JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

PLAN TO CLOSE AND REBUILD TO ILLINOIS PRISONS IS FACING PUSHBACK.

CANDIDATES FOR CHICAGO'S FIRST ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD ARE LINING UP TO GET ON THE BALLOT.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THAT AND MORE.

I'M ROUTE 66.

HE PUT HIS LIFE BACK TOGETHER.

AND A NEW EXHIBITION FOR THE PHOTOJOURNALIST, THE DEEP CONNECTION TO A FAMOUS ROADWAY.

AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

TECHNOLOGY IS HELPING ILLINOIS STATE POLICE IDENTIFY WITNESSES OR SUSPECTS IN 100% OF FATAL INTERSTATE SHOOTINGS.

THE AGENCY SAYS AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS OR ALP.

OURS HAVE ALSO HELPED TRACK DOWN WITNESSES AND 82% OF INTERSTATE SHOOTINGS.

TROOPERS INTERVIEW CULL REGISTRATION INFORMATION FROM THE OFFENDING VEHICLE INTO THE ALERT SYSTEM AND OFFICERS COULD LOCATE THE VEHICLE WITHIN A FEW HOURS.

ISP SAYS THROUGH THE END OF MAY, THE TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN USED IN AT LEAST 260 CASES.

IF YOU'VE BEEN OUTSIDE TODAY, YOU'VE NOTICED IT'S STILL HOT, 90 PLUS DEGREE HIGHS CONTINUE TODAY AND FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK AFFECTING 10'S OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE FROM THE MIDWEST TO NEW ENGLAND.

CHICAGO SET A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE YESTERDAY.

TOPPING 97 DEGREES AT O'HARE AIRPORT.

A BIT OF RELIEF IS EXPECTED FOR THE LAKE FRONT ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.

BUT THEN HE CRANKS BACK UP ON SATURDAY.

CHICAGO HAS MULTIPLE COOLING CENTERS OPEN ACROSS THE CITY FROM 09:00AM TO 05:00PM AT THE LOCATIONS SHOWN HERE ON YOUR SCREEN.

YOU CAN ALSO BEAT THE HEAT AT THE CITY'S PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND PARK DISTRICT FIELD HOUSES.

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

ON THE EVE OF JUNETEENTH.

THE STATE AGENCY IS ANNOUNCING PLANS TO HOLD HEARINGS ABOUT REPARATIONS FOR BLACK AMERICANS IN ILLINOIS WHO DESCENDED FROM SLAVERY.

THE ILLINOIS AFRICAN CITIZENS REPARATIONS COMMISSION SAYS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL BE HELD JULY 13TH AND FEATURES SPEAKERS ON THE INTERGENERATIONAL IMPACT OF CHATTEL, SLAVERY, RACIAL TERROR, POLITICAL DISENFRANCHISEMENT AND ONGOING RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.

THE COMMISSION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ADDRESS RACIAL DISPARITIES RESULTING FROM SLAVERY AND ITS REMNANTS.

UP NEXT, REACTION TO PROPOSED PRISON CLOSURES IN ILLINOIS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE ALEXANDER AND JOHN NICHOLS FAMILY.

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

PLANS TO DEMOLISH AND REBUILD TO ILLINOIS PRISONS ARE GENERATING PUSHED BACK BACK IN MARCH.

GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER ANNOUNCED PLANS TO CLOSE STATE BILL CORRECTIONAL CENTER IN CREST HILL AND LOGAN CORRECTIONAL CENTER IN LOGAN COUNTY AND REBUILD THEM BOTH BUT NOT ENOUGH.

STATE LAWMAKERS SHOWED UP FRIDAY FOR A PLANNED VOTE BY THE BIPARTISAN ADVISORY PANEL CALLED THE COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENT FORECASTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

JOINING US NOW HERE WITH MORE ARE CALL IT PAIN.

DIRECTOR OF THE RECLAMATION PROJECT AT THE WOMEN'S JUSTICE INSTITUTE.

PAYNE SPENT 2 YEARS INCARCERATED AT LOGAN CORRECTIONAL CENTER IN THE LATE 90'S, ANDERS LINDELL, PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR FOR ABSENTEE COUNCIL.

31, WHICH REPRESENTS ROUGHLY 10,000 EMPLOYEES WHO WORK IN ILLINOIS PRISONS.

AND JOINING US VIA ZOOM, REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE C D DAVID SMYER CO-CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENT FORECASTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

ALSO DOES THE BIPARTISAN GROUP OF 12 STATE LEGISLATORS TASKED WITH ADVISING OVER THE PLANNED PRISON CLOSURES AND WE SHOULD MENTION WE DID INVITE THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS DISCUSSION, BUT THEY DECLINED.

WE THINK THE 3 OF YOU FOR JOINING US CALL.

IT STARTED WITH YOU.

YOUR WORK, THE WORK THAT YOU DO WITH THE RECLAMATION PROJECT.

IN WINS JUSTICE INSTITUTE.

YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH WOMEN WHO'VE BEEN INCARCERATED HAVE BEEN ARE INCARCERATED AND LOGAN CORRECTIONAL CENTER DESCRIBED THE CONDITIONS THERE.

ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE A BUS SERVICE REUNIFICATION, RIGHT?

WE TAKE FAMILIES TO SEE THERE IN CARSON READY LOVED MONTHLY.

CAN WOMEN TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE LIVING CONDITIONS, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO WALK IN YOUR OWN WASTE.

SO THE BAG UP FROM THE SEWAGE SYSTEM, THE MOLD.

ANIMALS FALLING FROM THE ANIMALS HAVEN'T BEEN ON THE ROOF.

HAVEN'T REPORTS ABOUT A RACCOON ON THE ROOF AND THAT FELL AND SALUTE AND THIS ISN'T TO SO IT WAS IN 2016, NATALIE.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST WOMAN FORMER INCARCERATED WOMAN TO SERVE IN THIS ROLE?

WELL, I WAS PART OF THE GIPPER ASSESSMENT GENDRON PRACTICE ASSESSMENT WHERE PART OF A TEAM WHERE WE WENT AND SPENT 4 DAYS GATHERING INFORMATION AND A REPORT WAS GENERATED INFORMATION AS TO HOW WOMEN ARE TREATED THE CONDITIONS INSIDE, TALKING WITH WHAT A SUPPORTS LOOK LIKE FOR THEM.

CAUSE IT SUPPORTS ON BOTH SO AFTER GATHERING THE INFORMATION, THE WOMENS CORRECTIONAL SERVICE ACT WAS MAKING SURE THAT PROGRAMMING HIS GENDER RESPONSE OF TRAUMA INFORMED.

JULIANA STRATTON SPEARHEADED WHEN SHE WAS A STATE LEGISLATOR.

AT THAT STILL SPEND SOME OF HER AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ON RE-ENTRY ISSUES WANT TO GET YOU IN HERE A LITTLE BIT.

WHAT WHAT ARE YOUR MEMBERS SAY ABOUT THE CONDITIONS BECAUSE THESE CONDITIONS ARE THERE WORKING CONDITIONS?

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THESE 2 PERSONS?

ABSOLUTELY.

THE THERE THROUGHOUT THE THERE IS A HUGE BACKLOG OF NEGLECTED LONG NEGLECTED NEED FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS.

STATESVILLE AND LOGAN ARE BADLY OFF.

WE SUPPORT REBUILDING THOSE FACILITIES.

WHAT POSE IS THE UNNECESSARY AND UNNECESSARILY DISRUPTIVE.

LONG TERM TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF STATE BILL THAT WOULD CLOSE THE FACILITY FOR 3 TO 5 YEARS AND THE CLOSURE AND RELOCATION OF LOGAN TO NEARLY 200 MILES AWAY.

WE THINK THAT WOULD BE DISRUPTIVE FOR THE INDIVIDUALS IN CUSTODY FOR THEIR FAMILIES, FOR EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES AND FOR OUR CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM AS A WHOLE RIGHT.

AND AS YOU MENTIONED, THERE'S A PROPOSAL WOULD RELOCATE TO NEXT-DOOR STATE BILL, BASICALLY, WHICH IS WHICH IS NEAR JOLIET.

I WANT TO COME BACK TO THE 2 OF YOU, OF COURSE, BUT STATE REPRESENTS STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID YOU WERE QUOTED AS SAYING THAT THE CURRENT PROPOSALS ARE QUOTE, FAR FROM SHOVEL READY IN A STATEMENT JUST TO BE CLEAR, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SAYS THAT ITS GOAL, QUOTE, IN ANNOUNCING ITS INTENT TO REBUILD STATE BILL AND LOGAN CORRECTIONAL CENTER'S WAS TO PRESENT A STARTING POINT AND CREATE AN OPEN PROCESS IN WHICH FEEDBACK FROM ALL IMPACTED STAKEHOLDERS IS CONSIDERED NOT TO PRESENT A COMPLETE PLAN WITHOUT DISCUSSING IT WITH ALL INVOLVED.

REPRESENTATIVE.

WHERE ARE THE PLANS MOST DEFICIENT?

WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED TO SEE?

I WOULD SAY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE ADMINISTRATION CAME FORWARD WITH AN IDEA MORE SO THAN A THEY SAID THEY DON'T.

THEY HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG THEY'LL DO KEEP LOGANO THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT CLOSING STATE BILL AS OF SEPTEMBER.

LOOK, REALITY IS BOTH FACILITIES NEED TO BE REBUILT.

A STATE BILLS SHOULD BE A MAJOR PRIORITY.

THE THE ISSUES UP SHOULD BE A PRIORITY.

BUT YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'VE GOT TO TRAIN STAFF IN BOTH STATE BILL AND LOGAN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY WHO WHO ARE TRAINED FOR THAT SPECIFIC POPULATION.

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO LEAN ON THAT, MAKE SURE THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAVE A SAY AND HAVE A A PART IN THE FUTURE OF OF THOSE INSTITUTIONS.

CALL IT.

WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS TO PLANS TO DEMOLISH AND REBUILD THE PRISONS?

LOGAN IN MOST DEFINITELY OF A PROPONENT OF THE CLOSURE I'M NOT FOR BUILDING MORE PRISONS.

HELP EVER.

I THINK THAT WOMEN SHOULD BE CLOSER.

I'M HERE SINCE MOST OF THEM COME FROM THE METRO CHICAGO LAND AREA WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO BEING CLOSER TO CHICAGO?

THINK THE BENEFIT OF IT IS IS IS MORE PROGRAMMING WHEN YOU HAVE A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS THAT DON'T EVEN GO DOWN BECAUSE OF THE DISTANCE IS 172 HOURS AWAY TAKES ABOUT 3 HOURS OF 3 AND A HALF DEPENDING TRAFFIC THE HEALTHCARE YOU HAVE LIKE THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

THERE IS NOT GOOD AT ALL.

I KNOW FROM MY TRYING TO GET INTO THE DENTIST LIKE IF THEY HEALTH CARE.

SO BEFORE I GET IT AND I THINK IN CLOSER TO THE CHICAGO LAND AREA WILL HAVE ACCESS ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

IF I COULD JUST GENTLY CLAIM ABOUT AT LOGAN, ACTUALLY 60% OF THE POPULATION OF THE WOMEN CURRENTLY LOGAN ARNOTT FROM COOK OR THE 7 COUNTY, COLORADO AREA.

SO THE LARGE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION IS ACTUALLY FROM CENTRAL SOUTHERN ILLINOIS OUTSIDE OF THE COOK AND COLLAR AREA.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT TO HAVE INDIVIDUALS IN CUSTODY.

WOMEN AND MEN CLOSE TO THEIR FAMILIES.

ALL OF THE DATA AND THE SCIENCE HAS SHOWN CLOSE TO THEIR SUPPORTS GETTING GOOD PROGRAMMING GETTING GOOD HEALTH CARE, GETTING GOOD EDUCATION, SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT.

MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT AND PROGRAMS EXIST AT THESE FACILITIES.

AND AS THE REPRESENTATIVE POINTED OUT, WE'VE GOT GREAT SKILLED, EXPERIENCED AND COMMITTED STAFF CLOSING THEIR FACILITY.

LET'S IS GOING NEEDLESSLY DISRUPT.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT YOU.

WE'VE MENTIONED SORT OF THE POPULATION WHERE SOME OF THEM COME FROM BECAUSE THE STATE'S PRISON POPULATIONS.

WE ALL KNOW THAT THEY'RE CERTAINLY LOWER THAN THEY WERE 10 TO 15 YEARS AGO CURRENTLY OUT AT LOGAN CORRECTIONAL CENTER.

IT OPENED BY THE STATE AS A STATE PRISON IN JANUARY 1978.

BUT THAT BUILDING WAS BUILT LONG BEFORE THAT.

I THINK IN THE LATE 18, 100'S ON ITS CURRENT POPULATION IS 930, BUT ITS RATED CAPACITY IS ALMOST 1400 AND THEN FOR STATE IT OPENED IN ITS CURRENT RATED CAPACITY IS 8.50, BUT THE POPULATION IS ONLY 421 REPRESENTATIVE DAVIDS MEYER, IF WE HAVE ALSO HEARD REPORTS THAT PRISONS ACROSS THE STREET OR ACROSS THE STATE ARE UNDERSTAFFED TO THE POINT WHERE SOMETIMES THERE IS OFTEN LIMITED MOVEMENT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED THERE.

WHY REOPEN THE PRISONS OR OR WHY IF WE'RE IF WE'RE GOING TO RELOCATE THEM, WHY NOT OR IS THERE CONSIDERATION ABOUT CLOSING OTHERS RELOCATING THE STAFF THERE?

YEAH, YOU KNOW, THE REALITY IS THAT THAT IF WE DIDN'T HAVE CRIME, WE WOULD HAVE A NEED FOR PRISON.

SO IF WE CAN GET EVERYBODY TO GET ON BOARD AND STOP COMMITTING CRIMES WILL BE PERFECTLY FINE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THE LOWER POPULATION IS A LACK OF PROSECUTION RIGHT NOW.

I WILL SAY THIS STATE BILL PLAN.

THEY SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED BUILDING A FACILITY FOR 1500 INDIVIDUALS.

THAT'S NOT A REGIONALIZED APPROACH.

YOU'RE GOING FROM A FACILITY THAT CURRENTLY HAS AS OF LAST TUESDAY, 423, I BELIEVE THEY SAID WERE IN THAT FACILITY AND THEY'RE GOING TO BUILD A FACILITY.

THAT'S 3 TIMES LARGER THAN THAT.

IT DOESN'T.

IT DOESN'T BODE WELL FOR REGIONALIZATION APPROACH THAT WOULD ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO BE CLOSER.

THEIR LOGAN, YOU'VE GOT EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE.

YOU'VE GOT 1000 INDIVIDUALS IN THAT FACILITY A LITTLE OVER 400 INDIVIDUALS WORKING THERE, WHEREAS STATE BILL, YOU'VE GOT 400 IN INCARCERATED AND ABOUT 1000 PEOPLE ACTUALLY WORKING THERE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WE SHOULD LOOK AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAINTAIN FACILITIES OR TO BUILD NEW WHERE IS NEEDED.

BUT WE HAVE TO WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON MAIN MAINTENANCE BECAUSE THE STATE OF ILLINOIS HAS A FAILED ON THAT.

OKAY.

A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

I WISH I WISH WE COULD TALK ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT LONGER.

BUT I'M SURE AS THIS PROCESS DEVELOPS, WE'LL HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT AGAIN.

THANKS TO THE 3 OF YOU FOR JOINING STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID SMYER, ANDERS LINDAHL IN COLORED PAINT.

THANK THANK YOU.

UP NEXT, A NEW PUSH FOR PUBLIC FINANCING FOR CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THAT AND MORE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

CANDIDATES LINED UP YESTERDAY TO BEGIN FILING THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK TO BE ON THE BALLOT FOR CHICAGO'S FIRST ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.

MEANWHILE, MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON LAUNCHED A REPARATIONS TASK FORCE AND THE CITY'S ETHICS COMMITTEE CHAIR CALLS FOR PUBLIC FINANCING IN CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS HERE WITH ALL THAT AND MORE OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM, AMANDA BENNETT, THE HEAD OR SHARON.

SO, HEATHER, LET'S START AT CITY HALL.

YOU WERE THERE THIS MORNING, A GROUP OF OLDER PEOPLE AND ADVOCATES FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT CALLED FOR TAXPAYER MONEY TO BE USED TO FUND CAMPAIGNS FOR CITY COUNCIL.

HOW WOULD THIS WORK?

WELL, ESSENTIALLY, IT WOULD GIVE UP TO $200,000 TO CANDIDATES WHO CAN PROVE THAT THEY CAN GET A CERTAIN NUMBER OF SMALL DONATIONS FROM PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN CHICAGO AND SPECIFICALLY LIVE IN THE WORD THAT THEY WANT TO REPRESENT ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

AND THIS IS AN EFFORT.

ALDERMAN MATT MARTIN SAID TO GET BIG MONEY INTERESTS OUT OF LOCAL POLITICS AND OTHER PEOPLE, INCLUDING ALISA KAPLAN, FROM THE REFORM FOR ILLINOIS GROUP, WHICH IS SORT OF DEDICATED TO SORT OF IMPROVING TRANSPARENCY AND HOW ILLINOIS'S GOVERNMENT WORKS AT THIS WOULD BE A CORRUPTION FIGHTING MEASURE.

WE ALL KNOW 38 ALDER PEOPLE SINCE 1969.

HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF CORRUPTION-RELATED CRIMES.

SHE SAYS THIS WILL FORCE PEOPLE TO ESSENTIALLY GO DOOR TO DOOR TO FUND THEIR CAMPAIGNS.

AND THAT MEANS THERE'S LESS OF A CHANCE OF SOMEBODY SORT OF AMASSING A MASSIVE WAR CHEST AND SORT OF USING THAT TO SORT OF, YOU KNOW, DO SKULLDUGGERY IS GOING OKAY.

I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S THE FIRST SPOTLIGHT OPENINGS AND NEVER ANY CORRUPTION IS THAT, YOU KNOW, I'M SO MAYOR JOHNSON MADE SOME HEADLINES YESTERDAY AT THE RAISING OF THE JUNETEENTH FLAG DALY PLAZA.

FIRST HE INTRODUCED HIS NEW CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER AND ALSO ANNOUNCED THE CREATION REPARATIONS TASK FORCE, THOUGH HEATHER, THE MAYOR ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS GOING TO CREATE THIS TASK FORCE BACK IN NOVEMBER.

WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW?

WELL, NOW THEY'RE ACTUALLY GETTING TO WORK TIME, OF COURSE, FOR JUNETEENTH THE ANNIVERSARY OF WIND SORT OF THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION MADE ITS WAY ALL THE WAY TO TEXAS AND THIS IS REALLY DESIGNED TO START DOING THE HARD WORK.

WHAT DESERVES REPARATIONS?

IS IT SORT OF A QUESTION OF ONLY DESCENDANTS OF ENSLAVED AFRICANS OR IS IT WIDER IT AND HOW WILL THE SORT OF THE LEGACY OF JIM CROW AND THE SYSTEMIC RACISM WERE ALL TOO FAMILIAR WITH IN CHICAGO, BE INCORPORATED AND IS IT MONEY OR IS IT EDUCATION IN THE CITY SCHOOLS OR IS IT SORT OF A LEG UP IN GETTING BUSINESS GRANTS?

ARE OF THOSE THINGS.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE ON THE TABLE.

AND FINALLY, FINALLY, SOME WORK IS GOING TO BE OKAY.

NOW THE STATE ALSO LAUNCHING REPARATIONS COMMISSION.

ITS FIRST PUBLIC HEARING IS IN JUST UNDER A MONTH, JULY 13TH, THE KENNEDY KING COLLEGE.

AMANDA, BRIEFLY, WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THIS COMMISSION SO FAR?

WELL, SO THERE IS THAT COMMISSION, WHICH ALSO WAS FROM SOME TIME AGO, ACTUALLY BACK IN 2022.

FROM WHAT I CAN GATHER, THERE ARE ACTUALLY SOME VACANCIES STILL ON THAT COMMISSION.

SO IT IT'S GETTING ITS START A BIT LATE.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE GOING FOR THIS FIRST HEARING, AS YOU NOTED, WILL BE HELD IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND APPEARS TO BE EXPOSED TO IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS TO GIVE THEIR INPUT.

BUT IT ALSO IS GOING TO BE IT SEEMS LIKE SOME SORT OF LECTURE OR LEARNING A LESSON BECAUSE THERE ARE A COUPLE OF PROFESSORS THAT ARE SCHEDULED TO BE PRESIDENT THERE ARE ADDITIONAL COMMITTEE MEETINGS OR COMMISSION MEETINGS THAT IS THAT ARE SCHEDULED THROUGHOUT THE FALL.

SO SIMILAR IDEA HERE WHERE THERE'S INTENDED TO BE TALK ABOUT HOW TO MAKE REPARATIONS.

BUT THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THE CLASSIC SENSE OF THE WORD IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, CASH CHECKS.

IT COULD BE THAT.

BUT IT IS STILL QUITE EARLY.

IT COULD JUST AGAIN, EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.

THERE ARE A LOT OF OPTIONS.

AND THE OTHER POINT HERE IS THAT BOTH OF THESE AGENCIES, THE CITY AND THE STATE OR AIR TALKING REPARATIONS WHEN 10 YEARS AGO, THIS WOULD NOT HAVE EVEN BEEN UP FOR DISCUSSION AT WHICH IS A THING RIGHT HAD TO BRIEFLY TELL US ABOUT CHICAGO'S NEW CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER, CARLA COMPETE.

SO THIS IS FILLING A POSITION THAT HAS BEEN VACANT FOR SOME TIME IN CITY HALL.

AND HER JOB WILL REALLY BE TO DESIGNED TO SORT OF TELL MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON, WHETHER THE CITY IS USING ITS RESOURCES EQUITABLY OR NOT.

THIS WAS, AGAIN, ONE OF THOSE CHANGES MADE IN THE WAKE OF THE POLICE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD GOVERNMENTS FROM THE BIGGEST TO THE LITTLE IS SORT OF STARTED LOOKING AT ITSELF AND SAYING, ARE WE DOING THIS CORRECTLY?

AND THIS HAS BEEN A SPOT THAT I THINK MAYOR JOHNSON HAS A LITTLE BIT TROUBLE FILLING AND IS NOW GLAD TO SORT OF BE ABLE TO SORT OF SAY WE FOUND SOMEBODY FOR THIS POSITION AND NOW THEY CAN GET TO WORK BECAUSE THEIR EQUITY ISSUES ACROSS THE CITY RAISING FROM PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ALL THE WAY TO ZONING.

AND IT'S TO HOW THE CITY SENDS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO ITS COMMUNITIES.

SO WE MENTION CANDIDATES LINING UP YESTERDAY MORNING TO SUBMIT THEIR UNNECESSARY 1000 SIGNATURES TO GET ON THE NOVEMBER 5TH BALLOT TO RUN FOR ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD FOR THE FIRST TIME HAD OR WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE ARE ARE TRYING TO GET ON THE BALLOT.

SO IT'S REALLY UP THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE FILED ALREADY RUN THE GAMUT FROM SORT OF PARENTS WHO JUST WANT TO SORT OF IMPROVE THEIR SORT OF AREAS, EDUCATION AS WELL AS THOSE WERE HAVE BEEN HEAVILY INVOLVED IN BOTH THE EDUCATION REFORM MOVEMENT EITHER ADVOCATING FOR SORT MORE RESOURCES.

BUT THEY'RE ALSO PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE SORT OF OTHER SIDE OF THE ISSUE WITH SORT OF LESS CONTROL TOP DOWN WITH SORT OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL MOVEMENT.

AND THEY'RE ALWAYS ALWAYS BECAUSE CHICAGO, PEOPLE WHO ARE ASPIRING POLITICIANS WHO SEE THIS AS POTENTIALLY SORT OF A WAY INTO THE CITY'S PUT POLITICAL LIFE.

NOW IT'S GOING TO BE A COMPLICATED ELECTION.

THERE ARE 10 DISTRICTS.

THEY ARE EACH ELECTING ONE PERSON.

MAYOR JOHNSON WILL GET TO APPOINT ANOTHER PERSON TO REPRESENT THAT DISTRICT FROM BASICALLY A LITTLE BIT OF GEOGRAPHICALLY DISTINCT AREA.

AND THOSE 21 PEOPLE PLUS THE PRESIDENT APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR WILL SORT OF GOVERN FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS UNTIL THE NEXT ELECTION WHEN EVERYONE WILL BE ELECTED IN PEOPLE.

CHICAGO, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE IN ILLINOIS WILL BE ABLE ELECT THEIR SCHOOL BOARD ASSIST A LITTLE COMPLICATED LITTLE GLAD YOU'RE FOLLOWING FOR YOU KNOW, AS WE JUST DISCUSSED, THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN TO CLOSE AND REBUILT TO STATE BUT THE COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENT FORECASTING ACCOUNTABILITY OR CAUSE.

I DIDN'T ACTUALLY VOTE LAST EXPLAIN PROCESS FOR US AND WHY THOSE NUMBERS DID NOT WELL.

THERE WASN'T A QUORUM AND APPEARS AS IF THERE ARE SOME FAIRLY LEGITIMATE REASONS THAT LEGISLATORS WANT AT THAT COMMISSION MEETING AND STILL, IT IS, I THINK, PERHAPS DISHEARTENING THE FOLKS WHO MAYBE WORK AT THEIR PRESENT AND WHO HAVE A LOVED ONE THAT IS HOUSED IN ONE OF THESE FACILITIES THAT THEY CARE ABOUT OR MAYBE A VICTIM WHO WANTS TO BE SURE ABOUT THE WHEREABOUTS OF SOMEBODY WHO WAS THE OFFENDER THAT'S BEHIND BARS BECAUSE OF THAT.

SO THERE WASN'T A QUORUM.

THIS WAS ADVISORY VOTE ANYWAY.

BUT THIS IS A WHOLE SYSTEM THAT WAS SET UP AFTER FORMER GOVERNOR ROD BLAGOJEVICH TRIED TO CLOSE A BUNCH OF STATE FACILITIES.

LEGISLATORS GOT VERY UPSET ABOUT IT AND SAID WE WANT TO HAVE A VOICE.

WE NEED TO HAVE SOME INFLUENCE IN THIS PROCESS.

AND THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR LEGISLATORS TO GET THAT INFORMATION AND TO WEIGH ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT IS SPOTLIGHT HEATHER SHARON AND DOMINICAN THANKS.

UP NEXT, A PHOTOGRAPHER WHO SPENT YEARS DOCUMENTING THE REALITY OF LIFE ALONG THE FAMED ROUTE.

66, STAY WITH US.

FREDERICK HITTING A ONE-OFF ASSIGNMENT TO PHOTOGRAPH ROUTE.

66 TURNED INTO A YEARS LONG LABOR OF LOVE.

AND AWARD-WINNING PHOTOJOURNALIST KEATING ALSO HAD A DEEP PERSONAL CONNECTION TO THE FAMOUS ROADWAY.

NOW HIS WORK HIGHLIGHTING MORE COMPLICATED SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY MEMORIALIZED IN THAT FAMOUS TOMB IS BEING SHOWN AT UPTOWN CHICAGO CENTER FOR PHOTOJOURNALISM CHICAGO.

TONIGHT'S NICK BROMBERG HAS THE STORY.

WHAT COULD BE MORE CLASSIC AMERICANA THEN ROUTE?

66, ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S ORIGINAL HIGHWAYS, STARTING IN ILLINOIS AND RUNNING THROUGH THE MIDWEST, SOUTHWEST AND INTO CALIFORNIA.

BUT PHOTOGRAPHER EDWARD HEATING DIDN'T TAKE SUCH A ROSY VIEW OF THE ROADWAY.

THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR HIM.

NOT JUST A DOCUMENT THAT THIS DOES NOT A BACKDROPS OF ROUTE.

66 FROM CHICAGO TO LA REALLY DOCUMENT THE PEOPLE THAT MANY FORMER LEFT BEHIND PEOPLE THAT MOVED HERE FOR, YOU KNOW, WITH SO MANY HOPES AND DREAMS AND A LOT OF THOSE DREAMS WERE SHATTERED.

HE WANTED TO DOCUMENT REALITY OF THIS HIGHWAY, NOT JUST GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE.

66.

AND FOR CHEATING ROUTE.

66 WASN'T JUST A HIGHWAY.

IT WAS A PLACE TO HEAL WHILE HE WAS ON THE ROAD DURING A CHAOTIC TIME IN HIS LIFE.

HE WAS ABOUT 21 YEARS OLD WITH A MAJOR DRINKING PROBLEM, JUST FINDING HIMSELF ON ROUTE 66.

AND IT WAS THE PLACE THAT HE REALLY HIT ROCK BOTTOM.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, NOT TOO LONG AFTER THAT ROUTE.

66, HE PUT HIS LIFE BACK TOGETHER.

HE GOT SOBER AND MADE A CAREER AS A PHOTOGRAPHER.

KEATING SPENT YEARS ON THE STAFF OF THE NEW YORK TIMES.

HE WORKED FOR WEEKS AT GROUND 0 AS PART OF ITS PULITZER PRIZE WINNING PHOTOGRAPHY.

TEAM.

HE WAS NICE TO HAVE THAT ACKNOWLEDGMENT, BUT THAT'S NEVER WHY HE DID IT.

YOU KNOW, HE COVERED THE COAST OF A WAR.

HE WAS ALWAYS RUNNING AFTER TOUGH THINGS IN LIFE BECAUSE HE JUST FELT LIKE SOMEONE HAD TO DOCUMENT IT AND HE FELT LIKE IT HAD TO BE HIM.

ONE OF THOSE THINGS, KEATING FELT CALLED TO DOCUMENT WAS THE REALITY OF ROUTE.

66 FROM 2000 TO 2011, KEATING MADE MULTIPLE TRIPS TRAVELED THOUSANDS OF MILES AND TOOK TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PHOTOGRAPHS.

ACTUALLY DIDN'T EVEN DEVELOP A LOT OF THE WORK.

HE ALWAYS SAID THAT THE BEST PART ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY FOR HIM WAS JUST ACTUALLY TAKING THE PICTURE, NOT EVEN ACTUALLY SEEING THE IMAGE IN THE END.

IN 2018, KEATING PUBLISHED THE BOOK MAIN STREET, THE LAST DREAM OF ROUTE.

66.

HE DIED IN 2021 AT AGE 65 OF CANCER.

HE BELIEVED WAS FROM EXPOSURE TO TOXIC DUST AT THE RUINS OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER.

BEFORE THAT, HE STRESSED HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS FOR HIM TO SHOW THIS WORK, ESPECIALLY ALONG ROUTE 66 BECAUSE THIS WORK HE SAID WHEN HE PUBLISHED IN THE BOOK HE DIDN'T OWN IT ANYMORE.

THE CHICAGO STOP IS ONE OF SEVERAL EXHIBITIONS ALONG ROUTE.

66 ORGANIZED BY KEATING'S DAUGHTER, CAITLIN, A DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER AND HIS WIFE, KERRY.

ALSO A PHOTOGRAPHER, CAITLIN SAYS BRINGING HER FATHER'S WORK TO GALLERIES ALONG THE HISTORIC HIGHWAY OFFERS A CHANCE TO SHOW THE REALITIES OF LOST JOBS, LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES, STRUGGLING SMALL TOWNS AND THE SENSE OF HOPE AND HUMANITY THAT PERVADES EVEN THE MOST CHALLENGING PICTURES.

SOME OF THESE IMAGES ARE REALLY HARD TO LOOK AT.

AND I JUST HOPE THAT PEOPLE REALLY STILL TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK AND DON'T TURN AWAY BECAUSE IF WE DO, WE'RE GOING TO FORGET ABOUT THE PAST.

SO HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE HERE AND SEE OTHERS WORK UP ON THE WALLS?

YEAH, I MEAN, IT MAKES ME FEEL SO EMOTIONAL.

I GOT FULL CHILLS WHEN I WALKED IN BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTED JUST MEANS SO MUCH TO MY ENTIRE FAMILY.

AND THE ONLY PART IS THAT HE'S NOT HERE, BUT WE KNOW THAT HE WOULD BE SO SO HAPPY WITH HOW IT TURNED OUT FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M NICK BLOOMBERG.

MAINSTREET THE LAST THROUGH THE LAST DREAM OF ROUTE.

66 RUNS AT THE CHICAGO CENTER FOR PHOTOJOURNALISM THROUGH JULY.

29TH.

WE HAVE DETAILS ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10 FOR CHICAGO.

TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES.

DETAILS ON A NEW STUDY THAT EXPLORES DRASTIC ECONOMIC INEQUITIES BETWEEN WHITE COMMUNITIES AND THOSE OF COLOR AND JUNETEENTH EVENTS ARE TAKING PLACE ACROSS THE CITY.

WE'RE LIVE AT THE DUSABLE MUSEUM NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

CLOSED CAPTION HE'S MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A AND CONGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH AND PROUD SPONSORS