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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THE CLOCK IS TICKING FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO REACH A DEAL ON CHICAGO'S WARD MAP.

A LOOK WHERE THE TWO PROPOSALS STAND.

>> THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE WITHDRAWS FROM THE COMMISSION ON PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES.

A LONGTIME MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION'S BOARD WEIGHS IN.

>> 54 TEXTBOOKS ARE BANNED IN FLORIDA IN RECORD-BREAKING CENSORSHIP WHY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAYS THE BOOKS WERE INDOCTRINATING STUDENTS.

>> IT IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM AND IT IS AN ESCALATING PROBLEM.

>> ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE CHICAGO POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN ON GHOST GUNS, CONSENT DECREE DEADLINES AND MORE.

>> WELCOME TO THE MIDDLE OF EVERYTHING.

>> A NEW AD CAMPAIGN HOPES TO BOOST TOURISM ACROSS ILLINOIS THAT AND MORE FROM KRANS.

>> HOW THESE -- CRAIN'S.

>> HOW THESE FOSSILS CAN SHOW THE EARLY TIMELINE ON EARLY THAT AND SCIENCE STORIES MAKING HEADLINESSISM WE ARE COMEDIANS BUT WE HAVE A RESPECT FOR MARIACHI.

>> AND MARIACHI MEETS IMPROV.

>> FIRST SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES NO, NO FEDERAL CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST FORMER CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER JASON VAN DYKE IT WILL NOT PURSUE FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS CHARGES FOR THE KILLING OF LAQUAN McDONALD.

U.S. ATTORNEY JOHN LAUSCH SAYS THE BAR IS HIGH TO PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT VAN DYKE ACTED WITH DELIBERATE INTENT.

HE WAS RELEASED AFTER SERVING THREE YEARS OF A SEVEN-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE.

LAUSCH SAYS THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CONSULTED WITH MCDONALD'S' FAMILY WHO AGREED NOT TO BRING THE ADDITIONAL CHARGES.

>> A FORMER ILLINOIS PUBLIC OFFICIAL IS FEDERALLY CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION.

ANTHONY RAGUCCI, WAS CHARGED WITH WIRE AND TAX FRAUD FOR HIS ROLE IN AN ALLEGED SCHEME INVOLVING RED LIGHT CAMERAS.

HE RECEIVED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN KICKBACKS FROM A RED LIGHT CAMERA FIRM THAT PUT CAMERAS UP IN THE TOWN OF OAKBROOK TERRACE.

HE WAS ELECTED MAYOR IN 2009.

>> GRADUATE STUDENT EMPLOYEES AT UIC ARE ON STRIKE AMID STALLED CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.

THE SIDES ARE STALEMATED ON WAGE INCREASES, HEALTHCARE COSTS AND STUDENT FEES.

UIC ADMINISTRATORS SAY THE WALKOUT WILL NOT AFFECT CLASS SCHEDULES OR FINAL EXAMS.

>> UP NEXT A BIG DEADLINE FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> THE CLOCK IS TICKING FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO STRIKE A DEAL ON A NEW WARD MAP.

ALDERPEOPLE HAVE A MONTH TO REACH A COMPROMISE.

IF NOT, IT GOES TO THE VOTERS VIA A REFERENDUM.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON THE COUNTDOWN AND HEATHER WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN AND BY WHEN IN ORDER TO AVOID THIS REFERENDUM?

>> WELL, STATE LAW SAYS 41 ALDERPEOPLE HAVE TO AGREE ON A MAP SETTING THE BOUNDARIES OF CHICAGO'S 50 WARDS BY MAY 19TH, THAT IS 40 DAYS BEFORE THE JUNE 28TH PRIMARY.

AND THAT WILL AVERT A REFERENDUM.

BUT IT'S BEEN MORE THAN SIX MONTHS.

THERE IS NO AGREEMENT IN SIGHT AND AS YOU SAID THE CLOCK IS TICKING LOUDLY.

>> MORE THAN SIX MONTHS.

WHERE DO THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW?

>> PRETTY MUCH WHERE WE STARTED AT THIS.

THE LATINO CAUCUS IS REFUSING TO SIGN OFF ON A MAP THAT WOULD HAVE FEWER THAN 15 WARDS WITH THE MAJORITY OF LATINO VOTERS.

AND THE BLACK CAUCUS IS REFUSING TO SIGN OFF ON A MAP THAT HAS FEWER THAN 16 WARDS WITH A MAJORITY OF BLACK VOTERS AND ONE WARD WITH A FLUHRALITY OF BLACK VOTERS AND THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE IN CHICAGO'S SOUTH AND WEST SIDES.

LEAVING THE TWO GROUPS AT LAGGER HEADS AND PERHAPS PUNTING THE QUESTION TO VOTERS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1992.

>> WHY, HEATHER, IS THIS YEAR'S REMAPPING EFFORT SO ESPECIALLY TENSE?

>> WELL, CHICAGO'S RACIAL DEMOGRAPHICS AND MAKEUP IS CHANGING SIGNIFICANTLY.

CHICAGO'S BLACK POPULATION DROPPED 10% OVER THE LAST DECADE.

WHILE CHICAGO'S LATINO POPULATION ROSE 5%.

AT THE SAME TIME, CHICAGO'S ASIAN-AMERICAN POPULATION HAS SOARED 31%.

AND THAT MEANS THAT EVERYTHING IS IS IN FLUX AND EVERYBODY IS BATTLING FOR THEIR SHARE OF POWER AT CITY HALL.

>> AND IN THAT BATTLE, HEATHER, ARE EITHER GROUPS MAKING THEIR CASES TO THE VOTERS YET?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO BOTH THE MAPS SUPPORTED BY THE LATINO CAUCUS AND THE BLACK CAUCUS CREATED CAMPAIGN COMMITTEES THAT ALLOWS THEM TO START COLLECTING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

THAT HAS STARTED AND WE COULD SEE THE CAMPAIGNS START IN EARNEST BEFORE THE MAY 19TH DEADLINE BECAUSE THE MAIL COULD START HITTING IN JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS, ASSUMING THAT THERE IS NO AGREEMENT IN SIGHT.

>> OK. THAT MEANS THERE COULD BE ONE MORE DECISION FOR CHICAGO VOTERS TO MAKE.

HEATHER CHERONE THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

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

>> AND NOW TO PARIS FOR A LOOK AT THE FUTURE OF PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES.

PARIS?

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES COULD LOOK LOPSIDED BECAUSE THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO WITHDRAW FROM THE COMMISSION ON PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES.

THE COMMISSION IS A NONPROFIT NONPARTISAN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN SPONSORING AND PRODUCING GENERAL ELECTION DEBATES SINCE 1987.

IN A STATEMENT CHAIRWOMAN RONNA McDANIEL SAYS... >> AND HERE WITH REACTION AND MORE IS NEWTON MINOW HE RETIRED FROM THE BOARD OF THE COMMISSION AFTER 49 DEBATES HE IS AN ATTORNEY FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE F.C.C.

UNDER PRESIDENT KENNEDY, RECIPIENT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL AMERICAN OF FREEDOM.

AND NEWTON MINOW IT IS A PLEASURE TO TALK TO YOU.

FIRST, REMIND US WHAT THE COMMISSION ON PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES DOES AND ITS ROLE IN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES?

>> PARIS, IT IS GOOD TO BE HERE WITH YOU.

THE COMMISSION HAS SPONSORED AND ORGANIZED DEBATES AS YOU POINTED OUT FOR MANY YEARS.

I'VE BEEN INVOLVED FROM THE BEGINNING IN 49 TELEVISED PRESIDENTIAL AND VICE-PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES.

THE COMMISSION CONSISTS MOSTLY OF PEOPLE WHO ARE COME FROM SOME EXPOSURE TO POLITICS.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC SENATORS, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, GOVERNORS, PEOPLE FROM EDUCATION, WE HAVE THE PRESIDENT OF NOTRE DAME AS A MEMBER.

PEOPLE FROM BUSINESS.

AND WE PERFORM AS A NONPARTISAN SPONSOR.

WE WORK WITH UNIVERSITIES WHERE THE DEBATES OCCUR.

AROUND THE COUNTRY.

AND WE HAVE HAD A SUCCESSFUL RECORD OVERALL THESE YEARS.

>> AND YOU MENTIONED THE BIPARTISAN MAKEUP OF THE COMMISSION.

YOUR REACTION TO THE STATEMENT FROM THE RNC BOTH WITHDRAWING AND CALLING THE COMMISSION BIASED.

DID YOU DETECT BIAS THERE?

>> WELL, IT IS SO DISAPPOINTING TO GET THIS WORD FROM THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE BECAUSE OUR OWN CO-CHAIR MAN IS A FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE.

THERE ARE MANY REPUBLICANS PROBABLY MORE REPUBLICANS THAN DEMOCRATS AND INDEPENDENTS ON THE COMMISSION.

AND WE'VE BEEN AT IT FOR DECADES AND DECADES AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME, THE FIRST TIME ANY CANDIDATE OF ANY PARTY OR ANY INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE HAS HAD ANY PROBLEM.

>> AND WE'RE LOOKING AT ONE OF THE MODERATORS FROM 2020 CHRIS WALLACE.

ONE OF THE DEMANDS WAS THEY WANTED TO MAKE THE COMMISSION NEVER CHOSE A MODERATOR THAT WORKED FOR ONE OF THE CANDIDATES IN RESPONSE TO C SPAN'S STEVE SCULLY WHO WORKED FOR BIDEN.

>> HE WORKED FOR HIM AS A STUDENT INTERN FOR SIX WEEKS.

PUT THERE BY HIS OWN UNIVERSITY AND NEVER EVEN MET BIDEN.

>> RIGHT.

SO THAT WAS WHAT THE RNC WAS RESPONDING TO.

IN GENERAL THE NOTION THAT MODERATORS THAT NEVER HAD ANY ASSOCIATION, I GUESS WITH THE CANDIDATES IS THAT SOMETHING THE COMMISSION IS OPEN TO?

IS THAT A FAIR ASK?

>> OF COURSE, THAT'S FAIR.

BUT WHAT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE WANTS IS TO PICK THE MODERATORS.

>> HAVE THEY EXPRESSED THAT OPENLY THAT THEY SENT YOU A LIST OF MODERATORS?

>> NOT OPENLY, BUT THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT THAT IS WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE SOMETHING FAIR TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.

>> CERTAINLY.

WE WOULDN'T WANT CANDIDATES PICKING THE MODERATORS.

>> ONE OTHER THING, PARIS, THE REPUBLICANS DO NOT WANT JOURNALISTS DO NOT WANT JOURNALISTS TO BE MODERATORS.

I THINK SOMEHOW AFRAID OF JOURNALISTS.

>> IS THIS ALL ABOUT THE FORMER PRESIDENT?

IS HE THE ONE DO YOU BELIEVE CALLING THE SHOTS AND ASKING THE PARTY TO ISSUE THIS KIND OF DIRECTIVE?

>> WELL, I CAN ONLY TELL YOU AFTER 49 DEBATES, IT WAS ONLY HIS DISSATISFACTION THAT HAS CAUSED THIS WHOLE THING.

>> DO YOU ANTICIPATE WHOEVER ENDS UP BEING THE NOMINEE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN 2024 MIGHT THEY CHOOSE INDIVIDUALLY TO PARTICIPATE DESPITE WHAT THE PARTY IS SAYING?

>> WELL, THAT GOES RIGHT TO THE HEART OF THE POINT I WANT TO MAKE.

THE COMMISSION ON PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES DOES NOT UNDERLINE NOT, DEAL WITH PARTIES.

THE COMMISSION ON PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES DEALS WITH CANDIDATES.

DIRECTLY WITH CANDIDATES.

AND I DON'T THINK THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE WHOEVER THAT MIGHT BE MAN OR WOMAN IN 2024, IS GOING TO BE WANT TO BE REPRESENTED AT THE DEBATE BY SOME KIND OF AN EMPTY CHAIR.

THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE WILL WANT TO PARTICIPATE.

>> AND IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING DESPITE THE DIRECTIVE, THE COMMISSION IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO STAGE DEBATES, CORRECT, EVEN IF IT IS JUST ONE MAJOR PARTY CANDIDATE THAT TAKES PART?

>> NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

AND THERE COULD BE MORE THAN TWO.

YOU KNOW IN THE PAST WE HAVE HAD TWO CANDIDATES, ROSS PERREAULT AND JOHN ANDERSON WHO WERE THE THIRD PARTICIPANT THIRD CANDIDATE IN THE DEBATE.

AND THAT COULD VERY WELL HAPPEN AGAIN.

TO BE A PARTICIPANT IN THE DEBATE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR POLITICAL PARTY.

IT HAS TO DO WITH YOU HAVE TO BE CONSTITUTIONALLY QUALIFIED WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE TO BE A NATIVE BORN CITIZEN AT LEAST 35 YEARS OLD.

YOU MUST BE ON ENOUGH BALLOTS SO YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN.

AND THIRD, YOU MUST HAVE AT LEAST 15% SUPPORT IN THE LEADING NATIONAL PUBLIC OPINION POLLS.

SO THERE'S NOTHING TO DO WITH PARTY.

IT IS AN INDIVIDUAL QUALIFICATION TO BE IN THE DEBATE.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK THE COST TO THE PUBLIC IS FOR HAVING AT LEAST ONE MAJOR PARTY DECIDE TO WITHDRAW, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT THE DEBATES ARE CARRIED BY EVERY MAJOR NETWORK ONE OF THE FEW MASS VIEWING EVENTS WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY?

>> ONE OF THE FEW NONPARTISAN EVENTS THAT LASTED AND CONTRIBUTED TO VOTER EDUCATION FOR DECADES.

AND THE BROADCASTERS AND CABLE PEOPLE PROVIDE THIS WITHOUT CHARGE.

THERE'S NO COMMERCIALS.

THEY ARE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AT UNIVERSITIES.

MORE THAN 200 MILLION PEOPLE I THINK THE AUDIENCE FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL AND VICE-PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES COMPARES ONLY TO THE SUPER BOWL.

IT IS A VERY ESSENTIAL PART OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

AND THE CANDIDATES SHOULD ALL PARTICIPATE IN ORDER TO GIVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THE INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED THE REAL PURPOSE OF THE DEBATES IS TO ONE AND ONLY TIME THEY CAN SEE THE CANDIDATES AT THE SAME TIME, RESPONDING TO EACH OTHER AND GIVING THE VOTER THE CHANCE TO EVALUATE THEM.

>> AND YOU WERE PART OF THAT VERY FAMOUS FIRST TELEVISED DEBATE NIXON KENNEDY.

HOW HAVE THE DEBATES CHANGED SINCE THEN?

>> WELL, IF YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE TAPES OF THE KENNEDY-NIXON DEBATE YOU WILL SEE THEY WERE SIMILAR BUT YET, EACH OPENED WITH AN OPENING STATEMENT AND CLOSED WITH A CLOSING STATEMENT.

THERE WAS A PANEL OF QUESTIONERS BY THE FUNNIEST COINCIDENCES MY COLLEGE ROOMMATE AT NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY WAS ONE OF THE PANELISTS.

THE 1960 DEBATE WAS THE FIRST TIME THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAD A ACHANCE TO COMPARE TWO CANDIDATES SIDE-BY-SIDE, NIX CON AND KENNEDY AND WERE VERY IMPORTANT.

IN THE FUTURE DEBATES, PRESIDENT REAGAN, THE TWO PRESIDENT BUSHES, VERY OFTEN ARE REGARDED AS HAVING WON THEIR ELECTIONS THROUGH THE DEBATES.

THAT IS WHY IT IS SUCH -- DON'T GET ME STARTED -- SURPRISING THING FOR THE REPUBLICANS WHO BENEFITED SO ENORMOUSLY FROM THE DEBATES TO WANT TO WITHDRAW FROM THEM.

>> CERTAINLY DEBATES HAVE ALWAYS PROVEN TO BE FLUNGAL ON THE ELECTION.

INFLUENTIAL.

>> NEWTON MINOW THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> ONE MORE SECOND.

I WANT TO NOMINATE A CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR OF CHICAGO.

>> WHO IS THAT?

>> JOHN RODGERS.

OUR PROBLEM IS TO GET HIM TO BE WILLING TO RUN.

>> MAYBE HE IS LISTENING.

NEWTON MINOW THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS AND BOOK BANNING EFFORTS IN FLORIDA.

>> THE WAR ON BOOKS IS ESCALATING AND THE LATEST TARGET, MATH TEXTBOOKS FLORIDA'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCED IT WAS BANNING 54 MATH BOOKS ON THE GROUNDS THAT THEY TEACH CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

IN THE PAST YEAR MORE THAN 1500 BOOKS HAVE BEEN BANNED IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ACCORDING TO PEN AMERICA.

A NONPROFIT DEDICATED TO PROTECTING FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN THE UNITED STATES.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE LATEST BAN IS TRACIE HALL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE KNOW IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN AN UPTICK ON BANNING SPECIFIC KINDS OF BOOKS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE CAUSE OF ALL THIS?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT ANYTIME WE HAVE SEEN THE SUPPRESSION OF IDEAS AND BOOKS WHETHER IT'S NOW OR IN THE McCARTHY ERA 70 YEARS AGO IT'S ALWAYS BEEN REALLY ABOUT SOCIAL CHANGE AND TRYING TO SUPPRESS SOCIAL CHANGE IN THE McCARTHY ERA WE SAW BOOKS CONSIDERED TO BE ANTI-AMERICAN OFTEN WERE BOOKS THAT PROMOTED INTEGRATION AND PUSHED BACK AGAINST DESEGREGATION.

AND THOSE BOOKS WERE LABELED AS DANGEROUS.

TODAY WE SEE THAT BOOKS THAT UPLIFT THE LIVES OF BLACK INC. DIGINOUS AND PEOPLE OF COLOR AND INDIVIDUALS WHO IDENTIFY AS LGBTQ ARE ALSO BEING REPRESSED.

I THINK WE CAN SEE A PATTERN HERE.

>> SO THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION YOU ALL HAVE CALLED THIS A QUOTE THREAT TO THE FREEDOM TO READ.

HOW DOES THIS BAN AFFECT LOCAL COMMUNITIES?

>> WELL, IT REALLY AFFECTS LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN TWO WAYS: ONE, BECAUSE IT DRIVES A WEDGE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES.

SO IT SAYS THAT CERTAIN IDEAS ARE NOT TO BE TALKED ABOUT OR NOT TO BE DISCUSSED AND IT ALSO CHALLENGES OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE THE KINDS OF INFORMATION SERVICES AND READING THAT PEOPLE NEED.

SO IT IS A DOUBLE CHALLENGE.

AND LESS UNCHECKED CAN CAN DO MORE DAMAGE BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT MANY OF THE BOOKS SUCH ACETONE ANYMORERIES SON'S THE BLUEST EYE ARE CONSIDERED TO BE PART OF THE AMERICAN CANNON AND WHEN THOSE BOOKS ARE REMOVED FROM LIBRARIES SCHOOL OR PUBLIC, IT HINDERS THE ABILITY OF STUDENTS TO PREPARE FOR TESTS LIKE THE SAT OR THE ACT WHEN THE BLUEST EYE IS ONE OF THE BOOKS THAT IS FREQUENTLY MENTIONED.

AND BECOMES PART OF MANY OF THE TEST QUESTIONS WE SEE THERE.

>> THE ALA YOU CONDUCTED A VOTER POLL IN ADDITION TO THAT WHAT HAS THE ALA BEEN DOING IN RESPONSE TO THE EFFORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

>> WE DID.

WE CONDUCTED A POLL BECAUSE WE WANTED TO UNDERSTAND WE AS LIBRARIANS BELIEVE THAT PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO READ IS AT THE CORE OF LIBRARIANSHIP.

BUT WE ALSO WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

AND WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL PARTY, 70% OF AMERICANS IN THIS COUNTRY BELIEVE THAT THE RIGHT TO READ IS A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

AND WANT TO PROTECT IT.

WE HAVE ALSO SEEN THAT ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO BOOKS THAT ARE LABELED CRITICAL RACE THEORY ET CETERA, BOOKS THAT SPEAK ABOUT ANTIRACISM, THAT WE FOR THAT MORE THAN 90% OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY BELIEVE THAT THOSE BOOKS SHOULD BE ON THE SHELVES OF LIBRARIES EVERYWHERE.

>> NOW, ACCORDING TO EDUCATION WEEK.ORG SINCE JANUARY OF 202142 STATES INTRODUCED BILLS OR TAKEN -- THE TEACHING OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY AN ACADEMIC THEORY FROM WHAT WE UNDERSTAND HOW CAN THE BANS BE UPHELD?

>> WELL, THE BANS CAN BE UPHELD WHEN THEY ARE LEFT UNSTOPPED AND UNCHECKED.

THE BANS CAN BE UPHELD WHEN PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT CENSORSHIP IS RIGHT AND THAT SOMEHOW THEY ARE PROTECTING THEIR CHILDREN AND OTHERS.

BUT WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT THAT IS NOT WHAT WE BELIEVE IN WHEN WE THINK ABOUT A DEMOCRACY.

WE KNOW THAT MOST PARENTS REALLY WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILDREN'S READING.

AND THEY WANT TO DECIDE WHAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE READING.

THEY DON'T WANT TO SURRENDER THAT RIGHT TO ANYONE ELSE.

SO I THINK THAT THE BANS I THINK TO THINK OF THEM AS AN ABERRATION.

THEY ARENCE TENSEFYING AND WE CAN SEE PARALLELS WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE McCARTHY ERA I DO BELIEVE THEY ARE NOT INDICATIVE WHAT WE THINK AS A PEOPLE.

ONE WAY WE CAN FIGHT AGAINST THEM IS TO AND I'M INVITING EVERYONE TO VISIT UNITE AGAINST BOOK BANS.ORG THAT IS WHERE WE ARE ASKING CAREGIVERS, MOMS AND DADS AND TEACHERS AND WRITERS AND AUTHORS AND ARTISTS AND PHYSICAL LEADERS TO COME TOGETHER AND PROTECT THE RIGHT TO READ.

BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT FREE PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO READ FREELY.

>> FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DE SANTIS ARGUES PARENTS SHOULD BE THE ONES ABLE TO HAVE THE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT SEXUALITY WITH THEIR CHILDREN VERSUS BOOKS.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT ARGUMENT?

>> I ACTUALLY SAY THAT I THINK THAT WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT PARENTS DO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY WITH THEIR OWN FAMILIES WITH THEIR OWN CHILDREN TO TALK ABOUT WHAT READING MIGHT BE IMPORTANT FOR THAT YOUNG PERSON FOR THE FAMILY ET CETERA.

AND WE KNOW THAT MANY OF THE BOOKS THAT ARE BEING CENSORED TALK ABOUT IDENTIFIATION, TALK ABOUT IDENTITY, TALK ABOUT GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, RACE, DATING, TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT TEENAGERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND PRETEENS BEGIN TO THINK ABOUT WHEN THEY REALLY WANT TO IDENTIFY FOR THEMSELVES WHAT IS THE FUTURE FOR ME?

WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE FOR ME?

AND ARE THERE OTHER PEOPLE WHO FELT THE WAY I FEEL?

THE HAPPINESS, THE ELATION, THE CONFUSION ET CETERA.

AND WHEN WE TAKE AWAY THE BOOKS WE TAKE AWAY THE RIGHT FOR THE PARENT TO INTRODUCE A BOOK THAT MIGHT HELP THEIR YOUNG PERSON THEN WE REALLY SILENCE THAT PARENT.

SO WE BELIEVE ALSO THAT PARENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE READING WITH AND FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND NOT FOR ANYONE ELSE.

>> WE HAVE A COUPLE SECONDS LEFT YOU ARE THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO HOLD THIS TITLE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LEAD THIS EFFORT?

>> WELL, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AND TIMELY FOR ME.

BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN THE REPRESSION OF THE RIGHT TO READ MANY TIMES IN OUR LIFETIME.

WE HAVE SEEN IT WHEN IT COMES TO WORKERS, SEEN IT WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ENSLAVED AND SEEN IT EVEN IN THE SEGREGATION AREA -- ERA, THE REMEMBER AOF SEGREGATION WHEN WE HAD SEGREGATED LIBRARIES.

FOR ME PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO READ IS SOMETHING THAT CUTS ACROSS ALL GROUPS OF PEOPLE.

AND DEFINITELY FOR ME IT DRIVES ME TO THIS WORK AND I SEE MYSELF HOPEFULLY BEING A VANGUARD OF A MOVEMENT TO COUNTER CENSORSHIP.

>> TRACIE HALL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> UP NEXT, HOW A GROUP OF COMEDIANS ARE MIXING IMPROV WITH MARIACHI.

STAY WITH US.

>> CHICAGO IS WELL-KNOWN AS THE BIRTHPLACE OF IMPROVISATIONAL COMEDY BUT SINCE IT GOT STARTED IT'S BEEN A WHITE DOMINATED SPACE.

A GROUP OF LOCAL COMEDIANS PLAYED A DIFFERENT TUNE THROUGH A TWIST ON MEXICAN MARIACHI MUSIC THEY ARE BRINGING A TASTE OF LATINO CULTURE TO AUDIENCES.

ERICA GUNDERSON INTRODUCES TO LOS IMPROVIACHIS.

>> EMILY.

>> ARE YOU FROM HERE OR VISITING?

>> WE'RE VISITING.

>> FROM WHERE?

>> WISCONSIN.

>> NO!

>> THE MEMBERS OF LOS IMPROVIACHIS WILL BE THE FIRST TO TELL YOU THEY ARE NOT TRADITIONAL MARIACHIS.

>> WE ARE COMEDIANS BUT WE HAVE A RESPECT FOR MARIACHI IT IS A SERIOUS ART FORM.

[♪♪♪] ♪EMILY IS SO BEAUTIFUL SHE IS WORTH IT MORE THAN A PESO.

>> IT'S PAYING HOMAGE TO MEXICAN CULTURE.

[♪♪♪] THEY WILL ADMIT THEY ARE NOT PARTICULARLY GOOD MUSICIANS.

>> PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY EXPECTING THESE GUYS ARE THE ATTIRE THEY ARE GOING TO SOUND GREAT AND I GET ON MY HORN AND A B FLAT ALL THE WAY.

[LAUGHTER] [♪♪♪] >> BUT FOR THEIR BRANDS OF IMPROV COMEDY IT'S PART OF THE PLAN.

>> IMPROVISING THE MUSIC PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY THAT LOWER LEVEL BARRIER TO ENTRY WHERE YOU CAN JUST GO FOR IT AND HAVE A GOOD TIME.

>> NELSON VELAZQUEZ STARTED LOS IMPROVIACHIS 10 YEARS AGO WITH MEGAN POWELL.

AND STEVEN SANBRIA JOINED IN 2015.

>> IT WAS MORE OUT OF SALSATION THEATRE COMEDY THE LONGER RUNNING LATINO THEATRE COMPANY IN CHICAGO AND I WANTED TO PUT TOGETHER A SHOW THAT CELEBRATED MEXICAN CULTURE AND LATINO CULTURE BUT HAD A TON OF FUN WITH T WE GOT OUR VICKS VAPO RUB JOKES.

SPRITE, PEPSI.

>> OUR SEXUAL APPETITE, THE LATIN LOVER STUFF LIKE THAT.

WE MAY DO A VERSE OF EL REY AND THE SPANISH VERSE AND THE SECOND VERSE IS COMPLETELY IN ENGLISH AND IMPROVISED ON THE SPOT BASED ON WHAT THEY ARE GIVEN.

>> WE'RE AMBASSADORS WE ARE THE INTRO TO THE INTRO CLASS THAT YOU WOULD TAKE AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE ON LATINO CULTURE.

>> THEIR ACT ADDS VARIETY INTO WHAT IS A WHITE DOMINATED SPACE.

>> ALSO THERE IS NOT A LOT OF SPANISH COMEDY THAT YOU WILL SEE.

IF YOU GO TO DIFFERENT STAGES ACROSS THE CITY, I'M SURE YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SEE A LOT OF OUR FACES.

AND NOT SAYING THAT I AM GOING TO BE THE NEXT STEPHEN COLBERT OR WHATEVER [INAUDIBLE] OR DON FRANCISCO.

RIGHT.

SO YOU KNOW, WE JUST THAT'S WHAT WE BRING.

WE BRING A LITTLE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CULTURE AND HOW THAT IS AND HOW IT PLAYS A PART IN COMEDY BUT EVERYDAY LIFE.

>> LIKE ANY OTHER COMEDY SHOW THEY SAY THEIR MISSION IS TO MAKE THEM LAUGH EVEN WHEN THE RESULTS CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE.

>> THERE IS A BIT OF READING THE ROOM.

ESPECIALLY IN THE SITUATIONS LIKE ARE YOU TWO TOGETHER?

IF NELSON ASKS HE NOTICES BODY LANGUAGE OR HOW THEY ARE SEATED.

>> WE'VE DONE IT FOR 10 YEARS.

WE'VE HAD SOME PEOPLE ON LOVE CONNECTION.

>> WE PROBABLY RUIN A FEW MARRIAGES THAT IS COLLATERAL DAMAGE WHEN ARE YOU DOING COMEDY.

>> WHAT CAN YOU DO?

♪WE ARE THE MARIACHI.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> LOS IMPROVIACHIS ARE JOINING THE UPCOMING FIESTA IN AURORA.

YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION.

AND NOW BRANDIS BACK TO YOU.

>> COIL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" PAT DOWELL COMES OUT AGAINST ONE OF THE THREE CHICAGO CASINO FINALISTS THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> AND OUTRAGE OVER THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S FOOT PURSUIT POLICY.

DAVID BROWN ON THE TIMELINE FOR NEW POLICY AND MORE.

AND MANY BIRDS ARE NESTING AND LAYING THEIR EGGS EARLIER THAN EVER BEFORE.

COULD CLIMATE CHANGE BE TO BLAME?

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> NO FEDERAL CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST FORMER CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER JASON VAN DYKE.

THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ANNOUNCES IT WILL NOT PURSUE FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS CHARGES FOR THE KILLING OF LAQUAN McDONALD.

U.S. ATTORNEY JOHN LAUSCH SAYS THE BAR IS VERY HIGH TO PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT VAN DYKE ACTED WITH SPECIFIC AND DELIBERATE INTENT.

VAN DYKE WAS RELEASED IN FEBRUARY AFTER SERVING THREE YEARS OF A SEVEN-YEAR SENTENCE.

THE LAUSCH SAYS THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CONSULTED WITH MCDONALD'S FAMILY WHO AGREED WITH THE DECISION NOT TO BRING CHARGES.

>> IF YOU ARE TRAVELING, YOU MAY NOT NEED TO HAVE YOUR MASK HANDY AFTER ALL.

A FEDERAL JUDGE IN FLORIDA TODAY VOIDED THE NATIONAL MASK MANDATE FOR AIRPLANES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

AS A RESULT A BIDEN ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL SAYS THE ORDER IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT WHILE THE RULE SOMETHING BEING REVIEWED.

THE TRUMP APPOINTED U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE ISSUED A 59-PAGE RULING SAYING U.S. HEALTH OFFICIALS OVERSTEPPED THEIR AUTHORITY IN ISSUING THE MANDATE AND THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION FAILED TO JUSTIFY ITS DECISION.

THE MANDATE WAS SET TO EXPIRE TODAY.

BUT THE C.D.C.

RECENTLY EXTENDED IT THROUGH MAY THIRD WHILE STUDYING THE IMPACTS OF THE OMICRON SIB VARIANT.

SUBVARIANT.

>> THE GROWING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGE FOR TEENAGERS WAS THE TOPIC OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN NAPERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND U.S.

SURGEON GENERAL VIVEK MURTHY.

>> WHEN I WAS YOUNGER WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL, I STRUGGLED A LOT WITH MY MENTAL HEALTH.

DIDN'T HAVE ANYONE TO TALK TO ABOUT IT.

WELL, I DID, MY PARENTS CARED DEEPLY ABOUT ME AND MY SISTER BUT I WAS TOO ASHAMED TO TALK TO THEM MUCH LESS TALK TO MY TEACHERS OR COUNSELORS IN SCHOOL.

>> THE SURGEON GENERAL ADMITTED HIS OWN MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES AS A TEENAGER WHILE JOINING STUDENTS FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL.

DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSWOMAN UNDEAR WOOD JOINED IN LISTENING AS STUDENTS SHARED THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH CHALLENGES AND THE ADVOCACY WORK THEY HAVE DONE TO IMPROVE RESOURCES IN THEIR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

C.D.C.

SAYS THE SUICIDE IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR PEOPLE 10-24 A RATE THAT INCREASED FROM 2007 TO 2017.

>> A HISTORY IRK ENGLEWOOD CHURCH CONTINUED TO BURN AFTER FIRE BROKE OUT AFTER GOOD FRIDAY'S SERVICE LAST WEEK.

THE BUILDING HAS BEEN THE HOME TO THE ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH.

CHICAGO FIRE CREWS RETURNED TO THE CRUTCH BECAUSE MORE FLAMES WERE BURNING.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS LAST WEEK IT WAS BELIEVED TO BE ACCIDENTAL CAUSED BY WORK BEING DONE ON THE ROOF USING A TORCH.

THE CHURCH SAYS IT WAS THE FIRST IN THE COUNTRY TO USE THE HOUSING ACT WHEN THE NONPROFIT RECEIVED A LOAN TO DEVELOP HOUSING FOR LOW TO MODERATE INCOME SENIORS AND FAMILIES.

IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY YOU HAVE JUST A FEW MORE HOURS BEFORE THE MIDNIGHT DEADLINE TO HAVE YOUR FEDERAL TAX RETURN POSTMARKED.

THOUGH TODAY IS THE DEADLINE FOR FILING YOUR TAX RETURN, THE I.R.S.

SAYS YOUR REFUND MIGHT BE DELAYED DUE TO A BACKLOG.

THE AGENCY IS ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO FILE ELECTRONICALLY SINCE IT'S TAKING UP TO SIX MONTHS TO PROCESS A PAPER RETURN.

AND FOLKS NEED TO FACTOR IN THE CHILD TAX CREDIT AND RULES ABOUT REPORTING INCOME FROM CRYPTOCURRENCY.

TO PARIS FOR TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> AN ALDERPERSON COMES OUT AGAINST ONE OF THE THREE CASINO FINALISTS.

DEVELOPERS PLAN NEW APARTMENTS FOR THE MAG MILE.

>> LET'S ENJOY ILLINOIS.

>> AND A SERIES OF ADS HOPES TO SHOWCASE ILLINOIS AS QUOTE THE MIDDLE OF EVERYTHING.

AND HERE TO GO BEHIND THE HEADLINES IS CRAIN'S BUSINESS EDITOR ANN DWYER IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THE BUSINESS NEWS ALL THE TIME.

LET'S START WITH THAT CASINO NEWS.

WHICH ALDERPERSON IS OPPOSING WHICH PROPOSAL AND WHY?

>> PAT DOWELL WHO IS THE ALDERPERSON OVERSEEING THE AREA AROUND McCORMICK PLACE HAS EXPRESSED PUBLICLY HER OPPOSITION TO THE HARD ROCK PROPOSAL THAT HAS BEEN TIED WITH THE ONE CENTRAL DEVELOPMENT NEAR SOLDIER FIELD.

SHE CITED CONCERNS THAT A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS HAVE CITED AROUND CONGESTION, NEIGHBORHOOD DISRUPTION, PUBLIC SAFETY ET CETERA.

BUT SHE RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FINANCING OF THE PROJECT WHICH IS KIND OF INTERESTING.

AND PARIS, IT IS NOT ENTIRELY CLEAR WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE LONG-TERM VIABILITY OF THIS PARTICULAR BID.

NORMALLY WHEN AN ALDERPERSON COMES OUT AGAINST A DEVELOPMENT THAT MEANS THE KISS OF DEATH.

BUT NOT SO HERE.

THE CITY DOES HAVE A LOT OF STAKE WITH THE THREE BIDS.

WHAT IS MORE LIKELY THIS WILL PUT PRESSURE ON LIGHTFOOT TO SEEK CONCESSIONS OR MAYBE RISK PUBLIC SCORN BY GOING AHEAD AND BLESSING THE IDEA ANYWAY.

>> AND THE WAY IT IS ALL THREE ALDERPEOPLE REPRESENTING EACH OF THE SITES ARE ALL AGAINST EACH PROPOSAL.

ALDERMANIC PREROGATIVE IS NOT GOING TO PLAY A ROLE IF ONE OF THEM PASSES CITY COUNCIL DOWN THE ROAD.

LET'S MOVE ON A LOCAL DEVELOPER IS PLANNING A 21 STOREY APARTMENT TOWER A BLOCK EAST OF THE MAGNIFICENT MILE.

WHAT IS SIGNIFICANT ABOUT THIS PROJECT?

>> THE MAIN THING IT'S BEING PROPOSED IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE WE HAVE NOT SEEN MUCH MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

THE FIRST RENTAL PROJECT FOR THAT LONG.

AND MOST OF THAT SORT OF ACTION NOWADAYS AS YOU KNOW IS HAPPENING IN THE WEST LOOP.

AND THAT AREA.

THAT IS MAINLY BECAUSE MOST OF THE BEST SITES IN STREETERVILLE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED.

THIS IS IT AMBITIOUS.

248 APARTMENTS.

41,000 SQUARE FEET OF OFFICE SPACE.

ANOTHER 8,000 SQUARE FEET OF STREET-LEVEL RETAIL.

AND 100 PARKING SPACE.

BUT IT IS ANOTHER SIGN THAT THE DOWNTOWN RESIDENTIAL MARKET APARTMENTS AT LEAST IS STILL RED HOT.

>> COMING AT A TIME WHERE THE MAG MILE IS STRUGGLING WITH RETAIL.

ILLINOIS NATIVE JANE LYNCH IS IN A NEW PROJECT THAT IS NOT A FILM OR TV SHOW BUT A TOURISM AD CAMPAIGN FOR ILLINOIS.

WHAT DOES THIS HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH?

>> MAINLY THE STATE WANTS TO ENCOURAGE MIDWESTERNERS PARTICULARLY IN THE ADJOINING STATES TO ILLINOIS, TO ADD CHICAGO AND ILLINOIS TO THEIR TRAVEL PLANS NOW THAT PEOPLE ARE FEELING SAFE TO GET OUT ON THE ROAD AGAIN.

THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THAT JANE LYNCH HAS SHOWN UP FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

THE STATE TAPPED HER TO BE PART OF A VACCINATION AD CAMPAIGN IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC.

IN A WAY SHE IS BECOMING AN UNOFFICIAL SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE STATE.

>> I DID WATCH THIS AD IT WAS FUNNY JANE LYNCH IS TALENTED.

ANN THANK YOU SO MUCH AS ALWAYS.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

>> UP NEXT, DISCUSSING GHOST GUNS AND CONSENT DECREE COMPLIANCE WITH CHICAGO'S TOP COP IN A CONVERSATION THAT AIRED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS ANNOUNCED A NEW STRATEGY DESIGNED TO CURB GUN VIOLENCE.

LAST WEEK THE PRESIDENT UNVEILED PLANS FOR A FEDERAL CRACKDOWN ON GHOST GUNS, FIREARMS MADE FROM KITS PRIVATELY ASSEMBLED AND HAVE NO SERIAL NUMBER.

CHICAGO POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN ATTENDED THE WHITE HOUSE EVENT.

CHICAGO POLICE SAY THEY RECOVERED 458 GHOST GUNS IN 2021.

A 70% INCREASE FROM 2020.

JOINING US WITH MORE IS SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN.

WELCOME BACK AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AS WE MENTIONED THE GRATION ESSENTIALLY EXPANDED WHAT QUALIFIES AS A FIREARM UNDER THE GUN CONTROL ACT TO INCLUDE GHOST GUNS AND AT HOME GUN KITS ALSO ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS WE KNOW THEY HAVE PASSED A MEASURE MAKING GHOST GUNS ILLEGAL.

HOW MUCH OF A PROBLEM WOULD YOU SAY GHOST GUNS ARE IN CHICAGO?

>> SO JUST LOOK AT THE LAST THREE YEARS.

2019 TO TODAY.

THERE'S BEEN OVER A 200% INCREASE IN GHOST GUNS THAT CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS HAVE SEIZED FROM THE STREETS OF CHICAGO.

IT IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM AND IT'S AN ESCALATING PROBLEM.

TWO-FOLD.

AND WE'RE SEEING MORE AND MORE GUNS AT CRIME SCENES USED TO METE OUT VIOLENCE.

>> DO YOU THINK THE NEW EFFORTS STATE AND LOCAL WILL HELP TO REDUCE SOME OF THE GUN VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO?

>> I DO.

ITH THINK THE PRESIDENT HIT THE RIGHT NOTE AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE TO FIND WAYS TO REGULATE GHOST GUNS.

BECAUSE THEY ARE GUNS.

THEY CAN HARM PEOPLE.

AND YOU CAN ORDER THEM ON-LINE WITH ANONYMITY.

AND YOU CAN USE THESE GUNS AND THERE'S NO WAY CURRENTLY BEFORE THESE MEASURES PUT IN PLACE TO TRACK IT THROUGH SERIAL NUMBERS.

IT IS AN ANONYMOUS WAY OF HIDING THE USE OF A GUN WHO OWNS THE GUN, WHO IS ATTRIBUTED TO BUYING THE GUN, SELLING THE GUN.

THIS IS SIGNIFICANT TO REQUIRE REGULATIONS AS IT RELATES TO SERIAL NUMBERS ON THESE GUNS ON THE KITS THAT COME THROUGH THE MAIL.

>> ALSO THIS WEEK THE INDEPENDENT MONITOR'S OFFICE SAYS THAT THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT YOU ARE MOVING CLOSER TO COMPLIANCE WITH REGARD TO YOUR FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE.

THAT IS THE COURT ORDER THAT WAS ISSUED IN THE WAKE OF THE LAQUAN McDONALD KILLING REQUIRING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE CERTAIN REFORM TRAINING POLICIES AND PRACTICES.

THE LATEST REVIEW FOUND THE DEPARTMENT IS AT ABOUT 70% COMPLIANT COMPARED TO THE LAST REPORT AT 50% COMPLIANCE.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE LATEST STATUS UPDATE?

>> I THINK THE REAL STORY IS WE BEGAN OUR FIRST REPORTING PERIOD WITH AN 11% COMPLIANCE.

SO JUST IN 2019 OUR COMPLIANCE LEVEL WAS 11%.

AND THE REPORT THAT WAS JUST ISSUED SHOWS WE ARE 72% COMPLIANCE.

THAT IS ONE IN MY OPINION SMALL ACT OF WHAT OUR GOAL IS AS IT RELATES TO THE CONSENT DECREE.

WE WANT TO OBVIOUSLY ACHIEVE WELL BEYOND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CONSENT DECREE.

WE'RE TRYING TO CHANGE THE CULTURE TRANSFORM THIS DEPARTMENT WHERE EVERY CHICAGOAN CAN BE PROUD OF EVERY OFFICER IN THE DEPARTMENT.

>> WHERE DO YOU THINK YOUR DEPARTMENT COULD AFFORD TO IMPROVE?

>> THERE'S SOME SIGNIFICANT AREAS.

NUMBER ONE BUILDING TRUST AND ENGAGE IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND OUR DATA IS REALLY BEHIND CURRENT TIMES AS IT RELATES TO TECHNOLOGY.

WE NEED TO FAST FORWARD INTO THE 21ST CENTURY WITH OUR TECHNOLOGY AS IT RELATES TO CAPTURING OUR OFFICERS ARE DOING AND YEARRY AND PROVE OFFICERS ARE FOLLOWING THE POLICIES AND TRAINING REQUIRED.

>> THE REPORTED HIGHLIGHTED COMMUNITY POLICING AND ENGAGEMENT AREAS IN NEED OF IMPROVEMENT ONE PART STATES QUOTE...

THE REPORT ADDRESSED THE DEPARTMENT'S GOAL TO HAVE 1.KNIFE MILLION POLICE INITIATED POSITIVE COMMUNITY ACTIONS THROUGH 2022 AND THE TEAM EXPRESSED CONCERN FOCUSED ON QUANTITY OVER QUALITY.

IS THAT A GOAL THAT YOU NEED TO RECONSIDER?

OR IS IT SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO MAINTAIN?

>> WELL, QUITE FRANKLY, THE CRITICISM IS WELL TAKEN.

WE ARE STARTING FROM A VERY, VERY LOW LEVEL OF TRUST IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE REASON WHY WE ARE IN A CONSENT DECREE.

THAT IS A FAIR ASSESSMENT WE NEED TO DO MORE.

THE CONSENT DECREE IF WE NEEDED TO BE IN ONE, IT WOULDN'T BE SOMETHING THAT WE COULD UNDO OVERNIGHT.

BUILDING TRUST IS GOING TO TAKE A JOURNEY.

AND WE ARE JUST BEGINNING THAT JOURNEY.

AND WE HAVE SET GOALS, POLICE OFFICERS ARE GOAL ORIENTED.

IF YOU DON'T GIVE OFFICERS A GOAL THEY SEEM TO FLAIL AWAY AT TRYING TO HIT WHATEVER TASK WE ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE.

WE WILL NEVER STOP ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY TO BUILD TRUST.

AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO WAIT FOR THE PURPOSE IN PLACE OF THE GOOD.

WE HAVE A GOOD START GETTING OUR OFFICERS OUT OF THE CARS AND OUT FROM BEHIND THEIR DESK, INTO THE COMMUNITY AND REQUIRING THEM TO CREATE A POSITIVE INTERACTION WITH THE PUBLIC.

THAT'S A GOOD GOAL.

NOW, CAN WE IMPROVE HOW WE DO ALL OF THAT?

YES.

AND ULTIMATELY WE HAVE TO PROVE THAT OUR EFFORTS ARE ACTUALLY BUILDING TRUST.

SO AUDITING, SURVEYS, HOW WE PROVE IT IS GOING TO BE THE TELLTALE.

>> AND SO WE UNDERSTAND WHAT DOES A POSITIVE COMMUNITY INTERACTION ENTAIL?

>> IT ENTAILS MULTIPLE THINGS BUT PRIMARILY PROVIDING A SERVICE.

THINK ABOUT THE DRIVER THAT IS HAVING MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

WE WANT OUR OFFICER TO STOP AND ASSIST.

THINK ABOUT THE ASSISTANCE MAYBE YOUNG PEOPLE NEED OR TOURISTS MIGHT NEED.

THE MENTORING REQUIRED TO INSURE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE THE BEST PERCEPTIONS OF THE POLICE OFFICER WHERE THAT INTERACTION LEAVES THE PUBLIC WITH A POSITIVE VIEW OF THE POLICE RATHER THAN OUR ONLY BEING ENFORCEMENT OR INVESTIGATIONS.

WE WANT TO CREATE A LOT OF INTERACTIONS WHERE THE TAKEAWAY IS I'M PROUD OF OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT RATHER THAN CAME IN AS THEY OCCUPYING FORCE.

WE DON'T WANT OUR REQUIREMENT TO ENFORCE THE LAW BE THE ONLY NARRATIVE ABOUT WHAT POLICE OFFICERS DO.

WE SHOULD BE ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE AND ASSISTING PROVIDING A SERVICE EVERYWHERE IN THE CITY.

>> ALSO SUPERINTENDENT THIS WEEK, WTTW NEWS REPORTED THAT ALMOST 5.5% OF OFFICERS IN YOUR DEPARTMENT HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED OR EXEMPT FROM THE CITY'S VACCINE MANDATE THAT THAT PUTS THE OFFICERS AT RISK OF DISCIPLINE AND YOUR OFFICE RECEIVED DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF EXEMPTIONS OF ANY OTHER CITY DEPARTMENT, THE MAYOR GRANTING 15 THOUSAND OFFICERS.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE MORE EXEMPTIONS COULD BE GRANTED OR COULD MORE OFFICERS BE FACING DISCIPLINE IF THEY FAIL TO MEET THE REQUIREMENT?

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE SAY THIS.

IF YOU RECALL WHEN THIS STARTED A FEW MONTHS BACK THERE WAS THE SKIES FALLING.

THAT 3,000 COPS WOULD WALK OFF THE JOB BECAUSE OF THIS VACCINE MANDATE.

THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

WE ARE LIKELY DEALING WITH A FEW HUNDRED OFFICERS WHO OBVIOUSLY HAVE HAVING WHATEVER APPREHENSIONS AND TAKEN THE MANDATE BUT WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PENDING EXEMPTIONS.

OFFICERS WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR A MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED WORD WHETHER IT'S BEEN APPROVED.

AS SOON AS WE VET THROUGH THAT INFORMATION IT WILL TAKE SOMETIME BEYOND THE DATE.

BUT OFFICERS THAT DON'T GET VACCINATED I WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THIS, WILL GO INTO A NO PAY STATUS.

AND WE OBVIOUSLY ARE VERY COGNIZANT OF ALL THE VACCINATIONS THAT GO ALONG WITH THAT IT IS A PERSONAL AND FAMILY DECISION.

BUT COVID HAS BEEN THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT THESE LAST TWO YEARS.

THE NUMBER ONE.

AND THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT LOST FOUR OFFICERS TO COVID SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

I BELIEVE IN OFFICERS' SAFETY AND I BELIEVE THE MANDATE WILL MAKE OFFICERS SAFER.

THERE MAY BE OFFICERS THAT DECIDE LIKE OTHER PROFESSIONS THAT I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE VACCINE AND THERE IS A SMALL, SMALL SUBSET OF OFFICERS THAT FEEL THAT WAY.

>> AND SUPERINTENDENT BEFORE WE LET YOU GO ONE OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT I WANT TO SQUEEZE IN.

COME UNDER FIRE SINCE THE KILLING OF ADAM TOLEDO IS THE DEPARTMENT'S FOOT PURSUIT POLICY.

A NEW POLICY IS EXPECTED TO BE IN PLACE THIS YEAR.

THIS HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR SOMETIME.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN GETTING THIS POLICY RIGHT?

WHAT IS THE HOLD-UP?

>> WE WANTED TO ENGAGE AND HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE POLICY.

WE WENT THROUGH SEVERAL ROUNDS OF PUBLIC COMMENT.

THAT'S BEEN THE DELAY.

AND THAT DELAY HAS BEEN WORTHWHILE.

PUBLIC HAS ENGAGED US IN THE MONITORING TEAM WITH THE CONSENT DECREE TO OFFER THEIR ADVICE BUT WE HAVE TO INCLUDE THE COMMUNITY, EVERYDAY PEOPLE WITH THE CHANGES WE ARE MAKING IN ORDER TO HAVE THE TRANSPARENCY AND TRUST BUILDING MEAN SOMETHING.

SO WE COULD HAVE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO JUST PUT OUT AN EDIC THIS IS THE NEW POLICY AND THE PUBLIC WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENGAGED.

I THINK IT'S BEEN TIMELY TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC TO GO THROUGH SEVERAL ROUNDS OF PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE POLICY.

BY THE END OF THE YEAR, MAYBE SOONER, THAN THE LAST QUARTER WE SHOULD HAVE THE PERMANENT POLICY IN PLACE.

BUT WE HAVE HAD AN INTERIM POLICY IN PLACE DURING THIS TIME OF ENGAGING THE PUBLIC.

WE SHOULD HAVE A PERMANENT POLICY IN PLACE HOPEFULLY BEFORE THE FOURTH QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.

>> AND THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRANDIS.

>> BACK WITH MORE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO AREA BIRDS ARE NESTING AND LAYING EGGS EARLIER THAN BEFORE.

A METEOR BURNS UP OVER PAPA NEW BEGIN ANY.

A FOSSIL THAT COULD REWRITE THE EVOLUTION OF LIFE ON EARTH AND A DISTURBING FINDING ABOUT MICRO PLASTICS.

JOINING US IS UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PALEONTOLOGIST NEIL SHUBIN.

LET'S START WITH THE STUDY ABOUT BIRDS.

IT FOUND THAT SOME BIRDS ARE LAYING THEIR EGGS ABOUT A MONTH EARLIER NOW THAN THEY WERE A CENTURY AGO.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS HERE?

>> YEAH, IT'S REMARKABLE.

SCIENTISTS AT THE FIELD MUSEUM USING EGG COLLECTIONS MADE IN 1880-1920 RECORDED THE DATE WHEN THEY COLLECTED THE EGGS THEY COMPARED THE PAST RECORDS AND FOUND THAT 72 SPECIES THEY CAN MEASURE.

THEY CAN GET PAST DATA AND CURRENT DATA AND A THIRD OF THEM ARE PLAYING THEIR EGGS THREE WEEKS TO A MONTH EARLY.

THAT IS DRAMATIC.

THE IMPLICATIONS ARE HUGE BECAUSE IT AFFECTS THE BIOLOGY OF THE CREATURES.

BY HATCHING EARLIER THERE'S DIFFERENT FOOD SOURCES AND COMPETITORS MAYBE PREDATORS.

SO IT DOES AFFECT THEIR BIOLOGY IN A PRO FOUND MANNER.

>> WHAT ARE THEY ATTRIBUTING THE CAUSE TO?

>> GLOBAL WARMING.

IT WILL CHANGE WHEN FLOWERS BUD IT CHANGES WHEN AND WHERE INSECTSES WILL BE HATCHING.

THOSE CHANGES TO FOOD STRUCTURES WILL CHANGE WHEN THE BIRDS LAY THEIR EGGS.

>> IT IS ABOUT A THIRD OF THE BIRD SPECIES.

DOES THAT MEAN MORE SPECIES THEN THEY KNOW OF ARE ACTUALLY NESTING EARLIER?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT CERTAINLY COULD AND IT MAY NOT JUST BE BIRD IT IS COULD BE REPTILES AS WELL.

AND THERE IS A LOT GOING ON HERE THE FUNDAMENTAL BIOLOGY THAT IS SHIFTING BECAUSE OF THE GLOBAL WARMING.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT METEOR.

2014, A METEOR ABOUT THE SIZE OF A DISHWASHER BURNED UP OVER PAPA NEW GUINEA WHY DO RESEARCHERS BELIEVE THIS WAS UNIQUE?

>> WHEN SCIENTISTS LOOKED AT THE DATABASE USING STATE LIGHT IMAGERY, IT WAS GOING SO FAST, THAT WHAT IT SUGGESTED TO THEM THAT THE METEOR AROSE NOT FROM A BODY CIRCULATING THE SUN BUT FROM SOMETHING THAT CAME FROM OUTSIDE OUR SOLAR SYSTEM.

>> AN INTERSTELLAR METEOR AND THE FOLKS THAT CAME UP WITH THIS AND THE EVIDENCE HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE GETTING THEIR NOTES HEARD ON THIS.

>> YEAH, BECAUSE THEY WERE USING DATA RELATED TO MILITARY SATELLITES AND THE MILITARY SATELLITES IT'S CLASSIFIED INFORMATION.

THE MILITARY SATELLITES ARE LOOKING AT MISSILE MAP NUCLEAR TEST SITES AND LAUNCHES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES THAT WAS CLASSIFIED DATA THEY USED.

SO THE DATA CANNOT BE PUBLISHED AND SCIENTISTS NEED THE DATA PUBLISHED.

>> AND AGAIN, IT'S UNIQUE BECAUSE IT'S THOUGHT TO BE AN INTERSTELLAR METEOR.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THAT A ROCK COMING FROM OUTSIDE OUR SOLAR SYSTEM?

>> HUGE.

OUTSIDE OUR SOLAR SYSTEM FROM ANOTHER STAR SYSTEM THAT IS A VISITOR FROM SO FAR AWAY WE DON'T SEE THOSE.

IT'S GIVING US A SENSE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING OUTSIDE OUR SOLAR SYSTEM.

>> SPEAKING OF BIG QUESTION, SCIENTISTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF COLLEGE OF LONDON BELIEVE THAT LIFE ON EARTH BEGAN EARLIER THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT.

HOW ARE THEY DETERMINING THAT?

>> WELL, THEY WERE WORKING ON ROCKS IN QUEBEC FORMED IN THE OCEAN 4.25 BILLION YEARS OLD 300 MILLION YEARS AFTER THE FORMATION OF EARTH.

THEY FOUND STRUCTURES SPHERES, FILAMENTS LIKE STEMS WITH BRANCHES THAT SEEMED TO BE MADE BY CREATURES MICRO KROBS.

THE KEMPSY IT SHOWED IRON AND SULFUR OTHER THINGS THAT MICROBES DO.

THERE'S LINES OF EVIDENCE SUGGESTING THAT THEY ARE MICROBES ON EARTH 4.25 BILLION YEARS AGO.

LITERALLY SOON RIGHT AFTER OUR PLANET FORMED.

>> IN THE INFANT STAGES OF THE PLANET.

THERE WERE SCIENTISTS THAT WERE SKEPTICAL OF THIS CLAIM.

HOW STRONG IS THE EVIDENCE?

>> IT'S EASY TO BE SKEPTICAL BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO ASK THE QUESTION CAN THE STRUCTURES BE FORMED IN THE ROCKS OR BECAUSE OF LIFE.

THEY USED MULTIPLE LINES OF EVIDENCE H THEY USED THE CHEMISTRY OF THE ROCKS TO SUGGEST METABOLISM AND USED THE STRUCTURE OF THE FOSSILS AND COMPARED THEM TO MICROBES THAT ARE ALIVE TODAY AND THE MULTIPLE LINES OF EVIDENCE POINT TO THAT THESE WERE ONCE LIVING CREATURES.

>> A MORE DISTURBING STUDY SCIENTISTS FOUND MICRO PLASTIC POLLUTION DEEP IN THE LUNGS OF LIVING PEOPLE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND THERE WAS A SUBSET OF FOLKS WHERE MICRO PLASTICS WERE DETECTED.

>> DURING SURGERIES THEY COLLECTED TISSUE TO REMOVE PART OF A LUNG AND THEY SAMPLE THAT TISSUE FOR MICRO PLASTICS AND FOUND A SURPRISING FRACTIONATE 0% OF THE PATIENTS HAD SMALL PARTICLES OF MICRO PLASTICS DEEP INSIDE THE LUNGS IN THE DEEPEST PARTS OF THE LUNGS AND THAT WAS SURPRISING.

>> OMINOUS THERE.

WHAT DO RESEARCHERS ATTRIBUTE THAT TO ESPECIALLY GETTING SO DEEP INTO THE LUNGS?

>> THESE WERE PLASTICS AND WATER BOTTLES AND PIPING AND PACKAGING.

THESE ARE THINGS WE BREATHE.

THESE WERE PARTICLES THAT WE BREATHE AND WE'RE PROBABLY ALL BREATHING.

ONE OTHER ROOT THROUGH THE DIGESTIVE TRACK, DRINKING WATER AND EATING FOOD.

>> AND WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM HEALTH IMPLICATIONS IF SO MUCH OF THE POPULATION HAS MICRO PLASTICS DISCOVERABLE DEEP IN THEIR LUNGS.

>> WE ARE FINDING IS IN BLOOD AND OTHER TISSUE.

THAT IS THE CONCERNING THING.

WE REALLY DON'T KNOW.

ONE THING WE DO KNOW IN LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS LIKE IN A DISH PLASTICS ARE NOT GOOD FOR HUMAN CELLS THEY CAN DAMAGE THE CELLS.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW IT LINKS TO DISEASES.

THERE'S CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE THAT MUCH MORE RESEARCH NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> IMPORTANT STUDIES HERE.

OUR THANKS AS ALWAYS TO NEIL SHUBIN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> 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 MONDAY 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.

>> 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. STARBUCKS WORKERS IN THE CHICAGO AREA AND AROUND THE U.S. ARE JOINING A FAST GROWING UNIONIZATION EFFORT.

>> AND WE VISIT MERCURY THEATRE FOR A PREVIEW OF WINNIE THE POOH THE MUSICAL.

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

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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