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 ON OUR NEW DAY AND TIME.

I AM BRANDIS FREEMAN THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

ON OUR SHOW TONIGHT ACT BACK WITH CHICAGO TONIGHT WITH TINO VOICES.

A CROSSOVER DISCUSSION WITH LOCKE AND LATINO JOURNALISTS ON HOW THE MAYOR'S PROPOSAL IMPACTS COMMUNITIES.

>>> HOW ILLINOIS CLEAN ENERGY BILL DOUBLES AS A POWER SURGE FOR EQUITY EFFORTS.>>> PIONEERING BLACK FILMMAKER MELVIN VAN PEEBLES DIED THIS WEEK AT 89.

WE LOOK BACK AT HIS BEST KNOWN FILM.

>> THOSE HISTORIES BEGIN TO TELL A LOT ABOUT WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

>> Host: THE VISITOR CENTER AT CHICAGO'S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONAL MONUMENT OPENS THIS MONTH IN PULLMAN.

THE ROLE THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYED IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

>>> FIRST OFF, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT UNVEILED HER $1.9 BILLION BUDGET THIS WEEK.

AND SOME PEOPLE WERE SURPRISED BY ITS PROGRESSIVE BINS.

IN HER BUDGET ADDRESS THE MAYOR CHARACTERIZED HER PLAN AS "BOLD, TRANSFORMATIVE AND DEFINITIVE".

>> OUR VALUE STATEMENT MUST BE BOLD, DEFINITIVE AND TRANSFORMATIVE.

OUR ULTIMATE GOAL WITH THIS RECOVERY AND RESILIENCY BUDGET IS TO RECOVER AND DEVELOP CHICAGO INTO A SAFER, STRONGER AND MORE PROSPEROUS CITY IN WHICH PEOPLE CAN TAKE, UPROOT AND, AND MAKE A FAMILY AND A BETTER LIFE FOR THEMSELVES.

>> Host: THE BUDGET ALSO BOOSTS POLICE BENDING ADDING $189 MILLION TO CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT COFFERS FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT $1.9 BILLION.

JOINING IS NOW ON THE MAYOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL ARE FOR REPORTERS, CARLOS BALLESTEROS FROM INJUSTICE WATCH, ADAM RHODES AND BRANDON POPE FROM CW26 AND JAMIE NESBITT GOLDEN FROM BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

BRANDON POPE LET'S START WITH YOU.

THE MAYOR WAS EXCESSIVE THE BUDGET HAD NO CUTS TO SERVICES, NO NEW TAXES OR LAYOFFS.

$2 BILLION OF THIS BUDGET COMES FROM THE ONE-TIME FEDERAL STIMULUS.

SO WHAT HAPPENS BEYOND 2022?

>> Guest: THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS WITH THAT.

YOU SEE A LOT OF SOCIAL SPENDING HERE, LESS TAXATION.

WHEN IT COMES TO POLITICAL SPENDING PROBLEM YOU GET IS THAT IT COMES BACK IN LATER YEARS.

SOMEONE HAS TO PAY FOR IT.

THAT'S SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON GOING FORWARD IF WE GET THIS UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME IDEA WE GET ALL THESE OTHER GREAT AGGRESSIVE IDEAS, IS IT GOING TO FALL BACK ON TAXPAYERS LATER ON DOWN THE LINE?

>> Host: RIGHT, HOW CAN YOU CONTINUE PAYING FOR THAT.

ADAM, AS WE HEARD BRANDON MENTION ONE OF THE MORE PROGRESSIVE ITEMS THAT IS A BASIC INCOME PILOT, READY MILLION DOLLARS GIVE 5000 LOW INCOME FAMILIES $500 A MONTH FOR A YEAR EARED WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THAT PILOT COMES PERMANENT?

THAT IT IS SUSTAINABLE?

>> Guest: THERE ARE PILOTS LIKE THIS IN DOZENS OF CITIES AND TOWNS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND IT PROVIDES VERY IMPORTANT RELIEF TO THE LOWEST INCOME CITIZENS IN THE COUNTRY.

I THINK IF CHICAGO GENUINELY CARES ABOUT THE LOWEST INCOME AND MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN THE CITY IT WOULD COME FROM THEM.

>> Host: JAMIE NESBITT GOLDEN I'M ASKING YOU TO WEIGH IN ON THAT AS WELL.

WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD IS SUSTAINABLE AND HOW USEFUL WILL IT BE A FAMILY TO RECEIVE IT?

>> Guest: IT WILL BE TICKLY IMPORTANT.

THE LAST YEAR AND WHERE AND EMPLOYMENT RATES ARE NOW, THAT BEING SAID, I CANNOT SHARE ADAM'S ENTHUSIASM OR OPTIMISM.

I THINK MAKING THIS PERMANENT WILL BE AN UPHILL BATTLE.

WHILE WE DO HAVE RECORD NUMBERS OF PROGRESSIVE COUNCILMEMBERS WE DO HAVE A LOT OF OLD SCHOOL NEO-LIBERAL FOLKS WHO AREN'T REALLY ALL THAT SOLD ON THE ISSUE.

SO, I THINK IT IS A WAIT-AND-SEE KIND OF THING BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS GOING TO STICK.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, CARLOS BALLESTEROS, WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE FAMILIES WHO COME TO DEPEND ON THE $500 FOR THE YEAR.

IS THAT THE TENSION OF THE BASIC INCOME PROGRAMMING?

>> Guest: YES.

I THINK IT IS REALLY INTERESTING THEY DECIDED TO MAKE THIS A ONE-YEAR PILOT BECAUSE IT IS HARD TO MAKE ANY CONCLUSIONS IN A PROGRAM FOR SIZE AND WITH THIS KIND OF MISSION AND JUST IN ONE YEAR.

SO, YEAH, I DON'T KNOW, IT IS TOUGH TO MAKE THOSE PREDICTIONS BUT I WILL SAY THAT GROWING UP IN A LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLD IN CHICAGO, $500 PER MONTH WOULD MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

>> Host: A LOT OF FAMILIES AND PREVIOUS PILOTS HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT EARED FOR SOME FOLKS IT MAY ONLY SEEM LIKE $500 PER MONTH BUT IF YOU ARE THE FAMILY RECEIVING IT AND IN NEED IT IS A LOT.

>>> WE TALK TO THE LEADERS OF TWO SOCIAL JUSTICE ALLEGATIONS OF FUNDING FOR POLICE IN THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET.

HERE IS WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> IF THE MAYOR TRULY WANTS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CRIME AND RESPONSE WILL FOR THE VIOLENCE, SHE NEEDS TO DO MORE THAN INVEST $200 MILLION MORE INTO OUR POLICE.

I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN SOME MONEY TO BE PUT INTO VIOLENCE PREVENTION BUT WHEN YOU SHOW ME YOUR BUDGET YOU ARE SHOW ME YOUR PRIORITIES.

NOW OUR PRIORITIES ARE SAYING THE POLICE IS HER PRIMARY WAY OF ADJUSTING THE VIOLENCE AND PUBLIC SAFETY EARED WE WOULD EXPECT AND HOPE THAT SOCIAL CHANGE AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND ADVOCATES ACROSS THE NATION AND PARTICULARLY IN CHICAGO THAT MORE MONEY WOULD BE ADDRESSED PUBLIC SAFETY AND MADE SURE PEOPLE CAN OVERCOME THE HURDLES THAT ALSO LEAD TO CRIME.

>> I'M NOT SEEING ANY INNOVATION WITHIN THE BUDGET.

IT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME STATUS QUO EVERY YEAR.

UNFORTUNATELY THAT TO KILL HER DEPARTMENT, THAT MONEY IS INCREASING.

AND, IT IS OUT FOR CASES, THINGS HAPPENING WITH CITIZENS, EIGHT SHOT SPOTTER TECHNOLOGY AND THE OTHER TECHNOLOGY THAT NEEDS TO BE EVALUATED.

I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THOSE BUDGETS WHERE YOU NEED TO DO A DEEP DIVE TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE YOU GO TO AN INCREASE.

>> TODD BELCORE AND TODD BELCORE FROM TERI GAGE A COUPLE FAMILIAR FACES ON CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES.

DO YOU THINK THEY WILL BE SATISFIED WITH HOW THIS BUDGET ADDRESSES SAFETY?

>> Guest: I THINK IT DEPENDS ON WHO YOU TALK TO FROM THE SOUTH SIDE.

YOU'VE MORE PROGRESSIVE ACTIVISTS WHO LIKE ASIAHA BUTLER FEEL THAT THIS DOESN'T REALLY ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE BUT THEN YOU HAVE OTHER FOLKS WHO ARE LONGTIME HOMEOWNERS LIKE FOLKS IN CHATHAM OR OR SAY BRONXVILLE WHO O FEEL THIS MEANS THEY WILL GET MORE POLICE PROTECTION IF THEY GET MORE INCREASED FOOT PATROL.

AND, THAT IS NOTHING THEY BEEN WORRIED ABOUT THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN INCLINE IN SAFETY HERE AND THERE IN THEY WANT THAT SECURITY.

WITH THAT SAID, A LOT OF THIS BUDGET IS GOING TOWARD PENSIONS AND RETROACTIVE PAY.

NONE OF THIS IS GOING TOWARD ITS PROTECTION.

WE ARE ASKING FOLKS TO STEP UP AND SAY SOMETHING IF THEY SEE SOMETHING AND THEY ARE NOT GETTING THAT PROTECTION THEY NEED TO FEEL SAFE.

I THINK WITH MOTHERS OF GRIEVING PARENTS AND MOTHERS WHO HAVE ASKED POLICE FOR HELP AND SAY, WHEN THEIR DAUGHTERS ARE WITNESS TO A CRIME AND ARE NOT GETTING THE HELP.

>> Host: BRANDON POPE, HE SAID SHOW ME THE BUDGET AND THAT WILL SHOW THE PRIORITIES WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS SAYS ABOUT THE MAYOR'S PRIORITIES?

>> Guest: AN 11 PERCENT INCREASE SINCE A MESSAGE THAT LACK OF POLICE RESOURCES AND WILL STRING THAT IS THE ANSWER TO FIXING PUBLIC SAFETY.

SHE ALSO MADE THE SAME STATEMENT THAT WE HAVE TO LEARN FROM HISTORY AND NOT MAKE MISTAKES OF THE PAST.

INCREASING POLICE SPENDING IS A MISTAKE OF THE PAST.

WE SPENDING ACROSS THE COUNTRY NOT JUST IN CHICAGO HAS BEEN BLOATED, HAS BEEN INCREASING, HAS TRIPLED IN CHICAGO SINCE 19 624 ACCORDING TO INJUSTICE WATCH.

SO YES, PUBLIC SAFETY HAS IMPROVED.

WE STILL HAVE THE ISSUE WE BEEN HAVING FOR DECADES.

AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT FRONT SOLUTIONS AND ACTUALLY LEARN FROM HISTORY THIS BUDGET DOES NOT EXACTLY DO THAT PART AS SHE CLAIMED IT WOULD.

>> Host: ADAM RHODES WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO WHAT RESIDENTS ARE SAYING AND ARE THEY SATISFIED WITH WHAT THEY ARE SPENDING ON THE POLICE BUDGET?

>> Guest: THERE IS A WIDESPREAD CONCERN THAT ANY INCREASE TO THE POLICE BUDGET AT THIS POINT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

ESPECIALLY WITH LAST YEAR HOW POLICE WERE SO VIOLENT TO PROTESTERS DOWNTOWN, THE PROTESTERS PROTESTING THE LUMBER STATUE AND THE PROTESTERS AT THE ADAM DELAURO PROTEST.

THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH OVERWHELMING POLICE VIOLENCE THIS YEAR THAT FOR MANY PEOPLE, FRANKLY RIGHTLY SO, ANY INCREASE TO THE POLICE BUDGET IS UNACCEPTABLE.

I THINK THERE IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE A FENCE FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY THAT THESE ARE CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS BUT THERE'S NOTHING TO STOP THE CITY FROM TAKING THAT MONEY OUT OF A PROGRAM THAT ONLY HARMS PEOPLE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FUNDING IT THAT WAY WITHOUT HAVING TO SPEND AN ADDITIONAL, I THINK IT'S $180 MILLION.

>> Host: I'M GOING TO JUMP IN BECAUSE WERE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.CARLOS, WHAT SHOULD WE BE LOOKING FOR WITH REGARDS OF DISSENTING OPINIONS IN CITY COUNCIL?

WILL THERE BE A BIG FIGHT?

>> THERE IS ALWAYS A BIG FIGHT IN THE CITY COUNCIL.

EVERYTHING IS A BIG FIGHT IN CITY COUNCIL.

I THINK THERE WAS SOME COMMON SENSE TODAY BY THE ALDERMAN THAT CALLED EFFICACY OF THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION IN THE BUDGET PROPOSAL.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE NEW.

IS IT SUSTAINABLE?

IS IT A ONE-TIME THING?

IS THE MAYOR LEADING UP TO HER ELECTION CAMPAIGN?

ALL THESE THINGS COME INTO QUESTION.>> Host: WE WILL ALL BE WATCHING, I AM SURE.

ANGST TO OUR PANELISTS.

CARLOS BALLESTEROS, ADAM RHODES, BRANDON POPE AND JAMIE NESBITT GOLDEN.

UP NEXT HOW THE STATE ENERGY BILL STRIVES FOR EQUITY.

>> Host: ILLINOIS GIGANTIC ENERGY LAW WILL CHANGE THE FORCE OF THE LAW IN THE FUTURE.

THE PACKAGE WILL LEAD ILLINOIS TO CARBON FREE ENERGY BY 2025.

IT ALSO TIPS THE SCALES OF WHO MAKES UP THE TRANSFORMING ENERGY INDUSTRY.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US MORE WITH WHAT THIS LAW DOES IN TERMS OF EQUITY.

>> THIS GIGANTIC LAW IS DUBBED THE CLIMATE AND EQUITABLE JOBS ACT AND THE GOVERNOR JUST SIGNED IT LAST WEEK.

SORT OF LIKE YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK I DISCOVER IT IS NOT ALWAYS WISE TO JUDGE A LAW BY ITS TITLE BUT IN THIS CASE IT MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE.

I TALKED WITH ONE PERSON WHO WAS REALLY INVOLVED WITH DRAFTING THE LEGISLATION AND HE SAID IT IS GOING TO BE A GAME CHANGER.

IN WHAT WAYS?

LET'S START WITH JOBS.

>> AS WE TALE OFF THE USE FOR FOSSIL FUELS AS WE TALE OFF THE USE FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY WE HAVE TO SIGNIFICANTLY RAMP UP THE USE OF GREEN ENERGY.

WIND AND SOLAR TO POWER THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO DO IT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WILL DAVIS SAID THERE AREN'T ENOUGH PEOPLE, PERIOD, THAT ARE EVEN TRAINED TO DO THIS SORT OF WORK BUT HE IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED THAT THERE AREN'T ENOUGH PEOPLE OF COLOR AND THERE IS A REPORT BACKING THAT UP.

IT FOUND THAT PEOPLE OF COLOR MADE UP ABOUT 27 PERCENT OF ILLINOIS CLEAN ENERGY INDUSTRY LAST YEAR.

AND REVAMPING THE ENERGY SECTOR LEADS A CHANGE FOR THAT.

>> IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS RENEWABLE ENERGY BUSINESSES WILL CREATE MORE THAN 50,000 NEW JOBS.

BUILDING PROJECTS IN EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE THAT SAVES CONSUMERS MONEY AND RIGHTS CLIMATE CHANGE.

WE ARE PROUD OF THE DIVERSITY AND EQUITY COMMITMENT IN THIS LEGISLATION AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING SURE THAT AS THE RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY GROWS IT FULLY REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

>> REALLY EQUITY IS WOVEN THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE PACKAGE.

SO, IT CREATES A GREEN BANK THAT PROVIDE SEED MONEY TO HELP LACK AND BROWN CONTRACTORS WHO MAY OTHERWISE HAVE A HARD TIME ACCESSING CAPITAL AND PROVIDES OTHER NATURAL ASSISTANCE.

THERE IS SUPPORT FOR THOSE LEAVING PRISON TO ENTER INTO THE CLEAN ENERGY WORKFORCE.

THE NEW LAW SINCE $80 MILLION PER YEAR THAT WILL BE PAID FOR BY TAXPAYERS ON DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS FROM WHAT THE LAW CALLS EQUITY FOCUSED COMMUNITIES AND THOSE ARE LARGELY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>> WE HAVE 13 WORKFORCE HUBS THAT WILL BE PROVIDING TRAINING AND PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR WORKERS.

IT WILL BE PROVIDING THINGS LIKE TOOLS AND PLACEMENT SERVICES AND RETENTION SERVICES AND TRAVEL STIPENDS AND FOR THOSE WHO NEED CHILDCARE.

THERE WILL ALSO BE WORKFORCE HUBS THAT WILL BE PROVIDING FREE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS AS WELL.

>> THE LAW SENSORS CHOIR MEANT TO MAKE SURE THE INTENDED DIVERSITY GOALS IS MET.

ILLINOIS IS BEEFING UP THE RENEWABLE INDUSTRY THROUGH FINANCIAL INCENTIVES BUT ONLY CONTRACTORS THAT MEET DIVERSITY THRESHOLDS WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS THOSE INCENTIVES.

>> FOR ME AS WE TALK ABOUT THE PROJECTS WHETHER THEY ARE PROJECTS PUT ON THE ROOF OF THE HOUSE OF THROUGH COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS UTILITIES WITH SOLAR THERE NEEDS TO BE A PLACE FOR LACK AND BROWN COMPANIES TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO THE GAME, BE ABLE TO GET THEIR FEET SETTLED AND GET WET AND BE ABLE TO GROW OVER TIME.

>> WHILE 2045 IS DECADES AWAY A LOT OF THIS WORK IS ALREADY GETTING UNDERWAY IN THIS NEW LAW GIVES IT A HUGE BOOST.

>> WHEN I LOOK FORWARD AND I AM THINKING ABOUT 2045 WHAT I VISUALIZE IS A CLEAN ENERGY WORKFORCE IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS THAT RESEMBLES THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THOSE STATES.

I SEE LACK AND BROWN BUSINESSES GROWING.

I SEE LACK AND BROWN CONTRACTORS BEING ABLE TO HIRE PEOPLE FROM THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> HE ALSO SAYS HE SEES THE FUTURE AND WITH MANY OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE DEALING WITH TOXIC POLLUTANTS RIGHT NOW NO LONGER HAVE TO BE DEALING WITH THAT IN 2045.

HE ALSO SEES A FUTURE IN WHICH SOLAR PANELS WERE ON ROOFTOPS THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND CHARGING STATIONS WILL BE ALL OVER ILLINOIS INCLUDING IN COMMITTEES OF COLOR.

BRANDIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> Host: AMANDA, GOOD REPORTING.

FOR SOME PEOPLE WALKING THROUGH CHICAGO'S PULLMAN NEIGHBORHOOD IS GOING BACK IN TIME.

NOW A NEW VISITOR CENTER IN THE CENTURY OLD CLOCK TOWER BUILDING WILL TELL THE STORY OF THE HISTORIC TOWN JEFFREY BAYER VISITED PULLMAN HEAD OF THE CENTER'S OPENING FOR A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK.

>> DOES THIS LOOK LIKE PART OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE?

THERE ARE NO MOUNTAINS, CANYONS OR FORESTS IN PULLMAN ON CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE.

THE ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD IS A NATIONAL MONUMENT.

WHAT IT LACKS IN SCENERY IT MORE THAN MAKES UP FOR IN HISTORY.

>> THIS IS AMERICA'S FIRST PLANNED INDUSTRIAL COMMUNITY.

AND, SO, THERE IS A LOT TO BE LEARNED HERE.

>> GEORGE PULLMAN THE 19TH CENTURY INDUSTRIALIST REVOLUTIONIZED INDUSTRIAL TRAVEL WITH HIS PULLMAN TRAVEL CAR.AS HIS BUSINESS GREW HE OPENED A FACTORY IN CHICAGO AND RIGHT NEXT DOOR BUILT A COMPANY TOWN WHICH HE NAMED FOR HIMSELF.

IT WAS ENVISIONED AS A WORKERS UTOPIA.

>> YOU HAVE INDOOR PLUMBING, TRASH PICKUP, EVERYTHING THAT A COMMUNITY SHOULD HAVE BY WORKERS.

>> WORKERS AND MANAGERS PAID RENT TO PULLMAN FOR THE HOMES IN THE TOWNS WHICH HAD ALL THE AMENITIES MOST WORKING PEOPLE COULD NEVER DREAM OF.

MANICURED LANDSCAPING, PARKS, A LIBRARY, A CHURCH AND THEATER.

ALL OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY THE PULLMAN COMPANY.

THIS WAS THE ADMITS RATION BUILDING PAID THE EPICENTER OF THE WHOLE OPERATION, FACTORY AND COMPANY TOWN.

NOW, IT IS AN EPICENTER OF A DIFFERENT KIND.

THE VISITOR CENTER OF CHICAGO'S FIRST AND EVER NATIONAL MONUMENT.

INSIDE YOU BOARD A NEARLY FULL-SIZE MODEL OF A PULLMAN SLEEPER CAR ALL ABOARD!

>> THIS WAS NOTHING LIKE WHAT PEOPLE HAD EXPERIENCED IN TRAIN TRAVEL.

>> PRIOR TO THESE LUXURY SLEEPER CARS, TRAVEL BY RAIL WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE, VERY UNPLEASANT.

>> THE CAR IS A GATEWAY TO A PERMANENT EXHIBIT ABOUT PULLMAN.

THE MAN, THE COMPANY AND THE TOWN.

ALSO, HOMANS IMPORTANT AND UNINTENDED ROLE OF AMERICA'S CIVIL RIGHTS AND LABOR MOVEMENT.

>> THE ECONOMIC RECESSION STARTED IN 1984 AND THE ORDERS DROPPED OFF FOR THE PULLMAN CARS.

WE REDUCE THEIR HOURS AND WAGES.

HE REFUSED TO REDUCE THE RENT.

>> SOME WORKERS HAD BARELY ENOUGH TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES.

PULLMAN EMPLOYEES WALKED OUT AND CONFLICT QUICKLY ESCALATED INTO A NATIONAL RAILROAD STRIKE DURING PRESIDENT GROVER CLEVELAND SENT FEDERAL TROOPS TO BREAK THE STRIKE RESULTING IN ONE OF THE MOST VIOLENT LABOR CONFLICTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

>> AT THE TIME THE RAILROADS IN THE UNITED STATES WERE NOT TRYING TO ARBITRATE OR NEGOTIATE WITH EMPLOYEES.

>> IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE STRIKE PULLMAN'S COMPANY WAS FORCED TO SELL OFF THE TOWN WHICH WAS LATER ANNEXED TO CHICAGO.

PRESIDENT CLEVELAND MADE LABOR DAY A NATIONAL HOLIDAY.

>> PERHAPS A BIT OF APPEASEMENT FOR THE WORKERS BECAUSE THE STRIKE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RESULT IN THE KIND OF LABOR CHANGES THAT THEY HAD HOPED FOR.

>> BLACK HISTORY IS A BIG PART OF THE PULLMAN STORY, TOO.THE COMPANY HIRED FORMER ENSLAVED PEOPLE AS PULLMAN REPORTERS WHO CARRIED PASSENGERS LUGGAGE, SERVE THEIR MEAL AND SHINED THEIR SHOES.>> ON ONE HAND IT CAN BE TERRIBLE JOBS.

IN ONE HAND IT CAN BE A FOOTSTOOL FOR OUR SELF-DEVELOPMENT.

YOU KNOW YOU MAC FOR CARVING OUT THE MIDDLE CLASS.

>> PORTERS WORKED UP TO 20 HOURS PER SHIFT SLEEVE JUST FOR TIPS AND HAD TO SLEEP ON SEATS IN A SMOKING CAR.

THEY FACED PREJUDICE AND RACISM FROM PASSENGERS WHO NICK NAMED THEM AFTER MR. PULLMAN THEMSELVES.

HARKING BACK TO AN OLD SLAVERY PRACTICE.

>> IMAGINE YOUR NAME IS TOM AND SOMEBODY DISRESPECTFULLY CALLS YOU GEORGE.

YOU KNOW I MEAN?

YOU MIGHT AS WELL SAY HEY BOY, COME HERE.

>> SUPPORTERS COULD EAVESDROP ON CONVERSATIONS OF TRAVELING BUSINESSMEN.

>> THROUGH OSMOSIS THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THAT CONCEPT BACK TO THE COMMUNITIES AND START THEIR BUSINESS.

>> SUPPORTERS DISTURBED BLACK NEWSPAPERS LIKE THE CHICAGO DEFENDER AND PITTSBURGH COURIER ACROSS THE AMERICAN SOUTH SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT OPPORTUNITY IN THE NORTH.

>> THEY WERE THE UNOFFICIAL USHERS OF THE GREAT MIGRATION.

>> THREE DECADES AFTER THE PULLMAN STRIKE AND THE DEATH OF GEORGE PULLMAN THE PORTERS OVERCAME STRONG COMPANY RESISTANT TO FORM AMERICA'S FIRST MAJOR UNION OF BLACK WORKERS.

THE BROTHERHOOD OF SLEEPING CAR PORTERS LED BY A PHILIP RANDOLPH.

PULLMAN CLOSES FACTORY OF THE HISTORIC TOWN IN 1958 AND MUCH LIKE MANY OTHER COMMITTEES IN CHICAGO'S SOUTH AND WEST SIDE THIS ONE HAS FACED SIGNIFICANT DISINVESTMENT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DECADES.

BUILDINGS FROM THE 19TH CENTURY DETERIORATED IN A FIRE DEVASTATED THE ADMITS RATION BUILDING IN 1998 ALL ALONG NEIGHBORS AND LOCAL NONPROFITS FOUGHT TO PRESERVE PULLMAN AND ITS HISTORY.

THE STATE REBUILD ITS CLOCK TOWER IN 2005 AND IN 2015 NEIGHBORS SCORED A HUGE VICTORY ON PRESIDENT ROCK OBAMA DECLARED PULLMAN A NATIONAL MONUMENT OR ITS SIGNIFICANCE BOTH PAST AND PRESENT.

>> NOT A WEEK GOES BY THAT THERE IS NOT A HEADLINE WHERE I HEAR A PART OF THE STORY OF TODAY HARKING BACK TO THE ISSUES OF RACE, IMMIGRATION, LABOR, CAPITALISM, GOVERNMENT REGULATION, GENDER EQUITY, YOU NAME IT PEERED WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT STORY PEERED.

>> IN RECENT YEARS COMPANIES LIKE METHOD, WHOLE FOODS AND AMAZON COME TO THE AREA.

>> IN A FEW SHORT YEARS WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT.

WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> SOME LEADERS SAY THE COMMUNITY WHO ONCE WAS A MODEL FOR COMPANY TOWNS MAY NOW BE A MODEL FOR REVITALIZATION WITH TOURS AS A DRIVING FORCE.

>> ARE GOING TO GIVE THEM A PLACE TO SHOP, SLEEP AND EAT.

WE WILL KEEP THOSE TAX DOLLARS FLOWING RIGHT HERE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> NINTH WARD ALDERMAN ANTHONY BEALE SAID RESTORATION EFFORTS ARE FROM OVER.

THROUGH THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVES, PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE HISTORIC PULLMAN FOUNDATION AND CITY, STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES.

>> TO BE ABLE TO SEE AN AREA LIKE THIS, TO BE ABLE TO REBEL AND COME BACK THROUGH TOURISM, NOT THROUGH SOME KIND OF QUICKFIX METHOD BUT THROUGH TOURISM AND HISTORY, IS AN IMPORTANT THING.

IT IS A BLUEPRINT FOR WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR OTHER AREAS OF THE SELL SIDE.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT I AM JEFFREY BAYER.

>> THE NEW VISITOR CENTER IS AT 111 STREET AND SOUTH COTTAGE GROVE.

A FEW BLOCKS NORTH FROM WHERE THE OLD VISITOR CENTER WAS LOCATED.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PULLMAN, PARTICULARLY THEIR TIES TO THE BLACK NEIGHBOR MOVEMENT AND CIVIL RIGHTS, JOIN OUR COMMUNITY CONVERSATION MONDAY NIGHT AT 8 PM.

VISIT WTTW.com FOR MORE ON EVENTS TO RSVP.

WE ARE BACK WITH MORE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> FILMMAKER, PLAYWRIGHT, MUSICIAN AND CHICAGO NATIVE MELVIN VAN PEEBLES DIED THIS WEEK AT THE AGE OF 89.

IN 1981 WTTW YOU MUSIC REVIEWS WENT INTO BLACK CINEMAS.

THE 1971 ART-HOUSE FILM SUITE BACK BAD ASS SONG RIVETED AUDIENCES WITH A DEPICTION OF A BLACK MAN ON THE RUN FROM RACIST POLICE OFFICERS.

HERE IS A CLIP.

>> IT WAS A BOLT OF LIGHTNING.

BLACK-AND-WHITE AUDIENCES WERE THUNDERSTRUCK.

HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME WAS A MOVIE ABOUT A BLACK MAN DID ALL FOR HIMSELF VIRTUALLY BY HIMSELF.

THIS MOVIE SPOKE TO A LOT OF BLACK MOVIEGOERS IN AN AGGRESSIVE WAY THAN MORE OF CITY PARTIES FILMS PAID HE WAS A SCRUFFY DUDE DOING HIS THING NOT A GLAMOROUS HOLLYWOOD HERO.

>> A FUN FACT, VAN PEEBLES HIRED AND THEN UNKNOWN CHICAGO BAND TO CREATE THE SOUNDTRACK OF THE FILM.

THEY WERE NAMES, EARTH WIND AND FIRE.

YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT MELVIN VAN PEEBLES LIFE AND HIS LEGACY ON HER WEBSITE.

>>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEKEND.

SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.com/NEWS FOR THE VERY LATEST FROM THE LATEST WTTW NEWS INCLUDING DETAILS ON THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER GROUNDBREAKING.

IF YOU ARE WATCHING US ON SATURDAY NIGHT JUST KNOW THAT YOU CAN CATCH BLACK VOICES AND LATINO VOICES ON SUNDAY AT 10 AM JOIN PARIS SCHUTZ AND ME ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

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

THANK YOU WILL SPINNING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

STAY HEALTHY, SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.