[♪♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

I'M AMANDA VINICKY.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

WE WILL BE JOINED BY OUR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" GUESTS IN JUST A MOMENT BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> VIOLENT CRIME IS UP IN CHICAGO AND MANY OTHER CITIES BUT THE "CHICAGO SUN-TIMES" REPORTS THAT FEWER CRIMINALS ARE BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE.

THE PAPER ANALYZED ARREST DATA AND REPORTS THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT MADE ARRESTS IN 12% OF CRIMES REPORTED LAST YEAR.

A HISTORIC LOW SINCE RELEVANT INFORMATION WAS FIRST MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE IN 2001.

>> A YOUNG CHICAGO ACTIVIST SAYS IT IS COWARDLY A POLICE OFFICER QUIT BEFORE FACING DISCIPLINE.

MIRACLE BOYD WAS PART OF A LARGE PROTEST AT THE COLUMBUS STATUE DOWNTOWN.

ACCORDING TO A CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT THIS WEEK, NICHOLAS JOVANOVICH USED FORCE TO KNOCK A PHONE FROM BOYD'S HAND CAUSING HER TO LOSE A TOOTH.

AND C.O.P.A.

SAYS HE GROSSLY MISS CHARACTERIZED WHAT HAPPENED.

>> HE CAN WORK ON ANOTHER FORCE IN ANOTHER CITY IN ANOTHER STATE.

AND HIS ACTIONS NOT DISPLAYED ON HIS RECORD.

THE POLICE OFFICERS ESCAPING ACCOUNTABILITY IS ALMOST INEFFORTABLE TO BEAT.

>> BOYD SAYS POLICE SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FILE FALSE REPORTS AND IT SHOULD BE TAKEN JUST AS SERIOUSLY AS JUSSIE SMOLET FILING A FALSE REPORT.

NICHOLAS JOVANOVICH AND OTHER OFFICERS ALLEGEDLY TAKING AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS DURING THE JULY 2020 PROTESTS.

>> THIS WILL BE HARRY OSTERMAN'S LAST TERM HE IS NOT RUNNING FOR REELECT HONEST AND ANNOUNCED HIS PLANS TO GIVE TIME TO THOSE WHO WANT A CHANCE AT THE SPOT TO GET PLANNING.

OSTERMAN HAS BEEN THE ALDERMAN SINCE 2011 IN PREVIOUSLY WAS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

HIS MOM WAS ALSO THE AREA ALDERMAN IN THE 80s.

OTHER RETIRING LONG TIME COUNCILMEMBERS INCLUDE CARRIE AUSTIN AND JAMES CAPPELMAN.

MEANWHILE TURNOVER AT THE CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION THE MAYOR APPOINTED THREE MEMBERS INCLUDING FORMER ALDERMAN MICHAEL SCOTT JUNIOR WHO LAST MONTH RESIGNED FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.

MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> STARTING TOMORROW ANYONE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CAN CALL 9-8-8.

IT'S SIMILAR TO 9-1-1 BUT DIALING OR TEXTING 9-8-8 WILL CONNECT A CALLER WITH A TRAINED COUNSELORS.

THE CALLS PLACED IN ILLINOIS WILL BE ANSWERED IN STATE.

THOSE WITH NONEMERGENCY EMOTIONAL DISTRESS CAN VISIT 9-8-8 HOTLINE.ILLINOIS.GOV.

SUICIDE IS THE THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR YOUNG ADULTS 15-34 IN ILLINOIS.

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

JOINING US ARE SHIA KAPOS OF POLL CO. SHARON HOOGSTRATEN OF ABC7 CHICAGO.

MIKE LOWE OF WGN-TV NEWS AND CRAIG DELLIMORE OF WBBM NEWS RADIO.

STARTING WITH HIGHLAND PARK WHICH WILL HOLD A GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION RALLY TOMORROW FOLLOWING A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL IN HONOR OF THE JULY 4TH VICTIMS.

LOOK AT ONE OF THE YOUNG ORGANIZERS TOLD ME ABOUT THE PARADE MASSACRE.

>> UNFORTUNATELY I WASN'T SURPRISED.

AS A YOUNG PERSON IN AMERICA WE'VE BECOME ACCUSTOMED I'VE BEEN TRAINING, LEARN TO RUN AND FIGHT AND HIDE AND FIGHT AN ACTIVE SHOOTER AND THAT IS NOT SOMETHING KIDS SHOULD BE DOING.

>> HIGHLAND PARK RESIDENTS ENERGIZED BY THE TRAGIC EVENTS WANTING TO MAKE CHANGE OUT OF WHAT HAPPENED.

NOT JUST HERE IN ILLINOIS AND OTHERS TOOK THE FIGHT TO WASHINGTON D.C. YOU WERE THERE.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY ARE THEY ASKING FOR?

GUN CONTROL IS SUCH AN OPEN PHRASE?

>> THEY ARE ASKING FOR ONE THING: THEY WANT A FEDERAL BAN ON ASSAULT WEAPONS.

THIS WAS A GROUP OF MOTHERS, MANY OF WHOM TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NO POLITICAL AFFILIATION NEVER BEEN PART OF ANY REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRATIC TYPES OF EVENTS BEFORE.

BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MOTIVATED THEM TO GET INVOLVED.

AND SO WITHIN ABOUT SIX DAYS THIS GROUP CAME TOGETHER CALLING THEMSELVES MARCH FOURTH.

A PLAY ON THE JULY 4TH DATE AND THE IDEA OF MARCHING FORWARD.

THE TO WASHINGTON D.C. AND ON TUESDAY THEY WERE ABLE TO SECURE MEETINGS WITH BOTH U.S.

SENATORS FROM ILLINOIS TAMMY DUCKWORTH AND DICK DURBIN AND THEY MET WITH SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY FROM CONNECTICUT AND A NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS TO TAKE THEIR CONCERNS, TELL THEIR STORIES AND INSURE THAT SOMEONE IN WASHINGTON IS LISTENING.

THEN THE NEXT DAY ON WEDNESDAY, THEY HELD A RALLY OUTSIDE ON THE CAPITOL GROUNDS AT WHICH TIME WE HEARD NOT ONLY FROM HIGHLAND PARK SURVIVORS BUT ALSO A NUMBER OF PARENTS WHO LOST THEIR CHILDREN IN THE UVALDE, TEXAS MASSACRE.

IT WAS A POWERFUL EVENT HEARING DIRECTLY FROM THESE VICTIMS.

BUT THE QUESTION REMAINS WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS ANY POLITICAL WILL TO DO THIS.

NANCY PELOSI SAID THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS WOULD SUPPORT A FEDERAL BAN AND ASSAULT WEAPONS IN THE HOUSE BUT THERE ARE NOT 10 REPUBLICAN SENATORS WHO APPEAR TO ENTERTAIN THE MEASURE AT THIS POINT.

>> MEANWHILE, WE HAVE SOME COMMUNITIES THAT ARE NOT THEREFORE BECAUSE OF THE PARTISANSHIP WAITING FOR WASHINGTON TO ACT.

SO PLACES LIKE NAPERVILLE THAT IS CONSIDERING A BAN ON COMMERCIAL SALES OF HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES, SEMIAUTOMATIC RIFLES.

SARAH, HIGHLAND PARK HAS AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.

AND WE SAW WHAT HORRIBLY UNFOLDED THERE.

DOES A PIECEMEAL APPROACH MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

>> PROBABLY NOT.

HIGHLAND PARK PASSED ONE IN 2013 AND COMMUNITIES HAVE PASSED THEM.

BUT AS NANCY ROTERING THE MAYOR OF HIGHLAND PARK SAID THIS WEEK, YOU KNOW, IT HAS TO BE NATIONAL.

I MEAN YOU CANNOT HAVE EACH INDIVIDUAL CITY OR TOWN YOU KNOW HAVE THESE YOU HAVE -- IT HAS TO BECOME NATIONAL.

WHICH AS MIKE POINTED OUT, IN THE SENATE THIS IS A DEAD-END ISSUE.

>> BUT SHIA WHAT ABOUT STATE ACTION SOMETHING WE KEEP COMING BACK TO AS WE HEAR FROM GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER CALLING FOR A FEDERAL BAN ON ASSAULT STYLE WEAPONS.

BUT ILLINOIS DOES NOT HAVE ONE DESPITE DEMOCRATS HOLDING SUPER MAJORITIES THIS WAS NOT REAL TOP PRIORITY FOR THE PRITZKER ADMINISTRATION IN THIS PAST SESSION OR REALLY PREVIOUSLY IN THE TERM.

WHY NOT?

WHY IS THIS SOMETHING ILLINOIS HAS NOT DONE, SHIA?

>> RIGHT NOW, I THINK IT'S BECAUSE IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR.

AND YOU HAVE REPUBLICANS WHO AREN'T INTERESTED IN THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE SECOND AMENDMENT ADVOCATES AND WORRY THEIR SECOND RIGHTS WILL BE TAKEN AWAY.

SO DEMOCRATS ARE TREADING LIGHTLY BECAUSE OF THAT.

THE OTHER REASON I THINK THAT THEY JUST HAVE TO HAVE A BIGGER CONVERSATION BECAUSE THEY KNOW NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO IN ILLINOIS YOU CAN JUMP TO INDIANA AND BUY A GUN.

THAT IS THE PROBLEM CHICAGO HAS SEEN.

CHICAGO HAS TRIED TO CONTROL GUNS, TRIED TO KEEP GUNS OUT.

BUT IF YOU CAN JUMP OVER THE BORDER AND BRING GUNS IN, IT MEANS NOTHING FOR WHAT YOU HAVE IN THE STATE.

THAT IS WHY THIS IS A NATIONAL CALL.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE WHEN THEY DO COME BACK IN THE FALL, IF THEY DON'T DO AN EARLY SESSION OR A SPECIAL SESSION, IS TO TIE-UP COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DIFFERENT LIKE THE STATE POLICE AND LOCAL ENTITIES.

BECAUSE THE SUSPECT IN THE CASE IN HIGHLAND PARK BOUGHT THAT LEGALLY.

BUT THERE WERE RED FLAGS THAT MAYBE HE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO.

BUT THAT WASN'T -- THE STATE FOLKS WERE NOT AWARE OF THAT WHEN HE BOUGHT THE GUN.

THERE NEEDS TO BE BETTER COMMUNICATION THAT IS THE THING WE'LL SEE IN LEGISLATION COMING UP.

>> AND GUN CONTROL, OF COURSE, GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION, AS YOU NOTED THERE ARE MANY WHO BELIEVE THIS IS NOT IN FACT THE ANSWER AND POINTS TO MENTAL HEALTH OR ALSO DISINVESTMENT FROM COMMUNITIES.

CRAIG, WE HEARD THE TOP OF THE SHOW THAT "THE SUN TIMES" CRUNCHED NUMBERS AND THAT WHILE CRIME IS UP, ARRESTS ARE AT HISTORIC LOWS.

AND ARE DOWN.

TO WHAT DO YOU AND REALLY MORE POINTEDLY, THE POLICE ATTRIBUTE THAT?

>> I THINK IN SOME CASES WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IS THAT THE THINGS THEY ARE DOING TO CONTROL CRIME.

SOME TO HAVE IS HAVING SOME EFFECT.

AND JUST FROM THE COMPLAINTS THAT YOU'RE HEARING FROM THE CHICAGO POLICE UNION THEY ARE WORKING THE POLICE LONGER.

THERE ARE MORE OUT ON THE STREETS.

THERE'S THAT.

BUT ALSO SOME OF THEM SAY, WELL THEY ARE NOT POLICING AS AGGRESSIVELY AS THEY MIGHT HAVE BEFORE.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND -- >> PURPOSEFULLY SO?

IS THAT HAPPENSTANCE OF OTHER EVENTS?

>> I THINK SOME OF IT IS THE NEW RULES THAT ARE GOING INTO PLACE SAYING FOR EXAMPLE CHASES ARE AE ALLOWED IN FEWER CASES.

THINGS LIKE THAT ARE HAVING AN EFFECT.

REMEMBER, EXCEPT FOR WHAT IS HAPPENING DOWNTOWN, YEAR-OVER-YEAR THE NUMBER OF GUN CRIMES HAVE IN FACT GONE DOWN.

EXCEPT IN DOWNTOWN WHERE THEY ARE UP AND THAT IS PROBABLY BECAUSE THESE SHOOTINGS WERE NOT HAPPENING DOWNTOWN BEFORE.

>> AND THEY ARE UP BY A LOT.

NOT JUST BY 5%.

I KNOW BRIAN HOPKINS WHO REPRESENTS THAT WARD TALKS ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME.

IT IS A HUGE PERCENTAGE OF WHAT THE CRIME IS UP IN DOWNTOWN.

>> PLUS YOU HAVE FEWER POLICE OFFICERS THAN YOU DID THREE OR FIVE YEARS AGO.

HUNDREDS OF FEWER POLICE OFFICERS.

PARTLY BECAUSE OF COVID BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T HAVE POLICE CRANE R TRAINING YOU COULD NOT GET RECRUITS INTO THE SYSTEM AND BECAUSE THERE'S MORALE PROBLEM PEOPLE ARE RETIRING AND THEY ARE NOT FILLING THE POSITIONS SO THERE ARE FEWER OFFICERS TOO.

>> SO MUCH GOES INTO IT, CONSENT DECREE, RECRUITING, COVID AN EMPHASIS ON NOT MAKING LOW LEVEL ARRESTS FOR MARIJUANA, THERE'S SO MUCH THAT GOES INTO IT.

IT IS SOMETHING WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW.

A GORGEOUS WEEKEND WITH NO TRAGEDIES ALONG THOSE LINES.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER NOT GOING TO BE HERE FOR IT HOWEVER BECAUSE HE WILL BE THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR A FLORIDA DEMOCRAT ANNUAL MEETING.

YOU HAVE THE GOVERNOR HAVING ATTENDED A NATIONAL GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION MEETING AND REPORTS OUT OF PORTLAND, MAINE, ARE THAT HE DID NOT RULE OUT A RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2024.

SO SHIA WE HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S REPUBLICAN OPPONENT FOR THIS YEAR'S ELECTION DARREN BAILEY SAYING THAT PRITZKER IS OUT OF TOUCH.

THAT IS HE TOO BUSY HOB-NOBBING AND SHOULD BE PAYING ATTENTION TO ILLINOIS.

IS ALL THIS TALK A NATIONAL BID FOR OFFICE HURTING PRITZKER AT HOME AT ALL OR HELPING?

>> YOU KNOW, WE ARE PRETTY BLUE STATE.

RIGHT NOW I DON'T THINK IT'S HURTING.

AS WE GET MORE INTO THE ELECTION SEASON MAYBE AFTER LABOR DAY, YOU MIGHT NOT SEE HIM PADDLING AROUND THE COUNTRY QUITE AS MUCH.

THAT TRIP TO FLORIDA SET OFF A LOT OF RED FLAGS FOR PEOPLE BECAUSE WE THOUGHT WOW HE IS RAMPING UP.

BUT I UNDERSTAND FROM HIS STAFF THAT HE GOT THAT INVITATION FROM THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY BACK IN APRIL.

AND IT WAS JUST ON THE BOOKS FOR A LONGTIME.

THE NEW HAMPSHIRE SPEECH THAT HE GAVE THAT WAS INTERESTING A REALLY GOOD SPEECH THAT INTRODUCED HIMSELF TO DEMOCRATS THERE WHICH IS WHAT PEOPLE WANTS TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT OFTEN DO SO THAT RAISED RED FLAGS.

I DON'T SEE GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER DOING ANYTHING TO CHALLENGE PRESIDENT BIDEN OUT RIGHT UNLESS HE HAS SOME -- >> HE SAID THAT HE WILL SUPPORT PRESIDENT BIDEN IN 2024.

>> GOVERNOR PRITZKER WAS VERY, VERY STRONG IN THAT SPEECH THAT HE GAVE ON JULY 4TH IN HIGHLAND PARK.

AND IT ALMOST SEEMED A LITTLE BIT LIKE THAT WAS DIRECTED TOWARDS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION THAT YOU KNOW THEY MAY NOT BE DOING ENOUGH.

THERE SEEMED TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF SOME -- >> MESSAGING THERE.

AND YOU BOTH HAVE PARTIES THAT DO THIS KINTDLY BRING IN ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM OTHER STATES.

ILLINOIS DOES THAT DURING THE STATE FAIR.

AND I REMEMBER REPORTING ONE OF THEM WAS PETE BUTTIGIEG AND HE WENT FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL RUN.

>> AND JOE BIDEN WAS SUPPOSED TO SPEAK BUT HE GOT SICK.

>> THANK YOU.

GOOD JOGGING OF THE MEMORY.

>> IT ALL COMES FIR CIRCLE.

>> IT'S BEEN POINTED OUT IN THE "WASHINGTON POST" AND NATIONAL MEDIA THAT GAVIN NEWSOME THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA AND J.B. PRITZKER CAPTURED THE TONE THAT THE RANK-AND-FILE DEMOCRATS WANT, SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT MORE COMBATIVE THAN THE TONE THE GESTURES OF BIPARTISANSHIP THAT YOU SEE FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION THEY WANT DEMOCRATS SEEM TO BE YEARNING FOR SOMEBODY MORE COMBATIVE STRONGER ON THE MESSAGING AND J.B. PRITZKER SEEMS TO BE FILLING THAT VOID, THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SEEMS TO HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> YOU WONDER SOMETIMES HOW MUCH WE, THE MEDIA, FUEL INTO PART OF THE SPECULATION, RIGHT?

WHILE WE ARE LOOKING AT UP COMING ELECTIONS, POTENTIAL DIRTY LAUNDRY HAS BEEN AIRED THIS FALL WHEN THE FOUR DEFENDANTS CONNECTED TO COMMONWEALTH EDISON FOR ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO BRIBE FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MAD MICHAEL MADIGAN WERE SET TO GO TO TRIAL INSTEAD THAT IS DELAYED UNTIL MARCH AFTER THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION.

WHY THE CHANGE?

AND SHOULD DEMOCRATS IN ILLINOIS BE BREATHING A SIGH OF RELIEF OVER IT?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE SHOULD BE BREATHING A SIGH OF RELIEF.

SOME OF THE CHANGE IS EXPECTED.

THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DOES NOT LIKE TO GET IN THE WAY OF GENERAL ELECTIONS.

THEY SOMETIMES DO, SOMETIMES JUST TO TWEAK PEOPLE.

BUT THEY LIKE TO STAY OUT OF THE WAY.

SOME OF IT HAS TO DO WITH HOW MANY BIG TRIALS THEY CAN HAVE GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME.

AND WHAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE IS R. KELLY BACK IN TOWN.

HE IS BACK IN TOWN NOW.

THAT IS PART OF WHAT IS GOING ON.

BUT THESE ARE ALL REMEMBER THESE ARE PEOPLE AT LEAST COMMONWEALTH EDISON PRETTY MUCH HAS ALREADY PLEADED GUILTY TO IN A DEFERRED PROSECUTION.

SO THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN PROSECUTED YET HAD A LITTLE BIT TO DO WITH THE FACT THEY WERE COOPERATING THEY ARE THE ONES WHO OUTLINED THE SCHEME THAT MIKE MADIGAN IS CHARGED WITH.

I DON'T THINK.

>> THE UTILITY LAID IT BARE THE FOLKS ALL PLEADED NOT GUILTY AND ARE FIGHTING THE CHARGES.

WE'VE LEARNED SO MUCH OF THAT DIRTY LAUNDRY ALREADY.

IF YOU THINK THAT CASE IS STRETCHED OUT, WHAT ABOUT ALDERMAN ED BURKE?

SARAH HIS RACKETEERING TRIAL IS SET FOR NEXT NOVEMBER THAT WILL MAKE IT NEARLY FOUR-AND-A-HALF YEARS AFTER HE WAS FIRST INDICTED.

SO IMPORTANTLY, BY THE WAY, THAT MEANS THAT THE RACKETEERING TRIAL WILL BE AFTER THE FEBRUARY 2023 ELECTIONS.

SARAH, IS HE GOING TO RUN AGAIN?

>> I THINK HE PROBABLY L I DON'T KNOW, CRAIG COULD WEIGH-IN MORE THAN -- LOOK HE WAS REELECTED.

>> AFTER THE CHARGES CAME OUT, HE WON.

>> AFTER THE CHARGES CAME OUT.

WHAT IS GOING TO PREVENT HIM FROM NOT RUNNING AGAIN?

NOW, MAYBE HE HAS SEEN SOME COLLEAGUES THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE STARTING TO CALLING IT QUITS.

I DON'T THINK THAT AFFECTS ED BURKE AT ALL.

THIS IS THE ONLY THING HE HAS RIGHT NOW IS THAT SEAT.

AND I THINK HE IS GOING TO HANG ON.

I'M SURE CRAIG CAN ANSWER THAT BETTER THAN I CAN.

>> DOES IT HURT THE WARD THAT HE IS UNDER THIS CLOUD WHILE ON THE CITY COUNCIL?

>> OBVIOUSLY THE PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST HIM IN THE WARD WOULD SAY THAT.

BUT HE IS STILL DELIVERING FOR THE WARD.

NOBODY IS KEEPING HIS WARD FROM GETTING ANYTHING.

AND TODAY, ONE OF THE CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS HE WAS MORE VOCAL I'VE SEEN HIM IN MONTHS PETITION R PUSHING FOR RECOGNITION OF THE ONE OF THE EGEOPOLITIC MA SOLDIERS FROM THIS IWO JIMA AND HAD A TOUGH LIFE AND HE WAS CALLING FOR RECOGNITION FOR HIM AND THE MEASURE WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

HE STILL WILL BRING THE TUG THE HEART STRINGS WHEN HE WANTS TO.

AND YEAH, I THINK HE MIGHT RUN AGAIN.

ON THE OTHER HAND HE HAS TIME TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

AND DECIDE IF IT'S TIME TO FINALLY PACK IS IN.

>> PLUS HIS WARD HAS BEEN REDRAWN A LITTLE BIT IT IS NOT HIS OLD WARD IT IS A NEW WARD THAT REDISTRICTING THAT HAPPENED AFTER THE CENSUS.

THAT MAY MEAN HE DOESN'T HAVE THE SUPPORT THAT HE THOUGHT HE DID HAVE THE PAST 10 YEARS THAT MAY BE WHAT DECIDES WHETHER HE STAYS OR NOT.

>> AND NOT PERHAPS WANTING TO LOOK AT A LOSS.

ANOTHER POWERFUL FIGURE THAT IS GOING TO BE UP FOR REELECTION AT THAT TIME IT WAS MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT WHO WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM MUCH THIS WEEK IN CHICAGO BECAUSE SHE HAS BEEN ON A SORT OF FOREIGN TRADE MISSION IN LONDON AND IN PARIS.

SO I'M SORRY, NONE OF US ARE THERE TO COVER IT.

BUT -- >> I TRIED TO GET MY EDITORS TO SEND ME.

>> LET'S KEEP IT WITH YOU.

SHE IS MAKING AN ARGUMENT?

WHAT DOES SHE HAVE TO TELL ABOUT CHICAGO IN PLACES LIKE LONDON AND PARIS?

IS IT A MESSAGE THAT IS GOING TO RESULT IN ANY CHANGE AND EFFECT FOR CHICAGOANS?

>> IT IS A TWO-PRONGED MESSAGE.

ONE SHE IS TALKING TO CORPORATE TYPES.

SHE WAS AT A TECH CONFERENCE WHY CHICAGO IS A GOOD PLACE TO BRING YOUR BUSINESS.

SO BRING CONTRACT -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU BRING WHEN ARE YOU IN PARIS TO CHICAGO.

IT IS A PLACE TO DO BUSINESS BECAUSE OF THE YOUNG RESIDENTS AND THE TECH SAVVY PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE.

THAT IS ONE MESSAGE.

AND THE OTHER MESSAGE IS THAT IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT.

AND SHE HAS BEEN RAMPING UP THE TOURISM ASPECT.

THE THINKING IS I THINK I SAW SOMETHING THAT CHICAGO COULD RETURN TO THE PREPANDEMIC TOURISM NUMBERS IN TWO YEARS?

WHICH WOULD BE A SAVIOR FOR THE CITY.

THAT KEEPS THE CITY RUNNING BECAUSE WITHOUT THOSE SUMMER TOURISM DOLLARS.

>> SALES TAX, ALL OF IT.

>> HAVE YOU BEEN TO NAVY PIER LATELY?

IT'S SHOULDER TO SHOULDER.

PEOPLE ARE BACK MAYBE NOT IN THE SAME NUMBERS BUT THEY ARE BACK.

>> THE INTERESTING THING I WAS IN DOWNTOWN TODAY AND THERE ARE MORE WAY MORE TOURISTS DOWNTOWN ON A SUMMER DAY THAN THERE ARE EMPLOYEES.

>> PERHAPS HERE FOR PITCHFORK AND SUCH.

THAT IS A DIFFERENT EQUATION WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE DOWNTOWN RESTAURANTS THAT RELY ON THE LUNCH CROWD AND THAT IS A LOT BECAUSE OF COVID.

MIKE, COOK COUNTY BACK AT A HIGH LEVEL OF TRANSMISSION AS ARE 49 OF ILLINOIS' 102 COUNTIES.

ONLY EIGHT ARE AT A LOW RISK OF TRANSMISSION.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE BA.5 VARIANT AND WHAT DO WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT?

>> THE BA.5 VARIANT IS SAID TO BE MUCH MORE PERVASIVE AND EASIER TO CATCH.

AND I KNOW PERSONALLY A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE COVID AT THE MOMENT.

OF COURSE, IT'S NOT THE SAME AS PREVACCINATION MOST PEOPLE I KNOW WHO HAVE GOTTEN IT RECENTLY, HAVE HAD RELATIVELY MILD SYMPTOMS IF THEY ARE VACCINATED.

NONETHELESS, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS WARNING PEOPLE THAT WE ARE NOT OUT OF THE PANDEMIC THAT YOU SHOULD KEEP YOUR GUARD UP IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU NEED TO WEAR YOUR MASK PUT YOUR MASK ON IN THOSE SHOULDER TO SHOULDER PLACES AND THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT BOOSTERS AGAIN.

AND THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS FOR THE WIDER PUBLIC WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS AS THEY ADJUST THE FORMULA FOR THE VACCINES -- >> AND THE VARIANT COVID IS WHAT THE ORIGINAL VERSION IS CALLED.

>> THE BIGGEST CONCERN AMONG HEALTH HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WITH THE VARIANT IS THE FACT THAT IT SIDESTEPS THE PREVIOUS OMICRON VARIANTS SO THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING REINFECTED.

>> IF THAT IS THE CASE WE HAD THE GOVERNOR VOIDING VACCINE REQUIREMENTS FOR ILLINOIS UNIVERSITIES AND THEN ALSO EASING THE TESTING THAT IS REQUIRED FOR UNVACCINATED WORKERS AT NURSING HOMES.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY MASK MANDATES.

IF THIS IS SUCH A SURGE CONCERN IMMUNITY PROBLEMS IS IT TIME TO BRING BACKMAN DATES?

POLITICS?

WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> NO, GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S MOVE IS ALL ABOUT POLITICS IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR.

THE DEMOCRATS THEY DECIDED MONTHS AGO THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE DEFINED AS THE PARTY OF MANDATES AND SHUTDOWNS.

THAT SHIP HAS SAILED.

I THINK THAT'S THAT'S HIS MOTIVATION.

AND I ALSO THINK IT'S PROBABLY WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT.

I DON'T THINK PEOPLE WANT TO BE -- THEY CAN TAKE THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL PRECAUTIONS BUT I DON'T THINK PEOPLE WANT GOVERNMENT TELLING THEM WHAT TO DO.

I THINK THAT IS PROBABLY WHAT POLLING SHOWS.

BUT WITH THAT SAID, GOVERNMENT DOES HAVE TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF RESPONSIBILITY PROBABLY WHY THE WHITE HOUSE IS URGING PEOPLE NOT TO WAIT FOR THE OMICRON SPECIFIC VACCINE TO COME OUT IN THE FALL AND GO AHEAD AND GET THE THIRD OR FOURTH SHOT THIS SUMMER TO PROTECT YOURSELF THIS SUMMER.

>> I THINK YOU ARE SEEING A LOT MORE PEOPLE STILL WEARING MASKS AS THE NEWS GOES YOU SEE THE MASKS INCREASE.

CITY HALL ALMOST NO ONE GETS ON AN ELEVATOR WITHOUT PUTTING THEIR MASKS ON.

PEOPLE ARE FALLING INTO A ROUTINE WHERE WHEN THEY ARE IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH OTHER PEOPLE, THEY KEEP THE MASKS ON.

>> CRAIG, WE'VE GOT LESS THAN A MINUTE LEFT, I WANTED TO GET TO YOU WHILE THE CITY COUNCIL DID ADVANCE AN ETHICS ORDINANCE IT DOES A -- THE COMMITTEE THAT IS WHAT, WHAT IS THE TAKEAWAY OF THE ORDINANCE THAT YOU THINK COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> THE BIG TAKEAWAY THEY ARE TIGHTENING UP ON THINGS LIKE NEPOTISM AND PEOPLE BENEFITING THEIR FAMILIES.

SO THOSE RULES ARE A LOT TIGHTER.

DISCLOSURE IS A LOT TIGHTER AND NO LONGER WILL YOU SEE FORMER MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON THE FLOOR LOBBYING THEIR EXCOLLEAGUE THAT IS NOW FORMERLY VERBOTEN.

>> IF THE CITY COUNCIL PASSES IT?

>> YES, BUT IT WAS A UNANIMOUS VOTE AFTER THE YEARS OF FIGHTING OVER THIS.

IT WAS A UNANIMOUS VOTE IN COMMITTEE TODAY.

>> MAYBE THAT IS WHY EVERYONE IS QUITTING?

>> THERE YOU GO, SARAH.

>> ON THAT NOTE WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU TO SHIA KAPOS, SARAH SCHULTE, MIKE LOWE AND CRAIG DELLIMORE.

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

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:00 P.M. FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES" AND AFTER THAT, "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES" AT 6:30.

WE ARE BACK AT 7:00 P.M. NEXT WEEK.

NOW, FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" I'M AMANDA VINICKY.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE ESPECIALLY WITH THAT B AVMENT 5 OUT THERE -- BA.5 OUT THERE.

GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]