>> HEY THERE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

BLACK VOICES.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

WELL, THE SHOW TONIGHT.

>> MAKE NO MISTAKE.

THIS TU PAC BILL.

>> PLANS FOR A HYBRID ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD IN CHICAGO.

MOVE FORWARD, BUT NOT WITHOUT PUSHBACK.

WHAT'S BEHIND RISE OF CONGENITAL SYPHILIS CASES IN CHICAGO.

>> JUST HAVE TAKE YOU WANT SO >> AND A CONVENIENT SERVICE, BUT SOME SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS LOOKING AT THE TAXI ACCESS PROGRAM.

AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES VOTES FOR THE BRING CHICAGO HOME REFERENDUM WILL BE COUNTED FOR NOW.

THIS AFTER AN APPEALS COURT OVERTURNED LAST MONTH.

DISTRICT COURT RULING THE REFERENDUM ALLOW CHICAGO VOTERS TO DECIDE WHETHER TO GIVE CITY COUNCIL THE POWER TO HIKE TAXES ON THE SALES OF PROPERTIES WORTH 1 MILLION DOLLARS OR MORE TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS.

TODAY'S DECISION COULD BE APPEALED TO THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT.

THE FAMILY OF A HOMELESS MAN WHO WAS ALLEGEDLY BEATEN BY A FORMER CTA WORKER IS FILING A WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT AGAINST THE TRANSIT AGENCY.

EX CTA EMPLOYEE RICHARDSON IS ALSO FACING MURDER CHARGES AFTER PROSECUTORS SAY SURVEILLANCE VIDEO SHOWS HIM REPEATEDLY ATTACKING KEVIN POWELL, A BLUE LINE STATION.

RICHARDSON HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO THOSE CHARGES.

TODAY'S LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CTA CLAIMS RICHARDSON HAD A HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS THAT WERE DOCUMENTED BY THE AGENCY.

>> KEVIN POWELL DIED.

EVER CLENCHING A FIST.

WITHOUT EVER ATTACKING HIS ATTACKER WITHOUT EVER DEFENDING HIMSELF.

WE ARE GOING TO DEFEND KEVIN POWELL IN THIS CASE AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE T SEE TO IT THAT THE CTA AND ITS AGENTS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

>> THE CTA SAYS IT'S UNABLE TO COMMENT ON PENDING LITIGATION.

A BUILDING ONCE KNOWN AS THE PRIDE OF THE SOUTH SIDE, A FORMER BREAD FACTORY AND A MANSION ALL CRACKED THE LATEST LIST OF CHICAGO'S MOST ENDANGERED BUILDINGS.

THE GROUP PRESERVATION, CHICAGO RELEASES THE ANNUAL LIST OF 7 BUILDINGS.

THEY INCLUDE THE SWIFT MORRIS MANSION AT 4500 SOUTH MICHIGAN, WHICH WAS BADLY DAMAGED BY FIRE IN DECEMBER PRESERVATION IS BELIEVED THE ALL OF MANKIND MURALS PAINTED ON THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF THE STRANGER'S HOME MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH ARE STILL THERE UNDER THE WHITEWASH IN THAT FORMER CABRINI GREEN NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE SHOW BAKING COMPANY BUILDING AT EAST GARFIELD AND SOUTH WABASH USED TO CHURN OUT LOADS OF BUTTER THAT BREAD BUT HAS BEEN DORMANT FOR YEARS.

GROUP IS CONCERNED IT'S UNDER THREAT OF DEMOLITION TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE AND THE OTHER 4 BUILDINGS ON THE LIST.

YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

UP NEXT, THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION SCORES A WIN IN SPRINGFIELD RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY 5TH 3005TH BANK AND BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> 3RD, WE BELIEVE WOULD DIVERSE VOICES ARE HEARD AND EMPOWERED.

COMMUNITIES ARE MADE STRONGER A FUTURE HOLDS GREAT PROMISE FOR ALL.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE PROUD TO SUPPORT CHICAGO.

TONIGHT.

BLACK VOICES TOGETHER.

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER.

WE CAN DRIVE CHANGE.

>> THE BILL THAT WOULD CREATE AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD FOR CHICAGO.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS ADVANCING THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, PASSING OUT OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE THIS AFTERNOON AFTER PASSING THE ILLINOIS SENATE YESTERDAY.

BUT THE PLAN WOULD ONLY MEAN A HYBRID BOARD TO START WITH 10 OF THE 20 SEATS ELECTED BY RESIDENTS.

THE OTHER 10.

PLUS THE PRESIDENT APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR AT A HEARING YESTERDAY.

ALDERMAN GOVERNOR VILLEGAS CHARACTERIZED THE MOVE TO DELAY A FULLY ELECTED BOARD AS A GIFT TO THE CTU.

>> THE CHICAGO DELEGATION IN SPRINGFIELD IS NOT LISTENING TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

HYBRID SCHOOL BOARD IS NOT FULLY DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

MAKE NO MISTAKE.

THIS IS THE CTU PACKED BILL.

THE RATIONALE AROUND THE C 2 PACKS CURRENT SUPPORT AND THE FLIPPED THEIR POSITION IS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO SPEND OR HAVE MONEY TO SPEND ON THE 20 ELECTIONS.

WELL, TOO BAD.

MAKE NO MISTAKE THIS HYBRID.

SEE TO MEALS, NOT WITH THE RESIDENTS OF CHICAGO >> AND ALDERMAN VILLEGAS IS EXPECTED TO JOIN SOME OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS OR PRESS CONFERENCE ON THIS ISSUE TOMORROW.

NO DOUBT HE DID.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT IT NOW, THOUGH, OUR JESSICA KAHN.

YES, SENIOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER AT KIDS FIRST, CHICAGO VIA ZOOM.

NATASHA DONE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BLACK COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE ALSO VIA ZOOM FROM SPRINGFIELD, STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND WILLIAMS WHO REPRESENTS PARTS OF CHICAGO'S NORTH SIDE.

WE ALSO DID INVITE THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION TO JOIN CTU DECLINED.

WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE CITY.

I THINK THE 3 OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAM, STARTING WITH YOU, PLEASE.

YOU'RE A SPONSOR OF THIS BILL IN THE HOUSE.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THE CRITICISM THAT A HYBRID BOARD IS BASICALLY A GIFT TO THE CTU RATHER THAN GOING STRAIGHT TO A FULLY ELECTED BOARD.

>> WELL, THANKS FOR THE QUESTION.

BRAND US.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THIS BILL, THIS STRUCTURE WAS ACTUALLY AGREE TO PASSED IN 2021.

AND IT CONTEMPLATED AT THE TIME A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD WHERE 10 MEMBERS WOULD BE ELECTED AND 10 APPOINTED FOR 2 YEARS TRANSITION TO A FULLY ELECTED BOARD.

THIS IS AFTER LITERALLY A DECADE OF CONVERSATIONS IN WHICH I AND MANY OTHERS PUSH FOR A FULLY ELECTED BOARD.

BUT THE WAY WE GOT IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE WAS TO AGREE TO THAT TRANSITIONAL PERIOD.

NOW, JUST 10 MONTHS OUT FROM THE ELECTION.

I THINK AS MUCH AS I'D LIKE TO SEE DEMOCRACY COME TOMORROW TO CHICAGO, PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I THINK IT'S RESPONSIBLE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SMOOTH AND ORDERLY TRANSITION AND THAT'S IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF CHICAGO.

STUDENTS.

>> THERE ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT THIS TRANSITIONAL STEP COULD ACTUALLY BE CONFUSING FOR VOTERS WHO DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S PRETTY CLEAR CUT.

ACTUALLY, WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE THE GOVERNANCE OF CHICAGO.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS QUITE DRAMATICALLY.

SO PHASING IT IN MAKES THE MOST SENSE AT THIS POINT.

THIS IS A 9 BILLION DOLLARS AGENCY WITH OVER 32500 32500,000 STUDENTS AT ISSUE.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO IT RIGHT.

WE'VE WAITED THIS LONG.

MAKE SURE IT HAPPENS.

SEAMLESSLY AND POSITIVELY FOR THE STUDENTS OF CHICAGO.

NATASHA, JOHN, YOU SPOKE AT THE SENATE HEARING YESTERDAY IN SUPPORT OF A FULLY ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.

WHAT DON'T YOU LIKE ABOUT THIS HYBRID PROPOSAL?

>> WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT BEING EASY REPRESEN.

THE MAN WILLIAMS SAID EASY.

TRANSITION IS NOT AN TRANSITION.

IN FACT, WHAT WAS PRESENT IT AND WHAT PASSED THROUGH IS A VERY CONFUSING AND CONVOLUTED THAT WILL ESSENTIALLY SUPPRESS AND PREVENT IN THIS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ELECTION.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO WASTE AND GETTING WRONG WHEN SPECIFICALLY IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY WITNESSED AND HAVE EXPERIENCE SO MANY FAILED POLICIES THAT HAVE REALLY IMPACT SCHOOL.

SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET IT RIGHT FULLY ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD TO THAT WE COULD HAVE PRE OF THE PRESENTATION NOT HAND BY THE KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT PEOPLE DECISION AS WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT 2021 MONTHS, THE CTU GAS ALL THEIR ALLIES ACTUALLY FOR FULLY LIKE SCHOOL BOAR.

SO I NOW WHY THE CHANGE NOW?

WHY ARE YOU TAKING THIS OF THE HANDS OF THE YORK?

SO WE'RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

WE'RE CONCERNED BILL IS WHAT IS FRANCHISE OWNERS.

>> I WANT TO GET JESSICA CONOCEN HERE BECAUSE YOUR ORGANIZATION, KIDS FOR CHICAGO, OBVIOUSLY YOU WORK WITH A GREAT DEAL OF WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK ABOUT THIS HYBRID IS A STEP FORWARD OR MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

SO OUR ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD TASK FORCE, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF PARENTS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

>> THEY'VE REALLY FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS FAIR REPRESENTATION STUDENTS, CPS STUDENTS AND PARENTS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD THAT THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S THE DEMOCRATS RACIALLY REPRESENTATIVE OF OUR CURRENT STUDENT POPULATION AS WELL AS HAVING YOUR EVERYDAY PARENT BE ABLE TO SERVE ON THE BOARD OUR ISSUE WITH THIS BILL IS THAT IT DOES CREATE EXTRA HURDLES FOR PARENTS TO BE ABLE TO RON TO EVEN GET ON THE BALLOT WITH THE INCREASE OF THE PETITION IS SIGNATURES REQUIRED AND ALSO PUTTING A MAXIMUM.

ALL OF THAT MAKES IT MUCH HARDER FOR OUR PARENTS TO BE ABLE TO GET ON THE BALLOT IT TO BE ABLE TO SERVE ON THE BOARD AND REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF THEIR CHILDREN IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

AND SO ANYTHING THAT PROHIBITS OR MAKES IT HARDER FOR FAIR RACIAL REPRESENTATION AND FOR PARENTS TO BE REPRESENTED ON THE BOARD IS SOMETHING THAT OUR PARENTS ARE ARE NOT 4.

IF WHAT IF THIS BECOMES A HYBRID BOARD, THIS DOES PUT EXTRA PRESSURE ON THE MAYOR TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE HE APPOINTS DOES MAKE UP FOR ANY LACK OF REPRESENTATION ON THE BOARD OF PARENTS SPECIFICALLY AND ALSO OF RACIAL DEMOGRAPHICS OF CPS STUDENTS.

>> AND TALK SHOW YOU YOU TALKED A BIT THIS HYBRID PLAN AND IT NOT THAT CLEAR, ACTUALLY.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE DONE DIFFERENTLY?

>> I MEAN, OBVIOUS WOULD BE TO JUST GO BACK AND LET'S CREATE A DEMOCRATIC PROCESS WITH BULLY.

BULLY SCHOOL BOARD IS WHAT EVERYONE PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCESS WILL WORK ALSO, I MEAN, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, TALK ABOUT THEM OUT TITIAN'S THAT ARE NOW BEING ASKED ONE CANDIDATES WOULD LIKE TO RUN AS 1000.

SIGNATURES, WHICH IS WAY MORE THAN WHAT IT WILL TAKE ROUTE.

I WAS YOU KNOW, IF IF OUR STATE LEGISLATORS IN THE FEAR AND I WE SHOULD SINCE THE ROUTE TO THEIR POSITIONS, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S ONLY LIKE 20300 PAIRS.

WHY?

WHY ARE ALL THESE HURDLES BE AN OUTPUT IN PLACE?

WHO IS THIS TO PROTECT AND WHO IS THIS THIS BILL ACTUALLY FOR HIS?

IT'S WHAT THE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, ARE WHAT'S BEHIND >> REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS, I NOTICE HE SAID THAT.

THAT'S NOT IS IT NOT?

250 SIGNATURES REQUIRED FOR EVERYONE ELSE?

AND AND WHAT?

WHAT?

WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO SOME OF WHAT'S BEEN SAID?

>> YEAH.

WITH REGARD TO THE SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS, WE SET THE NUMBER BASED ON THE SIZE OF THE DISTRICTS WHICH ARE VERY SIMILAR TO THE SIZE OF THE SENATE DISTRICTS IN ORDER TO RUN FOR THE SENATE.

YOU ALSO NEED TO GET THE SAME AMOUNT OF SIGNATURES WERE SETTING HERE.

WE CHANGED THE NUMBER WHEN THE DISTRICTS ARE SMALLER TO ALIGN WITH THE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES.

THAT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE WOULD HAVE TO GET, FOR EXAMPLE.

SO WOULDN'T DISAGREE WITH THE CHARACTERIZATION THAT THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE PEOPLE.

WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT A HYBRID BOARD.

THERE WERE VOICES THAT PUSH FOR A HYBRID BOARD IN 2021, THEIR VOICES INCLUDING MINE THAT PUSH FOR A FULLY ELECTED BOARDS.

AT THAT SAME TIME.

BUT WHAT WE DECIDED TO DO AT IS TO DO A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD, WHICH AGAIN, WILL PROVIDE FOR THE MOST EFFICIENT AND STREAMLINED PROCESS.

TURNING OVER THE ENTIRE SCHOOL BOARD WOULD RISK THE STABILITY OF OUR SCHOOLS.

AND I JUST DON'T PAY CHICAGO FOR THAT.

IT FEELS IRRESPONSIBLE TO IN 10 MONTHS FROM NOW COMPLETELY CHANGE THE GOVERNMENT AFTER DECADES OF DOING IT ONE WAY THIS WAY, STARTING ON DAY ONE, EVERY CHICAGO AND WE'LL HAVE A VOICE AND A VOTE IN THE FUTURE OF SCHOOL BOARD AND THE FUTURE OF THAT PUBLIC SCHOOL.

>> AND AS YOU SAID, YOU KNOW, THIS ELECTION IS IN 10 MONTHS JUST CON US.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS ENOUGH TIME FOR FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO RUN, ESPECIALLY, YOU KNOW, IF THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, EVERY DAY PARENTS TO GET A CAMPAIGN OFF THE GROUND AND TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

>> IT REALLY IS ENOUGH TIME.

IT TAKES A LOT TO PUT A CAMPAIGN TOGETHER TO GET YOUR SIGNATURES TO.

RAISE ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

AND I'M WITH NATASHA WHEN SHE SAYS THAT WE NEED TO GET THIS RIGHT.

AND WE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE LISTENING TO THE VOICES OF OUR PARENTS AND THOSE THAT ARE GOING TO BE MOST IMPACTED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD.

I KNOW REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAM SAID THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD IS GOING TO GIVE VOICE AND VOTE TO ALL CHICAGOANS.

BUT THAT'S NOT TRUE BECAUSE NON CITIZENS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE ELECTIONS NOR RUN FOR FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD.

AND OF COURSE, ALL BE WATCHING THE HOUSE TOMORROW TO SEE WHAT IT DECIDES, WHETHER OR NOT THIS BILL ENDS UP ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

I WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

MY THANKS TO THE 3 OF YOU, JESSICA KAHN.

YES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE AND WILLIAMS WASHINGTON, THANK YOU.

UP NEXT, A RISE IN BABIES BORN WITH A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS INFECTION.

>> RATES >> OF CONGENITAL SYPHILIS ARE ON THE RISE IN CHICAGO.

THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAYS IN 2018 THERE WERE 13 CASES COMPARED TO 2022.

WHEN THEY WERE 46 CASES, THAT'S A 254% INCREASE.

AND BETWEEN 2020 2022, 86% OF CASES IN THE CITY WERE AMONG BLACK CHICAGOANS.

IT'S PART OF A NATIONWIDE INCREASE IN CONGENITAL INFECTIONS, PASSED ALONG TO AN INCIDENT DURING PREGNANCY.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT IS DOCTOR MARCELO VEGAS, THE REGIONAL MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR THE AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION, NORTHERN BUREAU DOCTOR, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FIRST, IF YOU WOULD REALLY EXPLAIN BRIEFLY EXPLAIN FOR US EXACTLY WHAT IS CONGENITAL SYPHILIS AND WHY IS SO HARMFUL TO INFANTS?

>> SECOND DEATH A FOOT BE MUCH ONE THING.

THE FIRE ACTION AND THAT'S NOT CREATE IT AND PASS IT ON TO HER BABY A ALL KINDS CONCERNS IN TERMS 20.

I WAS SITTING ON AVERAGE.

40% OF BABIES, COMPLICATION THAT ARE IMPORTANT WITH WITH AND THE BABY LOOKING NORMAL.

MAKE KNOW, KNOW.

THEY ARE FRIENDS.

DIRECT THAT THERE'S THAT'S AN INFANCY.

REALLY HARD UP TO 40% BABY.

WITHIN BOARD SO FAR.

>> FRACTION OF YEAH.

A LOT OF DIAGNOSES ARE POTENTIALS THERE.

DO WE KNOW DOCTOR WHAT IS BEHIND THIS INCREASE IN CASES?

>> GOING 24 SEVEN-YEAR HIGH UNITED STATES AND INTEREST IMPORTANT HE SAYS, AND IT'S AT REALLY WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT FOR SURE IN FRONT OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT KNOW, PARENTS WANT THAT MOST IMPORTANT EVENT PERSPECTIVE, SPECIAL BILITY.

IF YOUR UP YOU INCARCERATION, AND IF THIS PARTIALLY AFFECT PEOPLE OF COLOR, BLACK AND LATINO COMMUNITIES.

AND THEREFORE, IF YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, YOU KNOW, WOMAN CHICAGO, WERE BLACK WOMEN AND EVERY PLACE.

YOU KNOW, WE DO HIV CARE AND THAT PRETTY MUCH REFLECTS.

NUMBER, TALK ABOUT THE FACT MEAN 5 4TH, MAN WHO BEAT HER UP.

AND, YOU KNOW, PROPORTION REPRESENT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE POSITIVE, A 40%.

AND BLACK THEIR COHORTS TERMS BLACK AND WHITE WOMEN.

DOCTOR >> I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK IF THERE ARE THAT A PREGNANT WOMAN BE AWARE OF AND AND ASK FOR A TEST.

>> THAT'S THAT THE HIGH FOR IT ME THAT THE ROAD SINTON AND SO REALLY ALL WOMEN SHOULD BE SCREENED A VERY THEY ARE GETTING PRENATAL CARE.

BUT IF A WOMAN NO DIFFERENT ABNORMAL RASH OUR HANDS AND FEET DEFINITELY GET A TEST IN.

BUT REALLY, SOMETHING THAT CAN GO WITHOUT SYMPTOMS.

AND THAT'S THE SCARY PART.

AND SO REALLY, SCREENING AND MAKING SURE THAT WOMEN ARE FRONT OF WHEN THEY ARE PREGNANT.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

NOT JUST THE BEGINNING OF PRINCIPLE FOR RECORD OF YOU CAN ANY MOMENT.

>> AND DOCTOR, THERE'S UNDERSTANDS A PISTOL IN SHORTAGE, WHICH IS IN EASY TREATMENT FOR FOR SYPHILIS.

BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE PRETTY QUICKLY.

AND THAT COULD BE DIFFICULT WHEN THERE IS A SHORTAGE.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT >> YES, GRAND NATIONAL COUNCIL PARTICULARLY OVER THE FALL AND WINTER MONTHS.

A LOT OF DOCTORS WERE USING A SEWING CREATES A AND SORT OF, YOU KNOW WHAT MARKET SO MUCH THAT.

AND THERE'S SHORTAGE.

AND BECAUSE OF THE INCREASED RATES OF SYPHILIS IN THE COUNTRY BELIEVED TO HAVE AFFECTED THE FINISH OR AGE.

ONLY ONE COMPANY MAKES IN THE UNITED STATES.

BUT, YOU KNOW, FORTUNATE ADVOCACY POINT.

FIRST MET UP WITH THE PRODUCING ENOUGH.

AND SO THEN THE TEAM FOR HIS LIFE, THE ONLY EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR OR WASN'T FOR >> IT IS THERE.

IS ANYTHING THAT PUBLIC HEALTH PROVIDERS SHOULD BE TO TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR PROTESTING IN TREATMENT?

>> HAVE PARTICULARLY.

WE DO NOT HAVE A PREVENTIVE A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND UNITED STATES EFFECTIVE AND UNFORTUNATELY OF COLOR, IT'S GOING TO BLACK COMMUNITIES SPECIALLY LIKE I'M SOUTH SIDE THERE'S MANY AREAS WHERE THERE'S NO ACCESS TO MANY YOU DO CARE MANY PATIENTS THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

KNOW REALLY FINDING HERE REALLY HE AN THE PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING THAT OFTEN AND OFTEN DOES COME BACK TO FUNDING.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, I KNOW IMPORTANT YES, AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.

DOCTOR, AS WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

ABSOLUTELY.

THANKS FOR HIM.

UP NEXT, THE DIFFICULTY OF GETTING AROUND TOWN WITH A DISABILITY.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

FOR CHICAGO RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES GETTING AROUND THE CITY CAN BE MORE OF A BURDEN THAN A SIMPLE TASK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WT TW NEWS, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY'S MEDILL SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM STUDENTS EXPLORE THE CHALLENGES.

MOBILITY, LIMITED WRITER, SPACE USING A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZED PROGRAM DESIGNED TO CREATE MORE TRANSPORTATION EQUITY.

HERE'S NORTHWESTERN PROFESSOR AVA THOMPSON GREENWELL WITH THE STORY.

>> I USING A WHEELCHAIR I LIKED.

>> THE BLAKE, THE MESSAGES AND SPOKEN WORD ARTIST.

SURE.

NOW LANES POETRY ARE ALSO IN POSITIVE.

>> I COULD EVERYTHING.

BUT I CAN SOMETHING.

>> LOOK, COMMUTING TO OPEN MIKES AND HOSPITAL VISITS HAS BEEN ANYTHING BUT POSITIVE.

ON ONE PARTICULAR TRIP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

LANE SAYS SHE SAID WAITING FOR A CAB HOME.

ONE THAT NEVER CAME.

>> THEY ARE OUR LITERALLY RUNNING PAST.

>> HUGE.

I WAS JUST WAITING.

AND AND >> LANE LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER CHICAGOANS RELIES ON THE TAXI ACCESS PROGRAM KNOWN TAPPED TO GET AROUND THE PROGRAM.

CHICAGO SUBSIDIZE TAXI ADMINISTERED BY PACE, SERVES THOSE WITH DISABILITIES, CAN USE OTHER PUBLIC TRANSIT.

IT HAS SEEN AN EXPONENTIAL INCREASE IN POPULARITY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

>> ESPECIALLY AFTER PACE TEMPORARILY WAIVE FARES DURING COVID TACKY.

PICK YOU AND YOU CAN PICK YOU UP OR YOU DON'T HAVE TO PLAN A DAY ADVANCE.

IT ALLOWS FOR THE INDEPENDENCE THAT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE DISABILITIES OR DON'T HAVE MOBILITY DISABILITIES TAKE FOR GRANTED.

>> BUT AS THE RIDERSHIP BOOM CONTINUES, USERS AND ADVOCATES SAY TAP IS PLAGUED BY LONG WAIT TIMES VERBALLY ABUSIVE DRIVERS AND UNRELIABLE RISE.

>> WAS?

>> CAN DO?

THANK YOU.

THAT IS TRUTH.

>> THIS IS JOSE MARTINEZ WAS BLIND.

HAILING A TAP RIGHT FROM HIS HOME IN GAGE PARK.

HE'S RIGHT.

CAME IN 6 MINUTES.

SOMETHING MARTINEZ SAYS IT'S SURPRISING.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I WOULD GET A DRIVER.

IT WAS ALL GOOD.

OTHER TIMES WHEN I DID NOT GET A DRIVER.

I'D BE STUCK WAITING FOR ONE FOR ME.

IT'S A MATTER OF TIMING AND CONVENIENCE.

BUT FOR OTHERS, IT IS THEIR LIFELINE.

>> TEP RIDERS PAY A ONE-WAY FLAT FEE OF $2 FOR A RIDE AND PACE CASE.

THE DIFFERENCE UP TO $30 ADVOCATES BLAME THE FLAWS AND TAP ON AN AUDITING PROCESS THAT ALLOWS PACE TO TAKE 45 DAYS TO PAY DRIVERS.

BASE.

OFFICIALS SAY THIS PROCESS HELPS IDENTIFY ANY DISCREPANCIES THAT NEED TO BE RESOLVED.

HOWEVER, TAB DRIVERS SAY PAYMENTS CAN TAKE MUCH LONGER THAN 45 DAYS.

DRIVER SULAIMON QUAD RATES AS HE SUBMITTED RECEIPTS AUGUST.

AND AS OF LATE NOVEMBER, STILL HAD NOT BEEN PAID.

NOBODY LIKES EVERYBODY WANTS TO WANTS TO BE WAY USE.

THIS MIGHT WANT >> WE HAVE BROUGHT THE THE PAYMENT PACE A COUPLE OF TIMES VARY HAVE >> THAT THEY NEED TO DO THING.

THEY'VE GOT DOWN TO 45 DAYS.

AND THAT'S SECOND.

>> ADVOCATES SAY PAYMENT DELAYS ENCOURAGE DRIVERS TO IGNORE RIDERS WITH DISABILITIES.

AND LANE SAYS SOME DRIVERS HAVE EVEN TAKING OUT THEIR FRUSTRATION ON HER.

WAS AS ARMY >> LITERALLY.

>> I DON'T I'M NOT THE LAST HOLE CREATE THAT THE SYSTEM.

>> AND WHAT YOU'RE GETTING SHORTCHANGED.

SO YOU JUST HAVE TO TAKE THE ABUSE.

YOU WANTING SO WE'RE GOING.

>> DRIVERS FACING DELAYED PAYMENTS OFF AND CHASE MORE CONSISTENT BUSINESS AT O'HARE, CREATING A CLUSTER OF TAXIS AROUND THE AIRPORT AND DOWNTOWN.

RIGHT.

AS IN OTHER PARTS OF CHICAGO LAKE LANE WHO LIVES IN WASHINGTON PARK ARE OFTEN UNABLE TO EVEN CATCH A RIDE.

>> THEY DON'T WANT TO STOP AIRPORT WHERE THEY'RE GIVING ALL THIS MONEY TO COME.

PICK LAVAL ON THE SOUTH SIDE CHICAGO.

>> THERE ARE TRYING TO THAT.

SO WHAT?

>> YOU DON'T GET >> AS SPACE WORKS TO EXPAND TENT ADVOCATES AND RIDERS SAY PAYING DRIVERS FASTER IS A WAY TO SUPERCHARGE BOTH SERVICE AND THE IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM.

IT REALLY IS.

>> A GOOD THING.

>> AND THAT'S WHY WE WANT TO PROVE IT BECAUSE IT USABLE IT WOULDN'T BE SO FRUSTRATING THAT THERE THESE PROBLEMS IF IT WAS NOT USEFUL, IF IT WASN'T REALLY HELPFUL.

>> I FEEL LIKE ARE AS A WHOLE PERSON.

AND THIS AND THAT MY IN THE WAY WE'RE TREATED.

THROUGH ALL OF THESE TRANSPORTATION IS.

HEARTBREAK.

>> FOR WTW AND NORTHWESTERN'S MEDILL SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM.

I'M AVA THOMPSON GREENWELL.

>> OFFICIALS SAY THEY PLAN TO EXPAND TAP WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RIDESHARE ACCESS PROGRAM OR WRAP WHICH ALLOWS CUSTOMERS THE OPTION TO USE RIDESHARE SERVICES LIKE LYFT, UBER OR VIA FOR ONLY $2.

AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE WTW DOT COM SLASH NEWS FOR THE VERY LATEST FROM W T TW NEWS AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10 FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES DESPITE THE GUN LAWS ALREADY ON THE BOOKS IN ILLINOIS, A LOOK AT WHY THE STATE DOESN'T BAN GUNS FROM POLLING PLACES.

AND GOVERNOR PRITZKER IS LOOKING TO ELIMINATE THE STATE GROCERY TAX, BUT SOME MUNICIPALITIES ARE PUSHING BACK.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE IN CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES TIME BRANDIS FRIEDMAN STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, CHICAGO, PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH THAT IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE ITS 18 ATTORNEYS