[♪♪♪]
>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO
"THE WEEK IN REVIEW" I'M PARIS
SCHUTZ.
WE WILL BE JOINED BY OUR "THE
WEEK IN REVIEW" GUESTS IN JUST A
MOMENT BUT FIRST, SOME OF
TODAY'S TOP STORIES...
>> LOCAL SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE
REASSURING PARENTS SCHOOLS ARE
SAFE FOLLOWING A SPADE OF
THREATS ON TIKTOK.
C.P.S. AND OTHER DISTRICTS SENT
MESSAGES SAYING THERE ARE NO
CREDIBLE THREATS AFTER TROUBLING
TIKTOK VIRAL CAMPAIGNS PROMOTING
VIOLENCE AT SCHOOLS WENT PUBLIC
TODAY.
AT THE SAME TIME THE SCHOOL
DISTRICTS SAY THEY ARE
CONDUCTING THREAT ASSESSMENTINGS
AND TAKING ALL PRECAUTIONS TO
KEEP STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SAFE.
MORE IN A MOMENT.
>> A SLIGHT DIP IN COVID CASES
AFTER THE STATE SAW 12,000 CASES
THURSDAY THE HIGHEST DAILY STATE
TOTAL OF THE YEAR.
10700 CASES WERE REPORTED TODAY
WITH 52 DEATHS AS
HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE RISING AND
COOK COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
OFFICIALS ARE URGING ALL
BUSINESSES TO REQUIRE PROOF OF
VACCINATION FOR ENTRY.
THE C.D.C. RECOMMENDED SCHOOLS
EMPLOY A COVID TEST TO STAY
POLICY MODELED AFTER A PROGRAM
CREATED IN ILLINOIS.
AND MORE ON THIS IN A BIT AS
WELL.
>> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SIGNS
A BILL REPEALING PARENTAL
NOTIFICATION FOR ABORTION IN
ILLINOIS IT WILL NOT REQUIRE
MINORS TO NOTIFY A PARENT OR A
LEGAL GUARDIAN.
SOME DECRY THE FACT IT STRIPS
PARENTS THE RIGHT TO KNOW IF A
CHILD IS SEEKING ABORTION.
IT HAD BEEN AND THE BOOKS SINCE
1995.
TO OUR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW"
PANEL JOINING US ARE SARAH
SCHULTE OF ABC7 NEWS, ALEX
NITKIN OF THE DAILY LINE, DAVE
SCHAPER OF NPR AND LAURA
WASHINGTON OF THE "CHICAGO
SUN-TIMES" AND AB7 NEWS.
>> ALEX NITKIN IT FEELS LIKE
DEJA VU 12,000 CASES.
DO YOU BELIEVE IT IS A MATTER OF
TIME BEFORE MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT
ANNOUNCES A MANDATORY
VACCINATION POLICY FOR ANYONE
THAT WANTS TO ENJOY AN INDOOR
ACTIVITY IN CHICAGO?
>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT MAYOR
LIGHTFOOT IS GOING TO DO.
A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WHEN NEW YORK
ANNOUNCED THE VACCINATION
MANDATE AND SHE SAID NO WE'RE
NOT DOING IT.
AS RECENTLY AS WEDNESDAY SHE
SAID STAY TUNED THERE ARE
MITIGATIONS WE MIGHT BE
ANNOUNCING.
WE HAVE TO WATCH AND IT'S
IMPORTANT TO NOTE TODAY OR
YESTERDAY WE GOT BACK ABOVE A
THOUSAND AVERAGE DAILY NEW
CASES.
WE HAVE THAT SEEN NUMBERS LIKE
THAT SINCE THIS PAST JANUARY AND
YOU MENTIONED THE COOK COUNTY
HEALTH ADVISORY IT'S STARTING TO
FEEL FOR PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS
WE ARE HEADING FOR A HURRICANE
TELLING EVERYONE TO BATON DOWN
THE HATCHES AND TRY TO AVOID
CONGREGATE SETTINGS.
>> IT FEELS LIKE THAT.
SARAH SCHULTE YOU HAVE A RECORD
NUMBER OF CASES THIS YEAR AND
THE OMICRON VARIANT STILL REALLY
HASN'T SPREAD ITS WAY AROUND
CHICAGO YET AND THAT IS A FASTER
SPREADING VARIANT AND YOU GOT
ALL THE GATHERINGS OVER THE
HOLIDAYS.
YOU SPOKE WITH Dr. FAUCI
TODAY.
IS THIS A PERFECT STORM?
>> IT ABSOLUTELY IS AND I THINK
Dr. FAUCI SAYS YOU HAVE TO
LOOK AT WHAT IS GOING ON IN NEW
YORK AND PROBABLY WHAT IS GOING
ON WILL BE REPLICATED AROUND THE
COUNTRY BEFORE WE KNOW IT.
YOU KNOW IN NEW YORK CASES HAVE
TRIPLED I THINK IN THE PAST
WEEK.
BROADWAY SHOWS ARE BEING
CANCELED.
AND THEY ARE FULLY EXPECTING
SIMILAR SCENARIOS IN PLACES
AROUND THE COUNTRY.
>> WHAT ABOUT C.P.S., LAURA
WASHINGTON?
WE MENTIONED THE THE C.D.C.
RECOMMENDING A TEST TO STAY
POLICY.
IS THERE A PROTOCOL IN PLACE FOR
C.P.S.?
>> THAT'S UNCLEAR.
C.P.S. HAS NOT BEEN AS
FORTHCOMING AS YOU WOULD EXPECT
GIVEN WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING
ABOUT THE BURGEONING NUMBER OF
CASES.
AND WHAT I'VE BEEN HEARING WHEN
I HEAR PARENTS TALK ABOUT THIS
THEY DON'T FEEL THEY ARE GETTING
ENOUGH INFORMATION AND THEY
DON'T FEEL THERE'S CONSISTENCY
IN THE POLICY IN TERMS OF HOW
IT'S BEEN IMPLEMENTING ACROSS
THE BOARD.
>> I TALKED TO THE C.E.O.
YESTERDAY AND THE ONLY THING
THEY ARE DOING RIGHT NOW IS THEY
ARE SENDING HOME 150,000 TESTS
TO STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS WITH LOW
VACCINATION RATES AND HIGH
NUMBER OF CASES.
AND THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT
THIS IS THEY ARE EXPECTING THESE
STUDENTS TO TAKE THE TEST ALL ON
THE SAME DAY DECEMBER 28TH.
AND THEN EXPECTING THEIR
FAMILIES TO DROP THEM OFF AT A
FEDEX BOX THE SAME DAY.
C.P.S. IS SUPPOSED TO ANNOUNCE
MORE DROP-OFF LOCATIONS THAT MAY
BE MORE CONVENIENT THAN A FEDEX
BOX BUT THAT IS THE ONLY THING
THEY HAVE RIGHT NOW IN PLACE.
AND YOU KNOW, I ASKED THE C.E.O.
DO YOU FULLY EXPECT SOME OF
THESE PARENTS TO ACTUALLY TRY TO
FIND A FEDEX BOX TO DROP THE
TESTS OFF ALL ON THE SAME DAY?
IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE
THE COMPLIANCE OF THOSE 150,000
TESTS.
>> IT SEEMS LIKE A COMING
HURRICANE THAT IS CATCHING A LOT
OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS OFF GUARD.
DAVE SCHAPER KNOWING WHAT IS
HAPPENING, WOULD IT CAUSE YOU TO
PERHAPS RETHINK HOLIDAY PLANS AS
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE PLANNING
TO GET TOGETHER IN CLOSE
SETTINGS?
>> I DEFINITELY THINK A LOT OF
PEOPLE SHOULD REEVALUATE THEIR
PLANS.
LARGE GROUPS GATHERING INDOORS.
IT'S GETTING COLDER OUT AND
PEOPLE WILL BE WANTING TO BE
INDOORS, I THINK LAST YEAR WE
HAD A WARMER CHRISTMAS SO PEOPLE
COULD GET OUTSIDE.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ITCHING TO GET
TOGETHER IN A BIG FAMILY
GATHERING.
WE SAW THANKSGIVING WAS THE
FIRST BURST AND I THINK A LOT OF
PEOPLE WERE THINKING UNTIL THE
OMICRON VARIANT BECAME KNOWN,
FINALLY THIS CHRISTMAS WE COULD
HAVE A NORMAL CHRISTMAS.
AND SO IT REALLY COULD SEE A
BIG, BIG INCREASE IN CASES.
AND I SHOULD NOTE THAT AIRLINES,
AIRPORTS, ALL THE TRAVEL
ANALYSTS I'VE BEEN TALKING TO
ARE EXPECTING BIG CROWDS AT THE
AIRPORTS AND CROWDED PLANES.
PEOPLE WANT TO TRAVEL THEY WILL
BE TRAVELING FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
PROBABLY FOR THE FULL TWO-WEEK
PERIOD.
AND THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
THE VIRUS TO SPREAD FURTHER.
>> I THINK THAT DAVID NAIL IT IS
WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT PEOPLE ARE
ITCHING TO GET OUT.
THERE IS MASSIVE COVID FATIGUE
THOUGH OMICRON IS CLEAR IT IS
HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS AND BLOWING UP
AND PEOPLE ARE HITTING THE WALL
PARTICULARLY AROUND THE HOLIDAYS
THEY ARE NOT WILLING OR REFUSING
TO HUNKER DOWN FOR ANOTHER
SECOND YEAR OF THE HOLIDAYS
ESPECIALLY WITH THE HOLIDAYS
COMING.
AND IT'S VERY HARD TO CONVINCE
PEOPLE ESPECIALLY PEOPLE THAT
FEEL LIKE WE GOT VACCINATED AND
THE BOOSTERS AND WE STILL CAN'T
HAVE A SEMI NORMAL LIFE?
PEOPLE ARE UNWILLING TO ACCEPT
THAT AT THIS POINT.
>> WHAT DOES Dr. FAUCI SAY YOU
ARE ONLY PROTECTED AGAINST
OMICRON IF YOU ARE BOOSTED AND
IT'S ONLY AGAINST SEVERE
DISEASE?
>> CORRECT.
YOU ARE PROTECTED WITH THE TWO
DOSES, TOO.
I MEAN, I THINK THAT WE DO NEED
TO STRESS THAT.
IS THAT DEFINITELY PROTECTED
WITH THE TWO DOSES.
BUT A BOOSTER GIVES YOU A HIGHER
LEVEL OF IMMUNITY.
THEY ARE DEFINITELY EXPECTING A
LOT OF BREAKTHROUGH CASES.
BUT THE DIFFERENCE IS AND THIS
IS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN NEW YORK
CITY IF THERE'S AN UPSIDE THEY
ARE NOT GETTING AS MANY
HOSPITALIZATIONS BECAUSE OF ALL
THE BREAKTHROUGH CASES.
IT'S REALLY JUST A COLD OR A
MILD ILLNESS IT IS NOT SENDING
PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITALS.
CRIME IS PERM IT'S STREET-LEVEL
ON MICHIGAN AVENUE, IN
NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE MIDDLE OF
THE DAY AND I THINK THAT THAT IS
TAKEN THE ATTITUDE AND TAKEN THE
FEAR OF CRIME TO A WHOLE NEW
LEVEL AND WHEN YOU SEE A CHICAGO
POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT SEEMS TO
BE TRYING TO DO ITS BEST BUT THE
RESPONSE IS CANCEL OFFICERS
HOLIDAYS CANCEL DAYS OFF.
FLOOD THE STREETS WITH THEM.
WHEN YOU SEE THAT HAPPEN AND SEE
THE CRIME CONTINUING TO RISE IT
CREATES A LOT OF FEAR AND
FEELING LIKE WE HAVE NOWHERE TO
GO AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY
SOLUTIONS.
>> AND THE SENATE HELD A HEARING
IN CHICAGO ON THIS.
NO NEW OR CONCRETE SOLUTIONS
HERE.
LET'S MOVE ON TO OTHER CITY
COUNCIL NEWS.
ALDERPEOPLE APPROVED THE $3
MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH
ANJANETTE YOUNG FOR THE BOTCHED
POLICE RAID OF THE SOCIAL
WORKER'S HOME.
HERE IS MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT.
>> UNANIMOUSLY.
WHICH RARELY HAPPENS ON MATTERS
OF SETTLEMENTS.
THE CITY COUNCIL AFFIRMED THE
AGREEMENT THAT HAD BEEN REACHED
WITH MS. YOUNG AND HER COUNSEL
TO PAY HER $2.9 PILL.
>> AND ALEX NITKIN THE LAW FIRM
RELEASED A REPORT THAT THE MAYOR
COMMISSIONED HOW THE OFFICE
HANDLED THE AFTERMATH OF
ANJANETTE YOUNG HOW DID THAT GO?
>> THE HEADLINE WAS THE MAYOR
DID NOT INTENTIONALLY CONCEAL
ANY INFORMATION ABOUT ANJANETTE
YOUNG WHEN IT HAPPENED.
THERE WAS SUBJECT OF THE
CRITICISM SHE HAD TAKEN OVER
WHETHER SHE HAD KNOWN ABOUT IT
AT THE TIME THAT SHE HAD FIRED
HER COUNSEL.
IT DID EXPOSE CRACKS AND FLAWS
AND MISCOMMUNICATIONS IN
WATCHDOG REPORTS ABOUT THE
ADMINISTRATION OR THE CITY THAT
OBVIOUSLY THAT THE CHICAGO
DEPARTMENT OF LAW HAD BEEN SORT
OF OVERZEALOUS IN THE SANCTIONS
IT WAS PURSUING FOR TRYING TO
GET ACCESS TO THE FOOTAGE OF HER
OWN EXPERIENCE AND THEN EXPOSE
THAT TO THE WORLD.
SO IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A
MIXED BAG AND EXPOSED A LOT OF
FLAWS IN THE SYSTEM THAT LED TO
THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE BUT DID
NOT FIND INTENTIONAL [AUDIO
INTERRUPTION].
>> AND EXPOSED THE FLESSNER
WROTE A SCATHING EDITORIAL
CALLING THE MAYOR PETTY SAYING
HER TERM HAS BEEN A FAILURE.
WHAT IS BEHIND THAT RIFT?
>> RIGHT.
I MEAN THE MAYOR WAS ASKED ABOUT
THIS THIS WEEK AND SAID
BASICALLY SHE HAD FIRED HIM FOR
HIS RESIGNATION SHE LOST ALL
FAITH IN HIM RELATED TO THIS
INVESTIGATION AND RELATED TO THE
INTERPLAY BETWEEN CITY ATTORNEYS
AND MS. YOUNG AND HER ATTORNEY.
THE LAW DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN
TRYING TO RETALIATE AGAINST MS.
YOUNG FOR TRYING TO GET THIS
INFORMATION AND THAT HE WAS
ESSENTIALLY DISPARAGING HER IN
PUBLIC AND SAID SHE COULDN'T
STAND FOR THAT AND LOST HIS
TRUST AND CUT HIM LOOSE.
SHE DID NOT SPEAK SPECIFICALLY
TO THE KITCHEN SINK OF CRITICISM
SHE LEVIED --
THAT HE LEVIED AGAINST HER ABOUT
DEALING WITH POLICE AND SCHOOLS
BUT LIKE WE'VE SEEN IN A LOT OF
SITUATIONS WITH THIS SITUATION
THIS MAYOR BEING --
PEOPLE BEING CUT LOOSE AND HAVE
GRIPES THEY SHARE LATER.
>> AND THIS WEEK, SPORTS BETTING
IS APPROVED AT PLACES LIKE
WRIGLEY, THE UNITED CENTER.
DAVE SCHAPER ARE WE GOING TO
ANTICIPATE YOU AT ONE OF THESE
VENUES BETTING ON WHETHER OR NOT
THE PITCHER ROLLS THE BALL UNDER
THE MOUND BETWEEN INNINGS?
>> I WILL BE ROLLING THE DICE
WHETHER IT IS A STRIKE OR A
BALL.
IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE OF THINK OF
YEARS AGO WHEN PEOPLE USED TO BE
THROWING CASH AROUND BETTING ON
EVERY PITCH IN THE BLEACHERS,
AND IT'S YOU KNOW BRINGING THIS
OUT INTO THE OPEN I THINK IS
BEEN THAT DIRTY SECRET FOREVER
THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GAMBLING
ON SPORTS.
HAVING IT LEGAL NOW, HAVING IT
ON-LINE NOW, HAVING PARLORS AT
THE BALL PARKS AND THE OTHER
STADIUMS, I THINK IT IS
PROGRESSION.
I DON'T THINK THE CITY COULD
HAVE STOPPED THIS STEAMROLLER.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE
HOW CLOSELY IT'S REGULATED AND
WHERE THINGS MIGHT GO AWRY.
IF IT AFFECTS THE PLAY ON THE
FIELD WHICH I THINK IT'S ONLY
PROBABLY A MATTER OF TIME.
BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS HERE
TO STAY AND I THINK THE CITY
WANTS TO CASH IN ON IT.
>> ASK PETE ROSE THAT MIGHT BE
TEMPTING IF HE WERE MANAGING OR
PLAYING IN THIS ERA.
WITH CASINOS, ALEX NITKIN, THE
CITY COUNCIL HEARD MORE ABOUT
THE FIVE PROPOSALS.
LET'S LOOK AT THE MAP WHERE SOME
OF THESE PROPOSED CASINOS WOULD
GO.
DID WE LEARN ANYTHING NEW AND
DOES ANYONE HAVE A LEG UP?
>> I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE HAS A
LEG UP.
WE SAW A LOT VERY FLASHY
PRESENTATIONS.
I THINK ONE HAD PITCHED IT AS
THE NEW EIFFLE TOWER OF CHICAGO
IN THE McDORM PLACE LAKESIDE
CENTER.
WHAT WE SAW IS TAKE DIGS AT EACH
OTHER TO GIVE THEMSELVES A LEG
UP.
WE SAW RUSH STREET GAMING MORE
ESTABLISHED WAS SAYING WE DON'T
NEED ON THE JOB TRAINING WE ARE
NOT NOVICE'S A KNOCK AT BALLY'S
AND SAID WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE
LOCATIONS WE CAN PUT ALL OF OUR
ATTENTION HERE IN CHICAGO.
WE SAW A LITTLE BIT OF THAT
JOCKEYING.
AND INTERESTING COMMENT FROM THE
PUBLIC SAYING I'M CONCERNED
ABOUT HOW MUCH THIS IS GOING TO
DO FOR THE CITY AND TRAFFIC AN
INDICATION OF THE NEXT STAGE HAS
TO GET THROUGH THE CITY COUNCIL
AND MAKE IT THROUGH THE PUBLIC
LENS OF NEIGHBORS AND PEOPLE WHO
ARE WONDERING WHETHER THEY WANT
TO LIVE NEAR A CASINO.
>> LET'S MOVE ON TO STATE
POLITICS.
BILLIONAIRE KEN GRIFFIN MADE A
SPLASH WITH RUMORS FLOATING HE
IS READY TO GIVE HUNDREDS OF
MILLIONS FOR ANYONE WILLING TO
TAKE ON J.B. PRITZKER AND A NAME
WAS MAYOR RICHARD IRVIN.
LAURA WASHINGTON, TELL US ABOUT
RICHARD IRVIN.
>> RICHARD IRVIN IS IN HIS
SECOND TERM AS AURORA MAYOR.
SAID TO BE VERY FAIRLY POPULAR
AND RESPECTED AS A MAYOR.
HE HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE AND
ADVOCATE ON FIGHTING COVID.
HE'S SAID TO BE I HAVE NOT MET
HIM PERSONALLY, SAID TO BE
CHARISMATIC.
IS AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND COMES
FROM A POOR BACKGROUND.
HAS A MILITARY BACKGROUND.
COULD BE SOMEONE THAT COULD LOOK
GOOD TO A KEN GRIFFIN.
KEN GRIFFIN IS SAID TO BE
PLANNING ON SPENDING BIG TIME
MONEY AND SAID HE WANTS TO TAKE
ON J.B. PRITZKER AND PUT ALL OF
HIS MONEY BEHIND THAT ONE FIGURE
UP TO $300 MILLION WHICH WOULD
GIVE A J.B. PRITZKER A RUN FOR
HIS MONEY.
IRVIN IS DENYING THAT HE IS
INTERESTED RIGHT NOW.
HE DENIED IT EARLIER THIS YEAR
THAT HE WAS INTERESTED IN
RUNNING.
BUT YOU KNOW HOW THAT GOES WITH
POLITICS.
MINDS CAN CHANGE AND I DON'T
EXPECT THERE'S GOING TO BE AN
ANNOUNCEMENT UNTIL NEXT YEAR.
>> AND PARTIES CAN CHANGE, AS I
UNDERSTAND IRVIN VOTED IN
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES.
I'VE INTERVIEWED HIM HIS
POSITIONS ON A LOT OF SOCIAL
ISSUES TENDED TO BE MORE IN LINE
WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WOULD
THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR HIM
TO GET THROUGH A REPUBLICAN
PRIMARY?
>> IT WOULD BE RED MEAT FOR THE
OUR FOUR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES
WHO ARE OUT THERE.
I'M SURE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO
LAYOFF THAT.
YES, "THE SUN TIMES" RACHEL
RUBIN OF RAVEL HINTON REPORTED
HE HAS VOTED REPUBLICAN ONCE.
AND HE DOES HAVE FAIRLY MODERATE
PROGRESSIVE ISSUES IN TERMS OF
HIS POSITIONS.
SO, AGAIN THAT IS FODDER FOR HIS
OPPONENTS.
>> 300 MILLION BEHIND YOU MAYBE
YOU CAN CHANGE POSITIONS.
>> YOU CAN ERASE YOUR PAST AND
BUY NEW POSITIONS?
>> AND SARAH THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR
J.B. PRITZKER HAD TO TAMP DOWN
RUMORS HE WOULD BE A CONTENDER
SHOULD PRESIDENT BIDEN CHOOSE
NOT TO RUN IN 2024.
GOT ON A COUPLE OF LISTS.
DO YOU THINK IT IS A COINCIDENCE
OR ARE PEOPLE MAKING CALLS TO
NATIONAL PEOPLE WHY DON'T WE
TALK ABOUT PRITZKER?
>> WELL, AS YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY
KNOWS, NOTHING IS A COINCIDENCE.
NO, I THINK THEY ARE FLOATING
HIS NAME AND SEEING LIKE IT GOES
IN POLITICS.
YOU GET A LITTLE PUBLICITY
SOMEBODY THROWS YOUR NAME OUT
AND YOU DENY YOU ARE GOING TO
RUN.
>> IT DOESN'T HURT EITHER EVEN
IF YOU ARE NOT SERIOUS, IF YOU
WANT TO BE MENTIONED ESPECIALLY
IN THE NATIONAL MEDIA AS A
POSSIBLE PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER.
AND HE IS NOT GOING TO RUN IF
JOE BIDEN RUNS.
BUT HE DID NOT RUN HE SETUP WELL
FOR NEXT TIME.
>> RIGHT, I THINK THE RUMOR WAS
FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES".
>> "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND CNN.
BUT IT MIGHT HELP HIM IN HIS
RACE FOR REELECTION IN ILLINOIS
GIVING HIM THE APPEARANCE OF
MORE GRAVITAS.
>> LET'S MOVE ON TO THE TRAGIC
STORMS THAT RAVAGED THROUGH DOWN
STATE AND KENTUCKY.
DAVID, YOU SPENT THE WEEK IN
KENTUCKY.
GIVE US A SENSE OF THE SCOPE OF
THE DEVASTATION?
>> I COVER QUITE A FEW OF THESE
OVER THE YEARS AND I DON'T KNOW
I'VE SEEN DEVASTATION QUITE THIS
BAD.
THIS IS WAS SUCH A POWERFUL
STORM IT WAS ON THE GROUND FOR
WELL OVER 200 MILES SOMETHING
LIKE MAYBE 250 MILES WHEN YOU
ADD IN MISSISSIPPI AND ARKANSAS
AND 10.
BEFORE IT JUST STORMED RIGHT
THROUGH KENTUCKY.
THE PATH WENT RIGHT THROUGH THIS
SMALL CITY, MAYFIELD, 10,000
PEOPLE.
HOMES WERE JUST SHREDDED, RIPPED
APART.
IT IS NOT COMPLETELY FLATTENED
AND A LOT OF PEOPLE LOST
EVERYTHING.
AND IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY HARD
FOR THE SMALL TOWNS IN WESTERN
KENTUCKY TO RECOVER FROM THIS.
SO MANY PEOPLE DID NOT HAVE
INSURANCE AND SO MANY PEOPLE ARE
LOW INCOME TO BEGIN WITH AND
LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.
TALK ABOUT SAVING UP MONEY TO
REBUILD IS REALLY IMPOSSIBLE.
YOU HAD TWO OF THE BIGGEST
EMPLOYERS IN TOWN, BOTH THE
CANDLE FACTORY AND A CHICKEN
PROCESSING PLANT THAT WERE
FLATTENED.
YOU KNOW, NOT TO TALK ABOUT THE
LOSS OF LIFE THERE.
BUT SOME FOLKS MAY HAVE LOST
THEIR LIVELIHOOD AS WELL.
IT'S JUSTYNA FRANK SUCH POWERFUL
STORM.
SUCH INCREDIBLE DEVASTATION AND
FOLKS WHO DID NOT NEED THIS SORT
OF SMACKDOWN IF YOU WILL.
IT'S JUST REALLY DIFFICULT
THING.
>> THE PRESIDENT DID VISIT SOME
OF THE TOWNS DID YOU GET A SENSE
THERE WILL BE FEDERAL RELIEF TO
HELP THE HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESS
OWNERS REBUILD?
>> AGAIN, I'VE COVERED A LOT OF
THESE DISASTERS IN THE PAST AND
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE
HEARD PEOPLE PRAISING THE WORDS
FEMA AS OPPOSED TO CURSING IT.
FEMA WAS THERE RIGHT AWAY
STARTING WITH SEARCH AND RESCUE
TEAMS BE EMPLOYED BEFORE THE
PAPERWORK GOT PROCESSED TO SEND
THE TEAMS IN.
THEY HAD THE FEDERAL URBAN
SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS GOING
THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS OF DEBRIS
ESPECIALLY AT THAT ONE FACTORY.
I SAW FEMA TEAMS WALKING THROUGH
THE STREETS GOING FROM THE
REMNANTS OF ONE HOUSE TO ANOTHER
AS PEOPLE WERE OUT TRYING TO
CLEAN OUT AND PICK UP WHAT THEY
COULD.
FIND WHATEVER SALVAGEABLE
BELONGINGS THEY COULD.
AND THEY WERE TALKING TO PEOPLE
AND SAYING HERE IS THE PROCESS.
LEAFLETS HERE ARE THE WEBSITES.
CHECK IN AND CALL THIS NUMBER.
AND BY THE TIME I LEFT, I THINK
EVEN BY LATE THURSDAY THERE WAS
ALREADY MONEY GOING OUT FROM
FEMA TO INDIVIDUALS TO HELP THEM
WITH AT LEAST SOME PRIMARY
EXPENSES.
BUYING NECESSITIES, FOOD, WATER
AND GETTING TEMPORARY SHELTER.
>> AND WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT
WHAT HAPPENED IN EDWARDSVILLE
THAT AMAZON WAREHOUSE HALF
COLLAPSING.
SIX PEOPLE DEAD.
WHAT DO YOU THINK AN OSHA
INVESTIGATION INVESTIGATION
MIGHT UNCOVER?
>> I THINK THE OSHA
INVESTIGATION THERE AND SIMILAR
TO OSHA STARTED AN INVESTIGATION
WITH THE CANDLE FACTORY IN
MAYFIELD TO SEE IF EMPLOYEES
WERE BEING TOLD NOT TO LEAVE.
WHAT INSTRUCTIONS DID THEY GET
ONCE THEY KNEW THE TORNADO WAS
BEARING DOWN.
IF THEY HAVE SHELTER IN THE
BUILDING?
COULD THEY GO SOMEWHERE WHERE
THEY COULD HUNKER DOWN AND BE
SAFE?
THE GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY WAS
TALKING ABOUT HOW JUST
INCREDIBLY POWERFUL THE STORM
WAS NOT SURE IF ANY INSTRUCTIONS
WOULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE.
THE BUILDING IN EDWARDSVILLE
SEEMS DIFFERENT.
THE BUILDINGS AROUND IT ARE
STANDING AND THIS IS CHOPPED IN
HALF AND THERE ARE A LOT OF
QUESTIONS RAISED ABOUT THE
QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION, THE
BUILDING STANDARDS A LOT OF THE
WAREHOUSES POPPING UP ALL OVER
THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY OUTSIDE
OF BIG CITIES LIKE ST. LOUIS,
THAT THE BUILDINGS ARE GOING UP
QUICK AND WHAT STANDARDS ARE
THEY HELD TO.
>> I WILL THROW THIS OUT TO
ANYBODY.
YOU ARE NOT HEARING MUCH FROM
JEFF BEZOS TALKING ABOUT ONE OF
HIS SPACE ROCKETS.
ANYONE FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN BUT
IS THAT TONE DEAF HERE?
>> ABSOLUTELY, COMPLETELY TONE
DEAF.
IT'S AMAZING TO ME.
BUT MY OPINION.
>> I THINK IT'S PROBABLY AN
OPINION THAT IS A
NONCONTROVERSIAL OPINION AND
SHARED.
>> ANOTHER STICKY SITUATION ALEX
NITKIN A LONGTIME ALDERPERSON
FEDERALLY INDICTED CARRIE AUSTIN
COLLAPSED AT THE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING.
ANY UPDATE ON HER STATUS.
>> SHE WAS SLUMMING IN HER CHAIR
AND EVERYONE WAS CLEARED OUT OF
THE CHAMBER.
SHE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL
AND NOW HAS BEEN CLEARED AND SHE
IS OK.
SHE PARTICIPATED THIS MORNING IN
A CITY COUNCIL VIRTUAL COMMITTEE
HEARING.
AND HER COLLEAGUES WERE THERE
AND HAPPY TO SEE HER THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME THERE WAS A
HEARING IN HER ONGOING ABATEMENT
AND THE ATTORNEY WAS SAYING SHE
IS IN SUCH POOR HEALTH I DON'T
KNOW IF SHE CAN MAKE IT THROUGH
A CRIMINAL CASE YET SHE WAS
PARTICIPATING IN CITY COUNCIL
BUSINESS.
IT SEEMS LIKE SHE IS OK.
EVERYONE PULLING FOR HER.
BUT SHE CONTINUES TO HAVE THESE
LEGAL MATTERS SHE HAS TO WORK
THROUGH.
>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE FOR
NOW.
OUR THANKS TO SARAH SCHULTE,
ALEX NITKIN, DAVE SCHAPER AND
LAURA WASHINGTON.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS
FRIDAY NIGHT.
YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT"
AND "THE WEEK IN REVIEW"
STREAMED ON FACEBOOK,
YouTube AND WTTW.COM/NEWS.
AND BE SURE TO JOIN US TOMORROW
NIGHT AT 6:00 P.M. FOR "CHICAGO
TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES".
AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT
"CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".
AND WE'RE BACK AT 7:00 P.M. ALL
NEXT WEEK.
A NOTE BEFORE WE GO.
OUR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" PROGRAM
IS OFF NEXT FRIDAY FOR THE
HOLIDAYS BUT WILL RETURN THE
FOLLOWING WEEK ON DECEMBER 31,
NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH A SPECIAL
LOOK BACK AT 2021.
FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" I'M
PARIS SCHUTZ.
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.
STAY HEALTHY, STAY SAFE AND HAVE
A GREAT WEEKEND.