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

I'm Nick Blumberg.

Brandis Friedman has the evening off.

Here's what we're looking at.

>> We took on the machine and the NRA and one.

The race to replace retiring Senator Durbin is heating up.

>> We sit down with Congresswoman Robin Kelly just announced her bid.

Lawmakers in Springfield are considering a measure that would allow community colleges to offer bachelor's degrees in high-demand fields.

This so-called magic want is a financial tool called tax increment financing.

Better known as >> But what exactly is a TIF district and how does it work?

Rw T Tw News explains series has the answer.

>> And now to some today's top stories, Indiana authorities are asking for the public's help identifying a body pulled from Lake Michigan near the Indiana dunes.

fishermen about 2 miles off shore from Central Beach found the body Saturday morning.

The person appears to have been missing for an extended period of time.

Officials have released a photograph of a distinctive ring on the person's right index finger and said they were wearing red and black pajama pants and black socks.

Weve got information for how you can contact authorities on our website.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is urging businesses and schools to stand firm on their dei policies.

I will join 3 fellow attorneys general for a virtual summit earlier today.

They said opponents of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are misconstrue Supreme Court ruling to falsely bolster their anti dei arguments.

>> Your efforts to make your schools and workplaces and organizations more inclusive and welcoming to everyone.

Have the positive impact on the lives that you touch.

But more importantly, positive impact on your institutions and organizations research shows that these efforts make your businesses and schools and organizations better environment for learning.

More profitable and more successful.

>> Role and New York Ag Letitia James have sued the Trump administration over its threat to education funding over dei programs.

The NBA on NBC will have a familiar face starting this fall.

Michael Jordan, NBC announced Jordan will serve as a special contributor win the 2025.

2026 season kicks off in a statement, Jordan says the NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career and I'm excited about being a special contributor to the project.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all in the NBA on NBC launches this October after more than 2 decades on TNT, this season's games will be split among NBC ESPN and Amazon.

Up next, one on one with U.S. Senate hopeful Robin Kelly.

That's right after this.

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

The gym and K maybe family.

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these.

Don't >> The race to replace retiring Senator Durbin is officially on 2 weeks after the 80 year-old announced he would not seek a 6th term.

3 candidates have already launched campaigns.

The growing field includes Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and 2 U.S.

Representatives Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi the moves signal a big change in Illinois's political landscape as though to those 2 congressional seats will also be opening up here to discuss the changes coming to Illinois politics and her candidacy for the U.S. Senate is Congresswoman Robin Kelly whose second district covers the far South side and south suburbs.

Welcome back to Chicago tonight.

Thank you so much for that.

You've represented that district for more than a decade.

What's your best message to voters statewide who may not be as familiar with on my district actually starts on the south side of Chicago and Los south of Danville and West.

A Pontiac almost feel like I have Illinois in my district which I love the diversity.

But I think that >> helps me because I understand many different voices within the state of Illinois.

At 4,500 farms.

And as I said, South side of Chicago in debate, a swap of the south suburbs.

Yeah, quite a range of constituents there.

I what are some of the major accomplishments you see is making you the right person for this job?

Well, I know that I've been effectively do on every level of government.

I work for local government, state government.

I work for Alexi Giannoulias in the treasurer's office.

I was a state rep and I worked for the county and I'm very proud of my accomplishments in federal government.

I worked on health care issues.

done a lot of work around maternal mortality and morbidity.

So it was our that led Medicaid coverage calling from 60 days to the year.

And that will definitely help save lives.

We lose too many to maternal mortality and especially black women.

And this will definitely change that.

I've done a lot of work on gun violence prevention.

This is what I ran And when we pass a person bill in 30 years, my part of it was the trafficking in the store purchasing that Chicago has to deal with that.

another consumer protection tight bills done.

Some work around artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

In your campaign announcement, you said you've been an underdog your whole life.

Do you see yourself as an underdog in this race or boys been underestimated a dog?

When I ran the state rep by win against a 10 year incumbent when I ran for treasure Iran against a multimillionaire to become the the Democratic nominee.

I didn't win the race.

And then when I ran for Congress was me and about 16 other people that wind and that worries some new stuff.

Tough fight, some use in tough races.

And but I'm I'm ready, yes, no stranger a crowded field.

And we may be seeing one Will you know what you're facing?

At least 2 opponents with?

>> Fairly formidable resources.

Congressman Krishnamurthy has some 20 million dollars in his campaign fund.

Lieutenant Governor Stratton has the support of our billionaire governor, are you confident you can overcome those hurdles?

You know, I would not have gotten in the race about and feel like I could win and that would add.

I know I'll have the resources I need to win.

And I'm very confident about that.

>> You are the first black woman to chair the state Democratic Party.

You didn't run for second term after the governor report.

Iran well, but, you know, you stepped aside sort of after made clear the governor made clear he had a different preferred candidate.

Looking back on it now, how do how do reflect on that power struggle?

Well, I know I did a very good job as a state party chair and actually I step back.

>> The day before the vote just to actually relieve the people that were supporting me.

That is why I did it.

Not because I'm not a fighter because I am.

But you know, it happened.

It's behind me.

I've moved forward.

I know I did a good job.

People tell me all the time.

Even.

You know now.

So I'm I'm I'm confident and feel good about what I was able to contribute the time I was there.

>> Well, you know, in addition to Senator Durbin, a longtime Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky also stepping aside after the current term, some Democratic voters say they want a new generation of leaders within the party.

What's your reaction to that?

I think we need a mix of people.

>> In the party, I mean, we're losing 2 did a lot for the state of Illinois, but I think we need to make some people.

I think there's different lenses that need to be heard from a need to be seen.

>> Well, you know, the Republican Party currently holds obviously the presidency, both houses of Congress.

Should you be elected should that balance of power, you know, stay the same after the midterms.

How would you try to overcome those obstacles for Democratic lawmakers?

Well, I've been in Congress 12 years and only 4 of those years.

Have I been in the majority?

So you get used working around those obstacles working across, you know, the aisle with.

>> Those who work with you and share some of your values.

And I've done all of that.

I passed legislation under Trump and Biden, you know, and I think that you need to do.

not like in Illinois where everybody, Democrat, Democrat, Democrat, you, you really have to learn to work with everyone not give up on your values, but still where you can work together, work together well and has a lot of folks, you know, in Congress, the Republicans in Congress, particularly in the House, have moved farther to the right.

Has that gotten more difficult for you in recent years?

I work with who I can work with.

You know, I've had Republicans call me and say, would you do this bill with share this bill with spot in this bill with me and who I can't work with.

I don't.

It's been reported that Congresswoman Lauren Underwood also interested in the seat.

>> If you jumps and that's 3 members of the Illinois delegation that would be running.

Could that complicate, you know, legislative efforts on behalf of your constituents?

>> I hope it would complicate what was still in the house.

man was still doing a job site a bad confident I'm still going to do what I do.

And I'm sure 2 colleagues compete going to continue on with what they do.

>> You know, just 5 black women have served in the United States Senate.

What does that say to you about the challenges black women face still in politics?

Well, it's very difficult.

just the barriers and obstacles.

And you know what, people?

>> think what we can accomplish, but we have accomplished When you look at our growing numbers in the House and and we did grow in the Senate for the first time.

2 black women are serving.

So we have to keep pushing forward and running for office and that's how we win.

We have you know, stay in the game.

Get off the sidelines.

>> How do you feel?

You know, you've been in this role, as we said you know, more than a decade.

How do you feel about giving up your seat in Congress to run this race?

It was a hard you know, going to say it was.

And I thought about a lot of things.

But I also know that I am effective leader and well qualified to take on the challenge of running and also to be the U.S.

Senator.

I work with.

Many senators already worked a lot with Senator Durbin.

So I know I can do the job.

No question in my mind, you know, your campaign is still in its early days.

What kind of work are you doing?

Are planning to get started on a tip to get out.

Meat voters all around the state >> I've already started.

you know, I I've done Tele town hall meetings, town hall meetings in and out of my district.

I spoken at Democratic Party events calling calling calling, can imagine a lot of time on the phone for something like this.

What we've got about a minute left.

But you know, if you win the seat, what would your priorities be?

Ones who want to take off?

I carry a huge health care portfolio now and I still see it necessary to carry that in the Senate.

I look at gun violence as a public health crisis and that was still be part of what I'm trying to conquer, but also part of it would be fighting the Trump administration in and JD Vance because they'll still be in office and some of the cuts they want to make.

I really want I feel like we all do better when we all do better sound and do everything I can to lift my constituents, whether they voted for me not, what's going to be a long race.

And I know we hope to talk to you throughout it, but I look forward thank you very comes Kelly.

Thank you.

Up next, what is a TIF district and how does it work?

Wbtw News explains right after this.

>> The sheriff property taxes collected by the city and then claimed by Chicago's tax increment finance district grew.

47% between 2019 2023, according to Awt Tw News analysis that massive growth funneled 5.8, 4 billion dollars into the special districts that are designed to spur redevelopment and eradicate blight.

The report for 2024 is not set to be published until July.

Now, you may have heard the term, but what exactly is a TIF district?

The Sharon answers the question in tonight's edition of WT Tw News explains.

>> Once upon a time the king moves mayor of a mystical land named Chicago came across a magic wand that possessed truly awesome powers.

This so-called magic want is a financial tool called tax increment financing.

Better known as tips with just a flick of the wrist he's one makes a giant of taxpayer dollars to pay as long as they promise to use that money to make the city a better place to live.

Tiff wasn't invented in Chicago, but former Mayor Richard Daley perfected as he worked to transform Mud City into the leaning my truck.

here's how deceptively simple tool works.

>> City officials determine an area is particularly blight.

Maybe its roads sidewalks are in bad shape for its air is rife pollution or it's true.

It's taken to They declared it district.

>> A distinction which stays in place for 23 years and is there to promote public and private.

Which make it simple.

>> Say you buy house for $100,000 and set aside $2500 to cover your annual property Every cent will go to critical services like police, fire, libraries and schools.

But just as you sign on the dotted line, city officials, including your home a poor and new >> 10 years go by.

If your home has doubled in value and your property tax bill has gone up.

The original share is still funding crucial city services just as it did a decade But the rest, the tax increment or the amount your taxes have gone up since the stiffest declares has been flowing into a special account.

The mayor and his friends on the Chicago City Council can use to subsidize projects in your area.

>> Millions for new You've got it.

A new housing development.

No prom.

And the people of Chicago.

>> Maybe not.

>> Has more than a billion dollars every year flows away public parks and libraries and each to attend count and everyone's taxes go up its agents.

Us all.

At the same time, what tips are meant for the lighted areas sometimes already a fluid parts of the city.

Make it onto that.

His list produced from the funds alongside any private investors seizing on the opportunity and growing area.

>> Austin leading to gentrification.

Tif districts are a powerful tool to be that there are no magic wand.

>> A fairytale ending isn't guaranteed around the corner.

>> But budget deficit dragon sometimes.

>> You can see more of our Emmy award-winning series W T Tw News explains on our website.

Up next, details over a debate on a bill that would allow community colleges in Illinois to offer some four-year degrees.

The majority of community college students say they plan to transfer to a four-year university 79% to be precise.

But only 35% successfully do.

That's according to research from the Partnership for College completion, which also found that only 20% of those students complete a bachelor's degree.

New legislation aims to increase those rates by offering four-year degrees at community colleges.

But critics say instead efforts should be made in improving the transfer process and our concern, it could cut into some university's enrollment.

Joining us with more is Jim Reed, executive director of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association.

We also invited a number of opponents of the bill, but they declined our request.

Jim Reid, thank you for being with us tonight.

We appreciate it.

All right.

Thank you for having for folks who might not be familiar with it, what does this legislation aimed to do?

>> really is about creating pathways for students giving them an opportunity to not only meet workforce needs, but also to fill their educational goals.

And so we find that there are a number of barriers that prevented students from doing so.

We have seen that this is working.

24 other states.

And so after researching this or almost nearly 6 years, we have caught up with legislation that we believe addresses some of those barriers and provides an opportunity for students who otherwise wouldn't be able to go on to public universities and go on to get those degrees to be able to do so meet their obligations at home in their communities.

>> Yeah, I mean, to your point about those barriers, how do you see this?

This potential change is helping to improve outcomes for students.

>> Well, if have to sort of look at what 3 burials are in really the most prominent ones are those around cost to go to public university or private university.

We have a number of places where we a bachelor's degree deserts.

Those are places where students do not have access to a public university.

And if they are available there substantial distance away and then the last Israeli in terms of timing mode or delivery, if you are a working parent, if you are first generation student and you want to get your bachelor's degree but you can't access geographically, this would give you an opportunity.

>> To stay in your community to continue to work.

Can feed your family to take care of your kids to get your degree in need in your community.

And we have found that the survey results, increase the number of students nearly 2400 and almost 80% of them say that they would >> pursue a bachelor's degree offered in their community.

So we believe that that provides an opportunity for them to their needs while addressing many of the workforce needs that are apparent in our communities.

Across the state of Illinois.

>> Yeah.

Their particular fields of study.

And to your point about those deserts, parts of the state where you think this change would be particularly beneficial.

>> it in terms of those specific workforce needs.

We've looked at sort of critical areas like nursing early childhood education, cybersecurity, manufacturing.

These are all areas that are struggling to find qualified town.

And so that's why the importance of legislation is really focused on workforce needs the the application process.

The community colleges would have to go through to meet those needs and be able to offer.

Those is very rigorous, but they're really, very narrowly focused.

It provides us to meet the needs of empty hospital beds that plagued our communities close classrooms, unfilled cybersecurity roles and manufacturing lines that are sitting idle.

So this is very narrowly tailored to address those needs in those communities.

>> Despite that tailoring, you know, a lot of four-year colleges and universities in Illinois opposed this idea.

They're obviously facing preexisting enrollment and financial challenges of their own.

Is there a way to prevent siphoning off students from those schools?

>> You know, I think we need to be very clear that the research shows that the students who attending their bachelor's degrees through the community colleges, states across the country are not traditional students.

They're not the 18 to 24 year-olds.

These are individuals are out of the workplace workplace that are looking increase their their ability to move in their workplace.

This is the 28 to 32 year-old student.

And so those are not the students that were competing with a year in against our public universities.

secondly, we look the statistics across the states.

You'll see that even those that have had community college backwards less than one percent of the degrees that are coming out of those states are coming from the Community.

College Baccalaureate.

>> The only exception to that would be Florida, which is about 8%.

And they've been around for more than 2 decades.

>> Well, as we mentioned, a report from the partnership for College completion found some 79% of students start off intending to transfer to a four-year school.

Just 35% do.

Those rates are even lower for students of color and low-income students.

And that report found just 20% graduate with a bachelor's, you know, is this legislation the right way to help improve those numbers?

Do you think that that could be one of the outcomes here?

>> It is certainly a way we would certainly encourage our traditional partnership programs.

We know that there are a lot of very constructive and complex programs that exist in a very successful the 2 plus 2 programs that 3 plus ones.

We think that those should continue But this is really about meeting the needs of those students that are going anywhere that are participating in those programs.

And again, its work force base.

We believe those students substantially benefit from having this kind of an option.

So it really overlap.

It's really about enhancing its not either or it's about having both of these and again in states that have implemented.

We've seen that kind of partnership.

We seen ongoing growth of the partnership.

But at the same time, we've also seen the growth of the baccalaureate would otherwise do not go anywhere, decide to go ahead and get their degree.

>> We've got about 30 seconds left.

But, you know, as I'm sure, you know, well, this has been a fairly hotly contested issue, rather in Springfield.

Do you think there is a way to to craft a compromise that that universities and lawmakers can get on board with?

>> Absolutely.

When we started this conversation nearly 6 years ago, but even a more recent past couple years, we've encouraged to the community, the public universities and community colleges to work together.

We believe we have legislation crafted now that provides an agreement deals with issues around to publications so that there are not duplication of services with the in their various regions in various parts of the there, sufficient caps to ensure that public universities can become comfortable with And I think the goal is to make sure that all students have an opportunity to achieve their full potential in terms of education.

We know that the public universities, the private universities and community colleges, all Iraq, that same goal.

So it's really been great under the leadership of the governor to make that happen and to bring us all together.

We think we're very close to making that a reality here in Illinois.

>> And I'm sure you will be keeping an eye on this closely as will we.

But that's all the time we have.

Jim Reid, thank you for joining us.

>> Thank you having Really enjoy the opportunity.

>> If you know it's before we go, W t Tw was honored by the Chicago Headline Club with 11 Peter Lizza, Gore awards for exemplary journalism, including W T Tw News reporters Patty Wet, Leanne Co Cardoz for Science and Technology reporting and Brandis Friedman for Crime and Justice reporting she still out celebrating.

That's why she's off tonight.

Okay.

Not really.

Congratulations as well to the W t Tw Chicago stories firsthand.

Local production and digital teams for their awards.

Also tonight, we note the passing of former longtime W t Tw director Carter.

Here he is back in 1982.

Working on the beloved W t Tw Auction.

also spent many nights in our control room directing Chicago tonight.

He worked here for 33 years and wasn't any Peabody.

And Listen, Gore award winner among many others.

In addition to a plethora of arts related programs, he was perhaps best known as the director of sound stage with artists like Ella Fitzgerald, the Doobie Brothers, Tina Turner, and many, many more.

was a warm, friendly and kind person.

Our condolences to his partner of 60 years.

His husband, John.

And join us tomorrow night at 5, 30 10.

Now for all of us here in Chicago tonight.

I'm Nick Lambert.

Thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

>> Closed caption is made possible why Robert, a cliff and Clifford a Chicago personal injury and wrongful death.

That serves the needs