>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN AND PARIS SCHUTZ HAVE THE NIGHT OFF.

IF IT SEEMS LIKE ILLINOIS HAS A LOT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL BODIES, THAT IS BECAUSE IT DOES!

WE LOOK AT THE IMPACTS ON TAXPAYERS.

>>> WHY DO RESIDENTS NEED THREE IN THE SPAN OF A WEEK?

>> WE ARE PUTTING THEM BACK UP FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>>> A LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZER SAYS THAT BRINGING BASKETBALL BACK TO CITY PARKS WILL HELP TO MAKE CHICAGO SAFER.

>>> GLORIOUS VOICES REIMAGINE A CLASSIC PLAY.

AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

CHICAGO POLICE UNION LEADER IS CALLING ON BRANDON JOHNSON TO GIVE 12 MONTHS OF LEAVE.

THE STATE DID NOT HAVE TO BARGAIN FOR IT.

THE UNION PRESIDENT SAYS THAT HE IS DEMANDING THE SAME TREATMENT.

>> CERTAINLY WE WOULD HAVE THE SAME CONSIDERATIONS FOR OUR MEMBERSHIP.

THE CONVERSATION WAS HAD, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO A RESPONSE VERY QUICKLY.

>> BOOK BANNING HAS REACHED UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS.

WE HAVE TO STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND BE ABLE TO TELL OUR STORY AND FREELY ACCESS OUR COLLECTIVE AND DIVERSE HISTORY.

>> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SAID LAST YEAR THAT ILLINOIS SAW 67 ATTEMPTS TO BANNED BOOKS.

UNDER THE MEASURE, ILLINOIS LIBRARIES MUST PROHIBIT BOOK CENSORSHIP .

>>> IT IS TIME FOR WATERWORKS WITH THE GROUNDBREAKING OF A WATER MAIN AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT TO HELP GET THE WATER WORKING BETTER, WHICH HAS SUFFERED SHUTOFFS THANKS TO THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM.

>> RELIABLE WATER ACCESS IS THE LIFE OF A COMMUNITY.

WHEN THE WATER SYSTEM BREAKS, EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN.

BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS CAN'T CONDUCT CRITICAL OPERATIONS AND RESIDENTS CANNOT GO ABOUT THEIR LIVES.

WE UNDERSTAND THESE REALITIES ALL TOO WELL.

>>> ALL ABOARD!

THIS AMTRAK SERVICE GOING FROM SPRINGFIELD TO CHICAGO AND BACK IS GETTING FASTER, BY AS MUCH AS 31 MILES PER HOUR TO BE EXACT!

TRAINS WILL REACH 110 MILES PER HOUR AND THAT WILL SAVE TRAVEL TIMES BY 15 MINUTES TO HALF AN HOUR.

THE NEARLY $2 BILLION HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECT THAT BEGAN IN 2010 ALSO INCLUDES STATIONS IN HUMPHREYS.

>>> RUTH WAS BACK IN SPRINGFIELD TODAY FOR OFFICIAL BUSINESS!

THE UNVEILING OF HIS PORTRAIT.

IT NOW HANGS ALONGSIDE ILLINOIS'S OTHER FORMER GOVERNOR.

>> IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE AND A PLEASURE FOR ELLEN AND I TO COME TOGETHER TO WORK FOR YOU.

IT WAS DIFFICULT.

WE HAD CHALLENGES.

I LOST 22 POUNDS AND MOST OF MY HAIR.

IT WAS VERY STRESSFUL.

MY HAIR HAS NOT COME BACK.

>> EVEN THOUGH HE DOESN'T HAVE HAIR IN THAT PORTRAIT!

EVANSTON ARTIST PAINTED.

BROWN SAID HE IS FOCUSED ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.

HE WOULD NOT COMMENT ON GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S FREQUENT CRITICISM OF HIS ADMINISTRATION BUT SAID IT WOULD BE A STEP BACK IF ILLINOIS WERE TO LET LAPSE A PRIVATE TAX PROGRAM THE BROWNER SIGNED INTO LAW IN 2018.

>>> UP NEXT, THE FUTURE OF ACCESS TO PUBLIC GOVERNMENT MEETINGS.

THAT IS AFTER THIS.

>>> THE ABILITY OF CHICAGOANS TO KEEP TABS ON CITY BOARD MEETINGS ONLINE IS IN DOUBT.

NO RULES REQUIRE OFFICIALS TO CONTINUE STREAMING MEETINGS ONLINE.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER SHARON JOINS US NOW WITH THE LATEST ON WHAT GOVERNMENT ADVOCATES SAY COULD BE A MASSIVE STEP BACK FOR TRANSPARENCY AND EQUITY.

ALL CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS CAN NO LONGER MEET VIRTUALLY.

WHY?

>> Reporter: WELL, GOVERNOR JAY PRITZKER AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THAT ALLOWED THESE MEETINGS TO TAKE PLACE VIRTUALLY TO STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

THAT MEANS THESE BOARDS HAVE TO MEET IN PERSON, BUT THERE IS NO RULE REQUIRING THAT THEY STRING THEMSELVES ONLINE.

THAT MEANS THAT WHEN THINGS HAPPEN ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS AND THE CHICAGO COMMISSION DETERMINED THAT THE RULE CHANGE, THAT LEFT PEOPLE HAVING TO LOGON OUT OF LUCK.

>> WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

>> Reporter: WELL, BECAUSE PEOPLE, DURING THE PANDEMIC, HAVE GOTTEN USED TO LOGGING ON WITH THE CLICK OF A BUTTON TO KEEP TABS ON POINTED AND ELECTED OFFICIALS.

SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED DURING THE PANDEMIC AND REALLY CUT PEOPLE BY SURPRISE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THE PEOPLE APPRECIATED AND SHOULD BE MAINTAINED.

>> YOU CAN DO IT EVEN OVER YOUR LUNCH HOUR EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO GET TO A MEETING!

SO CHICAGOANS ARE STILL ABLE TO LOG ON AND WATCH THOSE AT LEAST?

>> THEY CAN, BECAUSE THE CITY COUNCIL RULED THAT THESE MEETINGS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE ONLINE, AND IN FACT, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN CALL IN AND PARTICIPATE EITHER BY ZOOM OR BY PHONE, HOWEVER THOSE RULES DO NOT APPLY TO ALL THE COMMISSIONS.

THE ETHICS BOARD, FOR EXAMPLE, ALLOWS THEM TO DO JUST THAT, BUT NOT EVERYONE HAS TO BE CHANGED.

CITY WATER SHOULD BE ONE RULE ALLOWING FOR ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY.

>> AGAIN, IT FEELS LIKE IT SHOULD NOT BE THAT BIG OF A DEAL, BUT WE WILL SEE!

YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

AFTER THE BREAK, A LOOK AT ILLINOIS 'S SEEMINGLY ENDLESS BUREAUCRACY.

STAY WITH US.

>>> YOU MIGHT HAVE NOTICED THAT WE TALK A LOT ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT ON THIS PROGRAM.

THE PEOPLE WHO RUN IT AND THE WAY THAT IT AFFECTS OUR LIVES.

BUT ANOTHER KEY TO UNDERSTANDING HOW OUR STATE WORKS IS UNDERSTANDING JUST WITH UNITS OF GOVERNMENT ARE, HOW THEY ARE FUNDED.

HERE IS THE LATEST IN OUR SERIES, WTTW NEWS EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: WHEN YOU HEAR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, YOU PROBABLY THINK OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO OR COOK COUNTY.

BUT YOU ARE PROBABLY NOT THINKING OF AIRPORTS AND MOSQUITO ABATEMENT.

BUT YOU SHOULD BE.

THESE ARE ALL CONSIDERED TO BE SUBDIVISIONS OF THE STATE, AS ARE THINGS LIKE AIRPORTS, ROADS AND BRIDGES.

IN THE BIG OLD U.S. OF A, ILLINOIS MAYBE 26th IN SIZE AND FIFTH IN POPULATION, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WE ARE NUMBER ONE!

DEPENDING ON HOW YOU COUNT, THE LAND OF LINCOLN IS HOME TO SEVEN TO 9000 UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

LET'S LOOK AT THE VILLAGE OF GURNEE.

IT IS HOME TO MORE THAN JUST ROLLER COASTERS AND WATER SLIDES.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, A HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, LAKE COUNTY, A PARK DISTRICT, A WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT AND WATER AGENCIES.

IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY YOU HAVE A MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT, FLOOD PREVENTION DISTRICT AND EVEN TUBERCULOSIS SANATORIUM.

THEY CAN ALL COST MONEY, BONDS AND EVEN LOANS.

SOUND COMPLICATED?

WELL, TO ADD ANOTHER LAYER, SOME UNITS OF GOVERNMENT COVER ONLY A SINGLE VENOUS APOLOGY, WHEREAS OTHERS SERVE MULTIPLE OR A HALL COUNTY.

THINK OF IT AS LIKE A NESTING DOLL OF BUREAUCRACY.

CRITICS WANT TO STREAMLINE THINGS.

THEY SAY THAT MANY OF THESE AUTHORITIES ARE UNNECESSARY AND INFLATE PROPERTY TAX BILLS.

SO ORDERS SAY THE COST PER TAXPAYER IS NOT MUCH AND THAT THESE DISTRICTS CAN BE BETTER ATTUNED TO THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS.

OVER TIME, THEY HAVE TRIED TO MAKE IT EASIER TO CONSOLIDATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, BUT WITH THOUSANDS STILL ON THE BOOKS, OUR STATE'S BEHEMOTH BETTER ACCURACY IS NOT LIKELY TO SHRINK ANYTIME SOON.

>>> YOU CAN FIND MORE EPISODES OF OUR WTTW NEWS EXPLAINS A SERIES ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND JOINING US FOR A DEBATE ON WHETHER WE SHOULD CUT BACK ON UNITS OF GOVERNMENT IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AT THE ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE AND FROM SPRINGFIELD, JERRY CRABTREE , WHO REPRESENTS MORE THAN 1400 TOWNSHIPS ACROSS THE STATE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE APPRECIATE YOU BOTH BEING HERE.

JERRY CRABTREE, I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH YOU.

MANY UNITS OF GOVERNMENT ARE QUITE SMALL IN SCOPE OR DOES THAT LIMIT FOCUS?

>> I THINK IT DOES.

IT IS THE MOST VULNERABLE OF THE POPULATION.

I AM CONCERNED WITH THE 1426 TOWNSHIPS IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

REMEMBER THAT 85% OF MEMBERS WERE PRESENT POPULATIONS OF 5000 PEOPLE OR LESS.

WE ARE PHYSICALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF THE POPULATION.

>> ARE ILLINOIS RESIDENTS SO WELL-SERVED BY HAVING SO MANY UNITS OF GOVERNMENT?

>> I THINK IT SHOULD BE UP TO THEM TO DECIDE.

THE PROBLEM WITH THE PROLIFERATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE IS THAT IT IS VERY EASY TO CREATE THESE ONCE UPON A TIME.

THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THOUSANDS.

BUT IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE OR REDESIGN OR GET RID OF THEM.

I THINK WHAT MOST PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS AGREE ON IS THAT WE PAY REALLY HIGH PROPERTY TAXES, THE FIRST OR SECOND HIGHEST IN THE NATION , BUT WE ARE NOT GETTING THE FIRST OR SECOND HIGHEST QUALITY OF SERVICES.

SO WE NEED TO MAKE IT EASIER TO BRING THIS QUESTION TO VOTERS AND WHETHER THEY SHOULD CONSOLIDATE OR NOT.

>> THEY SAY THAT THESE TAX DOLLARS ARE A BURDEN ON ILLINOISANS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT?

>> I THINK IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE PROPERTY TAX BILL AS A WHOLE, THE AVERAGE PERCENTAGE IS BETWEEN TWO AND 3%.

THE AVERAGE DISTRICT POPULATION PERCENTAGE IS 65%.

I AGREE THAT SOME VOTERS HAVE TO DECIDE, AND I WOULD SAY THAT IN MY YEARS OF BEING HERE, EVERY TIME IT IS CHALLENGED IT ALWAYS LOSES AT THE POLLS.

THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR VIEW, IS TO LET VOTERS DETERMINE.

THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY IS SO LOW THAT IT WILL PROBABLY NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OR SAVE MONEY.

>> ARE THEIR THOUGHTS OF HOW MUCH MONEY COULD BE SAVED BY CONSOLIDATING GOVERNMENT?

>> WE CAN BARELY GET A RELIABLE ESTIMATE ON HOW MANY LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT THERE ARE.

IN 40 STATES, THE AVERAGE PERSON WHO LIVES UNDER TWO UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND ILLINOIS YOU HAVE AREAS WHERE PEOPLE ARE LIVING UNDER 16 GOVERNMENTS AND OF COURSE CHANGING THAT WILL NOT CHANGE YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILL OVERNIGHT BUT OUR PROPERTY TAXES RIGHT NOW ARE DEATH BY 1000 CUTS.

YOU DON'T NEED TWO KITCHENS TO SERVE A FAMILY MEAL.

SO I THINK THESE CHANGES AROUND THE EDGES REALLY DO ADD UP, AND HOPEFULLY PEOPLE BECOME EDUCATED ABOUT HOW MANY LAYERS ARE IN THEIR COMMUNITY .

AT THE STATE LEVEL YOU REALLY NEED LEGISLATION TO MAKE THIS EASIER FOR PEOPLE TACKLE IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY.

>> IN THE PAST, THEY HAVE CONSIDERED LETTING VOTERS DISSOLVE OR CONSOLIDATE .

IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING YOU'RE SUPPORTIVE OF.

DO YOU SEE THIS IS GOING ANYWHERE IN SPRINGFIELD?

>> THE SYSTEM HAS ALWAYS ADVOCATED FOR THIS.

OUR ASSOCIATION HAS ALWAYS SAID THAT IF IT MAKES FISCAL OR RESPONSIBLE SENSE, ANY CONSOLIDATED EFFORT MUST BE LEFT OFF TO VOTERS.

MOST OF THE TIME THE VOTERS WILL VOTE TO KEEP IT BECAUSE IT IS THE GOVERNMENT AND TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT MOST COMMON TO THE COMMUNITY.

AS OFTEN INDICATED, IT IS THE LAYERS OF GOVERNMENT THAT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT.

TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT IS ONE THAT IS VERY EFFECTIVE LOCALLY.

IT IS FINANCIALLY SUPPORTED, AND THE SERVICES THEY PROVIDE ARE NEEDED FOR THE COMMUNITY.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT OTHER UNITS OF GOVERNMENT CAN TAKE OVER THOSE AT THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE.

>> AWESOME.

WE HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT, BUT I WANT TO ASK YOU.

DO YOU THINK THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT RESIDENTS WHO VOTE TO ELIMINATE OR CONSOLIDATE SOME OF THESE UNITS OF GOVERNMENT MIGHT REGRET THAT VOTE?

>> MAYBE, BUT THAT IS THE NATURE OF DEMOCRACY.

WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IS THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE OPTION.

ONE GENTLEMAN THAT WE WORK WITH IS FROM WONDER LAKE IN McHENRY COUNTY.

HIS PROPERTY TAX BILL TODAY IS HIGHER THAN THE VALUE OF THE HOUSE THAT HE BUILT WHEN HE FIRST MOVED THERE.

HE IS BEEN TRYING TO CONSOLIDATE GOVERNMENT FOR YEARS, AND ALL HE PHASES HIS PERSONAL INTIMIDATION ATTACKS AND NAILS ON THE DRIVEWAY OF HIS BARBERSHOP.

WE ARE JUST ASKING FOR ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR RESIDENTS LIKE BOB TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY BETTER.

>> A LULL-RUNNING CONVERSATION IN ILLINOIS AND ONE THAT I IMAGINE IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE ANYTIME SOON.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US AND WE APPRECIATE IT.

>>> UP NEXT, AMANDA WILL BE BACK WITH A LOOK AT BEARS IN THE SUBURBS, AND THIS TIME WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT FOOTBALL.

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> THE CHICAGO BEARS ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES SHOWING INTEREST IN THE SUBURBS.

OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS THERE HAVE BEEN BLACK BEAR SIGHTINGS IN LAKE COUNTY AND IN RANDOLPH COUNTY IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS.

PATTY, WHERE HAVE RESIDENTS SPOTTED THESE BEARS?

>> THE FIRST SIGHTING WAS NEAR A DAY CARE CENTER IN GURNEE.

THAT WAS ON WEDNESDAY.

ON SATURDAY ONE SHOWED UP ON SOMEONE'S DECK IN UNINCORPORATED ANTIOCH.

WE ARE NOT SURE IF THAT WAS THE SAME BEAR OR TWO SEPARATE PAIRS.

>> A FAMILY OF BEARS!

WHO KNOWS!

IS THIS COMMON FOR ILLINOIS?

>> NO!

THEY USED TO LIVE HERE.

WE GOT RID OF THEM ALL ONE WAY OR THE OTHER IN THE LATE 1800s, AND THERE HAVE ONLY BEEN MAYBE HALF A DOZEN SIGHTINGS SINCE 2008.

BEARS WILL OCCASIONALLY DIP DOWN FROM WISCONSIN, COME UP FROM MISSOURI.

LIKELY THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN LAKE COUNTY, BUT WHO KNOWS?

>> A LITTLE CLOSER TO COMFORT FOR MY TASTE!

IF YOU DO SEE A BEAR, NOT A FOOTBALL PLAYER BUT THE REAL KIND, THEY ARE DANGEROUS, RIGHT?

WHAT ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO DO?

>> THE NUMBER ONE TIP IS DON'T RUN.

THAT MIGHT BE YOUR FIRST INSTINCT.

STAND YOUR GROUND, MAKE YOURSELF LOOK BIG, THEN SLOWLY BACK AWAY.

IF IT DOES COME INTO CONTACT WITH YOU, TRY AND FIGHT IT OFF.

DON'T PLAY DEAD.

THAT'S A GRIZZLY BEAR.

THESE ARE BLACK PAIRS.

GO FOR IT.

>> PATTY, THANK YOU FOR THAT PREPARATION!

YOU CAN READ PATTY'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE , WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>>> UP NEXT, GOSPEL WITH A REVIVED CHICAGO CAST.

WHEN GOSPEL MUSIC MERGES WITH AN ANCIENT GREEK TEXT YOU COULD CALL IT THE HOLY COMMUNION.

IT IS A REVIVAL IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.

CHICAGO TONIGHT VISITED A FINAL REHEARSAL.

OUR PRODUCER MARK THE TALLY BROUGHT US THIS STORY RECENTLY.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> THE SPIRIT IN ALL OF US IS NOT CHRISTIAN OR MUSLIM OR JEWISH OR GREEK.

IT IS A SPIRITUAL EVENT.

>> IT IS A RARELY-PERFORMED SHOW.

MORGAN FREEMAN WAS IN THE ORIGINAL CAST IN 1983, AND THAT PRODUCTION INSPIRED THE CAREER OF AT LEAST ONE MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE.

>> I SAW THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION IN 1983 AT THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC, AND AS A RESULT I DECIDED THAT IF CLASSIC TEXT AND MUSIC CAN CREATE SUCH A SPIRITUAL EVENT TO LIFT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY IN THE THEATER TO A CATHARTIC EXPERIENCE, YET IT IS CONTEMPORARY FOR TODAY, AND ALL OF US ARE DOING THAT TOGETHER, THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO DO WITH MY LIFE.

IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE BEEN PREPARING THIS FOR 30 YEARS ONLY TWO MORE DAYS BEFORE WE HAVE TO OPEN!

I CAN'T WAIT.

>> IT IS BASED ON SOPHOCLES' 2500-YEAR-OLD PLAY ABOUT AN AGING KING WHO SEEKS REDEMPTION AFTER A LIFE OF SIN.

ONE OF THE CAST MEMBERS PERFORMED AT THE ORIGINAL WORLD TOUR.

>> Reporter: THE ROLE THAT SHE ORIGINALLY PLAYED IS NOW BEING PERFORMED BY HER DAUGHTER.

THE DIRECTORS HAVE HIGH PRAISE FOR THE ALL-TRAN02 CAST.

>> WE HAVE ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED CASTS I HAVE EVER WORKED WITH.

AS AN ACTOR WE COME UP WITH THE COMMUNITY HERE.

WE HAVE AN EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES.

EVERYBODY WILL BE SHOWCASED IN SOME WAY.

LET EVERYONE'S VOICE BE SHOWCASED.

>> Reporter: THE ACTOR-DIRECTOR WAS A FINALIST ON THE VOICE, SO HE KNOWS ABOUT VOICES BEING SHOWCASED.

THE DIRECTORS ARE FOCUSED ON PREACHERS AND THEY GIVE FINAL NOTICE TO THE CAST IN ADVANCE ABOUT THE NIGHT.

>> PUTTING IT IN THE CONTEXT OF SPIRITUALITY, THIS IS A COMBINATION OF THE TWO THAT CREATES A THIRD THING.

>> I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT IT IS NOT ONE MORE THAN THE OTHER.

IT IS ITS OWN ENTITY.

IT IS A SPIRITUAL THING.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, THIS IS MARK VITALI.

>> BLACK VOICES, WOW!

THE GOSPEL RUNS AT THE THEATER IN HYDE PARK.

>>> SUMMER IN CHICAGO IS WHEN SPORTS, LIVE, BUT IN RECENT YEARS BASKETBALL NETS AND EVEN RIMS IN SOME CITY PARKS HAVE BEEN REMOVED, LEAVING KIDS WHO WANT TO PLAY WITHOUT A WAY TO DO SO.

WHY BRINGING BASKETBALL BACK TO CITY PARKS WOULD LEAD TO A SAFER CITY, HE SAYS.

>> MY NAME IS JAMAAL COLE, THE LEADER OF MY BLOCK, MY HOOD, MY CITY.

WE ARE STARTING TO NOTICE BASKETBALL RIMS BEING TAKEN DOWN, AND MORE THAN THAT, WE ARE STARTING TO SEE ANTI-THEFT STEERING WHEEL LOCKS BEING PUT ON BASKETBALL HOOPS.

I DON'T SEE Y'ALL TAKING DOWN THE TENNIS OR VOLLEYBALL OR SOCCER NETS, BUT Y'ALL ARE PUTTING STEERING WHEEL LOCKS ON BASKETBALL RIMS?

THAT IS NOT FAIR.

PARKS BELONG TO EVERYBODY.

HOW CAN YOU TURN INTO THE NEXT DERRICK ROSE IF YOU CAN'T PLAY STREETBALL?

I WENT TO COLLEGE.

I GOT A BUSINESS DEGREE, BUT IT ALL STARTED ON THE STREET PLAYING BASKETBALL.

PARKS ARE AN EASY WAY TO MAKE FRIENDS AND BUILD LEADERSHIP AND LEARN DISCIPLINE AND LEARN HOW TO BE ON TIME AND MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS!

THIS IS WHAT THE PARKS ARE FOR.

TAKING DOWN THE BASKETBALL RIM WILL NOT MAKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFER, BUT PUTTING THE BACKUP COULD BE THE START OF A SAFER COMMUNITY.

40 TO 60 KIDS PER DAY COULD BE PLAYING AT THESE COURTS.

THAT IS KEEPING THESE KIDS OUT OF TROUBLE AND GIVING THEM SOMETHING TO DO!

YOU HEAR ABOUT ALL THESE CARJACKINGS GOING ON, THESE KIDS ARE NOT ON THE COURT!

WE CAN MENTOR THEM.

WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK THAT NEEDS A NEW RIM OR NEW NETS.

DONATE TO THE INITIATIVE.

WE NEED ALL SUPPORT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

WE ARE WITH FRIENDS OF THE PARKS, THE PARK DISTRICT, ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO HELP AND HAVE A HEALTHY AND SAFE SUMMER!

IF YOU SEE ME IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, COME PLAY 32 OR 21 WITH ME.

I LOVE CHICAGO.

>> NOT PLAYING AROUND!

YOU CAN FIND MORE ON THE SAFE STREETBALL INITIATIVE AT OUR WEBSITE.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET YOU CAN GET CHICAGO TONIGHT STREAMED ON FACEBOOK BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT FOR A PLAN TO RE-CREATE THOUSANDS OF ACRES IN THE WESTERN SUBURBS AND HOW NEIGHBORS ARE REACTING.

>>> PLUS, A.M. RADIO INDUSTRY IS AT RISK AMID THE CHANGING AUTO INDUSTRY.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM AMANDA , AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE