>> And thanks for joining us on Chicago Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

>> With funding system.

>> not for tomorrow, not for next year, but for decades to come.

>> Lawmakers working on transit and state budget challenges.

Plus, a physician assisted suicide Bill made its way to Illinois House.

Why some sounding the alarm.

>> I spent my career standing up to bullies.

>> And Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi joins us to discuss his bid for the U.S. Senate.

>> And now to some today's top stories as the Chicago Board of Education meets this evening to consider renewing charters for 16 schools.

The Chicago teachers Union is calling for more oversight of charter schools.

>> We're here to fight for more protections for families and students and educators.

When charter operators want to close the school, we're here demanding more accountability, oversight and support so that charter schools serve all students.

Well, including our students with special needs and students who need additional English language services.

>> The Union points to the distress.

They say families experienced last year when Acero charter schools close half of its campuses last year.

The union argues charter companies have gotten away with not providing sufficient support for students in special education and English, English language learners over disciplining black students and have been out of school suspension rate 5 to 7% higher than public schools.

Teachers say they support a measure before the Board of Education tonight that would address some improvements to the boards, charter authorization and renewal process.

A bill requiring public libraries to keep opioid overdose-reversing drugs on hand is heading to the governor's desk.

The Senate passed House Bill 1910, proposed by an Elgin High school student to also keep at least one staff member on shift at all times who is trained in administering Narcan or naloxone.

Chicago Public Library is already have a similar program where anyone can administer the drugs instead of only a trained library.

Staff are the bill sponsor Democratic Representative Anna Moeller from Elgin says she's optimistic the governor will sign the bill and we'll have more on the latest from the last of the Springfield session in just a minute.

Neighbors on the west side of the city will know to some road closures this weekend for the 4th annual Bank of America, Chicago, half Marathon.

The 13.1 Mile race on Sunday starts and ends at Garfield Park taking runners through Douglas and humble parks, independence, Douglas Franklin and Sacramento boulevards, which means some street closures in the area have already started and will continue through Sunday to find out how those might affect your driving or your bus route.

Please visit our website.

The latest live from Springfield right after this.

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

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> Lawmakers are finally out with proposals to fund reforms to Chicago area.

Public transit.

The plan aims to fill a 770 million dollar budget gap that could shut down CTA, Metra and Pace Services.

It's one of the many physical challenges that still need to be ironed out with the state budget deadline just 2 days away.

Our Nic Blumberg joins us now live from Springfield.

Nic, what kind of funding streams might we see?

And will it do enough to keep transition going over fiscal cliff?

>> Well, short answer brandis.

If these revenue measures passed.

Yes, course.

That's still and a And now the sponsor of this state, Senator Ron Villa pollen, he has been one of the lawmakers leading the charge on the transit issue.

He said the numbers are still estimates but that current revenue would do enough to meet that 770 million dollar budget gap.

And the estimate expected to exceed that, although it would probably fall short of the 1.5 billion dollar benchmark that some lawmakers and transit advocate had been hoping for.

And there's a lot in this revenue proposal.

Let's get into some of the highlights.

There a fee on public electric vehicle charging stations, a $0.50 surcharge on tolls, but no more than a buck per car per direct.

The portion of the interest earned State Road fund toward transit.

And there are rideshare fees and real estate transfer taxes in suburban Cook County the collar counties as well.

believe on held a press availability this morning to discuss this revenue proposal a little bit of what he said.

>> Now is the time to break through the status quo, provide safe, reliable, accessible, integrated, environmentally conscious and economically impactful.

Public transit to the region and embrace a viable long-term solution.

>> And Nick, what are the Senate Transportation Committee discuss this bill earlier today would be here.

that's right.

There were quite a few lawmakers and transit advocates very excited of both about government's changes, which still need to be finalized.

There are a couple different, slightly different versions right now as well as some of these reform proposals.

But of course, this is bringing field everybody's happy.

Let's hear a little of the testimony it.

>> We strongly oppose any transit governance reform legislation that lacks dedicated and sustainable revenue source restructuring oversight without addressing funding issues is both you're responsible and counterproductive.

>> This bill in the form before today doesn't fix transit.

Instead, it takes away the ability for county and local governments provide services.

>> Now, Mark Polis, who we heard from first there, he represents a major union with workers in construction and other related industries.

They work on things like roads and bridges, which of course, are funded by the road fund and tollway money, he says told surcharges for transit are the wrong way to go as is that interest on the road fund, which we should say at last check has a balance some 3.7 billion dollars.

Now, as for Jennifer, would you know, Tara, she and other Coller County executive they're upset in particular because right now a portion of the sales tax that the RTA collects, it goes towards those collar counties.

This revenue proposal would put it all toward transit.

Now, for his part, believe on, says he has worked hard to come up with a compromise deal that everybody can agree on and that gets transit money the money.

That's what we He pushed back very forcefully on the notion that this was somehow a takeover or a bailout for Chicago.

He said this is his best attempt to achieve a world-class transit system.

enough colleagues of his agree we'll know Nic, where do things stand with the budget now?

That's right.

Last we heard budget.

Here's are still inching toward a deal that got to find a way to pay for everything.

And as we heard yesterday, Governor Pritzker says he's not interested in what he calls broad-based taxes.

But we heard earlier from one of those budget.

Here's Representative Kam Buckner.

He sounded confident that they'll meet the deadline and find something that both lawmakers and the governor can agree on.

It's also been increasing talk that lawmakers might be coming back this summer to address potential federal funding cuts.

But as for this session, the May deadline is keeping up quickly.

One staffer warned this morning to expect very long day and Brandis.

You have to imagine that's going to be true tomorrow and Saturday as Sure.

It is.

Nick Lambert Springfield for Nick.

>> Up >> next, one on one with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi about his bid for the U.S. Senate there with us.

The heated race is already unfolding to replace longtime U.S.

Senator Durbin in next year's primary elections since the 80 year-old senator announced his retirement last month, 3 Democratic candidates have launched campaigns.

That includes 2 members of Congress, Robin Kelly and Roger Christian.

More.

Kristen, more thing and Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton.

We've recently spoke with both Stratton and Kelly about their campaigns here now to discuss his candidacy for the U.S. Senate is Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Schomberg who represents the 8th congressional district.

Welcome and good to see you in person.

Hey, Same here.

Thank you.

So go.

As we said, you've represented the 8th congressional district since 2017 covering portions of DuPage Kane and Cooke counties.

This also includes the 41st Ward of Chicago.

Why do you want this job?

How do you intend to serve the people of Illinois differently or better in the Senate to then you have served your district in Congress so far.

Well, first of all, thanks for having having me.

>> You know, my family and I have been privileged to live the American dream.

I was born in India came when 3 months old and things were going well suddenly my father lost his income.

But thanks to the generosity, the American people in public housing and food stamps.

We were able to get back on our feet and then ultimately make it into the middle class.

In Peoria, Illinois.

And my father said, you know, whatever you do, make sure this country is there for the next families who need it.

That's become my North star.

My mission statement and Congress now Senator Durbin, who's been a champion of the underdog for decades.

People like my family, for instance, and now that he has decided to announce his retirement, I thought, well, this is my duty to try to be there for the next families who need it be a champion for underdogs who are seeping seeking the American dream at a time when it's under threat by Donald Trump and economic chaos of the moment.

I made a career of standing up to bullies and now have to stand up to the biggest bully of them.

All.

>> The race got competitive quickly.

As we mentioned, Lieutenant Governor Stratton Representative Kelly also in the running how do you plan on setting yourself apart from your fellow Democrats during this primary?

I like both of them were closely with them.

I think they're too.

Differences.

One as I said before, I made a career of standing up to bullies from my perch in Congress.

Weather is going after e-cigarette companies.

He preyed on our youth trying to hook them on to the or Purdue Pharmaceuticals who has tried to hook a generation of people into Oxy contin or food can got conglomerates that go after unfortunately, our families by tainting toxic.

>> Taking baby food with toxic heavy metals.

I've gone after them held them accountable and now I need to do the same with regard to the Trump administration.

The other kind differences.

I think that the American dream, as I said right now is under threat.

People want to realize their full economic potential and having been a small business person and now in Congress having worked on issues of economic mobility, upward mobility, such as authoring the law that enables 11 million people each year to get a higher quality skills-based education.

That's extremely important for the 60% of Americans without a four-year college degree.

And so these are the economic pain points that people are feeling right now.

How do I how do I make it in America?

How do achieve a better economic station in life?

And that's kind of been at the center of my work both within and outside within Congress and before Congress.

>> It sounds like you've laid out, you know, some of your priorities being a particularly economic.

Do you think that, you know, these are issues that the race is going to come down to?

I think so.

I think everywhere I go, people are very upset about the economic station in life.

Just give you an example this morning I was in Rockford.

>> At a family-owned business with 25 employees because of the horrible tariff policies of this administration imposing blanket tariffs on products from around the world.

This company of 25, which was going gangbusters as recently as last year, is now laying off people.

And so I had a chance to speak with the owner as well as the employees.

And and, you know, basically what we need is stable economic policy that allows for the growth of small businesses in Illinois and in other places.

And that's among the various challenges people are facing right now.

>> You have mentioned that you spent your whole life standing up to bullies and had opposed President Trump's a lot of the actions by his administration most recently calling President Trump's student visa freeze and his social media vetting propose a lot students both quote, discriminatory and a strategic blunder.

You yourself are, of course, a Harvard law Why do you think the president is going after universities and international students this way?

Well, I think with regard to international students, specifically he's going after Chinese origin.

Students.

>> Now, let's be clear.

Anybody who would seek to do us harm in this country, whether they are affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party or any other entity should not belong here.

However, he's not just going after them.

He's going after people of Chinese origin may be seeking a student visa and come from Hong Kong where they were persecuted by the very entity.

That's our adversary.

And I think the reason he's going after these people as he's trying to distract us from the fundamental economic problems that beset Americans.

He doesn't want to talk about the fact that this could include big beautiful bill, which I call a large lot lousy law is going to strip 8 to 10 million Americans of their health care or the food stamps that help my family survive are being cut to the tune of 200 to 300 billion dollars.

>> if elected.

One of my other questions.

Are you going did you?

Not only you be the only second Indian American ever elected to the U.S. And of course, the first was former vice President, Kamala Harris.

What does it mean to you?

>> Well, it's a big deal.

There's an old saying Washington, D.C., if you don't have a seat at the table, you're on the menu.

And I think that this community, the South Asian community, feels like they need to pull up the proverbial seat to the proverbial table.

Now, especially with rising and South Asian rising sentiment against minorities of all kinds.

And as you know, a racial, religious, ethnic minority.

With 29 letters in my name, I am that stereotypical person who maybe Donald Trump doesn't want to see in the U.S. Senate but who belongs there on behalf of all of those who might have been other AISD, whether you're minority LGBTQ member, a woman or anyone else.

>> Before we let you go so far, you have out raised your fellow candidates in this race for the 19 million Dollar Campaign Representative Kelly having 2 million, the lieutenant governor's pack has now reported what she's bringing in yet.

But obviously we'll find that out as the race continues.

How do you plan on keeping that up?

>> I well, I'm just so blessed with thousands of donors who are willing to chip in whatever they can because of the central mission of our campaign and my office, which is make sure this country is there for the next families in need make sure everyone acts has access the American dream.

And so I think that vision for our office now and maybe hopefully in the future as a U.S. senator will continue to propel our resources forward.

I bring that up just because there has been some question raised about your relationship ties to your feelings about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

>> whether or not any of your fundraising is tied to his supporters.

Now, look, I think that the issue is this, which is I oppose discrimination of any kind against anyone anywhere, whether it's in India or whether it's here.

I was the first member of Congress to arrive O'Hare International Airport to help free a couple dozen Muslim green card holders during Muslim ban.

One point, oh, I think that this kind of insinuation by some that somehow I have dual loyalties is personally offensive, but that's something has been litigated in past campaigns and the voters found it to be a silly charge, OK, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi candidate for U.S. Senate.

Best of luck on the campaign trail.

Thank you so much.

Of course.

>> Up next, debate over a new bill in Springfield about physician assisted suicide.

>> Well, >> as Illinois lawmakers consider a bill that would allow terminally ill adults to end their lives with medical assistance.

Those opposed to what's commonly known as physician assisted suicide are sounding the alarm.

They warned the proposal could deepen health disparities and put the lives of poor, disabled and incarcerated Illinois at risk.

Meanwhile, advocates of the measure say it gives individuals already dying more control over how their life ends.

Joining us, our Sebastian Knowles policy analyst with Access Living, a group that supports Chicagoans with disabilities and on Zoom, Tiffany Johnson and end of life doula and founder of We too, Shall Pass.

Thanks to you both for for joining us to talk about this.

yesterday Illinois House committee voted in favor of pushing this bill forward.

Of course, if it passes the House, if that should happen, it would still have to go through the Senate.

Tiffany Johnson actually want to start with you.

Why do you think the state needs this legislation?

>> Thank you so much for having me.

I have personal experience as well as profound experience with in my life to live work, which formally began in 2018.

But I have had the great privilege of witnessing all kinds of >> death and dining experiences follow.

So through that experience to my own father is dying and through my father experience who was in the state of Illinois diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, wishing for option to end the pain and suffering he was going through did not have that access.

It became personal for me at that moment and we have this available in states.

I don't see why Illinois.

It should be unable to act.

Alright, just to Shun.

>> Ok, thank you, Tiffany.

You froze for just a second there.

But we've got you Sebastian has a disability justice advocate water can.

What are your concerns that you have with this kind of legislation for the disabled community?

Definitely.

So I first want to start off and ground us in the conversation.

I'm sure that we can all agree that our health care system quite frankly, is broken.

>> That 82% of physicians believe that people with disabilities have a lower quality of life.

And there's multiple studies have gone But we through the COVID-19 pandemic that there were plenty of individuals and plenty of policies across hospitals across the entirety of the United States that have policies in place that prioritize ventilators for people do not have disabilities.

that did not give those ventilators to people with disabilities.

Again, this is the devaluation of the disabled lives.

So those this component.

But there's also the idea that our healthcare system again fundamentally broken, but we are on the verge of a health care crisis where we are saying that hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents.

At risk of losing their Medicaid coverage that 30,000 plus undocumented immigrants are at risk of losing their Medicaid coverage through state cuts.

And then as well as 30,000 plus individuals with an online department of Corrections have no access to end of life options whatsoever.

>> From reading some the research in the writings that access living he's done on this.

It sounds like you believe in correct me I'm misunderstanding it, that the health care system should take care of the living better and fewer of them would be in a position big big live longer.

They would have better healthier lives and would not need a position of I'm so ill that I'm now terminal.

I look at this as an and I'm sure the people at home that are watching can relate to that.

>> This idea sounds appealing because there are health care companies and this bill.

They are the ones that ultimately have a choice, right, that individuals are losing their Medicaid coverage, that they are single mother of 4 and their child his diabetic and they have have an inability to access insulin that those individuals right this is their only choice.

If they are no longer able to get insulin for their child right and insurance providers now have the choice through this building.

right?

There is no protections in place.

4 for those who are non terminal patients that plans can be altered benefits can be tonight.

If life extending treatments can be denied for non terminal patients, right?

Those diseases and selves become terminal.

So we want to prioritize increasing the amount of independent living supports the folks have the increasing the access to end of life care and then improving the quality of that end of life care as well.

>> I absolutely and on the same page about quality of India end of life I I have a deep appreciation.

That means this topic is challenging for also speak because we all have mortality rate.

We are all facing this and this bill that is not accessible the insurance companies do not have say actually, that part is incorrect because folks who have a terminal diagnosis that is determined by to independently doctors determined that percent, 6 months or less to live.

Only that individual who has that terminal diagnosis decides for themselves.

The bill gives them the dignity and then me to have that choice to access a compassionate and dignified and and support in medication that they only sell fun.

Just there is no, there's no pollution from family members.

insurance companies, anything along those lines that very deeply built into the bow because I personally as someone who advocates for folks who are dying on a regular basis for my work, it does not matter me what I want or think is right or on rate.

My whole goal is to get people the option and what works best for them.

And then present those options and help support them through those OK, almost out of time.

Tiffany, 11 other states and DC passed similar legislation allowing life in life ending treatment.

What do we know about those models and how they're working?

>> so fire working very well where almost entering on October 27th 28 years that this has been available in the United States beginning in order.

yes, correct.

And it's recently passed in Delaware.

We have several other states coming up.

We just want join the legions of options available to Illinois already.

70% have what's your?

Sorry?

We've just got about 20 seconds.

Sebastien, what's your impression of how this works in states where it is legal?

I will just say this is that there is only one state where there is an accessible option to actually file a claim against a provider for coercion.

>> That there are 3 other states that note which agency is charge of investigating these cases.

But in this bill language, there is no agency charged with investigating Koreshan and this language.

There is no agency in charge oversight mental that oversight lacking in this.

does the bill.

no coercion.

If we can actually reported.

All right.

We'll have to leave it.

There open eye on.

Okay.

We'll have leave it there and keep an eye on this legislation.

My thanks to Sebastian also, Tiffany Johnson, thank you both.

Thank you so much.

And that is our show for this Thursday night.

Join us tomorrow night at 5.37, for the weekend review.

>> Now for all of us here at Chicago tonight, I'm Brandis Friedman, thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

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

It supports