>>> GOOD EVENING, WITH "CHICAGO TONIGHT," LATINO VOICES.

I'M ALEX HERNANDEZ.

WE CHERISH EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING AT 5:00 AND 6:00.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING A PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT, WHAT A PERMANENT CHILD TAX CREDIT COULD MEAN FOR ILLINOIS FAMILIES.

A HIRING EVENT PUTS JOB SEEKERS FACE TO FACE WITH HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY EMPLOYERS.

>>> APRIL IS PARKINSON'S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH, BUT NOT MUCH IS KNOWN ABOUT HOW THE DISORDER AFFECTS LATINOS.

>> WE HAVE TO PUT THE GAME AWAY.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE PIECES.

>>> AND A GETS PUERTO RICAN CULTURE AND HOSPITALITY INTO THE GAME.

ALL THAT COMING UP.

BUT FIRST OUR STORY TONIGHT, A PUSH IN SPRINGFIELD FOR A PERMANENT CHILD TAX CREDIT.

HOW IT WOULD WORK RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT," LATINO VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLY IN PART BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> SOME ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS ARE PUSHING FOR A PERMANENT CHILD TAX CREDIT.

THAT WOULD MEAN UP TO $700 PER CHILD FOR ELIGIBLE FAMILIES.

THOSE WHO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE ARE EARNING LESS THAN $75,000 AND SINGLE FILERS EARNING LESS THAN $50,000.

JOINING US TO BREAK DOWN WHAT THIS COULD MEAN FOR FAMILIES ARE ROBERTO VALDEZ JR., WITH HISPANIC FEDERATION.

ROSALIA, A MOTHER AND VICE PRESIDENT OF POWER PACK ILLINOIS.

AND AN ORGANIZATION THAT AIMS TO EMPOWER LOW INCOME IMMIGRANT AND WORKING FAMILIES.

AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS JR., A DEMOCRAT FROM CHICAGO.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

THANK YOU.

LET'S START THE CONVERSATION.

I WANT TO START WITH REPRESENTATIVE EVANS TODAY.

SO IF I MAY, REPRESENTATIVE, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

IF YOU CAN TELL US HOW WOULD THIS WORK FOR ILLINOIS FAMILIES?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU KNOW, I'M PROUD TO BE HERE.

I'M PROUD TO REPRESENT THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF CHICAGO.

IF ANYBODY WHO HAS BEEN TO THE SOUTHEAST SIDE, IT'S A LATINO COMMUNITY, A WORKING CLASS COMMUNITY.

BECAUSE I REPRESENT THE WORKING CLASS COMMUNITY, FIGHT FOR THE WORKING CLASS, AND JUST HOW CHILD TAX CREDIT IS DOING JUST THAT.

GIVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO NOT JUST HELP THE CORPORATION, BUT WHAT ARE WE DOING TO WORK THE HELPING CLASS, THE MOMS, THE LOW INCOME WORKING FAMILIES.

SO THIS THING WITH $500 PER CHILD BENEFITS FOR HOUSEHOLDS MAKING LESS THAN A MEDIAN STATE HOUSE OF INCOME.

SO WE'RE TARGETING WORKING FAMILIES.

THE $700 WOULD BE PER CHILD.

SO IF THE INDIVIDUAL HAS MULTIPLE CHILDREN, THEY WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR $700 TAX CREDITS.

OF COURSE, THERE ARE STIPULATIONS ON INCOME AS WE'RE TRYING TO TARGET HARD WORKING FOLKS, AND JUST GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO AGAIN HELP OUT THE WORKING PEOPLE THAT THE BILL, HOUSE BILL 3950.

JUST LOOKING TO PUSH IT IN AND GET IT DONE.

>> HOW WOULD IT BE FUNDED, REPRESENTATIVE?

>> WELL WITH ANY TAX CREDIT THERE'S A COST.

BUT THE HOPE IS THAT THE BENEFITS WOULD OUTWEIGH THE COST.

WE'VE DONE A LOT OF STUDIES AND THE STUDIES ON THE CENTER FOR TAX AND BUDGET ACCOUNTABILITY TO SHOW FOR EVERY DOLLAR SPENT, THIS TAX CREDIT WILL GENERATE AN ADDITIONAL $2.50.

YOU CAN SAVE DOLLARS FROM THE WORKING CLASS, FROM THE LATINO MOMS, THE BLACK MOMS, FROM THE WORKING CLASS FOLKS.

THAT IF THEY'RE GOING TO USE THAT MONEY AND PUT IT WHERE IN THE LOCAL STORES, AND THEY'RE GOING TO SHIP IT THROUGH THE ECONOMY.

HELPING WORKING PEOPLE WILL HELP BOOST THE ECONOMY.

WE CAN DO SOMETHING PERMANENT.

I THINK TO HELP ILLINOIS, IT WILL BE WRONG.

>> LET'S SPEAK TO THE MOTHER, ROSALIA.

YOU'RE A MOTHER.

HOW DO YOU ENVISION THIS CAN BENEFIT FAMILIES?

>> THIS CHILD TAX CREDIT WOULD BE REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT WOULD BENEFIT SPECIFICALLY LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

WE ARE ALSO TARGETING VERY MUCH I-10 FILERS.

WE KNOW THEY HAVE A HARD TIME, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THAT IMMIGRANTS IN CHILDREN GET A HARD TIME GETTING BACK WHAT THEY DESERVE.

SO WE KNOW THAT WORKING MOMS NEED THIS CHILD TAX CREDIT.

IT WOULD JUST HELP THEIR FAMILY SUCCEED, HELP THEM WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

NOT ONLY TAKE THE BURDEN OFF ALL THESE BILLS THAT THEY HAVE TO TRY TO FOCUS AND WORK ON, BUT IT WOULD DEFINITELY HELP THEM TAKE THAT BURDEN OFF AND DO THE WORK THEIR CHILDREN FEELS BETTER ABOUT THEIR ENVIRONMENT.

>> HOW DO YOU HOPE ACCESS TO THIS WILL LOOK LIKE, ESPECIALLY FOR INDIVIDUAL FIGHTERS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN I KNOW THE LATINO COMMUNITY WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS TREMENDOUSLY.

WE NOLA TEE KNOW CHILDREN ARE TWICE MORE LIKELY TO BE IN CHILD POVERTY THAN THOSE WHITE CHILDREN.

SO WE KNOW THAT AFFECT WILL BE TREMENDOUS ON THE LATINO COMMUNITY.

THE COALITION THAT WE ARE A PART OF IS THE COST OF LIVING REFUND COALITION.

OUR CORE VALUES ARE FOR ACCESSIBILITIES TO UNDERSTAND THESE TYPES OF TAX CREDITS NEED TO BENEFIT EVERYONE INCLUDING THOSE WHO FILE THEIR TAXES WITH I-10 NUMBERS.

>> HOW SUCCESSFUL IS THIS GOING FOR OTHER STATES WHO HAVE IMPLEMENTED THIS?

>> THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER STATES THAT HAVE SEEN SUCCESS.

ILLINOIS SHOULD BE THE NEXT ONE TO ENSURE THEY CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND SHOW THAT THEY ARE SUPPORTING WORKING FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE.

AS I MENTIONED, IT'LL BENEFIT LATINO FAMILIES, BUT BLACK FEMALES ESSENTIAL TO ILLINOIS, THIS WILL BENEFIT EVERYONE IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE EVANS, WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS IN THIS LEGISLATION?

>> WELL, WHENEVER YOU TALK ABOUT TAX CREDITS, PEOPLE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT THE COST, WHAT THE TAX CREDIT DOES.

IT DEFERS MONEY THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE STATE REVENUE.

SO YOU'VE ALWAYS GOT TO CONSIDER WHAT WOULD THE HOLE BE CREATED AND HOW DO YOU FEEL THAT HOLE AND STILL TAKE CARE OF THIS OBLIGATION.

I BELIEVE THEY WERE CREATED BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT ONLY BE FILLED, BUT THAT WILL BE FILLED OVERFLOW.

SO THIS INVESTMENT IS NOT A HOLE, BUT THE INVESTMENT WILL CREATE MORE REVENUES.

IT WILL SEND THE MOM TO THE STORE A LITTLE MORE OFTEN AND HELP WITH THOSE SALES TAX RECEIPTS.

AND REALLY, IT IS AN OPINION AND THE TACT THAT WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DIDN'T SOMETHING, WE GIVE WORKING CLASS PEOPLE HELP.

THEY PUT THAT MONEY BACK ON THE ECONOMY.

RIGHT NOW THE BILL IS STILL IN COMMITTEE AND IT HAS NOT MOVED FORWARD.

SOME OF THE PEOPLE WILL CALL YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE WITH THE SENATOR, CALL THE GOVERNOR, AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS PARTICULAR TAXPAYER IS WORTHWHILE.

THERE'S A LOT THAT ARE FLOATING AROUND.

SOME OF THEM WILL MAKE SENSE.

SOME OF THEM DON'T, BUT WE KNOW THIS ONE WILL HAVE THAT EVIDENCE TO SHOW THEIR HEALTH.

>> OKAY, ROSALIA, HOW WILL FAMILIES ACTUALLY BE EDUCATED ABOUT THIS PROCESS?

>> WELL, WE ARE HOPING THAT US BEING INVOLVED IN ALL OF THIS WILL HELP US EDUCATE FAMILIES AND JUST REALLY BUILDING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH A COMMUNITY.

I KNOW THAT COLD FEET POWER PACK, WE REALLY GET HANDS ON WITH SPECIFICALLY OUR LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES.

WE TRY TO GET OUT THERE TO TALK ABOUT NOT ONLY THIS, BUT EVERYTHING WE COULD POSSIBLY BENEFIT FROM.

IT'S VERY HELPFUL TO KNOW THAT WE CAN HELP OTHER FAMILIES BENEFIT FROM THINGS THEY THOUGHT THEY COULDN'T QUALIFY FOR.

WE THINK THAT'S SUPER IMPORTANT THAT A LOT OF PARENTS AND FAMILIES DON'T KNOW THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO A LOT OF THOSE BENEFITS.

SO WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK ON THAT, AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO EDUCATE EVERY FAMILY THAT WE CAN TO HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES SUCCEED.

>> ROBERTO, DO YOU THINK THIS BILL IS THE BEST WAY TO HELP ILLINOIS FAMILIES POST PANDEMIC?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S A GREAT QUESTION YOU'RE ASKING, ALEX.

WE ARE ABOUT THREE YEARS POST PEAK PANDEMIC.

I THINK SOME HAVE FORGOTTEN THE STRUGGLES THAT LATINO FAMILIES, BLACK FAMILIES, ASIAN FAMILIES, A LOT OF FAMILIES IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS HAVE GONE THROUGH.

I THINK THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO PUT MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF THESE FAMILIES.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS TO STEP UP.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COULD NOT EXPAND.

BUT THIS WOULD HELP TREMENDOUSLY, BUT THIS HAS SHOWN TO BE ONE OF THE MOST PRODUCTIVE PROGRAMS, AS FAR AS EDUCATIONAL IN REGARDS TO REDUCING FOOD INSECURITY.

SO THERE'S VARIOUS BENEFITS ASIDE FROM THE FINANCIAL ONES THEY OFFER.

>> THIS WILL BE THE LAST QUESTION PRETTY MUCH.

ONE POINT THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, THERE WERE CREDITS.

WHAT ISSUES WERE YOU HEARING FROM FAMILIES?

WE HAVE VERY LIMITED TIME NOW.

>> WELL, THE MOST BIGGEST IMPORTANT ISSUE IS HOW FAMILIES DEPEND ON OTHER FAMILIES TO BE ABLE TO FILE THEIR TAXES, AND TO BE ABLE TO GET WHAT THEY KNOW THEY NEED AND DESERVE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

SO WE KNOW THAT'S A BIG ISSUE.

SO WE DEFINITELY NEED TO SPOTLIGHT THAT AND HOW FAMILIES DEPEND ON OTHER FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS TO HELP THEM FILE THEIR TAXES.

SO THIS WOULD BE A HUGE HELP.

AND IT WOULD ENCOURAGE I-10 FOLLOWERS TO HAVE A LITTLE MORE INDEPENDENCE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THANKS TO ROBERTO, ROSALIA, AND MARCUS EVANS.

>>> WITH TOURIST SEASON HEATING UP, CHICAGO'S HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY IS KICKING INTO HIGH GEAR.

THAT MEANS JOBS.

ON APRIL 18 AT THE PALMER HOUSE HILTON, THE SIXTH ANNUAL HOSPITALITY HIRE CHICAGO EVENT PUTS JOB SEEKERS FACE TO FACE WITH INDUSTRY EMPLOYERS WHO ARE READY TO INTERVIEW AND HIRE FOR A VARIETY OF OPEN POSITIONS.

>> HOSPITALITY HIRE CHICAGO IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR JOB SEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS TO MEET IN PERSON WITH COMPANIES THAT ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE HERE IN THE CHICAGO LOOP AND THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

ANYBODY CAN COME.

THIS IS A PROJECT OF THE COOK COUNTY WORK FORCE PARTNERSHIP.

OFTENTIMES PEOPLE THINK THE DOWNTOWN AREA, THE LOOP, THE CENTRAL AREA IS EXCLUSIVE, ONLY WHITE COLLARED WORKERS, AND THERE IS NOT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM.

HOSPITALITY HIRES IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO GET JOBS HERE IN THE LOOP, GOOD JOBS, AND ONES THAT CAN START THEM ON A CAREER TRACK.

THERE ARE, YOU KNOW, MID-LEVEL POSITIONS, AND THERE'S ENTRY-LEVEL POSITIONS.

THIS WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, FOLKS WHO TAKE CARE OF THE HOTEL, MAIDS, ROOM SERVICE FOLKS, COOKS, AND RESTAURANT SERVERS.

THIS MIGHT BE FOLKS THAT SET UP OR TEAR DOWN FOR WEDDINGS AND EVENTS THAT HAPPEN INSIDE OF THE HOTELS.

IT COULD BE FRONT REGISTRATION DESK PEOPLE.

IT COULD BE FOLKS THAT WILL TELL A DOORMAN.

BRINGS PEOPLES CARS UP.

THERE'S A LOT OF JOBS.

WE'RE EXPECTING HUNDREDS OF APPLICANTS.

THIS IS THE SIXTH YEAR.

WE TOOK A YEAR OFF BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

BUT LIKE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE GET JOBS, GET REAL JOBS.

THIS IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR COMPANIES TO REALLY CONNECT WITH THE PEOPLE THAT MAKES CHICAGO SUCH A GREAT PLACE AND GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY.

WE HOPE THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

>> YOUR INTERPRETERS WILL BE ON SITE TO ASSIST JOB SEEKERS.

YOU'LL FIND MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> UP NEXT, WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PARKINSON'S DISEASE.

>>> THE COSTS OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE ARE CURRENTLY UNKNOWN.

THE DISEASE IS A DEGENERATIVE DISORDER OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.

IT'S MARKED BY TREMORS, MUSCLE STIFFNESS, AND IMPAIRED MOVEMENT.

RECENT STUDIES SUGGEST THE DECEASE MAY OCCUR IN HIGHER RATES OF LATINOS, BUT IT'S TOUGH TO KNOW WHY THAT MIGHT BE.

LATINOS ARE UNDERREPRESENTED IN PARKINSONS RESEARCH.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE, DR. PAULINA GONZALEZ, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF NEUROLOGY AT NORTHWESTERN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

SHE ALSO LEADS THE HISPANIC MOVEMENT AT NORTHWESTERN.

AND DR. AFARRI, PROFESSOR OF NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES AT RUSH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL.

AND ROSA PENA, VICE PRESIDENT AT THE AMERICAN PARKINSON'S DISEASE ASSOCIATION.

I WANT TO WELCOME YOU ALL FOR JOINING US TODAY.

BUT I WANT TO START WITH DR. GONZALEZ.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO US EXACTLY WHAT PARKINSON'S DISEASE IS?

>> IT'S A NEURO DISEASE.

AND IT IS A PROGRESSIVE CONDITION.

SO IT'S A DISEASE THAT AS YOU POINTED OUT, CAN PRESENT WITH TREMORS, SOME DIFFICULTY WITH MOVEMENT, BUT WE ALSO KNOW THERE ARE OTHER NON-MODERN SYMPTOMS.

MEANING THESE ARE SYMPTOMS THAT ARE GOING TO AFFECT MOVEMENT, BUT CAN AFFECT, FOR EXAMPLE, THINKING OR SOMEONE'S VOICE, OR SOMEONE'S ABILITY TO REGULATE THEIR BLOOD PRESSURE.

SO IT REALLY IS A CONDITION THAT CAN AFFECT A WHOLE PERSON'S SYSTEM.

>> DOCTOR, WHAT TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW OF?

>> YEAH, THERE ARE ACTUALLY A LOT OF SYMPTOMATIC TREATMENTS FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE.

ULTIMATELY THE DISEASE RESULTS IN A DEFICIENCY.

WE'RE VERY LUCKY BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GIVE PEOPLE THAT BACK THROUGH VARIOUS PILLS, LOTS OF DIFFERENT FORMULATIONS OF D, O DOPAMINE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT TREATMENTS FOR THOSE SYMPTOMS.

>> ROSA PENA, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME DIFFERENCES IN HOW LATINO EXPERIENCES PARKINSON'S DISEASE THAT YOU SEE IN YOUR WORK?

>> SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE NOTICE, MANY OF THE CALLS WE GET FROM PEOPLE SEEKING INFORMATION, THEY'VE BEEN DEALING WITH SYMPTOMS FOR A LONG TIME.

MOST OFTEN SOMETIMES THEY DON'T KNOW THEY HAVE PARKINSON'S DISEASE.

THEY'VE BEEN HAVING THESE SYMPTOMS, AND THEY HAVE NOT SEEN THE NEUROLOGIST OR THE MOVEMENT DISORDER SPECIALIST.

SO THEY HAVE ALL THESE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT SHOULD I DO?

WHAT KIND OF DOCTOR SHOULD I SEE?

AND SO WE SEE A LOT OF THAT.

AND ALSO A LOT OF TIMES THERE ARE A LOT OF SECRECY.

THEY DON'T WANT TO TELL THEIR FAMILY MEMBER THAT THEY'RE EXPERIENCING THESE SYMPTOMS, SO THEY'RE HOLDING THEM ON FOR A WHILE, AND THEY'RE NOT FEELING WELL.

AND IT REALLY BRINGS THEM TO A DOCTOR OR CALL US FOR INFORMATION.

THAT THE SYMPTOMS ARE GETTING WORSE.

AND THEN THEY REALIZE THAT I NEED TO GET SOME HELP.

>> WELL, THAT'S DEFINITELY A TOUGH DISEASE WITHOUT A DOUBT.

DR. GONZALEZ, YOU'RE ACTUALLY THE ONLY LATINO MOVEMENT DISORDER SPECIALIST IN CHICAGO.

WHY DO YOU THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO CAN SPEAK IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE TO UNDERSTAND THEIR CULTURE AND WHEN IT COMES TO THIS DISEASE?

>> WELL, IT IS A COMPLEX DISEASE AS YOU REALIZE.

AND SO THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS THAT CAN GET LOST IN TRANSLATION.

EVEN WHEN WE EXPLAINED THAT IT IS IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE THAT THERE CAN BE SOME ASPECTS OF IT THAT CAN BE VERY HARD TO UNDERSTAND.

SO REALLY THE ABILITY TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE IN SPANISH AND UNDERSTAND SO THAT THEY CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT THE DISEASE IS, THEY CAN UNDERSTAND THEIR TREATMENT OPTIONS, BECAUSE WHAT OTHER TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE, AND THE OTHER RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

AND IT'S NOT ONLY THE LANGUAGE, BUT ALSO THAT CULTURE SENSITIVE CARE.

AND SO I'M ORIGINALLY FROM MEXICO CITY.

I WAS BORN IN MEXICO CITY, LIVING IN CHICAGO FOR TEN YEARS.

SO REALLY THAT CULTURAL ASPECT OF BEING LATINA.

THAT HELPS ME RELATE TO MY PATIENTS.

I THINK THAT IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT AND SOME OF THE FEEDBACK THAT I'VE GOTTEN IN AS WELL FROM SOME OF THE PATIENTS I'VE SEEN IN MY CLINIC, WHERE THEY ARE THANKFUL TO HAVE A PHYSICIAN THEY CAN RELATE TO BOTH FROM A LANGUAGE STANDPOINT AND A CULTURAL STANDPOINT.

>> WITHOUT A DOUBT, YEAH.

>> DOCTOR, HOW IMPORTANT IS EARLY DIAGNOSIS FOR LONG-TERM PROSPECTS?

>> IT'S SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE LIKE DR. LATAKI SAYS, PARKINSON'S IS A NEURODEGENERATIVE PROGRESSIVE DISEASE.

WE DON'T HAVE MEDICATION TO SLOW DOWN THE PROGRESSION, WE ONLY HAVE MEDICATION TO TREAT THE SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE.

WE'RE LUCKY WE HAVE THAT.

AND THEN WE NEED TO HAVE EARLY DIAGNOSIS, SO WE CAN INSTITUTE EXERCISE SPECIFICALLY.

THAT'S THE ONE THING THAT HAS BEEN SHOWN THAT HAS EVIDENCE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY SLOW THE PROGRESSION OF THE DISEASE.

THE EARLIER YOU INSTITUTE THAT, THE EARLIER WE CAN GET PATIENTS POTENTIALLY KIND OF DISEASE MODIFICATIONS.

SLOWING DOWN THAT PROGRESSION.

SO EARLY DIAGNOSIS IS SUPER IMPORTANT.

>> THAT'S ALL WE CAN DO FOR NOW.

SLOW IT DOWN.

ROSA PENA, LET'S TALK ABOUT RESOURCES.

WHAT RESOURCES DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION OFFER FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE RECEIVED THIS DIAGNOSIS?

>> SO THE AMERICAN PARKINSON'S DISEASE ASSOCIATION, WE HAVE A NETWORK OF CHAPTERS AND INFORMATION ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE ALSO HAVE A NATIONAL HELP LINE.

AND I TAKE ALL THE SPANISH CALLS.

WE ALSO HAVE SOMEONE IN ARIZONA WHO IS SPANISH SPEAKING, WHO IS OF MEXICAN DECENT AND IS DOING A LOT OF OUTREACH.

WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS THAT WE HAVE RESOURCES AVAILABLE.

WE HAVE PUBLICATIONS.

SOME OF THEM ARE HIGHER LEVELS, AND WE HAVE LOWER LITERACY TO MAKE IT EASIER AS ONE OF THE DOCTORS POINTED OUT.

TO BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN THIS DISEASE IN WAYS PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND BECAUSE IT CAN BE VERY COMPLICATED AND COMPLEX.

WE HAVE EXERCISE CLASSES THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY THAT ANYONE CAN ACCESS FOR FREE.

ALL OF OUR SERVICES ARE FREE.

WE HAVE EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS AND WEBINARS IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE AS WELL.

THEY'RE LIVE AND RECORDED AND AVAILABLE ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND FACEBOOK AS WELL.

SO WE ALSO HAVE A FINANCIAL SUPPORT PROGRAM TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS GROUP, GETTING TO THEIR DOCTOR, OR BOXING CLASS ON EXERCISE DAY THAT CAN HELP THEM.

>> GREAT HELP FOR FAMILIES WHO DEFINITELY NEED IT AND TO HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THIS DISEASE.

DR. GONZALEZ, YOU OPENED A HISPANIC LATINX MOVEMENT DISORDERS CLINIC A YEAR AGO.

CAN YOU TELL US EXACTLY WHAT YOU DO THERE?

>> WELL, THE FOCUS OF THAT CLINIC IS TO REALLY PROVIDE THAT CARE IN SPANISH.

AND WITH BEING CULTURALLY SENSITIVE.

THE LARGEST PERCENT OF PATIENTS THAT I'VE SEEN ACTUALLY HAVE A DIAGNOSIS OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE.

WHAT I'M ABLE TO DO IS TO GIVE THEM THAT CARE IN SPANISH AND ALSO CONNECT THEM WITH RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND THAT SALS WHERE PARTNERING WITH OTHER SENSORS IN CHICAGO, OTHER RESOURCES IN CHICAGO, AND REALLY MAKING SURE THAT THEY KNOW WHAT TOOLS THEY NEED TO DO TO IMPROVE AND KEEP THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.

>> VERY IMPORTANT.

AND CAN YOU TALK TO US ABOUT THE RISK FACTORS THAT PEOPLE WITH PARKINSONS SHOULD KNOW?

>> YEAH, SO WE STILL DON'T KNOW THE UNDERLINING CAUSE OF PARKINSON'S.

IT IS PREGENETIC AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTOR.

A LOT OF THOSE RISK FACTORS FALL IN THE CATEGORY OF TOXICANS, SO POTENTIALLY PESTICIDES.

AND SO EVERY PARKINSON'S DISEASE PATIENT LOOKS VERY DIFFERENT.

AND THAT KIND OF TELLS US THERE IS SOME COMBINATION OF MULTIPLE FACTORS THAT'S CONTRIBUTING TO PRE-ELECTION TOWARDS HAVING THE DISEASE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

OUR THANKS TO ROSA PENA, DR. PAULINA, AND DR. METRA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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

>>> FROM APPLES TO YAHTZEE, EVERYONE LIKES TO PLAY GAMES.

ENTREPRENEURS ARE ROLLING THE DICE THAT GAME LOVERS OF ALL STRIPES WILL WANT TO STAY AND PLAY AT OTHER CAFES.

THE PRODUCER DID JUST THAT AND GETS THE START.

>> Reporter: ON A LIVE FRIDAY EVENING, THE TABLE TOPS ARE BUSY WITH STACK DECKING, CARD FLIPPING, AND BATTLESHIP SINKING.

THE OWNERS SAY TABLE TOP GAMES LIKE THE HUNDREDTH GAMES THEY HAVE STACKED FOR PATRONS TO PLAY ARE ONE OF THE THREE GREAT LOOKS THEY HOPE TO SHARE WITH THEIR NEW BUSINESS.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE WANT TO REPRESENT THOSE THREE PIECES.

OUR PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE, OUR LOVE AFFINITY FOR CHICAGO, AND OUR PASSION FOR BOARD GAMES AND HOW IT BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THE MALDONADO'S HOSTED GAME NIGHT FOR YEARS BEFORE TAKING A LEAP AND CONFORMING A BAR INTO A HAVEN FOR GAME PLAY.

>> LITERALLY A DECADE AGO, WE WERE HOSTING GAME NIGHT.

AND IT WAS JUST A PHENOMENAL EVENT.

WE LUCKED THAT NIGHT, AND WE'VE GOT TO TAKE THIS TO A LARGER SCALE TO GIVE IT TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A PUERTO RICAN FINGER FOODS LIKE MADURO'S, AND THE CHICAGO CLASSIC.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT PEOPLE ARE EVERYWHERE.

I THINK IT IS ACCESSIBLE AND DELICIOUS, SO I WANT TO MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE AND DELICIOUS.

>> WE GET COMMENTS LIKE STUFF LIKE THAT AND WHILE WE LOVE EATING THAT FOOD AND WE LOVE COOKING IT TOO, I LOOK AT THE GAME BOXES AND SAY I DO NOT WANT TO BE GOING THERE AND FINDING THEM HERE AND THERE AND IT IS ALSO NOT GAME PIECES.

>> Reporter: THEY ALSO FOCUS ON A COCKTAIL MENU TO ADD A LITTLE SPIRIT TO YOUR GAME PLAY.

SOMETHING THEIR MASCOTS WOULD APPROVE OF.

>> AWE.

AND SO THE SPANISH WORD FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE COUNTRY IN PUERTO RICO.

WE HAVE DESIGNED A MEATBALL.

AND HE WOULD BE DOING A BUNCH OF THINGS.

HE'D BE PLAYING, EATING BOARD GAMES, DRINKING COCKTAILS.

>> HE'LL BE DOING EVERYTHING.

>> WHILE THE CONCEPT ISN'T ENTIRELY NEW, THEY SAY THEIR VISION IS OF A PLACE THAT'S WELCOMING TO EVERYONE FROM FRIENDS TO FAMILY, AND OFFERS CULTURE AND CONNECTION ALONGSIDE CLUE AND CONNECT FOUR.

>> WE STRIVE TO BUILD A COMMUNITY, SO WE'RE NO STRANGER TO SAYING YOU HAVE A PARTY OF TWO OR THREE THAT'S PICKING UP THE BIG TABLE.

LET'S GO ASK THEM.

CAN WE JOIN THE TABLES?

AND THIS REALLY WARMS OUR HEART.

THEY JOINED FORCES AND PLAY THE GAME TOGETHER.

SO COMPLETE STRANGERS PLAYING TOGETHER AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY WHAT WE WANTED TO DO.

>> SO FAR THE CAFE SEEMS TO BE GETTING HIGH SCORES ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> IT'S LIKE A HOME VIBE.

I'M PUERTO RICAN, AND IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I'M AT HOME.

CHICAGO LACKS THAT.

IT REALLY DOES.

THERE'S A LOT OF BARS, A LOT OF LOUNGES, BUT THERE AREN'T MANY PLACES LIKE THIS TO HANG OUT.

YOU CAN PLAY A GAME.

>> I LOVE THE MADURO'S.

I'VE ONLY HAD ONE SWEET PLANTAIN IN MY LIFE, AND I REMEMBER LOVING THEM.

>> WE'RE DEFINITELY A GAME FAMILY.

LIKE WE HAVE FAMILY NIGHTS.

I THINK THE FACT THEY HAVE OVER 600 GAMES TO PLAY, LIKE TWO-PLAYER GAMES, EVERYBODY CAN PLAY.

THEY HAVE THE SIMPLEST GAMES, THEY'RE PERFECT.

>> Reporter: IF YOU'RE IN THE MOOD FOR AN EPIC CAPITAL THROWDOWN OR FOUR HOURS OF BATTLING DRAGONS, THEY'RE STAYING TRUE TO THEIR NAME.

>> YOU CAN COME HERE, PLAY OUR GAMES, HAVE FUN, EAT OUR FOOD, AND THEN GO HOME.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" LATINO VOICES, THIS IS ERICA HENDERSON.

>> AND NOW IT'S A NICE SUBJECT.

>>> YOU CAN FIND MORE DETAILS ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT'LL BE OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEKEND.

DON'T FORGET TO TUNE IN TO CHICAGO EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" LATINO VOICES, I'M ALEX HERNANDEZ.