>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

FRUSTRATION BUILDS WITH STRANDED PASSENGERS AT MIDWAY AIRPORT.

>> YOUR MONEY IS NOT CHARITY.

>>> CONGRESSMAN MIKE QUIGLEY ON PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY VISITING CONGRESS.

>>> WE HAVE A STRUGGLE AND WE DON'T IGNORE IT.

WE REACH OUT.

>> THREE CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS DIED BY SUICIDE.

WE TALK WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT OFFICERS FACE.

>>> TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY?

A LOOK AT THE HOUSING MARKET.

INTEREST RATES HAVE NEARLY DOUBLED THIS YEAR.

>>> ADVICE FOR MAINTAINING SOBRIETY DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

>>> WHAT WAS WORSE?

THE TRUTH?

>> ONE-ON-ONE WITH WRITER SANDRA CISNEROS ON HER POEMS.

>>> AND CHICAGO COMEDIAN ON BEING A LATECOMER TO STAND UP.

>>> BUT FOR SOME OF THE TOP STORIES.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULED THAT THE TITLE 42 BORDER POLICY WILL REMAIN IN PLACE FOR NOW.

THE PROGRAM ALLOWS BORDER PATROL AGENTS TO TURN AWAY MIGRANTS AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER AND TO HELP DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE POLICY WAS IMPLANTED BY FORMER POLICY DONALD TRUMP IN MARCH 2020.

JUSTICES SAY THEY WOULD HEAR ARGUMENTS TO THE COURSE IN JANUARY.

>>> THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT AIR QUALITY IN THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD.

SOME ARE ATTEMPTING TO DELAY THE SALE FROM GOING THROUGH.

THE SALE WAS FINALIZED LAST WEEK.

>>> HUBER AND LIFT DRIVERS PLAN ON RALLYING AT O'HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

RIDESHARE DRIVERS WILL BE REFUSING RIDES FROM O'HARE TONIGHT.

IT IS ALL IN AN EFFORT TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT ORGANIZERS SAY ARE INHUMANE CONDITIONS AT ONE OF THE BUSIEST TIMES OF YEAR FOR RIDESHARE DRIVERS.

A REPRESENTATIVE WITH THE COALITION SAID IN A STATEMENT, QUOTE, DRIVERS ARE ORGANIZING TOGETHER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON TO ENSURE AN AND TO ARBITRARY DEACTIVATION WHICH CAN COST DRIVERS THEIR LIVELIHOODS.

>>> UP NEXT, STRANDED AIRLINE PASSENGERS AT CHICAGO MIDWAY AIRPORT.

WE TAKE A LOOK RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> SOUTHWEST AIRLINES HAS CANCELED THOUSANDS OF FLIGHTS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS, LEAVING PASSENGER STRANDED.

WE HAVE MORE ON WHAT IS BEYOND THE CHAOS.

WHAT IS BEEN GOING ON?

>> Reporter: YEAH, PARIS, 'TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY, BUT IT IS TOUGH WHEN YOU ARE CROWDED IN A SMELLY AIRPORT BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA OVER CHRISTMAS INSTEAD OF SPENDING PRECIOUS TIME WITH FAMILY.

THIS WAS THE CASE FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING A 20-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WHO WAS BOUND FOR MIAMI SUNDAY MORNING.

HER FINAL DESTINATION WAS NEW YORK TO SEE HER MOTHER.

>> I HAD A CONNECTING FLIGHT AT CHICAGO MIDWAY AND IT GOT CANCELED.

I NEVER GOT TO FULFILL MY CHRISTMAS TRIP TO SEE MY FAMILY.

>> Reporter: NOT ONLY THAT, BUT HOTELS WERE FULL SO SHE COULDN'T GET A VOUCHER TO STAY IN ONE.

SHE HAD TO KEEP HER CARRY ON WITH HER.

IT IS HARD TO GET SLEEP ON THE HEAVY SEATS.

SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE LEAVING NEW YORK TO GET HOME.

NOT ONLY COULD SHE NOT GET TO THE BIG APPLE, BUT SOUTHWEST DOES NOT HAVE RETURN FLIGHTS UNTIL JANUARY.

SO SHE IS SET TO LEAVE TONIGHT AT 10:00 P.M. ON A GREYHOUND FOR A TWO DAY BUS RIDE HOME.

IT WAS THE OPPOSITE FOR THE GLEASON'S WHO WERE SUPPOSED TO COME IN FROM WASHINGTON TO SPEND CHRISTMAS WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

INSTEAD THEY SPENT HOURS AT THE D.C. AIRPORT WITH LITTLE TO NO COMMUNICATION FROM SOUTHWEST.

THEY DID FINALLY GET TO MIDWAY THIS AFTERNOON.

>> I'M NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE WEATHER.

ANYBODY FROM CHICAGO KNOWS THAT WE HAVE WEATHER HERE.

AND I AM NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS RUSH, BECAUSE ANYBODY KNOWS THAT IT IS THE BUSIEST TRAVEL TIME OF YEAR.

BUT THE WAY SOUTHWEST HAS HANDLED THIS COMPARED TO OTHER AIRLINES IS VERY UNFORTUNATE.

VERY DISAPPOINTING.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT THERE IS A CALLOUS ATTITUDE OF INDIFFERENCE FROM SOUTHWEST.

NOT JUST PASSENGERS.

LUGGAGE IS STRANDED, TOO.

SUITCASES FROM CANCELED FLIGHTS ARE SENT TO DESTINATIONS EVEN IF OWNERS ARE NOT ON THE PLANE.

THE LEADER OF THE LOCAL UNION FOR SOUTHWEST FLIGHT ATTENDANTS SAYS THAT EVERYONE ON THAT FLIGHT WAS HAPPY.

SHE KNOWS THAT THAT IS AN ANOMALY.

SHE SAYS THAT CREWS AND PASSENGERS ALIKE ARE AT THE MERCY OF ANTIQUATED TECHNOLOGY.

SHE SAYS HER UNION HAS ASKED MANAGEMENT TO UPDATE FOR YEARS.

>> THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY IDEA WHERE THEY WERE GOING, WHEN THEY WERE GOING, IF THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE A WEIGHT OF FIVE HOURS, SIX HOURS, 10 HOURS, 20 HOURS.

BECAUSE WE CAN'T JUST SAY I'M OUT OF HERE, WE HAVE TO HAVE CERTAIN THINGS LIKE THE PROPER REST.

>> Reporter: DePAUL UNIVERSITY ANALYST HAS BEEN STUDYING THE INDUSTRY FOR YEARS AND SAYS THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN A MELTDOWN LIKE THIS.

>> THE MOST STRIKING STATISTIC YOU'RE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW ARE STATISTICS.

IT SOUTHWEST THINGS ARE GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

THE FLIGHT CREW PLANNING HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS.

THEY HAVE HAD HIGHER THAN USUAL ABSENTEEISM, BUT NOTHING SHOULD TRIGGER THIS KIND OF CRISIS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT A MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IS SOUTHWEST'S POINT-TO-POINT OPERATING SYSTEM , WHICH IS USUALLY AN ADVANTAGE THAT ALLOWS THE COMPANY TO KEEP PLANES IN THE AIR.

BUT NOW IT IS A DOWNFALL.

>> SO WHEN THINGS GO BAD, YOU HAVE PEOPLE SPREAD OUT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

THE FLIGHTS DON'T USUALLY RETURN TO BIG HUBS.

THE HUB SYSTEM ALLOWS THINGS TO BE CONSOLIDATED AND FIXED BEFORE SENDING THEM BACK OUT FROM THE HUBS.

BUT WITH THIS SYSTEM, THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE PERSONNEL AND PLANES ARE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE AIRLINE IS ACTING LIKE THE AIRLINE IT USED TO BE, RATHER THAN THE LARGE CARRIER THAT IT IS RIGHT NOW.

>> SOUTHWEST AIRLINES WAS BORN TO BE UNIQUE.

THAT IS PART OF OUR CHARM, AND IT DOES WORK FOR US.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME ASPECTS OF THIS THAT YOU HAVE TO MODERNIZE.

YOUR COMMUNICATIONS AND YOUR TECHNOLOGY, YOUR SCHEDULING, WHERE YOUR PEOPLE ARE AND KNOWING WHERE THEY ARE AND NOT LOSING PEOPLE IN THE SYSTEM FOR FOUR DAYS, FIVE DAYS?

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO STOP.

>> Reporter: THE TURMOIL HAS SOUTHWEST UNDER A FEDERAL PROBE WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WHO TWEETED THAT IT IS, QUOTE, CONCERNED WITH SOUTHWEST AIRLINES' UNACCEPTABLE RATE OF CANCELLATIONS AND DELAYS AND DEFICIENCIES IN CUSTOMER SERVICE.

THEY ARE DETERMINING WHETHER THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE CONTROLLABLE AND WHETHER SOUTHWEST AIRLINES IS COMPLYING WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PLAN.

THE AIRLINE HAS APOLOGIZED AND SAID THAT IT WAS FULLY STAFFED GOING INTO THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, BUT OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS FROM SEVERE WEATHER CAUSED AN UNPRECEDENTED VOLUME OF UNSCHEDULED CHANGES.

IN THE LATEST UPDATE, SOUTHWEST SAYS, AS WE WORK TO CONTINUE OUR OPERATION, WE HAVE MADE DECISIONS TO KEEP OPERATING ON A REDUCED SCHEDULE BY FLYING ROUGHLY ONE THIRD OF OUR SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.

NEITHER OF THE PASSENGERS WE TALKED WITH ARE INTERESTED IN FLYING SOUTHWEST EVER AGAIN.

>> WE FLY THEM AGAIN?

>> NO.

NEVER AGAIN.

I LOVE THE FREE BAGS, BUT NO.

IT'S NOT WORTH IT.

>> WE HAVE BEEN CANCELED SO MANY TIMES NOW THAT I CAN'T KEEP TRACK, BUT I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT SOME OF THEIR SENIOR MANAGEMENT WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEBACLE.

>> Reporter: PARIS, WE WILL BE WATCHING TO SEE WHAT GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS MIGHT STEM FROM THIS MAYHEM.

>> IT IS LIKE A PLOT TO HOLIDAY MOVIE HERE, AMANDA, BUT NO HAPPY ENDING!

AMANDA, THANKS VERY MUCH.

>>> CONGRESS RECENTLY PASSED A $1.7 TRILLION SPENDING BILL WHICH INCLUDES $50 BILLION IN ADDITIONAL AID TO UKRAINE.

THIS IS AS RUSSIA REMAINS ON THE OFFENSIVE IN ITS INVASION OF THAT COUNTRY.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY VISITED THE U.S. HOUSE LAST WEEK TO DISCUSS THIS WITH LAWMAKERS.

>> LET THEM COMPENSATE ALL LOSSES DONE BY THIS WAR.

LET THEM SEE THAT THE UNITED STATES ARE HERE.

>> HERE TO DISCUSS UKRAINE AND MORE IS MIKE QUIGLEY, A DEMOCRAT FROM CHICAGO'S NORTH SIDE.

WELCOME BACK AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU.

GIVE US A SENSE OF THE ATMOSPHERE DURING THAT JOINT SESSION IN THE HOUSE LAST WEEK.

>> PARIS, I HAVE BEEN HERE ALMOST 14 YEARS.

THERE ARE VERY FEW SPECIAL MOMENTS LIKE THIS.

YOU CAN FEEL THE EXCITEMENT IN THE AIR.

CLEARLY A SENSE OF HISTORY AS CLOSE TO WINSTON CHURCHILL SPEAKING IN FRONT OF CONGRESS AS THERE IS FOR OUR GENERATION.

>> YOU SEE HIM VISITING WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN.

OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS KEPT UNDER WRAPS UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE.

HOW WAS THIS PULLED OFF?

>> YOU KNOW, THE FEWER PEOPLE KNOW, THE BETTER.

I WAS TOLD QUIETLY, YOU KNOW, MAKE SURE YOU ARE HERE.

YOU ARE GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE THAT ESCORTS PRESIDENT ZELENSKY ONTO THE FLOOR, AND DON'T TALK ABOUT IT UNTIL IT HAPPENS.

>> AND YOU DID ESCORT HIM ON THE FLOOR!

WHAT WORDS WERE EXCHANGED IN ANTICIPATION OF HIM?

>> YEAH, WE MET BEFORE.

WE WERE REMINDED THAT WE MET IN JULY AND HAD A MUCH, MUCH LONGER DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW THE WAR WAS UNFOLDING AND WHAT UKRAINE NEEDED.

THIS WAS A QUESTION OF, IS THE AID PACKAGE GOING TO PASS?

THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF GRATITUDE, AND I HAD TO ADD THE INVITATION TO CHICAGO.

HE WAS EXCITED ABOUT COMING TO VISIT.

HE SAID THAT HE WOULD THINK ABOUT IT.

>> HE WOULD BE WELL RECEIVED IN CHICAGO, ESPECIALLY WITH THE UKRAINIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY THAT RESIDES HERE.

SPEAKING OF THE AID, $45 BILLION HAS PASSED THE HOUSE.

WHAT WILL THIS MONEY GO TOWARDS?

>> WELL, LOOK.

A LITTLE MORE THAN HALF OF IT WILL GO TOWARDS MILITARY ASSISTANCE.

A LOT OF IT WILL GO TOWARDS ECONOMIC AND HUMANITARIAN AID.

THE ECONOMY IS CRUSHED BECAUSE OF THE WAR AND THE NEED FOR HUMANITARIAN AID IS OBVIOUS DURING THIS VERY TOUGH, COLD WINTER.

THE RUSSIANS ARE COMMITTING WAR CRIMES BY TARGETING CIVILIAN TARGETS, AND PARTICULARLY WITH INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO IT IS A LIFE-AND-DEATH SITUATION.

>> AS YOU KNOW, REPUBLICANS TAKE CONTROL OF THE HOUSE COME JANUARY.

A SIGNIFICANT PART IS SKEPTICAL OF UKRAINE AND ADDITIONAL AID TO THIS COUNTRY.

IS THIS POSSIBLY IT IN TERMS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?

>> LOOK.

IT IS THE QUESTION TO ASK.

A COUPLE OF THINGS.

WE PASSED SUCH A LARGE PACKAGE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD TAKE CARE OF ALL THE HEAT FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

BUT I'LL SAY THIS.

I STILL THINK THE MAJORITY OF THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS IS MAINTAINING STRONG SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE FOR THE DURATION OF THIS WAR.

I THINK WHAT YOU ARE SEEING WITH LEADER McCARTHY AND HIS ATTEMPTS TO BECOME SPEAKER, IS THAT HE IS APPARENTLY WILLING TO SAY ANYTHING TO THE FURTHEST EXTREME.

BUT THIS IS A REAGAN REPUBLICAN PARTY VERSUS THE RELATIVE NEWCOMERS AS FAR AS HOW THEY SUPPORT THIS EFFORT.

>> SPEAKING OF KEVIN McCARTHY, DO YOU BELIEVE AT THIS POINT HE HAS THE VOTES TO BECOME THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE GIVEN THE OPPOSITION WITHIN HIS OWN PARTY?

>> I HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS ON OUR SIDE.

THE DIFFERENCE IS THIS.

USUALLY PEOPLE WANT THINGS, RIGHT?

SOME DEGREE OF HORSETRADING.

McCARTHY WILL PROBABLY STILL BE THE NEXT SPEAKER.

BUT IN TALKING TO MY CENTRIST REPUBLICAN FRIENDS, THEY ARE STARTING TO WORRY.

MANY OF THEM DON'T WANT HIM TO BE SPEAKER.

THEY ARE HARD-PRESSED.

THE OTHER ISSUE IS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A PLAN B.

SO WE COULD BE IN FOR A LONG, PROTRACTED FIGHT FOR WHO WILL BE THE REPUBLICAN LEADER.

>> THAT IS SOMETHING TO WATCH AS THE NEW YEAR COMES AROUND.

I WANT TO GET TO ANOTHER ISSUE, DOMESTIC ISSUE, AND THAT IS IMMIGRATION.

TODAY THE SUPREME COURT RULED TO KEEP TITLE 42 IN PLACE.

THAT IS THE TRUMP-ERA EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT ALLOWS MIGRANTS TO BE EXPELLED FROM THE COUNTRY SWIFTLY DUE TO COVID.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THIS DECISION TO KEEP TITLE 42 AROUND?

>> OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A LOT OF SUFFERING THAT IS TAKING PLACE.

WHAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DID WAS DESTROY THE SYSTEM WHICH BROUGHT MIGRANTS INTO THIS COUNTRY AND DEALT WITH THEM FROM A HEALTH POINT OF VIEW, FROM A LEGAL POINT OF VIEW, IN ALL THOSE RESPECTS.

SO NOW WE HAVE TO FACE THE REALITIES OF WHAT IS TAKING PLACE IN OUR OWN COUNTRY.

SO WHO WE ARE AS A COUNTRY IS , THE STATUE OF LIBERTY IS NOT HOLDING UP A STOP SIGN.

WE NEED TO HAVE SECURE BORDERS BUT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THESE CRISES NEED TO BE SOLVED AT THEIR SOURCE.

WE NEED TO HELP THOSE WHO WE BRING INTO THIS COUNTRY.

THIS COUNTRY'S STRENGTH HAS ALWAYS BEEN ITS DIVERSITY.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, YOU HAVE A NEW REPORT SAYING THAT THERE ARE 1.6 MILLION ASYLUM-SEEKERS RIGHT NOW AWAITING THEIR CASES TO BE ADJUDICATED AS THOUSANDS, CROSS THE BORDER EVERY DAY.

ARE THERE ANY CONTOURS OF ANY KIND OF BLUEPRINT FOR AN IMMIGRATION BILL IN THE NEW REPUBLICAN -CONTROLLED CONGRESS?

>> I DON'T SEE THAT ANYTHING HAS CHANGED.

WE CAME SO CLOSE.

THERE WAS A BIPARTISAN GROUP, THE GANG OF EIGHT, THAT HAD IMMIGRATION REFORM OUT OF THE SENATE.

COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM.

NOT JUST THE DREAMERS, WHICH ARE IMPORTANT.

UNFORTUNATELY TWO REPUBLICAN SPEAKERS IN A ROW REFUSED TO LET THIS BILL COME OFF THE FLOOR IN THE HOUSE, BUT IT WOULD HAVE PASSED.

WHEN THE WHOLE SYSTEM WAS FRACTURED, A CRISIS LIKE THIS , WITH SO MANY SEEKING ASYLUM, IS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.

IT IS GOING TO GET BACKED UP MORE.

SO WE HAD OUR OPPORTUNITY.

I DON'T SEE ANY LEGISLATION PASSING.

THIS HAS BECOME A TRULY PARTISAN ISSUE, WHICH AGAIN, OUR COUNTRY IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT.

>> I HAVE TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS REPUBLICAN-ELECT FROM NEW YORK, GEORGE SANTOS, WHO HAS APPARENTLY FABRICATED HIS ENTIRE RESUME, WHERE HE WENT TO SCHOOL, WHO HE IS.

SHOULD HE RESIGN, AND IF HE DOES NOT, IS THERE A LEGAL MECHANISM TO REMOVE HIM FROM OFFICE?

>> I THINK WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO IS JUST TAKE HIS SEAT, BECAUSE APPARENTLY HE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO PRIDE.

ONLY AFTER THE THINGS THAT HE DID, WHICH HE FINALLY DID, AND ADMITTING THAT HE FABRICATED THEM IS EXTRAORDINARY.

HE WILL PROBABLY BE REMOVED IN TWO YEARS BY THE PEOPLE THAT VOTED FOR HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE.

IT'S A SHAME, BECAUSE HE BRINGS DISRESPECT TO THE WHOLE LEGISLATIVE BODY.

AT THIS POINT THAT'S THE LAST THING WE NEED.

>> ALL RIGHT, CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY , WE LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU IN THE NEW TERM, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU.

>> HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.

>>> INTEREST RATES OF MORE THAN DOUBLED THIS LAST YEAR, LANDING A BLOW ON THE PANDEMIC-ERA HOUSING BOOM.

SOME EXPERTS ARE SAYING THAT THE CHILL COULD BECOME AN ALL-OUT FREEZE BY NEXT YEAR IF INTEREST-RATE HIKES CONTINUE.

HERE TO DISCUSS WHERE THE MARKET MIGHT GO IN 2023 AND WHERE IT MIGHT END UP IS OUR REAL ESTATE REPORTER .

IT IS ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> HI, PARIS, HOW ARE YOU?

>> I AM WELL.

WE HAVE TALKED VIA ZOOM A FEW TIMES.

IN YOUR MOST RECENT ARTICLE, YOU SAID THAT THE MARKET IS IN A, QUOTE, HOLDING PATTERN ENTERING 2023.

WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT XE >> INTEREST RATES WENT UP AS YOU MENTIONED.

THEY HAVE DOUBLED IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAS ALREADY SAID THAT MAYBE IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH, SO IF INTEREST RATES CONTINUE TO GO UP AS STEEPLY AS THEY WERE, THEN WE WILL PROBABLY SEE A DEEPER FREEZE ON THE HOUSING MARKET.

>> YOU MENTIONED A CHART OF FAST SALES, WHERE THE HOUSES ON THE MARKET FOR ONLY A COUPLE WEEKS.

THEY VIRTUALLY DISAPPEARED AFTER 2021.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FROM THESE NUMBERS?

>> IT REALLY MEANS THAT IF YOUR NEIGHBORS ARE SELLING THEIR HOUSE LAST YEAR AND IT WENT OFF THE MARKET IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, YOU SHOULD NOT EXPECT THE SAME.

AT THE TIME, YOU WERE THINKING WOW, THERE'S SOLD IN 14 DAYS, MAYBE MINE WILL SELL IN 12!

BUT THINGS HAVE SLOWED DOWN SO MUCH.

SELLERS NEED TO BE AWARE THAT MOST HOUSES AND CONDOS ARE SITTING ON THE MARKET FAR LONGER THAN THEY WERE.

THE PACE WAS FURIOUS FOR SO LONG , BUT THEN THE BRAKES WENT ON WHEN INTEREST RATES WENT UP.

>> ALTHOUGH CHICAGO IS IN A BETTER POSITION THAN A LOT OF OTHER AMERICAN CITIES, BECAUSE THERE IS THE SIMPLE FACT THAT PRICES DID NOT RISE QUITE AS FAST AS OTHER CITIES.

>> THAT IS TRUE!

WHILE OUR HOME PRICES WENT UP QUITE A BIT DURING THE BOOM, THEY DIDN'T GO ANYTHING UP LIKE WHAT WAS GOING ON IN PHOENIX AND SEATTLE, SAN FRANCISCO.

THERE IS NOT AS MUCH AIR THAT WAS PUMPED INTO THOSE PRICES, AND NOT AS MUCH COMING BACK OUT.

SOME OF THOSE PLACES HAVE STARTED TO SEE RATES FALL.

WE ARE STILL SEEING THEM GROW, DESPITE MUCH SMALLER AMOUNTS.

WE ALSO, BECAUSE OUR PRICES HAVE BUMPED UP SO MUCH, WE ARE A VERY AFFORDABLE CITY.

AMONG BIG CITIES, WE ARE THE MOST AFFORDABLE FOR HOUSING BECAUSE, AGAIN, OUR PRICES DIDN'T GO UP SO MUCH AND OUR SALARIES DID!

SO WE ARE IN A REALLY GOOD POSITION GOING INTO 2023.

THE QUESTION IS GOING TO BE , IS THERE DEMAND FOR THESE HOMES?

>> YOU LOOK AT THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, YEAR-OVER-YEAR.

PRICES WENT DOWN.

SALES WENT DOWN.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE THAT THAT TREND COULD CONTINUE IN 2023?

>> PRICES WENT DOWN ONLY IN THE CITY.

CITY SALES, THE MEDIAN PRICE WAS DOWN OVER 6%.

BUT CITY SALES ARE ONLY ONE OUT OF FIVE FOR THE REGION.

REGIONAL SALES.

THE REGION PRICES WERE STILL UP JUST A LITTLE BIT, BY ABOUT 1.5%.

THE QUESTION WILL BE, DOES THE WHOLE REGION GO DOWN?

DOES THE CITY GO DOWN?

BUT YEAH, WHAT WE ARE WATCHING FOR IS TO SEE THE PRICE GO DOWN FURTHER.

SALES ARE DOWN.

THE NUMBER OF SALES IN NOVEMBER WAS NOT ONLY EXPECTED TO BE WELL BELOW 2021, BUT IT ALSO, WHEN I LOOKED AT THE AVERAGES , WE SAW FEWER HOMES SOLD IN NOVEMBER THAN DURING THE SAME TIME IN THE LAST THREE YEARS PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

NORMAL YEARS.

2017-2019 WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE ALL THE CRAZINESS THAT WAS GOING ON IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

THAT IS A BIG DROP.

SO ONE OF THE QUESTIONS IS GOING TO BE, DO PEOPLE COME BACK INTO THE MARKET?

WE DON'T EXPECT SALES TO GET BACK UP TO THE LEVEL OF THE REGULAR BOOM, BUT DO THEY GET UP ABOVE THE LEVELS OF 2017-2019?

THAT IS A BIG QUESTION.

>> IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO WILL THINGS TURN AROUND LIKE THE REST OF THE REGION, OR WILL THIS CONTINUE?

>> IT IS HARD TO SAY.

PRICES HAVE BEEN FLAT IN THE CITY FOR MONTHS.

FLATTER THAN THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE LARGER REGION.

WHAT I DON'T KNOW IS , WHAT IS DECEMBER AND JANUARY GOING TO BRING?

WILL IT GO BACK TO BEING FLAT IN THE CITY?

WILL THE DECLINE BE LARGER?

ONCE AGAIN, THAT IS ONE OUT OF FIVE SALES FOR THE REGION.

THE CITY WOULD HAVE TO DROP VERY DRAMATICALLY, AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REGION WILL DO.

>> A LOT OF CITY RESIDENTS ARE WAITING WITH BAITED BREATH TO SEE IF THINGS WILL GET TO A MICRO LEVEL.

SUBURBAN AREAS HAVE BEEN HIT DISPROPORTIONALLY HARD, HAVE THEY NOT?

>> YES, ONE THING I HAVE BEEN KEEPING AN EYE ON HIS FORECLOSURES, SENIOR CITIZENS' HOMES HAVE NOT BEEN REDONE OR REHABBED.

THERE WAS HUGE DEMAND FOR THIS.

THEY WERE IN THE 300-350 RANGE, AND WE ARE SEEING A DRAMATIC CHILL ON THOSE SALES IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS.

WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THOSE PROPERTIES SIT ON THE MARKET.

THERE WAS A LOT OF DEMAND FOR THEM, NOW THERE SEEMS TO BE LESS SO BECAUSE THERE ARE FEWER FIRST-TIME BUYERS.

SO ONE OF THE QUESTIONS IS GOING TO BE, WHERE DO THOSE ENTREPRENEURS WHO WERE DOING THAT WORK GO?

WHERE DO THE LABORERS WHO WERE DOING THAT WORK FOR THEM GO?

WHAT HAPPENS WITH PROPERTIES THAT DON'T SELL?

THERE IS A LOT RIDING ON THOSE HOMES IN THE SOUTH NEIGHBORHOODS AND SOUTH COOK COUNTY SUBURBS.

>> THERE COULD BE A RIPPLE EFFECT FOR THE ENTIRE ECONOMY.

THERE IS ONE SEGMENT THAT IS DOING EXCEEDINGLY, EXTRAORDINARILY WELL.

>> AT $1 MILLION AND UP, THINGS ARE STILL GOING VERY WELL.

GENERALLY PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT INTEREST RATES WHEN BUYING A HOME.

THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF SALES IN THE YEAR PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC WAS 51.

IN 2021 IT WENT UP TO 101 SALES.

SO FAR IN 2022 WE ARE AT 133 SALES AND $4 MILLION.

NEARLY THREE TIMES THE AVERAGE FOR THE PANDEMIC.

>> WEALTHY PEOPLE HAVE MORE MONEY TO SPEND AND ARE WILLING TO PURCHASE PROPERTIES?

>> THE STOCK MARKET IS DOWN.

THE OTHER THING IS THAT EVEN AT THE HIGH END, OUR PROPERTIES ARE MORE AFFORDABLE THAN THOSE LIKE PALM BEACH OR COLORADO OR PALM SPRINGS OR WHEREVER YOU ARE BUYING.

SO THEY ARE BUYING UP!

IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE THEM STAY HERE , THEN THEY ARE SPENDING TO GET IT.

>> I GUESS THAT IS A SILVER LINING THERE.

A LOT OF ANTICIPATION GOING INTO 2023.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>>> UP NEXT, ONE-ON-ONE WITH RENOWNED WRITER SANDRA CISNEROS.

>>> SHE IS AN AWARD-WINNING POET WHO GREW UP IN CHICAGO.

SHE HAS GOOD NEWS FOR FANS OF HER LITERATURE.

SANDRA CISNEROS RECENTLY SAT DOWN WITH CHICAGO TONIGHT 'S JOANNA HERNANDEZ TO TALK ABOUT HER LIFE, CAREER AND A NEW BOOK OF POEMS.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> I REALIZE THAT I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO TEACH, TO GUIDE AND TRANSFORM.

>> Reporter: AT 67 YEARS OLD, SANDRA CISNEROS HAS HAD A FRUITFUL CAREER.

SHE IS KNOWN FOR TAPPING INTO HER OWN LIFE EXPERIENCES TO WRITE ABOUT RACE, SEXUALITY, SOCIAL SETTINGS AND IDENTITY.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON WHY WE NEED POETRY NOW IS FOR US TO UNDERSTAND OURSELVES, FORGIVE OURSELVES AND FORGIVE ALL THOSE AROUND US.

BECOME MORE HUMAN.

BECOME MORE PASSIONATE.

>> Reporter: THE ACCLAIMED WRITER STOPPED IN HER HOMETOWN FOR A READING OF HER BOOK.

WOMEN WITHOUT SHAME IS HER FIRST PUBLISHED COLLECTION OF POEMS IN 28 YEARS.

>> THEY GAVE ME A STANDING OVATION WHEN I CAME IN AND THAT MAYBE WANT TO CRY!

I ALMOST CRIED.

I WAS SO OVERWHELMED BY THE FEELING OF LOVE.

>> Reporter: WE MET CISNEROS AT A HOTEL IN AN AREA THAT SHE SAID HOLDS MANY MEMORIES.

THE ONLY DAUGHTER OF MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS, SHE GREW UP WITH SIX BROTHERS ON CHICAGO'S WEST SIDE.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET WAS INSPIRED BY.

>> WE ARE LITERALLY AT THE INTERSECTION OF MY LIFE.

I GREW UP IN SEVERAL CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS, BUT SPECIFICALLY THE ONE THAT EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT IS MY HUMBLE HOME TWO BLOCKS FROM HERE ON CAMPBELL STREET.

I RENAMED IT MANGO STREET IN MY BOOK.

I WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL ON OAKLEY, JUST WALKING DISTANCE FROM HERE.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS AWARDS.

>> I THINK THERE ISN'T A DAY THAT I AM NOT ASTONISHED BY WHERE MY LIFE HAS TAKEN ME.

I WAS ALWAYS THE QUIET GIRL IN THE CLASSROOM THAT NEVER RAISED HER HAND , THAT LEARNED HOW TO DEFEND HERSELF BY LOWERING MY HEAD AND NOT SPEAKING OUT.

>> Reporter: WE TALKED ABOUT HER JOURNEY IN FINDING HER VOICE BETWEEN HER MEXICAN AND AMERICAN IDENTITY.

>> YOU HAVE TO SEARCH TO DECOLONIZE YOURSELF.

YOU HAVE TO FIND YOUR CHOSEN FAMILY.

>> Reporter: IN HER LATEST WORK, SHE SHARES HER THOUGHTS ON BEING A LATINA WOMAN, NAVIGATING FAMILY, LOVE, AGING AND DEATH.

>> EIGHT LIVE BIRTHS.

HOW MANY DID?

WHO KNEW?

NOT US, HER SEVEN SURVIVORS.

WHEN A BEDROOM SCENE FLASHED ON TV, SHE WOULD SHRIEK!

>> Reporter: IT IS HER LAST STOP OF HER BOOK STORE BEFORE SHE HEADS HOME TO THE MEXICAN CITY WHERE SHE HAS LIVED FOR YEARS.

>> IT IS WONDERFUL TO LIVE AND NOT BE AFRAID TO WRITE, TO EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS.

IT COMES FROM YOUR HEART.

I HOPE EVERYONE JUST WRITES BECAUSE YOU NEED TO SPEAK YOUR TRUTH.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> WORKING WITHOUT SHAME IS NOW AVAILABLE AT BOOKSTORES.

>>> STILL TO COME IN CHICAGO TONIGHT, THE DEATH TOLL RISES AT THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AFTER A THIRD OFFICER IS FOUND DEAD BY SUICIDE IN A SINGLE WEEK.

A LOOK AT WHAT IS BEHIND THIS TRAGEDY.

>>> THE HOLIDAYS CAN BE A TOUGH TIME TO STAY SOBER.

ADVICE ON HOW TO SUPPORT THOSE IN RECOVERY.

>>> AND PAT McGANN ON STANDUP AND PERFORMING AGAIN AT THE ICONIC CHICAGO THEATER.

>>> BUT FIRST, A 19-YEAR-OLD MAN AND AN 81-YEAR-OLD MAN WERE KILLED IN SHOOTING INCIDENTS OVER THE WEEKEND.

THIS IS ACCORDING TO CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT DATA WHICH FOUND NINE PEOPLE SHOT AND KILLED.

>>> THE FIELD FOR MAYOR MIGHT BE GETTING A LITTLE BIT SMALLER.

THE HEARING TOOK PLACE AT THE CHICAGO BOARD OF ELECTIONS WHICH COULD RESULT IN ONE CANDIDATE'S REMOVAL FROM THE BALLOT.

ANOTHER CANDIDATE IS CHALLENGING HIS NOMINATING POSITIONS.

THE DECISION WAS MADE TODAY.

THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS SAYS THEY WILL RECONVENE ABOUT THIS ON JANUARY 3rd.

>>> IT IS A WRAP ON CHRISTMAS AND HANUKKAH, BUT WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THE HOLIDAY GIFT?

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STREETS AND SANITATION, YOU CAN RECYCLE GIFT WRAP!

ALSO, PAPER GIFT BAGS, PACKING PAPER, AS WELL AS SHIPPING MATERIALS.

YOU CANNOT RECYCLE RIBBONS, BOWS, OR PACKING PEANUTS.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF WRAPPING MATERIALS THAT CAN AND CANNOT BE RECYCLED.

>>> THREE CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS HAVE DIED BY SUICIDE IN THE LAST WEEK, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF OFFICER SUICIDES TO SEVEN THIS YEAR.

THIS COMES AS THE POLICE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT HEAVY WORKLOADS, CANCELED DAYS OFF AND A GENERAL ANTI-POLICE CLIMATE.

THIS HAS ADDED TO OFFICERS' MENTAL HEALTH LOADS.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THIS IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND ALYSSA WARREN.

WELCOME, BOTH OF YOU, TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

WE WILL START WITH YOU.

GIVE US YOUR REACTION INSIDE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT RIGHT NOW.

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE AGGRAVATED, SCARED, ANGRY, CONFUSED AND THEY WANT ANSWERS AS TO WHAT WE ARE DOING IN THIS DEPARTMENT, IN THE COMMUNITY AND AS A SOCIETY TO HELP THOSE WHO SERVE DEAL WITH THE EXTRAORDINARY STRESSES AND TRAUMAS THAT THEY DEAL WITH.

THEY ARE HAVING CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES.

>> CATASTROPHIC OVER THE LAST WEEKEND.

CAN WE PINPOINT ANY FACTORS THAT ARE CAUSING THIS SPIKE RIGHT NOW?

>> THE HOLIDAYS CAN BE A REALLY CHALLENGING TIME FOR ANYBODY.

IT BRINGS UP A LOT OF FEELINGS OF GRIEF AND LOSS AND LONELINESS.

I KNOW ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT CONTRIBUTES FOR ALL CHICAGOANS IS THIS NEED TO NOT BE A BURDEN ON YOUR LOVED ONES.

THAT IS A REALLY IMPORTANT THING THAT I THINK WE DEAL WITH IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHEN WE LOOK AT SUICIDE AND SUICIDE PREVENTION.

DURING THE PANDEMIC WE SAW THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN, ABOUT 10-15% MORE SUICIDES FOR ALL CHICAGOANS.

BECAUSE OF THAT WE LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN, AND WHAT THAT CAMPAIGN SPEAKS TO IS THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO TALK ABOUT IT PROPERLY WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL HEALTH.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT, AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THERE ARE RESOURCES FOR.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO REACH OUT.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE AT MENTAL HEALTH.CHICAGO.G OV.

THERE ARE RESOURCES THAT CAN BE FOUND THERE.

>> DR., IS THERE ANY THROUGH LINE WE CAN POINT TO, ESPECIALLY WITH THESE THREE SUICIDES IN THE LAST WEEK?

>> IT HAS TO BE A TEAM APPROACH.

THE MEDIA INCLUDED, OUR PEERS, WE HAVE TO TAKE AWAY BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE SEEKING HELP FOR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR MEMBERS DON'T EXIST IN A VACUUM.

THEY ARE JUST AS VULNERABLE TO MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AS THE GENERAL POPULATION.

WHAT MAKES THEM MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IS, AGAIN, THE DISTRESS THAT THEY DEAL WITH ON A DAILY BASIS AND SOMETIMES VERY TRAGIC TRAUMAS THAT THEY EXPERIENCE AND CARRY AROUND WITH THEM.

THESE NEED TO BE PROCESSED.

BUT ALL OF THESE ISSUES HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH TOGETHER AS A TEAM.

THE PROGRAMS ARE THERE, THE EXPERTS ARE THERE.

THE GREATEST TOOL IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HELP FIX OR DEAL WITH THINGS IF YOU DON'T UTILIZE.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE SUICIDE.

HE SAYS, QUOTE, THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE FACED OUR HARDEST FOR THE LOVED ONES OF THOSE WHO COMMIT SUICIDE AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.

I ASKED THE PEOPLE OF CHICAGO TO KEEP THEM ALL IN YOUR PRAYERS RIGHT NOW.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE LOOKING OUT FOR HER.

ARE THERE CONCERNS ABOUT SUICIDE?

>> SURE.

I THINK ISOLATION, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU REACH OUT TO A LOVED ONE WHO WAS WITHDRAWING FROM ANY SOCIAL SETTINGS, NOT BEING AS RESPONSIVE TO LOOKING AT END-OF-LIFE PLANNING, OFTEN WE SEE THEM START TO GET MORE JUDGMENTAL OR EMOTIONAL AROUND CERTAIN TIMES.

YOU WANT TO LEAVE GOOD AND LASTING IMPRESSIONS WITH PEOPLE.

BUT SOME PEOPLE ARE REALLY STRUGGLING WITH BEING CONSUMED BY DEPRESSION.

>> DR., WITH THE CASE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, TELL US THE RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO OFFICERS.

AS I UNDERSTAND, THERE WEREN'T MANY IN THE PAST.

THERE ARE MORE NOW.

>> IN 2016 THERE WERE ONLY THREE LICENSED CLINICIANS FOR 18,000 EMPLOYEES.

WE NOW HAVE 17 CLINICIANS, ALL EXPERTS IN DEALING WITH FIRST RESPONDERS.

WE ARE BUDGETED FOR 24, AND WE ARE OPENING UP TWO MORE OFFICES WHICH WILL GIVE THREE DIFFERENT SITES FOR OUR MEMBERS TO BE ABLE TO GO SO THAT THEY HAVE EASY ACCESS TO CARE.

>> AS WE MENTIONED, SOME OF THE FACTORS THAT THEY TALK ABOUT OUR CANCELED DAYS OFF, MANDATORY OVERTIME, 1200 OFFICERS WORKING 11 STRAIGHT DAYS AT SOME POINT THIS YEAR.

IS HEAVY WORKLOAD A FACTOR HERE?

>> OF COURSE LACK OF SLEEP AND PHYSICAL EXHAUSTION CAN MAKE SOMEBODY MORE VULNERABLE TO DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND NOT AS CAPABLE OF COPING WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE JOB, FOR SURE.

YOU KNOW, THAT IS WHY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN GENERAL THERE IS SUCH A HIGH INCIDENCE OF ALCOHOL USAGE, OVERDOSING, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, TRAUMA AND UNFORTUNATELY SUICIDE.

>> YOU STILL SEE A SIGMA FROM MEN PARTICULARLY MEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, THAT ACTS AS A BARRIER TO THEM SEEKING OUT HELP HER AT >> I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS AS MUCH AS A BARRIER AS IT USED TO BE.

THE ABILITY OF PEOPLE TO GET INTO SERVICES IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

OUR MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, OUR BUDGET HAS INCREASED SEVENFOLD SINCE 2019 UNDER MAYOR BREED'S LEADERSHIP.

THAT HAS BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS.

WE ARE ON TRACK TO SERVE 60,000 PEOPLE THIS YEAR IN CHICAGO.

SO I THINK THAT JUST REMOVING SOME OF THOSE BARRIERS AND THE STIGMA WILL REDUCE THE BARRIER.

>> SO THAT BARRIER IS GOING DOWN.

DO YOU SEE A STIGMA AMONG OFFICERS?

>> THERE IS A STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH VERSUS HEALTH IN GENERAL.

BUT WE HAVE SUCCEEDED IN BREAKING DOWN SOME OF THE BARRIERS.

IN FACT, THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT FACILITY SERVES MORE MEMBERS THAN ANY OTHER POLICE MENTAL HEALTH AGENCY IN THE NATION.

THAT IS IMPORTANT, BECAUSE WE WANT OUR OFFICERS TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED.

>> THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR THESE OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES RIGHT NOW.

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, AND WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>>> UP NEXT, THE STRUGGLE WITH KEEPING SOBER FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

>>> BUT FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

♪ >>> THE HOLIDAYS CAN BE A TOUGH TIME FOR MANY.

A 2018 NATIONAL SURVEY ON DRUG USE AND HEALTH FOUND THAT JUST OVER 7% OF HISPANIC AMERICANS HAVE A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, SIMILAR TO THE RATE FOR THE TOTAL POPULATION.

HOWEVER, STUDIES ALSO SHOW THAT HISPANIC ADULTS WHO DO DRINK TEND TO DRINK MORE HEAVILY THAN OTHER DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS.

JOINING US IS OMAR CORRO AND EVELYN DELGADO.

I WANT TO WELCOME ALL OF YOU, BUT I WANT TO START WITH YOU, EVELYN.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM PATIENTS WHO ARE BEING IN RECOVERY DURING THE HOLIDAYS?

>> HI, ALEX.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

SO THE HOLIDAYS CAN DEFINITELY BE A TIME THAT IS VERY STRESSFUL FOR THE CLIENTS THAT WE SERVE, ESPECIALLY THOSE INVESTED IN THE LATINX COMMUNITY.

A LOT OF FEELINGS CAN COME UP.

A LOT OF US DON'T HAVE FAMILY SUPPORT.

SO HAVING THESE HOLIDAYS COME UP THAT ARE TRADITIONALLY CENTERED AROUND FAMILY CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT.

>> EVELYN, WHAT ARE SOME TRIGGERS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IN RECOVERY AND TRYING TO MAINTAIN SOBRIETY?

>> YEAH.

SO EVEN IF THEY DO HAVE FAMILY THERE SUPPORTIVE OF THEM, OFTENTIMES ALCOHOL CAN BE A TRIGGER FOR SOMEBODY WHO IS BATTLING ALCOHOL ABUSE DISORDER.

IT CAN BE VERY TRIGGERING FOR PEOPLE.

A LOT OF TIMES OUR CLIENTS DON'T -- ARE NOT ABLE TO COMMUNICATE THEIR NEEDS , AND THIS IS NOT SEEN -- THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE SEEN AS DANGEROUS.

>> DEFINITELY.

WHAT MIGHT BEING IN RECOVERY LOOK LIKE FOR DIFFERENT PEOPLE?

>> IT IS GOING TO VARY DEPENDING ON WHY THEY ARE IN RECOVERY.

THE HOLIDAYS IS A TOUGH TIME FOR ANYBODY IN RECOVERY.

IT IS TOUGH FOR PEOPLE WHO AREN'T IN RECOVERY.

THERE ARE HOLIDAY PARTIES, PEOPLE ARE CELEBRATING AND DRINKING.

THE FAMILY DYNAMICS MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT STRETCHED.

PEOPLE WILL SAY, HEY, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO LATELY?

PEOPLE HAVE BUSY SCHEDULES DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT .

PEOPLE WHO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH DRUGS MIGHT NOT BE EXERCISING AS MUCH OR GOING TO MEETINGS.

STATS WILL SO THAT THERE IS ALMOST A 7% INCREASE IN ALCOHOL USE.

>> OMAR, WHAT IMPACT DO YOU THINK BOTH CULTURAL AND FAMILY TRADITIONS THE LATINO COMMUNITY MIGHT HAVE?

>> ALEX, THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR HAVING US.

I AGREE WITH WHAT FREDDIE AND EVELYN SAID.

I DO FEEL LIKE THE LACK OF EDUCATION FROM FAMILY MEMBERS IS A BIG, BIG ISSUE.

THE REASON WHY I SAY ISSUE IS BECAUSE OF SOMEBODY DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT AN INDIVIDUAL IN RECOVERY IS GOING THROUGH, IT IS EASY TO PUT PRESSURE ON THEM, ESPECIALLY ON THIS TIME OF HOLIDAY.

ONE EXAMPLE IS GOING TO A PARTY, AND EVERYBODY AT THE PARTY IS PUSHING YOU TO HAVE ONE DRINK WITH THEM.

IT WILL BE THIS ONE TIME.

JUST HAVE A DRINK IN CELEBRATION.

FOR SOMEONE IN RECOVERY, THAT IS VERY, VERY DETRIMENTAL.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE IN RECOVERY, THEIR SPECIFIC SUBSTANCE, IT IS LIKE EATING A BAG OF CHIPS.

YOU CAN'T JUST OPEN A BAG OF CHIPS AND HAVE ONE.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE MULTIPLE.

PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS ACCEPT EDUCATION AND OFFER EDUCATION AND MAKE SURE THAT THE FAMILY IS AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON AND PARTICIPATES IN THE RECOVERY.

I KNOW IT IS EASIER SAID THAN DONE, BUT I'M SURE WE CAN ALL WORK TOWARDS THAT.

>> IS A GREAT WAY.

EVELYN, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE STIGMAS THAT THERE ARE.

WHAT ABOUT THE STIGMAS ON ADDICTION AND GETTING TREATMENT?

HOW MIGHT THAT AFFECT SOMEONE IN RECOVERY IN THE LATINO COMMUNITY?

>> YES.

IT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES JUST, IN GENERAL, WHEN IT COMES TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN THE POPULATION, ESPECIALLY WITH THINGS LIKE ALCOHOL ABUSE DISORDER, JUST BECAUSE OF WHAT IS GOING TO BE EXPECTED DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE IS A MORAL ISSUE.

A LACK OF WILLPOWER IS SO PERTINENT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY THAT PEOPLE THINK THEY COULD JUST STOP IF THEY HAD ENOUGH WILLPOWER.

IT IS NOT UNDERSTOOD AS A DISEASE, AS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE TREATED, THAT REQUIRES PATIENCE, THERAPY, EXERCISE.

IF ONE DOES NOT STOP OR ABSTAIN FROM ALCOHOL OR OTHER SUBSTANCES, IT IS LOOKED AT AS KIND OF A MORAL FAILING ON THEIR PART.

ALONG WITH THAT, IT IS ALSO SEEN AS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT DISCUSSED, NOT TALKED ABOUT.

WHEN SOMEBODY IS STRUGGLING WITH THE SUBSTANCES AND STRUGGLING WITH THIS ISSUE, THEY DON'T SEEK TREATMENT BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID OR CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THE FAMILY MIGHT SAY, OR THEIR LOVED ONES.

>> HOW MIGHT WE HELP FAMILY MEMBERS ON LEARN THOSE STIGMAS?

>> IT IS GOING TO TAKE A FAMILY EFFORT.

GETTING TREATMENT, GETTING HELP IS NEEDED.

LIKE OMAR SAID, EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT, BUT YOU CAN'T DO IT ALONE.

I THINK THAT YOU HAVE TO SEE SUPPORT, WHETHER IT MEANS CALLING A SPONSOR OR SITTING DOWN FOR TREATMENT.

DON'T GO IT ALONE.

DON'T BE EMBARRASSED.

THERE IS NOTHING TO BE EMBARRASSED ABOUT.

LET'S GET THIS FIXED.

LET'S DO IT RIGHT.

THERE IS SUPPORT OUT THERE IF YOU NEED IT.

NOT EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT THEIR BARRIERS ARE.

AND I DON'T MEAN MATHEMATICALLY, LIKE I KNOW THAT I SHOULDN'T PROBABLY DRINK SIX BEERS.

SET SOME BOUNDARIES WITH YOURSELF.

SEEK OUT SUPPORT.

SEEK OUT TREATMENT AND JUST DON'T GO IT ALONE.

>> I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

>>> BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT RIGHT AFTER THIS!

>>> CHICAGOAN PAT McGANN WAS A RETAIL SALESMAN FROM THE SOUTH SIDE WHO VENTURED INTO THE WORLD OF STANDUP COMEDY AT THE TENDER AGE OF 31.

SINCE THEN, McGANN'S CAREER HAS TAKEN HIM FROM COMEDY CLUBS TO THEATERS TO AN iTUNES SPECIAL.

IN APRIL HE WILL MAKE HIS HEADLINE DAVID AT THE CHICAGO THEATER.

WE START WITH A BRIEF CLIP FROM HIS APPEARANCE ON THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT.

>> IT IS GOOD TO BE OUT!

WE HAVE THREE KIDS AT HOME, MY WIFE AND I. YEAH.

THAT IS HOW PEOPLE REACT.

SOME PEOPLE ASK ME WHAT IT'S LIKE.

HERE IS A FAST FACT!

75% OF THE ASSES I Y PARTY THAN MINE!

>> AND JOINING US IS COMEDIAN PAT McGANN!

YOU GET SO MUCH OF YOUR COMEDY FROM YOUR LIFE AS A FATHER OF THREE PERIODS WHEN YOU ARE CHANGING DIAPERS AND FEEDING KIDS AND PUTTING THEM TO EAT BED, ARE YOU THINKING, HOW CAN I MAKE A BIT OUT OF THIS?

>> IT IS THINGS THAT YOU EITHER REALLY LOVE OR REALLY HATE THAT YOU END UP WRITING ABOUT.

>> WHAT ARE THE SITUATIONS WITH YOUR KIDS AND YOUR FAMILY THAT PROVIDE THE MOST MATERIAL FOR YOU?

>> RIGHT NOW, WE TALK A LOT ABOUT SPORTS AND HOW IT HAS BEEN RUINED.

ABOUT DADS WHO DIDN'T MAKE IT.

>> LIVING VICARIOUSLY THROUGH THEIR KIDS!

>> IT IS LIKE, CAN WE COME DOWN A LITTLE BIT?

WITH THE 80 GAME SCHEDULE?

GOING OUT OF STATE?

>> WHAT IS THE WORST OFFENSE YOU HAVE SEEN FROM SOME OF THESE DADS?

>> YOU KNOW, THEY JUST ARGUE WITH EACH OTHER, YOU KNOW, AND IT IS ALWAYS THE SUSPICIOUS -LOOKING KID.

IT IS LIKE, WHERE IS DRAGO HERE?

WHERE IS THE PAPERWORK ON THIS KID?

I AM NOT SUPER INTENSE, BUT I THINK THAT I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF PERSPECTIVE ON IT.

I SEE MY KID AND I TOLD HIM THAT THE GAME IS CANCELED.

I AM LIKE NO GAME TONIGHT!

HE IS ALL HAPPY ABOUT IT.

>> WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS FOR BEING IN THESE SITUATIONS TO HAVING A FINALLY-CRAFTED SET OF THIS MATERIAL?

>> I THINK IT IS JUST REPETITION OF LIVING IT AND THEN TRYING IT ON STAGE.

THAT IS WHEN YOU CAN VISUALIZE IN THE AUDIENCE AND SHAPE IT, RIGHT?

I AM TRYING TO COME UP WITH SOME CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FOR MY PARENTS.

YOU KNOW THAT IT IS OVER WHEN YOU START GETTING FOOD FOR A GIFT!

MY GRANDMA, THESE LAST FEW CHRISTMASES, SHE WAS GETTING LOBSTER BISQUE.

HER PRESENT IS IN THE FRIDGE AND YOU HAVE TO GET IT AND DRAG IT INTO THE LIVING ROOM.

YOU HAVE TO LIVE IT AND REPORT IT.

>> SPEAKING OF REPORTING IT, WE MENTIONED AT THE TOP THAT YOU ARE WORKING IN RETAIL PACKAGING SALES.

HOW DAUNTING WAS IT TO ENTER THIS AT THE AGE OF 31?

>> I NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BECOME A CAREER.

IT WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT I WANTED TO DO.

I LIKE TO WRITE.

I WOULD COME UP WITH IDEAS.

I NEVER WAS A STAGE GUY, THOUGH.

SO THAT WAS THE DAUNTING PART.

WHAT I DID WAS I WENT TO OPEN MICROPHONE HERE IN CHICAGO.

IT IS KNOWN FOR IMPROV.

AS FAR AS STANDUP, CHICAGO IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST CITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

I WOULD GO TO THE OPEN MIC, CHECK IT OUT, GET THE VIBE.

BEING THERE MAKES IT MORE REAL.

YOU GET TO SEE A LITTLE MORE CULTURE.

>> I IMAGINE YOU WOULD ABSORB A TIME WHEN YOU ARE OUT THERE.

YOU'RE PROBABLY OBSERVING A LOT FROM SEBASTIAN MANISCALCO, THE ARLINGTON HEIGHTS NATIVE WHO IS NOW A NATIONAL CELEBRITY IN COMEDY.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE WORKING WITH HIM?

>> THAT IS WHERE I MET SEBASTIAN AND WHERE MY CAREER TOOK OFF.

BEING IN HIS ORBIT KIND OF BROUGHT ME OUT OF THE CROWD ATMOSPHERE WHERE I WAS WORKING ON MY PERSONA.

YOU DON'T REALIZE YOU ARE DOING IT.

BUT I STARTED TO BUILD MATERIAL.

YOU CAN'T REALLY DO CROWD WORK IN THE SAME WAY.

HE IS DOING THE CHICAGO THEATER IN EVERY TOWN.

IT HAS BEEN AN INSANE EXPERIENCE.

HE HAS REALLY TAUGHT ME A LOT BY EXAMPLE.

HE IS WILLING TO TALK AND LISTEN AND GIVE ADVICE.

BUT JUST WATCHING HIM IS REALLY HELPED A LOT.

>> SPEAKING OF CLIPS, YOU DID STEPHEN COLBERT AND YOU DID DAVID LETTERMAN.

WHAT IS IT LIKE RIGHT BEFORE YOUR NAME IS CALLED AND BEFORE YOU GO OUT THERE IN FRONT OF THE STUDIO AUDIENCE AND MILLIONS ON TV?

>> THE FIRST TIME I DID LETTERMAN, IT WAS LIKE AN OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCE.

I WAS SUPER NERVOUS, JITTERS.

THE GUY BACKSTAGE RELAX ME BY SAYING, HEY, THIS IS WHERE THE BEATLES DEBUTED WHEN THEY CAME TO AMERICA!

NO PRESSURE!

HAVE A GOOD TIME!

WE WERE AT THE ED SULLIVAN THEATER.

AT THE TIME THAT WAS THE BIGGEST THING I HAD EVER DONE.

IT WAS LIKE A PIPE DREAM FOR ME, BUT THAT WAS THE GOAL, TO BE ON THE SHOW.

DEFINITELY NERVOUS.

WHEN YOU GET OUT THERE YOU GET THE FIRST LAUGH AND IT RELAXES YOU, THEN IT BECOMES JUST ANOTHER STANDUP.

YOU CAN TALK TO YOURSELF INTIMATELY OR OFFSTAGE OR IN THAT MOMENT.

YOU JUST TELL YOURSELF THE PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO BOMB.

THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO STRUGGLE.

THEY WANT YOU TO DO WELL.

>> THEY ARE ON YOUR SIDE.

>> YEAH, THEY ARE ON YOUR SIDE.

AND PLUS, YOU ALSO HAVE CLIPS OF SUCCESSFUL BITS IN THE PAST FOR MOTIVATION.

>> YOU ARE STILL LIVING IN CHICAGO ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE YOUR DEBUT AS A HEADLINER IN APRIL.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO PLAY IN THIS ICONIC THEATER IN YOUR HOMETOWN?

>> IT STILL DOESN'T SEEM VERY REAL TO ME.

I COULDN'T BE MORE EXCITED.

I DID AN EVENT WITH THE WHITE SOX AT THE CHICAGO THEATER.

>> I WAS AT THAT SHOW!

TERRIFIC.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

I AM EXCITED.

I HAVE BEEN GOING TO THE THEATER MY WHOLE LIFE.

IT IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MARQUEES IN THE COUNTRY.

I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMICS THERE.

I HAVE BEEN THERE AS A CONSUMER.

SO TO BE OUT THERE AND GET TO PERFORM, IT IS GREAT.

>> DID YOU HAVE MATERIAL CRAFTED THAT NIGHT?

>> NO!

I DO HAVE AN IDEA.

I HAVE SOME CHUNKS I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IN THE PAST YEAR THAT ARE NEW.

BUT I HAVE NEW IDEAS AS WELL.

I HAVE THINGS GOING ON IN MY LIFE THAT I NEED TO TALK ABOUT.

IN A FEW MONTHS IT WILL BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

>> WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT!

WE ONCE HAD RICHARD LEWIS ON THE SHOW AND HE SAID THAT HE HAS NO IDEA SOMETIMES WHEN HE GOES OUT THERE WHAT HE WILL TALK ABOUT.

HE IS SO NERVOUS.

I ASSUME THAT YOU HAVE A GAME PLAN!

>> HE PARKS IN FRONT OF THE CLUB ON WELLS.

YOU ARE TOLD TO GO UP AND INTRODUCE THEM WHEN THE CAR IS OUT FRONT.

HE WALKS INTO THE CLUB AND RIGHT ONTO THE STAGE.

YOU CAN'T SAY ANYTHING OTHER THAN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, RICHARD LEWIS!

>> SO AS SOON AS YOU HEAR THE GUITAR TURNOFF, HE IS THERE.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, PAT McGANN, GOOD SEEING YOU AGAIN!

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE SHOW.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING IT.

>> APPRECIATE IT!

>> WE ARE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP AFTER THIS.

>>> THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE REACHING OUT TO ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

AND THAT DOESN'T FOR OUR TUESDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US LIVE TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00.

I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.