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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THERE IS A LOT OF STADIUMS OUT THERE.

>> THE ARLINGTON HEIGHTS BEARS.

THE CLUB'S POTENTIAL MOVE TO THE SUBURBS IS GETTING SERIOUS.

>> THE PRESIDENT IS COMMITTED TO GETTING BOTH PIECES OF LEGISLATION PASSED.

>> IS PRESIDENT BIDEN'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IN JEOPARDY?

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS WITH THE LATEST ON CAPITOL HILL.

>> A VACCINE MANDATE FROM THEKY CITY WILL COME AND WE WILL MAKE SPECIFIC ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE COMING DAYS.

>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" WITH CHICAGO'S TOP DOCTOR.

>> THE FORMER C.E.O.

OF C.P.S.

SCHOOLS IS CLSH >> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEW C.E.O.

OFFICIALLY STARTED THE JOB TODAY.

PEDOR MARTINEZ KICKED OFF HIS NEW POSITION WITH A VISIT TO KENWOOD ACADEMY TO TALK TO STUDENTS ABOUT THE FIRST MONTH OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

MARTINEZ SAYS HE IS THRILLED TO START SUPPORTING THE GROWTH OF C.P.S.

SCHOOLS AND THAT STARTS WITH HEARING DIRECTLY FROM STUDENTS.

HE ALSO HEARD FROM BOTH THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS' UNION PRESIDENT RANDY WEINGARTEN WHO WAS IN TOWN WITH THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION LEADERSHIP DURING A VISIT AT BEADLER ELEMENTARY IN EAST GARFIELD PARK.

TWO GIANTS OF CHICAGO MEDIA AND JOURNALISM COULD BE JOINING FORCES.

REPORTS FROM WBEZ AND "THE SUN TIMES" SAY LEADERSHIP AT EACH COMPANY CONFIRMED THEY ARE IN TALKING OF BECOMING A COMBINED ENTITY BUT THEY ARE NOT CLOSE TO ANY DEAL.

IN AN E-MAIL TO STAFF, WBEZ INTERIM C.E.O.

SAID QUOTE THE FUNDAMENTAL PREMISE OF THESE TALKS IS ABOUT GROWTH AND INVESTMENT AND EXPANDING LOCAL JOURNALISM IN CHICAGO.

NEITHER ORGANIZATION SHARED FURTHER DETAILS HOW SUCH A CONSOLIDATION WOULD WORK AND THE PUBLIC MEDIA BOARD IS SCHEDULED TO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL IN A CLOSED DOOR MEETING TONIGHT.

>> COLLEGE ATHLETES SCORED A WIN TODAY.

THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD SAYS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND OTHER ATHLETES ARE EMPLOYEES OF THE SCHOOL TO ALLOW PLAYERS TO UNIONIZE AND NEGOTIATE OVER THEIR WORKING CONDITIONS.

THE NLRB'S GENERAL COUNSEL THREATENED ACTION AGAINST COOLS AND THE -- SCHOOLS AND CONFERENCES AND THE NCAA IF THEY CONTINUE TO USE THE TERM STUDENT ATHLETE.

>> NEXT A NEW HOME FOR THE CHICAGO BEARS.

STAY WITH US FOR MORE.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> THE CHICAGO BEARS INKED A $200 MILLION DEAL THAT COULD HAVE THE TEAM LEAVING BEHIND ITS LONG TIME HOME ALONG THE CITY'S LAKEFRONT.

FOR WHAT THE TEAM BELIEVES IT COULD BE GREENER PAT TOURS IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US OUTSIDE SOLDIER FIELD WITH A RUNDOWN.

IT FEELS LIKE THE HORSE LEFT THE STABLE ON THIS DEAL.

WHAT IS THE LATEST?

>> PARIS, YES, THE BEARS CALLED SOLDIER FIELD HERE HOME SINCE THE 70s.

YOU ARE RIGHT THINGS ARE MOVING FAST AS THEY LOOK TO POSSIBLY MOVE ON.

THE TEAM ANNOUNCING THIS MORNING THAT THEY HAVE REACHED WHAT IS CALLED A PURCHASE SALE AGREEMENT WITH CHURCHILL DOWNS OWNER OF WHAT IS NOW ARLINGTON RACETRACK.

HORSES RAN THERE FOR THE LAST TIME SUNDAY.

NO MORE HORSERACING AND IT'S TIME FOR HORSE TRADING.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYING THE BEARS CANCELED A MEETING WITH HER YESTERDAY.

THE OWNER SAYS DID CALL HER YESTERDAY EVENING WITH THIS NEWS.

SHE SAYS BOTH FOR HIM AND HER, IT IS JUST BUSINESS.

>> AS A MAYOR, A BEARS FAN, I WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT I CAN TO KEEP THEM HERE IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

I DON'T THINK THAT DOOR HAS CLOSED BY ANY MEANS BUT I NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT FIRST AND FOREMOST I'M DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR THE TAXPAYERS OF THE CITY.

>> NOW, IT IS NOT GAME OVER FOR CHICAGO, YET BUT THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

TED PHILLIPS SAYING THE PSA WAS THE NEXT STEP IN EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL FOR THE SPACE.

THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE BEFORE THE TEAM CALLS ARLINGTON HEIGHTS HOME.

AND THE DEAL IS SEALED.

OUR GOAL IS TO CHART A PATH FORWARD THAT ALLOWS OUR TEAM TO THRIVE ON THE FIELD.

CHICAGOLAND TO PROSPER AND THE BEARS ORGANIZATION TO BE INSURED A STRONG FUTURE.

WE WILL NEVER STOP WORKING TOWARD DELIVERING BEARS FANS THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE.

EVERYONE KNEW AT THAT TIME THAT THE REHAB OF SOLDIER FIELD WALTZ NOT GOING TO CUT IT LONG-TERM AND GIVEN THAT THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT OWNS SOLDIER FIELD THE TEAM IS A TENANT AND NEEDS THE CITY'S PERMISSION TO TURN THE LIGHTS ON.

>> THE BEARS ARE TENANTS TO THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT.

THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT IS SUBORDINATED TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND IT'S POLITICALLY IT IS AN INTERESTING DOMINO.

A GAME OF DOMINOES THERE.

BUT WHICH CAN WIN, I EXPECT IT WILL BE A WIN, THE BEARS BUILD A NEW STADIUM AND THEY WILL BE THEIR OWN LANDLORDS AND OWN 10 THATS THEY WILL BE ABLE TO CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY.

>> MARC GANIS NAVIGATED THE SALE OF THE CUBS TO THE RICKETTS AND WORKS WITH TEAMS ON STADIUM DEVELOPMENT.

HE SAYS WITH THE RICKETTS HAVE DONE TO WRIGLEYVILLE IS AN EXAMPLE.

THINGS LIKE ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS AND GALLAGHER FIELD.

WITH ITS OWN STADIUM HE SAYS THE BEARS COULD ENTICE FANS TO STAY WITH RESTAURANTS AND SPORTS BOOK AND WITH ITS THE FACT THAT THE TEAM WANTS TO DO ALL OF THIS IS NOT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S FAULT.

>> LET'S RECOGNIZE THAT THE MAYOR INHERITED A FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED DEAL FROM THE OUTSET.

SO BLAME FOR THIS SHOULDN'T GO ON LORI LIGHTFOOT.

WHEN AND IF AND WHEN AND I DO BELIEVE IT IS A WHEN, THIS ENDS UP HAPPENING.

AT THIS POINT IT'S REALLY POLITICAL CYA GOING ON.

>> CYA AS IN COVER YOUR POLITICAL BEHIND.

HE SAYS THAT IF THE CITY WERE ACTUALLY SERIOUS ABOUT KEEPING THE BEARS THERE COULD BE ONGOING TALKS WITH McCORMICK PLACE ABOUT A LAKESIDE STADIUM.

A NEW ONE BUT HE SAYS THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY SCUTTLEBUTT THAT HE HAS HEARD ABOUT THAT.

TO THAT END, WELL, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT TODAY SAYS THAT THERE IS NO GOOD IN REHASHING THE 20-YEAR-OLD DALEY DEAL BUT SAYS THE CITY DOES HAVE OPTIONS.

AND SHE'S FORMED A TEAM TO LOOK INTO THEM BUT REITERATED IN ORDER TO EXPLORE THEM THE BEARS NEED TO COME TO THE TABLE.

>> THE BOTTOM LINE IS THEY'VE GOT TO COME TO THE TABLE IF THEY ARE SERIOUS ABOUT DRYING TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE REMAINDER OF THEIR TIME AT SOLDIER FIELD.

STEPPING BACK FROM THE BEARS, WE'VE GOT AN INCREDIBLE ASSET ON OUR LAKEFRONT AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE LAKEFRONT FROM THE SHEDD TO McCORMICK PLACE THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF OPPORTUNITY.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE NEARLY MAXIMIZING THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE CAN AND SHOULD.

>> NOW, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT IS A BEAR SEASON TICKET HOLDER AND SAYS THAT YES SOLDIER FIELD COULD HAVE BETTER BEER AND FOOD SHE DOES NOT WANT HOWEVER TO BE THE MAYOR WEARING THE JACKET FOR LOSING THE BEARS TO THE BURBS.

BUT ALLEN SANDERSON SAYS THAT THAT WOULD NOT BE A HUGE ECONOMIC HIT FOR THE CITY.

>> THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO PUT ON A VALUABLE PIECE OF REAL ESTATE.

ONE IS A CEMETERY.

AND THE OTHER ONE IS A FOOTBALL STADIUM.

NOW THEY ARE BOTH CLOSED ALL THE TIME.

SO MOST OF THE REVENUE FOR THE BEARS OR ANY OTHER NFL TEAM IS TELEVISION.

YOU COULD PLAY IN THE MIDDLE OF IOWA IN A CORNFIELD AND IT WOULDN'T MAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE TO THE TEAM'S REVENUES.

>> NOW, HOWEVER, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS IS CONSIDERING IT A MAJOR SCORE AND YOU HAVE A STATEMENT FROM THE MAYOR SAYING AS MUCH.

THE MAYOR OF ARLINGTON HEIGHTS SAYING YES, THE DEAL STILL HAS A LOT UNDER WAY AS HE SPEAKS WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THE TEAM NEGOTIATES BUT HE ALSO APPEARED TO GIVE IT HIS BLESSING SAYING HE IS COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH THE BEARS AND TO OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AND THAT HE CONSIDERS THIS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NORTHWEST SUBURBS.

MY GOAL FOR ANY REDEVELOPMENT HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO PUT THIS PRIME PIECE OF REAL ESTATE TO THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE.

AND I CAN'T THINK OF A HIGHER AND BETTER USE THAN THIS ONE HE SAID IN A STATEMENT.

NOW, AT LEAST ONE LONG TIME RESIDENT OF ARLINGTON HEIGHTS THAT WE CAUGHT UP WITH IS LIKEWISE ONBOARD.

>> THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.

I'M HAPPY ABOUT IT.

I WOULD RATHER SEE THAT THAN ANOTHER MALL T WOULD BE A LOT OF FUN.

>> NOW, BEARS FANS HAVE NOT HAD MUCH TO CHEER ABOUT LATELY WITH THAT BRUTAL LOSS TO THE BROWNS ESPECIALLY ON SUNDAY.

AND ASKED ABOUT ALL OF THIS TODAY COACH MATT NAGY SAID THAT WINNING IS HIS FOCUS NOT STADIUMS.

>> I'M SO DUG INTO THAT WHATEVER IS GOING ON AND EVERYTHING ON THE OUTSIDE WITH THAT I'M -- THAT WOULD BE MORE FOR TED PHILLIPS THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT I'M SO ENTRENCHED IN THE GAME PLAN THAT IS NOT WHERE I'M AT.

>> BACK IN JUNE WHEN ALL OF THIS TALK FIRST CAME ABOUT, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SEEMED TO SAY THAT THE BEARS WERE JUST BLUFFING AND SAID THE TEAM SHOULD INSTEAD FOCUS ON MAKING IT TO OCTOBER.

SHE CLEARLY DIDN'T MEAN IT IN THIS FASHION.

BUT SHE IS IN A SENSE GETTING HER WISH WITH THIS PURCHASE AGREEMENT THE BEARS HAVE VERY MUCH GUARANTEED THEIR FUTURE NO MATTER WHAT THEIR RECORD, WILL BE A MAJOR POINT OF DISCUSSION IN CHICAGO THIS FALL.

EARLIER TODAY, SHE SAID THAT SHE DOES NOT HAVE ON HER CALENDAR ANY FUTURE MEETINGS SET WITH BEARS ' MANAGEMENT OR ON OWNERSHIP AND SAID SHE IS INTERESTED IN HEARING WHAT THEIR WISH LIST IS BUT IN ORDER TO DO SO THEY NEED TO COME TO THE TABLE.

WHEREVER THE TEAM DOES CALL HOME STADIUM WISE SHE SAYS THAT SHE IS CONFIDENT THEY WILL REMAIN THE CHICAGO BEARS.

AND DON'T FORGET WE WILL BE EXPLORING MORE OF THIS IN OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" WHEN MY COLLEAGUE JOANNA HERNANDEZ GOES LIVE FROM ARLINGTON HEIGHTS TOMORROW.

WITH THAT, FROM SOLDIER FIELD, PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS.

FLU SEASON IS AROUND THE CORNER AND NEW COVID-19 VARIANTS ARE EXPECTED TO EMERGE.

THIS AS MORE ILLINOISIANS BECOME ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE BOOSTER SHOTS AND AS THE F.D.A.

CONSIDERS FULL APPROVAL FOR THE VACCINE FOR CHILDREN AGES 5-11.

AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE LATEST COVID-19 DEVELOPMENTS IS DR. NGOZI EZIKE, DIRECTOR OF THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AS ALWAYS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> AS WE MENTIONED FLU SEASON IS COMING THERE ARE SEASONAL VIRUSES SHOWING UP RIGHT NOW.

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT A BUMP IN CASES AND A POTENTIAL CO-PANDEMIC AS WE HEAD TO THE COLDER INDOOR MONTHS?

>> THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN A CONCERN.

OF COURSE LAST YEAR, WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THERE WAS ESSENTIALLY NO FLU SEASON.

WE DON'T KNOW THAT THAT WILL BE THE CASE THIS YEAR.

AND SO OF COURSE, WE HAVE OUR FLU SHOT THAT IS OUT THERE.

AND THE GOOD THING YOU CAN GET YOUR FLU SHOT AND YOUR COVID SHOT AT THE SAME TIME.

THEY CAN BE COADMINISTERRED SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE TWO SEPARATE VISITS FOR THE FIRST OF EACH.

AND THEN FOLLOW-UP WITH MAYBE A SECOND DOSE.

BUT ABSOLUTELY WE WANT TO AVOID A POSSIBLE TWIN-DEMIC OF FLEW AND COVID BY MAKING SURE THAT WE GET FULLY VACCINATED FOR BOTH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> AND THE VACCINES, BOOSTER SHOT HAS BEEN APPROVED WHO DO YOU RECOMMEND THE BOOSTER SHOT TO IN ILLINOIS?

AND WHAT DO YOU THINK THE DEMAND WILL BE?

>> YEAH.

SO WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN SOME PEOPLE PROCEEDING TO GET THAT THIRD OR THAT BOOSTER SHOT.

OF COURSE, THE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED THAT WAS ALREADY PUT OUT THERE ABOUT A MONTH AGO FOR ANYONE WHO FITS INTO THAT CATEGORY TO GET THE THIRD DOSE IN THE SERIES.

BUT NOW, WITH THE RECENT C.D.C.

ANNOUNCEMENT LAST WEEK, WE SEE THE HIGHEST RISK CATEGORY THAT SHOULD ABSOLUTELY PURSUE GETTING THE BOOSTER ARE INDIVIDUALS OVER THE AGE OF 65 WHO STARTED OFF WITH THAT PFIZER SERIES.

AND LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS.

THOSE INDIVIDUALS SHOULD ABSOLUTELY SIX MONTHS AFTER THEIR INITIAL PFIZER SERIES GET THAT BOOSTER.

AS WELL PEOPLE WHO ARE SLIGHTLY YOUNGER THAN THAT, NOT QUITE SENIORS, UP TO AGE 50-54 BUT YOU HAVE THOSE SERIOUS UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS WHICH WE HAVE SEEN PORTEND A WORSE COURSE WITH COVID.

WE RECOMMEND STRONGLY TO GET THAT BOOSTER AS WELL.

AND SO THOSE ARE THE GROUPS ABSOLUTELY YOU SHOULD GET THAT BOOSTER SIX MONTHS AFTER THE PFIZER SERIES.

AND THEN THE REST IS MORE ASSESSING YOUR INDIVIDUAL RISK.

THEN AFTER THAT, YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE IN A HIGH-RISK SETTING WHERE YOU THINK YOU'RE CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS, CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO MANY PEOPLE, MAYBE MANY OF WHOM ARE NOT VACCINATED THEN YOU MIGHT SAY BECAUSE OF YOUR SETTING THAT YOU WANT TO GET THE VACCINE.

OR YOU COULD JUST SAY THAT I DO -- I'M NOT 50 YEARS OLD BUT I AM AN ADULT THAT DOES HAVE A SIGNIFICANT MEDICAL CONDITION AND BECAUSE OF THAT OF THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THAT CONDITION I WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE BOOSTER AS WELL.

A LOT OF INDIVIDUAL CHOICE AND RISK STRATEGY FOR INDIVIDUALS IS AT PLAY.

>> SPEAKING OF UNVACCINATED, PFIZER SUBMITTED DATA TO THE F.D.A.

SHOWING THE VACCINE IS SAFE FOR CHILDREN 5-11.

WOULD YOU BE IN FAVOR OF VACCINE MANDATES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN ONCE THIS IS APPROVED?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK PROBABLY WE MIGHT SEE AN EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION BEFORE THE FULL APPROVAL.

AGAIN, YOU KNOW WE ARE REALLY WORKING ON KEEPING THE HEALTHCARE RESOURCES FULLY AVAILABLE AND LIKE SOMEPLACES WHERE WE'RE SEEING PROBLEMS IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS.

I THINK IF WE CAN FIRST PRIORITY IS THOSE ADULTS TO BE FULLY VACCINATED.

FORTUNATELY, KIDS AREN'T THE ONES THAT ARE HARDEST HIT WITH COVID.

BUT, OF COURSE, WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE VACCINATIONS.

VACCINATIONS ARE FANTASTIC MODERN HEALTH TECHNOLOGICAL AID THAT REALLY HELPS PREVENT SICKNESS AND PREVENTS DETRIMENT SO WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE IT FOR EVERYONE.

I DON'T SEE THAT MANDATES WILL BE HAPPENING FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR BUT I THINK PEOPLE WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND PURSUE THAT VACCINATION AS WE SEE HOW IT HELPS CURB THIS PANDEMIC.

>> AND SPEAKING OF SCHOOLS THERE'S CONCERN IN C.P.S.

OF MINI OUTBREAKS.

YOUR OWN DEPARTMENT HAS DATA SHOWING 2,000 YOUNG CHILDREN REPORTED COVID-19.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT IN THE MITIGATION AND THE MONITORING EFFORTS OF C.P.S.

AND OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO MANAGE THESE OUTBREAKS?

>> YES, I THINK WE ALL KNOW THE TOOLS THAT WILL HELP US BEST MANAGE THESE OUTBREAKS.

WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE A COMBINATION OF VACCINATION, MASKING, AND THEN TESTING.

IN AND THE CONTACT TRACING AND OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE WORKING WITH OUR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO GET THIS IMPORTANT WORK DONE.

WE ARE LEARNING THERE ARE ARTICLES THAT CAME OUT LAST WEEK ABOUT HOW MASKING HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED THE NUMBER OF OUTBREAKS IN WILL SCHOOLS THAT HAD MASKS OPTIONAL VERSUS MASKS MANDATORY.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT DIVIDE IN TERMS OF WHERE MORE OUTBREAKS HAPPENED.

I THINK FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES THAT WE'VE BEEN PREACHING FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW, WE CAN KEEP THOSE OUTBREAKS TO A MINIMUM AND KEEP THAT SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT SAFE FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING.

>> HERE IN CHICAGO, MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT HAS GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT FOR A CITYWIDE VACCINE MANDATE REGARD STLES OF RESISTANCE FROM UNION GROUPS.

>> WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE A VACCINE MANDATE IT'S FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL INVOLVED, PARTICULARLY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERACTING WITH CITY EMPLOYEES ON A DAILY BASIS.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR COLLEAGUES TO ALSO FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A WORKPLACE THAT IS SAFE.

SO A VACCINE MANDATE FROM THE CITY WILL COME AND WE'LL MAKE SPECIFIC ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE COMING DAYS.

>> YOU'VE SEEN IN NEW YORK TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS REFUSE TO TAKE THE VACCINES BEFORE THE MANDATE.

DO YOU SEE RESISTANCE LIKE THIS IN ILLINOIS?

>> YOU KNOW, WE ALWAYS HEAR FROM THAT FOCAL MINORITY.

THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SUPPORT MANDATES.

EVEN BEFORE THEY STARTED ROLLING OUT.

AND THE MAJORITY OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS OF ALL THESE DIFFERENT SECTORS, TEACHERS, SUPPORT GETTING VACCINATED AND KNOW THIS IS THE WAY TO PROTECT OUR WORK ENVIRONMENTS.

I KNOW THAT WE'LL GET PUSHBACK AND YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO HAVE 100% CONSENSUS ON ANY ISSUE.

OF COURSE THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WHO WILL PUSHBACK.

BUT I THINK THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE ARE ONBOARD AND IN LINE AND WE ARE GOING TO GET LOTS OF PEOPLE VACCINATED BECAUSE THAT IS THE WAY WE GET OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC.

>> ALL RIGHT DR. NGOZI EZIKE, WE THANK YOU AS ALWAYS FOR TAKING TIME OUT AND JOINING US.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS AND A FORMER PUBLIC SCHOOLS C.E.O.

ON HER NEXT MOVE.

BRANDIS.

>> AND PARIS AFTER MORE THAN THREE YEARS AS C.E.O.

OF CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS, JANICE JACKSON IS NOW TURNING HER FOCUS TO COLLEGE ACCESS AS THE HEAD OF A SCHOLARSHIP ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE FUNDING AND SUPPORT TO COLLEGE BOUND CHICAGO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

THE GOAL OF HOPE CHICAGO IS TO QUOTE RAISE, INVEST AND DEPLOY $1 BILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS AND AID OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVOR IN HER FIRST INTERVIEW ABOUT THIS IS JANICE JACKSON C.E.O.

OF HOPE CHICAGO AND FORMER C.E.O.

OF CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WELCOME BACK.

IT'S BEEN A LITTLE WHILE.

>> IT HAS THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> OF COURSE.

WHAT IS HOPE CHICAGO AND HOW DOES THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WORK?

>> HOPE CHICAGO FOR TWO GENERATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

OUR GOAL AS YOU STATED AT THE TOP IS TO RAISE AND DEPLOY $1 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS TO C.P.S.

STUDENTS AS WELL AS THEIR PARENTS TO GIVE THOSE PARENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL IF THEY STARTED AND NEED TO COMPLETE OR TO START SCHOOL BECAUSE WE KNOW MANY PUT THEIR HOPES AND DREAMS WHEN THEY STARTED THE FAMILIES.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE PROGRAM BECAUSE THE GOAL IS TO DISRUPT A TROUBLING PATTERN OF STUDENTS GOING TO COLLEGE AND GRADUATING WITH CRUSHING DEBT AND UNFORTUNATELY, MORE C.P.S.

STUDENTS STILL DON'T COMPLETE COLLEGE ONCE THEY TRANSITION.

AND THEY ARE LEAVING WITH DEBT.

THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE AND I'M SUPER EXCITED WE ARE GOING TO BE SOLVING THIS BY BRINGING TOGETHER THE COLLECTIVE FORCE AND RESOURCES HERE IN CHICAGO THROUGH HOPE CHICAGO.

>> FOR THE INTENT TO HELP STUDENTS AVOID TAKING ON BEING SADDLED WITH LOANS ONCE THEY'VE COMPLETED THEIR DEGREES.

HOW IS THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERING WITH UNIVERSITIES AS WELL AS CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

>> CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS OUR MOST PARTNER.

PEOPLE KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE CITY NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

BUT THE COLLEGES IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY OPEN TO THIS OPPORTUNITY IN THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE.

WE'RE ASKING THAT COLLEGES PARTNER WITH US THAT WE WORK ON TUITION TO MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

BUT THAT THEY PUT IN PROGRAMMING THAT ALLOWS FOR OUR STUDENTS TO NOT ONLY GET TO COLLEGE BUT COMPLETE COLLEGE SUCCESSFULLY.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DATA, MOST C.P.S.

STUDENTS IN 9TH GRADE SAY ALMOST ALL SAY THEY WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE.

SOMETHING HAPPENS BETWEEN THAT TIME AND THE END OF SENIOR YEAR.

WE HAVE TO CHANGE THAT.

AND WE 0 KNOW THAT IT REQUIRES THE DISTRICT TO DO MORE AND WE ALSO NEED OUR POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATED MORE.

>> AND SPEAKING OF C.P.S.

YOU HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH NEW C.E.O.

PEDOR MARTINEZ WHOSE FIRST DAY WAS TODAY.

QUICK SIDE BAR WHAT ADVICE HAVE YOU GIVEN HIM?

>> A LOT OF ADVICE, BUT I SHOULD SAY PEDRO IS A PRO AND I COULDN'T BE MORE THRILLED TO HAVE HIM AT THE HELM.

I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS WHICH I'M EXCITED ABOUT AND KNOW THAT C.P.S.

IS IN GOOD HANDS AND KNOW THAT SOMEBODY FROM THE CITY IS LEADING, IS GOING TO BRING ABOUT THE STABILITY THAT I THINK PEOPLE ENJOY UNDERNEATH MY TENURE.

SO AS A PARENT OF C.P.S.

STUDENT IT MAKES ME FEEL COMFORTABLE OR COMFORTED THAT SOMEONE IS LEADING THAT WILL BE HERE FOR A WHILE.

THIS PANDEMIC HAS BEEN CHALLENGING FOR EVERYBODY.

AND WE REALLY NEEDED LEADERSHIP.

SO I'M GRATEFUL FOR PEDRO FOR TAKING ON THE ROLE.

>> YOU'VE SEATED $20 MILLION TO GET THIS STARTED BUT YOU HAVE A GOAL OF $1 BILLION OVER 10 YEARS.

THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO RAISE THAT.

>> IT IS.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THIS GOAL.

AND IT IS EYE POPPING AND EYE POPPING FOR A REASON.

IT REFLECTS THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM.

WHEN WE LOOK AT COLLEGE DEBT IT HAS RISEN EXPONENTIALLY IN THE PAST 10 YEARS IT'S OUT OF CONTROL.

THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IT COSTS TO GO TO SCHOOL HAS GROWN EXPONENTIALLY BUT THE SUPPORT THROUGH MATH AND RESOURCES HAS NOT GROWN AT THE SAME LEVEL THAT IS ALSO A PART OF THIS RAISE.

WE ARE GOING TO START WITH THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY AND THE CORRECT APRATT COMMUNITY BUT WE ALSO PLAN TO WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL TO SEE MORE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

THE GOAL IS ABOUT CLOSING THE GAP FOR C.P.S.

STUDENTS AND THAT GAP IS $940 MILLION.

>> AND WHAT IS THE IMPACT?

HOW MANY STUDENTS OVER TIME CAN YOU REACH?

>> IF WE'RE SUCCESSFUL AND I BELIEVE I HAVE EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE WE WILL BE, WE'RE GOING TO IMPACT AND REACH ABOUT 70,000 C.P.S.

STUDENTS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS AND WE'RE GOING TO DIRECTLY THE STUDENTS THAT WILL BE DIRECT RECIPIENTS IS 20,000.

THE PLACE WHERE I'M MOST EXCITED IS THE TWO GENERATION MODEL WHERE WE BRING IN THE PARENTS AND ALLOW THEM TO GO BACK TO A PROGRAM.

WE ESTIMATE THAT ABOUT SEVEN TO 8,000 PARENTS WILL TAKE US UP ON THE OFFER AND JUNGING BY THE RESPONSE WE MAY EXCEED THAT GOAL.

I WILL BE HAPPY TO COME BACK AND TALK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING AND LEARNING BUT WE THINK THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT PROGRAM IF WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT INCREASING OPPORTUNITY, REDUCING VIOLENCE, AND REALLY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE ESPECIALLY FOR OUR RESIDENTS ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO.

>> AND QUICK, NEXT STEPS HOW DO WE KNOW WHICH C.P.S.

SCHOOLS YOU WILL BE WORKING WITH TO BEGIN?

>> I WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH EVERY SCHOOL WE ARE NOT IN THAT POSITION.

YOU KNOW ME, EQUITY IS AT THE CORE OF EVERYTHING I DO.

I WILL BE MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS THE SCHOOLS WE WILL START WITH.

WE ARE STARTING IN THE COMMUNITIES OF THE MOST NEED AND STARTING WHERE THE LEADERSHIP IS THERE AT THE PRINCIPAL AND THE COUNSELING TEAM LEVEL TO GET OUR KIDS TO AND THROUGH.

STAY TUNED.

I WILL BE SHARING THAT INFORMATION IN THE COMING MONTHS.

>> SOUNDS LIKE AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND BEST OF LUCK.

>> SALVAGED ARTIFACTS AND A RECREATION OF A LONG DEPARTED THEATRE IN CHICAGO.

STAY WITH US.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING WHETHER PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA HANGS IN THE BALANCE.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WILL WEIGH-IN ON THAT AND MUCH MORE INCLUDING MORE ON THAT POTENTIAL BEARS DEAL.

FIRST, TWO LOST WORKS BY ARCHITECTS LOU GRANT AND FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT >> WHO ARE PART OF A TEAM EXPLORING A LONG LOST THEATRE AND MORE.

MARC VITALI HAS THE STORY.

>> SALVAGED ORNAMENTS, DOCUMENTARY PHOTOS AND IMMERSESIVE ANIMATIONS BRING TO LIFE THE GARRICK THEATRE.

THE GARRICK OPENED AS THE SCHILLER THEATER BUILDING IN 1892 ONE YEAR BEFORE THE CHICAGO WORLD'S FAIR.

THE EARLY SKYSCRAPER AT 64 WEST RANDOLPH STREET WAS DESIGNED BY LEWIS SULLIVAN AND ADLER.

>> IN CREATING THE SHOW CERTAINLY THERE'S GOING TO BE INTEREST FROM THE PEOPLE INTO ARCHITECT TUR AND HISTORY BUT WE WANTED TO TELL MORE OF A BROAD STORY.

ALMOST LIKE THE BUILDING IS A LIVING THING.

>> THIS ENTIRE SHOW IS AN ATTEMPT TO RECREATE A FEELING OF A BUILDING IN THE SAME WAY YOU GET A FEELING FROM A PERSON AND TO REALIZE WHAT IS LOST WHEN THAT PERSON OR THAT BUILDING IS GONE.

>> TO SAY A BUILDING IS A LIVING THING IS NOT REALLY OFF BASE.

BECAUSE PART OF WHAT SULLIVAN TRIED TO CREATE WERE BUILDINGS THAT WERE A LIVING THING AND SOMETHING LIKE AN EXTENSION OF NATURE OF BEAUTY THAT WILL HIT YOU HERE AND WILL HIT YOU HERE.

>> BEFORE THE GARRICK CLOSED IN 1960, TIM SAMUELSON VISITED THE THEATRE WHEN HE WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD.

>> I WAS INTERESTED IN THESE BUILDINGS WHEN I WAS JUST A LITTLE KID.

AND I REMEMBER TO THIS DAY WALKING INTO THAT AUDITORIUM INTO THIS WONDERFUL NARROW SPACE AND IT ROSE UP AND ARCHED TO THE CENTER OF IT.

AND I WAS MESMERIZED.

BUT WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT DOWN YOU COULD LOOK AROUND AND SEE THE SPACES UNFOLDING EVERYWHERE.

AND THAT STUCK WITH ME TO THIS DAY.

>> RECENT NEUROLOGICAL RESEARCH SHOWS THAT WE HAVE MAPPING NEURONS THAT CREATE ELECTRICAL IMPULSES AND SHAPES OF BUILDINGS WITHIN OUR MINDS.

AS WE GET TO KNOW A BUILDING WE HAVE LITTLE TINY MODELS OF REALITY IN A BUILDINGS AND SPACES THAT WE FREQUENT IN OUR BRAINS.

AND THEY AFFECT OUR MEMORIES AND OUR EXPERIENCES OF THE WORLD.

SO I'VE TRIED TO PUT A LITTLE BIT OF THAT INTO THE SHOW IF THAT DOESN'T SOUND COMPLETELY INSANE.

>> THE BUILDING FRAGMENTS COME FROM SALVAGE EFFORTS BY THE LATE PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD NICKEL.

HE DIED WHEN A PORTION OF THE OLD CHICAGO STOCK EXCHANGE COLLAPSED ON HIM.

>> OF THE ORIGINAL OBJECTS EVERYONE CAME FROM RICHARD NICKEL OR WAS PART OF THE SALVAGE EFFORT WHICH HE LED.

THESE WERE THE TEAM THAT WERE CHIPPING THESE THINGS OUT OF THE BUILDING.

MOST OF THE PIECES THAT WE HAVE IN HERE THAT ARE ORIGINAL CAME FROM SOMETHING THAT RICHARD NICKEL HAD.

RICHARD NICKEL WHEN HE WAS ALIVE REREALIZED MY INTEREST IN ARCHITECTURE AND HE GAVE ME MANY OF THEM.

>> IN THIS TWO-PART EXHIBITION, A SEPARATE GALLERY LOOKS AT THE LIFE AND DEATH FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT'S LARKIN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

THE OPEN SPACES AT THE LARKIN BUILDING BROUGHT DESIGN TO A SMALL ARMY OF WORKERS AT THE MAIL ORDER SOAP COMPANY.

>> WHAT YOU HAVE HERE IS THE STORY OF TWO BUILDINGS AND THEY BOTH SHARE BEING CREATED BY ARCHITECTS WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT CREATING GHTSES THAT ARE BEAUTY, UTILITY AND IMPACT YOU IN THE HEART AND YOUR EXPERIENCE LIKE YOU WOULD EXPERIENCE SOMETHING IN NATURE.

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

>> THE GARRICK THEATRE WAS DEMOLISHED FOR A PARKING GARAGE THE LARKIN BUILDING WAS RAISED FOR A TRUCK STOP THAT WAS NEVER BUILT.

THE SHOW IS CALLED... AND AT THE WRIGHTWOOD GALLERY IN LINCOLN PARK UNTIL NOVEMBER 27.

AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", RESEARCH THOSE BLACK AND BROWN LED NONPROFITS RECEIVE LESS FUNDING THAN WHITE DOWN TE PARTS.

AND WHAT IS BEING DONE TO CHANGE IT.

>> THE BEARS ARE MAKING A BUSINESS DECISION WITH THAT PURCHASE WE'LL SEE WHAT UNFOLDS THERE.

>> AND OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM BREAKS DOWN THE POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS OF THE BEARS POSSIBLE MOVE OUT OF THE CITY.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... 11TH HOUR MEETINGS ON CAPITOL HILL TO STAVE OFF A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND PASS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S ECONOMIC AGENDA.

THEY HAVE UNTIL TOMORROW NIGHT TO FUND THE GOVERNMENT OR RISK A SHUTDOWN AND OF NONESSENTIAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

REPORTS SAY PRESIDENT BIDEN AS WELL AS SENATE AND HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS HAVE HELD MEETINGS TODAY ON THAT AND THE PRESIDENT'S INFRASTRUCTURE AND $3.5 TRILLION SPENDING BILL.

DIVISIONS WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS REMAIN ON THOSE LATTER ITEMS.

WE WILL HAVE MORE IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> MORE COUNTERFEIT COVID VACCINE CARDS LANDED AT O'HARE.

U.S. CUSTOMS AND PATROL SEIZED PACKAGES CONTAINING THE FAKE CARDS COMING FROM OVERSEAS.

OFFICIALS SAY THEY CAN TELL THE CARDS ARE FRAUDULENT BECAUSE OF THE LOW QUALITY AND OTHER DISCREPANCIES.

CUSTOM OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED THAT 19 COUNTERFEIT CARDS HAD BEEN RECOVERED AT O'HARE FROM INSIDE A PARCEL THAT WAS HEADED TO AN ADDRESS IN OHIO.

>> AND THE FEDS ANNOUNCED CHARGES AGAINST FORMER U.S.

POSTAL SERVICE EMPLOYEES FOR A SCHEME TO STEAL CREDIT CARDS FROM THE MAIL.

THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ANNOUNCED THE CHARGES AS PART OF AN ONGOING FEDERAL PROBE CALLED OPERATION CASH ON DELIVERY.

ACCORDING TO THIS SCHEME, MULTIPLE FORMER MAIL CARRIERS STOLE CREDIT CARDS AND EXCHANGED THEM FOR CASH OR ITEMS.

THE CHARGES ALLEGED EMPLOYEES UNLAWFULLY OBTAINED CUSTOMERS' PERSONAL INFORMATION LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS TO ACTIVATE THE CARDS.

>> AND BACK TO BRANDIS AND AN EFFORT TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN CHICAGO NONPROFITS MORE EQUITABLE.

>> PARIS, RESEARCH SHOWS BLACK AND BROWN LED NONPROFITS RECEIVE LESS FUNDING THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS IN GRANT APPLICATIONS, FOUND THAT ON AVERAGE, BLACK LED ORGANIZATIONS SAW REVENUES 24% LESS THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

MEANWHILE, BLACK LED ORGANIZATIONS UNRESTRICTED NET ASSETS WERE 76% LESS.

BUT NOW A NEW PROGRAM BY THE UNITED WAY OF METRO CHICAGO IS WORKING TO ADDRESS THIS DISPARITY.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE PROGRAM AND THE IMPACT INEQUITABLE FUNDING CAN HAVE ARE SEAN GARRETT C.E.O.

AND PRESIDENT OF UNITED WAY OF METRO CHICAGO.

EDWIN MARTINEZ, COFOUNDER OF CENTRO SANAR, AN EQUITY FUND RECIPIENT THAT PROVIDES FREE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES TO RESIDENTS ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE.

AND MESSIAH EQUIANO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CHI RISE AN EQUITY FUND RECIPIENT THAT WORKS TO SHARE POSITIVE STORIES IN CHICAGO.

WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PROGRAM.

IT WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE ORGANIZATIONS IN THREE WAYS T WILL GIVE THEM $50,000 OF UNRESTRICTIONED FUBS OVER TWO YEARS.

LEADERS WILL RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM DePAUL'S MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND CONNECTED WITH CORPORATE PARTNERS AND FOUNDATION LEADERS.

HOW DOES THIS PROGRAM BEGIN TO ADDRESS THE DISPARITIES?

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US TONIGHT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT CHALLENGING TO GET FUNDS TO BUSINESSES AND WE KNOW THE SAME THING IS TRUE FOR NONPROFITS.

THE ORGANIZATIONS ARE INCREDIBLE ORGANIZATIONS DELIVERING SERVICES, THEY ARE ECONOMIC ENGINES THEY ARE DRIVING CHANGE THAT WE WANT TO SEE.

SO OUR GOAL THROUGH THIS PROGRAM AND WE'RE GRATEFUL THAT PEOPLE HAVE STEPPED IN TO BE A FOUNDER AND, IS TO CONNECT AND SHINE A SPOTLIGHT OF THE GREAT WORK THE ORGANIZATIONS ARE DOING AND GET THEM THE ACCESS TO THE CORPORATE FUNDING AND ITS OWN FUNDING THAT THEY DESERVE.

THEY ARE DOING THE GREAT WORK.

THE POINT IS HOW DO WE PROVIDE THE SPOTLIGHT TO GET THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO GROW AND EXPAND THEIR SERVICES AND HELP CHANGE THINGS THROUGHOUT OUR REGION.

>> MESSIAH EQUIANO YOUR ORGANIZATION IS PART OF THE GRANT PROGRAM.

TELL US ABOUT CHI RISE AND THE IMPACT YOU HAVE ON THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE?

>> FIRST ALL THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND THE UNITED WAY.

CHI RISE IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT THAT OPERATES WITH A MISSION OF SAVING AND ENHANCING AND INSPIRING THE LIVES OF CHICAGOANS IN AS MANY COMMUNITIES AS WE CAN.

THROUGH MENTORSHIP PERHAPS, SCHOLARSHIPS, THROUGH MEDIA PRODUCTIONS, THROUGH BLOCK PARTIES ANY AND EVERY WAY WE CAN FROM THE SOUTH TO THE WEST SIDE AND THE NORTH SIDE.

MANY LOCATIONS AS WE CAN IN CHICAGO TO INSPIRE CHICAGO'S RESIDENTS.

IN TURN, THE HORRIFIC CHI RACK AND MAKE IT OUR GOAL.

>> AND KIDS WITH FACE PAINTING AND SOME OF THE BLOCK PARTIES.

EDWIN, CENTRO SANAR IS A PART OF THIS GRANT PARK.

TELL US ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO AND THE IMPACT YOU'VE HAD.

YOU STARTED IN MARCH 2020?

>> YES.

WE STARTED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC WHEN IT STARTED.

MENTAL HEALTH HAS BEEN EXACERBATED DURING THE PANDEMIC BUT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC BEFORE THE PANDEMIC WHICH IS VIOLENCE THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

[INAUDIBLE] PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

AND IN COMMUNITY-BASED SETTINGS WE ARE HAVING TO ADDRESS ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES GIVEN THE DISINVESTMENT THAT IS OCCURRING.

THE SHORT PERIOD OF TIME VOLUNTEERS TO HIRE NINE STAFF WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE 243 INDIVIDUALS ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR FREE AND INVEST WITHIN OUR STAFF IS PROVIDING THE THERAPY, TRAUMA THERAPY SERVICES FOR FOLKS THAT HAVE COMPLEX TRAUMA A MAJORITY OF THE PATIENTS WE SEE.

>> SEAN HAS UNITED WAY SEEN DISPARITIES IN ITS OWN INVESTMENTS?

>> WE HAVE.

WE STARTED THIS PROCESS BY FIRST LOOKING AT OUR OWN FUNDING.

AND OUR FUNDING WHILE MORE DIVERSE OF A PORTFOLIO THAN THE STATS REFERENCED IT WASN'T WHERE IT NEEDED TO BE.

WE TOOK THE STEPS RIGHT AWAY TO LISTEN TO OUR PARTNERS.

WE HAVE NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKS IN SIX NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY AND FOUR IN THE SUBURBS.

COMMUNITY-BASED NETWORKS THAT ARE THE EYES AND EARS OF A COMMUNITY.

AND WE ASKED THEM WHO IS DOING GREAT WORK IN THE COMMUNITY?

AND THEY WERE THE ONES THAT NOMINATED THE ORGANIZATIONS PART OF THIS COHORT.

AND IT COMES FROM THE COMMUNITY.

LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY AND SAYING HOW DO WE TAKE OUR RESOURCES AND INVEST IN THESE LEADERS SO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE HAVING A DIFFERENT OUTCOME IN THE FUTURE.

>> MESSIAH EQUIANO WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU FACE WHEN IT COMES TO ACCESSING FUNDING FOR THE WORK YOU DO?

>> ONE, JUST BEING A PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

THE KNOWERS OF OPPORTUNITIES.

I THINK THAT IS HUGE JUST TO KNOW THAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE OUT THERE AND THEY EXIST.

AND THEN TWO, I AM A PROFESSIONAL WRITER, A PLAYWRIGHT, FILMMAKER, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE BLESSED TO KNOW HOW TO PUT WORDS TOGETHER.

BUT I KNOW A TON OF ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERS THAT ARE VERY DESERVING BUT THEY MAY NOT KNOW HOW TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY ARE NOT DOING IMPORTANT WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.

THOSE ARE A FEW.

WE COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT THE DIFFERENT CHALLENGES THAT PRESENT FUNDING ARE PRESENTED IN FUNDING.

BUT THOSE ARE TWO JUST KNOWING THAT THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE OUT THERE AND TWO, BEING ABLE TO ACCESS THEM.

AND EXECUTE THEM SUCCESSFULLY.

>> SOUNDS LIKE A MATTER OF CONNECTIONS AND KNOWING HOW TO TELL YOUR STORY.

EDWIN AFTER YOU STARTED THE ORGANIZATION YOU SECURED HALF A MILLION IN FUNDING.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU ALL HAVE HAD AT CENTRO SANAR?

>> THE ISSUES AROUND ACCESS.

SOME OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES WE HAVE IS WHY WE ARE TO HAVE THE UNITED WAY WITH THE FUND SOMETHING TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE WITH THE LARGER ORGANIZATIONS REGARDING LARGER GRANTS.

A GOOD PORTION OF OUR MONEY OUR BUDGET IS BASED ON REIMBURSEMENTS.

A SMALL DEPOSITS TO HAVE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO PAY STAFF AND BE REIMBURSED IS A BIG EXPENSIVE TALL ASK FOR A SMALL NONPROFIT.

BEING ABLE TO COMPETE BUT ALSO ACCESS TO THE TEAM WITH FUNDING IS A HUGE.

THAT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MAJOR CHALLENGES AS WELL.

>> AND SEAN, WHAT CAN FOUNDATIONS, PHILANTHROPISTS DUE PHILANTHROPISTS DOTO HELP?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS TOPIC AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF GREAT ORGANIZATIONS LOOKING WHAT THEY CAN DO DIFFERENTLY.

PEOPLE SAY WE WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS AND COMPANIES SAID WE WANT TO BE A PART OF IT.

BUT WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO IS LISTEN THE COMMUNITY.

THE COMMUNITY KNOWS WHO IS SERVING THEM.

THE NEIGHBORS ARE TELLING YOU THESE ARE WHO WOE WORK WITH.

AND WE'VE SEEN THAT HOW IMPORTANT HYPER LOCAL COMMUNITY-BASED NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS CAN BE.

AND THE IMPACT THEY CAN HAVE.

WHAT WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO DO IS COME TO THE TABLE.

COME TO THE TABLE AND LISTEN AND LEARN ABOUT THE INCREDIBLE ORGANIZATIONS.

WE PLAN ON USING OUR SPOTLIGHT TO INSURE THAT THEY GET THIS ATTENTION AND WE ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME THING.

>> I'M SURE MORE TO COME AS WE WATCH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE CENTRO SANAR AND CHI RISE CONTINUE TO GROW.

THANK YOU TO SEAN GARRETT, MESSIAH EQUIANO AND EDWIN MARTINEZ FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER BREAKING GROUND AND MUCH MORE.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> WITH THE BEARS POSSIBLY SAYING SO LONG TO HISTORIC SOLDIER FIELD, THERE MAY BE POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES FOR THE MAYOR.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM TAKES A DEEP DIVE ON THIS AND MUCH MORE.

WELCOME BACK AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

SO AS WE HEARD EARLIER, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE BEARS MOVING TO ARLINGTON HEIGHTS AND THE FUTURE OF SOLDIER FIELD.

HERE SHE IS AGAIN.

>> THE VENUE IS A VERY WELL SOUGHT AFTER VENUE.

WE'VE ALREADY GOT A WAITING LIST FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO 2022.

I'M VERY BULLISH ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR SOLDIER FIELD.

I HOPE THE BEARS ARE PART OF IT BUT I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAXIMIZE AND CATALYZE THAT ASSET.

>> HEATHER COULD THIS BE A POLITICAL BLOW FOR MAYOR LIGHTFOOT?

IS SHE GOING TO GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE MAYOR THAT LOST THE BEARS TO THE BURBS?

>> ABSOLUTELY PEOPLE HAVE AN ATTACHMENT TO THE BEARS.

CHICAGO MIGHT BE A DIVIDED BASEBALL TOWN BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE LOVE THE BEARS AND LOVED THE BEARS FOR A LONGTIME.

WHICH IS THE TEAM IS EMBODIED THAT WORKING CLASS SALT OF THE EARTH CHICAGO SELF IMAGE THAT THE CITY LIKES TO HAVE.

I ALSO THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT THE BEARS SAY THE DEAL IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS COULD CLOSE AS EARLY AS LATE 2022 OR EARLY 2023.

IF MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SEEKS A SECOND TERM SHE WILL BE ON A BALLOT IN FEBRUARY 2023.

WHICH ALMOST PROMISES THAT HEADLINES ABOUT THE BEARS LOOMING DEPARTURE IF IT IS FINALIZED WOULD BE FRONT AND CENTER FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE WHICH COULD MAKE CONVINCING PEOPLE TO GIVE HER ANOTHER FOUR YEARS IN OFFICE DIFFICULT TO SAY THE LEAST.

>> PARIS, IS THIS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW THE MAYOR HANDLES MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS?

>> I DON'T THINK THE MAYOR DID HERSELF OR THE CITY FAVORS BY THE REACTION SAYING THE BEARS OUGHT TO FOCUS ON BEING RELEVANT PAST OCTOBER.

THE TONE NOW IS DIFFERENT IT FEELS LIKE THIS WON'T CLOSE FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER YEAR BUT IT FEELS LIKE IT IS A DONE DEAL EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT AND SPOKE FOLKS I SPOKE TO SAID THERE'S ALMOST NOTHING THE MAYOR WOULD HAVE DONE OTHER THAN PREEMPTING ANY TALK OF ARLINGTON HEIGHTS AND HAVING A TEAM GO TO THE BEARS AND SAY LOOK WE GET IT SOLDIER FIELD IS NOT COMPARABLE TO THE NEW NFL STADIUMS AND YOU CANNOT MAKE IT SUCH AS MARC GANIS SAYS SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THE 78 OR LIKE MICHAEL REESE OR LIKE NEAR McCORMICK PLACE THAT YOU CAN BUILD A GIANT DOME AND ALL THE DEVELOPMENTS.

BECAUSE IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT WILL HAPPEN AT SOLDIER FIELD AND ACCORDING TO EVERYONE I TALKED TO FEELS LIKE IT'S TOO LATE.

>> AMANDA YOU ARE STILL AT SOLDIER FIELD WOULD THE STATE KICK IN FOR A NEW STADIUM IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS?

>> YES, THAT IS ANOTHER WORD THAT WE DID NOT TALK ABOUT THAT IS THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IT WILL COST TO MOVE THE BEARS -- THAT IT WILL BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT IT WILL COST THE BEARS TO BUILD THIS NEW STADIUM.

AND SO, YES, THE QUESTION IS WILL THEY DO THAT ON THEIR OWN?

I MEAN, IT'S NOT AS IF THE BEARS' OWNERS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BE GREAT SPENDERS HERE OR LIKING TO GO INTO DEBT.

THAT IS A QUESTION.

WILL THEY ASK THE STATE?

BUT, OF COURSE THEY WILL BE ASKING THE STATE FOR MONEY.

IS THERE ANY APPETITE PARTICULARLY AFTER A PANDEMIC WHEN PEOPLE ARE REALLY HURTING IN THEIR OWN POCKETS IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE A GREAT FAN OF THE BEARS IF YOU WANT TO WATCH THEM YOU ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT TICKET PRICES NOT WANTING YOUR MONEY TO GO TOWARD A NEW STADIUM.

SO I THINK THAT IT IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO GET ANYTHING LIKE THAT THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT THIS POINT.

SAVE FOR BY THE WAY ANY POTENTIAL SUPPORT FOR SOME ROADS, CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SORT OF THING THAT IS TYPICAL.

>> AND PARIS, YOU ARE A SEASON TICKET HOLDER, SPEAKING ABOUT THE POLITICS, COULD THE CITY'S PARK DISTRICT COMMISSIONER IS HE GOING TO TAKE HEAT FOR THIS?

>> GIVEN THE BBEZ REPORTS ABOUT THE E-MAILS SURE HE COULD AND IF MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT IS IN POLITICAL TROUBLE HE COULD BE A FALL GUY WHERE HIS JOB MIGHT BE IN TROUBLE.

BUT ALL OF THIS PUTS A NEW LIGHT ON THE DEAL TO RENOVATE SOLDIER FIELD THAT TAXPAYERS WILL BE PAYING FOR UNTIL 2033.

NO MATTER IF THE TEAM PLAYS THERE OR NOT.

AND IT WILL COST AFTER DEFT AND INTEREST A BILLION DOLLARS.

HERE IS WHAT WE GOT FOR THE DEAL BACK IN 2001.

THE SMALL STADIUM IN THE NFL A LOSS OF THAT HISTORIC LANDMARK STATUS WHERE YOU CANNOT HAVE A SUPER BOWL OR NCAA.

MARC GANIS SAYS THIS WAS A BUM DEAL NOW THAT THE BEARS WANT OUT AND THE STADIUM IS NOT COMPARABLE TO THE NEW STADIUMS.

ONE POINT, 25 YEARS AGO WHEN THE BEARS TALKED ABOUT GOING TO GARY, PLANET PARK WAS THE PROPOSAL.

ELK GROVE VILLAGE THEY ALMOST HAD NO LEVERAGE BECAUSE THE FANS WERE LIKE YOU CANNOT TAKE THE BEARS AWAY FROM THE LAKEFRONT.

WHAT I HEAR TODAY IS YOU KNOW, IT MAKES SENSE THAT THE BEAR WOULDS GO TO ARLINGTON HEIGHTS TO BUILD THE NEW DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENED IN LA A BEAUTIFUL STADIUM IN LAS VEGAS AND THERE IS NOT THAT NOSTALGIC CONNECTION BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE SAME SOLDIER FIELD THAT YOU SAT AND WATCHED THE ' 85 BEARS IN.

SO IT IS A VERY DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERE WHERE I THINK THE BEARS DO NOT RISK LOSING FANS OR GETTING BAD PR BY MOVING AWAY.

>> AND THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON IN THE NFL FOR A TEAM TO HAVE THE NAME OF THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS OR THE GIANTS AND BE OUTSIDE THE CITY.

THE GIANTS PLAY IN JERSEY.

>> SAN FRANCISCO PLAY IN SANTA CLARA LIKE 45 MILES SOUTH OF SAN FRANCISCO IT'S HARD TO GET THERE FROM SAN FRANCISCO.

NONE IS UNPRECEDENTED.

>> PARIS TOUCHED YOU TALKED ON IT GETTING TO ARLINGTON HEIGHTS WOULD BE EASIER.

THE TRANSPORTATION AND THE DIFFICULTIES IN GETTING TO SOLDIER FIELD ON GAME DAY.

AND A FRUSTRATION WITH THAT WHICH IS AGAIN WHY FANS ARE ONBOARD WITH THE MOVE.

>> ONE MORE THING AS A SEASON TICKET HOLDER IT IS A GOOD PLACE TO WATCH THE GAME.

IT IS A GOOD ATMOSPHERE AND GOOD HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE.

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG FROM A FAN PERSPECTIVE IT'S CLEAR IN THE NFL TODAY THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO MAKE IT COMPARABLE TO THE PALACES BUILT.

>> PRESIDENT OBAMA WAS IN TOWN YESTERDAY TO BREAK GROUND ON HIS PRESIDENTIAL CENTER HERE IS WHY HE SAID HE CHOSE THAT LOCATION.

>> IT IS SURROUNDED BY VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOODS AND A COMMUNITY WHERE WE BELIEVE WE CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

JACKSON PARK ALSO HAPPENS TO HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART BECAUSE IT WAS LITERALLY MY ENTRY WAY INTO CHICAGO.

>> THEY HAD A LIMITED AUDIENCE YESTERDAY.

>> SO TWO THINGS WERE HAPPENING.

ONE, THERE IS STILL A PANDEMIC GOING ON.

PRESIDENT OBAMA TOOK A LOT OF HEAT FOR SCHEDULING A BIG BIRTHDAY BASH ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD THIS SUMMER.

AND I AM SURE THEY DID NOT WANT THE OPTICS OF SORT OF A BIG DOG AND PONY SHOW WHILE PEOPLE ARE DYING EVERYDAY FROM COVID-19.

ALSO, THIS LOCATION JACKSON PARK IS STILL CONTROVERSIAL.

THERE IS A PENDING LAWSUIT AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE VERY UPSET TO SEE THE WORK START AT JACKSON PARK BY TEARING DOWN LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF TREES THAT WILL BE REPLACED BUT THAT WAS REALLY HARD FOR PEOPLE TO SEE.

IT HAD A DUAL BENEFIT ALTHOUGH IT DID SERVE TO MUTE THE CELEBRATION OF WHAT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER ARE HOPING SERVES AS A CATALYST NOT JUST WOODLAWN AND SOUTH SHORE BUT THE SOUTH SIDE WHICH HAS FACED DECADES OF DISINVESTMENT AND ALL THE ILLS THAT GO ALONG WITH THAT.

>> HEATHER MENTIONED THIS BUT THERE IS STILL A LEGAL CHALLENGE FROM PROTECT OUR PARKS, CORRECT?

>> YES.

PROTECT OUR PARKS IS TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD ON THREE FRONTS DESPITE ALREADY GETTING REJECTED BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

TRYING AGAIN.

THEY WERE FRUSTRATED THAT YESTERDAY'S EVENT ALBEIT THIS MALLER ONE -- SMALLER ONE WENT FORWARD AND WHY ALL THE PUMP WHEN THERE ARE THE LEGAL CHALLENGES.

IT SEEMS AS IF THE CITY THE OBAMAS NOT ALL THAT WORRIED ABOUT THAT AND BRIEFLY I WILL ADD SINCE I WAS THERE, IT WAS A BIT STRANGE.

I COUNTED 16 INDIVIDUALS ACTUALLY SEATED.

THE DIGNITARIES WHO HAD INVITATIONS THERE WERE I DON'T KNOW ROUGHLY THAT MUCH MEDIA.

SO YOU HAD THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES KNOWN FOR HIS ORATORY SKILLS GIVING ONE OF THOSE CLASSIC INSPIRATIONAL SPEECHES AND THERE WAS MUTED APPLAUSE NOT BECAUSE THE PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE WEREN'T EXCITED BUT BECAUSE THERE WERE SO FEW OF THEM IN THIS HUGE EMPTY SPACE.

AND TO PUT IN MIND THE SCALE OF THIS ARLINGTON HEIGHTS BEARS ARENA THAT IS HOW MANY ACRES?

VERSUS THE 20 ACRES THAT THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY IS GOING TO RECEIVE.

I MEAN THIS IS A HUGE, HUGE SPACE THAT THE BEARS WOULD BE TAKING OVER IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

IT'S WORTHY OF POINTING OUT IN TERMS OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN THERE.

>> IT'S THE SAME SIZE AS THE LOOP.

>> SO MOVING ON TO POLITICS, MORE POLITICS FORMER ALDERMAN MUNOZ PLEADS GUILTY TO USING CAMPAIGN FUNDS FOR PERSONAL USE.

REMIND US WHO HE IS AND WHAT ARE THE CHARGE HE IS PLEADING TO.

>> ALDERMAN MUNOZ REPRESENTED THE 22nd WARD INCLUDING LITTLE VILLAGE FOR 25 YEARS.

HE DID NOT RUN FOR REELECTION IN 2019 AFTER BY THE TIME HE LEFT OFFICE, THIS SORT OF ISSUE WITH THE CAMPAIGN FUNDS WITH THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS WAS KNOWN.

AND THIS WEEK HE PLED GUILTY.

HE ACKNOWLEDGED HE TOOK $16,000 FROM THE CAMPAIGN FUND, USE TO DO TO PAY A RELATIVE'S TUITION.

AND COULD BE SENTENCED TO BETWEEN 10 AND 16 MONTHS IN PRISON.

IT WILL BE UP TO A JUDGE TO ISSUE THAT FINAL SENTENCE SHORTLY AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.

AND IT CAPS OFF WHAT WAS REALLY A DECADES LONG CAREER IN LITTLE VILLAGE AS ONE OF THE FIRST LATINOS TO RISE TO REAL POLITICAL POWER ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

HE LED THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS AT ONE POINT AND HE WAS SOMEBODY THAT A LOT OF OTHER ALDERMEN LOOKED TO TO LEAD THE PROGRESSIVE PUSH AGAINST MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL WHILE IN OFFICE.

>> AND A LITTLE BIT OF NATIONAL NEWS.

PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS SCHEDULED TO BE IN CHICAGO TODAY TO TOUT UNITED AIRLINES COVID VACCINE MANDATE BUT CANCELED TO KEEP WORKING ON NEGOTIATIONS ON CAPITOL HILL.

HEATHER, WHAT KIND OF MESSAGE DOES THAT SEND WITH THAT VISIT?

UNITED AIRLINES IS SET TO FIRE SEVERAL HUNDRED EMPLOYEES FOR NOT GETTING THE COVID VACCINE?

>> BUT THAT IS JUST ABOUT 1% OR LESS OF THEIR TOTAL WORKFORCE.

AND I THINK IT TELLS YOU A LITTLE BIT HOW DIFFICULT THINGS ARE ON CAPITOL HILL FOR THE PRESIDENT RIGHT NOW THAT THE EASIEST THING FOR HIM RIGHT NOW IS IMPOSES VACCINE MANDATES ON THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EMPLOYEES, WHICH NOW HAVE A MORE THAN 90% VACCINATION RATE.

THAN TRYING TO GET HIS INFRASTRUCTURE BILLS THROUGH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND THAT TOOK PRIORITY THIS WEEK.

I KNOW THAT SEVERAL ALDERMEN ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE PRESIDENT COMES BACK AND HELPS PUSH VACCINE MANDATES.

THE CITY EMPLOYEE VACCINE MANDATE IS SUPPOSED TO TAKE EFFECT OCTOBER 15TH WHICH MEANS CITY EMPLOYEES HAVE TO GET THEIR FINAL DOSE OF THE VACCINE BY FRIDAY.

>> AND PARIS, THE 20 SECONDS, ARE DEMOCRATS FROM BOTH SIDES ARE THEY DOOMING THE PRESIDENT'S PRIORITIES HERE?

>> IT COMES DOWN TO THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS ARE GOING IT ALONE ON THE 4 PLUS BILLION OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUILD BACK BETTER AND THEY HAVE TO FUND THE GOVERNMENT AND THE DEBT CEILING THE DIVIDE IS BETWEEN MODERATE DEMOCRATS AND PROGRESSIVES IT'S COMING DOWN TO THE TWO SENATORS SINEMA FROM ARIZONA AND MANCHIN FROM WEST VIRGINIA MANCHIN SAYING IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE HE WANTS TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL.

PROGRESSIVES SAYING THAT IS WHAT IT IS.

WE NEED THE CLIMATE STUFF AND WE NEED IT TO BE THAT MUCH MONEY.

IT DOESN'T SEEM ANY DEAL EMERGING YET AND THEY HAVE TO DO IT SOON.

>> SHOULD BE FUN TO WATCH THIS WEEK FOR THOSE PLAYING AT HOME.

THANKS TO HEATHER CHERONE, AMANDA VINICKY AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

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

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

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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

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

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. WE VISIT WHAT COULD BE THE BEARS NEW HOME.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> AND THE VISION FOR REDEVELOPING 12 ACRES OF VACANT PRIME REAL ESTATE ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE.

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 HAVE A GREAT EVENING.