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

I WILL BE JOINED BY OUR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" GUESTS IN JUST A MOMENT.

FIRST SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH BUT PARTIAL INDOOR DRINKING COULD RESUME IN CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY AS EARLY AS TOMORROW.

BOTH REGIONS NEED TO RECORD ONE MORE DAY OF A COVID POSITIVITY RATE BELOW 8% TO TRIGGER WHAT STATE OFFICIALS REFER TO AS TIER ONE MITIGATION THAT MEANS INDOOR DINING AND DRINKING AT TWO 5% CAPACITY OR 25 PEOPLE AND TABLES OF NO MORE THAN FOUR PEOPLE KEPT SIX FEET AWAY FROM EACH OTHER.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER ANNOUNCES STARTING NEXT WEEK ANYONE OVER 65 OR ESSENTIAL WORKER WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE BUT CAUTIONS ONLY A FRACTION OF VACCINES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY.

>> WE'RE EXPECTING APPROXIMATELY 126,000 FIRST DOSES TO ARRIVE NEXT WEEK OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

THAT'S LESS THAN 4% OF THE 1B POPULATION.

UNTIL THE VACCINE SUPPLY IMPROVES WE WILL ALL FRANKLY NEED TO BE PATIENT.

>> AND STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT 7,000 NEW CASES OF COVID IN THE LAST 24 HOURS WITH 95 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

THAT MAKES FOR A TOTAL OF 1 MILLION 93,000 DEATHS.

THE POSITIVITY RATE IS 6.2%.

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAYS IT EXPECTS TO BEGIN VACCINATING TEACHERS AND STAFF IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT MONTH WHEN THE DISTRICT IS SET TO RECEIVE DOSES OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

ILLINOIS IS EXPANDING VACCINE ELIGIBILITY MONDAY MEANING SCHOOL BASED STAFF AND FRONTLINE EMPLOYEES WILL BE ABLE TO GET INOCULATED THOUGH VACCINE AVAILABILITY DEPENDS ON THE NUMBER OF DOSES THE CITY GETS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

C.P.S.

CAUTIONS THAT IT WILL TAKE MONTHS TO GET EVERYONE VACCINATED.

SCHOOL C.E.O.

JANICE JACKSON SAYS THE PLAN IS PART OF AN ONGOING EFFORT TO GET ALL STUDENTS BACK IN THE CLASS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> WE OWE THESE FAMILIES AN OPTION THE SAME OPTION THAT STUDENTS IN PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE CITY HAVE HAD FOR MONTHS.

IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS HAVE SHOWN US WE ARE ABLE TO DO THIS SAFELY.

>> JOINING US ARE LYNN SWEET, OF THE "CHICAGO-SUN TIMES".

MIKE FLANNERY OF FOX 32 NEWS.

CRAIG DELLIMORE OF WBBM NEWS RADIO AND ALEX HERNANDEZ OF BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO.

GREAT TO SEE ALL OF YOU.

LET'S START WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN.

HE FOCUSED HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS ON UNITY AND DEMOCRACY.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> JUST DAYS AFTER A RIOT MOB THOUGHT THEY COULD USE VIOLENCE TO SILENCE THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE, TO STOP THE WORK OF OUR DEMOCRACY, TO DRIVE US FROM THIS SACRED GROUND.

IT DID NOT AHAPPEN.

IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.

NOT TODAY, NOT TOMORROW, NOT EVER!

NOT EVER!

[CHEERING] [APPLAUSE] >> MIKE FLANNERY, THE TALK OF UNITY WAS EVERYWHERE IN THE CAPITAL ON WEDNESDAY.

CAN THAT ACTUALLY TRANSLATE INTO BIPARTISAN LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY?

>> WELL, WE'RE SEEING SOME OF THAT WITH THE QUICK APPROVAL OF CABINET OFFICERS EVEN THOUGH THEIR HEARINGS WERE DELAYED AND THE SENATE ACTION WAS DELAYED COMPARED TO OTHER INCOMING PRESIDENTS.

THE PROOF IS GOING TO BE WHEN MUCH, MUCH TOUGHER VOTES COME, PARIS AND AND I DO THINK THAT WHILE HE IS TALKING LIKE THAT, PRESIDENT BIDEN IS CLEARLY NOT GOING TO WAIT HAS ALREADY TALKED OF AN AGGRESSIVE PROGRAM GIVING $3600 PER CHILD TO FAMILIES WITH A CHILD UNDERAGE 7?

AND THEN $3,000 TO EACH CHILD UP TO AGE 17 BETWEEN 5-17.

THAT IS A HUGE PROGRAM, $120 BILLION A YEAR IS THE ESTIMATED COST OF IT.

THAT'S DEPENDING TO BE -- THAT'S GOING TO BE CLEARLY JOE BIDEN IS READY TO GO BIG.

>> SOMETHING THE LEFT FLANK OF THE PARTY IS HAPPY ABOUT.

AND YOU SAW HIM SIGNING EXECUTIVE ORDERS THERE.

LYNN, THERE WERE MEMBERS OF THE ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD IN WASHINGTON AND THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AS PART OF THIS MASSIVE EFFORT TO FORTHFY THE CITY.

WHAT DID IT FEEL LIKE WEDNESDAY?

>> THE DOWNTOWN WAS FORTIFIED.

AND IF YOU ARE IN THE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD IT WAS NORMAL.

STREETS IN THE KAYS RUNNING UP TO IT EVERYTHING WAS BLOCKED OFF.

BUT INAUGURATION IS DESIGNED ESPECIALLY THIS ONE TO BE [INAUDIBLE] AND THEY DID A MAGNIFICENT JOB AND THE QUICK POINT ABOUT UNITY.

I THINK A LOT OF WHAT BIDEN WAS TRYING TO DO IS PARTLY TALK ABOUT UNITY IN TERMS OF LOWERING THE TEMPERATURE SO DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN YOU WILL ALWAYS AGREE THOUGH YOU TRY TO CROSS THE PARTISAN DIVIDE.

>> AND YOU HEARD MITCH McCONNELL AND KEVIN McCARTHY ECHOING SIMILAR SENTIMENTS.

CRAIG DELLIMORE WE TALKED ABOUT THE ACTIONS HE HAS TAKEN SO FAR.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON REFUGEE ADMITTANCE, BORDER SEPARATION POLICY, I.C.E.

ENFORCEMENT, A LOT OF JOURNALISTS TALKED ABOUT A NEW TONE WITH THE PRESS BRIEFINGS TALK ABOUT THE NIGHT AND DAY FROM THE LAST ADMINISTRATION TO THIS ONE?

>> IT, INDEED IT IS A VERY BIG DIFFERENCE ALTHOUGH REMEMBER AT THE BEGINNING OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, THERE WERE THE OFTEN BRIEFINGS.

THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF WAS AVAILABLE BECAUSE HE ALWAYS LIKED THE GIVE AND TAKE.

IT JUST TOWARD THE END HE BACKED OFF A LOT AND HIS PRESS SECRETARY STOPPED GIVING REAL BRIEFINGS.

BUT STILL, THIS IS A BIG CHANGE.

BUT I THINK WE ALSO HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT NO ONE WAVED A MAGIC WAND AND SAID ALL OF THE RANCOR OF THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS OR THE LAST YEAR IS GOING AWAY.

AND THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE EVERY TIME THE PRESIDENT SAYS SOMETHING THEY ARE TWEETING ABOUT HOW NO ONE CAN BELIEVE IT.

THAT ELEMENT IS STILL OUT THERE.

>> CERTAINLY NO ONE BELIEVES IT WILL BE KUMBAYA.

>> ALEX, BIDEN DID INTRODUCE HIS IMMIGRATION PROPOSAL LAST WEEK WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION IN THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IN CHICAGO?

>> LIKE WHAT CRAIG WAS SAYING IT IS A NIGHT AND DAY CHANGE BETWEEN THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION THIS ONE BECAUSE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SET THE BAR SO LOW FOR FOUR YEARS AND BEFORE HE WAS PRESIDENT.

HE ANNOUNCED HE WAS GOING TO BE RUNNING FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES CALLING MEXICAN PEOPLE RAPISTS.

HE SET THE BARLOW TO BEGIN WITH.

THEY ARE OPTIMISTIC BUT SKEPTICAL AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE CAMPAIGN PROMISES THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION MADE EARLY WHEN HE WAS A CANDIDATE, ADHERE TO.

HE WAS THE VICE-PRESIDENT UNDER BARACK OBAMA WHO FROM THE BEGINNING OF HIS ADMINISTRATION DID HAVE NOT A GREAT TRACK RECORD WHEN IT CAME TO IMMIGRATION REFORM.

HE SIGNED EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND INTRODUCED COMPREHENSIVE LEGISLATION TO THE SENATE.

AND ON THE UNITY ASPECT, WE ARE NOT SURE HOW FAR THAT WILL GO.

BECAUSE IT'S REALLY UNCLEAR HOW THE SENATE IS GOING TO WANT TO WORK WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

>> AND A LOT OF THAT THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE 50/50 SENATORS BEING WORKED OUT.

LYNN, ACCORDING TO BIDEN OFFICIALS THEY ARE INHERITING A NONEXIST VACCINE PLAN.

WHAT IS IT THAT THEY INHERITED AND HOW DO THEY PLAN TO RAMP THAT UP?

>> TOP PRIORITY OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WE LEARNED TODAY AND I HAVE A STORY THAT SENATOR DICK DURBIN TOLD ILLINOIS REPORTERS IN THE CALL, MEMBERS OF THE ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD MAY BE TRAINED TO ADMINISTER SHOTS.

THE PRESIDENT ALSO IN EXECUTIVE ACTIONS AND PLANS HE HAS TO RAMP UP PRODUCTION OF THE VACCINE ALSO TRAIN AN ARMY OF PEOPLE TO GIVE SHOTS AND THIS FRUSTRATING SYSTEM NO MATTER YOUR POLITICS OF HITTING YOUR LAPTOP AT A CERTAIN TIME TO SEE IF YOU CAN GET AN APPOINTMENT AT WALGREENS OR JEWEL OR THE CVS.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR A DELIVERY ON THE PLEDGE OF 100 VACCINATIONS IN 100 DAYS.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT THE ILLINOIS SHARE IS RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE 13 MILLION PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS.

AND SO FAR I THINK ONLY ABOUT 600,000 PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALLY GOTTEN THE SHOTS.

>> THE RATE IS AT A TRICKLE.

MIKE FLANNERY, AS ALL THIS HAPPENS WORD COMES TONIGHT FROM THE NEW SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER THAT THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF DONALD TRUMP BEGINS FEBRUARY 8.

MANY REPUBLICANS YOU'VE HEARD STARTED TO BACK OFF MANY SAY THAT IT'S NOT CONSTITUTIONAL TO HOLD THIS TRIAL FOR A FORMER PRESIDENT.

DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS ANY UNIVERSE WHERE 17 G.O.P.

SENATORS VOTE TO CONVICT?

>> YOU KNOW, MAYBE IN SOME FAR-FETCHED SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS THE CASE RIGHT NOW.

I THOUGHT IT WAS TELLING THAT TEXAS SENATOR A TOP RANKING REPUBLICAN ON CAPITOL HILL INDICATED TODAY THAT HE SAYS IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THE WAY THIS IS GOING, IMPLYING CLEARLY THAT THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE A CONVICTION IN THE SENATE.

WE'LL SEE.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

DONALD TRUMP IN THESE MATTERS HAS ALWAYS BEEN HIS OWN WORST ENEMY.

WILL HE -- WHO KNOWS.

MID-FEBRUARY IS A LONG WAY OFF WHICH IS THE EARLIEST WE WOULD GET A VOTE ON THIS.

>> WHO KNOWS WHAT COMES OUT OF THE MESS OF INVESTIGATION HAPPENING IN THE DC U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE INTO WHAT EXACTLY WENT BEHIND THAT RIOT.

CRAIG DELLIMORE, THERE'S BIG BACK AND FORTH IN THE SENATE OVER POWER.

IT'S 50/50 ALTHOUGH VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS IS THE TIE BREAKING VOTE AND YET, SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL IS NOT READY TO SORT OF GIVE UP ALL OF HIS CARDS YET.

HOW DOES THAT POWER SHARING AGREEMENT GET NEGOTIATED?

>> WELL, THE TRICK WILL BE IF THERE IS AN AGREEMENT.

AT THE MOMENT, THE DEMOCRATS HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT FRANKLY EVERY SENATOR IS IN HIS OR HER SEAT.

AND THEY HAVE NO MARGIN FOR ERROR.

NO ONE CAN BE ILL AND I THINK, YES, THERE CAN BE A LOT OF TALKS AND MAYBE THERE WILL BE A FEW THINGS THAT WILL BE ALLOWED TO GET THROUGH BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THE REPUBLICANS WANT TO LOOK LIKE THEY ARE COMPLETE OBSTRUCTIONISTS JUST ON PRINCIPLE.

BUT I'M NOT SURE THAT EVEN WITHIN THE REPUBLICANS THEMSELVES THEY HAVE FINISHED FIGHTING ABOUT WHAT DIRECTION THIS PARTY IS GOING TO TAKE.

>> THAT IS A DIFFERENT FIGHT THAN JUST SO OUR LIST ENERS KNOW USUALLY AT THE BEGINNING OF A NEW SESSION WHEN THERE IS A CHANGE OF POWER THERE IS A NEGOTIATION OVER A RULES PACKAGE AND THAT IS WHERE WE ARE AT AN IMPASSE RIGHT NOW.

IF THE MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATS WERE BIGGER IT WOULD BE EASIER FOR THE -- HARDER FOR THE REPUBLICANS TO MAKE SURE INSISTENCE BUT MITCH McCONNELL WILL TAKE THIS TO HOWEVER FAR HE CAN.

BUT IN THE END, THE DEMOCRATS WILL HAVE THE UPPER HAND WHEN IT COMES TO IMPOSES RULES ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

THINK OF IT THIS WAY IT COULD BE EASY OR IT COULD BE HARD.

>> LYNN, WHAT DOES THAT PORTEND FOR THE FILIBUSTER?

WHERE YOU NEED 60 VOTES TO BREAK A FILIBUSTER COULD CHUCK SCHUMER DECIDE WE ARE GOING TO GET RID OF THAT AND PASS EVERYTHING ON A SIMPLE MAJORITY?

>> IF THERE'S AGREEMENT WITHIN HIS DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT GIVES THE MAJORITY AND THE MINORITY THE ONLY REASON RIGHT NOW TO COME TOGETHER.

AND THE POINT THAT AGAIN SENATOR DURBIN MAKES AND HE HAS TALKED ABOUT THIS, IS THAT THE FILIBUSTER SHOULDN'T BE IMPOSED IN EVERY PIECE OF LEGISLATION WHICH IS HOW IT IS NOW.

IF PERHAPS LIKE ANY OTHER EXCESS IT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE BUT USED RARELY.

DON'T KNOW HOW MANY SENATORS AGREE WITH HIS VIEW.

>> ALL RIGHT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE QUESTION IS GOING TO BE ON THIS BUT I WANT AN EXCUSE TO SHOW THESE BERNIE SANDERS MEMES.

UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN LIVING IN A HOLE YOU'VE SEEN BERNIE SANDERS SITTING DOWN EVERY CONCEIVABLE.

THERE HE IS THE PAINTING AT THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO.

ANYONE CARE TO WEIGH-IN ON THEIR FAVORITE BERNIE SANDERS MEME?

THERE HE IS IN MY APARTMENT.

>> I LOVE HIM IN A CHICAGO PARKING SPACE CALLING DIBBS.

>> I LIKE THE CTA.

>> THAT WAS COOL.

>> THE L CAR.

>> I WENT TO BED AFTER I FILED A STORY ON TEACHERS AND A PHOTOGRAPH I TOOK WHERE TEACHERS STOOD OUTSIDE AND MY SISTER SENT ME ONE OF MY FRIENDS SENT ME THE IMAGE OF THAT PHOTO SHOP ALONGSIDE THE TEACHERS IN THE CHAIR BECAUSE IT REALLY FIT IN.

>> BEFORE THIS IS OVER THERE WILL NOT BE A PHOTOGRAPH THAT DOES NOT HAVE BERNIE SANDERS PHOTO SHOPPED.

>> THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION VOTING ON A WALKOUT AS C.P.S.

CALLS THE MOVE AN ILLEGAL STRIKE AND BIG MOVES IN SPRINGFIELD.

ALEX YOU'VE COVERED C.T.U.

AND C.P.S.

OVERWHELMING MAJORITY IS AUTHORIZED THE NEXT MOVE AND A POSSIBLE STRIKE ACTION WOULD THIS BE A LEGAL STRIKE?

CAN THEY STRIKE OVER C.P.S.

'S PLAN TO RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING?

>> YES, THE TY'S VICE-PRESIDENT SAYS THAT IT'S NOT A STRIKE BECAUSE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN THEY WOULD BE LOCKED OUT OF THEIR COMPUTERS.

C.P.S.

WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO BLOCK THEM.

SO IT'S NOT LIKE THEY DON'T WANT TO TEACH BUT WHEN THEY ATTEMPT TO TEACH REMOTELY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BLOCK THEM.

THAT IS WHERE SHE'S ARGUING IT IS A STRIKE AND WITH REGARD TO THE ILLEGAL AASPECT DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE WHERE THEY INTRODUCED THE MEDICAL CONSULTANT THEY ARE WORKING WITH ARGUING IT IS THAT SAFE TO GO BACK.

>> Dr. VIN GUPTA.

>> BUT THE DOCTOR ARGUED THAT THE ILLEGAL LANGUAGE THAT TOUTED YESTERDAY WAS A BOILERPLATE FORM LETTER THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SENDS OUT EVERY TIME THE UNION DEMANDS HAS A DEMAND OF THAT NATURE.

>> AS WE SPEAK HERE, THIS C.P.S.

RELEASE MEMBER SHOWS A FIFTH OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS IN THE CLUSTER PRE-K EARLY LEARNING PACKAGE HAVE ACTUALLY GONE BACK TO IN-PERSON LEARNING.

CRAIG DELLIMORE DOES THAT TELL YOU THAT C.P.S.

PARENTS ARE MUCH MORE RETICENT TO SEND THEIR KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL THAN PERHAPS C.P.S.

IS LETTING ON?

>> CERTAINLY THEY ARE RETICENT I THINK THIS IS MORE OF A POWER STRUGGLE IS ABOUT WHAT THE TEACHERS CAN BARGAIN FOR AND WHAT THEY CAN'T.

AND WHAT THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO DO.

SO, YES, THERE ARE SOME TEACHERS WHO WERE LOCKED OUT OF THEIR COMPUTERS AND THE ABILITY TO TEACH REMOTELY EVEN WHEN THERE WERE NO STUDENTS WHO WOULD BE IN THE CLASSROOMS.

THIS IS REALLY ABOUT WHO ENDS UP WITH THE UPPER HAND.

>> I WANT TO MAKE A NOTE WHAT CRAIG IS SAYING, THE TEACHERS I SPOKE TO I WENT TO FIVE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS.

AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE TEACHERS DID NOT WANT TO HAVE THE ENTIRE YEAR BE REMOTE.

THEY WANTED A PAUSE ON THIS C.P.S.

PLAN FOR A COUPLE MONTHS UNTIL THEY CAN GET VACCINATED AND HAVE WIDER EXPANSION OF VACCINATIONS FOR THE FAMILIES OF STUDENTS AS WELL.

THEY ARE NOT ASKING A PAUSE OF AN ENTIRE YEAR.

>> ARE THERE ANY NEGOTIATIONS HAPPENING OR THIS POWER STRUGGLE AND THESE POWERPLAYS OF VOTING TO AUTHORIZE A STRIKE WITH THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES AND C.P.S.

COMING AND SAYING HERE IS OUR VACCINATION PLAN AND WE ARE GOING TO LOCK YOU OUT IF YOU DON'T GO BACK TO SCHOOL?

>> TO THE ALEX?

>> THEY ARE GOING TO BE VOTING ON THIS THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

THERE WILL BE MORE NEWS ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

THE E-MAIL I GOT FOR THIS EVENING'S VIDEO CONFERENCE, I GOT BURIED BY C.T.U.

AND C.P.S.

PRESS RELEASES.

I DID NOT SEE ALL OF THESE.

I'M SURE EVERY NEWSROOM HAS BEEN GETTING NONSTOP PRESS RELEASES AND FAMILIES REACHING OUT ABOUT THIS.

I THINK ALL OF THIS BACK AND FORTH THESE TESTS OF STRENGTH BY THE UNION AND THE TEACHERS AND CITY HALL AND THE BOARD, I MEAN WHAT WE MISS HERE IS HOW CATASTROPHIC THIS LAST YEAR HAS BEEN FOR CHICAGO'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I MEAN A SYSTEM THAT HAS LOST HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KIDS WHILE I'VE BEEN COVERING IT.

IT IS LOSING TENS OF THOUSANDS MORE.

AND THOSE WHO I KNOW FAMILIES WHO HAVE TRIED TO DO THIS REMOTE LEARNING AND IT IS A JOKE!

IT'S BEEN KIDS ARE NOT LEARNING!

IT IS A NIGHTMARE.

>> WE SHOULD SAY AT THE SAME TIME THAT THESE NUMBERS ONLY ONE IN FIVE STUDENTS ELIGIBLE TO GO BACK ARE GOING BACK.

SO THERE MIGHT BE SOME MIXED SIGNALS BEING SENT FROM PARENTS.

>> CLEARLY THERE'S CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT TO DO AND WHETHER IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A SAFE AND SECURE CLASSROOM SYSTEM.

I UNDERSTAND THE HESITATION OF PARENTS.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU THIS FOR THE KIDS IT'S BEEN A CATASTROPHE.

>> I WOULD ARGUE THIS, A LOT OF THE TEACHERS I SPOKE TO AND PARENTS I SPOKE TO OVER THE LAST DAY LAST WEEK REGARDING THIS ONE OF THE BIG REASONS THAT THEY PROBABLY KEPT THEIR STUDENTS BEHIND WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THE NUMBERS THAT CRAIG WAS TALKING ABOUT FOR THE PAST WEEK-AND-A-HALF.

WE WANTED THOSE NUMBERS TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT PARENTS FELT CONFIDENT WITH THE SYSTEM.

THEY WEREN'T.

AND I SPOKE TO PEOPLE ONE OF THE THINGS THEY KEPT BRINGING UP ARE THE SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES HATCHED OUT BY PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS WERE HATCHED OUT FOR THE VERSION OF THE VIRUS THAT IS LESS AGGRESSIVE THAN THE ONE DOCUMENTED IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

CDC GUIDELINES AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ARE POINTING OUT THAT YOU REALLY, REALLY, REALLY HAVE TO BE ON THE BALL WITH THIS VERSION.

ANY TINY SLIP UP, IT CAN SPREAD SO MUCH FASTER.

>> A LOT OF CONCERN WITH THE NEW VERSION.

LYNN SWEET, COLLEAGUE OF OURS DOWN STATE SNAPPED PHOTOS OF MICHAEL MADIGAN CLEARING OUT HIS SPRINGFIELD APARTMENT OR PEOPLE CLEARING OUT MADIGAN'S -- IT'S EMPTY WHERE MADIGAN STAYS IN SPRINGFIELD.

DO YOU EXPECT THAT MADIGAN NOW THAT HE LOST HIS SPEAKERSHIP IS GOING TO RESIGN FROM THE STATE HOUSE ALTOGETHER?

>> SPECULATION IS FOR ME, MY ANALYSIS IS NO.

HE DOESN'T WANT TO PAY THE RENT ON THE APARTMENT.

HE IS FACING A FEDERAL INDICTMENT.

WHAT LOOKED GOOD TO STEP DOWN.

ED BURKE IS STILL IN CITY COUNCIL.

AND IT JUSTIFIES USING POLITICAL FUNDS IN CASE HE CARES ABOUT PUBLIC OPINION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

I WOULD SAY CLEANING OUT THE APARTMENT IS NOT THE KEY CLUE THAT IT MAY BE.

>> AND HE IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN ILLINOIS.

LYNN, IS THAT A TITLE HE IS LIKELY TO KEEP EVEN THOUGH PROMINENT DEMOCRATS HAVE SAID WE WOULD LIKE HIM TO STEP ASIDE FROM THAT, TOO?

>> WELL, THAT IS A TERM.

AND HE HAS TIME LEFT ON THAT TERM.

AND HE HAS SHOWN NO SIGN OF WANTING TO GIVE THAT UP.

ONLY REASON HE IS NOT SPEAKER NOW IS THAT EVERY TWO YEARS YOU HAVE TO REESTABLISH HOW THE HOUSE IS ORGANIZED LIKE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, IN THE CONGRESS AND THE SENATE.

ALSO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

SO THERE WAS A PEG TO HAVE THEM DEFEATED.

THERE IS NO MECHANISM LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE HE STILL HAS AT LEAST A YEAR LEFT IN HIS TERM AS STATE PARTY CHAIRMAN NON-THIS CASE, THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT COULD OUST HIM IF THEY GOT TOGETHER ARE THE 36 MEMBERS OF THE STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE.

SO FAR WE TAKE THEIR SOUNDINGS ALL THE TIME AND NONE HAVE BEEN INCLINED TO THROW MADIGAN OUT.

>> HE IS GOING TO WIELD POWER IN THAT POSITION.

CHRIS WELCH ANNOUNCED A LEADERSHIP TEAM NOTABLY NONE OF THE WOMEN WHO RAN AGAINST HIM FOR SPEAKER OR RAN AGAINST SPEAKER MADIGAN ARE ON THIS NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM.

DOES THAT TELL YOU THERE IS SOME KIND OF RETALIATION OF SOME SORT?

>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT.

I THINK IT HAS MORE TO DO WITH TRYING TO BLEND THE OLD AND THE NEW.

HIS TOP TWO LIEUTENANTS ARE RIGHT THE SAME PEOPLE WHO WERE THE TOP TWO UNDER MADIGAN.

AND THAT'S GREG HARRIS AND JOHN GORDON SMITH.

GORDON BOOTH.

>> YES, THANK YOU.

>> SO THEY ARE THE TOP TWO BUT THEY ARE BRINGING IN A FEW NEWER AND MORE YOUNGER PEOPLE.

AND FRANKLY ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO DID ANNOUNCE RUNNING FOR HIM JEAN HOFFMAN IS STILL ON LEADERSHIP.

I THINK IT IS KIND OF A BLEND.

>> MIKE FLANNERY, WELCH HAS COME OUT OF THE GATE TALKING ABOUT TERM LIMITS FOR THE SPEAKERSHIP.

ARE WE CONFIDENT THAT HE IS ACTING INDEPENDENTLY HERE AND NOT AT THE BLESSING OF MICHAEL MADIGAN IN SOME RESPECT?

>> I WILL TELL YOU, SOMEBODY ANYBODY WHO THINKS THAT CHRIS WELCH IS GOING TO TAKE MARCHING ORDERS FROM MICHAEL MADIGAN IS A FOOL.

THAT'S NOT THE KIND OF GUY THAT WELCH IS.

HE IS HIS OWN MAN.

HE IS A VERY SMART, SHARP OPERATOR WHO HAS PLAYED THE POLITICS GAME FOR MANY YEARS.

WHEN HE WAS THE SUPERINTENDENT THERE IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND HE -- LOOK, I THINK SOME OF THE MOVES HE MADE ON PERSONNEL ARE GOING TO SHOW THAT HE WILL PLAY SOME OF THE SAME GAME MICHAEL MADIGAN PLAYED IN TERMS OF RELYING ON PEOPLE WHO -- HE IS NOT AN INTUITIVE REFORMER, ON THE OTHER HAND HE KNOWS THAT IF HE WANTS TO STAY THE 10 YEARS HE HAS PROMISED A TEN-YEAR TERM LIMIT IF HE WANTS TO FINISH OUT THAT FULL 10 YEARS, IT MAY BE SMART FOR HIM TO MAKE MOVES.

I KNOW REPUBLICANS ARE HOPING THAT HE IS SERIOUS ABOUT THIS FAIR MAPS THING WITH REDISTRICTING ABOUT TO GET UNDERWAY.

IF I WERE THEM I WOULD NOT COUNT ON IT.

>> I AGREE.

SO, SO, OUT OF THE QUESTION THAT IS THE POINT.

WHAT IS THE POINT OF HAVING POWER IF YOU DON'T USE IT?

I'M NOT SAYING THIS AS A ADVOCATE OF RIGGED MAPS WHEN YOU PUT YOUR THUMBS OVER THE ONES YOU CAN FIND ON THE SCALE BUT THAT SEEMS THE POINT MAP MAKE SOMETHING TO GIVE YOUR PARTY A PARTISAN ADVANTAGE.

>> AND THAT IS WHAT EACH PARTY THAT CONTROLS EACH STATE IS GOING TO DO REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT.

I HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THIS ADVOCATEKYING THAT HAPPENED JOCKEYING, HEATHER STEANS RESIGNS AFTER BEING REFLECTED.

KELLY CADDY, IS A FRONTRUNNER FOR HER SEAT.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> I WILL TELL YOU, REMEMBER, REPRESENTATIVE CASSIDY VOTED PRESENT ON CHRIS WELCH.

SHE WAS THE ONLY DEMOCRAT TO VOTE PRESENT.

AND THEN SHE PUT OUT A STATEMENT SAYING THAT SHE IS CONCERNED AND WANTS A VIGOROUS FULL REVIEW OF THOSE TWO INCIDENTS OF ALLEGED DOMESTIC ABUSE THEY DATE BACK SOME YEARS ONE DATES BACK 20 YEARS INVOLVING SPEAKER WELCH.

HE HAS NOT OUT RIGHT DENIED WRONGDOING BUT WHAT HE HAS SAID WELCH IS THAT WELL THIS IS A LONGTIME AGO AND IT DOESN'T REPRESENT THE MAN I AM TODAY.

THAT WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR REPRESENTATIVE CASSIDY.

>> MIKE WE HAVE TO CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION NEXT WEEK.

CASSIDY DID NOT RUN FOR THAT SPEAKER POSITION, BY THE WAY.

ALTHOUGH SHE FLOATED HER NAME.

WE WILL HAVE AMPLE TALK TO TALK.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME THANKS TO LYNN SWEET, MIKE FLANNERY, CRAIG DELLIMORE AND ALEX HERNANDEZ.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS FRIDAY NIGHT WE'RE BACK AT 7:00 P.M. NEXT WEEK.

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

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND GOOD NIGHT.

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