LATINO VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN FARTHER BY CIBC.

>> GOOD EVENING.

TO CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES.

I'M YOUR HOST AND REPORTER WITH WBZE, THANK YOU FOR SPENDING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION STRUGGLES TO CONTAIN A WAVE OF MEI GRABTS AT THE-- MIGRANTS AT THE BORDER, WE'LL LOOK AT THE PRESIDENT'S PROPOSED IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION.

A NEW LAW COULD EFFECTIVELY END THE PAYDAY LOAN INDUSTRY IN ILLINOIS BUT COULD IT HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES?

>> VERY NATURAL FOR US.

THESE ARE FLAVORS THAT WE GREW UP WITH.

>> AND HOW A CHICAGO BAKERY BLENDS MEXICAN FLAVORS INTO TRADITIONAL JEWISH PASTRY.

FIRST OFF FROM HIS EARLY DAYS IN OFFICE IMMIGRATION REFORM HAS BEEN AT THE TOP OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S AGENDA.

IT IS A PRIORITY THAT WAS REFLECTED IN SOME OF HIS EARLIEST EXECUTIVE ORDERS OVERTURNING TRUMP ERA IMMIGRATION POLICIES.

AND NOW THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS STRUGGLING TO MANAGE A NEW CYCLE OF MIGRANTS AT THE U.S. MEXICO BORDER AS IT IS ALSO LOOKING TO CONGRESS TO PASS SWEEPING IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION.

HERE'S WHITE HOUSE SECRETARY JEN PSAKI TALKING ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION'S IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO THE BORDER SURGE.

>> WHAT WE'RE WORKING TO DO IS PUT IN PLACE STEPS AND ACTIONS TO HELP ADDRESS THE SITUATION AT THE BORDER INCLUDING, OF COURSE, EXPEDITING PROCESSING AND OPENING UP ADDITIONAL SHELTERS.

>> JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT BIDEN'S IMMIGRATION POLICY, A REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST JESUS SOLORIO JUNIOR AND OSCAR CHACON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTEDDER OF A NONPROFIT NETWORK OF IMMIGRANT SERVING ORGANIZATIONS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

>> NICE TO BE HERE.

>> OSCAR, LET'S START WITH YOU.

HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE THE PRESENT SITUATION AT THE U.S.-MEXICO BOARD SNER.

>> WELL, IT IS DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, A SOURCE OF NEWS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE ARRIVING DAILY, AND CHILDREN, THIS IS VL NOT SO UNEXPECTED.

FOR THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THE YEAR, ALMOST EVERY AREA WE HAVE THAT, WHEN YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE PANDEMIC YEAR THAT WE HAD BEHIND US, THESE NUMBERS ARE NOT AT ALL SURPRISING.

I DO BELIEVE THAT THE MEDIA IS VERY SEDUCTIVE WITH THE IDEA THAT THERE IS A CRISIS.

IN REALITY I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS A CRISIS.

I DON'T BELIEVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS CAN PUT A COUNTRY IN THE U.S.

IN CRISIS, SO I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT WE PROVIDE ADEQUATE FOR PEOPLE SEEKING SAFE HAVEN AND ASYLUM IN THE U.S >> FROM WHAT YOU CAN SEE THERE, IS IT A SURGE?

>> WELL, I MEAN, NOT REALLY BECAUSE AGAIN IF YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHAT HAPPENED IN 2020, THERE WERE TONS OF PEOPLE THAT WERE STUCK IN MEXICO.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT COULD NOT LEAVE THEIR OWN COUNTRY, WHICH WHAT HAVE NORMALLY DONE SO.

BUT THE PANDEMIC JUST DIDN'T ALLOW IT.

SO IN MY VIEW WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS SIMPLY SIMILAR TO WHAT HAPPEN IF YOU ACTUALLY CLOSE ARTIFICIAL A RIVER, THE RIVER CONTINUES TO FLOW.

AND THE MOMENT THAT YOU REMOVE THAT PARTICULAR STOPPAGE, ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE PEOPLE IN, THAT IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING AT THE BORDER, IT IS REALLY A CRISIS, IF I HAVE TO SPEAK OF A CAYS IS, IS WHAT IS GOING ON IN HONDURAS, GUATEMALA AND EL SALVADOR.

>> WE WILL GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS TALKING ABOUT INCREASING THE NUMBER OF ADMISSIONS ACROSS A VARIETY OF CATEGORIES, WHAT IN YOUR VIEW WOULD BE THE DRAWBACKS OF THESE INCREASES.

>> LACK, IT'S CLEAR THAT WE HAVE A CRISIS AT THE BORDER.

AND THE OFFICIALS AT THE BIDEN HARRIS ADMINISTRATION HAVE MADE OVER THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS, THAT THEY HAVE BEEN IN POWER, HAS EXACERBATED THE ALREADY INCREASING SURGE OF MIGRANTS, INDIVIDUALS TAKING THE TREACHEROUS ROAD, EVEN THE SECRETARY MAYORKAS SAID THIS IS THE WORST HE HAS SEEN IN OVER 20 YEARS SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION IS REINFORCE AND ENFORCE OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS.

RIGHT NOW CANDIDATE BIDEN PROMISED INDIVIDUALS THAT THEY COULD COME TO OUR COUNTRY LEGALLY AND THROUGH THE-- ILLEGALLY AND THROUGH THE ASYLUM PROCESS, WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS THERE WAS ALREADY A BACK LOG FROM THE OBAMA TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, AND NOW AGAIN IT ST GETTING EXACERBATED BY THE SURGE THAT WE ARE SEEING AT THE BORDER.

>> OSCAR, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT INCREASING SOME OF THESE CATEGORIES?

>> I THINK IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, IF YOU REALLY WANT TO HANDLE WHAT IS GOING ON IN A RATIONAL, AND HUMANE WAY.

WE NEED TO GET ABOVE THE FRAY AND REALLY LOOK AT WHAT HAS BEEN THE IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ALL TOGETHER, INCLUDING PEOPLE WHO ARRIVE AT THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT THE-- THE VAST IMPACT OF THAT MIGRATION HAS BEEN-- EMPLOYMENT, OUR-- THE BENEFITS WE NEED TO ACTUALLY LOOK AT THE FACTS.

GET ABOVE THE FRAY, WHICH TENDS TO BE SO HIGHLY POLITICIZED WHEN IT COMES TO THESE MATTERS.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE IN LIMBO, JESUS, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE DACA RECIPIENTS, SHOULD THEY BE OFFERED A PASS TO CITIZENSHIP?

>> BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT DACA, WE NEED A STARTS POINT.

WE HAVE A CRISIS AT THE BORDER.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS EXACERBATING THOSE EFFORTS, HE SIGNED EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR A LOT OF THE PROGRAMS AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT WERE HELPING IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS, EXPEDITE ASYLUM REQUESTS, FOR EXAMPLE.

AND SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS FIRST ENFORCE OUR LAWS AND ENSURE THAT PEOPLE THAT WANT TO COME HERE CAN DO IT LEGALLY.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING AGAIN, WE ARE SEEING A SURGE.

5, TO 7,000 PEOPLE ON A DAILY BASIS TRYING TO COME INTO OUR COUNTRY IMLEGALLY.

AND AGAIN THESE ARE NUMBERS FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN'S OWN SECRETARY MAYORKAS.

WE HAVE A CRISIS.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT CRISIS AND WE NEED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION.

>> DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND ABOUT THE DACA RECIPIENTS?

>> LIKE I SAID, WE FIRST NEED TO-- THE HOUSE DEM CATS AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS DACA SPECIFICALLY.

WE SAW WHEN SPEAKER PELOSI TOOK OVER THE GAVEL, SHE WASN'T WILLING TO WORK WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP TO ENSURE THAT WE HELP THESE DACA RECIPIENTS, YOU KNOW, GET THROUGH THE PROCESS.

INSTEAD SHE IS USING THEM AS POLITICAL PAWNS.

AND I'M AFRAID WE WILL SEE THAT SAME RESPONSE NOW WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

IF THEY WANTED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED IT A LONG TIME OKAY AND THERE IS NO EFFORT, AND THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY GENUINE EFFORT FROM DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS.

>> TO GET BACK TO CENTRAL AMERICA, DO YOU THINK BIDEN A PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL DO ANYTHING TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF MIGRATION FROM CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES?

>> WELL, BEFORE I DO SO, LET ME JUST RESPOND QUICKLY TO THE ARGUMENT ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I HAPPEN TO BELIEVE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

BUT REALLY SAYING THAT WE SHOULD ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS RIGHT NOW WOULD BE SIMILAR TO PEOPLE SAYING THAT WE SHOULD ENFORCE JIM CROW LAWS OR FRANKLY, SLAVERY.

BECAUSE THE LAW THAT WE NOW HAVE IN PLACE, ENACTED IN 1996 WAS CRAFTED BY WHITE SUPREMACISTS AND WE SHOULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTING THAT KIND OF LAW BECAUSE.

I SURELY BELIEVE GOING BACK TO YOUR QUESTION, THAT IF PRESIDENT BIDEN REALLY TACKLED THE VERY WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES THAT ARE CAUSE SOG MANY PEOPLE TO FLEE THEIR COUNTRY, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO STRIKE A VERY DEEP AND VERY HUMANE BALANCE TO MIGRATION WHICH IN THE END WE ACTUALLY ARE GOING TO NEED MORE OF, NOT LESS OF, IF YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LARGER DEMOGRAPHIC DYNAMIC OF THE COUNTRY NOW.

>> JESUS, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

DOES THE U.S. HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO HELP IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS IN CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES?

>> WELL FIRST, I THINK THAT IT IS AN INTELLECTUALLY LAZY ARGUMENT TO SAY THAT ENFORCING OUR LAWS IS WHITE SUPREMACY.

SENATOR BIED BIDEN, AND A LOT OF THE DEMOCRATS VOTED FOR THIS LEGISLATION.

AND NEW THEY ARE IN POWER, THEY ARE IN THE WHITE HOUSE SO TO SAY ENFORCING OUR LAWS IS WHITE SUPREMACY?

SECOND, WE HAVE BEEN THROWING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO COUNTRIES THE PROBLEM IS NOT GOING TO GET ARE RESOLVED WITH MORE MONEY.

CITIZENS NEED TO BE EMPOWERED SO THAT THEY CAN CHANGE THEIR LAWS AND MAKE THEIR COUNTRY A MORE RESPECTABLE COUNTRY.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS CRIME, WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS CORRUPTION WITHIN GOVERNMENT.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM BY THROWING MORE MONEY INTO THESE LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES.

AND LOOK, THE PEOPLE MAKING TREACHEROUS ROADS TO OUR SOUTHERN BORDER DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE THEIR COUNTRY.

THEY ARE DOING IT BECAUSE OF DESPERATION.

WE NEED TO EMPOWER THESE INDIVIDUALS TO FIX THEIR OWN COUNTRY AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO HERE IS ENFORCE OUR LAWS TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A WAY FOR LEGAL IMMIGRATION.

WE HAVE TO DECIDE FIRST BETWEEN LEGAL AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION HURTS OUR COMMUNITY.

>> WE HAVE JUST A FEW SECONDS.

OSCAR, DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND?

>> VERY QUICKLY.

I THINK THAT IF WE HAD NOT BEEN SUPPORTING PEOPLE LIKE THE CURRENT PRESIDENT IN HONDURAS, HERNANDEZ, SOMEBODY WHO IS CORRUPT AND ACTUALLY-- THEN THE SITUATION WOULD BE DIFFERENT IN THIS COUNTRY.

BUT YEAH, WE DO HAVE A SPOBILITYD.

AND LET ME SAY LITERALLY THERE IS NOTHING LAZY ABOUT-- WE MUST CHANGE LAWS BEFORE WE CAN REALLY SEEK SPEAK FIRMLY ABOUT--.

>> THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE TODAY.

THANK YOU TO JESUS AND OSCAR CHACON FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IMAGINE TAKING OUT A SHORT-TERM LOAN, MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT AND THEN DISCOVERING THAT YOU OWE FOUR OR FIVE TIMES THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT.

IT IS A REALITY MANY LOW INCOME ILLINOISANS FACE WHO ARE CAUGHT NEWSPAPER A CYCLE OF PREDATORY LENDING.

NOW LEGISLATION THE GOVERNOR HAS SIGNED COULD SHUT DOWN THE PAYDAY LENDING INDUSTRY IN ILLINOIS.

BUT PAYDAY PROPONENTS SAY THAT COULD LEAD TO A HOST OF BIGGER PROBLEMS.

CHICAGO TONIGHT'S REPORTS.

>> IT IS A VERY BIG SCARY NUMBER BUT WHEN ARE YOU DESPERATE YOU DON'T SEE IT CONDITIONS KEISHA WARREN NEEDED A SHORT-TERM CASH INFUSION OF 1250 TO MAKE PAYROLL COSTS FOR HER SMALL JANITORIAL SERVICES COMPANY.

SO IN 2019 SHE TOOK OUT AN AUTO TITLE LOAN, A SHORT-TERM LOAN THAT USES THE BORROWER'S VEHICLE AS COLLATERAL.

SHE SAYS SHE WAS SHUT OFF FROM MORE TRADITIONAL BANK LOANS TWNS IS A FACT THAT NO ONE WANTS TO LEND TO A PERSON THAT HAS OVER 100,000 IN STUDENT LOANS SO IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO GET A REGULAR LOAN.

>> THE LOAN CAME WITH A YEARLY INTEREST RATE OF 197 PERCENT THAT BALLOONED HER INITIAL 1250 TO A TOTAL PAYMENT OF $3400 THAT SHE PAID OFF EARLY LAST WEEK.

IT IS A STORY THAT PLAYS OUT CONSTANTLY IN BLACK AND LATINO COMMUNITIES.

SOUTH SIDE STATE SENATOR JACQUELINE COLLINS COSPOARNSED THE ILLINOIS PREDATORY LENDING PREVENTION ACT WHICH WOULD CAP ANNUAL INTEREST RATES ON SHORLT-TERM LOANS AT 36 PERCENT.

>> ANYTHING ABOVE 36 PERCENT IS PREDATORY.

AND USORY SO WE KNOW HIGH COST PAYDAY LOANS AND AUTO LOANS HAVE STRIPPED COMMUNITIES OF BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, PRIMARILY THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

>> THE BILL WOULD IMPACT PAYDAY LOAN, NORMALLY A TWO WEEK LOAN WHERE THE MONEY IS TAKEN FROM THE BORROWER'S NEXT PAYCHECK IT WOULD ALSO IMPACT -- IMPACT AUTO TITLE LOANS AND OTHER SHORT TERM LENDING PRODUCTS.

>> DO PEOPLE GET IN TROUBLE WITH LOANS, SURE.

ANYBODY DOES.

>> STEVE BUTBAKER WHO LOBBIES STATE GOVERNMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ILLINOIS SMALL LOAN SITUATION SAYS THE 36% RATE CEILING IN THE BILL WILL EFFECTIVELY PUT MOST PAYDAY AND AUTO TITLE LOAN STORES OUT OF BUSINESS WHILE CUTTING OFF A LIFELINE FOR BORROWERS WITH POOR CREDIT.

>> CLOSING THESE STORES, WE ARE FINDING THEY ARE NOT PROVIDING CUSTOMERS WITH OPTIONS AND TAKING A BILLION DOLLARS OUT OF THE MARKET PLACE WHICH WOULD USE TO FIX YOUR CAR, BUY A NEW REFRIGERATOR, SPEND IT ON KIDS CLOTHES FOR SCHOOL.

>> THE AVERAGE APR FOR AN AUTO TITLE LOAN IN ILLINOIS IS 197 PERCENT.

THE AVERAGE PAYDAY LOAN RATE IS 297 PERCENT.

BUT BRUBAKEER SAYS THE NUMBERS ARE MISLEADING.

WHEN MEASURING THE TYPICAL TWO-WEEK LENGTH OF THE LOAN IT COMES OUT TO ABOUT $15 ON A HUNDRED.

>> WHEN THEY SEE THAT GIANT NUMBER, THEY MISUNDERSTAND REALLY WHAT THE CUSTOMER HAS TO PAY BACK.

THE AVERAGE LOAN AMOUNT FOR A PAYDAY LOAN IN 2019 WAS 340.

AND THE AVERAGE FEE AMOUNT THAT WAS CHARGED WAS $52.

>> WHAT IS MISLEADING IS THAT IT IS A SHORT-TERM LOAN.

BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS IF FOLKS HAVE TO BORROW OVER AND OVER TO PAY BACK THE PREVIOUS LOAN.

>> BRENT ADAMS IS VICE PRESIDENT AT THE WOODSTOCK INSTITUTES, A NONPROFIT THAT ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF THE LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

HE SAYS THE PAYDAY LENDING INDUSTRY RELIES ON HOOKING BORROWERS INTO A NEVER-ENDING SIEBLG OF DEBT WITH HIDDEN ROLL OVER FEES.

>> SO WHAT THE LENDER WILL DO IS WHEN THE BILL COMES DUE, THEY WILL OFFER THEM AN OPTION.

TO TAKE OUT A DIFFERENT LOAN.

>> THEN NEXT FRIDAY CAME AROUND, I OWED BACKLY WHAT I BORROWED AND IT WAS CRAZY AND I MADE A DOUBLE PAYMENT AND IT WAS VERY UPSETTING BUT IT IS JUST LIKE I KEMENT DIGGING A HOLE IN A HOLE AND I COULDN'T FIND THE WAY OUT.

>> THE GOVERNOR HAS SIGNED LEGISLATION INTO LAW BUT THE ISSUE MIGHT NOT END THERE.

>> O UPON ENTS OF THE PAYDAY LENDING INDUSTRY SAY THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT A SERIES OF BILLS CIRCULATING IN THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY RIGHT NOW THAT THEY SAY WOULD WITH GUT SOME OF THE PROTECTIONS.

>> ILLINOIS SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER SUE RESIN SAY SPONSOR OF ONE OF THE BILLS WHICH SHE SAYS WOULD ALLOW MAINSTREAM LENDERS TO ISSUES AUTO LOANS.

IN A STATEMENT RESIN SAID QUOTE MY BILL STRIKES A BALANCE BETWEEN PROTECTING ILLINOIS CONSUMERS AND ENSURING SAFE ACCESS TO AUTOMOBILE CREDIT.

UNDER THIS LEGISLATION, INTEREST RATE CAPS ARE STILL IN PLACE TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM PREDATORY LENDERS.

FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES, THIS IS PARIS SHUTZ.

>> THE LEDGE SLAIKS-- LEGISLATION THE GOVERNOR SIGNED HAS SUPPORT FROM ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE STATE INCLUDING THE RESURRECTION PROJECT HERE IN CHICAGO.

THAT SAY NONPROFIT THAT WORKS ON FINANCIAL HEALTH, ACCORDABLE HOUSING AND IMMIGRATION ISSUES.

JOINING US IS LIZETTE CARRETERO FINANCIAL WELLNESS MANAGER FOR THE RESURRECTION PROJECT.

HELLO LIZETTE.

>> HELLO.

>> AND WE HEARD IN PARIS' STORY ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING CAUGHT IN CYCLES OF DEBT.

WHY IS THIS SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS COMMUNITY OF COLOR?

>> YEAH, DEFINITELY.

I THINK THAT ESPECIALLY YOU KNOW WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS ISSUES LIKE THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP, WHEN WE HAVE FAMILIES THAT REALLY DO SEARCH FOR THESE PRODUCTS BECAUSE THEY ARE AN IMMEDIATE RELIEF OPTION, BUT WITHOUT REALLY UNDERSTANDING THE LONG-TERM POTENTIAL AFFECTS THAT WILL PUT THEM IN A SITUATION WHERE IT WILL DRIVE THEM INTO A CYCLE, A NEVER-ENDING CYCLE, BEING ABLE TO REMOVE THEMSELVES FROM BEING ABLE TO PAY THESE DEBTS OFF, ESSENTIALLY, BECAUSE IT IS A ONE-TIME THING BUT ESSENTIALLY MOST OF THE FAMILIES THAT ACTUALLY DO GO INTO PAYDAY LOANS, TITLE LOANS ARE FAMILIES THAT ARE MAKING LESS THAN 30,000 ON AN ANNUAL INCOME.

AND SO THESE ARE LIFELINES, RIGHT, BUT I THINK THAT PART OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE FURTHER, YOU KNOW, UNDERSTOOD IS REALLY THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE ACTUAL LONG-TERM PAYMENT THAT IS GOING TO BE PAID.

>> IF YOU WORK WITH PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, IS LANGUAGE A BARRIER WHEN IT COMES TO TAKING OUT SOME OF THESE LOANS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK AGAIN, WHEN IT COMES TO MARKETING AND SPECIFICALLY IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, WILL YOU SEE A PAYDAY LOAN, VERY MORE ACCEPTABLE AND MORE OF THESE NEIGHBORHOODS, AND SO YOU KNOW, AS FAMILIES LOOK FOR OPTIONS, THEY SEE THE BIG SIGNS OF QUICK CASH, FAST MONEY, AND IT'S REALLY AN OUTLET THAT WHEN YOU THINK OF TRYING TO RELIEVE YOUR SITUATIONS, THAT AUTOMATICALLY COMES INTO MIND.

BUT LANGUAGE IS A BARRIER THAT WE DO SEE BECAUSE WE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE CONTRACTS THAT WE'RE SIGNING.

WE DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THE TERMINOLOGY THAT IS VOFERRED WITH YOU KNOW, THESE TYPES OF PRODUCTS.

>> IF PAYDAY LOANS AND OTHER HIGH INTEREST INSTITUTIONS CLOSE UP SHOP, ARE COMMUNITIES, ARE COMMUNITY GROUPS LIKE YOURSELF AND COMMUNITY BANKS AND NONPROFIT LENDERS, ARE THEY ABLE TO PICK UP THE FLAK, DO THEY HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES?

>> YES, DEFINITELY, AS HOUSING COMPANY SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE, OUR JOB REALLY IS TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH PARTNERSHIPS, WITH COMMUNITY BANKS, CREDIT UNIONS, REALLY CREATIVE LENDING THAT IS AVAILABLE AT A VERY LOW COST.

0 INTEREST LOANS, PRODUCTS THAT WE PARTNER WITH THAT ARE ESSENTIAL, THAT WE KNOW THAT OUR FAMILIES WILL NEED.

AND CAN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL WORK SHOPS SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND HOW TO BUDGET AND HOW CREDIT WORKS AND HOW TO REESTABLISH YOUR CREDIT.

AND THAT IS REALLY A LOT OF THE DRIVING, A LOT OF THE DRIVING RESOURCES THAT WE DRIVE WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION TO ASSURE THAT HOUSEHOLDS HAVE ACCESS TO THESE RESOURCES AND UNDERSTAND IT.

OUR OTHER AVAILABLE OPTIONS AND ESSENTIALLY SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE ARE FREE, AND SO I THINK THAT IS REALLY WHAT WE STRIFE TO PROVIDE, THAT FAMILIES UNDERSTAND THAT WILL ARE RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU SO THAT YOU CAN RESTRUCTURE AND ORGANIZE YOUR FINANCIAL HOUSE, BECAUSE REALLY IT IS ABOUT MAKING SURE YOU DO HAVE EMERGENCY SAVINGS, A PLAN, AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT WITH THIS PANDEMIC THAT WE'RE-- A LOT OF FAMILIES FELL INTO DESPERATION AND THE TRAP BECAUSE OF NEEDING THAT LIFELINE TO SEE YOUR CHILDREN, TO PAY YOUR BILLS AND PAY YOUR RENT, WHERE WE KNOW A LOT OF THESE UTILIZATIONS OF THESE LOANS WERE UTILIZED.

>> AND VERY QUICKLY, LIZETTE, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU HOPE THAT THE GOVERNOR PASSES THAT IS PROTECTION FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

>> I THINK REALLY IT'S PROTECTIONS AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO RELIEVE FAMILIES WITHIN YOUR CREDIT, TO REALLY REESTABLISH IF THEY GO INTO COLLECTIONS, HOW CAN WE WORK TOWARDS BANKS AND INSTITUTIONS TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE WITH THEIR GUIDE LINES AND GIVING FAMILIES A SECOND CHANCE TO GO FROM UNBANKED TO BANKED, UNDER BANKED TO A BETTER BANKING.

>> THANK YOU LIZETTE CARRETERO, THAT SAUL THE TIME WE HAVE, FROM THE RESURRECTION PROJECT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, WE VISIT A CHICAGO BAKERY THAT IS BLENDING MEXICAN FLAVORS INTO TRADITIONAL JEWISH PASTRIES.

>> TOMORROW THE SUN WILL SET ON THIS YEAR'S PASSOVER, AN EIGHT DAY LONG JEWISH HOLIDAY COMMEMORATING THE BIBLICAL STORY OF EXODUS.

AMONG THOSE CELEBRATING RIGHT NOW IS A ROBUST COMMUNITY OF MEXICAN JEWS WHO HAVE CREATED A UNIQUE FOOD CULTURE BRINGING TOGETHER THE BEST TRADITIONS OF BOTH COMMUNITIES.

NOW TWO MEXICAN CITY NATIVES HAVE BROUGHT THEIR VERSION OF THOSE FLAVORS TO CHICAGO.

PRODUCER ERICA GUNDERSON HAS THE STORY.

>> THESE ARE FLAVORS THAT WE GREW UP WITH.

SO WE'RE JUST THINKING ABOUT THE DESSERTS THAT OUR GRANDMOTHERS MADE OR MOTHERS MADE.

>> FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE IS A FAMILIAR DESSERT FOR MANY JEWISH CHICAGOANS DURING PASSOVERS WHEN ONLY UNLEVENNED BREAD IS ALLOWED ON THE TABLE.

BUT THE FLAVORS OF MASSA MADRES CHOCOLATE CAKE MIGHT NOT BE SO FAMILIAR, THE GLOSSY GANACHE FEATURES THE SPICES OF MEXICAN, I TWIST INTEREST THE BAKER'S UNIQUE BLEND CULTURES, A TWIST THEY ADD TO THE OTHER TRADITIONAL JEWISH PASTRIES THEY OFFER AS WELL.

>> I COME FROM A COMMUNITY IN MEXICO WHICH IS-- IT IS EASTERN, SO PISTACHIOS, CARDAMON, ALL OF THOSE FLAVORS BUT ALSO THE TRES LECHES, FLAVORS THAT ARE VERY MEXICAN THAT ARE ALSO FROM OUR COMMUNITY.

>> HELLAH IS A BREAD THAT IS BRAIDED, TYPICALLY MADE ON FRIDAYS FOR SHABAT JEWISH DAY OF REST.

BABKA IS DOUGH THAT IS ENRICHED.

IT HAS A LOT OF EGG AND EGGIOLKS AND OIL AND WE FILL IT WITH DIFFERENT YILINGS THAT WE ACTUALLY INFUSE WITH OUR MEXICAN FLAVORS.

THE BAKERS BEHIND THE BAKERY.

THEY MET A DECADE AGO IN THEIR NATIVE MEXICO CITY WHILE STUDYING FASHION DESIGN.

ONE MOVED TO CHICAGO IN 2016 SO HER WIFE COULD STUDY, SHE AIVE RADIOED TWO YEARS LATER SO HER HUSBAND COULD STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, THE REUNION GAVE RISE TO A FLEDGE LING BUSINESS.

>> ONE DAY WE WERE HAVING DINNER AT HER HOUSE AND THINKING HOW CHICAGO NEEDED MORE BREAD, MORE FRESH BREAD.

>> THE PAIR BEGAN SELLING HOMEMADE SOURDOUGH LOAVES AT FARMERS MARKETS BUT SOON SWITCHED TO CONFECTIONS COMBINING MEXICAN AND JEWISH TRADITIONS.

>> THERE IS ABOUT 40,000 JEWS IN MEXICO CITY.

SO IT IS QUITE A LARGE COMMUNITY.

AND IT IS VERY TIGHT.

SO THIS MEX OF FLAVORS, I FEEL LIKE IS HAPPENING A LOT IN MEXICO AND MEXICO CITY ESPECIALLY.

>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT THIS IS LIKE A MIX OF CULTURE THAT EXISTS.

SO THEY'RE SURPRISED.

>> BEFORE LONG DEMANDS HAD OUTGROWN WHAT THEIR HOME OVENS COULD PRODUCE.

>> WE WERIC BAAING OUT OF OUR VERY, VERY SMALL KITCHENS AT HOME.

AND IT WAS TAKING A LOT OF TIME TO MAKE.

>> AS THE HOLLER FOR THEIR HALLAH GREW SO DID MASSA MAD REST, LAST OCTOBER THEY MOVED THEIR BAKERY TO A FOOD INCUBATOR ON CHICAGO WEST SIDE.

>> EACH YEAR IT GETS MORE BUSY WHICH IS VERY GOOD.

>> SINCE THEIR SALES WERE ALREADY CONDUCTED ENTIRELY ONLINE, THE PANDEMIC HASN'T SLOWED THEM DOWN.

>> AFTER EVERYONE SHIFTED TOWARD BEING ONLINE PEOPLE STARTED GETTING MORE USED TO THE IDEA OF PREORDERING AND PICKING UP AND ALL OF THAT.

SO IT WAS EASY FOR US TO TRANSITION AND TO JUST FLOW WITH IT.

>> AND THEY SAY THAT SHARING THE FLAVORS OF HOME WITH CHICAGO HAS MADE CHICAGO FEEL MORE LIKE HOME FOR THEM TOO.

>> I THINK IT WAS HARD TO FIND SOMETHING THAT COULD CONNECT US TO THE PEOPLE HERE.

AND AFTER WE STARTED MAKING BREAD AND LIKE SHARING IT WITH EVERYONE, WE HAVE MET SO MANY PEOPLE THROUGH THIS BUSINESS.

OTHER WOMEN, OTHER PEOPLE JUST TRYING TO MAKE SMALL BUSINESSES AND SHARE THEIR STORIES.

>> HAVING THIS BUSINESS HAS REALLY OPENED A SPACE FOR US HERE IN CHICAGO.

AND MADE A COMMUNITY AROUND US.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES, THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> IT'S TOO LATE TO GET THAT FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE FOR TOMORROW'S SEDER BUT MASSA MADRES OFFERS THEIR BABCA AND HALLA YEAR ROUND.

YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS SATURDAY NIGHT, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT WTT-W.COM/NEWS FOR THE LATEST FROM W-WTT-W NEWS.

AND JOIN ANGEL FOR TOMORROW TONIGHT'S BLACK VOICES, NEW BLACK LEADERS OF LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS WEIGH IN ON THE FUTURE OF CHICAGO'S STAGES.

AND REMEMBERING LOYALO-- LOYOLA 1963 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM AND THE ADVERSITY THEY FACED.

AND YOU CAN CATCH ME HOSTING WEEKEND ADDITION SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AS WELL AS MY REPORTING DURING THE WEEK ON 91.5, WBEZ.

NEXT WEEK HERE ON LATINO VOICES, ALEX HERNANDEZ WILL BE IN THE HOST CHAIR.

NOW FROM ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT LATINO VOICE, THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE, BEUNOUS NOTCH ES.-- NOCES.