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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> YOU'RE LOOKING AT JUST THE EXCITEMENT THAT IT BRINGS TO NOT ONLY ARLINGTON HEIGHTS BUT THE REGIONAL APPROACH THAT WE HAVE WITH THE OTHER COMMUNITIES.

>> THE CHICAGO BEARS COULD SOON HAVE A NEW HOME.

WE HAVE LOCAL REACTION IN A LIVE REPORT FROM THAT NORTHWEST SUBURB.

>> URGE HIM TO OFFER REMOTE LEARNING FOR ALL FAMILIES.

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

CONSIDERS CHANGES TO THE REMOTE LEARNING POLICY.

>> WBEZ AND THE "CHICAGO-SUN TIMES" INTEND TO MERGE WE HEAR FROM THE C.E.O.

ON THE SURPRISE DEAL.

>> IT FEELS GOOD BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

>> INSIDE THE PLAN TO BRING HOUSING, RETAIL AND GREENSPACE TO A HUGE VACANT PROPERTY ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE.

>> MEET ONE OF THE NEW McARTHUR GENIUS GRANT RECIPIENTS AND HER COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL JUSTICE.

>> HOW BIRD DROPPINGS MIGHT UNLOCK THE SECRETS TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

WE'LL EXPLAIN.

>> FIELDS IS IN TROUBLE.

>> A TOUGH FIRST NFL START FOR ROOKIE QUARTERBACK JUSTIN FIELDS.

WE PREVIEW THE BEARS MATCHUP WITH THE LIONS.

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

LOCATED 25 MILES NORTHWEST OF DOWNTOWN I AM AT ARLINGTON INTERNATIONAL RACE COURSE WHICH INCLUDES ABOUT 326 ACRES OF LAND AND COULD BE THE FUTURE HOME OF THE CHICAGO BEARS.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS IS A FAMILY-ORIENTED SUBURB THAT HAS SEEN A GROWTH IN POPULATION.

WE HEAR FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES ON THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY FROM THE PANDEMIC AND OF COURSE, ABOUT THE BEARS POSSIBLE MOVE HERE.

FIRST WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> ARLINGTON HEIGHTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU.

AND NOW FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE SAYS SHE IS RUNNING FOR ANOTHER TERM.

TONI PRECKWINKLE PAID THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND TOUTS HER RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AS WELL AS HELPING BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS WEATHER THE ECONOMIC FALLOUT AS REASONS THAT SHE BELIEVES VOTERS SHOULD GIVE HER A FOURTH TERM.

SHE RAN FOR CHICAGO MAYOR IN 2019 AND LOST IN A RUNOFF TO LORI LIGHTFOOT.

>> THE CITY IS AWASH IN TAX INCREMENT FINANCING MONEY.

A REPORT FROM KAREN YARBROUGH SAYS THE CITY TOOK IN $1 BILLION PLUS IN TIF MONEY IN 2020 UP 13.5% FROM THE YEAR BEFORE.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAS CALLED FOR USING $25 MILLION FROM THOSE FUNDS TO HELP THE CITY FILL THE BUDGET SHORTFALL.

NORMALLY TIF DOLLARS ARE USED FOR PROJECTS AND THEY HAVE BEEN A SOURCE OF CONTROVERSY AMONG THOSE THAT BELIEVE THE MONEY SHOULD BE PART OF NORMAL PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION.

YARBROUGH'S OFFICE THE TIF VALUES ARE RISING BECAUSE PROPERTY VALUES ARE RISING.

>> THE TIF IS RECEIVING MORE INCREMENT NOW AND TYPICALLY INCREMENT DOES TEND TO INCREASE SO IF EAV'S CONTINUE TO GO UP THEN THE TIF REVENUE WILL CONTINUE TO GO UP.

>> THE WHITE SOX FIELD OF DREAMS GAME WAS SUCH A SUCCESS THAT A WHITE SOX HALL OF FAMER IS BUYING THE SITE.

FRANK THOMAS IS HEADING A GROUP THAT IS BUYING A CONTROLLING STAKE IN THE COMPANY THAT OWNS THE SITE IN IOWA WHERE THE MOVIE FIELD OF DREAMS WAS FILMED.

THOMAS WILL BE NAMED C.E.O.

OF THIS NEW GROUP.

THE GAME WAS ONE OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL'S HIGHEST RATED NON-PLAYOFF TELECASTS EVER.

AND THE SITE WILL COST THE CUBS AND THE CINCINNATI REDS NEXT SUMMER.

UP NEXT A LIVE REPORT FROM WHAT COULD BECOME THE NEW HOME OF THE CHICAGO BEARS SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> SUBURBAN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS IS A CLOSE NEIGHBOR TO O'HARE AIRPORT AND 45-MINUTE DRIVE FROM DOWNTOWN CHICAGO.

IT'S HOME TO WHAT UNTIL LAST WEEKEND WAS THE WORLD RENOWNED ARLINGTON INTERNATIONAL RACE COURSE.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" JOANNA HERNANDEZ SPENT THE DAY EXPLORING ARLINGTON HEIGHTS AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

JOANNA JOINS US TO TELL US MORE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY.

JOANNA?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

I'M OUTSIDE ARLINGTON PARK AND THE NEWS ABOUT THE CHICAGO BEARS MOVING INTO THE PARK HAS CREATED A BUZZ YOU WILL HEAR HOW THE SUBURB IS NAVIGATING THE PANDEMIC AND WHAT THIS WOULD MEAN ECONOMICALLY IF THE CHICAGO BEARS MOVE INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> IT OPENS THE DOORS FOR A LOT OF POSSIBILITIES.

AND THE LEADERSHIP NOT ONLY IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS BUT AROUND THE COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER AND BEING A PART OF THAT CONVERSATION IS GOING TO BE EXCITING AND ALSO THE BUSINESSES IS STARTING TO THINK HOW THEY CAN LEVERAGE THIS OPPORTUNITY A NATIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT IN OUR BACKYARD.

>> ONE OF THOSE BUSINESSES IS THE OWNER OF ESTHER ROW ONE OF MANY RESTAURANTS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

>> I'M EXCITED FOR IT AND I THINK IT WILL BE A GREAT STEP IN A GREAT ADDITION TO THE VILLAGE AS WELL.

ALREADY A GREAT PLACE TO HAVE A BUSINESS AND THIS WILL NOT ONLY JUST HELP.

>> MATT PEOTA MOVED TO A BIGGER SPACE TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND FORCED TO FIND CREATIVE WAYS TO STAY AFLOAT AT A TIME WHEN TAKE OUT WAS THE ONLY OPTION.

>> WE OPENED A FARMERS MARKET INSIDE THE RESTAURANT ESPECIALLY AT THE BEGINNING WHEN PEOPLE WERE AFRAID TO GO OUT WE WOULD OFFER GROCERY STAPLES SO PEOPLE COULD TAKE HOME.

>> HE IS GRATEFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR COMING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE ARLINGTON HEIGHTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS ONLY A HANDFUL OF RESTAURANTS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.

>> THE CREDIT GOES OUT TO THE RESIDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS THEY RALLIED AROUND OUR RESTAURANTS AT THE BEGINNING TO DO A LOT OF TAKE OUT AND SUPPORT THEM.

THE CHALLENGE IS NOW LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE IN BUSINESS IS LOOKING FOR THE STAFF.

>> ARLINGTON HEIGHTS IS HOME TO ABOUT 75,000 PEOPLE.

THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION IS WHITE WITH THE GROWING NUMBER OF ASIAN-AMERICANS.

>> WE HAVE RESTAURANT PLACE AND A GROCERY STORE ON THE SOUTH END A PRIVATELY OWNED JAPANESE PLACES AND WE WORK WITH THE SCHILLING ASSOCIATION A CHINESE CULTURAL CENTER HERE IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS THAT SERVICES A LOT OF PEOPLE IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

>> FOR LONG TIME RESIDENT CINDY BROOKS THE SUBURB IS A SAFE PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY.

>> SCHOOLS ARE AMAZING.

AND I HAVE A SPECIAL NEEDS DAUGHTER AND HER BOYFRIEND AND THEY ARE ACCEPTED EVERYWHERE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS WE HAVE A MUSIC VENUE HERE.

WE HAVE PERFORMING ARTS METROPOLIS.

AND THERE'S GREAT BOUTIQUES TO GO SHOPPING.

I TRY TO SHOP AS MUCH LOCAL AS POSSIBLE.

>> VILLAGE OFFICIALS SAY AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAS BEEN A PRIORITY.

ON THE CORNER OF CHESTNUT AND RAND ROAD IS THE LATEST AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEX SET TO BE BUILT.

>> 2.4 ACRE VACANT PIECE OF PROPERTY VACANT 19 YEARS.

IT USED TO HAVE A RESTAURANT ON THE SITE YEARS AGO.

>> DESPITE CONCERNS FROM NEIGHBORS ABOUT THE PROPOSED AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEX, CHARLES WITHERINGTON-PERKINS SAYS IT WILL OFFER AN ECONOMIC OPTION FOR RESIDENTS.

>> WE ARE JOB RICH AREA AND MANY OF THE JOBS ARE SERVICE RELATED OR HEALTHCARE OR TEACHING AIDES THINGS OF THAT NATURE THAT THERE IS THE MOST HIGH PAYING JOBS AND THE RENTS ARE FAIRLY HIGH IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA.

SO HAVING AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY IN THE AREA.

>> WITH ABOUT 70% OF THE POPULATION FULLY VACCINATED, HE IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE CHANGES SET TO COME.

>> WITH THATTEST THAT PEOPLE RESPECT ONE THOR AND WE LOVE TO SEE THAT CONTINUE TO SEE THAT GROW.

>> AND IF ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO ARLINGTON HEIGHTS IS HOSTING HARMONY FEST AN OUTDOOR BLOCK PARTY ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

THERE WILL BE MUSIC AND FOOD AND WE ARE SPEAKING WITH THE MAYOR UP NEXT.

FIRST WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>> A LOT TO TALK TO THE MAYOR ABOUT.

>> WITH A NEW LEADER AT THE HELM CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAYS IT HAS STRENGTHENED ITS EFFORTS TO RESPOND TO THE CORONAVIRUS.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH A LOOK AT WHAT CHANGES ARE IN STORE.

AMANDA?

>> SORRY ABOUT THAT ZOOM ISSUE.

TO THAT END, TODAY MARKS ONE YEAR -- ONE MONTH OF SCHOOL SINCE C.P.S.

STARTED AND UNLIKE LAST YEAR WHEN LIKE ME ALL STUDENTS WERE REMOTE FOR MOST OF THAT SCHOOL YEAR, IT'S REVERSED THIS TIME.

EVERYBODY IN-PERSON THIS DESPITE A LACK OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN C.P.S.

AND THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION OVER COVID PROTOCOLS.

THERE IS ANOTHER CHANGE, TOO, C.P.S.

HAS A NEW C.E.O., PEDOR MARTINEZ CAME FROM LEADING SAN ANTONIO TEXAS SCHOOLS.

AND TODAY HIS SECOND DAY ON THE JOB HE MADE A PROMISE.

AS FATHER, AS A C.E.O.

I WILL NOT ALLOW OUR CHILDREN NOT TO BE IN A SAFE SPACE, OUR STAFF NOT TO BE IN A SAFE PLACE.

MARTINEZ SAYS THAT HIS SEVEN AND 11-YEAR-OLD WILL BE GOING TO C.P.S.

AND THEY ARE GOING TO BE IN SCHOOL IN-PERSON EVERYDAY.

HE SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS THE ANXIETY THAT PARENTS ARE FEELING AS HIS FAMILY HAS CHALLENGES WITH ASTHMA.

MARTINEZ SAYS HE KNOWS ALSO THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THINGS HAVE GONE COVID WISE SO FAR THIS YEAR BUT SAYS THAT IS IN THE PAST.

HE SAYS FROM HERE ON OUT, HE OWNS WHAT THE DISTRICT DOES.

AT THE SAME TIME, HE ASKS FOR GRACE SAYING THAT EVERYONE IS LEARNING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC TOGETHER.

NOW, AMONG THE CHANGES THAT HE IS MAKING, C.P.S.

'S COVID DASHBOARD WILL BE UPDATED DAILY WITH THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE.

PARDON ME.

C.P.S.

COVID CASES ALSO GOING TO BE UPDATED DAILY, THE WEBSITE SHOWS 1100 CASES AMONG STUDENTS SO FAR.

PLUS 343 CASES AMONG C.P.S.

STAFF.

CHICAGO PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER Dr. ALLISON ARWADY SAYS WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN CLUSTERS OF CASES, SHE SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN NO OUTBREAKS WHICH SHE DEFINES AS FIVE RELATED CASES.

NOW, THAT IS OF LITTLE REASSURANCE TO C.P.S.

MOTHER OF THREE, CORTNEY RITSEMA.

>> I THINK AS PARENTS WE ALL KNOW WE SEND OUR KIDS TO SCHOOL AND ANY OTHER YEAR OUR KIDS COME HOMESICK WITH ALL KINDS OF ILLNESSES.

THERE IS NEVER A SEASON WHERE I SEND MY KIDS TO SCHOOL AND THEY ARE NOT COMING BACK WITH FEVERS AND RUNNY NOSE AND COUGHS.

KIDS PICK UP EVERYTHING WHEN THEY ARE IN SCHOOL.

AND COVID IS NO EXCEPTION.

>> CORTNEY RITSEMA AND OTHER CRITICS SAY THERE IS LITTLE REASON TO BELIEVE C.P.S.

'S NUMBERS.

STARTING TOMORROW, C.P.S.

DOES SAY THAT IT WILL HAVE COVID TESTING FOR STUDENTS WITHIN EVERY SCHOOL.

AND Dr. ARWADY SAYS THESE SCREENINGS ARE POTENTIAL ASYMPTOMATIC CASES IF KIDS ARE NOT FEELING WELL THEY SHOULD STAY HOME.

THESE ARE SCREENINGS MEANT TO GIVE OFFICIALS THE SECURITY THAT THERE IS NO IN-SCHOOL SPREAD.

BUT ACCORDING TO THE DISTRICT, OF C.P.S.

'S 361,000 STUDENTS, ONLY 13,000 HAVE OPTED IN.

THAT IS A RATE OF 3.6%.

C.P.S.

REQUIRES FAMILIES TO PRO-ACTIVELY OPT-IN TO STUDENT TESTING.

>> THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS FOR OPTING INTO TESTING IS NOT WORKING.

WHEN ONLY 3% OF THE SCHOOL POPULATION HAS SIGNED UP, THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.

THAT DOESN'T TELL US ANYTHING.

THAT DOESN'T GIVE US THE SENSE OF SECURITY.

>> CORTNEY RITSEMA HAS NOT SENT HER CHILDREN TO SCHOOL ALL YEAR AND SHE DOESN'T PLAN ON IT FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

SHE IS TEACHING THEM FROM HOME INSTEAD.

A DIRECTIVE ISSUED BY THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS REQUIRES ALL ILLINOIS DISTRICTS RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING.

THE STATE REQUIRES ALL TEACHERS BE VACCINATED OR THEY HAVE TO UNDERGO WEEKLY TESTING.

AND THE STATE REQUIRES EVERYONE IN THE SCHOOLS REMAIN MASKED.

ARWADY, MARTINEZ AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND EDUCATION OFFICIALS SAY IT IS BETTER FOR CHILDREN'S EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL WELL-BEING THAT THEY ATTEND CLASS IN-PERSON.

>> I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN MAKE HUGE STATEMENTS LIKE THAT.

MY KIDS DON'T GO ANYWHERE.

I'M NOT TAKING THEM OUT IN PUBLIC.

MY KIDS ARE HOME.

>> CORTNEY RITSEMA TRIED TO ENROLL HER ASTHMATIC DAUGHTER IN C.P.S.

'S VIRTUAL ACADEMY BUT WAS DENIED FOR VERY LIMITED CASES, THE DISTRICT SAYS.

EXPANDING ON-LINE OPTIONS IS SOMETHING THAT MARTINEZ IS CONSIDERING.

HE WAS NOT DEFINITIVE BUT TODAY SAYS I AM GOING TO BE LOOKING AT WHAT IS OUR CAPACITY TO EXPAND OUR REMOTE OPTIONS.

IF WE CAN ACCOMMODATE OUR FAMILIES I WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT.

>> WE'RE ALL HOPING THAT C.E.O.

MARTINEZ FOLLOWS THROUGH WITH THIS.

WE URGE HIM TO OFFER REMOTE LEARNING FOR ALL FAMILIES WHO WANT THAT.

AND WHO FEEL THAT THAT IS BEST FOR THEIR CHILDREN RIGHT NOW.

BECAUSE PARENTS ARE THE BEST PEOPLE TO MAKE THAT DECISION FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

>> NOW, AS FOR OTHER COVID PROTOCOLS THE DISTRICT AND THE TEACHERS' UNION HELD ANOTHER BARGAINING SESSION TODAY.

BUT NO AGREEMENT WAS REACHED.

WE DO EXPECT TO BE HEARING MORE FROM MARTINEZ SOON HE SAYS HE EXPECTS TO DO WEEKLY UPDATES.

BRANDIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE WILL BE WATCHING AS HE DOES THEM.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS AND A POTENTIAL MEGA MEDIA MERGER.

>> CHICAGO'S PUBLIC RADIO STATION AND ONE OF THE CITY'S MOST STORIED NEWSPAPERS ANNOUNCE INTENTIONS TO MERGE.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA THE PARENT OF WBEZ UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A NONBINDING LETTER OF INTENT FOR THE GROUP AND THE "CHICAGO-SUN TIMES" TO EXPLORE JOINING TOGETHER AS A LOCAL NONPROFIT NEWS ORGANIZATION.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR LOCAL JOURNALISM?

JOINING US IS MATT MOOG THE NEW C.E.O.

OF CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA THE PARENT COMPANY OF WBEZ AND REACHED OUT TO THE "SUN-TIMES" C.E.O.

BUT SHE WAS UNABLE TO JOINING US TONIGHT.

MATT MOOG THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WHY MERGE THE TWO COMPANIES INTO ONE?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION AND IT'S ALL ABOUT LOCAL JOURNALISM MAKING SURE WE HAVE A SUSTAINABLE MODEL TO INVEST IN MORE COVERAGE, MORE TOPICS, DEEPER JOURNALISM BY COMBINING THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS WE'VE DOUBLED THE SIZE OF OUR NEWSROOM.

WE CREATE THE LARGEST IN NEWSROOM IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND WHAT MIGHT BE THE LARGEST NONPROFIT LOCAL NEWSROOM IN THE COUNTRY.

>> AND DOES THIS MEAN "THE SUN TIMES" CONTINUES ON AS A BROAD SHEET WITH ITS OWN WEBSITE, WBEZ CONTINUES WITH THE OWN NEWSROOM AND WEBSITE AND RADIO STATION?

OR JUST ONE ENTITY HERE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THESE ARE TWO BRANDS THAT ARE STORIED BRANDS IN CHICAGO HAVE INCREDIBLY LOYAL READERS AND LISTENERS.

AND WE PLAN TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THEM AND GROW THEM AND PROVIDE MORE JOURNALISM FOR PEOPLE WHO LISTEN TO THE RADIO, AND PEOPLE WHO VISIT THE WEBSITE AND READ THE PAPER.

IT'S JUST THE ULTIMATE GOAL HERE IS TO BUILD A LARGER AUDIENCE.

>> AND AS I UNDERSTAND, SOME PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE McARTHUR CENTER AND MICHAEL SAX, THEY ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN THIS DEAL.

HOW DID THE DEAL COME ABOUT?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

ONE OF THE KEY THINGS THAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY REALLY IS THAT LOCAL JOURNALISM IS BEING SUPPORTED BY FOUNDATIONS AND PHILANTHROPY IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE REPORTING FOR THOSE CITIES REMAINS ROBUST AND THAT WE CAN HAVE INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM DAILY COVERAGE AND REALLY GREAT STORYTELLING.

THIS CAME ABOUT BY MICHAEL LOOKING FOR A WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN SUSTAIN THE LEVEL OF INVESTMENT AND GROWTH REALLY THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE FOR THE "CHICAGO-SUN TIMES".

AND SINCE CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA IS BOTH FINANCIALLY STRONG AND HAS GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY AND A VERY STRONG BASE OF MEMBERS WHO SUPPORT OUR WORK, AND OF COURSE, HUNDREDS OF CORPORATE SPONSORS WE WERE A GREAT PLACE TO MAKE THIS COMBINATION.

>> CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA STRONG ENOUGH FINANCIALLY TO BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN RUNNING A NEWSPAPER?

"SUN-TIMES" AS WELL AS MANY NEWSPAPERS HAVE STRUGGLED TO BE PROFITABLE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS OR WILL YOU NEED THAT PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT FROM McARTHUR, PRITZKER EVERY YEAR TO MAKE THE FINANCIALS WORK?

>> SURE WE HAVE A PRAN THAT WE'VE VETTED -- PLAN THAT WE'VE VETTED THAT WILL MAKE SURE WE ARE SUSTAINABLE BASED ON THE SUPPORT OF THE READERS.

DIGITAL SUBSCRIBERS TO THE ON-LINE WEBSITE.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE SUPPORT FROM MAJOR FOUNDATIONS IN CHICAGO AND INDIVIDUALS.

AND WE HOPE TO GAIN MORE OF THAT SUPPORT.

AND ALL OF THAT SUPPORT WILL GO TOWARDS INVESTING IN MORE JOURNALISM AND BETTER DIGITAL EXPERIENCES AND MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY OF CHICAGO.

WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO REACH MORE THAN TWO MILLION PEOPLE A WEEK ACROSS ALL OF THE PLATFORMS, PRINT AND BROADCAST AND DIGITAL.

AND WITH THE SIZE NEWSROOM THAT WE'LL HAVE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE COVERAGE THAT THE CHICAGO AREA RESIDENTS DESERVE.

>> THIS IS ALL GOING TO BE UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA.

PUBLIC MEDIA IS FREE SAVE FOR VOLUNTARY DONATIONS.

IS IT APPROPRIATE TO HAVE PAID SUBSCRIPTIONS AND ADVERTISEMENTS IN A PUBLIC MEDIA COMPANY?

>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION AND IT'S ALL ABOUT FINDING WAYS OF SUPPORTING THE JOURNALISM HISTORICALLY WE HAVE MADE OUR CONTENT AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY WHO WANTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

WE HOPE TO FIND WAYS TO DO THE SAME HERE FOR PEOPLE THAT CAN'T AFFORD THE CONTENT TO PROVIDE WAYS FOR THEM TO GET IT AT NO COST.

TYPICALLY THE WEBSITES HAVE A SUBSCRIPTION OPTION MORE THAN 95% ARE ABLE TO CONSUME THE CONTENT FOR FREE AND WE WILL LOOK FOR WAYS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A MEMBERSHIP MODEL OR SUBSCRIPTION OR OTHER THINGS THAT WILL MAKE IT AS ACCESSIBLE AS POSSIBLE.

AND ULTIMATELY IF WE GET THE RIGHT KIND OF SUPPORT, THEN WE'LL MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

>> THIS DEAL COULD CLOSE BY THE END OF THE YEAR PRACTICALLY WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR READERS OF THE "SUN-TIMES", LISTENERS OF WBEZ, DOES ANYTHING CHANGE IN TERMS OF READING OR LISTENING EXPERIENCE?

>> SURE IT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

WHAT WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO DO IS SHARE CONTENT ACROSS THE NEWSPAPER AND THE BROADCAST AND DIGITALLY SO THAT THE DIFFERENT LARGE AUDIENCES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY ARE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL OF THE CONTENT.

OF COURSE WE'LL HAVE EDITORS WHO UNDERSTAND THEIR AUDIENCES AND WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR AND BE ABLE TO SELECTIVELY CURATE THE CONTENT AND FEATURE IT IN GREAT WAYS.

WE DO THINK THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO AMPLIFY THE STORIES THAT MATTER TO CHICAGO AND BE ABLE TO COVER DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES IN WAYS THAT WE'RE NOT ABLE TO ON OUR OWN.

BUT TOGETHER WE SHOULD BE STRONGER FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL CHICAGO.

>> FEW SECONDS LEFT.

I TALKED TO FOLKS THAT SEEMED CONFUSED BY THE DEAL AND THEY HAD NO IDEA IT WAS IN THE WORKS.

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO YOUR EMPLOYEES THERE THAT WERE CAUGHT OFF GUARD?

>> YES, IT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING THESE THINGS CONFIDENTIALLY.

SO OUR EMPLOYEES JUST FOUND OUT A COUPLE DAYS AGO.

AND WE HAVE THREE MONTHS BEFORE WE ULTIMATELY CLOSE TO GET THEIR INPUT AND IDEAS AND QUESTIONS WHICH WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, PARIS, JOURNALISTS HAVE LOTS OF QUESTIONS AND WE WANT TO BE AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE WITH THEM.

AND BE ABLE TO ANSWER ALL OF THOSE.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY WE ARE ALIGNED ON THE GOALS AND THE VISION FOR THIS.

TO REACH A LARGE AUDIENCE AND HELP INFORM AND EDUCATE THEM AND CONNECT THEM IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE THINK WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO HERE.

IN TERMS OF OPERATIONALLY, EXACTLY HOW THEY PUT THINGS TOGETHER AND WHAT CONTENT WE SHARE THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE WILL BE WORKING WITH OUR STAFF TO DETERMINE.

>> THOSE TO BE HASHED OUT.

THANKS TO MATT MOOG THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> 12 ACRES OF LAND ON THE SOUTH SIDE HAVE GONE UNUSED FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.

LEADERS ARE WORKING TO REDEVELOP THE SITE INTO A MIXED-USE COMMUNITY DRIVEN PROJECT AS NICK BLUMBERG REPORTS THEY HAVE MILLIONS IN SEED MONEY FROM THE STATE.

AND ARE HOPING FOR SUPPORT FROM THE CITY AS WELL.

>> THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF 115TH STREET AND SOUTH HALSTED IS AT WEST PULLMAN, EAST MORGAN PARK.

THIS PRIMARY REAL ESTATE HAS BEEN VACANT FOR MORE THAN A DECADE SINCE JEWEL MOVED AND THE MALL WAS TORN DOWN.

>> THIS IS LIKE THE DOWNTOWN.

SO THIS BECAME AN EYESORE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> SO ABRAHAM LACY IS WORKING TO TURN THAT EYESORE INTO AN ASSET.

390 UNITS OF HOUSING, 20,000 SQUARE FEET OF RETAIL, A COMMUNITY CENTER AND GREENSPACE.

>> IT IS GOING TO BRING LIFE AGAIN TO THIS VERY IMPORTANT, VERY CRUCIAL INTERSECTION.

>> THE NEW MORGAN PARK COMMONS WOULD CONNECT TO THE MAJOR TAYLOR BIKING AND WALKING TRAIL AND A TRANSIT ROUTE.

THE PRICE TAG IS $117 MILLION.

LACY AND PARTNERS GOT $15 NIL IN SEED MONEY FROM THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

>> IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE BEGIN TO USE THE HOLISTIC COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH THAT TRULY LOOKS AT COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> LAWMAKER JUSTIN SLAUGHTER SEES THIS PROJECT AND OTHERS FROM THE RENOVATION OF JACKIE ROBINSON PARK IN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS TO THE CTA REDLINE EXTENSION A WAY TO ADDRESS LONGSTANDING NEEDS.

>> NOT ONLY DO WE EXPECT A REVIVAL OF SORTS WITH THE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE ALWAYS TRADITIONALLY LIVED HERE ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE, BUT ALSO TURNING THE CORNER FROM THE PANDEMIC AND MAKING THE FAR SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO ATTRACTIVE AGAIN >> THE FIRST PHASE IS 80 UNITS OF HOUSING AND COMRER SHALL SPACE ALONG HALSTED.

IF EVERYTHING GOES TO PLAN CONSTRUCTION IS SET TO START IN SPRING OF 2023.

THE HOUSING WILL BE A MIX OF RENTAL UNITS AND SINGLE FAMILY HOMES FOR SALE.

THE MAJORITY LACY SAYS WILL BE AFFORDABLE ONE OF THE PROJECT'S PARTNERS IS THE NONPROFIT DEVELOPER PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> THIS IS PRETTY RARE TO HAVE 12 ACRES YOU KNOW, ADJACENT TO IMPORTANT COMMERCIAL STRIPS AND ADJACENT TO REALLY NICE, STABLE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AROUND IT.

YOU ARE NOT BUILDING A BUILDING YOU ARE LAYING OUT A NEW PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> BILL EAGER SAYS DEVELOPMENTS BRING A RENEWED SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND MORE TANGIBLE RESULTS.

>> IT BRINGS IN THE RESTAURANTS.

AND THE GOOD DRY CLEANERS AND THE DAYCARES AND THE OTHER TYPES OF SERVICES AND JOBS THAT PEOPLE WANT.

>> IN ADDITION TO STATE MONEY LACY SAYS HE LINED UP PRIVATE CAPITAL AND EQUITY PARTNERS RIGHT NOW HE IS WAITING TO HEAR WHETHER THE CITY WILL APPROVE A LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT AND HOPES TO MEET WITH THE MAYOR AND PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE.

>> SOME PROJECTS DIE BECAUSE THE RED TAPE, THE LENGTH OF TIME IT GETS TO GET THESE THINGS MOVING WITH OUR ELECTED LEADERS AND OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS THERE NEEDS TO BE A TIGHTER COLLABORATION.

>> THE PROJECT'S BACK CUSTOMERS SEE THIS THE CLOSEST THIS SITE HAS GOTTEN TO REDEVELOPMENT.

>> IT FEELS GOOD BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN A LONGTIME COMING AND THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN PATIENTLY WAITING FOR THIS TO TAKE PLACE AND WE ARE HAPPY WE ARE AT THIS POINT WE THAT CAN BE ABLE TO DELIVER SOMETHING TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M NICK BLUMBERG.

>> AND IF CONSTRUCTION GETS UNDERWAY AS PLANNED IN SPRING 2023 THEY HOPE TO CUT THE RIBBON IN MID-2024.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", HOW LOCAL LEADERS ARE RESPONDING TO THE CHICAGO BEARS SIGNING A PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR ARTICLE ARLINGTON PARK.

CAN THE BEARS BOUNCE BACK AGAINST THE LIONS FOLLOWING LAST WEEK'S DISMAL PERFORMANCE?

WE HAVE A PREVIEW AND PREDICTION.

A NEW McARTHUR GENIUS GRANT JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF SOCIAL MOVEMENTS FOR RACIAL EQUALITY.

AND A BIRD ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION MIGHT OFFER INSIGHTS INTO CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH ITS POOP.

WE WILL EXPLAIN.

BUT FIRST, MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES...

THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE IS DOUBLING THE AMOUNT OF PATROL UNITS IN EXPRESSWAYS IN RESPONSE TO THE ACCELERATED NUMBER OF EXPRESSWAY HOOTINGS.

ISP SAID TODAY THE CHICAGO AREA HAS 185 REPORTED EXPRESSWAY SHOOTINGS THIS YEAR COMPARED TO 83 AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR AND A TOTAL OF 128 IN ALL OF LAST YEAR.

STATE DIRECTOR BRENDON KELLY SAYS THE AGENCY HAS NEVER BEEN CON FONTED WITH THE GUN VIOLENCE IT'S SEEN.

ISP IS REDEPLOYING OFFICERS FROM THE STATE TO THE CHICAGO AREA AND INCREASING PATROL DURING PEAK CRIMINAL ACTIVITY TIMES.

THIS STARTS TOMORROW EVENING AND WILL CONTINUE DURING EVENING AND OVERNIGHT SHIFTS.

>> AND 14 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INDICTED IN FEDERAL COURT SINCE THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHED A MULTIREGION STRIKE FORCE TO TARGET ILLEGAL GUN TRAFFICKERS.

THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN INDIANA SAYS THOSE 14 PEOPLE ARE ACCUSED OF UNLICENSED GUN DEALING AND STRAW PURCHASING WHEN SOMEONE PURCHASES A GUN AND SELLS THAT TO SOMEONE WHO IS NOT LEGALLY ALLOWEDDED TO PURCHASE OF IT.

THE TASK FORCE MADE UP OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SAY SIX OF THE PEOPLE CHARGED BOUGHT MORE THAN 90 FIREARMS SINCE NOVEMBER LAST YEAR 20 WERE RECOVERED IN CHICAGO DURING HOMICIDES AND SHOOTING INVESTIGATIONS AS WELL AS AN INCIDENT WHERE A CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER WAS SHOT.

>> AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER IS RESPONDING TODAY TO THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CHICAGO BEARS LEAVING SOLDIER FIELD FOR ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

>> I AM A BEARS FAN.

AND I KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE A DISAPPOINTING FOR ME IF CHICAGO BEARS MOVED OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

I KNOW I SHARE THAT VIEW WITH MANY OTHER CHICAGO BEARS FANS.

BUT I THINK THIS IS A PRIVATE BUSINESS THE CHICAGO BEARS.

AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, AND I THINK THAT THE BEARS AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO NEED TO WORKOUT THEIR DIFFERENCES FOR ORDER FOR US TO END UP WITH THE BEARS STAYING IN THE CITY.

>> THE STATE IS NOT LOOKING TO INTERVENE AND IS PRIORITIZING THE STATE'S OWN FISCAL SITUATION.

AND COMING UP PARIS HAS A PREVIEW OF THE GAME THIS WEEKEND AND REACTION FROM JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS.

>> AND NOW PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU.

AND NOW WE GO BACK TO JOANNA HERNANDEZ ON THAT TOPIC OF THE BEARS AND THEIR POTENTIAL MOVE.

JOANNA SPENT THE DAY IN NORTHWEST SUBURBAN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

JOANNA, WHAT DO YOU GOT?

>> WE ARE HERE WITH THE MAYOR OF ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

TOM HAYES.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> GOOD THANK YOU FOR COMING TO ARLINGTON HEIGHTS TONIGHT.

>> OF COURSE I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE.

I HAVE TO START OFF WITH THE BIGGEST NEWS OF THE WEEK, THE BEARS SIGNED A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT WITH THE RACE COURSE.

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US?

>> WELL, I AM PERSONALLY VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY.

YOU KNOW IT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS NOW BUT WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THE NEWS THAT THEY HAVE SIGNED A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT AND SO THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE BUT MY GOAL WAS TO PUT THIS PROPERTY PRIME PIECE OF REAL ESTATE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE AND I CAN'T THINK OF A HIGHER AND BETTER USE THAN PUTTING THE CHICAGO BEARS HERE IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

>> WHAT WOULD THE MEAN FOR THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE THE BEARS THEIR HOME HERE?

>> WELL, IT WOULD BE SPECIAL NOT JUST FOR OUR COMMUNITY BUT FOR THE WHOLE NORTHWEST SUBURBAN REGION.

A LOT OF THE CHICAGO BEAR FAN DOME IS HERE.

AND THERE'S GREAT ACCESS TO THIS LOCATION FROM THE NORTH, SOUTHEAST AND WEST SO THIS PROPERTY HAS A LOT TO OFFER FOR THE BEARS AND THE REGION.

>> WE SPOKE TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND HE WAS OPTIMISTIC WHAT THE BEARS WOULD BRING LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY FOR THE AREA.

HE SAID POSSIBLABILITIES ARE ENDLESS.

>> ESPECIALLY IF YOU CONSIDER THE BEARS COULD BUILD A DOME STADIUM WHICH COULD BE USED ON A YEAR-ROUND BASIS.

YOU ARE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT FOOTBALL SEASON BUT WE COULD ATTRACT OTHER EVENTS.

CONCERTS AND IT IS AN EXCITING YEAR-ROUND OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> WHAT ECONOMIC INCENTIVES WOULD BE ON THE TABLE FROM ARLINGTON HEIGHTS TO LURE THE BEARS HERE?

>> WELL, THAT IS YET TO BE DETERMINED.

WE'LL CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN WE COME TO IT.

BUT WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A LOT OF HURDLES THAT HAVE TO BE OVERCOME TO GET ACROSS THE GOAL LINE TO BUILD THE STADIUM HERE AND THE NFL GETS INVOLVED AND THE STATE, HAS GOTTEN INVOLVED IN OTHER COMMUNITIES WHEN THEY ARE BUILDING SPORTS STADIUMS.

WE'LL CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN WE COME TO IT.

>> WOULD IT BE A POSSIBILITY TO USE TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO HELP FUND A STADIUM HERE?

>> THEY ARE A LAST RESORT BUT WE CONSIDER TAX INCENTIVES TO ATTRACT OR RETAIN BUSINESSES SO IT IS A POSSIBILITY.

>> BACK CHECKING IN THE MIDST OF THE PANDEMIC YOU HAD TO MAKE THE DECISION OF WHETHER YOU WOULD RUN A THIRD TERM.

>> I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD FOR 31 YEARS AND MAYOR FOR EIGHT-AND-A-HALF YEARS.

I DECIDED TO RUN FOR A THIRD TERM BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC CRISIS.

I HAD TO MAKE MY DECISION LAST SUMMER.

WE ARE RIGHT IN THE HEART OF THE PANDEMIC.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I COULD HELP DO WHATEVER I COULD TO HELP OUR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES GET THROUGH 0 THE OTHER SIDE.

>> AND WHAT IS THE DIFFERENT BETWEEN TWO YEARS AGO TO NOW?

>> WELL, I DO SEE A THE LOW OF LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

OUR POSITIVITY RATE IS GOING DOWN.

AGAIN.

I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT.

SO WE'RE VERY HAPPY THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PANDEMIC CURVE AND HOPEFULLY GETTING THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR TEAM HIRED A CONSULTANT TO SURVEY VILLAGE EMPLOYEES AND THE COMMUNITY ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE AND WHY WAS THAT IMPORTANT FOR YOU?

>> WE ARE A VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T THINK OF ARLINGTON HEIGHTS AS A DIVERSE COMMUNITY BUT WE ARE FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.

WE'VE INCLUDED DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION AS ONE OF OUR TOP STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS AND IT HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS.

SO WE WANT TO JUST HAVE A WELCOMING COMMUNITY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE WHERE PEOPLE CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE AND WELCOME WHETHER THEY WANT TO JUST VISIT HERE OR WANT TO LIVE HERE OR START A BUSINESS HERE.

WE WANT TO DO ALL WE CAN TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME IN THE VILLAGE OF ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

>> ARE YOU A CHICAGO BEAR FAN?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I WENT TO MY FIRST BEARS GAME IN THE MID-1960s AT WRIGLEY FIELD.

THEY HAD 50 YEARS AT WRIGLEY AND 50 AT SOLDIER FIELD AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL HAVE 50 YEARS OR MORE IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

>> THANK YOU MAYOR HAYES.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> PARIS WE WILL BE BACK IN A BIT TO TALK ABOUT THE LOSS OF THE ARLINGTON PARK RACE COURSE AFTER A NEARLY 100-YEAR RUN.

BACK TO YOU.

>> WELCOMING CITY I WONDER IF THAT INCLUDES WELCOMING THE BEARS.

BRANDIS WE GO BACK TO YOU WITH THE AWARD?

>> TWO WOMEN WERE TIES TO CHICAGO HAVE BEEN NAMED GENIUSES BY THE McARTHUR FOUNDATION.

THE FELLOWSHIP KNOWN AS THE GENIUS GRANT IS AWARDED ANNUALLY TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SHOWN ORIGINALITY AND DEDICATION IN THEIR CREATIVE AND OR SCHOLARLY PURSUITS.

ONE OF THE WINNERS ANNOUNCED LIVED IN CHICAGO FOR 15 YEARS STUDYING AT NORTHEASTERN AND NORTHWESTERN AS WELL AS THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

KEEANGA YAMAHTTA TAYLOR IS CURRENTLY A PROFESSOR OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY AND SHE JOINS US NOW.

WELCOME BACK AND CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU.

GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> FIRST TELL US ABOUT THE PHONE CALL YOU RECEIVED WHEN YOU FOUND OUT WHEN THE FOUNDATION CALLED YOU?

>> I WAS TELLING SOMEONE BEFORE THAT I HAVE MY PHONE NUMBER STILL HAS A 773 AREA CODE.

AND I THINK FOR THE LAST MONTH I HAVE BEEN GETTING VERY AGGRESSIVE SPAM FROM THE 773 AREA CODE ABOUT STUDENT LOANS ABOUT CAR WARRANTIES AND VARIOUS OTHER THINGS.

SO WHEN I GOT THE CALL, I HAD BEEN ANSWERING THESE 773 CALL OVER THE SUMMER.

SO DEMAND TO BE TAKEN OFF THE CALL LIST.

SO WHEN I GOT THE CALL, THE NUMBER WAS 773 BECAUSE THE FOUNDATION IS LOCATED IN CHICAGO.

SO I PICKED UP THE PHONE TURSLY, READY TO ENGAGE IN A VERBAL CONFRONTATION TO TAKE ME OFF THE LIST.

I WAS HOME AND YOU KNOW I WAS WITH MY FIVE-YEAR-OLD WHO IS BETWEEN THE END OF DAYCARE AND THE BEGINNING OF KINDERGARTEN ABOUT A WEEK BETWEEN THE TWO.

SO I GOT THE CALL AROUND LUNCHTIME.

AND YOU KNOW.

>> THEIR FACE LIKE THEY WERE WATCHING YOUR FACE CHANGE FROM ANGER TO OWE MY GOODNESS.

>> HE DID LOOK CONCERNED FOR ABOUT A MINUTE WHILE I WAS ON THE CALL.

I DID GO FROM ANGER TO CONFUSION TO BEWILDERMENT IN THE SPACE OF 10 SECONDS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT GOT YOU NOTICED AND THE WORK THAT WARRANTED THIS AWARD.

YOU'VE LECTURED ON HISTORICAL PROBLEMS THAT ARE VERY MUCH STILL WITH US.

TELL US ABOUT THOSE?

>> MY WORK KIND OF IS A COMBINATION OF I LOOK AT BOTH HISTORICAL ISSUES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION AND PUBLIC POLICY AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.

I'M TRAINED AS A HISTORIAN.

BUT I ALSO WRITE ABOUT CONTEMPORARY RACE AND POLITICS AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND THE THREW LINE BETWEEN THE TWO IS REALLY TRYING TO IDENTIFY WHAT IS MEANT BY SYSTEMIC RACISM.

AGAIN IN PUBLIC POLICY AND IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR I LOOK AT THEM HISTORICALLY THROUGH THE LENS OR WINDOW OF HOUSING AND HOUSING DISCRIMINATION.

BUT I'M ALSO INTERESTED IN THE WAYS THAT BLACK PEOPLE BLACK COMMUNITIES RESPOND TO THESE ISSUES OF DISCRIMINATION AND THE WAY THAT BLACK PEOPLE ORGANIZE THEMSELVES, THE WAY THEY UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THEIR OPPRESSION AND EXPLOITATION.

THE REASONS BEHIND SEGREGATION THAT EMERGED IN THE BLACK COMMUNITIES AND THE WAY THAT BECOMES ALSO A FOUNDATION FOR POLITICAL OPPOSITION, RESISTANCE, REBELLION AND ORGANIZING.

>> AND YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS A BIT, BEFORE YOU LEFT CHICAGO AND HEADED TO PRINCETON, PARTICULARLY ABOUT REDLINING IN CHICAGO.

AND THE CITY HAS A RICH HISTORY IN MANY OF THE TOPICS THAT YOU EXPLORE.

HOW DOES YOUR TIME IN CHICAGO AND THE HISTORY OF CHICAGO FACTOR INTO AND SHAPE SOME OF YOUR WORK?

>> I MEAN, MY EXPERIENCES IN CHICAGO WERE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND ME EVEN MAKING A DECISION TO GO TO GRADUATE SCHOOL.

I LIVED IN CHICAGO FOR LONG BEFORE I HAD DECIDED TO RETURN TO SCHOOL.

AND THE QUESTION THAT EVENTUALLY PUSHED ME IN THAT DIRECTION REALLY HAD TO DO WITH WHY IS CHICAGO SO SEGREGATED?

WHEN I MOVED TO THE CITY IN 1998, IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT STRUCK ME.

I WAS MOVING FROM NEW YORK STATE WHERE THERE ARE DEGREES OF RACIAL SEGREGATION RESIDENTIAL SEGREGATION BUT BECAUSE OF THE COMPACT NATURE OF THE CITY IT'S REALLY BLOCK TO BLOCK CAN BE RADICALLY DIFFERENT.

AND IN CHICAGO I MEAN WHEN I ARRIVED IN THE CITY, I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AT 75TH AND CONEY ISLAND AND YOU WERE DRIVING FOR MILES AND ALL BLACKEN CLAVES.

AND I GREW UP IN THE SOUTH.

IN DALLAS, TEXAS AND I HAD NEVER SEEN THIS LEVEL OF RACIAL SEPARATION IN MY LIFE.

AND SO I LIVED IN HYDE PARK FOR A WHILE.

AND I MOVED TO PILSEN AND THEN I MOVED TO LOGAN SQUARE AND YOU SEE THIS RACIAL ENCLOSURE THROUGHOUT THE CITY SO THAT WAS REALLY YES.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY WE HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT, 625,000 OVER THE COURSE OF FIVE YEARS COMES WITH THIS AWARD?

ANY PLANS FORMING JUST YET ON HOW YOU ARE GOING TO PUT THAT TO USE?

>> SURE.

I MEAN, I'M WORKING ON A COUPLE BOOKS.

THIS IS LIKE A RESEARCH MONEY WINDFALL.

AND THEN I'M WORKING ON A MULTIMEDIA PROJECT WITH A FORMER STAFF EDITOR FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES" THAT LOOKS AT RACE AND POLITICS AND ORGANIZING FROM A BLACK LEFT WING PERSPECTIVE.

WE'RE HOPING TO BE ABLE TO LAUNCH THAT SOMETIME IN 2022.

BUT IT IS EXCITING.

IT IS AN EXCITING PERIOD TO JUMP INTO THE SHOES OF RACE POLITICS AND ORGANIZING.

>> CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, KEEANGA YAMAHTTA TAYLOR.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE WHAT YOU DO NEXT.

>> THANKS SO MUCH.

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

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU.

AND NOW WE CHECK BACK IN WITH JOANNA HERNANDEZ WHO SPENT THE DAY IN NORTHWEST SUBURBAN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> WE ARE NOW HERE WITH TONY PETRILLO PRESIDENT OF THE ARLINGTON INTERNATIONAL RACE COURSE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

I HAVE TO START BY ASKING YOU IS IT BITTERSWEET TO BE STANDING OUTSIDE THE RACE COURSE KNOWING IT'S REACHED ITS FINAL END?

>> YES, A LITTLE BIT.

FIRST WELCOME TO ARLINGTON THAT IS WHAT WE SAY TO ANYBODY THAT ENTERS OUR FACILITY WHEN PEOPLE COME HERE, WE TREAT THEM LIKE THEY ARE GUESTS IN OUR HOME.

THAT IS WHY IT MAKES THIS PLACE SO SPECIAL AND A LITTLE BITTERSWEET BECAUSE EACH DAY IS A NEW DAY BECAUSE THERE'S ALWAYS NEW FACES AND IT'S EXCITING TO SEE PEOPLE COMING AND SEEING THE FACILITY AND THEIR JAW DROPPING HIT THE GROUND WHEN THEY SEE ITS BEAUTY.

>> IT HAPPENED TO ME A LITTLE BIT.

WERE YOU SAD TO SAY GOOD-BYE?

>> WELL, YES.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE HAD A MODEL HERE THE LAST MONTH OR SO DON'T BE SAD IT'S OVER BE GLAD IT HAPPENED AND THAT CHANGED EVERYONE'S ATTITUDE BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR.

WE HAVE A TENDENCY TO LOOK AT THINGS IN A MORE POSITIVE WAY AND THE RELATIONSHIPS WE'VE BUILT WITH THE HORSEMEN AND WITH EACH OTHER AS TEAM MEMBERS IT'S BEEN REALLY SPECIAL FOR ME OVER THE LAST 27 YEARS >> WE CAN'T TALK MUCH ABOUT THE BEARS DEAL BUT AS LONG TIME RESIDENT OF ARLINGTON HEIGHTS WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING THE BEARS HERE?

>> JUST AT THE ONSET WHEN THE TRACK WAS PUT UP FOR SALE, I THINK THE MAYOR SAID IT THE BEST THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SOME OTHER VENUE SOMETHING THAT WILL BE ABLE TO MAYBE FILL THE SHOES OF THE LEGACY OF ARLINGTON AND THE BEARS SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

IT WILL BE TOUGH FOR THEM TO FILL T I THINK THEY WILL HAVE A LEGACY OF THEIR OWN.

>> CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THE RACE COURSE HAS MEANT FOR THE COMMUNITY?

>> I THINK THEY THINK OF THE RACE COURSE AS AN EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBER.

MOST PEOPLE YOU MEET THEY KNOW SOMEONE WHO WORKED HERE AND IT IS A A MULTIGENERATIONAL TYPE OF EXPERIENCE WHERE YOU'VE HAD GRANDFATHERS BRING THEIR SONS AND THE SONS BRING THEIR SONS AND THEIR DAUGHTERS.

AND ONE THING ABOUT THIS FACILITY IT WAS DESIGNED ALSO TO BE VERY FAMILY ORIENTED.

IT WAS REALLY ONE OF THE FIRST VENUES IN THE UNITED STATES THAT REACHED OUT TO THE FEMALE POPULATION.

OUR DEMOGRAPHICS ARE HALF WOMEN AND HALF MEN WHICH IS UNIQUE FOR ANY SPORTING VENUE.

>> WILL YOU BE ABLE TO SHARE ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES.

YOU JUST INFORMED ME YOU HAD MANY JOBS INSIDE THE RACETRACK.

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES YOU CAN SHARE WITH US?

>> ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE MEMORIES IS WHEN THE HORSE WON THE BEVERLY D A RACE NAMED AFTER HIS WIFE.

HE WAS GETTING THE STANDING OVATION AND HE WAS COMING DOWN THE STEPS.

EVERYBODY WAS TEARY EYED AND IT WAS A GRAND APPLAUSE FOR HIM AND NO ONE GOT IT ON VIDEO.

SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE ETCHED IN YOUR IN EMMEMORY BECAUSE IT IS NOT AVAILABLE ON VIDEO.

>> YOU HAVE THAT ENGRAVED IN YOUR MEMORY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> AND WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> COME BACK SOON.

>> THAT IS ALL WE HAVE HERE FROM ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> AND THE REFERENCE TO THE FORMER OWNER OF ARLINGTON PARK DICK DUCHESS.

UP NEXT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR IT ALL NIGHT AND WE GIVE YOU THE POOP HOW BIRD DROPPINGS ARE HELPING SCIENTISTS LEARN ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE.

BUT FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> I WILL SAY THIS BIRD POOP.

WE HATE IT ON OUR CARS, AVOID IT ON SIDEWALKS, AND DESPITE THE OCCASIONAL PLOP ON OUR HEADS.

BUT IT TURNS OUT SOME BIRD DROPPINGS COULD POSSIBLY UNLOCK SECRETS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER PATTY WETLI HAS THE SCOOP ON POOP.

PATTY, YOU CAUGHT UP WITH A LOCAL STUDENT WHO STUDIES BIRD WASTE.

WHO IS SHE AND WHY DOES SHE DO THIS?

>> HEATHER SCENE IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FIELD MUSEUM AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO AND SHE ACTUALLY STUDIES PATHOGENS THAT HAPPEN TO EXIST IN BIRDS SO SHE WANTED TO STUDY THE WARBLER A MIGRATORY BIRD IT WINTERS IN THE BAHAMAS AND BREEDING GROUNDS IN MICHIGAN AND SHE WAS STUDYING TO SEE IF ITS GUT BACTERIA WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THAT MIGRATION.

SO IF YOU THINK ABOUT YOU AND I, IF WE GO FROM THE BAHAMAS TO MICHIGAN OUR GUT BACTERIA STAYS THE SAME MOST MAMMALS IT STAYS THE SAME WHEREVER THEY ARE.

THE BIRD IS ACTUALLY IT CHANGED FROM ONE LOCATION TO THE OTHER.

BASED ON ITS ENVIRONMENT AND ITS DIET.

AND THIS CAN HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR ADAPTABILITY WHEN IT COMES TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

WHICH SHE WILL BE STUDYING GOING FURTHER SO YES, SHE WILL HAVE MORE GOING ON IN THE FUTURE.

>> MORE TO INVESTIGATE.

HAS THE BIRD POOP DROPPINGS HAD ANY FIND FIND GHTS?

>> IT'S SURPRISING, IT'S CALLED THE MICRO BIOME THAT IT IS MUCH DIFFERENT FOR BIRDS THAN FOR MAMMALS AND STUDYING THIS SPECIES THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO TRACK THE EXACT BIRD FROM ONE LOCATION OF THE MIGRATION TO THE NEXT.

SHE WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH DIFFERENCE THERE IS.

>> THAT IS AN INTERESTING ONE.

THANK YOU PATTY WETLI.

>> AND YOU CAN READ PATTY'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE ALL AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> UP NEXT, WE PREVIEW THE BEARS MATCHUP AGAINST THE LIONS.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE TOWN THIS WEEKEND.

>> BEFORE THE BEARS CHANGED THE KFORTS WITH THE NEWS OF AN AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE ARLINGTON PARK THERE WAS A GAME AND IT WAS BAD.

ROOKIE QUARTERBACK JUSTIN FIELDS WAS SACKED NINE TIMES BY THE CLEVELAND BROWNS AND HEAD COACH MATT NAGY WAS CRITICIZED FOR THE PER SPECTION THAT HE CALLED PLAYS THAT DID NOT CATER TO FIELDS' STRENGTH.

CAN THE TEAM REMEDY FOR THE DETROIT LIONS WHO COME TO SOLDIER FIELD SUNDAY?

AND JOINING US IS JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS.

FORMER OFFENSIVE LINEMAN FOR THE CHICAGO BEARS FROM 1991-2002.

BIG CAT THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> NICE TO BE HERE.

>> LET'S START WITH THE BIG NEWS OF THE WEEK.

NOW THAT THE DEAL IS INKED IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS DO YOU THINK THE BEAR ALSO GO THROUGH WITH IT AND MOVE OUT OF THE LAKEFRONT?

>> I CAN'T SEE WHY THEY WOULDN'T.

IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO PUT A STAPLE ON A BUILDING THAT IS THEIRS.

WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SOLDIER FIELD YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT LIMITATIONS AS FAR AS SEATING AND WHAT THEY CAN ACCOMPLISH AS FAR AS PUTTING INTO THE STADIUM.

WHEREAS IF THEY BUILD ONE IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS THE SKY'S THE LIMIT.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A NEW STADIUM WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY AND I CAN'T SEE HOW IT IS A BAD THING.

>> SUCH A HOT TOPIC IN CHICAGO THIS WEEK.

THE GAME WAS A HOT TOPIC BEFORE THAT, COACH MATT NAGY GOT A LOT OF CRITICISM FOR HIS PLAY CALLING THAT LED TO NINE SACKS OF JUSTIN FIELDS.

DO YOU AGREE THAT NAGY CALLED A GAME THAT DID NOT PLAY TO FIELDS' STRENGTH?

>> YES, AND YOU CANNOT JUST BLAME THE GAME ON ONE PERSON.

YOU CAN'T BLAME IT ON COACH NAGY OR THE OFFENSIVE LINE, YOU CAN'T BLAME IT ALL ON FIELDS OR THE RECEIVERS FOR NOT GETTING OPEN.

IT WAS A GROUP EFFORT.

I MEAN, IT DOESN'T STINK THAT BAD WITH JUST ONE GROUP MESSING UP.

SO IT WAS A GROUP EFFORT.

AND EVERYBODY HAD A HAND IN IT.

AND UNTIL YOU GET THESE THINGS STRAIGHTENED OUT, YOU JUST DON'T KNOW HOW THINGS ARE GOING TO LOOK.

>> AND NAGY IS BEING COY ON WHO HIS STARTING QUARTERBACK IS GOING TO BE.

HE SAID IF DALTON IS HEALTHY HE IS THE STARTING QUARTERBACK.

WHO DO YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE AGAINST DETROIT?

>> I'M TORN ON THAT.

BECAUSE I THINK IF DALTON IS HEALTHY, YES, YOU COULD PUT HIM IN BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO MESS WITH FIELDS' PSYCHE AS FAR AS YEAH WENT IN MY FIRST GAME AND YOU KNOW, THE WHEELS FELL OFF AND NOW I'VE GOT TO WAIT SIX MORE WEEKS BEFORE I GET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY.

YOU WANT TO GET HIM BACK OUT THERE AND GET HIM BACK UP ON THE HORSE LET HIM RIDE AGAIN AND SEE HOW IT GOES.

YOU KNOW, THE GAME PLAN HAS TO BE DIFFERENT.

YOU CAN'T GO INTO THE DETROIT GAME WITH THE SAME GAME PLAN THAT YOU WENT IN VERSE THE BROWNS.

YOU SAW HOW BAD THAT WAS.

>> ARE YOU SAYING MAYBE MORE PROTECTION FOR THE QUARTERBACK?

MORE PEOPLE ASSISTING THE OFFENSIVE LINE AND BLOCKING AND PLAY ACTION ROLLING OUT THE POCKET?

>> IT'S GOT TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

WE SAT DOWN AND WE HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS WHEN MITCH WAS INVOLVED AS FAR AS HE JUST DIDN'T LOOK GOOD IN THE POCKET AND HE WASN'T ABLE TO READ DEFENSES.

NOW YOU ARE DEALING WITH ANOTHER YOUNG GUY THAT IS GOING TO HAVE SOME OF THE SAME ISSUES BECAUSE HE IS YOUNG.

SO YOU LOOK AT THE SYSTEM THAT OR THE WAY THAT WAYS ARE CALLED GAMES TOWARD THE END OF THE SEASON FOR MITCH AND THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO SEE WITH FIELDS THE ABILITY TO RUN THE STRETCH.

THE OUTSIDE ZONE AND INSIDE ZONE, TO BE ABLE TO RUN PLAY ACTION OFF OF THOSE PLAYS.

PLAYS THAT SO THE DEFENSE LOOK LIKE ONE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN TURN INTO A PASS NOW YOU HAVE FIELDS ON THE TOTAL OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FIELD HE IS ONLY READING TWO RECEIVERS HE HAS A HIGH RECEIVER AND A LOW RECEIVER.

IF ONE OF THOSE TWO GUYS IS NOT OPEN HE TAKES OFF AND RUNS.

IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT DIFFICULT BUT IN THE COURSE OF A GAME, YOU HAVE TO AS A COORDINATOR, YOU HAVE TO SET THESE THINGS UP.

AND I WORRY THAT SOMETIMES NAGY DOESN'T WORRY ABOUT SETTING THINGS UP.

HE WANTS TO GO OUT THERE AND RUNS PLAYS.

WE'LL SEE IF HE ADJUSTS THAT FOR DETROIT.

IS THERE A RISK HERE WITH FIELDS SUCH A GREAT TALENT, THAT A GAME LIKE THAT MORE GAMES LIKE THAT COULD MESS WITH HIS PSYCHE AND COULD START TO HAMPER HIS DEVELOPMENT?

>> NO.

I THINK FIELDS IS -- DON'T GET ME WRONG I DON'T KNOW HIM PERSONALLY.

SO I CAN'T SAY HE IS DEFINITELY THIS KIND OF GUY.

BUT HE SEEMS LIKE A MENTALLY STRONG GUY.

COMING FROM OHIO STATE WAS AT GEORGIA BEFORE THAT.

HE HAS BEEN IN BIG PROGRAMS AND HAD TO DEAL WITH THE PRESSURE.

I DON'T THINK THE PRESSURE IS SOMETHING THAT WILL BUILDUP AND HURT HIM.

BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE THAT CHANCE.

AND IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO PUT HIM IN SITUATIONS TO WIN, THEN, YEAH, WHY HAVE HIM ON THE FIELD.

>> SPEAKING OF SITUATIONS TO WIN, IS THIS WEEK A SITUATION THE BEARS CAN WIN?

THE LIONS ARE 0-3 BUT THEY MIGHT BE HUNGRY?

>> YES.

I'M NERVOUS ABOUT THIS GAME.

COACH NAGY WAS VERY OFF IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT PLAY CALLING THIS WEEK.

IF LASER IS THE PLAY CALLER I FEEL MORE CONFIDENT IN WHAT THEY CAN PULL OFF.

I JUST HAVEN'T SEEN COACH NAGY WITH THE YOUNG QUARTERBACKS PUT THEM IN SITUATIONS TO WIN TO BUILDUP AN OFFENSE THAT CAN DO THE THINGS THEY NEED TO DO AS WELL AS KEEP THAT DEFENSE OFF THE FIELD FOR A LITTLE WHILE SO THEY CAN GET REST.

PILE UP FIRST DOWNS AND MAKE THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS.

THEY NEED TO BE EASY YOU WANT 3, 4, 5 YARDS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN GETTING THAT AND WHEN THEY HAVE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE IT.

THIS IS DETROIT GAME MAKES ME NERVOUS NOT KNOWING WHAT THEIR SCHEME IS GOING TO BE LIKE GOING INTO THE GAME.

>> YOU ARE SAYING YOU'RE NERVOUS.

WHAT IS YOUR PREDICTION FOR SUNDAY?

>> NOT KNOWING WHO THE COORDINATOR IS GOING TO BE WHO IS GOING TO BE CALLING PLAYS I'M GOING 17-16 DETROIT I THINK IT WILL COME DOWN TO THE END AND I'M NOT SURE HOW THEY ARE GOING TO PULL IT OFF.

>> IF THAT HAPPENS IT WILL BE A VERY INTERESTING WEEK HERE IN CHICAGO AMONG FANS AND SPORTS MEDIA.

ALL RIGHT.

JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS, PARIS, HAVE A GOOD ONE.

>> YOU, TOO.

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 THURSDAY NIGHT.

>> JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

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.