>> YOU CAN SEE DALIA STASEVSKA TOMORROW THROUGH SATURDAY.

>>> A GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

>>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT -- >> THE INDICTMENT ACCUSES THE CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE.

>> THE TOP FEDERAL PROSECUTOR ON MATT AGAIN, VIOLENCE AND MORE.

>>> THE NEW CALL TO REMOVE THE TRUMP BRAND ON THE TOWER DOWNTOWN.

>>> WHAT BETTER WAY THAN TO SHINE A LIGHT ON A DARK PLACE.

>> ONE NORTH LAWNDALE RESIDENT IS SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER.

>>> CHICAGO HAS BEEN HER BEAT FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS AND SHE HAS BEEN A REGULAR HERE ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

WE ARE JOINED FOR MORE ON HER NEXT CHAPTER.

>>> IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PLACE THAT RESPONDS TO THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, PERIOD.

>> NEW ARTS SPACES OPEN IN CHICAGO.

>>> AS YOU MENTIONED, I AM IN NORTH LAWNDALE WHERE I WILL BE REPORTING LIVE TONIGHT AS PART OF THE CHICAGO TONIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

YES, WE ARE SERVING UP HOLIDAY CHEER AS THIS BECOMES A WINTER WONDERLAND.

SO WE HAVE THE BUZZ AND EVERYTHING FROM BEEKEEPING TO BOXING.

FIRST, BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>>> NOW TO SOME OF THE TOP STORIES.

>> SHE IS SAFE, SHE IS ON AN AIRPLANE ON HER WAY HOME.

THIS IS AFTER MONTHS OF BEING UNJUSTLY DETAINED AND HELD UNDER INTOLERABLE CIRCUMSTANCES.

BRITNEY WILL SOON BE BACK IN THE ARMS OF HER LOVED ONES AND SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE ALL ALONG.

>> BRITTNEY GRINER IS FREE 10 MONTHS AFTER HER ARREST IN RUSSIA ON DRUG CHARGES.IN EXCHANGE, THE U.S.

RELEASED THE RUSSIAN ARMS DEALER VIKTOR BOUT , NICKNAMED THE MERCHANT OF DEATH.

BRITTNEY GRINER'S WIFE WAS WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN WHEN HE ANNOUNCED HER RELEASE.

>> TODAY I AM STANDING HERE OVERWHELMED WITH EMOTIONS , BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT EMOTION IS SINCERE GRATITUDE.FOUR PRESIDENT BIDEN AND HIS ENTIRE ADMINISTRATION.

>> THE U.S. FAILED TO FREE ANOTHER AMERICAN, PAUL WHELAN.

HE IS A CORPORATE EXECUTIVE FROM MICHIGAN WHO WAS ARRESTED IN 2018 AND REMAINS JAILED IN RUSSIA.

FEDERAL CONSPIRACY AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.

ATTORNEY SHE WAS RISK OR DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY.

THE U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE DISAGREED, SAYING THERE WAS 20 REASON TO BELIEVE THAT WHEN SHE HAS COMPLEX WITH OTHER PEOPLE SHE RESOLVES THEM WITH VIOLENCE.

>>> WALGREENS IS ANNOUNCING A PARTNERSHIP WITH DOOR DASH AND UBER TO DELIVER AN ORAL COVID 19 DRUG TO YOUR DOOR.

THE DRUG MANUFACTURED BY PFIZER IS AN ANTIVIRAL THERAPY THAT HELPS PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED FROM BEING HOSPITALIZED OR DYING.

WALGREENS SAYS THE PROGRAM IS AIMED AT INCREASING ACCESS TO TREATMENTS, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE IN MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS.

>>> COMING UP, WE ARE LIVE IN CHICAGO'S NORTH LAWNDALE COMMUNITY WITH ONE RESIDENTS COMMUNITY MISSION TO LIGHT UP THE WEST SIDE.

>>> FIRST, THE U.S. ATTORNEY JOINS US TO TALK RECENT CASES AND CONVICTIONS AND WHAT IS NEXT, RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE JIM AND KATE MAYBE FAMILY, THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> TACKLING BRIBERY SCANDALS, PUBLIC CORRECTION AND CHICAGO CRIME IS NO EASY FEAT, BUT IT IS THE JOB OF THE TOP FEDERAL PROSECUTOR RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A MAJOR RACKETEERING CASE.

>> ALSO THIS YEAR, MULTIPLE INDICTMENTS FOR THE FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER, MICHAEL MET AGAIN ON CHARGES INVOLVING THE CON ED AND NOW AT&T.

HERE TO DISCUSS THESE CASES IS THE U.S. ATTORNEY.

WELCOME BACK TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

START WITH THE RECENT CHARGES .

THE COMPANY, ITS PRESIDENT AND THE FORMER SPEAKER AND MIKE McLEAN ALL CHARGED IN THIS ALLEGED SCHEME WHERE THE COMPANY MADE PAYMENTS.

CAN YOU LAYOUT THESE CHARGES FOR THE PUBLIC?

>> I CANNOT GO BEYOND WHAT IS IN THE CHARGES OR IN THE AGREEMENT FOR AT& T, BUT YOU KNOW, IT LAYS OUT KIND OF A SIMILAR SCHEME THAT WE SAW IN CONNECTION WITH THE OTHER CASES INVOLVING MIKE McLEAN AND MICHAEL MADIGAN.

BASICALLY PAYMENTS TO AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS AN ALLY OF THE FORMER SPEAKER AND YOU KNOW, IN RETURN FOR THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS TO INFLUENCE AND REWARD MICHAEL MADIGAN IN CONNECTION WITH LEGISLATION.

>> IT IS A DEFERRED PROSECUTION AGREEMENT WITH AT&T.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE MORE CHARGES?

>> SO IN CONNECTION WITH OVERALL, WE ARE ALWAYS OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND INVESTIGATIONS ARE ONGOING BUT AS FAR AS THE DEFERRED PROSECUTION AGREEMENT, THAT LAYS OUT WHERE WE STAND WITH AT& T AND IF THEY UPHOLD THEIR END OF THE BARGAIN FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

THAT CLOSES THE BOOK ON THE ENTITY THERE AND OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE THE INDICTMENT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY.

>> BUT OF COURSE, CON ED AND AT&T HAVE BEEN CHARGED SO FAR IN THIS SCHEME.

WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD THAT WE COULD ANTICIPATE THAT THIS PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR HAS GONE BEYOND JUST THESE TWO CORPORATIONS?

>> AGAIN, I CANNOT GET INTO THAT A WHOLE LOT BUT WHAT I WILL SAY, THIS IS IN EVERY CASE, WHETHER IT IS THIS ONE OR ANYTHING ELSE, YOU KNOW, WE CHARGE CASES AND WE PROCEED TOWARDS TRIAL AND SOMETIMES WE LEARN NEW INFORMATION AND PEOPLE COME FORWARD OR WE LEARN THINGS DURING THE COURSE OF OUR GETTING READY FOR TRIAL AND WE REALIZE THERE ARE ADDITIONAL CHARGES THAT ARE APPROPRIATE.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT WILL HAPPEN HERE AT ALL.

YOU KNOW, I CANNOT SAY THAT.

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER WE WILL SEE ANYTHING THAT WE ALWAYS KEEP OUR EYES AND EARS OPEN >> THE OTHER MAJOR PROSECUTION UNDER YOUR WATCHES THE FORMER ALDERMAN INDICTED MORE THAN FOUR YEARS AGO ON CORRUPTION CHARGES.

STILL A TRIAL IS NOT SET TO BEGIN UNTIL NOVEMBER OF LAST NEXT YEAR.

ARE YOU FRUSTRATED AT THE SLOW PACE?

>> LOOK, I THINK IT IS -- YOU KNOW, WE ALL LIKE TO SEE THINGS HAPPEN SWIFTLY BUT WE ARE ALSO REALISTIC ABOUT THINGS.

WE DID HAVE THE PANDEMIC THAT CAME INTO PLAY HERE AS WELL WHICH PUT A LOT OF THE TRIALS ON HOLD.

YOU KNOW, FOR VARIOUS POINTS OF TIME.

AND YOU KNOW, WE HAD TRIALS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE PANDEMIC BUT AT LEAST THE SCHEDULE WAS MUCH SLOWER.

YOU KNOW, WE NEEDED TO REALLY -- WE HAD SOCIALLY DISTANCED TRIALS AND THINGS GOT ON A SLOWER TRACK.

YOU KNOW, LOOK, I -- I AM A BELIEVER IN JUSTICE AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT GETS DONE RIGHT.

>> RIGHT.

THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WHEN WE SEE DELAYS OR THINGS GOING TO TRIAL IT IS BECAUSE THE DEFENSE MAY NEED -- THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS WITH THE EVIDENCE AND DISCOVERY THAT THEY NEED TO GET DONE AND THE JUDGE NEEDS TO MANAGE HIS OR HER DOCKET IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE EXPEDITIOUS AND IN A WAY THAT IS FAIR.

>> GIVE US A SENSE OF WHY CASES LIKE THIS CAN TAKE SO LONG TO INVESTIGATE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THE MEASURES THAT YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH.

YOU KNOW, ARE YOU EVER SORT OF FRUSTRATED THAT IT CAN TAKE SO LONG TO GET TO TRIAL?

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT ANYBODY WHO, YOU KNOW, FOR THE PROSECUTOR, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES YOU -- ESPECIALLY WHEN TRIAL DATES GET MOVED , SOMETIMES THAT HAPPENS BUT SOMETIMES IT IS BECAUSE OF US BECAUSE WE HAD ADDITIONAL CHARGES.

>> OR THERE IS EVIDENCE.

>> I DO NOT KNOW IF I WOULD USE THE WORD FRUSTRATED, IT IS JUST PART OF WHAT WE HAVE BECOME USED TO.

THAT SAID, I UNDERSTAND WHERE THE PUBLIC SOMETIMES WILL SAY THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME, WHEN IS THIS GOING TO HAPPEN?

I GET THAT.

THAT IS WHY YOU WILL SEE PROSECUTORS REGULARLY SAY WE ARE READY FOR TRIAL, JUDGE.

AND THEN IT WILL EITHER HAPPEN OR, YOU KNOW, IT WILL HAPPEN AT SOME POINT DOWN THE LINE.

>> THIS COMING YEAR YOU HAVE MAJOR TRIALS HAPPENING ESPECIALLY RELATED TO CON ED AND MICHAEL MADIGAN AND HIS ASSOCIATES.

>> WE DO.

WE HAVE THE FIRST TRIAL.

WE HAVE THE TRIAL OF McLEAN AND SOME OF THE OTHER FOLKS AND THAT ADDITIONAL GROUP OF FOUR PEOPLE THAT WERE CHARGED.

IN MARCH WE HAVE THE TRIAL AND OTHER TRIALS SPRINKLED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU, THESE ARE BIG CASES BUT THERE IS AN OBSCURED CASE INVOLVING THE QUASIGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION THAT BUYS UP DISTRESSED PROPERTIES, FLIPS THEM AND SELLS THEM.

YOU ANNOUNCED CHARGES AGAINST A FORMER OFFICIAL.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT YOUR OFFICE IS LOOKING INTO IN RESPECT TO THIS ORGANIZATION.

>> I CANNOT GO BEYOND THE FOUR CORNERS OF WHAT IS THERE BUT IT IS LIKE ANY OTHER CASE.

WHEN IT COMES IN, I MEAN, WE WANT TO BRING CHARGES WHEN APPROPRIATE, BUT I REALLY CANNOT GO MUCH FURTHER THAN WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY PUT OUT.

>> SO, I WANT TO SHIFT TO SOMETHING.

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO RELEASED THE FIRST NATIONAL INVESTIGATION OF FEDERAL PRETRIAL DETENTION'S FINDING A FEDERAL JAILING CRISIS WITH FEDERAL JUDGES ROUTINELY VIOLATING BAIL LAWS.

THEY SAID THE PRETRIAL DETENTION RATES FOR THOSE CHARGED WITH FEDERAL CRIME HAS GONE UP FROM 29% UP TO 75% SINCE 1984.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> I HAVE NOT .

THAT REPORT YET.

BUT SHORTLY BEFORE I CAME ON HERE, I HAD LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A REPORT BUT I DO PLAN TO .

IT.

SO LOOK, ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK THAT WE DO WELL IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM AND WE DO WELL IN CHICAGO IS THE HANDLING OF PRETRIAL DETENTION'S.

THIS IS WHY I SAY THAT.

IT IS A VERY THOUGHTFUL PROCESS IN MY OFFICE IN PARTICULAR.

YOU HAVE A PROSECUTOR AND A DEFENSE LAWYER, THE JUDGE AND THE PRETRIAL SERVICES OFFICER THAT ARE EVALUATING IF THIS PERSON IS A RISK OF FLIGHT OR DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY.

IF THEY ARE, WE WILL SEEK PRETRIAL DETENTION AND IT IS A STIFF STANDARD.

WE HAVE TO SHOW CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE.

AND THEN THE JUDGE CAN DETAIN THAT PERSON PRETRIAL.

AND YOU KNOW, ONE REASON I THINK THAT HAS GONE UP IS BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN IN FEDERAL CASES WE HAVE SEEN PEOPLE CHARGED WITH MORE SERIOUS CRIMES, FOR INSTANCE VIOLENT CRIMES AND WE HAVE A BUNCH OF RICO CASES AND THE FIREARM CASES THAT WE WILL BRING.

WE ARE BRINGING THOSE BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THIS CAN HAVE MORE OF AN IMPACT.

THIS IS BASED UPON THEIR CRIMINAL HISTORY OR CONDUCT.

WE BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE A DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY SO THAT IS WHY WE WILL ASK FOR DETENTION THERE.

>> CHICAGO IS DOWN IN HOMICIDE CASES JUST UNDER 650 COMPARED TO 755 LAST YEAR.

YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR OFFICE IS MAKING SUFFICIENT PROGRESS?

>> LOOK, I DON'T KNOW THAT ANYBODY CAN SAY WE ARE MAKING SUFFICIENT PROGRESS .650 HOMICIDES IS FAR TOO MANY.

ONE THING I WILL SAY, THE FACT THAT WE ARE ON A TREND THAT WILL AND 100 HOMICIDES LESS THAN LAST YEAR, THAT IS A GOOD THING BUT IT DOES SHOW YOU KNOW, BEFORE WE CAN GET DOWN TO THE NUMBERS WHERE YOU KNOW, DOWN TO THE 400S WHERE WE WERE IN 2014, WHICH WAS NOT THAT LONG AGO, WE NEED TO MAKE THESE STEPS ALONG THE WAY.

IT IS PROGRESS.

I DON'T THINK I WOULD SAY IT IS SUFFICIENT PROGRESS, AND IT TAKES ALL OF US.

IT TAKES OUR OFFICE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE .

THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE RACKETEERING CASE THAT TOOK DOWN REPEATED MEMBERS OF A CHICAGO GANG.

WHAT IS THIS?

TRANSLATE THIS FOR THE FOLKS THAT LIVE IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THEM THAT SOME OF THESE FOLKS ARE BEING TAKEN TO TASK?

>> IT IS A REMARKABLE CASE.

IT STARTED LIKE A LOT OF OUR CASES DO, AS KIND OF A RUN OF THE MILL INVESTIGATION INTO A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS SELLING DRUGS IN A PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOOD IN CHICAGO.

AND IT WAS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ATF FIRST AND FOREMOST.

WE FOLLOWED THE EVIDENCE WHERE IT LEAD.

WHERE IT ULTIMATELY LEAD WAS A RICO CASE WITH 13 PEOPLE CHARGED, 19 MURDERS, 19 ATTEMPTED MURDERS , ARMED ROBBERIES AND DRUG TRAFFICKING.

SO, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY?

THE PEOPLE WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR MULTIPLE SHOOTINGS AND MURDERS ARE NOW NO LONGER IN THAT COMMUNITY ANYMORE TO CONTINUE TO WREAK HAVOC.

I THINK WHAT HAPPENS IN CHICAGO AND OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY TOO IS, PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS THEY KNOW WHO IS COMMITTING THE CRIMES.

THEY KNOW WHO ARE KILLING PEOPLE.

I THINK A LOT OF TIMES THEY ARE AFRAID.

THEY ARE AFRAID TO TALK AND SO WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH A CASE LIKE THIS, IT CAN PROVIDE SOME RELIEF IN A SENSE THAT SOMEBODY IS LOOKING OUT FOR US.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT WE CAN TALK TO TO BRING JUSTICE SO THAT WE DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE GETTING SHOT ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> SOME WOULD SAY THERE IS ALSO SOME MISTRUST SOME MIGHT HAVE WITH THE AGENCIES.

BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, YOU ARE ALMOST ASKED TO RESIGN WHEN PRESIDENT BIDEN TOOK OFFICE.

A NUMBER OF SENATORS ASKED THAT YOU REMAIN.

HOW LONG WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAY IN THIS JOB?

>> IT IS A GREAT JOB.

I LOVE THIS JOB.

I SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE PRESIDENT AND I TELL PEOPLE WHEN I GET ASKED THAT QUESTION, IT IS NOT A LIFETIME JOB.

I REALIZE THAT AND I'M FORTUNATE EVERY DAY THAT I AM HERE.

WE WILL SEE WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS.

AS LONG AS I AM THERE WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO GREAT WORK.

WE HAVE GREAT PEOPLE WORKING IN OUR OFFICE.

>>> NEXT, WE CHECK IN ON THE NORTH LAWNDALE COMMUNITY.

STAY WITH US.

>>> 35,000 CHICAGOANS CALL NORTH LAWNDALE HOME ACCORDING TO THE LATEST CENSUS FIGURES.

80% OF RESIDENTS ARE BLACK.

THE MEDIAN ANNUAL INCOME IS ABOUT $31,000 , ROUGHLY HALF OF THE MEDIAN INCOME FOR CHICAGO OVERALL.

POVERTY AND VIOLENCE ARE PART OF THE WESTSIDE COMMUNITIES STORY.

BUT COMMUNITY LEADERS SAY THERE IS MUCH MORE TO IT.

WE SPENT TIME IN NORTH LAWNDALE THIS WEEK AS PART OF THE CHICAGO TONIGHT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

AMANDA IS ON ONE OF THE MAIN THOROUGHFARES OF THEIR.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> Reporter: CHICAGO HAS SOME FABULOUSLY FESTIVE TRADITIONS AND ONE OF MY FAVORITE, DINING UNDER THE TREE AND THE MARKET, BUT NORTH LAWNDALE RESIDENTS ARE CREATING NEW TRADITIONS.

THIS SATURDAY AT ABOUT THIS TIME DOUGLAS BOULEVARD WILL BE ALL LIT UP AND BRIGHT FOR LIGHT UP LAWNDALE.

>> IT STARTED BECAUSE , UNFORTUNATELY, THEY HAVE PEGGED LAWNDALE WITH A BAD REP UNLESS YOU ARE HAVING A BIG FESTIVAL, THERE IS NO REASON TO COME HERE.

THEY DON'T LOOK AT THE ACTUAL PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE.

AND HOW THEY HAVE TO LIVE HERE ON A REGULAR BASIS.

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHEN I KEPT HEARING ABOUT ALL THE BAD CRIME ACROSS THE MEDIA I WAS LIKE, NO.

THERE IS A DIFFERENT SIDE OF LAWNDALE.

HOW DO WE DISPLAY THAT, RIGHT MARK OKAY, COOL.

LET'S DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND THAT WAS SMALL TO ME, BUT IT MEANT A LOT TO OTHER PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE THIRD ANNUAL LIGHT UP LAWNDALE.

IT IS LITERALLY ABOUT SHINING LIGHT IN A NORMALLY DARK PLACE.

ALSO, ABOUT CHANGING THE NARRATIVE OF HER NEIGHBORHOOD.

SHE ADMITS THAT INITIALLY THERE WERE PRACTICAL CHALLENGES LIKE A LACK OF POWER OUTLETS AND NO LADDERS TO STRING THE LIGHTS, BUT THEN SHE DISCOVERED BATTERY-POWERED LIGHTS AND VOLUNTEERS THAT WRAP THEM AROUND THE TREE TRUNKS.

THERE IS A NEW CHALLENGE, MORE LIGHTS ARE NEEDED.

AND, BY THE WAY, THEY ARE STILL ACCEPTING DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIPS FOR THAT.

WHY THE NEED FOR THE LIGHTS?

IT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE DOUBLING THE AREA THAT WILL BE LIT UP FROM 15 UP TO 30 BLOCKS.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO ENCOMPASS MORE OF THE ACTUAL NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE WANT MORE PEOPLE TO GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT , UNLIKE IN YEARS PAST.

ESPECIALLY WITH THE PANDEMIC AND YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WERE STUCK IN THE HOUSE AND THEY WERE IN A GLOOMY MOOD.

WE ARE TRYING TO CHEER THEM UP.

>> Reporter: THE LIGHTS ARE PART OF A FULL DAY OF WINTER LAWNDALE-HOMELAND.

IT WILL KICKOFF WITH A CHRISTMAS PARTY IN FRANKLIN PARK.

CHILDREN WILL RECEIVE SCARVES AND GLOVES AND ALSO BOOKS.

THAT IS THROUGH NORTH LAWNDALE READS, PART OF THE OPEN BOOKS PROGRAM.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR PRIMARY GOAL IS THAT EVERY KID CAN GET A BOOK AND HAS A BOOK AND EVERY KID HAS SOMETHING TO LOOK AT.

BOOKS ARE SOMETIMES LIKE $20 AND THAT IS VERY EXPENSIVE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

SO THINKING ABOUT HOW TO GET MORE FREE BOOKS AND MORE FREE HIGH-QUALITY GOOD BOOKS IN THE HANDS OF KIDS IS THE POINT OF THIS EVENT.

>> Reporter: LITERACY OF COURSE IS VERY IMPORTANT AND BOOKS ARE, IN MY OPINION, A WONDERFUL GIFT.

BUT SHE SAYS SHE KNOWS IT IS CHRISTMAS AND KIDS WANT TOYS.

GIFTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM BABIES THROUGH TEENAGERS.

AND THEN AFTER THAT PARTY IN FRANKLIN PARK, FOLKS ARE INVITED TO RIDE THEIR BIKES OVER TO DOUGLAS PARK.

AND WHO IS GOING TO BE THERE FOR LIGHT UP LAWNDALE?

I KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO GUESS SANTA CLAUS, BUT ACTUALLY IT IS SANTA'S ALTER EGO WHO IS GOING TO BE PAYING A VISIT TO THE EAST SIDE.

>> THIS IS THE SAVIOR TO COME BACK AND GIVE IDENTIFICATION TO THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND IT IS NOT SANTA CLAUS, IT IS VANDY CLAUSE.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS HE HAS RED, BLACK, AND GREEN.

>> I REGRET THAT I HAVE NO PHOTOS OF HIM TO SHOW YOU, BUT BROWN PROMISES THAT HE WILL TAKE PICTURES THIS WEEKEND AND I WILL POST THEM TO SOCIAL MEDIA SO YOU CAN HAVE A LOOK AT THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN INSPIRED OUTFIT.

MOST OF THE YEAR BROWN IS BUSY NOT DRESSED UP, BUT RATHER LEADING A BOXING PROGRAM FOR AREA YOUTH.

>> BLOCKING OUT NEGATIVITY IS NOT JUST A BOXING PROGRAM, IT IS A WAY OF LIFE, JUST LIKE WITH THE RING, YOU HAVE TO MAKE SPLIT-SECOND DECISIONS AND THEY HAVE TO DO THIS WHEN THEY GO OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: BROWN SAYS IN HIS YOUTH HE HAD A REPUTATION FOR KNOCKING PEOPLE OUT.

IT WAS A WELL EARNED REPUTATION THAT HE SAYS GOT HIM INTO A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THE LAW.

NOW IN ORDER TO PREVENT THAT FOR THIS GENERATION HE IS TRAINING AROUND 45 YOUTH DAILY FOR FREE BY TRAINING THEM AS BOXERS.

THIS IS NOT MILD TRAINING BY ANY MEANS.

SOME OF THE PARTICIPANTS ARE LITERALLY NATIONAL CHAMPS .

AND BY THE WAY, THEY HAVE A BIG COMPETITION COMING UP THE WEEKEND AFTER NEXT WITH THE SILVER GLOVE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WISH THEM WELL.

BROWN ALSO SAYS HE DEPENDS ON THE GENEROSITY OF FUNDERS AND THAT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE RECENTLY.

ANOTHER BIG PRESENCE IS THE NORTH LAWNDALE EMPLOYMENT NETWORK.

THIS IS AN ORGANIZATION RUN BY BRENDA HOLMES.

IT DOES A LOT .

FROM HELPING FAMILIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY THEIR LIGHT AND ENERGY BILL, ALSO JOB TRAINING, AND THEN ALSO THIS IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT RUNS THE CAF÷ AND OUR TEAM SPENT TIME WORKING FROM THERE THIS AFTERNOON.

I HAD A LATTE THAT WAS MADE BY THE SWEET BEGINNINGS PROGRAM.

THIS IS BEEKEEPING TRAINING FOR THE FORMERLY INCARCERATED.

SHE SAID THAT SHE STARTED THIS BECAUSE SHE REALIZED THOSE WHO ARE LEAVING PRISON HAD NOT HAD TRADITIONAL EMPLOYMENT TRAINING AND WHEN THEY WENT LOOKING FOR WORK OFTEN EMPLOYERS DO NOT WANT THEM.

HER SOLUTION WAS BEEKEEPING.

BOTH TEACHING THEM SKILLS, BUT ALSO SHE SAYS IT CHANGED THE CONVERSATION WITH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS.

>> SUDDENLY THEY ARE ASKING WELL, WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A BEEKEEPER?

AND THEN THERE IS A DIFFERENT DIALOGUE.

SO I LOVE WHEN THAT HAPPENS AND IT OPENS UP AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT WE SERVE TO TRULY BE SEEN FOR THE ASSET AND CONTRIBUTIONS THEY CAN MAKE TO THE BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THAT, YES, BACK IN THE DAY SEARS WAS BASED HERE.

THEY WERE RIGHT HERE IN NORTH LAWNDALE.

SHE KNOWS THAT THE EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIETAL SITUATION HAS CHANGED, BUT THE EMPLOYMENT NETWORK IS HELPING CONNECT RESIDENTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM TODAY.

THINGS LIKE SOLAR PANEL TRAINING AS WELL AS TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION, AND LOGISTICS.

THESE ARE WELL-PAYING JOBS THAT CAN SUPPORT A FAMILY.

>> WE LEARNED THAT 57% OF THE ADULTS HERE HAVE HAD SOME INVOLVEMENT IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU UNDERSTAND WHY THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS SO HIGH.

IT IS NOT BECAUSE PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO WORK, IT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE BATTLING THE STIGMA OF HAVING A CRIMINAL RECORD.

>> Reporter: HOLMES SAYS THAT NORTH LAWNDALE IS A COMMUNITY ON THE RISE.

IT WAS A COMMON THEME WITH FOLKS THAT WE TALKED TO, THEY ARE TRYING TO SHED ANY KIND OF NEGATIVE STIGMA AND THEY ARE PUTTING IN THE WORK TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

AGAIN, THIS SATURDAY THAT WORK WILL BE SERVED UP WITH A DOSE OF HOLIDAY CHEER.

WE HAVE MORE COMING UP, BUT SENDING IT BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>> IT IS REALLY HARD TO GET A PICTURE OF SANTA, SO I APPRECIATE THAT.

WE WILL SEE YOU IN A LITTLE BIT.

>>> NOW TO DONALD TRUMP IN THE NEWS IN CHICAGO.

>> FEW THINGS HAVE START AS MUCH CONTROVERSY AS THE MASSIVE TRUMP SIGN ON DONALD TRUMP'S CHICAGO TOWER.

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE EDITORIALIZED THAT THE SIGN SHOULD COME DOWN SAYING, "REINTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE AND RE-INVOKE MORAL TURPITUDE.

TRY TO GET IT TAKEN DOWN.

WE WILL WAGER MOST EVERYONE WHO LIVES THERE WILL SUPPORT IT."

THEY HAD ORIGINALLY ARGUED THE SIGN SHOULD STAY UP BUT THE CONVICTION FOR TAX FRAUD CHARGES CHANGES THAT PERCEPTION.

WE ARE JOINED BY THE PRESIDENT OF LIBERTY JUSTICE CENTER.

WE ALSO INVITED THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE, BUT THEY DO NOT RESPOND.

ALDERMEN, FIRST WITH YOU, YOU INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE LAST YEAR TO HAVE THIS SIGN TAKEN DOWN.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE IT SHOULD COME DOWN?

>> I INTRODUCED THAT ORDINANCE ON THE HEELS OF JANUARY 6.

YOU KNOW, I WAS IN THE MARINE CORPS AND I TOOK AN OATH TO DEFEND THIS COUNTRY AGAINST ALL ENEMIES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

WHAT WE SAW ON JANUARY 6 WAS HORRIBLE AND IT WAS LED BY DONALD TRUMP.

WE WANTED TO PUT AN ORDINANCE IN PLACE BECAUSE WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT ANYONE INVOLVED IN JANUARY 6 COULD NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

WE INTRODUCED IT AND GOT IT PASSED IN MARCH.

>> I WANT TO COME BACK WITH SOME SPECIFICS.

JACOB HUBERT, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS DISCUSSION AND THE CALLS FOR TRUMP TO TAKE THAT SIGN DOWN, AND WHETHER THE CITY EVEN HAS ANY AUTHORITY TO DO THAT?

>> THE CITY IS TARGETING THIS SIGN BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE WHAT IT SAYS.

AND IF THE FIRST AMENDMENT MEANS ANYTHING, IT MEANS THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT TARGET SPEECH.

IT CANNOT TELL PEOPLE TO TAKE DOWN THEIR SIGNS BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE WHAT THEY SAY.

AND SO, THIS IS TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE.

IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT YOU THINK OF DONALD TRUMP .

THE PERSON WHO OWNS THE BUILDING HAS A RIGHT TO PUT WHAT THEY WANT ON THAT BUILDING, CERTAINLY THE NAME OF THE BUILDING OR THE NAME OF THE OWNER.

SO IT IS AN OFFENSE AGAINST FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND ONE THAT IS ALL TOO FAMILIAR IN CHICAGO.

>> WHAT ABOUT THAT?

IT IS HARD TO FIND A LEGAL ARGUMENT THAT WOULD SAY THE FIRST AMENDMENT DOES NOT APPLY HERE.

THAT A PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT.

>> THIS IS NOT TARGETED, THIS IS AROUND THE JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION .

THE IRONY IS THAT THE FIRST AMENDMENT SPEECH IN THE PRESIDENT TALKING ABOUT ELIMINATING THE CONSTITUTION, IT IS AWKWARD THAT THIS GUEST HERE IS DEFENDING THAT BUT THAT SAID, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE OUR LEGAL TEAM TAKING A LOOK AT EXPANDING FOR THOSE THAT HAVE SIGNS THAT ARE CONVICTED OF CRIMES AND EXPANDING IT TO TAX FRAUD TO SEE HOW IT WORKS.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ATTORNEYS WORKING CLOSELY WITH ALDERMAN RILEY AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE WORKING COLLABORATIVELY TO FIGURE WAYS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

>> SO YOU ARE SAYING -- SOMEONE CONVICTED OF TAX FRAUD .

JACOB HUBERT, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, DOES THAT SOUND LIKE IT PASSES LEGAL MUSTER?

>> NO.

IF YOU COMMIT A CRIME, WHETHER IT IS TAX FRAUD, WHETHER IT IS INSURRECTION OR TREES OR WHATEVER, THOSE CRIMES , IF YOU ARE CONVICTED OF THEM, HAVE A SPECIFIC SENTENCE AND THE SENTENCE IS NOT YOU LOSE ALL OF YOUR RIGHTS EVERYWHERE.

LIKE IN THE CASE OF THE TRUMP TAX CASES FOR THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION , THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY FINES.

THEY DO NOT JUST LOSE ALL OF THEIR RIGHTS.

NOT ONLY IN NEW YORK AND CHICAGO BUT ANYONE WHO WANTS TO PUNISH THEM.

YOU CANNOT JUST TAKE PEOPLE'S RIGHTS AWAY BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE SOMETHING THEY DID SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT THEY ARE BEING PUNISHED FOR BY SOMEONE ELSE, IT DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY.

>> IT'S SAY YOU DO PASS AN ORDINANCE, AREN'T YOU OPENING THE CITY UP FOR LAWSUITS BY SOMEONE WHO IS KNOWN TO BE VERY LITIGIOUS?

>> THAT IS WHY WE ARE TAKING A LOOK AT THIS, WHERE WE HAVE ATTORNEYS REVIEWING IT TO SEE IF THERE IS A PATH FORWARD.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE CONSTITUTION, MAKING SURE WE ARE DOING THINGS CORRECTLY.

RIGHT NOW THERE ARE ATTORNEYS REVIEWING IT.

YOU ARE RIGHT, WE DO NOT WANT TO PUT OURSELVES IN A POSITION, GIVEN THE HISTORY OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND HOW LITIGIOUS HE IS.

>> JACOB HUBERT, DO YOU SEE ANY LEGAL PATHWAY HERE THAT THE CITY CAN GO DOWN TO FORCE THIS, OR SHOULD THEY GO TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE THEN WITH THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION AND FIGURE OUT SOMETHING THERE?

>> THEY SHOULD NOT TELL THE CITY TO STOP SAYING WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY BUT THEY SHOULD LEAVE PEOPLE ALONE TO PUT UP THE SIGNS THEY WANT TO PUT UP.

WE COULD TRY SOMETHING AND THEY COULD TAKE IT TO COURT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS, BUT THEY SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET AWAY WITH IT, BECAUSE IT IS PRETTY BASIC THAT YOU CANNOT TARGET A SIGN IS YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT IT SAYS.

IT DOES NOT MATTER ALSO THAT DONALD TRUMP SAID STUPID THINGS ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION RECENTLY.

LOOK, YOU DON'T WAIVE YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS BECAUSE YOU SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

YOU STILL HAVE THEM, NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE.

>> WE SHOULD NOTE THAT UNDER CURRENT CITY RULES, THAT TRUMP SIGN IS TOO BIG BUT THAT ORDINANCE WAS PASSED AFTER TRUMP PUT HIS SIGN UP THERE.

HE IS KIND OF GRANDFATHERED IN THERE.

WHAT ABOUT HAVING THE CITY NEGOTIATE WITH THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION LIKE THE EDITORIAL SUGGESTED?

GO TO THE TABLE IN THE SAY, TAKE THIS THING DOWN?

>> THAT COULD BE AN OPTION AS WELL.

WE HAVE ALL THE ATTORNEYS TAKING A LOOK AT WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST PATH FORWARD TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING LEGAL AND WE ARE IN A POSITION WHERE WE WILL NOT COST TAXPAYERS MONEY.

>> GIVEN THAT THEY MADE THE ARGUMENT THAT YOU KNOW, GIVEN THE CONVICTION ON TAX FRAUD AND RECENT STATEMENTS ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION, IT DOES CHANGE THE EQUATION .

I WANT TO GO BACK TO YOU ON THIS.

HOW DOES IT CHANGE?

>> LIKE THEY SAID BEFORE, WHEN THEY DEFENDED WHAT ABOUT PROPERTY RIGHTS?

THAT IS JUST NOT HOW IT WORKS.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS THEIR RIGHTS AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE DUE PROCESS.

WHATEVER DUE PROCESS TRUMP IS GETTING IS COMING FROM THE CASES AND THOSE CASES WILL IMPOSE SPECIFIC CONSEQUENCES.

IT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS OPEN SEASON ON TRUMP'S RIGHTS EVERYWHERE.

THAT IS NOT HOW THIS WORKS.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE ORDINANCE THAT WAS INTRODUCED A YEAR AGO .

WHEN DO YOU EXPECT A NEW ORDINANCE TO BE INTRODUCED, AND HOW MIGHT IT BE DIFFERENT?

YOU SAY ATTORNEYS ARE REVIEWING ALL OF THIS BUT WHAT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT?

>> AGAIN, WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH ALDERMAN RILEY AND WE ARE LOOKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE FIELD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE THOROUGH AND WE DON'T WANT TO EXPAND YET DUE TO THE FACT THEY ARE STILL DOING RESEARCH.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PRESIDENT AND OUR GUEST HERE YOU KNOW, HE IS DOWNPLAYING THE COMMENTS ABOUT LIMITING THE CONSTITUTION AND REINSTATING HIMSELF.

THOSE ARE TROUBLING.

YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT IS NOTORIOUS, THAT IS SAYING CRAZY THINGS.

BUT HE HAS MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THAT FOLLOW HIM.

IT IS DANGEROUS.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TAKING THESE THINGS SERIOUSLY.

YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6 AND NOW PEOPLE SHOULD BE CONCERNED THAT THE FORMER PRESIDENT IS TALKING ABOUT ELIMINATING THE CONSTITUTION.

>> I HAVE TO LEAVE THE DISCUSSION THERE.

I WANT TO THANK BOTH OF YOU, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I APPRECIATE IT.

WE'RE BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> THERE IS MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING THE STORY OF A STORE BRINGING FRESH PRODUCE TO NORTH LAWNDALE.

>>> FIRST, THE MUSLIM NETWORK IS CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY WITH A CERAMIC STUDIO MEANT TO SERVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND SURROUNDING AREA.

OUR CORRESPONDENT TAKES US TO THE SOUTHWEST SIDE FOR A LOOK AT THOSE NEW COMMUNITY SPACES.

>> Reporter: THE STUDENTS ARE GETTING A TASTE OF THE NEWEST ADDITION, THE CERAMIC STUDIO.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE ME, I MADE MYSELF.

MY NOSE IS FAT AND MY EYEBROWS ARE BUSHY.

>> Reporter: IT IS PART OF A REENTRY PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, JOB TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND MORE FOR RETURNING CITIZENS AND HIGH RISK YOUTH.

>> THE SERIES THEY JUST FINISHED TODAY WORKING THE FINAL SESSION, IT WAS A CHANCE TO GET INTO THE CERAMIC STUDIO TO GET A TASTE OF IT.

RIGHT NOW THEY ARE COMPLETING ORIENTATION.

THEY HAVE ORIENTATION UNTIL THE END OF THIS YEAR.

NEXT YEAR THEY WILL GET A CHANCE TO GO BACK INTO THE STUDIO AND THERE IS A QUOTE THAT WE REFER TO OFTEN, ONCE YOU GET -- WILLING TO TRY SOMETHING YOU NEVER TRIED.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE NEWEST MEMBERS SAYS THE RESOURCES THEY PROVIDE HAVE HELPED HIM GREATLY.

>> WE MEET ONCE A WEEK AND I ENJOY THAT, BEING ABLE TO COME TALK ABOUT WHAT I HAVE GOING ON OUTSIDE.

I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE DOING CERAMICS.

>> I LOVE IT BECAUSE I CAN COME AND EXPRESS MYSELF WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT THE OUTSIDE.

THEY MADE ME MORE OF A MAN THAN I WAS WHEN I FIRST CAME IN HERE BECAUSE THEY HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL THE STUFF I THINK I'M GOING TO GET AWAY WITH.

>> WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO SHIFT AND REPRESENT A RIGHTEOUS CULTURE IN GENERAL.

IT IS REALLY SOMETHING PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR, BUT SOMETIMES THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO VERBALIZE.

BUT TO BE ABLE TO INTERACT AND HOLD EACH OTHER UP AND LIFT EACH OTHER UP, LEARN FROM EACH OTHER, EAT TOGETHER, LAUGH TOGETHER, BE CHALLENGED TOGETHER, IT IS A BIG PART OF WHO IT IS AND BRINGS A LOT OF VALUE AS A WHOLE AND TO OUR COMMUNITIES WE JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SPACES LIKE THIS.

IT IS ONE THAT WE HOLD VERY SACRED.

>> THE COMMITMENT TO CREATIVE SPACES ALSO EXTENDS TO THE NEW ART GALLERY.

IT HOUSES A SELECTION OF 45 NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ART EXHIBITS.

>> IN COMMUNITIES WHERE WE HAVE HAD GENERATIONAL TRAUMA AND WE HAVE HAD LIKE DECADES OF TRAUMA, JUST HAVING A SAFE SPACE PERIOD IS SO NEEDED AND TO NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

YOU KNOW , YOU HAVE LIKE REALLY UNIQUE INTERACTIONS THAT TAKE PLACE, SO THE PHYSICAL SPACE OF A CERAMICS STUDIO WHERE THAT IS HAPPENING, ALL OF THE SPACES ARE VERY UNIQUE AND OFFERS SO MUCH HOPE AND THE ABILITY TO PROCESS LIFE TOGETHER WITH OTHERS.

>> Reporter: WITH AN EXISTING MAIN CAMPUS THAT CURRENTLY OFFERS A FULL HEALTHCARE CENTER, THE MISSION REMAINS FOCUSED ON HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR THE MIND AND BODY.

>> WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR US IS A EMPHASIS ON HOLISTIC MODELS.

A MODEL THAT EMPHASIZES THAT IT IS NOT JUST HEALTHCARE THAT IS GOING TO HELP SAVE OUR COMMUNITY.

IT IS NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, A FOCUS ON EDUCATION OR A FOCUS ON JOBS FOR RETURNING CITIZENS.

IT IS AN UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU NEED A HOLISTIC MODEL TO ACTUALLY ADDRESS THE DECADES OF SYSTEMIC AND STRUCTURAL RACISM.

>> Reporter: THE FOUNDATION PRINCIPLE IS ROOTED IN MUSLIM SPIRITUAL TRADITION.

THEY SAY THAT THEIR COMMITMENT IS TO SERVE EVERYONE.

>> WE ARE PART OF A COALITION AND ALLIANCES.

WE ARE AN ORGANIZATION THAT EXTENDS OUT TO A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAUSE AT THE CORE OF OUR WORK IS THIS EMPHASIS ON BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

WE HAVE ALWAYS ATTEMPTED TO BE A PLACE THAT RESPONSE TO THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

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

>>> YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN THE LATEST HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM.

>>> STILL TO COME ON CHICAGO TONIGHT, A STATE LAWMAKER TALKS ABOUT CHANGING UP NORTH LAWNDALE'S NARRATIVE .

WE WILL HAVE A LIVE REPORT FROM THE WEST SIDE.

>>> A CHICAGO JOURNALIST BOWS OUT.

WE TALK ABOUT HER RETIREMENT AND WHAT IS NEXT.

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

>>> FIRST, SOME MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES PRETTY DOWN STATE LAWMAKER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL THIS MORNING WITH AN UNDISCLOSED MEDICAL CONDITION.

LOCAL REPORTS SAY FIRST RESPONDERS WERE CALLED TO SCOTT BENNETT'S HOME IN CHAMPAIGN SHORTLY BEFORE 3:00 A.M.

IN A STATEMENT PRITZKER SAYS HE IS GENUINE, KIND AND DEDICATED.

AND KAY AND I ARE KEEPING THE ENTIRE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY IN OUR PRAYERS.

BENNETT IS A FORMER PROSECUTOR AND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR INTRODUCING AN AMENDMENT THAT CLARIFIED LANGUAGE AND COMMUNITY PROTECTION MEASURES IN THE SAFETY ACT, WHICH ENDS CASH BAIL IN JANUARY.

>>> MORE HELP COULD BE ON THE WAY TO KEEP AN INVASIVE CARP OUT OF THE GREAT LAKES.

IT WAS PASSED IN A BIPARTISAN VOTE AND INCREASES FUNDING FOR THE BRANDON LOAD LOCK AND DAM PROJECT.

IT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE CARP FROM TRAVELING FROM THE RIVER BASIN INTO THE GREAT LAKES.

MOLLY FLANAGAN WELCOMED THE MOVE, SAYING , "THIS COMMITMENT SHOWS THAT HOUSE MEMBERS RECOGNIZE THAT THE INVASIVE CARP MOVING THROUGH LAKE MICHIGAN THREATENS THE REGION. "

HE URGES THE PRESIDENT TO SIGN IT.

>>> EFFORTS TO CLEAR BLOCKED BICYCLE LANES PASSED THROUGH A KEY CITY PANEL.

THE VOTE BY THE CITY COUNCILS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE TOOK PLACE SIX MONTHS AFTER A THREE-YEAR-OLD DIED WHILE RIDING IN A CARRIER ON HER MOTHER'S BICYCLE.

SHE WAS STRUCK BY A SEMITRUCK AFTER HER MOTHER WAS FORCED TO GO AROUND A CON ED TRUCK PARKED IN THE BIKE LANE.

THE MEASURE IS SET FOR A FINAL VOTE WEDNESDAY AND WOULD GIVE EMPLOYEES THE AUTHORITY TO ORDER VEHICLES BLOCKING BIKE LANES TO BE TICKETED AND TOWED.

>>> NOW WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>>> NOW WE RETURN TO NORTH LAWNDALE WHERE AMANDA SPENT THE DAY AS PART OF THE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

AMANDA?

>> Reporter: EARLIER TODAY THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE TOOK A LOT OF MEETINGS AND SPENT TIME TALKING WITH US.

COLLINS RECENTLY WON REELECTION TO REPRESENT NORTH LAWNDALE AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY'S WEST AND NORTH SIDE.

I STARTED OFF BY ASKING COLLINS WHAT SHE ACCOMPLISHED DURING HER FIRST TERM IN SPRINGFIELD.

>> I THINK I REALLY HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

I PASSED A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT FAMILIES ACROSS THE DISTRICT AND THE STATE OF ILLINOIS CAN REALLY THRIVE.

SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF A LOT OF LEGISLATION WE DID AROUND CHILDCARE, BECAUSE THAT IS ESSENTIAL AND LEGISLATION AROUND BFS AND ALSO MAKING SURE THAT FAMILIES CAN STAY IN THEIR HOMES.

THAT WAS VERY CRITICAL BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE KNOW THAT IS, ESPECIALLY ON THE WEST SIDE WERE LOOKING AT EVICTION.

SO MAKING SURE THAT THEY CAN HAVE A HOME THAT THEY ARE LIVING IN AND YOU KNOW, BE ABLE TO TAKE SOME OF THAT BURDEN OFF OF THEIR BACKS.

>> OF, CHILDCARE DURING THE PANDEMIC WAS REALLY HIGHLIGHTED, HOW ESSENTIAL IT IS AND THE LACK OF CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND ACCESSIBILITY TO IT.

YOU ALSO PASSED A MEASURE THAT WAS PERSONAL TO YOU.

CAN YOU SHARE MORE ABOUT THAT?

>> HOUSE BILL 4242 IS A MEASURE THAT WILL EXPAND CHILDCARE FOR YOUTH IN CARE.

I GOT PREGNANT AT THE AGE OF 20 AND SO CURRENTLY YOU GET EMANCIPATED AT 18 AND I STAYED UNTIL 21 BUT WHEN I GOT PREGNANT WITH MY OLDEST SON CHILDCARE WAS REALLY HARD TO FIND.

I KNEW THAT THOSE ISSUES STILL EXIST TODAY AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A PATHWAY FOR YOUTH IN CARE TO EMANCIPATE AND THEY NEED CHILDCARE.

SO THAT IS SOMETHING I'M REALLY PROUD OF.

>> Reporter: THIS LEGISLATION GUARANTEES THAT YOUTH IN CARE THAT HAVE CHILDREN CAN GET FREE CHILDCARE FOR THEM.

>> THEY CAN LOOK FOR A JOB AND FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION AND NOT WORRY ABOUT THOSE BURDENS.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO BEING STATE REPRESENTATIVE YOU ARE ALSO ELECTED BY YOUR PEERS AS THE CHAIR OF THE ILLINOIS HOUSE BLACK CAUCUS.

WHAT OUR PRIORITIES FOR THE BLACK CAUCUS GOING TO BE?

THERE WAS A LOT ACCOMPLISHED IN THE WAKE OF GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER AND THEY HAD A HUGE AGENDA THAT WAS PASSED.

SO WHAT IS NEXT?

>> THE IDEA IS TO BUILD AND PUT INSTRUCTIONS IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITIES CAN REALLY BE AWARE OF WHAT THEIR LEGISLATORS ARE DOING.

WE HAVE LEGISLATORS ACROSS THE STATE.

WE ALL BRING UNIQUE IDEAS TO THE TABLE.

WE ALL HAVE A DIFFERENT SET OF IDEALS, SO I WANT TO AMPLIFY THAT GOING INTO THE 103rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY MAKING SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THAT BECAUSE THERE IS MUCH MORE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: YOU HAVE ANY LEGISLATION YOU ARE PLANNING TO PUSH AS STATE REPRESENTATIVE?

>> I AM GOING TO CONTINUE TO REFORM THE CSS , BECAUSE THERE IS A NUMBER OF -- HEAVILY POPULATED WITH BLACK AND BROWN CHILDREN.

THE CULTURE NEEDS TO CHANGE AND I DO HAVE HOPE THAT WE WILL GET TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR YOUTH IN CARE THRIVE.

THE ONLY WAY WE CAN DO THAT IS MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE WITH THOSE EXPERIENCES ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE.

>> Reporter: OF COURSE, TELL ME ABOUT YOUR DISTRICT.

I MEAN, YOU GREW UP IN LAWNDALE.

AND WHAT DO PEOPLE NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS AREA THAT THEY SHOULD?

>> SO MY FATHER, HIS SIDE OF THE FAMILY IS FROM CAPE TOWN IN NORTH LAWNDALE.

AS A YOUNG GIRL I WAS LIVING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE.

SO THAT IS THE THING OF BEING YOUTH IN CARE, BUT I DO NOT BECOME A YOUTH IN CARE UNTIL I WAS A TEENAGER BUT AS A YOUNG GIRL I DID LIVE HOUSE TO HOUSE.

THE THING THAT PEOPLE ARE ¿ YOU KNOW, THE NARRATIVE OF NORTH LAWNDALE IS THAT IT IS A DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE.

IT IS NOT.

THEY LOVE EACH OTHER AND THEY HELP OUT ONE ANOTHER.

EVEN DURING A PANDEMIC I SAW FOR MYSELF YOU KNOW, EVERYONE WAS ALL IN.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THE WORK THAT IS GOING ON IN THIS COMMUNITY AND THE ORGANIZATIONS.

YOU KNOW, THE CHURCHES AND THE FAMILIES, BECAUSE THE NARRATIVE HAS TO CHANGE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS HER COMMUNITY IS VERY VOCAL ABOUT ITS NEEDS AND PUTS IN THE WORK TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

THERE IS A LOT GOING ON HERE.

SHE SAYS YOU HAVE GOT THE FARM ON OGDEN AND A NEW GROCERY STORE THAT AIMS TO SECURE MUCH OF ITS PRODUCE FROM BLACK FARMERS.

AND WHERE I AM STANDING ON OGDEN AVENUE, THAT USED TO BE ROUTE 66 THROUGH THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND GOES RIGHT BY THE LAWNDALE CHRISTIAN HEALTH CENTER.

ANOTHER NONPROFIT THAT HAS A CAF÷.

SO THANKS TO THE FOLKS AT THE GREEN TOMATO.

THAT IS ALL THAT WE HAVE FROM LAWNDALE COMMUNITY AREA TONIGHT.

I AM SENDING IT BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>> ALWAYS THANKFUL FOR THE CAF÷S IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THANK YOU.

>>> A LONG TIME CHICAGO JOURNALIST JUST STEPS AWAY FROM HER JOB AFTER COVERING CRIME, POLITICS, EDUCATION, AND URBAN AFFAIRS.

THE REGULAR CHICAGO CHRONICLE COLUMNS FOCUS ON POSITIVE STORIES IN THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY.

ALONG THE WAY, SHE HAS WRITTEN BOOKS AND MEANT TOWARD YOUNG JOURNALISTS , THIS ONE INCLUDED.

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WELCOME BACK.

WE HAVE DONE SOME REDECORATING SINCE LAST TIME YOU WERE HERE.

WHY NOW?

WHY WAS THIS A TIME THAT YOU WANTED TO MAKE THE TRANSITION?

>> YOU KNOW, DECEMBER 3 WOULD HAVE MADE 29 YEARS AND I RETIRED A WEEK BEFORE MY 29th ANNIVERSARY.

AND I THINK THAT FOR SO MANY OF US THE PANDEMIC HAS REFLECTED , IS THIS WHAT WE WANT TO DO FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES?

ARE WE HAPPY AND ARE THERE OTHER THINGS WE WANT TO DO?

I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT SOME OF THOSE THINGS WHEN I TOOK SOME TIME OFF AND IT WAS JUST, YOU KNOW -- I THINK IT IS TIME TO MAKE THAT JUMP AND DO SOME OTHER THINGS WHILE I STILL CAN.

>> Reporter: YOUR CHICAGO CHRONICLE COLUMN, WHAT KIND OF STORIES DID YOU TRY TO HIGHLIGHT WITH THAT COLUMN?

>> SURE.

YOU KNOW, THE MONIKER WAS ABOUT PEOPLE AND PLACES THAT MAKE CHICAGO PICK, WITH A FOCUS ON BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

FOR ME IT WAS ALL ABOUT RACE.

YOU KNOW, ALL THE MANY ASPECTS OF RACE.

RACE, RACISM, DISCRIMINATION, EQUITY, AND EQUITY , YOU KNOW, AND THEN SOCIAL JUSTICE, WHICH IS ALL OF THOSE JUSTICE ISSUES THAT PLAGUE OUR COUNTRY FROM POVERTY TO CRIME TO POLICING TO POLITICS.

AND YOU KNOW, REPRESENTATION FOR BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

AND THOSE POSITIVE STORIES THAT JUST DO NOT GET TOLD.

THOSE DIVERSE NARRATIVES.

THE EVERYDAY HEROES IN NEIGHBORHOODS ALL ACROSS THE CITY LIKE WTTW TRIES TO HIGHLIGHT NOW.

AND YOU KNOW, JUST MAKING SURE THAT THOSE STORIES ARE TOLD.

>> Reporter: YOU TOOK A FEW YEARS OFF AND A LITTLE BIT OF POLITICS.

YOU ARE CREDITED WITH HELPING BOBBY RUSH GET REELECTED IN 2000.

HE IS ALSO RETIRING THIS YEAR.

YOU WILL PROBABLY SEE HIM OUT THERE.

WHY DID YOU AT THE TIME, WHY DID YOU MOVE INTO COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, AND WHY DID YOU COME BACK TO JOURNALISM?

>> I HAD BEEN COVERING URBAN AFFAIRS AND THEN KIND OF SEGUED INTO COVERING THE CSS FOR A WHILE.

THIS WAS DURING A TIME IN THE LATE 90s WHEN IT WAS ALWAYS IN THE NEWS.

SO MANY TRAGIC STORIES OF CHILDREN BEING KILLED.

AND AT ONE POINT I GOT AN OUTREACH AND THEY SAID YOU KNOW, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME TO OUR SIDE?

IT WAS KIND OF LIKE WE WOULD RATHER HAVE YOU ON THIS SIDE AT FIRST I SAID NO BUT I THINK EVERYBODY HAS A POINT WHERE THEY ARE LIKE MAYBE WE COULD TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT SO I DECIDED TO TRY IT AND OF COURSE CHILDREN HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MY PASSION AND THE MAJORITY OF THE CHILDREN ARE BLACK AND BROWN CHILDREN AND SO THE ISSUES PLAGUING MY COMMUNITY, THE LACK OF ADOPTION OF THOSE CHILDREN IN THE SYSTEM HAD ALWAYS BEEN AN ISSUE I WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT.

I WENT OVER THERE TO SEE IF I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I DID THAT FOR TWO YEARS.

I WILL SAY THAT POLITICS MAKES STRANGE BEDFELLOWS.

IT IS NOT EASY.

AND SO, WHEN I DECIDED TO -- WHEN THE GOVERNOR DID NOT RUN AGAIN, I LEFT AND HUNG MY OWN SHINGLE AND DECIDED TO CONTINUE DOING PUBLIC RELATIONS.

THAT IS WHEN I DID MEDIA AND MEDIA STRATEGY FOR MEMBERS OF THE U.S. CONGRESS , THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL, THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATOR , AND IT WAS DURING THAT TIME THAT I WAS THE PRESS SECRETARY FOR BOBBY RUSH'S CAMPAIGN WHEN A LITTLE-KNOWN POLITICIAN BY THE NAME OF BARACK OBAMA WAS VYING FOR HIS SEAT.

AND IT WOULD BE THE ONLY RACE THAT HE WOULD LOSE ON HIS UPWARD TRAJECTORY TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

SO IT WAS BITTERSWEET AND TO SEE HIM GO ON AND WIN THOSE HIGHER OFFICES AND BOBBY CALLED ME UPON MY RETIREMENT LAST WEEK AND SAID, HEY, I SEE THAT WE ARE BOTH RETIRING.

WE WILL HAVE TO GET TOGETHER AND HAVE COFFEE AND REMINISCE.

>> NOW THAT YOU HAVE TIME.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY , YOU KNOW, BECAUSE YOU COVERED OBVIOUSLY EVERYTHING AND YOU KNOW, YOU SAID THERE ARE A NUMBER OF STORIES THAT HAVE IMPACTED YOU.

THE STORY OF SANDRA BLAND, JESSE JACKSON, HE GOT HIS VACCINE FROM ONE OF THE BLACK DOCTORS THAT HELPED TO DEVELOP IT.

AND THE HOME OF EMMETT TILL.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS THAT COME TO YOU WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT RIGHT NOW?

>> I THINK IN MY EARLY CAREER IT WAS COVERING PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING AS THE NATION BEGAN TO DEMOLISH THEM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT BEGAN HERE IN CHICAGO BECAUSE OF THE VIOLENCE AND CRIME AND GANGS THAT PLAGUED CHICAGO.

THERE WERE SO MANY STORIES THERE.

ONE OF THE ONES THAT REALLY MOVED ME WAS THE STORY OF THE YOUNG BOY WHO WAS SHOT ON HIS WAY TO SCHOOL HOLDING HIS MOTHER'S HAND.

YOU KNOW, AND THIS WAS A GANG SHOOTING AT OTHER GANG MEMBERS.

THOSE WERE THE ESSENCE OF THOSE STORIES THAT ARE THE ESSENCE OF WHY PUBLIC HOUSING DID NOT WORK.

WHEN YOU STACK FOR PEOPLE ON TOP OF EACH OTHER.

AND ONE OF THE STORIES I REALLY ENJOYED DURING THAT PERIOD WAS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON.

AND BY MERGING WITH RESIDENTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING DURING A VISIT BY THE PRESIDENT AND BECAUSE I AM A BLACK AND BROWN PERSON I WAS ABLE TO BE THERE AND NO ONE QUESTIONED ME.

WHEN HE CAME OUT I WAS ABLE TO GET A FEW QUESTIONS IN BEFORE SECRET SERVICE RECOGNIZED I WAS A JOURNALIST.

>> WE ARE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

YOU HAVE WRITTEN THAT YOUR FIRST BOOK TOOK ABOUT 17 YEARS AND THE NEXT BOOK CANNOT TAKE THAT LONG.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU?

>> WHAT IS NEXT IS ALL MANNER OF THINGS.

I WANT TO DO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND CONSULTING.

I WANT TO DO SOME WORK IN PROTECTING AND PROMOTING JOURNALISM.

AND I DEFINITELY WILL BE ENTERING ACADEMIA AT SOME POINT.

YOU KNOW, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I WILL BE STARTING THAT SECOND BOOK THAT CANNOT TAKE 17 YEARS.

>> I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

SMACK WE ARE BACK IN JUST A MOMENT, BUT FIRST A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> A SPOT ON 26th STREET WANTS TO OFFER YOUNG CHICAGOANS A FRESHLY FRIED TWIST ON A MEXICAN TRADITION.

WE RECENTLY GOT THE STORY AND HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> THIS IS VERY CLASSICAL.

IT IS JUST BUTTER, FLOUR, SUGAR, WATER.

IT IS MADE MULTIPLE TIMES PER DAY AND WE NEVER REFRIGERATE IT OR FREEZE IT.

BATTER, TELLS YOU WHEN TO STOP.

>> IT WAS PERFECTED IN MEXICO.

CHURROS, THE CRISPY FRIED DOUGH STICKS ARE A FAMILIAR INDULGENCE TO MANY.

>> CRUNCHY ON THE OUTSIDE.

>> Reporter: BUT EVEN ON 26 STREET CHURROS FRESH FROM THE FRYER ARE A RARITY.

HERE THE LITTLE VILLAGE NATIVE IS TAKING THE SWEET SNACK BACK TO ITS MEXICAN ROOTS.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE GREW UP WITH THE IDEA THAT IT IS STUFFED.

TRADITIONALLY IT WAS MADE BY HANDS AND WAS FRIED DOUGH AND IT WAS NOT REALLY STUFFED.

>> Reporter: HE OFFERS HOUSEMAID SAUCES AND TOPPINGS TO ADD ADVENTURE .

>> WE HAVE OUR OWN CHOCOLATE AND WE HAVE A STRAWBERRY SAUCE WHICH IS ON THE SWEET SIDE.

WE HAVE SALTED CARAMEL AND THEN THIS ONE.

>> Reporter: BEFORE OPENING IN JULY, HE HAD WORKED IN KITCHENS FOR HIS ENTIRE PROFESSIONAL LIFE .1 THE PANDEMIC SHUTDOWN CAUSED HIS HOURS TO BE CUT, HE SUDDENLY HAD ONE CRUCIAL INGREDIENT THAT HE HAD ALWAYS BEEN SHORT ON BEFORE, TIME.

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

>> Reporter: HE DEVELOPED A RECIPE AND SET UP A DEEP FRYER ON THE SIDEWALK AT 26th AND ST. LOUIS WHERE HE DISCOVERED THE OLD WAY OF MAKING CHURROS WAS NEW TO MANY RESIDENTS.

>> THEY THOUGHT I WAS FRYING FISH FOR SOME REASON.

ONCE THEY SAW THE CHURROS THEY REALIZE THAT IS HOW THEY ARE MADE.

THAT IS EXACTLY HOW WE DO IT.

>> Reporter: NOT LONG AFTER, HE BEGAN MAKING CHURROS IN POP-UPS AND PRIVATE EVENTS.

EVEN THE PEOPLE OF HIS PRODUCTS, HE SAID OPENING A BRICK AND MORTAR SHOP DID NOT OCCUR TO HIM.

>> ONE DAY WE WERE DRIVING UP AND DOWN 26 STREET AND WANTED TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE A CONVERSATION AND HANG OUT.

AND WE DID NOT FIND ANYTHING.

WE DID NOT HAVE A PLACE THAT WE COULD ACTUALLY DO THAT.

IT WAS NOT REALLY LIKE THE INTENTION, BUT WE SAW THE LACK OF IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WE PURSUED IT.

>> Reporter: NOW HE HOPES HE HAS FOUND THE SECRET SAUCE FOR SUCCESS BY CREATING A PLACE FOR COMMUNITY IN LITTLE VILLAGE.

>> EVERYONE CAN COME IN AND SIT DOWN AND HAVE A CONVERSATION.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO USE THE INTERNET AND WORK ON AN ASSIGNMENT OR DO RESEARCH OR WHATEVER IT IS AND ENJOY A HOT BEVERAGE AND SOMETHING THAT WE TRY TO PRESENT TRADITIONALLY.

WE HAVE A YOUNG CROWD HERE AND PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THERE IS PLENTY OF POTENTIAL TO DO A LOT OF STUFF IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND KEEP IT HOURS.

>> CHURROS ARE NOT THE ONLY DOUGH GETTING THE HOT OIL TREATMENT.

THEY ALSO FRY UP AN AMERICAN CLASSIC, FUNNEL CAKES.

YOU WILL FIND MORE ABOUT THE SHOP .

I SHOULD HAVE SAID IT THE PROPER WAY.

HE WILL FIND MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP AFTER THIS.

>>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> IF ONLY WE HAD SOME CHURROS TO HELP US CLOSE OUT THE SHOW.

THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

FOR ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY A PERSONAL LAW FIRM PLEASE TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.