[♪♪♪] >> 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 A MOMENT BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> NEW DETAIL ON THE CITY'S HANDLING OF TWO HEATED CASES.

FIRST A BOTCHED POLICE RAID OF ANJANETTE YOUNG AND THE BOTCHED IMPLOSION OF THE HILCO SMOKESTACK IN LITTLE VILLAGE.

THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S INCLUDED INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE CASE OF ANJANETTE YOUNG THE IG FAULTED MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT FOR QUOTE A TROUBLING SERIES OF UNFOUNDED STATEMENTS REGARDING THE CASE AND CONCLUDED THAT CITY GOVERNMENT WORKED TO PREVENT YUCK FROM OBTAINING VIDEO PROOF OF UNLAWFUL RAID ON HER HOME.

THE.

IG FOUND CITY OFFICIALS ARE WARNED THAT THE DUST FROM THE SMOKESTACK IMPLOSION COULD BE CATACLYSMIC AND THE MAYOR REFUSED TO FIRE ANY ONE.

YOU CAN READ MUCH MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> AROUND 200 CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS STAGED A WALKOUT OF CLASS TO PROTEST WHAT THEY SEE AS THE LACK OF COVID SAFETY MEASURES FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING.

THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS RADICAL YOUTH ALLIANCE PICKETED OUTSIDE C.P.S.

HEADQUARTERS IN THE LOOP SAYING THEY BELIEVE C.P.S.

LEADERS AREN'T PAYING ATTENTION TO THEM WHEN IT COMES TO ESTABLISHING THE BEST SAFETY AND HEALTH MEDICALS IN BUILDINGS AS THE OMICRON WAVE SURGES.

THE STUDENTS CALLED FOR MORE N95 MASKS, ANTIGEN TESTS AND TIGHTER METRICS FOR SHUTTING SCHOOLS DOWN.

>> THE WAY THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN HANDLED IS ABYSMAL.

40%!

200 STUDENTS HAVE COVID AND THAT IS TOO MANY.

>> A NEW CANDIDATE IS SET TO JOIN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FIELD IN THE RACE FOR ILLINOIS GOVERNOR.

WTTW NEWS REPORTED LAST EVENING THAT RICHARD IRVIN IS SET TO ANNOUNCE HIS CANDIDACY ON MONDAY WHICH IS MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY.

IRVIN IS EXPECTED TO BE PART OF A REPUBLICAN SLATE THAT WOULD INCLUDE LAWMAKER, AVERY BOURNE AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE.

SOURCES CONFIRMED THAT THE STATE'S WEALTHIEST RESIDENT KEN GRIFFIN WOULD BANK ROLE TO THE TUNE OF TENS OF MILLIONS OR MORE ALTHOUGH A SOURCE TELLS WTTW THAT HE HAS NOT YET DECIDED ON WHICH CANDIDATES TO BACK IN THESE RACES.

IRVIN WOULD JOIN A REPUBLICAN FIELD THAT CLOUDS DARREN BAILEY, BUSINESSMAN GARY RABINE, LAWYER PAUL SCHIMPF AND VENTURE CAPITALIST JESSE SULLIVAN FOR THE CHANCE TO TAKE ON DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE INCUMBENT GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER.

>> JASON VAN DYKE IS SET TO BE RELEASED FROM PRISON NEXT MONTH.

THE FORMER POLICE OFFICER FOUND GUILTY OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER FOR KILLING LAQUAN McDONALD WILL REPORTEDLY BE LET OUT OF PRISON EARLY FEBRUARY AFTER SERVING THREE YEARS OF A NEARLY SEVEN YEAR SENTENCE.

THE ILLINOIS PRISON REVIEW BOARD GRANTED HIS EARLY RELEASE.

>> COMMUNITY AND FAITH LEADERS ARE CALLING FOR HELP SOLVING THE MURDER OF A 14-YEAR-OLD ON THE CITY'S WEST SIDE.

HE WAS SHOT AND KILLED ON WEDNESDAY NEAR THE 2200 BLOCK OF WEST ADAMS.

HE WAS ONE OF TWO 14-YEAR-OLDS KILLED ON THAT DAY.

>> THIS IS NOT NORMAL.

IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

AND EVERY TIME A BODY DROPS, WE NEED TO HAVE A COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO IT.

AND NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL.

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

JOINING US ARE CRAIG DELLIMORE OF WBBM NEWS RADIO.

SARAH KARP OF WBEZ.

KEVIN FISHBAIN OF THE ATHLETIC AND MARY ANN AHERN OF NBC5 NEWS.

LET'S GET RIGHT TO IT.

C.P.S.

RETURN TO CLASS WEDNESDAY AFTER THE TEACHERS' UNION AND THE CITY STRUCK A DEAL ON A COVID SAFETY PLAN BUT UNION MEMBERS NARROWLY RATIFIED THAT DEAL.

C.T.U.

VICE-PRESIDENT STACY DAVIS GATES SOUNDED OFF.

>> WE HAVE THESE NONSTOP BACK AND FORTH FIGHTS WITH THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OVERCOME SENSE PRACTICAL BASELINE SAFETY MEASURES.

OUR MEMBERS LITERALLY TOOK A FOUR-DAY HIT TO THEIR PAYCHECKS TO GET FACE COVERINGS FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR STUDENTS.

THAT IS PATHETIC.

>> SARAH KARP DESPITE THE BACK AND FORTH C.T.U.

LEADERSHIP BACKED OFF SOME OF THEIR DEMANDS.

HOW DID THE DEAL COME TOGETHER ON MONDAY?

>> WELL, LAST WEEK, ON SATURDAY, THE C.T.U.

LAID OUT LIKE THIS BIG PROPOSAL THAT INCLUDED AT THAT POINT A DISTRICT WIDE METRIC FOR WHEN THE DISTRICT WOULD SHUTDOWN AND GO REMOTE.

IT INCLUDED A PROVISION THAT SAID THAT KIDS WOULD HAVE TO OPT-OUT OF COVID TESTING AS OPPOSED TO OPT-IN AND THOSE ARE TWO THINGS THAT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT HAS SAID I AM NEVER EVER GOING TO GO FOR.

I DON'T KNOW BUT I SORT OF SUSPECT THAT THE STRATEGY FROM THE UNION WAS TO SORT OF MAKE IT CLEAR TO THEIR MEMBERSHIP THAT WE ARE PETITION R PUSHING FOR MIES THINGS BUT THE MAYOR IS NEVER GOING TO GO FOR THIS.

YOU SEE THE MAYOR IS NEVER GOING TO GO FOR THE THINGS AND THEY HAD TO MAKE A CALCULATION, COULD YOU KEEP TEACHERS OUT UNTIL THE 18TH OR EVEN LONGER AND TRY AND PUSH FOR THESE THINGS.

BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE MAYOR WAS GOING TO WAIT SHE WAS NOT GOING TO GIVE UP EASILY.

>> TO THAT EFFECT, THE RANK-AND-FILE OF THE UNION VOTED TO RATIFY 55 IN FAVOR 46 OPPOSED.

A NARROW MARGIN.

DOES THAT SIGNAL THERE'S DISSENTION IN THE RANKS WITH THE UNION?

>> THAT DOES GIVE YOU PAUSE AND THERE IS ELECTION FOR THE UNION LEADERS IN MAY.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT JESSE SHARKEY AND STACY DAVIS GATES WILL RUN AGAIN AS A TEAM AND THERE WILL LIKELY BE OPPOSITION TO THEM.

AND I THINK TEACHERS WERE STARTING VERY SMALL BUT IT WAS UP TO 15, 16% WERE STARTING TO COME BACK TO THE CLASSROOM.

WE'VE NEVER SEEN THAT.

>> ACTUALLY IT'S USUALLY 4 OR 5% AND THIS IS HIGHER.

THERE ARE TWO WAYS YOU CAN COULD LOOK AT THIS.

THIS IS A COMMENT ON THE UNION LEADERSHIP BUT MUCH MORE OUT THERE WHAT I SAW IS THAT TEACHERS WERE LIKE WE WANT TO WAIT MORE.

WE DON'T THINK WE GOT ENOUGH IN THIS DEAL.

AND THIS WAS A VOTE TO SAY WE DON'T FEEL SAFE IN SCHOOLS.

AND WE DON'T CARE WHAT THE UNION LEADERSHIP SAYS.

THAT'S SORT OF AN INDICTMENT BOTH ON THE UNION LEADERSHIP AND ALSO ON HOW THEY FEEL THE CONDITIONS ARE IN THE SCHOOLS.

>> AS A RESULT CRAIG DELLIMORE HOW TENUOUS IS THIS LABOR PIECE THAT HAS KIDS AND TEACHERS BACK IN SCHOOL?

>> I'M NOT SURE I WOULD CALL IT LABOR PEACE.

WE ARE STILL IN A STAGE WHERE THE UNION AND THE ADMINISTRATION WILL NOT TALK TO EACH OTHER.

AND LET'S FACE IT THEY RETREATED TO COMPLETELY SEPARATE CORNERS WHEN MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAD THE DEMANDS GO TO REMOTE LEARNING, SHE SHUT THE SCHOOLS DOWN ENTIRELY.

THAT WAS REALLY A STATEMENT OF STRENGTH SAYING NO, WE'RE NOT GIVING INTO YOU EVEN IF IT MEANS THAT WE ARE GOING TO KEEP OUR KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL.

REMEMBER THIS IS THE MAYOR WHO SAID KEEPING KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL IS THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN TO THEM.

SO THIS IS A ESCALATION IF ANYTHING.

>> ALSO PLAYING IN ALL OF THIS LET'S FACE IT THE MAYOR'S ELECTION IS 13 MONTHS AWAY.

AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT THIS WAS ALSO ABOUT.

>> AND I MEAN STACY DAVIS GATES AND THAT NIGHT THAT THEY ACCEPTED THE DEAL SHE SAID THIS MAYOR IS UNFIT TO SERVE.

>> SHE USED THE ON A KAMIKAZE MISSION AND THERE'S RUMORS THAT STACY DAVIS GATES COULD RUN FOR MAYOR HERSELF.

KEVIN FISHBAIN SO MUCH OF THIS STUFF IS ABOUT WHO WINS THE NARRATIVE.

DID ANYONE WIN THIS NARRATIVE C.P.S.

OR C.T.U.?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

IT'S SO EASY THE FACT THAT IT IS AMAZING TO WATCH THE DIVIDE IN THE CITY ON THESE SIDES AND IT IS NOT ON POLITICAL LINES.

AND THAT HAS BEEN THE AMAZING THINGS.

THE KIDS LOST.

THE KIDS ARE THE ONES WOULD LOST BUT I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS CHEERING FOR THE UNION OR CHEERING FOR MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND THE CITY AND WHAT C.P.S.

DID.

>> WE SAW PARENTS ANGRY ALL ACROSS THE BOARD.

MARY ANN AHERN SPEAKING OF PUBLIC NARRATIVE, THE MAYOR DECIDED TO DO A LOT OF NATIONAL CABLE TV APPEARANCES DURING THIS LOCKOUT OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.

WHAT IS BEHIND THAT STRATEGY?

>> WELL, IF YOU MIGHT RECALL WE USED TO BE ABLE TO TALK OFTEN PERHAPS YOU HAVE BUT I HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO HER IN MAYBE 10 MONTHS.

I THINK -- AND IT'S NOT THAT THE NATIONAL AND THE CABLES DO NOT ASK GOOD QUESTIONS THEY DO.

BUT THEY ARE ALSO NOT HERE ON A DAILY BASIS.

THEY DON'T KNOW ALL THE NUANCES.

AND SHE THINKS ACCORDING TO HER PEOPLE IS THAT THERE IS A BIG AUDIENCE OUT THERE.

AND YET OTHERS HAVE POINTED OUT THE LOCAL TV AUDIENCE IN CHICAGO IS REALLY LARGER THAN THAT CABLE AUDIENCE IS.

>> REPRESENTING A LOCAL TV STATION WE'RE GLAD FOR THAT.

SARAH KARP, THEN ALL THIS HAPPENS ON TUESDAY THE MAYOR ANNOUNCES SHE HAS COVID.

THIS IS RIGHT AFTER THE EVENING WHERE SHE GIVES A PRESS CONFERENCE IN-PERSON.

WHEN DO WE KNOW WHEN SHE MIGHT HAVE CONTRACTED IT AND WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED?

>> THE FIRST QUESTION THAT I HAD IS PEDRO MARTINEZ THE HEAD OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS BEEN SPENDING A LOT OF TIME WITH HER AND HE WOUND UP SAYING THAT HE DID TEST NEGATIVE ON A RAPID TEST AND WAITING FOR A PCR HE HAD TO CANCEL SCHOOL VISITS WHAT HE WANTED TO DO ON WEDNESDAY MORNING WAS BE IN SCHOOLS OPENING THE DOORS WELCOMING KIDS BACK BUT HE WAS NOT ABLE TO DO THAT BECAUSE HE WANTED TO MAKE SURE HE IS NOT POSITIVE ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE FACT THAT MOST KIDS ARE NOT VACCINATED IN CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS EVEN THOUGH ALL KIDS ARE MOSTLY ELIGIBLE EXCEPT FOR PRESCHOOLERS.

>> AND PART OF THE DEAL IS TO RAMP UP TESTING AND RAMP UP THE VACCINATION EVENTUALLY.

CRAIG DELLIMORE SPEAKING OF COVID, ARE PUBLIC OFFICIALS CONFIDENT THAT PERHAPS OMICRON HAS STARTED TO PLATEAU?

>> THE NUMBERS ARE SUGGESTING THAT IT MIGHT.

HOWEVER, NO PUBLIC OFFICIAL IS GOING TO SAY THAT THEY ARE SURE OF ANYTHING RIGHT NOW.

BECAUSE OF HOW UNPREDICTABLE THIS HAS BEEN.

AND REALLY, THERE ARE TOO MANY VARIABLES.

WE ARE SEEING THE NUMBERS GOING DOWN BUT REMEMBER, OMICRON SPREADS SO QUICKLY, IT MAY BE A MILDER FORM.

BUT IT SPREADS SO QUICKLY THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE BEING INFECTED AND EVEN IF THEY ARE MILDER INEFFECTIONS, A TINY% OF THEM GET A SERIOUS COVID INFECTION THE NUMBERS OF HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE INFECTED STILL PUTS MORE PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL WHICH MEANS WE HAVE HOSPITALS THAT ARE SEEING THEIR ICU'S FILLING UP EVEN NOW EVEN WITH A MILDER FORM.

>> AND AMONG THIS THERE IS AN INCREASED SPOTLIGHT ON COVID SCAMS.

THIS CENTER FOR COVID CONTROL THEY OPERATE A NUMBER OF SITES THROUGHOUT CHICAGO AND THEY SHUTDOWN AFTER INVESTIGATIONS.

IS THIS JUST A TOTAL SHAM OF AN OPERATION?

OR SOME COMPANY THAT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IT'S DOING?

>> I DON'T THINK IT IS QUITE A SHAM.

I HAVE BEEN TESTED AT ONE OF THEIR FACILITIES.

I KNOW OTHERS THAT HAVE.

I UNDERSTAND THERE'S BEEN SOCIAL MEDIA POSTING OF A PARTNER OF ONE OF THOSE IN CHARGE SAYING THEY BOUGHT A LUXURY CARD THANKS COVID OR AN INFERENCE LIKE THAT THAT SUGGESTS THEY ARE NOT RUNNING THEIR COMPANY WELL IF THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO PROMOTE.

I DO THINK WE MIGHT SEE MORE OF THAT.

EVERYONE IN A HURRY.

PEOPLE WANTING TO CAPITALIZE ON THAT SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

>> AND WE SHOULD MENTION THIS WEEK ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL KWAME RAOUL WARNED PEOPLE LOOKING FOR COVID TEST MAJOR SURE THEY ARE GOING TO A REPUTABLE TESTING SITE OVER THE POP-UP TESTING SITES THAT HAVE SPRUNG UP ALL ACROSS THE REGION.

>> WE ARE GOING TO BE POP-UP SITES THAT MAY IN FACT USE A LEGITIMATE LABORATORY.

AND A LEGITIMATE TEST TO GET RESULTS.

BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO ASK WHO THEY ARE USING, AS THEIR LABORATORY AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT LABORATORY IS CERTIFIED.

>> I WANT TO MOVE ON.

KEVIN FISHBAIN WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE BEARS IN A BIT BURT GEORGE McCASKEY TALKED MORE ABOUT THE DEAL FOR LAND IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

THEY ARE JUST EXPLORING.

DO YOU THINK THE TEAM IS GOING TO HAVE THE RESOURCES TO BUILD A BIG MODERN STADIUM THERE?

>> PARIS, THEY ARE GOING THAT DIRECTION AND TED PHILLIPS TARGETED 2023 WHEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO START MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION AND THEY WILL HAVE THE RESOURCES.

THAT IS WHEN THE NFL WILL STEP IN.

WOULDN'T IT BE NICE IF WE COULD GET A GRANT FROM THE NFL TO BUILD WHATEVER AND THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS.

THE TEAM CAN GET HELP FROM THE LEAGUE AND THE BEARS AREN'T GOING TO HAVE TROUBLE FINDING MONEY ONCE IT COMES TO THAT POINT.

IT'S NOW GETTING THROUGH EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEED TO DO TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE THEY CAN START MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.

>> AND McCASKEY INTIMATED HE HAD SPOKEN TO CITY OFFICIALS DO YOU THINK THERE'S ANY CHANCE THAT THE CITY CAN RETAIN THEM IN SOLDIER FIELD OR ANOTHER PROPERTY?

>> I DON'T SEE IT HAPPENING.

THOSE TWO SIDES DO NOT SEE EYE TO EYE ON WHAT THEY WANT.

WHAT IS INTERESTING TO SEE GEORGE McCASKEY AND MAYOR LIGHTFOOT BOTH IN THE CROSSHAIRS OF THE FANS OF PEOPLE AND CITIZENS OF CHICAGO AND THE TWO DO NOT GET ALONG WELL.

SO YEAH, I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING ANYTIME SOON.

>> IT'S BEEN A CONTENTIOUS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CHICAGO MAYOR AND THE BEARS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

WE REPORTED LAST NIGHT THAT RICHARD IRVIN IS EXPECTED TO ENTER THE RACE ON MONDAY RUNNING AS A REPUBLICAN LIKELY THE TICKET MARY ANN THAT KEN GRIFFIN IS GOING TO BACK TO THE TUNE OF POSSIBLY $100 MILLION OR MORE.

GRIFFIN SAYS HE HAS NOT MADE UP HIS MIND YET, DO WE BELIEVE THAT?

OR HE IS GRIFFIN'S GUY?

>> HE IS GRIFFIN'S GUY THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

YOU CAN TALK TO ANY 10 STRATEGISTS OUT THERE WE ARE WAITING FOR THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO HAPPEN ON MONDAY.

IT'S KIND OF STARTED LEAKING OUT IN EARLY DECEMBER.

ACTUALLY MAYBE BEFORE THAT IN THE FALL THERE WAS TALK OF IRVIN AND HE SAID NO.

BUT IF PERHAPS HE WOULD BE A WINNER HE WOULD BE THE FIRST BLACK GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS.

THERE'S GOING TO BE QUESTIONS HIS PRIMARY VOTING RECORD SOMETIMES AS A DEMOCRAT AND SOMETIMES A REPUBLICAN.

YOU CAN SEE THAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER IS TAKING IT SERIOUSLY.

TONIGHT MOMENTS BEFORE WE STARTED WE LEARNED THAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER PUT 90, 90 MILLION MORE INTO HIS CAMPAIGN TONIGHT.

AND HIS SPOKESMAN TEXTING ME AS WE HAVE BEEN ON THE AIR TO SAY I REALIZE YOU WITH GOING TO BE ON WTTW, THE GOVERNOR KNOWS TO FIGHT FOR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AND HEALTH AND ECONOMY THEY HAVE THEIR ANSWER TO WHY THEY ARE PUTTING SO MUCH MONEY IN THIS RACE.

THAT TELLS ME THEY THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE COMPETITIVE.

>> THAT IS A LOT OF ZEROS AND BREAKING NEWS HERE ON "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

WE THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> CRAIG DELLIMORE THIS IS GOING TO BE PART OF A TICKET THAT INCLUDES A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE, AVERY BOURNE FROM DOWN STATE.

A CANDIDATE FROM COMPTROLLER, ATTORNEY GENERAL, TREASURER.

HOW UNUSUAL IS IT TO HAVE A STATE-WIDE SLATE LIKE THIS?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S UNUSUAL FOR THERE TO BE A STATE-WIDE SLATE.

WHAT IS UNUSUAL IT FOR IT TO HAVE THIS COMESIVE ORGANIZATION AND -- COMESIVE ORIGINATION AND RESOURCES.

IF IT'S GOING TO HAVE KEN GRIFFIN'S MONEY BEHIND IT THAT IS THE MOST SERIOUS MOVE THEY CAN MAKE.

AND ALSO WHAT I THINK WHAT IS INTERESTING IS THAT THEY ARE GOING FOR THE HISTORY PART OF THIS AS OPPOSED TO SIMPLY PUTTING UP THEIR IDEOLOGICAL CANDIDATE AND HOPING THAT DOES IT.

NOW THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO SAY YOU CAN VOTE FOR THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

THEY CAN HAVE A HISTORY PEGGED TO THIS.

>> NO DOUBT THAT'S WHY THEY ARE ANNOUNCING IT ON MLK DAY NOT A COINCIDENCE THERE.

SARAH KARP IF YOU LOOK AT IRVIN'S POSITIONS HE PULLED DEMOCRATIC BALLOTS IN RECENT PRIMARIES.

AURORA HAS BEEN A SANCTUARY CITY AND PRAISED DR. NGOZI EZIKE FOR COVID MITIGATIONS.

DOESN'T IT RUN COUNTER TO THE WAY THE BASE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FEELS?

>> YES.

AND I THINK THAT THAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE WHAT HE HAS TO HONE IN ON.

HE HAS TO TRY TO TIE IRVIN TO I A RAUNER AND TRY AND REMIND US WHAT RAUNER DID AND IF GRIFFIN BACKED RAUNER OBVIOUSLY AND THEY WERE GREAT PALS AND SO HE HAS TO MAKE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT JUST BECAUSE HE IS A DIFFERENT PERSON, DOESN'T MEAN THAT HIS FRIENDS ARE THE SAME AS RAUNER'S FRIENDS.

THAT IS GOING TO BE A VERY INTERESTING RACE TO WATCH.

AND YOU KNOW I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE COMMERCIALS IT'S GOING TO BE NO TV JUST COMMERCIALS.

>> RICHARD IRVIN IS A DYNAMIC SPEAKER.

HE HAS BEEN HONING THAT SKILL THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC AND THROUGH EVEN SOME BUMPS IN THE ROAD THAT HE HAS HAD TO ENDURE.

BUT HE COMES AT IT STRAIGHT AT YOU.

AND DOESN'T SHY AWAY FROM TAKING THE STAGE.

>> COULD BE THE MOST EXPENSIVE GOVERNOR'S RACE IN ILLINOIS HISTORY AFTER THE LAST ONE WAS.

MARY ANN THE MUD IS SLINGING THERE WAS A TRIBUNE STORY BY RICK PIERSON TALKING ABOUT ONE OF THE CANDIDATES DARREN BAILEY DECRIED BIG GOVERNMENT AND DECRIED SOCIALISM HE RECEIVED HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN PPP LOANS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND DUMPED $150,000 INTO HIS CAMPAIGN.

HOW CONTENTIOUS IS THIS PRIMARY ALONE GOING TO BE?

>> IT IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE.

IT DOES SMACK HYPOCRITICAL WHY ARE THERE ALL THE GIVEAWAYS.

THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HE HAS THIS MONEY.

I WANT TO FIND OUT -- OBVIOUSLY THERE'S ETHICAL QUESTIONS ARE THERE LEGAL QUESTIONS AS WELL?

THIS IS A FIGHT.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S FUTURE AS A CHANCE TO PERHAPS COME BACK AFTER WHAT HAPPENED WITH RAUNER JUST ONE TERM.

AND YOU CAN ALREADY SEE WITH PRITZKER RUNNING HIS OWN ADS AND HE HAS NO OPPONENT IN THE PRIMARY HE IS GETTING HIS ADS OUT SOON.

>> AND WE HAVE THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S RACE WHERE THE FORMER FAILED CANDIDATE FOR SENATE ALEXI GIANNOULIAS SWEPT UP THE ENDORSEMENTS HERE.

WHAT HAS HE DONE TO GET THIS SUPPORT?

>> I THINK HE HAS BEEN BUILDING TOWARDS THIS FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

HE HAS BEEN BASICALLY BUILDING SUPPORT WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY REGULARS.

HE HAS BECOME AS REGULAR A DEMOCRATIC PARTY REGULAR AS YOU CAN GET.

THAT SO-CALLED LOYALTY PLEDGE THAT THE COOK COUNTY DEMOCRATS WERE DEMANDING OF CANDIDATE WAS A PART OF THAT.

THAT WHOEVER GETS THE NOD THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FIELD IS CLEARED.

WHICH IS WHY ONE OF THOSE CANDIDATES, ALDERWOMAN PAT DOWELL LEFT THE RACE.

SHE SIGNED THAT PLEDGE AND ONCE HE GOT THE SLATING FROM THE COOK COUNTY DEMOCRATS, SHE TURNED AND HER CAMPAIGN INTO A CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR BOBBY RUSH'S SEAT.

>> AND HE ENDORSED SOMEONE ELSE.

>> I THINK THAT PLEDGE WAS ALSO A BIT OF A TWEAK TO GIANNOULIAS BECAUSE HE HAD SAID PRAISED TOM CROFT AS A REPUBLICAN WHEN HE RAN AND THEY HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN THAT.

THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A BACK AND FORTH ON THAT.

WE STILL REMEMBER YOU THINK YOU'VE MOVED ON AND WE'RE STILL THINKING ABOUT THAT.

>> A LOT TO WATCH WITH THE BEARS.

AFTER A DISMAL SEASON THEY FIRED MATT NAGY AND RYAN PACE AND CHAIRMAN GEORGE McCASKEY TOOK A DEFENSIVE TONE.

>> WE GET THAT A LOT OF BEARS FANS ARE UNHAPPY AND WE ARE UNHAPPY TOO AND FRUSTRATED.

AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S NOT REALLY A LOT THAT CAN BE SAID TODAY THAT IS GOING TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL BETTER ABOUT THE SITUATION.

AND IT MAY BE THAT ONCE THE CANDIDATES ARE INTRODUCED THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WHO SAY YOU PICKED THE WRONG GUY OR YOU DIDN'T GET IT RIGHT OR WHATEVER.

THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO PRODUCE RESULTS IS ON THE FIELD.

AND THAT WON'T BE FOR SOMETIME TO COME.

>> KEVIN FISHBAIN HAS IT BECOME A FOUR TO FIVE YEAR RITUAL CLEANING OUT THE HOUSE AND HIRING A CONSULTANT.

SHOULD BEARS FANS BE CONFIDENT SOMEHOW THAT GEORGE McCASKEY WILL GET IT RIGHT OR SOMETHING WILL BE DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS SEARCH?

>> I MEAN THEY HAVE NO REASON TO BE CONFIDENT CONSIDERING THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME AND THIRD TIME WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT IS BILL POLLING THIS HE IS A HALL OF FAME FORMER GENERAL MANAGER WON A SUPER BOWL AGAINST THE BEARS WITH THE COLTS.

THEY HAD TWO MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION, THE SENIOR VP AND MARK CAMPBELL WHO WORKS WITH THE PLAYERS IT WILL BE A DIFFERENT INTERVIEW PROCESS AND JERRY McCASKEY HAS BEEN A VOCAL OF THE MEMBER'S LEAGUE'S DIVERSITY COMMITTEE HE IS FOCUSED ON HAVING A BROUGHT POOL OF CANDIDATES.

BUT GEORGE'S DECISION AND GIVEN NO REASON TO FEEL HE IS GOING TO MAKE THE RIGHT ONE.

>> I AM A FAN FIRST AND FOREMOST.

IF YOU'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN YOUR FAMILY'S BUSINESS FOR 30 YEARS THE CHAIRMAN FOR THE LAST 10 OR 11, SHOULDN'T YOU MAYBE HAVE MADE YOURSELF AN EXPERT TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE RIGHT PEOPLE?

WHEN RICKETTS HIRED THEO EPSTEIN?

>> WOULDN'T THAT BE NICE?

>> BEARS HE WORKED IN THE TICKET OFFICE WHAT HE DID SINCE HE HAS BECOME CHAIRMAN HE DOESN'T MAYBE NOT WANT TO BE THAT PERSON FOR THIS TEAM.

AND HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO HIRE SOMEBODY.

MAYBE THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NEXT GM TO HAVE A PRESIDENT LABEL ON HIS TITLE TO MAKE HIM EQUAL TO PHILLIPS AND MAKE SURE THAT PERSON OVERSEES ALL FOOTBALL OPERATIONS.

WHEN McCASKEY SAYS HE IS NOT GETTING INTO THE COACHES DECISIONS HE IS A FAN FIRST YOU DON'T FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT HE HAS BEEN THE CHAIRMAN SINCE 2011 HE HAS HAD FIND WAYS TO FEEL COMFORTABLE IN THAT SPOT.

>> AND THEY'VE CYCLED PEOPLE FOR GENERAL MANAGER AND HEAD COACH.

ARE THERE NAMES YOU ARE HEARING THAT ARE WOWING McCASKEY AND TEAM THERE?

>> WELL, NOT SURE YET.

THE ONE NAME IS JEFF IRELAND WHO WAS A BALL BOY FOR THE BEARS IN THE 80s WHEN HIS GRANDFATHER WAS A SCOUT.

HE HAS BEEN A GM BEFORE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WANT TO GO THE YOUNG FIRST TIME GM ROUTE.

AND DO THEY WANT A FIRST-TIME HEAD COACH LIKE MATT NAGY MAYBE THEY PREFER SOMEONE WHO HAS DONE IT BEFORE.

>> WHEN I LOOK AT THIS I AM JUST A FAN, TOO, BUT IT ALWAYS COMES DOWN TO ONE NAME FOR ME SOMEONE THAT COULD SOMETHING AROUND AND THAT IS JIM HARBAUGH BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THEY WANT TO LURE HIM AWAY FROM MICHIGAN: IS HE PART OF THE EQUATION?

>> HARBAUGH DID HIRE A NEW ASSISTANT COACH AT MICHIGAN HE IS ON RECRUITING.

IT WOULD NEED A LOT OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES FROM THE BEARS WHICH GEORGE McCASKEY SAID IS NOT AN IMPEDIMENT TO HIM JIM HARBAUGH AND YOU HAVE TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH HIM TAKING OVER BUT HE IS THAT GUY WHO HAD SUCCESS IN THE NAVAL HAS THE QUARTERBACK CONNECTION ALL YOU WOULD WANT BUT SO FAR IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE HE IS GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS.

>> AND KEVIN YOU WROTE AN ARTICLE IN THE ATHLETIC TALKING ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE OVER THE LAST, 1015 YEARS.

I URGE EVERYONE TO READ THAT.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

OUR THANKS TO CRAIG DELLIMORE, SARAH KARP, KEVIN FISHBAIN AND MARY ANN AHERN.

>> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

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

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

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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