>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

>> BRENDA FRIEDMAN HAS THE NIGHT OFF.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT -- >> WE HAVE ASKED OUR PARTNERS TO EXPAND FROM 12 HOURS TO GO TO 24 HOURS.

>> CITY LEADERS EXPAND SERVICES AS AN ARCTIC LAST HITS CHICAGO.

>>> IF AND WHEN CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY REACH THE HIGH LEVEL WE WILL ISSUE MASK ADVISORIES.

>> CHICAGO OFFICIALS CONSIDER A MASK ADVISORY IS COVID CASES RISE ACROSS THE CITY.

>>> ADDRESSING INTERNET ACCESS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> THE MANY FACES OF SANTA CLAUS AS SEEN IN THIS POSTCARD COLLECTION AT THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY.

>>> PLUS SANTA IS GEARING UP FOR HIS BIGGEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR.

THE BIG GUY MEETS UP WITH US TO TALK ABOUT BEING A SANTA FOR ALL.

>>> IF THIS WERE A BOOK IT WOULD BE LIKE, THIS IS COMPLETELY SCI-FI.

>> BUT IT DID HAPPEN.

THE STORY ABOUT THESE MIRACLES FROM WAR-TORN UKRAINE.

>>> AND WE SIT DOWN WITH ONE OF THE LAST LIVING LEGENDS, VOCALIST MARY LANE.

>>> AMANDA AND PARIS, AS YOU MENTIONED, I AM IN NORTHPARK AS PART OF OUR CHICAGO TONIGHT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT HOW RESIDENTS ARE HANDLING THE STORM AND ABOUT THE WORK THEY ARE DOING TO MAKE SURE THAT VULNERABLE CHICAGOANS HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED DURING THE SEVERE WEATHER.

BUT FOR NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, NICK.

NOW TO TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

>>> THE BOMB CYCLONE HAS ARRIVED, CONTRIBUTING TO SHARPLY-REDUCED VISIBILITY.

THIS AFTERNOON IT WAS AT HALF A MILE ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

WIND CHILLS HAVE BEEN BELOW ZERO AND THE WEATHER SERVICE WARNS OF A RAPID DETERIORATION OF CONDITIONS.

>>> CANCELLATIONS AND AIR TRAVEL DELAYS GALORE.

AS OF THIS AFTERNOON, MORE THAN 5000 FLIGHTS HAVE BEEN CANCELED AND 22,000 DELAYED NATIONWIDE.

THAT WAS ACCORDING TO FLIGHTAWARE.

BOTH O'HARE AND MIDWAY ARE IN THE TOP FIVE FOR MOST CANCELED FLIGHTS.

>>> CHICAGOANS MAY HAVE A HIGHER RISK OF CONTRACTING COVID-19.

OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL REINSTITUTE A MASK ADVISORY.

>> WE WILL ISSUE A MASK ADVISORY.

LET ME JUST UNDERSCORE THAT.

A MASK ADVISORY.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT WE WILL BE ASKING ALL CHICAGOANS AGED TWO AND OLDER TO WEAR A MASK INSIDE INDOOR PUBLIC SETTINGS.

>> DR. ALLISON IRRAWADDY SAYS THAT IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE STATE IS AT HIGH RISK LEVEL BUT SHE EXPECTS IT TO BE THERE SOON.

>>> COMING UP ON THE PROGRAM, ONE ON ONE WITH SANTA AND THE NORTH POLE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, BUT CHICAGO BRACES FOR THE FIRST WINTER STORM OF THE YEAR.

>>> WE ARE LIVE FROM NORTHPARK AFTER THIS.

>>> THE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AND BONE CHILLING COLD HAVE SCRAMBLED SOME OF CHICAGO'S PLANS.

LOCAL LEADERS ARE ADVISING PEOPLE TO AVOID TROUBLE WHEN POSSIBLE AND TO CHECK IN ON FRIENDS, FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS THAT NEED A HELPING HAND.

IN THE NORTHPARK NEIGHBORHOOD PEOPLE ARE DOING JUST THAT, ADJUSTING QUICKLY DURING A BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON WHILE KEEPING IN MIND VULNERABLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

OUR PRODUCER HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO HOW PEOPLE ARE RESPONDING TO THE STORM AND THEY JOIN US NOW.

I THINK IT IS A LITTLE CHILLY IN THE STUDIO BUT RIGHT OUTSIDE THEIR I THINK IT IS JUST A LITTLE BIT COLDER.

>> Reporter: YEAH.

I CAN'T SAY THAT I HAVE A LOT OF SYMPATHY FOR YOU, BUT THEY SAY TO STAY CLOSE TO HOME IF YOU CAN.

RIGHT OUTSIDE THE STATION SEEMS PRETTY CLOSE TO US.

SNOW, WIND, FRIGID TEMPERATURES.

PEOPLE HERE IN CHICAGO AND AROUND THE U.S. HAVE BEEN FORCED TO CANCEL OR CHANGE TRAVEL OR OTHER PLANS AHEAD OF THE BUSY HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

ONE NEIGHBOR MADE SURE TO GET A TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE IN YESTERDAY.

BECAUSE OF THE STORM HER MOTHER-IN-LAW DROVE UP FROM KENTUCKY A DAY EARLY TO AVOID DANGEROUS CONDITIONS ON THE ROADS.

>> WE WERE REALLY GLAD SHE CAN MAKE IT, BUT MY HUSBAND AND I HAD TO PREPARE THE HOUSE.

THIS IS MY REGULAR GROCERY STORE, AND DURING THE WEEKDAY IS USUALLY PRETTY DEAD.

I THINK EVERYBODY HAD THE SAME IDEA AS ME TO TRY TO GO WEDNESDAY DURING THE DAY AND BEAT THE RUSH AND EVERYBODY IS HERE!

>> Reporter: AND NEARBY SWEDISH HOSPITAL, THE CHIEF OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE SAID TO KEEP YOUR SKIN COVERED MULTIPLE LAYERS, AVOID GOING OUTSIDE IF YOU CAN, AND ALSO WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF YOU ARE NOT CAUTIOUS WHEN VENTURING OUT IN TREACHEROUS CONDITIONS.

>> FRACTURES AND TRAUMA THAT HAPPEN FROM ACCIDENTS LIKE THAT ARE ONE OF OUR BIGGEST AND MOST SERIOUS TYPES OF VISITS.

BE SLOW AND BE CAUTIOUS WHEN YOU ARE WALKING, AND BE CAREFUL WHEN WALKING.

ALLOW SOME EXTRA DISTANCE.

>>> THE WINTER WEATHER HAS BROUGHT AN INCREASE IN ILLNESSES.

HOSPITALS ARE BEING HIT HARD WITH COVID, RSV AND INFLUENZA.

>> IT IS MISERABLE.

SEVERAL DAYS OF FEVER, BODY ACHES AND JUST NO ENERGY AT ALL.

IT IS A MISERABLE COUPLE OF DAYS.

IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD YOUR FLU SHOT YET, GET YOUR FLU SHOT.

>> Reporter: CITY LEADERS HAVE BEEN WORKING ALL WEEK TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THE STORM.

THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND SUPPORT SERVICES SAID THAT AN INCREASE IN ROBOCALLS HAS GONE OUT REMINDING RESIDENTS TO PICK UP FOOD AND MEDICINE WHILE THEY CAN.

OUTREACH TEAMS HAVE ALSO BEEN REACHED OUT TO TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW ABOUT CITY RESOURCES.

THE COMMISSIONER SAYS THAT THE CITY AND NONPROFITS HAVE ALSO BEEN WORKING TO ADD CAPACITY AT OVERNIGHT SHELTERS.

>> WE HAVE ASKED SHELTER PARTNERS TO EXPAND FROM 12 HOURS TO GO TO 24 HOURS.

YOU KNOW, CAN YOU SQUEEZE IN A COUPLE MORE BEDS?

WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF PROVIDERS THAT HAVE RAISED THEIR HANDS AND SAID THEY CAN DO ANYWHERE FROM THREE TO FIVE UP TO 20.

SO THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE ARE ALSO RESERVING BUNKBEDS FOR THE UNSHELTERED, AND WE HAVE INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HOTEL ROOMS THAT WE HAVE FOR THIS STORM.

>> Reporter: YOU JUST HEARD THE COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCER DEPARTMENT'S CONTINGENCY PLANS.

CITY DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TOGETHER TO CREATE A COORDINATED RESPONSE FOR BIG WEATHER EVENTS LIKE THIS ONE.

AS OF THIS AFTERNOON, RICHARD SAID THAT HUNDREDS OF PLOWS ARE OUT TO CLEAR THE HUNDREDS OF MILES OF ARTERIAL STREETS.

BUT IT IS NOT THE FEW INCHES OF SNOW THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

IT IS THE HIGH WINDS AND EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES .

THE BIGGEST KEYS TO STAYING SAFE ARE COMMUNICATION AND PREPARATION.

>> IF YOU NEED TO BE ON THE ROAD IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, JUST MAKE SURE YOU BRING EXTRA GAS AND SUPPLIES.

DON'T GET STRANDED.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, STAY IN TOUCH WITH PEOPLE.

LET PEOPLE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND JUST KEEP LOOKING OUT FOR EACH OTHER.

>> PEOPLE HAVE A VARIETY OF MOTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING OUT FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON, NO MATTER WHAT IT MAY BE.

SO THIS MIGHT BE AN EXTRA REASON JUST TO REACH OUT AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY IS DOING OKAY.

>> Reporter: AS CREWS ARE KEEPING STREETS CLEAR, THERE IS A GROWING PUSH TO MANDATE THAT'S TREATS SHOULD ALSO BE CLEARED AS WELL AS SIDEWALKS.

PROPERTY OWNERS COULD BE FINED IF THEY DON'T SHOVEL, BUT MANY AREN'T ABLE.

CITY WORKERS CLEARING SIDEWALKS LIKE THEY DO STREETS WOULD BE COMMON SENSE.

>> I WALK AROUND LAWRENCE AVENUE A LOT.

A LOT OF BUSINESSES CAN'T OR DON'T GET OUT AND CLEAR THOSE.

IT IS SO HARD GETTING TO THE TRAIN IN THE MORNING OR ANYWHERE.

I BELIEVE THAT THAT SHOULD BE A CITY SERVICE, BECAUSE SO MANY OF US WALK AND BIKE AND DO ALL THESE OTHER THINGS THAT UTILIZE THE SIDEWALK.

>> Reporter: COMING UP, PARIS, WE WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT HOW PEOPLE IN NORTHPARK ARE DOING MORE TO HELP HONORABLE CHICAGOANS GET THE RESOURCES THEY NEED.

>>> STATE OFFICIALS ARE EXPECTING INCREASES IN COVID-19 CASES IN COMING DAYS.

CASES ARE REPORTEDLY ON THE RISE IN THE CITY AND NATIONWIDE , AND CHICAGO WILL BE REACHING A HIGH LEVEL VERY SOON.

THE MASK ADVISORY MIGHT BE PUT BACK INTO PLACE ASKING BUT NOT REQUIRING ALL RESIDENTS AGES TWO AND UP TO WEAR MASKS IN PUBLIC SETTINGS.

JOINING US NOW IS PROFESSOR ROBERT MURPHY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

DR. MURPHY, GOOD TO TALK TO YOU AS ALWAYS.

THE AVERAGE RIGHT NOW IS 643 NEW CASES IN THE CITY.

THAT IS UP FROM A WEEK AGO.

>> IT IS GOING TO GO UP.

THIS WAS PREDICTED.

IT POPPED UP AFTER THANKSGIVING WEEK, AND EVERY WINTER WE HAVE AN INCREASE IN RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS.

COVID GOES ALONG WITH THAT.

SO IT IS A PREDICTED BUMP UP.

LOOK, THE PEOPLE ARE TRAVELING AND GATHERING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THIS IS JUST A SET UP FOR MORE INFECTIONS, SO IT IS NOT A BIG SURPRISE.

>> WHAT IS HOSPITAL CAPACITY LOOKING LIKE?

>> HOSPITAL CAPACITY IS LOOKING PRETTY GOOD.

THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MUCH IMMUNITY IN THE POPULATION.

IMMUNITY MEANS YOU EITHER HAD COVID OR YOU HAD COVID AND A VACCINE, OR HAD COVID, THE VACCINE AND A BOOSTER.

SO WHEN YOU PUT IT ALL TOGETHER, THAT IS A LOT OF IMMUNITY COMPARED TO PEOPLE WHO NEVER GOT SICK AND NEVER GOT A VACCINE.

SO THAT IS KEEPING THE HOSPITALIZATION RIGHT FOR ADULTS DOWN.

AND THE DEATH RATE HAS NOT BUDGED.

BUT THE VACCINES ARE WORKING AND KEEPING PEOPLE FROM GETTING TOO SICK.

PLUS WE HAVE PAXLOVID FOR THOSE WHO GET INFECTED.

>> DESPITE ALL THAT, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT IS ASKING ABOUT A MASK ADVISORY.

YOU EXPECT HOSPITALIZATION LEVELS TO GET TO WEAR A MASK MANDATE IS EVEN NEEDED AFTER THAT?

>> THE MASK ADVISORY SHOULD BE OUT RIGHT NOW.

WHY WAIT UNTIL THE HOUSE IS HALF BURNED DOWN?

YOU SHOULD BE WEARING A MASK IN PUBLIC NOW, BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF CASES REPORTED IS GOING UP , BUT FIVE OR 10 TIMES AS MANY CASES ARE HAPPENING BECAUSE MOST CASES ARE NOT REPORTED!

YOU DO A HOME TEST AND YOU GET DIAGNOSED, THE ONLY REPORTS GO FROM A CERTIFIED LABORATORY.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT IMMUNITY, THERE IS A STUDY THAT JUST CAME OUT THE TALKS ABOUT HOW MANY LIVES HAVE BEEN SAVED AS A RESULT OF IMMUNITY FROM THE VACCINE.

CAN YOU LET US IN ON THAT STUDY?

>> YEAH, THIS IS A STUDY FROM THE YALE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

MODELERS HAVE LOOKED AT THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF PARTICULARLY VACCINES.

THEY HAVE ESTIMATED THAT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS, YOU KNOW, AND WE ARE AT THE TWO-YEAR MARK FROM THE FIRST PERSON BEING VACCINATED IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

3.2 MILLION LIVES ARE SAID TO HAVE BEEN SAVED BECAUSE OF THE VACCINE.

YOU GET ONE BOOSTER, THREE BOOSTERS OR WHATEVER.

EVEN MORE RECENTLY THE CDC HAS REPORTED THE PEOPLE WHO TOOK THE NEW BOOSTER, THE BIVALENT ONE, THE BRAND-NEW ONE THAT CAME OUT IN SEPTEMBER, IT IS ABOUT A 50% REDUCTION IN SEVERE DISEASE WHETHER YOU WERE VACCINATED OR NOT.

>> SO VERY REAL RESULTS THERE, AND YET AS THE ADOPTION RATE IS FAIRLY LOW, WHAT IS THAT IN CHICAGO RIGHT NOW?

>> IT IS LOW.

ABOUT ONE IN FIVE HAVE TAKEN IT.

BUT YOU WILL GET A BENEFIT FROM IT.

THE THING WITH KIDS IS A VERY DIFFERENT STORY.

KIDS ARE MUCH LESS VACCINATED THAN THE ADULTS.

AND ESPECIALLY WITH THESE BOOSTERS.

PEDIATRIC HOSPITALIZATION RATE IS WAY UP.

>> SO DOCTORS AND PROFESSIONALS ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE PEDIATRIC RATE RIGHT NOW.

IN TERMS OF PILOT BIVALENT BOOSTERS, IS THAT STILL GOING TO BE THE BEST OPTION GOING FORWARD?

>> THAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GO FORWARD TODAY.

THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW.

SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN, YOU KNOW, THE FLU VACCINE IS DIFFERENT EVERY YEAR.

THE COVID VACCINE WILL ALSO CHANGE EVERY YEAR.

THE RESULTS THAT I JUST MENTIONED ABOUT THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED, YOU KNOW, THERE IS AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE OUTCOMES.

SO YOU WILL SEE THAT PROBABLY EVERY YEAR.

>> I WANT TO COME BACK TO WHETHER WE ARE HAVING RIGHT NOW.

>> IT IS NOT SO MUCH THE WEATHER AND IT IS NOT SO MUCH THE COLD.

IT IS THE FACT THAT IN COLD WEATHER, EVERYONE IS INDOORS TOGETHER.

SO YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY IS INDOORS TONIGHT, BUSINESSES CLOSE EARLY OR WHATEVER.

SO PEOPLE ARE INSIDE.

THEY ARE EITHER INSIDE AT RESTAURANTS OR BARS OR AT HOMES AND HOLIDAY GATHERINGS.

THAT IS WHAT SPREADS THESE INFECTIONS.

>> SPEAKING OF SPREADING THE INFECTION, WE WERE DISCUSSING WHAT IS HAPPENING IN CHINA THIS WEEK.

THERE HAVE BEEN BIG PROTEST TO TRY TO GET THE COUNTRY TO LIFT THEIR ZERO COVID POLICY.

THOSE HUGE LOCKDOWNS THEY HAVE HAD.

WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE NOW?

>> WELL, THEY REALLY THOUGHT THAT WE WOULD BE GETTING RID OF COVID.

OF COURSE THAT HASN'T HAPPENED.

IT HAS JUST BECOME AN ENDEMIC DISEASE.

SO THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF CHINA, YOU KNOW, WHICH IS THREE OR FOUR TIMES BIGGER THAN THE UNITED STATES, YOU KNOW, HARDLY ANYBODY HAS HAD COVID AND VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM COVID.

SO THERE IS HARDLY ANY POPULATION IMMUNITY.

THEY HAVE VACCINATED PEOPLE BUT THE VACCINES ARE NOT AS GOOD AS THE ONES WE USE HERE.

AND PEOPLE DON'T KEEP UP WITH VACCINES.

SO IT ENDS UP MAKING THEM VERY VULNERABLE.

YOU JUST CAN'T KEEP DOING IT THE WAY THEY WERE DOING IT.

THERE ARE ESTIMATES THAT 600,000 TO 1 MILLION PEOPLE MAY DIE FROM COVID IN THE NEXT 22 MONTHS.

>> THAT IS A MASSIVE NUMBER AND A VERY RAPID SPREAD.

I AM SURE THAT INFECTIOUS DISEASE PROFESSIONALS LIKE YOURSELVES WILL BE WATCHING WHAT HAPPENS THERE AND HERE.

DR. MURPHY, THANK YOU, STAY WARM AND HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY.

>> YOU TOO.

>>> UP NEXT, THE MANY FACES OF OLD STATE SAINT NICK.

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>>> HE IS THE LEGENDARY BIG GUY KNOWN FOR HIS JOLLY LAUGH, RED SUIT AND WHITE BEARD.

BUT 100 YEARS AGO YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE RECOGNIZED SANTA CLAUS.

OVER TIMES THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CHANGES TO HIS LOOK.

PRODUCER MARK VITALI VISITED THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY TO LOOK AT HOW SANTA HAS CHANGED.

>> I LOOK AT MANY EXAMPLES RELATED TO THE U.S. AND AMERICAN CULTURE.

THE NEWBERRY HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST INSTITUTIONAL POSTCARD COLLECTIONS IN THE WORLD.

THESE ARE FROM THE COLLECTION OF A MAN NAMED BRIAN BOSSIER WHICH IS A FINE COLLECTION OF POSTCARDS, EARLY POSTCARDS IN PARTICULAR FROM AROUND THE 1890S TO 1920s.

THE LIBRARY HAS DIGITIZED HUNDREDS OF IMAGES OF SANTA CLAUS.

THIS COLLECTION IS GREAT FOR LOOKING AT THE EVOLUTION OF SANTA CLAUS IN AMERICAN CULTURE BUT ALSO GLOBAL CULTURE.

MOST REPRESENTATIONS ARE EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN, BUT THERE ARE MANY THAT SHOW SANTA CLAUS NOT IN THE TYPICAL WAY THAT WE THINK OF HIM NOW.

GOING INTO THE BACK STORY OF SANTA CLAUS, A LOT OF IT FOCUSES ON THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS POEM.

BUT REALLY THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WAYS THAT HE LOOKS.

IT IS NOT ALWAYS A RED COAT.

HE WEARS PURPLE, GREEN, BLUE.

SOMETIMES HE IS DEPICTED AS MORE ELF LIKE HIMSELF.

SANTA CLAUS CAN BE SLIGHTLY SCARY OR BALD OR CONTROVERSIAL.

AND SANTA IS ALWAYS DEPICTED IS ON THE MOVE, THOUGH HE SOMETIMES HAS QUESTIONABLE DRIVING SKILLS.

>> THERE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A REAL VOTE FOR SHOWING SANTA IN NEW TRANSPORTATION MODES IN THE EARLY 20th CENTURY.

SO THERE AREN'T ACTUALLY A LOT IN THIS COLLECTION THAT SHOW HIM WITH THE TYPICAL SLEIGH AND REINDEER.

THERE ARE A COUPLE THAT SHOW HIM WITH A SLEIGH BEING PULLED BY ELVES.

THERE ARE SOME THAT SHOW HIM IN A CURLY AIRPLANE, SINCE AVIATION WAS SO NEW IN THE EARLY 20th CENTURY.

THERE IS SOME THAT SHOW HIM IN A ZEPPELIN.

THERE ARE SOME THAT SHOW HIM IN CARS OR EARLY AUTOMOBILES.

THERE IS EVEN ONE ON A MOTORBIKE WHICH IS A NEW SORT OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE EARLY 20th CENTURY.

IT IS INTERESTING FOR THINKING ABOUT HOW SANTA IS BOTH EVERYWHERE AND NOWHERE AND HOW WE ALL KNOW WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE AND ALSO NOBODY KNOWS WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE, BECAUSE HE IS MAGICAL, RIGHT?

>> HE IS MAGICAL!

NOW YOU CAN SEE EVEN MORE ADDITIONAL IMAGES OF SANTA CLAUS BY VISITING THE WTTW NEWS WEBSITE.

200 ADDITIONAL IMAGES THERE.

>>> A NOTE TO PARENTS.

IF YOU HAVE LITTLE ONES AT HOME, IT IS ASKED THAT THEY STEP AWAY MOMENTARILY.

FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, CHILDREN HAVE LOVED THE MAN WHO COMES DOWN THE CHIMNEY TO DELIVER HOLIDAY CHEER EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE.

AS WE JUST HEARD, SANTA HAS HAD A LOT OF LOOKS THROUGHOUT TIME.

HE HAS ALSO GONE BY MANY NAMES.

BUT PERHAPS THE BIGGEST CHANGE IS THE REASON WHY TODAY SANTA'S ARE MORE DIVERSE.

ONE OF THOSE SANTAS BRINGING THE JOY OF THE HOLIDAYS TO KIDS IN CHICAGO AND ELSEWHERE IS SANTA LARRY!

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, SANTA LARRY!

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME!

>> TELL US, HOW DID YOU LAND ON THIS JOURNEY TO BRING JOY TO CHILDREN IN CHICAGO AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

>> I STARTED DOING IT FOR MY FAMILY.

I SAID, I AM GOING TO GO AND BUY A SANTA SUIT.

THEY HAD ONE AT WALMART FOR $29.99.

AND IN 1999 I SHOWED UP AT THEIR HOUSE AND SURPRISED THEM AS SANTA CLAUS.

AND THAT IS HOW IT ALL GOT STARTED.

>> THAT IS VERY SWEET OF YOU!

SINCE YOU MOVED ON FROM FAMILY TO THE BIG TIME, YOU GOT NATIONAL ATTENTION AS THE FIRST BLACK SANTA TO APPEAR AT MALL OF AMERICA?

HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?

>> I WAS AT A SANTA WORKSHOP OR SCHOOL BACK IN 2015.

WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN MARKET OURSELVES AND GET JOBS AS SANTA.

SO THEY SAID SANTA LARRY, YOU SHOULD GO TO BRANSON, MISSOURI TOMORROW TO THE CONVENTION!

AND YES, WE HAVE CONVENTIONS.

SO I WENT TO THE CONVENTION AND I WAS OUT THERE FOR FIVE DAYS.

MY VERY LAST DAY THEY SAID SANTA, SEE IT?

AND FLETCHER CAME UP AND SAID, I HAVE A CARD.

WE ARE TRYING TO DIVERSIFY OUR SANTA TEAM.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, CALL THIS NUMBER.

I SIMPLY SAID, IF I CALL THAT NUMBER ON THAT CARD, I WILL GET AN INTERVIEW AND THEY WILL HIRE ME!

I AM AN ACTOR AND A SINGER AND I LOVE KIDS.

I LOVE CHRISTMAS.

I CALLED AND THEY GAVE ME A FOUR-DAY CONTRACT FOR THE SANTA EXPERIENCE MINNESOTA.

THAT IS HOW I GOT BLOWN WAY UP.

PEOPLE WEREN'T USED TO SEEING A SANTA CLAUS LIKE ME ON THE STAGE!

I HAD SO MUCH SUPPORT FROM PEOPLE ALL AROUND THE WORLD, PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA, PEOPLE IN TEXAS, EVERYWHERE.

BUT I DID HAVE A LITTLE PUSH BACK FROM SOME OF THE PEOPLE HIDING BEHIND THE KEYBOARD.

I CALL THEM KEYBOARD BULLIES.

BUT I DIDN'T LET THAT STOP ME, BECAUSE THOSE PEOPLE AREN'T COMING OUT TO SEE ME.

>> PEOPLE WOULD ARGUE THAT THIS IS A MOVEMENT THAT IS TO WALK OR SOMETHING.

THAT SANTA IS SUPPOSED TO LOOK ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> ANYBODY CAN BE SANTA CLAUS!

ANYBODY CAN BE MRS. CLAUS.

MICKEY MOUSE HAS BEEN SANTA CLAUS.

ALL SITES OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SANTA CLAUS.

SO ME BEING SANTA CLAUS IS NO BIG DEAL.

IT IS JUST THE FACT THAT I AM REPRESENTING A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.

>> WHY IS THAT REPRESENTATION SO IMPORTANT, PARTICULARLY TO CHILDREN?

>> PARTICULARLY TO SOME OF THE CHILDREN WHO ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN, HISPANIC, ASIAN CHILDREN, THEY NEED TO SEE A SANTA CLAUS THAT LOOKS LIKE THEM.

REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

IT GIVES THEM SOMETHING TO IDENTIFY WITH AS WELL.

WHEN CHILDREN OF COLOR SEE ME, THEY ARE SCREAMING SANTA CLAUS, SANTA CLAUS!

AND I JUST ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.

>> SOMETIMES SEEING REALLY IS BELIEVING.

NOW SANTA LARRY, WHAT IS THE KEY TO BEING SANTA AND EMBODYING ALL THAT THAT ENTAILS?

>> OH MY GOSH!

IT INCLUDES HAVING A GOOD HEART.

YOU KNOW, YOU NEED TO HAVE THAT GOOD HEART, THAT LOVE, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THAT LOVE WITH CHILDREN AND PARENTS.

>> THEY CAN FEEL IT!

>> ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY.

I HAD A LADY HERE IN CHICAGO WHO WAS 99 YEARS OLD AND SHE SAT ON MY LAP THE OTHER DAY, WEDNESDAY TO BE EXACT , AND SHE TURNS 100 YEARS OLD IN FEBRUARY!

SO YOU SEE, SANTA CLAUS IS NOT JUST FOR THE LITTLE ONES.

IT IS FOR THE BIG ONES AS WELL.

BUT IT INCLUDES HAVING A GOOD HEART.

I TAKE PRIDE IN BEING SANTA CLAUS BECAUSE I LOVE CHRISTMAS.

I LOVE CELEBRATING AND BEING HAPPY AND BEING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

BUT I TELL PEOPLE THAT IT IS NOT ABOUT THE PRESENTS THAT I BRING.

IT IS ABOUT THE GIFTS THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED.

>> WHAT A GIFT TO THAT NEARLY 100-YEAR-OLD WOMAN.

THAT IS REALLY SPECIAL.

NOW I WANT TO ASK YOU.

THAT HAD TO BE THE JOIST OF CONFERENCES!

>> OH MY GOSH!

I WENT TO THE CONFERENCE IN 2016, I WAS THE ONLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN SANTA CLAUS!

I LOOKED AROUND AND I WAS LIKE WHAT IS GOING ON?

AND I WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW WHAT?

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO BE SANTA CLAUS FOR ALL CHILDREN!

>> TIMES OF CHANGE.

THERE ARE MORE BLACK SANTAS.

YOU ARE NO LONGER THE ONLY BLACK SANTA AT THE CONVENTION.

THERE ARE ALSO LGBT PLUS SANTAS, LATINO SANTAS.

HAVE YOU SEEN THAT GROWTH?

>> I HAVE SEEN THE DIVERSITY OF SANTAS INCREASING, AND THAT IS FANTASTIC.

EVEN AT MALL OF AMERICA I RECRUITED AN ASIAN SANTA.

ALAN MADE HIS DEBUT AT MALL OF AMERICA THIS YEAR AND HE DID REALLY WELL.

BUT JUST REPRESENTATION OF ALL PEOPLE.

ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

IF YOU WANT TO BE SANTA CLAUS, BE SANTA CLAUS, AS LONG AS YOU ARE SHARING THE JOY AND HAPPINESS WITH PEOPLE.

>> EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT IN THAT RED SUIT, YOU CAN STILL TAKE PART IN THAT SANTA EMBODIMENT!

NOW SANTA LARRY, YOU DO TRAVEL THE COUNTRY, BUT IN CHICAGO PEOPLE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING YOU THEIR FAMILIES AND SAY HI.

WHERE CAN THAT HAPPEN?

>> THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY IN CHICAGO.

I REPRESENT THE MUSEUM AND TAKE PICTURES WITH CHILDREN FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

I AM THERE TOMORROW.

TOMORROW IS MY LAST DAY!

I AM PRAYING THAT WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS WEATHER.

>> NOT EVERYBODY HAS THAT WARM RED SUIT!

GOOD LUCK AND THANKS FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF THE BUSIEST TIME OF YOUR YEAR TO SPEND IT WITH US.

ONCE AGAIN, THAT IS OUR BLACK SANTA, THE VERY FIRST AT THE MALL OF AMERICA, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS SANTA LARRY.

>> ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR SON?

>> I AM AFRAID WE DON'T HAVE TIME!

I'M SORRY.

MAYBE WHILE I TALKED BACK TO PARIS YOU CAN BEGIN, HOW IS THAT?

BACK TO YOU, PARIS!

>> THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU, SANTA LARRY!

>>> STILL TO COME ON CHICAGO TONIGHT , KEEPING AN EYE ON THE MOST VULNERABLE.

ILLINOIS GETTING $250 MILLION IN FEDERAL MONEY THAT AIMS TO ADDRESS INTERNET ACCESS.

>> IF WE WERE TO WRITE A BOOK, IT WOULD BE TOTALLY SCI-FI.

THERE IS NO WAY IT COULD HAPPEN.

>>> BUT IT DID HAPPEN!

THE STORY OF HOW THESE LITTLE MIRACLES MADE IT HOME FROM WAR-TORN UKRAINE.

>>> AND WE SIT DOWN WITH ONE OF THE LAST LIVING BLUES LEGENDS, VOCALIST MARY LANE!

>>> FOR MORE TOP STORIES, AND OFF DUTY CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER WAS FOUND DEAD THIS MORNING IN AN APPARENT SUICIDE.

CHICAGO POLICE SAY THAT THE OFFICER DIED BY SUICIDE.

THE OFFICIAL RULING ON CAUSE OF DEATH WON'T COME UNTIL FRIDAY AFTER AN AUTOPSY IS PERFORMED.

INVESTIGATORS CONFIRMED THAT IT WOULD BE THE THIRD OFFICER FROM THE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE DIED BY SUICIDE WITHIN A WEEK.

>>> THE BITTER COLD IS HERE FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

DANGEROUSLY COLD WIND CHILLS WILL STAY THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH EVENING SEEING A PREDICTED LOW OF -30 DEGREES AND OVERNIGHT A LOW OF -40 DEGREES.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO BUNDLE UP .

FROSTBITE CAN HAPPEN IN AS LITTLE AS 10 TO 20 MINUTES WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE THIS LOW.

ADVICE IS TO COVER UP ALL EXPOSED SKIN OUTDOORS AND KEEP AN EMERGENCY KIT IN YOUR HOME AND CAR.

>>> FAITH LEADERS AND ESTATE OFFICIAL ARE CONDEMNING PREDATORY LOANS AND URGING LAWMAKERS TO CLOSE THE PAWNBROKER LOOPHOLE.

THEY SAY THAT THAT LOOPHOLE ALLOWS PAWNBROKERS TO CHARGE A 240% ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE.

>> USURY!

CREATING UNJUST LOAN TERMS THAT ALLOW THE LENDER TO UNFAIRLY PROSPER.

USURY!

MAKING A PROFIT FROM A POOR PERSON BY EXPLOITATION.

USURY!

LOANSHARKING.

>> THEY ARE URGING LAWMAKERS TO CREATE A BILL TO REQUIRE LENDERS TO BE SUBJECT TO AN INTEREST RATE CAP.

>>> NOW WE RETURN TO THE PARK AS PART OF OUR CHICAGO TONIGHT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

>> Reporter: AMANDA, WE TOLD YOU ABOUT HOW SWEDISH HOSPITAL IS HANDLING AN INFLUX OF COLD WEATHER -RELATED ILLNESSES.

THEY JUST HAD A DONATION DRIVE COLLECTING MORE THAN 500 PIECES OF WINTER CLOTHING THAT THE DISTRIBUTED TO TWO NEARBY NONPROFITS.

>> CRITICAL TO PROVIDE THESE DONATIONS AND WARM WEATHER GEAR.

THESE ARE FOLKS THAT WE WORK WITHIN THE COMMUNITY THAT MAYBE DON'T HAVE THOSE RESOURCES.

THEY MIGHT BE NEW IMMIGRANTS, AND REALLY WE ARE HELPING TO GIVE THEM A START, AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF WEATHER.

THIS IS REALLY THE COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT AND LIFT UP OUR NEIGHBORS.

>> Reporter: HEATHER DUNCAN IS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF NURSING AS WELL AS A FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER WITH LAWNDALE CHRISTIAN HEALTH CENTER GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRAM.

SHE SPENT DECADES WORKING WITH CHICAGOANS, AND I ASKED HER ABOUT THE HEALTH ISSUES THAT THAT POPULATION FACES DURING WINTER WEATHER.

>> THE CONCERNS ARE NUMEROUS.

ONE OF THEM IS DEFINITELY NOT HAVING EXPOSURE FOR THEIR SKIN AND NOT HAVING ENOUGH CLEAN AND DRY CLOTHING.

A LOT OF PEOPLE MIGHT ONLY HAVE AN PAIR OF SOCKS AND THEY ARE WET BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN SNOWING.

THAT CAN INCREASE CHANCES OF HYPOTHERMIA.

LOSING BODY HEAT THROUGH YOUR HEAD AND FACE AND EXTREMITIES IS ALSO HUGE.

SO WE SEE A LOT OF FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA IN PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS LIKE DIABETES.

THIS WEATHER CAN REALLY MAKE IT WORSE.

>> I IMAGINE THAT IS AN ISSUE DO WITH EVERY WINTER!

>> ABSOLUTELY!

THE CITY WILL OPEN WARMING CENTERS.

THE CLOSEST ONE HERE IS ON WILSON, BUT ALL OVER THE CITY THEY WILL OPEN PARK DISTRICTS.

THEY WILL OPEN LIBRARIES.

BUT AT NIGHT YOU ARE STILL LIMITED TO WHERE YOU CAN GO.

SOME PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE NOT TO STAY IN A SHELTER FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS ARE AT RISK OF LIFE-ENDING HYPOTHERMIA.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WORKING WITH VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND CONCERN ABOUT MEDICAL CONDITIONS?

>> ONE OF THEM IS ACCESS TO MEDICATIONS.

THEY MIGHT BE LIVING IN ONE OF THE PARKS OR LIVING IN THE BUS STOP.

THEY CHOOSE TO GO TO A SHELTER AT NIGHT WHERE THEY CAN GET EXPOSED TO EVEN MORE COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND POTENTIALLY FORGET THEIR MEDICATION, GET THEIR MEDICATION STOLEN.

THAT CAN REALLY COMPLICATE -- EVEN BE ON THE TEMPERATURE CAN LEAD TO SECONDARY ISSUES OF THE MEDICATIONS THAT THEY HAVE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> WHAT DO YOU TRY TO COMMUNICATE TO VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF THE POPULATION?

>> WE WANT TO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH, AND WE NEED TO MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE AT.

IF THEY ARE COLD AND HUNGRY, THEY ARE AT RISK.

IT DOES NOT MATTER THEIR LIFE STORY.

WHAT MATTERS IS THAT YOU PROVIDE THEM CARE THAT YOU CAN GIVE THEM RIGHT NOW IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER.

>> WHAT SORTS OF CIRCUMSTANCES ARE CRITICAL FOR FOLKS FACING HOMELESSNESS RIGHT NOW?

WHAT DO THEY NEED THAT THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY GETTING?

>> AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS NUMBER ONE.

THERE ARE PEOPLE YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW ARE HOMELESS.

THEY MIGHT BE DESIGNATED AS LIVING SOMEPLACE THAT IS NOT HOUSING.

OR THEIR SERVICES HAVE BEEN CUT OFF.

OR THEY ARE LIVING IN A BUILDING THAT HAS BEEN RENOVATED.

SO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SHELTERS THAT ARE SAFE AND SECURE WHERE THEY ARE NOT WORRIED ABOUT GETTING ANOTHER DISEASE, YOU KNOW, COVID HAS REALLY SCARED A LOT OF PEOPLE AWAY FROM SHELTERS BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASE.

ALSO, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ARE PROBABLY ONE OF THE NUMBER ONE ISSUES FOR THE HOMELESS RIGHT NOW, IS THE LACK OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

I CAN COMPLICATE EVERYTHING.

>> WE TOLD YOU EARLIER ABOUT THE SERVICES FOR HOMELESS CHICAGOANS.

IF SOMEBODY IS LOOKING FOR SHELTER, THEY SHOULD DIAL 311.

DURING THIS EXTREME WEATHER, THE CITY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES IN GARFIELD PARK ARE SAID TO BE OPEN 24 HOURS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT IMPORTANT INFORMATION, NICK.

GET YOURSELF INSIDE OR GET YOURSELF SOME HOT COCOA!

WE WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU.

WE NOW GO TO PARIS FOR A LOOK AT INTERNET ACCESS ACROSS THE CITY.

PARIS?

>>> IN ILLINOIS, MORE THAN $253 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED IN INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT AIMS TO ADDRESS BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS.

RESEARCH SHOWS THE DISPARITY IN INTERNET CONNECTIVITY RIGHT HERE ACROSS CHICAGO.

JOINING US IS NICOLE HARWELL, A PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, AND SHE IS ALSO A PROFESSOR .

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THIS COLD EVENING.

AND THAT FEDERAL GRANT IS GOING TO CONNECT SOME 87,000 HOUSEHOLDS.

THEY ARE LOOKING MAINLY IN RURAL AREAS.

>> YES.

THIS MONEY IS COMING FROM THE FEDERAL TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND IT IS DESIGNED TO TARGET AREAS THAT WE CALL UNSERVED, MEANING THAT THEY DON'T HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE SO THAT SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A BROADBAND CONNECTION CAN ACTUALLY DO IT IN THAT LOCATION, OR THEY ARE CATEGORIZED AS UNDERSERVED, MEANING THAT THE MEANS BEING USED ARE TOO LOW FOR WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE BROADBAND INTERNET.

SO WE ARE GOING TO SEE LOTS OF THAT MONEY GOING TOWARDS RURAL AREAS WHERE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS LACKING.

>> HOW BIG IS THE INFRASTRUCTURE DIVIDE IN RURAL AREAS VERSUS URBAN AREAS?

ARE THERE SPECIFIC POCKETS OF THE STATE THAT ARE WORSE OFF THAN OTHERS?

>> YES.

YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE WAY IN WHICH THE INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE WAS ACTUALLY BUILT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW THE STORY BEHIND THIS, BUT WHEN THE INTERNET STARTED TO GET BUILT IT WAS REALLY CONSIDERED TO BE A LUXURY GOOD.

SO THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT WERE IN THIS BUSINESS, THEY DECIDE WHERE TO BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

IF YOU ARE A BUSINESS YOU ARE GOING TO BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE WHERE YOU LIKELY HAVE CUSTOMERS.

SO OF COURSE YOU ARE GOING TO BUILD IN MORE POPULATED AREAS.

NOW WHAT WE HAVE SEEN WITH THE PANDEMIC IS THAT IT HAS BECOME APPARENT TO EVERYBODY THAT THE INTERNET IS NOT A LUXURY ANYMORE.

IT IS A NECESSITY.

SO WHAT WE ARE FACING IS A SITUATION WHERE THE PRIVATE INCENTIVE TO BUILD IN LOWER-DENSITY AREAS JUST ISN'T THERE.

THIS IS WHY THE GOVERNMENT IS STEPPING IN TO INCENTIVIZE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACES WHERE THEY WOULDN'T GO ON THEIR OWN.

>> THIS WOULD CONNECT SOME 87,000 HOUSEHOLDS IN ILLINOIS.

HOW FAR DOES THIS GO TO CLOSING THAT DIVIDE?

>> I THINK THE ESTIMATE THAT THE STATE HAS IS THAT THIS IS GOING TO REACH ABOUT 25% OF UNCONNECTED HOUSEHOLDS.

WE HAS TO ALSO REMEMBER THAT IT IS NOT JUST LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT LEADS TO A HOUSEHOLD BEING DISCONNECTED.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT FOR EXAMPLE THE CITY OF CHICAGO, WHERE WE HAVE POSTED 200,000 HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE STILL NOT CONNECTED TO INTERNET, IT IS NOT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT IS USUALLY BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE HIGH PRICE OF A BROADBAND PLAN, OR BECAUSE THEY ARE LACKING DIGITAL LITERACY, MEANING THEY DON'T HAVE THE SKILLS TO USE A COMPUTER OR CONNECT TO WI-FI OR FEEL SAFE WHEN THEY ARE ENGAGING ON THE INTERNET WHEN BANKING OR DOING OTHER THINGS WHERE PRIVATE INFORMATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP SAFE.

SO THOSE ISSUES OF DIGITAL INCLUSION AND AFFORDABILITY ARE THE ONES THAT WE SEE MUCH MORE IMPORTANT IN AN URBAN AREA LIKE THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> I WANT TO SEE IF WE CAN PUT THIS MAP UP, BECAUSE IT SHOWS THE POCKETS OF THE CITY THAT HAVE PROBLEMS WITH CONNECTIVITY.

SO SOUTHSIDE, WEST SIDE.

AGAIN, THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS THERE.

IT IS ALL ABOUT AFFORDABILITY AND LITERACY.

>> YES, DIGITAL LITERACY.

THE FEELING THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE ONLINE COMFORTABLY AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR PRIVACY IS PROTECTED.

YOU KNOW, YOU TAKE SOME NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE ENGLEWOOD OR WEST ENGLEWOOD THAT HAVE RATES OF INTERNET CONNECTIVITY IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD THAT ARE ALMOST 30%, A 30 POINT DIFFERENCE FROM THE MOST CONNECTED NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE LINCOLN PARK OR LAKEVIEW.

SO YOU KNOW, THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT FRONTIER FOR FIGURING OUT HOW TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY CAN BE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET.

WHETHER YOU ARE AN URBAN AREA OR A RURAL AREA.

>> GIVEN THE FACT THAT THIS ISN'T AN INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUE, CAN THESE HOUSEHOLDS UTILIZE SOME OF THIS FEDERAL MONEY THAT IS COMING IN TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO BROADBAND?

>> I THOUGHT I HEARD YOU SAY THAT IT IS NOT AN INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUE.

IT IS AN INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUE!

IT IS ABSOLUTELY AN INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUE, BECAUSE IF PEOPLE CANNOT CONNECT TO AN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE TAKE AS NECESSARY FOR LIVING IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD, THEN IT IS AN INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUE.

ONE OF THE PRIMARY WAYS THAT WE ARE FIGURING OUT HOW TO CONNECT TO URBAN AREAS IS THROUGH SUBSIDY PROGRAMS LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CHICAGO CONNECTED PROGRAM THAT CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND KIDS FOR CHICAGO AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE CAN USE TO STAY CONNECTED THROUGH THAT PROGRAM, WITH CLOSE TO 100,000 SCHOOL CHILDREN GOING TO SCHOOL AT CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT THE FEDERAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM AND THE FEDERAL CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES SUBSIDY TO QUALIFYING HOUSEHOLDS TO PURCHASE INTERNET AT APPROXIMATELY $30 A MONTH.

>> I GUESS MY QUESTION WAS, CAN CHICAGO HOUSEHOLDS ACCESS SOME OF THIS RECENTLY-ANNOUNCED FEDERAL MONEY?

>> WELL, IN CHICAGO SINCE IT IS MOSTLY CONSIDERED SERVED , MEANING THAT THERE IS INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE EVEN IF PEOPLE CAN'T CONNECT TO IT FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, THAT MEANS THAT THIS MONEY THAT IS COMING DOWN FROM THIS PARTICULAR GRANT IS NOT REALLY GOING TO DO MUCH TO HELP CHICAGO HOUSEHOLDS.

BUT THERE IS ADDITIONAL FEDERAL MONEY COMING IN.

THERE ARE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE DELIVERING FEDERAL MONEY FOR BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY IN DIFFERENT SORTS OF CONFIGURATIONS.

I THINK WE REALLY WANT TO THINK ABOUT THE WAYS IN WHICH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO DECIDE WHAT THIS MONEY CAN AND CAN'T BE SPENT ON, THE STATE MAKING RULES ABOUT WHAT THIS MONEY CAN AND CAN'T BE SPENT ON , AND WE WANT TO NOT ONLY BE THINKING ABOUT THE RURAL AREAS AROUND THE STATE BUT ABOUT THE HOUSEHOLDS IN CHICAGO AND OTHER ILLINOIS CITIES WHERE THE CHALLENGE OF CONNECTING TO BROADBAND LOOKS DIFFERENT.

>> NICOLE HARWELL FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> THERE IS MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT JUST AHEAD, BUT FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>> WHEN THE UKRAINE/RUSSIA WAR BROKE OUT A FEW MONTHS AGO, WE BROUGHT YOU THE STORY OF A HIGHLAND PARK FAMILY AFFECTED.

NOW THERE IS A HAPPY ENDING TO THEIR STRUGGLE.

>> Reporter: AT JUST SEVEN MONTHS OLD, THESE TWO CUTIES HAVE ALREADY TAKEN THEIR PARENTS FOR THE RIDE OF A LIFETIME.

WE FIRST MET JEFF, LILAC AND DAVID WHEN THEY WERE A FAMILY OF THREE.

IT WAS MARCH AND THEY WERE EXPECTING TWINS VIA SURROGATE FROM UKRAINE.

RUSSIA HAD JUST INVADED.

THE SURROGATE NEEDED TO ESCAPE THE WAR-TORN COUNTRY.

>> WE WERE THANKFUL THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT.

WHAT WE WERE HEARING ON THE NEWS WAS REALLY SCARY.

>> Reporter: MANY EXPECTANT PARENTS WERE IN THE SAME SITUATION, TRYING TO RESCUE SURROGATES AND EVEN NEWBORN BABIES FROM A WAR ZONE.

>> HOW DID SHE CARRY THEM TO TERM?

>> SHE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: THIS WAS IN A COUNTRY THAT DOESN'T ACKNOWLEDGE SURROGACY.

>> WE WERE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR HEALTH.

THERE WAS A LANGUAGE BARRIER.

THERE WAS A TIME ZONE DIFFERENCE.

THERE WERE LEGAL ISSUES.

JEFF AND I ARE NOT SEEN AS THE PARENTS OF THE GIRLS.

>> Reporter: THEY SPENT 59 DAYS IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT IN PRAGUE.

>> THEY DID HAVE THEM ON OXYGEN JUST FOR THE SAKE OF IT.

THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO EAT ON THEIR OWN, SO THEY HAD A DIGESTIVE TUBE GOING DOWN TO THEIR STOMACH.

IT TURNED OUT THAT BOTH OF OUR DAUGHTERS HAVE A HOLE IN THEIR HEART.

THROUGH BOTH OF THE ATRIUMS.

APPARENTLY IT IS A GREAT LOCATION TO HAVE A HOLE IN YOUR HEART!

SO WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE IN THAT REGARD.

>> Reporter: DOCTORS SAY THEY WILL NEED MONITORING TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE HOLES SHRINK AS THE GIRLS GROW.

AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS WORKING TO HAVE THEM BE LEGALLY RECOGNIZED AS THE TWINS' PARENTS.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES, BECAUSE THE CZECH REPUBLIC WAS STILL ADJUSTING AND THE U.S. EMBASSY AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT WERE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF ALL THESE PARENTS.

THE CHILDREN HAVE NOW BEEN TRANSFERRED OR ARE GOING TO BE BORN IN PRAGUE.

>> Reporter: THROUGH IT ALL, THESE TWO HAVE NOW BEEN BORN AND ARE ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY.

LILAC AND JEFF SEE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE FROM WHEN THEY BROUGHT THEIR SON DAVID HOME.

>> WITH OUT A COUPLE YEARS AGO WITH DAVID THAT WE ENTERED THE TWILIGHT ZONE BY ENTERING A FOREIGN COUNTRY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THERE WAS NO VACCINATION YET.

TESTING WAS JUST STARTING.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE TWINS AND UKRAINE AND RUSSIA, YOU KNOW, TWO YEARS AGO WAS A VACATION!

>> Reporter: DESPITE IT ALL, THE COUPLE BELIEVES THAT THEY ARE LUCKY.

DAVID HAS NICKNAMED HIS LITTLE SISTERS MIMI AND YIYI.

MOM AND DAD CONSIDER THEM LITTLE MIRACLES.

SHE FLEW TO PRAGUE AND STAYED THERE FOR ABOUT FIVE MONTHS AS THE BABIES GOT STRONGER, THEN THEY MADE THE LONG FLIGHT HOME.

LILAC REFERRED TO IT AS THEIR FIRST GIRL TRIP.

NOW PARIS, WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>>> THANKS, AMANDA.

A LOCAL BLUES LEGEND IS RECEIVING HER FLOWERS AND A DOCUMENTARY CELEBRATING HER MUSICAL CAREER.

WE WERE RECENTLY INTRODUCED TO MARY LANE AND HOW SHE HAS MADE CHICAGO HER HOME FOR THE PAST 50+ YEARS.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> Reporter: NOW 86 YEARS OLD, MARY LANE SAYS THAT SHE HAS BEEN MAKING MUSIC SINCE SHE WAS 12 YEARS OLD.

>> IT IS ALWAYS SOMETHING WITH THE BLUES.

I WAS REALLY BROUGHT UP IN CHURCH.

THEY WOULD ALWAYS WANT ME TO SING.

>> Reporter: SHE WOULD GO ON TO PERFORM WITH A BLUES LEGEND, AND AFTER MOVING TO CHICAGO IN THE 1950s SHE KEPT MOVING AND SINGING WITH HIM AND HIS RECORD LABEL.

>> I WOULD SING WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE, BUT I REALLY MAINLY SANG WITH WOLF.

IN CHICAGO THERE WILL BE SO MANY PEOPLE SINGING THE BLUES IN CLUBS FROM DOWN SOUTH, PLACES LIKE MISSISSIPPI.

>> Reporter: BUT IT WASN'T UNTIL 1997 THAT LANE RELEASED HER FIRST SOLO ALBUM, TITLE APPOINTMENT.

SHE DIDN'T RELEASE HER SECOND SOLO ALBUM, TRAVELING WOMAN, UNTIL SHE WAS 82.

>> I WOULD ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE THEM FEEL.

>> Reporter: REGARDLESS OF HER LIMITED PERSONAL IMPACTS, HER IMPACT THROUGHOUT THE BLUES GENRE HAS BEEN WELL-DOCUMENTED THROUGHOUT HER CAREER.

SHE HAS BEEN INDUCTED INTO THE BLUES HALL OF FAME, AWARDED A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, AND WAS EVEN GRANTED HER OWN DAY BY THE CITY OF CHICAGO LAST JUNE.

>> I NEVER THOUGHT THAT I WOULD, YOU KNOW, BE ABLE TO SEE WHERE I AM NOW.

IT MAKES ME FEEL GREAT.

>> Reporter: WHILE SHE DOESN'T PERFORM LIVE TOO OFTEN THESE DAYS, LANE SAYS THAT HER LOVE FOR SINGING WILL ALWAYS BE THERE, AND THE EMOTION THAT IT EVOKES.

>> THAT'S HOW I FEEL.

I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO RELATE TO THE PEOPLE.

BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T RELATE TO THEM, HEY.

THAT'S NOT THE BLUES.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM ANGEL ITO.

>> FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

AND WE ARE ABOUT TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT SEVEN FOR THE WEEK IN REVIEW!

WE LEAVE YOU WITH THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY COMPETITION, THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE-DECORATING CONTEST!

NOW FOR ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT , WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW!

>> STAY WARM OUT THERE!