>> Hello and thanks for joining us on Chicago Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

up is underway after severe storms hit the Chicago region leaving thousands without power is a second round coming.

Former federal prosecutors blast U.S.

Attorney Andrew Boutros in the wake of the botched Broadview 6 case.

We speak with 2 of them.

And Puerto Rican history and pride will fill the streets of Humboldt Park during this weekend's parade and festival.

>> First off tonight, the Chicago area is in for even more.

Severe weather tonight as ComEd crews work to restore power to thousands of residents who lost power in yesterday's storms.

>> Is this is not a restoration.

It's actually a rebuilt the amount of trees that came down and branches on the infrastructure significant.

>> The power utility says more than 480,000 customers lost power in what are believed to be unconfirmed tornadoes and straight-line winds.

As of this afternoon, crews were working to bring nearly 119,000 customers back online.

The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation says it received more than 5200 tree emergency request due to the storm.

And for tonight, there's more areas under a tornado watch until 9 and a flood watch until 11.

Nurses at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Ukrainian village are walking off the job today for a one-day strike to protest.

What they say is retaliation and union busting the union representing the 400 nurses says the company that runs the hospital, prime Healthcare has fired 6 nurses in retaliation for union organizing efforts.

Nurses filed a petition to hold a union election last month and are set to vote next week.

Prime Healthcare didn't share the reason the nurses were terminated but say in a statement the hospital quote, respects the right of nurses to engage in lawful, protected union activity.

We have not and will not retaliate against employees for exercising their lawful rights and have consistently applied longstanding hospital policies that protect safety and patient care.

Chicago native Hillary Clinton is back in town.

The former secretary of state was a keynote speaker today at the 37th Women in the forefront luncheon.

The annual event focused on women's leadership and visions for the future.

>> What I see happening today is this effort to literally turn the clock back on women's rights on civil rights, on human rights.

And when you see the this administration.

Firing primarily women.

And people of color.

It's tragic.

And they're being largely.

Thrown out.

Not because their qualifications, but because they're women.

>> Clinton also joined the Rainbow Push Coalition's annual conference today.

Up next, the so-called Broadview 6 cases riddled with alleged prosecutorial misconduct.

2 former federal prosecutors join us right after this.

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

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> Chicago's U.S.

Attorney Andrew Boutros is under fire over his office's handling of the Broad view.

6 case more than 100 former federal prosecutor signed an open letter this week saying Boutros tarnish the officer's reputation after prosecutors made improper communications with grand jury members in the letter, they say, quote, These matters raised questions about whether there is a failure of leadership in the office.

We deeply respect and whether once forbidden political considerations are infecting prosecutorial decisions.

The answer to both questions in our view is yes.

Joining us are 2 of the letters signatories, John Gallo, a former assistant U.S.

attorney in the Northern District of Illinois.

And Patrick Collins, also a former assistant U.S.

attorney in the Northern District.

Thanks to both for joining us.

So, John, let's start with some of the misconduct that you'all letter.

What did Andrew Boutros is office do wrong in a grand jury proceedings in the brought the 6 case that we've been hearing so much about this, we >> Well, the headlines are about touching by the assistant U.S.

attorney in the grand jury.

Basically.

Saying from a personal perspective, she believed the case was meritorious about and the grand jury.

Talking to grand jurors outside the grand jury room.

Question excluding jurors which she didn't have the power to do anyway.

But excluding jurors asking them to be excluded if they were skeptical about the charges and then there issues later with a redactions, which is a separate issue.

>> Right, Patrick, what was your reaction when you learned about this alleged misconduct?

>> Very similar Judge Perry and again, Judge Perry made these comments that I think really where the impetus for the letter, Perry experienced judge, but also a former federal prosecutor, said she had never seen like this in terms of misconduct in the grand jury.

And she talked about the presumption of regularity and brand I think the reason that I signed the letter, I love that office has some of the best professionals.

My life wasn't perfect.

A lot of great people.

There are a lot of great people there today.

And I think part of our message was also for the young.

Prosecutors you know, do the job, hold the standard.

And I think there's Judge Perry's eyes.

There was a management of the standard.

>> Join, you mentioned the redactions being sort of a separate issue because we know that the attorneys initially redacted great deal of beings these transcripts.

And then Judge Perry asked for them to be unredacted in to see more.

And for those of us who do not practice I guess my question was what of a grand jury transcript is a judge typically allowed to see why?

Why might they have been taken the step?

The attorneys taking the step to to redact grand jury transcript before getting into a judge.

>> The answer is whatever she wants to see.

She she can see me when you're the judge.

You can see whatever you want to see.

And I can't.

And still the final des to what they thought they were doing when they submitted redacted transcripts other than to try hi from the court.

Things that happened in the grand jury.

So there are also several pages missing.

You know, there's this expression, you know, if someone tries to hide something that's evidence consciousness of guilt.

So I think that everyone looking hindsight 2020, but if they just given the transcripts from the beginning, it would have come actually been much better for them.

>> How has this election is conduct?

Has this behavior different from from what you knew the U.S.

attorney's office to be like when you work there?

>> This particular circumstance.

this particular case.

I'm hoping is isolated example because the things that happened that context talking to grand jurors about the case outside the grand jury room personally vouching.

>> For >> validity of the case.

Those kinds of things, frankly, were unheard of prior to this circumstance, embrace what ice on those grand jury grand jury is a secret place.

That's actually where investigators go to actually present evidence and actually make your case better.

It said that a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich because I think goes to the control.

The prosecutor's office have over the process.

What we saw in this case is grand jurors were asking good questions.

They wanted to know the facts.

They wanted to understand what a conspiracy as it's the very questions that if I heard is a prosecutor back when I was there, I would use it to make my case better.

But there was a rush to try to get the case indicted and we'll find out sort of why that rush was.

But this grand jury was working.

I was so proud to read these grand jurors questions because it showed that they were actually doing their job and they were sort of being run over by the folks which is extraordinarily rare from from my 12 years.

There.

>> So the U.S.

Andrew Boutros, he has himself denied any knowledge of the allegations when he appeared before Judge Perry when the case was dismissed or the charges were dropped, he apologized himself.

Patrick, is he is he free of blame here?

Should he have known that his attorneys were behaving this way?

>> He is the leader of the office.

And so, you know, the buck stops with him.

It's topped with every U.S.

attorney that I ever served under the facts will play out brand us.

I think there there's another case that's now affected.

And the judge Coleman basically said I'm going to have a hearing and so we'll we'll see.

I think I don't know what Mr Buttress knowing when that's not my job.

The lawyer, there are some very good lawyers that will figure that out if need be.

I think what he he absolutely is responsible is for the tone and tenor of the office.

>> So one through line in the letter that you all signed on to was the political interference and political fealty that you feel like is happening.

You alright, quote, for decades, our former officer and a reputation for winning significant cases while playing by the rules.

We hope that the next few months will provide an opportunity to begin an effort to restore this reputation that, however, will require candor from U.S.

Attorney Andrew Boutros, the courage to stand above and apart from political fealty.

No, of course he's the Andrew Joseph said that he and his office have acted irrespective of politics.

You clearly disagree with that.

>> We think it's a serious concern that should be raised.

mean, there's a justice manual that has to be followed by everybody.

But people who signed this letter, Brenda 7 decades of people offices were not ever perfect.

And it's not it's about how you did that job.

And I do think what brought us all together is the standard doing that job.

And I overlap with Andrew.

He's a very competent lawyer.

He knows how the standard should be followed.

And I think that's what we were really writing about.

>> So you both mentioned another case that is before Judge Coleman because yesterday that judge ordered an evidentiary hearing in a separate high-profile case, also relating to Loretto Hospital.

In that case, the same PA USA who has prosecuted a broad view, 6 cases.

Also the prosecutor in the Loretto Hospital case John, could we see more of this happening in the northern districts?

>> just on the basis of what you just described, at least suggests that with respect to this particular prosecutor, in other cases she's had maybe that was a practice that she had.

Now, whether that extends to the other other lawyers in the office, I can't.

brand is just to know that that Loretto case, this is the very kind of case that the office.

>> Gets the headlines for its a 900 million dollar alleged fraud.

If that case has to be dismissed because of the compromise, that's a serious staying on the office because those that if you take the immigration and then the big cases of both of those are gone.

That's a problem.

>> Staying on the office in that it is a failure to adequately prosecute what might have been a 900 million dollar fraud problem.

Again, the process will play out.

But the Loretto case, that is the kind of case that that office over 7 decades is sort of famous, if you will, for doing bringing big ticket fraud cases.

Big-ticket cub, public corruption, king, terrorism.

That is what that office is known for staying in the office.

What I would suggest on top of what Pat said.

>> Now, judges are wondering when the U.S.

Attorney's office says something to them.

Are they hearing the truth?

That is never in my experience ever been an issue.

Prior to the circumstance, right?

And we've heard judge Perry say that, you know, that there's this loss of trust right?

>> John, what do you think Andrew Boutros should do to go about restoring his office's reputation because you all did not call for his resignation as have some elected officials.

First of all, to acknowledge and to accept.

>> What is true, which are that these prosecutions were flawed and to recognize them as having been flawed and to say I'm going we're going to fix this.

to explain how he's going to fix it.

There's a separate kind of related point, which but it's a more macro point about him.

And that is that the case is the office traditionally did.

Are not being investigated and prosecuted.

Now.

So now you're having cases which are state court gun cases being brought in federal court.

We're small drug case is being brought in federal court.

First to get statistics as opposed to working on the systemic.

Problems.

Jang cases like get Thanks for disciples, organized crime cases.

Same protection of a smaller state cases out of state court, picking those up in federal which means they're not chasing some of the bigger.

>> We are cases that's where we'll have to leave it.

Obviously like both of you said we'll have to watch this play out even further.

John Gallo, Patrick Collins, thank you both for joining us.

Thank you.

And we have an open invitation out to Chicago's U.S.

Attorney Andrew Boutros to join us on this program.

Up next, this year's Puerto Rican Heritage Festival honors a major moment in the city's history.

You may have spotted some Puerto Rican flags flying across the city this month as the community prepares for this weekend's parade and festival.

But this year's annual festivities celebrate more than just pride and culture.

It also honors the history of Chicago's 40 quiet community marking the 60 year anniversary of the first Division Street riots.

There were 2 riots, one in 1966, and another 1977, both from Puerto Ricans in Humboldt Park responding to police brutality and neighborhood disinvestment.

Joining us now with more are Jose Lopez, executive director and co-founder of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center.

All the person days of the 20th Ward.

Sabrina, say a co-founder of start date and arts nonprofit focused on arts education for youth and uplifting women.

Artists in the Puerto Rican community and Javier Vargas documentary Patrick filmmaker behind Humble Park 1977, and the Humble Park, right?

It's thanks to all of you for joining Have your want to start with you, please.

Because we're talking to right here.

66 another and 77 it remind us of the difference between the 2, please what was happening.

66 >> There's not much of a difference than 66 rights with more of an uprising mean the rebellion.

You are betting they they finally had it.

By mistreatment.

fact that city services, lack of city services, services, housing with really bad 77, right made by that point, we did have community leaders.

We had organizations in place then we we had some That the nose and the force.

some changes, some change that enough.

>> The police was still on top of the community.

Now.

Now we also to with gangs that also fighting.

So.

That part of the never I mean, it's better now.

So I think that's the difference the 77 riots also?

Well, politicians which >> change change, which we have today.

Yes, speaking of all, the first one tell us about this year's parade and how it's honoring the 66 Division Street uprising yesterday.

This is the 48th annual Puerto Rican People's Day Parade which is backed out of the 1977 riot the year after 1978 was the first parade this year.

I think we're doing a couple things.

We are honoring the resilience of the Puerto Rican community and our ability not just to celebrate culture and show the best of who we are as Puerto Ricans, but to pay homage to the history that has gotten us to this point.

And I represent Humble Park, a vibrant Puerto Rican community.

And I represent facility one of the most beautiful Puerto Rican corridors in the diaspora.

And so we want to be able to pay history and how the is documentary of the murder of to find list so if you will do that for us.

And we also want to pay homage to it to sexuality.

And so this year, also paying homage to the LGBTQ community honoring the mayor.

A piece of a lawful is one of the first clear mayors and pushed the vehicle.

I also serve as one of the dignitaries of this year's parade.

And so there's going to be a lot our ability to reflect and our ability to work towards the future.

Sabrina, what do you think?

It's important to honor that history?

I mean, it's absolutely important for us to know our histories that we can know what our community has been fighting for for this entire time.

We've been marginalized community from day one.

>> And that doesn't mean that we put, you know, our arms down and stopped stopped fighting for the things that we believe in and taking up space.

>> Plus, a Lopez.

You were the day of the 66 deciding what to remember from that I remember we garden Pool D parade downtown.

We came back.

I was some 60 I started my job.

Prohm and drugs division and they even and across the westward, the young man I've said is was shot by the police.

The police came in.

That was a little problem inside of of tavern in that corner.

And obviously.

People just took to the street.

They carry him.

I mean, they literally came to the hospital to Saint Mary's Hospital.

And from there, you could from this truck still right And that was where I was working.

that was obvious.

The s Javier said real uprising against the social economic, political and cultural exclusion of the Puerto Rican people.

What do you think?

It's important to continue to remember this history 60 years later, what 60 years later we can come on someone like just before.

And who stepped all our initiative, is a product of one of our institutions, our high school part of their high school in 1972 to address the off Puerto Rican high school dropouts in Chicago.

And we're looking at this parade, which is now its 40th year that we brought only.

obviously brought a 2 combo part in the up on part to be able to generate also economic activity and it becomes total immersion and condemn magic on and do that beauty.

And the one of Puerto Rican culture, sounds like a fun place to be all that out What were some of the causes?

We we talked a little bit around at 2 days the causes of the riots and protests in 77.

>> Again.

Police aggression was once one of the big ones.

No city services.

So a lot earlier that really never never took.

It changed some from 66 to 77, but it was still there.

I mean, the fact that walk down the street, a police officer can grab you and take you to the rival gang and then just really see it and say, hey, we got Puerto Ricans in this neighborhood and then you would get chased out of there and get beat up.

So.

You that that's the kind of stuff.

The number.

Change until later on after the riot.

>> The present point as the rights, of course they were not without controversy, right?

There was a significant amount of property damage.

People fought with the police as well.

Do you think the 77 riots are remembered in the same weight as the rebellion?

66?

>> I do look think in our community we do a great job at being able to educate folks on the conditions that existed at that time.

Look, when you when you concentrate poverty, when you boot allies of going agency like the police department, when you need people in deplorable housing conditions, look at the at this time, both 66 in the 70's and then stop.

We had them setting their buildings on fire for profit.

These were families that would moving in these buildings, children who needed a roof over their head off.

People are exhausted.

so when we think about the vehicles that were burned, when we think about the sort of assault we're people had been enduring those conditions for use.

And so I think we have to be able to continue to educate people on those conditions.

And, you know, we've been a lot of work and the last 60 years to change those conditions me just in the last year and a half, we've brought over 225 affordable housing in Istanbul Park.

So we got house families dignity and respect.

We're sending more.

Puerto Rican said a police force that doesn't make it perfect.

But it means we have representation and an understanding for culture.

And I think we have to continue to do everything that we can to build a Puerto Rican community that we're all proud Sabrina, we've talked a little bit about, you the celebration in and sort of paying homage to the LGBTQ+ community in this year's celebration because sometimes, you know, marginalized communities can be left out of these kinds of things.

What do you think?

It's important to center reported women as well.

As you know, it up to 2.

Plus, folks, you know, we've in a lot of the conversations within the community in general.

We've done a really fantastic job of uplifting LGBTQ voices for sure.

That's been something that's been very much highlighted in the Puerto Rican community.

>> Our work it's almost like that has to deal with arts education.

And in that world, we still see a dominance of male artists who are really, you know, taking the lead on a lot of things.

We just want to make sure that Puerto Rican women are also celebrated because in a lot of communities, Puerto Rican, lot of communities, women in general and especially in the Puerto Rican community.

We hold out a lot of things.

We are the center and the crocs.

And sometimes we're the silent person that's often behind.

You know, some of the men were doing things so for us, it's very important to make sure that those voices are uplifted as we've got about 45 seconds left each Here's part of brain.

for over 40 years we talked about, you know, the Puerto Rican festival as well honoring these 2 historical moment.

But of course, the community still faces issues.

What are what are members of the Puerto Rican community still fighting for?

What we're fighting against gentrification and the specialty concentration of the Puerto Rican people.

>> Which began literally.

>> In 70 Lincoln Park in it.

A sleet then was found with park Bucktown.

We've been excluded and we have created a community that I believe is perjury because it hasn't been found because gentrification.

We have right now.

Just this past year we open a business just about.

So what I don't know of any area they can do this without having major investment from outside.

This has come organically from the coming.

So I think there's I don't get for us for a nation.

That's what really informs.

I bet a good way to do community right.

That's where we'll have to leave it.

I think it's a really good place to leave it head to head to Mobile Park this and be there thanks to Jose Lopez Alderperson Jesse Point this Sabrina, I say and Javier Vargas, thank everybody.

Thank you >> And for more details on this weekend's events and others happening throughout the summer.

Check out our online festival guide.

We're back to wrap things up right after this.

>> Reflecting the people perspectives that make up this story is part of Chicago tonight.

Not the >> And that's our show this Thursday night.

Join us tomorrow night at 5.37, for the week in review.

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

Stay healthy and safe and have a good thing.

>> Closed captioning is made possible by Clifford and Clifford Law offices, a Chicago personal injury and wrongful death from that supports educational