he joins us right now, alderman joe moreno who represents the people of the first ward in the chicagoity council, sorry. alderman, thank you very much for being with us. we want to talk about the issue in your district. >> thank you. >> but first. >> sure. >> we have just heard some very sad news coming from chik-fil-a. the company's long-time public relations head don perry died suddenly this morning, reportedly from a heart attack. of course, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and prendes right now. is there anything you would like to say in response to this news? >> well, of course our thoughts and prayers are with that. i didn't know the gentleman. but any time a tragedy like that happens, whether it's in my ward or in the city of chicago or not, our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. >> now getting back to the controversy in your district, do you agree with me that it's possible even for people who support gay marriage to be against you on this because of free speech? >> well, i think it's not about -- it's not a free speech issue. i would agree that eve

president of chick-fil-a dan cathy made comments against same sex marriage and the chicago alderman joe moreno is saying that he would block a chick-fil-a restaurant from being built in his district because of such comments. now we have the issue of moreno saying the company is carrying out discriminatory practices but then, richard, one might argue is he likely to, you know, if he were able to block this restaurant or this building permit, isn't he discriminating against a business? >> well, i cannot wait to hear what my colleague avery has to say about this one. but let me just say it's not only the alderman but the mayor rahm emanuel who threatens he is not going to allow chick-fil-a in chicago. that's ridiculous. >> right. >> if the president of the company states his opinion, this is my personal opinion, although when we conduct our business we treat everybody with respect. we invite everybody to our stores. we don't discriminate against anybody. why can't someone state their own opinion, fred? this is really ridiculous. i don't know what's going on here but this is really, truly ridiculo

we are live in logan square with that story alderman joe moreno found himself in the middle of the controversy even appearing on the national cable news show this morning appearing to accused that company of discriminating against gays in hiring and serving in those restaurants the alderman spoke about the growing controversy and unrelated events this morning he faces criticism over his threats to invoke privilege to block the franchise from opening opening its first freestanding store and logan square unless the ceo changes his position on opposition to a marriage ... the ceo dan katy made the comments on radio show saying he was against same-sex marriage sparking a nationwide protest ... the alderman clarify heat has doesn't have the power to block a permit but it's more about wanting responsible businesses in the area good corporate citizen ... if there's a plan for legislation i need to support that's what i can do i want to be clear this is not about a restriction of their freedom of speech the point this in my opinion as bigoted comments can turn into discriminatory policies that's what

meantime, alderman joe moreno is not only standing firm against a new chick-fil-a in his ward, he's explaining why in a lengthy editorial in today's chicago tribune. >>on the streets and online the talk about chick-fil-a today is not about chicken especially now that joe moreno is standing firm on his plan to deny them a permit to open on a lot in logan square fit the fight is due to the company presidents anti-gay remarks on a radio show that he is against same-sex marriage in today's chicago tribune he explained why and referred to that ceo as bigoted and homophobic ... >>to have this discriminatory policies from the top down is not something we are open to i know people say what does that have to do with chicken but we are responsible people in want responsible businesses if you have entered discriminatory policies we will take a second look in the sort of been having this business is here workers at the only chick-fil-a in chicago expressed concern over this firestorm philip it will affect business a statement was issued: >>we are real people we are taxpayers each franchises and independen

alderman moreno tells cnn this is the place for local government and he makes no apologies for killing a business deal over personal opinion. kyung lah, cnn, new york. >>> joining me now, chicago alderman joek you for taking the time. so why -- >> thank you for having me, erin. >> why so passionate about this? obviously i understand you disagree. you think the values are wrong. but do you think that that gives you the right to take this as far as banning chick-fil-a from opening restaurants in chicago? >> sure. well, let's be clear. chick-fil-a -- i've been working with them for eight or nine months. and we've made some progress. they can believe and pray or not pray or say whatever they'd like to say. that's not really the point. the point is if those beliefs and those thoughts transfer into policies that are anti-discriminatory. that are discriminatory, i should say. secondly, we do have some traffic issues that are not salient to this issue that we've been working with that they haven't met. i've been working with chick-fil-a to come up with an open policy in their employee handbook, posted in their mission statement. and we had made some progress. till the comments of the president, th

i spoke with chicago alderman joe moreno earlier this morning, and he says he'll block chick-fil-a fromhis ward that he represents. >> my interest is if those personal views translate into a discriminatory policy towards our friends in the lesbian and gay community, and that's my concern, that's the issue, randi, not a free speech or a free belief issue. of course we believe in that, but if those beliefs, again, and those statements transfer into a policy that discriminates, then i've got a big problem with it and my community has a big problem with it. >> i know you've been actually working with chick-fil-a for several months regarding concerns you had about their policies and practices or lack thereof. what did they tell you exactly, if anything, that they would change before coming to your ward? >> well, randi, and i respect the good reporting that you've had. for eight or nine months, you're correct, we've been working with chick-fil-a. i had concerns back then and we've been working privately, not publicly. they've made some good steps, some small steps in terms of clarifying the c

city alderman joe moreno says they can can forget about getting a permit. >> i'm not going to allow them come in when i know in my heart that they believe in discriminating against gay people. >> the franchise owner of the lone chick-fil-a in chicago said hold on. her store welcomes everyone and has gay employees. >> we are welcome to any sort of lifestyle, belief, way that you want to -- what you want to believe in, what you do. to me, it really doesn't matter. >> political conservatives rallied to the chain's side. mike muck bee and rick santorum are urging everyone to pat ron eyes their local chick-fil-a next wednesday. some wonder if free speech is at issue and whether it's fair to consider action against a company because of the personal believes of its boss. for "cbs this morning," dean reynolds, chicago. >> a dangerous hepatitis c outbreak is being traced to one man who worked in hospitals all over the country. we'll look at the search for his alleged victims on "cbs this morning." [ music plays ] the lines, the cost, the hassle. ♪ express yourself [ female announcer ] why not try