CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY FIFTH THIRD BANK AND BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> Host: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES.

I AM BRANDIS FREEMAN.

THANKS FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT THE CITY OF CHICAGO WITHOUT ANOTHER MILLION DOLLAR CHECK TO SETTLE A POLICE MISCONDUCT LAWSUIT.

HOW ANJANETTE YOUNG'S LAWSUIT IS BRINGING UP QUESTIONS ABOUT POLICING AND BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS.

>>> AND, THE FIRST BLACK LEADER, DARLENE HIGHTOWER.

AND A LOOK AT LOGAN SQUARE.

>> IS OUR DESIRE TO BE A HELPING HAND TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE INGLEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Host: A WEST INGLEWOOD FOOD PANTRY ROOTED IN FAMILY TRADITION.

HOW THEY'RE SERVING UP GOOD AND HONORING A LOVED ONE'S LEGACY.

>>> FIRST OFF TONIGHT THE CITY OF CHICAGO SHELLS OUT MORE MONEY TO SETTLE A LAWSUIT TIED TO POLICE MISCONDUCT.

THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO PAY $2.9 MILLION TO RESOLVE A LAWSUIT WROUGHT ON BY ANJANETTE YOUNG.OFFICERS LEFT YOUNG HANDCUFFED AND NAKED WHEN THEY RAIDED HER HOME IN FEBRUARY THE 2019 ONLY TO FIND OUT LATER THEY HAD THE WRONG HOME IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THE CASE AND THE VIDEO AND THE RAID SPARKED OUTRAGE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND BROUGHT UP QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW POLICE BRING UP INCIDENTS IN BLACK COMMUNITIES.

WITH US, RICHARD WOOTEN, COFOUNDER OF POLITICAL COUNSEL AND ANTHONY DRIVER, WITH CHICAGO ALLIANCE AGAINST RACIST AND POLITICAL REPRESSION.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US PAIRED WITH A LOT TO TALK ABOUT, OBVIOUSLY BUT I WANT TO GET REACTION FROM BOTH OF YOU ON THE SETTLEMENT THAT WAS REACHED.

RICHARD WOOTEN WOULD YOU SAY IT'S A FAIR AMOUNT?

>> Guest: IT WAS A FAIR AMOUNT BUT NOT ENOUGH TO RESTORE WHAT SHE LOST.

>> Host: ANTHONY DRIVER?

>> Guest: I THINK YOU CAN'T PUT A PRICE TAG ON A PERSON'S DIGNITY BUT I'M HAPPY THIS IS FINALLY RESOLVED AND HOPEFUL THAT MORE REFORMS WILL FOLLOW.

>> Host: MRS. YOUNG AND HER ATTORNEY IS CALLING ON THE CITY COUNCIL TO DO MORE STARTING WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE ANJANETTE YOUNG ORDINANCE PAID SOME HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE A BAN ON NO KNOCK WARRANTS, REQUIREMENTS THAT OFFICERS WAIT AT LEAST 30 SECONDS BETWEEN A KNOCK AND ANNOUNCE RAID TO GIVE RESIDENTS A CHANCE TO OPEN THEIR DOORS AND A REQUIREMENT THAT CB OFFICERS EXECUTING HOME RATES DO SO IN THE LEAST INTRUSIVE WAY POSSIBLE.

RICHARD WOOTEN IS NOT ENOUGH AND SHOULD NO KNOCK WARRANTS BE BANNED?

>> Guest: IS NOT ENOUGH.

IT NEEDS TO START OFF FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, FIRST AND FOREMOST, HOW CAN A WARRANT BE ISSUED AND WHO MUST APPROVE THE WARRANTS?

AT THE SAME TIME, THESE OFFICERS WHO ACTUALLY ARE REQUESTING THESE WARRANTS NEED TO DO THEIR DUE DILIGENCE AND BRING PROPER INFORMATION TO THE COURTS SO THAT THE JUDGE CAN ACTUALLY LEGALLY SIGN A WARRANT THAT IS JUSTIFIED.

BECAUSE THE WAY IT'S ACTUALLY GOING NOW, AN OFFICER CAN GET A SEARCH WARRANT JUST ABOUT ON ANYONE'S RESIDENCY WITHOUT HAVING TO DO DUE DILIGENCE.

>> OKAY.

ANTHONY, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THE ANJANETTE YOUNG ORDINANCE AND NO KNOCK WARRANTS AND WHETHER THEY SHOULD BE BANNED?

>> Guest: I FULLY SUPPORT THE ANJANETTE YOUNG ORDINANCE.

I THINK IT'S THE BARE MINIMUM AND THEY'RE NOT ASKING FOR MUCH.

GIVING SOMEONE NOTICE IS THE BARE MINIMUM THAT AN OFFICER CAN DO BEFORE BARGING INTO SOMEONE'S HOUSE.

WE'VE SEEN THIS HAPPEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

I MYSELF HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A WRONGFUL RAID AS 1/4 GRADER.

I WOULD LIKE THESE REFORMS TO GO FURTHER.

WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY COUNCIL PUSH THIS TO ZERO AS THEY DID THE $2.9 MILLION SETTLEMENT.

>> Host: REPEATING WHAT YOU SAID YOU WERE THE VICTIM OF A WRONGFUL RAID IN FOURTH GRADE I CHICAGO POLICE?

>> Guest: THAT'S CORRECT.

>> Host: THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT DID MAKE REVISIONS TO THE POLICY FOR SERVING SEARCH WARRANTS AFTER WE ALL LEARNED ABOUT MISS YOUNG'S RAID ADDING A REQUIREMENT THAT THE BUREAU CHIEF SIGN OFF ON THEM AND THAT A HIGH-RANKING OFFICIAL BE ON SCENE.

ANTHONY, IS THAT ENOUGH?

>> Guest: NUMBER IT DOES NOTHING TO MOVE A NEEDLE.

IF THOSE POLICIES WERE IN PLACE BEFORE THE ANJANETTE YOUNG RAID THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

WE SEE THIS HAPPEN AND PLAY OUT TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

ALSO THERE'S A CULTURE OF CORRUPTION THAT NEEDS TO BE ROOTED OUT.

HAVING THE SAME PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DEEMED EEMED CORRUPT THEMSELVES BE THE FIRST SIGNING OFF ON THESE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

ALSO THESE ARE POLICIES THAT ARE PUT IN PLACE BY THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

POLICIES CHANGE DAY BY DAY AND CAN BE CHANGED TOMORROW BY SUPERINTENDENT BROWN.

NEED THIS IN LAW.

BLACK WOMEN, THE ALDERMAN AND LESLIE KING HAVE PUT THIS ORDER FOURTH.

THIS NEEDS TO BE CODIFIED INTO LAW AND GO THROUGH CITY COUNCIL AND MADE CONCRETE.

>> RICHARD, WHAT IS YOUR REACTION?

DO ANY OF THESE MEASURES ACTUALLY HAMPER THE POLICE'S ABILITY TO FIGHT CRIME AND DO THEIR JOB?

>> Guest: IT DOES NOT ACTUALLY HAVE THE ABILITY TO FIGHT CRIME BUT WHAT IT DOES IS GIVE THEM THEM A SOLID BASE TO DO THEIR JOB.

THE MORE INFORMATION WE PUT INTO THE PROCESS BETTER OFF THEY WOULD BE SO THEY GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

AND, AGAIN, THIS IS ALL ABOUT SUPERVISION, HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE AND NOT TAKING A SITUATION FOR GRANTED.

FACE IT, THE CITY HAS SPENT OVER HALF WILLIAM DOLLARS IN MISCONDUCT LAWSUIT AND THAT'S AND A HALF BILLION DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER MONEY THAT WE CONTINUE TO FLUSH OUT BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT IS NOT HOLDING INDIVIDUALS ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

>> RICHARD, ARE THERE OCCASIONS WHERE A NO KNOCK WARRANT IS NECESSARY?

>> Guest: ONLY IF A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION OCCURS.

OTHER THAN THAN THAT, THESE WARRANTS THAT WE HEAR ABOUT ARE NOT LIFE-THREATENING WARRANTS.

THESE ARE SITUATIONS WHERE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR DRUGS, GUNS OR OFFENDERS.

WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL ON WHAT TYPE OF WARRANTS WE ARE GIVING THE POLICE THE ABILITY TO DO A NO KNOCK WARRANT ON.

>> Host: I WANT TO TURN OVER TO THE RAID IS SELF AND HOW THAT WAS HANDLED.

AN INVESTIGATION BY THE LEASE ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE FOUND A DOZEN OFFICERS COMMITTED NEARLY 100 ACTS OF MISCONDUCT.

RICHARD, BACK TO YOU AS A FORMER OFFICER ON WHAT WHAT WAS IT THAT STUCK OUT TO YOU ON THE WAY THIS WAS HANDLED?

>> Guest: THE WAY THIS WAS HANDLED WAS THE GOOD OLD BOYS SCENARIO WHERE THEY HAVE THEIR ABILITY TO ACTUALLY OBJECT IF I THEIR RIGHTS TO VIOLATE AN INDIVIDUAL.

AND, WHAT WE SAW AT THAT TIME WAS OFFICERS HAT CAN ADD WHAT THEY WANT TO WITHOUT BEEN SUPERVISED.

THERE WAS A SUPERVISOR ON SCENE WHO SHOULD HAVE STEPPED UP AND DONE WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE DONE WHAT THEY DIDN'T.

SO, IT WAS AGAIN, A SIGN OF THE GOOGLE VOICE DOING WHAT THEY DO BEST AND THAT IS VIOLATING WAS RIGHT.

>> Host: SUPERINTENDENT BROWN HAS ASKED THE CHICAGO POLICE BOARD FIRE A SERGEANT THAT LED THE RAID AND MULTIPLE OFFICERS BE SUSPENDED.

IT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY TO FIRE A CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER.

ANTHONY DRIVER, WHAT DO YOU THINK COULD COME OF THIS?>> Guest: I THINK THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

I THINK THE OFFICERS INVOLVED SHOULD BE FIRED AND THERE SHOULD BE MORE LEVELS OF ACCOUNTABILITY HERE TO GO BACK TO PREVIOUS QUESTION ONE THING THAT STUCK OUT TO ME WAS NOT AND SINCERELY THE ACTIONS OF THE POLICE OFFICER BUT AS THEM AS HUMAN BEINGS.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT THE MAKES A REGULAR HUMAN BEING LIKE IT'S OKAY TO BURST IN SOMEONE'S HOME UNANNOUNCED AND NEVER ACTUALLY OFFER HER CLOTHING FOR NINE MINUTES OR SO TO PROCEED TO TEAR THINGS UP IN THE HOUSE AND THIS WOMAN IS CLEARLY NOT A THREAT OR CHEESE UNCLOTHED, YELLING, CRYING, TELLING YOU IT'S THE WRONG HOME AND YOU STILL IGNORE HER?

THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE LEVELS OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN PLACE.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT BOARD THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT THESE REFORMS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

CAN I SAY THIS?

THAT FURTHER SUPPORTS THE MANDATES OF DISCIPLINARY AND TERMINATION BECAUSE WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD ACTUALLY BARGE INTO SOMEONE'S HOME, AND A WOMAN OF ALL PEOPLE AND MAINTAIN HER IN AND INDECENT EXPOSED SITUATION LIKE THAT.

IT IS UNBELIEVABLE AND THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME IT'S HAPPENED.

I'M QUITE SURE IT HAPPENS ALL OVER.

PEOPLE ARE BEING TRAUMATIZED FROM THESE THINGS AND WE NEED TO PUT AN END TO IT.

>> Host: DURING WEDNESDAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING SOMEONE YOU MENTIONED A BIT AGO.

ALD.

MARIA HADDEN SAID THE CITY NEEDS TO DO BETTER PROTECTING ITS RESIDENTS.

HERE SHE.

>> WE JUST HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY ABOUT THE TYPE OF CITY WE WANT TO BE.

THAT HAS BEEN A LOT OF WHAT WE TALK ABOUT OVER THIS ENTIRE WEEK AND MOVING FORWARD, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SO MANY OF THE REFORMS AND CHANGES WE WANT TO SEE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF BAD THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED.

SOME THINGS THAT ARE ILLEGAL.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WITHIN OUR CHARGE AND CITY THAT WE ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR GOOD EMPLOYEES FOR THE CITY WHETHER THEY BE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

IT'S OUR JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE RAISING THE STANDARD.

THAT WE ARE ENCOURAGING, URGING AND PUSHING OURSELVES IN OUR CITY TO BE BETTER.

>> Host: WE GOT ABOUT 20 SECONDS HERE.

WHAT KIND OF CULTURAL CHANGE DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO HAPPEN WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN?

>> Guest: WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IS ACCOUNTABILITY.

LEASE OFFICERS STEP OUTSIDE THE BOUNDS BE FIRED, NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND NEED TO FACE THE SAME JUSTICE THAT US ON THE STREETS HAVE TO FACE.

I THINK ONCE THERE ARE MECHANISMS OF TRUE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT ARE DECENTRALIZED AND NOT FOCUSED ON ONE PERSON WHO'S THE MAYOR OF CHICAGO.

ONCE THAT HAPPENS I THINK WE CAN BEGIN TO CHANGE THE CULTURE AT CPD AND HAVE THEM BE TRULY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF CHICAGO.

THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

TRUE CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> Host: THAT'S WHERE WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

RICHARD WOOTEN AND ANTHONY DRIVER THANKS FOR JOINING US.

MAC HOW THE METROPOLITAN LANNING COUNCIL IS MAKING HISTORY.

THAT'S NEXT STAY WITH US.

>> Host: THE METROPOLITAN PLANNING COUNCIL JUST HIRED ITS FIRST BACK RESIDENT AND CEO.

THE NONPROFIT WHICH AGAIN IN 1934 AS AN INDEPENDENT PLANNING AND POLICY ORGANIZATION WILL BUILD A MORE SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE CHICAGO AND THE NONPROFITS NEW CEO JOINS US NOW.

WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES DARLENE HIGHTOWER.

CONGRATS ON THE NEW POSITION WHAT INSPIRED THIS ROLE?>> Guest: I WAS ATTRACTED BY THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION.

AN IDEA OF CREATING A MORE EQUITABLE AND PROFITABLE TRANSITION.

THAT'S A PERSONAL MISSION FOR ME AND THAT'S WHAT ATTRACTED ME TO THE JOB.

AND, I HAVE SPENT THE LAST FIVE YEARS OF MY CAREER REALLY USING HOSPITAL RESOURCES TO INVEST THEM IN WESTSIDE COMMUNITIES SO THEY CAN THRIVE.

AND BE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE.

NOW IT'S TIME TO DO THAT WORK ON A LARGER SCALE AND FROM A SYSTEM AND POLICY PERSPECTIVE AND REALLY TRY TO HAVE A BIGGER IMPACT ON THE CHICAGOLAND REGION.

>> Host: THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU WENT TO RUSH AND YOU SERVED THERE HOW DO YOU THINK THAT EXPERIENCE WILL SERVE AS YOU GO FORWARD?

>> Guest: THAT'S A WONDERFUL QUESTION BECAUSE THE BULL ALWAYS LIKE YOU ARE IN HEALTHCARE.

AS A PART OF MY ROLE WE LOOK AT THE SOCIAL FACTORS THAT IMPACT HEALTH AND WE ARE LOOKING AT NEIGHBORHOODS AND ARE THEY WALKABLE?

ARE THEY SAFE?

WHAT'S THE LEVEL OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THAT'S HAPPENING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

THESE ARE ISSUES THAT LYNN THEMSELVES TO THE ROLE THERE.

>> Host: YOU START IN JANUARY.

I KNOW IT'S EARLY AND YOU HAVE A FEW WEEKS BEFORE YOU START BUT WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THE FIRST PRIORITY IS WHEN YOU GET IN?

>> Guest: MY JOB IS TO COME IN AND LISTEN LISTEN TO THE STAFF, THE BOARD AND STAKEHOLDERS.

IN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THEY SEE AS IMPORTANT AND A PRIORITY AND GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ORGANIZATION OVERALL GOOD AND THEN DO SOME STRATEGIC THINKING AND STRATEGIC PLANNING.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR NPC?

WHAT WILL BE THE MOST IMPACTFUL WORK THAT WE CAN DO AS AN ORGANIZATION TO HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON THE CHICAGOLAND REGION?

>> Host: AND OF COURSE FOCUS ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT AREAS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ECONOMIC EQUITY ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR ISSUES ON THE RADAR THAT YOU WANT TO TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO?

>> Host: THERE ARE SEVERAL.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

STABLE HOUSING IMPACTS FAMILY WEALTH AND HOW A COMMUNITY THRIVES.

THAT IS DEFINITELY IMPORTANT AND THEN THIS IDEA OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS IMPORTANT, TOO.

WHAT DO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS LOOK LIKE?

HOW ARE WE INVESTING IN THEM?

WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS ARE HAPPENING TO HAVE THE KIND OF ECONOMIC VITALITY THAT WE WANT TO SEE?

I THINK THOSE TWO THINGS AND THEN THE LAST THING IS THAT WE WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE WE WILL CHICAGO PLAN WHICH IS THE FIRST CITYWIDE PLAN WE'VE HAD IN 50 YEARS AND THAT SUPER EXCITING TO ME.

THE STAFF IS ALREADY AT THE TABLE AND HAS BEEN AT THE TABLE FOR THAT WORK AND IT'S A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR NPC TO PUT ITS STAMP ON WHAT WILL HOPEFULLY BE AN AMAZING AND IMPACTFUL PLAN FOR THE CITY.

>> Host: YOUR ROLE AT RUSH WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE IMPACT THE PANDEMIC HAS HAD ESPECIALLY ON BLACK AND LATINO COMMUNITIES.

HOW DO YOU SEE THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON THOSE COMMUNITIES ON YOUR WORK POINT FORWARD AND FUTURE INITIATIVES?

>> I THINK IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US TO LEARN FROM COVID AND REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT ARE THE COMMUNITIES WHO ARE HARDEST HIT?

SUFFERS THE MOST WHEN IT COMES TO THE PANDEMIC AND HOW CAN WE REACH THE WAY WE DO THINGS WHETHER IT IS HOW WE INVEST IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS, WHO WE PUT IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, WHAT WE THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR A COMMUNITY TO THRIVE.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO DO BETTER AND COVID HAS BEEN A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE FOR SO MANY OF US.

WHAT CAN WE TAKE FROM IT AND LEARN FROM IT SO WE CAN DO BETTER GOING FORWARD?

>> Host: UNDER THE LIGHTFOOT ADMINISTRATION THE CITY HAS REALLY DOUBLED DOWN RECENTLY ON COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS WITH THE INVEST SOUTHWEST INITIATIVE AS WELL AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT WAS A BIG INVESTMENT THAT WAS ANNOUNCED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

MAJOR INITIATIVE SHE'S GOTTEN ATTENTION FOR.

HOW DOES THIS OVERLAP WITH NPC?

>> Guest: THOSE THINGS YOU MENTIONED ARE INCREDIBLY ENCOURAGING.

I THINK THEY ARE AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO GET RESOURCES INTO NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY LEFT LEFT OUT SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

I ALSO APPRECIATE THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION IS FOCUSED ON EQUITY IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD AND IT IS USING THAT AS A WAY TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT WHERE INVESTMENTS TAKE PLACE.

I AM ENCOURAGED.

>> Host: WE HAVE ABOUT 45 SECONDS LEFT.

HOW DO YOU PLAN ON COMMUNICATING AND WORKING WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AROUND CHICAGO AS WELL?

>> Guest: ONE OF THE THINGS I LEARNED AND HAVE BEEN SO GRATEFUL TO LEARN IS THAT A LOT OF MY FRIENDS HAVE ALREADY DONE A LOT OF WORK WITH NPC.

I REACHED OUT TO FOLKS WHO HAVE WORKED WITH THIS ORGANIZATION IN THE PAST AND ONLY HAVE WONDERFUL THINGS TO SAY ABOUT IT.

I'M EXCITED TO PICK UP THE MANTLE AND CONTINUE TO WORK WITH PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT NPC HAS PARTNERED WITH FOR A REALLY LONG TIME.

>> Host: DARLENE HIGHTOWER I'M SURE WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN AS YOU GET YOUR FEET UNDERNEATH YOU AT THE METROPOLITAN YOUTH COUNCIL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> WE WILL BE BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Host: RESALE IS A MULTISITE BILLION-DOLLAR INDUSTRY.

ACCORDING TO RESEARCH FROM AN ONLINE SHOP THREAD UP.

AND IT'S AN AFFORDABLE AND FRIENDLY WAY FOR FASHION HE SAYS TO STILE OUT A STYLE FOR THEMSELVES.

PRODUCER ERICA GUNDERSON HAS THE STORY.

>> WHEN SOMEONE COMES INTO "THE LAST WORD" I WANT THEM TO LOOK AT THE PIECES AND SAY WOW, THIS IS FROM 1980 AND EIGHT IS IN GREAT SHAPE AND IT'S MADE IN THE USA AND I CAN AFFORD IT.

>> MASS-PRODUCED CLOTHING KNOWN AS FAST FASHION IS OLD TRICK TRENDY, ACCESSIBLE AND CHEAP PAIRED BUT, A CARBON FOOTPRINT HIDES BEHIND THE MOMENT STYLES.

RETAIL SHOP OWNER JENNIFER KELLY SAID HER SHOP OFFERS AND ANTIDOTE TO FAST FASHIONS WILL.

>> MOST OF THIS IS MADE IN THE USA AND SOME OF THESE CLOSE ARE AMAZING AS FAR AS SUSTAINABILITY WHEN YOU SHOP VINTAGE YOU ARE SAVING THE PLANET, TO BE HONEST.

WHEN YOU SHOP FAST FASHION WE ALL KNOW IT CAN GO DOWN A DARK CRAZY ROAD OF SWEATSHOPS, PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING PAID AND THEN IT IS ALSO BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> VINTAGE FANS SAY THE CONSTRUCTION AND UNIQUENESS OF DECADES-OLD CLOTHING EATS THE PANT OFF OF FAST FASHION.

>> IT'S A STEP AWAY FROM FAST FASHION.

A STEP AWAY FROM THE VERY COMMON CHOICES THAT YOU FIND IN OTHER STORES.

YOU GET TO REALLY DRESS YOURSELF IN A WAY THAT IS VERY SPECIAL TO YOUR STYLE.

>> A FEW BLOCKS DOWN MILWAUKEE AVENUE THE OWNERS OF EL DORADO THRIFT STORE ARE TAKING A FRESH APPROACH TO RETAIL.

24 CREATED IT TO MAKE IT FEEL LIKE A FASHIONABLE BOUTIQUE.

>> WE LOOK FANCY BUT WE ARE NOT EXPENSIVE.

WE DEFINITELY WANTED TO CREATE SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM THE INDUSTRY.

OUR THEME HAS ALWAYS BEEN LOOKED DOWN UPON, FROWNED UPON AND HASN'T BEEN THE MOST FUN AND CLEAN EXPERIENCE.

HISTORICALLY, EL DORADO THRIFT STORE WAS ABOUT A HIDDEN CITY THAT WAS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH GOLD.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANTED TO AIM FOR WHEN WE OPEN THE THRIFT SHOP.

WE WANTED TO MAKE IT A HIDDEN NOTE WHERE THE BOOK AND FIND GEMS.

>> AND, WTTW.com/NEWS BEFORE SAID SHOPPERS LIKE THEY LOOK AND FEEL AS WELL AS THE PRICE TAG.

>> I STARTED LIVING ALONE A YEAR AGO AND I CAN'T AFFORD SOME OF THESE BRANDS RIGHT OFF THE RACK.

I DON'T FEEL ASHAMED GOING TO A THRIFT SHORE.

I DO MAKE MY OWN MONEY NOW BUT I WOULD RATHER SPEND IT WISELY.

>> BACK AT VINTAGE FRILLS, 21 SAID SHE'S LOOKING FOR ITEMS FROM THE 90S INTO THOUSANDS, THE TRENDS THAT IS ON WITH GENERATION Z KIDS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

YOUR HIGH SCHOOL OUTFITS ARE CONSIDERED VINTAGE.BUT AT LEAST THEY ARE THE REAL DEAL.

>> I HAVE REAL MOM JEANS ONE BY REAL MOM'S AND FROM BRANDIS FREEMAN TWO.

MORE HISTORY MORE QUALITY NOT FAST FASHION AND THAT'S WHERE YOU NEED TO GET YOUR MOM JEANS.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES, THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE ON VINTAGE FRILLS AND EL DORADO THRIFT STORE ON HER WEBSITE.

AS WE CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS MANY PEOPLE IN NEED COME TO RELY ON LOCAL FOOD BANKS.

ONE FOOD PANTRY IN WEST INGLEWOOD HAS BEEN AROUND FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.IT WAS STARTED BY SAM McKENZIE WHO PASSED AWAY LAST YEAR.

ONE OF HER FINAL WISHES WERE FOR HER 10 CHILDREN TO CONTINUE HER WORK AND SERVE PEOPLE.

HER DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, PAMELA McKENZIE SHARES HOW SHE AND HER FAMILY ARE KEEPING THAT LEGACY ALIVE.

>> MY NAME IS PAMELA McKENZIE I AM THE FOOD SERVICE COORDINATOR FOR ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST FOOD PANTRY.

OUR FOOD PANTRY WAS STARTED BY MY MOTHER-IN-LAW IN 1998.

WE BEGAN SERVING FOOD TO A FEW PEOPLE WHO WOULD COME BY THE PANTRY.

MY MOTHER-IN-LAW HAD A DESIRE TO FEED HUNGRY PEOPLE.ALL OF HER CHILDREN GOT TOGETHER WITH HER OWN MONEY AND WENT AND PURCHASED FOOD ITEMS FROM EVERYWHERE.

WHEN WE FIRST STARTED WE DISTURB YOU DID APPLES, ORANGES AND A COUPLE OF CANS OF FOOD.

THAT EVENTUALLY GREW AND IT'S BEEN OUR DESIRE TO BE A HELPING HAND TO THE RESIDENCE OF THE INGLEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD.

WHEN WE FIRST BEGAN SERVING FOOD IT WAS A LABOR OF LOVE BUT WE HAD MINIMAL ITEMS TO GIVE OR DISTRIBUTE TO OUR CLIENTS.

SINCE PARTNERING WITH THE GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY WE HAD MORE ITEMS TO BE ABLE TO FILL GROCERY BAGS SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO PUT ON THE TABLE FOR A WEEK.

THEY ARE ABLE TO COME IN AND AFTER THEY HAVE SIGNED IN THEY CAN GO INTO THE PANTRY, SHOP FOR WHATEVER THEY NEED THAT FEELS MORE LIKE THEY ARE COMING INTO SOMEONE'S HOME OR GOING SOMEWHERE AND SHOPPING FOR THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED.

AND, THEY GET TO CHOOSE WHAT THEY NEED FOR THEIR FAMILY INSTEAD OF US JUST PACKING BAGS OF WHATEVER.

SOME OF THOSE ITEMS THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO USE BUT GOING IN AND BEING ABLE TO SELECT ON THEIR OWN THEY FEEL MORE IN CONTROL AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.

WE WANT THEM TO FEEL COMFORTABLE, WE WANT THEM TO FEEL LIKE THEY ARE BEING HELP BUT NOT GETTING A HANDOUT.

EVERYBODY THAT COMES INTO THE FOOD PANTRY WE DON'T JUST WANT THEM TO SAY HERE'S FOOD AND GO ON YOUR WAY.

WE WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT WE LOVE THEM HERE AND THAT WE ARE HERE TO HELP IF WE CAN, NOT JUST TO GIVE YOU FOOD BUT ENCOURAGEMENT, LOVE, SUPPORT AND WHATEVER ELSE THEY MAY NEED.

LEXIS WAS A LOVE CHILD FOR MY MOTHER-IN-LAW AND WE LOVE HER.

WE LOVED HER.

HER HEART WAS ALWAYS TO FEED AND HELP PEOPLE.

OUR LOVE FOR THE PEOPLE OF INGLEWOOD IS SHARED BY HER AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT LEGACY CONTINUES.

WE DID NOT WANT IT TO DIE WITH HER.

THE PEOPLE WHO KNEW HER KNEW HER AS MOTHER McKENZIE AND I BELIEVE SHE WOULD BE VERY PROUD WITH WHAT WE ARE DOING AND OUR PLAN IS TO CONTINUE HER WORK AND NOT JUST GIVING PEOPLE FOOD BUT GIVING PEOPLE HOPE, GIVING PEOPLE SOMEWHERE TO GO TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE LOVE AND TO RECEIVE FOOD.

>> THE ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST FOOD PANTRY IS OPEN EVERY SATURDAY FROM 9:00 11:00.

>>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEKEND BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.com/NEWS FOR THE VERY LATEST FROM WTTW NEWS.

IF YOU WATCH US ON SATURDAY NIGHT KNOW THAT YOU CAN CATCH BLACK VOICES AND LATINO VOICES ON SUNDAY BEGINNING AT 10 AM.

AND JOIN ME AND PARIS SCHUTZ AT 7:00 FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT.

AND A NOTE.

WE WILL BE TAKING A BREAK FOR THE HOLIDAYS NEXT WEEKEND.

SURE TO JOIN US AGAIN IN THE NEW YEAR GENUINE FIRST FOR A SPECIAL EDITION SHOW.

ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES, I AM BRANDIS FREEMAN.

INCORPORATED YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> REAL-TIME CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY U.S. CAPTIONING COMPANY