>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

LATINO VOICES.

I'M JOHN ON THIS ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

>> THE CITY DID A REALLY TERRIBLE JOB HEAVILY.

>> THE MAYOR DROPS PLANS TO HOUSE MIGRANTS AT THOMAS IN PARK AFTER FACING BACKLASH FROM RESIDENTS.

>> WE CAN TAKE SHOWERS, CHANGEUP ROLES AND WARM UP.

THEY CAN'T.

>> HOW LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE HELPING THOSE FACING HOMELESS IS AS TEMPERATURES DROPPED.

>> SIDES ACCESS TO CAPITAL IS ACCESSED INFORMATION RIGHT?

>> AND THE NONPROFIT THAT'S HELPING CHICAGO'S RESTAURANT START UP AND SCALE UP.

AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

THE WORLD IS REACTING TO THE DEATH OF FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE HENRY KISSINGER.

KISSINGER SERVED UNDER PRESIDENTS NIXON AND FORD.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT ONE OF HIS APPEARANCE HERE IN CHICAGO TONIGHT FROM 2001, HE WAS A CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE, PRAISED BY MANY IN THE MILITARY AND POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS AND CRITICIZED BY OTHERS FOR BEING THE ARCHITECT OF POLICIES THEY BELIEVE LED TO MILLIONS OF UNNECESSARY DEATHS AROUND THE WORLD.

HE'S INJURED DIED YESTERDAY AT THE AGE OF 100.

THE JUDGE IN THE CORRUPTION TRIAL OF FORMER CHICAGO ALDERMAN ED BURKE DENIES A REQUEST FOR A MISTRIAL.

BERKS LAWYERS REQUESTED THE MISTRIAL AFTER WITH THIS MADE A STATEMENT CALLING THE FORMER ALDERPERSON CORRUPT.

THEY URGED THE STATEMENT PREJUDICED THE JURY.

HOWEVER, JUDGE VIRGINIA KENDALL DIDN'T AGREE SAYING SHE WAS CONFIDENT JURY WOULD HER INSTRUCTION DESTRUCTION TO IGNORE THE STATEMENT.

BURKE FACES 14 CRIMINAL CHARGES, INCLUDING RACKETEERING, BRIBERY AND EXTORTION.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON TODAY'S TESTIMONY IN THE CASE.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ARE ROLLING OUT AN INITIATIVE TO HELP ROOT OUT PUBLIC CORRUPTION.

PEOPLE CAN NOW FILE COMPLAINTS ABOUT SUSPECTED CORRUPTION SUCH AS WIRE FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING PRIVATELY THROUGH THE AGENCY'S ONLINE PORTAL.

POLICE OFFICIALS SAY HAVING ALLEGATIONS REPORTED TO ONE PLACE WILL STREAMLINE THE PROCESS AND ALLOW FOR A QUICKER RESPONSE.

ISP SAYS IT WILL THEN DIRECT SUBMISSIONS TO THE PROPER AGENCY TO HANDLE THE INVESTIGATION.

GET READY FOR FAST AND FURIOUS.

ROUND 2 AS NASCAR RETURNS TO THE STREETS OF CHICAGO TODAY THEY RELEASED THE 2024 COURSE MAP FOR THE RACE.

IT LOOKS SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR CIRCUIT.

THIS TREE RACE WILL ONCE AGAIN TAKE PLACE IN GRAND PARK IN JULY.

NEXT YEAR'S RACE WILL MARK THE SECOND OF A 3 YEAR CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND NASCAR.

NOW, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GET TOLD, LISTEN UP.

CHICAGO'S WINTER OVERNIGHT PARKING BAN BEGINS IN JUST A FEW HOURS.

CARS PARKED ON CERTAIN MARK STREETS WILL BE TOWED FROM 03:00AM TO 07:00AM.

WHETHER THERE IS SNOW ON THE GROUND OR NOT AND BE WARNED.

VIOLATORS FACE A MINIMUM OF 150 TOWING FEE.

IT'S $60 TICKET IN THE STORAGE FEE OF $25 PER PERSON PER DAY.

EXCUSE ME.

DON'T WANT TO BE THAT PERSON.

I MEAN, UP NEXT, AN UPDATE ON THE CITY'S EFFORTS TO MOVE MIGRANTS OUT OF POLICE STATIONS.

THAT'S RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE >> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN 4 MONTHS.

THERE ARE FEWER THAN 1000 MIGRANTS SLEEPING ON THE FLOORS OF POLICE STATIONS.

AND AT O'HARE AIRPORT AS MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON'S EFFORTS TO MOVE MIGRANTS INTO CITY-RUN SHELTERS BEGINS TO SHOW PROGRESS.

WBTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER SHARON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

HEATHER, THERE'S A LOT TO GET TO NOW.

BRING US UP TO DATE ON WHAT MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON HAS SAID IS A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.

HOW MANY MIGRANTS IS A CITY CURRENTLY CARING FOR?

SO THERE ARE ABOUT 800 MIGRANTS IN POLICE STATIONS ACROSS THE CITY.

THAT IS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN JUST 3 WEEKS AGO.

>> WHEN MORE THAN 3,000 MIGRANTS WERE SLEEPING AT POLICE STATIONS QUICK NOW AT O'HARE THERE ABOUT 150, MY CAR ABOUT 100 MIGRANTS.

BUT THE REAL ISSUE IS THE 13,200 MIGRANTS THAT ARE IN CITY-RUN SHELTERS.

THAT IS BY FAR AN ALL-TIME HIGH TO MOVE THEM.

OF COURSE, WHAT HAS CAUSED A DROP IN THE NUMBER OF MIGRANTS AT POLICE STATIONS.

SO THERE ARE 2 THINGS HAPPENING.

ONE, THE NUMBER OF BUSES ARRIVING EVERY DAY FROM TEXAS PAID FOR BY REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT HAS DROPPED AS THE WEATHER'S GOTTEN COLDER, FEWER MIGRANTS WANT TO COME NORTH TO CHICAGO AND PERHAPS THEY'RE HEARING THAT CHICAGO DOESN'T HAVE MUCH SPACE FOR THEM.

THE THING IS THAT MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON IS REALLY STEPPING UP EFFORTS TO OPEN MORE SHELTERS.

THERE ARE NOW 25 CITY-RUN SHELTERS AND HE'S ALSO RAMPED UP AN EFFORT WITH 17 LOCAL CHURCHES FOR HOUSING MIGRANTS THEMSELVES IN AN ATTEMPT TO GIVE A WARM PLACE TO SLEEP AND HELP THEM GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

NOW, THERE WAS NEWS TODAY ABOUT THE MAYOR'S PLANS TO OPEN A MIGRANT SHELTER IN THE FIELD HOUSE AND AMUNDSEN PARK WHICH DREW AN INTENSE BACKLASH FROM NEARBY RESIDENTS.

NOW, WILL IT BE MOVING FORWARD?

IT WILL NOT BECAUSE OF THAT DROP AND THAT INCREASED ABILITY TO GET MIGRANTS INTO OTHER CITY SHELTERS.

THE MAYOR AND ALDERMAN CHRIS TALIAFERRO SAID THAT THAT SHELTER WOULD NO LONGER BE NEEDED ALONG WITH OTHER PLANS CONVERT A NEARBY COMMERCIAL BUILDING TO A SHELTER FOR MIGRANTS.

THAT WAS A HUGE RELIEF TO RESIDENTS OF AUSTIN TO SEE THAT FIELDHOUSE IS AN IMPORTANT WERE FURIOUS WHEN FARC DISTRICT PROGRAMS WERE DELAYED OR MOVED TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE MIGRANTS HAVE BEEN WAY TO GET THE FIELD.

OUTFIELD HOUSE BACK.

YES.

NOW, HEATHER, WHAT'S THE LATEST ON THE SO-CALLED WINTER ICE BASE CAMP IN BRIGHTON PARK?

SO THAT BASE CAMP IS NOW FULLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

HOWEVER, IT IS OVER THE OBJECTIONS OF ALDERMAN JULIO RAMIREZ, WHO SAYS THAT SHE IS NOT CONVINCED THAT IT IS SAFE FOR MIGRANTS LIVE ON THAT SITE AFTER THE DISCOVERY OF TAXES, TOXIC METALS.

NOW, EARLIER THIS WEEK, I ASKED MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON, WHY START BUILDING THE CAMP BEFORE THAT FULL ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT WAS RELEASED.

HE SAID WE'LL HAVE THAT REPORT BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

SO THAT MEANS I'M LOOKING FOR SOMETHING IN MY INBOX.

TAMARA TO READ, OF COURSE.

AND WHAT ABOUT PLANS FOR A SECOND BASE CAMP IN ROSELAND?

YOU TELL ME ABOUT THAT?

THOSE PLANS ARE STILL MOVING FORWARD.

THE CITY HAS NOT STARTED CONSTRUCTION THERE.

UNLIKE THE BRIGHTON PARK BASE CAMP THAT IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WILL BE RUN ENTIRELY BY THE CITY WHILE THE STATE IS RUNNING PLAN OR PLANNED TO RUN THE CAMP IN BRIGHTON PARK, THERE ARE STILL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS GOING ON ON THAT LAND IN ROSELAND, WHICH THE CITY NOW OWNS.

SO HOPEFULLY THE CITY HOPES WILL BE A LITTLE BIT OF A SMOOTHER PROCESS.

THEY TO KEEP UP WITH THANK YOU, HEATHER, FOR YOUR REPORT.

THINGS DRY OUT AND YOU CAN READ HAD THIS WHOLE STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

IT'S A IT'S ALL AT W T TW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

UP NEXT, HOW LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE HELPING THOSE FACING HOMELESSNESS.

WINTER IN CHICAGO CAN BE BRUTAL AND EVEN WORSE FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THAT THEY KNOW MUSLIM ORGANIZATION IS WORKING TO HELP THOSE IN NEED ON THE CITY'S SOUTHWEST SIDE.

IT'S A FRIGID NIGHT IN GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS WORK TOGETHER TO PACK UP WARM CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP.

>> WE'RE GOING TO BE OUT HERE FOR A FEW MAKE MAYBE 2 HOURS.

WE'RE GOING TO BE FREEZING AND WE GET TO GO BACK INTO OUR CAR AND FEEL THE WARMTH.

>> BUT IT'S THE REALIZATION THAT THESE FOLKS THAT ARE OUT HERE, THEY DON'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO JUST GO GETTING A WARM CAR OR GET UNDER WARM BLANKETS.

>> IT'S AN INITIATIVE OPERATED BY THE LATINO MUSLIM OHIO FOUNDATION.

THE NEIGHBOR LEAD EACH CAME ABOUT WITH IN MY KITCHEN.

WE STARTED OUT MAKING PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICHES.

WE WENT ON.

WE HAVE THAT OUT AND WE RAN OUT OF FOOD.

WE ALWAYS WENT OUT OF BECAUSE THAT THE NEED IS SO BIG.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WE HAVE A LOT TO THEM.

WOULD YOU FOR UPDATE?

>> YOU TAKE SOMETHING HOME TO EVERY TIME THAT YOU COME THE FIRST STOP IS AN ENCAMPMENT UNDER A BRIDGE.

THAT'S WHERE WE NEED.

61 YEAR-OLD YOLANDA VELASQUEZ.

>> I WAS DOING SO GOOD BEFORE MY FATHER PASSED AWAY, WORKING LEAST I LOST MY JOB.

I WENT A DEPRESSION.

I LOST MY APARTMENT.

SLEEPING IN A TENT HOMELESS FOR THE LAST 5 MONTHS.

THE CHICAGO NATIVE SAYS SHE'S BEEN SLEEPING ON THE STREETS.

>> AND GETTING HELP HAS BEEN CHALLENGING THAT THEY'RE TELLING ME THAT I'M NOT NON-QUALIFIED ANYMORE BECAUSE THE GIVEN ALL THE BENEFITS OF BULLETS, WILLIAMS, I UNDERSTAND THEY NEED HELP, BUT THE FORGETTING ABOUT THE PEOPLE THEY PAY TAXES IN CHICAGO LIVE HERE AND WE ARE HOME IS JUST LIKE THEY ARE WITH TEMPERATURES DROPPING INTO ALASKA SAYS SHE'S DESPERATE TO FIND A WARM SPACE SO I LOOK FORWARD EVERY FLIGHT TO BE HERE AND THIS TO GET WHATEVER I ANYTHING HELPS ME RIGHT IT'S A CALLING CLOSE TO ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE FOUNDATION.

>> FIRST SOME OF THE CLOSEST PEOPLE YOU KNOW, THEY THEY FOUND THEMSELVES IN THIS SITUATION DIDN'T QUITE MAKE >> THAT GONZALEZ DOESN'T SHY AWAY FROM TELLING HIS STORY ABOUT HOW HE FELT HIS DEVOTION TO ISLAM.

A JOURNEY HE SAYS HAS LED HIM TO GET I A HARD PASS VERY, HARD PAST.

>> AND I NEEDED WAS ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, INTO ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS INTO TROUBLE.

I WENT TO THE PENITENTIARY.

>> YOU KNOW A LOT OF TIME IN PRISON ALWAYS ANGRY, ALWAYS LOOKING FOR FAMILY.

THAT'S MY FAMILY.

FOUNDATION.

>> EVERY FRIDAY YOU'LL FIND GONZALEZ AND A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS NOT ONLY PASSING OUT A WARM MEAL BUT ALSO SPREADING THE FAITH OF THESE PROVIDE NO DIFFERENT.

>> THIS COULD BE ANY ONE OF US.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE ALL LIKE ONE BAD DAY AWAY FROM FINDING THEMSELVES IN SUCH A DESPERATE THE NEIGHBORLY NEEDS INITIATIVE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR 6 YEARS ON DONATIONS.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND HOW YOU CAN HELP, WE HAVE ALL THAT INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND ANOTHER EFFORTS TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS.

CHICAGOANS CAN EXPECT TO VOTE IN MARCH ELECTION ON A PROPOSAL KNOWN AS BRING CHICAGO HOME.

>> THE MEASURE WOULD HIKE TAXES ON THE SALES OF PROPERTIES WORTH 1 MILLION OR MORE.

ACCORDING TO THE CHICAGO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESSNESS HOMELESS.

AN ESTIMATED 68,000 PEOPLE ARE HOMELESS IN CHICAGO UP 2800 FROM THE YEAR BEFORE.

BUT WE SHOULD NOTE THESE NUMBERS ARE FROM 2021, WHICH MEANS THOSE DON'T ACCOUNT FOR THE THOUSANDS OF ASYLUM SEEKERS TO START ARRIVING IN 2020.

22 JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ON ALL THIS.

OUR SOME OF THOSE SET, A DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY IMPACT IN SPECIAL PROJECTS LIKE US AND NORTH THERE.

OUR TOTAL ON THIS, A SENIOR ATTORNEY WITH THE CHICAGO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS AND BRUCE PERRY WITH ILLINOIS UNION OF THE HOMELESS.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US NOW TO DO I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

YOUR TEAM'S REPORT, WHICH JUST TODAY WHICH JUST OUT TODAY BECAME AVAILABLE IN SPANISH, ALSO FOUND THAT OUT OF A LATINO COLLEGE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

91% OUR AND DOUBLED UP SITUATIONS.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THAT EXACTLY MEANS?

>> YES, SURE.

SO PEOPLE EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS DIFFERENT WAYS.

THAT COULD BE IT.

SHELTERS ON THE STREET DOUBLE THAT'S SOMETHING TO CONSIDER A COUCH SURFING DOUBLE DOUBLE THEIR FORM OF HOMELESSNESS.

SO THIS IS WHEN SO ON.

IT'S STAYING AT SOMEONE'S HOUSE WHERE THEY HAVE NO LEGAL RIGHT TO BE AND THEY COULD BE ASKED TO LEAVE AT ANY TIME SO THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR OWN HOUSE OR AN APARTMENT.

IT MAY BE STAYING WITH A RELATIVE OR FRIEND.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE THERE AS THEY CAN BE ASKED TO LEAVE HAVE THEIR OWN SPACE.

CORRECT.

SOME OF EURO GROUP WORKS A LOT WITH LATINO YOUTH.

>> CAN YOU EXPAND ON THE NEED YOU'RE CURRENTLY SEEING AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE?

YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S NEVER WE ARE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ORGANIZATION FOCUSES THAT.

ON YOUTH OVERALL AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE EITHER HOMELESS OR ARE EXPERIENCING THE DANGER OF BEING HOMELESS.

WE ALSO PROVIDE WRAPAROUND SERVICES AND PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO HELP THEM GET OUT OF THE SITUATION.

GUESS THE ARE A LOT NEEDS.

THERE ARE A LOT ORGANIZATIONS THAT THAT ARE SUPPORTING, BUT IT'S NEVER >> I WANT TO ASK A LOT OF THOUGH POPULATION ASYLUM SEEKERS WERE ARRIVING.

THEY ARE YOUNG PEOPLE YOU PROBABLY RECEIVED THEM AND HELP THEM AS WELL.

WE THE IN THE WRECK, THE HELPING >> WE ARE RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO OUR ORGANIZATION TO THE ASYLUM SEEKERS, YOU KNOW, BUT WE HAVE 20 STANDARD WE'RE DOING.

WITH THE HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE.

IT'S A REGARDLESS OF RACE, ETHNICITY THAT CROWN GENDER ORIENTATION IMMIGRATION STATUS.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT.

HOMELESSNESS OVERALL OVERALL PROVES I WANT TO GO TO YOU.

>> AS SOMEONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS BEFORE, HOW DANGEROUS IS IT TO BE LIVING OUTSIDE IN THIS KIND OF WEATHER?

>> OH, IT'S TOTALLY DANGEROUS.

IT'S A BRUTAL EXISTENCE.

AT ANY TIME.

BUT IN THIS KIND OF WEATHER PEOPLE AND WE LITERALLY HAVE VETERAN FREEZE TO DEATH AND THE WINTER IN CHICAGO I KNOW OF I KNOW A WAY WANT SO THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT WE GET EVERYONE HOUSE AS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WANT TO POINT OUT THAT NEXT WEEK THE 10TH OF DECEMBER IS 75TH ANNIVERSARY THE UN DECLARATION HUMAN RIGHTS ENCOMPASSES EVERYTHING IS JUST SAID EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO HOUSING AND TO THE OTHER BASIC SERVICES.

WE'RE NOT EXPERIENCING AT THIS TIME.

ORGANIZATION IS OUT TRYING TO ORGANIZE THE HOMELESS IN THEIR OWN DEFENSE.

AND OF COURSE, GO THROUGH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

NEED IS GROWING.

THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES ARE GROWING AND WE WORK MAINLY IN 10 CITIES AND ENCAMPMENTS.

NUMBER OF ENCAMPMENTS IS GROWING.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN TEACHING CAMERAS ANDREWS.

I HEAR THE PASSION IN YOUR >> I WANT TO GO TO SOMETHING REAL QUICKLY.

WE HEARD EARLIER THE STORY OF YOLANDA WHO EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD EXPERIENCE AND IT HELD IN A SHELTER.

>> SHE'S BEEN SEARCHING FOR HELP BUT SAYS THAT SHE'S BEEN HAVING TROUBLE FINDING IT.

>> I UNDERSTAND THEY NEED HELP, BUT THE FORGETTING ABOUT THE PEOPLE THEY PAY TAXES IN CHICAGO LIVE HERE AND WE ARE HOME IS JUST LIKE THEY ARE IN I'M REACHING FOR HELP, YOU KNOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE $20.

>> CREWS SAY I WANT TO GO QUICKLY TO YOU AGAIN.

HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO NAVIGATE THE EMERGENCY SHELTER SYSTEM?

MANY ARE SAYING THAT IT'S OVERCROWDED.

>> IT IS OVERCROWDED.

THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT AND FOR SHELTER SYSTEM IS THE ONLY WAY TO DEAD PEOPLE INTO HOUSING, BUT MANY PEOPLE WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION.

WELL, OR PEOPLE THAT DO NOT HAVE THE APPROPRIATE ID'S DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF ARE DOCUMENTED IN THE SENSE OF BEING IN THE U.S.

CANNOT FIND HOUSING BECAUSE OF THEIR DOCUMENTATION STATUS.

AND WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS, FOR INSTANCE, TOGETHER BIRTH CERTIFICATE TO BE DONE IT TO GET AN IDEA DEPART CERTIFICATE.

WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH WE'RE TAKING A LUSTFUL.

SOMETIMES THERE'S MANY BARRIERS AND IN LAYERS.

YOU'RE SAYING >> TO DO, GOING TO YOU MANY OF YOUR CLIENTS EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS.

WHAT BARRIERS ARE THERE WHEN IT COMES TO SECURING HOUSING?

>> AS MENTIONED, ONE OF THE BEARS THAT HAVING COULD BE ANOTHER BEAR SUCH OF HAVING A CRIMINAL RECORD.

SO I'M ATTORNEY WITH THE LAW PROJECT CO-HOST FOR THE HOMELESS AND WE PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS HAVE HOUSING STABILITY.

AND WE HAVE ATTORNEYS THAT REPRESENT CLIENTS A VARIETY OF AREAS, PUBLIC BENEFITS CASES THINK SPENDING AND WE ALSO DO OUTREACH SHELTERS COMMUNITY TOO, FOR PEOPLE OF OUR LEGAL SERVICES AND ALSO LEGAL RIGHTS.

AND WHAT WE JUST HEARD, YOLANDA, HER CASE IS, YOU KNOW, MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THAT.

HOW WOULD YOU HELP SOMEONE LIKE HER?

>> WE CAN.

THEY CAN CALL AND DO IT AND TAKE IT WEAKENS, ASSESS WHETHER IT'S A TYPE OF CASE THAT WE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FAR OR THAT CAN TRY TO OR FROM TO ANOTHER ORGANIZATION THAT MAY BE UP TO HELP THEM.

>> AND AS WE KNOW, CHICAGO'S HOUSING CRISIS HAS BEEN MAGNIFIED BY THE THOUSANDS OF ASYLUM SEEKERS WERE SEEKING SHELTER THEMSELVES.

OF THE LOAD WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

WHAT HAS THIS SITUATION THOUGHT TAUGHT US ABOUT THE CITY'S HOUSING CRISIS?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK HE WAS BRING THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS TO THE SPOTLIGHT EVERYBODY'S DOING WHATEVER THEY CAN TO TO HELP GOVERNMENT IS DOING IT.

NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS KICK ON BE ON DOING THE WORK TO THE SHOE.

THIS IS NOT A HOME DIDN'T START WITH THE ASYLUM SEEKERS.

IT WAS HOMELESS BEFORE IN THE ATTENTION NOW IS BEING PUT OUT.

SO THEY NEEDS TO BE VERY CLEAR THEY ARE LET A NEED TO KNOW.

YOU WANT TO JUST SEE SOMETHING THAT WAS MENTIONED JUST YEAR.

THE FIRST STEP ON.

TRYING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL IS SEEKING THE ASSISTANCE, MAKING THE PHONE CALL TO THE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OUR GUNS STATIONS.

WE HAVE A DROPPING CENTER WHERE YOUTH CAN COME AND RECEIVE ASSISTANCE IF THE FUEL THEMSELVES THAT THERE ARE EITHER HOMELESS OR IN THE BRINK OF BECOMING HOMELESS IS A COMMON THAT SOMETIMES PEOPLE FEEL THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO TO IT IS COMING.

BUT IS ALSO THERE'S ALSO A PERCEPTION THAT YOU DO.

WHY SHOULD A GO THINGS GOING?

VEGAN?

THE FIRST STEP IS TRYING TO GET THE SENSE THE ASSISTANCE AND ORGANIZATIONS LIKE CLASS ON NORTH THE PRO BASE, DIFFERENT RESOURCES, NOT JUST NOT JUST HOUSING TEMPORARY A PERMANENT HOUSING, ALTERNATE HOUSING, BUT ALSO FOOD HEALTH SERVICES NO REAL TO HIS CASE MANAGEMENT AND ARRAY OF AGAIN, NOT TO CREATE A DIVIDE BETWEEN WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH ASYLUM SEEKERS AND PEOPLE WERE FACING HOMELESSNESS.

>> I I WANT TO GO TO YOU.

HOW DO YOU THINK THE AMOUNT OF NEW ARRIVALS WILL IMPACT THE STATE OF HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY?

>> WE'RE READY.

ARE IN A CRISIS AS MENTIONED, THE DATA FROM 2021 SHOWS US THAT WE HAVE.

LITTLE BIT OVER 60,000 PEOPLE EXPERIENCING AND WE NEED IS PERMANENT HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

SO CCH ALONG WITH A LOT OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE BRIDGE CAMPAIGN, WHICH WILL NOW BE A BETTER QUESTION IN THE MARCH PRIMARY.

AND THAT'S KIND VOTERS WILL BE ABLE TO DECIDE WHETHER WE SHOULD HAVE A DEDICATED REVENUE STREAM TO PROVIDE PERMANENT HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT STEP FORWARD.

>> TRYING TO BE HOPEFUL, BRUCE, WE ONLY HAVE TIME FOR ONE LAST QUESTION HERE.

THE CRISIS, OF COURSE, I JUST MENTIONED, HAS BEEN CREATING A DIVIDE IN OUR CITY.

WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE REALLY UPSET AND WHAT DO YOU REALLY AND WHAT DO YOU TRY TO TELL THEM?

>> WE TRY TO TELL HIM THAT UNITY IS TO SOLVING THE PROBLEM, THE DIVIDE OCCURS BECAUSE SOMEONE IS GIVEN TO ONE GROUP AND ANOTHER GROUP FEELS TO PRIME.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT WE ARE AS HAS BEEN SAID, WE ARE DEALING WITH HOMELESSNESS ACROSS MANY DIFFERENT GROUPS AND THEY'RE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT.

SO TO SPEAK.

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYONE'S AND PUT OUR THANKS.

SOME OF SAID AFTER THIS AND BRUCE PERRY.

UP NEXT, A RESTAURANT CENTER ON A MISSION TO HELP ENTREPRENEURS.

THAT'S RIGHT AFTER THIS.

CHICAGO'S RESTAURANTS ARE MORE THAN JUST PLACES TO EAT THEIR THE HEARTBEAT OF COMMUNITIES, DEFINING NEIGHBORHOOD CULTURES.

THROUGH CUISINE.

BUT THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY IS ALSO ONE OF THE TOUGHEST TO SUCCEED AND THAT'S WHY PILSEN NONPROFIT BEGAN ITS MISSION TO HELP RESTAURANT ENTREPRENEURS KEEP THOSE FOOD FAVORITES COMING.

PRODUCER ERICA GUNDERSON BROUGHT US THE STORY.

HERE'S ANOTHER LOOK.

>> LIKE MOST FRIDAY AFTERNOONS, IT'S BUSY IN THE KITCHEN GROUPIES TACOS ON 18TH STREET BECAUSE THEY'RE 100% FAMILY AND OPERATED AND THEY REPRESENT ALL THE VERY NECESSARY PIECES OF A SUCCESSFUL RESTAURANT.

BUT IT WASN'T THAT LONG AGO THAT RUBY'S TACOS WERE ONLY AVAILABLE ONCE A WEEK AT A MAXWELL STREET STAND.

>> SINCE THEN, THE RAMIREZ FAMILY WHO OWNS RUBY'S HAS SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONED INTO THIS BRICK AND MORTAR LOCATION.

>> THAT'S THANKS.

IN LARGE PART TO DISH WITH THAT KITCHEN, WHO SHARES THE SPACE WITH RUBY'S AT LEAST FOR NOW.

>> WOMEN RUIZ.

THEY WERE STREET THEY STARTED SELLING THEM ON THIS AND OUT OF THE COOLER AND LIKE DIFFERENT A SOCCER MATCHES THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND WE MET THEM.

THEY HAD A REALLY IMPRESSIVE STAND.

>> PANDEMIC FORCED THEM INTO AN APARTMENT, SOMETHING OUT OF THEIR APARTMENT.

WE TOOK THEM, PUT THEM IN THE PHYSICAL SPACE THAT SUPPORTED THEIR REVENUE STREAMS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.

>> ISRAEL, THAT KITCHEN WAS STARTED BY RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

VETERAN JACKSON FLORES AND HER FRIEND BRIAN SOTO.

WHEN FLORES LASTER JOB EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC.

>> I WAS WORKING REALLY SPEAKING AS A RESTAURANT OPERATOR.

AND BRIAN OWNS AND ACCOUNTING FIRM.

YES, I WAS A CPA RUNNING MY COUNTY I HAVE A LOT OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE CLIENTS.

SO DURING THE PANDEMIC, I SAW THEM STRUGGLING WHEN THAT TO SHUT DOWN THEIR DOORS.

SOTO IN FLORES, SELF FUNDED A MICRO GRANT PROGRAM AS A WAY TO QUICKLY HELP STRUGGLING SPOTS.

>> SOON OUTSIDE FUNDERS BEGIN CONTRIBUTING TO IT.

THAT FUNDING HAS ALLOWED THEM TO DISTRIBUTE OVER $80,000 IN MICRO GRANTS TO DATE AS WELL AS OFFER FREE BUSINESS EDUCATION AND ONGOING SUPPORT TO ASPIRING AND CURRENT RESTAURANT TOURS.

>> AND YOU'D BE SURPRISED THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT OPEN RESTAURANTS WITH NO EXPERIENCE, A LITTLE BIT OF CAPITAL, AN IDEA.

AND WE'VE HELP ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH OUR NAVIGATE AND OUTS OF SO PERMITS LICENSES.

I DO FEEL LIKE WILL HELP YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE FOR YOU.

>> I THINK THE THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN THE ENTREPRENEUR LANDSCAPE RIGHT NOW SIDES ACCESS TO CAPITAL IS ACCESS TO INFORMATION RAINED.

>> WHAT A SALES TAX MEAN.

WHAT TAXES I'M EXPOSED TO WHAT PERMITS AND LICENSES EXPOSED TO.

HOW DO I COST OUT MY MENU?

HOW DO I HAVE INVENTORY CONTROLS?

HOW DO I WERE QUICKBOOKS?

>> ISRAEL LET KITCHEN TEAM SAYS THEY SEE SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS LIKE THE RAMIREZ FAMILY THROUGHOUT ALL PHASES OF THEIR BUSINESSES AS A WAY TO BUILD STRONGER COMMUNITIES.

FOLKS COMING FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND EXPERIENCES.

WE DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO TO HELP.

>> AND SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES IT'S ACTUALLY REALLY HARD FOR US.

EVEN ASK FOR HELP.

AND SO PART OF THOSE PIECES ARE BREAKING DOWN THOSE BARRIERS.

SO WHEN THEY ARE LOOKING FOR RESOURCES, IT IS SOMETHING THAT THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT, DARYN.

A LOT OF TIMES IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND WHAT THEY BRING TO THOSE COMMUNITIES >> IS NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, TO SKILLS THEIR FOOD THERE.

>> KRAFT, BUT IT'S JOBS THEY'RE THEY'RE REALLY ECONOMIC ENGINES AND ALL OF THESE AND IN ALL OF THESE COMMUNITIES.

>> AND FLORES AND SO DO SAY THEY ONLY NEED TO LOOK TO THEIR ROOMMATES.

RUBIES TO SEE EVIDENCE THEIR APPROACH WORKS.

>> RUBY'S HAS BEEN OUR BEST CASE THAT SHOWS THAT.

SOMEONE COULD COME HERE TO AMERICA, START SOME LITTLE TACO STAND AND GROW IT INTO A FULL-FLEDGED BUSINESS HIRING.

YOU KNOW, 10 PLUS PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILY ON A SATURDAY AND THAT THAT.

>> IS TRUE.

SUCCESS DREAM.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES.

THIS IS ANDERSON.

>> THESE STORIES ALWAYS MAKE ME SO HUNGRY.

BUT WHAT A GREAT PROGRAM.

I HOPE THEY'RE DOING WELL.

AND RUBY SPECKLES IS A FRIEND JON BON.

SHE AWARD FOR HERITAGE RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR.

KITCHEN OFFERS CLASSES AND SUPPORT FREE OF CHARGE TO RESTAURANT ENTREPRENEURS.

YOU CAN FIND MORE ON THAT ON OUR WEBSITE.

WHAT A GREAT INITIATIVE.

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 W T TW NEWS AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5.37, FOR THE WEEK IN REVIEW.

NOW FROM ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, LEFT IN A WAY SAYS I'M JOINED ON THIS.

>> STAY HEALTHY.

STAY SAFE.

ONE AS MUCH US.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, CHICAGO, PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH FOR THAT IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES