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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WE CHECK IN WITH CHICAGO'S TOP DOC WITH ILLINOIS' COVID CASES CLIMBING AGAIN AND THE NEW VARNT BEING IN THE U.S. AND TRAVEL.

>> WE SHARE THE LATEST IN THE REMAP BATTLE SAGA.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO KEEP HEARING OUR CLIENTS TALKING ABOUT THE SAME THING WE CAN ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

>> TACKLING MENTAL HEALTH WITHIN THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND THAT AND MORE IN A LIVE REPORT FROM ANDERSONVILLE.

>> ADDRESSING MATERNAL MORTALITY IS THE FOCUS OF THE MOMNIBUS LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE WHAT THE FIRST SIGNED BILL MEANS FOR SOME MILITARY MOMS.

>> I'M CONCERNED NOW ABOUT FORECLOSES, OF COURSE.

>> RENTERS HAD A CHANCE TO RECEIVE GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE BUT WHAT ABOUT HOMEOWNERS?

>> THE KICK GOOD-BYE.

>> AND AFTER ENDING A FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK WINS THE WINLESS DETROIT THE BEARS FACE A TOUGHER TASK AGAINST THE 9-2 CARDINALS.

>> I'M IN ANDERSONVILLE AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" LOCATED IN THE EDGEWATER COMMUNITY.

ANDERSONVILLE HAS ONE OF THE MOST CONCENTRATED AREAS OF SWEDISH AND LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY.

WE'LL LEARN ABOUT THE RICH HISTORY AS WELL AS HOW THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS ADAPTING TO EQUAL FRIENDLY INITIATIVES.

FIRST, I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

AND NOW TO TOP STORIES... ILLINOIS LOGS MORE THAN 11,000 NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES TODAY.

THAT'S THE MOST CASES RECORDED IN A 24-HOUR PERIOD SINCE DECEMBER 2020.

PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORTED 40 DEATHS.

THE SEVEN-DAY STATE-WIDE POSITIVITY RATE IS 5.7% AS THE U.S. IDENTIFIES SEVERAL CASES OF THE OMICRON VARIANT OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

IT HASN'T YET BEEN FOUND IN ILLINOIS.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SPOKE OF THE RISE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS AT AN UNRELATED NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY.

>> WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT THE INCREASE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS THAT WE'VE SEEN AND AGAIN WE DON'T KNOW YET WHETHER OMICRON IS IN ILLINOIS.

WE KNOW IT'S IN THE UNITED STATES SO IT'S PROBABLY IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS ALREADY.

AND AGAIN WE'RE TESTING FOR THAT.

BUT WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS THAT HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE GOING UP.

AND THERE HASN'T BEEN A WORSE LEVEL OF SICKNESS ANYWAY SO FAR AMONG THOSE HOSPITALIZATIONS IT'S JUST MOSTLY UNVACCINATED PEOPLE.

>> AND WE WILL SPEAK WITH CHICAGO PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER Dr. ALLISON ARWADY IN JUST A MOMENT.

>> MEANWHILE, AMERICANS WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR OVER-THE-COUNTER COVID-19 TESTS THIS WINTER.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED THIS TODAY WITH OTHER CORONAVIRUS MITIGATION EFFORT AS THE COUNTRY HEADS INTO THE SECOND PANDEMIC WINTER.

THOSE WITH PRIVATE INSURANCE WILL BE ABLE TO BE REIMBURSED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

THOSE NOT COVERED WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS FREE AT HOME TESTS AT COMMUNITY SITES LIKE HEALTH CENTERS ALL INBOUND INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL HE WAS WILL HAVE TO TEST FOR COVID-19 WITHIN 24 HOURS OF DEPARTURE AND THE PRESIDENT EXTENDED THE MASK MANDATE ON ALL DOMESTIC FLIGHTS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF MARCH.

>> NOW THAT WE MOVE INTO THE WINTER THIS IS A MOMENT WHEN WE CAN PUT THE DIVISIVES BEHIND US, I HOPE.

A MOMENT THAT WE CAN DO ENOUGH OF THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

AND GET THE NATION TO COME TOGETHER.

UNITE THE NATION IN A COMMON PURPOSE.

TO FIGHT THIS VIRUS TO PROTECT ONE ANOTHER, TO PROTECT OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

>> AND 15 ALDERPEOPLE ARE PUSHING FOR A VOTER REFERENDUM ON CHICAGO'S WARD MAP.

THE CITY OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FILED THE MAP CREATED BY THE LATINO CAUCUS WITH THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE TODAY A DAY AFTER THE COUNCIL'S RULES COMMITTEE RELEASED ITS DRAFT OF THE MAP WHICH DID NOT MEET THE LATINO CAUCUS' DEMANDS.

THE VOTERS WILL DECIDE WHAT THE WARD MAP LOOKS LIKE UNLESS 41 CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT BEFORE MAY 19TH.

MORE LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

>> UP NEXT, TODAY'S COVID SURGE.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE REPORTING MORE THAN 11,000 NEW COVID CASES FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE DECEMBER 2020.

AND THAT'S WHEN VACCINES WERE NOT WIDELY AVAILABLE.

THE SPIKE IN CASES HOMES AMID CONCERNS OF THE OMICRON VARIANT WHICH HAS NOT YET BEEN DETECTED IN ILLINOIS.

HOW WILL THIS FACTOR INTO COVID GUIDANCE FROM THE CITY AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOLIDAY TRAVEL?

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE IS Dr. ALLISON ARWADY COMMISSIONER OF CHICAGO'S DEPARTMENT OF PEB HEALTH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US -- PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THIS CASE LOAD TODAY LARGEST IN A YEAR IS THIS A POST THANKSGIVING BUMP?

>> IT CERTAINLY IS PART OF A POST THANKSGIVING BUMP WE HAVE BEEN BEEN ON THE INCREASE IN CASES HERE FOR A NUMBER OF WEEKS.

BUT, YES, ACROSS THE STATE AND HERE IN CHICAGO WE SAW NUMBERS OF CASES BEING REPORTED THAT WERE HIGHER THAN WE'VE SEEN SINCE DECEMBER TO JANUARY.

SOME IS A RESULT OF THANKSGIVING.

AND SOME IS BEING DRIVEN BY PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT VACCINATED YET AND WERE EXPOSED OVER THE HOLIDAY.

>> WHEN YOU SEE THE BUMP DOES IT CALL FOR DISCUSSION ON POTENTIALLY HARSHER MITIGATION MEASURES AGAIN LIKE CAPACITY LIMITS OR EVEN SHUTDOWNS?

>> YEAH, THAT CERTAINLY NOT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

OBVIOUSLY WE'RE WATCHING FOR OMICRON CLOSELY AND WANTING TO LEARN A LOT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS HOW CONCERNED WE NEED TO BE ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR VARIANT BUT I'M ENOUGH ABOUT DELTA.

WE ARE NOT A A POINT WHAT IS DIFFERENT THAN A YEAR AGO WE DID NOT HAVE A VACCINE.

HERE IN CHICAGO, ALMOST 99% OF THE MORE THAN 6500 DEATHS THAT WE'VE HAD FROM COVID ARE IN PEOPLE UNVACCINATED AND THE FACT WE CAN USE VACCINE AND BOOSTERS TO HELP KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

AND I DO EXPECT WITH SOME OF THESE NEW ORAL MEDICATIONS THOSE HAVE A POTENTIAL TO BE A BIG DEAL TO HELP PEOPLE IF THEY GET INFECTED STAY OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT MORE SHUTDOWNS.

WE'RE MONITORING CLOSELY AND WATCHING HOSPITAL CAPACITY.

>> LARGE NUMBER, BUT THE TEST POSITIVITY RATE IS A LITTLE BIT OVER 5% IT'S BEEN HIGHER IN THE PAST WITH 58% OF THE POPULATION VACCINATED DO YOU ANTICIPATE THAT POSITIVITY RATE TO GO UP MORE?

>> I THINK IT MIGHT.

POSITIVITY IS MOSTLY TO MY MIND ABOUT ARE YOU TESTING ENOUGH?

HERE IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO WE'RE STILL HOLDING UNDER THAT 5% WE ARE AT 3.7 AND AS YOU SAY ACROSS THE STATE 5-6.

WE WANT TO SEE IT STAY UNDER 5% THAT TELLS US WE'RE TESTING ENOUGH TO DETECT THE SURGE.

OVER 5 THAT IS AN INDICATION THAT YOU HAVE TO STEP UP ADDITIONAL TESTING.

AND I THINK AS AS A REMINDER THE POSITIVITY IS LITERALLY THE PERCENT OF ALL OF THE TESTS THAT ARE YOU DOING THAT ARE TESTING POSITIVE.

THE COMBINATION OF INCREASE IN CASES, AND INCREASE IN POSITIVITY, TELLS US THIS IS NOT JUST AN ARTIFACT RELATED TO TESTING.

THIS IS A CONTINUED INCREASE SURGE.

>> SPEAKING OF TESTING PRESIDENT BIDEN OUTLINED HIS WINTER STRATEGY AND PART IS FREE AT HOME TESTING.

AS YOU KNOW IT'S BEEN HARD TO COME BY IN CHICAGO.

OFFICES HAVE RUN OUT OF THOSE AT HOME TESTS IS THERE A PLAN TO REPLENISH THOSE SO RESIDENTS CAN GET ACCESS TO THAT?

>> YEAH, I'M REALLY PLEASED BY THAT MOVE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

I LOVE THE AT HOME TEST.

I KEEP THEM AT HOME.

I ORDER THEM ON-LINE OR PICK THEM UP SO I HAVE THEM AVAILABLE SO YOU CAN DO THE RAPID AT HOME IF ANYBODY HAS A COLD OR SEEING SOMEBODY WITH AN UNDERLYING CONDITION.

AND RIGHT NOW YOU WITH BUY TWO FOR $23, 24.

BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE FOR WHOM THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

IN CHICAGO WE DID DISTRIBUTE THEM TO ALDERMANIC OFFICES IN ADVANCE OF THE THANKSGIVING HOLE DID DAY.

AND IN THE HARDEST HIT NEIGHBORHOODS WE HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTING THEM.

BUT THE WORK TO BRING THE COST DOWN AND HAVE INSURANCE COVER IT AND MAKE IT MORE AVAILABLE AND INCREASE THE SUPPLY LIKE THAT SCENE EARLY ON WHEN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TRIES TO ORDER ADDITIONAL AT HOME TESTS IT TAKES WEEKS TO GET IT.

I'M PLEASED BY DOUBLING DOWN ON THAT.

I THINK IT WILL BE AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR STRATEGY ALONG WITH THE NEW ORAL MEDICATIONS MOVING FORWARD.

>> THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED DOUBLING DOWN ON TESTING FOR THOSE WHO ARE TRAVELING ESPECIALLY BY AIR.

IS THAT GOING TO HELP KEEP THE NUMBERS DOWN?

>> I THINK ANY TESTING CAN HELP, REALLY WHAT I REMIND PEOPLE IS TESTING IS DETECTING PEOPLE ALREADY INFECTED WITH COVID.

THE MOST THING IS CONTINUING TO PUSH ON VACCINE.

HONESTLY, WHERE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL IS TYPICALLY REQUIRING PROOF OF VACCINATION THAT TO ME IS MORE IMPORTANT.

THE TEST IS ANOTHER PIECE THAT HELPS WITH THAT.

AND CERTAINLY WE WANT TO DETECT PEOPLE AND IF THE IDEA OF TESTING BEFORE YOU TRAVEL HELPS LIMIT THE RISK THAT YOU WOULD THINK BRING OFTEN IN CONTACT WITH A LOT OF FOLKS WHO YOU WOULD NOT NORMALLY BE DURING TRAVEL.

I'M IN SUPPORT OF TERRORISTING BUT HERE THE ANSWER IS STILL VACCINE AND GETTING BOOSTERS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SIX MONTHS POST MODERNA OR PFIZER OR TWO MONTHS POST J & J.

>> FURTHER RESTRICTIONS NOT BEING DISCUSSED YOU HAVE CITIES LIKE KNOCK WHO IMPOSED MANDATORY VACCINATION STATUS TO GO TO RESTAURANTS OR CLUBS IS THAT SOMETHING THAT THE MAYOR'S ADMINISTRATION IS DISCUSSING HERE IN CHICAGO?

BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE CASE YET?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

WE ARE.

AND I THINK WHEN I THINK ABOUT ANY RESTRICTION TYPE SETTING IT'S MORE ANYTHING THAT IS ENCOURAGING VACCINATION WOULD BE MORE THAN TRYING TO DO THE CAPACITY LIMIT THAT WE DON'T WANT TO SHUT THINGS DOWN.

WE'VE SEEN MANY, MANY SETTINGS IN CHICAGO VOLUNTARILY DO THIS.

ALL OF THE THEATERS AND MUSIC VENUES, MANY, MANY LARGE GATHERINGS ESPECIALLY WITH THE SURGE WE HAVE BEEN STRONG HE WILL ENCOURAGING A VACCINE REQUIREMENT IF NOT AT LEAST A VACCINE OR NEGATIVE TEST.

AND I THINK THAT ACTUALLY IS A GOOD STRATEGY TO CONTINUE DOUBLING DOWN ON.

WE HAVE NOT MADE IT A REQUIREMENT OUTSIDE OF LARGER EVENTS, BUT THAT WOULD BE THE SORT OF THING WE WOULD CONSIDER BEFORE DOING CAPACITY LIMITS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AGAIN WATCHING A LITTLE BIT WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE VARIANT.

>> PERHAPS THAT IS ON THE TABLE.

AND WITH THE HOLIDAYS COMING WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE LOOKING TO TRAVEL AND GATHER?

>> YEAH.

SO IT'S REALLY NOT DIFFERENT AT THIS POINT FROM THANKSGIVING.

THE SAFEST THING IS TO BE GATHERING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED FOR THEIR AGE THAT MEANS KIDS 5 AND UP BY THE HOLIDAY SEASON WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED FOR THE YOUNGER KIDS I'M COMFORTABLE GATHERING WITH THEM AS LONG AS PARENTS AND RELATIVES HAVE BEEN DOING IT.

IF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE GATHERING WHO ARE NOT FULLY VACCINATED, IT'S CRITICAL THAT TESTING IS A PART OF THAT.

I WOULD BE ENCOURAGING ANY GATHERING WHERE EVERYBODY IS NOT VACCINATED TO BE DOING THE AT HOME TEST THAT MORNING.

FOR EXTRA PROTECTION IF WE ARE HAVING MORE TROUBLE WITH THE VARIANT BY THAT POINT WE MAY WANT MORE TESTING.

WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE WORRYING ABOUT COVID AND DON'T WANT IT OVERLAYING THEIR HOLIDAY SEASONS AS LONG AS PEOPLE CONTINUE TO DO THE THINGS THAT HAVE GOTTEN US THIS FAR GET YOURSELF BOOSTED AHEAD OF THE HOLIDAY THAT LAST PIECE OF ADVICE SO WE ARE ALL AS PROTECTED AS WE CAN BE AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A HOLIDAY SEASON OFF THE RAILS.

>> THE BOOSTERS ARE AVAILABLE AT THIS POINT.

I HAVE TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS ITEM IN THE NEWS.

ACTIVISTS ARE CALLING ON YOU AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO DENY A PERMIT FOR A METAL SLEDDING FACILITY IN THAT -- SHREDDING FACILITY IN THAT COMMUNITY.

DO YOU HAVE A POSITION ON THAT PERMIT?

>> WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT WHICH THE EPA ASKED US TO DO.

WE HAVE BEEN GATHERING INFORMATION WORKING WITH THE SCIENTISTS AT THE EPA COLLECTING COMMUNITY INPUT.

THERE IS ANOTHER MEETING THAT IS HAPPENING NEXT WEEK AND WE ARE STILL VERY MUCH IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS PROCESS.

I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY WHO HAS BEEN WEIGHING IN ON THAT BUT WE HAVE TO FINISH THE PROCESS OF THE ASSESSMENT.

THERE IS A FORMAL PROCESS THAT GOES WITH THAT AND THE DECISION WILL BE MADE.

>> Dr. ALLISON ARWADY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US AS ALWAYS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NESTLED IN CHICAGO'S EDGEWATER COMMUNITY ON THE NORTH SIDE, ANDERSONVILLE IS KNOWN FOR THE VIBRANT CLARK STREET CORRIDOR FILLED WITH A DIVERSE SELECTION OF BUSINESSES AND RESTAURANTS.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ SPENT THE DAY AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" SERIES.

AND JOANNA JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW THIS BUT ANDERSONVILLE WAS NAMED THE SECOND COOLEST NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE COUNTRY BY TIME OUT CHICAGO.

THIS AREA HAS A REPUTATION OF BEING LIKE A SMALL TOWN IN A BIG CITY FILLED WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES.

WE HAVE TO START BY TALKING ABOUT THE SWEDISH ROOTS AND WHAT BETTER WAY THAN HEADING TO THE SWEDISH MUSEUM.

THIS INSTITUTION HAS BEEN A STAPLE IN THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1946.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF SWEDENS MIGRATING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AFTER THE CHICAGO FIRE THIS IS A PLACE TO START.

>> I THINK WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT THIS MUSEUM IS THAT IT REALLY TALKS ABOUT IMMIGRATION.

OBVIOUSLY ALL OF OUR OBJECTS ARE SWEDISH OR SCANDINAVIAN BECAUSE IT IS THE SWEDISH AMERICAN MUSEUM BUT IT HIGHLIGHTS IMMIGRATION FOR EVERYONE AND THE HARDSHIP TO MOVE FROM ONE COUNTRY TO ANOTHER.

>> KARIN MOEN ABERCROMBIE HAS WORKED AT THE SWEDISH AMERICAN MUSEUM FOR 15 YEARS.

SHE SAYS ANDERSONVILLE FEELS VERY MUCH LIKE WALKING DOWN A STREET IN SWEDEN.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AS NEW GROUPS AND CULTURES STARTED TO MOVE INTO THE AREA, KARIN MOEN ABERCROMBIE SAYS SWEDISH ROOTS WILL LIVE ON FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE BUSINESSES IN THE AREA THAT HAVE NOTHING DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO SWEDEN THEY HAVE A SWEDISH FLAG IN THERE OR THEY LIKE WHAT THE CHAMBER IS DOING BY CONNECTING IN THE SWEDISH LANGUAGE A LITTLE BIT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE.

IN THE TRADITIONS THAT WE'RE ALL CELEBRATING TOGETHER.

>> AND AROUND THE 80s THE AREA STARTED TO SEE A LARGE LGBTQ POPULATION MOVE IN.

AND WE CAN STILL SEE THAT TODAY.

THE CHICAGO THERAPY COLLECTIVE WORKS TO PUSH DIVERSITY HERE THEY ARE A NOT NOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOCUSING ON MENTAL HEALTH FOR THE LGBTQ PLUS ESPECIALLY THE TRANSCOMMUNITY.

ONE OF THE PROGRAMS IS HIRE TRANS NOW AND IT WORKS WITH THE LOCAL BUSINESSES BUT ACROSS THE CITY ADDRESSING DISPARITIES IN WAYS BUSINESSES CAN BE MORE INCLUSIVE TO EVERYONE.

>> JUST THE EXPERIENCE OF WALKING IN A BUSINESS BEFORE COMING TO THERAPY AND GETTING EITHER MISS GENDERED OR GENDER CORRECTLY CAN IMPACT SOMEBODY'S MOOD FOR THE NEXT FEW HOURS.

I WOULD SAY THAT THOSE MY GROW AGGRESSIONS AND STILL BIG.

WE TELL OUR BUSINESSES TO MAKE SURE GENDER FOLKS NEUTRALLY.

READ THEM CORRECTLY.

>> THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS BIG ON TAKING ON ECOFRIENDLY INITIATIVES.

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKED WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO MAKE RECYCLING A PRIORITY AND MOST RECENTLY RECRUITED SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS TO PARTICIPATE WITH WASTE NOT COMPOST.

A PILOT PROGRAM ENCOURAGING BUSINESSES TO LEARN HOW TO COMPOST.

>> WE STARTED WITH WE START COMPOSTING PROGRAM WE HAVE 20 PLUS BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS, HEALTH SERVICES WHO COMPOST WITHIN THEIR BUSINESSES AND WE'RE HOPING TO ADD 20 MORE IN 2022.

>> AND THE URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD IS HOME TO A DIVERSE SELECTION OF RESTAURANTS ON CLARK STREET INCLUDING MIDDLE EASTERN PRODUCTS AND CUISINE.

WE STOPPED BY THE BAKERY AND GROCERIES WHICH HAS BEEN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD SINCE 1982 THAT IS A LONGTIME.

THE OWNER WAS IN HIS EARLY 20s WHEN HE OPENED HIS BUSINESS WHEN A BIG POPULATION FROM PEOPLE FROM IRAQ LIVED IN THE AREA AND BROUGHT IN MIDDLE EASTERN PRODUCTS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> WE HAVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

WE HAVE SOMETHING NEW.

SOMETHING LIKE THE WE COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT DELI COME UP WITH SOMETHING AND NOW WE HAVE LIKE HUMMUS AND EVERYTHING MADE FRESH DAILY.

>> AND YOU CANNOT WALK DOWN THE STREET WITHOUT NOTICING THE CAFES AND BUSINESSES AND FURNITURE STORES.

A POPULAR COMMERCIAL STRIP TO FIND SOMETHING UNIQUE AND HANDMADE.

THE POP-UP FOCUSED ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY RETURNED TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WHERE DOZENS OF VENDORS ASH THE COUNTRY SELL HANDMADE PRODUCTS INCLUDING RENEW.

>> ALL OF OUR PRODUCTS ARE MADE BY REFUGEE WOMEN RELOCATED IN DUPAGE COUNTY.

WE USE DONATED TEXTILES.

EVERYTHING IS ONE OF A KIND.

AND THEY ARE ALL HANDMADE.

>> AND I HAD A CHANCE TO CHECK OUT THE POP-UP BEHIND ME AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU IT'S WORTH GOING IN I BOUGHT AMAZING SMELLING CANDLES.

AND WE ARE SPEAKING WITH THE DIRECTOR ABOUT THE POP-UP AND LEARNING ABOUT FAIR TRADE.

FIRST, BACK TO YOU.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS AND WHERE THE CITY'S WARD REMAP PROCESS STANDS.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 30 YEARS, CHICAGO VOTERS MIGHT HAVE A SAY IN WHAT THE CITY'S WARD MAP WILL LOOK LIKE IF MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL CANNOT AGREE ON A VERSION BY SPRING.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HAD HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US WITH THE LATEST CHAPTER IN HIS REMAP SAG DPA.

DPA -- SAGA.

THE LATINO CAUCUS MOVED TO FORCE A REFERENDUM ONWARD MAPS.

FILL US IN HERE.

>> IT RASHETS UP THE RATCHETS UP THE LATINO AND THE BLACK CAUCUS AND DETERMINE THE BALANCE OF POWER ON THE CITY COUNCIL BETWEEN BLACK ALDERMEN, LATINO ALDERMEN AND POTENTIALLY AN ASIAN ALDERMAN REPRESENTING A NEWLY CREATED WARD WITH A MAJORITY OF ASIAN-AMERICAN VOTERS.

WHAT HAPPENED TODAY DOESN'T MAKE A REFERENDUM CERTAIN BUT IT CERTAINLY MOVES US ONE STEP CLOSER TO WHAT EVERYBODY AT CITY HALL HAS BEEN CALLING THE NUCLEAR OPTION.

>> IF CITY COUNCIL DOES NOT GET 41 VOTES THERE WILL BE A REFERENDUM.

AND BLACK CAUCUS, LATINO CAUCUS WHICH IS EACH CAUCUS FIGHTING FOR IN THEIR VERSION OF THE MAP?

>> IT COMES DOWN TO THE NUMBER OF WAFERREDS CONTROLLED -- WARDS CONTROLLED BY THE MAJOR THE LATINO CAUCUS SAYS THEY WILL NOT SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN THE 15 WARDS MAJORITY LATINO VOTERS THAT ITS MAP CREATES.

IT IS A ZERO SUM GAME.

THERE IS 14 LATINO WARDS OR 15 LATINO WARDS AND IT WILL COME AT THE EXPENSE OF THE BLACK CAUCUS STRUGGLING TO HANG ON TO POLITICAL POWER IN A CITY THAT IS SEEING THE DEMOGRAPHICS CHANGE.

>> MORE NEGOTIATING TO GO AND RECAP HOW THE CITY GOT TO THIS POINT?

>> WELL, EVERY 10 YEARS, THE RESULTS OF THE CENSUS REQUIRE THE CITY TO REDRAW THE WARD MAP AND THIS YEAR THAT MEANS THAT POLITICIANS ARE HAVING TO GRAPPLE WITH THE FACT THAT AS I SAID, CHICAGO'S BLACK POPULATION IS DROPPING NEARLY 10% AND THE CITY'S LATINO POPULATION JUMPED 5%.

WHILE THE ASIAN POPULATION HAS SOARED 30%.

THE VERY DIFFERENT CITY AND PEOPLE ARE GRAPPLING WITH HOW TO BEST REPRESENT THAT AT CITY HALL.

>> AND THAT PEOPLE'S MAP DRAWN BY THE INDEPENDENT ADVISORY REFERENDUM GROUP WE HAD MADELEINE DOUBEK ON WHO IS LEADING THAT IS THAT GETTING ANY TRACTION OR ZERO ALDERPEOPLE IN FAVOR OF THAT?

>> ZERO.

THEY NEED 10 TO WALK INTO THE CLERK'S OFFICE AND PUT THAT MAP ON THE REFERENDUM BALLOT.

AND TODAY THE LATINO CAUCUS HAD 15 ALDERMEN SO THEY GOT TO FIND THOSE SUPPORTERS SOMEWHERE BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKELY.

>> AND 41 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S STORY AND OUR WEBSITE AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND UP NEXT, WHAT A DELAY IN MORTGAGE RELIEF COULD MEAN FOR SOME HOMEOWNERS.

STAY WITH US.

>> ILLINOIS HAS DISPERSED $750 MILLION TO HELP THOSE WHO FELL BEHIND ON RENT DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC WITH MORE ON THE WAY.

LESS HAS GONE TO HOMEOWNERS HAVING TROUBLE AND IT MAY BE MONTHS BEFORE HOMEOWNERS SEE RELIEF.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US NOW TO LOOK AT WHY AND WHAT BELEAGUERED HOMEOWNERS CAN DO.

>> AN EVICTION MORATORIUM HELPED KEEP TENANTS AND HOMEOWNERS ALIKE HAVE ROOFS OVER THEIR HEADS BUT THE MORATORIUM IS NOT IN PLACE AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS ON PAUSE DURING THE PANDEMIC NOW GOING FORWARD.

HOUSING ATTORNEY KARLA CHROBAX CARPLS IS CONCERNED ABOUT AN INCREASE IN FORECLOSES.

>> WE HAVE LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO WERE GOT BEHIND IN MARCH 2020 AND ARE NOW FACING FORECLOSE BECAUSE THEY'VE GONE THE WHOLE TIME WITHOUT ANY KIND OF ADDITIONAL PROTECTION EXCEPT FOR EVICTIONS FROM THEIR HOME.

>> SHE SAYS SHE IS GETTING CALLS FROM DESPERATE HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE REALLY FRUSTRATED WANTING ASSISTANCE.

>> WE TALKED TO A CLIENT JUST YESTERDAY AS WELL, WHO HAD LOST HER 35-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER TO COVID.

AND THIS DAUGHTER WAS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO THE HOUSEHOLD.

MOM, THE CLIENT, WAS ALREADY OLDER LIVING ON SOCIAL SECURITY WITHOUT THAT MONEY, SHE IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH HER MORTGAGE.

>> NOW, EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC, ILLINOIS DID HELP OUT 10,000 HOMEOWNERS WHO HAD FALLEN BEHIND BUT THAT WAS BACK IN 2020.

THIS YEAR IS SET TO COME TO A CLOSE WITHOUT ANY MONEY FOR MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE.

THERE IS $250 MILLION ALLOTTED FOR THAT CAUSE.

BUT ILLINOIS STILL WAITING ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROVAL BEFORE THAT MONEY CAN BE SENT OUT AND THAT IS TAKING TIME.

HEAD OF THE ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, KRISTIN FAUST SAID SHE WOULD LOVE TO BE GETTING THE DOLLARS FLOWING NOW.

INSTEAD SHE EXPECT IT IS WILL NOT HAPPEN UNTIL SPRING.

>> WE ARE IN A JUDICIAL FORECLOSE STATE IN ILLINOIS.

FORECLOSES DON'T HAPPEN RAPIDLY WHEN IT'S YOUR OWN HOME.

THIS IS ABOUT OWNER OCCUPIED HOMES.

SO WE BELIEVE THAT THE TIMING WILL BE WILL WORK FOR MOST HOMEOWNERS I'M SURE NOT -- I'M SURE WILL WILL BE EXCEPTIONS BUT WE THINK THE TIMING WILL WORK.

>> KARLA CHROBAX CARPLS IS NOT SO SURE.

>> THE LAG TIME IS CERTAINLY SIGNIFICANT AND MAY LEAD TO THIS KIND OF INFLUX OF FORECLOSES THAT I'M SO, SO, NERVOUS ABOUT IS THAT GOING TO HAPPEN BEFORE A JUDGE ORDERS A SALE OF THE HOME?

DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE SHERIFF IS AT THE DOOR AT WHICH POINT IT'S FAR TOO LATE?

>> SHE AND FAUST SAY IT MAKES SENSE THE EARLY FOCUS WAS ON RENTERS.

THEY HAVE FEWER PROTECTIONS AND THE FORECLOSE PROCESS MORE LENGTHY SO THERE'S MORE TIME.

ALSO SOME HOMEOWNERS SAY THOSE WHO HAVE TWO-FLATS AND RENT PART OF IT WERE HELPED OUT IF THE TENANTS QUALIFIED.

BOTH STRESSED THERE ARE ACTIONS THAT DISTRESSED OHMEN INNERS CAN CAN TAKE AND DO SO RIGHT AWAY.

>> CALL YOUR MORTGAGE SERVICER.

MOST PEOPLE GET SOMETHING IN THE MAIL OR THE E-MAIL, THE PHONE NUMBER WILL BE RIGHT ON THERE.

AND CALL THEM AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE MAKING A PAYMENT AND HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

>> SHE SAYS MANY SERVICERS ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH BORROWERS.

SHE BELIEVES LESSONS WERE LEARNED SINCE THE 2008 HOUSING CRISIS AND MANY SERVICERS ARE AMENABLE TO WORKING OUT A PLAN.

SOMETHING LIKE FORBEARANCE.

IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE CALLING, THERE ARE FREE, SKILLED H.U.D.

CERTIFIED COUNSELING AGENCIES THAT CAN HELP AND YOU CAN FIND A LIST AT ILLINOIS HOUSING HELP.ORG.

>> THEY UNDERSTAND HOW TO WORK WITH THE SERVICES.

AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO REACH OUT TO THOSE HOUSING AGENCIES NOW.

DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE FORECLOSE IS FILED DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE A DATE.

THE SOONER YOU REACH OUT TO YOUR SERVICER OR THE AGENCY, THE MORE LIKELY YOU ARE TO HAVE A POSITIVE RESOLUTION.

>> ONCE THAT MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE APPROXIMATELY 12,000 WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR $30,000 EACH.

STRUGGLING RENTERS DO NOT NEED TO WAIT.

ILLINOIS AND CHICAGO ARE EACH OPENING UP A NEW ROUND OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE ON MONDAY.

TO BE ELIGIBLE TENANTS HAVE TO BE WITHIN 80% OF THEIR AREA'S MEDIAN INCOME AND ALSO AT LEAST A MONTH BEHIND ON RENT TO RECEIVE UP TO 2500 IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW PARIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNS A BILL AIMED AT HELPING BLACK VETERAN MOTHERS.

WE SPEAK WITH ONE OF THE MAIN CHAMPIONS OF THAT LEGISLATION.

A FAIR TRADE POP-UP BRINGS PRODUCTS FROM 30 COUNTRIES TO ANDERSONVILLE WE WILL HEAR FROM THE DIRECTOR PREPARING FOR THE SEASON.

AND AFTER ENDING A FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK AGAINST THE DETROIT LIONS THE BEARS FACE A TOUGHER TEST AT HOME AGAINST THE CARDINALS SUNDAY.

AND FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... FIRST.

>> FORMER PRESIDENT OBAMA VISITS YOUTH AT SOUTH SIDE YMCA.

HE AND MICHELLE ARE IN CHICAGO TO TALK ABOUT ADDRESSING A RANGE OF ISSUES FROM MENTAL HEALTH AND FOOD INSECURITY TO VIOLENCE AND LGBTQ ADVOCACY.

HE WILL BE IN TOWN THROUGH TOMORROW.

ILLINOIS CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ARE SET TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL PANDEMIC RELIEF FROM THE STATE.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER ANNOUNCED ANOTHER ROUND OF FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR LICENSED CHILDCARE PROVIDERS IN ILLINOIS.

THIS ROUND WILL AMOUNT TO $300 MILLION.

THIS BRINGS THE STATE'S CHILDCARE PANDEMIC RELIEF GRANT TOTAL TO $1 BILLION.

MORE THAN 5,000 PROVIDERS IN ILLINOIS HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE GRANTS SO FAR.

>> SUPPORTING THIS SECTOR IS ONE OF THE BEST INVESTMENTS THAT WE CAN MAKE AS A STATE.

WORKING FAMILIES NEED CHILDCARE.

BUSINESSES NEED WORKERS.

TODAY WE'RE MAKING IT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR ILLINOIS FAMILIES HELPING PARENTS, ESPECIALLY MOTHERS, GO BACK TO WORK.

AND BOLSTERING PROVIDERS' ABILITY TO HAVE A FULL PAYROLL OF WELL-TRAINED CHILDCARE WORKERS.

>> AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER ATTENDED THE GOLD STAR FAMILY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AT THE THOMPSON CENTER.

THE TREE HONORS 260 ILLINOIS SERVICE MEMBERS WHO HAVE DIED SINCE SEPTEMBER 11th, 2001 AND THEIR FAMILIES.

SOME GOLD STAR FAMILIES ATTENDED THE CEREMONY IN-PERSON AND OTHERS REMOTELY.

>> WHAT BETTER SYMBOL OF THESE MEN AND WOMEN THAN LIGHTS FOR EACH OF THEIR SERVICE MEMBERS.

THEY WENT INTO A DARK PLACE IN THE WORLD AND OFFERED HOPE.

THEY LIT A CANDLE FOR FREEDOM.

AND WHILE THESE WARRIORS GAVE THEIR LIVES, THEIR LIGHT LIVES ON IN THEIR FAMILIES, IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, IN THIS STATE, AND ACROSS OUR NATION.

>> A TRAVEL SITE IS RECOGNIZING A CHICAGO HOLIDAY TRADITION.

BIG SEVEN TRAVEL RELEASED THE LIST FOR THE BEST 25 MARKETS IN THE U.S. FOR 2021 AND CHRISKINDLMARKET IS NUMBER ONE.

THE GERMAN MARKET FEATURES LIVE MUSIC, SHOPPING AND FOOD AND DRINK OPTIONS LIKE SPICED WINE AND STUFFED PRETZELS.

IT HAS TWO LOCATIONS ONE IN THE LOOP AND THE OTHER RIGHT NEXT TO WRIGLEY FIELD.

LAST YEAR, THE MARKET WAS VIRTUAL BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> AND NOW BACK TO BRANDIS WITH A LOCAL CONGRESSWOMAN FOR DETAILS ON A BILL SIGNED INTO LAW THIS WEEK.

BRANDIS?

>> AND PARIS, MOMS WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY ARE GETTING EXTRA SUPPORT FROM WASHINGTON.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN THIS WEEK SIGNED THE PROTECTING MOMS WHO SERVED ACT CHAMPIONED BY ILLINOIS CONGRESSWOMAN LAUREN UNDERWOOD AND SENATOR TAMMY DUCKWORTH.

THE BILL IS THE FIRST OF 12 IN THE BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH MOMNIBUS PACKAGE INTENDED TO ELIMINATE MATERNAL MORTALITY IN THE UNITED STATES.

JOINING US IS CONGRESSWOMAN LAUREN UNDERWOOD A DEMOCRAT FROM NAPERVILLE.

WELCOME BACK.

FIRST, TELL US WHAT THE FIRST BILL DOES FOR WOMEN VETERANS?

>> SO THE PROTECTING MOMS WHO SERVED ACT IS LEGISLATION THAT GIVES THE V.A.

ADDITIONAL TOOLS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE OFFERING THE WORLD CLASS CARE THAT OUR VETERAN MOMS HAVE EARNED.

LISTEN WE KNOW THAT WOMEN ARE THE FASTEST GROWING SEGMENT OF OUR VETERAN POPULATION AND RIGHT NOW, THERE IS OVER HALF A MILLION WOMEN VETERANS UNDER 40.

AND BECAUSE OF THEIR SERVICE, MANY OF THESE WOMEN ARE AT INCREASED RISK FOR MATERNAL MORTALITY, DIEING FROM A PREGNANCY RELATED COMPLICATION OR SEVERE MOWBIDITY COMPLICATED DELIVERIES AND POSTPARTUM PERIODS.

WITH THIS LEGISLATION WE HAVE FUNDING AND CODIFYING EXISTING PROGRAMS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE V.A.

WILL ALWAYS PROVIDE THIS HIGH-QUALITY CARE TO AVOID THAT MATERNAL DEATH AND COMPLICATIONS AS A RESULT OF PREGNANCY.

>> AND YOU TOUCHED ON IT WHAT ARE THE UNIQUE NEEDS FACED BY WOMEN WHO SERVED?

>> WE KNOW THAT AS A RESULT OF SOME OF THE STRESS, SOME OF THE INJURIES, AND SOME OF THE EXPOSURES THAT OUR WOMEN VETERANS EXPERIENCED WHILE SERVICE MEMBERS, THAT THEY ARE AT INCREASED RISK FOR SOME OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF MATERNAL DEATH IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND SO RIGHT NOW, WITHIN THE V.A.

SYSTEM, MOST VETERAN MOMS ARE NOT DELIVERING THEIR BABIES AT THE V.A.

THEY ARE GETTING CARE IN THE COMMUNITY BUT THAT CARE IS COORDINATED THROUGH THE V.A.

SO THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE THE QUALITY OF THAT CARE COORDINATION AND TO FRANKLY MAKE SURE THAT THE V.A.

IS VERY WELL RESOURCED IN EVERY SINGLE V.A.

REGION IN THE COUNTRY.

WHICH OUR WOMEN VETERANS KNOW IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE FOR GENDER SPECIFIC OR WOMEN SPECIFIC HEALTHCARE.

THERE IS A LOT OF VOLATILITY AND IT'S JUST NOT CONSISTENTLY HIGH QUALITY EVERYWHERE YOU GO IN THE COUNTRY.

AND THIS IS AN AREA WE CAN IMPROVE.

WHY?

BECAUSE IN 2021 WE BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULDN'T HAVE BIRTHING PEOPLE DIE BECAUSE THEY ARE DELIVERING BABIES AND GIVING BIRTH AND HAVING PREGNANCY RELATED COMPLICATIONS THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

AS A BARELY RUN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, WHAT THE V.A.

IS, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO HELP STRENGTHEN THE QUALITY OF CARE THE MOMS RECEIVE.

>> THIS BILL IS THE FIRST OF 12 IN THE MOMNIBUS PACKAGE, TELL US ABOUT THE OTHER MEASURES THAT ARE STILL IN THE LARGER BILL?

>> IN THE UNITED STATES WE KNOW THAT BLACK BIRTHING PEOPLE ARE THREE TO FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE OF PREGNANCY RELATED COMPLICATIONS THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

IN ORDER TO END OUR NATION'S MATERNAL MORTALITY CRISIS WE HAVE TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH AND THAT IS WHAT THE MOMNIBUS IS.

IT ALLOWS US TO INVEST IN GROWING OUR PERRY NATAL WORRYING FORCE.

WE CAN HAVE MORE MIDWIVES AND DOULAS SO EVERY MOM CAN HAVE THE SUPPORT SHE NEEDS DURING PREGNANCY AND THE YEAR LONG POSTPARTUM PERIOD AND CHOICE.

AND WE KNOW FROM THE LITERATURE FROM THE DATA THAT WHEN A PREGNANT PERSON HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELECT THEIR PROVIDER THERE ARE BETTER OUTCOMES.

WE ARE INVESTING IN THINGS LIKE MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH.

AND SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT.

WE ARE INVESTING IN SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH LIKE HOUSING AND NUTRITION ASSISTANCE.

AND ALSO INVESTING IN ADDRESSING THIS COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ITS UNIQUE IMPACT ON THIS POPULATION OF MOMS.

AND FINALLY, ADDRESSING THE IMPACTS OF EXTREME HEAT AND AIR POLLUTION WHICH WE KNOW THE CLIMATE CHANGE RELATED IMPACTS ARE HARMFUL TO EXPECTANT MOMS, POSTPARTUM MOMS AND INNANTS.

>> THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTHS REEVALUATED DEATH CERTIFICATEKIES AND BLACK WOMEN WERE 3.5 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE THAN WHITE WOMEN.

PREVIOUS STUDIES INDICATED THE DEATH RATE WAS 2.5 TIMES HIGHER.

WHAT IS THIS DISPARITY TELL YOU ABOUT OUR RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM WE HAVE WITH MATERNAL MORTALITY?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

THERE IS A LOT OF ROOM FOR CLEANING UP THE DATA SOURCES, STANDARDIZING THE REPORTING FROM EVERY STATE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A COMPLETE AND ACCURATE GRAPH OF THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM WHY WITHIN THE MOMNIBUS WE HAVE THE DATA TO SAVE MOMS ACT AND WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE BUILD BACK BETTER ACT THEY ARE PAID FOR BY MAKING SURE THAT THE CORPORATE TAX EVADERS AND THE WEALTHIEST AMERICANS ARE PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE THAT IS HOW WE ARE ABLE TO FUND THE INITIATIVES LIKE THE MA'AM BUS.

>> WE KNOW THERE IS 11 OTHER MEASURES THAT ARE STILL IN THE BUILD BACK BETTER ACT FACING OPPOSITION.

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO GET THAT LEGISLATION PASSED?

>> WELL, WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN THEY NEED TO DECIDE TO WORK ON IT.

RIGHT NOW THE SENATE HASN'T TAKEN UP THE BUILD BACK BETTER ACT WE ARE WAITING.

MOMS AROUND AMERICA CANNOT WAIT FOR THE SENATE TO GET AROUND TO DOING THIS WORK.

SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BUILD BACK BETTER, I SHARE A SENSE OF URGENCY AROUND THE NEED TO ADDRESS OUR NATION'S MATERNAL MORTALITY CRISIS AND I'M CALLING ON THE SENATE TO TAKE UP THIS LEGISLATION THEY CAN PASS IT BY CHRISTMAS AND HOW WONDERFUL OF A GIFT IT WOULD BE TO AMERICAN FAMILIES AROUND THE COUNTRY TO SEE THIS LEGISLATION SIGNED INTO LAW.

>> AND WHILE WE'VE GOT YOU SOME SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE THREATENING TO BLOCK THE CONTINUING RESOLUTION THAT WOULD FUND THE GOVERNMENT OVER THE PRESIDENT'S VACCINE MANDATE FOR EMPLOYERS.

THE HOPE HERE IS TO AVOID A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

ARE YOU FRUSTRATED THAT THE VACCINE MANDATE HAS BECOME A POLITICAL FOOTBALL?

>> YOU KNOW I THINK WE HAVE HAD A LONGTIME TO TACKLE THIS ISSUE OF FUNDING GOVERNMENT.

THE IDEA OF SHUTTING DOWN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PUTTING AT RISK BENEFITS HARD EARN -- EVERYDAY AMERICANS ARE COUNTING ON TO SURVIVE PARTICULARLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS IS RECKLESS.

SO I AM HOPEFUL THAT THESE SENATE REPUBLICANS CAN AIR THEIR GRIEVANCES AND HAVE A DEBATE AND PEOPLE WILL BE COMMITTED TO FUNDING THIS CONTINUING RESOLUTION BY MIDNIGHT TOMORROW.

>> OK. AND WITH NEWLY DRAWN STATE-WIDE DISTRICTS THE NEXT ELECTION FOR YOU COULD LOOK DIFFERENT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU ABOUT THAT NEXT TIME.

LAUREN UNDERWOOD THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO JOANNA WHO SPENT THE DAY IN ANDERSONVILLE.

>> WE ARE HERE WITH ALDERMAN OF THE 48TH WARD, HARRY OSTERMAN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING OUT HERE.

>> WE HAVE TO START WITH COVID.

WE ALL KNOW IT'S HIT COMMUNITIES HARD ESPECIALLY SMALL BUSINESSES CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY AT THIS POINT HERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> FIRST WHEN COVID HIT CHICAGO AND HIT THE WORLD, THE BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY RALLIED TOGETHER.

WE RAISED MONEY TO HELP PEOPLE THAT NEEDED FOOD.

WE HELPED SUPPORT THE LOCAL BUSINESSES.

SO I THINK ONE OF THE GREAT PARTS ABOUT ANDERSONVILLE IS IT IS A LOT OF LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES TO KEEP THEM OPEN.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN A LOT OF BUSINESSES CLOSE.

AS WE GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON WE'RE LOOKING FOR A ROBUST RECOVERY WHERE PEOPLE ARE SPENDING THEIR MONEY LOCALLY.

TOMORROW NIGHT WE HAVE A LATE NIGHT ANDERSONVILLE WHERE THE BUSINESSES WILL BE OPEN LATER IT IS A GREAT TIME TO VISIT ANDERSONVILLE AND SUPPORT THE SMALL BUSINESSES AND WE'VE DONE THAT THROUGH COVID AND WE ARE LOOKING FOR A GOOD ECONOMIC BOUNCE IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS AHEAD.

>> AND YOU ARE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO SHOP LOCAL.

>> SHOP LOCAL!

GET OFF THE COUCH, COME OUT AND VISIT ANDERSONVILLE GREAT RESTAURANTS AND GREAT BUSINESSES, GREAT PEOPLE.

IN EVERY PART OF CHICAGO PEOPLE SHOULD SUPPORT THEIR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> THE PUBLIC SAFETY IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR.

HAS ANDERSONVILLE SEEN AN UPTICK IN CRIME?

>> ANDERSONVILLE WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THAT CRIME IS NOT ESCALATED.

BUT I WOULD SAY IS PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIME IN EVERY CORNER OF THE CITY IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR ALL CHICAGOANS.

WE'RE VIGILANT HERE WE WORK TO MAKE SURE IT'S SAFE.

BUT I THINK EVERYONE IS CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY ACROSS THE CITY.

AND I THINK ALL OF US HAVE TO WORK ON THAT IN A MULTITUDE OF WAYS.

SUPPORTING HIRING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR JOBS AND SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, TRYING TO SUPPORT PEOPLE.

IT'S BEEN A TOUGH TIME FOR EVERYONE WITH COVID AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO LOOK AT IT HOLISTICALLY BUT KNOCK ON WOOD CRIME HAS NOT ESCALATED HERE.

>> AND YOU WANT BANKS TO DO A BETTER JOB OF LENDING TO BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGOANS FOR HOME PURCHASES AND BUSINESS LOANS.

WHAT LED TO THIS INITIATIVE?

>> BASICALLY THERE'S BEEN A LONG NEGATIVE HISTORY OF REDLINING AND OTHER THINGS WHERE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HISPANICS COULD NOT GET LOANS AND PRICED OUT OF NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT BANKS THAT ARE DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO ARE LENDING IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

GIVING PEOPLE A CHANCE TO HAVE A HOME, TO HAVE THE WEALTH THEY CAN GET FOR THEIR FAMILY THAT COMES FROM HOMEOWNER SHIP AND IT HELPS STABILIZE NEIGHBORHOODS.

SOMEONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET A LOAN LIKE SOMEONE IN ANDERSONVILLE.

THE CITY OF CHICAGO MEMBERS OF ALL PARTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL ARE WORKING ON THIS ISSUE.

I THINK WE WILL HAVE A HEARING IN THE FINANCE COMMITTEE NEXT WEEK ABOUT THE NEXT ROUND OF DEPOSITS.

AND THESE ARE BANKS DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY SO WE EXPECT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AFTER AND SUPPORTING RESIDENTS OF CHICAGO BUT SPECIFICALLY THOSE IN COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

>> THERE HAS BEEN A BIG DEBATE AND NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR THE WARD MAP.

YOU SIGNED ON THE BLACK CAUCUS MAP.

HOW COME?

>> WELL, IT'S A MAP THAT HAS BEEN WORKED ON THROUGH THE RULES COMMITTEE SUPPORTED BY MEMBERS OF THE BLACK CAUCUS AND ALDERMEN FROM THE NORTH SIDE AND SOME LATINO ALDERMEN.

SO WE LOOK AT IT IT IS A DIVERSE COALITION OF PEOPLE.

THE REALITY IS WE HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR TWO MONTHS TO DRAW THESE MAPS.

SO I THINK THAT THE GOAL THAT ALL OF US SHOULD HAVE IS TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE SITTING DOWN.

WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

LET'S BE REAL CLEAR... CHICAGO 2.7 MILLION CHICAGOANS WANT US THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO BE FOCUSED ON CRIME, SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS, CREATING AFFORDABLE HOUSING NOT FIGHT BEING WARD BOUNDARIES.

IT'S INHERENT ON THE MEMBERS TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK THIS OUT.

>> WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME BUT I NEED TO ASK THIS.

THE CTA BERWYN STOP WHEN CAN THEY EXPECT CONSTRUCTION TO BE FINISHED?

>> IT WILL BE ABOUT THREE YEARS BUT PEOPLE CAN GET OFF AT BREAK-IN MEYER OR ARGYLE, PLEASE COME UP AND VISIT THE SMALL BUSINESSES HERE IN ANDERSONVILLE.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> STAY WITH US COMING UP WE HAVE THE DIRECTOR OF THE POP-UP AND WE'RE LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE CHICAGO'S FAIR TRADE.

FIRST, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT, PREVIEWING THE BEARS CARDINALS MATCHUP BUT WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE ON GAME DAY?

HERE'S A LOOK.

[♪♪♪] >> EXPECT DRAMA OUT OF HALAS HALL HAS CALMED DOWN WITH THE BEARS COMING OFF WITH A WIN.

THIS SUNDAY A MUCH TOUGHER OPPONENT AWAITS WITH SUPER BOWL CONTENDING ARIZONA CARDINALS.

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

BIG CAT GREAT TO SEE YOU.

THE BEARS END THEIR LOSING STREAK ON THANKSGIVING WITH THAT THRILLING WALK OFF FIELD GOAL.

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THEIR PERFORMANCE CAPPING OFF A STRANGE WEEK?

>> YEAH, IT WAS A LONG WEEK YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE FOR THE COACHES AND FOR THE PLAYERS.

THERE WERE A LOT OF DISTRACTIONS AT HALAS HALL THAT LAST WEEK AND FOR THEM TO PULL OUT A WIN NO MATTER HOW UGLY IT WAS, IT WAS STILL A WIN AND IT WAS A WIN THAT THEY NEEDED.

NOT SO MUCH A WIN THAT THEY NEEDED TO TRY AND SAVE THE COACH'S JOB OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT A WIN THAT THEY NEEDED AS A GROUP, AS A TREATMENT TO SAY THAT LOOK -- TEAM, LET'S PLAY HARD WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO PLAY FOR.

AND YOU KIND OF TAKE IT PERSONAL AND GO OUT THERE AND DO AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TO GET A WIN.

JUST TO SHOW YOURSELVES THAT YOU CAN DO IT.

>> AND FIELDS NO DOUBT IS THE FUTURE AT THE QUARTERBACK POSITION THE ORGANIZATION CONSIDERS HIM TO BE THE FRANCHISE QUARTERBACK.

BUT IS HE TOO INJURIED TO PLAY THIS WEEKEND?

IF SO HOW HAS ANDY DALTON PLAYED?

>> I THINK WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A YOUNG QUARTERBACK LIKE FIELDS AND TALKING ABOUT YOUR FUTURE FRANCHISE, I THINK YOU HAVE TO BE A LITTLE OVERCAUTIOUS BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT HIM GOING OUT AND HURTING HIMSELF FURTHER.

HE IS A YOUNG GUY.

HE HAS A LOT OF TALENT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS HE CAN DO ON THE FIELD BUT YOU DON'T WANT HIM PUTTING HIMSELF IN HARM'S WAY WHEN HE DOESN'T HAVE TO.

WE WANT TO SEE HIM GROW AND PROGRESS AS A YOUNG QUARTERBACK.

BUT WE ALSO DON'T WANT TO GET HIM KILLED BEFORE HIS TIME COMES TO PLAY.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF HARD HITS HE HAS SUSTAINED.

AND THE BEARS TAKE ON THE 9-2 CARDINALS, TOPS IN THE NFC WEST, MURRAY QUARTERBACK IS SUPPOSED TO BE COMING BACK AND THE BEARS DEFENSE HAS LOTS OF INJURIES.

HOW ARE THEY GOING TO STOP THIS QUARTERBACK?

>> WELL, IT'S A GUESSING GAME RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHO IS STARTING.

IF KYLE MURRAY STARTS THEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A QUARTERBACK THAT CAN HOLD ON TO THE BALL, PUSH THE BALL DOWN THE FIELD AND THE WEAPONS THEY HAVE AND MAKE THOSE BIG EXCITING PLAYS.

IF McKOY STARTS NOW YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A GUY THAT WILL BE A GAME MANAGER.

HE WILL THROW THE SHORT AND QUICK PASSES THEY WILL RUN THE BALL AND RUN THE SCREENPLAYS AND MOVE THE BALL UP AND DOWN THE FIELD ON THE BEARS.

AND FORCE THE BEARS TO STOP THEM.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE A QUESTION ABOUT HOW MUCH PRESSURE DO THE BEARS TRY AND PUT ON THEM?

DO THEY TRY AND BLITZ OR TRY AND PLAY PRESS COVERAGE BECAUSE McKOY IS IN THERE AND THEY WANT TO STOP THE SHORT PASSES.

HE HAS NOT SHOWN THAT ABILITY TO THROW THE BALL DOWN FIELD.

>> THE BRIGHT SPOT HAS BEEN ROBERT QUINN MAYBE HE IS GET BETTER ON WHOEVER THE QUARTERBACK IS.

ON THE OFFENSIVE SIDE ROBINSON DINGED UP.

DO YOU SEE THEM BEING ABLE TO EXPLOIT ARIZONA'S DEFENSE IN THE RUNNING OR THE PASSING GAME?

>> THERE HAVE TO ATTEMPT TO RUN THE BALL.

I THINK THE THREAT OF THE -- STRENGTH OF THE ARIZONA DEFENSE IS THEIR SECONDARY.

THEIR BALL HAWKS.

THEY GET AFTER PEOPLE THEY WILL PRESS YOU AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.

AND THEY ARE ABLE TO GENERATE PRESSURE FROM THAT FRONT SEVEN.

I THINK THEY ARE 8TH IN THE LEAGUE IN SACKS RIGHT NOW.

THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO PUT PRESSURE ON YOU.

THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO SHUT YOUR WIDE RECEIVERS DOWN.

YOU KNOW, RUNNING THE BALL IS, I THINK, THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO ATTACK A TEAM LIKE ARIZONA.

BUT YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO AND YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO STICK WITH IT.

>> I WANT TO GET BACK TO THE GAME THERE ARE REPORTS THIS WEEK PREDICTING THAT PERHAPS ONE OF THE TOP RECEIVERS ADAMS COULD LAND WITH THE BEARS NEXT YEAR.

DO YOU THINK THAT IS A POSSIBILITY GIVEN THE FACT THAT RECEIVERS DON'T FARE WELL IN CHICAGO OVER THE LAST FEW DECADES?

>> YOU HAVE TO -- MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION RIGHT NOW WITH THE STATE OF THE BEARS, YOU HAVE TO QUESTION WHETHER A PLAYER OF HIS MAGNITUDE WOULD WANT TO COME HERE AFTER SEEING ROBINSON THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THE WAY HE HAS BEEN HANDLED AS FAR AS THE CONTRACTS STUFF AND JUST THEIR INABILITY TO GET HIM THE BALL.

NEW COMING INTO THIS YEAR THAT ROBINSON WAS THE NUMBER ONE WIDE RECEIVER.

AND THEY JUST HAVE NOT MADE THE ATTEMPTS TO GET HIM THE BALL LIKE A NUMBER ONE RECEIVER.

SO THAT WOULD HAVE TO WEIGH HEAVY ON MY MIND AS FAR AS IF I WAS A RECEIVER THINKING ABOUT COMING TO THE BEARS.

>> MIGHT BE TOUGH SELL.

ALL RIGHT YOUR PREDICTION FOR THIS SUNDAY.

>> I JUST DON'T YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT 9-2 ARIZONA TEAM THEY HAVE HAD A BACKUP QUARTERBACK IN FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS AND THEY'VE GONE 2-1.

THEY FIGURED OUT HOW TO WORK WITH WHAT THEY'VE GOT.

I DON'T SEE THE BEARS BEING STRONG ENOUGH WITH ALL THE INJURIES THAT YOU HAVE ON DEFENSE, POSSIBILITY OF FIELDS NOT PLAYING, ROBINSON NOT PLAYING I CAN'T SEE THEM PULLING THIS OFF.

I'M GOING 13-24, ARIZONA.

>> MAYBE THE BEARS CAN PLAY SPOILER AT 4-7.

OUR THANKS TO JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> UP NEXT WE CHECK BACK IN WITH JOANNA HERNANDEZ REPORTING LIVE FROM CHICAGO'S ANDERSONVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD.

FIRST A LOOK AT SOME EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND.

WE THEK BACK IN WITH JOANNA.

>> WE'RE HERE WITH KATHERINE BISSELL CORDOVA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR CHICAGO FAIR TRADE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> I WANT TO START OFF FOR THOSE NOT FAMILIAR WITH WHAT FAIR TRADE IS HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE IT?

>> IT IS A BUSINESS MODEL AND A MOVEMENT USING BUSINESS AS A FORCE FOR GOOD.

WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING FAIR TRADE THAT MEANS THAT THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT OFTEN THEY ARE MADE BY PEOPLE WORKING IN COOPERATIVES THAT ARE PAID A FAIR WAGE, HAVE DEMOCRATIC SAFE WORKPLACES AND WORK IN ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND PRACTICES, ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY THERE'S NO CHILD LABOR.

IT'S FOLLOWING THE GOLDEN RULE WITH BUSINESS AND DOING UNTO OTHERS -- DOING THE RIGHT THING.

>> AND WHAT PASSION SPARKED YOU TO START THIS?

>> I STARTED WORKING FOR CHICAGO FAIR TRADE I WAS A BUSINESS MEMBER AND THEN THE BOARD CHAIR AND HIRED AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN 2014 AND I HAD WORKED FOR FAIR TRADE BUSINESS AND POP-UPS WERE BECOMING POPULAR AND WE HAD SMALL BUSINESSES WHERE THEY CANNOT BE EVERYWHERE.

I SUGGEST WE DO A POP-UP.

THIS IS OUR EIGHTH ANNUAL HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP AND IT'S BECOME MY FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB.

I LOVE MY JOB BUT I LOVE NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.

>> WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT?

>> PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED.

IT IS A 6,000 SQUARE-FOOT.

WE LOOK LIKE WE ARE A PERMANENT STORE WE TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.

WE TRANSFORMED IT INTO A WINTER WONDERLAND AND THEY CAN FIND GOODS FROM 25 BUSINESSES LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES.

OVER 90% ARE WOMEN OWNED.

AND THEY WORK WITH MAKERS AND FARMERS AROUND THE GLOBE AS WELL AS LOCAL SOCIAL ENTERPRISES HERE AND WHEN YOU GO IN YOU CAN FIND HIGH QUALITY BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE GOODS THERE'S FOOD, COFFEE, CHOCOLATE, SLIPPERS, BLANKETS, ORNAMENTS, CLOTHING, THERE'S ALL SORTS OF ITEMS.

>> AND HOW WOULD YOU SAY THAT COVID IMPACTED THE BUSINESSES WITHIN THE CHICAGO FAIR TRADE COALITION?

>> IT IMPACTED THEM A LOT.

THERE'S SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES PEOPLE WITH CONTAINERS THAT ARE STUCK BUT THEY ARE RESILIENT IT IS NOT THE EASIEST WAY TO DO BUSINESS FAIR TRADE IT IS A RESILIENT PASSION AND DEDICATED GROUP.

I'M HAPPY TO SAY NONE OF OUR MEMBERS CLOSED DURING COVID.

WE HAVE THEY ARE ALL GOING STRONG AND A LOT HELPED RAISE MONEY TO SEND FOOD AND NECESSITIES DURING COVID AND NOW THEY ARE BACK TO SELLING THEIR PRODUCTS AND YEAH, CREATING NEW PRODUCTS.

>> CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE HOURS?

HOW LONG IS THE POP-UP GOING TO BE?

>> WE'RE OPEN NOVEMBER 1 OPEN THROUGH DECEMBER 24 FROM 11-7.

WE'RE CLOSED MONDAYS BUT WE WILL BE OPEN THE LAST MONDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

52 TWO 8 NORTH CLARK STREET.

IT'S CHICAGO FAIR TRADE INSIDE.

>> AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT PARIS I HEARD YOU HAD A QUESTION FOR ME?

>> YOU SPENT THE DAY IN THE SECOND HIPPEST NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE WORLD WHAT.

DID YOU TAKEAWAY?

>> I MEAN I DON'T LIVE TOO FAR OFF I GREW UP IN ROGERS PARK AND IT FEELS COOL.

YOU WALK AROUND EVERYONE IS FRIENDLY AND IT'S YOU CAN FEEL THE INCLUSIVITY AND HOWEVER ONE WANTS TO UNDERSTAND EVERYONE.

IF YOU NEED TO FIND SOMETHING COOL FOR CHRISTMAS, THIS IS THE PLACE TO SHOP.

>> AND THAT IS ALL WE HAVE FROM ANDERSONVILLE.

>> YOU CAN GET INCLUDING AT SIMON'S -- CLUG AT SIMON'S TAVERN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS.

>> THAT IS ALL FROM US HERE.

TAKE CARE.

>> AND WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YouTube AND OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT TOIN 7:00 P.M. FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

AND WE LEAVE YOU WITH MORE FROM TODAY'S GOLD STAR FAMILY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AT THE THOMPSON CENTER.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.