CHICAGO (CBS) — Two months after banning themselves from working as paid lobbyists, Chicago aldermen on Thursday backed another change to the city’s ethics rules, tightening the reins on when city employees can moonlight for private contractors.

The City Council Ethics Committee signed off on an ordinance that would prohibit any city official or employee with contract oversight from working for subcontractors or consultants on any contract they oversee.

Chicago Board of Ethics executive director Steve Berlin said the city already bars employees who manage city contracts from having any ownership interest or employment with prime contractors they oversee.

The change would prohibit city employees from having any paid work for the subcontractors or consultants on contracts they manage, even if they don’t have an ownership interest.

Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson (11^th) voted in favor of the ordinance after asking if city employees would be allowed to recuse themselves from overseeing contracts involving companies where they already have a side job if that private firm ends up as a subcontractor on a city project.

“My concern is are we going to lose people, good people that we have working for the city because of this? As long as they can recuse theirself in a situation like that, that cures it. I think that’s fine,” he said.

Berlin said recusal would be an option in those kinds of situations, but only on a case-by case basis.

“If the employment relationship was pre-existing before this company became a subcontractor, then it would seem to me it would only be fair to say to the city employee ‘Now you have to make a choice,’” Berlin said.

In that situation, Berlin said a city employee could choose to keep contract oversight of the company, but quit their side job for the firm, or keep their side job and give up oversight of the contract.

The ordinance now goes to the full City Council for a final vote, likely at its next meeting on Wednesday.

CHICAGO (CBS) — Legislation proposed by a state lawmaker from Evanston would require students entering the sixth grade to receive the human papillomavirus vaccine.

The bill proposed by state Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) would amend the Communicable Disease Prevention Act – requiring the Illinois Department of Public Health to require all students entering sixth grade to receive the HPV vaccine.

The rule would regardless of whether the students attended public, private, or parochial school.

The bill would also require confirmation that a student has completed the series of HPV vaccinations upon entering the ninth grade, of freshman year of high school.

If approved, it would take effect on Jan. 1 of next year. The bill demands that the rule be adopted in time for students to receive the vaccination before the start of the school year beginning in 2022.

A study published last year in the journal The Lancet indicates that the HPV vaccine could eliminate cervical cancer.

Researchers who reviewed 65 studies in 14 high-income countries found that since the vaccine was introduced in 2006, there has been a “substantial” decrease in HPV infections and related conditions.

They found that the two HPV types that cause 70 per cent of cervical cancers, known as HPV 16 and HPV 18, were significantly reduced after vaccination — by 83% among girls aged 13 to 19 and by 66% among women aged 20 to 24.

HPV is a common virus that’s spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is the leading cause of cervical cancers and can cause five other types of cancers, including anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar and oropharyngeal (mouth and throat).

The reduction of these infections is “a first sign that vaccination could eventually lead to the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem,” the study’s lead author, Mélanie Drolet, an epidemiologist at Laval University in Canada, said in a statement.

But the vaccine has been controversial for many years, both because of concerns about side effects and because of concerns that it could lead to early sexual activity.

Some tweets this week called the requirement an infringement on parents’ freedom and placed emphasis on the fact that HPV is sexually transmitted.

This bill will mandate the liability-free #HPV #vaccine for every 6th grader. The 2 dose series must be completed to enter 9th grade. No exemptions, no exceptions. HPV is sexually transmitted, not even a communicable disease. This is not ok! @RobynGabel #HB4870 #KILLTHEBILL pic.twitter.com/ZEiVzE5QfJ

— Northern Illinoisans For Medical Freedom (@ForIllinoisans) February 12, 2020

Thats cool @robyngabel that youre good with reproductive rights, so am I. However taking the right away from parents to make medical decisions that are best for their kids apparently isnt something you agree with. Stop #HB4870.

— Cordon Sroka (@CordonSroka) February 13, 2020

CHICAGO (CBS) — In Campaign 2020 news…

Iowa and New Hampshire’s contests are over, but we still don’t have a clear Democratic front-runner.

That’s making the upcoming Illinois primary more pivotal than years past.

CBS 2’s Vince Gerasole shows us who’s stepping up their Illinois ground game.

With such a crowded field, there’s a good chance many of the Democratic candidates will still be in the running for the Democratic presidential nomination come Primary Day in Illinois on March 17.

It means our primary and Illinois’ 155 delegates, awarded proportionally by vote totals, should be more pivotal than in years past. Some candidates are already focusing hard on Illinois.

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is already airing commercials in Illinois. The self-funded billionaire isn’t competing in a single primary until Super Tuesday. His deep pocketed campaign has nine offices open statewide, with more opening soon, employing a total of 80 paid staffers.

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has conducted several rallies already in Illinois. Her campaign has one state office in Chicago to date with 20 paid staffers. They’ve coordinated frequent phone banks and text sessions with volunteers to get out the vote.

Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg chalked off impressive performances in Iowa and New Hampshire. His campaign has one downtown Chicago office with seven paid staffers. Sources said for now, it’s primarily coordinating donations from the Midwest.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar proved an over achiever in New Hampshire, finishing an unexpected third. Still, her operations in Illinois at this point are small consisting of at least 50 volunteers and one paid coordinator.

And then there is Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. His campaign has no office open in the state, but does have the benefit of relying on a stronger than most volunteer corps, volunteers who have organized 1,200 grassroots events across Ilinois to date.

The campaign of former Vice President Joe Biden which has been under performing responded late Thursday, only saying they have staff in the state working to build capacity.

Two other delegate rich states voting on the 17th are Florida and Ohio — both pivotal on the path to the nomination.

CHICAGO (CBS) — Gunfire rang out this week just feet from a school bus in Logan Square, and it was caught on video.

As CBS 2’s Steven Graves reported, the gunshots rang out outside 2754 N. Milwaukee Ave., just southeast of Diversey and Kimball avenues and also close to the Spaulding Avenue entrance to the Logan Square Blue Line station. The stretch of Milwaukee Avenue where it happened is a busy one – especially during the time the shooting took place.

People who work in the area said it happened so fast, they didn’t hear a thing.

It was 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Surveillance video first shows a couple strolling to a sport-utility vehicle, and then something happens – seven gunshots ring out in rapid succession.

The two heard the gunshots and ducked into the vehicle. They didn’t even look around.

But look more closely and you’ll see a lot more. The gunman himself was wearing a blue surgical mask. A school bus driver was feet from the shots. And bystanders were in shock.

And there was even more. Look closer and you see the gunman was targeting a car – which had its window shot out.

“I didn’t like hear sirens or see police or anything,” said Adrian Redd, who works nearby.

The same goes for a lot of other businesses on the bustling street.

“Things like this are few and far between around here,” Redd said.

CBS 2 only found one shooting in the area last year. So anyone who attempts such an act would have to be bold.

Cameras litter the growing and fashionable Logan Square neighborhood, with a Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line stop, restaurants, and a grocery and liquor store nearby.

A police cam also surveys from overhead.

Police said the 36-year-old who was driving the car that was shot at, escaped unharmed.

It was still unclear late Thursday whether the attack was targeted.

HOMETOWN, Ill. (CBS) – Surveillance video shows the moments leading up to a collision between a Metra train and car that left four people seriously injured on Wednesday night in Hometown.

The video shows the gates closing behind the car, striking the trunk. The driver appears to hesitate before moving forward. By then, it was too late, and the train slammed into the vehicle.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Metra train colliding with a car at 87th Street and Pulaski Road last night, leaving four people seriously injured and halting the SouthWest Service Line. @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/j6lioMBKHj

— Megan Hickey (@MeganHickeyTV) February 13, 2020

Two people were sent to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.

Two others listed in “grave” condition were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

The accident happened at 87th Street and Pulaski Road and halted the SouthWest Line Service.

Video shows the seconds before this Metra train hit a car.

As CBS 2 Investigator Megan Hickey reported Thursday evening, crashes have happened at that intersection before.

In fact, crashes there are so familiar that an attorney representing the families of two people killed in a crash there years ago installed a camera on the side of a business.

He says he knew it would happen again. And then it did.

“Well yeah, I mean, it was bound to happen,” said attorney Ben Crane of the firm Copeland & Crane.

This intersection was the scene of a fatal accident that also involved a Metra train hitting a vehicle in late December 2015. As the late CBS 2 reporter Mike Parker reported at the time, two women died and four others were injured when a Metra train struck their vehicle.

Killed were Juniel Kemp, 20, and Alexis Kemp, 18, both of Chicago, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

A 20-year-old man was seriously hurt, and three others in the car — a 17-year-old male, a 17-year-old female and a 3-year-old boy — had non-life-threatening injuries, the rail agency said.

Crane represents the families of the victims of and survivors of that very similar crash.

Just three weeks later, there was another crash right at the same site.

In January 2016, a woman in her 40s was driving a Chrysler Pacifica that was hit by a Metra train. The woman was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries afterward.

“I was like, geez, another train accident over here?” a woman said at the time. “It’s just ridiculous.”

Crane’s lawsuit contends there is a design flaw at the crossing and it’s confusing for some drivers. He claims that Metra should have known that “this crossing was a hazard to motorists.”

“This problem of a car getting caught between the gate and the tracks not only was bound to happen again, but it happens very, very frequently,” Crane said.

There was no word Thursday night on any update in the victim’s conditions.

But Crane argues that the latest collision is proof that the safety of the intersection is in question.

CBS 2 has confirmed that Norfolk Southern owns the tracks and then leases them to Metra. We have reached out to both about this most recent collision, but as Thursday evening, there had been no response.

CHICAGO (CBS) —  CBS 2 is keeping an eye on your tax dollars.

There are thousands of nights kids are languishing in Illinois psychiatric hospitals, in a situation that is damaging to them.

CBS 2’s Chris Tye reported Thursday that it is costly because you paid for it.

“There’s not a whole lot that says to a child more powerfully ‘you don’t matter.'” said Cook County Public Guardian Charles Golbert.

Foster kids’ visits to psych hospitals are supposed to last a few days, 14 days max.

They stay at places locked up indoors all day; no electronics, no schooling, no sports and minimal family, friends or contact with others.

But when it’s time to leave, there’s no where to go.

With a shortage of specialized foster homes and group homes in Illinois, they’re staying on average 39 days, 43 days and this year 57 days beyond when they should be released from the psych hospital.

Experts said staying that long in facilities that isolating can create new problems for vulnerable youth, and creates skyrocketing costs for Illinois taxpayers footing the bill.

“They should be hugely outraged, this is a waste of your money,” said Golbert.

Average home care for kids in custody of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services costs the state, on the high end, $224 per night.

Psychiatric hospital stays cost $350 per night. It’s $126 more per night, per child, for hospitalization that’s no longer required.

How many nights does this happen?

From 2015 thru 2017 there were 27,000 unnecessary nights in Illinois psych hospitals, costing tax payers a total of $3.4 million dollars.

“It adds up to 27,000 thousand days, which is 73 years of children’s lives. That’s 73 years of children’s lives locked up in a children’s psychiatric hospital when they don’t need to be there,” Golbert said.

CBS 2 reached out to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services that cares for these kids as to why it’s happening.

The agency did not get back to CBS 2.

Four years ago, DCFS got rid of 500 beds with plans for added specialized foster homes.

Those homes were never built.

And these psych hospital overstays continue to skyrocket.

CHICAGO (CBS) — There are under five weeks and counting until the Illinois primary comes around.

While the presidential race is getting the most attention, there is one local race that may leave voters scratching their heads.

As CBS 2 Political Investigator Dana Kozlov reported, it is because there might not be any names on the ballot.

Ballots were still being finalized at the Chicago Board of Elections late Thursday. That is not unusual – even with the start of early voting less than a week away.

But one race, for 1st Ward Democratic Committeeman – the unpaid political leader responsible for slating candidates, rallying voters, and doling out jobs – has become a real ballot headache.

That is because Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st) was kicked off the ballot. And the only name on it as of Thursday, Jay Ramirez, may not be there for long.

“It is in limbo,” said Chicago Board of Elections spokesman James Allen.

Initially, La Spata and Ramirez’s names were approved and put on the ballot for the committeeman’s race. Then, petition challenges resulted in both their names being booted.

But Allen said Ramirez asked a court to keep his name on the ballot while he appeals his ouster. So if Ramirez wins, his name stays.

But if he loses, his name could be removed and the 1st Ward Democratic committeeman slot could end up with no candidates at all – becoming a write-in race only.

“I wouldn’t say it puts us in a pickle. We’ve been through this before. This isn’t our first rodeo,” Allen said. “But you know, it does create a wrinkle where we don’t know yet what the final disposition of this contest is.”

La Spata blames signature shenanigans by another write-in candidate on his ouster. Ramirez could not be reached.

But if it becomes a write-in only race, a candidate will need at least 1,032 votes to win – not an easy get.

“It’s quite a challenge for the candidates to educate voters,” Allen said.

Besides La Spata, Lauren Weber is another registered write-in candidate. Allen is not sure when the Illinois Appellate Court will issue its ruling on the committeeman’s race – clearly, the sooner the better.

CHICAGO (CBS) — A man was found dead of a gunshot in a parked car Thursday in an alley near 99th and State streets.

Around 12:15 p.m., a neighbor noticed that a vehicle had been parked since the early-morning hours in his alley in the 9900 block of South State Street, on the cusp of the Fernwood and Roseland neighborhoods.

The neighbor went out and investigated himself, and found a man dead in the car with a gunshot wound to the back of his head, police said.

There was no information late Thursday about who shot the man.

Area South detectives are investigating.

CHICAGO (CBS) — Snow was blowing and dropping all over the Chicago area Thursday afternoon as cold air rushed in.

Temperatures will be near 0 Thursday night, with wind chills near -15. But it will be mostly clear overnight.

(Credit: CBS 2)

On Friday, it will be mostly sunny and cold with a high of 18.

(Credit: CBS 2)

(Credit: CBS 2)

A Wind Chill Advisory is in place for all of our Illinois Counties until 10 a.m. Friday.

(Credit: CBS 2)

Meanwhile, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in place for Lake, Porter and La Porte counties in Indiana until 9 p.m. Thursday for lake effect snow.

(Credit: CBS 2)

Warmer temperatures return for the weekend. A little light snow is possible Saturday evening, but amounting to less than 1 inch.

WHEATON, Ill. (CBS) — A man wearing socks with no shoes tried to stop a thief from taking off with his sport-utility vehicle in unincorporated Wheaton Thursday.

The thief got away, though the owners did get the vehicle back. But as CBS 2’s Tara Molina reported, it was all caught on doorbell video.

What would you do?

A guy steals an SUV from under the nose of a suburban dad. Dad takes chase —– in his socks.

What happens next? Only our 10 p.m. newscast @cbschicago knows. pic.twitter.com/ozUijRUNVY

— Brad Edwards (@tvbrad) February 14, 2020

The DuPage County Sheriff’s police reportedly know the subject. He is suspected in other car thefts in the area and could be dangerous.

Tracks remained in the snow hours after the Thursday morning chase after the Sewell family’s stolen Nissan SUV.

Their doorbell camera shows a man in a blue hooded jacket walking up to the front door and looking around. Afterward, he quickly walks back to the sport-utility vehicle that is running in the driveway and takes right off.

Kevin Sewell runs out the door after the man, chasing him all the way down the snowy street – screaming, “What is going on? What are you doing?”

“My husband got into our other car and tried to drive down the street to see if he could find him, but he had no luck,” said his wife, Catie Sewell.

Catie told us he had just dropped their kids off at school.

“He said: ‘You know, here’s some ice on the car. I’m going let the car run for a few minutes and defrost,’” Catie said.

Kevin thought he’d accidentally left the SUV in neutral when he saw it rolling down the driveway.

“Then he saw the man in the car who then turned down that street, was fishtailing, and he was off with our car,” Catie said.

The DuPage County Sheriff’s police were investigating Thursday night. They said their detectives were looking for the suspect as of the late night hours.

Meanwhile, the car was back in the driveway.

“They did find our car in Streamwood,” Catie said. “He left it on the side of the road.”

But there was no sign of the man who stole it, and possibly cars Thursday alone.

“He left it and I think took another person’s car,” Catie said.

The search for the man continued Thursday night.

This man was caught on doorbell video stealing a sport-utility vehicle from the Sewell family’s house in unincorporated Wheaton. (Credit: CBS 2)

“Crazy thinking back now,” Catie said. “But I’m just glad nobody was hurt so far.”

Again, we are told the man is known to law enforcement and possibly dangerous, so anyone who sees him is advised not to approach him. Just call 911.

CHICAGO (CBS) — No more delays – Starved Rock killer Chester Weger is set to be released from prison next week.

For Chester Weger, 81, it will mark the first time he has been free since his arrest nearly six decades ago. He is serving his sentence at Pinckneyville Correctional Center.

In November, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board voted 9-4 to grant him parole. All 24 of Weger’s previous requests had been denied since 1972.

CBS 2’s Jim Williams Reports On Weger Being Granted Parole

Weger first confessed to killing three women at the Starved Rock State Park in March 1960. The headlines screamed: “Triple Killer Tells All,” and “Starved Rock Confession.”

Weger, then 21, told police he had murdered three middle-aged women from the Chicago suburbs, eight months after their badly beaten bodies were found at the Starved Rock State Park.

Weger was called the Starved Rock Killer. He was convicted of murdering Lillian Oetting at the state park. He also allegedly killed Oetting’s two companions, Mildred Lindquist and Frances Murphy, but was not tried for those murders after he was sentenced to life in prison.

The three women were found, partially nude, and bludgeoned to death in St. Louis Canyon. Media called it “the canyon of death” and the killings set off a national media frenzy.

Weger later insisted he had been coerced into making the confession. In multiple interviews with CBS 2’s John Drummond – the most recent in 2010 – Weger insisted that he was not involved in the killings.

He said he was coerced into making the confession — threatened, he told Drummond, by the sheriff.

Drummond said Weger said the sheriff told him, “‘You’re going to ride the thunderbolt, Chester!’ meaning he’s going to get the electric chair.”

In that 2010 interview, Drummond asked Weger, “Why not show some remorse – say you did it even if you didn’t and get out?”

Weger replied: “Why should I feel remorse then if I never killed them? I mean, I feel sorry for the people being dead, but I’m not going to admit that I done something I never done.”

Watch John Drummond’s 2010 Interview With Chester Weger

After the Prisoner Review Board granted Weger’s parole in November, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul tried to delay it.

But an evaluation found that Weger could not be held indefinitely as a violent sex offender.

Weger is scheduled to live at a halfway house on Chicago’s Near West Side.

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. (CBS) — A teenager who fled Honduras for a better life was out of the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Thursday night, and was back with her friends and classmates.

Meydi Guzman Rivas, 18, was detained in October after the government claimed she missed the immigration hearing.

Meydi and her father fled Honduras after a gang threatened her life two years ago.

They were stopped by U.S. Border Patrol, but released contingent on regular appearances in Immigration Court. Both were seeking asylum through that process, but they were detained when they showed up at court for an appearance in October.

The government said they had missed a hearing before that.

Meydi ended up being taken to the Pulaski County Detention Center at the southern tip of Illinois.

She had been on track to graduate from Crystal Lake Central High School in the spring before her detention.

Her father was still in ICE custody as of Thursday night. Attorneys were working on his release as well.

FRANKLIN PARK, Ill. (CBS) — A loved one is reporting a funeral home failure – and it is not the first time we have exposed this Franklin Park business.

As CBS 2’s Charlie De Mar reported, the family ran into problem after problem with the Cuneo-Columbian Funeral Home in Franklin Park as they grieved.

Nobody was around Thursday night at the funeral home at 10300 Grand Ave. in the western suburb. That fits a pattern.

“I would just say something’s very, very fishy,” said Michael Blacconiere.

Blaccionere’s cousin, Frank Puleo, died in December.

“He worked as a tuckpointer and bricklayer for 42 years,” Blacconiere said.

But the union man did not get the proper burial he deserved.

“In 40 years of practice, I’ve never seen anything like this,” said attorney Ralanda Webb. “Just about everything that could go wrong, went wrong.”

Webb, representing Puleo’s family, filed a complaint against the funeral home and its owner, Gina Lewis.

“The funeral director could not be found at crucial times – like the time for viewing, the time for burial, the time for payment, and now can’t be found to even issue the death certificate,” Webb said.

The first failed attempt to bury Puleo stalled when the hearse wouldn’t start and needed a jump.

“They told us, ‘Oh, the hearse won’t start,’” said Blaccionere. “Oh, OK, well that’s not too good.”

But that wasn’t all. There was then a money shakedown text from funeral home owner Lewis.

“(She said), ‘Well, we won’t release the body because it hasn’t been paid,’” Blaccionere said.

The text message demanded payment as the family waited at the cemetery, despite Blaccionere having a cashier’s check cut and all ready to hand over.

“Wednesday, Christmas Eve, it was supposed to happen again,” Blaccionere said. “Nobody showed up at the funeral home.”

The family tried to bury frank a second time, but nobody was at the funeral home and texts to Lewis went unanswered.

De Mar introduced us to another family who reported trouble with the Cuneo-Columbian Funeral Home late last month.

“Give me her remains,” said Michelle Scotti.

Scotti waited months for her grandmother’s ashes – which were held hostage by Lewis and the funeral home. They were only returned when CBS 2 started asking questions.

The two families were unable to grieve on their own terms, and both blamed a funeral home they thought they could trust.

“There was definitely some anger and frustration, and just really being confused about, you know, what is going on with folks,” Blaccionere said.

The family attorney said the Cook County Sheriff’s office has not been able to track the funeral director down to serve her with the complaint.

As you can imagine, CBS 2’s attempt to find her for comment was also unsuccessful.

CHICAGO (CBS) — A Senn High School teacher was under investigation Thursday night, after a student said he told her, “Go back to your country.”

The gym teacher has now been removed from the school. His final employment status will be announced following a Chicago Public Schools investigation.

As CBS 2’s Marissa Parra reported Thursday, it all started with the student sat for the National Anthem. The incident has led to protests in the hallways.

VIDEO: A Hispanic student says she sat down for the national anthem — she says her teacher then told her, "go back to your country"

Chicago's Senn High School students are now taking a stand by sitting down

(video taken & shared yesterday by a student) @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/fylwBDhEvw

— Marissa Parra (@MarParNews) February 13, 2020

On Wednesday, students at Senn, 5900 N. Glenwood Ave., took a stand by sitting down after the teacher was accused of racial discrimination.

High school seniors Tionda Cobb and Yesica Salazar said they were at the Hispanic Heritage Assembly in late January when their teacher noticed they weren’t standing for the National Anthem.

“He asked me, ‘Why aren’t you standing?’ And I had told him I have personal sentiments against this country, in which he had cut me off and told me to go back to my country,” Salazar said. “And I had told him, ‘I was born here.’”

They said just minutes before that, the same teacher asked Cobb if her legs are broken.

“He told me, do I receive reduced lunch? In which I nodded my head yes – and he told me people have died for this country,” Cobb said.

They say they were both given an ultimatum by another teacher.

“You can either stand for the National Anthem or you can get out of the auditorium,” Cobb said.

The students said they are frustrated at the lack of action from the Chicago Public Schools. They said the reason they waited weeks for the protest was to give the school the time to respond.

But they said nothing changed.

Students on Wednesday were seen wearing signs with phrases like, “Keep Senn racism free.”

The CPS website promotes the diversity at Senn High School. Of the roughly 1,500 students there, almost half identify as Hispanic and nearly a quarter identify as black.

CPS told us in response that they have launched an investigation.

“CPS is committed to fostering learning environments that embrace and support all students, and the alleged actions of the teacher in question run counter to our beliefs and priorities as a school district,” the school district said in a statement. “The district is opening an investigation into the alleged actions, and we support the students who have peacefully raised their concerns.”

Chicago Police said they did have to break up a fight between two students during the protest Wednesday. A 15-year-old girl was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor count of battery.

Late Thursday, Senn Principal Mary Beck issued the following letter to Senn students and parents announcing that CPS had decided to remove the teacher from the school. She wrote that a final determination will be made later as to whether the teacher can return:

Dear Senn Parents and Families,

The safety and well-being of your children is always our top priority, and I’m writing to update you on a situation involving a staff member. On January 30, 2020, the day of an assembly, I made the district aware that one of our staff members may have communicated inappropriately with students. While I worked with the district to gather information regarding this allegation, it may have appeared that our students’ voices were not being heard. I want to assure you that this was not the case.

As an investigation by the Office of Student Protections and Title IX (OSP) progressed and new information came to light, the district decided today to remove this individual from working in our school. At the conclusion of OSP’s investigation, a final determination will be made regarding whether it is appropriate for this individual to return to Senn. I will update the school community when a final determination is made.

I know this week has been difficult for our school, and I want you to know that the concerns our students have expressed have been heard. I’m committed to implementing the agreements I made with our students to heal our community. Here are my commitments to the Senn community:

1. Providing a space for student town hall so staff and administrators can hear from students regularly.
2. Helping students better understand the process for reporting behavior that does not align with our values as a school.
3. Creating a designated office where reporting support is offered and students can convene.
4. Posting more signs and posters that communicate our values and opportunities for student voice.
5. Providing cultural training for all staff.

Please know that I am taking these agreements seriously and remain committed to providing your children with a safe, positive learning environment where they can reach their full potential. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
Principal Mary Beck

CHICAGO (CBS)– Two people were injured in a shooting on I-57 near 119th Street overnight.

The two people injured both sustained non-life threatening injuries.

A car was found with bullet holes, but it is unclear where the shooting took place.

All lanes have been reopened.

This is a developing story.

CHICAGO (CBS)– One person died and another was injured in a serious crash in Plainfield.

The Toyota Camry and the BMW crashed between Meadow Lane and Indian Boundary.

The driver of the Toyota was airlifted to a hospital and the passenger was killed.

The driver of the BMW sustained non-life threatening injuries.

CHICAGO (CBS) — Jenny Duong was weeks away from opening her first nail salon, permits in hand to install water lines for the pedicure tubs, when she hit a sudden setback.

The Morning Insiders follow the path of a plumber who doesn’t want to be found by several angry customers.

To say it’s been a confusing 11 months for Duong would be an understatement.

She considers herself a buttoned-up businesswoman, yet her baby, her first nail salon, sits empty.

She’s been so stressed over her dealings with her plumber, her hair is falling out.

“I have to go and get injections for my hair,” she said.

Rubi Nails was weeks away from opening. She’d purchased $10,000 of chairs, nail tables, and other equipment, and last-minute work had been locked down, or so she thought.

“I literally pay for the permit, and get the permit, and – bam – can’t do the job,” she said.

Duong hired Pronto Plumbing in March 2019.

Curiously, owner Sam Farina asked her to make out her $5,000 cashiers check to his other business, Hydroboss.

That prompted her to ask for a copy of his driver’s license.

Fast forward to September, when after finally getting the work permit  from Cook County, she found out Farina’s plumbing license had been suspended four months earlier.

“I couldn’t allow him to do the job, because it’s going to be a risk on me to be property damage on the building,” she said. “And I don’t want to get sued.”

Instead, she’s suing Farina.

CBS 2 discovered it’s just one of Pronto Plumbing’s legal troubles.

The City of Berwyn is seeking more than $80,000 for “breach of contract,” “fraudulent inducement,” “negligence” and more.

The problem is, no one can find Farina to serve him the paperwork.

His registered business locations are empty, with no sign of Hydroboss at its Oakbrook Terrace address. In Schaumburg, the Pronto Plumbing address is apparently a UPS Store.

As for the Darien address listed on his driver’s license, CBS 2 was told he doesn’t live there, and the woman who does said she’s lived there 20 years.

The Illinois Secretary of State’s Police have launched an investigation into possible fraudulent use of an address.

The twists continue. Pronto Plumbing’s “Salvatore Farina” is currently licensed to “Pheonix Plumbing,” but the person who answered the phone there had “no recollection” of that name.

Oddly, Farina called back 20 minutes after CBS 2’s Lauren Victory called Pheonix Plumbing, even though she hadn’t reached out to Farina yet.

Over text messages, he promised to pay Duong multiple times, and agreed to an interview, but then canceled.

Farina told CBS 2 that Duong’s money paid for licensing, permits, and materials; but was unable to provide receipts.

He still hasn’t returned her $5,000 deposit.

Duong said she’s out much more than that, and had to give up her dream of opening a nail salon.

CHICAGO (CBS)– Emergency crews are responding to a house fire in Elgin.

TRAFFIC ALERT – Liberty St (RT25) is closed between Columbia and Jefferson for a house fire. Please avoid the area. @ElginIL @ElginPDFD pic.twitter.com/qBFHdd0T5x

— Elgin IL Police Dept (@ElginPD) February 14, 2020

According to Elgin police, Liberty Street is closed between Columbia and Jefferson.

This is a developing story. 

CHICAGO (CBS) — Over the last year, Chicagoans have reached out to CBS 2 Investigators for help with inexplicable water bills.

The city’s victims range from a widow being charged five times what her neighbors pay for water to a Vietnam veteran who was charged for water he never used.

Now the city’s hosing a West Side church that never should have received a water bill.

“They are literally robbing the churches,” said Pastor Veronica Day.

Pastor Day leads Solid Rock Church of the Living God, which received a $6,257.59 water bill from the city in 2015. A significant sum for this small not-for-profit church.

“We have been harassed by the water company,” she said. “That’s why I called you all… for some help.”

This church means a lot to Pastor Day. She’s been a member since she was 11 years old. Her mother ministered here. She met her husband in the choir. And now, she leads the ministry.

“In this community, people need a lot, and I would like to do more, you know, but it takes finances,” she said.

She doesn’t have those finances, because she’s shelling out money for a bill the church should be legally exempt from paying.

In 2011, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the city could not afford to exempt not-for-profits and planned to incrementally charge them a greater percentage of their water usage each year.

According to this model, they had to pay 20 percent of their water bill in 2011, 40 percent in 2012, and 60 percent in 2013. Had the plan continued for two more years, by 2015, all not-for-profits would have paid 100 percent of their water usage.

The mayor’s decision robbed many NFP’s of crucial finances, which they needed to afford community services, so an amendment was made to the code in 2013.

Section 11-12-540 of Chicago’s municipal code now says that not-for-profits, like this Solid Rock Church, with less than $1 million in net assets, will be eligible for 100 percent exemption.

According to the 2014 financial form Pastor Day submitted when applying for the exemption, Solid Rock Church barely made $100,000.

To receive the full exemption, any nonmetered NFPs had to have a water meter installed and submit an exemption form. Solid Rock Church did both.

“We’ve been exempt from day one,” Pastor Day said.

The most peculiar part? Aside from the $6,000 bill she received immediately after the meter was installed, the church has since received complete exemption from their water bills. Their water charge for each billing cycle remains a static zero.

So for the last five years, the church has been slowly chipping away at this $6,000 bill.

CBS 2 first emailed the city about this account on Jan. 17. The city responded five and a half hours later saying, “Please note that we will be reaching out directly to the customer to discuss their billing issues.”

Not only did the city refuse to provide us with an explanation, but it also failed to contact the customer in a timely manner. After two more reminders from us and 18 days later, the city called Pastor Day for the first time.

“I haven’t reviewed the account thoroughly yet, ma’am,” the customer service representative told her over the phone.

Nearly three weeks after our initial inquiries and the city still had done no prior research, and even asked the customer for the most basic information, like her account number.

“They don’t even have a conscience,” Pastor Day said.

Before CBS 2 got involved, she made inquiries of her own to no avail.

“The principle of it all is how dare them give us an over $6,000 bill without an explanation,” she said.

She’s not the only customer denied an explanation.

“No explanation,” said Kathy Zook, whose inexplicable bill CBS 2 investigated in January. Zook, a widow who lives alone, was charged five times what her neighbors pay with no explanation at all.

After we pressed the city to reexamine her billing, she received a $2,200.46 credit.

But they are not the only Chicagoans who have been hosed.

Until our involvement, the city’s resolution was to place most of these accounts on payment plans – it had no desire to look into the complexities of each case.

“They said they would put me on a three-year payment plan,” Pastor Day said. “You know, as if I was buying a car.”

To date, Solid Rock Church has paid more than $5,000 towards the bill because it feared receiving additional late fees and penalties.

“We’ve been bullied by the water company,” Pastor Day said. “That’s the city of Chicago. They don’t care if you have a leg to stand on.”

Now Pastor Day is fighting for justice.

“I want every penny of it back,” she said. “I will not be satisfied until we get every penny that we paid.”

What the city doesn’t understand is that this wrong, antiquated, and maybe illegal billing process has caused immense hardship for so many people.

In this case, the city’s kept Pastor Day, in this West Side neighborhood, from helping her community.

“We can feed people, we can fix the roof, do some work around the church,” she said. “It can be used for a lot of good things.”

She also has a promise once she wins her fight with the city.

“Every penny we get back will go into this ministry and will be used for the betterment of the people in this community,” Day said.

Late Thursday night, CBS 2 learned the city offered a potential resolution. A refund, but with stipulations. CBS 2 investigators will get to the bottom of it Friday.

CHICAGO (CBS)– For the first time since 1988, the NBA All-Star game is back in Chicago.

The stage is set! A sneak peak at the @NBAAllStar set up at the @UnitedCenter #NBAAllStar #Chicago2020 @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/A597f9iLAM

— Ryan Baker (@RyanBakerMedia) February 13, 2020

Fans all over Chicago area celebrating with parties, fan fests and more. Here’s what you need to know about the NBA All-Star weekend.

Happy @nbaallstar weekend! #NBAAllStar #Chicago2020 pic.twitter.com/Ydd1BdBo58

— Ryan Baker (@RyanBakerMedia) February 14, 2020

NBA Crossover At Navy Pier

The three-day fan experience at Navy Pier focuses on the art, music and fashion that surround the game.

Tickets for the crossover start at just $20 and festivities start at 2 p.m. Friday and runs through the weekend.

A court is set up and the event will feature interactive experiences, perfect for the whole family.

Celebrity Game At Wintrust Arena

On Friday at 6 p.m. celebrities will compete at the Wintrust Arena in South Loop.

Watch celebrities including Chance The Rapper, Common and Hannibal Buress compete with NBA legends and artists.

NBA Rising Stars

Friday night, NBA’s rookies and sophomore will compete at the United Center in the Rising Stars Game. Tickets are sold out.

NBA All-Star Practices/ Media Day 

Fans can watch the NBA All-Star practices Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. to noon as the players train for Sunday’s game.

In addition to practice, fans can watch interviews with All Stars as part of Media Day.

This event is sold out.

All-Star Saturday Night

Saturday night, as the main event approaches, players will compete in the skills competition, the 3-point shootout and the ever-popular slam dunk contest.

Bulls guard Zach LaVine is in the 3-point shootout and is competing to be the first ever NBA player to win both the slam dunk contest and 3-point shootout.

2020 NBA All-Star Game

The NBA All-Star Game will tip off Sunday at the United Center at 7 p.m. in Chicago for the first time in 32 years.

Chicago’s Jennifer Hudson and Chance the Rapper will headline event. Hudson will perform a special tribute to Kobe Bryant.

Ticket prices vary, but most start at $1,000.

Special Events

There are plenty of parties and events going on this weekend throughout the city.

Former President Barack Obama will be back home in Chicago hosting a round table discussion with NBA players.

Nordstrom is having an All-Star event at the Michigan Avenue Store on Friday.