>>> GOOD EVENING.

THANKS FOR JOINING US ON THE WEEK IN REVIEW.

I'M AMANDA VINICKY.

PARIS HAS THE NIGHTS OFF.

WE'LL BE JOINED BY OUR WEEK IN REVIEW GUESTS IN JUST A MOMENT, BUT FIRST.

>>> HISTORY IS MADE.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, AUSA'S OF PRESIDENT FACES FEDERAL CRIMINAL CHARGES.

>>> TODAY, AN INDICTMENT WAS REVEALED CHARGING DONALD J. TRUMP WITH FELONY VIOLATIONS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY LAWS, AS WELL AS PARTICIPATING IN CONSPIRACY TO OBSTRUCT JUSTICE.

>> THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR SAYS THE ALLEGED CRIMES ARE GRAVE.

>> WE HAVE ONE SET OF LAWS IN THIS COUNTY, AND THEY APPLY TO EVERYONE.

>> TRUMP IS STEADFAST.

HE IS AN INNOCENT MAN.

BESET BY POLITICAL RIVALS USING SPECTACULAR TACTICS TO UNDERMINE HIS CAMPAIGN TO REGAIN THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> THE WAY THEY'RE GOING TO STOP US IS BY USING WHAT'S CALLED WARFARE , AND THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

THIS IS WARFARE FOR THE LAW, AND WE CAN'T LET IT HAPPEN.

WE CAN'T LET IT HAPPEN.

OUR COUNTRY IS GOING TO HELL, AND THEY COME AFTER DONALD TRUMP, WEBINARS AND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT , WEAPON ICING THE FBI.

>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ISN'T FIGHTING.

AS THE FIELD SEEKING THE GOP'S NOMINATION TO TAKE ON BIDEN WIDENS TO INCLUDE TRANSFORMER VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE, AS WELL AS PREVIOUS ALLIES.

>> YOU WILL HAVE NO DOUBT IN YOUR MIND WHO I AM AND WHAT I STAND FOR , AND WHETHER I DESERVE IT.

>>> MEANWHILE, CHICAGO GETS THE CHANCE TO MAKE A PLAY TO KEEP BEARS GAMES IN CITY LIMITS.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN KEEP SHUFFLING HERE IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO WITH THE BEARS.

>> UNDER CITY HALL'S NEW ADMINISTRATION, CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND STAFF GET THE EXTENDED PARENTAL LEAVE.

>> I'M A MOTHER OF THREE.

I AM OFF TO A HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER, AND I REMEMBER THE HARDSHIP THAT MY FAMILY HAD TO UNDERGO IN ORDER TO BE A MOM.

>> AND ILLINOIS GETS A BUDGET AS ANOTHER POLITICAL CORRUPTION TRIAL GETS UNDERWAY.

>>> LOTS TO GET TO.

SO, WITHOUT FURTHER AVAIL, OUR WEEK IN REVIEW PANEL JOINING US .

OF THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE.

ALSO OF THE TRIBUNE.

AND THEN JOINING US FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., LYNN OF THE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.

LYNN, WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH YOU IN D.C., WHERE I IMAGINE, THOUGH, GOT TO BE VERY INTERESTING.

WE HAVE TRUMP, OF COURSE, THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO BE INDICTED ON STATE CHARGES, BUT THIS IS TAKING IT TO A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL, FAR MORE SIGNIFICANT, THE FEDERAL CHARGES.

SEVEN COUNTS.

THE DETAILS UNVEILED JUST HOURS AGO.

LYNN, I'M SIR YOU'VE READ THE INDICTMENT.

WHAT ARE THE KEY TAKEAWAYS?

>> WELL, I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO READ THE INDICTMENT FOR THEMSELVES.

IT'S ATTACHED TO THE SUN-TIMES.COM STORY.

IT'S AROUND OTHER PLACES.

BECAUSE IT READS SPECTACULARLY IN DESCRIBING WHAT HAPPENED, HOW DONALD TRUMP SOUGHT TO WHOOP ALL THESE BOXES AROUND WITH CLASSIFIED MATERIAL IN THEM.

IT HAD EVERY ALLEGATION MADE BACKED UP BY A PHOTOGRAPH, BY TESTIMONY FROM AN ATTORNEY, FROM THE MAN , FROM OTHER PEOPLE , OR FROM TRUMP HIMSELF.

THE INDICTMENT LAYS OUT A SCHEME , UNDER VARIOUS TITLES , THE ESPIONAGE ACT, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.

BUT THE HIGH POINTS ARE THAT DESPITE THE EFFORTS OF THE NATIONAL RECORDS AND ARCHIVES ADMINISTRATION , SIMPLY TO GET BACK BOXES THAT TRUMP TOOK WITH HIM TO MAR-A-LAGO , HE WOULD NOT BE IN THIS TROUBLE TODAY IF HE HAD NOT TRIED TO HIDE THE BOXES , MOVE THEM AROUND , NOT TELL HIS ATTORNEY WHERE THEY REALLY WERE SO THE ATTORNEYS GAVE FALSE INFORMATION TO FEDERAL AUTHORITIES.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS A SELF-INFLICTED WOUND.

SO THE HIGHLIGHT IS THE DETAIL IN WHICH THE SCHEMES THAT TRUMP USED TO CONCEAL FROM FEDERAL AUTHORITIES THESE BOXES.

>> LYNN, DO WE HAVE ANY CLUE , AFTER READING IT, AS TO HIS MOTIVATION ?

OF COURSE, THE FORMER PRESIDENT INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, BUT , AS YOU NOTED, THERE'S EVIDENCE OF ALL THESE BOXES OF THESE DOCUMENTS.

WHY DID HE WANT THEM?

>> WELL, IT'S NOT CLEAR, BUT -- AND WE DON'T KNOW IT, AND, LEGALLY, IT DOESN'T MATTER.

HIS INTENT IS TO BE ESTABLISHED TO NOT TURN OVER THE MATERIALS, AND THAT IS , BASICALLY, THROUGH SOME AUDIO RECORDINGS, MADE VOLUNTARILY WITH HIS OWN STAFF , WORKING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE WRITING A BOOK, WHERE HE TALKS ABOUT THE INFORMATION HE HAS BEFORE SHOWING SOME DOCUMENT TO SOMEONE AND SAYS, GEE, IT'S CLASSIFIED, I CAN'T DECLASSIFY IT ANYMORE.

SO WHAT HE WANTED TO DO WITH THIS, I DON'T KNOW.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE LIST OF TOPICS IN THERE, IT INCLUDES INFORMATION ABOUT UNITED STATES NUCLEAR INFORMATION.

INFORMATION WITH OUR RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES.

SO THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT , SUBSTANTIAL STUFF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, AND I KNOW PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS, AMONG OTHER THINGS , AS IF TO DEFEND HIMSELF, THAT WHAT HE DID WAS COVERED UNDER THE PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS ACT.

HE IS STATING IT EXACTLY OPPOSITE .

THE RECORDS BELONG TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, NOT TO ANY PRESIDENT.

>> WELL, LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO HEAR MORE FROM THE SPECIAL COUNSEL, JACK SMITH, ABOUT THOSE ALLEGATIONS.

>> THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY AND OUR ARMED FORCES DEDICATE THEIR LIVES TO PROTECTING OUR NATION AND ITS PEOPLE.

OUR LAWS THAT PROTECT NATIONAL DEFENSE INFORMATION ARE CRITICAL TO THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES, AND THEY MUST BE ENFORCED.

VIOLATIONS OF THOSE LAWS PUT OUR COUNTRY AT RISK .

>> LET'S GO TO YOU.

CLEARLY VERY SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS , AND AS LYNN TALKED ABOUT, NUCLEAR CODES.

WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT AMERICAN DEMOCRACY THAT CHARGES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT AGAINST A PRESIDENT?

>> PROMISING, I WOULD SUPPOSE.

AND SEEING IT LAID OUT IN SUCH DETAIL , BACKED UP WITH ALL THESE ASTONISHING PHOTOS AND BOXES PILED UP ON A STAGE AT MAR-A-LAGO, IN CLOSETS AT MAR-A-LAGO, WOULD HOPEFULLY KIND OF PUSHBACK ON ANYONE WHO SAYS THIS IS A WITCHHUNT.

THIS IS VERY CLEAR EVIDENCE OF WHAT HAPPENED, AND THE WRONGDOING, AND WE HAVE, LIKE LYNN MENTIONED, TAPES OF TRUMP THAT HIS ATTORNEY RECORDED A SICKLY ADMITTING TO MISHANDLING THIS CLASSIFIED INFORMATION.

>> AND YET, YOU DO HAVE MANY LEADING REPUBLICANS CALLING THIS POLITICAL PERSECUTION , ELECTION INTERFERENCE, A WITCHHUNT.

THEY'RE SAYING THAT IN PUBLIC.

LYNN, I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU IN A MINUTE, BUT CAN YOU -- THEY THEORIZE, WHY IS IT THAT SO MANY OF TRUMP'S RIVALS, I MEAN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE THAT WON THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION, ARE RUNNING AGAINST HIM FOR IT, NIKKI HALEY, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT ARE STANDING BY HIM?

WHY?

>> I THINK IT'S BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT TRUMP HAS A VERY SOLID BASE, RIGHT?

AND THEY DON'T WANT TO UPSET OR ANGRY THAT BASE.

SO THEY KNOW THAT IF THEY'RE GOING TO STRIKE, AND IF THEY'RE GOING TO ATTACK THEM, THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY READ THAT 49 PAGE INDICTMENT, FIRST OF ALL, AND KNOW EVERY DETAIL, WHAT MOVE, WHAT SHIPS ARE GOING TO MOVE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WORKS IN THEIR FAVORITE >> AND, LYNN, ARE YOU HEARING ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY IN WASHINGTON, D.C., PERHAPS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, FROM REPUBLICANS?

>> WELL, THE INDICTMENT WAS UNVEILED A FEW HOURS AGO.

AND IT'S FRIDAY, SO MOST PEOPLE WHO WORK IN CONGRESS ARE NOT IN TOWN.

BUT HERE'S THE POINT .

THE PEOPLE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT AREN'T MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, AND THEY JUST MAKE A CALCULATION.

ONE, THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE INDICTMENT WAS UNSEALED.

DEPENDING HOW YOU SEE IT, IT'S SILENCE FROM THE PEOPLE RUNNING TO DEFEAT DONALD TRUMP IN THE PRIMARY.

IS IT COMPLICITY?

IS IT ENABLING HIM?

OR DO THEY JUST KEEP QUIET FOR NOW AND SEE HOW THE LANDSCAPE UNFOLDS ?

SOMETIMES, AS YOU KNOW, THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO LET YOUR ARRIVAL IMPLODE ON THEMSELVES.

NOW, GIVEN THE , GIVEN THIS WEEKEND, WHERE TRUMP DOES HAVE A RALLY , AND WE'LL SEE IF PEOPLE TURN OUT .

HIS RALLIES ARE ALWAYS WELL ATTENDED.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HE HAS TO SAY.

IT IS A PERSONAL POLITICAL CALCULATION WHERE THE PEOPLE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT AT THIS MOMENT NOT TO SPEAK OUT.

ASA HUTCHINSON, FORMER GOVERNOR OF ARKANSAS, ALREADY SAID THAT TRUMP SHOULD STEP DOWN .

HE IS RUNNING AS SOMEONE WHO IS ACTIVELY CRITICAL OF TRUMP , AND THINKS HE IS NOT FIT TO BE PRESIDENT.

THE OTHERS HAVE THIS MORE DELICATE LINE TO DANCE, AND, AND HERE'S SOMETHING TO LISTEN FOR.

THESE CANDIDATES ARE TRYING TO HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.

LISTEN IF THEY ADDRESS THE SPECIFICS IN THE INDICTMENT, OR IF THEY JUST TALK ABOUT , IN VAGUE TERMS, WEAPONIZATION OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FBI.

IF THEY DO THAT, IT'S A PIVOT.

THEY'RE TRYING TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT AND DISTRACT FROM THE INDICTMENT.

READ IT YOURSELF.

I JUST ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO READ IT YOURSELF, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

THE PARAMETERS OF THIS CONVERSATION ARE WITHIN THOSE, WHAT, 49 PAGES IN THE INDICTMENT.

>> THERE'S ALREADY SO MUCH DISTRUST, RAY, IN GOVERNMENT, IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

WE HAVE A FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP INSISTING NOT ONLY THAT HE'S AN INNOCENT MAN, BUT ALSO THAT THE NATION IS GOING TO HELL, AND HE BELIEVES THIS IS ALL A TACTIC TO KEEP HIM FROM ULTIMATELY DECEIVING BIDEN.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT DEFENSE?

WHAT THIS MEANS ABOUT DEMOCRACY?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING, BECAUSE I DIPPED INTO FOX NEWS THE NIGHT BEFORE THIS ONE DOWN, AND JUST THE IDEA THAT IT WAS COMING DOWN HAD THEIR HEADS SPINNING.

I MEAN, THEY HAD PEOPLE ON THERE WHO WERE SAYING, THIS IS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS GOING TO BE THE DAY OF INFAMY THAT WILL SEE THE END OF DEMOCRACY.

WE'LL NO LONGER HAVE A REPUBLIC, ET CETERA.

BUT THAT MAY BE ONE -- >> TRYING TO PUT THEIR OPPONENT BEHIND BARS.

>> RIGHT, EXACTLY.

AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANY FACTS.

THEY'RE JUST ON FULL SPIN CONTROL.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME THAT'S PART OF THE REASON THAT YOU MIGHT NOT SEE AS MUCH COMING OUT OF THE RIVALS, TOO.

BECAUSE THEY'RE WAITING FOR THIS BIG WAVE OF PRO-TRUMP MATERIAL TO SLOW DOWN , AT LEAST -- THEY NEED PEOPLE TO ABSORB, LIKE LYNN SAID, YOU'VE GOT TO READ THIS.

I'VE SEEN A LOT OF FEDERAL INDICTMENTS, AS HAVE YOU AND EVERYBODY ELSE HERE, AND THIS IS VERY SPECIFIC.

SO IT'S ONE THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF WIGGLE ROOM IN, AND IT'S REALLY GOT IT LOCKED DOWN.

>> POLITICALLY, TRUMP RAN SO HARD ABOUT HILLARY CLINTON'S EMAILS.

SO THERE'S A BIT OF A DOUBLE STANDARD HERE , THAT THERE IS, LIKE, BEEN A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION, THEY'VE REACHED THE CONCLUSION, THE CONCLUSIONS ARE VERY SPECIFIC.

SO WE CAN'T, ON THE ONE HAND, TALK ABOUT HILLARY'S EMAILS NONSTOP AND THEN NOT HOLD TRUMP TO THAT SAME LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> IS THERE ANY -- OH, GO AHEAD.

>> INDICTMENT, IN THE VERY BEGINNING, CITES ABOUT SIX OR SEVEN TIMES WHERE TRUMP HIMSELF TALKED ABOUT THE CLINTON EMAILS, HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO HOLD NATIONAL SECURITY SECRETS.

THEY QUOTE THINGS HE HIMSELF SAID ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING CLASSIFIED MATERIAL IN ITS PROPER HANDLING SITUATION.

SO IT'S NOT -- IT IS, IT IS -- THAT IS THE STORY AT ITS BEGINNING.

AGAIN, WHICH IS WHY I SAY THE INDICTMENT -- >> CAN'T PLEAD ANY IGNORANCE, REALLY, IN THAT REGARD.

YOU KNOW, LYNN, YOU, OF COURSE, DOES IT REASON WITH THE SPECTER OF VIOLENCE QUICKLY WE TALKED ABOUT HOW TRUMP'S ALLIES ARE STICKING BY HIM.

CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY SAYS THAT WITH HIS FIRST REACTION.

IT WASN'T WORRIED ABOUT THE LEGAL FEARS, IT WAS, WHAT MIGHT THIS PORTEND IN TERMS OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FORMER PRESIDENT THAT COULD REALLY STRIKE OUT?

>> WELL, WE ALREADY KNOW THAT CARRIE BAKER FAILED ARIZONA CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR HAS TWEETED OUT THAT SHE'S GOING TO MIAMI.

OTHER PEOPLE HAVE ALSO , ON TWITTER, HAVE SAID , WE'RE GOING TO MIAMI .

ON TUESDAY, WHERE TRUMP WILL SHOW UP IN THE MIAMI FEDERAL COURTHOUSE.

SO WE'LL HAVE SOME INDICATION AS TO WHAT THIS KIND OF PHYSICAL REACTION WILL BE OF THE TRUMP , BUT KEEP IN MIND, GIVEN JANUARY 6, SECURITY OFFICIALS IN MIAMI WILL BE PREPARED.

MUCH BETTER PREPARED .

SINCE IT'S NOT EVEN HARD TO SEE THE CHATTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

SPENT 10 MINUTES THERE, AND ANYONE LISTENING CAN FIND THIS.

AND AGAIN, WE'LL GET MORE CLUES FROM TRUMP RALLIES THIS WEEKEND TO SEE WHAT HE ADVISES HIS PEOPLE TO DO OR NOT DO.

>> AND SO MUCH TO WATCH IN TERMS OF THE JUDGE, A TRUMP APPOINTEE, AND ALSO WHAT TO MAKE OF THIS PLAYING OUT IN MIAMI, WHERE TRUMP MIGHT HAVE A MORE FRIENDLY AUDIENCE AND JURY POOL THAN D.C.

BUT LET'S MOVE ON TO ANOTHER FEDERAL CORRUPTION TRIAL , AND STICKING WITH ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION, THIS IS JAMES WEISS.

SO NOT A HOUSEHOLD NAME AS TRUMP, BUT CERTAINLY CONNECTED TO THEM.

HE IS THE SON-IN-LAW OF THE FORMER COOK COUNTY DEMOCRATIC BOSS , THAT'S JOE BERRIOS, ALSO MARRIED TO THE FORMER ASSESSOR'S DAUGHTER, THAT IS TEXAS STATE REP TONY BERRIOS.

NOW, RAY, YOU'VE BEEN COVERING THIS.

IT IS A STRANGE CASE.

SO BEFORE WE GET TO THE MEAT OF IT, I WANT TO GET TO SORT OF THE STRANGE PARTICULARITIES.

WEISS'S LAWYER TEASED THE JUDGE BY, OF ALL THINGS, SAYING THAT HE, SHE THREW UP?

>> WELL, YEAH.

>> AND IT'S SO WEIRD.

>> THE LAWYER SAID, JUDGE, I, I NEED TO TALK , HE HAD BEEN IN AN ARGUMENT WITH THE JUDGE , AND THE JUDGE THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING OFF THE RAILS.

HE SAID, YOU GOT TO BE QUIET.

THE ATTORNEY SAID, HEY, WE CAN'T, WE CAN'T EVEN TALK TO MY CLIENT.

IT CAME BACK UP.

THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD GONE PAST THAT, AND IT CAME BACK UP ON TUESDAY, AND IT JUST GOT TO THE POINT WHERE THE JUDGE SAID , HEY, THIS IS BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE MY COUSIN VINNY.

SO -- >> THE ATTORNEY TRIED TO SHOW THE JUDGE -- WERE YOU THERE FOR THIS?

>> WELL, YEAH.

HE TRIED TO SHOW HIM THE DAY I WASN'T THERE, THANKFULLY.

BUT HE REFERRED TO IT, AND SAID IT WAS GREEN BILE IN A CUP.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> IT WAS STRANGE TO BRING UP ON THE WEEK IN REVIEW.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE, BUT I JUST CAN'T IMAGINE THAT, BECAUSE THIS IS, OF COURSE, VERY SERIOUS.

>> KIND OF UNUSUAL, TOO.

WELL, JAMES WEISS IS THE DEFENDANT IN A FEDERAL TRIAL WITH SERIOUS CHARGES OF BRIBERY AND FRAUD FACING HIM, AND HE'S GOT A TIE THAT HAS A BIG MICKEY MOUSE FIGURE ON IT, TOO.

NOW, I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHAT THAT'S SUPPOSED TO MEAN, BUT IT'S NOT THE TYPE OF THING YOU'D EXPECT A DEFENDANT TO HAVE ON IF HE'S GOING BEFORE A JUDGE AND A JURY.

WELL, A PROSECUTOR, I DON'T KNOW.

TRUMP MIGHT THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA, BUT I, I DON'T THINK -- >> I DON'T KNOW HOW HE WOULD FEEL ABOUT THAT.

BUT, RAY, REAL QUICKLY HERE, BECAUSE WEISS IS DRIVING A PAIR OF ELECTED OFFICIALS, MEMBERS, FORMER MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HE SAYS THAT HE WAS JUST PAYING LEGAL CONSULTING FEES .

SO ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN SHARE IN TERMS OF WHAT THE PROSECUTION HAS PROVIDED THUS FAR, AND HOW STRONG THEIR CASES?

>> INTERESTINGLY, AMANDA, THE STATE REP, LOU WEIR RORY OH, WHO HAS ALREADY GONE TO PRISON ON THIS FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS, WAS PAID BY WEISS TO TRY TO PUSH THROUGH WHAT ARE CALLED SWEEPSTAKES GAMES , SWEEPSTAKES MACHINES.

>> VIDEO GAMES, BUT NOT QUITE.

>> YES, RIGHT.

AND SO, THEN, HE WAS -- OH RORY OH WAS GOING JUST ALL-OUT IN THE LEGISLATURE , RUNNING ACROSS TO A STATE SENATOR NAMED TERRY LINK, WHO HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO TAX EVASION AND WAS ON THE TRIAL BECAUSE HE HAD WORN A WIRE IN HOPES OF LOWERING HIS CASE, OR LOWERING THE PUNISHMENT IN HIS CASE.

HE WORE A WIRE ON A RORY OH, AND OREO WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW HE COULD GET MONEY SENT TO LINK TOO.

SO THEY'VE GOT THE IDEA HERE IS THAT WEISS HAS ALLEGEDLY PUMPED IN BRIBE MONEY TOWARD THEM.

THEY SAY IT'S CONSULTING FEES, IT'S ALL LEGIT.

>> AND MORE TO THAT TRIAL HAS BEEN ON HOLD THE LATTER PART OF THIS WEEK.

SOMETIMES, IT IS FOOTBALL.

>>> SO WITH THE BEARS SAYING ARLINGTON HEIGHTS IS NO LONGER THE TEAM'S SINGULAR FOCUS, MAYOR JOHNSON AND THE BEARS CEO KEVIN WARREN ACTUALLY TALKED ON WEDNESDAY.

WORD IS, THE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE CITY COULD PUT TOGETHER AN ATTRACTIVE ENOUGH OFFER TO KEEP THE BEARS?

>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HOPING THAT THE CASE, SO WE'LL SEE.

I KNOW THAT MAYOR JOHNSON, OBVIOUSLY, HAS A LOT OF -- AND SEE, YOU KNOW, WHAT CAN HE RELATED?

BECAUSE HE, YOU KNOW, CAMPAIGNED ON THIS IDEA THAT HE WANTS TO BRING IN BETTER SOCIAL SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS , FOCUS ON EDUCATION, MENTAL HEALTH.

SO THE QUESTION BECOMES, CAN YOU DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS WHILE ALSO MAINTAINING THE BEARS HERE IN THE CHICAGO AREA?

>> TO THAT END, IS IT A WIN IF JOHNSON PRIORITIZES THE BEARS?

THEY ARE THE BEARS.

EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT GREAT, PEOPLE LOVE THEM.

OR DOES IT HURT HIM POLITICALLY TO MAKE THE BEARS A PRIORITY, GIVEN WHAT -- >> IT DEPENDS ON WHAT EXACTLY IS IN THE PROPOSAL.

ALL THE THINGS THAT HE WANTS TO DO COST A LOT OF MONEY, AND HE HAS A LOT OF PRESSING ISSUES RIGHT AT THE FRONT OF HIS DESK.

HE'S GOT THE ASYLUM ISSUE, HE'S GOT A BUDGET TO PASS, HE HAS A NEW SUPERINTENDENT TO CHOOSE, AND WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF DEBT LEFT ON SOLDIER FIELD ALREADY.

SO WE KNOW THAT THE BEARS WANT SUBSIDIES.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE BEARS WANT A LOT OF SPACE.

AND SOLDIER FIELD DOESN'T OFFER THAT, AND THERE AREN'T A LOT OF SITES IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO THAT OFFER THE KIND OF SPACE THEY WANT TO GET ENOUGH REVENUE TO KEEP THE TEAM GOING FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

ARLINGTON OFFERS MORE THAN 300 ACRES.

THERE ARE SITES IN CHICAGO THAT ARE BIG, BUT WOULD TAKE A LOT OF REMEDIATION.

THE UPSIDE TO JOHNSON IS I DON'T THINK HE'LL, IF HE DOES LOSE THE TEAM, I DON'T THINK HE'LL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IF HE MANAGES TO KEEP THEM, IT'LL BE A WIN.

>> NOW LET'S TURN TO POLITICS.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SIGNED A NEW BUDGET, BUT NOT ALL OF IT.

HE USED HIS VETO AUTHORITY TO MAKE SOME CUTS, LIMITING LEGISLATIVE PAY RAISES.

RAY, JUST BRIEFLY, WHY WAS THAT NECESSARY?

>> WELL, THEY RAISED IT TOO HIGH.

BASICALLY, THERE'S A LOT THAT SAYS YOU CAN'T GO PAST 5%, AND THEY RAISED IT A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN THAT.

I THINK IT WAS 5.5.

SO THEY HAD TO SLICE OUT A COUPLE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO ADJUST IT, AND HE CAN MAKE THAT LINE ITEM VETO.

AND PASS -- >> AND MOVE ON.

>> YEAH.

>> STILL, IT COMES AFTER LEGISLATIVE RAISES WENT UP FROM $73,000-$85,000 IN JANUARY, AND NOW THEY'RE UP TO $89,000.

IS THERE ANY POLITICAL FOLLOW-UP FOR PRITZKER FOR SIGNING THOSE RANGES?

>> THEY'RE DOING IT SO QUICKLY DOWN THERE, THEY DON'T HAVE -- THERE AREN'T A LOT OF REPUBLICANS OUT THERE TO WAVE FLAGS AND YELL AND SCREAM.

THEY'VE GOT SUPER, SUPER MAJORITIES HERE, AND IN BOTH HOUSES, AND THEY COULD DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING THEY WANT.

>> AND THEY'RE COMING TO PRITZKER ALSO SIGNING A LOT.

IT LIMITS WHERE CASES CAN BE FILED FOR CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS.

SO NOT ONLY IN COOK COUNTY .

WHY IS THAT?

BOTH SIDES ARE SAYING VENUE SHOPPING.

>> THERE WAS SOME VENUE SHOPPING, ESPECIALLY DURING COVID.

WE ALL KNOW TOM DEBOER, THE FAILED REPUBLICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATE, FILED A LOT OF CASES AROUND THE STATE, COUNTY BY COUNTY, TO TRY TO FIGHT BACK , BUT THIS ALSO SHOWED UP IN THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN , REFORMS TO CASH BAIL, AND IT CAUSED A TON OF CONFUSION.

I REMEMBER THE REPORT ON THIS.

AN APPEAL HERE, A DENIAL THERE, WE DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S MOVING, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE EFFECT OF THE LAW, AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAYS THIS IS BASICALLY GUMMING UP THE WORKS AND COSTING US A LOT OF RESOURCES TO MOVE THINGS AROUND.

IT MAKES SENSE WHEN YOU'RE CHALLENGING A STATEWIDE LAW TO HAVE IT IN THE TWO PLACES WHERE STATEWIDE COURTS ARE ACTIVE.

>> NOW, I WANT TO TURN TO YOU.

WGN THIS WEEK HAD A STORY THAT WAS ABOUT LETTERS AND BOOKS SOAKED IN CHEMICALS AT THE COOK COUNTY JAIL.

THIS IS ANOTHER ONE.

NOT AS STRANGE AS, I SUPPOSE, VOMIT IN A CUP IN COURT, BUT ALSO PRETTY STRANGE.

WHAT -- WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM?

>> THIS IS A SERIES OF STORIES THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING ON WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT THE JAIL.

APPARENTLY, THEY GOT A PROBLEM ON THEIR HANDS WHERE INMATES ARE NOW, THE MAIL THAT THEY RECEIVE IS BEING SOAKED OR SPRAYED WITH CHEMICALS THAT THEY THEN GET INSIDE THE JAIL , THEY SMOKE AND OVERDOSE, AND, IN FACT, OVERDOSE INCIDENTS HAVE GONE UP 154% AT THE COOK COUNTY JAIL.

SO THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, OKAY, HOW DO WE MANAGE THIS SO THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T END UP WITH AN EVEN BIGGER PROBLEM, AND THEN WHAT THEY'RE ALSO FINDING OUT IS THAT THESE LETTERS, I GUESS, BECAUSE THEY SOAKED BOOKS, LETTERS, MAGAZINES, WHATEVER IT MAY BE, BUT OFTEN TIMES, IS A SINGLE PAGE, SOMETHING LIKE THIS, THEY CUT IT UP INTO STRIPS, AND A SINGLE PAGE SPRAYED WITH ROCHE CHEMICALS OR WHATEVER IT IS WILL GET THEM $1000.

SO THEY'RE MAKING MONEY WHILE THEY'RE INSIDE, LOCKED UP.

>> WHILE.

IT'S DANGEROUS.

OKAY.

LET'S GO TO MAYOR JOHNSON A/D EXTENDING PARENTAL LEAVE FOR CPS EMPLOYEES TO 12 WEEKS.

THAT'S THE SAME AS OTHER CITY EMPLOYEES GET.

BUT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAD SAID, NO, THIS SHOULD BE PART OF CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.

WAS SHE RIGHT, OR IS THIS A SIGN OF A GIFT TO THE CTU?

>> MAYOR JOHNSON WAS EMPHATIC THAT THIS WAS NOT A GIFT, AND SO WAS UNION PRESIDENT STACY DAVIS, WHO SAID, YOU KNOW, THIS IS ABOUT WORKING MOTHERS BEING ABLE TO CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, AND HAVING THE RIGHT TO HAVE THAT 12 WEEKS IS NOT A BARGAINABLE -- IT'S NOT -- IT SHOULDN'T BE SUBJECT TO BARGAINING.

THIS SHOULD BE A POLICY, THIS SHOULD BE A RIGHT, THIS SHOULD BE 101.

BUT THIS WAS NOTABLE FOR A FEW REASONS.

FIRST OF ALL, BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH THE MAYOR, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT PUSHED AGAINST IT, BUT ALSO, TO HAVE ANOTHER APPEARANCE WHERE IT WAS THE MAYOR OF CHICAGO, CPS CEO PEDRO MARTINEZ, AND CTU LEADERSHIP ALL SAYING HURRAY, WE'RE PULLING THIS OFF TOGETHER.

IT WAS REALLY NOTABLE TO SEE, BECAUSE IT WAS SO CONTENTIOUS DURING LIGHTFOOT'S ADMINISTRATION.

EVERY MONTH, IT FELT LIKE WE HAD A NEW CONFLICT WITH THE CTU.

AND THIS WILL BE KIND OF THE FIRST OF WHAT WILL BE MANY TESTS OF MAYOR JOHNSON'S ALLEGIANCE TO THE CTU.

HE IS A LONGTIME ORGANIZER.

HE CAMPAIGNED ON A LOT OF THE PLATFORMS THAT CTU HAD BEEN ORGANIZING FOR FOR A LONG TIME, SO WE'LL SEE IF THIS KIND OF -- >> HAPPY FAMILY -- >> CONTINUES.

YEAH.

>> ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY.

>> RIGHT?

IF THEY SEE IT AS A GIFT, OR IF THEY SEE IT AS, LIKE, OKAY, I CAN UNDERSTAND, IT BUILDS ON FAMILIES AND IT MAKES FAMILY LIFE BETTER FOR MANY OF THE WORKERS.

SO WE'LL SEE.

>> NOW, LYNN, I WANT TO HEAD BACK TO YOU.

NOT SURE HOW MUCH YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO WEIGH IN ON THIS, BUT I KNOW YOU PLAYED SOFTBALL, SO I'M HOPING THAT YOU BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT GOES ON WITH THE CHICAGO, CHICAGO WNBA TEAM.

HAS SIGNIFICANT NEW INVESTORS.

32nd, CAN YOU TELL US IF SOME OF THEM ARE AND WHY THAT MAY BE A BIG DEAL?

>> WELL, ONE OF THE LEAD INVESTORS IS LAURA RICKETTS, WHO IS -- WHO IS ONE OF THE RICKETTS SIBLINGS WHO CO-OWNS THE CHICAGO CUBS.

AND THERE ARE MANY SPORTS FRANCHISES WHERE THE OWNERS ARE FEMALE .

THE WNBA TEAM IN CHICAGO IS A VERY BIG DEAL, AND THIS IS A -- >> LYNN, I'M SORRY, GOT TO CUT YOU OFF, BECAUSE WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

IT IS THE BUZZER BEATER, WHAT CAN I SAY?

SO THANK YOU FOR ENDING THERE.

LAURA, A/D, RAY, AND, OF COURSE, LYNN FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET, YOU CAN GET CHICAGO TONIGHT AND THE WEEK IN REVIEW STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, AND OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

JOIN US AT 10:00 TONIGHT FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES.

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE, AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT, AND ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING, BECAUSE I'M A WANNABE FOODIE , AND THIS IS A PLACE IN WICKER PARK I'VE BEEN TO.

IT WAS A SEMI FINALIST FOR A BEARD AWARD, BUT ANYBODY HERE, IF YOU'VE BEEN TO THE BIG WINNER.

>> I HAVE NOT, UNFORTUNATELY.

>> LET'S DO IT!

>> WE NEED TO GO.

>> ANYBODY!

YEAH.

SO YOU HAVEN'T, ANYBODY?

>> NO.

>> YOU'RE INVITED AS WELL.

>> YEAH.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A. CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A PROUD SPONSOR OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION FOCUSED