[♪♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

WE WILL BE JOINED BY OUR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" GUESTS IN JUST A MOMENT BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> YET ANOTHER FORMER CHICAGO ALDERMAN IS FEDERALLY INDICTED.

THIS TIME FORMER CITY COUNCIL ZONING COMMITTEE CHAIR DANNY SOLIS.

SOLIS IS CHARGED WITH BRIBERY AND WITH FIRST REPORTED BY "THE SUN TIMES" TO HAVE WORN A WIRE TO COLLECT KEY EVIDENCE IN THE FEDERAL CASES OF FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN AND LONG TIME ALDERMAN ED BURKE.

IT'S BELIEVED THIS IS PART OF A DEFERRED PROSECUTION AGREEMENT FOR SOLISES COOPERATION IN THE INVESTIGATIONS.

>> JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON MARKED HER HISTORIC CONFIRMATION AS THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN ON THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

SHE WAS CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE ON A 53-47 VOTE INCLUDING THREE G.O.P.

SENATORS VOTING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

TODAY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN PRAISED JACKSON'S CHARACTER AND HER ABILITY TO WITHSTAND WHEN HE CALLED VERBAL ABUSE DURING THE LONG AND SOMETIMES CONTENTIOUS HEARINGS.

THE PROCESS WAS SHEPHERDED BY ILLINOIS SENATOR DICK DURBIN CHAIR OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

JACKSON SPOKE ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HER HISTORIC APPOINT MANY.

>> IT HAS TAKEN 232 YEARS AND 115 PRIOR APPOINTMENTS FOR A BLACK WOMAN TO BE SELECTED TO SERVE ON THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES.

[APPLAUSE] BUT WE'VE MADE IT.

[CHEERING] [APPLAUSE] >> ONE OF CHICAGO'S THREE CASINO FINALISTS PLANS TO LAUNCH A RIVER BOAT CASINO WHILE IT BUILDS A PERMANENT STRUCTURE.

RUSH STREET GAME AGO ON THE 78 GOT A PUBLIC AIRING AT A COMMUNITY MEETING.

THE OPERATORS RUNS RIVERS CASINO IN DES PLAINES.

REPRESENTATIVES SAID THEY WOULD HAVE A TEMPORARY RIVER BOAT WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF APPROVAL IF THAT PROPOSAL GOES FORWARD.

THE 78 IS THE PARCEL OF LAND SOUTH OF ROOSEVELT ROAD OF THE SOUTH BRANCH OF THE CHICAGO RIVER.

HARD ROCK AND BALLY'S PRESENTED THEIR PLANS AND WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THE PROPOSALS IN JUST A BIT.

A LONGTIME WEATHER ANCHOR HAS DIED.

JIM RAMEYSY WAS 30 WEATHERMAN FOR WGNTV HE RETIRED AFTER 42 YEARS IN BROADCASTING.

RAMSEY WAS 69 YEARS OLD.

>> AND NOW WE GO TO OUR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" PANEL.

JOINING US ARE DAVE McKENNY OF WBEZ.

OUR HEATHER CHERONE, LAURA WASHINGTON AND BRANDON POPE OF WCIU.

LET'S GET INTO IT WITH THE SOLIS MOVE, IS THIS A DEFERRED PROSECUTION AGREEMENT FOR HIS ROLE COOPERATING IN THE MADIGAN AND BURKE INVESTIGATIONS?

>> YEAH IT SURE LOOKS LIKE IT.

THAT SEEMS TO BE THE WAY THEY WORKED WITH COMMONWEALTH EDISON IN JULY OF 2020.

SIMILAR HERE WHERE SOLIS IS A VITAL COOPERATING WITNESS FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVOLVED IN BOTH THE BURKE CASE AND THE MADIGAN CASE.

SO THIS IS SORT OF A PIECE OF I GUESS, FEDERAL BOOKKEEPING THAT HAS TO HAPPEN TO GET THIS DEFERRED PROSECUTION AGREEMENT SET INTO STONE.

>> SOLIS WEARING THAT WIRE THAT PRODUCED PERHAPS THE KEY EVIDENCE IN BOTH CASES OR AT LEAST SOME OF THE KEY EVIDENCE.

LAURA WASHINGTON DOES THIS MEAN THAT SOLIS LIKELY WON'T GO TO JAIL?

BECAUSE REMEMBER HE HAD HIS OWN CASE IN A LOT OF HOT WATER?

>> THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

BECAUSE OF THE COOPERATION AND BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO NEED HIS COOPERATION WHO KNOWS WHEN EITHER ONE OF THE CASES ARE GOING TO GO TO TRIAL.

THEY ARE GOING TO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SOLIS IS HAPPY AND CONTENT AND SO IT IS NOT CLEAR WHETHER OR NOT HE WILL GO TO JAIL.

I DON'T THINK ANYTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN UNTIL THE CASES GO TO TRIAL.

>> RAY LOPEZ OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED HE IS RUNNING FOR MAYOR OF CHICAGO HERE IS HE ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" LAST EVENING.

>> I BELIEVE THAT RIGHT NOW, THE THINGS I'VE DONE IN MY WARD, THE LEADERSHIP I'VE SHOWN IN MY COMMUNITIES, NEEDS TO BE AN EXAMPLE WITH WHICH WE MOVE THE CITY FORWARD.

I'M ALL IN AS IT COMES TO LEADING THIS CITY AND PROVIDING HOPE FOR THOSE WHO FEEL WE ARE AT THE CUSP OR THE BRINK.

>> HEATHER CHERONE RAY LOPEZ IS PERHAPS MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S MOST VOCAL CRITIC.

WHAT DOES HE BRING TO THE RACE?

>> HE BRINGS A RELATIVELY CONSERVATIVE POINT OF VIEW.

HE IS PRO POLICE, ANTI-COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATE.

AND ANTIPOLICE MISCONDUCT SETTLEMENT.

HE HAS LED THE CHARGE MEETING AFTER MEETING PUSHING BACK AGAINST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CITY'S LAW DEPARTMENT TO SETTLE THE CASES SOMETIMES FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS SAYING THAT ESSENTIALLY IT GIVES CRIMINALS AN OPEN WAY OF TRYING TO EXPLOIT THE CITY.

NOW, AS MUCH AS WE TALK ABOUT SORT OF HIS POSITIONS, HE IS ALSO APPROACHED THE CITY COUNCIL IN A WAY THAT FEW OTHER ALDERPEOPLE HAVE.

HE IS NOT AFRAID TO USE STATE LAW TO CALL SPECIAL MEETINGS AND HE HAS DIRECTLY CONFRONTED MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ON THOSE ISSUES AND ANY NUMBER INCLUDING DURING THE GEORGE FLOYD PROTEST NOTICE SUMMER OF 2020 WHERE THE TWO WENT HEAD-TO-HEAD DURING A MEETING DURING THE WORST OF THE UNREST.

>> AND BRANDON POPE, RAY LOPEZ IS CLOSE WITH ED BURKE OR HAS BEEN OVER THE YEARS.

DO YOU THINK ED BURKE MIGHT GET SOME EXCITEMENT SEEING A CANDIDATE TAKE ON LIGHTFOOT WHEN LIGHTFOOT HAS BEEN HARSH ON ED BURKE?

>> I'M SURE ED BURKE IS SMILING EAR TO EAR.

IT WAS NO EVETTE RAY LOPEZ WAS EYEING A RUN FOR MAYOR AND NOW THE FIRST TO OFFICIALLY THROW IT HAT IN THE RING.

IT WILL BE A QUESTION MARK AS WE TALK ABOUT CORRUPTION AND HIS TIES TO ED BURKE AND HIS OPPOSITION TO THE MAYOR.

AND WHAT SOME HAVE VIEWED AS PERCEIVED SLIGHT BURKE HAS HAD TOWARDS MAYOR LIGHTFOOT THAT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH.

I'M INTRIGUED WE HAVE A CONSERVATIVE ALDERMAN HERE.

HE DISAPPEARED ON FOX NEWS ON TUCKER CARLSON.

HE WILL BE PUSHING PUBLIC SAFETY HARD BUT THIS MIGHT BE ONE OF THOSE YEARS THAT IS ON EVERYONE'S MIND IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND CRIME.

HE IS STILL GOING TO HAVE TO BALANCE THE PRO POLICE RHETORIC WITH THE CONCERNS ON THE GROUND WITH POLICE VIOLENCE.

WE HAVE A CONSENT DECREE THAT DOJ SENT OUR WAY THAT HAS NOT BEEN FULFILLED.

I'M CURIOUS HOW HE IS GOING TO STRIKE THAT BALANCE AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH GOING FORWARD.

>> ANOTHER THING, PARIS, IS THAT EVEN THOUGH HE IS VERY MUCH PRO POLICE, AND CAME OUT SWINGING AT POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE AND SAID ON DAY ONE HE IS GONE.

WHICH, OF COURSE, THAT GOT HIM HEADLINES BUT IT IS AN INTERESTING CONCEPT HE IS PRO POLICE BUT YET HE DOESN'T LIKE THIS ADMINISTRATION.

I THINK IN TERMS OF HIS CONSERVATIVE CREDENTIALS THAT IS GOING TO GIVE HIM THE EYE IN THE LANE THAT WOULD REACH OUT TO BECAUSE MORE CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS ON THE SOUTHWEST AND NORTHWEST SIDES PERHAPS THE LATINO VOTE AND HE IS PROBABLY GUESSING THAT MIGHT GIVEN THERE'S GOING TO BE A -- MIGHT GIVE HIM ENOUGH BASE TO GET INTO THE RUNOFFS.

>> AND GOING TO GET RID OF DAVID BROWN MIGHT NOT BE THE MOST UNPOPULAR POSITION WITH THE RANK-AND-FILE.

>> DAVE WE HAVE AN ELECTION DOCUMENT CIRCULATING, QUIGLEY FOR CHICAGO, SEEMING TO INDICATE HE IS ABOUT TO JUMP INTO THE MAYOR'S RACE.

WOULD YOU SAY THAT IS A SURE BET OR FIGURING IT OUT?

>> I SAY THAT IS THE BIG TOE IN THE WATER.

AND I THINK YOU LOOK YOU HAVE 8, 10, 12 PEOPLE ALL KIND OF CIRCLING.

I MEAN YOU HAVE A RACE LIKE THAT, IT REALLY KIND OF -- IT IS A JUMP BALL.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT I THINK SHE HAS TO CONFRONT THE CRIME PROBLEM.

AND WHEN IT ENTERS EVERYONE'S ORBITS YOU HEAR SHOOTINGS ON YOUR BLOCK OR THERE ARE CARJACKINGS DOWN THE STREET, THAT'S FRONT AND CENTER ON PEOPLE'S MINDS.

SO I AGREE WITH YOU, BRANDON, THAT IS THE BIG ISSUE SOMEBODY IN THIS FIELD IS GOING TO HAVE TO CONFRONT.

>> ONE OF THE MAYORS IS THE $5 MILLION PROPOSAL FOR REBATES FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS THAT BUY SECURITY CAMERAS, EITHER IN THE GARAGE OR THE FRONT OF THEIR BUSINESS.

HEATHER CHERONE WHAT IS THE THINKING BEHIND THIS PROPOSAL?

>> WELL, THE IDEA IS THAT THE POLICE NEED A LITTLE BIT OF HELP.

AND ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE TOOLS THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS IS THE VIDEO CAMERA SYSTEM THAT I'M SURE THAT LAURA WASHINGTON REMEMBERS WAS CREATED IN THE 90s AND HUGELY CONTROVERSIAL BUT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED AS A CRIME FIGHTING TOOL.

AND THE HOPE IS THAT THE CITY IF THE CITY GIVES THE REBATES, HOMEOWNERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS WILL BE MORE THAN LIKELY TO GIVE THAT VIDEO TO POLICE IF THERE IS AN INCIDENT OR ALLOW THE POLICE TO HOOK INTO THEIR CAMERA AND PUT THAT INTO THE GIANT SYSTEM THAT SORT OF IS WEBBING OVER THE CITY.

AND THE IDEA THAT ONE, YOU WILL CATCH PEOPLE DOING CRIMINAL ACTS AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PUT THEM IN JAIL.

NOTHING SPEAKS TO A JURY OR A JUDGE LIKE VIDEOTAPE OF THE CRIME.

AND ALSO IT WILL HELP PEOPLE FEEL MORE PROTECTED.

BECAUSE I THINK WE HEARD DAVE AND BRANDON ARE RIGHT, THAT THE PERCEPTION OF CRIME PERHAPS JUST AS MUCH OF A PROBLEM AS THE CRIME PROBLEM IN CHICAGO.

AND IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE PROTECTED, THAT I THINK CAN HELP PEOPLE FEEL SAFER AND THAT WILL INCREASE MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S CHANCES OF REELECTION.

BUT THAT'S A DROP IN THE BUCKET.

IT IS NOT GOING TO HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT MOST HOMEOWNERS WHO CAN AFFORD TO LAYOUT THAT CASH FOR CAMERAS ARE IN WEALTHY PARTS OF THE CITY WHERE CRIME IS RELATIVELY RARE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU COMPARE IT TO PARTS OF THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE SUFFERING MOST SERIOUSLY DURING THE SURGE.

>> BRANDON, FOLKS LIBERTARIANS WORRY ABOUT THE INCREASED SURVEILLANCE STATE AND BIG BROTHER AND WHETHER OR NOT WHERE POLICE WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE AND TAP INTO THIS.

DO YOU THINK MORE ALDERMEN WILL BUY INTO THE PUBLIC SAFETY LINE OR OVEREXPOSURE OF SURVEILLANCE?

>> I THINK PUBLIC SAFETY.

WE'VE REACHED A POINT IN SOCIETY WHEN POLICE ARE SOLVING CRIMES THEY ARE LOOKING AT VIDEO AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO FIND FIND EVERY ANGLE.

GIVING PEOPLE TO HAVE SURVEILLANCE CAN ONLY HELP.

I DO FEEL LIKE IT FEELS TOO LATE.

IT IS A GREAT IDEA, GREAT CONCEPT.

BUT LIKE WHY NOW AND NOT A YEAR AGO, TWO YEARS AGO WHEN PEOPLE REALLY, REALLY, REALLY NEEDED THE HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS?

AS HEATHER POINTED OUT, TOO, THE REBATE ITSELF THAT DOESN'T ALLEVIATE THE CONCERNS.

YOU HAVE TO SHELL OUT THAT MONEY.

AND IF YOU ARE NOT MAKING THAT MUCH IN A PAYCHECK PUTTING DOWN THAT MONEY FOR THE SECURITY SYSTEM AND NOT KNOWING WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO GET THAT MONEY BACK?

THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED.

>> EXPENSIVE AS GAS.

LAURA WASHINGTON THE MAYOR'S $12 MILLION TAX REBATE PROGRAM STALLED.

SHE IS TRYING TO TWEAK IT TO MAKE IT THAT THE INCOME ELIGIBILITY THRESHOLD IS LOWERED.

DO YOU THINK THESE WILL WIN OVER SKEPTICAL ALDERMEN.

THE PROPOSAL GOT STALLED IN THE CITY COUNCIL.

AND YOU ARE RIGHT, IT HAS BEEN TWEAKED.

THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCOMFORT WITH THE HIGH BAR THAT WAS SET THE ORIGINAL HIGH BAR SET FOR WHO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE BREAKS.

BUT THERE'S SKEPTICISM THIS IS ANOTHER ELECTION DAY GIVE MES AND THIS IS A CHEAP WAY OF BUYING VOTES GIVING PEOPLE $50 GAS CARDS AND CTA PASSES THAT ONLY GET THEM A FEW RIDES.

AND SOME PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT THE MAYOR IS TRYING TO MIRROR WHAT WILLIE WILLSON DID WHO IS LIKELY TO BE A MAYORAL CANDIDATE.

IT IS AN EXAMPLE OF POLITICIANS WOULD BE AND ELECTED OFFICIALS TRYING TO BUY VOTES THAT IS THE WAY IT'S BEEN PERCEIVED BY LIGHTFOOT.

>> AND WILLIE WILLSON INTENDING TO ANNOUNCE HIS DECISION MONDAY.

>> HEATHER CHERONE THE THREE CASINO PROPOSALS WENT BEFORE PUBLIC COMMUNITY HEARINGS.

HOW HAVE NEIGHBORS TAKEN TO THESE PROPOSALS?

>> NONE OF THEM SEEM TO PASS MUSTER.

THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT TRAFFIC, CONCERNS ABOUT CRIME.

THERE WAS CONCERNS ABOUT GAMBLING ADDICTION AND NONE OF THE CASINO PROPOSALS WERE REALLY GREETED BY THESE COMMUNITIES AS A SOLUTION TO WHAT AILS THEM.

AND I THINK IT SETS UP AN INTERESTING DYNAMIC.

BECAUSE NOW THE BALL SHIFTS BACK INTO MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S COURT.

SHE WILL HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE TO LOCATE WHERE THE CASINO WOULD GO.

BUT IN NONE OF THESE COMMUNITIES DID WE REALLY HEAR A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF RESIDENTS SAYING YES, WE WANT THIS CASINO HERE WE THINK IT WILL IMPROVE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND WHAT IS INTERESTING IS THAT THE TWO NEIGHBORHOODS THAT SPOKE OUT THE MOST WERE RIVER WEST WHICH IS SORT OF A VERY WHITE, WEALTHY COMMUNITY SAYING WE DON'T WANT THIS TRAFFIC.

AND YOU HEARD A LOT OF CRITICISM FROM PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN CHINATOWN WHO DON'T WANT TO SEE THE CASINO BUILT ON THE 78 CLOSE TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

SAYING THEY ARE CONCERNED IT WILL EXACERBATE PROBLEM GAMBLING.

AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO SAID LOOK THE 78 WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD OF CHICAGO WHY PUT A CASINO THERE?

THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND WE ARE AT LEAST TWO MONTHS AWAY FROM THE MAYOR MAKING THE DECISION.

SO THERE ARE AGAIN, LOTS OF QUESTIONS THAT REMAIN TO BE ANSWERED.

>> I COULD SEE ALDERPEOPLE IN EACH OF THESE THREE AREAS BEING OPPOSED TO IT.

AND THEIR COLLEAGUES PERHAPS HAVING TO GO AGAINST THEIR WILL IF ONE OF THESE PROPOSALS IS GOING TO PASS MUSTER.

>> STATE NEWS.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS SCHEDULED TO ADJOURN THE SPRING SESSION AMONG VOTING IS SCHEDULED FOR THE $45 BILLION ILLINOIS STATE BUDGET REACHED YESTERDAY BY THE GOVERNOR AND THE HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERS.

>> LEADERS IN BOTH CHAMBERS HAVE COME TO AN AGREEMENT ON, YET, ANOTHER RESPONSIBLE, BALANCED BUDGET.

BECAUSE OF OUR FOCUS ON FISCAL BALANCE, THIS BUDGET WILL PROVIDE OVER $1.8 BILLION DOLLARS IN TAX RELIEF TO ILLINOIS RESIDENTS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME RESTORING A BILLION DOLLARS TO OUR STATE'S LONG DEPLETED RAINY DAY FUND.

>> DAVID, WE'RE EXPECTING THEY WILL OFFICIALLY VOTE ON THE BUDGET AND IT INCLUDES AS HE SAID ABOUT 1.8 BILLION IN TAX RELIEF DIRECT TAX RELIEF.

WHAT ARE ILLINOISANS GOING TO BE SEEING INTO THEIR POCKETBOOKS OUT OF THIS BUDGET?

>> WELL, I MEAN, THEY'VE COVERED THE GAMUT.

THERE IS A SUSPENSION OF A 1% TAX ON GROCERIES.

THEY WOULD STALL A INCREASE IN THE MOTOR FUEL TAX DUE TO TAKE EFFECT IN JULY.

STALL THAT FOR SIX MONTHS.

>> THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT PROPERTY REBATES UP TO $300 PER HOMEOWNER.

CHECKS FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY FOR EVERYBODY MAKING LESS THAN $200,000 A YEAR.

$50 PER ADULT.

$100 PER KID UP TO THREE.

IT'S JUST A GIGANTIC GIVEAWAY THING HERE AND I'VE BEEN COVERING THE BUDGETS -- THIS AGES ME IN A WAY I AM AFRAID TO ADMIT -- ALMOST 30 YEARS WATCHING BUDGETS HERE AND I CANNOT REMEMBER ONE LIKE THIS WHERE THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH MONEY INVOLVED WHERE USUALLY IT IS A STORY OF GLOOM AND DOOM.

AND HERE YOU HAVE THE GIVEAWAYS YOU'VE ALSO GOT THE GOVERNOR AND THE TWO LEGISLATIVE LEADERS PUTTING A BILLION DOLLARS INTO A RAINY DAY FUND.

THAT'S NEVER HAPPENED.

ANOTHER 500 MILLION MORE THAN WHAT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO PUT INTO THE STATE PENSION SYSTEMS.

THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED.

SO IT IS LIKE THEY HAVE ALL THIS MONEY THAT IS THERE BECAUSE OF SURGING SALES AND INCOME TAX REVENUES PLUS $8 BILLION IN FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF MONEY THAT MADE ALL THIS POSSIBLE.

THAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE -- IT WILL GET OUT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON A FREIGHT TRAIN TONIGHT AND GET SIGNED VERY QUICKLY.

AND.

>> AND THEY ALL WANT TO CAMPAIGN ON IT.

>> THEY ARE GOING TO CAMPAIGN AND THE CHECKS WILL BE IN THE MAIL BEFORE THE ELECTION.

>> RIGHT.

POLITICS PLAYING A ROLE HERE.

I WANT TO MOVE ON TO A STORY THAT WTTW HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING.

OUR LATEST STORY FOUND THAT DEVELOPERS INVOLVED WITH THE REHAB OF AN OLD AURORA HOSPITAL COPELY, HIRED THE EX-WIFE OF MAYOR RICHARD IRVIN RUNNING FOR ILLINOIS GOVERNOR AND THAT GROUP IS GETTING $15 MILLION IN PUBLIC AID WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF MUCH MORE HERE.

THIS FOLLOWS OUR INVESTIGATION'S TRACKING CONTRACTS AND INCENTIVES TO WENT TO COMPANIES THAT DONATED TO IRVIN AND THE CAMPAIGN OF HIS PRACTICE LAW PARTNER BRITTANY PEDERSEN ME IS RUNNING FOR KANE COUNTY JUDGE.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH IRVIN.

LAURA WASHINGTON WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TOTALITY OF THIS AND HIS TREND WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU BELIEVE IRVIN NEEDS TO ANSWER IF HE DOES FACE REPORTERS AGAIN?

>> IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE HE IS IN A HURRY.

HE HAS BEEN UNWILLING AS YOU KNOW.

HE HAS BEEN ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN FORUMS AND DEBATES AND HE IS STRINGING ALONG AND NOT RESPONDING.

THE QUESTIONS HERE MAINLY REVOLVE AROUND WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF PAY TO PLAY.

FROM YOUR REPORTING PARIS, YOU HAD FINT ANYTHING PLAYTANTLY ILLEGAL BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S FAVORITISM HAPPENING BECAUSE OF IRVIN'S POSITION AS MAYOR HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO USE THAT INFLUENCE TO BRING IN DEVELOPERS AND BRING IN CITY CONTRACTORS WHO TAKE CARE OF HIM AND PERHAPS HIS EX-WIFE AND HIS FRIENDS.

AND IT DOESN'T REFLECT WELL ON SOMEBODY WHO IS RUNNING A A HIGH PROFILE GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN AT THE TIME WHEN THE CORRUPTION SO TOP OF MIND FOR VOTERS.

>> KEN GRIFFIN IS DONATING AND HE BELIEVES IRVIN IS THE GUY TO CLEAN UP THAT WASTE AND CORRUPTION: WHEN YOU SEE THAT REALITY IS THAT SOMETHING THAT VOTERS RESPOND TO ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE CAMPAIGN ADS THAT ARE JUST BRAN KETTING THE AIRWAVES NONSTOP?

>> THERE HAS TO BE A CAMPAIGN AD WAITING TO BE MADE OFF OF THIS STORY.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE STATE'S SECOND LARGEST CITY HE IS THE GUY IN CHARGE OF IT.

THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY GOING THROUGH CITY GOVERNMENT AND OF COURSE YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT IT'S BEING SCRUTINIZED BY REPORTERS LIKE YOU AND ME AND LAURA, HEATHER AND IT'S LIKE IT'S OUT THERE TO BE DONE.

I THINK FOR IRVIN, THE QUESTION IS THE BALLOT IS GOING TO BE TAKING SHAPE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

WE WILL KNOW FORESURE WHO SURVIVES THE PETITIONS.

IRVIN HAS TO WORRY ABOUT THE CONSERVATIVE FLANK OF THE PARTY.

DARREN BAILEY IS CLEANING UP DOWN STATE.

THERE IS A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM BEHIND HIM AMONG SOME OF THE REAL TRUMP-FRIENDLY DOWN STATE HARDCORE REPUBLICANS.

SO IRVIN HAS TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO REACH THOSE PEOPLE.

BECAUSE IN THE LAST G.O.P.

PRIMARY, 53% OF THE VOTE CAME FROM SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 80.

SO THERE IS AABILITY IN ADVANTAGE FOR BAILEY.

IRVIN HAS TO FEND OFF STORIES LIKE THIS PLUS FIGURE OUT A WAY TO REACH THE TRUMP VOTERS.

>> A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE THE PRIMARY AND I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY POLLING TO MY KNOWLEDGE THAT SHOWS WHO IS AHEAD OR WHERE THIS RACE STANDS.

I WANT TO MOVE ON TO STORIES ABOUT THE SECRETARY OF STATE CANDIDATE ANNNA VALENCIA, SHE IS CITY CLERK AND HER HUSBAND IS A LOBBYIST.

WHAT FALLOUT DOES VALENCIA FACE?

>> THIS STORY HAS BLUNTED THE MOMENTUM SHE WAS BUILDING IN THIS RACE.

SHE WON THE ENDORSEMENT OF SECRETARY JESSE WHITE A MORE BELOVED FIGURE IN ILLINOIS POLITICS AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER AND SHE SEEMED TO BE MAKING INROADS IN HER BID AGAINST ALEXI GIANNOULIAS AND THIS RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT WHOSE BENEFIT WAS SHE WORKING IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.

AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A SPRAWLING BUREAUCRACY ACROSS THE STATE AND IT TOUCHES EVERY ILLINOIS RESIDENT WHETHER YOU HAVE A STATE ID OR A DRIVER'S LICENSE AND IT HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY WITH THE VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM.

SO I THINK THE QUESTIONS GO TO SORT OF THE HEART OF WHETHER OR NOT SHE IS CAPABLE OF RUNNING THAT SYSTEM IN AN ETHICAL AND ABOVEBOARD WAY.

SHE SAYS SHE HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG AND OVERSIGHTS IN ETHICS FORMS WERE I EVER SIGHTS AND HAVE BEEN CORRECTED.

TWO NEWS ORGANIZATIONS FOUND ISSUES WITH THE FORMS.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S ONE OF THOSE OLD THINGS WHERE IF THERE'S SMOKE SOMETIMES THERE'S FIRE AND IT IS PROBABLY AN INDICATION THE FORMS WILL GET LOOKED AT MORE CLOSELY.

AND THE CITY CLERK THIS IS HER FIRST ELECTED POSITION THIS IS HER ENTIRE RECORD.

>> A LOT OF QUESTIONS SHE HAS TO ANSWER AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IS WHERE THE MASSIVE LICENSES FOR BRIBES SCANDAL HAPPENED WITH FORMER GEORGE RYAN.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT AN INVESTIGATION THAT YOU AND DAN HAVE BEEN DOING.

THIS ILLINOIS COMPANY THAT MADE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OFF OF STATE DEBT THEY PAY THE STATE VENDORS OWED MONEY AND THEY COLLECT ALL THE LATE FEES THAT THE STATE HAS TO DOLE OUT.

FROM WHAT YOU FOUND THIS COMPANY IS TRYING TO SHIELD THEMSELVES FROM HAVING TO PAY TAXES ON THE PROFITS.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS FOR US?

>> MY COLLEAGUE AND I STUMBLED UPON A LAWSUIT THAT WAS UNSEALED.

BASICALLY, ON BEHALF OF THE STATE IT'S ALLEGING THAT THIS COMPANY CALLED VENDOR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DIDN'T WINDUP PAYING STATE INCOME TAXES ON THIS VAST WINDFALL THAT IT COLLECTED.

IF YOU REMEMBER, THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WITH THE TWO-YEAR BUDGET IMPASSE UNDER FORMER GOVERNOR RAUNER AT THAT TIME ESPECIALLY THE STATE OF ILLINOIS HAD UNPAID BILLS THAT TOTALED SOMETHING LIKE $17 BILLION.

THAT BACKLOG IS VIRTUALLY WIPED AWAY.

BUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN COMPANIES LIKE VAN WOULD GO AROUND AND THESE VENDORS AWAITING AND WAITING AND WAITING TO GET PAID BY THE STATE.

THEY WOULD FRONT THE MONEY THAT THE STATE OWED THESE VENDORS IN AND EXCHANGE THEY WOULD COLLECT LATE PAYMENT PENALTIES ON WHAT THE STATE OWED AND THAT LEFT A RETURN OF 12% PER YEAR.

JUST SINCE 2018 THIS ONE COMPANY HAD MORE THAN $270 MILLION.

>> INCREDIBLY PROFITABLE AND IF FOLKS READ YOUR STORY CONNECTIONS TO DANNY SOLIS AND FORMER JIM EDGAR WAS INVOLVED IN ONE OF THESE COMPANIES.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS THE ONE THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

I ENCOURAGE VIEWERS TO CHECK OUT THAT INVESTIGATION.

THANKS TO DAVE McKENNY, LAURA WASHINGTON, HEATHER CHERONE AND BRANDON POPE.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW.

WE'RE BACK FOR AN HOUR AT 7:00 P.M. NEXT MONDAY.

FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND IT'S GREAT TO HAVE OUR CREW BACK HERE.

AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

[♪♪♪]