[MUSIC] >> CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINA VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALLSTATE.

THE FUND AT THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST AND SEE IDC.

[MUSIC] >> GOOD EVENING.

CHICAGO TONIGHT LATINA VOICES, I AM ALEX HERNANDEZ WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

WE CHERISH EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING AT FIVE AND SIX.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

WORKER WALKOUTS AND CALLS FOR BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS AT THE TORTILLA FACTORY.

WE GET AN UPDATE FROM THE LABOR GROUP ORGANIZING THE PROTESTS.

A LATINO LED ORGANIZATION LAUNCHES A FINANCIAL WELLNESS PROGRAM.

FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

NOVELIST AND HUMBLED PART NATIVE ON WHAT SHE SAYS HAS TO BE DONE TO SAVE PUERTO RICO'S FUTURE.

A TASTE OF LATIN RESTAURANT WEEK IN CHICAGO.

WHICH KICKS OFF MONDAY.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE HISTORY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AS WELL AS WHERE WE'RE GOING.

>>HOST: ATTEST TO THE 26 FAMILY THAT'S ADDED A TWIST OF CHICAGO HISTORY TO MEXICAN SPIRITS FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

[MUSIC] BURST OFF TONIGHT, WORKER WALKOUTS AND MADE CALLS FOR IMPROVED WORKING CONDITIONS CONTINUE.

TORTILLA PLANT AND LITTLE VILLAGE.

WORKERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN CHICAGO HELP RALLY AT 26 STREET HEADQUARTERS THIS WEEK.

THEY SPOKE OUT ABOUT WHAT THEY SAY IS A LACK OF COVID PROTECTIONS, UNFAIR WAGES, AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT THE COMPANY AT THE CHICAGO PLAN.

AMID THE PROTEST, WORKERS ALSO SAY THE COMPANY IS RAMPING UP INTIMIDATION.

HERE IS SOME OF WHAT THE EMPLOYEES ALBERT SANCHEZ HAD TO SAY IN THE RALLY.

>> [INDISCERNIBLE] >>HOST: JOINING US NOW WITH DISTANCE ORGANIZER FOR THE COMMUNITY LABOR ORGANIZATION.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

WE ALSO INVITED THEM TO JOIN US IN THE CONVERSATION.

BUT, WE DID NOT HEAR BACK.

THE EMPLOYEE, WE JUST HEARD SPEAKING SAYS THAT SHE WORRIES ABOUT GETTING FIRED BECAUSE OF INTIMIDATION TACTICS.

ONE OF THE WORKERS TELLING YOU THE COMPANY SAYING?

>>JORGE MUJICA: THE WORKERS SAY AND ACTUALLY THEY SHOWED US ON WEDNESDAY, WHICH IS PAYDAY.

ON WEDNESDAY, THE COMPANY ATTACHED A LETTER TO THEIR CHECKS OR PAY STUBS THREATENING THEM THAT THEY SHOULD KEEP ORGANIZING AND IF THEY GONNA STRIKE, THEY'RE GOING TO BE PERMANENTLY REPLACED.

AND OF COURSE, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT, BUT THERE WOULD BE CONSEQUENCES IF THEY KEEP ORGANIZING.

THE LETTER TALKS ABOUT STRIKES, WHICH NOBODY, YOU KNOW, THE WORKERS ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE STRIKE.

AND NEVERTHELESS, THE COMPANY COMES BACK SAYING THAT IF YOU STRIKE, THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES.

>>HOST: >>JORGE MUJICA: WE ALREADY FILED A CHARGE WITH THE NATIONAL LABOR BOARD.

THAT IS GOING TO BE SEEN TO NEXT WEEK.

>>HOST: THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THEY DO WANT BETTER WAGES.

LET'S CLEAR THAT OUT.

IN THE MANAGEMENT, IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE TALKING ABOUT TO ANY MEDIA AT ALL.

BUT IN FIRES, THEY SUGGESTED THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION AROUND CHICAGO IS INSTIGATING THIS DEMONSTRATION AND THAT WORK ON BEHALF OF THE WORKERS.

WHAT YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>>JORGE MUJICA: WE DON'T INSTIGATE ANYTHING.WORKERS COME TO OUR CHICAGO.

WE DON'T GO LOOKING FOR ANY WORKERS.

THEY COME TO OUR PLANT IN CHICAGO WHEN THEY HEAR ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

THEY GET PHONE CALLS AND MESSAGES ON FACEBOOK.

TEXT MESSAGES.

AND THEN WE STARTED WORKING WITH THEM AND WE STARTED GETTING AN RATING THEM ON THE RIGHTS.

IF THEY DECIDE TO GO ON A PUBLIC MOVEMENT.

THEN WE SUPPORT THAT MOVEMENT.

THAT'S OUR JOB.

WE DON'T MAKE EVERY DECISION FOR THE WORKERS BUT WE JUST FOLLOW, YOU KNOW.

AGATE EDUCATION, ORGANIZING, AND SUPPORT FOR WORKERS WHO WANT TO IMPROVE THEIR WORKING CONDITIONS.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

>>HOST: WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THURSDAY'S RALLY?

IT SEEMS LOGICAL, BUT WHAT'S EXPECTED OUT OF THIS RALLY?

>>JORGE MUJICA: WELL, BUT WE DID WAS TO BRING PUBLIC ATTENTION AND TO BRING SUPPORT FOR THE WORKERS.

THEY REALIZED THAT JUST DOING IT INSIDE OF THE PLANT MOST LIKELY, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO RESPOND.

SO, WHAT THEY WANT IS THE PUBLIC PRESSURE.

THE PUBLIC TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE COMPANY.

SO, WE BROUGHT POLITICIANS FROM CITY COUNCIL IN CHICAGO, FROM COOK COUNTY, FROM THE STATE SENATORS AND STATE REPRESENTATIVES.

AND WE BROUGHT READERS TO PUBLICLY SAY THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

WE SUPPORT YOU AND THAT WE AGREE WITH YOU.

WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TORTILLAS MADE IN SWEATSHOPS SITUATION.

THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THESE TORTILLAS ARE BEING MADE LIKE I DON'T KNOW SOUTH OF THE BORDER FOR A SWEATSHOP IN THE 19TH CENTURY.

SO, WE SUPPORT YOU AND WE WILL PUT PRESSURE ON THEM.

>>HOST: THEY HAVE BEEN A SOURCE OF EMPLOYMENT FOR MANY PEOPLE FOR MANY YEARS NOW.

ESPECIALLY THERE.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION FROM THE COMMUNITY?

ESPECIALLY THEM?

>>JORGE MUJICA: THE WORKERS ARE THERE TO BOYCOTT.

THEY SAY WE DON'T WANT TO BOYCOTT OUR OWN PRODUCT.

BUT, WE SPOKE TO THE COMMUNITY FOR WHAT I'VE SEEN IS WE CAN, YOU KNOW, PREVENTED.

THE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT'S GOING ON AND PEOPLE ON THEIR OWN ARE DECIDING TO BOYCOTT THEM.

SO, I THINK THE COMPANY IS GOING TO FEEL THE PRESSURE.

EVERYTHING I SEE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER AND WHATNOT.

TICK TOCK.

EVEN IN TICK-TOCK, THERE IS SUPPORT FOR THE WORKERS.

EVERYBODY SAYS YOU KNOW, IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN.

THESE CONDITIONS TO PRODUCE TORTILLAS.

>>HOST: THEY FILED A COMPLAINT, LIKE YOU MENTIONED EARLIER WITH THE NATIONAL LABOR'S BOARD AGAINST THEM.WHAT IS MORE OF THE SUBSTANCE OF THE COMPLAINT?

>>JORGE MUJICA: THE SUBSTANCE IS PRECISELY THE LETTER.

TO THE WORKERS ON WEDNESDAY.

BECAUSE THAT'S OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.

THEY ARE TRYING TO STEAL HERE ON THE WORKERS.

SO, THEY STOPPED ORGANIZING.

ORGANIZING IS A LEGAL PROCESS PROTECTED BY THE LAW.

EVERY WORKER IN THE UNITED STATES HAS A RIGHT TO ORGANIZE.

AND THE EMPLOYER SHOULD NOT, BY ANY MEANS TRY TO PUT OBSTACLES ON THAT ORGANIZING EFFORT.

WHETHER IT'S A LABOR UNION OR WHETHER IT'S JUST A GROUP OF WORKERS, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT AND PROTECTED RIGHT TO ORGANIZE AND THE COMPANY SHOULD NOT PUT ANY OBSTACLES TO IT.

>> IF LIKE YOU SAY, THE WORKERS ARE NOT YET CALLING FOR AN OFFICIAL STRIKE.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

>>JORGE MUJICA: WHAT COMES NEXT IS PUT MORE PRESSURE ON THEM AND SEE THE BASIC DEMAND IS TO SIT DOWN AND TALK TO US ABOUT WORKING CONDITIONS.

TALK TO US ABOUT THE MEASURES AGAINST SEXUAL HARASSMENT TO TALK TO US ABOUT UNIFORMS.

TALK TO US, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE 17 DEMANDS THAT WORKERS HAVE MADE A LIST OF.

AND EXPOSED TO US.

AND THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT THOSE 17 ISSUES.

YOU KNOW?

THIS IS NOT ONLY ABOUT WAGES.

YES, WAGES IS A COMPONENT OF IT.

BUT IT'S NOT THE WHOLE THING.

THERE ARE 16 OTHER DEMANDS ABOUT WORKING CONDITIONS.

>>HOST: ONE OF THEM IS ALSO THE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS, RIGHT?

WE HAVE HEARD IN THE PAST THE EMPLOYEES GOT HURT IN THE WORKPLACE.

SO THERE'S A LOT ABOUT THAT GOING ON AS WELL.

JORGE, WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND WE WILL CLARIFY THIS A LITTLE BIT.

WE KNOW THAT THERE IS STILL A LOT ABOUT THIS.

>>JORGE MUJICA: ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>HOST: UP NEXT, PROVIDING FINANCIAL STABILITY TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

STAY WITH US.

[MUSIC] >>HOST: ONE OF THE OBSTACLES FACING DOMESTIC ABUSE SURVIVORS IS FINANCIAL STABILITY.

A LOCAL ORGANIZATION HOPES TO HELP ADDRESS THAT CONCERN.

THE GROUP HEAD OF LATINO IS LAUNCHING A NEW PROGRAM AIMED AT PROVIDING SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE THE FINANCIAL TOOLS THAT THEY MIGHT NEED TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC STABILITY.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE NEW PROGRAM AND HOW COULD HELP SURVIVORS IS LUPE.

HEAD OF LATINA AGENDA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR SURVIVORS FINANCIAL WELLNESS PROGRAM COME FROM?

>>LUPE CENICEROS: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

WELL, AS YOU KNOW, THE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE IS THE BIGGEST PROGRAM.

AND SO, WE SAW THE NEED WHEN WE SAW THAT LATINOS FEMA LATINOS SUFFERED PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE.

AND ALSO MOST OF THE TIME IS ACCOMPANIED WITH ECONOMIC ABUSE.

AND MANY TIMES, THESE SURVIVORS DO NOT KNOW THAT THEY ARE THERE.

BECAUSE THEY'VE NEVER HEARD ABOUT FINANCIAL ABUSE.

SO, THIS IS WHERE THIS IS HOW IT STARTED.

WE SAW THE NEED AND WE WENT AHEAD AND APPLIED.

WITH THE STATE FUNDING FROM ALLSTATE FOUNDATION.

THE GUIDANCE ON UNITED WAY, POLITICIANS OF CHICAGO.

WE WERE ABLE TO START THIS IN THE SPRING OF 2021.

>>HOST: HOW HAS THIS BEEN WORKING SINCE IT STARTED?

I CAN ASK YOU HOW WAS IT POSSIBLE?

HE JUST ANSWERED ME THAT QUESTION.

BUT, WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE SINCE THE PROGRAM STARTED?

>>LUPE CENICEROS: IT HAS BEEN A REALLY GREAT RESPONSE.

WE HAVE HAD TWO COHORTS.

AND WE HAD 17 PARTICIPANTS AND SOME OF THEM GRADUATED.

AND THEN, THEY WENT AHEAD AND TOOK OUR ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAM, WHICH IS GREAT THAT WE OFFER THAT FOR THEM.

SO, WE STARTED THE PILOT, WE SAW THAT WE WERE HAVING GOOD FEEDBACK AND YOU KNOW, WE WERE REALLY HELPING THESE SURVIVORS.

THAT'S WHEN THEY DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE IT A PERMANENT COMPONENT OF OUR AGENCY.

>>HOST: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER RESOURCES OFFERED IN THIS INITIATIVE?

>>LUPE CENICEROS: THE OTHER RESOURCES IS THE RIGHT TO HELP SURVIVORS HEAL.

TO HELP THEIR NEEDS AND WE DO THIS BY OFFERING PROGRAMS.

IN 1981, LATINOS ESPECIALLY IN PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

IN THIS PROGRAM OFFERS SAFETY AND SERVICES FOR THE SURVIVORS.

WE ALSO OFFER INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING AND GROUP COUNSELING AND CASE MANAGEMENT.

WE HAVE CHILD THERAPY FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE WITNESSED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

WE HAVE MEDICAL AND ADVOCACY TO HELP SURVIVORS AND ORDERS OF PROTECTION FILES FOR JOE DIVORCE.

WE ALSO COVER ONE OF THE ONLY FREE SPACE EXCHANGES FOR THE PROGRAM PROVIDE A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT.

>>HOST: THAT'S A BROAD OF SERVICES.

>> YES.

>>HOST: WANTED TO ASK YOU AS WELL, HOW WILL THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES SURVIVORS A PATHWAY TO FINANCIAL SUCCESS?

>>LUPE CENICEROS: SO, THE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS PROGRAM IN WHICH WE ARE PART OF IS THAT IT'S NOT ONLY TEST US WE ARE NOT ONLY OFFERING FINANCIAL TOOLS, WE ARE ALSO INVESTING THE MONEY IN THE SURVIVORS.

SO, WE HAVE A PROGRAM THAT OFFERS FINANCIAL CULTURE SENSES.

A MATCHING SAVINGS PLAN AND ALSO THE SURVIVORS WANT TO CONTINUE ON THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM.

WE ALSO HAVE A MINI BUSINESS BRANCH.

>>HOST: ACCORDING TO THE ILLINOIS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE AND THE ILLINOIS CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION AUTHORITY, NEARLY 30,000 PEOPLE CALLED TO REPORT ABUSE DURING THE LOCKDOWN.

MORE THAN 2 MILLION WOMEN IN ILLINOIS HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTS WOMEN UNDERGOING DIFFERENT TYPES OF THE OF ABUSE.

HOW DO THEY SUPPORT THEM DURING THE LOCKDOWN?

>>LUPE CENICEROS: SO, IT WAS JUST US FOR OUR AGENCY, WE ALSO HAD TO REINVENT OURSELVES, BECAUSE WE WERE WORKING FROM THE OFFICE.

SO, I HAD I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE THAT'S JUST AMENABLE TO MASTERS THIS TO THE CAPACITY AND A COUNSELOR.

I DON'T WORK IN THAT PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY.

I WORK IN THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM AND ALSO WITH THE SURVIVORS FINANCIAL WELLNESS, WHICH IS A NATIONAL LITERACY.

SO, BUT, I DO KNOW THAT WE WERE I'M SO SORRY.

MY DOG.

>>HOST: THAT'S OKAY.

[LAUGHTER] >>LUPE CENICEROS: [INDISCERNIBLE] I DO KNOW THAT THEY WERE AND YOU KNOW, THAT THE NUMBERS WENT REALLY HIGH.

YES, IT WAS JUST AND THEN, WE ARE TRYING TO SERVE THE CLIENTS THROUGH PHONE CALLS.

ANYWAY THAT YOU COULD.

BECAUSE IT WAS JUST A MUCH NEEDED THING OUT THERE.

>>HOST: LUPE, WE HAVE LESS THAN A MINUTE PRETTY WHEN ASKED WHY YOU THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO OFFER THE SURVIVORS WELLNESS PROGRAM?

>>LUPE CENICEROS: I THINK THAT MORE THAN ANYTHING, THERE WERE SURVIVORS FINANCIAL WELLNESS AND WHERE THEY'RE HEADED THIS BECAUSE IT'S AN ECONOMIC ABUSE IT HAPPENS FOR SURVIVORS [INDISCERNIBLE] IN ORDER TO BUILD UP CREDIT, SAVINGS, IN THIS COUNTRY, IF THE LOAN ABOUT BANKING AND FINANCE IN THIS COUNTRY.

SO, ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE IS KEY FOR SURVIVOR TO MOVE FORWARD.

>>HOST: LUPE, I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

I NOTE YOUR DOG IS WAITING FOR YOU.

SO [LAUGHTER] I'LL LET YOU GO.

>>LUPE CENICEROS: SORRY ABOUT THAT.

>>HOST: IT'S PERFECT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH LUPE.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>>LUPE CENICEROS: THANK YOU.

>>HOST: WE ARE BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES.

MORE AFTER THIS.

[MUSIC] >>HOST: IN ORDER TO WRITE ABOUT, A PIECE OF SUGAR AND LOCAL PART NATIVE HAD TO RESEARCH THE POLITICAL AND COLONIAL HISTORY OF PUERTO RICO.

IT'S A HISTORY THAT SHE SAYS EVEN HER PARENTS MIGRATED TO CHICAGO FROM PUERTO RICO IN THE 1950S DID NOT KNOW.

IT SAYS WHAT SHE LEARNED ABOUT THE ISLANDS PAST, STILL RESONATES TODAY.

TONIGHT, SHE GIVES ON WHAT SHE BELIEVES HAPPENED TO BE PUERTO RICO PRETTY FUTURE.

>> HELLO, I AM HUMBLE PARK CHICAGO.

THIS IS WHERE I GREW UP.

AND THIS IS WHERE I HAVE MY ROOTS.

MY PARENTS CAME FROM PUERTO RICO IN THE 1950S.

DURING THE GREAT MIGRATION OF PUERTO RICANS.

I AM A NOVELIST AND I WROTE THIS BOOK CALLED THE TASTE OF SUGAR.

SET IN 1898.

DURING THE AMERICAN INVASION OF PUERTO RICO AFTER THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.

AND THE 1899 HURRICANE, THE DEVASTATED PUERTO RICO, VERY SIMILAR IN A WAY TO 2017 HURRICANE REVERE.

WHEN THE UNITED STATES INVADED PUERTO RICO IN 1898, THE VALUE OF THE MONEY BY 40 PERCENT.

IT CHANGED THE TAX LAWS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE LOST THEIR LAND.

AND THEY CANNOT FIND JOBS.

WHEN HURRICANE MARIA HIT PUERTO RICO IN 2017 AND OVER 4000 PEOPLE DIED.

IT WASN'T BECAUSE THE HURRICANE CAME IN AND JUST SWAP THEM UP.

IT'S BECAUSE THEY DIED IN DIRECTLY.

BECAUSE THEY DID NOT GET THE HELP THAT THEY NEEDED.

PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR HOUSES.

PEOPLE CANNOT FIND JOBS.

AND WHY IS THAT?

THE YEAR BEFORE IN 2017 PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNED A BILL CALLED CORA MESA AND THAT ALLOWS THE SOUTHERN MEMBER BOARD APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS TO MAKE ALL THE FINANCIAL DECISIONS FOR PUERTO RICO.

123 YEARS LATER I'M OF THE UNITED STATES STILL HAS PUERTO RICO AS A COLONY.

PUERTO RICO IS THE OLDEST COLONY IN THE WORLD.

THE ONLY THING THAT WILL HELP PUERTO RICO IS TO RESOLVE THE COLONIAL QUESTION.

AND THAT MEANS DECIDING FOR ITSELF HOW IT WANTS TO GO FORWARD.

DOES IT WANT TO BE INDEPENDENT?

DOES IT WANT TO BE ESTATE?

DOES IT WANT TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ENTITY?ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNITED STATES?

ONLY PUERTO RICANS CAN DECIDE THAT.

BUT YOU CAN HELP.

AND THE WAY YOU CAN HELP IS BY CALLING OR WRITING YOUR CONGRESSPERSON AND ASK THEM TO SUPPORT THE PUERTO RICO SELF-DETERMINATION ACT OF 2021.

BECAUSE FINALLY, AFTER 123 YEARS IF THIS ACT IS PASSED AND CONGRESS SUPPORTED, PUERTO RICO CAN FINALLY DECIDE ITS OWN DESTINY.

>>HOST: YOU CAN FIND MORE ABOUT THE SERIES ON HER WEBSITE.

UP NEXT, THE CHEERS TO THE FAMILY WHO SERVE MEXICAN SPIRITS TO CHICAGO FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS.

STAY WITH US.

[MUSIC] >> YOU WILL NEVER MISS CHICAGO TONIGHT.

YOU ARE PODCAST.

A DAILY DOWNLOAD OF OUR SHOW DELIVERED TO YOUR DESKTOP OR MOBILE DEVICE BUT GO TO WT TW.COM/ CHICAGO TONIGHT PODCAST AND SUBSCRIBE.

>>HOST: A LITTLE VILLAGE IS RENOWNED FOR BEING A FAMILY X CAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY TODAY.

THAT WASN'T ALWAYS THE CASE.

IT WAS LARGELY POPULATED BY EASTERN EUROPEANS UNTIL A WAVE OF MEXICAN AMERICAN MIGRATION TO CHICAGO IN THE 1960S GAVE IT TO CHICAGO FLAVOR WE KNOW TODAY.

CHICANO FLAVOR THAT IS.

AMONG HIS MIGRANTS WAS THE FAMILY, WHOSE NAME HAS GREETED THIRSTY VISITORS TO THEIR 26TH STREET LABOR STORE FOR YEARS.

THE NEXT GENERATION IS ANOTHER WAY FOR CHICAGO TO ENJOY A DRINK.

IT COMES WITH A TWIST OF PROHIBITION ERA HISTORY.

CHICAGO TONIGHT'S ERICA GUNDERSON HAS THE STORY.

>> WHEN YOU THINK OF 26TH STREET AND THINK OF THE DIFFERENT SIGNS OR UNDERSTANDINGS OF WHAT IS 26 STREET, PEOPLE THINK OF THE ARTS.

AND THEY THINK OF THE LIQUORS.

>> FOR MORE THAN DECADES IT MEANS YOU'RE IN THE LITTLE VILLAGE.

MIKE MORAN OATES JUNIOR IS THE THIRD-GENERATION AND HIS FAMILY TO SET UP SHOP IN THE COMMUNITY.

HIS GRANDFATHER, JOSI OWNED TWO GROCERY STORES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND HIS FATHER MIKE SENIOR OPENED THE MORAN'S LIQUOR STORE IN 1977.

>> PEOPLE TALK ABOUT GENTRIFICATION.

WHEN I MOVED IN AND MY FAMILY MOVED INTO THEIR, IT WAS PRIMARILY YUGOSLAVIAN AND CZECHOSLOVAKIAN, THE OFFSPRING OF POLLUTED AND THE LITTLE VILLAGE.

WHEN I OPENED UP IN 1977 THERE WAS NO MEXICAN LIQUOR STORES.

AND SO, WE STARTED BRINGING IN ALL OF THE MEXICAN PRODUCT.

SO THAT OUR COMMUNITY COULD ENJOY THAT.

>> NATURALLY, THAT INCLUDED MEXICO'S BEST KNOWN SPIRITS.

TEQUILA.

AMARETTO'S LIQUORS HAVE BECOME WELL KNOWN EVEN OUTSIDE OF LITTLE VILLAGE FIRSTHAND CURATED SELECTION OF TEQUILAS AND STOUTS.

>> THE KILLERS HAVE REALLY BECOME A GLOBAL PLAYER WHEN IT COMES TO SPIRITS.

WHEN YOU'RE CURRENTLY SITTING RIGHT HERE IS ACTUALLY THE LARGEST SELECTION OF TEQUILA IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY CURRENTLY.

SO, WE HAVE OVER 900 VARIETIES OF DIFFERENT TEQUILAS THAT HE COULD FIND.PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR UNIQUE AND OBSCURE.

THE LOOKING FOR PRODUCTS THAT HAVE UNIQUE FINISHES.

>> AND IF YOU TAKE A LEFT AT THE CRAFT BEER SECTION AND LOOK FOR THE NEON CHIHUAHUA, REYNOLDS LIQUORS ALSO OFFER SUPPORTER INTO CHICAGO HISTORY.

>> IT WAS A BAR IN THE LATE 1800S AND EARLY 1900S.

BUT SHUT DOWN DUE TO PROHIBITION.

>> THE BLACKOUT WINDOWS REMAIN AS A TESTAMENT TO ITS TIME.

NOT ONLY IS A SPEAKEASY, BUT AS AN UNDERGROUND GAMBLING DEN.

>> THERE WAS GAMBLING AND WILL RACECOURSE IN CICERO.

WE RAN ALL THE GAMBLING LEAGUES IN CHICAGO AND WHO LIVED IN CICERO.

SO, ALTHOUGH I CAN NEVER PROVE THAT AL CAPONE WAS EVER IN THIS BAR, I GUARANTEE ALL THE MONEY HERE WENT BACK TO AL CAPONE.

>> WHEN THE SPACE BEHIND MORAN AS BECAME AVAILABLE, MIKE JUNIOR SAW AN OPPORTUNITY TO FILL A NICHE IN LITTLE VILLAGE.

IN 2019, HE OPENED A COCKTAIL BAR IN THE FORMER SPEAKEASY NAMED FOR THE DOG OF CITO.

>> THERE WAS A DEMAND FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR A WHILE.

BUT, NOBODY WAS PROVIDING OUT THERE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE HISTORY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL AS WHERE WE ARE GOING.

SO, THAT IS THE WHOLE PREMISE OF THE BAR ITSELF.

A MIX OF THAT OLD WORLD CHICAGO FIVE WITH THAT MODERN LATIN FEEL.

>> UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF BAR MANAGER DENISE SOTO, THE TAP OFFERS A HEAVY PORT OF MEXICAN CULTURE WITH A MIDWESTERN TWIST.

>> IS BORN AND RAISED IN MEXICO.

AND I LOVE ALL THE FLAVORS AND EVERYTHING THAT I REMEMBER.

THE MY PALLET IS CRAVING.

>>WOMAN: I WAS TRY TO MIMIC AS MUCH AS I CAN.

THAT FLAVOR IS HERE.

AND I HAVE A TWIST ON COCKTAILS BASED ON THAT.

THIS IS REALLY COOL.

LIKE, I HAVE NO ENDING AND HOW CREATIVE I CAN GET.

LIKE WHEN YOU SHOWCASE WHO I AM AND THE CITY I FELL IN LOVE WITH, WHICH IS CHICAGO AND WHAT I LOVE TO DO.

>>REPORTER: BOTH JUNIORS AND SENIORS SAY THE VILLAGE COMMUNITY CAN EXPECT TO SEE THE SIGNS OF THE FAMILY HOLDING DOWN 26 STREET FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

>> WE WERE RAISED AND GREW UP IN THIS COMMUNITY.

>>MAN: WE HAVE A LOT OF PASSION AND PRIDE FOR THAT.

BECAUSE IT'S OUR COMMUNITY.

>>MAN: AND WE JUST LIKE TO BRING TO THE TABLE WITH THE TABLE GIVES US.

>>REPORTER: CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINA VOICES, THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>>HOST: WELL, IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR LIQUORS, TEQUILA SEMINARS FROM TIME TO TIME, YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

AND ALSO, CHICAGO, WELCH GETTING HIS FIRST BITE OF LATIN RESTAURANT WEEKS AT TWO WEEK LONG CELEBRATION OF LATIN CUISINE.

FROM OCTOBER 4 TWO THE 18TH.

13 CHICAGO RESTAURANTS WILL OFFER SPECIAL DEALS AND SOME OF THEIR CULTURAL'S MOST BELOVED DISHES.

HERE'S WHAT LATIN RESTAURANT WEEKS FOUNDER CARRY AN EXECUTIVE CHAP OF SANTA RESTAURANT SAID ABOUT THE EVENT.

>>WOMAN: PEOPLE SHOULD EXPECT GETTING THERE HEARTS AND BELLIES FULL WITH GREAT LATIN FOOD OF FLAVORS.

FROM A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT PARTICIPANTS FROM DISCOVER FLAVORS FROM COLUMBIA, VENEZUELA, MEXICO, AND SO FORTH.

SO, THEY CAN EXPECT GREAT SPECIAL DEALS FROM DIFFERENT PARTICIPANTS.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO DISCOVER THE FLAVORS OF LATIN AMERICA BITE BY BITE, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL LINE OF BUSINESSES.

>> SHARING FOOD IS SHARING CULTURE.

RIGHT?

SO, I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE WANT TO DO NOW.

SO, MOST TRADITIONAL AND CLASSICAL, WHICH IS [INDISCERNIBLE] AND [INDISCERNIBLE] >>HOST: THAT LOOKS VERY GOOD ACTUALLY.

WELL, THE COCKTAILS BUT WE JUST SAW IS ONE OF THE LATIN RESTAURANTS AND PARTICIPANTS ACTUALLY.

WE HAVE A LIST OF THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS IN RESTAURANTS AND A MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

WELL, THAT'S CAN BE OUR CHAUFFEUR THIS WEEKEND.

AND IF YOU ARE WATCHING US ON A SATURDAY NIGHT, NOT THAT YOU CAN ALSO CATCH LATINA VOICES AND BLACK VOICES ON SUNDAYS BEGINNING AT 10 PM.

DON'T FORGET TO TUNE INTO PREMARITAL ALSO.

SORRY ON CHICAGO EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING.

I BE WAITING FOR YOU NEXT WEEK ON LATINA VOICES.

MICHAEL WITH W BEC WILL BE HERE IN THE HOST CHAIR.

ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT LATINA VOICES, THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

GOODBYE.

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