>>> HEY THERE AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

>>> WE SHARE A LOT IN COMMON.

>> MAYOR-ELECT JOHNSON MEETS WITH GOVERNOR PRITZKER FOLLOWING HIS RUNOFF VICTORY.

>>> BREAKING DOWN THE LATEST IN THE COMMENT FOR TRIAL.

>> INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY BENEFIT EVERYONE.

>> A FEDERAL JUDGE JUST RULED CHICAGO'S CROSSWALKS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL PEDESTRIANS.

>>> HOW YOUNG VOTERS MOVED THE NEEDLE IN THE MAYORAL RUNOFF AND HOW ORGANIZERS ARE WORKING TO KEEP THAT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT UP.

>> IN THE END WINNERS GO TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> CRITICS CALL FOUL ON DOUBLE STANDARDS FOLLOWING THE WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

>>> THIS IS NOT ONLY SOMETHING WE DO IN TRUE LIVING.

IT'S EMBEDDED IN OUR DNA.

>> COOKING UP A CENTURY OLD FAMILY RECIPE FROM MEXICO.

>>> NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, CHICAGO'S NEW MAYOR-ELECT BRANDON JOHNSON IS MAKING THE ROUNDS TODAY MEETING WITH GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER.

THE TWO MEN CHATTED ABOUT CITY FINANCES, JOB CREATION AND GROWING SMALL BUSINESSES, BUT DIDN'T GET INTO SPECIFICS ON JOHNSON'S TAX PROPOSALS WHICH INCLUDE TAXES ON REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS AND AVIATION FUEL.

>> THE RELIANCE ON PROPERTY TAXES HAVE LEFT A LOT OF FAMILIES IN ECONOMIC TURMOIL AND DESPAIR, BUT WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THE GOVERNOR AND I ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING INVESTMENTS IN COMMUNITIES THAT NEED IT.

>> ONE AREA THEY PLAN TO WORK ON TOGETHER AND SWIFTLY IS BRINGING THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION TO CHICAGO.

>>> FACULTY AT A THIRD ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY COULD BE WALKING OFF THE JOB AND ON STRIKE NEXT WEEK.

THIS ONE AT GOVERNOR STATE UNIVERSITY WHERE FACULTY AND STAFF SAY AN EIGHT-HOUR BARGAINING SESSION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION TODAY STILL FAILED TO REACH A CONTRACT DEAL.

THE TWO SIDES ARE AT ODDS OVER COMPENSATION AND WORKLOAD.

THE UNION SAYS GFU HAS UNTIL 5:30 MONDAY AFTERNOON TO RETURN TO THE BARGAINING TABLE OR THEY STRIKE ON TUESDAY.

CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY EDUCATORS HAVE BEEN ON STRIKE FOR SOME OF THE SAME ISSUES SINCE MONDAY.

EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY FACULTY AND STAFF WALKED OFF THE JOB YESTERDAY.

>>> ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SEE THE LARGEST INCREASE OF ANY STATE IN THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS RECEIVING A THREE OR HIGHER ON THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMS.

A SCORE OF THREE MEANS A STUDENT QUALIFIES FOR FREE COLLEGE CREDIT AT ANY COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN THE STATE.

AMONG THE CLASS OF 2022, ONE IN IT FOUR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATED RECEIVED THAT SCORE AND THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO EVEN TOOK AN A.P.

TEST INCREASED 42% IN THE LAST DECADE IN ILLINOIS COMPARED TO A 14% INCREASE NATIONWIDE.

>>> UP NEXT IN THE PROGRAM, BREAKING DOWN NEW TESTIMONY IN THE SO-CALLED COMMENT FOR TRIAL, REPORTER MATT MASTERSON WITH THAT STORY RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS, THE JIM K.MABIE FAMILY AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> WE ARE SEVERAL WEEKS INTO THE BRIBERY TRIAL OF FOUR FORMER COMMENT EXECUTIVES AND LOBBYISTS.

WTTW-TV NEWS REPORTER MATT MASTERSON JOINS US WITH A RECAP OF WHAT WAS HEARD THIS WEEK AND WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT WEEK.

YESTERDAY'S HEARING JURORS HEARD FROM JUAN OCHOA.

WHO IS HE?

>> THE FORMER HEAD OF McPIER, THE GROUP THAT OWNS McCORMICK PLACE AND NAVY PIER AND IS A ONE TIME MEMBER OF COMMENT'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

PROSECUTORS HAVE SAID HIS APPOINTMENT TO THAT SEAT WAS PART OF THIS BRIBERY SCHEME WITH FORMER SPEAKER MIKE MADIGAN.

OCHOA TESTIFIED HE WAS SEEKING APPROVAL FOR THE SEAT AND WHILE HE WAS MADIGAN WOULD PROVIDE HIM WITH UPDATES RATHER THAN COMMENT AND JURORS LATER HEARD RECORDED PHONE CALLS WHERE MADIGAN TOLD LONG TIME CONFIDANTE MICHAEL McCLAIN THEY NEEDED TO PUSH TO GET OCHOA ON THE SEAT AND McCLAIN RELAYING THAT MESSAGE TO THE CEO.

McCLAIN AND PRAMAJORIE WITH FORMER COMMENT EXECUTIVE JON HOOKER AND CONSULTANT JAY DOUGHERTY WERE ALLEGEDLY BRIBING MADIGAN FOR LEGISLATION FAVORABLE FOR THE UTILITY COMPANY IN FAIRFIELD INCLUDING THINGS LIKE HIRING MADIGAN ALLIES SUBCONTRACTORS FOR NO-WORK JOB, BRINGING IN INTERNS FOR COMMENT FROM MADIGAN'S BOARD.

>> WE'VE HEARD PHONE RECORDINGS, ONE FROM MIKE McCLAIN.

WHAT WAS NOTABLE?

>> MUCH OF THE PROSECUTION'S CASE RESTED ON WIRETAP PHONE CONVERSATIONS.

THIS ONE WAS BETWEEN McCLAIN AND JOHN HOOKER IN FEBRUARY 2019.

THEY'RE DISCUSSING HIRING THESE SUBCONTRACTORS FOR THESE NO-WORK JOBS AND DURING THAT CONVERSATION McCLAIN TELLS HOOKER WE HAD TO HIRE THESE GUYS BECAUSE MIKE MADIGAN CAME TO US.

THAT'S THE HEART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S CASE, SAYING THESE FOUR WERE TAKING ACTIONS NOT BECAUSE IT WAS IN THE BEST INTEREST OR BEST COURSE OF ACTION, BUT BECAUSE MADIGAN WAS SAYING IT AND THEY WERE DOING THIS TO GET HIS SUPPORT ON LEGISLATION IN SPRINGFIELD.

>> WHAT'S ON TAP NEXT WEEK?

>> THE PROSECUTION HAVE BEEN CALLING WITNESSES FOR OVER FOUR WEEKS AND ARE EXPECTED TO REST THEIR CASE BY TUESDAY WHEN THE DEFENSE WILL TAKE OVER AND LAST SEVERAL MORE WEEKS.

THEY WILL BEGIN CALLING THEIR WITNESSES SOMETIME NEXT WEEK.

>> THANKS SO MUCH.

YOU CAN READ MATT'S FULL STORY AT OUR WEBSITE AT NEWS.WTTW.COM/NEWS.

[ MUSIC ] >>> THOUGH THEY ARE TYPICALLY THE SMALLEST VOTING BLOC, MORE YOUNG VOTERS CAST THEIR BALLOT IN THEIR WEEKS RUNOFF ELECTION THAN IN FEBRUARY.

CHICAGO BOARD OF ELECTIONS DATA SHOWS A 32% INCREASE FROM FEBRUARY 28th TO APRI L 4th FOR VOTERS AGES 18 TO 24.

EVEN VOTERS 25 TO 34 YEARS OLD INCREASED THEIR VOTERSHIP BY 24%.

JOINING US NOW ARE CVVYAS, CO-DIRECTOR OF CHICAGO VOTES AND ORGANIZER OF GOOD KIDS CITY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WAS THAT LED TO THE INCREASE IN YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN THE RUNOFF ELECTION COMPARED TO THE GENERAL?

>> I THINK THE FACT IT GOT DOWN TO TWO CANDIDATES WAS HELPFUL, VERY TWO CLEARLY DIFFERENT CANDIDATES, TOO.

I THINK WHAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING OVER THE LAST FEW ELECTIONS ACTUALLY IN THE PRESIDENTIAL, IN THE GOVERNOR'S ELECTION, YOUNG PEOPLE TURNED OUT AT HIGH RATES.

SO I THINK IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE'RE STARTING TO SEE A SHIFT IN WHAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE NORM OF LOW YOUTH VOTER PARTICIPATION, WHICH I THINK IS REALLY EXCITING.

>> THE SAME QUESTION FOR YOU.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WAS THAT LED TO MORE YOUNG PEOPLE CASTING THEIR BALLOTS THIS TIME?

>> I AGREE WITH STEVIE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THE PARTICIPATION THAT ORGANIZATIONS PUT IN AND ALSO THE EVENT CHICAGO HOSTED, THAT DEFINITELY HELPED IT INCREASE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE MORE.

WHAT INITIATIVES DID GOOD KIDS MAD CITY GET INTO TO GET MORE YOUNG PEOPLE OUT TO VOTE?

>> WE DID A FEW EVENTS.

SO FIRST WE HOSTED A FORUM MORE LIKE A TOWN HALL TO SPECIFICALLY INVOLVE THE YOUTH AND HAVE THE YOUTH BE HEARD AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OTHER TOWN HAPPENS AND MAYORAL FORUMS WAS THAT OURS WAS YOUTH-LED AND ALSO NOT JUST THAT, BUT YOU CAN SEE ALSO WHEN I TALK TO COLLEGE STUDENTS AND ENCOURAGED THEM TO VOTE ALONG WITH THE PEOPLE AT UNITY CLASS, COLLEGES LIKE UNITY KING, MALCOLM X AND WE HAD TWO LITTLE LIKE KICKBACKS FOR THE YOUTH.

THERE WAS ONE WITH 13 HIGH SCHOOLS THAT ATTENDED TO VOTE AND WE HAD ANOTHER ONE WHERE WE ACTUALLY PROVIDED THEM WITH STATE IDs AND ALSO ENCOURAGING THEM TO VOTE.

>> YOU'RE 17, SO NOT QUITE ABLE TO VOTE YET.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO YOU?

WHY DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN GETTING MORE PEOPLE YOUR AGE TO VOTE?

>> DEFINITELY.

I FEEL LIKE THE YOUTH ISN'T REALLY INVOLVED, LIKE THE YOUTH SHOULD BE MORE INVOLVED AND ALSO A LOT OF THE STUFF THAT CANDIDATES DO AFFECT THE YOUTH LIKE PUBLIC SAFETY, MEASURES AROUND SCHOOL SAFETY, AND ALSO LIKE THE PROGRAMS THAT THEY OFFER US, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, JUST IN GENERAL PROGRAMS TO KEEP THE YOUTH OCCUPIED, THAT DEFINITELY IS AFFECTED BY CANDIDATES.

>> STEVIE, WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE SOME OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO REACH POTENTIAL YOUNG VOTERS?

>> YEAH.

SO WE DID A LOT OF GET OUT THE VOTE WORK.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE THE CORE OF OUR ORGANIZATION IS TO ENGAGE YOUNG VOTERS, TRYING TO HAVE NONTRADITIONAL FORMS OF CIVIC EDUCATION IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE DISTRIBUTED THOUSANDS AND HAD A REACH OF OVER 1 MILLION DIGITALLY THROUGH A VOTER GUIDE THAT WAS NONPARTISAN THAT WAS DESIGNED IN A VERY COMPELLING MANNER, ACTUALLY DESIGNED BY PEOPLE WHO WERE FORMERLY INCARCERATED AND I THINK THAT THAT DREW YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE INFORMATION THEY NEEDED TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS, ALSO CREATING NONTRADITIONAL SPACES TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT POLITICS AND CIVICS.

WE HAD A WEEKEND OF HAPPY HOURS THAT INCLUDED A FASHION SHOW, ART INSTALLATIONS AND OPEN MIC NIGHT WHERE WE GAVE OUT OUR VOTER GUIDE, REGISTERED YOUNG PEOPLE TO VOTE, MADE PLANS WITH THEM TO GO CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

WE HAD A PARADE TO THE POLLS THAT GOOD KIDS MAD CITY WAS A PART OF, WHICH IS REALLY COOL.

>> WHEN YOU'RE HAVING SOME OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS, WHAT ARE THE WORDS YOU USE TO HELP THEM OVERCOME THE DISILLUSIONMENT THAT YOUNG PEOPLE CAN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE, THAT THEIR VOTES DON'T MATTER?

>> ESPECIALLY IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE.

I THINK WHAT WE SAW POINTS TO THAT.

YOUNG PEOPLE MADE UP -- YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN 18 AND 35 MADE UP THE LARGEST PORTION OF THE ELECTORATE, HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON WHO BECAME MAYOR.

THAT IS JUST LIKE STRAIGHT TO THE POINT LIKE YOUR VOTE DOES MATTER.

IT HAS AN IMPACT.

IF YOU DON'T VOTE, THAT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET ELECTED ANYWAY.

SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD AND IF WE DO IT AS A BLOC, CHANCES ARE THE PERSON WHO IS ELECTED IS MORE LIKELY GOING TO LISTEN TO WHAT WE ADVOCATE FOR AS A FOLLOW-UP.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BARRIERS THAT YOUNG PEOPLE FACE WITH GETTING INVOLVED CIVICALLY?

COULD IT BE CONFUSION OVER VOTING LOCATIONS OR BUSY WITH SCHOOL AND EXTRACURRICULARS AND BALANCING TIME AND FAMILY?

>> A LOT OF YOUTH DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY'RE HEARD OR LIKE THEIR VOTE MATTERS LIKE STEVIE HAD SAID AND ALSO I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE MY AGE, THEY DON'T FIND NO INTEREST BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT REALLY EDUCATED.

THERE'S A BARRIER BETWEEN LIKE EDUCATING THEMSELVES ON WHAT IT IS TO VOTE AND WHY YOUR VOTE MATTERS AND ALSO A LOT OF YOUTH CAN'T AFFORD TO GET A STATE ID OR DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO GET STATE IDs.

IT'S JUST ABOUT THE RESOURCES AND LIKE THOSE EDUCATION BARRIERS, STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> WHAT ROLE DO YOU THINK SCHOOLS HAVE IN TEACHING MORE CIVIC EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT TO STUDENTS?

>> I FEEL LIKE SCHOOLS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE TEACHING MORE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES.

THEY DON'T REALLY TEACH YOU.

MOST OF THE STUFF THAT I HAVE LEARNED IS BECAUSE OF THE GOOD KIDS MAD CITY OR EVENTS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL.

I FEEL LIKE SCHOOL SHOULD BE ENDORSING, NOT JUST LIKE VOTE FOR THIS PERSON, BUT MORE LIKE WHAT IT MEANS TO VOTE AND HOW YOUR VOTE CAN MATTER AND STUFF THAT AFFECTS STUDENTS THEMSELVES BECAUSE A LOT OF THE STUFF THAT COMES BETWEEN VOTING, OF COURSE, AFFECTS CPS STUDENTS.

SO I FEEL LIKE SCHOOL SHOULD BE EDUCATING STUDENTS MORE ABOUT IT.

>> STEVIE, HOW DO YOU BUILD ON THIS GROWTH?

DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE EVEN MORE VOTERS THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE?

>> I HOPE SO.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP DOING WORK OUTSIDE OF ELECTIONS, PARTICIPATING IN DEMOCRACY DOESN'T START AND FINISH AT THE BALLOT BOX, YOU KNOW.

THESE LEADERS STILL NEED TO HEAR FROM US.

THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK WITH SCHOOLS TO TEACH CURRICULUM AROUND LEGISLATIVE TRACKING, HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR ELECTED LEADERS SO THAT WE AREN'T JUST COMING BACK TO THIS DEMOGRAPHIC TRYING TO MOBILIZE AROUND THE ELECTION AND THEN WALKING AWAY.

WE'RE BUILDING IN THE IN-BETWEEN TIME SO THAT CIVIC KNOWLEDGE IS OVERWHELMINGLY BETTER DEVELOPED IN OUR CITY AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE PREPARED TO CAST THEIR BALLOT, EXCITED TO CAST THEIR BALLOT, AND UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE AND THE IMPACT THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE WHEN THEY DO TURN OUT AND VOTE.

>> YOU GOT FOUR YEARS TO KEEP WORKING ON BUILDING THAT BEFORE THE NEXT MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

WE'LL LEAVE IT THERE.

I'M SURE WE'LL TALK AGAIN BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>>> WE'RE BACK WITH MORE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> ALMOST NONE OF CHICAGO'S 2,800 CROSSWALKS WITH SIGNALS ARE ACCESSIBLE TO BLIND, LOW VISION PEDESTRIANS AND THE CITY IS BREAKING THE LAW.

A FEDERAL JUDGE RECENTLY FOUND THESE CROSSWALKS VIOLATE THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AND THE REHABILITATION ACT.

THAT RULING IS THE RESULT OF A YEARS LONG CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BY A GROUP OF LOCAL COMPLAIN ANTS WITH BACKING U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" NICK BLUMBERG JOINS US TONIGHT.

HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES THIS IMPACT?

>> 65,000 BLIND OR LOW VISION PEDESTRIANS.

IT'S A HUGE CLASS OF PEOPLE BEHIND THIS LAWSUIT AND THEY SUED OVER CHICAGO'S FAILURE TO MAKE ITS SIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS ACCESSIBLE.

THAT NUMBER DOESN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT PEOPLE VISITING OR COMING FROM THE SUBURBS.

ANN BRASH IS ONE OF THE LEAD PLAINTIFFS IN THE CASE AND WE SPOKE WITH HER EARLIER THIS YEAR.

SHE SAYS SHE WAS NEARLY HIT BY A BUS CROSSING A DOWNTOWN STREET SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN SHE STARTED TO CROSS AT THE WRONG TIME.

>> I WANT TO DO ALL THESE THINGS.

I WANT TO GO PLACES.

I WANT TO BE INDEPENDENT.

I DON'T WANT TO DEPEND ON OTHER PEOPLE, BUT I'M AFRAID TO CROSS THE STREET.

>> NOW IN A STATEMENT AFTER THE RULING, BRASH SAYS, "THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS AND IT'S GOING TO MAKE THE CITY SAFER."

SHE AND THE OTHER PLAINTIFFS DIDN'T ASK FOR MONEY.

THEY SAY THEY JUST WANT TO COMPEL THE CITY TO INSTALL ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS.

THOSE GIVE AUDIO CUES TO PEDESTRIANS WHO CAN'T SEE OR CAN'T SEE WELL LETTING THEM KNOW THAT IT'S SAFE TO CROSS THE STREET.

RIGHT NOW BLIND PEDESTRIANS OFTEN HAVE TO LISTEN FOR PARALLEL TRAFFIC, WHICH IS NO GUARANTEE, ESPECIALLY IN A NOISY CITY LIKE THIS ONE.

>> NOW THAT THE JUDGE FOUND CHICAGO IS BREAKING CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS, WHAT'S NEXT?

>> I TALKED WITH ONE OF THE PLAINTIFFS' ATTORNEYS.

SHE SAID THE NEXT STEP IS TO GET STARTED NEGOTIATING A REMEDIAL PLAN TO BRING CHICAGO INTO COMPLIANCE.

SHE HELPED ARGUE A SIMILAR CASE OVER NEW YORK'S CROSSWALKS.

THAT CITY WAS ALSO FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS, BUT THE NEGOTIATIONS THERE DRAGGED ON AND EVENTUALLY THE JUDGE HAD TO HOLD A HEARING TO DECIDE ON A REMEDIAL PLAN.

THE DECISION GAVE NEW YORK A DECADE TO MAKE THREE-QUARTERS OF ITS CROSSWALKS ACCESSIBLE.

>> WE IMAGINE IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG PROCESS, BUT THIS DECISION CERTAINLY PAVES THE WAY FOR PRODUCTIVE AND STRONG REMEDIAL PLAN THAT WE HOPE WILL REALLY BENEFIT BLIND AND LOW VISION PEDESTRIANS AND ULTIMATELY EVERYONE BECAUSE THESE UNITS CAN BE HELPFUL TO SIGHTED FOLKS AS WELL.

>> THAT'S BECAUSE IF YOU'RE ANYTHING LIKE ME, YOU'VE CERTAINLY BEEN DISTRACTED BY YOUR PHONE OR SOMETHING OUT IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND YOU DIDN'T NOTICE THAT IT'S TIME TO CROSS.

NOW ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS WILL ALSO BE A BENEFIT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE SIGHTED NOW BUT WHO EXPERIENCE VISION LOSS IN THE FUTURE.

JULIE TYE IS PRESIDENT OF HADLEY WHICH HELPS ADULTS LEARN HOW TO NAVIGATE A NEW VISION DISABILITY.

>> AS WE ARE LIVING LONGER, OLDER ADULTS ARE INCREASING RISK FOR AGE-RELATED VISION LOSS.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE SIGNIFICANTLY VISUALLY DISABLED IS EXPECTED TO DOUBLE IN THE NEXT 25 YEARS OR SO FROM ABOUT 7 OR 8 MILLION NOW TO AS MUCH AS 15 MILLION.

>> ADVOCATES SAY THE BENEFITS OF THE JUDGE'S RULING ON ACCESSIBLE CROSSWALKS CAN ALSO EXTEND BEYOND CHICAGO AND NEW YORK.

>> MAINLY WE'RE MAKING THESE CITIES REALIZE THAT SUCH A LEGAL DUTY DOES EXIST AND THEREFORE, WHEN THEY ARE SIGNALIZING THEIR OWN INTERSECTIONS, THEY NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY.

>> SHE SAYS THE PLAINTIFFS' REPRESENTATIVES HAVEN'T MET WITH THE CITY TO START NEGOTIATIONS YET, BUT THEY HOPE TO GET MOVING SOON.

>> I'M SURE THEY DO.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> IT WAS THE MOST WATCHED NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FINAL IN TELEVISION HISTORY.

LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY BEAT THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA IN THE WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP, BUT WHAT GOT ALL THE ATTENTION WAS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE LAST FEW SECONDS OF THE GAME.

LSU STAR ANGEL REESE WAS MET WITH BACKLASH ONLINE FOR MAKING THAT YOU CAN'T SEE ME GESTURE THERE, IT IS RIGHT THERE, DESPITE HAWKEYES PLAYER CAITLIN CLARK WHO IS WHITE, ALSO HAVING DONE THE SAME MOVE IN A PREVIOUS GAME.

HERE'S A SNEAK PEEK FROM THIS WEEKEND'S "CHICAGO TONIGHT" BLACK VOICES WHERE OUR GUESTS SHARED REACTION TO THE BACKLASH REESE HAS RECEIVED.

>> I WAS UPSET.

I WASN'T SHOCKED, WASN'T SURPRISED, BUT I MEAN IT STILL -- I STILL CAN'T WRAP MY MIND AROUND HOW SO MANY ADULTS, GROWN ADULTS, COULD JUST TAKE THEIR ANGER OUT ON SOMEONE SO YOUNG ABOUT SOMETHING SO LIKE UNIMPORTANT REALLY IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS IN BASKETBALL AND SUCH A GREAT GAME AND THAT'S WHAT THEY CHOSE TO FOCUS ON.

>> COACH, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

>> AGAIN, DISAPPOINTING IN SOME OF THE LEADERS IN THE SPORTS INDUSTRY, MALE AND FEMALE, AND AGAIN MAKING IT ABOUT SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN IT WAS.

IT WAS TWO COMPETITORS COMPETING.

THAT FINAL GAME YOU WANT TO WIN.

THEY BOTH HAD GREAT RUNS.

AGAIN, BOTH HAVE DONE THE GESTURE, BUT YOU'RE SEEING THE BACKLASH FROM ONE SIDE USUALLY, BUT AGAIN YOU WERE ABLE TO SEE HOW THEY GREW FROM IT AND THEIR GREAT RESPONSES TO THE ADULTS MAKING SOME DIFFERENT REACTIONS, ESPECIALLY ON TWITTER.

>> I DON'T PLAY MUCH SPORTS, BUT I GET THE IMPRESSION THAT THAT KIND OF SORT OF, YOU KNOW, TAUNTING A LITTLE BIT, PART OF THE GAME.

IT HAPPENS?

>> I WOULD SAY YES AND IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE THIS GENERATION.

AGAIN, BOTH PLAYERS CAN BACK IT UP.

IT WAS GREAT TO SEE FOR OUR GAME.

OUR GAME IS GROWING, THE ATHLETICISM AND WHAT THEY BRING TO THE TABLE.

IT'S JUST PEOPLE WANTING TO CHIME IN LAST SECOND WHEN YOU HAVE OVER THE 9 MILLION VIEWERS WATCHING AND KNOW ABOUT OUR SPORT.

THAT'S THE DISAPPOINTING PART.

>> BRANDON POPE, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THAT?

>> NOT SURPRISED, BUT DISAPPOINTED FOR SURE.

IT'S JUST BONKERS.

I'M A BIG SPORTS GUY, BEEN COVERING SPORTS A WHILE.

THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE DO.

THIS IS WHAT MAKES SPORTS GREAT, THE INTENSITY, THE EMOTION, THE GREAT CHARACTERS AND PLAYERS AND PEOPLE ACTED LIKE THEY HAD NEVER SEEN A SPORTING EVENT IN THEIR LIFE AND IT WAS BACK TO THE SAME OLD TROPES WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR YEARS AND DECADES.

WE'VE GOT TO DO BETTER, NOT JUST FOR BASKETBALL, BUT SOCIETY.

THIS IS NOT RIGHT THE WAY THIS DIALOGUE HAS GONE.

>> YOU CAN WATCH THAT FULL CONVERSATION ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "BLACK VOICES" SATURDAY AT 6:30.

>>> THERE ARE SEVEN CULINARY REGIONS IN MEXICO, EACH WITH THEIR OWN UNIQUE FOODS, TECHNIQUES, AND FLAVORS THAT HAVE EVOLVED OVER CENTURIES.

IN A CLASSIC TALE OF MEXICAN INGENUITY, THE DISH WAS CREATED AS A WAY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AN OVERPOPULATION OF GOATS IN THE JALISCO REGION.

50 YEARS AGO RAMON REYES BROUGHT HIS RECIPE TO CHICAGO'S SOUTHEAST SIDE.

NOW HIS SON IS BRINGING THE TRADITIONAL DISH TO A NEW GENERATION.

PRODUCER ERICA GUNDERSON RECENTLY BROUGHT US THIS STORY.

HERE'S ANOTHER TASTE.

>> THIS IS NOT ONLY SOMETHING WE DO FOR A LIVING, IT'S EMBEDDED IN OUR DNA.

>> I LIKE TO BELIEVE SO.

>> Reporter: WHEN ANDY REYES TALKS ABOUT THE PERFECT BOWL, HE HAS FOUR GENERATIONS SPEAKING THROUGH HIM.

>> I HAVE TO HAVE THE RIB, A LITTLE BIT OF FAT, A LITTLE BIT OF MEAT TOWARDS THE END DRENCHED A LITTLE BIT IN CONSUMNE.

FIRST YOU PUT THE LIME, THE MEAT, SOME SAUCE AND TAKE A BITE OUT OF IT.

>> Reporter: THOUGH ANDY IS ONLY THE SECOND GENERATION OF REYES TO RUN THE RESTAURANT, THE FAMILY RECIPE GOES BACK TO 1926 WHEN HIS GREAT GRANDFATHER DEVELOPED HIS OWN VERSION OF THE STEWED GOAT RECIPE IN JALISCO.

WHEN ANDY'S FATHER RAMON REYES IMMIGRATED TO THE CHICAGO AREA, HE BROUGHT THE KNOW-HOW WITH HIM.

>> HIS UNCLE WAS HERE IN CHICAGO.

AT 18 MY DAD RECEIVED ONE OF THOSE OLD SCHOOL POSTCARDS WHERE IT SAID CHICAGO AND IT HAD THE SKYLINE.

HE POINTS OUT TO HIS FRIENDS HEY GUYS, LOOK, MY UNCLE LIVES IN CHICAGO NOW AND ONE DAY I'M GOING TO SELL THIS RIGHT HERE.

>> Reporter: IN 1973 RAMON REYES MADE GOOD ON THAT PREDICTION.

HE TOOK OVER A SMALL DINER AT 87th AND COMMERCIAL AND BEGAN SELLING THE FAMILY'S SPECIALTY.

A SECOND LOCATION ON 106th STREET WAS ADDED IN 1992.

OVER THE YEARS ALL FOUR OF RAMON AND LINDA REYES' CHILDREN WORKED AT THE FAMILY RESTAURANT.

>> I REMEMBER MAKING LIKE MY DEBUT OFFICIALLY LIKE WHEN I WAS 8 YEARS OLD AND HE SAT ME DOWN IN THE CORNER, CHUBBY LITTLE KID EATING MY TACO.

I STARTED WORKING HERE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

I USED TO PLAY FOOTBALL AND I HAD PRACTICE ON SATURDAYS.

AFTER PRACTICE WHEN MY FRIENDS WOULD HANG OUT, I'D COME HERE.

>> Reporter: WHEN RAMON STEPPED AWAY FROM THE BUSINESS FIVE YEARS AGO FOR HEALTH REASONS, ANDY STEPPED IN.

>> I WASN'T READY, BUT LUCKILY I HAD MY SISTERS.

>> Reporter: SINCE THEN ANDY HELPED STEER THE RESTAURANT THROUGH COVID BY BRINGING SOME MODERN MARKETING TO THE TRADITIONAL DISH AND UPDATING THE MENU TO INCLUDE TRENDY TACOS.

>> WE KEPT EVERYONE ON PAYROLL BUT CLOSED A MONTH AND A HALF.

I GOT BACK ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND BECAUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA, I GOT TRACTION.

>> Reporter: ANDY SAYS HE FEELS A RESPONSIBILITY TO HIS FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY THAT SUSTAINED THEM TO KEEP THE RESTAURANT THRIVING.

>> I THINK THE LOVE AND THE HEART THAT MY FATHER PUT INITIALLY INTO THIS BUSINESS, THE RELATIONSHIPS HE'S ABLE TO BUILD WITH THE COMMUNITY AND I THINK THE RECIPE ITSELF SPEAKS VOLUMES.

WE DO PUT A LOT OF HEART AND SOUL INTO OUR FOOD.

WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR, MAN, CLOSE TO 100 YEARS NOW IN MY FAMILY.

I'VE SEEN FOUR OR FIVE GENERATIONS COME IN THROUGH THE DOOR AND THAT'S VERY SPECIAL.

IF IT WASN'T FOR THE COMMUNITY, WE WOULDN'T BE WHERE WE'RE AT.

FOOD IS SUPPOSED TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

IT UNITES PEOPLE FROM ALL DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE FROM EVERY CULTURE.

THIS IS FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT," THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> LOOKS DELICIOUS.

YOU'LL FIND MORE ABOUT THIS ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:00 FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "LATINO VOICES."

WE CATCH UP WITH TWO LATINO WINNERS IN THIS WEEK'S RUNOFF FOR CITY COUNCIL.

TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 "BLACK VOICES" CONTROVERSY FOLLOWING THE WOMEN'S COLLEGE CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL GAME AND CRITICS CALLING A FOUL ON DOUBLE STANDARDS.

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

THANKS FOR WATCHING!

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT!

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A. CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A PERSONAL INJURY LAW FIRM