>>> GOOD EVENING, WITH CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES WE CHERISH EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING AT 5:00 AND 6:00, PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

REPUBLICANS GAIN CONTROL OF THE HOUSE, AND WE LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL FUTURE OF IMMIGRATION POLICY.

PLUS HUNDREDS OF ASYLUM-SEEKERS ARE NOW CALLING CHICAGO HOME.

LET'S HEAR SOME OF THEIR STORIES.

WE TALK WITH THE AUTHOR OF A NEW BOOK ABOUT LATINOS' PATH TO POLITICAL POWER IN CHICAGO.

[ INAUDIBLE ] WE HEAR ABOUT HOPES AND PLANS TO KEEP THE PROGRAM GOING IN THE FUTURE AND [ INAUDIBLE ] COMPANY OF CHICAGO.

ON THAT COMING UP, BUT OUR FIRST STORY TONIGHT, IMMIGRATION PRIORITIES AHEAD OF A CHANGE IN CONGRESS.

THAT IS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE SUPPORT OF [ INAUDIBLE ] >> AS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY PREPARES TO TAKE OVER THE HOUSE, REPRESENTATIVES , DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS ARE WORKING TO PUSH THE AGENDA IN THIS LAME-DUCK SESSION.

[ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] MORE THAN 6000 SO-CALLED DREAMERS OF THE DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS, OR DACA AS MOST OF US KNOW WHAT IT HOWEVER, THE PATH FORWARD ON [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] ARE ALAYNA [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AT [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] AND VICE PRESIDENT OF [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] RESTORATION PROJECT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE WANT TO START WITH [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] CHANGING POWER IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE THE CONVERSATION WILL BE AROUND IMMIGRATION POLICY THIS SESSION?

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE LAME-DUCK SESSION , AND WITHIN THE LAME-DUCK SESSION, TWO OF THE [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] THAT STAND OUT [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] POSSIBLE ARE THE DREAM ACT, OVER 70% OF AMERICANS SUPPORT DREAMERS AND GIVING THEM A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP.

ALSO, THE FARMWORKER [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] ACT, MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS GOOD, BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, SUPPORTED BY [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] AND LABOR, WE ARE EXPERIENCING A LABOR SHORTAGE.

>> LAWMAKERS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] THEIR EFFORTS IN IMMIGRATION SUPPORT.

>> THE LAWMAKERS, WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN IMMIGRATION POLICY SINCE 1986.

SO, IT HAS REALLY BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

>> ELENA, WHAT IMMIGRATION POLICIES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE PRIORITIZED?

DACA, BORDER SECURITY?

>> DACA, RESIDENCY FOR [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] HOLDERS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] WE NEED TO END UP WITH THIS IDEA OF THE TRADE-OFF [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] BORDER SECURITY.

WE DO NOT NEED ORDER SECURITY.

>> WITH THE BLOCKING OF TITLE 42, WILL THAT CHANGE THE OUTLOOK FOR ASYLUM-SEEKERS?

>> OF COURSE.

NOW THEY WILL AGAIN BE ABLE TO SEEK ASYLUM IN THE U.S.

I THINK THIS IS A PRIORITY, THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] THE UNITED STATES HAS.

WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TRYING TO GET [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] THEY CAN FIND HOMES.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT WE PUT AN END TO [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ].

>> WE HAVE SEEN AN INFLUX OF IMMIGRANTS COMING FROM [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] WE KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNOR FROM TEXAS HAS BEEN DOING, SENDING BUSES NOT ONLY TO CHICAGO BUT TO NEW YORK.

DO YOU THINK THAT IS GOING TO HAVE A REAL IMPACT IN MAYBE NOT GOING FORWARD WITH IMMIGRATION POLICY AND REFORM?

>> IMMIGRANTS HAVE BEEN ARRIVING INTO THE U.S.

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE COUNTRY.

IT IS NOT NEW THAT IMMIGRANTS ARE ARRIVING.

[ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] POLARIZATION, BUT TAKING PEOPLE'S LIVES AND MAKING THEM POLITICAL IS WHAT IS CHALLENGING [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] WHEN IMMIGRANTS COME HERE, THEY TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO GET THEIR FEET ON THE GROUND AND START WORKING, AND START MAKING ENDS MEET, BEING ABLE TO GET INTO YOUR COMMUNITY AND KNOW WHAT THE RESOURCES ARE.

WE ANTICIPATE THE NEW ARRIVALS, THE NEW IMMIGRANTS WILL IN TIME BE ABLE TO DO IT ALL THE REST OF US DO.

>> AS WELL, REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WIN SOME [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] IMMIGRATION POLICIES EVEN [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] LATINOS.

CAN DEMOCRATS CHANGE THAT?

>> YOU CAN LOOK IN ARIZONA, FOR INSTANCE, WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A HUGE SHIFT IN WHAT HAS HAPPENED AROUND IMMIGRATION POLICY AND WHAT IS COMING OUT OF ARIZONA.

A LARGE PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF LATINOS.

IT IS A LARGE ESTATE, USED TO HAVE THE MOST RACIST IMMIGRATION POLICY, AND NOW THEY HAVE A DEMOCRAT IN THE SENATE, A DEMOCRAT AS GOVERNOR, AND THE VOTERS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] PROPOSITION 308 WHICH WILL NOW ALLOW DREAMERS TO HAVE IN-STATE TUITION FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN ARIZONA.

THAT IS BECAUSE OF LATINO VOTERS.

>> WE REMIND OUR AUDIENCE WHAT THE DACA PROGRAM IS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING FOR DACA RECIPIENTS?

>> THE DACA PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME TO THE UNITED STATES AS CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN NINE YEARS OF AGE TO HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF REMAINING IN THE COUNTRY, HAVING WORK AUTHORIZATION AND NOT BE DEPORTED.

THAT HAS ENABLED TWO GENERATIONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] AND IN SOME CASES HAVE ACCESS TO IN-STATE TUITION FEES, AND THEY HAVE MADE THEIR LIVES HERE.

MANY DREAMERS ARE NOW PARENTS OF U.S. CITIZENS.

SO, THE EXPECTATION IS THAT A LEGITIMATE PATH IS CREATED, SO THEY CAN HAVE PERMANENT RESIDENCE.

THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE GROWN UP IN THIS COUNTRY THAT FEEL UNITED STATES CITIZENS EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT ON PAPER.

WE NEED TO MAKE A PATH FOR THEM.

>> I AM A DREAMER, MYSELF.

I HAVE HAD DACA SINCE 2012 WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT.

IT ALLOWED ME TO BUILD A CAREER.

IT ALLOWS ME TO BUY A HOME, BUY INVESTMENT PROPERTY.

MY PARENTS HAVE THEIR BUSINESS, AND I HELPED THEM.

IT IS A PATH FOR US TO START ESTABLISHING A MORE PERMANENT LIFE IN THE U.S., WHERE WE NEED A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO FOLLOW-UP THE DREAM ACT.

>> WE MENTIONED BORDER SECURITY, THAT WE DO NOT NEED MORE.

YOU SAY THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING -- WE KNOW THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING CONCERN FOR VOTERS.

HOW MIGHT THAT IMPACT?

>> AS I SAID BEFORE, FOR A LONG TIME, THERE HAS BEEN THIS IDEA OF SOME CONCESSIONS AT THE EXPENSE OF MORE RESOURCES FOR BORDER ENFORCEMENT.

THAT DOES NOT HELP ANYONE, WE DO NOT NEED MORE RESOURCES AT THE BORDER.

THOSE RESOURCES COULD BE INVESTED, FOR INSTANCE, IN ASSURING LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR ASYLUM-SEEKERS.

OR ON FASTER ASYLUM PROCEDURES [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] WHEN WE HAVE TO REALLY END THIS PARADIGM THAT WE NEED MORE BORDER SECURITY [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN ESTABLISHING THAT AS THE NARRATIVE.

BUT IT IS AN UNFOUNDED FEAR.

>> WE HAVE ALSO HEARD [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] JUDGES TO PROCESS ALL THE ASYLUM-SEEKERS.

HOW WOULD YOU SEE THAT BEING RESOLVED?

>> INSTEAD OF SPENDING MORE RESOURCES ON BORDER ENFORCEMENT OR [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] LET'S DEVOTE RESOURCES FOR [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] THOSE ARE THE TYPE OF POLICY DECISIONS WE NEED [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] .

>> YEAH, DEFINITELY, I THINK WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING IS THE BACKLOG AT [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] THE COURT.

THERE IS ALSO BACK LOGGING ASYLUM CASES [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] THE STATUS CASES .

SO, WE NEED MORE JUDGES, WE NEED MORE USCIS TO CLEAR THE BACKLOG AND [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ].

WE WOULD NOT NEED AS MANY ATTORNEYS IF WE HAD A STREAMLINED PROCESS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] ACCESSIBLE, PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THE FINAL.

MY THANKS TO ELAINE AND [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] FOR JOINING US.

NOW [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] INITIALLY GOT OFF SOME MIGRANTS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] CHICAGO THEIR OWN HOME.

>> ALEX, IN THE MIDST OF THE BATTLE OVER IMMIGRATION POLICIES, PEOPLE ARE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE.

ASYLUM-SEEKERS FLEEING THEIR HOME COUNTRIES .

THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS HAVE ARRIVED IN CHICAGO FROM THE TEXAS BORDER SINCE AUGUST.

THE CITY HAS PROVIDED MEDICAL CARE AND CONNECTED THEM WITH SHELTERS, BUT THERE IS STILL A LONG ROAD AHEAD.

WE SPOKE WITH MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS WHO SAID THEY ARE SEARCHING FOR BETTER OPPORTUNITY.

>> Reporter: ON A COLD CHICAGO DAY, WE MET TWO WOMEN OUTSIDE A SHELTER IN HUMBLE PART.

IT IS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE SEEN A GLIMPSE OF SNOW.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> SAYS SHE TRAVELED THROUGH THE JUNGLE WITH HER TWO YOUNG CHILDREN [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] TOLD US ABOUT THEIR JOURNEY FROM VENEZUELA.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN A MONTH SINCE THEY ARRIVED IN CHICAGO ON A BUS.

THE MOTHER OF FOUR HAD TO LEAVE BEHIND TWO OF HER OTHER CHILDREN NOW GRATEFUL TO HAVE A ROOF OVER HER HEAD, SHE SAYS THAT SHE IS EAGER TO WORK.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: OWNED A SMALL RANCH IN VENEZUELA AND STRUGGLED TO PROVIDE FOR HER CHILDREN AS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] ECONOMIC CRISIS.

SHE SAYS HER GOAL IS TO GIVE HER KIDS A SHOT AT A BETTER EDUCATION.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: 50-YEAR-OLD -- ALSO MADE THE DANGEROUS TRIP.

SHE CAME FROM ECUADOR WITH HER GRANDSON.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: TELLS US SHE RAN A VEGETABLE STAND IN HER HOMELAND BUT VIOLENCE AND CORRUPTION WERE MAKING IT HARD TO SURVIVE.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: AT A HOTEL IN SKOKIE, ANOTHER GROUP OF MIGRANTS IS RECEIVING SHELTER.

A MOTHER OF SIX DID NOT WANT TO BE SHOWN ON CAMERA, BUT SHARES WHAT HER TWO MONTH JOURNEY WAS LIKE.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: THE 40-YEAR-OLD MOTHER HOPE TO GET A WORK VISA SOON AND ONE DAY BE ABLE TO RECONNECT WITH HER CHILDREN IN VENEZUELA.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: DESPITE THE STRUGGLES AND UNCERTAINTY OF WHAT LIES AHEAD, THESE WOMEN SAY THEY ARE DRIVEN BY THE CHANCE OF A NEW BEGINNING.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: THE CITY IS ASKING FOR DONATIONS OF NEW CLOTHING ITEMS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] IF YOU WANT TO DONATE, WE HAVE A LIST OF DROP OFF LOCATIONS ON OUR WEBSITE.

WE WILL BE BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> MIDTERMS MIGHT BE OVER, BUT CHICAGO ELECTION SEASON IS JUST GETTING UNDERWAY.

CHICAGOANS ARE USED TO SEE A GOOD NUMBER OF LATINOS ON THEIR BALLOTS, BUT THAT WAS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

IN HIS BOOK, THE FACILITY A VOICE IN CHICAGO [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] CAR AT A PLACE FOR THEMSELVES IN CHICAGO ROUGH AND TUMBLE POLITICS.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE IT IS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] CRUISE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY .

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF INSIDER OBSERVATION IN THIS BOOK.

HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT WRITING IT?

WHAT SORT OF FOLKS DID YOU TALK TO?

>> I INTERVIEWED ABOUT 20 POLITICIANS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] PAST POLITICIANS, AND CURRENT YOUNGER POLITICIANS WHO WON OFFICE.

A LOT OF COURT RECORDS, A LOT OF [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] .

IT TOOK A LOT OF RESEARCH TO WRITE THE BOOK.

>> VERY IMPORTANT BUT, A LOT [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] AMERICANS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] IRISH, CHICAGO POLITICS WOULD NOT BE THE SAME WITHOUT LATINO POLITICS.

I THINK THIS IS THE TIME TO WRITE THIS.

LATINOS ARE NOW THE SECOND LARGEST GROUP IN CHICAGO AFTER WHITES.

IT IS WHITES, LATINOS, THEN BLACK PEOPLE.

>> IT COMES AT A TIME WHEN LATINOS ARE GAINING GROUND IN ALL SORTS OF POLITICS.

THE BOOK IS ORGANIZED CHRONOLOGICALLY BY [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] AND MINISTRATION, STARTING WITH RICHARD BAILEY.

>> I WANTED TO SHOW OFF HOW THE POLITICAL MACHINE EXCLUDED LATINOS, KEPT THEM OUT OF THE POLITICAL FRAMEWORK [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] A MASTER OF THE MACHINE [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] HE TOOK THE LATINO VOTE FOR GRANTED, DID NOT GIVE CITY CONTRACT TO LATINOS, WE WERE BASICALLY SHUT OUT.

I FOLLOWED [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] WHO CONFIRMED THE SAME POLICIES , EXCLUDING LATINOS, TAKING THEIR VOTE FOR GRANTED.

CHAMBERS ENGAGED IN WHAT I CALL HACIENDA POLITICS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] SECOND LATINO, JOSEPH MARTINEZ.

SHE THOUGHT THAT WAS TO PLEASE THE COMMUNITY [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] THEY GOT VERY UPSET BECAUSE SHE WAS PICKING SOMEBODY WHO ALSO CAME FROM THE DEMOCRATIC MACHINE.

LATINOS WERE DISILLUSIONED WITH THE DEMOCRATIC MACHINE, ONE OF [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] POLITICIANS TO REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY.

>> MEXICANS AND PUERTO RICANS, AS WE KNOW, ARE THE DOMINANT ETHNIC LATINO GROUPS HERE IN CHICAGO.

HOW DID THEY BUILD POWER WITHIN THE SYSTEM?

>> THE MEXICAN COMMUNITY, WHEN RICHARD BAILEY WAS IN OFFICE, REACHED OUT [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] AMIGOS FOR DAILY [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] BANQUETS, FUNDRAISERS.

HE WAS GIVING THEM MOSTLY BUSINESS LICENSES.

HE REALLY WAS NOT BRINGING THEM INTO THE POLITICAL FOLDER.

LATER ON, YOU HAVE A SECOND GENERATION OF PUERTO RICANS AND MEXICANS WHO WERE MORE ACTIVE, YOUNGER CHICANOS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] PROTESTING, KNOCKING ON DOORS, DEMANDING REPRESENTATION.

THAT IS ON THE POLITICAL SITUATION CHANGED, THE SECOND GENERATION.

THEN, WITH THE ELECTION OF [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] WASHINGTON [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] LATINOS FIRST GOT A FOOT IN THE DOOR.

HE REACHED OUT , HE CAMPAIGNED, ONCE HE GOT ELECTED HE BROUGHT THEM INTO THE OFFICE, HE GAVE THEM JOBS, KEEP APPOINTED A LOT OF LATINOS TO CITY GOVERNMENT, THEN HE STARTED CAMPAIGNING FOR PEOPLE RUNNING FOR OFFICE , [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] FOR GARCIA, MIGUEL [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] FOR SENATOR.

>> IN THAT CHAPTER, YOU WRITE ABOUT [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] , YOU WROTE ABOUT [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] A BETTER NEIGHBORHOOD.

YOU WERE RIGHT.

[ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] FOR THE RIGHTS OF IMMIGRANTS AND LABORERS SHINING A REAL LIKE THAT MEXICANS WERE OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE OF POWER AND LOOKING IN.

I AM QUOTING, HERE, FROM MR. GARCIA.

HE SAYS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] OTHER COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS AND I WERE AGAINST GETTING INVOLVED IN ELECTORAL POLITICS SAID FORMER STATE SENATOR [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] GARCIA.

WE THOUGHT HE WAS CORRECT.

IN 1977, WE VISITED SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, ATTEMPTING TO KILL ANTI-IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION.

WE DISCOVERED HOW POWERLESS WE WERE IN ELECTORAL POLITICS WHILE GROWING IN NUMBERS.

WE WERE VOICELESS AND VOCALISTS IN THE CITY COUNCIL.

TIMES HAVE CHANGED.

>> THEY HAD THE REALIZATION THAT POLITICS WAS VERY PROGRESSIVE, YOU HAVE TO BE INVOLVED IN POLITICS BUT YOU CANNOT JUST PROTEST TO GET WHAT POLITICIANS ACCOUNTABLE, YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR OWN PEOPLE ELECTED.

>> [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] WASHINGTON ELECTION, HE RAN FOR [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] 17 VOTES AND UNFORTUNATELY HE WAS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] AND AFTER THAT , JESUS GARCIA TOOK THE MANTLE [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] PROGRESSIVE POLITICS.

>> WHO WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE MOST PIVOTAL LATINOS IN CHICAGO POLITICS?

>> [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] FOR MAYORAL ELECTION, HE IS A VERY PROGRESSIVE PERSON, HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE, 40 YEARS.

HE WAS AN ALDERPEOPLE, A CITY COUNCILMAN, A COMMISSIONER [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] AND CONGRESSMAN.

HE HAS A LOT OF NAME RECOGNITION.

I THINK HE GOT INTO THE RACE A LITTLE LATE, THOUGH.

THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION WAS BACKING UP [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] A LOT OF MONEY, BUT HE WAITED TOO LONG , SO THEY ENDORSE ANOTHER CANDIDATE.

>> [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] LOPEZ, AS WELL.

HIS CHICAGO OVERDUE FOR A LATINO MAYOR?

>> WHAT I SAY IN THE BOOK IS IT IS NOT THAT EASY.

YOU CAN'T JUST SAY I AM LATINO, IT IS MY TURN.

YOU NEED A VOICE, YOU NEED A MESSAGE TO RESONATE WITH VOTERS.

YOU NEED A LOT OF MONEY, OVER $10 MILLION TO RUN A MAYORAL CAMPAIGN.

YOU NEED TROOPS, AND NEED TO ENGAGE IN COALITION POLITICS.

CHICAGO IS ONE THIRD BLACK, ONE THIRD WHAT, ONE FOR LATINO, YOU HAVE TO REACH OUT TO WHITE AND BLACK VOTERS.

THAT THEY HAVE ENOUGH LATINO SUPPORT, THE?

>> I THINK THEY WILL.

RAHM EMANUEL RAN IN 2015 TO A RUNOFF [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] VIDEO [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] McDONOUGH WAS HIDDEN [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] COME OUT SOONER, I THINK WE WOULD HAVE HAD OUR FIRST LATINO MAYOR.

BUT IT IS NOT THAT EASY.

A BIG PART OF THE MEXICAN COMMUNITY IS UNDOCUMENTED, NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE.

YOU HAVE TO ENGAGE IN VOTER REGISTRATION [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] NOT THAT EASY TO SAY WE ARE ONE THIRD OF THE CITY , BUT HOW MANY ELIGIBLE VOTERS DO YOU HAVE?

>> WHAT ABOUT THE LESSONS LATINO POLITICIANS COULD LEARN?

>> I HAVE A CHAPTER, FALL FROM GRACE, WHERE I LOOK AT POLITICIANS IN THE PAST, [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] CORRUPTION, BRIBERY, SETBACKS.

KIND OF A SHAMEFUL PERIOD.

WE HAVE A NEW GENERATION OF MORE PROGRESSIVE POLITICIANS, SOME DEMOCRATS, SOCIALISTS, AND INDEPENDENTS.

I THINK THE OTHER THE LESSON YOU CANNOT DO THAT, IN POLITICAL OFFICE, YOU ARE A ROLE MODEL.

PEOPLE ARE DEPENDING ON YOU TO DELIVER SERVICES, TO KEEP THE PROMISES YOU CAMPAIGNED ON.

SO, I THINK THEY HAVE LEARNED THE LESSONS FROM THE FIRST GENERATION, AND THE SECOND GENERATION WILL BE MORE PROGRESSIVE, MORE DEDICATED TO PRINCIPLES.

AGAIN, THE BOOK IS LATINOS IN CHICAGO , QUEST FOR A POLITICAL VOICE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> COOK COUNTY PROMISED [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] INCOME PILOT READY TO TAKE OFF EARLY ENROLLMENT BEGAN THIS WEEK.

MORE THAN 3000 PARTICIPANTS WERE SELECTED BY LOTTERY [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] TO RECEIVE THE FIRST MONTHLY PAYMENT OF $500 DECEMBER 15th.

WE HEARD FROM COOK COUNTY PRESIDENT [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] AS WELL AS PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND ADMINISTRATORS ABOUT THEIR HOPES FOR THE PROGRAM.

>> THIS IS THE LARGEST GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT IN THE COUNTRY, $42 MILLION, WE HAVE 3450 INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING OVER A TWO YEAR PERIOD IN THE PILOT PROGRAM.

THEN, WE HAVE DEDICATED RESOURCES TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM AFTER THE PILOT.

SO, THIS WILL BE AN ONGOING INITIATIVE OF THE COOK COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

>> GIVE DIRECTLY HAS BEEN ADMINISTERING CASH PROGRAMS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] THE DECADE.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND IS CASH HELPS PEOPLE MEET BASIC NEEDS.

IT ALLOWS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] TO INVEST IN THEIR FUTURE.

>> IT WILL HELP OUT IN THE FUTURE, MYSELF AND MY GIRLS.

EXCITED ABOUT THAT, MAINLY FOR THEM.

>> HOW OLD IS YOUR DAUGHTER?

>> I HAVE A 15, AN 11, AND A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD.

>> MAKE IT A LITTLE EASIER, LESS STRESSFUL, LESS ANXIETY ABOUT HAVING TO SUPPORT THEM WITH FOOD AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

MAYBE A FEW EXTRA FUN ACTIVITIES HERE AND THERE.

WITH BENEFIT PROGRAMS LIKE SNAP, YOU HAVE ALL THE RESTRICTIONS, YOU CANNOT EVEN BUY HAPPY MEALS WITH THOSE PROGRAMS.

DIRECT CASH GIVES ME THE FREEDOM LIKE, IF I GET A FLAT TIRE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT BEING AN APPROVED EXPENSE OR HAVING TO KEEP TRACK , I CAN JUST TAKE CARE OF WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF AND GO FROM THERE.

>> [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] POSITIVE BENEFITS LIKE ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY >> I WANT TO BE PART OF THE NATIONAL NARRATIVE THIS IS A GOOD IDEA.

>> THE PILOT LAST TWO YEARS, BUT AS YOU HAVE HEARD, THE COUNTY [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] MENTIONED THE COUNTY PLAN IS TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM IN THE FUTURE USING REVENUE FROM CANNABIS SALES.

SELECT MEXICAN FOLKLORIC DANCE COMPANY OF CHICAGO HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1982.

THE COMPANY FEATURES MORE THAN 46 STYLES OF MEXICAN TRADITIONAL DANCES.

STATES LIKE JALISCO TO VERACRUZ AND [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] HERNANDEZ CAUGHT UP WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HENRY ROJO, SHE STARTED BY ASKING HIM HOW THE GROUP GOT STARTED.

>> IN 1980, THERE WERE [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] A CHILDREN'S GROUP CALLED [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] AND AN ADULT GROUP CALLED [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] AND THEY PERFORMED SEPARATELY BUT THEY WOULD OCCASIONALLY PERFORM TOGETHER [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] IS REQUIRED, TWO HOURS.

WHEN I SAW THE PERFORMANCE, BOY, THOSE LOOKED GREAT, THEY COULD BE A PROFESSIONAL COMPANY.

SURE ENOUGH, TWO YEARS LATER , IN 1982, FEBRUARY 17th, THEY FORMED THE MEXICAN FOLKLORIC DANCE COMPANY OF CHICAGO [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] EVER SINCE.

>> Reporter: WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WATCHING PEOPLE DANCE?

WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR YOU TO SEE THEM PERFORM?

>> VERY [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT MEXICO.

I WAS AMERICANIZED.

MY FIRST TWO CHILDREN WERE AMERICANIZED.

BUT THEN, WHEN MY FOURTH CHILD CAME, MY DAUGHTER , WHEN MY FIRST KIDS WERE TEENAGERS [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] ABOUT MY HERITAGE.

I HAVE BEEN FINDING [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] THAT I CAN ACTUALLY [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] >> JOIN THE CONVERSATION WITH THE MEXICAN FOLKLORIC DANCE COMPANY OF CHICAGO , YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

WE ARE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> THAT IS OURS OVER THIS WEEKEND.

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

IF YOU'RE JOINING US ON SATURDAY, YOU CAN ALSO CATCH LATINO VOICES AND BLACK VOICES ON SUNDAY BEGINNING AT 10:00 P.M. OUR PROGRAMMING WILL BE OFF NEXT WEEK FOR THE THANKS GIVING HOLIDAY, BUT YOU CAN CATCH BRANDIS FRIEDMAN AND PARIS SCHUTZ MONDAY ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

[ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING, I WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU.

FOR ALL OF US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES , I AM [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] HERNANDEZ, THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

[ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ]