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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> R. KELLY'S CHICAGO TRIAL IS UNDERWAY.

WE HEAR FROM JURORS HEARD ON BOTH SIDES AS BOTH SIDES MAKE THEIR OPENING STATEMENTS.

>> THE CHOICE IN THIS ELECTION COULD NOT BE CLEARER.

>> ILLINOIS DEMOCRATS SAY IT'S BETWEEN THEM AND WHAT THEY CALL A PARTY OF LUNATICS.

WE'RE LIVE FROM THE STATE FAIR.

>> HIGHLAND PARK CALLED FOR A BAN ON SEMIAUTOMATIC WEAPONS.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM BREAKS DOWN THE MEASURE.

>> [APPLAUSE] >> THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT CAPS INSULIN PRICES BUT NOT FOR EVERYONE.

HOW THE LAW COULD AFFECT YOUR HEALTHCARE.

>> BE BEING HERE FOR 9 MONTHS IT PERSONALLY WOULD NOT HURT.

>> EARNING A COLLEGE DEGREE BEHIND BARS AND NOT JUST ANY DEGREE.

WHY NORTHWESTERN IS INVESTING IN ITS PRISON EDUCATION PROGRAM.

>> THIS CENTER WILL HELP OUR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES TO CONTINUE THEIR PROFESSION OF CHOICE.

AND TO FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS.

>> ADDRESSING THE HEALTHCARE WORKER SHORTAGE UNDER AN INNOVATIVE NEW PROGRAM.

>> WE'VE GIVEN ALBERT 25,000 STORYBOOKS.

>> AND MEET A WOMAN ON A MISSION TO HEAL AND EMPOWER KIDS THROUGH BOOKS.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT CAN TRAVEL TO CAMPAIGN EVENTS IN HER CITY VEHICLE ACCOMPANIED BY AN AIDE AND HER SECURITY DETAIL.

ALL PAID FOR BY TAXPAYERS WITHOUT VIOLATING THE CITY'S ETHICS ORDINANCE.

THE CHICAGO BOARD OF ETHICS ISSUED THE UNANIMOUS OPINION DETERMINING QUOTE A MAYOR'S FULL AND VARIED SCHEDULE REQUIRES THAT THEY BE READILY AVAILABLE TO ATEND THE MEETINGS, FUNCTIONS, EVENTS AND EMERGENCIES OF ALL KINDS THAT REQUIRE ATTENTION AND HANDLING.

AS THE HIGHEST RANKING OFFICIAL IN THE CITY, A MAYOR IS ON CALL EVERY HOUR OF THE DAY AND NIGHT.

LIGHTFOOT'S CAMPAIGN SPOKESPERSON DECLINED TO COMMENT ON THE OPINION TO WTTW NEWS.

THE MAYOR HAS SPOKEN ABOUT THE NUMBER OF SERIOUS AND SIGNIFICANT THREATS AND HARASSMENT SHE AND HER FAMILY FACED SINCE ELECTED IN 2019.

>> OPENING STATEMENTS TODAY AT THE CHICAGO TRIAL OF R. KELLY.

THE CHICAGO BORN R&B CIRCUMSTANCER STANDS ACCUSED OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES AND CONSPIRACY TO OBSTRUCT JUSTICE AND ENTICING A MINOR TO ENGAGE IN CRIMINAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY.

WE WILL HAVE MORE IN JUDGMENT.

>> AND THE CHICAGO SKY BEGIN THE QUEST TO BECOME THE FIRST BACK-TO-BACK WNBA CHAMPIONS IN 20 YEARS.

THEY HOST THE LIBERTY TONIGHT AFTER FINISHING THE REGULAR SEASON WITH A FRANCHISE RECORD 26 WINS.

THE FIRST TWO GAMES OF THE BEST OF THREE SERIES ARE IN CHICAGO WITH GAME THREE IN NEW YORK IF NECESSARY.

>> UP NEXT, MORE DETAILS FROM INSIDE THE COURTROOM ON DAY ONE OF R. KELLY'S FEDERAL TRIAL IN CHICAGO.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> R. KELLY AND TWO OF HIS BUSINESS ASSOCIATES WORKED FOR YEARS TO KEEP THE R&B SUPERSTAR'S DARK SIDE HIDDEN FROM THE PUBLIC.

WHILE HE SEXUALLY ABUSED MULTIPLE UNDERAGED GIRLS AND TAPED IT AND PAID HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO KEEP IT COVERED UP WHAT THE FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ALLEGED IN THE FIRST DAY OF KELLY'S CHICAGO TRIAL.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER MATT MASTERSON WAS THERE AND JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

MATT, WHAT DID WE HEAR FROM THE PROSECUTORS TODAY IN THEIR OPENING STATEMENTS?

>> SO, FEDERAL PROSECUTORS SPOKE FOR 45 MINUTES AND DETAILED HOW KELLY AND CO-DEFENDANTS BROWN AND McDAVID THEY DID WORK FOR YEARS TO CONCEAL THAT DARK SIDE FROM THE PUBLIC.

THEY ALLEGE HE HAD PRODUCED FOUR SEXUALLY GRAPHIC VHS TAPES WITH HIMSELF AND A MINOR IN THE 1990s AND PAID HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO KEEP THOSE VIDEOS CONCEALED FROM THE PUBLIC.

AND LATER ALLEGEDLY HID THAT GIRL FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN HE FACED CHARGES IN 2008 WHERE HE WAS ACQUITTED.

PROSECUTORS TALKED ABOUT HOW HE IS ACCUSED OF ENGAGING WITH CRIMINAL SEX ACTS WITH MULTIPLE OTHER WOMEN AS WELL.

>> MANY TRIALS KELLY HAS FACED.

WHAT DID THE DEFENDANT'S ATTORNEYS HAVE TO SAY TODAY?

>> SO, KELLY'S ATTORNEY SOUGHT TO DISCREDIT THE ACCUSERS AND GOVERNMENT WITNESSES SAYING SOME ARE TESTIFYING UNDER IMMUNITY DEALS THAT WILL KEEP THEM FROM PROSECUTION THEMSELVES.

SHE SAYS ANY CLAIMS MADE AGAINST KELLY STEMS FROM PEOPLE SHE REFERRED TO AS ALIAR AND EXTORTIONISTS AND CALLED KELLY A VICTIM IN THIS CASE.

BUT THE CO-DEFENDANTS TOOK A DIFFERENT STRATEGY.

THEY POINTED THE FINGER AT KELLY.

ATTORNEYS FOR BROWN AND McDAVID I AM IMPLEMENTED THEY DIDN'T KNOW THIS VIDEO WITH THE GIRL WAS LEGITIMATE.

THEY WERE TOLD IT WAS A FAKE THING AND WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TO CONCEAL IT THEY WERE TRYING TO HELP HIM WITH HIS DEFENSE IN THE 2008 TRIAL.

>> AND YOU GOT INTO THIS A LITTLE BIT REMIND US WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS TRIAL THAN THE RECENT CONVICTION IN NEW YORK WHERE A JURY FOUND HIM GUILTY ON NINE COUNTS OF SEX TRAFFICKING AND RACKETEERING?

>> RIGHT.

IN THE NEW YORK CASE KELLY WAS CONVICTED USING HIS FAME TO RECRUIT UNDERAGE GIRLS TO EN AGE IN ILLEGAL SEX ACTS WITH HIM.

WHILE THIS CASE IS SIMILAR IT'S DIFFERENT CHARGES HE INSTEAD IS ACCUSED OF PRODUCING AND OWNING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY VIDEOS AND ALLEGEDLY HE HAD MADE EFFORTS TO TRY TO OBSTRUCT JUSTICE DURING THAT 2008 TRIAL WHERE HE WAS ACQUITTED.

>> MATT MASTERSON THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND WE KNOW YOU WILL BE FOLLOWING THE TRIAL ALL WEEK.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ MATT'S STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND NOW, BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THE NOVEMBER ELECTION IS 82 DAYS AWAY NOT THAT WE'RE COUNTING.

THE CANDIDATES ARE AS BOTH PARTIES ARE GEARING UP WITH THE ANNUAL STATE FAIR PREELECTION RALLIES.

TOMORROW IS REPUBLICAN DAY AT THE STATE FAIR.

TODAY GOVERNOR'S DAY.

OUR AMANDA VINICKY IS THERE AND JOINS US NOW FROM OUTSIDE THE FAIRGROUNDS MAIN GATE.

AMANDA?

>> BRANDIS, FAIR GOERS FILING IN RIGHT NOW MIGHT BE GOING TO RIDE THE FERRIS WHEEL OR FUNNEL CAKE OR SEE THIS EVENING'S CONCERT A TLC AND SHAGGY SHOW.

TOP TIER TICKET PRICES FOR THAT COST $36.

BUT DEMOCRATS WHO WERE PART OF THE RALLY HERE ON THE FAIRGROUNDS GOT THEIR OWN FREE PRIVATE SHOW.

[♪♪♪] >> SONGS ON THE BILLBOARD CHARTS AND IS A MEMBER OF THE GRAND OBVIOUSLY OPRY.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER LAUGHED WHEN REPORTERS ASKED HOW MUCH IT COST FOR THE CAMPAIGN TO BRING IN YOUNG FOR THAT PRIVATE SHOW.

BUT REALLY FOR MOST DEMOCRATS THEY WERE NOT WATCHING YOUNG.

HE WAS BACKGROUND NOISE.

THEY WERE HERE FOR A DIFFERENT SHOW, THE POLITICAL ONE.

>> ARE YOU READY FOR THE FIGHT?

ARE YOU READY FOR THE FIGHT DEMOCRATS?

LET'S GO GET 'EM!

>> DEMOCRATS HOLD ALL OF ILLINOIS' STATE-WIDE OFFICES.

THEY ALSO HAVE SUPER MAJORITIES IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE.

AND THEY ARE LOOKING TO KEEP IT THAT WAY COME NOVEMBER AND ACTUALLY EVEN EXPANDING THEIR STRONGHOLD.

A LOT OF TALK ABOUT WINNING LOCAL CONTESTS IN THE SUBURBS OF CHICAGO.

LIKE MAKING DUPAGE COUNTY BLUE PAGE AS GOVERNOR PRITZKER PUT IT EARLIER TODAY THAT WAS AT ANOTHER PACT RALLY AND MEETING AT THE SPRINGFIELD CONVENTION CENTER.

>> PRO LABOR, PRO-CHOICE, PRO VOTING RIGHTS PRO CIVIL RIGHTS CANDIDATES UP AND DOWN THE DEMOCRATIC BALLOT.

AND THE REPUBLICANS AREN'T GOING TO MAKE IT EASY.

THE LUNATIC FRINGE HAS TAKEN OVER THEIR PARTY.

AND THEY WILL SAY ANYTHING, DO ANYTHING, DESTROY ANYTHING TO GET ELECTED.

>> IN CONTRAST HE DESCRIBES THE AUDIENCE THAT WAS MADE UP OF PARTY FAITHFUL WILLING TO VOLUNTEER FOR CAMPAIGNS KNOCK ON DOORS AND TO PAY THE $75 ADMISSION PRICE OR POLITICAL GROUPS PAID MORE THAN THAT UP TO $60,000 FOR A TABLE OF 10.

PRITZKER DESCRIBED THEM AS MEMBERS OF THE QUOTE COALITION OF THE SAME.

THAT SORT OF ATTACK ON REPUBLICANS WAS A COMMON THEME.

>> THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT LINCOLN FOUNDED IS GONE.

AND IT'S REPLACED BY CANDIDATES UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT WHO WANT TO TEAR THIS COUNTRY APART AND UNDERMINE EVERYTHING THAT IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE DEMOCRACY THAT PRESIDENT LINCOLN LIVED AND DIED TO PROTECT.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT WHO IS WINNING THE PRIMARIES ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, THEY ARE CRAZY AS HELL AND THEY ARE DOING THE CRAZIEST STUFF EVER IMAGINABLE.

AND MY FEAR, IF THESE INDIVIDUALS GET ELECTED WE'RE GOING TO BE SEEING JANUARY 6 ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

>> ALEXI GIANNOULIAS INCLUDED HIS OPPONENT INCLUDED DAN BRADY AMONG THEM EVEN THOUGH BRADIE IS KNOWN AS A MODERATE HE HAS NO CONNECTION TO THE JANUARY 6TH RIOT AND HAS NOT CHALLENGED THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL RESULTS.

MOST ATTACKS WERE FOCUSED ON BRADIE AND PRITZKER'S CHALLENGER THAT IS REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR DARREN BAILEY.

>> THIS MAN IS NOT FIT TO DO THE REAL JOB OF LEADING ALL ILLINOISANS.

MY FELLOW DEMOCRATS, THERE'S SIMPLY TOO MUCH AT STAKE AND WE MUST BE UNIFIED AND LASER FOCUSED ON DEFEATING DARREN BAILEY'S FAR RIGHT EXTREMIST AGENDA.

>> STRATTON SAID ON DAY ONE IF BAILEY IS ELECTED HE WOULD SEEK TO ROLLBACK ILLINOIS RESIDENTS' RIGHTS LIKE THE STATE LAW THAT PROTECTS ACCESS TO ABORTION.

>> AND HE HAS THE UNMITIGATED GAL TO THINK THAT THE WOMEN OF ILLINOIS WILL SIT BACK, SIT DOWN AND STAY SILENT.

SO LET ME ASK ALL THE AMAZING DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF ILLINOIS THAT I SEE ALL ACROSS THIS ROOM, AND ANYONE WHO STANDS WITH US, ARE WE GOING TO LET DARREN BAILEY AND HIS EXTREME MAGA IDEOLOGY GET ANYWHERE NEAR THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE?

OF COURSE, NOT.

>> THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT DEMOCRATS ARE UNIFIED AGAINST ALL REPUBLICANS AND BAILEY IN PARTICULAR.

EVEN IF THERE IS SOME DISCORD WITHIN DEMOCRATIC RANKS.

YOU HAVE SOME MEMBERS OF THE PARTY UPSET THAT A FEW WEEKS AGO PRITZKER WORKED TO UNSEAT CONGRESSWOMAN ROBBY KELLY AS HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF ILLINOIS IN FAVOR OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE LISA HERNANDEZ.

>> WE DEMOCRATS MUST CONNECT WITH VOTERS TOO OFTEN LEFT OUT AND LEFT UNSPOKEN TO.

TOGETHER, WE CAN DO THIS BY RAISING THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO LAUNCH SPANISH LANGUAGE ADS AND NEW DIGITAL AD STRATEGIES TARGETING BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

>> REPUBLICANS BY THE WAY, DID TRY TO GET A WORD IN TODAY DURING THE FAIR RALLY A PLANE FLEW OVERHEAD WITH A BANNER THAT READ FIRE J.B. PRITZKER.

BUT TOMORROW IS REPUBLICAN'S CHANCE WHEN THEY HAVE THEIR DAY AT THE FAIR AND THEIR MEETING AND RALLY AND WE WILL BE THERE.

FOR NOW, THOUGH, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

I HOPE YOU ARE GETTING GOOD SNACKS.

>> PARIS AND THE SKY HIGH COST OF INSULIN.

>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SIGNED THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT INTO LAW THIS WEEK WHICH AMONG OTHER THINGS PUTS A $35 CAP ON INSULIN PRICES.

BUT THAT ONLY APPLIES TO MEDICARE RECIPIENTS LEAVING THE REST OF AMERICANS WHO DEPEND ON THE MEDICATION TO CONTINUE PAYING HUGE PRICES.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION ARE JOANNA BUSCEMI ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY AT DePAUL UNIVERSITY.

AND TIMOTHY CLASSEN, A R ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

JOANNA BUSCEMI FIRST OF ALL, REMIND US HOW IMPORTANT INSULIN IS TO THE MILLIONS OF FOLKS THAT HAVE TO REGULATE DIABETES?

>> IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IT'S LIFE-SAVING.

AND IT IS NOT A LUXURY IT IS A NECESSITY.

IT IS A HORMONE AND WITHOUT IT PATIENTS WITH DIABETES GET VERY SICK OR DIE.

SO IT IS ESSENTIAL.

>> AND TIMOTHY CLASSEN FILL US IN HOW EXPENSIVE OUT OF POCKET COSTS HAVE GOTTEN FOR THOSE THAT HAVE INSURANCE FOR INSULIN?

>> THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF VARIETY ACROSS INSURANCE PLANS IN TERMS OF THE OUT OF POCKET COSTS FOR THOSE NEEDING INSULIN.

BUT ON MEDICARE THE EVIDENCE INDICATES AN AVERAGE COST OF $55 A MONTH FOR A LOT OF THOSE ON MEDICARE NEEDING IT.

LOOKING AT $20 ON AVERAGE FOR THE AVERAGE INDIVIDUAL ON MEDICARE NEEDING INSULIN IN THEIR MONTHLY OUT OF POCKET COSTS.

THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT OUT OF POCKET REDUCTION.

THOSE WITHOUT INSURANCE CAN FACE COSTS AS HIGH AS $300 A MONTH.

I THINK THE VARIETY OF INSURANCE PLANS THOSE ON HIGH DEDUCTIBLE PRIVATE INSURANCE PLANS COULD FACE HIGH COSTS TOO FOR THE OUT OF POCKET COSTS FOR INSULIN.

>> THE LAW GOOD NEWS FOR THOSE THAT RECEIVE MEDICARE.

$35 CAP.

JOANNA BUSCEMI HOW MANY MILLIONS OF AMERICANS PAY OUT OF POCKET HAVE PRIVATE INSURANCE THAT PAY THE HIGH RATES ARE STILL OUT THERE?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

THERE IS BETWEEN FOUR AND FIVE MILLION OTHER AMERICANS WITH DIABETES WHO ARE NOT MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES.

WHO HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET OR THEY HAVE HIGH PREMIUMS.

SO WHILE THIS IS A HUGE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION THERE'S STILL IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE PARTICULARLY TO CAP THE COST OF INSULIN FOR THOSE COVERED BY PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES.

>> AND TIMOTHY CLASSEN AS I UNDERSTAND, THE COST OF PRODUCING A VIAL OF INSULIN RANGERS FROM $2 TO $6.

AND THE MONTHLY COST FOR PATIENTS ARE IN THE HUNDREDS.

SOMETIMES WHY ARE PRICES SO EXPENSIVE?

>> WELL, THAT IS A DIFFERENT SEGMENT THAT IS HOW PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES ARE SET.

BUT THE NECESSITY AS SHE POINTED OUT OF INSULIN FOR DIABETICS DRIVES DEMAND FOR THE PRODUCT.

IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT.

SO IT WILL BE USED INSULIN AS AN EXAMPLE OF DEMANDED WHERE PATIENTS ARE NOT PRICE SENSITIVE.

SO THAT LACK OF PRICE SENSITIVITY ALLOWS THEM TO RAISE PRICES TO THE LEVELS WE'VE SEEN.

AND IT'S HISTORIC PRICES IS THAT WHEN WE HAVE INSURANCE WHO ARE NOT AWARE OF THE FULL PRICE OF THINGS.

SO THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS PAYING SOMETHING FOR THESE DRUGS AND OUR OUT OF POCKET COSTS ARE A PORTION OF THAT.

THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN DRUG PRICING, THE ESSENTIAL NATURE OF INSULIN AND THE LIMITS IN THE MARKET FOR IT.

THERE'S THREE MAIN PRODUCERS OF INSULIN THAT THEY HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OF PREVENTING ENTRY INTO THE MARKET.

IT ADDS UP THE ABILITY TO CHARGE THE PRICES WE SEE FOR INSULIN.

>> AND JOANNA BUSCEMI YOU'VE DONE RESEARCH HOW DIABETES IMPACTS COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES.

HOW ARE LOW INCOME FOLKS ABLE TO AFFORD THESE NECESSARY COSTS EVERY MONTH FOR INSULIN?

>> THEY ARE NOT.

THEY ARE JUST NOT.

AND OFTENTIMES THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND INSULIN ON SOCIAL MEDIA SITES.

THEY ARE MAKING DECISIONS OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN AFFORD THEIR INSULIN THAT MONTH OR BUY GROCERIES FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT EXACERBATES INEQUITIES MORE BROADLY.

>> AND TIMOTHY CLASSEN, I MEAN YOU MENTIONED A LOT OF THESE PRICES ARE DUE TO MARKET FORCES.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE BEYOND LEGISLATION THAT CAN BRING THESE DOWN FOR MORE PEOPLE WHO AREN'T ON MEDICARE?

>> POTENTIALLY THE ENTRY OF BIOSIMILARS INTO THE MARKET GENERIC ENTRY WOULD REDUCE THE PRICES OF DRUGS.

THERE HAVE BEEN MASSIVE INNOVATIONS THAT PROVIDED TREMENDOUS BENEFIT TO PATIENTS.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME SORT OF GENERIC ENTRY TO ALLOW MORE COMPETITION.

THE BRANDED MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEEN OFFERING SOME PSEUDO GENERIC PRODUCTS AT SLIGHTLY LOWER PRICES BUT MORE ROBUST ENTRY INTO THE MARKET WOULD BE ONE WAY TO REDUCE PRICES.

I THINK ONE THING TO POINT OUT IS THE CONCERN I HAVE IS JUST REDUCING THE OUT OF POCKET COSTS TO PATIENTS, IF THE INSURER IS UNABLE TO NEGOTIATE LOWER PRICES THAT WILL RESULT IN HIGHER PREMIUMS FOR THE INSURANCE PRODUCTS.

THIS IS HELPFUL TO THE PATIENTS INITIALLY.

BUT IF PREMIUMS GO UP TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOWER OUT OF POCKET COSTS I'M NOT SURE WHAT BENEFIT THERE MIGHT HOPE IS HAPPENING.

>> THE LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

JOANNA BUSCEMI WHAT ABOUT YOU?

WHAT OPTIONS ARE THERE TO REDUCE THE COSTS FOR FOLKS, ESPECIALLY LOW INCOME FOLKS WHICH ARE PERHAPS TURNING TO MORE RISKY OPTIONS TO GET THEIR TREATMENT?

>> I THINK THE DIABETES COMMUNITY WANTS INSURANCE LYNN TO BE FREE-FOR-ALL AMERICANS AND SOME PEOPLE MIGHT THINK THAT IS A PIPE DREAM OR FAR IN OUR FUTURE.

BUT LOTS OF COUNTRIES PROVIDE INSULIN FREE OF COST.

AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE BEST OPTION.

THERE'S SOME LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED RECENTLY FOR EXAMPLE, IMPROVING NEEDED SAFEGUARDS OF USERS OF INSULIN LYNN ACT THAT FOCUSES ON CAPPING THE COST OF INSULIN ACROSS PATIENTS WITH DIABETES NOT JUST MEDICARE PATIENTS.

SO THAT IS ONE POSSIBILITY.

AND THE OTHER THING WE NEED TO FOCUS ON A LITTLE BIT MORE IS CAPPING THE COST OF INSULIN ITSELF AND NOT JUST FOCUSING ON THE COPAY.

BECAUSE SOMETIMES THAT ALSO BRINGS ABOUT NEW CHALLENGES FOR PATIENTS WITH DIABETES.

>> AND TIMOTHY CLASSEN, AS THIS BILL WAS BEING NEGOTIATED AND LEGISLATED, THE PROVISION TO KEEP CAPS ON INSURANCE LYNN FOR PRIVATE INSURERS WAS TAKEN OUT.

IS THAT SAFE TO SAY THAT BIG PHARMA INSURANCE COMPANIES DON'T WANT THE CAPS IN THERE?

>> A LOT OF STATES INITIATED CAPS ON INSULIN PRICES.

ILLINOIS INTRODUCED ONE TO CAP MONTHLY SPEND AT $100.

AND IT TURNED OUT A LOT OF PEOPLE'S INSURANCE PROVIDED THEM LOWER THAN $100 OUT OF POCKET COSTS.

SOME OF IT WOULD BE HOW MUCH BITE WOULD A CHANGE LIKE THAT HAVE IN TERMS OF THE PRIVATELY INSURED MARKET.

GENERIC DRUGS ON PRIVATE INSURANCE ARE A DOLLAR OR FOUR DOLLARS A SCRIPT.

FOR THE GENEROUS PRIVATE INSURANCE, SUCH A CAP MIGHT NOT HAVE MUCH EFFECT BUT FOR THE UNINSURED OR THE HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLANS A LOT OF PEOPLE FACE HIGH OUT OF POCKET COSTS IN THE PREDEDUCTIBLE PHASE OF THEIR INSURANCE.

SO THAT CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE HAD SOME EFFECT FOR THOSE WHO NEEDED INSULIN IN THE PRIVATELY INSURED MARKET.

HOW BIG THAT IS IS HARD TO MEASURE.

>> A LOT TO IRON OUT FOR DIABETES PATIENTS.

OUR THANKS TO JOANNA BUSCEMI AND TIMOTHY CLASSEN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> .

>> EARNING A COLLEGE DEGREE FROM A TOP 10 SCHOOL IS ONLY ATTAINABLE FOR A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION MANY OF WHOM HAD ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY SECONDARY EDUCATIONS AND MORE FAR-FETCHED FOR MEN AND WOMEN SERVING TIME IN PRISON BUT IT IS A REALITY FOR SOME INMATES FOR SOME INMATES.

AND BRANDIS FRIEDMAN YOU HAD TO CHANCE TO LEARN MORE.

WHAT DID YOU FIND OUT?

>> I DID VISIT STATE MILL A MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON IN WILL COUNTY AND COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WILL OFFER CLASSES FOR CREDIT TO PRISON INMATES NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SAYS IT'S THE ONLY TOP 10 SCHOOL THAT GRANTS DEGREES TO PRISONERS.

AND SPRING THE STUDENTS WILL BE THE FIRST TO EARN THEIR BACHELOR'S DEGREES FROM NORTHWESTERN WHILE IN PRISON.

>> PAST THE PRISON WALLS AND GUARD TOWERS REMINDERS OF FREEDOM LOST 16 MEN ARE IN A PURPLE CLASSROOM DISCUSSING AN ARTICLE BY ACTIVIST AND AUTHOR ANGELA DAVIS CALLED THE MEANING OF FREEDOM.

THE STUDENTS ARE ENGAGED.

IS THERE ANYONE IN THE ROOM THAT READ THE NEW JIM CROW.

>> EAGER TO LEARN.

>> IN ORDER TO IMAGINE OUR SERVICE AS CITIZENS OF THE GLOBE.

>> AND MORE PRESENT THAN MANY COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO ARE EASILY DISTRACTED BY PHONES AND DAY-TO-DAY COLLEGE LIFE.

>> WHAT IT IS THAT [INAUDIBLE] >> ONE OF THEM IS 43-YEAR-OLD ANDRE PATTERSON.

DRE FOR SHORT.

THOUGH HE GREW UP IN EVANSTON ATTENDING NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY AS A STUDENT SEEMED UNATTAINABLE.

>> LIKE THE BEACON ON THE HILL.

BUT FAR AWAY.

>> HE DID GET A JOB ON CAMPUS AS A DISHWASHER AND BUSBOY.

AND SAYS HE FELL INTO THE WRONG CROWD OFF CAMPUS.

>> IT CAME AND ARRESTED ME AT WORK.

AND LIKE, TOOK ME THROUGH THIS GAUNTLET OF STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES HANDCUFFED.

AND I USED THAT AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF ME NOW BECOMING A NORTHWESTERN STUDENT IS KIND OF LIKE A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT FOR ME.

>> HE IS 20 YEARS INTO HIS 60-YEAR SENTENCE FOR MURDER, HE IS TAKING EVERY OPPORTUNITY HE CAN TO LEARN.

NEXT YEAR, HE AND HIS COHORT WILL RECEIVE BACHELOR'S DEGREES FROM NORTHWESTERN'S SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY'S PRISON EDUCATION PROGRAM.

>> EXTENTSIVE WORK THAT SHOWS THE BENEFITS, SPECIFICALLY OF GETTING A DEGREE WHILE YOU ARE INCARCERATED.

>> NATIONWIDE, DATA FROM THE BURROW OF JUSTICE STATISTICS INDICATES THE OVERALL RATE OF RECIDIVISM RETURNING TO CRIME POST INCARCERATION IS 67%.

WITH AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE THAT RATE DROPS TO 14% AND WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IT DIPS TO LESS THAN 6%.

STUDENTS FIRST HAVE TO APPLY AND BE ACCEPTED.

THEY TAKE CLASSES SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK.

SOMETIMES GIVING UP RECREATION TIME OR PRIVILEGES IN ORDER TO DO SO.

AND JUST LIKE COLLEGE, THERE ARE PAPERS TO COMPLETE.

BUT NO COMPUTER TO COMPLETE THEM ON.

>> THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF CHALLENGES.

THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO WEBSITES.

EVERYTHING IS HANDWRITTEN.

IF THEY HAVE A QUESTION FROM A PROFESSOR IF THEY DON'T GET A CHANCE TO ASK IT IN CLASS THEY HAVE TO WAIT A WEEK THEY CANNOT E-MAIL THE PROFESSOR.

GETTING A COLLEGE DEGREE IS HARD.

GETTING A COLLEGE DEGREE FROM NORTHWESTERN IS HARD.

GETTING A COLLEGE DEGREE FROM NORTHWESTERN WHILE YOU ARE INCARCERATED IS NOTHING SHORT OF HEROIC.

>> NORTHWESTERN PROFESSOR JENNIFER LACKEY WHO FOUNDED AND RUNS THE PROGRAM SAYS THE RIGOR IN THIS CLASSROOM IS NO DIFFERENT THAN ON CAMPUS.

THE SCHOOL PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS LIKE TUTORS AND STUDY HALLS TO OVERCOME WHAT IN MANY CASES MIGHT NOT HAVE BASKETBALL A SOLID SECONDARY EDUCATION.

WHAT THE UNIVERSITY CAN'T CONTROL IS TIME.

>> THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CHALLENGE IS TO MAIN CHALLENGE BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER YOUR STUDY TIME.

WHERE AND WHEN YOU CAN SIT DOWN AND STUDY LIKE YOU GOT TO GRAB SNATCHES OF SOLITUDE, SNATCHES OF YOU KNOW, COMFORTABILITY.

>> FOR 37-YEAR-OLD BENARD MCKINLEY A SENTENCE REDUCTION MEANS HE COULD HAVE PETITIONED FOR EARLY RELEASE BACK IN FEBRUARY.

BUT HE CHOSE NOT TO.

>> THIS IS MY SAFE PLACE.

AND WHEN I LEAVE THE PRISON CELL AND THAT PRISON CELL COMING INTO THE CLASSROOM, I FEEL LIKE I'M AROUND MY BROTHERS.

AND BEING AROUND MY BROTHERS I AM ABLE TO BE ME.

>> TODAY'S CLASS IS POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY AND IT'S CLEAR MCKINLAY IS AMONG FELLOW PHILOSOPHERS.

>> PRISON IS MORE PSYCHOLOGICAL THAN PHYSICAL.

I HAVE ACQUIRED SO MUCH AT THIS POINT WHERE TO SACRIFICE MAYBE ANOTHER 8 TO 10 MORE MONTHS WOULDN'T HURT.

AND TO FINISH MY EDUCATION HERE WHEN I DO GO IN FRONT OF THE PAROLE BOARD I WILL GO WITH SOMETHING TO BE PROUD ABOUT.

INTO IT WILL BE A LONGTIME BEFORE CLASSMATES SEE THE OUTSIDE OF PRISON IF AT ALL.

>> LACKEY ARGUES THERE IS STILL VALUE IN PROVIDING THOSE INMATES AN EDUCATION.

>> WE HAVE A NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE NATURAL LIFE AND WHILE WE HOPE FOR EACH ONE OF OUR STUDENTS THERE WILL BE A LEGAL PATHWAY FOR THEM TO GO HOME ONE DAY.

WE WANT TO SUPPORT THEM HERE.

WE HOPE TO HIRE SOME TO BE TUTORS HERE IN OUR PROGRAM TO BE TEACHING ASSISTANTS.

>> ANDRE PATTERSON WHO GREW UP IN THE SHADOW OF NORTHWESTERN DOES NOT CONSIDER EARNING HIS DEGREE HIS REDEMPTION.

>> REDEMPTION WOULD BE ME TAKING EVERYTHING I LEARNED FROM THE PROGRAM AND NOW APPLYING IT TO MY COMMUNITY.

YOU SEE WHAT I'M SAYING.

WHAT CAN I DO TO GIVE BACK WHERE I'VE TAKEN AWAY.

>> AND ANDRE PATTERSON SAYS HE INTENDS TO WRITE WITH HIS DEGREE, BOOK, STORE STORIES.

AND BENARD MCKINLEY GOES BEFORE THE REVIEW BOARD IN APRIL FOR A HEARING ON HIS PETITION FOR EARLY RELEASE AND HE IS STUDYING TO TAKE THE L SAT AND WANTS TO HEAD TO LAW SCHOOL TO BECOME A CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY.

AND WE SHOULD KNOW THERE IS A COHORT OF WOMEN AT LOGAN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND THAT IS DOWN STATE.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE STUDENTS THAT LEAVE PRISON?

CAN THEY CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION IF THEY ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF GETTING A DEGREE?

>> JENNIFER LACKEY WHO RUNS THAT PROGRAM SAYS THEY DON'T CLOSE THE DOOR ON ATTENDING SCHOOL ON CAMPUS.

THE STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO APPLY BUT THE HANDFUL OF STUDENTS ON THE OUTSIDE THEY CHOOSE TO ZOOM INTO THE CLASSROOMS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO STICK WITH THEIR CLASSMATES AND BECAUSE GETTING TO CAMPUS FOR THOSE CLASSES IS HARD.

THERE ARE ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES BUT THEY ARE MANAGE, HOUSING, JOBS, FOOD INSECURITY THEY CAN STACK UP FOR THE FOLKS ON THE OUTSIDE AND THAT MAKES PRIORITIZING COLLEGE THAT MUCH HARDER.

>> HOW IS THE PROGRAM FUNDED?

>> WE SHOULD BE CLEAR IT IS NOT A TAXPAYER FUNDED EDUCATION.

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY FUNDS THE PROGRAM WITH GRANT SUPPORT.

BUT NEXT YEAR, THE FEDERAL SECOND CHANCE PEL PROGRAM RESTARTS AND IT WILL PROVIDE FEDERAL AID AND OPENS THE DOOR FOR MORE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO BEGIN PROVIDING PRISON EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

>> AND WE'RE BACK WITH MORE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" A NEW PROGRAM AIMS TO FILL THE HEALTHCARE SHORTAGE BY HELPING THOSE WITH MEDICAL DEGREES OBTAINED ABROAD REENTER THE MEDICAL FIELD HERE IN ILLINOIS.

>> ARE ARE YOU READY FOR THE FIGHT DEMOCRATS?

LET'S GO GET 'EM!

>> OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM EXAMINES EFFORTS TO REUNIFY THE STATE'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY AFTER A BITTER INTRAPARTY BATTLE.

>> PLUS A WOMAN'S PASSION TO CREATE POP-UP LIBRARIES AND HELP HEAL YOUNG PEOPLE FROM TRAUMA.

WE SHARE HER STORY.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR IS ALMOST UPON US AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE IS REMINDING PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND EDUCATORS THAT SOME OF THEIR EXPENSES MAY QUALIFY FOR A TAX BREAK.

THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE SAYS PARENTS AND LEGAL GUARDIANS OF FULL-TIME K-12 STUDENTS CAN GET A 25% TAX CREDIT FOR EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES SUCH AS TUITION, BOOKS AND LAB FEES.

TEACHERS CAN CLAIM $250 FOR EXPENDITURES ON CLASSROOM MATERIALS.

AND YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TAX CREDITS AT... >> A 43-YEAR-OLD MAN HAS DIED AFTER BEING PULLED FROM THE WATER AT DIVERSESY HARBOR THIS MORNING.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S MARINE UNIT RESPONDED TO THE SCENE AFTER 5:00 A.M.

THE MAN WAS WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE AT THE HARBOR WHEN HE WENT INTO THE WATER AND FAILED TO RESURFACE.

HE WAS TAKEN TO ILLINOIS MASONIC HOSPITAL IN CRITICAL CONDITION AND PRONOUNCED DEAD.

ACCORDING TO STATISTICS MAINTAINED BY THE GREAT LAKES SURF RESCUE PROJECT PRIOR TO TODAY'S INCIDENT, 33 PEOPLE HAVE DROWNED IN LAKE MICHIGAN TO THIS POINT THIS YEAR.

>> A NOISE PLAN FOR O'HARE AIRPORT COULD BE COMING SOON.

THE COMMISSION TODAY VOTED TO APPROVE A NEW PROGRAM TO MITIGATE THE NOISE IMPACT OF FLIGHTS ON LOCAL RESIDENTS.

THE NEW FLY QUIET PLAN HAS SIX RUNWAY CONFIGURATIONS THAT WOULD ALTERNATE WEEKS FROM THE NORTH TO THE SOUTH AIRFIELD AND AIR TRAFFIC FROM EAST TO WEST TO BALANCE THE IMPACT OF NIGHTTIME NOISE.

THE COMMISSION REPRESENTS 43 COMMUNITIES IN CHICAGO, SUBURBAN COOK AND DUPAGE COUNTIES.

IT'S SPENT SEVEN YEARS DEVELOPING THE NEW PLAN AFTER THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM WAS RENDERED OBSOLETE.

THE PLAN WILL BE PUT BEFORE THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION FOR REVIEW.

BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE COVID PANDEMIC COMBINED WITH THE GREAT RESIGNATION LED TO A HEALTHCARE WORKER SHORTAGE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

A NEW INITIATIVE AIMS TO ADDRESS THAT.

THE PROGRAM IS HELPING IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE PROFESSIONAL HEALTHCARE DEGREES OBTAINED ABROAD REENTER THE OFFICIAL FIELD IN ILLINOIS.

THE WELCOME BACK INITIATIVE IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO AND THE CHICAGO BILINGUAL NURSE CONSORTIUM.

JOINING US ARE Dr. JOSE RAMON FERNANDEZ-PENA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL WELCOME BACK INITIATIVE.

JANINE JANOSKY, PRESIDENT OF RICHARD J. DALEY COLLEGE AND CARMEN VELASQUEZ FOUNDER OF THE CHICAGO BILINGUAL NURSE CONSORTIUM AND OLIVO HEALTH CENTER.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

Dr. JOSE RAMON FERNANDEZ-PENA WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE PROFESSIONAL HEALTHCARE DEGREESTH THEIR HOME COUNTRIES WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE WHEN THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO PRACTICE THAT PROFESSION HERE IN THE U.S.?

>> THE FIRST CHALLENGE THEY FACE IS THE LACK OF COMMAND OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO ADDRESS EARLY ON SO THEY CAN PREPARE FOR THE EXAMS THEY HAVE TO TAKE AND PASS TO OBTAIN LICENSES.

THE SECOND CHALLENGE IS THE ACTUAL PREPARATION FOR THE LICENSING PROCESS.

AND THAT TAKES MONTHS SOMETIMES YEARS OF STUDY AND SOME CASES IT TAKES TAKING ADDITIONAL COURSE WORK TO COMPLIMENT THE COURSE WORK THEY TOOK ABROAD.

THE COSTS OF THOSE ARE ALSO A CHALLENGE.

THE ISSUE THAT MOST OF THE PARTICIPANTS ARE WORKING TO IF NOT THREE JOBS AND THEY MAY NOT HAVE THE TIME OR MONEY TO TAKE UP SOME OF THE JOBS AWAY FROM THE JOBS AND IN ORDER TO PREPARE FOR THE LICENSING EXAM.

THE ISSUE OF ACCREDIT DATING CREDENTIALS IS CHALLENGING IT'S NOT EASY TO OBTAIN TRANSCRIPTS FOR EXAMPLE UKRAINE GOING THROUGH A HORRIBLE WAR.

SOME COUNTRIES NEVER RELEASE THE TRANSCRIPTS OF IMMIGRANTS AND WITHOUT THAT EVIDENCE OF AN EDUCATION IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO BE ABLE TO RELICENSE IN THE PROFESSION YOU HAD IN YOUR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OR TRAINING.

>> AND CARMEN VELASQUEZ YOU'VE WORKED WITH HELPING IMMIGRANTS WITH HEALTHCARE DEGREES OBTAIN LICENSES, TO PRACTICE IN ILLINOIS.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE STEPS YOU ALL TAKE TO OVERCOME THOSE HURDLES AND SUPPORT PEOPLE THROUGH THE PROCESS?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO IS ESTABLISH A PROCESS AND IT'S ALSO THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED AS HUMAN BEINGS.

FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THEY BEGIN THAT PROCESS, THEY ARE GOING TO BE AWAY FROM THEIR HUSBANDS, THEIR CHILDREN, THE HUSBAND WILL HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT HE NEVER TOOK BEFORE.

BUT I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT FROM ALL OF THIS ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT JOSE RAMON STATED.

WE ALSO KNOW THERE IS A FRUSTRATION AND HERE THEY ARE NURSES AND THEY ARE WORKING AS BABYSITTERS.

WORKING AS UBER DRIVERS, WORKING IN RESTAURANTS WASHING DISHES.

WAITING ON TABLES.

AND THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THOSE PROFESSIONS BUT THEY ARE NURSES.

AND BECAUSE OF OUR LACK OF SHORTAGE OF THE WORKFORCE WE WANT THEM TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS IN ILLINOIS AND CHICAGO.

>> OF COURSE.

IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE OVERQUALIFIED FOR THE JOBS THEY TAKE ON.

JANINE JANOSKY, WHAT IS THE ROLE OF DALEY COLLEGE IN THIS PARTNERSHIP AND HELPING FOLKS GET OVER THESE HURDLES?

>> WE AT RICHARD J. DALEY COLLEGE HAVE A MISSION LIKE THE MISSION OF THE CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO FOCUSING ON ACCESS, INCLUSION AND EQUITY.

AND SO ACCESS AND INCLUSION AND EQUITY THAT MEANS ALL.

AND AS WE HAVE IMMIGRANTS COME TO JOIN US IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AS WE HAVE REFUGEES COME TO JOIN US IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, AS WELL AS ASYLUM SEEKERS ALL JOINING US IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

THIS PROGRAM THROUGH THE WELCOME BACK CENTER, THE CHICAGO WELCOME BACK CENTER IS A LINE DIRECTLY WITH THE MISSION OF RICH HARD J. DALEY COLLEGE AND THE CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO FOCUSING ON ACCESS FOR ALL, INCLUSION, AND EQUITY.

>> AND I MISSPOKE I CALLED YOU JANICE AND YOU ARE JANINE.

>> THANK YOU.

IT'S JANINE, CORRECT.

>> Dr. JOSE RAMON FERNANDEZ-PENA YOU FOUNDED THE WELCOME BACK CENTER IN 2001.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE IMPACT SINCE THEN?

>> THE HAS HAD A TREMENDOUS IMPACT AS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RETURN THOUSANDS OF QUALIFIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS INTO THE U.S. HEALTH WORKFORCE.

AND IN SO DOING, WE ARE ACTUALLY ENABLING THE HEALTH SECTOR TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN A CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE MANNER TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT THE ARE TYPICALLY LEFT OUT FROM SERVICES.

SO THAT IS HAD A MASSIVE CONTRIBUTION I BELIEVE.

ALSO THE INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE ONCE WAITING TABLES AND CLEANING TOILETS, ARE NOW MAKING REASONABLE WAGES.

THEY ARE PAYING MORE TAXES INTO THE ECONOMY.

THEY ARE MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS BACK INTO THE SYSTEM.

THEY ARE ABLE TO SEND THEIR KIDS PERHAPS TO BETTER SCHOOL OR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

THEY BECOME ENGAGED CITIZENS WHEN THEY ARE NOT WORRIED ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO HAPPEN.

WILL THEY BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILY IN MEXICO OR IN ANOTHER COUNTRY.

THE BENEFITS ARE NOT ONLY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL BUT THEY SPREAD TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

>> AND TO THAT END, CARMEN VELASQUEZ, OBVIOUSLY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE BENEFITS TO THE PROFESSIONALS AND THE RIPPLE EFFECT BUT THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING TO THE HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY, OF COURSE BY GETTING MORE BILINGUAL PROFESSIONALS LICENSED IN THE STATE?

>> WELL, I REALLY THINK 1989 THE RECOGNITION OF NOT HAVING THE APPROPRIATE BILINGUAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS WE NOW HAVE A WORKFORCE THAT WILL BUILD A TRUST BETWEEN THE PATIENT AND THE NURSE AND THE INSTITUTION BECAUSE MANY OF OUR PERSONS IN OUR COMMUNITIES DO NOT HAVE A TRUST RELATIONSHIP WITH THE INSTITUTIONS THAT PROVIDE HEALTH.

THESE INDIVIDUALS COMING FROM OTHER COUNTRIES WHO ARE NURSES ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE FOUND IS THAT THE LOVE FOR THEIR PROFESSION THAT SHARED THAT THEY HAVE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SICK.

>> AND JANINE JANOSKY WHAT IMPACT DO YOU THINK A PARTNERSHIP COULD HAVE ON THE SHORTAGE OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR THE LAST TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHAT WE KNOW FROM THE PANDEMIC WE KNEW IT BEFORE BUT IT BECAME ABUNDANTLY CLEAR DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT WE HAVE A SHORTAGE IN THE WORKFORCE IN TERMS OF NURSING AND IN OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONS.

INDIVIDUALS WITHIN OUR AREA CHICAGO WITHIN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS HAVING A LICENSE FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY BUT NOT BEING ABLE TO UTILIZE THAT LICENSE AND PRACTICE THEIR FIRST CHOSEN FIELD IS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WE ALL SEE THROUGH THE WELCOME BACK CENTER TO HELP THEM RETURN TO THEIR CHOSEN PROFESSION AND MAKE AN IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

BUT BY PROVIDING HEALTHCARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE VERY MUCH FOCUSED ON ENGLISH AND SPANISH AS A FIRST LANGUAGE, POLISH AS A FIRST LANGUAGE AND OTHER LANGUAGES.

>> AND DOCTOR WE HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT WHAT OTHER RESOURCES WILL THIS INITIATIVE OFFER BEYOND THE SUPPORT WITH CERTIFICATION?

>> THE SUPPORT IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO OBTAIN THE LICENSE IS CRITICAL.

THE GUIDANCE AND WHAT HOLES NOT TO FALL INTO AND HOW TO AVOID MISTAKES.

THE DIRECTION TO THE APPROPRIATE PASSES AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AT THE COLLEGE OR COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES THAT CARMEN MENTIONED WE MAY REFER THEM TO CHILDCARE OR HOUSING ASSISTANCE OR SERVICES THAT THEY MAYBE ELIGIBLE FOR WITHOUT WHICH THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PURSUE THEIR DREAMS.

>> MY THANKS TO Dr. JOSE RAMON FERNANDEZ-PENA, CARMEN VELASQUEZ AND PRESIDENT JANINE JANOSKY FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WITH A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT ILLINOIS STATE FAIR POLITICS.

STAY WITH US.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE POLITICS UNDERLYING THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR'S DEMOCRATIC AND GOVERNOR'S DAYS THAT AND MUCH MORE IN THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

JOINING US ARE HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ AND WE HOPE TO BE JOINED BY AMANDA VINICKY SHORTLY.

AS WE HEARD FROM AMANDA VINICKY TODAY IS GOVERNOR'S DAY AT THE STATE FAIR.

HEATHER, IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER FIRMLY IN CONTROL OF THE PARTY WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE LISA HERNANDEZ AS THE CHAIR OF THE STATE PARTY?

>> HE CERTAINLY IS.

HE IS THE PARTY'S LARGEST DONOR AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET IN NOVEMBER.

HE IS CALLING THE SHOTS AND THE SUCCESS OF DEMOCRATS WILL REALLY RISE AND FALL ON HIS PERFORMANCE.

HE IS ALL IN WITH SPEAKER CHRIS WELCH AND THEY ARE CALLING THE SHOTS AND THEY ARE GOING TO GET THE RACES THEY WANTED TO RUN.

>> PARIS, AFTER THIS BLISTERING BATTLE OVER THE CONTROL OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF ILLINOIS THERE IS AN ATTEMPT AT UNITY NOW.

HOW IS UNITY GOING?

>> I DON'T THINK ALL THE FENCES ARE QUITE MENDED YET.

ROBIN KELLY WHO WAS THE FORMER CHAIR OF THE PARTY AFTER MADIGAN STEPPED DOWN SHE DID NOT ATTEND TODAY.

SHE PUT OUT A STATEMENT SAYING SHE WANTS DEMOCRATS TO WIN ACROSS THE STATE SBUT NOT GOING TO BE AT THE BREAKFAST.

THIS WAS BITTER.

J.B. PRITZKER CAME IN AND WAS VERY VOCAL AND PUBLIC ABOUT WANTING TO REMOVE HER AS HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

AND SUPPORT HIS PERSON WHO IS THERE NOW, ALSO ALSO.

LISA HERNANDEZ.

I DON'T THINK THIS SPILLS OUT AND AFFECTS ELECTIONS SO MUCH BUT CERTAINLY THERE'S BRUISES WITHIN THE PARTY THAT HAVE TO BE HEALED.

>> TOMORROW AS AMANDA MENTIONED IT'S G.O.P.

DAY AT THE FAIR.

THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR DARREN BAILEY IS GOING TO TRY AND DEFLECT FROM THE SOCIAL MEDIA CONTROVERSY THIS TIME IT'S HIS RUNNING MATES POSTINGS THAT SURFACED.

ONE TWEET READS QUOTE... BRUCE JENNER REFERENCED BY KATLIN.

TRESSLE WAS OFFERING TO KATLIN JENNER.

TELL US ABOUT THE CONTROVERSY?

>> THOSE THOSE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTING AND TRESSLE HAD POSTS ABOUT LGBTQ.

THERE'S BEEN SOME POSTS UNCOVERED FROM DARREN BAILEY'S WIFE CINDY BAILEY WHO IS AN OFFICIAL WITH BAILEY'S CAMPAIGN TALKING ABOUT KIND OF STOP THE STEAL ORIENTED POSTINGS AND SOME MORE UNFORTUNATE COMMENTS ABOUT LGBTQ.

AND THERE'S ALSO DARREN BAILEY'S COMMENTS THAT WERE UNEARTHED ABOUT SAYING THAT ABORTION IS WORSE THAN THE HOLOCAUST.

CLEARLY THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE OR MAYBE AN ARMY OF PEOPLE GOING THROUGH VERY OLD SOCIAL MEDIA POSTINGS AND LEAKING THEM OUT HERE.

BUT I REMEMBER 2014 THAT IS THE LAST TIME A REPUBLICAN WON STATE-WIDE BRUCE RAUNER AND HE SAID I DON'T HAVE A SOCIAL AGENDA.

IT WAS ALL ECONOMICS AND HE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT A SINGLE SOCIAL ISSUE.

CLEARLY DARREN BAILEY IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET AWAY WITH THAT BECAUSE THE SOCIAL ISSUES THE FAR RIGHT SOCIAL ISSUES ARE A BIG PART OF HIS AGENDA AND THEY DO SEEM TO BE PRETTY EXTREME FOR THE MAINSTREAM OF ILLINOIS VOTERS.

>> AND THAT LAST TWEET FROM TRESSLE SHOWED IT WAS FROM 2020.

IS THIS A PRITZKER STRATEGY TO ROLL OUT MORE BAD NEWS EVERY WEEK OR SO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT IS 100% GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S STRATEGY AND WE HEARD HIM MAKE THAT CASE AT THE FAIR CALLING FOR A QUOTE COALITION OF THE SAME TO FIGHT THE LUNATIC FRINGE HE SAYS IS REPRESENTED BY DARREN BAILEY AND STEPHANIE TRUSSEL.

THAT IS THE GROUND THAT GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER WANTS TO FIGHT THIS ELECTION AND THESE OLD SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS ARE HELPING HIM DO THAT.

>> MEANWHILE, DARREN BAILEY MADE A HARD PIVOT ON TRUMP TELLING A REPORTER THAT MIKE PENCE FOLLOWED THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS AND JOE BIDEN IS THE DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT.

AMANDA WELCOME BACK.

HE MADE THE COMMENTS IS CHARGED IN THE CAPITAL ATTACK.

IS THAT WHAT IS BEHIND HIS SHIFT?

>> WELL, IT WASN'T BAILEY HIMSELF THAT SAID THAT ABOUT PENCE AND BIDEN IS THE DUALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT IT WAS A CAMPAIGN SPOKESPERSON.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE REPORTERS HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE BAILEY ANSWER QUESTIONS.

WE WILL BE TRYING TO DO THAT TOMORROW.

SO IT IS A DIFFERENT DANCE THAT BAILEY HAS BEEN PLAYING HE APOLOGIZED FOR EXAMPLE THE COMPARISON OF ABORTION TO THE HOLOCAUST APOLOGIZING AND SAYING WAIT, I GOT THE GO AHEAD FROM RABBIS AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH THAT REMARK.

WE NEED TO HEAR FROM BAILEY HIMSELF ON THIS.

AND, YES, IT MIGHT BE THAT HE IS ABLE TO CHANGE TRACKS BECAUSE HE IS OUT OF THE PRIMARY.

CLEARED THAT, AND WHILE HE CERTAINLY IS NOT MAKING ANY SORT OF MAJOR PIVOT WHEN IT COMES TO HIS SOCIAL AGENDA, AGAIN IT WAS JUST TALKED ABOUT, HE NO LONGER HAS TO SOLELY APPEAL TO THE G.O.P.

BASE.

IT COULD BE A CHANGE THERE.

>> I SHOULD ADD IN THE PRIMARY, HE LEFT HIMSELF WIGGLE ROOM ON THIS QUESTION HE WOULD SAY I THINK THERE'S FRAUD BUT I DON'T -- I DIDN'T WATCH ALL THE RALLIES SO I DON'T KNOW THIS 100% I DON'T THINK HE EVER SAID THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN.

SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A STRATEGY TO HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.

APPEAL TO THE BASE, THAT WANTS TO BELIEVE DONALD TRUMP.

BUT THEN THINKING ABOUT THE GENERAL ELECTION AND NOW HIS CAMPAIGN SPOKESPERSON CAN COME OUT AND SAY WHAT HE SAID ABOUT BIDEN.

>> PARIS, THERE'S THE FACT THAT BAILEY HELD MULTIPLE CAMPAIGN EVENTS WITH THE SAME GUN STORE WHERE THE ACCUSED HIGHLAND PARK MASS MURDERER PURCHASED HIS GUN.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE COINCIDENCE OR LEANING IN ON GUN RIGHTS?

THIVMENT IS AN UNFORTUNATE COINCIDENCE.

THE CAMPAIGN EVENT AT THE STORE HAPPENED WELL BEFORE THE JULY 4TH SHOOTING.

AND THERE'S DISCREPANCY FROM THE STORE AND THE BAILEY CAMPAIGN IN TERMS OF HOW INVOLVED THIS STORE HAS BEEN.

HE SAYS HERE IN THE TWEET THEY ARE SPONSORING A BAILEY FOR GUN RAFFLE AND THE STORE SAYS WE WEREN'T OFFICIALLY SPONSORING THEM.

LIKE WITH THE SOCIAL ISSUES BAILEY HAS BEEN OUTSPOKEN ABOUT HIS VIEWS ON GUN RIGHTS.

THEY ARE THE OPPOSITE OF PRITZKER.

HE DOESN'T WANT RESTRICTIONS ON GUNS AND DOESN'T WANT A BAN ON ASSAULT WEAPONS.

AND, AGAIN, THOSE ARE OUT OF THE MAINSTREAM IF YOU BELIEVE PUBLIC OPINION POLLING IN THE COUNTRY THOSE ARE OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE MAINSTREAM PUBLIC.

THEY WILL BE OUT OF TOUCH WITH ILLINOIS HE CANNOT RUN FROM THOSE POSITIONS AND DRESS THEM UP.

LIKE THE SOCIAL ISSUES THE GUN POSITIONS ARE GOING TO BE PART OF HIS CAMPAIGN.

>> AND SO THAT ISSUE.

HIGHLAND PARK IS PASSING A MEASURE THAT CALLS FOR BANS ON SEMIAUTOMATIC WEAPONS, HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES AND BODY ARMOR.

NAPERVILLE FOLLOWING WITH A BAN ON COMMERCIAL SALES ON ASSAULT RIVAL RIFLES.

>> HIGHLAND PARK HAS A BAN ON THE SALE OF ASSAULT RIFLES AND THAT DID NOT STOP THE SHOOTING AND NAPERVILLE FOLLOWED THE SUIT.

IT IS AN OPEN QUESTION WHETHER THAT WILL BE AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE IN NAPERVILLE.

CHICAGO MOST OF THE GUNS USED IN CRIMES IN CHICAGO FLOW INTO CHICAGO WHICH HAS STRICT GUN LAWS FROM OTHER STATES WITH LAX GUN CONTROL RULES.

THIS IS BOTH ARE LARGELY SYMBOLIC CALLING ON THE STATE TO BAN ASSAULT RIFLES WHICH COULD HAVE AN IMPACT BECAUSE IT WOULD REDUCE SALES IN ILLINOIS AND IT WOULD NOT HAVE IMPACTS IN STATES LIKE INDIANA WHERE THERE ARE LOTS OF GUN STORES.

I THINK BOTH VOTES WERE AN INDICATION OF THE SHIFT IN POLITICS AFTER UVALDE AND THE HIGHLAND PARK SHOOTING WHERE NOW MOST AND PURPLE AREAS LIKE NAPERVILLE, DUPAGE COUNTY ONCE A STRONGHOLD OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ARE MOVING TO THE LEFT ON GUN CONTROL AS PEOPLE SAY THE MASS SHOOTINGS ARE JUST INTOLERABLE.

>> THERE WAS A HEAR BEING AN EMERGENCY RULE THAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER AND THE STATE POLICE FILED TO TRY AND FIX A LOOPHOLE.

TELL US WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO CORRECT HERE?

>> SO THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE ISSUE WHERE THE SHOOTER OF THE HIGHLAND PARK MASS SHOOTING THE ALLEGED SHOOTER, HAD HIS FAMILY MEMBER THERE WAS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER REPORT FILED BY HIGHLAND PARK POLICE WITH THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE STATE POLICE NONETHELESS ISSUED A GUN LICENSE TO ROBERT CRIMO III.

SO THAT IS WHAT THIS IS THE EMERGENCY RULE INTENDED TO FIX TIGHTENING THAT UP.

STATE POLICE SAY THEY HAD TO ISSUE A FOID CARD BUT AT THE TIME THE CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER REPORT, HE HAD NOT OFFICIALLY APPLIED FOR A GUN.

REPUBLICANS ARE PUSHING BACK SAYING A RULE MAY NOT BE NECESSARY HAD THEY SAY STATE POLICE FOLLOWED THE RULES THEY SAY STATE POLICE TALKING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF THEIR MOUTH SAYING THEY ONCE DID BOTH LOOK AT THAT CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER REPORT FILED BY THE HIGHLAND PARK POLICE AND ALSO THEY HAD TO DISREGARD IT.

SO REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING YOU CANNOT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS THIS IS ON YOU.

>> PARIS THERE WAS GOING TO BE A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON GUNS AND ANOTHER FOR ABORTION.

WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE?

>> IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING.

THE LATEST WE'VE HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR HE'S PUT TOGETHER THE WORKING GROUP OF DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS TO COME UP WITH LEGISLATION PERHAPS BANNING ASSAULT RIFLES IN THE STATE AND OTHER LEGISLATION HAVING TO DO WITH ABORTION.

YOU WOULD THINK AN LOCATION YEAR AS THE DEMOCRATS GO OUT AND CAMPAIGN THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT THEY HAVE DONE TO FURTHER PROTECT WOMEN WHO WANT TO HAVE ABORTIONS OR PROTECT THE STATE FROM GUNS.

BUT AT THIS POINT THERE'S NO DATE TO HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION TO COME IN AND SO PERHAPS THEY ARE NOT ALL AGREEING WHAT THE PACKAGE ALSO LOOK LIKE.

DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT BEEN A MONOLITH IN THE PAST ON GUN ISSUES.

IT'S HARD TO KNOW.

>> AMANDA, WE HAVE 10 SECONDS?

>> WANTED TO SAY IT DOES NOT APPEAR AS IF THERE'S ANY SPECIAL SESSION ANYTIME SOON THEY ARE THE WORKING GROUPS BUT YOU HAVE J.B. PRITZKER WANTING TO BE THE LEETD LEADER OF THE PARTY WHEN YOU ARE CALLING FOR AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN FOLKS SAY IT'S ON HIM TO GET THE PARTY TOGETHER AND COME UP WITH SOMETHING THEY CAN PASS.

>> THAT IS SPOTLIGHT.

THANKS, AMANDA VINICKY, HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> UP NEXT, A MISSION TO HELP HEAL YOUNG PEOPLE FROM TRAUMA WITH POP-UP LIBRARIES.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> LITERATURE IS USED TO MOLD YOUNG MINDS BUT A NONPROFIT IS HOPE TO GO GOES BEYOND THAT.

A LOCAL WOMAN BEGAN AN ORGANIZATION USING BOOKS TO HELP CHILDREN HEAL FROM TRAUMA.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" JOANNA HERNANDEZ TELLS US ABOUT MORE ABOUT THE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL EFFORT.

>> HOW MANY OF YOU LOVE BOOKS?

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE OF FAVORITE BOOK.

>> MEET SEENA JACOB THE FOUNDER OF THE NONPROFIT BOOKWALLAH.

>> BOOKWALLAH.

>> MORE THAN A DOZEN KIDS GATHERED AT THE LOCAL BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB FOR STORYTELLING SESSION.

JACOB FOUNDED THE ORGANIZATION IN 2009 WHEN SHE SAYS SHE BEGAN TO QUESTION HER LIFE'S PURPOSE AND STARTED TO VISIT ORPHANAGES AROUND THE WORLD.

>> WE TRAVELED TO INDONESIA, INDIA, JAMAICA, PASSED OUT STORYBOOKS DONATED BY KIDS IN THE UNITED STATES WHICH IS FANTASTIC.

AND THE REACTION THAT I SAW ON THE GROUND IN ORPHANAGES FOR CHILDREN OF TRAUMA THE WAY THEY WERE LOOKING WITH THIS LOOK THEY WERE EXCITED ABOUT THE POP-UP BOOKS, I JUST KNEW THAT I COULDN'T GO BACK TO THE OLD WAY OF LIFE.

MY CORPORATE LIVE OF LIFE.

>> THAT IS WHEN THE PROGRAM CAME TO LIGHT.

NOW POP-UP LIBRARIES IN SCHOOLS AND ORPHANAGES.

>> I FOUND THAT THE BOOKS AND THE MESSAGES IN THE STORIES WHICH ALL CHILDREN NEED TO HEAR, OVERCOMING SOMETHING COMING OUT STRONGER, A HAPPIER WORLD, IS SO VERY CRITICAL AND ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE LIVED WITH FEAR OR INSECURITIES OR ANY TYPE OF TRAUMA AT ALL.

AND SO READING IS ONE OF THOSE MAJOR OUTLETS WHERE THEY TOO, CAN RELIVE THAT JOURNEY, OVERCOME IT AND REALIZE THEY CAN CREATE A BETTER WORLD FOR THEMSELVES.

>> WHAT STARTED GLOBALLY HAS GROWN LOCALLY.

IT CAN BE FOUND IN CHICAGO WITH BOOKS FOR KIDS TO TAKE.

>> SO WE HAVE IT IN CORNER STORES, BARBERSHOPS, AFFORDABLE HOMES.

>> THIS BOOK AND MORE THAN A PRINCESS AND BECAUSE SHE'S PRETTY AND LIKE SHE IS LIKE A PRINCESS BUT SHE IS MORE THAN A PRINCESS.

>> MOTHER AND TEACHER NANCY UNZUETA SAYS IT ENCOURAGES KIDS TO EXPLORE THE DIFFERENT TOPICS.

>> THE CRATES WILL OPEN THAT QUESTION TO PARENTS CHILDREN WILL COME HOME FROM THE BOOKS AND ASK FOR PORE BOOKS.

AND ASK PARENTS TO COME TO THE PROGRAM AND PARENTS WILL BE THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING A BREAK AND SITTING DOWN WITH YOUR CHILD READING.

>> JACOB HER MISSION IS DRIVEN FROM THE PASSION OF EMPOWERING KIDS TO HEAL AND DREAM.

>> IT HELPED WITH THIS WORD -- >> NO CHILD SHOULD EVER CRY AT NIGHT.

NO CHILD SHOULD EVER CRY.

AND WE WANT TO SEE THEM SMILE AND LAUGH AND ALL THOSE THINGS.

AND IF WE CAN GIVE A SIMPLE GIFT LIKE THIS, AND HAVE THAT MUCH POWER AND MAGIC, WHY NOT DO IT?

>> JACOBS SAYS HER GOAL FOR BOOKWALLAH IS KEEP EXPANDING IN CHICAGO.

>> I BELIEVE IF THE BOOKS WERE NOT HERE FOR ME, I WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY.

I BELIEVE THESE STORIES SAVED MY LIFE.

AND I KNOW IT HAS THE POWER TO SAVE OTHER CHILDREN'S LIVES.

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

>> AND JUST THIS WEEK A MAGIC CRATE LOCATION OPENED IN ROGERS PARK AT THE ARELATED AFFORDABLE PROPERTY NORTH POINT.

YOU CAN LRN MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

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

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YouTube AND OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

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

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. WE HEAR FROM MEMBERS OF THE ILLINOIS G.O.P.

ON THE STATE FAIR'S REPUBLICAN DAY.

>> AND HOME TO TWO UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES AND A 46-ACRE NATURE PRESERVE WE VISIT THE NORTH PARK COMMUNITY FOR THIS WEEK'S "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" RIGHT HERE WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ U IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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