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>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE WEEK IN REVIEW.

WE HOPE YOU HAD A HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND TODAY WE TALK SOME POLITICAL TURKEY.

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>>> GOOD EVENING.

AND WELCOME TO THE WEEK IN REVIEW.

WE HOPE YOU HAD A HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

>> TODAY, WE TALK POLITICAL TURKEY AS 2021 DRAWS TO A CLOSE, THE 2022 GUBERNATORIAL AND MIDTERM ELECTION IS WELL UNDERWAY AND THEN A MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

WE LOOK AT THE BALLOTS, WHO IS RUNNING AND THE KEY ISSUES, THE SLATE OF GOP LOBBYING OVER THE PRITZKER'S HANDLING OF COVID-19.

>> EVERY DAY THE GOVERNOR CAME ON SCREEN AND DIDN'T JUST TALK ABOUT COVID-19, DIDN'T TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, OUR ECONOMY, THE DESTRUCTION OF BUSINESS, DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> I WANTED TO TACKLE THE BIG CHALLENGES THAT THE STATE AND FACING AND MAKE SURE WE ARE PUTTING SPRINGFIELD BACK ON THE SIDE OF WORKING FAMILIES.

NO ONE WOULD'VE IMAGINE THAT WE HAD A GLOBAL PANDEMIC TO OVERCOME.

BUT WE MADE GREAT STRIDES NONE THELESS.

>> CHALLENGERS FOR PRITZKER, AS KEN PLEDGES TO GO ALL IN ON SOMEONE WHO CAN UNSEAT THE GOVERNOR.

>> THERE WERE NO TIMES TO REVIEW AND USING THE DATA THAT WAS NOT COUNTING THE POPULATION.

>> NEW CONVERSATIONAL AND LEGISLATION HE HAVE -- CONGRESSIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE MAPS DREW CRITICISM AND SAYING BLACK ILLINOIS RESIDENTS ARE GETTING THE SHORT END.

>> LET HIM RUN.

I WILL HAVE A LOT OF FUN WITH THAT.

>> LIGHTFOOT DOESN'T SAY SHE IS RUNNING FOR REELECTION, BUT SHE IS GETTING -- FROM THE PREVIOUS, AS SHE IS GETTING CRITICISM ON THE HOMICIDE RATE, ALMOST 800 FOR THE YEAR AND VERY, VERY LOW PUBLIC NUMBERS.

>> AND RICK IS HERE, AND CRANE BUSINESS AND RACHEL FROM THE CHICAGO SUN TIMES AND MARY ANNE IS HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> LET GET INTO IT, START WITH THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

MARY ANNE, PRITZKER HAS FOUR KNOWN GOP CHALLENGERS.

WHO WILL THE OTHERS BE?

>> WE ARE WAITING TO SEE IF PRITZKER OR RODNEY, I KIND OF GUESS THAT EITHER OF THEM WILL DO IT AT THE END.

GETTING THROUGH A REPUBLICAN PRIME STATEWIDE IS SO TOUGH.

EVEN THOUGH PERHAPS THE OTHERS ARE MORE APPEALING AGAINST PRITZKER, IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO DO.

>> AND KIRK IS A POSSIBILITY.

>> THEY ARE EYEING A BID FOR THE OFFICE.

I DON'T BELIEVE HE WILL BID.

MY SOURCES DON'T BELIEVE HE WILL.

I THINK WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT CAN I GET THE MONEY NEEDED TO LAUNCH A SUCCESSFUL BID.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> THE MONEY MAY BE THERE, RICK, FROM THE STATE'S RICHEST RESIDENT, VOWED TO WRITE BIG CHECKS TO DEFEAT PRITZKER.

WHO WILL THE CHECKS GO TO?

>> THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION.

GIVEN THE FOUR REPUBLICANS CANDIDATES IF ANY THEM QUALIFY FOR ANY OF THE DOUGH HERE.

I MEAN, HE IS NOT GOING TO PUT MONEY BEHIND WHO IS NOT A STRONG CANDIDATE.

AND OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A PERSONAL FEUD TOO GOING BACK TO THE LAST ELECTION WHEN GRIFFIN HELPED BRUCE OUT WITH THE FAIR TAX ISSUE WHERE GRIFFIN WAS BASICALLY THE ONLY FUNDING IN OPPOSITION TO IT.

IT HAS GIVEN HIM OPPOSITION WANTING TO GO AFTER PRITZKER WITH A SUCCESS OF DEFEATING THE FAIR TAX.

>> NO LOVE LOST BETWEEN THE BILLIONAIRES.

>> ADAM, THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN WHO HAS TAKEN ON TRUMP SINCE THE ELECTION TOLD YOU IN A PODCAST THAT HE THINKS HE IS THE ONLY REPUBLICAN THAT COULD WIN.

>> WE WERE TALK ABOUT THE POLITICAL FUTURE HE IS NOT COMING BACK TO THE HOUSE HE HAS NOT TAMPERED DOWN ON WHETHER OR NOT HE WILL RUN FOR SENATE, GOVERNOR, OR EVEN PRESIDENT DOWN THE LINE.

IT ASKED ABOUT THE CURRENT CLASS OF REPUBLICANS AND HE DIDN'T THINK THEY WERE STELLAR AND HE THOUGHT HE WOULD BE LIKELY TO WIN.

I DON'T KNOW IF I COULD SURVIVE A PRIMARY IN ILLINOIS, HE SAYS.

GIVEN HOW FAR RIGHT OF THE CANDIDATES ARE GOING, HOW THAT FIRES UP THE BASE.

HE DOESN'T THINK HE HAS A BASE.

HE HAS A GOOD SHOT AGAINST PRITZKER.

AGAIN, HE IS DOING A LOT OF HEDGES AND WILL NOT MAKE A FINAL DECISION UNTIL JANUARY.

>> DO YOU GET A SENSE OF WHERE HE IS LEANING FROM THE COMMENTS?

>> BASED ON THE VIDEO ANNOUNCING THAT HE WAS NOT RUNNING FOR THE HOUSE AGAIN, HE WANTED TO FOCUS NATIONALLY IS HOW I READ IT, WHAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY MEANS AND HE HAS THIS COUNTRY FIRST PACT THAT HE HAS FOUNDED, THEY ARE MAKING ESSENCE ENDORSEMENTS -- ENDORSEMENTS AND RAISING MONEY.

IF HE IS INTERESTED IN BEING A TV STATION AND BEING A TALKING HEAD AND HE SAID NOT YET.

HE IS AT PEACE, HE IS TALKING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY ABOUT WHAT HE WANTS TO DO.

HE HAS TO COME UP WITH THE PRIMARY CHALLENGE WHERE YOU HAVE GOING TO BE FAR RIGHT TO SUCCEED IN THIS STATE.

>> MARY ANNE?

>> I WONDER, WOULD A SENATE RACE BE BETTER FOR HIM RATHER THAN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE?

AND UNLESS THERE ARE FOUR REPUBLICANS THAT ANNOUNCED FOR NOMINEES.

PERHAPS KENZ AGAINST DUCKWORTH IS THE RACE.

>> PERHAPS HE IS UP FOR REELECTION.

>> HE WAS VERY DOWN WITH WHAT IT IS LIKE RUNNING FOR THE HOUSE AND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO RUN IN THE SENATE HE IS SAID IT IS NOT AS BAD THERE.

BUT KIND OF.

IT IS STILL TOXIC.

YOU DON'T MAKE VIDEOS OF PEOPLE GETTING ASSASSINATED.

HE IS NOT KEEN ON IT.

HE IS GOING BACK AND FORTH.

>> THIS IS A PRESIDENTIAL OPPORTUNITY IS THE LIKELY ROUTE HERE.

IF HE RUNS IN ILLINOIS AND STATEWIDE AND LOSES, HE LOSES A LOT OF CREDIBILITY AT THE THAT LEVEL.

EVEN IF HE DOESN'T PULL THE TRIGGER FOR A PRESIDENTIAL RUN, THE SAME THING ABOUT THE ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO, HE IS DONE WITH THE LEGISLATIVE PART.

HE WANTS TO GO FURTHER AND FURTHER ON A NATIONAL LEVEL THAN WHAT THE CONSTRAINTS WOULD BE HERE IN ILLINOIS OR IN A U.S. SENATE OR CONGRESSIONAL RACE.

>> THE BIG BATTLE IS MOVING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AWAY FROM TRUMP.

>> GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S RATE IS 50 PERCENT, NOT THAT GREAT, BUT HOT TERRIBLE.

WHAT IS HIS ARGUMENT FOR REELECTION?

>> HE IS GOING TO USE IT AS A PLUS AND A MINUS.

HE WILL HAVE TO RUN ON THE PANDEMIC AND HOW HE HANDLED THE PANDEMIC.

SOME SEE IT AS ALL OF THE MANDATES WERE THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND MANY OTHERS THAT DISAGREE.

BUT THERE MAY BE ISSUES THAT CROP UP AS WELL.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT, IDE S, THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EQUAL -- YOU CAN GET THE REST OF THE LETTERS, WHATEVER, IT HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS TO MAKE SURE THE UNEMPLOYMENT, THOSE SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED THEIR CHECKS DID.

THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, THE ITEMS OF THE PANDEMIC ARE STILL GOING TO BE ONE OF THE GREAT OR PERHAPS AWFUL.

>> WE ARE A YEAR AWAY FROM THAT ELECTION.

>>> ANOTHER HOT RACE, SECRETARY OF STATE, THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HIM.

AND MANY PEOPLE QUESTION THE SERIOUSNESS OF THAT CAMPAIGN.

>> ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE -- HAS LOCKED UP ENDORSEMENTS.

AND A LOT OF MONEY.

HE HAD OVER THREE MILLION IN THE BANK AND SHE HAS MAYBE 700 THOUSAND IN THE BANK.

A LITTLE BIT OVER THAT.

AND SO IF SHE DOES WANT TO BE THE FRONTRUNNER AND WANT THE NOMINATION, SHE WILL HAVE TO OVERCOME THE SIGNIFICANT MONEY AND ENDORSEMENT DISADVANTAGE AS WELL AND THOSE ARE THE TWO TO WATCH RIGHT NOW.

>> IS THAT WHAT THIS COMES DOWN TO?

?

WHO IS GOING TO HAVE THE HIGHEST PROFILE ENDORSEMENTS.

THIS OFFICE IS NOT WELL KNOWN.

>> UNLESS YOU ARE RUNNING FOR DRIVER'S LICENSE RENEWAL.

>> THERE'S A PLUS SIDE THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS IN THE STATE, YOU HAVE TO GET THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION AND DRIVER LICENSES, AND THOUSANDS OF EMPLOYEES, AND MONEY ENDORSEMENTS DON'T MATTER BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL ORGANIZATION HELP THEM GET THE WORD OUT.

AND THIS HAS PILED UP ENDORSEMENTS.

GREG HAS DONE REPORTING ON THE ELBOW WORK TO CALL AROUND OTHERS THAT ENDORSED MOORE TO TRY TO GET THEM TO SWITCH SIDE AHEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

THIS IS OLD SCHOOL STUFF THAT I'M NOT USED TO SEEING TO THIS DEGREE IT SEEMS LIKE THE ENDORSEMENTS ARE IMPORTANT.

>> IT IS INTERESTING.

I'M SORRY.

I WONDER IF THIS IS GOING TO LEAD TO A BACK ROOM.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> ONE OF THE LATEST IN RECENT MEMORY, IT IS NOT UNTIL JUNE.

MONEY IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT AND I EXPECT THE CAMPAIGN SEASON TO BE LONGER AND IT WILL BE SPREPSIVE IF YOU WANT TO GO ON TV -- EXPENSIVE.

>> PEOPLE KNOW YOUR NAME BECAUSE YOU GET YOUR DRIVER LICENSE.

YOU WILL HAVE TO DO HOMEWORK AND CAMPAIGNING TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW THAT YOU ARE THE ONE TO PUT INTO OFFICE.

>> THAT OFFICE IS A STEPPING STONE TO GOVERNOR.

IT MAY EXPLAIN WHY SOME OF THE CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING.

>> YOU WANT TO JUMP?

>> YES, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY.

I SPOKE WITH THE FORMER GOVERNOR WHO SPENT TIME IN PRISON THE HUGE SCANDAL OF BRIBES FOR LICENSES.

GOT HIM IN BIG TROUBLE.

AND HE IN OUR CONVERSATION IF YOU WANT TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR THE BEST PLACE TO DO IT FROM IS SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.

>> THEY MAY USE THE OFFICE AS A STEPPING STONE -- EDGAR.

>> AND REPUBLICANS SEE AN OPPORTUNITY WITH -- AS THE FRONTRUNNER FOR YOU TO WIN WHEN THEY LOOK BACK TO THE LOSING BID FOR THE U.S. SENATE AGAINST KIRK AND WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE ISSUES AROUND THE FAMILY BANK AND RECYCLING OF THE U.S. SENATE CAMPAIGN TO BE USED BY THE REPUBLICANS AND FINALLY GET BACK AT LEAST ONE STATEWIDE OFFICE.

>> MAYBE HE IS BANKING ON THE FACT THAT VOTERS HAVE MOVED ON GIVEN THAT SO MUCH WAS PLAYED OUT DURING THE SENATE RACE.

>> EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN IN POLITICS.

>> I DON'T THINK THE DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGERS WILL LET HIM HAVE A PASS.

THE BRIEF TIME I HAVE DONE STORIES ABOUT THIS, THEY ARE VERY QUICK TO SAY HOLD ON HERE.

EVEN IF HE DOES HAVE THE ENDORSEMENTS.

>> RICK, WHAT ABOUT THE CONGRESSIONAL MAPS AND GOVERNOR THIS WEEK SIGNED THEM INTO LAW THE DESIGN HERE BY DEMOCRATS IS TO GIVE ILLINOIS 14 MAJORITY DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS TO THREE REPUBLICANS AGAINST THE 13 TO 5.

GIVEN THE WAY THE WINDS ARE BLOWING FOR THE MIDTERMS, WILL IT TURN OUT THAT WAY?

>> IT IS NOT A SURE BET AT ALL.

PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE DISTRICTS THAT BORDER WITH THE STATE WHERE WE HAVE THIS GROWING REPUBLICAN AUDIENCE PARTICULARLY, YOU KNOW, ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, SHERRY IS NOT RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

SHE HAD AN EXTREMELY CLOSE RACE.

SHE WAS HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE.

THE GOAL IS TRY TO MAXIMIZE DEMOCRAT STRENGTH PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE NARROW MARGIN THAT EXIST FOR THE DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE NOW AS WELL AS EVERYONE EXPECTING REPUBLICANS TO HAVE A VERY STRONG MIDTERM ELECTION.

THAT HAVING BEEN SAID, YOU STILL HAVE THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE THE POPULATION LOSSES DOWN STATE AND THE COMBINATION OF CONGRESS PEOPLE FORCING HARD DECISIONS, MIKE, MARY, A FRESHMAN, INTO ONE DISTRICT.

WE WALKED TO RODNEY DAVIS.

HE GOT PRETTY MUCH AN EXTREMELY FAVORABLE REPUBLICAN DISTRICT I THINK LENDS ITSELF TO THE FACT IF REPUBLICANS HAVE A STRONG MIDTERM TO CAPTURE THE HOUSE TO ALLOW HIM TO BE IN AUTHORITY AND THE HOUSE COMMITTEE THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS BASED ON TENURE IN CONGRESS, THOSE ARE NOT EASILY TOSSED ASIDE.

>> THAT WOULD LEAVE ONE TO BELIEVE RUNNING FOR CONGRESS IS EASIER AND IF DEMOCRATS DRAWING THE MAP WANTED IT THAT WAY THAT HE COULD HAVE BEEN THE BEST OPPONENT AGAINST PRITZKER.

AND REPUBLICANS ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THESE MAPS.

BUT, NEITHER ARE SOME LATINO GROUPS LIKE -- WHO ARE SUING TRADITIONALLY THE COURTS ARE NOT DOING MUCH ABOUT GERRYMANDERING.

DO YOU THINK THE LAWSUITS WILL GO ANYWHERE?

>> HAVE I NO CLUE.

WE SHOULD SEE WHAT RICK IS WATCHING AND NAACP ARE AGAINST THE MAPS PARTICULARLY THEY ARE OPPOSED TO STATE LEGISLATIVE.

>> THESE ARE THE STATE MAPS.

>> YES.

YES.

>> NOT THE CONGRESSIONAL MAPS.

>> THE NAACP IS OPPOSED.

YOU HAVE BLACK, REPUBLICANS, LATINOS, YOU MAY EXPECT SOME KIND OF CHANGE.

WE WILL HEAR DECEMBER 6 ON THIS CASE.

IT IS COMPLICATED.

I WANT TO KNOW HOW RICK THINKS ABOUT THIS.

>> I THINK THERE'S EVERY POSSIBILITY THAT WILL WILL BE CHANGES IN THE MAP AND THOSE CHALLENGING REPUBLICANS, THE NAACP AND PROPOSED SMALLER CHANGES IN REGIONAL AREAS.

GRANTED, YOU KNOW, IT IS LIKE A BIG PUZZLE, YOU CHANGE ONE LINE IT AFFECTS THE BOUNDARIES.

YOU WILL SEE CHANGES IN THE MAP TO ACCOMMODATE LATINO GROWTH IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

SOMETHING THAT WAS ACCOUNTED FOR WITH THE NEW LATINO DISTRICT.

SOME SAY THAT DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH.

I'M NOT SURE THAT WAS DONE TO A GREATER DEGREE IN THE STATE MAP WITH LATINO A NEED MORE FOR REPRESENTATION.

AND THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THEY DO ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THEY KNOW THEIR STUFF.

IT IS WORTH WATCHING.

>> SPEAKING OF THE LATINO DISTRICT, IT HAS LED TO TWO INCUMBENTS TO RUN AGAINST EACH OTHER.

MARIE AND SHAUN, THEY ARE IN THE SUBURBS.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO WATCH FOR THIS IN RACE?

>> VERY MUCH SO.

YOU HAVE TO WONDER WITH MARIE WHO DEFEATED -- AND WAS NOT A FAVORITE, AND HE MAY NOT BE THE CHAIRMAN ANYMORE HE WHEELS POWER.

YOU WOULD THINK THIS IS A REAL FIGHT OVER, YOU KNOW, MORE LIBERAL WEIGHT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THE CONSERVATIVE.

IT IS A MODERATE.

YOU TALK ABOUT THE MAP, I THINK IT IS INTERESTING THAT STATEWIDE HOW IT IS TRICKLING DOWN, YOU CAN GETTING THERE AND THE CITY MAP AND LATINOS AGAIN LOOKING FOR MORE -- TO BE REPRESENTED AND HAVE MORE POWER AND RUNNING INTO A BUZZ SAW, SAYING, WAIT A MINUTE, WE ARE NOT GOING TO LOSE ANY MORE WARS.

>> I TODAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND NEXT WEEK DURING THE MEETINGS THAT ARE SCHEDULED FOR THE CITY COUNCIL, I HOPE WE SEE THEM COME TO AN GREAT.

>> LIGHTFOOT THINKS THEY SHOULD LEARN THE ART OF COMPROMISE.

A HANDS-OFF STATEMENT BECAUSE SHE HADN'T SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THE BLACK CAUCUS TO KEEP THEIR 15 SEATS FOR THE LATINO CAUCUS.

THEY WILL HAVE TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT TO AVOID A CHANGE.

>> IT IS NOT BAD FOR VOTERS TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO VOTE ON THE MAPS.

>> LIGHTFOOT WHO IS UNDERWAY, SHE WELCOMES A CHALLENGE FROM JOHN, THE HEAD OF THE FOP WHO WAS NEARLY FIRED AS HIS JOB AS A POLICE OFFICER.

DO YOU THINK HISTORY ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT WANT TO RUN FOR MAYOR ARE REAL OR NOT?

>> I THINK REAL.

I MEAN, HE HINTED AT THIS WEEKS BEFORE HE MADE THE FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT, RIGHT AFTER THAT COURT DECISION SAYING DON'T GO AROUND TELLING MEMBERS NOT TO STICK TO THE VACCINATION MANDATE.

HE HELD UP A SIGN THAT SAID -- HE HAS NOTHING TO LOSE.

HE IS WITHOUT A JOB.

HE LEFT THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND HE LIKES FIGHTING AS MUCH AS THE MAYOR DOES.

HE LOVES BEING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

HE THINKS HE WILL GET SUPPORT AS PUBLIC SAFETY, POLICE AND FIRE.

I HAVE NO IDEA.

2023 RACE IS GOING TO BE SO FASCINATING.

WE ARE HEARING A COUPLE OF NAMES, DUNKIN AND -- OTHERS, A TON CAN CHANGE.

A MONTH FROM NOW THINGS COULD CHANGE.

WE ARE GOING TO LEARN A TON ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN 2022.

>> WE ARE -- >> THE OVERALL MOVE OF THE VOTERS.

>> THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WE WILL LEARN A LOT.

>> MARY ANNE, WHO ELSE IS GOING TO GET INTO THE RACE?

ERNIE SAYS I'M NOT INTERESTED.

>> HE SAID IT VERY MUCH -- IT WASN'T EVEN A LITTLE BIT OF WIGGLE ROOM.

I FELT IF I WAS THERE AT THE SPEECH TO TRY TO ASK HIM THREE TIMES HE ACTED AS IF NO, I'M NOT INTERESTED.

I THINK WE SEE REPORTING ON THIS THAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS LOOKING AND TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE TO PERHAPS RUN AGAINST LIGHTFOOT.

MAYBE SOMEONE, OR TWO, WILL SURFACE.

SAWYER'S NAME IS OUT THERE -- RUNNING FOR CONGRESS, HE WAS WEIGHING WHETHER OR NOT TO RUN.

THERE'S SOME TIME HERE WE WILL GET THROUGH FIRST OF NOVEMBER NEXT YEAR.

BY NEXT SUMMER, EARLY SEPTEMBER, WE WILL SEE WHO WILL BE RUNNING FOR THE NEXT MAYOR OF CHICAGO.

>> MAYBE KEN WANTS TO OPEN HIS WALLET.

>> EVEN IF HE DOESN'T FORMALLY TO JUMP IN, HE WINS BY GETTING A PLATFORM FOR AS LONG AS HE IS RUNNING FOR MAYOR, IT KEEPS US IN THE MEDIA GUESSING AND MORE CREDIBILITY WITH WHAT HE IS SAYING AND MAYBE SOME SERIOUSNESS THERE.

AND I THINK THAT WILL ALLOW FOR HIM TO TROT OUT ANY CAMPAIGN PLATFORM THAT HE MAY OR MAY NOT PULL THE TRIGGER ON.

>> IT IS A TRUMP STRATEGY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T TAKE TRUMP SERIOUS AT THE BEGINNING AND TRUMP IS A HERO TO MANY.

>> WHAT ABOUT YOU?

IF YOU HAD TO GUESS AT THIS POINT WHO ELSE IS LIKELY TO GET INTO THIS RACE?

IT IS WAY TOO EARLY AND WAY TOO OPEN.

WE HAVE GOT A LOT OF TIME LEFT HERE.

AND AS MARY ANNE SAID, YES, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE.

THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY FRACTURED BETWEEN COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

AND LOOKING TO WANT TO SEE BETTER REPRESENTATION, YOU HAVE THE CRIME ISSUES AS WELL.

I MEAN, YOU ARE RIGHT, HE IS THE TRUMP CANDIDATE IF HE DECIDES TO.

IT GIVES HIM TO CHANCE TO GAIN ATTENTION TO HIMSELF.

THAT'S A HIGH PRIORITY.

I'M NOT SURE OF THE CAMPAIGN HE WOULD RUN.

THE TRUMP VOTERS WOULD BE THERE AND THE MINORITY VOTERS IN CHICK.

>> THERE THE HOMICIDE RATE COULD REACH 800.

A GRIM MILESTONE.

HOW SECURE IS THE SUPERINTENDENT'S JOB RIGHT NOW?

>> IT IS NOT SECURE AT ALL.

IT HADN'T BEEN SECURE FOR MONTHS.

NO MATTER WHO IS IN THAT JOB, IT IS ALWAYS BUMPY DEPENDING ON WHAT IS GOING ON.

AS ON OUTSIDER WHO HAS NOT CONNECTED WITH THE RANK AND FILE, AT LEAST WHAT WE HAVE SEEN.

IF THEY REACH 800 MURDERS, WHICH IS LIKELY, IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THE MAYOR TO KEEP HIM.

>> IT IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR THE MAYOR AS WELL.

>> THEY PICK FROM ONE OF FIVE CASINO PROPOSALS.

THE COMPANIES, HARD ROCK, RUSH STREET, GREAT GAMING, THEY PUT THEIR BIDS OUT THERE.

DOES ANYBODY HAVE THE UPPER HAND AT THIS POINT?

>> A LOT OF THE CHATTER THAT NEAL BLOOM WILL HAVE AN UPPER HAND.

HE IS LOCAL, SUCCESSFULLY BUILT CASINOS, HIS FAMILY HAS A CONNECTION WITH THE MAYOR.

THERE'S A LOT OF CHATTER ABOUT THAT.

WHAT IS INTERESTING, ONE OF HIS PROPOSALS IS THE QUICKEST TO MARKET.

HE WANTS TO RENOVATE MCCORMICK PLACE.

I HAVE ASKED THE CITY ALL OF THE TIME IF THEY WANT THIS UP AND RUNNING SO THEY GET THE MONEY.

THEY NEED MONEY FOR THE CITY'S PENSION FUND.

AND LAKE SIDE COULD START IMMEDIATELY.

>> AND OTHER PROPOSALS AT THE 78TH, WHICH IS BARELY GETTING OFF OF THE GROUND.

IT IS CREATING A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD.

ANOTHER PROPOSAL FROM HARD ROCK, ONE CENTRAL.

IT IS A LONG SHOT BECAUSE OF THE STATE FUNDING IT NEEDS AND THE STATE FUNDING HAS NOT BEEN PLEDGED YET.

WHAT IS POLITICALLY FEASIBLE AND WHAT IS FEASIBLE ON THE DEVELOPMENT FRONT.

YOU HAVE OTHERS TO CONSIDER AND WHAT THEY WANT AND HOW MUCH MONEY THEY WILL MAKE -- >> -- >> WE WILL SEE HERE.

WE'LL SEE WHERE THEY PLACE THEIR BETS.

>> WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF MY GUESTS.

I HOPE YOU ENJOY OUR HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR FRIDAY NIGHT.

>> YOU CAN GET THE WEEK IN REVIEW ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND NOW FOR THE WEEK IN REVIEW, THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

AND YOU TOO ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND.

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