>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

LATINO VOICES.

I'M JOHN MADDEN ON THIS ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

>> WE SEE IT ICEBERG COMING, BUT WE HAVE A LOT.

THIS IS NOT THE TITANIC.

>> CHICAGO LAND IS FACING A PUBLIC TRANSIT FUNDING CRISIS HERE.

HOW LOCAL LEADERS WANT TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM.

ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC PARKS PREPARES TO STEP DOWN.

A LOOK BACK ON HER WORK.

A NEW INITIATIVE IS DRIVING FOOT TRAFFIC TO NEIGHBORHOOD CORRIDORS AHEAD OF THE HOLIDAYS.

>> GIVING OUT TOO MANY CHASING YEARS.

WE ONLY MAKE IT LIKE $5 AT A TIME.

>> AND WE SHOW YOU HOW POPULAR MEXICAN SAUCES MATE.

AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, MORE DEBATE OVER WHETHER CHICAGO SHOULD REMAIN A CENTURY CITY.

>> TODAY A GROUP OF LOCAL LEADERS HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE ENCOURAGING CHICAGO MAINTAIN ITS AINTREE CITY STATUS.

THE STATUS SHIELD, ALL IMMIGRANTS IN CHICAGO FROM FEDERAL AGENTS, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY ARE CITIZENS, PERMANENT RESIDENTS OR ASYLUM SEEKERS.

HAYES ABOUT SEWING THE CITY OF CHICAGO THAT THERE IS A COALITION.

THE COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR CITY THAT BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE THE MORAL OBLIGATION TO SUPPORT OUR MICAH SIBLINGS.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT THE VERY FABRIC OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO IS A STORY OF MIGRATION AND SHOULD GET >> WELL, MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON SAYS CHICAGO WILL REMAIN A WELCOMING CITY FOR IMMIGRANTS.

THOSE PROTECTIONS ARE FACING INTENSE SCRUTINY AS OFFICIALS STRUGGLE TO CARE FOR THE THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS WILL ARRIVE IN THE CITY SINCE LAST YEAR.

MEANWHILE, COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE RALLYING AGAINST THE PROPOSED THE POSSIBILITY OF OVER 300 MIGRANTS BEING HOUSE AT A CLOSE CATHOLIC SCHOOL ON CHICAGO'S NORTHWEST SIDE.

ACTIVISTS ARE SAYING THERE WAS 0 TRANSPARENCY, TRANSPARENCY BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND LOCAL ALDERWOMAN.

RUTH CLUE CREWS CALLING IT A CLOSE TORE MOVE.

SAME PROBLEM.

YOU SCHOOL CLOSED EARLIER THIS YEAR AFTER MERGING WITH POPE FRANCIS ACADEMY.

IT'S EXPECTED TO HOUSE UP TO 350 MIGRANTS WITH AN EARLY JANUARY MOVE IN DATE.

>> FEEL SAFE, YOU KNOW, WITH ANY NEW STRANGERS WALKING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

MY 2 OLDER SISTERS MOVED ON TO THE SUBURBS BECAUSE OF THE CRIME.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO FILE INJUNCTION IN ROSELAND.

IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.

WE'LL HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE RIGHT THERE IN THE COURTROOM.

>> OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE AND WORLD DEFINITELY LOOK INTO IF WE CAN FILE AN INJUNCTION HERE BECAUSE WHAT'S GOING ON IS.

>> VERY TIME.

VERY UNSAFE.

>> ACCORDING ALDERWOMAN CREWS, THE DECISION WAS MADE BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE ANNUAL FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE ARE GEARING UP AT THE SHRINE IN DES PLAINES, THE ANNUAL CELEBRATION ATTRACTS THOUSANDS OF PILGRIMS FROM CHICAGO AND AROUND THE GLOBE.

THE EVENT HONORS THE STORY OF THE APPEARANCE OF THE VIRGIN MARY IN MEXICO AND 15.

31, THE TWO-DAY CELEBRATION TAKES PLACE ON DECEMBER.

11TH AND 12TH.

UP NEXT, HOW LOCAL LEADERS ARE HOPING TO TACKLE A CRISIS IN PUBLIC TRANSIT FUNDING.

MAKE BLOOMBERG JOINS US RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

>> A FISCAL CLIFF THAT THREATENS THE CHICAGO REGION.

THAT'S WHAT LOCAL LEADERS WARN WILL HAPPEN WITHOUT BIG CHANGES TO PUBLIC TRANSIT FUNDING LAWMAKERS AND ADVOCATES GATHERED THIS MORNING TO THROW THEIR SUPPORT BEHIND A BOLD PLAN TO MAKE TRANSIT MORE EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE AND EFFICIENT.

WBTW NEWS REPORTER NICK BLOOMBERG WAS THERE AND JOINS US NOW WITH MORE NOW.

NICK ADVOCATES SAY THE TRANSIT IS FACING A CRISIS.

TELL ME ABOUT THAT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

JOANNA CTA, METRA AND PACE ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE A 730 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET DEFICIT IN TWENTY-TWENTY 6.

IF LEADERS DON'T TAKE ACTION.

>> AND THAT'S ESTIMATED TO GET WORSE EVERY YEAR.

THAT'S BECAUSE RIDERSHIP HASN'T RETURNED TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS AND FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY IS RUNNING OUT ADVOCATES AD.

THAT'S BECAUSE TRANSIT HAS BEEN UNDERFUNDED FOR YEARS ANYWAY, TOO.

SO STATE LAWMAKERS TOLD THE REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY SEEM APT TO THINK BIG ASK THEM TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO IMPROVE SERVICE, MAKE BUSES AND TRAINS MORE ACCESSIBLE AND MAKE SURE ALL THOSE DIFFERENT BUS AND TRAIN LINES ACTUALLY LINE UP WITH ONE ANOTHER.

NOW STATE REPRESENTATIVE EDINA DELGADO WAS ONE OF THOSE LAWMAKERS.

SHE SAYS, EVEN IF YOU DON'T RIDE PUBLIC TRANSIT, YOU RELY ON IT.

AND IF IT FACES HUGE SERVICE CUTS OR FARE INCREASES, PEOPLE WON'T BE ABLE TO GET TO THEIR JOBS.

TRAFFIC WILL GET WILL POLLUTION.

DELGADO ALSO SAYS IT'S A NECESSITY FOR MANY LOWER AND MIDDLE INCOME FOLKS AND BLACK AND BROWN CHICAGOANS.

TRANSIT AT ITS CORE IS ABOUT EQUITY.

IT'S ABOUT PROVIDING SERVICE TO EVERYBODY REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU LIVE.

WE YOU KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY YOU MAKE.

SO YEAH, WHEN I THINK OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS, I THINK OF SOME OF THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE, YOU KNOW, AT THE LOWEST INCOME BRACKET, BUT THEY STILL HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GET AROUND.

>> DELGADO ADDED THAT HER DREAM IS TO ONE DAY HAVE A TRANSIT SYSTEM.

SO GOOD PEOPLE SEE IT AS A FIRST CHOICE TO GET AROUND AND THEY WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE PLAN?

WELL, THERE ARE A TON OF SPECIFIC IDEAS IN THERE ABOUT IMPROVING SERVICE, BETTER COORDINATION.

SOME OF THE THINGS WE MENTIONED, THOSE ARE DRIVEN BY METRICS AND DATA AND COMMUNITY FEEDBACK.

LEADERS SAY OVERHAULING THE SYSTEM WILL DROP BACK RIDERS, BUT CHANGES LIKE THAT.

TAKE MONEY.

THE REPORT ALSO CALLS FOR UP TO 1.5 BILLION DOLLARS IN NEW PUBLIC TRANSIT FUNDING.

IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF MONEY, BUT ADVOCATES SAY THE COST OF INACTION IS WAY HIGHER THAN THE COST OF ACTION.

>> THE LONGSTANDING UNDERFUNDING OF TRANSIT OPERATIONS COUPLE WITH THE UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES SPURRED BY THE PANDEMIC HAS BROUGHT US TO A CRITICAL INFLECTION POINT IN TRANSIT HISTORY.

SO TODAY WE CANNOT SHY AWAY FROM THE SCALE OF THE FUNDING NEEDS OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM FACES.

IT IS SIGNIFICANT.

BUT THE VALUE THE TRANSIT PROVIDES FOR THE CITY FOR OUR REGION IS IMMEASURABLE.

>> IN ADDITION TO MORE FUNDING THE PLANS, MAP CAME UP WITH PROPOSE IT SOME UNPRECEDENTED CHANGES TO THE WAY TRANSIT IS RUN.

NOW, ONE OPTION WOULD GIVE MORE POWER TO THE REGIONAL AUTHORITY OVERSEEING CTA, METRA AND PACE, THE OTHER AND FAR BOLDER OPTION WOULD CREATE A SINGLE REGIONAL TRANSIT AGENCY ESSENTIALLY COMBINING THE CURRENT HODGEPODGE OF TRANSIT AGENCIES INTO ONE.

>> YOU HAVE OUR TRANSIT AGENCIES WORK TOGETHER.

WELL, NOW.

THERE'VE BEEN MANY YEARS DECADES, EVEN AND WHICH THE SERVICE BOARDS WORK ACROSS PURPOSES THE SYSTEM WE NOW HAVE.

THERE ARE 47 BOARD MEMBERS.

47 BOARD MEMBERS ACROSS 4 BOARDS APPOINTED BY 21 ELECTED OFFICIALS.

THAT MEANS THAT EVERYONE AND NO ONE, NO ONE IS RESPONSIBLE.

>> THE PLAN NOW GOES TO STATE LAWMAKERS.

AND JOANNA, YOU CAN BET THERE WILL BE A LOT OF DEBATE ON THIS ISSUE IN THE SPRING LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT STARTS NEXT MONTH.

I CAN IMAGINE THANK U AND WE'RE BACK WITH MORE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> YOU MIGHT REMEMBER A TIME WHEN THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NATE NATIVE NARRATIVE ART WAS PREPARING TO COME TO CHICAGO ONLY TO EVENTUALLY FIND A HOME IN CALIFORNIA.

THIS WAS ONE OF THE MANY BATTLES TAKEN ON BY FRIENDS OF THE PARK, A LOCAL GROUP THAT ADVOCATES FOR THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC GREEN SPACES AND THE ORGANIZATION'S LONG-TIME LEADER ANNOUNCES THIS WEEK THAT SHE'S STEPPING DOWN.

SO JOINING US NOW TO REFLECT ON HER TIME WITH THE GROUP IS PLENTY THAT EVEN SATURDAY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FRIENDS OF THE PARKS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US NOW.

I HAVE TO ASK GOING INTO THIS 8 YEARS, DID YOU EXPECT TO BE PART OF SUCH MAJOR BATTLES?

>> WELL, I DIDN'T KNOW AS I WAS STARTING THAT THE LAWSUIT MUSEUM WAS ALREADY IN PROGRESS.

AND THAT I SURE KNOW ABOUT.

FOLLOWING THAT.

WE ALSO, YOU KNOW, STRUGGLED THROUGH SOME CONTENTIOUS YEARS WITH OBAMA FOUNDATION AROUND DETAILS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CENTER AND WE CURRENTLY HAVE A LAWSUIT GOING AGAINST THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.

SO I DO SAY A LOT MORE BACK-TO-BACK BATTLES THAT MAYBE EXPECTED.

>> AND WHY STEP DOWN AWAY NOW?

>> I HONESTLY, BIT TIRED.

KIND OF.

>> COMPARE IT 100 YEAR STORMS WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO ONLY HAPPEN ONCE EVERY 100 YEARS.

WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT 100 YEAR STORMS BACK TO BACK IT IN TERMS OF THAT I JUST AND SO IT'S INTENSE AND IT'S REALLY TIME TO MOVE >> SEEMS THAT YOU'VE DONE A LOT NOW.

WE HAVE TO MENTION THE LUCAS MUSEUM AND HOW FRIENDS OF THE PARK LET THE FIGHT AGAINST IT.

AT THE TIME YOU SAID HE WARNED AGAINST THE MUSEUM BUT RATHER THE LOCATION IN THE END, THE MUSEUM ENDED UP IN LOS ANGELES.

ARE YOU STILL HAPPY WITH THAT RESULT?

>> YES, FRIENDS OF THE PARKS IS HISTORICALLY POSITIONED ITSELF AS A WOMAN PROTECTORS OF CHICAGO'S LAKEFRONT.

IT REALLY ISN'T ANOTHER GROUP THAT WILL ALWAYS PUT NOT THE LINE TO PROTECT AGAINST DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE LAKEFRONT TO THAT IS NOT PUBLIC BENEFIT PRIVATE INTERESTS.

AND I'M REALLY HONORED TO HAVE BEEN PART OF THAT.

>> AND BEFORE FRIENDS OF THE PARKING WERE ACTUALLY INVOLVED WITH POLITICS, POLITICS FOR A BIT.

EVEN RUNNING FOR 26 WARD ALDERWOMAN AT ONE TIME.

DID THAT EXPERIENCE INFORMED THE WORK YOU DID AT FRIENDS OF THE PARKS?

>> WELL, CERTAINLY ALWAYS BEEN INVOLVED IN FIGHTING GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING WHETHER IT BE THROUGH NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

SO ALL OF RELATIONSHIPS AND SKILL SETS THAT I BUILT ALONG THE WAY CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN USEFUL IN MY ROLE THE PARKS.

>> AND YOU GREW UP IN HUMBLE PARK NEAR WHAT IS NOW THE 606 TRAIL A PROJECT.

YOU'VE KEPT AN EYE ON AND YOU HAVE ALSO FOUGHT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE AREA.

NOW, AS YOU WATCH THAT NEIGHBORHOOD CHANGE, WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO THE CHANGE?

>> FOR ME, ONE OF THE THINGS BECAME REALLY CLEAR WHEN I BECAME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FRIENDS OF THE PARKS WAS THE WAY THAT THE GREEN SPACE IN MY COMMUNITY HAD BEEN SO IMPORTANT TO MY MY LIFE IN PARK?

I GREW UP JUST A FEW BLOCKS FROM WHAT WE MY FROM THE PARK ITSELF AND SO LAND GENTRIFICATION.

PUSH FURTHER LAST AND WE NO LONGER WE'RE IN AREA OF THE COMMUNITY WHERE WE COULD JUST WALK TO THE PARK.

I REALLY WAS ABLE TO FEEL THE DIFFERENCE MY PHYSICAL AND MENTAL OF NOT HAVING THAT REGULAR ACCESS TO GREEN SPACE AND PARK.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE WAYS IN WHICH MY MY HOUSING AROUND AND MY GREEN INTEREST HAVE CONNECTED OVER THE YEARS.

BUT IN FRONT OF THE PARK'S ROLE.

WE'VE ALSO LOOKED WHEN THERE ARE MAJOR INVESTMENTS IN PARKS LIKE AT THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER.

WHAT HAPPENS COMMUNITY FOLKS WHO MAY GET PRICED OUT BECAUSE OF RISING PRICES.

AND SO FOR THAT REASON, FRIENDS OF THE PARTICIPATED WITH BULLISH TO FIGHT FOR A COMMUNITY BENEFITS.

AGREEMENTS.

SO THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME PORTABLE HOUSING IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP RESIDENTS STAY ENJOY THE INVESTMENTS.

IN PART, OF COURSE, AND >> WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE STILL IN THOSE FIGHTS OR LOOKING TO GO UP AGAINST POWERFUL GROUPS LIKE THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> WELL, IT CERTAINLY TAKES A LOT OF SUN ASK CITY READINESS TO NOT BACK DOWN.

YOU JUST FOR THE PARTY PUT OUT A STATEMENT, BUT OUR WILLINGNESS TO FIGHT AGAIN IF WE HAVE TO, AS WE HEAR THAT, THE BEARS ARE LOOKING AT THAT SCENE PARKING LOT LUCAS WANTED TO BUILD AS A POSSIBLE SITE.

AND ALREADY TODAY, YOU KNOW, WE RECEIVED OUR FACEBOOK PAGE RIGHT?

THE REALITY IS THAT CONTROVERSY, A MAN AND IT TAKES A LOT OF WILLINGNESS HAVE TO RECEIVED THE ARROWS IN THE BUT YOU KNOW, TO STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN.

>> AND AS ONE THAT THE NETS, ONE OTHER LET YOU KNOW, I'M SURE YOU'VE HAD TO OVERCOME MANY CHALLENGES THING SAY YOU PROBABLY STILL THINK ABOUT IS WHAT WOULD YOU SAY, SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE MOST PROUD OF YOURSELF OR?

>> YOU KNOW, I JUST REALLY SEE MYSELF AS SOMEONE WHO'S REALLY OR 2 TO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO INVESTED IN IN YOUTH PROGRAMMING AND EDUCATION.

EARLY ON IN MY LIFE.

AND SO I REALLY SEE MYSELF AS SOMEONE WHAT POSITION GIVE BACK A TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS REQUIRED FOR I GUESS I RIGHT IS THE RIGHT WORD.

BUT I JUST FEEL GOOD ABOUT LIVING LIKE THIS CONSISTENT TO SERVICE GIVING BACK TO WHETHER IT'S FIGHTING AGAINST FROM MANUAL OR DOING THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE IN FRONT OF THE PRESS TO PROMOTE EQUITABLE INVESTMENT ACROSS THE PARTS YOU KNOW, GETTING BACK FROM WHAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME IT'S REALLY MY >> AND LAST QUESTION HERE, CAN WE EXPECT MORE FIGHTS IN IN YOUR FUTURE?

>> WELL, USUALLY GETTING INTO GOOD TROUBLE PRETTY MUCH A REGULAR BASIS.

I DO HOPE SEE THEM IN NEED TO MEDICAL LITTLE BIT OF TIME OFF TO BUT I THINK IT'S TIME FOR ME TO GETTING INVOLVED IN THE YOU KNOW, GOOD PUBLIC POLICY, GOOD GOVERNMENT.

AND WAS MONTH.

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

AND BEST OF LUCK WITH EVERYTHING ELSE.

OUR THANKS TO 20 THAT IT SATURDAY.

UP NEXT, A NEW INITIATIVE DRIVING FOOT TRAFFIC TO NEIGHBORHOOD CORRIDORS FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN CHICAGO'S HISTORY THAT CELL BODY OF STEEL WILL BE LIT UP FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

THIS IS ONE OF MANY HOLIDAY EVENTS THIS SEASON MEANT TO DRAW FOOT TRAFFIC TO THE CITIES.

COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS FOR LITTLE VILLAGE TO HUMBLE PARK.

IT'S A NEW INITIATIVE MEANT TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ON THIS.

OUR JENNIFER, HE LED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND RIGHT AND ROB, POINT TAKE VICE PRESIDENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD STRATEGY FOR CHOOSE TO CODDLE.

I ALMOST HAD TO CLOSE RIGHT THERE THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

AND TELL MORE ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE.

WHAT INSPIRED FOR SURE.

SO IT'S AN INITIATIVE COMING OUT OF MAYOR JOHNSON'S OFFICE.

>> AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE CITY.

AND WE REALLY WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE AMAZING THINGS HAPPENING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE SO MANY COOL HOLIDAY THINGS DOWNTOWN IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, BUT ALSO THAT AMAZING THINGS ARE HAPPENING ACROSS THE CITY NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE LITTLE VILLAGE.

THAT'S TRUE.

NOW, JENNIFER, YOUR COMMUNITIES HOSTING ONE OF ACTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND.

WHAT KIND OF FOOT TRAFFIC ARE YOU HOPING TO SPRINGS?

>> TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD WE'RE EXPECTING OVER 1000 CHILDREN, LOT OF CHILDREN SO WE ARE EXPECTING BIG AMOUNT OF THIS WEEKEND'S TO SEE I I TREATY AND TO SEE THE LIGHTS IN LITTLE RESPECTING A NICE LITTLE CROWD.

YES, WE WHAT WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL DURING THAT TIME?

WE WANT THEM TO FEEL THE JOY THAT THAT COMES WITH SEEN THE LIGHTS WOULD SEEN THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.

USUALLY FAMILIES HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY DOWNTOWN.

SO IT BEING AND THEIR COMMUNITY WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO ACCESS THE SITES, BRINGING IT TO THE COMMUNITY.

YES.

ROB, WHAT DO THESE ACTIVATIONS CONSIST OF A FIRST OF THE BUS SALE BUT EQUAL FLEX SHORT.

SO THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THOSE BIG METAL FLAGS RIGHT THERE ARE GOING TO BE LIT UP.

AND SO ON THIS FRIDAY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LITTLE CEREMONY TO KICK THAT OFF.

>> BUT REALLY AS A WAY TO SHOW THAT THE COMMUNITY IS PART OF THE BIGGER NARRATIVE IN THE CITY.

ONE OF OUR MISSIONS THAT YOU CHICAGO IS NOT JUST PROMOTING THE CITY, BUT ALSO REALLY ENRICHING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS WITH THE POWER OF TRAVEL.

WHAT'S MESSAGE YOU WANT TO BRING OUT JUST LIGHTING UP THOSE BIG FLAGS A HUGE.

THAT'S RIGHT.

I MEAN, THE COMMUNITY THEY'RE OFTEN TALKS ABOUT PECAN DO ABOUT THAT AS THE COMMUNITY AND HAVING A PLACE THAT IS THEIRS.

AND SO THIS IS VERY MUCH A WAY TO CELEBRATE THAT COMMUNITY.

THAT'S PERSISTENT.

WE'VE SEEN HOW NICE AND GETS FOR THE PUERTO RICAN PARADE.

>> SO I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE HAVING THE THAT HAS LIGHT UP WHAT IT COULD BRING PEOPLE OUTSIDE.

WHO KNOWS.

I KNOW THAT I WILL BE SAFER.

SOME COOKIE.

THEY CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THAT.

NOW, JENNIFER, HOW DOES BUSINESS TEND FAIR IN LITTLE VILLAGE, ESPECIALLY NOW AROUND THE HOLIDAYS, WHICH YOU DURING THE HOLIDAY, SOME OF OUR BUSINESSES SOME SLOW TIMES BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER AND A LOT OF OUR COMMUNITY SOMETIMES LOOKS FOR BETTER PRICES.

SO THEY GOT A BIGGER BOX STORES.

>> SO I HAVE BUSINESSES SEE ONLY A LITTLE BIT OF SLOWDOWN AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE SO HAPPY TO HAVE THIS EVENT TO BRING PEOPLE OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SHOP LOCAL COURSE.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THAT.

HOW DOES IT LET DOLLAR TEND TO CIRCULATE?

>> IN SMALLER NEIGHBORHOODS, USUALLY LET YOU KNOW, DOLLARS CIRCULATES AROUND 6 TIMES WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> COMPARED TO 9 IN THE ASIAN COMMUNITY AND UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF TIMES IN THE WHITE COMMUNITY.

SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR FOR US TO SPEND MONEY IN OUR OWN COMMUNITIES IN ORDER FOR OUR COMMUNITIES TO GROW DEVELOP AND FOR POSITIVE THINGS TO HAPPEN.

YEAH.

AND ROB, WHAT RESPONSE ARE YOU GETTING FROM?

THE COMMUNITIES ARE WORKING WITH?

>> EVERYONE WAS SUPER EXCITED WHEN WE REACHED OUT AND LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY AND OUR DESIRE TO HELP PROMOTE IT.

AND SO COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE CITY HAVE FIGURED OUT WAYS TO ENRICH THEIR EXISTING EVENTS AS WELL AS FIND NEW WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE UPCOMING ON THAT EXCUSE NOT TO BE MORE ABOUT THE OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS LOOKING AT WHETHER WHAT OTHER EVENTS ARE HAPPENING IN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS.

DESPITE A LITTLE VILLAGE FOR SURE.

>> AND IN SOUTH SHORE, FOR INSTANCE, STILL HAVE A CANOPY THAT THEY'LL BE LIGHTING UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

>> IN HUMBLE PARK, YOU MENTION THE FLAGS, BUT ALSO JANUARY WILL HAVE A 3 KING CELEBRATION.

IT WILL BE SUPPORTED BY THE CITY IN PILSEN RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S THE WINTER WINDOW WALK.

SO PASTOR BUYS CAN VOTE ON THEIR FAVORITE WITH A QR CODE.

>> AND JENNIFER, WANT TO GO TO KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TREE LIGHTING, BUT WHAT MORE CAN PEOPLE EXPECT THIS WEEKEND?

IF YOU STOP TOMORROW, CELEBRATION STARTED A HOT CHOCOLATE GOING CHEST.

2 OF GIFTS FOR THE CHILDREN AND OUR BEAUTIFUL TREE.

FOR THE FIRST WE ARE DECORATING IT IN STYLE.

I'M USUALLY A KIND USUALLY WE JUST HAVE LIGHT SNOW.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ORNAMENTS AND REALLY BEEN.

SO WE'RE TAKING THAT UP A NOTCH AND WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TAKING.

IT.

IT MAY BE.

>> MAYBE WE'LL WHAT WAS IT LIKE WHEN YOU GOT THE PHONE CALL FROM YOU GUYS WORK TOGETHER?

YES, THAT, HEY, WE WANT TO DO THIS PROJECT.

WAS THAT LIKE ALL WE'RE SO EXCITED.

WE'RE SO EXCITED TO TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE EVENT BIGGER TO BRING MORE PEOPLE AND AND THE SUPPORT WE REALLY APPRECIATED.

AND, ROB, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT.

BUT WHAT MESSAGE DOES THIS GIVE TO SMALLER NEIGHBORHOODS OR NEIGHBORHOOD TOO?

>> DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO GO DOWNTOWN OR BY DOWNTOWN.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

THE MESSAGE IS THERE, BUT I THINK THE MESSAGE FOR ALL CHICAGOANS REALLY IS THAT THIS IS A CITY OF NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE HAVE 77 COMMUNITY AREAS IN EACH OF THOSE HAS ITS OWN UNIQUE CULTURE TRADITIONS.

>> AND REALLY GET OUT AND EXPLORE.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS, LEARNED HOW THERE ARE NO OTHER FOLKS TO STUFF WHERE WE CONNECT WITH YOUR OWN CULTURE.

AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE IS WORKING AND LIKE EVERY ALL THE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE WORKING TOGETHER.

SO WE HAVE 10 COMMUNITIES THAT WERE WORKING WITH THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, BUT THAT YOU CHICAGO WEBSITE, YOU CAN GO TO A HOLIDAY NEIGHBORHOODS, NEIGHBORHOOD HOLIDAY, SORRY, NEIGHBORHOOD HOLIDAYS DOT COM.

YOU CAN GET A LISTING OF EVENTS HAPPENING ACROSS THE CITY AS WELL AS SOME SHOPPING GUIDE DEFINE ALL THE GOOD STUFF THERE.

ALL THE GOOD STUFF AND ALL THE SMALL BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT TO KEEP THAT CIRCULATING DOLLAR IN THE COMMUNITY AND HAVE TO ASK WHAT'S ONE LOCAL GIFT.

THEY ARE BUYING THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KEEP AN EYE ON.

>> FOR ME IN MIDDLE VILLAGE, WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL YOU KNOW, I WANT TO PUNCH.

OH, YES, I KEEP SAYING THAT.

I WANT TO PUNCH OF YEAR'S A GETTING THAT PONCHO.

YOU CAN DEFINITELY FIND AT THE 70 S AND SHE HAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FINDS WASN'T ABLE.

SO IS THERE.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

>> I'LL BE GETTING BAGS OF FRESHLY ROASTED COFFEE FROM IN INGLEWOOD.

OH, I'M GONNA HAVE TO DO WELL.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> UP NEXT, WE TAKE YOU BEHIND THE SCENES OF A BELOVED MEXICAN SAUCE.

HAVE YOU HEARD OF TUMBLING IF YOU HAVEN'T BE PREPARED TO WANT TO TRY IT?

IT'S A TRADITIONAL MEXICAN SAUCE A SWEET SOUR AND YOU CAN PUT ALMOST EVERYTHING, INCLUDING YOUR FAVORITE COCKTAILS.

WE STOPPED BY BIG MAKE FAMILY-OWNED COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES IN HOUSE MADE MUCH YOU LOVE AND NOW MAKING TO MOY.

IF YOU'VE EVER TRIED MEXICAN CANDY?

>> WELL, TO MORNING CAN BE CONSIDERED THE LIQUID VERSION OF WHAT IT TASTES LIKE.

CHINOY SAUCES, BRIGHT RED PACKED WITH FLAVOR.

AND ONCE YOU TASTE IT'S HARD TO STOP.

HE'S STILL SOME MY SKIN CONDIMENT SWEET ARRIVES FROM THE POPE, THE FRUIT, USUALLY STONE FRUIT, PEACHES, >> ACTOR ENES APRICOT AMONG BEEN TOGETHER TO TOUCH ILLEGAL AND THEN USUALLY LIKE LIME FOR CITY.

AND THEN IS THERE'S NOTHING BAD ABOUT IT COULD BE A LITTLE SPICY AND SWEET.

>> BIG MITCH OWNER, HAVE GOT TO SEE MIXTURE MOY WITH HIS OWN TWIST OF INGREDIENTS WITHOUT SPILLING THE EXACT RECIPE.

HE SHOWS US HOW THEY MAKE IT >> WE USE OUR A PROPRIETARY BLEND OF SPICES.

SO SPECIAL INGREDIENT, SPECIAL INGREDIENTS.

AND THIS, IS ALSO FOUND ARMY TO LOVE.

ALSO FOUND IN OUR SALT.

WE ALSO USE SUPPORTED IT.

>> YEAH, IT'S COLD.

YOU GOT A YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST PART OF MAKING SURE THAT IT IS STILL VERY.

>> A MEXICAN STILL VERY CULTURE FORWARD.

AND WHAT'S WHAT'S IN HERE?

THIS IS KIND OF OUR BASE.

SO THIS IS THAT WE MAKE.

AND THEN WE ADD TO THIS TO REALLY FOR DEFIANT.

>> THE RESULT TANEY GOODNESS.

>> TO MAKE SENSE OF THE CONSISTENCY WITH HAVE THE SAME PRESIDENT.

>> IT'S ALL MADE BIG MITCH'S HEADQUARTERS IN WILLOWBROOK.

THEY MAKE AN ORIGINAL LINE FLAVOR STRAWBERRY AND MANGO.

>> IT IS LABOR OF LOVE BECAUSE IT IS STEAK AND THERE IS NO MYSTERY THAT WE CAN STOP OR, YOU KNOW, PURCHASE RIGHT NOW THAT MAKE IT EASIER FOR US.

SO IT'S A LOT OF TIME.

YOU KNOW, A LOT THE FLAVORFUL SAUCE CAN BE ADDED TO FRUIT, VEGGIES, CANDY, AND DRINKS.

>> GARCIA SAYS HIS TO MOY IS MADE TO STICK FIRMLY TO THE RIM OF YOUR FAVORITE COCKTAIL.

SO, OF COURSE, WE HAVE TO SHOW YOU HOW TO DO LAST SINGLE, RIGHT STRAIGHT IN.

AND THIS IS LIKE THAT TERM TURN RIGHT, GUYS, IF YOU GUYS ARE WONDERING HOW TO DO IT, I SEE SOMEBODY ON YOUR STORIES.

LITTLE MESSY.

>> YOU WANT A CLOCKWISE THAT RIGHT?

TURN THE CLOCK TO SEE WHAT WE LIKE TO DO IT ALL.

WITH THAT SOMEONE WITH THAT'S ALL THAT JUST KIND OF DOUBLES ALL THE FLAVOR.

BUT IT MAKES IT LOOK REALLY PRETTY RIGHT.

LOOKS KIND OF LIKE IT IN ON THAT AND JEWELRY.

BUT ICE.

ALL RIGHT.

YELLOW.

>> THE FUN PART.

>> THIS IS A CLASSIC OG ME TO THEM.

DON'T THINK IT NEEDS KIND OF WANT TO START AT >> ALL RIGHT, THAT WE HAVE SOME OF LITTLE BRUSCHI.

>> THEN ADD YOUR FAVORITE BEER OR SPIRIT TO THE DRINK.

YOU GIVE IT A LITTLE IN ITS BUT SEE THAT TO MAKE THE ROOM EVEN MORE FLAVORFUL.

YOU CAN ADD SOME GUMMIES COVERED IN CHAMOY JUST KIND OF LIKE THEIR TRIP.

AND YOU SEE, LOOK AT THAT.

LOOK, A CREATIVE.

THIS IS GUYS.

SO THE FAMILY RUN BUSINESS HAS BEEN OPERATING FOR 6 YEARS, OFFERING ITS TAKE ON MEXICAN CLASSICS.

THE A T O OF BIG MEECH.

AND THAT'S LIKE FAMILY FIRST PREMIUM CULTURE FORWARD.

I CLEARLY HAD FUN WITH THIS STORY AND HAVE TO GIVE A BIG SHOUT OUT TO BIG MITCH BECAUSE THEY GAVE SOME A BIG BOX OF THESE MEXICAN DELIGHT.

SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A CHRISTMAS GIFT.

>> I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND A NICE BIG BOX OF MITCH TO MOISE AND FACT, ALTHOUGH CHAMOY HAS ITS ORIGINS AND MEXICO, IT ALSO HAS CHINESE ROOTS.

AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE W T TW DOT COM SLASH NEWS FOR THE VERY LATEST FROM W T TW NEWS AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5.37, FOR THE WEEK IN REVIEW.

NOW FROM ALL OF US HERE IN CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES.

I'M JOINED MAN THIS STAY HEALTHY.

STAY SAFE.

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