>> Good evening and thanks for joining us on the week in review on them into vicky's.

used to be the most powerful figure in Illinois government.

Today.

He's a defendant in a criminal corruption trial.

Jurors have heard House Speaker Michael Madigan and secret recordings.

>> It's going be right.

We don't want go for >> monitor goes out of the boards and commissions.

Okay.

Do we know right now they're hearing from the man directly.

>> Madigan testifies in his own defense on his former capital turf, a new class of state legislators take their seats.

>> It might be a tough year ahead.

We will face stressful moments.

Illinois has always been a state of possibilities.

>> But one party control has stifled that success.

Members of the 100 and 4th General Assembly.

Let's rise to meet this moment.

Together.

>> And Mayor Brandon Johnson has a soaring wish list for Springfield.

>> We are working collaboratively and we are in constant conversations with the state of Illinois with the governor's team with the leadership in Springfield.

Governor JB Pritzker tells it differently.

>> They don't reach out very often.

And it seems like they don't have good relationships in Springfield.

In part because they don't do the outreach that's necessary.

The city reopens a mental health clinic.

This round right here is been set.

With foundation of helping support people who are in need Chicago reach is Global heights for heavy traffic.

That's got leaders contemplating a congestion tax.

>> And now to our week in review panel joining us re long from the Chicago Tribune, she kept from Politico Michael Liptrot of Block Club Chicago and also from Block Club.

We've got Quin Meyers now.

Rahm, going to begin with you because Madigan known as one of the most has to turn politicians and I'm going to get all of Illinois government history.

Heck, this is another one where he could set national figures may So why did he take the stand?

>> Well, you know, I don't have the internal conversation with that we would love to have that.

reality is after you folks like you and I watched for so long.

He is probably in his mind thinking he's the best person who can tell his story and he's been on the stand and given it in a very relaxed way.

He looks directly at the jurors.

He he talks to them in very simple phrases that are easy to understand.

And he has logical explanations as his attorneys through softball questions to him over and over.

But they addressed some of the very serious issues and he was able to come up up with the answers that we're solid.

There were believable.

They sounded good.

But hey, he's got to come up against the prosecution next week and that will be the real test.

And unlike when you and I have interviewed him in the passion gone to press conferences and he may relied on phrases or sort skirted the question.

He's not gonna be able to do that, right?

He is going to have to stay on the witness stand.

He is not going to be able to say.

>> Ok, that's it.

I'm done answering questions the press conference is over.

He's got to stay right there.

And the prosecution will not let up.

>> court watchers some see this is a potentially risky move for him.

Maybe an indication that trial hasn't gone well.

And so this is sort of a Hail Mary.

How do you view it?

I thought.

>> He seemed like he knew he was the best.

But Mike Ray said to tell his story and so maybe they thought it was the best way move forward.

I I took it that they thought it would it would be good for their case.

And so If you're a regular person listening to him, it sounds really logical and it makes sense.

I could see them believing him on that.

>> You Michael, I want to bring you in here.

We heard that meta can say that he was shocked when former Dennis Alice suggested the notion >> quid pro quo.

What do you make of his testimony there?

>> Quid pro quo has really been the word of the with this in the trial, just the child's a whole.

We're seeing just Chicago politics and it really being brought to the forefront when it comes to think about that generational divide where I scratch your back.

You scratch mine has gone on for so long and people don't see anything wrong with it.

And the notion of quid pro quo seeing how different it is from when Madigan first start in politics 50 years ago to now and with any generation about thinking about how the and what we view acceptable.

Now.

And so a lot of this going to dissect when it comes try thought quick vote crook, quid pro was so interesting because, you know, when you listen to the recordings, it does seem like >> Madigan pauses.

And he's like like, you know, you're actually saying the legal term here.

You know, I think was shocking to him.

You know what you years ago, shock of a sense?

This is not what we're doing here.

he like?

that's how I interpret it.

How you interpret it?

I did.

Like what the heck are you saying?

Get in my office that we got exactly scolding almost that the child you're supposed to know better here.

You're visiting alderman any indication right from the jury of how they took this?

Because it is something that I watch >> But speaking all of you at the table, if you if I could help you get a job, I'd say, hey, yes, I know, Michael, I know Quinn.

I know she I know great.

They're great at this job.

>> It's different, though, when you are the speaker and you have something.

>> 2 to give in return build something over their heads, right?

that something that we're seeing?

Attorneys make the I think that Madigan is is posing.

This is like my 13th Ward headquarters was a Mecca.

He that.

Yes.

And he said we were a pillar of the community and people came in there and they, you know, needed jobs and I try to help them.

>> And what's wrong with trying to help people get a job and that's how he's setting this off.

And that's how he has argued it ever since the charges have come down.

So that is the approach that's being taken and jury is is eyeing at their sizing up.

I got to tell you, there was a note out to the judge right before in Cayman.

that said, you know, how much longer do you think will be going to work?

You know, do you think we're going to have to do this much longer?

Then they come back out.

Madigan takes the stand and they were like snap too.

>> So it was a hold the jury.

May be a little bit done with things.

And then tension has been rekindled, right?

Absolutely.

Something else that I wanted to touch on because of so much of this, of course, his fellow defendant is Michael McClain, longtime lobbyist one time ago had served in the house with the speaker and now Megan says there are no longer bodies after this long term relationship.

What do Shia take away from that?

Because we've seen something that was shocking to me is McLean's emails are certainly very blatant.

It.

And I see that is something that Madigan would be truly repulsed by guy doesn't have a cell phone.

I think that was the case from the very beginning.

We learned about those e-mails knowing that.

>> Michael Madigan does not to email this, not to telephones and hear this trusted person.

was e-mailing folks and you have to imagine when he found out he was like.

>> Like what's happening You re to any of those a little bit.

I mean, I think, yeah, I mean, that was what was so interesting to me about this trial this week is.

>> Madigan, we get the comes behind the curtain a little bit.

And yet he does not use email whether that be for because he wants just log off at the end of the day or because he's a paper trail.

That was actually, you know, Central point of the testimony.

But I he's I certainly I think his friendship with that McClain is is over.

And but I don't think he didn't totally.

You know, shift all the blame to McLane.

I don't think he he's trying to kind of walk the fine line of just protecting himself without totally throwing him under the bus so far.

We'll see what happens when the park when the prosecution.

I question time last week when you bring up a paper that's something I definitely think about in terms of if this is strategic or not, because it is believable that is 82 years old does not have a phone, does not.

>> Re emails for a typical 82 year-old.

But someone who's been involved in politics events, things that they have to be brief on developing information.

So often the question is it that we will for Michael Madigan and is he truly using this to himself from these e-mails?

>> last word you because you've been in the courtroom.

Well, in literally wrote the book >> I think as you know, there is he's always been a vibe in Springfield that don't write something down that might clean actually said that to a lobbyist who is coming on board after being a staffer and talking about This is something that you got to be real careful about.

Then they get to McClain's house and he's got file cabinets full stuff.

It was just I know my mom is watching and this reminds me of what she always tells me do.

As I say, not as all right.

Well, I have to, but let's move on to other parts of Springfield, obviously where many and used to rule the roost.

Democrats are still in charge.

They still hold an iron grip Shia you besides a shiny new Senate chamber.

What was different when you are in our state capitals this week?

Well, it was supposed to be pretty It was called lame duck session ahead of inauguration.

Nothing was supposed to get little bit late session Lane session.

And then it turned out that we was controversial hemp bill.

>> There was debate in the Democratic caucus that upset.

>> the governor and the governor and the speaker kind of at odds over that and the there was lots of jobs.

Lots of from.

Let's actually hear a clip because that the mayor is hoping for Springfield to really loosen its purse strings.

But according to the governor, Brendan Johnson and the 5th floor have not done much by means of asking for that.

And so.

>> We had Pritzker making the unusual move of publicly calling out Mayor Brandon Johnson for his poor relations with Springfield.

>> lines of communication open, but people have to take advantage of the open communication line often that didn't.

That didn't happen with regard to the hemp bill.

Didn't call anybody in my administration.

Never raised it.

You know, and with regard his budget, literally the last call that we got from them was in September.

And then once in December, we, by the way, scheduled calls and then they didn't show up.

>> When so putting aside that the itself, though, is sort of the material disagreement here.

Why would Pritzker on leash like that?

Well, the mayor for several weeks and months has been saying that he has been in regular communication with Pritzker's office, especially on revenue.

I'm the mayor really wants to see more quote, progressive forms of revenue like bringing back the graduated income tax, which is to feed the couple years ago.

He's saying he's been in touch with Pritzker, least with his his people of in touch people Pritzker's basically come out and said that's not really true.

We barely hear from him.

And I do think some of that frustration heard his voice is over the hemp bill.

You know, the governor did suffer defeat on that and he rarely suffers any defeats in Illinois.

I think the governor is, you know, I was surprised see him lash out like that actually cause that he have a bit of a tense relationship with Johnson since the beginning Johnson's term.

But this was by far the most public indication of that.

you need a choice, it was clear me choice because governor is pretty good dodging questions.

I think when he doesn't want to answer them and he made a choice to go on the record here and go after Johnson.

You know, I asked that after Johnson appeared on W T Tw Monday night saying he was in contact with the governor's office.

And I kept hearing that wasn't the case.

So that's how we asked the question.

>> those of us in the reporting crew, we were like, well, you know, wow, this is more than we thought we get today.

So it could be that you sort of smarting over this humiliation of defeat on hemp.

It could be built up frustration.

>> Michael, is there any sign that Johnson received this message and could change how he operates?

>> I'm not sure when it comes down how much what Johnson says versus if he's actually going to be repaired in terms of relationship because we just saw where he spoke and said that he talks risk all time has greatly ships.

Downstate.

And then you see someone saying opposite.

So it's really going to be up to him to see he's this work and whether or not he takes it to heart and works to mend.

Those relationship is taking the high road at least on Tuesday when you to all round Robin of media interviews.

>> He did lashed back out.

He is saying, you know, we got to have a working relationship.

So that's his tactic, at least for now.

It's usually his tactic to is.

Amanda.

You remember he didn't really attacking head until met again, was declared a public official, a so he could do maneuver around and he knew them yet again and power any he knew he may not like everything Madigan was doing, but he still did not blasting.

So maybe a message.

Should John Center maybe, hey, he's got he's so weak in the polls.

>> I can do it and face no consequence.

she Is this going to be a harbinger of difficulty for the mayor with those loads of requests?

He has.

request of not just money Yes, it does not bode well or will the mayor's office did a good job of sending a team to Springfield?

>> while Pritzker was in normal, Illinois with that press conference there, there was a team in Springfield.

So and they were successful helping stop that hempfield.

Maybe so maybe Bill do a better job of being in Springfield.

More.

Maybe they got the message say that they're ramping up It will be coming to the capital that is sticking with you for just a moment.

Because as you noted, it is not just Johnson that is facing the wrath of the governor.

>> It's also a little bit the House speaker you talked with representative for Speaker Welsh, right, right.

Speaker Welch the controversy came because Speaker Welch has a rule in the Democratic caucus that you have to have 60 votes before you send a bill to the House floor.

>> Because he doesn't want any messy arguments in public.

He wants that to be done in private.

You know where all the Democrats are behind closed doors.

No media around this time the governor sent to people in to help talk about the bill and the discussion got heated and maybe it got too heated.

People were upset.

The governor was upset that his people went in there might've been be rated we don't know exactly he did it was.

But anyway, people are upset the governor was upset at Welsh for letting it get to that point.

Well, she's still upset and what is?

Well, they haven't spoken.

So they haven't spoken since.

So I think that that means, but they both respect.

Each other Pritzker said mistakes happen.

I think Chris Christie moving on.

Welsh says he still respects the mayor.

The governor, of course, you know, one of that.

They saw all on board with the governor.

So I think they will be fine.

But it does show that there could be some tension right as they are having to deal with this 3 billion dollar budget shortfall.

Any other highlights from years speaking with the speaker.

There are people in his leadership team that are being moved around a little bit out is Representative Ortiz.

And if you remember at the last spring session, Ortiz left early from a vote.

And crucial vote, crucial vote.

He wasn't there.

He was on his way home I don't know if that's why, yes, lots of change.

House Democratic leadership in as we know, that is a powerful position.

since the former speaker in the crosshairs of set.

>> Let's go onto I actually that may or again, because you had an interview with Quinn and I this is something where he brought up.

And I want to know if you think he's spit balling or serious, that New York is implemented this congestion tax, that means cars or pay 9 bucks or so to get into Manhattan.

And the mayor says, well, to be fair, I brought it up and he answered.

The question do you know New York, of course we can go into the congestion.

Pricing on the part of downtown Manhattan.

>> To basically reduce traffic and bring in more money MTA, asked the mayor something my work like that might work here in Chicago.

He said he's definitely we we have the conversation, a robust conversation and then we should explore it.

He did not give a hard yes or So he seems like he is open to something like in the loop.

Maybe there's some kind of way to tax drivers as he kind of hinted that especially maybe drivers who don't live in Chicago.

I don't know if that's possible to differentiate.

So it possibly on the table in this does Com and a recent study found Chicago, the average Chicago in 2024 spent over 100 hours sitting in traffic and we are tied for worst traffic in the country with New York City.

Second in the world, apparently only to Istanbul, Turkey.

So it is huge problem.

I do think a big part of that has been all that, you know, the slowdowns on the Kennedy, of course, have been doing work seemingly forever on the Kennedy.

So maybe that will change a little bit.

I once that work finally I couldn't relate to that that's outside my experience.

But E also we have rose and has a new health hub with his Johnson really following through on one of his promises to reopen close mental health clinics.

The total now is 3.

>> Michael Weiss, the significant.

>> That's significant because of thinking back.

So Emanuel and the clinics that closed in his mayorship really Chicago trying to come back from that as far as the robustness of mental health offerings to citizens across the city.

And Roseanne Rodriguez really taking this on her mantle and leading the charge because the street not trauma both reopen clinics as well as have a mental health professionals come out instead of police for months of crises.

last fall, I was at the trick, not trauma.

have to speak to the old woman about this and the Rosen clinic was one of the crowning achievement that she was really excited to see calm for.

So this is great momentum for especially throughout the state of the budget for the city for this.

Still to be able to happen and looking forward to seeing with this next fiscal year.

If they're able to keep that momentum when it comes to these budget woes that the city is facing.

But it's like they started the school based on they did have mental health clinics in Lori Lightfoot's administration.

They were just being >> overseen by private and nonprofit agencies.

And now the mayor just wants to shift it to be Back to the way was right do something that's lost in the narrative.

I think but such as politics, right?

That's how you how you make the argument.

I think what's even more interesting is the care response than on police response to mental health crisis calls.

>> This was kind of a fundamental part of the whole defund the police movement, which Brandon Johnson.

>> You know, had distance himself from, but the, you know, sending mental health professionals to calls where a police officer doesn't necessarily to be there.

But someone needs a therapist or something.

You can kind help them work through whatever they're going through.

That is being I do think is has been a huge focus of the mayor.

There's now a citywide team is where I believe they're being expands.

The 6th police district.

It's still not totally citywide, but it is expanding.

right.

Let's go to you because speaking of Johnson, there's a revelation, including some trip reporting here.

>> That he's mayor.

Yes, but he could easily return to the classroom because since he left to be on leave is a teacher to join the CTA.

He's still only if, why might this present a conflict of interest, doesn't it?

Will it?

>> You would think it would.

I mean, because he he he is basically putting himself in in a position where he looks to be negotiating with himself in some way.

If you're raising the salaries first teachers and you may go back to the classroom to get a teacher's salary, you may be talking about your own salary.

And so pension bumper, mention salute least.

So all of all a bit rules together.

>> There's been questions, of course, since the campaign about how he's going to be able handle all these different matters.

And the conflict is just continuing to bubble up every day.

It comes out when during the CTU Toxic comes out when he tried to forest Pedro Martinez and it all has come to this rapid pace of what is going here in a lot of people.

would just like to see him say.

Yeah, I'm going to cut ties here or yeah, I'm going to accept it the way it is or I'm going completely pull myself out of these talks questions as well as to what action he took to clarify that there wasn't a conflict of interest as anybody.

>> Say no, this is fine.

He's the mayor.

We don't have to worry about the mayor and and we The reporting was that to pay?

>> He did not go to the board of Ethics to really ask them about that.

But they said that they have adviser thinks adviser who OK, this was fine.

Well, what about it?

What can you give us more details?

There's always a lot of detail that seems to be missing.

Certainly appearance of some kind of conflict of interest.

Yeah, you know it whether you know it is whether or not they're well are people who are.

>> Can't decide on But if you're the mayor, when you want to kind of avoid appearance conflict interest and not have us talking about it right that is not a conflict interests especially given with how much this has bubbled up, where starting off the mayorship before we knew that the CPSC to relationship and the fallout of this past year was going to be a defining thing.

At least 4.

>> This term for Johnson that has this escalated.

That will be something that's worth bringing up to someone that, hey, I am still affiliated with CPS and CTU.

I'm Technically on Union Leave.

And yes, as this board just resigned, that I'm about to point to handle whether or not we're taking out a loan, the state of the pensions that if I don't get re-elected, I could go and make over $100,000 as a 20th year for years experience.

Right now, questions are not going to be going away on this.

Michael.

>> As we round out the show, I want land with you because Cook County medical examiner says the lowest opioid overdose deaths in nearly a What's behind this sharp fall?

>> There's been a lot of advocacy when it comes to overcoming the peak in overdose deaths specifically think about the pandemic era right now for 2024 Cook County saw a little over 1000 overdose deaths compared to 2 years ago.

We were at 2000 and so seeing this dramatic fall, we're just one 2023 to 2024.

Is a 43% drop.

You have groups like the West side here, an opioid task force who are out there in the streets making sure people are aware of the dangers opioids as well as dispensing Narcan naloxone.

box on that.

People can just take.

It should be expressed overdose because when thinking about it and looking at the data, 87% of opioid overdose deaths involved fentanyl from 2024.

And so that being a very real threat we're going to have to end it there.

But, yes, a lot of efforts to get Narcan in the hands of people to try and save those who could be experiencing overdose.

Good news to end the show people's lives are being saved.

So.

>> With that, our thanks to Ray Long Shia capos, Michael Liptrot and to quit Myers.

We will be back to wrap things up right after this.

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

The Pope Brothers Foundation, additional support is provided by.

>> That is our show for this Friday night.

Be sure to check out our website for the very latest information, including and how to cast your vote for a new Illinois state flag that is at W T Tw Dot com.

Slash news now for the Week in review on them into Vicky's.

Thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe.

Have fun playing in the snow and have a good >> All right.

the Chicago Bears I'm not can talk about their season.

But Kevin Warren seems to think that that he was going to get a new stadium this calendar year.

I saw 3 paragraph article that was like this is just more bluster.

I you know, there's no where's the money a lot of dreaming going.

Reference to to what what we will see he referenced.

I missed that Doesn't that the mayor is continuing on board with keeping the bears in the city.

And the mayor has not had a Well, you can sell it for apartments and condos and make money probably right do that.

And then use that money One of things that I like, this just wishful manifesting?

Is that what you say?

It or today is our love you know something that I do.

>> Closed captioning is made possible by law but a And with Congo, personal injury and