HAVE
>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO
"CHICAGO TONIGHT."
I'M PHIL PONCE ON THIS TUESDAY,
OCTOBER 13th.
>> HIGH AND DEEP, AND THIS IS
LONG GONE!
THE MOON SHOT HELPED TO PUT THE
CUBS IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES.
A FULL RECAP OF TONIGHT'S HEART
STOPPING SERIES CLENCHER OVER
THE CARDINALS.
>> I APOLOGIZE TO THEM, THEY
DESERVED MUCH MORE.
>> AFTER BEING SILENT FOR MONTH
FORMER SCHOOL CEO BARBARA
BYRD-BENNETT SPEAKS OUT IN
COURT.
I PLEAD GUILTY.
DETAILS ON HER PLEA AGREEMENT.
>> IT'S NOISY, HARD TO HEAT WITH
YOUR COLLEAGUES, AND HARD TO
MOVE THROUGH THE BUILDING.
VERY, VERY INEFFECTIVE.
THE THOMPSON CENTER IS FOR SALE,
GOVERNOR RAUNER SAYS IT IS A
COSTLY AND INEFFICIENT ALBATROSS
FOR STATE.
BUT HOW MUCH CAN THE STATE GET
FOR IT AND WHAT DOES THE
ARCHITECT WHO DESIGNED IT HAVE
SAY.
>> A MILLION ILLINOIS RESIDENTS
MAY WARM UP TO A SMART
THERMOMETER.
COULD IT HELP THEIR COSTS?
>> THIS IS OUR WILD AREA.
A NEO NATURE PRESERVE OFFERS A
ISLAND OF CALM IN A BUSY CHICAGO
NEIGHBORHOOD.
JAY SHEFSKY PAYS IT A VISIT.
AND FORMER "MEET THE PRESS" HOST
DAVID GREGORY ON HIS UNLIKELY
SPIRITUAL JOURNEY.
ALL THAT AND MORE NEXT ON
"CHICAGO TONIGHT."
REALTIME CLOSED CAPTIONING
PROVIDED BY U.S. CAPTIONING.
>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING TONIGHT.
THE U.S. SUPREME COURT COULD
DECIDE AS EARLY AS MONDAY
WHETHER TO HEAR ARG U.S ON NOW
SUBURBAN HIGHLAND PARKS BAN ON
ASSAULT WEAPONS.
IT BANS THE
UNDISCLOSED SUM.
THE NEWS COMES AS PITCHFOR
PREPARES TO MARK ITS 20th
ANNIVERSARY IN FEBRUARY.
THE WEATHER, SUNNY TOMORROW WITH
HEY AROUND 63, AND UP NEXT,
PARIS SCHUTZ WRAPS UP THE CUBS
BIG WIN.
>>> THE CUBS WENT THIS DRAMATIC
TIGS BY A SCORE OF 6-FOUR TO
MOVE ON TO THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FOR THE
FIRST TIME IN TWELVE YEARS.
PARIS SCHUTZ IS HERE WITH THE
LATEST AND A BREAKDOWN OF THIS
CLINCHING WIN.
WHAT A DAY!
>> AS YOU KNOW AND THE VIEWERS
KNOW THIS GAME ENDED WITHIN
MINUTES, A DRAMATIC 6-4 WIN,
POUR 2,000 FANS ABOUT TO STREAM
OUT OF WRIGLEY FIELD BUT I'M
SURE MANY ARE STAYING IN THERE
TO SOAK UP THIS HISTORIC MOMENT.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE CUBS
HAVE JUAN PLAYOFF SERIES AT
HOME, EVER.
SO LET'S GO TO THE HIGHLIGHT
REEL.
OFF TO AN INYOU A SPYIOUS START.
A 2-RUN HOMERUN, TOP OF THE
FIRST HALF, JASON HAMMEL WITH A
SHORT LEASH.
HE STAYED IN, KNOCKING IT OUT,
TWO MEN ON.
A SINGLE, CASTRO ROUNDING THIRD
TO SCORE.
AND NEXT PATHER THREE-RUN
OPPOSITE FIELD HOMERUN TO PUT
THEM UP 4-1, THAT WAS THE
DIFFERENCE MAKER.
AND WE GO TO THE TOP OF THE 6th,
HARRY TRUEMAN, AND BRINGING THEM
TO WITHIN ONE AND BRANDON MOSS
SINGLES TO CENTER, ONE RUN
SCORES, A SECOND RUN AS YOU WILL
SEE HERE.
A HIT.
RUNNING TO GRAB THAT BALL,
THROWS TONY CRUZ OUT AT THE
PLATE.
SO THE CUBS ESCAPE TIED 4-4.
AND TO THE BOTTOM OF THE 6th,
ANTHONY RIZZO, PROBABLY THE MVP
THIS YEAR, TWO VIKES AND TWO
OUTS AND HE GOES YARD.
SOLO HOMERUN THAT PUTS THE CUBS
BACK UP 5-4.
FANS GOES NUTS AND EVERYBODY IS
BREATHING EASIER.
AND NEXT INNING, THE ROOKIE,
MOONSHOT OVER THE SCOREBOARD, I
THINK IT LANDED ON THE TOP OF
THE SCOREBOARD, THAT GIVES THEM
BREATHING ROOM.
6-4, CROWD, AND HERE IS LAST.
HECTOR, THREE STRAIGHT STRIKES
GETS HIM CLINGING.
CUBS WIN, HOLY COW, CUBS WIN,
MOVING ON TO THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES, AND THE
FANS ARE JUST ECSTATIC AT
WRIGLEY FIELD.
>> YOU ARE REALLYED GOOD AT THAT
>> A CATCH PHRASE, WRITTEN DOWN.
I NEED TO WORK ON THAT.
HOW ARE CITY OFFICIALS DEAL WITH
A POTENTIALLY BIG CELEBRATION?
>> THERE ARE AS YOU MIGHT
IMAGINE EXTRA POLICE ON THE
STREETS OUTSIDE WRIGLEY FIELD
RIGHT NOW.
BUT THEY WOULDN'T SAY HOW MANY.
THE SFGS OF EMERGENCY
MORNINGMENT SAYS THEY WILL CLOSE
SOME STREETS AROUND QUIGLEY
FIELD FOR THE NEXT FEW HOURS TO
TRY AND PROTECT PEDESTRIANS
THERE, BECAUSE THERE WILL BE A
LOT STREAMING OUT OF THE STADIUM
AND THE ESTABLISHMENTS OF MERRY,
AND A LOOK AT THE PARKING BANS A
PARKING BAN UNTIL THE END OF THE
DAY, OR NIGHT TONIGHT, ALONG
CLARK, FROM IRVING PARK TO
ADDISON TO HALSTED, AND IT WILL
BE IMPOSSIBLE, SO THEY DECIDED
TO BAN PARKING.
OMC SAYS THE CELEBRATION THEY
ANTICIPATE WILL BE SOMEWHAT LIKE
THE STANLEY CUP CELEBRATION WHEN
THE BLACKHAWKS WON YOU YOU HAVE
TO ADD IN THE 42,000 FANS
STEAMING OUT OF QUIGLEY FIELD
ANY SECOND.
SO IT WILL BE QUITE A SCENE.
>> AND THE ESTABLISHMENTS OF
MERRY MOMENT THAT OFTEN GET YOU.
LOOKING AHEAD, WHAT ARE THE CUBS
FACING?
>> THE METS AND DODGERS ARE
PLAYING, THE METS CAN CLINCH
TONIGHTANT CUBS, THE CUBS ARE
BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL LEFT IN
THE GAME.
I DON'T THINK EITHER OF THE
TEAMS SCARE THEM LIKE THE
PIRATES.
THEY WILL PLAY THE WINNER OF THE
METS-DODGER SERIES SATURDAY, AND
GAME TWO ON SUNDAY, AND GAME
THREE AT WRIGLEY TUESDAY,
WEDNESDAY, AND THURSDAY, AND IF
IT GOES TO GAME 6 AND 7 THAT
WILL BE IN NEW YORK OR LOS
ANGELES.
SO YOU HAVE THE METS, A YOUNG
TEAM, NOT A VERY GOOD HITTING
TEAM, THEY HAVE GOOD YOUNG
PITCHERS, INCLUDING THE GROM AND
DODGERS, TWO TO THREE BEST
PITCHERS IN BASEBALL, THAT IS
SCARY TO GO UP AGAINST.
THEY ARE TWO OF THE THREE BEST,
THE OTHER PERSON IS JAKE
ARRIETA, THE CUBS' ACE.
THEY HAVE BEST RECORD OF ANY
TIME LEFT IN THE PLAYOFFS AND I
DON'T THINK THEY LOOK
INTIMIDATED BY ANYBODY RIGHT
NOW.
>> THE WORD HISTORIC IS USED A
LOT.
THAT IS NOT AN UNDERSTATEMENT IN
THIS CASE?
>> LET'S RUN DOWN SOME OF THE
BULLET POINTS HERE ON HISTORY.
THE FIRST TIME THE CUBS HAVE
EVER WON A POST-SEASON SERIES,
AT WRIGLEY FIELD.
THAT IS GOING BACK 107, 9, 10
YEARS, MORE THAN A CENTURY.
AND IT IS ONLY THEIR SECOND
POST-SEASON SERIES WIN SINCE
1908 N 2003 THEY WON AGAINST THE
BRAVES AND PLAYED THE MARLINS
AND I DON'T THINK WE WANT TO
REMIND VIEWERS HOW THAT ENDED.
THE CUBS WERE UP 3-1 AND THAT A
FEW THINGS, THERE WAS FAN, A
FOUL BALL...
>> WE RECALL THAT.
>> I'M SURE YOU DO.
AND THE THEY HIT TEN HOMERUNS BY
7 DIFFERENT PLAYERS, THE POWER
SURGE AT WRIGLEY WAS DYNAMITE.
THE CUBS WERE NOT KNOWN IN THE
FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON LIKE
MUCH OF A POWER HITTING TEAM AND
YOU LOOK AT THE ROOKIES,
BASICALLY IN LAST MONTH OR SO OF
THE SEASON.
WHO AM I MISSING, ADAMSON,
RUSSELL, BRYANT, TURNING ON THE
POWER AT THE RIGHT TIME IN THE
FALL WHEN ITS COUNTS.
SO IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THEY
FEEL THE PRESSURE AS JOE MADDEN
THE COACH SAID DON'T LET THE
PRESSURE EXCEED THE PLEASURE, A
LOT OF PLEASURE TONIGHT, BOTH
PLAYERS AND FANS, AND WE HOPE
THAT EVERYONE CELEBRATES VERY
SAFELY.
>> AND LET'S GIVE CREDIT TO
LESTER MONSON WHO PREDICTED THIS
SERIES WILL WOULD BE WON BY THE
CUBS AND CLINCHER WOULD BE HERE
AT HOME.
>> HE IS AN ICON.
>> UP NEXT, BARBARA BYRD-BENNETT
AND HER DAY IN COURT.
>>> FORMER CHICAGO CHICAGO
PUBLIC SCHOOL'S CEO PLEADS
GUILTY TO CORRUPTION.
SHE WAS IN TOURT TODAY FOR A AN
APPEARANCE AND ARAINMENT OF MAIL
AND WIRE FRAUD.
THE INDICTMENT CLAIMS SHE
INTENDED TO ACCEPT KICKBACKS FOR
STEERING A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR
CPS CONTRACT TO HER FORMER
EMPLOYERS, WHO ARE ALSO INDICTED
IN THE SCHEME.
BRANDIS FRIEDMAN WAS IN THE
COURTROOM TODAY AND WHAT WAS THE
ATTITUDE THAT BYRD-BENNETT
PROJECTED IN COURT?
WAS SHE REMORESFUL?
>> Reporter: IT IS HARD TO SAY,
FROM WHERE WE WERE SITTING IN
THE BACK PM DURING THE ARAINMENT
WHERE SHE TOLD THE FEDERAL
DISTRICT JUDGE, THAT SHE PLED
GUILTY, SHE SHOWED LITTLE
EMOTION.
WHEN SHE DID MAKE A BRIEF
STATEMENT, SOME CALL IT
EMOTIONAL BUT SHE DIDN'T SAY
MUCH.
>> MY MESSAGE IS FOR THE
CHILDREN AND FAMILY OF THE
CHILDREN AT THE CHICAGO PUBLIC
SCHOOLS AND THE DEDICATED
EDUCATORS THAT WE HAVE.
I AM TERRIBLY SORRY AND I
APOLOGIZE TO THEM.
THEY DESERVED MUCH MORE.
MUCH MORE THAN I GAVE TO THEM.
AND I THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> AND IN COURT BIRD PLED GUILTY
TO ONE OF THE 23 COUNTS THAT WE
LEARNED OF LAST WEEK, THAT WAS
FOR COUNTS TWO, MAIL FRAUD.
THE PLEA AGREEMENT SHOWS THE
FORMER CEO WITH HER
CO-DEFENDANTS CAME UP WITH A
PLAN TO BE SURE THAT THE SUPES
ACADEMY RECEIVED CONTRACTS WORTH
A TOTAL OF $23 MILLION FOR
EXCHANGE OF KICKBACKS AND
PAYMENTS TO BYRD-BENNETT.
THE AGREEMENT READS THAT ANOTHER
DEFENDANT TOLD HER THAT THE
ACCOUNTS WERE RELATIVE A AND B
CONTAINED $127,000 EACH THAT
FUNDS 10% OF THE GROSS
PROCEEDSES OF THE OCTOBER 24th
PROJECT.
IN ADDITION THE SUPES ACADEMY
ENTITIES OWED FOR WORK PERFORMED
IN OTHER DISTRICTS PRIOR TO HER
EMPLOYMENT WITH CPS.
AND SAYS SHE DID NOT RECEIVE MY
PAYMENTS FROM SOLOMON, VRANAS OR
SUPES ACADEMY, OR ANY TRUST
RELATED TO THE CONTRACT WHILE
EMPLOYED AT CPS.
INSTEAD THEY EXPECTED TO RECEIVE
SOLOMON EMPLOYMENT, WITH A SUPES
ACADEMY ENTITIES AND FINANCIAL
ACCOUNTS FOR RELATIVE A AND B
AND SIGNING BONUS CONSISTENT
WITH THOSE OTHER CONSULTANTS.
AND THAT WOULD BE WORTH HUNDREDS
OF THOUSANDS.
THAT ONE WAS WORTH $2.09
MILLION.
>> WHAT KIND OF SENTENCE MIGHT
SHE UB SUBJECT TO IN LIT OF
THIS?
>> THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE IS 20
YEARS IN PRISON AND $250,000 IN
FINES, BUT BECAUSE SHES PLEADING
GUILTY AND COOPERATING THE
PROSECUTORS SET HER SENTENCE TO
FALL BETWEEN 11 AND 14 YEARS.
THE U.S.S. ATTORNEYS OFFICE SAY
IT IS HE COOPERATES TO THE
DEGREE TO WITHER EXPECTING THEY
ARE WILLING TO LOWER IT TO OVER
7 YEARS IN PRISON.
HER SENTENCE WILL BE UP TO THE
JUDGE AND SHE IS NOT EXPECTED
BACK IN COURT UNTIL LATE
JANUARY.
SO THAT COULD TAKE A WHILE
LONGER.
THAT IS A STATUS HEARING.
THE OTHER DEFENDANTS, GARY
SOLOMON, OWNER OF SUPES ACADEMY
AND TOMAS VRANAS ARE EXPECTED IN
THE COURTROOM FOR AN ARAINMENT
TOMORROW AFTERNOON.
>> WHAT IS THE REACTION TO THIS
PLEA DEAL?
>> A SPOKESPERSON FROM THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE SAID THAT BARBARA
BYRD-BENNETT TOOK RESPONSIBILITY
FOR PUTTING HER OWN FINANCIAL
GAIN AHEAD OF WHAT WAS IN BOSTON
INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN SHE
PLEDGED TO SERVE.
IT CONTINUES TO BE A WHAT'S FOR
THE COURTS AND VIEWERS CAN READ
THAT STATEMENT ON THE WEBSITE.
BUT ADVOCACY ASSOCIATION SAYS
THE APOLOGY IS BETTER THAN NONE
AT ALL BUT BY NOW THE DAMAGE HAS
BEEN DONE.
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAYS THIS
UNDERSCORES AN CALL FOR AN
ELECTED COOL BOARD.
EVENTUALLY HORRIFIED THAT IT
TOOK THIS LONG.
WE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT
THIS CONTRACT FOR YEARS.
AND WE WENT BEFORE THE BOARD OF
ED BUDGET HEARINGS AND MET WITH
TIM CALLY OVER SIX TIMES TO ASK
THAT THEY CANCEL THIS CONTRACT.
FOR OUR GROUP THE PROBLEM IS
LARGER THAN ONE INDIVIDUAL, WHO
DID SOMETHING VERY WRONG.
IT IS THE SYSTEM IN PLACE THAT
DOESN'T HAVE THE CHECKS AND
BALANCES NEEDED TO STOP THIS
TYPE OF ABUSE.
>> WHAT DOES CPS SAY TO STEPS
THEY WILL TAKE TO PREVENT THIS
ABUSE FROM HAPPENING IN FUTURE?
>> CURRENT CEO FORREST CLAYPOOL
SENT A LETTER TO ALDERMAN WILL
BURNS, THE CHAIR OF THE
EDUCATION SMEET DETAILING
CHANGES THAT ARE IMPLEMENTED.
BACK IN JUNE THE MONTH AFTER
BYRD-BENNETT WENT ON PAID LEAVE
FROM THE DISTRICT, CPS LEADERS
ASK THE INDEPENDENT CONSULTING
FIRM TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF
THEIR SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT
PROCEDURES AND IT DID, AND THE
DISTRICT SAYS THEY HAVE BEGUN TO
INPLEMT SOME OF THE
RECOMMENDATIONS, AND THIS ARE
MORE ON THE WAY.
THE LETTER SAYS CPS IS
UNDERGOING A TOP-TO-BOTTOM AUDIT
THAT MAY LEAD TO MORE CHANGES,
UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE NEW
AUDITOR THE DISTRICT HAS AND
WILL EXAMINE EVERY ASPECT OF THE
OPERATIONS INCLUDING THE
ORGANIZATION, ITS CONTRACTS AND
EMPLOYEE TRAVEL AND CAPITAL
PROJECTS AND FACILITIES AND
ENROLLMENT AND INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL
OPERATIONS AND LATE THIS EVENING
WE GOT A STATEMENT FROM FORREST
CLAYPOOL REINTERATING THAT, TOP
PRIORITY IS MAKING SURE THE
CHILDREN OF CHICAGO GET THE HIGH
QUALITY EDUCATE AND MAKING SURE
EVERY POSSIBLE DOLLAR IS SPENT
IN THE CLASSROOMS.
VIEWERS CAN LOOK AT THE PLEA
AGREEMENT AND THE MAYOR
STATEMENT ALL ON OUR WEBSITE.
>> YOU GAVE US A RANGE OF A
POTENTIAL SENTENCE.
BUT YOU KNOW OFTEN TIMES YOU
HEAR OF SOMEONE JUST GETTING
PROBATION.
BASED ON WHAT YOU ARE REPORTING,
IS IT LIKELY THEY WILL GO TO
SERVE TIME?
>> IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY WILL
ACTUALLY SERVE TIME FROM THE
DISCUSSIONS I HAVE HAD.
THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE IS WHERE IT
IS, AND THEN EVEN THEN THEY
REDUCED IT DOWN BASED ON HER
COOPERATION, I NEVER GOT THE
IMPRESSION THAT IT WOULD BE
REDUCED TO THE POINT WHERE SHE
WOULD BE UNDERSINCE ADVISED
RELEASE.
>> AND I'M UNDER THAT
IMPRESSION, YES.
>> BRANDIS FRIEDMAN, THANK YOU
VERY MUCH.
UP NEXT AN ICONIC BOTH BUILDING
FOR SALE.
EDDIE ARRUZA HAS DETAILS.
>>> A REBATE PROGRAM ENDS TO CUT
NR COST YOU THERE SMART
THERMOMETERS.
OUR CHICAGO NATURE PRESERVE
OFFERS HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE AND
A HAVEN FOR HUMANS.
AND JOURNALIST DAVID GREG ROY
EX-EXPLORATION OF RELY JOHN AND
SEARCH FOR MEANING.
AND ONE OF THE STATE'S PRICIER
ASSETS IS UP FOR SALE.
GOVERNOR RAUNER TODAY SAYS THE
30-YEAR-OLD THOMPSON CENTER ONCE
CALLED THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
BUILDING COULD BRING IN A HEFTY
AMOUNT FOR THE CASH STRAPPED
STATE.
THE BUILDING ACROSS FROM CHICAGO
CITY HALL HAS HAD ITS SHARE OF
ADMIRERS, AND DETRACTORS, BUT
THE RENOWNED CHICAGO ARCHITECT
WHO DESIGNED IT HAS TOUGH WORDS
ABOUT HOW ILLINOIS HAS FAILED TO
CARE FOR IT.
EDDIE ARRUZA IS HERE WITH MORE.
ANY WORD ON THE VALUE OF THAT
PRIME PIECE OF CHICAGO REAL
ESTATE?
>> THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE STATE
HAS TO THE ENAPPRAISALS TO OH
THAT PROPERTY BUT WOULD NOT
DIVULGE ON HOW MUCH THEY WOULD
GET, FOR THE BUILDING AND THAT
VERY DESIREABLE BLOCK OF LAND
THAT THEY OWN.
THE ONLY COST THAT THE GOVERNOR
DID TALK ABOUT WAS THE ESTIMATED
HUNDRED MILLION IN REPAIRS AND
UPGRADES THAT THE BUILDING IS IN
DISPATH NEED OF.
YOU CAN SEE WEEDS GROWING ON THE
EXTERIOR AND CONDITIONS ARE
WORSE ON THE INSIDE, FROM DUCT
TAPE HOLDING TOGETHER OLD
CARPETING TO REPORTS OF
COCKROACHES.
THERE ARE CURRENTLY MORE THAN
2,000 STATE EMPLOYEES THERE AND
ANOTHER 280 THAT WORK THIS THE
RETAIL AND FOOD BUSINESSES.
THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE STATE
WORKERS WOULD BE MOVED TO MORE
COST EFFECTIVE STATE OWNED
OFFICES IN CHICAGO AND EVEN
SPRINGFIELD.
NOW THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME A
GOVERNOR HAS WANTED TO DITCH
THAT PROPERTY TO HELP WITH STATE
FINANCES.
TWEF YEARS AGO AT THE BEGINNING
OF HIS FIRST TERM, GOVERNOR
BLAGOJEVICH PROPOSED SELLING IT,
BUT THAT PLAN FELL THROUGH.
NOW GOVERNOR RAUNER SAYS IT
NEEDS TO HAPPEN AND IT WANTS IT
OFFERED FOR CASH WITHIN THE NEXT
YEAR.
>> THERE IS A COMPELLING
FINANCIAL GAIN FOR THE PEOPLE OF
ILLINOIS.
AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO.
IT TAKES A BUILDING, A STRUCTURE
THAT IS IN SIGNIFICANT
DISREPAIR, IS VERY INEFFECTIVE,
AND VERY INEFFICIENT FOR
TAXPAYERS.
I WON'T COMMENT ON THE
AESTHETICS, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO
YOUR OWN OPINIONS.
BUT FROM A PURE FINANCIAL POINTS
OF VIEW A COMPELLING OPPORTUNITY
FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE.
THIS BUILDING IS IN INEFFECTIVE,
FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WORK HERE,
ALL OF WHOM ARE EAGER TO MOVE
SOMEWHERE ELSE.
IT IS NOISY.
HARD TO HEAT WITH YOUR
COLLEAGUES, IT IS HARD TO MOVE
THROUGH THE BUILDING, VERY
INEFFECTIVE, NOISE FROM
DOWNSTAIRS SMELLS FROM THE FOOD
COURT, ALL GET INTO THE OFFICES,
MOST OF WHICH ARE OPEN, VERY
HARD TO CONDUCT EFFECTIVE WORK
IN THIS BUILDING.
MPLGTSDS ANY REACTION TO THE
PROPOSAL FROM LEGISTATIVE
LEADERS?
>> THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE HAS
PERSONALLY DISCUSSED THIS WITH
HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE MICHAEL
MADIGAN AND SENATE PRESIDENT
JOHN CULLERTON AND THEY HAS RUN
IT PAST MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL.
THE THREE OF THEM ARE ALL
FORWARD LEANING AND POSITIVE ON
THIS PROPOSAL.
BUT HE SAYS THEY STILL WANT MORE
DETAILS.
HE TALKED TO ATTORNEY GENERAL
LISA MADIGAN AND SECRETARY OF
STATE JESSE WHITE WHO HAVE
OFFICES THERE AND THEY ARE OPEN
AND POSITIVE.
HIS STAFF MADE COURTESY CALLS TO
JIM THOMPSON AND TO ARCHITECT
HELMUT JAHN, THE WORLD RENOWNED
ARCHITECT AND HE COULD ONLY SAY
THEY BOTH A APPRECIATED THE
PHONE CALL BY WAS VERY
DIPLOMATIC.
THE ORIGINAL VISION OF GOVERNOR
JIM THOMPSON AND THE ARCHITECT,
HELMUT JAHN, TO MAKE IT A SYMBOL
OF OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY HAS
NOT BEEN UP HOLED BY THE
ADMINISTRATIONS THAT FOLLOWED.
THE BUILDING HAS IN THE BEEN
MAINTAINED OR REPAIRED.
THE BEST WAY ON SAVE IT AND
IMPROVE IT TO TO REPURPOSE IT,
MARKING THE LARGE FLOOR PLATES
TO INNOVATIVE TECH COMPANIES,
ADDING A HOTEL OR APARTMENTS,
AND IN SHORT, MAKING IT MOST
EXCITING PLACE IN THE CITY WITH
AROUND THE CLOCK ACTIVITY.
THE BUILDING WILL ONLY SURVIVE
THIS WAY AND WILL BECOME A LAND
MARK FOR THE 21st CENTURY.
THE GOVERNOR IS OF THE OPINION
THAT NO BUR OR DEVELOPER WILL
LIKELY WANT TO KEEP THE BUILDING
AND WILL PROBABLY TEAR IT DOWN.
FOR THE CITY AND STATE, HE SAYS
IT IS FOR THE BEST.
>> AND THE GOOD NEWS FOR THE
TAXPAYERS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO
THIS SHOULD GENERAL RIGHT
DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE NEW
BUILDING PUT IN HERE, SOMETHING
LIKE $20 MILLION PER YEAR IN NEW
CITY AND SCHOOL TAXES FOR THE
BENEFIT OF LOCAL TAXPAYERS.
A LOT OF MONEY.
RIGHT NOW IT'S A GOVERNMENT
BUILDING AND NOT ON THE CITY TAX
ROLLS.
THIS DOES NOT GENERAL RIGHT TAX
REVENUE FOR THE PEOPLE OF
CHICAGO.
VERY UNFORTUNATE, THIS IS ONE OF
THE MOST VALUABLE NICEST BLOCKS
IN THE ENTIRE STATE.
WE ARE CONDUCTING A REVIEW OF
THE ASSETS THAT ARE OWNED BY THE
STATE, AND TRYING TO DETERMINE
THEIR VALUE.
AND THEIR USEFULNESS, WHATTER
MAXIMUM MISING THE BENEFIT, THAT
IS AN ONGOING PROCESS.
AND WE WILL BE DOING IT ON A
CONTINUOUS BASIS.
>> ANY DEVELOPERS OR BUYERS
LINING UP?
>> ONE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER
SAID THE CURRENT FINANCIAL
MARKET IS UNLIKE ANY SHE HAS
EXPERIENCED AND SHE HAS IN THE
DOUBT IT WILL SELL.
NONE OF THE BRERS I TALKED TO
WERE WILLING TO GIVE ME AN IDEA
OF HOW MUCH IT MIGHT SELL FOR.
HOWEVER, HERE'S A STATEMENT THAT
THE CHICAGO ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS DID SEND US.
WHILE THE CHICAGO MARKETS RIGHT
NOW IS EXPERIENCING A ROBUST
PERIOD OF GROWTH, IT IS
IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT
CONDITIONS MAY BE DIFFERENT IN
THE PERHAPS FOUR TO FIVE YEARS
IT WOULD TAKE TO COMPLETE A
PROJECT.
ALL OF THIS SAID, IT HAS SEVERAL
ANDRY BUTS ANY DEVELOPER WOULD
LOOK FOR, INCLUDING A LARGE
SPACE WITH WHICH TO WORK AND
ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION AND A
PRIME DOWNTOWN CHICAGO LOCATION.
>> AND THE GOVERNOR HAD
SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT A MAJOR
CHANGE THAT THE MAYOR WANTS FOR
HIS UPCOMING DOOMSDAY BUDGET.
>> THE INCREASE IN THE PROPERTY
TAX EXEMPTION THAT HE NEEDS FROM
SPRINGFIELD.
LOW INCOME HOMEOWNERS AS A
MASSIVE PROPERTY TAX SEALS TO BE
ON THE WAY FOR CHICAGO.
THE GOVERNOR SAYS ABOUT THAT:
>> I AM STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THE
MAYOR RAISING PROPERTY TAXES ON
THE PEOPLE OF CHICAGO WITHOUT
MAJOR STRUCTURAL REFORM AND HE
IS NOT INSTITUTED MAJOR
STRUCTURAL REFORM.
SO I'M OPPOSED AND IN THE
SUPPORTIVE OF ANY OF HIS TAX
INCREASE EFFORT.
AND SO IT GOES.
NO ONE SEEMS TO BE GETTING
ANYTHING IN OR FROM SPRINGFIELD
THAT THEY WANT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> AFTER THE BREAK NEW WAYS
TECHNOLOGY MAY HELP YOU SAVE
MONEY ON YOUR HEATING BILLS.
SO STAY WITH US.
>>> AS THE AT THE PRESENT TIME
BEGINS TO DROP COULD YOUR
HEATING BILL DROP AS WELL?
RIGHT NOW THERE IS A NEW MOVE
FOR A SO-CALLED SMART
THERMOMETER THAT WOULD LOWER
YOUR HEATING BILL, AND HERE TO
GIVE US A FULL EXPLANATION ON
THIS, TO, ON THIS NEW REBATE
PROGRAM, VAL JENSEN THE SENIOR
VICE PRESIDENT FOR OPERATIONS AT
THE COMMONWEALTH EDISON AND
HOWARD LEARNER, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENT LAW
AND POLICY CENTER, AND JIM
CHILSEN, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
FOR THE SATURDAYS UTILITY BOARD.
A CONSUMER ADVOCACY AND WATCHDOG
GROUP.
WHAT IS A SMART THERMOMETER?
>> THAT IS A BRILLIANT NEW PIECE
OF TECHNOLOGY THAT EXCELS IN ITS
DESIGN AND WE HAVE A COUPLE OF
MODELS IF YOU CARE TO TAKE A
LOOK AT IT.
>> WE DO.
>> AND DESIGN, AND
FUNCTIONALITY, AND IT WILL
ADJUST YOUR TEMPERATURE BASED ON
YOUR BEHAVIOR AND CAN SAVE A
SUB-TANKS AMOUNT OF MONEY.
WE ESTIMATED AS A COMBINATION OF
ELECTRICITY AND GAS SAVINGS CAN
HELD A HUNDRED PER YEAR IN
SAVINGS.
>> A COUPLE OF MODELS HERE.
WHICH ONE AM I HOLDING UP?
>> THE NEST.
>> AND THIS LOOKS LIKE, A
MAGNIFYING GLASS?
>> IT IS A PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY
DEVELOPED BY THE GUY WHO HELPED
TO DEVELOP THE APRIL I i-POD.
-- THE APPLE EYE POD.
>> THIS IS ANOTHER ONE HERE, IT
IS SQUARISH.
>> THAT IS THE ECO BEE.
PRODUCED BY A COMPANY BASED IN
TORONTO, I BELIEVE.
AND ANOTHER GREAT PIECE OF BOTH
HUMAN CENTER DESIGN AND
TECHNOLOGY, BOTH OF THESE THINGS
WORE VERY WELL WITH VERY LITTLE
HUMAN SPEAKER ACTION, TO SAVE
YOU MONEY.
>> HOW DO THESE WORK?
THIS IS A GAME CHANGER.
TAKE YOUR OLD MANUAL
THERMOMETER, YOU FROM HAVE TO
PROGRAM AND IF WE KNEW HOW TO
PROGRAM THEM WELL THEY WOULD
WORK VERY WELL.
THE REALITY IS MOST OF US DON'T.
>> SOME OF US KNOW HOW TO MAKE
THEM WORK AND MOST OF US DON'T.
WHAT THIS IS IS INNOVATIVE
TECHNOLOGY THAT TAKES THE
MYSTERY OUT OF IT AND USES SMART
TECHNOLOGY TO THE THERMOMETER
WORKS THE WAY IT OUGHT TO.
WHEN YOU ARE NOT AT HOME, IT
DOESN'T HEATS A MUCH AND TURNS
DOWN THE HEAT, AND IF IT'S IN
THE SUMMER IT TURNS DOWN THE
COOLING SO YOU ARE NOT
OVERHEATING A HUSBAND IF NOBODY
IS THERE AND NOT OVERCOOLING
WHEN NO ONE THINKS.
HOW DOES THE KNOW WHEN YOU ARE
NOT AT HOME.
IT USES WI-FI AND SMART
TECHNOLOGY IN THE GIZMO AND
GADGET SO IT CAN TELL IF PEOPLE
ARE HOME, AND YOU CAN PROGRAM IT
AS IT GETS USED TO YOUR
BEHAVIOR.
YOU HAVE A COMPUTER AND STILLS
IT SAYS YOU HAVE AN HOUR LEFT ON
YOUR LAPTOP COMPUTER.
YOU CAN HIT SOMETHING CALLED
BATTERY SAVER AND YOU HAVE TWO
HOURS LEFT.
AND MOST OF US DON'T KNOW WHAT
THE COMPUTER DOES OR HOW IT GOES
FROM AN HOUR TO TWO HOURS, THAT
IS BEHIND THE BOX.
BUT OUT WORKS.
AND THIS IS USING MODERN
TECHNOLOGY, REALLY GOING TO
SAIL.
WE ALL HAVE FRIENDS WHO GOT THE
LATEST GIZMO AND GADGETS AND
WILL THIS WILL GET A MILLION
SMART THERMOMETERS, IN NORTHERN
ILLINOIS.
IT WILL SAVE PEOPLE MONEY ON
THEIR ELECTRIC AND FAST BILLS
AND REBATE WILL MEAN THAT AFTER
ABOUT A YEAR, IT WILL PAY FOR
ITSELF, AND AFTER THAT, IT IS
ALL SAVINGS.
LESS MONEY AND REDUCED
POLLUTION.
>> A VIDEO OF THE HIGHLIGHTS,
AND I'M STILL CURIOUS AS TO HOW
IT KNOWS WHEN YOU ARE HOME OR
NOT.
IS THERE A MOTION DEVICE OR
SOMETHING?
>> THAT IS HOW IT O.
AND STUDIES HAVE SHOWN, A
PAINFUL AMOUNT OF ENERGY IS
WAEFTDED HEATING AND COOLING
EMPTY HOMES.
WHAT THIS IS TRYING TO DO IT
TAKE OUT THE HUMAN ERROR, OUT OF
THE PROCESS, AND CREATE A DEVICE
THAT HAS A DEVICE THAT
AUTOMATICALLY SETS A TEMPERATURE
ALMOST AUTOMATIC SAVINGS, IT HAS
SIXTH SENSE OF SAVING CASH.
>> USING A MEXICO DETECTOR AND
OTHER FEATURES, IT TRAINS ITSELF
TO INCORPORATE YOUR HABITS INTO
CONTROLLING HEATING AND COOLING,
IS THAT IT?
>> IT BECOMES YOUR COMFORT
FRIEND.
>> FOR THOSE OF WHITE HOUSE HAVE
NO FRIENDS, THZ...
>> HAVE YOU TWO NEW FRIENDS
TONIGHT.
>> IT SENSES HER BEHAVIOR AND
UNDERSTANDS YOOB HABITS.
YOU COULD PLUG WITHIN IN AND IT
COULD LIGHT UP INDICATING THAT
IT KNOWS THAT YOU ARE THERE.
AND NOT SENSITIVE TO PETS, AND I
CAN DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PETS AND
HUMANS AND IT REALLY DOES LEARN
YOUR BEHAVIOR AND ALLOWS YOU TO
THINK ABOUT SOMETHING BESIDES
WHEN TO TURN THE THERMOMETER UP
OR DOWN.
>> AND WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT
IS GREAT IS THAT ENERGY
EFFICIENCY ISN'T ABOUT KEEPING
YOUR HOME UNCOMFORTABLE OR TOO
COOL OR TOO HOT BUT ABOUT
KEEPING YOUR HOME COMFORTABLE
AND NOT BREAKING THE BANK.
THIS IS WHAT THEY DO.
THE NEXT STEP, THEY CAN REALLY
REVOLUTIONIZE HOME SAVINGS
ACROSS NORTHERN ILLINOISES.
THE REASON THAT WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT IS BECAUSE THERE ARE A
REBATE PROGRAM, THESE ARE NOT
INEXPENSIVE.
BUT THERE IS ARE REBATE PROGRAM
THROUGH WHICH CUSTOMERS WILL GET
A HALF, A REBATE, SO HOW SOON,
WHAT IS THESE NORMALLY COST AND
WHAT DOES RECEIPT BAIT DO?
THE LIST PRICE FOR THESE IS
ABOUT $250.
AND REBAITS AVAILABLE THROUGH
COM ED IN CONJUNCTION WITH
PEOPLES AND NICOR GAS WILL CUT
THAT IN ABOUT HALF.
THERE ARE ME WAYS TO DO IT, IF
TO THE STORE AND BUY WITHIN AND
SUBMIT THE REBATE FORM.
YOU CAN HAVE A CONTRACTOR
RESTORE, OR YOU CAN PARTICIPATE
IN A HOME SAVINGS PROGRAM, AND
WE'LL GIVE YOU A HOME ENERGY
ASSESSMENT AND HELP YOU
UNDERSTAND WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO
TO SAVE MONEY AND WE WILL
INSTALL THIS FOR YOU AND CUT THE
COST THIS HALF.
>> HOW THE NUMBERS WORK F YOU
GET THE REBATE FOR ABOUT $120,
IN THE FIRST YEAR YOU SAVE ABOUT
A HUNDRED, ON THE GAS AND
ELECTRIC BILL, AND THAT IS PAID
FOR THE DEVICE.
SO AFTER THAT, IT IS GRAVY.
YOU ARE SAVING MONEY ON YOUR
BILLS, AND YOU ARE AVOIDING
POLLUTION.
THIS IS PUTTING MODERN
TECHNOLOGY TO WORK, NOT JUST FOR
A FEW PEOPLE WHO ARE ADEPT, THIS
IS TO GET OUT TO A MILLION
HOUSEHOLDS...
>> YOU THINK A MILLION?
>> YES, STAY THOUGH THIS TO
SCALE.
THIS IS NOT JUST A COUPLE OF
PEOPLE DOING AN INTERESTING NEW
GIZMO, WE WANT THIS IN THE HOMES
OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SMALL
AMOUNTS, PEOPLE WHO HAVE LARGE
AMOUNTS, WHO HAVE SMALL HOMES
AND BIG HOMES.
ACROSS NORTHERN ILLINOIS, THE
CITY, THE SUBURBS AND OTHER
PLACES.
THAT IS TAKING THE ADVANTAGES OF
ENERGY EFFICIENCY, AND SAVING
PEOPLE MONEY AND REDUCE
POLLUTION AND MAKING IT REAL FOR
PEOPLE.
YOU HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE
BENEFITS FOR CUSTOMERS, WHAT IS
IT IT FOR THE UTILITYS?
>> A COUPLE OF THINGS.
WE WOULDN'T DO IT IF IT WASN'T
THIS OUR INTEREST.
THE PRINCIPLE REASON IS NO
BUSINESS DOES WELL IF IT DOESN'T
SERVE ITS CUSTOMERS WELL.
THIS IS AN IDEAL WAY TO
INTRODUCE THEM TO THE WHOLE
CONCEPTS OF THE SMART HOME,
SMART ENERGY HOME.
THIS IS THE FIRST IN A LONG LINE
OF TECHNOLOGY THAT WE WILL SEE,
THAT WILL PUT POWER IN EMERGENCY
CUSTOMERS TO MANAGE THEIR OWN
ENERGY BILL AND WE WILL BE PART
OF THAT.
WE THINK THAT IS A WAY TO CREATE
MORE VALUE AND CREATE THAT
VALUE, THEY WILL FIND MORE
VALUE.
I WOULD IMAGINE THAT IT REDUCES
THE AMOUNT OF CAPACITIED THEY
NEED TO GENERAL RIGHT ON
SUPERHOT DAYS OR DURING A COLD
SPELL.
>> THAT IS A EXCELLENT POINT.
THE WHOLE IDEA ABOUT ENERGY
EFFICIENCY, IF YOU GET ENOUGH
PEOPLE INVOLVED YOU CAN REDUCE
ELECTRICITY DEMAND, THAT CAN
REDUCE MARKETS PRICES AND CAN
MAKE THE POWER GRID MORE STABLE.
A LOT OF BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE.
WE KNOW IN THE COMPANIES ARE
AGREES ON THEM.
>> YOU DON'T OFTEN SEE THE
FARMERS AND RANCHERS SITTING
DOWN TOGETHER PM
>> WE LEFT THE BRS KNUCKLES AT
THE DOOR.
WE WILL WORK WITH ANYBODY.
>> A WONDERFUL ATTORNEY ON OUR
SAF AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
POLICY CENTER, ROB KELTER WHEN
TO THE CHEERS COMMISSION AND
ARRANGED FOR A WASTED ENERGY
STUDY.
THE PROBLEM WAS THIS, IF WE KNEW
HOW TO MAKE A PROGRAMABLE
THERMOMETER WORK REALLY WELL
THEY WOULD DO EVERYTHING THEY
ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.
MOST OF US DON'T AND THAT WAS
WASTING ENERGY.
IN THE UPSHOT THAT HAVE STUDY,
AND SOME WORK WE DID WITH HONEY
WELL AND ECO BEE A NEW
TECHNOLOGY IN THE MARKET AND WE
BEGAN ON WORK WITH COM ED AND
WITH THE COMPANIES THAT MAKE THE
SMART THERMOMETERS AND WITH THE
ATTORNEY GENERALS AND OTHERS TO
SAY CAN WE PUT TOGETHER A
PROGRAM, NOT JUST A PILOT
PROGRAM, A COUPLE OF THOUSANDS
OF THESE AND THIS TECHNOLOGY
WORKS, AND HOW DO WE GET TO
SCALE.
A MILLION WAS AMBITIOUS BUT THAT
IS A GAME CHANGER.
LIKE GOING FROM YOUR STEADY OLD
CHEVY TO A TESTLER AND GETTING
THEM IN HOMES AROUND THE REGION,
EVERYONE WINS.
WE SAVE MONEY AND REDUCE
POLLUTION.
AS VAL PUTS IT, KMLT EDISON WILL
NOT BE SUCCESSFUL TELLING PEOPLE
YOU HAVE TO USE OLD TECHNOLOGY,
WHEN NEW TECHNOLOGY IS COMING IN
AND UTILITYS AND PEOPLE HE WORK
WITH ARE GETTING WITH THE
PROGRAM AND MOVING IT FORWARD.
THIS IS GOOD FOR EVERYBODY.
A WIN-WIN.
AND WHAT DOES THE MONEY FROM THE
REBATE PROGRAM COME FROM?
>> IT IS PAID FOR BY OUR
CUSTOMERS, A LAW ENACTSED IN 2
VOE VOE 7 THAT REQUIRES UTILITYS
TO FUND ENERGY CONSERVATION
PROGRAMS.
AND WE COLLECT AN AMOUNT OF
MONEY FROM ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS.
>> THERE IS MONEY FOR
INITIATIVES LIKE THIS.
I SEE.
ANY OTHER CITIES DOING THIS?
>> THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT IS
AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE ACROSS
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND I WITH SAY
THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BE IN
ILLINOIS BECAUSE ENERGY
EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS ARE FULL AND
RICH, AND WE WANT THEM ON GET
BETTER AND BE BIGGER BUT THIS IS
A GREAT START.
>> THIS IS THE BIGGEST THING
GOING WITH THESE THOYRMS AND WE
ARE PROUD TO BE LEADING THIS.
STEPPING UP.
>> ISN'T THAT GOOD?
>> YES IT IS.
DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN.
>> THERE ARE SOMETIMES WHEN IF
WE GET THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND
PLAYERS TOGETHER, WE LOOK AT THE
NEW POWERS OF TECHNOLOGY AND WE
SEE WHAT WARKS AND WHAT CAN WORK
FOR PEOPLE GOING FORWARD.
COM ED AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND
POLICY CENTER, OTHERS WHO PLAY
IN, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MOVES
US FORWARD.
I THINK EVERYBODY GOT TOGETHER
AND SAID THIS MAKES SENSE, LET'S
DO IT A SMART SOLUTION.
A LOT OF TALK ABOUT NEW YORK AND
CALIFORNIA AND WHAT THEY ARE
DOING.
ILLINOIS IS A LEADER IN ENERGY
EFFICIENCY, AND CUTTING PEOPLE'S
BILLS.
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.
THANK YOU.
>> A NEW NATURE PRESERVE AND
BUSY CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD AND
OPENED LAST MONTH, YOU CAN
EASILY DRIVE BY AND MISS ITS BUT
IF YOU DO VENTURE INSIDE AS CHEF
SOME CHEF DID YOU MIGHT-- JAY
SHEFSKY DID YOU MIGHT FINT A
REFUGE FROM THE TRAFFIC AND HERE
IS ANOTHER LOOK LOOK.
>> Reporter: THIS STRETCH OF
WESTERN AVENUE SOUTH OF PETERSON
SEEMS LIKE AN UNLIKELY PLACE TO
FIND NATURAL BEAUTY.
BUT BEYOND THE TRAFFIC LIES THE
NEW WEST RIDGE NATURE PRESERVE.
THE 20 ACRE PARK INCLUDES WOODS
AND WEATHER LANDS AND WALKING
PATHS AND A PARK, THAT WAS ONCE
AN OVERGROWN PROPERTY OWNED BY
ROSEHILL CEMETERY NEXT DOOR HAS
GOTTEN A-FOR-.1 MILLION
FACE-LIFT AND IS NOW AN ISLAND
OF CALM IN A BUSY PART OF TOWN.
THE HEAD OF THE PARKS COMMUNITY
ADVISORY COUNCIL OFFERED TO SHOW
ME AROUND.
SHE HAS BEEN SNEAKING INTO THE
PIECE OF LAND FOR MANY YEARS.
>> IT WAS A NO TRESPASSING AREA
BUT EVERYONE WOULD COME DOWN THE
PATH AND COME AND PLAY IN THE
WOODS.
AND I WOULD COME HERE WITH MY
DAUGHTER FOR 20 YEARS AND WE
WOULD FISH AND CLIMB THE TREES.
>> NOW MUCH OF THE UNDERBRUSH
HAS BEEN REMOVED INCLUDING MANY
INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES.
THIS HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR A HAVEN
FOR WILDLIFE.
THERE WAS A ROAD TAIL-- RED TAIL
HAWK ON OPENING DAY.
I SAW A HAWK CATCH A SNAKE.
68 HAVE BIRDS WERE SPOTTED IN
THIS AREA.
AND THERE ARE 15 THREATENED
SPECIES, SO FOR HUMANS IT IS A
GREAT WAY TO CONNECT WITH
NATURE, AND FOR THE WILDLIFE IT
IS A CRITICAL HABITAT.
IT IS JUST VERY EXCITING.
>> Reporter: THERE IS NEARLY A
MILE OF PATH, ALL WHEELCHAIR
ACCESSIBLE.
MOST ARE PAVED AND SOME ARE
BOARDWAUGS OVER WHAT IS KNOWN AS
AN EMERGENT WETLAND PUP MIGHT
NOT SEA WATER HERE YEAR ROUND
BUT WAITSES CLOSE UNDER THE
SURFACE.
MANY NEW NATIVE PLANTS HAVE BEEN
ADDED.
THOSE AREAS LOOK SPARSE BUT ARE
EXPECTED TO FILL IN MORE IN THE
YEARS AHEAD.
SO IT IS NOISY ON WESTERN
AVENUE.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WHEN YOU GO TO THE NATURE
PRESERVE OVER WESTERN AVENUE,
YOU WILL GET A LITTLE NOISE BUT
ONCE YOU GET TO THE MIDDLE, YOU
DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING.
JUST ENJOY THE NATURE AND NOT
EVEN A FACTOR.
AND THE SHRUBS ON WESTERN AVENUE
SHOULD FILL IN, OFFERING EVEN
MORE SECLUSION AND QUIET.
THE FOUR AND A HALF ACRE POND IS
THE CENTRAL FEATURE OF THE PARK.
BY NEXT YEAR IT WILL BE STOCKED
WITH BLUE GIL AND CATFISH.
CATCHING ANYTHING
>> A SMALL BLUE HEADS.
AND THEY HANT STOCKED IT YET.
HOPEFULLY NEXT YEAR LIT BE
BETTER.
ON THE SOUTH END OF THE PRESERVE
THERE IS A GROVE OF TREE IT IS A
GIVES YOU THAT FEELING OF
SANCTUARY.
YOU JUST FEEL GOOD BEING IN IT.
AND IT IS ALSO WHERE THE MIAMI
END YOU KNOW ART FACTS WERE
FOUND BY THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
AND THEY FOUND YOU ARE A OWE
HEADANCE CERAMICS FROM 1700
YEARS AGO.
>> Reporter: THERE WHAT IS THEY
CALL A COUNCIL RING, FOR
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND
MEETSINGS OR JUST COMTEAM PLAIGS
AND IF YOU LIKE BUGS, YOU WANT
TO SEE?
PATRICE CEISEL SAYS THEY WAPTSZ
TO USE THE THAT'S RIGHT PRESERVE
AS A PLACE TO INTRODUCE NATURE
TO CHILDREN.
A GREAT ADDITION TO THE
COMMUNITY.
WE SAW GRASSHOPPERS AND BIRDS.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS
COMPARED TO A PLAYGROUND.
I THINK THERE ARE LOTS OF LAY
GROUNDS AND LOTS OF PLACES TO
GET THAT ENERGY OUT, SO THIS IS
SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
AND IF THERE WAS APPLY GROUND
HERE, I DON'T THINK WE SWO HAVE
SPEND AS MUCH TIMEX PLORING.
THIS IS A NATURAL AREA AND
INSTEAD OF HAVING SWING SETS AND
MONKEY BARS.
IT SEALS TO HAVE MADE FOR LESS
WILDLIFE IN THE SHORT RUN BUT AS
THE MORE NATIVE ECO SYSTEMS
RETURNS, THIS WILL BE MORE.
>> I LOVE THE REG STATION, YOU
HAVE WALNUT TREES AND OAK TREES.
ALL KIND OF STUFF HERE.
GREAT FOR WILDLIFE.
WE ARE HOPING THE VEGETATION
WILL FILL IN MORE SO THE
RECLUSIVE SPECIES THAT FOUND
THEIR HOME HERE WILL RETURN, AND
HAVE THE ISOLATION THAT THEY
REQUIRE.
>> AND NOW THE HUMANS CAN VISIT
WITHOUT PRESS PASSING.
FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT THIS IS JAY
SHEFSKY.
>> AND THE WEST RIDGE NATURE
PRESERVE IS OPEN EVERY DAY FROM
SUNRISE TO SUNSET.
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ON OUR
WEBSITE.
>>> DAVID GREGORY WAS BROUGHT UP
BY PARENTS OF TWO DIFFERENT
FAITHS BUT NOT MUCH IN THE WAY
OF FORMAL RELIGIOUS BELIEF.
HE HAS BEEN PROMPTED TO HIGH
ABOUT HIS SPIRITUALITY, BY HIS
MARRIAGE TO A CHRISTIAN WOMAN,
AND THEY ARE DECISION TO RAISE
THEIR KIDS AS SCREWISH AND HIGH
PROFILE PROFESSIONAL SETBACK.
HIS NEW BOOK IS CALLED: HOW'S
YOUR FAITH, AN UNLIKELY
SPIRITUAL JOURNEY.
DAVID, WELCOME TO CHICAGO.
I KNOW YOU LIVED HERE FOR A
WHILE, AND YOU ARE ON NBC NET
BORK CORRESPONDENT.
WHAT ABOUT THE TIGHTING, WHAT IS
THETORY?
>> I COVERED PRESIDENT BUSH FOR
8 YEARS.
HE HAD HEARD I WAS STUDYING WITH
A BIBLE SCHOLAR TRYING TO DEEPEN
MY FAITH AND BETTER CONNECT TO
MY WIFE'S CRISTIAN TRADITIONS
AND HE ASKED ME THAT, IT HAS RAS
NATOED WITH ME, IT IS SO DIRECT,
THAT INVITES SELF-EXAMINATION.
>> AS A JOURNAL IFTD WHO WAS
YOUR REACTION TO THAT QUESTION,
YOU SAID HE ASKED YOU THAT A
COUPLE OF TIMES?
>> I WELCOMED TO THE QUESTION.
I NEVER FELT HE WAS INTERFERE
ORGANIZE IMPOSING HIS VIEWS ON
ME.
I WELCOMED A CHANCE TO DOES
COVER FROM HIM WHAT HIS OWN
FAITH PATH HAD BEEN AND KNOWING
THAT EVEN BEFORE I STARTED
COVERING HIM.
AND YOU THEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO
HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITH A
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
AND HE ALSO GAVE YOU ADVICE
BEFORE YOU STARTED HOSTING "MEET
THE PRESS"?
>> HE TALKED A BIT ABOUT THE
SCRUTINY THAT I WOULD FACE, AND
YOU NOW WHO TO WEATHER THAT
SCRUTINY AND HOW IMPORTANT IT
WAS TO STAND ON MY OWN AND
FOLLOW MY OWN PATH.
AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS GOOD
ADVICE.
I COVERED POLITICS BEFORE, AND
IT WAS A UNIQUE FIGURE.
I RESPECTED HIM, A LOT AND I
THINK HE THOUGHT I WAS FAIR.
>> YOU DEVELOPED A REPUTATION AS
DOG ED QUESTIONER.
PRET "MEET THE PRESS" HAS HIGH
ROE PILE JOB AND YOU WRITE ABOUT
THE LOSS OF THAT JOB.
>> IT HAS HARD, PEOPLE GO
THROUGH THAT U LOSE YOUR JOB A
TOUGH BUSINESS.
YOU KNOW THAT.
AND YET, YOU KNOW, THIS IS VERY
PUBLIC AND EMBARRASSING.
IT WAS IF I HAD DONE SOMETHING
WRONG, IT DID MY BEST.
AND THAT IS TOO BAD.
AND IT WAS HARD FOR ME, WHAT I
WRITE ABOUT IN THE BOOK A AS
SOON AS OF IDENTITY AND LOSING
THAT WHICH I HAD, SINCE I WAS 18
WHEN I FIRST GOT ON TO TV NEWS,
THIS IDENTITY OF BEING ON
TELEVISION AND HAVING A
CELEBRITY, ALL THE TRAPPINGS OF
THAT JOB AND LOSING THAT WITH
SOMETHING I THINK SET ME BACK
FARTHER THAN I EXPECTED TO.
I HAD PERSPECTIVE AND MY FAITH,
BUT THE LOSS OF IDENTITY WAS
SOMETHING I REALLY HAD TO
STRUGGLE WITH.
YOU WRITE ABOUT FINALLY HEARING
THAT YOU WERE PARTING WAYS WITH
NBC AND YOU HAD CONVERSATION
WITH YOUR WIFE.
AND YOU PULL OVER ON THE SIDE
STREET, ON YOUR WAY HOME, AND
DESCRIBE WHAT THAT WAS LIKE?
>> THIS WAS A DAY WHEN I
FOYERSED THE ISSUE, I WASN'T
FIRED, I FELT LIKE IT WOULD
HAPPEN.
IT HAD BEEN A RUFF PERIOD AT NBC
AND A LOT OF LEAKS ABOUT WHETHER
I WOULD LOSE MY JOB, AND SO
FORTH.
I WANTED TO BE IN A SERENE
SETTING AND TALK TO MY WIFE.
AND I THINK THIS IS WHERE FAITH
GUIDED ME.
I FELT A MEASURE OF PEACE, AND I
FELT I HAD PERSPECTIVE AND I
FELT LOVE AND I WOULD BE OKAY.
EVEN THEN I THOUGHT ABOUT HOW
WILL IDEAL WITH THIS BACK AND
TELL MY CHILDREN, BUT I THOUGHT
THIS WILL BE GOOD FOR ME AND
GOOD FOR THEM, AND I HAD A SENSE
OF BROADER CONTEXT, EVERYTHING
THAT WAS HAPPENING.
>> YOU SAID YOU FLT LIFTED
DURING THAT MOMENT?
>> I DID, I FELT RELIEVED, AS
BAD AS I FELT, I DIDN'T WANT TO
RETURN TO A SITUATION I WAS
PARTING WAYS WITH.
IN THAT WAY I FELT CARRIED.
ED IDEA OF ASKING YOURSELF THE
QUESTION, HOWS A YOUR FAITH, AN
EXPLORATION OF FAITH AND SELF-,
THAT REALLY DID LIFT ME.
THAT HELPED ME TO UNDERSTAND
THAT I'M NOT ALONE, THAT I HAVE
A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND FEEL
COMFORT AND STREPTD AND EVEN
THROUGH HUMANITARIAN AND A
SETBACK THERE IS A LOT MORE
THERE.
>> ONCE YOU SEE SOMEONE ON
TELEVISION IN A HIGH PROFILE JOB
LIKE HOSTING "MEET THE PRESS"
AND THE PERSON SEEMS SO TOGETHER
AND EVERYBODY HAS A BACK STORY,
AND YOU WRITE ABOUT ONE DAY, IN
APRIL OF 1986.
TELL US.
>> MY MOTHER WAS AN ALCOHOLIC
AND SHE, SHS NOT LIKE SHE WAS A
FALLING DOWN DRUNK BUT PART OF
THE BACKDROP AND WHEN HER LIVE
STARTED TO FRAY AND PERSONAL
RELATIONSHIPS AND HER WORK SHE
DID LOSE CONTROL AND I WAS IN
SPEECH AND DEBATE WHEN I WAS 15
AND I WAS AT A TOURNAMENT, AND I
SPOKE AND WON AND MY...
>> YOU SPOKE WITH OPTIMISM?
>> RIGHT.
AND MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING ME
HOME AND MY SPEECH COACH AND A
FRIEND OF MY MOTHERS AND SHE WAS
PULLED OVER AND ARRESTED FOR
DRUNK DRIVING.
IT WAS A DIFFERENT MOMMY OR HER
AND FOR ME.
AND I WRITE ABOUT THAT IN THE
CONTEXT OF HOW I DIDN'T HAVE
FAITH.
AT THAT PART OF MY LIFE.
AND THAT I WISH I HAD HAD A
GREATER SENSE OF BELIEF AND
COMFORT.
IT WAS AN EMBARRASSING AND CON
USING TIME IN MY LIFE.
AND THE GOOD NEWS IS MY MOTHER
GOT SOBER AND REDEEMED HER LIFE.
BUT I THINK FOR ME BEING ON A
PATH OF SPIRITUAL EXPLORATION, I
GO BACK AND SAY, I REALLY COULD
HAVE USED MY FAITH IN A DEEPER
FAITH BACK THEN.
>> AND THIS IS A QUESTION OF
FAITH.
AND WRITE ALSO A QUESTION OF
HERE WAS A FAMILY SECRET, YOUR
MOTHER'S ALCOHOLISM AND NOW
BECAUSE YOU HAD THIS TEACHER IN
THE CAR WITH YOU, AN ADVISOR,
SHE SAW THE SECRET AND IT WAS
ONE THAT YOU AND YOUR SISTER
CARRIED.
THAT WAS A BY VOTAL MOMENT?
>>-- BY VITAL MOMENT?
>> AND THIS WAS THE PREOPRAH
PERIOD, AND IT IS STILL NOT
COMFORTABLE TO ASK PEOPLE ABOUT
AN ADDICTION, BUT YOU SPEND SO
MUCH TIME COVERING IT UP, AND SO
MUCH TIME KEEPING AID SECRET AND
THAT WAS IN THE A RELIEF, BUT A
SENSE OF SHOCK, THAT I CAN'T
KEEP MY ARMS AROUND TO ANY MORE
AND I HAVE TO COME TO GRIPS WITH
IT.
AND THAT WAS HARD.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE A
JOURNALIST.
IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR BACKGROUND
AND CHILDHOOD WAS SOMEWHAT
CHAOTIC, ASPECTS WERE, AND YOU
HAD THIS SECRET AND YOU WERE
NEEDING STRUCTURE, AND HOW DID
JOURNALISM PREPT ITSELF?
MPLGTD I WOULD SAY, MY LIFE
OVERALL WAS VERY GOOD.
I HAVE DIFFICULT PATCHES BUT
DURING THIS FEELING ADRIFT AND
YOU KNOW LOST, WHAT I WANTED TO
WAS TO TRANSFORM MYSELF AND I
WANTED TO ESCAPE AND FOR ME
WATCHING TELEVISION NEWS WAS MY
FORM OF ESCAPE.
I FOUND MY AMBITION AND SEE
DIEDED I WILL BECOME THIS
PERSON, I WILL BECOME A TV
JOURNALISTIST WHO CAN TRAVEL THE
WORLD AND TELL STORIES, AND
CHANGE WHO I AM TODAY.
WHEN I WAS 15 I BECAME VERY
AMBITIOUS AND MY FATHER PLAYED A
BIG ROLE, HELPING ME PLOT OUT
THINK CAREER, AND I WAS ON THE
AIR WHEN I WAS 18.
>> SO YOU ARE 26 AND YOU MEET A
WOMAN AND YOU DO GET MARRIED AND
SHE WAS RAISED METHODIST.
>> YES.
AND YOU WERE EXPLORING YOUR
JEWISH BACKGROUND AND POTENTIAL
FOR A GREATER IMMERSION IN
JEWISH BELIEFS AND YOU DECIDED
TO RAISE YOUR CHILDREN AS
SCREWISH.
IT SOUNDS FINE IN THEORY BUT NOT
THAT EASY ON YOUR WIFE?
>> INTERESTINGLY, I LIVED HERE
WHEN I MET MY WIFE, SHE
PROSECUTED THE OKLAHOMA CITY
BOMBERS THIS DENVER.
A BIG PART OF THAT WAS FLYING
BACK AND FORTH FROM O'HARE TO
DENVER, AND ON A FRIDAY NIGHT
RUNNING OUT TO THE AIRPORT.
WE AGREED WE COULD AND JEWISH
FAMILY BUT SHE CHALLENGED ME TO
DIG DEEPER INTO WHAT I BELIEVED.
AND THE ENTIRE FAITH PATH HAS
BEEN UP AND DOWN.
A LOT OF GOOD PARTS BUT SHE GAVE
UP HER FAITH, IN NERMS OF
SHARING THOSE WITH HER KIDS AND
I THINK SHE HAS REGRETS ABOUT
THAT.
AND SHE FEELS A BIGGER SENSE OF
LOSS THAN SHE THOUGHT THEY
WOULD.
AND I WAS SELFISH ABOUT IT, I
DON'T THINK I WAS A FAITH FILLED
ENOUGH PERSON TO UNDERSTAND WHAT
THE LOSS WAS LIKE.
AND SHE HAS REGRETS, BUT IT IS
AN UNEVEN PATH AND WE STILL
STRUGGLE WITH AS WE REALLY TRIED
TO CREATE SOMETHING BUFT RG A
FAITH PRACTICE AND SPIRITUAL
LIFE FOR OURSELVES AND KIDS.
>> COULD YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE
CASE OR TRY TO MAKE THE CASE TO
FRIENDS OF YOURS WHO MIGHT BE
ATHEISTS ORING A HOSTICS ABOUT
THE EXISTENCE OF GOD?
MPLGTSDS NOT REALLY.
I'M NOT HEAR TO WIN A DEBATE.
>> WHEN I SAY TO PEOPLE, I THINK
THE QUESTION HOW'S YOUR FAITH IS
IMPORTANT.
DO YOU HAVE THE FAITH THAT YOU
HAD AS A KID.
HAS IT BEEN THERE FOR YOU WHEN
YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH SOMETHING
HARD.
I HAVE BEEN ON THIS EXPLORATION,
ARE NO BETTER THAN YOUR ANSWERS
I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE WITH WORK
WITH THE QUESTION.
THIS IS WHAT IT HAS MEANT TO MY
LIFE AND THAT IS WHAT THE BOOK
IS ABOUT.
SO IS YOUR FAITH RIGHT NOW?
>> I WOULD SAY IT IS STRONG AND
GETTING STRONGER.
ONE THING THAT FAITH TAUGHT ME
IS NOT ONLY THE POWER OF LOVE,
IN MY LIFE AND A RELATIONSHIP
WITH GOD, BUT ALSO UNDERSTANDING
THAT I FEEL LIKE I'M AMS IN
TRANSITION, WHO I AM TODAY WITH
YOU IS STILL, ON THIS PATH ON
BECOME WHOG GOD INTENDS ME TO DO
BE, A LOT OF PERSONAL FLAWS AND
CASHINGISTICS THAT I POYT WITH
AND I'M STILL ON THE PATH OF
TRYING TO GET BETTER AND BE
BETTER, AND ALL THE WHILE,
FEELING THE LOVE OF A
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND A
DEEPER FAITH.
>> LET'S SWITCH TOPICS.
LOOKING AT THE PRESIDENTIAL
RACE, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS,
WHO DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE IN THE
RUNNING WHEN IT COMES TO THE
RESPECTIVE PARTIES?
>> I THINK THERE IS A REAL,
THERE IS A LOT OF APGNER THE
COUNTRY AND THE MOOD IN THE
COUNTRY IS ANTI-WASHINGTON, AND
ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT.
SO I THINK YOU ARE LIKELY TO SEE
ESPECIALLY ON THE REPUBLICAN
SIDE, SOME FIGURE WHO IS JUST
ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT FIGURE WHO
WILL GO PRETTY FAR.
WHETHER THAT IS TRUMP OR CARSON
OR CARLY FIORINA, I DON'T KNOW.
CRUZ?
>> COULD BE.
I THINK DONALD TRUMP IS A REMAN
CANDLE DISTIN TO DO SO BURN OUT
BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TAKED THE
AIR OUT OF THAT BALLOON.
THERE IS SO MUCH DISARRAY WITHIN
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THERE IS A
LONG WAY TO GO.
HILLARY CLINTON IS FORMIDABLE
BUT ALSO HAS A LOT OF VELNER
BUILTS.
AND IF YOU ARE JOE BIDEN YOU ARE
PROBABLY MORE TEMPTED THAN EVER
TO GET IN BECAUSE THERE IS A
REAL PLACE.
>> THIS IS, I HOPE THIS IS NOT
TOO MUCH COMING OUT OF MY VIEW,
YOU DO A WICKED TOM BROKAW.
WOULD YOU CARE TO GRACE BECAUSE
PERFORMANCE?
>> I DID A, I TELL YOU A STORY,
WHEN I WAS AT THE BUSH RANCH
ONCE, OR NEAR THE BUSH RANCH AND
WEARING THIS SPORTS JACKET AND I
WAS ON THE AIR AND I SAID, I DID
MY PIECE, AND BROKAW, SAYS THANK
YOU VERY MUCH DAVID GREGORY SPR
DUSTING THE BLUE BLAZER OF RANCH
WEAR.
>> DAVID THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
DAVID GREGORY, WHO IS YOUR
FAITH: AN UNLIKELY SPIRITUAL
JOURNEY.
BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT
AFTER THIS.
THAT IS OUR SHOW, WE HOPE YOU
JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT, HILLARY
CLINTON BURNY SANDERS AND THE
REST OF THE DIM HE CAN FIELD
MEET FOR THEIR FIRST DEBATE.
WE WILL ASES THE WINNERS AND
LESSERS.
AND EXCITESMENT IS BUILDING AT
THE CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE BY
ENYELL.
GEOFFREY BAER LOOKING AT THE
BOLD IDEAS ON DISPLAY.
AND I'M PHIL PONCE AND FROM ALL
OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT"
I THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.
GOOD NIGHT.
KIDNAP COY
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