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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN IS ON ASSIGNMENT.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS MAY SOON BE ON THE HOR RIDES EN.

A LOOK AT WHAT COULD BE IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN.

>> AFTER PROMISES TO FIX THE GANG DATABASE, WTTW NEWS STIPPEDS C.P.D.

HAS YET TO LAUNCH A NEW SYSTEM.

WE DIG INTO WHY.

>> THERE ARE DAYS A GOVERNOR WHERE I'M NOT SURE I HAVE I WORDS.

>> A LEAK FROM THE SUPREME COURT COULD SIGNAL THE END OF ROE VS. WADE.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ASSESSES THE IMPACT.

>> THERE IS A QUESTION OF THE REVIEW PROCESS BEING A LEGITIMATE REVIEW PROCESS.

>> ILLINOIS BANS TOGETHER WITH STATES AND ENVIRONMENTALS WHO WANT THE POSTAL SERVICE TO ELECTRIFY THE FLEET OF DELIVERY TRUCKS.

THE FATE OF TWO SKYPERS IS IN A DEBATE.

>> I AM AMANDA VINICKY COMING UP, A LOOK AT AN EFFORT TO GET MORE WOMEN IN THE TRADES.

>> AND RENOVATING HISTORIC THEATRE INSIDE THE FINE ARTS BUILDING THE HOME FOR ARTISTS FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS ESCALATING THE RESPONSE TO THE COUNTRY'S WORST INFLATION IN 40 YEARS.

THE FED ANNOUNCES IT IS RAISING INTEREST RATES BY HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT FROM .75% TO 1%, THE HIGHEST HIKE IN TWO DECADES.

FEDERAL RESERVE CARE JEROME POWELL -- CHAIR JEROME POWELL ADDRESSED THE HIKE.

>> INFLATION IS MUCH TOO HIGH.

AND WE UNDERSTAND THE HARDSHIP IT'S CAUSING.

AND WE'RE MOVING EXPEDITIOUSLY TO BRING IT DOWN BACK DOWN.

WE HAVE THE TOOLS AND THE RESOLVE TO RESTORE PRICE STABILITY ON BEHALF OF AMERICAN FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES.

>> RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE ONE OF THE FACTORS WORSENING FLATION PRESSURES.

AND WE WILL HAVE MORE ON TOMORROW'S PROGRAM.

>> AN EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE OFFICIALS ARE LAUPG THE CHICAGO DIGITAL EQUITY COUNCIL.

AS 20% HOSE HOW OLDS ARE WITHOUT INTERNET AND 12% DON'T HAVE COMPUTERS.

COMMUNITIES WITH THE LOWEST CONNECTIVITY RATES ARE 90% BLACK ON AVERAGE.

OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS, THE COUNCIL WILL HOLD A SERIES OF COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS TO TALK ABOUT BARRIERS AND SOLUTIONS TO ACHIEVING DIGITAL EQUITY.

>> SOUTH SUBURBAN RESIDENTS ARE GETTING AN UPGRADE TO A LOCAL METRA STATION.

OFFICIALS BROKE GROUND AT THE STATION IN HARVEY FOR A REHAB THAT IS SET TO INCLUDE ELEVATORS ACCESS, BICYCLE PARKING AND NEW SHELTERS.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER WAS AT TODAY'S GROUNDBREAKING.

>> AFTER MORE THAN 30 YEARS WITHOUT ANY MAJOR UPGRADES THE 147TH STREET METRA STATION IS RIPE FOR AN OVERHAUL TO KEEP UP WITH THE COMMUNITY'S EVOLVING NEEDS.

>> THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST $20 MILLION.

WITH SOME FUNDING COMING FROM THE STATE'S REBUILD ILLINOIS PROGRAM.

METRA SAYS THE STATION WILL CLOSE MAY 16TH FOR ABOUT 12-15 MONTHS WHILE THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED.

>> AND UP NEXT, THE ARGUMENT FOR AND AGAINST STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS HAS FLOATED VAGUE PROPOSALS TO ELIMINATE BILLIONS IN STUDENT DEBT AND IT COULD SET A LIMIT ANYWHERE BETWEEN 10-50,000 DOLLARS AND THOSE DETAILS HAVE TO BE IRONED OUT NOT EVERYONE IS ONED BOARD WITH THE IDEA TO BEGIN WITH.

JOINING US ARE MICHAEL PETRILLI, PRESIDENT OF THE THOMAS B. FORDHAM INSTITUTE AND HORACIO MENDEZ PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE WOODSTOCK INSTITUTE.

MICHAEL PETRILLI WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SPECIFICS THE PRESIDENT IS THINKING BUT CANCELING FROM 10-50,000 OF STUDENT DEBT.

GOOD IDEA?

>> IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

YOU KNOW SOME KIND OF TARGETED RELIEF WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA.

TARGETED RELIEF PERHAPS FOR THE POOREST AMERICANS WHO HAVE STUDENT LOAN DEBT OR PEOPLE WHO TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY SOME OF THE FOR-PROFIT UNIVERSITIES, THE TRUMP UNIVERSITIES OF THE WORLD.

OR MAYBE PEOPLE WOULD CHOOSE TO GO INTO PUBLIC SERVICE, JOBS LIKE TEACHING THAT DON'T PAY VERY WELL.

THOSE WOULD BE LEGITIMATE WAYS TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE DEBT CRISIS.

BUT DOING IT ACROSS THE BOARD MEANS GIVING THE 23-YEAR-OLD KID OFF TO WALL STREET $10,000 THAT HE DOESN'T NEED.

AND IT WOULD COST A LOT OF MONEY.

IT COULD DEFINITELY, CONTRIBUTE TO RISING INFLATION RIGHT NOW.

AND IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM.

>> WHAT ABOUT THAT HORACIO MENDEZ A MORE TARGETED MOVE VERSUS ACROSS THE BOARD?

>> I DO NOT DISAGREE WITH WHAT WAS SAID.

50% OF OUT STANDING STUDENT DEBT BELONGS TO THE TOP 40% OF THE INCOME LADDER.

THE BOTTOM 20% REPRESENTS LESS THAN 14% OF OUTSTANDING DEBT AND 20% OF ALL HAVE LESS THAN $5,000 IN DEBT.

THE $10,000 FIGURE SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IN-BETWEEN NUMBER TO CAPTURE THE INDIVIDUALS AND GRADUATES OF FOUR YEAR PROGRAMS.

BUT THE 125,000 INCOME THRESHOLDS LEANS TOO MUCH TOWARDS A SYSTEM WHERE A LOT OF THE MONEY MIGHT GO TO SCHEME, AFFLUENT WHITE STUDENTS.

125,000 MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT MARKETS.

I MOVED IN THE CHICAGO AREA FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND 125K A YEAR GETS YOU IN THE TOOL SHED IN STAY-AT-HOME ORDER'S ABACKYARD IT MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN ILLINOIS.

WE NEED CONTEXT AND BEING MORE TARGETED WILL MAKE BETTER SENSE.

>> MICHAEL PETRILLI THERE ARE SURVEYS THAT SAY FOLKS WITH STUDENT DEFT PUT OFF HOME PURCHASES, MARRIAGE, KIDS SAVING FOR RETIREMENT.

COULD SOME KIND OF RELIEF HAVE A BENEFIT?

>> WELL, I UNDERSTAND THAT ARGUMENT.

AND IT MAY HAVE MADE SINCE A YEAR OR THREE AGO BEFORE THIS TERRIBLE PANDEMIC THAT WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH BUT WE'VE GONE THIS THIS PERIOD WHERE WE HAVE GIVEN ALL AMERICANS REPEATEDLY CHECKS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS PART OF THE RELIEF ACTS.

AND NOW WE HAVE A SITUATION WHERE THE LABOR MARKET IS SUPER TIGHT AND WE HAVE SKY HIGH INFLATION.

THE WORRY IS THIS IS THE TIME WHEN YOU WRITE ANOTHER 10,000 CHECK TO MILLIONS OF AMERICANS THAT IS GOING TO DRIVE-INFLATION UP AND IT MAY NOT END UP IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT MOST.

IF THE GOAL IS TO HELP PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO START THEIR LIFE, THERE IS 100 BETTER WAYS TO DO IT THAN TO GIVE OUT STUDENT LOAN DEBT WILLY-NILLY.

WE COULD INVEST IN CHILD TAX CREDITS AND MAKES IT LESS EXPENSIVE TO RAISE A CHILD.

WORK TO TRY TO MAKE HOUSING MORE AFFORDABLE.

THERE IS A LAUNDRY LIST OF THAT.

DEBT FORGIVENESS DOES NOT COME NEAR THE TOP OF THE LIST.

AND FRANKLY, IT'S HARD TO FIND EXPERTS ON THE LEFT OR RIGHT THAT THINK GIVING STUDENT DEBT FORGIVENESS TO EVERYBODY MAKES SENSE.

>> HORACIO MENDEZ YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE POTENTIAL $125,000 INCOME THRESHOLD THE PRESIDENT HAS NOT DECIDED ON THAT YET.

AND YOU TALK ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING SITUATIONS.

WHAT WOULD BE A MORE APPROPRIATE INCOME THRESHOLD TO WEED OUT THE FOLKS THAT CAN AFFORD TO PAY THEIR DEBT BACK?

>> WELL, I'M NOT NECESSARILY SURE WHETHER OR NOT INCOME ENDS UP BEING THE BE ALL AND END ALL OF THIS ISSUE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS COUNTRY OF RELIEF DEPOSE TOOT PEOPLE WORKING HARD AND MAKING THE BEST WAY THEY CAN.

BUT STRUGGLING TO MAKE THE STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS.

VERSUS SOMEONE IN BASEMENT EATING HOT POCKETS.

THE RATIONAL SOLUTION IS TO MAKE THE NUMBERS RELEVANT TO THE CONTEXT.

YOU GOT HOSED BY A SCHOOL THAT YOU GOT SADDLED.

YOU ARE CREATING ANOTHER COCKTAIL DELIVERY APP AND HAVE 10 GRAND LEFT ON YOUR MBA LOAN, NO, YOU WILL DO OK ON YOUR OWN.

THERE ARE A VARIETY OF MODELS AROUND THE COUNTRY -- AROUND THE GLOBE, THAT LINK REPAYMENT AND RELIEF UPON INCOME.

I SAW ONE THAT WORKED WELL IN THE U.K. WHERE THEY LINK REPAYMENT AND RELIEF WHERE BORROWERS REPAY A FRACTION OF THEIR ANNUAL EARNINGS.

TECHNICALLY WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS HERE IN THE U.S.

BUT GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN A DUMPSTER FIVE.

NPR FOUND THAT FOUR-AND-A-HALF MILLION OWERS, 32 HAVE GOTTEN IT.

ANOTHER OPTION WOULD BE GRANT RELIEF BASED ON DEBT TO INCOME RATIOS YOU ARE MARRYING INFORMATION WITH THE CREDIT BURR BUREAUS AND THE I.R.S.

AND TARGETING MORE TO THE FOLKS NEED THE HELP, ARE NOT WEALTHY AND HAVE ABILITY TO REPAY AND YOU WILL GET A GREATER RETURN IN MAKING THAT SMALL INVESTMENT.

>> WHAT ABOUT THAT, MICHAEL PETRILLI DEBT TO INCOME RATIOS PEOPLE MIGHT BE GOING INTO WALL STREET JOBS IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY HAVE ACCUMULATED WEALTH THEY MIGHT BE PAYING OFF MOUNTAINS OF DEBT.

>> SURE WHEN THEY WILL MAKE THAT MONEY BACK.

EDUCATION IS STILL A GOOD INVESTMENT.

AND MOST PEOPLE GET A LOT OF BENEFIT THEY WILL MAKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS MOREOVER THE COURSE OF THEIR CAREER THAN PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THAT COLLEGE DEGREE.

WHY ARE WE ASKING PEOPLE WITHOUT A COLLEGE COMMUNITY WHO DECIDED TO GO INTO THE WORKFORCE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL TO PAY FOR THIS STUDENT LOAN FORGIVE NNS WHAT IF A GUY BOUGHT A TRUCK TO GET TO HIS JOB HE HAS DEBT ON THAT TRUCK WE'RE NOT OFFERING HIM TO HELP PAY THAT OFF.

WHY IS THIS?

WHY ARE WE PREFERENCING THIS DEBT FOR PEOPLE NOW OR GOING TO BE AMONG THE MOST AFFLUENT PEOPLE IN OUR SOCIETY.

>> WHAT ABOUT THAT HORACIO MENDEZ, FOLKS IN TRADE JOBS LIKE THAT WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE GONE TO COLLEGE IS THIS UNFAIR TO THEM?

>> THAT'S THE TOUGH CALL AND THIS GOES INTO ONE OF THE CATEGORIES IS NO GOOD INDEED IS GOING TO GO UNPUNISHED.

WE KNOW THERE IS A MASSIVE STUDENT DEBT CRISIS IN THIS COUNTRY TO THE TUNE OF 1.7 TRILLION.

BUT IT LARGELY REFLECTS INCREASED BORROWING BY GRADUATE STUDENTS LIKE LAWYERS AND DOCTORS USUALLY GO ON TO BE HIGHER EARNERS.

THERE IS A GDP IMPACT THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAS DONE RESEARCH WITH REGARD TO THE LIMITATION THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO PURCHASE HOMES AND IT HAS A TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT TO EVERYBODY.

BUT TO THE POINT DISCUSSED HERE, A NUMBER OF TIMES, WHAT IS THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS.

IS THIS GOING TO PROVIDE US A RETURN THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY WHILE MAYBE SOME PEOPLE FEEL IT IS UNFAIR IS GOING TO BENEFIT THE BROADER PART OF SOCIETY?

OR IS THIS A GIVEAWAY WHERE YOU HAVE THOSE LIKE AN OPERA MOMENT WHERE 10,000 FOR YOU AND 10,000 FOR YOU.

THAT IS NOT GOING TO FLY AS WELL.

SO BEING A THOUGHTFUL AND TARGETED INMAKING SURE SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN IS TARGETED THOSE WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BENEFIT IN THE LONG-TERM THAT IS IMPORTANT.

>> A LOT TO THINK ABOUT AND THERE IS A POLITICAL ASPECT AS WITH MANY THINGS.

THANK TO MICHAEL PETRILLI AND HORACIO MENDEZ.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS SINCE THE CITY'S LAST WATCHDOG FOUND GANG DATA BASES USED BY THE POLICE OFFICERS IS DEEPLY FLAWED.

HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US WITH MORE.

REMIND US WHY THE FORMER IG FOUND THE GANG DATABASE SO PROBLEMATIC?

>> HE SAID IT WAS DEEPLY FLAWED WITH INAPPROPRIATE RECORDS THAT WERE RIPE FOR ABUSE AND DISPROPORTIONATELY TARGETED BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGOANS WHO MADE UP THE CHICAGOANS LISTED IN THE DATABASE.

HE RECOMMENDED IT BE SCRAPPED AND ON THE DAY THIS AUDIT WAS RELEASED IN APRIL 2019, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AGREED TO DO EXACTLY THAT.

BUT THE NEW SYSTEM HAS YET TO LAUNCH THREE YEARS LATER.

>> I REMEMBER DOING STORIES PEOPLE FINDING THEMSELVES ON THE LIST FOR SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED 30-40 YEARS AGO AND THEY HAD NO AGO.

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE CALLED THE CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE INFORMATION SYSTEM.

>> WE DON'T KNOW MUCH.

AS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT LEADERS HAVE PROMISED MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE SYSTEM WAS ON THE VERGE OF LAUNCHING, THERE IS NO FINAL POLICY THAT WILL GOVERN HOW PEOPLE ARE ADDED TO THE DATABASE AND HOW THEY CAN ASK TO BE REMOVED FROM IT.

UNTIL THAT IS CLEAR, IT'S NOT CLEAR WHEN THIS DATABASE WOULD LAUNCH AND THAT LEAVES THE POLICE DEPARTMENT USING THESE FLAWED DATA BASES TO TRACK GANG MEMBERS IN THE MIDDLE OF A SIGNIFICANT SURGE IN CRIME.

>> AND POLICE OFFICIALS KEEP TELLING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE SYSTEM IS GOING BACK YEARS, REMEMBER THEM GOING TO CITY COUNCIL AND SAYING THIS.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT A TIME-FRAME?

>> I ASKED MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S EXACTLY THAT QUESTION AND SHE REFERRED QUESTIONS TO THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO SAID THEY WERE WORKING TO VET DATA THAT WILL BE MOVED FROM THE OLD SYSTEM TO THE NEW SYSTEM AND THAT WAS TAKING LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED.

NOW, THE CITY WAS SUED OVER THIS GANG DATABASE BY PEOPLE THAT SAID THEY SUFFERED HARM FROM THE DATABASE, THE NEW DATABASE WILL BE GOVERNED BY THAT LAWSUIT.

EXACTLY HOW IT WILL WORK IS STILL UP IN THE AIR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND WE'LL SEE YOU LATER IN THE SHOW FOR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> AND BE SURE TO READ HEATHER'S STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> THE FATE OF TWO DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS IS BEING DEBATED BY PRESERVATIONISTS AND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.

THE 1913 CONSUMERS BUILDING ON SOUTH STATE STREET AND NEIGHBOR THE 1915 CENTURY BUILDING WERE DESIGNED BY TWO CHICAGO FIRMS BUT MULTIPLE FEDERAL AGENCIES SAYS THE TOWERS EAST RENNER THE COUNTRY'S THE COURTHOUSE VULNERABLE TO ATTACK AND POSE TOO MUCH OF A SECURITY RISK TO KEEP.

PRESERVATIONISTS SAY THE BUILDINGS CAN BE PURPOSED THAT PROVIDES SAFETY FOR THE DIRKSEN AND EMPLOYEES.

FORMER ARE FORMER U.S.

MARSHAL, JASON WOJDYLO AND LEE BEY MEMBER OF THE MEMBER OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD AT "CHICAGO SUN-TIMES".

JASON WOJDYLO YOU WERE A U.S.

MARSHAL WHEN THE DECISIONS ABOUT THIS BUILDING WERE MADE.

WHAT CONCERNED YOU SO MUCH ABOUT LETTING THESE BUILDINGS STAND?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I WAS AT THE TOP OF THE U.S.

MARSHAL'S SERVICE FROM 2018-2020 WHEN WE MADE DECISIONS TO RECOMMENDATIONS, RATHER THAT THESE BUILDINGS SHOULD COME DOWN RATHER THAN BE REDEVELOPED.

THE FACT IS THAT THERE ARE A VARIETY OF FACTORS THAT WE LOOK AT WHEN WE EVALUATE SECURITY RISKS TO U.S. COURTHOUSES.

I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO THE SPECIFICS WHAT THOSE AREA BUT SPECIFIC TO THESE TWO BUILDINGS WE LOOKED AT THEIR CONDITIONS.

THE BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN VACANT FOR 2005, THE BETTER PART NOW OF 17 YEARS.

THEY HAVE NOT BEEN MAINTAINED.

THEY ARE IN DISREPAIR.

THE FACADE CONTINUES TO FALL FROM THE BUILDING.

WE LOOK AT WHAT IT MIGHT TAKE TO REHABILITATE BUILDINGS AND COST IS CERTAINLY A CONSIDERATION.

THE ESTIMATES ARE THAT TO REHABILITATE THESE BUILDINGS EVEN IF THE GOVERNMENT'S LANDLORD, THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION WERE TO FILL THEM WITH FEDERAL WORKERS, WE WOULD BE LOOKING INTO THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

IT WOULD REQUIRE A BRICK BY BRICK REPAIR OF THE FACADE AND REQUIRE A GUTTING OF THE INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING.

THAT MONEY IS NOT AVAILABLE.

WE ALSO LOOK AT WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE INTERAGENCY SECURITY COMMITTEE STANDARDS AND POLICIES.

THE COMMITTEE WAS CREATED AFTER THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING PURSUANT TO AN EXECUTIVE ORDER BY THEN PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND IT BRINGS TOGETHER 65 FEDERAL AGENCIES, 21 PRIMARY AGENCIES FOR WHICH THE U.S.

MARSHAL SERVICE SITS ON AND 44 ASSOCIATE AGENCIES AND THESE COMMITTEES EVALUATE SECURITY RISKS AND DEVELOP POLICIES.

WE SET STANDARDS.

AND BASED ON ALL OF THOSE FACTORS THAT THIS COMMITTEE PUTS TOGETHER, YET ANOTHER CHECK IN THE BOX OF NOT ABLE TO REHABILITATE.

>> AND I HAVE TO GET LEE BEY IN HERE.

YOU BELIEVE THE GHTS ARE THE DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF THE PROXIMITY TO THE DIRKSEN FEDERAL BUILDING AN A SNIPER IS UP THEY HAVE DIRECT SHOT.

LEE BEY GIVEN THE CONCERNS WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT THE BUILDINGS SHOULD BE PRESERVED?

>> YOU KNOW THE SECURITY CONCERNS ARE LEGITIMATE AND THE CLIMATE WE LIVE IN IS LEGITIMATE TO HAVE SECURITY CONCERNS.

THE THINGS THAT PUZZLED US IS ONE, THE HEAVY LIFT TO RESTORE THESE BUILDINGS.

THE GS.

A WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO TAKE.

THE GSA WOULD TURN THE BUILDINGS OVER TO THE CITY AND WHO WOULD TURN IT OVER TO THE DEVELOPER.

THEY ANNOUNCED THIS PLAN IN 2017 OR 18 SO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR T. >> GSA IS GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION THE AGENCY THAT OPERATES THE GOVERNMENT OWNED BUILDINGS LIKE THE BUILDINGS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>> AND ACTS AS THE LANDLORD.

THE OTHER THING IS THAT THE FEDERAL PLAZA FEDERAL CENTER WHAT THE ARCHITECTS DESIGNED IT TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF DOWNTOWN.

THE BERGDORF RESTAURANT BUILDING IS ABUTTED ON THE OUTSIDE AND STREETS RUN THROUGH IT.

IT WAS MADE TO BE AND THE PLAZ IS IS OPEN AND FREE.

AFTER 9/11 THEY PUT BOLL LOCKS AROUND IT.

BUT BY AND LARGE THEY PUSHED FOR OPENNESS.

IT WAS A MYSTERY AS ARCHITECT TISH CRITIC WHY THEY WOULD TAKE THIS ROUTE INSTEAD.

WITH THE CITY'S HELP THE CITY WITHDREW ITS DEAL AFTER THE SECURITY STUDY WAS COMPLETED.

>> SO JASON WOJDYLO, A FEW YEARS AGO AS LEE BEY MENTIONS THE GOVERNMENT DID STRIKE A DEAL WITH A PRIVATE DEVELOPER THAT WAS GOING TO FOOT THE BILL.

AND THE POINT LEE BRINGS UP THERE ARE BUILDINGS CLOSER TO THE DIRKSEN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT DEEMED THOSE A THREAT.

>> OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO MITIGATE THREATS N2005, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PURCHASED THAT ENTIRE CITY BLOCK.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OWNS THESE BUILDINGS.

WE WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE BASED ON THE CONGRESSIONAL INTENT TO CREATE THAT SECURITY BUFFER THAT WOULD NOT HAVE EXISTED HAD WE TURNED THE BUILDINGS OVER TO A PRIVATE DEVELOPER.

THE DECISIONS WERE NOT MADE IN A VACUUM.

WE BELIEVE EVEN WITH THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT WHERE THESE BUILDINGS COME DOWN, IT WOULD PROMOTE THE OPENNESS THAT THE ARCHITECTS OF THE DIRKSEN BUILDING SOUGHT AND THAT IS THE OPENNESS.

THE FACT IS THE TRUE FRONT OF THE DIRKSEN COURTHOUSE FACES STATE STREET.

IT REENGINEERED SO PEOPLE ENDERRED ON THE DEARBORN SIDE BUT THE TRUE FRONT IS STATE STREET.

WHEN WE ELIMINATE THE BUILDINGS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COULD CREATE AN OPENNESS THAT WAS PART OF THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN IN DEVELOPING THE ENTIRE FEDERAL PLAZA.

WE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A PATH FORWARD.

YOU KNOW, THE COST THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO REHABILITATE THE BUILDINGS IS NOT MONEY THAT IS AVAILABLE.

I'VE HEARD FROM THE PRESERVATIONISTS AND READ WHAT THEIR IDEAS ARE.

UNFORTUNATELY, I STAND BY THE DECISIONS THAT WERE MADE IN THE 2019 TIME PERIOD.

>> AND AS I UNDERSTAND TIMELINE IS THERE ARE GOING TO BE HEARINGS BUT DEMOLITION IS SLATED FOR 2024.

>> LEE BEY, WHAT IS THE LOSS TO THE CITY FROM LOSING THESE BUILDINGS IF YOU ARE A LOVER OF ARCHITECTURE?

>> THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO LOOK AT.

THE HEALTH OF STATE STREET AND ARCHITECTURALLY LOSING THE SKYSCRAPERS DESIGNED BY THE FOUNDING FATHERS IS ALWAYS A LOSS.

TO HAVE IT REPLACED WITH WHAT WAS DESCRIBED TO ME BY THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION AS A PLAZA SECURITY BUFFER TAKES AWAY SOME OF THE VITALITY OF STATE STREET.

WE KNOW FROM BLOCK 37 WHICH STAYED EMPTY FOR I DON'T KNOW 15-20 YEARS THAT WHAT THAT DOES TO A STREET THAT WAS DESIGNED AND MADE TO HAVE COMMERCE AND PEOPLE AND ACTION.

AND WHEN YOU PUT THESE MISSING TEETH IN HERE AND THERE, IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

WALKING BY THERE AT NIGHT.

BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT AND CHALLENGING.

BECAUSE NOT FOR ANY OTHER REASON NECESSARILY BUT THAT THERE IS JUST EMPTY SPACE.

AND SOMETHING THAT I THINK THAT STATE STREET.

WE TALKED EARLIER ABOUT PEOPLE COMING BACK TO WORK AND THE EFFICACY AND NEED FOR OFFICE BUILDINGS AND SPACE POST COVID STATE STREET IS STRUGGLING WITH THIS WILL STRUGGLE HARDER IF THERE IS A VACANT SPOT AND THERE'S FOUR BUILDINGS.

TWO BUILDINGS AND TWO SMALL BUILDINGS IN THE MIDDLE.

A CHUNK OF THAT STREET ON THE WEST SITED THAT WOULD BE GONE.

>> THIS IS A DEBATE THAT WILL GO ON AND WE WILL TIP TO FOLLOW THIS.

OUR THANKS TO JASON WOJDYLO AND LEE BEY THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

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

ILLINOIS IS RAMPING UP EFFORTS TO DIVERSIFY THE LABOR MOVEMENT.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AWARDED $10 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR PREAPPRENTICESHIPS FOR PROGRAMS FOR LONG CAREERS IN THE TRADES.

ONE RECIPIENT WAS CHICAGO WOMEN IN TRADES A GROUP THAT WORKED WITH THE CARPENTERS UNION TO ORGANIZE A TRAINING PROGRAM THAT IS UNIQUE.

IT'S FOR WOMEN ONLY.

AMANDA VINICKY VISITED AND HAS THIS REPORT.

>> IT WASN'T ALL THAT LONG AGO THAT THE BIGGEST CONSTRUCTION PROJECT SHEILA JONES HAD TAKEN ON WAS PUTTING TOGETHER AN IKEA CLOSET FOR HER DAUGHTER.

>> THAT TOOK A LONG, LONG TIME.

AND LOOKING BACK THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS I DID WRONG WHICH I WILL GO BACK AND FIX.

>> JONES IS PART OF WHAT THE CHICAGO WOMEN IN TRADES SAYS IS THE REGIONAL UNION'S FIRST ALL WOMEN TRAINING CLASS IN 140 YEARS.

EIGHT WEEKS INTO THE NINE-WEEK CLASS THEY HAVE LEARNED TO ERECT STAFF FOLDS.

WOOD FRAMING LIKE THIS BUILDING, BUILDING UP HOUSES AND WALLS.

WE'VE DONE COULD BE CRETE FORM BUILDING, BUILDING FOUNDATIONS.

IT'S PART OF A PREAPPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM THAT WILL PUT JONES ON THE PATH TO BECOMING A UNION CARD HOLDING CARPENTER.

AT AT 36 IT IS A HUGE SWITCH.

>> I WAS WORKING IN A NURSING HOME AND IT BECAME I HAVE TWO KIDS AT HOME WHEN THEIR SCHOOL IS CLOSED I COULD NOT DO ANYMORE.

IT BECAME WAY TOO MUCH.

>> SHE HAD BEEN MAKING BETWEEN 40-45,000 A YEAR AS A JOURNEYMAN MAKE THAT JOURNEY WOMAN SHE STANDS TO MAKE MORE AND A PENSION AND HEALTHCARE.

CLASSMATE CAITI MALONEY SAYS SHE TOO CIRCUMSTANCE A ROUTE TO GET HERE WORKING AS A CAMERA OPERATOR AND REALTOR.

I HAVE HAD A TON OF JONES, I WORKED IN A RESTAURANT, TOYS-R-US.

AND I'VE ENJOYED BEING HANDS ON, AND GETTING A CHANCE TO PUTTING THINGS TOGETHER AND THE RESULT FROM WHAT I WAS DOING.

>> SHE WANTS TO BE A CARPENTER.

CAITI MALONEY HAS A KID SHE WOULD BUILD THINGS WITH HER GRANDFATHER AND DAD.

>> MY MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY EVEN IF THEY WERE INTERESTED AND MY MOM SAID WHEN SHE WAS IN SCHOOL HER CHOICES WOULD BE WR TO BE A SECRETARY OR A NURSE.

SO SHE BECAME A NURSE.

>> ACCORDING TO A REPORT THERE ARE STILL NOT A LOT OF WOMEN IN THE TRADES.

PROGRAMS LIKE THIS COULD CHANGE THAT.

UNIONS ARE UNDER PRESSURE TO DO SO FROM GOVERNMENTS WITH MINORITY CONTRACTING RULES.

THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER PROMISES 50% OF ITS WORK WILL BE DONE WITH MINORITY, WOMEN OR VETERAN OWNED BUSINESSES AND 50% OF ON-SITE CONSTRUCTION WILL BE PERFORMED BY CHICAGO RESIDENTS.

THE TRAINING PROGRAM'S DIRECTOR SAYS WOMEN HAVE BEEN CARPENTERS FOR A LONGTIME.

HE TRAPEED WITH A WOMAN IN HIS CLASS IN 1974.

THERE ARE WOMEN FOREMAN AND SUPERVISORS.

>> WOMEN WERE ACCEPTED.

YOU ALWAYS HAVE SOMEBODY THAT HAS TO MAKE A COMMENT BUT MOSTLY, EVERYBODY HAS WORKED WITH EVERYBODY.

YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH EVERYBODY.

THE WAY YOU BUILD A BATTLE IS WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE.

>> TO GET INTO THE WOULD BE THEY HAVE TO PASS A MATH AND APTITUDE TEST.

NO EXPERIENCE WITH A HAMMER OR A SAW NECESSARY.

>> WE MISSED THIS MORNING'S WORKOUT AND THAT IS ANOTHER ELEMENT OF TRAINING.

WOMEN HAVE TO CARRY PLANKS AND SCAFFOLDING AND DO PUSH-UPS EVERYDAY BECAUSE THIS IS A PHYSICALLY DEMANDING JOB.

THE INSTRUCTOR, A WOMAN BY THE WAY, SAYS THE CLASS DISCUSSED ONE DOWNSIDE: THEIR TRAINING DOES NOT MIRROR REALITY.

ONCE THEY ARE CARPENTERS THE TRAINEES WILL WORK ON CREWS MADE OF MOSTLY MEN LIKE CHRISTY FELL IS DOING NEXT DOOR WHERE SHE IS THE ONLY WOMAN.

>> THERE ARE STEREOTYPES WITH WOMEN BEING WEAKER OR EMOTIONAL OR GENERAL BUT WHEN YOU BREAK IT DOWN EVERYBODY HAS A BAD DAY.

EVERYBODY HAS THEIR FLAWS AND WEAKNESSES AND THAT IS THE POINT OF ME BEING IN THE GUY'S CLASS IS KIND OF TO POINT OUT THAT WE CAN CARRY EACH OTHER.

>> FELON JOYED THE SISTERHOOD OF TRAVELING PANTS ATMOSPHERE OF THE ALL WOMAN'S CLASS BUT SHE IS USING HER TRAINING AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH AND TO ENCOURAGE THE MOSTLY YOUNGER MEN SHE IS LEARNING ALONGSIDE.

>> TO HAVE AN IMPRESSION ON THEM WHAT IT COULD BE LIKE WORKING WITH A WOMAN IN THE FORCE GETTING THEM COMFORTABLE IT AND READY FOR IT SO IT'S MORE ACCEPTING THEY ARE IN WITH SOMEBODY DIFFERENT THAN THEM.

THE MINORITY ACCEPTANCE FROM THE GET G. >> A CONCRETE UNION CERTIFIED FOUNDATION OF ACCEPTANCE.

FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M AMANDA VINICKY.

>> IT TAKES FOUR YEARS TO BECOME A JOURNEYMAN AND WOMAN.

CHICAGO WOMEN IN TRADES OFFERS OTHER PROGRAMMING AS WELL.

THE CLASS OF ALL WOMEN WILL GRADUATE FROM THE PREAPPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM AT A SPECIAL CEREMONY NEXT FRIDAY.

AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", WHY ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES ARE PUSHING THE POSTAL SERVICE TO MAKE THE FLEET ELECTRIC AND THE OBSTACLES THAT STAND IN THE WAY.

>> TOO MANY THINGS IN OUR COUNTRY HAVE BECOME HIGHLY POLITICIZED.

>> AN UNPRECEDENTED LEAK SHOWS THE SUPREME COURT MAYBE ON THE BRINK OF OVERTURNING ROE VS. WADE WE DISCUSS THE IMPLICATIONS IN ILLINOIS ON SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> AND RENOVATING A THEATRE INSIDE THE FINE ARTS BUILDING.

A HOME FOR ARTISTS FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY SAYS IT'S BEEN TEMPORARILY BARRED FROM RELEASING BODY-CAMERA VIDEOS AND MATERIALS RELATING TO A MARCH INCIDENT THAT LEFT TWO OFFICERS AND ANOTHER MAN INJURED.

THESE ARE MATERIALS STEMMING FROM THE NONFATAL SHOOTING OF 28ORITY JAMES CALLION HE IS CHARGED WITH FELONIES INCLUDING THREE COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE MURDER.

C.O.P.A.

PUBLISHES MATERIALS AROUND INDIVIDUAL INCIDENTS.

BUT IN AN ORDER A JUDGE ORDERED THE OFFICE NOT TO RELEASE THOSE MATERIALS QUOTE DURING THE PENDENCY OF CRIMINAL MATTER.

>> THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS THEY COLLECTED MORE THAN 1400 POUNDS OF PILLS FOR NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY.

THEY ALLOWED RESIDENTS TO DISPOSE OF THE MEDICATIONS.

IN ADDITION, THERE ARE 80 PERMANENT COLLECTION SITES AS WELL AS A MAIL BACK SERVICE.

>> THE OLD POST OFFICE IS GETTING A NEW FOOD HALL.

THE TRIBUNE REPORTS THE FOOD HALL WILL HOPE IN THE SOUTH LOOP THIS JUNE.

HOSPITALITY GROUP 16 INCHES ON CENTER IS WORKING ON THE NEW EATERY.

THE GROUP IS BEHIND VENUES LIKE THE EMPTY BOTTLE AND THE REVIVAL FOOD HALL.

ROUGHLY A DOZEN CHICAGO BASED VENDORS WILL SETUP SHOP IN THIS NEW SPACE.

>> ILLINOIS 15 OTHER STATES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES ARE SUING THE U.S.

POSTAL OVER ITS PLAN TO BUY GASOLINE POWERED TRUCKS FOR THE FLEET.

THE LAWSUITS CLAIM THE POSTAL SERVICE'S ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW HAD FLAWS AND ARE PUSHING THE AGENCY TOWARD ELECTRIC TRUCKS.

NICK BLUMBERG IS HERE WITH MORE ON THE EFFORT.

WHY ELECTRIFYING THE COMPLETE MAY NOT BE EASY, WHY NOT?

>> PARIS THAT FEDERAL LAWSUIT THAT ILLINOIS JOINED LAST WEEK, AND IT CHARGES THE POSTAL SERVICE WITH BOTCHING ITS REVIEW OF THE PLAN TO BUY 165,000 TRUCKS TO MODERNIZE.

THE CONTRACT FOR 10% OF THE TRUCKING TO BE ELECTRIC BUT IT COULD BUY MORE DEPENDING WEATHER IT MAKES FISCAL AND STRATEGIC SENSE.

BUT KWAME RAOUL SAYS IT APPEARS THE AGENCY DID NOT FOLLOW THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT FOR AWARDING A CONTRACT WITT CONDUCTING A REVIEW.

>> THE RULES ARE NOT SO YOU CAN CHECK THE BOX.

THE POSTAL SERVICE HAS A FLEET OF OVER 212,000 VEHICLES.

AND SO IF WE CAN EFFECT CHANGE WITH THE POSTAL SERVICE, IT COULD HAVE DRAMATIC EFFECTS ON OUR ENVIRONMENT ON PRESERVING OUR ENVIRONMENT.

>> AND NICK, WHAT HAS THE RESPONSE BEEN LIKE?

>> THE AGENCY'S BEEN DEFENDING THE DEAL.

A SPOKESPERSON SAYS IT PLACED AN INITIAL ORDER FOR 50,000 TRUCKS IN MARCH AND A MINIMUM OF 10,000 WILL BE ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

QUOTE... NOW, IN ADDITION TO THE 16 STATES SUING THE POSTAL SERVICE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS ARE TAKING THE AGENCY TO COURT.

THE DEFENSE COUNCIL SAYS MANY OF THE TRUCKS HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR DECADES MEANING THE NEW ONES ARE LIKELY TO HAVE A LONG LIFE, TOO.

AND NOTES THEY SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THE ROAD.

>> THESE VEHICLES EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK, PRETTY MUCH THEY ARE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, IDLING DRIVING SLOW, DOING THE HARD WORK OF DELIVERING OUR MAIL, BUT THEY ARE ALSO PUTTING OUT PARTICULATE MATTER INTO OUR AIR AND THIS IS A BIG ISSUE PARTICULARLY FOR COMMUNITIES SUFFERING FROM POOR AIR QUALITY.

>> WE KNOW A LOT OF COMMUNITIES IN CHICAGO HAVE POOR AIR QUALITY.

WHAT IS THE REACTION FROM SOME OF THE COMMUNITIES?

>> LOCAL ENVIRONMENTALS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THIS PLAN ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS THAT JUST THE POSTAL SERVICE ON THE ROAD.

THE INCREASING IN E-COMMERCE DURING THE PANDEMIC MEANS FOR DELIVERY VEHICLES THAN EVER.

ADVOCATES SAY ELECTRIC VEHICLES CAN IMPROVE AIR QUALITY BUT THEY CAUTION IT'S IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE DISTRIBUTION CENTERS GO AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT JUST IN CHICAGO'S LOWER INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>> WE YOU HAD THE CITY AND STATE WANT TO GROW WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSPORTATION LOGISTICS AND DISTRIBUTION HOWEVER THEY ARE NOT CONSIDERING THE IMPACTS BOTH ON AIR QUALITY AND MEDICAL AND HEALTH TO OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT AS PART OF THAT EQUATION.

THE DOLLARS SIGNS OF THAT INDUSTRY ARE TOO ATTRACTIVE TO LOOK AT THE REALITIES OF WHAT COMES WITH THAT IN COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS AND ACROSS ILLINOIS ARE FACING THE DETRIMENT OF UNCONTROLLED GROWTH IN THIS AREA.

ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> COMPANIES WITH BIG DELIVERY FOOTPRINTS INCLUDING AMAZON WANT TO HAVE ELECTRIC VEHICLES MAKEUP A MAJOR PORTION OF THEIR FLEETS BUT IT IS NOT SIMPLE.

THERE'S PRODUCTION CAPACITY AND SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES.

CASPAR IS CHIEF DATA OFFICER, A MARKET ANALYSIS FIRM FOR THE COMPONENTS THAT GO INTO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

>> HOUSE PANDEMIC WE SAW GLOBAL GOVERNMENTS KIND OF LOOKING TO PROMOTE THE GREEN RECOVERY WHICH IS LARGE PART THE ENERGY TRANSITION THE MOVE FROM FOSSIL FUELS TO RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE A KEY COMPONENT OF THAT.

MANAGING THOSE COSTS IS HARD.

THERE IS NO HEDGING TOOL TO MANAGE YOUR COST EXPOSURE.

THEN IN THE MEDIUM TERM LOOKING AT A PROBLEM AROUND SOURCING ACTUALLY BEING ABLE TO ACCESS THE MATERIALS YOU NEED AT THE TIME YOU NEED.

>> BUT COMMITMENTS FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO IMPROVE THE SUPPLY CHAIN ARE POSITIVE SIGNS FOR THE EV MARKET AND THE NRDC TOLD ME SINCE THE NEW USPS VEHICLE WILL BE BUILT BY A SINGLE CONTRACTOR THAT CAN HELP, TOO.

AND MAKE A FLEET OF ELECTRIC POSTAL TRUCKS A REALITY.

>> WE'LL SEE WHERE THE LAWSUITS GO.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AN UNPRETION DENTED LEAK FROM THE U.S. SUPREME COURT CREATES A POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE.

CONFUSION OVER CHICAGO'S CASINO PLAN AND MAYOR LIGHTFOOT TELLS CHALLENGERS TO BRING IT ON SAYING QUOTE I FEAR NO ONE.

HERE IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS POLITICS ARE AMANDA VINICKY AND HEATHER CHERONE.

LET'S HEAR THE POLITICAL REACTION IN ILLINOIS FROM THAT LANDMARK REPORT LAST NIGHT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> WE WILL NEVER WAIVER IN OUR COMMITMENT TO STAND WITH WOMEN.

BUT LISTEN, ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, WE EXPECT TO HEAR FROM EVERY SINGLE CANDIDATE WHERE THEY STAND.

DO THEY STAND WITH WOMEN?

AND OUR RIGHT TO BODILY AUTONOMY OR NOT?

>> THE LEGISLATURE IS SOLIDLY REPUBLICAN AND UNTIL THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS SOLIDLY REPUBLICAN THE PRO-CHOICE MEASURE ALSO STAY IN PLACE AND THROUGH TIME WE WILL BE ABLE TO CHIP AWAY AT THE RADICAL ABORTION LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN PASSED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF ILLINOIS UNDERSTAND AND AGREE WITH THAT.

>> AMANDA VINICKY MIDTERM, A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AWAY?

HOW DOES THIS CHANGE THE POLITICAL DYNAMIC.

>> IT IS GOING TO BE A BIG DEAL IN THE PRIMARY AND TWO SOUNDBYTES ENCAPSULATE THAT.

REPUBLICANS FOR THEM IT IS SORT OF IT DEPENDS WHERE YOU ARE AT.

FOR CONSERVATIVES WHO ARE RUNNING TO THE RIGHT THIS IS AMAZING FOR THEM.

IT IS GOING TO GALVANIZE THAT BASE.

OR FOLKS, YOU LOOK LIKE SOMEBODY SUCH AS RICHARD IRVIN WHO ARE TRYING TO WIN THE PRIMARY BUT SUCCEED IN THE GENERAL YOU HAVE TO BE A MORE MODERATE REPUBLICAN TO DO THAT IN ILLINOIS.

HE IS SWEATING THIS PUTS HIM IN A DIFFICULT POSITION.

DEMOCRATS AS YOU HEARD FROM THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RIGHT THERE ARE GOING TO DO ALL THAT THEY CAN TO EXACERBATE THAT AND GALVANIZE THEIR BASE.

THIS IS LIKE DECISION LIKE AN EARTHQUAKE.

IT HASN'T COME YET BUT WE HAVE THE AFTERSHOCK BEFORE THE QUAKE THIS IS HOW MUCH IT IS SHAKING UP POLITICS GOING INTO THAT JUNE 28TH PRIMARY.

>> HEATHER CHERONE YOU SAW GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER JUMP ON THIS HE WENT ON NATIONAL CABLE NEWS AFTER THE REPORT IN POLITICO CAME OUT.

IT SEEMED THAT DEMOCRATS WERE GOING TO HAVE A TOUGH TIME HERE IN THE MIDTERMS WITH TURNOUT GALVANIZING THEIR BASE.

DOES THIS CHANGE THAT?

>> DEMOCRATS ARE CERTAINLY HOPING THAT IT WILL.

AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF PRITZKER'S TIME IN OFFICE HE VOWED TO MAKE ILLINOIS THE MOST FRIENDLY STATE FOR ABORTION RIGHTS AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH FOR WOMEN.

THIS HAS BEEN A CENTRAL PART OF HIS EFFORTS AS GOVERNOR DATING TO BEFORE THIS ALMOST EARTHQUAKE WE CAN CALL IT TO PICK UP ON AMANDA'S METAPHOR.

HE IS HOPING TO CAPITALIZE ON THIS BUT IT'S ANYBODY'S GUESS AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THIS DOES GET VOTERS TO THE POLLS ON JUNE 28.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT IS A WEIRD TIME FOR A PRIMARY.

AND EVERYBODY WILL BE SCRAMBLING TO GET VOTERS TO THE POLLS.

AND THIS MIGHT PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF INPETTUS TO DO SO FOR DEMOCRATS.

>> HEATHER, I WAS GOING TO SAY IT IS A WEIRD ELECTION TIME, RIGHT?

IT'S IN THE SUMMER.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT.

WE CAN'T MAKE PREDICTIONS.

I DO THINK SOMETHING LIKE THIS, IS GOING -- IS SO MONUMENTAL FOR PEOPLE THAT CARE ABOUT ABORTION AND THAT IS A LOT OF WOMEN AND A LOT OF CRUCIAL VOTES, AND SO IF THIS DOESN'T GALVANIZE IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE WHAT WILL.

YOU THINK OF POLITICS THERE IS A WAR GOING ON, OF COURSE IN UKRAINE.

INFLATION, CRIME, THESE DON'T GO AWAY BUT THIS IS THE THING THAT GETS PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES VERY MOTIVATED.

>> I WILL THROW THIS OUT TO EITHER OF YOU ON THE PUBLIC POLICY FRONT, CONGRESS TALKING ABOUT PASSING A FEDERAL LAW CODIFYING ROE VS. WADE PROTECTIONS.

ILLINOIS HAS LAWS ON THE BOOKS THAT MAINTAIN ABORTION BEING ACCESSIBLE AND LEGAL BUT HEATHER CHERONE WHAT IS THE PROSPECT OF A FEDERAL LAW AND HOW DOES THAT INTERACT WITH STATE LAWS LIKE MISSISSIPPI AND TEXAS THAT WILL OUTLAW ABORTION COMPLETELY?

>> WE HEARD KELLY CADDY SPEAK TO THIS YESTERDAY NOT ONLY ALONGSIDE GOVERNOR PRITZKER BUT LATER AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

AND SHE SAYS THAT IF THE DEMOCRATS LOSE CONTROL OF THE U.S. HOUSE AND THE U.S. SENATE AND THEN A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT IS ELECTED IN 2024, A NATIONAL BAN ON ABORTION IS LIKELY SHE SAID AND AT THAT POINT, ILLINOIS IS NO LONGER AN OASIS FOR WOMEN WHO NEED ABORTION OR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES BECAUSE FEDERAL LAW WOULD TRUMP STATE LAW.

THAT IS WHAT KELLY CASSIDY WANTED TO WARN PEOPLE THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING NOT MUCH IS GOING TO CHANGE IN ILLINOIS IF ROE VS. WADE IS OVERTURNED BECAUSE THERE ARE STATE LAWS THAT WOULD PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

BUT THAT WILL NOT TRUMP FEDERAL LAW AND KELLY CASSIDY WAS CLEAR THAT THAT IS WHAT IS ON TAP PERHAPS AS SOON AS 2024.

>> AND WE CURRENTLY KNOW WHERE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT WOULD STAND IN THAT EVENT AS WELL WITH THIS EXPECTED UP COMING DECISION.

>> AND JUSTICE ALITO SAYS THAT ROE VS. WADE DID NOT TAKE AWAY ALL THE CONTROVERSY OVER THIS ISSUE.

BUT THIS DRAFT OPINION SHOULD IT STAND, CERTAINLY DOESN'T TAKE IT AWAY EITHER.

MAKES IT MUCH MORE CONTROVERSIAL AND MUCH MORE OPEN ENDED.

LET'S MOVE ON TO THE CASINO PROPOSALS.

HEATHER CHERONE THERE'S REPORTS SAYING MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAS HER HORSE HER WINNING HORSE AND THAT IS THE BALLY'S PROPOSAL ON HALSTED IN CHICAGO WHERE THE TRIBUNE PRINTING PLANT IS.

DOES THAT SQUARE WITH WHAT YOU ARE HEARING?

>> IT IS.

I THINK THAT THE DEFINITIVE ANSWER WHICH WE COULD HAVE AS SOON AS TOMORROW MORNING COMES DOWN TO TWO THINGS: ONE, THE BALLY'S PROPOSAL WOULD CREATE THE MOST MONEY FOR THE CITY AND STATE.

SO THAT HAS BEEN MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S NUMBER ONE GOAL SINCE THIS STARTED BECAUSE THE MONEY WILL HELP THE CITY PAY DOWN THE MASSIVE PENSION DEBT FOR POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS.

AND THE BALLY'S PROPOSAL IS THE ONLY ONE THAT THE LOCAL ALDERPERSON HAS NOT COME OUT IN VEHEMENT OPPOSITION OF.

THIS WOULD GO INTO BURNETT'S 27TH WARD.

HE IS NOT THRILLED OF A CASINO.

HE IS NOT AGAINST IT.

AND WALTER BURNETT WHO HAS BEEN IN THE CITY COUNCIL FOR A LONGTIME YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO HE IS THE KOS MATT DEAL MAKER AND CONNECTOR.

IF THIS CASINO DOES GO IN HIS WARD HE IS GOING TO TRY TO GET EVERYTHING HE CAN FOR HIS CONSTITUENTS.

IT IS GOING TO PUT HIM AT ODDS WITH BRENDAN REILLY AND HOPKINS WHO WHO ARE AGAINST THE PROPOSAL.

WE HAVE A LOT OF HANDS OF CARDS TO PLAY IN THIS GAME TO MAKE IT TO THE END.

>> COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE BEEN IN THORNS OF THE SIDES OF MAYORS.

WE'LL SEE WHERE HE GOES.

AMANDA VINICKY, THE OTHER ALDERPEOPLE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY THEY ARE SAYING HECK NO.

HOW IS THIS PROPOSAL IF THIS IS INDEED THE WINNER GOING TO GET A MAJORITY SUPPORT ON CITY COUNCIL WHEN RESIDENTS HAVE SAID WE'RE NOT COOL WITH THIS EN MASS THEY HAVE SAID THAT AND ALDERMANIC PREROGATIVE HAS BEEN RESPECTED BY COLLEAGUES FOR A LONGTIME.

>> RIGHT.

BUT ALDERMANIC PREROGATIVE YOU HAVE BURNETT.

WHAT YOU ARE HEARING FROM REILLY AND HOPKINS THEY ARE GOING TO DO ALL THEY CAN TO TWIST THE ARMS OF THE REST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLAY THEIR CARDS.

AND PERHAPS THE LOCAL CONSTITUENTS WILL BE THE ONES WHO WILL BE HELP THEM ALONG THOSE LINES.

AS YOU NOTED THE ASSOCIATION THOSE WHO LIVE NEARBY ARE SAYING WE DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THE DISRUPTION, WITH THE TRAFFIC, ALL OF THE TROUBLES THAT A CASINO COULD BRING.

BUT THIS IS GOING TO GO SOMEWHERE.

IT REALLY IS IRONIC.

THINK HOW BAD CHICAGO WANTED A CASINO AND HOW MUCH THE CITY HAD BEEN FIGHTING FOR THIS AND NOW IT'S BEEN GIVEN THE OPTION, NOBODY WANTS IT.

ANY ALDERPEOPLE OTHER THAN BURNETT WHO IS NOT JUMPING UP AND DOWN ABOUT THE PROSPECT WHO WANT TO BRING IT TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> HEATHER CHERONE QUICKLY, IS IT OVER FOR THE OTHER PROPOSALS HERE?

RUSH STREET GAMING, NEIL BLUME AND THE HARD ROCK PROPOSAL?

>> I'M SURE THEY ARE SCRAMBLING TRYING TO KEEP THEIR BIDS ALIVE.

THERE'S SO MUCH MONEY AT STAKE THAT I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS GOING TO GO GUYETLY.

-- QUIETLY.

ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PROSPECTS FOR ANY CASINO IS SO UNCERTAIN IN THE CITY COUNCIL.

>> AND IT STILL NEEDS STATE GAMING BOARD APPROVAL.

IF IT GETS BY THE CITY COUNCIL THERE IS ANOTHER LAYER LEFT AND THE GAMING BOARD TAKE A CLOSE LOOK.

>> A LOT OF HURDLES IF THE CITY WANTS TO HOST THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION LIKE IT DID IN 1996 AND 68.

AND BACK BEFORE THAT.

SOMETIME IN THE FDR ADMINISTRATION, THE TRUMAN ADMINISTRATION.

HEATHER CHERONE TYPICALLY, BOTH RNC, DNC CHOOSE SWING STATES.

HOW SERIOUS A PROPOSAL IS THIS?

>> IT IS A VERY SERIOUS PROPOSAL AND CHICAGO IS MAKING THE ARGUMENT THAT CHICAGO ITSELF IS AN ARGUMENT FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BECAUSE IT FULLY EMBRACED JOE BIDEN'S PLATFORM A RAISE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE, EXPANDED RIGHTS FOR BLACK AND LATINO RESIDENTS, A COMMITMENT TO FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUPPORT FOR GAY RIGHTS.

THAT IS A DIFFERENT ARGUMENT THAN WE HAVE SEEN CONVENTIONS MAKE IN THE PAST PUTTING THE CONVENTION SOMEWHERE TO SHOWCASE AND SPREAD THE MONEY AROUND TO VOTERS WHO WOULD CAST THEIR DECIDING BALLOTS IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF IT'S SUCCESSFUL.

BUT I THINK THEY'VE PROBABLY GOT THE JOURNALISTS' VOTE BECAUSE COVERING A CONVENTION IN CHICAGO IN THE SUMMER WOULD BE A LOT OF FUN FOR EVERYBODY.

>> AND HAVING COVERED MULTIPLE CONVENTIONS IT'S TOUGH TO TRAVEL TO THOSE PLACES AND DEAL WITH ALL THAT WHEN YOU CAN SLEEP IN YOUR OWN BED AND COVER THE CONVENTION ALL DAY.

AMANDA VINICKY DO WE KNOW WHEN DEMOCRATS WILL MAKE A DECISION ON THIS?

>> NOT MUCH SLEEPING HAVING COVERED THOSE CONVENTIONS.

>> NO SLEEPING AT ALL.

>> BUT, YOU KNOW, I ACTUALLY AM NOT SURE WHEN A DECISION CAN COME.

THE FINAL BIDS HAVE TO BE IN PIE THE END OF THE MONTH.

IT IS A LAUNCH WE'VE SEEN THE VIDEO.

THE REST OF THE DETAILS OF THE BID FROM CHICAGO AND COMMUNITIES HAVE TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE 27TH.

AND CHICAGO IS UP AGAINST BIG CITIES.

THE ONES I'VE SEEN CITED MOST OFTEN IN NATIONAL PUBLICATIONS NOT THIS GIVES THEM A LEG UP, ATLANTA AND HOUSTON, BY THE WAY, SWING STATE CHICAGO, OF COURSE, CERTAINLY NOT IN ONE IN CHICAGO ITSELF VERY, VERY BLUE.

BUT NEARBY, A LOT OF SWING STATES SO THAT MIGHT BE IS IN FACT PART OF THE ARGUMENT FOR BRINGING A CONVENTION HERE.

>> THE HARDEST PART OF THE CONVENTIONS IS THE HOTEL ROOMS SELLOUT.

I REMEMBER IN TAMPA, AND ST. PETE WE WERE STAYING AN HOUR AWAY.

AND YOU ARE DONE WORKING AT 2:00 A.M. AND UP AGAIN AT 6:00 A.M. THAT WOULD NOT BE THE CASE IF IT HAPPENED HERE.

HEATHER CHERONE, QUICKLY, POLITICAL CONSULTANT SAID LAST WEEK THAT THE PERSON THAT WILL REALLY GIVE MAYOR LIGHTFOOT A CHALLENGE HAS NOT YET ENTERED THE RACE.

WHO COULD THAT BE?

>> THAT IS LITERALLY THE $64,000 QUESTION.

WE HEARD FROM ALDERMAN RODERICK SAWYER LAST NIGHT AT AN EVENT SAYING HE WAS STILL CONSIDERING A RUN FOR MAYOR.

AND I THINK THAT THE FIELD IS WIDE OPEN AND THANKS TO THAT POLL CONDUCTED BY REP QUIGLEY WHO DECIDE NOT TO RUN EVERYONE SEEMS TO THINK THAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT IS VULNERABLE PERHAPS THAT WILL ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE RACE AND PERHAPS TOSS HER HATS IN.

>> BILL CONWAY HAS TRYING TO MAKE A PLAY.

THE COUPLE PEOPLE WOULD BE GIVING UP HER SEATS.

HE RAN FOR STATE'S ATTORNEY AGAINST KIM FOXX.

THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

THANK YOU AMANDA AND HEATHER.

>> AND UP NEXT, RENOVATION FOR A BUILDING THAT HAS BEEN A LONGTIME HAVEN FOR ARTISTS.

FIRST, WE LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> A LANDMARK BUILDING IN CHICAGO HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN A HOME TO THE ARTS THE FINE ARTS BUILDING ON SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE AND A THEATRE INSIDE THE BUILDING IS BEING RENOVATED TO THE FORMER GLORY.

MARC VITALI HAS ANOTHER LOOK AT FINER POINTS OF THE FINE ARTS BUILDING.

>> IT OPENED IN 1885 AS A STUDEBAKER BUILDING A PLANT FOR CARRIAGES.

13 YEARS LATER IT WAS REMODELED AND REPURPOSED AS THE FINE ARTS BUILDING.

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT HAD AN OFFICE, POETRY MAGAZINE WAS PUBLISHED AND EARLY WOMEN'S RIGHTS GROUPS WERE WELCOME IN THE SPACE.

THROUGH MANY CHANGES IN THE LAST 125 YEARS, THE BUILDING REMAINS DEDICATED TO ARTISTS AND FREE THINKERS.

THESE DAYS IT'S HOME TO THE CHICAGO PUPPET STUDIO, A GALLERY OF ART GLASS, A BOOKSTORE, AND BOTH MUSIC TEACHERS AND MAKERS OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

IT IS ALSO THE LAST PLACE IN CHICAGO THAT STILL EMPLOYS ELEVATOR OPERATORS.

>> I THINK THE LAST FOUR ARE RIGHT HERE IN THIS BUILDING.

TWO DURING THE DAY AND TWO AT NIGHT.

IT HAS A LOT OF UPS AND DOWNS.

>> TWO THEATERS ARE BEING RENOVATED.

>> WE ARE IN THE STUDEBAKER THEATRE, THE HISTORIC VENUE FOR OVER 125 YEARS.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REMODELING IT AND REVITALIZE TO GO TO REOPEN THIS SPRING AND WE ARE UPDATING ALL OF THE AUDIO VIDEO INFRASTRUCTURE.

MAKING IT A MORE PRODUCTION FRIENDLY AND MORE AUDIENCE FRIENDLY VENUE.

>> OVER THE YEARS THE THEATRE PRESENTED HENRY FONDA, HELEN HAYES, EARTH THAT KITT AND OTHERS.

MURALS INCLUDE TRIBUTES TO THEATRE AND OTHER PASSIONS PURSUED IN THIS BUILDING.

>> IT IS THE HOME OF ONE OF CHICAGO'S ORIGINAL ARTIST COLONIES.

IT IS A 10 STOREY BUILDING FULL OF WORKSHOP SPACE, OFFICES, AND STEWED QUOS OF LOCAL ARTISANS.

WE HAVE EVERYTHING FROM DANCE COMPANIES, ORCHESTRA COMPANIES, ARCHITECTS, MUSIC INSTRUMENT MAKERS, WHAT IS SO COOL AND SPECIAL ABOUT THIS MOMENT WITH THE STUDEBAKER IS CREATING A SPACE FOR THE LIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS TO REEXIST IN THE BUILDING THE SAME WAY THE FINE ARTS EXIST IN THE BUILDING RIGHT NOW.

>> IT IS A COOL BUILDING TO WORK IN.

WE'LL WALK GO TO THE 9TH FLOOR AND WE WILL HEAR SOMEBODY PLAYING MUSIC AND IT HAS A CALMING EFFECT THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE DAY.

EVERYBODY FEELS LIKE THAT.

>> WE HAVE A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY OF TENANTS.

THERE ARE SO MANY ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE OVER THE COURSE OF MY LIFE.

WE HAVE HAD CRAZY AND COOL NEIGHBORS AND LOTS OF EXPERIENCES WITH THE PUBLIC COMING INTO THE BUILDING.

IT HAS A LOT OF PERSONALITY AND A LOT OF PERKS AND A LOT.

>> WHAT IT REALLY TRULY IS ABOUT IS A SHARED COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE CITY AND BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN COMMUNITIES.

THAT IS THE THING THAT THE ARTS DO AND THE LIVE ARTS DO AND THE PERFORMING ARTS AND FINE ARTS IN A WAY THAT NOTHING ELSE REALLY CAN.

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

>> AND THE RENOVATION OF THE STUDEBAKER THEATRE IS NOW COMPLETE.

SATURDAY NIGHT, THE CHICAGO JAZZ ORCHESTRA PERFORMS A TRIBUTE TO FRANK SINATRA.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN AWESOME SHOW.

IT'S LOCATED WITHIN THE FINE ARTS BUILDING AT 410 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE.

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

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

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE ISSUED THE BIGGEST INTEREST RATE HIKE IN MORE THAN 20 YEARS TO TACKLE INFLATION.

AND HOME TO THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM, AND MORE AND WE GO LIVE FROM OLD TOWN ON THE CITY'S NORTH SIDE.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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