[♪♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> PEOPLE ARE TERRIFIED TO COME OUT OF THEIR HOMES.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S CONTROVERSIAL GANG ORDINANCE DOES NOT GET A VOTE AT CITY COUNCIL.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THAT AND MUCH MORE.

>> UNDER ALL OF THIS PUBLIC PRESSURE MS. KERSTEN HAS STOLLED THE RULES.

>> CITY COUNCIL DOES APPROVE THE PICK FOR THE CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> WE ARE ON TRACK.

>> SOME COVID MITIGATIONS WILL BE GONE ON MONDAY WE TALK WITH CHICAGO'S TOP DOCTOR ABOUT RECENT COVID METRICS.

>> IT IS A MATTER OF DOING TWO THINGS THAT ONCE.

>> ILLINOIS GOVERNMENT'S MULTITASKING WHEN IT LOOKS TO GETTING PEOPLE TO VOTE.

WE LOOK AT THE PREPARATIONS.

>> ILLINOIS GETS READY TO LAUNCH A PHONE AND TEXT SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE.

>> RIVER OTTERS ARE RETURNING TO CHICAGO WATERWAYS.

A REPORT LOOKS HOW THEY ARE ADAPTING.

>> AND A FRANK LLOYD WRIFT MASTERPIECE BECOMES THE SETTING FOR DANCE.

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> POUREDDER TENSIONS BETWEEN UKRAINE AND RUSSIA ARE ESCALATING THIS AS UKRAINE ANNOUNCES A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOLLOWING RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN ORDERING TROOPS INTO REGIONS OF EASTERN UKRAINE.

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SAY THE LATEST INTELLIGENCE REPORTS SUGGEST A FULL-SCALE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE IS IMMINENT.

>> WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANY DATA POINTS THAT ALLEVIATE THE GRAVE CONCERN THE PROFOUND CONCERN WE HAVE BEEN EXPRESSING FOR SOME TIME NOW.

SO THE INVASION REMAINS POTENTIALLY IMMINENT.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SCORES A MAJOR VICTORY AFTER AN ARBITRATOR RULES CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS MUST BE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.

LIGHTFOOT SAYS SHE HOPES THE DECISION INFLUENCES OFFICERS TO GET VACCINATED RATHER THAN BE PUNISHED.

>> MY HOPE IS THAT WITH THE ARBITRATOR'S RULING WHICH WE OBVIOUSLY WELCOME AND HAVE BEEN ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THIS IS GOING TO BE THE SIGNAL FOR THOSE MEMBERS NOT YET VACCINATED TO GET VACCINATED.

>> LAWMAKER TOM CULLERTON RESIGNS FROM THE STATE SENATE AFTER PLEADING GUILTY IN A EMBEZZLEMENT CASE.

HE WAS CHARGED FROM A LABOR UNION AND OTHER CHARGES DATING BACK TO 2019.

A HEARING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 8.

MORE ON THIS LATER IN THE PROGRAM WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

>> AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES RAID YET ANOTHER CHICAGO BASED COVID TESTING SITE.

BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO REPORTS POLICE, THE F.B.I.

AND FEDERAL AGENCIES WERE SEEN SEARCHING THE NORWOOD PARK HEADQUARTERS OF LAB ELITE TODAY.

THE COMPANY RECEIVED MORE THAN $77 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR COVID TESTING.

THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE RECEIVED MORE THAN A DOZEN COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE COMPANY INCLUDING RESULTS THAT WERE DELAYED OR NEVER DELIVERED.

LAB ELITE IS THE FOURTH CHICAGO AREA TESTING COMPANY TO BE INVESTIGATED BY FEDERAL AUTHORITIES.

>> UP NEXT, HEATHER CHERONE BRINGS US DETAILS FROM TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

STAY WITH US.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSAL TO FIGHT GANGS FAILS TO PASS IN CITY COUNCIL IT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE CITY TO GO AFTER ASSET AND PROFITS EARNED BY CHICAGO GANGS MANY AND THEY APPROVE THE NEW ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AGENCY.

HEATHER CHERONE JOINS WITH US MORE.

A SURPRISE.

REMIND US WHAT THE GANG ASSET SEIZURE WOULD DO AND ALL THE CRITICISM IT'S GOTTEN?

>> WELL, MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAID THIS IS A TOOL THAT THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF LAW NEEDS TO FIGHT SOARING CRIME RATES.

SHE SAYS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS KIND OF CRIME IS TO HURT GANGS AND GANG LEADERS WHERE IT HURTS MOST.

THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS.

BUT OPPONENTS OF THE MEASURE SAY THAT THIS MEASURE WON'T DO ANYTHING TO STOP CRIME BECAUSE GANGS ARE NO LONGER MAJOR ORGANIZATIONS ANYMORE LIKE THEY WERE BACK IN THE 1970s OR EVEN THE 1920s AND THIS MEASURE WILL ULTIMATELY HURT BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGOANS WHO MAY HAVE FAMILY MEMBER INVOLVED IN GANGS AND NOT INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THEMSELVES AND THERE ARE QUESTIONS WHETHER IT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE AT ALL.

>> ALD PEOPLE DID NOT VOTE ON THIS.

DEFER AND PUBLISH TWO WILL DELAY THIS AND THOSE WERE TALIAFERRO AND NAPOLITANO.

WHAT DOES IT TELL YOU THAT THEY DID THIS?

>> BOTH ALDERMEN NAPOLITANO AND TALIAFERRO ARE CLOSE ALLIES TO THE MAYOR.

THE MOVE THEY MADE TOLD ME THE MAYOR DID NOT HAVE THE 25 VOTES SHE NEEDED TO GET IT PASSED.

AND SHE DISPUTED THAT.

SHE SAID NO THEY MADE A DECISION TO PUT OFF THE VOTE TO EDUCATE MORE ALDERPEOPLE ABOUT WHAT THIS MEASURE WOULD DO.

THIS PROPOSAL HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE SEPTEMBER AND I'M NOT CLEAR WHAT ISN'T CLEAR ABOUT THIS MEASURE.

YOU EITHER ARE FOR IT OR AGAINST IT.

AND IT'S CLEAR THAT IN POLITICS YOU KNOW THIS AS WELL AS I DO, IF YOU HAVE THE VOTES YOU VOTE.

IF YOU DON'T, YOU TRY AGAIN ANOTHER TIME.

>> IF THEY HAD THE VOTES THEY WOULD NOT WANT TO DELAY THAT.

CITY COUNCIL ALSO APPROVED ANDREA KERSTEN AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND HERE IS A CLIP FROM MARIA HADDEN MAKING HER CASE FOR KERSTEN DURING TODAY'S DEBATE.

>> I CAN UNDERSTAND THE STRONG FEELINGS THAT YOU HAVE.

I WISH THAT THOSE FEELINGS EXTENDED TO THE LIVES OF BLACK RESIDENTS IN THE CITY.

AS SOME OF THOSE SAME COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE BEEN SO VOCAL ARE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO DMPED A SETTLEMENT IF YOU WANT LAW AND ORDER, CONSISTENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, WE NEED IT FROM ALL OF US.

>> MARIA HADDEN IS REFERENCING A POLICE SETTLEMENT THAT WAS BLOCKED.

DESPITE KERSTEN'S APPROVAL THERE WAS CRITICISM FROM ALDERPEOPLE.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> THERE WAS.

14 ALDERPEOPLE VOTED AGAINST CONFIRMING HER TO LEAD C.O.P.A., THE AGENCY CHARGED WITH INVESTIGATING POLICE MISCONDUCT AND THIS NOMINATION RAN AGROUND AMID A RELEASE OF A REPORT RECOMMENDING THAT SLAIN OFFICER ELLA FRENCH BE REPRESENTMANTED FOR HER ROLE.

BEFORE ELLA FRENCH WAS SHOT TO DEATH BUT RELEASED AFTER HER DEATH AND IT REALLY UPSET A LOT OF ALDERPEOPLE WHO THOUGHT THAT IT BESMIR.

ED HER LEGACY AND HURT HER FAMILY.

ANDREA KERSTEN SAID SHE HAD NO CHOICE TO RELEASE THE REPORT AS WRITTEN.

AND THAT IS THE ARGUMENT THAT CARRIED THE DAY TODAY.

>> SO NOW C.O.P.A.

HAS A PERMANENT ADMINISTRATOR BUT THIS WILL BE THE LAST ADMINISTRATOR APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL.

EXPLAIN WHY?

>> SOON A NEW OVERSIGHT BOARD IS GOING TO TAKE EFFECT OF MEMBERS OF THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY AND IT WILL BE UP TO THAT BOARD TO PICK THE NEXT HEAD OF C.O.P.A.

THAT WILL NO LONGER BE UP TO THE CITY COUNCIL.

>> AND WHAT ARE BIG THINGS THAT KERSTEN HAS AHEAD OF HER WITH C.O.P.A.?

>> SHE HAS A HUGE AMOUNT OF WORK AHEAD HE HAVE HER.

SHE -- AHEAD OF HER.

SHE IS INVOLVED IN THE EFFORT TO GET THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT TO COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL COURT ORDER THAT REFORMS THE WAY THE DEPARTMENT OPERATES TO INSURE THAT IT PROTECTS THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF CHICAGOANS.

SHE IS ALSO INVOLVED IN SORT OF HELPING TO CLEAR A BACKLOG OF CASES.

SHE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS IN THAT BUT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CASES THAT ARE LINGERING OUT THERE, INCLUDING THE SHOOTING DEATH OF 13-YEAR-OLD ADAM TOLEDO.

>> A PERMANENT ADMINISTRATOR FOR C.O.P.A.

BUT STILL NO PERMANENT INSPECTOR GENERAL.

X MANY DAYS SINCE CHICAGO HAD A PERMANENT INSPECTOR GENERAL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND WE'LL SEE YOU LATER WITH THE REST OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

>> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER AREA STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND ON OUR PROGRAMMING NOTE JOIN US TOMORROW EVENING FOR A ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE NEW HEAD OF C.O.P.A., ANDREA KERSTEN.

>> AND TO BRANDIS WITH CHICAGO'S TOP DOC.

BRANDIS?

>> CHICAGO'S MAJOR COVID RESTRICTIONS ARE ABOUT TO BE LIFTED.

THE CITY WILL INR END THE INDOOR MASK MANDATE AND RESTAURANTS AND FITNESS CENTERS AND BAR ALSO NO LONGER REQUIRE VISITORS WITH PROOF OF VACCINATION FOR ENTRY.

JOINING US IS Dr. ALLISON ARWADY THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU'VE SAID THAT ARE YOU DROPPING THE MASK MANDATE TO LINEUP WITH THE STATE.

WHY ALSO DROP THE PROOF OF VACCINE MANDATE?

>> SO THE REASON WE PUT THE PROOF OF VACCINE REQUIREMENT FOR HIGH-RISK SETTINGS WAS BECAUSE WE WERE SEEING OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEM GET THREATENED.

WE HAD MORE PEOPLE HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID DURING THE OMICRON SURGE THAN AT ANY PRIOR POINT HERE IN CHICAGO.

THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THE FOLKS HOSPITALLED WERE UNVACCINATED.

SO I HAVE A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT HAVING FOLKS WHO WE KNOW ARE THE HIGHEST RISK OF PUTTING THAT BURDEN ON OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM BEING IN SETTINGS WE KNOW CAN BE MORE OF A CONCERN.

SO IT WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE A LONG-TERM BUT IT WAS SOMETHING TO HELP US GET THROUGH OMICRON AND HELP THE HOSPITALS GET THROUGH.

NOW WE'RE HITTING OUR METRICS FOR BEING IN THE LOWER RISK STATUS FOR HOSPITALIZATIONS AND CASES AND POSITIVITY, THE RISK IS LOWER AND IT IS OK TO BE DROPPING THAT REQUIREMENT AT THIS POINT.

WE ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO GET VACCINATED.

>> THE C.D.C.

RECOMMENDS MASK MANDATES IN PLACES WHERE COVID TRANSMISSION IS HIGH OR SUBSTANTIAL AND WITH THE CITY'S DATA AS OF YESTERDAY WE'RE STILL AT A SUBSTANTIAL TRANSMISSION RATE WITH CASES.

WHY MAKE THE CALL TO DROP THE MASK MANDATE BEFORE THAT RISK OF TRANSMISSION IS LOWER?

>> I EXPECT THE C.D.C.

WILL BE UPDATING THE METRICS IN A MORE LONG-TERM WAY.

OVER THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS AFTER WE'VE SEEN MORE AVAILABILITY OF AT HOME TESTS IT'S BEEN HARDER TO MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON BASES AND POSITIVITY WE ARE DOING MORE TESTING OF ASYMPTOMATIC CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS AND THINGS THAT HAVE CHANGED.

THE FACT WE'RE SEEING STILL WE'RE BETWEEN 200-300 CASES A DAY WHICH IS GOOD COMPARED TO 10,000 AND OUR POSITIVITY IS DOWN TO 1.5%.

IF OUR POSITIVITY WERE SITTING AT 6% WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO BE THERE.

WE HAVE HIT THREE OF OUR METRICS WE HAVE HIT THE THREE AND THE CASES CONTINUE TO DOWNTREND AND WE MAY HIT THAT BY MONDAY.

I'M CONFIDENT BASED ON THE DIRECTION THINGS ARE GOING AND THE RISK OVERALL WE ARE IN THE SAME PLACE FROM RISK PERSPECTIVE AS EARLY LAST SPRING WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO DROP THE REQUIREMENTS.

WE'RE THERE AGAIN.

>> BUSINESSES CAN THEY STILL DECIDE ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO KEEP A MASK OR VACCINE MANDATE AND WHAT ADVICE DO YOU GIVE TO THE BUSINESSES IN MAKING THAT DECISION?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

THERE WILL BE SETTINGS THAT MASKS REMAIN REQUIRED.

TRANSIT, HOSPITAL SETTINGS AND HEALTHCARE SETTINGS.

LONG-TERM CARES ET CETERA.

YES, WE EXPECT AND WE'VE SEEN CERTAIN BUSINESSES AND CERTAIN SETTINGS MAKE THAT DECISION.

AND WE'RE FULLY IN SUPPORT OF THAT.

WE KNOW THAT SETTINGS ARE GOING TO BE DIFFERENT.

IF YOU ARE A SETTING THAT SERVES A LOT OF OLDER PEOPLE MAYBE YOU KNOW A LOT ARE NOT VACCINATED AND THINGS HAVE BEEN GOING WELL USING THE REQUIREMENTS WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CONTINUE PEOPLE DOING IT.

IT'S WE DON'T NEED TO REQUIRE IT.

WE HAVE BEEN GIVING GLANCE TO LOTS OF INDIVIDUAL SETTINGS AND WE ARE HAPPY TO DO THAT.

BUT IN FULL SUPPORT OF ANY SETTING THAT DOES DECIDE TO CONTINUE IT.

>> AND SCHOOLS IT'S REQUIRED AND PEOPLE LIKE THE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE TO THOSE FOLKS TO BE SURE THEY ARE STILL PROTECTED?

>> WHEN WE DROP THE REQUIREMENT AT THE CITY LEVEL IT'S BASED ON THE RISK YOU ARE GOING TO EASTBOUND COUNTER SOMEBODY WITH COVID AND WHEN THAT RISK GETS TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS NOW, THE RISK IS QUITE LOW BUT IT IS NOT ZERO IT WILL NEVER BE ZERO.

FOR FOLKS IMMUNOCOMPROMISED OR FOR I KNOW THE YOUNG CHILDREN HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET VACCINATED WE KNOW THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF PEOPLE CONTINUING TO WEAR MASKS.

AND ON AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL ENCOURAGE THAT AND SUPPORT THAT.

I DON'T WANT TO SEE FOLKS CALLING PEOPLE OUT FOR CONTINUING TO MASK.

AND THERE ARE SETTINGS WE KNOW ARE HIGHER RISK THAT WILL BE MAKING THAT DECISION.

WE ARE NEVER PROBABLY GOING TO ELIMINATE COVID ENTIRELY.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WHEN THE METRICS SHOW THE RISK IS LOW, THAT WE DO LIFT THAT.

PEOPLE WHO ARE HIGHER RISK SHOULD KEEP TALKING TO THE PEOPLE THEY ARE GETTING IN SETTINGS WHERE YOU ARE GETTING TOGETHER WITH A GROUP HAVING THE EXTENDED CONVERSATIONS MAKING SURE THOSE FOLKS ARE VACCINATED.

BUT IN PUBLIC WE'RE IN AN OK PLACEMENT.

>> THE AA.2 OMICRON VARIANT DETECTED IN ILLINOIS EARLIER THIS MONTH, CASES ARE STILL DECREASING.

WHAT CONCERNS DO YOU HAVE EITHER THAT OR ANY OTHER VARIANT FORCING US TO ROLLBACK?

>> YEAH, SO WE CONTINUE TO HAVE GOOD DATA FOLLOWING VARIANTS AND SUBVARIANTS AND THAT IS WE'VE SETUP DURING COVID AND I EXPECT IT WILL CONTINUE LONG-TERM.

THE BA.2 THAT SUBVARIANT HAS SHOWN UP DIFFERENTLY IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.

WE MAKE DECISIONS AROUND MITIGATION BASED ON THE RISK OF ENCOUNTERING COVID NO MATTER WHAT TYPE IT IS.

FOR ME THE BIGGEST CONCERN IF WE WERE TO SEE A VARIANT EMERGE IN THE FUTURE ESPECIALLY THAT VACCINES THAT DO NOT WORK WELL AGAINST.

VACCINES CONTINUE TO WORK AMAZINGLY WELL AGAINST COVID AND THE HOSPITALIZATIONS AND THE DEATHS.

MY BIGGEST CONCERN IF WE SAW A VARIANT EMERGE WHERE THAT WAS NO LONGER TRUE WE WOULD HAVE TO THINK ABOUT ACTING EMERGENTLY.

OTHERWISE IF FOLKS ARE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS THEN I THINK WE'LL CONTINUE TO MONITOR.

BUT WHEN WE ARE IN A GOOD PLACE IT IS APPROPRIATE TO MAKE THAT DECISION BASED ON OUR SITUATION HERE AND NOW.

>> AND WHILE WE'VE GOT YOU, I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE CDPH'S FINAL DECISION TO DENY THE PERMIT FOR SOUTH SIDE RECYCLING.

GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT LED TO THAT DECISION FOR YOU ALL?

>> WE DID A HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT WHICH IS A LONG, ENGAGEMENT THAT WAS AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE U.S. EPA AND DONE WITH THEM AND PART OF THE C.D.C.

AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT AND WE FOUND THAT IN AN ALREADY OVERBURDENED COMMUNITY THERE WERE INCREASED RISKS TO THE ENVIRONMENT, TO HUMAN HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE AS WELL AS A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS WITH COMPLIANCE WITH EXISTING REGULATIONS IN THAT SETTING WE FELT THE APPROPRIATE COURSE WAS TO NOT APPROVE THE PERMIT.

>> Dr. ALLISON ARWADY THANKS AS ALWAYS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS.

A NEW REPORT ESTIMATES AN ADDITIONAL 111,000 VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED AT THE ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE FACILITIES THANKS TO A 2018 AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION LAW.

BUT ILLINOIS CAN AND SHOULD DO BETTER.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE AND A LOOK HOW THINGS ARE GOING OTHERWISE THIS ELECTION YEAR.

AMANDA?

>> PARIS, WE ARE ABOUT FOUR MONTHS OUT FROM THE JUNE PRIMARY AND SUMMER MAY FEEL A WAYS FAR OFF TOO FAR IN MY OPINION, BUT THINGS ARE GOING TO GET ROLLING SOON ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE CANDIDATES LOOKING TO GET ON THE PRIMARY BALLOT.

THEY CAN START TO TURN IN THE PETITIONS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO OFFICIALLY BE A CANDIDATE STARTING IN A WEEK-AND-A-HALF.

MARCH 7TH.

AND AGAIN ONLY ONCE THE PETITIONS AND VOTER SIGNATURES ARE IN ARE THEY OFFICIALLY CONSIDERED CANDIDATES.

THEN YOU WILL HAVE EARLY VOTING BEGINNING ALREADY MID-MAY.

ELECTIONS AUTHORITIES ARE MAKING PREPARATIONS.

>> RIGHT NOW THAT IS TESTING ALL OF THE VOTING EQUIPMENT WITHIN OUR WAREHOUSE.

GETTING ALL OF OUR POLLING PLACES READY AND OUR CONTRACTS SIGNED AHEAD OF THE JUNE 28TH PRIMARY.

AS WELL AS GETTING OUR COMMUNICATIONS PLANS READY.

>> MAX BEVER SAYS SOMETIME IN APRIL CHICAGO VOTERS SHOULD EXPECT TO GET SOMETHING IN THE MAIL.

FOR MANY THAT WILL HAVE UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR REPRESENTATION IN SPRINGFIELD AND WASHINGTON BECAUSE VOTERS MIGHT FIND THEMSELVES IN NEW DISTRICTS THANKS TO THE ONCE IN A DECADE REDISTRICTING PROCESS.

CHICAGO VOTERS WILL THEN ALSO BE ABLE TO APPLY TO VOTE-BY-MAIL.

IN THIS UP COMING ELECTION OR PERMANENTLY.

>> A VOTE-BY-MAIL APPLICATION WE KNOW MANY PEOPLE STILL MAY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT GOING TO VOTE INPERSON THEY CAN TAKE THE VOTE-BY-MAIL OPTION.

AS RECENTLY PASSED STATE LAW THEY CAN JOIN THIS PERMANENT ROSTER LIST WHERE THEY CAN RECEIVE THEIR BALLOT FOR THE MAIL FOR ALL UP COMING ELECTIONS UNTIL THEY CHOOSE OTHERWISE.

>> JEAN KACZMAREK IS THE DUPAGE COUNTY CLERK.

>> FROM MY VANTAGE POINT I FEEL SO GOOD ABOUT WHERE WE ARE NOW ESPECIALLY BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS DUPAGE NOW WILL HAVE 100% PAPER BALLOTS.

>> JEAN KACZMAREK RAN FOR CLERK AFTER BECOMING ACTIVE IN THE ELECTIONS PROJECT AS A CONCERNED RESIDENT AND VOTING IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT AND IT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

THAT IS A SIMILAR MINDSET TO EGG KEEGAN HOLLYER WITH ILLINOIS PIRG.

>> PAPER BALLOTS ARE THE GOLD STANDARD.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE A PAPER BALLOT YOU CAN RETURN TO IT, LOOK AT IT, AND KNOW THAT THAT BALLOT HAS BEEN COUNTED.

>> SORRY ABOUT THAT.

WANTED TO MENTION THAT THE VOTING MACHINES THAT JEAN KACZMAREK SAYS WILL BE NEW FOR THIS YEAR ARE GOING TO BE PARTICULARLY SHE SAYS ABLE TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST ANY SORT OF HACKING BECAUSE THEY ARE NEVER GOING TO BE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET AND THEY ARE ALSO GOING TO HAVE CAPABILITIES FOR LANGUAGE.

A LOT OF DIFFERENT CHANGES FOR THE VOTING MACHINES.

AND THEN WE WANT TO HEAR NOW FROM KEEGAN HOLLYER OF ILLINOIS PIRG WHO AUTHORED THE REPORT ON AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION.

>> WE BELIEVE THAT DEMOCRACY WORKS BEST WHEN EVERYONE THAT IS INVOLVED IN IT.

>> NOW, IN ORDER TO BE INVOLVED IN ORDER TO CAST A BALLOT YOU HAVE TO BE REGISTERED AND KEEGAN HOLLYER AUTHOR OF THE REPORT THAT FOUND ILLINOIS' AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION LAW DID SUCCEED WITH REGISTRATIONS AT SECRETARY OF STATE FACILITIES JUMPING 37% ANNUALLY.

WITH ELIGIBLE VOTERS ARE AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERED AND THEIR LATEST ADDRESS AND INFORMATION IS UPDATED EVERY TIME THAT SOMEBODY INTERACTS WITH STATE AGENCIES MOST OFTEN GOING TO BE GETTING OR RENEWING A DRIVER'S LICENSE.

THIS SUCCESS COMES AS KEEGAN HOLLYER SAYS THE PROCESS IS STILL MORE COMPLICATED THAN IT NEEDS TO BE.

>> GETTING REGISTERED TO VOTE THROUGH THE AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM SHOULD BE THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE THAT MEANS MAKING THE PROCESS AS STREAMLINED AS POSSIBLE.

>> HE SAYS THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE COULD DO BETTER AT THINGS LIKE TRAINING STAFF ON VOTER REGISTRATION.

>> ALTHOUGH THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS FAR AWAY THE MOST IMPORTANT AGENCY TO BE IMPLEMENTING IN ILLINOIS IT IS NOT THE ONLY AGENCY.

I JUST WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CALL ON THE OTHER PARTICIPATING AGENCIES TO MORE FULLY AND ROBUSTLY IMPLEMENT AVR AND INCORPORATE IT INTO THE FOLD OF THEIR KEY SERVICES.

>> WHILE ELIGIBLE VOTERS ARE AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERED TO VOTE WITH AN OPT-OUT OPTION WHENEVER THEY INTERACT WITH MOST AGENCIES THERE ARE EXCEPTIONSES AND THOSE APPLYING TO THE STATE TO CARRY OR I OR OWN A GUN AND GUN APPLICANTS SHOULD BE REGISTERED TO VOTE WHEN THEY APPLY FOR THE LICENSES.

A MEASURE BEFORE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WOULD DO THAT.

BUT SO FAR IT HAS STALLED.

BY THE WAY, IF YOU ARE VERY EAGER TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE ELECTIONS THERE ARE A COUPLE WAYS TO DO SO.

CANDIDATES ARE SURELY ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN A CONDENSED TIMELINE TO GET THE SIGNATURES TO GET THEM ON THE BALLOT WILL APPRECIATE HAVING ANY REGISTERED VOTERS SIGN THEIR PETITIONS THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU HAVE TO VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE.

IT JUST MEANS THAT YOU WILL HELP TO GET THEM ON THE BALLOT.

ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY MARCH 1, CHICAGO IS GOING TO BE ACCEPTING INDIVIDUALS FOR POLL WATCHING AND TO JUDGE ELECTIONS.

LOTS COMING UP.

BACK TO YOU.

>> CLOSE TO ELECTION SEASON.

SEEMS LIKE IT WAS JUST YESTERDAY.

AND SEE YOU AGAIN LATER IN THE PROGRAM FOR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> FIRST, A MASH UP OF ARCHITECTURE, MUSIC AND CHOREOGRAPHY IN A FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT MASTERPIECE.

THAT IS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

WRIGHT >> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING DETAILS ON A STATE-WIDE SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE.

BUT FIRST...

IT IS AN UNCOMMON PAIRING OF ARCHITECTURE AND MODERN DANCE.

IN OAK PARK A FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT MASTERPIECE WILL BE SETTING FOR PERFORMANCE.

PRODUCER MARC VITALI VISITED UNITY TEMPLE TO FIND OUT WHAT MAKES THESE DANCERS MOVE.

[♪♪♪] >> THERE'S CHOREOGRAPHY IN THE SANCTUARY AT UNITY TEMPLE DANCERS REHEARSE IN AN ACTIVE CHURCH THAT IS A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK.

>> I THINK WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE COME INTO THE SPACE THEY REALLY RESPOND TO THE NOD TO NATURE AND LIGHT THAT FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT PUT INTO THE SPACE.

AND THEN ALSO THE SENSE OF ORDER.

AND THIS SPACE IS VERY ORDERED, DESIGNED, CONSIDERED, LINEAR.

AND IT'S VERY INSPIRING.

>> IT IS A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO SEE THE DANCE FRAMED BY THE SPACE BUT IT'S ALSO LOVELY TO SEE THE SPACE WITH THE HUMAN FORM IN IT.

>> IT IS A SIGHT SPECIFIC DANCE UNIQUE TO THE SETTING WITH LIVE MUSIC WRITTEN BY RENE BAKER.

THER WITH FORM MANS BY THE COMPANY WINIFRED HAUN AND DANCERS IS ENTITLED THE LIGHT RETURNS.

>> THAT IS A REFERENCE TO FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT'S UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL USE OF LIGHT.

AND THE WAY THAT HE MADE IT HAPPEN WITHIN UNITY TEMPLE.

AND ALSO ABOUT THE LIGHT THAT IS SLOWLY ENTERING BACK INTO OUR LIVES AFTER TWO YEARS OF I DON'T HAVE TO SAY WHAT IT IS, THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

WE'RE COLLABORATING WITH THE SPACE AND ALSO COLLABORATING WITH THE HUMANS THAT WORK HERE.

>> THE MISSION OF THE UNITY TEMPLE FOUNDATION IS TO PRESERVE AND RESTORE THE TEMPLE AND EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT THE ARCHITECTURE AND THE ARTS.

THE STRUCTURE WAS COMPLETED IN 1908.

THE PRIMARY MATERIAL IS REINFORCED CONCRETE A REVOLUTIONARY IDEA.

>> THIS IS A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK.

WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THE BUILDING IS SAFE AND ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE BUILDING RESPECTS THE SPACE AND KEEPS IT SAFE.

>> THE PERFORMANCE PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A FORMER DANCER AND NOW GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER.

>> NICE TO BE ABLE TO CREATE ART IN SPACE THAT ARE NOT CREATED FOR ART TO GO AND MAKE ART HAPPEN IN PLACES THEY ARE NOT USUALLY PRESENTED IN.

>> I'M HAVING FUN.

I'M DOING NEW THINGS HERE IN THIS SPACE THAT I HAVE NOT DONE PREVIOUSLY AND DOING THEM BECAUSE THE SPACE AND THE SETUP OF THE SHOW INSPIRED ME AND FORCED ME TO DO THINGS THAT I DON'T REALLY DO.

>> ALSO LIKE TO PERFORM IN TRADITIONAL THEATERS BUT I LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY AND WE TAKE IT AS OFTEN AS WE CAN.

THE CHANCE TO PERFORM IN A DIFFERENT SPACE.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE CREATE AGO I NEW ART FORM RIGHT?

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE DANCE, IT'S NOT ABOUT THE ARCHITECTURE, IT'S NOT ABOUT THE MUSIC, IT'S ABOUT THE COMBINATION OF THOSE.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> AND AGAIN IT'S CALLED THE LIGHT RETURNS.

WINIFRED HAUN AND DANCERS HAVE TWO PERFORMANCES SATURDAY IN OAK PARK YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE.

>> PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... ILLINOIS IS SET TO LAUNCH A NEW SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE IN JULY AND LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING HOW THAT EFFORT WILL BE FUNDED.

>> IT'S QUITE FRANKLY HARD FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND OR FATHOM.

>> OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WHY THE MAYOR IS BAFFLED BY A MOVE BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHY HER GANG ASSET FORFEITURE ORDINANCE WAS NOT CALLED.

>> OTTERS ARE MAKING AN APPEARANCE IN THE CHICAGO RIVER.

WHY A NEW RESEARCH PROJECT IS AIMING TO MAKE SURE THEY STICK AROUND.

>> CONGRESSMAN CHUY GARCIA VISITED THE CHILDCARE CENTER IN PILSEN TODAY TO DISCUSS REMOVING LEAD SERVICE LINES CARRYING HIGH LEVELS OF THE BRAIN DAMAGING CHEMICAL.

GARCIA'S VISIT FOLLOWS A WTTW NEWS REPORT THIS WEEK ON ADVOCATES WORK TO USE STATE MONEY TO FIX LEAD PIPES IN ILLINOIS CHILDCARE FACILITIES.

>> CHICAGO POLICE ISSUE A COMMUNITY ALERT CONCERNING ROBBERIES OF PIZZA DELIVERY RIFER FER DRIVERS.

POLICE REFERENCED THREE INCIDENTS IN THE HUMBOLDT PARK NEIGHBORHOOD THE MOST RECENT LAST WEEKEND A DRIVER WAS SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER REFUSING TO LET THE SUSPECTS TAKE THEIR CAR.

>> AND THE WEEK OF WILD WEATHER IN THE CHICAGO AREA IS NOT OVER YET.

FROM TOMORROW AFTERNOON INTO FRIDAY MORNING ANYWHERE FROM 2-4 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED IN THE CHICAGO AREA.

FRIDAY COULD SEE MORE LAKE-EFFECT COMING IN FROM THE NORTH.

>> ILLINOIS IS MONTHS AWAY FROM THE LAUNCH OF A NEW SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE AND STATE LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE IT GETS FUNDING.

THE 988 HOTLINE TAKES EFFECT IN JULY.

THE CONGRESS PASSED A BILL AT CREATING A TRUST FUND IN SETTING UP THE VIR CRISIS AND RESPONSE TEAM AND THAT BILL IS NOW IN THE STATE HOUSE.

AND JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE HOTLINE ARE SENATE SENATOR LAURA FINE, THE BILL'S CHIEF SPONSOR AND ALEXA JAMES, C.E.O.

OF NAMI CHICAGO PART OF THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS.

>> SENATOR FINE, THE GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED THE 988 HOTLINE LIKE 9-1-1 FOR EMERGENCIES.

HOW WILL THIS HOTLINE WORK IN ILLINOIS.

>> WE ARE WORKING OUT EVERYTHING.

THIS IS A TREMENDOUS UNDERTAKING.

BUT THE GOAL IS THE POSITIVE RESULTS THAT WILL COME OF IT.

AND 988 WILL BE 9-1-1 FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

AND SO IF ARE YOU IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS INSTEAD OF DIALING 9-1-1 YOU WILL DIAL 988.

AND THE PERSON ON THE OTHER END OF THE FOB WILL DECIDE DO WE NEED TO SEND SOMEBODY OUT?

CAN WE PROVIDE YOU WITH THE HELP YOU NEED OVER THE PHONE OR WHAT SERVICES YOU NEED.

THE GOAL IS TO DEESCALATE AND MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE GET THE SERVICES THEY NEED AND THE CARE THEY NEED AND NOT PUT A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE OR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN THE HANDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN WE NEEDED TO BE IN THE HANDS OF MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS.

>> AND ALEXA JAMES 988 IS A NATIONAL EFFORT.

WILL THERE BE LOCAL RESPONDERS WHEN ILLINOISANS DIAL 988?

>> YEAH, IT'S SOMETHING WE ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN CELEBRATING AND MAKING SURE HAPPENS.

WHAT WE HAVE TO BE CLEAR ABOUT IS THIS THREE DIGIT CODE THIS NATIONAL CODE A TREMENDOUS AND EXCITING OPPORTUNITY, IS A FRONT DOOR TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE ON THE OTHER SIDE THERE IS COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES IS.

WE DO NOT WANT TO DISAPPOINT CALLERS WHO ARE STICKING THEIR NECK OUT ASKING FOR HELP OR TEENAGERS TEXTING FOR SUPPORT.

WE HAVE TO HAVE AN INFRASTRUCTURE INVOLVED AND WE HAVE APPROPRIATELY RESOURCED AND INVESTED IN RESOURCES THAT WE ARE STILL BUILDING THAT WE DON'T HAVE.

PART TO YOUR REGIONAL QUESTION, PART OF OUR PUSH TO MAKE SURE THE CALL CENTERS ARE HYPER LOCAL AND HYPER REGIONAL IS EXACTLY TO YOUR POINT.

IF YOU ARE CALLING IN CRISIS IN CHAMPAIGN FROM CHICAGO AND YOU ARE ANSWERED IN CHAMPAIGN THEY DON'T NECESSARILY UNDERSTAND THE ININDUSTRYSIES OF THE.

SUPER IMPORTANT THERE'S FLUENCY AND WE HAVE RESPONSE 24 HOURS, ADEQUACIES IN TERMS OF PEOPLE IF THEY HAVE TO DO AN IN-HOME INTERVENTION THAT WE HAVE ALL THAT STUFF AVAILABLE.

>> SENATOR FINE, GOVERNOR PRITZKER ALLOCATED $70 MILLION TOWARD CRISIS RESPONSE SERVICES FOR FOLKS THAT DO DIAL 988.

5 MILLION INTO THE FUND THAT YOUR BILL CREATES.

WHY IS THIS FUNDING IMPORTANT?

>> THIS FUND SOMETHING ESSENTIAL PAUSE WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET 988 OFF THE GROUND IN A SUCCESSFUL MANNER.

AND YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT FUNDING THE PROJECTS.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ARE ABLE TO HIRE THE PEOPLE TO WORK THE LINES AND WE HAVE THE SERVICES IN PLACEMENT AND ALL OF THIS TAKES FUNDING.

AND IN ILLINOIS RIGHT NOW, I'M JUST PROUD TO SAY THAT WE ARE MAKING THE INVESTMENT IN THIS LIFE-SAVING PHONE NUMBER.

THAT IS GOING TO IMPACT SO MANY FAMILIES.

>> AND ALEXA JAMES YOU TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES OF MAKING SURE THERE ARE LOCAL RESPONDERS.

THE HOTLINE IS SET TO GO ON-LINE IN JULY.

WHAT ARE OTHER HURDLES IT FACES BEFORE IT GETS UP AND RUNNING?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S TRANSFORMATIVE.

AND FORTUNATELY THIS IS A PROJECT IN WHICH WE GET TO LEAN ON OUR NEIGHBORING STATES.

BECAUSE EVERYONE IS BUILDING THIS RIGHT NOW.

AND LIKE SENATOR FINE SAID IT IS A HUGE LIFT.

WHAT WE HAVE TO GET THROUGH IS MEDICAID REFORM THAT AGENCIES WHO ARE PROVIDING THIS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT ACTUALLY HAVE ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO DO SO.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THERE'S LONGEVITY AND CONNECTION AND THESE ARE NOT TRANSACTIONAL CALLS.

WHEN SOMEBODY IS IN CRISIS IT DOESN'T MEAN THERE NEEDS TO BE A STOP.

THERE NEEDS TO BE A STOP TO THE CYCLE OF CRISIS.

DO WE HAVE LONG-TERM SUPPORT TO LINK THEM BACK TO IN COMMUNITIES LIKE A THERAPIST, STABLE HOUSING, ET CETERA.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US.

WE CERTAINLY LEARNED THAT ON NAMI'S HELP LINE THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING TRANSACTIONAL AND BEING THAT EAR AND FOLLOWING UP AND BEING ABLE TO CONNECT.

I THINK THE RAPPORT WILL BE EXCEPTIONAL IMPORTANT THIS IS YOU ARE THE FIRST LINE OF DEESCALATION IN A CRISIS.

THESE CLINICIANS MANNING THE PHONES ARE THE FIRST SOMETIMES TRUST BUILDING FOR FOLKS IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM THAT HAVE NOT FELT TRUST IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM BEFORE.

>> CERTAINLY THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOME OF THE FOLKS ON THE OTHER END OF THAT LINE.

SENATOR FINE IN ADDITION TO THIS, YOU ARE WORKING ON A MENTAL HEALTH OMNIBUS BILL THAT DEALS WITH A NUMBER OF THINGS.

GIVE US THE BULLET POINTS OF THE BILL?

WE'RE LOOKING AT SOME OF THOSE RIGHT NOW.

>> NOT SURE WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT I WILL GIVE YOU MY NUTSHELL I WAS PROUD THIS BILL PASSED WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT UNANIMOUSLY OFF THE FLOOR TODAY.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT AND STARTED WORKING ON OVER THE SUMMER AND STARTED WORKING WITH OUR MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS.

AND WHAT WE FOUND IS WE HAVE A WORKFORCE SHORTAGE.

VERY SAD ISSUE CAME UP WHEN WE HAD A SUBJECT MATTER HEARING.

AND THIS WAS ONE OF OUR [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] THEY HAD 27 OPEN BEDS AND THEY HAD A WAITING LIST AND THE PROBLEM IS THEY CAN'T FILL THE BEDS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE STAFF TO WORK THE BEDS.

AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WHEN PATIENTS GO INPATIENT IT IS A SAFE AND SUPPORTED ENVIRONMENT.

THIS BILL WILL HOPEFULLY TAKE CARE A LOT OF THE ISSUES WE'RE SEEING.

IT LOOKS AT LICENSING PEOPLE AND IT CUTS THE RED TAPE IF YOU ARE LICENSED OUT OF STATE AND YOU WANT TO PRACTICE IN ILLINOIS.

IT ALSO STREAMLINES THE PROCESS IF YOU HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE WORKFORCE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, AND YOU WANT TO GET BACK INTO THE MENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE.

IT SETS UP A TASK FORCE SO WE CAN LOOK AT WHAT IS GOING ON IN MINORITY COMMUNITIES AND HOW WE CAN GET MORE MINORITIES AND PEOPLE OF COLOR TO WORK IN THE MENTAL HEALTH FIELD.

BECAUSE PEOPLE FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE IF THEY CAN TALK TO SOMEBODY WHO THEY FEEL LIKE HAS A SHARED EXPERIENCE.

SO THIS BILL COVERS A WIDE ARRAY OF ISSUES THAT WE ARE REALLY HOPING WILL HELP BOOST THE MENTAL HEALTH.

>> A LOT OF THINGS WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS OUR THANKS TO ALEXA JAMES AND STATE SENATOR LAURA FINE THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT A HEATED EXCHANGE BETWEEN LAWMAKERS IN SPRINGFIELD.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THAT AND MUCH MORE.

BUT FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER...

THE POLITICS OF LIFTING MASK MANDATES AN A PROFANITY LACED CONVERSATION BETWEEN LAWMAKERS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

WELCOME BACK, AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

SO, LET'S START WITH THE POLITICS OF COVID.

CHICAGO IS ALIGNING WITH GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S STATE-WIDE END OF THE MASK AND VACCINE MANDATES ON MONDAY.

COOK COUNTY IS FOLLOWING SUIT.

ESTHER MASK SOMETHING NOT ENDING IN ALL PLACES?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

YOU WILL HAVE TO WEAR A MASK ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, IN HOSPITALS, AND IN OTHER CONGREGATE CARE SETTINGS THOSE ARE RULES SET BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT THE CITY, THE COUNTY AND THE STATE DON'T HAVE THE POWER TO LIFT.

AND ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, ALL OF CHICAGO AND ALL OF ILLINOIS FOR THAT MATTER REMAINS A STATE OF SUBSTANTIAL TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19 SO THEY RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE WEAR A MASK INDOORS REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE RULES IN THE CITY AND STATE SAY.

>> MASKING WILL CONTINUE AT CHICAGO PUBLIC COOL SCHOOLS AS THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DISTRICT AND THE UNION.

MANY DISTRICTS HAVE GONE MASKS OPTIONAL?

>> IT'S CONFUSING AND DIVISIVE ACROSS THE STATE THE MAJORITY ARE MASKS OPTIONAL.

C.P.S.

LESS DIVISIVE.

I THINK PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE UNION DYNAMICS AT PLAY.

C.P.S.

WILL KEEP THE MASK MANDATE BECAUSE OF THE LABOR AGREEMENT THAT KEEP IT IS IN PLAY TEACHERS WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE VACCINATION RATES FOR THE YOUNGEST STUDENTS LIFT A LITTLE BIT BEFORE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE REMOVING THAT MANDATE T SHOULD BE NOTED THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO ANNOUNCE TO DO WILL LIFT ITS MASK MANDATE FOR ITS SCHOOLS WITH THE CITY ON MONDAY.

PROBABLY MORE CONTROVERSIAL WITHIN THAT SYSTEM THAN IT HAS BEEN AT C.P.S.

>> YOU MENTIONED PARENTS UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMIC WITH C.T.U.

THOSE TEACHERS WALK YOU HAD OUT TO GET TO THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDING THE MASKING IN CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE MAYOR'S VACCINE MANDATE FOR CHICAGO POLICE THAT WAS UPHELD.

DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY OFFICERS COULD BE FIRED FOR NOT GETTING THE VACCINE?

>> WE DON'T KNOW.

THE LATEST DATA FROM THE CITY SHOWS 3100 OFFICERS HAVE TOLD THE CITY CHAIR THAT VACCINATED OR REFUSED TO TELL THE CITY AT ALL WHETHER THEY HAVE BEEN VACCINATED OR NOT.

THOSE OFFICERS ARE AT RISK OF DISCIPLINE AND TERMINATION AND WE ASKED THE MAYOR TODAY WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WAS SHE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

AND SHE SAID AS WE HEARD THAT SHE HOPES THIS DECISION WHICH WAS HOTLY OPPOSED BY THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE SENDS A SIGNAL THIS DEBATE IS OVER AND THEY NEED TO GET VACCINATED TO KEEP THEIR JOBS.

>> AND GOVERNOR PRITZKER IS PURSUING HIS APPEAL TO THE STATE SUPREME COURT TO KEEP SCHOOL MASKING IN PLACE AS PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARE DROPPING THE MANDATES IN THE CITY.

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT?

>> THIS IS GOING BACK TO A JUDGE ORDER THAT ALLOWED THIS KIND OF CHAOS TO REIN AND HAVE SCHOOLS DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES.

THE GOVERNOR MAINTAINED HIS EXECUTIVE ORDER SHOULD REMAIN IN PLACE BUT IT IS NOT AS IF THE STATE HAS AN ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM HE IS ASKING THE STATE'S HIGH COURT TO TAKE THIS UP IN AN EXPEDITED FASHION.

THE SUPREME COURT DOES NOT HAVE TO.

AND FRANKLY ALMOST SEEMS AS IF THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG PARTICULARLY WITH THE STATE-WIDE MASK MANDATE LIFTING ON THE 28TH.

NONETHELESS THE GOVERNOR SAYS THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE HE IS MAKING THE CASE TO THE STATE'S SUPREME COURT THAT NOT BEING ABLE TO ENFORCE A MANDATE AND PUT THAT DOWN IN SCHOOLS IS GOING TO HAMPER HIS ADMINISTRATION'S ABILITY TO PROTECT INDIVIDUALS AND TO FIGHT AGAINST THE PANDEMIC.

AND ESPECIALLY SO HE SAYS THIS HAS TO BE SETTLED IN CASE THERE IS ANOTHER SURGE.

THERE IS ANOTHER VARIANT OR GOD FORBID ANOTHER PANDEMIC IN SOME FASHION.

>> WOODSTOCK STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVEN REICK HAD A PROFANITY-LACED CONFRONTATION WITH LAKESIA COLLINS OVER MASKING RULES.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> WELL, LAKESIA COLLINS NAMED HIM AS ONE OF THE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHO REFUSED TO WEAR A MASK AND ASKED THAT HE BE SANCTIONED AND REMOVED FROM THE CHAMBER.

BUT THAT WAS INACCURATE.

AND BEFORE THE MEASURE WAS PASSED HIS NAME WAS REMOVED FROM IT BUT IT DID NOT STOP STEVEN REICK FOR GOING UP TO HER AND PUTTING HIS FINGER IN HER FACE AND AFTERWARDS SHE SAID HE USED PROFANITY AND SHE FELT THREATENED.

THE CONFLICT OVER THE MASKS ON THE FLOOR SINCE THEY CAME BACK INTO SESSION THIS MONTH.

>> YOU KNOW, HE IS APOLOGIZED, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TOLD THEIR MEMBERS TO TURN THE TEMPERATURE DOWN.

BUT WHAT DAMAGE DO CONFRONTATIONS LIKE THIS DO TO THE ALREADY STRAINED RELATIONSHIP ACROSS THE AISLE?

>> ACROSS THE AISLE AND I THINK IT IS WITHIN PARTIES AS WELL.

THERE IS A LOT OF FEUDING THERE IS A LOT OF FRUSTRATION.

THIS SYSTEM IS TENSED UP.

THINGS YOU SEE PLAYING OUT IN SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES ARE LIKEWISE PLAYING OUT IN THE CAUCUSES AND IN SPRINGFIELD.

IT CERTAINLY DOESN'T HELP AND, AGAIN, THESE ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

YOU WANT THEM TO BE THE LEADERS THE ROLE MODELS.

YOU DID HAVE THE TOP LEADERS IN THE HOUSE HOUSE SPEAKER CHRIS WELCH AND DURKIN DID MEET BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND TALKED IT OUT.

BUT THERE BEEN A LOT OF RATCHETING UP THE TEMPERATURE NOT JUST WITH MASKING BUT A LOT OF THE PROVISIONS YOU'RE SEEING PUT BEFORE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

EVEN IF WE ARE NOT GOING TO SEE ANY CONFRONTATIONS OR FEWER SWEARS WHICH BY THE WAY HAS HAPPENED BEFORE IN SPRINGFIELD I'VE WITNESSED THAT FOR SURE, I DO THINK THAT BEFORE SESSION IS SET TO ADJOURN IN APRIL YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF ACROSS THE AISLE FIGHTS VERBAL ONES WITH EVERYBODY BEHIND THEIR DESKS HOPEFULLY.

AND THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THEY WILL REMAIN MASKED.

>> NOT THE FIRST TIME ANYBODY'S USED PROFANITY IN SPRINGFIELD.

TOM CULLERTON RESIGNED HIS SEAT HE IS PLANNING TO PLEAD GUILTY TO EMBEZZLEMENT.

PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON LOST HIS SEAT TO A CONVICTION AND NOW ANOTHER POLITICAL DYNASTY.

WHO IS TOM CULLERTON AND WHAT HE IS COMREDDING GUILTY.

>> HE WAS A STATE SENATOR FROM THE WESTERN SUBURBAN AREA.

HE IS A COUSIN TO FORMER STATE SNAP JOHN CULLERTON WHO STEPPED DOWN A FEW YEARS BACK AND THREE DOZEN CHARGES OF EMBEZZLEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE SCHEME TO GET A PAID A FULL SALARY FROM THE TEAMSTERS UNION AND HEALTH BENEFITS EVEN THOUGH HE DID NOT LIFT A FINGER AND DO A DAY'S WORTH OF WORK HE WAS BEING A STATE SENATOR.

HE PLEADED NOT GUILTY.

TODAY CHANGES THAT PLEA.

IT COULD BE THAT BOTH SIDES WERE NEGOTIATING THE TERMS OF A PLEA DEAL AND MAYBE THEY GET A PRISON SENTENCE DOWN AND CHARGES DOWN OR MAYBE IT IS A PLEA DEAL WITH COOPERATION.

THERE ARE SO MANY CASES WITH THIS, THE GUY THAT ARRANGED THE SWEETHEART DEAL, THE HEAD OF LOCAL 701.

HE STRUCK A PLEA DEAL IN HIS OWN FEDERAL CASE AND INVESTIGATIONS IN THE TV STUDIO ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE THE FORMER C.E.O.

WAS REPORTED TO BE AN F.B.I.

MOLE.

THERE IS A TREE TRUNK OF FEDERAL CASES OR INVESTIGATOR R INVESTIGATIONS AND THE BRANCHES AND THEN BRANCHES HAVE BRANCHES AND -- >> CAN I POINT OUT, SENATE PRESIDENT JOHN CULTURE TON WALKED AWAY IT WAS NOT CONNECTED TO THIS WANTING TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.

>> HE RETIRED.

>> IN THE RACE TO REPLACE RETIRING SECRETARY OF STATE JESSE WHITE SOMEBODY ELSE RETIRING ANNA VALENCIA GETS GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S SUPPORT.

THE GOVERNOR IS BUCKING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S CANDIDATE ALEXI GIANNOULIAS TO SUPPORT ANNA VALENCIA.

EXPLAIN WHO AMONG THE PARTY CHOSE ALEXI GIANNOULIAS AND HOW DID THEY COME TO PICK HIM?

>> IT WAS THE COOK COUNTY COMMITTEE PEOPLE WHO PICKED ALEXI GIANNOULIAS.

BUT ONLY BY A VERY SLIGHT MARGIN.

THERE WERE MANY PEOPLE WHO FELT LIKE THAT ENDORSEMENT WAS MIXED AT BEST.

AND I THINK THE ONE-TWO PUNCH THIS WEEK OF JESSE WHITE WHO IS TRULY BELOVED AMONG CHICAGOANS, WHO DOESN'T LOVE JESSTY WHITE AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER, I THINK IT MEANS THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE ALMOST A ONE-TWO RACE BETWEEN ANNA VALENCIA AND ALEXI GIANNOULIAS.

AND DAVID MOORE IS RUNNING IN THIS RACE.

BUT IF GOVERNOR PRITZKER GETS BEHIND ANNA VALENCIA WITH HIS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF SUPPORT SHE COULD MAKE A RUN FOR IT.

ALEXI GIANNOULIAS HAS BEEN OUT IN FRONT OF THE MONEY RAISED THIS IS A BIG SEA CHANGE FOR THIS RACE IN A WEEK.

>> WHAT IS GOING ON?

IS PRITZKER STAKING HIS CLAIM BY BUCKING THE PARTY?

>> THERE MIGHT BE AN ELM OF THIS AND IT WAS TO DO WHEN THE PARTY WENT AHEAD AND MADE ENDORSEMENTS BECAUSE COMMITTEE PEOPLE WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE SIGNED ON TO A PLEDGE SAYING THEY WOULD BACK WHO THE PARTY WEDNESDAY BEHIND AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE WHO IS THE OSTENSIBLELY THE PARTY LEADER HE HAS THE DEEP POCKETS.

THERE IS A DEGREE OF THAT AND IF YOU SEE JESSE WHITE DOING THE SAME I DON'T THINK THIS IS AN AREA WHERE PRITZKER IS GETTING PUSHBACK.

ALEXI GIANNOULIAS HAD A BIT OF PROBLEMS GETTING PARTY BACKING.

HE SORT DID NOT GET THE BACKING OF HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN WHEN MADIGAN HAD THAT POSITION.

I THINK THIS IS PERHAPS A SIGN HOWEVER OF WHO PRITZKER WANTS ON HIS SLATE WHEN HE GOES BEFORE VOTERS.

HE WANTS TO BE WITH ANNA VALENCIA THERE MIGHT BE SOME SORT OF UNEASY FEELINGS WITH BEING PAIRED WITH ALEXI GIANNOULIAS ON THE SLATE.

>> AND MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ANNOUNCED SHE IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 11TH WARD SEAT.

IT IS AN OPEN SEAT BECAUSE WE MENTIONED PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON'S FEDERAL CONVICTION AND HIS REMOVAL.

WHAT IS THE MAYOR'S PROCESS HERE?

>> SHE PICKED A THREE-MEMBER COMMITTEE TO HELP ADD VIS ADVISE HER.

-- ADVISE HER.

AND PEOPLE CAN SEND IN HER APPLICATIONS SHE PROMISED TO REVIEW THEM AND SHE SAID HER TARGET IS TO MAKE HER SELECTION BY MARCH 23 WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL WILL MEET NEXT.

AND THIS IS NOT UNLIKE HOW FORMER MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL HANDLED VACANCIES ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT VERY CAREFULLY TODAY DID NOT COMMIT TO NAMING SOMEBODY WHO IS AN ASIAN-AMERICAN TO FILL THE SEAT.

THE 11TH WARD REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE WARD MAP IN THE CITY, THE 11TH WARD WILL BECOME CHICAGO'S FIRST WARD WITH A MAJORITY OF ASIAN VOTERS AND SHE IS UNDER PRESSURE SOMEONE ASIAN TO FILL IN FOR PATRICK DALEY THOMPSON BUT SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHO APPLIES SO SHE DOESN'T KNOW THE BEST PERSON YET.

>> THE ORDINANCE FAILED TO PASS IN CITY COUNCIL.

LOOK WHAT THE MAYOR SAID ABOUT THE OPPOSITION TO THAT PROPOSAL?

>> SYMPATHY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE LITERALLY SPILLING BLOOD ON OUR STREETS EVERYDAY IS QUITE FRANKLY HARD FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND OR FATHOM.

AND THE NOTION THAT SOMEHOW THIS ORDINANCE WON'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE OR I'VE HEARD THAT IT'S GOING TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, TELL THAT TO THE PEOPLE LIVING IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT THEY ARE TERRIFIED, TERRIFIED TO COME OUT OF THEIR HOMES.

LIVE A NORMAL LIFE.

BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID OF GANG VIOLENCE.

>> HEATHER WHAT HAPPENED TODAY?

>> WELL, SHE JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE VOTES AND SHE IS HOPING TO LOSE THE BATTLE TODAY BUT WIN THE WAR AT ANOTHER TIME.

AS I WAS TELLING PARIS EARLIER I DON'T KNOW WHAT MORE SHE CAN DO TO CONVINCE ALDERPEOPLE TO GET ONBOARD.

AND IF SHE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CLOSE THE DEAL AT THIS POINT IN THE FACE OF OPPOSITION I'M NOT SURE IT WILL BE DIFFERENT IN A MONTH FROM NOW.

BUT THE MAYOR HAS BEEN KNOWN TO TWIST ARMS AND I WOULD NOT COUNT ANYTHING OUT.

>> PARIS TALK ABOUT THE POLITICS IT SEEMS LIKE PROTECTING GANGS WOULD BE BAD BUT THAT NOT WHAT THE OPPOSITION IS ARGUING?

>> YOU DON'T SEE AN OPPOSITION THAT CON ACTIVITY OF SIFTS OF CONSISTS OF PROGRESSIVE GROUPS AND JOHN CATANZARA, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WANTED THIS BUT DID NOT PRESENT EVIDENCE IT WOULD LEAD TO REDUCED HOMICIDES.

AND JOHN CATANZARA CALL TO DO POLITICAL THEATRE AND NOT EVERYDAY THAT SOMETHING PASSES COMMITTEE AND DOESN'T PASS THE FULL CITY COUNCIL.

THE THING ABOUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE YOU HAD MORE PRO POLICE ALDERPEOPLE THERE AND THEY GOT THAT THROUGH THERE PROBABLY NOT AS PROPORTIONATELY REPRESENTED IN THE FULL CITY COUNCIL AND YOU SEE THE RESULT YOU HAD TODAY.

>> ALSO ANDREA KERSTEN'S CONFIRMATION TO LEAD C.O.P.A.

WAS APPROVED AS YOU REPORTED EARLIER.

HEATHER IN THE END WAS THIS CONTROVERSIAL OR DID SHE SAIL THROUGH?

>> WE WON BY 31 VOTES WITH 14 AGAINST.

THAT SEEMS LOPSIDED AND IT WAS, BUT THERE WERE MANY MOMENTS WHERE HER NOMINATION WAS COMPLETELY IN PERIL BECAUSE OF C.O.P.A.

'S RELEASE OF THE REPORT THAT NAMED ELLA FRENCH THE SLAIN POLICE OFFICER AND RECOMMEND SHE BE DISCIPLINED.

BUT ANDREA KERSTEN REALLY WAS ABLE TO CONVINCE ALDERPEOPLE SHE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO RELEASE THAT REPORT AND ASKED DO YOU REALLY WANT A HEAD OF C.O.P.A.

WHO IS WILLING TO CHANGE REPORTS FOR POLITICAL SENSITIVITIES AND GIVEN EVERYTHING THAT THE CITY HAS SEEN WITH MISCONDUCT AND COVER UP THAT WAS A COMPELLING ARGUMENT ESPECIALLY FOR PROGRESSIVE ALDERMEN EVEN IF SHE COULD NOT WIN OVER THE CONSERVATIVES WHO BLASTED HER IN HARSH AND PERSONAL TERMS AT TIMES.

>> AND OF COURSE AS PARIS MENTIONED, WE ARE EXPECTING TO HAVE THE NEW C.O.P.A.

CHIEF JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT ON THE PROGRAM.

WE'LL HEAR FROM HER THEN.

THAT IS SPOTLIGHT POLITICS THANKS TO HEATHER CHERONE, AMANDA VINICKY AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND WE'RE BACK WITH MORE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> WE CAN ADD RIVER OTTERS TO THE LIST OF WILDLIFE MAKING A COMEBACK IN THE CHICAGO REGION.

A NEW RESEARCH PROJECT AIMS TO FIND OUT EXACTLY HOW MANY ARE IN THE AREA AND WHAT THE PUBLIC CAN DO TO MAKE SURE THEY STICK AROUND.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER PATTY WETLI JOINS US TO TELL US HOW OTTERS FOUND THEIR WAY BACK TO CHICAGO RIVERS.

WHY DO WE THINK THE OTTERS ARE HERE IN CHICAGO?

>> WELL, ACTUALLY THEY WERE ALMOST EXTINCT IN ILLINOIS AS RECENTLY AS 1989.

THERE WERE ONLY 100 LEFT IN THE ENTIRE STATE.

AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WENT THROUGH AN ENTIRE RECOVERY PROGRAM, RELEASING ABOUT 350 OF THEM INTO SOME OF THE STATE'S RIVERS.

THE CLOSEST SPOT WAS 150 MILES FROM CHICAGO.

IN FACT THEY'VE FOUND THEIR WAY UP INTO OUR NECK OF THE WOODS IS ACTUALLY A GOOD SIGN FOR THE OTTERS AND FOR THE HEALTH OF OUR RIVERS.

NOW IT IS A MATTER OF FIGURING OUT WHERE EXACTLY THEY ARE AT AND HOW MANY OF THEM THERE ARE.

>> HOW CAN PEOPLE GET INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT?

>> THERE IS A NEW RESEARCH PROJECT OUT OF THE COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT SIMILAR TO AN URBAN COYOTE PROJECT THEY HAVE GOING ON.

INCLUDED IN MY ARTICLE IS A LINK TO A FORM THAT PEOPLE CAN FILL OUT WHEN OR IF THEY SPOT A COYOTE THAT WILL HELP THE RESEARCHERS KNOW LIKE MAYBE WHERE TO GO TO TRY AND TAG SOME OF THESE WITH TRANSMITTERS SO THEY CAN FOLLOW THEM AND START TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR BEHAVIORS AND WHERE THEY ARE MOVING AROUND IN OUR REGION.

>> AND QUICK IF SOMEONE IS HEADING OUT OTTER SPOTTING WHAT ARE THE CLUES THEY SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR?

>> WELL, OTTERS CAN BE MISTAKER FOR MUSKRAT AND BEAVERS.

OTTERS ARE IN THE MIDDLE SIZEWISE.

AND LOOK FOR SIGNS OF OTTER LATRINES THE WASTE THEY LEAVE OUT.

FISH SCALES, BONES AND PILES OF CLAMSHELLS.

YOU MIGHT BE NEARING AN OTTER AND YOU MIGHT SMELL IT BEFORE YOU SEE IT.

>> AND THAT LINK THANK YOU PATTY WETLI THAT LINKS YOU MENTIONED YOU CAN READ PATTY'S FULL STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YouTube AND OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. >> TACKLING HEALTH DISPARITY AS MID-THE PANDEMIC WE VISIT ROSELAND FOR OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> AND TRAPEZE ROUTINES WITH THE ENSEMBLE.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

[♪♪♪]