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

WE WILL BE JOINnd BY OUR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" GUESTS IN JUST A MOMENT BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> A TEMPORARY BALLY'S CASINO AT CHICAGO'S MEDINAH TEMPLE WILL NOT CAUSE MAJOR TRAFFIC SNARLS BY A STUDY COMMISSIONED BY BALLY'S THE COMPANY THAT WON THE BID.

CITY TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS SAY THEY BELIEVE THE STUDY INDICATES RIVER NORTH WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE ADDED TRAFFIC FROM A TEMPORARY CASINO.

BUT DOWNTOWN ALDERMAN BRENDAN REILLY SAID HE BELIEVES THE STUDY IS SERIOUSLY FLAWED.

THE CASINO WILL BE THERE AT THE LANDMARK LOCATION WHILE BALLY'S BUILDS A PERMANENT HOME ON THE SITE OF THE TRIBUNE PRINTING PRESS.

>> HURRICANE FIONA IS DOWNGRADED INTO A CYCLONE IT DEVASTATED PARTS OF THE FLORIDA WEST COAST.

STILL HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR HIGH WINDS AND FLASH FLOODING IN THE CAROLINAS.

"THE ASSOCIATED PRESS" REPORTS THE U.S. DEATH TOLL RYE OF RIGHT NOW STANDS AT 17.

>> AN HONORARY STREET NAMING FOR THE LATE FORMER CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION PRESIDENT KAREN DARIN.

C.T.U -- KAREN LEWIS.

C.T.U.

UNVEILED THE SIGN.

THEY CALLED LEWIS MORE THAN A UNION LEADER BUT SOMEONE WHO INSPIRED A MOVEMENT.

KAREN LEWIS DIED LAST YEAR AFTER A LONG BATTLE WITH CANCER.

>> AND NOW WE GO TO OUR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

JOINING US ARE CHUCK GOUDIE VEF OF CHIEF INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER FOREFER FOR ABC7 NEWS.

>> NADER ISSA REPORTER FOR THE "CHICAGO SUN-TIMES" AND HEATHER CHERONE AND MIKE FLANNERY.

THE MAYOR ANNOUNCES SHE IS GOING TO DO AWAY WITH THE $42 MILLION INFLATION TIED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE THAT HAD BEEN PLANNED.

IS THIS REALLY BECAUSE THE ECONOMY'S SO GREAT AND REVENUES ARE COMING IN BETTER THAN EXPECTED?

OR IS IT THAT IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR AND SHE HAS PRESSURE TO HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR TAXPAYERS?

>> WELL, I THINK THE LATTER.

FEBRUARY 28TH IS COMING UP FAST.

THE FILING DEADLINE IS NOT UNTIL NOVEMBER.

BUT THE CAMPAIGN IS IN FULL WAR CRY IN SOME RESPECTS AND THAT IS WHY SHE'S CANCELING THIS TAX INCREASE.

>> HEATHER A COUPLE MONTHS AGO SHE DOWN-PLAYED IT SAYING IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL LIKE GOING TO A.F.L.-C.I.O.

BEEF AND GETTING BEEF AND CHEESE.

I'VE NEVER HEARD OF BEEF AND CHEESE.

WHY IS SHE REVERSING RIGHT NOW?

>> THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THIS PROPOSAL WAS DEAD ON ARRIVAL AT THE CITY COUNCIL.

NOT ONLY IS THE MAYOR RUNNING FOR REELECTION BUT ALL OF THE ALDERMEN THOSE WHO HAVE DECIDED TO RUN FOR REELECTION, WILL ALSO FACE THE VOTERS IN FEBRUARY.

AND NOBODY WANTS TO ASK FOR PEOPLE'S VOTES ONLY AFTER HAVING APPROVED A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE IN A YEAR WHEN THE CITY'S DEFICIT IS THE SMALLEST IT'S BEEN SINCE 2019.

THAT WAS A NONSTARTER.

AND THE FACT THAT THE MAYOR MADE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT THREE DAYS BEFORE SHE IS SET TO UNVEIL HER BUDGET PROPOSAL TELLS YOU JUST HOW UNPOPULAR IT WAS.

>> THIS BUDGET DEFICIT $170 MILLION, AND THE LOWEST SINCE 2019, YOU'VE SEEN A LOT OF THE MAYORAL CYCLES IT SEEMS LIKE IT PLACE OUT THIS WAY IN THE ELECTION YEAR THE BUDGET DEFICIT IS SMALL SO THE MAYOR CAN SAY LOOK WHAT A GREAT JOB WE DID.

AND AFTER THE ELECTION IT'S REALLY HIGH.

DO YOU PUT A LOT OF STOCK IN THESE NUMBERS?

>> WELL, I DON'T PUT MUCH STOCK IN ANY NUMBER THAT COMES OUT OF ANY CITY OF CHICAGO AGENCY BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN FLAWED FOR DADES.

INDEEDS.

AND WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THE PLAYBOOK, THE SAME THING ALL THE TIME.

AND WHAT IT DOES IS PRODUCES AN ELECTORATE THAT JUST DOESN'T CARE AND THOSE WHO TURNOUT SOME OF THEM DECIDE AHEAD OF TIME WHO THEY ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR.

IT'S PART OF THE SAME DRILL WE'VE HEARD YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.

THEY CHANGE THE PLAYERS AND SOME OF THE PARTS ARE INTERCHANGEABLE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT THIS.

>> WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE DEFICIT IS NEXT YEAR AND THE CITY HAS PENSION FUNDS UNDERFUNDED.

NADER ISSA THE MAYOR WILL DELIVER HER BUDGET ADDRESS MONDAY.

HOW DO YOU THINK SHE WILL GO ABOUT CLOSING THAT BUDGET GAP?

>> SHE IS GOING TO HAVE TO WORK WITH ALDERMEN AND THE CITY COUNCIL AND SEE WHAT THEY'LL VOTE FOR, WHAT THEY CAN VOTE FOR TO GET REELECTED, TOO.

SHE WILL HAVE TOOLS AT HER DISPOSAL SAME STUFF SHE'S USED IN THE PAST.

SCRAP TOGETHER MONEY HERE AND THERE.

BUT IT'S GOING TO BE AN EASIER DECISION, EASIER TASK THAN PAST YEARS OBVIOUSLY.

>> IN PAST YEARS WE HEAR THINGS LIKE ZERO BASED BUDGETING, FINDING EFFICIENCIES, PHRASES I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY MEAN.

THAT IS THAT IS WHAT WE HEAR WHEN MAYORS TALK ABOUT CLOSING THE BUDGET GAP.

MIKE THERE IS A POLL THAT SHOWS GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER WITH COMMANDING LEAD OVER CHALLENGER DARREN BAILEY 51-36%.

YOU HAD A POLL OUT A LITTLE EARLIER SHOWING THAT RACE REALLY CLOSE.

>> THAT WAS A SEVEN POINT MARGIN AN INTERNAL BAILEY CAMPAIGN PAID FOR POLL THAT HAD A SERIES OF LEADING QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED ABOUT ISSUES BEFORE THEY GOT TO THE Q AND A, EMMERSON COLLEGE INSTITUTE POLL THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, DIDN'T DO THAT.

IT DID -- IT ASKED ABOUT THE HORSERACE BEFORE PLUMBING OTHER ISSUES.

IT IS A MUCH MORE HONEST AND RELIABLE SURVEY.

NOW, THE QUESTION IS: IS THERE AS WE HAVE SEEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IS THERE -- ARE THERE CONSERVATIVES OLDER WHITE VOTERS, OLDER WHITE MEN IN PARTICULAR WHO AREN'T GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SURVEY OR AREN'T GOING TO GIVE ACCURATE ANSWERS IN THE ERA OF TRUMP THAT HAS BEEN ONE FACTOR IN WHY POLLS HAVE BEEN OFF IN SOME RECENT ELECTIONS.

>> DO YOU TRUST THE ACCURACY OF THIS POLL, MIKE?

>> I THINK IT IS A STRAIGHTFORWARD SURVEY.

LOOK, I DO THINK THAT J.B. PRITZKER AND JULIANA STRATTON ARE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT LEAD.

I MEAN, EVEN THAT SURVEY FROM INSIDE THE BAILEY CAMPAIGN HAD PRITZKER WITH A SEVEN-POINT LEAD AND A NET POSITIVE FAVORABLE UNFAVORABLE RATING WITH THE VOTERS WHILE BAILEY I AM SELF, HIS OWN POLL SHOWED BAILEY WAS 10 POINTS UPSIDE-DOWN.

A NEGATIVE NET WITH THE VOTERS.

>> AND THAT POLL HAD LEADING QUESTIONS TO TRY AND PRODUCE A MORE FAVORABLE RESULT FOR THE BAILEY CAMPAIGN.

HEATHER THIS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE AIRWAYS ARE INUNDATED ON ADS CRITICIZING PRITZKER ON CRIME AND THE SAFE-T ACT IS THIS A SIGN THAT THOSE ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDERS AREN'T MAKING A DENT IN THIS RACE THE BAILEY AND SUPPORTERS MIGHT WANT?

BECAUSE THEY HAVE GONE ALL IN ON THIS ISSUE OF CRIME.

>> THEY SURE HAVE.

THE WGN POLL I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING ON THIS ISSUE.

IT SHOWED THAT VOTERS' TOP CONCERN WAS NOT CRIME BUT ECONOMY AND THAT POLL SHOWED PRITZKER AND STRATTON LEADING BY MORE THAN 10 POINTS.

I THINK IT IS AN OPEN QUESTION WHETHER BAILEY'S FULL FOCUS ON CRIME IS GOING TO PAY OFF.

WE ARE ALSO AT A TIME WHEN CRIME IS CERTAINLY NOT WHERE IT WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

BUT IT'S LOWER THAN IT WAS A YEAR AGO WHICH COMPLICATES THE MESSAGE THAT BAILEY HAS BEEN TRYING TO HAMMER HOME.

I ALSO THINK THAT HE HAS BEEN IN A LITTLE BIT OF A PICKLE WITH HIS MESSAGING ON CHICAGO.

FIRST IT WAS A HELLHOLE AND THEN IT WAS NOT A HELLHOLE THEN IT WAS A GREAT CITY AND NOW CHICAGO IS APPARENTLY A RECALCITRANT CHILD THAT NEEDS HELP.

AND THAT IS COMPLICATING THE MESSAGE AS WELL.

IT IS NOT CLEAR WHAT IS GOING TO SO MOTIVATE VOTERS TO GO TO THE POLLS.

>> I THINK IT WAS UNRULY CHILD.

CHUCK GOUDIE WHAT YOU WANT TO BE GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS AND SAY THE BIGGEST CITY IN THE STATE IS A HELLHOLE OR UNRULY CHILD, IS THERE A METHOD TO HIS MADNESS HERE?

>> WELL, I THINK THE FIRST QUESTION IS: WHY WOULD ANYBODY WANT TO BE THE GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS MUCH LESS THE MAYOR OF CHICAGO UNDER THE CURRENT CONDITIONS?

I KNOW THERE ARE LINEUPS OF PEOPLE WAITING FOR THAT.

BUT THE DIFFICULTY HERE IS THAT CRIME MAY BE DOWN A TICK OR TWO BUT IT'S HITTING CLOSER TO HOME FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND I THINK ON ELECTION DAY EVEN THOUGH THE POLLSTERS MIGHT HAVE BEEN TOLD IT'S THE ECONOMY, AT LEAST IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO, THE CRIME ISSUE IS GOING TO BE FOREMOST IN PEOPLE'S MINDS.

>> WE'LL SEE IF THAT DOES INDEED HAVE AN EFFECT.

MIKE FLANNERY THE MAYOR ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK, SHE WANTS TO CHANGE THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT, LASALLE STREET.

SHE WANTS TO REINVENT IT AS MORE OF A VEN SHALL AREA.

LET -- RESIDENTIAL AREA.

>> THIS HISTORIC CORRIDOR HAS BEEN AN ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR OUR CITY.

HOME TO OFFICE BUILDINGS, RETAIL, THEATERS AND DINING.

BUT WE ALL KNOW NOW THAT THE PANDEMIC AND CULTURAL SHIFTS BROUGHT STEEP CHALLENGES TO THIS CORRIDOR ESPECIALLY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

CHANGES IN WHERE WE WORK, AND WHERE WE SHOP HAVE LEFT THIS CORRIDOR WITH NEARLY 5 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF VACANT COMMERCIAL SPACE.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR YEARS IN THE LOOP.

PLANNERS SAID IT NEEDS TO REINVENT ITSELF AS A MIXED-USE AREA SHE IS OFFERING INCENTIVES HERE FOR DEVELOPERS TO COME IN AND ESPECIALLY IF THEY MAKE 30% OF THE NEW UNITS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

DO YOU THINK THEY'LL BITE?

>> WELL, YES.

AND THIS DID NOT ORIGINATE WITH MAYOR LIGHTFOOT.

THIS IS, PARIS, THE LANDLORDS THE BUILDING OWNERS ALONG THAT HISTORIC LASALLE STREET CORRIDOR RESPONDING.

THEIR BOTTOM LINE IS BLEEDING CASH.

A SURVEY FOR THE CHICAGO LOOP ALLIANCE FOUND THAT ONLY 48% OF THE PREPANDEMIC OFFICE WORKERS ABOUT 350-400,000 PEOPLE ONLY ABOUT 48%, HALF OF THEM ARE BACK IN THE OFFICE.

THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER STUDIES INDICATING 14-15% OF THE JOBS THAT WERE IN THE LOOP ARE GONE FOREVER.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW WORKING FROM HOME.

OR THEY ARE WORKING FROM MONTANA WITH A MOUNTAIN VIEW OUT THERE PICTURE WINDOW AND SO THE LANDLORDS HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

AND IT WAS INTERESTING MAURICE COX THE CITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONER SAID AT THAT NEWS CONFERENCE THAT YOU PULLED THAT SOUNDBYTE FROM FROM THE MAYOR THAT LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES, IT LEFT TO THE MARKET, THE LANDLORDS THE BUILDING OWNERS ARE GOING TO COME UP WITH VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE CONDOS.

WHAT THE MAYOR WANTS TO DO IS THROW TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN THERE TO MAKE BUILDING OPENERS WHO BITE ON THIS, SET ASIDE 30% OF THEIR UNITS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOW AND MODERATE INCOME FOLKS.

AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

THAT MEANS THAT YOU'RE NOT SPENDING MORE THAN 30% OF YOUR INCOME ON RENT OR THE MORTGAGE PAYMENT.

ON HOUSING.

SO THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON THAT FIVE MILLION SQUARE FEET THAT ARE VACANT BUT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.

>> THIS IS THE MOST VALUABLE REAL ESTATE IN THE CITY AND AS YOU MENTIONED THE LAND OWNERS ARE BLEEDING CASH HERE.

I WANT TO MOVE ON TO A CONTENTIOUS ISSUE, NADER ISSA THE CHICAGO SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED PLANS FOR A NEW SOUTH SIDE HIGH SCHOOL AMID INTENSE OPPOSITION FROM A STATE LAWMAKER WHO WAS INITIALLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE IDEA.

REMIND US WHY THIS HAS BECOME SUCH A FLASHPOINT?

>> THE IDEA OF THE SCHOOL IS SOMETHING THE CHINATOWN COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE ON THE SOUTH SIDE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR 20 YEARS.

THERE WAS A BIG PROPOSAL ABOUT FIVE, SIX YEARS AGO TO CHANGE ONE OF THE NEAR SOUTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS CLOSE IT, CONVERT IT TO A HIGH SCHOOL.

AND A JUDGE BLOCKED THAT PLAN.

AND RIGHT NOW, THE IDEA THE NEWEST IDEA IS TO BUILD A HIGH SCHOOL ON FORMER PUBLIC HOUSING LAND ON THE NEAR SOUTH SIDE.

THE FORMER HAROLD HICKEY'S HOMES.

PROMISES WERE MADE TO RESIDENTS THEY HAD A RIGHT TO YOUR RETURN.

AND THE CHA, THE CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD A PLAN TO BUILD SORT OF MIXED INCOME PROJECTS RIGHT THERE AROUND 24TH AND 23rd AND STATE.

EVEN ADVOCATES WHO ARE STRONGEST IN SUPPORT OF A NEW HIGH SCHOOL ON THE NEAR SOUTH SIDE HAVE COME OUT OPPOSING THE PLAN AS IT STANDS.

THEY DON'T WANT TO UPSET THEIR NEIGHBORS BY BUILDING A SCHOOL ON FORMER PUBLIC HOUSING LAND.

THEY HAVE OTHER SITES IDENTIFIED THEY WOULD LIKE THE SCHOOL TO GO ON TO AND THERE IS THE CONCERN ABOUT THE NEARBY NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS PHILLIP'S ACADEMY THESE ARE HISTORICALLY BLACK SCHOOLS AND HISTORICALLY SERVED BLACK STUDENTS.

OVER THE YEARS THEY HAVE BLED FUNDING AND STUDENTS THE WORRY NOW IS YOU OPEN A NEW BUILDING A MILE AWAY THEY ARE GOING TO LOSE MORE STUDENTS, MORE FUNDING AND THEY WILL EVENTUALLY CLOSE.

AND THAT IS A WORRY THAT ADVOCATES HAVE SHARED AND A WORRY THAT SOME CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL OFFICIALS SHARED CONFIDENTIALLY LAST YEAR BUT THE MAYOR AND C.P.S.

C.E.O.

PEDRO MARTINEZ THEY'VE SHARED A DIFFERENT STORY PUBLICLY.

>> AND THE CONCERNS WERE AIRED AT THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

ISN'T PART IS THE FACT THAT ADVOCATES IN CHINATOWN LONG WANTED A HIGH SCHOOL THERE, DUAL LANGUAGE HIGH SCHOOL, CHINESE OR CANTONESE AND ENGLISH?

AND THIS PROPOSAL IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DAN RYAN IT WOULD NOT BE NEAR CHINATOWN IS THAT PART OF THE OPPOSITION FROM STATE LAWMAKER THERESA MA?

>> SHE IS THE STATE LAWMAKER WHO A COUPLE YEARS AGO PUSHED THROUGH $50 MILLION IN FUNDING IN THE STATE CAPITAL BUDGET FOR THIS PROJECT.

SHE THIS WEEK SAID SHE IS PULLING THE FUNDING.

SHE IS GOING TO PULL THE FUNDING BECAUSE OF ALL THE REASONS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT AND THE LOCATION ISN'T CLOSE ENOUGH TO KLINE TOWN THEY WANT IT CLOSER TO 18TH AND CANAL.

THEY'VE SAID MAYBE THE 78TH THE NEW DEVELOPMENT.

THERE'S DIFFERENT OPTIONS THAT HAVE GONE OUT THERE.

C.P.S.

AT THE BOARD MEETING THIS WEEK SAID THEY EXPLORED 16 LOCATIONS AND THEY DON'T THINK THEY ARE VIABLE SO THEY ARE PUSHING FORTHWITH THE 24TH AND STATE LOCATION AND THE STRONGEST BACKERS OF THE SCHOOL DON'T WANT IT THERE.

>> THIS $50 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING IS HELD UP RIGHT NOW BUT WILL C.P.S.

GO FORWARD EVEN IF THEY DON'T GET THAT MONEY?

>> WELL, YES, THE BORTD OF EDUCATION THE MEMBERS ARE ALL APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR VOTED 4-3 TO SPEND $15 MILLION TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING THE SCHOOL.

NOW THAT VOTE INCREDIBLY NARROW ONLY PASSED BECAUSE MAYOR LIGHTFOOT REMOVED DWAIN TRUCE A MEMBER SHE APPOINTED BACK IN 2019 AND REPLACED HIM WITH FORMER ALDERMAN MICHAEL SCOTT.

MICHAEL SCOTT FAVORS THE SCHOOLS AND DWAIN OPPOSED IT AND CALLED FOR AN INSPECTOR GENERAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE DAMAGE THAT IT COULD DO TO NEARBY HISTORICALLY BLACK SCHOOLS.

SO THAT IS A CLEAR INDICATION THAT THE MAYOR IS ALL IN ON THIS LOCATION, ALL IN ON THIS HIGH SCHOOL.

AND IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR SO WE ARE GOING TO KEEP HEARING ABOUT THIS.

THIS PLAN ALSO RELIES ON NEARLY $7 MILLION IN TAX INCREMENT FINANCING FUNDING WHICH MUST BE APPROVED BY THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL.

THIS IS THE FIRST IN WHAT IS GOING TO BE A LONG SERIES OF FIGHTS OVER THIS PARTICULAR PROPOSAL.

>> AND SOMETHING THE MAYOR WANTS IN AN ELECTION YEAR AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT MANY TIMES TONIGHT.

CHUCK GOUDIE THIS IS THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TYLENOL MURDERS THAT BASICALLY ROCKED THE ENTIRE NATION BUT ESPECIALLY THE CHICAGO REGION 40 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK.

DO YOU HAVE ANY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT PROSECUTORS MIGHT SOON FINALLY HAVE A CASE AGAINST A SUSPECT HERE IF AND THE SUSPECT THAT EVERYONE KEEPS NAMING IS JAMES LEWIS CONVICTED OF EXTORTION AROUND THIS CASE SEVERAL YEARS AGO?

>> LEWIS HAS BEEN THE ONE AND ONLY SUSPECT SINCE NEARLY DAY ONE.

INVESTIGATORS THROUGHOUT THE FIRST 24 HOURS AND THEN WHEN THEY BUILT THE EXTORTION CASE AGAINST LEWIS AND SENT HIM TO PRISON THEY CONTINUED TO SAY IN ADDITION TO BEING EXTORTIONIST THEY BELIEVE HE IS THE TYLENOL KILLER AND AS RECENT AS A COUPLE DAYS AGO THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THAT CONTINUE TO SAY THE SAME THING.

WHAT HAS CHANGED OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS THEY HAVE TAKEN FRESH EYES AND LOOKED AT THE ORIGINAL EVIDENCE.

AND THERE ARE SOME PIECES OF NEW EVIDENCE THAT HAVE COME UP THEY HAVE NOT DISCLOSED WHETHER THAT'S WITNESSES, DOCUMENTS SOMETHING LEWIS SAID TO A FRIEND AT A BAR OR WHAT IT MAY BE.

BUT THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF OPTIMISM HERE THAT HAS NOT EXISTED OVER THE 40 YEARS THAT THEY MAY WELL BE ABLE TO CHARGE JAMES LEWIS IN STATE COURT WITH THE MURDERS ESSENTIALLY OF ALL OF THEM ONE OF THEM, IT DOESN'T MATTER.

THEY WANT LEWIS TO PAY THE PRICE FOR THIS BECAUSE THEY THINK HE HAS BEEN OUT, FREE, TALKING ABOUT IT ESSENTIALLY MAKING MONEY OFF OF IT AND BOOKS AND WEBSITES AND THEY WANT TO GET HIM INTO COURT BEFORE A JUDGE AND PROSECUTE HIM.

>> AND THE EXTORTION CASE HE WAS CONVICTED HE WROTE THE LETTER TO 0 JOHNSON & JOHNSON SAYING HE WAS GOING TO POISON THE PILLS WITH CYANIDE.

WHY HAS IT BEEN SO HARD TO HAVE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO BRING MURDER CHARGES?

>> PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT HAPPENED 40 YEARS AGO.

IF THIS CRIME HAPPENED TODAY, JAMES LEWIS IN ALL LIKELIHOOD WOULD HAVE BEEN PUT BEFORE A JUDGE AND CHARGED WITH MURDER AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A TWEAKING OF THE EVIDENCE.

THAT WASN'T THE CASE 40 YEARS AGO.

THE DNA, THE FORENSIC SCIENCE WAS NOT THERE.

AND SO WHAT YOU HAD WAS THE BEST CASINGS THE AUTHORITY KOS MAKE WITH THAT LETTER TO JAURN IS IN YOUR -- JOHNSON & JOHNSON IS IN-YOUR-FACE.

BUT BEYOND THAT YOU HAD JAMES LEWIS EXPLAINING HOW THE MURDERS OCCURRED.

TO ANYBODY WHO WOULD LISTEN WITH DETAILED DIAGRAMS SAYING HE SPLIT THE CAPSULES IN HALF AND USE A PEG BOARD AND PUT THE CYANIDE INTO IT AND REPACKAGE IT AND PUT IT ON THE SHELVES.

LEWIS MAINTAINED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO HELP THE AUTHORITIES WITH THIS AND HE WAS A GOOD CITIZEN.

NOBODY ON THE INVESTIGATIVE TEAM EVER BELIEVED THAT.

THEY DON'T BELIEVE IT NOW.

AND THERE IS A REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THEY MAY BE COMING CLOSE TO CHARGING JAMES LEWIS AT SOME POINT IN THE NEXT MONTH, TWO MONTHS, SIX MONTHS, WHATEVER.

THE CLOCK IS RUNNING.

LEWIS DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE IN GREAT HEALTH.

WILL THEY EVER TAKE HIM TO COURT?

I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK IT WILL COME DOWN TO LOOKING AT THE CALENDAR AND THE CHRONOLOGY OF THIS.

>> AND PROSECUTORS WANT TO HAVE AN AIR-TIGHT CASE WHEN YOU BRING CHARGES LIKE THAT.

CHUCK, I WILL STICK WITH YOU, C.P.D.

ANNOUNCED IT WILL START ENCRYPTING COMMUNICATIONS OVER THE POLICE SCANNER AND SO THEN THE AUDIO WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AS IT HAPPENS.

IT WILL BE AVAILABLE 30 MINUTES LATER TONIGHT COULD BE REDACTED.

IS THIS GOING TO HURT THE EFFORTS AND ONLOOKERS WHO WANT TO KNOW WHAT CRIME IS HAPPENING?

>> IT HAS BEEN UNDERWAY BEHIND THE SCENES FOR AT LEAST A YEAR.

AND WE STARTED HEARING ABOUT THIS PLAN BECAUSE SOME OTHER CITIES HAVE DONE THE SAME THING, ENCRYPTING RADIO COMMUNICATION.

THE CLAIM IS THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS NEED TO DO THIS FOR SECURITY.

THEY DON'T WANT CRIMINALS TO HEAR WHAT IS HAPPENING AS THEY ARE PLOTTING HOW THEY ARE GOING TO PULL A CRIME OFF AND HOW THE POLICE ARE GOING TO RESPOND TO IT.

BUT YOU TALK TO PEOPLE WHO AT LEAST IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO ARE REALLY FIRED UP ABOUT THIS TO BORROW MIKE'S TERM THEY ARE ANGRY BECAUSE THEY THINK THE COMMUNITIES WILL END UP ON THE SHORTENED OF THIS THING.

THE POLICE RESPONSE TIMES ARE TERRIBLE AND GETTING WORSE AND IF YOU CANNOT LISTEN TO THE POLICE SCANNERS YOU DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE 60 OR 90 MINUTES OR TWO DAYS FOR POLICE TO SHOW UP IN SOME CASES EVEN A VIOLENT CRIME.

AND SO THERE IS A POINT OF VIEW THERE AMONG MANY COMMUNITY LEADERS THIS IS JUST PART OF A GRAND SCHEME BY C.P.D.

TO COVER THEIR TRACKS.

>> I KNOW A LOT OF GROUPS LIKE THE A.C.L.U.

ARE WORRIED ABOUT THIS.

MIKE FLANNERY SINCE WE DON'T HAVE A SPORTS REPORTER THIS WEEK WE WILL SEND THIS QUESTION TO YOU, THE WHITE SOX FANS, THE REPORTS THAT TONY LARUSSA IS GONE HE IS TAKING CARE OF HIS HEALTH.

WHAT ELSE HAS TO CHANGE IN THE OFF SEASON?

>> THEY HAVE TO GET SOME FIRE.

THIS WAS A GROUP OF GIFTED ATHLETES -- >> YOU HAVE SOME YOU CAN SEND THEM.

>> YEAH, I'LL SHIP A BIT OF THIS GRAPHIC.

I WAS TELLING CHUCK HE COULD SET A FIRE BEHIND HIMSELF THERE.

LOOK, WHAT HAPPENED, THERE IS A PROFESSOR AT UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVIN WHO IS ONE OF THESE SABER METRICS NERDS HE HAS AN AMAZING STATISTIC.

THE WHITE SOX SWING AT THE PAST SEASON THEY SWUNG AT PITCHES THAT WERE FAR OUT OF THE STRIKE ZONE, FAR MORE THAN ANY OTHER TEAM IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.

AND THAT WAS JUST ONE STATISTIC.

THERE WERE A LOT OF INJURIES.

IS THAT THE FAULT OF THE TRAINER?

AND FROM WHERE I SIT, AS A LONG SUFFERING FAN, I THINK RICK MORRISSEY HAD IT RIGHT IN THAT PIECE THAT HE WROTE ABOUT THIS IS A TEAM THAT IN ITS DISAPPOINTMENT THAT IT DELIVERED TO THE FANS, STANDS ALL ALONE.

THEY ARE IN A CATEGORY BY THEMSELVES.

THERE WERE GUYS, NATIONAL SPORTS PROGNOSTICATORS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON THAT HAD THEM IN THE WORLD SERIES.

AND HERE THEY ARE FINISHING BELOW .500.

IT'S PATHETIC.

>> AND THE 2004 CUBS MIGHT MAKE A RUN AT THAT TITLE, TOO.

AS A LONG SUFFERING CUBS FAN.

NADER ISSA ARE YOU A BEARS FAN, JUSTIN FIELDS' STRUGGLES DO YOU BELIEVE HE CAN PULL OUT OF THIS AGAINST THE GIANTS?

>> WE HAVE TO BELIEVE IT.

WHAT ELSE CAN WE HANG OUR HAT ON.

BEARS FANS DON'T HAVE MUCH HOPE OTHERWISE.

HE IS GOING TO THROW FOR 400 YARDS AND THREE TOUCHDOWNS NO PICKS.

YEAH, WHY NOT?

IT WILL BE AN ALL OF GAME.

GIANTS HAVE A LOT OF WEAPONS AND BEARS HAVE INJURIES IT WILL NOT BE A FUN WATCH.

>> YOU'RE OPTIMISTIC FOR HAVING BEEN A BEARS FAN YOUR WHOLE LIFE, STRAIGHT ON TO THE SUPER BOWL AND WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

OUR THANKS TO CHUCK GOUDIE, MIKE FLANNERY, NADER ISSA AND HEATHER CHERONE.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

CAN YOU GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" AND "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" STREAMED ON FASTBALL, YouTube AND OUR WEBSITE 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 AND YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THAT.

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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