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

Here's what we're looking at.

The moratorium stalled.

But City Council still took action on data centers in Chicago.

And all Chicago baseball fans have something to root for this postseason as the Cubs and the White Sox both reached the playoffs.

>> First off tonight, the city's 36,000 parking meters are a step closer to new ownership.

Again, the New York based investment firm planning to buy the parking meters says it has sold on the Air International.

That's the airline that had been contracted with the Department of Homeland Security to provide long-haul deportation flights.

What's an airline have to do with the parking meters?

Well, more than a dozen progressive city council members had previously opposed the new 2 and a half billion dollar deal unless the firm sold the airline if approved the from Stone Key partners would pay the city.

75 million dollars and share 5% of the profits with the city, which expected to amount to more than 376 million dollars over the next 57 years.

For more on the city's much loathed parking meter deal, check out our W T Tw News explains series on our website.

If you're available November 3rd, Cook County and Chicago want to hire you city and county officials say they're hiring election judges in polling place.

Technicians for the upcoming midterm elections.

Election judges for Cook County are paid $250 and $230 in Chicago.

They help assist voters and maintain the polling location throughout the day.

Technicians are paid $400 and work with election judges to check supplies and voting equipment.

You must be a registered Cook County voter or eligible college or high school student to apply.

You can visit our website to find out how to do that.

And a reminder that early voting for Chicago's voters kicks off downtown on Thursday.

Pedestrians in the Edgewater neighborhood might find it easier to cross a busy street with the addition of a new traffic tool, which is a first of its kind in Chicago.

>> This make a real difference This is a complicated intersection.

And right now people across most signal to stop traffic.

>> The Chicago Department of Transportation broke ground today on traffic safety improvement at the intersection of Ridge, Wayne and Hollywood avenues, including the first pedestrian hybrid beacon.

The bee can also known as a high intensity activated crosswalk or hawk hopes.

People cross a busy street at a location where a full traffic signal is warranted when activated by a pedestrian, a sequence of flashing and solid yellow and red lights, alerts, drivers and stops traffic.

The beacon will be activated later this fall with resurfacing in landscaping, expected to continue into spring.

Up next, the latest in the city's fight to regulate data centers.

That's 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.

>> Data centers are going up around the country, but Chicago has unique factors to consider the city's infrastructure and location can be attractive for the industry.

But the dense population means even small data centers can have big impacts on residents.

Last week, City council members approved reporting requirements for data centers, water and energy usage.

But at the same meeting, other regulations, including the moratorium hit roadblocks.

Joining us, our Angela Tovar commissioner of Chicago's Department of Environment and the city's chief sustainability officer.

And Brad Keats Midwest director of state government affairs at the Data Center Coalition.

Welcome back to you both.

Thanks for joining us again.

So Brad, let's start with why Chicago is a place that data center developers might want to build.

>> Sure.

And I think one not to kind of start in a negative note, but Chicago is never going to be a hub for the kind of large-scale facilities that people are asking questions about across the country.

Right.

And Chicago has historically been a hub for the data centers that are literally servicing the economy, the modern economy that we all rely whether it's the Internet services for health care records, bank records, Government Schools, Telehealth telehealth or remote learning remote work.

The list goes on e-commerce and you know, so those are the kinds of data centers that are going to require the kind of proximity that that are needed to be next to their customers to get credit processing Crawford, you know, frequency, cetera.

So according to the city's report, there's 39 data centers currently in Chicago.

Only a handful are kind of I would suggest kind approaching the scale that folks are, you know, starting the question today.

So, you know, from our perspective, you know, there's there's been a lot of activity within the city, right over in recent months, the mayor put out an executive order back in August and we thought that was a fair ordinance.

Notwithstanding the moratorium push yet.

As you mentioned, there was the energy and water benchmarking reporting.

We did not push back against that.

We were OK with that.

But then obviously introducing a moratorium introduces a new kind of friction that I think does pose, you know, problems and potentially a signal to, you know, companies, if you're making a multi-billion dollar investment, you might not do it in a city like Chicago because of kind of the instability that you're seeing here what how would you describe the size of a data center that you'd expect to see being built in the city moving forward?

>> Yeah.

So I mean, there's going to be prime like the primary number of data centers in Chicago right now.

We're going to be what's known as edge or micro datacenters.

And, you know, Fortune 500 companies, hospitals, banks, they're going to have the smaller data centers to to process and you know, their their own compute.

Like I mentioned, you have a handful of larger data centers that are servicing businesses and residents like that.

I think the the interesting thing is here and you're starting to see some some, you know, much a maturation from what's known as the AI training data centers that we're seeing like the larger facilities saying more rural areas, what's going to happen and actually OpenAI Anthropic announced number, you know, they're they're targeting smaller data centers near more populated areas could because as we deploy technologies like this, the proximity matters.

And I think that's the opportunity for Chicago moving forward.

Commissioner Tovar, what kind of concerns have residents had about some of the existing urban data centers in Chicago?

Sure.

You know, from our perspective, I would say that this size that the data center is that that all sizes of data centers matter here in the city because we're in an urban area.

>> You know, we have data centers that are excuse communities that are existing right next to a residential communities.

Right?

We have.

>> High rises that are built next to data centers in the South loop.

And so we you know, ignore some of the concerns that we've heard from residents.

As Brad mentioned, the city did conduct in over a years long effort to better understand the impacts related to data centers.

And we found a number of issues that are concerning for including noise that's generated from the large cooling systems that data centers used to cool down their operations.

You know, we've learned a lot about concerns related to air quality.

Oftentimes data centers rely on backup diesel generators.

Those diesel generators have to test on a monthly basis.

And then in addition to that, if that there's a power failure, they rely on that system.

So that presents air-quality concerns for us and then, of course, you you know, I hear Brats point that the hyper data scan hyperscale data centers are the ones that are consuming a lot of energy.

But in a lot of water in an urban context that's still relevant.

We you know, a relatively stable grit.

We, of course, have this fresh water resource.

We want to make sure that we can maintain and protect those things for future generations ahead as well.

And then same question that we asked Brad.

But what size data center would you expect to be built in the city?

>> You know, we're seeing a wide range of sizes.

you know, we're we're seeing everything from smaller data centers says, as Brad mentioned.

>> To some, you know, larger stand-alone facility.

So it's really diverse in terms of what we're seeing, you know, Summer Co located.

So, you know, one data center company has multiple tenants and some are stand alone.

So it's really diverse in terms of what we're seeing across the city.

>> Brad, what are some of the options that data centers have to mitigate some of the concerns that commissioner just names with regards to noise and air pollution.

>> Yeah.

So I guess we'll start with the beer emissions piece for so backup generators to commissioners point they they will only be used if there is a power outage which are very in frequent in the comment territory or for maintenance and testing and typically those are going to be tested, you know, couple hours a and you can put in place rules and regulations around when when that testing occurs, you can put in place wells and barriers around all of this we see it happen all over the the Chicagoland area.

And you know something else Indy in reliable, affordable, great acts of surges that past that.

The Governor, Paterson until a few months ago, Illinois joined California now Virginia is the only state in the country to have what's known as a tear for back-up generator requirement, which removes about 90% of the pollutants that come from these backup We're working on regulation and, you know, state level there, they're on very sparsely.

So, mark, you know, from our perspective work with city leaders to put in place rules that work for the communities then on a noise really quick or sound, you know, again from You know, it's an engineering and innovation thing.

You know, you like primarily you're going to from the backup generators and the chillers.

Those can all be addressed in the are being addressed.

You know, consultation with the with the data center developer and, you know, put in place rules and regulations like the that executive order from the mayor called for several several weeks ago.

But again, don't put in place a moratorium and kinda stifles opportunity for property taxes, jobs, you know, clean energy investment.

So commissioner, you are the co-chair of the city's Data Center task for several older people introduced a one-year moratorium on data centers at last week's council meeting.

How the moratorium work towards the task force in schools.

I think that this is just important next step.

You know what we're hearing?

You know, the city was very transparent in saying, hey, the regulations that we have in place today >> are not adequate for how we should regulate the modern data center.

>> That was the top line from our report.

And so this presents an opportunity for the city to course, correct that we know that there are some important impacts that data centers present and we want the opportunity to create the right regulatory framework.

You know, you've heard brand name.

Yes, we should do that or we can do that.

And I think we agree, right?

We agree that that noise regulations that air quality regulations are too important measures.

You know, we would argue that there should also be easy to standards related to water and energy consumption as well.

There's also an opportunity to present design and innovation opportunities to encourage data centers to to to create higher efficiency standards and the better sustainable building principals.

These are all things that we can accomplish through a regulatory framework.

We just need to pause and create that framework.

Brad, how temporary moratorium changed the landscape for data center developers in Chicago.

We're looking to build Chicago.

Yeah.

And you have existing facilities, existing projects that were that are in the pipeline.

I think that presents a challenge.

>> But again, really what you're doing is saying sending a signal to the industry that this might not be the best place to put forth a multi-billion dollar investment and especially when the city is about to face 882 million dollar budget deficit.

Data centers are significant property tax generator.

So we don't believe you need a moratorium in place to spend all that time doing this.

Quite frankly, we could have reached an agreement.

of these regulations pretty quickly and and put in place those those guardrails that the city is calling for.

So that's what you're looking at.

But again, you know, 84% other renewable purchases done nationally in the 1st half of 2025.

Were done by data centers.

You know, these are significant opportunities for our union workforce in the building trades and by putting in place a moratorium.

All you're doing is sending sending those jobs the clean Energy investment.

you know, we're already seeing this jail actually estimates that Illinois has lost 200 billion dollars in data center investment to Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa.

So Chicago is already kind of losing a lot of its workforce to other states.

All right.

And getting shorten time commissioner about 45 seconds.

Welcome.

Policymakers.

Learn from oversight.

>> Of past industries.

Sure.

I think we have the opportunity to really course, correct.

You know, we whether intentionally unintentionally because of our lack of regulations, historically.

>> Have contributed to the environmental harm of our communities.

We have an opportunity to, course, correct that by saying, hey, you know what, we can regulate more.

We could put better environmental safeguards in place.

And this is our opportunity to signal that we do care about jobs.

And just as importantly, we care about our people in our communities.

That's where we'll have to leave it This conversation will continue will have to have you both back.

Of course, Commissioner Angela Tovar.

>> Reggie, thanks.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Up next, the Cubs and White Sox head into baseball's postseason.

A preview of their matchups right after this.

>> It's time to get Wild.

Chicago.

The MLB playoffs are nearly here.

And for the first time since 2020 baseball fans on both sides of town have something to root for as the Cubs and White Sox have made it to the postseason.

The best of 3 wild-card series begins tomorrow with the Cubs taking on the Padres and San Diego and the Sox facing the Astros in Houston.

Joining us to talk about their upcoming matchups.

Our Alex Cohen play-by-play broadcaster with Cubs Marquee Sports Network and Jeff Miller, the Prairie and postgame host, 4 White Sox radio broadcast on ESPN, Chicago.

Welcome to the studio.

Good to have you both in here.

It's great to be so.

A lot of excitement around both teams getting this far.

We are the only city with 2 MLB franchises to have both teams make it to this year's postseason.

Alex, what is having both the Cubs and the White Sox in the postseason?

What does that do for the city and for baseball fit happy city?

I mean, you be able to extend some are just a little bit longer from.

>> The dog days to September even October.

I mean, even the biggest Chicago sports fans, I'm no expectation that both the Cubs and the White Sox would make the postseason.

So.

>> You know, they say like make the best team win.

We'll have both teams Let's bring some playoff baseball back to Chicago for the divisional round.

I think it's really special for the city.

>> Geoff Cubs and White Sox.

They don't always get to share the spotlight.

We were joking earlier about how often the 2 of you are even in the same room.

But with both teams in the playoffs, does this postseason bring a little bit more energy to the crosstown rivalry?

Oh, absolutely.

I think welcome to baseball City USA Brand it's a >> a time where there's a short period where both teams have to play at their best to extend this.

Otherwise it will feel extremely brief anticlimactic.

If both teams don't advance.

But at the same time, it does extend that Cross town rivalry that I think most Chicagoans know very much exists.

And whether we can continue to dream about a cross time World Series at the very least.

I think both teams not only want to win and that's the place, but they want their fan bases to be able to have bragging rights moving forward as well.

They're going to come back to chances of across World Series to on that.

Jeff, the White Sox achievement, especially great, considering their dramatic turnaround.

>> From setting the record for the most losses in a season in 2024, they're now the first team in MLB history to reach the playoffs immediately following consecutive 100 game last season.

How do they turn it around from being basically, you know, such a losing team to make it to the playoffs?

Yeah, it's unprecedented and not just winning are making the playoffs for the first time after losing 100 games in consecutive seasons.

They actually did 3 years in a row.

So some history made by the White Sox and it starts with Chris Getz.

>> Who Jerry Reinsdorf hired as the GM in 2024, he took over and really you know, reset what the franchise was doing.

So it begins with him and everybody that he's brought into the franchise.

And then you can't underestimate the job that Will Venable has done as the manager he took over last season in 2025.

Laid the foundation.

I think and you saw some of what he did kind of come to fruition in the 2nd half of the season last year and they've been able to build on that.

A lot of young exciting players to now they're facing the Astros.

Astros have a lot more postseason experience.

How do you think they're gonna?

>> you expecting of that matchup?

Yeah, I think the truth is that the astro's for all their history there kind of in the dying embers of their dynasty, they made it with the first team to ever win their division without having a winning record.

>> They finished 81 81.

So they got here and by no means are they a juggernaut that they once were?

There are still some remaining champions from their roster, but they're definitely not in the spot where White Sox, the White Sox roster is fairing them in any I think they think it's a real opportunity to take advantage of a weak American League for the White Sox.

Alex had even the Cubs are going to stack up against Padres.

I mean, you look back to 2025 or they played the Padres in the postseason.

>> I do think that both the White Sox and the Cubs.

I mean, this might be my Chicago talking, but I think they're both gonna win their series.

I feel very confident that the White Sox are going to beat the Astros because they're better team.

And I think the Cubs are going to be the Padres because when they beat him in the postseason 2025, and to you look at their matchup over the course of the season, the Cubs dominated the Padres.

So I'm very confident both the White Sox and the Cubs are wanting walk or 2.

I love that optimism because I also want to stay with cubs for a little bit.

A peak or Armstrong.

He's at a historic season.

>> Becoming just the 7th player in MLB history to join the 40 40 club.

How important has he been to the team this year?

Mvp baseball, MVP of the National League.

24 years old.

Second full season.

>> In the big leagues Elliott's 45 homers, 41 stolen bases and is the best offensive player on the planet and just seeing his growth from when he made his big league debut in 2023.

Didn't have it when he had the 2nd half of last season where he really struggled just to be able to recover from that and be the best player in the National League and the Most valuable player in all of baseball.

The war.

It's been pretty special to watch.

He is the X factor.

He is the main factor in Pete Crow-armstrong goes well, the Cubs will go far Jeff, some of the Sox big hitters.

They've been struggling lately.

Do you think they can recapture some of that magic from the early season?

Yeah.

So Miguel Vargas, he's been up and down.

It points.

But >> for the most part, he's the heartbeat of the club.

And I think going into the playoffs, he's in a really good spot.

Want to talk to me lately.

He's starting to show signs of coming out of it.

Of course, he is a Japanese superstar that not only took the city by storm, but I think all of Major League Baseball before he suffered a hamstring injury at the end of May that, you know, put him in a spot where he had no work his way back.

It took a little bit.

I think he rushed back just because partially he wanted to be part of the All-Star festivities.

He to play part in the home run Derby.

So I think he rushed his way back a little bit.

He finally showed signs of getting back to the guy who was just a phenom to begin the 1st half of the season.

Colson Montgomery, on the other hand, not so much.

The White Sox the only team in baseball to have 3 hitters with at least 30 home runs.

Costa, Montgomery is one of those.

He also set the record for most strikeouts by hitter with 227 in a season this past weekend.

So he's absolutely in a funk.

He's on Sunday spoke about this being a reset and opportunity for a reset for a player like him.

But at the same time at the plate, he hasn't showed no signs.

So I think even though he is selfless as a player and teammate, I'm not sure that he can really bring what he's brought throughout the regular season.

Alex comes been pitching.

They've had some pitching injuries this year aiming to bulk up bulk up the bullpen with How critical will really pictures.

I just like the new acquisitions to the Cubs will be very important, whether that is Clay Holmes weather.

That is Kevin Gausman.

>> And David Peterson, who they got prior to the trade deadline, whether they are starters, whether they're in the bullpen.

>> They're gets a major big-time important out for the Cubs against the Padres in any capacity.

Craig Counsell talks about getting 27 outs doesn't matter if it's the first the 3rd inning or the 4th, the 6 inning, the 8th inning.

And I you got to get 27 outs.

So I think that all those 3 acquisitions at the Cup set to go along with the ride's John will play huge roles for the Cubs in the wild-card series.

All Right.

And Jeff White Sox pitching been somewhat piece together.

What is the group in order for the team to make the playoff from?

I think bigger I think someone is being generous because the truth is that they lead all of baseball in terms of relief innings pitched.

So conversely, if you lead all of baseball and relief innings, you also have the least amount of starting pitching innings.

And that has been an issue credit to Will Venable and entire coaching staff because they found a way.

>> Each and every game to as Alex was just talking about cover those 27 out.

And I think that's something that a class baseball little bit more of a modern mentality where, you know, it's not traditional starters, give you 6 or 7 innings and you're going to ride those guys.

You know, as much as you can call us or the Yes, yes, but not every team has that paper to this that I think.

Well, that extraordinary job with his bullpen and more so than anything.

I think the harder thing, Alex, you could probably agree with this or disagree, but I think that it for the hardest thing in baseball as a manager like Will Venable is to get buy-in from pitchers who aren't necessarily used to that type of mentality.

They all want to go out there and, you give you 100 120 pitches and give you everything they have.

But the truth is it's not the most effective usually for baseball teams in this era.

All right.

Less than a minute left Alex, first to you.

You think think Chicago could be headed for a red line?

Double header.

>> I would love I think there's some really good teams in baseball right now.

Obviously in the National League.

The Brewers are great.

You know, the Dodgers have won back-to-back World Series and then you go to the American League in.

When you look at teams like the Yankees and the Rays and you know, the Red Sox their turnaround from from the 1st half of the season.

But anything's possible Kevin Garnet.

And when you have both teams in the playoffs, yeah, of course there's a chance to a nice little exposure is here in Chicago it comes to the second.

Yeah, I think it's it's absolutely a possibility.

The randomness of the playoffs, though it's vastly different than what regular season baseball is.

And I actually think it could play to both teams strengths, though, that the Cubs can slide with the best of him and the White have proven they can win with their bullpen all season long.

So I'm not ruling anything out right then.

You know what I'm going I'm not going ask about the World Series now will have your back to talk about it.

>> After they went out going.

Jeff Miller, thanks to both Cute.

We should.

And we're back right after this.

>> And that's our show for this Monday night.

You can stream Chicago tonight on our W T Tw YouTube Channel every evening and catch up on any programs you may have missed in.

Join us tomorrow night at 5, 30 10 showdown over changes to Chicago's renters ordinance.

And vote on a new parking meter deal.

That and more from City Hall.

And we leave tonight with some shots of O'Hare airports, contractors who are finishing up another hard season on the job.

More than 90 goats and sheep make up the grazing herd unit at O'Hare since early June agrees on 28 acres with another 10 to come before they wrapped for the season.

Now for all of us here at Chicago Brandis Friedman, thanks for watching.

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

>> Closed captioning is made possible by Clifford and different law offices.

Chicago, personal injury and wrongful death for it supports