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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN >> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

>> WHATEVER WAS DONE WAS DONE.

IT'S OVER.

>> THE BILLS WILL COME MONTHS LATE AND THAT COULD BE A PROBLEM AND WE EXPLAIN.

>> GRADING ILLINOIS' INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHAT A NEW REPORT HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE STATE'S ROADS, PUBLIC TRANSIT AND MORE.

>> THE F.D.A.

PROPOSES A BAN ON MENTHOL CIGARETTES AND FLAVORED CIGARS.

A LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL IMPACT.

>> WE AS PEOPLE CANNOT STILL GROW.

>> A LIVE REPORT FROM A SOUTH SIDE COMMUNITY THAT RESIDENTS SAY IS ON THE RISE.

>> GEOFFREY BAER UNCOVERS AN EARLY FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BUILDING THAT ONCE STOOD IN BRONZEVILLE IN "ASK GEOFFREY".

>> WE DID NOT EXPECT THIS WONDERFUL OF A TURNOUT.

>> A FAREWELL TO A BELOVED BAKERY ON THE NORTH SIDE SET TO CLOSE THIS WEEKEND.

>> AND AS YOU MENTIONED I'M IN ENGLEWOOD TONIGHT AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

RESIDENTS ARE EXCITED ABOUT GETTING A 606 OF THE SOUTH SIDE TURNING BAN ABANDONED RAIL LINE INTO A NATURE TRAIL AND REBUILDING AFTER A DEVASTATING FIRE FORCED THE DEMOLITION OF A HISTORIC CHURCH.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT AND MUCH MORE FOR NOW BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>> THANK YOU, NICK.

NOW TO TOP STORIES, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS ASKING CONGRESS FOR $33 BILLION TO ASSIST UKRAINE IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST RUSSIA.

>> WE'RE NOT ATTACKING RUSSIA.

WE ARE HELPING UKRAINE DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST RUSSIAN AGGRESSION.

AS PUTIN CHOSE TO LAUNCH THIS BRUTAL INVASION HE CAN MAKE THE CHOICE TO END THIS BRUTAL INVASION.

RUSHER IS THE -- RUSSIA IS THE AGGRESSOR, AND THE WORLD MUST AND WILL HOLD RUSSIA ACCOUNTABLE.

>> THE FUNDING WOULD PROVIDE $20 BILLION FOR WEAPONS AND MILITARY EQUIPMENT.

$8.5 BILLION IN ASSISTANCE TO THE GOVERNMENT AND $3 BILLION IN HUMANITARIAN AID.

PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS RULED OUT SENDING U.S. OR NATO TROOPS TO UKRAINE.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT CAN CROSS ONE NAME OFF THE LIST AS A POTENTIAL CHALLENGER IF SHE DECIDES TO RUN FOR REELECTION.

ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN MIKE QUIGLEY SAID HE WILL NOT RUN FOR MAYOR OF CHICAGO IN 2023.

QUIGLEY WHO CO-CHAIRS THE HOUSE UKRAINIAN CAUCUS AND A MEMBER ON INTELLIGENCE SITES THE WAR IN UKRAINE A REASON TO STAY IN CONGRESS.

LIGHTFOOT IS WIDELY EXPECTED TO RUN FOR REELECTION.

BUSINESSMAN WILLIE WILSON AS WELL AS 15TH WARD ALDERMAN RAYMOND LOPEZ SO FAR ENTERED THE RACE.

>> FOOTBALL FANS IT IS HERE THE FIRST DAY OF THE 2022 NFL DRAFT.

ROUND ONE IS IN LAS VEGAS WITH THE JAGUARS TAKING THE NUMBER ONE PICK.

AS FOR THE BEARS THEY WILL HAVE TO WAIT A BIT LONGER.

THE TEAM DOES NOT HAVE A FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICK BUT THEY HAVE TWO PICKS IN THE SECOND ROUND TOMORROW NIGHT.

>> UP NEXT, A LIVE REPORT FROM ENGLEWOOD.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> ENGLEWOOD ON CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE ONCE HAD A BUST HING ECONOMY OF LOCAL BUSINESSES AND A LARGER POPULATION THAN IT DOES TODAY.

BUT DESPITE THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S CHALLENGES OVER THE DECADES IT'S HOST TO AN ARRAY OF PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS WORKING FROM WITHIN TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY HAS WHAT IT FEEDS TO THRIVE.

AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES", REPORTER NICK BLUMBERG AND OUR PRODUCER SPENT THE DAY IN ENGLEWOOD AND NICK JOINS US FROM THE RECENTLY OPEN GO GREEN COMMUNITY FRESH MARKET.

>> THE MARKET IS THE PASSION PROJECT OF SEVERAL LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS WE'LL TALK WITH ONE IN A BIT ABOUT BRINGING ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD TO A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT HAS NOT EASILY GOTTEN TO IT.

ENGLEWOOD HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS FOR SADDER REASONS WHEN THE HISTORIC ANTIOCH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH CAUGHT FIRE AFTER GOOD FRIDAY SERVICES.

THE BUILDING DATES TO THE 1880s.

THE STRUCTURE CANNOT BE SAVED AND IS BEING DEMOLISHED.

PASTOR GERALD DEW SAYS THE PANDEMIC TAUGHT THE CHURCH HOW TO BE FLEXIBLE THEY PIVOTED TO VIRTUAL FELLOWSHIP AND HOLDING SERVICES AT A NEARBY FUNERAL HOME.

THEY START A FUNDRAISING TO REBUILD AND CONTINUE THE MISSION.

ANTIOCH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH HAS BECOME THE SPIRITUAL CONSCIENCE OF THE ENGLEWOOD COMMUNITY.

PROVIDING MINUTE STRIRKS COUNSELING AND HUMAN SERVICES, QUALITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO LOW AND MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES.

WE WANT TO BUILD A NEW FACILITY ON THIS SAME SPOT.

WE WANT TO MAINTAIN OUR PRESENCE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THIS IS OUR HOME BASE.

THIS IS OUR ANCHOR.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO THIS COMMUNITY.

>> ANOTHER COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE IN ENGLEWOOD IS ITS VILLAGE PLAZA CREATED LAST YEAR AS A SPACE TO SHARE MEALS, PUBLIC ART AND GIVE LOCAL MAKERS A SPACE TO SHARE OFF THEIR WORK.

TANYA WARD SAYS IT'S ABOUT CREATING SOMETHING COMMUNITY DRIVEN AND HONORS LONG TIME RESIDENTS.

THE NEXT PROJECT TURNING A UNUSED RAIL LINE INTO A NEW NATURE TRAIL.

>> PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS IS A BIG THING.

A LOT OF THE FOLKS HERE HAVE BEEN THROUGH ALL THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED OVER THE DECADES.

AND IT'S JUST ABOUT CREATING OUR OWN.

HONESTLY.

IT'S CREATING OUR OWN SPACE AND OUR OWN THINGS WE ARE IN TUNE WITH THE COMMUNITY.

SO WE HEAR WHAT THEY NEED.

WE HEAR WHAT THEY WANT AND WE WANT TO CREATE SOMETHING SO THEY CAN STAY IN THE COMMUNITY AND NOT HAVE TO LEAVE TO ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF THE CITY.

>> THE TRAIL WILL BE DEVELOPED IN PHASES.

AND WARD HOPES TO SEE THE WORK START TO PAY OFF IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO.

IT WILL BE A WAY TO CONNECT WITH NATURE AND REBUILD FROM WITHIN.

SHE IS AN ENGLEWOOD NATIVE BUT THE BLOCK OF HOMES SHE GREW UP IN IS NO LONGER THERE.

>> IT USED TO HAVE HOUSES ON TREE LINED STREETS.

WE WERE ERASED AND I CANNOT LIVE IN MY COMMUNITY IF I WANTED TO RIGHT NOW.

FOR US, IT'S ABOUT BUILDING FROM WITHIN.

BUILDING THE BEAUTY.

WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO COME ALONG TO BEAUTIFY US.

WE'RE GOING TO DO IT OURSELVES.

>> FOR MANY GROUPS WORKING IN ENGLEWOOD HELPING TO IMPROVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD MEANS WORKING WITH THE YOUNGEST RESIDENTS TO PROVIDE THEM OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDING TO PREVENT THE VIOLENCE MANY CHICAGO COMMUNITIES FACE ESPECIALLY IN THE WARMER WEATHER.

CHELLEE RASHAD LEADS THE GROUP IMAGINE ENGLEWOOD IF THAT OFFERS SUMMER PROGRAM AND MUCH MORE AT BUILDINGS AND OUTDOOR SPACES.

SHE STARTED AS A PARTICIPANT AFTER HER FRIEND WAS KILLED IN A DRIVE-BY SHOOTING IN HIGH SCHOOL AND CREDITS THE GROUP WITH GIVING HER A PLACE SHE FELT WELCOMED AND LEARN ABOUT HER COMMUNITY'S HISTORY AND BECOME EMPOWERED TO MAKE THINGS BETTER.

>> THE MISSION OF IMAGINE ENGLEWOOD IS TO STRENGTHEN AND EMPOWER THE GREATER ENGLEWOOD COMMUNITY BY TEACHING LOCAL YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES HEALTHY LIVING AND POSITIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS.

WE ARE WHAT WE NEED.

HOWEVER, COLLABORATION WITH EACH OTHER AMONGST OUR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS, LAW ENFORCEMENT LIKE ALL OF THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING AND THE CHALLENGES THAT WE ARE FACING THEY ARE MULTILAYERED.

WE ALL NEED SKIN IN THE GAME.

>> SHE IS EXCITED ABOUT A LOT OF THE GROUPS UP COMING PROGRAMS INCLUDING A COMMUNITY CLEAN UP DAY IN A COUPLE WEEKS.

KENNETH CLAYTON STARTED LONGEVITY BARBER LOUNGE SEVEN YEARS AGO AND SEES IT AS MORE THAN A PLACE TO GET A HAIRCUT IT IS SAFE AND A PLACE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS TROUBLING PEOPLE AND HOME BASE FOR OUTREACH EFFORTS.

HE IS HOPING TO START A MONTHLY PROGRAM WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE CAME IN AND READ A BOOK AND GOT A FREE HAIRCUT AND SEES YOUNG PEOPLE AS THE KEY TO THE COMMUNITY'S FUTURE AND HOPES TO START A BARBER COLLEGE.

>> I HAD A LOT OF MENTORS.

SO I WANTED TO TAKE THAT TORCH AND BE A MENTOR AS WELL AND TEACH A CHESTERFIELD HOW TO FISH THEY WILL NEVER GO HUNGRY.

IT'S ONLY NINE MONTHS AND THEY GET THEIR LICENSE AND COME TO A FINANCIAL CRISIS THEY CAN STILL FEED THEIR SELVES AS WELL AS THEIR FAMILIES.

>> WE'LL HAVE MORE FROM ENGLEWOOD LATER ON IN THE PROGRAM INCLUDING A CONVERSATION WITH ONE OF THE AREAS ALDERPEOPLE AND ONE OF THE GROUPS BEHIND THIS NEW FRESH MARKET.

FOR NOW, BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>> NICK.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

TO BRANDIS AND DELAYS IN YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILLS.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

COOK COUNTY'S PROPERTY TAX BILLS WILL BE COMING LATE.

NOW, THAT MIGHT SOUND LIKE A GOOD THING BUT AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US TO EXPLAIN WHY IT IS THE OPPOSITE AND WHAT IS BEHIND THE DELAY.

>> AMANDA WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME HEARING YOU.

>> THANK YOU, BRANDIS, SORRY ABOUT THAT.

YEAH, THAT DOES SOUND GOOD ON ITS FACE DURING THE PANDEMIC HOMEOWNERS WERE GIVEN GRACE PERIODS AND THAT WAS A CALCULATED ENDEAVOR AND SOMETHING HELPFUL TO A LOT OF HOMEOWNERS.

BUT THIS IS DIFFERENT IN THAT THE DELAY IS UNPLANNED AND IT IS NOT STRATEGIC.

IT IS IN FACT DUE TO AN UPSET BETWEEN TWO INDEPENDENT COOK COUNTY OFFICES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO COLLECTIVELY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING THE VALUE OF PROPERTIES AND THAT IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR BECAUSE THE ASSESSED VALUE OF A PROPERTY IS A KEY FACTOR DETERMINING HOW MUCH AN OWNER HAS TO PAY IN TAXES.

NORMALLY BILLS WOULD BE GOING OUT IN JUNE OR JULY AND DUE AUGUST 1.

INSTEAD THERE'S SPECULATION THAT IT MIGHT NOT GET DONE THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR.

NOW, COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER JOHN DALEY SAYS GOING PAST THAT WOULD BE A PROBLEM WHEN IT COMES TO FILING TAXES.

>> IT'S LATE BEYOND YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO WRITE IT OFF FOR YOUR INCOME TAX.

AND THAT IS A BIG CONCERN.

>> THE BIG CONCERN BECAUSE IT COULD COST PEOPLE A LOT OF MONEY IF THEY DON'T GET THAT WRITE OFF.

AND A PROBLEM FOR GOVERNMENTAL BODIES.

YOU ARE THINKING SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PARK DISTRICTS, LIBRARIES, THAT DEPEND ON TAX DOLLARS TO RUN THEIR OPERATIONS.

IF TAXPAYERS ARE LATE GETTING AND THEN PAYING THEIR PROPERTY TAX BILLS THEN GOVERNMENT WILL BE LATE RECEIVING THAT MONEY.

>> THEY WOULD AS A TAXING DISTRICT THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO OUT AND POSSIBLY BORROW MONEY.

IF THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY IN RESERVE TO COVER THEIR EXPENSES.

>> AND THAT WOULD IN TURN COST ALL OF US AS TAXPAYERS.

>> IT WOULD BE A DOMINO EFFECT BECAUSE THE TAXING DISTRICTS WHETHER IT BE THE EDUCATION WHICH IS THE LARGEST PART OF A TAX BILL WOULD HAVE TO GO OUT AND BORROW MONEY.

>> AND DALEY CHAIRED A THREE-HOUR LONG COUNTY FINANCE COMMITTEE HEARING TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THE DELAY.

HE HEARD A LOT OF FINGER POINTING AND THAT IS WHAT I HEARD, TOO.

AS I SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM COOK COUNTY ASSESSOR FRITZ KAEGI'S OFFICE AS WELL AS THE CHAIR OF THE OTHER ENTITY THAT THAT IS THE BRD OF REVIEW.

FRITZ KAEGI WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR AN INTERVIEW.

HERE IS THE GIST OF WHAT THE SPOKESPERSON HAD TO SAY HE PROVIDED A TIMELINE.

HE SAID THE COUNTY BACK IN 2015 ALLOCATED $30 MILLION TO BE USED FOR UPGRADES TO OUTDATED TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM.

HE SAYS THAT FRITZ KAEGI'S PREDECESSOR DID NOT DO MUCH OR ANYTHING WITH IT AND CALLED THAT A WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY.

FRITZ KAEGI GOT THAT GOING.

THIS IS LARGELY ABOUT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND MAKING SURE WE ARE NOT TAKING ON TECHNICAL RISKS THAT PUTS PEOPLE'S DATA AND THE VALUE OF THEIR HOMES AT RISK.

AND BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE SYSTEM THAT TECH SYSTEM DID NOT COMMUNICATE WITH THE BOARD OF REVIEW'S TECHNOLOGY THAT THEY ARE USING.

THEY COMPARED THIS TO ANA TARRY TRYING TO RUN A GAME FROM A MODERN PLAYSTATION.

IT CAUSED A DELAY UNTIL A TECHNICAL BRIDGE WAS BUILT.

AS A RESULT THINGS ARE FOUR TO FIVE MONTHS BEHIND.

THE BOARD OF REVIEW, HOWEVER, SAYS THAT IS A RED HERRING SMOKE AND MIRRORS HE SAYS IT WAS THE WRONG TIME FOR FRITZ KAEGI'S OFFICE TO PURSUE THIS UPGRADE AND THE ASSESSOR WENT ABOUT IT WRONG.

>> IT IS A RED HERRING TO BLAME TECHNOLOGY.

YOU DECIDE WHEN TO TURN ON YOUR COMPUTER AND WHEN TO IMPLEMENT NEW TECHNOLOGY.

YOU DECIDE WHEN TO DEPLOY NEW SOFTWARE.

AND THAT'S WHAT HE DID WRONG.

HE IMPLEMENTED THOSE THINGS AT THE WRONG TIME AND THE WRONG FASHION AND CONTRARY TO BEST PRACTICES.

>> CRAIGGY IS FACING INDICATIONGY IS FACING A TOUGH BATTLE.

HE DID NOT HOLD BACK AGAINST FRITZ KAEGI.

>> I'M APPROACHING -- I'VE BEEN AT THE BOARD OF REVIEW FOR WHAT?

18 YEARS.

I'VE HAD A CHANCE TO SEE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT ASSESSORS.

ASSESSOR FRITZ KAEGI IS THE WORST IN TERMS OF THE DECISION DECISIONS THAT HE HAS MADE AND THE IMPLEMENTATION HE HAS CARRIED OUT.

HIS FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF TAXPAYERS.

AND FRANKLY JUST THE ERRORS IN HIS ASSESSMENTS.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN THREE ASSESSORS SINCE RODGERS TOOK OVER THE BOARD OF REVIEW.

FOR MOST OF THE THAT PERIOD FROM 2010 UNTIL HE LOST IN 2018 THAT WAS JOE BERRIOS WHO LOST TO FRITZ KAEGI IN 2018 WHILE UNDER A CLOUD OF ETHICAL QUESTIONS AND A DEEP DIVE BY THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" THAT FOUND BERRIOS USED A FLAWED SYSTEM IN ASSESSING PROPERTY.

FOR HIS PART DALEY SAYS HE IS OVER THE FINGER POINTING.

HE WANTS THE ISSUE RESOLVED.

>> THE TREASURER WAS CLEAR AND THE CLERK WAS CLEAR THEY ARE READY TO GO PRINT THE BILLS TODAY IF THEY HAVE THEM.

BUT THEY DON'T.

IT'S THE ASSESSOR AND THE BOARD OF REVIEW.

LET'S COME TOGETHER AND RESOLVE THIS AND AS I SAID, ENOUGH POINTING FINGERS WHATEVER WAS DONE WAS DONE IT'S OVER.

GET THE BILLS OUT.

>> FRITZ KAEGI'S OFFICE STANDS BY ITS WORK AND NOTES AN INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ASSESSING OFFICERS SAYS THAT UNDER FRITZ KAEGI ASSESSMENTS ARE MORE ACCURATE THAN THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST.

WE'VE IMPLEMENTED THE FIRST PHASE OF AN INVESTMENT THAT THE COUNTY APPROVED IN 2015 AND WON AN AWARD FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.

THESE ARE THINGS FRITZ KAEGI HAS DONE.

THE BOARD OF REVIEW CANNOT GET STARTED ON ITS WORK UNTIL IT GETS INFORMATION FROM THE ASSESSOR.

AND IT JUST RECEIVED THAT REALLY THE LAST BIG CHUNK OF IT EARLIER THIS MONTH.

NOW, IT DOES HAVE A GOAL THERE IS A GOAL GETTING THIS DONE BY NOVEMBER AND CHAIRMAN RODGERS SAYS THERE IS SO MUCH TO BE DONE HE CANNOT MAKE THE GUARANTEE THAT THAT WILL HAPPEN.

WITH THAT BACK TO YOU.

>> AMANDA, THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS AND A REPORT CARD ON ILLINOIS' INFRASTRUCTURE.

PARIS?

>> BRANDIS, THE FINAL GRADES ARE IN AND ILLINOIS GETS A C MINUS FOR ITS INFRASTRUCTURE.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE ILLINOIS SECTION OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.

THE GROUP GRADED THE STATE ON EVERYTHING FROM ROADS TO DRINKING WATER.

AND JOINING US ARE ERIK VARELA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ILLINOIS INTERNATIONAL PORT DISTRICT AND ANDREW WALTON PRESIDENT OF THE ILLINOIS SECTION OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I KNOW YOU ARE JOINING US FROM A ROOM AT UNION STATION.

ANDREW WALTON BREAKDOWN WHAT DOES A C MINUS SCORE MEAN FOR ILLINOISANS?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

C MINUS IS THE SAME GRADE IN 2018.

WHILE IT'S THE SAME GRADE WE HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN ILLINOIS WITH INVESTMENTS THROUGH REBUILD ILLINOIS AND THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND JOBS ACT.

WE SAW NOTABLE INCREASES IN FOUR CATEGORIES THIS YEAR AND WE HAD ONE CATEGORY THAT SAW A DECREASE THAT WAS IN DRINKING WATER AND ALSO WE HAD A NEW CATEGORY THAT WAS INTRODUCED WHICH IS THE STORM WATER CATEGORY >> AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE AREAS THAT YOU MENTIONED IMPROVED.

ROADS, TRANSIT, DAMS AND INLAND WATERWAYS.

WHAT LED TO THOSE IMPROVEMENTS?

>> WE'VE SEEN INVESTMENT HERE THROUGH THE REBUILD ILLINOIS CAPITAL PLAN AND THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND JOBS ACT WHICH LED TO SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT HERE IN ILLINOIS TO PROVIDE SOME OF THAT INVESTMENT FOR THESE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.

WE'VE SEEN INCREASES IN THE ROADS CATEGORY AND WE'VE SEEN INCREASES IN THE DAMS INLAND WATERWAY SECTIONS AS WELL.

>> AND SOME OF THE GRADES WERE LOW.

ALMOST NOWHERE TO GO BUT UP.

AND ERIK VARELA, EXPLAIN THE ROLE OF PORTS IN GENERAL IN ILLINOIS' INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> THANK YOU.

SURE.

SO OBVIOUSLY THE PORTS ARE INTEGRAL TO THE MOVEMENT OF COMMODITIES IN AND THROUGH THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

HERE IN THE STATE MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT THINKING ABOUT A PORT.

ALTHOUGH RECENT SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES ON THE COASTS MAY HAVE CHANGED THAT BUT THE PORTS ARE KEY PARTICULARLY WITH THE REPORT CARD ON INFRASTRUCTURE HERE TODAY.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT FOR 70 YEARS, PORT ILLINOIS INTERNATIONAL PORT DISTRICT HAS BEEN MOVING IN THE COMMODITIES OF BRINGING THOSE COMMODITIES THE CEMENT, THE STEEL, THE IRON, THE SAND ALL THOSE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO IMPROVE THE PORTS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE COME THROUGH THE PORT OR HAVE COMPANIES THAT CALL THE PORT HOME.

IN ORDER TO KEEP THESE GRADES MOVING FORWARD WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THE PORT.

>> ONE OF THE GRADES THAT DID MOVE FORWARD WAS THE INLAND WATERWAYS.

EXPLAIN HOW THOSE IMPROVED AND EXPERTS TALKED FOR YEARS ABOUT THE RESPONSE OF INLAND WATERWAYS AND NEED TO BOOST TRAFFIC ON INLAND WATERWAYS TO REDUCE POLLUTION AND INCREASE COMMERCE.

TALK ABOUT THEIR IMPROVEMENT?

>> CERTAINLY.

THE FIRST THING YOU MENTIONED THEY ARE THE GREENEST MOVING FREIGHT ON WATER IS THE MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WAY TO DO THAT.

IF WE ARE ABLE TO INCREASE THE SHIP TRAFFIC ON THE WATERWAYS WE ARE REDUCING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT LESS TRUCKS AND LESS TRAINS AND OTHER EFFICIENCIES THAT WAY.

THE IMPROVEMENT GOES BACK TO WHAT ANDREW MENTIONED ABOUT THE INVESTMENT WE'VE SEEN FROM THE STATE AND CERTAIN PORTS ON THE WATERWAYS.

GOVERNOR PRITZKER THROUGH THE REBUILD ILLINOIS PROGRAM DEDICATED $150 MILLION FOR PORTS.

THAT GOES TO THE GOVERNOR'S CREDIT TO RECOGNIZE THAT PORTS ARE INTEGRAL TO MAINTAINING CHICAGO AND THE STATE'S TITLE AS THE FREIGHT HUB OF THE NATION.

WHEN YOU ARE ABLE TO MAKE THE INVESTMENTS INTO THE RIVER SYSTEM YOU CAN THEREFORE INCREASE TRAFFIC AND REDUCE BOTTLENECKS.

>> ONE OF THE AREAS THAT GOT WORSE ACCORDING TO THE REPORT CARD IS DRINKING WATER.

AND I ASSUME THIS WAS DONE BEFORE THE FEDERAL AND STATE ANNOUNCEMENTS ON REPLACING LEAD PIPES.

WHAT LED TO THAT DECREASE FOR DRINKING WATER?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION, PARIS.

ILLINOIS GROUND WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IS BEING DEPLETED AND THE NUMBER OF COMMUNITY WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS THAT ARE IN VIOLATION OF USEPA REQUIREMENTS FOR DRINKING WATER PROGRAMS IS UP SIGNIFICANTLY.

ADDITIONALLY, NON-REVENUE WATER LOSS DUE TO LEAKING PIPES OR WATERMAIN BREAKS IS ALSO UP ABOVE THE 10% THRESHOLD THAT IS PUT FORTH BY THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

>> A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND I ASSUME THIS REPORT WAS DONE BEFORE THE RECENT FEDERAL AND STATE INVESTMENTS IN REPLACING LEAD WATERLINES.

I WANT TO GET TO THE ISSUE OF MASS TRANSIT ILLINOIS HAS THE SECOND BIGGEST IN THE COUNTRY AND HERE IS P WHAT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT HAD TO SAY.

>> OF COURSE, WE ARE TRYING TO MOVE TOWARDS LOWERING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO THAT AS A CITY.

BUT MEANWHILE, BACK ON PLANET REALITY, A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE TO DRIVE.

BECAUSE WE HAVE HUGE STRETCHES OF OUR CITY THAT DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION.

WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO LIVE IN A CITY BUT HAVE TO GO TO THE SUBURBS FOR THEIR JOB AND THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN GET THERE IS TO DRIVE.

>> NOT A RINGING ENDORSEMENT MASS TRANSIT D PLUS IN THIS REPORT.

HOW DOES THE STATE IMPROVE UPON THAT, ANDREW?

>> WELL, LET ME FIRST START BY STATING THAT STATE AND FEDERAL CAPITAL FUNDING HAS SUFFERED FOR MANY YEARS IN THE TRANSIT SECTOR BUT THE REBUILD ILLINOIS AND THE FEDERAL ACT IS MAKING STRIDES TO PROVIDE THAT INVESTMENT.

SO WE'RE MAKING STRIDES NOW.

>> SO IT IS A MATTER OF INVESTMENT IN SOME OF THESE AGING STRUCTURES.

ERIK VARELA THE PORT SYSTEM CHICAGO PORTS IT'S SEEN AS THIS HIDDEN ECONOMIC GEM THAT IF FULLY UTILIZED TO BOOST THE ECONOMY WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET THE PORT OPERATING AT FULL POTENTIAL.

>> IT IS AN ECONOMIC GEM.

AND WHAT IT NEEDS IS TO INVEST IN ITSELF.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AT THE PORT IS BEING UPDATED IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE CURRENT COMMODITIES AND LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE AS WE LOOK AT WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO BE COMING DOWN THE PIKE IN TERMS OF GOODS MOVING THROUGH THE STATE.

I THINK SOME OF THE NUMBERS COMING AROUND IS WE'RE EXPECTING A 40% INCREASE OF FREIGHT THROUGH THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

THE PORT NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THAT.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT WE NEED TO INVEST IN OURSELVES.

WE CAN START ATTRACTING MORE TENANTS AND ATTRACTING NEW BUSINESSES AND PROBABLY GREEN TECHNOLOGIES.

AND AGAIN, WE STARTED THAT.

THE GOVERNOR STARTED THAT WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT AND THE CHICAGO OF CITY OF CHICAGO HAS A INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN THAT WILL HELP THE PORT AND COOK COUNTY IS PART OF 1.27 BILLION 5 YEAR CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN THEY ARE A PARTNER AS WELL.

NOW THAT WE HAVE THE ATTENTION OF OUR ELECTED LEADERS WE WILL MOVE THE PORT FORWARD.

>> POTENTIAL AND ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT FOR ILLINOIS' INFRASTRUCTURE OVERALL.

OUR THANKS TO ERIK VARELA AND ANDREW WALTON.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

>> UP NEXT, YOUR LAST CHANCE TO GET A SWEET TREAT AT ONE LONG TIME CHICAGO BAKERY.

MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING A LOOK AT THE PROPOSED F.D.A.

BAN ON MENTHOL CIGARETTES.

>> IT IS A BITTERSWEET MONTH AS RESIDENTS THEY GOOD-BYE TO DINKEL'S BAKERY.

TONIGHT TONIGHT JOANNA HERNANDEZ SHARES HOW SOME CHICAGOANS ARE TAKING THE NEWS.

>> IS IT CLOSING FOR GOOD?

>> IT IS CLOSING FOR GOOD.

>> LITTLE ZIA O'NEILL LAZIO GOT THE NEWS TODAY THAT HER FAVORITE BAKERY IS SET TO CLOSE.

>> WHY ARE YOU UPSET?

>> BECAUSE I LOVE DINKEL'S AND IT TASTES SO GOOD.

>> TODAY YOU HAVE TO GET A BOX OF DOUGHNUTS.

ARE YOU GOING TO TELL YOUR DAD?

>> I GUESS WE'LL GET A BOX OF DOUGHNUTS.

>> AND BY THE LOOKS OF IT SHE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS GOING TO MISS THE BAKERY.

SHOCKED.

BECAUSE IT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, DINKEL'S BAKERY HAS BEEN SERVING ALL TYPES OF DELICIOUS PASTRIES IN THE LAKEVIEW NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> I FEEL PERSONALLY VERY SAD.

IT'S THE BEST.

GREAT DOUGHNUTS AND GREAT COFFEE AND COOKIES THE HEART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD REPLACE IT.

>> LOCALS HANNAH AND EMMA DAY HAVE BEEN COMING TO DINKEL'S SINCE THEY WERE LITTLE.

>> OUR GRANDMOTHER CAME WHEN SHE WAS A KID.

AND ACTUALLY GOT HER A BOX OF COOKIES BEFORE THEY ANNOUNCED THEY WERE CLOSING.

THERE'S NOTHING LEFT.

>> GENERAL MANAGER LUKE CARL HAS BEEN WORKING ALONGSIDE OWNER NORM DINKEL FOR 13 YEARS AND IT'S BEEN INSPIRING TO LEARN FROM HIM.

HE IS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND HE HAS BEEN RUNNING THIS LONGER THAN HIS FATHER OR GRANDFATHER.

I WANT TO SAY MAYBE 43 OR 45 YEARS.

>> WITH THE BUILDING IN NEED OF REPAIRS AND THE PANDEMIC, CARL SAYS DINKEL HAD TO MAKE THE TOUGH DECISION TO RETIRE.

>> HE WANTS TO HAVE A CLASSY FINISH.

IT'S BEEN OVER 100 YEARS AND A WONDERFUL CORNERSTONE IN CHICAGO AND THE BAKERY DESERVES A NICE FINAL.

>> WE GOT TO COME INSIDE THE KITCHEN AND A SECRET IS THEY BAKE ALL GOODIES IN THIS HUGE OVEN MADE IN THE 1940s.

HOW COOL IS THAT?

>> IT HOLDS 78 PANSES OF PRODUCTS AND IT'S THE LIFELINE FOR THE BAKERY.

>> YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO STOCK UP ON CLASSIC DOUGHNUTS OR STRUDLES BEFORE THEY STOP MAKING DOUGH.

>> WE HAVE ONE OF THE LAST PRALINE PECAN STRUDEL AND THE BROWNIES.

AND THEN I KNOW THEY ARE FAMOUS FOR THESE.

>> WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO THE REGISTER WE WERE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT IS LEFT.

>> SHE WALKED AWAY WITH A BOX OF WARM DOUGHNUTS.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> YES, I WANT A DOUGHNUT.

>> THE BAKERY IS SET TO CLOSE ON SATURDAY AND CUSTOMERS ARE HOPING THAT DINKEL'S BAKERY WILL REOPEN AT ANOTHER LOCATION.

>> NOW, PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> AND WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THAT WORLD FAMOUS ASSIGNMENT I HOPE IT OPENS IN ANOTHER LOCATION.

AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" A LOCAL ORGANIZATION IS WORKING TO CLOSE CHICAGO'S LIFE EXPECTANCY GAP THAT AND MORE IN OUR LIVE REPORT FROM EVENING.

SOON YOU WILL NO LONGER SEE MENTHOL CIGARETTES AT THE STORE.

AND GEOFFREY BAER ON AN ALMOST FORGOTTEN FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BUILDING INSPIRED BY LOUIE SULLIVAN.

>> CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANNOUNCES IT WILL EXPAND A YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FROM 200 SCHOOLS TO ALL C.P.S.

SCHOOLS.

THE PROGRAM WITH LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL DISPATCHES HEALTH TEAMS TO SCHOOLS TO IDENTIFY STUDENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS THAT COULD INCLUDE ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, TRAUMA SYMPTOMS AND ISSUES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN EXACERBATE BIDE THE PANDEMIC.

LURIE HOSPITAL SAYS UP TO 50% OF ADOLESCENTS WILL EXPERIENCE A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE.

BUT ONLY ABOUT 20% WILL RECEIVE SPECIALIZED CARE.

>> CHICAGO'S HOME TO AN ALL-STAR GAME THIS SUMMER.

THE CITY WILL HOST THE WNBA'S ALL-STAR GAME FOR THE FIRST TIME AT WINTRUST ARENA.

THE SKY WON THE FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP LAST OCTOBER AGAINST PHOENIX.

THE WNBA SEASON KICKS OFF.

AND NOW WE GO BACK TO NICK BLUMBERG SPENT THE DAY IN ENGLEWOOD ON THE CITY'S SOUTH SIDE AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> THANKS, PARIS WE ARE HERE NOW WITH SANA SYED AND A SHAH BUTLER.

WELCOME BACK.

WE ARE STANDING IN THE NEW MARKET OPEN FOR A COUPLE MONTHS NOW.

WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT TO BRING THIS PLACE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE MAYBE FOLKS DIDN'T ALWAYS HAVE ACCESS TO THE GROCERIES?

>> SO LIMITED ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE IN NEIGHBORHOODS LIKENING EVENING HAS BEEN A HUGE ISSUE.

A SHAH TALKS ABOUT THAT.

BUT THE RESULT OF THAT IS YOU HAVE HIGH RATES OF OBESITY, AND HEART DISEASE, HIGH RATES OF DIABETES.

AND MANY, MANY RESIDENTS IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS DO NOT HAVE CARS.

SO HAVING CLOSE ACCESS TO BE ABLE TO WALK TO A GROCERY STORE AND GET WHAT YOU NEED TO PREPARE A HEALTHY MEAL IS A MAKE OR BREAK DEAL FOR THE FAMILY.

>> YOU HAVE HAD THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER NEARBY FOR MANY YEARS.

HOW HAS THE DEMAND CHANGED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS DURING COVID?

>> WE STARTED THAT WORK IN THE HEART OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND THIS IS THE LEGACY OF THAT EFFORT THAT WE WERE DOING ALONG WITH TEAMWORK DURING THAT TIME.

THAT PANTRY IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY.

YOU CAN WALK IN AND TAKE A LOOK AT EVERYTHING AND GET WHAT YOU NEED AND GET WHAT YOU NEED BASED ON YOUR HEALTH CONDITIONS.

AND WHAT HAS BEEN NICE IS THAT EVEN OVER THE PAST YEAR, THIS PAST QUARTER WE'VE NOTICED WE'VE SERVED AS MANY HOUSEHOLDS AS WE DID THE ENTIRE YEAR LAST YEAR.

IN ONE QUARTER WE'VE BROKEN OUR RECORDS.

WE HAVE MORE POUNDS OF PRODUCE WE'RE DISTRIBUTING EVERY TIME WHICH IS A GOOD SIGN NOW THAT MEANS THAT RESIDENTS ARE GETTING MORE PRODUCE AND COOKING WITH MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

>> ASHAH THERE WAS DATA SHOWING THE CITY'S LIFE EXPECTANCY DROPPED AND ENGLEWOOD HAD THAT HAD THAT GAP FOR YEARS.

WHAT WORK CAN ORGANIZATIONS DO TO CLOSE THAT?

>> I MEAN, WE SEEN THE DATA AND WE KNOW THE DATA.

WE'RE USED TO CORNER STORES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND WHAT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US IS THAT WE NEED A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT CORNER STORES THEY SHOULDN'T ALL HAVE HORRIBLE FOOD AT THE FRONT OF THE STORE.

WE SHOULD HAVE A VARIETY OF STORES.

EATING DIFFERENTLY CHANGING THE CULTURE OF FOLKS MENTAL HEALTH AND DOING A LOT OF THE WORK THAT OUR PARTNERS DO IS ONE OF THE WAYS YOU CAN HELP WITH LIFE EXPECTANCY.

I WORKOUT EVERYDAY.

WE HAVE A GYM HERE IN ENGLEWOOD.

I'M HOPING TO INCREASE MINE EVERYDAY AND THAT IS BEING A MOTTO AND THE COMMUNITY IS GETTING MORE PEOPLE TO WANT TO DO THE SAME.

>> THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

WE APPRECIATE T WE'LL HAVE MORE IN A LITTLE BIT WITH ONE OF ENGLEWOOD'S ALDERPEOPLE.

FOR NOW, BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU.

UP NEXT COULD A BAN ON MENTHOL CIGARETTES DRIVE DOWN SMOKING RATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING A BAN ON MENTHOL CIGARETTES AND FLAVORED CIGARS.

SUPPORTERS SAY THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY TARGETED BLACK SMOKERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THESE PRODUCTS.

DICK DURBIN CALLS IT LONG OVERDUE SAYING QUOTE...

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THIS PROPOSED BAN ARE KRISTINA HAMILTON ADVOCACY DIRECTOR AT THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION AND Dr. ALLISON ARWADY COMMISSIONER OF THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

KRISTINA HAMILTON LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE, HOW SIGNIFICANT IS THIS?

>> THIS IS A VERY BIG DEAL.

THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION APPLAUDS THE F.D.A.-FOR-WHEN TIMELIZED THIS WILL BE THE SINGLE MOST SIGNIFICANT ACTION TAKEN BY THE F.D.A.

IN THE 13-YEAR HISTORY OF REGULATING TOBACCO PRODUCTS THE PROPOSAL OR THE FINAL VERSION THIS WOULD BE MONUMENTAL.

IT WOULD SAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LIVES IN BLACK, BROWN AND LGBTQ COMMUNITIES AND IT WILL REDUCE SMOKING AND LEAD TO LESS LUNG DISEASE, CANCER AND HEART DISEASE.

>> WHY ARE MENTHOL CIGARETTES WHAT MAKES THEM SO APPEALING TO SMOKERS?

>> FOR DECADES AND DECADES, MENTHOL FIRST HAS BEEN DIRECTLY MARKETED ESPECIALLY TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND YOUTH.

THERE IS A FLAVOR ADDED THAT CAN COME FROM THE MINT PLANT AND MADE IN THE LAB IT'S MEANT TO PROVIDE A COOLING SENSATION AND IT CAN MEAN FOR SOME PEOPLE THIS IS THE TYPE OF TOBACCO THEY CHOOSE.

TOBACCO, OF COURSE, DRIVES THAT LIFE EXPECTANCY GAP.

IN CHICAGO 10 YEARS BETWEEN BLACK CHICAGOANS AND WHITE CHICAGOANS FOR LIFE EXPECTANCY AND WE ESTIMATE THAT TWO TO THREE YEARS OF THAT GAP IS DRIVEN BY TOBACCO.

I AGREE THAT DOING WHAT WE CAN TO REALLY ELIMINATE SOME OF THAT PREDATORY MARKETING IS IMPORTANT.

AND FOR US HERE IN CHICAGO WE ARE ABOUT TRYING TO HAVE PEOPLE LIVE LONGER LIVES.

TAKING THOSE FLAVORS OUT OF THE TOBACCO IS A BIG PART OF HELPING PEOPLE WHO WANT TO QUIT, QUIT.

>> AND WHAT HAS BEEN BOTH THE HUMAN AND THE FINANCIAL TOLL OF SMOKING AND TOBACCO USE ON OUR HEALTH SYSTEM?

>> THE AMOUNT OF LUNG CANCER CASES, [INAUDIBLE] IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE RATE AMONGST WHITE PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS.

75 PER 100,000 VERSUS 68 PER 100,000.

Dr. ARWADY MENTIONED THERE IS A LIFE EXPECTANCY GAP BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE RESIDENTS IN THE STATE.

LGBTQ COMMUNITY IS 49%.

AND SEE THOUSANDS OF TOBACCO LEADING CANCERS AND THE PRODUCT AFFECTING THE COLOR.

THE HEALTH EFFECTS ARE TREMENDOUS.

>> AND KRISTINA HAMILTON WHAT DO WE KNOW HOW THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY TARGETED BLACK PEOPLE AND YOUNGER SMOKERS WITH THESE PRODUCTS?

>> HISTORIC TARGETING OF BLACK COMMUNITIES BY THE BIGGEST TOBACCO COMPANIES THEY DOCUMENTED BACK TO THE 1950s.

THE SURGEON GENERAL'S REPORT SHOWED THAT THE TOBACCO COMPANIES WERE DEPICTING BLACK PEOPLE IN THE MEDIA IN VERY POSITIVE LIGHT.

THEY WERE RADIANT AND JOYFUL AND SUCCESSFUL AND THIS IS THE TIME WHEN THE IMAGES OF BLACK PEOPLE IN THE MEDIA WERE NEGATIVE.

THERE'S DOCUMENTS THAT SHOW THAT COOKING INDIVIDUALS OR VERY YOUNG, THE YOUTH THAT THAT ALSO ADDS TO A LIFELONG USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

WE KNOW THAT THESE PREDATORY PRACTICES HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR DECADES THAT AFFECT YOUNG PEOPLE AND BLACK SMOKERS.

>> Dr. ARWADY SHOULD THERE BE OTHER SMOKING CESSATION INITIATIVES THAT COME ALONG WITH A BAN LIKE THIS SO THAT USERS DON'T TURN TO ANOTHER TOBACCO PRODUCT?

>> ONE OF THE EXCITING THINGS HERE IS THAT THIS HELPS POTENTIALLY CLOSE SOME OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN WANTING TO DO.

YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW THAT CHICAGO IS THE FIRST PLACE IN THE WORLD TO REGULATE MEN SHOL AT ANY LEVEL IN 2013 WHEN WE LIMITED THE SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS THAT WERE FLAVORED WITHIN 500 FEET OF HIGH SCHOOLS.

LAST YEAR WE TOOK ACTION AROUND FLAVORS AGAIN IN VAPING.

IT'S THE FLAVORS WE ARE FOCUSED ON.

THERE ARE RESOURCES FOR SMOKING CESSATION AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LIFT UP THOSE.

THERE IS A QUICK LINE I AM A PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR AND I LOVE HELPING PEOPLE QUIT SMOKING.

OFTEN IT'S THE FLAVORS THAT GET PEOPLE STARTED AND THE FLAVORS THAT KEEP THEM GOING AND WE'RE MOVING THE FLAVORED OPTION WOULD I BELIEVE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO QUIT.

AND WE KNOW THAT ABOUT HALF OF FOLKS WHO SMOKE MENTHOLS TAB DOUGH SAY IF THE MENTHOL IS NOT AVAILABLE THAT ALONE WOULD BE AN INCENTIVE FOR THEM TO WANT TO TRY TO QUIT.

>> WE KNOW THE F.D.A.

HAS TRIED TO BAN MENTHOL SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST.

WHY HAS THIS BEEN HELD UP UNTIL THIS POINT?

>> WELL, UNDER THE 2009 FAMILY SMOKING AND PREVENTION ACT IT GAVE THE F.D.A.

AUTHORITY OVER TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

AFTER THE F.D.A.

'S TOOK THAT AUTHORITY THEY ENDED THE SALE OF ALL FLAVORED CIGARETTES EXCEPT FOR MENTHOL DUE TO INTENSE LOBBYING EFFORTS FROM BIG TOBACCO.

BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF MENTHOL CIGARETTES ARE SOLD EVERY YEAR, A BIG PORTION OF THEIR MARKET SHARE.

WE ARE PROUD 13 YEARS LATER AFTER THE F.D.A.

RECEIVED THE AUTHORITY OVER TOBACCO PRODUCTS THEY ARE FINALLY MAKING THAT MOVE TO REMOVE THE CIGARETTES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE END OF THE SALE SINCE 13 YEARS AGO.

>> IS THERE ANY CONCERN THAT A MOVE LIKE THIS COULD HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES LIKE A BLACK MARKET IN THE PRODUCTS?

>> THE F.D.A.

SAY IT'S TARGETED AT TOBACCO INDUSTRIES.

IF THEY ARE CRIMINALIZED BEHAVIOR AS INDIVIDUALS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE EMPHASIS OF EMPHASIZE THIS IS ABOUT STOPPING THE COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURING DISTRIBUTION AND SELLING OF THE TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

WE ALSO WANT TO REMIND FOLKS F.D.A.

CANNOT AND WILL NOT ENFORCE AGAINST INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER POSSESSIONS OR USE OF MENTHOL CIGARETTES OR ANY TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

THEY WILL SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS ATICKED TO THE PRODUCTS AND FEWER AND FEWER PEOPLE WILL BE SEEKING OUT THE PRODUCTS AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE SUPPORT TO HELP THEM QUIT.

>> Dr. ARWADY YOUR OFFICE WITH BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCIES AGREED TO A STUDY OF AIR POLLUTION ON THE CITY'S SOUTHWEST SIDE AT THE REQUEST OF ACTIVISTS THERE.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR THAT?

AND WHAT CAN WE LEARN HOW BETTER TO PROTECT THE RESIDENTS THERE?

>> SO MAYOR LIGHTFOOT CALLED FOR US TO WORK ON THE CUMULATIVE IMPACT APPROACH LAST YEAR.

AND WHEN WE GOT ADDITIONAL FUNDING WITH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAID THIS IS A GOOD USE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

THIS IS A LONG PROCESS.

IT HAS TAKEN YEARS IN OTHER CITIES BUT IT'S LOOKING AS OPPOSED TO AN INDIVIDUAL PERMIT, HOW DO WE MAKE DECISIONS AS A CITY ABOUT HOW TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PROTECTING HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND SO WE WILL BE WORKING TO BRING IN EXPERTS.

WE WILL BE LOOKING AT A LOT OF DATA AND IT WILL BE A CITYWIDE APPROACH LOOKING HOW SCOOTERS CAN IMPACT THEIR POLLUTION.

SO THAT'S THE BIG PICTURE ON THE OUTSIDE.

AND THE NEWS TODAY FROM THE F.D.A.

IS WHAT HELPS ALSO POTENTIALLY ON AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL PROTECT RESPIRATORY HEALTH.

>> FOR NOW, WE'LL LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS TO KRISTINA HAMILTON AND Dr. ALLISON ARWADY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, WE CHECK BACK IN WITH NICK BLUMBERG IN ENGLEWOOD.

FIRST, A LOOK AT EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND.

[♪♪♪] AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES", "CHICAGO TONIGHT" REPORTER NICK BLUMBERG SPENT THE DAY IN ENGLEWOOD AND JOINS US WITH MORE.

NICK?

>> THANKS, PARIS WE ARE HERE NOW WITH ALDERWOMAN STEPHANIE COLEMAN OF THE 16TH WARD.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING TIME FOR US TONIGHT WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING TO THE OTHER GREATEST WARD IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> HAPPY TO BE HERE.

GREATER ENGLEWOOD RIGHT NOW IS REPRESENTED BY MULTIPLE DIFFERENT ALDERPEOPLE.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THIS COMMUNITY'S REPRESENTATION DURING THE CURRENT REMAP PROCESS AND GOING FORWARD?

>> MY HOPE AND DESIRE IS THAT THE COALITION WHICH MADE UP THE CHICAGO UNITED WHICH IS 34 MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL THAT WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS.

I'M HOPING MY COLLEAGUES AND I WILL COME TO A MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING THAT WE SHOULD NOT DISENFRANCHISE REPRESENTATION ESPECIALLY AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND MAKING SURE WE RETAIN 17 AFRICAN-AMERICAN WARDS VERSUS 14 WARDS THAT OTHER MAPS SUGGESTED.

>> AND WITH THAT DEADLINE LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY ARE YOU HOPEFUL THERE CAN BE RESOLUTION IN COUNCIL?

>> UNDER CHAIRMAN MICHELLE HARRIS' LEADERSHIP I AM DEFINITELY HOPEFUL.

>> ENGLEWOOD WE HEARD FROM FOLKS HOW MUCH THIS USED TO BE A BUSY, BUSINESS DISTRICT.

SECOND ONLY TO DOWNTOWN.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOPES FOR WHAT CITY AND COMMUNITY LEADERS CAN DO TO BRING THAT LOCAL BUSINESS BACK TO THE AREA?

>> WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT CITY, COMMUNITY LEADERS, OUR FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS, OUR CHILDREN, OUR SENIORS, EVERYONE PLAYS A PART.

AND EVERYONE IS SO IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO REVITALIZING ENGLEWOOD.

STABILIZING THE BEAUTIFUL TREASURES THAT WE HAVE NOW.

FOR EXAMPLE GO GREEN ON RACINE.

THIS WAS A STABILIZATION PLAN TO STABLE ADVISE AND REVISITLIZE BUT IT TAKES ALL OF US TOGETHER IN UNITY.

WE ARE DOING IT GRASSROOTS WHERE OUR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS COME TOGETHER AND WE DETERMINE HOW DEVELOPMENT LOOKS.

HOW QUALITY HIGH QUALITY HOUSING LOOKS.

GETTING MORE HOMEOWNERS.

REALLY HAVING A COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN THAT'S FEASIBLE THAT MAKES SENSE.

>> YOU VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE PLAN THAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT PUT FORTH TO GIVE OUT TRANSIT CARDS TO HELP FOLKS GET AROUND DURING THE TIGHT TIMES.

WHAT MORE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE CITY TO DO TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR FOLKS TO GET AROUND IN PLACES WITHOUT GOOD TRANSIT ACCESS?

>> ONE OF THE PLANS WE HAVE IS TO REOPEN THE GREEN LINE HERE ON 63rd AND RACINE THAT WILL COST MORE THAN $12.5 MILLION MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AS WELL AS CONGRESSMAN DAVIS, CONGRESSMAN AND GARCIA ARE WORKING TOGETHER WITH RAGE AND EYE MAN AND LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS IN ADDRESSING THIS GREEN LINE SO RACINE WILL THEN BECOME THE OTHER CORRIDOR WHERE PEOPLE LIVE, PLAY AND WORK.

>> WE HAVE A MINUTE LEFT.

YOU ARE THE CHAIR OF THE CITY COUNCIL'S SUBCOMMITTEE ON REPRESENT OPERATIONS REPARATIONS.

WHERE DOES THE WORK STAND.

>> SPEAKING TO THE MAYOR ABOUT FUNDING THE COMMITTEE SO WE CAN DO MORE.

WE WILL GET THE ANALYSIS THE DATA THAT IS NEEDED AND ADDRESSING THE REDRESS AND RIGHTING THE WRONGS OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO BLACK CHICAGO.

>> ALDERWOMAN STEPHANIE COLEMAN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND PARIS, WE'VE HEARD A LOT FROM FOLKS THROUGHOUT ENGLEWOOD TODAY.

FOR NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> BEFORE WE LET YOU GO WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT ENGLEWOOD ON THE RISE.

WHAT IS DRIVING THAT CHANGE?

>> WELL, IT'S BEEN INTERESTING.

CERTAINLY RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS HERE THEY WANT TO SEE THAT KIND OF CITY INVESTMENT AND WANT TO SEE THE DOLLARS COMING IN TO FUND PROGRAMS.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE HEARD OVER AND OVER IT HAS TO BE COMMUNITY DRIVEN PRIORITIES.

THEY DON'T WANT TOP DOWN AND SAYING HERE IS HOW WE ARE GOING TO DO IT FOR YOU.

THERE'S EFFORT AND FOCUS TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE ARE THINGS THAT LOCK FER LONG TIME RESIDENTS MANY WHO HAVE LIVED HERE FOR GENERATIONS THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT AND NEED AND THESE ARE THE THINGS THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE GOING FORWARD.

AND THEY ARE THE ONES DRIVING THE BUS ON A LOT OF THESE PLANS.

>> ALL RIGHT, NICK, GOOD JOB TODAY IN ENGLEWOOD.

AND UP NEXT, AN EARLY PROJECT OF ARCHITECT FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT IN AN ENCORE EDITION OF "ASK GEOFFREY".

TODAY WE KNOW FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT AS ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL AMERICAN ARCHITECTS.

EARLY IN THIS CAREER HE DESIGNED PROJECTS YOU MIGHT HAVE TROUBLE RECOGNIZING AS HIS EVEN IF YOU LIVED IN THE BUILDING.

GEOFFREY BAER IS HERE WITH THE STORY OF ONE SUCH BUILDING THAT ONCE STOOD ON CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE IN THIS WEEK'S "ASK GEOFFREY".

WELCOME BACK TO THE STUDIO.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE IN PERSON.

>> I'M NOT IN A BOX.

>> YOU ARE A PERSON.

>> SOCIALLY DISTANCED.

>> THIS QUESTION ASKS... >> WELL, AS YOU ELUDED TO, OUR QUESTIONER WHEN SHE WAS GROWING NEWSPAPER THIS BUILDING WHICH IS LOCATED OR WAS LOCATED AT 43rd STREET AND FORRESTVILLE AVENUE IN WHAT IS TODAY BRONZEVILLE SHE HAD NO IDEA IT WAS DESIGNED BY ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS ARCHITECTS AND IT'S EASY TO SEE WHY.

IT LOOKS NOTHING LIKE THE LOW-SLUNG PRAIRIE STYLE THAT WRIGHT IS KNOWN FOR.

NOR HIS OTHER FAMOUS BUILDINGS LIKE THIS IN OAK PARK OR FALLINGWATER IN PENNSYLVANIA.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE THE FRANCIS APARTMENTS IN BRONZEVILLE WERE DESIGNED IN 1895 EARLY IN WRIGHT'S CAREER WHEN HIS STYLE WAS MORE REMINISCENT OF HIS ONE TIME BOSS AND MENTOR LOUIE SULLIVAN.

SULLIVAN IS THE SULLIVAN'S WORK NOW FOR REJECTING HISTORICAL STYLES AND PIONEERING THE MODERN SKYSCRAPER WITH THE FAMOUS FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION INSTEAD OF PASTING ON GREEK COLUMNS TO THE BUILDINGS, LOUIE SULLIVAN DEVELOPED A SYSTEM OF ORNAMENTATION INSPIRED BY ORGANIC FORMS AND THE BUILDING'S STRUCTURE.

CAN YOU SEE THIS PLAY OUT IN FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT'S FRANCIS APARTMENTS.

AND THE BUILDING'S ENTRANCE WAY WITH THE TERRACOTTA ORNAMENT WEAVING THROUGH THE COURTYARD IT'S IN CONVERSATION WITH THE GATES AND FLOURISHES.

AND IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY AT THE INTERCONNECTING CIRCLES AND LINES, WOW IT FEELS STRIKINGLY CLOSE TO WHAT LOUIE SULLIVAN WOULD HAVE DONE.

IN THE DEPARTMENT STORE IN THE LOOP OR SULLIVAN'S LAST COMMISSION WHICH WAS THE KRAUSE MUSIC STORE IN LINCOLN SQUARE.

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT'S FOUR STOREY FRANCIS APARTMENT BUILDING NOW GONE WAS BUILT AS MIDDLE INCOME HOUSING WITH APARTMENTS AND RETAIL SPACE ON 43rd STREET.

OVER THE YEARS THE APARTMENTS SADIE DETERIORATED AND TORN DOWN.

WITHOUT MUCH PROTEST ORPHAN FAIR THAT HAPPENED IN 1971.

>> WRIGHT AND SEXUALLY VAB ARE TITANS OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE BUT THEY HAD A COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP.

>> COMPLICATED WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT, I THINK.

WRIGHT JOINED SULLIVAN'S FIRM CALLED ADLER AND SULLIVAN IN 1888 AND WORKED AS A DRAFTS MAN ON ONE OF THE FIRM'S MOST FAMOUS PROJECTS THE AUDITORIUM BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO.

THEY WOULD WORK TOGETHER FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS UNTIL WRIGHT STARTED MOONLIGHTING DESIGNING HOUSES FOR HIS OWN CLIENTS TO MAKE EXTRA CASH.

THIS WAS A TOTAL VIOLATION OF HIS CONTRACT WITH SULLIVAN AND SULLIVAN FURIOUSLY FIRED HIM AND THAT LED TO BAD BLOOD BETWEEN THE TWO THAT LASTED UNTIL NEAR THE END OF SULLIVAN'S LIFE WHEN THEY DID RECONCILE.

WRIGHT AND SULLIVAN DID COLLABORATE ON INFLUENTIAL PROJECTS DURING THEIR PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP.

THESE INCLUDE THE NOTABLE HOUSE THAT STANDS IN THE GOLD COAST NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE HOME OF THE SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS.

SULLIVAN AND ADLER WERE THE ARCHITECTS OF RECORD ON THAT HOME.

BUT THE SOCIETY TELLS US WRIGHT OVERSAW THE DETAILS LIKELY INCLUDING THE BALLEY'STERS ON THE SECOND FLOOR THAT FEEL LIKE A FORESHADOWING OF WRIGHT'S MATURE STYLE.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING LEFT OF THE FRANCIS APARTMENTS TODAY?

>> NOT MUCH.

THE SITE IS HOME TO A SERIES OF CONTEMPORARY TOWNHOUSES PART OF A LARGER WAVE OF NEW CONSTRUCTION.

A FEW REMNANTS FROM THE BUILDING ARE HOUSED AT THE ART INSTITUTE INCLUDING THIS GATE FROM THE ENTRANCE WAY AS WELL AS THIS VENTILATOR GRILL THAT WRIGHT DESIGNED FOR THE BUILDING.

BUT IF YOU WANT TO SEE A RARE SURVIVING EXAMPLE OF WRIGHT'S EARLY SULLIVANNESQUE WORK GO A MILE-AND-A-HALF NORTH OF THE SITE OF THE FORMER PROJECT AND GET TO THE ROLL LIST SON ROWHOUSES ON CALUMET AVENUE.

NOTICE THE ORNAMENTATION ON THE FRONT.

WRIGHT DID THIS A YEAR BEFORE FRANCIS APARTMENTS A YEAR AFTER SULLIVAN BOOTED HIM OUT.

RIGHT BEFORE HE WAS WRIGHT.

AND SAID THE INTERIORS WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE IN 1981.

BUT THE FACADES REMAIN AND THEY ARE A CHICAGOLAND MARK.

>> ALWAYS FUN GEOFFREY BAER GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE IN THE FLESH.

THANK YOU.

AND YOU CAN CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE FRANCIS APARTMENTS AND SUBMIT YOUR OWN QUESTION TO GEOFFREY BAER.

>> AND WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YouTube AND WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND CAN YOU GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]