>> CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALLSTATE AND THE SERRO FUNDS AT THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST.

>> GOOD EVENING Y BIENVENIDAS TO CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT A LOOK AT THE STATE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN CHILDREN AS WE ENTER A THIRD YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE DIRECT OR OF THE CHICAGO OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS WEIGHS IN ON WAGE FESTS AND WHAT THE CITY IS DOING TO COMBAT IT.>>> A LOCAL ARTIST AWARDS THE COMMUNITY WITH A NEW MOSAIC MURAL.

[MUSIC] >>.

>>> THE MEXICAN TRADITION OF PRINTMAKING IS ALIVE AND WELL AT THE CHICAGO PRINTING PRESS RAN BY A RETIRED CHICAGO TEACHER.

>>> FIRST OFF, TONIGHT, TO SAY THE PAST TWO YEARS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT IS A MASSIVE UNDERSTATEMENT.

THE CHILDREN CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF CONFLICT AND A RETURN TO SCHOOL AMID A COVID SEARCH THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS HAVE BEEN IN ESPECIALLY TUMULTUOUS TIME.

DURING THE PANDEMIC PARENTS HAVE EXPRESSED THE TOLL THAT THE TIMES MIGHT BE STRESSING ON THE CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH.

AMONG LATINO FAMILIES WHO HAVE HAD HIGHER INFECTIONS AND DEATH RATES AND FINANCIAL INSECURITY THOSE CONCERNS ARE ESPECIALLY ACUTE.

JOINING US NOW ARE ROSA JULIA GARCIA RIVERA CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER AT GADS HILL CENTER A FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER AND MARIANA SOUTO-MANNING PRESIDENT OF ERIKSON INSTITUTE A GRADUATE SCHOOL OF CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT.

ROSA WOULD LIKE TO START WITH YOU.

WE ARE ENTERING THE THIRD YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE STATE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN FAMILIES AND CHILDREN DURING THE SEARCH?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

WE ARE AT A CRISIS A CRITICAL POINT WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND THAT WAS PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

OUR FAMILIES WERE STRUGGLING BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HAPPENED IN THE PANDEMIC TOOK HER FAMILY FROM A SURVIVAL MODE TO CRISIS MODE AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN NO LONGER IGNORE AS A SOCIETY WE NEED TO MAKE INVESTMENTS AND WE NEED TO MAKE THEM NOW.

WE ARE AT A CRITICAL PLACE FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

ESPECIALLY AMONG YOUNG CHILDREN.

>> MENTAL HEALTH IS A CRISIS AS WELL AS WE KNOW.

MARIANA CPS STUDENTS HAVE HAD A LOT OF TRANSITIONS OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

WHY DO CHILDREN HAVE DIFFICULTIES DEALING WITH THE DISRUPTIONS LIKE THE ONES WE HAVE SEEN?

>> IN A LOT OF WAYS CHILDREN ARE SENSING SOME OF THE DIOCESE THAT PARENTS AND TEACHERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING.

ALL RATHER THAN WITH PLACES MANY YOUNG CHILDREN MUCH OF THEIR SCHOOL HAS BEEN DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WHETHER IT IS ONLINE OR IN PERSON IT IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS THE PEOPLE WHO ARE EDUCATING AND SUPPORTING THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE WELL.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US DURING THIS TIME TO ATTEND TO ADULT WELL-BEING AND MENTAL HEALTH SO WE ARE NOT PROJECTING ONTO CHILDREN SO WE ARE NOT CAUSING ISSUES.

AND REALLY EXACERBATING SOME OF THE ANXIETIES.

WE KNOW ONE OF THE BIGGEST PREDICTION OR PREDICT YOURS OF YOUNG CHILDREN DOING WELL HAS TO DO WITH ADULTS WELL-BEING OR TEACHER WELL-BEING.

SO IF TEACHERS ARE ANXIOUS AND THE TEACHERS ARE EXPERIENCING TRAUMA THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE IMPACTING INTERACTIONS IN THE CLASSROOM.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ATTEND TO THE WELL-BEING OF ADULTS AND THE WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN.

>> THAT IS A GREAT POINT.

A LOT OF TEACHERS AND STAFF HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH A LOT AS WELL.

MARIANA I WILL STICK WITH YOU.

WHAT SHOULD PARENTS LOOK OUT FOR IN THEIR CHILDREN'S BEHAVIOR THAT MIGHT INDICATE A SUPPORT AS NEEDED?

>> IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR PARENTS TO UNDERSTAND THAT MENTAL HEALTH DEVELOPMENT IS AS IMPORTANT.

THEY SHOULD PAY AS MUCH ATTENTION TO MENTAL HEALTH AS THEY DO TO PHYSICAL HEALTH FOR EXAMPLE.IN THE LATINO COMMUNITY THERE IS A STIGMA WITH MENTAL HEALTH AS IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FAMILY OR INDIVIDUAL.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT IF THE CHILDREN ARE NOT FUNCTIONING WITHIN THE EVERYDAY ROUTINE IF THEY ARE FEARFUL OR ANXIOUS GOING TO SLEEP, THAT THEY CONSULT A THERAPIST.

REALLY FAMILY WELL-BEING CAN BE STRENGTHENED THROUGH THERAPY AND SO, THAT IS TRULY IMPORTANT.

WE CAN'T WAIT.

PART OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT A LOT OF TIMES THIS STIGMA LEADS LATINO FAMILIES TO NOT SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP WHICH MEANS WE MISS THE CRITICAL WINDOW OF THE FIRST 18 DAYS OF A CHILD'S LIFE OF EARLY INTERVENTION.

DON'T FEEL AFRAID.

DON'T FEEL IT IS YOUR ISSUE AS A PARENTS BUT REALLY TALK ABOUT THE WELL-BEING OF STRENGTHENING FAMILIES AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES.

>> ROSA, YOU WORK WITH FAMILIES ARE THERE BARRIERS THAT KEEP FAMILIES SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH FOR THEIR CHILDREN THAT WERE NOT INKING ABOUT?

>> THAT IS AN EXCELLENT QUESTION.IT'S MY EXPERIENCE AS A CLINICIAN THAT ONCE FAMILIES ARE INFORMED AND REALLY EDUCATED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH ITS STANDING ROOM ONLY A WAIT LIST FOR SERVICES.

THEY BECOME READILY AVAILABLE AND UNDERSTAND BECAUSE OF THEIR OWN TRAUMA OF THE CRITICAL NATURE OF RECEIVING SERVICES.

THERE IS A BARRIER THEY NEED TO LOOK AT AND REALLY ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHANGE.

THERE'S UNDERINSURED AND LOCK OF INSURANCE AND A HUGE STAFF SHORTAGE OF BILINGUAL CLINICIANS THAT ARE CULTURALLY COMPETENT ESPECIALLY IN THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE.

THERE'S A SHORTAGE NATIONWIDE BUT HERE IN CHICAGO LOOKING FOR A LINGUAL BICULTURAL CLINICIANS THERE'S AN ABSOLUTE DESERT.

THE INSURANCE STIGMA IS THE 11TH BARRIER THAT PREVENTS LATINO FAMILIES FROM ACCESSING SERVICES.

THE FIRST BEING BACK OF ACCESS, TRANSPORTATION, CHILDCARE, LANGUAGE, ACCESSING ONLINE VIRTUAL SERVICES.

THERE'S QUITE A FEW BARRIERS THAT WE NEED TO BEGIN TO ADDRESS TO BETTER SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.

>> OF COURSE.

THIS IS SUCH A BIG TOPIC.

WHAT ARE SOME LESSONS ABOUT CHILDHOOD EDUCATION THAT EDUCATORS, POLICYMAKERS EVEN PARENT CAN TAKE FROM WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR DURING THE PANDEMIC AND LEARN FROM IT A LITTLE BIT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

FIRST OF ALL WE ARE IN A MOMENT OF TRANSITION AND LOSS IN YOUNG CHILDREN ARE DEALING WITH LOSS ALL THE TIME.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PAY ATTENTION TO THE LOSSES AND TRAUMA THAT HAVE OCCURRED AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL AS WE THINK ABOUT SCHOOLING.

A LOT OF OUR CHILDREN HAVE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF CONTACT WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE IN OTHER COUNTRIES OR ACROSS POLITICAL BORDERS.

THEY'VE LOST PEOPLE IN THEIR LIVES, THEY HAVE LOST HOUSING AND CAREGIVERS.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ATTEND TO THE CONTINUITY OF SERVICES SO THEY DON'T EXPERIENCE THOSE TRANSITIONS WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF SCHOOLING AND EARLY CARE.

ONE THING WE NEED TO ATTEND TO AGAIN IS THE SUPPORT OF TEACHERS AND REALLY THINKING ABOUT INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FIX THEM AND SEEING THEM AS RISKS, VALUING THEM AS THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN GAINED AND LEARNED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE INTERGENERATIONAL CONDITION WITH THE GRANDPARENT AT HOME, HOW DO WE BRING HER INTO THE CONTEXT OF LEARNING AS WE REFER TO IN PERSON SCHOOLING?

WHAT ARE THE KNOWLEDGE THAT CHILDREN CAN BRING?HOW DO I DRAW ON THE LANGUAGE AND PRACTICES THAT THE CHILDREN BRING SO THAT THE CURRICULUM IS REFLECTED OF THEIR EXPERIENCE AND THEY DON'T YET HAVE TO EXPERIENCE ANOTHER TRANSITION BETWEEN THE HOME ENVIRONMENT AND SETTING AND WHAT IS EXPECTED IN SCHOOL.

HERE ARE TWO EXAMPLES.

>> THOSE ARE GREAT POINTS.

INKING ABOUT THE CHILDREN AND THE ENVIRONMENT, FIRST OF COURSE.

AND QUICKLY MY LAST QUESTION, YOU MENTIONED ACCESS.

THE PANDEMIC HAS EXASPERATED RESOURCES.

ARE THERE ANY IMMEDIATE NEEDS THAT YOU THINK WE NEED RIGHT NOW?

>> WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE STAFF SHORTAGE THAT IS HAPPENING ACROSS OUR NATION.

WE NEED TO CREATE PROGRAMS THAT BRING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR COMMUNITIES TO ENGAGE IN MENTAL HEALTH.

WE NEED TO CREATE CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS THAT ALLOW PEOPLE TO BECOME IN A YEAR OR TWO COME FIRST AID TAX AND THEN MOVE ON TO THEIR BACHELOR DEGREE.

YOUR 60 PERCENT OF LIKELY TO COME ACROSS A PERSON WITH A PANIC ATTACK RATHER THAN A HEART ATTACK AND YET MOST OF US ARE TRAINED IN CPR.WE NEED TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.

WE NEED TO HAVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH NONPROFITS BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE EAR OF THE COMMUNITY AND CAN REALLY BRING THOSE RESOURCES TOGETHER.>> OF COURSE.

OUR THANKS TO ROSA JULIA GARCIA RIVERA AND MARIANA SOUTO-MANNING FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT DETAILS ON PROTECTIONS FOR CHICAGO WORKERS.

>> WAGE THEFT CAN TAKE MANY FORMS TO FAILURE FROM PAYING FOR OVERTIME TO WITHHOLDING TIPS.

THE CITY OF CHICAGO ESTIMATES $400 MILLION ARE STOLEN FROM WORKERS EACH YEAR AND LATINOS AND IMMIGRANTS ARE ESPECIALLY AT RISK.A NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY STUDY SHOWED IMMIGRANTS AND LATINO WORKERS WERE TWICE AS LIKELY TO EARN LESS THAN THE MINIMUM WAGE COMPARED TO WHITE WORKERS.

SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2020 CHICAGO'S OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS HAS PUT SEVERAL ORDINANCES IN PLACE IN AN EFFORT TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM WAGE THEFT.

AMONG THEM CHICAGO'S FIRST WAGE THEFT ORDINANCE WHICH GRANTS THE CITY'S GREATER ABILITY TO PROTECT AND RECOUP STOLEN WAGES FROM WORKERS.

A WRITTEN CONTRACT REQUIREMENT FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS ENSURING CHAIN BUSINESS WORKERS ARE ELIGIBLE AND PAID THE CORRECT MINIMUM WAGE.

AND, A BROADENING OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ALLOWS WORKERS TO USE PAID SICK LEAVE.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE IS ANDY FOX WITH LABOR STANDARDS FROM CHICAGO DEPT.

OF BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION.

HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> IT IS GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> Y WITH WAS THE OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS CRATERED IN THE FIRST PLACE?

>> THE OFFICE EXISTED, THE OFFICE STARTED IN 2020 THAT IT CAME FROM AN OUTCRY FROM WORKERS AND WORKER ADVOCATES, AND LABOR FOR LOW-WAGE WORKERS FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO THAT WE NEED A SPECIFIC PLACE WHERE WORKER COMPLAINTS ARE TAKEN.

AT THAT TIME THERE WAS MINIMUM WAGE AND PAID SICK LEAVE BUT IT CREATED AN OFFICE, DIRECTOR AND FUNDING SO THAT WORKERS HAVE ONE OFFICE TO CONTACT.

IT WASN'T BURIED IN BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION IT WAS THE OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS AND IT WOULD GROW TO MEET THE NEEDS OF LOW-WAGE WORKERS.

>> FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNSURE WHAT ARE SOME WAYS IN WHICH WAGE THEFT WOULD HAPPEN?

>> WAGE THEFT IS SOMETIMES INTERCHANGEABLE WITH MINIMUM WAGE VIOLATIONS.

IN WAGE IN CHICAGO IF YOU HAVE 21 OR MORE EMPLOYEES IS $15 PER HOUR MORE THAN THAT IS $14 PER HOUR.

WAITSTAFF IT'S OFTEN IF YOU WORK 40 HOURS YOU GET PAID 30 OR WHEN THEY FIRE YOU THEY DON'T PAY YOU FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS.IT'S ALSO NOT PAYING YOU BENEFIT SUCH AS PAID SICK LEAVE.

YOU EARN PAID SICK LEAVE, YOU TAKE SOME TIME OFF AND THEY DON'T VIEW THE PAID SICK LEAVE YOU EARN.

IT IS A CATEGORY OF WAYS THAT EMPLOYERS CHEAT WORKERS OUT OF MONEY.

IF THE ECONOMY IS TO RECOVER IT CANNOT BE ON THE BACKS OF WORKERS.

PREDOMINANTLY WHAT WE HAVE SEEN HIS LOW-WAGE WORKERS AND HISPANICS DID NOT HAVE A PLACE TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO THE OFFICE BECAME A PLACE TO EMPOWER WORKERS TO EXERCISE THE RIGHT AND HAVE A VOICE IN THE PROCESS.

>> WHAT SHOULD WORKERS DO IF THEY BELIEVE THEY ARE VICTIMS OF WAGE THEFT?

>> IT IS AS SIMPLE AS CALLING 311.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT WORKERS, TO HIGHLIGHT, THE CITY OF CHICAGO THROUGH THE VISION THAT THE MAYOR CREATED IS A WELCOMING CITY.

WERE NOT INTERESTED IN IMMIGRATION STATUS IF IT'S A CASH PAY SYSTEM WITH AN UNDOCUMENTED WORKER AND THEY FEEL WEARY OF CALLING 311 THEY CAN FILE AN ANONYMOUS COMPLAINT OR ISSUE A COMPLAINT DOWNLOADING A FILLABLE FORM ON THE WEBSITE THEY CAN CALL OUR OFFICE DIRECTLY.

312 7 44 2111 SO WE HAVE THREE WAYS.

311 THE OPERATOR WILL TAKE A CLAIM.

YOU CAN EMAIL A CLAIM OR GET IT ON OUR WEBSITE FROM THE LABOR STANDARDS AND THINK IT IS THE CITY OF CHICAGO OR CHICAGO.GOV/ LABOR STANDARDS OR YOU CAN JUST CALL US AT 312 744 2211.

SORRY FOR THE LONG ANSWER.

>> HAS IT BEEN DIFFICULT TO GET THAT MESSAGE OUT?

WERE DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC AND A LOT OF ISSUES AND LABOR ENGLISH ISSUES.

WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH THAT FRONT?

>> INITIALLY IN THE AREA OF LOW-WAGE WORKERS AND HISPANICS AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL CHALLENGES, UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS THEY DON'T ALWAYS FEEL COMFORTABLE CALLING US.

HE ENGAGED WITH THE RIGHTS OF CHICAGO TO DO EDUCATION OUTREACH.WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CONTACT THE WORKER CENTER WHICH INCLUDES THE RISE IN CHICAGO, LATINO UNION AND RACE LINES.

TO GET THE WORD OUT WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CALL US.

WHAT YOU SEEN DURING THE PANDEMIC IS THAT THE CLAIMS HAVE GONE UP.

WE THOUGHT IN ANY BUSINESSES WENT UNDER BUT WORKER VIOLATIONS AND WORKERS IN HISPANIC COMMUNITIES ARE FRONT-LINE ESSENTIALS THE GROCERY STORES DIDN'T STOP WORKING IN FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS AND SERVICE WORKERS IN RESTAURANTS CONTINUED TO WORK THROUGHOUT PANDEMIC AND THE CONDITIONS OF THEIR WORK BECAME AN ISSUE OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE AS PEOPLE GOT SICK AND WE INITIATED THE VACCINE AND PROTECTIONS AND ORDERS WORKERS BECAME MORE AND MORE ESSENTIAL IN THE BATTLE TO RECOVER THE ECONOMY.

>> I CAN SEE THAT.

WHAT KIND OF BUSINESSES ARE YOU SEEING THAT ARE COMMITTING SOME OF THESE OFFENSES?

ARE THEY SMALL EMPLOYERS, LARGE EMPLOYERS, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> IT RUNS THE GAMBIT.

FAST FOOD WORKERS ARE FRONT-LINE.

THERE WAS A SCHEDULING ORDINANCE A FAIR WORKWEEK ORDINANCE.

IF A RESTAURANT OR FOOD ESTABLISHMENT HAS FOUR OR MORE FRANCHISES OWNED, THOSE WORKERS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SCHEDULED IN A WAY WHERE YOU HAVE SEVERAL HIGH-PROFILE INVESTIGATIONS AND SCHEDULING VIOLATIONS THAT IMPACT 300 OR 1000 OR THOUSANDS OF WORKERS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

IT'S A LONG-TERM INVESTIGATION.

WE HAD A VERY LARGE INVESTIGATION INTO BURGER KING, 40+ LOCATIONS WERE NOT GIVING PEOPLE SICKLY AND ONCE WE IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM OR WORKED WITH THEM THEY CAME INTO COMPLIANCE BUT INCORPORATED OF ALL 2500 WORKERS GETTING NO SICK LEAVE AT ALL DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IT WAS PARTICULARLY EGREGIOUS AND WE WERE ABLE TO ADDRESS IT AND GET THOSE WORKERS THE BACK PAY, GET THEM ALL AND THEN GET THE PAID SICK LEAVE ON THE BOOKS FOR THEM GOING FORWARD.

AND IT'S ALSO MOM AND POP.

THINK OF DAY CARES, LAUNDROMATS, A TAVERN.

VOCAL BUSINESSES HAVE A REALLY HARD TIME COMPLYING WITH THE LAW.

FOR THEM IT IS A VERY DIFFERENT TOUCH.

DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES.

THEY REALIZE THEY ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE IT'S NOT ABOUT PUNISHING THEM BECAUSE IF WE SHUT THEM DOWN WHERE ARE THE WORKERS GOING TO GO?

WE TRIED TO GET PEOPLE COMPLIANCE IF THEY'RE WILLING TO MAKE THE WORKERS WHOLE AND HELP THEM IMPLEMENT POLICIES TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW.

IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT TOUCH DEPENDING ON THE SIZE AND SOPHISTICATION OF THE ENTITY.

>> GREAT TIPS FOR EMPLOYERS AS WELL.

THANKS TO ANDY FOX FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE RESOURCES THAT ANDY MENTIONED EARLIER.

THAT IS WTTW.com/NEWS.

END BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO'S URBAN CAMPUS PRESENTS AND LISTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS TO HONOR CULTURES, RECOGNIZE HISTORY AND BEAUTIFY COMMUNITIES THROUGH MURALS.

LOCAL YOUTH ARTS ORGANIZATION GREEN STAR MOVEMENT HAS INSTALLED EUROS IN THEIR SIGNATURE COLLAGE STYLE ALL OVER THE CITY.

THIS YEAR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AMAZON GREEN START IS INVITING CHICAGOANS TO APPLY FOR A CHANCE TO GET A FREE NEURAL IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

THE DIRECTOR EXPLAINS THE INITIATIVE.

>> I AM WITH GREEN STAR MOVEMENT A NONPROFIT IN CHICAGO THAT CREATES PUBLIC ART ALONGSIDE COMMUNITIES AND YOUTH.

WE ARE HERE TODAY TO GIVE AWAY A FREE MOSAIC MURAL IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

THAT MURAL CAN BE GIVEN AWAY TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.

IT CAN BE A SCHOOL OR A NEIGHBORHOOD IF IT SEEMS LIKE A VIADUCT NEEDS TO BE DONE IT COULD BE A NONPROFIT THAT HAS A SPACE THAT THEY NEED TO BEAUTIFY.

WERE IN THE BUSINESS OF BEAUTIFYING DIFFERENT SPACES.

THE INITIATIVE IS COMPLETELY DRIVEN BY THE YOUTH.

I THAT I MEAN WE'VE SELECTED A YOUTH PANEL OF KIDS, 12 KIDS GOT THE ENTIRE CITY OF CHICAGO SO NOW OR IN THE PHASE OF STARTING TO GET THE WORD OUT AND HAVING PEOPLE GIVE APPLICATIONS.

ALL OF THOSE ENTITIES I SAID BEFORE CAN SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO US TO OUR WEBSITE IN WHICH CASE THE TEAM PANEL WILL GO THROUGH EACH APPLICATION AND THEY WILL SELECT THE RECIPIENT TO THE FREE MURAL.

WE WILL WORK ON A DESIGN CONCEPT AND HOLD MULTIPLE DESIGN SESSIONS DID WE KNOW THAT OTHER PEOPLE CAN JOIN US AND ONCE WE GATHER ALL THE INFORMATION OF WHAT IT IS THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT IS WHEN WE HIT THE ACTUAL DESIGN PHASE.

>> THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS JANUARY 31ST AND YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ON GREEN STARS MOVEMENT CONTEST ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> A CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER TOOK AN EARLY RETIREMENT TO PURSUE HIS DREAM TO CONTINUE IN THE LONG LINE OF MEXICAN ARTISTS WHO EXCEL IN PRINTMAKING.

THE DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION TO PURSUING THEMES OF SOCIAL JUSTICE.

RENIE IS THEIR HEIR APPARENT TO AN ENDURING TRADITION.LAST YEAR ARTS PRODUCER MARK VITALI SHARED THIS PORTRAIT OF A CHICAGOAN HAS RECOMMITTED HIMSELF TO HIS ART AND HIS CULTURE.

THERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> WHEN WE VISITED HIS STUDIO IN PRE-PANDEMIC DAYS HE WAS WORKING ALONE BUT THIS ARTIST HAS A TALENT OF COLLABORATION.

>> I AM A PRINTMAKER.

I HAVE A COLLABORATIVE PLACE WHICH IS CALLED ARTS PRESS WHERE I PUBLISH PRINTS WITH ARTIST FROM NOT ONLY ACROSS THE UNITED STATES BUT DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD.

THERE IS SOMEONE FROM COASTER RICA, PUERTO RICO, CANADA AND IN SPAIN AND FRANCE.

THERE SEVERAL SOUTH AMERICAN ARTISTS WHO LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES THAT HAVE COLLABORATED PAIRED SOME VENEZUELANS, ARGENTINIANS, PERUVIANS.

>> FROM SILK SCREENS TO WOOD ENGRAVINGS AND ETCHINGS PRINT MAKERS NEED A WIDE RANGE OF SKILL SET.

WE FIRST LEARNED ABOUT THE PRESS WHEN THE BRIDGEPORT ARTS CENTER HOSTED AND EXHIBIT OF WORK BY RENIE AND THE ARTIST HE WORKS WITH.

THAT SHOW IS CALLED THE BORDER CROSSED US.

HE GREW UP IN A SMALL TOWN NEAR GUADALAJARA.

HE TOLD US THE STORY OF HIS OWN BORDER CROSSING IN 1979 WHEN AS A 19-YEAR-OLD CAME TO MEXICO FROM THE AREA WITH A COYOTE.

>> I WENT TO TIJUANA AND A COYOTE TOOK US IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AROUND TO:00 IN THE MORNING.

WE CROSS THE BORDER AND WE SAW SOME OF THE HELICOPTERS FLYING OVERHEAD AND DOWN THE HILL WE SAW SEVERAL GROUPS THAT WERE BEING CAUGHT.

WE JUST STAYED PUT FOR A FEW HOURS I DON'T REMEMBER HOW LONG UNTIL THERE WERE NO MORE HELICOPTERS FLYING AROUND AND THEN OUR GROUP LEADER TOOK US AND WE WERE WALKING I DON'T KNOW FOR HOW LONG UNTIL SUNRISE PRACTICALLY AND THEN AFTER THAT THAT AFTERNOON THEY PUT US IN THE TRUNK OF A CAR A BIG CAR.

I THINK THERE WERE FIVE OR SIX OF US AND FROM THERE THEY TOOK US OUT AND THEY PASSED US THROUGH A CHECKPOINT.

FROM THERE WE WENT TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF LOS ANGELES AND I FELT LUCKY.

I'VE BEEN ALSO ABLE TO MAKE SOMETHING OF MYSELF WHILE COMING TO THE STATES.

>> HE CAME TO CHICAGO, MARRIED AND BECAME A US CITIZEN.

HE STUDIED AT THE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS INSTITUTE AND WORK AT WHAT LATER BECAME THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART AND TAUGHT AT A CHICAGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR 20 YEARS THROUGH THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE DID DO VIRTUAL TEACHING FOR A FEW MONTHS ACTUALLY.

IT WAS A LOT MORE DIFFICULT BECAUSE MOST OF THE KIDS WERE NOT GETTING CONNECTED.

A LOT OF THEM DIDN'T HAVE WERE TALKING ABOUT DEVICES, DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO INTERNET SO IS VERY DIFFICULT.

>> FOR YEARS HE WAS PLANNING TO RETIRE TO FOCUS ON HIS ART.

HIS WORK IS PART OF THE HERITAGE OF MEXICAN PRINTMAKING THAT STARTED WITH ARTIST WAY GUADALUPE BAY.

>> ALSO THE USE OF SKELETONS THAT ARE DOING A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

NOT IN A BLOODIED AND SPOOKY WAY LIKE HALLOWEEN BUT JUST DOING REGULAR ACTIVITIES LIKE THEY WERE ALIVE BECAUSE TO US IT IS AN EXTENSION OF LIFE AND IT IS WHAT REMAINS OF THIS BODY ONCE WE DIE.

>> HIS ARTISTIC OUTPUT IS VERY MUCH ALIVE WHILE HIS EARLY WORKS WERE VERY LITTLE COAL'S LATEST ARTWORK CONCENTRATES ON PEOPLE.

ONE AS A TRIBUTE TO THE FIRST RESPONDERS TO COVID-19 AND INCLUDES A BAT TAKING FLIGHT.

>> I BEEN ABLE TO GET MY ARTWORK OUT THERE AND AT THE SAME TIME I CONTINUE TO PRODUCE EVERYDAY.

AM VERY HAPPY THAT I'M ABLE TO DO THAT.

ESSENTIALLY JUST GETTING READY UNTIL THE EPIDEMIC IS OVER SO I CAN DO MORE DISPERSING OF MY WORK THROUGH EXHIBITIONS AND COLLABORATIONS WITH OTHER ARTISTS AS WELL.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT THIS IS MARK VITALE.

>> YOU CAN BUY HIS ORIGINAL WORK ON HIS AT THE SHOP.

A RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOK ON HIS WORK WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE IN CHICAGO AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

FIND OUT MORE AND SEE MORE ON HIS WORK ON HER WEBSITE.

THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEKEND.

SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.com/NEWS FOR THE VERY LATEST NEWS.

THERE YOU WILL ALSO FIND OUR STORY ABOUT AN AGAVE PLANT THAT IS BLOOMING PAST ALL EXPECTATIONS.

AND IF YOU ARE WATCHING US ON SATURDAY NIGHT NOW YOU CAN ALSO WATCH LATINO VOICES AND BLACK VOICES ON SUNDAYS BEGINNING AT 10 PM.

YOU CAN CATCH ME HOSTING WEEKEND EDITION ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAYS AS WELL AS MY REPORTING DURING THE WEEK ON 91.5 WBEZ.

NEXT WEEK MY COLLEAGUE MICHAEL PUENTE WILL BE HERE IN THE HOST CHAIR.

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

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

BUENAS NOCHES.