>> HELLO AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON POLICE MISCONDUCT SETTLEMENTS, CHICAGO TEACHERS, LOBBYING LAWMAKERS AND MUCH MORE.

A MASSIVE RESTORATION PROJECT AT PEOPLE'S PRESERVES.

AND THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED W NBA SEASON TIPS OFF TODAY.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE CHICAGO SKY WITH A NEW COACH IN THE NEW ROSTER.

>> AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, VISITORS TO THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY WILL SOON NOTICE IT HAS A NEW NAME.

THE GRIFFIN MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

THE MUSEUM ROLLED OUT THE NAME CHANGE TODAY, WHICH ALSO COMES WITH 125 MILLION DOLLAR GIFT FROM CITADEL FOUNDER AND BILLIONAIRE PHILANTHROPIST KEN GRIFFIN.

THE DONATION WHICH WAS ANNOUNCED BACK IN 2019 IS THE LARGEST IN THE MUSEUM'S HISTORY.

GRIFFIN USED TO BE ILLINOIS'S RICHEST MAN TO MOVE TO FLORIDA COUPLE YEARS AGO.

NOW HE'S FLORIDA'S RICHEST MAN.

THE MUSEUM SAYS THE DONATION ALLOWS IT TO LAUNCH SEVERAL NEW EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING THE GRIFFIN STUDIO, WHICH IS DIGITAL SPACE AS WELL AS THE PREMIER EXHIBITION.

NEWT'S TO NEURONS THE SUNDAY WILL BE THE FIRST OFFICIAL DAY UNDER THE NEW NAME TO CELEBRATE THE MUSEUM IS OFFERING FREE ADMISSION.

OF COURSE, THERE'S MORE OF THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

DALEY PLAZA IS BECOMING THE HOME OF DUELING DEMONSTRATIONS TODAY.

CHICAGO'S JEWISH COMMUNITY GATHERED TO CELEBRATE ISRAEL'S INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH A FLAG RAISING CEREMONY.

ORGANIZERS HONOR THE HOSTAGES TAKEN DURING THE HAMAS ATTACK ON ISRAEL ON OCTOBER, 7TH SECURITY WAS TIGHT.

IN TODAY'S GATHERING, THOUGH, WHERE PRO-PALESTINIAN COUNTER PROTESTERS ALSO DEMONSTRATED TO PROTEST ISRAEL'S MILITARY RESPONSE AND GAZA WHERE THOUSANDS HAVE BEEN KILLED.

THE DEMONSTRATIONS COME AS PROTESTS AGAINST THE ONGOING WAR IN GAZA HAVE BROKEN OUT ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING IN CHICAGO.

BUDGET WATCHDOG GROUP CIVIC FEDERATION SAYS IT APPROVES OF GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER'S PROPOSED STATE BUDGET.

THE ORGANIZATION SAYS IT SUPPORTS THE STATE'S IMPROVED FINANCIAL CONDITION, MAKING STATUTORILY REQUIRED PENSION PAYMENTS AND ITS PROPOSAL FOR 100% PENSION FUNDING GOAL.

BUT THE GROUP WARNS IT'S CONCERNED WITH SPENDING PRESSURE POINTS IN THE COMING BUDGET YEAR WITH A PROJECTED SLOWDOWN IN REVENUE GROWTH WITH GROWING SPENDING NEEDS.

IT'S ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IF THE GROCERY SALES TAX IS ELIMINATED, AS WELL AS THE FISCAL AND OPERATIONAL CRISIS FACING TRANSIT SYSTEMS IN NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS.

CHICAGO RESIDENTS IN NEED OF AN ID CARD MIGHT FIND IT EASIER TO GET ONE.

NOW THAT THE CITY IS ROLLING OUT AN APPOINTMENT SYSTEM TO MEET DEMAND CITY CLERK VALENCIA SAYS THE 2 PHASE PLAN INCLUDES AN ONLINE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM ALLOWING RESIDENTS TO SIGN UP TO APPLY FOR THE MUNICIPAL ID WITH PROOF OF RESIDENCY AND IDENTITY.

THE CLERK'S OFFICE SAYS THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN IN HIGH DEMAND SINCE LAUNCHING 6 YEARS AGO.

AND SINCE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ASYLUM SEEKERS BEGAN ARRIVING FROM THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PROGRAM WILL LAUNCH THIS SUMMER, ALLOWING RESIDENTS TO APPLY FOR THE CITY.

KEY ID ONLINE AND RECEIVE IT THROUGH THE MAIL.

THE IDEA IS FREE AND THERE'S NO FEE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.

UP NEXT, LAWMAKERS DEBATE THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL OR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THAT AND MORE 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.

>> THE CITY TREASURER FACES AN ADDITIONAL $10,000 ETHICS, FINE.

ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS DEBATE THE GOVERNOR'S NEARLY 53 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET PROPOSAL AND HUNDREDS OF CHICAGO TEACHERS ARE EXPECTED TO SKIP SCHOOL TOMORROW.

KIND OF HERE WITH ALL THAT AND MORE IS OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS AND OF IN TURKEY AND HEADER, SHARON, HEY, GANG.

SO LET'S START WITH THESE POLICE MISCONDUCT VIEWERS MIGHT REMEMBER THE 2021 CASE OF IRENE CHAVEZ WHO DIED BY SUICIDE WHILE BEING HELD AT THE 3RD DISTRICT GRAND CROSSING POLICE STATION.

THAT'S, OF COURSE ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

HEATHER WTTG TO WHAT OUR STATIONS WILL BE TAKING W WAS ABLE TO GET A HOLD OF A LETTER HIGHLIGHTING THE DISPUTE OVER HOW THE OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHAVEZ SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCIPLINED.

WHY DOES IT MATTER THAT THE CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY OR COPA AND THE POLICE BRASS COULDN'T AGREE ON HOW TO DISCIPLINE THOSE THAT THEY THEY DISAGREED IF THEY FAILED TO KEEP OUR RAIN.

SO COLD THAT DETERMINED THAT 8 OFFICERS SHOULD FACE LENGTHY SUSPENSIONS OF 6 MONTHS OR A TERMINATION BECAUSE THEY FAILED TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF IRENE CHAVEZ WHILE SHE WAS IN CUSTODY AND SHE ENDED UP, AS YOU SAID, DYING BY SUICIDE.

>> NOW, INTERIM POLICE SUPERINTENDENT FRED WALLER WHO IS IN CHARGE OF TIME.

SO THAT WAS EXCESSIVE AND PUNITIVE.

AND HE SAID THAT OFFICERS SHOULD BE SUSPENDED FOR NO MORE THAN 60 DAYS.

AND IN SOME CASES FOR AS FEW AS 7 DAYS NOW, THAT MEANS THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BE UP TO THE CHICAGO POLICE BOARD DECIDES HEARD HOW THIS ALL SHAKES OUT.

BUT THIS IS PART OF SORT OF A LARGER DISPUTE BETWEEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE LEAD MISCONDUCT AGENCY ABOUT HOW TO HOLD OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR MISCONDUCT, WHICH IS REALLY THE CENTRAL CASE OF THE CONSENT DECREE AND HAS LED TO DEATH DECADES OF OF SCANDALS AND BRUTALITY.

AND THERE IS REALLY JUST THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION OF WHETHER THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ITS AGENCIES ARE CAPABLE OF HOLDING OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR SERIOUS MISCONDUCT.

AND AS HE WAS SPEAKING AHEAD, COURSE, WE'RE LOOKING AT VIDEO OF A FRED WALLER WHEN HE WAS SERVING AS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT COURSE.

HE IS NO LONGER THE SUPERINTENDENT OF CPD.

LET'S SWITCH TO SPRINGFIELD FOR A BIT, AMANDA, BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO GET HIS NEAR 53 BILLION DOLLARS.

STATE BUDGET APPROVED.

>> DEMOCRATS ON BOARD WITH US.

>> SO IT'S STILL RELATIVELY EARLY IN THE PROCESS, WHICH IS SORT OF RIDICULOUS THING TO SAY, GIVEN THAT THE BUDGET HAS TO BE PASSED BY THE END OF MAY.

BUT YOU DON'T GET A LOT OF THE DECISIONS REALLY MADE THE AGREEMENTS IN TILL THE END OF THE AND LEGISLATORS PROCRASTINATE EVEN MORE THAN BUT HE IS GET HAVING SOME RETICENCE.

IT SEEMS FROM WITHIN CORNER.

CERTAINLY REPUBLICANS HAVE RESERVATIONS DEMOCRATS TO AS WELL.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS PUT OUT A NOTICE TO STATE AGENCIES TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE DO WITH 800 MILLION DOLLARS LESS IN THE EVENT THAT FOLKS DON'T GET ON BOARD WITH THE REVENUE THAT THE NEW FORMS OF RAISING MONEY THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD PITCHED BACK IN THE START OF THIS YEAR WHEN HE FIRST LAID OUT HIS BUDGET PROPOSAL.

SO THEY'RE STILL VERY MUCH NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON IN SOME ADDITIONAL PRESSURES, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING LET'S TALK ABOUT SCHOOLS BECAUSE LAWMAKERS IN SPRINGFIELD WILL HAVE SOME SCHOOL FOLKS TO CONTEND WITH TOMORROW.

HUNDREDS OF CHICAGO TEACHERS ARE.

>> SKIPPING SCHOOL.

IT'S AN EXCUSED ABSENCE, THOUGH, AND TAKING A ROAD TRIP SO THAT THEY CAN LOBBY THEIR LEGISLATORS.

WHY IS THIS PARTICULAR TRIP DIFFERENT FROM PREVIOUS TRIPS?

WELL, IN PART BECAUSE THIS IS AN EXCUSED ABSENCE, THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT TYPICALLY YOU GET TEACHERS OFTEN.

YOU KNOW, I MEAN, THEY'RE THEY'RE IN THE CLASSROOM.

YOU MIGHT TEACHER FOLKS WHO >> DON'T TAKE VACATIONS.

DON'T TAKE A DAY OFF DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR.

AND SO THIS IS UNCOMMON THAT THEY ARE GETTING PAID TO GO TO LOBBY IN SPRINGFIELD IN IT IS.

THIS IS THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION, ABOUT 200 TEACHERS, I'M TOLD OR SO GIVE OR TAKE.

AND THEN THEY WILL BE COUPLED IS WELL WITH PEDRO MARTINEZ, THE HEAD OF CPS.

I MEAN, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE SEEN BEFORE.

THIS UNITY BETWEEN THE DISTRICT AND THE TEACHERS UNION.

OF COURSE IT IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE NOW YOU HAVE A MAYOR AT THE HELM THAT HAD REALLY OF CPS WHO IS IN AGREEMENT LARGELY WITH THE CTU, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NEGOTIATING A CONTRACT INSTEAD, THEY'RE REALLY GOING TO BATTLE WITH THE STATE SO VERY UNIQUE THAT THEY ARE COLLABORATING UNIQUE THAT TEACHERS ARE GETTING SOME TIME OFF PAID FOR THIS.

AND THAT IS ALSO WHY THIS IS STIRRING SOME CONTROVERSY ALREADY.

THERE'S A PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW WITH REPUBLICANS WHO AREN'T HAPPY THAT THIS IS EXCUSED ABSENCE.

OKAY.

THING FOR MONEY.

BY THE WAY, BRANDS THEY WANT MORE MONEY.

WE'RE JUST GOING FOR A GOOD TIME, OK?

SO I HAVE CITY COUNCIL WEIGHING WHETHER TO PAY NEARLY 4 MILLION DOLLARS TO SETTLE FOR LAWSUITS CLAIMING CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS COMMITTED A WIDE RANGE OF MISCONDUCT INCLUDING 2 STEMMING FROM UNREST AND PROTESTS AFTER THE POLICE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD DURING SUMMER OF 2020.

WE ALL YOU'VE BEEN TRACKING THAT COST TO TAXPAYERS.

WHAT IS THE LATEST?

SO IF THESE ELEMENTS ARE APPROVED TO NEXT WEEK, THAT WOULD BRING THE TOTAL FOR SETTLEMENTS AND TO PAY OUTSIDE LAWYERS TO DEFEND THE CITY TO NEARLY 7 MILLION DOLLARS.

THE LATEST LAWSUIT WOULD SEND ABOUT A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO THE FAMILY OF A 15 YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO WAS ORDERED TO THE GROUND BY CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS DURING THE UNREST AND THEN RUN OVER BY A POLICE CAR THAT WAS MISTAKENLY LEFT IN REVERSE AND NOT IN PARK WHEN THE OFFICER HOPPED OUT TO ADDRESS TO THE UNREST.

SO THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER SUIT THAT WOULD PAY A MAN WHOSE LEG WAS BROKEN DURING THE UNREST OUTSIDE TRUMP HE SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES AND THERE'S NOBODY IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO CAN SAY WHY POLICE OFFICERS USED FORCE AGAINST HIM.

AND THAT, OF COURSE, VIOLATES ALL OF THE RULES GOVERNING THE INTERACTIONS WITH THE PUBLIC.

GETTING TIGHT ON TIME.

AND LET'S TALK ABOUT CITY TREASURER, MELISSA CONYERS, CHICAGO'S BOARD OF ETHICS IMPOSE ANOTHER.

>> $10,000 FINE ON HAVING TO DO WITH THE FIRING OF 2 TOP AIDES KNOW THIS IS ON THE HEELS OF ANOTHER $60,000 FINE THAT SHE RECEIVED IN APRIL.

WHAT'S THIS LATEST?

SO THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIOLATIONS BY MELISSA CONYERS, URBAN OF THE GOVERNMENT ETHICS ORDINANCE TO 14 VIOLATION, INCLUDING RETALIATING AGAINST WHISTLEBLOWERS WHO TOLD HER NOT TO USE CITY RESOURCES FOR PERSONAL GAIN.

SHE, OF COURSE, RAN UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR CONGRESS AND SHE WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE TO EITHER CONVINCE THE BOARD OR A JUDGE TO REVERSE THESE FINES OR DID DIG DEEP INTO OUR POCKETS, OK?

SO AND THEN QUICKLY, AMANDA, ONE LAST BIT FROM SPRINGFIELD, SOME REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE, LESS LEGISLATORS ARE SUING TO BLOCK ELECTION REFORM BILL THAT DEMOCRATS FAST TRACK QUICKLY PASS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

THE LAW BANS THE PRACTICE OF SLEEPING CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ACTUALLY AREN'T TO LEGISLATORS, HER SHRINK THEIR CANDIDATES.

THEY WANT TO BE LEGISLATORS AND THAT SEVERAL ISSUES THAT THAT SAY THEY ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE DEMOCRATS PASSED THIS BILL REALLY CHANGING THE RULES OF THE GAME.

IF YOU THINK OF AN ELECTION IS A GAME, OF COURSE, A VERY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.

>> 2 RULES OF THE GAME MIDWAY THROUGH.

SO THEY FILED THIS LAWSUIT PETITIONING THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RUN FOR OFFICE IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE.

OKAY, HEATHER, I KNOW YOU HAD INTERVIEW WITH MAYOR JOHNSON ON HIS ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

WHAT'S A HIGHLIGHTER TO THAT?

WE SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR THAT DROP WHILE HE REMAINS VERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THIS.

SOUL OF CHICAGO AS WE HAVE HEARD HIM SAY TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

BUT HE DID ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE HAS SUFFERED SOME UNFORCED ERRORS AND HIGH-PROFILE DEFEATS.

AND MY ARTICLE AND MY D BRIEF TOMORROW NIGHT, WE'LL LOOK AT ALL OF THAT AND THE BIG CHALLENGES FACING THE MAYOR IN THE MONTHS AHEAD.

LOOKING FORWARD TO BOTH OF THOSE THANK YOUS SPOTLIGHT.

POLITICS HAD USHER IN END OF KEEPS LATER.

UP NEXT, WHY THE PALOS PRESERVES LOOKS LIKE A TORNADO WHEN THE BEAR.

RIGHT NOW THE RED GATE WOODS AREA OF THE PALOS PRESERVE SYSTEM IN SOUTHWESTERN COOK COUNTY LOOKS LIKE A DISASTER ZONE.

THE GROUND IS LITTERED WITH TREE STUMPS AND BRANCHES THE KIND OF DESTRUCTION A TORNADO MIGHT WREAK OR A LOGGING COMPANY MIGHT LEAVE IN ITS CLEAR CUTTING WEEK.

IN FACT, THE DEVASTATION IS EVIDENCE OF THE OPPOSITE.

THE LANDSCAPE IS BEING BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE AND REPORTER PATTY WET LEAD JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON THIS PATTY.

SO TO CASUAL UNTRAINED OBSERVER THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE CARNAGE, IS ACTUALLY ABOUT RESTORATION.

TELL US HOW CUTTING DOWN THE STREET IS ACTUALLY A GOOD THING.

WELL, THESE TREES ARE ACTUALLY AN INVASIVE SHRUB CALLED HONEYSUCKLE AND IT IS ALL OVER THE PRESERVE THEIR ABSOLUTELY CHOKING OUT THE FOREST AND WETLANDS.

>> SO THEY ARE JUST CHOPPING IT DOWN.

THEY'VE ALREADY CUT DOWN ABOUT 200 ACRES AS PART OF THE 1000 ACRE RESTORATION PROJECT, 10 MILLION DOLLARS.

IT'S GOING TO RUN THROUGH 2027 BIGGEST BY FAR RESTORATION PROJECT.

COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES EVER TAKEN ON HUGE IS TO GOT A REALLY SWEET NAME TO I KNOW ROADS, BUT IT TOO MANY THEY'RE BAD.

SO THE TRAILS AROUND THE AREA OF RESTORATION OF THE STILL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC OR THE CLOTHES?

WELL, THIS IS GETTING A LOT OF THE HEAVY WORK IS DONE IN THE WINTER TIME.

>> TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT ON WILDLIFE AND THE SOIL.

SO A LOT OF THAT CLEAR CUTTING TOOK PLACE FROM OCTOBER TO MARCH.

NOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE GOING IN AND, YOU KNOW, FINE TUNING SOME OF THE AREAS THAT THEY'VE ALREADY WORKED DOWN, PICKING BACK UP THE HEAVY WORK OVER NEXT WINTER.

SO, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THAT THERE ARE GOING TO SPOTS WHERE THEY MIGHT BE WORKING.

SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK AHEAD.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I WAS WALKING AROUND FOR FOR 5 HOURS A COUPLE WEEKS WHEN YOU GO DOWN AS WELL, WHICH IS IMPORTANT.

I'M SO BEYOND THE PROCESS OF CUTTING DOWN THESE INVASIVE SPECIES.

WHAT OTHER WORK IS GOING YES.

SO I MENTIONED I WAS WALKING AROUND FOR 4 OR 5 HOURS.

AND SOME OF THAT WAS BECAUSE WE'RE WALKING IN CIRCLES BECAUSE THE SIGNAGE VERY HARD TO UNDERSTAND.

WHEN LIKE 3 TRAILS COME TOGETHER AND WHICH WHERE YOU SUPPOSED TO GO.

SO THAT IS ALSO GOING TO BE PART OF THIS PROJECT LIKE 5 MILLION DOLLARS IS GOING TO THE RESTORATION.

ANOTHER 5 IS GOING TO REBUILDING THE TRAILS, SOME OF WHICH ARE SERIOUSLY ERODED.

BUT THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO WORK HEAVILY ON THE WAY FINDING AND ADDING MORE MAPS AND LETTING YOU KNOW YOU ARE HERE.

YOU'RE HEADED TOWARD HITS A LOT BETTER JOB THAN LIKE.

BROWN, RED, ORANGE OR NUMBER 02:00AM.

I GOING?

YEAH, OK, ALRIGHT.

FOREST PRESERVES GETTING SOME ZYNGA LOOK AMAZING.

AREN'T GETTING MORE USER FRIENDLY AS WELL AS WAS LIKE.

PATTY WETTERLING, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANKS.

BRANDIS.

AND YOU CAN READ PATTY IS FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

IT'S ALL A WTW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

>> CHICAGO BASKETBALL FANS HOPES ARE SKY HIGH.

SEE WHAT I DID THERE AS THE WNBA TIPS OFFICE 2024 SEASON TONIGHT WITH LOTS OF STAR POWER.

THE CHICAGO SKY'S NEW-LOOK TEAM INCLUDES 2 FIRST-ROUND ROOKIES, ANGEL REESE AND CAMILLA CARDOSO AND TERESA WEATHERSPOON WEATHERSPOON AS HEAD COACH.

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SEASON ALREADY INCLUDES OFF THE COURT CONTROVERSIES LIKE CHARTERED FLIGHTS ONLY BEING AVAILABLE FOR SOME TEAMS AND THE ONGOING DEBATE OVER FAIR PAY.

JOINING US NOW, OUR JULIA PO SPORTS REPORTER WITH THE CHICAGO SHOW RE STOUT SPORTS REPORTER.

WITH THAT.

WE BE EASY.

CHICAGO CHARLIE BELL, HOST OF NO LIMITS THE CHICAGO SKY SHOW A MARQUEE SPORTS NETWORK AND SPORTS CONSULTANT SABRINA WHITAKER, WHO FOUNDED GROW THE GAME, A NONPROFIT THAT AIMS TO INCREASE ENGAGEMENT AND INVOLVEMENT IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.

LADIES, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

I'M SURE LET'S START WITH YOU.

LET'S START WITH THE SKY BEFORE WE BRANCH OUT TO SOME OF THE OTHER STUFF.

THEIR FIRST SEASON GAMES TOMORROW NIGHT IN DALLAS AGAINST THE WINGS.

FIRST HOME GAME.

A SEPARATE THE WHAT ARE YOU PREDICTING FOR THE SEASON?

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW IT COMES TOGETHER BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT THE PLAYERS.

>> WE PRACTICES.

WE SEE VERY SPIRITED, VERY ENGAGING TEAM RIGHT NOW.

THEY HAD 2 PRESEASON GAMES, ONE WITH NOT WEAKEN QUINCY, WHICH CAN COME BACK TO AND THE OTHER ONE THEY HAD A GREAT GAME OFFENSIVELY DEFENSIVELY.

BUT TO REALLY GET IT YOUR QUESTION, I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK THERE COULD BE BETTER.

I THINK THE RUBY DEFENSIVE TEAM, BUT I THINK THEY'RE GOING ISSUES WITH OUTSIDE SHOOTING.

CARLY WEATHERSPOON FIRST-TIME HEAD COACH FOR THE WNBA.

HAVE YOU THINK OR LEADERSHIP IS GOING TO THE TEAM?

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE KIND OF THE CATALYST ON WHAT DETERMINES HOW GOOD THIS TEAM IS GOING TO BE.

SHE IS A FORMER PLAYER.

>> YOU KNOW, ALSO HAS EXPERIENCE AND PLAYER DEVELOPMENT IN THE NBA.

AND THAT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO TRANSLATE.

WELL, AND WHEN YOU ADD THAT NEW GENERAL MANAGER, HEADLEY, AKA, YOU HAVE 2 PEOPLE WITH THE PLAYER DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUND AND REALLY ONE OF THE FIRST WNBA TEAMS OUTSIDE OF WHAT WE'VE SEEN.

THE ACES DO THIS OFFSEASON THAT'S REALLY FOCUSED ON PLAYER DEVELOPMENT.

SO MAY NOT SHOW UP THIS FIRST YEAR, BUT GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT OF TIME.

AND THIS COULD BE A TEAM THAT'S VERY MUCH WORTH GOING TO AND IT GOT SOME SUPERSTARS THAT GOT CHANGE WILL RESCIND CAMILLA CARDOSO 5 BLEND.

THERE NEEDS TO HOLD.

ALL THE CARDS WAS JULIA, HOW DO YOU THINK THEIR DEBUT SEASONS ARE GOING TO GO?

YEAH, DEFINITELY.

I MEAN, CAMILLA HAVING THAT EARLY INJURY IS NEVER THE WAY THAT YOU WANT.

A ROOKIE SEASON TO GO REALLY UNFORTUNATE.

BUT >> I THINK THE PROJECTION IS HOPING THAT SHE'LL BE ABLE TO GET BACK ON THE COURT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

IT'S A BIG GROWTH HERE.

AND THAT'S FOR LIKE CARLY WAS SAYING.

THAT'S WHERE THAT PLAYER DEVELOPMENT REALLY COMES IN.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT FEELING FOR BOTH OF THOSE PLAYERS TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE TERESA WEATHERSPOON LIKE JEFF, YOU CAN REALLY COME IN AND JUST FOCUS ON GETTING THEM TO BE THE BEST VERSIONS OF THEMSELVES IN THAT ROOKIE YEAR.

REAL TICKETS ARE GOING FAST.

PRICES HAVE CLIMBED.

THEY'RE IN DEMAND.

SOME HAVE SUGGESTED MAYBE MOVING.

>> THE TEAM TO A BIG ARENA LIKE UNITED CENTER FOR SOME OF THOSE IN-DEMAND MATCHUPS LIKELY.

I WHERE ONE OF THE FEW TEAMS THAT DON'T SHARE OWNERSHIP.

SO THAT IS WHOLE LOT HARDER OF A CONVERSATION TO HAVE.

>> I KNOW DC JUST MADE A SWITCH SO IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE.

BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE AS EASY AS OTHER TEAMS.

OKAY.

IT'S NOT GOING TO JUST I APPRECIATE THE FALLEN.

SO CARLY, THE NEWFOUND BUZZ AROUND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL IS WHAT THEY'RE CALLING.

OF COURSE, THE CAITLIN CLARK EFFECT IN REFERENCE, OF COURSE, TO THE POPULAR INDIANA FEVER, ROOKIE.

FAIR, THOUGH, TO OTHER STAR PLAYERS TO ONLY REFERRED TO AS THE CABLE CAR?

FACTORS ACCURATE?

NO, NOT AT ALL.

NOT BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT IT, SHE DIDN'T WIN ANYTHING.

SHE HAS NOT WON A CHAMPIONSHIP.

SHE WON A LOT OF TROPHIES.

CONGRATULATIONS, NAISMITH PLAYER OF THE YEAR.

ALL THAT STUFF, BRAVO.

BUT I MEAN, ANGEL REESE IS AN ACTUAL, YOU KNOW, NATIONAL CHAMPION CANELO CARDOSO NATIONAL CHAMPION THEY ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALSO INTO REESE.

THE MOST FOLLOWED PLAYER IN THE WNBA PERIOD.

IT'S MORE OF THE INJURIES.

THE FACT THAT IS THE CAITLIN CLARK EFFECT.

AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE THAT THEY NEED TO GIVE HER HER DUE DILIGENCE OR FLOWERS WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME OF THE OTHER FACTORS THAT HAVE INCREASED INTEREST IN WOMEN'S WNBA, ESPECIALLY A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO A COUPLE THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN JUST THE LAST FEW YEARS.

YOU KNOW NOT IT WASN'T UNTIL ABOUT 2021.

2022 THAT THE WOMEN'S GAME WAS ALLOWED TO USE THE TERM MARCH MADNESS.

>> THAT ALONE ALLOWED SOCIAL MEDIA GROWTH AND THINGS IN THAT REGARD.

AND IT WASN'T UNTIL JUST THIS PAST YEAR THAT THE ENTIRE WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT WAS ACTUALLY BROADCASTED FROM THE FIRST ROUND ALL THE WAY UP TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WE'VE NEVER SEEN THAT.

CANDACE PARKER, DIANA TAURASI, ALL OF THESE LEGENDS AND GOATS IN THE GAME NEVER HAD THEIR COLLEGE CAREERS BROADCAST ONLY FROM THE ELITE 8 SO WHEN YOU'RE ALLOWING ACCESSIBILITY, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT THE WNBA ALSO NEEDS TO WORK BUT THAT CAUGHT THE NCAA DID A LOT OF THE WORK FOR THE WNBA.

THEY'RE THE ONES WHO GOT THE EYES COMING IN.

AND IF THE WNBA CAN CAPITALIZE ON IT, THEN YOU CAN SEE THAT GROWTH TRANSLATE TO THE PRO LEVEL SET UP FOR SO LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT THESE PLAYERS ARE GETTING PAID, THOUGH AND THEIR ENDORSEMENTS.

CAITLIN CLARK'S CONTRACT IS A REPORTED $338,000 OVER 4 YEARS.

ANGEL REESE IS A SOMETHING SIMILAR.

NOW THIS IS ALL COMPARED TO THE NUMBER ONE DRAFT PICK IN THE NBA.

>> 55 MILLION DOLLARS OVER 4 YEARS.

SABRINA, IS IT FAIR TO COMPARE THE STARTING SALARY APPLES TO APPLES?

IT'S DEFINITELY NOT APPLES TO APPLES.

I MEAN, JUST CONSIDERING WHEN BARELY WAS FOUNDED IN HOW MUCH OLDER IT IS COMPARED TO THE WNBA.

>> AND THEN THERE'S ALSO THE MATTER OF THE SEASONS, RIGHT?

WE'RE COMPARING OCTOBER 2 MAY AND MAY THROUGH ACT LIKE OCTOBER AT THE LATEST.

THINK THE WOMEN SEASON AS WE GET TOWARD ARE DEFINITELY MUCH SHORTER.

AND SO I THINK EVEN JUST PUTTING THAT INTO TALK ABOUT THE SALARY.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE AVERAGE AMERICAN GETTING 76,000 A YEAR AND THEY'RE GETTING $76,000 IN MY 4, 5 MONTHS.

I THINK.

LOOKING AT MAYBE NATIONAL WOMEN'S SOCCER LEAGUE SALARIES WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT FEARS.

I THINK THEY'RE IN A GOOD SPOT FOR GROWTH RIGHT NOW.

AND I THINK IS GOING TO CALM WHEN THEY RENEGOTIATE THE CBA.

WHAT WE ALSO HEAR, YOU KNOW, THAT BECAUSE THE WOMEN SALARIES HERE ARE SO LOW, THEY HAVE TO GO TO RUSSIA OR EUROPE TO KEEP PLANES.

THEY CAN EARN EXTRA INCOME FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

HENCE BRITTNEY GRINER ON JULIA, THOUGH, WHAT YOU KNOW, THAT NBA'S TV DEAL ALSO WORTH WORTH LESS THAN THE NBA'S.

WHAT MIGHT IT TAKE TO BRING WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FINANCIALLY UP TO PAR WITH IT'S KIND OF LIKE WHAT CARLY WAS TALKING ABOUT.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN I FLY THROUGH THE QUESTION IS WHAT HAS BEEN WHAT IS GOING TO TAKE TO GET?

>> THE WOMEN'S GAME BROUGHT UP TO THE SAME LEVEL OF POPULARITY THIS YEAR.

HE'S GIVEN THE MOST SIMPLE ANSWER.

JUST PUT THE GAMES ON TELEVISION.

THE INTEREST HAS FOLLOWED EVERY SINGLE TIME.

THEY'RE BREAKING EVERY SINGLE RECORD THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE SET BY THE MEN IN VIEWERSHIP.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT, HAS TO COME INTO THOSE NEGOTIATIONS WITH A REALLY, REALLY STRONG TACK OF SAYING OUR PRODUCT IS AS GOOD, IF NOT BETTER IN SOME AREAS IN TERMS OF INTEREST IN TERMS OF TIME OF YEAR.

THIS IS WHAT WE CAN DO.

AND THAT'S WHERE ALL OF THIS STARTS.

IF THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO PAY THE PLAYERS, THEY HAVE TO START OUT BY JUST BEING ABLE TO SECURE THAT MONEY IN THAT DEAL.

SO A LOT OF THESE PLAYERS, OF COURSE, THOUGH, STILL MAKE MORE MONEY ON THEIR ENDORSEMENT DEALS AS WELL.

BUT THAT THE CERTAINLY THE POINT CURRENTLY NO, NOT AT ALL.

YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO.

AT ONE POINT, LAKE.

>> I HATE USING THE PAY THE PAY GAP AND ALL THAT.

BUT IT PRETTY OBVIOUS RIGHT NOW IN THE WOMEN'S SPORTS GAME.

BUT THE ONE THING TO KIND OF GO TO JULIUS POINT IS, YES, THEY'RE GETTING THE INTEREST IN THE VIEWERSHIP THERE.

BUT WHAT YOU NEED TO KIND OF WORRY ABOUT NOW ARE THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST KILLING PARK FANS?

ARE THESE PEOPLE THAT ESSENTIAL?

REESE FANS ARE THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FANS BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THAT VIEWERSHIP FOR THIS YEAR IS GOING TO BE SUSTAINED IN 2025.

2026.

2027 2028.

>> YOU HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THESE PEOPLE AND MAKE THESE PLAYERS WAY MORE ACCESSIBLE BECAUSE IF YOU'RE ABLE TO TELL THEIR STORIES AND BE ABLE TO SHOW THEM AND HUMANIZE THESE PLAYERS VERY, VERY WELL, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT GROWTH THAT HAPPENED IN THE NBA WITH THE GROWTH OF JORDAN AND LEBRON PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT LEBRON.

WE'RE 17, 18 PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT PAIGE BECKERS INCHES.

14, 15 PEOPLE IN THE KNOW ABOUT ALL OF THESE OTHER GIRLS UNTIL THEY HAD ABOUT 1920.

SO IT'S ALL ABOUT THAT STORY, TELLING THEM THE MORE ACCESSIBLE AND THEY MAKE THESE WOMEN THE MORE CONSISTENT THAT GROWTH OF YOUR SHIP WILL BE AS YEARS PAST.

>> CHERYL, THIS IS THE FIRST SEASON.

WNBA TEAMS ARE TRAVELING ON CHARTER FLIGHTS RATHER THAN COMMERCIAL, BUT IT IS UNCLEAR WHEN ALL OF THE TEAMS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THAT.

SO FAR JUST A COUPLE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FLY PRIVATE ON THEIR OPENING DAY GAMES.

WHAT IS THE LATEST AND WHEN WILL EVERYBODY GET A FLIGHT?

WE DON'T KNOW.

EXACTLY.

THERE'S STILL SEEING THAT THEY HAVE TO WORK THINGS OUT.

I MEAN, IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THEY MADE SURE THAT CAITLIN CLARK IN INDIANA GOT ON A FLIGHT YESTERDAY TO GO TO CONNECTICUT.

THEY DID GET MINNESOTA ON THE FLIGHT TO SEATTLE.

THE SKY HAVE FLY COMMERCIAL.

AND SO SO IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS STILL WORK IN PROGRESS.

WHAT BOTHERED ME ABOUT IT?

THEY KNEW THAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO THIS AND YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF IT WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF IT INSTEAD OF BEING, YOU KNOW, PIECEMEAL TOGETHER.

THIS POINT.

AND IT ALSO SAYS TO A LOT OTHER TEAMS, WHY ARE YOU TAKING CARE OF THIS ONE PLAYER?

THIS ONE TEAM AND NOT THE REST OF US.

AND THE ONLY REASON THEY REALLY TOOK CARE OF MINNESOTA'S BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE CHERYL REEVE.

LET HIM UP TWITTER.

MEAN YOU HAVE TO KIND OF REALLY LOOK AT YOU IF YOU'RE GOING IT'S IT'S NOT JUST ONE TEAM.

THERE'S 12 TEAMS.

AND THAT ALSO GOES WITH THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA PLAN.

IT'S NOT JUST ONE OR 3 TEAMS.

IT'S 12 TEAMS AND YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GET ALL 12 TEAMS.

THE SAME AMOUNT COVERAGE.

>> SABREE ON THE ENDORSEMENTS.

AGAIN, THERE'S BEEN TALK ABOUT A RACIAL DOUBLE STANDARD IN SOME OF THESE ENDORSEMENT DEALS.

WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THAT HAPPENING?

OH, ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, THERE'S LEVELS WITH COLORISM.

>> WE'VE SEEN ALIVE JUST IN THE LAST 24 HOURS WITH THE RELEASE OF THIS GAME'S CAMPAIGN AND THE REPRESENTATION OF PREVENTING WOMEN MORE THAN MASS PREVENTING WOMEN.

SO THERE ARE A TON OF LAYERS THAT I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A SERIOUS CONVERSATION ABOUT WITH NOT JUST THE LEAGUE BUT ITS PARTNERS AND START HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY REPRESENT THE MAKEUP OF THE LEAGUE.

AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES THE W SUCH A GREAT SO MUCH MORE TO UNPACK THERE.

OKAY.

I ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS JULIA, IS THE LEAGUE READY FOR THIS LAKE?

DOESN'T HAVE THE, YOU KNOW, THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO MANAGE THIS, INCREASED THE AMOUNT OF SCRUTINY AND DEMAND.

I MEAN, I THINK THE BIG QUESTION IS, IS ANY LARGE ORGANIZATION ARE READY FOR THIS LEVEL OF GROWTH?

LIKE ANSWERS TYPICALLY KNOW.

>> AND I THINK WE'VE SEEN SOME OF THOSE GROWING PAINS AND I THINK THERE'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE GROWING PAINS.

OBVIOUSLY CHARTER FLIGHTS FOR THE BEST EXAMPLE OF THIS OF IT'S A REALLY GOOD THING, RIGHT?

AND THEN JUST NOT QUITE BEING ABLE TO STICK THE LANDING ON.

OKAY.

WE'VE GOT THE MONEY ABOUT 25 MILLION DOLLARS TO BE ABLE TO TRANSFER PORT.

THESE ATHLETES.

BUT WE DON'T QUITE HAVE A PLAN TOGETHER.

AND I THINK THE BIG THING HERE IS JUST THE LEAGUE CONTINUE TO LEARN FROM THOSE MISTAKES, BE ABLE TO LEARN FROM THOSE GROWING PAINS.

AND I THINK THE MORE THAT THEY CAN KIND OF ABSORB THAT THE QUICKER THEY CAN LEARN THERE, THAT THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO ALLOW THEM TO KIND OF TAKE THE MOST TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF THIS MOMENT.

OKAY.

I WOULD LOVE TO KEEP TALKING ABOUT THIS.

WE'VE GOT TO MY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

SURE.

ALREADY STOUT, SABRINA WHITAKER, JULIA COHEN, KARLA BELL, THANKS, EVERYBODY.

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A LOOK AT MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON'S FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE.

AND MEET A MAN IN PRISON FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS.

STILL PROCLAIMS HIS INNOCENCE HERE.

ONE LAST EFFORT HIS LAWYERS ARE MAKING TO WIN HIS FREEDOM.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE IN CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

HAVE A GOOD >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, WHICH IS PROUD TO HONOR FOUNDER AND SENIOR PARTNER ROBERT CLIFF, WHO HAS BEEN NAMED IN FORBES