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

I'm Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

>> My story isn't the story of the typical Sen. Then again, typical isn't what we need right now.

One tenant, Governor Juliana Stratton announces her bid for U.S. Senate kicking off what's expected to be a hotly contested race.

>> What to know about the Chicago Police Department's new policy proposals for traffic stops.

>> And the Trump administration is pausing millions of dollars in funding for university research looked at the potential impact.

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

The gunman in the Highland Park parade shooting is sentenced to 7 consecutive life terms in prison 24 year-old Robert Crimo.

The 3rd was sentenced today at Lake County Courthouse after pleading guilty to first-degree murder and attempted murder charges.

7 people were killed and 48 others were injured in the July 4th parade shooting in 2022.

Crimo did not attend today's sentencing and declined to make any statement to the court.

For more on what survivors told the court at sentencing, you can visit our website.

A federal judge in California is blocking the Trump administration from pulling funding from 16 sanctuary cities and counties.

The order blocks the enforcement of President Donald Trump's executive order designed to strip self-proclaimed sanctuary cities of all federal funding.

The injunction does not apply though to Chicago or Cook County, but likely bolsters efforts by local officials to prevent the administration from blowing a 3 billion dollar hole in the city's budget.

San Francisco officials filed a lawsuit arguing the administration was unlawfully trying to force local officials to a federal immigration agents in deportation efforts.

One day after announcing he would not be seeking re-election.

Senator Durbin returned to his family home in Springfield to explain his decision.

>> I love this job.

I think it's terrific But I also reality.

There comes a point in your career when the torch passed.

And I reached that point by way of warning or want to tell you it's a long goodbye.

I will be serving in the Senate for a year and a half more until January of 2027.

>> Durbin says he's not planning on endorsing any particular candidate to succeed him.

But didn't rule out the possibility in a quote, extreme case at today's news conference.

He also spoke of his fondness for Chicago.

>> I was born and raised in East St. Louis.

We raise our kids in Springfield, but I love Chicago and the people who bad enough that in for a fight with me.

>> It's a great city and we'll hear from Julianna Stratton who has announced her bid to replace Durban.

Coming up in the program.

And commuters, you may have to change your route for a while.

The State Street Bridge downtown will be closed to all vehicle and foot traffic for repairs.

Starting Monday, the Chicago Department of Transportation says the work involves replacing floor beams and improving the bridges alignment among other fixes C dot also plans to repair the viaduct just north of the bridge.

Construction is expected to last through mid November.

Still to come, the Chicago Police Department releases its new policy on traffic stops.

As advocates say, the stops have been used to target black and Latino residents.

And but first, we're one-on-one with Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton.

She launches her bid for U.S. Senate.

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

The Pope Brothers Foundation, additional support is provided by.

>> And the race is officially Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is launching her bid to become the next senator from Illinois.

It comes less than 24 hours after a long time, Senator Durbin announced his retirement Stratton becomes the first Democrat to officially announce her candidacy in the race, which is expected to be hotly contested.

We sat down with Stratton this afternoon to talk about her announcement.

Her priorities and why she thinks she's the right choice for voters.

>> How important was it for you to be first out the gate on this?

What was important is that there's a sense of urgency right now.

We're looking at the chaos that's coming out of Washington, D.C., it's impacting middle class families across our state every single day.

People are anxious.

They are angry.

They are worried about their future and the future of their children.

And so it was important to let them know that there's somebody who's going to stand in the gap was going to stand up and fight for them.

Who's going to stand up against the chaos that's coming out of Washington, D.C., and make sure that we deliver for the people of Illinois.

And that's exactly what I intend to do.

It.

>> Why this see, how is different?

How is it better for to serve?

Illinois ends through the Senate versus your composition as Lieutenant Governor?

>> Well, first of all, let me just say that I love being the Lieutenant Governor and I love serving alongside Governor JB Pritzker.

And I'm really proud of what we've been able to accomplish over these last 6 and a half years.

I mean, we've balance the budget 6 consecutive years in a row on to 7th soon.

We have protected a woman's right to choose.

We have raised the minimum wage created jobs.

Those are all ways that we have delivered for people.

That's what government really should do it to do some good to make your life better.

And that's what people are looking for.

And I think right now in Washington, D.C., What people see is sort of the same old playbook that's been used and they're really looking for new energy, new leadership, new voices.

And that's what I intend to bring and continue the fight and continue delivering for the people of our state.

>> They're likely to be very many people.

Very many Democrats running for the that Republicans, of course, have said that they plan on trying to get it back as well.

What are some of the issues that you think will drive this election and what are your priorities?

>> Well, I think first and foremost, what's going to drive this election is recognizing that right now we have chaos coming out of our federal government and the White House right now due to Donald Trump, Elon Musk and the congressional Republicans who are not standing up for the people of Illinois are the people across our country.

I mean, look at what's happening there.

They are cutting.

Access to health care, cutting Medicaid.

They are threatening to cut Social Security.

They are.

in so many ways turning us backwards after they said that they would cut prices on day one.

We seeing these trade wars that Donald Trump started that are actually raising prices.

And so I think this is an opportunity to when we think about what's necessary.

First and foremost, we have to stand up and stand in the gap and stop the damage that's being done by Donald Trump.

And that's why we need a fighter.

And then once we can do that, then we can focus on all the issues that people are concerned about, making sure that we do exactly what we've done here in Illinois, making sure that people have expanded access to health care, that they can take care of their families, that they have that can send their children to school and know that they'll get a full education, including the history that's been so important to our our communities.

This is an opportunity to really just show the contrast between what's happening in DC and what's happening here in Illinois.

And to say that I want to be someone that not only continues to deliver for the people of Illinois, but also on.

I'm not afraid to stand up to Donald Trump.

Just looking looking ahead to this race, right?

There's there's going to be a pretty deep primary.

>> How do you plan on on fundraising and sticking to the race?

>> Well, I'm going roll up my sleeves day one to day and and get to work.

I mean, I'm going to try to meet as many Illinois and says I can.

I'm going to talk to them about their issues and I'm gonna let them know that I'm going to fight for them and I'm not going to leave any stone, you overturned.

I'm gonna make sure I try to get to everybody that I can.

But I also, you know, this is an opportunity.

I mean, think about today.

Day one.

I got a great commitment from the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, a seven-figure commitment to my campaign.

That is a boost.

And it's there's been an outpouring of support from so many people is ready for new leadership and so I'm going carry that on and make sure that I do what I do, which is go all across the state.

I've done that as Lieutenant Governor.

I've always been someone who believes that every voice matters that I try listen to the wisdom in the room and I'm gonna keep doing that.

Because every community, they're issues really unite us.

And it's going to require that unity to stand up against Donald Trump.

>> If elected, you would only be the 5th black woman elected to serve in the U.S. Senate.

One of those previous 4 is, of course, from Illinois as well.

But what does it say to you that there haven't been more and what do you think about what you make of that?

>> Well, one of the things that it says to me is that we need to change that.

I mean, we need to make sure that in all of the halls of power, whether it's in Springfield and in our nation's capital, that our voices are represented in all of these spaces.

so that we can continue to bring our authentic selves in our perspectives, in our backgrounds, into those spaces and and the strong advocates.

I mean, I think that's the beauty of America that we have so much diversity and that diversity is under attack right now.

And so we need to make sure that has policies are being created, that our voices are at the table.

But I also just think about, you know, I'm the mom of 4 daughters.

And I think about the my daughter is and so many other young girls who deserve to see people who look like them and who can look at it them and people like me and dream about what's possible for themselves.

So it's an exciting time and I look forward to running this campaign and hopefully serving in the U.S. Senate.

>> you're setting off on a listen to her after this.

Obviously, you've got a busy schedule ahead.

I'm sure.

How will you plan on or how do you plan on balancing the campaign with your current duties as Lieutenant Governor?

>> Well, I'm the work of the Lieutenant Governor is going to continue.

I mean, I have a fantastic staff and fantastic team and I'm still going to be carrying out responsibilities as Lieutenant Governor, also going to have to make sure that hit the campaign trail running as well.

And make sure that I like I said, rolling up my sleeves.

So I will find a way to balance it in and everybody that all the great people that I have working with me are going to make sure that I continue to do what I need to do for the people of Illinois in in in whatever capacity it turns up.

All right.

Lieutenant Governor Stratton, Best of Luck.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

>> Other Democrats considering entering the race include representatives, Lauren Underwood, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly as well as Treasurer Michael Frerichs, secretary of state Alexi G a newly and state Senator Robert Peters.

Republican Congressman Darin LaHood is also considering his party's nomination.

The Chicago Police Department is today unveiling its new proposal for traffic stops.

The policy would continue to allow police officers to pull over drivers for minor violations in order to find evidence of other unrelated crimes.

Our Heather Sharon joins us now with more.

Heather, this proposed policy.

This represents the first time CPD officials have acknowledged that officers are empowered to stop drivers in Chicago on a pretext in order to search for evidence of a crime.

So first, what are pretextual stops and why are they so controversial?

Well, Chicago police made nearly 300,000 traffic stops last year that they reported to state officials nearly 65% of those were based on officers observation of >> a broken headlight are broken.

Tail it or expired license and registration stickers on your license plate.

Police reform advocates say those kind of stops to not make the city any safer.

And in fact, disproportionately target black and Latino drivers.

And they said that those kind of stop should be banned.

Today, the Chicago Police Department said no, those stops are ineffective.

Crime fighting tool.

And as long as officers balance the need for fairness with that sort of investigatory need, they are appropriate to continue to be used.

So this policy, it's not yet final.

This is a proposal in the city's police Oversight Community Commission for Public safety and accountability, though they're objecting to some key parts of it.

Take us through those areas of disagreement.

Well, they think pretextual stops should be banned in most cases, which sets up a clear conflict that will have to be resolved before this policy is finalized.

They also want stricter restrictions on when officers can search cars or trucks, even with the permissions of drivers, those would be big changes to the current proposal will traced to see how that plays out.

Header.

What's next?

Who has the final say?

Well, it's complicated.

The commission has the power to set policy for the police department, but 10 months ago that CPD agreed to allow traffic stops to be covered by the consent decree, which means this policy must pass muster with the monitoring team overseeing those reform.

The Illinois Attorney general's office.

And it will be the federal judge overseeing this reform push that will have the final say in resolving any sort of impasse uncomplicated at all.

Sharon, thanks so much.

Things Brandis and you can read headers full story on our website.

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

>> Chicago tonight, Latino voices.

It's made possible in part by the support of these donors.

>> Professors and researchers at Chicago area.

Universities say federal funding cuts are leaving research projects unfinished.

The Trump administration is freezing 790 million dollars for Northwestern University putting over 100 projects on pause, research funding from the CDC and National Institutes of Health are also at risk.

Joining us to discuss the local impact.

Our Danielle Toman are sick and engineering professor at Northwestern University.

Linda forced a doctor and health professor at the University of Illinois, Chicago and Julius Lucks and engineering professor at Northwestern University.

Thanks to the 3 of you for joining us.

So all 3 of you have had your research you know, or projects in limbo or to stop altogether because of these funding cuts.

First, Daniel, over to you.

Tell us more about what the stop work orders mean.

>> So for us, it means that we had to pause a couple of weeks ago.

Some of the projects in our lab towards developing dynamic camouflaged to developing some water Tess, which Julius we'll talk about as well where collaborators and to stopping some of our work towards developing wearable electronics for the future.

And so it meant, you know, moving the students on those projects to other projects, very abruptly.

And helping them try to still finish their dissertation research.

So I'm not really devastating and getting up to speed on a new project and I'm sure all of that took some time.

>> Julius, let's what is the local impact of university research?

What does what does it mean when but research stops?

Yeah, I think that's a great question.

And really important for the public to understand when they see 790 million dollars, northwestern cuts.

What does that mean?

What it means?

The individual research projects have to stop it.

Daniel said in our case we were developing a test for clean water, something that somebody could use in their own home to figure out if their water was contaminated with lead.

That would that work stops.

That means we can't continue to develop that technology and people are going not know if the water safe to drink and we'll have that opportunity to use that tests solidified out of Dr Force your grant from the CDC could be put on pause.

It sounds like there.

It's still some uncertainty there.

>> What about your grad students and your staff in the labs when something like that happens?

What is the impact?

Yeah, I just want to point out that this is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health that lives in the CDC.

>> 80% of that workforce was rift as they like to say enforced.

Right.

And my my unit UIC School of Public Health is environmental and Occupational Health Sciences.

So all the work that we have, 24 million dollars in grants from Nyah, ash and what we need to do is protect the nation's workforce.

So we do research.

It's very applied.

Public health research.

We.

Evaluate injuries and illnesses that workers experience.

We do public health surveillance counting the injuries and illnesses in the state of Illinois for the state of Illinois.

And so stopping.

This is really harming the workforce.

Our research is very applied to protecting the workforce, which is precious resource and the state.

So it's harmful for all of us who have jobs, right?

Like the work force itself I imagined then the folks who work in your lab.

>> And the grad students who are learning in your lab.

But yeah, what what are they dealing with right now with this uncertainty for the yeah, right.

some of them are trying to graduates.

I have 10 students and a center for agricultural safety and health that I support.

If this funding goes away, they no longer get supported.

They may be can't finish their degrees.

They can't be in the field doing the research that they need to do to >> complete their degrees.

Many of them are in the middle my colleagues are are working in a training program so they have dozens of students who are training and medicine, occupational medicine, work related health problems in nursing in industrial hygiene and occupational safety.

All of those careers are dependent completely dependent on.

I asked is the only funder of that kind of research.

And so all the practitioners that are keeping workers safe and workplace the next Gen, the pipeline, 2 people that will be able continue to do that work is being time.

It's being held up.

Absolutely.

Daniel Daniel, sorry.

This research also be very expensive.

>> Give us a sense of, you know what expenses the federal funds cover for you all.

The major expenses are one to cover the time of the researchers in the lab.

And that is a huge expense that is their jobs.

>> And the second major expenses, all of the equipment that we use requires expensive free agents and materials and supplies to run these experiments and and that's also gone.

And so even if we are finding a way to keep those people on new projects, it's not towards what we intended and we no longer have the materials and supplies to do We have to be very creative about where their projects might go, that they can do something, not at the and computational, turn.

It will not be the same.

>> Northwestern has said in a statement, quote, the university after consultation with the board of Trustees will fund research that is subject to stop work orders or the federal funding freeze.

This report is intended to keep these projects going until we have a better understanding of the funding landscape.

Julius we know that Northwestern has a massive endowment.

Doesn't necessarily always mean that that money can just fill the gap.

But do you think the university's resources can make up for the federal grants being lost in the long term?

Yeah, it's a great question for people to understand.

In the end, the answer is no.

The U.S. government has for about 80 years has been pumping in money to universities as the engine of innovation in this country.

The system is built around that.

>> The government gives universities money the best and the brightest come up with the ideas and the ones that bubble to the top make it into the market place in our businesses.

Northwestern is going you know, I can't speak on behalf of the university, but I know that they're going to work hard to keep a scientist going.

But there's only so much you can do.

This is going to cause real impacts to us and across the nation.

If the system is built around university research and the government is there for funding it.

>> Is there another sector that could pick up that research?

Private sector nonprofit?

A lot of people you hearing this and, you know, people chattering will maybe research should be done at companies.

And certainly our companies in this country are wonderful.

But the companies can't take over the role of the university.

There's a lot of great reasons for that.

Companies have shorter time lines.

They can invest on those bitterly moon shot ideas that universities have traditionally done.

And also people, you know, wonder okay for the companies are doing this research.

Who were the researchers in the companies that do that?

Every researcher in a country company comes from the university.

So we have a research mission, but we also have a training mission.

Our students are not only doing the research, they're learning how to do the research and to be leaders and without universities, you lose all of that Dr Force.

you do lose this funding, for example, what what could happen?

I'm he takes about it thinking honestly, boy, we support us from 9 dash funding.

We support probably.

35 students in graduate programs.

If that funding goes away, really, we don't.

We don't have students in our in our programs.

We really we lose the pipeline number one, number 2, we learned that we lose the research projects that they're working on.

You don't you know, you can't train students to do research by talking to them in a classroom.

You have to get them out into the field.

They have to be working in laboratories.

They have to be collecting and analyzing data.

They have to be learning how to write reports and so on how to translate their research, communicate with communities and so on.

If we don't have this funding, we lose all of that expertise and all of those students lose their university opportunity.

Julius, we know that universities, many of the specially elite ones are facing several challenges.

Civil rights investigations, obviously national push regarding the protests last year.

What do you make of all of this?

>> Federal scrutiny of of higher education.

The thing I think I want to speak to most about that is these research cuts.

There's a lot going on.

And you know, the public, I think doesn't really completely understand all the different angles and >> universities have somehow lost their luster in the public imagination.

But I think it's really important to realize that these things that are happening his direct cuts are coming to individuals and research projects, all of the people that are at universities doing research are doing it for other people.

All of us at this table spend our days and nights thinking about how can we help others?

The students have come in dedicating essentially their lives to helping others and having all these funding cuts are really impacting not only things now, but well into our future.

Daniel, what could be next for your team in Western?

>> You know, for right now, we're looking for those stopgap solutions.

It won't be enough to to us earlier point to replace all of that funding.

The infrastructure.

But we're hoping that others do rise up and say, hey, this work is important and here's some money to keep it going so that we have, you know, the next computer in 20 years.

The next AI Revolution, whatever it might be starts now.

And so we really hope that that there will be other sources out there in the interim or that people rise up and say, hey, we do want our universities doing this research.

We understand there may be other problems there.

But let's keep that research funding going in the meantime, because it's too important to let that go.

Okay.

Best of luck to all of you.

Thanks to you for joining us.

Danielle Toman or sick Dr. Linda Forest Angeles left ankle.

Thanks to all of know.

>> And that is our show for this Thursday night.

Stay connected with our reporters and what they're working on by following us on Instagram at W T Tw Chicago and join us tomorrow night at 5.37, for the weekend review.

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

Stay healthy and safe.

Have a good night.

>> Closed captioning is made possible.

Why Robert, a cliff and law a Chicago personal injury and wrongful death that serves the needs of clients in