>>> I AM ALEX HERNANDEZ , THIS IS CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES .

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT, HOW FENTANYL GETS INTO THE U.S. AND THE DEVASTATION IT CAN CREATE IN THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY.

>>> COOK COUNTY MINIMUM WAGE, THE NEW LAW TAKES EFFECT IN JULY.

>>> HELPING ENTREPRENEURS GO FROM STARTUP TO SUCCESS STORY.

>> IT IS HARD TO BREAK THROUGH.

>> A PUSH TO SUPPORT THE POOR, THE ILLINOIS INTERNATIONAL PORT DISTRICT.

>>> AND IMPACT OF FENTANYL AND HOW TO HELP COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY THE OPIOID CRISIS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

FENTANYL, IS A DANGER, ESPECIALLY TRUE IN BLACK AND LATINO COMMUNITIES WHERE THE ODDS ARE THEY FENTANYL INVOLVED OVERGROWTH HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED.

COOK COUNTY DATA SHOWS 262 LATINOS DIED FROM AN OPIOID OPEN -- OVERDOSE IN 2020, TWICE THE NUMBER IN 2019.

JOINING US WITH MORE ARE SARAH RICHARDSON, PROGRAM MANAGER AT THE OFFICE OF SUBSTANCE USE IN THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

AND THE COUNSEL GENERAL OF MEXICO IN CHICAGO, AND THE CHAIR COORDINATOR FOR THE HEALTH CENTER.

I WANT TO WELCOME ALL OF YOU.

COUNSEL GENERAL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, YOU WROTE AN OP-ED FOR THE TRIBUNE OUTLINING HOW FENTANYL TRAFFICKING AFFECTS LATINOS IN CHICAGO, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MEXICO WORKING CLOSER WITH THE U.S.

IN STOPPING FENTANYL FROM COMING HERE?

>> WE ARE ALREADY WORKING TOGETHER, THAT IS PART OF THE MANY ACTIONS WE ARE TAKING.

BOTH GOVERNMENTS ARE COLLABORATING, A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, WE ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE CONTAINING THE KIND OF CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH THE MEXICAN AUTHORITIES.

THIS HAS TO BE ADDRESSED FOR NOT ONLY THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT IT IS A MULTIFACETED ISSUE AND YOU CANNOT ADDRESS THIS ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT THE TRAFFIC INTO MEXICO, AND IN THE HANDS OF CRIMINALS IN MEXICO.

WHAT I MEANT TO ADDRESS IN THE OPENING, HOW THIS IS AFFECTING OUR COMMUNITIES AND, WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY ASPECTS, THERE IS A HUMAN COMPONENT.

WE ALL SHOULD BE DOING MORE TO ADDRESS THAT PARTICULAR PART OF THIS TRAGEDY THAT IS GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> SARAH, WE KNOW THAT OPIOIDS CAN BE DANGEROUS, ALL OF THEM.

WHY IS FENTANYL SUCH A CAUSE FOR CONCERN?

>> THANK YOU.

FENTANYL IS A POTENT OPIOID, WHICH MEANS IT IS VERY STRONG, AND A SMALL AMOUNT CAN RESULT IN AN OVERDOSE.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN CHICAGO IS THAT 80% TO 90% OF OUR OVERDOSE DEATHS INVOLVE FENTANYL AND SOMETIMES IT IS THE ONLY OPIOID IN THE DEATH.

YOU ARE RIGHT, THE NUMBER OF LATINOS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED A FATAL OVERDOSE IS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING AND HAS IN RECENT YEARS.

AS HAS EVERY DEMOGRAPHIC GROUP.

THE GREATEST GROUP IS IN THE LATINO COMMUNITY IN CHICAGO.

>> A LACK OF LATINOS TRYING TO SEEK HELP FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE, WHICH TAKES ME TO YOU, NICHOLAS.

WHAT STIGMAS MAY PREVENT LATINOS FROM SEEKING HELP?

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WE SEE IS THE MORAL ARGUMENT.

SUBSTANCE USERS ARE BAD.

THAT IS A NEGATIVE STIGMA AND PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO SEEK TREATMENT.

THEY WANT TO KEEP IT UNDER WRAPS.

THEY WANT TO HIDE IT FROM SOCIETY.

AND OTHER MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY MAY BE LOOKED OUT ON SOME PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS AND THEY MAY NOT WANT TO SEEK SERVICES.

THERE IS A STIGMA INVOLVED WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF SERVICES.

I HAVE HEARD CLIENTS WE SERVE THAT HAS GIVEN US NEGATIVE FEEDBACK FROM LOCATIONS.

THIS IS IN OUR PROVIDERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> COUNSEL GENERAL, LET'S TALK ABOUT POLICY.

WHAT POLICY CHANGES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO HELP ADDRESS THE INFLOW OF FENTANYL INTO THE U.S.?

>> THE DIALOGUE ON SECURITY ISSUES IS THERE.

IN EVERY SUMMIT THAT THE HEADS OF STATE HAVE HAD RECENTLY, THIS HAS BEEN PART OF THE AGENDA.

A CONSTANT CONVERSATION WITH DIFFERENT AGENCIES AND SECRETARIES IN MEXICO.

WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE IS THE HUMAN ASPECT.

IN A RECENT MEETING WE HAD WITH THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN RELATIONS, HE PULLED THE ENTIRE CONSULATE WITH THE INTENT OF THE MEETING WE HAD WITH HIM IN WASHINGTON.

WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO FROM OUR SIDE?

WHAT HAS BEEN MISSING IN THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION IS THE TREATMENT, HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE TO THE COMMUNITIES AND PREVENT ADDICTION?

HOW DO WE ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ADDICTED?

LET ME GIVE YOU ONE EXAMPLE, THE ADDICTIONS AND THE NEED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION IS INCREASING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THERE ARE MANY FACTORS THAT PREVENT PEOPLE FROM ASKING FOR HELP.

WE HAD COME IN RECENT WEEKS, THE FIRST CASE, HUMAN REMAINS FOUND FROM A MEXICAN NATIONAL WENT TO MEXICO, SOMEBODY WHO DIED AS A CONSEQUENCE OF AN OVERDOSE OF FENTANYL.

THAT SHOWS THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT MOMENT TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY.

>> SARAH, HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK, TALKING ABOUT THE HUMAN ASPECT, HOW IMPORTANT IS LANGUAGE WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATING AND TREATING LATINOS ABOUT FENTANYL?

>> IT IS SO IMPORTANT.

STIGMA IS A BIG BARRIER TO INDIVIDUALS SEEKING CARE AND TREATMENT, AND FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES IN UNDERSTANDING THIS ISSUE AND WHAT THEIR LOVED ONES ARE GOING THROUGH.

RESEARCHERS HAVE STUDIED IT, THE WEIGHT TO TALK ABOUT THIS, DIRECTLY IMPACTS THE KIND OF CARE THEY RECEIVE.

ALL OF US CAN SHIFT THE WAY WE TALK, SHIFT TO WHERE IT IS THE USE FROM ATTIC AND JUNKY TO A PERSON'S WITH AN OPIOID USE DISORDER, THAT SHIFT WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE.

>> NICHOLAS, WHAT ARE SOME RESOURCES YOU OFFER FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP?

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING THIS -- ME TO THIS.

IF YOU SPEAK TO OUR FRONT DESK STAFF, OUR CARE COORDINATORS, WE -- BEING ABLE TO SPEAK SPANISH AND REACH OUR POPULATION WILL REDUCE FEARS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO BE UNDERSTOOD OR HEARD.

I WORKED WITH THE MEDICATION DEPARTMENT, AND IF ANY SERVICES OUTSIDE, WE CAN ASSIST THEM IN FINDING SERVICES THEY NEED, SUCH AS INPATIENT TREATMENT OR HOSPITALIZATION.

WE ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DIRECT PEOPLE WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.

WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT, IN MY OPINION, GETTING THE INFORMATION TO THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE SERVICES.

ALSO, THERE IS CASES -- >> UNFORTUNATELY, OUR TIME IS UP BUT I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AFTER DECADES OF NEGLECT, THE ILLINOIS INTERNATIONAL PORT DISTRICT ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE IS SHOWING ITS AGE.

BUT IT IS LONG PAST TIME FOR FEDERAL, STATE, AND PRIVATE ENTITIES TO SUPPORT THE PORT AND THEY'RE ASKING FOR $50 MILLION TO $100 MILLION TO BRING THE INFRASTRUCTURE BACK, THEY SAY AN INVESTMENT THAT WOULD PAY OFF IN A STURDIER SUPPLY CHAIN AND REDUCE STREET TRAFFIC.

>> FOR A LONG TIME, PEOPLE DIDN'T REALIZE THE IMPACT THE PORT HAS.

WE BRING THE COMMODITIES, STEEL, IRON, CONCRETE WHAT WE NEED TO DEVELOP THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE THEY WILL GO ELSEWHERE.

THE JOBS.

>> Reporter: INTERNET -- THE SECOND DIRECTOR CAME TO THE ROLE IN 2021 WITH YEARS OF EXPENSE AND RAILROAD AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS.

HE IS AN ATTORNEY WHICH COMES IN HANDY AS HE IS MAKING A CASE FOR ILLINOIS TO FUND THE PORT OF CHICAGO.

>> WE CAN DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO WITH THE PORT.

>> HE SAYS THERE IS A LOT THAT THEY NEED TO DO, DECADES OF NEGLECT HAVE RESULTED IN MASSIVE SINKHOLES, AND ROADS IN DESPERATE NEED OF RESURFACING THAT CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE CREATES A DUE FOR THE PORT BECAUSE IT HAS NO TAXING AUTHORITY AND -- >> THE WALL CANNOT BE USED, IT IS HARD TO BRING IN SHIPPERS, BRING NEW BUSINESS HERE WHEN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE CANNOT SUPPORT IT.

>> THE PORT OF CHICAGO WAS BUILT TO EXPORT GOODS TO THE NEWLY OPENED SEAWAY.

AS SHIPPING PATTERNS CHANGED, IT SAW A DECLINE IN REVENUE AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE URBAN TRANSPORTATION CENTER SAYS -- >> THE SHIFT HAPPENED GRADUALLY.

TRAFFIC BECAME MORE UBIQUITOUS.

THAT CONNECTED VERY WELL BUT LEFT THE WATERWAYS BEHIND.

FOR THAT REVENUE DECLINE LED THE PORT TO A STATE OF DISREPAIR BUT THEY SEEM MORE POTENTIAL THAN EVER, ESPECIALLY AFTER PANDEMIC INDUCED SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES CHOKED THE ECONOMY.

>> BRINGING FREIGHTS BY WATER IS THE CHEAPEST AND MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE.

WE DO NOT HAVE TO RELY ON WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE COAST.

>> THIS IS AN ADVANTAGE FOR THE PORT .

WE CAN TAP INTO THE BURDEN OF THE ROAD AND RAIL NETWORKS TO TAKE SOME OF THE BURDEN OFF OF THOSE AND BRING THEM TO THE PORT .

>> IT IS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENGINE, MAKING SURE THAT CHICAGO IS A VITAL CAUGHT IN THAT SUPPLY CHAIN.

WE ARE BRINGING IN TAX REVENUE.

>> HE SAYS THAT A BUSY PORT WOULD RESULT IN LESS OF STREET TRAFFIC ON CHICAGO'S CONGESTED ROADS.

>> EVERY YEAR WE LOSE THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF DELAY ON THE ROADS.

AS A PASSENGER OR AS A TRUCKER.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE THIS MOBILITY ISSUE, BY MAKING USE OF THE RESOURCES YOU ALREADY HAVE.

FOR THAT DISTRICT BOARD CHAIR SAYS, TRAINING PARTNERSHIPS COULD CONNECT THE PEOPLE TO THE PORT AND KEEP JOBS IN THE CITY.

>> OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE GOOD USE OF WHAT IS AVAILABLE, BRINGING IN JOBS, WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE AND PREPARE YOUNG KIDS TO WORK UNLOADING SHIPS.

WORKING IN WAREHOUSES.

>> Reporter: THAT ONLY IS THE BEGINNING OF HIS GRAND VISION, AND HE BELIEVES, IF THEY BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME.

>> IT WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS IMPROVEMENT FOR THIS PORT, $100 MILLION, WE WOULD HAVE FULL USE OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND OUR PRIMARY INFRASTRUCTURE.

IF WE LOOK AT INDIANA OR WISCONSIN, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, THIS HAS PLACES WHERE THE DEMAND IS THERE.

WE HEAR FROM INDUSTRY THAT THE DEMAND IS THERE.

THE JUSTIFICATION FOR CHICAGO TO INVEST IN THIS BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE IS TREMENDOUS.

>> Reporter: A LOT MORE ABOUT THIS MASTER PLAN FOR THE PORT AND FIND OUT MORE ON HER WEBSITE .

>>> OF NEXT, JOANNA HERNANDEZ WITH WINNERS IN TECH RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> STARTING A BUSINESS FROM SCRATCH TAKES A LOT OF WORK AND CAPITAL THIS INITIATIVE FROM GOOGLE IS HELPING LATINO ENTREPRENEURS.

FIVE CHICAGOANS WERE AWARDED $550,000 FOR THEIR STARTUPS.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE BUSINESSES AND WHAT THEY WOULD DO WITH CASH ARE THREE OF THE RECIPIENTS.

RUBEN GARCIA, COFOUNDER OF AN ONLINE EXAM DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM.

CEO AND FOUNDER OF A SPEECH COACH POWERED BY AI TECHNOLOGY.

AND JOHN DILLON, CEO AND FOUNDER OF A VIRTUAL DATABASE THAT ALLOWS CUSTOMERS TO ASK HEALTH RELATED QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR PETS TO VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS.

CONGRATULATIONS.

I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

TELL ME ABOUT WHAT IT MEANT TO WIN THE GOOGLE GRANT?

>> WE HAVE A SPEECH COACH, YOU CAN DOWNLOAD OUR APP AND RECORD YOUR VOICE AND GET FEEDBACK ON YOUR WORDS OR YOUR PAUSING PATTERS, OR THE TONE YOU ARE USING WITH YOUR VOICE.

WINNING THIS GRANT FROM GOOGLE IS A GAME CHANGER BECAUSE GOOGLE IS AN EXPERT AT USING AI FOR GOOD.

>> JOHN, WHEN YOU GOT THE PHONE CALL YOU GOT THE GRANT, WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?

>> IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

WE FOUND OUT WE WON AT THE EVENT WITH THE MAYOR AND IT WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED AND ELATION.

>> YOUR COMPANY OPERATES IN 24 STATES WITH VETERINARY HOSPITALS .

WHAT HAS THE JOURNEY BEEN LIKE FOR YOU DEVELOPING IT?

>> A LOT OF UPS AND DOWNS.

IT IS A ROLLER COASTER.

EXTREMELY REWARDING JOURNEY.

I AM GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT.

>> Reporter: RUBEN, YOU WERE IN MEXICO WHEN YOU GOT THE PHONE CALL.

>> WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL.

WE DEVELOPED CERTIFICATION EXAMS FOR CLIENTS, MAJOR CORPORATIONS, ENTERPRISE ORGANIZATIONS, TO LAUNCH CERTIFICATION EXAMS WHICH ARE THE FUTURE.

A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS TAKE THEM SO THEY CAN LEARN AND SHOW THEY HAVE IMPROVED THEIR SKILLS.

WINNING THE GOOGLE GRANT WAS GAME CHANGING FOR US.

A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE WON LOTS OF AWARDS, BUT THOSE WERE NOT PACKED WITH CAPITAL.

IT WILL ACCELERATE OUR DEVELOPMENT AND HOW WE CAN HIGHER EMPLOYEES EARLIER THAN PLANNED.

>> Reporter: HOW DID THE IDEA COME ABOUT?

>> THE FIRST STARTUP WAS INNOVATED EXAMS, I GOT A PATENT FOR IT, WE SOLD THE COMPANY IN 2013 AND THE SUSSMAN INDUSTRY IS OUTDATED WITHOUT A LOT OF COMPETITION.

I WANTED TO CREATE COMPETITION ON THE EXAM SIDE.

I HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY CERTIFICATION EXAMS WHEN DEALING WITH THE UNIVERSITY.

I HAD A PASSION FOR CHANGING THE INDUSTRY.

>> LATINO BUSINESSES HAVE INCREASED OVER THE YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE SMALL BUSINESS AND NUTRITION, ONE IN FOUR NEW BUSINESSES IS HISPANIC OWNED, BEFORE THE PANDEMIC THE NUMBER OF VOTERS INCREASED BY 34%.

JOHN, WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE IN HAVING LATINO ENTREPRENEURS?

>> IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

THE AWARD FROM GOOGLE IS SOMETHING WE APPRECIATE.

>> WHAT WERE THE OBSTACLES YOU HAD TO OVERCOME?

YOUR SECOND COMPANY, I IMAGINE THERE WERE PLENTY.

>> HAVING A STARTUP IS A LOT OF UPS AND DOWNS, LIKE YOU MENTIONED.

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR LATINOS IS TO ACCESS CAPITAL.

I RAISED MONEY TO START THIS BUSINESS.

IT IS MY SECOND BUSINESS, EVEN THEN, IT IS CHALLENGING TO GET INVESTORS.

FOR A TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, WE HAVE TO BUILD A PRODUCT QUICKLY.

>> DID YOU ALSO SEE SOME VARIOUS ALONG THE WAY?

>> OVERCOMING ACCESS TO CAPITAL IS AN ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDWEST.

WE HAVE BEEN BUILDING TO GO ON OUR OWN, AND THAT MAKES US SO MUCH MORE VALUABLE.

IN ADDITION TO THE CASH, WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS THE COLLABORATION WITH OTHER FOUNDERS, WITH EXPERTS, PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE.

THAT CAN ACCELERATE WHAT YOU ALREADY ARE DOING.

THAT IS ALMOST AS EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT.

>> HAVE ANY OF YOU FELT LIKE YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE THAT?

>> IT IS AN INTERESTING JOURNEY BEING FROM HISPANIC HERITAGE AND LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES AND EXCEPTING BOTH CULTURES AND CELEBRATING BOTH OF THEM.

IT IS A FUN AND REWARDING EXPERIENCE TO GO BACK AND SEE MY FAMILY.

I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING PROVIDED HERE.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT BRINGS US TOGETHER.

>> HOW WOULD YOU SAY YOU HAVE OVERCOME IMPOSTER SYNDROME?

>> I GO THROUGH IT EVERY DAY.

I HAVE SIGNED THIS YEAR, MULTIBILLION DOLLAR COMPANIES, THE USE AS, A LOT OF THEM PUBLICLY TRADED.

I CANNOT STILL BELIEVE IT.

>> DOES THIS HAPPEN TO YOU?

>> MY JOURNEY IS WILD.

A COUPLE YEARS AGO, I WAS SO AFRAID OF PUBLIC SPEAKING, YOU CANNOT FIND ME AT A PODIUM.

NOW I AM RUNNING THE WORLD'S MOST POPULAR AND POWERFUL SPEECH COACHING TOOL.

MY CONFESSION IS, I AM STILL SO NERVOUS PUBLIC SPEAKING.

OVERCOMING THAT IS AN EVERYDAY CHALLENGE.

PUTTING MYSELF OUT THERE.

WE ARE BUILT FOR REGULAR PEOPLE, LIKE MYSELF, TO HELP THEM OVERCOME THEIR FEAR AND BUILD THEIR CONFIDENCE.

>> Reporter: IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.

I WANT TO ASK, WITH ALL OF THE BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS YOU PUT IN, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE ELSE GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS THAT WANTS TO START A STARTUP?

>> I WOULD SAY TO JUST TO DO IT.

DO NOT FOCUS ON THE MEDIA, BUT JUST FOCUS ON TAKING CARE OF YOUR CUSTOMERS, PUTTING ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER, FOCUS ON DELIVERING VALUE TO YOUR CUSTOMERS AND GOOD THINGS WILL HAPPEN IF YOU ARE CONSISTENT ABOUT EXECUTION, AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR CUSTOMERS.

>> ONE WORD OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO SOMEONE?

>> GO FOR IT.

NEVER BEEN AN EASIER TIME TO START A STARTUP.

>> GO FOR IT AND BE READY TO MAKE MISTAKES.

THE THING ABOUT STARTUPS, THEY FAIL A LOT AND YOU GET BACK ON YOUR FEET.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

NEXT, COOK COUNTY NEW MINIMUM WAGE TAKES EFFECT, WE WILL SHARE THE DETAILS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> SOME WORKERS IN COOK COUNTY WILL FIND MORE IN THEIR PAYCHECK IN JULY BECAUSE MINIMUM WAGE IS SET TO INCREASE BASED ON A FORMULA ESTABLISHED BY A COUNTY ORDINANCE.

HERE IS MORE ON WHY IT MAY BE A GOOD IDEA FOR MINIMUM-WAGE WORKERS TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PAYCHECK NEXT WEEK.

>> JULY 1st, COOK COUNTY MINIMUM WAGE WILL BE INCREASING FOR TIPPED AND NON-TIPPED WORKERS.

EVERY MAY INTO JUNE, BASED ON THE COOK COUNTY MINIMUM WAGE ORDINANCE, THE UPDATED ONES ARE CONNECTED TO EVALUATE AN INCREASE.

THIS YEAR, BECAUSE OF THE INFLATIONARY CAP, THE MINIMUM WAGES FOR BOTH RATES HAVE INCREASED.

WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CHECK THEIR NEXT PAYCHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STATED INCREASE WAGES ARE REFLECTED IN HER PAYCHECK.

IF YOU DO NOT SEE THEM REFLECTED, PLEASE CALL US AT THE COOK COUNTY COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AS WE ACCEPT AND INVESTIGATE FORMAL COMPLAINTS.

WE DO NOT REPRESENT VIOLATIONS OF THE MINIMUM WAGE ORDINANCE, OR IF YOU ARE DISCRIMINATED OR HARASSED.

PLEASE GIVE US A CALL AND YOU CAN ALWAYS FILE A COMPLAINT, YOU CAN FILE ON YOUR OWN OR YOU CAN ASK A SUPPORTING AGENCY OR ATTORNEY TO SUPPORT YOU IN FILING THAT.

>> YOU WILL FIND MORE ON THE COOK COUNTY MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT, CHECK OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS , FOR THE VERY LATEST FROM WTTW NEWS.

TUNE IN EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING ON UNIVISION.

FOR ALL OF US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES , I AM ALEX HERNANDEZ, BUENAS NOCHES.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A. CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH, AND PROUD SPONSOR OF PROGRAMMING THAT