>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

LATINO VOICES.

I'M JONATHAN MANN THIS ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

CHICAGO OFFICIALS ARE CLOSING FOR MIGRANT SHELTERS AS A NUMBER OF ASYLUM SEEKERS LIVING IN CITY FACILITIES DROPPED.

>> CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS VOTES TO REMOVE POLICE FROM PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS BY THE FALL.

>> OUR FY 25 BUDGET PROPOSAL MAKE SOME HARD CHOICES.

>> A STATE LAWMAKER WEIGHS IN ON THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL.

>> AND IS JUST ONE SMALL CLOSER TO BEING HOMELESS.

>> EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY IN EVICTIONS.

IN A NEW EXHIBIT.

AND A LOCAL GROUPS EFFORT TO DIVERSIFY, FIGURE SKATING.

>> AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF THE 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.

THE DEPARTMENT'S OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS OPENED THE INVESTIGATION ON TUESDAY, BUT WOULD NOT COMMENT ON ITS NATURE.

THE INVESTIGATION COMES IN THE WAKE OF THE STUDENT AND PARENT COMPLAINTS OF ANTI-SEMITIC COMMENTS DURING A JANUARY 30TH STUDENT WALKOUT PROTESTING IN FAVOR OF THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A CEASE-FIRE IN ISRAEL AND GAZA.

CPS WOULD NOT COMMENT SPECIFICALLY ON THE INVESTIGATION, BUT IN A STATEMENT SAYS AS A SYSTEM, WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE ONGOING CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST HAS LED TO AN INCREASE ANTISEMITIC AND ANTI MUSLIM INCIDENTS WHILE CPS ACTIVELY WORKS TO PROMOTE STUDENT VOICE AND PROTECT STUDENTS, CONSTITUTIONAL FREE SPEECH RIGHTS BY US-BASED HARM IS UNACCEPTABLE AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

THE U.S. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAYS IT HAS RAMPED UP.

INVESTIGATIONS SINCE OCTOBER, 7TH BEGINNING OF THE ISRAEL GAZA CONFLICT.

IT IS ALSO PROBING NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, CHICAGO REPORTEDLY FOR ALLEGED ANTI-SEMITIC ANTI-SEMITISM AT NORTHWESTERN AND ALLEGE ANTI PALESTINE DICKERMAN DISCRIMINATION AT UIC.

18 T CUSTOMERS ARE ONCE AGAIN RECEIVING SERVICES EVENING.

THAT'S AFTER A MASSIVE OUTAGE DISRUPTED PHONE SERVICE FOR THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS LEAVING THEM UNABLE TO PLACE CALLS, TEXTS OR ACCESS THE INTERNET AT 02:00PM.

THE COMPANY POSTED ON ITS WEBSITE THAT SERVICE HAD BEEN RESTORED FOR ALL AFFECTED CUSTOMERS.

THE REASON FOR THE OUTAGE REMAINS UNCLEAR.

YOU CAN DRINK IT ON THE ROCKS OR FROZEN, YOU GUESS, RIGHT?

IF YOU THOUGHT OF A MARGARITA, ITS NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY, THEIR DEBATES ON WHERE THE MERCURY TO WAS INVENTED.

BUT WE CAN ALL AGREE.

IT'S ONE OF MEXICO'S MOST ICONIC DRINKS AND THERE'S NO DOUBT IN CHICAGO YOU CAN FIND A BAR OR 100 THAT SERVES THE BELOVED COCKTAIL.

NOW CHEERS AND GO DRINK ONE UP NEXT, CITY OFFICIALS ARE CLOSING FOR MIGRANT SHELTERS.

HAVE THE SHARON IS UP NEXT WITH MORE ON THE STORY RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

>> CHICAGO OFFICIALS CLOSE FOR MIGRANT SHELTERS IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS AS THE NUMBER OF ASYLUM SEEKERS LIVING IN CITY-RUN FACILITIES HAS DROPPED 17% SINCE MID DECEMBER.

WDW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER SHARON JOINS US NOW WITH A LOOK AT THE CURRENT PHASE OF THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS GRIPPING THE CITY.

HEATHER, YOU HAVE BEEN ON TOP OF THIS.

TELL US WHICH SHELTERS HAVE CLOSED IN WHERE THEY'RE LOCATED?

WELL, THE 4 SHELTERS THAT WERE CLOSED OR THEIR HAROLD WASHINGTON LIBRARY CENTER IN THE LOOP.

>> THE NEW LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH IN LAKE FEW CASA ESPERANZA IN NORTH LAWNDALE AND NORTH PARK VILLAGE IN NORTH PARK.

SO DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE CITY AND THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY, MORE THAN 400 PEOPLE WERE LIVING IN THE SHELTERS AS THE CITY STRUGGLED TO COPE WITH RENEWED SURGE OF MIGRANTS MAKING THEIR WAY TO CHICAGO FROM THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

AND I BELIEVE THAT ONE POINT HERE WATCHING TON A CLOSED AND THEN REOPENED REST, CORRECT.

AND HOW MUCH MONEY WILL THIS SAFE?

WELL, MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON TOLD REPORTERS YESTERDAY SHELTERS WERE AMONG THE MOST EXPENSIVE FOR THE CITY TO RUN AND BY THE END OF THE YEAR, THE CITY WILL SAVE SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 19 MILLION DOLLARS BECAUSE THEY WON'T HAVE TO LEAST THESE FACILITIES, STAFF THEM AND PROVIDE FOOD AND LAUNDRY SERVICE FOR THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE OKAY IN THE CITY IS NOW CARING FOR ABOUT OVER 12,000 MIGRANTS AND 24 SHELTERS ACROSS THIS CROSS CHICAGO DOWN FROM NEARLY 15,000 IN MID DECEMBER.

WHAT HAS CAUSED THE DROP?

WELL, THERE ARE REALLY 2 CAUSES.

ONE, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM AFTER CROSSING THE SOUTHERN BORDER HAS DROPPED.

AND THAT'S TYPICAL FOR WINTER MONTHS.

IT'S JUST MORE DIFFICULT TO GET TO THE BORDER.

ALSO, CITY OFFICIALS SAY EVERYBODY'S DOING A BETTER JOB OF TRYING TO FIND MORE PERMANENT HOMES FOR THE MIGRANTS.

THAT'S APARTMENTS AND HOMES.

AND IT ALSO INCLUDES GETTING PEOPLE TO ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY WHERE THEY MIGHT HAVE RELATIVES OR FRIENDS WILL TALK ABOUT COST.

THE STATE CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIALS PEGGED THE CURRENT COST OF CARING FOR MIGRANTS ALREADY CHICAGO AT AN ADDITIONAL 321 MILLION THROUGH THE END OF 2024, DO WE KNOW WHERE THAT MONEY IS GOING TO COME FROM, WHICH IS THE MAIN NOT YET.

WE HEARD GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER THIS WEEK ASKED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR 182 MILLION DOLLARS AND COOK COUNTY BOARD.

PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE SAYS THE COUNTY WILL COME UP WITH ANOTHER 70 MILLION DOLLARS.

BUT SO FAR, MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON HAS SAID HE'S NOT QUITE WILLING TO ASK THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ANY MORE MONEY.

KEEP IN MIND THAT THE CITY'S BUDGET ALREADY HAS 150 MILLION DOLLARS EARMARKED TO HELP CARE FOR THE MIGRANTS.

THIS IS THE MAIN QUESTION WILL BE FOCUSED ON IN THE COMING MONTHS.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, HEATHER.

THANKS, DONNA.

AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

IT'S ALL AT WTW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

CHICAGO'S BOARD OF EDUCATION TODAY PASSES A RESOLUTION DIRECTING CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO END ITS USE OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

WDW NEWS REPORTER MATT MASTERSON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE NOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING HEATED DEBATE AMONG CPS PARENTS, STUDENTS FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN FAVOR OF REMOVING SRO FROM SCHOOLS, INCLUDING MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON.

WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?

SO, YEAH, THIS IS AN ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS.

BUT PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THE REMOVAL SORROWS.

>> THEY SAY THE POLICE IN SCHOOLS DOESN'T ACTUALLY IMPROVE SAFETY AND INSTEAD CRIMINALIZES STUDENTS FOR ISSUES THAT COULD BE HANDLED BETTER BY EXISTING SCHOOL STAFF THAT THEY SAY THAT THESE OFFICERS ONLY MAKING THINGS WORSE.

THE BOARD ITSELF IS POINTING TO OVERREPRESENTATION IN THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS OF COLOR WHO ARE SUSPENDED, IXPE OLD AND THERE ARE THE SUBJECT OF POLICE NOTIFICATIONS IN SCHOOLS WITHOUT SORROWS.

SO THE IDEA IS THAT INVESTING IN MORE HOLISTIC APPROACHES CAN LEAD TO BETTER SAFETY OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS AND ALSO LEAD TO AN END OF THE SO-CALLED SCHOOL-TO-PRISON PIPELINE FOR SOME OF THE STUDENTS.

>> AND TALKING ABOUT THAT, HOW ABOUT INDIVIDUALS, INDIVIDUALS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DEBATE?

WHY ARE THEY CONCERNED ABOUT REMOVING CPS OFFICERS FROM ALL SCHOOL CAMPUSES?

PART OF IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

SOME PEOPLE DEFINITELY BELIEVE THAT HAVING POLICE IN SCHOOLS DOES KEEP THEIR STUDENTS SAFER.

BUT IT'S ALSO A BIT ABOUT LOCAL CONTROL.

AND THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT CAME UP A LOT TODAY DURING THE BOARD THE BOARD IN 2020 BEGAN ALLOWING LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCILS TO VOTE ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANTED TO KEEP OR REMOVE THEIR SRO'S.

SO NOW THAT ABILITY IS BEING TAKEN AWAY, THE BOARD IS DECIDING UNILATERALLY THAT THERE WILL BE NO SORROWS AND ANY HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE CITY.

>> SO MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITIES WHO DID SEE THIS IS A VALUE OF HAVING POLICE IN SCHOOLS BIG VOTED TO KEEP THEM IN PLACE.

DID THIS ALREADY.

NOW THE SORT OF FEELS LIKE THE RUG IS BEING PULLED OUT FROM UNDER THEM AND THEY DON'T HAVE A SAY IN ANYMORE.

>> AND HOW CPS SCHOOLS ARE CURRENTLY UTILIZING ROLES.

AND ARE THERE ANY OTHER TOOLS BESIDES ARROWS THAT OTHER SCHOOLS ARE IMPLEMENTING TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT?

YOU DID TALK ABOUT A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH.

THERE'S 57 AS HEROES THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN.

39 HIGH SCHOOLS.

>> SINCE THE BOARD BEGAN ALLOWING SCHOOLS TO DECIDE ON THIS 14 SCHOOLS HAVE ALREADY MOVED ABOUT 20 OFFICERS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

AND SO THOSE SCHOOLS HAVE STARTED REINVESTING THAT MONEY AND SOCIAL WORKERS, COUNSELORS AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE OTHER SAFETY ASPECTS OF THEIR >> AND THERE'S ALSO FINANCIAL PIECE TO THIS EQUATION, RIGHT?

WHAT HAS A FINANCIAL IMPACT BEEN LIKE TO THOSE SCHOOLS THAT DID REMOVE S AROSE FROM THEIR PREMISES?

SO THE BOARD, THE CURRENT CONTRACT IS A 10.3 MILLION DOLLARS ONE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO BE ELIMINATED WHEN THIS GOES AWAY.

BUT THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE VOTED TO REMOVE SORROWS.

THEY'VE BEEN GIVEN A ROUGHLY 4 MILLION DOLLARS TO INVEST IN SOME OF THOSE FOR ADDITIONAL STAFF AND PROGRAMS FOCUS ON RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND OTHER HOLISTIC MEASURES.

AND YOU TALK, YOU TALK TO US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE TIMELINE FOR CPS TO COME UP WITH THE NEW SAFETY PLAN.

SO THE RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD APPROVED TODAY PUT A TIMELINE ON THIS.

DIRECTS CPS CEO PEDRO MARTINEZ TO COME UP WITH A NEW SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE SORROWS BY JUNE, 27TH OF THIS YEAR.

WELL, THANK YOU, MATT, FOR YOUR REPORT.

THANKS AND WE'RE BACK WITH MORE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> GOVERNOR >> JB PRITZKER UNVEILED HIS 52 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET PROPOSAL YESTERDAY.

AMID OTHER THINGS.

THE PLAN CALLS FOR COMMITTING 182 MILLION DOLLARS TO CARE FOR MIGRANTS.

A MOVE REPUBLICANS ARE PUSHING BACK ON SCENE PUSHING BACK SAYING THOSE DOLLARS SHOULD GO TOWARD CITIZENS INSTEAD.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE IS STATE SENATOR YOU KNOW, A DEMOCRAT FROM CHICAGO.

WE ALSO INVITED A NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS TO JOIN US, BUT THEY DECLINED.

AND SENATOR, FIRST QUESTION, INITIAL THOUGHTS ON THE BUDGET.

>> THIS FOX YOU GOVERNOR JUST INVESTING FOR SUPPLY OF THE POINT THAT I JUST THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT THE END OF A CONTINUATION OF WORK HE WE HAVE A LOT HERE'S WHERE WE'VE BEEN A BETTER FISCAL WE HAD ISLANDS BUDGETS THAT TO PAY THOSE AND CREDIT RATE INCREASES.

AND SO THIS IS SORT OF THE INITIAL PART OF THIS CONVERSATION THAT'S GOING SO AND OFFICERS AND NUMBER OF THINGS TO HIS INSTRUMENT THE TOP TAX CREDIT FOR THE FIRST TIME HERE IN THE WE A CHILD TAX CREDITS THROUGH THE LIFTED MILLIONS CHILDREN OUT OF POVERTY.

AND SO HAVING SOMETHING LIKE THAT LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WORKING FAMILIES ARE GETTING BACK INTO IS REALLY IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW.

SO IT'S A BIG DEAL PLACE TO LOOK.

CERTAINLY.

>> AND I WANT TO GO SOMETHING THAT ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN SAID THAT WHEN THEY HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE RESPONDING TO THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS, HERE'S SOME OF WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET DOES NOT REFLECT THE OVERALL PRIORITIES OF ILLINOIS'S FAMILIES.

THE BUDGET PROVIDES BETTER HEALTHCARE FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

AND FOR MOST ILLINOIS FAMILIES.

IN FACT ON GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S WATCH, THE STATE WILL HAVE SPENT MORE THAN 2 BILLION DOLLARS IN TAXPAYER FUNDS ON HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT ADULTS.

ADDITIONALLY, THE STATE WILL HAVE SPENT 820 MILLION DOLLARS TO ADDRESS CHICAGO'S MIGRANT CRISIS.

>> AND SENATOR, THEY'RE CONCERNED WITH THE AMOUNT OF SPENDING ON MIGRANTS, THE MIGRANT CRISIS AND UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR DOT THOUGHT.

WHY DO YOU THINK THERE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE STATE'S BUDGET?

>> CERTAINLY SO LET'S START WITH THE FIRST NOTE THAT THEY THINK SOMEHOW THEY TALK ABOUT, WHICH MY PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE IN OUR STATE UNDOCUMENTED FOLKS, THAT SOMETHING THAT I'M SUPER PROUD ABOUT.

ACTUALLY, PUT THAT EFFORT IN THE IN THIS PROCESS ON SIR, THAT WRITTEN WITH THAT STATE REPRESENTATIVE COMS WITH THAT NEED FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO OFFER A MINUTE.

IF PROGRAM TO A DOCUMENT OF SPECIFIC LE STARTING SENIORS AND NOW WE HAVE FOLKS 42 ABOUT THESE ARE FOLKS THAT LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES THAT COME SOME TIME AWAY FROM FIRST THING.

NOTICE FOR DAMAGE DONE FIND NUMBERS, AND FAMILIES, IMPACTS SO WE WANT MAKE SURE THAT YOU SO I THINK THING THAT CONSIDER.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING THAT IT SAID IT'S A CONGO MIGRANT CRISIS.

IT IS INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN CRISIS THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH AND SPECIFICALLY OVERSEEN AND STABLE LIFE.

AND IT GOES TO THE A POLITICAL STOPPED GOVERNOR HAPPENED IT A BUT PEOPLE THE MIDST OF WINTER IN SETTLES IN INSURANCE, BUT PREGNANT CHILDREN.

AND SO THERE'S RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE AS AS AS PUBLIC SERVANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE PROTECTED YOU CARE FOR.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE INTEND TO DO.

AND DOES PROPOSAL 2 MINUTES, DOLLARS ONLY TO HELP BUT ALSO TO MUCH AROUND SERVICES WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT ABOUT WHAT YOU JUST MENTIONED.

THE HEALTH BENEFITS FOR IMMIGRANT ADULTS AND HEALTH BENEFITS FOR.

>> IMOGEN SENIORS, FOOTBALL PROGRAMS.

CAN YOU ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT WHAT WITH THESE PROGRAMS DO?

SO IT'S ABOUT IT PROGRAM NOW THERE'S THOSE FROM COULD BE USED AS SHELTERS FOR IT TO ABOUT LOOP IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS FOR SOME TIME THAT ARE UNDOCUMENTED IN HEALTH CARE THAT LIKE THAT THAT WOULD ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID HAVE THINK YOU THEY SAY THIS WE HAVE A BASE TO LOOK ALIKE CHOOSING TO LOOK AT 8 STATE DOLLARS TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ABLE TO PARK.

WHAT DOES THAT THAT MEANS THAT THEY CAN GET PREVENTATIVE SERVICES RATHER GOING INTO ER ALSO AS A OR SIGNING IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, FOLKS TO GO TO THE ER CYCLE THROUGH A BUT THESE FOLKS, NOT ABLE TO TAKE CARE A LOT OF ISSUES LIKE DIABETES IT IS LIFESAVING >> WOULD THIS INCLUDE DREAMERS AS WELL?

BECAUSE I KNOW THEY'RE ALSO THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO MEDICAID.

>> SO THERE'S BEEN A COALITION TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BRIDGING THE AS YOU MAY KNOW, ALL KIDS, UNDOCUMENTED CHILDREN AS WELL FROM AWESOME GET SOMETHING TO BE ABLE TO HEALTH CARE COVERAGE WITH EXPANSION.

NOT 42 IN A OFFICE BUT THERE'S STILL THAT 1942.

YEAR-OLD YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY TRAIN I DON'T GET TYPE CONGRESS HERE IN OUR STATE AND WE'RE STILL WORKING TO BRIDGE THAT SO THAT FOLKS ARE ABLE TO MEDICAL IF WE'RE STILL WORKING ON THAT.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH.

BUT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE'VE GIVEN UP >> AND SENATORS IS THE LAST QUESTION THAT I HAVE HERE.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ESTIMATED 891 MILLION DEFICIT.

REPUBLICANS POINTED OUT THAT HE DIDN'T ADDRESS HOW HE WOULD FUND ADDITIONAL SPENDING.

DO YOU KNOW HOW THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN?

>> SO DIDN'T FEW DIFFERENT WAYS POSING SOME PROTECTION TAX LOOPHOLES COST THE STATE HUNDREDS OF MILLION DOLLARS YEAR.

I KNOW AND I HAVE FAITH.

>> BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN IT.

THE THE PROOF IS IN THE BODY, WE HAVE NOT.

>> I JUST SAY ON OUR AM BECAUSE THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF WORKING BUT NOT DOWN THE LAST 5 PRITZKER WHAT I BELIEVE IS GOING TO HAPPEN IS THAT IN THE NEXT 3 MONTHS WE'RE GOING TO COME TOGETHER TO GET A BALANCED BUDGET ON TIME WORKS FOR WORKING THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STATE OF AND MAKING THAT IT IS A FAIR AND BALANCED BUDGET THAT PUTS MONEY BACK POCKETS AND NOT HURT THEM.

THAT'S WHAT PLANNING ON DOING.

THE GOVERNOR DAVIS ROAD OF THE CENTER OF THAT WE HAVE UNTIL NOW UNTIL >> WELL, THANK YOU, SENATOR, AQUINO FOR YOUR INPUT.

>> UP NEXT, WE TAKE YOU INSIDE A NEW EXHIBIT THAT EXPLORES RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOMELESSNESS, POVERTY AND EVICTION.

STAY WITH US.

THE RECENT MIGRANT CRISIS SHONE A LIGHT ON A PROBLEM THAT ALREADY EXISTED IN CHICAGO.

HOMELESSNESS.

SEVERAL FACTORS CAN LEAD TO NOT HAVING A HOME, BUT FOR SOME IT HAPPENS AFTER AN EVICTION.

A NEW EXHIBIT WORKS TO EXPLAIN THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN EVICTION HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY WITH HELP FROM THOSE WHO KNOW HIM BEST.

IT'S BASED ON THE PULITZER PRIZE WINNING BOOK EVICTED BY PRINCETON, SOCIOLOGIST MATTHEW DESMOND, AS PART OF WT W'S ONGOING INITIATIVE FIRSTHAND HOMELESS BRANDIS FREEMAN TAKES US ON A TOUR.

>> MY NAME IS ROSEMARY AND I WAS 14 WHEN I WAS A >> IT'S THIS VIDEO THAT JAMES LEE WILLIAMS SAYS HE FINDS ESPECIALLY MOVING >> IT'S TOUCHING IS ABOUT A PERSON REALLY POINT HARD SHE LOST.

>> EVERYTHING THE VIDEO, PLEASE AS PART OF AN EXHIBIT CALLED EVICTED BASED ON THE PULITZER PRIZE WINNING BOOK BY PROFESSOR MATTHEW WILLIAMS CAN RELATE BECAUSE HE'S EXPERIENCED IT TOO.

>> LOST EVERYTHING, YOU KNOW, DUE TO THE FACT OUR BRAND OVER BY A CAR.

AND IT JUST WENT DOWNHILL POSITION WITH JOB THAT I HAD DESTRUCTION SAID I CAN NO LONGER WORK THERE BECAUSE I GOT SMOOTH THEM OUT MONEY RAN OUT.

YOU KNOW THAT I WOULD GET NO CHECKED.

YEAH, I WAS ADDICTED.

>> WILLIAMS SAYS HE'S STILL HOMELESS COUCH SURFING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHILE MAINTAINING A PICTURE.

PERFECT EXTERIOR.

>> YOU KNOW, I JUST PLAYED A ROLE WITH PEOPLE LIKE, YOU KNOW, I STILL STAY HERE AND IT'S HOUSE RIGHT HERE.

YOU SAND LIKE THAT AND ALL I DON'T STAY THERE IN THAT HOUSE.

ALL ALONE.

STAY HERE.

YOU DON'T SAY.

AND SOMETIME I SLEEP IN MY SUNDAY'S THERE.

AND SOME TIME I GO TO THE HOTEL.

>> THE ROLE WILLIAMS PLACE HERE AT THE NATIONAL PUBLIC HOUSING MUSEUM IS EDUCATOR HELPING VISITORS BETTER UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF EVICTION AND THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE IT.

>> I DIDN'T PAY RENT FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND THEN THEY THEY CAME GOT THIS GOT TO GO.

MOST MY STUFF GOT DESTROYED.

YOU KNOW, I'M SAYING GOT MOST OF MY THAT I START PUTTING ALL MY STUFF.

AND STUART, I STILL GOT STUART'S STUFF IN MY STORIES NOW.

I GOT STUFF IN MY MIND THAT I GOT STUFF FROM IT.

HOW AUGUSTA FORMICA THE HOUSE.

I GOT STUFF.

IT FRIEND'S HOUSE.

YOU KNOW STUFF IS EVERYWHERE.

>> PART OF THE EXHIBIT INCLUDES THIS SCULPTURAL CONTAINING THE ITEMS THAT MAKE A HOMES AND TOSSED ONTO THE STREET WHERE SO SUDDENLY ALL OF THEIR MOST PRECIOUS FAMILY OBJECTS ARE SORT OF RIPPED OUT OF THEIR HOME, BOUND UP.

>> AND THEN IN THE UNITED STATES, WHAT HAPPENED SAYS THERE'S OFTEN PREDATORY MOVING COMPANIES THAT COM TAKE THE OBJECTS AND PUT THEM INTO A STORAGE FACILITY.

AND THEN UNLESS THE FAMILY HAS ENOUGH MONEY, THEY'LL NEVER GET THEIR OBJECTS A AND SO ALL THROUGHOUT THE NATION, THERE ARE THESE WAREHOUSES JUST FILLED WITH PEOPLE'S MOST PRECIOUS OBJECTS.

>> THE EXHIBIT RELIES ON EDUCATORS LIKE WILLIAMS FROM WHO IS ALSO HOMELESS.

BUT IT ALSO USES NUMBERS.

THE GOAL IS TO ELIMINATE THE HARSH REALITY OF EVICTIONS FOR LOW-INCOME RENTERS.

IN CHICAGO ALONE.

LAST YEAR WE HAD, YOU KNOW, OVER 24,000 SORT OF EVICTIONS.

AND WE'RE UP THERE AS THE CITY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT IN THE U.S. 7.6 MILLION PEOPLE WERE THREATENED WITH EVICTION EACH YEAR.

>> BETWEEN 2007 2016, NEARLY 3 MILLION OF THEM WERE CHILDREN.

SOME PEOPLE MIGHT THINK, OH, PEOPLE WHO ARE EVICTED.

>> DON'T HAVE JOBS.

BUT ACTUALLY WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING WITH US WHO ARE HUSTLING AND THEY ACTUALLY HAVE 3 JOBS.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS STILL FOR TO ACTUALLY LIVE SOMEWHERE.

>> DARAA SAYS HE WORKS BUT ISN'T PAID ENOUGH TO A FORD RENT.

SOMETIMES HE STAYS WITH FRIENDS, BUT MOSTLY HE SLEEPS OUTSIDE.

>> FIRST, I WAS JUST.

STAYING BY THE TRAIN, MOSTLY.

I'M NOT THE SAFEST PLACE OF BEEN ROBBED TWICE >> ASSAULTED >> HE SAYS HE'S NEVER BEEN EVICTED BUT KNOWS THE PAIN ELECTRIC PEOPLE TOO.

>> AND EYES PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR HOMES BEING EVICTED SUCH BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR HOME.

YOU LOST YOUR PRIVATE SPACE USE.

YOU WERE.

SPACE WHERE YOU CAN BE SAFE WHERE YOU CAN BE YOURSELF.

IT'S HARD TO FIND ANOTHER PLACE LIKE THAT.

>> JAMES LEE WILLIAMS SAYS IT'S ENOUGH TO MAKE HIM CONSIDER HIS OLD WAYS.

YEARS AGO HE WAS SENT TO PRISON FOR BANK ROBBERY.

BUT TODAY HE HAS A GOOD REASON TO STAY HOPEFUL FOR A BETTER FUTURE.

MY DAUGHTER KEEPS ME OUT OF PRISON.

>> BECAUSE I WANTED TO HAVE THE BEST.

YOU KNOW, THEY'RE MY DAUGHTER KEEPS ME OUT OF PRISON.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

WHAT A POWERFUL EXHIBIT A THAT IS.

WILLIAMS AND OTHER EDUCATORS FOR THE EXHIBIT.

OUR PARTICIPANTS WITH THE RED LINE SERVICE.

>> AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR ARTIST WHO ARE OR HAVE BEEN HOMELESS.

THE VICTIM EXHIBIT RUNS THROUGH MARCH 10TH AT THE NATIONAL PUBLIC HOUSING MUSEUM IN RIVER NORTH.

BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES IN JUST A MOMENT.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

LOOKING TO GLIDE INTO A NEW SPORTS.

THE CHICAGO YOUTH FOUNDATION OFFERS A NEW PROGRAM TO INTRODUCE FIGURE SKATING TO DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS THE CITY.

>> IT'S CALLED FIGURE SKATING ON YOUR BLOCK.

AND WE SPOKE WITH THE DIRECTOR TO FIND OUT MORE.

>> I JUST LOVED COACHING SO MUCH.

IT WAS MUCH FUN.

I REALLY LIKED TEACHING.

NOT THAT I KNEW I WOULD NEVER LIKE TEACHING, BUT IT WAS SO MUCH FUN AND I LOVED HOW SO FEELING WAS TO IMPART KNOWLEDGE TO OTHER KIDS AND SEE THEM GROW 2009 OR SO.

HOW CAN YOU BLOCK STARTED?

IT WAS JUST SITTING NOSE AND IDEA.

I HAD ABOUT HOW WE COULD MAYBE MAKE A PROGRAM FOR FIGURE SKATERS THAT WOULD HELP BRING DIVERSITY AND THE ICE AND HELP SUPPORT THE KIDS WHO ARE LESS LIKELY TO GO INTO ICE SPORTS IN GENERAL, BECAUSE I MYSELF HAD EXPERIENCE COMING MINORITY BACKGROUND IN FIGURE SKATING TO EVEN GET INTO THE SPORT.

THAT HELPS TO HAVE ACCESS.

THERE'S A LOT OF THE TIME A CHILD MAY NOT EVEN TAKE EVEN TRY A SPORT OUT OR PARENTS MAY NOT EVEN CONSIDER A SPORT BECAUSE OF THE COST OR ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY SEE THAT OTHER KIDS OF THEIR ETHNICITY OR RACE ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN THAT SPORT.

WE'RE TRYING TO BREAK THOSE BARRIERS DOWN BY AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL BY OFFERING FREE ICE SKATING LESSON, NOT JUST OF PEOPLE OF COLOR, BUT ALSO PEOPLE LOSO SAID STATUS IN A LOT A GREAT OUTCOME.

DATA KIDS DO REALLY WELL IN SCHOOL WHEN THEY PLAY SPORTS.

THEY HAVE A LOT MORE CONFIDENCE AND SOCIAL INTERACTIONS WHEN THEY PLAY SPORTS.

THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO JUST DO DO WELL IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE WHEN THEY PLAY SPORT.

IT'S BEEN 2 YEARS WHERE HAD THE FIGURES GETTING A BOOK PROGRAM.

WE HOPE THAT WE CAN GET TO THE POINT WHERE IN THE FUTURE THEY CAN DO ICE SHOWS THEY CAN DO LIKE CINCO COMPETITIONS.

THAT'S THOSE ARE SOME BIG GOALS THAT WE HOPE TO REACH AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE.

A NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS MAKING SURE THEY'RE SAFE.

AND THEN WE ALSO MAKE SURE THAT HAVING A LOT OF FUN.

>> THAT LOOKS REALLY COOL.

I NEVER DONE FIGURE SKATING, BUT I HAVE DONE ICE SKATING OF THAT AND YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FIGURE SKATING ON YOUR BLOCK PROGRAM.

AND THAT'S OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE WWW 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 AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES.

I'M JOINED MAN THIS STAY HEALTHY.

STAY SAFE.

>> WHEN US NOT >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A PERSONAL INJURY LAW FIRM COMMITTED TO GIVING BACK TO