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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> YOU ARE GOING TO BE SAFER AND GET THERE FASTER.

>> THE PRESIDENT SIGNS THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL INTO LAW.

ONE-ON-ONE WITH MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ON WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR CHICAGO.

>> THIS IS A GENERATIONAL INVESTMENT.

>> AND A LOOK AT WHAT THAT INVESTMENT COULD MEAN FOR PROJECTS ACROSS ILLINOIS.

>> THE POWER DYNAMIC IS SHIFTING TO THE WORKER.

>> A RECORD NUMBER OF AMERICANS ARE QUITTING THEIR JOBS.

WHAT IS BEHIND THE SO-CALLED GREAT RESIGNATION AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK?

>> GUN VIOLENCE IS DEVASTATING COMMUNITIES, NEIGHBORHOODS, BLOCKS AND FAMILIES.

>> A NEW OFFICE IN ILLINOIS I WILL AIMS TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE.

>> AS UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS ARE AT JOHN DEERE THE BUSINESS SEES A BOOM THAT AND MORE FROM CRANES.

>> THE EPA ANNOUNCES A NATIONAL RECYCLING STRATEGY.

MEET TWO WHO ARE MAKING A PROFIT MAKING PROPOSITION.

[♪♪♪] >> PLUS THE CHICAGO CHILDREN'S CHOIR ON THEIR 65 YEARS OF HISTORY AND MUSIC MAKING AND ITS LATEST COLLABORATIONS.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE CONTROVERSIAL LEADER OF CHICAGO'S POLICE UNION SAYS HE PLANS TO QUIT THE FORCE TOMORROW.

JOHN CATANZARA'S ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AFTER A DAY OF TESTIFYING AT HIS OWN TERMINATION HEARING BEFORE THE CHICAGO POLICE BOARD.

CATANZARA CALLED THE HEARING AA QUOTE FARCE AND ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT AS AN OFFICER SAYING QUOTE... CATANZARA WHO WAS ELECTED LOST OF LAST YEAR AS HEAD OF THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 7 IS ACCUSED OF BREAKING RULE ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND FALSE REPORTS.

HE INTENDS TO REMAIN ON AS FOP PRESIDENT.

THE JURY IN THE KYLE RITTENHOUSE MURDER TRIAL IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO GETTING THE CASE.

THE JURY HEARD CLOSING ARGUMENTS FROM PROSECUTORS AND RITTENHOUSE'S ATTORNEYS AND THE JUDGE RULED THE JURY CAN CONSIDER LESSER CHARGES AND DISMISS A MISDEMEANOR GUN POSSESSION CHARGE.

HE SHOT AND KILLED TWO MEN AND WOUNDED A THIRD IN KENOSHA WISCONSIN IN 2020.

PROSECUTORS CALLED RITTENHOUSE A WANNA BE SOLDIER QUOTE-UNQUOTE WHILE THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS SAY HE ACTED IN SELF-DEFENSE.

>> THE DEFENDANT DECIDED TO PULL THE TRIGGER ON HIS AR15 FOUR TIMES.

THAT WAS HIS DECISION.

AND HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERY BULLET THAT COMES OUT OF THAT GUN.

HE DOESN'T GET A PASS BY PULLING THE TRIGGER FAST.

>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, KYLE WAS NOT AN ACTIVE SHOOTER.

THAT IS A BUZZWORD THAT THE STATE WANTS TO LASH ON TO BECAUSE IT EXCUSES THE ACTIONS OF THAT MOB.

>> IF CONVICTED OF THE MOST SERIOUS CHARGE RITTENHOUSE COULD FACE A MANDATORY LIFE SENTENCE.

JURY DELIBERATIONS ARE SET TO BEGIN TOMORROW.

>> AND CHICAGO TOPS 700 HOMICIDES FOR THE YEAR.

715 PEOPLE DIED AS A RESULT OF CHICAGO'S VIOLENCE WITH SIX WEEKS UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR.

TWO WERE KILLED AND SIX SHOT TODAY ALONE IN ADDITION TO 21 PEOPLE SHOT FOUR FATALLY OVER THE WEEKEND.

SHOOTINGS ARE UP 9% SINCE LAST YEAR AND HOMICIDES ARE UP 3%.

>> AND UP NEXT, PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNS HIS SIGNATURE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL INTO LAW.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> UP TO $17 BILLION IS SET TO COME ILLINOIS' WAY WITH A FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE LAW IN PLACE.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS WITH A BREAKDOWN WHAT THAT MEANS.

>> IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE THE U.S.

INVESTED IN ITS INFRASTRUCTURE IN A COMPREHENSIVE FASHION.

SHOVEL READY PROJECTS WERE FUNDED BUT IT WAS NOT AS LARGE AS THIS.

AND WHILE PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTED TO PASS AN INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE IT NEVER HAPPENED.

AFTER A LOT OF NEGOTIATING AND NOW TODAY WITH THE STROKE OF A PEN, MONEY WILL SOON BE FLOWING TOWARD ROADS, THE ELECTRIC GRID, WATER SYSTEMS HAVING LEAD PIPES REMOVED.

IN THE INTERVENING PERIOD THE UNITED STATES CAME TO RANK 13TH IN QUALITY OF OVERALL INFRASTRUCTURE ACCORDING TO THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM.

>> WELL THAT'S ABOUT TO CHANGE.

THINGS ARE GOING TO TURN AROUND IN A BIG WAY.

FOR EXAMPLE, BECAUSE OF THIS LAW, NEXT YEAR WILL BE THE FIRST YEAR IN 20 YEARS AMERICAN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT WILL GROW FASTER THAN CHINA'S.

WE'LL ONCE AGAIN HAVE THE BEST ROADS BRIDGES, PORTS AND AIRPORTS.

>> HEAD OF THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES OF ILLINOIS KEVIN ARTL CALL IT IS A GENERATIONAL INVESTMENT.

>> WE KNOW IN ILLINOIS WE HAVE PROJECTS WE NEED TO FIX RIGHT NOW.

WE SEE POTHOLES ON ROADS AND REPAIRS TO MAKE ON OUR EXPRESSWAYS.

BUT MUCH LARGER THIS MAKES INVESTMENTS IN PROJECTS WE DON'T SEE YET.

IT SETS US UP FOR REPAIRING THE 270 CORRIDOR IN MADDION OR THE EISENHOWER EXPRESSWAY AND REDOING THE BLUE LINE TO CTA AND RECONFIGURING LAKE SHORE DRIVE.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT GENERATIONAL INVESTMENT THOSE ARE PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE IN DESIGN FOR YEARS AND CONSTRUCTION FOR YEARS.

IT'S REALLY A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN PREPARING OUR REGION'S INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE.

>> DRIVE AROUND AT ALL YOU WILL NOTICE THERE'S ALREADY A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION GOING ON AND THAT IS IN PART DUE TO ILLINOIS' OWN BIPARTISAN $45 BILLION INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN REBUILD ILLINOIS PASSED IN 2019 AND PAID THROUGH A HIGHER TAX ON GASOLINE.

DUPAGE, WILL COUNTIES LIKEWISE PASSED THEIR SMALLER INFRASTRUCTURE PLANS.

>> REBUILD ILLINOIS PUT US IN A POSITION TO REPAIR OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW WITH THE NATIONAL BILL AND THE FUNDS FROM THAT PUTS US IN A POSITION TO EXPAND OUR CORRIDORS AND MODERNIZE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND THAT IS EXACTLY THE ONE-TWO PUNCH THAT OUR STATE NEEDED.

>> WHERE IS ALL OF THIS MONEY GOING TO GO?

THE FEDS PARSED THAT OUT ALLOCATING BLOCKS OF MONEY FOR CERTAIN NEEDS OF THE $1.25 TRILLION, ILLINOIS IS SET TO RECEIVE $17 BILLION WITH 9.8 BILLION GOING TOWARD FEDERAL HIGHWAY PROJECTS.

ONE.4 BILLION FOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENTS AND REPAIRS.

THE STATE HAS 2,000 BRIDGES GRADED AS POOR CONDITION.

4 BILLION TOWARDS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

1.7 BILLION FOR DRINKING WATER AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND THEN THERE'S STILL MORE.

FOR THINGS LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE, BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS AND AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS.

>> WE HAVE A REALLY BIG OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN OUR REGION THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO.

OUR SYSTEM NEEDS MAINTENANCE, MODERNIZATION, WE ARE THE HUB OF FREIGHT MOVEMENTS FOR THE COUNTRY HERE.

AND THERE ARE REALLY HUGE INVESTMENTS THAT THIS BILL WILL ALLOW US TO MAKE IN ILLINOIS.

>> NOW, HOW EXACTLY IS IT DECIDED WHERE THAT MONEY IS GOING TO BE SPENT?

EACH YEAR THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UPDATES THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN AND UP TO I DOT HOW TO SPEND THE MONEY.

PRIORITY PROJECTS INCLUDE BRIDGES OVER I80 THAT EISENHOWER EXPRESSWAY CORRIDOR AND A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO UNTANGLE FREIGHT AND PASSENGER RAIL.

ALSO PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE LAW, A FOCUS ON MAKING PUBLIC TRANSIT STATIONS ACCESSIBLE.

>> THERE IS A SPECIFIC PROGRAM THAT SENATOR DUCKWORTH SPONSORED THAT GOT INCORPORATED INTO THIS.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT HOW ACCESSIBLE OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM IS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO THERE ARE MANY STATIONS YOU DON'T HAVE ELEVATORS THAT ONLY HAVE STAIRS.

THINKING HOW WE CREATE A THRIVING REGION THAT ONE OF THE WAYS WE CAN GET PEOPLE THE JOBS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND THERE IS FUNDING FOR THAT HERE.

>> $17 BILLION SLATED FOR ILLINOIS AND THE FEDS HAVE MONEY SET ASIDE THAT GOVERNMENTS CAN COMPETE TO WIN.

AND THE COUNCIL OF ENGINEERS KEVIN ARTL SAYS ILLINOIS IS BEST POSITIONED TO BRING THAT HOME BOTH BECAUSE OF THE STATE'S NEEDS ALSO BECAUSE THAT REBUILD PROGRAM MEANS THAT THERE'S MONEY IN THE BANK INTENDED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PURPOSES.

SO ILLINOIS SHOULD HAVE THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO PUT UP MATCHING FUNDS WHEN MATCH IS REQUIRED BY THE FEDS.

HE WARNS AS DOES C MAP THAT ALL OF THAT MONEY IS NOT QUITE ENOUGH TO TAKE CARE OF ALL OF ILLINOIS' BACKLOG OF NEEDS.

BEFORE SIGNING THE BILL, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN THANKED ALL OF THE MAYORS AND GOVERNORS BIPARTISAN HE SAYS WHO LOBBIED TO HELP GET THAT PASSED NON-THE AUDIENCE FOR THAT AMONG THEM, CHICAGO'S OWN MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND ILLINOIS' GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER.

PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS.

AND NOW WE'RE JOINED BY MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT FROM WASHINGTON D.C., THE MAYOR ATTENDED THE BILL SIGNING CEREMONY IN THE WHITE HOUSE ROSE GARDEN.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TAKE US BEHIND THE SCENES AT TODAY'S EVENT.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> IT WAS A GREAT EVENT.

AS YOU KNOW BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC THESE GATHERINGS HAVE BEEN FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.

AND FOR THE MAYORS THAT WERE THERE, THE FIRST TIME WE HAD BEEN TOGETHER SINCE JANUARY, FEBRUARY OF 2020 BEFORE ALL THE PANDEMIC INDUCED SHUTDOWNS HAPPENED.

WE'VE SEEN EACH OTHER ON ZOOMS AND ON THE PHONE BUT IT WAS TERRIFIC TO BE THERE IN PERSON AND FOR ME IT WAS GREAT TO BE ABLE TO SEE MANY OF THE CABINET MEMBERS, SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG, SECRETARY WALSH AND THEN I HAD A FEW MINUTES AT THE END OF THE CEREMONY WITH MITCH LAND DREW WHO IS GOING TO BE THE INFRASTRUCTURE CZAR.

BUT IT WAS GREAT TO BE ABLE TO SEE FOLKS AND TALK ABOUT AND MAKE THE CASE FOR WHY THESE RESOURCES ARE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR CHICAGO.

GOT TO SPEND A BRIEF MOMENT WITH THE VICE-PRESIDENT PROBABLY THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY DAY.

BUT IT WAS REALLY INSPIRING TO BE PART OF SUCH AN HISTORIC EVENT.

>> AS YOU MENTIONED A LOT OF RESOURCES COMING TO CHICAGO AND ILLINOIS IN THIS BILL.

YOU TALKED ABOUT THE CTA AND REDLINE EXTENSIONS TO 130TH.

THE WHEELS HAVE BEEN IN MOTION IS THIS PROJECT NOW OFFICIALLY A GO BECAUSE OF THIS INFRASTRUCTURE BILL?

>> WELL, I THINK SO.

WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE TO WAIT-AND-SEE EXACTLY WHAT PARTS OF THE PACKAGE WILL BE PEER GRANTS VERSUS COMPETITIVE GRANTS BUT THE CTA IS WELL POSITIONED WHICHEVER FUNDING STREAM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS.

HATS OFF TO OUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, PARTICULARLY OUR SENIOR SENATOR DICK DURBIN AND SENATOR DUCKWORTH AND REPRESENTATIVE QUIGLEY, KELLY AND KRISHNAMOORTHI THEY HAVE BEEN HELP AND INSTRUMENTAL IN MAKING SURE WE GOT THE RESOURCES THAT WE NEEDED AND THEY WERE LISTENING TO WHAT WAS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT TO CHICAGO.

LEAD SERVICE LINES IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THIS BILL ALONG WITH THE MONEYS TO BUILDUP THE ELECTRIC CAR INFRASTRUCTURE BROADBAND WILL HELP THE CITY.

THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT NOOKS AND CRANNIES OF THE BILL THAT WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO CHICAGO.

>> RIGHT.

AND SPEAKING OF THAT LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT FOR WATER $1.7 BILLION SLATED FOR ILLINOIS.

WILL THERE BE ENOUGH MONEY TO REPLACE CHICAGO SERVICE LINES AND HOW LONG WILL THE PROJECT TAKE?

>> IT'S NOT COVER EVERYTHING.

KEEP IN MIND THAT WE HAVE THE LARGEST LEAD SERVICE LINE COLLECTION IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT IT'S GOING TO HELP ENORMOUSLY.

WE ARE GOING TO PUSH TO MAKE SURE WE GET OUR FAIR SHARE OF THOSE DOLLARS FROM SPRINGFIELD.

BUT IT'S GOING TO BE ENORMOUSLY HELPFUL TO THE WORK WE'VE STARTED IN CHICAGO.

WITH THE PASSAGE OF LAST YEAR'S CAPITAL PLAN.

>> AND SPEAKING OF WATER, I'M SURE YOU SAW THE WBEZ INVESTIGATION SHOWING CHICAGOANS WRACKED UP 420 MILLION IN DEBT TRYING TO PAY OFF FEES FOR WATER BILLS.

DOES THE CITY NEED TO TAKE A LESS PUNITIVE APPROACH TO FEES AND FINES CONSIDERING THIS REPORT FOUND IT WAS IMPACTING BLACK COMMUNITIES THE MOST?

>> LOOK, WE KNOW THIS WAS A HUGE ISSUE.

BEFORE I GOT SWORN IN DURING THE TRANSITION I DIRECTED THE WATER DEPARTMENT TO STOP SHUTTING PEOPLE OFF IN WATER BECAUSE I BELIEVE WATER IS A BUSINESSIC HUMAN RIGHT.

AND WE STOOD UP A UTILITY BILL RELIEF PROGRAM THAT JANUARY IN EARLY 2020 AND WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SIGN UP FOR IT.

WE PUT TOGETHER A CUSTOMIZED BILLING PLAN AND AFTER A YEAR OF CONSISTENT PAYMENTS ALL YOUR OLD WATER DEBT IS WIPED AWAY.

THIS IS A GREAT PLAN.

A GREAT PROGRAM.

GO TO THE CITY'S WEBSITE CHECK OUT THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE WE WANT TO GET MORE PEOPLE SIGNED UP SO WE CAN GET PEOPLE BACK IN THE SERVICE AND WASH AWAY THAT OLD DEBT.

>> GET BACK TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE HIGHLIGHTS.

YOU WERE PROPOSED AN ALL ELECTRIC BUS FLEET FOR THE CTA IS THERE MONEY IN HERE TO COMPLETE A PROJECT LIKE THAT?

AND HOW LONG WOULD THAT TAKE?

>> WELL, THERE IS MONEY TO HELP US TOWARDS OUR GOAL OF GETTING AN ALL ELECTRIC FLEET.

THERE'S MONEY TO BUILDUP THE ELECTRONIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS AND THE OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS GOING TO BE NEEDED.

SENATOR DURBIN HAS TAKEN THE LEAD ON THIS FOR THE STATE.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PART OF THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE FUTURE.

NOT ONLY IS IT GREAT FOR THE ECONOMY, BUT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND IT WILL MAKE SURE WE HAVE GOOD PAYING JOBS AND REALLY ENCOURAGE THE PEOPLE TO LOWER THEIR CARBON FOOTPRINT BY GOING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

>> SPEAKING OF THE ENVIRONMENT WHAT ABOUT MONEY FOR MITIGATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS, FLOODING FROM THE LAKE, FLOODING FROM HEAVY RAIN EVENTS WHICH CHICAGO SEEMS TO BE SEEING MORE AND MORE OF IN RECENT YEARS?

>> THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE AND A LOT OF MONEY IN THIS PACKAGE FOR THAT AS WELL.

WE'VE BEEN PUSHING AS YOU KNOW, TO GET THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO CONTINUE THE WORK IN THE LAKE.

THE AREAS IN OUR CITY NORTH AND SOUTH WHERE THE WORK HAS HAPPENED WE ARE NOT SEEING THAT FLOODING.

WE KNOW THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE AND WE'RE GOING TO PUSH THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS THAT NOW GOT MILLIONS AND MILLIONS MORE DOLLARS THAN PROJECTED TO GET THAT WORK DONE.

AND MEANWHILE WE ARE GOING TO KEEP WORKING WITH COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING THINGS TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF THE RISING LAKE LEVELS AND THE FLOODING THAT ENSUES.

BUT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD FOR US.

>> AND MAYOR YOU ARE IN WASHINGTON I HAVE TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE NEWS TODAY.

THE FOP PRESIDENT JOHN CATANZARA HE HAD BEEN FACING TERMINATION HEARINGS FOR HIS JOB AT C.P.D.

HE ANNOUNCES HE PLANS ON RETIRING RATHER THAN FACE BEING FIRED.

YOUR REACTION TO THAT?

>> WELL, IT'S NOT SURPRISING TO ME THAT JOHN CATANZARA SAW THE WRITING ON THE WALL.

HE HAS DISGRACED HIMSELF AND DISGRACED THE DEPARTMENT.

AND I THINK THERE WAS A STRONG CASE THAT WAS GOING TO BE MADE AGAINST HIM.

IT IS NOT SURPRISING TO ME THAT HE DIDN'T WANT TO FACE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR HIS OWN CONDUCT.

WE HAVE TO BE ABOUT THE FUTURE AND JOHN CATANZARA IS A PART OF THE PAST.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR OFFICERS PARTICULARLY THE YOUNG OFFICERS ARE THE BEST TRAINED AND BEST PROTECTED AND BEST SUPPORTED FOR OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTRY.

THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO BE ABOUT NOT SOMEBODY WHO RUINED HIS OWN CAREER I DON'T WANT TO SEE HIM LEAVE MORE OFFICERS ASTRAY ON HIS OFFENSIVE RHETORIC.

WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD AND AWAY FROM JOHN CATANZARA FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR DEPARTMENT WHICH TO ME LOOKS GREAT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK WE NEED TO CONTINUE DOING ON POLICE REFORM AND ACCOUNTABILITY BUT OUR OFFICERS ARE DOING HEROIC WORK EVERYDAY AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING THEM.

>> YOUR OFFICE HAS A DEADLINE TO RESPOND TO AN IG REPORT ON THE AFTERMATH OF THE BOTCHED C.P.D.

RAID OF ANJANETTE YOUNG.

INCLUDING ACTIONS TAKEN BY YOUR OFFICE AND THE LEGAL SETTLEMENT TALKS.

DO YOU COMMIT TO RELEASING THAT REPORT PUBLICLY?

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK THAT REPORT IS COMPLETE.

AND I SENT A LETTER TO THE IG LATE LAST WEEK TELLING THEM THEY NEEDED TO ACCOUNT FOR THEIR OWN CONDUCT.

AS YOU MAY REMEMBER THE FORMER IG IN JULY OF 19 INDICATED HE WAS GOING TO DO A FULL INVESTIGATION OF THE SO-CALLED WRONG RAID CASES INCLUDING THE ONE INVOLVING ANJANETTE YOUNG.

AND YET WE NEVER HEARD FROM THEM AND THE REPORT THAT CAME OUT IS NOT HOLD THE IG ITSELF ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE FACT THAT THEY HAD THIS CASE FOR ALMOST A YEAR-AND-A-HALF, AND DID NOTHING.

SO I THINK IN ORDER FOR US TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED FOR ALL OF CITY GOVERNMENT AND MAKE SURE THAT THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE IG TO COME UP WITH THEIR OWN WORK OR LACK THEREOF IN CONNECTION WITH ANJANETTE YOUNG AND THE OTHER CASES.

THIS INVESTIGATION IS NOT COMPLETE AND I'VE ASKED THE IG TO FINISH ITS WORK AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND THEN THE CITY DEPARTMENTS AND MAYOR'S OFFICE WILL RESPOND.

>> HIS CONTENTION WAS THAT HE COULD NOT GET THE INFORMATION HE NEEDED BECAUSE -- >> THAT IS JUST NOT TRUE.

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE.

>> MAYOR -- >> NOT ONLY EVERY CITY DEPARTMENT INCLUDING THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND MYSELF PERSONALLY COOPERATED IN THE INVESTIGATION.

THERE WAS PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE IG TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.

BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE SPECIFIC ANSWERS AROUND WHY IT WAS THAT THEY TOOK ON THIS RESPONSIBILITY IN JULY OF 19 AND WE DIDN'T HEAR A PEEP FOR A YEAR-AND-A-HALF UNTIL THAT VIDEO BECAME PUBLIC.

THAT TO ME HAS TO BE ADDRESSED.

>> I KNOW YOU ARE ABOUT TO CATCH A FLIGHT.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT REMAP.

YOU KNOW THAT THE BLACK CAUCUS WANTS TO KEEP 18 MAJORITY AFRICAN-AMERICAN WARDS AND HISPANIC IS ASKING FOR 16.

ARE YOU GOING TO SUPPORT A MAP THAT HAS 18 MAJORITY AFRICAN-AMERICAN WARDS?

COMPROMISE IS THE ART OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

THE PRESIDENT SAID THAT LOUD AND CLEAR TODAY.

MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO COMPROMISE.

BUT FIRST THERE HAS TO BE TRANSPARENCY SO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PARTICULARLY THOSE AREAS OF THE CITY THAT HAVE BEEN CARVED UP BETWEEN THREE, FOUR AND FIVE DIFFERENT WARDS THEY HAVE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH-IN AND SEE A MAP THAT REFLECTS THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF PEOPLE IN THE CITY.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME TRANSPARENCY AROUND THE REMAP PROCESS AND WE'LL SEE WHAT THE CITY COUNCIL DOES BUT THE PUBLIC HAS TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH-IN.

AND I'M MINDFUL OF THE FACT THAT THE CLOCK IS TICKING AND I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS BUT WE NEED TO SEE A LOT MORE TRANSPARENCY AND REAL ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY.

WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE WARDS FOR A DECADE.

AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE CORRECT PROBLEMS FROM THE LAST COUPLE CYCLES WHERE TOO MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS WERE CARVED UP AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHO TO GO TO TO GET ANSWERS TO BASIC CITY SERVICES AND QUESTIONS.

>> GO AHEAD AND FINISH.

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT WE MAKE SURE THAT THE MAP IS REFLECTIVE OF WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM RESIDENTS AND THAT RESIDENTS KNOW WHO THEIR ALDERMAN IS AND WHO TO HOLD ACCOUNTABLE.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FROM WASHINGTON AND SAFE TRAVELS HOME.

>> THANK YOU IT IS A PLEASURE.

>> THE GROWING NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THE WORKFORCE WHAT IS THE CAUSE BEHIND THE GREAT RESIGNATION.

STAY WITH US.

>> AMERICAN WORKERS ARE QUITTING THEIR JOBS IN RECORD NUMBERS.

GOVERNMENT STATE TA SHOWS A HIGH OF 4.4 MILLION PEOPLE LEFT THEIR JOBS IN SEPTEMBER.

IT'S PART OF WHAT HAS BEEN DUBBED THE GREAT RESIGNATION.

SOME SAY WORKERS HAVE SPENT THE PANDEMIC REEVALUATING THEIR PRIORITIES AND VALUES LEADING THEM TO LEAVE THEIR PLACES OF WORK OR DEMAND MORE FROM THEIR EMPLOYERS.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE BIG QUIT AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK ARE HILARY PHILPS MEHTA VICE-PRESIDENT OF EMPLOYEE RESPONSE AT THE GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS FIRM EDELMAN.

AND MISHAL KHAN SHE PUBLISHED AN OP-ED IN THE TRIBUNE ABOUT THE GREAT RESIGNATION.

NOW, ACCORDING TO THE U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR AND STATISTICS, 3% OF WORKERS QUIT THEIR JOBS IN SEPTEMBER.

THE INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST INCREASE WERE ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION.

OTHER SERVICES LIKE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OR PERSONAL SERVICES.

AS WELL AS STATE AND LOCAL PUBLIC EDUCATION.

MILITIA SHALL LET'S START WITH YOU, MISHAL WERE ARE WORKERS QUITTING THEIR JOBS?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS IT'S NOT JUST PEOPLE LEAVING JOBS FAG BACK ON PANDEMIC RELIEF.

THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT WORKER BURN-OUT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND TO RISK NOT ONLY THEIR MENTAL HEALTH BUT THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH AND THEY DID NOT GET A LOT IN RETURN.

THERE IS A REAL PRICE THAT GOING ON WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO BE DOING THERON HAWK DAYS THEY HAVE ON THIS PLANET.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF THAT GOING ON.

AND WOMEN HAD TO EXIT THE JOB MARKET BECAUSE THERE IS A CRISIS OF CARE WORK GOING ON IN THE COUNTRY AT THE MOMENT.

I THINK THESE ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST QUESTIONS THAT IT DEPENDS ON EVERY INDIVIDUAL AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL HAS A STORY TO TELL WHEN THE MOMENT IT BECAME TOO MUCH FOR THEM.

>> EARLIER TODAY WE SPOKE WITH ASHLEY SOUTH IN THE SPRING SHE LEFT HER JOB AT A BANK TO START A MAGAZINE IN NAPERVILLE.

ONE REASON IS A DIFFERENCE IN VALUES.

SHE SAYS COMMENTS BY A TOP EXECUTIVE AT AN EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION MEETING MADE THIS CLEAR TO HER.

>> TELLING THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO KEPT THE LIGHTS ON DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT HE WAS IMPACTED BY NOT BEING ABLE TO GO TO THE ALPS FOR HIS VACATION AND HE DID NOT ASK ANY QUESTIONS.

HE TALKED ABOUT HOW HE WAS IMPACTED.

>> HILARY PHILPS MEHTA DOES THIS RING TRUE TO WHAT YOU SEE EMPLOYEES LOOKING FOR MORE BROADLY?

>> EDELMAN RELEASED THE TRUST BAROMETER ON THE BELIEF-DRIVEN EMPLOYEE WHICH HIGHLIGHTS HOW THE RELATIONSHIP HAS EVOLVED THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC AND THE NEW EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYEES.

AND 76% DO HAVE THE HIGHER EXPECTATIONS THAN THEY DID A YEAR AGO AND WHAT IS MOTIVATING THEM TO JOIN HAS SHIFTED DRAMATICALLY.

THEY ARE TURNING INWARD AND REFLECTING DEEPLY WHAT THEY WANT TO PRIORITIZE IN THEIR LIVES AND AT WORK.

6 IN 10 ARE NOW CHOOSING EMPLOYERS BASED ON THEIR VALUES AND BELIEFS.

THEY ARE LEAVING JOBS IN RECORD NUMBERS WITH COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS NO LONGER BEING ENOUGH TO INCENTIVIZE THEM TO JOIN OR STAY.

THEY ARE CHOOSING WHAT THE RESPONSIBILITIES THE, SENIOR LEADERSHIP AND THE COMPANY'S STANCE ON CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES OVER THE COMPANY'S SUCCESS IN THE MARKETPLACE.

THERE'S A HUGE GAP IN THESE EXPECTATIONS AND HOW EMPLOYERS ARE SHOWING UP AND PEOPLE ARE LEAVING.

ONE IN FIVE LEFT OR ARE PLANNING TO LEAVE THEIR JOBS IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS IN SEARCH OF AN EMPLOYER THAT WILL MEET THEIR EXPECTATIONS.

>> HERE IS ANOTHER ONE.

WE SPOKE WITH A VIDEO EDITOR WHO LEFT HIS CORPORATE JOB TO DO FREELANCE WORK.

HERE IS WHY HE LEFT.

>> EVEN THOUGH I WAS DOING WORK THAT I LOVED IT WAS THE CORPORATE ENVIRONMENT THAT MADE IT LIKE I USED WORD LEECHES AND SOUL SUCKING THEY TRIED TO GET OUT OF YOU AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

THIS IS ACROSS THE BOARD.

A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK FOR WORKER BEES.

>> MISHAL MANY PEOPLE ARE PIVOTING TO THE GIG ECONOMY.

WHY IS THAT THE TREND WHY ARE WE SEEING THAT?

>> I THINK WHY THAT IS THE TREND IS BECAUSE OF THIS BEING FED UP WITH THE 9-5, THE BOSSES AND THE EXPLOITATION.

I WANT TO FOCUS ON NOT WHY BUT WHAT IS THE CONSEQUENCE AND WHAT MY CONCERNS ARE ABOUT THAT.

THIS IS SIGNIFICANT TREND.

THE RECENT NUMBERS ARE QUITE STARTLING SHOWING THERE'S BEEN A RECORD NUMBER OF PEOPLE REGISTERING FOR NEW BUSINESSES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CELEBRATING THIS BUT IF YOU BREAK IT DOWN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF WORK FALL INTO THAT.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE OPTING FOR START-UPS BUT FREELANCING, CONTRACT WORK AND PEOPLE WHO ARE JOINING THE GIG ECONOMY.

BUT FOR ME AND MY WORK WHAT I REALLY WANT TO POINT OUT IS THAT FREEDOM ENTAILS RISK.

IT CAN BE A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD.

WE'VE SEEN THIS WITH THE GIG ECONOMY IT WAS ALLURING AT FIRST WHERE PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY NO LONGER HAD TO SELL THEIR SOULS FOR SOMEONE ELSE THEY COULD WORK FOR THEMSELVES AND BE ENTREPRENEURS AND START THEIR OWN BUSINESSES.

OVER TIME, THEIR WAGES HAVE BEEN DIMINISHED BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN PUSHED INTO MORE AND MORE PRECARIOUS KINDS OF WORK.

AND SOME OF THEM ARE NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE WORKING MORE THAN EVER.

THE BIG QUESTION IS: WHAT KIND OF SAFETY NETS ARE OUT THERE FOR PEOPLE LEAVING THE SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF TRADITIONAL JOBS?

AND IT WILL BE MUCH MORE DANGEROUS FOR SOME PEOPLE THAN IT WILL BE FOR OTHERS.

>> BECAUSE IT COMES AT THE RISK OF LOSING BENEFITS THATTH THOSE 9-5 JOBS MIGHT HAVE.

HILLARY WHAT CAN EMPLOYERS DO TO RETAIN WORKERS?

>> START BY HAVING A SHARED UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMPANY'S EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE AT LARGE.

WHAT IT MEANS TO JOIN AND WORK AT THE COMPANY WHAT WE CALL AN EMPLOYEE VALUE PROPOSITION OR EVP.

THIS IS A CRISP ARTICULATION WHAT EMPLOYEES CAN EXPECT AT WORK FOR EXCHANGE OF THEIR PRODUCTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE FAR BEYOND THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS BUT HOW THE COMPANY DOES BUSINESS AND BRAND IMAGE.

MANY COMPANIES ARE REEVALUATING THAT BECAUSE EMPLOYEES ARE EXPECTING A POWERFUL EMPLOYER BRAND THAT ALIGNS WITH WHAT THEY ARE SEEKING MOST.

WE LIKE TO THINK AS TAKING A CONSUMER GRADE MEASUREMENT APPROACH TO RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

COMPANIES HAVE TO BRAND THEIR ORGANIZATIONS AND THE EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE AT THAT TIME STRENGTHENS THEIR CULTURES AND POSITION THEMSELVES FOR FUTURE GROWTH.

>> MISHAL HOW DOES THIS CONNECT TO HOW THE U.S.

THINKS OF PRODUCTIVITY AND THE ROLE OF WORK IN PEOPLE'S LIVES?

>> I THINK THIS IS FOR ME ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AS A HISTORICAL SOCIALOLOGIST I THINK ABOUT THE LONG-TERM WHERE IT COMES FROM WHY DO WE VALUE WORK SO MUCH?

WHY ARE WE ADDICTED THE PRIMARY WAY WE THINK OF OURSELVES OF HUMAN BEINGS OR DESERVING OF FREEDOM AND HOW CAN WE BREAK FREE OF THIS.

>> MISHAL KHAN AND HILARY PHILPS MEHTA THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW PARIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", SOME COMPANIES PREDICT ON-LINE SHOPPING PARTICULARLY SNACK SHOPPING IS HERE TO STAY THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> GUN VIOLENCE IS DEVASTATING COMMUNITIES, NEIGHBORHOODS, BLOCKS AND FAMILIES.

>> A NEW OFFICE THAT IS PART OF THE REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY ACT WILL FOCUS ON REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE IN ILLINOIS.

ON THE DAY THE EPA ANNOUNCES A NATIONAL RECYCLING STRATEGY WE TALK WITH TWO SCIENTISTS AIMING TO MAKE RECYCLING BATTERIES AND PLASTIC A MONEY MAKING PROPOSITION.

[♪♪♪] >> AND A CHICAGO CHILDREN'S CHOIR ON 65 YEARS OF HISTORY AND MUSIC MAKING.

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE CHICAGO POLICE UNION'S CONTROVERSIAL PRESIDENT SAYS HE PLANS TO RETIRE FROM THE POLICE FORCE TOMORROW THIS AFTER AN TESTIMONY AT HIS OWN TERMINATION HEARING.

JOHN CATANZARA ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AFTER TESTIFYING BEFORE THE CHICAGO POLICE BOARD HE IS ACCUSED OF VIOLATING C.P.D.

RULES STEMMING FROM THE SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY AND FILING FALSE POLICE REPORTS.

JOHN CATANZARA WAS UNAPOLOGETIC CALLING THE HEARING A QUOTE FARCE AND ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT AFTER.

HE SAID QUOTE I WILL NO LONGER BE A CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO TOUCH ME NOT YOU NOT THIS POLICE BOARD HE WAS ELECTED AS HEAD OF THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 7 AND HAS TWO MORE YEARS LEFT IN HIS TERM.

CATANZARA INTENDS TO REMAIN ON IN THAT ROLE.

>> THE JURY IN THE KYLE RITTENHOUSE TRIAL IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO GETTING THE CASE.

THEY HEARD CLOSING ARGUMENTS TODAY.

RITTENHOUSE SHOT AND KILLED TWO MEN AND WOUNDED A THIRD WITH AN AR15 STYLE RIFLE DURING PROTESTS IN KENOSHA, WISCONSIN IN 2020.

PROSECUTORS CALLED RITTENHOUSE A QUOTE WANNA BE SOLDIER AND THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY SAYS HE ACTED IN SELF-DEFENSE.

THE JUDGE RULED THE JURY CAN CONSIDER LESSER CHARGES AND DISMISS A MISDEMEANOR GUN POSSESSION CHARGE TODAY.

RITTENHOUSE COULD GET A LIFE SENTENCE IF CONVICTED ON THE MOST SERIOUS CHARGES.

DELIBERATIONS ARE SET TO BEGIN TOMORROW.

CHICAGO TOPS NEW YORK IN ONE DUBIOUS CATEGORY: RAT COMPLAINTS.

CHICAGOANS CALLED IN COMPLAINTS ABOUT RODENTS MORE THAN TWICE AS MUCH AS NEW YORKERS THIS YEAR.

THE STUDY CONDUCTED BY RENT HOP SHOWED 3-1-1 RECEIVED 60,000 RODENT COMPLAINTS THIS YEAR.

IN NEW YORK, RODENT COMPLAINTS TOTALED 25,000 ACROSS THE FIVEBOROS BUT THAT IS UP 29% FROM LAST YEAR.

AND NEW YORK'S POPULATION IS MORE THAN THREE TIMES THE SIZE OF CHICAGO'S.

SO ONE QUESTION REMAINS: ARE THERE REALLY MORE RATS IN CHICAGO?

OR MORE PEOPLE HERE WILLING TO RAT THEM OUT TO OFFICIALS?

PONDER THAT ONE.

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS AND SOME OF BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AS UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS AT JOHN DEERE COULD SOON COME TO AN END, THE USED TRACTOR BUSINESS IS BOOMING A NEW C.E.O.

NOR SIX FLAGS AND STAYING IN AND SNACKING IS MORE THAN SOMETHING MANY OF US DID THIS PAST YEAR IT IS A TREND THAT COULD LAST BEYOND THE PANDEMIC.

HERE IS CRAIN'S EDITOR ANN DWYER.

THE UNITED AUTO WORKERS AT JOHN DEERE ARE SET TO VOTE ON A CONTRACT?

>> THIS IS THE THIRD DEAL TO GO BEFORE THE UAW RANK-AND-FILE AND I WAS SURPRISED THEY DIDN'T TAKE THE SECOND ONE THAT CONTAINED A 10% PAY RAISE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN THE DEAL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY ON THE TABLE.

AS WELL AS A HOST OF OTHER SWEETENERS.

THE COMPANY SAID THAT LAST OFFER WAS ITS FINAL ONE.

AND I SUPPOSE NOTHING IS FINAL UNTIL THE INK IS DRY AND SURE ENOUGH THE UNION MEMBERSHIP IS NOW BEING ASKED TO CONSIDER A VERY SIMILAR PROPOSAL WITH ONLY MODEST MODIFICATIONS.

SO IT LIKELY STILL CONTAINS PROVISIONS LIKE AN 8500 BONUS FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE AS WELL AS A PROMISE OF 5% PAY RAISES IN 2023 AND 2025.

WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE DETAILS OF THE CONTRACT YET BUT WE'LL KNOW A LOT MORE AFTER THE UNION RANK-AND-FILE VOTES ON WEDNESDAY.

>> THE USED TRACTOR BUSINESS HAS BECOME A CRUCIAL MARKETPLACE DURING THE STRIKE.

HOW IS THAT?

>> YOU KNOW WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT FARMERS WHO NEED TO GET THEIR HANDS ON EQUIPMENT TO PULL IN THEIR HARVEST ARE FLOODING AUCTIONS THROUGHOUT THE MIDWEST AND THEY ARE SETTING RECORD SETTING PRICES AS THEY DO SO BIDDING UP PRICES ON EVERYTHING FROM TRACTORS TO IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT.

IT'S JUST WITH THE JOHN DEERE STRIKE AND THE OTHER WELL DOCUMENTED SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEMS THAT THE ENTIRE ECONOMY SEEMS TO BE EXPERIENCING, FARMERS LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE ARE FINDING THAT THEY HAVE TO SCRAP TO GET THE MATERIALS THEY NEED.

>> OK. AND SIX FLAGS HAS A NEW C.E.O.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL BUS HIM.

>> HE IS WELL-KNOWN IN SUBURBAN BUSINESS CIRCLES AROUND HERE BECAUSE HE LED THE RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT MAKER OUT OF ELGIN FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

NOW HE IS STEPPING INTO THE TOP JOB AT SIX FLAGS AT A TIME WHEN THE COMPANY IS REALLY REELING FROM THE PANDEMIC.

AND SEEKING A PATH BACK TO GROWTH.

SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH HOW HE DOES IN THIS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT SETTING.

>> OK. AND QUICK, CHICAGO BASED MONDLY SAYS THEY SEE ON-LINE SNACK BUYING PAST THE PANDEMIC IS THE COMPANY RIGHT?

>> I'M LIKELY TO KEEP ON SNACKING.

THE COMPANY DOES EXPECT THAT NOW THAT PEOPLE ARE SO USED TO BUYING THEIR SNACKS ON-LINE, THAT THIS TREND IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE POST PANDEMIC.

WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT-AND-SEE IF IT'S RIGHT.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS TIME FOR MORE SNACKS.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

>> ANN DWYER THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, BRANDIS.

>> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER RECENTLY DECLARED GUN VIOLENCE A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN ILLINOIS.

AND PLEDGED $250 MILLION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TACKLING THE ISSUE.

THE PLAN IS PART OF PRITZKER'S REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY ACT WHICH CREATED A NEW OFFICE OF FIREARM VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

TO FOCUS ON COMMUNITIES WITH THE HIGHEST RATES OF GUN ACTIVITY.

THE NEW OFFICE WILL BE LED BY CHRIS PATTERSON WHO WORKED IN GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS TRYING TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF GUN VIOLENCE IN NEIGHBORHOODS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.

CHRIS PATTERSON IS THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF FIREARM VIOLENCE PREVENTION FOR THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW ROLE.

HOW DOES YOUR EXPERIENCE PREVIOUSLY WORKING TO COMBAT GUN VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO PREPARE YOU FOR THIS NEW JOB?

>> I THINK YOU ARE ON MUTE.

THERE YOU ARE.

>> YEP THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

AND GOOD EVENING.

SO FOR THE LAST 11 YEARS I'VE WORKED IN THE VIOLENCE REDUCTION SPACE AS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER SEEING THE ROOT CAUSE AND A LOT OF HEART AND PAIN THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

A LOT OF BLOOD A LOT OF FAMILIES HURTING.

TO SEE TO BE ENERGIZED BY THE GOVERNOR'S AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S MOVE TO CREATE A NEW PROGRAM AND OUTLET THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO REIMAGINE WHAT PUBLIC SAFETY COULD LOOK LIKE.

I'M EXCITED I FEEL LIKE TODAY IS A NEW DAY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS.

>> I'M SURE.

GOVERNOR PRITZKER PLEDGED $250 MILLION FOR COMMUNITIES MOST AFFECTED BY GUN VIOLENCE.

HOW CAN THE MONEY BE SPENT ON REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE?

>> I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF GREAT WORK GOING ON IN THE STREET THAT GOES UNNOTICED.

OUR MISSION IN THIS OFFICE IS TO BE LASER FOCUSED WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS ACROSS THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

AND IN CHICAGO TO WORK ON ADDRESSING THE VIOLENCE THAT IS GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITIES.

WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS EMPOWER, TRAIN AND SUPPORT THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DOING THAT GRASSROOT WORK.

>> AND WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT COMMUNITY DISINVEST.

AND HOW IT LENDS ITSELF TO THE GUN VIOLENCE.

WHAT INVESTMENTS COULD THESE FUNDS MAKE?

PARTNERING WITH ORGANIZATIONS ON THE GROUND?

>> WHAT I THINK IS BOLD AND INNOVATIVE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS THE REQUESTED THAT NOT ONLY ARE WE GOING TO LOOK OUT AND SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS FROM A DATABASE-DRIVEN STANDPOINT BUT WE ARE GOING TO THINK ABOUT HOW DO WE EFFECT A LONG-TERM STRATEGY AFFECTING PEOPLE'S MENTAL HEALTH, SUPPORTING THEM IN THEIR STRUCTURAL, MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE JOBS AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

OPPORTUNITIES TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE WITHIN THE STATE PARTICULARLY IN CHICAGO AND OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE, THEY THINK WAKE UP IN THE MORNING AND THINK ABOUT POTENTIALLY BEING SHOT OR HARMED WE WANT THAT NOT TO BE THE REALITY OF PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN ILLINOIS.

>> ACCORDING TO DATA THERE HAVE BEEN 715 HOMICIDES SO FAR THIS YEAR.

THAT IS COMPARED TO 696 HOMICIDES IN ALL OF LAST YEAR.

CHRIS, WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE WHAT DO WE CREDIT THIS SURGE IN VIOLENCE WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS YEAR?

>> SO FROM 2016-2019 WE SAW A REDUCTION IN SHOOTINGS IN THE AREA OF CHICAGO.

AND THAT WAS LED BY GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TOGETHER TO BRING SOLUTIONS TO INEQUITIES.

WHEN COVID HAPPENED, IT EXPOSED THE UNDER BELLI OF INEQUITIES AND SHOWED WE HAD A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE'S LIVES WERE BALANCED AND FAIR.

AND A LOT OF WHAT WE WILL BE DOING WITH THE ACT IS BRINGING THAT EQUITY AND THAT FAIRNESS BACK TO PEOPLE'S LIVES.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR FIRST STEPS IN IMPLEMENTING THIS ACT WITH REGARDS TO REACHING OUT TO LOCAL PARTNERS?

>> OUR FIRST KEN ALPARTNERS AT THE ILLINOIS -- PARTY FER PARTNERS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND IDENTIFYING ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS DOING THE GREAT WORK.

WE ARE PARTNERED WITH OUR COMMUNITY LED ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE DOING THE WORK ON THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL WHAT WE WILL DO IS LISTEN GO AROUND AND LISTEN WHAT HAS BEEN WORKING RIGHT.

WHAT WOULD THEY LIKE TO INCREASE.

WHAT WOULD STATISTICALLY SHOWN TO WORK IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND WE'RE GOING TO SUPPORT THAT.

WE WANT TO LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITIES.

DOWN STATE, SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN PART OF ILLINOIS.

TO SUPPORT THEIR VISION OF WHAT THEY FEEL SAFER COMMUNITIES ARE.

>> DO YOU THINK COULD THE FUNDING LEND ITSELF TOWARDS INNOVATION AND THE ORGANIZATIONS TRYING SOMETHING THAT HAD NOT BEEN TRIED?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO LEAD WITH SUPPORTING PEOPLE IN THE MENTAL HEALTH CATEGORIES.

A LOT OF HURT PEOPLE HURT PEOPLE.

AND THIS IDEA THAT ONLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE OR ONLY TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY NEED THE HELP WE ARE GOING TO GO OUT AND EMPOWER STREET OUTREACH ORGANIZATIONS TO FIND INDIVIDUALS.

CONNECT THEM TO THE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THAT THEY MAY NEED TO THE RESOURCES THEY NEED IN ORDER TO FEEL LIKE THEY CAN LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF NOT BEING TRAPPED IN THAT CYCLE OF VIOLENCE.

THERE IS A LOT OF INNOVATIVE IDEAS COMING OUT AND WE'RE EXCITED TO BE PART OF THAT.

>> OK. CAMP BOTHING COMBATING GUN VIOLENCE IS A HEAVY LIFT.

CHRIS PATTERSON THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND BEST OF LUCK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> A DEEP DIVE INTO THE CUTTING EDGE OF RECYCLING.

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> TODAY'S OFFICIALLY AMERICA RECYCLES DAY BUT THE REALITY IS THAT AMERICA DOESN'T RECYCLE ALL THAT MUCH WEIR'S USING A THIRD OF ALL THE TRASH IT CREATES THIS PROMPTED THE EPA TO ANNOUNCE A NATIONAL RECYCLING STRATEGY.

HERE MOST INDEPENDENT REVIEWS THAT THE BLUE BIN EFFORTS HAVE FALLEN SHORT.

AND JOINING US ARE TWO SCIENTISTS FROM ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY AT THE FOREFRONT ON RESEARCH IN RECYCLING, MAX DELFERRO A CHEMIST AND A LEADER OF THE SCIENCE PROGRAM AT ARGONNE THAT AIMS TO DEVELOP UP CYCLING TO TURN PLASTIC WASTE INTO COMMODITIES.

AND JEFF SPANGEBERGER WHO IS LEADING ARGONNE'S EFFORTS TO DEVELOP WAYS OF RECYCLING LITHIUM ION BATTERIES AND THOSE POWER EVERYTHING FROM ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND CELLPHONES AND LAPTOPS.

MAX DELFERRO WE KNOW WHAT >> COMPLAIN WHAT UP CYCLING MEANS?

>> THERE ARE UP CYCLE SOMETHING THE NEXT STEP WE NEED TO TAKE TO WANT TO DO AN EFFICIENT RECYCLING OF PLASTICS.

SO FAR WE ONLY RECYCLE TWO OF THE PRACTICES PARTICULARS THAT ARE ON THE MARKET.

THE PLASTIC BOTTLE AND THE MID-JUG OF THE [INAUDIBLE] AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO FROM A SCIENTIFIC POINT OF VIEW IS GIVE A SECOND LIFE TO ALL THE PLASTICS AND UP CYCLE THE PLASTIC MEANING THE VALUE OF THE PRODUCT THAT WE ARE GOING TO MAKE FROM OUR WASTE PLASTIC IS GOING TO BE MORE VALUABLE THAN THE PLASTIC ITSELF.

>> HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

HOW DO YOU GIVE AN ECONOMIC INCENTIVE TO RECYCLE SOMETHING LIKE A PLASTIC BOTTLE TO MAKE IT MORE VALUABLE?

>> THERE ARE THE FIRST BIG STEP IS THE MECHANICAL RECYCLE.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEPARATE ALL THE DIFFERENT PLASTICS AND HAVE THEM IN A SINGLE FEED.

AND THEN WHEN WE HAVE SINGLE FEED FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE AND WE ARE DEVELOPING AT ARGONNE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY PARTICULARLY IN THE U.S. NEW TECHNOLOGY AND NEW PROCESSES TO TRANSPORT PLAT PARTICULAR BOTTLE SHAMPOO OR PLASTIC BOTTLE IN A MOTOR OIL THAT YOU CAN USE IN YOUR CAR.

>> AND JEFF SPANGEBERGER YOU'RE STUDYING WAYS TO RECYCLE LITHIUM ION BATTERIES THE FACT THAT THEY ARE USED IN CELLPHONES AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

TELL US THE DEMAND FOR LITHIUM ION BATTERIES.

>> THE DEMAND HAS BEEN CONSTANT FOR CONSUMER ELECTRONICS BATTERY USES CELLPHONES AND LAPTOPS BUT THEY ARE GOING TO START TO SKYROCKET FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES THEY CAME OUT 10 YEARS AGO IN OUR ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

AND END OF LIFE RIGHT NOW THEY WILL REACH END OF LIFE IN THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR YEARS WE'LL SAY.

FROM THIS POINT ON, WE'RE GOING TO SKYROCKET TO ABOUT SEVEN TO 10 TIMES THAT AS ESTIMATED IN THE NEXT 10-15, 20 YEARS.

>> SO HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO RECYCLE LITHIUM ION BATTERIES AND HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO DO THAT GIVEN WHAT YOU ARE MENTIONING HERE?

>> THOSE ARE TWO GREAT QUESTIONS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECYCLE.

WE NEED TO RECOVER THE MATERIALS THAT WE GET BECAUSE WE DO DIG INTO THESE MATERIALS IN THE WORLD IN ORDER TO MAKE THESE PREDICTED AMOUNTS OF BATTERIES.

BUT WE CAN RECYCLE THEM NOW AND THERE'S GOOD WAYS TO RECYCLE THEM.

WE'RE WORKING THE ARGONNE AND AROUND THE NATIONAL LAB IS TRY AND IMPROVE THE BATTERY RECYCLING CAPABILITIES TO IMPROVE ANYWHERE WE CAN MAINLY IN THE ECONOMICS IN ORDER TO HELP DRIVE THIS TO SO THAT PEOPLE WANT TO RECYCLE THE BATTERIES.

>> MAX DELFERRO, THERE IS A REPORT FROM A GROUP CALLED BEYOND PLASTICS THAT ESTIMATES THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY WILL SURPASS COAL AS A SOURCE OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IT'S NOT JUST BAD FOR LANDFILLS, BUT THE PRODUCTION OF PLASTICS IS ALSO BAD IN TERMS OF FOSSIL FUEL EMISSION.

WHAT DOES THAT PORTEND FOR PLASTIC USE GOING FORWARD?

>> AS IT WAS MENTIONED BEFORE THE PLASTIC PROBLEM IS A THREE PROBLEMS.

IT IS A BEHAVIORAL PROBLEM WE NEED TO EDUCATE THE POPULATION ABOUT DO AN EFFICIENT RECYCLING AT HOME.

SO FAR WE HAVE ONLY ONE BLUE BIN WHERE WE PUT EVERYTHING INSIDE AND IT IS AN ECONOMIC PROBLEM AND BATTERIES AND ALSO FOR PLASTICS.

BECAUSE THE COST OF PLASTICS RIGHT NOW IS ALMOST ZERO.

SO CHEAP TO MAKE PLASTIC THAT THERE IS NO INCENTIVE TO DO RECYCLE PLASTIC RECYCLING.

AND THE THIRD PROBLEM IS THE SCIENTIFIC PROBLEM THAT WE SPENT 95 A HUNDRED YEARS TO MAKE NEW PLASTICS WITH A LIGHT AND PERFORMING MATERIALS BUT ONLY PAST FIVE YEARS WE START TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN TRANSFORM THE PLASTICS TO GIVE THE PLASTIC A SECOND LIFE OR A SECOND ECONOMIC VALUE.

>> AND JEFF SPANGEBERGER, IN TERMS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND LICT BEYOND ION -- LITHIUM BATTERIES, MINING LIPGHT YUM IS ROUGH ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT?

I WOULDN'T SAY ROUGH ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

I WOULD SAY THERE ARE IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT BUT YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE.

THERE'S LCA BUT IT'S LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS.

THERE ARE IMPACTS TO MANUFACTURING A BATTERY.

AND THEY ARE GREATER THAN THE IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH MANUFACTURING AND INTERNAL COUPLE BUGS ENGINE BUT THE LIFE CYCLE OF A PRODUCT THROUGH THE LIFE CYCLE OF AN EV, THE USE PHASE EMITS LESS EMISSIONS.

AND THEN THERE'S THE RECYCLING PORTION OF IT.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE ENTIRE LIFE CYCLE OF THE PRODUCT.

>> CERTAINLY A WIN ENVIRONMENTALLY WHEN PUT INTO CONTEXT LIKE THAT.

AND JEFF HOW DO YOU MAKE IT AFFORDABLE OR ECONOMICALLY EFFICIENT TO RECYCLE LITHIUM ION BATTERIES TO HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM?

>> I WISH I COULD GO INTO DETAILS.

WE GET EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK WE DO AT ARGONNE.

BUT TO KEEP IT SIMPLE, THE IDEA IS TO INCREASE THE REVENUE PRODUCTS FROM WHAT YOU ARE RECYCLING AND REDUCE THE COSTS TO PROCESS THAT MATERIAL AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH COOL TECHNOLOGIES.

>> MAX DELFERRO WE MENTIONED IN CHICAGO THE BLUE BIN RECYCLING HAS NOT WORKED WELL, NO RECYCLING EFFORT WORKED WELL HERE IN CHICAGO.

HOW DO RESIDENTS NEED TO START CHANGING THEIR BEHAVIOR TO FIND A SYSTEM HERE THAT WORKS?

>> I THINK THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OPPORTUNITIES.

ONE SOLUTION IS NOT A SINGLE SOLUTION WE NEED MULTIPLE OPTIONS.

ONE OF THAT COULD BE TRY TO EDUCATE THE POPULATION OF SEPARATING THE METAL FROM GLASS FROM PAPER FROM PLASTICS.

MULTIPLE BINS FOR EXAMPLE.

BECAUSE THAT IS GOING TO ALSO HELP THE WASTE COLLECTOR TO SEPARATE THESE PRODUCTS THAT WASTING MORE EFFICIENT WAY.

AND ALSO WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR MATERIAL OF RECYCLING FACILITIES FOR EXAMPLE, USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE OR ROBOTIC SYSTEM TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF SEPARATION.

>> A LOT OF IMPORTANT RESEARCH THAT YOU ARE DOING AT ARGONNE AND WE THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT WITH US.

THANK YOU TO MAX DELFERRO AND JEFF SPANGEBERGER THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SINCE HFS FOUNDED IN 1956, THE CHICAGO CHILDREN'S CHOIR HAS GROWN FROM A SINGLE CHOIR TO A VAST NETWORK OF SINGERS ACROSS THE CITY.

ITS LATEST RECORDING SINGS WITH THE RESILIENCE OF YOUNG PEOPLE TOGETHER TO RAISE EACH OTHER'S VOICES.

MARC VITALI BROUGHT US THE STORY HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

[♪♪♪] ♪WE ARE SO.

>> FROM HYDE PARK... [♪♪♪] TO HUMBOLDT PARK, THE CHICAGO CHILDREN'S CHOIR IS EVERYWHERE.

WITH SOME YOUNG FOLKS STILL LEARNING ABOUT MUSIC AND OTHERS ON A CAREER PATH.

[♪♪♪] NOW THE CHOIR HAS JOINED FORCES WITH THE Q BROTHERS FOR THE NEW RECORD LONG WAY HOME.

AN ODYSSEY AND LOVE LETTER TO THE CITY.

[♪♪♪] >> WE COLLABORATE WITH GREAT ARTISTS AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS IN OUR CITY, NATION AND THE WORLD.

WITH THE Q BROTHERS THIS IS A SPECIAL UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE WITH THEM, WITH THE SINGERS SO THEY CAME IN FROM THE BEGINNING TO WORKSHOP SEVERAL SCENES.

>> THAT'S BECAUSE THE ALBUM BEGAN AS A STAGE SHOW PREPANDEMIC.

[♪♪♪] >> AND THE THEATRE THE Q BROTHERS HAVE A REPUTATION FOR RAP ADAPTATIONS OF SHAKESPEARE AND MORE.

>> WE'VE WRITTEN FOR OURSELVES AND ALWAYS DONE THE BARE MINIMUM OF CASTING.

FOUR OF US PLAY 20 CHARACTERS.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SOMEBODY SAID WE HAVE A HUNDRED PEOPLE FOR YOU TO CAST AND A HUNDRED VOICES THAT CAN SING AND EIGHT PART HARMONIES.

WHAT A DREAM.

[♪♪♪] CHICAGO CHILDREN'S CHOIR WAS BORN OUT OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN 1956.

WE'VE IMPACTED 50,000 YOUNG PEOPLE WHAT STARTED AS ONE CHOIR IN HYDE PARK IS A NETWORK OF 100.

WE HAVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND AFTER SCHOOL SATELLITES THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

[♪♪♪] ONE FORMER STUDENT IS KEIYAA WHO WE SPOKE WITH BEFORE HER PERFORMANCE AT THE PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL.

>> IT TAUGHT ME A LOT WHAT IT MEANT TO BE EXPOSED TO MUSIC AND HAVING TO SING AND BE IN TUNE WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS AND SING THE HARMONY BUT IT THOUGHT ME WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A WORKING MUSICIAN.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT I FEEL LIKE IT SEASONED ME FOR NOW.

[♪♪♪] >> THEY ARE LEARNING HOW TO BECOME NOT ONLY MUSICIANS BUT GLOBAL AMBASSADORS, LEADERS AMBASSADORS OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THAT'S THE POWER OF MUSIC TO UNIFY ALL OF US DESPITE OUR DIFFERENCES, RELIGIOUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR OTHERWISE, ECONOMIC THAT MUSIC IS THIS FORCE THAT BRINGS US ALTOGETHER AND CONNECTS AND UNITES US AND HELPS US CELEBRATE OUR SHARED HUMANITY.

[♪♪♪] FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> THE NEW RECORD THE LONG WAY HOME IS OUT NOW.

THE CHICAGO CHILDREN'S CHOIR IS PREPARING TO THEIR WINTER CONCERTS IN EARLY DECEMBER AND THIS WEDNESDAY THERE IS AN OPEN REHEARSAL WITH THE AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD CHOIR.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

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 MONDAY NIGHT.

>> PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. WHAT IS NEXT FOR WORLD LEADERS AND SCIENTISTS ON THE CLIMATE CHANGE FRONT?

>> AND.

>> AND WE STEP INSIDE CHICAGO'S FIRST NFT GALLERY THAT SELLS ART IN-PERSON AND THE METAVERSE.

FOR ALL OF US IN "CHICAGO TONIGHT".

>> I THINK WE ARE IN THE REAL UNIVERSE.

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

[♪♪♪]