1 00:00:20,966 --> 00:00:22,466 >> Good evening and thanks for 2 00:00:21,766 --> 00:00:24,333 joining us on the week in 3 00:00:22,466 --> 00:00:25,100 review on them. And even a 4 00:00:24,333 --> 00:00:28,700 key, a nail in the coffin for 5 00:00:25,100 --> 00:00:29,300 the Velvet Hammer. 6 00:00:28,700 --> 00:00:32,266 >> Is that his start? 7 00:00:29,300 --> 00:00:35,100 Conviction? Which ranks high 8 00:00:32,266 --> 00:00:38,900 in the annals a criminal case 9 00:00:35,100 --> 00:00:39,800 is tried in this court. 10 00:00:38,900 --> 00:00:41,500 >> The once vaunted powerful 11 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:42,266 Illinois House Speaker Michael 12 00:00:41,500 --> 00:00:45,800 Madigan convicted on 10 counts 13 00:00:42,266 --> 00:00:46,866 of corruption. But it was a 14 00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:47,966 split verdict. Jurors spent 4 15 00:00:46,866 --> 00:00:49,800 months in court. They watched 16 00:00:47,966 --> 00:00:51,866 undercover recordings that 17 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:55,500 showed the former most 18 00:00:51,866 --> 00:00:57,433 powerful man in Illinois 19 00:00:55,500 --> 00:00:59,733 politics operates So what 20 00:00:57,433 --> 00:01:02,900 would happen if recommend me? 21 00:00:59,733 --> 00:01:03,633 We support? Yeah. He had tried 22 00:01:02,900 --> 00:01:06,433 to convince the jury he did 23 00:01:03,633 --> 00:01:08,333 nothing wrong. Even as other 24 00:01:06,433 --> 00:01:14,300 lawmakers were snared Madigan 25 00:01:08,333 --> 00:01:17,533 insistent the feds had nothing 26 00:01:14,300 --> 00:01:18,966 on him Madigan's ruin. Came 27 00:01:17,533 --> 00:01:21,766 the same week. His one-time 28 00:01:18,966 --> 00:01:22,266 nemesis got his criminal 29 00:01:21,766 --> 00:01:23,033 record cleared. 30 00:01:22,266 --> 00:01:25,666 >> I'm signing this is a full 31 00:01:23,033 --> 00:01:26,466 pardon. Rod Blagojevich. 32 00:01:25,666 --> 00:01:27,233 >> I want to say to the people 33 00:01:26,466 --> 00:01:29,100 of Illinois to things. Number 34 00:01:27,233 --> 00:01:30,833 one. And is your taxes? And 35 00:01:29,100 --> 00:01:34,866 number 2, I didn't do it was 36 00:01:30,833 --> 00:01:35,600 all political talk. 37 00:01:34,866 --> 00:01:37,233 >> Meanwhile, days after Mayor 38 00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:39,233 Brandon Johnson promised heads 39 00:01:37,233 --> 00:01:40,966 will roll. There's turnover at 40 00:01:39,233 --> 00:01:41,833 City Hall. Chicagoans get a 41 00:01:40,966 --> 00:01:45,633 glimpse of the city's formerly 42 00:01:41,833 --> 00:01:47,866 secret gift closet and fears 43 00:01:45,633 --> 00:01:48,733 that federal funding won't 44 00:01:47,866 --> 00:01:49,466 come through Plaza project 45 00:01:48,733 --> 00:01:53,500 meant to keep invasive carp 46 00:01:49,466 --> 00:01:54,666 from entering the Great Lakes. 47 00:01:53,500 --> 00:01:55,733 >> And now to our week in 48 00:01:54,666 --> 00:01:57,733 review panel. Joining us, our 49 00:01:55,733 --> 00:02:00,000 Dave McKinney from WBEZ, 50 00:01:57,733 --> 00:02:02,966 Adriana Perez of the Chicago 51 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:03,866 Tribune. Rob, part from WBBM 52 00:02:02,966 --> 00:02:05,600 Newsradio and our very own 53 00:02:03,866 --> 00:02:06,800 Matt Masterson. Let's get to 54 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:08,833 it. And Dave, I'm going to 55 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:10,333 begin with you because you 56 00:02:08,833 --> 00:02:11,000 have covered Speaker Madigan 57 00:02:10,333 --> 00:02:14,666 for really most of your 58 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:18,733 career. How big a deal is it 59 00:02:14,666 --> 00:02:19,066 to see him likely going to 60 00:02:18,733 --> 00:02:19,900 prison? 61 00:02:19,066 --> 00:02:23,733 >> Well, I mean, he he 62 00:02:19,900 --> 00:02:24,500 basically ran Illinois down to 63 00:02:23,733 --> 00:02:25,133 you know, down to the smallest 64 00:02:24,500 --> 00:02:27,333 village in the state of 65 00:02:25,133 --> 00:02:29,166 Illinois. he he controlled 66 00:02:27,333 --> 00:02:30,000 everything, the purse strings, 67 00:02:29,166 --> 00:02:33,200 the policy. He was more 68 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:34,300 powerful than than many 69 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:36,400 governors were. He arguably 70 00:02:34,300 --> 00:02:37,666 more powerful in state. 71 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:38,466 Senators were and to see him 72 00:02:37,666 --> 00:02:40,666 kind of in this diminish state 73 00:02:38,466 --> 00:02:44,266 in the courtroom, really no 74 00:02:40,666 --> 00:02:45,266 longer controlled his own fate 75 00:02:44,266 --> 00:02:46,033 and handed over to the to the 76 00:02:45,266 --> 00:02:49,566 jury was really something. And 77 00:02:46,033 --> 00:02:50,866 he wound up. you know, it's 78 00:02:49,566 --> 00:02:53,466 it's hard tell even there he 79 00:02:50,866 --> 00:02:54,200 was. He was he stoic Spinks 80 00:02:53,466 --> 00:02:57,600 like that's what they call 81 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:59,700 them. The sphinx. you know, he 82 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:01,866 looked like he was trying to 83 00:02:59,700 --> 00:03:03,066 maintain strong public face, a 84 00:03:01,866 --> 00:03:04,200 confident look. But but at the 85 00:03:03,066 --> 00:03:05,766 end of the day, I mean, it was 86 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:07,166 a big victory for the 87 00:03:05,766 --> 00:03:07,966 government. Even those a split 88 00:03:07,166 --> 00:03:10,866 verdict because they got him 89 00:03:07,966 --> 00:03:11,800 on big charges. So yet met 90 00:03:10,866 --> 00:03:13,066 over to you. This was a 91 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:15,966 victory. Even know what 10 92 00:03:13,066 --> 00:03:17,833 counts. But then there were. 93 00:03:15,966 --> 00:03:18,833 >> Several where he was either 94 00:03:17,833 --> 00:03:20,300 acquitted or at the start of 95 00:03:18,833 --> 00:03:21,100 the week. Mike Madigan wasn't 96 00:03:20,300 --> 00:03:23,100 a convicted felon is now. So 97 00:03:21,100 --> 00:03:24,033 it's absolutely win for the 98 00:03:23,100 --> 00:03:25,066 government. He faces up to 20 99 00:03:24,033 --> 00:03:26,733 years on some of these 100 00:03:25,066 --> 00:03:27,433 charges, 10 5 years and other 101 00:03:26,733 --> 00:03:28,200 ones and we'll see a prison 102 00:03:27,433 --> 00:03:31,066 sentence he actually gets if 103 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:31,800 he is sentenced to prison. But 104 00:03:31,066 --> 00:03:32,566 >> that's absolutely a win for 105 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:33,533 them. They didn't have to get 106 00:03:32,566 --> 00:03:34,300 every single charge on here. 107 00:03:33,533 --> 00:03:37,700 That's sort of what this was 108 00:03:34,300 --> 00:03:38,800 all about. There was. 23 109 00:03:37,700 --> 00:03:39,866 charges that were 5 separate 110 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:41,033 schemes. They do need to nail 111 00:03:39,866 --> 00:03:41,866 him on every single one and 112 00:03:41,033 --> 00:03:43,100 they didn't get the top 113 00:03:41,866 --> 00:03:43,766 charge. But that is still 114 00:03:43,100 --> 00:03:45,033 definitely a win in their 115 00:03:43,766 --> 00:03:46,500 books and called it historic 116 00:03:45,033 --> 00:03:49,533 victory. And you can see why 117 00:03:46,500 --> 00:03:50,833 they would. The prosecutors 118 00:03:49,533 --> 00:03:51,533 are absolutely happy with the 119 00:03:50,833 --> 00:03:53,333 verdict. I don't think they 120 00:03:51,533 --> 00:03:53,966 were thrilled. I think they 121 00:03:53,333 --> 00:03:54,700 absolutely wanted the 122 00:03:53,966 --> 00:03:56,633 racketeering charge to be a 123 00:03:54,700 --> 00:03:57,800 guilty verdict for Madigan 124 00:03:56,633 --> 00:03:58,900 there. They didn't get that, 125 00:03:57,800 --> 00:04:00,600 but they got them in water for 126 00:03:58,900 --> 00:04:01,566 the and bribery and they 127 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:04,066 convinced the jury that this 128 00:04:01,566 --> 00:04:04,766 was a person who was correct. 129 00:04:04,066 --> 00:04:05,466 So record hearing was that 130 00:04:04,766 --> 00:04:06,166 overarching charge that you 131 00:04:05,466 --> 00:04:09,666 talked about where they you 132 00:04:06,166 --> 00:04:10,366 described it as a 133 00:04:09,666 --> 00:04:11,033 >> Madigan enterprise that 134 00:04:10,366 --> 00:04:11,766 they he and co-defendant 135 00:04:11,033 --> 00:04:13,200 Mike mclane were running this 136 00:04:11,766 --> 00:04:14,833 as a criminal enterprise met. 137 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:17,100 You talked about the 138 00:04:14,833 --> 00:04:18,200 sentencing. It could be a 139 00:04:17,100 --> 00:04:20,000 addition to press prison. 140 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:21,800 There's also a forfeiture 141 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:23,900 hearing they're looking take 142 00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:24,633 his money. What what's going 143 00:04:23,900 --> 00:04:26,066 on there? Right? So that's 144 00:04:24,633 --> 00:04:27,166 going to made initially want 145 00:04:26,066 --> 00:04:27,933 to do it immediately after the 146 00:04:27,166 --> 00:04:30,000 verdict, assuming he was found 147 00:04:27,933 --> 00:04:31,100 guilty of these charges. So 148 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:34,033 >> the money that changed 149 00:04:31,100 --> 00:04:35,133 hands in these convictions. 150 00:04:34,033 --> 00:04:35,866 They didn't all go into 151 00:04:35,133 --> 00:04:36,500 Madigan's pocket was obviously 152 00:04:35,866 --> 00:04:39,900 paid to a lot of these 153 00:04:36,500 --> 00:04:40,666 contractors who can or jobs. 154 00:04:39,900 --> 00:04:41,800 But Matt, again, as I going to 155 00:04:40,666 --> 00:04:42,433 be liable for that. So some of 156 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:43,766 this money is going to 157 00:04:42,433 --> 00:04:45,100 possibly be clawed back by the 158 00:04:43,766 --> 00:04:46,166 government. There's gonna be a 159 00:04:45,100 --> 00:04:47,966 lot of briefing that used to 160 00:04:46,166 --> 00:04:49,166 be done on this, but it's 161 00:04:47,966 --> 00:04:50,933 going to be some sort of 162 00:04:49,166 --> 00:04:51,733 financial hit likely to Matt 163 00:04:50,933 --> 00:04:53,166 again following his conviction 164 00:04:51,733 --> 00:04:53,933 as well. So in the millions of 165 00:04:53,166 --> 00:04:55,933 dollars, it's it could be up 166 00:04:53,933 --> 00:04:56,666 to that. We'll see what amount 167 00:04:55,933 --> 00:04:57,833 actually comes out of it. But 168 00:04:56,666 --> 00:04:58,500 that was like the initial 169 00:04:57,833 --> 00:04:59,300 range was as was a couple 170 00:04:58,500 --> 00:05:02,900 million dollars that it could 171 00:04:59,300 --> 00:05:04,366 have been targeted over to you 172 00:05:02,900 --> 00:05:05,100 because this really 173 00:05:04,366 --> 00:05:08,966 encapsulated House things 174 00:05:05,100 --> 00:05:11,100 worked in Springfield. 175 00:05:08,966 --> 00:05:11,866 >> That the speaker, those in 176 00:05:11,100 --> 00:05:12,666 power would say, hey, you know 177 00:05:11,866 --> 00:05:15,200 somebody that to be a good fit 178 00:05:12,666 --> 00:05:16,233 for that job that the jury 179 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:18,133 found his co-defendant, 180 00:05:16,233 --> 00:05:19,233 longtime friend and lobbyist 181 00:05:18,133 --> 00:05:19,900 Michael McClain. He said they 182 00:05:19,233 --> 00:05:22,166 believe that it was just 183 00:05:19,900 --> 00:05:23,500 lobbying, nothing illegal. How 184 00:05:22,166 --> 00:05:25,233 do you parse out what we 185 00:05:23,500 --> 00:05:27,600 learned history in terms of 186 00:05:25,233 --> 00:05:28,333 how things work behind closed 187 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:31,533 doors? Well, I talked to the 188 00:05:28,333 --> 00:05:32,266 foreman of the of the jury. 189 00:05:31,533 --> 00:05:33,000 >> And it seemed like and I 190 00:05:32,266 --> 00:05:34,433 think when you go to a trial 191 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:37,366 where a situation like this 192 00:05:34,433 --> 00:05:38,533 where there are a lot of 193 00:05:37,366 --> 00:05:41,466 details and everything really 194 00:05:38,533 --> 00:05:42,300 rests on. How do you interpret 195 00:05:41,466 --> 00:05:43,033 certain words? How do you 196 00:05:42,300 --> 00:05:44,300 interpret certain phrases? How 197 00:05:43,033 --> 00:05:47,933 do you interpret someone's 198 00:05:44,300 --> 00:05:51,866 tone on a tape? And when it 199 00:05:47,933 --> 00:05:52,600 came to talk about it was 200 00:05:51,866 --> 00:05:53,466 there is there is no verdict 201 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:56,600 on the racketeering charge. 202 00:05:53,466 --> 00:05:58,300 The big in the jury room. That 203 00:05:56,600 --> 00:05:59,033 was the last one. That was the 204 00:05:58,300 --> 00:05:59,833 lead. They agreed on day one 205 00:05:59,033 --> 00:06:03,900 of deliberations that they're 206 00:05:59,833 --> 00:06:06,166 going handle racketeering last 207 00:06:03,900 --> 00:06:08,166 and he was about to be found 208 00:06:06,166 --> 00:06:10,166 not guilty on racketeering. 209 00:06:08,166 --> 00:06:11,366 They had one holdout want to 210 00:06:10,166 --> 00:06:13,700 convict and that is why they 211 00:06:11,366 --> 00:06:14,266 did not have a verdict on that 212 00:06:13,700 --> 00:06:15,000 particular count. 213 00:06:14,266 --> 00:06:18,266 >> has been a juror in that 214 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:18,966 room. No date. 215 00:06:18,266 --> 00:06:20,566 >> At least one juror seemed 216 00:06:18,966 --> 00:06:22,500 to have been put off by things 217 00:06:20,566 --> 00:06:24,800 that she heard from Again, if 218 00:06:22,500 --> 00:06:27,900 it was a at either way, the 219 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:28,433 juror put off by Madigan. 220 00:06:27,900 --> 00:06:30,066 >> Sort downplaying 221 00:06:28,433 --> 00:06:32,200 relationships, including with 222 00:06:30,066 --> 00:06:35,966 McLean. What do you make of 223 00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:36,666 that and how he's taking the 224 00:06:35,966 --> 00:06:37,333 stand impacted the outcome? 225 00:06:36,666 --> 00:06:38,066 Well, that was a dramatic 226 00:06:37,333 --> 00:06:41,266 moment. A big decision to put 227 00:06:38,066 --> 00:06:43,200 him on the stand. 228 00:06:41,266 --> 00:06:44,366 >> It was a situation where, 229 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:45,433 you know, it started out and 230 00:06:44,366 --> 00:06:46,333 are very comfortable 231 00:06:45,433 --> 00:06:47,066 questioning from his defense 232 00:06:46,333 --> 00:06:48,366 lawyer. We we heard all sorts 233 00:06:47,066 --> 00:06:50,333 of biographical details about 234 00:06:48,366 --> 00:06:50,966 him about how he came from a 235 00:06:50,333 --> 00:06:52,733 household where they, you 236 00:06:50,966 --> 00:06:53,400 know, as parents didn't tell 237 00:06:52,733 --> 00:06:56,266 him, they loved him, for 238 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:57,033 example, things like that. You 239 00:06:56,266 --> 00:06:58,800 know, the more he got into it, 240 00:06:57,033 --> 00:06:59,933 the more he talked about under 241 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:00,966 defense questioning it opened 242 00:06:59,933 --> 00:07:02,633 the door for the feds to come 243 00:07:00,966 --> 00:07:05,766 hard at him and that included 244 00:07:02,633 --> 00:07:07,133 opening up a tape where they 245 00:07:05,766 --> 00:07:08,000 had fought to keep it out. It 246 00:07:07,133 --> 00:07:08,666 was called the bandits tape 247 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:13,266 where he was recording the 248 00:07:08,666 --> 00:07:15,433 McLean and him talking about 249 00:07:13,266 --> 00:07:16,100 these go subcontractors, a 250 00:07:15,433 --> 00:07:16,800 comment and how they were 251 00:07:16,100 --> 00:07:18,400 making out like bandits for 252 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:20,066 very little work. And so that 253 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:20,800 would be left. They laughed 254 00:07:20,066 --> 00:07:21,866 about it and that that that 255 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:22,600 created this kind of thing. 256 00:07:21,866 --> 00:07:25,133 And I think one of the things 257 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:28,100 the people 0 in on and that 258 00:07:25,133 --> 00:07:29,733 discussion in the in the 259 00:07:28,100 --> 00:07:30,400 testimony him talking about, 260 00:07:29,733 --> 00:07:33,700 well, my friendship with 261 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:34,400 McClain has ended. I mean, he 262 00:07:33,700 --> 00:07:36,300 it surprise people because 263 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:38,100 it's a prize jurors because, 264 00:07:36,300 --> 00:07:39,700 you know, there I think, over 265 00:07:38,100 --> 00:07:43,133 150 audio recordings that got 266 00:07:39,700 --> 00:07:45,133 played and many of them, we're 267 00:07:43,133 --> 00:07:46,033 of Madigan and McLean talking 268 00:07:45,133 --> 00:07:47,666 about, you know, dinner plans 269 00:07:46,033 --> 00:07:50,733 and their families were very 270 00:07:47,666 --> 00:07:52,633 close and, you know, there was 271 00:07:50,733 --> 00:07:54,666 just poor team written that he 272 00:07:52,633 --> 00:07:56,633 really I will what stand and 273 00:07:54,666 --> 00:07:58,633 stand on the hill with my 274 00:07:56,633 --> 00:07:59,600 musket. you know, right at the 275 00:07:58,633 --> 00:08:01,700 ready, you know, to defend you 276 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:02,400 against all things immunity. 277 00:08:01,700 --> 00:08:03,933 Interviewed McLean, I believe 278 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:05,066 he was coming out of a dinner 279 00:08:03,933 --> 00:08:07,600 and the he had been questioned 280 00:08:05,066 --> 00:08:08,766 by the feds asked what turn on 281 00:08:07,600 --> 00:08:10,000 the speaker and he said no, 282 00:08:08,766 --> 00:08:10,800 yeah. He said, you know, would 283 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:12,466 an act of betrayal, not only 284 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:14,366 against Madigan but against 285 00:08:12,466 --> 00:08:15,033 himself. 286 00:08:14,366 --> 00:08:16,066 >> And so it was really 287 00:08:15,033 --> 00:08:18,133 surprising to hear Matic and 288 00:08:16,066 --> 00:08:18,433 say you they weren't friends, 289 00:08:18,133 --> 00:08:19,266 but 290 00:08:18,433 --> 00:08:23,166 >> the thing was that the 291 00:08:19,266 --> 00:08:25,166 juror said that that was that 292 00:08:23,166 --> 00:08:25,866 you know, it created a mixed 293 00:08:25,166 --> 00:08:26,566 bag from attic. And because 294 00:08:25,866 --> 00:08:27,266 then it became created the 295 00:08:26,566 --> 00:08:29,433 storm where they could hear 296 00:08:27,266 --> 00:08:30,166 with their own years. How 297 00:08:29,433 --> 00:08:30,933 these 2 interact and how many 298 00:08:30,166 --> 00:08:35,933 dinners they went to together. 299 00:08:30,933 --> 00:08:36,966 And yet. It affected 300 00:08:35,933 --> 00:08:38,233 credibility. You know, man was 301 00:08:36,966 --> 00:08:38,900 the real problem. He also 302 00:08:38,233 --> 00:08:40,900 talked about helping out a 303 00:08:38,900 --> 00:08:41,833 woman. He said that he met at 304 00:08:40,900 --> 00:08:43,333 a block party, said this was 305 00:08:41,833 --> 00:08:44,866 just somebody might randomly 306 00:08:43,333 --> 00:08:45,633 try to help her get a job. The 307 00:08:44,866 --> 00:08:46,400 Fed said hammered on this and 308 00:08:45,633 --> 00:08:47,166 is it later turned out she was 309 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:49,700 the wife of an alderman. This 310 00:08:47,166 --> 00:08:50,600 was a politically connected 311 00:08:49,700 --> 00:08:51,300 person. 312 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:52,066 >> That meeting already knew 313 00:08:51,300 --> 00:08:53,466 he didn't just meet her at a 314 00:08:52,066 --> 00:08:54,233 block party. And jurors heard 315 00:08:53,466 --> 00:08:55,066 that put some doubt in your 316 00:08:54,233 --> 00:08:56,633 mind together that he's 317 00:08:55,066 --> 00:08:57,566 telling the complete truth 318 00:08:56,633 --> 00:08:58,600 when he's up there seems like 319 00:08:57,566 --> 00:09:01,633 it very unforced error there 320 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:02,633 for somebody that had this 321 00:09:01,633 --> 00:09:03,233 reputation of 322 00:09:02,633 --> 00:09:03,900 >> playing chess when 323 00:09:03,233 --> 00:09:04,900 everybody else is playing 324 00:09:03,900 --> 00:09:06,166 checkers. The adage I've heard 325 00:09:04,900 --> 00:09:07,033 I don't know how many times 326 00:09:06,166 --> 00:09:10,766 since I started covering 327 00:09:07,033 --> 00:09:12,700 Illinois politics. What do you 328 00:09:10,766 --> 00:09:13,433 make of that? That Madigan who 329 00:09:12,700 --> 00:09:15,933 was supposed to be smarter, 330 00:09:13,433 --> 00:09:19,366 wrote the rules. It's now in 331 00:09:15,933 --> 00:09:21,400 trouble for breaking them. 332 00:09:19,366 --> 00:09:22,200 >> Well, I guess the I guess 333 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:24,566 but the interpretation is or 334 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:26,400 the lesson is, is that 335 00:09:24,566 --> 00:09:28,533 everyone it comes to you 336 00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:29,233 eventually. And even if you've 337 00:09:28,533 --> 00:09:32,000 been doing it for decades, 338 00:09:29,233 --> 00:09:33,033 even if you wrote the rules 339 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:35,633 yourself, even if you are so 340 00:09:33,033 --> 00:09:37,133 detail oriented you thought 341 00:09:35,633 --> 00:09:37,666 you had every single 342 00:09:37,133 --> 00:09:40,233 contingency covered 343 00:09:37,666 --> 00:09:43,433 eventually. Over a long enough 344 00:09:40,233 --> 00:09:45,666 time Horizon. You make a 345 00:09:43,433 --> 00:09:46,566 mistake and that's what 346 00:09:45,666 --> 00:09:47,366 happened, especially when the 347 00:09:46,566 --> 00:09:48,100 feds are listening. Well, and 348 00:09:47,366 --> 00:09:49,666 when you consider, I think on 349 00:09:48,100 --> 00:09:52,433 the stand for 4 days, right? 350 00:09:49,666 --> 00:09:55,566 >> That's a lot of time. A lot 351 00:09:52,433 --> 00:09:57,300 of room to be making unforced 352 00:09:55,566 --> 00:09:58,966 error. speaking of time, Dave, 353 00:09:57,300 --> 00:10:00,366 how did met again last so long 354 00:09:58,966 --> 00:10:01,066 in the Sun-Times broke this 355 00:10:00,366 --> 00:10:02,100 story that Alderman Danny 356 00:10:01,066 --> 00:10:04,800 Solis was cooperating with the 357 00:10:02,100 --> 00:10:06,300 feds back January of 2019. 358 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:07,900 >> And then he denied. We 359 00:10:06,300 --> 00:10:08,766 heard that tape earlier back 360 00:10:07,900 --> 00:10:09,433 in October of 2019, that 361 00:10:08,766 --> 00:10:13,833 Madigan said he was not a 362 00:10:09,433 --> 00:10:14,533 target of anything. And then 6 363 00:10:13,833 --> 00:10:15,566 months till after the ComEd 364 00:10:14,533 --> 00:10:16,366 Deferred Prosecution 365 00:10:15,566 --> 00:10:20,033 agreement, he lasted the 366 00:10:16,366 --> 00:10:22,133 speaker of the House. How? 367 00:10:20,033 --> 00:10:22,900 >> Well, I mean, was just sort 368 00:10:22,133 --> 00:10:23,500 of a drip, drip, drip effect, 369 00:10:22,900 --> 00:10:25,166 because, you know, you 370 00:10:23,500 --> 00:10:26,800 fast-forward from that point 371 00:10:25,166 --> 00:10:27,600 to to the summer of 2020 and 372 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:29,700 that's one the Deferred 373 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:31,800 prosecution agreement with 374 00:10:29,700 --> 00:10:32,900 ComEd came out with 8 that the 375 00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:33,633 whole scheme involving these 376 00:10:32,900 --> 00:10:35,666 go subcontractors and Madigan 377 00:10:33,633 --> 00:10:38,500 and the bribery all kind of 378 00:10:35,666 --> 00:10:39,866 came to light and it put 379 00:10:38,500 --> 00:10:41,633 pressure on a Madigan in a way 380 00:10:39,866 --> 00:10:43,066 that he had scrutiny on him in 381 00:10:41,633 --> 00:10:44,133 a way never before had to deal 382 00:10:43,066 --> 00:10:45,633 with. There was a there was a 383 00:10:44,133 --> 00:10:47,933 committee that was formed in 384 00:10:45,633 --> 00:10:49,566 the House. The Republicans 385 00:10:47,933 --> 00:10:50,333 pushed hard to get there to to 386 00:10:49,566 --> 00:10:54,133 investigate what was in that 387 00:10:50,333 --> 00:10:55,233 deferred prosecution agreement 388 00:10:54,133 --> 00:10:56,066 with comment how did he stick 389 00:10:55,233 --> 00:10:59,166 around? I mean, there was an 390 00:10:56,066 --> 00:10:59,800 example where we're Democrats, 391 00:10:59,166 --> 00:11:00,500 including that the House 392 00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:02,300 speaker does that now House 393 00:11:00,500 --> 00:11:04,066 shared that committee. You 394 00:11:02,300 --> 00:11:06,166 know, they wouldn't. They 395 00:11:04,066 --> 00:11:07,466 blocked Madigan from 396 00:11:06,166 --> 00:11:08,266 testifying in front of this 397 00:11:07,466 --> 00:11:08,900 committee. They they have they 398 00:11:08,266 --> 00:11:10,133 shut the committee down 399 00:11:08,900 --> 00:11:12,333 before. There are any 400 00:11:10,133 --> 00:11:13,200 sanctions given against 401 00:11:12,333 --> 00:11:14,133 Madigan. And so, you know, it 402 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:15,866 was just you know, death by 403 00:11:14,133 --> 00:11:20,100 1000 cuts politically for him. 404 00:11:15,866 --> 00:11:21,333 And then finally had to go. 405 00:11:20,100 --> 00:11:24,200 >> You know, we cannot escape 406 00:11:21,333 --> 00:11:26,300 the irony that has met again 407 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:27,033 faces really his ruin. Former 408 00:11:26,300 --> 00:11:29,433 Governor Rod Blagojevich this 409 00:11:27,033 --> 00:11:32,033 week was pardoned. Now they 410 00:11:29,433 --> 00:11:34,766 were both Democrats, but they 411 00:11:32,033 --> 00:11:35,466 did not get along. So first of 412 00:11:34,766 --> 00:11:37,933 all, what is the practical 413 00:11:35,466 --> 00:11:38,666 impact of apartment? 414 00:11:37,933 --> 00:11:39,266 >> The practical impact of a 415 00:11:38,666 --> 00:11:42,833 part of Boyd to Rod 416 00:11:39,266 --> 00:11:44,133 Blagojevich. Is that his 417 00:11:42,833 --> 00:11:44,966 record is clean all that stuff 418 00:11:44,133 --> 00:11:46,500 remember from 16 years ago, 419 00:11:44,966 --> 00:11:47,400 bleeping golden, the tapes, 420 00:11:46,500 --> 00:11:50,300 all that it's it's off the 421 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:52,333 books for him now. He was 422 00:11:50,300 --> 00:11:54,333 impeached and removed from 423 00:11:52,333 --> 00:11:57,333 office. So he cannot run for a 424 00:11:54,333 --> 00:11:58,100 statewide office again, 425 00:11:57,333 --> 00:11:58,833 however, because his record is 426 00:11:58,100 --> 00:12:03,000 clean, that could set him up 427 00:11:58,833 --> 00:12:03,733 to run for Senate in 428 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:04,566 Twenty-twenty 6. He could run 429 00:12:03,733 --> 00:12:07,200 for his old House seat if you 430 00:12:04,566 --> 00:12:09,400 wanted to. So he can't run for 431 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:12,333 federal office and it would be 432 00:12:09,400 --> 00:12:13,066 key. I wonder if those gears 433 00:12:12,333 --> 00:12:15,300 are turning in his head right 434 00:12:13,066 --> 00:12:16,200 now, making another run for it 435 00:12:15,300 --> 00:12:16,933 and possibly getting that 436 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:19,466 Senate seat, that not enough 437 00:12:16,933 --> 00:12:20,866 that Senate seat specifically, 438 00:12:19,466 --> 00:12:23,500 but that position in the U.S. 439 00:12:20,866 --> 00:12:24,266 Senate that he was thinking 440 00:12:23,500 --> 00:12:25,000 about 16 years ago when Barack 441 00:12:24,266 --> 00:12:26,633 Obama was like the president, 442 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:27,400 he would not be surprised. 443 00:12:26,633 --> 00:12:30,133 He's never turned off that the 444 00:12:27,400 --> 00:12:30,866 politician in himself. 445 00:12:30,133 --> 00:12:33,566 >> Let's hear from President 446 00:12:30,866 --> 00:12:34,333 Trump has to his reasoning. 447 00:12:33,566 --> 00:12:35,866 Trump saying that that was set 448 00:12:34,333 --> 00:12:39,366 up. 449 00:12:35,866 --> 00:12:40,133 >> It was Ed sort of a 450 00:12:39,366 --> 00:12:43,266 terrible injustice. They just 451 00:12:40,133 --> 00:12:44,000 were after him. They go after 452 00:12:43,266 --> 00:12:47,200 a lot of people. a bit people 453 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:49,933 that the other so I think is a 454 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:50,933 a just a very fine person. 455 00:12:49,933 --> 00:12:54,166 They fake charges and the big 456 00:12:50,933 --> 00:12:54,866 lie was told. 457 00:12:54,166 --> 00:12:55,633 >> By the prosecutor in his 458 00:12:54,866 --> 00:12:57,533 office that did to me and my 459 00:12:55,633 --> 00:12:59,066 family what they did. But it's 460 00:12:57,533 --> 00:12:59,733 over. President Trump saw what 461 00:12:59,066 --> 00:13:02,100 happened. And I would just 462 00:12:59,733 --> 00:13:03,533 think it is that when someone 463 00:13:02,100 --> 00:13:04,433 goes to something like we went 464 00:13:03,533 --> 00:13:07,033 through and he's gone through 465 00:13:04,433 --> 00:13:07,533 what he's gone through. It 466 00:13:07,033 --> 00:13:13,400 creates a certain 467 00:13:07,533 --> 00:13:14,066 understanding. 468 00:13:13,400 --> 00:13:14,766 >> Blagojevich, Dave, never 469 00:13:14,066 --> 00:13:16,433 apologized peers he didn't 470 00:13:14,766 --> 00:13:18,233 need to. That seemed like the 471 00:13:16,433 --> 00:13:18,933 same Blagojevich that you 472 00:13:18,233 --> 00:13:20,233 covered as governor. Well, I 473 00:13:18,933 --> 00:13:23,533 mean, you know, he had his 474 00:13:20,233 --> 00:13:24,500 sentencing. He did apologize 475 00:13:23,533 --> 00:13:26,200 in federal court when he was 476 00:13:24,500 --> 00:13:26,966 trying to win mercy from 477 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:28,333 former judge. The late former 478 00:13:26,966 --> 00:13:31,200 judge James Zagel. 479 00:13:28,333 --> 00:13:33,300 >> That sounded just like him. 480 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:34,366 But but, you know, let's let's 481 00:13:33,300 --> 00:13:37,333 not forget that that case. And 482 00:13:34,366 --> 00:13:37,933 he was tried twice. Both 483 00:13:37,333 --> 00:13:38,633 instances resulted in 484 00:13:37,933 --> 00:13:42,066 convictions. The first case 485 00:13:38,633 --> 00:13:43,133 was just one. But then other 486 00:13:42,066 --> 00:13:45,800 with 17 counts. And so a jury 487 00:13:43,133 --> 00:13:46,466 of 12 people look at those 488 00:13:45,800 --> 00:13:49,700 counts and decided he was 489 00:13:46,466 --> 00:13:52,466 guilty of them. So, you know 490 00:13:49,700 --> 00:13:55,033 the argument about things 491 00:13:52,466 --> 00:13:55,733 being, you know, trumped up 492 00:13:55,033 --> 00:13:57,066 and use that word here. But 493 00:13:55,733 --> 00:13:59,300 the idea that these charges 494 00:13:57,066 --> 00:14:00,033 were were embellished or 495 00:13:59,300 --> 00:14:02,100 whatever. I mean, a jury had a 496 00:14:00,033 --> 00:14:03,966 chance to to look at that and 497 00:14:02,100 --> 00:14:06,466 decide as did his peers. And 498 00:14:03,966 --> 00:14:07,466 it was nearly unanimous in the 499 00:14:06,466 --> 00:14:10,133 legislature. Only member of 500 00:14:07,466 --> 00:14:10,900 the legislature and that was 501 00:14:10,133 --> 00:14:11,900 his sister-in-law. 502 00:14:10,900 --> 00:14:12,566 >> Voted with Blagojevich at 503 00:14:11,900 --> 00:14:15,266 the time in terms of his 504 00:14:12,566 --> 00:14:16,633 removal from office. Know, 505 00:14:15,266 --> 00:14:18,066 Matt Blagojevich, Trump, of 506 00:14:16,633 --> 00:14:18,800 course, talking about the 507 00:14:18,066 --> 00:14:23,166 weaponization of justice. And 508 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:24,200 this comes as you have and the 509 00:14:23,166 --> 00:14:25,233 attorney general of the United 510 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:25,933 States now putting on pressure 511 00:14:25,233 --> 00:14:30,500 to drop corruption charges 512 00:14:25,933 --> 00:14:32,466 against New York's mayor up is 513 00:14:30,500 --> 00:14:34,466 this the end of the U.S. 514 00:14:32,466 --> 00:14:37,300 attorney's office going after 515 00:14:34,466 --> 00:14:41,433 politicians. When you have 516 00:14:37,300 --> 00:14:42,366 president sees this as the 517 00:14:41,433 --> 00:14:43,133 weaponization of the 518 00:14:42,366 --> 00:14:43,833 Department of Justice. I don't 519 00:14:43,133 --> 00:14:45,400 think it'll be the end, but 520 00:14:43,833 --> 00:14:46,133 we'll see probably changes and 521 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:46,866 how it's done. I was down. It 522 00:14:46,133 --> 00:14:48,166 was very interesting that the 523 00:14:46,866 --> 00:14:49,000 Madigan trials going on while 524 00:14:48,166 --> 00:14:49,833 these 525 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:50,566 >> changes are happening in 526 00:14:49,833 --> 00:14:53,200 Washington and just to see a 527 00:14:50,566 --> 00:14:54,533 federal prosecution go this 528 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:57,166 way they might not look like 529 00:14:54,533 --> 00:14:58,433 this for quite awhile with a 530 00:14:57,166 --> 00:15:01,200 lot U.S. attorneys prosecuting 531 00:14:58,433 --> 00:15:01,933 these types of cases are 532 00:15:01,200 --> 00:15:02,666 looking into corruption cases 533 00:15:01,933 --> 00:15:03,100 like like the dropped charges 534 00:15:02,666 --> 00:15:06,500 against Eric. 535 00:15:03,100 --> 00:15:07,266 >> Adams in New York, possible 536 00:15:06,500 --> 00:15:08,000 there's less of these cases. I 537 00:15:07,266 --> 00:15:10,766 don't think they'll ever be 0 538 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:13,933 of that. Now. 539 00:15:10,766 --> 00:15:14,700 >> All right. Let's move on 540 00:15:13,933 --> 00:15:16,800 because Trump, of course, been 541 00:15:14,700 --> 00:15:18,033 very busy otherwise in he Oval 542 00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:19,066 Office, he's already held up 543 00:15:18,033 --> 00:15:20,966 some federal money promised to 544 00:15:19,066 --> 00:15:23,033 organizations and 2 545 00:15:20,966 --> 00:15:24,166 governments. And that has 546 00:15:23,033 --> 00:15:25,200 Illinois leaders, including 547 00:15:24,166 --> 00:15:28,933 Governor JB Pritzker, wary. So 548 00:15:25,200 --> 00:15:30,066 Adrianna over to you. The 549 00:15:28,933 --> 00:15:31,733 governor now stalling the 550 00:15:30,066 --> 00:15:32,600 project that is meant to keep 551 00:15:31,733 --> 00:15:35,566 invasive carp from reaching 552 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:36,833 the Great Lakes. What is this 553 00:15:35,566 --> 00:15:37,533 project? This project going to 554 00:15:36,833 --> 00:15:41,600 be located at Brandon Road 555 00:15:37,533 --> 00:15:43,433 Lock and Dam in Joliet. idea 556 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:44,200 is to lay are some 557 00:15:43,433 --> 00:15:46,333 technologies to stop invasive 558 00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:50,433 carp from going upstream. And 559 00:15:46,333 --> 00:15:52,266 that includes a bubble barrier 560 00:15:50,433 --> 00:15:53,400 sound barrier a couple bubble 561 00:15:52,266 --> 00:15:54,300 and found barriers but also 562 00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:55,000 flushing lack. So a lot of 563 00:15:54,300 --> 00:15:57,266 different things to really 564 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:58,366 have that like last. 565 00:15:57,266 --> 00:15:59,866 >> Sort of line of defense 566 00:15:58,366 --> 00:16:00,600 against them because currently 567 00:15:59,866 --> 00:16:02,433 we're relying on electric 568 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:04,533 barriers, barriers in 569 00:16:02,433 --> 00:16:05,733 Romeoville that are not very 570 00:16:04,533 --> 00:16:08,700 reliable in these carper. Kobe 571 00:16:05,733 --> 00:16:10,666 is Illinois has renamed them. 572 00:16:08,700 --> 00:16:12,766 >> Are particularly dangerous. 573 00:16:10,666 --> 00:16:15,733 Yes, well, the problem with 574 00:16:12,766 --> 00:16:16,500 Kobe is Silver Carp 575 00:16:15,733 --> 00:16:17,266 specifically is that they are 576 00:16:16,500 --> 00:16:20,800 bottom feeders. So they feed 577 00:16:17,266 --> 00:16:21,533 off of playing time, mostly. 578 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:22,733 And that means that they can 579 00:16:21,533 --> 00:16:26,233 out compete and starved native 580 00:16:22,733 --> 00:16:27,566 fish and mussel populations, 581 00:16:26,233 --> 00:16:28,200 which would be would a lot of 582 00:16:27,566 --> 00:16:29,666 negative impacts on the 583 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:32,766 fishing industry in the Great 584 00:16:29,666 --> 00:16:34,400 Lakes. The other problem is 585 00:16:32,766 --> 00:16:35,133 that something that biology 586 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:39,133 got scary easily? When there's 587 00:16:35,133 --> 00:16:40,066 a loud noise from like boats. 588 00:16:39,133 --> 00:16:42,533 So I actually had the chance 589 00:16:40,066 --> 00:16:43,866 to go to downstream inland 590 00:16:42,533 --> 00:16:45,666 Illinois River to the village 591 00:16:43,866 --> 00:16:48,500 Bath where they already are 592 00:16:45,666 --> 00:16:49,833 infested with silver carp and 593 00:16:48,500 --> 00:16:52,800 when you got boats, they 594 00:16:49,833 --> 00:16:53,500 really fly out of the 8 like 595 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:54,700 the jump. They can jump as 596 00:16:53,500 --> 00:16:55,733 high as 5 feet and they can 597 00:16:54,700 --> 00:17:01,500 hurt people. I too have been 598 00:16:55,733 --> 00:17:02,333 good at that. masks and that 599 00:17:01,500 --> 00:17:02,966 there. 600 00:17:02,333 --> 00:17:03,733 >> Really big in Hardin 601 00:17:02,966 --> 00:17:05,666 spiking, although events what 602 00:17:03,733 --> 00:17:06,733 does this signify to you that 603 00:17:05,666 --> 00:17:10,333 Illinois is going to hold up 604 00:17:06,733 --> 00:17:12,600 other projects that this is 605 00:17:10,333 --> 00:17:13,800 this is one but more federal 606 00:17:12,600 --> 00:17:14,666 funding could be either held 607 00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:18,400 or that Illinois is going to 608 00:17:14,666 --> 00:17:19,100 be fearful of I think that's 609 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:19,866 the question mark. For every 610 00:17:19,100 --> 00:17:22,266 federal outlay to the state of 611 00:17:19,866 --> 00:17:22,966 Illinois, that's already been. 612 00:17:22,266 --> 00:17:24,566 >> Appropriated and approved 613 00:17:22,966 --> 00:17:25,366 by the Congress to be spent in 614 00:17:24,566 --> 00:17:26,033 the state of Illinois. And we 615 00:17:25,366 --> 00:17:28,100 talk about the Asian carp 616 00:17:26,033 --> 00:17:29,033 mitigation, but also 617 00:17:28,100 --> 00:17:30,966 >> the red line expansion to 618 00:17:29,033 --> 00:17:34,200 100 30th Street. That's 619 00:17:30,966 --> 00:17:35,133 another big question you know, 620 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:38,766 Metro got some federal money 621 00:17:35,133 --> 00:17:39,400 to buy those a self-propelled 622 00:17:38,766 --> 00:17:40,133 battery powered railcars. 623 00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:40,866 What's going to happen with 624 00:17:40,133 --> 00:17:45,033 that? They're supposed to be 625 00:17:40,866 --> 00:17:45,800 delivered in 2028. So until we 626 00:17:45,033 --> 00:17:50,833 got a handle or until the 627 00:17:45,800 --> 00:17:52,833 courts make rulings on some of 628 00:17:50,833 --> 00:17:53,400 the questions regarding the 629 00:17:52,833 --> 00:17:54,100 funding spigot from 630 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:54,866 Washington. There will be a 631 00:17:54,100 --> 00:17:57,233 lot of question marks about 632 00:17:54,866 --> 00:18:00,166 nearly every federal out late 633 00:17:57,233 --> 00:18:01,933 to the state. Adrienne, why 634 00:18:00,166 --> 00:18:02,966 this project the many areas of 635 00:18:01,933 --> 00:18:03,700 certainty and wear state 636 00:18:02,966 --> 00:18:05,566 government depends on federal 637 00:18:03,700 --> 00:18:06,700 money flowing down. 638 00:18:05,566 --> 00:18:10,400 >> Why do you suppose this 639 00:18:06,700 --> 00:18:11,133 Brandon Road, cart? It 640 00:18:10,400 --> 00:18:12,566 projects was the one that was 641 00:18:11,133 --> 00:18:14,466 chosen to be paused while it's 642 00:18:12,566 --> 00:18:16,333 my understanding from the 643 00:18:14,466 --> 00:18:16,933 governor's office that 644 00:18:16,333 --> 00:18:17,533 currently the Illinois 645 00:18:16,933 --> 00:18:20,966 Department of Natural 646 00:18:17,533 --> 00:18:21,766 Resources doesn't have access 647 00:18:20,966 --> 00:18:22,433 to. 648 00:18:21,766 --> 00:18:23,800 >> 170 million dollars of 649 00:18:22,433 --> 00:18:25,366 federal funding for different 650 00:18:23,800 --> 00:18:26,100 infrastructure projects across 651 00:18:25,366 --> 00:18:27,900 the state. So it's like 70 652 00:18:26,100 --> 00:18:29,733 projects in terms of like 653 00:18:27,900 --> 00:18:31,433 cleaning up old mines. And in 654 00:18:29,733 --> 00:18:33,300 this case, it has an itself 655 00:18:31,433 --> 00:18:35,200 halted the Brandon Road 656 00:18:33,300 --> 00:18:35,933 project. It's probably one of 657 00:18:35,200 --> 00:18:36,800 the most expensive 658 00:18:35,933 --> 00:18:40,100 infrastructure products at the 659 00:18:36,800 --> 00:18:44,666 IDNR has been involved in and 660 00:18:40,100 --> 00:18:45,300 the thing is that right now 661 00:18:44,666 --> 00:18:45,933 the funding for the first 662 00:18:45,300 --> 00:18:48,600 phase of the project is 663 00:18:45,933 --> 00:18:50,500 located. It is already 664 00:18:48,600 --> 00:18:51,533 available. issue is that 665 00:18:50,500 --> 00:18:54,366 because there's no certainty 666 00:18:51,533 --> 00:18:55,533 that the next few rounds of 667 00:18:54,366 --> 00:18:56,300 construction, we'll get the 668 00:18:55,533 --> 00:18:58,833 necessary. Federal funding has 669 00:18:56,300 --> 00:19:01,333 already been allocated by 670 00:18:58,833 --> 00:19:02,366 Congress. the concern from JB 671 00:19:01,333 --> 00:19:04,000 Pritzker is that there's 672 00:19:02,366 --> 00:19:06,066 they're not gonna be able get 673 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:06,700 it and the future you now and 674 00:19:06,066 --> 00:19:10,366 when it's I was already 675 00:19:06,700 --> 00:19:11,133 approved for project. So their 676 00:19:10,366 --> 00:19:13,433 pass saying right now any kind 677 00:19:11,133 --> 00:19:14,566 of property closing. So the 678 00:19:13,433 --> 00:19:16,166 state doesn't own some of the 679 00:19:14,566 --> 00:19:17,366 property where need to do some 680 00:19:16,166 --> 00:19:18,066 construction so they can't 681 00:19:17,366 --> 00:19:19,800 pass it on to the federal 682 00:19:18,066 --> 00:19:22,666 government to. Continue that 683 00:19:19,800 --> 00:19:23,833 first phase of construction. 684 00:19:22,666 --> 00:19:26,466 All right. From the shores of 685 00:19:23,833 --> 00:19:27,166 Juliet. Now to the marble 686 00:19:26,466 --> 00:19:28,000 floors of City Hall. Mayor 687 00:19:27,166 --> 00:19:28,600 Brandon Johnson this week said 688 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:31,566 that. 689 00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:34,666 >> His biggest regret was 690 00:19:31,566 --> 00:19:36,066 keeping on disloyal holdovers. 691 00:19:34,666 --> 00:19:38,666 He said if you ate with us, 692 00:19:36,066 --> 00:19:39,533 you got to go rabbit punch to 693 00:19:38,666 --> 00:19:40,300 that. 694 00:19:39,533 --> 00:19:43,300 >> Well, in the that there are 695 00:19:40,300 --> 00:19:43,966 so many different ways of 696 00:19:43,300 --> 00:19:44,633 saying trouble the 697 00:19:43,966 --> 00:19:46,966 administration and I guess 698 00:19:44,633 --> 00:19:50,333 having a hard reboot have at 699 00:19:46,966 --> 00:19:52,833 the halfway point is not going 700 00:19:50,333 --> 00:19:53,933 to disabuse anyone of the 701 00:19:52,833 --> 00:19:56,933 notion that they're not 702 00:19:53,933 --> 00:19:58,200 entirely in control of things 703 00:19:56,933 --> 00:19:58,966 at City Hall and which is 704 00:19:58,200 --> 00:20:00,900 which is so bizarre about this 705 00:19:58,966 --> 00:20:01,600 statement now is that normally 706 00:20:00,900 --> 00:20:03,566 new administration, you're 707 00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:05,600 bringing your own people and 708 00:20:03,566 --> 00:20:09,333 it I think there may be a lot 709 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:10,666 of a lot of analysts, myself 710 00:20:09,333 --> 00:20:12,200 included. thought that maybe 711 00:20:10,666 --> 00:20:13,400 bringing on some people who 712 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:14,100 had experience in the 713 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:16,433 Lightfoot administration or 714 00:20:14,100 --> 00:20:17,700 the Emanuel Administration 715 00:20:16,433 --> 00:20:18,366 even the Daley administration 716 00:20:17,700 --> 00:20:21,133 was a sign that maybe was 717 00:20:18,366 --> 00:20:22,066 conciliatory. Maybe he was 718 00:20:21,133 --> 00:20:22,800 reaching out to the Chicago 719 00:20:22,066 --> 00:20:25,500 ones who didn't vote for him 720 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:29,766 or didn't vote at all. But 721 00:20:25,500 --> 00:20:31,933 clearly he feels now that 14, 722 00:20:29,766 --> 00:20:32,700 15% approval that some of 723 00:20:31,933 --> 00:20:33,433 these to be blamed for it. And 724 00:20:32,700 --> 00:20:35,533 it's the people he inherited 725 00:20:33,433 --> 00:20:36,866 when he came in. And 23. 726 00:20:35,533 --> 00:20:37,700 >> And so within days of that, 727 00:20:36,866 --> 00:20:40,500 we have seen some turnover. A 728 00:20:37,700 --> 00:20:41,666 lot of people paying attention 729 00:20:40,500 --> 00:20:44,866 to aviation commissioner, 730 00:20:41,666 --> 00:20:45,900 Jamie Rhee, who is supposedly 731 00:20:44,866 --> 00:20:47,133 retiring and 732 00:20:45,900 --> 00:20:48,533 >> folks not its yet. It's all 733 00:20:47,133 --> 00:20:49,300 a coincidence. Everyone was 734 00:20:48,533 --> 00:20:50,000 intending on retiring before 735 00:20:49,300 --> 00:20:52,533 this announcement was made 736 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:55,066 earlier this week. The 737 00:20:52,533 --> 00:20:57,900 aviation, departure is comes 738 00:20:55,066 --> 00:21:00,133 at a very critical time for 739 00:20:57,900 --> 00:21:01,433 the O'Hare Airport expansion 740 00:21:00,133 --> 00:21:02,266 project. They were able to get 741 00:21:01,433 --> 00:21:04,566 the buy-in from United and 742 00:21:02,266 --> 00:21:05,800 American late last year. So 743 00:21:04,566 --> 00:21:09,366 that was a crucial turning 744 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:13,300 point. But you're not there 745 00:21:09,366 --> 00:21:14,566 yet. And this is also a very 746 00:21:13,300 --> 00:21:17,266 curious departure, a given 747 00:21:14,566 --> 00:21:18,033 that that United Airlines 748 00:21:17,266 --> 00:21:19,333 Denver story got some traction 749 00:21:18,033 --> 00:21:21,233 earlier this week. United 750 00:21:19,333 --> 00:21:21,966 Airlines Building a pilot 751 00:21:21,233 --> 00:21:23,933 training facility in Denver, 752 00:21:21,966 --> 00:21:24,833 Denver, one of their major 753 00:21:23,933 --> 00:21:28,400 hubs and the plans for this 754 00:21:24,833 --> 00:21:29,100 pilot training facility could 755 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:30,600 potentially be built out for 756 00:21:29,100 --> 00:21:32,333 office buildings to 757 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:33,133 accommodate 5,000 people. The 758 00:21:32,333 --> 00:21:36,766 same 5,000 people who 759 00:21:33,133 --> 00:21:38,800 currently work at the Willis 760 00:21:36,766 --> 00:21:41,733 Tower. there is it's it's a 761 00:21:38,800 --> 00:21:43,900 pretty precarious moment for 762 00:21:41,733 --> 00:21:44,700 aviation in the city that the 763 00:21:43,900 --> 00:21:45,433 commissioner go away be a huge 764 00:21:44,700 --> 00:21:47,933 loss for Chicago, of course, 765 00:21:45,433 --> 00:21:48,666 to lose. United know. Speaking 766 00:21:47,933 --> 00:21:49,533 of 767 00:21:48,666 --> 00:21:51,533 >> Matt changeover, CPS, Chief 768 00:21:49,533 --> 00:21:53,466 Pedro Martinez fought so hard 769 00:21:51,533 --> 00:21:57,300 to keep his job. But now we 770 00:21:53,466 --> 00:21:59,566 hear that he is in the running 771 00:21:57,300 --> 00:22:00,466 for another lead and position 772 00:21:59,566 --> 00:22:02,200 as the superintendent's, 773 00:22:00,466 --> 00:22:02,933 another holdover from the wife 774 00:22:02,200 --> 00:22:04,533 administration, who's now been 775 00:22:02,933 --> 00:22:06,066 forced out. He his time in 776 00:22:04,533 --> 00:22:07,666 Chicago is coming to an end. I 777 00:22:06,066 --> 00:22:08,433 think whatever fighting he 778 00:22:07,666 --> 00:22:09,333 wanted to do and his lawsuits 779 00:22:08,433 --> 00:22:12,433 going to keep going on against 780 00:22:09,333 --> 00:22:13,166 the city and school district 781 00:22:12,433 --> 00:22:15,333 in the he knows he's moving 782 00:22:13,166 --> 00:22:16,500 on. So this is another job in 783 00:22:15,333 --> 00:22:19,300 Nevada that he's looking at. 784 00:22:16,500 --> 00:22:20,300 He has experience out there in 785 00:22:19,300 --> 00:22:21,533 the past. He's fight so hard 786 00:22:20,300 --> 00:22:24,566 to keep his job if he was 787 00:22:21,533 --> 00:22:25,366 going to he had lost it And I 788 00:22:24,566 --> 00:22:27,400 think it only makes sense to 789 00:22:25,366 --> 00:22:28,766 have another thing. And he's 790 00:22:27,400 --> 00:22:30,333 has 6 months now of where he's 791 00:22:28,766 --> 00:22:32,666 going to be paid east on the 792 00:22:30,333 --> 00:22:33,666 to look elsewhere, to make 793 00:22:32,666 --> 00:22:34,400 sense to do that. If he wants 794 00:22:33,666 --> 00:22:35,433 to leave early, he could do 795 00:22:34,400 --> 00:22:36,600 that as well. Of course, 796 00:22:35,433 --> 00:22:39,233 there's some major, major work 797 00:22:36,600 --> 00:22:39,900 left to be done in Chicago 798 00:22:39,233 --> 00:22:40,866 with CPS and the teachers 799 00:22:39,900 --> 00:22:41,766 union contract that needs to 800 00:22:40,866 --> 00:22:42,500 be finalized. 801 00:22:41,766 --> 00:22:45,366 >> If that's done before he 802 00:22:42,500 --> 00:22:48,433 leaves, that remains to be 803 00:22:45,366 --> 00:22:49,066 seen. But it's a natural 804 00:22:48,433 --> 00:22:49,833 jumping spot for a place 805 00:22:49,066 --> 00:22:51,600 history. And we said his kids 806 00:22:49,833 --> 00:22:53,400 were born in Nevada out there. 807 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:54,666 So it's another spot where 808 00:22:53,400 --> 00:22:55,433 he's going to go and have a 809 00:22:54,666 --> 00:22:58,233 similar job, slightly smaller 810 00:22:55,433 --> 00:22:58,566 district. But it may make 811 00:22:58,233 --> 00:22:59,266 sense. 812 00:22:58,566 --> 00:23:01,000 >> Something else that is 813 00:22:59,266 --> 00:23:02,300 spelled trouble for the 814 00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:02,966 Johnson administration is 815 00:23:02,300 --> 00:23:05,966 questions over letting the 816 00:23:02,966 --> 00:23:06,900 inspector general into this 817 00:23:05,966 --> 00:23:09,133 apparent gift closet where 818 00:23:06,900 --> 00:23:10,766 folks that want to give 819 00:23:09,133 --> 00:23:12,533 something to the Mayor Johnson 820 00:23:10,766 --> 00:23:15,766 or prior administrations as 821 00:23:12,533 --> 00:23:19,733 well could do so. We got a 822 00:23:15,766 --> 00:23:20,500 glimpse into that closet this 823 00:23:19,733 --> 00:23:23,733 week. Me I asked Dave, what is 824 00:23:20,500 --> 00:23:27,366 the point of showing a video 825 00:23:23,733 --> 00:23:28,166 letting folks 826 00:23:27,366 --> 00:23:31,266 >> Well, I guess to show some 827 00:23:28,166 --> 00:23:32,200 level of transparency, but 828 00:23:31,266 --> 00:23:33,333 that certainly, you know, does 829 00:23:32,200 --> 00:23:35,333 it do it for you? It does not 830 00:23:33,333 --> 00:23:36,800 clicked for me, but but, you 831 00:23:35,333 --> 00:23:37,566 know, looks like they need 832 00:23:36,800 --> 00:23:40,200 good graphs ale when I when I 833 00:23:37,566 --> 00:23:41,300 see pictures there. 834 00:23:40,200 --> 00:23:43,000 >> It does not. Rob. This 835 00:23:41,300 --> 00:23:44,366 inspector general. And there's 836 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:45,300 also a new cataloging that the 837 00:23:44,366 --> 00:23:47,133 got. The mayor has said that 838 00:23:45,300 --> 00:23:48,133 he is going to We also the 839 00:23:47,133 --> 00:23:48,966 inspector general pushing back 840 00:23:48,133 --> 00:23:51,733 on both Johnson and his 841 00:23:48,966 --> 00:23:52,966 predecessor, the late for the 842 00:23:51,733 --> 00:23:53,866 ministrations working with 843 00:23:52,966 --> 00:23:55,166 them, but apparently trying to 844 00:23:53,866 --> 00:23:57,033 obstruct investigations. Yeah, 845 00:23:55,166 --> 00:23:58,833 I think the inspector general 846 00:23:57,033 --> 00:23:59,566 believe that the mayor's 847 00:23:58,833 --> 00:24:00,300 office was trying to put its 848 00:23:59,566 --> 00:24:02,733 thumb on the scale and certain 849 00:24:00,300 --> 00:24:04,800 investigations by having. 850 00:24:02,733 --> 00:24:07,733 >> A representative of the 851 00:24:04,800 --> 00:24:09,633 city's law department sit in 852 00:24:07,733 --> 00:24:10,300 on certain investigative 853 00:24:09,633 --> 00:24:12,733 interviews and that this 854 00:24:10,300 --> 00:24:14,633 person from the law department 855 00:24:12,733 --> 00:24:17,633 was not representing the 856 00:24:14,633 --> 00:24:18,933 interviewee, but just kind 857 00:24:17,633 --> 00:24:20,166 there representing the city. 858 00:24:18,933 --> 00:24:21,566 So they weren't. So there was 859 00:24:20,166 --> 00:24:22,333 a that the it is obvious that 860 00:24:21,566 --> 00:24:25,266 there was a chilling effect by 861 00:24:22,333 --> 00:24:26,300 having the city lawyer there 862 00:24:25,266 --> 00:24:27,066 and that would influence the 863 00:24:26,300 --> 00:24:29,333 interviewee on what they were 864 00:24:27,066 --> 00:24:31,666 trying to say. And as to what 865 00:24:29,333 --> 00:24:35,533 some of those they weren't 866 00:24:31,666 --> 00:24:36,200 hinted that specifically. But 867 00:24:35,533 --> 00:24:36,900 you could you could take a 868 00:24:36,200 --> 00:24:38,233 look at the language and I 869 00:24:36,900 --> 00:24:38,866 guess one of them pointed 870 00:24:38,233 --> 00:24:42,133 directly to the valleys 871 00:24:38,866 --> 00:24:42,766 contract for the casino. 872 00:24:42,133 --> 00:24:43,500 >> Evidently, these were 873 00:24:42,766 --> 00:24:47,200 investigations that the mayor 874 00:24:43,500 --> 00:24:49,066 might find We're going to 875 00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:50,233 leave it there. This was 876 00:24:49,066 --> 00:24:53,300 anything. But and they're we 877 00:24:50,233 --> 00:24:53,966 are, however, out of time. Our 878 00:24:53,300 --> 00:24:55,300 thanks to Dave McKinney, 879 00:24:53,966 --> 00:24:56,166 Adriana Perez, Rob Heart and 880 00:24:55,300 --> 00:24:56,933 Matt Masterson. We will be 881 00:24:56,166 --> 00:25:02,133 back to wrap things up right 882 00:24:56,933 --> 00:25:02,833 after this. 883 00:25:02,133 --> 00:25:05,166 >> Chicago tonight is made 884 00:25:02,833 --> 00:25:05,833 possible in part why the 885 00:25:05,166 --> 00:25:09,333 Alexander and John Nichols 886 00:25:05,833 --> 00:25:11,166 family. The Pope Brothers 887 00:25:09,333 --> 00:25:18,900 Foundation, additional support 888 00:25:11,166 --> 00:25:19,866 is provided by. 889 00:25:18,900 --> 00:25:21,100 >> And that is our show for 890 00:25:19,866 --> 00:25:23,133 this Friday night. Join us 891 00:25:21,100 --> 00:25:24,900 Monday night at 5, 30 10 for 892 00:25:23,133 --> 00:25:26,800 the launch of firsthand 893 00:25:24,900 --> 00:25:27,333 peacekeepers. We talk with 894 00:25:26,800 --> 00:25:28,100 local residents and 895 00:25:27,333 --> 00:25:30,733 stakeholders working to create 896 00:25:28,100 --> 00:25:31,200 peace in Chicago's 897 00:25:30,733 --> 00:25:31,866 neighborhoods. 898 00:25:31,200 --> 00:25:33,566 >> Now for the weekend in 899 00:25:31,866 --> 00:25:34,266 Divinity. Thanks for watching. 900 00:25:33,566 --> 00:25:37,833 Stay healthy and safe happy 901 00:25:34,266 --> 00:25:38,566 Valentine's Day. Alright, 902 00:25:37,833 --> 00:25:42,366 Adriana over to you. Because 903 00:25:38,566 --> 00:25:43,100 we are all talking about the 904 00:25:42,366 --> 00:25:44,433 price of eggs. But of course, 905 00:25:43,100 --> 00:25:45,500 there's something behind that 906 00:25:44,433 --> 00:25:47,200 next. The avian flu and fears 907 00:25:45,500 --> 00:25:49,433 that it could transfer to 908 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:50,533 humans. What it concerns you 909 00:25:49,433 --> 00:25:51,933 have in Chicago, particularly 910 00:25:50,533 --> 00:25:52,800 now with a secretary of health 911 00:25:51,933 --> 00:25:55,700 and Human Services doesn't 912 00:25:52,800 --> 00:25:56,400 believe in vaccine mandates. 913 00:25:55,700 --> 00:25:57,200 >> That's a very good 914 00:25:56,400 --> 00:26:01,666 question. I think that's still 915 00:25:57,200 --> 00:26:02,500 to be seen. There's now 916 00:26:01,666 --> 00:26:05,500 >> documented cases I think 917 00:26:02,500 --> 00:26:07,566 the bird going from person to 918 00:26:05,500 --> 00:26:08,600 person. But so is a concern to 919 00:26:07,566 --> 00:26:13,233 with hats, you know, and when 920 00:26:08,600 --> 00:26:14,000 a lot birds and Red Crescent 921 00:26:13,233 --> 00:26:16,133 and answers kind washed ashore 922 00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:18,400 on like that and the other day 923 00:26:16,133 --> 00:26:19,100 weeks ago, lot of pets nearby. 924 00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:20,233 You know, we have a lot of 925 00:26:19,100 --> 00:26:21,000 people walk their dogs, which 926 00:26:20,233 --> 00:26:21,766 is, you know, making sure that 927 00:26:21,000 --> 00:26:23,700 they're not getting close to 928 00:26:21,766 --> 00:26:24,433 the dead birds and that, you 929 00:26:23,700 --> 00:26:25,866 know, you're clean their feet. 930 00:26:24,433 --> 00:26:29,566 When you go back home and they 931 00:26:25,866 --> 00:26:30,800 also don't pick them up. You 932 00:26:29,566 --> 00:26:31,533 reported on the list virtual. 933 00:26:30,800 --> 00:26:34,766 Yeah, there, you currents of 934 00:26:31,533 --> 00:26:35,966 matter is that. 935 00:26:34,766 --> 00:26:37,800 >> Closed captioning is made 936 00:26:35,966 --> 00:26:39,233 possible by Robert, a cliff 937 00:26:37,800 --> 00:26:41,100 and Clifford law offices, 938 00:26:39,233 --> 00:26:43,033 Chicago, personal injury and 939 00:26:41,100 --> 00:26:43,833 wrongful death that supports