>> WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT .

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN .

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ .

ON THE SHOW, WE TALK WITH LORI LIGHTFOOT ABOUT ABOLISHING CASH BAIL AND MUCH MORE.

>> 2023 WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WHEN ILLINOIS MADE A MOVE TO GET CASH BAIL, WHY THAT HASN'T HAPPENED.

>> TWO DIFFERENT CITIES COMING TOGETHER.

>> A BUFFALO BILLS PLAYER COLLAPSED ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, WE TALK WITH A CARDIOLOGIST ABOUT HIS INJURY .

>> A SPEAKER HAS NOT BEEN ELECTED.

>> WHAT YOU NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ROCKY BOOK FOR THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE NEW CONGRESS.

>> SEEING THINGS YOU WOULD NOT OTHERWISE SEE AND WISH YOU WOULD NOT OTHERWISE SEE.

>> DESCRIBE THE COMPANY -- >> I HAVE A PLAQUE THAT SAYS ALWAYS IN MY HEART, THAT IS FOR MY DONOR.

>> FIRST , SOME OF THE TOP STORIES.

WORKERS IN HEALTH CENTERS BEGAN A THREE-DAY STRIKE TO PROTEST LAYOFFS AMID CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS .

61 UNION WORKERS , INCLUDING THERAPISTS, WERE NOTIFIED THEY ARE BEING LAID OFF AS OF LAST WEEK.

THEY ARE PART OF MORE THAN 400 EMPLOYEES UNIONIZED OVER THE SUMMER AND ARE NEGOTIATING THEIR FIRST CONTRACT.

HOWARD BROWN HEALTH LEADERSHIP SAY THEY WILL ADDRESS THE $12 MILLION REVENUE SHORTFALL AND MAKE SURE PATIENTS RECEIVE VITAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

IT IS A NONPROFIT WITH REGIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

IT HAS THREE THRIFT STORES .

>>> A NEW LEADER FOR THE FIELD OFFICE IN CHICAGO FOR THE FBI.

CHRISTOPHER WRAY MADE THE SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE OF THE AGENCY 'S CHICAGO AGENCY.

HE JOINED THE FBI IN 1999 AND WAS RECENTLY WORKED AT THE CRIMINAL CYBER RESPONSE AND SERVICES BRANCH AT FBI HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. >>> LEGENDARY CHICAGO THEATER DIRECTOR HAS DIED AT THE AGE OF 79.

HE WON TWO TONY AWARDS FOR "THE GRAPES OF WRATH."

HE WAS OSCAR-NOMINATED FOR HIS SCREENPLAY "THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST ."

HE SPOKE WITH ADAPTING A CIVIL WAR NOVEL FOR THE STAGE.

>> MY JOB HAS BEEN PRIMARILY TO FIND A PLAY, WHICH IS HIDING IN THE NOVEL.

AS SOON AS I REALLY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT IT HAD A DRAMATIC NATURE AND THAT WAS POTENTIALLY PLAYABLE , I STARTED WORKING ON IT IN 2006.

>> THE STEPPENWOLF THEATRE SAID, FRANK HAVE A PROFOUND IMPACT ON STEPPENWOLF AND ALL OF US OVER THE YEARS, HE ALWAYS MADE OTHERS FEEL CARED FOR, VALUED, HE WAS A JOYFUL AND COMPASSIONATE PERSON.

>>> COMING UP, WHITE ILLINOIS TRANSITION TO CASH BAIL IS ON HOLD .

>> UP NEXT, WE TALK WITH LORI LIGHTFOOT ABOUT HER REELECTION BID.

MUCH MORE COMING UP , STAY WITH US.

>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

POLK BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AS WELL AS THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT PUT THE END OF CASH BAIL ON HOLD .

>> RESIDENTS ARE NOT HAPPY AFTER LEARNING A CITY WILL USE A SCHOOL FOR MIGRANT SHELTER.

>> JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THIS IS LORI LIGHTFOOT.

WELCOME TO OUR STUDIO.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

WE JUST MENTIONED , THE STATE SUPREME COURT HAS PUT A HOLD ON THE END OF CASH BAIL.

THEY OVERTURNED THE KANKAKEE COUNTY DECISION AND ALLOW THE LAW TO GO FORWARD.

>> ANYONE OF GOODWILL RECOGNIZES YOU CANNOT TURN COUNTY JAILS AND PRISONS.

THAT IS ALSO NOT A WAY TO HAVE PATCHWORK LAWS , WE NEED A UNIFORM LAW, I HOPE THEY TAKE THE APPEAL.

WE HAVE TO KEEP PURSUING WHAT WORKS AND HOLD VIOLENT PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.

THAT INCLUDES HOLDING THEM PRETRIAL.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN CRITICAL OF JUDGES AND STATES ATTORNEYS OF LETTING THOSE PEOPLE BACK ON THE STREET, COULD ENDING CASH BAIL LEAD TO MORE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS?

>> WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY HAS A VOICE.

COMMUNITY SAFETY HAS TO BE FRONT AND CENTER.

I HAVE BEEN VERY CRITICAL OF WHAT I SEE IS JUDGES NOT TAKING COMMUNITY SAFETY AND THE LEGITIMACY OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN CONSIDERATION .

THERE ARE TOO MANY VIOLENT PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY , PRETRIAL.

THERE IS A PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE.

OF COURSE , THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DAY IN COURT.

BUT OUR STATE LAW MANDATES THAT JUDGES HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IS THIS PERSON'S ROLE IN CREATING HARM IN OUR COMMUNITY .

THAT HAS TO BE FRONT AND CENTER OF THE WORK BEING DONE AND THE JUDGES HAVE TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION BEFORE THEY REALLY SOMEONE.

ARE THEY A FLIGHT RISK AND A DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY ?

THOSE ARE THE TWO QUESTIONS THAT MUST BE ANSWERED.

WHEN YOU SEE SOMEONE WITH A LONG CRIMINAL HISTORY ACCUSED OF COMMITTING ANOTHER VIOLENT CRIME , THAT SHOULD GIVE EVERY SINGLE JUDGE PAUSE AND THEY SHOULD BE DETAINED IN MANY INSTANCES PRETRIAL.

>> A SHATTERED CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING IN WOODLAWN SET TO BECOME A TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR THE IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE BEEN BUSED HERE FROM TEXAS .

THE OLDER PERSON EXPRESSED CONCERNS .

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE IT IS THE CORRECT LOCATION ?

>> WE HAVE BEEN ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND WE WILL CONTINUE THAT ENGAGEMENT.

WE HAVE A FORM LAST WEEK.

WE WILL HOPEFULLY ADDRESS THIS.

FUNDAMENTALLY , WE HAVE TO BE A WELCOMING CITY BY LIVING OUR VALUES EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WE DID NOT CREATE THIS MANUFACTURED CRISIS, THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS DID THAT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TAKING CARE OF THESE PEOPLE AND ARE PROVIDING CLOTHING, SHELTER , FOOD , THEY CAN BE RESPONSIBLE AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS TO OUR COMMUNITY .

IT CANNOT JUST BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ONE COMMUNITY VERSUS ANOTHER .

WE HAVE SET UP 11 EMERGENCY SHELTERS SINCE AUGUST 31st AND WE ARE ALSO GETTING PEOPLE FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES IN AFRICA, IN HAITI , NICARAGUA , CUBA , COMING TO CHICAGO BECAUSE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND IN OUR OWN COUNTRY .

IF WE ARE A WELCOMING CITY, IF WE SAY WE ARE PROUD OF OUR IMMIGRANT HISTORY , THIS IS THE TIME FOR US TO STEP UP, IT MEANS EVERYONE, IT IS ALL HANDS ON DECK.

WE HAVE TO DO THIS IN CONCERT WITH THE COMMUNITY, ANSWER QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS , BUT WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.

>> YOU ARE ASKING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR $53.4 MILLION TO CARE FOR THE MIGRANTS.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE STATE CANNOT DELIVER ?

>> I WILL BE OPTIMISTIC AND WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE , THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, CHICAGO HAS WORKED VERY HARD SINCE THIS CRISIS CAME TO OUR DOORSTEP AT THE END OF AUGUST.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NO ONE ANTICIPATED AND IT WILL REQUIRE US TO MAKE GOOD ON THE PROMISE THAT WE ARE A WELCOMING CITY.

WE HAVE BRIEFINGS AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE MUST HAVE MORE RESOURCES .

THAT IS HOW WE ARE FUNDED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WE ARE ASKING FOR THE SAME AT THE STATE LEVEL.

>> 1500 MIGRANTS IN THE CITY.

CAN OTHER MUNICIPALITIES STEP UP AND HELP ?

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT ON A REGULAR BASIS.

WE ARE IN CONVERSATION WITH OUR SUBURBAN NEIGHBORS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES WE ARE SEEING.

BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK WELL WITH THE STATE.

WE ARE NOT JUST A WELCOMING CITY, WE ARE A WELCOMING STATE.

>> THIS MOVE TO INCREASE POLICE MEDICATIONS.

PEOPLE HAVE TO WAIT 30 MINUTES.

HOW DOES THIS COMPORT WITH YOUR VOW TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT ?

>> MY FIRST PRIORITY IS MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE LEAVING WITH PUBLIC SAFETY.

WHAT I SAW OVER THE HORRIBLE LAST WEEKEND IN MAY, OUR INABILITY AND FAILURE TO ENCRYPT RADIO COMMUNICATIONS COMPROMISED OUR ABILITY TO RESPOND IN THE HEAT OF AN EMERGENCY.

BEYOND THAT, THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO WERE DOING THINGS TO PURPOSELY DISRUPT THE POLICE , THE CALL TAKERS AND DISPATCHERS , ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE AND RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO PEOPLE CALLING IN.

>> OUTSIDE OF THAT WE CAN, WHICH WAS EXTRAORDINARY -- >> WE HAVE PEOPLE BLOCKING TRANSITIONS , PEOPLE CALLING 10-1, THAT MEANS OFFICER DOWN , ONLY TO FIND OUT IT IS A PRANK CALL.

THESE ARE REAL ISSUES WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE YEARS .

WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES.

LET'S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION .

LET'S FIGURE OUT A WAY.

WE HAVE TO PUT OFFICER SAFETY AND PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST.

WE CAN REACH A REASONABLE COMPROMISE.

>> WOULD THAT INCLUDE CREDENTIALED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA LISTENING TO THE SCANNER?

>> IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BLOGS, HOW DO WE MAKE THAT DISTINCTION ?

>> YOU COULD HAVE PEOPLE BE AT CITY HALL.

>> I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO ACCUSE THE CITY OF VIOLATING THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

LET'S FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET THIS DONE.

MY LINE IS OFFICER SAFETY AND PUBLIC SAFETY .

>> THIS CITY DOWN 14% IN HOMICIDES FROM THE YEAR PRIOR , STILL MUCH HIGHER BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR PUBLIC SAFETY STRATEGY IN YOUR SECOND TERM?

>> IT IS EVALUATING WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE SAFETY IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD .

I AM WELL AWARE THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DON'T FEEL SAFE .

MY GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE THE SAFEST BIG CITY IN THE COUNTRY.

WE WILL FOCUS ON , IN THE SHORT TERM, AS WE START IMPLEMENTING THE STRATEGIC PLAN , DOMESTIC VIOLENCE , WE SAW AN EXPLOSION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE , HOMICIDES AND SHOOTINGS, WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB WORKING WITH ADVOCATES TO BRING THE NUMBERS DOWN.

THE OTHER AREA WHERE WE NEED SUPPORT IS JUVENILE OFFENDERS.

WE ARE SEEING WAY TOO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE INVOLVED IN CARJACKINGS , VIOLENT SITUATIONS, FIREARMS , IF WE ARE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY AND ADVOCATES TO HELP THE VICTIMS IN THOSE CASES, HELP THE KIDS , AND WE HAVE TO HAVE THE COURTS INVOLVED IN THE CONVERSATION.

WE CAN WORK ON THOSE AREAS ALONE AND WE WILL SEE A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN VIOLENCE AND DANGER IN OUR CITY.

THAT IS WHY I GO OUT IN COMMUNITIES ALL THE TIME .

THIS MORNING , I WAS LISTENING TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND UNDERSTANDING THEIR PAIN POINTS AND IMPLEMENT CONCRETE STEPS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES.

>> PROPERTY TAX INCREASE THIS YEAR, SOME CHICAGO HOMEOWNERS ARE SEEING INCREASES IN THE PROPERTY TAX BILLS , DEPENDING WHETHER THERE NEIGHBORHOOD IS GENTRIFYING .

IS THERE BELIEF YOU MAY PROPOSE FOR THEM, AND RENTERS THAT MAY SEE IT TRICKLE DOWN TO THEIR MONTHLY RENT?

>> PEOPLE ARE IN SHOCK ABOUT THE BILL THEY GOT IN DECEMBER.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE REASONABLE ENOUGH TIME TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES .

FUNDAMENTALLY , WE HAVE WORK TO DO IN REFORMING THE SYSTEM .

IT IS A ZERO-SUM GAME.

WHEN WE SEE THE BOARD OF REVIEW MAKING BIG CONCESSIONS TO COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES, WE HAVE TO FIX THAT PROBLEM AS WELL.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS.

SOME ALDERMEN HAVE OFFERED SOLUTION , AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE GETTING WHATEVER EXEMPTION THEY ARE ENTITLED TO.

>> WHAT ABOUT USING FEDERAL COVID BELIEF MONEY ?

>> THAT GIVES A SHORT-TERM RELIEF BUT DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF PROPERTY TAX BILLS BEING TOO HIGH.

HE IS PROPOSING , LET'S GIVE YOU SOME MONEY TO PAY OFF NOW , BUT NOT ADDRESS THE STRUCTURAL PROBLEM.

WE HAVE TO FUNDAMENTALLY REFORM AND BRING DOWN PROPERTY TAX RATES AS BEST AS WE CAN TO GIVE PEOPLE LASTING RELIEF.

LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO MOORE AS HER CAMPAIGN CONTINUES.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> NEXT , A CHANGE TO CASH BAIL IN ILLINOIS?

STAY WITH US.

>> HOW WE FOUND RESOURCES , WE HAD NO IDEA.

>> THE COMMUNITY WANTS US.

>> PLENTY OF POTENTIAL.

>> JANUARY 1st WAS A BIG DAY IN ILLINOIS.

IT WAS SET TO BECOME THE FIRST IN THE NATION TO NOT HAVE CASH BAIL.

INSTEAD, MONEY BAIL IS IN PLACE.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH WHY AND WHAT IS COMING UP.

>> I WAS CHILLING THE CHAMPAGNE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, THAT IS WHEN DOWN CAME THIS DECISION FROM THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT , WITH LESS THAN 12 HOURS BEFORE CASHLESS BAIL WAS TO TAKE EFFECT, THEY PUT IT ON HOLD INDEFINITELY.

THEY HAVE BEEN ASKED TO TAKE ACTION BY SUBURBAN STATES ATTORNEYS .

INCLUDING JIMMY MOSSER WHO SAID THE STATE COURT SHOULD SAY WHAT THEY WOULD DO.

A KANKAKEE JUNKIE COUNTY HAVE RULED IT UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

MEANING THAT 70 OF THE 100 COUNTIES , MAINLY THOSE WHO HAD FILING A LAWSUIT, WOULD KEEP THE CURRENT BILL SYSTEM, ANOTHER 32 , INCLUDING COOK COUNTY AND LAKE COUNTY, WOULD GO FORWARD WITH NO MONEY BAIL.

THEY SAY THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN CHAOTIC.

>> UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS WOULD CREATE CHAOS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF ILLINOIS TO HAVE DEFENDANTS TREATED DIFFERENTLY IN EACH COUNTY, AND IN EACH CITY.

REMEMBER, AURORA , WILL COUNTY , THEY WERE IN LITIGATION BUT OTHERS WERE NOT BECAUSE WE WERE NEGOTIATORS.

YOU COULD BE ARRESTED IN THE SAME CITY AND BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY, THAT IS NOT FAIR.

>> Reporter: SUPREME COURT JUSTICES AGREED, SAYING THAT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENT PRETRIAL PROCEDURES THROUGHOUT ILLINOIS, THIS WOULD STAY UNTIL THE DECISION WAS APPEALED AND FURTHER ORDER OF THE COURT.

>> WE ARE VERY FRUSTRATED .

WE HOPE THIS LAW WOULD GO INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1st .

IT FRUSTRATES ME BECAUSE OF THE UNDERLYING LAWSUIT IS FRIVOLOUS.

IT WAS BROUGHT AT THE LAST MINUTE , AT THE 11th HOUR, WITH THE PURPOSE OF DELAYING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACT.

>> HER ORGANIZATION IS PART OF THE COALITION TO END MONEY BAIL.

DESPITE FRUSTRATION , SHE IS CONFIDENT THE SUPREME COURT WILL REVERSE THE LOWER COURT'S RULING.

PAVING THE WAY FOR THE PRETRIAL FAIRNESS ACT TO SEEK EFFECT AND THAT MEANS NO LONGER WITH THOSE ACCUSED OF NON-CIVIL CRIMES HAVE AN OPTION TO PAY MONEY TO GET OUT OF JAIL.

THE LAW ALSO HAS 10 CATEGORIES OF CRIMES IN WHICH THE DEFENDANT IS ELIGIBLE TO BE KEPT IN JAIL AND MAKES IT SO THAT, WITH CERTAIN CRIMES , DEFENDANTS MUST BE RELEASED .

>> FOR EXAMPLE , MORE CLASS FOUR FELONIES ARE NOT ATTAINABLE , THROUGHOUT POSSESSION CASES, DUIs , UNTIL THEY BECOME NON-PROBATION , OR CAUSE BODILY HARM OR WITH ANOTHER FACTOR, ARE NON-DETAINABLE.

>> AN OFFICER COULD ARREST SOMEONE UNDER THE INFLUENCE, TAKE THEM TO THE POLICE STATION, AND A JUDGE COULD GIVE THEM CONDITIONS THAT ARE EXPECTED TO KEEP AS THEY WAIT FOR THE TRIAL.

LIKE DON'T DRINK AND DON'T GO TO A BAR.

>> IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW MUCH OF A DANGER I THINK THEY ARE, I CANNOT FILE A PETITION BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ONE OF THE 10 CATEGORIES OF OFFENSES THAT CANNOT BE DETAINED.

>> SHE SUPPORTS A SYSTEM THAT LETS PEOPLE PAY THEIR WAY OUT OF JAIL, SORRY, NO LONGER LET'S PEOPLE PAY THEIR WAY OUT OF JAIL.

SHE WAS IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH LEGISLATORS WHO HELPED ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF STATES ATTORNEYS, MANY SHE SAYS THEY DID IN A FOLLOW-UP BILL THAT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW LAST MONTH BUT STILL SHE SAYS SHE HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE CREATION OF THOSE OFFENSES .

>> AMANDA, WE HEARD FROM AN ADVOCATE WHO SAYS IT IS A MATTER OF WHEN WE GO TO CASHLESS BAIL.

>> I ASKED HER THAT VERY QUESTION.

>> WE ARE CONFIDENT THE SUPREME COURT WILL REVERSE THE LOWER COURT'S RULING AND FIND THE ACT CONSTITUTIONAL.

>> WHY THAT CONFIDENCE?

>> BECAUSE THE LEGAL ARGUMENTS IN THE LOWER COURTS ARE FRIVOLOUS.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, SHE SAYS THAT STATES ATTORNEYS MISCONSTRUED THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD BAIL, THEY SAY, WHY SHE COULD NOT BE A PART OF A LAWSUIT, HER FELLOW STATES ATTORNEYS MAKE CREDIBLE ARGUMENTS, AND THAT THAT JUDGE IN KANKAKEE COUNTY, THE RULINGS ARE SOUND.

>> I AGREE THAT MY COLLEAGUES HAD EVERY LEGAL JUSTIFICATION TO FILE THE ACTION THAT THEY DID.

I DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THIS CAN GO INTO EFFECT WITH THE WAY OUR CONSTITUTION IS.

>> SHE SAYS, AT THIS POINT , THAT IS UP TO THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT, WHATEVER JUSTICES TO DECIDE, SHE WILL ABIDE BY IT.

ILLINOIS WILL BE READY FOR CASHLESS BAIL WHENEVER THE DECISION COMES.

>> WE ARE PRETTY CLOSE TO THE FINISH LINE.

THE LAW HAS BEEN FOUND -- IT HAS GONE THROUGH MULTIPLE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES , IT SURVIVED ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGNS.

NOW , WE ARE IN THE FINAL LEGAL CHALLENGE.

>> THERE IS NO TIMELINE FOR WHEN THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT WILL ACT , THE JUSTICES HAVE SAID THEY WANT TO TAKE THIS UP IN THE NEXT SESSION.

WE JUST HAD AN ELECTION SO THE SUPREME COURT HAS A 5-2 MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATS.

THE SAFETY ACT WHICH CONTAINS THIS ACT, IT HAS ONLY DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT.

>> A LOT GOING ON WITH THIS LAW.

THANK YOU.

>>> NOW TO PARIS SCHUTZ AND THAT FRIGHTENING MOMENT ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL .

>> 24-YEAR-OLD BUFFALO BILLS SAFETY DARAN HAMLIN IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI MEDICAL CENTER.

YOU HAVE ALL HEARD ABOUT THE TRAGIC INCIDENT IN THE NFL GAME WHERE HE MADE A TACKLE, GOT UP, MOMENTS LATER , HE COLLAPSED .

EMERGENCY CREWS ADMINISTERED CPR FOR NINE MINUTES.

SUPPORT HAS FLED -- FLOODED SOCIAL MEDIA.

MATT WAS AT THE GAME IN CINCINNATI ON MONDAY NIGHT AND JOINS US WITH MORE.

YOU ARE A BIG BUFFALO BILLS FAN.

TELL US WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO WATCH THIS UNFOLD IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES IN REAL TIME.

>> IT WAS DEFINITELY SURPRISING.

NO ONE IN THE STADIUM REALLY GRASPED THE INJURY, THERE WAS NOT A BIG COLLISION.

IT APPEARED HE JUST FELL OVER.

MAYBE HE HURT HIS LEG.

WHEN TRAINERS WERE RUNNING OUT FROM BOTH SODOMITES AND PLAYERS WERE GETTING VERY EMOTIONAL .

WE KNEW SOMETHING SERIOUS HAD GONE ON.

>> HOW LONG BEFORE A STRETCHER CAME OUT?

HOW LONG AFTER THAT DID THE AMBULANCE COME OUT AND THEY PERFORM CPR?

>> IT WAS PROBABLY SECONDS , OR MAYBE A MINUTE BEFORE THE STRETCHER , AND VERY QUICKLY AFTER THAT IT WAS THE AMBULANCE.

TRAINERS HAD CIRCLED AROUND HIM , PLAYERS WERE CHECKING ON HIM.

CPR STARTED WITHIN A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND LASTED EIGHT OR NINE MINUTES.

HE WAS EVENTUALLY LOADED INTO THE AMBULANCE.

HE WAS DOWN ON THE FIELD FOR A LONG TIME.

>> THE GAME WAS TEMPORALLY SUSPENDED AND THE PLACE WENT TO THE LOCKER ROOM.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE AMONG FANS IN YOUR SECTION?

>> IT WAS A STUNNED SILENCE.

IT WAS A BIG GAME , LATE IN THE SEASON AND THERE WAS AN ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE BETWEEN THE TWO TEAMS .

FANS WERE VERY LOUD AND IT WAS VERY EXCITING.

ALL OF THAT JUST EVAPORATED.

WHEN THIS HAPPENED , PEOPLE SAW HIM GETTING CPR , HE WAS DOWN THERE FOR THAT LONG, A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE CHECKING THEIR PHONES FOR UPDATES.

THERE WERE ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE STADIUM , EVERYONE WAS WATCHING AND TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY COULD.

>> IT SEEMED LIKE THERE WAS SOME JOCKEYING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN COACHES, THEY MET EACH OTHER, SUPPORT OF THE NFL CANCELING THE GAME.

WHAT WAS THE REACTION WHEN YOU GOT THAT MESSAGE NOW THAT THE GAME HAD BEEN PERMANENTLY SUSPENDED AND IT WAS TIME TO LEAVE?

>> EVERYONE KNEW THAT WAS THE RIGHT DECISION.

IT WAS ABOUT ONE HOUR BEFORE THEY PERMANENTLY SUSPENDED THE GAME.

IT WAS CLEAR THE PLAYERS COULD NOT CONTINUE.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE I SAW WANTED TO SEE THE GAME CONTINUE.

PEOPLE WERE VERY EMOTIONAL.

NO ONE COULD IMAGINE PLAYERS TRY TO COME BACK AND CONTINUE THIS, LET ALONE ENTERTAIN THE CROWD.

THE ATMOSPHERE WAS GONE AND PEOPLE WERE ONLY CONCERNED IF HE WOULD BE OKAY.

>> GOOD TO SEE ALL FANS COME TOGETHER AND SAY THE GAME DEFINITELY CANNOT CONTINUE.

MATT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR STORY .

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

>>> MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE CARDIAC ARREST, WE ARE JOINED BY A DOCTOR, CARDIOLOGIST FROM THE ATHLETES KNOW CPR PROGRAM.

WHEN YOU WATCH THE VIDEO OF HAMLIN COLLAPSING, WHAT WITH THREE OR MIND?

>> 'S HE STOOD UP AND BECAME FLACCID.

I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT A HEART RHYTHM PROBLEM.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE ISSUE WHERE YOU GET A BLUNT TRAUMA TO THE HEART AT THE WRONG TIME.

IS THAT A POSSIBLE EXPLANATION?

>> IT IS DEFINITELY POSSIBLE .

HE IS A WORLD-CLASS ATHLETE.

IT WILL EITHER BE BLUNT TRAUMA AT A VULNERABLE TIME WHERE YOU HAVE A HEART RHYTHM ISSUE, WHERE IT STOPS BEATING AND SUBSEQUENTLY LEADS TO CARDIAC ARREST, OR A PREDISPOSING CONDITION .

THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW AT THIS POINT.

ULTIMATELY , SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST.

>> REPORTS OF BASEBALL PLAYERS, WHEN THEY GET A BALL IN THE CHEST , HOW RARE IS THAT?

THAT IT WOULD OCCUR AT THE EXACT TIME TO CAUSE THAT?

>> THINK HOW MANY FOOTBALL HITS THERE ARE.

IN OTHER SPORTS, HOCKEY, WHEN YOU ARE TALKING NUMBERS, IT IS TREMENDOUSLY RARE.

IT HAPPENED ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, WHY IT HAS COME TO LIGHT.

>> HE WAS ADMINISTERED CPR FOR NINE OR 10 MINUTES, IS THAT A GOOD SIGN FOR AN OMINOUS SIGN THEY COULD NOT GET HIM OXYGEN?

>> WE HOPE THAT THEY WERE THERE ON TIME, QUICKLY , THEY STARTED CPR , HOPEFULLY PRETTY QUICKLY, AND IT ADEQUATE COMPRESSIONS.

CPR HAS A COUPLE FUNCTIONS, IT CAN BE VERY GOOD COMPRESSIONS, AND FAST , I AM HOPING THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED.

TO PRESERVE HIS BRAIN FUNCTION.

>> HOW LONG WOULD THEY NEED TO PRESERVE THAT BEFORE IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS ?

>> EVERY MINUTE COUNTS.

ABOUT 10% CHANCE OF LESS SURVIVAL EVERY MINUTE .

THE KEY POINT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE KNOWS CPR AND THEY CAN'T ANSWER AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE WHEN SOMEONE HAS HAD CARDIAC ARREST.

>> IT WAS NOT THEY COULD NOT GET HIS HEART STARTED, THEY COULD NOT GET HIM BREATHING ON HIS OWN?

>> IT COULD BE THAT THE HEART DID NOT RESTART FOR A WHILE, HOPEFULLY IT WAS A STRONG COMPRESSIONS .

WE JUST DON'T KNOW.

WITH CPR , YOU SHOULD DO IT CONTINUOUSLY ANYWAY.

BEFORE CHECKING FOR A PULSE.

>> REPORTS THAT HE IS INTUBATED.

SOME OF HIS BREATHING FUNCTION SEEMS TO BE RETURNING ON ITS OWN.

WHAT WILL WE LOOK FOR ?

>> LETTING HIS BODY RELAX.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY PERFORMED HYPOTHERMIA PROCEDURE, COOLING HIM , BUT, OVER THE FIRST FEW DAYS, WE ALLOW YOU TO GET YOUR VITAL SIGNS STABLE, AND WE SEE IF YOU RECOVER NEUROLOGICALLY, NOW , MOST LIKELY , HIS BODY HAS RECOVERED , WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON NEUROLOGICALLY.

>> ANYWAY TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON BEFORE THE BREATHING RETURNS OR DO THEY NOT HAVE ANY IDEA?

>> WE DO TRIALS WHERE YOU CAN REDUCE THE SEDATION AND TEST IT, SEE IF YOU WAKES UP , WE'RE HOPING -- I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH SEDATION HE IS ON.

WHEN PEOPLE HAVE THEIR BREATHING TUBE DOWN, THEY ARE SEDATED, WHEN THEY TRY TO GET OFF THAT , THEY TRY TO ASSESS IF HE HAS NEUROLOGICAL FUNCTION.

>> YOU WOULD SUSPECT DOCTORS WILL BE DOING THIS NOW AND OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FEW DAYS?

>> I DO.

THEY WILL MAKE SURE HIS VITAL SIGNS ARE SAFE AND , OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS , ASSESS AND NEUROLOGICALLY.

>> DR. EVERETT, THANK YOU.

>> WE GO BACK TO YOU, BRANDIS.

>>> COMING UP, CATCH YOU UP ON THE VOTE FOR U.S. HOUSE SPEAKER AND WHAT IT MAY MEAN FOR THE NEW CONGRESS .

>>> A LOOK AT THE LITTLE CHICAGO COMPANY THAT IS HELPING ALL KINDS OF BUSINESSES THINK BIG FOR MORE THAN 70 YEARS.

>>> VOLUNTEERS RESCUE A BALD EAGLE FOUND FLOATING IN WAUKEGAN HARBIN AND NEW YEAR'S DAY.

>>> A NEW OUTLOOK, A LIFE-SAVING ORGAN TRANSPLANT .

WE SHARE THE STORY.

>>> FIRST , MORE OF THE TOP STORIES, CHICAGO SALT 695 HOMICIDES IN 2022 .

THAT IS A DECREASE COMPARED TO 2021 WHEN 804 PEOPLE WERE KILLED .

WHILE THE HOMICIDE RATE HAS DROPPED, OTHER CRIMES HAVE SURGED.

REPORTED THEFTS HAVE SOARED 56% AND THE NUMBER OF MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS HAVE DOUBLED TO OVER 21,000 IN 2022 AMID A WAVE OF CARJACKINGS.

>>> AND ENERGY GIANT HAS A NEW CEO, CALVIN BUTLER REPLACED THE LONG-TIME CEO .

BUTLER HAS SERVED AS THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER SINCE OCTOBER OF 2021 AND WAS PREVIOUSLY THE CEO OF THE UTILITIES.

THEY SAID , CALVIN IS RELOCATING TO CHICAGO WHICH IS AND WILL REMAIN WHERE THE HEADQUARTERS IS LOCATED.

THAT WILL BE AFTER A NUMBER OF HIGH PROFILE BUSINESSES MOVE OUT OF THE CITY LAST YEAR.

>>> DENSE FOG HAS BLANKETED THE CHICAGO AREA FOR MUCH OF THE DAY.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUED A DENSE FOG ADVISORY THIS MORNING FOR MIKE NORTH-CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA .

THE ADVISORY WAS EXTENDED AND IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9:00 P.M.

DRIVERS ARE ADVISED TO SLOW DOWN AND REDUCE VISIBILITY, USE HEADLIGHTS , AND LEAVE PLENTY OF DISTANCE BETWEEN VEHICLES AHEAD OF THEM.

>>> MANDY AND DANIEL MADE IT OFFICIAL , THE FIRST COUPLE MARRIED IN COOK COUNTY IN 2023.

THEY WON THE LOTTERY OF MORE THAN 100 COUPLES .

THE CEREMONY WAS OFFICIATED BY KAREN YARBOROUGH , THE FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS , SHE HAS CONDUCTED THE CEREMONY IN PERSON.

PARIS ?

>>> ONE OF THE NEW CONGRESSIONAL TERMS HAS BEEN FILLED WITH DRAMA AND DIVISION , THAT IS IN ONE POLITICAL PARTY, OUR SPEAKER WAS NOT ELECTED AFTER THE FIRST ROUND OF BALLOTING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A DECADE.

THIS AS CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN KEVIN McCARTHY HAS SPENT YEARS JOCKEYING FOR THIS POSITION.

ALL EYES ON WHETHER HE CAN CLOSE THE DEAL AMONG HIS SLIM GOP MAJORITY.

JOINING US TO UNPACK THIS ARE JOHN , PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, AND A WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.

JOHN, I WANT TO ZOOM OUT, BEYOND THE THIRD IN LINE FOR THE PRESIDENCY WHAT COMES ALONG WITH HIS ROLE AND WHY THIS VOTE IS PIVOTAL ?

>> THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SETS THE AGENDA.

THEY CONTROL THE BUSINESS THAT COMES TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

SO, IT IS WHERE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS GOING TO OFFER PROGRAMS.

>> KEVIN McCARTHY , THE LAST TWO YEARS, IT SEEMS LIKE HE HAS BEEN TRYING TO CURRY FAVOR WITH THE DONALD TRUMP WING OF THE GOP , GOING TO MAR-A-LAGO , TALKING ABOUT ELECTION CONSPIRACY THEORIES, WHY DIDN'T IT SEAL THE DEAL WITH THAT FACTION ?

>> BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING THAT WILL MAKE SOME OF THESE MEMBERS BE FOR KEVIN McCARTHY BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY DON'T TRUST HIM.

BY THE WAY, WE HAVE ONE ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE, BARRY MILLER , AMONG THE 20 REPUBLICANS, THEY DID NOT SUPPORT KEVIN McCARTHY .

IT IS ALSO WORTH NOTING, THOSE 20 ARE ELECTION DENIERS.

THERE IS A WING OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN THE HOUSE THAT REALLY DOES NOT WANT ANYONE THAT SPEAKS TO ANY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT TO BE THEIR LEADER.

YET , THEY ONLY HAVE ENOUGH MEMBERS TO DISRUPT BUT NOT TO CREATE SOMEBODY WHO CAN BE FROM THEIR RANKS.

>> THERE WERE NO DEFECTORS WITH THE THREE VOTES .

THEY STUCK TO THEIR GUNS.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SOMEONE WAS NOT ELECTED SPEAKER IN A CENTURY .

HOW UNPRECEDENTED IS THIS ?

94 , WHEN NEWT GINGRICH STEPPED DOWN, THERE WAS DISCORD.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

FROM A STANDPOINT IN THE SPEAKERSHIP, IT HAS NOT HAPPENED IN THE LONG-TIME.

WE HAVE NOT ONLY HAD NEWT GINGRICH , DENNY HASTERT WHO GOT THROUGH A LONG STRING AS SPEAKER.

JOHN WEINER , PAUL RYAN, MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

>> DISRUPTION IN THE CAUCUS IS NOT UNPRECEDENTED.

ALL WATCHING KEVIN McCARTHY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HE IS DOING RIGHT NOW AND WHAT DISCUSSIONS ARE GOING ON ?

WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE TOMORROW MORNING?

>> THEY ARE MEETING AGAIN WEDNESDAY AT NOON.

JUST A SMALL THING TO NOTE, BY THE WAY, THE HOUSE CANNOT FUNCTION WITHOUT A SPEAKER.

ALL THE MEMBERS CANNOT BE SWORN IN.

THE OTHER HISTORIC THING WE HAVE GOING ON IS THAT WE HAVE NO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO SPEAKER.

THIS IS A CHAOTIC SITUATION TO SAY THE LEAST.

THERE IS A SCENARIO THAT KEVIN McCARTHY DROPS OUT.

WE HAD THREE VOTES TODAY.

THEY COULD TRY MORE .

HE KNOWS HOW TO COUNT VOTES.

IN THE LAST ROLL CALL, VOTE THREE , DEMOCRATS STUCK TOGETHER, ALL 212 WITH HAKEEM JEFFRIES , BUT YOU HAD THESE DEFECTORS , THIS GROUP OF 20, THERE WERE TWO PREVIOUS VOTES , THEY HAD 19.

WHATEVER THE MAGA REPUBLICANS THINK THEY CAN GET BY CHASING KEVIN McCARTHY OUT, THEY THINK THEY CAN GET SOMEBODY ELSE, MAYBE THEY JUST DON'T WANT KEVIN McCARTHY.

IT IS NOT CLEAR WHO THEY WANT BECAUSE THE OTHER PERSON WHO MAY BE ACCEPTABLE TO THEM, JIM JORDAN, SAYS HE DOES NOT WANT IT.

IT IS A LONG TIME UNTIL NOON TOMORROW.

PEOPLE CAN CHANGE THEIR MINDS.

SOMEBODY WHO COULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE MAGA REPUBLICANS WOULD LIKELY NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO OTHER REPUBLICANS.

>> IT MAY BE A LONG, SLEEPLESS NIGHT.

COVERING CITY HALL, THE MAYOR NEVER WANTED TO BRING A VOTE TO THE FLOOR UNLESS THEY HAD THE VOTES, THIS APPLIES TO ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.

KEVIN McCARTHY DOES NOT HAVE THE VOTES.

>> WHOEVER WINS THE SPEAKERSHIP WILL RUE THE DAY, IT IS LOOKING VERY DIFFICULT TO MANAGE THIS.

>> ONE OTHER QUICK POINT, I KNOW THE RULE IS YOU NEVER CALL A VOTE UNLESS YOU CAN WIN IT, McCARTHY HAD NO CHOICE TODAY.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SPEAKER ELECTED TO HAVE A HOUSE.

WE DON'T HAVE A HOUSE AS I SPEAK RIGHT NOW.

HAS A FEW MEMBERS TO SPARE.

JUST LIKE NANCY PELOSI HAD THE MAJORITY ONLY BY A FEW MEMBERS.

SHE COULD UNIFY HER CAUCUS.

>> SHE WAS ABLE TO PASS A LOT OF LEGISLATIONS WITHIN DIFFERENT FACTIONS OF THE PARTY.

SOME DEMOCRATS , MODERATE DEMOCRATS , WILL CROSS OVER AND FIND SOME COALITION CANDIDATES.

DO YOU SEE ANY LIKELIHOOD OF THAT ?

>> I DON'T SEE MUCH LIKELIHOOD AT ALL.

THE PARTY IS VERY POLARIZED.

THE PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON , THE VOTERS WHO VOTE FOR REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS , THE PRICE WOULD BE TOO HIGH TO SUPPORT A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR SPEAKER.

OR REPUBLICAN SUPPORTING A DEMOCRAT.

>> WHEN YOU WAKE UP TOMORROW , HOW DO YOU THINK THIS WILL GO DOWN ?

>> I AM NOT SURE I KNOW.

IT TOOK EIGHT WEEKS AND 44 VOTES TO ELECT A SPEAKER AND THEY ELECTED A FRESHMAN REPRESENTATIVE FROM NEW JERSEY, REPUBLICAN.

NEXT YEAR IT IS GEORGE SANTOS.

>> WILL IT TAKE EIGHT WEEKS TO GET A SPEAKER ?

>> I DON'T WANT TO PREDICT THE TIMELINE, BUT YOU HAVE A POINT, PROFESSOR , THAT IS , IF THIS REALLY SEEMS A STALEMATE, THE CANDIDATE WHO IS YET UNNAMED TO US, THEY COULD EMERGE AS A COMPROMISE.

>> A LOT OF INTRIGUE IN WASHINGTON AND WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> A FAMILY BUSINESS THAT WORKS AT A VERY SMALL SCALE.

>>> FIRST , WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> THEY SAY SEEING IS BELIEVING, THAT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WHEN IT COMES TO MODEL MAKING.

MATERIAL MODELS CAN MAKE COMPLEX IDEAS EASY TO UNDERSTAND, HELP WITH THE CONCEPTS , AND MAKE HISTORY .

A LOCAL COMPANY HAS BEEN TURNING IDEAS INTO REALITIES IN MODEL MAKING FOR OVER 70 YEARS , AND YOU CAN ALMOST CERTAINLY SEE THEIR WORK IN CHICAGO.

WE HAVE DETAILS.

>> WE MADE A PROTOTYPE.

>> Reporter: WHETHER IT IS TURNING AN IDEA INTO REALITY -- >> WE DID 10 PROJECTS.

>> Reporter: YOU ARE CONVINCING THE PERSON LOOKING AT IT THAT IT IS THE REAL THING.

REVEALING WHAT WAS INVISIBLE.

>> CLEAR SKIN .

YOU CAN SEE ALL THE ORGANS.

THEY LIGHT UP.

THEY COULD NOT FIND A PERSON.

>> OR INDUSTRY.

>> EVERY MINISTER PROBABLY >> Reporter: MODEL BUILDERS IS IN THE DETAILS .

THE CHICAGO-BASED COMPANY HAS CREATED MODELS AND PROTOTYPES OF ALL KINDS SINCE 1950 .

AS A TEENAGER , THE FOUNDER CREATED PRIZE-WINNING AIRCRAFT MODELS .

AT AGE 21 , ORIGINAL DESIGN FOR A LIGHTER.

HE WORKED FOR CHRYSLER AND GENERAL MOTORS, HE HUNG UP HIS OWN SHINGLES AND DEVELOPED A REPUTATION FOR PRECISION WORK, CREATING ALL MANNER OF MODELS.

HIS CHILDREN SAY THEIR FATHER HAS CURIOSITY AND THAT WAS INTEGRAL TO THE BUSINESS.

>> A RENAISSANCE MAN.

HIS MIND WAS NEVER NOT TRYING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM.

IN SOME CREATIVE WAY.

>> Reporter:'S CHILDREN SPENT TIME IN THE SHOP WITH HER DAD.

>> I LOVE HANGING OUT AT THE SHOP.

THE SMELLS AND THE MYSTERIES , THE THINGS IN PROGRESS.

>> DON'T TURN ANYTHING ON, HAMMERS AND NAILS, THAT IS FINE , DON'T TURN ANYTHING ON.

>> Reporter: HE JOINED THE BUSINESS IN 1982.

>> HE HAS EXTRAORDINARY SOCIAL CONNECTIONS.

HE IS ABLE TO PROMOTE THE BUSINESS IN WAYS THAT DAD DID NOT HAVE CAPACITY.

>> Reporter: AFTER BILL DIED IN 1994, IT CONTINUED HIS WORK.

THEY HAD TRADE SHOW DISPLAYS, LIKE A SIX FOOT LONG HOT DOG 11 FOOT TALL BOTTLE , AND 43 FOOT EIFFEL TOWER.

ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

>> I TRIPPED ON THE STAIRS AND WE MADE THE FRONT 10 FEET OF IT.

SO THEY COULD USE IT IN THE COURT CASE.

>> Reporter: YOUR AVERAGE PERSON ISMO -- WILL SEE THEIR WORK AT THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

THEY DO RESTORATION WORK.

IN THE SHIPS GALLERY, THEY CREATED A SCALE MODEL OF THE SCHOONER CHARLOTTE AND.

>> IT WAS SLEEK AND NARROW.

I WORKED ON GETTING THAT PART OF IT.

AND THEN , WE HAD TO TRANSLATE THAT INTO A WHOLE SHAPE.

>> IT CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE THINGS ACCURATE.

OUR CHALLENGES WERE IN CREATING THE SCHOONER , GETTING THE RIGHT SCALE DRAWINGS , THE ACTUAL MEASUREMENTS OF THE SHIP ITSELF.

AND DOCUMENT THE PHOTOGRAPHS.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE WINDING DOWN THEIR WORK AND PREPARING FOR HIS OWN RETIREMENT.

LOOKING BACK, THEY SAY THEIR FATHER'S LEGACY REMAINS IN THE DETAILS.

>> HOW MANY PEOPLE LOOK AT THE SHIPS AND GET A SENSE OF THE MASHABLE SCALE?

THEN WE CAN PUT IT INTO PERSPECTIVE HOW IT WORKS IN REAL LIFE.

THINGS YOU WOULD NOT OTHERWISE SEE, AND THE IMPACT IT HAD ON ALL THOSE PEOPLE.

>> THEY SAY THAT, WHILE THE FATHER BUILT THE BUSINESS, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS OF THEIR MOTHER , ELLEN.

>>> NEXT , THE UNUSUAL AQUATIC RESCUE.

>>> RESCUING A BALD EAGLE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IS CHALLENGING , BUT RESCUING ONE FLOATING ON ICE IN OPEN WATER RAISES THE STAKES SIGNIFICANTLY.

VOLUNTEERS FROM THE CHICAGO -- APPROVED UP TO THE TASK.

IT WAS ESTIMATED THREE YEARS OLD IN DUPAGE COUNTY, WHERE IT WAS THEIR FIRST PATIENT UP 2023.

WE HAVE MORE.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

WALK US THROUGH WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY ON NEW YEAR'S.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE SECOND NEW YEAR'S DAY IN A ROW THAT WILLOWBROOK HAD A FIRST PATIENT WHO WAS A RESCUE BALD EAGLE.

IT IS ABOUT THE TIME THAT EAGLES CAN BE SEEN IN LARGER NUMBERS IN ILLINOIS.

IT IS THEIR WINTERING TIME IN THE WATERWAYS .

THIS PARTICULAR EAGLE WAS NOT BEHAVING NORMALLY.

IT WAS FOUND IN WAUKEGAN HARBOR.

THE BIRD COLLISION MONITORS , THE BEST THING TO DO IN THIS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WITH A BIRD LIKE A HAWK, RAPTOR , EAGLE , YOUR AVERAGE PERSON NOT TRAINED SHOULD NOT APPROACH OR TRY TO TAKE CARE OF THE BIRDS ON THE ROAD.

THEY CALLED IN THE VOLUNTEER EXPERTS WHO ARE SO DEDICATED , THEY GOT OUT THE RIGHT GUY WHO HAD A KAYAK , HE KNOWS HOW TO RESCUE BIRDS ON WATER.

BASICALLY , HE NUDGED THE EAGLE ON THIS ICE CUBE, SHALL WE SAY , TO THE SHORE , WHERE IT WAS PULLED IN WITH THE NET AND TRANSPORTED TO THE WILDLIFE CENTER.

>> WE ARE WATCHING THE VIDEO FROM THAT RESCUE.

YOU SEE HOW BIG THE BALD EAGLE IS.

DO WE KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE EAGLE AND HOW IT IS DOING NOW?

>> Reporter: THEY TESTED IT, IT HAD SOME LEAD IN THAT SYSTEM, NOT ENOUGH TO WARRANT HIGH LEVELS .

IT WAS ANEMIC.

IT WAS SHOWING SOME DELAY IN CLOTTING WHICH CAN INDICATE THAT IT MAY HAVE INGESTED RAT POISON , WHICH WAS THE ISSUE WITH THE BALD EAGLE FROM LAST YEAR.

THEY NEED TO DO MORE TESTS TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE , IT COULD HAVE JUST BEEN AN ANEMIC BIRD , BUT IT IS ALREADY RESPONDING WELL TO TREATMENT , IT EATS, IT IS BACK TO BEING MORE FEISTY , IT LOOKS LIKE THIS WAS A GOOD VICTORY.

FINGERS CROSSED IT WILL BE RELEASED BACK INTO THE WILD.

>> HOPE IT MAKES A SPEEDY RECOVERY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YOU CAN READ HER FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM.NEWS.

PARIS?

>>> A STRANGERS GIFT HAS GIVEN SOMEONE A SECOND LEASE ON LIFE.

WE HAVE THE STORY.

>> DO YOU WANT TO GO OUTSIDE?

>> Reporter: SHE STRUGGLED TO TAKE HER DOG OUTSIDE.

>> EVEN DOING THAT, COMING HOME AND DOING THAT AFTER A TRANSPLANT WITH THERAPY, LITTLE THINGS LIKE THAT, LEARNING HOW TO REUSE YOUR BODY.

>> Reporter: SHE RECEIVED A LIFE-SAVING HEART TRANSPLANT.

>> I DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO MY BODY , THE SYMPTOMS , IT WAS GIVING ME WARNINGS.

I THOUGHT, I MUST JUST BE GETTING SICK.

I WAITED TOO LONG TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL WHICH RELATED TO HEART DAMAGE.

>> Reporter: SHE HAD A HEART ATTACK.

IT WAS DIFFICULT TO WALK OR COOK .

SHE GOT THE CALL SHE HAD BEEN WAITING FOR FOR 10 YEARS ON MAY 16th, 2021 , SHE RECEIVED A NEW HEART.

>> I HAD TO PINCH MYSELF.

I USED TO GO INTO THERE AND IT WOULD COST ME TO HAVE A PROBLEM.

NO, I STARTED RIDING A STATIONARY BICYCLE FOR SEVEN MILES.

>> Reporter: WITH A NEW OUTLOOK ON LIFE, HER GREATEST GIFT HAS BEEN MEETING HER GRANDDAUGHTER.

>> YOU ARE CHANGING HER DIAPER.

>> NORMAL .

>> PRETTY MUCH.

>> Reporter: FOR HER SON, HE HOLDS ONTO RESTRAINT.

>> SOME DAYS IT WILL HIT ME.

>> WE SAW ELTON JOHN OVER THE SUMMER.

>> WE HAD TALKED ABOUT THAT.

>> Reporter: SO MANY WHAT-IF MOMENTS HAVE BECOME A REALITY FOR THEIR FAMILY.

>> NOT A DAY GOES BY WHERE I DON'T THINK ABOUT THE DONOR.

THE FIRST THING I DO IS PRAY FOR THEM.

IN THE MORNING AND AT NIGHT.

I PRAY FOR THEIR COMFORT AND THEIR PIECE.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS NOT MET THE FAMILY OF THE DONOR BUT SHE HOPES TO ONE DAY BE ABLE TO DO SO.

>> I WOULD FALL ON MY KNEES IF I MET THEM.

>> Reporter: SHE SENT THEM A LETTER.

YOUR LOVED ONE'S SPIRIT LIVES , THEY ARE WITH ME IN EVERY BREATH I TAKE, I WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS MIRACULOUS GIFT AND HONOR MY DONOR EVERYDAY.

>> Reporter: STRONGER THAN EVER , SHE IS WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR AND EMBRACING LIFE , BIG AND LITTLE MILESTONES.

FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT , I AM JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> THERE ARE MORE THAN 100,000 PEOPLE ON THE NATIONAL TRANSPLANT LIST.

WE ARE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP AFTER THIS.

>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

POLK BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AS WELL AS THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT .

STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING AND GET CHICAGO TONIGHT STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE , AND OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00, LAWMAKERS GO BACK TO SPRINGFIELD.

>>> AND WHAT DOES A SMALL CHICAGO MUSEUM DO WITH A $5 MILLION WINDFALL?

WE WILL FIND OUT.

>>> NOW , FOR ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN .

STAY SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A. CLIFFORD .