>> Hello and thanks for joining us on Chicago tonight.

I'm Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

>> Our city young people deserve everything.

And then some.

>> After a year of often tense negotiations, the Chicago teachers union has reached a tentative contract.

We hear from members of their bargaining team.

Toni Preckwinkle on her decision to run for a 5th term as Cook County Board.

President.

>> We're in a moment where there are so many forces arrayed against journalism.

>> And Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Ronan Farrow on the role of a Free Press and his new podcast.

>> And now to some of today's top stories.

Polls closed for suburban voters in less than 2 hours today.

Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon cast her ballot in her home precinct in south suburban Chicago Heights.

And she also released this time lapse video that shows her office moving out election voting equipment to be distributed across the county in today's consolidated election voters in Skokie, for example, are deciding on a ranked choice voting referendum and several municipalities, including neighbors and Aurora, are choosing their next Mayor, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin is running for reelection but faces stiff or political headwinds this year against challenger Alderman at large.

Sean Lash here on the inside.

Starting today, people who are being held on the county's electronic monitoring program will no longer be under the supervision of the Cook County sheriff.

Instead, those who are ordered by a judge to be on EM in lieu of the tension will be under the authority of the office of the chief judge advocates are celebrating the move saying the sheriff implemented harmful rules for people on electronic monitoring leading to the loss of jobs and preventing them from completing basic tasks.

Chief Judge Tim Evans office says while his department's pre-trial services officers don't have arrest authority, office does provide more structure and support.

Ben, given with the sheriff's department over the next year.

The sheriff's office will wind down its oversight of those who are assigned to em before today.

And it may be April Fool's Day, but the city isn't joking around.

Beginning today, warning notices are being issued at 16 new speed camera locations across the city.

The warnings will continue through the end of this month before fines will start being doled out.

Drivers going 6 to 10 miles per hour over the speed limit will be fined.

$35 and those going 11 miles an hour or more will be fined $100.

The 16 cameras are part of 50 new ones that are expected to be installed throughout the year.

Meanwhile, if you've got an outstanding parking tickets, speed or red-light ticket expired registration, missing city sticker or license plate, you're in luck.

The city is waiving late penalties, interest or fees for eligible tickets issued before 2024.

But that only last through June, 30th, everybody.

Chicago teachers have a tentative contract agreement at look at what it includes right after this.

>> Chicago tonight is made possible in part by the Alexander and John Nichols family.

The gym and K maybe family.

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> After almost a year of often contentious negotiations, the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago public schools have reached a tentative contract deal.

The union's contract expired last June in the last 3 contract negotiations all came to a strike vote and in 2 cases an actual strike before a deal was reached.

Joining us with their perspectives on all of this are Goodchild deputy general counsel for the Chicago Teachers Union and member of the union's small bargaining team Zeid or foster director grievances at the Chicago teachers Union as Foster is a former high school teacher and also a member of the sea to use small bargaining team.

And Vicki Kruse.

blow is CPS teacher of more than 30 years and is a member of CT use Big bargaining team and folks at home.

We'll explain what the difference between a small in the big bargaining teams are shortly.

But before we get to our conversation, Mayor Johnson couldn't help but take a victory lap.

Here's some of what he said this morning.

>> And no one in this city wants to see anybody in this city underpaid undervalued.

I know that.

So, you know.

We got it done.

The first mayor, 15 years to get a contract done.

Keep labor peace.

>> Ok, so my thanks to our guest again, Cedar Foster low in Goodchild.

And as we mentioned, the difference, a pretty small in the big bargaining team.

Small bargaining team.

Those are the folks who are actually at the table sitting across from the district in the city, big bargaining teams about 65 educators and staff members who sort of like get the temperature and how we're feeling about about the potential agreement how it's going.

Okay.

Yeah.

Alright.

So while this contract it was settled without a strike vote.

Of course there was a lot of work to get here and along the way, an entire school board Then new one got elected and appointed Knicks successful attempts to fire the schools.

Ceo Pedro Martinez, the kicker.

Is that low over to you first, what do you think the holdup was over this past year?

I think the holdup itself was Mister Pedro Martinez.

>> I feel as though we at sea to you came to the table, ready to negotiate a fair contract, a contract that is cumulative that builds off of each previous contract.

I feel as though the board of Education was also willing and ready to bargain in good faith.

I believe that Pedro Martinez himself one of the biggest reasons why we were blocked at every pass.

>> That said the raises that you all received that were offered last summer.

These are the same raises that that went into the deal that we have today.

Zebra.

You didn't have a deal last summer that what else was holding up?

Well, so outstanding that what sweet enough.

So we started this process with quite a few proposals.

I know you all have heard of the 700 proposals.

So we had a lot of things that we were trying to accomplish.

We started this process trying to transform Chicago public schools.

It wasn't just about compensation.

concerned about staffing.

We wanted to create an elementary school day that enhanced experience for all of our students.

So it was it was a lot on the table and it took some time.

But we felt like we've made some significant improvements and we are confident that the students will have a better experience.

The Chicago public schools as a result, no strike vote this this time.

Of course, fact Goodchild.

How would you compare this process to previous ones previous mayors?

>> Very different on every way.

You know, this is the first time that we're negotiating contracts with mayor.

That isn't an adversary.

air was a middle school teacher and knows what it's like to walk into a public school and meet children that are bringing with them problems come through the door of every school and the city every day.

as you mentioned before, we had a situation where he had a CEO who decided that he was going to listen to the mayor and that he was going to listen to the board.

But despite that, we're really proud of what we were able to accomplish over the last year and what it's going to mean for students, educators and families across the city.

>> So let's walk through what some of the gains for CPS staff and teachers It doubles the number of libraries and librarians.

We've mentioned smaller class sizes.

There is more prep time for elementary school teachers and staff protections for academic freedom.

And I want to come back to that in a bit protections for LGBTQ students I think the dry want to come to to you on this first.

You know, I think a lot of people have heard about, you know, the sort of protections for academic freedom for tenured professors, for example.

But how does this apply to to our public school teachers?

So the academic freedom is something that we feel is important because it allows our teachers to be able to use their professional judgment.

>> And teach the truth.

There's so many different political forces right now.

We want to make sure that our teachers had language in the contract that would allow them to be able to teach and provide, you know, and experience for our students.

And so like indicated, we've gotten a lot of protections for LGBT Q PLUS students and and some of our employees and so supports for bilingual students.

Special Ed tried to build a force field our students to protect them.

And we feel confident that this contract will be able to do that.

>> Vicky, what does this mean for, you know, people working in elementary schools how does all this sort of go together better for you and for your students?

It's really exciting.

Teachers are thrilled that we have more prep time too planned.

The lessons planned the curriculum prepare for our students to make their learning experience richer.

attainable.

Accessible and teachers are thrilled that now with this set of agreements that we are going to be able to actually.

Use our expertise to build upon with what we already have.

You know, teachers take a lot of work home and teachers work a lot of lot of hours outside of the classroom.

This not only allows us the ability to develop our are Kraft inside the building and it really it gives us a lot of respect.

I feel back.

fact, a teacher's yes, yes, sad.

Some of these contracts gains they might be in direct opposition to what we're hearing from President Trump and his goals for on for education.

>> How enforceable teaching some of these changes are in this country.

>> Yes, I think what we're seeing around the country right now is states municipalities, school districts standing up for what they believe despite the attacks coming from the new administration in Washington on public education on teaching the truth on respecting a public workers are at large and and public educators.

And so I think, you know, this is an area where we are really glad for the collaboration shared values with the people that we sat on the other side of the table from you know, teaching black history.

That's American history teaching about the contributions of the LGBTQ community, the immigrant community.

These are all things that are critical and that we're going to stand together and protect.

>> you have any concerns that, you know, the elected the hybrid Ford they still have to figure out?

>> You know, their budgetary challenges, right?

Even though a contract deal has been reached, CBS still has issues.

Are there?

>> Changes in his contract that you think could cause issues for the district in the future?

>> I don't think so.

I think Co Martinez is very clear that there's money to for this contract.

And so we've taken a lot of precautions and making sure that there are protections for students.

It's not just about salary and benefits.

There's things that our students can really benefit from.

And we think that there's a commitment from the school board to ensure that, you know, we are able to see this contractor.

Vicki.

>> Better pay for veteran teachers.

Senior teachers was a thing this time.

And I know when I covered this several years ago, that was an issue.

Even then.

What did you get this time?

Did you get what you didn't get last time?

we got is amazing.

We added 7 steps to you may have heard.

I should preface Everybody's got a And yes, forgive a step is a raise.

And previously at step 14 we began.

You may have heard this alphabet soup sort of thing.

And it was one of those things where you'd be on your 14 of teaching.

And then next year you'd be then be would like Now there are steps up to 25 that are far easier to understand.

Along with the caller raises in raises intriguing, OK, we didn't have before.

Before we go about 30 seconds left, not a done deal yet, dad, what are the next steps?

>> So tomorrow night we will have our House of delegates convene representatives from every school across the entire city.

And we're going to go through the tentative agreement and and this tentative agreement has so much in it for every constituency across our membership and every school in the city.

We are so excited about what this is going to mean for the student experience.

You mentioned doubling the number of libraries.

I increasing access to sports access to fine arts students being able to attend field trips at no cost.

If they're eligible for free and reduced price lunch.

And so we're going to go through.

Teachers are sticklers for attention detail they are and then after House of delegates, House of delegates decides that it goes on to the rank and file.

>> board has his decision to make as well.

That's Crestwood.

All right.

We're gonna leave it there because it's going to be a thing that we're going to keep following.

And thanks to all of you for joining us.

My thanks to get that good child's teacher Foster.

>> And Vicki Kruse it Thank you.

Thank Up next, a Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on why she's running for reelection.

Cook County Board, President Toni Preckwinkle is running for a 5th term last month under 78th birthday.

The apparently indefatigable Preckwinkle cited the quote, chaos and uncertainty emanating from Washington as the reason for her decision to run again Preckwinkle who has led Cook County since 2010 will face reelection next year.

Joining us now to talk about that decision and the challenges of dealing with a new Trump administration is Cook County Board.

President Toni Preckwinkle.

Welcome back President.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So as we just mentioned, this would be your 5th term if you are successful in running for reelection to Leigh Cook County, did retirement ever cross your mind?

And I believe in retirement.

And, you know, I've said that if I didn't do this job, I pick another one.

It wouldn't be as interesting or challenging years impactful.

>> It is looking to be able to say that about the job that you have.

Yes, I always say that in democracy, the highest honor, your fellow citizens can bestow upon elective office.

I've been blessed some voters in the country.

They've called for mandatory retirement age for publicly elected officials.

given what happened in the presidential race with President Biden's age, health concerns eventually becoming a focal point.

What would be your response the thought of a mandatory retirement age for political I don't think it makes sense for elected officials.

>> You know, frankly, one of the challenges we have in public life is there's not a proper appreciation for experience.

And I'm grateful for the opportunities that I've had to leave the county and look forward to 4 more years of doing the same.

You defeated former Alderman Bob Furedi of the Second Ward.

That was back in 2018 at the time.

You told reporters serve one more term in office.

Then of course, he ran for mayor losing Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

at that time you decided, of course, to run for a 4th term.

Now, 5th, what makes you want to keep doing this job?

what more do you feel like you'd like to accomplish in this Well, you know, I I've been grateful, as I said for the opportunity when I came into office in 2010, we have some severe financial struggles.

We spent the first 2 or 3 years trying to get the county on a good firm financial footing.

And then we address the challenges we have in the policy arena, particularly around delivering good health care to people and as the state on a sustainable system, we had some financial challenges.

So we've worked on both access and finances.

>> And then the public safety arena.

We work too try to make our criminal justice system more fair to the people who become entangled in it.

And I'm proud of that good work and grateful that the state legislature kind of codified a lot of the work you've been doing in Cook County in the Pretrial Fairness Act.

and then, of course, the pandemic was that, yes, the global pandemic, which took up most of the time between 20 23.

Almost 24.

And now frankly, we've got a a very challenging President United States and I believe it's a good time to have somebody with experience at the helm.

>> You have said that the presidential administration is causing chaos and uncertainty.

What are you most uncertain or concerned about going forward?

I think President Trump has decided he's going to try to overwhelm and demoralize the people who disagree with them and >> we've seen a barrage of executive orders and actions at the federal level which like sometimes are withdrawn the next day.

But in any case contribute, as I said to chaos and uncertainty, particularly concerned, of course, about health care for all Americans.

I believe in universal health care.

We're definitely not there.

But I'm responsible for a public health system with the buzz about little less than half of the charity care and the entire county, although we have about 60 for hospitals, 2 hospitals provide half of the charity care.

We are heavily dependent on Medicaid about a 3rd of the people in Cook County depend on Medicaid children, seniors, adults with disabilities.

You Medicaid provide support for most of the women who give birth in this county.

So week.

We have a lot at stake as the president attacks are national health care system.

To that point, Governor JB Pritzker has recently said that Illinois could lose as much as 11 billion dollars in federal funds to you and your team have a sense of what that means for Cook County.

How much could Cook County stand to lose in federal funding?

That's not what what's been our focus.

Frankly, we've been trying to figure out on that.

>> Case-by-case basis lane by Lane what might happen if the federal government and what could potentially be our response.

And so we've been doing a little planning ahead, but I'm trying not to be.

Anxious.

We'll just we'll see what happens to them.

Respond to it.

When you say case by case it's sort of like a waiting until we the CDC is allegedly taking from your Cook County Health Department or what could happen with housing rather than what could have anticipated.

what could happen, Medicaid, what could happen in our infrastructure investments minute there.

A lot of ways.

There are a lot of ways in which the federal government supports activities at the local level and what's going to happen, of course, of the federal government withdraw support is that local governments, whether it's the city or the county or the state are gonna have to figure out how they can fill the gap.

Have you had contact with the new administration?

No.

One of your signature achievements has been you've been able to balance the Cook County Budget Year over year without raising taxes, often if it became necessary after losing federal funds, would you consider supporting raising taxes if if you needed to make up those funds?

But I want to commit anything.

Now, what we're trying to do is, as I said, anticipate what are the potential ways in which federal action could impact us?

And then what would be our response?

One potential help for property owners that you're working on is the county's homeowner relief initiative.

Tell us about that.

And what homeowners need to know to be to qualify.

Want to try to get preliminary approval for the program in our April board meeting.

It's a 15 million dollar program that will provide $1000 to re in relief to about 13,600 homeowners.

We've seen an increase in their property taxes of at least 50% in one of the last 3 years between 21 and 24.

In your most recent budget year, guaranteed income pilot.

It ended.

What would you say is the status of the research there and the potential to bring it back later on?

>> Well, I'm very grateful for the good work that's been done by my team around guaranteed income.

>> You know, I believe that this is something we need federally.

But until that time we get to that state of grace.

It's important for local units of government to have guaranteed income programs to show that they can be beneficial to our residents.

We're working with the University of Chicago academics to to look at the results.

We be distribute the last payments in January.

So we hope later this spring to be able to talk about the impacts on the individuals who participate in the program 3,250 individuals.

>> almost out of time.

Madam President changes to the electronic monitoring program in Cook County are afoot.

Steyer, shifting from the Cook County Sheriff's Office to a department or the chief Judge, 10 Evans.

Does that office?

Does it have what it needs to support this this kind of program and and what do you think of the shift happening?

What we've we're focused on public safety for our residents.

The chief judge and the sheriff both had electronic monitoring programs last fall.

The sheriff informed us that this was not a business.

He wanted to be any longer.

The chief judge has had a program and we're working to support his efforts to expand the program to accommodate the sheriffs departure from the arena.

Madam President, Toni Preckwinkle, thank you so much for joining us.

Best of luck and you Re election campaign.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

You bet.

Up next, journalist Ronan Farrow talks about reporting diplomacy and his new podcast.

it's a prize winning reporter Ronan Farrow has uncovered stories of harassment and assault chronicled the decline of America's soft power and explored how powerful people try to track and manipulate journalists.

Farrell was in town today discussing his latest project, a podcast that defies easy categorization reporter Nick Blumberg sat down with them.

>> Ronan Farrow has worked on magazines, books, documentaries and podcasts.

Very Moira rose from Schitt's Creek, all and kind of like that off the wall TV matriarch, this subject at the Heart of Farrow's new podcast.

Not a very good murderer is a little out there.

But as I looked into a C C I discovered that her background was complicated, like really complicated.

I'm accused.

Of trying to kill my husband.

It is a series of true crime mysteries stumble into these cold cases and have to crack It is a character portrait of a really complicated, difficult percent who is problematic in some way is and lovable in other ways.

It's also something of an anatomy of a certain kind of voter imbibing, a certain kind of dis-information, a former pageant queen now living in luxury in suburban Phoenix, CCS.

Complicated story goes beyond the accusations of attempted murder.

There's no one like CC.

She is a one of a kind person and to say for ING what makes her tick, it is a big part of this series.

This project got started because you are vetting a source who made pretty explosive claim about assault.

>> Why was it important for you to come demonstrate to the audience?

Just how much work goes into getting a source like that for an investigative story.

We're in a moment where there are so many forces arrayed against journalism.

>> There's an economic model that is in doubt.

There's political headwinds.

>> And there's a major legacy news institutions who are >> bending the knee a Pharaohs reported for years on abuse, including a recent New Yorker piece on a serial rapist whose predation was essentially an open secret.

I suppose if I had to beat its identifying systemic injustices and trying to put a spotlight on them, you've experienced both working in and reporting on the foreign policy diplomacy, space.

How do you see the state of the U.S. on the world stage right now?

The United States is in the throes of a surge of fascism.

>> authoritarian tendencies.

effort to not only dismantle a lot of basic rights and freedoms and aspects of the rule of law domestically.

But also too >> transition in a direction of.

>> More of a bullying high handed role with absence of either soft power or diplomacy.

As for his new podcast, Farrow says its main subject didn't much care for it.

She called one of the producers on the project and threatened to >> come kill all of you with my bare hands, believe was the quote.

But he has been heartened by the kinds of responses he's gotten from audience members.

I see my mother and this character.

I see someone in my family, someone at my Thanksgiving dinner table in this series and a lot of people have written in to say that it's helped them cope with.

>> Dynamics of abuse and addiction and mental health issues in their families for Chicago tonight.

I'm Nick Blumberg.

>> Not a very good murder was released on our double last month.

And that's our show for this Tuesday night.

Join us tomorrow night at 5, 30 10.

Now for all of us here in Chicago Brandis Friedman, thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

>> Closed captioning is made possible by Robert, a cliff and Clifford law offices.