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

I'm Nick Lumber.

Brandis Friedman will join us later in the program.

Here's what we're looking at.

Early voters have been casting their ballots for weeks in the Illinois primary.

And the big day is almost here.

What to watch for in tomorrow's election.

Could it be the ham and bears the mayor there?

Sure.

Hope so.

He joins us to talk about Indiana's push to court the Monsters of the midway.

Why Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson made a trip to prison in this W T Tw News exclusive.

>> And there's no more iconic Chicago's Patrick's Day tradition and dying Chicago >> And we explain the history of the Chicago River's annual emerald dye job during the dye job.

First off tonight, wild weather scrambles travel plans for passengers Chicago's airports after heavy rainstorms followed by snow and frigid temps.

592 flights have been canceled at O'Hare as of a few minutes ago with average delays currently at 42 minutes at Midway Airport.

57 flights have been canceled with delays sitting at 40 minutes.

There's a chance of more snow continuing overnight with a projected high tomorrow of just 24 degrees.

Ouch.

Not quite spring just yet.

Illinois sues the federal government over fair housing protections.

State Attorney General Kwame Raoul is co-leading a coalition of 16 attorneys general filing suit against the U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development over threats to block funding for states.

Rowell says new HUD rules will cut off money if states investigate housing discrimination based on, gender, identity language, criminal records and income source as well as discriminatory housing patterns.

>> If these actions were left unchallenged discrimination in housing is almost certain to increase.

These actions are part of a broader, ongoing pattern by this administration to subvert the legal protections our country has put in place to combat discrimination and to tear down the hard fought progress we have made for civil rights.

>> Veterans and labor leaders picket the Jesse Brown VA health care facility demanding higher staffing levels and an end to what they say is cooperation with immigration agents.

Advocates argue the current administration isn't doing enough to ensure vets get the treatment they need and say the VA is allowing warrantless entry by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's and Border Patrol agents.

>> the same time, the ice is given access.

This VA NBA's across this country has established a hiring freeze and they preventing say staffing from happening, making sure that we're ensuring that we're not getting the care that we deserve.

>> Up next, why Hammons mayor says his city is the right home for the Bears.

That's right.

After this.

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

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> The battle for the Bears may be headed to the 4th quarter as the team looks to move on from its home at Soldier Field, a suitor has emerged across the state line.

Hammond, Indiana, the team spokesperson reportedly said that Hammond is the site.

The Bears are focused on after the Indiana General Assembly created a new stadium authority that could help finance construction.

Meanwhile, Illinois lawmakers are trying to keep pace and are considering a so-called mega project bill that could help the Bears relocate to Arlington Heights.

Joining us to discuss where the Bears could end up is Thomas McDermott junior, the mayor of Hammond, Indiana.

Mayor McDermott, thank you for being with us.

My neck.

I don't doing very well.

So if you would, can you give us an update on on talks with the Bears?

What's the last you've heard about a possible move to your city?

>> Well, I mean, obviously, I want to thank Governor Braun and the Indiana legislature for expediting bill to fund the Bear Stadium.

I think Indiana's for to the Bears is very generous.

I think it's given the Bears a lot to think about.

Obviously any decision made by the Bears to leave.

Illinois is a big deal to them and I think they want to proceed cautiously.

But I think in the end he's got a great offer on the table that feel really good about our chances.

>> Okay.

So, you know, we mentioned and you did as well as state lawmakers passed that bill creating northwest Indiana Stadium Authority.

What all does that authority have the power to do?

>> It has the power to around the stadium to acquire property to set rates.

You know, tell book acts once it's up and running.

But I mean, it's a similar to what Indiana created when they created Lucas Oil Stadium for the Colts in Indianapolis State.

Literally model that legislation.

And the legislation has been very effective in financing Lucas oil field and, you and running it afterwards.

But it's an opportunity for the Bears to be in control of their own destiny and they get revenue 365 days a year and said it just home games like they get currently.

>> So, you know, lawmakers here in Illinois are considering their own legislation to allow so-called mega projects of hundreds of millions of dollars to basically negotiate a payment in lieu of property taxes.

If bill were to pass, are you still confident that Hammond has a competitive offer?

>> I know we have a competitive offer.

I mean, the thing is are the bears comfortable making a move similar to what the Kansas City Chiefs just did and Missouri and leave in Missouri and going to Kansas and playing their own games or I mean, that's something on McCaskey family.

And Kevin were cancer.

All I know is Indiana's done a great job of putting a great on the table.

We have a superior business climate due respect, Illinois.

I mean, there's a 40 year deal.

We're talking about it even if Illinois can even mats what Indiana put up to near 0, which is where where, where we are right now and years one through.

48, the Bears would be far better off doing business in Indiana as opposed Illinois.

>> And folks have raised as well.

The question of sort of return on investment for Indiana taxpayers.

Are you confident that this would be a good deal for them as well to to move forward with some of this public funding.

>> You know, I've heard a lot of this ad and I think it really depends on the perspective you're looking at opportunities from, you know, downtown Chicago.

You have a lot of the amenities that we strive for here in northwest Indiana.

You know, I know you have a lot of hotels.

You have the district restaurants, you know, so losing the Bears.

Wow it with that.

Really take away from the quality of life for a Chicago resident.

Yeah, I'm sure would to a certain extent.

But I can tell you here in Northwest Indiana, we don't have a lot of those quality of life things that we just talked about it.

And I think you know what, the bears relocating their stadium air.

You would see an entire development similar to what you see in downtown Chicago right here in Hammond.

So I think it would be a real positive for for And I can understand if you're in downtown New York, maybe it doesn't have the same impact or downtown Chicago.

But I think for him and it's going to be a big, big economic boom boom for us.

>> Yeah, that's one of the things I wanted to ask you about.

I mean, what do you Bears moved to Hammond would do for your city?

>> I think it would change the northern part of our city.

It would look a lot more like Chicago getting the type of attractions you see in downtown Chicago.

I know the Bears are under a state I've called it.

Bears, and don't know what ultimately be named, but it would be an entire area dedicated to the Bears.

Certainly like what we see when we go to Wrigley Field and what the Ricketts family did around Wrigley Field is, you know, when you go to a Cubs game and we stay the night, the hotel close to the field and you go to restaurants, Ricketts families get all that money.

I think that's something that the Bears are interested in as well.

Instead of being tenants in Soldier Field, they want the hotels.

They want the restaurants.

They want everything around there and were given them that opportunity.

And Hammond.

>> Now, of course, the Bears haven't made any firm commitments.

Team staff has still been a meeting with Governor Pritzker here and members of his staff do have any concern that those talks with Illinois are ongoing.

>> I obviously we want this really bad.

I'm I'm doing my best to try to ignore everything and to try to just a positive and think about all the great advantages, the bears with that.

But yeah, obviously we spent a lot of time on this deal and I want to happen and I know that.

Let's be honest.

I'm a Bears fan.

Nobody wants to see him leave Chicago.

But if the Bears or leave in Soldier Field, I think wisest move would be coming 20 miles away from the Hammond, Indiana.

I really think that's a lot better than Arlington.

It personally.

It's a lot better business deal for the Bears.

But I think everybody every Bears fan would tell you, just like I'm gonna tell, you know, we want to see him since those stay in Soldier Field.

But I don't think that's going to happen.

So what's the next best thing?

In my opinion?

With like in Hammond?

>> Yeah.

Well, how about that?

A potential site near Wolf Lake.

Tell us about it.

You know what, what could the timeline like for development, that sort of infrastructure that might be needed there?

>> I know there's massive amount research that needs to be done.

I last I heard it's well over 500 million dollars worth of infrastructure.

The state of Indiana is pledging to that area.

It's going to be right around 300 acres controllable by the Bears this new authority, state setting up.

It's beautiful part of our city.

I host concerts there every summer and we have 100,000 people come through a park there.

We've just book to re-enact Jelly Roll's plan that park.

So this is an area that northwest Indiana in Chicago's already used to go into.

This is the same general area where the Bears a look and they would be lucky to have that area would gorgeous and beautiful.

You can see the Chicago skyline over Wolf Lake.

It's just a beautiful place to be, especially in the summer spring in the So >> what we've got just about 30 seconds left.

But before I let you go, you know, you mentioned lots of Bears.

Fans would like to see the team stay in Soldier Field or stay in Illinois.

What would you say to fans who may be skeptical about a Bears moved to Indiana?

>> I get But I think if you're on the South side, Chicago even in downtown Chicago, if the Bears moved am and I think they're a lot closer to year, then they would be if they moved Arlen tonight, sir.

So the you know, so regardless, if you're going to move the Bears, the of the to the North are live tonight to south to him.

And how are the majority of Bears fans going to fail?

I actually feel like the south side of Chicago Guard listen much better as far as the bears demographic is concerned.

I feel like we're bears fans down there.

Other respect to the northern suburbs.

I think this is more blue collar, theres types atmosphere.

And I think northwest Indiana, be great for everybody personally.

>> All right.

Well, if there is Bill is the ultimate name.

You heard it here.

First, folks, Mayor Thomas McDermott Junior, thank you very much.

Good to see Thank you very much talking to.

Up next, we preview some of tomorrow's contested primary races.

>> Illinois >> voters will head to the polls tomorrow to pick a full slate of nominees for the November elections on the ballot.

A hotly contested United States Senate seat that Durbin has held for 30 years.

Our Heather Sharon joins us to break down that race and more.

Heather.

So marquee matchup here, Democratic primary to replace the retiring Senator Durbin after 3 decades.

Break that one down for us.

So it was 1996 when Durbin was first elected to the United States Senate.

And the big to replace him was a mad scramble because Illinois politicians know open Senate seats are much more rare than a blue The leading candidates for the Democratic nomination are Lieutenant Governor.

>> Juliana Stratton and us reps, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelling.

Now this race has drawn 10's of millions of dollars in spending from outside groups most tub is to boost Krishnamoorthi and to hurt Juliana Stratton.

But she has had a major player in her corner.

That's Governor JB Pritzker who has gone all-in boost her chances.

Now, the Republican nomination also is a crowded contest with former Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy facing 5 challengers.

Be very interesting to see how both of those shake out.

>> Also, a little bit of musical chairs in Congress for open U.S.

House seats.

So everyone's 2027 going to be a very different political era in Chicago.

What races are you watching?

Well, this is a moment of generational Robin Kelly Raja Krishnamoorthi had to give up their safe seats in the U.S.

House to run for Senate.

That means there's been a domino effect to replace them.

Also on the Westside U.S.

Rep Danny Davis is retiring.

13 candidates are running to replace him.

>> But the big race everybody's watching is the 9th district race to replace Janice Schakowsky in that race.

Evanston Mayor de this state, Senator Laura Fine and social media activist Cat Abbott was Ayla are all vying to replace sir.

That race has also drawn his of millions of dollars in outside spending most from a packed the Pro Israel Political Action Committee that will ensure the national spotlight is on that race Tuesday night.

Absolutely.

also local offices up for grabs.

Cook County Board, President Toni Preckwinkle facing a pretty tough challenge in her bid for a 5th term.

What's at stake there?

That's right.

Alderman Brendan Reilly, one of the most conservative members of the City Council has mounted a significant challenge to Preckwinkle who if she wins in November, will tie the record for the longest serving Cook County board.

President.

But she's got to get through Tuesday's primary first dealing with allegations delayed property tax bills and high tax high.

That Riley has pushed pretty consistently.

Yeah.

A lot of eyes on that race as well.

All right, Sharon, thanks so much.

Thanks.

Pick.

And you can find out more about the candidates running in these races and many others by checking out our online voter guide.

>> There we've also got information on where you can cast your ballot on Election Day and how you can get registered to vote.

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

Tonight, a W T Tw News exclusive just yesterday.

Mayor Brandon Johnson spent some time in a place few if any Chicago mayors have been and Illinois State prison visiting incarcerated men who were students in a prison education program.

Brandis Friedman joins us now with more Brandis.

How did this visit come about?

So it is something that that the team at the Northwestern Prison Education program, they've been working on it for quite some time.

There are finally able to make it happen.

>> And we've been following this program impact for short for several years, including the graduation of their first class back in 2023.

They have since moved from the now shuttered State Bill Correctional Center in Sheridan Correctional to Sheridan correctional.

That is and that's almost 2 hours southwest of Chicago.

It's a medium security prison with hundreds of men originally from Chicago who had the chance to meet and even ask questions of the mayor in what is believed to be the first visit of a sitting Chicago mayor to an Illinois state prison.

>> It's a rainy Sunday morning as dozens of men and their families gather inside the gym at Sheridan Correctional Center awaiting one special guests.

>> startles this morning was organized by the Northwestern Prison Education Program or impact.

>> Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson took priest admitted questions from the students and graduates from nearly an hour.

One of them was from Nicholas who shared part of his story growing up in an abusive home.

>> We just one.

2.

>> But now he's a student in impacts.

5th cohort.

>> We >> asked the mayor a former history teacher about the importance of public education and programming to help students overcome barriers.

They're important because they provide the public space.

To not just challenge systems.

But help people find their And it continued to go back to that because, you know, someone who was driven by fear or survival.

We'll never reach their full potential.

>> All children should be tough screen.

Assessed for.

Type of challenges type of trauma and have addressed so that it doesn't grow.

Grow out of control.

I believe that me.

>> not only making decisions Impact Director Jennifer Lackey says she thinks it's important for elected officials and other leaders to be in the room with people who are living under the policies that they shape.

>> Impact is the country's first prison education program to confer a bachelor's degrees to incarcerated people.

Educators here often make the case that the coursework inside these walls is just as rigorous as on the northwestern campus.

Michael Jordan son is a current student.

Oftentimes it feels like those of us myself included incarcerated are visible.

He says he's hopeful someone like Mayor Johnson will work to make the cars rule system more restorative just punitive where in addition.

>> Addressing the seriousness of the offense that also an aim of incarceration and criminal penalties would be restoring the offender to use for citizenship.

>> As the mayor spoke, the community here listened.

>> But these systems that have Phil, our communities to a great extent, I believe it's been purposeful.

You know, I mean, whether it's public housing being shuttered.

That was a policy decision to shut down public housing.

Whether it was the closing of mental health clinics.

>> And shared common concerns close I was arson.

Was >> And even some tough Chicago questions.

>> codes?

>> But as they listen.

>> The students also hope the mayor hears them too.

>> I think the resources, place.

Overcome the trauma was expensive.

I'm hoping that's what it takes away from help you.

We're really look at that process.

Find a way challenge to have the mayor coming here in to see us for who we are.

>> It's actually take time out of such busy schedule.

Not only that he sees us, but he's going to hear us as well.

>> And the first question the mayor was asked was what this visit meant to him.

He told the crowd which included impact faculty and staff as well that his own 2 brothers struggled with addiction and had bouts with the prison industrial complex and that he feels he has a responsibility to connect with the individuals who are directly impacted by the decisions that he makes as an elected official brands to the students say anything more about what a more restorative justice system might look like for them?

Yes, they did.

More than one of them mentioned efforts to change the state's truth in sentencing laws as well as restoring parole in Illinois, which, you know, the absence of we have covered here on W T Tw specifically, some of the men spoke about House Bill.

5287, it is in the General Assembly.

It is being called the Credit for Change Act.

It would allow more incarcerated incarcerated people to earn some time off of their sentences either by good behavior or by participating in rehabilitation and educational programming as it stands, people who are sentenced under truth in sentencing laws must serve 100% of their sentence.

They cannot earn that time off.

This bill is up before the House Judiciary Committee for hearing this Wednesday.

And bridges and pet has graduated just one class so far.

Are there more coming?

Absolutely graduation for cohort who that is set for next month.

And author Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative.

He is set to be the commencement speaker.

3 more cohorts are waiting in the wings and impact is currently working on admissions for cohort number 6.

Right now, viewers can read more about this story on our website as well.

Our own Blair, Paddock and WBEZ Alex Keath collaborated on that story.

Alright, Brandis Friedman from the other side of the death look at me now.

Thank you very much.

You And up next, the story behind one of the city's most beloved Saint Patrick's Day.

Traditions W T Tw News explains right after this.

Chicago turned green this weekend but not with envy.

Well, maybe a little envy if you missed out on the city's annual Saint Patrick's Day parades and the Chicago River being dyed green.

>> But if you missed out, don't worry.

We're here to help explain how the city's beloved I job tradition got started.

Here's units office on an hour W T Tw News explains series.

>> seen Patrick's Day in Chicago.

Well, for some the holiday green beer and lots of partying.

One thing's for certain Chicago's estimated 200,000 residents of Irish heritage take their traditions.

Serious.

>> And there's no more iconic Chicago's Patrick's Day tradition and dying Chicago >> The history of the Green River flows back to the local plumbers union.

They've been sponsoring the dye job for more than 60 years.

The story goes as the plumbers tell it that business manager Steven Bailey got the idea seeing a Palmer and stained green coveralls.

See city was working to enforce restrictions on waste going into river during construction projects and supplements reusing di to help trace the flow of wastewater into 10 weeks.

Billion is Pow Mayor Richard J Daily initially considered dying Lake Michigan before ultimately picking a portion of the more manageable size of Chicago River.

And so in 1962, River got its first festive dye job School wedding telling reporters that I would connect the city to Ireland going from Chicago to the Illinois River onto the Mississippi up the Gulf Stream and across the Atlantic into the Irish Sea.

The city has tried the few died distribution methods over the years.

But today a couple of motor boats do the job turning a roughly quarter mile stretch of the river downtown.

Just the right shape.

Using what organizers say is orange vegetable based powder that lean on contact with the water, exact die recipe has always been a closely guarded secret.

Some local environmental groups have pushed back against the tradition like friends of the Chicago River feel it harkens back to a bygone era when the river was treated as it was sewer rather than a living body home to fish and wildlife.

>> But regardless of one stance, there's no denying the traditions other U.S.

cities have taken the idea dyeing their own rivers and canals.

Each march and with thousands gathering along Chicago River every year to see all unfold, the tradition does it seem ready to die any time soon?

>> And you can see more from our Emmy award-winning series W T Tw News explains on our website.

That's W T Tw Dot com Slash explains.

And that's our show for this Monday night.

Be sure to sign up for our free e-mail newsletters, the Daily Chicago in and urban Nature at W T Tw Dot Com Slash newsletter and join us tomorrow night.

We're live at both 5, 30 10.

It's Illinois primary Election Day will bring you the latest on results.

Voter turnout live reports from campaign parties and much more.

Now for all of us here in Chicago tonight.

I'm Nick Blumberg.

Thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

>> Closed captioning is made possible by Robert a cliff and Cliff Lee Congo, personal injury and wrongful death with more than 40 years of