>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... [♪♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES" INTEREST'S ALEX HERNANDEZ OF UNIVISION CHICAGO WHICH AIRS EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING AT 5 AND 6.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WHAT MADE ME SAD IS THESE PEOPLE ARE BEING USED AS PAWNS.

>> POLITICAL PARTIES SPAR OVER IMMIGRATION BUT MIGRANTS BUSSED FROM TEXAS TO CHICAGO AND OTHER MAJOR CITIES ARE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE.

>> A NEW REPORT SHOWS AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF JOB OPENINGS WITH A GOOD NUMBER OF THOSE FOUND IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

A LOOK AT THE REASONS BEHIND THIS WORKER SHORTAGE.

>> WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO SHARE THIS WITH OTHER AMAZING RESTAURANTS.

>> GET YOUR FORKS READY.

WE HEAR WHAT IS ON THE MENU FOR THIS YEAR'S LATINO RESTAURANT WEEK.

THE CHICAGO LATINO THEATRE ALLIANCE IS CELEBRATING WITH LATINO THEMED STAGE PRODUCTIONS KICKING OFF THIS WEEK.

>> .

>> IS THIS MAGIC AND HERE COMES THE BEAT?

AND IT'S INCREDIBLE.

>> MUSIC ENVIRONMENT LIST SANDRA TREVINO IS BACK WITH FRESH LEGENDS.

>> NOT TOO SWEET NOT TOO SAVORY.

SOFT IN THE MIDDLE AND A TASTE OF FRESHNESS.

>> AND A LITTLE VILLAGE NATIVE IS BRINGING SOMETHING NEW TO 26TH STREET BUT MAKING THE SWEET TREAT THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY.

FIRST OFF, THE BATTLE OVER THE BORDER IS HEATING UP BETWEEN POLITICAL PARTIES.

GREG ABBOTT IS BUSING HUNDREDS OF MIGRANTS TO SANCTUARY CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THAT INCLUDES CHICAGO WHICH HAS WELCOMED MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SIGNED THE DISASTER DECLARATION AND IS DEPLOYING THE NATIONAL GUARD TO HELP FOR ASSISTANCE.

>> WHAT IS THE STATUS ON THE BUSES?

>> WE KNOW ANOTHER BUS ARRIVED THURSDAY NIGHT.

I'M WAITING TO HEAR MORE ABOUT WHERE THE MIGRANTS WERE SENT FOR HOUSING.

600 MIGRANTS HAVE ARRIVED IN CHICAGO SINCE AUGUST 31.

CITY AND STATE OFFICIALS HAVE OPENLY SPOKEN ABOUT RUSHING TO FIND THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EMERGENCY HOUSING.

THE STATE HAS SENT PEOPLE TO SUBURBS.

ON THURSDAY WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE MAYOR OF BURR RIDGE.

HE HAS CRITICIZED CHICAGO AND ILLINOIS OFFICIALS FOR NOT INFORMING THE VILLAGE AHEAD OF TIME BUT SAYS AT THIS POINT HIS OFFICE IS ACTIVELY WORKING WITH BUSINESSES AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ASSIST THE 64 REFUGEES STAYING AT A LOCAL HOTEL.

>> WE'RE PROVIDING THEM EVERYDAY AMENITIES.

WE HAVE POLICE PROTECTION HERE, OF COURSE.

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE IN THE VILLAGE THAT HAVE STEPPED UP WANTING TO GIVE FOOD, CLOTHING, OFFERS OF EMPLOYMENT.

THE SCHOOL BOARD REACHED OUT ABOUT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES IF ANY WILL STAY RIGHT HERE IN THE AREA.

SO WE'RE KIND OF EVERYDAY LIFE NOW JOANNA.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT IS CALLING OUT GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT FOR HIS DECISION TO SEND MIGRANTS WITHOUT NOTICE SAYING IT'S ADDING TO THE REFUGEE'S CHALLENGES.

JOANNA WHAT ARE YOU HEAR?

>> THE REAL IS A LONG PROCESS FOR THOSE APPLYING FOR ASYLUM.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A WORK VISA.

IT CAN BE COMPLICATED.

PEOPLE NEED LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND THAT CAN COST QUITE A BIT OF MONEY.

ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN COMING TOGETHER TO ASSIST AS QUICKLY AS THEY CAN.

WE SPOKE WITH THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL SERVICES AT CENTER ROMERO AND HE SAYS ORGANIZATIONS AND COALITIONS ARE TRYING TO PROCESS CASE BY CASE BUT IT'S OVERWHELMING.

>> OUR MAIN FOCUS IS TO TRY TO SEE HOW THEY QUALIFY AND IF THEY DO, TO SEND A BENEFIT AT LEAST TO GET A WORKER DECISION.

MOST OF THEM DON'T.

BUT SOME OF THEM DO.

AND YOU KNOW JUST TO HAVE THE WORKER POSITION IS A LOT BECAUSE THEN YOU GET A SOCIAL SECURITY AS WELL AND THAT ALLOWS YOU TO MOVE WITHIN THE SOCIETY.

>> AND CENTRO ASSISTS 80-90 PEOPLE WITH LEGAL SERVICES NOW THEY ARE SEEING THAT NUMBER INCREASE TO 200 INDIVIDUALS.

HE SAYS IT'S GOING TO TAKE YEARS TO SERVE ALL THE NEWLY ARRIVING MIGRANTS.

>> SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN PAROLED IN WHICH MEANS THEY ARE GIVING A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME TO BE HERE LEGALLY.

SOME OF THEM WERE NOT GIVEN ANYTHING.

SOME OF THEM WERE PUT IN REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS.

AND ISSUED NOTICE TO APPEAR THAT IS EITHER SOMETIMES IN THREE MONTHS, SOMETIMES IN TWO YEARS.

SO IT IS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

>> AND HE SAYS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THEY ARE SEEING HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM FROM VENEZUELA.

AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER MOBILIZED 75 MEMBERS OF THE ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD TO ORGANIZE SHELTER AND OTHER NECESSITIES AS MORE BUSES ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING WE WILL BE FOLLOWING.

THANK YOU.

AND FOR MORE ON JOANNA'S CONVERSATION WITH THE MAYOR OF BURR RIDGE YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

BACK WITH MORE "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES" RIGHT AFTER THIS.

[♪♪♪] >> IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR REASONS TO EXPLORE CHICAGO'S LATINO FOOD CULTURE LATIN RESTAURANT WEEKS ARE BACK.

40 RESTAURANTS ARE OFFERING SPECIALLY PRICED MENUS AND ITEMS.

LATIN RESTAURANT FOUNDER OWNER SAY THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO TASTE WHAT CHICAGO HAS TO OFFER.

>> RESTAURANT OWNERS THIS YEAR FOCUSED ON CREATING DEELECTABLE PREFIXED MENUS.

THREE COURSES.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT INGENIOUS CONCEPTS LIKE A STEAK.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT LIKE A TACO, TAKE A LOOK AT BAR TA KEY TOW'S OFFERING AND IT IS A LATIN AND ASIAN FUSION RESTAURANT AND THEY ARE ROLLING OUT.

THAT WILL BE THE SEAFOOD AND THEIR SUSHI ROLLS.

EVERYBODY HAS PREPARED AND CURATED SOMETHING SPECIAL THIS YEAR THAT REALLY SPEAKS TO THE CULTURAL DIFFERENCES WITHIN THEIR HOME COUNTRIES.

THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT IS ENCOURAGING CHICAGO TO DISCOVER A GEM OR VISIT AN OLD FAVORITE AND UNDERSTAND THE DIVERSITY OF LATIN CUISINE.

>> [INAUDIBLE] OR CLOSE TO 50 YEARS 1973 WE DECIDED TO DO IT AGAIN TO LOWER OUR PRICES AND GIVE THE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

THEY'VE GIVEN SO MUCH TO US.

>> WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO SHARE THE STAGE WITH OTHER AMAZING RESTAURANTS AND TO SHOWCASE WHAT WE'RE MADE OUT OF.

>> YOU WILL FIND A LIST OF PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS AND MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> SPEAKING OF RESTAURANTS, DESPITE MANY BUSINESSES OPENING UP AFTER THE COVID SHUTDOWN, RESTAURANTS SAY THEY ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO FILL THE VOID OF EMPLOYEES.

THE U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS REPORTS NEARLY 1.3 MILLION JOB OPENINGS IN THE ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD INDUSTRY WHICH MAKEUP 11% OF TOTAL OPENINGS ACROSS ALL OCCUPATIONS NATIONWIDE.

THE SHORTAGE HAS CAUSED A STRAIN ON CURRENT RESTAURANT WORKERS.

SHORTENED BUSINESS HOURS AND LED TO THE CLOSING OF MANY RESTAURANTS.

JOINING US WITH MORE ARE ROBERT GOMEZ, OWNER OF BEAT KITCHEN.

AND SAM SANCHEZ, CHAIRMAN OF THE ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION.

WELCOME BOTH AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

NEW DATA FROM THE U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SHOW THERE ARE INCREASED JOB OPENINGS FOR THOSE IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

SAM, WHY ARE BUSINESSES STILL STRUGGLING TO FIND WORKERS TO FILL THESE ROLES?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS HERE.

A LOT OF NEW INDUSTRIES, CANNABIS TOOK A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AND THEY DECIDED NOT TO COME BACK.

THE UBER DELIVERY DRIVERS AND THE DRIVING SERVICES, YOU KNOW LYFT TOOK A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES DURING THE SHUTDOWN OF THE PANDEMIC AND CANNABIS TOOK A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES.

WE CONTINUE TO PUT OFFERS OUT THERE FOR MORE JOBS, SIGNING BONUSES, THE LABOR COST HAS INCREASED UP TO 30%.

AND IT IS A GREAT TIME TO APPLY FOR A RESTAURANT.

THE $15 MINIMUM WAGE IS SOMETHING OF THE PAST.

IT DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE.

PEOPLE ARE COMING IN AT 18, 19, 20 AN HOUR UP TO 25 AN HOUR.

REALLY ADVISE PEOPLE TO APPLY NOW.

>> AND EVEN WITH THAT, WE'RE STILL SEEING SHORTAGES.

>> ROBERT, REALISTICALLY SPEAKING THE PANDEMIC SHOWED MANY PEOPLE THAT WORK-FROM-HOME IS A POSSIBILITY AND THEY GET PAID DOING IT.

WHY SHOULD INDIVIDUALS RETURN TO AN IN-PERSON OCCUPATION WHEN THEY CAN WORK-FROM-HOME?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT IS DIFFICULT TO COMPETE WITH.

WHO DOESN'T.

MY MAKE-BELIEVE OFFICE RIGHT NOW.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO COMPETE WITH THAT AND ALL THE OTHER FACTORS THAT SAM MENTIONED ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE JUST AREN'T ENOUGH PEOPLE.

THIS COUNTRY'S ECONOMY HAS BEEN BUILT [INAUDIBLE] OWN PART OF OUR CULTURE.

OUR SOCIETY.

AND WE SHUT THAT OFF.

IT JUST TOOK TIME FOR US TO FEEL THE PINCH BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE AND WE ARE NOT ALLOWING WHAT WE NEED IN IMMIGRANT WORKERS TO COME INTO THE COUNTRY.

>> YOU LIVE THIS EVERYDAY, ROBERT, CAN YOU GIVE US A PICTURE WHAT THE SHORTAGE LOOKS LIKE ON THE GROUND?

>> YOU'RE BEGGING, BORROWING AND STEALING.

YOU GO INTO ANOTHER RESTAURANT AND SEE THE EMPLOYEE AND ASK THEM WHAT THEY ARE GETTING PAID AND I WILL GIVE YOU $2-$3 MORE.

I'M OPERATING WITHIN A SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD AND DOWNTOWN IS EASIER.

THERE'S TOURISM AND FOOT TRAFFIC.

NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTS HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME BEING ABLE TO COMPETE.

IT HAS HIGHER VALUE.

AND THAT IS A LOT OF SMALLER OPERATORS REALLY STRUGGLE AND THE REST OF THE ECONOMY SMALLER BUSINESSES.

>> RIGHT.

I IMAGINE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE TO DO LONGER HOURS BECAUSE THERE IS A SHORTAGE.

>> SAM, DO YOU THINK RESTAURANTS WILL EVER RETURN BACK TO HOW THINGS WERE BEFORE COVID?

>> WE'RE HOPING.

I MEAN THERE'S NEVER GOING TO BE THE SAME EXPERIENCE AS BEING AT HOME AND GETTING A DELIVERY.

THE NETWORK IS IMPORTANT FOR THE HAPPY HOUR, THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT IS NOT BACK.

WE ARE LUCKY IF THERE'S 30% OF THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT BACK.

FROM 600,000 EMPLOYEES DURING THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT WE ARE LUCKY IF 200,000 ARE BACK.

WE KNOW THAT THE COMPETITION ON THE STREET AND A NETWORKING IN-PERSON IS GOING TO DRAW THE PEOPLE BACK TO WORK AND PEOPLE BACK TO DOWNTOWN AREA HOPEFULLY THE SERVICE RESTAURANTS THAT OCCUPIED THE COMMON AREAS AND THEE HIGH-RISES CAN GO BACK TO BUSINESS.

THEY ARE ABOUT TO GO UNDER AND CLOSE.

WE CONTINUE TO SEE THIS SHORTAGE OF LABOR.

WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW, IS THAT WE WILL SEE THAT WE CAME INTO OPEN WHEN THE SUMMER JOBS WERE AVAILABLE.

SO A LOT OF PEOPLE WENT TO THE SUMMER JOBS AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO QUIT THOSE JOBS NOT KNOWING IF THE RESTAURANT IS GOING TO SHUTDOWN.

WE'RE HOPING ONCE THE SUMMER JOBS ARE SHUTDOWN, THE LANDSCAPING AND CONTRACTORS, AND THEY WILL COME BACK TO WORK.

WHAT WE'RE MISSING HERE IS A PUSH FROM THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT TO BRING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK IN THE OFFICE.

>> ROBERT, I HAVE THE SAME QUESTION FOR YOU.

DO YOU THINK WE'LL GET BACK TO THE WAY THINGS WERE BEFORE COVID?

>> IF YOU REMEMBER DURING COVID THERE WAS A SHORTAGE.

NOW YOU OPEN UP THE ECONOMY AND COVID STARTS TO HAVE LESS OF AN IMPACT ON OUR ECONOMY AND NOW WE HAVE A MORE SERIOUS SHORTAGE.

NOT WITHOUT OUR POLITICIANS COMING TO AN AGREEMENT HOW PEOPLE CAN LEGALLY ENTER THE COUNTRY TO HAVE THE LABOR FORCE IT WILL NOT BOUNCE BACK.

I OPENED UP ON NAVY PIER AND THERE IS A ROOM I CAN'T STAFF IT.

IT'S TOO BIG OF A SPACE AND THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE.

>> SAM, WHAT SUGGESTIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR RESTAURANTS THAT WANT TO RETAIN WORKERS?

WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS MOMENT?

>> YOU KNOW, I MEAN HERE IT IS.

NUMBER ONE, EVERYBODY KNOWS YOU CAN WORK FOR LESS MONEY IF YOU TREAT THEM PROPERLY AND YOU GET THE RIGHT BENEFITS.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT MONEY IT'S WHERE YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE.

WE'RE I WILL JUMP ON THIS QUICK BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT.

THE DELIVERIES ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE'RE WORKING ON LEGISLATION TO GET HIGH SCHOOL KIDS WHO ARE UNDOCUMENTED GET THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE.

WE ARE WORKING ON GETTING UNDOCUMENTED CHAUFFEURS LICENSES IN ILLINOIS.

WE ARE MOVING FORWARD IN PROVIDING MORE LABOR AND SERVICE.

IT IS A MATTER OF TIME.

IT IS A MATTER OF TIME.

WE WILL COME BACK AT FULL FORCE IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME.

>> LITTLE TIME BUT I WANT TO GET THIS QUESTION IN.

AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT SENT BUSES OF MIGRANTS TO CHICAGO.

HAS THERE BEEN OUTREACH FROM RESTAURANTS TO THE MIGRANTS?

IS THAT THE WORKFORCE WE'RE MISSING?

>> REALLY QUICK.

THEY CANNOT WORK.

THEY ARE TOLD THAT YOU UNDER THE ASYLUM WORK YOU CANNOT WORK UNTIL YOU GET A WORK VISA WHICH IS 190 DAYS.

THEY ARE SITTING THERE FOR A WORK VISA WE CANNOT HIRE THEM.

>> AFTER THEY GET IT?

>> AFTER THAT GET IT WE'LL HIRE THEM.

>> BUT THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.

WE NEED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WE ARE NOT SHORT NATIONWIDE.

>> INCREDIBLE THAT WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT A SHORTAGE OF EMPLOYEES STILL TO THIS DAY.

ROBERT GOMEZ AND SAM SANCHEZ THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, DETAILS ON LATINO THEMED PRODUCTIONS KICKING OFF THIS WEEK.

LATINO THEATRE ALLIANCES ANNUAL FESTIVAL RETURNS TO SHOWCASE LATINO THEATRE COMPANIES ARTISTS AND STORIES.

IT KICKS OFF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH STAGE PRODUCTIONS ACROSS THE CITY.

HERE IS A PREVIEW OF THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF PRODUCTIONS WHERE SHE SAYS EVERYONE CAN FIND SOMETHING TO ENJOY.

>> THIS IS A REALLY, REALLY INTENSE FESTIVAL IN THE FACT THAT WE HAVE 13 PRODUCTIONS, 13 DIFFERENT VENUES AND OUR FESTIVAL GOES UNTIL OCTOBER.

AND THE FIRST FEW WEEKS YOU WILL SEE SOME REALLY GREAT THRILLERS, REALLY GREAT COMEDY AND REALLY AMAZING DRAMA.

THE FIRST WEEKEND WE HAVE A ONE-WOMAN COMEDIC MONOLOGUE ABOUT A WITCH WHO GETS SLIGHTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

AND WE HAVE ONE ABOUT A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO GET LOCKED UP ON A CHICAGO ROOFTOP AND WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM.

WE HAVE A CHICAGO LATINO THEATRE ALLIANCE'S FIRST EVER FULL ON PRODUCTION.

IT IS A TWO-MAN SHOW ABOUT A PLAYWRIGHT AND A CONVICT AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY MEET.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE ENOUGH TO LET THE LIGHT IN, WHERE A LESBIAN COUPLE END UP HAVING TO GO THROUGH THIS PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER AT STEPPENWOLF.

AND THEN WE HAVE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GEOPOLITIC MAN.

GEEDMAN AND THAT IS A ONE WEEK ONLY SHOW.

>> THIS YEAR'S PROGRAMMING IS IN TRIBUTE TO THE ALLIANCES LATE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHO DIED IN AUGUST.

YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> WELL, LET'S SEE.

WE'VE GOT FOOD AND THEATRE COVERED FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.

AND NOW, IT'S TIME FOR THE THIRD PART OF THE CELEBRATION.

MUSIC.

HERE IS SANDRA TREVINO WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS TO ROUND OUT YOUR PARTY PLAY LIST.

>> WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WHICH INCLUDES LATINX, LATINO, AND CULTURE FROM ACROSS THE AMERICAS.

IT'S A WAY TO BRING BACK ALL THE THINGS THAT WE GREW UP WITH.

THE ARTS THE MUSIC, THE FOOD, I WANTED TO ADD NEW MUSIC TO THE PLAY LIST FOR THE CELEBRATIONS.

ONE OF THE ARTISTS HE LOVES THAT KIND OF MUSIC IS FROM A SPECIFIC COMMUNITY IN MEXICO WHERE IT'S SLOWER AND THE NEW ALBUM IS A TRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITIES HE GREW UP WITH LOW RIDERS.

AND THEIR LOVE OF SOUL MUSIC OF OLDIES.

[♪♪♪] >> AND NEXT IS A LOCAL DJ HE IS ALSO A DRUMMER KNOWN FOR WORK WITH LOSS SANTOS, AND HE HAS ANOTHER PROJECT.

HE PUT ALL HIS TALENT TOGETHER IN ONE ALBUM HIS SOLO PROJECT.

IT'S DEDICATED TO HIS GRANDMOTHER AND THE MUSIC HE GREW UP WITH IN PANAMA AND COMBINING THINGS HE LEARNED AS A DRUMMER, MUSIC FROM CHICAGO AND MUSIC FROM THE MIDWEST.

[♪♪♪] >> NUMBER THREE IS THE SEVEN PIECE BAND FROM OAK LAND AND THEY RELEASED A TWO PORTFOLIO PIECE SONG ON A 45.

MY FAVORITE IS BECAUSE THE VOICES OF THE FEMALES THAT COME IN IT'S CUTE.

AND THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT WHEN THE BEANS ARE NOT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

[♪♪♪] >> OUR CULTURE IS VIBRANT.

IT'S RICH.

IT'S FUN.

WE ARE GOING TO BE CELEBRATING WAY PAST OCTOBER 15TH.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE ON SANDRA'S SUGGESTION ON OUR WEBSITE AND WE WILL BE BACK WITH MORE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" LATINO VOICES IN JUST A MOMENT.

STAY WITH US.

>> LITTLE VILLAGE IS HOME TO ONE OF CHICAGO'S YOUNGEST POPULATIONS.

30% OF RESIDENTS ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 20.

BUT THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING PLACES IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THEY ARE WELCOME TO JUST HANGOUT.

A NEW SPOT ON 26TH STREET WANTS TO ROPE IN THOSE YOUNG CHICAGOANS BY OFFERING THEM A FRIED TWIST ON A MEXICAN TRADITION.

ERICA GUNDERSON LOOKS IN ON A CHURRO SHOP.

>> CHURRO IS VERY CLASSIC WHICH IS BUTTER, FLOUR SUGAR WATER.

WE NEVER REFRIGERATE IT AND NEVER HOLD IT OVERNIGHT.

>> THE BATTER TELLS YOU WHEN TO STOP.

>> BORN IN SPAIN AND PERFECTED IN MEXICO, CHURRO IS A PERFECT FRIED SUGARED DOUGH STICK.

>> CRUNCHY OUTSIDE.

>> AND ON 26TH STREET CHURROS FRESH FROM THE FRYER ARE A RARITY.

HERE AT EL CHURRO SHOP ALDO RIOS IS TAKING THE SWEET SNACK BACK TO THE MEXICAN ROOTS.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE GREW UP WITH THE IDEA.

IT WAS MADE BY HAND AND FRESH AND FRIED DOUGH.

AND IT WAS NOT STUFFED.

>> RATHER THAN FILLING HIS CHURROS, ALDO RIOS OFFERS HOUSE MADE SAUCES AND TOPPINGS TO ANTON ADKINS VENTURE TO THE TREAT.

>> WE A STRAWBERRY SAUCE WHICH IS ON THE SWEET SIDE WITH A COCONUT.

A SALTED CARAMEL.

AND THE NEAT ONE HAS MASS CAPONE.

>> BEFORE OPENINGRIES YO WORKED IN KITCHENS FOR HIS LIFE.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC SHUTDOWNS CAUSED HIS HOURS TO BE CUT IN 2020, RIOS HAD ONE INGREDIENT THAT HE ALWAYS BEEN SHORT ON BEFORE.

TIME.

>> IT GAVE ME ENOUGH TIME TO THINK OF SOMETHING I COULD DO ON MY OWN.

AND CHURROS CAME UP.

>> RIOS DEVELOPED A RECIPE AND SETUP A SHOP WHERE HE DISCOVERED THE OLD WAY MAKING CHURROS WAS NEW TO MANY LITTLE VILLAGE RESIDENTS.

THEY THOUGHT I WAS FRYING FISH.

ONCE THEY SAW I WAS MAKING CHURROS SEEING IT BE MADE BY HAND AND CUTTING IT AND FRIED TO ORDER WAS LIKE WOW IS THAT YOU MAKE THE CHURRO?

THAT IS HOW IT IS.

>> NOT LONG AFTER, RIOS BEGAN MAKING CHURROS AT POP-UPS AND PRIVATE EVENTS.

PEOPLE LOVED HIS PRODUCT OPENING A BRICK AND MORTAR SHOP DID NOT OCCUR TO HIM UNTIL... >> ME AND MY WIFE WERE DRIVING DOWN 26TH STREET AND HANGOUT.

AND WE DIDN'T FIND THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE A SPACE THAT WE COULD DO THAT.

IT WASN'T REALLY THE INTENTION BUT WE SAW THE LACK OF IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND WE PURSUED IT.

>> NOW, RIOS HOPES HE FOUND THE SECRET SAUCE FOR SUCCESS BY CREATING A PLACE FOR COMMUNITY IN LITTLE VILLAGE.

>> EVERYBODY'S WELCOME TO COME IN AND SIT DOWN AND HAVE A CONVERSATION.

IF YOU HAVE NO INTERNET AT HOME YOU ARE WELCOME TO USE IT HERE.

AND DO RESEARCH WHATEVER IT IS ENJOY A HOT BEVERAGE AND CHURRO AND SOMETHING THAT WE TRY TO PRESENT CULTURALLY TRADITIONALLY.

WE HAVE A YOUNG CROWD AND PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND THERE'S PLENTY OF POTENTIAL TO DO THE STUFF AND KEEP IT WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND KEEP IT OURS.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES" THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> I HAVE TO SAY THEY ARE GREAT.

CHURROS AREN'T THE ONLY DOUGH GETTING THE HOT OIL TREATMENT AT A CHURRO SHOP.

THEY ARE FRYING UP FUNNEL CAKE.

YOU WILL FIND MORE ON THE EL CHURRO ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT WILL BE OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEKEND.

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE WTTW.COM/NEWS FOR THE VERY LATEST FROM WTTW NEWS.

IF YOU ARE WATCHING US ON SATURDAY NIGHT, KNOW THAT YOU CAN ALSO CATCH LATINO VOICES AND BLACK VOICES ON SUNDAYS BEGINNING AT 10:00 P.M. DON'T FORGET TO TUNE INTO UNIVISION CHICAGO EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING.

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

THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

BUENOS NOCHES.

[♪♪♪]