>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES.

I'M MADDEN ON THIS ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

STATE OFFICIALS SAID MORE MONEY TO CHICAGO TO HELP CARE FOR MIGRANTS Y SEASONAL AIR QUALITY IS PROVING TO BE MUCH WORSE THAN ITS NEIGHBORS.

A LOOK AT THE HOW A BILL GOING THROUGH SPRINGFIELD COULD HELP NON ENGLISH SPEAKERS ACCESS GOVERNMENT ACTS, SERVICES.

>> MORE BEEN THAT BIG AND THIS IS I WANT OPEN UP.

THIS IS THE FUTURE.

>> AND PLANT-BASED EATING IS ON THE RISE.

FIND OUT WHAT LOCAL MEXICAN RESTAURANTS ARE BRINGING TO THE TABLE FOR VEGANS.

AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

2 DOZEN PEOPLE ARE RECOVERING TONIGHT AFTER A TRAIN COLLISION EARLIER TODAY.

THE CRASH HAPPENED IN ROGERS PARK NORTH OF THE HOWARD STREET CTA STATION CAUSING SEVERAL DELAYS IN THE YELLOW PURPLE AND RED LINES.

FIRE OFFICIALS SAY THE TRAIN COLLIDED WITH THE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.

23 PEOPLE WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.

3 WITH SERIOUS INJURIES.

>> WE'VE TURNED IT OVER TO THE CTA.

THEY'VE RESTORED POWER BACK TO THE STATION.

WE WERE WORKING WELL NORTH OF THE STATION ABOUT 300 YARDS.

SO THEY HAVE A BIG INVESTIGATION TO DO OR BUYERS TO COME IN TAKE PICTURES.

WE HAVE THE POLICE GOING IN OR DO AN INVESTIGATION AS WELL.

THAT'S UP 8 HITS A FIGURE OUT WHAT DO.

IT ALL >> THE INCIDENT APPEARS TO BE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CTA DERAILMENT SINCE 2014.

NOW CHICAGO IS SET TO GET MORE MONEY FROM THE STATE TO CARE FOR MIGRANTS AS WINTER APPROACHES.

GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER ANNOUNCES THE STATE WILL SPEND AN ADDITIONAL 160 MILLION DOLLARS TO ASSIST THE CITY.

PRITZKER'S PLAN INCLUDES ASSEMBLING TEAMS TO HELP THE CITY PROVIDE SHELTER AND OTHER SERVICES TO THE MORE THAN 20,000 ASYLUM SEEKERS.

A PORTION OF THE MONEY WILL GO TOWARDS CREATING A WELCOME CENTER WHERE A TEAM WILL OVERSEE ARRIVE OR ARRIVALS.

PRITZKER SAYS THE MOVE WILL HELP SPEED UP THE PROCESS.

>> THE STATE IS ALSO FUNDING A NEW LIFE TEAM.

TO DEPLOY TO THE BUS LANDING ZONE TO ENSURE EVERY NEW ARRIVAL IS SUPPORTED IN A CHOICE TO SEEK ALTERNATE ARRANGEMENTS OUTSIDE THE CITY SHELTER SYSTEM.

WITH THIS APPROACH.

WE ANTICIPATE REDUCING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO NEED SHELTER BY APPROXIMATELY 10%.

>> FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE ANNOUNCED FOR CHICAGO FIREFIGHTER ANDREW PRICE.

39 YEAR-OLD PRICE WAS KILLED MONDAY AFTER FALLING THROUGH THE ROOF OF A LINCOLN PARK BUILDING WHILE BATTLING A FIRE.

THE FUNERAL SERVICE IS SET TO TAKE PLACE MONDAY AT THE NAVY PIER GRAND BALLROOM.

A PRIVATE VISITATION WILL BEGIN AT 09:00AM WITH THE PUBLIC SERVICE AT NOON.

OPENING STATEMENTS BEGIN IN THE CORRUPTION TRIAL OF FORMER ALDERMAN ED BURKE.

IT COMES AS JURY SELECTION FINISH TODAY AFTER A WEEKLONG DELAY BECAUSE AN ATTORNEY CONTACT CONTRACTED COVID 9 WOMEN AND 3 MEN WILL SERVE ON THE JURY.

BURKE FACES 14 CHARGES OF RACKETEERING, BRIBERY AND EXTORTION.

THERE'S MORE ON TODAY'S OPENING STATEMENTS ON OUR WEBSITE.

UP NEXT, WE EXPLORE POLLUTION CONCERNS IN A WESTERN SUBURB.

THAT'S RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICE HE'S MADE POSSIBLE IN BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> A YEARLONG INVESTIGATION REVEAL CHICAGO'S AIR QUALITY IS MUCH WORSE THAN ITS SURROUNDING COOK COUNTY'S NEIGHBORS SEASON.

THOSE I MEAN, THE PROJECT INVOLVES SENSORS INSTALLED AND MONITORED BY SEA SETTLES IN DEEP INDIAN AND ROCK PROVIDING DATA TO BACK UP WHAT MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS WERE ALREADY FEELING WEST SUBURBAN SEE SETTLE IS A LARGELY IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IN OVER 80% OF THE POPULATION IS LATINO.

JOINING US NOW TO DISCUSS FINDINGS ARE.

DID LITTLE DEVELOPMENT IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR WITH SEE SETTLE IN DEEP IN THE IN THING.

AND MARINA KOCH LACK A HEALTH GEOGRAPHER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF URBANA CHAMPAIGN.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

HE DIDN'T I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO TAKE VEST IN THIS INVESTIGATION ON INTO YOUR OWN HANDS?

AS THE NEWSROOM?

WELL, IT'S VERY COMMON IN CICERO TO HEAR COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE THAT SAY THAT THE AIR FEELS WEIRD OFF PEOPLE COMPLAINING THAT THERE'S WRY NECK SMELL IN THE AIR THAT COMES FROM THE WATER RECLAMATION PLANT OR SOMETIMES FEELING LIKE THERE'S SO WE KNOW THAT THERE'S BEEN STUDIES CONDUCTED IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO TO MEASURE THE AIR QUALITY.

AND WE WANTED TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHAT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN CICERO.

>> SO WE ENLISTED THE HELP OF DIFFERENT VOLUNTEERS.

RESIDENT SINCE HE SAID, OH, WE'LL SAID, LIKE, HEY, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I CARE ABOUT.

YOU KNOW, LET LET ME HOST ONE OF THE AIR MONITORS SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY LEARN ABOUT WHAT WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR TOWN.

AND AS INVESTIGATION POINTED OUT, SEASONAL RARELY EXCEEDS FEDERAL, CLEAN AIR ACT STANDARDS FOR AIR QUALITY.

WHAT RESULTS DID YOUR SENSOR SHOW?

OUR SENSES SHOW THAT, YOU KNOW, OUR SENSORS ARE MEASURING PM 2.5 SUIT DAILY, LIKE EVERY 2 MINUTES.

AND THERE'S ALREADY SENSORS IN THE AREA THAT MEASURE SAME PARTICULAR MATTER.

EVERY 6 DAYS.

BUT ARSON STIR SHOW THAT, YOU KNOW, COMPARED TO OTHER COMMUNITIES.

HE SAID ALL HAS SOME OF THE WORST AIR QUALITY, INCLUDING INDUSTRIAL ZONES, LIKE LITTLE VILLAGE.

OVER THE SUMMER.

WE SAW WHERE THAT PARTICULAR MATTER, SPITE, INCLUDING ON DAYS WHEN YES, THERE WILDFIRES HAPPENING.

THAT EFFECT THAT EVERYBODY IN THE NATION.

BUT WHAT WAS PARTICULARLY WORSE SEE SETTLE AND THIS IS HAPPENING AND, YOU KNOW, AREAS WHERE PEOPLE ARE LIVING AND BREATHING IN EVERY DAY, THE THE EMISSIONS THAT COME FROM, YOU KNOW, POLLUTANTS LIKE LARGE TRUCKS THE DIFFERENT INDUSTRIAL CORRIDORS WHERE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE LIVING WERE SCHOOLS ARE LOCATED, OF COURSE, MEETING.

I WANT TO GO TO YOU.

WHAT IMPACT CAN THIS HAVE ON PEOPLE'S HEALTH OVER TIME?

>> BOTH SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM, LONG-TERM CAN INFLUENCE YOUR BRAIN TO COCOA FROM THINGS LIKE INCREASING VISITS TO THE ER FOR INFLATED AT I RELATED INCIDENTS BUT ALSO AND THIS CAN LEAD TO LONG-TERM.

RIGHT HEALTH FROM ASTHMA CHANGES IN KOREA, VASCULAR DISEASE AND THAT SORT OF THING.

BUT ALSO EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE RIGHT NEXT TO.

A PLAN EXPERIENCE TO THESE CHALLENGES.

IF YOU'RE LIVING WITH CHRONIC STRESS, WHICH MANY OF RESIDENTS IN ARE ARE LIVING THROUGH BECAUSE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP TO MANY OTHER FACTORS.

THERE'S KIND OF EXTRA TO HELP OUTCOMES YOUR HEALTH.

ONLY TAKE SO TIME AT.

>> HE DIDN'T WANT TO GO BACK TO YOU.

HOW IS THIS AIR AFFECTING THE FAMILIES?

YOU SPOKE WELL, SOME OF THE FAMILIES THAT THAT WE SPOKE TO, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WAS J THE SON OF NOT ONLY IN HEAVIEST A LEASEHOLD.

TALK TO US ABOUT HOW HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ASTHMA AN INFANT.

AND THERE ARE SEVERAL DAYS, ESPECIALLY ON THE DAYS WHERE, YOU KNOW, WE SEE A RELATIVELY HIGH READING OF PM 2.5 WHERE HE'S ACTUALLY EXPERIENCE SCENE, A TOTAL BREATHING AND HIS PLANS OF HAD TO TAKE HIM TO THE HOSPITAL, TO TAKE HIM TO THE DOCTOR.

SO IT'S STILL SORT OF RECURRING LIKE STORIES THAT WE HEARD THROUGH THROUGHOUT, YOU KNOW, OUR RESEARCH BECAUSE WE WEREN'T JUST MEASURING THE AIR QUALITY WAS SOME OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE IS ACTUALLY DOOR KNOBS.

TALK TO RESIDENTS TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THEIR OWN HEALTH CONCERNS.

AND DURING THE SUMMER, ESPECIALLY WE HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TELLING US RIGHT THAT THEY EXPERIENCE HEADACHE SO THAT THEY EXPERIENCE OR THROAT, ESPECIALLY ON THE DAY'S STARTED HEARING A PATTERN.

YES, ESPECIALLY ON THE BASE.

WHEN WE NOTICED THAT THERE SPIKES IN IN THE PARTICULAR MATTER READINGS.

>> MONEY GOING TO USE THE HAS A LONG HISTORY WITH POLLUTERS.

AS INVESTIGATION POINTED OUT, WHAT FACTORS CONTRIBUTE MOST TO THE POOR AIR QUALITY.

>> I DEFINITELY COMPLEX PATTERNS.

SO IN ADDITION TO EMISSIONS DIFFERENT EMITTERS, LIKE YOU TALKED ABOUT, THERE'S ALSO PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT.

SO SOMETIMES JUST WHERE PLACES ARE SITUATED CAN CREATE KIND OF COMPOUNDING CHALLENGE.

SO SISTER IS LOCATED BETWEEN 2 MASSES, HIGHLY STRUCTURES AND ALSO JUST NORTH OF MAINLY RIGHT.

AND THERE'S A LOT DIFFERENT ISSUES IN THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT THAT JUST ADD ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES.

AND I WANT HOW HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE SEASONAL AIR QUALITY COMPARES TO OTHER PARTS OF CHICAGO?

>> YES, COMPARED TO OTHER PARTS OF CHICAGO, YOU'RE LOOKING AT SOME OF THE HIGHER HIGHEST RATES OF REPORTED PARTICULATE MATTER.

AND THAT'S ACROSS MULTIPLE DIFFERENT MODELS THAT ACROSS.

>> THE MODEL THAT OUR TEAM RAN CHICAGO, IT'S ALSO IN LINE WITH IT.

SOME PARTNERS AT NORTHWESTERN AND WHAT THEY FOUND.

WE'RE LOOKING ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY ON THE CITY HEALTH DASHBOARD THAT NEW YORK MANAGES YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE HIGH IN THE COUNTRY WHEN ACROSS OTHER CITIES AS WELL.

>> AND IT A PLANNING TO YOU TO JUST SEE HOW THE AIR QUALITY WAS SO MUCH DIFFERENT IN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS COMPARED TO QUALITY AIR QUALITY.

IT'S ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE KIND OF WAS HAPPENING.

BUT IT WAS REALLY DON TO TO LOOK AT THAT THE TO HAVE THOSE READINGS.

AND I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO THAT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR TOWN, GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS TO REALLY AND PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THIS.

IT REALLY THE FUTURE OUR TOWN AND HOW WE CAN ADDRESS NOT JUST THIS ISSUE, BUT OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS THAT WE'RE FACING.

AND WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO ABOUT THE POOR AIR QUALITY IN THEIR COMMUNITY?

THIS ACTUALLY A SECTION IN OUR REPORT WHERE WE TALK ABOUT BOTH THE INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS THAT ONE CAN TAKE AND SOME OF THE DIFFERENT POLICIES THINGS THAT OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE TRYING.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE TALK ABOUT PEOPLE LIKE UNDERSTANDING THESE READINGS AND MAKING SURE THAT LOCAL AGENCIES ARE COMMUNICATING TO PEOPLE IN THE LANGUAGE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND WHEN THERE'S BAD AIR QUALITY.

DID YOU SEE PEOPLE WHO EAT WHEN YOU ARE DOOR KNOCKING THAT THEY JUST LACKED AWARENESS?

THEY JUST DIDN'T KNOW.

YES, DEFINITELY.

WE SAW PEOPLE SHOWED US THE ALERTS THAT THEY GOT ON THEIR PHONE, BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANT BECAUSE IT WAS AN ENGLISHMAN.

THEREFORE, THEY DIDN'T KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE SHOULD.

I SHOULD LIMIT MY TIME OUTSIDE OR I SHOULD CONSIDER WEARING A KN 95 MASK.

WHEN I'M ON SITE.

BUT I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO US, SOME OF THE LAKE, INSTITUTIONAL AND GOVERNMENT ACTIONS THAT CAN BE TAKEN LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE'S COMMUNITIES WHO, YOU KNOW, ARE ACTIVELY DOING PUTTING CAPS EMISSIONS, MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE DOING ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND ALLOWING FOR ITS CITIZENS TO REALLY BECOME INVOLVED IN THE DECISION-MAKING AND THE SIDEWALL.

WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT?

IS IT THE INDUSTRY THAT'S POLLUTING OUR ENVIRONMENT OR IS IT YOU KNOW, SOME OF THINGS THAT WE NEED TO NEED TO PURSUE?

WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THAT'S ALL WE HAVE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR INVESTIGATION.

OUR THANKS AN ANIMAL AND MEDINA COPE LUCK.

UP NEXT.

HELP MAY BE ON THE WAY FOR NON ENGLISH SPEAKERS ACCESSING GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

STAY WITH US.

>> THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT LANGUAGES SPOKEN IN ILLINOIS, ACCORDING TO COOK COUNTY DATA.

35% OF RESIDENTS SPEAK A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH AT HOME.

WHILE 40% OF THOSE PEOPLE SAY THEY SPEAK ENGLISH LESS THAN VERY WELL.

MEANWHILE, AS MIGRANTS CONTINUE TO ARRIVE IN CHICAGO WITH LITTLE TO NO ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS, THEY FACE LIMITED RESOURCES TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE THEIR NEW CIRCUMSTANCES.

NOW, A BILL GOING THROUGH SPRINGFIELD AIMS TO ELIMINATE ELIMINATE THE LANGUAGE BARRIER WHEN ACCESSING GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE OUR GRACE PIE, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCING JUSTICE CHICAGO AND REPROT AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE DOUG MIGHT.

I MEAN, WHOSE DISTRICT INCLUDES PART OF THE SOUTHWEST SUBURBS.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US NOW REPRESENT REPRESENTATIVE THE LEAD.

I WANT TO GO WITH YOU.

CAN YOU START BY TELLING US HOW IS BILL DIFFERENT FROM THE CURRENT LANGUAGE SERVICES?

CHICAGOANS ARE FAMILIAR WITH.

>> YEAH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING HERE TODAY.

TO YOUR QUESTION.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE IS WE'RE TRYING TO FIND AN APPROACH, DAD EACH OF OUR LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT POPULATION BEAT NOT JUST BE ON CHICAGO, BUT IN THE CHICAGO SUBURBS AS WELL CENTRAL IN DOWNSTATE ILLINOIS.

SO WHAT WE'RE TRULY TRYING TO DO WITH HB 32, 22 IS TO BE ABLE HAVE A LANGUAGE ACCESS POLICY.

IT ACTUALLY FITS THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY HERE IN ILLINOIS.

>> AND WHERE WOULD YOU SAY THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ARE CURRENTLY LACKING?

YEAH, WHAT I WOULD SAY AND I CAN TELL YOU FROM MY EXPERIENCE, NOT WORKING AS A STATE LEGISLATOR, BUT PREVIOUS TO THAT.

>> AS THE DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AT ILLINOIS COALITION FOR IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE RIGHTS.

>> THE ORGANIZATION HAS NOW WHAT IS 20 YEAR PROGRAM CALLED IMMIGRANT FAMILY RESOURCE PROGRAM.

IT SPECIFICALLY TO ADDRESS BARRIERS TO ACCESS TO NOT ACCESS TO 2 STATE AGENCIES WHEN IT COMES TO LANGUAGE, BUT THEN ALSO OTHER BARRIERS THAT HAS TO DO WITH CULTURAL COMPETENCY.

SO THROUGHOUT THE 20 YEARS THAT THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN IN PLACE, WE HAVE SEEN THAT TIME AND TIME AGAIN WHILE WE MAY HAVE SOME STATE AGENCIES THAT DO HAVE WONDERFUL LANGUAGE ACCESS PROGRAMS, THERE ARE STATE AGENCIES THAT ARE LACKING ON THEIR LANGUAGE ACCESS PROGRAM WHEN IT COMES TO TRAINING AS WELL AS HIRING PEOPLE BE ON THE SPANISH LANGUAGE TO BE ABLE TO INTERACT WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT INDIVIDUALS AND GRACE TALKING ABOUT THAT.

IF SOMEONE CAN'T LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE, HOW ARE FAMILIES LEFT TO NAVIGATE GOVERNMENT SERVICES WHICH IS WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, WE'VE HEARD MANY STORIES FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE HAD TO PROVIDE TRANSLATION INTERPRETATION FOR THEIR FAMILIES WHEN THEIR KIDS.

>> A LOT OF IMMIGRANT FAMILIES HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE RIGHT OF HAVING TO ASK THEIR KIDS TO TRANSLATE FOR THEM AT THE GROCERY STORE AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE, PLACES WHERE IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE FOR A CHILD TO HAVE TO PLAY THAT ROLE.

WE REALLY HOPE THAT WHEN SOMEBODY NEEDS TO SEEK SATE STATE SERVICES THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO DO SO WITH THE PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETER, SOMEONE WHOSE JOB IT IS TO HELP THEM SERVICES SO THAT THE BURDEN ISN'T FALLING ON FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS WHO ARE OFTEN DOING THAT FOR MULTIPLE FAMILY.

YOU JUST SAID SOMETHING WAS ABOUT TO ASK.

YOU DO SEE THIS EASING THE BURDEN.

ABSOLUTELY.

RIGHT NOW A LOT OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE ILLINOIS COALITION FOR IMMIGRANT REFUGEE RIGHTS, WHICH REPRESENTATIVE ALL ARE MENTIONED HAVE TO FILL THE GAP.

RIGHT.

AND THERE ARE CERTAIN STATE AGENCIES THAT ARE DOING A GOOD JOB.

BUT WE WANT ALL STATE AGENCIES TO HAVE A GOOD TO DO A GOOD JOB AND TO HAVE A PLAN.

I THINK THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECES THAT RIGHT NOW SOME STATE AGENCIES DON'T HAVE A STRONG PLAN IN TERMS OF PROVIDING LANGUAGE ACCESS.

AND WE KNOW THAT THE NEED IS HUGE SALE, MOST SCRAMBLING TO FIND THIS NEED AND RIGHT.

AND A LOT OF THERE ARE A LOT OF AMAZING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE FILLING THE GAP, ESPECIALLY FOR LANGUAGE GROUPS THAT ARE NOT AS COMMONLY SPOKEN.

BUT REALLY WE WANT THAT TO BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF GOVERNMENT AND REPRESENTATIVE THE LIGHT, YOUR IMMIGRANT YOURSELF AND NOW A U.S. CITIZEN.

CAN YOU SPEAK ABOUT HOW DIFFICULT IT CAN BE TO NAVIGATE THESE SERVICES WITHOUT THE RIGHT SUPPORT?

ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, AS GRACE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE RULE THAT SOMETIMES IMMIGRANT CHILDREN GET TO TO TO PLAY.

>> IN PARENTS LIVE HERE IN THE U.S. HAS GRACE WAS TALKING ABOUT BECOMING OUR PARENTS TRANSLATORS.

REMEMBER AT THE AGE OF 15 AND BEING MY MOTHER'S TRANSLATOR FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND JUST THINKING ABOUT HAPPENING IN THE 2, THOUSANDS IN KNOWING THAT AT THIS POINT IN THE MOMENT THAT WE'RE LIVING 2023, THEN WE STILL HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTING AS THEIR TRANSLATORS WHEN WE MIGHT NOT BE QUALIFIED TO INTERPRET IN A MEDICAL SETTING AND IMMIGRATION SITTING LET ALONE AT A NEW STRAIN OF HEARING WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE OFFICE.

YOU KNOW, AS SOMEBODY WHO WHO ACTED AND CONTINUES TO ACT AS MY PARENTS TRANSLATOR TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE THE PROCESS.

I THINK THAT THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT LANGUAGE TAXES, BUT ABOUT BUILDING TRUST WITH OUR STATE AGENCIES AND WITH OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS LIVING IN ILLINOIS.

>> I MEAN, REMEMBER I WAS YOUNG AS 9 TRANSLATING FOR MY PARENTS AT DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS.

NOW, GRACE GOING TO YOU.

THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES THAT CAN, THAT COULD BE IMPACTED BY THIS LEGISLATION.

HOW MANY DIFFERENT GROUP GROUPS CAN COME TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE FOR LANGUAGE EQUITY.

WE'VE BUILT A MULTIRACIAL MULTIETHNIC COALITION BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPACTED BY LANGUAGE ACCESS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ASSUME IT'S JUST THE LATINO COMMUNITY.

THAT MEANS LANGUAGE ACCESS.

BUT THERE ARE SO MANY LANGUAGE GROUPS THAT ARE LEFT OUT OF THE CURRENT LANGUAGE ACCESS THAT PEOPLE RECEIVE.

SO I REPRESENT ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY WORK IN THE ASIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY WHERE THERE ARE DOZENS OF LANGUAGES SPOKEN.

WE'VE ALSO PARTNERED WITH AFRICAN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES RIGHT WHO REPRESENT OTHER LANGUAGE GROUPS, AIR OF AMERICAN COMMUNITIES.

>> THERE'S SO MUCH NEED OUT THERE.

LANGUAGES LIKE VIETNAMESE KOREAN TO ALL OF OUR NOT ALWAYS KIND OF COUNTED IN THE TOP 5.

AND I ALSO WANT TO ASK YOU'RE GOING JUST BEEN A DAY IN SPRINGFIELD ADVOCATING FOR THE BILL.

HOW DID THAT GO?

IT WAS EXCELLENT.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT MOTIVATES A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY'RE PERSONALLY IMPACTED BY IT.

SO WE HAD A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY BASED LEADERS WHO TRAVELED TO SPRINGFIELD, WHO MET WITH THEIR LEGISLATORS.

WE WERE ABLE TO SECURE 8 NEW CO SPONSOR COMMITMENTS.

SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO BRING THAT ENERGY AND MOMENTUM BACK TO SPRINGFIELD IN JANUARY AND REPRESENTED THE LEVEE ONLY HAVE A COUPLE SECONDS LEFT, BUT WHAT HAPPENS FROM NOW?

UNTIL THEN?

>> WHAT WHAT HAPPENS FOR NOW?

UNTIL THEN HE'S CONTINUED TO ADVOCATE.

WE ARE NOT JUST ORGANIZATIONS WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CONTINUE TO CONTACT THEIR STATE REPRESENTATIVE AS WELL AS THEIR STATE SENATOR TO LET THEM KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS BILL BECOMES A LAW.

>> SO WE HAVE WE ACTUALLY HAVE TIME FOR ONE MORE QUESTION.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY, YOU KNOW, THAT PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS SERVICE?

ABSOLUTELY.

IN A LANGUAGE.

ACCESS IS A RIGHT.

WE SHOULD LIVE IN A MULTI-LINGUAL SOCIETY.

ENGLISH IS NOT, YOU KNOW, THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE UNITED STATES.

WE ARE A NATION MADE UP OF SO MANY DIFFERENT, VIBRANT AND DIVERSE COMMUNITIES.

AND REALLY WE OWE IT TO ALL OF OUR, YOU KNOW, IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS, WHETHER THEY JUST ARRIVED IN CHICAGO OR WHETHER THEY'VE BEEN HERE FOR GENERATIONS, THAT THIS IS A WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE PLACE FOR THEM.

BUT THANK YOU BOTH FOR THIS INFORMATIONAL CONVERSATION.

THANKS TO GRACE PIE AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE THAT MIGHT UP NEXT, A TASTE OF CHICAGO IS GROWING TOO BIG.

IN FACT, WE'LL SEE.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

WHEN IT COMES TACKLE.

FIRST THING ON PEOPLE'S MINDS IS WHAT KIND OF MEAT IS GOING TO BE INSIDE THAT THOUGHT THAT.

>> BUT THESE DAYS, ABOUT 20% OF MEXICANS IDENTIFY AS VEGAN OR VEGETARIAN AND A GROWING SHARE OF AMERICA'S LATINOS DO AS WELL.

PRODUCER ERICA GUNDERSON STOPPED IN AT 2 NORTHSIDE SPOTS WHO ARE TAKING THE TACKLES IN A PLANT-BASED DIRECTION.

>> THE CONSTABLE SO >> WAY OFF, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY FOR MY EXPERIENCE COMING FROM MEXICAN FAMILY MY FAMILY.

DON'T GET IT.

>> FOR MANY MEXICAN AMERICANS, THE IDEA OF MEXICAN FOOD WITHOUT MEAT CAN BE A LITTLE HARD TO GRASP.

>> GROWING UP IN A MEXICAN FAMILY MINA'S STATE.

THE BUT AS THE OWNER AND CHEF BEHIND PENELOPE IS VEGAN TALK OF POINTS OUT INDIGENOUS MEXICAN CUISINE IS ROOTED IN PLANT-BASED FOODS WHEN THE AZTECS WERE WHEN MY YES.

WELL, RON, BEFORE LOCKING KEY STAFF AND THERE THINK ABOUT THERE.

MANY THE CHRISTINE.

I THINK 90%, BUDGETARY SOME OF THE RECIPES THAT WE HAVE PASSED ALONG IN MY FAMILY.

YOU SO IT'S EASY FOR ME TO I'M GOING TO THAT BEANS DOESN'T KNOW WHAT KNOW.

OK, I REMEMBER HOW MOM DID AND HOW IT SMELLS.

>> SO I'M TRYING TO RECREATE THAT.

NOW WITHOUT TIMING ON I REMEMBER WHEN I HAD SPREAD BREADED CHICKEN WHILE CAN'T WALK.

CAN WE DO TO REPLACE THE CHICKEN?

>> LEASE AND MUNIS AS BECOMING VEGAN WAS PART OF AWAKENING FOR HIM TO HAVE THIS LIFESTYLE BEING VEGAN.

DIFFERENT THINGS AND ALWAYS NOT ONLY.

>> HEALTH.

>> WE SPIRITUAL REASONS.

YOU SHOULD DRINK A LOT AND USE TRUCKS.

AND THEN I LOST EVERYTHING.

THEY WILL CALL UP SAID, YOU KNOW, ONE HE'S IN THERE I THINK WILL MAKE A CHANGE, RIGHT?

WANT TO DIE FOR NOW ON STOP, EVERYTHING.

EVERYTHING IS GOING TO KILL ME.

AFTER 6 MICHAEL, I FEEL GREAT.

BECAME MY LIFESTYLE.

>> I SAYS WHEN HE MADE THE SWITCH, HE HAD TROUBLE FINDING PLACES OUTSIDE OF HOME TO EAT.

SO HE AND HIS WIFE DECIDED TO DO IT THEMSELVES BY SELLING EVEN TACOS AND POP UPS.

THE ANDERSONVILLE, PENELOPE IS THEIR SECOND BRICK AND MORTAR LOCATION.

THAT SAME DIY SPIRIT IS WHAT CARLOS LUNA AND BERNICE INSPIRED THEM TO OPEN HOME WILL NOT WHICH OFFERS TACOS AND TAMALES STARRING MUSHROOM AS THEIR ENDEAVOR BEGAN WITH A HEALTH-CARE.

I HAD BEEN LOOKING AT LOSING.

>> 18 INCHES OF COLIN FOR A FEW YEARS.

AND SO.

I WAS WILLING TO TRY JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING TO AVOID SUCH AN INVASIVE PROCEDURE.

AND I WAS LED TO A PLANT-BASED DIET.

I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE A PARTNER LIKE BRITTANY SAID.

ALL RIGHT.

LET'S DO THIS TOGETHER.

AND WE STARTED COOKING AT HOME.

IT WAS TRIP TO MEXICO CITY WHERE WE FELL IN LOVE WITH MUSHROOMS.

WE CAME BACK HOME AND STARTED PLAYING WITH THEM.

>> SO I WENT BACK TO WHAT MY MOM WOULD COOK FOR US.

REALIZED A LOT MY FAVORITES WERE PLAN FACELIFT.

THAT KIND OF A SEAT IS.

BUT THERE'S A IT'S LIKE POTATO CAKES THAT YOU DO DURING HOLY WEEK.

IT'S BEEN EASY TO GO BACK TO THOSE RECIPES AND REALIZE OLYMPIC HAS TO GO BACK TO THAT EXAMPLE, SOMETHING THAT MY MOM MADE SO SIMPLE.

SO DELICIOUS.

AFTER A YEAR IN A GHOST DRAMATICO IS NOW PART OF THE ENTIRELY VEGAN X MARKET FOOD HOME IN THE UPTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT'S A DEDICATED SPACE FOR VEGAN ISN'T FOR PLANT BASED.

THEY SAY THEY HOPE THAT INCREASING VEGANISM VISIBILITY CAN SHOW IT'S A TASTY WAY TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY HEALTH.

I'M PART OF THE VETERAN COMMUNITY AND I SEE A LOT OF VETERANS THAT.

>> I BELIEVE CAN SUFFER A LOT IF THEY CAN.

MINIMIZE THINGS LIKE INFORMATION.

ALL RIGHT.

IF THEY CAN MINIMIZE THINGS LIKE WEIGHT.

I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THAT A PLANT-BASED DIET IS GOING TO FIX ALL THE HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT THEY MAY BE FIGHTING.

BUT I WILL BE WILLING TO BET THAT A PLANT BASED DIET WILL HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THOSE SYMPTOMS.

SO PEOPLE TRY OUR FOOD, I WANT THEM TO FEEL THE WAY THEY FEEL WHEN THEY EAT MEXICAN FOOD, THEY ENJOY IT BACK UP IN L A ME THAT SAYS WHEN IT COMES TO VEGAN CUISINE, IS LIKE HIS ARE JUST THE BEGINNING.

I THINK PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE LONGER.

>> THEY WANT TO LIVE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES.

I THINK IN THE FUTURE MORE AND MORE BEEN THAT BUSINESSES ARE GOING OPEN UP.

THIS IS THE FUTURE FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT.

LET YOU KNOW VOICES.

THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> I ALWAYS SAY WE SHOULD BE OPEN TO NEW EXPERIENCES.

SO IF YOU HAVEN'T TRIED TO BE IN FOOD, WHY NOT GIVE IT A TRY?

YOU'LL FIND MORE DETAILS THESE.

AND MICHAEL ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND THAT'S OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE W T TW DOT COM SLASH NEWS FOR THE VERY LATEST FROM WBTW NEWS AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5.37, FOR THE WEEK IN REVIEW.

AND BE SURE TO JOIN ME THIS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH AT NOON FOR NEXT LATINO VOICES, COMMUNITY CONVERSATION.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD ONE.

WE'LL BE DISCUSSING THE LEGACY OF AIDS ADVOCATES AND POLITICAL CARTOON IS DENNIS AT THE MAYO IN THE PAST, HE PAVED FOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY TO RSVP VISIT WWW DOT COM SLASH EVENTS.

NOW FROM ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO, IT'S NIGHT LATINO VOICES.

I'M JOINED THAT MAN.

THIS STAY HEALTHY.

STAY SAFE, BLUNT AS MUCH >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A AND CLIFFORD LAW A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH THAT IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING DIVERSITY EQUITY