>>> GOOD EVENING , WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES, I'M ALEX HERNANDEZ -- THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

WHY COOK COUNTY IS KNOWN AS THE WORST NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE COUNTRY WHEN IT COMES TO A CERTAIN TYPE OF AIR POLLUTION.

>>> AN ONGOING SHORTAGE OF MEDICATION USED TO TREAT ASTHMA PATIENTS GETS WORSE.

WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT AND WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.

[ SINGING IN NON-ENGLISH ] HUNDREDS GATHER FOR THE FUNERAL OF CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER ANDRES -- PILLS AND FOOD PANTRY PREPARING TO MOVE, WE HAVE THE STORY OF HIS NEW HOME.

AND THE PEOPLE AND LANDSCAPE OF PUERTO RICO MAKING A RARE VISIT TO CHICAGO.

ALL THAT COMING UP, BUT FIRST, EFFORTS TO CLEAR THE AIR IN COOK COUNTY, RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

>>> COOK COUNTY IS THE WORST NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE COUNTRY, WHEN IT COMES TO SMOG.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO NEW DATA FROM THE U.S.

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY, THE HEALTH DAMAGING SMOKE CAN TRAVEL HUNDREDS OF MILES TO NEIGHBORING COUNTIES, INCLUDING NORTH TO WISCONSIN.

NOW, A NEW PLAN ALLOWS THE FEDERAL AGENCY TO PLACE STRICTER LIMITS ON LARGE ORDERS AND REDUCE EMISSIONS BY 2026.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ARE PHILIP , FACULTY MEMBER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO ILLINOIS, IT IS OUTREACH MANAGER AT NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL, AND LUCAS ORTIZ, DIRECTOR OF CLEAN POWER AT LAKE COUNTY.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US TODAY BUT I WANTED IT WAS GINA, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THIS WRITTEN REPORT?

WAS IT SURPRISING?

>> IT WAS NOT VERY SURPRISING, GROWING UP ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF CHICAGO WHICH IS A BORDER TOWN TO INDIANA, WHICH HOUSES THE BP REFINERY, WHICH IS ONE OF THE LARGEST REFINERIES IN THE COUNTRY.

SO, I KIND OF EXPERIENCED THAT INTERSTATE POLLUTION DAY IN AND DAY OUT, AND SAW THE HEALTH DISPARITIES THAT COME WITH THAT, THE EXPERIENCE OF FOUL ODORS, THE ASTHMA RATES , AND YOU KNOW, OUR AIR MONITORS ARE REGISTERING SOME OF THE WORST AIR QUALITY IN THE STATE.

SO, I WAS NOT TOO SURPRISED.

>> HOW ABOUT YOU, DULCE?

>> SAME AS GINA, SADLY.

WE ARE NOT SURPRISED BY THIS.

IN OUR AREA, WHICH IS LAKE COUNTY, WE HAVE BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY POLLUTION .

WE ARE AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY, MAJORITY LATINO, IMMIGRANT AND LATINO.

IT IS REALLY DISHEARTENING, SAME AS GINA, IT SEEMS LIKE THE STORY DOES NOT REALLY CHANGE WHEN YOU GO THROUGH COMMUNITIES.

WE ALSO HAVE ONE OF THE HIGH RATES OF ASTHMA HERE AT WAUKEGAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ONE OUT OF THREE CHILDREN SUFFER FROM ASTHMA OR ASTHMA -LIKE SYMPTOMS, WHICH IS MUCH HIGHER THAN THE NATURAL RATE.

THAT IS NOT SURPRISING, BUT ALSO VERY DISTURBING.

>> NOW THAT YOU MENTION THAT, DULCE, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE HIGH ASTHMA RATES IN WAUKEGAN CHILDREN.

HOW HAS AIR POLLUTION PLAYED A ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY?

>> AIR POLLUTION HAS SEVERELY IMPACTED OUR HEALTH.

WE DID HAVE A COAL PLANT RIGHT ON OUR LAKEFRONT.

WE WORKED VERY HARD TO HAVE A JUST TRANSITION.

WE DID TRANSITION THAT COAL PLANT OUT LAST YEAR IN JUNE.

I THINK THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE.

I THINK, ALONG WITH THE COAL PLANT, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST POLLUTERS, AND THEN THE SMOG FROM COOK COUNTY, THIS IS WHY EVERY YEAR LAKE COUNTY WAS RATED WITH AN F FOR AIR QUALITY, WE HAVE ONE OF THE WORST AIR QUALITIES, AND OF COURSE, THAT IS GOING TO COME UP IN HEALTH IMPACTS ON THE OVERALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

-- PRESENTATIONS IN MIDDLE SCHOOLS TO EDUCATE ABOUT OUR COAL PLANT, WHICH I DID NOT KNOW EXISTED.

I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS A FACTORY UNTIL SOMEONE EDUCATED ME ON IT.

EVERY TIME I DO A PRESENTATION, I WOULD ASK THE KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM, HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS THAT HAVE ASTHMA?

ABOUT 98% OF THE HANDS WOULD GO UP.

OBVIOUSLY, WE KNOW THAT IS NOT NORMAL.

WE KNOW THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SHOULD DO MORE TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS.

>> DEFINITELY.

WE NEVER WANT TO HEAR OUR CHILDREN ARE SUFFERING FROM ASTHMA.

PHILIP, WHAT IS LEADING TO ALL THIS AIR POLLUTION IN CHICAGO AND NEIGHBORING AREAS?

>> THANK YOU, ALEX.

ONE THING WE REALLY HAD TO THINK ABOUT IS THAT SMOG IS EXTENSIVE, FROM ATMOSPHERE , GROUND LAYER, OZONE.

FACILITY DO NOT CREATE GOES ON.

THEY CREATE PRECURSORS TO OZONE.

THE EPA HAS IDENTIFIED THIS AS PRIMARILY NITROGEN OXIDE.

SO, WHEN WE ARE REALLY THINKING ABOUT HOW TO MEDIATE THIS, HOW TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITIES, IT IS ADDRESSING THE ISSUE THAT, IN THE SOUTHWEST SIDE, WE HAVE A HIGHER CONCENTRATION OF RAIL YARDS THAN L.A. COUNTY.

WE HAVE MORE TRUCKS GOING IN AND OUT OF THOSE AREAS.

THOSE TRUCKS CAUSE POLLUTION.

>> CAN YOU SHARE BRIEFLY WITH US HOW THE GOOD NEIGHBOR PLAN WILL WORK?

HOW IT MIGHT ACTUALLY AFFECT POLLUTION?

>> IN ILLINOIS, WE DO NOT HAVE BIG POWER PLANTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE THE BIG POLLUTERS.

SO, WE ARE FOCUSING ON NON-ELECTRIC GENERATING UNITS.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT TIERS, TIER ONE AND TIER TWO, BUT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF THIS POLLUTION, WHICH ARE THESE HIGH-POLLUTION FACILITIES.

SO, WE NEED TO START THINKING ABOUT HOW WE LOWER THAT THE MISSION BENCHMARK.

MY COLLEAGUES AND I AT USC HAVE BEEN REALLY WORKING ON THAT.

>> GINA, BACK TO YOU, AS WE KNOW, THEY ARE CONCENTRATING POLLUTERS IN BLACK AND BROWN NEIGHBORHOODS.

HOW DOES THAT AFFECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS?

>> WE KNOW COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ARE AT FIRST AND WORST.

WE ARE THE ONES THAT LIVE RIGHT NEXT TO THESE FACILITIES, AND HAVE BEEN SOUNDING THE ALARM FOR YEARS.

BUT NOW, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IMPACT EVERYONE, EVEN AT AN INTERSTATE LEVEL, WHEN IT COMES TO SMOG.

SO, WE REALLY NEED TO GET TO THE ROOT OF THIS PROBLEM, WHICH IS FIXING BROKEN LAND USE AND ZONING POLICIES AT THE CITY LEVEL.

WE NEED TO GO MICRO AND ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.

IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, THE SOUTHEAST SIDE, THERE ARE OVER 100 INDUSTRIES THAT LINEUP ALONG THE RIVER BUT WE FEEL THAT BURDEN OF POLLUTION ON OUR HEALTH, ON OUR FOOD SYSTEMS, ON OUR TRANSPORTATION.

YOU KNOW, ECONOMICALLY, WE ARE IN DESPAIR, HERE.

SO, I THINK PASSING STATE LEGISLATION AND CITY ORDINANCES TO ADDRESS THE CUMULATIVE IMPACT OF POLLUTION CAN GO A LONG WAY.

>> IS THERE ALSO, YOU THINK, MORE TO BE DONE ABOUT AIR POLLUTION?

>> ABSOLUTELY, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO BE DONE.

I THINK, ALONG WITH WHAT GINA HAS STATED, IN ADDITION TO THAT, I BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES HAVE BEEN SET UP TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES , BUT THEY SHOULD DO A BETTER JOB OF DOING SO.

I THINK, FROM MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, THEY HAVE NOT DONE MUCH.

I FEEL LIKE WE ARE ALWAYS FIGHTING WITH THE AIR, BECAUSE WE THINK THESE AGENCIES ARE THERE TO PROTECT US, BUT SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THEY ARE WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH INDUSTRY, AND THE INDUSTRY GET WHAT THEY WANT TO CONTINUE OPERATION, TO CONTINUE PROFITING FROM THEIR BUSINESSES AT THE COST OF OUR HEALTH.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, I THINK THE ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY , THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, SHOULD HAVE CONCERTED STRONGER EFFORTS TO REALLY PROTECT VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES, JUST LIKE WAUKEGAN, JUST LIKE THE SOUTHEAST SIDE.

THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO DO.

>> THANK YOU, DULCE.

PHILIP, SAME QUESTION, BUT WE HAVE LESS THAN 30 SECONDS.

WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO?

>> WE HAVE TO START PUTTING IN EXTRA SIZE AND EFFORT FOR CLEAN ENERGY JOBS FOR THE WORKING CLASS.

THIS IS NOT JUST FOR COLLEGE GRADUATES, THESE ARE UNION JOBS THAT WE CAN PULL IN, AND NOT JUST FOCUSING ON HIGH POLLUTION INDUSTRIES.

>> THANK YOU BUT I WANT TO THANK PHILIP ODOM, GINA RAMIREZ, AND DULCE ORTIZ FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>>> A LINE OF MOURNERS STRETCHED FOR BLOCKS THIS WEEK TO PLAY FINAL RESPECTS TO OFFICER -- WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED LAST WEEK EMMA RESPONDED TO A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COPIED CHICAGO TONIGHT'S JOANNA HERNANDEZ WAS AT THE FUNERAL.

TELL US MORE ABOUT HOW HE IS BEING REMEMBERED.

>> Reporter: A SEA OF BLUE WRAPPED AROUND 32-YEAR-OLD OFFICER ANDRES -- HUNDREDS CAME FROM NEAR AND FAR TO PAY TRIBUTE.

>> WE GATHER TO HONOR OUR BROTHER.

WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR THE YEARS THAT HE ALLOWED US TO SHARE IN HIS LIFE.

>> REPORTER:'S FAMILY AND BROTHERS IN BLUE CAME TOGETHER FOR HIS FUNERAL SERVICE AT SAINT RITA OF -- SHRINE CHAPEL.

>> ANDRES WAS ONE OF THE BRAVEST AND MOST SELFLESS INDIVIDUALS I HAVE EVER KNOWN.

>> Reporter: JOHN VASQUEZ, HOLDING BACK TEARS, DESCRIBING HIS COUSIN AS A PASSIONATE OFFICER WHO ALWAYS PUT OTHERS FIRST.

>> WE WILL SAY FAREWELL, BUT WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET THE SACRIFICES YOU MADE, AND MORE THAN ANYTHING, THE MEMORIES YOU LEAVE BEHIND.

>> Reporter: VASQUEZ-LASSO SERVED FIVE YEARS WITH THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

HIS COMMANDER , BRIAN SPRING, SAYS OF THE YOUNG OFFICER DREAMED OF BECOMING A DETECTIVE ONE DAY.

>> AND HE WOULD HAVE ACHIEVED IT.

ANYONE WHO KNEW HIM NOTED THE PRIDE IN HIS APPEARANCE, HIS PROFESSIONALISM, HIS DEDICATION TO FITNESS, AND HIS PASSION FOR FOOTBALL.

>> Reporter: VASQUEZ-LASSO MIGRATED WITH HIS FAMILY TO CHICAGO FROM COLUMBIA WHEN HE WAS 18 YEARS OLD.

HE WENT TO COLLEGE, AND AT 27 YEARS OLD, ENROLLED IN THE POLICE ACADEMY.

>>'S MOTHER, LUCILLE, ALWAYS CALLED HIM "MY POLICE OFFICER."

SHE SAID HE NEVER STOPPED WORKING TO TAKE CARE OF, PROTECT, AND PROVIDE FOR HIS FAMILY.

>> Reporter: THE SERVICE, ALSO HELD IN SPANISH TO CELEBRATE HIS ROOTS.

HIS WIFE, MELINA, TOO HEARTBROKEN TO SPEAK, HELD ONTO HIS FAMILY.

>> HE WAS SUCH A GOOD AND COURTEOUS HUSBAND ACCORDING TO MELINA, THAT HER FRIENDS TEASED HER ABOUT HOW MUCH OF A GENTLEMAN HE WAS.

HE ALSO LOVED SALSA, OFTEN TAKING ELENA TO DANCE WITH HIM.

>> Reporter: ON MARCH 1st, OFFICER VASQUEZ-LASSO WOKE UP NOT KNOWING THAT IT WOULD BE HIS LAST, A REMINDER HIS FELLOWS OFFICERS A, OF THE RISK THEY TAKE EVERY DAY TO "PROTECT" CHICAGO.

>> BEHIND THIS UNIFORM, THERE IS ANOTHER HUMAN BEING, JUST LIKE YOU.

THIS UNIFORM DOES NOT MAKE ME A ROBOT, THIS UNIFORM IS A SYMBOL OF CONTROL, NOT HATE.

THIS IS A SYMBOL OF US VERSUS THEM.

I HATE THE JUSTICE AND LAWLESSNESS AS WELL, IMPUNITY IS WHY I BECAME A COP.

EVEN THOUGH I CANNOT CHANGE THE WORLD, I CAN -- PERSON COME IN CONTACT WITH.

>> Reporter: FOR LATINA VOICES, I AM JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> Reporter: AFTER THE FUNERAL, LASSO FAMILY ATTENDED A FUNERAL SERVICE.

SO A MESS, A NATIONWIDE SORT SHORTAGE OF ASTHMA MEDICATION.

>>> MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM ABOUT A SHORTAGE OF MEDICATION THAT IS USED TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH ASTHMA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY DISEASES.

A MAJOR U.S.

SUPPLIER TO HOSPITALS OF LIQUID ALBUTEROL RECENTLY SHUT DOWN, WHICH HAS COST AN ONGOING SHORTAGE TO GET WORSE.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE IS DR. MARGARITA MORA, MEDICAL SUPPORT FOR FOR THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION AND AN ALLERGIST-IMMUNOLOGIST BASED HERE IN CHICAGO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU ABOUT THIS SHORTAGE?

>> VERY CONCERNED, ALEX.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE STATS, WE HAVE 25 MILLION ASTHMATIC PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATE, 25 BILLION ADULTS, 5 MILLION KIDS, AND 24 MILLION COPD OR EMPHYSEMA PATIENTS.

PLUS ALL THE OTHER RESPIRATORY DISEASES.

WE ARE ABOUT TO HEAD INTO ALLERGIC ASTHMA SEASON.

WE HAVE HAD AN UNUSUALLY MILD WINTER, EVEN HERE, IN CHICAGO.

THAT MEANS THE POLLEN SEASON IS GOING TO BE EARLY AND LONG.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF ASTHMATIC PATIENTS WHO WILL NEED LIQUID ALBUTEROL.

WE COULD GET A BAD COVID VARIANT, OR WE COULD GO BACK INTO RESPIRATORY VIRAL DISEASE AGAIN IN THE WINTER, AND NOT HAVE THIS LIFE-SAVING MEDICATION THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO BREATHE.

>> CAN YOU DESCRIBE BRIEFLY HOW PATIENTS USE THIS MEDICATION?

>> THIS MEDICATION, ALBUTEROL LIQUID, ALLOWS PATIENTS TO HAVE TIGHT LUNGS, OR WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO BREATHE WITH A BAD COUGH, TO HAVE RELIEF OF THAT SHORTNESS OF BREATH, AND GET THEIR LUNGS OPEN.

IT IS MAINLY USED BY KIDS, ESPECIALLY LITTLE ONES, WHO CANNOT REALLY USE THE INHALER ALBUTEROL.

IT IS ALSO USED BY OLDER PEOPLE AND VERY SICK PATIENTS WHO CANNOT HAVE THE INHALER.

THEY GO INTO THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, AND THIS IS WHAT THEY USE TO GET THEIR LUNGS OPENED UP.

>> HAVE YOU ALREADY HAD TO TELL PATIENTS ABOUT THE SHORTAGE?

>> YES, I HAVE, ALEX.

BECAUSE SOME -- UNABLE TO BUY LIQUID ALBUTEROL, ONE AT MY CLINIC WAS ACTUALLY TOLD BY HER PEDIATRICIAN THAT IF THE LITTLE GIRL ASTHMA WAS EXACT EXACERBATED, AT ONLY FIVE YEARS OF AGE, THAT SHE SHOULD GO TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OR HOSPITAL, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO LIQUID ALBUTEROL FOR HER TO HAVE AT HOME.

AND THE E.R., ALEX, IS 30 MINUTES AWAY.

THIS MOM WAS SCARED.

>> I BET.

HOW HAVE OTHER PATIENTS RESPONDED TO THIS?

>> A LOT OF THEM ARE CONCERNED.

THIS IS WHY THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION IS HOPING TO REACH THE FDA, WHO ACTUALLY TWEETED YESTERDAY, ALEX, THAT THEY ARE ENCOURAGING OTHER PHARMACEUTICALS TO HELP PITCH IN AND PRODUCE LIQUID ALBUTEROL.

THEY ARE ALSO TRYING TO OUTSOURCE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, SO THEY CAN MEET THE DEMAND BEFORE WE REACH A DISASTROUS SITUATION.

>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER ALTERNATIVES, DOCTOR, TO THIS KIND OF DRUG?

>> YES, ALBUTEROL INHALERS.

THE INHALER IS NOT IN SHORTAGE, WHICH IS A GOOD THING.

SO, MAKING SURE THAT PATIENTS HAVE AN UP-TO-DATE INHALER, ACTION PLAN, ASTHMA ACTION PLAN, AND THEY SHOULD TALK TO THEIR DOCTORS, TOO.

IF THEY NORMALLY WOULD USE ALBUTEROL LIQUID, WHAT ALTERNATIVES DO THEY HAVE?

>> DR., I KNOW THE SUPPLY SHORTAGE HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE SUMMER, BUT HOW IS THIS CHANGING THINGS?

HOW HAS THIS RECENT SHUTDOWN CHANGE THINGS EVEN MORE?

>> RIGHT, ACORN, BASICALLY FILED BANKRUPTCY IN MAY OF 2020 BUT THEN HE WENT INTO SHORTAGE BECAUSE THEY DOWNGRADED PRODUCTION.

NOW, WE HAVE ONE PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLYING LIQUID ALBUTEROL , THAT IS WHY IT IS SO CONCERNED, BECAUSE THEY CANNOT MEET THE DEMAND.

SO, WITH ALL THESE MILLIONS OF PATIENTS THAT MIGHT NEED THE MEDICATION.

>> WHAT KIND OF ACTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE OFFICIALS TAKE IN RESPONSE TO THIS SHORTAGE?

>> I AM HOPING THAT A CEO OF A PHARMACEUTICAL MIGHT BE TOUCHED BY THE STORIES OF THESE ASTHMATICS, AND DECIDE TO HELP, JUST LIKE THEY DID WITH COVID-19.

A LOT OF PHARMACEUTICALS PITCHED IN TO GET THE VACCINES ROLLING, MEDICATIONS AS WELL.

I WANT THEM TO PITCH IN FOR ALL THE LITTLE ONES, ALL THESE OLDER ADULTS, EVERYONE WITH ASTHMA AND COPD, SO THAT WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE, ALEX, AND WE ARE ABLE TO SAVE LIVES, AND NOT FALL INTO A DISASTROUS SITUATION, WHERE PEOPLE'S LIVES WOULD BE AT RISK.

>> THAT IS WHAT WE ARE ALL HOPING FOR.

DR. WANITA MORA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>>> UP NEXT, A SNEAK PEEK AT A LOCAL FOOD PANTRY'S NEW HOME.

STAY WITH US.

>>> SINCE IT FIRST OPENED INSIDE A HEALTH CLINIC IN 2018 AND MOVED TO A FORMER CHURCH IN 2019, THE PILLS AND FOOD PANTRY'S OFFERINGS AND INNOVATION HAVE ONLY GROWN.

NOW, THEY PURCHASED A TWO STORY BUILDING ON ASHLAND AVENUE AND 21st STREET THAT THEY HOPE WILL ALLOW THEM EVEN MORE ROOM TO GROW EVEN FURTHER, AND BETTER SERVE THE THOUSANDS OF CHICAGOANS WHO RELY ON THEM.

HERE IS A SNEAK PEEK.

>> WE ARE AT 21st AND ASHLAND, WHICH IS THE SITE OF THE NEW PILSEN FOOD PANTRY.

PRIMARILY OPERATING AND KNOWN AS A FOOD PANTRY, SO, WE CURRENTLY SERVE ABOUT 2000 FAMILIES PER MONTH.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE OPERATE A CLOTHING THRIFT STORE.

WE DO PRO BONO PHYSICAL THERAPY.

WE GIVE OUT DONATED MEDICAL ACCESS EQUIPMENT.

WE DO COVID TESTING, NARCAN DISTRIBUTION, HEALTH SCREENINGS.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

WE ARE IN A D CONSECRATED CHURCH, BUT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PURCHASE A BUILDING FOR A COUPLE YEARS, NOW.

WE HAVE MONEY WE RAISED ALREADY IN ACCOUNTS, WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT.

WE CAN PROCEED WITH A LOT OF STUFF QUICKLY.

THE MONEY WE ARE TRYING TO RAISES FOR SPECIFIC THINGS THAT WE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT, THINGS LIKE MOVING A CONCRETE RAMP OUTSIDE, THINGS LIKE THAT.

UNANTICIPATED EXPENSES .

THE PLAN IS DOWN THE ROAD TO POSSIBILITY PUT IN AN ELEVATOR.

WE WILL BE FULLY A.D.A.

COMPLIANT, SO WE CAN SERVE ANYBODY.

YOU CAN SEE ON OUR WEBSITE WE HAVE A PAGE TO NOT ONLY DONATE MONEY, BUT ALSO TO DONATE SUPPLIES AND TIME.

WE ARE GREAT WITH SOCIAL MEDIA, SO, IF YOU FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM, YOU WILL FIND A LOT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT AND WHERE YOU CAN DONATE.

IT IS OUR OWN PLACE, OUR IDENTITY.

WE ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH A CHURCH OR ANYBODY ELSE , PEOPLE WILL KNOW IT FOR US AND THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO THE COMMUNITY.

WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT, YOU KNOW, STEPPING ON THE TOES OF A LANDLORD OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

IT IS OUR PLACE.

SO, ANY OF THESE THINGS THAT WE HAVE IDEAS ABOUT DOING , THEY CAN ACTUALLY COME TO FRUITION IN THIS SPACE.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO DONATE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> JUST WEEKS BEFORE HURRICANE FIONA HIT PUERTO RICO LAST SEPTEMBER, A VALUABLE COLLECTION OF PAINTINGS ARRIVED IN CHICAGO FROM THE ISLAND.

THEY ARE ON LOAN FROM AN ART MUSEUM ON THE SOUTHERN COAST .

NOW, CHICAGO NATIONAL MUSEUM OF PUERTO RICAN ARTS AND CULTURE IS THE TEMPORARY HOME TO A SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT EXHIBIT.

PRODUCER MARK McNALLY VISITED THE MUSEUM IN HUMBLE PARK.

>> THIS COLLECTION COMES FROM -- ART MUSEUM, IT IS REALLY THE FIRST MUSEUMS OPEN UP IN THE CARIBBEAN, ACCREDITED BACK IN 1959.

>> MUCH OF THE MUSEUM REMAINS CLOSE, FOLLOWING AN EARTHQUAKE IN 2020.

>> THEY HAD THE BIGGEST SELECTION IN THE ENTIRE CARIBBEAN, THEY WANTED TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT.

THEY WANTED TO REACH OUT TO DIFFERENT PLACES , SO THEY REACHED OUT TO US.

I SAID I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE AN ART COLLECTION, AN ART EXHIBIT, MADE OF PUERTO RICAN ARTISTS.

>> IT IS HISTORICAL ARTIST DATING AS FAR BACK AS THE 1700s, INCLUDING PAINTING CREATED DURING PUERTO RICO'S COLONIAL ERA.

MOST FOCUS ON THE LANDSCAPE AND THE PEOPLE OF THE ISLAND.

>> NOT ONLY WILL YOU FEEL NOSTALGIC, BUT IT HAS YOU DREAMING, HAS YOU THINKING , THE EXHIBIT DEALS WITH THREE ISSUES , MY PEOPLE, MY ISLAND, MY HOME.

THESE PIECES AS A WHOLE HAVE NEVER LEFT THE ISLAND.

AS PUERTO RICANS, WE HAVE SEEN THEM IN BOOKS, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN PICTURES OF THEM, BUT HAVE NEVER REALLY SEEN THEM IN PERSON.

SO, FOR US TO HAVE THIS COLLECTION HERE IS JUST A REMARKABLE THING.

>> THE MUSEUM AND HUMBOLDT PARK UPGRADED HIS GALLERIES TO SECURE AND PROTECT THESE RARE WORKS.

MOST OF THEM WERE PAINTED IN OIL.

WE MET A VOLUNTEER WHO IS ALSO AN ARTIST, AND HE GREW UP IN THE TOWN OF -- >> IT IS REALLY EMOTIONAL.

LIKE, THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE THIS TYPE OF DIVISION.

BETWEEN CHICAGO AND THE U.S.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL DEFINITELY BE PROUD TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE MUSEUM IN PONCE, BE ABLE TO SEE THIS WORK, HERE.

IT WILL BE GREAT.

YOU SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> SOMETHING THAT DID NOT MAKE IT OUT OF PUERTO RICO BEFORE THE HURRICANE, MOST OF THE CATALOG FOR THE EXHIBITION REMAIN ON THE ISLAND.

>> WHAT I WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY IS THERE IS HISTORY BEHIND US.

YES, WE ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS, BUT YOU SHOULD ALSO TAKE A LOSS LOOK AT WHO WE ARE.

PUERTO RICANS ARE ONE THIRD SPANISH, ONE THIRD AFRICAN, AND ONE THIRD INDIAN.

THIS EXPLAINS EXACTLY WHO WE ARE AS PUERTO RICANS.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES, THIS IS MARK ATTALI.

>> EXHIBITION IS CALLED NOSTALGIA FOR MY ISLAND, AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF PUERTO RICAN ARTS AND CULTURE AND HUMBOLDT PARK.

BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP AFTER THIS.

>> THAT WILL BE OURS OVER THIS WEEKEND.

BE SURE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE, NEWS.WTTW.COM, FOR THE VERY LATEST FROM WTTW NEWS.

WHILE YOU ARE THERE, MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO VOTING EARLY IN THE CHICAGO RUNOFF ELECTIONS FOR MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.

IF YOU ARE WATCHING US ON SATURDAY NIGHT, KNOW THAT YOU CAN ALSO CATCH LATINA VOICES AND BLACK VOICES ON SUNDAY, BEGINNING AT 10:00 P.M. NOW, FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

DON'T FORGET TO TUNE IN EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING.

I WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

HAVE AN AWESOME WEEKEND.

BE SAFE.