>>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

HERE IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

>>> IT'S SHOCKING.

>> SURVEILLANCE VIDEO SHOWS KIDS CRAWLING UNDER FREIGHT TRAINS NEAR THEIR SCHOOL.

>>> MAYOR ELECT BRANDON JOHNSON'S TRANSITION TEAM.

>>> HOW WOULD ONE RESIDENTS ARE HELPING MIGRANTS IN THEIR COMMUNITY FOLLOWING TENSION EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>>> THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAS ITS FIRST-EVER POET LAUREATE.

WE HEAR FROM AVERY YOUNG .

>>> AND WE INTRODUCE YOU TO A LOCAL ARTIST CREATING FROM UNEXPECTED ITEMS.

>>> AND BRANDIS, AS WE MENTIONED, WOODLAWN IS PART OF OUR SERIES.

WE WILL TELL YOU ABOUT NEW INITIATIVE HELPING THOSE RIGHT HERE IN CHICAGO AND THE PEOPLE BEHIND THAT MISSION.

AT FIRST WE SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> JOANNA, THANK YOU.

>>> NOW TO THE TOP STORE.

THE VIDEO IS STOMACH CHURNING, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A PARENT.

CHILDREN CRAWLING UNDER PAUSE FREIGHT TRAINS SO THEY CAN GET TO SCHOOL.

JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPUBLICA INVESTIGATION IS DAN.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE CHILD WE SAW ON THE VIDEO LOOKS REALLY YOUNG AND SMALL.

HOW OLD OR YOUNGER ARE THE KIDS THAT YOU ARE SEEING?

HOW OLD ARE THEY?

>> THOSE KIDS ARE KIDS WHO ARE TRYING TO GET TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, TRYING TO GET TO MIDDLE SCHOOL, TRYING TO GET TO HIGH SCHOOL.

>> OBVIOUSLY A STRUGGLE FOR THE PARENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHY THESE TRAINS ARE IDLING AND PREVENTING KIDS FROM GETTING TO SCHOOL.

>> IT IS A SHORTHAND FOR WHAT IS GOING ON WITH COMMUNITIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY STRUGGLING WITH THIS FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

RECENTLY IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE.

THAT IS LARGELY BECAUSE OF NEW CORPORATE MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY THAT THE BIG RAILROADS IN THE UNITED STATES OPERATE UNDER.

IN A NUTSHELL, BASICALLY, IT REQUIRES THE RAILROADS TO OPERATE MORE WITH LESS.

THEY ARE CUTTING A LOT OF THEIR OVERHEAD EMPLOYEES IN ORDER TO RETURN PROFITS FOR INVESTORS.

>> DAN, I'M SORRY.

I THINK YOUR RESUME MIGHT BE CUTTING OUT A LITTLE BIT FOR US.

BUT AS YOU SAID, IT IS NOT JUST HAPPENING HERE IN HAMMOND, INDIANA BUT EVERYWHERE.

DOES IT SEEM THAT THERE IS A REASON FOR IT HAPPENING MORE OFTEN, AND IS IT DUE TO GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT?

>> YEAH, SORRY ABOUT THAT.

IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN BECAUSE OF THE CORPORATE MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY THAT A LOT OF THE RAILROADS AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE DEVELOPED RECENTLY.

IT BASICALLY CALLS FOR DOING MORE WITH LESS.

IT CUTS A LOT OF OVERHEAD IN ORDER TO MAKE PROFITS FOR INVESTORS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS A LOT OF REGULATIONS ON THE RAILROAD INDUSTRY, BUT THERE ARE ALSO -- THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE JUST NOT REGULATED ABOUT THE RAILROADS.

>> SO WE HAVE A NORFOLK SOUTHERN RESPONSE TO THE PROPUBLICA STORY AND IT READS, IN PART, WE ARE WORKING TO IDENTIFY AN AREA, AND WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE HAMMOND COMMUNITY ON A PROJECT THAT WAS PARTIALLY FUNDED AND ADVOCATED FOR.

AGAIN, THEY ARE WORKING ON STOPPING THE TRAINS BEFORE THE INTERSECTIONS, BUT HOW LONG CAN A CHANGE LIKE THAT TAKE?

>> IT GOES INTO THEIR DECISION-MAKING THERE.

SO WHETHER THEY STAGE THE TRAIN IS UNCLEAR TO ME.

I AM GLAD THEY ARE TALKING WITH US AND COMMUNICATING WITH US, BUT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME NOT ONLY IN CHICAGO BUT IN HAMMOND, INDIANA THERE.

IT IS HARD TO TALK A LOT ABOUT THE CHANGE.

>> YOU HAVE DONE A LOT OF WRITING AND REPORTING ABOUT LONG TRAINS.

HAVE THEY MADE IT AN OPTION FOR SHORT TRAINS?

>> IN INDIANA AT THAT CROSSING A SHORT TRAIN WOULD NOT ALLEVIATE THIS PROBLEM.

EVEN IF THEY PARKED A MILE-LONG OR LESS THAN A MILE LONG, THERE WOULD STILL BE AN AT GRADE INTERSECTION THAT A LOT OF PEDESTRIANS WOULD BE DEALING WITH.

>> I KNOW THAT YOU AND THE TEAM AT PROPUBLICA ARE WORKING ON MORE RAILROAD INVESTIGATIONS OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.

SO WE WILL HEAR ABOUT THOSE WHEN THE TIME COMES.

DAN AT PROPUBLICA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN.

>> AND YOU.

>>> NOW TO MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

FORMER VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE TESTIFIED TO A GRAND JURY AS PART OF A SPECIAL COUNCIL INVESTIGATION INTO DONALD TRUMP'S EFFORTS TO OVERTURN THE 2020 ELECTION.

REPORTS CLOSE THE MATTER SAY THAT PENCE TESTIFIED FOR MORE THAN FIVE HOURS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

>>> THE WHITE WOMAN WHOSE ACTIONS LED TO THE LYNCHING OF BLACK CHICAGO TEENAGER EMMETT TILL HAS DIED.

TILL WAS KIDNAPPED BY TWO MEN NEARLY 70 YEARS AGO.

HIS MOTHER INSISTED ON AN OPEN CASKET FUNERAL SO THE WORLD COULD SEE HIS BODY.

AS RECENTLY AS LAST YEAR THERE HAD BEEN CALLS TO HOLD BRYANT- DONHAMACCOUNTABLE FOR HER ROLE.

>>> THE CHICAGO BEARS ARE WELCOMING A NEW PLAYER TO THE TEAM.

THE BEARS TAKE TENNESSEE OFFENSIVE TACKLE DARNELL RIGHT IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE NFL DRAFT.

THIS CAME AS THE BEARS TRADED A PICK WITH THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES.

THEY SECURED A FOURTH-ROUND PICK FOR NEXT YEAR IN THE DEAL.

>>> FORMER DAYTIME TALK SHOW HOST JERRY SPRINGER DIED TODAY.

HE MADE HIS MARK HOSTING THE JERRY SPRINGER SHOW, A SHOW THAT STIRRED CONTROVERSY AND DEFINED DAYTIME TABLOID TELEVISION.

THE STATEMENT SAID THAT HE DIED PEACEFULLY AT HIS HOME IN SUBURBAN CHICAGO FOLLOWING A BRIEF ILLNESS.

>>> UP NEXT, MAYOR ELECT BRANDON JOHNSON AND MEMBERS OF HIS TRANSITION TEAM.

THERE IS MORE TO THAT STORY AFTER THIS.

>>> MAYOR ELECT BRANDON JOHNSON UNVEILED HIS TRANSITION TEAM AND IT INCLUDES SOME FORMER NAMES.

ROBERT BOYD, WHO LED THE OFFICE OF CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING AND REFORM.

OUR WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER JOINS US NOW, BUT IT IS NOTABLE THAT THEY HAVE JOINED THE TRANSITION TEAM.

>> Reporter: HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST VISIBLE MEMBERS OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT TEAM.

WHEN THERE WAS A HIGH PROFILE CRIME, HE STEPPED BEHIND THE CAMERA TO TELL THE PUBLIC WHAT HAPPENED.

THE DEPARTMENT WAS REQUIRED TO RETRAIN HOW THEY SUPERVISE .

HIS PLAN TO MOVE OFFICERS FROM THE REFORM OFFICE TO PATROL REALLY COMPLICATED THAT EFFORT.

SO NOW THAT HE IS ON TEAM JOHNSON, IT SIGNALS A FRESH APPROACH, PERHAPS.

>> SO HE WANTED TO LEAD THE DEPARTMENT AFTER THE INTERIM STEPS DOWN ON MAY 15th.

LET'S LISTEN TO WHAT THE MAYOR ELECT SAID ABOUT HOW THE PROCESS IS GOING.

>> WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I AM HOPING TO HAVE A COUPLE MORE CONVERSATIONS THIS WEEK BEFORE WE MAKE ANY KIND OF DECISION.

>> SO WHO ELSE IS THROWING THEIR HAT INTO THE RING?

>> Reporter: TWO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FORMER LEADERSHIP TEAM UNDER MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT HAVE SAID THAT THEY WOULD BE INTERESTED.

ALSO IN THE MIX, FORMER POLICE SUPERINTENDENT EDDIE JOHNSON WHO SAID THAT HE WOULD LIKE HIS OLD JOB BACK ON AN INTERIM BASIS.

OF COURSE HE WAS FIRED BY LIGHTFOOT AFTER LYING TO HER, SHE SAID, ABOUT WHY HE WAS FOUND PASSED OUT BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A RUNNING VEHICLE IN BRIDGEPORT.

I ASKED JOHNSON IF HE WOULD CONSIDER EDDIE JOHNSON FOR THE INTERIM TOP COP SPOT.

HE SAID THAT LEADERSHIP AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD REFLECT OUR BEST VALUES, NOT A NO, BUT NOT A YES.

>> SO THERE ARE ALSO THE CONCLUSIONS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD DRAW.

>> WHAT THOSE TWO SELECTIONS OFFER IS MY COMMITMENT TO BUILDING A VERY DIVERSE, ECLECTIC, LEADERS WHO LOVE THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND THE PEOPLE OF CHICAGO.

>> Reporter: PROFESSOR BARBARA WRENS.

WILL LEAD THE TEAM OF CHARLES SMITH WHO IS AN INVESTMENT BANKER AND OWNS HIS OWN FIRM IN CHICAGO.

THEY WILL HAVE TO WORK FAST.

BRANDON JOHNSON IS SUPPOSED TO TAKE OFFICE IN 18 DAYS AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS FACING THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> 18 DAYS AND COUNTING.

THE SEARCH FOR A PERMANENT POLICE SUPERINTENDENT, OF COURSE IT IS ONGOING.

JOHNSON SAYS THAT HE HOPES TO SELECT SOMEBODY FROM WITHIN THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN RISE TO THE RANKS OF SUPERINTENDENT.

>> THE COMMUNITY COMMISSION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IS STILL HOLDING COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND GATHERING FEEDBACK ON WHAT CHICAGOANS WANT ON THEIR NEXT TOP COP.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING THE NEXT TOP COP, THEN GET YOUR APPLICATION IN.

IT IS MAY 7th.

THE COMMISSION HAS UNTIL JULY 14th TO RECOMMEND FINALISTS.

>> HEATHER ALWAYS ON THE CASE FOR US.

THANK YOU.

YOU CAN READ HER FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

♪ ♪ >>> MORE THAN 7000 MIGRANTS HAVE ARRIVED IN CHICAGO SINCE LATE AUGUST AFTER ARRIVING AT THE BORDER FROM COUNTRIES LIKE VENEZUELA AND PERU.

IT HAS BEEN A FEW MONTHS SINCE SOME OF THOSE MIGRANTS WERE MOVED INTO THE WOODLAWN COMMUNITY FOLLOWING THE OBJECTION FROM NEARBY RESIDENTS.

OTHERS HAVE JOINED FORCES TO INTEGRATE THEIR NEIGHBORS INTO THE COMMUNITY.

REPORTER JOANNA HERNANDEZ AND THE PRODUCER OF CASIO HERNANDEZ SPENT TIME THERE.

JOANNA?

JOANNA, CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> Reporter: BRANDIS, WE ARE INSIDE CONCORDE BAPTIST MISSIONARY CHURCH.

THIS IS A LOCATION WHERE ASYLUM-SEEKERS CAN COME TO ACCESS RESOURCES AND GET THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED.

WE ARE GOING TO TAKE YOU DOWN AND SHOW YOU HOW PEOPLE ARE COMING TOGETHER TO HELP THESE ASYLUM-SEEKERS.

>> THAT IS WHERE YOU GO SHOPPING!

>> Reporter: IT STARTED AS AN IDEA.

>> WE LITERALLY JUST CAMPED OUTSIDE AND JUST SAID LISTEN.

WE WILL HAVE A BILINGUAL SERVICE ON THIS DAY AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE CAME.

A COALITION OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONS JOINED TOGETHER TO CREATE CHICAGO FOR ALL.

>> WE SEEK TO OFFER PEACE AND HOPE AND DO WHAT WE CAN WITH WHAT WE HAVE.

>> Reporter: CHANGING THE NARRATIVE IS WHAT PASTOR PHELPS HOPES WILL HAPPEN.

>> I WOULD INVITE THE COMMUNITY TO COME IN AND VOLUNTEER.

>> Reporter: MANY ASYLUM-SEEKERS HAVE MOVED INTO THE BUILDING, DESPITE WHAT THEY CALL A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY OVER THE SERVICES FOR COMMUNITY RESIDENTS.

THESE PASTORS HAVE A MISSION TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> WE WANT TO PUT MORE ENERGY INTO STARTING A COMMUNITY AS OPPOSED TO ARGUING.

>> Reporter: RONALD CORTEZ IS ONE OF THE MIGRANTS WHO IS TAKING FREE ENGLISH CLASSES OUTSIDE OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH.

CORTEZ MADE THE LONG JOURNEY FROM PERU.

HE IS FAR FROM HOME BUT SAYS HE IS GRATEFUL AS HE LOOKS FORWARD TO LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

ALONG WITH ESL CLASSES, STREET SOCCER USA ALSO GOT ON BOARD.

>> SOCCER ALWAYS BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER.

JUST HAVING THAT CAN FILL THEM WITH HOPE, THAT THEY CAN PLAY TOGETHER, GET AWAY FROM THE STRESSES THEY ARE DEALING WITH.

>> Reporter: EVERY SUNDAY FROM 2:00 TO 4:00, ANYBODY FROM THE CITY CAN COME TO PLAY SOCCER.

>> I THINK THAT THIS WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE HOW WE CAN MESH EVERYTHING TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: MESHING CULTURES TOGETHER IS A PROJECT THAT PASTOR PHELPS HAS BEEN PURSUING FOR YEARS.

HE WANTS TO GIVE PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COOK THEIR NATIVE FOOD.

>> WE HAVE COOKS, WE HAVE BARBERS, WE HAVE LAWYERS.

>> Reporter: HE IS CALLING ON HIS COMMUNITY TO OPEN THEIR HEART.

>> I WANT TO CALL IN MY COMMUNITY TO GET INVOLVED AND GET A CHANCE TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS AND ALSO TO HELP PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: BRANDIS, THIS IS A PLACE WHERE PASTOR PHELPS HAS OPENED UP AND THEY ARE ABLE TO COME HERE ON SATURDAYS AND HAVE BILINGUAL SERVICE.

THEY ALSO HAVE AN OPEN CENTER CALLED A HOME AWAY FROM HOME WHERE RESOURCES CAN BE ACCESSED.

>> BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DONATE, HOW CAN THEY DO THAT?

>> MANY ARE IN NEED OF SNEAKERS FOR PLAYING FOOTBALL OR SOCCER OR BASEBALL.

YOU CAN MAKE DONATIONS HERE AT CONCORDE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> A LOCAL ARTIST CREATES MOSAICS OUT OF UNEXPECTED ITEMS.

WE WILL SHOW YOU MORE AFTER THIS AREA ♪ ♪ .

UNEXPECTED HOUSEHOLD ITEMS ARE THE FOCUS OF A LOCAL ARTIST CREATING PORTRAITS FOR HER INNER CHILD.

ANGEL ITO RECENTLY INTRODUCED US TO KAYLA STRONG.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> TYPICALLY, MOSAICS ARE MADE OF COLORFUL PIECES OF STONE, TILE OR BROKEN GLASS.

BUT NOT FOR US.

>> THIS GAVE ME ALL THE COLOR THAT I NEEDED.

IT JUST KEPT GOING AND GOING.

>> Reporter: IT WAS THIS PIECE THAT PUT KAYLA STRONG ON THE MAP.

>> EVERY ACCESSORY HOLDS SOME TYPE OF MEMORY FOR ME.

IT IS COMFORTING.

I DON'T THINK I APPRECIATED IT MUCH BEFORE.

BUT TURNING IT INTO ART HAS GIVEN ME A NEW APPRECIATION.

ALL OF THESE ACCESSORIES MAKE THIS ONE.

IT SHOWS THE EVOLUTION OF A BLACK GIRL FROM CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE INTO WOMANHOOD.

>> Reporter: THESE PIECES REFLECT NOT ONLY HER GROWTH AS A WOMAN BUT HER PAST.

>> I LEFT MY JOB IN JUNE 2022 AND PRESIDED TO PURSUE ARTFUL TIME.

I FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO GIVE IT MY ALL.

I WAS STILL DOING LOCAL SHOWS, SELLING WORK, BUT IT JUST WASN'T ENOUGH AND I WAS NEVER GOING TO BE OKAY AFTER GETTING EVERYTHING ELSE.

SO I SAID, I HAVE TO GIVE THIS MY ALL FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE!

>> Reporter: STRONG SAYS THAT HER WORK REMAINS ROOTED IN PASSION WHILE ALSO HOPING TO INSPIRE OTHERS.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE NOT ONLY SHOW THEM A BLUEPRINT BUT THAT WE ALSO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE FEEL EMPOWERED.

I THINK THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT CHANGE THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM ANGEL ITO.

>> SHE IS STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW SHE CAN SHIP HER PEACE WITH ALL THE BARRETTES REMAINING INTACT HEARD.

>>> ANOTHER CHAPTER CLOSES IN THE LIFE OF BLACK CHICAGO TEENAGER EMMETT TILL .

TILL STORY HAS PARTICULARLY RESONATED WITH CHICAGO'S FIRST-EVER POET LAUREATE.

AVERY YOUNG IS OUR GUEST FROM THIS CLIP.

WE WILL START WITH A LOOK AT HIS PERFORMANCE IN THE WORK ABOUT EMMETT TILL.

IT ABOUT THIS APPROACH TO POETRY THAT WORKS FOR YOU?

>> YOU HAVE A LOT OF WHAT IS GOING ON THROUGH THE CHURCH AND LANGUAGE AND IT INFLUENCES A LOT.

SO THIS PARTICULAR POEM IS BASICALLY A RETELLING OF A HIM.

OUR MEMBERS WERE GOING TO THE SCHOOL AND THE YOUNG MEN HAD NO IDEA WHO EMMETT TILL WAS.

I SAID I WOULD WRITE A POEM SO THEY WOULD NEVER FORGET HIM.

I THOUGHT ABOUT HOW EFFECTIVE IT CAN BE WHEN IT INITIATES AN EMOTIVE REACTION.

I WILL NEVER FORGET THE STORY, JUST THE WAY IT WAS DELIVERED I WON'T FORGET IT.

>> YOU CAN WATCH THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION WITH AVERY YOUNG ON CHICAGO TONIGHT BLACK VOICES THIS SATURDAY AT 2: 30.

>>> ONE NOTE BEFORE WE GO.

STARTING MAY 1st YOU WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH CHICAGO TONIGHT ON WTTW AND STREAMING LIVE AT 5: 30 P.M.

IN ADDITION TO OUR 10:00 P.M. BROADCAST.

SO MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND TUNE IN ON MONDAY, MAY 1st.

THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING.

YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST.

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW FOR THE WEEK IN REVIEW AND FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT.

>>> THE CTA'S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE SERVICE.

>>> AND KAT WILLIAMS ON THE NFL DRAFT MOVING TO KANSAS CITY.

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.