>>> HELLO, THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ, HERE IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

>> IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN IF SOMEONE BROKE INTO HER HOUSE AND TOOK SOMETHING.

>> PARAMEDICS AND EMTS ACCUSE A PRIVATE INDOLENCE COMPANY OF WAGE THEFT.

>>> A DISTURBING RISE IN ATTACKS ON POSTAL WORKERS HAS THE LETTER CARRIERS UNION CALLING FOR BETTER PROTECTING.

>>> FUNDAMENTALS OF POLICING IS THE PEOPLE ARE THE POLICE AND THE POLICE ARE THE PEOPLE.

>> A PREVIEW OF TOMORROW NIGHT LATINA VOICES.

HEAR WHAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE SELECTION OF LARRY SNELLING AS POLICE SUPERINTENDENT.

>>> A SINGER-SONGWRITER FROM HUNDREDS JUST A GOODBYE FROM A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS FRIENDS IN CHICAGO.

>>> NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, JURORS HEAR MORE WIRETAPPED PHONE CALLS OF PERJURY AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE TRIAL AGAINST TIM MAPES, CHIEF OF STAFF FOR MICHAEL MADIGAN.

THE TWO DISCUSS HOW TO INFORM FORMER STATE REP A TENTATIVE TO STEP DOWN AMID SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS.

TIM MAPES IS ACCUSED OF MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS TO A GRAND JURY THAT WAS INVESTIGATING THE CLAIM ON MICHAEL MADIGAN.

>>> MORE THAN 1000 FORMER NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETES HAVE SIGNED A LETTER DEFENDING THE SCHOOLS CULTURE AND CONDEMNING HAZING.

THE GROUP INCLUDES 277 FORMER FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND 4 MANAGERS TO SAY WHILE THE ALLEGATIONS ARE TROUBLING, THEY, "DO NOT REPRESENT OR DEFINE THE OVERALL ATHLETICS CULTURE AT NORTHWESTERN."

THE BIG10 UNIVERSITY FACES MORE THAN A DOZEN LAWSUITS ALLEGING SEXUAL ABUSE BY TEAMMATES AND RACIST COMMENTS BY COACHES.

CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR TO CORRECT A TIMELINE OF ALLEGATIONS AND HAZING SCANDAL.

>>> COOK COUNTY WANTS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HELP YOU REDUCE YOUR ENVIRONMENT THE IMPACT THAT THE COMPANY IS ANNOUNCING $10 MILLION FOR THE BUSINESS IS REDUCING IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, OR BRIGHT PROGRAM.

$4 MILLION WILL HELP TO PROVIDE ON-SITE ASSESSMENTS FOR BUSINESSES TO FIND WAYS TO REDUCE ENERGY AND WATER USAGE OR REDUCE THE USE OF TOXIC MICHAEL'S, AMONG OTHER CHANGES.

ANOTHER $6 MILLION WILL HELP AS THIS IS IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDED CHANGES.

FOR MORE ON HOW TO APPLY, YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

>>> MORE FOLKS ARE BACK TO WORK IN ILLINOIS AS THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY SAYS THE NUMBER OF PAYROLL JOBS HAS INCREASED TO PAST PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINS AT 4%, THE LOWEST LEVELS SINCE THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE INDUSTRY SECTOR SUCH OF THE GREATEST GAINS IN JULY WERE EDUCATION AND HEALTH SERVICES AS WELL AS TRADE, TRANSPORTATION, AND UTILITY.

>>> YESTERDAY WITH ILLINOIS DEMOCRATS, TODAY IT IS THE STATE REPUBLICANS TURNED TO THE PODIUM AT THE STATE FAIR.

THE PARTY FINDS ITSELF SHUT OUT OF MAJOR STATEWIDE OFFICES AND IN SUPER MINORITY STATUS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

SPEAKERS BASHED GRANTS LIKE GOVERNOR J.

B. PRITZKER FOR POLICIES THEY HAVE ENACTED AND EXTORTED EXHORTED CONSERVATIVES GET MORE ACTIVE AND REVIVE THE PARTY.

>> ILLINOIS REPUBLICANS SUPPORT FREE SPEECH.

WHAT A RADICAL IDEA.

PARENTS RIGHTS.

ANOTHER RADICAL IDEA.

SCHOOL CHOICE.

SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS.

ANOTHER RADICAL IDEA.

RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE ENERGY.

WHOEVER THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE RADICAL.

LOWER PROPERTY TAXES.

THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS.

THEY DON'T WANT TO DO THE HARD WORK OF TAKING ILLEGAL GUNS OFF THE STREET.

THEY WANT TO TAKE GUNS FROM LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS.

LET'S NOT LET THEM DO IT.

>> STILL TO COME IN THE PROGRAM, WHAT IS DRIVING THE DISTURBING RISE IN POSTAL WORKER ATTACKS.

>> FIRST, WHY A LOCAL AMBULANCE COMPANY WAS ACCUSED OF WAGE THEFT.

>>> THAT'S RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POLK BROTHERS FOUNDATION AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> PARAMEDICS AND EMTS ARE FACING ILLEGAL PAYCHECK DEDUCTIONS FOR ON-THE-JOB TRAFFIC TICKETS.

THAT IS A SURPRISING CLAIM IN A CLASS ACTION WAGE THEFT LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST ELITE INDIANS, A LARGE PRIVATE INFLUENCE FIRM THAT WORKS AROUND THE CHICAGO AREA.

CHICAGO TONIGHT'S NICK BLUMBERG IS THE FIRST TO REPORT ON THIS STORY AND IS HERE WITH DETAILS ON THE TOUCHES OF STOLEN PAY.

>> Reporter: WE HAVE ALL SEEN IN INDOLENCE RACING DOWN THE STREET TRYING TO GET SOMEONE CRITICALLY ILL TO THE HOSPITAL IN TIME.

AFTER THE, SOMETIMES THOSE INSTANCES ARE PICKED UP ON A RED LIGHT OR SPEED CAMERA.

IN A SUIT FILED YESTERDAY IN COOK COUNTY COURT, THREE EMPLOYEES OF ELITE SAY THE COMPANY HAS BEEN DEDUCTING THE COST OF MOVING VIOLATIONS FROM THEIR PAYCHECKS WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE THE OCCASION BUT WHEN IT IS THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO PAY OR BE BOTHERED TO CHALLENGE THESE TICKETS TO THESE ARE PARAMEDICS, EMTS, PEOPLE ENGAGING IN LIFE-SAVING WORK.

OBVIOUSLY , VERY FAMOUSLY, WE KNOW THAT AMBULANCES NEED TO SOMETIMES MOVE A LITTLE FASTER THAN THE RATE OF TRAFFIC.

SO, IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD COME AS A SURPRISE TO THE COMPANY.

>> Reporter: THE TWO EMTS NAMED PLAINTIFFS IN THE SUIT SAY THEY WERE TOLD THEY HAD TO AGREE TO THE DEDUCTION AFTER THE FACT AND REFUSED.

THE THE PLAINTIFF, A PARAMEDIC , SINCE HE WASN'T NOTIFIED AT ALL.

>> HOW MUCH MONEY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE?

>> THE PLAINTIFFS SAY THE TICKETS THEY GOT ON THE TOP FOR $100 AND CENTS EACH.

EDDIE RAMSEY CANNONS IS $100.00 IS SIGNIFICANT DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH MONEY YOU MAKE.

RELATIVELY SMALL AMOUNT LIKE THESE ARE ONE OF THE REASONS THAT MAKE CASES OF ALLEGED WAGE THEFT SO TOUGH.

>> UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYERS RELYING ON THE IDEA THAT PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO BE WILLING TO GO TO COURT TO RECOVER $100.00, $200.00 THAT IS STOLEN FROM THEM.

THAT IS ONE CLASS ACTIONS ARE SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE NOT ONLY DOES IT MAKE SURE EVERYBODY GETS MADE HOME, IN THIS CASE IT COULD BE THOUSANDS, TENS OF THOUSANDS, WHO KNOWS, IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE SIZE OF THE CLASS CERTIFIED.

ALSO, THERE ARE PENALTIES.

>> NICK, YOU MENTIONED THE CITY CLASS OFTEN, HOW MANY WOULD THAT INVOLVE?

>> Reporter: THE ELITE WEBSITE SAYS IT HAS 2000 EMPLOYEES, 175 INDOLENCE IS WORKING IN THE CHICAGO AREA AND NORTHWEST INDIANA.

IF THE JUDGE IN THIS CASE DOES TO DEFINE IT AS A CLASS ACTION, IT COULD BE A VERY LARGE GROUP INDEED.

PARAMEDIC PAOLO ACEVEDO IS ONE OF THE PLAINTIFF.

WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER AND WITH THE COMPANY, WAS UPSET ABOUT THE DIRECTIONS BUT DIDN'T PUSH BACK BUT HE TOLD ME HE HAS SINCE TALKED WITH MANY OTHER EMPLOYEES WHO SAY THIS PRACTICE GOES BACK YEARS.

HE SAYS ELITE IS PICKING UP THE PACE.

HE TOLD ME, "OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS, I HAVE SEEN A HUGE INCREASE IN DEDUCTING WAIVERS BEING FORCED ONTO EMPLOYEES THAT THEY BELIEVE ARE THE PROBABLE DRIVERS OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME.

IT BECAME AGGRAVATING FOR ME AND A FEW OTHER PARAMEDICS WHO, AS WE'VE GOTTEN OLDER, I REALIZED IT'S NOT FAIR PRACTICE."

>> NICK, HOW DID THE LAWSUIT GET STARTED?

>> Reporter: THE PARAMEDICS AND EMTS GOT IN TOUCH WITH THEIR ATTORNEY WOULD DISCUSSION THE ALLEGED WAGE THEFT DURING ORGANIZING PRIVATE INVESTMENT, WORKERS AT FILED FOR A UNION ELECTION WITH THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD.

THEY'VE HAD WORKPLACE PROBLEMS LIKE MANAGEMENT NOT PROBABLY STALKING COMPANY VEHICLES WITH NECESSARY EQUIPMENT.

HE SAYS LOW PAYMENTS MANY FIRST RESPONDERS ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

HE SAYS THE CURRENT AVERAGE PAY IN THIS FIELD IS ALREADY SO LOW.

WITHOUT UNIONIZATION, RINSING HEALTH WORKERS ARE NEVER GOING TO BE TO MAKE THE MONEY THAT THEY DESERVE.

A LOT OF WORKERS ARE FORCED TO WORK 75 HOURS A WEEK, SOMETIMES 40 HOURS OVERTIME JUST TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD HAVING AN APARTMENT IN CHICAGO.

ATTORNEY CANNON SAYS WHETHER IT IS UNIONIZATION OR LEGAL ACTION, EMPLOYEES COMING TOGETHER AT A WORKPLACE HELPS PEOPLE EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS.

>> THE FIRST STEP OF TALKING TO YOUR COWORKERS OPENLY IS SO IMPORTANT TO MAKING SURE YOU DON'T FEEL ALONE AND ALSO NOT TO UNDERSTAND THESE ARE SYSTEMATIC THINGS YOU CAN GET REMEDIES FOR.

>> Reporter: WE SHOULD NOTE THAT ELITE AMBULANCE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

>> NICK BLUMBERG, THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT IN THE ALARMING AND INCREASING THREAT TO LETTER CARRIERS.

STAY WITH US.

>>> TAX ON MAIL CARRIERS ARE ON THE RISE.

ACCORDING TO THE U.S.

POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE, ROBBERIES TARGETING NO CARRIERS INCREASED 78% IN 2022 .

JUST THIS MONTH, A 52-YEAR-OLD MALE CARRIER WAS SHOT AND QUICKLY WAITED ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE IN AN ATTEMPTED ROBBERY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON.

HERE'S WHAT SPENCER PLUCKED OF THE U.S.

POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE TOLD US ABOUT THE INCREASING NUMBER OF ATTACKS.

>> THE THREAT AGAINST OUR LETTER CARRIERS HAS EVOLVED OVER TIME, ESPECIALLY SINCE COVID-19.

OUR STRATEGY TO COMBAT THAT AND TO INVESTIGATE THOSE CRIMES AS EVOLVED AS WELL.

THE MAIN ATTEMPT OF THE INTERVALS TO INVESTIGATE CRIMES THAT AFFECT POSTAL CUSTOMERS AND EMPLOYEES.

THE AGENCY DOES TAKE SERIOUSLY IS THE SAFETY OF ALL POSTAL EMPLOYEES.

IT IS NOT JUST A LETTER CARRIERS, IT IS EVERYBODY.

>> JOINING US TO SHARE HER THOUGHTS IS ELISE FOSTER, PRESIDENT OF PRINT 11 OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS, WHICH WERE PRESENT OVER 4800 LETTER CARRIERS IN CHICAGO AND SURROUNDING SUBURBS.

HI, ELISE, THANK YOU FOR BEING BACK WITH US.

DO YOU THINK THE POSTAL SERVICE IS DOING ALL IT CAN DO RIGHT NOW TO AFFECT POSTAL WORKERS?

>> I DON'T THINK A LOT IS BEING DONE .

WHAT CAN BE DONE, I'M NOT SURE BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE AND YOU ARE NOT SEEING IT.

WE KEEP GETTING ATTACKED.

>> WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM SOME OF YOUR MEMBERS?

HOW MANY ROBBERIES AND ASSAULTS HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT OR HAVE THEY FACED FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS?

>> I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBERS.

FROM AUGUST OF 2022 TO 2023, WE ARE UP TO ABOUT 93 REPORTED ATTEMPTS ON LETTER CARRIERS.

MY MEMBERS ARE SCARED.

THEY ARE SCARED TO COME TO WORK, THEY ARE SCARED TO GO ON THEIR ROUTES.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

THEY ARE SCARED.

>> THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR A FEW YEARS, ALTHOUGH SKYROCKETED, AS WE MENTIONED LAST YEAR.

DO YOU SENSE SOMETHING NEW?

IS THERE A NEW THREAT?

IS THERE ANY REASON WHY THIS IS HAPPENING?

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEW THREAT IS AND WHY THE ALARMING NUMBERS ARE REACHING UP SO HIGH.

BUT, WE ARE UNDER ATTACK.

THAT IS UNHEARD OF FOR A LETTER CARRIER TO BE ATTACKED WHILE PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES.

IT IS UNHEARD OF.

SO NOW WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THESE PEOPLE WANT TO PROTECT THE CARRIERS.

WE ARE GATHERING AN INVESTIGATION AS TO WHY THEY WANT THESE KEYS.

>> JUST EXPLAIN FOR REVIEWERS WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE KEYS.

>>, THE ATTACK ON THE KEYS , THAT'S WHAT THEY TAKE FROM THE LETTER CARRIERS.

THAT IS THE EQUIPMENT THEY NEED TO DO THEIR JOB, TO DO EVERYTHING.

>> THOSE OF THE SPECIAL KEYS THAT CAN OPEN MAILBOXES, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT.

>> LET'S HEAR WHAT SPENCER BLOCK TOLD US EARLIER ABOUT THE MOTIVATION FOR THESE ROBBERIES.

>> THESE ROBBERIES ARE BEING COMMITTED TO, YOU KNOW, TAKE, ATTEMPT TO TAKE WHAT WE RECEIVE AND SEND OUT IN THE MAIL EVERYDAY, WHICH IS CHECKS FOR BILLS OR CREDIT CARDS, IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS, THINGS THAT FACILITATE BUSINESS.

I DON'T THINK THESE ROBBERIES ARE TAKING PLACE BECAUSE SOMEONE JUST HAS THE DRIVE TO EITHER HURT SOMEBODY OR A THRILL TO TAKE FROM THEM.

ULTIMATELY, IT IS, THERE IS A FINANCIAL MOTIVE BEHIND THIS.

>> IS THAT WHAT YOU SEE, ELISE ?

MOST OF THESE ROBBERS WANT TO GET THEIR HANDS ON PACKAGES OR LETTERS THAT HAVE A CHECK IN IT OR SOME KIND OF BILL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> YOU HEARD IT FROM THE INSPECTOR.

I BELIEVE THOSE ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY THEY ARE ATTACKING THE LETTER CARRIERS TO THE KEY THAT USED TO MAKE THE DELIVERY.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK CAN BE DONE TO MAKE LETTER CARRIERS LESS OF A TARGET?

>> FIRST, WE ARE ENCOURAGED THAT THE CITY IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE.

THAT IS THE ONE THING.

THE FIRST, WE WANT TO GET THE LETTER CARRIERS OFF THE STREETS, GET THEM THERE EARLIER.

WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR SOME THINGS WE NEED TO HELP KEEP LETTER CARRIERS SAFE AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL REACT TO THAT AND ANSWER OUR REQUESTS.

WE WILL MEET WITH THE POSTMASTER NEXT WEEK.

WE WENT EARLIER STARTING TIMES, THE START.

>> EARLIER STARTING TIMES SO THAT FOLKS ARE NOT WORKING AFTER DARK ?

EXPLAIN MORE WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT, CLUSTER BOXES, WHAT DOES THAT ENTAIL?

>> THAT ENTAILS WHEN THEY DO NEW CONSTRUCTION, THAT THESE BOXES, THEY JUST KEEP PUTTING THEM UP ANYWHERE THROUGHOUT THE CITY, THEY HAVE TO PUT THEM INSIDE BUILDINGS.

EVEN CONSTITUENTS, THEY HAVE TO COME OUTSIDE AND TALK TO THE MAILBOX AND IT'S POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO GET THEIR MAIL WHEN WE WANT TO GO DOOR-TO-DOOR, WE ARE LETTER CARRIERS, WE GO DOOR-TO-DOOR.

THE HIGH-RISES THAT HAVE MULTIPLE UNITS INSIDE WHAT THOSE BOXES INSIDE BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO STAND FOR A VERY LONG TIME TO MAKE THOSE DELIVERIES.

>> SEE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

WHEN THEY ARE OUTSIDE, YOU ARE STANDING THERE FOR A WHILE, YOU ARE STUFFING ENVELOPES AND IT IS A BIGGER THREAT.

>> CORRECT.

>> WHAT ABOUT STAFFING ?

IS STAFFING STILL AN ISSUE?

THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TALKED WITH THE LETTER CARRIERS UNION ABOUT FOR MANY YEARS.

>> YES, THAT IS AN ONGOING ISSUE BUT THE POSTAL SERVICE IS HIRING LETTER CARRIERS EACH AND EVERY WEEK.

I'VE BEEN MEETING NEW CARRIERS THAT COME ON BOARD ON THE JOB.

WE ARE UNDERSTAFFED, I'M HOPING WE GET THOSE NUMBERS BACK UP.

WHAT THEY ARE FACING OUT THERE TODAY, SOME OF THEM JUST LEAVE THE JOB AND SAY THEY CAN'T DO IT, THEY CLICKED.

>> WE MENTIONED THE SHOOTING AT THE TOP OF THIS SECOND THAT ONE OF YOUR LETTER CARRIERS, DO YOU KNOW THE CONDITION OF THAT PERSON ?

>> YES, HE IS IN GOOD SPIRITS.

HE HAD ANOTHER SURGERY THAT HE HAD TO GO THROUGH.

HE'S IN GOOD SPIRITS AND RECOVERING AT HOME.

THANKFUL FOR ALL THE PRAYERS AND WELL WISHES HE IS RECEIVING.

IT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED.

JUST PERFORMING HIS DUTIES.

>> AS EVERY LETTER CARRIER IS.

STAY SAFE OUT THERE, THANKS TO YOU, ELISE FOSTER, FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> UP NEXT, ENVISIONING PUBLIC SAFETY UNDER CHICAGO'S NEXT TOP COP.

>>> FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> CHICAGO IS SAID TO HAVE A NEW TOP COP.

PENDING CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION, CHICAGO POLICE VETERAN LARRY SNELLING WILL TAKE OVER AS CHICAGO POLICE SUPERINTENDENT.

TOMORROW ON LATINO HORSES, HOST ALEX HERNANDEZ TALK TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT THEIR HOPES FOR THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT.

THERE IS A BIT OF THAT RESCISSION.

>> WHAT ROLE DO YOU SEE POLICE LEADERSHIP PLAYING IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY IN CHICAGO?

>> IT IS JUST A PART OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

I BELIEVE THAT POLICE DO PLAY A ROLE IN PUBLIC SAFETY.

ALSO, COMMUNITY MEMBERS PLAY A ROLE IN PUBLIC SAFETY.

I BELIEVE THAT ELABORATION AMONGST EACH OTHER CAN ACTUALLY LEAD US TO HAVE A SAFER NEIGHBORHOOD.

WITH ALL THE POLITICS, EVERYTHING GOING BACK AND FORTH THE CONSTANT ARGUMENT THAT IS NOT ANYMORE RIGHT.

THE FIRST STEP IS COLLABORATION.

>> DO YOU THINK COLLABORATION IS NEEDED BETWEEN COMMUNITY LEADERS AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT?

>> THINK COLLABORATION IS NEEDED OVERALL.

BETWEEN THE POLITICIANS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, WHAT WE HAVE.

WE HAVE TO WORK WITH WHAT WE HAVE.

WE NEED EVERY SINGLE RESOURCE POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE AND SAID, OUR FAMILIES ARE SAFE, EVERYONE IS SAFE.

>> MICHELLE, GOING WITH YOU, YOU HAVE ACTUALLY SAID YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY AS WELL FROM POLICE LEADERSHIP.

OF WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE?

>> SHORT.

WE HAVE GREAT OFFICERS.

THERE ARE GREAT OFFICERS COMMUNITY CORRECTLY.

ARE, ENGAGEMENT FOR US, WE SEE POLICE OFFICERS BEING PRESENT, WE SEE THEM MAKING THEMSELVES AVAILABLE TO GET TO KNOW THE COMMUNITY RESIDENTS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE STAKEHOLDERS AND CONTINUING THAT PARTNERSHIP.

IT IS A TWO-WAY STREET.

WE ALL, AS WILLIAM SAID, WE ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE A SAFER CITY, A SAFER COMMUNITY.

WE ALL HAVE THE SAME GOAL.

WE ALL WANT TO FEEL SAFE.

WHAT BETTER WAY THEN TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY RESIDENTS, FOCUS ON THE STAKEHOLDERS, THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, ALL OF US, IF WE WERE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER, CREATE A COMMITTEE OR SOME SORT OF AN ACTION TO CAP WOULD BE GREAT.

>> WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO LARRY SNELLING'S APPOINTMENT?

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS GOOD.

I WAS REALLY HAPPY THAT HE IS FROM CHICAGO.

HE WENT TO CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

HE REALLY UNDERSTANDS THE MAKE AT THE FABRIC OF A CHICAGO IN AND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO LIVE IN THE INNER-CITY AND TO BE FACED WITH MANY CHALLENGES.

SO, I WAS HAPPY WITH HIS APPOINTMENT.

>> LARRY SNELLING TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON DURING HIS PRESS CONFERENCE.

WE HAVE SOMETHING OF WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> TO HAVE SOMEONE IN CITY HALL WHO IS WILLING TO LISTEN AND WILLING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR OFFICERS ARE DEALING WITH ON A DAILY BASIS TO UNDERSTAND HOW OUR OFFICERS ARE RUNNING INTO VERY VIOLENT SITUATIONS AND RISKING THEIR LIVES, IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO HAVE SOMEONE, A MAYOR WHO SITS IN CITY HALL AND UNDERSTANDS.

>> DO YOU THINK LARRY SNELLING AND MAYOR JOHNSON WILL WORK WELL TOGETHER?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

THAT IS THE MAYORS MANDATE.

LARRY SNELLING IS A GREAT GUY FOR THAT POSITION.

NOT TO TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM THE RUNNER-UP.

GREAT LEADERS, BOTH OF THEM.

AND, I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THERE IS THIS NEW SURGE OF INTEREST OF LEADERSHIP, OF WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY.

>> YOU CAN SEE THE ENTIRE CONVERSATION TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5:30 ON WTTW AND ONLINE AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>>> IN THE STATE OF HONDURAS, HE CONTRIBUTED ONE OF THE BIGGEST HITS IN LATIN MUSIC.

IN HIS ADOPTED HOMETOWN OF CHICAGO, HE GETS A MODEST PROFILE WORKING AS A CUSTODIAN CHURCHES AND PLAYING OCCASIONAL GIGS TO SUPPORT HIS FAMILY.

A GROUP OF CHICAGO MUSICIANS HAS HELPED TURN THE SPOTLIGHT ONCE AGAIN ON SINGER-SONGWRITER CARLOS BARACONA.

WE MET AND RADIO FREE CONGRESS IN LITTLE VILLAGE.

>> I MET CHARLIE ON THE MUSIC SCENE IN CHICAGO.

WHEN I FIRST MOVED HERE IN THE EARLY 2000'S.

I JUST ADMIRED HIM AS A GUITAR PLAYER.

HE WAS AMAZING.

EVENTUALLY, I BECAME PART OF A BAND HE WAS PLAYING IN.

I GOT TO PLAY WITH THEM, GOT TO KNOW HIM.

YEARS LATER, I FOUND OUT HE WAS A SINGER, SONGWRITER HIMSELF.

THAT IS WHEN WE STARTED THIS BAND, WHEN I REALIZED HE HAD THIS WHOLE CAREER THAT I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT.

>> THE BAND THEY STARTED IS RADIO FREE HONDURAS.

CHARLIE BARAN HAD A LONG CAREER AS A MUSICIAN, A SINGER-SONGWRITER, AND A BANDLEADER IN HIS NATIVE HONDURAS.

HE SPOKE WITH THE SOUTHPAW GUITARIST THROUGH A TRANSLATOR, HIS SAXOPHONE PLAYER.

>> Translator: DAN APPROACHED CHARLIE AND ASKED HIM WE LIKE YOU ARE IS IT, WOULD YOU BE DOWN TO PUT A BAND TOGETHER AND RECORD SOME OF YOUR MUSIC.

IS IT THAT'S HOW IT STARTED.

HE NEVER WOULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR DAN, TO APPROACH HIM LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: 1991, CHARLIE CONTRIBUTED VOCALS AND GUITAR TO A SONG THAT TOPPED THE LATIN BILLBOARD CHARTS.

HE LEFT HONDURAS, HE SAYS, AFTER BEING HARASSED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

A SECURITIES ROUTE BROUGHT HIM TO CHICAGO BY WAY OF MIAMI.

HE WORKS AT TWO CATHOLIC CHURCHES PLEASE THE OCCASIONAL SHOW WITH RADIO FREE HONDURAS.

WE ASKED OF THE 72-YEAR-OLD ABOUT RECENT HEALTH SETBACKS.

HE TOLD US HIS HEALTH ISN'T SO GOOD BUT, WITH THE HELP OF GOD, HE WILL GO ON.

>> I LOVED HIS MUSIC AND THE STYLE.

THAT WAS THE FIRST THING.

THEN, QUICKLY I REALIZED HE NEEDED HELP BASICALLY BEING A MARGINALIZED PART OF OUR SOCIETY RIGHT NOW AND HE IS.

THERE WAS NO WAY HE WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO NAVIGATE THE MUSIC BUSINESS ON HIS OWN.

IT IS HARD ENOUGH FOR SOMEONE WITH EVERY OPPORTUNITY AND EVERY ADVANTAGE TO MAKE IT IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS.

SO, I KNEW I COULD HELP HIM AND I DECIDED THAT I WANTED TO HELP.

CHARLIE WRITES ALL THE MUSIC.

HE USUALLY BRINGS TO ME A PRETTY MUCH FINISHED SONG AND I JUST HELP WITH INSTRUMENTATION AND PUTTING IT TOGETHER AND PRODUCING RECORDINGS, THAT KIND OF THING.

>> Translator: HE SAID HE FEELS VERY PRIVILEGED AND VERY GRATEFUL TO BE PLAYING WITH MUSICIANS HAVE DIFFERENT CALIBERS THAT HAVE BEEN PART OF THE BAND TIME.

THEY HAVE ACCEPTED WHAT HE PLAYS AND APPRECIATED WHAT HE PLAYS.

HE IS ALWAYS LEARNING AND APPRECIATING FROM THOSE WHO ARE AROUND HIM.

>> HE IS HAPPY TO BE OUT HERE MAKING MUSIC, MEETING NEW MUSICIANS AND RECORDING NEW STUFF.

WE ARE ALL HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, MY CARTEL.

>> RADIO FREE HONDURAS PLAYS LIVE TONIGHT OUTDOORS AT 3737 WEST FLORENCE AVENUE, RIGHT HERE.

ON SATURDAY, THEY PLAYED AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE GLENWOOD AVENUE ARTS FESTIVAL IN ROGERS PARK.

THEY ARE RECORDING AN ALBUM THEY HOPE TO HAVE READY IN THE FALL.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO.

WE GOT THE GOOD WEATHER FOR IT AND THINK YOU NEVER KNOW.

THE FAMOUS MUSICIAN EXTORT IS A JANITOR AT A COUPLE CHURCHES.

>>> THAT IS EVER SO FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY PRESENTED CAN GET CHICAGO TONIGHT STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, AND HER WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST .

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT LATINA VOICES.

7:00 FOR THE AND 10:00 FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT .

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

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

STAY HEALTHY, SAFE, HOW ABOUT SOME MORE MUSIC FROM RADIO FREE HONDURAS.