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

I'm Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

For the first time ever.

Voters will fully election CA go school board.

Matt Masterson breaks down what to know before you vote.

Pushed back to a rate hike request from people's gas.

The utility company's president joins us in studio to explain why they say they need it.

>> I community that serves on the board that has the courage speak up for those who they represent.

>> And a suburban school district is slated to close 2 schools at the end of the year.

Parents share their concerns.

First off tonight, Election Day is just one week away.

But what's outside your voting location may be unlike anything seen at the polls in modern times.

>> Us attorney Andrew Boudreaux says his office has established a hotline so voters can report possible fraud and voter intimidation directly to his office.

His announcement comes as Democrats and outside watchdogs are planning a massive presence at the polls driven by concerns the federal government will attempt to interfere with elections.

At the same time, the Justice Department and more observers from GOP aligned groups are expected to deploy the largest ever monitoring program in Illinois.

Voters are choosing the next governor and U.S.

Senator and Chicagoans will be electing the city's first ever fully elected.

Chicago Board of Education will have more on that shortly.

So there's a lot more on your ballot.

And early voting is already open in the city and Cook County.

For more on where to vote and to learn about the many candidates visit our website at W T Tw Dot com Slash voter guide.

Downstate Man is accused of mailing envelope containing a suspicious substance to several Illinois Congress members.

36 year-old Matthew uncles be of Quincy is facing federal charges of mailing threatening communications and committing a hoax.

The messages included in the envelope red hot.

Enjoy the gift or haha along with a white granular substance.

The federal complaint unsealed yesterday doesn't name the officials, but U.S.

Senator Tammy Duckworth along with Representatives.

Mike, quickly, Brett Snyder and Jan Schakowsky had each stated publicly that their offices received similar on pillows Goolsbee is due in federal court tomorrow.

Nearly 4 decades since it was dedicated, 3.4 acres of land where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan are finally set to become disabled Dusable Park.

90 year-old Peggy Montages was one of 4 original activists who conceived of the park back in 1986.

She's the only one remaining to see it come to fruition.

>> Many people don't know about the Haitian community.

They were here need years of freedom for this world for this western part of the world.

But also they came here what they love.

To realize the American dream.

>> Mont has joined other officials in the ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony today.

The park will include an open lawn pavilion, a woodland area, plazas and more public art installations and interpretive elements will walk visitors through disciples history.

His early life in Haiti, his establishment of the trading post that would become Chicago and his relationships with members of the existing indigenous community.

It's slated for completion in the summer of 2028.

What you need to know about the city school board.

That's right.

After this.

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

The Joyce Foundation.

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donuts.

>> As we said, Election Day is one week away and there are a lot of offices on the ballot, but some of them are making history.

That's because for the first time the entire Chicago Board of Education will be fully elected at Masterson joins us now with what you need to know before you at first, how will the new parade?

Yeah.

So the brand is the board is broken up into 20 separate districts in each one of those districts is going to vote for their own individual member on the school board.

>> There's 42 candidates running in these races.

That's not that many for 20 races.

There's 3 veteran contested so early.

Congratulations to those loan candidates.

>> And no race has more than 3 candidates running.

There's also the 21st seed that was going to be the board president position in that seat is going to be voted on by the entire city.

So residents across the city will vote for their own individual board representative as well as the board president.

But the representative seat will not all be the same.

Of course, the board is currently split between mayoral appointees and currently elected members.

Those running to replace a mayoral appointee will serve a two-year term whereas others will serve four-year terms.

Those terms will then swap in subsequent elections going forward.

Queso.

be having this conversation again in 2 years, but for voters, but remind us what some of the functions are for those board members.

What are they responsible for?

There's a lot they managed financial decisions for Chicago public schools and there's a lot of them so district has a 10 billion dollar budget.

The board has to sign off on that and they don't always approve of what everything that's in there.

>> That's it's presented by the district itself.

We saw that this year when the board voted to add 150 million dollars in state funding that isn't yet accounted for.

They get came over the objections of CPS.

Officials, board members also hire and fire the CEO.

We saw that play out last year with then CEO Peter Martinez and they have the power to raise local property taxes and allocate how that funding is used for schools.

>> In addition to voting for the candidate in the school district, as you said, voters are going to choose a school board president.

Remind us who's running for that position.

What are some of the responsibilities for that person?

There's 3 candidates in that race.

We have Jessica Bigs, who's a former CPS teacher and principal.

She's the only current board member who's running.

We Dominguez who served as the political director for the Chicago Teachers Union.

And we have Victor Henderson.

The trial attorneys also served as a member of the Urban Prep Academies, charter schools.

They're sending rivlary.

Also a former board member who was running.

He's going to appear on the ballot, but he has since dropped off.

As for what the board president does, there's a lot of responsibility there as well.

They help set the board agenda in the determine what issues are actually called in each meeting.

They want something called.

It's not going to come up with that meeting.

They also help establish the public participation guidelines.

They swear in new members and they also work with CPS CEO in officials to help direct district's response to new legislation as it comes out as it affects will be a new new year.

New era for Chicago.

Public Schools mapping so much experience.

>> And you can read our full guide to the school board candidates on our website as well as find out what district you're in.

It's all a W t tw dot com slash voter guide.

>> Its UK reporting on Chicago tonight is brought to you in part by press forward.

Chicago.

>> Another rate hike proposed by people's gas is sparking debate over affordable energy, the environment and the necessity of replacing old iron pipes in the city.

The utility company's current 144 million dollar proposed hike has received pushback, including from the Illinois Commerce Commission who directed the company to modernize its system but suggested bringing the proposal down to 66 million dollars.

Consumer advocates say that number should go even lower.

The ICC is set to make its final decision on the rate hike next month.

And joining us now is Maria Bocanegra, president of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas.

Thank you for joining us.

Thank you for having So tell us about this proposed rate hike.

How how would it be used?

Yeah, well, first, let me start by saying this rate request is really about 3 things Brandis.

It is about safety reliability.

But importantly, responsibility.

As you may know, the ICC undertook a thorough investigation in 2025. and lifted the pause on what was now known as the system.

Modernization program.

What I want our customers to know tonight is that we have a new program before us and we've identified a little over 1000 miles of cast iron and ductile iron that need to be retired by the ICC's directive honor before January.

1st of 2035, I also want folks to know that under the new program there is a lot more rigor around a lot of our planning process is our construction practices.

But importantly, accountability and oversight.

So your current proposal 144 million dollars, which would amount to and extra $67 a month for consumers.

Bills.

How do you respond to those that say the work that you need to do is possible without raising rates for for rate payers.

Yeah, you know, I would question the underlying assumptions about that.

But I think I want to focus instead on I want to acknowledge that.

I understand we understand completely that even one dollar is difficult for a lot of families.

That's why part of our focus is also on addressing things around affordability, customer service and our financial programs are front and center for me as their new leader.

Just a couple of ways that we are looking and how to best minimize that we still low-income assistance programs, we participate and why lied.

We also offer bill payment options.

In addition, we are out in the community more than ever.

We recently partnered with the city Clerk's office to attend some of their mobile city hall so that we could push that information out.

So we're very cognizant that it's a careful balancing act between doing what is mandated under the ICC's directive.

But at the same time, always keeping customers front and center.

So 1000 miles, he said of pipe that needs to be replaced by 2035, is that your timeline?

Do you feel like you're going to make that deadline and does this proposal rate request lend itself to You know, well, what we know is that 1000 miles by 2035, is a significant undertaking.

I will pretend that it's not.

There is a lot of complexities, especially as you think about our construction and how we execute that in the right of way.

There's also workforce considerations we have had to revisit our forecast because labor is hard to come by.

Everybody's out building data centers.

And so whether it's labor need or back office need like engineers.

There's a lot of considerations that really will factor into our pace and the scope of the program.

ultimately over time.

What I can say, though, is that a lot of the changes that we've made under the pipe retirement program are designed to really look at not just retirement, but importantly, how are we actually reducing risk on our system as we look at each asset within these 1000 The ICC suggest a 54% reduction down to 66 million dollars.

Is that something you're considering?

Is that doable for you?

All?

Obviously we are confident that the evidence that we have put forth in our rate review is significant and is warranted with that said no matter the outcome, our safety obligation to maintain safe and reliable service.

It doesn't stop so any change potentially in scope or the pace of the program will have to re evaluate on a case-by-case basis and make decisions We had consumer advocates on the program.

They joined us just a few weeks ago to discuss this very topic, Jim Chill, son of Citizens Utility board had this to say about the pipe replacement program.

>> The company is under legal obligation to keep their their system safe.

They've got plenty of resources to do that.

This is a company whose parent made 1.6 billion dollars in profits.

Peoples gas this year is going for record profit for the 8th time in 10 years.

This company has plenty of resources.

By the way, company always says this is about maintaining their system.

They conveniently leave out the fact that they're asking for a 10.1% profit rate for their shareholders and they're rolling in profits.

respond to that criticism?

>> Yeah.

Let me take that in a couple pieces.

I would say in terms of resources.

You know, I just mentioned that.

What are the challenges to ramping back up is actually workforce availability.

There is a significant workforce shortage across the are a rate review request includes a labor market study that I believe demonstrates that need.

We worked closely with our labor partners in order to increase that labor availability.

In fact, we just signed a historic memorandum of understanding with our internal labor Union.

That creates new classification to increase that worker count.

We're also partnering with City colleges to expand some of our existing workforce programs with Wilbur Wright.

So that's in the workforce piece.

What I would also say in terms of some of the alleged profit.

I want to remind everybody that people's gas is a regulated utility.

We operate only in the city.

Chicago and we are regulated by the state of Illinois.

The cost that we have proposed forth are the cost of the investments mandated under the ICC and include a rate of return that is ultimately reviewed and set by the commission.

Any suggestion that this is nothing more than profit mongering is completely false.

And I would challenge that in terms of that robust process.

That is something where interveners like Cub and pardon others have ample opportunity to challenge our assumptions and ultimately it will be the commission that will decide that.

>> And then there's you know, of course, there's also the concern about affordability, according to the ICC as of September.

First this year, nearly 160,000 residential people's gas customers for more than 30 days behind on their bills, collectively the utility, 84 3 quarters of a million dollars.

You named all of the efforts that you all do with regards to affordability and supporting your lower-income customers, are consumers.

Are you concerned, though, that, you know, rate hikes could deepen that debt?

Yeah, absolutely.

Listen.

Even one customer that's behind on their bill is a concern for me and his concern for our company.

There's 2 responsibilities here.

First is making sure that customers feel supported and are supported through things like Bill payment assistance programs and other efforts.

We're always open to.

How can we increase that?

I mention the mobile city halls.

I can share another example.

One of our consumer advocates suggested that we include in simple press releases, you know, here's how folks can access financial assistance.

We did very, very open.

And the second thing is really balancing that, like I said against the necessary investments under the ICC's mandate.

And so we will continue to look at those options.

Ok?

Thank you so much.

I'm revoke a neighbor, President Peoples, gas and North Shore gas.

Best of luck to Thank you.

Thanks.

Up next, we explain the pushback to suburban school closures.

>> Evan, >> some parents are fighting back against the school district's plan to close 2 elementary schools at the end of the academic year, the school board announced the potential closures as well as other cuts to staff and early childhood programs.

Earlier this month.

Since then, parents and families have rallied together trying to persuade board members to change their minds ahead of a vote set for November.

9th.

Joining us now, our Robin tell under a parent at Lincoln would elementary school.

Peter Rios apparent Dewey Elementary School.

And Alex Miller also apparent at Dewey Elementary School.

We did invite school board members from Evanston Skokie District 65, but they declined our invitation for this evening.

We're hoping to receive a statement from them.

Finally, I should also mention that my kids go to school in Evanston Skokie School District.

65 thanks to all of you for joining us.

Who have so Peter, the announcement at Dewey could be closing, came as a shock to some families because that was not one of the ones that had been discussed in the last couple of years when district was talking about school closures.

What was your reaction when was brought up this year?

>> Are reaction.

My reaction frustrated.

Because we had no idea this would happen.

And the fact that the teachers and administrators got the information at the same time as the parents did.

It's just absolutely disrespectful to them to.

>> Robin Lincolnwood was part of the conversations surrounding potential school closures last year.

The board decided that would remain open.

Almost sort of a punch, though, because they're back at at the same conversation this year.

What do you think?

They're revisiting it, though?

Yeah, I mean, I think it's interesting.

My kids were actually at Kingsley, which closed last year and I in the end advocated for it because I knew we were in a financial crisis and >> I thought it was gonna make sense.

And now knowing like what is that capacity?

And that was their main issue with lincolnwood.

It doesn't make sense.

And what we're figuring out from the school closures as they projected 3 million and it's closer to 200,000 were saving.

Some school closures are just not the answer.

So you're saying Lincolnwood is at capacity because of the children that were transferred.

There Kingsley when Kingsley close last.

And of course, it's obvious that parents who experienced the closure of Kingsley last year >> are now experiencing another possible school closure asked my skeptical about 3 schools.

And for years of click on contests.

Okay.

I'm Alex, you and another Dewey parent.

You all found at the district meet a 17 million dollar financial projection error, which is more than what they had hoped save by closing these 2 schools.

Did you expect that revelation to change the board's mind about closing schools?

>> That was certainly the hope in a thought of mine.

I was not sure how the board was going plan to use that additional funding that was now identified or additional headroom cost.

They did not have to spend in the future and what I found and what ice very surprised by is that the board did not want back any of the cuts that are proposed to any program.

So not just a school closures, but the early childhood sack, all the other pieces.

We're not walk back as a result of that finding that extremely surprising to Yeah, well in the district is saying that the money that's being saved, that these are it's a capital savings versus the structural problem that the district still has can help us understand.

>> Absolutely.

So 2 things on that.

First, the idea that this is capital not operating as just a choice the board's, there's nothing restricting these funds to be either capital or payments to teachers and other things.

It's literally just a choice that they're making as to how to use that So I'd say that's sort of a false us The second thing I would say is that.

There's there's opportunities to choose how to use this funding again to not make cuts.

And so I think that they have a chance to, you know, make a different choice in what they were talking about last night.

>> So that said, I mean, do you believe the district's argument that they have a structural deficit, that this is going to be an ongoing problem?

I think that the current proposal actually doesn't address that at The current proposal, what it does is offer.

>> A certain amount of savings on a repeated basis.

But the things behind the structural deficit are salaries, benefits and purchase services that are going up faster than our property tax collections are.

And so until you actually fix that curve until you change the way that those items, that certain expenses that you're incurring and the revenue intersect.

There actually no fixes that structural gap.

And so this is really I think idea that this solves the crisis is incorrect.

>> Peter, if the board does move forward with this proposal, Spanish speaking students who are in will enrolled in the immersion or twee programs.

The be consolidated into one school.

You have any concerns that that would mean sort of isolating Evanston, Spanish speaking community.

>> Absolutely.

We have in the past suffer this from the administration.

And over the years, dad.

Plus, ICE has been some of the year so next, right for our community and now that we're finally good place with 2 E and where not to Spanish kids.

But actually we're kids.

They're proposing for us to move us a cohort to Lincoln.

And this school is not ready for us.

They don't have Spanish books that don't have Bill Ingle administration.

They don't have anything ready for our kids that are 55% of them are Spanish speaking families.

So Eagles just not their first language.

They're not ready for us and we're so could do right now.

But it's hard to fathom that this would happen.

>> District 65 not the only school district.

It seeks to close schools as a way to make up for funds.

Pierre Chicago, Public Schools has also struggled with conversations about possible school closures.

There's a moratorium still in place for that.

But you see closing schools is a viable way to restore district's budget.

And if not, then what should they be looking at?

I believe that that is not the only way you may be a way that the numbers might, you know, add up to it.

But we are a community that is so smart that is so accomplished that I know we can find ways to do this correctly into this transparently to do this with the right ideas and the right.

I want to say hard putting people first.

The numbers first.

Alex, a few things.

The district is also proposing to cut early childhood and after-school programs as well.

But I also wanted to mention that, you know, do the students they recorded well above average proficiency in math and language arts because we just heard Peter mentioned that they're going doing so well of.

But why do you think that that's not enough for the board to act to keep that school open?

>> You know, I'm just not sure.

I think it both hardening and very challenging for parents received the news on Monday that our district our school doing with going to be designated exemplary this year, which is a designation.

You're in the top 10% of all schools in Illinois.

You are doing really well at educating underrepresented groups.

And so with the district's focus on academic achievement as a priority, I just I don't see why this would be a school you would choose to close and we have achieved so well.

Some of the goals that they're laying out.

So I I honestly I don't know why end up being a priority.

>> Robin, a search for a new superintendent is underway currently Dr.

Eric Witherspoon is serving as the interim.

Are you hopeful that things will get better under new leadership there?

And there's been some bumps along the way even before Doctor Witherspoon.

Yeah, I have probably an insane amount of hope for our community.

I think the parents, the teachers, the kids are incredible and I really hope we can clear house and get rid of the people that are from the Devon important administration, our admin and our board members who are still involved.

I think we've lost trust.

>> And I think we need new vision.

And I also think we need to tap into Northwestern.

They just about 842 million Dollar Stadium and our kids are growing up in the shadows as their schools.

Are dismantling.

So I think that's an important person to tap into.

>> Okay.

Best of luck to the parents of the 65.

That's what we'll have to leave thanks to Peter Rios, Alex Miller and Robin Toner.

Thanks.

All of you.

Thank Thank you.

>> And that's our show for this Tuesday night.

You can stream Chicago tonight on our W T Tw to channel every evening and catch up on any programs you may have missed and join us tomorrow night at 5, 30 10 now for all of us here Chicago tonight and Brandis Friedman, thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

>> Closed captioning is made possible by Robert a clip from Clifford law offices of Chicago, personal injury and wrongful death that supports