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

I'm Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

Give me something that can work.

Mayor Johnson shoots down an alternative budget plan.

Vendors and organizers pushed back on new crowd limits for Christkindl market as the holiday season kicks off.

And hometown star Robert Townsend is back in the Windy City with best response, his own neighborhood.

>> Is an implicit threat to your car will pay the price so how did it and love it or hate it.

We explore the history of your furniture.

First off tonight, children as young as 3 years old will now have access to vaccines at the pharmacy.

>> Under a new law signed by Governor Pritzker today.

>> I can give a kid an antibiotic in the hospital and they're miserable and I give it to them.

3 days later, they're running around the room, annoying their parents again.

All right.

I can give a kid a vaccine.

One day they walk out of the clinic.

And every day that vaccine is protecting them from suffering from preventable diseases.

That.

Generations of Americans were terrified of.

>> House Bill 767, codifies an executive order signed by the governor earlier this year.

It establishes the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee to provide vaccine guidance requires any state regulated health insurer to cover vaccines based on state public health recommendations and expand youth access to vaccines at pharmacies lowering the age from 7 to 3, the Pritzker administration says it's responding to changes made under the Trump administration to vaccine guidance and the dismantling of the independent Advisory Committee on immunization practices.

Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill.

Burke is completing her first year in office and she run in the anniversary by issuing a progress report at City Club of Chicago luncheon at the event, the county's top prosecutor said her office will be looking into possible improvements to the electronic monitoring system.

>> It's not my preference.

If somebody is a danger, I do not want come on electronic monitoring.

but if they're not a danger and a judge doesn't feel comfortable releasing them, that it's almost like a split, the baby kind of thing.

If we're asking for detention and judges will say, well, I don't want to take them, but I'm not going to just release them.

I'll put him on electronic monitoring.

And that's that's false equivalency.

It it makes people feel safe and they are not.

>> Her comments come days after a Chicago man, Lawrence Reed allegedly doused a blue line passenger in gasoline and lit her on fire.

Reid had been released earlier this year on electronic monitoring after being charged with aggravated battery.

Earlier this year.

O'neill Burke put in place a new policy requiring the prosecutors in her office seek pretrial detention in all cases involving violent offenses that occur on public transit.

Young people facing mental health crises will have a new place to turn a new youth crisis.

Stabilization center from the 106 year-old 8 s McKinley, Community services, organization.

>> begin his safe place to ahead.

>> Much >> And announcement with the caption I'm struggling to get kids to school, making sure they continue education and tried to get back to the norm of being well cancer and homeless.

>> The new centers, mental Wellness Clinic will provide a hub for other community-based mental health services as well as a 24 7 mobile crisis.

Helpline a golden years hub for seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities and a family resource hub for children in head start and foster care.

Cook County made a million dollar investment to help establish the center.

And they're at it again.

The folks at the iconic hot dog stand.

The wieners circle are giving out free hot dogs in honor of the Chicago Bears about 3,000 in all.

What prompted this latest giveaway?

Well, the restaurant promise to give out free hot dogs if the Bears won.

>> And coach Ben Johnson took off his shirt in celebration.

Well, they did.

And he did.

So they are free hot dogs for all everybody.

First, boys bears try and keep the good times rolling against the Packers on Sunday State.

Up next, Heather Sharon in the latest developments in the budget battle at City Hall.

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

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> Mayor Brandon Johnson and older people return to city Hall today after a break for Thanksgiving.

But there is still no clear path to a budget deal with just 28 days left before the deadline, a group of city council members opposed to Johnson's plan to reimpose the so-called head tax released an alternative plan today that would nearly double garbage fees for most residents.

But Johnson flatly rejected that proposal.

>> The vast majority of the people in the city are struggling every single day just to make the ends meet.

We have all that are playing games with those families.

Give me something that can work with.

But challenging the ultra-rich in this country.

To put more skin in the game.

That should not be considered a radical idea.

>> Or head to Sharon joins us now with more head of the mayor visibly frustrated and emotional there.

He has been asking critic critics of his budget for weeks to propose their own spending plan in today.

26 numbers.

26 of 50.

They did that.

How it work?

Well, it's complicated, but it would eliminate that had tax which would impose a $21 per month per employee on corporations with more than 100 employees in Chicago.

And that would help fill the gap that that creates by raising garbage can use for the first time since that fee was imposed in 2016.

>> Right now, Chicagoans pay 9.50 to get their trash and recyclables talk the way that would go up for most residents to $18 to generate 55 million dollars.

But we heard today from the mayor that that is nonstarter.

So the plan from the mayor's critics also relies on new taxes to increase pension payments and reduce borrowing.

What would they tax?

So they want to tax liquor.

They would impose a fee on off premises purchases generate 24 million dollars.

Interesting.

Last year, Johnson proposed a similar increase on liquor taxes that ran into a brick wall of opposition and he dropped it.

His original budget plan also increase the size, the area downtown, where if hail Uber or Lyft, you're going to pay a surcharge to reduce congestion.

Originally, he wanted to generate nearly 68 million dollars by expanding that zone.

That also rain into an opposition earlier this year.

So we drop that shrinking it back down.

Now, his critics say put that back in the budget OK?

So he's promised to veto any budget that hikes garbage fees and dare to the city council to try and override him.

Why's he so opposed to that Well, somebody is going to have to pay more to fill the city's nearly 1.2 billion dollar budget deficit and Johnson says it should not be working class Chicagoans who are already struggling to put food on the table and to pay the rent.

He says the obvious answer is that corporations got just got a big federal tax cut should pay more to make sure that Chicagoans don't have to struggle even harder.

However, 26 members of the city Council narrow but clear majority told him today that that's a nonstarter.

Mayor and city council the running out of time to make a deal.

Heather, what's next?

Well, it is really unclear how everybody gets out of the corners that they've all painted themselves into, right?

Because time is running short and there are not a lot of good options.

It's unclear whether the mayor will be able to break this logjam at the next city council meeting set for December 10th.

But I'll be there to watch it.

Go down.

You sure.

We'll Sharon, thanks so much.

Expand its and you can read his full story on our website is all at W T Tw dot com Slash news.

>> Chicago's German-style Christkindl market is one of the city's most beloved holiday traditions drawing visitors from around the world.

But it could be getting a little too popular this year.

City officials said a capacity limit on visitors to the market and organizers say it's hurting business.

A compromise is in the works.

But could it be too little too late?

Our Patty wet Lee is here to bring us up to speed.

Patty, what capacity limits did the city imposed and how those compare to previous years?

Yeah.

So the market's been around for close to 30 years, all but one of them in Daly Plaza.

And it's been a pretty free flowing in and out kind of thing.

So there haven't been any capacity limits.

>> Except for in 2021 when we had some COVID era restrictions, the markets organizer, which is the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest says on typical day, 4 to 5,000 people are there at any one time.

And there are spikes around the weekends and like in those days, right up to Christmas, this city citing safety concerns and some may be tougher restrictions may be applying city codes.

More strictly put the limits at about 1500 people at any one time.

And that's even 2000 people less than what was allowed during that COVID year when there was social distancing.

So well below what market vendors are used to seeing.

So what's been been the reaction from those vendors as well as visitors will they say they've had to lay off staff because there's nothing for people to do the plaza is very empty compared to what it normally is.

So their sales are down.

Some folks are saying we're having to wait in line for like an hour to get in and it looks like the plaza's deserted.

So why are we not being let in?

But then other people are like it was great to find Philly, not Bill claustrophobic and to be able to see the merchandise and enjoy yourself.

So a tiny bit of a mix, but a lot of people seem to think that maybe the city like aired too far on the side of caution.

So where do things stand now?

So the city grant another 1000 people.

So they raise the roof and the limit about 2500.

But organizers are like that's still below COVID and that COVID era restriction about 3500 people is what they say is like the basement of what vendors need to to actually maybe break even coming here.

So they still want it up to that 4 to 5,000 people.

Conversations are ongoing, including may be looking at some alternate sites for 2026.

Going forward or maybe putting these limits in place well in advance instead of telling organizers the day before the market opens.

Here's a new images of a woman.

Yes, because it is.

It is well underway right Hopefully they will figure things out either in time for the season or the next.

We all need argue why we all got to I'm yes on my list every thanks so much.

You can his full story on our website.

You don't have to get in line for that.

It is all at W T Tw dot com slash news.

>> It's no time came early this year with a November record.

8.4 inches recorded on Saturday and another dusting expected tomorrow.

And with December here, that means certain overnight parking bans are in effect, but there's another law.

The law of the street.

You know what I'm talking about?

Did What exactly is did when did it start and is it even legal?

Those are among the questions we take on in this edition of WT Tw News explains.

Here's Erica Gunderson.

>> Every Winter Chicago stands divided around a practice commonly known as when car owners use janky household objects to reserve their precious shoveled out parking spaces.

The idea behind it is that taking your car out from the snow you exclusive rights to the spot?

>> And should you decide to kids and parking space?

Someone else is marked with a folding chair.

Dubiously acquired traffic cones for a late Georgian.

Have to wait.

Sideboard.

There's an implicit threat to your car will pay the price way.

So how did begin?

Well, Chicago is among a handful of American cities that have the conditions to create a perfect storm for Winter Park.

I part ownership, dense urban environment and the snowy climate.

It starts snowfalls in 1967.

In 1979, were so catastrophic to Chicago's streets and Shovelers Bakst that folks begin defending their spot with whatever junk was hand since then calling out the old milk crates or patio furniture after a hefty snowfall has become more la standard practice in Chicago.

Much to the chagrin of others who find the practice putting a little a neighbor.

It'll be are the biggest city to called or not.

The only in Pittsburgh.

It's known as the Pittsburgh parking chair.

They also do it in Boston that they probably call it the packing check.

And if the term kids with Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass Point in 1999, isn't cute enough for you.

In Philadelphia.

College >> Bottom line is, we go in Chicago?

Come on.

It's not a force.

It's not.

You know, it's not.

But when Mayor Richard Daley was asked his thoughts on did in 2001, he echoed the feelings of many Chicagoans.

>> If someone spends all her time to get car with drive into spot.

So consider that fair warning.

Chicago into a city leader has enough snowballs enforce a no dips policy.

>> Park in somebody else's didn't spot it your own risk.

>> Classic Chicago visit our website for more in the W T Tw News explains series which tackle everything from what happens when you flush.

To how Chicago Street grid system works.

You can find them all at W T Tw dot com Slash explains.

We're back with more right after this.

You may have seen our next guest most recently on the FX hit show the Bear.

But Chicago native son and actor director Robert Townsend has a long resume, including hit films like and the 5 Heartbeats and more.

You can catch a couple of those at film festival this weekend that he's throwing to raise money for his old neighborhood and he's brought in a few other Chicago heavyweights as well.

Joining us now are the man himself, Robert Townsend, director and actor and via Zoom.

We have Little Row Howery actor and comedian.

Welcome.

Thanks to you both for joining us.

Thank you for so much for having a poor.

So we'll talk a little bit about the festival first more later.

But you're partnering with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and special events alongside the entertainment company, creative site for to create this film festival.

Columbia College, of Course.

And then you're coming back to film the Bears season.

5 direct an episode of The Chi.

You've already directed an episode of force here in Chicago.

In Case You're bored, you have anything else to But how do you think Chicago's TV and film scene have grown and changed?

You know, there's so much going on here.

Like I said, I would have been shooting force and the bears here and the Chi is here.

So the industry is really growing.

>> And there's all these young creatives.

And when I meet people like Troy, it's it's really a wonderful it's growing.

So it's it's all exciting is happening.

Yeah, same question to you.

>> And do you think it's harder to break into the industry?

You know, when you're coming out of Chicago versus if you are, you know, just from LA or New York.

>> Yeah, brother.

Tell me what's going Yes, or tell that.

No, I don't think so.

I think Chicago does a good job of like getting you prepared to go to La and New York to be honest, which I think.

>> This city gives us such thick skin.

And you have to be so divers as a performer to just even come from the stand-up world.

And, you know, jump into acting and writing on it.

And we have a different type of granted to us that everybody just don't measure up to.

So like that's what a lot of those who come from Chicago and broken into the industry.

I do pretty well because it's a it's a hard working blue collar.

Steph, you get from just being from here.

That resonates when you jump into industry.

Well said.

>> Robert, you told our colleagues at the Sun-Times the east to watch for in French films on PBS.

We have growing up.

Of course, we love to hear that you also watch so much television that your family called TV guide.

why do you think you are drawn to film and television you know what?

When grow on the West side, that's a whole nother world.

And then when you watch television, I was transported to all these different worlds.

>> So I was like, oh, my God, that's what it's like in England.

That's what it's like in the south.

That's what it's like.

You know, so it was more my fascination with different lands and different voices and dialects you're able to do some of those.

Even at a at a young age.

I was doing like 35 voices.

What I was like, my my voice, a little hoarse you've been talking you know, I would I would do you know the TV shows from the Ed Sullivan Show to masterpiece Theater.

I watch everything.

Laurel, same question to you.

And specifically, you know, what was it that Drew you to comedy?

>> My Eddie Murphy is one of my heroes, which and and this is me forever have had this talk But you out my 3 heroes that actually push me to be want to be a part of his businesses.

Robyn King are so.

I mean, is we're too cause.

I mean, it's kind of going off the question.

But I was thinking about this a little bit ago lie.

It's some very cool I call somebody I guess my hero, my friend.

Now.

And so that's why I'm like, I'm so excited to be a part of he's doing this weekend as Meantime, guy.

A few hours I Rob Robert House and this is, you know, all that we celebrate on legends enough especially when it comes to people of color.

Because it does do is do something for the culture and for this business, don't think you get enough flowers for so and just being able to lie.

Have some I did is they gave you road map and inspiration.

Roadmap Udonis have to follow the same exact steps but then be a spy.

And then when I found out from the West Chicago like me, put a timeline that great.

>> Well, if you know, they say they say never meet your heroes, but that's clearly wrong, right?

Because you've you've met it's working out so Robert Townsend is So I get the sense also that you both had to sort of make your own in the industry, right?

Look, if you didn't see rolls parts films TV shows that you wanted to see that you've had to.

But you have to create them, right?

Because of course, you made Hollywood shuffle and and the 5 heartbeats is that is that kind of accurate?

Is that the case for particularly black men in Hollywood?

You have know, I think was saying was true.

You you make up half you make a path for yourself.

And so even though I saw the negative roles, I was like I'll make my own alright, direct produce.

If I have to.

>> And I do next.

don't.

You don't accept know.

And so Keenan, Ivory Wayans and I you know, we kind of took on the task of taking on Hollywood and trying different things and we succeeded and we continue and let me say this about rail.

brother reached out to me and said, you know, Rob, I heard you doing this festival in Chicago on in.

He came elevated everything.

Got us.

The comedy club.

You put the comedy lineup together.

He agreed to be in the show.

>> He's a busy man and I just applaud him in.

Appreciate him.

I get so much love.

>> It's a love fest here Chicago but I will take it.

So you mentioned Eddie Murphy because a lot of folks don't think they necessarily know this that you directed.

And, you know, this was one of the first, you know, some blockbuster comedy specials, Eddie Murphy, Raw.

And to this day, still the highest grossing comedy concert film ever.

>> Did you think that it would be as game-changing as it ended up being?

Oh, yes, oh, yeah.

I mean, look, is about any Murphy.

He is an absolute genius.

You know, I just saw the documentary on his life.

But Eddie has so much talent.

So when we were doing raw, no comedian Richard Pryor set the bar and then any took it higher.

And then as a Kamille he could do all these characters.

So when we were doing wrong, I just laughed every day watching him.

We went on the road.

I was work, too.

I watched him work.

And I just did like little adjustments within but absolutely brilliant comedian.

Still to this day.

>> Bureau euro you talked about, you know, being influenced, of course, by Eddie Murphy.

In particular.

What did that would that say to you when you are a young comedian coming up?

>> let's start with delirious, right?

okay, no, start there for strike is that that was the just take that was like, OK, I need to do stand-up comedy.

This is established and about want to do.

And then when you get too raw.

You see once again, this is I look at these guys is is the Wu Tang.

You get Kenya right now, opening skit.

Robert directing this, especially when 8 east late.

You know, let me say this real quick because it was a great question and robber if it wasn't Robert Townsend, Keenan and ad and all the cancer came before us.

By the time I get a sitcom on FOX like my show Real starting it producing and writing it.

That only happens because of what they did before us.

You know, they created these opportunities that some of those opportunities we're waiting on.

A lot of us.

I think some people complain about a lot of stuff, but you got to put the working because it was people can way before polls.

So much working.

if you're smart enough and you really want to work, all you got to do is follow 1st half.

They open the doors are e.

>> Standing on the shoulders of giants.

We've got just about 45 seconds left.

Robert, a film festival.

You're raising funds for the NAACP West side as well as the answer, which is autism awareness and advocacy group.

You've got Real here hosting a comedy show along with Roys You said the part of the reason you're doing this was, you know, you felt like Chicago was under attack.

What brought you to this idea of the film fest and what can folks expect in 30 seconds and 30 seconds, 6th expected to be inspired.

We've got great movies, the 5 Harvey's Medium, and I'm I'm teaching a master class where we've got a comedy night and we've got bid was and all kind of games on on everything.

And we need each other to work together.

And that's what the festival is about.

And we want to, you know, get more people for the NAACP and autism.

>> raise money for a good cause.

Best of luck to you.

Thank you so much for joining us.

Robert Townsend, Real Howery.

collect.

Thank Thank you.

And that is our show for this Tuesday night.

Thank you for watching.

You may know that today is giving Tuesday.

>> As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on the support of our members to help bring trusted independent essential news coverage to everyone in our community, across our platforms on this giving Tuesday, your support matters and will be doubled up to $100,000 by matching gift thanks to an anonymous donor.

Watch Chicago tonight Follow W T Tw News coverage online and on social media.

And thank you so much for joining us.

>> Closed caption News me Pass by Robert, a ball offices, Chicago personal injury and wrongful death.

gives back to