>>> HEY, EVERYONE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US ON THE WEEK IN REVIEW.

I'M AMANDA VINICKY.

WE ARE JOINED BY OUR GUESTS IN A MOMENT.

BOMBSHELL WITH COOK COUNTY POLITICS.

'S >> Reporter: I WILL NOT BE ON NEXT YEAR'S BALLOT.

BY MY CHOICE.

McCOOK COUNTY STATE ATTORNEY PREPARES TO STEP AWAY AFTER TWO TUMULTUOUS TERMS.

>> THE RESULT OF THE ELECTION RETURNS ARE HEREBY APPROVED, ADOPTED , AND PROCLAIMED.

>> CHICAGO MAKES THE ELECTION RESULTS OFFICIAL, THE MAYOR ELECT GET READY TO MOVE INTO CITY HALL.

>>> MORE IMMIGRANTS FLOCKED TO CHICAGO.

WHERE WILL THEY STAY?

>>> CUMMINS ANXIOUSLY AWAIT IN CORRUPTION VERDICT THAT ROCKED SPRINGVILLE.

>>> THIS IS NOT A TIME TO BE COMPLACENT.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN IS RUNNING AGAIN.

ELECTION 2020.

STICKER HERE TO TAKE THAT ON IS THE PANEL.

THE CHICAGO SUN TIMES, ABC7, WGN.

LET'S GET TO IT.

KAREN, I WILL BEGIN WITH YOU.

KIM FOXX LEAVING, DOESN'T HAVE TO, SHE COULD RUN AGAIN.

WHY?

>> I BELIEVE SHE SAID SHE WAS NEVER IN THIS TO BE A CAREER POLITICIAN.

I THINK FRANKLY, THE PAST TWO TIMES , HALFWAY THROUGH THE SECOND TERM , IT WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY FRUSTRATED FOR HER TO ALWAYS ANSWER THE CRITICS AND CRITICISM OF SOME OF THE POLICIES AND DECISIONS SHE HAS MADE WITH JUSSIE SMOLLETT AND TAKING A LOT OF HEAT FOR THE SAFETY ACT AS WELL.

I THINK IT WAS BEGINNING TO WEIGH ON HER.

SHE SAID SHE WAS IN OFFICE DURING TIMES WHEN HER DAUGHTER'S, THOSE WERE HER MAIN FORMATIVE YEARS.

SHE IS READY TO STEP AWAY.

>> IF SHE WERE TO RUN AGAIN, WHICH YOU HAVE UPHILL BATTLE ?

WHICH YOU HAVE WON ?

>> THERE WAS SPECULATION WITH THE PERFORMANCE IN THE CITY, HER BASE IN THE CITY, VERY CONSERVATIVE MAYORAL CANDIDATE IT'S A LOT OF VOTES.

SHE NEEDS TO RUN UP THE SCORE IN THE CITY , SHE DID IN THE SUBURBS.

I THINK IT WOULD'VE DEPENDED ON WHO RAN AGAINST HER.

WE SAW LAST TIME AROUND, NO BIG-NAME CONTENDERS STEPPED INTO THE RACE WITHOUT VIABLE CAMPAIGN.

>> THE MONEY.

>> TONS OF MONEY.

>> HE IS ALDERMAN, ASSUME HE IS OUT OF THE RACE.

THE HEADWINDS THEY TALKED ABOUT FOR THE VANGUARD OF PROSECUTOR SHE CAME WITH IN 2016, SOME HAVE STRUGGLED.

SAN FRANCISCO WAS A VICTIM OF A RECALL.

THE HEADWINDS FOR THESE REFORM PROSECUTORS ADVOCATING FOR WHAT IS PORTRAYED SOFT ON CRIME, POLICIES AT A TIME THERE IS RISING CRIME AND VIOLENCE HAS BEEN DIFFICULT.

THOSE ARE PRIMARILY RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC .

WE HAVE SEEN IT HAPPEN WHETHER YOU ARE REFORM PROSECUTOR OR NOT .

>> ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> YOU HEARD HER MAKING THE CASE FOR HER IDEALS IN HER FAREWELL.

I GUESS NOT HER FAREWELL.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE IT.

LET'S HEAR FROM HER ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> I REFUTE THE SUPPOSITION WHERE WE SEE OURSELVES TODAY WITH THE RISE IN VIOLENT CRIME THAT COINCIDES WITH THE ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME PANDEMIC IS SOMEHOW THE RESULT OF A COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY OFFICE IT DOES NOT ADD UP.

>> CELESTE, WHAT IS HER LEGACY?

WE HEARD FROM FOXX HERSELF HOW SHE ENVISIONS WHAT SHE ACCOMPLISHED.

>> YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY SHE HAS BEEN A REFORM PROSECUTOR.

SHE WAS SAYING IN HER FAREWELL , SHE THOUGHT IT WAS UNFAIR THINGS LIKE JUSSIE SMOLLETT WAS FOLLOWING HER AROUND, ISSUES ABOUT VIOLENT CRIME , SHE CHOCKED THAT UP IN PART TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND SAID SHOULD BE LAID AT HER ADMINISTRATION'S FEET.

I AGREE SHE IS PROBABLY DONE WITH THE CRITICISM AND READY TO MOVE ON.

SHE CERTAINLY DOES NOT FEEL LIKE HER LEGACY IS STAINED BY SOMETHING FROM THE CRITICS.

>> TAKING ITS TOLL, BEING A BLACK WOMAN IN THAT OFFICE.

HOW MUCH OF THIS IS JUSSIE SMOLLETT?

SHE HERSELF, HER POLITICAL TOMBSTONE , IS IT DESERVEDLY?

>> I RAN INTO JUDGE TIM EVANS AT A RECEPTION TODAY.

COOK COUNTY POLITICS, HE FEELS THAT IS NOT WHAT STICKS WITH PEOPLE.

I THINK FOR THE LAYPERSON, A LOT EASIER TO HAVE OPINION WITH WHAT WENT ON WITH JUSSIE SMOLLETT THAN BOND REFORM -- >> WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS.

>> THAT SORT OF BECAME AS PEOPLE I INTERVIEWED FOR REACTION, THAT WAS THE LEGENDARY CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY , THAT WAS THE STICK HER OPPONENTS BEAT HER WITH.

IT WAS EASIER TO GET ATTACHED TO.

JUSSIE SMOLLETT , WILL REMEMBER THAT IN 20 YEARS ?

>> SHE DID MAKE A POINT OF SAYING HER OFFICE LED THE COUNTRY FOR OVER 20 WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS.

I FEEL LIKE IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR STAYING POWER AND SOMETHING THAT REALLY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO HAVE MORE LASTING IMPACT , IT COULD BE THAT.

>> WHAT OF THAT?

EITHER OF YOU, FEEL FREE TO WEIGH IN, PROGNOSTICATION ON WHO WOULD REPLACE HER?

SHE IS LEAVING AND CLEARLY PROGRESSIVES ARE TALKING ABOUT THEY WANT LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUAL TO TAKE THAT OFFICE.

OF COURSE, TOUGH ON CRIME FOLKS WHO SAY SHE HAS BEEN WAY TOO LAX FOR THAT INCREASE IN CRIME , THOUGH SHE SAYS IS UNDESERVED.

ANY THOUGHTS ON WHO COULD BE CANDIDATES ?

>> RIGHT NOW, I HAVE NO IDEA WHO THAT COULD BE.

IT IS VERY INTERESTING THIS IS A LONG TIME, IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE WE HAVE SEEN A SEAT COME EMPTY AND BE UP FOR GRABS.

INTERESTING TO SEE WHO COMES OUT AND WHO IS IMPORTED BY A LOT OF GROUPS THAT ARE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE WHEN IT COMES TO HER OFFICE AND EVERYTHING WE SEE COME OUT OF IT.

>> HER MENTOR HAS NOT NAMED ANOTHER PROT÷G÷ YET.

PREDECESSOR.

THE FIELD IS WIDE OPEN.

THESE ARE COUPLE VERY FAMILIAR NAMES, RICHARD BOYKIN IS A POSSIBLE CONTENDER.

JOE FERGUSON COULD BE VERY INTERESTING ONE, FORMER INSPECTOR GENERAL.

WE JUST HAVE TO SEE.

>> A LOT OF POWER.

FOX MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT, VERY A MOTIVE.

FREQUENT ABOUT THE NOTION SHE WAS LEAVING.

ALSO GIDDY TALKING ABOUT A NEW MAYOR.

ANDY , LEAVING ON THIS, HOW MUCH HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT BRANDON JOHNSON, WHO SHARES SIMILAR POINT OF VIEW ON MANY OF THESE IS GOING TO BE THE MAYOR?

SHE WAS LITERALLY PAUSED AND LAUGHED AND HAD A HUGE GRIN AT THE NOTION IT IS NO LONGER MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ADMINISTRATION.

>> IMAGINING WHAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE TO BE THE STATE'S ATTORNEY AND NOT HAVE THE MAYOR AND CHIEF OF POLICE IN CHICAGO PERPETUATE FLOGGING YOU FOR REVOLVING DOORS AND BOND COURT.

SHE DEFINITELY TOOK A LOT OF HEAT FROM THE PRIOR ADMINISTRATION.

BRANDON JOHNSON SOME FOLKS SAY THERE'S ASSUMPTION SOME SUPPOSITION THE CITY MIGHT BE WAITING FOR HER.

>> THERE WE GO.

>> I THINK IT SOUNDED LIKE TO ME FROM THAT SPEECH, A LOT SHE WANTED TO SAY ABOUT THE POLICIES SHE CAME IN, WAS ELECTED ON, CONTINUE TO ENDORSE DESPITE THE BACKLASH.

I THINK THERE IS A PLACE TO DO THAT.

I'M PICTURING SOMETHING A LITTLE LESS PUBLIC FACING , MAYBE SOMETHING MORE IN THE LINE OF A NONPROFIT OR ADVOCACY GROUP THAT WOULD ADVOCATE FOR REFORM.

I DO THINK AFTER EIGHT YEARS IN THE CRUCIBLE, SHE MIGHT LOOK FOR SOMETHING.

>> SHE WANTED TO VENT AND LET IT OUT.

SPEAKING OF THE MAYOR, JUST TWO WEEKS OR SO BEFORE HIS INAUGURATION, JOHNSON ANNOUNCED TRANSITION TEAM.

HERE'S WHAT HE SAID.

>> BEFORE HAS TO REFLECT THE BEST INTEREST OF THE ENTIRE CITY OF CHICAGO.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS I MET UP OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST FEW WEEKS THAT FEELS LIKE IT HAS BEEN LONGER.

OVER THE LAST THREE WEEKS THAT HAVE DEMONSTRATED EAGERNESS TO SERVE AND REPEATEDLY SAID OR ASKED, HOW CAN WE HELP?

>> CHRISTINE, ON THE TRANSITION TEAM, A LOT OF PROGRESSIVE ACTIVISTS, UNION MEMBERS, NO SURPRISE.

IT REALLY DOES RUN THE GAMUT.

ONE MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL.

ANY NAMES THAT STICK OUT TO YOU?

>> NONE THAT SPECIFICALLY STICK OUT TO ME.

VERY INTERESTING TO SEE THE NAMES THAT WERE CHOSEN.

AS YOU MENTIONED, A LOT OF UNION MEMBERS THAT WE SEE MAKING PART OF THE QUEUE A LOT OF THINGS HE RAN WITH TALKING ABOUT SCHOOLS.

TALKING ABOUT OPERATIONS PICK SOME THINGS THAT ARE PRETTY BIG AS WELL.

INTERESTING TO SEE.

>> IT ALSO INCLUDES TWO MEMBERS OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO STEPPED DOWN FROM THE CPD DURING THE LORI LIGHTFOOT ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT DOES IT SAY, IF ANYTHING, KAREN, ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP JOHNSON IS PLANNING TO HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT ?

>> IT'S NOT LIKE HE REALLY WANTS TO PROVE HE IS TRYING TO BE A MAYOR FOR ALL THE CITY, THE ENTIRE CITY, WHICH HE HAS SAID MANY TIMES BEFORE.

I THINK HE ONCE TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION OF THE START HE IS NOT GOING TO BE SO-CALLED SOFT ON CRIME MAYOR.

EVEN THOUGH HE IS A PROGRESSIVE PERSON , I THINK HE IS STILL TAKING THIS LAW AND ORDER CONCERNS SERIOUSLY.

>> PERHAPS, WHO KNOWS WHAT ROLE THESE FOLKS HAVE TO PLAY WITH THOSE RETIREES COMING BACK .

WE WILL SEE ANOTHER ONE THAT HAS GOTTEN ATTENTION, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY OR LACK THEREOF.

REPRESENTATIVE FROM CHICAGO, NONE OF THE REGULAR MARQUEE CEOs THAT TYPICALLY SERVE ON TRANSITION.

WE KNOW THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS A BIT UNEASY PERHAPS ABOUT JOHNSON ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE BUSINESS TIES OR NOT?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS IS A MAN WHO RAN ON DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

THE IDEA HE IS SURROUNDING HIMSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT BE THE PEOPLE YOU TRADITIONALLY EXPECT , YOU KNOW , WITH SOMEBODY WHO WANTS TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> AND HERE WE HAVE IT.

>> YEAH.

HE IS STANDING BY HIS WORD.

>> THERE'S A BUNCH OF SUBCOMMITTEES, ECONOMIC VITALITY, IMMIGRATION , WOMEN'S RIGHTS, PUBLIC SAFETY, THE LIST GOES ON , NO BUDGET COMMITTEE , IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WOULD ASK FOR IF YOU WERE MAYOR ?

>> IT IS SOMETHING I WOULD ASK FOR IF I WAS MAYOR, I THINK THAT IS FAIR TO SAY.

>> BUT YOU ARE NOT.

YOU ARE A REPORTER.

SO WE WON'T PUT YOU IN THAT POSITION.

WHAT DOES JOHNSON NEED TO DO?

17 DAYS LEFT BEFORE HE GOES FROM MAYOR ELECT AND DROPS ELECT FROM THAT TITLE.

HE IS THE ONE IN CHARGE.

A COUPLE WEEKS, WHAT DOES HE HAVE TO ACCOMPLISH?

>> WHEN YOU CONSIDER ALL THE DIFFERENT ANGLES THE CITY IS SET BY TROUBLES, AGAIN COMING OUT OF A PANDEMIC, HE WILL BE, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE BUDGET.

THIS IS AN ADMINISTRATION THAT WILL NOT BENEFIT FROM BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL COVID RELIEF FUNDS, AT LEAST NOT FOR THE BALANCE OF HIS ADMINISTRATION.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE WAITING FOR THAT SISKEL PLAN.

INTERESTING TO SEE THE REQUIRED TAX INCREASES, GETTING THAT THROUGH CITY COUNCIL.

WHAT WE HAVE JUST SEEN , MAYOR LIGHTFOOT, HOW DO YOU MOVE AGENDA THROUGH DIVIDED COUNCIL MUCH MORE INDEPENDENT ?

HE IS COMING WITH THE CONSTITUENCY FROM LABOR.

WHERE DOES HE GET HIS SUPPORT, HOW IS HE GOING TO LINE UP SUPPORT WITH THE COUNCIL?

HOW WILL HE MOVE THE AGENDA ?

I HAVE TO SAY IT IS AMBITIOUS AGENDA.

IT IS A NEW STYLE OF GOVERNMENT.

YEAH , I COULD NOT BEGIN TO THINK OF IT.

>> WE ARE ALL CURIOUS , WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT HAVING EXCHANGES .

SHE HAD PUBLIC APPEARANCES.

CHRISTINE , WHAT DO WE THINK OF THAT?

IS SHE STILL MAYOR?

>> MAYOR ELECT JOHNSON PUT INTO THIS POSITION , EVERY PRESS CONFERENCE, THERE'S THE QUESTION THAT COMES , WHAT DO YOU THINK JOHNSON SHOULD TAKE FROM THIS OR WHAT SHOULD HE LEARN FROM THIS?

A LOT OF HER RESPONSES HAVE BEEN, TAKE NOTE, TAKE NOTE.

MAJOR TOPICS WE HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERING IN THE CITY.

TAKE NOTE.

>> THERE WE GO.

JOHNSON'S OPPONENT STILL IN THE HEADLINES.

I VENTURE HE WOULD RATHER NOT BE .

IN PART BECAUSE HE FILED THE CASE WITH THE CONSULTANT, BY THE WAY THE BROTHER THAT PAID $700,000 BUT DID NOT DO ANY WORK THAT CONSULTANT IS THREATENING TO COUNTERSUIT THE VALLAS CAMPAIGN.

BY THE WAY , LESSER PAID CAMPAIGN WORKERS SAY THEIR CHECKS FROM THE VALLAS CAMPAIGN ARE BOUNCING.

KAREN, DOES THIS GIVE CREDENCE TO THOSE WHO SAID VALLAS DID NOT HAVE THE PHYSICAL CHOPS THAT HE RAN ON ?

>> IT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE THIS PERSON, THIS POLITICAL CONSULTANT IS TURNING THE TABLES ON VALLAS SAYING MAYBE THE VOTERS WERE RIGHT VOTING JOHNSON INTO OFFICE.

IT SOUNDS LIKE SOUR GRAPES , IT COULD BE.

THERE IS A LOT OF , IT IS VERY MURKY RIGHT NOW TO SEE WHO IS BACK TO, COMING UP SHORT.

>> $700,000 .

IS THAT -- >> I THINK IT DOES SHOW.

JEALOUSY MAYBE.

>> I HAVE TO SAY, IT DOES SEEM TO SHOW THERE WAS REAL DESPERATION TO TRY TO HEAD OFF SUPPORT FROM THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

THEY CAST THEIR LOT WITH THE GUY THAT HURT THEM WITH THE POLITICAL CONSULTANT.

BY THEN, THE LITIGATION WAS SHOCKING IN THAT IT EXPOSED YOU BASICALLY GOT HAD.

EXACTLY YOUR PHYSICAL CHOPS , YOUR ATTENTION TO DETAIL , YOUR COMPETENCE , ALL YOUR MAJOR SELLING POINTS AS A CANDIDATE ARE ON DISPLAY AS BEING TOTALLY ABSENT WITH THIS HIRE.

>> DOES IT MAKE YOU WONDER WHY HE FILED THE LAWSUIT THAT BROUGHT ATTENTION TO IT ?

>> THE FIRST THING I THOUGHT OF.

>> IT WAS NOT EVEN SABOTAGED BY THE POLITICAL CONSULTANT SINCE HE IS THE BROTHER OF A FAILED CANDIDATE.

>> SO MUCH PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW.

WHERE POLITICS BECOME SO BE I SUPPOSE.

VERY SERIOUS TOPIC ONE OF THE ISSUES MAYOR JOHNSON IS GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH IS IMMIGRATION.

>>> 10,000 ASYLUM-SEEKERS EIGHT MONTHS COMING TO CHICAGO AND MORE EXPECTED.

YOU HAVE DONE REPORTING THIS WEEK, INCLUDING FAMILIES SHUFFLED FROM CPD STATIONS TO SHELTERS REACHING CAPACITY.

WHAT ARE THE FAMILIES SAYING?

AND THE CPD?

>> YEAH, FIRST OFF , THEY HAVE BEEN COMING ABOUT THREE MONTHS NOW , PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM , WE GOT A TIP EARLIER IN THE WEEK THEY WERE ESSENTIALLY CAMPING OUT LIVING IN SOME OF THE POLICE STATIONS.

WE GO AND TALK TO SOME OF THESE FAMILIES.

ONE OF THE THINGS THEY HAVE BEEN TELLING US, THEY WERE TOLD THEY SHOULD STAY PUT WHERE THEY ARE AT.

CALL 311, THE CITY SERVICE LINE , THEY TOLD HIM TO STAY PUT BECAUSE IF THE SHUTTLE COMES THROUGH, THE TRANSPORT AND YOU ARE NOT THERE, YOU WILL MISS YOUR SPOT.

YOU WILL HAVE TO START THE PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN.

TO THEM, OF COURSE IT IS FRIGHTENING BECAUSE THEY ALREADY MADE THE TREK THIS FAR.

THERE IS SO MUCH UNKNOWN FOR THEM.

AND THEN, THE NEXT DAY, A THURSDAY WE WERE AT O'HARE WITH ANOTHER TIP MORE FAMILIES HAD ARRIVED ON TWO PLANES.

SO WE GO AND TALK TO THE FAMILIES.

>> FROM TEXAS.

>> YES.

THEY SAID THEY HAD BEEN FROM TEXAS AT THE BORDER, GIVEN ONE WAY TICKET TO CHICAGO AND JUST ARRIVED.

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I WAS ASKING THEM, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT ?

WE DON'T EVEN KNOW.

THEY TOLD US TO WAIT AND WE ARE WAITING FOR PEOPLE.

SOME OF THE POLICE OFFICERS HAVE ALSO BEEN GIVING THEM FOOD, CLOTHING, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STOPPING BY TO GIVE THEM FOOD AND CLOTHING .

>> IN POLICE STATIONS WITHOUT CLEAR KNOWLEDGE OF WHERE THEY WILL GET THEIR NEXT MEAL, WHERE THEY GO FROM THERE.

AND AGAIN, TALKING ABOUT CRIME CONCERN , SOME PUSHBACK WITH CITY COUNCIL WITH MEMBERS, ALDER PEOPLE SAYING THIS IS NOT AN OPTION.

>> AND NOW YOU HAVE PEOPLE WEIGHING IN, FILING WITH OSHA COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I GUESS THERE IS CONCERN FOR SAFETY FOR MEMBERS OF CPD.

SO WE WILL HAVE TO SEE HOW FAR THAT GOES.

>> CHRISTINE, WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS HERE?

OF COURSE, THEY ARE IN THESE STATIONS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THERE'S NOWHERE ELSE FOR THEM TO GO .

CHICAGO IS SUPPOSED TO BE A WELCOMING CITY.

>> THAT IS THE ISSUE.

ALL OF THE SHELTERS HAVE REACHED CAPACITY.

THERE IS NO ROOM FOR THEM.

ONE OF THE THINGS DISCUSSED IT TODAY DURING THE MEETING WAS, IS THERE EMPTY BUILDING, AREA, SOMEWHERE WHERE WE COULD ESSENTIALLY TURN THAT INTO A SHELTER OF SOME SORT?

THAT WAS KIND OF THE TOPIC THEY KEPT DISCUSSING TODAY AND GOING ABOUT TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE HELP THESE FAMILIES, WHO OFTEN TOLD US AT THE SAME TIME, THEY FEEL ABANDONED.

BECAUSE THEY KIND OF SHOW UP, EVEN SOME AT SOME OF THE SHELTERS THAT HAVE BEEN HELPING THEM, ASIDE FROM THE LANGUAGE BARRIERS, THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD TO WAIT.

>> THIS IS GIVE ANY CREDENCE TO GOVERNOR ABBOTT FROM TEXAS, WHO SAID PART OF WHY HE IS GOING ABOUT THIS STRATEGY IS IMMIGRANTS SHIPPED ON PLANES, ASYLUM-SEEKERS BECAUSE TEXAS CAN'T DO IT EITHER.

IS THIS CHANGING THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION AT ALL, AND HE?

>> OBVIOUSLY, THE CONVERSATION BEING ADDED , IF YOU'RE TRULY WORKING IN GOOD FAITH TRYING TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THESE FOLKS WHEN THEY ARRIVED.

HOWEVER, YOU KNOW, THE CRISIS IS OBVIOUS.

CHICAGO HAS NOT BEEN SET UP TO RECEIVE THESE FOLKS.

WE'RE NOT A BORDER STATE.

I WAS AT PACIFIC GARDEN MISSION EARLIER, A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

THEY HAD SAID MORE THAN 100 CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN IMMIGRANTS, FAMILIES THAT ARE DIVIDED , THE MEN'S SHELTER, WOMEN'S SHELTER, SEVERAL PARTS OF THE BUILDING.

IT IS A REAL CRISIS.

>> SO HORRIFIC.

THE CITY ASKING THE STATE FOR MANY, THE STATES ARE ASKING FOR MONEY FROM THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

>> TRY TO REPURPOSE A SCHOOL SOMEWHERE IN THE CITY.

>> THERE IS PUSHBACK WITH THAT THOUGH.

>> IT JUST SHOWS IT IS REALLY INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT SITUATION.

>> ON TOP OF THE ALREADY BIG HOMELESS POPULATION ISSUE THE CITY ALREADY HAS, IT IS ANOTHER LAYER .

>> WE HAVE ABOUT FOUR MINUTES LEFT.

I WANT TO GO TO YOU BECAUSE YOU SPENT MANY OF YOUR DAYS RECENTLY IN THE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE WHERE THE CON ED TRIAL WAS OCCURRING.

JURORS LAST HEARD FROM THE PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE FROM CLOSING ARGUMENTS.

YOU'RE NOT IN THE JURY ROOM, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE TAKEAWAYS THE JURORS WILL REMEMBER?

>> WHAT JURORS HAVE TO DO WITH THIS TRIAL IS ESSENTIALLY DRAW THE LINE BETWEEN WHAT AMOUNTS TO CORRUPTLY INFLUENCING A PUBLIC OFFICIAL AND WHAT AMOUNTS TO LOBBYING ONE FOR THEIR SUPPORT ON THE LEGISLATION THAT YOU WANT.

PROSECUTORS HAVE SAID THE JOBS, THE LAW FIRM CONTRACT, THE INTERNSHIPS THAT DEFENDANTS, CEO HAVE REACHED FOUR ASSOCIATES OVER EIGHT YEARS HAS ARRANGED TO CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY.

THE DEFENSE HAS SAID THIS IS POLITICS AS USUAL.

LIKE IT OR NOT.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT ONE OF THE ATTORNEYS SAID WITH THE ARGUMENT.

YOU DON'T LIKE TO SEE HOW THE SAUSAGE IS MADE WITH ILLINOIS POLITICS.

IT MIGHT NOT BE PRETTY BUT IT IS NOT ILLEGAL.

IT IS NOT ILLEGAL TO TAKE A JOB RECOMMENDATION.

>> LOOKING AT YOUR FACE.

>> REMEMBER THIS TRIAL ARGUMENT, ONE JUROR , NOT THE SECOND TIME AROUND, I THINK PEOPLE FIND IT DISTASTEFUL , EVEN IF IT IS DUBIOUSLY LEGAL.

I DO AGREE .

>> ANY INDICATION OF WHERE THE JURY IS OUT ON THIS ?

THEY DID NOT MEET ON FRIDAY.

WHEN MIGHT WE GET A VERDICT?

>> THEY WILL BE BACK AT IT FIRST THING ON MONDAY.

HAD THE CASE JUST OVER TWO DAYS.

THEY ASKED A FEW QUESTIONS TO THE JUDGE, A LOT OF IT HAS BEEN LOGISTICAL.

THEY NEED A COPY OF THE INDICTMENT, COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS.

IT IS REALLY HARD TO SAY .

SEVEN WEEK TRIAL, IT IS KIND OF LEGAL GRAY AREA.

>> THAT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT.

>> THEY HEARD A LOT OF RECORDINGS OF THE DEFENDANTS.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING ASPECTS OF THE TRIAL.

A LOT OF WIRETAP RECORDINGS, WE HEARD THE FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE MADIGAN IN SOME OF THEM.

HOWEVER IT SHAKES OUT, IT IS A BIT OF A PREVIEW ON HOW THE DEFENSE MIGHT APPROACH THE TRIAL NEXT YEAR.

>> THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE NOW, MOVING FROM THE FEDERAL OVER TO THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, THERE WAS CONTROVERSY WITH HAVING TO DO THE MEDIA .

IN PARTICULAR , WHAT OCCURRED ?

>> UNDISCLOSED MEMBER OF THE TELEVISION PRESS, IS WHAT I WAS TOLD , BROUGHT THEIR CELL PHONE INTO THE BUILDING, WHICH WE ARE ALLOWED TO DO.

CELL PHONES, LAPTOPS.

NOT EVERYONE ELSE.

THERE IS A WHOLE LOCKER FULL OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC'S CELL PHONES RINGING ALL DAY LONG.

BUT YES, OBVIOUSLY TO DO OUR JOBS AS JOURNALISTS IN THE AREA, WE NEED THAT TECHNOLOGY.

SO THERE WAS ISSUED A BAN THAT WAS ENFORCED TODAY .

I GOT UPDATES FOR MY FRIENDS IN THE COURTHOUSE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE THEIR PHONES.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE MEDIA?

IS THAT A PROBLEM ?

>> IT MEANS THEY WILL GET SCOLDED AND LIFT THE BAN PROBABLY BY MONDAY.

I IMAGINE IT HAPPENED THIS AFTERNOON.

>> THEY CUT OFF ACCESS FOREVER AND ALWAYS.

LEADING TO A LOT OF PUBLIC DISCOURSE, AT LEAST I LIKE TO BELIEVE.

>>> WITH THAT, WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

CELESTE BOTT, ANDY GRIMM, KAREN JORDAN, AND CHRISTINE FLORES.

THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET, YOU CAN GET CHICAGO-KENT TONIGHT AND THE WEEK IN REVIEW ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

JOINING US TONIGHT AT 10:00 FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT.

ON THE SHOW, THE CTA LATEST EFFORTS TO TACKLE STAFF SHORTAGE AND IMPROVE UNRELIABLE SERVICE.

>>> JAMES BIG KATT WILLIAMS ON THE PEARS SELECTION OF DARNELL WRIGHT IN THE FIRST SELECTION OF THE NFL DRAFT.

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND WE WILL SEE AT 10:00.

>>> CELESTE, YOU COVER THE COURTS ON A REGULAR BASIS.

DID THE LIMITATIONS GET IN THE WAY?

I CAN'T TAKE A PICTURE.

WHY ?

>> NO, NO.

WE CAN'T AUDIO RECORD OR TAKE VIDEO AND PICTURES.

THE LAPTOPS ARE ESSENTIAL.

YOU KNOW.

>> YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TYPE.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO NOT HAVE A PHONE OR LAPTOP AND PEOPLE TO SIT AND TAKE SOME NOTES, GO BACK AND SIT AT MY DESK AND THINK THINGS THROUGH.

THE EDITOR SECTION.

>> TRUE.

>> WITH PRACTICE.

>>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES.

A PROUD SPONSOR OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION FOCUSED FREE CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION FOR