[♪♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HERE IN OUR NORTHWEST SIDE STUDIO.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ COMING TO YOU FROM MY HOME.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE HERE.

>> THE PUBLIC GETS ITS FIRST TRUE LOOK AT DEVELOPERS' PLANS FOR A CHICAGO CASINO.

>> UTILITY GIANTS WILL NO LONGER SELL SENSITIVE INFORMATION LIKE DATA FROM PHONE BILLS TO IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS.

>> SOME OF THE RETAILORS IN DOWNTOWN ON MICHIGAN AVENUE I'M DISAPPOINTED THEY ARE NOT DOING MORE.

>> HOW RETAILORS ARE RESPONDING TO THE THEFT ACROSS THE CITY OF COUNTRY.

>> THE PEOPLE ARE GREAT.

>> SOUTH SIDE RESIDENTS ARE COMING TOGETHER FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

WE VISIT GRAND BOULEVARD FOR OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> I'M ANGEL IDOWU AND I WILL INTRODUCE YOU TO A CHICAGO PERFORMER WHO IS MARKING HER START ON BROADWAY.

>> COMING OFF A TOUGH LOSS TO THE PACKERS, THE BEARS FACE THE VIKINGS.

>> AND AS YOU MENTIONED I'M ON GRAND BOULEVARD AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

THIS AREA INCLUDES PART OF THE BRONZEVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD AND HAS A VERY RICH HISTORY FROM THE CHURCHES TO THE HOSPITAL.

WE SPEAK TO COMMUNITY LEADERS ABOUT THAT AND THEIR EFFORTS TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

BUT FIRST, I SEND IS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU WE'LL CHECK IN WITH YOU AND PARIS LATER IN THE SHOW.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> EVANSTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL WENT ON LOCKDOWN.

TWO GUNS WERE CONFISCATED FROM INSIDE THE HIGH SCHOOL AFTER POLICE WERE CALLED IN TO DEAL WITH KIDS CAUGHT SMOKING MARIJUANA IN THE BATHROOM.

THERE WAS NO ACTIVE SHOOTER, AND NO SHOTS WERE FIRED AND NO ONE WAS INJURED.

OTHERS WENT ON LOCKDOWN.

POLICE TOOK EIGHT PEOPLE INTO CUSTODY AND OFFICIALS LET STUDENTS OUT FOR THE DAY AFTER THE ALL CLEAR AT 12:40.

THE HIGH SCHOOL CANCELED ALL AFTER SCHOOL EXTRACURRICULARS INCLUDING SPORTS AND CLUBS UNTIL DECEMBER 23.

>> CHICAGO'S COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATE IS UPHELD FOR MOST CITY EMPLOYEES.

FIREFIGHTERS AND OTHER CITY EMPLOYEES MUST BE VACCINATED A SEPARATE ARBITRATION BEFORE DECEMBER 31 WILL DETERMINE WHETHER POLICE OFFICERS REPRESENTED BY THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 7 MUST BE VACCINATED.

EMPLOYEES WHO FAIL TO GET THE VACATION OR TO NOT RECEIVE AN EXEMPTION BY THE 31 WILL NOT BE PAID.

IT APPLIES TO EMPLOYEE REPRESENTED BY LIVE LABOR UNIONS INCLUDING THE FIREFIGHTERS UNION LOCAL 2 AND TEAMSTERS LOCAL 700.

>> A RETIRED JUDGE CLEARS MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT OF WRONGDOING IN THE BOTCHED POLICE RAID ON ANJANETTE YOUNG.

THE MAYOR BROUGHT IN THE LAW FIRM TO CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATION WHICH FOUND LIGHTFOOT DID NOT PURPOSEFULLY CONCEAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FEBRUARY 2019 RAID.

BUT RETIRED JUDGE WILLIAMS FOUND FAILURES IN OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY BY THE FOUR CITY DEPARTMENTS CHARGED IN RESPONDING TO THE AFTERMATH OF THE RAID THAT TOUCHED OFF A FIRESTORM.

THE PROBE TOOK 9,000 HOURS AND DOZENS OF LAWYERS INTERVIEWED CURRENT AND CITY EMPLOYEES AND REVIEWED 250,000 CITY DOCUMENTS.

ALL THAT IN THE 165-PAGE REPORT WAS CONDUCTED AT NO COST TO THE CITY.

AND ALDERPEOPLE AGREED TO SETTLE WITH ANJANETTE YOUNG FOR $2.9 MILLION IN YESTERDAY'S COUNCIL MEETING.

>> UP NEXT, FIRST LOOK AT A POTENTIAL CHICAGO CASINO.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... CASINO DEVELOPERS ARE SHOWING THEIR CARDS.

THE PUBLIC GOT A LOOK AT WHAT A CHICAGO CASINO MIGHT LOOK LIKE AND WHERE IT MIGHT GO.

IT IS AN ATTRACTION CITY OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR SOMETIME.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS ON THIS NOW.

>> CHICAGO HAS BEEN VYING FOR A CASINO TRYING FOR DECADES.

AND NOW THAT IT IS FINALLY GETTING CLOSE TO REALITY, THE CITY HAS TO MAKE A CHOICE.

WHICH TEAM OF DEVELOPERS WILL GET TO BUILD AND OPERATE THIS CASINO, A LUCRATIVE OPPORTUNITY AND WHERE IN THE CITY WILL THAT CASINO BELOW INDICATED.

IT IS A HIGH STAKES GAMBLE.

THE CITY NEEDS THE CASINO TO BE AS SUCCESSFUL AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THAT MEANS MORE MONEY FOR THE CITY'S POCKETS TO PAY DOWN LONG-TERM POLICE AND FIREFIGHTER PENSION DEBT.

CHICAGO WEIGHING FIVE OPTIONS.

BALLY'S PROPOSES A CASINO AT THE TRIBUNE PUBLISHING CENTER SITE AND AN AREA OUT OF McCORMICK PLACE.

RIVERS CASINO LOOKING AT McCORMICK PLACE, SPECIFICALLY LOOKING TO REHAB THE LAKESIDE CENTER BUILDING.

RIVERS HAS A SECOND BID TO BE PART OF THE UNDER DEVELOPMENT NEIGHBORHOOD THE 78 A VACANT AREA NEAR THE SOUTH LOOP.

HARD ROCK ALL IN FOR ONE LOCATION.

THE PROPOSED ONE CENTRAL DEVELOPMENT ACROSS FROM LAKE SHORE DRIVE FROM SOLDIER FIELD.

WE HAVE KNOWN SINCE LATE OCTOBER THESE WERE THE FIVE PROPOSALS THE CITY RECEIVED WHEN IT CAST A WIDE NET FOR PITCHES BUT THIS IS THE FIRST DEEPER VIEW OF WHAT THOSE PROJECTS THAT DID SUBMIT WILL ENTAIL.

RESIDENTS INTERESTED ENOUGH TO RSVP IN ADVANCE AND SIT THROUGH AN AFTERNOON OF HEARINGS GOING INTO THE EVENING JUST WRAPPING UP HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM EACH OF THESE WOULD BE DEVELOPERS.

WHO TRIED TO SINGLE OUT THEIR PROJECT AS UNIQUE.

HARD ROCK SAYS THERE'S ONE REASON THEY PUT FORTH A SINGLE PROPOSAL BECAUSE IT IS THE CHANCE FOR TRUE CONNECTIVITY.

ONE CENTRAL IS A TRANSIT HUB AREA SO VISITORS FROM THE CITY AND REGIONS COULD EASILY GET TO THE COMPLEX.

AND ALSO TO CHICAGO'S OTHER ATTRACTIONS.

BOB DUNN SAYS THINK OF IT HOW DISNEYWORLD IS SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE IT MAKES IT EASY FOR PEOPLE TO GET THERE AND TO VISIT.

>> HOW DO YOU TAKE A MUST SEE WORLD CLASS DESTINATION THAT DRIVES VISITATION AND USE THAT AS A DRIVER TO CREATE ECONOMIC GAIN THAT CAN HAVE AN IMPACT AND A REACH THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY?

WELL, THERE ARE FIVE EXCELLENT PROPOSALS ON THE TABLE TODAY, THERE IS ONLY ONE THAT CAN TRULY MEET THE UNDERLYING THEME OF THAT OVERARCHING OBJECTIVE.

>> EACH PROPOSAL PUT UP THE BONA-FIDES WHEN IT CAME TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION BUT HARD ROCK'S PARTNER JIM REYNOLDS SAYS MOST RELY ON LIMITED PARTNERS WHO HAVE A LIMITED STAKE AND LIMITED INPUT HARD ROCK IS THE ONLY ONE WHERE MINORITY-OWNED FIRMS LIKE HIS ARE ARE PART OF THE GENERAL PARTNERSHIP AND HE SAYS THAT SHOULD BE A PREREQUISITE.

>> CHICAGO IS ABOUT COMMUNITY AND THIS ENGAGEMENT AND THIS INVESTMENT AND THIS CASINO IS THERE TO BENEFIT, CHICAGO, CHICAGO KWANS AND COMMUNITIES OF CHICAGO.

>> KIMBERLY MOORE PART OF A BID.

SHE IS WITH RUSH STREET GAMING WANTING TO BUILD THAT RIVERS CASINO AT McCORMICK PLACE LAKESIDE CENTER.

>> WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF CHICAGO AND THE FAMILIES ON THE SOUTH SIDE I WANT THEM TO SEE THE INVESTMENTS ARE BEING MADE IN THEIR BACKYARD AND WHAT IT'S LIKE TO REIMAGINE AN EXISTING BUILDING BEING TRANSFORMED INTO SOMETHING SPECTACULAR AND BEING DONE BY PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

I'M EXCITED WHAT THIS WILL MEAN FOR BRONZEVILLE FOR THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO AND FOR ALL OF CHICAGO.

>> BACKERS SAY THIS PROJECT COULD BE UP AND RUNNING WITHIN A YEAR OF RECEIVING GOVERNMENT APPROVAL A QUICK TURN AROUND BECAUSE IT RELIES ON AN EXISTING BUILDING THOUGH THAT BUILDING IS DECAYING WHICH MEANS, MORE MONEY FOR THE CITY AND SOONER.

>> OUR BID PROVIDES THE MOST ECONOMIC BENEFIT $1.2 BILLION MORE THAN THE OTHER BIDS IN ECONOMIC IMPACT.

OUR LOCATION AND THE PROJECT WILL CREATE IS THE MOST LOGICAL CHOICE AND WILL HAVE THE MOST IMPACT ON THE ENTIRE CHICAGO ECONOMY.

>> RIVERS IS OWNED BY NEIL BLUHM AND CRITICS SAY THEY ARE WORRIED HE IS BETTING AGAINST HIMSELF THAT HE OWNS THE BEST PERFORMING CASINO THE RIVERS LOCATION IN SUBURBAN DES PLAINESES.

THIS IS NO TIME FOR THE CITY TO TAKE CHANCES AND THIS TRACK RECORD PROVES HE CAN BUILD A CASINO AND MAKE IT PROFITABLE.

BALLY'S IS TRYING TO WIN OVER THE PUBLIC.

SOME RESIDENTS ARE SKEPTICAL WHAT BRINGING IN ANY VERSION OF A CASINO FROM ANY OF THESE BACKERS COULD DO TO THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

CONCERNS FOR THE TRAFFIC AND GAMBLING ADDICTION.

CASINOS DO MEAN JOB OPPORTUNITIES PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE WHO LIVE NEARBY WHEREVER ONE WILL BE BUILT AND BALLY'S SAY TO GO HAS EXPERIENCE AND OFFERING MONEY UP FRONT TO THE CITY.

NOW THAT DEVELOPERS HAVE LAID THEIR CARDS ON THE TABLE WE CAN EXPECT MORE QUESTIONS PARTICULARLY FROM MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYS THAT SHE EXPECTS THE CITY WILL SHOW ITS HAND MAKING ITS CHOICE THAT IS ON ITS FAVORITE PICK BY THE END OF MARCH.

WITH THAT, BRANDIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> AMANDA, THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS.

UTILITY GIANTS AGREED TO STOP SELLING SENSITIVE INFORMATION TO IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

FOR YEARS COMPANIES HAVE SOLD DATA FROM CABLE, PHONE AND POWER BILLS INCLUDING NAMES, HOME ADDRESSES AND MORE.

AS IT COMES AFTER PRESSURE FROM OREGON SENATOR AND A NATIONAL NO TECH FOR I.C.E.

CAMPAIGN.

BUT LOOPHOLES REMAIN INCLUDING HERE IN CHICAGO.

AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE DEVELOPMENTS AND THOSE LOOPHOLES ARE NICOLE HALLETT ASSOCIATE CLINICAL PROFESSOR OF LAW AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO AND DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRANTS RIGHTS CLINICS.

AND CYNTHIA RODRIGUEZ AN ORGANIZERS FOR A NATIONAL AND POLITICAL ORGANIZING HUB FOR LATINX PEOPLE.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

>> CYNTHIA RODRIGUEZ EXPLAIN TO US HOW UTILITIES HAVE BEEN SELLING SENSITIVE DATA AND INFORMATION OF THEIR CUSTOMERS TO I.C.E.

AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES?

>> OF COURSE, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I AM WITH THE ORGANIZATION AND WE LEAD THE NATIONAL NO TECH FOR I.C.E.

CAMPAIGN AND TECHNOLOGY IS BEING USED FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AGAINST IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES.

WE'RE SEEING FOR YEARS SENSITIVE INFORMATION LIKE OUR NAMES, HOME ADDRESSES, THE PEOPLE WE LIVE WITH AND MORE HAVE BEEN PUT INTO THE HANDS OF I.C.E.

BY UTILITY COMPANIES.

AND DATA BROKERS.

DATA BROKERS DETECT THE COMPANIES THAT COLLECT THIS INFORMATION.

A DATABASE RUN BY THE NATIONAL CONSUMER AND TELECOM AND COMMUNITY EXCHANGE.

TO BREAK IT DOWN UTILITY COMPANIES HAVE PEOPLE'S PERSONAL INFORMATION.

DATA BROKERS PURCHASE THAT PERSONAL INFORMATION AND IT BECOMES AVAILABLE FOR I.C.E., POLICE, AND FEDERAL AGENCIES TO ACCESS THIS INFORMATION THROUGH VARIOUS CONTRACTS.

SO INFORMATION IS PICKED UP FROM RECORDS LIKE OUR PHONE BILL, OUR CABLE BILL, OUR INTERNET BILLS, WATER AND MORE AND THAT INFORMATION IS SOLD AND PUT INTO THE HANDS IMMIGRATION INFORMATION.

>> THIS HAS BEEN LEGAL UP UNTIL THE CHANGES WHICH I WANT TO GET TO.

NICOLE, YOU DID A STUDY AT THE U OF C THAT SHOWED THAT DESPITE CHICAGO BEING A SANK USE AREA CITY WHERE C.P.D.

IS NOT SUPPOSED TO SHARE IMMIGRATION STATUS WITH IDENTIFICATION THERE ARE LOOPHOLES EXPLAIN WHAT THOSE ARE?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

SO I.C.E.

GETS INFORMATION ABOUT PEOPLE AND DATA ABOUT PEOPLE FROM ALL DIFFERENT SOURCES.

AND SO THE PROMISE NOT TO SHARE UTILITY INFORMATION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BUT THAT IS JUST ONE AVENUE THAT I.C.E.

HAS USED TO GET INFORMATION.

ONE OF THE LARGE AVENUES THAT THEY USE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY IS THAT THEY TRY TO COOPERATE WITH LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO GET INFORMATION IN THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT'S POSITION AND USE THAT TO FIND PEOPLE, IDENTIFY PEOPLE AND DEPORT THEM.

AND SO IN CHICAGO WE HAVE A WELCOMING CITY ORDINANCE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT I.C.E.

FROM GETTING INFORMATION FROM THE CITY OF CHICAGO THAT THEY ARE GOING TO USE TO TRY TO DEPORT PEOPLE.

AND IN JANUARY OF 2021, THE CITY COUNCIL RECENTLY AMENDED THE ORDINANCE TO MAKE IT MUCH STRONGER AND GET RID OF SOME OF THE LOOPHOLES.

WHAT WE FOUND IN THE STUDY BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF SURVEILLANCE AND DIGITAL DATA AND BECAUSE THERE CONTINUE TO BE CHANNELS OF INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN C.P.D.

AND I.C.E., THAT DESPITE THE WELCOMING CITY ORDINANCE THERE ARE VERY OFTEN WAYS THAT ICE CAN GET INFORMATION ABOUT CHICAGO RESIDENTS EVEN THOUGH THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE PROHIBITED BY THE WELCOMING CITY POLICY.

>> I WANT TO GET INTO THAT.

CYNTHIA RODRIGUEZ BACK TO YOU WE MENTIONED THAT THE SENATOR FROM OREGON INSTITUTED CHANGES.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT NOW WITH RESPECT TO THE GIANT UTILITIES AND THEIR ABILITY TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH I.C.E.

AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

>> SO WHAT WE SAW IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE VICTORY OVER 171 MILLION PEOPLE UTILITY INFORMATION IS BLOCKED BY USE BY I.C.E.

TO FUEL THE DEPORTATION SYSTEM.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A SPECIFIC DATA SET THAT CANNOT BE SHARED.

IF YOU PEOPLE ARE NOT THINKING THEIR INFORMATION IS GOING TO BE PLACED INTO A DRAGNET THAT CAN BE PASSED TO I.C.E.

FOR THIS SET OF DATA THAT IS NO LONGER THE CASE.

BUT THIS JUST ONE STEP, RIGHT?

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MOMENT THAT WE'RE LIVING IN IS PART OF A BIG DATA ECONOMY WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT INFORMATION AS NICOLE DESCRIBED DOES NOT CONTINUE TO BE USED TO HARM OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> THERE'S DATA BEING SHARED.

AND AS I UNDERSTAND IT FROM YOUR STUDY, THE C.P.D.

HAS CAMERAS AND OTHER SURVEILLANCE INFORMATION THAT IT ACTUALLY DOES SHARE WITH I.C.E.

DESPITE THE WELCOMING CITY ORDINANCE.

SPAIN THAT FOR US.

>> C.P.D.

AND I.C.E.

WORK TOGETHER IN COLLABORATION AT THE FUSION CENTER ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

AND IT'S AT THIS CENTER THAT I.C.E.

CAN GET ACCESS TO ANY OF THE DIGITAL DATA THAT THE CITY OF CHICAGO COLLECTS ABOUT ITS RESIDENTS.

YOU MENTIONED SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS, THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAS MORE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS THAN ANY OTHER CITY IN THE COUNTRY AND WITH FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN TELL THE GOVERNMENT A LOT ABOUT WHERE WE ARE AND WHAT WE'RE DOING ALMOST MINUTE BY MINUTE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

EVEN THOUGH THE WELCOMING CITY ORDINANCE IS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT THAT INFORMATION SHARING ALL I.C.E.

HAS TO DO IS CLAIM THAT THERE'S SOME CONNECTION TO A CRIMINAL PROSECUTION AND THEY CAN GET AROUND THOSE RESTRICTIONS AND GET A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF DATA AND THERE ARE NO CHECKS TO MAKE SURE I.C.E.

IS NOT MISUSING THAT POWER TO GET INFORMATION THAT THEY ARE GOING TO USE TO TRY TO DEPORT PEOPLE.

THERE IS A LOOPHOLE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO DO THAT.

>> DESPITE THE FACT THAT CITY COUNCIL TRIED TO GET RID OF LOOPHOLES.

A REAL WORLD EXAMPLES YOU HAVE OF FOLKS THAT THROUGH THE SHARING OF THEIR UTILITY INFORMATION PHONE BILL, CABLE BILL, WHAT HAVE YOU THAT I.C.E.

FOUND THEM AND DEPORTED THEM?

>> DEFINITELY.

AND THIS IS A CAMPAIGN THAT CAME OUT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS REALIZING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, RIGHT?

SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE WAY THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS WERE BEING TARGETED SPECIFICALLY.

WE FOR THAT SENSITIVE INFORMATION LIKE UTILITY BILL INFORMATION IS SHARED WITH I.C.E.

BECAUSE OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

THAT IS HOW WE KNOW HOW DANGEROUS OUR PRACTICE IS.

>> ONE OF OUR MEMBERS IS IN WASHINGTON STATE WHERE FOLKS ORGANIZE AGAINST DETENTION AND DEPORTATIONS AND SHE WAS PLACED INTO REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS AND FOIA REQUESTS AND IN HER LAWSUIT, SHE BEGAN TO PAINT THIS PICTURE THAT SHOWED THAT SHE WAS RETALIATED AGAINST BY I.C.E.

FOR HER ORGANIZING THAT IS HOW SHE BECAME PLAYED INTO REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS.

I.C.E.

CHECKED HER INTERNET PRESENCE OF INFORMATION ABOUT HER THROUGH DATA BROKERS.

THAT IS HOW DANGEROUS THE PRACTICE IS.

>> IT SEEMS MORE EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF YOUR GROUP AND NICOLE.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

NICOLE HALLETT, CYNTHIA RODRIGUEZ, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> LOCATED ON CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE, THE GRAND BOULEVARD COMMUNITY IS HOME TO SEVERAL HISTORIC INSTITUTIONS.

THE AREA IS ALSO KNOWN TO MANY FOR ITS BRONZEVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" REPORTER JOANNA HERNANDEZ AND MARISSA NELSON SPENT THE DAY SPEAKING WITH COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADERS ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO UPLIFT THE AREA.

JOANNA JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> BRANDIS EVERYONE WE SPOKE TO HAD A STORY TO TELL ABOUT SOMEONE OR A PLACE THAT IMPACTED THEM HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

THE EBENEEZER CHURCH BAPTIST CHURCH IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES.

IT IS A CHICAGO CHURCH THAT HAS BEEN HERE FOR 120 YEARS.

MANY INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE PASSED THROUGH THE CHURCH LIKE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., AND NOT TO MENTION THE MUSICAL TALENT.

THIS CHURCH IS KNOWN AS THE BIRTHPLACE OF GOSPEL MUSIC AND IS HOPING TO RECEIVE A $900,000 GRANT FROM A CITY PROGRAM TO HELP WITH REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS.

>> IT'S GOING TO GO TO THE ROOF, TUCK POINTING, HVAC THINGS WE HAVE TO REPAIR OR RESTORE.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL EDIFICE.

IT IS ACOUSTICLY PERFECT IN HERE AND IT IS A TREASURE FOR CHICAGO.

AND WE WANT TO HAVE THIS SPACE AVAILABLE FOR THE NEXT GENERATIONS OF CHICAGOANS TO CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK OF MINISTRY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> A FEW BLOCKS FROM THE CHURCH IS PROVIDENT HOSPITAL.

IT HAS GONE THROUGH SEVERAL CHANGES.

IT IS A COOK COUNTY HOSPITAL PROVIDING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CARE TO THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE SPOKE WITH Dr. CLAUDIA FEGAN WHO IS A CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER THERE AND TOUCHED ON THE MAJOR MEDICAL DEVELOPMENTS HAPPENING THERE INCLUDING RESUMING AMBULANCE RUNS AND MENTIONED THE CONCERN SURROUNDING THE HOLIDAYS AND COVID.

>> PATIENTS WITH COVID INCREASING AND WE'RE HAVE BEEN SEEING PATIENTS WHO COME IN WHO HAVE NOT GOTTEN CARE, DELAYED CARE WHO WERE HESITANT TO COME OUT.

THE SENS ARE HIGH.

AND DIRECT DR. NGOZI EZIKE WILL NOT ALLOW HOSPITALS TO GO ON BYPASS.

WE DID THIS EARLIER IN THE PANDEMIC THEY ARE GOING TO DO IT AGAIN TO MAKE SURE THAT PATIENTS CAN GET CARE AND HOSPITALS CANNOT TURN ANYONE AWAY.

>> WITH CHRISTMAS AROUND THE CONCERN AND CONCERNS OVER THE OMICRON VARIANT THEY ARE ASKING PEOPLE NOT TO LET THEIR GUARDS DOWN.

THE GRAND BOULEVARD COMMUNITY IN HER WARD HAS ONE OF THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATES.

>> ZIP CODE 60653, WHICH IS GRAND BOULEVARD COMMUNITY, THE NUMBER IS BELOW THE 77%, CLOSER TO 66, 67%.

WE HAVE A WAYS TO GO.

I THINK IT IS A LOT OF THE MILLENNIALS WHO HAVE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE VACCINE AND PROBABLY SOME OF OUR SENIORS WHO HAVE THAT SAME MISCONCEPTION.

>> AND AS WE KNOW BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN FEELING THE STRAIN OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE HEAD UP TO CHICAGO'S CHICKEN AND WAFFLES, DARNELL JOHNSON OPENED IN 2008 AND IN THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC THEY WERE DEALING WITH STAFF SHORTAGES BUT ABLE TO STAY AFLOAT.

>> WE WERE AHEAD OF THE CURVE.

WE STARTED THIRD PARTY LIVINGS SEVEN YEARS AGO.

THIRD PARTY DELIVERY IS A NUMBERS GAME.

IF YOU ARE DOING NUMBERS YOU MAKE MONEY IF YOU ARE NOT DOING NUMBERS DON'T GET INTO IT.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT WE WERE AT THE TOP PLACES WHERE YOU CALL IN TO GET FOOD.

>> AND THE CUSTOMERS HAVE CONTINUED TO POUR IN.

THEY TOLD ME IT'S THE HOSPITALITY AND THE GOOD FOOD THAT BRINGS THEM IN.

>> WHEN OUR CUSTOMERS WALK THROUGH THE DOOR WE TELL THEM WELCOME TO OUR HOME.

THIS IS OUR HOME AND THESE DOORS IT'S NOTHING BUT LOVE, AND GOOD PEOPLE, SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE, AND YOU KNOW WHEN THEY COME IN WE SHOW LOVE TO THEM AND TREAT EVERYBODY LIKE UTMOST RESPECT.

IT'S LIKE A SAFE HAVEN.

>> AND SPEAKING OF A SAFE HAVEN WE ARE CIRCLING BACK TO PASTOR DARRYL PERSON.

>> WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO SAY IS WE NEED TO EQUALLY PROVIDE AN EMPHASIS OF DEVELOPING OUR SPIRITUALITY SO WE CAN FACE THE CHALLENGES OF THIS WORLD.

AND BECAUSE YOU KNOW, NONE OF US GET OUT OF THIS EXPERIENCE UNSCATHEDDED AND YOU NEED SOME SORT OF FOUNDATION TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES THAT LIFE WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BRING.

>> THE CHURCH IS GETTING READY TO CELEBRATE ITS 120TH ANNIVERSARY.

AND STAY TUNED NEXT WE TALK TO AN ORGANIZATION WHO TOOK IT UPON THEMSELVES TO BRING CHRISTMAS CHEER TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> CONGRATS TO THE CHURCH ON THEIR ANNIVERSARY AND WHO IS NOT HUNGER AFTER THAT VISIT?

>> UP NEXT A CHICAGO THESPIAN MAKES HER BROADWAY DEBUT IN PRETTY WOMAN.

>> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING A LOOK AT THE RECENT SURGE IN RETAIL THEFT.

FIRST, A CHICAGO ARTIST HAS RETURNED HOME TO MAKE HER BROADWAY DEBUT.

ANGEL IDOWU INTRODUCES US TO A PERFORMER WHO TELLS US HOW SHE MADE IT FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE STAGE.

>> GIVE ME DIRECTIONS?

>> SURE.

>> PRETTY WOMAN IS MAKING A COMEBACK.

THIS TIME AS A BROADWAY MUSICAL HERE IN CHICAGO AT THE CIBC THEATRE.

DIRECTOR AND CHOREOGRAPHER JERRY MITCHELL SAYS HE FELT THE FILM WAS A MODERN-DAY CINDERELLA STORY AND EVOKED EMOTION.

>> I THOUGHT TURN THOSE INTO SONGS IF YOU GET THE RIGHT SONGWRITER COULD BE AN EXCITING MUSICAL AND WE FOUND BRIAN ADAMS AND JIM AND THEY MADE INCREDIBLE SONGS ESPECIALLY THE LOVE SONG.

>> THE CAST VARIES IN EXPERIENCE.

FROM VETERAN ACTORS TO CHICAGOANS MAKING THEIR NATIONAL BROADWAY DEBUT.

MEET ALEXA.

>> IT IS A TRUE HOMECOMING.

I GRADUATED FROM NORTHWESTERN IN JUNE.

FOUND OUT I GOT THE JOB IN JULY.

>> IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT CAME AFTER WHAT ALEXA SAID FELT LIKE 100 NO'S.

>> WHEN I GOT THE AUDITION AT THE TIME I THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER GET IT BECAUSE I WAS RIGHT OUT OF SCHOOL AND NO CREDITS THERE WERE PEOPLE AT THE AUDITION WHO HAD BEEN ON BROADWAY BEFORE AND I RECOGNIZED THEM BECAUSE I HAD SEEN THEM ON BROADWAY BEFORE.

AND I WAS LIKE WOW OK THIS IS WHERE WE ARE.

ALL RIGHT.

GOT TO BREATHE.

ONCE YOU LIKE WALK INTO THE ROOM, IT'S ALL THE SAME WORK.

AND IT WAS A REALLY KIND OF ACTUALLY CALMING EXPERIENCE TO BE ABLE TO REALLY LIVE THAT BECAUSE I WAS LIKE OH, THIS IS JUST WHAT I WENT TO SCHOOL TO DO.

>> SINCE HITTING THE STAGE SHE FOUND HERSELF GRATEFUL TO RECEIVE INSIGHT FROM COSTARS.

>> SHE IS 22 YEARS OLD AND SHE CAN BE ONE OF MY SON'S FRIEND, SO I DO FEEL A RESPONSIBILITY HAVING THE EXPERIENCE THAT I HAVE AFTER ALL THE YEARS I'VE BEEN DOING THIS TO BE A SOME SORT OF A MENTOR IN THAT WAY.

AND I CERTAINLY DON'T TREAT IT AS SOMETHING SO LITERAL, BUT I TRY AND ACT RIGHT YOU KNOW.

AND HOPEFULLY IF YOU ACT RIGHT PEOPLE AROUND YOU SAY OK THAT IS HOW YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO THIS.

>> THE PARALLELS BETWEEN THE SHOW AND ALEXA'S JOURNEY, BOTH ARE CLEARLY THE UNDERDOGS THAT COME OUT ON TOP.

>> THIS IS AN UNDERDOG STORY AS WELL AS A CINDERELLA STORY.

FOR PEOPLE FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON WANT TO BE WHISKED AWAY OF A BEAUTIFUL STORY OF TWO PEOPLE FALLING IN LOVE AND A STORY OF A YOUNG WOMAN FINDING HER COURAGE AND STRENGTH.

>> I DO WHAT I KNOW HOW TO DO AND IT WAS COOL TO SEE THAT IT'S NOT AS SCARY AS PEOPLE MAKE IT OUT TO BE.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> AND PRETTY WOMAN THE MUSICAL RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY AT THE CIBC THEATRE.

STILL STILL... HOW A SOUTH SIDE BASED ORGANIZATION IS HELPING BRING HOLIDAY CHEER TO KING DRIVE.

WE TALK WITH JAHMALL COLE OF MY BLOCK, MY HOOD, MY CITY.

>> SOME OF THE RETAILORS DOWNTOWN ON MICHIGAN AVENUE I WILL TELL YOU I'M DISAPPOINTED THEY ARE THAT DOING MORE.

>> A SURGE IN RETAIL THEFT IS COSTING ON RE >> THE BEARS TAKE ON THE VIKINGS MONDAY FIGHT.

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> CLEAN UP CONTINUES FROM LAST NIGHT'S STORM AS THOUSANDS ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER.

COMMONWEALTH EDISON REPORTS 1400 CUSTOMERS REMAIN WITHOUT ELECTRICITY AFTER 102,000 WERE IMPACTED BY THE WILD WEATHER.

RECORD-HIGH TEMPERATURES OF 66° PRECEDED A COLD FRONT WITH HIGH WINDS WHICH PEAKED AT 74 PIPE ON LAKE MICHIGAN AND 66-MILES-PER-HOUR AT OWE AIR.

-- O'HARE.

>> ILLINOIS' RICHEST MAN MAY HAVE FOUND A MAN TO BACK FOR GOVERNOR.

RICHARD IRVIN IS CONSIDERING ENTERING THE 2022 GOVERNOR'S RACE AND WOULD HAVE GRIFFIN'S SUPPORT.

GRIFFIN SAYS HE WILL PUT HIS CONSIDERABLE MONEY BEHIND A VIABLE CHALLENGER TO DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER.

GRIFFIN ISN'T SHOWING HIS CARDS JUST YET.

>> AND MORE BEARS GO DOWN TO COVID.

ALL THREE COACHING COORDINATORS, OFFENSE, DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS ALONG WITH SIX MORE CHICAGO BEARS PLAYERS INCLUDING SAFETY EDDIE JACKSON AND ALLEN ROBINSON ARE IN COVID-19 PROTOCOLS THE TEAM HAS 11 PLAYERS OUT.

THE TEAM IS DEALING WITH NON-COVID RELATED ILLNESS WITH SEVEN OTHER PLAYERS AND WE'LL HAVE MORE HOW THIS WILL AFFECT MONDAY'S MATCHUP BETWEEN THE BEARS AND THE VIKINGS WITH JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS LATER ON THE PROGRAM.

>> AND NOW BACK TO JOANNA HERNANDEZ WHO SPENT THE DAY ON GRAND BOULEVARD AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> THANKS.

EARLIER TODAY WE SPOKE WITH THE FOUNDER OF MY BLOCK, MY HOOD, MY CITY, JAHMALL COLE AND I STARTED ASKING HIM ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION.

>> IT IS A SOCIAL IMPACT ORGANIZATION BASED OUT OF CHATHAM.

THE MISSION IS TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE NO MATTER WHAT.

IF IT IS A HEATWAVE WE DELIVER WATER AND FANS RIGHT TO YOUR DOOR.

THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC WE HELPED 8,000 SENIORS FROM 12 STATES.

WE DID CONTACT TRACING AND CONNECTED THEM TO PRIMARY HEALTHCARE PHYSICIANS.

WHEN SMALL BUSINESSES STARTED HURTING BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC WE RAISED $200 MILLION ON INSTAGRAM.

DO ANYTHING TO HELP CHICAGO.

DEMOCRACY STARTS OUTWARD INSTEAD OF THE CITY LEVEL INWARD.

>> WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START THIS?

>> IT'S PART OF WHO I AM.

MY DAD LOOKED UP TO MALCOM X SO MUCH AND I THOUGHT DENZEL WASHINGTON WAS MALCOM X I WANT TO BE LIKE THAT AND GROWING UP AND EATING AT SHELTERS FOR THANKSGIVING.

WHEN I GRADUATED COLLEGE I STARTED VOLUNTEERING.

>> I WANT TO MOVE FORWARD THIS IS THE FOURTH YEAR OF BE A PART OF THE LIGHT PROGRAM TELL US ABOUT THE INITIATIVE.

>> I GOT TIRED OF SEEING HELICOPTER LIGHTS AND POLICE CARS AND I WANTED TO SEE HOLIDAY LIGHTS THERE IS NOTHING INSPIRATIONAL ABOUT ORDERING YOUR FOOD THROUGH BULLET-PROOF WINDOWS.

TO INSPIRE HOPE WE STARTED HANGING HOLIDAY LIGHTS IN THE HOMES AND ON POLES.

GIVE HOPE.

>> AND WHAT WAS THE REACTION FROM THE COMMUNITY.

>> SOME PEOPLE NEVER SEEN A CHRISTMAS TREE THEIR WHOLE LIFE.

WHEN THEY SEE HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND CHRISTMAS TREE IT IS MAKES KIDS CURIOUS AND IT GIVES YOU HOPE.

THAT IS THE SECRET.

>> YOU MENTIONED WHAT YOU WERE DOING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

YOU GOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE REACHING OUT SAYING HOW CAN I GET PPE, FOOD?

I USED INSTAGRAM AND WE RAISED $2 MILLION IN ONE DAY.

I TOOK THE MONEY AND SPREAD IT OUT WITH BUSINESSES THAT NEEDED HELP WITH STAYING OPEN.

AND PASSED THE MONEY OUT.

I MEAN, I'M NOT TRYING TO BE INNOVATIVE I'M TRYING TO HELP OUT.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU IN SEPTEMBER AND RECENTLY RIGHT NOW YOU'VE BEEN OPEN ABOUT YOUR TRAUMA.

AND CAN YOU TALK TO ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT AND JUST HOW IMPORTANT OUR MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR THE CITY FOR THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> WE NEED PUBLICLY FUNDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

PARTNERS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT HELP WITH THAT.

I GOT SHOT ON SEPTEMBER 29 IN MY ARM.

THE BULLET IS STILL IN MY ARM.

WHEN I GO TO THE AIRPORT IT GOES OFF.

I GOT SHOT A MONTH AGO.

THE STUDENTS GO BACK OF THE YARDS TO SCHOOL LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED.

THERE'S NO COUNSELORS.

I'M NOT, I HATE THE TERM GUN VIOLENCE, THE WAY POVERTY AND SEGREGATION CONTRIBUTES GUN VIOLENCE IS MISUNDERSTOOD IN CHICAGO.

>> THAT WAS MY NEXT QUESTION, ASKING YOU THAT YOU SAID YOU DIDN'T LIKE THE TERM GUN VIOLENCE.

>> NO.

>> WHY NOT?

>> BECAUSE IF A PLANE GOES DOWN YOU ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THE BLACK BOX AND SAY WHY DID THE PLANE GO DOWN.

GUN VIOLENCE IS A REFLECTION OF RACIAL AND ECONOMIC UNJIZ, HIGH INCARCERATION AND UNDER RESOURCED SCHOOLS THAT IS THE PERFECT STORM FOR GUN VIOLENCE.

THE QUESTION IS NOT WHY IS THERE SO MUCH GUN VIOLENCE, IF YOU HAVE THOSE CONDITIONS THAT IS WHAT IT LEADS TO.

WE NEED PUBLICLY FUNDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND COUNSELORS IN SCHOOLS AND WE NEED A PARTNER IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT IS GOING TO SUPPORT THE NONPROFITS DOING THE WORK.

WE'RE PUTTING UP OUR OWN MONEY TO START PROGRAMS AND IT'S NOT FAIR.

>> WE SPEAK TO A LOCAL LEADER FROM AN ORGANIZATION ABOUT THE WORK THEY ARE DOING IN THE COMMUNITY, FIRST I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> A LOT TO LEARN THERE.

AT THE HEIGHT OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON RETAIL STORES IN CHICAGO AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE EXPERIENCING A RASH OF THEFTS.

MULTIPLE INSTORE THEFTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON MIRACLE MILE.

RETAILORS SAY IT'S NOT ABOUT THE LOST REVENUE BUT SAFETY AND THEY ARE CALLING FOR CITY OFFICIALS TO PUT MORE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE TO PROTECT BUSINESSES.

>> JOINING US IS ROB KARR.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN AND THE SUBURBS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SURGE IN ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT.

DESCRIBE WHAT IT IS THEY'RE SEEING.

>> GOOD EVENING.

I'M GLAD YOU WORDED IT THE WAY YOU DID IT IS A SURGE.

SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO DESCRIBE THIS AS PANDEMIC RELATED AND THAT IS NOT ACCURATE, IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR A LITTLE OVER DECADE.

IT'S INCREASED 65% OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

WE'RE SEEING MORE BRAZENNESS OF THE THIEVES.

WE'RE SEE TO GO IN JURISDICTIONS WHERE ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION WANED IN RECENT YEARS.

>> DO YOU THINK BECAUSE OF THAT BOLDNESS AND BRAZENNESS COMES FROM THE FACT THAT AS YOU SAY, THE PROSECUTION THERE IS NO DETERRENT THEY ARE NOT BEING THREATENED WITH REPERCUSSIONS?

>> THAT IS THE ONLY THING HAS CHANGED AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THIS IS ALL CONNECTED.

THIS IS NOT ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME FUNDS A LOT OF OTHER ACTIVITY.

IT FUNDS HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND DRUG AND GUN ACTIVITY ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF.

IT'S ALL INTERRELATED AND TOO MANY LEADERS SEE IT AS AN ISOLATED EVENT AND IT'S ALL RELATED.

>> WHAT ARE RETAILORS DOING TO DETER THE CRIMES FROM HAPPENING?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT LEADERS ARE TAKING TO BLAME RETAIL.

THE NEWSCAST WE SEE WITH THIS HAPPENING AND READ ABOUT IT IN THE PAPERS, OUR EYES TELL US THAT IS NOT TRUE.

WE'RE SEEING SECURITY CAMERA FOOTAGE AND BLOW PAST ARMED SECURITY GUARDS AND BREAKING CLASS CASES AND CUTTING CHAINS ALL THOSE SECURITY MEASURES RETAILORS HAVE IN PLACE.

WHAT WE NEED OUR LEADERS TO QUIT POINTING FINGERS AND ENGAGE IN A COOPERATIVE FASHION TO ADDRESS THIS LONG-TERM IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A ONE AND DONE THING IT WILL REQUIRE A CONSISTENT APPROACH.

CRIMINALS LIKE WEAK TARGETS AND RIGHT NOW LIKE SAN FRANCISCO, LIKE NEW YORK, LIKE PHILADELPHIA, ARE SEEN AS WEAK TARGETS.

>> ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL KWAME RAOUL AND HIS TASK FORCE WERE ABLE TO RECOVER MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS IN STOLEN MERCHANDISE FOR STORAGE UNITS IN CHICAGO.

DO YOU THINK THOSE CRIMES CAN BE DETERRED BY INCREASING SECURITY AND TOUGHER PROSECUTION?

>> WELL, WE HAVE INCREASED SECURITY BUT I THINK A WILLINGNESS TO ADDRESS IT MORE COMPREHENSIVELY.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE JUST THAT IT HAS TO BE MORE.

AND WE NEED TO ADDRESS ON-LINE AND OTHER FACTORS AND COMING OUT WITH OUR SUGGESTIONS HOW TO APPROACH THAT.

WE HAVE BEEN A PART OF SINCE ITS INCEPTION THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S TASK FORCE I PEEK WITH HIM AND HIS STAFF.

WE APPRECIATE THE LEADERSHIP HE HAS TAKEN.

HE HAS EMBRACED IT AND UNDERSTAND FOR WHAT IT IS, WHICH IS A COMPREHENSIVE ORGANIZED PROBLEM THAT WILL TAKE A COORDINATED APPROACH.

>> AND WHEN YOU SAY ON-LINE THE STOLEN GOODS RESOLD, REPURPOSED ON-LINE.

NOW, ACCORDING TO NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION RETAIL THEFTS ARE COSTLY MAKING THE PRICE $700,000 PER BILLION IN SALES.

AND IN 2019, 29% OF RETAILORS REPORTED A LOSS OF 1,000 AND 2020 THAT NUMEROUS TO 50%.

ROB HOW WILL THIS ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE IMPACT THE RETAILORS?

>> I THINK IT'S NOT ONLY HOW IT IMPACTS THE RETAILORS.

EVERY ITEM THAT IS STOLEN PUTS MORE PRESSURE ON THE EXISTS ITEMS TO SELL.

WE HAVE TO MAKEUP OUR MARGIN WHETHER IT'S PROPERTY TAX OR WAGES AND TAX HAVE TO BE MADE UP IN SALES WHICH IS HARD TO DO.

THE SALES PIE IS ONLY SO BIG.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE IT IS NOT JUST THE RETAILER WHO IS THE VICTIM.

WE ARE ALL VICTIMS.

RETAIL SALES TAX IS THE LARGEST REVENUE GENERATOR FOR GOVERNMENTS AND THE SECOND FOR ILLINOIS.

IT IS THOSE RETAIL SALES IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND THE SERVICES WE ALL RELY UPON, USING THE VERY, VERY CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE OF A 60 BILLION PROBLEM NATIONWIDE, ILLINOIS WOULD BE LOSING ABOUT 200 MILLION IN SALES TAX JUST ON THAT VERY CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE.

>> IN A PRESS CONFERENCE LAST WEEK MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAID CHICAGO RETAILORS HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH THEMSELVES TO STOP RETAIL CRIME.

HERE SHE IS.

>> WE HAVE TO PUSH RETAILORS.

SOME OF THE RETAILORS DOWNTOWN ON MICHIGAN AVENUE I WILL TELL YOU I'M DISAPPOINTED THEY ARE NOT DOING MORE TO TAKE SAFETY AND MAKE IT A PRIORITY.

WE STILL HAVE RETAILORS THAT WON'T INSTITUTE PLANS LIKE HAVING SECURITY OFFICERS IN THEIR STORES.

MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE CAMERAS THAT ARE OPERATIONAL.

>> ROB, WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO WHAT THE MAYOR SAID?

>> I THINK THOSE COMMENTS ARE EXTRAORDINARILY UNFORTUNATE AND MISINFORMED.

AND AGAIN AS WE NOTED A FEW MINUTES AGO, WHAT WE SEE ON THE NEWS SHOWS THAT IS NOT EVERYDAY.

WE SEE THE CAMERA FOOTAGE AND BLOWING PAST ARMED SECURITY GUARDS.

AND THOSE ARE THE MOST EXAMPLE AND WE KNOW IT'S NOT JUST HAPPENING ON MAG MILE BUT IT'S IN LITTLE VILLAGE AND OTHER AREAS AROUND THE CITY IN COOK COUNTY.

IT IS IS NOT AN ACCURATE STATEMENT.

>> A COMPLICATED SITUATION.

ROB KARR FROM THE ILLINOIS RETAIL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, A PREVIEW OF THE BEARS NEXT MATCHUP.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> RUMORS ARE SWIRLING ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE BEARS ORGANIZATION AS BIG CHANGES LOOM.

MEANWHILE THE TEAM HAS TO CONTEND WITH ALL THREE COORDINATORS POTENTIALLY MISSING MONDAY NIGHT'S GAME AGAINST THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS DUE TO COVID.

[♪♪♪] AND JOINING US IS JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS FORMER OFFENSIVE LINEMAN FROM THE CHICAGO BEARS FROM 1991-2002.

IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU.

I WANT TO START WITH THERE IS A COUPLE REPORTS THIS WEEK THAT THE BEARS WERE TALKING TO A FORMER BEAR A FORMER TEAMMATE TRACE ARMSTRONG ABOUT POTENTIALLY COMING IN AND BEING AN EXECUTIVE WITH THE TEAM.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> YOU KNOW, I HEARD THE RUMORS.

I ALSO HEARD THE STATEMENT THAT TRACE PUT OUT THERE AS FAR AS IT WASN'T TRUE.

BUT I THINK THAT IS A DIRECTION THEY NEED TO GO.

EVEN IF IT'S NOT TRACE, YOU HAVE ENOUGH PLAYERS THAT HAVE PLAYED FOR THE BEARS THAT ARE INTELLIGENT ENOUGH THAT KNOW FOOTBALL THAT ARE STILL INVOLVED IN FOOTBALL IN SOME SORT OF WAY, THAT COULD HELP THE ORGANIZATION OUT.

TRACE WAS YOUNG WHEN I GOT HERE.

AND HE WAS ONE OF THE GUYS THAT TOOK ME UNDER HIS WING AND SHOWED ME THE ROPES AND THE REASON WHY I GOT MOVED TO OFFENSE THAT IS WHAT HE WILL TELL YOU AND MICHAELS WILL TELL YOU.

BUT HE KNOWS THE GAME.

HE'S A REPRESENTATIVE RIGHT NOW OF ACTUALLY MATT NAGY HAS FAR AS BEING AN AGENT.

HE WOULD BE A GOOD CHOICE BUT IT WASN'T SOMETHING THAT HE SAID HE TALKED TO THE ORGANIZATION ABOUT.

>> AND THERE WAS AN IN-DEPTH ARTICLE IN THE TRIBUNE WHAT YOU MENTIONED THERE ARE ALL BEAR ALUMNI THAT HAVE HAD GREAT SUCCESS IN COACHING OR MANAGEMENT AND IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THE BEARS CONSULT THE ALUMNI MUCH.

IS THAT A WEAK SPOT HERE FOR THE ORGANIZATION?

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK SO.

I THINK WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE MAJOR ORGANIZATIONS THEY ARE TRYING TO DO ANYTHING POSSIBLE TO TURN THEIR FRANCHISE INTO A TEAM THAT CAN WIN FOR MULTIPLE YEARS.

YOU DON'T WANT JUST THE ONE SUPER BOWL AND DONE.

OR A COUPLE PLAYOFFS APPEARANCES.

YOU WANT TO BE THAT TEAM THAT CAN SUSTAIN WINNING FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ABLE TO DO THAT, THESE ARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT THEIR OFFENSIVE COORDINATORS AND DEFENSIVE COORDINATORS QUARTERBACK COACHES ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE WANTED AROUND THE LEAGUE TO BE HEAD COACHES, TO MOVE UP IN POSITION.

AND WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THAT, LET'S JUST SAY NEW ENGLAND, THEY ARE ABLE TO REPLACE THOSE PEOPLE WITH OTHER GOOD PEOPLE.

AND THAT'S JUST KIND OF WHAT THEY DO.

SO YOU LIKE THE CHICAGO BEARS TO PUT THEMSELVES IN A SITUATION WHERE PEOPLE ARE COMING IN AND TRYING TO STEAL ALL OF THEIR COORDINATORS TO PUT THEM IN HEAD COACHING JOBS BECAUSE THEY ARE THAT GOOD.

>> AND THE SAME CAROUSEL EVERY FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, HIRE AND FIRE COACHES AND GENERAL MANAGERS.

ONE SPOT THEY HOPE THERE'S CONSISTENCY WITH FIELDS, AGAINST GREEN BAY HE WAS ROUGHED UP A LOT.

HOW DO THE BEARS KEEP HIM UP RIGHT AGAINST MINNESOTA ON MONDAY?

>> I THINK FIRST OF ALL YOU DON'T START THE GAME IN EMPTY SETS.

THE LINE HAS STRUGGLED A LITTLE BIT.

AND NOT ALL THEIR FAULT.

HE HOLDS ON TO THE BALL A LITTLE LONG BUT THESE ARE THINGS THAT YOU KNOW AND YOU CAN WRONG AROUND.

BRING AN EXTRA TIGHT-END YOU GOT FIVE ON YOUR ROSTER LET'S USE THEM TO BLOCK AND GET THEM IN THE ROUTE.

PLAY ACTION, BEING ABLE TO RUN THE BALL.

THEY ONLY RAN THE BALL TWO TIMES AS FAR AS HAND OFFS IN THE SECOND HALF OF THAT GREEN BAY GAME.

AND WHEN YOU'RE BUILT LIKE THE BEARS ARE BUILT AND NOT SURE WHAT YOUR IDENTITY IS, YOU GOT TO TAKE AS MUCH PRESSURE OFF OF THAT OFFENSIVE LINE AND QUARTERBACK AS YOU CAN.

>> AND THE QUARTERBACK CLEARLY HAS LOADS OF TALENT IS THERE ANY THREAT THAT ALL OF THIS FUTILITY IS GETTING TO HIS HEAD AND IT WILL AFFECT HIS DEVELOPMENT?

>> I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS A THREAT OF THAT.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A GUY THAT HAS COME OUT OF COLLEGE AND IS USED TO WINNING.

ALL HE HAS DONE IS WON.

AND NOW HE'S GOING THROUGH A PERIOD HE IS NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING ON.

THE COACHING STAFF, THE PLAY ON THE FIELD, THE PLAYS THAT ARE DESIGNED.

IT DOESN'T REALLY SEEM TO BE FORMATTED AROUND HIM.

SO YOU HAVE TO HOPE THAT THEY BRING IN SOMEBODY THAT CAN MAKE HIM FEEL COMFORTABLE.

BUT I THINK THAT WHEN YOU LISTEN TO JUSTIN FIELDS TALK YOU ARE LISTENING TO A GUY THAT IS CONFIDENT IN HIMSELF.

THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO BOUNCE BACK AFTER THE CLEVELAND CAME.

WE SAW HIM BOUNCE BACK.

THESE ARE TRAITS YOU WANT IN YOUR QUARTERBACK.

>> RIGHT.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BALL, THE DEFENSE HAS TO CONTEND WITH COOK THE RUNNING BACK, WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THIS MATCHUP ON DEFENSE ON MONDAY?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A TEAM THAT WANTS TO PHYSICALLY PUSH THE BALL DOWN YOUR THROAT.

AND MINNESOTA HAS THE ABILITY TO DO THAT.

NOW, WITH COVID AND PLAYERS OUT FOR INJURIES, THEY ARE GOING TO BE JUST AS DEPLETED AS THE BEARS ARE GOING TO BE.

THE BEARS HAVE TO BE ABLE TO RUN THE BALL EARLY TO OPEN UP THOSE THINGS IN THE SECONDARY.

AND IF THE BEARS CAN DO THAT AND DEFENSIVELY THEY CAN PUT SOME PRESSURE ON MINNESOTA TO FORCE THEM TO STOP RUNNING THE BALL THEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THEM POSSIBLY BEING ABLE TO SQUEAK ONE OUT.

21-20 I WILL GO BEARS THIS WEEK.

I GOT MY FINSERS CROSSED I THINK THEY CAN PULL ONE OFF.

>> THANKS TO JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANKS PARIS.

>> AND MORE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" AHEAD BUT FIRST A LOOK AT WEEKEND EVENTS AROUND TOWN.

>> WE CHECK BACK IN WITH JOANNA HERNANDEZ WHO SPENT THE DAY ON GRAND BOULEVARD AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> BRANDIS I'M HERE WITH CLEOPHUS LEE DIRECTOR OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION OF CENTERS FOR NEW HORIZON.

THE ORGANIZATION IS BASED HERE ON GRAND BOULEVARD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> I WANT TO START, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT CENTERS FOR NEW HORIZON'S WORK?

>> WE HAVE ABOUT A 50 YEAR HISTORY AND WE'RE CELEBRATING 50 YEARS THIS YEAR.

AND IN THE COMMUNITY SPECIFICALLY WE DO WORK CENTERED AROUND CHILDCARE.

WE ALSO DO WORK AROUND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WORKING WITH INDIVIDUALS TO HELP THEM TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AS WELL AS VIOLENCE PREVENTION WORK THAT WE DO WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

>> AND YOU'RE MOST INVOLVED INS HAVE PREVENTION CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT AND HOW YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LOOKS LIKE?

>> IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT OUR CITY IS RAVAGED WITH VIOLENCE.

AND SO THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING WE HAVE A STREET 0 OUTREACH TEAM.

A SHOUT-OUT TO THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH WHO IS FUNDING US.

THEY ARE WORKING TO PREVENT SOME OF THE VIOLENCE THAT IS TAKING PLACE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

THEY DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IF YOU WOULD FOR A LACK OF A BETTER TERM AND THEN WORK LIKE MEDIATE VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES.

WHEN THERE IS A SHOOTING OUR OUTREACH TEAM GO AND RESPOND TO THAT SITUATION.

AS WELL AS WHEN VICTIMS HAVE CERTAIN THINGS THAT IS GOING ON WITH THEM WHETHER THEY ARE SHOT FROM THAT, THEY NEED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, THEY MAY NEED EMPLOYMENT AND WE RESPOND IN AND ASSIST THEM WITH THAT AS WELL.

>> AND YOU TAKE A TRAUMA INFORMED APPROACH.

CAN YOU SHARE WHAT THAT EXPERIENCE IS LIKE WHEN YOU GET THERE AND YOU'RE INVOLVED AND YOU TALK TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN SHOOTINGS?

>> YES.

BASICALLY, THE TRAUMA INFORMED CARE APPROACH IS LOOKING AT AN INDIVIDUAL'S TRAUMA EXPERIENCE THAT THEY FACE WHICH THEN INFORMS US ON THE BEST WAYS TO APPROACH SERVICING THESE INDIVIDUALS.

>> NOW, THIS WEEK THERE WAS A FEDERAL HEARING ON GUN VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO.

THIS COMES AS THE CITY AND CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY FACE A RISE IN GUN VIOLENCE.

SOME ON WORKING ON THE GROUND WHAT DO YOU THINK COMMUNITIES NEED TO ADDRESS?

>> I BELIEVE IN SELF RELIANCE.

NUMBER ONE, I BELIEVE THAT IF COMMUNITIES ARE REALLY GOING TO PULL THEMSELVES OUT OF THESE VIOLENT SITUATIONS FIRST WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THINGS THAT WE CAN ADDRESS ON OUR OWN.

SUCH AS NUMBER ONE: KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES CLEAN.

THAT IS ONE.

WORKING WITH THE CITY AND MAKING SURE THAT LIGHTS ARE ON.

AND THEN ALSO TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LIVES OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

MENTORING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

WORKING WITH THEM TO HELP THEM TO DEVELOP THE SKILLS THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO HAVE AND LIVE A SUCCESSFUL LIFE.

AND THEN ALSO I JUST BELIEVE AS WELL RESOURCES ARE IMPORTANT.

BEING ABLE TO POUR INTO OUR COMMUNITIES ECONOMICALLY SO THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN HAVE A SENSE OF PRIDE AS IT PERTAINS TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

WHAT DRIVES YOU TO DO THIS WORK EVERYDAY?

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE IT CAN BE INTENSE, YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK?

>> BASICALLY I AM A LOVER OF LIFE AND I WANT OTHERS TO EXPERIENCE LIFE.

I DON'T THINK THAT A FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILD SHOULD HAVE THEIR LIFE CUT SHORT AND YET TO EXPERIENCE ANY FORMS OF LIFE.

I DON'T THINK A SENIOR WHO IS IN THEIR 70s OR 80s SHOULD BE AFRAID TO STEP OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOME BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY THEY MAY BE MUGGED OR ROBBED OR KILLED.

BEING A LOVER OF LIFE.

I LOVE LIFE AND I WANT OTHERS TO LOVE LIFE AS WELL.

>> WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT HIGH CRIME IN THE COMMUNITY WHAT ARE THE THOUGHTS THAT GO THROUGH YOUR MIND?

>> WHAT MORE CAN I DO?

WHAT MORE CAN I DO?

I GO INTO STRATEGY MODE.

WHO CAN I BUILD MORE RELATIONSHIPS WITH?

WHAT OTHER RESOURCES CAN WE IDENTIFY TO HELP US GET THIS WORK DONE.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AGAIN HE IS THE DIRECTOR FOR PREVENTION INTERVENTION AT CENTERS OF NEW HORIZONS HERE AT THE GRAND BOULEVARD.

BRANDIS?

>> A LOT OF WORK IS GOING ON.

AND ALSO LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE IN A GARDEN.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHERE YOU ALL SETUP SHOP TONIGHT?

>> HOW AWESOME IS THIS BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ART RIGHT ARE BEHIND ME.

I LEARNED ABOUT IT TODAY.

IT'S VERY NICE AND MY PHOTOGRAPHER LIT IT UP VERY, VERY NICELY.

YOU CAN SEE THE DETAIL WORK.

WE ARE AT THE GALLERY GREAT MIGRATION SCULPTURE GARDEN ON THE GROUNDS OF WHAT USED TO BE THE BEN FRANKLIN DEPARTMENT STORE, THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN OWNED DEPARTMENT STORE HERE IN THE COUNTRY AND THAT IS WHAT IS SO AMAZING.

I LEARNED SO MUCH.

AS I BEGAN, THERE ARE SO MANY STORIES TO TELL WHAT IMPACTED THEM HERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THAT IS ALL FOR US HERE ON GRAND BOULEVARD.

I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> NICE WORK TO YOU AND THE TEAM THANK YOU.

>> AND WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY...