>>> GOOD EVENING AND BIENVENIDOS TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES."

I AM ALEX HERNANDEZ OF NOTICIAS UNIVISION CHICAGO, WHICH AIRS EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING AT 5:00 AND 6:00.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT, WITH THE END OF THE POLICY KNOWN AS TITLE 42 COULD MEAN FOR THE COUNTRY'S ALREADY CHAOTIC IMMIGRATION SYSTEM.

WHY SOME PARENTS WANT A DO OVER OF CHICAGO'S ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.

FRANCISCO ON WHAT HE SAYS PEOPLE RETURNING FROM INCARCERATION NEED IN ORDER TO BECOME AN ASSET TO THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> SHE HELPED ME FIND WHO I AM AS A WOMAN.

>>> HOW A GROUP OF PERFORMERS AND ARTISTS ARE KEEPING THE LEGACY OF SELENA ALIVE.

>>> ALL THAT COMING UP.

>>> TITLE 42 HAS OFFICIALLY COME TO AN END.

WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THOSE SEEKING ASYLUM IN THE U.S. THAT IS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES."

IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> THE POLICY KNOWN AS TITLE 42 OFFICIALLY ENDS THIS WEEK.

PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER ALLOWS AUTHORITIES TO QUICKLY EXPEL MIGRANTS AT U.S.

BORDERS IN AN EFFORT TO STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

UNDER THE POLICY , MORE THAN 2.8 MILLION MIGRANTS WERE EXPELLED , ACCORDING TO CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION'S DATA.

BUT THE POLICY HAS CREATED MORE CONFUSION AND MISINFORMATION AMONG THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING ASYLUM IN THE U.S.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE , MEDIA RELATIONS SPECIALIST AT YOUNG CENTER FOR IMMIGRANT CHILDREN'S RIGHTS.

AND DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS .

I WANT TO WELCOME BOTH.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE FOR THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC.

I WANT TO START WITH YOU, ELENA.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THE SITUATION AT THE BORDER HAS ALREADY BEEN CALLED CHAOTIC FOR SOME TIME NOW.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THE END OF TITLE 42?

>> I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE QUITE CHALLENGING FOR THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE HE REALLY HAS TO DEAL WITH THE BACKLOG OF 2 1/2 YEARS OF PEOPLE TRYING TO COME TO THE U.S. TO SEEK PROTECTION.

THOSE ARE THE EXPECTATIONS.

AND THAT HAS ALSO DRIVEN MORE PEOPLE TO THE BORDER.

IT IS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT CONFRONTED BEFORE.

>> ANNABELLE, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE EFFECT WILL BE ON FAMILIES AND CHILDREN AFTER THE TITLE 42 ENDS?

>> FIRST, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME ON.

I THINK THE EFFECT ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THAT WERE GOING TO SEE IS GOING TO BE VERY SIMILAR, IF NOT WORSE THAN WHAT WE SAW UNDER TITLE 42 WITH THIS NEW ASYLUM BEEN TAKING EFFECT.

REALLY WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT IT IS GOING TO BE DEVASTATING.

A LOT OF FAMILIES AND PARENTS ARE GOING TO BE FORCED INTO SITUATIONS WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SEPARATE OR CHOOSE TO SEPARATE FROM THEIR CHILDREN SO THAT THEIR CHILDREN CAN HAVE A SHOT AT SEEKING ASYLUM ALONE AT THE BORDER.

WHAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE IS A DEFECTIVE FAMILY SEPARATION AS A RESULT OF THIS REALLY CRUEL AND INHUMANE POLICY.

>> IT IS HARD TO SEE THOSE IMAGES AGAIN.

IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE SEEN THOSE IMAGES.

BUT SEEING THEM AGAIN TELLS US THE EFFECT THAT THIS COULD HAVE.

ALAYNA, YOU SAY THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM OF MESSAGING FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THAT MEANS ?

>> I THINK THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS HAD A LONG TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE CHANGES IT IS UNDERTAKEN.

THE POLICIES WERE ANNOUNCED VERY RECENTLY AND IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW THOSE POLICIES ARE GOING TO BE PUT INTO PLACE.

GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE CPP FUNCTIONS WOULD MAKE A GREAT DIFFERENCE.

UNDERSTANDING THE PAROLE PROGRAM AND WHO CAN APPLY TO IT AND NOT WOULD BE GREAT.

THERE IS ANNOUNCEMENT OF A PERL PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN NATIONALITIES AS WELL.

THE POLICIES ARE NOT CLEAR.

PEOPLE AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER ARE STRUGGLING WITH MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

SO A MORE ROBUST COMMUNICATION EFFORT FROM THIS ADMINISTRATION WOULD REALLY MAKE A CHANGE.

THAT IS WHAT SHOULD HAVE STARTED MONTHS AHEAD.

>> SPEAKING OF , YOU ARE MENTIONING THE APP.

THE APP HAD A VERY BUMPY LAUNCH.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THIS WILL EVEN MAKE THINGS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT FOR ASYLUM-SEEKERS?

>> YES.

WHAT I WILL FIRST SAY IS THAT I DO AGREE IT IS A PROBLEM OF MESSAGING.

I WILL ALSO SAY I THINK IT IS A PROBLEM OF LACK OF POLITICAL WILL ON THE PART OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE THERE ARE RESOURCES TO WELCOME ASYLUM-SEEKERS.

AS IT PERTAINS TO THE APP, IT IS PEOPLE THAT HAVE ACCESS TO A PHONE AND WI-FI AND THAT CAN SECURE AN APPOINTMENT ON THOSE APPS, WHICH IS KNOWN TO BE DIFFICULT FOR FAMILY UNITS IN THE LANGUAGE THAT THE ASYLUM-SEEKERS SPEAKS.

THE APP IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN THREE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES.

THAT ALREADY MAKES IT DIFFICULT.

IF THE FAMILY IS ABLE TO SECURE ONE OF THE LIMITED APPOINTMENTS AND MAKE THEIR ASYLUM CASE, THEY ARE GOING TO DO SO UNDER EXPEDITED PROCESSES, WHICH REALLY SETS FAMILIES UP TO FAIL.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS THEY GET A SHORT WINDOW TO MAKE THEIR ASYLUM CLAIMS THAT DON'T TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE WAY THAT TRAUMA AFFECTS HOW SOMEONE CAN EFFECTIVELY MAKE A CASE.

CHILDREN AND NEEDING TIME TO MAKE A CASE.

>> IS THIS APP MEANT FOR ASYLUM-SEEKERS TO DO IT BEFORE THEY EVEN LEAVE THEIR COUNTRY?

>> I THINK THERE IS A PLAN FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO HAVE ASYLUM-SEEKERS TRY TO GET AN APP IF THEY ARE ALREADY AT THE BORDER.

BUT ALSO TO USE THAT APPLICATION IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY ALONG THEIR JOURNEY TO TRY TO SECURE THE APPOINTMENT.

AGAIN, IT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BE GLITCHY AND HAVE A LOT OF RACIAL COMPONENTS WERE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE FACES OF BLACK ASYLUM-SEEKERS.

>> PROBLEMS EVERYWHERE WE LOOK.

ALAYNA, HOW HAS MEXICO RESPONDED TO THIS CRISIS?

WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DO THEY ACTUALLY HAVE TWO GIVE ASYLUM TO MIGRANTS?

>> WELL, THEY HAVE THE SAME RESPONSIBILITY THE UNITED STATES HAS.

THEY ARE SIGNATORIES OF THE REFUGEE CONVENTION.

THEY ALSO HAVE THE DEFINITION OF WHO IS A REFUGEE.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LACKING RESOURCES.

ASYLUM OFFICES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING ON THE NORTHERN BORDER.

THE SECOND QUESTION IS WHETHER REALLY MEXICO CAN OFFER IT AND THE POSSIBILITY FOR INTEGRATION.

THAT IS WHY PEOPLE DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MEXICO.

>> THAT IS THEIR ULTIMATE GOAL.

TO COME TO THE U.S. NOT TO STAY IN MEXICO, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WHAT IS THE OBLIGATION THE U.S. HAS TO MAKE REFUGEES SAFE?

>> I THINK THE U.S.

UNDER ASYLUM LAW HAS AN OBLIGATION -- BOTH MORAL AND LEGAL -- TO ACCEPT ASYLUM-SEEKERS HOWEVER THEY TRAVEL TO THE U.S.

IT SHOULD NOT MATTER WHICH COUNTRIES THEY COME FROM.

IT SHOULD NOT MATTER HOW THEY GOT HERE.

AND IT CERTAINLY SHOULDN'T MATTER THE METHOD IN WHICH THEY ARRIVED AT THE BORDER.

ASYLUM LAW, WHICH HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR DECADES, GUARANTEES THAT RIGHT.

THE FACT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS PUTTING A BAND IN EFFECT FOLLOWING THE POLICIES OF ITS PREDECESSOR AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS REALLY ABORTED AND INHUMANE.

>> ELAINA, HOW MUCH OF IT IS A LOGISTICAL PROBLEM OF THE GOVERNMENT SIMPLY NOT BEING ABLE TO SCALE UP?

>> I THINK IT IS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE PROBLEM, BUT ALSO PUTTING IN PLACE NEW REGULATIONS AT THIS VERY MOMENT -- I THINK IT IS A RELATIVELY NEW DECISION.

>> ANNABELLE -- CHICAGO HAS DIFFICULTY TAKING IN AS MANY MIGRANTS TO THE CITY THAT HAVE ARRIVED THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ABOUT THE ABILITY OF THE COUNTRY ?

>> I THINK OFTENTIMES WHAT WE SEE IN THE NEWS ARE REALLY HARMFUL , ANTI-IMMIGRANT NARRATIVES .

A SURGE OF MIGRANTS COMING IN.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT WE NEED TO REMEMBER IS THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE HUMAN BEINGS.

THEY DESERVE DIGNITY, HUMANITY, AND RESPECT.

CHICAGO, ONE OF THE MOST WELCOMING CITIES IN THE WORLD.

A CITY THAT I CALL HOME.

WE ALSO HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO WELCOME ASYLUM-SEEKERS.

AND I AM SEEING THAT THROUGH VOLUNTEER LED EFFORTS ON THE GROUND.

IT REALLY IS UP TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE RESOURCES IN THE CITY TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT TO ASYLUM FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.

HAS THE WEALTHIEST NATION IN THE WORLD, THERE IS REALLY NO EXCUSE.

>> ALAYNA, CAN WE EXPECT EVEN MORE MIGRANTS NOW WITH TITLE VIII?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SO GET READY.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

UP NEXT, EFFORTS TO HELP THOSE RETURNING FROM INCARCERATION.

STAY WITH US.

♪ ♪ >>> EVERY YEAR, THOUSANDS OF ILLINOISANS LEAVE INCARCERATION AND BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REINTEGRATION INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST BARRIERS THEY ENCOUNTER IS FINDING BUSINESSES THAT WILL HIRE THEM.

THE CHICAGO WORK FIRST PARTNERSHIP IS CONNECTING RETURNING CITIZENS WITH BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRIES WHO NEED WORKERS.

AS PART OF WTTW'S ONGOING INITIATIVE , HE GIVES ON WHY CREATING SMOOTHER LANDSCAPE IS GOOD BUSINESS FOR EVERYONE.

>> MY NAME IS FRANCISCO PEREZ.

RE-ENTRY NAVIGATOR FOR THE PARTNERSHIP.

I AM ONE OF THE CREATORS OF THE PROGRAM .

THE ROAD HOME PROGRAM IS A YEAR-LONG PROGRAM THAT HELPS PEOPLE INCARCERATED FROM PRELOAD RELEASE ALL THE WAY TO POST RELEASE.

AND IN RETENTION.

IT IS A YEAR WORTH OF SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ANYBODY THAT HAS BEEN INCARCERATED.

EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I DID NOT LET IT MAKE ME.

I DID NOT LET IT DEPICT WHAT I WAS GOING TO TURN OUT IN LIFE.

I USED THAT AND BUILT THE PROGRAM BASED UPON WHAT WE NEED.

WHAT OUR NEEDS ARE.

WHAT THE BARRIERS ARE.

EVERYTHING FROM A CAREER COACH TO JOB READINESS COACH.

SOMETIMES IT GETS PERSONAL.

YOU MEET THESE PEOPLE.

YOU ARE FROM THE SAME NEIGHBORHOODS.

YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE SAME THING.

THOSE GUYS JUST WANT TO COME HOME AND WORK AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES.

AND WITH MORE OPPORTUNITY.

COMING HOME AND HAVING A JOB AND SAYING, OKAY, I DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK TO THAT CORNER AND SELL DRUGS.

I DON'T HAVE TO GO ROB OR STEAL.

I DON'T HAVE TO CUT CORNERS TO DO THINGS.

I HAVE A JOB.

I HAVE SUPPORT.

I HAVE PLENTY OF GUYS I HAVE PUT TO WORK.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME TO THE PROGRAM THAT ARE OUTSTANDING CITIZENS.

MAYBE THEY JUST MADE A WRONG DECISION.

OR MAYBE THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG.

MAYBE IT WAS JUST VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCE.

BUT HAVING A BACKGROUND IS NOT A REASON NOT TO HIRE SOMEBODY.

RETURNING CITIZENS ARE STILL CITIZENS.

WE ARE THE SAME AS EVERYBODY ELSE.

IF I DIDN'T TELL YOU GUYS I HAD BEEN LOCKED UP, YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW.

WHERE WE ARE AT DOES NOT STOP US FROM WHERE WE ARE GOING.

IN ORDER TO HAVE A PLAN, YOU HAVE TO MAKE A PLAN.

TAKE THE CHANCE.

LOOK AT THE DATA.

SEE HOW SUCCESSFUL HIRING PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED OR THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM CAN BENEFIT THEIR COMPANY.

NOT ONLY ARE THEY BENEFITING THEIR COMPANY, THEY ARE BENEFITING THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> WE ALSO MET CAMERON HUCKABEE, WHO IS TRAINING WITH FRANCISCO TO BECOME A RE-ENTRY NAVIGATOR HIMSELF.

YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE STORY IN TONIGHT'S CHICAGO TONIGHT BLACK VOICES.

THERE IS MUCH MORE WTTW FIRST-HAND ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT IS AT WTTW.COM /FIRST-HAND.

>>> UP NEXT, SOME PARENTS WANT A DO OVER IF CHICAGO'S ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.

RIGHT AFTER THIS.

STICK WITH US.

>>> SOME PARENTS ARE CALLING ON LAWMAKERS TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD .

THIS AFTER LAWMAKERS RELEASED A DRAFT OF CHICAGO'S ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT.

THE PARENT SAY THE MAP DOES NOT ADEQUATELY REPRESENT THE MAJORITY LATINO POPULATION IN CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT SAYS THE MAPS ARE BASED OFF OF CHICAGO'S OVERALL POPULATION, MEANING LESS MAJORITY.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ARE SENIOR MANAGER OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER AT KIDS FIRST CHICAGO AND VANESSA ESPINOZA, CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARENT.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

I WANT TO START BY TALKING ABOUT THE STUDENT POPULATION , WHICH IS MAJORITY LATINO POPULATION.

47%.

WE SEE THE GRAPHIC HERE.

LATINOS MAKE UP 28% OF THE CITY POPULATION.

LAWMAKERS BASE THE MAPS OFF OF THE CITY POPULATION.

VANESSA, WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THAT?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US, FIRST.

SECOND, I THINK BASED ON THE FIRST DRAFT, IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FIRST DRAFT THAT THEY PUBLISHED , I THINK IT IS VERY UNCONSCIONABLE.

IT IS NOT REPRESENTING OUR POPULATION .

I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU GAVE THE STATS AND NUMBERS FROM THE CITY, BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DISTRICTS THAT ARE GOING TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THE SCHOOL.

THOSE DECISIONS AFFECT OUR STUDENTS.

THAT IS WHY WE ARE LOOKING FOR OR ADVOCATING FOR DISTRICTS THAT LOOK LIKE A CPS DEMOGRAPHIC.

>> LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE PROPOSED MAP.

THIS WAS THE LATEST RELEASED AT THE TIME OF THIS RECORDING.

WE SEE IT HERE.

THE PROCESS IS 70 MAJORITY WHITE DISTRICTS , SEVEN MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICTS AND SIX MAJORITY LATINO DISTRICTS.

WHY DO YOU THINK THE MAP SHOULD USE CPS OVER THE CITY POPULATION?

>> THE MAP SHOULD USE CPS DEMOGRAPHICS STUDENT DATA BECAUSE WE ARE ELECTING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS THAT ARE GOING TO BE REPRESENTING OUR STUDENTS .

OUR KIDS IN OUR SCHOOLS IN CPS AND OUR FAMILIES.

SO IT SHOULD REPRESENT -- THAT BOARD SHOULD REPRESENT THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES OF CPS.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT, YOU WOULD HAVE TO USE THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF CPS OR THE CITY'S DEMOGRAPHICS.

>> VANESSA, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MORE SPECIFIC NEEDS YOU SEE FOR LATINO STUDENTS AND PARENTS?

>> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR SOME MONTHS -- FOR SO LONG -- A COUPLE MONTHS.

I WANT TO SAY THAT ALL THE PARENTS -- WE AGREE THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD IS NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF CPS DEMOGRAPHICS.

THAT MEANS THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS -- I'M THINKING ABOUT HOW YOU'RE GOING TO KNOW WHAT A PROGRAM NEEDS.

WHAT ELSE DO THE STUDENTS NEED TO?

THAT IS WHY WE NEED BOARD MEMBERS .

IT IS KNOWN THAT BOARD MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY , THEY ARE GOING TO REPRESENT IT BETTER BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEIR NEEDS.

>> SO YOU WOULD SAY THOSE PROGRAMS SUFFER FROM LACK OF RESOURCES.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> KIDS FIRST-HAND HAVE ALSO POINTED TO ISSUES WITH NONCITIZENS ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BOARD.

WHAT ARE THOSE ISSUES?

>> WELL, AS THE LAW IS WRITTEN, NONCITIZENS CAN NEITHER RUN TO BE A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, NOR VOTE IN THE PROCESS, WHICH IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

WHERE IMMIGRATION STATUS DOES NOT PLAY A ROLE.

ANYONE CAN VOTE OR RUN IN THEIR LOCAL COUNSEL.

SO WE ARE CALLING FOR SOMETHING SIMILAR FOR ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD TO FUNCTION THE SAME WAY .

FOR EVERYONE TO BE ABLE TO RUN AND VOTE REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS.

>> WHAT EFFECTS DO YOU SEE IF THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN >> >> THEN YOU HAVE A LARGE PORTION OF STUDENTS AND FAMILIES NOT REPRESENTED IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.

THE ABILITY TO ELECT THEIR SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE.

AND WITH BOTH HAVING FEWER DISTRICTS ALLOCATED TO THE LATINO COMMUNITIES AND CITIZENS NOT BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE.

THAT IS GOING TO TAKE A BIG BLOW ON LATINO REPRESENTATION IN THE ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.

>> VANESSA, IN THE CURRENT PLAN, IS IT ACCESSIBLE FOR PARENTS ACTUALLY TO RUN THESE POSITIONS?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE COMPENSATION OR ANY TYPE OF STIPEND FOR THE PARENTS.

IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PARENTS RUNNING FOR THOSE KINDS OF SEATS OF THOSE POSITIONS IN THE ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PARENTS WHO ARE LOW INCOME PARENTS.

THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO RUN.

ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS NOT LIMITS IN THE CAMPAIGN SPENDING.

THEN THE MONEY IS GOING TO DICTATE WHO IS GOING TO WIN.

AND THEN PARENTS DON'T HAVE ANY CHANCE AT ALL.

THEY WON'T HAVE A VOICE.

>> JESSICA, WHAT OUR KIDS FIRST ASKING FROM LAWMAKERS?

>> WE ARE ASKING THEM TO HAVE A TRANSPARENT AND INCLUSIVE PROCESS IN THE CREATION OF THE ELECTORAL DISTRICT FOR THE ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.

WE'RE ASKING FOR THEIR RACIAL REPRESENTATION AND CREATION OF THOSE DISTRICTS.

WE ARE ASKING FOR NONCITIZEN PARTICIPATION .

CAMPAIGN SPENDING LIMITS.

AND WE ARE ALSO ASKING FOR ALL OF THIS SO THAT PARENTS CAN BE REPRESENTED ON THE BOARD.

BOTH SERVE AND RUN AND VOTE SO THAT THEIR STUDENTS AND THEIR KIDS CAN GET THE RESOURCES THAT PARENTS KNOW THAT THEY NEED.

>> WHAT WOULD BE THE NEXT COURSE OF ACTION?

>> SO, WE ARE WAITING TO SEE IF ANOTHER MAP IS RELEASED BY THE LEGISLATORS.

AND WE'RE WAITING TO SEE WHAT THAT MAP IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

IF THEY DID TAKE INTO ACCOUNT PUBLIC FEEDBACK, WHICH WAS TO INCREASE THE DISTRICTS FOR LATINO COMMUNITY SITES WHILE MAINTAINING THE SEVEN DISTRICTS FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITIES AND REDUCING THE DISTRICTS FOR THE WHITE COMMUNITY BY TWO.

SO WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY RELEASE A NEW MAP.

IF THEY DO AND IF WHAT THE PUBLIC HAS ASKED FOR , THEN WE WILL BE REALLY HAPPY WITH THAT.

IF THEY DON'T, WE WILL HAVE TO KEEP MAKING OUR VOICES BE HEARD, GIVING THE GUY FROM THE PARENTS SO THAT THEY CAN VOICE THEIR PRIORITIES.

>> ARE YOU HOPEFUL WE WILL EVENTUALLY SEE A NEW MAP?

>> YES.

I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO PUBLISH THE SECOND DRAFT.

I AM HOPEFUL THAT THEY ARE GOING TO LISTEN TO WHAT THE PUBLIC IS SAYING.

ESPECIALLY IF WE ARE THINKING THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE FAIR LIKE WE ARE ASKING THEM TO BE.

SO I'M HOPEFUL.

BUT WE WILL SEE.

>> ONLY TIME WILL TELL.

FOR NOW I WANT TO THANK BOTH OF YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANK YOU, VANESSA ESPINOZA.

>>> WE WILL BE BACK WITH MORE "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES."

DON'T GO AWAY.

♪ ♪ >>> SHE DIED NEARLY 30 YEARS AGO.

BUT HER STAR STILL BURNS BRIGHT IN LATIN MUSIC DESPITE HER RELATIVELY SHORT CAREER.

THIS WEEKEND, THE QUEEN OF MUSIC IS BEING CELEBRATED WITH A PERFORMANCE OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART IN CHICAGO.

CHICAGO TONIGHT'S NICK BLUMBERG VISITS IN PERSON.

>> Reporter: SELENA'S LIVE PERFORMANCES ARE LEGENDARY.

AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART, A GROUP OF PERFORMERS AND DRAG ARTISTS ARE BRINGING THAT LEGEND TO LIFE FOR CHICAGO AUDIENCES.

>> A LOT OF RED LIPSTICK.

BANGS.

NO.

I'M JUST JOKING.

THEY CAN EXPECT GREAT MEMORIES.

I THINK IT IS SUPER IMPORTANT WE CONTINUE TO KEEP THE LEGACY ALIVE.

>> Reporter: THAT LEGACY IS A BIG PART OF PERFORMER 'S LIFE.

>> THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME I EVER DRESSED UP COMPLETELY WITH HAIR , MAKEUP, EVERYTHING .

THE REACTION THAT I GOT FROM PEOPLE THAT LOVED SELENA WAS SO POSITIVE .

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, SHE HELPED ME FIND WHO I AM AS A WOMAN.

>> Reporter: NOW AS A SEASONED PERFORMER WHO FREQUENTLY PAYS TRIBUTE TO SELENA, MARIA HELPS OTHER PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES.

>> PEOPLE COME OUT TO ME.

A LOT OF PEOPLE TELL ME THEY FEEL SOMETHING SEEING ME PERFORM AND THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO TELL ME CERTAIN THINGS.

I'VE HAD A FEW PEOPLE COME UP TO ME AS TRANSGENDER.

AFTER PERFORMING.

AND IT IS A BEAUTIFUL MOMENT.

>> Reporter: THE SELENA ATTRIBUTE IS HELD MOST YEARS AS PART OF THE MUSEUM'S FESTIVAL, WHICH CELEBRATES MEXICAN AND MEXICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN.

>> HER PERSEVERANCE AND BEING ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH SO MUCH COMING FROM NOT THAT MUCH.

IT IS VERY, HARD TO DO.

A LOT OF MEXICAN-AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THIS EVENT IS A CHANCE FOR THE MUSEUM TO HONOR SELENA AS BOTH A MUSICIAN AND AN ICON TO THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY.

>> WE TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY FEEL SUPPORTED AND FEEL HEARD AND FEEL RIGHT AT HOME WHEN THEY COME TO OUR DOORS.

>> Reporter: AT A TIME WHEN ANTI-DRAGON AND ANTI-TRANS LEGISLATION IS SPREADING QUICKLY IN OTHER STATES, SHE SAYS SO SHOWS LIKE THE SELENA ATTRIBUTE ARE A DANCE PARTY AND A DEMONSTRATION.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO EMBRACE IT AND BE AS LOUD AND BEAUTIFUL AND AS VIBRANT AS WE CAN .

JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING SUPPRESSED RIGHT NOW.

SO I THINK WE CELEBRATE A LOT HARDER.

♪ ♪ >> Reporter: FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES" I'M NICK BLUMBERG.

DID YOU GET TICKETS FOR THE SELENA ATTRIBUTE DANCE PARTY ARE NOW SOLD OUT.

IF YOU MISSED IT THIS TIME, THE PARTY IS ON THE REGULAR FEATURE.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR A LINK TO THEIR EVENTS PAGE.

>>> WELL, THAT'S GOING TO BE OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT WTTW.COM/NEWS FOR THE VERY LATEST FROM WTTW NEWS.

WHILE YOU ARE THERE, MAKE SURE TO VISIT OUR LIST OF FIVE THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND.

IF YOU'RE WATCHING US ON FRIDAY NIGHT, YOU CAN ALSO CATCH LATINO VOICES AND BLACK VOICES ON SATURDAY BEGINNING AT 6:00 P.M. DON'T FORGET ALSO TO TUNE INTO NOTICIAS UNIVISION CHICAGO EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING.

I WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU AT 5:00 AND 6:00.

BEFORE WE GO, WE SHARE A LOOK AT THE 13 FOOT TALL -- WHEN SHE VISITED EARLIER THIS WEEK, IT REPRESENTS THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE STATE AND IS TRAVELING THROUGHOUT THE CITY AS PART OF MEXICO WEEK.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES", I AM ALEX HERNANDEZ.

♪ ♪ >>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES,