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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> TODAY WE'VE HIT ANOTHER MILESTONE.

>> AS THE F.D.A.

GIVES ITS FULL APPROVAL TO THE PFIZER COVID VACCINE WILL IT PERSUADE THOSE WHO ARE HESITANT TO GET VACCINATED.

>> PECULIAR TO CHICAGO.

>> ILLINOIS' INSTALLING ALONG CHICAGO EXPRESSWAYS WILL IT DETOUR SHOOTINGS?

CHICAGO HOME SALES ARE ON FIRE BUT NOT THE SAME STORY IN THE SUBURBS THAT AND MORE FROM CRAIN'S.

>> PERFORMING ARTS VENUES HAVE BEEN AMONG THE LAST TO REOPEN WE HEAR FROM CHICAGO THEATERS REQUIRING PROOF OF VACCINATION TO ENTER.

>> A NEW INITIATIVE BY CITY COLLEGES AIMS TO HELP CHICAGO RESIDENTS TO START OR RESUME THEIR HIGHER EDUCATION WITHOUT THE FINANCIAL BARRIERS.

>> AND A LITTLE VILLAGE BUSINESS WHERE YOU CAN GET A HAIRCUT WITH A SIDE OF VINTAGE MUSIC.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE F.D.A.

GRANTED FULL APPROVAL TO PFIZER'S CORONAVIRUS VACCINE FOR PEOPLE 16 AND OLDER.

CHICAGO'S PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER Dr. ALLISON ARWADY TWEETED QUOTE THIS IS GREAT NEWS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19.

IF YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS APPROVAL TO GET VACCINATED PLEASE GO NOW.

THIS IS FURTHER REASSURANCE THAT IT'S SAFE AND EFFECT TIP.

THE DATA PFIZER SUBMITTED TO THE F.D.A.

SHOWS THE VACCINE IS 91% EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING COVID-19 INOF COURSION.

CHILDREN 12-15 CAN GET VACCINATED UNDER THE EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FOR THAT AGE GROUP.

AND STAY TUNED FOR MORE ON THE F.D.A.

'S AUTHORIZATION AHEAD IN THE SHOW.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYS COVID VACCINE MANDATES FOR CITY WORKERS ARE ON THE WAY.

>> WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE A VACCINE MANDATE IT'S FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL INVOLVED, PARTICULARLY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERACTING WITH CITY EMPLOYEES.

>> THE MAYOR SAYS THE VACCINE MANDATE ANNOUNCEMENT WILL HAPPEN IN THE COMING DAYS WHEN GEORGE ITION AS WITH -- NEGOTIATIONS WITH UNIONS ARE COMPLETE.

THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE SAYS IT WAS 100% OPPOSED AND WOULD FIGHT ANY ATTEMPT BY THE CITY TO FORCE THE ISSUE.

>> AND THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION AND CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE STILL FAR FROM SETTLING THEIR OWN ISSUES AROUND COVID.

THE TWO SIDES HAVE REPORTEDLY ONLY HAMMERED OUT 25% OF THE CORONAVIRUS SAFETY AGREEMENT WITH SCHOOLS SET TO OPEN IN ONE WEEK.

ALDERPEOPLE AND LAWMAKERS ARE RAMPING UP THE PRESSURE ON C.P.S.

BY SENDING A LETTER URGING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ACCEPT MANY OF THE PROPOSALS THE UNION PUT ON THE TABLE.

THE LETTER SIGNED BY 23 MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND 2 SEX ASSEMBLYMEMBERS READS IN PART... >> STUDENTS ARE SCHEDULED TO RETURN FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING NEXT MONDAY.

>> REVEREND JESSE JACKSON AND HIS WIFE JACQUELINE REMAIN HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID-19.

79-YEAR-OLD REVEREND JACKSON WAS FULLY VACCINATED BACK IN JANUARY HE WAS DIAGNOSED AFTER HIS WIFE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID.

JONATHAN JACKSON SAYS HIS MOTHER WAS TAKEN TO NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL BECAUSE SHE WAS LETHARGIC WITH FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS.

SHE WAS NOT VACCINATED.

THE FAMILY SAYS THE COUPLE IS RESPONDING POSITIVELY TO TREATMENT AND IS CURRENTLY RESTING COMFORTABLY.

>> AND UP NEXT, RECORD-HIGH SHOOTINGS ON CHICAGO EXPRESSWAYS.

WILL CAMERAS HELP?

STAY WITH US FOR MORE.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> IN 2019 TAMARA CLAYTON WAS DRIVING ON I57 ON WHETHER WAY TO WORK WHEN SHE WAS SHOT AND KILLED.

YEARS LATER A LAW PASSED THAT ALLOWS CAMERAS TO GO ALONG CERTAIN ILLINOIS EXPRESSWAYS IS TAKING EFFECT.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH THE LATEST.

AND YOUR REPORT ON THIS AS ANOTHER SHOOTING OCCURRED TODAY ON THE EISENHOWER EXPRESSWAY.

WHAT IS THE LATEST?

>> PARIS UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS EVIDENCE OF THE CLAYTON CASE POLICE HAVE NOT CAUGHT HER KILLER NOT BEING ISOLATED AS YOU NOTED EXPRESSWAY SHOOTINGS HAVE SKYROCKETED.

IN 2018 AND 2019 THERE WERE 50 SHOOTINGS ANNUALLY.

LAST YEAR THAT JUMPED TO 128.

AND BY THIS TIME IN 2020 THERE WERE 71 SHOOTINGS.

SO FAR THIS YEAR, WITH MORE THAN FOUR MONTHS LEFT OF 2021, THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE REPORT 158 OF THESE SHOOTINGS.

AND LOYAL ACRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTHUR LURIGIO THIS IS AN OUTLIER.

>> MAJOR CITIES HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PHENOMENON I'VE TALKED TO POLICE CHIEFS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ABOUT THIS.

BECAUSE I AM WORKING ON TRYING TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO HELP CHICAGO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM WITH VIOLENCE.

AND THIS APPEARS TO BE UNIQUE.

AND I MEAN THE WORD UNIQUE.

>> NOW, HE IS NOT FOR WHY THOUGH HE DOES OFFER SOME IDEAS COULD BE BECAUSE OF THE EASY EXITS AND ENTRANCE ON EXPRESSWAYS CRIMINALS MAY FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE AN EASIER TIME ELUDING POLICE.

IT COULD BE IN A SUBCULTURE OF VIOLENCE THIS BECOMES NORMAL IN SOMEPLACES AND IT COULD BE A VICECIOUS CYCLE IN THE HIGH CRIME AREAS OF THE CITY IN A CONFLICT IN NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS MAY CARRY OVER TO THE EXPRESSWAY.

>> THE EISENHOWER EXPRESSWAY HAS BEEN A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER CHICAGOLAND AND BEYOND TO BUY DRUGS, GET OFF THE EXPRESSWAY PURCHASE AND GET BACK ON AND GO BACK HOME.

>> JUST THIS AFTERNOON, IN FACT, 290 WAS CLOSED FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS TO TRAFFIC GOING EAST AFTER STATE POLICE REPORTED AN EXPRESSWAY SHOOTING.

TWO GUNSHOT VICTIMS SELF TRANSPORTED THEMSELVES TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL.

AND ALSO RECENTLY, A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER WAS SHOT AND KILLED ON HER WAY HOME FROM A WHITE SOX GAME.

DePAUL TRANSPORTATION EXPERT JOE SCHWIETERMAN SAYS THE SHOOTINGS ARE SO ARBITRARY SOMEONE TRYING TO GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B THIS GETS EXTRA ATTENTION FROM PEOPLE AND THE MEDIA.

>> THAT SORT OF PLAYS TO PEOPLE'S APPREHENSION COMING INTO THE CITY CARRIES WITH IT RISK JUST BY BEING ON THE HIGHWAY.

IT IS REALLY A COMPOUND IMAGE ISSUE WITH OUR CITY THAT NEEDS PROMPT ATTENTION.

>> ANOTHER AREA WHERE WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF SHOOTINGS THE DAN RYAN.

51 SHOOTINGS IN 2021.

GIVEN THAT RISE, THERE HAS BEEN CRITICISM WHAT HAS TAKEN SO LONG FOR ILLINOIS TO GET CAMERAS ON THE EXPRESSWAYS?

THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ANNOUNCED FRIDAY THAT CAMERAS ARE GOING UP AFTER A LAW THAT TECHNICALLY TOOK EFFECT LAST JANUARY.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE THADDEUS JONES SPONSORED THE LAW AND SAYS IT WAS IN PART BECAUSE FIBER OPTIC CABLES HAD TO BE INSTALLED SO THAT THE VIDEO WAS THE BEST QUALITY.

AND HE SAYS THAT ORIGINALLY THE PLAN DID NOT CALL FOR THESE AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READERS BUT THE STATE POLICE RECOMMENDATION, THAT HAS SENSE BEEN INCLUDED AND WILL BE DONE.

HE IS UNDER NO ILLUSION THAT THIS IS GOING TO STOP EXPRESSWAY SHOOTINGS.

BUT AT LEAST A TOOL.

>> SOME OF THE THINGS I WANT TO SEE OUT OF THIS IS INCREASED PATROLS AND INCREASE CATCHING OF PEOPLE SHOOTING ON OUR EXPRESSWAYS AND HOPEFULLY WE SEE A REDUCTION IN THE SHOOTINGS ON THE EXPRESSWAYS.

THAT'S MY HOPE.

>> THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION'S ED YOHNKA IS OPEN TO THIS AS A TOOL.

BUT HE IS SKEPTICAL ABOUT HOW CAMERAS REALLY DETER CRIMINALS IN CRIMES.

>> ACTUALLY RESOLVES CRIMES ARE YOU KNOW, HUMAN RESOURCES AND HUMAN INTELLIGENCE.

>> HE SAYS IF CAMERAS ARE GOING TO BE PART OF LAW ENFORCEMENT'S ARSENAL THAN CONTROLS NEED TO BE PUT IN PLACE.

BECAUSE THEY CAN ALSO BE A POWERFULLY INVASIVE SURVEILLANCE TOOL.

AND TOOLS NOT JUST CAPTURING INFORMATION ABOUT THOSE POTENTIALLY COMMITTING VIOLENT ABS BUT ALSO -- ACTS BUT ALSO COUNTLESS OTHERS.

>> THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EACH DAY DRIVE THE DAN RYAN EXPRESSWAY THEY GO TO WORK, THEY GO TO SCHOOL, THEY GO TO CHURCH.

>> THEIR WHEREABOUTS WHEN ARE NONE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S BUSINESS HE SAYS.

NOW, THE LAW THAT IS NAMED AFTER CLAYTON HAS SOME LIMIT IT IS SPECIFIES THESE CAMERA ARE TO BE USED ONLY BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF OFFENSES INVOLVING GUNS OR TO DETECT EXPRESSWAY HAZARDS.

THE LAW SAYS THEY SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR PETTY OFFENSES.

SO THINGS LIKE SPEEDING.

AND ED YOHNKA SAYS THOSE ARE COMFORTING RESTRICTIONS BUT HE HAS QUESTIONS.

TAKE FOR EXAMPLE A FRIDAY NIGHT.

HE SAYS IF THERE ARE NO REPORTED EVENTS, ACCIDENTS, INCIDENTS OR SHOOTINGS... >> IS THE DATA FROM THAT DAY WIPED?

OR IS IT MAINTAINED?

HOW LONG IS IT MAINTAINED?

COULD SOMEONE GO BACK AND USE IT AGAIN FOR SOME OTHER PURPOSE?

ARE THERE RULES IN PLACE FOR WHO HAS ACCESS TO IT?

AND WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE VIOLATES THE RULES?

>> REPRESENTATIVE JONES SAYS THAT IN HIS OPINION THOSE CONCERNS ARE NOT VALID HE SAYS THAT THE A.C.L.U.

WAS NOT INVOLVED IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE LAW.

HE SAYS THE SOLE INTENT IS TO CURB GUN CRIME.

>> THEY SHOULD READ THE BILL.

AND AS AN ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS RIGHTS HOW ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS WHO GET KILLED AND SHOT AT ON THE EXPRESSWAY?

THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES I CANNOT BELIEVE THEY WOULD BRING THAT UP.

>> I ASKED THE CRIMINOLOGIST, ARTHUR LURIGIO WHETHER HE THINKS THE CAMERAS WILL HELP TO CATCH CRIMINALS AND OR TO MINIMIZE THE RASH OF SHOOTINGS ON CHICAGO'S EXPRESSWAYS.

>> IT'S REASONABLE TO ASSUME THE CAMERAS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

BUT IT'S NOT ANSWERABLE UNTIL WE GET DATA.

>> NOW, STATE POLICE SAY THAT OF THE 158 SHOOTINGS ON CHICAGO AREA EXPRESSWAYS SO FAR THIS YEAR, THEY HAVE MADE 10 ARRESTS.

BY THE WAY THAT FIGURE DOES NOT INCLUDE THIS AFTERNOON'S SHOOTING ON THE EISENHOWER.

WITH THAT PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS.

AND AS WE REPORTED EARLIER, THE F.D.A.

TODAY GAVE FULL APPROVAL FOR THE PFIZER BIONTECH VACCINE AGAINST COVID-19.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAYS PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THAT MILESTONE TO GET THE SHOT NEED TO GET IT NOW TO STEM A PANDEMIC OF THE UNVACCINATED.

>> ACROSS THE COUNTRY, VIRTUALLY ALL THE COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS CONTINUE TO BE AMONG THE UNVACCINATED.

THAT'S WORSE IN STATES WHERE VACCINATION RATES ARE OVERALL LOW.

BUT EVEN IN STATES WHERE MANY PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED THE UNVACCINATED ARE STILL AT RISK.

>> AND JOINING US IS Dr. MICHAEL ANGARONE AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST WITH NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AGAIN.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> WHAT EFFECTIVELY DOES FULL F.D.A.

APPROVAL MEAN FOR THE PFIZER VACCINE?

>> SO REALLY WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT THE F.D.A.

HAS NOW LOOKED AT THE DATA AND FOR THE VACCINE AND REALLY DETERMINED THAT IT'S SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR AMERICANS AND FOR EVERYONE TO USE.

AND IT REALLY PUTS THAT STAMP OF APPROVAL OF THIS VACCINE IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD ALL BE GETTING AND IT'S SAFE TO GET.

>> DO YOU THINK IT WILL SPUR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HESITANT TO GO OUT NOW AND GET A SHOT?

>> THAT IS WHAT WE HOPE.

WE KNOW NOT EVERYONE WHO HASN'T GOTTEN THE VACCINE THE REASON IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF THE F.D.A.

APPROVAL.

BUT WHAT WE HOPE IS THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT IS WHAT THEY WERE WAITING FOR, THIS AND COURAGES THEM TO GET VACCINATED OR THEY TALK TO THEIR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER AND THE PROVIDER SAYS LOOK THE VACCINE IS NOW APPROVED.

HERE IS ALL THE OTHER EVIDENCE OR WHAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE NOW LET'S GET VACCINATED.

>> YOU ARE ON THE FRONTLINES HERE AND YOU DEAL WITH PATIENTS EVERYDAY.

WHAT DO YOU HEAR IN YOUR CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE VACCINE AS TO WHY FOLKS ARE RESISTANT?

>> I THINK THERE'S MULTIPLE REASONS THE BIGGEST ONE THAT WE HEAR ABOUT IS THE LACK OF DATA, THE LACK OF THE F.D.A.

APPROVAL.

AND I THINK NOW THIS REENFORCES THE DATA IS THERE THAT THIS VACCINE IS SAFE AND THAT IT WORKS THE WAY IT SHOULD.

OTHER REASONS ARE THE DIFFERENT PLATFORM THAT VACCINE ESPECIALLY THE PFIZER BIONTECH VACCINE BEING AN MRNA VACCINE NOT KNOWING THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OR PEOPLE JUST NOT REALIZING HOW SERIOUS INFECTION WITH COVID CAN BE AND THINKING THAT IT'S BETTER TO GET THE NATURAL INFECTION.

>> AND DOES THIS FULL APPROVAL GIVE BUSINESSES, GOVERNMENTS, PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS MORE IMPETUS TO IMPOSE VACCINE MANDATES?

>> I THINK IT HELPS.

IT HELPS THOSE BUSINESSES AND THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE PUTTING FORTH MANDATES THAT NOW THIS VACCINE IS APPROVED.

IT'S NOT THIS EMERGENCY USE OR NOT THIS MAYBE THE DATA WILL COME IN.

THE DATA IS THERE AND APPROVED.

THAT HELPS SUPPORT THESE MANDATES THAT ARE GOING TO BE COMING THROUGH MANY DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AND EMPLOYERS.

AND IT REALLY, I THINK, GIVES THEM THAT EXTRA PUSH TO PUSH FOR GETTING THEIR EMPLOYEES VACCINATED.

>> THE NEXT MILESTONE NOW IS WHEN IT WILL BE APPROVED FOR KIDS UNDER 12.

Dr. FAUCI SAID SOMETHING TODAY ABOUT IT COMES IN THE FALL.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW WHEN THAT MIGHT HAPPEN?

>> THAT IS WHAT WE'VE HEARD AS WELL.

F.D.A.

REALLY WANTS TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THE DATA IN YOUNG KIDS SO THAT LESS THAN 12 GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS TO REALLY SEE HOW SAFE IS IT.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT IT'S ABOUT IS SAFETY IN KIDS AND THE VACCINE NEEDS TO BE REALLY SAFE IN KIDS AND THEY NEED TO KNOW IT WILL BE SAFE.

>> IS THERE DATA THAT WOULD SUGGEST IT'S LESS SAFE FOR CHILDREN THAN ADULTS?

WE HAVE NOT SEEM THAT WE HAVE NOT HEARD THAT.

WE KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN IN ADULTS AND KIDS ADVERSE EFFECTS OF SOME OF THE NERVE DYSFUNCTION LIKE THE CARDIAC MYOCARDITIS ABNORMALITIES BUT THOSE HAVE NOT BEEN WIDESPREAD AND THEY'VE BEEN SEEN IN ADULTS AND KIDS.

THERE HAVE NOT BEEN KID HALLMARK ADVERSE EFFECTS.

>> AND THIS COMES AS CLASSES RESUMED IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

C.P.S.

GOES BACK NEXT WEEK.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT HOW SAFE CLASSROOMS ARE OR HOW SUSCEPTIBLE THEY COULD BE TO SPREADING THE VIRUS?

>> I THINK THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE ALL WORRIED ABOUT.

IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL.

AND I THINK WE HAVE EXAMPLES FROM LAST YEAR WITH DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND DIFFERENT SCHOOL PROVIDERS EDUCATION PROVIDERS THAT HAD KIDS GOING TO SCHOOL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THE CHICAGO ARCHDIOCESE IS AN EXAMPLE.

AND THEY DID IT SAFELY.

AND SO NOW WE HAVE, I THINK, THE BACKING OF EXPERIENCE AND SCIENCE TO KNOW THAT IF WE MASK KIDS, IF WE MONITOR THE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES THEY ARE DOING TOGETHER THAT THERE IS NOT A LOT OF MINGLING AMONGST THE DIFFERENT GROUPS OF KIDS THEY CAN GO TO SCHOOL SAFELY AND BE IN-PERSON.

THE VACCINE STARTS TO HELP.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE OLDER KIDS 16 AND OVER IS WHAT THE APPROVAL IS FOR.

WE HAVE THE TEACHERS THAT CAN GET VACCINATED THAT OFFERS A LAYER OF PROTECTION.

EVENTUALLY WE'LL HAVE KIDS GETTING VACCINATED AND SO JUST LIKE INFLUENZA WE WILL HAVE THAT PROTECTION AMONGST THE KIDS.

BUT I THINK THERE HAS BEEN PRECEDENT FOR GETTING KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL OVER THE PRIOR SCHOOL YEAR.

SO I THINK IT'S GREAT SEEING OTHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS GETTING KIDS TO GO BACK IN-PERSON.

>> AND THE OTHER NEWS OF THE LAST WEEK IS THE PRESIDENT AND C.D.C.

AUTHORIZING BOOSTER SHOTS FOR FOLKS GIVEN DATA THAT SUGGESTS THE EFFICACY OF THE VACCINE MIGHT WANE OVER TIME AND THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION IS AGAINST THAT SAYING WE NEED TO GET EVERYONE THE FIRST SHOTS BEFORE BOOSTERS HAPPEN.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON BOOSTER SHOTS?

>> SO I THINK THIS IS A BOOSTER IS BASED OFF OF DATA THAT IS COMING OUT OF ISRAEL.

DATA AMONGST THE VACCINE COMPANIES AND THE C.D.C.

THAT THERE IS DECREASE IN EFFICACY OF THE VACCINES FOR SYMPTOMATIC INFECTION.

I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT FOR WHAT IT MEANS.

SO WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING SYMPTOMATIC INFECTION WITH THE VACCINE BUT THEY ARE BEING PROTECTED FROM GETTING SEVERELY SICK.

ARE WE SEEING THAT?

YES, WE ARE BUT NOWHERE NEAR THE MAGNITUDE OF THE UNVACCINATED.

AND I DO THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT WHO ARE AT HIGH-RISK FOR BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS OR POTENTIALLY GETTING SERIOUS INFECTION AND DETERMINING IS THAT GROUP DO THEY NEED A BOOSTER AND WHEN DO THEY NEED THAT BOOSTER SHOT?

LIKE THE ADDITIONAL VACCINE THAT IS RECOMMENDED FROM THE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT THE REST OF THE WORLD THAT HASN'T BEEN VACCINATED.

AND THE 30% OF INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE NOT RECEIVED EVEN ONE VACCINATION HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

THAT'S REALLY THE KEY FOR TRYING TO CONTROL THIS PANDEMIC.

AND TAMP DOWN THE SEVERITY OF THIS PANDEMIC IS GETTING EVERYONE VACCINATED OR AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE THAT FIRST SERIES OF VACCINES.

AND THEN START THINKING OF THE BOOSTER.

IT'S SOMETHING WE CAN DO IN CONCERT.

SO THINKING ABOUT WHO TO BOOSTER HERE IN THE UNITED STATES OR IN THE WORLD THE COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD THAT HAVE RESOURCES OF VACCINES.

BUT TAKING A LOOK HOW DO WE GET THE AREAS OF THE WORLD THAT DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE VACCINE, AFRICA, SOUTH AMERICA, ASIA THAT NEED TO GET THEIR PEOPLE VACCINATED.

>> CERTAINLY A PROBLEM AND A LOT OF DATA TO GATHER ON THE BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS WHO THEY MIGHT BE IMPACTING MORE.

THANKS TO Dr. MICHAEL ANGARONE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> TO OPEN OR NOT TO OPEN?

THAT IS THE QUESTION FOR CHICAGO'S PERFORMING ARTS COMMUNITY OVER THE LAST YEAR-AND-A-HALF.

NOW THE UMBRELLA GROUP REPRESENTING SOME OF CHICAGO'S MOST WELL-KNOWN THEATERS IS ANNOUNCING NEW SAFETY MEASURES AS PRODUCTIONS ARE SET TO FILL UP CHICAGO STAGES.

SO WHAT CAN THEATRE GOERS EXPECT?

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE REOPENING OF CHICAGO THEATERS AND MORE ARE BROOK FLANAGAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT STEPPENWOLF TEETH EVER H ANTHONY FREUD GENERAL DIRECTOR OF LYRIC OPERA.

DASCHLE DASCHLE, AND MARCELA MUNOZ AND WE WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

>> IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU ALL.

BROOK, THE LEAGUE OF CHICAGO THEATERS ANNOUNCED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE VENUES WILL REQUIRE PROOF OF VACCINATION AND SOMEPLACES PROOF OF A NEGATIVE TEST RESULT.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT WENT INTO THE DECISION AT STEPPENWOLF?

>> THANKS, PARIS AND THANK YOU FOR SHINING A LIGHT BACK ON ARTS AND CULTURE IN CHICAGO.

YOU KNOW, WE WERE THE FIRST TO CLOSE IN THE PERFORMING ARTS FIELD AND AMONG THE LAST TO OPEN.

AND WE HAVE IN CHICAGO SPIRIT BANDED TOGETHER OVER THE PAST YEAR-AND-A-HALF TO FIND ANYWAY THAT WE CAN TO SUPPORT THE FOLKS THAT MAKE THEIR LIVING IN THE CREATIVE ARTS.

WE HAVE 82,000 EMPLOYEES ACROSS OUR DISCIPLINES.

17.6 BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY.

AND THE REALITY IS THAT WE ALL BANDED TOGETHER MANY OF US WITH FUNDING FROM PHILANTHROPISTS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, TO REOPEN ARTS AND CULTURE HERE IN CHICAGO THIS FALL.

WE KNEW THAT WE NEEDED TO HAVE A UNIFIED APPROACH TO KEEPING OUR AUDIENCES, ARTISTS AND STAFF SAFE SO WE WERE THRILLED TO MAKE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT LAST WEEK WITH THE COALITION OF 70 PLUS ORGANIZATIONS AND WE'RE THRILLED TO BE WELCOMING YOU BACK TO OUR HOMES.

>> AND SOME OF THE MITIGATIONS WILL VARY ACROSS THE DIFFERENT COMPANIES.

ANTHONY FREUD THE LYRIC WILL REQUIRE PROOF OF VACCINATION.

TELL US WHAT WAS IN THAT DECISION?

>> GIVEN THE SCIENCE OF THE OPERA HOUSE WE HAVE 3200 SEATS AND THE LAYOUT WHERE SOCIAL DISTANCING IS NOT POSSIBLE AND THERE WILL BE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF CONGESTION.

WE FELT THAT IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO BE VERY CLEAR AND HOPEFULLY VERY REASSURING.

YES, WE ARE GOING TO BE INSPECTING PROOF OF VACCINATION FROM AUDIENCE MEMBERS BEFORE THEY COME INTO THE OPERA HOUSE.

AND UNLIKE SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUE COMPANIES WE ARE ACTUALLY NOT ACCEPTING NEGATIVE TESTS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO PROOF OF FULL VACCINATION.

AND WE WILL BE ASKING OUR AUDIENCES TO WEAR MASKS FOR THE DURATION OF THAT TIME.

>> HAVE YOU RECEIVED PUSHBACK FROM THEATRE GOERS?

>> WE RECEIVED A GREAT DEAL OF POSITIVE REACTION.

PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY REASSURED AND VERY PLEASED AT THE PROTOCOLS WE PUT IN PLATES.

INEVITABLY THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT DISAGREE.

ULTIMATELY, AS WE HAVE DONE THROUGHOUT THE LAST 18 MONTHS, WE PUT THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR AUDIENCES, STAFF AND ARTISTS AHEAD OF EVERYTHING ELSE.

>> MARCELA, IT IS A SMALLER THEATRE THAN THE LYRIC.

WHAT ARE THE COVID MITIGATIONS YOU DECIDED ON?

>> LIKEWISE WE WILL BE REQUIRING PROOF OF VACCINATION AND ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS, TOO, IS WHAT WE HAVE SEEN DURING THE PANDEMIC IS THE INCREDIBLE DIVISIONS WHO ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND THE LACK OF INFORMATION.

BUT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE A PART OF THIS INITIATIVE TO FULFILL NOT JUST INFORM OUR PATRONS AND ARTISTS WHERE WE STAND BUT MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY HAS THE SAME INFORMATION AND WE DO STAND UNITED AS BROOK SAID AS A BODY IN THE CITY.

WE WILL BE REQUIRING PROOF OF VACCINATION FOR OUR PATRONS AND ARTISTS AND WORKERS AND IT WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF OUR SIZE.

ANTHONY MENTIONED THE SIZE OF THE LYRIC BEING BIG AND FOR THE SAME REASON BECAUSE OF OUR SIZE WE ARE SMALL VENUE YOU WILL HAVE PEOPLE SITTING NEXT TO EACH OTHER AND FULL CAPACITY WE'RE STILL BACK AND FORTH WHETHER WE WILL BE GOING WITH A SMALLER AUDIENCE IT WILL BE ONE WAY IF NOT INSURING BECAUSE SO MUCH OF THIS IS NOT A SURE THING BUT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TAKING ALL THE STEPS TO KEEP OUR AUDIENCES AND ARTISTS AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

>> AND BLACKEN SEMBLE THEATRE YOU WILL NOT REQUIRE PROOF OF VACCINATION OR NEGATIVE TEST.

TELL US WHAT WENT INTO YOUR DECISION?

>> WELL, WE ARE TAKING OUR TIME COMING BACK.

SO WE DECIDED THAT HEY, SIGNING ON TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO REQUIRE VACCINATIONS OFF THE BAT IS DOES AWORK FOR US.

NOT THAT WE'RE AGAINST VACCINATIONS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

WE'RE JUST TAKING OUR TIME OPENING AGAIN.

SO WHEN WE DO OPEN, WE'RE REQUIRE MASK, SOCIAL DISTANCING, NO CONTACT TICKETING THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT WE'RE ALSO OPENING TO A VERY SMALL AUDIENCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 20, 25% OF CAPACITY.

WE'RE TAKING IT SLOW.

IN THE HOPES THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO OPEN UP TO FULLER CAPACITY ABOUT SPRING OR SUMMER OF NEXT YEAR.

WHEN THIS THING IS KIND OF HOPEFULLY YOU KNOW IT'S PASSES A LITTLE BIT MORE.

WHERE THOSE REQUIREMENTS MIGHT NOT BE AS STRINGENT.

THAT IS WHERE WE'RE THINKING WE'RE GOING TO TAKE IT SLOW.

>> DARRYL, 20-25% OF CAPACITY.

DOES THAT MEAN THE PRODUCTIONS YOU DO HAVE TO BE SMALLER IN SCALE TO MAKE IT ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE ARE RIGHT NOW DOING A ONE PERSON SHOW SERIES.

FOR A WEEKEND AND THAT DOESN'T START UNTIL OCTOBER.

SO WHEN I SAY WE'RE TAKING IS IT SLOW WE'RE TAKING IT VERY, VERY SLOW.

IN THE MEANTIME SINCE WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO IMPROVE OUR VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING, WITH THAT OUR STAFF IS 99.9% VACCINATED OUR ACTORS WE'RE HIRING ARE 99.9% VACCINATED AND WITH DAILY COVID TESTS.

WE ARE DEFINITELY MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY IS SAFE THAT COMES IN HERE.

ALONG WITH VERY, VERY STRINGENT CONTACT TRACING MAKING SURE WE KNOW WHO COMES INTO THE BUILDING AND WHO IS LEAVING THE BUILDING AND MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY IS VERY, VERY SAFE.

>> BROOK, AS WE MENTIONED THE THEATRE INDUSTRY IS THE LAST TO REOPEN HERE.

WE'VE TALKED TO SO MANY OTHER AREAS OF THE SERVICE AND ENTERTAINMENT SECTORS AND IT SEEMS EVERYBODY IS HAVING PROBLEM ATTRACTING WORKERS BACK.

ARE YOU SEEING THAT IN THEATERS WITH ACTORS AND STAFF MEMBERS OR ARE THEY COMING BACK AND READY TO GO?

>> WE ARE WE LIKE MANY ORGANIZATIONS HAD TO MAKE DIFFICULT CHOICES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC WHICH INCLUDED FURLOUGHS AND LAYOFFS AND WE'RE SO GRATEFUL AGAIN WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND THE OPERATOR GRANTS AND WE WERE IN A POSITION TO BUILD BACK AGAIN.

AND PEOPLE ARE EXCITED TO BE BACK CREATING.

IT IS A SACRED ART FORM IT IS OFTEN ONE THAT IS LEARNED THROUGH APPRENTICESHIPS SO THE GREAT FEAR WE'VE HAD IS A YEAR-AND-A-HALF OF FORCED CLOSURE MIGHT MEAN FOLKS MIGHT MAKE OTHER CHOICES IN THEIR CAREER PATH.

SO WE ARE THRILLED THAT WE HAVE KEPT A LARGE MAJORITY OF OUR TEAM INTACT.

AND ARE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING THE FOLKS THAT ARE JOINING US IN THE MONTH AHEAD AS WE RAMP BACK TO STAGE.

>> I WANT TO PICK UP ON THAT POINT, BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE IT HERE.

WE WILL BE JOINED AGAIN TO DISCUSS UP COMING SHOWS AND MORE.

THANK YOU TO BROOK FLANAGAN, ANTHONY FREUD, DARYL BROOKS AND MARCELA MUNOZ.

>> THE BARBERSHOP WITH A SIDE OF VINTAGE MUSIC.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING DETAILS IN WHO IS MANDATED TO GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE NOW THAT THE PFIZER VACCINE HAS F.D.A.

FULL APPROVAL.

>> BUT FIRST, NEARLY 700,000 OF CHICAGO'S RESIDENTS CLAIM MEXICAN HERITAGE AND OVER THE YEARS MEXICAN CULTURE FROM FOOD TO MUSIC HAS BECOME WOVEN INTO THE CITY.

A NEW BUSINESS IN LITTLE VILLAGE EXPLORES WHERE MIDWESTERN MEETS MEXICAN BY COMBINING HAIRCUTS WITH DEEP CUTS.

ERIKA GUNDERSON HAS THE STORY.

>> THE SOUND OF A NEIGHBORHOOD BARBERSHOP.

FRIENDLY CHATTER AND CLIPPERS BUZZING IS UNMISTAKABLE.

BUT FOLKS GETTING A TRIM AT DEL PUEBLO BARBERS & RECORDS ARE HEARING THE SOUNDTRACK OF A MIDWESTERN MEXICAN CHILDHOOD FROM DESCRIBE TAJ RANCHERAS... TO CHICAGO HOP.

>> I REMEMBER THERE WAS A BAR ON RAY SIGN WHEN I WAS A LITTLE -- RACINE WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BOY.

THE BIG TEXAS SOUND OF LIKE FLACO JIMINEZ AND THINGS THAT WERE LIKE WHAT THEY CALLED CANTINA MUSIC I JUST REMEMBER GETTING LIKE MY HAND TO TELL YOUR UNCLES THAT DINNER IS READY.

AND I ALREADY KNEW WHERE TO GET THEM.

BECAUSE THEY WERE ALL SITTING AT THE BAR AND I REMEMBER GOING TO A STOOL HEY... >> FOR BARBER AND CO-OWNER JONATHAN GUZMAN, THOSE SOUNDS WERE PART OF GROWING UP CHICANO IN CHICAGO.

>> THERE IS A CHICAGO MIDWESTERN MEXICAN WHICH STANDS ALONE AND WE ARE ONE OF A KIND.

WE MAINTAIN OUR IDENTITY, BUT WHEN WE SPEAK ENGLISH, WE SOUND LIKE WE'RE FROM THE WEST SIDE.

YOU KNOW WHEN WE DRESS, WE GOT THE SOX HAT.

WE'RE CHICAGO, VERY AMERICAN, VERY URBAN.

>> JONATHAN SAYS HIS SKILL IN THE TON SORRYIAL -- TONSORIAL ARTS COMES FROM HIS CHILDHOOD.

>> I STARTED CUTTING HAIR OUT OF THE NECESSITY.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GO TO A SHOP EVERY TWO WEEKS TO GET A HAIRCUT.

MY MOM HAD CLIPPERS AND SHEARS AND SHE WOULD CUT MY HAIR IN A WAY THAT I DIDN'T WANT IT.

SO I LEARNED TO CUT MY OWN HAIR AND MY FRIENDS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHO WERE ALSO IN THE SAME SITUATION, DECIDED THAT I WAS GOING TO BE THE GUY WHO WOULD CUT THEIR HAIR.

>> WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY AROSE TO OPEN A SHOP IN THE HEART OF LITTLE VILLAGE IN JULY 2020, JOWN THAN AND HIS PARTNER LEO GUZMAN, NO RELATION JUMPED AT THE CHANCE TO CREATE A PLACE WHERE THE MID-AMERICAN MEXICAN WOULD FEEL AT HOME.

>> WE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

WE ARE PROUD WHO WE ARE IN CHICAGO AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT COMMUNITY IS ALL ABOUT.

RIGHT?

IS MAKING OTHER PEOPLE FEEL LIKE YOU'RE WNDR MUSEUM OF THEM.

AND I FEEL THAT HERE.

I MIGHT NOT LOOK 110% MEXICAN, IT FEELS LIKE HOME.

>> ALL AROUND THE SHOP ARE THE SOUNDS AND SIGNIFIERS OF "CHICAGO TONIGHT" CANOES FROM THE LOCALLY -- CHICAGO CHICANOS TO THE RECORDS THEY PLAY.

LEO GUZMAN WHO DJ'S, MANAGES THE MUSIC COLLECTION.

>> OUR COLLECTION IS MADE UP OF LATIN AMERICA MUSIC WE FOCUS ON NORTENAS, TROPICAL MUSIC FROM CUMBIAS TO SAL TAS AND MUSIC FROM TIGRES DEL NORTE AND BRONCOS REYNOSA WHERE THEY MENTION CHICAGO AND THEY MENTION STREETS AND LITTLE VILLAGE.

AND THAT IS WHAT I LIKE.

I LIKE TO TELL THE STORY THROUGH MUSIC.

A LOT OF MUSIC WE TRY TO PLAY HERE IS NEW.

WE TRY TO PROMOTE NEW BANDS.

>> YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING IS DONE HERE.

EVERYTHING IS DONE LOCALLY.

AND FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END EXCEPT PROBABLY FOR THE ACTUAL MAKING OF THE T-SHIRTS WHICH ARE PROBABLY MADE IN CHINA I'M SORRY.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS DONE HERE.

AND IT'S PROVIDING INCOME FOR EVERYBODY DOWN THE LINE.

>> JONATHAN AND LEO ARE HELPING DEL PUEBLO BARBERS & RECORDS CAN BE A PLACE FOR CHICAGOANS, CHICANO OR NOT TO CELEBRATE LITTLE VILLAGE.

>> I SEE THE LITTLE KIDS LOOKING FOR AN IDENTITY, LOOKING FOR A SPACE, A PLACE TO IDENTIFY.

AND YOU OFFER THEM TURNTABLES THEY CAN LEARN ABOUT CHICAGO HOUSE MUSIC OR FREESTYLE AND HOW CHICAGO AND LITTLE PILSEN 234R50EU7BSED THE SOUND.

>> YOU CAN SOCIALIZE AND GET CREATIVE.

I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO COME BY AND SHARE THE MUSIC WITH US BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THE SPACE IS FOR IS TO KEEP THAT CULTURE FLOWING.

AND KEEP THE NEXT GENERATION INTERESTED.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS ERIKA GUNDERSON.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE ON DEL PUEBLO BARBERS & RECORDS ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ANNOUNCES NEW DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR CHICAGO'S SOUTH AND WEST SIDES.

THAT AND MORE BUSINESS NEWS FROM CRAIN'S.

>> THE COVID GUIDELINES AND SHOWS TO EXPECT IN-PERSON AND VIRTUALLY THIS FALL AT SOME OF CHICAGO'S MOST WELL-KNOWN THEATERS.

>> AND WE GO ONE-ON-ONE WITH CITY COLLEGES CHANCELLOR ON A FREE CAREER TRAINING PROGRAM COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS ON CAMPUS AND MORE.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY WILL NOW BE REQUIRED TO GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

PENTAGON EXPRESS AGENT JOHN KIRBY SAYS A VIRUS OUTBREAK IN THE MILITARY COULD AFFECT READINESS.

>> NOW THE PFIZER VACCINE IS APPROVED THE DEPARTMENT IS PREPARED TO ISSUE UPDATED GUIDANCE REQUIRING ALL SERVICE MEMBERS TO BE VACCINATED.

>> A TIMELINE FOR VACCINATIONS WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE PENTAGON IN THE COMING DAYS.

>> FOLKS LOOKING FOR AN ICONIC WEDDING LOCATION FREE OF CHARGE HERE IS A STORY FOR YOU.

THE MAGNIFICENT MILE ASSOCIATION IS CELEBRATING WRIGLEY BUILDING'S 100TH BIRTHDAY BY OFFERING FREE MARRIAGE OR CIVIL UNION CEREMONIES BUT COUPLES NEED TO ACT FAST AND APPLY ON-LINE ON THE MILE CONTEST BY AUGUST 31.

THE WINNING 50 COUPLES WILL GET HITCHED IN AN OUTDOOR CEREMONY UNDER THE WRIGLEY BUILDING'S BRIDGE ON SEPTEMBER 26 ON MICHIGAN AVENUE.

>> CHICAGO HOME SALES ARE STILL ON THE RISE BUT THERE IS A TWIST.

THE CITY ANNOUNCES THE NEXT ROUND OF WINNERS AS PART OF THE INVEST SOUTHWEST INITIATIVE AND CHICAGO AREA DISNEY STORES ARE CLOSING BUT COULD THEY MOVE TO INFINITY AND BEYOND?

HERE TO GO BEHIND THE HEADLINES IS CRAIN'S BUSINESS EDITOR ANN DWYER.

GREAT TO SEE YOU AS ALWAYS.

CHICAGO CONTINUING THE HOT STREAK IN THE HOUSING MARKET SALES UP 70% OVER LAST MONTH.

BUT IT APPEARS THAT THE CITY IS DOING BETTER THAN THE SUBURBS.

WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR THIS DISCREPANCY?

>> THE BURBS HIT A PRICE WALL.

WE DID SEE SALES SLOW DOWN ABRUPTLY IN JULY.

THAT WAS COMPARED TO JULY OF 2020 WHERE THINGS WERE STILL RED HOT.

NOW, IN JUNE IN THE SUBURBS WE SAW A RISE OF TRANSACTIONS OF 35%.

THE JULY SLOW DOWN IS NOT NECESSARILY A SIGN THAT THE MARKET IS PERMANENTLY SAGGING.

IT'S ANY COMPARISON TO 2020 IS DIFFICULT FOR A MYRIAD OF REASONS.

ONE IS JULY 2020 WE SAW A LOT OF CLOSED TRANSACTIONS FROM THE EARLY PHASE OF THE COVID BOOM.

YEAR-OVER-YEAR THE COMPARISONS ARE TOUGH.

WE WILL BE WATCHING FOR AUGUST NUMBERS.

MEANWHILE HERE IN THE CITY, YOU KNOW, PRICES ARE STILL ON A TEAR AND SALES ARE STILL GOING LIKE HOT CAKES DESPITE ALL THE HAND WRINGING ABOUT THE CITY NOT BEING ATTRACTIVE.

>> MORE PEOPLE MOVING OUT OF THE CITY AND THE CENSUS SHOW THE CITY GAINED POPULATION.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS NEXT ISSUE A LOT, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND THE INVEST SOUTHWEST INITIATIVE THE PUBLIC GRANTS FOR PROJECTS IN SOUTH AND WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS.

THERE IS A NEW ROUND OF WINNERS ANNOUNCED TODAY.

TELL US WHO THEY ARE?

>> THEY ARE FOUR DIFFERENT SITES AND MOSTLY CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES IN NEW CITY, BRONZEVILLE, NORTH LAWNDALE AND SOUTH CHICAGO.

CITY HALL EXPECTS THE PROJECTS IN TOTAL COULD CREATE 700 CONSTRUCTION JOBS AND 300 PERMANENT JOBS.

ALL OF THEM ARE BASICALLY A MIX OF DIFFERENT ELEMENTS WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING, APARTMENTS, SOME TOWNHOMES THROWN IN.

BUT WHAT IS ALSO INTERESTING ABOUT THESE IS THAT EACH OF THEM HAS A COMMERCIAL COMPONENT OF SOME SORT.

BE IT RETAIL SPACE, BUSINESS HUBS, AREAS FOR ARTS AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING, TECHNOLOGY SERVICES ET CETERA.

SO I THINK THAT IN EACH CASE, CITY HALL IS REALLY TRYING TO PROMOTE THESE AS SORT OF LIFESTYLE HUBS THAT ARE NOT JUST PLACES WHERE PEOPLE GO FOR THE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT BUT ALSO CAN BUILD BUSINESSES AND CREATE NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> WORK, LIVE AND PLAY IMPORTANT IN THESE DEVELOPMENTS.

AND LASTLY, CHICAGO AREA DISNEY STORES ARE CLOSING.

DO WE KNOW WHICH ONES AND WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE MAG MILE?

>> WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE MAG MILE IS A BIG QUESTION.

BUT WE DO KNOW THAT THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE A HIT ON NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE BECAUSE THAT LOCATION HAS BEEN A REAL DRAW FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

BUT THAT LOCATION IS CLOSING ALONG WITH ONE SPOT THAT IS CLOSED AT CHICAGO RIDGE MALL.

AND SEVERAL OTHERS THAT WOODFIELD MALL AND OUTLET MALL THAT WILL CLOSE BY SEPTEMBER 15TH.

THIS IS PART OF A RETAIL RESHOVELING GOING ON AT DISNEY.

AND WHILE THEY ARE LOOKING AT DOWNSIZING THEIR BRICK AND MORTAR PRESENCE IN LOCATIONS LIKE THESE, THEY ARE AT THE SAME TIME LOOKING AT RAMPING UP ABOUT 100 DISNEY STORES AT TARGET LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE NATION.

SO YOU WILL STILL BE ABLE TO BUY YOUR DISNEY MERCHANDISE NEARBY IT'S JUST THAT THE COMPANY WON'T BE CARRYING SO MUCH OF THE ROAD FOR REAL ESTATE AND LABOR AS THEY DID.

>> WHEN YOU WALK INTO A TARGET YOU WILL BE ABLE TO LOOK AT DISNEY MERCHANDISE NOW?

>> THAT'S IT.

>> ANN DWYER THANK YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

>> AND EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM WE DISCUSSED THE REOPENING OF SOME OF CHICAGO'S THEATERS AND WHAT AUDIENCE MEMBERS ATTENDING SHOWS CAN EXPECT.

AND WE'RE JOINED BY BROOK FLANAGAN OF STEPPENWOLF THEATRE.

ANTHONY FREUD OF LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO.

DARYL BROOKS OF BLACKEN SEMBLE THEATRE AND MARCELA MUNOZ.

IN THE LAST SEGMENT BROOK TALKED ABOUT THE WORRIES THAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT LEAVE THIS INDUSTRY GIVEN HOW TOUGH IT IS HAVE YOU SEEN ACTORS AND STAFF MEMBERS AND THEATRE WORKERS COME BACK IN DROVES?

OR IS THERE WORRY THEY WON'T COME BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE?

>> ACTUALLY, NO, WE ARE BACK AND WE AS ONE OF THOSE ACTORS AND DIRECTORS WHO IS THIRSTY TO COME BACK AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE ARE COMING BACK IN THE FALL.

AND LIKE I SAID WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF IT'S GOING TO BE FULL CAPACITY OR NOT BUT WE ARE TRYING TO TAKE ALL OF THE MEASURES TO COME BACK BECAUSE WE JUST RECENTLY GOT BACK INTO REHEARSALS.

AND THERE IS THAT NEED OF COMING BACK TO FAMILIAR, CREATE WITHIN A COLLECTIVE OBVIOUSLY.

WE HAVE BEEN SILOED IN OUR OWN WORLDS TRYING TO KEEP DISTANCE AND EVERYTHING ELSE FOR A YEAR-AND-A-HALF.

AND IT'S BEEN A FAIRLY DETRIMENT EFFECT FOR ARTISTS IN PARTICULAR.

SO WE ARE COMING BACK OBVIOUSLY FOR OUR MISSION AND OUR AUDIENCES BUT IN PARTICULAR FOR OUR ARTISTS.

>> AND ANTHONY FREUD, YOU KNOW, LYRIC HAD A VERY AMBITIOUS PROGRAM SCHEDULE A NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR.

YOUR FIRST SHOW IS BACK IN LESS THAN A MONTH.

TELL US WHAT PATRONS CAN EXPECT?

>> HUGE EXCITEMENT HERE AT THE LYRIC.

LAST WEEK WE BEGAN REHEARSALS FOR THE NEW PRODUCTION OF MACBETH THAT WILL OPEN OUR SEASON ON SEPTEMBER 17TH AND WILL INAUGURATE THE TENURE OF OUR KNEW MUSIC DIRECTOR.

WE HAVE NEW SEATS IN THE OPERA HOUSE ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE ABLE TO DO THE LAST YEAR IS REPLACE ALL THE SEATS AND IT WILL BE THE FIRST SEASON IN WHICH THE JOFFREY BALLET WILL BE THE RESIDENT BALLET COMPANY AT THE LYRIC OPERA HOUSE.

AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW EXCITED WE ARE TO BE BACK IN THE REHEARSING A NEW PRODUCTION OF A GREAT MASTERPIECE IT'S WONDERFUL.

>> IT HAS TO BE A WONDERFUL FEELING.

DARRYL WHAT ABOUT YOU, YOU MENTIONED A ONE PERSON SHOW ON WEEKENDS COMING UP.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU HAVE ON THE DOCKET?

>> RIGHT NOW WE HAVE VIRTUALLY THIS WEEK, WEEKEND, WE WILL HAVE OUR SUMMER SERIES THAT WILL BE PRODUCED THAT OUR PATRONS CAN SEE ON FACEBOOK, YouTube.

IT IS A SHORT PLAY SERIES THAT WE PRODUCE EVERY YEAR AND THIS YEAR LIKE LAST YEAR IT'S VIRTUAL.

AND AS I SAID IN OCTOBER, WE WILL HAVE A OUR FIRST PRODUCTION ONE PERSON SHOW.

ABOUT THE LGBTQ ICON SYLVESTER, THE SINGER, SO THAT IS GOING TO BE LIKE THE FIRST WEEKEND IN OCTOBER.

RIGHT NOW THAT IS WHAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON ALONG WITH OUR THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES TAPING THOSE WE HAVE A SHOW CALLED BOBO THE BULLY THAT WE ARE MAKING VIRTUAL AND AVAILABLE TO SCHOOLS.

>> A LOT OF VIRTUAL OFFERINGS AT BT.

STEPPENWOLF DURING THE PANDEMIC EXPANDED AND GOT THE NEW BUILDING ON HALSTED.

TELL US WHAT YOU ARE BRINGING TO THAT NEW FACILITY?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

DURING THE PANDEMIC IT WAS SORT OF [INAUDIBLE] FOR US OUR NEW THEATRE BUILDING CONTINUED TO RISE DESPITE ALL ODDS.

WE HAVE EXPANDED TO A THREE THRETTER CAMPUS.

WE HAVE A NEW THEATRE IN THE ROUND WHICH WILL OPEN IN FEBRUARY WITH VIEWING AND ADAPTATION OF THE POETRY 1919.

AND WE HAVE A DEDICATED STAGE FOR STUDENTS CALLED THE LOST WHICH STARTS -- LOFT WHICH STARTS THIS WEEKEND BUT WE ARE STILL IN CONSTRUCTION OUR FIRST LIVE PRODUCTION OF TRACY LET'S BUG WHICH IS THE SHOW THAT WE CLOSED IN MARCH OF 2020 WILL START IN NOVEMBER.

WE DID HAVE, THOUGH, THIS LAST WEEKEND IN NEW YORK A SHOW CALLED PASSOVER WHICH STARTED AT STEPPENWOLF WAS THE FIRST SHOW TO OPEN BACK BROADWAY FEATURING OUR MEMBERS JOHN MICHAEL HILL AND AMIRA SMALLWOOD.

AND SOME WAYS WE FEEL LIKE OUR SPIRIT IS BACK AS THOSE ARTISTS ARE TAKING THE STAGE IN NEW YORK AND OUR STAGES WILL BE LEFT TO FOLLOW IN NOVEMBER.

>> PICKING UP RIGHT WHERE YOU LEFT OFF.

I SAW THAT PRODUCTION OF BUG WAY BACK WHEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC TIMES.

MARCELA, YOU CELEBRATED THE 3 2nd ANNIVERSARY.

WHAT PROGRAMMING CAN WE LOOK FORWARD TO THERE?

>> WE TURNED 32 YESTERDAY WE HAD A SMALL GET TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THAT WE ARE COMING BACK WITH [INAUDIBLE] IF ANYONE WAS AROUND IN 2019 DURING THE CELEBRATE OF THE CHICAGO THEATRE WE WERE ABLE TO PRESENT A WORKSHOP PRODUCTION OF THE PLAY AND IT'S BEEN IN DEVELOPMENT FOR A FEW YEARS.

WE HAD THAT WORKSHOP PRODUCTION IN 2019 IN MILLENNIUM PARK AND WE PUT EVERYTHING ON HOLD AND THOUGHT THIS WAS GREAT TO COME BACK AND HAD A CHANCE TO DEVELOPING.

IT ENCOURAGED LIVE MUSIC.

IT STARTED OFF AS A MONOLOGUE AND WE HAVE ONE MORE ACTOR WORKING IT IS A SMALLISH ENSEMBLE OF FIVE ARTISTS AND WE ARE SO EXCITED TO BE BACK AND I THINK THE INCLUSION OF MUSIC IS GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT TOO FOR OUR AUDIENCES.

WE TEND TO SKEW INTO THE DARKER KIND OF AND WE ARE NOT GETTING TOO FAR AWAY FROM THE SOCIAL ISSUES THAT WE LIKE TO EXPLORE.

I THINK THE INCLUSION OF MUSIC AND THE CELEBRATION OF THAT ESPECIALLY CARRIBBEAN MUSIC WHICH IS A FIESTA, AND WE ARE EXCITED WITH THE PLAY.

>> A LOT OF EXCITING PRODUCTIONS.

ANTHONY FREUD, I ASSUME YOU LIKE SO MANY OTHER FOLKS IN ANY INDUSTRY ARE MONITORING WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE DELTA VARIANT.

IS THERE ANY CONCERN AMONG CHICAGO VENUES THAT THE WORST CASE SCENARIO MIGHT HAVE TO HAPPEN AGAIN JUST GIVEN HOW QUICKLY THIS DELTA VARIANT IS SPREADING.

OR DO YOU BELIEVE THE MITIGATIONS WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT?

>> I HOPE AND BELIEVE THAT THE MITIGATIONS WILL TAKE CARE OF IT.

WE'VE ALL HAD TO GET USED TO A CONSTANTLY CHANGING LANDSCAPE FOR THE LAST 18 MONTHS.

WE LEFT THE ANNOUNCEMENT LAST WEEK AS LATE AS WE DID IN ORDER TO TRY AND DIGEST THE BEST POSSIBLE INFORMATION AND COME TO THE BEST POSSIBLE DECISIONS.

IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE PROTOCOLS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE WILL BE EFFECTIVE AND WILL BE GOOD.

WE ARE ALL VERY COMMITTED TO MAKING THE THEATRE GOING EXPERIENCE THE OPERA GOING EXPERIENCE AS SAFE AS IT CAN POSSIBLY BE.

>> ALL RIGHT WELL CHICAGO IS NOT FULLY BACK UNTIL ITS STAGES AND THEATERS ARE BACK.

WE ALL FEEL THAT.

AND OUR THANKS TO BROOK FLANAGAN, ANTHONY FREUD, DARYL BROOKS AND MARCELA MUNOZ.

THANK YOU AND BEST OF LUCK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GO SEE A PLAY OR OPERA OR A PIECE OF DANCE, EVERYBODY!

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND UP NEXT A NEW INITIATIVE OFFERING FREE CAREER TRAINING PROGRAMS AT CITY COLLEGES THAT IS A CONVERSATION FROM SATURDAY'S "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES" HOSTED BY ALEX HERNANDEZ.

BUT FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

[♪♪♪] >> A NEW INITIATIVE FROM THE CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO CALLED FUTURE READY IS PROVIDING MORE THAN 60 CAREER TRAINING PROGRAMS TO CITY RESIDENTS FOR FREE.

THE PROGRAMS BEGINNING THIS FALL ARE AIMED AT HELPING CHICAGOANS START OR RESUME THEIR COLLEGE EDUCATION DURING THE POST COVID RECOVERY.

HERE TO DISCUSS THIS INITIATIVE AND REOPENING PLANS IN THE MIDST OF COVID IS CITY COLLEGES OF COLLEGES CHANCELLOR JUAN SALGADO WHAT.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT FUTURE READY?

WHAT SPARKED THIS INITIATIVE?

>> WELL, FIRST OFF THANK YOU ALEX FOR HAVING ME.

WHAT WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT FUTURE READY BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT OPPORTUNITY ABOUT OPENING THE DOORS TO EDUCATION AND SKILL BUILDING.

WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES IN THIS ECONOMY FOR OCCUPATIONS THAT ARE IN DEMAND.

COMPANIES THAT ARE PAYING WELL BUT REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE A SKILL.

AND SO WHAT WE'RE SAYING TO CHICAGOANS WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE 60 HIGH DEMAND PROGRAMS AND YOU NOW HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY THROUGH FUTURE READY TO COME AND GET THIS SKILL BUILDING, GET THIS CREDENTIAL, GET THIS DEGREE AND GO ON AND DO THIS FOR FREE.

DO THIS FOR FREE FOR ANY CHICAGOAN THAT WANTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS WHETHER YOU ARE UNEMPLOYED, UNDER EMPLOYED WHETHER YOU WANT TO MAKE A CAREER CHANGE THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD THE SKILLS THAT YOU NEED IN ORDER TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GROWTH AND THERE IS GROWTH.

THERE ARE JOBS AVAILABLE OUT THERE RIGHT NOW AS WE SPEAK.

THEY ARE THERE FOR YOU.

AND FUTURE READY IS A WAY FOR YOU TO TAP INTO THEM.

>> NO DOUBT IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

WHO IS THIS PROGRAM DESIGNED TO REACH?

>> WELL, LOOK, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THERE IS A POPULATION IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES THAT HAS BEEN THE HARDEST HIT BY THE PANDEMIC.

AND BY THE WAY, THEY WERE HIT HARD BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AND IN FACT OUR POPULATION IS TRADITIONALLY BEEN OUR STUDENTS, LATINO, AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS, BY AND LARGE.

THAT ARE FACING DEEP ECONOMIC CHALLENGES.

OUR STUDENTS ARE 54% HOUSING INSECURE.

AND NEARLY 60% FOOD INSECURE.

AND SO FOR THOSE STUDENTS THAT AND THOSE RESIDENTS THAT ARE JUST HAVING A HARD TIME MANAGING THE ECONOMICS OF LIFE, THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY.

THESE ARE SHORT-TERM PROGRAMS.

THEY COULD BE AS SHORT AS FOUR DAYS FOR A FORKLIFT TRAINING TO SOMETHING THAT IS A FEW WEEKS, TO SOMETHING THAT'S SIX MONTHS.

BUT IT'S NOT A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT.

THEY ARE HIGH DEMAND JOBS MEANING THAT YOU WILL FIND GOOD OPPORTUNITY IN THE MARKETPLACE.

>> WE ACTUALLY SPOKE WITH A FUTURE READY STUDENT WHO WILL BE RETURNING FOR CLASSES THIS FALL FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE COVID-19 HIT.

THIS IS WHAT HE SAID.

>> TWO YEARS AGO THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I ATTENDED SCHOOL.

I WASN'T MAKING ENOUGH AT MY JOB.

SO I HAD TO PAUSE MY EDUCATION TO SAVE UP MONEY TO PAY MY DEBT, TO HAVE MONEY FOR BOOKS AND FOR MY CLASSES.

SO IT WAS TOUGH ON ME TWO YEARS AGO AND NOW WITH THE FUTURE READY PROGRAM, I CAN GO BACK TO SCHOOL WITHOUT STRESSING OF HOW I WILL PAY FOR CLASSES OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> ERIC, DESCRIBED HAVING TO PUT A PAUSE ON HIS EDUCATION.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE PANDEMIC AFFECT STUDENT ENROLLMENT?

>> IT HAS AFFECTED THE STUDENT ENROLLMENT PARTICULARLY AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WE SAW A SHARP DECLINE IN COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENROLLMENT AND CITY COLLEGES CHICAGO IT WAS NO DIFFERENT.

WE SAW NATIONAL DECLINE NEAR 10% AND WE SAW CITY COLLEGES DECLINE NEAR 10%.

AND STORIES JUST LIKE THE ONE YOU HEARD RIGHT NOW WHERE WHEN FAMILIES WERE FACED WITH -- AND BY THE WAY OUR STUDENTS ARE ALSO PARENTS.

SO THEY HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY THEIR CHILDREN AT HOME.

BUT ALSO THEY HAD THE ADDED RESPONSIBILITY OF ANOTHER FAMILY'S LOSS IN INCOME.

RIGHT?

AND JUST THE REALITY THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH FOR LIFE AND EDUCATION.

THAT IS WHY WE'RE DOING FUTURE READY.

BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT YOU TO MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND ADVANCE AND TO TAKE -- WE WANT YOU TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS GROWTH IN THE MARKETPLACE.

AND WE DON'T WANT THE COST OF EDUCATION TO BE THAT IMPEDIMENT.

SO WE'RE TAKING THAT AWAY FOR FOLKS TO MAKE THE AFFIRMATIVE DECISION THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR EDUCATION OR START WITH THEIR EDUCATION.

>> THIS IS GOING TO BE THE START OF A SECOND FULL SCHOOL YEAR SINCE COVID-19 HIT.

WHAT HAS PANDEMIC RECOVERY LOOKED LIKE AT CITY COLLEGES?

>> POST PANDEMIC FOR US IS MORE OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS.

WHEN WE BEGAN THE PANDEMIC, WE HAD TO SHIFT VERY QUICKLY.

SOMETHING THAT MAY HAVE TAKEN US YEARS TO DO TOOK US TWO WEEKS TO DO.

LESS THAN TWO WEEKS.

WE GOT IT DONE IN ONE WEEK.

WE SETUP VIRTUAL STUDENT SERVICES ANY SERVICE THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE WHETHER IT'S OUR BUSINESS OFFICE OUR TUTORING OUR WELLNESS CENTER IT'S ALL VIRTUAL NOW SO THE STUDENTS HAVE MORE CHOICES.

WHEN THEY WANT A SERVICE, THEY CAN COME DO IT VIRTUALLY OR THEY CAN COME TO OUR OFFICES.

SIMILARLY FOR OUR CLASSROOM EDUCATION YOU NOW HAVE MORE OPTIONS THAN YOU BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

SO THINK ABOUT THIS POST PANDEMIC PERIOD AS A PERIOD OF OPPORTUNITY AND SUPPORT BY THE WAY.

WE ARE DOUBLING UP ON OUR SUPPORTS FOR WELL ANDS FOR TUTORING AS YOU SEE FOR FINANCIAL, WE KNOW THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE GOING TO NEED MORE SUPPORT, RIGHT?

ALONG WITH THE PROGRAMMING AND THE FINANCIAL SUPPORTS.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.

AND I THINK THAT POST PANDEMIC WILL BE ABOUT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITY.

>> OK. HOW ARE YOU GUYS PREPARING FOR THE START OF SCHOOLING WITH REGARDS TO COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS?

>> LOOK WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE GUIDANCE OF CDPH FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

WE HAD A MASK MANDATE THAT HAS CONTINUED TO AND THROUGH.

WE NEVER PUT PAUSE ON THE MASK MANDATE.

WE DO HAVE A CHOICE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

WITH REGARDS TO THE KIND OF CLASSES THAT THEY TAKE.

SO THEY ARE THE ONES THAT DETERMINE WHETHER THEY WANT TO COME IN OR NOT.

SO WE HAVE CHOICE THERE.

AND AS IT SORT OF RELATES TO OUR SORT OF DAY-TO-DAY VIGILANCE, OUR PRESIDENTS AT EVERYONE OF OUR CAMPUSES ARE BEING VIGILANT THAT PEOPLE ARE FOLLOWING THE PROTOCOLS THAT WE PUT IN PLACE.

>> CHANCELLOR THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I KNOW A LOT OF RESIDENTS WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH ALEX.

>> BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

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

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND ENJOY YOUR EVENING.

[♪♪♪]