>>> GOOD EVENING, AND [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ].

THANK YOU FOR SHARING A PART OF THE SHOW TONIGHT.

THROUGH MANY LATINO COMMUNITIES, WE SPOKE WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS ABOUT HOW THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS HAD BEEN AFFECTED.

OPPOSITION TO CPD'S NEW GANG DATABASE SYSTEM GROWS LOUDER, DETAILS ON WHY THE INTERIM POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD WANTS TO SCRUB PLANS FOR THE DATABASE.

>>> THROUGH A REDISCOVERED TROVE OF PHOTOS, A NEW EXHIBITION SHOWS ARTISTS OF THE 1980s AND 90s.

AND, AN ADVANCED LOOK , AN EVENT CELEBRATING LATINOS SHAPING CHICAGO'S CUISINE SCENE.

>> I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE ALSO ANOTHER PART OF YOUR MOTIVATION.

>> AND WE TAKE YOU INSIDE OF A BOXING CLUB AND LITTLE VILLAGE TEACHING KIDS SKILLS IN AND OUT OF THE RING.

ALL THAT IS COMING UP .

BUT OUR FIRST STORY TONIGHT, THE STARTLING HIKE IN PROPERTY TAXES FOR SOME RESIDENTS.

THAT IS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> MANY COOK COUNTY RESIDENTS GOT AN UNWELCOME SURPRISE THIS MONTH WHEN THEIR NEW PROPERTY TAX BILL ARRIVED WITH A HEFTY HIKE .

ESPECIALLY THOSE LIVING IN LARGER LATINO COMMUNITIES.

ACCORDING TO AN ANALYSIS BY THE TREASURER'S OFFICE, THE MEDIAN RESIDENTIAL BUILD ROSE ABOUT 18% OVER $8600 IN NEARBY AVONDALE.

AND THE MEDIAN WENT UP 27% TO ABOUT $7600.

IN TILSON, IT SKYROCKETED 46% TO MORE THAN $7200.

JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT HOW LATINO COMMUNITY ARE DEALING WITH THIS ARE EVELYN, DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES AT BRIGHTON PARK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL, AND MOSES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PILSEN ALLIANCE, AND CHRISTIAN DIAZ, THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING.

WELCOME TO ALL OF YOU TO LATINO VOICES.

WELL, WE WILL GET STARTED WITH YOU.

THE COMMUNITY SAW A MASSIVE INCREASE IN THEIR TAX BILL.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION THERE SO FAR?

>> FOLKS HAVE COME IN AND SPOKE ABOUT THE DIRECTORY ARE SHOCKED.

RIGHT?

SCENE PROPERTY TAX BILLS DOUBLE, IN ONE PARTICULAR CASE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LONG TIME HOMEOWNER WHO GOT A BILL OVER $10,000.

AND THIS IS, AGAIN, NOT SOMETHING THEY CAN AFFORD.

FOLKS ARE RUNNING AROUND, LOOKING FOR HELP, RIGHT?

WE HEARD FOLKS SAYING, THIS IS NOT FAIR.

WHAT CAN I DO?

SO, YOU KNOW, FOLKS COMING TO US, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO PROVIDE THE IMMEDIATE SUPPORT WOULD ALSO TRY TO REALLY CHANGE THE SYSTEM THAT IS NEGATIVELY IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITIES IN CHICAGO.

WE ARE DEFINITELY HEARING FRUSTRATION COMING FROM HOMEOWNERS IN TILSON.

>> CHRISTIAN, LOGAN SQUARE AND AVONDALE WERE ALSO AFFECTED.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR NEIGHBORS ABOUT THIS?

>> I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF ANGER, DISTRESS, UNCERTAINTY, AND A DEEP FEELING THAT THIS IS REALLY UNFAIR.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASES AVERAGING THROUGHOUT THE CITY, IT IS 8%.

SO LATINO COMMUNITIES SEE THE INCREASE IN THE 20th PERCENTILE, THEN WE REALLY FEEL LIKE WE ARE BEING TARGETED.

WE FELT TARGETED FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE OF GENTRIFICATION.

WE KNOW THOSE PROPERTY TAX INCREASES ARE DUE TO DEMOLITION, NEW CONSTRUCTION, AND SPECULATION ON THE HOUSING MARKET WHICH, FOR SOME REASON, INCREASES THE VALUE OF LAND WHEN WHITE PEOPLE DEEM THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS DESIRABLE.

>> AND THIS PARK ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE SAW A MODEST INCREASE ACCORDING TO THE ANALYSIS.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF RENTERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE THIS WILL AFFECT THE RENT COST?

>> YES.

WE HAVE A FEW THAT HAVE COME IN BECAUSE THE TAXES HAVE INCREASED A LITTLE BIT.

THEREFORE, THE RENT IS GOING TO INCREASE.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE IN A LOW OR MODERATE INCOME AREA.

SO WITH THE HOLIDAYS COMING UP, IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT HARD.

YOU KNOW?

THEY ARE TRYING TO GET OUT OF THIS SITUATION, BUT IT WILL PUT MORE BURDEN ON THEM.

>> NOW, ASIDE FROM APPEALS, WHAT RESPONSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FROM YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS?

>> WELL, YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK DEFINITELY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL , WE HAVE HAD ONGOING CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER WHO MADE A COMMITMENT TO WORK WITH US IN THE COMMUNITY, NOT JUST AT THE COUNTY LEVEL, BUT AT THE STATE LEVEL.

YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS LIKE THE POLITICIANS ARE PASSING THE HOT POTATO AROUND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HIGH PROPERTY TAXES.

SO WE WANT THE POLITICAL WILL, RIGHT?

BEING EXERCISED NOW MORE THAN EVER, SO WE HOPE DOWN IN SPRINGFIELD, THE GOVERNOR CAN DEFINITELY TEAR THIS AWAY FROM THE COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, GIVEN THAT WE ARE COMING INTO THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION CYCLE, I WANT THE MAYOR AND CANDIDATES TO MAKE THIS ONE OF THEIR MAIN ISSUES BECAUSE IT'S DEFINITELY IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY.

WE NEED POLITICAL ACTION NOW.

>> TRISTAN DIAZ, WHY DO YOU THINK COMMUNITIES WERE AFFECTED BY THIS HIKE WHEN OTHER COMMUNITIES ACTUALLY SOUGHT DECREASES?

>> THERE IS A LONG-STANDING HISTORY OF COMMUNITIES BEING TARGETED BY SPECULATORS, BANKERS AND INVESTORS WHOSE OPPORTUNITY PUTS PROPERTY BEFORE PLANS BY DISPLACING PEOPLE OF COLOR.

SO THIS IS NOT A NEW STORY.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TO LINCOLN PARK AND WICKER PARK .

THERE IS A HISTORY OF INVESTMENT FOLLOWED BY RAPID GENTRIFICATION.

SO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LATINO COMMUNITY SEEING THESE INCREASES AND THE BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THE PROPERTY TAXES HAVE GONE DOWN IS THAT WHITE PEOPLE AREN'T WILLING TO MOVE INTO THESE BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS DUE TO RACISM.

>> THE BRIGHTON PARK COMMUNITY HAS BECOME MORE AFFORDABLE FOR PEOPLE PRICED OUT OF AREAS LIKE TILSON.

ARE YOU SEEING ANY SIGNS OF GENTRIFICATION IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

>> LUCKILY, NOT YET.

IT IS HARD .

SO WE ARE A LITTLE BIT CLOSER -- SPANISH COMMUNITY, AND WE NEED MORE ASSISTANCE .

THE HOMEOWNERS GIVE ASSISTANCE WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR MORTGAGE.

>> ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT THIS HIKE WILL PUSH MORE LATINOS OUT OF CHICAGO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, YOU KNOW, AND IT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE THAT'S HIGH PROPERTY TAXES, BUT INCLUDING THE HIGH RENTS THAT COME ALONG WITH IT, BUT ESPECIALLY THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC, FAMILIES ARE STILL SHORT ON RENT AND UTILITIES.

SO WHENEVER WE SEE EFFECTS OF DISPLACEMENT , AND AGAIN, YEAH.

SO UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE HOLDING IT DOWN.

COMMUNITIES LIKE TILSON, YOU KNOW, [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] JUST WEST OF US, WE ARE RESISTING EDUCATION AND DISPLACEMENT.

WE REALLY SEE THE SYSTEMIC REFORM THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS FIGHTING FOR.

WE WILL UNFORTUNATELY SEE PEOPLE BEING PUSHED OUT.

>> CHRISTIAN, WHAT RESOURCES ARE OUT THERE FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR PROPERTY TAX HIKE?

>> THERE ARE SENIOR TAX EXEMPTIONS.

BUT THE REALITY IS, WE NEED TO SEE A LOT MORE BEING DONE.

WE WANT TO HIGHLY ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO CALL UP THEIR ALDERMAN, CALL IT THE STATE REPS AND STATE SENATORS.

LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS IS HURTING YOU AND HURTING YOUR POCKET.

WE NEED INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO CREATE MORE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, ESPECIALLY FOR LONG-TERM HOMEOWNERS.

YOU KNOW?

IN CHICAGO, THE MAJORITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS PROVIDED BY MOM & POP LANDLORDS WITH TWO FLATS AND THREE FLATS.

WHEN PROPERTY TAXES INCREASE, OR THEY JUST DON'T, AND INCOMES DON'T, THEN A LOT OF TIMES THESE MOM-AND-POP HOMEOWNERS ARE FORCED TO RAISE RENTS OR SELL THEIR BUILDINGS WHICH FURTHER ACCELERATES GENTRIFICATION AND DISPLACEMENT.

WE NEED MORE BOLD PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR LONG-TERM HOMEOWNERS ESPECIALLY THE INCOME WORKING CLASS AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> WHAT ARE YOU TELLING PEOPLE IN TERMS OF RESOURCES WITH THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY THEIR TAX BILLS?

>> WELL, RIGHT NOW, AGAIN, WE ARE WORKING WITH THE BANDING SOLUTION WHICH IS [ INAUDIBLE ].

WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL WORKING WITH MUTUAL AID SUPPORTS.

SO WE KNOW FOLKS MAY NOT ALWAYS GET THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR GOVERNMENT.

THE COMMUNITIES, WE DO SUPPORT EACH OTHER.

WE WILL CONTINUE THAT WORK AND BE A RESOURCE TO SUPPORT THE RESIDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THROUGHOUT CHICAGO.

REALLY, IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON US.

THAT'S HOW WE SEE THE SOLUTION FROM FOLKS BEING MOSTLY IMPACTED.

>> EVELYN, WHAT KIND OF RESOURCES OR ADVICE ARE YOU GIVING PEOPLE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD STRUGGLING WITH THIS HIGHER TAX BILL?

>> WELL, IT'S A LITTLE BIT SOMETHING LIKE CHRISTIAN HAS BEEN SAYING.

TALK TO OFFICIALS, LETTING THEM KNOW THIS IS A NEED THEY REQUIRE.

I OBSESS ON THAT.

YOU KNOW?

IF THEY ARE BEHIND ON THESE PROGRAMS RIGHT NOW WITH THE HOMEOWNERS ASSISTANCE, IT WILL HELP ANYONE THAT IS BEHIND ON PROPERTY TAXES, WHETHER THEY ARE TAXED THROUGH THE MORTGAGE OR NOT.

IT WILL HELP THEM WITH THEIR TAX RETURN.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE ALSO ASSISTING WITH.

>> SO I'M GOING TO ASK YOU THE LAST QUESTION.

WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP CHICAGO AFFORDABLE FOR LATINO FAMILIES?

>> I THINK , IT'S A COMMUNITY.

IT IS SOMETHING YOU ALWAYS HEAR ABOUT.

CHICAGO, CHICAGO'S POPULATION IS HISPANIC.

SO SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP TO US SINCE WE WERE LITTLE.

I THINK EVERYONE COMES TO CHICAGO.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED AND NEEDS TO BE KEPT IN OUR CULTURE AND SYSTEMIC GROUP.

>> ARE THANKS TO EVELYN, MOSES, AND CHRISTIAN DIAZ.

WE RECENTLY SPOKE WITH CHRIS KATIE ABOUT THE INSTALLMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES.

YOU CAN WATCH THAT CONVERSATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

UP NEXT, PARIS SCHUTZ LOOKS AT THE DPD GRAPHICS PLAN FOR A NEW DATABASE.

STAY WITH US.

MUSIC BACK >>> THE CITY'S NEW POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD IS URGING THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT TO SCRAP ITS PLANS FOR A NEW GANG DATABASE SYSTEM.

THAT DATABASE WOULD BE USED TO TRACK CHICAGOANS BELIEVED TO BE MEMBERS OF GANGS.

THERE IS CONCERN REGARDING FAIR TREATMENT FOR BLACK AND LATINO RESIDENTS.

HEATHER JOINS US WITH MORE.

HEATHER, THE COMMUNITY COMMISSION HAS BEEN VOCAL ABOUT THEIR OPPOSITION TO ANY GANG DATABASE.

WHY DOES THE COMMISSION WANT IT SCRAPPED?

>> THEY SAY THE NEW POLICY HAS NOT BEEN FINALIZED.

THERE ARE TOO MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW IT WILL OPERATE, HOW IT WILL BE USED, AND OTHERS PEOPLE LISTED IN THE DATABASE WHO WILL BE NOTIFIED AND GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT.

THIS COMES MORE THAN 3.5 YEARS AFTER THE FORMER INSPECTOR GENERAL FOUND THE ORIGINAL GANG DATABASES USED BY THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE RIDDLED WITH ERRORS, RIPE WITH ABUSE, AND TARGETED BLACK AND LATINO RESIDENTS.

THE COMMISSION DOES NOT WANT TO SEE THOSE PROBLEMS REOCCUR.

>> WHAT'S THE POLICE RESPONSE TO THIS?

>> THEY SAY IT'S CRUCIAL TO TRACK GANG MEMBERS TO FIGHT CRIME.

THEY SAY THEY WILL WORK WITH THE COMMISSION TO ENSURE THAT IT MEETS THE STANDARDS OF CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING AND FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY.

>> THERE WAS A RECENT COMMISSION MEETING WHERE THE POLICE LAID OUT HOW THEY ARE TRACKING FOLKS THEY BELIEVE ARE INVOLVED IN GANGS.

WHAT DID THEY SAY ABOUT HOW MANY GANG MEMBERS THEY BELIEVE EXIST IN CHICAGO RIGHT NOW?

>> RIGHT NOW, THEY BELIEVE THERE IS 1074 MEMBERS OF GANGS LISTED IN THE DATABASE.

IT'S NOT CLEAR WHAT INFORMATION WAS USED TO DESIGNATE THOSE PEOPLE AS GANG MEMBERS.

NONE OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THEMSELVES REMOVED FROM THAT DATABASE WHICH THE COMMISSION SAYS IS A REAL PROBLEM.

>> WE SHOULD REMIND OUR VIEWERS THIS IS THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY COMMISSION.

NOW THERE ARE FOLKS RUNNING TO BE ELECTED FOR THESE POSTS.

WHAT DOES THIS ISSUE TELL YOU ABOUT HOW THE BOARD IS GOING TO BE?

>> IT INDICATES THE COMMISSION IN AN INTERIM FORM IS TAKING CHARGE TO EXERCISE OVERSIGHT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT VERY SERIOUSLY.

THEY ARE NOT AFRAID OF CONFRONTATION.

THIS, OF COURSE, WILL BE STARTED ANEW AFTER THE FEBRUARY ELECTIONS WHEN THOSE ELECTED POSITIONS FULFILL A NEW CITYWIDE COMMISSION THAT IS APPOINTED WHETHER THEY PUSH AGAINST THESE POLICIES REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

>> THERE ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE RUNNING IN THESE POSITIONS.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR SPECIFICALLY THIS ISSUE FOR THE GANG DATABASE?

>> IT'S NOT CLEAR WHEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WANTS TO LAUNCH THIS NEW SYSTEM WHICH HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS REALLY SINCE 2019, AND WHETHER IT WOULD GET THE SIGNOFF OF THE FEDERAL JUDGE WHO, OF COURSE, IS OVERSEEING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AS PART OF THE CONSENT DECREE AFTER PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS THAT SHOWED PROBLEMS WITH HOW THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS INTERACTING WITH BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGOANS.

>> HEATHER, THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS.

>> YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE, NEWS.WTTW.COM/NEWS.

WE ARE BACK WITH MORE LATINO VOICES AFTER THIS.

>>> DR. JIM IN THE BASEMENT OF A LOCAL CHURCH IS ON A MISSION TO PROVIDE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.

CHICAGO TONIGHT JOANNA HERNANDEZ TELLS US MORE FROM LITTLE VILLAGE.

>> Reporter: IT IS FRIDAY NIGHT.

COACH GABRIEL NAVARRO IS HOSTING AN ANNUAL BOXING TOURNAMENT.

>> I DON'T SEE THE KIDS WHEN THEIR TROPHIES OR THEIR BELLS.

I JUST LIKE THE SMILE ON THEIR FACES.

>> Reporter: HE IS A FORMER PROFESSIONAL BOXER WHO IS HEAD COACH AT THE BOXING CLUB.

>> I LIKE TO TEACH WHAT I HAVE LEARNED.

HALF MY COACHES WERE FIGHTERS HERE FIRST.

NOW THEY ARE COACHES.

>> Reporter: DURING THE WEEK, IT'S A HOUSE FOR PRACTICE.

STUDENTS LIKE ELIZABETH RODRIGUEZ COME AFTER SCHOOL.

>> WHAT I LIKE ABOUT BEING HERE IS YOU COME HERE, YOU HAVE A FAMILY.

YOU SUPPORT EACH OTHER WHEN SPARRING.

IT'S LIKE YOU COULD TAKE OUT YOUR ANGER.

>> Reporter: MOST OF THE YOUTH PARTICIPATING ARE FROM THE LITTLE VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD.

15-YEAR-OLD BRENDA MORALES SAYS HE LOST 80 POUNDS SINCE JOINING THE BOXING CLUB.

>> I USED TO GET TO LEAD A LOT.

I DON'T LIKE THAT.

I ALSO FELT LIKE I COULDN'T DO THINGS OTHER PEOPLE COULD DO.

SO I DECIDED TO COME BACK HERE.

>> Reporter: NAVARRO SAYS THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON GIVING KIDS CONFIDENCE IN AND OUT OF THE RING.

>> YOU WILL NEVER STEP IN THE RING -- HE SAID HE WOULD NEVER GOING TO DO IT.

HE WAS TOO FAT, WE COULD DO IT.

LOOK AT HIM NOW.

>> Reporter: CHICAGO YOUTH BOXING CLUB STARTED IN 2006 AS A REFUGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE SEEKING A POSITIVE OUTLET.

THIS CHILD PARTICIPATED WHEN HE WAS A KID AND NOW COACHES OTHERS.

>> I GREW UP IN THE STREET.

I HAD FRIENDS IN GANGS .

I THOUGHT I WAS GOING -- AND THIS, BOXING, THIS HELPED ME BETTER MYSELF.

>> Reporter: THE BOXING CLUB IS IN THE BASEMENT OF [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] COMMUNITY CHURCH IN LITTLE VILLAGE.

NOAH IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

HE HAS PLANS FOR THE BOXING CENTER.

>> WE FOCUS A LOT ON THE BOXING SPORT.

YOU KNOW?

WE ALSO HAVE A PIECE OF OUR PROGRAM WITH NUTRITION AND HEALTH, RIGHT?

THAT ON THE FIRST SIDE, THAT IS MORE ACADEMIC WITH SOCIAL GROWTH.

>> Reporter: THE TEAM SAYS IT'S GETTING READY TO REVAMP PROGRAMMING BEYOND THE RING.

THE MENTOR IS LEADING A TUTORING PROGRAM CALLED [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ].

>> IT'S TO HELP ANYONE AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, WHETHER THAT'S THROUGH ACADEMIC SUPPORT, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, OR PROVIDING A SAFE SPACE FOR YOU TO BE THERE -- >> Reporter: AND SOME COMPETE IN TOURNAMENTS LIKE THIS IN HOPES TO BE GOOD ENOUGH TO GO PRO.

>> A LOT OF THEM, YOU KNOW, COME IN AND THEY ARE NATIONALLY RANKED.

THEY ARE HOPING TO GET NATIONALLY RANKED.

ALL THAT OPENS DOORS FOR THE POSSIBILITY TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, WHETHER IT'S BOXING OR SOMETHING ELSE.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT , LATINO VOICES, I AM REBECCA HERNANDEZ.

>> THEY ARE OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAYS FROM 3:00 UNTIL 9:00 P.M. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLUB, GO TO OUR WEBSITE.

WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>>> THROUGHOUT THE 1980s AND 1990s, SHE ENCOUNTERED PHOTOGRAPHS OF MANY ARTISTS ALONG THE WAY.

A NEW EXHIBITION AT THE POETRY FOUNDATION ENTITLED [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] 1978 THROUGH 1974 SHOWS SOME OF HER LOST LONG PHOTOS TO CREATE A FULL PICTURE OF THE COMMUNITY THAT SHE HELPED CREATE.

>> THE SHOW IS DEANNA , [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] 1978 THROUGH 1994.

AND THE SHOW LOOKS AT DEONNA'S LIFE AND ENGAGEMENT WITH CHICAGO.

IT'S A LIVING ARCHIVE OF PHOTOGRAPHS FROM A PARTICULAR, UNIQUE PLACE IN CHICAGO'S HISTORY, PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON HILSON AND HUMBLE PARK COMMUNITIES, BLACK AND BROWN POETS, LATINX POETS, SHE WAS BORN IN MEXICO .

WE SETTLED IN CHICAGO'S TILSON AREA.

AS WE KNOW, A PORT OF ENTRY FOR MANY LATINO PEOPLE IN CHICAGO.

SHE BEGAN HER ARTISTIC CAREER WITH A CODEX THAT WAS GIVEN HER BY HER MOTHER.

SHE FOUND A LOT OF ENCOURAGEMENT GROWING UP WITH HER FAMILY.

HER FATHER WAS A MACHINIST.

BUT HE REALLY EMPHASIZED AND VALUED ART IN THE HOME.

HE WOULD RECITE POEMS TO HER IN SPANISH AND TAKE HER SHOPPING AT THE JAZZ RECORD MARKET.

AFTERWARDS, THEY MADE SURE THEY WOULD VISIT MUSEUMS.

IT WAS VERY MUCH PART OF HER LIFE.

SO DEONNA IS A VISUAL ARTIST, ILLUSTRATOR, PHOTOGRAPHER, BUT SHE'S ALSO A POET.

AND HER PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATE THE FEEL OR SORT OF CONSTELLATION OF POETS AND ARTISTS IN THE COMMUNITY.

ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THE SHOW IS, YOU KNOW, IT'S BILINGUAL.

IT IS MULTIDISCIPLINARY.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE WAY POETRY ENGAGES WITH THE VISUAL ARTS, WITH PERFORMANCE, WITH MUSIC, AND SORT OF UNDERSTANDING THIS AS A WHOLE EXPERIENCE, AND NOT LIKE THESE SIDELOAD ART FORMS.

I'M UNDERSTANDING THIS IS WAYS WE COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER, THE LEAD CURATORS OF THE SHOW ARE NICOLE AT THE SCHOOL FOR THE ART INSTITUTE WAS ALSO A WONDERFUL ARTIST HERSELF, AND OSCAR, WHO IS A PHOTOGRAPHER, CURATOR, SO THIS ARCHIVE WAS IN SOMEONE'S BASEMENT.

IT COULD NO LONGER STAY THERE.

SO, NICOLE WAS CALLED IN.

I BELIEVE SHE SORT OF TEXTED OSCAR SAYING, YOU HAVE TO CHECK OUT THIS STUFF.

THEN THEY FIND PHOTOGRAPHS, NOTEBOOKS, CONTACT SHEETS, BROADSIDE, BOOKS, IT WAS A GOLD MINE.

IT IS SO VALUABLE TO RECOGNIZE THESE POETS, TO SEE THESE POETS, TO MAKE SPACE, AND TO PROVIDE CARE FOR THEIR FUTURE SURVIVAL, YOU KNOW?

THESE PHOTOGRAPHS, BUT ALSO WAYS THAT WE EXIST IN THIS WORLD.

THIS IS AN ACTIVE PROJECT.

SO WE REQUIRE PEOPLE TO COME SEE THIS WORK AND FILL IN THE GAPS.

TELL US WHAT WE HAVE WRONG, THEN ADD TO IT.

THIS IS A LIVING, BREATHING ARCHIVE.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] RUNS AT THE POETRY FOUNDATION THROUGH JANUARY 15th.

YOU WILL FIND MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

TO IN THE HEART OF CHICAGO, THE PILSEN NEIGHBORHOOD HAS PLAYED MANY ROLES IN THE FOOD HISTORY, THE PORT OF ENTRY FOR THE WORKFORCE THAT POWERS RESTAURANTS, A CENTER FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION, AND INCREASINGLY, A HOTSPOT FOR LATINO CHEFS COOKING UP INNOVATION.

THE UPCOMING GOURMET EVENT ALIGNS CULINARY STARS TO SHOWCASE THE FLAVORS OF LATINO CUISINE.

HERE IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> BACK IN MEXICO, MY FATHER WAS COOKING BEHIND ME.

I WAS BEHIND THE KITCHEN.

I NEVER SEEN THEM IN COOKING, ALWAYS WOMEN, RIGHT?

I SAW MY DAD DOING IT, THINKING, OH, HE CAME OUT WITH ALL THIS OBEDIENCE WITH SOMETHING GOOD.

TO ME, THAT WAS LIKE MAGIC.

>> HABANERO CHILI.

>> Reporter: SINCE HE BEGAN HIS CULINARY CAREER NEARLY 40 YEARS AGO, HE HELPED SHAPED THE CITY'S DINING SCENE AND PAVE THE WAY FOR LATINO CHEFS WHO FOLLOWED HIM.

THE CULINARY ADVISOR FOR THE UPCOMING EVENT HILSON GOURMET, HE IS HOPING TO GIVE DINERS A TASTE OF CHICAGO'S FOOD FUTURE.

>> I THINK OUR REPRESENTATION AS LATINO CHEFS IS SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF THE FOOD STAPLES THAT WE DO IN EVERY CASE, RIGHT?

WE HAVE CHEFS FROM GUATEMALA.

WE HAVE CHEFS FROM COLUMBIA, PERU, VENEZUELA, OF COURSE, MEXICAN, AND SO WHAT WE NEED IS TO HAVE THIS RECOGNITION OF TALENT.

RIGHT NOW, AT THIS MOMENT, EVERYBODY IS COMING WITH IDEAS .

ALL LATIN AMERICAN CHEFS THAT WE HAVE, THEY HAVE SOME COOL, EXCELLENT IDEAS.

I MEAN, YOU NAME IT.

>> Reporter: THE EVENT ORGANIZER SAYS, IN ITS SECOND YEAR, IT IS OVERFLOWING WITH FLAVORS, COLORS AND CULTURE OF CHICAGO'S DIVERSE LATINO CUISINE SCENE.

>> IT'S A GATHERING OF OVER 25 DIFFERENT CHEFS, 25 DIFFERENT RESTAURANTS, [ INAUDIBLE ] DIFFERENT BRANDS, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FOOD INDUSTRY IN CHICAGO .

YOU COME IN.

YOU ARE ABLE TO SAMPLE A DISH FROM EACH ONE OF THESE PROMINENT RESTAURANTS.

YOU COME IN.

IT IS FILLED WITH PEOPLE TRYING TO FEED YOU A PIECE OF THEIR KITCHEN AND SHOWCASE, YOU KNOW, WHAT THEY ARE ALL ABOUT.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE WILL BE ON HAND TO SHOWCASE FLAVORS AND EXPERTISE THEY BRING TO THE TABLE.

>> WE TAKE MEXICAN INGREDIENTS.

WE INCORPORATE SOME FRUITS AND SPOT SPICES AND PEPPERS.

ONLY 45 INGREDIENTS, SOME MOLD , MAKE IT DIFFERENT.

IT WILL CREATE ANOTHER EXPERIENCE IN YOUR BODY.

>> Reporter: GARCIA SAYS, THE WORKFORCE AS WELL AS ITS HISTORY IS A LATINO STRONGHOLD.

IT IS THE PERFECT SETTING FOR THE EVENT.

>> THERE IS NOT A TOMATO THAT GOES THROUGH ANY RESTAURANTS THAT DOESN'T GO THROUGH THE PILSEN PORTAL OF DISTRIBUTION PRODUCTS.

THE LATINO COMMUNITY HAS PLAYED A HUGE ROLE IN FEEDING THE REST OF THE CHICAGOLAND AREA.

IT IS TIME TO REALLY CELEBRATE WHAT WE REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO GOING AND DOING EVERY WEEK ANYWAY.

WE GO TO DIFFERENT RESTAURANTS WHERE ARE CHEFS ARE LATINO, FIXING OUR CUISINE.

THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO CELEBRATE THAT.

>> WE ARE NOT GOING TO THINK ABOUT THE HANGOVER, BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FUN TONIGHT.

THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINA VOICES, THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> PILSEN GOURMET TAKES PLACE AT APOLLO 2000 ON DECEMBER 16th.

INFORMATION FOR TICKETS IS ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEKEND.

FORGET, YOU CAN CATCH MY REPORTING ON 91.5 FM .

NOW FOR ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT : LATINA VOICES, I AM MICHAEL FUENTES.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

STAY HEALTHY, STAY SAFE, [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A CLIFFORD