>> Announcer: CHICAGO TONIGHT LATINO VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALL-STATE AT THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST.

>>> GOOD EVENING, WELCOME TO LATINO VOICES.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

ON THIS SHOW TONIGHT ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS ARE RESPONDING TO A RECENT HIGH-PROFILE RETAIL THEFT BY PROPOSING A NEW CATEGORY OF THEFT.

THAT HAS COMMUNITY GROUPS SOUNDING THE ALARM ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF OVERCRIMINALIZATION.

A UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO STUDY REVEALS A LONG-TERM BENEFITS OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION FOR YOUNG ENGLISH LEARNERS.

THE ICONIC PUERTO RICAN FLAG IN HUMBOLDT PARK ARE POISED FOR LANDMARK STATUS.

>> WE'RE DEVELOPING INDIVIDUALS FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

>> A LATINO-OWNED CULINARY SCHOOL WANTS TO HELP ASPIRING CHEFS SINK THEIR TEETH INTO BUSINESS SKILLS.

FIRST OFF TONIGHT, IN RECENT MONTHS A FEW HIGH-PROFILE RETAIL THEFTS SOMETIMES CALLED SMASH AND GRAB THEFTS, HAVE GRABBED HEADLINES.

THIS IS WHEN A THIEF OR GROUP OF THIEVES STEAL MERCHANDISE FROM A RETAIL STORE AND RESELL THE PRODUCT.

IN RESPONSE ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS HAVE PROPOSED A NEW BILL THAT DEFINES ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME FOR THE FIRST TIME IN STATUTE.

BUT SOME COMMUNITY GROUPS ARE RAISING CONCERNS SAYING THE LEGISLATION WILL FURTHER HARM COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN OPPRESSED BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR DECADES.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ARE JESSIE FUENTES DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND YOUTH ADVOCACY AT THE PUERTO RICAN CULTURAL CENTER, AND ROB KARR PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE ILLINOIS RETAIL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION.

I WANT TO WELCOME BOTH OF YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

I WANT TO START WITH YOU ROB, CAN YOU OUTLINE EXACTLY WHAT THIS BILL PROPOSES AND WHERE IT STANDS NOW?

>> SURE.

WHAT IT PROPOSES TO DO IS TO CREATE, COMBINE BASICALLY A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT APPROACHES IN ACTUALLY FOCUS ON ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME.

IT DEFINES IT, IT TREATS IT FOR WHAT IT IS IT'S ORGANIZED.

IT PROPOSES TO GO AFTER THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY ORGANIZING IT.

IT IS, AS YOU KNOW AN OPENING SEGMENT IT'S A PLAGUE WE HAVE AVERAGED ONE A DAY SINCE JANUARY 1.

WE'VE HAD MANY MORE PRIOR.

THAT'S A VERY SHORT DESCRIPTION OF WHAT IT DOES.

IT ALSO CREATES SOME INTELLIGENCE GATHERING AND SHARING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT CREATES SOME DEDICATED RESOURCES AND SMASH AND GRABS WHAT WE'RE SEEING THOSE AS WELL.

THERE'S AN ATTEMPT TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> JESSIE, YOUR COALITION BELIEVES THIS BILL IS AN ATTEMPT AT INCREASED PENALTIES FOR THEFT.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY?

>> CERTAINLY.

WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT REDEFINING BROAD CATEGORIES OF RETAIL THEFT IS ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT WILL REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CRIMES THAT WE SEE TODAY.

IT'S NOT GOING TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE ISSUE.

WE THINK THAT THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION WILL ENSURE THAT THE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES CAN BE THAT MUCH MORE PUNITIVE.

WE EXIST WITHIN A STATE THAT CURRENTLY HAS A VERY LOW THRESHOLD IN COMPARISON TO SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORING STATES.

THERE ARE STATES THAT HAVE $1,000 OR $2,500 THRESHOLDS FOR RETAIL THEFT TO BE A FELONY.

THIS SEEMS TO BE A BACKDOOR TYPE OF GAMESMANSHIP THAT THE LEGAL PENALTIES ARE MORE PUNITIVE.

>> ROB, THERE ARE ALREADY CURRENTLY LAWS ON THE BOOKS AGAINST THEFT.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE NEW LEGISLATION IS NECESSARY?

>> WELL, I THINK IT IGNORES THE FACT WHAT IT IS IT'S ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME.

RETAIL THEFT DOESN'T FIT THAT WAY.

EVERY PROSECUTOR WILL TELL YOU THAT.

THEY WILL ALSO TELL YOU THAT THEY HAVE TO COBBLE TOGETHER CONSPIRACY THEORIES THEY HAVE TO TRY TO USE DIFFERENT SCAT TUTS -- AT THAT TIME CONSTITUTES.

WE HAVE TO ORGANIZE THAT -- STATUTES.

IT'S DIFFERENT FROM SOMEBODY GOING IN STEALING, WHATEVER, YOU KNOW A CANDY BAR, A LOAF OF BREAD FOR THEMSELVES.

THIS IS ACTUALLY STEALING LARGE QUANTITIES OR LARGER QUANTITIES.

OFTEN IN SMALLER IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS THEN THEY'RE TRYING TO MONETIZE IT.-Ssáç THAT MONEY THEN FUNDS OTHER ILLICIT ACTIVITY.

GUNS, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, DRUGS, OTHER PROBLEMS THAT PLAGUE OUR COMMUNITIES.

SO THAT'S THE REASON IT'S NEEDED.

YOU ALSO NEED TO TREAT IT FOR WHAT IT IS IT'S MULTIJURISDICTIONAL.

IT OFTEN DOES NOT OCCUR JUST IN ONE SPACE LIKE A RETAIL THEFT MIGHT OCCUR AT ONE STORE.

THESE OCCUR AT MULTIPLE STORES, THEY OCCUR OVER MULTIPLE AREAS.

AND THE PERPETRATORS OF THIS THE ORGANIZERS TRANSPORT IT AND MONETIZE IT OVER MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS.

>> SO YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY WHEN THE THIEVES GO INTO HIGH RETAIL STORES, FOR EXAMPLE?

>> WELL, THEY'RE GOING TO HIGH RETAIL STORES AND STEALING MASS QUANTITIES THOSE MASS QUANTITIES, FOR EXAMPLE, ARE WINDSING UP BEING SOLD IN OTHER PLACES.

THEY'RE BEING FENCED.

ONE OF THE THINGS THIS BILL DOES IS ADDRESSES ON-LINE MARKETPLACES TO REQUIRE MORE RESPONSIBILITY ON THEIR PART.

BECAUSE THE FENCING, THE PAWN SHOPS, IF YOU WILL, THE 21st CENTURY IS THE INTERNET.

SO IT ADDRESSES ANOTHER MEANS THAT THEY'RE USING TO MONETIZE IT.

>> JESSIE, SHOULDN'T RETAILERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTECT THEIR BUSINESSES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW ONE THING THAT I WOULD AGREE WITH MR. CARR WE SHOULD BE, WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED AND WE SHOULD BE WASHINGING ON LEGISLATION THAT ADDRESSES THE -- ADDRESS WORKING ON LEGISLATION THAT ADDRESSES THE ISSUES.

CREATING MORE PUNITIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR FOLKS THAT ARE ENGAGING IN STEALING ITEMS EVEN IF IT'S LOW QUANTITY OR MASS QUANTITY THAT IS NOT GOING TO DETER THE BEHAVIOR.

THAT IS NOT GOING TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM, IT'S NOT GOING TO DETER FOLKS FROM THINKING THAT THEY SHOULDN'T DO IT.

WE'VE WATCHED THAT ACROSS THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

FOR DECADES I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO PASS LEGISLATION THAT'S TOUGH ON CRIME.

JUST BECAUSE WE INCREASE PENALTIES DOES NOT MEAN THAT THAT IS GOING TO RE-- REDUCE THE VIOLENCE THAT WE SEE ACROSS THE STATE.

WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IS GRAPPLING WITH LEGISLATION THAT ADDRESSES THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE ISSUES THAT WE SEE TODAY.

WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT HOW ARE WE ADDRESSING POVERTY, HOMELESSNESS, HUNGER, LACK OF ACCESS TO THE WORKFORCE AND WHY FOLKS ARE ENGAGING IN RESELLING ITEMS FROM RETAIL STORES IN THE BLACK MARKET.

>> ROB, ISN'T PROTECTING THEIR INVENTORY ALSO THE RETAILERS RESPONSIBILITY?

>> SURE, IT IS, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S IGNORED.

WE HAD AN ELECTED OFFICIAL IN THE STATE CLAIM IN THE MIDST OF THE LAST YEAR IN THE MIDST OF SOME OF THESE ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIMES THEY NEEDED TO DO MORE.

I THINK THAT IGNORES THE FACT THEY SPEND BILLIONS EVERY YEAR DOING MORE.

THEY HAVE EVEN STEPPED UP THEIR GAME FURTHER.

BUT AT SOME POINT WE NEED ASSISTANCE.

I THINK TO THE POINT OF RAISING A THRESHOLD THE EVIDENCE HAS PROVEN TODAY IN A STORY THAT APPEARED IN ANOTHER OUTLET TODAY IN THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" AN INDIVIDUAL WAS PICKED UP WITH A .9-MILIMETER GUN ALREADY OUT ON PAROLE ON ELECTRONIC MONITORING HE HAD HAD IT IN HIS BELT HE STOLE $995 FROM A LOCAL STORE BECAUSE UNDER CURRENT POLICY IN COOK COUNTY BY THE PROSECUTOR, THEY WON'T PROSECUTE FOR ANYTHING UNDER $1,000.

THE THIEVES KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING WE HAVE TO APPROACH THAT.

WE NEED COOPERATION IN PROTECTING OUR INVENTORY AS WE GO FORWARD.

>> JESSIE, SOME OF THESE THEFTS ARE TAKING PLACE AT HIGH END LUXURY RETAILERS.

WE KNOW THAT.

THEY GO INTO MICHIGAN AVENUE, AND HIT THOSE HIGH END STORES.

THESE AREN'T PEOPLE STEALING FOOD TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES.

WHY SHOULDN'T THEY FACE STRONGER PENALTIES FOR THESE CRIMES?

>> INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE STEALING FROM HIGH END AND RESELLING ON THE MARK IT'S NOT VERY MUCH DIFFERENT THAN AN INDIVIDUAL THAT'S STEALING THEY ARE STEALING AND THEY ARE SELLING BECAUSE THEY NEED ACCESS TO FINANCIAL SUSTAINABLE.

THERE'S A MISCONSECTION BECAUSE THE CRIME LOOKS DIFFERENT THEREFORE THERE MUST BE A DIFFERENT SOLUTION.

BUT IN FACT, THAT IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE ARE SEEING HERE TODAY IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND IN OUR COMMUNITY THE ROOT CAUSE IS THE SAME.

WE MUST GRAPPLE WITH THE GENERATIONAL TRAUMA.

WE MUST SEEK TO SOLVE FOR POVERTY, FOR HOMELESSNESS, FOR LACK OF ACCESS TO THE WORKFORCE, PARTICULARLY FOR BLACK COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

CREATING MORE PUNITIVE CONSEQUENCES WILL NOT RESOLVE FOR THE ROOT CAUSE OF THESE BEHAVIORS.

>> ROB, SOME PEOPLE MIGHT SAY THIS LEGISLATION IT'S PROBABLY AN OVERREACTION TO A RARE PROBLEM.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

>> WELL, IT'S NOT A RARE PROBLEM.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR DECADES AS WE WATCHED IT INCREASE YEAR OVER YEAR AND WE WATCHED THE VALUE OF THE MERCHANDISE INCREASE YEAR OVER YEAR.

IT'S BECOME A GLOBAL PROBLEM WITH HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

I THINK THE OTHER POINT NO ONE ENJOYS THE ENVIRONMENT THAT THEY'RE IN TODAY WHEN THEIR STORES ARE HIT.

IT'S NOT JUST STORES ON THE MILE, IT'S NOT JUST HIGH END STORES THERE'S MINORITY-OWNED SHOE STORE ON THE WESTSIDE THAT HAS BEEN HIT FOUR TIMES THAT HAS NOW TOLD US THEY'RE LIKELY GOING TO CLOSE.

THERE'S A STORE IN INGLEWOOD WHATS THAT NOW BEEN HIT TWICE.

IT ENCOMPASSES ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE WON'T HAVE PEOPLE RETURNING TO THE BROOK AND MORTAR WE WON'T GET THE VITALITY PARTICULARLY IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO WHEN WE HAVE THESE SAFETY CONCERNS AROUND THE CITY BECAUSE IT'S FUELING OTHER CRIME.

I ALSO WANT TO ADD WE DON'T DISAGREE WITH MR. FUENTES.

I HAVE BEEN HERE 28 YEARS, IN THAT TIME WE SUPPORTED THE EXPANSION OF EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

WE WERE AT THE FOREFRONT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM WHEN IT WAS POPULAR.

WE SUPPORTED AND CONVINCE REPUBLICANS TO SUPPORT THE FIRST BILL.

SO WE HAVE SINCE BEEN FOR BAIL REFORM AND OTHER ITEMS SO WE ACTUALLY ARE HAVE BEEN ON BOTH ENDS OF THE SPECTRUM WORKING THE PROBLEM.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, OUR TIME IS UP.

I WANT TO THANK BOTH OF YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

JESSIE FUENTES AND ROB KARR, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AS THE HUMBOLDT PARK NEIGHBORHOOD NAME INDICATES IT WAS ONCE A GERMAN ENSLAVE -- ENCLAVE BUT SINCE THE 1960s IT HAS BEEN THE PART OF CHICAGO'S PUERTO RICAN COMMUNITY.

IN 1995 THAT WAS SOLIDIFIED WHEN THESE TWO 60-FOOT HIGH PUERTO RICAN FLAGS WERE PLANTED OVER DIVISION STREET ALSO KNOWN -- NOW THE FLAGS ARE POISED TO RECEIVE LANDMARK STATUS FROM THE CITY.

COMMISSION ON SAYS AS THE NEIGHBORHOOD CONTINUES TO CHANGE THE FLAGS STAND AS AN IMPORTANT REMINDER OF CULTURE AND CHARACTER.

>> THE FACT THAT WE CAN OPENLY CELEBRATE THE CULTURE, THE MUSIC, AND THE HISTORY WHERE PREVIOUSLY IT WAS NOT ALLOWED.

THAT, TO ME, TO PRESERVE CULTURE AND HERITAGE IS A GREAT STEP FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

IT'S THE LARGEST SCULPTURE IN THE U.S. THAT DEMONSTRATES THIS FLAG AND WE'RE VERY PROUD TO HAVE THIS GATEWAY.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY TO BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE CULTURAL HERITAGE, THE PRESERVATION OF THE PUERTO RICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE BECAUSE WE CAN CELEBRATE THE STORIES OF OUR CITY AND YOU KNOW WE CAN, IT SERVES ASEN EDUCATION PIECE, IT SERVES FOR TOURISM AND IT'S A A WAY OF PLANTING ROOTS.

LAYING DOWN THE ROOTS AND SAYING THAT THE COMMUNITY IS HERE AND WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

>> THE CHICAGO COMMISSION ON LANDMARKS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED LANDMARK DESIGNATION FOR THE FLAGS BUT IT MUST PASS A CITY COUNCIL VOTE VOTE BEFORE THE LANDMARK STATUS BECOMES OFFICIAL.

WE'LL BE SURE TO KEEP YOU POSTED WHEN THAT:Zi=+en >>> UP NEXT, THE IMPACT OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION.

STAY WITH US.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> ILLINOIS SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE REPORTING A SHORTAGE OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION TEACHERS WITH AS MANY AS 100 VACANCIES AS OF LAST OCTOBER.

TO HELP FILL THE VOID THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS ANNOUNCING A $4 MILLION GRANT TO COVER TUITION COSTS FOR TEACHERS INTERESTED IN BECOMING LICENSED TO TEACH ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS.

IT COULD MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE FOR THE YOUNGEST LEARNERS SINCE RESEARCH SHOWS THAT GETTING BILINGUAL EDUCATION SUPPORT TO ENGLISH LEARNERS EARLY PAYS OFF IN THE LONG RUN.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ARE REBECCA NAVARRO DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION POLICY AND RESEARCH AT THE LATINO POLICY FORUM AND MARISSA DELATORE FROM UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CONSORTIUM ON SCHOOL RESEARCH.

THANK YOU TO YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT IT'S LIKE FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS IN C.P.S.

SCHOOLS HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN TO BECOME PROFICIENT IN ENGLISH?

>> YEAH, SO, IT BEGINS FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS.

WE HAVE ABOUT 21% OF THE STUDENTS BEING CLASSIFIED AS ENGLISH LANGUAGE WHICH AMOUNTS TO 70,000 STUDENTS WHICH IS A REALLY LARGE NUMBER AND A NUMBER HAS BEEN GROWING OVER TIME.

>> REBECCA, LATINO STUDENTS NOW THE MAJORITY OF C.P.S.

ENROLLMENT.

GIVE US A SENSE, WE JUST HEARD FROM MARISSA, 21% OF C.P.S.

STUDENTS NEEDING BILINGUAL EDUCATION.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THOSE STUDENTS AND FOR THE DISTRICT?

>> I THINK THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

MANY LATINO STUDENTS ABOUT TWO-THIRDS BEGIN THEIR EDUCATION NEEDING SERVICES AND SUPPORT IN DEVELOPING THEIR ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

AND SO, MOST OF THE ENGLISH LEARNERS IN THE C.P.S.

SYSTEM AND IN THE STATE AT LARGE ARE REALLY CONCENTRATED IN PRESCHOOL, AND THEN THE EARLY GRADES.

AND SO STATEWIDE ABOUT 74% OF OUR ENGLISH LEARNERS ARE LATINO SPANISH SPEAKING, IT'S ACTUALLY A LITTLE HIGHER.

BUT I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT WE ALSO HAVE TREMENDOUS LANGUAGE DIVERSITY STATEWIDE AND IN C.P.S.

AS WELL.

SO IT'S A REALLY RICH AND EXCITING GROUP OF STUDENTS.

I SHOULD SAY, TOO, OUR STATE IS A LEADER IN TERMS OF THE SIZE OF OUR POPULATION.

WE HAVE THE FOURTH LARGEST CONCENTRATION OF ENGLISH LEARNERS OF ANY STATE IN THE NATION.

AND SO I THINK IT'S ACTUALLY AN EXCITING GROUP OF STUDENTS AND THE WORK WE'VE DONE WITH THE CONSORTIUM AND THEIR RESEARCH SHOWS THAT OVER TIME THESE STUDENTS DO WELL WHEN THEY RECEIVE ADEQUATE SERVICES AND SUPPORT.

>> AND YOU MAKE AN IMPORTANT POINT THERE WHILE THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THOSE ENGLISH LEARNER STUDENTS ARE LATINO, WE HAVE LANGUAGE DIVERSITY NOT EVERYBODY IS A NATIVE SPANISH SPEAKER THERE ARE OTHER LANGUAGES AS WELL.

MARISSA, IN YOUR RESEARCH WHAT FACTORS DID YOU FIND THAT RESULTED IN THE BEST ACADEMIC OUTCOMES FOR THE CHILDREN YOU STUDIED?

>> YEAH, SO WE FOUND A COUPLE OF FACTORS.

ONE IS ATTENDING PRE-K PROGRAM WITH CPS ESPECIALLY BEING IN THE FULL DAY CLASSROOM REALLY PUTS THE SYSTEM FOR SUCCESS.

THEY ACQUIRE ENGLISH AT A FASTER RATE THEY ARE MUCH BETTER IF THEY ATTEND A PRE-K PROGRAM THEY PUT THEM ON THE PATH TO BE KINDERGARTEN READY.

BUT ALSO, EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE BECAUSE THE RELATIONSHIP WITH PRE-K ACTUALLY -- SO EVEN AFTER FOUR YEARS THAT THEY HAVE ATTENDED PRE-K OR FIVE YEARS WE SEE MORE STUDENTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO ATTEND SCHOOL THEY WILL ACTUALLY HAVE HIGHER TESTING SCORES AND THEY ACTUALLY DO BETTER IN THEIR CLASSES.

THEY HAVE HIGHER GRADES.

SO I MEAN, ATTENDING PRE-K, ESPECIALLY SEEMS TO BE REALLY STRONG FACTOR THAT HAS A PATH TO SUCCESS.

AT THE SAME TIME, BILINGUAL SERVICES SEEMS TO BE VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE STUDENTS.

IN SOME SENSE THE STUDENTS RECEIVE SERVICES WE ACTUALLY MEANS BEING IMMERSED IN ENGLISH LIKE WHAT CALIFORNIA HAD A FEW YEARS AGO.

I THINK THAT MIGHT PROVIDE ENGAGEMENT WITHIN THE LANGUAGE.

BUT WHAT WE FIND IS THAT MAYBE IN THE SHORT TERM THAT'S TRUE BUT IN THE LONG TERM WHEN WE LOOK AT THE STUDENTS IN THIRD GRADE IF THEY HAVEN'T RECEIVED BILINGUAL SERVICES STARTING IN KINDERGARTEN WE SEE SEE THAT THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO COME TO SCHOOL THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR CLASSES AND THEY HAVE LOWER TEST SCORES AS WELL.

>> VERY IMPORTANT TO GET THOSE SERVICES IN EARLY IT SOUNDS LIKE.

REBECCA, WE KNOW THERE'S ALSO A SHORTAGE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS IN C.P.S.

HOW BIG OF A NEED IS THERE FOR BILINGUAL SPECIAL EDUCATORS?

>> IT'S HUGE.

I THINK WHAT MOST FOLKS DON'T REALIZE IS ILLINOIS IS ONE OF THE FEW, IF NOT THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION THAT REQUIRES ENGLISH LEARNER SERVICES AS EARLY AS THE AGE OFLY.

SO WE ARE THE ONLY STATE -- AGE OF 3.

SO WE TALK A LOT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD WE TALK ABOUT THE GROWTH OF ENGLISH LEARNERS BUT KNOWING HALE IT I WILL IS REALLY A LEADER IN PROVIDING THESE SERVICES COUPLED WITH THIS STUDY THAT SHOWS THAT THOSE SERVICES WORK ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

AND I LOVE THAT YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT EDUCATORS.

I DON'T WANT TOIG NOR THAT QUESTION.

I THINK -- I DON'T WANT TO IGNORE THAT QUESTION.

IF WE WANT TO MAKE BILINGUAL PRE-K WORK WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT RETENTION AND YES SPECIAL EDUCATION THAT ARE BILINGUAL ARE ALSO CRITICAL.

I THINK SO WE KNOW THAT SOMETIMES PARENTS FEEL LIKE THEY MIGHT HAVE TO CHOOSE WHETHER THEY'RE GETTING BILINGUAL SERVICES OR SPECIAL ED THEY REALLY NEED BOTH.

MOST OF OUR PRE-K CLASSROOMS NEED A TEACHER WHO HAS THE SPECIALIZED TRAINING IN BILINGUAL AND SPECIAL ED VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND.

I MEAN, THEY'RE UNICORNS, RIGHT.

>> IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE BECAUSE I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE TWO OF YOU COULD TALK ABOUT FOR QUITE SOMETIME BECAUSE YOU KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT IT.

THANKS TO YOU REBECCA -- NAVARRO AND MARISSA I.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

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

>>> FROM CHEFS TO SERVERS, FROM BARBACK TO FRONT OF THE OFFICE, LATINOS ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

ESPECIALLY HERE IN CHICAGO.

BUT THEIR PRESENCE DIMINISHES SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN IT COMES TO ACTUALLY OWNING THOSE BUSINESSES.

NOW A LOCAL CULINARY SCHOOL IS HOPING TO CREATE MORE DIVERSITY IN FOOD BUSINESS OWNERSHIP.

THEY'RE GETTING ASPIRING CHEFS READY TO START THEIR ENTERPRISES WITH FREE CLASSES THAT COVER RUNNING A BUSINESS FROM SOUP TO NUTS.

ERICA GUNDERSEN HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: CHEF JAMIE SAYS FOR HIM THE CULINARY BUG BIT EARLY.

>> I REMEMBER BEING LIKE SEVEN YEARS OLD STAYING UP UNTIL MIDNIGHT TO WATCH IRON CHEF.

IT WAS ONLY OUT OF JAPAN BACK THEN.

MY PARENTS ENDED UP BUYING A RESTAURANT WHEN I WAS 13-YEAR-OLD.

HE ALREADY BEEN WORKING THERE SIX MONTHS AS A BUSBOY WHEN I WAS 12.

BY THE AGE OF 16 I WAS RUNNING THAT KITCHEN.

SO I HAVE BEEN COOKING FOR 18 YEARS AT THIS POINT.

>> Reporter: BUT AFTER YEARS OF GRINDING IT OUT IN RESTAURANT KITCHENS NOW HE'S HELPING ASPIRING CHEFS LEARN THAT OWNING A RESTAURANT ISN'T THE ONLY RECIPE FOR SUCCESS IN THE FOOD WORLD.

>> YOU DON'T NEED A BRICK AND MORTAR PLACE YOU DON'T NEED THAT AREA TO SUCCEED.

YOU CAN DO FOOD PREP HERE AT A KITCHEN THAT CHARGES YOU $LY AN HOUR TO RENT AND ALL YOU NEED IS A COUPLE LICENSES.

>> Reporter: HE IS ONE OF THE CHEF INSTRUCTORS AT FOOD HERO A CULINARY SCHOOL THAT OPERATES ON A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE MODEL OFFERING INSTRUCTION ON FOOD PREPARATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP FREE OF CHARGE.

FOUNDER JAFFER HARROW SAYS THE IDEA FOR FOOD HERO CAME IN PART FROM HIS OWN EXPERIENCE AS A FORMER RESTAURANT OWNER.

>> I CLOSED IT AFTER THREE YEARS.

IT WAS HEARTBREAKING FOR ME, FOR MY FAMILY AND FOR THE COMMUNITY.

I ASKED MYSELF JUST ONE QUESTION WHAT COULD I HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?

THEN I REALIZED THAT I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE RESTAURANT, THE FOOD INDUSTRY AS MUCH AS I SHOULD HAVE.

WE SET OUT TO BRING CHANGE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND TO THE INDUSTRY SO WE SOUGHT OUT TO BECOME A SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: FOOD HERO'S ULTIMATE BOWL IS ADVANCING EQUITY IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY BY EDUCATINGGúFF -- THE DISCREPANCIES I SEE IN THE INDUSTRY IS THAT THERE'S NO UPWARD MOBILITY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF LATINOS AND A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN THE SAME POSITIONS FOR FIVE AND 10 YEARS.

NO OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME MANAGERS OR HAVING A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP IN THE BUSINESS.

WE WANTED TO DEVELOP INDIVIDUALS WHO PURSUE CAREERS WITH GOODS LIVEABLE WAGES AND BE ABLE TO ADVANCE IN THE INDUSTRY.

AT THE SAME TIME WE'RE DEVELOPING INDIVIDUALS FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

>> Reporter: EXECUTIVE CHEF INSTRUCTOR AUSTIN YANCEY SAYS HE STRIVES TO INCLUDE ALL THE NECESSARY INGREDIENTS FOR FOOD BUSINESS SUCCESS IN HIS CLASSES.

EVERYTHING FROM KNIFE SKILLS TO RECIPE DEVELOPMENT, TO CALCULATING MENU COSTS.

>> WHAT ARE THE FIVE PIECES, FIVE PARTS TO OUR SEASONING WHAT DO YOU USE ALL THE TIME?

>> SALT AND PEPPER.

>> WE CARE ABOUT EDUCATION, TRAINING, MENTORSHIP, FOREVER, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND INNOVATION.

THOSE ARE THE FIVE PILLARS OF SUCCESS OF OUR COMPANIES.

>> Reporter: TODAY YANCEY IS WORKING WITH STUDENTS AS THEY PREPARE DISHES FOR A PRIVATE CATERED EVENT.

>> THE GENTLEMAN HAPPENS TO BE FROM TURKEY SO WE HAD THE STUDENTS RESEARCH FOR HOMEWORK.

GO RESEARCH TURKISH CUISINE COME IN WITH IDEAS.

WE HELP BUILD A MENU.

WE GO THROUGH A MENU EXERCISE THEN WE PREP IT ALL HERE IN OUR PROFESSIONAL KITCHEN, TAKE IT TO THE CLIENT'S HOME THEN EXECUTE.

IF THE STUDENTS GET TO LEARN THEN HOW TO BUILD A PRIVATE EVENT IN SOMEONE'S HOME FROM START TO FINISH AND THEN ACTUALLY BE THERE FOR THE EXECUTION AND THE STANDING O AND THE TEARS AND THE WHOLE THING.

>> Reporter: HARROW SAYS MAKING THIS KIND OF EDUCATION BROADLY ACCESSIBLE IS WHAT'S NEEDED TO MAKE DIVERSE OWNERSHIP IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY ACHIEVABLE.

>> SOMETIMES SAYING I WANT TO OWN MY OWN RESTAURANT OR START MY OWN BUSINESS FEELS SO FAR FETCHED BUT THE REALITY IS IN TODAY'S MARKETPLACE WITH THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE TOOLS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND THE ACCESS TO CAPITAL I FEEL THAT TO START A BUSINESS IT'S A LOT EASIER TODAY THAN IT WAS A FEW YEARS BACK.

SO WE WANT TO DEMONSTRATE AND SHOW THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT THAT DREAM IS POSSIBLE AND OBTAINABLE.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT LATINO VOICES THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSEN.

>> FOOD HENO IS CURRENTLY ENROLLING -- FOOD HERO IS CURRENTLY ENROLLING STUDENTS.

YOU WILL FIND MORE ABOUT THAT ON OUR WEBSITE AS WELL.

THAT WILL BE OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEKEND.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUR WEBSITE FROM THE VERY LATEST FROM WTTW NEWS.

IF YOU ARE WATCHING US ON SATURDAY NIGHT KNOW THAT YOU CAN ALSO CATCH "LATINO VOICES" AND "BLACK VOICES" ON SUNDAY BEGINNING AT 10:00.

NEXT WEEK ON "LATINO VOICES ROIN MICHAEL FUENTES WILL BE HERE IN THE HOST CHAIR.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT "LATINO VOICES" THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.