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

I'm Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

The Department of Homeland Security complies with the judge's order to allow clergy access to the broad view immigration facility.

>> What you choose to arm yourself with in this fight.

Love or hate.

Exposes which side you're fighting on.

>> Governor Pritzker calls for empathy and calls out President Trump in his annual budget address when live from Springfield.

City Council honors Reverend Jesse Jackson and kicks multiple cans down the road.

So we have in the thinking leaders, another feeling leaders and and we go to the W T Tw News Archive and uncover some notable appearances by Reverend Jesse Jackson Chicago tonight.

>> First off tonight, it was illegal and spiritual victory as local clergy members were able to go inside the broad view immigration facility today.

It comes after months of being denied entry are Joanna Hernandez joins us now live from outside that facility.

Joanna.

>> Brandis.

A coalition is calling this moment a sacred time now singing and praying as to precinct.

sister finally were able to walk into the broad new facility.

Now to give us some context, axis inside this facility has been extremely limited.

It's been an ongoing battle for anyone, including local officials and religious leaders to be allowed inside since the start of Operation Midway Blitz.

>> Now, federal district judge granted a preliminary injunction last week allowing clergy and faith leaders have access to enter the broad the facility today on Ash Wednesday provide ashes and communion.

During the start of Lent, the judge ruled that the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice Burton, the clergy, religious exercise and failed to show a compelling government argument for denying them access to minister to those detained there.

So after waiting nearly a week, DHS give the coalition clearance this morning to enter the facility.

The case was brought by the coalition for spiritual Public Leadership.

A Chicago based religious advocacy group made up of churches and universities.

Clergy says ICE rejected and ignore the request throughout late 2025.

To access the facility.

In one instance, they say a federal presented of told them they would be no more prayer inside or outside the facility.

The body of a has drawn national attention in recent months, especially during Operation Midway Blitz, videos, even show officers using pepper And Reverend David Black during a protest outside the facility.

Now the faith leaders who are able to go inside sure what it was like inside the facility.

They said the staff was very cooperative with them.

We know 3 staff members received ash, including 4 people who were recently detained and brought inside the facility.

>> They were just the So you saw Frey, confusion and Satan but also you could see that they're responsive.

So they they felt.

>> That hope at the moment that they could see that change was there with them.

Yes, but everything is new for them.

They don't know what's going to happen.

>> We sincerely hope and Kyle up ICE and the Department of Homeland Security to prove to provide pastoral care and communion.

And on an ongoing basis.

Is ordered by Judge Gettleman last week.

>> And as you just heard, the clergy is hoping that they're allowed to go inside the facility on an ongoing say this is an opportunity for them to work together.

Now after that and being able to go inside, we know they're heading.

There's going to be a mass at Saint saying Carmel Catholic Church in Melrose Park at 06:00PM following a procession around the church.

We know family members, organizations in about 300 people are expected at the church reporting outside brought Cilla Tiime John Hernandez.

I send it back to you.

Joanna, thank you.

>> 56 billion dollars.

That is the top line of Governor JB Pritzker's 8th proposed budget.

I figure he says reflects a prudent approach to the state's finances during a time of uncertainty.

But spending that Republicans in Springfield say is going unchecked during his speech to a joint session of the state House and Senate Pritzker also outlined a number of policy priorities and took plenty of swings at President Donald Trump.

Our Nic Bloomberg was there for the speech in joins us now from the capital.

Nic.

>> Brandis Pritzker had his sights trained straight on Trump in last year's address.

Warning of the risk of authoritarian authoritarianism and discrimination.

Now, while the president was less present during this year's speech, Pritzker still spent plenty of time outlining the ways in which he says the second Trump administration has hurt Illinois ends with budget officials saying the state has taken an 8 billion dollar hit due to federal funding.

Uncertainty with the potential for a 1.7 billion dollar dent in the fiscal year.

Starting July one.

>> These are not handouts.

These are dollars that real Illinois.

It's paid in federal taxes and that have been constitutionally approved by our elected Democratic and Republican representatives in Washington.

Unlike the federal government every year.

Illinois must balance its budget.

When Donald Trump is taking resources away that are rightfully ours.

None of us Democrats or Republicans should be okay with that.

>> Given that uncertainty, Nick, how is the governor planning on balancing the budget?

>> Yeah, it's certainly no small task.

Not only uncertainty around federal funding, but also a looming 2.2 billion dollar budget gap.

Now most of the increase in spending over the previous fiscal year about 1.6% is due to pensions, medical expenses and increased funding for school districts.

Pritzker says this budget doesn't ask too much of Illinois INS.

>> Prudence demanded that this year's budget proposal seeks a discretionary spending increase that is less than one-half of one percent.

It levels off and in some cases reduces programs that are important to me, some of which were proposals of my own.

But I believe that the imperative of responsible governance and overcoming the fiscal irresponsibility of past decades must come ahead of the interests of any one politician of any one program or any one party.

>> In addition to keeping costs down the spending plan also calls for generating nearly 600 million dollars in new revenue.

An estimated 200 million dollars of which would come from a new fee on social media platforms.

>> Nick, how would that fee work?

>> Well, it will depend on how many Illinois users a platform has now for the large social media companies.

Those with a million or more users here in the state, they'll have to pay $165,000 each month.

Plus an additional 50%, $0.50 per user for each person over that One-million Mark.

Now that got some cautious support from some Republicans, although of course the devil will be in the details.

We also have a couple GOP lawmakers sound open to another idea that Governor Pritzker pitched that is increased guardrails on social media for young people.

Things like stopping nighttime notifications and increasing parental controls.

>> Social media algorithms have been proven to create mental health issues in adolescence and foster polarization and misinformation in society as a whole.

Those companies are profiting from online engagement of Illinois's consumers and they currently contribute nothing.

To ameliorate the negative effects of platforms.

>> Ben, what did the Republican lawmakers have to say that the governor speech?

>> As you might imagine, the reviews were not exactly stellar.

Republicans say the cost of living issues that Pritzker highlighted.

They can be blamed on Democrats and they said it sounded sounded like Pritzker has his eye more on the 2028 presidential race than he does on Illinois.

>> Not sure that I can call it a budget address.

It seemed a little bit more like a campaign speech and increasing his national profile.

>> Make no mistake, affordability problems and Illinois have been largely self-inflicted.

By a Democratic governor and a Democratic controlled legislature that has never met a tax hike.

They didn't like.

Groceries cost more energy costs more property taxes keep rising and too many families feel like they're falling further behind every single year.

>> Now whether or not it was aimed at a national audience Pritzker did end on a note that would be at home in a presidential stump speech saying he loves this country.

He's not going to stop loving it despite any challenges.

And that love has been a beacon for him during difficult year.

Brandis.

>> Mifflinburg in Springfield for us.

Thank you, Nick.

And you can read Nicks full story on our website.

It is all at W T Tw Dot com Slash news.

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

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> As the country continues to mourn the death of civil rights titan, Jesse Jackson and his children today.

Remember him as both a leader and a father.

>> Father took fatherhood very seriously.

He took that charge.

Was his charge to keep.

>> And so today we celebrate his life, although his body is absent from us, his spirit suffuses and infuses us.

And it charges us to continue with the work.

>> I father is a man who dedicated his life to public service.

To gain protect and defend civil rights and human rights to make nation better.

To make the world more just.

Our people better.

Neighbors with each other spend.

>> Obviously a challenge.

But I think we all the magnitude of this loss, but also the magnitude of a life well lived.

>> such an honor to be standing up here with my siblings and just thank all of you do please in the bottom of our hearts for the love and support given our family at this time.

And we share a love with all of you.

>> The Jackson children stood on the steps outside the family's longtime home on the South side, recalling his decades long work in civil rights, as well as a spiritual leader.

They say memorial services will be open to all starting with Reverend Jackson lying in repose at the Rainbow Push Coalition headquarters.

Then funeral services will be next week.

Some time at a church venue.

Large enough to accommodate.

They say as many people as possible.

Jackson died yesterday morning at his home after a brief battle with a rare neurological disorder that affected his ability to move and speak.

The statue of the first American Saint.

Frances.

Xavier Cabrini will replace a statue of Christopher Columbus in Little Italy's era.

Go Park.

The Chicago Park district says Cabrini who served poor Italian immigrants in Chicago received 38% of the 3900 votes cast in what was a little advertised online contest.

The move is part of an agreement between the Park District and the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans.

After the Columbus statue that you see here was removed from the park and given to the committee to display elsewhere.

It was removed in 2020 after it and other Columbus statues became the site of protests.

Artists interested in sculpting.

The statue can submit an application online starting March.

1st.

And in a lighter moment at City Council today, older people recognized blues legend Buddy Guy for his contributions to the music guy said he thinks more people should know about the city's contributions to blues.

>> When I look Nashville.

New Orleans.

But there was rain moves issues.

I don't see a pitcher move.

The one that means your car will All right.

disease, statues.

That's thing.

do want know that you're travel wins the World think?

>> Afterward, several older people lined up to catch a photo with the guitarist and vocalist Guy is on a World tour this year.

So Blues fans listen up.

He's in Chicago in a Up next, how to Sharon with a rundown of what else happened at today's City Council meeting right after this.

It was a somber gathering today at City Hall where the first order of business was to pay tribute to the Reverend Jesse Jackson senior who died Tuesday morning.

Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Remember, Jackson is not just a civil rights icon who worked alongside Reverend Martin Luther King Junior, but also as a friend and a fighter for Chicago areas.

>> Together, Dr.

Tina, Reverend Jackson made Chicago a battleground.

For fair housing.

Equity and economic Justice.

It spread a message of empowerment, equality and justice worldwide.

>> Our Heather Sharon joins us now from City Hall with more on today's council meeting.

So Heather, you know, after that moment of silence, the city council did get down to work and we usually rely on you to tell us what happened at City Council.

But this time we need to tell you, tell us what did not happen and why starting with that effort to override mayor's veto of a measure that would have banned the sale of hemp products are the most intoxicating hemp products throughout the city.

What happened there?

>> Well, the mayor said he would veto this measure last week and I spoke with the measure's author, older aldermen, Marty Quinn, who said he simply did not have the votes to override the mayor's decision.

But Alderman Anthony Beale tried anyway and only 26 alderman join him.

He needed 34 so for now, there are no restrictions on most intoxicating hemp products in Chicago.

But this is an issue we're going to be hearing more about in the coming months.

>> How did the city council's also Scott scheduled to vote on a measure that would have given Chicago's police misconduct agency the power to investigate whether or not CPD officers and leaders have violated city law by helping federal immigration agents.

But that was blocked.

Why?

>> It was for conservative.

Older people used a parliamentary procedure to prevent a vote on the measure today, even though it has the support of Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling really sprung out of the aggressive immigration raids.

We saw sweep the city this fall and concerns that Chicago police officers were violating a city ordinance that prevents them from helping federal agents carry out civil immigration law like the debate over hemp.

This issue will be back at the city Council, perhaps as sooner than next month.

But certainly in the March meeting as all eyes continue to watch for a return of those rates to Chicago.

>> So city council also rejected a plan to crack down on scofflaws who park in bicycle lanes, bus lanes and crosswalks.

Why?

>> Well, this measure would have allowed anyone to snap a photo of those offending vehicles parked bike and bike lanes and bus lanes and send that to the city for a fine to be issued.

only 16 Alder people voted for that measure amid concerns that it would turn all Chicagoans into parking meter agents and could lead to violence as people objected to sort of being caught in the act.

>> And briefly, Heather, before we let you go, another expensive day for police misconduct.

Settlements.

>> In all, 29.2 million dollars will go to 4 men who spent 71 years in prison after being convicted of crimes.

They did not convict.

They did not commit on the word of the disgraced Chicago police detective in all lawsuits, naming him have cost the city 159 million dollars to date with 38.

More lawsuits pending.

>> have to tap for the city had thrown at City Hall for Thank you.

And you can his full story on our website.

It's all at W T Tw Dot com Slash news.

The Reverend Jesse Jackson may have been born in South Carolina, but he lived most of his life as a Chicago one.

Reverend Jackson appeared here on W T Tw and Chicago tonight, dozens of times we thought we'd take a look back at some of his most memorable appearances here spanning 5 decades.

We start with his visit on W T Tw marking Mayor Richard J Daily's death in 1976. talking about how he and Dr Martin Luther King interacted with daily when they came to Chicago in the Mid 60's.

>> Reverend Jackson, I was covering city hall back in 1966.

Stand up to minus the King's efforts Slams and seemed to in the press room that he really met his match in daily because this was his first foray into the north.

Really in the south.

You met belligerence and police and dogs and everything else.

But Doctor King came Chicago.

pleasantness ended up with a good big press conference in the mayor's office.

The mayor saying wonderful things about Doctor King and promising programs.

And that's just about the last we have heard of the effort.

Would you Well, not example, of the said that.

>> It was impossible to amass a massive movement, everybody everywhere it amassed a massive movement that and the that the racism is blatant and the matter was most you can never dry reaction him.

But he has a close.

It's been a bowled Parma.

It areas group that was formed.

The blacks as they tried to expand bottom of that movement grew to 2 massive proportions.

Now we finally came to some kind but agreement and now the and a broad cross section of citizens agreed to implement that housing program.

did not deliver.

That is not so reflection of them.

back to King's ability to succeed the movement has it good.

the enough forces in 6 to 6 even in 76 to resist the expansion of black people in the city.

>> Reverend Jackson, over the last few years, it seems that your ideas have become a lot less radical and more establishment Orient hated as revenge actions.

Power base diminished over the last 5.

You well as it possibly increased.

>> Well, I was that support base has increased, but the issues of chains, for example, with the fighting 10 years ago, fall access to public accommodations and a nod to to be able to use hotels, motels, public parks and libras.

We were willing to sit in the weighed in to go to jail, to do whatever we had to do.

But now one does not have to use that tactic to use Holiday Inn.

One center needs to have money credit caught.

We willing to go south and and lives and use those same techniques to get the right to vote.

But now that we have the right to vote 800,000 blacks and the eligible to vote on the floor than 25,000 registered.

And so the issue a fundamental shift.

It the one about problems now, perhaps so we have into thinking leaders.

And not enough feeling leaders.

And by that, I mean, that thing cause.

The board of compassion.

Over a hog.

And yet people who feel also think that must be a great, a sense of humor feeling.

And government judgments.

We cannot as leaders just follow up opinion polls.

We must mold opinion.

You have feelings about this for the city of Chicago.

Well, you know, I say that for the last 2 years is not a lot of racial polarization.

A lot all something when about this, the kind of racial cesspool.

>> In fact, this week for the championship and it's not all white all people come together.

And I think it says a challenge politically it shows that those who want to be Super Bowl champions and that shows until a man of Endeavor, one has to be impressed with the way these guys love each But I learned one thing about your day that I didn't know.

And that is that maybe it's common knowledge.

And I just missed it.

>> I did not realize that you called her husband to tell her that had been shot.

Can you describe that Well, you know about the king and I on the way to Denver.

in the middle that comments and comments that he was shot and my first fact, when I saw he was shot and it was more to the wounded but then called her.

I had the told about their bit.

The called her.

It was very difficult to make.

Something he's been shot in the shoulder this week that you can.

I was from the cushion without saying he'd been hit in the neck, but she says gravity of it.

Many of the things that built up to this moment for her.

She said I will come quickly, but before she could really get moving the forming in the rain national moves.

He was he was dead.

In that moment.

She came onto itself with amazing.

Since the power of some of the responses to build pick up where he get.

The She emerged from that situation, organize a very tasteful global sea level.

live celebration live.

The demonstration put the 1000 people and Memphis, Tennessee GOP's ruckus.

That built the king.

Some of resources flow, then.

And then the king holiday.

I mean, she really stop marching.

And really she worked.

Through the 8 years after his death almost long as he lived.

She was fundamentally a freedom fighter.

amazing sense of step respect.

Why the companion as well activists.

What do you make of his remarks and controversy over Senator Obama's remarks regarding?

>> His willingness, his quote, willingness to meet with leaders of rogue nations and his willingness to attack Pakistan, areas of Pakistan, where al Qaeda might be hiding you every time I was blessed to bring summer come home, a foreign jail have brought home from Syria minute.

The SOT.

>> comes home from Cuba.

Castro, Americans home from Iraq with Saddam Hussein meeting with him.

We'll look at home most of it know how you break the cycle.

All the cool one issue within 2, in fact, engage in the grips of diplomacy.

And so I think that walls have not worked all hot, rather can cool was not working.

So someone must have thought it just as a Nixon went to China just as Reagan challenged the Berlin Wall.

We did there come a bold.

This it seems to me.

Informal.

We are strong enough to have strong diplomacy backed up by military, not military backed up by hot rhetoric that ends up in a lot of people kill unnecessarily.

Last question.

>> You said in the 1984, Democratic Convention speech as I develop and serve the patients.

God is not finished with me yet.

What do you think?

Some store?

>> Well, I'm going this more than ever because doing this here and I've been able to to grow and develop and meet new friends and 2 to be in the position to make an even greater impact.

And I want to do just that.

It's clear to me that was a part of my growth process.

And I'm I'm alive and well.

That is like this hope.

Well, those told us they've been a possibility and I intend to be a major factor in that.

The National Economic Justice.

In peace and human rights.

And getting this generation to say no to drugs.

>> The Reverend Jesse Jackson on W T Tw over the years.

Always willing to join us and talk about the issues of the day, his causes and his work.

He will be missed.

And that's our show for this Wednesday night.

Join us tomorrow night at 5, 30 10 now for all of us here at Chicago Brandis Friedman, thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

>> Closed caption is made possible by Robert a cliff and Cliff a Chicago personal injury and wrongful and sponsor program that offers