>> TODAY THE TOP ADMINISTRATION
ANNOUNCED THE END OF THE
PROGRAM THAT GAVE LEGAL STATUS
THAT WERE BROUGHT HERE
ILLEGALLY AS CHILDREN TO
COLLEGE SERVED AS MILITARY.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE BALKAN
>> THERE IS GREAT REACTION AT
THIS HOUR.
THERE ARE PROTESTS KICKING OFF
IN FEDERAL PLAZA DOWN IN THE
LOOP AND HEADED NORTH.
IN THE FUTURE CERTAINLY IS
MERCURY AT HUNDRED THOUSAND
ILLINOIS RESIDENTS SAID TO HAVE
PROTECTED STATUS UNDER THIS
PROGRAM, DEFERRED ACTION OR
DOCK AS YOU MENTIONED.
THE PRESIDENT AND ATTORNEY
GENERAL DID ANNOUNCE THAT THEY
WERE RESENDING IT TODAY SO THAT
MEANS NO NEW ENTRANTS AND THOSE
THAT ARE CURRENTLY PART OF IT
THEY WILL KEEP THEIR PROTECTIVE
STATUS FOR 6
MONTHS FOR A
CAUSEWAY.
THE PRESIDENT IS SAYING THAT HE
HOPES IN THAT 6 MONTHS TIME
CONGRESS WILL FIND A FIX THAT
DOES KEEP DREAMERS HERE AS PART
OF A COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION
SOLUTION.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TODAY SAYS
HE BELIEVES THAT THIS PROGRAM
ALL ALONG WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF DHAKA
DELIBERATELY SOUGHT TO ACHIEVE
WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
SPECIFICALLY REFUSED TO
AUTHORIZE ON MULTIPLE
OCCASIONS.
SUCH AN OPEN ENDED
CIRCUMVENTION OF IMMIGRATION
LAWS WITH AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL
EXERCISE OF AUTHORITY BY THE
EXECUTIVE BRANCH.
>> I HAVE A LOVE FOR THESE
PEOPLE.
HOPEFULLY NOW CONGRESS WILL BE
ABLE TO HELP THEM AND DO IT
PROPERLY.
I CAN TELL YOU WITH SPEAKING TO
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS THEY WANT
TO BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING INTO
A RIGHT.
>>
SO PARENTS WHAT HAS REX BEEN
TAKE TO DICK DURBIN HAS BEEN
ONE OF THOSE MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS I DO WANT TO DO
SOMETHING RIGHT AWAY.
HE IS URGING IMMEDIATE PASSAGE
OF THE DREAM ACT.
THIS IS LONG STALLED
LEGISLATION THAT WOULD GIVE
PERMANENT STATUS TO THESE
DREAMERS.
MEMBER, BY AND LARGE THIS
POPULATION THEY ARE THE
WORKFORCE WHERE THEY ARE IN
SCHOOL OR THEY ARE IN THE ARMED
FORCES.
SUPPORTERS OF THE PROGRAM SAY
THEY ARE VERY PRODUCTIVE
MEMBERS OF THIS SOCIETY.
URBAN TODAY WAS FLAGGED BY
REPUBLICAN SENATOR, LINDSEY
GRAHAM, WHO ALSO EXPRESSED A
DESIRE FOR CONGRESS TO DO THIS
RIGHT AWAY.
YOU WE NEED TO DO OUR JOB RIGHT
HERE IN THE UNITED STATES
SENATE.
WE NEED TO PASS IN THIS MONTH
OF SEPTEMBER, A DREAM ACT,
AFFIRMATIVE LAW IN THIS COUNTRY
THAT SAYS THAT THESE YOUNG
PEOPLE WILL HAVE THEIR CHANCE
TO BECOME PART OF AMERICA'S
FUTURE.
>> MY CHALLENGE TO THE
PRESIDENT IS THAT YOU TALK VERY
CLEARLY ABOUT THESE KIDS.
HELP US IN THE HOUSE.
HELP US IN THE SENATE.
I THANK YOU ARE A GOOD MAN.
GET INVOLVED PERSONALLY.
>> MEANWHILE BACK LOCALLY ON
TODAY'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL,
SCHOOLS CHIEF
SHE COMES PUBLIC
SCHOOLS WILL BE A SAFE PLACE
FOR ALL UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS.
THE PRESIDENT TRUMPS DECISION
TODAY WILL NOT AFFECT CPS.
CPS IS A SANCTUARY SCHOOL
SYSTEM.
CHICAGO IS IN CENTURY CITY.
WE WANT THE MESSAGE TO BE
CLEAR, TO DREAMERS AND PARENTS
AND PARENTS ARE DIRECTOR AT OUR
SCHOOL SYSTEM IS SAFE PLACE TO
BE.
WE WILL PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN.
WE DO NOT ALLOW FEDERAL AGENTS
ON A PROPERTY OR IN OUR SCHOOLS
WITHOUT A WARRANT.
WE WILL ENSURE THAT OUR
CHILDREN CAN COME HERE TO
LEARN, BE SAFE AND DREAM THE
DREAMS AND HOPEFULLY THAT WILL
TAKE THEM TO COLLEGE AND BEYOND
IN THE UNITED STATES.
>> PIERCE SPEAKING OF THE FIRST
DAY SCHOOL.
THERE IS A LOT LESS UNCERTAINTY
DUE TO GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED IN
THE PAST FEW WEEKS.
STILL, CPS HAS SOME
ECONOMICALLY SENSITIVE TIRE.
WILL WE WILL VISIT TANNER
TODAY.
>> IT CERTAINLY DOES HAVE SOME
SENSE.TIRE.
THE MAYOR TOOK A VICTORY LAP
TODAY TOUTING OF THE GAMES,
ACADEMICALLY THAT CPS HAS MADE,
HIGHER GRADUATION RATE, HIGHER
EDUCATION SCORES.
THEY KICKED OFF TODAY AT HAROLD
WASHINGTON ON THE SOUTH
SIDE.
CPS IS GETTING SUBSTANTIAL
MONEY.
THERE IS THE MAYOR OFFICIALLY
RINGING THE BELL AT 8:30 THIS
MIGRANT CPS IS GETTING
SUBSTANTIALLY MORE MONEY FROM
SPRINGFIELD AS WE ALL KNELT
THIS YEAR.
PLUS AUTHORIZATION TO RAISE UP
TO $125 MILLION MORE PROPERTY
TAXES FOR TEACHER PENSIONS.
IMMANUEL DECIDED NOT TO TOUCH
ON THOSE ISSUES, BUT TO TALK
ABOUT THE GRADUATION RATE AND
THE ACADEMIC GAMES GOING OUT
THROUGH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
>> THE FINANCIALS ARE STABLE,
THE ACADEMICS ARE EXCELLING,
THAT IS THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS.
THIS IS A NEW DAY FOR CPS.
A NEW DAY FOR THE CITY OF
CHICAGO.
WITHOUT A DOUBT WITH MORE KIDS
GOING FULL DAY CAN ACCORDING
MORE AND ALL DUPLICATES NEW DAY
FOR THE FUTURE.
EVEN WITH ALL THIS NEW MONEY
COMING IN FILL, THERE STILL IS
A WHOLE OF ABOUT 150 $250
MILLION.
WE NEED TO ASK THE MAYOR HOW HE
PLANS TO DO
THIS FOR WEEKS.
TODAY HIS SPOKESPERSON EMAILED
US SAYING THE CITY WILL ASSIST
WITH $70-$80 MILLION IN CPS
SECURITY COST.
ALSO, $40-$50 MILLION AND OTHER
SAVINGS IN A REMAINING GAP
POSSIBLY SOME OF THOSE FROM
REFINANCING DEBT AND GETTING
SOME BETTER RATES ON THEIR
BORROWING.
THEY PLEDGED TO DO THIS WITHOUT
ANY NEW CITY TAXES.
ALTHOUGH, AS I MENTIONED THERE
IS THAT NEW PROPERTY TAX
AUTHORIZATION AT CPS CAN ISSUE.
ONE PERSON WE SPOKE TO HE HOPES
CPS DOES NOT GO THAT ROUTE.
>> IS AT A SOLUTION OF MORE
PROPERTY TAXES WHEN NOT REFORM
THE SYSTEM?
WHY NOT JUST GO BACK AND SEE
WHAT IS IN THAT TEST SYSTEM AND
WHAT CAN BE REFORMED AND WHAT
CAN BE SALVAGED SO
THAT THERE
SHOULD NOT BE ANY MORE PROPERTY
TAXES FOR THE CITY IN THE
RESIDENCE.
>> ALSO THERE IS THE PROSPECT
OF A POSSIBLE LAWSUIT THAT YOU
WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT FROM
TEACHERS UNION, PERSON KAREN
LEWIS THAT HIS HAIR HANGING
OVER THE START AND SAWYER.
ALL IN ALL, LOT LESS TRAUMA.
MONEY IS THERE, NO THREAT OF
STRIKE AT LEAST IN THE NEAR
FUTURE.
PECK PARENTS, THANK
YOU.
AND NOW TO BRANDIS FRIEDMAN AND
THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHICAGO
TEACHERS UNION.
BRANDIS.
>> PHIL OF COURSE AS WE JUST
HEARD FROM PHYLLIS THE NEW
SCHOOL YEAR HAS BEGUN.
WITH SOME UNDOCUMENTED FAMILIES
AND STUDENTS.
FOR FURTHER FUTURES.
WHAT'S MORE CHICAGO HOMEOWNERS
ARE BRACING FOR GET ANOTHER
PROPERTY TAX HIKE THIS ONE TO
BE FOR TEACHER PENSIONS BUT THE
GOOD NEWS, CPS GRADUATION RATES
ARE UP AND SOME PARENT TEACHERS
AND POLITICIANS ARE RELIEVED
THAT THE BATTLE OVER SCHOOL
FUNDING REFORM SPRINGFIELD IS
OVER.
BIG SURPRISE WAS PUT INTO THE
REWORK
BELT.
LAWMAKERS CARD OUT $75 MILLION
FOR TAX CREDIT TO PRIVATE AND
PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS SCHOLARSHIP
DONATIONS.
JOINING THE SOUNDS TALK ABOUT
ALL OF THIS IS CHICAGO TEACHERS
UNION PRESIDENT, KAREN LEWIS.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.
WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK.
PLEASE TO US AT www.WTTW.com
USING THE # CHICAGO TYPEWRITTEN
KAREN THANK YOU FOR JOINING
US.
WE JUST HEARD PARENTS TALK
ABOUT DOCK UP.
WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE
PRESIDENT'S PLAN TO MOVE THAT
TO CONGRESS?
>> WELL, I THINK HE HAD TO AT
SOME POINT BECAUSE WE NEED A
LOT THAT COVERS EVERYONE.
IT CANNOT BE CARVED OUT WHERE
THESE PEOPLE FEEL SAFE, THESE
PEOPLE DO NOT.
ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS EVEN
AMONGST OUR MEMBERSHIP WE HAVE
AT LEAST 100 MEMBERS THROUGH
DOCTOR WHO CAME HERE AS
INFANTS.
WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS
HERE.
WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT
WHAT THAT FINALLY LOOKS LIKE
AND WE ARE HOPING IT WILL BE
THERE AND
QUITE KIND TO
FAMILIES.
THAT IS WHAT WE ARE HOPING FOR.
BUICK IN THE MEANTIME A LOT OF
UNCERTAINTY FOR THOSE FAMILIES
FOR THE STUDENTS.
WHAT IS IT THAT TEACHERS CAN BE
DOING TO HELP THOSE YOUNG
PEOPLE DURING DISCONCERTING
TIME FOR THEM?
>> WHAT WE ARE HOPING IS THAT
PEOPLE WILL HAVE FAITH AND TIME
TO HAVE GOOD LONG CONVERSATIONS
AND TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN
FEEL SAFE.
IT WOULD HELP IF WE HAVE SOCIAL
WORKERS AND COUNSELORS AND
LIBRARIANS WHO CAN ACTUALLY DO
THIS WORK FOR OUR CHILDREN AND
PUT THEM IN A POSITION WHERE
THEY CAN FIND AND DO THE
RESEARCH THEMSELVES AND FIGURE
OUT HOW TO SOLVE SOME OF THE
PROBLEMS.
I BET IF YOU ASK ONE OF OUR
STUDENTS THEY HAVE GREAT IDEAS
ON HOW TO SOLVE THESE ISSUES.
>> ABSENCE FROM SOCIAL WORKERS
YOU THINK TEACHERS AND STAFF
NEED ADDITIONAL TRAINING TO BE
ABLE TO MANAGE THIS?
>> I AM NEVER GOING TO SAY NO
TO ADDITIONAL TRAINING.
I THINK WE ALWAYS WANT TO GET
BETTER AT OUR WORK AND BETTER
AT WHAT WE DO.
I THINK THE KEY IS FOR US TO
SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER AND TO
SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES AND OUR
COMMUNITIES.
TODAY, BY THE REASON WE ARE
HERE.
IF WE DO NOT DO THIS WE WILL
HAVE AN ISSUE.
>> WE HAVE HEARD CEO, CLARIS IN
THE MIRROR AND SAY THIS IS A
CENTURY DISTRICT AND CENTURY
CITY.
IS THERE MORE THAT THEY SHOULD
BE DOING AS WELL TO SUPPORT
THOSE STUDENTS?
>> I THINK AT SOME POINT WE
HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT
REALLY MEANS.
YOU CAN SAY THE WORDS, WHAT
DOES IT REALLY MEAN?
NOW I HEARD SOMEONE SAY, I DO
NOT KNOW IF IT WAS THE MAYOR OR
FORCE TO THE EFFECT OF WE ARE
NOT GOING TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO
JUST COME IN OUR SCHOOLS.
PEOPLE SHOULD NOT JUST BE ABLE
TO WALK INTO ANY SCHOOL.
THESE DAYS HAVE TO PROTECT OUR
CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES.
BY PEOPLE YOU MEET IMMIGRATION
AGENTS?
>> OR ANY GROWN PEOPLE THAT YOU
DO NOT KNOW SHOULD NOT BE
WALKING INTO SCHOOLS.
I DO THINK ABOUT IS BORN.
LAST WEEK, THE GOVERNOR AND
MANY PEOPLE SPRINGFIELD
CELEBRATED THE PASSAGE OF SB
1947.
THE BTU EXPRESSED ISSUES WITH
IT.
FIRST, DOES THIS ADDITIONAL
FUNDING GO FAR ENOUGH FOR
CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO
BUCKNELL, IT WAS NEVER DESIGNED
TO.
SO THE PROBLEM TO BE PERFECTLY
HONEST WITH YOU, THERE IS A $1
BILLION STRUCTURAL DEFICIT IN
CPS.
THAT IS DUE TWO YEARS AND
YEARS AND YEARS OF NOT PAYING
YOUR BILLS.
YOU KNOW?
YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS OF
NOT PAYING PENSION.
SO WE SHOULD SAY OKAY WE WILL
GIVE UP HER PENSIONS OR WE WILL
GIVE UP CONTRIBUTIONS BECAUSE
AFTER ALL THE DISTRICT NEEDS
THE MONEY.
AFTER ALL HERE IS THE WAY TO
SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
WE WENT SAYING THIS OVER AND
OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
RAHM EMANUEL HAS THE ABILITY TO
REINSTATE THE CORPORATE HAD
TAX.
HE HAS THE ABILITY TO LOOK AT A
TAX ON COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
LEASES.
HE HAS THE ABILITY TO DO A
VARIETY OF THINGS AND
ESPECIALLY LOOK AT THE FUNDS
THAT THE CARDENAS WAS TALKING
ABOUT EARLIER.
HE WAS TALKING ABOUT HE HAS AN
ORDINANCE AND ALL THE MEN
GUARDS OF WHO WAS A FORMER CTU
MEMBER AND ALDERMAN NOW.
THEY HAVE PUT TOGETHER ONE OF
THOSE ORDINANCES THAT ACTUALLY
GOES TO THAT, SEND THE MANY
FROM THE TIP.
IF THERE'S NO PROJECT
DEVELOPMENT ATTACHED TO IT.
AND THAT MONEY BACK TO THE
SCHOOL SPIRIT.
>> IF THAT LEGISLATION OR
ORDINANCE DRAGS ITS FEET AND IS
NOT MAKING IT WHAT MORE CAN BE
DONE TO INJECT MORE MONEY INTO
CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
>> WELL, I MEAN AGAIN,
REINSTATE THE CORPORATE HAD
TAX.
THE MAYOR TOOK IT OUT.
HE COULD PUT BACK IN.
THIS IS NOT HARD TO DO.
IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.
WHAT IT IS, IS ASKING HIM TO GO
TO HIS DONORS AND TO THE PEOPLE
THAT SUPPORT HIS POLICIES AND
ASKED THEM TO PAY THEIR FAIR
SHARE.
THE DISTRICT SAID IS GETTING
ADDITIONAL $450 MILLION
ALTOGETHER FROM THIS NEW
LEGISLATION.
VERY CLOSE TO THE $500 MILLION
THAT IT HAD BEEN ASKING FOR IN
THE PAST.
MUCH OF THAT IS FOR TEACHER
PENSION, THAT'S THE NORMAL COST
AND THE BACK PAY.
IS AN IMPROVEMENT?
DO YOU SEE THAT IS AN
IMPROVEMENT?
>> OF COURSE IT IS AN
IMPROVEMENT.
WHEN YOU IMPROVE SOMETHING IF
IT'S STILL NOT GOOD ENOUGH THEN
YOU WERE GONNA HAVE THAT
DEFICIT STILL LOOMING OVER OUR
PROBLEM IS WHILE YOUR PAIN THAT
YOU ALREADY MADE CUTS TO
PROGRAMMING ACROSS THE BOARD.
YOU HAVE MADE THOSE SPECIAL ED
CUTS THAT WE GOT LAST DIRT WERE
DEVASTATING FOR OUR STUDENTS.
ESPECIALLY THOSE MOST
VULNERABLE ONES WHO NEED THE
MOST HELP.
AND THE MOST, I JUST DO NOT
KNOW HOW YOU DO NOT REALIZE
THAT THAT MONEY IS GONE AND IT
IS NOT REPLACING.
THIS MONEY IS COMING IN IS NOT
REPLACING THE CUTS THAT WERE
ALREADY MADE LAST YEAR.
>> THE PROPERTY TAX.
THAT IS PART OF THE PACKAGE?
>> THE PACKAGE WAS THAT ROUTER
IN HIS INFINITE WISDOM SAID,
DID I SAY THAT IN A SNARKY WAY?
I'M SORRY.
IN HIS INFINITE WISDOM SAID
PROPERTY TAXES WERE TOO HIGH.
NEED PROPERTY TAX FREEZE
EVERYWHERE ELSE.
BUT REALIZING THAT ONE OF THE
PROBLEMS FOR US IS THAT WE FEEL
LIKE WE ARE REQUIRED TO LIVED
IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.
THAT IS FINE.
I THINK THAT MEANS WE HAVE AN
INVESTMENT IN HOW OUR SYSTEM
LOOKS AND HOW IT IS FUNDED AND
HOW IT IS GOVERNED.
WE HAVE WON THE ARGUMENT OVER
AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT
THIS PARTICULAR IDEA MAYORAL
CONTROL JUST DOES NOT WORK.
WE WANTED ELECTED
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SCHOOL
BOARD.
90 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE IN THE
CITY WANT THAT.
WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEBODY THAT IS
ACTUALLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE
DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE, THIS
MANY DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE.
YOU HAVE SOMETHING OTHER THAN
JUST ONE PERSON MAKING A
DECISION.
YOU KNOW?
DOING LIMITED DEMOCRACY?
>> CTU, YOU GUYS HAVE MADE IT
CLEAR THAT YOU ARE NOT A FAN OF
THE LEGISLATION GIVING TAX
BREAKS TO PEOPLE WHO CONTRIBUTE
TO THE STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP
FUND THAT WOULD SEND FAMILIES
TO PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS.
WHAT IF IT HELPED FAMILIES MAKE
A BETTER CHOICE?
>> WHAT IS THAT MEAN?
WHO MAKES A CHOICE ON WHAT
FAMILIES QUOTE UNQUOTE DESERVE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THAT
CHOICE?
>> THEY BELIEVE TO BE HIGHER
FORMING.
OF SCHOOL CLOSER TO THEIR HOME.
AND IT IS CLOSER TO THEIR HOME?
>> WHAT IS IT THAT THEY NEED
THAT MAKES THE SCHOOLS BETTER
THAN THE ONE THEY'VE BEEN GOING
TO.
>> OKAY SO I THINK THAT IF THEY
WANT TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO
A PAROCHIAL SCHOOL THEY SHOULD
PAY FOR IT.
IT IS SIMPLE.
I THINK THE TAX DOLLARS FOR
PRIVATE SCHOOLS IS ALSO
PROBLEMATIC FOR US.
IT ALWAYS WILL BE.
SO, IT DOES NOT WORK.
THAT IS THE OTHER THING
BRANDIS.
THEY HAVE DONE STUDY AFTER
STUDY AFTER STUDY OF CHILDREN
WHO HAVE RECEIVED VOUCHERS OR
OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS OR
WHATEVER THEY'RE CALLING THEM
THIS WAY.
THEY ALWAYS CHANGE THE NAME IN
ORDER TO CHANGE THE POLICY.
THE ISSUE IS WHAT YOU ARE
SAYING SOUNDS SO WONDERFUL AND
SO BEAUTIFUL AND IT DOES.
IT DOES NOT WORK ON PAPER.
MILWAUKEE IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE
OF THAT.
EVEN WHEN YOU SEND CHILDREN TO
PRIVATE SCHOOLS THEY TEND TO
NOT DO AS WELL, THEY TEND TO
FEEL ISOLATED AND NOT CONNECTED
BECAUSE THAT IS PART OF THE
PROBLEM.
THEY ARE NOT IN THEIR
COMMUNITIES.
>> IS CTU PLANNING TO SUE OVER
THIS PIECE OF ELECT OF POLICY?
>> WE HAVE NOT ME THAT'S
DECISION YET.
DIRECT.
I WOULD SAY NOT A SINGLE PERSON
SITTING IN AN OFFICE ANYWHERE,
I WOULD SAY THE MEMBERS THAT
WORK WITH OUR STUDENTS EVERY
SINGLE DAY, THOSE ARE THE
PEOPLE THAT HAVE DONE THE WORK
TO GET US TO THIS POINT.
SORRY, IT IS NOT THE
BUREAUCRATS.
IT IS NOT ME EITHER.
I AM OUT OF THE CLASSROOM.
I AM PROUD OF THE FACT THAT I
HAVE STUDENTS WHO ARE NOW
TEACHING.
I THINK THAT IS A REALLY COOL
THING.
OUR MEMBERS ARE DOING AMAZING
WORK WITH FEWER AND FEWER
RESOURCES AND MORE AND MORE
RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT IT IS THAT
WE CAN DO AND HOW CREATIVE WE
CAN BE.
I THINK THAT WHAT WE FIND IS WE
ARE STILL LOOKING AT THE FACT
THAT OUR MEMBERS ARE STILL
COMING OUT OF THEIR POCKETS
ABOUT $1500.
$1500 EVERY YEAR.
SO, THAT IS THE KIND OF STUFF
THAT NEEDS TO BE REALLY
EXAMINED.
I AM THANKFUL FOR THE
GRADUATION RATE GOING UP.
IT IS ALMOST THE SAME AS THE
COUNTRY IN GENERAL.
7 YEARS AGO WHEN I CAME INTO
THE OFFICE CTU WE WERE AT 50
SOME PERCENT GRADUATION RATE.
MIGRATION RATE HAS GONE UP.
THAT HAS BEEN BECAUSE WE HAVE
BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD.
IT IS EVEN HARDER TO DO THIS
WORK WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUR
SOCIAL WORKERS, LIBRARIANS,
CLINICIANS THAT WE NEED TO HELP
US WITH OUR CHILDREN.
URGENTLY, THINGS ARE WORKING
OUT.
>> KAREN LEWIS, TEACHERS UNION.
I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS BUT WE
WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING
US.
>> THANK YOU.
THANKS BRENDA.
ñ, CHICAGO TONIGHT, A NEW
TUNNEL TO FIGHT FLOODING ON THE
NORTHWEST SIDE.
A PROPOSED CHANGE THAT WILL
MAKE IT HARDER FOR NURSING HOME
RESIDENTS TO SUE AND A REPORTER
BORN IN IRAN ON RECENT
CHALLENGES TO JOURNALISM AND
EDUCATION.
AFTER THE BREAK, EDDIE HAS MORE
ABOUT THE CHICAGO POLICE.
STAY WITH US.
HAS MORE ABOUT THE CHICAGO
POLICE.
STAY WITH
>> THE PATH FORWARD IS
ALMOST CERTAIN TO BE HIGHLY
CONTENTIOUS.
STATE THAT MIGHT INCLUDE NAACP
TO BLACK LIVES MATTER TO THE
FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE WILL
ALL WANT SOME SAY IN WHAT THE
ORDER SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT
CONTAIN.
NOW, ONLY ONE WEEK AFTER
MADIGAN ANNOUNCED THE LAWSUIT,
THE DEBATE HAS BEGUN HE NEED
NOT.
WE ARE HERE WITH THEIR THOUGHTS
ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD ARE LORI
LIGHTFOOT, PRESIDENT OF THE
CHICAGO POLICE BOARD.
THIS LIGHTFOOT ALSO CHAIRED THE
ACCOUNTABILITY TASK FORCE
ASSEMBLED BY MERIT
MANUAL.
SHERRY RUNNER IS PRESIDENT AND
CEO OF THE CHICAGO URBAN
LEAGUE.
BRIAN WARNER, IS THE FOUNDER OF
CHICAGO POLICE SURVIVORS.
A GROUP OF CURRENT OR RETIRED
OFFICERS WHO HAVE SURVIVED
GERMANIC INCIDENTS.
WE EXTENDED INVITATIONS TO THE
CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AS
WELL AS THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF
POLICE.
BOTH DECLINED TO JOIN US
TONIGHT.
WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK
SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE
INCLUDED IN THE CONSENT DEGREE.
TO ANSWER YOUR THOUGHTS AT
www.WTTW.com # CHICAGO TONIGHT.
WE THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE
AND WELCOME YOU.
LORI LIGHTFOOT YOU HAVE BEEN
CRITICAL OF MERRILL MANUALS
OUT-OF-COURT APPROACH TO
REFORMING THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
HE REPORTED AS SAYING IT WAS
ROOTED IN FANTASY.
IS IT SAFE TO SAY YOU ARE
PLEASED WITH THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL'S MOVE?
>> I THINK THIS IS A PROMISING
AND PRODUCTIVE STEP FORWARD.
AS EVERYTHING, THE DEVIL WILL
BE IN THE DETAILS.
THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE
CONSENT DEGREE IS CREATED AND
ALSO THE CONTENTS OF THE
CONSENT DECREE IS FUNDAMENTALLY
IMPORTANT.
STARTING WITH THE PROCESS THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL AS THE PRESS
CONFERENCE INDICATED THAT THEY
WERE COMMITTED TO AN OPEN
TRANSPARENT AND INCLUSIVE
PROCESS.
WHICH I THINK WILL BEEN A
MENTALLY CRITICAL IN ORDER FOR
WHATEVER THE END RESULT IS TO
HAVE ANY LEGITIMACY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HOW
THE CITY AND THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL WILL ROLL OUT THE
PROCESS FOR TRANSPARENCY AND
INCLUSIVENESS.
SOME OF THEM IS GOING TO BE A
FUNCTION OF THE FACT THAT THERE
IS A LAWSUIT THAT HAS BEEN
FILED.
PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO FILE
SOME OF THE BACK-AND-FORTH.
NOT EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE
AS INVISIBLE AS POSSIBLE SIMPLY
BECAUSE THERE IS A LAWSUIT.
THEY HAVE TO WORK ON AN
AFFIRMATIVE PLAN FOR BRINGING
PEOPLE INTO THE PROJECT.
CORRECT WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT
THE MAYOR APPEARED AT THE PRESS
CONFERENCE WITH ATTORNEY
GENERAL MADIGAN BECAUSE AT
FIRST HE WAS SUPPORTIVE OF THE
CONTENT DECREE AND GOING TO
COURT.
THEN HE SAID IT COULD BE
HAMMERED OUT OUT-OF-COURT.
NOW HE IS BACK IN THE CAMP THAT
SAYS YES AND OVERSEER IS
NEEDED.
THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT HE
WAS THERE.
IT IS PORTON THAT THE CITY IS
EMBRACING THIS OPPORTUNITY, TO
REALLY MAKE A SIGNIFICANT AND
FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN THE WAY
THAT WE DO BUSINESS IN POLICING
IN THE CITY.
IF THE CITY WAS ON THE
SIDELINES AND THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL ESSENTIALLY STANDING BY
HERSELF, I THINK THAT WOULD BE
DEVASTATING FOR THE PROSPECTS
OF REAL AND MEANINGFUL REFORM.
I WILL TAKE AND USE THE MIRROR
WORDS, A PARTNERSHIP AND LET'S
TAKE THEM AT FACE VALUE.
MAKE SURE THAT THE PROCESS AND
THE CONTENT IS INCLUSIVE AND
TRANSPARENT.
NOT
SHERRY, URBAN LEAGUE HAS
WEIGHED IN ON REFORM EFFORTS.
YOU HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT.
WHICH THE CITY RECENTLY TRIED
TO GET DISMISS UNSUCCESSFULLY.
ARE YOU STILL GOING TO GO
FORWARD WITHOUT LAWSUIT NOW
THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS
DECIDED TO SUE THE CITY?
PARENT.
>> WE THINK THAT WE ARE ALL
FIGHTING THE SAME BATTLE.
WE ARE VERY CLEAR ABOUT THE
FACT THAT WE HAVE TO DO
SOMETHING.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN
UNDER SCRUTINY FOR 50 OR 60
YEARS.
WE HAVE 2 VERY DISTINCT REPORTS
THAT TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT
THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
IS UNEQUALLY DONE.
IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THAT IS
THE ENTRY WAY FOR PEOPLE INTO
THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
THAT HAS A LONG-TERM IMPACT ON
PEOPLE'S LIVES AND IT IS VERY
IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE A PART
OF THAT CONVERSATION AS WELL AS
THE PEOPLE WHO WE REPRESENT.
THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO BE A
PART OF THAT.
WHILE I WILL AND VERY HAPPY
THAT THE MAYOR AND THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO
TRY AND SOLVE THIS OR WALKING
DOWN THE PATH WE REALLY DO FEEL
LIKE THE COMMUNITY HAS TO BE
REPRESENTED AS A PART OF THAT
PROCESS.
CONNECT BRIAN, THE FRATERNAL
ORDER OF POLICE, THE FRATERNAL
ORDER OF POLICE, IMMEDIATELY
AFTER ATTORNEY GENERAL MADIGAN
HELD THAT PRESS CONFERENCE.
THE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT EDDIE
JOHNSON, SEEMS TO THINK THAT
THIS IS NOT GOING TO IMPACT
AMONG OTHER THINGS MORE OUT ON
THE FORCE.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?
>> I
THINK THAT IS TOTALLY
MISGUIDED.
I THINK MOREL IS FINALLY
GETTING TO A POINT WHERE WE ARE
NOT ON THE ROPES ANYMORE.
WE DO NOT FEEL LIKE WE HAVE TO
DEFEND OURSELVES CONTINUOUSLY
IN LAW-ENFORCEMENT.
YET WE ARE FAR FROM ANY TYPE OF
NORMAL DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITY.
THERE STILL THAT SQUEAMISHNESS
AND THAT THREAD AND THOUGHT OF
HIM TO BE IN THE NEXT VIDEO OF
THE NEXT LAWSUIT OR THE NEXT
HEATER CASE.
THE HESITANCY TO YOUR JOB IS
STILL OUT THERE.
MORE IMPORTANT, WE HAVE AN
OUTSIDE AGENCY, THE DEPARTED
JUSTICE CAME INTO THE FINE JOB.
THE REPORT WAS NOT PERFECT.
THEY POINTED OUT MANY THINGS
THAT RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN
COMMUNITY AND POLICING.
WE ALL KNOW THAT IT NEEDS TO BE
MENDED.
THEY TALKED ABOUT TRAINING FOR
LAW ENFORCEMENT.
WE ALL KNOW THAT THAT CAN
ALWAYS IMPROVE.
MY BIGGEST CONCERN, THIS IS A
POLITICAL WILL MOVE ONCE AGAIN.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS BEING
USED AS A POND.
THE MAYOR HAD THE COURAGE TO
STEP UP AND SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT,
ATTORNEY GENERAL SESSIONS SAYS
HE'S NOT GOING TO IMPOSE THIS
ON US.
WE HAVE A DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
REFERRED WEIRDNESS LIGHTFOOT'S
AGENCY HAS REPORT DOES LOOK AT
THE THINGS AND INFLUENCE ON THE
COMMUNITY IN THE JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT AND THE TIME OR ELSE
IT OURSELVES.
ONE, NOW YOU NOT HAVING ANOTHER
OUTRIGHT SIZING AGENCY SCRUTINY
THAT POLICE DEPARTMENT SO THE
MORAL CAN SAY THE SAME OR
IMPROVE.
MORE IMPORTANTLY WE CAN AGREE
THAT THERE SEVERAL MILLION
DOLLARS ARTIST BENT ON
IMPLEMENTING TO THE DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE REPORTS SUGGESTIONS
AND SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS
MORE IN LEGAL FEES SPENT.
THAT.
>> YOU CAN MULTIPLY THAT BY
LAW.
>> I THINK THE MONEY CAN BE
SPENT BY TRAINING, AND PUTTING
THAT UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.
>> YOU DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS
COULD BE HAMMERED OUT
OUT-OF-COURT?
IS THAT CORRECT?
>> I THINK WHAT I IN OTHER
PEOPLE SAID IS THE AGREEMENT
ITSELF, THE CONTENT HAS TO BE
NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THE PARTIES.
NOW WE HAVE TO DANCE PARTNER SO
TO SPEAK.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE
CITY OF CHICAGO.
THERE HAS TO BE A CREDIBLE
ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM.
THE REALITY IS I THINK THE
DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN STEPS IN
THE LAST 2 YEARS, ROUGHLY, TO
MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
IT IS NOT ENOUGH, IT IS NOT
FAST ENOUGH.
AND THE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT
HAVE THE RESOURCES UNLESS IT'S
A SPECIFIC FINANCIAL COMMITMENT
ON THE PART OF THE CITY TO MOVE
FORWARD.
THE THING THAT DISSENT DECREE
IF SUE IS DIFFERENT THAN ANY
OTHER KIND DECREE AGREEMENT.
IT REQUIRES A COMMITMENT ON
SPECIFICS OF WHAT THE REFORM IS
GOING TO BE.
A TIMELINE TO GET IT DONE.
IT WILL OBVIOUSLY END UP HAVING
A MONITOR.
IT ALSO REQUIRES A SPECIFIC
COMMITMENT AND A FINANCIAL
RESOURCE AND OTHER PERSONNEL
THAT WILL BE NECESSARY.
>> HOW MUCH IS IS WHAT IT COST?
>> I DO NOT THINK ANYONE KNOWS
THAT.
I THINK IT WILL BE LESS THAN
THE $50 MILLION THAT WE SPENT
JUST LAST YEAR IN SETTLEMENTS,
JUDGMENTS AND ATTORNEY FEES.
I THINK IT WILL COST IT AT A
MINIMUM ON ANNUAL BASIS
PARTICULARLY IN THE BEGINNING
YEARS AT LEAST $10 MILLION IF
NOT MORE THAN THAT.
ANYTHING ABOUT THE COST AND THE
FINANCIAL COST BUT ALSO THE
PSYCHOLOGICAL COST OF NOT
HAVING A POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR
POLICE DEPARTMENTS FEEL THAT
THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TRAINING
AND THE RIGHT RESOURCES AND
TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO DO THE JOB
EFFECTIVELY.
AND GIVE A COMMUNITY THAT DOES
NOT FEEL LIKE THE POLICE HAVE
THEIR BACK AND HAVE LEGITIMACY.
THOSE COST ARE EXPONENTIAL.
McSHERRY RUNNER, THE REPORT
THAT LORI LIGHTFOOT AND THE
TASK FORCE PUT OUT HAVE HUNDRED
26
RECOMMENDATIONS.
PERHAPS ONE OF THE STAKEHOLDERS
THAT WILL BE ATTENDING,
COMMUNITY MEETINGS OR PROVIDING
INPUT, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO
SPECIFICALLY SEE IN THIS
CONSENT DECREE?
PACK WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SEE
HAPPEN IS THAT THE COMMUNITY
EXPRESSES ITSELF AND THAT IT IS
LISTENED TO IN WAYS THAT HAS
NOT BEEN.
IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND LORI
NOTES TO GET THE COMMUNITY TO
COME TOGETHER TO GIVE SPECIFIC
RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT WHAT THEY
DO NOT KNOW THEY DO NOT KNOW.
WE NEED TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT
WHAT THEY DO NOT KNOW ABOUT
COMMUNITY POLICING AND WHAT
THEY SHOULD EXPECT FROM THE
POLICE OFFICERS THAT ARE
GUARDING THEM AND WHO HAVE THE
ULTIMATE AUTHORITY TO MAKE
SURE
PARENT.
>> WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE
OR NOT SEE IN THE CONSENT
DECREE?
>> THERE'S NUMEROUS THINGS.
I LIKE TO ADDRESS IS
LIGHTFOOT'S THAT ALL THE
TRAINING.
ALL THE LAWSUITS.
IT WOULD NEVER WILL.
>> THAT'S NOT WHAT I SAID.
>> OKAY SO WERE GOING TO LESSEN
THAT.
WE ARE GOING TO.
>> NO I THINK MORE
CONSTITUTIONAL, A POLICE FORCE
THAT HAS BETTER TRAINING,
COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING ON
ANNUAL BASIS THAT POLICE
OFFICERS HAVE REFRESHER COURSES
ON THE FOURTH MMA, THE FIFTH
AMENDMENT, THE 6 MINUTE.
YES I DO THINK THAT THOSE
THINGS WILL ULTIMATELY LEAD TO
A BETTER TRAINED POLICE FORCE
THAT UNDERSTANDS AND RESPECTS
CITIZENS RIGHTS IN A WAY THAT
WE ARE NOT SEEN IN A
COMPREHENSIVE WAY NOW.
WHY THINK THOSE THINGS WILL
STOP PEOPLE FROM SUING?
NUMBER THEREFORE HUNDRED TO
500 PENDING LAWSUITS IN THIS
DISTRICT RIGHT NOW ON JUST ON
POLICE MISCONDUCT RELATED
ISSUES.
MARK THAT IS MY POINT.
THERE ARE A LOT OF FIRMS OUT
THERE THAT FILE HUNDREDS OF
LAWSUITS EACH MONTH FOR HOPING
TO FOR THAT PAYDAY.
WE NEED TO PUT HER FOOT DOWN
AND STOP SAINT THIS IS A BAD
STORAGE FOR OUR TAX DOLLARS.
AND STOP HANDING OUT 459
DOLLARS EVEN WHEN IT OFFICERS
HAS FOUND THAT THEY'VE DONE
NOTHING WRONG.
AND THE DEFENDANT HAS COMMITTED
A CRIME.
CAN WE STILL WEAR THEM 4 TO 5
$90?
>> YOU CANNOT GET THE 50
THOUSAND.
[INDISCERNABLE].
[INDISCERNABLE].
WEISER PROCESSES?
WHY IS THIS PUSHBACK?
DO NOT THINK THIS WOULD MAKE
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STRONGER
AND BETTER?
>> I THINK THE RESISTANCE
COMING FROM THE FACT THAT WE
HAVE OUTSIDE AGENCIES TELLING
THE POLICE HOW TO DO THEIR JOB.
LET ME FINISH MY THOUGHT.
LET ME FINISH MY THOUGHT.
>> YOUR TALKED ABOUT A
DEMOCRACY.
PRIVATE COMPANIES HIRE
CONSULTANTS TO TAKE AN OUTSIDE
LOOK TO LOOK AT WHAT WE DO AND
WRITE WHAT WE DOING
WRONG.
POLICE OFFICERS ARE ALWAYS OPEN
TO OUTSIDE OPINION.
WHEN THINGS ARE FORCED UPON YOU
BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE POLITICAL
MOTIVES THAT SAY, THIS SHOULD
BE DONE AND THAT SHOULD BE
DONE.
YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT A POLICE
OFFICER DOES EACH AND EVERY DAY
ENOUGH SQUAD CAR AND THE
CHALLENGES THEY FACE.
THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GO INTO
NORTH WESTERN HOSPITAL AND REDO
THE TRIAGE.
>> YOUR EFFECTIVELY SAYING THAT
THE CITIZENS OF CHICAGO WHO
GIVE YOU THE POWER TO POLICE
THEM, WHOSE TAX DOLLARS ARE
USED TO SUPPORT YOUR SALARIES,
YOUR TRAINING, YOUR CARS AND
EVERYTHING ELSE THAT GOES ALONG
WITH BEING A POLICE OFFICER.
HAVE NO ABILITY HOLD ON.
WHAT YOU'RE SAYING AN OUTSIDE
GROUP, THE OUTSIDE GROUP OF THE
CITIZENS OF CHICAGO ARE
DEMANDING CONSTITUTIONAL
POLICING AND HAVE A RIGHT TO
MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO
COME INTO THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS
ARE DOING THEIR JOBS AND THEY
ARE IN A RESPECTFUL MAY AND
ENGAGES THEM.
>> 99.9 PERCENT OF THE OFFICERS
ARE DOING.
[INDISCERNABLE].
THOSE ARE NOT ARE NOT BEING
HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
THAT'S NOT TRUE EITHER.
THERE'S HUNDREDS OF POLICE
OFFICERS DISCIPLINED AND FIRED
EVERY YEAR AND LOSER JOBS AND
LIVELIHOOD BECAUSE OF A CASE
THAT WASN'T FAIRLY.
THIS PRE-REMARK WILL THAT YOU
SIT HERE AND TELL US THAT THE
ONLY REASON WHY THINGS HAPPEN
IS SOLELY BECAUSE OF POLITICS.
THAT IS A REMARKABLE STATEMENT.
THAT IS SO FAR FROM TRUE.
THAT'S A REMARKABLE STATEMENT.
>> IF ERIC HOLDER WAS STILL
ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND HE SAID
YOU KNOW WHAT I DO NOT THANK
YOU GUYS NEED A DECREE OUT
THERE GO AHEAD.
I'D TRUST RAM YOU GUYS HAMMER
THAT OUT.
WHAT WE HAVE THIS DISCUSSION?
THOUGHT YES WE WENT.
WE ABSOLUTELY WOULD.
AND REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS
WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
THE FACTS ARE THE FACTS.
WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO FOR DECADES
HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE WAY
IN WHICH WE'VE BEEN TREATED BY
CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS AND
NEIGHBORHOODS OF COLOR ACROSS
THE CITY.
AND TO SUGGEST THAT THIS IS
SOME POLITICAL CREATION IN THE
LAST 2 YEARS.
[INDISCERNABLE].
>> WE NEED TO WIND THIS DOWN.
LORI WHAT IS THE PROCESS FROM
HERE?
>> ARTICLE WE WILL SEE NEXT, I
BELIEVE IT WAS YESTERDAY OR
TODAY, THE CITY AND THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE FILED
A MOTION TO STAY IN FRONT OF
JUDGE STOUT WHO HAS A CASE.
THEY ASKED FOR THE PERIOD OF
TIME TO START THEIR
NEGOTIATIONS HOW MUCH TIME
BEFORE THIS IS PRESENT TO
JUDGE?
PACK I DO NOT THINK THERE'S ANY
WAY TO TELL THAT AT THIS POINT.
THERE'S A STATUS DATE THAT SET
FOR THE END OF OCTOBER.
I EXPECT THIS WILL BE A PROCESS
THAT EXCESS INTO 2018 FOURTH
RESULT.
>> LORI, SHARON AND BRIAN.
THANK YOU ALL.
I WISH YOU HAD MORE TIME TO
DISCUSS IT.
THERE'S LARGE COCOA NIGHT
AHEAD.
PLEASE STAY WITH US.
TO McKAY MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE
PROJECT TO FIGHT FLOODING
THAT'S TAKING SHAPE ON
CHICAGO'S NORTHWEST SIDE.
WE RECENTLY CHECKED UP ON THE
PLANS PROGRESS.
>> WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS IN
THE ALBANY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ON
CHICAGO'S NORTHWEST SIDE.
>> FOR I SUSPECT DATE DECADES
THE RESIDENTS OF ALBANY PARK
HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH SOME
SERIOUS FLOODING ISSUES AS A
RESULT OF THE FLOODING OF THE
NORTH BRANCH OF CHICAGO RIVER.
IN 2008, WE HAD A MAJOR FLOOD
THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING
IN THE RIVER ACTUALLY RUNS
THROUGH THIS ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
>> AFTER EMERGENCY CREWS USE
SANDBAG BARRICADES AGAINST
FLOODS IN 2008 2013, THE CITY
IS ADDING A NEW PLUG DEFENSE.
AN UNDERGROUND TUNNEL TO SEND
STORMWATER FROM THE NORTH
BRANCH OF THE CHICAGO RIVER, A
MILE EAST OF THE NORTH SHORE
CHANNEL.
THE CHICAGO RIVERS NORTH BRANCH
WHICH FLOODS WHEN WATER IS
SUCCEEDS 7 FEET AS LESS
CAPACITY TO HANDLE HEAVY STORMS
THAN THE NORTH SHORE CHANNEL, A
MAN-MADE CANAL.
>> WHEN THE RIVER STARTS TO
FLOOD, WHAT THE SUN WILL DO IT
WILL
TAKE 300 HOMES AND
PROPERTIES IN THE AREA.
>> ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE
PROJECT, CREWS ARE DIGGING A
CHANNEL TO DIVERT WATER FROM
THE RIVER TO THE UNDERGROUND
TUNNEL.
>> THIS IS THE INNER SHAFT.
WHAT HAPPENS IS ONCE WE
CONSTRUCT THE INNER CHAMBER WE
BREAK A WHOLE ENGINE SHAFT
ITSELF TO ALLOW THE FLOODWATERS
THAT COME FROM THE RIVER TO
PLUNGE INTO THE SHAFT ITSELF
HUNDRED AND 50 FEET BELOW
GROUND AND THEN TRAVEL ABOUT A
MILE EAST.
TRAVELING EASTWARD UNDERNEATH
FOSTER AVENUE TO RIVER PARK,
THE EXCESS STORM WATER WILL
FLOW INTO THE NORTH SHORE
CHANNEL HERE.
UNDERGROUND, A MASSIVE TUNNEL
BORING MACHINE IS DRILLING
TOWARDS THE WEST CALLING OUT A
SPECIAL SORT OF STONE.
>> DOLOMITE RHINESTONE.
IT IS HARD ROCK, MILLIONS OF
YEARS (THAT IS THE BEDROCK OF
CHICAGO.
I LIKE TO THINK OF IT AS THE
OLDEST PIECE OF CHICAGO WE'VE
EVER SEEN.
>> ALL OF THAT ROCK HAS TO GO
SOMEWHERE.
WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IS THE MUCK
REMOVAL OPERATION.
MUCK IS ESSENTIALLY THE
LIMESTONE FROM THE TUNNEL THAT
IS GROUND UP BY THE TUNNEL
BORING MACHINE.
IT IS LOADED OUT WITH
ITS
CONSIST OF IS A CRANE REMOVING
MUCK CARS OUT OF THE TUNNEL AND
DUMPING THEM OVER OUR MUCK WALL
HERE.
>> OPERATIONS AT RIVERPARK
CONTINUE AROUND THE CLOCK WITH
CREWS DRILLING AND DUMPING DAY
AND NIGHT.
WE WORK TO 10 HOUR SHIFTS.
IT IS A LOT OF WORK.
THESE GUYS PUT IN A LOT OF HARD
HOURS AND THEY COME UP TIRED
EVERY NIGHT AND WE GO HOME AND
THEN WE COME BACK INTO IT
AGAIN.
WE'RE TIRED BY THE END OF THE
WEEK BECAUSE THE PUPPY I GET
THE PROJECT DONE.
>> NOT ALL RESIDENTS ARE
THRILLED ABOUT THE WORK.
CREWS USE EXPLOSIVES TO BLAST
THE TUNNELS SHAFT 150 FEET
UNDERGROUND.
ALBANY PARK RESIDENT, A VARCO
MARTINEZ SAYS HE NOTICED FRESH
CRACKS IN HIS HOME'S FOUNDATION
FOLLOWING THE BLAST.
>> MY CONCERN WOULD BE MY
FOUNDATION.
IT CRACKS AFTER THE BLASTING.
I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO
HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.
>> CHICAGO'S DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND THE PRODUCTS
ENGINEERING FIRM SAY THE TRACK
VIBRATIONS AND NOISE WHILE
BLASTING AND TOLD US THEY WOULD
REACH OUT TO A VARCO CONCERNING
HIS CONCERNS.
>> I CAN ASSURE YOU WE MONITOR
EACH AND EVERY LAST REPORTED
THE LEVELS.
EVERYTHING WAS SAFE.
>> THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO
FINISH NEXT
SPRING.
AT $70 MILLION PRICE TAG IS
PAID FOR BY FUNDING FROM THE
FEDERAL, STATE AND CITY
GOVERNMENTS AS WELL AS THE
METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION
DISTRICT.
ULTIMATE MARINO HOPES BRINGS
PIECE OF MIND TO A COMMUNITY
TRAUMATIZED BY FLOODING.
>> WHEN IT RAINS AT NIGHT I
CANNOT SLEEP.
ALL RIGHT?
I AM SURE THAT GOES THROUGH FOR
ALL THE PEOPLE THAT LIVED IN
THIS COMMUNITY.
THAT INCLUDES NOT BEAT UP MODEL
WHO HAS BEEN THROUGH 3 MAJOR
FLOODS SINCE HE BOUGHT HIS HOME
IN ALBANY PARK 13 YEARS AGO.
THE FIRST FLOOD HIT JUST 3 DAYS
AFTER HE MOVED IN.
>> SO I HAD A LOT OF STUFF THAT
I HAD TO THROW OUT.
BECAUSE IT WAS NEW AT THAT
TIME.
CARPET, TV EVERYTHING WAS GONE.
THIS IS AMAZING FOR US.
THIS IS A BLESSING.
AFTER THAT WE HOPE YOU WILL
NEVER HAVE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN.
>> SINCE WE SHOT THE STORY,
FINISH CREWS IS BORING THE
MILE-LONG TUNNEL AND ARE NOW
LINING IT WITH CONCRETE.
WE WILL UPDATE YOU AS THE
PROJECT MOVES ALONG.
>>> MORE THAN 1.4 MILLION
AMERICANS LIVED IN NURSING
HOMES.
A RULE
CHANGE SIGNED BY
PRESIDENT OBAMA IN 2016 WOULD
HAVE MADE IT EASIER FOR
RESIDENTS TO SUE FOR NEGLECT OR
ABUSE.
IT WOULD'VE PREVENTED NURSING
HOMES FROM ENFORCING RULES THAT
FORCE RESIDENTS TO GO THROUGH
ARBITRATION RATHER THAN THE
COURTS.
NOW THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS
PROPOSING A ROLE THAT WILL
FORCE RESIDENTS TO AGREE TO
ARBITRATION OR RISK BEING
DENIED
ADMISSION IN THE FIRST
PLACE.
JOINING US NOW IS RYAN GRENNAN
FELDER HE IS MANAGER OF
ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH FOR AARP
IN SPRINGFIELD WHICH SUPPORTS
THE OBAMA ERA RULE CHANGE.
WE DID REACH OUT TO THE
ILLINOIS HEALTH CARE
ASSOCIATION THAT REPRESENTS
NURSING HOMES AND A NUMBER OF
OTHER GROUPS SUPPORTED OF THEIR
POSITION.
ALL DECLINED TO JOIN US.
RYAN, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US
TONIGHT.
PERCIVAL EXPLAINED A LITTLE BIT
MORE ABOUT THE WHAT THE OBAMA
MINISTRATION RULE WOULD HAVE
DONE.
>> THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S
RULE WOULD HAVE PROHIBITED THE
PREDISPUTE ARBITRATION
CONTRACTS FROM HAPPENING IN
NURSING HOMES.
WHICH MEANS THAT NURSING HOMES
WOULD BE UNABLE TO REQUIRE A
NURSING HOME RESIDENT TO SIGN
AN AGREEMENT SAYING THAT THEY
WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE THEM
TO COURT BEFORE THEY GET INTO A
NURSING HOME.
THIS NEW PROPOSAL UNDER THE
UNDER MEDICAID AND MEDICARE
SERVICES IS ABLE TO PULL THAT
ROLLBACK THEREFORE PREVENT
ALLOWING THE NURSING HOMES TO
PUT THOSE 3 DISTRIBUTE
ARBITRATIONS 4.
>> WHY DID THE OPPONENTS WANT
TO BLOCK THAT ROLE?
WHY DID THEY SAY THAT
ARBITRATION IS BETTER THAN
ALLOWING PATIENTS TO GO TO
COURT TO MY UNDERSTANDING IS
THEY ARE ARGUING THAT BECAUSE
THEY THINK IT IS CHEAPER FOR
THE GOVERNMENT AND FOR THE
NURSING HOME RESIDENTS.
I HAVE HEARD THEM CALL SOME OF
THESE CASES AS FRIVOLOUS
LAWSUITS.
THE AARP WHOLEHEARTEDLY
DISAGREES.
WE ARE OPPOSING THIS ALONG WITH
MANY OTHER ADVOCACY GROUPS
INCLUDING FOLKS LIKE THE
ILLINOIS STATE LONG-TERM CARE
OMBUDSMAN AND ILLINOIS ATTORNEY
GENERAL LISA MADIGAN WHO SENT
US A COSINE LETTER SAYING THIS
IS ABOUT IDEA.
ONE OF THE GROUPS THAT IS
SUPPORTING THE NOTION OF FORCE
ARBITRATION IS SUPPOSED TO
COURT OPTION IS EUS CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE.
THEY ISSUED A LENGTHY STATEMENT
WHICH SAYS IN PART, ARBITRATION
IS AN EASIER AND LESS COSTLY
MEANS SEEKING ADDRESS AND
SYMBICORT SYSTEM OR OBTAINING
RELEASE IS FAR MORE EXPENSIVE
AND TAKES CONCERN BE LONGER.
ARBITRATION ALWAYS LOWERS
BUSINESS THEY PULLED CASES OF
HUNDRED 44 MEDICARE CASES WERE
NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WENT TO
AN EMERGENCY ROOM BECAUSE OF
SUSPECTED ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
THEY FOUND MANY CASES THAT
NURSING HOMES DID NOT REPORT
THIS.
THE CASES INVOLVED PHYSICAL
ABUSE AND SEXUAL ABUSE.
INCIDENT SOME CASES RIGHT.
UNFORTUNATELY ILLINOIS WAS
NUMBER ONE, 17 OF ONE OF THOSE
HUNDRED AND 34 CASES WERE STATE
OUT OF ILLINOIS.
IT BECOMES EVEN MORE IMPORTANT
TO STAY LIKE OURS.
>> EXCUSE ME, HOW PREVALENT ARE
THESE ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS.
HOW MANY NURSING HOMES HAVE
THEM TO CORRECT THAT NUMBER I
DO NOT KNOW.
I DO KNOW THAT THEY WILL MOST
LIKELY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS
AND MANY OF THEM IF NOT ALL OF
THEM WILL DECIDE TO DO THAT IF
THIS RULE GOES INTO A PLACE.
THAT IS JUST A SHAME FOR OUR
COUNTRIES FRAIL CITIZENS.
THERE IS A SEEM TO SAY MAJORITY
OF NURSING HOMES THAT RECEIVE
FEDERAL FUNDS HAVE THESE
ARBITRATION RULES, THE VAST
MAJORITY DO OR YOU DO NOT KNOW
THAT?
>> I DO NOT KNOW THAT.
IT IS TO SAY I THINK THAT THEY
WILL TRY TO DO THAT BECAUSE IF
THIS IS ALLOWED.
>> WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THIS
LAWSUIT?
>> THE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE
ASSOCIATION FROM WHAT I
UNDERSTAND FILED THIS LAWSUIT
LAST NOVEMBER.
IT IS GOING THROUGH THE
JUDICIAL PROCESS RIGHT NOW.
I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER CHANCES
ARE OF WINNING IT.
ALL OF THE
ADVOCATES LIKE AARP
AND OTHERS THAT ARE OUT THERE
TRYING TO OPPOSE THIS SO THAT
TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING
ARSENATE TO PROTECTING NURSING
HOME RESIDENTS FROM ABUSE AND
NEGLECT.
IF THE TRUMPET MINISTRATION
REALLY WANTS IS CHANGE WILL GET
DO YOU THINK?
>> THAT IS HARD TO SAY TO.
I THINK THAT THEY CAN DO SO.
I DO ALSO THINK THAT ADVOCATES
MAY STEP IN AND FILE SOME
LITIGATION OF THEIR OWN TO TRY
TO STOP THIS ROLE FROM GOING
INTO PLACE TO.
IT MAY BE FLIPPED AND THAT MAY
HAPPEN AS WELL.
I KNOW CONGRESS COULD
ACT IF
THEY THINK IT'S ABOUT IDEA.
I FIND IT UNLIKELY AT THIS
POINT.
IT IS A POSSIBILITY AS WELL.
RYAN, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
I APPRECIATE IT.
THANK YOU.
>>> I JOURNALIST ON HIS
IMPRISONMENT AND ARE WRONG.
STAY WITH US.
>>
TO MIKE ARNESEN GAS IS A
JOURNALIST AND FILM MAKER.
HE SPENT 4 MONTHS IN IRANIAN
PRISON THE BOOK WAS THE
BASIS FOR A MOVIE RELEASED IN
2014.
THAT FILM ROSEWATER WAS THE
DIRECTORIAL DEBUT OF JOHN
STUART.
MORE ON THAT IN A MINUTE.
FIRST WE WANT TO WELCOME MOSSI
ARE TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.
GOOD TO MEET YOU.
GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE.
WHAT BRINGS YOU TO CHICAGO
FIRST OF ALL?
>> I WILL BE THE KEYNOTE
SPEAKER AT THE LUNCHEON FOR THE
HOLOCAUST MUSEUM IN WASHINGTON.
THE BENEFIT LUNCHEON ON FRIDAY.
>> YOU GREW UP IN TORONTO.
IT IS CLEAR FROM YOUR CAREER
THAT HAVE AN INTEREST IN JEWISH
CULTURE.
WHY DID YOU DEVELOP OR HOW DID
YOU DEVELOP AN INTEREST IN
JEWISH CULTURE?
I THINK THERE ARE CERTAIN KEY
ISSUES IN OUR RON AND I THINK
IRAN'S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
AND WITH JEWISH PEOPLE INSIDE
IRAN AND LOGISTIC MINORITIES IN
GENERAL IS ONE OF THOSE KEY
ISSUES.
AS AN IRANIAN AS A HUMAN BEING
I THINK IT'S MY DUTY TO TALK
ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST WHICH I
THINK IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST
TRAGEDIES OF OUR TIME.
AND TO GIVE A BETTER
UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE
HOLOCAUST TO NEW GENERATION OF
IRANIANS AND NON-IRANIANS THAT
DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE
HOLOCAUST OR WHO HAVE HEARD
LIES FROM THEIR GOVERNMENT OR
FROM OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THE
HOLOCAUST.
>> IN TERMS OF YOUR OWN
PERSONAL BACKGROUND, WHAT WAS
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD GROWING UP?
DID YOU KNOW JEWISH PEOPLE IN
IRAN?
>> IN FACT I GREW UP IN A
JEWISH NEIGHBORHOOD IN IRAN.
I THINK I STARTED TO REALIZE
WHY OWN IDENTITY BY KNOWING MY
JEWISH FRIENDS.
I HEARD THAT THEY WERE
DIFFERENT FROM US.
SO MY QUESTION WAS WHO AM I.
AND MY PARENTS WERE COMMUNISTS.
AS YOU KNOW COMMUNISTS HAVE A
FASCINATION WITH JEWS.
THERE WERE MANY PROMINENT
JEWS.
I WAS INTERESTED IN JEWS AND
JEWISH CULTURAL IN GENERAL.
BUT HOW MUCH OF THE HOLOCAUST
WERE YOU EXPOSED TO COMING OUT?
WERE YOU TAUGHT ABOUT THE
HOLOCAUST?
>> THERE IS NOT MUCH TEACHING
ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST IN IRAN.
AS IN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES THAT
ARE TRAVEL TO.
I THINK IN THIS DAY AND AGE WE
HAVE TO HAVE A NEW APPROACH TO
EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT THE
HOLOCAUST.
THERE AREN'T MANY NATIONALIST
MOVEMENTS AROUND THE WORLD AND
UNFORTUNATELY THE PARTS OF MANY
NATIONALIST MOVEMENTS AROUND
THE WORLD ESPECIALLY IN EUROPE
IS SO MUCH AS HIM.
I THINK DIFFERENT HOLOCAUST
EDUCATIONS AND PEOPLE WHO DEAL
WITH THE HOLOCAUST HAVE TO HAVE
A NEW APPROACH TO HELICAL US.
THEY HAVE TO TALK TO LANGUAGE
OF THEIR AUDIENCE.
THEIR YOUNG AUDIENCE.
AND TO MAKE THE HOLOCAUST
RELEVANT.
THE WHOLE STORY OF HOLOCAUST
RELEVANT.
HOW HITLER CAME TO POWER.
I THINK NOT ONLY IN EUROPE BUT
ALSO IN THIS COUNTRY, NORTH OF
AMERICA WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT
THAT AS
WELL.
>> FIRST OF ALL, HOW DO YOU GET
PEOPLE TO BELIEVE THAT IT
ACTUALLY HAPPENED IF THERE'S A
GOVERNMENTAL POLICY THAT DENIES
IT HAPPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE?
HOW TO GET PEOPLE TO BELIEVE
THAT HAPPEN?
>> HOLOCAUST IS ONE OF THE BEST
DOCUMENTED TRAGEDIES OF OUR
TIME.
THERE ARE PEOPLE AND STILL
SURVIVORS WHO WITNESS THAT.
WHEN WE MADE THE FILM FOR THE
HOLOCAUST MUSEUM IN DC FOR THE
IRANIAN AUDIENCES WE TALKED TO
DIFFERENT HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS A
MAN AND A WOMAN.
THEY TOLD THE IRANIANS AND
AUDIENCES THEIR EXPERIENCES.
I THINK IN THIS DAY OF AGE WE
HAVE BEEN AN ABSENCE OF SOCIAL
MEDIA AND DIGITAL MEDIA.
IT IS VERY EASY TO USE THAT AND
FIGHT AGAINST ANTI-SEMI
DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND
DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AND THE
OTHER
ISSUE ARE THE MODERATE
LESSONS HOLOCAUST.
WHICH IS REALLY THE COST OF
DISCRIMINATION.
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ANY
GROUP NOT ONLY BECAUSE THAT
GROUP NATION IN GENERAL WHEN
YOU LOOK AT SERVICES OF THE
JEWISH COMMUNITY AROUND THE
WORLD TO HUMANITY TO
CIVILIZATION.
WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT THOSE
6 MILLION JEWS WERE KILLED
COULD DO FOR THE HUMANITY.
IT IS MIND-BOGGLING.
I THINK THOSE ARE THE LESSONS
THAT PEOPLE HAVE
TO HEAR.
AND TO MAKE IT MORE RELEVANT
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THEIR LIVES
NOW.
>> FOR THE RECORD YOU MADE A
DOCUMENTARY IN 1994 CALLED THE
VOYAGE OF THE ST. LOUIS ABOUT
THE FAILED ATTEMPT TO BRING A
SHIP FULL OF GERMAN JEWISH
REFUGEES FROM NORTH AMERICA IN
1939.
THAT WE ARE IN CONCENTRATION
2009.
WHAT WAS EXPERIENCED LIKE TO BE
A JOURNALIST WHO WAS USED TO
COVERING STORIES AND HERE YOU
ARE THE STORY?
WHAT WAS ON X-RAYS LIKE TO IT
WAS A VERY STRANGE EXPERIENCE.
I ALWAYS SAY THAT MY KNOWLEDGE
WAS NOT BROADENED WHILE I WAS
IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT AND IN
THE INTERROGATION ROOM.
I ENDED UP HAVING A BETTER
UNDERSTANDING AND A DEEPER
KNOWLEDGE OF THE MENTALITY OF
THE IRANIAN REGIME AND THE
REVENUE-SHARING GUARDS THAT HAD
ARRESTED ME.
ONE.
>> UNIVERSALLY EXPLAINED WHY
YOU WERE FULLY ARRESTED?
OR DID BECOME EVIDENT DURING
THE DURING THE INTERROGATIONS?
>> THEY WANTED TO INCRIMINATE
ME AND INCRIMINATE OTHER
PEOPLE.
IT WAS VERY COMPLEX SCENARIO.
ALWAYS SAY THAT IT WAS LIKE A
BAD SCENARIO.
THEY HAD A LOT OF MONEY AND
THEY HAD A LOT OF RESOURCES.
IT WAS LIKE THE IRANIAN
VERSIONS OF WATERWORLD.
REMEMBER THE COVENANT COST OR
DISASTER FILM THAT BECAME A
DISASTER.
IT WAS LIKE THAT.
THEY SPENT A LOT OF RESOURCES
AND MONEY INTO EXECUTING THE
SCENARIO THAT DID NOT WORK.
I FOUND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING
OF THE MENTALITY OF THE IRANIAN
REGIME.
>> DURING THOSE 4 MONTHS IT WAS
HARROWING FOR YOU.
NOT ONLY WERE INTERROGATED, YOU
WERE BEATEN IN YOUR MAIN
INTERROGATOR WAS SOMEBODY WHO
SPACE YOU NEVER SAW BUT
WHO
WORE ROSEWATER AS COLOGNE.
DO YOU EVER COME ACROSS THAT
SENT NOW?
>> I DO NOT LIKE IT.
ANYMORE.
I NEVER LIKED IT THAT MUCH.
I DO NOT LIKE IT AT ALL.
DIRECTORY OF FLASHBACKS?
>> ONE OF MY FAVORITE ICE CREAM
IS ROSEWATER FLAVORED ICE
CREAM.
SINCE GOING TO PRISON I CANNOT
EAT THAT ANYMORE.
>> IN THE NEWS TODAY, A CITIZEN
WAS MURDERED IN INDIA.
REAL QUICKLY ANY ADVICE FOR
REPORTERS ON HOW TO STAY SAFE
AND WERE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.
>> THEY HAVE TO KNOW WHERE
THEIR RESTRICTIONS AND HAVE TO
KNOW THE AREA.
THEY HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT
JOURNALISTS HAVE BECOME THE
MAIN TARGET FOR MANY
GOVERNMENTS.
AND GROUPS AS WELL.
DIRECT NAUSEA ARE, THANK YOU
FOR JOINING US.
VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
FLIGHT.
THAT IS OUR CHAUFFEUR THIS
TUESDAY NIGHT.
I HOPE YOU JOIN US TOMORROW
NIGHT LIFE AT 7. NOW FOR ALL OF
US AT "CHICAGO WEEK IN REVIEW"
I'M PHIL PONCE A. THANK YOU FOR
WATCHING.
HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.
REAL-TIME CLOSED CAPTIONING
PROVIDED BY U.S. CAPTIONING
COMPANY.
[MUSIC]