>>> HELLO.

THANKS FOR JOINING US ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ IS ON ASSIGNMENT.

HERE'S WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

>> THE BETRAYAL BY THE CITY THAT THEY SERVE.

MAKE A POLITICAL BATTLE WITH OFFICERS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE.

ELECTION DAY IS JUST A WEEK AWAY.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CASTING A BALLOT.

SOMEHOW, BUSINESS LEADERS ARE SPENDING TO EXPAND THEIR REACH INSIDE OF CITY HALL.

>> MONTHS BEFORE THIS BILL LANDS IN YOUR MAILBOX, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, CITIES, COUNTIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS DECIDE HOW MUCH MONEY THEY NEED.

>> THE PROPERTY TAX BILLS ARE ON WEIGHT.

WTTW NEWS EXPLAINS HOW YOUR BILL WAS DECORATED.

>> I AM OFF EIGHT.

COMING UP, WE ARE TAKING A TRIP BACK IN TIME WITH HELP FROM THE GREEN BUT VERY >>> NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

CITY WORKERS SAY THEY ARE FRUSTRATED WITH THE SLOW PACE OF CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS AND PLAN TO ESCALATE IN THE COMING DAYS.

THE UNION, REPRESENTING MORE THAN 3000 CITY EMPLOYEES WHO WORK IN LIBRARIES, POLICE PRECINCT, AND HEALTH CLINICS , THEY SAY THEY HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING FOR 10 MONTHS.

-- SAYS ANOTHER TEMPORARY EXTENSION COMES TO AN END THIS WEEKEND, OPENING THE DOOR TO A WORK STOPPAGE IF NECESSARY.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAYS SHE THINKS A DEAL CAN BE MADE BEFORE.

>> IT IS FAIR FOR THE UNION, AND FOR THE MEMBERS.

IT IS ALSO FAIR TO OUR TAXPAYERS.

THAT SOMETIMES TAKE SOME TIME.

WE RESOLVED THE LONGER -- I THINK WE RESOLVED ALMOST ANY ISSUE WITH INDIVIDUALS AND TRADE UNIONS.

THIS IS ONE OF THE LAST ONE THAT IS STANDING.

>> BOTH SIDES ARE BACK AT THE BARGAINING TABLE ON THURSDAY.

STUNNING LITTLE VILLAGE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE CALLING FOR A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE -- AND IMPLOSION IN 2020.

>> IT NEARLY SHOWS THAT -- HAS FAILED AGAIN.

I SAY AGAIN , BECAUSE THEY HAVE TOLD US IN MANY LOCATIONS, PROTECTING THE AIR AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> THE GROUP SIZE THE REPORT FROM JOE FERGUSON THAT SHOWS THE CITY COULD HAVE DONE MORE TO THE EFFECTS OF THE -- BOTCHED LITTLE VILLAGE SMOKESTACK IMPLOSION FIRST REPORTED THE FINDINGS OF THAT INVESTIGATION LAST WEEK.

THE REPORT HAS NOT BEEN MADE PUBLIC.

MEMBERS OF THE LITTLE VILLAGE COUNCIL BLAME MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ FOR THE IMPLOSION GONE WRONG.

THEY ASKED BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL PROSECUTORS TO INTERVENE.

HE DID RESPOND OUTSIDE OF HIS WORK OFFICE TODAY IN A STATEMENT SAYING THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEMOLITION, AND TO REFORM TO HAVE THE RELEASE OF THE GENERAL REPORTS.

>>> FORMAL ILLINOIS -- THE IRAQ WAR VETERAN SAYS HE WANTS TO TELL THE INSIDE STORY OF HOW HE FEELS.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS BEEN HIJACKED BY EXTREMISTS WHO REPRESENT A DANGER TO -- HE IS JUST TWO REPUBLICANS WHO BROKE WITH THE PARTY TO JOIN A HOUSE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING THE JANUARY 6 ATTACK ON THE CAPITAL.

THE BOOK IS CALLED, QUOTE, RENEGADE "MY LIFE AND FAITH, -- AND IS RELEASING THIS FALL.

>>> UP NEXT, EMOTIONAL TESTIMONY BY OFFICERS WHO SAY THE CITIES WRONGLY DENYING THEM DISABILITY BENEFITS.

AMANDA VINICKY WITH THAT STORY RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> FRESH CONTROVERSY FOR CHICAGO MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT.

ACCUSING THE MAYOR OF A BENDING POLICE -- ABANDONING PULLEYS.

>> SHE SAYS SHE BLAMES MAYOR LIGHTFOOT FOR PORTRAYING CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS IN THEIR TIME OF NEED.

IT IS AN ACCUSATION THAT SHE DENIES.

IT IS OVER WHAT DISABILITY BENEFITS THE OFFICERS DESERVE IF THEY GOT IN IT BEFORE THE VACCINE WAS AVAILABLE.

EVERY WANTS TO EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC, IN 2021 IN IT WAS RAMPANT , AND QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.

POLICE WERE STILL ON THE STREETS.

HER BROTHER, SERGEANT -- WORK 17 DAYS STRAIGHT.

ONE DAY, HE HAD A CALL.

TWO DAYS LATER, SHE WAS DRESSED TO THE -- RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH COVID.

HE SPENT 42 DAYS FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE.

>> COVID VICIOUSLY ATTACKED BOTH HIS RENAL AND -- SYSTEM.

HE LOST BOTH OF HIS KIDNEYS, REQUIRING THREE DAYS OF DIALYSIS A WEEK FOR THE REST OF HIS SHORTENED LIFE EXPECTANCY .

HE SUFFERED STROKES, LEAVING HIM DISABLED AND UNABLE TO PERFORM THE ONE THING YOU LOVE MOST, HIS JOB.

>> THIS IS WHY MENDOZA SAYS SHE WAS A GUEST WENDY -- ROLLED HER BROTHER DID NOT QUALIFY FOR LINE OF DUTY DISABILITY BENEFITS.

BECAUSE HE COULD IMPROVE PRECISELY WHEN, HOW AND FROM WHOM HE CONTRACTED COVID.

THEY SAYS HE QUALIFIED FOR A LESSER -- WITHOUT HEALTHCARE COVERAGE.

A FORMER CPD CAPTAIN WHO WORKED WITH HIM SAID THE BOARD SET AN IMPOSSIBLE STANDARD.

>> WHO CAN SAY HOW YOU CALL YOUR COVID?

CAN YOU POINT ANYONE IN THIS ROOM WHO HAD IT?

CAN YOU POINT TO THE INDIVIDUAL THEY GAVE IT TO YOU?

I DOUBT IT.

>> THE RULING CAME DESPITE A STATE LAW THAT PROVIDES IT IS ASSUMED POLICE OFFICERS WHO CONTRACTED COVID PRE-VACCINE ARE PRESUMED TO HAVE GOTTEN IT ON THE JOB, MEANING IF THEY DIE, THEIR FAMILY WOULD RECEIVE LINE OF DUTY DEATH BENEFITS.

>> IF YOU SURVIVE COVID AND BECOME DISABLED FROM IT , YOU ARE OUT OF LUCK.

THAT MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE.

>> SERGEANT MENDOZA WAS THE FIRST CASE ATTORNEY SAY UP TO 20 OTHER CPD OFFICERS HAVE SIMILAR SITUATIONS THAT HAVE OR WILL BE SETTLED BY THE PENSION BOARD, INCLUDING OFFICER DIANA, WHO SAID SHE WORKED HARD TO GET PROMOTED AT THE CPD, ONLY TO BE FOUND NOT FIT FOR DUTY AFTER CONTRACTING COVID, AND THEN DENIED LINE OF DUTY BENEFITS.

>> IT FELT LIKE IT WAS JUST RIPPED RIGHT OUT OF MY CHEST.

THAT IS ALL I KNEW WAS MY WORK.

THAT IS ALL I WORK FOR.

>> SHE HAS TROUBLE BREATHING, SAYING MUCH, INCLUDING ANYTHING ABOUT POLITICS.

MENDOZA, SHE DOESN'T.

SHE SAYS MAYOR LIGHTFOOT IS AT FAULT .

TO MAKE THOSE RULINGS.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAYS -- >> ANY SUGGESTIONS THAT I OR ANYONE IN MY ADMINISTRATION IS INDIFFERENT TO THE CAUSE AND SUFFERING OF FIRST RESPONDERS WHEN IT COMES TO COVID ISSUES, IT IS IS UTTER NONSENSE.

>> THE MAYOR DENIES THAT SHE GAVE PENSION APPOINTEES AND INSTRUCTIONS.

SHE SAYS IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE AND UNETHICAL.

SHE SAYS THE BOARD SHOULD BE INDEPENDENT AND CAN OPERATE WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOR.

>> NO ONE GET SPECIAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE, OR TO WHOM THEY ARE RELATED.

THAT DOESN'T CHANGE WITH IT IS THE WEEK BEFORE ELECTION, OR ANY OTHER TIME.

>> THE ELECTION IS NEXT WEEK.

WHAT ABOUT THE TIMING?

>> YOU CAN IGNORE THAT.

ALSO RECALL THAT MENDOZA DID RUN FOR MAYOR, AND OF COURSE LOSS.

MENDOZA, WHEN ASKED ABOUT HER, SHE SAYS THIS IS NOT POLITICAL.

SHE SAYS THAT THE TIMING IS SOLELY DEPENDENT ON THE BOARD'S ACTIONS, AND ALSO ON A RULING FROM A LOCAL COURT JUDGE.

BY THE WAY, THE JUDGE DID AGREE WITH THE PENSION BOARD.

THE MENDOZA'S ARE APPEALING.

>> WHAT IS NEXT?

>> ALSO , A NEW PROPOSAL IN SPRINGFIELD.

IT WOULD MAKE IT SO THAT FIRST RESPONDERS WHO GOT COVID BEFORE THE VACCINE AND NOW CAN WORK WOULD BE PRESUMED TO QUALIFY FOR LINE OF DUTY DISABILITY BENEFITS.

THAT WOULD BE RETROACTIVE.

I DID REACH OUT TO THE CITY'S PENSION BOARD.

I DID NOT GET ANY RESPONSE TO THE CALL NOR AN EMAIL.

>> OKAY, TRAN -- AMANDA VINICKY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

COMING UP NEXT, HEADING TO THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY.

STAY WITH US.

>>> WE ARE ONE WEEK AWAY FROM ELECTION DAY.

ELECTION OFFICIALS SAY EARLY VOTING TURNOUT THIS TIME AROUND IS HIGH.

IT IS FAR OUTPACING CITY WHAT ELECTIONS.

FOR THOSE STILL PLANNING ON CASTING THE BALLOT, HERE IS A RUNDOWN ON WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND.

JOINING US NOW IS MAX, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AT THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF EARLY VOTING?

HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YOU SEEN CASTING THEIR BALLOTS?

>> WE HAVE ENCOURAGING NUMBERS.

AS OF LAST NIGHT, WE HAVE HAD OVER 48,000 EARLY VOTING BALLOTS COME BACK SO FAR.

OVER 61,000 BY MAIL.

OVER 117,000 BALLOTS CAST SO FAR WITHIN THE CITY.

COMPARE THAT TO 2019, 2015, THE TWO LESS MUNICIPAL, THAT IS MORE THAN DOUBLE, ALMOST GETTING TO TRIPLE.

THAT MEANS PEOPLE HAVE MADE UP THEIR MIND, THEY ARE VOTING ALREADY, AND THEY ARE DOING IT QUICKER.

THE STEADY AMOUNT OF VOTING THAT WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST THREE WEEKS, IT REALLY SUGGEST THAT WE WILL HAVE A HIGH TURNOUT.

>> HOW CAN YOU TELL THAT FOCUSES ON CHANGING THEIR HABIT?

CASTING IT EARLY RATHER THAN A ELECTION DAY ITSELF.

>> THIS WAS THE LAST WEEK OF EARLY VOTING.

THIS IS GENERALLY WHEN WE SEE THE BIGGEST AMOUNT OF PEOPLE COMING UP TO VOTE.

THOSE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGING.

WE HAD JUST OVER 6000 LAST NIGHT.

WHERE WE ARE THINKING THAT THIS MEANS IT WOULD BE HEADING TOWARD ELECTION DAY, RATHER THAN BY CAPTURING THE EVIL BY MEL VOTERS.

BY MONDAY, WE MIGHT HAVE OVER 200,000.

THE WEIGHTY LAST NOVEMBER ELECTION, AS WELL AS JUNE PLAYED OUT, WE HAD ABOUT 25% VOTE BY MAIL.

15% OF VOTERS VOTE ON ELECTION DAY.

WE DON'T THINK THAT WILL CHANGE MUCH.

MORE PEOPLE WILL PROBABLY STAY HOME.

MORE VOTING BY MAIL THAN EVER.

WE DO EXPECT THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STILL WAITING FOR ELECTION DAY.

MUNICIPAL ELECTION, PEOPLE MAKE UP THEIR MIND MUCH LATER IN THE PROCESS.

THERE IS STILL A LOT THAT CAN HAPPEN IN A WEEK FOR A CANDIDATE SAYING SOMETHING, COMING DOWN ON A PARTICULAR ISSUE.

WE DO KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE MADE UP THEIR MINDS.

>> AND A LOT OF CANDIDATES TO CHOOSE BETWEEN.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS DRIVING THIS HIGHER TURNOUT?

>> THAT COULD BE ONE OF THE REASONS, TOO.

WE HAVE THE MOST AMOUNT OF CANDIDATES RUNNING IN THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION EVER.

NEARLY 300.

WE CAN SAY FOR SURE THAT VOTERS ARE PRETTY AWARE THERE IS AN ELECTION COMING UP NEXT TUESDAY.

GIVEN THAT THERE ARE THAT MANY CAMPAIGNS, WE HAVE MANY MAYORAL CANDIDATES.

THIS IS DRIVING A LOT OF INTEREST IN THE RACE AND A LOT OF VOTERS OF THE POLLS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

ON THE BALLOT, WE HAVE MAYOR, CITY CLERK, CITY COUNCIL.

AND A NEW ONE, AS YOU SAID, POLICE DISTRICT COUNCIL.

TELL US HOW THOSE WILL WORK.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A CENTURY, A NEW MUNICIPAL BALLOT HAS BEEN ADDED.

THEY ARE USED FOR VOTING FOR MAYOR, TREASURER, BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME, THEY WILL FROM BEYOND IT.

UP TO THREE CANDIDATES FOR POLICE DISTRICT COUNCIL.

IT WAS CREATED BY THE CITY COUNCIL RECENTLY.

IT WILL SUPPORT CITY COMMISSION ON PULLEY SAFETY -- ACCOUNTABILITY.

THESE OFFICERS ARE NOT GOING TO THE NEXT ROUND OR TO A RUNOFF ELECTION.

THOSE TOP THREE VOTE GETTERS .

>> TELL ME HOW SAME-DAY WORKS?

>> WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE THE SAFETY NET OF SAME-DAY REGISTRATION.

THERE IS NO DEADLINE.

IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE, YOU CAN VOTE IN CHICAGO AND IN ILLINOIS.

YOU NEED TWO FORMS OF I.D.

WITH YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS.

EVEN IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN REGISTERED TO VOTE, OR IF YOU RECENTLY CHANGED YOUR NAME RECENTLY MOVED.

AND IF YOU HAVEN'T UPDATED YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION, YOU CAN DO SO AT ANY EARLY VOTING SITE.

THAT WILL GET YOU REGISTER, THE CAN VOTE.

YOU CAN ALSO DO IT ON ELECTION DAY.

WITH YOUR ASSIGNED PRECINCT POLLING PLACE, YOU CAN GET REGISTERED TO VOTE.

50 CENTERS OPEN, AS WELL AS -- WE APPRECIATE THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS ALLOWED THIS.

WE WILL CERTAINLY LIKE TO HAVE THEM MAKE IT PERMANENT.

6:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M.

ULTIMATELY, THEY CAN VOTE AT ANY LOCATION THAT THEY WANT.

IF YOU LIVE IN THE FIRST WARD YOU WANT TO VOTE IN THE 50th, YOU CAN DO SO.

>> WE HAVE 30 SECONDS, WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THERE COULD BE I DETERMINE RACES?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS QUITE LIKELY.

WE HAVE OVER 205,000 VOTE BY MAIL APPLICATIONS OUT THERE .

THE VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS ON THE ACCOUNT UNTIL ELECTION DAY AT 7:00.

THEY WILL START TO BE COUNTED ON ELECTION NIGHT.

A LOT OF THESE RACES, ESPECIALLY ALL THE PEOPLE -- THEY WILL BE CLOSE.

WE DO ASK FOR PATIENTS AS ALL OF THE VOTES ARE COUNTED.

>> IT WILL BE A LONG NIGHT, ESPECIALLY FOR YOU.

THANK YOU, BRANDON.

>> DON'T FORGET TO VISIT OUR WTTW NEWS COUNTDOWN TO ELECTION NIGHT.

OF COURSE, OUR ONGOING POLITICAL COVERAGE IS ALL AT -- UP NEXT, HAVE BUSINESS LEADERS ON CITY HALL.

FIRST, WITH THE WEATHER.

♪ >>> AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER, TODAY MARKS ONE WEEK UNTIL ELECTION DAY.

THE BATTLE FOR CONTROL OF CITY COUNCIL IS SHAPING UP.

SOME OF THE CITY'S WEALTHIEST BUSINESS LEADERS ARE SENDING BIG BUCKS TO PREVENT POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS FROM SHIFTING THE BALANCE OF POWER AT CITY HALL.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER JOINED US NOW.

HE TOOK A LOOK AT SPENDING BY THIS FUND THAT CALLS ITSELF THE GET STUFF DONE PACK, WHICH IS A VERY STRAIGHT TO THE POINT NAME.

>> THIS GROUP WAS CREATED BY THE FORMER MAYOR , AND HAS RAISED $1.7 MILLION, INCLUDING $1 MILLION DIRECTLY FROM ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN CHICAGO AND A CLOSE ADVISER TO HIM WHEN HE WAS MAYOR.

THEY HAVE SPENT MORE THAN $600,000 TO SUPPORT 15 -- 14 CANDIDATES.

THAT IS LOPEZ IN THE 25th WARD, AND NICK WARD.

THEY SAY THEY ARE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE CANDIDATES AND KEEP PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE THE MAINSTREAM FROM SERVING ON CITY COUNCIL.

>> ALSO A POLITICAL -- ALSO SPENT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

WHO ARE THEY BACKING?

>> THEY HAVE SPENT $325,000.

THEY ARE SUPPORTING 19 CANDIDATES.

MANY OF THESE CANDIDATES ARE ALSO SUPPORTED BY THE GET STUFF DONE PACK.

THEY SHOULD -- THEIR APPLE FIGHT EACH OTHER EFFORTS.

>> ARE PROGRESSIVE GROUPS ABLE TO KEEP UP?

>> BUSINESS LEADERS ARE REALLY NEUTRAL IN THE RACE FOR MAYOR.

SOME ARE LINED UP BEHIND PAUL -- BUT PEOPLE LIKE MICHAEL ARE SITTING THIS ONE OUT.

LETTING THEM TRAIN ALL OF THEIR SPENDING POWER ON THE RACES.

FOCUSING ON THE MAYOR'S RACE, THAT HAS LEFT PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES FOR CITY COUNCIL AT A LITTLE BIT OF A DISADVANTAGE.

>> NOT ONLY IS THIS A BATTLE FOR CONTROL OF CITY COUNCIL, ALSO A BATTLE FOR WHO CONTROLS CHICAGO'S PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT.

HOW'S THAT PLAYING OUT?

>> WHAT IS INTERESTING , JESUS WHO IS ALSO RUNNING FOR MAYOR, HAS BACK A FLEET OF CANDIDATES WHO ARE NOT SOCIALISTS, DO NOT BELONG TO THE DEMOCRAT OF AMERICA.

HE SAYS -- HAS THE BEST SHOT AT BEING HIS HELPERS ON THE CITY COUNCIL, ASSUMING HE WINS.

THAT HAS LEFT THE FUTURE OF THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT REALLY NOT ONLY FIGHTING EACH OTHER, BUT ALSO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

>> ARE WE TO GO, HEATHER, WAY TOO EARLY TO PANIC.

WE WILL HEAR FROM YOU LATER IN THE SHOW TO EXPLAIN HOW PROPERTY TAXES ARE TECH LADY.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

BECKY CAN READ THE FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE AT WTTW.COM/NEWS .

UP NEXT, A VISIT TO THE ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MATT -- MUSEUM.

♪ >>> A TRAVELING EXHIBIT OF THE INSTITUTION HAS MADE ITS WAY TO A NORTHERN SUBURB OF CHICAGO TO SHOWCASE WHAT IT WAS LIKE DRIVING WHILE BLACK DURING THE JIM CROW ERA.

OUR CORRESPONDENT ANGEL IDOWU RECALLS THIS CRITICAL -- DRIVERS AT THAT TIME.

>> YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL ON THE ROAD.

JIM CROW ONE THAT PEOPLE LIKE US.

REMAIN DRIVING WHILE BLACK, ESPECIALLY DURING THE JIM CROW ERA, IT WAS NOT SAFE FOR BLACK AMERICANS.

IT ISN'T GOING TO DETAIL IF THE TOWN IS A -- TOWN, IF YOU WILL BE SERVED AT THE RESTAURANT.

IF YOU HAD TO ENTER THROUGH THE BACK DOOR.

BY CREATING THE GREEN BOOK, HE WAS MAKING BLACK LIVES MATTER , MORE ENJOYABLE, SAFER.

>> IN 1936, THE GREEN BOOK WAS CREATED BY HARLAN HARLAN POSTMAN.

IT WAS MODELED AFTER ANOTHER BUT THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED FOR JEWISH TRAVELERS DURING THAT TIME.

>> FOR US, WE ARE A HOLOCAUST MUSEUM.

BECAUSE OF THE HOLOCAUST, IT IS ALSO PART OF OUR MISSION THAT WE LOOK AT OTHER SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES, HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, HUMAN RIGHT ATROCITIES.

CERTAINLY, THE JIM CROW ERA AND SEGREGATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

REMEMBERS AMAZINGLY CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURIAL AND ALMOST SIMPLE RESPONSE TO IT IS SOMETHING WE WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT.

WE EDUCATE PEOPLE THROUGH WHAT WE HAVE ON THE HOLOCAUST AND ON OTHER ISSUES SO THAT WE CAN CREATE A MORE ACTIVE AND ENGAGED -- THAT WILL ACTUALLY TAKE ACTION IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND FIGHT FOR A BETTER SOCIETY.

MET FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS, IT LED LIKE TRAVERS DOWN ROADS BY OUTLINING RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, SAFEHOUSES, AND OTHER SAFE SPACES THEY COULD GO WITHOUT FEARING FOR THEIR LIVES.

CHICAGO -- CAME TO VISIT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE EXPERIENCES OF HER SOUTHERN FAMILY LIKE HER AUNT.

>> WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING THROUGH A TOWN IN MISSISSIPPI, HER CHILDREN WERE IN THE BACK SEAT.

SHE WAS ABLE TO GO THROUGH THE TOWN WITHOUT ANYONE STOPPING HER BECAUSE SHE LOOKED LIKE SHE WAS WHITE.

HER CHILDREN WERE BLACK AND LOOKED BLACK.

SO WHAT SHE DID, SHE PUT THEM IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR AND TOLD THEM TO LAY DOWN.

SHE TOOK A BLANKET, COVERED THEM WITH THE BLANKET AND TOLD THEM NOT TO MOVE, NOT TO TALK WHILE SHE DROVE THROUGH THE TOWN.

>> THE GREAT MIGRATION AND ROUTE 66 BOTH PLAY A PART IN THE MARKING CHICAGO'S PRESENCE.

IT SPECIFICALLY MADE UP 80% OF THE CITY'S LISTENINGS.

MATT THE AMOUNT OF BLACK AMERICANS THAT CAME UP TO CHICAGO, AND THEN TRAVELING BACK SOUTH TO VISIT FAMILY, CHICAGO IS ALSO THE STARTING POINT OF ROUTE 66, WHICH IS THE WAY IN WHICH YOU WOULD REALLY GET WEST.

WE HAVE NOT ONLY THIS INCREDIBLE -- FROM THE MOTHERLAND, WHICH WAS AN HOTEL AND CLUB.

TODAY, IT IS AN APARTMENT BUILDING.

WE ALSO HAVE A PROJECTION THAT INCLUDES SOME OF THE BUSINESSES THAT WERE LISTED IN THE GREEN BOOK.

THERE WERE ABOUT 200 BUSINESSES THAT WERE LISTED OVER THE YEARS THAT WERE IN CHICAGO.

ABOUT 30 OF THE BUILDING STILL EXISTS, AND ABOUT TWO OF THE BUSINESSES STILL EXIST.

>> THE NAME CHANGED WHEN THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 WAS PASSED, EXPANDING -- BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES HAD TO COMPETE WITH THE BIGGER FRANCHISES WHICH HAD MORE RESOURCES AND FEWER OBSTACLES.

AT LEAST HALF OF THE BUSINESSES WERE CLOSED LESS THAN A DECADE LATER.

>> WE CAN'T FORGET OUR HISTORY.

IT IS IMPORTANT, NOT JUST FOR THIS MONTH, BUT FOR EVERY DAY.

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

ASK YOUR GRANDPARENTS, LET THE GREAT-GRANDPARENTS WHILE THEY ARE ALIVE SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND ALSO RECORDED.

THAT WAY WON'T BE FORGOTTEN.

>>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I AM ANGEL IDOWU.

>> YOU CAN SEE THE EXHIBIT AT THE ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM THROUGH APRIL 23rd.

>>> THE PROPERTY TAX BILLS ARE ON THE WAY.

THE TREASURER'S OFFICE HAS NEARLY $1.8 MILLION -- 1.8 MILLION TAX BILLS AND ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE.

THE FIRST INSTALLMENT IS USUALLY DOABLE MARCH 1st.

THIS YEAR, IT HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO APRIL 3rd.

DID YOU EVER WONDER HOW YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILL GETS TECH LADY?

HAVE A SHARON TAKES YOU ON A JOURNEY THROUGH THAT.

>> PROPERTY TAXES CAN BE A DOOZY, OR RATHER HOW THEY ARE CALCULATED CAN BE.

MONTHS BEFORE THIS BILL LANDS IN YOUR MAILBOX, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, CITIES, COUNTIES, AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS DECIDE HOW MUCH MONEY THEY NEED.

THE FOLKS IN CHARGE BRING UP THE CALCULATORS, FIGURE OUT HOW TO SPREAD THAT AMOUNT ACROSS ALL OF THE PROPERTIES IN THE AREA.

THAT IS YOUR TAX RATE.

IT IS IN AN EVEN SPLIT.

YOUR FINAL BILL IS BASED ON THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME.

THE OWNER OF A $100,000 HOUSE SHOULDN'T BE EXPECTED TO PAY THE SAME AS SOMEONE WITH A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR MANSION.

RIGHT?

THE NUMBER CRUNCHERS HIT THE BOOKS, REGULATING THE VALUE OF EACH PROPERTY USING A WHOLE BUNCH OF DATA LIKE SALE PRICE, LOT SIZE, NEIGHBORHOOD, HOME AGE AND MORE.

IT IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT TAXPAYERS FROM WILD SWINGS IN THEIR BILLS.

YOU CAN APPEAL YOUR FAIR MARKET VALUE.

NEXT UP, ASSESSMENT.

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES ARE ASSESSED AT 10% OF FAIR MARKET VALUE.

IF YOUR HOME IS VALUED AT $300,000, THE ASSESSED VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY IS $30,000.

TO HELP MAKE SURE EVERYONE PAYS THEIR FAIR SHARE, THEY APPLY A COUNTYWIDE EQUALIZER TO THE VALUE OF EACH PROPERTY.

PROPERTY OWNERS CAN GET BREAKS, OR EXEMPTIONS FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, RANGING FROM OLD AGE OR MILITARY SERVICE TO JUST LIVING IN THEIR HOME HOME.

REMEMBER THE TESTER FROM THE BEGINNING?

MULTIPLIED AGAINST THAT FINAL VALUE AND YOU HAVE YOUR FINAL PROPERTY TAX BILL.

OF COURSE, THAT MONEY GOES TOWARD CRITICAL COMMUNITY SERVICES LIKE SCHOOLS, PARKS AND LIBRARIES.

HOME SWEET HOME.

♪ >> IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW.

AGAIN, COOK COUNTY PROPERTY TAX BILLS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON THE TREASURER'S WEBSITE.

THEY ARE ARRIVING IN YOUR MAILBOX BY EARLY MARCH.

THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 10:00.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT", I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

STAY SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

♪