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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> NEARLY A YEAR AFTER POLICE SHOT AND KILLED 13-YEAR-OLD ADAM TOLEDO CHICAGO POLICE ANNOUNCE CHANGES TO THE FOOT PURSUIT POLICY.

WE'LL SHARE THE LATEST.

>> THIS IS A DAY THAT HAS FINALLY COME.

>> AFTER STALLED SINCE 2019, THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT COULD BE IN REACH.

>> WE RESPONDED TO ALMOST 8,000 CALLS.

>> NILES SEES AN UPTICK IN COVID RESPONSE CALLS THAT AND MORE FROM THE NORTHWEST SUBURB.

>> MORE THAN 200 UIC ATHLETES ARE BARRED FROM PLAYING IN THE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS AND WE HEAR WHY.

>> I NEVER THOUGHT WE WOULD CLOSE THE RESTAURANT AND I WOULD BE IN REAL ESTATE FULL TIME.

>> YOU IF ARE LOOKING FOR A GOOD REAL ESTATE AGENT THERE ARE A LOT MORE TO CHOOSE FROM.

>> AND ANCIENT ARTWORK IN A NEW SETTING WE VISIT A RUE JUVENILE NATURED GALLERY OF EGYPTIAN ARTIFACTS AT THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO.

>> AND BRANDIS AND PARIS I'M IN NILES WHERE I WILL BE REPORTING LIVE AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

IT IS A SUBURB WELL-KNOWN FOR THE REPLICA OF THE LEANING TO YOUR OF BE SA.

AND LOOKING TO REANCHOR ONE OF THE BUSINESSES IN THE FUTURE.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT SOON BUT FOR NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT AND SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN STOOD NEXT TO KIM FOXX FOR A RARE JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE CRIMINAL CHARGES IN CONNECTION TO A WEST SIDE SHOOT OUT THAT HAPPENED LAST FALL AFTER A VIOLENT CONFRONTATION BETWEEN TWO GROUPS RESULTING IN ONE DEATH.

FOXX ANNOUNCED A FELONY WEAPONS CHARGE FOR ONE PERSON ALLEGED INVOLVED IN THE ALTERCATION AND SHE ANTICIPATES MORE CHARGES COMING.

>> TODAY'S CHARGES ARE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS THROUGH COLLABORATION.

AND THE FACT THAT WE ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

>> CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNVEILS THE SCHEDULE FOR NEXT YEAR AND IS ASKING PARENTS TO WEIGH-IN.

THE DISTRICT IS PROPOSING TWO OPTIONS TO BEGIN CLASSES ON AUGUST 22 TWO WEEKS BEFORE LABOR DAY AND THE OTHER WOULD BE A WEEK LATER ON AUGUST 29.

PARENT ALSO HAVE UNTIL FRIDAY TO FILL OUT SURVEY AND VOTE ON THEIR PREFERRED SCHEDULE.

>> REVEREND JESSE JACKSON REACHED OUT TO NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL IN REGARDS TO THE DIVERSITY OF HEAD FOOTBALL COACHES.

JACKSON WANTS TO BE A PART OF THE PROCESS TO HELP DIVERSIFY THE RANKS IN THE NFL.

COLUMN SLAMMED THE TREATMENT OF FORMER DOLPHINS HEAD COACH BRIAN FLORES WHO WAS FIRED AFTER THREE SEASONS AND PASSED OVER FOR NEW HEAD COACHING OPPORTUNITIES.

JACKSON SAYS HE HAS YET TO HEAR BACK FROM GOODLE.

>> COVID RATES DROP IN CHIN THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

2.7% TEST POSITIVITY RATE COMPARED TO 4.1% A WEEK AGO AND THE STATE RECORDED 5400 NEW COVID CASES AND RUNNING A AVERAGE OF 6141 >> CHICAGO POLICE LEADERS SAY THEY WILL REVISE FOOT PURSUIT POLICIES WHEN AND WHY OFFICERS CAN GIVE CHASE ON FOOT.

WTTW NEWS REPORTS HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US WITH DETAILS.

THE MAYOR AND POLICE DEPARTMENT PUT FORTH RULES SEVERAL MONTHS AND GOT MET WITH PUSHBACK WHAT RULES ARE THEY ANNOUNCING TODAY?

>> WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO MARCH OF LAST YEAR WHEN THE CITY WAS REALLY ENGULFED IN AN OUTCRY OVER THE DEATHS OF 13-YEAR-OLD ADAM TOLEDO AND 22-YEAR-OLD ANTHONY ALVAREZ BOTH SHOT AND KILLED BY POLICE AFTER FOOT CHASES AND THAT FORCED THE DEVELOP TO DEVELOP THE FIRST-EVER POLICY REGARDING FOOT PURSUITS AND THAT POLICY WAS GREETED WITH CRITICISM AS BEING TOO VAGUE AND INSUFFICIENT.

THE REVISED POLICY WOULD GIVE SUPERVISORS A LARGER ROLE TO PLAY DURING THE CHASES AND IT MAKES CLEAR FOOT PURSUITS ARE ONLY APPROPRIATE IN CASES WHERE THERE IS LEGITIMATE LAW ENFORCEMENT PRIORITY.

>> WHAT IS THE REACTION TO THIS FROM WITHIN AND WITHOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT?

>> I SPOKE WITH HE HAD I DON'T KNOW KA ONE OF THE GROUPS THAT THOUGHT THE INITIAL POLICY WAS NOT SUFFICIENT IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BECAUSE IT INVOLVES THE DANGERS OF FOOT PURSUITS.

AND THERE'S MORE WORK TO BE DONE BECAUSE THEY SHOULD BE LIMITED IT SERIOUS CASES WHERE THERE IS A THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

THERE IS A LINK IN MY STORY AND 0 OUR WEBSITE WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO TO WEIGH-IN ON THE NEW POLICY UNTIL FEBRUARY 25 AND POLICE OFFICIALS EXPECT IT TO GO INTO EFFECT THIS SUMMER.

>> THERE IS A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE POLICY?

>> RIGHT.

AND WE HAVE SHOULD SAY THAT I REACHED OUT TO ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL KWAME RAOUL FOR HIS TAKE ON THIS.

HE WAS ALSO CRITICAL OF THE INITIAL POLICY.

HIS OFFICE DECLINED TO COMMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

HEATHER CHERONE THANKS SO MUCH FOR FILLING US IN.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

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

>> PARIS, THANK YOU.

>> THE VILLAGE OF NILES IS A NEAR NORTHWEST SUBURB JUST ACROSS THE CHICAGO BORDER AND NEAR SKOKIE, MORTON GROVE AND PARK RIDGE.

HOME TO A MULTICULTURAL POPULATION OF 30,000 PEOPLE WITH HIGHER THAN AVERAGE PROPORTION OF SENIORS AND IN THE PROCESS OF REIMAGINING A ONCE VIBRANT RETAIL CENTER IN NEED OF AN OVERHAUL.

AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES", NICK BLUMBERG SPENT THE DAY IN NILES AND NICK JOINS US NOW.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VILLAGE'S FUTURE RIGHT NOW, EFFORTS TO REDEVELOP GOLF MILL MALL AND NEARBY PARK AND THINKING ABOUT WAYS TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

AS YOU MENTIONED THE VILLAGE DOES HAVE A HIGHER THAN AVERAGE POPULATION OVER 65 AND HIGHER THAN AVERAGE COVID VACCINATION RATE WITH 73% FULLY VACCINATED.

BUT THE PANDEMIC HAS PRESENTED CHALLENGES FOR VILLAGE SERVICES.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN A KEY PART OF THE COVID RESPONSE COORDINATING PPE DONATIONS DISTRIBUTING THEM TO HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES AND MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS.

LAST YEAR THE DEPARTMENT SAW A RECORD CALL VOLUME.

>> WE RESPONDED TO ALMOST 8,000 CALLS.

I WOULD SAY WE'VE SEEM A CONTINUED UPTICK IN CALLS.

COVID DID NOT STOP THE EMERGENCIES FROM OCCURRING.

ALL THE PEOPLE HAVING HEART ATTACKS OR STROKES OR THE FIRES OR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, ALL THOSE OTHER EMERGENCIES ARE CONTINUING TO GO ON SO WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TRANSITION BETWEEN COVID RESPONSE AND NON-COVID RESPONSE IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE.

>> PERHAPS THE BEST KNOWN ATTRACTION IN NILES IS THE HALF SIZE REPLICA OF THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA AFTER DECADES OF SILENCE.

AND WE HAVE A LINK TO THAT STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

IN THE COMING MONTHS AND YEARS THE VILLAGE HOPES TO HAVE VISITORS TO CLIMB UP TO THE TOP WITH THE VIEW OF CHICAGO'S SKYLINE AND TO USE THE PLAZA BELOW AS A GATHERING SPACE FOR CONCERTS OR ART FAIRS IN LINE WITH THE ORIGINAL INTENTION AS PART OF A PARK BUILT FOR EMPLOYEES.

>> SPECIFICALLY FOR THE TOWER HE WANTED PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER CULTURES AND THAT IS A VALUE FOR US HERE IN NILES IS LEARNING ABOUT OTHER CULTURES AND EMBRACING PEOPLE'S DIFFERENCES AND TRADITIONS.

THAT IS ONE OF OUR GOALS ON HAVING EVENTS HERE AND GATHERINGS HERE IS WE HAVE SUCH A DIVERSE COMMUNITY THAT WE WANT PEOPLE TO COME AND LOOK AT THE TOWER AND TO SHARE EACH OTHER'S CULTURES AND CELEBRATE OUR COMMUNITY.

>> HISTORIAN AND AUTHOR TOM FERRARO HOPES NEW FOUND ENERGY AT THE LEANING TOWER PLAZA MIGHT ATTRACT A TRAIN STATION THAT THE VILLAGE WANTED AS FAR BACK AS 80-100 YEARS AGO.

>> OBVIOUSLY IF YOU LOOK AT ROSEMONT ON THE NORTH SHORE, THOSE PLACES DO VERY WELL LIKE ENTERTAINMENT VENUES LIKE THAT AND THEY BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER AGAIN.

>> IT'S THE COMMUNITY THAT TOM FERRARO SAYS HAS A LOT OF HISTORY PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW.

AND THE DPOFL CASE WHICH IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF MODERN PROFESSIONAL GOLF.

>> THE HIGHEST PAYING AND TOURNAMENTS AND TELEVISED GOLF IN THE 1940s AND 50s, EVERY NAME IN GOLF PLAYED THERE.

AND IT IS A HIGHLIGHT AND OPEN AS A PUBLIC COURSE THE PARK DISTRICT RUNS IT AS A NINE-HOLE COURSE.

>> NOW, AS WE'VE MENTIONED NILES IS HOME TO A DIVERSE POPULATION.

STARTED AS A GERMAN FARMING COMMUNITY AND SAW POLISH RESIDENTS AND NOW A LARGE SOUTH ASIAN POPULATION AS WELL.

THE NEED FOR SERVICES TO DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES PROMPTED ASIAN SERVICES TO COME TO NILES.

FOUNDED IN DES PLAINES IN 1992 IT OPENED THE NILES LOCATION MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO AND OFFERS HOMECARE, ADULT DAYCARE AND FRESH FOOD.

THE ORGANIZATIONS FOUNDER SAYS THE CLIENTS FELT ISOLATED AFTER MOVING TO THE UNITED STATES ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO MOVED WHEN THEY WERE ALL OLDER.

>> DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO GO ANYWHERE THEY CANNOT READ THE SIGN AND THEY CANNOT DRIVE.

SO IT WAS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT.

THEY WOULD COOK IN THE HOME.

WE HAVE SPEAK THE LANGUAGE AND WE HAVE TO OBSERVE ALL THE FESTIVALS WHICH WE USED TO DO IN INDIA.

AND THE FOOD DEFINITELY.

ETHNIC FOOD FOR THEM IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> THE GROUP ALSO HELPED ALL CLIENTS GET VACCINATED AFTER SHOTS BECAME AVAILABLE.

THEY DONATED MEALS WHEN THE PANDEMIC FIRST STRUCK.

SANTOSH KUMAR SAYS MANY CLIENTS WERE AFRAID WHEN COVID-19 FIRST HIT THE INCOME HAIR -- IN-HOME CARE OFFERS INDEPENDENCE AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND A CHANCE TO GET UP AND DANCE WELL INTO HER 80s OR 90s.

ONE CLIENT IS ABOUT TO TURN 96.

WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE FROM NILES COMING UP INCLUDING A GROUP THAT WORKS WITH YOUNG RESIDENTS AS WE'LL HEAR MORE FROM THE MAYOR ABOUT PLANS TO REDEVELOP GOLF MILL MALL AND BREATHE LIFE INTO OUTDOOR SPACES.

FOR NOW BACK TO YOU U THE GROUP OF DANCERS IS CUTE.

THANK YOU.

>> TO PARIS AND CONTROVERSY OVER COLLEGE ATHLETICS IN CHICAGO.

PARIS?

>> MORE THAN 200 STUDENT ATHLETES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO ARE BARRED FROM PARTICIPATING IN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS.

THE DECISION COMES FROM THEIR CONFERENCE THE HORIZON LEAGUE AFTER UIC ANNOUNCED IT WILL BE LEAVING THE LEAGUE AND JOINING THE MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE NEXT YEAR AS SOME CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE SET TO BEGIN IN JUST A WEEK.

AND JOINING US WITH MORE ARE TIANA JACKSON, A SENIOR WHO PAYS ON THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM AND PRESIDENT OF I OF UIC'S STUDENT ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND MICHAEL LIPITZ AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO.

AND HORIZON LEAGUE PROVIDED A STATEMENT THAT WE'LL GET TO BUT DID NOT SEND A REPRESENTATIVE.

WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE HERE.

TIANA JACKSON, THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT STARTS IN LESS THAN A MONTH WHAT IS YOUR REACTION AND YOUR TEAMMATES' REACTION TO THE DECISION?

>> WE HAD OUR HARDSHIPS BUT WE KNOW ONCE IT COMES TO POST SEASON PLAY EVERYONE'S RECORD IS 0-0.

THAT THAT IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO GET AT IT AND COME TOGETHER AND UPSET SOME TEAMS RUIN PEOPLE'S SEASON AND NOW WE WON'T HAVE THAT CHANCE.

WE HAVE TO END THE SEASON PLAYING OUR HARDEST.

BUT WE DID GET STRIPPED OF THE CHANCE TO COMPETE IN ANY POST SEASON PLAY.

>> AND OF COURSE, IN BASKETBALL, IN THIS CONFERENCE, IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE NIT OR NCAA TOURNAMENT USUALLY THE TEAMS HAVE TO WIN THE CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT.

MICHAEL LIPITZ GIVE US A SENSE OF THE REACTION ACROSS THE SPORTS PROGRAMS AND THE UNIVERSITY?

>> IT WAS A HARD DAY TUESDAY TO RECEIVE THE NEWS.

THIS IMPACTS 13 OF OUR 18 TEAMS AND 200 OF OUR 300 ATHLETES.

YOU TOUCHED ON BASKETBALL AND BEFORE THAT NEXT WEEK OUR SWIMMING AND DIVING TEAMS WERE SET TO GO TO INDIANAPOLIS TO COMPETE IN CHAMPIONSHIPS.

THE NEXT WEEK INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD AND THROUGH THE REST OF THE SPRING WITH OUR SPRING SPORTS.

IT IS A DEVASTATING IMPACT FOR THE STUDENT ATHLETES.

WE DON'T UNDERSTAND.

WE KNOW THIS IS WITHIN THE BOARD'S PURVIEW TO TAKE THIS ACTION.

WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY CHOSE TO TAKE IT IT IS UNNECESSARY.

>> AND YOU MENTIONED THE CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT IS A CHANCE TO UPSET TEAMS BUT DOES IT HAVE AN IMPACT ON PLAYERS' LIVES POST COLLEGE, SAY THE TOURNAMENT MIGHT BE A GOOD PLACE TO DISPLAY YOUR SKILLS TO PROFESSIONAL TEAMS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AFTER LIKE AS ATHLETES THE MAJORITY OF US HAVE DEVOTED OUR LIVES CONSTANTLY GIVING OUR BLOOD, SWEAT, TEARS, ENERGY AND TIME AND DIVISION 1 WE INVEST SO MUCH OF OUR LIVES INTO THE SPORT.

AND MAJORITY OF THE TIME WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS RINGS LIKE THAT THAT IS WHY WE PLAY OUR SPORT TO COMPETE AT HIGH LEVELS.

A LOT OF US WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY PROFESSIONALLY, OVERSEAS AND BE THE BEST AT OUR SPORT AND TO HAVE THAT TAKEN AWAY IS JUST UNIMAGINABLE TO DO THAT TO STUDENTS ATHLETES WHO OUR MAIN GOAL IS TO BE THE BEST WE CAN BE IN ANYTHING WE DO AND WE WON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> HORIZON LAID OUT IN A STATEMENT SAYING QUOTE... >> MICHAEL FRUSTRATION ASIDE ISN'T THE HORIZON LEAGUE FOLLOWING ITS OWN PROTOCOL?

>> THE LEAGUE CANNOT HIDE BEHIND THE BYLAWS.

THE BYLAWS INDICATE THAT THE LEAGUE HAS THE PURVIEW TO TAKE WHATEVER ACTION THEY DEEM IS APPROPRIATE WITH A DEPARTING MEMBER.

THE PRESIDENTS MET AND MADE THE CHOICE CONSCIOUSLY THEY VOTED TO PUNISH OUR STUDENT ATHLETES.

THEY CHOSE TO.

SO THEY CAN SAY THEY ARE FOLLOWING THE BYLAWS, BUT THIS SERVES NO LEGITIMATE PURPOSE OTHER THAN TO INFLICT, HARM, PAIN ON OUR STUDENT ATHLETES.

I WOULD ASK WHY IS IT OK THAT WE CAN COMPLETE OUR REGULAR SEASONS BUT THE POST SEASON OPPORTUNITY THAT THE LEAGUE IS TAKING AWAY.

>> WAS THERE ANY SCENARIO IN WHICH UIC COULD HAVE MADE THE DECISION WITHIN THE TIME-FRAME HORIZON LEAGUE IS TALKING ABOUT?

>> THERE IS NOT BECAUSE WE DON'T CONTROL THE LANDSCAPE.

THE OPPORTUNITY WAS PRESENTED IN JANUARY AND WE KNOW IN THE LONG-RUN THIS IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE INSTITUTION AND FUTURE ATHLETES.

WHAT IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE IMPACT IT'S HAVING ON OUR STUDENT ATHLETES BUT IT IS AN IMPACT THAT IS NOT NECESSARY.

THE LEAGUE CHOSE TO INFLICT THIS HARM AND THEY CAN CHOOSE TO CHANGE THEIR MIND AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR.

THE HORIZON LEAGUE PRESIDENTS CAN COME TOGETHER THEY CAN DO IT TODAY.

AND CHANGE THIS DECISION.

IT'S UNJUST.

AND IT DOESN'T NEED TO STAND.

>> TIANA JACKSON ARE THERE ANY OTHER AVENUES TO APPEAL THIS DECISION TO THE HORIZON LEAGUE OFFICIALS?

>> MOSTLY I THINK THE BIGGEST THING IS GETTING SUPPORT FROM OTHER SCHOOLS AND OTHER PEOPLE, FROM ANYONE REALLY.

NO ONE WOULD WANT TO BE IN A SITUATION THAT THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING THEY LOVED AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE BEST AND TO BE NAMED THAT TITLE GETS TAKEN FROM THEM, NO ONE WOULD WANT TO BE IN THE POSITION NO STUDENT ATHLETE.

THIS IS WHAT WE PUT THE MAJORITY OF OUR TIME AND EFFORT INTO.

AND YEAH, I FEEL IT'S ABOUT COMING TOGETHER AND GIVING SUPPORT BECAUSE WE ARE NOT THE ONLY INSTITUTION DEALING WITH THIS.

IT'S SUPPORTING EVERYONE.

I DON'T THINK THE BY LAW SHOULD EXIST AT THE EXPENSE OF ATHLETES.

I TRUTHFULLY THINK THE BY LAW TO BE A BY LAW AND AT END OF THE DAY LAWS ARE MADE FOR PEOPLE BY PEOPLE AND THEY ARE CHOOSING NOT TO CHANGE THEIR MIND.

AND IT REALLY ISN'T FAIR IT'S UNJUST AND ALL STUDENT ATHLETES ACROSS THE WORLD ARE INFURIATED BY THE DECISION THAT THE CONFERENCES ARE MAKING.

>> MICHAEL LIPITZ YOU GOT INVITED TO JOIN THE MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE, LOYOLA ARE JOINING THE ATLANTIC 10.

REALIGNMENT HAPPENING.

WHAT DOES THAT CHANGE BRING TO UIC?

>> IN THE FUTURE THIS IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR THE INSTITUTION AND OUR PROGRAM AND OUR STUDENT ATHLETES.

IT IS A WONDERFUL CONFERENCE AND PROVIDES A HIGHER LEVEL OF VISIBILITY ESPECIALLY IN THE ERA OF NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS AND MISSOURI VALLEY HAS IN MOST SPORTS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MULTIPLE TEAMS TO MAKE THE NCAA TOURNAMENT NOT THE ONLY CONFERENCE CHAMPION.

AT LARGE BIDS BECOME MORE POPULAR.

WE KNOW IN THE LONG-RUN IT IS THE RIGHT DECISION FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.

AND IN THE SHORT-TERM, THE PAIN WE'RE FEELING RIGHT NOW AND OUR STUDENT ATHLETES FEELING DOESN'T NEED TO OCCUR.

THE HORIZON LEAGUE CAN MAKE THE CHOICE TO CHANGE THEIR MIND AND DO THE RIGHT THING BY ITS STUDENT ATHLETES.

WE'RE FOLLOW IT.

AND THANKS TO TIANA JACKSON AND MICHAEL LIPITZ THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> PARIS, THANK YOU.

A BIPARTISAN DEAL IN CONGRESS TO REAUTHORIZE THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT APPEARS TO BE WITHIN REACH.

THE ACT ORIGINALLY INTRODUCED BY THEN SENATOR JOE BIDEN IN 1990, WAS LAST REAUTHORIZED IN 2013 AND IT LAPSED IN 2019.

THE HOUSE VOTED TO REAUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATION BUT THE BILL HAS BEEN STALLED IN THE SENATE.

WEDNESDAY SENATOR DICK DURBIN SAID A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF SENATORS INTRODUCED A COMPROMISE DEAL.

>> TODAY IN AMERICA WE ANTICIPATE THERE WILL BE 20,000 CALLS PLACED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINES IN OUR COUNTRY.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE IN THE NEXT MINUTE, 60 SECONDS, WE CAN EXPECT 20 PEOPLE IN AMERICA TO BE PHYSICALLY ABUSED BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER IN OUR COUNTRY.

>> JOINING US TO SHARE HER THOUGHTS ON THIS DEAL IS STEPHANIE LOVE-PATTERSON, EXECUTIVE TRICK TORE AT CONNECTIONS FOR ABUSED WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHICH PROVIDES SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SO IT LOOKS LIKE A DEAL IS WITHIN REACH.

WHY DO YOU THINK THIS ACNEDDED TO BE RENEWED?

>> WELL, SENATOR DURBIN SAID IT BEST.

THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY HOTLINE CALLS.

20,000 IN THIS COUNTRY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE REACHING OUT FOR HELP.

SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR POPULATION ARE IN DANGER.

WE NEED TO HAVE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE INCLUDING FUNDING, INCLUDING SERVICES FOR THOSE VICTIMS WHO ARE REACHING OUT AT A TIME WHEN IT'S REALLY CRITICAL FOR THEM.

SO I'M SO THANKFUL I HAVE TO FIRST SAY TO SENATOR DURBIN FOR PUSHING THIS AND BEING SUCH AN AMAZING ADVOCATE.

ALL ALONG WHEN IT WASN'T POPULAR IN OTHER VENUES TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE PROTECTIONS ARE PUT IN PLACE AND THAT WAS REAUTHORIZED.

>> THE ACT INCLUDES STRENGTHENING RAPE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION EFFORT, PROVIDING LEGAL FUNDING AND INCREASED SUPPORT FOR MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES AND GRANT PROGRAMS FOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUES.

GIVE US A SENSE OF THE IMPACT OF PROGRAMS LIKE THAT HOW HELPFUL CAN THEY BE?

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT PREVENTION.

PREVENTION IS HUGE.

IF WE REALLY WANT TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE APPROPRIATELY, IF WE WANT TO REACH AND WORK TOWARDS A MISSION THAT WE HAVE TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WE HAVE TO LOOK AT PREVENTION.

INTERVENTION IS CRITICAL AND VITAL FOR FOLKS REACHING OUT AND WE ALSO LOOK AT GETTING INTO SCHOOLS AND OTHER PREVENTION INITIATIVES TO BE ABLE TO STOCK THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT BEFORE IT GETS STARTED.

TO BE ABLE TO INTERRUPT THOSE THOUGHTS THAT USING VIOLENCE AND TACTICS IS ACCEPTABLE IN RELATIONSHIPS.

SO THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE IS ALSO VITALLY IMPORTANT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF LEGAL ISSUES THAT COME ALONG WITH BEING A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC.

THERE'S DIVORCE MANY, CUSTODY ISSUES.

OUR ORGANIZATIONS ARE VERY GOOD AT HELPING CWC HAS LEGAL ADVOCATES AND SOME INSTANCES VICTIMS NEED ACTUAL ATTORNEYS SO BEING ABLE TO HIRE THOSE STAFF TO BE ABLE TO -- >> PROVIDES THAT SUPPORT.

WE KNOW THIS HAD STALLED IN THE SENATE PREVIOUSLY.

MOSTLY BECAUSE OF A PROVISION THAT WOULD PROHIBIT SOMEONE PREVIOUSLY CONVICTED OF STALKING FROM POSSESSING FIREARMS SO-CALLED BOYFRIEND LOOPHOLE.

THAT PROVISION HAS NOT BEEN EXCLUDED.

GIVE US A SENSE WHAT THAT WAS AND WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THAT EXCLUSION?

>> MY REACTION IS I'M GRATEFUL THAT THEY ARE MOVING THE REAUTHORIZATION FORWARD AND THE BILL FORWARD.

I JUST THINK IT'S DISHEARTENING TO KNOW THAT THE GUN LAWS WILL BE TAKEN AWAY.

JUST BECAUSE IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS IN FY21, 45% OF THE HOMICIDES THAT OCCURRED IN THE STATE HAPPENED WITH THE USE OF A FIREARM.

THAT A HUGE NUMBER THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE ALARMED ABOUT.

AND SO KNOWING THAT THAT IS ONE OF THE WEAPONS OF CHOICE FOR A LOT OF PERSONS WHO CAUSE HARM.

IT'S JUST IS IMPORTANT.

I THINK IN THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMMUNITY THINKS TO HAVE PROVISIONS IN THERE TO TAKE THEM AWAY FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO ABUSED THEM BEFORE BECAUSE THEY ARE TELLING US THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY WANT TO DO AND WILL MOSTLY LIKE LIE CONTINUE TO DO.

>> THE BACKERS OF THIS PROPOSAL INCLUDING REPUBLICAN SENATOR FROM IOWA AND DIANE FEINSTEIN OF CALIFORNIA SAID THEY WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE KEPT THAT PROVISION IN THIS DEAL BUT IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD THEY NEEDED SOMETHING THAT COULD GET TO 60 VOTES.

DO YOU THINK THEY WERE RIGHT TO HAVE COMPROMISED ON THAT IS THIS.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK UNFORTUNATELY THOSE OF US IN THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMMUNITY WE ARE USED TO COMPROMISING AND TAKING WHAT WE CAN GET TO ADVANCE PROTECTIONS AND SAFETY FOR AGAIN, THOSE MOST VULNERABLE.

BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO KEEP PUSHING.

SO YES, WE ARE EXCITED THAT THIS BILL IS MOVING FORWARD.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE STILL HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF WORK WE HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO GET PROVISIONS LIKE THAT REINTRODUCED INTO THE ACT.

>> IS THERE MUCH OVERLAP BETWEEN FEDERAL LAW WHAT THIS PROPOSAL WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON AND STATE LAW?

>> YES.

IN TERMS OF I WILL TALK ABOUT IT IN TERMS OF FUNDING.

WE GET SOME FUNDING THROUGH CITY, LOCAL STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING.

AND SO SOME OF THIS MONEY WILL BE PASSED DOWN THROUGH TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE CAWC.

>> AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE RISE OVER THE COURSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND COVERED THE INCREASE IN INSTANCES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

WHAT HAVE YOU AND YOUR ORGANIZATION EXPERIENCED OR SEEN?

>> WELL, THIS PANDEMIC HAS SHOWN A SPOTLIGHT ON SO MANY ASPECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

AND WE DID SEE AN INCREASE.

THE ILLINOIS STATE DOMESTIC HOTLINE THAT IS HERE IN CHICAGO.

THROUGH THE FIRST FEW WEEKS DURING OUR GOVERNOR'S MANDATE TO SHUTDOWN ILLINOIS, SAW I BELIEVE IT WAS A 19% INCREASE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATED CALLS.

A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE THINK THAT BECAUSE SO MANY OTHER THINGS IN OUR POPULATION ON OUR WORLD STOPPED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

UNFORTUNATELY DOMESTIC DID NOT STOP THAT ISSUE OF POWER AND CONTROL AT THE CENTER OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, GREW AND IN INTENSITY AND SOME PEOPLE USED THAT IN THE WAY THAT THEY PERPETRATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

SO THERE'S DEFINITELY BEEN AN INCREASE.

>> STEPHANIE LOVE-PATTERSON THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME AND COVERING THIS MORNING TOPIC AND THANK YOU TO SENATOR DURBIN.

>> NEXT, A NEW GALLERY DEDICATED TO ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ARTWORKS EXPLORES EVERYDAY LIFE AND AFTER LIFE.

WE TAKE YOU INSIDE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING WHAT IS DRAWING PEOPLE TO WORK IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW?

FIRST, BACK IN 1890, THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO BEGAN COLLECTING EGYPTIAN ART.

MUCH OF IT HAS BEEN OUT OF VIEW FOR YEARS BUT THE MUSEUM SPRUCED UP THE COLLECTION AND IS ABOUT TO UNVEIL IT IN A NEW GALLERY.

MARC VITALI HAS THE PREVIEW OF ANCIENT ART AND THE ARTIFACTS FROM THE NILE VALLEY IN NORTH AFRICA.

[♪♪♪] A CLOSE LOOK REVEALS DETAILS MADE BY ARTISANS THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO.

ARTIFACTS INCLUDE TINY EMLATINOS A SARCOPHAGUS, PAINTED COFFINS AND DEPICTIONS OF ANIMAL, PEOPLE AND GODS.

>> IT WAS EXCITING TO GET THE COLLECTION ON VIEW AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 10 YEARS.

WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME RESEARCHING THE INDIVIDUAL OBJECTS, CONSERVING THEM TREATING THEM SO THEY WILL BE VIBRANT AGAIN IN THE GALLERY.

REALLY THINKING THROUGH THE STORIES THAT THE OBJECTS CAN TELL.

>> STORIES DEAL WITH EVERYDAY LIFE.

DUCKS AND WATERFOWL ARE HARVESTED FOR FOOD.

>> THE WORKS IN THE GALLERY COVER 3,000 YEARS OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN HISTORY.

SO BEHIND ME YOU WILL SEE A WONDERFUL MASK THAT HAS A GILDED FACE AND THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN AN OBJECT PLACED OVER THE HEAD OF A MUMMIFIED INDIVIDUAL TO GIVE THEM PROTECTION IN THE AFTER LIFE.

>> THERE ARE NO MUMMIES ON DISPLAY.

ALTHOUGH THIS COLOR COFFIN CONTAINS MUMMIFIED REMAINS.

>> EGYPTIAN ART IS SYMBOLISM THEY LOVED PACKING THEIR ART WITH INFORMATION ONE SYMBOL YOU WILL SEE IS THE LOT TUS FLOWER.

THEY SAW THIS AS A SYMBOL FOR REGENERATION AND REBIRTH.

YOU WILL SEE IMAGES SOMETIMES OF LOTUSES INCORPORATED INTO JEWELRY AND LOVERY IMAGES OF WOMEN SNIFFING FLOWERS AS A SYMBOL THE HOPE TO BE REBORN IN THE NEXT WORLD.

GENERALLY SPEAKING BEING AN ARTIST IN ANCIENT EGYPT WAS A FAMILY TRADITION MOST JOBS POSITIONS WERE PASSED FROM FATHER TO SON AND PEOPLE WERE TRAPEED IN A TRADITION FROM A RELATIVELY YOUNG AGE.

ARTISTS OFTEN WORKED IN TEAMS WHEN DECORATING TOMBS OR TEMPLES.

HERE IN CHICAGO WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE THREE COLLECTIONS OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN MATERIAL, THE ORIENTAL MUSEUM AND THE FIELD MUSEUM AND OURS.

THE ART INSTITUTE WAS THE FIRST TO START COLLECTING.

OUR TRUE ARTIFACT CAME TO US IN 1890 AND THAT WAS FROM A WOMAN WHO WASN'T COFOUNDER OF A BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION.

OF THE MOST OF THE WORKS YOU WILL BE SEEING IN THE GALLERY HAVE BEEN IN THE MUSEUM SINCE THE LATE 19TH OR EARLY 20TH CENTURY.

>> THAT INCLUDES A 4,000-YEAR-OLD DRAWING THE OLDEST IN THE COLLECTION AND A COFFIN THAT HAS NOT BEEN SHOWN IN THE GALLERY FOR 80 YEARS INTEREST BEING AN EGYPTOLOGIST IS A FUN FIELD.

PART IS THE ANTIQUITY OF THE CULTURE WE ARE LOOKING AT THINGS PRODUCED 5,000 YEARS AGO IN SOME CASES.

AND, OF COURSE, JUST THE BEAUTY OF THE WORKS THEY CREATED AND THE VIBRANCY OF THEIR CULL DUR.

>> FOR -- CULTURE.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> THE EXHIBIT SHOP IS CALLED LIFE AND AFTER LIFE IN ANCIENT EGYPT IT OPENS TOMORROW AND MORE TO SEE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS.

STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... HOW THE VILLAGE OF NILES IS REIMAGINING ITS HISTORICAL RESALE HUBS ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE MAYOR.

>> THE BOOMS HOUSE INDUSTRY SEES AN INFLUX OF REALTORS WHY SO MANY PIVOTED TO SELLING REAL ESTATE AMID THE PANDEMIC.

>> AND REMEMBERING BLUES GREAT SAM LAY WHO DIED LATE LAST MONTH IN CHICAGO.

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

>> A 15 YEAR OLD BOY IS FACING A FELONY CHARGE FOR MAKING A VIOLENT THREAT AGAINST LINCOLN PARK HIGH SCHOOL.

THE TEEN HAS BEEN CHARGED AS A JUVENILE WITH ONE COUNT OF MAKING A THREAT TO A SCHOOL BUILDING OR PERSON.

HE MADE THE THREAT IN A SOCIAL MEDIA POST YESTERDAY MORNING CLAIMING HE WOULD BRING A GUN TO SCHOOL AND SHOOT THE KIDS THAT ANNOY HIM.

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS DECLINED TO COMMENT ON THE MATTER AND MORE IS ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> A TV STAR PLEADED GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHARGES OF CHILD IMPORTANT NOTHINGFY.

JERRY HARRIS WAS ONE OF THE BREAK OUT CHARACTERS OF THE NETFLIX SERIES CHEER RELEASED IN 2020 BUT FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ACCUSED HIM OF SOLICITING VIDEOS AND PHOTOGRAPHS FROM AN UNDERAGED BOY.

HARRIS WAS BORN IN HINSDALE AND HIS SENTENCING IS SCHEDULED FOR LATE JUNE.

>> COVID RATES DROP AGAIN IN CHICAGO AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

CHICAGO RECORDED A 2.7% TEST POSITIVITY RATE OVER THE LAST 24 HOURS COMPARED TO 4.1% A WEEK AGO.

MEANWHILE, THE STATE RECORDED 5400 NEW COVID CASES AND IS RUNNING A SEVEN DAY AVERAGE OF 6141 CASES PER DAY DOWN FROM 9400 A WEEK AGO.

>> AND IT WAS 15 YEARS AGO TODAY THAT BARACK OBAMA STARTED WHAT WOULD BECOME A HISTORIC RUN FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO ANNOUNCE MY CANDIDACY FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

>> AND TO COMMEMORATE THE DAY THE STATE IS PLANNING TO ERECT A MARKER WHERE OBAMA ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY.

A YEAR-AND-A-HALF LATER HE RETURNED TO ANNOUNCE JOE BIDEN AS HIS PICK FOR VICE-PRESIDENT.

THE REST AS WE FOR IS HISTORY.

THE OLD STATE CAPITOL FOUNDATION AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SAY RENDERINGS OF THE MARKER HAVE BEEN COMPLETED A PUBLIC CEREMONY WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR LATER THIS YEAR.

PARIS, WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND WE CHECK BACK IN WITH NICK BLUMBERG WHO SPENT THE DAY IN NILES AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> NICK?

>> THANKS, PARIS THAT IS RIGHT WE'RE HERE WITH NILES MAYOR GEORGE ALPOGIANIS THANK YOU FOR MAKING TIME ON THIS CHILLY EVENING.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR THINKING ABOUT US IN THE VILLAGE OF NILES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME EFFORTS UNDERWAY AND CONVERSATIONS TALKING ABOUT THE REDEVELOPMENT OF GOLF MILL MALL A LONGTIME STAPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS HAD STRUGGLES AS MANY RETAIL CENTERS HAVE.

WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH?

>> THANKS FOR ASKING THAT.

IT'S REAL EXCITING RIGHT NOW.

YOU KNOW DURING THE DAY AND TIME GOLF MILL WAS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE GREATEST SHOPPING CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

VERY HAPPENING A LOT OF ACTIVITY AND GREAT SHOPPING.

A LOT OF ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS, FAMILIES AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

AND IT WENT STAGNANT.

A LOT OF MALLS HAVE DONE OVER THE YEARS.

BUT IT'S TIME FOR ITS REBIRTH.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TIGHTLY AND CLOSELY WITH THE OWNER AND THERE SEEMS TO BE GREAT MOVEMENT COMING ALONG.

WE JUST RELEASED THE FIRST SET OF CONCEPTUAL PLANS AND IT'S CREATING A GOOD BUZZ WE'RE EXCITED.

>> WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS THE THINGS YOU ARE EXCITED ABOUT?

>> THE REVAMPING OF THE MALL AND OPENING IT BACK UP.

THEY WILL BRING BACK THE WHEEL THE GOLF MILL WHEEL AND THAT IS COOL AND EXCITING AS WELL.

IT WILL BRING BACK SOME OF THE NOSTALGIA WHAT MADE GOLF MILL.

CREATE THAT AURA SOME HIGH-END APARTMENTS WILL BE GOING IN AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND OTHER THINGS ARE IN THE WORKS THAT WE'RE NOT READY TO TALK ABOUT YET.

>> AND YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING AT DOING REDEVELOPMENT OF GOLF MILL PARK NEARBY HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT OUTDOOR SPACE AS WELL TO CREATING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY?

>> THAT IS ANOTHER THING WE WANT TO DO IS CREATE THAT MORE GREENSPACE OPEN SPACE, PUBLIC ART SOME OF THAT WE'RE PUSHING FOR.

ONE OF THE GOOD THINGS I SAW THAT CAME OUT OF COVID PEOPLE REALIZED THEY NEED TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE MORE ACTIVITY OUTSIDE.

WALKING.

BIKING.

BIKE PATHS, KIDS, CHILDREN AND WE WANT TO OPEN UP NILES A LITTLE BIT MORE AS WELL.

>> ALONG THOSE LINES THE QUESTION OF HAVING THAT OPEN SPACE THE OUTDOOR AREAS YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON INFRASTRUCTURE ON TRYING TO IMPROVE THINGS FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS?

>> WE HAVE HAVE UP WITH OF THE LEAST TAPPED RESOURCES IS THE BIKE PATH ALONG THE RIVER AND WE'RE BRINGING THE BIKE PATHS TO CONNECT TO IT WHICH WILL BE NEAT AND COOL.

THAT IS A BIG DEAL, TOO.

INFRASTRUCTURE WE'VE GOT ABOUT $18 MILLION IN STREETS WE WILL DO OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS WELL NEEDED.

AND A LOT MORE SAFETY, TOO FOR OUR BIKE PEDROS, BICYCLISTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE AS WELL.

>> WHEN YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT THE REDEVELOPMENT EFFORTS RETAIL, OUTDOOR, INFRASTRUCTURE HOW IMPORTANT ARE THOSE TO CREATING THAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND TRYING TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN RESIDENTS?

>> AND BRINGING IN NEW RESIDENTS AS WELL.

WE'VE GOT A STRONG AND STABLE COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW.

BUT THE FUTURE LIES IN THE YOUTH.

AND WE WANT TO ATTRACT MORE YOUNG FAMILIES TO COME HERE.

WE'VE GOT THINGS AND IDEAS WORKING WITH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN TERMS OF ARCHITECTURAL PLANS FOR FUTURE OF SOME OF THE SMALLER HOMES.

INCLUDING WAIVING PERMIT FEES AND TAKING SOME OF THE SMALLER OLDER HOMES AND REVAMPING THEM AND CREATING MORE LIVELY COMMUNITIES WITH OUR HOUSING MARKET.

>> I MEAN FOR FOLKS WHO DON'T KNOW THE VILLAGE AS WELL WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE AND ATTRACTIVE?

>> WE HAVE SO MUCH HERE WE ARE FORTUNATE.

GREAT SHOPPING AND LOCAL, WELL LOCATED.

WE HAVE 1.5 BILLION DOLLARS IN RETAIL SALES HERE EVERY YEAR.

GREAT SCHOOLS.

GREAT PARKS.

WE HAVE A STRONG SOLID COMMUNITY FISCALLY AS WELL.

A LOT OF GOOD STUFF HAPPENING AND MORE TO COME.

>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE DEVELOPMENT IN THE FUTURE.

MAYOR GEORGE ALPOGIANIS THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS TO THE FOLKS IN NILES.

APPRECIATE EVERYTHING, GUYS.

>> WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE COMING UP FROM NILES AND LEARN ABOUT THE PROGRAMS THAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE HERE CAN GET INVOLVED WITH.

BUT FOR NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> A LOT OF STUFF IN NILES.

WE DIVE INTO THE BOOMING HOUSING INDUSTRY FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> THE HOUSING MARKET HAS BEEN HOT THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

AND SO IS THE INDUSTRY ITSELF WITH MORE PEOPLE GETTING INTO THE BUSINESS.

MEMBERSHIP AT THE ILLINOIS REALTORS ASSOCIATION IS UP 15% IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

AND THE PAST TWO YEARS, HAVE SEEN THE MOST SIGNIFICANT GROWTH.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS WHY SOME MANY ARE TURNING TO REAL ESTATE AS A CAREER AJEFF BAKER C.E.O.

OF ILLINOIS REALTORS A TRADE ASSOCIATION AND DENNIS RODKIN RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE REPORTER AT CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS.

WELCOME.

DENNIS WELCOME BACK.

YOU REPORTED ON THIS INFLUX OF PEOPLE ENTERING THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY.

HOW SIGNIFICANT IS THIS INCREASE?

>> IT'S BIG.

IT LOOKS AS IF IT'S UP 8% IN 2021 FROM 2020.

I SPOKE TO THREE ORGANIZATIONS ILLINOIS REALTORS AND JEFF HERE, AND THE MAIN STREET ORGANIZATION OF REALTORS SUBURBAN AND CHICAGO ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS ALL OF THEM HAVE SEEN A BIG INFLUX SEVERAL THOUSAND PEOPLE IN 2021 AND LATE 2020 MOVED INTO REAL ESTATE IN THE CHICAGO AREA.

>> JEFF BAKER HAVE YOU NOTICED THIS IN YOUR MEMBERSHIP AS WELL AND WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

>> WE HAVE NOTICED IT.

AS DENNIS ELUDED TO OR SAID, THE MEMBERSHIP IS UP BOTH IN 2020 AND IN 2021.

I THINK THE MOST OBVIOUS REASON FOR THAT IS THE PANDEMIC AND SOME OF THE RESTRICTIONS THAT WERE IN PLACE FOR SOME INDUSTRIES OUT THERE AND SOME BUSINESSES BEING CLOSED.

THAT DOES OPEN A DOOR FOR FOLKS LOOKING FOR A SECOND OR PERHAPS THIRD CAREER OR LOOKING TO EXERCISE MORE CONTROL OVER THEIR CAREER PATH.

SO REAL ESTATE BECOMING A REALTOR IS A GOOD VIABLE OPTION FOR THAT.

SO I THINK THAT EXPLAINS THE BULK OF OUR MEMBERSHIP INCREASE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> AND THE HOTNESS IN THE MARKET PROVIDES BUSINESS FOR THE FOLKS TO DO.

EARLIER TODAY WE SPOKE WITH AMY WU SHOT GOT HERE LICENSE IN 2019 BUT IN 2020 SHE DECIDED TO SELL HER RESTAURANT AND TAKE ON REAL ESTATE FULL-TIME.

LET'S LISTEN TO PART OF HER REASONING.

>> IF I AM INTENTIONAL IF I USE THE RIGHT METHOD AND MODELS IN MY BUSINESS, THE IDEA IS I SHOULD BE SEEING THAT RETURN THAT ROI.

THE HARDER I WORK OR THE SMARTER WE WORK THE MORE RETURN WE GET.

>> DENNIS IS THIS SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU HEARD IN YOUR REPORTING?

WHAT KINDS OF PEOPLE ARE ENTERING THE INDUSTRY?

>> YOU KNOW, I WAS INTERESTED THAT IT WAS PEOPLE AT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE, BRAND NEW TO THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD UP TO NEARLY RETIRED.

MANY OF THEM HAD AN INTEREST ALREADY IN REAL ESTATE THEY WERE INVESTORS, THEY ENJOYED DECORATING WHATEVER IT WAS.

BUT A LOT OF THEM WENT IN SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE HOSPITALITY SHUTDOWN OR ANOTHER BUSINESS THEY WERE IN SHUTDOWN AND THEY SAID WELL, REAL ESTATE KEPT OPERATING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

REAL ESTATE WAS ONE OF THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

SO IF THIS TRACK I'M ON IS BLOCKED, WHAT IS ONE OF THE ONES THAT IS HAPPENING?

AND THAT WAS AN EARLY CHOICE BUT THEN AS YOU SAW THE HOUSING BOOM THAT KICKED IN BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC IT THAT WAS CONFIRMATION OF THAT CHOICE ALL ALONG THE WAY.

>> JEFF, YOU TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE INDUSTRY PROVIDES WITH REGARDS TO FLEXIBILITY AND BEING YOUR OWN BOSS AND WHAT AMY SAID AS WELL, THE ROI HOW MUCH YOU WORK, WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FOR NEW REAL ESTATE AGENTS WHO ARE BRAND NEW TO THE FIELD?

>> SO AMY'S COMMENT IS SPOT ON IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO MORE DIRECTLY LINK EFFORT AND REWARD AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE INDUSTRY PROVIDES REALTORS.

SO THAT IS SPOT ON AS TO ONE OF THE REASONS IT ATTRACTS AMBITIOUS AND THOSE WHO HAVE AN ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT.

BUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT SOME OF THE NEWCOMERS FACE AND THE MORE EXPERIENCED REALTORS IS THEY ARE IN A VERY HEAVILY COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY AND THEY ARE ALL COMPETING FOR A SLIMMER AND SLIMMER NUMBER OF HOMES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE.

WE'RE COMING OFF OF TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS MORE THAN THAT IN TERMS OF SUPPLY OF HOUSING.

THERE IS LESS AND LESS TO COMPETE OVER AND MORE AND MORE PEOPLE TO COMPETE WITH.

BUT THAT JUST DRIVES FOLKS LIKE AMY AND OTHERS TO WORK HARDER TO GET THAT REWARD AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>> THOSE WHO ENTERED INTO THE INDUSTRY DURING THE PANDEMIC THEY DID SO WHILE THE MARKET WAS HOT.

JASON GOT HIS LICENSE IN OCTOBER 2020 HERE IS A BIT FROM HIM.

>> THIS IS THE ONLY MARKET THAT I'VE OPERATED IN.

I HAVE NOT BROKERED REAL ESTATE IN YEARS PAST.

IT WAS DEFINITELY CHALLENGING, SURE.

BUT I WOULD NOT HAVE CHANGED IT FOR THE WORLD BECAUSE IT TAUGHT ME SO MUCH SO QUICKLY IN A DIFFERENT MARKET IT MIGHT HAVE TAKEN ME MONTHS OR YEARS TO LEARN SOME OF THE THINGS I'VE LEARNED AS A REAL ESTATE BROKER.

>> DENNIS THE MARKET IS GOING TO COOL OFF.

WHEN IT DOES WILL THE INDUSTRY BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THIS LEVEL OF PEOPLE OF AGENTS PEOPLE WORKING IN IT?

>> WELL, PROBABLY NOT BECAUSE IT IS A BUSINESS THAT YOU CAN ENTER AND LEAVE AT DIFFERENT TIMES.

WE SAW A FLOW OUT OF PERSONNEL FROM THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY WHEN THERE WAS A HOUSING CRASH IN 2008.

NOT THAT IT LOOKS AS IF THERE IS ANOTHER HOUSING CRASH COMING BUT IF THE MARKET STARTS TO SLOW DOWN MAYBE PEOPLE WILL SAY THAT TIDED ME OVER FOR A PERIOD AND I'M GOING ON TO SOMETHING ELSE.

THE OTHER IDEA IF YOU GOT IN DURING THE CHALLENGING MARKET WHEN IT WAS HARD TO SCHEDULE OPEN HOUSES AND CLOSINGS WERE DONE IN SOME CASES FROM OUT IN THE CAR AND THAT SORT OF THING THEN MAYBE YOU WERE FORGED AT A DIFFICULT TIME AND CAN MOVE FORWARD IN AN EASIER MARKET.

AND SUSTAIN.

>> YOU CAN MAKE IT THEN YOU CAN KEEP MAKING IT.

JEFF BEFORE WE LET YOU GO LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS WAS BOOMING IT IS A SELLERS MARKET HOW ARE WE LOOKING TODAY ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE IMPACT OF INFLATION?

>> RIGHT NOW THE MARKET IS STILL STRONG AND AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO STAY THAT WAY FOR SOMETIME IN 2022.

WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT-AND-SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH INTEREST RATES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND SEE THE DIRECT IMPACT THAT THAT HAS ON MORTGAGE RATES.

OBVIOUSLY THAT PLAYS A ROLE IN PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO BORROW TO BUY A HOME.

INFLATION DOES PLAY A ROLE IN PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO SAVE FOR THEIR NEXT MAJOR PURCHASE LIKE A HOME.

THOSE ARE POTENTIAL MAJOR IMPACTS ON THE INDUSTRY.

BUT BECAUSE SUPPLY IS LOW AND DEMAND IS STILL HIGH, AND INFLATION CAN SOME CASES INCREASE THAT DEMAND, BECAUSE OF THE TWO FACTORS WE EXPECT THE MARKET TO STAY HOT THROUGHOUT 2022.

>> I'M SURE THAT IS GOOD NEWS FOR CURRENT ILLINOIS REALTORS.

THANKS TO JEFF BAKER AND DENNIS RODKIN FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, WE CHECK BACK IN WITH NICK BLUMBERG WHO IS REPORTING LIVE FROM SUBURBAN NILES.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND... >> AND WE'LL CHECK BACK IN WITH NICK BLUMBERG A A LITTLE BIT.

DRUMMER VOCALIST BLUES LEGEND AND ROCK 'N ROLL HALL OF FAMER SAM LAY DIED IN A CHICAGO NURSING FACILITY AT THE END OF JANUARY.

HE WAS 86 YEARS OLD.

HE PLAYED WITH GREATS DIXON AND BOW DIDDLEY AND THE DRUMMER FOR MUDDY WATERS AND PLAYED ON THE BOB DYLAN ALBUM HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED.

BACK WHEN WTTW AIRED A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT HIS LIFE LAY VISITED US ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" AND SPOKE TO PHIL PONCE ABOUT THE SECRET TO HIS SUCCESS.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS YOU SAY IN THE DOCUMENTARY IS THAT THERE'S NO ONE AROUND WHO CAN PLAY WITH ANY BAND LIKE YOU CAN.

IN THE SENSE THAT YOU CAN DO IT.

YOU CAN JUMP IN AND BE THE DRUMMER.

HOW DO YOU THINK YOU GOT TO THAT POINT?

>> I LISTEN VERY WELL AND WHEN IN MUSIC I LISTEN VERY WELL.

I CAN HEAR A MISTAKE BEFORE YOU MAKE IT.

>> SO IT IS A FUNCTIONING OF BEING TUNED INTO WHAT THE OTHER MUSICIANS ARE DOING.

>> WANT TO TRY ME OUT ON IT?

>> I BELIEVE YOU.

>> I ADMIT IF SOMEBODY HAS BAD TIMING I CAN HEAR A FEW BARS OR SOMETHING BEFORE THE BAD TIMING AND CHANGE IT SO IT COMES OUT ON TIME.

>> WOW.

THAT IS WHY MUSICIANS LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU BECAUSE YOU CAN MAKE THEM LOOK GOOD.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S MY JOB.

>> THE LATE BLUES LEGEND SAM LAY BACK IN 2017 HERE ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

AND NOW PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW WE GO TO NICK BLUMBERG WHO SPENT THE DAY IN NILES AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> THANK YOU.

WE'RE HERE WITH MICHAEL TREVINO THE TEEN CENTER COORDINATOR THANK YOU FOR JOINING US WE APPRECIATE IT.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT YOU OFFER AT THE CENTER WHAT A TYPICAL THERE MIGHT LOOK LIKE?

>> THE NILES TEEN CENTER IS FIRST CLASS FACILITY THAT IS WELCOMING, IT'S STRUCTURED AND VERY ENERGIZING AND ENGAGING FOR STUDENTS.

WE HAVE A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS IN OUR FACILITY.

WE HAVE A GAME ROOM, WE HAVE A COMPUTER LAB, A KITCHEN WHERE WE TEACH LIFE SKILLS A COMPUTER LAB SO KIDS CAN DO HOMEWORK AND IT IS A GREAT PLACE FOR STUDENTS TO HANGOUT.

>> HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR STUDENTS TO HAVE A PLACE LIKE THAT THAT FEELS LIKE A SPACE OF THEIR OWN ESPECIALLY NOW THAT WE'RE INTO TWO YEARS INTO A PANDEMIC?

>> COVID HIT ALL OF US AND ESPECIALLY OUR STUDENTS.

WE FIGHT AGAINST ISOLATION FOR STUDENTS.

SADNESS, DEPRESSION IT'S IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO HAVE A PLACE THAT THEY CAN CALL THEIR OWN AND FEEL AT HOME AND CONNECT WITH OUR STAFF VERY WELL AND WE TRY TO INVEST AS MUCH AS WE CAN IN THE STUDENTS TO SUPPORT THEM.

>> HOW DID YOU HAVE TO PIVOT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU DO ESPECIALLY AT THE BEGINNING OF ALL THIS?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

IN THE BEGINNING, WE WERE CONSTANTLY PIVOTING WE WENT REMOTE ON VIDEO SO WE DID A LOT OF PROGRAMMING ON-LINE.

WE DID REMOTE DANCES.

WE DID REMOTE GAMES CHESS TOURNAMENTS AND THE KIDS THEY WERE RIGHT IN STEP WITH EVERY PIVOT WE TOOK.

WE WERE COMMITTED OF REACHING THE STUDENTS DURING THE COVID.

>> HOW DO YOU REACH OUT TO YOUNG PEOPLE AND INVITE THEM TO BECOME PART OF THE PROGRAM?

>> WE HAVE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS AND THEY HAVE INVITED US IN AND THEY TRUST US TO REACH THE STUDENTS THEY HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF OUR PROGRAMS AND EVENTS AND WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE PRINCIPALS AND ADMINISTRATION OF OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS.

>> AND YOU DO WORK CONNECTING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO MIGHT NEED WITH RAKING LEAVES OR SHOVELING AND SOME OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK THEY DO?

>> OUR STUDENTS ARE GREAT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

THE NILES YOUTH COMMUNITY CREW THEY PARTNER WITH OUR VILLAGE WIDE PROGRAM CALLED SNOW ANGELS AND DURING THE WINTER MONTHS STUDENTS ADOPT A FAMILY THAT IS ELDERLY OR A VULNERABLE POPULATION AND THEY DO SNOW REMOVAL IN THE FALL THEY RAKE LEAVES IN THE SUMMER THEY ARE HELPING WITH YARD PROJECTS.

AND IT IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE YOUTH OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE ELDERLY.

>> I IMAGINE THAT HAS TO BE A COOL OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS.

OLDER FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU MIGHT NOT BE IN TOUCH WITH OTHERWISE YOU MIGHT NOT GET A CHANCE TO MEET?

>> CORRECT.

WE'VE SEEN COOL RELATIONSHIPS DEVELOP BETWEEN YOUTH AND THE ELDERLY.

IT'S SPECIAL TO SEE.

>> SO WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE?

YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THE CHALLENGES OF THE PANDEMIC THAT ISOLATION, AND THE MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES THAT A LOT OF US HAVE GONE THROUGH.

HOW ARE YOU HOPING TO SEE THINGS IMPROVE AND HOW DO YOU WANT TO PLAY A ROLE IN THAT WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH?

>> WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO SEE THE YOUTH STARTING TO COME OUT TO MORE OF OUR SOCIAL GATHERINGS AND OUR CENTER IS OPEN NOW WE ARE FOLLOWING ALL COVID PROTOCOLS AND IT'S GREAT TO SEE THE STUDENTS CONNECTED.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO SEE THAT WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE EXCITING THINGS THAT THE MAYOR MENTIONED WE'RE EXCITED TO BE PART OF THAT NEXT GENERATION IT'S ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION OF YOUTH OUR FUTURE LEADERS.

>> AND WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE KEYS THERE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ENGAGED IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEY PERHAPS STICK AROUND INTO THE FUTURE?

>> IT'S CONTINUALLY OFFERING STATE-OF-THE-ART PROGRAMMING, THINGS THAT BUILD INTO THE STUDENTS AND PARTNER WITH THE COMMUNITY.

WE'VE HAD GREAT PARTNERSHIPS WITH HOME DEPOT, CITY LINE BIBLE CHURCH AND NOW DESIGN ENGRAVING ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS CHICK-FIL-A THEY HAVE COME AND SUPPORTED US.

IT'S BEEN GREAT TO PARTNER WITH THEM.

THAT IS THE KEY GOING FORWARD IS THE COLLABORATION IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> MICHAEL TREVINO A NILES TEEN CENTER COORDINATOR THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, WE'VE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THE SERVICES AND THE REDEVELOPMENT THAT IS HAPPENING.

IS THERE AN OVERALL THEME YOU GOT FROM THE PEOPLE YOU SPOKE WITH THERE TODAY?

>> THERE'S A SENSE OF LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE.

SOME OF THAT IS WHAT WE'RE ALL HOPING FOR THAT THE PANDEMIC FINALLY STARTS TO RECEDE SIGNIFICANTLY.

AND THAT WE CAN GET BACK TO THE MORE ORDINARY DAY-TO-DAY THINGS THAT WE LOOK FORWARD TO IN OUR LIFE THAT IS TRUE OF A LOT OF FOLKS HERE.

BUT I THINK, TOO, THAT INCREASING THAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY LOOKING FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES A PARK OUTDOOR SPACE GREENSPACE ARE BEAUTIFUL AMENITIES TO ENJOY BUT IT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER AND THAT IS A LOT OF WHAT WE HEARD TODAY.

>> COMMUNITY PRIDE NOT JUST THE CITY NEIGHBORHOODS BUT THE SUBURBS LIKE NILES TONIGHT.

THANK YOU, NICK.

>> AND WE'RE BRACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT -- 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.

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 7:00 P.M. FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

>> AND NOW WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH MORE MUSIC FROM THE SAM LAY BLUES BAND FROM THE ALBUM SHUFFLE MASTER THE SONG IS CALLED SAM LAY SHUFFLE.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]