Chicago Tonight; Washington Painting

WTTW (Television station : Chicago, Ill.) · May 16, 1988

This episode is "No. 5182, Washington Painting." The episode includes clips of Alderman Robert Shaw, Sharon Gist Gilliam, Marshall Fields, Harvey Grossman, Reverend Willie Barrow, two art students; and David K. Nelson, artist of the controversial painting. And then panelists Alderman Allan Streeter, Daniel Polsby, and Alan Artner examine decisions that were made and actions that were taken; implications of the decisions and actions; and alternative measures that could have been taken. "When a local story breaks or the nation's attention is focused on Washington D.C. or abroad, Chicago Tonight is ready with a Chicago perspective. Chicago Tonight has built a large, loyal following of people hungry for the 'second half' of the news by providing 30 minutes of provocative interviews, on-location reports, lively debate, and analysis of local, national, and international news of importance to Chicagoans. "On May 16, 1988, host John Callaway investigated the issues of censorship raised when Chicago aldermen stormed a private exhibit at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and removed a painting that some said disrespectfully depicted recently deceased Mayor Harold Washington. The incident made national headlines and prompted an ACLU suit naming Chicago police officers and aldermen as defendants. Callaway moderates an impassioned discourse that debates whether or not unwritten laws of decency transcend the First Amendment. His panel includes a constitutional scholar, an art critic, and one of the aldermen who confiscated the painting. "On May 4, 1988, Chicago Tonight focused on the furor caused by mayoral aide Steve Cokely's anti-Semitic remarks. Cokely, who asserted that Jewish doctors were infecting black children with the AIDS virus, is defended on the program by Lu Palmer, Chairman of the Chicago Black United Communities. A representative from the Anti-Defamation League and an alderman object to Palmer's defense and demand Cokely's resignation. "These episodes illustrate Chicago Tonight's dedication to delivering in-depth coverage of important issues to the more than half a million homes it reaches weekly."--1988 Peabody Awards entry form.