[♪♪♪] >> 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... >> LOCAL SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE REASSURING PARENTS SCHOOLS ARE SAFE FOLLOWING A SPADE OF THREATS ON TIKTOK.

C.P.S.

AND OTHER DISTRICTS SENT MESSAGES SAYING THERE ARE NO CREDIBLE THREATS AFTER TROUBLING TIKTOK VIRAL CAMPAIGNS PROMOTING VIOLENCE AT SCHOOLS WENT PUBLIC TODAY.

AT THE SAME TIME THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SAY THEY ARE CONDUCTING THREAT ASSESSMENTINGS AND TAKING ALL PRECAUTIONS TO KEEP STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SAFE.

MORE IN A MOMENT.

>> A SLIGHT DIP IN COVID CASES AFTER THE STATE SAW 12,000 CASES THURSDAY THE HIGHEST DAILY STATE TOTAL OF THE YEAR.

10700 CASES WERE REPORTED TODAY WITH 52 DEATHS AS HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE RISING AND COOK COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE URGING ALL BUSINESSES TO REQUIRE PROOF OF VACCINATION FOR ENTRY.

THE C.D.C.

RECOMMENDED SCHOOLS EMPLOY A COVID TEST TO STAY POLICY MODELED AFTER A PROGRAM CREATED IN ILLINOIS.

AND MORE ON THIS IN A BIT AS WELL.

>> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SIGNS A BILL REPEALING PARENTAL NOTIFICATION FOR ABORTION IN ILLINOIS IT WILL NOT REQUIRE MINORS TO NOTIFY A PARENT OR A LEGAL GUARDIAN.

SOME DECRY THE FACT IT STRIPS PARENTS THE RIGHT TO KNOW IF A CHILD IS SEEKING ABORTION.

IT HAD BEEN AND THE BOOKS SINCE 1995.

TO OUR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" PANEL JOINING US ARE SARAH SCHULTE OF ABC7 NEWS, ALEX NITKIN OF THE DAILY LINE, DAVE SCHAPER OF NPR AND LAURA WASHINGTON OF THE "CHICAGO SUN-TIMES" AND AB7 NEWS.

>> ALEX NITKIN IT FEELS LIKE DEJA VU 12,000 CASES.

DO YOU BELIEVE IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT ANNOUNCES A MANDATORY VACCINATION POLICY FOR ANYONE THAT WANTS TO ENJOY AN INDOOR ACTIVITY IN CHICAGO?

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT IS GOING TO DO.

A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WHEN NEW YORK ANNOUNCED THE VACCINATION MANDATE AND SHE SAID NO WE'RE NOT DOING IT.

AS RECENTLY AS WEDNESDAY SHE SAID STAY TUNED THERE ARE MITIGATIONS WE MIGHT BE ANNOUNCING.

WE HAVE TO WATCH AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE TODAY OR YESTERDAY WE GOT BACK ABOVE A THOUSAND AVERAGE DAILY NEW CASES.

WE HAVE THAT SEEN NUMBERS LIKE THAT SINCE THIS PAST JANUARY AND YOU MENTIONED THE COOK COUNTY HEALTH ADVISORY IT'S STARTING TO FEEL FOR PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS WE ARE HEADING FOR A HURRICANE TELLING EVERYONE TO BATON DOWN THE HATCHES AND TRY TO AVOID CONGREGATE SETTINGS.

>> IT FEELS LIKE THAT.

SARAH SCHULTE YOU HAVE A RECORD NUMBER OF CASES THIS YEAR AND THE OMICRON VARIANT STILL REALLY HASN'T SPREAD ITS WAY AROUND CHICAGO YET AND THAT IS A FASTER SPREADING VARIANT AND YOU GOT ALL THE GATHERINGS OVER THE HOLIDAYS.

YOU SPOKE WITH Dr. FAUCI TODAY.

IS THIS A PERFECT STORM?

>> IT ABSOLUTELY IS AND I THINK Dr. FAUCI SAYS YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT IS GOING ON IN NEW YORK AND PROBABLY WHAT IS GOING ON WILL BE REPLICATED AROUND THE COUNTRY BEFORE WE KNOW IT.

YOU KNOW IN NEW YORK CASES HAVE TRIPLED I THINK IN THE PAST WEEK.

BROADWAY SHOWS ARE BEING CANCELED.

AND THEY ARE FULLY EXPECTING SIMILAR SCENARIOS IN PLACES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> WHAT ABOUT C.P.S., LAURA WASHINGTON?

WE MENTIONED THE THE C.D.C.

RECOMMENDING A TEST TO STAY POLICY.

IS THERE A PROTOCOL IN PLACE FOR C.P.S.?

>> THAT'S UNCLEAR.

C.P.S.

HAS NOT BEEN AS FORTHCOMING AS YOU WOULD EXPECT GIVEN WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE BURGEONING NUMBER OF CASES.

AND WHAT I'VE BEEN HEARING WHEN I HEAR PARENTS TALK ABOUT THIS THEY DON'T FEEL THEY ARE GETTING ENOUGH INFORMATION AND THEY DON'T FEEL THERE'S CONSISTENCY IN THE POLICY IN TERMS OF HOW IT'S BEEN IMPLEMENTING ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> I TALKED TO THE C.E.O.

YESTERDAY AND THE ONLY THING THEY ARE DOING RIGHT NOW IS THEY ARE SENDING HOME 150,000 TESTS TO STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS WITH LOW VACCINATION RATES AND HIGH NUMBER OF CASES.

AND THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS IS THEY ARE EXPECTING THESE STUDENTS TO TAKE THE TEST ALL ON THE SAME DAY DECEMBER 28TH.

AND THEN EXPECTING THEIR FAMILIES TO DROP THEM OFF AT A FEDEX BOX THE SAME DAY.

C.P.S.

IS SUPPOSED TO ANNOUNCE MORE DROP-OFF LOCATIONS THAT MAY BE MORE CONVENIENT THAN A FEDEX BOX BUT THAT IS THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE RIGHT NOW IN PLACE.

AND YOU KNOW, I ASKED THE C.E.O.

DO YOU FULLY EXPECT SOME OF THESE PARENTS TO ACTUALLY TRY TO FIND A FEDEX BOX TO DROP THE TESTS OFF ALL ON THE SAME DAY?

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE THE COMPLIANCE OF THOSE 150,000 TESTS.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE A COMING HURRICANE THAT IS CATCHING A LOT OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS OFF GUARD.

DAVE SCHAPER KNOWING WHAT IS HAPPENING, WOULD IT CAUSE YOU TO PERHAPS RETHINK HOLIDAY PLANS AS MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE PLANNING TO GET TOGETHER IN CLOSE SETTINGS?

>> I DEFINITELY THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE SHOULD REEVALUATE THEIR PLANS.

LARGE GROUPS GATHERING INDOORS.

IT'S GETTING COLDER OUT AND PEOPLE WILL BE WANTING TO BE INDOORS, I THINK LAST YEAR WE HAD A WARMER CHRISTMAS SO PEOPLE COULD GET OUTSIDE.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ITCHING TO GET TOGETHER IN A BIG FAMILY GATHERING.

WE SAW THANKSGIVING WAS THE FIRST BURST AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE THINKING UNTIL THE OMICRON VARIANT BECAME KNOWN, FINALLY THIS CHRISTMAS WE COULD HAVE A NORMAL CHRISTMAS.

AND SO IT REALLY COULD SEE A BIG, BIG INCREASE IN CASES.

AND I SHOULD NOTE THAT AIRLINES, AIRPORTS, ALL THE TRAVEL ANALYSTS I'VE BEEN TALKING TO ARE EXPECTING BIG CROWDS AT THE AIRPORTS AND CROWDED PLANES.

PEOPLE WANT TO TRAVEL THEY WILL BE TRAVELING FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

PROBABLY FOR THE FULL TWO-WEEK PERIOD.

AND THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE VIRUS TO SPREAD FURTHER.

>> I THINK THAT DAVID NAIL IT IS WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT PEOPLE ARE ITCHING TO GET OUT.

THERE IS MASSIVE COVID FATIGUE THOUGH OMICRON IS CLEAR IT IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS AND BLOWING UP AND PEOPLE ARE HITTING THE WALL PARTICULARLY AROUND THE HOLIDAYS THEY ARE NOT WILLING OR REFUSING TO HUNKER DOWN FOR ANOTHER SECOND YEAR OF THE HOLIDAYS ESPECIALLY WITH THE HOLIDAYS COMING.

AND IT'S VERY HARD TO CONVINCE PEOPLE ESPECIALLY PEOPLE THAT FEEL LIKE WE GOT VACCINATED AND THE BOOSTERS AND WE STILL CAN'T HAVE A SEMI NORMAL LIFE?

PEOPLE ARE UNWILLING TO ACCEPT THAT AT THIS POINT.

>> WHAT DOES Dr. FAUCI SAY YOU ARE ONLY PROTECTED AGAINST OMICRON IF YOU ARE BOOSTED AND IT'S ONLY AGAINST SEVERE DISEASE?

>> CORRECT.

YOU ARE PROTECTED WITH THE TWO DOSES, TOO.

I MEAN, I THINK THAT WE DO NEED TO STRESS THAT.

IS THAT DEFINITELY PROTECTED WITH THE TWO DOSES.

BUT A BOOSTER GIVES YOU A HIGHER LEVEL OF IMMUNITY.

THEY ARE DEFINITELY EXPECTING A LOT OF BREAKTHROUGH CASES.

BUT THE DIFFERENCE IS AND THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN NEW YORK CITY IF THERE'S AN UPSIDE THEY ARE NOT GETTING AS MANY HOSPITALIZATIONS BECAUSE OF ALL THE BREAKTHROUGH CASES.

IT'S REALLY JUST A COLD OR A MILD ILLNESS IT IS NOT SENDING PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITALS.

CRIME IS PERM IT'S STREET-LEVEL ON MICHIGAN AVENUE, IN NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY AND I THINK THAT THAT IS TAKEN THE ATTITUDE AND TAKEN THE FEAR OF CRIME TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL AND WHEN YOU SEE A CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT SEEMS TO BE TRYING TO DO ITS BEST BUT THE RESPONSE IS CANCEL OFFICERS HOLIDAYS CANCEL DAYS OFF.

FLOOD THE STREETS WITH THEM.

WHEN YOU SEE THAT HAPPEN AND SEE THE CRIME CONTINUING TO RISE IT CREATES A LOT OF FEAR AND FEELING LIKE WE HAVE NOWHERE TO GO AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY SOLUTIONS.

>> AND THE SENATE HELD A HEARING IN CHICAGO ON THIS.

NO NEW OR CONCRETE SOLUTIONS HERE.

LET'S MOVE ON TO OTHER CITY COUNCIL NEWS.

ALDERPEOPLE APPROVED THE $3 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH ANJANETTE YOUNG FOR THE BOTCHED POLICE RAID OF THE SOCIAL WORKER'S HOME.

HERE IS MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT.

>> UNANIMOUSLY.

WHICH RARELY HAPPENS ON MATTERS OF SETTLEMENTS.

THE CITY COUNCIL AFFIRMED THE AGREEMENT THAT HAD BEEN REACHED WITH MS. YOUNG AND HER COUNSEL TO PAY HER $2.9 PILL.

>> AND ALEX NITKIN THE LAW FIRM RELEASED A REPORT THAT THE MAYOR COMMISSIONED HOW THE OFFICE HANDLED THE AFTERMATH OF ANJANETTE YOUNG HOW DID THAT GO?

>> THE HEADLINE WAS THE MAYOR DID NOT INTENTIONALLY CONCEAL ANY INFORMATION ABOUT ANJANETTE YOUNG WHEN IT HAPPENED.

THERE WAS SUBJECT OF THE CRITICISM SHE HAD TAKEN OVER WHETHER SHE HAD KNOWN ABOUT IT AT THE TIME THAT SHE HAD FIRED HER COUNSEL.

IT DID EXPOSE CRACKS AND FLAWS AND MISCOMMUNICATIONS IN WATCHDOG REPORTS ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION OR THE CITY THAT OBVIOUSLY THAT THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF LAW HAD BEEN SORT OF OVERZEALOUS IN THE SANCTIONS IT WAS PURSUING FOR TRYING TO GET ACCESS TO THE FOOTAGE OF HER OWN EXPERIENCE AND THEN EXPOSE THAT TO THE WORLD.

SO IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A MIXED BAG AND EXPOSED A LOT OF FLAWS IN THE SYSTEM THAT LED TO THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE BUT DID NOT FIND INTENTIONAL [AUDIO INTERRUPTION].

>> AND EXPOSED THE FLESSNER WROTE A SCATHING EDITORIAL CALLING THE MAYOR PETTY SAYING HER TERM HAS BEEN A FAILURE.

WHAT IS BEHIND THAT RIFT?

>> RIGHT.

I MEAN THE MAYOR WAS ASKED ABOUT THIS THIS WEEK AND SAID BASICALLY SHE HAD FIRED HIM FOR HIS RESIGNATION SHE LOST ALL FAITH IN HIM RELATED TO THIS INVESTIGATION AND RELATED TO THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN CITY ATTORNEYS AND MS. YOUNG AND HER ATTORNEY.

THE LAW DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN TRYING TO RETALIATE AGAINST MS. YOUNG FOR TRYING TO GET THIS INFORMATION AND THAT HE WAS ESSENTIALLY DISPARAGING HER IN PUBLIC AND SAID SHE COULDN'T STAND FOR THAT AND LOST HIS TRUST AND CUT HIM LOOSE.

SHE DID NOT SPEAK SPECIFICALLY TO THE KITCHEN SINK OF CRITICISM SHE LEVIED -- THAT HE LEVIED AGAINST HER ABOUT DEALING WITH POLICE AND SCHOOLS BUT LIKE WE'VE SEEN IN A LOT OF SITUATIONS WITH THIS SITUATION THIS MAYOR BEING -- PEOPLE BEING CUT LOOSE AND HAVE GRIPES THEY SHARE LATER.

>> AND THIS WEEK, SPORTS BETTING IS APPROVED AT PLACES LIKE WRIGLEY, THE UNITED CENTER.

DAVE SCHAPER ARE WE GOING TO ANTICIPATE YOU AT ONE OF THESE VENUES BETTING ON WHETHER OR NOT THE PITCHER ROLLS THE BALL UNDER THE MOUND BETWEEN INNINGS?

>> I WILL BE ROLLING THE DICE WHETHER IT IS A STRIKE OR A BALL.

IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE OF THINK OF YEARS AGO WHEN PEOPLE USED TO BE THROWING CASH AROUND BETTING ON EVERY PITCH IN THE BLEACHERS, AND IT'S YOU KNOW BRINGING THIS OUT INTO THE OPEN I THINK IS BEEN THAT DIRTY SECRET FOREVER THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GAMBLING ON SPORTS.

HAVING IT LEGAL NOW, HAVING IT ON-LINE NOW, HAVING PARLORS AT THE BALL PARKS AND THE OTHER STADIUMS, I THINK IT IS PROGRESSION.

I DON'T THINK THE CITY COULD HAVE STOPPED THIS STEAMROLLER.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW CLOSELY IT'S REGULATED AND WHERE THINGS MIGHT GO AWRY.

IF IT AFFECTS THE PLAY ON THE FIELD WHICH I THINK IT'S ONLY PROBABLY A MATTER OF TIME.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS HERE TO STAY AND I THINK THE CITY WANTS TO CASH IN ON IT.

>> ASK PETE ROSE THAT MIGHT BE TEMPTING IF HE WERE MANAGING OR PLAYING IN THIS ERA.

WITH CASINOS, ALEX NITKIN, THE CITY COUNCIL HEARD MORE ABOUT THE FIVE PROPOSALS.

LET'S LOOK AT THE MAP WHERE SOME OF THESE PROPOSED CASINOS WOULD GO.

DID WE LEARN ANYTHING NEW AND DOES ANYONE HAVE A LEG UP?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE HAS A LEG UP.

WE SAW A LOT VERY FLASHY PRESENTATIONS.

I THINK ONE HAD PITCHED IT AS THE NEW EIFFLE TOWER OF CHICAGO IN THE McDORM PLACE LAKESIDE CENTER.

WHAT WE SAW IS TAKE DIGS AT EACH OTHER TO GIVE THEMSELVES A LEG UP.

WE SAW RUSH STREET GAMING MORE ESTABLISHED WAS SAYING WE DON'T NEED ON THE JOB TRAINING WE ARE NOT NOVICE'S A KNOCK AT BALLY'S AND SAID WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE LOCATIONS WE CAN PUT ALL OF OUR ATTENTION HERE IN CHICAGO.

WE SAW A LITTLE BIT OF THAT JOCKEYING.

AND INTERESTING COMMENT FROM THE PUBLIC SAYING I'M CONCERNED ABOUT HOW MUCH THIS IS GOING TO DO FOR THE CITY AND TRAFFIC AN INDICATION OF THE NEXT STAGE HAS TO GET THROUGH THE CITY COUNCIL AND MAKE IT THROUGH THE PUBLIC LENS OF NEIGHBORS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE WONDERING WHETHER THEY WANT TO LIVE NEAR A CASINO.

>> LET'S MOVE ON TO STATE POLITICS.

BILLIONAIRE KEN GRIFFIN MADE A SPLASH WITH RUMORS FLOATING HE IS READY TO GIVE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS FOR ANYONE WILLING TO TAKE ON J.B. PRITZKER AND A NAME WAS MAYOR RICHARD IRVIN.

LAURA WASHINGTON, TELL US ABOUT RICHARD IRVIN.

>> RICHARD IRVIN IS IN HIS SECOND TERM AS AURORA MAYOR.

SAID TO BE VERY FAIRLY POPULAR AND RESPECTED AS A MAYOR.

HE HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE AND ADVOCATE ON FIGHTING COVID.

HE'S SAID TO BE I HAVE NOT MET HIM PERSONALLY, SAID TO BE CHARISMATIC.

IS AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND COMES FROM A POOR BACKGROUND.

HAS A MILITARY BACKGROUND.

COULD BE SOMEONE THAT COULD LOOK GOOD TO A KEN GRIFFIN.

KEN GRIFFIN IS SAID TO BE PLANNING ON SPENDING BIG TIME MONEY AND SAID HE WANTS TO TAKE ON J.B. PRITZKER AND PUT ALL OF HIS MONEY BEHIND THAT ONE FIGURE UP TO $300 MILLION WHICH WOULD GIVE A J.B. PRITZKER A RUN FOR HIS MONEY.

IRVIN IS DENYING THAT HE IS INTERESTED RIGHT NOW.

HE DENIED IT EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT HE WAS INTERESTED IN RUNNING.

BUT YOU KNOW HOW THAT GOES WITH POLITICS.

MINDS CAN CHANGE AND I DON'T EXPECT THERE'S GOING TO BE AN ANNOUNCEMENT UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

>> AND PARTIES CAN CHANGE, AS I UNDERSTAND IRVIN VOTED IN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES.

I'VE INTERVIEWED HIM HIS POSITIONS ON A LOT OF SOCIAL ISSUES TENDED TO BE MORE IN LINE WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WOULD THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO GET THROUGH A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY?

>> IT WOULD BE RED MEAT FOR THE OUR FOUR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES WHO ARE OUT THERE.

I'M SURE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO LAYOFF THAT.

YES, "THE SUN TIMES" RACHEL RUBIN OF RAVEL HINTON REPORTED HE HAS VOTED REPUBLICAN ONCE.

AND HE DOES HAVE FAIRLY MODERATE PROGRESSIVE ISSUES IN TERMS OF HIS POSITIONS.

SO, AGAIN THAT IS FODDER FOR HIS OPPONENTS.

>> 300 MILLION BEHIND YOU MAYBE YOU CAN CHANGE POSITIONS.

>> YOU CAN ERASE YOUR PAST AND BUY NEW POSITIONS?

>> AND SARAH THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HAD TO TAMP DOWN RUMORS HE WOULD BE A CONTENDER SHOULD PRESIDENT BIDEN CHOOSE NOT TO RUN IN 2024.

GOT ON A COUPLE OF LISTS.

DO YOU THINK IT IS A COINCIDENCE OR ARE PEOPLE MAKING CALLS TO NATIONAL PEOPLE WHY DON'T WE TALK ABOUT PRITZKER?

>> WELL, AS YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY KNOWS, NOTHING IS A COINCIDENCE.

NO, I THINK THEY ARE FLOATING HIS NAME AND SEEING LIKE IT GOES IN POLITICS.

YOU GET A LITTLE PUBLICITY SOMEBODY THROWS YOUR NAME OUT AND YOU DENY YOU ARE GOING TO RUN.

>> IT DOESN'T HURT EITHER EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT SERIOUS, IF YOU WANT TO BE MENTIONED ESPECIALLY IN THE NATIONAL MEDIA AS A POSSIBLE PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER.

AND HE IS NOT GOING TO RUN IF JOE BIDEN RUNS.

BUT HE DID NOT RUN HE SETUP WELL FOR NEXT TIME.

>> RIGHT, I THINK THE RUMOR WAS FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES".

>> "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND CNN.

BUT IT MIGHT HELP HIM IN HIS RACE FOR REELECTION IN ILLINOIS GIVING HIM THE APPEARANCE OF MORE GRAVITAS.

>> LET'S MOVE ON TO THE TRAGIC STORMS THAT RAVAGED THROUGH DOWN STATE AND KENTUCKY.

DAVID, YOU SPENT THE WEEK IN KENTUCKY.

GIVE US A SENSE OF THE SCOPE OF THE DEVASTATION?

>> I COVER QUITE A FEW OF THESE OVER THE YEARS AND I DON'T KNOW I'VE SEEN DEVASTATION QUITE THIS BAD.

THIS IS WAS SUCH A POWERFUL STORM IT WAS ON THE GROUND FOR WELL OVER 200 MILES SOMETHING LIKE MAYBE 250 MILES WHEN YOU ADD IN MISSISSIPPI AND ARKANSAS AND 10.

BEFORE IT JUST STORMED RIGHT THROUGH KENTUCKY.

THE PATH WENT RIGHT THROUGH THIS SMALL CITY, MAYFIELD, 10,000 PEOPLE.

HOMES WERE JUST SHREDDED, RIPPED APART.

IT IS NOT COMPLETELY FLATTENED AND A LOT OF PEOPLE LOST EVERYTHING.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY HARD FOR THE SMALL TOWNS IN WESTERN KENTUCKY TO RECOVER FROM THIS.

SO MANY PEOPLE DID NOT HAVE INSURANCE AND SO MANY PEOPLE ARE LOW INCOME TO BEGIN WITH AND LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

TALK ABOUT SAVING UP MONEY TO REBUILD IS REALLY IMPOSSIBLE.

YOU HAD TWO OF THE BIGGEST EMPLOYERS IN TOWN, BOTH THE CANDLE FACTORY AND A CHICKEN PROCESSING PLANT THAT WERE FLATTENED.

YOU KNOW, NOT TO TALK ABOUT THE LOSS OF LIFE THERE.

BUT SOME FOLKS MAY HAVE LOST THEIR LIVELIHOOD AS WELL.

IT'S JUSTYNA FRANK SUCH POWERFUL STORM.

SUCH INCREDIBLE DEVASTATION AND FOLKS WHO DID NOT NEED THIS SORT OF SMACKDOWN IF YOU WILL.

IT'S JUST REALLY DIFFICULT THING.

>> THE PRESIDENT DID VISIT SOME OF THE TOWNS DID YOU GET A SENSE THERE WILL BE FEDERAL RELIEF TO HELP THE HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS REBUILD?

>> AGAIN, I'VE COVERED A LOT OF THESE DISASTERS IN THE PAST AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HEARD PEOPLE PRAISING THE WORDS FEMA AS OPPOSED TO CURSING IT.

FEMA WAS THERE RIGHT AWAY STARTING WITH SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS BE EMPLOYED BEFORE THE PAPERWORK GOT PROCESSED TO SEND THE TEAMS IN.

THEY HAD THE FEDERAL URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS GOING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS OF DEBRIS ESPECIALLY AT THAT ONE FACTORY.

I SAW FEMA TEAMS WALKING THROUGH THE STREETS GOING FROM THE REMNANTS OF ONE HOUSE TO ANOTHER AS PEOPLE WERE OUT TRYING TO CLEAN OUT AND PICK UP WHAT THEY COULD.

FIND WHATEVER SALVAGEABLE BELONGINGS THEY COULD.

AND THEY WERE TALKING TO PEOPLE AND SAYING HERE IS THE PROCESS.

LEAFLETS HERE ARE THE WEBSITES.

CHECK IN AND CALL THIS NUMBER.

AND BY THE TIME I LEFT, I THINK EVEN BY LATE THURSDAY THERE WAS ALREADY MONEY GOING OUT FROM FEMA TO INDIVIDUALS TO HELP THEM WITH AT LEAST SOME PRIMARY EXPENSES.

BUYING NECESSITIES, FOOD, WATER AND GETTING TEMPORARY SHELTER.

>> AND WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN EDWARDSVILLE THAT AMAZON WAREHOUSE HALF COLLAPSING.

SIX PEOPLE DEAD.

WHAT DO YOU THINK AN OSHA INVESTIGATION INVESTIGATION MIGHT UNCOVER?

>> I THINK THE OSHA INVESTIGATION THERE AND SIMILAR TO OSHA STARTED AN INVESTIGATION WITH THE CANDLE FACTORY IN MAYFIELD TO SEE IF EMPLOYEES WERE BEING TOLD NOT TO LEAVE.

WHAT INSTRUCTIONS DID THEY GET ONCE THEY KNEW THE TORNADO WAS BEARING DOWN.

IF THEY HAVE SHELTER IN THE BUILDING?

COULD THEY GO SOMEWHERE WHERE THEY COULD HUNKER DOWN AND BE SAFE?

THE GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW JUST INCREDIBLY POWERFUL THE STORM WAS NOT SURE IF ANY INSTRUCTIONS WOULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE.

THE BUILDING IN EDWARDSVILLE SEEMS DIFFERENT.

THE BUILDINGS AROUND IT ARE STANDING AND THIS IS CHOPPED IN HALF AND THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS RAISED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION, THE BUILDING STANDARDS A LOT OF THE WAREHOUSES POPPING UP ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY OUTSIDE OF BIG CITIES LIKE ST. LOUIS, THAT THE BUILDINGS ARE GOING UP QUICK AND WHAT STANDARDS ARE THEY HELD TO.

>> I WILL THROW THIS OUT TO ANYBODY.

YOU ARE NOT HEARING MUCH FROM JEFF BEZOS TALKING ABOUT ONE OF HIS SPACE ROCKETS.

ANYONE FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN BUT IS THAT TONE DEAF HERE?

>> ABSOLUTELY, COMPLETELY TONE DEAF.

IT'S AMAZING TO ME.

BUT MY OPINION.

>> I THINK IT'S PROBABLY AN OPINION THAT IS A NONCONTROVERSIAL OPINION AND SHARED.

>> ANOTHER STICKY SITUATION ALEX NITKIN A LONGTIME ALDERPERSON FEDERALLY INDICTED CARRIE AUSTIN COLLAPSED AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

ANY UPDATE ON HER STATUS.

>> SHE WAS SLUMMING IN HER CHAIR AND EVERYONE WAS CLEARED OUT OF THE CHAMBER.

SHE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND NOW HAS BEEN CLEARED AND SHE IS OK. SHE PARTICIPATED THIS MORNING IN A CITY COUNCIL VIRTUAL COMMITTEE HEARING.

AND HER COLLEAGUES WERE THERE AND HAPPY TO SEE HER THERE.

AT THE SAME TIME THERE WAS A HEARING IN HER ONGOING ABATEMENT AND THE ATTORNEY WAS SAYING SHE IS IN SUCH POOR HEALTH I DON'T KNOW IF SHE CAN MAKE IT THROUGH A CRIMINAL CASE YET SHE WAS PARTICIPATING IN CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS.

IT SEEMS LIKE SHE IS OK. EVERYONE PULLING FOR HER.

BUT SHE CONTINUES TO HAVE THESE LEGAL MATTERS SHE HAS TO WORK THROUGH.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE FOR NOW.

OUR THANKS TO SARAH SCHULTE, ALEX NITKIN, DAVE SCHAPER AND LAURA WASHINGTON.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

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

AND BE SURE TO JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:00 P.M. FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES".

AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

AND WE'RE BACK AT 7:00 P.M. ALL NEXT WEEK.

A NOTE BEFORE WE GO.

OUR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" PROGRAM IS OFF NEXT FRIDAY FOR THE HOLIDAYS BUT WILL RETURN THE FOLLOWING WEEK ON DECEMBER 31, NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH A SPECIAL LOOK BACK AT 2021.

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY, STAY SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.