS ON THIS SEASON AND HOW YOU ARE PREPARING AMID THE PANDEMIC?

>> I THINK MY TEAM HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB BOUNCING BACK FROM THE ISOLATION AND THE DIFFICULTY OF LAST SEASON.

NOT ONLY WAS BASKETBALL WAS HARD AND SCHOOL WAS HARD AND SOCIAL LIFE WAS HARD AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO SEE THEIR FAMILIES.

I HAVE AN OUTSTANDING GROUP OF WOMEN AND THEY HAVE EMBRACED THE DIFFICULTY AND EMBRACED DOING IT TOGETHER AND SUPPORTING EACH OTHER THROUGH THAT STUFF.

I THINK THIS WE ARE POISED TO HAVE THE BEST SEASON THAT WE'VE HAD IN A LONGTIME AND I'VE GOT GREAT LEADERSHIP AND REALLY EXCITED TO GET THINGS GOING.

>> ME >> MARIA HOW EXCITED ARE YOU?

>> WE ARE EXCITED TO BE BACK.

WE HAD 11 WEEKS OF PRACTICE WHICH IS A COACHES DREAM AND WE'RE HAPPY TO BE PLAYING GAMES AGAIN.

OUR TEAM IS BACK ON CAMPUS AND ONE OF OUR CORE VALUES IS JOY AND WE'RE FEELING IT AND WILL TRY TO RIDE THAT HIGH INTO THE SEASON AND SEE WHERE IT TAKES US.

>> COACHES KATE ATCHER AND MARIA WILLIAMSON THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

BEST OF LUCK.

ENJOY THE GAME TOMORROW.

>> UP NEXT REACTION TO MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S BUDGET PROPOSAL AND MORE IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

STAY WITH US.

S >> THE CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES A NEW ONE YEAR CONTRACT WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

CITY COUNCIL PREPARES FOR BUDGET HEARINGS AND MAYOR LIGHTFOOT DOUBLES DOWN ON THE OCTOBER 15TH DEADLINE FOR ALL CITY WORKERS TO BE VACCINATED.

ALL THAT AND MORE WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM, HEATHER CHERONE, AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

WELCOME BACK.

SO AS WE HEARD THE CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION THEY MET TODAY AND SINCE SCHOOL STARTED THIS YEAR FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING WE ARE HEARING CONCERNS OVER THE DISTRICT'S COVID TESTING PLAN WHICH HAS YET TO REACH FULL CAPACITY AND CONTACT TRACING.

WHAT DID WE LEARN TODAY?

>> WELL, WE LEARNED THAT THE DISTRICT IS ATTEMPTING TO TRIPLE THE NUMBER OF CONTACT TRACERS THAT THEY HAVE ASSIGNED TO TRACK AND TRACE POTENTIAL EXPOSURES TO COVID AT SCHOOLS.

THIS COMES AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS WHERE WE HEARD MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT REASSURE PARENTS AND TEACHERS AND STAFF THAT THE SCHOOLS WERE COMPLETELY READY FOR STUDENTS TO COME BACK FIVE DAYS A WEEK WITHOUT CAPACITY RESTRICTION.

IT'S CLEARLY BEEN A BUMPY START TO SCHOOL.

>> AND ON MONDAY, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT TOLD YOU, PARIS, SHE IS DISAPPOINTED IN C.P.S.

'S COVID TESTING EFFORTS DOES IT SIGNAL DISAPPOINTMENT IN OUTGOING JOSE TORRES' HANDLING OF REOPENING?

>> IT SEEMED THAT TORREZ WAS THE FALL GUY HERE WITH RESPECT TO TESTING AND CONTACT TRACING.

AND HE'S GONE.

THE BOARD OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED THE APPOINTMENT OF THE PERMANENT REPLACEMENT AS C.E.O.

PEDOR MARTINEZ.

BUT IT'S LITTLE COMFORT TO THE TEACHERS' UNION AND TO MANY PARENTS WHO HAVE ALSO BEEN FRUSTRATED.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE MAYOR SAYING THE BUCK IS SUPPOSED TO STOP WITH YOU.

IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT YOU ARE FRUSTRATED WHY AREN'T YOU DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

SHE SAYS SHE IS.

Dr. ALLISON ARWADY THEIR TEAM NOW IS IN CHARGE HERE.

AND HELPING TO GET A SYSTEM WIDE TESTING PROGRAM AND AS YOU MENTIONED CONTACT TRACING PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING.

>> AND THAT SAID IT WAS INTENDED THE MAYOR WOULD REPLACE JOSE TORRES WITH A PERMANENT C.E.O.

AND IT'S HAPPENING AT THIS MOMENT A MONTH AFTER SCHOOL HAS BEGUN.

THE BOARD VOTED TO RENEW ITS CONTRACT WITH THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS AMID AN ONGOING PUSH FOR SOME STUDENTS AND ADVOCATES THEY WANT SCHOOLS -- OFFICERS TO BE REMOVED FROM SCHOOLS ENTIRELY.

HOW SIGNIFICANT WAS THIS DECISION TODAY?

>> WELL, IT'S PRETTY SIGNIFICANT.

IT IS AN $11 MILLION ONE-YEAR CONTRACT AND IT WILL ASSIGN ONE POLICE OFFICER TO 43 HIGH SCHOOLS.

NOW, 30 HIGH SCHOOLS VOTED TO REMOVE AT LEAST ONE OFFICER AND SEVERAL SCHOOLS VOTED TO REMOVE BOTH OFFICERS.

SO THIS IS CLEARLY SORT OF THE START OF WHAT COULD BE A RETHINKING AND POTENTIALLY A PHASING OUT OF THE SCHOOL RESOURCE PROGRAM.

WHAT WAS DIFFERENT THAN LAST YEAR MOSTLY REMOTE, SCHOOLS THAT DIDN'T WANT OFFICERS GOT TO KEEP THAT MONEY AND USE THAT MONEY TO RETHINK HOW THEY CAN MAKE SURE THAT THEIR CAMPUS IS SAFE AND SECURE.

THERE WILL BE A LOT OF EYES TO SEE ON HOW THE SCHOOL YEAR PLAYS OUT AND PERHAPS IT WILL ONLY BE USED TO ENCOURAGE MORE SCHOOLS TO REMOVE THE OFFICERS FROM THEIR CAMPUSES.

>> SO ON TO CITY COUNCIL MOVES.

BUDGET HEARINGS ARE SET TO BEGIN FRIDAY.

AND THE INCLUDES THE PILOT PROGRAM OF DIRECT PAYMENTS TO LOW INCOME CHICAGOANS SOMETHING THAT ALDERMAN VILLEGAS PROPOSED IN THE SPRING HERE IS WHEN HE SPOKE WITH PARIS.

>> IMITATION IS THE GREATEST FORM OF FLAHERTY.

I'M GLAD IT MADE IT INTO THE BUDGET.

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, SHE DID NOT, JUST TOOK MY LANGUAGE AND INCORPORATED INTO HER BUDGET >> NOW, THIS PROPOSAL IT SEEMS TO LEAN INTO SEVERAL ITEMS THAT PROGRESSIVE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE BEEN HOPING FOR.

HEATHER, IS THIS GOING TO GET THEM ON HER SIDE?

>> WELL, THAT'S WHAT SHE TOLD PARIS.

SHE SAID, HEY THERE IS NO REASON THAT THIS BUDGET WON'T WIN AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF ALDERMEN AND I THINK THAT'S POSSIBLE.

BUT I STILL WOULDN'T BET ON IT BECAUSE THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT EXACTLY HOW MUCH MONEY THE MAYOR WANTS TO SPEND ON WHICH PRIORITIES AND WHETHER AT THE SAME TIME THE MAYOR IS SPENDING $1.9 BILLION ON A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP THE MOST VULNERABLE CHICAGOANS.

WHETHER CHICAGO PROPERTY OWNERS SHOULD BE FORCED TO PAY AN INCREASED 76 MILLION IN THE CITY'S PROPERTY TAX LEVY.

ALL OF THOSE QUESTIONS WILL BE PUT TO THE MAYOR'S FINANCE TEAM FRIDAY MORNING AND IT WILL START TO SHAPE THAT DEBATE.

BECAUSE THIS IS A $17.7 -- $16.7 BILLION SPENDING PLAN ONE OF THE BIGGEST IN HISTORY BECAUSE OF THAT FEDERAL CASH THAT IS FLOWING TO THE CITY.

AND THE QUESTION IS: HOW IS THE CITY GOING TO SPEND IT IT?

AND IS IT SPENDING IT IN THE RIGHT WAY THAT DOESN'T PUT THE HOOK ON THE CITY FOR MILLIONS IN FUTURE YEARS.

>> IS SHE CONTINUING THAT PRACTICE THAT WE KNOW SO WELL KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AS SHE PREPARES FOR ELECTION SEASON?

>> WE SEE THESE KINDS OF TACTICS EVERY SINGLE YEAR THEY ARE GOING TO BALANCE THE BUDGET BY REFINANCING DEBT AND EFFICIENCIES, BY BETTER FISCAL MANAGEMENT.

VAGUE TERMS THAT WE DON'T KNOW THE SPECIFICS OF.

YEAH, IT LOOKS LIKE BUDGETS IN YEARS PAST.

AND THERE'S THE OTHER PART GIVING $100,000 TO EACH ALDERPERSON TO SPEND AS THEY WISH IN THEIR WARD THAT IS A CARROT TO GET THEM ONBOARD WITH THE BUDGET.

WHICH ALDERMAN DOESN'T WANT TO HAVE MONEY TO HAVE NEW PROJECT IN THEIR WARD OR CLEAN UP THE SIDEWALK OR PLANT NEW TREES?

OTHER ALDERPEOPLE ARE SAYING IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

AND I WANT TO ADDRESS THAT SPAT WITH ALDERMAN VILLEGAS HE WAS AT ONE TIME HER FLOOR LEADER AND NOW HE IS AT LOGGERHEADS WITH HER AS HE SAID.

I CAME UP WITH THIS PROPOSAL, AND YOU STOLE IT AND YOU DIDN'T CONSULT WITH ME.

AND IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE VILLEGAS HAS TAKEN THE LEAD IN TRYING TO ADVANCE LATINO INTERESTS AND THERE IS THOUGHT THAT HE MIGHT CHALLENGE HER FOR MAYOR IN A COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT IS ASKING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO WORK TOGETHER THIS BUDGET SEASON HERE IS A LISTEN.

>> AS THE HEARINGS PLEASE, FOLKS, REMEMBER TO BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER.

WE CAN DISAGREE AND NOT BE DISAGREEABLE AND WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO BETTER THE LIVES OF OUR RESIDENTS.

>> NOW, HEATHER, ARE YOU EXPECTING ANY FIREWORKS AT THE BUDGET HEARINGS?

WHAT ARE THE KEY POINTS OF CONTENTION GOING TO BE?

>> THE PROPERTY TAX LEVY INCREASE WILL BE A BIG ISSUE.

IT WILL BE A BIG QUESTION WHETHER THE CITY IS SPENDING LIKE I SAID, THE MONEY ON THE RIGHT PRIORITIES TO HELP THE CITY EMERGE PERHAPS FINALLY FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

BUT I THINK THAT IT WILL NOT BE KUMBAYA LET'S NOT FORGET THAT LAST YEAR, THE MAYOR WAS VERY CLEAR THAT THOSE WHO DID NOT VOTE FOR HER BUDGET SHOULD NOT EXPECT HER HELP.

SHE SAID WELL, WE ALL SAY THINGS THAT WE DON'T NECESSARILY MEAN.

THE YEAR BEFORE THAT SHE CREATED A WEBSITE AND PUT THE ALDERMEN WHO VOTED NO ON NOTICE.

AND SHE ONLY PASSED HER SPENDING PLAN LAST YEAR WITH TWO VOTES TO SPARE.

SO I THINK THAT SHE IS CLEARLY GOT THAT EFFORT TO GET TO 26 IN HER MIND.

I THINK IT WILL BE REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER IT WILL BE MARKEDLY DIFFERENT THAN THE FIERCE AND HEATED DEBATES OF THE PAST TWO YEARS.

>> THE FALLOUT CONTINUES FOR NORTH SIDE ALDERPERSON JIM GARDINER.

WHAT IS THE LATEST WITH HIM?

WBEZ IS REPORTING HE MAY HAVE TRIED TO PAY CAMPAIGN WORKERS WITH TAX DOLLARS?

>> THE WBEZ HAD A GREAT REPORT SUGGESTING THAT HE GAVE A CAMPAIGN WORKER A RAISE BUT NOT PAID THROUGH HIS CAMPAIGN BUT $10,000 FROM TAXPAYER DOLLARS FROM OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS WHICH OF COURSE RAISES A LOT OF RED FLAGS FOR INVESTIGATORS.

THAT'S POTENTIALLY A BIG NO-NO AND ADDS TO THE LEGAL PROBLEMS THAT THIS ALDERPERSON HAS HAD.

WE AND OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THERE IS A FEDERAL PROBE INTO SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT HAVE CROPPED UP WITH HIM.

INCLUDING THE ALLEGATIONS OF RETALIATING AGAINST SO MANY CONSTITUENTS AND BUSINESSES IN HIS WARD FOR SIMPLE THINGS LIKE CRITICIZING HIM ON FACEBOOK.

THERE IS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE.

YOU SAW "THE SUN TIMES" BOARD GET ON HIM AND SAY HE SHOULD CONSIDER RESIGNING.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHERE IT GOES.

>> AND 15 SECONDS LEFT WHAT IS THE LATEST WITH JAMES CAPPLEMAN ATTACKED BY A CONSTITUENT FOR THE THIRD TIME OUTSIDE OF HIS OFFICE?

>> RIGHT.

WELL, ALDERMAN CAPPLEMAN WAS ONCE A SOCIAL WORKER AND LIKES TO PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES TO RESIDENTS IN UPTOWN.

ONE TOOK EXCEPTION TO THAT AND HE IS FACING CHARGES.

AND ALDERMAN CAPPLEMAN SAYS HE WILL RETHINK HOW HE IS APPROACHES THOSE SITUATIONS BUT HE FEELS STRONGLY THAT PEOPLE IN NEED SOMETIMES NEED DIRECT HELP.

>> OK. THAT IS OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS THANKS SO MUCH.

>> 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 WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

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

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

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

>> AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. >> AND BEFORE WE GO, A PROGRAMMING NOTE.

BEGINNING THIS WEEKEND, "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES" WILL BE MOVING TO SATURDAY NIGHTS AT 6:30 IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES".

AND IF YOU CAN'T CATCH US THEN BOTH SHOWS WILL REAIR ON SUNDAYS BEGINNING AT 10:00 P.M. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO JOINING US THEN.

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

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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