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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M AMANDA VINICKY.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT...

THE F.D.A.

APPROVES NEW COVID BOOSTERS.

WE HEAR FROM A SPECIALIST WHICH WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.

>> THE TOTAL COST TO ATTEND A PUBLIC FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY HAS TRIPLED, TRIPLED IN 40 YEARS.

>> WITH THE NEW PLAN UNDERWAY TO ALLEVIATE STUDENT LOAN DEBT FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WE PROBE SOME OF THE REASONS BEHIND THE HIGH COST OF TUITION.

>> IF THIS COMMISSION IS GOING TO HAVE ANY LEGITIMACY.

IT IS NOT A RUBBER STAMP BUT BUILDING CONSENSUS.

>> NEW OVERSIGHT FOR THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM DIGS INTO THAT AND MORE.

>> WE JUST WOULD LIKE TO HAVE COMMUNICATION AND BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> A FOOD PANTRY IN PILSEN IS HOPING TO EXPAND INSIDE A CHURCH.

WE'LL TELL YOU ABOUT THE OBSTACLES THEY FACE.

>> CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL BUT WITH FEW BLACK MEN AT THE HEAD OF THE CLASSROOMS.

HEAR ABOUT AN EFFORT TO CHANGE THAT.

>> YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE COMMUNICATING AN AUTHENTIC STORY.

>> AND A LOCAL BELLY DANCER SHARES HOW SHE IS DISMANTLING CULTURAL APPROPRIATION.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES..., CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS WERE QUOTE LIKELY CONCEALED AND REMOVED FROM A STORAGE ROOM AT MAR-A-LAGO HAS PART OF AN HEARST BY FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP TO OBSTRUCT THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE DISCOVERY OF THE GOVERNMENT RECORDS ACCORDING TO THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

A FILING LATE LAST NIGHT SHOWS THE F.B.I.

SEIZED BOXES AND CONTAINERS HOLDING 100 CLASSIFIED RECORDS DURING THE SEARCH OF TRUMP'S FLORIDA ESTATE EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THE FILING LAYS OUT THE MOST DETAILED TIMELINE BETWEEN THE INTERACTION BETWEEN JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS AND THE TRUMP REPRESENTATIVE HOWEVER IT DOES NOT RESOLVE THE QUESTION WHY TRUMP HELD ON TO THE DOCUMENTS AFTER HIS DEPARTURE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE AND WHY HE AND HIS TEAM RESISTED EFFORTS TO GIVE THEM BACK.

>> AN UPDATE TO THE COVID-19 VACCINE THAT TARGETS TODAY'S MOST COMMON OMICRON STRAIN IS APPROVED.

THIS MOVE FROM THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION ADJUSTS THE RECIPE OF PFIZER AND MODERNA SHOTS IN HOPES OF MITIGATING A WINTER SURGE.

PREVIOUSLY THE VACCINES TARGETED THE ORIGINAL COVID STRAIN.

WE'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT THIS IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> A STATE LAWMAKER INTRODUCED A BILL TO TRY AND REDUCE ILLEGAL STREET RACING.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE LA SHAWN FORD INTRODUCED A PROPOSAL TO EXPAND THE STATE'S MOB ACTION LAWS TO INCLUDE ILLEGAL STREET RACING AND OTHER RACING STUNTS.

THAT WOULD ENABLE PROSECUTORS TO CHARGE SUSPECTS WITH A CLASS 4 FELONY.

IF THE LATEST ATTEMPT BY LAWMAKERS TO ADDRESS DRAG RACING.

THIS SUMMER THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL PASSED AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW POLICE TO USE PICTURE AND VIDEO EVIDENCE TO IMPOUND PARKED CARS THAT HAD BEEN USED IN DRAG RACES.

>> UP NEXT, THE LATEST ON COVID-19.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> THE F.D.A.

IS AUTHORIZING NEW COVID BOOSTER SHOTS THAT WILL TARGET THE OMICRON SUBVARIANTS.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE VACCINE IS Dr. ROBERT MURPHY.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

THANKS Dr. MURPHY.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING.

TALK TO US ABOUT THE TIMING OF THESE NEW BOOSTERS WITH, I HATE SAYING THIS OUT LOUD, WITH FALL AND WINTER JUST AROUND THE CORNER?

>> IT'S REALLY PERFECT TIMING.

BECAUSE IT'S TAKEN THEM A COUPLE MONTHS TO RETWEAK THE CURRENT VACCINE SO THEY COVER THE OMICRON VARIANTS BA.4 AND BA.5.

90% OF THE UNITED STATES IS INFECTED WITH BA.5 THIS IS PERFECT TIMING FOR THE FLU AND WINTER SEASON.

>> AND WHAT IS THE EXPECTATION OR HOPE FOR THESE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE BETTER AT PREVENTING CONTRACTING COVID, SERIOUS ILLNESS?

>> RIGHT.

REMEMBER AT THE BEGINNING WHEN THE VACCINES CAME OUT IT PREVENTED INFECTION.

AS WELL AS IF YOU GOT INFECTED SERIOUS DISEASE, HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH.

AND THEN WE LOST THE ABILITY TO PREVENT INFECTION.

SO EVERYBODY WAS GETTING COVID BUT FEW PEOPLE WERE ENDING UP IN THE HOSPITAL.

AND WE HOPE WE CAN GET BACK TO SOMETHING LIKE THAT WITH THIS NEW VERSION.

>> PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM HAVING TO BE HOSPITALIZED BUT MAYBE ALSO -- MAYBE FROM GETTING INFECTED AT ALL, RIGHT.

THAT IS THE HOPE.

THAT IS HOW IT WAS AT THE BEGINNING AND POWERFUL FER HOPEFULLY THIS OMICRON VERSION OF THE VACCINE.

IT IS A MIXTURE OF THE OLD VACCINE AND THE NEW VACCINE.

IT IS A COMBINATION.

SHOULD COVER PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING WE'VE SEEN.

>> SO BEFORE WE MOVE ON, REMIND US WHY IT IS THAT WE STOPPED BEING ABLE TO PREVENT INFECTION IN THE FIRST PLACE?

>> THESE RNA VIRUSES MUTATE LIKE MAD AND NEW VARIANTS APPEAR.

AND THEY BASICALLY WORK THEIR WAY AROUND THE IMMUNOLOGY OF THE OF THAT THE VACCINE GIVES YOU THE IMMUNE PROTECTION OR IF YOU HAD AN OLD INFECTION.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER PEOPLE THAT GOT DELTA LAST FALL GOT OMICRON TWO WEEKS LATER IN JANUARY.

BECAUSE THE PROTECTION YOU GOT FROM JUST HAVING THAT INFECTION OR THE OLD VACCINE DID NOT HELP AT ALL.

>> I DO REMEMBER.

BUT SPEAKING OF THAT LEADS ME TO ANOTHER QUESTION WE'VE GONE THROUGH THE ALPHABET SOUP OF VARIANTS.

HOW LONG DO WE EXPECT THAT THIS ONE WILL LAST?

OMICRON AND THEREFORE THAT THESE BOOSTERS THIS VERSION WILL BE EFFECTIVE?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

BECAUSE WE DON'T REALLY KNOW EXCEPT THIS MUTATES LIKE CRAZY.

AND JUST LIKE THE FLU YOU WOULD EXPECT TO SEE A DIFFERENT VACCINE BECAUSE OF THE NEW VARIANTS THAT WILL BE COMING.

ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> GETTING BACK TO THIS FOR FOLKS INTERESTED READY TO GET THAT SHOT IN THEIR ARM HOW SOON WILL THEY BE AVAILABLE?

>> WELL, THE F.D.A.

APPROVED IT TODAY.

IT GOES TO THE C.D.C.

TOMORROW.

IT'S LIKELY TO BE APPROVED THEN.

THERE IS 170 MILLION DOSES KIND OF READY TO GO IN THE WINGS.

THEY ALL DON'T SHOW UP ON ONE DAY, BY THE WAY, BUT THEY WILL COME OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS AND A FEW DOSES MAY BE AVAILABLE THIS WEEKEND.

AND THEN THE BIG PUSH ROLL OUT IS GOING TO START ON TUESDAY, THE DAY AFTER LABOR DAY.

>> DOCTORS OFFICES, PHARMACIES BUT THESE ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE ONLY THOSE WHO HAD THE PRIMARY COVID VACCINATION SERIES.

WHAT ELSE DO PATIENTS NEED TO KNOW?

>> SO THERE'S PFIZER AND MODERNA.

THE MODERNA IS APPROVED RIGHT NOW OR THIS BOOSTER IS APPROVED FOR AGE 18 AND OVER.

AND THE PFIZER ONE IS FOR AGE 12 AND OVER.

YOU WILL SEE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS AS THEY DO MORE STUDIES, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN, THAT THEY WILL BE APPROVED FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE AS WELL AND CHILDREN.

SO THAT'S WHAT YOU'LL EXPECT TO SEE OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

>> QUICK ANSWERS THAT PEOPLE MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR.

COULD YOU GET THIS IF YOU DID RECEIVE THE ORIGINAL COVID VACCINE BUT NOT THE BOOSTERS THAT HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE?

>> THIS JUST REPLACES THE FORMER VACCINES.

>> SO YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND GET THAT.

>> GO AHEAD AND GET THAT.

AND IF YOU THE RECOMMENDATION IS THAT YOU ONLY HAVE TO WAIT TWO MONTHS FROM YOUR LAST VACCINE.

IF YOU HAD A SHOT TWO MONTHS AGO, YOU CAN GET THIS BOOSTER NOW.

AND THIS BOOSTER IS SUPPOSED TO WORK MUCH, MUCH BETTER.

>> WHAT IF YOU JUST HAD COVID?

>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

SO THE OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATION IS TO WAIT UNTIL YOUR SYMPTOMS ARE BASICALLY COMPLETELY GONE AND THEN YOU CAN GET IT.

BUT YOU HAVE SOME IMMUNITY FROM THAT LAST INFECTION SO THERE IS NO BIG RUSH.

YOU CAN WAIT A MONTH OR TWO.

AND GET YOUR BOOSTER AT THAT TIME.

THERE'S NO BIG, BIG HURRY IN THAT CASE.

>> YOU SPOKE ABOUT THESE ARE BY VA LENGTH SHOTS AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> IT'S TWO DIFFERENT VACCINES.

IT'S THE ORIGINAL VACCINE HALF OF IT.

AND HALF OF IT IS THE NEW REENGINEERED VACCINE THAT IS REENGINEERED FOR OMICRON.

SO BOTH OF THOSE TOGETHER.

>> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE WHO MIGHT BE HESITANT ABOUT GETTING THAT GIVEN THAT IT IS THIS NEW RECIPE, UNSURE THAT IT WENT THROUGH APPROPRIATE F.D.A.

STUDYING AND TESTING?

>> SO THIS TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN GIVEN TO BILLIONS LITERALLY BILLIONS OF PEOPLE, BILLIONSES OF DOSES 12 BILLION DOSES HAVE BEEN GIVEN OUT.

WE KNOW THE TECHNOLOGY IS SAFE.

IT'S SAFER THAN MANY VACCINES THAT PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN ESPECIALLY THE ADENOVIRUS VACCINES LIKE THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE.

IT'S INCREDIBLY SAFE.

THE CHANGE IN THE VACCINE IS REALLY SMALL.

BUT IT IS ENOUGH TO GIVE YOU THE I AM KNOWLEDGIC KICK THAT YOU NEED.

AND YOU WILL SEE THE HUMAN DATA COME IN IN PROBABLY TWO MONTHS.

BUT IT'S REALLY THIS WHOLE CLASS.

LIKE WHEN YOU GET YOUR FLU SHOT THAT HASN'T BEEN TESTED EITHER IN HUMANS.

IT'S REENGINEERED.

>> THAT IS THE PERFECT SEGWAY IS THIS GOING TO BE SOMETHING LIKE RECEIVING AN ANNUAL FLU SHOT OR MORE OFTEN THAN THAT, TWICE A YEAR FOLKS GETTING A COVID BOOSTER?

>> WELL, IT COULD BE.

BECAUSE THIS THING IS NOT SEASONAL.

THE WINTER WE'RE GOING TO GET ALL THESE VIRUSES AND THE FLU AND THAT IS ALL TRUE.

BUT WE HAD OUTBREAKS LAST YEAR IN AUGUST.

AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER.

NOW WE SEEM TO BE ON THE DOWNSLOPE.

BUT EVERYONE IS EXPECTING WITH BACK TO SCHOOL AND BACK INDOORS WITH THE WEATHER CHANGING, WE ARE GOING TO GET FLU AND COVID WITH ALL THE OTHER SEASONAL VIRAL INFECTIONS.

>> I EXPECT YOU WILL BE GETTING THAT BOOSTER SOONER THAN LATER, Dr. MURPHY?

>> I'M GETTING IT AS SOON AS I CAN GET IT.

>> THANK YOU Dr. ROBERT MURPHY.

>> THANK YOU AMANDA.

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS FOR A LOOK AT THE RISING COST OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND ITS IMPACT.

BRANDIS?

>> TUITION AT PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES HAS NEARLY TRIPLED IN THE LAST 40 YEARS.

AND THERE ARE MANY JOBS THAT REQUIRE A COLLEGE DEGREE.

THAT COMBINATION HAS MORE PEOPLE TAKING ON DEBT TO PAY FOR COLLEGE.

AND WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCING HIS STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PLAN LAST WEEK TO ALLEVIATE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IT'S WORTH UNDERSTANDING HOW COLLEGE TUITION REACHED THIS ALL TIME HIGH AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ADDRESS THE RISING COSTS OF OBTAINING A COLLEGE DEGREE.

JOINING US ARE JENNIFER DELANEY, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION POLICY ORGANIZATION AND LEADERSHIP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA CHAMPAIGN.

JAVIER REYES INTERIM CHANCELLOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO AND INTERIM VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SYSTEM.

AND LISA CASTILLO RICHMOND, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PARTNERSHIP FOR COLLEGE COMPLETION.

THANK YOU ALL THREE FOR JOINING US.

RESEARCH FROM U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT SAYS IN THE LAST 20 YEARS, THE AVERAGE TUITION AND FEES AT PRIVATE NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES HAVE JUMPED 144%.

OUT OF STATE TUITION AND FEES FOR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES HAVE RISEN 171%.

AND INSTATE TUITION AND FEES HAVE RISEN 211%.

JENNIFER DELANEY, WHAT DO YOU SEE IS BEHIND THESE MASSIVE INCREASES?

>> SO TUITION INCREASES ARE A LITTLE HARD TO NAIL DOWN.

WE HAVE THREE OVERARCHING THEORIES THAT HAVE EVIDENCE TO THEM ABOUT DRIVERS OF COST INCREASES IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

ONE IS TALKED ABOUT AS BEING COST DISEASE, THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY OF TEACHING AND LEARNING HAS NOT CHANGED MUCH OVER TIME.

WE'VE GOT FANCY COMPUTERS AND THINGS BUT YOU NEED A PROFESSOR AND STUDENTS AND THERE IS A TRANSMISSION OF KNOWLEDGE THERE.

AND TO HAVE COMPETITIVE WAGES FOR FACULTY AND OTHER EMPLOYEES AT UNIVERSITIES THAT TENDS TO BE A DRIVER OF COST.

ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT UNIVERSITIES IS THERE'S ALWAYS ANOTHER BRILLIANT IDEA AROUND THE CORNER.

YOU KNOW, A LITTLE EXTRA INVESTMENT CAN HELP US FIND A CURE TO CANCER OR SEND PEOPLE TO MARS THAT ADVANCE THE HUMAN CONDITION.

SO THERE IS AN APPETITE FOR MORE SPENDING AND THAT TENDS TO DRIVE COSTS AS WELL.

WE'VE SEEN AN ARMS RACE AS WE'VE HAD DECLINING COHORTS COMING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.

COLLEGES ARE SCRAMBLING TO GET ENROLLMENTS AND THEY ARE DOING CONSUMPTION GOODS TO MAKE CAMPUSES ATTRACTIVE AND WE'VE SEEN A GROWING OF DINING HALLS AND THOSE CAN BE DRIVERS OF COSTS.

>> AND THOSE CAN MAKE THE UNIVERSITY MORE ATTRACTIVE BUT THEY COST MONEY.

CHANCELLOR, SAME QUESTION WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS DRIVING THIS INCREASE?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT AS JENNIFER WAS SAYING, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT ALTHOUGH YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT [INAUDIBLE] THE U OF I SYSTEM WE HAVE INSTATE TUITION UNDERGRAD FOR SIX OF THE PAST EIGHT YEARS.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT TUITION, OVER THE PAST 10-YEAR PERIOD WE HAVE INCREASED 5.4%.

SO IT TELLS YOU THAT AT UIC WE HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PROVIDING AFFORDABLE EDUCATION AND MAINTAINING THE RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAINTAINING THE EXCELLENCE OF THE EDUCATION.

I WANTED TO PUT THE NATIONAL NUMBERS INTO PERSPECTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO THE UIC SYSTEM.

>> WE KNOW YOUR ORGANIZATION PARTNERSHIP FOR COLLEGE COMPLETION YOU FOCUS ON EQUITY AND ACCESS TO AND THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION.

WHAT PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS TO INSURE AFFORDABILITY FOR LOW INCOME STUDENTS?

>> WELL, COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY IS A SIGNIFICANT AND AMONG THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ISSUES WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION EQUITY.

YOU KNOW, THE BAD NEWS IS, COLLEGE COSTS ARE INCREASING FROM 2,000 TO 2015.

WE'VE SEEN AT THE COSTS HAVE PLATEAUED AND NO LONGER INCREASING BUT THEY REMAIN UNSUSTAINABLY HIGH FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF ILLINOIS RESIDENTS.

WE'VE SEEN A NUMBER OF INSTITUTIONS THAT TRIED TO ADDRESS THAT.

BUT WE SEE THAT DISINVESTMENT OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES HAS RESULTED IN THESE HIGHER PRICES AND LOWER ENROLLMENT RATES ACROSS THE STATE.

WE SEE NOW THAT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN ILLINOIS ENROLL HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS FEWER STUDENTS THAN THEY DID IN 2010.

AND THAT IS REALLY PUTTING OUR STATE IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

AND SO WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THAT?

THESE ARE DEFINITELY, DISPORTION THAT AND IMPACT STUDENTS ARE PAYING MORE THAN 80% OF THEIR INCOME TO ATTEND OUR PUBLIC COMMUNITIES WHILE THE HIGHEST INCOME HOUSEHOLDS ARE PAYING LESS THAN 20%.

THE STATE IS PAYING ATTENTION AND WE'RE EXCITED TO REPORT THAT.

LAST YEAR THE LEGISLATURE CREATED AN EQUITABLE FUNDING COMMISSION TO STUDY HOW INSTITUTIONS ARE FUNDED TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR AN EQUITABLE SUSTAINABLE AND ADEQUATE FUNDING FORMULA FOR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES THAT WOULD PUT ILLINOIS AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF THE WORK NATIONALLY.

>> AND ILLINOIS HAS A TRUTH IN TUITION LAW TO REQUIRE TUITION AT THE SAME COST THROUGHOUT A STUDENT'S FOUR YEARS.

PROFESSOR DELANEY YOU'VE DONE RESEARCH.

WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND?

>> TRUTH IN TUITION WAS PASSED IN ILLINOIS IN 2004.

IT DOES WELL IN PROVIDING PREDICTABLE TUITION FUND FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

THE RATE YOU PAY AS A FRESHMAN STAYS STEADY.

IT DOES NOT ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY.

AND WHAT WE FOUND IN OUR RESEARCH WAS THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY A DRIVER OF COST ON AVERAGE ACROSS STATES AT A PUBLIC FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS.

WE SAW INCREASES AND OUT OF STATE TUITION, IT WAS TIED TO SIGNIFICANT DECLINES IN STATE APPROPRIATIONS AND THERE WERE DECREASES IN BOTH THE NUMBER OF PERCENT OF OUT OF STATE STUDENTS ENROLLING.

IT'S GREAT ON BEING PREDICTABLE IT DOES NOT DO WELL IF WE MEASURE IT AGAINST AFFORDABILITY.

>> CHANCELLOR YOU MENTIONED THE SYSTEM WIDE FREEZE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS RECENTLY WITH REGARDS TO TUITION.

BUT HOW DOVERSTYS -- DO UNIVERSITIES ADDRESS ENROLLMENT AND RETENTION AND BALANCE THAT AGAINST THE RISINGS COST OF TUITION.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO DO IS RECOGNIZE THAT SOMETIMES OUR RETENTION IS AFFECTED BY FINANCIAL OF OUR STUDENTS.

WHAT WE'VE DONE AT THE SYSTEM LEVEL IS PROVIDE OUR OWN FINANCIAL AID FOR STUDENTS USING THE INSTITUTIONAL AID.

BUT ALMOST MATCHES ONE FOR ONE WITH WHAT WE GET AT THE STATE LEVEL.

YOU GET PROVIDING 265 MILLION TO STUDENT AID WITHIN THE INSTITUTION ACROSS THE THREE UNIVERSITIES.

AND ADDITIONAL 280 MILLION IN INSTATE AID.

WE'RE TRYING TO COMBINE NOT ONLY WHAT WE CAN DO INSTITUTIONALLY BUT AS A STATE AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO REDUCE THE BURDEN ON OUR STUDENTS.

SO WE ARE DOING OUR BEST WHEN IT COMES TO RESOURCES WE HAVE KNOWING WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN AN EXCELLENT LEVEL OF EDUCATION AND MAINTAIN THE CURIOSITY AND THE RESEARCH BALANCE OF OUR UNIVERSITIES.

>> LISA WHAT MORE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE DONE TO MAKE COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO ATTEND AND GRADUATE?

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY WE NEED TO EVOLVE OUR THINKING.

THERE'S ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REALITIES.

BUT THE PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS OF THE PAST NO LONGER WORK FOR US.

I MEAN, TO ILLUSTRATE AN EXAMPLE, AMONG PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN ILLINOIS THE SINGLE LARGEST SOURCE OF OPERATING REVENUE COMES FROM STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN THE FORM OF TUITION THAT TO ME IS INDICATIVE OF OUR THINKING ON THESE ISSUES.

AS ACCESS TO EXPANDED OVERTIME AND THE NECESSITY OF A COLLEGE DEGREE IN SO MANY FIELDS COULD NOT BE MORE CLEAR WE HAVE TO UPDATE OUR THINKING TO STOP THINKING ABOUT A COLLEGE DEGREE AS A PRIVATE GOOD OR A LUXURY GOOD AND THINK ABOUT IT INSTEAD AS A PUBLIC GOOD.

AND WE NEED TO TREAT IT AS SUCH.

YOUR FAMILY'S INCOME SHOULD NOT DETERMINE YOUR ABILITY TO GO TO COLLEGE PERIOD.

WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR INSTITUTIONS.

WE NEED TO INVEST IN THEM EQUITABLY SO THAT STUDENTS CAN CHOOSE FROM AMONG THE DIVERSE ECOSYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN OUR STATE.

AND THEY CAN AFFORD IT.

AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THEY CAN DO, INCREASINGLY THEY ARE FOCUSED ON THIS.

THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS FOCUSED ON THIS.

HAS TAKEN STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ESPECIALLY IN THE PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN INVESTING IN OUR NEED BASED PROGRAM BUT WE NEED TO KEEP DOING THAT AND THIS IS HARD WORK BUT IT'S WORTH THE INVESTMENT SO THAT EVERYONE IN ILLINOIS WHO ASPIRES FOR A COLLEGE DEGREE CAN AFFORD ONE.

>> WE HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT.

BUT THE TUITION INCREASES HAVE SLOWED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

LIKELY PANDEMIC RELATED.

BUT CAN WE EXPECT TO BOUNCE BACK UPWARD ARE THE COSTS GOING TO CONTINUE TO SOAR IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS?

>> UNFORTUNATELY SEE ANY PARTICULAR MECHANISMS THAT WILL SLOW COST INCREASES WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY THAT HAVING THE STIMULUS MONEY BUT WHEN THAT GOES AWAY I'M NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING TO BE LEFT AND WHAT LISA TALKED ABOUT WITH INSTITUTIONS BEING DEPENDENT ON STUDENTS AND FAMILIES FOR REVENUES IS GOING TO CONTINUE.

SO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STATE WILL CONTINUE ALSO WE'VE HAD AMAZING INVESTMENT IN MONETARY AWARDS PROGRAM IN THE STATE.

THAT WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR LOW INCOME RESIDENTS IN ILLINOIS GOING FORWARD.

NOW EVERYONE WHO APPLIES AND IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM WILL RECEIVE THOSE FUNDS.

>> MY THANKS TO JENNIFER DELANEY, LISA CASTILLO RICHMOND AND JAVIER REYES FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, A LOCAL FOOD PANTRY AND ITS STRUGGLE FOR PERMANENT HOME.

STAY WITH US.

>> A FOOD PANTRY IN PILSEN HAS BEEN OPERATING OUT OF A FORMER CHURCH FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.

THE FOUNDER IS HOPING TO BUY THE BUILDING BUT IS RUNNING INTO OBSTACLES WITH THE CHICAGO ARCHDIOCESE.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ VISITED THE PANTRY TO LEARN MORE.

>> IT ALREADY HAS CARROTS, ONIONS, SWEET POTATOES.

CORN I DON'T HAVE TOMATOES.

>> IT'S 10:00 A.M.

IN THE PILSEN FOOD PANTRY IS WORKING QUICKLY TO PREPARE ORDERS.

SOME ARE FILLING BOXES WITH FRESH PRODUCE WHILE OTHERS MOVE CARTS OF GROCERIES TO THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING.

FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE PANTRY HAS BEEN OPERATING OUT OF A FORMER CATHOLIC CHURCH.

>> THE BOTTOM SQUARE IS PRODUCE AND FOR EVERY CLIENT IT'S FULL.

THAT IS WHAT EVERYBODY TAKES.

>> .

>> EVELYN FIGUEROA IS ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE PILSEN FOOD PANTRY AND IS A FAMILY DOCTOR IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SHE ORIGINALLY RAN THE PANTRY FROM A HEALTH CLINIC AND IN 2020 RELOCATED INSIDE FORMER HOLY TRINITY CROATIAN CHURCH.

>> WENT FROM A 600 SQUARE-FOOT SPACE TO A FLOOR THAT WAS 3,000 SQUARE FEET.

IT GAVE US THE SPACE TO GROW INTO THE ORGANIZATION THAT WE WANTED TO BECOME.

>> ON THE FIRST FLOOR, VOLUNTEERS WORK TO REGISTER CLIENTS.

ON THE SECOND FLOOR PEOPLE CAN TAKE HOME CLOTHES, ALONG WITH DONATED NECESSITIES.

>> WE ARE WALKING INTO THE CLOTHES CLOSET WHICH IS A USED CLOTHING RESOURCE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

SO A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GETTING FOOD FROM THE PANTRY COME HERE AND PICK OUT CLOTHES WHILE THEY ARE WAITING.

THERE IS A MONTHLY CLOTHING ALLOWANCE.

>> EVELYN FIGUEROA WANTS TO BUY THE PROPERTY IN HOPES OF EXPANDING SERVICES.

THE PANTRY RAISED MONEY AND MADE AN OFFER.

NOW, THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH THE ARCHDIOCESE.

THE LAST TIME SHE HEARD FROM AN ARCHDIOCESE REPRESENTATIVE WAS IN AUGUST 2021.

WHERE SHE SAYS SHE WAS TOLD SHE COULD EXPECT A COUNTEROFFER.

>> WE SUBMITTED A WRITTEN OUTLINE A BUSINESS PLAN WHAT WE WANTED TO DO WITH ALL OF THE SPACE.

AND IT WASN'T INDICATED TO US THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING A FOLLOW WITH WHAT WE SUBMITTED WE WERE HANDED KEYS TWO MONTHS LATER WHICH TO ME WAS A VERBAL AGREEMENT THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH LEASING TO OWNING THE PROPERTY AND THEN A COUPLE MONTHS LATER RAN INTO A LOT OF SNAGS WITH OUR REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE.

>> THE PILSEN FOOD PANTRY IS OPEN FIVE DAYS A WEEK SERVING 350 PEOPLE WEEKLY.

WE'RE TOLD LOSING THIS SPACE WOULD MEAN THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OPERATE IN THE CAPACITY THEY DO.

>> I THINK THAT IT WOULD HAVE A HEAVY BLOW ON THE COMMUNITY.

IT IS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE THEY FEEL MORE SECURE KNOWING THAT WE'RE HERE.

>> WE MET WITH WARD MILLER WITH PRESERVATION CHICAGO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHALLENGES ORGANIZATIONS SAY THEY FACE WHEN WANTING TO PURCHASE A CLOSED CHURCH FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE.

>> WE HAVE FOUND THAT LATELY ESPECIALLY WITH THE CLOSURE OF SO MANY CHURCHES IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO'S BOOKS, IF YOU WILL, THAT IS EVEN MORE CHALLENGING.

AND IT'S REALLY ALMOST LIKE THE COMMUNITY VERSUS A DEVELOPER OFTENTIMES.

>> IN RECENT YEARS, MILLER SAYS THE ORGANIZATION FOUND MORE THAN 70 CHURCH CLOSURES MANY WITH A LANDMARK STATUS.

WITHOUT LANDMARK STATUS DEVELOPERS CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT WITH THE PROPERTY.

>> SOMETIMES THE HISTORIC BUILDING IS GIVEN TO A DEVELOPER OR SOLD TO A DEVELOPER AND THE DEVELOPER DEMOLISHES THE BUILDING.

WE'VE SEEN THIS NUMEROUS TIMES ESPECIALLY IN THE ARCHDIOCESE IN RECENT YEARS AND IT'S TRAGIC BECAUSE YOU PULVERIZE THE STORY.

>> Dr. EVELYN FIGUEROA SAYS THE GOAL IS TO RENOVATE AND BUILD A CENTER FOR THE COMMUNITY A PLACE SHE SAYS CAN PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR THOSE FACING FOOD INSECURITY, HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY.

>> WE'RE WILLING TO PERMANENTLY CHANGE THE ZONING OR MAKE A PUBLIC AGREEMENT OR DECLARATION THAT THE BUILDING WILL NEVER BE SOLD FOR-PROFIT.

>> AS THEY TRY TO CREATE A FOUNDATION, EVELYN FIGUEROA SAYS THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION IS LEAVING EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS IN THE DARK.

WONDERING IF THE ARCHDIOCESE SUPPORTS THEIR MISSION TO SERVE.

>> THE COMMUNITY SEEMS TO WANT US TO BE IN THIS SPACE.

AND WE WOULD LIKE TO PAY AN HONEST AMOUNT A FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR THE FACILITY.

WE JUST WOULD LIKE TO HAVE COMMUNICATION AND BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

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

>> WTTW NEWS REACHED OUT TO CHICAGO'S ARCHDIOCESE AND IN A STATEMENT A SPOKESPERSON TELLS US IN PART... >> IN THE MEANTIME THE ARCHDIOCESE SAYS THE PANTRY IS OPERATING RENT FREE.

STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR DARREN BAILEY GETS A CASH INFUSION WHILE THE BGA HAS QUESTIONS ABOUT GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S BLIND TRUST.

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM HAS IT COVERED.

CHICAGO PUBLIC STUDENTS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL BUT WITH FEW BLACK MEN AT THE HEAD OF THE CLASSROOM.

HEAR ABOUT AN EFFORT TO CHANGE THAT.

>> ESPECIALLY WITH CULTURAL YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE ARE COMMUNICATING AN AUTHENTIC STORY.

>> AND A LOCAL BELLY DANCER SHARES HOW SHE IS DISMANDELLING CULTURAL APPROPRIATION IN LIVE PERFORMANCES LIKE AT SUNDAY'S ON STATE.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> WHITE SOX MANAGER TONY LaRUSSA IS OUT INDEFINITELY DUE TO AN UNSPECIFIED HEALTH ISSUE.

HE WILL BE UNDERGOING TESTS ON HIS HEART AND IS SCHEDULED TO FLY OUT TO ARDZ ARS TO SEE DOCTORS.

THE 77-YEAR-OLD MISSED LAST NIGHT'S GAME ON HIS DOCTOR'S RECOMMENDATION.

TONY LaRUSSA IS IN THE SECOND SEASON OF HIS SECOND MANAGERIAL STINT WITH THE TEAM AND SEEMINGLY UNDER A LOT OF STRESS DURING A DISAPPOINTING RUN WITH MANY FANS CALLING FOR HIM TO BE FIRED.

MIGUEL CAIRO WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE AS ACTING MANAGER WHILE LARUSSA IS OUT.

>> WORKERS AT THE GAIL WOOD HOSTESS FACTORY SAYS BLACK STAFF FACE A PATTERN OF SEGREGATION, HOSTILITY AND DOUBLE STANDARDS.

HERE IS WHAT ONE FORMER WORKER HAD TO SAY ABOUT IT.

LGBTQ WORKERS ENDURE A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT.

SUPERVISORS INSULTED ME.

THE COWORKERS AS YOU WILL HEAR OTHER TIMES IT TOOK THE FORM OF GOSSIP THAT WAS INDULGED AND MY SUPERVISORS THIS IS TOO BAD BECAUSE HOTELS HAS MADE ALL THOSE CORPORATE PROMISES ABOUT DIVERSITY AND ANTIRACISM.

>> WORKERS SAY AFTER A RASH OF TERMINATIONS SINCE JUNE THEY'VE FILED GRIEVANCES AND MET WITH LOCAL AND CORPORATE OFFICIALS WITHOUT RESOLUTION.

NOW THEY'VE FILED AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION CHARGES AGAINST HOTELS.

HOSTESS.

IT HAD NOT RECEIVED A EEOC FILING AND DECLINED TO COMMENT.

>> CONSERVATIONISTS ARE CELEBRATING WHAT THEY SAY IS A BIG WIN.

THE FAMILY WHO OWNED ARLINGTON PARK SOLD THEIR ALMOST 250-ACRE FARM TO CITIZENS FOR CONSERVATION.

THE GROUP WILL TURN THE PROPERTY INTO THE HILLDALE PRESERVE TO ENSURE THE LAND'S PROTECTION AS AN OPEN SPACE.

A MAP SHOWS A MIX OF PRAIRIE AND MARSH HABITAT WHICH WILL SUPPORT NATIVE PLANT, GRASS LAND BIRDS AND WILDLIFE THAT ORIGINALLY OCCUPIED THE LAND.

NOW BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

AND DON'T GO ANYWHERE.

MORE ALDERMEN JOINED THE CITY HALL EXODUS.

C.P.D.

ANNOUNCES A NEW TIME OFF POLICY AND DARREN BAILEY GETS A CASH INFUSION AND GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S INVESTMENTS UNDER SCRUTINY ALL SUBJECTS FOR OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM TO CHEW ON HERE WITH THAT AND MORE ARE AMANDA VINICKY AND HEATHER CHERONE.

WELCOME BACK BOTH OF YOU.

LET'S START WITH 44TH WARD ALDERMAN TOM TUNNEY HE IS THE 6TH ALDERMAN THAT WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT.

IS THIS LEVEL OF TURNOVER UNUSUAL?

>> IT IS UNCOMMON YOU THINK OF CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL WHERE PEOPLE CAN AND DO STAY FOR LIFE WHERE IT'S DIFFICULT TO BE CHALLENGED.

BY THE WAY IT IS NOT JUST SIX.

YOU DO HAVE SIX PLENTY AMONG THEM THAT SAY THEY ARE LEAVING FOR WHAT AMOUNTED PERSONAL REASONS.

BUT THEN YOU HAVE MORE THAT ARE LEAVING INSTEAD TO RUN FOR ANOTHER OFFICE.

NAMELY THAT OF MAYOR TRYING TO CHALLENGE LIGHTFOOT AND YOU HAVE ALDERMAN CARDENAS WHO WON A SEAT ELSEWHERE.

SO HE IS LEAVING AND HAS ANOTHER JOB LINED UP.

AND YOU HAVE ANOTHER TWO ALDERPEOPLE WHO WERE WON OFFICE IN 2019 AND WON'T BE RUNNING AGAIN BUT THEY ARE NOT OPEN SEATS BECAUSE THEY HAVE MOVED ON AND HAVE REPLACEMENTS WHO WILL BE RUNNING SEMI INCUMBENTS.

>> TUNNEY IS THE CHAIR OF THE CITY COUNCIL'S ZONING COMMITTEE WHY WOULD HE GIVE UP THAT PERCH?

>> ALDERMAN TUNNEY DID NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS AFTER HIS ANNOUNCEMENT THIS WEEK.

AND THAT IS WHAT EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW.

IT IS HARD TO OVERSTATE HOW UNUSUAL IT IS FOR AN ALDERPERSON TO SERVE JUST ONE TERM AS CHAIR OF THE VERY POWERFUL ZONING COMMITTEE WHICH REALLY GIVES HIM A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CONTROL OVER WHAT IS BUILT THROUGHOUT THE CITY NOT JUST IN HIS NORTH SIDE WARD.

I WANT TO MAKE ONE CORRECTION TO WHAT AMANDA SAID.

GEORGE CARDENAS HAS TO WIN TO SAVE HIS SEAT ON THE COOK COUNTY BOARD OF REVIEW WE DO EXPECT HIM TO DO SO IN A DISTRICT WITH MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATIC VOTERS AND THAT WILL GIVE MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO APPOINT HIS REPLACEMENT BEFORE THE ELECTION GIVING HIM OR HER A LEG UP.

>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF APPOINTMENTS GOING ON FOR FOLKS LEAVING BEFORE THEIR TERMS ARE UP.

>> POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN ANNOUNCING A NEW POLICY THAT WILL GUARANTEE OFFICERS AT LEAST ONE DAY OFF A WEEK.

PREVIOUSLY BOTH THE MAYOR AND BROWN DEFENDED THE CITY'S POLICY OF CANCELING DAYS OFF FOR OFFICERS WHEN NECESSARY TO INSURE PUBLIC SAFETY.

HERE IS WHAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAD TO SAY ON MONDAY.

>> WE KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A PROCESS BY WHICH OFFICERS HAVE TIME OFF.

TIRED, EMOTIONALLY RAW OFFICERS NOT GOOD FOR THEM, NOT GOOD FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND NOT GOOD FRANKLY FOR THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT THEY ARE SERVING.

>> WHAT PROMPTED THIS CHANGE IN POLICY?

>> WELL, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT IS RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

AND SHE HAS FACED AN OUTCRY OF CRITICISM FROM PEOPLE ON THE CITY COUNCIL LIKE ALDERMAN O'SHEA WHO INTRODUCED THE MEASURE THAT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED DAVID BROWN TO DO THIS TO MAKE SURE OFFICERS GOT AT LEAST ONE DAY OFF EVERY WEEK.

AND IT WAS CLEAR THAT THIS OUTCRY WASN'T GOING ANYWHERE ANYTIME SOON.

ESPECIALLY AS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS STILL STRUGGLING TO TAMP DOWN A SIGNIFICANT SURGE IN VIOLENCE IN AREAS OF THE CITY THAT IS NOT ACCUSTOMED TO SEEING THAT TYPE OF VIOLENCE >> AND WE KNOW THIS POLICY CHANGE CAME THE DAY AFTER A REPORT FROM THE INSPECTOR GENERAL THAT SAID THAT DURING A TIME PERIOD SHE EXAMINED BACK IN THE SPRING ALMOST A THOUSAND OFFICERS WORKED 11 OR MORE CONSECUTIVE DAYS.

DOES THIS POLICY CHANGE HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE STATE OF OFFICER SUICIDES WE'VE SEEN INCLUDING THREE IN JULY.

>> IT HAS TO DO WITH BOTH THINGS THAT YOU CITED.

YOU HAVE IN WRITING A REPORT AT THAT TIME REALLY SHOWS HOW BIG OF A PROBLEM THIS IS.

IT'S ONE THING TO HEAR ABOUT IT, IT IS ANOTHER FOR THAT TO BE PRESENTED IN A REPORT FROM THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

THE NUMBER OF HOURS AND HOW OFTEN THIS IS HAPPENING.

AND YES, AS YOU NOTED, CERTAINLY THE MENTAL HEALTH OF POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE ENCOUNTERING VIOLENCE AND THEN WHO DON'T HAVE A BREAK TO DEAL WITH WHATEVER FAMILY STRESSES WHATEVER CHORES ARE MOUNTING UP AS THEY ARE DEALING WITH THE JOB THAT, BY THE WAY, IS STRESSFUL AND OFTENTIMES YOU HAVE OFFICERS THAT MIGHT BE FEARFUL OF THEIR LIVES THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT AS HEATHER NOTED GETTING PRESSURE FOR ALDERPEOPLE AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC.

>> I JUMP IN TO SAY WE ALSO LEARNED THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN INCAPABLE OF HIRING MORE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS WHICH WAS A CENTERPIECE OF THE MAYOR'S 2022 BUDGET TO ADDRESS THAT MENTAL HEALTH NEED OF OFFICERS.

THERE ARE ONLY NINE CLINICIANS STAFFED OF 22 POLICE DISTRICTS AND THAT IS FAR FEWER THAN THE MAYOR PROMISED JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR AGO.

>> AND IT GETS BACK ALSO TO AN ISSUE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO HIRE AND RETAIN OFFICERS C.P.D.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE EXPERIENCING NATIONALLY AS WELL.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAS NAMED SEVEN CHICAGO RESIDENTS TO AN INTERIM COMMISSION OVERSEEING THE POLICE COMMUNITY THE COMMISSION FOR SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

WHY DID IT TAKE THIS LONG?

>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION AND IT IS NOT CLEAR EXACTLY WHAT THE CHOKEPOINTS WERE.

EVERY DEADLINE SENT IN THE ORDINANCE PASSED IN JULY OF 2021 WAS MISSED.

THIS COMMISSION WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE TAKEN OFFICE EIGHT MONTHS AGO.

INSTEAD IT WILL START TOMORROW, SEPTEMBER FIRST.

AND IT IS REALLY SORT OF THE LAST PIECE OF THE REFORMS THAT WERE DEMANDED IN THE WAKE OF THE POLICE MURDER OF LAQUAN McDONALD BACK IN 2014.

AND IT IS DESIGNED TO BUILD TRUST IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BY GIVING REGULAR PEOPLE, CIVILIANS A SAY IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S POLICY AND THE SAY IN WHO SHOULD LEAD THE AGENCIES THAT ARE IN CHARGE OF POLICING IN CHICAGO.

>> AND QUICKLY REMIND US WHY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AN INTERIM COMMISSION?

>> WELL, SO THE PERMANENT COMMISSION WILL BE MADE UP OF PEOPLE SELECTED, ELECTED TO REPRESENTATIVE EACH OF THOSE 22 POLICE DISTRICTS.

WHEN PEOPLE GO TO THE POLLS IN FEBRUARY THEY WILL NOT ONLY POTENTIALLY ELECT A NEW ALDERPERSON THEY WILL BE ASKED TO ELECT DISTRICT COUNCILMEMBERS.

THOSE MEMBERS WILL INTURN NOMINATE SEVEN PEOPLE THAT WILL GO TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR FOR CONFIRMATION AND THEY WILL BE IN CHARGE OF POLICING CITYWIDE.

THIS IS A GRAND EXPERIMENT AND IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW IT'S GOING TO WORK BUT IT IS A NEW ERA OF POLICING IN CHICAGO.

>> SOMETHING WE'LL ALL BE WATCHING.

SO GETTING TO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

AN INVESTIGATION BY THE BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION HAS FOUND THAT THE BLIND TRUST SETUP TO MANAGE OUR BILLIONAIRE GOVERNOR'S WEALTH MADE INVESTMENTS IN A HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY THAT BENEFITED FROM DECISIONS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR.

BGA SAYS THIS SHOWS A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

>> WHAT I MAKE OF THIS THIS IS THE SECOND GOVERNOR IN A ROW WHERE THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE THESE UBER WEALTHY INDIVIDUALS WINNING OFFICE AND SO THEY HAVE THESE BLIND TRUSTS.

AND THERE IS NO SUCH LAW.

ANY NOTION OF A BLIND TRUST OR SEMI BLIND WOULD ARGUE IS A VOLUNTARY MEASURE THAT THE GOVERNOR IS TAKING TO TRY AND WARD OFF ANY SORT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

THAT THERE MAY BE.

PRITZKER SAYING THIS IS MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING AND THE MEETINGS WITH THAT MEDICAID COMPANY WERE THE MEETINGS THAT HE HAS ALL THE TIME WITH CORPORATIONS THAT DO BUSINESS IN ILLINOIS AND NEED TO MEET WITH THE GOVERNOR.

HE DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION TO IT.

HE IS SO WEALTHY ONE WOULD THINK YOU DON'T NEED TOWER ABOUT PROFITS BUT THERE ARE QUESTIONS BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT DID NOT COME FORWARD WITH ALL OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS WITH THE BGA AND JOURNALISTS HAVE REQUESTED.

>> MEANWHILE, WHAT HAVE REPUBLICANS SAID?

>> WELL, REPUBLICANS HAVEN'T REALLY SAID A TON.

THEY DID SEND SOMETHING OUT THAT QUOTED THE BGA STORY.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT MADE OF THE GOVERNOR'S WEALTH BY HIS REPUBLICAN OPPONENT STATE SENATOR DARREN BAILEY TALKING ABOUT THE GOVERNOR HAVING SOFT HANDS MEANING HE DOESN'T KNOW THE MEANING OF HARD WORK.

BUT IN A WAY, THE G.O.P.

IS IN A DIFFICULT PLACE WITH THIS BECAUSE GUESS WHO HASN'T RELEASED HIS OWN TAX RETURNS OR PORTIONS OF THEM AS PRITZKER HAS DONE?

AND THAT IS DARREN BAILEY.

>> WE WILL COME BACK TO HIM IN A LITTLE BIT.

AFTER THE DOBBS DECISION THAT OVERTURNED ROE VS. WADE HE PLANNED TO CALL THE ASSEMBLY INTO SPECIAL SESSION TO PASS EXPANDED ABORTION PROTECTIONS.

IT HAS NOT HAPPENED YET.

HERE IS WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID ABOUT THAT YESTERDAY.

>> THERE ARE TWO THINGS YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER.

ONE THERE IS A LEGISLATURE.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO DO ITS WORK AND IT IS HARD AT WORK.

SECOND, THAT AS YOU KNOW IN SPECIAL SESSION, WHEN THINGS NEED TO BE PASSED WITH A SUPER MAJORITY THAT IS HARDER THAN DOING IT WITH A SIMPLE MAJORITY.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT COULD BE DONE, WITH A SUPER MAJORITY, SOME THINGS THAT TAKE A SIMPLE MAJORITY.

AGAIN, THE LEGISLATURE IS WORKING THROUGH ALL THOSE THINGS.

>> HEATHER IS THE SPECIAL SESSION GOING TO HAPPEN?

>> WELL IT IS NOT LOOKING LIKELY.

AND THE TIME IS TICKING WE ARE GETTING CLOSER TO THAT NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION WITH STATE-WIDE OFFICES ARE ON THE BALLOT.

PEOPLE WANT TO BE RUNNING FOR REELECTION IN THE FEW CONTESTED GENERAL ASSEMBLY RACES.

BUT OVERALL, I THINK THE ISSUE IS THAT ILLINOIS IS ALREADY SORT OF A STATE THAT HAS LAWS ON THE BOOKS TO INSURE ABORTION ACCESS.

SO ANYTHING THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WOULD DO WOULD BE NOT SWEEPING.

AND WHEN YOU GET INTO SORT OF THE NITTY-GRITTY DETAILS ABOUT HOW ILLINOIS SHOULD COPE WITH THE INFLUX OF WOMEN COMING TO ILLINOIS FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE, I THINK IT'S DIFFICULT AND IT IS ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT AS YOU HEARD THE GOVERNOR SAID.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE EVERYBODY ONBOARD.

AND IN AN ELECTION YEAR IT CAN BE HARD TO GET PEOPLE TO AGREE THAT DOGS ARE AWESOME AND APPLE PIE IS YUMMY.

>> BUT IT IS.

>> WHICH WE CAN AGREE ON SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

WE'D COME BACK TO BAILEY AND HIS MONEY.

MEGA DONOR RICHARD UIHLEIN DONATED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

DESPITE THAT BAILEY'S CAMPAIGN FUND IS DWARFED BY THE BILLIONAIRE.

HOW MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE IS UIHLEIN'S MONEY GOING TO MAKE?

>> LITTLE TO NONE IT'S NOT GOING TO GO FAR IF BAILEY HAS A CHANCE TO CONNECT PARTICULARLY IN CHICAGO WHERE HE NEEDS -- THERE IS THE POPULATION, THE SUBURBS WHERE HE NEEDS TO CONNECT.

HE IS WELL-KNOWN IN DOWN STATE AND THAT COSTS A LOT OF MONEY TO GO ON AIR.

PRITZKER HAS $60 MILLION.

$1 MILLION IS NOT GOING TO GO FAR.

IT IS HOWEVER TELLING PEOPLE WONDERING WHERE IS DICK UIHLEIN?

HE IS THE BIG FUNDER OF THE G.O.P.

AND OF BAILEY.

WHY HASN'T HE COME THROUGH FOR HIM AS HE DID IN THE PRIMARY.

>> IN CHICAGO, WE'RE IN SOMETHING OF A DEMOCRATIC BUBBLE HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE BAILEY CAMPAIGN IS DOING?

AND HOW MUCH SUPPORT IS HE ATTRACTING IN THE REST OF THE STATE?

>> SO WE DON'T HAVE A TON OF POLLING AVAILABLE.

BUT WE KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE UPHILL FOR HIM FROM THE ONSET.

HE IS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE IS FROM CHICAGO AND TRIED TO MAKE HEADWAY HERE.

WE HAVE A NEW PROPOSAL FROM BAILEY AS WELL DEALING WITH THE COST AND THE NUMBER OF ILLINOIS STUDENTS THAT ARE ADMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA CHAMPAIGN WE'RE SEEING HIM TRY BUT IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH.

>> COUPLE MONTHS AWAY.

THANKS TO AMANDA VINICKY AND HEATHER CHERONE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, A MOVE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BLACK MALE TEACHERS IN A CONVERSATION THAT AIRED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> FOR CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS IT'S POSSIBLE TO GO FROM KINDERGARTEN TO HIGH SCHOOL AND NEVER HAVE A BLACK MAN AS A TEACHER.

ACCORDING TO C.P.S.

DATA, FEWER THAN 4% OF C.P.S.

TEACHERS ARE BLACK MEN.

AND IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE 36% OF STUDENTS ARE BLACK, THAT IS A STRIKING IMBALANCE.

NATIONWIDE, THE FIGURE IS LOWER.

JUST 2%.

LAST FALL, THREE CHICAGO HIGH SCHOOLS INSTITUTEDDED A PILOT PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THAT IMBALANCE.

THE INTRO TO URBAN EDUCATION CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE BLACK AND LATINO MEN TO ENVISION THEMSELVES AT THE HEAD OF THE CLASS.

JOINING WITH MORE HOW IT WORKS ARE MILLION LA WHO REPORTED ON THE PROGRAM.

TROY HEAD OF THE CHICAGO PRINCIPALS AND ADMINISTRATORS ASSOCIATION AND SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AT THRIVE CHICAGO WHICH ADMINISTERS THE PROGRAM.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

IONIA LET'S START WITH YOU PLEASE, WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE BLACK MEN AT THE HEAD OF CHICAGO'S CLASSROOMS PARTICULARLY FOR YOUNG BLACK STUDENTS FOR BLACK BOYS?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT'S PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG BLACK MALES TO SEE THEMSELVES.

SEE THEMSELVES REFLECTED IN EVERYDAY TEACHINGS AND LEARNINGS SO THEY CAN FEEL MORE EMPOWERED, MORE ALIGNED AND WELCOMED INTO AN ACTUAL EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN AND WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT HISTORICALLY, THEY HAVE BEEN FEWER AND FEWER BLACK MALE EDUCATORS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKING THE HELM AND HAVE BEEN STEPPING INTO THE ROLE OF BEING AN EDUCATOR TO PROVIDE THAT ROLE MODEL GUIDANCE AND INSPIRATIONAL HOPE TO OUR YOUNG BLACK AND LATINO BOYS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> OF COURSE.

SO MILA YOU TALKED TO A STUDENT WHO IS PART OF THIS PILOT PROGRAM.

WHAT DID HE TELL YOU WHY HE JOINED THE PROGRAM?

>> SURE.

I MET KHALIL AT DAIS HIGH SCHOOL WHERE THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF STUDENTS ARE BLACK AND LOW INCOME.

HE WAS ONE OF THE STUDENTS IN THE INTRO TO URBAN EDUCATION CLASS THERE.

AND HE WAS SOMEBODY WHO HAD GONE INTO THE CLASS FEELING THAT A CAREER IN EDUCATION MIGHT BE FOR HIM.

AND HE SPOKE ABOUT THE IMPACTS THAT THE TWO BLACK MALE TEACHERS HE HAD HAD DURING HIS TIME IN C.P.S.

HAD HAD ON HIM.

HIS SENSE OF BEING ABLE TO CONNECT WITH THEM AND THE SENSE THAT THEY SAW HIM AND UNDERSTOOD HIM MORE FULLY THAN OTHER EDUCATORS COULD.

>> TROY, WHY DON'T WE SEE MORE BLACK MALE TEACHERS?

>> I LOVE THE PROGRAMS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

BUT I PREFER TO LOOK AT IT FROM A ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS.

LIKE LOOKING AT A CORPORATION WITH AN EPIDEMIC OF SEXUAL HARASS.

SAYING WHY DON'T WE SEE MORE WOMEN HERE.

SYSTEMIC RACE IN C.P.S.

C.P.S.

IS ON RECORD EXPOSED BY WBEZ IF I REMEMBER OF HAVING A PROGRAM TO WEED OUT BLACK TEACHERS UNTIL IT WAS EXPOSED.

THEY CREATED A PROGRAM SIMILAR TO WEED OUT BLACK AND LATINO PRINCIPALS THAT EXISTS TODAY CALLED THE PRINCIPAL ELIGIBILITY POLICY.

YOU LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE IN INVESTMENT IN CURRICULUM OFFERED IN SCHOOLS WHERE THE STUDENTS ARE MIDDLE CLASS AND WHITE VERSUS WHAT CURRICULUM AND INVESTMENTS ARE IN SCHOOLS THAT ARE ATTENDED BY BLACK STUDENTS.

LOOK AT HARRIET TUBMAN AND WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE BLACK PRINCIPALS VERSUS WHAT THE C.P.S.

DID WITH JONES.

THEY HANDLED THE BLACK PRINCIPAL AS IF THEY WERE GUILTY BEFORE INVESTIGATING.

FROM A STUDENT AND I SEE THIS, I EXPERIENCE THIS INEQUITY AND CURRICULUM I SEE HOW BLACK MEN AND WOMEN ARE TREATED WHEN THEY BECOME EDUCATORS.

>> AND OF COURSE BEFORE YOU MOVED OVER TO THE CHICAGO PRINCIPALS AND ADMINISTRATORS ASSOCIATION YOU WERE A PRINCIPAL BEFORE THAT YOU WERE A TEACHER.

WHAT WAS IT THAT MADE YOU WANT TO GET INTO THE TEACHING PROCESSION AT THE TIME THAT YOU DID?

>> MY GIRLFRIEND.

WHO IS NOW MY WIFE AND MOTHER OF MY SON.

I WAS IN THE NAVY I DIDN'T WANT TO DO COLLEGE, I DIDN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING.

BUT I HAD TO GO TO COLLEGE I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL.

MY GIRLFRIEND WHO WENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SHE MADE ME GO TO COLLEGE.

AND THEN I READ MALCOM X AND WAS INSPIRED BY THAT.

AND ONCE I DID REALLY WELL IN COLLEGE, I LOOKED AT MY EXPERIENCE AS A C.P.S.

STUDENT AND I ALMOST DIDN'T GO TO COLLEGE WHAT WAS IT ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE AT C.P.S.

THAT MADE ME HAVE SUCH A LOW ASSESSMENT OF MYSELF.

WHAT WAS IT ABOUT C.P.S.

THAT GAVE ME THIS LOW ASSESSMENT OF MYSELF.

I DECIDED TO BECOME A TEACHER SO I COULD GO INTO C.P.S.

AND CHANGE IT FOR OTHER STUDENTS WHO DIDN'T HAVE THE MARGARET, MY WIFE, THAT I HAD.

AND THEN I REALIZED IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT TEACHERS THERE IS A SYSTEMIC THING THAT I HAD TO ADDRESS WHY I TOOK THE PATH THAT LEAD ME TO THE PRESIDENCY OF THIS ASSOCIATION.

>> OF COURSE, THAT'S ONE SUCCESS STORY.

NOT EVERY STUDENT IS GOING TO HAVE THAT.

IONIA WOULD YOU GIVE US AN IDEA WHAT THE INTRO TO URBAN EDUCATION LOOKS LIKE.

>> IT CONSISTS OF EIGHT UNITS AND LET ME SAY THIS CURRICULUM WAS CREATED BY ADMINISTRATORS, EDUCATORS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXPERTISE IN EDUCATION.

AND SO THIS CURRICULUM IS BROKEN INTO EIGHT DIFFERENT UNITS.

IN WHICH IT TAKES STUDENTS THROUGH A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF WHO THEY ARE, THEIR HISTORY, BACKGROUND CONTENT AND UNDERSTANDING OF CHICAGO.

UNDERSTANDING OF CHICAGO COMMUNITIES.

AND THEN SPECIFICALLY GOES INTO UNDERSTANDING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AND SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS.

HOW ONE IS ABLE TO USE KNOWLEDGE TO EXECUTE POWER TO INSPIRE OTHERS ET CETERA.

THE REALLY BEST THING ABOUT THIS CURRICULUM THAT I FIND IS GOING TO BE FUN THIS YEAR, IS THAT YOUNG MEN ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO STEWARD AND HAVE AND RUN THEIR OWN CLASSROOMS FOR AT LEAST TWO TO THREE WEEKS THIS YEAR.

AND SO WE'RE EXCITED IN SEEING THOSE THAT WANT TO STEP UP TO THE CHALLENGE AND HOW THEY FEEL BEFORE THEY INSTRUCT A CLASSROOM OF YOUNGER PEERS.

AND THEN HOW THEY FEEL AFTERWARD.

IT REALLY WILL BE TELLING TO US.

>> EARLY STUDENT TEACHING IT SOUNDS LIKE.

MILA, HOW DID THE PANDEMIC UNDERSCORE THE NEED FOR MORE BLACK MALE TEACHERS?

>> WE HERE HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF REPORTING OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS ON THE PANDEMIC'S DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON BLACK AND LATINO BOYS AND YOUNG MEN WIDENING DISPARITIES IN ATTENDANCE, GRADES, COLLEGE ENROLLMENT AND OTHER OUTCOMES.

THAT WERE ALREADY SOME OF THE WIDEST HISTORICALLY BOTH HERE IN CHICAGO AND NATIONALLY.

SO WE AS PART OF THAT REPORTING TRIED TO FOLLOW-UP AND LOOK AT WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SOLUTIONS WHAT ARE WAYS THAT SCHOOL SYSTEMS CAN ADDRESS THE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT AND THIS IDEA OF BRINGING IN MORE MALE TEACHERS OF COLOR AND REALLY STEPPING UP EFFORTS TO ALSO RETAIN THEM ONCE SCHOOLS HIRE THEM.

WAS REALLY COMING UP AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

>> IONIA WHAT CAN SCHOOLS DO FOR BLACK STUDENTS NOW THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO SEE TEACHING AS A FUTURE POSSIBILITY FOR THEM?

>> THINK ABOUT THE SYSTEM AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY ARE CREATING.

MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE YOUNG BLACK MALES THAT SEE THEMSELVES THAT HAVE ROLE MODELS THERE IN THE SCHOOLS.

HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MALES, MALES OF COLOR TO TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

AND THEN SHOWING THEM THE PATHWAYS FORWARD.

RIGHT?

EVERYONE IS NOT GOING TO BE AN EDUCATOR AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A PATHWAY FORWARD AFTER THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

AND WE HOPE THAT OUR CURRICULUM DOES THAT.

>> TROY 30 SECONDS.

WHAT ROLE DO PRINCIPALS PLAY IN HIRING TEACHERS AND HOW CAN PRINCIPALS HELP WITH RECRUITING MORE?

>> I THINK THAT PRINCIPALS PLAY A KEY ROLE.

I THINK PRINCIPALS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN HIRING TEACHERS AND THEY HAVE TO CAST A BROAD NET.

BUT PRINCIPALS IN ALL STAKEHOLDERS HAVE TO GET INVOLVED IN HELPING TO DETERMINE THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP THAT CREATES THE INEQUITIES THAT THE THEY HAVE TO WORK AGAINST.

WE DON'T HAVE TO WORK AGAINST THE INEQUITIES TO BRING THE FOLKS IN.

WE WANT THE INEQUITIES GONE.

A MAYOR, A SCHOOL BOARD AND A C.E.O.

THAT BELIEVES IN BLACK AND BROWN CHILDREN.

>> A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

THANKS TO THE THREE OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS.

>> BACK WITH MORE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" RIGHT AFTER THIS.

FOR A FEW SUNDAYS OVER THE SUMMER CHICAGO RESIDENTS GET TO SEE A TAKEOVER OF AN ICONIC DOWNTOWN STREET PART OF THE LOOP ALLIANCES SECOND ANNUAL SUNDAYS ON STATE.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU CAUGHT UP WITH A FEW OF THIS YEAR'S PERFORMING ACTS TO SHARE HOW THIS SOUTH LOOP EVENT IS CELEBRATING THE CITY.

>> FROM MONROE TO LAKE, SUNDAYS ON STATE BRINGS THE CITY OF NEIGHBORHOODS TO ONE CENTRAL LOCATION TO SHOWCASE THE BEST OF WHAT THE CITY HAS TO OFFER.

>> SUNDAYS ON STATE IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

WE CLOSE STATE STREET THE MOST ICONIC STREET IN CHICAGO AND IT IS A FREE AND PUBLIC PROGRAMMING IN THE LOOP.

AND WE WANT IT TO BRING JOY FOR ONE BACK TO THE HEART OF THE CITY ALSO SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE HERE ON STATE STREET.

>> WHAT STARTED AS A WAY TO ACCELERATE THE ECONOMY AFTER THE PANDEMIC HAS TRANSFORMED INTO A FREE CELEBRATION SHOWCASING LOCAL VENDORS AND PERFORMERS.

MEET AZEEMA THE BOLLYWOOD BELLY DANCER.

AS A SOUTH ASIAN-AMERICAN WITH PARENTS FROM PAKISTAN SHE FOUND BELLY DANCING AS A WAY TO CONNECT WITH THE CULTURE >> I DANCED WITH A GROUP VISUAL RHYTHMS CHICAGO AND WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO BRING IS THAT CONNECTION TO DANCE AND MUSIC.

>> SHE IS WORKING TO NOT ONLY CELEBRATE HER HERITAGE BUT ADDRESS CULTURAL APPROPRIATIONS AS WELL.

>> THERE ARE SOME THINGS PEOPLE THINK VERY MUCH ALIVE AND JASMINE AND THOSE IMAGERIES COME TO MIND FOR PEOPLE.

ONCE THEY SEE THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO THE MIDDLE EAST AND SOUTH ASIA THOSE ARE DIFFERENT REGIONS AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF CULTURAL ADVANCES WHICH WE TRY TO PRESENT IN OUR DIFFERENT SHOWCASES.

THEN THEY GET TO SEE THE CULTURE THERE'S REAL PEOPLE FROM WHERE IT COMES.

AND IT IS NOT EXACTLY WHAT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS, BUT IT'S MORE ENGAGING.

>> MOST OF THE TIME WE GET PEOPLE UP MOVE OR TWO AND GET THEM ENGAGED AND THEY ENJOY THAT WAY OF DISMANTLING THE ASSUMPTIONS.

>> TO IRISH DANCERS... >> IT'S AMAZING GETTING TO HAVE EVERYONE OUT AFTER A LONGTIME OF NOT BEING ABLE TO DO THAT.

AND, YEAH, WE LOVE THAT IT BRINGS IN ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS AND CULTURES.

>> WE HOPE THAT SUNDAYS ON STATE IS A LITTLE BIT OF ALL YOUR FESTIVALS IN ONE HERE.

>> WE WANT TO BE EVERYONE'S NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> STUN SUN DAYS ON STATE RUNS FROM MONROE TO LAKE WITH THE FINAL TAKEOVER HAPPENING THIS SUNDAY.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE.

BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M AMANDA VINICKY.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND GOOD NIGHT.

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