>> Good evening and thanks for joining us on the week in review.

I'm Nick Blumberg.

Chicago joins the nation in marking the 25th anniversary of the 9.11 attacks.

>> Local leaders and residents gather to remember the lives lost in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

>> The loudest impact has been a tremendous amount of fear and anxiety.

Another major anniversary this week, one year since the midway blitz, immigration crackdown descended on the Chicago area.

Meantime, federal investigators demand to see financial records from a top police union to more alders are calling it quits.

The 22nd wards.

Mike Rodriguez and the 19th sports Matt O'Shea and >> they do have the ability win division, make it to the when it's about how healthy you are, how cohesive, you know, you're far as a whole.

>> Defending NFC North champions, the Chicago Bears kick off the season Sunday against Carolina.

>> And now to our week in review panel.

Joining us are prosecutors Hernandez of Block Club Chicago, Caroline Kaczynski of the Chicago Tribune.

3 inside also of the Chicago Tribune and Crain's Chicago business contributor Dan McGrath.

Thank you all for being here.

We appreciate it.

So as we said, Dan Today, you know, marking the 25th anniversary of 9.11, what do you reflect on is as you think about this day to hold?

>> Everythings changed.

You know, the way we board airplanes the way we the way we live our lives.

Everything is changed.

I remember I working at the Tribune men for about an hour to everybody was just in a total state of shock.

And then your professionalism kicks in.

And we had a bureau in New York at the time and we were able get rolling out a pretty quick.

And as I look back on it, I think did a pretty remarkable job, but went home that night sports was totally shut down.

We didn't do it right thing to do for about a week.

And But it was just a he just had a sense of time Everythings changed.

It's never going to be the same again.

And I kind of think that that is the case.

I watched a lot of the documentaries and there retrospectives it's a I hope we teach I would say that the I'm that involved in education for the last several years and I'm don't think we've done a very good job that all of 5 teaching and for for Unbelievably compelling incident moment as this was.

I hope we do a better job of teaching that and we do, for instance, the just because of the way it affected everything.

Yeah.

Putting it its proper context answering what about you?

>> I really can't believe it's been 25 years.

I was in 3rd but we're talking about things never being the same.

But I think a lot of things, especially when it comes to Islamophobia are surprisingly still the same.

We think above in New York Mayor Mamdani being at the memorial sparked such political debate when he is the mayor of that city.

He was also very little when it happened.

And so there's a lot reflect on still.

Yes, certainly still some of the the uglier side effects of it are still with >> I think I've been thinking a lot about the local impact that it had here.

Chicago wasn't physically affected, but >> Frank Mann at the Sun-Times did a great piece talking about how he followed local first responders to New York to try and help people get out of the pile and about how even things like the Chicago Police Department's security changed in the wake of that.

And then my colleague, Angie at the Tribune did a wonderful story about how life stopped that day and was never the same, but also all the ways over the last 25 years that its move forward, people affected.

Yeah, I remember that that huge outpouring of first responders from Chicago and around the country.

>> And then just the hugely increased police presence in places like downtown and on the CTA system.

At that time from tea without you.

>> remember it being a huge international story as well.

I lived in Mexico at the time.

I was in elementary school and I remember like the images on TV in national TV, in Mexico of this and just like the the shocked that it cost to, you know, people in the United States but elsewhere as well.

And just like the questions of how could this have happened?

How is this happening?

What does this mean for the rest of the world considering that?

You know, the U.S.

has such a powerful impact throughout the world.

So I think that's something that I keep thinking like just how that event triggered a lot of other events change the way the country itself protects its borders people board planes, people travel to United States.

Yeah, I mean, just that the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the creation of ICE.

>> Which leads us right to our next anniversary of this week.

One year since Operation Midway Blitz was launched in the Chicago Area Front.

Ca you wrote about, you know, the human cost of that of deportation.

One of the people you profiled was Rigoberto Padilla What did you hear from from him and his family?

Well recovered the body Morris.

One of many that were detained during Operation Midway Blitz.

Well, he at a parking lot of his job suburban Oak Brook.

>> He is now in Mexico in a small town that he left more than a decade ago.

His family, however, remains in the Chicago suburbs.

He has a 2 year-old.

He has a 9 year-old with special needs and his partners here and now taking care of the children.

He talked a lot about the impact the past this arrests had on his family.

And now distance that separates them a nightly phone call is the way that they keep up now And just really the decision of them to keep their kids here because of the opportunities that they will have here as U.S.

citizens and the really the struggle to be apart from a family.

It's one of many cases that we've reported on of people who were not criminals are that not have pending criminal charges.

They were just going about their day at the time were that they were detained, taken to the detention centers and ultimately gave up their cases because of the fear of staying in months in detention without knowing if they would have a positive outcome.

And of course, he's someone like many others who has not lived Mexico are in the country from which they originally came for many, many years.

It's almost like starting over for him.

He definitely talks about that.

He's starting over just the opportunities and the job that he's doing the same job.

He's waiting tables.

But, you know, the culture is the friend.

He hasn't been there for a long time.

He's staying with his family there.

The pay is not the same.

He cannot support his family can barely make ends meet for him in Mexico and this ship that that means for his family here, his kids here who now I kind of like separate from both parents because he's their mom now has to work full-time to support them.

Caroline, you were a part of the team at the Tribune that looked at the effect of Midway blitz on Chicago.

>> And you reported on the case of the Raza family.

Tell us about them.

>> The overall as a family was driving for groceries at Sam's Club just over the city line from Little Village on one of the last stages of the height of the blitz as federal convoys were tearing through Little I was there that day and overall, it was incredibly loud.

There were flash bangs going off.

People were setting off fireworks.

There were screams and there were car horns.

People were driving as fast as they could after the feds.

And I had.

Hitched a ride with somebody who was following the convoy.

And I got that person to let me out at Sam's Club because we've heard that they were headed there.

And I ran up the Hill and I saw the family there.

And what I remember the most is that everything with silent and Mr.

Aso was bent over and screaming and screaming at his face and this woman was speaking to him in Spanish saying let me wash your head and then his wife, Evelyn, was sitting in the passenger seat of their car, holding their baby Rihanna and Ari on his face was wet and her eyes were red and she was completely silent.

And we found out very soon afterward someone's phone footage that agent head, we doubt the window as they were approaching in their car, headed to Sam's Club and just pepper sprayed them MRIs and his daughter got the brunt of that pepper spray.

And there's lawsuit pending in that.

In that case, they filed a federal lawsuit against the government over the summer.

It remains to be seen what is going to happen with that case.

But yes, they did file on and they are not the only people that >> It is there in many of the neighborhoods and suburbs that were targeted were, you know, previously really vibrant places for for dining for shopping for just sort of social life for a lot of folks in the area.

You know, there's a new UIC report that detailed just how much midway blitz cost Chicago.

>> Absolutely.

And we think back to last year when these restaurant owners, business owners, they warned what kind of consequences they were going to face with immigration raids the time being and in the long run they were seeing firsthand their own employees were afraid to come to work for fear of running into an age their dining room, set empty because people just were not coming to eat significant drops in foot.

Traffic and and not just local restaurants, but shopping plazas like 26 for a little bit of a trait some parts midway blitz.

It was deserted right?

Not a lot of people.

Street vendors not bending anymore.

And and so that had you know, very tragic consequence is financially.

And and in the aftermath of it, when you talk to those same business owners and restaurant owners, they say perhaps there should have been some sort of bailout from the local governments like there was during COVID-19 that could have possibly help some of those financial setbacks that were inevitable to say.

I think the coverage has been outstanding.

>> Whether spot clever, the Tribune and the sometimes if you're not seeing firsthand, it's almost out of sight out of mind.

But then when you read about it, you see what these people are going through, the trauma that it's causing in the economic impact.

I think all of their Chicago out that's up to a really good job of telling that story.

Yeah.

Running running towards it certainly and challenging circumstances are as a family is a good very personalized about one family's.

Struggles.

I cannot report story Lauren Camp, but you know and ended and sticking with you for a minute.

Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of the fatal shooting of a scenario.

Villegas Gonzalez.

>> You know, they're one of many cases of alleged misconduct were folks have called on Chicago Police Cook County State's attorney, try and step in and take some action.

Are you surprised that they haven't or even just as a symbolic gesture of nothing very much.

So I think the whole thing you know, the DOJ, Trump That such total control of everything, everybody's afraid to stand up to him.

That's why I'm surprised that time Catanzara isn't this in the bull's eye because he's an avowed Trump supporter.

>> He if he strikes, you is the type of guy that, you know, they be very much behind.

but beyond there should definitely be some local.

They've tried.

That's panel.

I think they've been a little more success in Minneapolis trying to hold people accountable.

Good Lord.

Some of violations of the violations of people's rights and it appears as though they're going to get away with.

It's worth noting that there are some local police departments that have collected evidence of alleged misconduct by federal Evanston comes to mind as an example.

>> Where, for example, in Halloween on Halloween of last year when federal agents were seen holding a man to the ground punching him in the head repeatedly.

We reported recently that the chief of police from Evanston wrote to the Cook County State's Attorney's office to a particular unit that specializes in possible charges against members of law enforcement and said we need some help determining where we can take this investigation.

Here's our file of information.

Help us figure out where to go from here.

That was only a couple weeks ago.

So it remains to be seen what's going to happen.

a first term or 2.

She's kind of in a tough spot.

>> Eileen O'Neill Burns, she certainly doesn't have any experience and handling something like be interesting to see where it goes.

Well, nobody really does room and it first time for everyone involved here, you know, front CIA But the piece that you did, you also reported on some of the milestones that were disrupted by Midway blitz, including continue at us.

>> Oh, yes, we have this piece just really looking at a tradition that's very significant for Mexican families and the pain of families general and looking at the impact that midway blitz have during this time as families who've worked really hard and saved a lot of money.

And I'm talking about parties that can cost $25,000 getting downsized, getting postponed are still carrying on and seeing empty halls or half of the cast coming and half of them being afraid of coming.

And it really has talking about the economic impact that has also affect commercial corridors that has affected like businesses that rely on this from the Jays to Crowder for us to the people who sell the dresses.

>> So it's really a whole industry impacted.

But then there's also the cultural significance of this and the family tradition that could get lost in the cases that we spoke with some families one on and they still reflect the need has happy day because their daughters were really, really happy during that time.

But it's definitely showing like it impact me.

Wait lists and going immigration enforcement really touches on every single aspect life for many communities.

Beyond what we saw during the military style campaign.

And it still has an affect today because ICE arrests are still happening in families were still afraid that they have their parties in the summer.

>> Right.

I mean, to that point, Caroline, there was just a story that you reported on out of Carol Stream about ICE agents, you know, out working.

Tell us about that.

So according to the Carol Stream Police Department.

group of ICE agents walked up to a set of local cops as they were conducting what was otherwise a routine traffic stop.

>> There were 2 people in that car and they were citing them for some pretty ordinary traffic and drug possession offenses.

And the agents told the Carol Stream police that they had a warrant for one of the people in that car that they intended to make an arrest after the Carol Stream police had finished their citations.

Carol Stream police said that they cleared the scene and they had no advance notice that the agents were even in the area or more intending to do immigration enforcement.

I reached out to the department Homeland Security to see if those people had indeed been arrested either of them.

I have not yet heard back.

All right.

>> Yeah, certainly the enforcement the military style campaign might be behind us.

But the enforcement is Turning to some city hall Get some retirements alderman Matt O'Shea is not running again.

And from TMZ reported neither is Little Village Alderman Michael Rodriguez.

What did he say about why he's stepping back?

>> He said this is for family reasons.

He talked about daughter having starting high school soon.

So he only has a few years before she goes college.

He talked about his son being a chess champion and he wants to the press.

And for that and he's on father's terminally ill or just bill, I should say.

So.

He's trying to be there for him.

These are the reasons he gave and he threw his support behind his chief of staff who next day that she's running for all their percent of the 22nd petition gathering is in full swing hangar.

Signature gathering is in full swing.

So >> folks have their work cut out for them.

Alright Dan, a future White Sox owner Justin Ishbia recently revealed his plans for new South Loop Stadium on land.

That's a real yard.

And then the railyard moves to Bridgeport.

There's a little switcheroo already getting a fair bit of pushback.

Yeah, I don't think he read the room us.

>> Because the sad thing Bridgeport like Ground 0 for a White Sox fan.

Right?

And that is the most loyal packet of fans.

>> Forever that they've ever had.

And for them to be just totally left out of this conversation.

You the ballpark has a lot of flaws to be sure.

But I think the Bridgeport residents would rather have a floor for a ballpark than a grimy, noisy railyard.

That's going to.

we all run all night and it's just it's not a fair trade.

I don't think well, and especially because it seems like, you know, they haven't necessarily done the environmental assessments about what's going to like same thing with the Bears in northwest Indiana.

Got right.

Was the ground there, you know, between the steel mills and the refineries and >> the body's they pulled out of Wolf Think Yeah, maybe not.

most sought out roll out here.

Not to mention there's like this attachment that that's the Southside community has to the White Sox, the immigrate, the teen and the culture and its like it can imagine, like I'm not necessarily what extent if the Cubs or to leave most have to concede that there are problems with rate field just won't go there.

I know if it's the unit that neighborhood or what, but >> 10 or 12 years ago they lapped the top 8 rose off the upper deck and it's a perfectly functional right?

But during made it very always been known for good food.

Reinsdorf made a big mistake when they built it, he insisted acres and acres of parking.

>> when they're not in town, it just sits And there's no neighborhood amenities.

It's not at all like Wrigleyville or any of the other more modern ballparks it's too late.

Now we can all the sudden throw up a nightlife district 2.

>> don't know.

Maybe the the opposition.

He's getting of 8 them to travel.

would be interesting if if for some reason they somehow they can make this new ballpark work.

>> It's more convenient to downtown right.

They might be able to make a run at the Cubs.

Just become more of a factor in the sports landscape and they are now.

and I don't agree, but I just I think Creek Field is part of the problem.

People just don't want to go there.

All right.

We'll see how this one plays out.

>> want to go to the train yard either.

But, yeah, exactly.

Who's going see how that Caroline?

The are looking for financial records related to Chicago's police Union leader John Catanzara from the state Fraternal Order of Police.

Do we know what exactly they're looking for here?

>> We still have more questions than answers.

But what we do know is that the FBI appears to have zeroed in on Mister Caton, Zara's finances and that the this had been in the water police circles for some time.

And when we looked at a copy of the subpoena to the state lodge, it was dated October 2025.

So this investigation has been going for probably about a year.

They asked for expense records.

So things like reimbursements and receipts they asked for Mister Canons err is W 2 and pay stubs.

They asked for communications relating to him going all the way back to October of 2020. a number of other things.

They also demanded and they when we spoke to Mr.

Cummins era about the situation, he said that the Chicago Watch 7 had been served with a similar subpoena.

Also last he said he hasn't hired an attorney.

He hasn't testified before the grand jury.

He said that whatever this is likely stems from some sort of inner personal beef with him.

He said that if they find if they find that members are responsible for initiating this investigation, that there would be consequences.

And he said that these the feds are looking at the state lodge and their finances overall, not just him.

It is worth noting that he's the only person into the document.

Okay.

So, a broad look but maybe a narrow focus and in certain areas.

>> you know, we were talking about the negative effects on, you know, some of the culinary scene.

But interesting piece this week about a home Baker on the southwest side whose building quite the business.

Tell us about her.

She has.

Her name is Sir Maria Perez.

And she's on the southwest side of the city.

She actually has like decades of professional kitchen experience.

But >> in lieu of a brick and mortar that can be very expensive.

She decided to run a very Hyper-local Micro bakery out of her home and and she represents just one of many, many people that are starting to do that.

And the consumers are She keeps people on their toes on Instagram.

She's constantly posting about the ingredients she's using.

She's very meticulous.

Is that chicken's in her backyard?

if the chickens give her enough eggs, she certainly uses them in her baked goods.

And and I think that people it's showing that people will stand in line for good product, whether it's like a Michelin star in downtown or someone's house.

I think it's it's a great thing for small businesses, especially in encouraging for people you know, to follow with the love.

Thank some of the best meals they've eaten.

We're not at a fine dining restaurant there in someone's kitchen table all, right, the Bears are back.

The regular season opens Sunday against Carolina.

What are you going to be watching for a >> It's a tough road.

Game Carolina is one of those young coming teams.

But I think they're in good shape.

I think they're the best team in the division.

I watched the Rams the other night.

I Super Bowl rematch between Seattle and England.

Neither those I mean the first couple of weeks, everybody shaking off the cobwebs.

Yeah, but they're they're pretty solid defense side.

little 2 question marks on defense.

But the offense, you Caleb, lot depends on him, but they've really given them a lot of weapons.

He should be pretty successful.

I think they got the right coach.

I think Johnson really knows what he's doing.

It's interesting that after he left Detroit, the lion's really fell off quite a bit.

So you have to wonder how much he had to do with their success.

And he comes to the Bears in the first year.

They win the division.

They win 2 out of 3 from the Packers and that alone makes it a successful season.

but I think they're they've positioned themselves pretty well.

not going to be easy.

The schedule is a little harder.

lot of times when the team has a breakthrough season, they sort of regress a little bit the next year because people are more ready for them.

So going to be easy.

But I do think their position to have really strong Don't you think the cheese grater hats are gonna come I think that's 100% certain.

>> It's just I was at the first game of the Cubs Brewer series about the 3rd least 3 of Green Bay.

Breaks people are.

So if you're in a sporting event, you go to people start chanting against the Packers rivalry, but that that's taking it to an extreme one.

You mentioned Cubs Brewers.

We're almost out of time.

But, you know, they Milwaukee swept Cubs.

Don't have a lot of room for error.

And while there is going to be if a Phillies they have to finish ahead of the Phillies.

Cause the Wild Card series and would be in Philadelphia.

And that's a really tough place to How do you think their their odds are?

If think I think I think they'll make the playoffs.

They're obviously not going to win the division.

Milwaukee put that And have to back Philadelphia has really good starting pitching.

So it's going to be tough for them, too.

Overcome Phillies.

Plus, their bullpen has been shaky and that causes all kinds of problems.

If can't be a really good team, if you don't have a good bullpen, the bullpen might be shaky.

The 4 of you are rock solid, but unfortunately, we are out of time.

>> So our thanks to.

Frontier Garcia Hernandez, Caroline Kaczynski.

3 inside McGrath.

And we're back with a preview of what's on tap for Chicago tonight next week.

>> Chicago tonight is made possible in part why the Alexander and John Nichols family.

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> And that's our show for this Friday night.

couple of programming notes before we go join us on Monday on Chicago tonight for a sit-down with Mayor Brandon Johnson as he weighs his re-election decision.

And on Tuesday, we have a forum with the 4 candidates running in the historic race for president of Chicago's school board.

And to our website to RSVP to be in our studio audience.

That's W T Tw dot com slash events.

While you're there, you can also submit your questions for the candidates.

Now for all of us here at the week in review.

I'm Nick Blumberg.

Thank you for watching.

Stay healthy, stay safe and stay informed.

Have a great weekend.

All right.

The really important bear story that didn't cover.

Caleb Williams testing his mettle against increasingly spicy wings on hot ones.

He equipped himself I thought he was fantastic.

Yeah.

He did not sweat.

It was like the 8th or 9th the wing that he was like, oh, this kind of spicy.

He really is the iceman.

Hot is the 8 point.

So there's like a a scoville scale of heat.

You might want keep like it doesn't have a number having access things that I have sort of experimental lab that they're coming up things like that.

>> I'm I love spicy food.

They can take a pretty Spacey.

I don't know going faint.

Like they sell.

The sauce doing at home.

Yes, and I've had it.

And think they also had a lot of been ignored.

So and then like closed, captioning is made possible.

>> By Robert, a and Clifford law offices, personal injury, law firm.

gives back to the