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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

HERE IN OUR NORTHWEST SIDE STUDIO.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN REPORTING LIVE FROM CHICAGO'S SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> IT'S NOT AN ASPIRATION, IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE.

>> A WHITE HOUSE COVID ADVISER ON KEEPING EQUITY FRONT AND CENTER IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING SURE THAT WE GET OUR FAIR SHARE OF THE REVENUES FROM THIS.

>> A DIVIDED CITY COUNCIL WILL DISPID WHETHER SPORTS BETTING WILL BE ALLOWED IN APENAS AND STADIUMS.

>> I THINK IT WAS THE FIRST CHALLENGE.

>> RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN SOUTH SHORE ARE STILL FACING OTHER CHALLENGES AND LOOKING AHEAD TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S FUTURE.

>> TOUCHDOWN PACKERS.

>> CAN THE BEARS PREVENT AARON ROJERS FROM OWNING THE TEAM IN THE PRIMETIME MATCHUP AGAINST THE GREEN BAY PACKERS?

I'M ANGEL IDOWU COMING UP I WILL INTRODUCE YOU TO A LOCAL ARTIST WHO IS TURNING CASHMERE SWEATERS INTO STUFFIES.

>> AND OUR SISTER STATION WFMT MARKS 70 YEARS ON THE AIR.

WE LOOK BACK ON HIGHLIGHTS AND AHEAD TO MONDAY'S FULL DAY CELEBRATION.

>> AND PARIS, I'M IN SOUTH SHORE WHERE I WILL BE COANCHORING AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

THIS COMMUNITY CONSTITUENTS JUST SOUTH OF JACKSON PARK OF COURSE THE FUTURE HOME OF THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER BUT NOT EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY HERE IS ON THE SAME PAGE ABOUT THE OPENING OF THAT LIBRARY.

ALSO SOME RESIDENTS ARE FACING A GROWING LAKE MICHIGAN.

IT'S EATING AWAY AT BEACHES AND CAUSING DAMAGE.

WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THAT AND MORE IN A FEW MINUTES.

PARIS?

>> YOU ARE RIGHT BY THE CULTURAL CENTER WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

NOW TO TOP STORIES, A COOK COUNTY JURY FOUND FORMER EMPIRE ACTOR JUSSIE SMOLLETT GUILTY ON FIVE COUNTS OF DISORDERLY CONDUCT MAKING A FALSE REPORT TO CHICAGO POLICE.

SMOLLETT SAYS HE WAS THE VICTIM OF A HATE CRIME AN ATTACK THE PROSECUTORS SAY HE STAGED.

A FALSE CRIME REPORT IS A CLASS 4 FELONY.

SMOLLETT COULD FACE UP TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON AND A $25,000 FINE ON EACH COUNT.

SPECIAL PROSECUTOR DAN WEBB SAYS THE VERDICT SHOWS HE BELIEVES SMOLLETT LIED ON THE WITNESS STAND AND WILL MAKE THAT POINT DURING SENTENCING NEXT YEAR.

SMOLLETT IS EXPECTED BACK IN COURT IN JANUARY.

>> CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ALSO CONSIDER SETTLING THE LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY ANJANETTE YOUNG.

SOURCES TELL WTTW NEWS AN AGREEMENT IS CLOSE BUT NOT YET FINAL.

THE PAYMENT TO YOUNG WOULD BE SUBSTANTIAL LIKELY TOTALING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

THE SOCIAL WORKER WAS LEFT-HAND CUFFED NAKED AND PLEADING FOR HELP DURING A BOTCHED POLICE RAID IN FEBRUARY 2019.

IT COMES NEARLY A YEAR AFTER CBS AIRED VIDEO OF THAT RAID.

THE CITY COUNCIL'S FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS MONDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. FOR MORE VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

>> TOM DART IS CALLING ON CAR MANUFACTURERS HELP CURB CARJACKINGS TO CREATE STANDIZED METHODS FOR TRACKING VEHICLES.

MOST CARS SOLD AFTER 2015 HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO BE TRACKED AND TWO-THIRDS STOLEN ARE 2015 MODELS OR NEWER.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS IT IS A PROCESS THAT OFTEN RELIES ON THE CARJACKING VICTIM TO NAVIGATE.

CARJACKINGS INCREASED AROUND 43% IN COOK COUNTY THIS YEAR COMPARED TO 2020.

>> AND UP NEXT THE DEBATE OVER IN ARENA SPORTS BETTING IN CHICAGO SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> IT'S TURNED INTO A HIGH STAKES BATTLE FEATURING CHICAGO'S SPORTS TEAMS, AND MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND A CASINO OPERATOR.

CITY COUNCIL TABLED A PLAN TO ALLOW INSTADIUM SPORTS BETTING.

AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION ARE MARA GEORGES AN ATTORNEY AT GEORGES & SYNOWIECKI REPRESENTING UNITED CENTER AND WRIGLEY FIELD HOLDINGS.

AND SUZANNE LECKERT A MANAGER PARTNER AT CONVERGENCE STRATEGY GROUP REPRESENTING NEIL BLUHM THAT HAS TWO BIDS FOR THE POTENTIAL CHICAGO CASINO.

OPPONENTS OF INSTADIUM SPORTSBOOK BETTING SAY IT WILL EAT AWAY AT POTENTIAL REVENUES OF THE YET TO BE BUILT CHICAGO CASINO.

IS THAT TRUE.

>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE.

EVEN THE CITY'S INDEPENDENT STUDY HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT CASINO REVENUES HAVE NO -- SPORTSBOOK HAVE NO IMPACT ON CASINO REVENUES.

EVEN IF YOU WERE TO SAY SPORTSBOOK COMPRISES 1-2% OF CASINO REVENUES THAT IS' NEGLIGIBLE AMOUNT THAT HAS LITTLE IMPACT ON THE REVENUES OF CASINOS.

>> AND SUZANNE LECKERT YOU ARE REPRESENTING RUSH STREET GAMING THAT HAS TWO BIDS OUT THERE FOR A CHICAGO CASINO.

IF THIS ORDINANCE PASSES HOW WILL THIS IMPACT THE RUSH STREET GAMING CHICAGO CASINO?

>> FIRST OFF I WANT TO SAY YOU KNOW, I HAVE NOT HAD BEEN AFFORDED THE CHANCE TO REVIEW THIS UNION GAMING STUDY.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT.

BUT TO AT THAT TIME POINT, SPORTSBOOK REVENUES MAKEUP ABOUT 1% TO CASINO REVENUES.

HOWEVER, THAT DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE BUMP ON THE CASINO FLOOR FROM THE SPORTS BETTERS THAT ARE BROUGHT IN.

FIRST I WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT.

BUT OUR STUDY WHERE WE LOOKED AT THE IMPACT OF SPORTSBOOKS ON BRICK AND MORTAR CASINOS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IT SHOWS THAT THE HIT TO A CASINO IN CHICAGO SHOULD BE ABOUT 8.6% OF GAMING REVENUE.

THAT IS SLOT AND TABLE REVENUES BECAUSE ARE YOU NOT BRINGING IN A PARTICULAR DEMOGRAPHIC.

THAT YOUNGER DEMOGRAPHIC THAT THE SPORTSBOOKS ARE ATTRACTING.

THAT STUDY IS BASED ON [INAUDIBLE] THAT STUDY DID NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE FACT THAT THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN SPORTSBOOKS WITHIN THE SPORTS VENUE WILL BE SPENDING MONEY AT THE SPORTS VENUE, WILL BE SPENDING MONEY THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

EVEN IF THEY DON'T GO TO A CASINO AND SPEND THEIR MONEY AT A CASINO THEY WILL BE SPENDING MONEY AT OPERATIONS THAT GENERATE TAX REVENUE FOR THE CITY.

AND THIS IS REALLY ABOUT GENERATING THAT TAX REVENUE FOR THE CITY.

AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THE POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT AND JOBS THAT SPORTSBOOK IN THE SPORTS VENUES WILL HAVE FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> SO THERE'S DISAGREEMENT HERE ON SOME OF THE STATISTICS OR HOW THE CONCLUSIONS WERE DRAWN.

SUZANNE LECKERT, IF Mr. BLUHM THE HEAD OF RUSH STREET GAME SOMETHING NOT WORRIED ABOUT ON-LINE SPORTS GAMBLING IS HAPPENING AND THAT MAKES UP THE MAJORITY OF THE SPORTS BETTING THAT HAPPENS TO THIS POINT.

IF HE IS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THAT WHY IS HE CONCERNED ABOUT IN-PERSON SPORTS GAMBLING?

>> SO, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CASINO GAMING INDUSTRY.

THE GAMING INDUSTRY FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS HAS BEEN LOOKING AT DIFFERENT WAYS OF BRINGING IN A YOUNGER DEMOGRAPHIC.

YOUR TYPICAL CASINO GAMER IS A MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN.

AND CASINO GAMING HAS NOT BEEN ATTRACTIVE TO THE YOUNGER DEMOGRAPHICS.

SPORTS BETTING HAS BEEN THE MOST PROMISING DEVELOPMENT IN BRICKS AND MORTAR CASINOS IN THE U.S. BAR NONE.

THAT IS WHY THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH EXCITEMENT ABOUT IT.

AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS EVERY SINGLE JURISDICTION THAT HAS ADDED SPORTS BETTING TO BRICKS AND MORTAR FACILITIES THEY HAVE SEEN SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN CASINO GAMING REVENUES.

THOSE SLOT AND TABLE REVENUES HAVE GONE UP DRAMATICALLY.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE CASINO.

MARA GEORGES, IF THE VAST MAJORITY IS DONE ON-LINE WHAT MAKES SPORTS OWNERS BELIEVE IT CAN MAKE A DENT IF THEY BUILD SPORTS BOOKS IN THE STADIUM?

>> THIS IS ABOUT IMPROVING THE FAN EXPERIENCE.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR CHICAGO YOUR R, OUR HOMETOWNS SPORTS TEAMS THAT CARE ABOUT CHICAGO, CARE ABOUT THEIR FANS AND WANT TO PROVIDE THEIR FANS WITH THE BEST EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE.

I CAN TELL YOU, MY 90-YEAR-OLD AUNT WILL GO TO A CUBS GAME AND WHILE AT A CUBS GAME SHE IS LIKELY TO PLACE A BET ON A CUBS GAME.

SHE IS NOT GOING TO GO TO A CASINO AND BET ANY MONEY AT THE CASINO.

THIS IS ABOUT GENERATING REVENUE BASED ON ACTIVITY THAT WAS AUTHORIZED BY GOVERNOR PRITZKER AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH AN OVERWHELMING SUPPORT BY THE BLACK CAUCUS IN 2019.

TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS AGO THIS IS ACTIVITY THAT IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE STATE, JUST NOT IN CHICAGO.

SO CHICAGO'S NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE TAX GENERATION, THE JOB CREATION THAT SPORTSBOOKS PROVIDE.

>> WHAT YOU ARE SAYING DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHICS WILL GO INTO THE CASINO OR ON-LINE OR IN-PERSON SPORTSBOOK.

SUZANNE LECKERT NEIL BLUHM RUSH STREET GAMING THEY HAVE TWO OF THE FIVE BIDS TO GET THE CHICAGO CASINO MIGHT THEY PULL OUT IF THE CITY COUNCIL PASSES THE ORDINANCE TO ALLOW SPORTSBOOKS AND TO TAX IT AT 2%?

>> WELL, I CAN'T SAY WHETHER OR NOT MY CLIENT WOULD PULL OUT.

HOWEVER, WHEN WE CRUNCH THE NUMBERS THIS POTENTIAL LOSS IN REVENUE MAKES A REALLY TIGHT PROPOSITION EVEN TIGHTER.

AND IT COULD MAKE A CHICAGO LICENSE UNVIABLE.

>> AND YOU'RE MENTIONING THAT ON TOP OF THE TAXES THAT THE CITY HAS TO PAY.

>> I JUST VIEW THAT PARIS, THE CITY'S INDEPENDENT STUDY HAS SHOWN THAT SPORTSBOOK REVENUES MAKEUP AT THE MOST 1% OF CASINO REVENUES.

AND AS I SAID, THE STUDY CITED HERE IS A FLAWED STUDY IT IS A BIASED STUDY.

EVEN BALLY'S ONE OF THE CASINO BIDDERS PUT OUT A WRITTEN STATEMENT SAYING THEY HAVE NO OBJECTION TO THE ORDINANCE.

IT'S FUNNY HOW THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS AN OBJECTION TO ALLOWING SPORTS BETTING IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO IS A PERSPECTIVE WHO HAS A SPORTSBOOK IN THE SUBURBS.

>> THERE'S DIFFERENT STUDIES SOME FOLKS HAVE SEEN SOME.

SUZANNE LECKERT WHAT ABOUT THAT THAT BALLIES DOES NOT SEE THIS AS A PROBLEM?

>> I CANNOT ANSWER WHAT POSITION THEY ARE TRYING TO PUT THEMSELVES IN TO WIN THE LICENSE I CANNOT SPEAK TO THAT.

>> I WANT TO GO TO THE MAYOR'S SHIFTING POSITION IN 2019 THE MAYOR OPPOSED THE IDEA OF SPORTS BETTING SHE SAID... NOW THE MAYOR IS IN FULL SUPPORT OF THIS.

MARA GEORGES WHAT CHANGED THE MAYOR'S MIND, DO YOU THINK?

>> HER OWN INDEPENDENT STUDY YOU HAVE GRANT GROVER WHO TESTIFIED TWICE BEFORE A JOINT COMMITTEE AND PROVIDED A SLIDE DECK TO THE JOINT COMMITTEE.

HE HAS TESTIFIED AND FROM CBRE FORMERLY UNION GAMING AND TESTIFIED THERE IS NO CANNIBALIZATION HERE IF SPORTSBOOKS WERE ALLOWED TO OPEN IN SPORTS VENUES.

THERE IS NO IMPACT ON THE VIABILITY OF A CHICAGO CASINO IF THIS ORDINANCE PASSES.

>> WE HAVE A FEW SECONDS, THE TIME WORD WHAT ABOUT YOU?

THE MAYOR HAD YOUR POSITION BEFORE AND NOW SHE HAS DONE A 180.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT IS ABOUT?

>> WELL, WITHOUT SEEING THIS UNION GAMING STUDY I CANNOT SAY FOR SURE.

BUT I CAN SAY THAT EVERY SINGLE MARKET THAT WE'VE LOOKED AT WE'VE SEEN THE SPORTSBOOKS HAVE GIVEN A BUMP TO THE CASINO FLOOR AND ANYBODY THAT IS SAYING OTHERWISE, IS I WOULD LOVE TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT.

THAT IS NOT WHAT THE DATA BEARS OUT AND TO THE WHAT WE BELIEVE IN MY 15 YEARS IN THE GAMING INDUSTRY THAT IS NOT WHAT WE THINK.

>> THERE'S LOBBYING ON THIS AS WE'RE SPEAKING I UNDERSTAND AND THERE WILL BE A LIKELY HEARING MONDAY AND PERHAPS THEY VOTE AGAIN.

TO BE CONTINUED.

AND OUR THANKS TO MARA GEORGES AND SUZANNE LECKERT THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND TODAY THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER ANNOUNCED THAT A NUMBER OF ITS SPACES WILL BE NAMED FOR HISTORIC HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS FIGURED LIKE HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR ELLY VERY SELL AND BLACK ASTRONAUT MAY JAMESON.

ONE NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE CENTER'S IMPACT ON LONG TIME RESIDENTS.

TALKING ABOUT THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY SOUTH OF JACKSON PARK ALONG LAKE MICHIGAN ALSO A POINT OF CONCERN FOR RESIDENTS.

IT'S TONIGHT'S STOP ON OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" WHERE BRANDIS FRIEDMAN JOINING US NOW.

BRANDIS LET'S START WITH THE LAKEFRONT AND THE CONCERNS PEOPLE HAVE THERE >> YES, PARIS, IN SHORT IT'S EROSION.

RESIDENTS SAY THAT HIGH LAKE LEVELS CAUSED BEACHES TO SHRINK AND DAMAGE TO INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO NEIGHBORS FORMED THE SOUTH SIDE LAKEFRONT EROSION TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

AND OVER THE SUMMER THEIR EFFORTS RAMPED UP AFTER THAT TRAGIC CONDOMINIUM COLLAPSE IN SURFSIDE, FLORIDA.

SHARON LOUIS LIVES HERE IN SOUTH SHORE SINCE THE 1960s.

AND HER BUILDING HAS A BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF LAKE MICHIGAN A DEFINING PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.

>> THE LAKE, OF COURSE, MAKES IT SPECIAL.

THE SOUTH SHORE CULTURAL SPECIAL IS THE JEWEL OF THE PEOPLE.

AND THE PEOPLE.

THERE ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE, COMMITTED PEOPLE, WILLING TO GET INVOLVED AND I HAVE TO SAY IF WE'RE INVOLVED OUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVOLVED AS WELL.

SO WE ARE WORKING WELL WITH OUR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND HOPING TO GET POSITIVE OUTCOMES.

>> BUT IN RECENT YEARS, HIGH LAKE LEVELS AND WINTER STORMS HAVE CAUSED STREETS AND SEWERS TO FLOOD AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO LAKEFRONT PROPERTIES.

SHARON LOUIS IS PART OF THAT TASK FORCE THAT WANTS PROTECTIONS FOR 73rd STREET AND 73rd PLACE.

THEY ARE STILL GETTING A LOT OF DAMAGE FROM THE LAKE FORCE STORMS.

THAT'S A BIG ISSUE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE STREET WE'RE ON RIGHT NOW, 73rd STREET IT USED TO BE THREE OR FOUR FEET LOWER THIS HAS BEEN BUILT UP.

AND WHAT WE SEE ARE SINK HOLE AS PEERING WHEN THE STORMS OCCUR.

>> AND THE TASK FORCE IS PROPOSING A BREAK WATER AT 73rd STREET AND 73rd PLACE TO ELIMINATE THE FLOODING.

IT'S ESTIMATED TO COST $5 MILLION THEY HOPE TO HAVE IT COMPLETED AROUND 2022-23.

AND THE EFFECTS OF THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER IT IS ANOTHER SOURCE OF CONCERN.

THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT COALITION THE CBA HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT IT SINCE THE LIBRARY WAS ANNOUNCED TO BE GOING TO JACKSON PARK.

DIXON ROMEO SAYS WHILE THEY ARE PROUD TO THE FORMER PRESIDENT, ACTIVISTS FEAR THEY ARE A SEEING VEN SHALL DISPLACEMENT.

>> YOU KNOW, Mr. JOHNSON YOU'VE BEEN LIVING HERE 30 YEARS, BUT I CAN DO NOTHING TO THIS UNIT, I CAN INCREASE THE PRICE BY 20, 40% AND GET SOMEONE ELSE IN HERE.

YOU KNOW THAT IS WHAT FOLKS WILL DO IF THERE ARE NOT PROTECTIONS PUT IN PLACE LIKE WE'VE ADVANCED TO INSURE THAT RENTERS CAN STAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND BECOME HOME OPENERS AND THAT WE HAVE PROTECTIONS FOR OUR HOMEOWNERS >> THE COALITION MADE A NUMBER OF REQUESTS TO PROTECT LONG TIME RESIDENTS FOR ESTABLISHING A LOAN FUND FOR REHABILITATIONS TO MAKING SURE THERE'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING SET ASIDE.

BUT HE SAYS SOME OF THE DEMANDS WON'T COST THE CITY ANYTHING LIKE GRANTING LONG TIME RESIDENTS THE RIGHT TO RETURN.

FIFTH WARD ALDERPERSON HARRISON HAS NOT RECEIVED THE DEMANDS AND SHE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY COMPACT A GROUP OF 30 ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS COMMUNITY AND OF COURSE THEY PLAN ON MAKING PUBLIC WHAT IT IS THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT IS HAPPENING SOON.

OF COURSE FOR SOME THERE IS PLENTY OF EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE OBAMA CENTER COMING IN NEARBY.

WE SPOKE WITH THE OWNER OF MAJANI RESTAURANT A SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT.

WE FIRST MET THEM LAST YEAR AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

ON THE SECOND DAY OF OUR COVID ACROSS COUNTRY SERIES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

CHEF TSADAKEEYAH EMMANUEL SAYS IT PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HIS BUSINESS HE HAS HAD A CHANCE TO CATER AND MEET THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND BELIEVES A RISING TIDE CAN LIFT ALL BOATS.

IN FACT HIS BUSINESS WAS CLOSED TODAY BECAUSE OF STAFFING SHORTAGES.

SOMETHING RESTAURANTS ARE EXPERIENCING ACROSS THE CITY DURING THIS PHASE OF THE PANDEMIC.

HE CAME IN TO MEET WITH US AND HAPPENED TO CATCH A PHONE CALL ABOUT A CATERING ORDER FOR TOMORROW BUT IT IS A PROBLEM THAT STARTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR AND INTENSIFIED OVER THE SUMMER.

>> LIKE ROLLING BLACKOUTS WE HAD TO CLOSE ONE RESTAURANT TO BRING THE TAF TO ANOTHER RESTAURANT.

WE MANAGED THE BEST WE COULD.

BUT WE'VE TRIED TO HOSPITAL AT 11:00 REGARDLESS AND WE HAD TO LET GO.

TODAY WE CANNOT.

WE HAVE TO GO WITH WHAT IS PRESENTED TO US.

>> CHEF HAS EXPERIENCED HIS SHARE OF SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES MAKING ADJUSTMENTS IF SOMETHING CANNOT BE DELIVERED ON TIME OR AT ALL.

WE WILL HEAR FROM ANOTHER COMMUNITY GROUP WORKING ON REIMAGINING THE COMMUNITY OF SOUTH SHORE AND WE WILL HEAR FROM THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THIS AREA TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE RISING LAKE LEVELS AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PROTECT RESIDENTS AND THEIR HOMES.

BACK TO YOU.

>> HOPE CHEF GETS STAFF BACK IN THERE.

I LOVE MAJANI RESTAURANT, IT IS A GREAT PLACE.

>> COVID CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE SURGING DOCTORS BELIEVE THAT IS DUE TO THE DELTA VARIANT IT'S EXPECTED ILLINOIS WILL SEE MORE CASES OF THE OMICRON VARIANT AS WELL.

OUR AMANDA VINICKY SPOKE WITH A KEY WHITE HOUSE ADVISER ABOUT HOW THE NATION IS READY TO TACKLE IT WITH AN EYE TOWARD EQUITY.

AMANDA JOINS US NOW WITH THE RUNDOWN.

>> PARIS IT BECAME CLEAR EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC THAT BLACK AND BROWN POPULATIONS WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY THE CORONAVIRUS.

Dr. CAMERON WEBB SAW THAT PLAY OUT IN VIRGINIA AND THAT HAS INFORMED HIS ROLE AS SENIOR POLICY ADVISER TO THE WHITE HOUSE COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM.

>> I THINK THAT THE PROGRESS YOU KNOW, FOR A LOT OF GROUPS IS THERE.

IF YOU LOOK NATIONALLY THE RATE OF CASES, THE RATE OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS ALL MUCH IMPROVED IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND RELATIVE TO WHITE AMERICANS.

SO WE'VE SEEN STRONG IMPROVEMENT AND WE OWE A LOT OF THAT TO THE VACCINATION EFFORT AND IF YOU LOOK AT VACCINE SPECIFICALLY AMONG ADULTS C.D.C.

PUTS OUT A SURVEY EVERY WEEK TO GET A SENSE WHERE WE ARE WITH THE VACCINATION EFFORT AND THE RATES OF VACCINATION AMONG ADULTS ARE EQUIVALENT BETWEEN BLACK, WHITE AND LATINO ADULTS.

THAT IS GOOD NEWS IT TELLS US THAT EQUITY CONTRARY TO WHAT SOME BELIEVE IT IS NOT AN ASPIRATION IT'S SOMETHING YOU CAN ACHIEVE IF YOU CENTER IT.

>> LIKE RECOGNIZING HISTORICAL AND DYNAMICS OF COMMUNITIES IN KEEPING THAT AS A PRIORITY.

ALSO, AGAIN, KEY PART OF THAT OUTREACH, THE COVID VACCINE SAT LAY WILL MARK ONE YEAR SINCE THE F.D.A.

GAVE EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION TO THE FIRST PFIZER COVID-19 VACCINE FOR ADULT USE.

BLUT BUT BLACK AND BROWN INDIVIDUALS ARE FALLING BEHIND IN ILLINOIS WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING THE BOOSTER SHOT THAT DOCTORS BELIEVE WILL GIVE EXTRA PROTECTION AGAINST THE OMICRON VARIANT.

Dr. WEBB SAID GIVE IT TIME THAT BOOSTER EFFORT IS RELATIVELY NEW.

>> KEEP IN MIND THE ORIGINAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BOOSTERS WERE FOCUSED ON THE OVER 65 POPULATION AND FOLKS WITH RISK.

THERE ARE DEMOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCE.

THE C.D.C.

'S RECOMMENDATION ABOUT A WEEK-AND-A-HALF AGO SAYING ALL ADULTS SHOULD GET BOOSTERS, THAT IS WHEN YOU START THAT CONVERSATION AROUND HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE THAT ALL ADULTS ARE GETTING THE BOOSTERS.

AND WE'RE WORKING OVERTIME TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS.

WORKING WITH COMMUNITY, FAITH, AND PARTNERS ON THE GROUND IN COMMUNITIES.

THE KEY IS MAKING SURE KNOW WHY THAT SCIENTIFIC RECOMMENDATION WAS MADE AND WHERE THEY CAN GO TO GET THEIR BOOSTERS.

>> AS OF TODAY, THE C.D.C.

RECOMMENDING THAT 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS ALSO GET THAT BOOSTER SHOT.

THE WHITE HOUSE'S NEXT STEPS FOR BATTLING COVID CALL FOR RAPID RESPONSE TEAMS WITH RISING CASES SUPPLYING TREATMENT PILLS ONE THAT IS AVAILABLE, AND MORE RAPID AT HOME TESTING.

>> YOUR ABILITY TO KNOW IF YOUR STUFFY NOSE IS A COLD THAT YOU TEND TO HAVE EVERY DECEMBER OR IS COVID THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE R DIFFERENCE FOR YOUR WORKPLACE FOR YOUR KID'S SCHOOL AND YOUR COMMUNITY.

TESTING IS A KEY PART OF THE EQUATION HERE.

>> AT HOME TESTS IF YOU CAN GET ONE, ARE ABOUT $20 EACH.

AND THAT'S UNAFFORDABLE FOR SOME LEAVING FREE TESTING SITES THAT MAY BE INCONVENIENT OR HAVE A LONGER TURN AROUND TIME AS THE ALTERNATIVE.

THE WHITE HOUSE PLANNED TO DISTRIBUTE MILLIONS OF AT HOME TESTS TO COMMUNITY SITES AND MAKING IT THOSE WITH INSURANCE WILL BE ABLE TO GET REIMBURSED FOR BUYING AT HOME TESTS.

CRITICS SAY IT'S NOT ENOUGH NOTING THAT REIMBURSEMENT IS COMPLICATED.

>> THERE IS NO ONE SINGLE WAY THAT IS GOING TO WORK FOR EVERYBODY.

FOR A LOT OF AMERICANS PARTICULARLY FOR FOLKS WHO BEEN THE HARDEST HIT FOR THEM IT'S THE ABILITY TO GET THE FREE TESTS FROM THE LIBRARY OR A FOOD BANK OR FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER.

WHEN YOU PUT THESE TOGETHER, YOU HAVE DIFFERENT STRATEGIES TO REACH DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

AND SO I THINK WE KNOW THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S WIDELY AVAILABLE.

>> AND THAT IS THE NATIONAL FRONT TAKING IT BACK LOCALLY, WEBB IS IN THE WASHINGTON D.C. AREA.

BUT HE DID SPEND SEVERAL YEARS IN CHICAGO WHEN HE WENT TO LAW SCHOOL AT LOYOLA, HE IS BOTH A DOCTOR AND A LAWYER.

>> CHICAGO THERE ARE A LOT OF AMAZING LEADERS AND AMAZING MEDICAL CENTERS AND WE THEY ARE SERVING DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY ALL THE TIME.

THE KEY IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THOSE RESOURCES THAT YOU HAVE, AND CONNECTED IT WITH COMMUNITY.

I'VE SEEN IN MY TIME IN CHICAGO SOME INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES.

BARBERSHOP INITIATIVES AND PHYSICIANS LIKE Dr. FISHER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CONNECTED WITH THAT COMMUNITY WORK.

GREAT WORK R FOLKS ARE DOING GREAT WORK ON THE GROUND EFFORT WILL BE A KEY TO THE EFFORTS TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE DISPARITIES THAT WE'RE SEEING WITH REGARD TO COVID.

>> NOW, BEFORE I'M DONE, A COUPLE NOTES ON COVID.

SATURDAY WILL MARK TWO WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS AND CHICAGO PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER Dr. ALLISON ARWADY SAYS THAT THAT MAKES IT A REALLY GOOD TIME IF YOU ARE TO GET THE SHOT WHETHER IT'S THE BOOSTER OR MAYBE YOU WANT TO BE FULLY VACCINATED BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS AND IT'S TWO WEEKS TO GET THAT J & J VACCINE.

SATURDAY IS A DEADLINE.

AND SAYS THAT IF YOU ARE VACCINATED BUT GET WHAT IS COME TO BE KNOWN AS A BREAKTHROUGH CASE OF COVID THERE'S NO NEED TO WAIT TO GET THE BOOSTER SHOT.

IF YOU HAVE COVID YOU NEED TO STAY AT HOME THAT ISOLATION PERIOD OF AT LEAST 10 DAYS AND AFTER THAT AS SOON AS YOU CAN SHE RECOMMENDS GETTING A BOOSTER SHOT.

WITH THAT BACK TO YOU.

>> A LOT TO THINK ABOUT.

THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT HOW A LOCAL ARTIST IS USING UPCYCLED CASHMERE TO CREATE STUFFED ANIMALS THAT ENCOURAGE KINDNESS.

BUT FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> THERE IS A LOT MORE AHEAD INCLUDING A PREVIEW OF WFMT'S 70TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.

FIRST, A CHICAGO MOTHER IS TAPPING INTO ARTISTIC ROOTS WITH A BRAND INSPIRED BY HER CHILDREN THAT PAYS HOMAGE TO HER MOTHER.

ANGEL IDOWU INTRODUCES US TO FLY LITTLE BIRD.

>> FLY LITTLE BIRD, THE WORLD IS YOURS.

>> A PHRASE JENNIFER EINERSON SAID TO HER CHILDREN GROWING UP NEARLY EVERYDAY.

I'M HERE AND YOU ARE GOING TO FAIL AND YOU ARE GOING TO SUCCEED AND IT IS OK. JUST GIVE IT A TRY.

>> WHEN THE PANDEMIC BROCK OUT SHE FOUND HERSELF WANTS TO CREATE A PRODUCT THAT COULD ENCOURAGE POSITIVITY THE SAME WAY THAT PHRASE ENCOURAGED HER KIDS.

>> THE IDEA OF BRINGING KINDNESS AND COMPASSION INTO THE WORLD AND JUST TEACHING KIDS AT A YOUNGER AGE THAT PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO LOOK LIKE YOU TO BE FRIENDS WITH YOU.

AND TO LOVE AND SUPPORT YOU.

>> AND WITH THAT, FLY LITTLE BIRD WAS BORN COMPRISED OF WOODLAND FARM OR CIRCUS THEMED ANIMALS EACH CHARACTER CARRIES A BIRDIE THAT REMINDS YOU YOU ARE NEVER ALONE WHEN TAKING A RISK.

>> I'VE SEEN THEM BE MORE VERBAL THE COMFORT THEY FIND CARRYING WITH THEM.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE SOMEONE WHO REACHED OUT TO ME WHO IS OLDER TAN I AM WHO SAYS SHE ALWAYS HAVE HER STUFFY ON HER LAP WHEN SHE IS WORKING WITH CLIENTS.

SHE IS A THERAPIST THAT GIVES HER A LITTLE BIT OF COMFORT.

IT'S VERY INTERESTING IT IS A BROAD RANGE.

LIKE KIDS LOVE THEM BUT I'M FINDING THAT THEY ARE HAVING A DIFFERENT IMPACT THAN JUST LIKE A STUFFED ANIMAL.

>> HOW EXACTLY ARE THE STUFFIES MADE?

FROM UPCYCLED CLOTHING CREATED IN HER HOME STUDIO.

EACH ONE TAKES A FEW HOURS TO MAKE.

>> I FIND CASHMERE IS 100% BECAUSE IT'S SUPER SOFT.

AND WHEN I WASH IT IT SHRINKS DOWN TO MAKE IT LIKE A TIGHT FIBER SO IT'S MORE DURABLE.

>> UTILIZING DONATION BASED ORGANIZATIONS IS NOT THE ONLY WAY FLY LITTLE BIRD GIVES BACK.

>> A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS GOES TO DONATE LIFE AMERICA.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT WHY THIS ORGANIZATION IS SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?

>> 10% OF ALL PROCEEDS GO TO DONATE LIFE AMERICA.

MY MOM WAS A DONOR AND MY DAD IS A RECIPIENT AND SEEING BOTH SIDES AND BOTH ARE DIFFICULT AND BOTH ARE AMAZING.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE WORLD ABOUT THAT.

>> AND WHILE JENNIFER EINERSON SAYS HONORING HER MOTHER HAS HAD ITS SAD MOMENTS SHE IS PROUD TO CONTINUE A CRAFT HER MOTHER TAUGHT HER AND PUSHING FOR POSITIVITY.

>> IT IS A UNIQUE ONE OF A KIND GIFT THAT NOT ONLY GIVES BACK TO DONATE LIFE AMERICA BUT IT JUST CREATES SO MUCH COMFORT AND IT ENCOURAGES KINDNESS AND COMPASSION.

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

>> AND JENNIFER PLANS TO CREATE MORE STUFFIES IN TIME FOR SPRING AND HOPES TO EXPAND THE BRAND WITH CHILDREN'S BOOKS.

CAN YOU VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" WE WILL HEAR ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING IN THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY.

JUSTIN FIELDS IS SET TO RETURN SUNDAY AFTER STUFFING FROM RIB INJURIES.

WILL HE HELP GIVE THE BEARS A GLIMPSE OF A BRIGHTER FUTURE AGAINST THE PACKERS?

>> AND WFMT CELEBRATES 70 YEARS ON THE AIR WITH TALK WITH PERFORMERS.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> CHICAGO'S TOP DOCTOR SAYS THE CITY MAY REQUIRE PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION IN HIGH-RISK SETTINGS WHERE MASKS CANNOT BE WORN.

CITY COUNCIL'S HEALTH AND HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE URGED ARWADY TO PUT REQUIREMENTS IN PLACE AS THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED CORONAVIRUS CASES IN CHICAGO HAS REACHED ITS HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE JANUARY 2021 BEFORE THE VACCINE WAS WIDELY AVAILABLE.

Dr. ARWADY SAYS PRELIMINARY CONVERSATIONS ARE TAKING PLACE WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF BUSINESS GROUPS ON THIS.

OUTDOOR DINING IS LIKELY TO BE EXTENDED IN CHICAGO AS THE CITY FACES ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT WAVE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL'S TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY ADVANCED A MEASURE ALLOWING RESTAURANTS AND CAFES TO SERVE CUSTOMERS OUTDOORS THROUGH 2022.

THE MEASURE WOULD EXTEND SIDEWALK CAFE PERMITS SET TO EXPIRE IN FEBRUARY UNTIL 2023.

CITY OFFICIALS ALLOWED 300 RESTAURANTS TO SERVE DINERS OUTSIDE.

ABOUT 42 EATERIES ARE STILL OPERATING OUTDOORS DESPITE THE COLD WEATHER.

THE PROPOSAL IS EXPECTED TO BE APPROVED AT NEXT WEDNESDAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

>> A COOK COUNTY JUDGE DENIES BAIL FOR A MAN CHARGED IN THE KILLING OF A CHINATOWN RESIDENT.

71-YEAR-OLD WOOM SING TSE WAS EXECUTED IN BROAD DAYLIGHT TUESDAY.

THE SUSPECT 23-YEAR-OLD ALPHONSO JOYNER FIRED NEARLY TWO DOZEN SHOTS IN THREE VOLLEYS.

AUTOMOBILE AUTOMOBILE SUFFERED WOUND TO HIS HEAD, HIP AND NECK AND WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD.

POLICE ARRESTED JOYNER OVER AN HOUR AFTER THE SHOOTING OCCURRED.

JOINER IS CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE MURDER AND AGGRAVATED UNLAWFUL USE OF A WEAPON.

AND BACK TO BRANDIS WHO HAS SPENT THE DAY IN SOUTH SHORE AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> WE'RE JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE CURTIS TARVER, WHO REPRESENTS THIS AREA.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT REPRESENTATIVE.

HOW HAVE YOU BEEN SUPPORTING THE SOUTH SIDE LAKEFRONT EROSION TASK FORCE?

>> WE FORM TO DO TWO YEARS AGO AFTER I CAME INTO OFFICE.

THERE WAS A DISCONNECT BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND THE CITY, THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

AND THE PURPOSE OF IT WAS TO JUST GET INDIVIDUALS TOGETHER PASSIONATE ABOUT THE HISTORY AND TO ALLOW THEM TO ADVOCATE TO BRING SOME RESOURCES TO BEAR.

MY INVOLVEMENT HAS MORE OF A FACILITATORS AND MAKE SURE THE QUESTIONS GET ANSWERED FOR THE INDIVIDUALS.

>> WHAT CAN THE STATE DO TO HELP WITH SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT BREAK WATER AT 73rd STREET?

>> I THINK WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS FROM THE STATE AND OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THERE IS A LOT TO BE DONE.

THERE'S WATER THAT IS COMING NOT ONLY AND AFFECTING PRIVATE PROPERTY BUT U.S. 41 IT AFFECTS BUS ROUTES AND INDIVIDUALS TRYING TO COMMUTE TO GET TO AND FROM WORK AND SCHOOL.

I THINK WITH I DOST AND C D.O.T.

BRINGS FUNDS TO THE AREA WE CAN CERTAINLY DO BETTER THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST.

>> AND YOU MENTIONED THE FEDERAL FUNDS AS WELL.

NOW THAT THAT FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE BILL IS LAW ARE YOU HOPING THOSE FUNDS CAN BE APPLIED TO PROJECTS IN THE COMMUNITY?

>> I'M HOPING, PRAYING AND LOBBYING.

OUR CONGRESSIONAL OFFICIALS AS WELL.

I HOPE THOSE FUND ALSO HELP OUT.

LOOKING AT $17 BILLION.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE COST TO HAVE A DRAMATIC EFFECT IN THIS AREA IT'S LESS THAN PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR.

I'M SINCERELY HOPING WE GET SOME OF THE FUNDS.

>> AND YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE REPLACE APARTMENT OF WATER SERVICE LEAD LINES ARE YOU HOPING THOSE FUNDS CAN BE USED FOR THAT AS WELL?

>> I DO.

I NEVER THOUGHT WHEN WE PASSED THE BILL AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT THE STATE WOULD HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO DO SO BUT THE HISTORIC FUNDS COMING INTO THE STATE I HOPE WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT FRESH DRINKING WATER.

>> WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE WHAT DO YOU NEED?

>> NONE WILL BE SOON ENOUGH.

SO I THINK IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS GET BACK TO SPRINGFIELD WE WILL HAVE SERIOUS CONVERSATIONS HOW WE APPROPRIATE THOSE FUNDS.

WATER IS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST FOR MYSELF AND MY DISTRICT.

>> BEFORE WE GET YOU GO, COVID IS THIS COMMUNITY IS UP 74% OVER LAST WEEK.

50% OF RESIDENTS HAVE COMPLETED THEIR ENTIRE SERIES OF THE VACCINE.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY COVID HAS IMPACTED THIS COMMUNITY?

>> I MEAN, TREMENDOUSLY.

YOU KNOW, IT'S UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE WE SAW THIS EARLY ON TRYING TO GET TESTING FACILITIES AND THOSE WERE NOT STOOD UP QUICKLY.

AND GENERAL PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO CONCERN ABOUT THE VACCINE AND VARIANTS OF COVID.

HOPEFULLY WITH CONVERSATIONS AND GETTING THE WORD OUT MORE PEOPLE WILL GET VACCINATED PARTICULARLY CHILDREN AS WELL.

I DO THE BEST I CAN AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME AND MY COMMUNITY.

>> STATE REPRESENTATIVE CURTIS TARVER THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> AND WE'LL HAVE MORE FROM THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY OUT OF THE CULTURAL CENTER.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS.

THE NFL'S MOST STORIED RIVALRY HAS NOT BEEN OF A RIVALRY.

BUT THE BEAR ALSO TAKE A CRACK AT TEAM SHAREHOLDER AARON RODGERS AND THE GREEN BAY PACKERS AND THIS WILL FEATURE JUSTIN FIELDS COMING BACK FROM A RIBS INJURY.

[♪♪♪] >> JOINING US NOW IS JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN FOR THE CHICAGO BEARS FROM 1991-2002.

BIG CAT GREAT TO SEE YOU.

JUSTIN FIELDS BACK ON THE FIELD AND THAT IS A REASON TO WATCH.

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING FROM HIM?

>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING.

LIKE YOU SAID HE IS JUST GETTING BACK FROM WHAT WE NOW KNOW WAS I THINK HE SAID THREE CRACKED RIBS.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING.

TO SEE HIS PAIN THRESHOLD, TO SEE HOW HE THROWS THE BALL BECAUSE NOW YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A QUARTERBACK THAT IS GOING TO GO OUT AND HE WILL HAVE EXTRA PROTECTION ON.

HE WILL HAVE POSSIBLY A FLAP-JACKET WHICH IS GOING TO LIMIT HIS MOVEMENT A LITTLE BIT AND HIS FLEXIBILITY.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE ONCE HE GETS OUT THERE HOW IT AFFECTS THE WAY HE THROWS THE BALL AND MOVES AROUND.

>> AND THE REMAINING GAMES, BEARS STAFF HOW DO YOU BALANCE THE NEED TO GET HEM EXPERIENCE VERSUS NEEDING TO KEEP HIM HEALTHY?

>> THAT'S A HARD QUESTION, BECAUSE YOU KNOW WE ALL KNOW THAT HE IS THE QUARTERBACK OF THE FUTURE.

WE'RE HOPING HE IS A GREAT QUARTERBACK OF THE FUTURE.

AND YOU WOULD HATE TO SEE ANYTHING PROLONG HIS TIME OFF THE FIELD.

SO YOU KNOW HIM GOING OUT HERE AND HIS RIBS NOT BEING FULLY HEALED OR NOT BEING AS GOOD AS THEY THINK THEY ARE IT COULD BE A DETRIMENT.

BUT YOU KNOW HE IS A YOUNG KID HE WANTS TO PLAY.

HE'S TOUGH.

AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR IN A QUARTERBACK.

SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED AND HOPE HE IS REALIZED A LOT OF GOOD THINGS AS FAR AS GETTING DOWN AND GETTING OUT OF BOUNDS INSTEAD OF GETTING HIT.

>> HE IS AN ACCURATE PASSER.

THE BEARS DEFENSE HAS NOT PLAYED TERRIBLE BUT THEY'VE STRUGGLED WITH INJURIES CAN THEY PUT A DEFENSE ON THE FIELD THAT CAN CONTAIN AARON RODGERS SUNDAY?

>> IT'S THE INJURIES, MAN.

YOU ARE AT A POINT IN TIME RIGHT NOW WHERE YOU HAVE SO MANY GUYS DOWN.

YOU HAVE A HOPEFULLY COMING BACK.

BUT YOU KNOW YOU'RE MISSING KEY PIECES AND WHEN YOU ARE MISSING KEY PIECES YOU ARE FORCED TO PUT THE SECOND STRING PLAYNERS THERE.

AND THOSE PLAYERS ARE SECOND AND THIRD STRING PLAYERS FOR A REASON.

WITH MACK BEING OUT, WITH HICKS PLAYING INJURED.

WHEN HE HAS BEEN BACK.

WITH GOLDMAN JUST SEEMING TO FIND HIS STRIDE.

IT'S A HARD -- YOU'RE ASKING A LOT OUT OF THAT DEFENSE.

BUT THEY'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO SIMPLIFY THINGS OR JUST GET A BETTER PRODUCT ON THE FIELD.

AND I THINK AT THIS TIME IN THE YEAR, IT SEEMS EASIER TO SIMPLIFY THINGS AND MAYBE YOU ONLY GO OUT AND RUN A COUPLE FORMS OF DEFENSE AND ONLY A COUPLE BLITZES BUT THINGS THAT GUYS CAN RUN AT FULL SPEED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE TO THINK A LOT.

>> THIS TIME OF YEAR, BIG CAT YOU WERE ON YOUR FAIR SHARE OF TEAMS THAT DID NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS HOW DO YOU GET PLAYERS MOTIVATED WHEN IT'S CLEAR THE SEASON IS GOING TO END AND THE FRANCHISE IS ON THE PRECIPICE IS BIG TIME CHANGE?

>> WELL, I THINK FOR EACH PLAYER FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL PLAYER IT'S DIFFERENT.

I KNOW FOR MYSELF, IT WAS I WAS A FREE AGENT WHEN I CAME INTO THIS GAME.

I ALWAYS FELT LIKE I WAS LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER.

I ALWAYS FELT LIKE I HAD TO PERFORM BECAUSE I ALWAYS NEW THE CAMERAS AND THE LIGHTS WERE ON YOU AS FAR AS IF YOU DON'T PERFORM THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY BETTER TO PUT IN YOUR PLACE.

SO I THINK A LOT OF THE OLDER GUYS UNDERSTAND THAT.

AND THEY WILL PASS IT ON TO THE YOUNGER GUYS.

YOU'RE NOT OUT HERE JUST TO MAKE THE BEARS LOOK GOOD.

YOU'RE OUT HERE FIGHTING FOR YOUR LIVELIHOOD FOR YOUR CAREER, FOR YOUR FAMILY.

TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.

THESE GUYS THEY HAVE A LOT OF MOTIVATION.

NOW IT'S JUST ABOUT GETTING THEM ALTOGETHER AND PERFORMING THE RYE WAY.

>> AND THE FACT THAT AARON RODGERS MADE THE COMMENTS HE OWNS THE BEARS HE WAS DIRECTING THOSE AT THE FANS.

DOES THE COACHING STAFF USE SOMETHING LIKE THAT AS MOTIVATION?

>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SATURDAY NIGHT SPEECH TO ME, MAN.

THEY ARE GOING TO GO IN AND I DOUBT IT IF THEY WILL TALK ABOUT IT DURING THE WEEK.

AS FAR AS COACHES TO PLAYERS.

BUT I'M ALMOST POSITIVE THAT NAGY WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT IT IN THAT PREGAME SPEECH THAT HE GIVES TO THE TEAM SHOWING THEM THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO DO, TALKING ABOUT IT AND JUST TALKING ABOUT -- I DON'T KNOW HOW HE WILL PUT IT -- BUT IT WILL BE IN A FORM THAT IT WAS DISRESPECTFUL TO EVERY SINGLE INDIVIDUAL PLAYER AND MEMBER OF THE BEARS.

>> MAYBE THEY WILL PRESENT WITH HIM SOME LEGAL AGREEMENT DIVESTING ALL HIS SHARES IN THE TEAM AFTER THE GAME IF IT GOES THE BEARS WAY.

WHAT IS YOUR PREDICTION FOR SUNDAY NIGHT?

>> I AM UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE STILL ON THE BAD SIDE OF THE CORNER RIGHT NOW.

THE PACKERS HAVE A FEW INJURIES THEY ARE GOING TO GET A COUPLE GUYS BACK BUT I DON'T THINK THEY WILL BE BACK FOR THE BEARS GAME.

THE PACKERS ARE A TEAM THAT COULD BE COMING BACK A LITTLE BIT STRONGER AFTER THIS BYE WEEK.

31-17 GAME.

HOPEFULLY THE BEARS CAN SCORE 17 OR MORE POINTS.

AND WHAT MATTERS IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF JUSTIN FIELDS.

THE FUTURE FRANCHISE QUARTERBACK.

ALL RIGHT JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS THANKS SO MUCH.

>> PARIS, THANKS AGAIN, MAN.

>> AND NOW WE CHECK BACK IN WITH BRANDIS WHO IS COANCHORING FROM SOUTH SHORE AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

IT'S NOT AN "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" UNLESS YOU GET A TRAIN GOING RIGHT BY THE LIVE SHOT THIS IS THE METRA TRAIN LEAVING THE AREA.

EARLIER TODAY I SPOKE WITH VAL FREE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK ALLIANCE THE PROJECT MANAGER FOR A COMMUNITY EFFORT CALLED REIMAGINE SOUTH SHORE AND I BEGAN BY ASKING HER ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT RESIDENTS AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS WOULD LIKE TO SEE ADDRESSED.

>> WELL, DEFINITELY HOUSE SOMETHING ONE OF THEM.

ARTS AND CULTURE IS ANOTHER.

PUBLIC SAFETY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

>> WHAT ARE THE SPECIFICALLY WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES HOW DO YOU WANT THE THINGS TO GET BETTER?

HOW IS THE COMMUNITY NOT GETTING THOSE NEEDS MET?

>> WELL, YOU HAVE TO REALIZE FOR A LONGTIME, FUNDERS NEVER SAW SOUTH SHORE AS A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT NEEDED THOSE THINGS.

WE HAD TO WAIT UNTIL DISINVESTMENT CAME TO GET ANY RESOURCES.

THERE'S THAT WHERE THERE IS A LACK OF RESOURCES.

WE WAITED SIX YEARS FOR A GROCERY STORE.

IMAGINE LIKE NOW THAT THE OBAMA CENTER IS COMING, INVESTMENT IS COMING, PEOPLE HAVE THEIR EYES ON SOUTH SHORE AND NOW THINGS ARE BEGINNING TO MOVE.

>> WHAT OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH A LOT OF BLOCK CLUB ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND RESIDENTS WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN HEARING?

THE KEY POINTS THE RESIDENTS WOULD LIKE TO SEE?

>> NUMBER ONE IS HOUSING.

SO.

>> AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

>> NOT NECESSARILY AFFORDABLE HOUSING BECAUSE WE HAVE A LARGE STOCK OF MIDDLE TO UPPER INCOME RESIDENTS HERE.

WE DO HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING HERE.

IT'S NOT THAT WE DON'T HAVE IT.

BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN SOUTH SHORE THEY WOULD BE THE CONDOMINIUM OWNERS BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITY IS AGING.

THEY HAVE BEEN IN THEIR CONDOMINIUMS FOR A WHILE.

THEY ARE NOT AS STABLE AS THEY USED TO BE.

WE ARE LOOKING AT DEVELOPERS COME IN AND TAKEOVER THOSE THINGS ARE HAPPENING.

SO THOSE ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

OUR RESIDENTS.

AND I CAN SAY THAT FOR SURE BECAUSE I'VE BEEN ORGANIZING IN SOUTH SHORE FOR 12 YEARS NOW.

SO I WILL TELL YOU THAT FROM THE EAR ON THE GROUND AND THE PEOPLE WHO COME OUT THAT'S THE ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS DISPLACEMENT IN A WAY WHERE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN HERE STAY HERE.

>> I MENTIONED AFFORDABLE HOUSING BECAUSE WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE FOLKS AT THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS WHAT THEY SPEAK OF A SIDE FROM THAT WE'VE HEARD CONCERNS WITH REGARD TO THE OBAMA CENTER BEING BUILT NEARBY.

DO THEIR CONCERNS OVERLAP WITH THE ONES THAT YOU ALL ARE WORKING ON AS WELL?

AND WHERE DO YOU ALIGN?

>> IN SOME WAYS IN TERMS OF HOMEOWNERSHIP, THAT DOES ALIGN WITH OURS.

HOWEVER, THAT GROUP DOES NOT HAVE A BASE IN SOUTH SHORE TO SPEAK ABOUT SOUTH SHORE.

WE NEED -- WE HAVE ALL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE COMING TOGETHER AROUND THIS ISSUE SOUTH SHORE WORKS, THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE NNA AND WE HAVE OUR OWN BASE.

SOUTH SHORE WORKS HAS A BASE OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY.

CHAMBER HAS BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE THE BASE OF RESIDENTS.

WE ARE ALL COMING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN HEARING THEM THROUGH THE QUALITY OF LIFE PLAN WE'RE WORKING ON AND ALSO GETTING THE WORD OUT ON WHAT THE ASK HAS BEEN AND WHAT THEY ARE.

>> SO A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS CLEARLY AT WORK HERE IN SOUTH SHORE.

FREE SAYS ANOTHER WAY TO KEEP LONG TIME COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN SOUTH SHORE IS A SO-CALLED RACIAL MAINTENANCE INTEGRATION ORDINANCE LIKE IN BEVERLY AND IN OAK PARK TO INSURE THAT 51% OF THE INDIGENOUS RESIDENTS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD ARE ABLE TO REMAIN THERE.

AND I WILL BE BACK TO WRAP IT UP WITH YOU IN A BIT.

FOR NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> UP NEXT, CELEBRATING OUR SISTER STATION WFMT FOR ITS 70 YEARS ON THE AIR.

FIRST, SOME EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND TOWN THIS WEEKEND... >> WFMT OUR SISTER STATION IS SELL OPERATING 70 YEARS ON THE AIR.

CHICAGO'S CLASSICAL MUSIC AND FINE ARTS RADIO STATION HIT THE AIRWAVES IN DECEMBER 1951 AND MONDAY THEY WILL BE LIVE FROM THE JEWEL BOX RECITAL HALL FOR A DAY FULL OF LIVE PERFORMANCES.

AND JOINING US FOR A PREVIEW AND A LOOK BACK OVER THE YEARS ARE GEORGE PRESTON, WFMT VICE-PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER.

CHICAGO BASED AMERICAN ROOTS AND BLUES PLAYER SINGER SONGWRITER ANNE HARRIS AND BLAKE-AANTHONY JOHNSON C.E.O.

OF THE CITY SINFONIETTA.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> I'M IN THE BUILDING.

>> YOU'RE STILL BURNING THAT MIDNIGHT OIL.

70 YEARS ON MONDAY.

TELL US HOW THE STATION WAS FOUNDED IN 1951?

>> IT WAS REALLY A MOM AND POP AND DOG OPERATION FROM WHAT WE HEAR.

AND WE'RE GOING TO HEAR SOME ARCHIVAL AUDIO MONDAY INCLUDING THE FIRST VOICE THAT WAS HEARD ON WFMT ALL THOSE YEARS AGO.

WE'LL HEAR FROM RITA JACOBS, STUDS TURKELL AND GREAT ARTISTS IN ARCHIVAL AUDIO WHICH IS MIND BLOWING TO HEAR.

AND WE ALSO THIS TREMENDOUS SLATE OF LIVE PERFORMANCES.

NINE IN ALL ON MONDAY FROM 10-7:00 P.M. >> AND WE HAVE SOME OF THE LIVE PERFORMERS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GROUPS PERFORMING HERE WITH US.

ANNE HARRIS, AS A PERFORMER WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO THE CITY'S MUSIC SCENE TO HAVE A STATION LIKE WFMT THAT ENDURES AND DOES PROGRAMMING LIKE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL AND THAT PLAYS MUSIC THAT YOU CAN'T HEAR ANYWHERE ELSE?

>> YOU JUST -- >> I ANSWERED MY QUESTION.

>> YOU LITERALLY D IT IS A TREASURE.

AND A TREASURE TROVE THAT I THINK THE COMMUNITY REALLY APPRECIATES THAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET TO HEAR A SLICE OF CHICAGO'S DIVERSE AND INCREDIBLE, LOCAL ARTISTS THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HEAR IN ANY OTHER PUBLIC FORMAT AND THAT SUPPORT FROM THE ARTIST PERSPECTIVE IS INVALUABLE, OF COURSE.

AND I THINK THAT IS PROBABLY STANDS TO BE TRUE AS WELL FOR THE LISTENERS OF THE STATION.

THIS IS A GEM AND IT'S A HUB OF CULTURAL GOLD LOCAL CHICAGO CULTURAL GOLD.

>> AND BLAKE-AANTHONY JOHNSON IS HEAD OF THE SINFONIETTA.

I WILL POSE THAT TO YOU.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO CHICAGO'S CLASSICAL PERFORMANCE SCENE TO HAVE THIS STATION HERE?

>> WELL, WHEN I THINK OF SIN FONNIC MUSIC I THINK OF RADIO.

CHICAGO'S AND IS IS AND IS REAL SINFONIETTA VALUES AND CHERISHES THAT AVENUE FOR PEOPLE TO ENGAGE WITH MUSIC THROUGH RADIO.

IT'S NICE IT IS IN OUR CITY.

I THINK WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE AND SPOILED I HAVE TO SAY THAT WE HAVE ALL OF THESE AMAZING RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ALL.

SO IT'S JUST A TREASURE.

>> AND GEORGE YOU MENTIONED THE AMAZING NAMES ASSOCIATED THROUGH THE YEARS.

STUDS TURKELL, MIDNIGHT SPECIAL.

WFMT'S BUCKED THE TRENDS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

A LOT OF CLASSICAL RADIO STATIONS STRUGGLED AND WFMT THRIVES.

WHAT IS SO ENDURING ABOUT WFMT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW WE HAVE A LEGACY, I THINK OF RESPECTING THE INTELLIGENCE OF OUR LISTENERS.

AND CERTAINLY OUR PROGRAMMING HAS EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS BUT IT'S ALWAYS BEEN HIGHLY DIVERSE IN A UNIQUE WAY.

WE ARE TRYING TO BE INCLUSIVE ABOUT THE MUSIC WE PROGRAM AND THE ARTISTS THAT WE FEATURE.

AND ABOUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY THE MUSIC COMMUNITY THAT WE HOPE TO REPRESENT.

SO I THINK THAT LISTENERS YOU HAD THAT.

AND THEY REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

AND THAT YOU KNOW, MUSIC CHANGES AND ARTISTS COME AND GO AND BUT THE CORE OF OUR MISSION REALLY STAYS THE SAME.

WITH A TREMENDOUSLY VARIED MIX OF MUSIC THAT IS SATISFYING ON A DEEP LEVEL.

AND I THINK OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, EVEN MORE CRITICAL AND SATISFYING TO OUR LISTENERS AND TO THE ARTISTS IN AND AROUND CHICAGO.

>> A DIVERSE MIX OF MUSIC AT THIS LIVE PERFORMANCE AT NORTHEASTERN ON MONDAY.

I WANT TO LOOK AT ONE OF THE PERFORMANCES THAT IS GOING TO BE HAPPENING FROM ANNE HARRIS.

LET'S LOOK AT A CLIP.

[♪♪♪] BEAUTIFUL VIDEO, TOO.

ANNE HARRIS TELL BUS THIS SONG AND WHY YOU CHOSE THIS FOR THE CELEBRATION?

>> I WROTE THIS SONG A COUPLE YEARS AGO BECAUSE A GREAT AUNT OF MINE PASSED AND I WASN'T PARTICULARLY CLOSE WITH HER BUT I GREW UP HEARING STORIES ABOUT HER FROM MY MOTHER ABOUT WHAT A STRONG, PROGRESSIVE WOMAN SHE WAS.

AND JUST AN INCREDIBLE FORCE ON THE EAST COAST ONE OF THE FIRST WOMEN OF COLOR TO BE SELF SUPPORTING, TO BE A PROFESSIONAL, TO WEAR PANT SUITS TO OWN HER OWN FLAT IN BROOKLYN.

AND SHE DID MANY, MANY GREAT THINGS.

AND IT IS A A HYMN FOR HER LITERALLY IT'S AN HONORING OF PART OF MY LINEAGE OF MY ANCESTORS.

AND I LIKE TO CARRY IN MY SHOWS AND MY PERFORMANCES, A BIT OF MYSELF, MY OWN HISTORY, MY PERSONAL PAST AND SOMETHING ABOUT THIS INSTRUMENTAL REALLY SPEAKS THROUGH TO THAT.

>> PERSONAL SELECTION.

AND BLAKE-AANTHONY JOHNSON TELL US WHAT CHICAGO SINFONIETTA HAS IN STORE FOR THE FESTIVAL ON MONDAY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

GEORGE MENTIONED SOP OF OUR AALIGNMENT IS EQUITY, DIVERSION AND INCLUSION.

YOU WILL SEE THAT IN OUR PROGRAMMING AMONGST MANY OTHER ASPECTS.

WILL YOU SEE OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR ONE OF HER FAVORITE COMPOSERS I GOT HER THROUGH THE FIRST INITIAL PARTS OF THE SHUTDOWN.

AND VALERIE COLEMAN, A PORTRAITS OF JOSEPHINE A CONTRIBUTE TO JOSEPHINE BAKER AND A NOD TO THE COMPLETE ALBUM OF PUTTING FEMALE COMPOSERS FRONT AND CENTER AND SOMETHING I WILL PUT PEOPLE IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT, I HAVE A LITTLE JINGLE DRADLE, THE NAME OF IT.

AND WE HAVE A LOT OF YIDDISH TIES ON OUR STAFF AND MY MENTOR HIS FAMILY IS KNOWN FOR BRINGING YIDDISH THEATRE TO AMERICA FOR ME IT TICKLES MY SPIRIT.

THREE TREATS OF WHAT WE DO EVERYDAY WITH CHICAGO SINFONIETTA.

>> GRAB BAG, I LOVE THE ARGENTINIAN TANGO.

THIS IS MONDAY.

THANKS TO GEORGE PRESTON, ANNE HARRIS AND BLAKE-AANTHONY JOHNSON.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

>> PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT'S 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.

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

AND BE SURE TO JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

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 HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

[♪♪♪]