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

VMENT I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> INTERFAITH DIALOGUE IS THE FOCUS OF A SUMMIT IN CHICAGO NEXT WEEK.

WE SPEAK WITH THE FOUNDER OF INTERFAITH AMERICA WHY HE SAYS COMMUNICATION AMONG VARIOUS RELIGIONS IS IMPORTANT.

>> AS MONKEYPOX IS DECLARED A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WE TALK WITH THE AUTHOR OF A BOOK HOW HE BELIEVES VIRUSES EXPOSE FAULT LINES IN SOCIETY.

>> GET THAT FEEL, THE OLD SCHOOL FEEL THAT BRINGS BACK THAT NOSTALGIA THAT PEOPLE NEED.

>> AVALON PARK'S ICONIC ROLLER RINK IS COMING BACK NEWLY RENOVATED WHAT CUSTOMERS CAN EXPECT AND MORE.

>> GET THAT FEEL THAT OLD SCHOOL FEEL THAT BRINGS BACK THAT NOSTALGIA THAT PEOPLE NEED.

>> SOME CHICAGOANS ARE BEGINNING TO RECEIVE PAYMENTS FROM THE CITY'S GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM.

>> CONNECTING KIDS TO NATURE WHAT THE COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES AIMS TO DO WITH A SET OF SUMMER PROGRAMS.

WE SHARE THE DETAILS.

>> WE HAVE A PURPOSE AND IT IS TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY.

>> AND COFFEE TACOS AND ARE ART WHAT A LOCAL COUPLE IS SERVING FROM INSIDE A MEXICAN GROCERY STORE.

>> AND AS YOU MENTIONED I'M IN AVALON PARK TONIGHT LIVE AT PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

THIS MOSTLY BLACK SOUTHEAST SIDE COMMUNITY WAS ONCE HOME TO A LOT OF GERMAN AND SWEDISH IMMIGRANTS NOW LOCAL HOTSPOTS INCLUDE AN NOSTALGIC ROLLER RINK AND ACTIVE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THAT HAS HELP TO GET COOL MURALS UP AROUND THIS COMMUNITY AREA.

WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE FIRST BACK TO YOU.

>> TOP STORIES, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DECLARED MONKEYPOX A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

SINCE THE FIRST U.S. MONKEYPOX CASE WAS IDENTIFIED MID-MAY, A TOTAL OF 6600 CASES OR PROBABLE CASES HAVE BEEN DETECTED IN EVERY STATE IN THE U.S.

EXCEPT TWO: MONTANA AND WYOMING.

HERE IN CHICAGO, THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN 459 CASES WITH ONE CONFIRMED CASE IN 55 OF THE CITY'S 77 COMMUNITY AREAS.

CDPH COMMISSIONER Dr. ALLISON ARWADY IS HOPING THE FEDERAL DECLARATION WILL MEAN MORE SUPPORT.

>> THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT IS NEEDED TO MY MIND IS ADDITIONAL DOSES OF VACCINE.

AND I AM QUITE HOPEFUL THAT WITH THIS DECLARATION, WE MAY BE ABLE TO SEE MORE EMERGENCY LEVEL ACTION INVOKING -- I DON'T'S WANT TO GET AHEAD OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN COVID WHERE WE'VE SEEN VACCINES MOVE MORE QUICKLY.

>> ARWADY HOPES THIS FEDERAL DECLARATION WILL MEAN MORE MONEY SINCE COMMITTEE HAS RECEIVED NO FEDERAL FUNDING FOR MONKEYPOX.

ILLINOIS DECLARED A STATE-WIDE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THIS WEEK.

AND TODAY THE GOVERNOR PUBLICLY INTRODUCED THE NEW DIRECTOR OF THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

Dr. SAMEER VOHRA BECOMES THE 20TH PERSON TO LEAD THE DEPARTMENT.

HE SPOKE ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD IN ADDITION TO THE CURRENT PANDEMIC.

>> BEYOND OTHER EMERGING ILLNESSES LIKE MONKEYPOX WE ARE CHALLENGED WITH AN EPIDEMIC OF GUN VIOLENCE, A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, AND A GROWING NATIONAL THREAT TO THE PROTECTION OF REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO FEEL THE WEIGHT OF THESE CHALLENGES.

BUT UNDER MY LEADERSHIP, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH WILL SERVE THE PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS AS YOUR RESOURCE AND AS YOUR GUIDE.

>> Dr. VOHRA SPOKE WHERE THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED ABORTION AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AROUND ILLINOIS WILL BE GETTING MORE SUPPORT FROM THE STATE.

THE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RAID WILL INCREASE 20% THAT GOES INTO EFFECT SEPTEMBER 1 IS INTENDED TO LET PROVIDERS RECOUP MORE COSTS AND PROVIDE CARE WITH LESS FINANCIAL STRAIN.

THE STATE IS ADDING $2 MILLION TO THE TITLE 10 BUDGET WHICH WOULD EXPAND THE NETWORKS OF CLINICS THAT PROVIDE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE.

>> UP NEXT, AMANDA VINICKY IS IN AVALON PARK FOR OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> IN RECENT WEEKS WE VISITED FULLER PARK, IRVING PARK, LINCOLN PARK AND MORGAN PARK AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

TODAY WE'RE IN AVALON PARK.

EVEN IF YOU'VE NEVER VISITED CHANCES ARE LIKELY YOU'VE GONE OVER IT BECAUSE IT'S UNDER THE SKYWAY, THE TOLL ROAD THAT TAKES YOU TO INDIANA.

AMANDA VINICKY AND ACACIA HERNANDEZ WENT TO THE COMMUNITY TO LEARN MORE.

AND AMANDA IS LIVE FROM AVALON PARK.

JUST OUTSIDE ONE OF THE AREAS MAINSTAYS, CHICAGO VOCATIONAL CAREER ACADEMY WHICH BOASTS AS ONE OF THE ALUMNI DICK BUT KISS.

WHAT DO YOU GOT?

>> WE WILL TALK ABOUT THIS SCHOOL LATER ON.

FIRST I WANT TO BEGIN BY TALKING ABOUT AVALON PARK'S WELL, AVALON PARK.

AS IN THE NEARLY 28 ACRE PARK MAINTAINED BY THE PARK DISTRICT.

IT HAS A GYM, TENNIS COURTS, BASEBALL DIAMONDS AND A POOL.

ONE OF THE LUCKY PARKS THAT HAD POOLS OPEN FIVE DAYS A WEEK DESPITE THAT LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE.

>> IT'S THE WONDERFUL THING TO SEE PEOPLE IN THE POOL WHEN YOU WALK IN THE PARK AND HEAR THE KIDS SCREAMING AND LAUGHING AND SPLASHING AND JUST HAVING FUN.

I LOVE THIS PARK BECAUSE IT'S THE HID ESPECIALLY GEM.

IT IS.

ONCE YOU WALK BACK HERE AND WE TRY TO KEEP IT A SECRET.

>> SHEDRENE O'NEAL IS ALL RIGHT WITH SPILLING THE BEANS ABOUT HER FAVORITE PARK SHE IS HEAD OF THE AVALON PARK'S ADVISORY COUNCIL WHICH FORMED IN 2019 ONLY SHORTLY THERE AFTER TO HAVE THE PLANS SCUTTLED BY THE PANDEMIC.

SHE HAS NEW PLANS NOW.

REALLY FOCUSING ON COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND PROGRAMMING, ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS.

BE IT LEARNING ABOUT VOCATIONS OR ANTIVIOLENCE ROLE PLAYING LESSONS.

WHEN WE MEET O'NEAL SHE KNOWS EVERYONE AT THE PARK SINCE SHE MOVED HERE 18 YEARS AGO.

O'NEAL SAYS SHE STARTED EVERY MORNING AT THE PARK.

>> AND IN THE MORNING, STARTING AT 6:00 A.M., REALLY EARLIER THAN THAT WE HAVE THE SINGERS OUT HERE WHO ARE DOING THEIR NATURE WALK.

AND THEY ARE OUT OF HERE BY 8:30.

THEY ARE A CREATURE OF HABITS.

SAME TIME, EVERYDAY, MONDAY-FRIDAY, NO WEEKENDS.

SO IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING.

>> ALSO BEAUTIFUL, WHEN THE PARK'S CHERRY BLOSSOMS BLOOM SHE WANTS TO PLAN AN EVENT AROUND THAT AS WELL.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT MYSELF, FRANKLY.

ANOTHER BIG HEART OF THE COMMUNITY THAT IS ITS COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR.

>> I TEND TO LOOK AT A LOT OF OUR OPENINGS AND VACANCIES AS OPPORTUNITIES TO BRAND AND CREATE THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU WANT.

EVERYBODY HAS AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THEY WANT A NEIGHBORHOOD TO FEEL LIKE AND AVALON PARK IS A REALLY GREAT SPACE AND OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

79TH STREET IS A MAIN THOROUGHFARE FROM STRAIGHT TO THE LAKE.

THAT ACTIVITY THE OBAMA LIBRARY THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING OVER HERE.

>> FRANKYE PAYNE GREW UP IN THE AREA, NEARBY CAL MUTT HEIGHTS AND NOW SHE IS HEAD OF THE SOUTHEAST CAME BER OF COMMERCE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

AND SHE SAYS THERE ARE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES LIKE ONE DAY, RENOVATING AND REOPENING THAT 3,000 SEAT REGAL THEATRE.

ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS, THINE 500 PEOPLE RESIDE IN AVALON PARK AND 95% ARE BLACK.

SHE SAYS SINCE GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER AND THE UNREST AND THE PANDEMIC, THOSE EVENTS BROUGHT TO LIGHT DISINVESTMENTS AND THE NEED FOR RESOURCES IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

SHE SAYS SINCE THAT TIME, MORE CITY AND STATE GRANTS INCLUDING CHICAGO'S INVEST SOUTHWEST PROGRAM HAVE MADE MONEY AVAILABLE TO CHAMBERS SUCH AS THE ONE SHE LEADS.

AND THAT HAS LET THE CHAMBER TO DO MORE WORK SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE HELPING MOM AND POP SHOPS DEVELOP WEBSITES AND POINT OF SALE SYSTEMS.

OFFERING SECURITY AND BEAUTIFICATION.

SHE SAYS THE POST PANDEMIC WORLD AND THE STRUGGLES WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CHAMBER TO LEAN INTO TO LISTEN AND TO OFFER THAT HELP.

>> WE'RE VERY LUCKY THAT WE HAVE A THRIVING HOME-OWNED RESIDENCE COMMUNITY.

AND SO WITH THAT HOMEOWNERSHIP THERE IS A LONG LINE OF PEOPLE IN THE 70s AND HERE NOW AND REMEMBER WHAT THRIVING BUSTLING CORRIDORS THEY HAD AND THEY MISS THAT AND WANT MORE OF IT >> NOW, I MENTIONED BEAUTIFICATION.

ONE OF THE CHAMBER'S PROJECTS HAS BEEN SUPPORTING MURALS LIKE THE ONE THAT WAS BEHIND FRANKYE PAYNE AND THAT IS PAINTED BY LOCAL ARTIST MAX.

AND YOU MIGHT WANT TO NOTE THE 79 ON THE HELMET OF THAT GIRL IN THE MURAL, IT'S BY THE WAY FOR 79TH STREET.

AND YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE WTTW NEWS WEBSITE FOR AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE ARTIST.

THERE IS A MURAL OPPOSITE WHERE WE SPEAK WITH FRANKYE PAYNE AND THAT IS DONE BY ANOTHER CHICAGO ARTIST WHO GAINED -- WHO IS LOCAL BUT HAS GLOBAL ACCLAIM.

WE WILL BE POSTING A LINK ON OUR WEBSITE TO A PUBLIC ART TOUR OF CALUMET HEIGHTS AND AVALON PARK DONE BY THE CHAMBER.

NOW, FOR THE FINAL STOP OF OUR TOUR TODAY OF AVALON PARK, WELL, WE ROLLED INTO A RINK WHERE WE MET WITH RAMONA POUNCY.

>> I AM ONE OF THE OWNERS OF THE RINK CHICAGO.

THE RIN, THE RINK.

LIKE THE OHIO STATE.

THE RINK OF CHICAGO.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE IT ON EARTH.

>> NOW, RAMONA POUNCY SKATED HERE GROWING UP SHE AND HER HUSBAND STILL DO AND THEY WANT KIDS TODAY TO DO THE SAME AND SHE SAYS THEY DO.

>> NOW, WE HAVE THE RINK AND WE'RE GOING WE GOT TO MAKE THIS INTO THE BEST, SAFEST PLACE THAT FAMILIES CAN COME, KIDS CAN HAVE FUN, SAVE LIVES.

WE HAVE ABOUT 400 KIDS WHEN WE'RE FULLY OPEN.

400 YOUNG PEOPLE ON A FRIDAY NIGHT.

400.

THAT IS 400 KIDS IN THIS BUILDING.

THE YOUTH IN THIS BUILDING DOING WHAT THEY NEED TO DO GETTING THE EXERCISE LOVING THE MUSIC.

THEY HAD A HARD TIME LEAVE IT OUTSIDE.

>> WELL, EXCEPT FOR RIGHT NOW, THE RINK HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SEVEN MONTHS WHILE THEY RENOVATED.

THEY HAVE FRESH PURPLE AND ORANGE PAINT AND REFURBISHED SKATING FLOOR AND A REALLY BRIGHT STARRY FLORESCENT CARPET UPDATES BUT RAMONA POUNCY SAYS THE GOAL IS TO KEEP IT NOSTALGIC AND VINTAGE AND MAINTAIN THAT OLD SCHOOL FLAVOR.

SHE IS NOT SURE WHEN THE RINK WILL REOPEN BUT SHE SAYS SOON.

MEANTIME THERE ARE HOWEVER OTHER EVENTS GOING ON IN AVALON PARK INCLUDING TOMORROW NIGHT, THE PARK DISTRICT IS GOING TO HAVE A MOVIE IN THE PARK WHERE THEY WILL BE SHOWING THE MOVIE KING RICHARD ABOUT THE SERENA TENNIS CHAMP SISTERS AND EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER AS WELL.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT A LOT MORE FROM AVALON PARK INCLUDING AS PROMISED, MORE ABOUT THE SCHOOL AND TALKING WITH A LOCAL STATE REPRESENTATIVE WHO CALLS AVALON PARK HOME.

BUT FOR NOW, BACK TO YOU.

>> I KNOW YOU WERE HAVING FUN DOING LAPS AROUND THAT RINK.

WE COULD TELL.

>> MY LEGS ARE SORE.

>> RETURN THOSE SKATES, THOUGH.

ALL RIGHT.

AND NOW TO BRANDIS AND A LOOK AT AN UPCOMING CONFERENCE WITH THE GOAL OF BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

>> THAT IS WHAT WE NEED IS AMANDA ON WHEELS.

THANK YOU.

NEXT WEEK, CHICAGO HOSTS THE INTERFAITH LEADERSHIP SUMMIT WHICH BRINGS STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY TO THE CITY TO QUOTE UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF AMERICA'S RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY.

THE SUMMIT WILL BE LED BY THE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF CHICAGO BASED INTERFAITH AMERICA WHO AUTHORED THE BOOK WE NEED TO BUILD, FIELDNOTES FOR DIVERSE DEMOCRACY.

AND EBOO PATEL JINS US NOW.

WELCOME BACK.

FIRST -- >> GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

>> FIRST, TELL US WHAT IS THE INTERFAITH LEADERSHIP SUMMIT?

>> THE INTERFAITH LEADERSHIP SUMMIT IS THE PLACE WHERE COLLEGE STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS COME TO LEARN HOW TO BE AUTHORS OF THE NEXT GREAT CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF RELIGION IN AMERICA.

WE ARE TOWARD THE END OF THE CHAPTER AND THE NEXT CHAPTER IS THE GREAT HISTORY OF AMERICAN RELIGION SHOULD BE CALLED INTERFAITH AMERICA AND THE COLLEGE STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS COMING FROM THE SUMMIT ARE GOING TO HELP TELL THE NATION THAT WHAT IT REALLY IS WHO WE ARE ARE IS INTERFAITH AMERICA.

>> AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE HAD THIS IN-PERSON IN THREE YEARS?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

THIS IS THE 10TH YEAR OF THE SUMMIT.

WE GOT CREATIVE THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS DURING COVID.

WE DID IT VIRTUALLY.

THIS YEAR WE'RE DOING IT HYBRID.

PROUD THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE BEGINNING A CERTIFICATE AND INTERFAITH LEADERSHIP AT THIS SUMMIT.

WE HAVE 400 STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS COMING LIVE FROM 100 CAMPUSES.

AND WE'LL HAVE MANY MORE ON-LINE.

YOU CAN JOIN ON-LINE ALSO INTERFAITH AMERICA.ORG THERE ARE ON-LINE REGISTRATIONS AVAILABLE.

>> HOW IMPORTANT IS RELIGIOUS PLURALISM IN AMERICA RIGHT NOW?

>> I MEAN IT'S JUST ESSENTIAL.

THE UNITED STATES IS THE MOST RELIGIOUSLY DIVERSE NATION IN HUMAN HISTORY.

THE MOST RELIGIOUSLY DEVOUT NATION AND HALF OF OUR CIVIL SOCIETY IS BUILT BY DIVERSE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES.

SO MANY OF THOSE IN CHICAGO.

DePAUL AND LOYOLA UNIVERSITY, THE LOCAL ACTION NETWORK THE JEWISH COUNCIL OF URBAN AFFAIRS ALL OF THE GREAT INSTITUTIONS BUILT BY RELIGION.

THEY HAVE TO BE A BRIDGE OF COOPERATION IT CAN NEVER BE A BARRIER OF DIVISION BUT BRIDGES DON'T FALL FROM THE SKY.

PEOPLE BUILD THEM AND WE TRAIN THE BRIDGE BUILDERS IN OUR SUMMIT COMING UP IN A WEEK.

>> WITH CALLS FOR CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM AND THE GENERAL DIVISIVENESS WE ARE EXPERIENCING ARE YOU FACING AN UPHILL BATTLE?

>> ACTUALLY I THINK WE ARE FACING AN URGENT OPPORTUNITY.

WE ARE CALLED TO BE THE GREAT FORCES OF PLURALISM IN AMERICA JUST LIKE THE CIVIL RIGHTS HEROS OF THE PAST AND JUST LIKE THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS IN THE 1930s THE PEOPLE FACED DOWN THE WHITE CHRISTIAN NATIONALISTS OF THEIR ERA AND INSURED FOR THEIR TIME THE FORCES OF PLURALISM WON.

WE HAVE TO DO THE SAME.

I HAVE TO SAY, BRANDIS, WE ARE RIGHT ON THE EVE OF ONE OF THE WORST MASSACRES OF WORSHIPERS IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

AND THAT IS THE OAK CREEK MASSACRE WHICH OCCURRED 10 YEARS AGO ON AUGUST 5 WHEN A WHITE SUPREMACIST WALKED IN AND KILLED SEVERAL AT WORSHIP.

AND IN RESPONSE WHEN THE POLICE CAME TO HELP TO STOP THIS WHITE SUPREMACIST THEY [INAUDIBLE] THAT BEAUTY OF OUR DIVERSE FAITH THAT COMING TOGETHER THAT WIDENING THE COMMUNITY THAT IS WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW.

THAT IS WHY THE UNITED STATES IS NOT A MELTING POT WE ARE A POT LUCK NATION THAT WELCOMES THE DIVERSE IDENTITIES OF PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS, WE WANT THEIR DELICIOUS BEST DISHES.

WE WANT TO NURTURE COMBINATIONS SO THAT THE NATION CAN FEAST.

>> ALL THAT SAID HOW DO YOU ENGAGE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THEIR RELIGION IS THE ONE TRUE FAITH?

>> WELL, WE BELIEVE THAT THERE'S LOTS OF THOSE GOOD FOLKS IN THE WORLD.

THERE'S LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT THEIR FAITH OR PHILOSOPHY HAS THE WHOLE FEAST.

WHAT WE SAY AT INTERFAITH AMERICA IS THE WORK WE DO ISN'T ABOUT HEAVEN IT'S ABOUT EARTH.

IT IS AABOUT BUILDING BRIDGES OF COOPERATION ON EARTH.

WE USE A RESPECT THE LATE COOPERATE PARADIGM.

RESPECT PEOPLE FROM DIVERSE RELIGIOUS IDENTITIES AND INCLUDING THE DIFFERENCES YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE.

RELATE POSITIVELY ACROSS DIVERSE COMMUNITIES.

COOPERATE TOGETHER TO SERVE THE COMMON GOOD.

A POT LUCK NATION IS BUILT THROUGH THE RESPECT, RELATE, COOPERATE APPROACH.

>> NOTICING A METAPHOR THEME OF BREAKING BREAD.

ALL OF THIS IS IN THE BOOK WE NEED TO BUILD.

>> ALL GOD'S CHILDREN GOT TO EAT.

YOU WILL HAVE MANY COLLEGE STUDENTS ATTENDING THE SUMMIT, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ENGAGE STUDENTS?

>> SO MANY POWERFUL MOVEMENTS HAVE COME FROM COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

CIVIL RIGHTS IN PARTICULAR.

JOHN LEWIS, DIANE NASH THESE WERE STUDENTS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES WHEN THEY LED THE MOVEMENT.

THE GREAT MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. WAS A STUDENT AT KROGER SEMINARY WHEN HE HEARD THER IS MONEY FROM JOHNSON ABOUT GHANDI AND HE STARTED CONNECTING HIS CHRISTIAN FAITH WITH GHANDI'S HINDU FAITH.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. WAS AN INTERFAITH BRIDGE BUILDER.

WE THINK COLLEGE STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS HAVE A CENTRAL ROLE TO PLAY.

THE IDEALISM OF YOUNG PEOPLE HAS GOT TO BE PUT TO WORK IN BUILDING THIS MULTICULTURAL AMERICA.

THEY NEED TO LEARN WE ALL NEED TO LEARN TO DEFEAT THE THINGS WE DO NOT LOVE BY BUILDING THE THINGS WE DO.

>> WE HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT EBOO BUT THE SUMMIT IS A CALL TO ACTION YOU ARE INVITING STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS TO LEARN AND SENDING THEM AWAY ASKING THEM TO DO THINGS?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

SO MY TERRIFIC COLLEAGUES LA TANNA LANE AND THE TEAM THAT PUT THIS TOGETHER, THE THEME IS BUILDER WANTED.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE TRACKS OF THE SUMMIT WILL PAIR PROGRESSIVE CAMPUSES WITH MORE CONSERVATIVE CAMPUSES, SAYING WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER.

CONSERVATIVES AND PREROGATIVES CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS, ATHEISTS, WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER AND WE RESPECT, RELATE, COOPERATE TO BUILD THIS POT LUCK NATION.

>> EBOO PATEL THANK YOU OF INTERTAGHT AMERICA.

BEST OF LUCK AT THE SUMMIT NEXT WEEK.

>> THANK YOU, SO MUCH, BRANDIS.

>> VIRUSES DO NOT DISCRIMINATE.

SOCIETY DOES.

AT LEAST THAT IS THE ARGUMENT MADE BY NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY JOURNALISM PROFESSOR STEVE DANIELS.

HE HAS BEEN INTERESTED IN VIRUSES AND THEIR INFLUENCE IN SHAPING U.S. HISTORY THE BOOK IS THE VIRAL UNDER CLASS, THE HUMAN TOLL WHEN INEQUALITY AND DISEASE COLLIDE.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE IS THE AUTHOR, STEVEN THRASHER AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THANK YOU.

BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT THE BOOK WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT MONKEYPOX.

WE NOT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TODAY HAS DECLARED IT A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

AND YOU RECENTLY WROTE IN THE SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN THAT BLAMING GAY MEN FOR MONKEYPOX WILL HARM EVERYONE.

WHAT SHOULD THE PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGE BE HERE?

>> WELL, NOW IT'S TO BE GETTING VACCINATIONS AND HEALTHCARE TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE MONKEYPOX AND GETTING VACCINES WHO MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN.

WHEN I WROTE THE PIECE I WAS WALKING ABOUT THE CONGRESS HOTEL ON MICHIGAN AND GETTING READY TO HAVE THE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AND I THOUGHT THIS IS ONE OF THE EVENTS THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH PEOPLE SHOULD BE USING TO GO BACK FOR THIS VIRUS WHICH IS CIRCULATING AMONG MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN.

AND THEY LET IT GET OUT OF CONTROL.

SO IT IS A MUCH MORE DIFFICULT THICK TO DEAL WITH.

BUT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON GETTING VACCINES TO THE POPULATION THAT IS MOST AT RISK AND THOSE ARE MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN.

AND GETTING ECONOMIC HELP TO PEOPLE WHO NEED TO QUARANTINE IF SOMEONE HAS IT THEY HAVE TO QUARANTINE FOR A MONTH.

AND NOT MANY PEOPLE IN CHICAGO CAN AFFORD TO GO WITHOUT A MONTH'S SALARY IF THEY CANNOT GO TO WORK.

THOSE ARE THE TWO THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN RIGHT NOW.

>> OF COURSE, IN A TIME WHEN NUANCES OFTEN LACKING THERE IS NOTHING BIOLOGICAL ABOUT MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN THAT MEANS THEY GET THE MONKEYPOX.

BUT RIGHT NOW THIS IS THE GROUP OF PEOPLE MOST AT RISK.

HOW DO YOU AVOID FURTHER STIGMATIZING GAY MEN WHEN CRAFTING THIS PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGE?

>> I PERSONALLY HAD A PIECE IN THE GUARDIAN THINK WE NEED TO NAME HOW IT'S HAPPENING AND WHO IT'S HAPPENING TO.

THERE'S REASON TO BELIEVE FROM RESEARCH FROM LONDON AND RESEARCH THAT WAS DONE IN NIGERIA FIVE YEARS AGO, THERE'S BEEN A SIGNIFICANT MUTATION IN MONKEYPOX SUCH THAT IT'S PRESENTING AND TRANSMITTING DIFFERENTLY.

OVER THE PAST MANY DECADES, IT'S HAD LEGIONS ON HANDS, FEET, BACK AND FACE.

NOW WE'RE SEEING VERY MUCH LEGIONS AROUND GENITAL AREAS FOR MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN AND THERE'S REASON TO BELIEVE IT'S TRANSMITTING THROUGH FLUIDS.

MORE RESEARCH NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THAT.

AND THE WAY I DEAL WITH IT AND PUBLIC HEALTH PEOPLE DO SHOULD, IS TO JUST ADDRESS THAT NOT HAVING ANY EMBARRASSMENT ABOUT IT AND MEN HAVE SEX WITH MEN NEED GOOD HEALTHCARE AND TO DO THE RESEARCH THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

THERE ARE OTHER WAY IT IS CAN TRANSMIT BUT RIGHT NOW WITH THIS VERSION OF MONKEYPOX 95-99% IS CIRCULATING IN ONE COMMUNITY AND THAT IS WHERE OUR CARE, CONCERN AND RESEARCH AND RESOURCES NEED TO BE.

>> YOUR BOOK IS TITLED THE VIRAL UNDER CLASS.

WHO ARE THE VIRAL UNDER CLASS?

>> THEY ARE PEOPLE WHO END UP IN THE PATHWAY OF VIRUSES AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

AND ARE BECOME THE MOST SICK WITH IT AND THE MOST LIKELY TO DIE FROM IT.

IT IS AN INTERNATIONAL PHENOMENON BUT ONE DIMENSION THAT IS PARTICULAR TO THE UNITED STATES IS THAT WHEN YOU BECOME INFECTED BY A VIRUS NOT ONLY IS THERE STIGMA BUT YOU ARE ECONOMICALLY PUNISHED.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO QUARANTINE FOR MONKEYPOX ARE TOLD THEY HAVE TO STAY AT HOME AND THEY ARE NOT ECONOMICALLY SUPPORTED AND THEY ARE STAYING AT HOME FOR OUR WELL-BEING AND WE SHOULD BE SUPPORTING THEM.

THAT IS ONE WAY THE VIRAL UNDER CLASS IS MADE.

AND THE OTHER IS WE'LL SEE VERY DIFFERENT VIRUSES WITH DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS.

MONKEYPOX, HIV, HEPATITIS, SARS ARE ALL DIFFERENT VIRUSES THEY MOVE DIFFERENTLY BUT THEY END UP IN THE BODIES OF PEOPLE WHO ARE POOR, MARGINALIZED, MIGRANT, TRANS, NONWHITE AGAIN AND AGAIN.

SOMETIMES IN SURPRISING WAYS WE WOULD NOT THINK ONE VIRUS WOULD END UP IN THE SAME PEOPLE BUT THEY KEEP ENDING UP IN THE SAME POPULATION BECAUSE OF THE SOCIAL VECTORS THAT PUT PEOPLE'S BODIES IN THE PATHWAY OF VIRUSES AND MAKE THEIR BODIES MORE SUSCEPTIBLE NOT BEING ABLE TO FIGHT OFF INFECTION AND BECOME SERIOUSLY ILL. >> I WANT TO GET TO THE SOCIAL VECTORS YOU WRITE 12 OF THEM AND YOU DEVOTE A CHAPTER TO ETCH AUTO.

VIEWERS CAN SEE THEM THEY INCLUDE CAPITALISM AND RACISM AMONG OTHERS.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SOCIAL VECTORS THAT PRODUCE A VIRAL UNDER CLASS?

>> CAPITALISM IS RELATED TO AUSTERITY WHICH I SEE IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

I STARTED SEEING THIS WHEN I WAS DOING RESEARCH IN GREECE OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES AND GREECE HAD AN ECONOMIC CRASH.

PRIOR TO THAT THEY HAD GOOD HIV PREVENTION THROUGH DOING STREET WORK AND GOING TO PEOPLE DEALING WITH ADDICTION ON THE STREETS.

AND WHEN THEIR ECONOMIC CRUSH CAME AND THE EU TOOK OVER THEY CUT THE SERVICES.

SUDDENLY HIV INCREASED BY 3 THOUSAND% IN THAT COUNTRY.

CAPITALISM AND AUSTERITY WILL CREATE CONDITIONS WHERE THINGS WE CAN DO TO KEEP VIRUSES OUT OF PEOPLE SWAMP THEM AND HARM THEM.

AND THE WAYS WE PUNISH PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK AND PUT ON RESPONSIBILITY THAT THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE.

WE'VE SEEN IT WITH THE PAST TWO ADMINISTRATIONS.

DONALD TRUMP PUT HIS FOOT ON THE PEDAL OF IRRESPONSIBLE ACTIVITIES AROUND COVID AND JOE BIDEN IS RIGHT HANDED AND HE IS SAYING I'M GOING TO GET THROUGH IT AND THAT IS NOT THE RIGHT MESSAGE WHEN PEOPLE ARE SICK WITH COVID THEY SUPPORT SUPPORTED STAYING HOME AND REST AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THAT MAKES THEM LESS LIKELY TO GET LONG COVID.

AND ABLEISM TRIES TO BRING US TO BEING SICK IS WEAK AND BEING STRONG MEANS YOU WILL GET OVER IT.

>> YOU WRITE A GOOD BIT ABOUT THE EMPHASIS ON INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SORT OF FINDING THE PATIENT ZERO OVER THE COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY IN AND THE GOVERNMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY.

BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME, PROFESSOR, SOMEONE YOU'VE LONG STUDIED THE IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC, WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS THAT YOU THINK HAVE BEEN LEARNED HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS PANDEMIC AND THE NEXT ONE?

>> WELL, UNFORTUNATELY I THINK WE HAVE NOT LEARNED WE NEED TO KEEP WORKING AT THIS COLLECTIVELY AND AT AN INFRASTRUCTURE LEVEL AS YOU IN CHICAGO, CENTERVILLE AND DOWNTOWN CHICAGO WAS RAISED AND LIFTED UP AND SEWAGE WAS PUT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE RIVER WAS REVERSED TO DEAL WITH CHOLERA.

NOTHING ON THAT SCALE HAS BEEN DONE WITH COVID-19 IN TERMS OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS THE LESSON WE HAVE NOT LEARNED.

THE LESSON IS VIRUSES PROVE THAT WE ARE CONNECTED.

WE CAN PRETEND LIKE WE ARE NOT BUT THE VIRUSES WILL PORTRAY THAT WHEN WE BREATHE AND TOUCH EACH OVER, WE'RE SHARING OUR GENETIC MATERIAL.

SO TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THAT EFFECTIVELY WE HAVE TO WORK WITH ONE ANOTHER AND PUT ASIDE THE IDEA THAT EVERYONE IS ON THEIR OWN INDEPENDENT JOURNEY.

THAT IS THE BEST LESSON VIRUSES CAN TEACH US.

AND THE LAST PANDEMIC GAVE US MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN THAT AND IT'S CONTINUING TO GIVE US OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN THAT.

>> STEVEN THRASHER THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> AND ONCE AGAIN, THE BOOK IS CALLED THE VIRAL UNDER CLASS, HUMAN TOLL WHEN INEQUALITY AND DISEASE COLLIDE.

UP NEXT, WE INTRODUCE YOU TO A COUPLE THAT IS TAKING ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

STAY WITH US.

>> THERE IS A LOT MORE AHEAD INCLUDING MORE FROM AVALON PARK AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> BUT FIRST, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS BEEN FAR FROM EASY FOR MANY SMALL BUSINESSES.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE HAD TO GET CREATIVE AND REINVENT THEMSELVES TO STAY AFLOAT.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ HEADS TO A GROCERY STORE IN JAOQUIN OLIVER SERVING MORE THAN FRESH PRODUCE.

HOW'S IT GOING.

>> ADAM CARSON AND NYDIA GONZALEZ-CRSON ARE ARE THE OWNERS OF THE STORE.

>> HOW ARE ARE YOU?

>> IT IS A MEXICAN SUPERMARKET THAT THE PARENTS OPENED IN THE 90s.

THE MARRIED COUPLE TOOK OVER MANAGEMENT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> I LOVE GROWING UP WITH MY PARENTS AND IN THIS STORE JUST LIVING A VERY ENTREPRENEURIAL LIFE AT A YOUNG AGE.

I REMEMBER ONE OF MY BIGGEST PURCHASES WAS PINATAS.

>> THE STORE IS ONE PART OF THEIR JOURNEY.

WHEN CUSTOMERS MAKE THEIR WAY TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE STORE THEY WILL FIND A COFFEE SHOP CALLED DRIP AND CULTURE.

>> THE FACT THIS IS A BLACK AND BROWN OWNED COFFEE SHOP IN THE SUBURBS IN LAKE COUNTY IS INCREDIBLY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE.

WE CANNOT UNDERSCORE THAT.

THERE IS NOT A LOT OF US.

>> IT'S NOT WHERE YOU WILL TYPICALLY FIND A COFFEE SHOP.

BUT THE OWNERS SAY IT'S PART OF THE REBRANDING AND BRINGING NEW ENERGY TO THE STORE.

>> MY DAD ALWAYS SAYS LIKE, YOU GOT TO GIVE IT NEW BLOOD, GIVE IT LOVE LIKE A BUSINESS NEEDS ATTENTION AND LOVE AND ALL OF THESE THINGS.

SO US COMING BACK AND DOING ALL OF THESE CHANGES HELPED TO ADD VIE BREAST CANCER TO THE STORE.

>> ALONG WITH COFFEE, NYDIA GONZALEZ-CRSON OPENED A BOUTIQUE AND ART STUDIO ON THE SECOND FLOOR CALLED GATHR WHERE SHE HOSTED YOGA AND CLASSES.

>> FOR ME IT IS A COMMUNITY CENTER IT IS A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO COME IN AND GATHER AROUND SIMILAR INTERESTS.

THE LOVE OF CUTE STUFF.

THE LOVE OF ART.

HAND MAKING AND THE PLACE TO PEOPLE TO COME IN AND LEARN THOSE THINGS.

>> LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL BRACELET WE'RE MAKING TOGETHER.

I WANTED THIS TO BE A SAFE PLACE THAT PEOPLE CAN COME TO AND BE VULNERABLE.

SHARE IN THIS SPACE WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A LATINA AND NOT QUITE SO MEXICAN AND NOT QUITE SO AMERICAN.

>> THE EVOLUTION OF THE STORE IS PART OF A BIGGER MISSION FOR THE CARSONS.

A SPACE WHERE OTHER ENTREPRENEURS HAVE A CHANCE TO LEARN AND SHOWCASE THEIR PASSIONS.

>> FOR US IT'S VERY MUCH ABOUT HOW DO WE TAKE OUR EXPERIENCE AND BRING THAT INTO THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS AND BRING IT INTO HOW WE THINK ABOUT RUNNING THE BUSINESS, HOW WE THINK ABOUT TEACHING OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY HOW TO RUN THE BUSINESS AS WELL.

>> ONE OF THE LATEST VENTURES IS THE CREATION OF ENTREPRENEURS COLLECTIVE.

A PROGRAM AIMED AT SUPPORTING PEOPLE WHO WANT TO OPEN A BUSINESS.

>> AND WE'RE GOING TO BRING IN SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TO TALK ABOUT PRICING STRATEGIES AND WEB DESIGN AND PRODUCT PLACEMENT AND MARKETING ALL THOSE THINGS THAT THESE GUYS NEED TO REALLY FORM THE FOUNDATION FOR A SOLID BUSINESS.

>> AS THE COUPLE CONTINUES TO EVOLVE THEIR BUSINESS THEIR GOAL REMAINS THE SAME TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.

>> IT IS A MULTILEVEL PLACE WHERE YOU WILL BE IMMERSED IN DIFFERENT CULTURES AND HAVE THE GREAT EXPERIENCE.

I DON'T KNOW THE WORD.

>> A MELTING POT.

>> MELTING POT.

>> MELTING POT IN ONE BUILDING.

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

>> AND TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COFFEE SHOP OR THE ART STUDIO YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", WE'RE ONE-ON-ONE WITH AVALON PARK STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARCUS EVANS TO TALK ABOUT A RECENTLY PASSED CLEAN ENERGY BILL AND MUCH MORE.

>> CONNECTING KIDS TO NATURE WHAT THE COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES AIM TO DO WITH A SET OF SUMMER PROGRAMS.

WE SHARE DETAILS.

AND SOME CHICAGOANS ARE STARTING TO SEE PAYMENTS FROM THE CITY'S GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS SHARE THEIR HOPES FOR THE INITIATIVE.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> A NORTHWEST SUBURBAN BAKERY WILL GO AHEAD WITH EVENTS IN THE SHOP AFTER ALL.

THE A.C.L.U.

ANNOUNCES THAT UPRISING BAKERY REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH OFFICIALS IN LAKE IN THE HILLS TO HOLD EVENTS THAT THE IT PREVIOUSLY HAD TO CANCEL.

THE LATEST TWIST IN THE SAGA INVOLVING THE BAKERY THAT WAS VANDALIZED AND RECEIVED HATE MAIL AFTER IT SCHEDULED A FAMILY FRIENDLY DRAG SHOW.

JUST LAST WEEK THE VILLAGE SAID THE BAKERY COULD NOT GO FORWARD WITH FURTHER EVENTS BECAUSE IT VIOLATED A ZONING ORDINANCE BUT THE AGREEMENT SAYS THE BAKERY CAN NOW MOVE FORWARD IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOCAL ZONING LAWS.

>> CHICAGO'S BIG CITY NEIGHBOR TO THE NORTH IS SET TO HOST THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION.

THOSE REPORTS INDICATE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS SET TO ANNOUNCE TOMORROW THAT IT'S HOSTING THE 2024 NOMINATING CONVENTION IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

THIS COMES AS ILLINOIS DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ARE ANGLING TO HAVE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HOST ITS CONVENTION HERE IN CHICAGO.

MILWAUKEE HOSTED A SCALED DOWN VERSION OF THE DNC IN 2020 DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

>> WNBA STAR BRITTNEY GRINER IS SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS IN RUSSIAN PRISON.

A RUSSIAN COURT ISSUED THE VERDICT TODAY AGAINST GRINER FOR ENTERING THE COUNTRY WITH CANNABIS VAPE CARTRIDGES AND IS ORDERED TO PAY $16,000 U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IMMEDIATELY ISSUED A STATEMENT CALLING THE SENTENCE QUOTE UNACCEPTABLE AND CALLED ON RUSSIA TO RELEASE GRINER IMMEDIATELY.

THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT HAS SAID GRINER IS BEING WRONGFULLY DETAINED AND HAS BEEN REPORTEDLY NEGOTIATING A PRISONER SWAP DEAL TO BRING GRINER BACK TO THE U.S. >> THE CHICAGO CUBS ARE HEADED OVERSEAS NOT PERMANENTLY.

BUT JUST TO PLAY TWO GAMES IN LONDON AGAINST THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS AS PART OF THE LONDON SERIES IN 2023.

THE SERIES WAS SET TO TAKE PLACE IN 2020 BUT GOT CANCELED DUE TO COVID.

THE GAMES WILL TAKE PLACE LESS THAN A YEAR FROM NOW, JUNE 24 AND 25 OF NEXT SEASON.

AND NOW, BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW BACK TO AMANDA VINICKY WHO SPENT THE DAY IN AVALON PARK AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

AMANDA?

>> HEY, BRANDIS.

I'M GOING TO BE JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARCUS EVANS.

HE GREW UP ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE HERE AND IS NOW A BUNGALOW OWNER HERE IN AVALON PARK.

SO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US REPRESENTATIVE EVANS.

FOR STARTERS, YOU AGAIN, GREW UP IN THE AREA BUT IT'S SET TO SEE CHANGES WITH THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER COMING NEARBY.

WHAT DOES THIS COMMUNITY NEED OR SHOULD IT HAVE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT DEVELOPMENT?

>> THE OBAMA LIBRARY IN THE HIGHLAND PARK COMMUNITY BUT IT IS A REGIONAL PROJECT.

THE SOUTH SIDE LOVES BARACK OBAMA WE LOVE PRESIDENT OBAMA AND WE WANT TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS, BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO GET THE TRAFFIC.

TRAFFIC IS COMING AND PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE RESIDENTS HAVE SAFETY AND OF COURSE, CONTINUE TO SEE THAT AVENUE BEAUTIFIED ALONG WITH THE OBAMA LIBRARY.

WE WANT TO BE INCLUDED FOR SURE IN THE DEVELOPMENT.

>> AND INCLUDING THE SKYWAY GOES ABOVE AVALON PARK.

YOU BELIEVE THAT MORE COULD BE DONE WITH THAT, RIGHT?

>> YES, MORE EXITS THE SKYWAY IS UNDERUTILIZED WE PAID FOR IT AND SOLD IT.

I'M HOPING THAT THE MAYOR AND THE LEADERSHIP HERE CAN DO MORE WITH THE SKYWAY.

BECAUSE AVALON PARK IS A BENEFIT AREA ESPECIALLY WHEN THE OBAMA LIBRARY IS UP AND RUNNING.

>> THE SKYWAY GET MONEY FROM IT?

A 99 YEAR LEASE THAT HAS BEEN SOLD.

MORE MONEY FROM IT OR PEOPLE EXITING TO COME AND SPEND THEIR DOLLARS HERE?

>> UTILIZATION.

IF YOU GOT A ROAD THERE LET'S MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE AND USABLE FOR THE PEOPLE.

IT'S NOT FEASIBLE FOR EVERYDAY USES LIKE $5 TO UTILIZE IT AND PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD THAT.

FIGURE OUT HOW TO BRING THE COST DOWN.

FOLKS CAN COME UP WITH A GOOD IDEA.

>> COSTS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE ZIP CODES SURROUNDING IT.

NOW, YOU JUST CAME BACK FROM THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATORS YOU FLEW BACK TO JOIN US.

WE APPRECIATE THAT AS WELL.

ILLINOIS HAS QUITE THE REPUTATION IN A LOT OF WAYS.

WHAT WERE THE MAIN TOPICS?

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT STATE GOVERNMENT IT'S ABOUT HEALTHCARE, TRANSPORTATION AND HOW WE WORK WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

STATES WANT THE POWER TO HELP FOLKS AND WE SEND MONIES DOWN TO THE STATE, TO THE CITIES WE SEND MONEY TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

TALKING ABOUT BEST PRACTICES AND HOW WE CAN SERVE PEOPLE.

ONE COUNTRY, WE HAVE 50 STATES, 50 DIFFERENT IDEAS BUT IT'S ALL LOVE AND SERVICE.

>> WHAT IS THE IDEA YOU ARE COMING HOME WITH?

>> PROBABLY, YOU KNOW, HOW WE JUST BETTER UTILIZE THE DOLLARS WE HAVE.

IT'S ABOUT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.

EVERY DOLLAR THAT COMES TO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS SHOULD BE UTILIZED AND INVESTED NOT JUST PAY THE BILLS.

>> AND ONE OF THE BIG TOPICS FOLKS ARE TALKING ABOUT IS ABORTION PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE DOBBS RULING THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE A SPECIAL SESSION AND HAS NOT HAPPENED.

WHEN WILL ILLINOIS BE POISED TO PASS LEGISLATION WITH THE DEMOCRATIC SUPER MAJORITIES THE ASSEMBLY HAS?

>> WE HAVE THE GOVERNOR, WE HAVE SENATOR DON HARMON THEY WILL GET TOGETHER AND AS A MEMBER I WANT TO DO SOMETHING AND I'M READY TO DO SOMETHING AND I SUPPORT WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

IT IS COMMON SENSE FOR ME.

WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT IS A PARTISAN ISSUE BUT THE RULING IN KANSAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT OUR BELIEF IS CORRECT.

WOMEN WANT TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR THEIR OWN BODIES AND I SUPPORT THAT.

>> WE WILL BE COVERING THAT ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

FOR THIS NIGHT, WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, AGAIN, THAT IS AVALON PARK RESIDENT AND HOMEOWNER STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARCUS EVANS.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS FOR DETAILS ABOUT A SET OF PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON NATURE CONSERVATION.

>> THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS MIGHT COME FROM A FOREST NEAR YOU THAT IS ANYONE OF THE COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES THANKS TO A SET OF PROGRAMS CENTERED ON RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE FOR ADULTS AND KIDS.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER PATTY WETLI JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN.

PATTY TELL US WHAT IS OFFERED THROUGH THE COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE?

>> RIGHT, WELL THERE ARE BASIC VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES BUT THESE ARE THEIR CONSERVATION CORPS PROGRAMS.

ONE IS FOR YOUTH.

SO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS NOT NECESSARILY KIDS.

ANOTHER IS FOR ADULTS.

AND ANOTHER IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF COOK COUNTY.

AND YOU KNOW THESE ARE PAID CONSERVATION POSITIONS KIND OF LIKE WHAT THEY ARE PROPOSING ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL AS THE NEW CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS.

THERE'S LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED.

>> WHAT ARE THE SKILLS THAT KIDS AND ADULTS WALK AWAY WITH?

>> YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO USE SAWS AND LOGGERS TO GET RID OF THE DREADED BUCKTHORN SPECIES.

YOU MIGHT BE BUILDING FENCES.

MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING TRAILS.

THE FOLKS I TALK TO SAID OBVIOUSLY THEY LEARN TEAMWORK AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND PROBLEM SOLVING AND THINKING.

BUT YOU ALSO GET A GREAT EXPERIENCE IN NATURE GETTING UP CLOSE WITH WILDLIFE AND YOU WILL DEFINITELY LEARN TO IDENTIFY POISON IVY THEY TELL ME.

>> THAT IS A GOOD SKILL TO HAVE.

THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PAY OFF FOR THE FOREST PRESERVES, CORRECT?

>> RIGHT.

I MEAN, THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF TO MAINTAIN 70,000 ACRES.

SO THIS IS A GREAT WAY, AGAIN, THESE ARE PAID POSITIONS BUT THEY ARE ADDING TO THEIR LABOR FORCE.

AND IT'S ALSO INTRODUCING PEOPLE TO THE COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES THAT MIGHT NOT BE THAT FAMILIAR WITH THE AMAZING NATURE THAT IS RIGHT IN OUR BACKYARD AND THE HOPE IS TO SORT OF BUILD THIS NEXT GENERATION OF PEOPLE WHO FALL IN LOVE WITH AND WANT TO PRESERVE AND GUARD AND STEWARD THE FOREST PRESERVE.

>> WE'RE RETURNING UP AGAINST THE END OF THE SEASON HOW DO FOLKS GET INVOLVED FOR NEXT YEAR?

>> WE HAVE A LINK IN THE WEBSITE IN THE ARTICLE TO THE PROGRAMS AND, YES, THEY HAD GRADUATION TODAY FOR ONE OF THE PROGRAMS LITERALLY.

SO YOU WILL BE WANTING TO LOOK IN THE SPRING FOR WHEN THEY START TO TAKE APPLICATIONS FOR THESE PROGRAMS.

>> ALL RIGHT PATTY WETLI THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ PATTY'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND UP NEXT, CHECKING IN WITH CHICAGO'S GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM IN A CONVERSATION THAT AIRED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>> BOTH CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAMS THAT WILL PROVIDE MORE THAN 8,000 RESIDENTS WITH $500 A MONTH.

NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

WHILE APPLICATIONS FOR COOK COUNTY RESIDENTS OPENED IN THE FALL, THE RESIDENTS CHOSEN FOR CHICAGO'S RESILIENT COMMUNITIES PROGRAM HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO RECEIVE THOSE MONTHLY PAYMENTS.

ACCORDING TO CITY DATA 176,000 PEOPLE APPLIED FOR THE PROGRAM.

OF THOSE APPLICANTS, 64% LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE.

68% IDENTIFY AS BLACK OR AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

70% OF APPLICANTS IDENTIFIED AS A WOMEN.

17% CITED HAVING A DISABILITY AND 9% INDICATED THEY ARE HOUSING INSECURE OR HOMELESS.

HERE ON THE CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM AND HOW RECIPIENTS ARE BENEFIT ARE AUDRA WILSON PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE SHRIVERRER CENTER.

COMMISSIONER OF THE CHICAGO FAMILY AND SUPPORT SERVICES AND NICOLE ROBINSON COE AT YWCA METRO CHICAGO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

COMMISSIONER REMIND US WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM AND WHAT HAS THE PROCESS BEEN UP TO THIS POINT?

>> RESIDENTS WHO ARE 18 YEARS OR OLDER LIVE IN CHICAGO, AND EARN 250% BELOW THE POVERTY LINE OR LESS.

AND CAN DEMONSTRATE A COVID-19 NEGATIVE IMPACT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM.

>> AUDRA, A BIG POINT OF EMPHASIS WAS THIS CASH COMES WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

>> DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS AS THIS IS MAKES IT SUCH A CONSIDERABLE DIFFERENCE TO FAMILIES.

IT GIVES INDIVIDUALS THE AGENCY TO INVEST IN WHAT IS BEST FOR THEIR NEEDS WHETHER THEY ARE STARTING A BUSINESS OR KEEPING THE ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS OR FEEDING THEIR FAMILIES OR CARING FOR CHILDREN.

AND THE FLEXIBILITY OF THE CASH TRANSFER IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN MANY SOCIAL SAFETY KNELT PROGRAMS THAT HAVE WORK REQUIREMENTS OR CAN ELIMINATE ASSISTANCE WHEN INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE MODEST INCREASE IN INCOME.

SO THE FLEXIBILITY IS A VERY IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THIS PROGRAM.

>> NICOLE, DESCRIBE HOW THE YWCA PERFORMED OUTREACH FOR THIS PILOT?

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING PARTS OF THE PROGRAM FOR ME THIS WAS ALL ABOUT EQUITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND IMPACT.

AND THERE'S SO MANY RESIDENTS ACROSS CHICAGO WHO BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HAVE BEEN COPING WITH JOB LOSS, WITH FOOD INSECURITY, WITH HOUSING INSECURITY, WITH LOTS OF CHALLENGES WITH CHILDCARE.

AND THAT IS STRESSFUL.

AND WHAT THIS PROGRAM DOES IS NOT JUST FILL THE GAPS IN THOSE AREAS BUT ACTUALLY PROVIDES RELIEF.

IN TERMS OF OUTREACH, WE WERE IN THE COMMUNITY BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND HAD A COALITION OF HUNDREDS THE OF PARTNERS ALL COMMITTED AND UNIFIED UNDER THE ONE IDEA OF MAKING SURE RESIDENTS WERE AWARE SO WE WERE IN CHURCHES AND FAITH INSTITUTIONS.

WE WERE IN BARBERSHOPS.

WE WERE IN LAUNDROMATS.

WE ARE GOING DOOR-TO-DOOR, WORKING WITH LOTS OF PARTNERS TO SPREAD THE WORD.

I THINK THE GREAT THING ABOUT THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY MULTILANGUAGE, CHINESE, ARABIC, SPANISH, POLISH, THERE WERE WAYS YOU COULD COMMUNICATE IN A WAY THAT MADE SENSE FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

IT WAS ON-LINE AND ACCESSIBLE.

IT MAYBE TOOK 20 MINUTES OR LESS TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION.

SO THE TEAM DID A GREAT JOB TO MAKE IT EASY AND FLEXIBLE.

AND THEN WE HAD INDIVIDUALS AND VOLUNTEERS IN THE COMMUNITY READY AT LIBRARIES AT SCHOOLS AT OTHER PLACES WHERE COMMUNITIES ARE WHERE THEY TRUST PEOPLE TO SHARE INFORMATION.

BECAUSE TRUST WAS A REALLY IMPORTANT PIECE ABOUT THIS.

THAT WE THOUGHT ABOUT CLEARLY TO MAKE SURE THAT RESIDENTS WERE WILLING TO WERE AWARE AND AS I RECALL THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS, THERE WAS A BIG, BIG RUSH OF APPLICATIONS THAT CAME IN SO WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE FACT THAT THAT HAPPENED AND JUST TO COMMENT ON THE IMPACT PART I SAY THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ENROLLED IN THIS PROCESS ARE PEOPLE WHO REALLY NEEDED IT.

>> COMMISSIONER WHAT ARE THE CRITICAL DETAILS YOU TO CONSIDER IN ORDER TO GET PEOPLE THE FUNDS?

>> SO ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE WANTED TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT THE PROGRAM TARGETED CAREGIVERS AND PARENTS.

WE KNOW THAT DURING THE PANDEMIC, MANY INDIVIDUALS HAD TO STEP AWAY FROM THEIR REGULAR DUTIES TO STAY AT HOME TO DO ON-LINE LEARNING OR TAKE CARE OF THEIR LOVED ONES.

THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US.

WE ALSO WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO NICOLE'S POINT THAT FIRST DAY MEDIA REALLY HELPED GET THE WORD OUT.

BUT WE KNEW THAT BESIDES THAT THERE WERE HARD TO REACH POPULATIONS THAT WE WANTED TO IMPACT.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THOSE UNDOCUMENTED OR DOMESTIC WORKERS OR PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH AS THE FIRST LANGUAGE THAT WE GOT TO THEM.

WE THOUGHT ABOUT HOW DO WE REACH THOSE RETURNING RESIDENTS OR VETERANS?

THERE WAS A LOT OF DISTRUST FROM GOVERNMENT AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THERE WERE TRUSTED MESSENGERS AND COMMUNITY THAT COULD GET THE WORD OUT.

THE OTHER THING THAT WE THOUGHT ABOUT WAS JUST ABOUT THE BENEFITS CLIP.

WE DIDN'T WANT SOMEONE TO SAY YOU KNOW WHAT I COULD USE $500 BUT I'M ON ANOTHER SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAM AND SO I DON'T WANT TO LOSE MY SNAP BENEFITS OR SSI.

OUR TEAM LOBBIED WELL AND HARD I WILL SAY THAT WE GOT A WAIVER FOR SSI AND FOR SNAP AND JUST TO PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE, 56% OF THOSE WHO APPLIED ALSO HAD SNAP BENEFITS.

SO THAT IS JUST STRIKING OF HAD WE NOT DONE THAT WHAT WE LEARN SECOND OTHER CITIES, EXCLUDED THOSE POPULATIONS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT WANT THEM TO BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED.

THE OTHER THING WAS REALLY ABOUT EASE OF USE TO THE POINT THAT INDIVIDUALS COULD COMPLETE AN APPLICATION ON THEIR TABLET.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD A PROCESS THAT WAS INCLUSIVE AND THAT PEOPLE WOULDN'T HAVE TO COME BACK A SECOND OR A THIRD TIME.

>> AND MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS DON'T FALL OFF OF ANOTHER BENEFIT IS AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION.

AUDRA, YOU SAID THIS PROGRAM CAN HELP ADVANCE THE CAUSE OF SOCIAL AND RACIAL JUSTICE.

EXPLAIN HOW THAT WORKS FOR US?

>> THE CONCEPT OF GUARANTEED INCOME HAS BEEN CAMP I DON'T KNOWED FOR CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS FOR DECADES INCLUDING MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

HIMSELF AND THIS IS A BOLD BUT SIMPLE APPROACH TO COMBATING POVERTY AND REDUCING ECONOMIC INSECURITY.

AND SOCIAL SAFETY NETS CAN BE DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE AND IT'S ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR BLACK WOMEN WHO FACE GREATER ECONOMIC CHALLENGES AND GREATER BARRIERS WHEN SEEKING SUPPORT.

ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE PILOTS HAVE OFFERED A GUARANTEED INCOME HAVE MEASURABLY IMPROVED PEOPLE'S FINANCIAL STABILITY.

BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT LAUNCHING THIS PILOT IN THE THIRD LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTRY, CONCURRENT WITH THE COOK COUNTY PROMISE GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT THE SECOND MOST POPULOUS COUNTY IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE THE JOINT PILOTS CAN PROMOTE THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE AND CAN HELP CRAFT BROADER NATIONAL INITIATIVES.

>> NICOLE WE HAVE A FEW SECONDS LEFT WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF NEED YOU SEE AMONG THE FAMILIES YOU SERVE?

>> I SEE IT.

I'VE SEEN IT IN THE RESIDENTS HAVE COME IN TO APPLY.

AND BRANDY AND AUDRA MENTIONED DOMESTIC WORKERS AND HOME HEALTH AIDS AND I WAS ABLE TO MEET SOME OF THE WOMEN WHO CAME IN.

AND THEIR INCOME HAD BEEN DISRUPTED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THEY ARE CAREGIVERS AND TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN.

NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE RENT.

AND WHAT I'VE LEARNED ABOUT THESE INCOME PROGRAMS IS THAT THEY DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND IMPACT AND STUDIES SHOW THAT IT RELIEVES STRESS FOR FAMILIES, HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IMPROVES.

THEIR STABILITY, FAMILY RESPECTABLE TO PUT A LITTLE MONEY AWAY AND SAVE.

SO THAT IS TREMENDOUS WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL STABILITY.

>> AND WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT -- >> I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE PROMISE OF THIS PROGRAM.

>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO COVERING THIS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD AS WELL ACROSS CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY AS WE SEE HOW IT SUPPORTS PEOPLE AND HOW IT WORKS.

WHAT YOUR METRICS OF SUCCESS ARE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> AND NOW WE CHECK BACK IN WITH AMANDA VINICKY WHO SPENT THE DAY IN AVALON PARK AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

AMANDA?

>> YEAH, PARIS EARLIER YOU MENTIONED FOOTBALL GREAT DICK BUTKISS AND BERNIE MACK ONCE WALKED THE SCHOOL HALLS OF THIS BUILDING, THE CHICAGO CAREER ACADEMY.

OR CHICAGO VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL.

I SPOKE TODAY WITH PRINCIPAL DOUGLAS MACLIN AND STUDENTS WILL BE BACK WALKING THE HALLWAYS AUGUST 22.

AND I ASKED HIM WHAT THEY CAN EXPECT PARTICULARLY AMID A STILL ONGOING PANDEMIC?

>> THIS SUMMER WE HAD OVER 500 STUDENTS AND OUT OF SCHOOL TIME OST IN OUR BUILDING ALONE.

SO WE DID OUR PART TO SUPPORT THE DISTRICT INITIATIVE OF KEEPING OUR KIDS OCCUPIED WITH POSITIVE THINGS TO DO AND GET PAID FROM IT FROM BEING ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS TO CREDIT RECOVERY, YOU NAME IT OUR KIDS 500 OF THEM TO BE ENGAGED AND OFF THE STREETS HERE AT CHICAGO VOCATIONAL.

>> VOCATIONAL IS IN THE HIGH SCHOOL'S NAME.

WHAT VOCATIONAL TRAINING IS GOING ON NOW?

MIGHT BE RETURNING?

>> WE ARE UNIQUE HERE.

WE ARE THE ONLY SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT THAT IS EARLY COLLEGE, STEM AND HAVE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING.

SO WE HAVE FROM IT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, COSMO TOO LONG, CULINARY, DIESEL, MED TECH.

HORTICULTURE.

YOU NAME IT WE HAVE THE OFFERING.

WE HAVE A DIVERSE OFFERING FOR OUR STUDENTS.

WE'RE EXCITED TO CONTINUE THAT AS WELL AS NEW OPPORTUNITIES ENGAGING WITH PARTNERS COMING IN.

WE HAVE A REGAL STUDIO THAT IS PROMISING A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

AND THE AREAS ALREADY RADIO, TELEVISION AND FILM AS A NATION.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT -- >> THE CAREER AREA.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE REHAB TRAIN KIDS TO COME IN AND COME AFTER YOU WITH THAT.

THOSE WORK TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ARE SO IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE IT'S REVITALIZING OUR SCHOOL.

OUR ENROLLMENT OUR FRESHMEN ENROLLMENT INCREASED 60% THIS YEAR.

>> AND WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THAT?

THIS IS A HUGE SCHOOL.

I THINK ONCE IT HAD.

>> OVER 5,000.

>> 5,000.

SO YOU'RE UP TO?

700?

>> LAST YEAR WE HAD 630 STUDENTS.

THIS YEAR WE'RE POISED TO HAVE OVER 700.

AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS IS ABOUT RESTORING THE PRIDE.

ONE OF THE THINGS MY ALUMNI WAS STRESSED WHEN I FIRST CAME ON WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO INCREASE ENROLLMENT AND GET TO THE SCHOOL BACK TO THE GLORY DAYS?

THAT IS EXCITING.

BECAUSE WE ARE ON THAT PATH.

WE ARE STRATEGICALLY LEVERAGING OUR PARTNERSHIPS FROM WE HAVE A NEW PROGRAM THAT IS COMING IN ICON WHICH IS I CAN OVERCOME NEGATIVITY THE THEY ARE GOING TO PROVIDE CLOTHING FOR OUR STUDENTS BUT WITH A POSITIVE MESSAGE THAT WE CAN OVERCOME OUR NEGATIVE CIRCUMSTANCES.

WE CAN BE BETTER THAN WHAT WE ARE >> IS THAT A BUDGETARY CONCERN WITH SUCH A DROP-OFF FROM 4,000, 5,000 DOWN TO 700?

CONCERNED?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THAT IS A TREND THAT IS GOING ON OVER THE CITY IT IS NOT JUST CHICAGO VOCATIONAL ISSUE.

HOWEVER I WILL SAY THE DISTRICT HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE IN MAKING SURE WE HAD A NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AND STAFF TO COVER OUR STUDENTS THAT WE ARE NOT HAVING A MASS EXODUS OF PROGRAMS AND OFFERINGS.

AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO AGAIN CONTINUE TO BRING AND CREATE NEW PROGRAMS AT OUR SCHOOL.

SO WE ARE STILL WINNING HERE.

WE HAVE THAT SAYING WE WIN AND WE ARE.

>> AND FINAL QUESTION THIS IS NOT ONLY A BIG STRUCTURE BUT A GORGEOUS ONE.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE ATTEMPTS TO PRESERVE IT WITH HISTORIC LANDMARK STATUS?

>> I WOULD SAY THE DISTRICT IS CONSTANTLY TAKING IN NEW IDEAS FROM ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS HOW WE CAN RESTORE THE PRIDE BACK TO THE PALACE.

THEY USED TO CALL THIS THE PALACE.

ANY OF THOSE TYPE OF CONVERSATIONS AND TALKS ALWAYS ARE A GOOD THING.

WE HAVE A COMMUNITY MEETING WHICH WE ARE GOING TO ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, COME IN AND LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW DO WE ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF RESTOIRING THE -- RESTORING THE PRIDE AT THE PALACE.

COMMUNICATIONS TALKS ARE STILL UNDERWAY.

WHEN WE FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO DO WITH OUR SCHOOL, AND HOW THEY CAN HELP SUPPORT US, THEN WE CAN FINALIZE THAT ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.

>> AND SPEAKING OF SUPPORT YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT HALLWAY, AND THERE IS A HALLWAY WITH SCHOOL FLAGS AS WELL.

THAT REPRESENTS ALL OF THE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES WHERE LAST YEAR'S GRADUATING SENIORS WERE ACCEPTED.

THERE WAS A 17% HIKE FROM THE YEAR PRIOR WITH MORE THAN 87% OF THE CHICAGO VOCATIONAL CAREER ACADEMIES SENIORS BEING ACCEPTED TO POST GRAD STUDIES.

WITH THAT BACK TO YOU.

>> CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THEM AND THAT IS THE PRINCIPAL THAT LOVES HIS JOB.

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

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

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

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

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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