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

>> WE'LL BE JOINED BY OUR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" GUESTINGS IN JUST A MOMENT BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE REQUEST STORE THE STATE OF THE PRIMARY FOR THE 2024 COLLECTION AS THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE REEVALUATES THE ROLES OF THE IOWA GOING FIRST FOLLOWED BY NEW HAMPSHIRE.

THE EARLY PRIMARY STATES CAN HAVE A KEY ROLE.

ILLINOIS DEMOCRATS ARGUED THERE IS NO MORE REPRESENTATIVE STATE THAN THIS ONE WHEN IT COMES TO DEMOGRAPHICKINGS IN URBAN, RURAL AND SUBURBAN AREAS.

A DECISION IS EXPECTED IN EARLY AUGUST.

>> COVID NUMBERS ARE BACK ON THE RISE AND NOW ALL OF COOK COUNTY INCLUDING CHICAGO HAS MOVED INTO A NEW RISK CATEGORY.

THE COUNTY HAS GONE PAST THE THRESHOLD TO MOVE FROM LOW RISK OF TRANSMISSION TO MEDIUM RISK WITH CASE RATES AROUND 260 PER 100,000 RESIDENTS.

COOK JOINS COUNTIES LIKE McRENRY, LAKE, McCAB, WILL AND KANE IN MEDIUM RISK TERRITORY.

Dr. ALLISON ARWADY RECOMMENDED INDOOR MASKING AND CONGREGATING OUTSIDE WHERE POSSIBLE.

>> CHICAGO UNLAWFULLY CHARGED SOME RESIDENTS FOR FAILING TO HAVE THE CITY VEHICLE STICKER ACCORDING TO AN ILLINOIS APPELLATE COURT RULING AFTER A LAWSUIT FROM MOTORISTS SOME WHO RACKED UP THOUSANDS IN FINES AND LATE FEES TO TURNOUT THE CITY EXCEEDED A STATE CAP ON TICKET AMOUNTS.

WEST HUMBOLDT PARK RESIDENT RODNEY SHELTER SAID HE HAD TO DECLARE PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY.

I LOOK AT IT AS THE CITY BEING PREDATORS ON THE TAXPAYERS.

AND THAT IS BECAUSE YOU'VE MADE BAD BUSINESS DECISIONS WITH SOME OF THESE CORPORATIONS AND NOW THE CITY IS IN THE HOLE.

>> A SETBACK FOR AREA UNIONIZATION EFFORTS AT STARBUCKS.

WORKERS AT A STARBUCKS VOTED AGAINST JOINING A UNION.

THAT IS THE FIRST CHICAGO AREA LOSS FOR ORGANIZING EFFORTS AT THE COFFEE GIANT.

WORKERS THAT 250 STARBUCKS THROUGHOUT THE U.S. HAVE FILED TO JOIN A UNION AND 50 THUS FAR HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL INCLUDING A HANDFUL IN THE CITY AND THROUGHOUT THE SUBURBS.

>> AND NOW TO OUR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" PANEL JOINING US ARE BRANDON POPE A MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST AND REPORTER AND ANCHOR AT WCIUTV AND IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHICAGO CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS.

SHIA KAPOS AUTHOR OF POLITICO'S PLAYBOOK.

RICK PEARSON AT THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" AND CRAIG DELLIMORE A POLITICAL EDITOR FOR WBBM NEWS RADIO.

THE MAYOR EXPLAINS WHY SHE IS ROLLING THE DICE WITH THE BALLY'S PROPOSAL ON THE TRIBUNE PRINTING PRESS SITE.

>> IN ADDITION TO PRESENTING THE STRONGEST FINANCIAL OFFER TO THE CITY, AND THE HIGHEST MINIMUM CAPITAL INVESTMENT BALLY'S IS THE ONLY OPERATOR THAT DOES HAVE A COMPETING CASINO IN THE CHICAGOLAND REGION AND THAT'S IMPORTANT.

>> CRAIG DELLIMORE EXPLAIN TO US WHY THE MAYOR CHOSE BALLY'SS THE WINNING BID HERE?

>> ONE OF THE FIRST REASONS IS THAT THE BALLY'S WAS OFFERING MORE MONEY UP FRONT THAN THE OTHER BIDDERS.

AND IN FACT, IT COMES OUT TO ABOUT $40 MILLION THAT THE CITY WOULD GET AT THE BEGINNING.

THE OTHER THING THAT WAS THE FIRST AND SO FAR ONLY GROUP TO REACH A LABOR AGREEMENT WITH THE LOCAL UNIONS THAT IS BASICALLY THEY CALL IT A LABOR PEACE AGREEMENT IT MEANS THAT EVERYONE IS GOING TO WORK THERE IS GOING TO BE IN THE UNION.

ALSO, THEIR ANALYSIS SHOWS IN THE LONG-TERM, BALLY'S WOULD MAKE MORE MONEY GENERATE MORE REVENUE IS MORE PROPERLY THAN THE OTHER TWO BIDDERS.

>> AND SHIA KAPOS, THIS COMES AS SOME ALDERPEOPLE IN THE AREA LIKE BRANDON REILLY ARE OPPOSED TO THE BID.

WILL SHE HAVE AN UPHILL BATTLE TO GET A MAJORITY ON BOFERRED?

>> SHE MIGHT GET CHALLENGE BUT I CANNOT IMAGINE THE 2 -- I CANNOT IMAGINE SHE CAN'T GET 26 VOTES.

BURNETT SAID YESTERDAY, YES, IT'S GOING TO PASS.

HE WOULD NOT SAY IT WOULD BE EASY BUT HE EXPECTS IT TO PASS.

SO WE'LL SEE.

>> AND ONE OF THE BY PROFDS OF THIS -- BYPRODUCTS OF HIS DECISION IS THE TRIBUNE, THE FREEDOM CENTER IS GOING TO BE DEMOLISHED FOR THE CASINO.

WHERE IS THE TRIBUNE GOING TO MOVE TO?

>> I CAN'T SPEAK TO ANYTHING INVOLVING WHAT THE FUTURE IS OF FREEDOM CENTER OR THE PRINTING PLANT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

I WILL SAY, THOUGH, BEING FAMILIAR WITH THAT AREA, I WAS QUITE SURPRISED THAT THAT WAS CHOSEN JUST BECAUSE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL BE NEEDED TO SUPPORT THAT CASINO.

THE ROADS THERE ARE VERY NARROW.

VERY NARROW RIDGES.

IT IS NOT AN EASY PLACE TO GET TO.

I THINK IF THIS PLAYS OUT, I WILL BE LOOKING TO SEE WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT TO ALLOW TOUR BUSES AND LOTS OF VEHICLES TO THE SITE.

IT IS A VERY LARGE SITE.

BUT THAT HAVING BEEN SAID IT IS NOT A CONVENIENT SITE TO GET TO.

>> HALSTED THE TRAFFIC PILES UP.

BRANDON POPE ALDERPEOPLE WERE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THEY WERE GOING TO BE THE ONES RECOMMENDING A FINALIST TO LIGHTFOOT.

THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A MEETING NEXT WEEK TO HEAR FROM ALL THREE PROPOSALS.

WHAT HAPPENED HERE?

>> WHAT HAPPENED HERE IS LIGHTFOOT SAW AN OPPORTUNITY TO BOLSTER HER REELECTION AND JUMP THE GUN AND MADE A CALL HERSELF.

SHE DENIED INITIALLY THAT BALLY'S WAS THE DECISION SHE ENDED UP MAKING.

IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW IT PLACE OUT.

MAKING A BET ON VOTERS BEING INTO THIS IT IS NOT A POPULAR DECISION RIGHT NOW.

READ THE ROOM IN RIVER WEST.

BRANDON REILLY THE ALDERMAN DID A SURVEY OF 1200 RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT HIS WARD.

AND HE FOUND THAT NEARLY 70% OF PEOPLE THERE ARE STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THE CASINO EVEN BEING IN THAT AREA.

AND WHAT OTHER PUBLIC MEETINGS ALL THE LOCATIONS, PEOPLE WEREN'T REALLY HAPPY ABOUT CONSTRUCTION IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD MORE TRAFFIC IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO I'M CURIOUS TO SEE HOW IT'S GOING TO GO WITH THE PEOPLE AND WHAT THE PEOPLE AND CAN THEY BUY INTO THIS MORE.

WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> FOLKS LIVE IN THE OLD MONTGOMERY WARD'S BUILDING LOOKING ACROSS THE RIVER AT THE CASINO.

THIS IS AN ACHIEVEMENT THAT WAS ELUSIVE TO MAYORS DALEY AND RAHM EMANUEL.

IS THIS A POLITICAL FEATHER IN HER CAP?

>> IT WILL BE IF EVERYTHING GOES THE WAY SHE WANTS IT TO BE.

AND THERE ARE NO BIG FAILINGS ALONG THE WAY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAY HELP TO RICK'S POINT ABOUT THE TRAFFIC, IS THAT BALLY'S HAS PROMISED TO DO THE INFRASTRUCTURE WORK FIRST.

SO THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE THOSE ROADS AND SEE ALL OF THAT DESIGN BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY START PUTTING UP THE TEMPORARY CASINO.

SO THAT MAY EASE SOME OF THE FEARS OF THE PEOPLE IN THE AREA.

I THINK AND DON'T FORGET EVEN WITH THE VOTING, THE TWO NEIGHBORING ALDERMEN ARE AGAINST IT.

BUT HOW STRONGLY ARE THE ONES WOULD LIVE FURTHER AWAY THAT DOESN'T AFFECT THEM HOW STRONGLY ARE THEY GOING TO FEEL COMPELLED TO GO AGAINST WHAT THE ALDERMAN OF THE WARD WANTS TO SEE?

>> AND BURNETT IS THE ALDERMAN OF THE WARD AND EXPRESSED SUPPORT HERE.

ON THE SAME DAY, RICK PEARSON, BOEING POURS A LITTLE BIT OF COLD WATER ON THE MAYOR'S BIG ANNOUNCEMENT BY ANNOUNCING YOU MIGHT BE GETTING A CASINO BUT YOU ARE LOSING THE BOFERG HEADQUARTERS MOVING TO WASHINGTON.

WHY AND HOW BIG A BLOW IS THIS?

>> BASICALLY BOEING IS MOVING CLOSER TO WHERE THEIR REAL BUSINESS IS AND THAT IS WASHINGTON D.C. AND THE ABILITY TO INFLUENCE FEDERAL LAWMAKERS AND THE PENTAGON OVER THE FACT OF THEIR DEFENSE BUSINESS.

IT'S NOT SO MUCH SELLING PASSENGER AIRLINERS ANYMORE WHERE THE BREAD AND BUTTER MONEY COMES FROM THE DEFENSE BUSINESS.

BUT IT IS A SERIOUS BLOW TO THE CITY.

IF YOU REMEMBER IT WAS A GREAT RECRUITMENT EFFORT THAT CHICAGO AND THE STATE OF ILLINOIS PUT ON TO GET BOEING TO RELOCATE HERE FROM SEATTLE.

AND NOW, TO SEE THEM LEAVE.

THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TAX INCENTIVES, TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TAX INCENTIVES THEY WERE GIVEN.

THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO MOVE 500 HIGH PAYING JOBS HERE.

NOT SURE THAT EVER HAPPENED.

>> THERE WAS A LOT OF DEBATE OVER THOSE TAX INCENTIVES USED TO LURE THEM HERE.

AND MOST OF THE PRODUCTION CREW AND THE FOLKS BUILDING THE AIRPLANES WORK IN WASHINGTON.

LET'S MOVE ON TO THE BIG NEWS OF THE WEEK.

THE ABORTION RULING, GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER EXPRESSES HIS FRUSTRATION WITH THE APPARENT INTENTION OF THE SUPREME COURT TO OVERTURN ROE VS. WADE.

>> THERE ARE DAYS AS GOVERNOR WHEN I'M NOT SURE I HAVE THE WORDS.

BUT I KNOW THAT THERE ARE WOMEN OUT THERE RIGHT NOW, AND RIGHT HERE IN THIS ROOM, WHO ARE TERRIFIED.

NO MATTER WHAT ATROCIOUS OPINION THE SUPREME COURT EFFICIENTLY RESOLUTIONS OUT THIS SUMMER IN REGARDS TO ROE VS. WADE, ABORTION IS SAFE AND LEGAL IN ILLINOIS.

>> SHIA KAPOS, CERTAINLY SO MANY PUBLIC POLICY IMPLICATIONS HERE BUT TALKING ABOUT THE POLITICS, GOVERNOR PRITZKER WAS ALL OVER CABLE MEDIA AFTER THIS.

IS HE LEANING INTO THIS THINKING THAT PERHAPS IT IS A BOON TO HIS REELECTION?

>> IT'S A BOON TO HIS REELECTION AND EVERY DEMOCRAT THEY ARE ALL GOING TO LEAN INTO THIS.

I INTERVIEWED FORMER GOVERNOR EDGAR EARLIER THIS WEEK WHO SAID EVERYTHING'S GONE NOW.

WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT CRIME.

DEMOCRATS HAVE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT ABORTION.

ABORTION WILL BE THE ISSUE THEY WILL TRY TO LATCH ON TO FOR THE PRIMARIES FOR ILLINOIS AND COMING UP IN NOVEMBER, TOO.

IT'S GOING TO MAYBE RALLY DEMOCRATS AT A TIME WHEN YOU KNOW, THE MIDTERMS ARE GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO MAKE ANY HEADWAY.

AND NOW IT COMES TO, REPUBLICANS ARE GETTING WHAT THEY WANT AND DOES THAT MEAN THEY WILL BE LESS EXCITED -- THEY WON'T BE AS MOTIVATED BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ANYTHING RALLYING THEM.

>> A LOT MADE OF REPUBLICANS LIKE MITCH McCONNELL TALKING MORE ABOUT THE LEAK AND BEING MORE ANGRY ABOUT THAT THAN THE DRAFT RULING.

BRANDON POPE DOES THIS HELP DEMOCRATS BEYOND THE GOVERNOR IN THE MIDTERMS?

IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BE A UPHILL BATTLE FOR THEM TO RETAIN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE?

>> A LOT DEPENDS WHAT THE DEMOCRATS CAN DO HERE.

WHILE THEY HAVE CONTROL OVER THE PRESIDENCY, AND BOTH OF THOSE SECTIONS OF THE LEGISLATIVE, THERE IS NOT A LOT OF VOTES THAT CAN REASONABLY GET TO THE 60 THRESHOLD AND GET ABORTION RIGHTS PROTECTED.

VOTERS WILL WONDER IS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AS CONSTRUCTED AND WHO THEY HAVE IN OFFICE AND RUNNING RIGHT NOW, CAN THEY ACCURATELY AND EFFECTIVELY FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS IN THE FUTURE.

THAT IS STILL GOING TO BE UP IN THE AIR.

TIME IS ONLY GOING TO TELL IF THAT IS GOING TO HELP THEM.

>> AND WE SAW THE FINAL RULING, RICK PEARSON IT IS A DRAFT RULING THAT WAS LEAKED.

IS THERE ANY READING OF THE TEA LEAVES HERE SUGGESTING THAT CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS IS PERHAPS ATTEMPTING TO SWAY ONE OF THE CONSERVATIVE JUSTICES TO A MORE NARROW RULING THAT WOULD KEEP ROE VS. WADE IN PLACE?

>> CERTAINLY THE THEORY OUT IN WASHINGTON IS THAT ROBERTS IS ALWAYS SUPPORTED ESTABLISHED PRECEDENT AND LAW.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FACT THAT THIS HAD BEEN SOMETHING THAT FRANKLY MANY REPUBLICANS HAD THOUGHT HAD BEEN AN ISSUE PUT TO BED 50 YEARS AGO WITH ROE.

AND NOW HAVING TO RELIVE THIS MANY AND IT'S SOMEWHAT TELLING WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE RESPONSES OF THE REPUBLICANS IN ILLINOIS, REPUBLICANS LIKE THE STATE G.O.P.

CHAIRMAN DON TRACY, WHEN OVERTURNING ROE VS. WADE IS PART OF THE CURRENT ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM.

NO COMMENT.

YOU'VE GOT RICHARD IRVIN, WHO IS ALL OVER THE AIRWAVES AND WANTS TO BE THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR AND SAYS HE IS PRO-LIFE.

NO COMMENT.

THEN YOU HAVE SOME OF THE MORE CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS LIKE DARREN BAILEY RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, UNABASHEDLY WANTS TO SEE ROE OVERTURNED AND ACCEPTED THE PRO-LIFE ENDORSEMENTS IN THE STATE.

AND JESSE SULLIVAN TRYING TO GET INROADS IN THAT EVANGELICAL DOWN STATE VOTE WHERE THEY ARE SAYING THEY PRAYED HOW THIS MIGHT BECOME ABSOLUTE WITH A FINAL RULING.

>> CRAIG DELLIMORE, PIERSON MENTIONED RICHARD IRVIN WHO LOOKED TO BE LEADING THE PACK.

IS HE IN A BIND ON THIS ABORTION ISSUE TRYING NOT TO ALIENATE MODERATES AND NOT ALIENATE CONSERVATIVES?

>> THAT IS EXACTLY THE PROBLEM FOR RICHARD IRVIN.

HE IS GETTING MORE MONEY PERHAPS THAN HE KNOWS WHAT TO DO WITH.

HE GOT ANOTHER $25 MILLION FROM HIS MAIN BENEFACTOR, GRIFFIN.

BUT HE STILL HAS TO TRY AND WALK THAT LINE AS I SAY AND PLAY BOTH SIDES.

THAT IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR HIM.

AND WHAT HE HAS DONE SO FAR IS EXISTED ON HIS COMMERCIALS AND NOT ON INTERVIEWS.

RICHARD IRVIN HAS NOT DONE ANY REAL INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS SINCE MAYBE THE WEEK OR TWO AFTER HIS LAUNCH.

THAT IS A STRATEGY.

AND WE'RE SEEING THAT PLAY OUT AND CAN HE DO IT ON ONLY FANCY COMMERCIALS?

IT WORKED FOR BRUCE RAUNER THE FIRST TIME.

>> IT'S SPEND REFERRED TO AS THE ROSE GARDEN STRATEGY.

SHIA KAPOS SPEAKING OF THAT $25 MILLION THAT KEN GRIFFIN DUMPED INTO IRVIN'S CAMPAIGN IN ADDITION TO THE $20 MILLION, THE PRITZKER CAMP WANTS TO SAY IT MEANS HE IS IN TROUBLE AND NEEDS HELP TO GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE AND PRO IRVIN PEOPLE WILL SAY NO, IT'S BECAUSE GRIFFIN IS INVESTING IN THE GUY?

WHERE IS THE REALITY?

>> RICK HAD A GOOD LINE IN HIS STORY TODAY ABOUT THAT, SAYING AND HE IS RIGHT, KEN GRIFFIN IS NOT GOING TO INVEST IN SOMETHING THAT HE DOESN'T THINK IS WORTH INVESTING IN.

SO HE MUST THINK THAT IRVIN IS DOING WELL ENOUGH AND CAN BEAT AND WIN THE PRIMARY AND MAYBE BEAT PRITZKER.

THERE ARE POLLS THAT SUGGEST APPARENTLY THAT BAILEY IS DOING WELL AGAINST IRVIN.

AND BAILEY'S GETTING A FEW MILLION HERE AND THERE FROM DICK UIHLEIN ANOTHER BILLIONAIRE.

MAYBE IT WILL GET MORE COMPETITIVE BEFORE THE PRIMARY WE HAVE EIGHT WEEKS.

>> A MONEY ARMS RACE.

I WILL BRING BACK RICK PEARSON.

WE HERE AT WTTW HAVE REPORTED ABOUT A PATTERN IN AURORA OF MAYOR IRVIN ACCEPTING BIG TIME CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM CONTRACTORS WITH THE CITY THAT GOT TENS OF MILLIONS IN INCENTIVES AND CONTRACTS.

IS THIS INVESTMENT HERE A SIGN THAT GRIFFIN JUST DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THAT?

>> THE FACT IS THAT GRIFFIN AS WELL AS IRVIN ARE TRYING TO CREATE A CANDIDATE WITH THEIR OWN REALITY.

AND THAT GIVEN THE STORIES THAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE AND STORIES WE HAVE DONE AND EVERYBODY'S DONE, ASKING FOR A REACTION, YOU DON'T GET ANY REACTION.

AS IF THEY ARE JUST GOING TO PLOW AHEAD WITH THEIR OWN SCRIPT AND DO THINGS THE WAY THEY SEE IT AND BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE ARE JUST GOING TO ACCEPT WHAT THEY SEE IN THE TV ADS IS REALITY.

WELL, NOT EVERYTHING ON TV IS REALITY TV THESE DAYS.

>> AND SOME OF THOSE ADS THEY ARE OFFERING ARE TRYING TO PEG BAILEY AS THE LIBERAL WHICH IS KIND OF FUNNY.

SOME OF THOSE ADS ARE CONFUSING.

BECAUSE IF YOU FOLLOW HIM YOU KNOW BAILEY IS ABOUT AS CONSERVATIVE AS THEY GET YET HE IS TIED TO HAVING VOTED FOR OBAMA AND IRVIN IS REALLY USING THAT IN THOSE ADS TO PAINT HIS OWN IDEA.

>> A LOT OF DARK MONEY GROUPS.

GROUP FRONTED BY DAN PROST CLOSE WITH UIHLEIN AND BAILEY.

THE ATTACKS FLY.

BUT BRANDIS FRIEDMAN, WE TALKED ABOUT -- BRANDON POPE WE TALKED ABOUT IRVIN IN THE ROSE GARDEN STRATEGY IS HE GOING TO GET AWAY WITH THIS NOT SPEAKING WITH THE MEDIA AND EXISTING ON THE AIRWAVES?

>> NO.

NOT AS THIS REPUBLICAN PARTY IS CONSTRUCTED.

HE IS RIGHT NOW RUNNING A CAMPAIGN AS IF HE IS THE NOMINEE.

AND NOT AS IF HE HAS THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION WRAPPED UP.

THE VOTERS DOWN STATE ARE NOT GOING TO GO FOR THINGS HE IS PUSHING AND HIS RECORD.

A LOT OF DARREN BAILEY'S ATTACK THEY ARE WORKING ACCORDING TO POLLS WE'RE SEEING.

HE HAS AN UPHILL BATTLE TO WIN THE NOMINATION RIGHT NOW HE IS ACTING LIKE HE HAS WON THE NOMINATION.

>> ON THE OTHER SIDE WE GOT NEWS AN AUDIT OF PRITZKER, THE PRITZKER ADMINISTRATION'S NEGLECT AT THE LASALLE VETERANS HOME.

CRAIG DELLIMORE LONG TIME AGO PRITZKER FIRED THE HEAD OF THE V.A.

IS THAT THE END OF THE FALLOUT?

OR IS THERE DAMAGE IN THIS AUDIT THAT SAID THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED THE RATE OF DEATHS THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF COVID AT THAT NURSING HOME?

>> I THINK THERE'S STILL MORE FALLOUT TO COME.

BECAUSE SHE WAS THE VETERANS AFFAIRS PERSON BUT WHAT THE AUDIT SOD WAS THAT THEY WERE FAILING WITHIN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT THAT HEALTH DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS THEMSELVES WERE NOT TAKING THINGS AS SERIOUSLY.

DID NOT GO TO THE HOME.

FRANKLY UNTIL THEY FOUND OUT HOW UPSET THE GOVERNOR WAS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAD A HANDLE ON IT.

SO THIS IS AN ADMINISTRATION FAILURE NOT JUST A V.A.

FAILURE AND NOT JUST THE STAFF AT THE HOME FAILURE.

AND THAT IS GOING TO FRANKLY, STICK WITH THIS ISSUE AND KEEP US FOCUSED ON IT.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE IS A TIME DISTANCE.

THAT HAPPENED YOU KNOW, SOMETIME AGO.

PEOPLE WON'T FORGET.

BUT HOW THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT GOT THROUGH THE REST OF COVID MAY SAVE THEIR REPUTATIONS AT LEAST A BIT.

>> RICK PEARSON WE HEARD FOLKS THAT LOST THEIR LOVED ONES BECAUSE OF THIS.

WHERE DOES THE BUCK STOP HERE?

>> THE BUCK DEFINITELY STOPS WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OF FACTORS.

PRITZKER IN APRIL OF 2021 ORDERED THE INSPECTOR GENERAL TO LOOK INTO THINGS.

NOW YOU HAVE THE AUDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT WHICH BASICALLY REPEATS THE FINDINGS OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL BY PLACING THE BLAME ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND NOT ADDRESSING AND NOT BEING LOOKING THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

ONE OF THE THINGS PRITZKER SAID WELL, AND HERE IS ONE OF THE FACTORS, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH DID NOT SHOW UP AT THIS VETERANS HOME UNTIL 11 DAYS AFTER THE OUTBREAK BEGAN.

AND ALL BUT FOUR OF THE 36 VETERANS WHO DIED BECAUSE OF COVID ALL WERE TESTED POSITIVE BEFORE PUBLIC HEALTH GOT ON THE SCENE.

THAT IS ONE THING.

SECOND PRITZKER SAID PUBLIC HEALTH THEY WERE WEIGHING THE BALANCE OF GOING INTO THE LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AND SPREADING COVID VERSUS THE BENEFITS THAT THE THEY COULD PROVIDE WITH THEIR EXPERTISE.

AND HE SAID THERE WERE OTHER NURSING HOMES GOING THROUGH SAME KIND OF OUTBREAKS.

NOVEMBER 8, SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE OUTBREAK THERE WAS ONE LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY IN THE STATE OUT OF 710 THAT HAD MORE THAN 100 CASES OF COVID AND THAT WAS LASALLE VETERANS HOME.

ALL OF THE REST HAD 50 OR FEWER OR NO CASES REPORTED.

SO THIS IS GOING TO BE HITTING HIM HARD.

IT'S GOING TO BE HITTING HIM VERY HARD ESPECIALLY AFTER QUINCY AND HOW HE WENT OFF BRUCE RAUNER ON THE LEDGE AIRS LEGIONNAIRES DEATHS.

WILL AND YOU WILL SEE THEM IN REPUBLICAN ADS.

>> THE LEGIONNAIRES ISSUE BECAME A BIG CAMPAIGN ISSUE AGAINST FORMER GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER.

SHIA KAPOS THE ILLINOIS DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS SUBMITTING THE BID TO HOST THE 2024 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION LIKE IT DID IN 96 AND IN 68 AND BEFORE THAT.

HOW SERIOUS A BID IS THIS?

>> IT IS SERIOUS.

BECAUSE THE DNC, THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE WANTING TO BROADEN HOW IT PICKS THE CANDIDATE.

IT WANTS IT TO BE DONE BY REGION.

AND THEY ARE LOOKING TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER STATE THEY CHOOSE OFFERS SOME DIVERSITY.

MAYBE IOWA WASN'T EXACTLY THAT STATE.

AND CHICAGO IS STAYING AND ILLINOIS IS SAYING WE ARE.

WE ARE AS DIVERSE AS YOU GET.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THEIR PITCH LETTER, IT REALLY FOCUSED ON THAT.

OTHER STATES WILL DO THE SAME, OF COURSE.

BUT I THINK ILLINOIS HAS A GOOD AS CHANCE AS ANYBODY.

>> ILLINOIS IS NOT A SWING STATE AND IN THE PAST SEVERAL DECADES BOTH PARTIES TYPICALLY CHOOSE A SWING STATE, OHIO OR FLORIDA.

CRAIG DELLIMORE, ARE THEY GOING TO GO A DIFFERENT ROUTE THIS TIME?

>> THAT IS WHAT CERTAINLY THE FOLKS IN CHICAGO AND ILLINOIS ARE HOPING.

BECAUSE WHAT THEY'RE SAYING IS THAT THIS IS A MOVE TO SHOW THE PARTY'S FUTURE.

AND NOT JUST TO BE FOCUSED ON TRYING TO GET PARTICULAR STATE TO GO ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

BUT TO SHOW THAT THE PARTY IS READY TO TAKE ON THE WHAT IS AHEAD.

SO IF THAT'S THE SELLING POINT AND IF THAT'S WHAT THE PARTY WANTS TO DO THEN, YES, THAT COULD FIT RIGHT IN WITH THEIR PLANS AND CHICAGO HAS PROVEN AFTER 96 CONVENTION THAT IT CAN HOST A PARTY.

AND REALLY NOTHING WENT WRONG FOR THAT CONVENTION.

>> UNLESS YOU COUNT THE MACK ARENA.

>> SOMETHING DISTRESSINGLY WRONG THERE.

BEFORE WE LEAVE, BRANDON POPE YOU COVERED THE NFL DRAFT, A LOT OF BEARS FANS WERE CLAMOURING FOR THE NEW REGIME TO GET HELP FOR JUSTIN FIELDS.

INSTEAD THE BEARS DRAFTED DB'S.

WAS THAT THE RIGHT MOVE?

>> RYAN THE NEW GM YOU HAVE TO BUILD A COMPLETE TEAM TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP.

AND LET'S BE HONEST BEARS FANS DO NOT WANT TO HEAR THIS.

THE BEARS DEFENSE WAS TERRIBLE IT WAS NOT GOOD.

SO DRAFTING KYLER GORDON SECOND OVERALL, A CORNERBACK IN COLLEGE WHO DIDN'T ALLOW ONE TOUCHDOWN IN HIS CAREER STARTS.

A DAY ONE STARTER.

DRAFTING A SAFETY AND DRAFTING ANOTHER RECEIVER, IN THE THIRD ROUND, YOU GOT SOME GOOD CORNER PIECES PLUS HE BEEFED UP THE OFFENSIVE LINE AND DEFENSIVE LINE.

CHICAGO THE BEARS MAY NOT GOT A CASINO BUT THEY ARE GETTING 11 NEW ROOKIES FROM SIX PICKS.

HE FLIPPED SIX PICKS TO 11 ROOKIES AND THAT IS SWEET.

>> A WORK IN PROGRESS WITH THE BEARS AS THE CASINO BID IS.

OUR THANKS TO BRANDON POPE, SHIA KAPOS, RICK PEARSON AND CRAIG DELLIMORE.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" AND "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" "THE WK AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:00 P.M. FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES" AND AFTER THAT, "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

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

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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