[♪♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT...

ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE LEADER OF THE HOUSE ON HIS FIRST 100 DAYS ON THE JOB.

CHICAGO'S TOP DOCTOR ON THE RESUMPTION OF THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE AND THE LATEST ON THE LORETTO HOSPITAL SCANDAL AND MUCH MORE.

>> RESUME A NORMAL LIFE.

>> COVID-19 HAS PUT SOME AMERICANS ON DISABILITY BENEFITS BUT IS THE SYSTEM BUILT FOR IT?

>> IT MADE EVERYTHING MORE CHALLENGING AND MORE EXPENSIVE.

>> HOW THE PANDEMIC IS IMPACTING POVERTY IN THE U.S. >> PRICES ARE EXPECTED TO SURGE AND SPILLOVER TO GROCERY STORE SHELVES THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> LEADERS FROM CHICAGO'S FILL LAND THOPPIC ORGANIZATIONS.

>> MADE US FEEL BETTER ABOUT OUR FUTURE IN TERMS OF HIS INDEPENDENCE.

>> A CHICAGO BAKERY WHERE THE UNIQUE ARE THE ICING ON THE CAKE.

>> A SMALL DROP IN ILLINOIS' POPULATION WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE STATE'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

THE CENSUS BUREAU RELEASED THE 2020 CENSUS TODAY AND ILLINOIS IS ONE OF JUST THREE STATES TO LOSE POPULATION.

A POPULATION DECLINE OF JUST .14% OR 18,000 RESIDENTS MEANS THE STATE WILL LOSE ONE SEAT IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR A TOTAL OF 17 MEMBERS.

REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF THE STATE'S GENERAL ASSEMBLY BLAME DEMOCRATS FOR POLICIES THAT THEY SAY HAVE DRIVEN PEOPLE OUT OF THE STATE.

>> THAT MEANS IN WASHINGTON D.C. WE HAVE LESS INFLUENCE.

ILLINOIS HAS A STRONG HISTORY OF TREMENDOUS INFLUENCE ON CAPITOL HILL.

BUT WE SEE THAT CONTINUE TO WANE BECAUSE OF THE POLICIES THAT EMANATE OUT OF SPRINGFIELD.

>> THE CENSUS FIGURES KICK STARTS EFFORTS TO REDRAW THE STATE'S LEGISLATIVE MAPS TO REFLECT POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HAVE UNTIL JUNE 30TH TO REDRAW THEM.

THE CITY OF CHICAGO IS SUING AN INDIANA GUN STORE CLAIMING IT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING THOUSANDS OF FIREARMS THAT MADE THEIR WAY TO CHICAGO TO COMMIT 850 VIOLENT CRIMES.

>> THEY ARE SELLING THOUSANDS OF CRIME GUNS EVERY YEAR.

AND THE TIME FOR US TO STOP TO ASK THEM TO DO BETTER MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT SELLING TO STRAW PURCHASERS AND DO WHAT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DO IS OVER.

WE TRIED THAT AND IT HASN'T WORKED NOW WE'RE IN LITIGATION WITH THEM.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT HAS REPEATEDLY ARGUED THAT INDIANA IS ONE OF ILLINOIS' NEIGHBORING STATES WITH LAX GUN LAWS ALLOWING WEAPONS TO FLOW INTO THE CITY.

THE LAWSUIT FILED IN COOK COUNTY CHANCERY COURT AUSES THE OWNER OF WESTFORTH SPORTS IN GARY OF STRAW SELLS.

IT SEEKS A COURT ORDER REQUIRING THE STORE TO STOP CONTRIBUTING TO GUN TRAFFICKING AND PAY DAMAGES WHICH HAVE YET TO BE DETERMINED.

>> THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ON DEFENSIVE AFTER A TWEET THAT APPEARED TO SHOW C.P.D.

SUPPORTING FORMER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER DEREK CHAUVIN WENT VIRAL.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S FROM THE TWITTER ACCOUNT SHOWING CHAUVIN CONVICTED OF MURDERING GEORGE FLOYD WITH THE CAPTION QUOTE WE ARE ALL DEREK CHAUVIN.

BUT C.P.D.

SAYS THAT TWEET IS CLEARLY SYNTHETIC AND MANIPULATED WHICH IS QUOTE ANATHETICAL TO OUR VALUES AND REFLECT THE WORST OF DISINFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND PUTS OUR OFFICERS AT RISK BY WIDENING THE GAP OF WORKING TRUST THAT WE ARE TRYING TO BUILD.

TWITTER SAYS IT DID NOT VIOLATE POLICY AND TOOK NO ACTION.

>> ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTHS OFFICIALS SAY 2100 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THE CORONAVIRUS SINCE YESTERDAY AND 10 DIED.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES IS OVER 1.23 MILLION AND 21,836 PEOPLE DIED.

THE TEST RATE IS 4.1%.

>> AND NOW TO AMANDA VINICKY AND A ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE LEADER OF THE ILLINOIS HOUSE.

AMANDA?

>> BRANDIS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1997, THE ILLINOIS HOUSE GOT A NEW LEADER IN JANUARY.

CHRIS WELCH OF HILLSIDE HE HAS BEEN ON THE JOB 100 DAYS AND WELCH JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT HOW IT'S GOING AND WHAT IS AHEAD AS SPRINGFIELD GEARS UP TO MEET AN END OF MAY ADJOURNMENT DEADLINE.

THANK YOU, SPEAKER, WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE WITH US.

NOW, I DO ACTUALLY THINK IT'S 103 DAYS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SPEAKER OF THE ILLINOIS HOUSE.

CONGRATULATIONS.

AND ONE MAJOR CHANGE WITHIN THAT TIME IS TERM LIMITS HAVE PASSED THE HOUSE.

NO MORE THAN 10 CONSECUTIVE YEARS SERVING IN A POSITION SUCH AS SPEAKER.

YOUR PREDECESSOR SERVED 36 YEARS AS SPEAKER.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE THE CHANGE ON TERM LIMITS WILL MAKE?

>> FIRST OF ALL LET ME SAY IT IS AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT THIS IS THE FIRST OF MANY STEPS THAT WILL SHOW THE PUBLIC THAT WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT BRINGING ABOUT CHANGE HERE IN SPRINGFIELD.

THAT WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT REBUILDING TRUST IN OUR LEGISLATURE.

AND I DO BELIEVE THAT IF YOU MAKE A PROMISE YOU SHOULD KEEP IT.

AND I TOLD MY COLLEAGUES AND I TOLD PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT I BELIEVED IN LEADERSHIP TERM LIMITS.

WE PUT IT IN OUR HOUSE RULES.

AND THEN WE FURTHER SEEK TO CODIFY IT BY PUTTING IT IN A BILL LIKE I TALKED ABOUT ON JANUARY 13TH THAT AFTERNOON?

THE BILL PASSED THE HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY AND I'M HOPING FOR FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION IN THE SENATE.

>> SPEAKING OF MADIGAN YOU HAVE INCLUDING DO YOUR SPEECH PRAISED HIS TENURE.

LET'S TAKE A LISTEN.

>> I HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE TO THANK AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT OUR STATE WOULD NOT BE WHERE IT IS TODAY WITHOUT SPEAKER MADIGAN.

WE HAVE 0 ACKNOWLEDGE THAT FACT.

>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?

HOW IS ILLINOIS BETTER OFF AFTER HIS 36 YEARS IN THAT ROLE?

>> WELL, I THINK WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE IS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER SPEAKER MADIGAN.

A LOT ARE VERY PROGRESSIVE.

ILLINOIS IS A DARK BLUE STATE AND WE'RE SURROUNDED BY RED STATES THAT ARE TAKING AWAY THE RIGHTS OF FAMILIES AND WOMEN WHEN IT COMES TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.

ILLINOIS IS A PROGRESSIVE STATE AND WE WON BIG THING INCLUDING MARRIAGE EQUALITY.

WE'VE INCREASED THE MINIMUM WAGE.

WE'VE PASSED THE ERA.

WE HAVE PASSED THREE HUGE BILLS THAT PROTECTS WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.

HB40, RHA, AND A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE HERE THAT REALLY PUT WOMEN AT THE FOREFRONT.

WHILE WE HAVE STATES AROUND US, MISSOURI, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, AND WISCONSIN THAT ARE TAKING RIGHTS AWAY FROM PEOPLE.

AND WE'VE ALSO BEEN VERY AHEAD OF OUR NEIGHBORS WHEN IT COMES TO VOTING RIGHTS.

AND A LOT OF THAT WAS DUE TO THE LEADERSHIP OF MICHAEL MADIGAN.

>> AND CRITICS WOULD POINT OUT SOME OF THE BUDGETARY ISSUES.

I WANT TO LOOK TO THE FUTURE.

YOU ARE THE FIRST BLACK PERSON TO POLLED THAT TITLE OF -- HOLD THAT TITLE OF ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER AND WE SAW THE HISTORIC VERDICT IN THE DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL FOUND GUILTY OF HAVING MURDERED GEORGE FLOYD.

YOU KNOW, THAT POLICING CONTINUES TO BE A CONCERN PARTICULARLY IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY CAN THE STATE DO ABOUT THAT?

I KNOW SOMETHING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS CONSIDERING ENDING QUALIFIED IMMUNITY FOR POLICE OFFICERS.

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION?

>> WELL, I THINK THE LEGISLATURE IN JANUARY DURING OUR LAME DUCK SESSION TOOK SIGNIFICANT STEPS TO MOVE US FORWARD IN THAT SPACE WHEN WE PASSED THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM PACKAGE.

WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF THAT STEP THAT WE TOOK THEN.

IT WAS PASSED ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE I BECAME SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

THAT WAS A HISTORIC DAY FOR US HERE IN THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE GIVE THAT HISTORIC LEGISLATION TIME TO WORK.

BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE IT WILL BE A MODEL FOR REFORM ACROSS THE NATION.

I CERTAINLY THINK IT'S A START AND WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO.

BUT I THINK YOU HAVE TO LET LEGISLATION WORK AND AASSESS IT AND DETERMINE WHERE YOU GO.

>> IS CERTAINLY IS MAJOR.

A LOT OF CHANGES ENDING CASH BAIL AMONGST MANY OTHERS.

WHAT ABOUT ANOTHER ISSUE AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD FOR CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

YOU SERVED ON THE SCHOOL BOARD AND YOU HAVE ENDORSED A MEASURE THAT WOULD GIVE CHICAGO A 21-SEAT ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.

IS THAT THE ONLY PROPOSAL THAT YOU FAVOR?

OR WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS HYBRID PLAN THAT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT IS PUSHING?

>> AMANDA I HAVE SUPPORTED AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD SINCE I HAVE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE.

ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD PREPARED ME WELL FOR WHAT I DO HERE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

AND SO MY VOTE ON THE ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD PASSED BY LEADER RAMIREZ A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND IS CONSISTENT WITH MY VOTES ON THE BILL IN THE PAST.

BUT THIS IS THE LEGISLATURE.

AND NEGOTIATION IS IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT WE DO.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO GIVE THE PARTIES AROUND THE TABLE AND COME TO COMMON GROUND AND THE MAYOR FILED A PROPOSAL AFTER THAT BILL PASSED AND I DO BELIEVE THE PARTIES TO GET AROUND THE TABLE AND SEE IF THEY CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT AND THAT IS JUST THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND HOW WE DO IT IN SPRINGFIELD.

>> OPEN TO A COMPROMISE.

YOU DID SAY THAT POLITICS HAS BECOME TOO DIVISIVE AND PROMISED TO WORK WITH LEGISLATORS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> WHILE WE WON'T ALWAYS AGREE BECAUSE OF WHERE WE COME FROM, I WANT TO INSURE THAT EACH OF MY COLLEAGUES KNOWS THAT I WANT TO WORK WITH YOU DIRECTLY.

>> BUT JUST LAST WEEK REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE TIM BUTLER CALLED THOSE PROMISES IN HIS WORDS BS FUMING THAT YOU HAVE A JAMMED A PROPOSAL HE IS SPONSORING EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

HERE IS A LOOK.

>> WE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE, WE REPRESENT 5 MILLION ILLINOISANS ON THIS SIDE OF THE AISLE.

5 MILLION.

AND OUR BILLS ARE BEING IGNORED.

I'M SICK OF IT.

SICK, SICK, SICK OF IT.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A NEW DAY.

>> HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> WELL, I BELIEVE THAT WAS A LOT OF POSTURING AND POLITICAL RHETORIC.

I THINK THAT THAT IS THE TYPE OF RHETORIC THAT HAS TO BE LOWERED BECAUSE REPRESENTATIVE BUTLER LOOKS AT THE DATA HE WILL SEE THAT BOTH DEMOCRATIC BILLS AND REPUBLICAN BILLS HAVE BEEN MOVING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

THIRD READING -- >> ON AN UNEVEN SCALE 4-1 DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICAN BILLS?

>> WELL, AMANDA WE ARE A SUPER MAJORITY.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE NEVER GOING TO BE EVEN.

ILLINOIS IS A SUPER MAJORITY STATE IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

SO THAT'S NOT A FAIR COMPARISON.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE NEVER GOING TO BE EVEN WHY IT'S RHETORIC TO INSINIATE THAT WE ARE NOT WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE.

I'VE HAD REPUBLICANS IN MY OFFICE FOR THE FIRST TIME THEY ARE SAYING WE'VE NEVER SEEN THE INSIDE OF THIS OFFICE.

THEIR BILLS ARE PASSING BECAUSE THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE SPEAKER OF THE ILLINOIS HOUSE.

>> DIFFERENT THAN THE MADIGAN APPROACH?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND SO WE CAN'T USE ONE PERSON'S RHETORIC TO CAST AN APERSION ON THE PROCESS, THE PROCESS IS WORKING I'M BEING IN10 NATIONAL IN WORKING WITH THEM.

BUT I SAID THERE ARE GOING TO BE THINGS WE AGREE ON AND DISAGREE ON AS WELL.

AND WE HAVE TO JUST BE CONSISTENT AND PERSISTENT AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OUR FIRST TIME WITH YOU AN INTERVIEW ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" WITH SPEAKER CHRIS WELCH BUT WE HOPE THE FIRST OF MANY.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AMANDA, IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> PARIS WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, AMANDA.

THE SINGLE SHOT JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE IS BACK IN CHICAGO AFTER IT WAS PAUSED DUE TO THE OCCURRENCE OF RARE BLOOD CLOTS IN SOME RECIPIENTS AS COVID-19 CASES IN ILLINOIS AND CHICAGO ARE DECLINING AFTER THE MOST RECENT SURGE.

BUT ACROSS THE STATE AND COUNTRY VACCINE ADMINISTRATION RATES ARE ALSO FALLING ARE CHICAGO AND THE NATION STILL ON TRACK TO REACH HERD IMMUNITY.

JOINING US IS Dr. ALLISON ARWADY COMMISSIONER OF THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

Dr. ARWADY GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THE J & J VACCINE BACK ON-LINE.

HOW MANY SITES ARE YOU ADMINISTERING THE J & J VACCINE AND ARE YOU HEARING ANYBODY REFUSE TO GET IT?

>> OUR TOP GOAL IS MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE OPTIONS.

WE HAVE BEEN CAREFUL TO LABEL WHICH KIND OF VACCINE WE'RE USING AT CITY OF CHICAGO SITES.

OVER THE WEEKEND WE STARTED USING IT AT ONE OF OUR WALK IN SITES AND WE SAW PEOPLE LOOKING FOR IT.

AND WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT J & J IN OUR MOBILE SITES WHERE PEOPLE DID NOT START OUT THEIR DAY THINKING THERE WAS A PLAN TO GET A VACCINE, AND YOU PUT THE OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF FOLKS.

WE'RE USING IT FOR HOMEBOUND AND THEN WE'RE DOING MORE WITH COLLEGE STUDENTS AND OTHERS.

SO ALL KINDS OF PLANS AND EXCITED TO HAVE A THIRD VACCINE BACK.

>> THE ALLURE OF ONE SHOT AND ARE YOU DONE HELPS OUT.

ON-SITE APPOINTMENTS STARTED FRIDAY OR WALK-INS IN CHICAGO DOES THAT MEAN THE SUPPLY IS MEETING THE DEMAND ANYONE CAN WALK-UP AND THEY WILL GET A SHOT?

>> IT IS.

AND I CANNOT EMPHASIZE HOW EXCITED WE ARE.

FIRST TIME LAST WEEK WE HAVE ENOUGH VACCINE FOR ANYBODY WHO WANTS A VACCINE IN CHICAGO.

WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT THAT WAY WE KNOW YOU HAVE A DOSE FOR YOU.

AND CALL 312-746-4839.

ALL CITY OF CHICAGO SITES ARE TAKING WALK-INS AND IT INCLUDES THE UNITED CENTER.

IF YOU HAVE THE IDEA NOW IS MY CHANCE TO GET A VACCINE, SEE IF YOU CAN BRING SOMEONE WITH YOU AND TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> THE CHALLENGE NOW IS SOME OF THE HOLDOUTS HERE.

ARE YOU WORRIED THAT VACCINE HESITANCY AMONG WHATEVER GROUP OF PEOPLE MIGHT CAUSE CHICAGO NOT TO HIT AT 70-80% THRESHOLD FOR HERD IMMUNITY?

>> WE ARE A LITTLE BIT AHE HAD HAD OF THE UNITED STATES IN TERMS OF OUR COVERAGE NUMBERS.

AND WE ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS EVERYDAY.

THE MAIN THING THAT WE WANT TO EMPHASIZE AND AS WE SHIFT TO THERE BEING ENOUGH VACCINE THIS IS GOING TO FEEL MORE AND MORE LIKE OUR FLU SHOT CAMPAIGN WHERE IT IS NOT A PROBLEM CAN YOU FIND A FLU SHOT IT IS DO I PROTECT MYSELF AND MY COMMUNITY.

WE ARE SHIFTING OUR STRATEGIES TO BRING VACCINE TO PEOPLE.

THINK ABOUT WHERE YOU WAIT.

THE DMV, WHERE YOU GO.

THE GROCERY STORE.

HOW CAN WE FIT VACCINE OPPORTUNITIES INTO THINGS CHICAGOANS ARE DOING.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IT'S LESS ABOUT DO I WANT IT BUT CONVENIENCE AND ACCESS.

WE ARE DOING A LOT OF CREATIVE THINGS RELATED TO VACCINE ACCESS.

>> AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY THERE ARE SOME STATES AND AREAS THAT ARE LOWER VACCINATED THAN OTHERS PERHAPS BECAUSE OF MISINFORMATION OR JUST A GENERAL FEELING THEY DON'T WANT IT.

ARE YOU WORRIED THAT THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE MIGHT NOT HIT THE HERD IMMUNITY BY THE SUMMER?

>> YEAH, IT IS A CONCERN THAT EVERYBODY IN PUBLIC HEALTH IS SHARING IN EVERY COMMUNITY.

WE NEED TO GET A LOT OF FOLKS VACCINATED TO BE ABLE TO PUT COVID BEHIND US AND THAT AS TRUE IN CHICAGO AS DOWN STATE ILLINOIS OR THE U.S. AT THIS POINT IT'S ABOUT HAVING THE CONVERSATIONS AND RECOGNIZING IT IS NO PROBLEM.

BUT NOW THERE IS OPPORTUNITY AND WE JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE MORE FUN THIS SUMMER AND PUT THIS BEHIND US, AND TAKE THE MASKS OFF AND THAT IS DEPENDENT ON US BEING ABLE TO GET A HIGHER PROPORTION OF THE COUNTRY VACCINATED.

>> AND THIS MINI SURGE OF COVID SEEMS TO HAVE LEVELED OFF.

THE CITY DIPPED BELOW OF 5% POSITIVITY RATE TODAY.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT THAT SURGE IS PEAKING AND ON THE OTHER SIDE NOW?

>> YES, WE'RE FEELING MUCH, MUCH BETTER THAN WE WERE TWO WEEKS AGO PARTICULARLY LOOKING WHAT HAPPENED IN MICHIGAN AND SEEING THE HOSPITALS FILL UP.

NOW THAT WE'RE COMING UP ON 14-DAYS OF THAT DECLINING NUMBER, I THINK WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE MORE REOPENING THIS IS OUR GOAL KEEP REOPENING AND KEEP GETTING VACCINATED BECAUSE THE RISK IS LESS ABOUT HOW MANY CASES THERE ARE IN CHICAGO AND MORE ABOUT ARE THE SETTINGS YOU ARE IN ARE VACCINATED.

IF ARE YOU VACCINATED TWO WEEKS POST YOUR SECOND DOSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET THAT SECOND DOSE YOUR RISK IS RELATIVELY LOW FOR GETTING COVID.

IT IS A NEW CALCULUS BUT I'M FEELING CONFIDENT WE ARE IN A PLACE THAT WE WILL BE TO DO MORE REOPENING AND MY GOAL IS TO KEEP TURNING THE DIAL TO REOPENING.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT LORETTO HOSPITAL.

THE CITY IS OPERATING A VACCINE CLINIC AFTER THE REPORTS OF OFFSITE VACCINATIONS AND IMPROPER VACCINATIONS.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT LORETTO HAS FIXED WHAT WAS GOING ON?

>> SO, THE REASON WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH LORETTO IS OF COURSE THEY ARE SUCH AN IMPORTANT HEALTHCARE PROVIDER FOR THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY AND THAT IS ONE OF OUR LESS VACCINATED PARTS IN CHICAGO.

WE THINK IT'S CRITICAL TO BUILD CAPACITY THERE.

WE ARE ON-SITE.

THERE ARE FOLKS FROM CDPH THERE EVERYDAY WE ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE REGISTRATIONS ARE APPROPRIATE AND THE TEAM IS TRAINED AND IT'S BEEN A PARTNERSHIP IN TERMS OF RECOGNIZING THAT LORETTO SERVES AN IMPORTANT ROLE AND WE WANT TO REBUILD SOME OF THAT TRUST BECAUSE IN THE LONG-TERM WAY MAKING SURE PEOPLE FEEL THEY CAN TRUST THEIR HEALTHCARE PARTNER IN THE PLACE WHERE THEY GET HEALTHCARE IS CRITICAL.

WE ARE PLEASED TO BE PLAYING A ROLE IN GETTING THAT TRUST REBUILT AND GETTING AUSTIN VACCINATED.

>> AND PART OF REBUILDING THAT TRUST IS UNDERSTANDING WHAT HAPPENED AND LORETTO PUT OUT AN AUDIT THAT DIDN'T MENTION HOW IT CAME TO BE THAT THE C.E.O.

AND THE C.O.O.

HAD CONNECTIONS TO THE OFFSITE VACCINATION PLACES.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THAT?

>> SO, CERTAINLY AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT LEVEL THERE ARE THINGS WE ARE LOOKING FOR.

IS ALL THE REPORTING UP-TO-DATE?

WE ARE LOOKING AT WHERE VACCINES ARE BEING ADMINISTERED?

I THINK LORETTO HAS BEEN I THINK QUITE VOCAL ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY ABSOLUTELY DID THE WRONG THING HERE.

MOST OF THE VACCINATING WAS APPROPRIATE.

BUT THEY DID LET PEOPLE WITH CONNECTIONS JUMP THE LINE.

AND THEY HAVE NOT TRIED TO HIDE THAT WHICH I APPRECIATED.

THEY HAVE OWNED IT AND SAID WE WANT TO DO BETTER AND WE'RE WILLING TO WORK WITH THE CITY.

MY MAIN GOAL IS GETTING FOLKS VACCINATED.

AND I DO THINK THEY PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN THAT COMMUNITY.

SO WE ARE WORKING WITH THEM.

AND CONTINUING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE REALLY TOTALLY CAUGHT UP AND EVERYTHING IS ABSOLUTELY APPROPRIATE WHEN IT COMES TO REPORTING.

AND WORKING ON COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND ISSUES TO WORK ON STRUCTURAL ISSUES THAT PERHAPS MADE IT LESS EASY FOR THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE REPORTING WAS APPROPRIATE.

>> THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS IT DID SAY THAT THEY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS.

Dr. ALLISON ARWADY THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AS ALWAYS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT A LOOK AT THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACT ON POVERTY.

SO PLEASE STICK AROUND.

>> THE POVERTY RATE REACHED ITS HIGHEST POINT YET DURING THE PANDEMIC LAST MONTH AT 11.7%.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY'S OF CHICAGO AND NOTRE DAME WHO ARE USING MONTHLY CENSUS DATA TO CAPTURE THE CORONAVIRUS' FINANCIAL IMPACT IN REALTIME.

TONIGHT, AS PART OF OUR FIRSTHAND LIVING IN POVERTY SERIES, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACT ON POVERTY.

JOINING US ARE BRUCE MEYER, PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO HARRIS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY AND RESEARCHING THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACT ON POVERTY IN THE U.S. AND AUDRA WILSON, THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE SHRIVER CENTER ON POVERTY LAW.

WELCOME BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT" BOTH OF YOU.

AUDRA WILSON LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE, HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC IMPACTED POVERTY IN THE U.S.?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, OUR ECONOMY STILL REMAINS WEAK.

THE JOB RECOVERY LOST MOMENTUM AND THERE ARE MILLIONS FEWER JOBS THAN A YEAR AGO.

AND BLACK AND LATINO UNEMPLOYMENT IS HIGHER 9.9% AND 8.5% RESPECTIVELY.

WELL ABOVE THE WHITE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND THAT IS TOO HIGH.

AND THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE IS SAYING THE ECONOMY WILL NOT CURRENT UNTIL 2025.

AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE UNEMPLOYED WILL NOT BE HIRED UNTIL 2022004 AND UNEMPLOYMENT IS NOT GOING TO FALL UNTIL 2026.

THIS IS A DIFFICULT PERIOD OF TIME AND THERE IS A LOT OF HARDSHIP FOR AMERICANS ESPECIALLY AMONG BLACK, LATINO, INDIGENOUS AND IMMIGRANTS.

>> BRUCE MEYER YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING COVID'S IMPACT ON POVERTY BY USING MONTHLY CENSUS DATA, MARCH SAW THE HIGHEST POVERTY RATE IN THE PANDEMIC SO FAR AT 11.7%.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

>> WELL, THE RESCUE PLAN DOLLARS HAD NOT BEEN PAID OUT QUITE YET WHEN THE CENSUS CONDUCTED THE SURVEY.

I EXPECTED THE POVERTY RATE WILL FALL QUITE A BIT GIVEN THE PAYMENTS AND THE EXPANDED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

BUT PEOPLE WERE WITHOUT JOBS FOR A LONGTIME.

AND THEIR INCOMES HAD FALLEN OVER THE YEAR.

AND POVERTY ROSE.

IT'S BEEN A BIT OF A ROLLERCOASTER.

>> TO SAY THE LEAST I'M SURE.

EARLIER TODAY WE SPOKE WITH HILARY WALDRON AT FAMILY SERVICES ON THE WEST SIDE SHE LEADS THE HOMEBOUND FOOD PROGRAM FOR OLDER RESIDENTS HERE IS WHAT SHE SAID ON COVID'S INPACK ON OLDER CITIZENS.

>> THE CHALLENGE IS EVERYBODY WAS UNDER STRESS.

THERE WAS NO ONE GROUP TO SAY I CAN CARRY YOUR BURDEN FOR YOU.

BECAUSE EVERYBODY WAS CARRYING AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN.

SO THESE AGAIN INFORMAL NETWORKS AND WAYS WE'VE HELPED EACH OTHER IN THE PAST WERE UNDER AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF STRESS.

>> AD DRA, WHAT IS THE LONG-TERM IMPACT FOR FOLKS CURRENTLY LIVING IN POVERTY OR FALLING INTO POVERTY RIGHT NOW?

>> WELL, I'M GLAD THE RESCUE PLAN THAT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THERE WERE KEY PROVISIONS TO HELP PEOPLE LIFT PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY BUT TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE SOME OF THESE PERMANENT.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST PARTS OF THE RESCUE PLAN IS THE MAKING THE CHILD TAX CREDIT AVAILABLE TO 27 MILLION CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH LOW OR NO INCOME AND INCREASING THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT THESE ARE IMPORTANT PROVISIONS WE ARE THINKING ABOUT THE LONG-TERM FUTURE.

NOW, FRANKLY, IS THE TIME TO CEASE THIS MOMENT THAT WE HAVE SEEN COVID EXPOSED THE STRUCTURAL INEQUITIES THAT WE DEAL WITH IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES BUT THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD NOT ONLY WITH THE RESCUE PLAN AND OTHER PROVISIONS FEDERALLY AND LOCALLY TO BE ABLE TO HELP FAMILIES ONCE AND FOR ALL.

>> BRUCE YOUR RESEARCH SHOWS THOSE WITH A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION OR LESS HAD A POVERTY RATE OF 22%, BLACK AMERICANS A POVERTY RATE OF 21%.

AND CHILD POVERTY REACHED A HIGH OF 17%.

BRUCE, WHAT DO THE NUMBERS TELL YOU ABOUT WHO IS BEING IMPACTED?

>> WELL, THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON POVERTY HAS BEEN VERY UNEVEN ACROSS TIME AND ACROSS DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

SO THOSE WITH LOW EDUCATION, BLACKS, WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND THOSE IN STATES THAT HAVE HAD A HARD TIME PAYING OUT UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE HAVE ALL SEEN POVERTY RATES GO UP MUCH MORE THAN OTHER GROUPS.

>> AND AUDRA WILSON WHAT CAN CAN BEDONE TO HELP THOSE LIVINGN POVERTY WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE STIMULUS, BUT IS THIS LATEST STIMULUS IS THAT A START?

>> I MEAN CERTAINLY IT IS A START BUT IT CANNOT STOP THERE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SOME OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE RESCUE PLAN PERMANENT.

WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT EXPANDING THAT CHILD TAX CREDIT AND EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

WE NEED TO BE LOCALLY THINKING ABOUT NOT ONLY INCREASING LIVING WAGE BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THINGS LIKE PAID SICK LEAVE AND OTHER SORTS OF INCOME SUPPORTS THAT CAN HELP FAMILIES WITH LOW WAGES BE ABLE TO SUBSIST AND WORKERS TO LIFT THEMSELVES OUT OF POVERTY.

THE CUMULATIVE AFFECT OF COVID IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

THE MEASURES ARE HEPATITIS AING GETTING THE MONEY TO THE FAMILIES WE HAVE TO THINK LONG-TERM INDIANA CREASED INCOME SUPPORTS WILL BE A KEY PART OF THAT RECOVERY.

>> TONIGHT, THE THREE OF US TALKED ABOUT THE INCOME SUPPORTS AND CREDITS FOR FAMILIES.

AND THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS.

DOES YOUR RESEARCH AT ALL DISCUSS THE IMPACT OF SOMETHING THAT WE'VE HEARD A LOT MORE ABOUT OVER THE LAST YEAR THAT HAD NOT BEEN TALKED ABOUT BUT UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME?

>> WELL, YOU CAN SEE IN OUR NUMBERS THAT THE PAYMENTS THAT WENT OUT LAST YEAR REDUCED POVERTY QUITE DRAMATICALLY.

SO NOT UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME BUT EXPANDED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENTS THAT SENT CASH PAYMENTS TO FAMILIES.

THOSE DRAMATICALLY REDUCED POVERTY IN THE BEGINNING OF THE RECESSION.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES WITH UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME.

THAT'S A WHOLE ANOTHER TOPIC.

AND CONCERN WITH A UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME PROVIDING TOO MUCH TO PEOPLE THAT DON'T NEED IT AND NOT ENOUGH TO THOSE THAT ARE REALLY NEEDY.

>> THAT HAS GAINED CONTROVERSY AS WELL BUT SOMETHING DISCUSSED MORE.

THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

AUDRA WILSON AND BRUCE MEYER THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

PLEASURE.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... A LOCAL RESTAURANT GROUP IS REQUIRING EMPLOYEES TO GET THE COVID VACCINE.

WILL MORE COMPANIES FOLLOW SUIT?

THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> WHAT OBSTACLES PEOPLE WITH LONG COVID SYMPTOMS ARE FACING WHEN TRYING TO GET DISABILITY FROM SOCIAL SECURITY?

LEADERS WERE CAN THEY SAY DIVERSE REPRESENTATION AND CHARITABLE GIVING CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

>> A LOCAL BAKERY BRINGS TOGETHER YOUNG ADULTS WITH AUTISM TO BAKE DESSERTS AND BUILDING SOCIAL AND WORK SKILLS.

>> SPRING SEASON IS WHEN CHICAGOANS CAN EXPECT TO SEE ROAD CREWS.

BUT THIS YEAR THE CITY OF CHICAGO IS KICKING OFF A MULTIBILLION MULTIYEAR EFFORT TO REPAVE MILES OF STREETS AND RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS.

>> THESE IMPROVEMENTS PRIORITIZE MAKING IT AS EASY AS POSSIBLE TO GET AROUND THE CITY AS SUSTAINABLY AND AFFORDABLY AS POSSIBLE.

WE WANT ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO WALK, BIKE, PUBLIC TRANSIT, THE INVESTMENT MAKES THAT HAPPEN.

AND AS YOU HEARD THE MAYOR SAID MAKES OUR STREETS SAFE, INVITING, PROSPEROUS AND WELCOMING.

>> THE CITY'S CHICAGO WORKS PLAN WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE BRIDGES, SIDEWALKS, CROSSWALK RAMPS, STREET LIGHTS AND SIGNALS.

THE PLAN WILL BRING JOBS TO THOUSANDS OF CHICAGO KWANS AND ADDRESS SUSTAINABILITY.

THE COST FOR 2021 IS $600 MILLION.

THE TOTAL COST OF THE PLAN IS $3.7 BILLION.

A BILLION OF WHICH IS BORROWED.

FOR MORE ON THE MAYOR'S FIVE-YEAR EFFORT TO REBUILD THE CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

>> CHICAGO BIRD WATCHERS ARE KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR THE SECOND HALF OF A POPULAR PAIR OF PIPING PLOVERS.

BIRDERS CONFIRMED THAT ROSE THE FEMALE PLOVER RETURNED TO THE AREA AT MONTROSE BEACH DUNE.

NOW, THEY ARE WAITING TO SEE WHEN MONTY, HER MATE OF THE LAST THREE YEARS WILL ARRIVE.

THEY ARRIVED WITHIN A DAY OF EACH OTHER DESPITE SETTING OUT FROM FAR FLOWN STARTING POINT.

THE BIRDING COMMUNITY KEPT CLOSE WATCH WHERE THE PAIR WILL CHOOSE TO REAR THEIR BROODS.

AND YOU CAN READ MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

TO PARIS FOR TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> THANK YOU.

CROP PRICES SOARED TO A HIGH A RESTAURANT GROUP IS REQUIRING EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 AND MOW DIANA TEMPLE IS TURNING INTO A YEARLONG POP-UP.

HERE IS CRAIN'S BUSINESS EDITOR ANN DWYER.

STARTING WITH THE FIRST STORY.

CROP PRICES FOR THINGS LIKE CORN AND SOYBEAN AND WHEAT THEY ARE EXPECTED TO SURGE.

BY HOW MUCH AND HOW COME?

>> WELL, THE BIG DRIVERS BEHIND THIS ARE REALLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST IS DEMAND IN CHINA WHICH HAS JUST BEEN GROWING AT A HUGE CLIP.

ANOTHER FACTOR IS BAD WEATHER IN SOME OF THESE CROP PRODUCING COUNTRIES.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM WHEAT AND CORN TO VEGETABLE OILS.

AND ALL OF THIS IS ADDING UP TO A DRAMATIC RUN UP IN PRICES FOR THESE COMMODITIES.

AND SOME CASES, THERE IS AN INDEX THAT BLOOMBERG RUNS THAT SAYS THESE PRICES HAVE NOT BEEN THIS HIGH IN NINE YEARS, NEARLY NINE YEARS.

AND THAT IN TURN IS SPARKING CONCERN THAT CONSUMERS WILL SOON SEE A RUN UP IN PRICES AT THE RETAIL LEVEL AT THE GROCERY STORE IN FACT IT'S HAPPENING IN SOME MARKETS.

IN CHICAGO WE TRACK THIS CLOSELY BECAUSE PRICES ARE SET HERE IN OUR EXCHANGES.

>> WHAT ABOUT FARMERS?

ARE THEY HAPPY WITH THAT NEWS?

>> THIS BENEFITS THEM FOR SURE.

>> IT'S BEEN A HARD YEAR FOR THEM.

THERE IS A RESTAURANT GROUP THAT IS REQUIRING ITS EMPLOYEES TO GET THE VACCINE BEFORE COMING BACK TO WORK.

TELL ME WHICH GROUP THIS IS AND DO YOU EXPECT MORE COMPANIES TO FOLLOW SUIT?

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 50/50 RESTAURANT GROUP.

AND THEY FEEL THAT THIS IS GOOD BUSINESS FOR THEM.

THE COMPANY HAS HAD EXPERIENCE ON THIS FRONT.

BACK IN I BELIEVE IT WAS OCTOBER, ONE OF THE CO-OWNERS OF 50/50 RESTAURANT GROUP WHICH OPERATES A LOT OF DIFFERENT BRANDS AROUND THE CITY DID COME DOWN WITH COVID AND HE TOLD US THAT HE UNWITTINGLY LIKELY PASSED IT TO ONE OF HIS CHEFS.

AND IN THE WAKE OF THAT THEY HAD TO SHUTDOWN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND THEY WANT TO AVOID HAVING THAT OUTCOME AGAIN.

AND THEY FEEL LIKE THIS GIVES THEIR CUSTOMERS A MEASURE OF SECURITY AND HOPEFULLY THAT WILL BRING PEOPLE COMING BACK.

AND I DO THINK THAT ONE OF THE FIRST TO DO THIS.

BUT IF THEY DON'T GET PUSHBACK AND IT WORKS AND WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE OTHER RESTAURANTS FOLLOW SUIT.

>> AND THE FINAL STORY.

A NEW POP-UP IN A FAMOUS BUILDING DOWNTOWN.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> THE MOW DIANA TEMPLE HOME TO BLOOMING DETAILS DEPARTMENT STORE FOR YEARS UNTIL LAST FALL.

SINCE BLOOMY'S EXITED THAT BUILDING THE OWNERS ARE PLANNING TO CONVERT THIS CHRISTMASSIVE INTERIOR SPACE INTO A REVOLVING ASSORTMENT OF RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS THIS WILL BE BIGGER THAN ANY POP-UP STORE THAT YOU OR I HAVE EVER SEEN.

THE PLAN IS TO UTILIZE ALL 135,000 SQUARE FEET OF THE GRAND OLD BUILDING AND TO ROTATE IN NEW VENDORS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF IT WORKS OR A DRAW.

>> IT MAYBE A REUSE THAT OTHER BUILDINGS WILL PAY ATTENTION TO.

ANN, THANK YOU.

>> THANKS.

>> COVID COULD BE THE LARGEST DISABLING EVENT SINCE POLIO HOW SOME DISABILITY RIGHTS ADVOCATES ARE SEEING THE PANDEMIC'S POTENTIAL LONG-TERM IMPACT ON SOCIETY.

PEOPLE WHO FALL INTO THE CATEGORY ARE SUFFERING FROM LONG COVID THAT MEANS HAVING SYMPTOMS RELATED TO COVID-19 BEYOND 30 DAYS FROM THE INITIAL ONSET OF THE ILLNESS OR LAST POSITIVE TEST.

32 MILLION COVID CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN THE U.S.

SOME DOCTORS LONG COVID COULD MAKEUP 20-30% OF THOSE CASES.

AND JOINING US ARE MARTINA SHERMAN A SHAREHOLDER AT DEBOFSKY SHERMAN CASCIARI REYNOLDS, P.C., A LAW FIRM THAT WORKS ON DISABILITY BENEFITS.

AND Dr. CHARLES DAVIDSON VICE-CHAIRMAN OF CLINICAL AFFAIRS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE AT NORTHWESTERN AND OVERSEES THE COVID-19 CENTER THAT WORKS WITH PEOPLE WITH LONG COVID.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

>> Dr. DAVIDSON, WHAT ARE THE LONG COVID SYMPTOMS THAT YOU'RE SEEING THE MOST PERSISTENT SYMPTOMS?

>> SO WE'RE SEEING A MULTITUDE OF SYMPTOMS WHY WE STOOD UP THE COVID CENTER AT NORTHWESTERN THIS YEAR IT WAS THE SECOND CENTER IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT THE PREDOMINANT SYMPTOMS ARE SHORTNESS OF BREATH PARTICULARLY WITH EXERTION, FATIGUE, HEADACHES, CHEST PAIN, BRAIN FOG IS VERY COMMON.

LACK OF GOOD CONCENTRATION EFFORT.

ALL OF THOSE HAVE BEEN OUR MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS THAT OCCURRED IN THE PATIENTS AFTER 30 DAYS.

>> AND TODAY "CHICAGO TONIGHT" DID SPEAK WITH SOMEONE THAT IS EXPERIENCING LONG COVID SYMPTOMS AND IS DEBATING WHETHER OR NOT TO GO ON DISABILITY.

TAKE A LISTEN.

>> JUST TALKING TO OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING THE INFORMATION IS NOT OUT THERE.

AND THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE STRUGGLING TO GET ON DISABILITY.

THERE IS A Facebook GROUP I'M IN AND THERE'S NUMEROUS PEOPLE COURTED THEY ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL IN REPORTED THEY ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING ON DISABILITY AND GETTING THE BENEFITS THEY ARE RUNNING INTO PROBLEMS WITH IT.

BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING IS NOT REALLY ACKNOWLEDGED YET.

>> MARTINA SHERMAN ARE YOU SEEING A NUMBER OF LONG COVID PATIENTS THAT BECAUSE OF THEIR SYMPTOMS CANNOT WORK OR CONTINUE THEIR CAREERS AT THIS POINT?

>> YES.

DEFINITELY.

AND WHAT IS INTERESTING IS WE'VE RECEIVED A LOT OF CALLS INQUIRIES FROM PEOPLE CONTEMPLATING APPLYING FOR DISABILITY.

BUT OUR FIRM HAS YET TO SEE A CASE OF BENEFITS THAT HAVE BEEN DENIED WHERE A CLAIMANT IS FORCED TO APPEAL.

OUR FIRM DOES NOT DO SOCIAL SECURITY WE CONCENTRATE IN PRIVATE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

BUT WE SUSPECT THAT WE'RE RIGHT ON THE CUSP OF A DELUGE OF CLAIMS AND SADLY DENIALS.

BUT IT SADDENS ME TO HEAR WHAT THE AUDIO THAT YOU PLAYED OF THE GENTLEMAN HAVING DIFFICULTY GETTING INFORMATION.

AND THAT'S PART OF WHY WE'RE HERE TONIGHT IS TO TRY AND ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS AND GET INFORMATION IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE THAT NEED IT.

>> RIGHT.

AND Dr. DAVIDSON BACK TO YOU AND SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS, IS THERE ANYTHING KNOWN ABOUT WHO THEY ARE IMPACTING?

IF YOU ARE PREEXISTING CONDITIONS ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET THE SYMPTOMS?

AND HOW LONG THEY MAY LAST?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

BECAUSE THIS LOOKS VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE ACUTE SYNDROME OF COVID WHERE WE THOUGHT IT WAS MORE ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH CO-MORBID DISEASES DEVELOPING THE ACUTE SYMPTOMS OF HOSPITALIZATION AND VENTILATORS.

THIS HAS BEEN A YOUNG POPULATION.

THE FIRST 900 PATIENTS WE'VE SEEN THE AVERAGE AGE IS 49.

AND TWO-THIRDS ARE WOMEN.

AND ONLY THE MINORITY OF THESE PATIENTS HAVE EVER BEEN HOSPITALIZED IN FACT ONLY 5% WERE IN AN ICU AND ONLY 14% WERE HOSPITALIZED.

THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAD MILD SYMPTOMS THAT WENT AWAY AND THEN DEVELOPED SECONDARY SYMPTOMS OR HAD MILD SYMPTOMS THAT PROGRESSED.

GENERALLY OUTPATIENTS WHICH IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE SAW IN THE ACUTE PHASE OF THIS.

>> NOT A BIG OVERLAP BETWEEN THOSE THAT STRUGGLED WITH COVID AND THOSE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THESE LONG SYMPTOMS.

MARTINA SHERMAN YOU MENTIONED PRIVATE EMPLOYERS ARE PLAYING BALL HERE IN GRANTING DISABILITY AND YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION THEY DID SEND A STATEMENT SAYING A PERSON WITH LIMITATIONS RESULTING FROM COVID WHICH HAVE MET OR EXPECTED TO MEET OUR DURATION REQUIREMENT IN THE LIMITATIONS EQUAL A MEDICAL LISTING OR THE A COMBINATION OF THE COMPLICATIONS PREVENT THEM FROM WORKING.

THE POLICY RULES ARE ABLE TO EVALUATE COVID-19 CASES.

WHAT OBSTACLES DO YOU EXPECT FOR PEOPLE THAT APPLY FOR DISABILITY BENEFITS THROUGH SOCIAL SECURITY?

>> WELL, IT'S INTERESTING THE STATEMENT THAT YOU JUST PROVIDED.

PRACTITIONERS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION TO ISSUE GUIDANCE ADVISING HOW THEY ARE GOING TO BE APPLYING THESE DURATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR COVID-19 AND LONG COVID SURVIVORS.

THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION REQUIRES A DISABLES IMPAIRMENT LASTS 12 MONTHS OR RESULT IN DEATH.

>> WE DON'T KNOW THERE IS NO DATA?

>> THE PANDEMIC HAS ONLY BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR 13 OR 14 MONTHS.

THERE IS A LOT OF UNKNOWNS.

THE OTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFIT PROCEEDINGS ARE A LENGTHY ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS.

AND THESE NUMBERS ARE ABOUT 10 YEARS OLD BUT THE LAST TIME THAT I AM AWARE THERE WERE STATISTICS CONDUCTED SOMETHING LIKE 70% OF INITIAL APPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL DISABILITY BENEFITS WERE DENIED.

AND THE PEOPLE APPROVED WERE PEOPLE WHO HAD LEGAL BLINDNESS OR KIDNEY FAILURE OR CANCER, TERMINAL ILLNESS.

AND THEN AT THE SECOND STAGE IN THE PROCESS THE RECONSIDERATION STAGE, 90% OF CLAIMS ARE DENIED.

AND AT THE HEARING STAGE WHICH CAN TAKE TWO YEARS IT'S LIKE 50%.

>> A CUMBERSOME PROCESS.

Dr. DAVIDSON, HAVE YOU FOUND TREATMENTS THAT HAVE MITIGATED SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS OR COULD IRRADICATE THEM?

>> I THINK THAT IS THE GOOD NEWS.

MANY OF THE PATIENTS ALTHOUGH CAN RETURN TO WORK IN A LIMITED FASHION A FEW HOURS A DAY ARE GRADUALLY GETTING BETTER.

THEY MAY BE SLOWER THAN THEY ANTICIPATE BUT THEY ARE GETTING BETTER.

WE HAVE RELIED ON THERAPIES THAT WE'VE USED FOR OTHER TRADITIONAL LUNG DISEASES.

INHALERS, CARDIAC MEDICATIONS THAT PREVENT LIGHT-HEADEDNESS.

WE ARE RELYING ON MEDICATIONS WE HAVE USED THAT HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF SYMPTOMS.

THERE ARE NOT MEDICATIONS DIRECTED TOWARD LONG-HAULERS IN PARTICULAR MOST OF THE FOCUS WAS ON THE ACUTE ILLNESS.

BUT WE ARE SEEING PEOPLE GETTING BETTER AND THAT IS THE PART I WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY.

THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY A LIFE SENTENCE.

>> OK.

INTERESTING DISCUSSION.

AND OUR THANKS TO MARTINA SHERMAN AND Dr. CHARLES DAVIDSON FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CAN PHILANTHROPY HELP SOLVE RACIAL INEQUITIES.

FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>> FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THE WORD PHILANTHROPY CONJURES A MENTAL IMAGE OF ELDERLY, WEALTHY AND WHITE AND STUDIES SHOW THAT IMAGE IS NOT FAR FROM REALITY.

ACCORDING TO A 2020 STUDY, 92% OF FOUNDATION PRESIDENTS AND 83% OF FULL-TIME STAFF MEMBERS ARE IN FACT WHITE.

A FACTOR THAT CAN AFFECT WHAT INITIATIVES GET FUNDING AND HOW MUCH THEY RECEIVE.

BUT AFTER A YEAR THAT HAS LAID BARE PERSISTENT INEQUITIES FROM EVERYTHING FROM HEALTHCARE TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE, LEADERS OF ORGANIZATIONS ARE REASSESSING HOW AND TO WHOM THEY ARE LENDING THEIR SUPPORT.

JOINING US NOW ARE LIZA CURIEL ELIZABETH THOMPSON FOUNDER FOR CLEVELAND FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION.

AND MONIQUE BRUNSON JONES PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF FOREFRONT ILLINOIS' STATE-WIDE ASSOCIATION REPRESENTING GRANT MAKERS AND NONPROFITS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> MONIQUE BRUNSON JONES, WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE BLACK FILL LAND THROWIC A-- PHILANTHROPIC APPROACH?

>> IT IS SO UNIQUE FOR BLACK REPRESENTATION BECAUSE WHAT WE DO, THE APPROACH IS MORE OF A CONTENT EXPERT.

THE APPROACH IS NEAR AND DEAR TO A COMMUNITY THAT WE LIVE IN.

THE EXPERIENCE THAT WE'VE HAD.

AND SO WE WANT TO PARTNER IN A WAY THAT SHOWS HOW WE'VE EXPERIENCED THAT AND THE VALUE OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CURRENTLY TRYING TO TACKLE THE ISSUE.

IT'S VERY MUCH A WAY OF LIVING.

>> ELIZABETH THOMPSON HOW DID YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND BECOME INVOLVED IN PHILANTHROPY?

>> IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE DONE ALL OF OUR LIVES.

IN OUR COMMUNITY PHILANTHROPY IS A BIG WORD AND WE THOUGHT OF IT ALWAYS AS GIVING BACK AND IT'S SOMETHING IN OUR DNA FROM OUR FAMILY AND SOMETHING WE'VE WANTED TO DO.

AND WE ALWAYS KNEW THAT EDUCATION WOULD BE THE KEY LEVER THAT WE WOULD WANT TO PULL TO BE ABLE TO GIVE BACK.

IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO VIRTUALLY ALL OF OUR LIVES.

>> I WANT TO COME BACK TO THE FOCUS ON EDUCATION.

TAWA MITCHELL, IN ROLES LIKE YOURS AT THE McARTHUR FOUNDATION DOES YOUR IDENTITY INFORM YOUR APPROACH TO THE JOB?

>> EVERYDAY.

AS A NATIVE SOUTH SIDER AND CHICAGOAN, I BRING MYSELF TO THE WORK WE DO AT THE McARTHUR FOUNDATION ON A CHICAGO COMMITMENT THINK BEING GROWING UP IN SOUTH SHORE SUCH A RICH AND WEALTHY COMMUNITY OF MOSTLY AFRICAN-AMERICANS WHO GAVE THEIR TIME, THEIR TALENT, THEIR TREASURE TO THEIR COMMUNITY AND WORKING HARD EVERYDAY.

BUT OFTEN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, LACKING THE RESOURCES THAT AMENITIES AND OTHER ATTRIBUTES THAT PEOPLE IN OTHER COMMUNITIES TAKE NOR GRANTED.

SO HAVING THAT BACKGROUND OFTEN I AUDRA WILSON IN THE WORK WE DO IN TRYING TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS AND LESS THAN 2% OF FUNDING NATIONALLY GOES TO BLACK COMMUNITIES BLACK ORGANIZATIONS ACCORDING TO DATA WE HAVE AVAILABLE.

AND SO REPRESENTATION MATTERS IF ONLY TO CHANGE THOSE STATISTICS AND CHANGE OUR APPROACH TO GIVING.

>> ON THAT NOTE, MONIQUE BRUNSON JONES HOW CAN DIVERSITY IN PHILANTHROPY HELP TO ADVANCE RACIAL EQUITY GOALS?

>> YOU KNOW IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT OUR ROOT CAUSES.

SO PEOPLE WHO ARE AS YOU NOTED, ENGAGED IN THE WAY WE ARE, IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT AT APPROACH AND CREATE SPACES FOR POWER SHIFTING AND GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK HOW WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE SUSTAINABLE WITH OUR GRANT MAKING AND SUSTAINABLE WITH OUR GIVING AND WE'RE USING THE DOLLARS TO MOVE THE NEEDLE FORWARD.

RACIALLY, BASED ON WHERE WE KNOW OUR COMMUNITIES ARE OPPRESSED AND WE KNOW WE ARE GETTING THE BIGGEST BANG FOR OUR BUCK AND ENGAGING IN A WHAT THE THAT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY WORK IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> TAWA MITCHELL HOW HAS THE LAST YEAR WITH REGARDS TO THE PANDEMIC AND THE RACIAL RECKONING AFFECTED THE WAY ORGANIZATIONS ARE GIVING?

>> I THINK THERE IS NOW A RECOGNITION THAT WE ARE FACING A TWIN PANDEMIC OF BOTH SYSTEMIC RACISM IN ADDITION TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THIS RACISM HAS BEEN A SCOURGE ON OUR SOCIETY AND SOMETHING THAT HAS AFFECTED US LONG BEFORE THIS DISEASE.

AND I THINK PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS ARE NOW RECOGNIZING THAT THEY CAN'T HAVE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER.

AND SO SHIFTING NOT JUST MAKING STATEMENTS ABOUT INTENT BUT SHIFTING GRANT MAKING TO GET TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE IN NEED THE MOST IS SOMETHING THAT ALL OF OUR FOUNDATIONS ARE STRIVING TO DO.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT CHICAGO AFRICAN-AMERICANS OR IN PHILANTHROPY IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING ALL OF THE GREAT IDEAS TOGETHER, FOUNDATIONS, PRIVATE, PUBLIC, LARGE AND SMALL COMING TOGETHER INFORMED TO DISCUSS BEST PRACTICES AND HOW TO INSURE THAT WE'RE GETTING THE MONEY TO THE COMMUNITIES TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE IT'S NEEDED MOST.

>> AND LIZ, IN DECEMBER 2020 THE CLEVELAND AVENUE FOUNDATION YOU LAUNCHED THE 1954 PROJECT A NOD TO THE 1954 SUPREME COURT BROWN VERSUS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION DECISION BUT THAT PROJECT RAISED $100 MILLION TO SUPPORT BLACK LEADERS IN EDUCATION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

AND YOU MENTIONED YOU KNEW THAT HE WANTED TO FOCUS ON EDUCATION IN YOUR PHILANTHROPY.

WHY EDUCATION IN PARTICULAR?

>> THERE'S BEEN SUCH A RICH TRADITION OF VALUING EDUCATION IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

SO MANY PEOPLE RISK THEIR LIVES TO BE ABLE TO LEARN HOW TO READ.

AS A MEANS TO FREEDOM IF NOTHING BUT FREEDOM OF THE MIND.

THERE HAS BEEN THIS INCREDIBLE TRADITION OF VALUING EDUCATION.

FOR MY HUSBAND AND I WE MET AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY, EDUCATION WAS OUR PATHWAY AND WE KNEW THAT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE US IT WOULD BE THE SAME THAT JOURNEY WOULD BE THE SAME FOR THEM.

AND SO WHILE WE ARE ON THE PATH TO RAISING $100 MILLION WE ARE NOT QUITE THERE YET, WE KNOW THAT VALUING THE LEADERS IN EDUCATION BLACK LEADERS IN EDUCATION, WILL BE KEY.

BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY STATISTICS BRANDIS THAT CITE WHEN YOU HAVE A BLACK EDUCATOR IN THE CLASSROOM IN THE SCHOOL BUILDING AS SUPERINTENDENTS THE STATS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE INCREASE IN THE POSITIVE WAYS SO MANY OF THEM.

AND SO WE DECIDED TO FOCUS IN THAT AREA FOR BETTER OUTCOMES FOR ALL CHILDREN.

AND IN FACT, WE HAVE OUR INAUGURAL EVENT THIS WEDNESDAY THE 28TH AT 11:00 A.M. CENTRAL TIME WHERE WE HOPE YOU WILL COME AND MEET THE INAUGURAL COHORT OF OUR 1954 LEADERS LUMINARIES.

>> AND CONGRATS ON THAT EVENT.

MONIQUE, HOW CAN THE CURRENT SYSTEM BE MADE MORE WELCOMING TO BLACK LITTLE LAND THROW PISSES?

>> IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO LOOK AT OUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.

AND INSTITUTIONAL PHILANTHROPY.

I CAME TO THE ROLE AS A BACKGROUND OF A PHILANTHROPIST AND NONPROFIT WORKER.

WE LOOK HOW WE INVITE THEM TO THE TABLE THE AMOUNT IT IS NEEDED.

THOSE INSTITUTIONAL PARAMETERS NEED TO CHANGE HOW WE ENGAGE IN COMMUNITIES AND HOW WE HIRE AND PROMOTE IN BLACK PHILANTHROPY NEEDS TO BE THOUGHTFUL AND POWER DYNAMICS NEED TO SHIFT IN ORDER TO MAKE THE CHANGES THAT WE NEED TO SEE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

THANKS TO MONIQUE BRUNSON JONES, LIZA CURIEL AND TAWA MITCHELL FOR JOINING.

>> ELIZABETH THOMPSON AND KA KA FOR JOINING US.

42% OF YOUNG ADULTS WITH AUTISM NEVER WORKED FOR PAY IN THEIR 20s.

A STATISTIC THAT REFLECTS THE DIFFICULTY MANY WITH AUTISM CAN HAVE IN MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL INTO THE WORKING WORLD.

BUT A CHICAGO WOMAN HAS COOKED UP A WAY FOR YOUNG ADULTS TO DEVELOP CRUCIAL SOCIAL AND WORK SKILLS WHILE DESCRIBING THEIR OWN FLAVORS TO THE BUSINESS.

ERIKA GUNDERSON HAS THE STORY.

>> WE'VE GOT VANILLA CUPCAKES.

AND SOME ARE FILLED WITH COCONUT CREAM AND OTHERS PASSION FRUIT.

>> THE AROMAS WAFTING THROUGH THE WEST SIDE KITCHEN MAKE IT OBVIOUS THE NAME SWEETS IN THE NAME UNIQUE SWEETS COMES FROM.

>> I'M PUTTING COCONUT ON THE CUPCAKE TO MAKE IT PRETTY.

>> HE IS CUTTING MARSHMELLOS.

>> THE UNIQUE PART?

THAT IS ANOTHER STORY.

THE TREATS ARE UNIQUE SINCE THEY ARE MADE BY UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS HENCE UNIQUE SWEETS.

>> CRISTINA TORRES AND HER FELLOW BAKERS ARE PART OF UNIQUE SWEETS BY BAKING TREATS LIKE THE CUPCAKES WHICH THEY SELL AT POP-UP EVENTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA THE TEENS AND ADULTS WITH AUTISM WHO PARTICIPATE ARE DEVELOPING WORK AND SOCIAL SKILLS.

LIST LIZA CURIEL SAYS THERE IS A PLACE FOR THEM IN THEIR KITCHEN.

>> THERE'S NO TWO PEOPLE THAT ARE THE SAME OR EXPERIENCE IT THE SAME WE TRY TO FIND SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY AND EVERYBODY TRANSITIONS THROUGH THE PROCESS SO THAT EVERYONE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIND WHAT THEY LIKE.

>> LIZ LIDS STARTED IN 22018 TO HELP HER SON BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN SCHOOL AND THE WORKING WORLD.

>> HE HAD FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL AND HE WAS IN CITY COLLEGE AND HE WASN'T READY TO GET A JOB.

AND I FELT LIKE HIM AND HIS FRIENDS HAD SO MUCH POTENTIAL.

AND ONE DAY THE STORY IS AND WE LAUGH ABOUT IT THEY HAD A PARTY AND THEY ALL BROUGHT BAKED GOODS AND IT STRUCK ME THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WE COULD COMBINE USE PROJECT MANAGEMENT, USE SOME JOB SKILLS TRAINING AND THEN BAKE BECAUSE THEY LIKED TO BAKE AND IT WAS A INSTANT PROJECT THAT IS HOW IT STARTED.

>> SEBASTIEN IS NO LONGER IN THE KITCHEN BUT LISA SAYS HE IS USING SKILLS HE LEARNED THROUGH UNIQUE SWEETS TO HELP IT GROW.

>> HE WORKS WITH ME ON PURCHASING AND INVENTORY.

AND GETTING THINGS READY FOR THE ACTUAL BAKE AND ALL THAT BACKGROUND WORK THAT HAS TO HAPPEN.

NOT EVERYBODY WANTS TO PURSUE A DEGREE IN PASS INDUSTRY OR CULINARY ARTS WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO YOU WILL HAVE TO INTERACT WITH OTHERS AND PLAN.

AND WHAT I HOPE THEY GET FROM THEIR TIME WITH US IS A SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT THAT THEY CAN DO IT AND THAT THEY CAN TAKE THOSE SKILLS AND APPLY THEM TO THE NEXT CHAPTER IN THEIR LIFE.

>> IN HIS CASE HE FOUND ART SKILLS.

>> DAVID LOVES TO DRAW.

SO USE ART TO GO WITH THAT HOLIDAY OR WHATEVER WE'RE DOING.

AND HE WILL PUT A MESSAGE ON THERE AND HE PUT IT IS ON THE BOX.

>> DAVID IS NONVERBAL WHICH HIS MOTHER SAYS SOMETIMES MADE IT DIFFICULT TO FIND COMMUNITY.

>> WE HAVE HAD A HARD TIME FINDING ORGANIZATIONS AND THINGS WHERE HE CAN BE A PART OF WHERE WHAT HE ENJOYS AND IS ABLE TO DO.

IT IS HIGHLIGHTED.

IT MADE ME FEEL LIKE HE HAD A PLACE.

THERE WAS SOMETHING FOR HIM.

HE CAN HAVE A FUTURE FOR HIM AND MADE US FEEL BETTER ABOUT OUR FUTURE IN TERMS OF HIS INDEPENDENCE.

>> OMAIDA FIGUEROA SAYS SHE, TOO, HAS FOUND A SENSE OF BELONGING WITH UNIQUE SWEETS.

>> GIVEN ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIND PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME STRUGGLES AND CELEBRATIONS THAT I DO.

>> AND FOR CRISTINA TORRES, BRINGING HER OWN UNIQUE FLAVOR TO THE COMMUNITY IS HELPING HER FLOURISH.

>> WE WHEN DID THE ARTS FESTIVAL IN HUMBOLDT PARK AND WHEN WE WERE SELLING OUT ALL THE CUPCAKES, ESPECIALLY THE FLAVORS BY COQUITO IT GAVE ME THE SITUATION WHERE I FELT LIKE I'M WHERE I NEED TO BE RIGHT NOW.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS ERIKA GUNDERSON.

>> LOOKS DELICIOUS.

YOU CAN FIND MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

>> DON'T EVER WATCH THAT ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. >> AND JOIN ME FOR OUR BLACK VOICES COMMUNITY CONVERSATION.

WE'RE TALKING WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS ALONG WITH CURRENT AND FORMER POLICE OFFICERS ABOUT FORMER MINNEAPOLIS OFFICER DEREK CHAUVIN CONVICTION IN THE KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD TONIGHT AT 8:00 P.M. VISIT... TO RSVP.

>> FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

GOOD NIGHT.

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