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

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

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ REPORTING LIVE IN THE CITY'S GREEKTOWN COMMUNITY ON THE NEAR WEST SIDE.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY... >> MEET THE SECOND STATE REPRESENTATIVE THIS WEEK REPLACING MICHAEL MADIGAN AND HOW THAT COULD PUT TAXPAYERS ON THE HOOK.

>> AND THE PANDEMIC HAS TAKEN IT.

>> GREEKTOWN RESTAURANT WEEK BEGINS MONDAY.

HOW THE CORONAVIRUS HAS AFFECTED LOCAL BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> AFTER BECOMING FLASHPOINTS FOR PROTESTS IN THE SUMMER WE DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF CHICAGO'S PUBLIC MONUMENTS.

COVID RECOVERY EQUITY AND MORE.

WE'LL HEAR FROM NEWLY ELECTED EVANSTON MAYOR AND FORMER STATE LAWMAKER DAN BISS.

>> WE GO ALL OVER IF YOU CAN'T GET OUT.

IF YOU CAN'T GET YOU WE'LL TELL YOU WHERE TO MEET US.

>> WHY A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION IS SERVING GROCERIES TO ARTISTS IN NEED.

A LOCAL URBAN FARMER IS GROWING HER OPERATIONS ON THE CITY'S SOUTHWEST SIDE.

THE STORY BEHIND STAR FARM.

AND GEOFFREY BAER TAKES US BACK TO A FAMOUS SUBURBAN DAIRY FARM THAT DOUBLED AN AN AMAZE, PARK IN "ASK GEOFFREY".

>> I'M IN GREEN TOWN ON THE CITY'S NEAR WEST SIDE.

RESTAURANTS, TOURISM THOSE ARE THE LIFE BLOODS OF THIS COMMUNITY AND THOSE INDUSTRIES HAVE BEEN BATTERED OVER THE LAST 11 MONTHS.

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF GREEKTOWN?

WE'LL TALK ABOUT WAYS THE COMMUNITY IS COMING TOGETHER TO NOT ONLY SURVIVE COVID, BUT THRIVE ONCE IT'S OVER.

>> FIRST, BRANDIS, WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> PARIS WE'LL SEE YOU IN A BIT.

TOP STORIES...

WHILE CONGRESS WAS DEBATING LGBTQ PROTECTIONS IN EQUALITY ACT ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN MARIE NEWMAN A DEMOCRAT PLANTED A TRANSGENDER FLAG IN FRONT OF HER OFFICE TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE BILL AND HER DAUGHTER.

NEWMAN'S OFFICE IS ACROSS THE HALL FROM THE REPUBLICAN MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE WHO WAS STRIPPED OF HER COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS FOR SUPPORT OF CONSPIRACY THEORIES.

GREENE POSTED A VIDEO OF HERSELF POFFING A SIGN THAT READS QUOTE THERE ARE TWO GENDERS MALE AND FEMALE.

TRUST THE SCIENCE.

THE FEUD CONTINUED ON SOCIAL IMMEDIATE WHERE GREENE TARGETED AND MISS GENDERED NEWMAN'S DAUGHTER SAYING PART QUOTE YOUR BIOLOGICAL SON DOES NOT BELONG IN MY DAUGHTER'S LOCKER ROOMS AND SPORTS TEAMS AND THAT POST IS CRITICIZED INCLUDING BY REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN ADAM KINZINGER WHO SAID IN PART QUOTE REPRESENTATIVE NEWMAN'S DAUGHTER IS TRANSGENDER AND THIS VIDEO AND TWEET REPRESENT THE HATE AND FAME DRIVEN POLITICS AT ALL EVIL COSTS.

THIS GARBAGE MUST END.

MEANWHILE, Facebook APOLOGIZED TO NEWMAN FOR TAKING DOWN HER VIDEO OF PLANTING THE TRANSGENDER PRIDE FLAG AFTER IT MISLABELED IT HATE SPEECH.

BY THE WAY THE EQUALITY ACT WHICH PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION BASED ON GENDER IDENTITY PASSED THE HOUSE BY 240-206 VOTE.

>> BASKETBALL AND HOCKEY FANS HAVE NOT SEEN THEIR TEAMS PLAY BUT THEY MAYBE ABLE TO RECEIVE A VACCINE CLOSE TO BECOMING A MASS VACCINATION SITE.

OFFICIALS HOPE TO INOCULATE 5-7,000 PEOPLE A DAY THERE STARTING NEXT MONTH.

THE BIGGER GOAL IS TO REACH UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN HARDEST HIT BY THE PANDEMIC WHICH WOULD HELP CLOSE DISTRIBUTION DISPARITIED THAT DOGGED THE VACCINE ROLLOUT.

THE UNITE'S CENTER'S MAIN BUILDING WILL NOT BE OPEN.

PLANNERS OPEN TO OFFER VACCINATIONS BY DRIVE-THRU AND WALK IN FACILITIES IN THE PARKING LOT.

THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WILL REPORTEDLY OPERATE THE MASS INOCULATION SITE.

ILLINOIS HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT NEARLY 1900 CASES OF COVID-19 AND 32 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF KNOWN CASES HERE TO 1.181 MILLION.

THE STATE-WIDE DELL TOLL IS 24006.

24006.

AND CHICAGO'S TIME HONORED WINTER TRADITION OF DIBS WILL BE COMING TO AN END.

THE DEPARTMENT OF STREETS AND SANITATION PLANS TO START REMOVING THE OLD LAWN CHAIRS, AND ANYTHING ELSE RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN USING TO STAKE OUT THE PARKING SPACES STARTING ON TUESDAY MARCH 2.

THE CITY SAYS SPECIAL ALENGTHS WILL BE GIVEN TO ADDRESS 311 COMPLAINTS.

CAN YOU READ MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

THE HEAVY SNOWFALLS DELAYED GARBAGE COLLECTION AND CREWS ARE WORKING TO CATCH UP.

RESIDENTS ARE ADVISED TO LEAVE CARTS OUT READY FOR COLLECTION.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TURNOVER IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE THIS WEEK ALONE.

THE NEWEST DEMOCRAT TO JOIN THE ASSEMBLY WAS SWORN INTO OFFICE THIS MORNING.

THAT COULD COME AT AN EXPENSE TO TAXPAYERS AND RAISES QUESTIONS HOW VACANCIES ARE FILLED IN GENERAL.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> BRANDIS, TALK ABOUT RAPID TURNOVER.

THE ILLINOIS HOUSE'S 22nd DISTRICT HAS HAD THREE STATE REPRESENTATIVES IN JUST TWO WEEKS.

THIS AFTER 50 YEARS OF REPRESENTATION BY THE SAME INDIVIDUAL AND THAT, OF COURSE, FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN.

JUST LAST MONTH, MADIGAN WAS SWORN IN ALONG WITH ALL OF THE OTHER NEWLY ELECTED AND REELECTED LAWMAKERS FOR HIS 25TH TERM.

THEN A WEEK AGO TODAY HE RESIGNED.

AND HE OTHER LOCAL DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ON SUNDAY CHOSE HIS REPLACEMENT.

>> I WANT TO CONTINUE MY WORK ON BEHALF OF THOSE IN THIS COMMUNITY BY SERVING IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AS A NEW GENERATION STEPS UP TO LEAD US INTO THE FUTURE.

>> THEY CHOSE 26-YEAR-OLD WARD EMPLOYEE EDWARD GUERRA KODATT BUT BY YESTERDAY MORNING NOT THREE FULL DAYS IN, KODATT RESIGNED AT MADIGAN'S REQUEST AFTER UNSPECIFIED QUESTIONABLE CONDUCT CAME TO LIGHT.

THAT FORCED THOSE SAME LOCAL DEMOCRATS BACK TO THE TABLE.

TODAY TO CHOOSE MADIGAN'S SUCCESSOR'S SUCCESSOR AND THEY PICKED SUNDAY'S RUNNER-UP.

>> WE MEET AGAIN.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE NOMINATION, AGAIN MY FOCUS AND MY MOTIVATION IS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND ITS RESIDENTS OF THE 22nd DISTRICT.

>> FRESHLY APPOINTED ANGIE GUERRERO CUELLAR, INTRODUCED HERSELF AS A 30-YEAR-OLD RESIDENT OF THE AREA.

A MOTHER OF TWO WHO DOES MAN TO RESIGN NOW SHE IS A STATE REP FROM HER COMMUNITY SERVICE JOB.

SHE IS MARRIED TO A CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER WHO HAD BEEN AN UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT.

HER PARENTS WERE IMMIGRANTS, TOO.

>> I THINK I WOULD HOPE THAT THEY ARE PROUD OF ME.

MY MOM IS I AM A DAUGHTER OF IMMIGRANTS.

MY MOM MADE A DECISION YEARS AGO TO COME TO THIS COUNTRY NOT KNOWING WHAT WOULD BE HER FUTURE.

AND HER DETERMINATION AND HER WILL AND HER SUCCESS I MEAN, I HAD HER STAND NEXT TO ME WHEN I TOOK THAT OATH BECAUSE THE POSITION IS NOT ABOUT ME IT'S ABOUT HER AND THE CHOICES THAT SHE MADE AND MY DAD MADE AND MY FAMILY.

>> SHE IS THE FIRST LATINA TO REPRESENT THE HISPANIC DISTRICT.

NOW, MADIGAN WAS HIS TYPICAL SELF ABOUT THE WHOLE AFFAIR.

COMPLIMENTING THE NEW STATE REPRESENTATIVE, MADIGAN SAYS HE IS ANXIOUS TO MOVE FORWARD.

HE WOULD NOT GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED WITH KODATT NOR ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT FELLOW DEMOCRATS COMPLAINTS ABOUT MADIGAN HURTING THE PARTY.

>> I'M NOT GOING THERE.

I'M NOT GOING THERE.

>> WHY NOT?

>> BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO.

>> AND OTHER REMARKS MADE, MADIGAN DID NOTE THE SEVERITY OF THE STATE'S FISCAL PROBLEMS THAT HIS REPLACEMENT IS GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

AND THE SHUFFLE OF REPRESENTATIVES COULD MAKE THE SEVERITY OF THE FISCAL PROBLEMS MORE SO.

ILLINOIS COULD BE ON THE HOOK FOR PAYING FEBRUARY'S NEARLY $6,000 MONTHLY LEGISLATIVE PAYCHECK TO ALL THREE OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO THIS MONTH HAD SERVED THE 22nd DISTRICT AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

>> THAT IS WHY THIS IS SO INFURIATING.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS I DON'T HAVE A SAY IN NOT PAYING IT BECAUSE UNDER CURRENT STATE LAW, THE COMPTROLLER IS REQUIRED TO ISSUE A FULL MONTH'S SALARY TO ANY LEGISLATOR WHETHER THEY SERVED ONE HOUR OR THE FULL 30 OR 31 DAYS OF THE MONTH.

IT'S OUTRAGEOUS.

>> SUSANA MENDOZA SAYS SHE HAS MADE A FORMAL REQUEST TO KODATT TO REFUSE THAT PAY AND HAVE NOT HEARD BACK AND SHE IS MAKING OVERTURES TO ASK THE FRESHLY APPOINTED ANGIE GUERRERO CUELLAR TO DO THE SAME GIVEN THAT MONDAY STARTS A NEW MONTH.

AND ANGIE GUERRERO CUELLAR DID TAKE QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS BUT SHE WAS NOT ASKED ABOUT THIS SPECIFICALLY.

I DID REACH OUT BUT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY GET A CALL BACK AND SHE IS BRAND NEW AND PROBABLY DOESN'T HAVE A STAFF YET OR TIME TO CONSIDER THIS.

SUSANA MENDOZA IS BACKING A BILL THAT WOULD MAKE IT SO THAT IN THE FUTURE LEGISLATORS WOULD BE PAID ON A PRORATED BASIS.

SHE IS CALLING FOR A CHANGE IN ANOTHER AREA THAT IS A HEIGHT OF POLITICAL ACTIVITY ONCE AGAIN DUE TO MADIGAN'S MOVING ON.

THERE IS A HEATED THREE-WAY CONTEST TO SUCCEED HIM AS THE CHAIR OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN ILLINOIS BETWEEN CRISTINA CASTRO, CHICAGO ALDERMAN, MICHELLE HARRIS AND GRAM ROBIN B CONGRESSWOMAN ROBIN KELLY.

SUSANA MENDOZA WONDERS WHETHER IT IS AN APPROPRIATE ROLE FOR ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL.

>> THE QUESTION HERE IS LIKE WHEN YOU ARE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL NO MATTER HOW GREAT OF A PERSON YOU ARE, THERE'S ALWAYS LIKE A VESTED INTEREST, RIGHT, TO PROTECT YOUR UNIVERSE.

>> OF COURSE, ALL THREE OF THOSE IN THE RUNNING ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

ALBEIT AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT THAT MADIGAN HIMSELF HELD DUEL ROLES OF SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AS HE SERVED AS DEMOCRATIC PARTY ILLINOIS CHAIR WAS AN ISSUE AND LED TO SOME CALLING TO BAN THAT PRACTICE.

BRANDIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> A RACE TO WATCH FOR SURE THANK YOU.

>> WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD ALMOST ENTIRELY DEPENDENT OWN RESTAURANTS AND TOURISM IS SHUTDOWN BECAUSE OF COVID?

TO HELP ANSWER THAT QUESTION, PARIS SCHUTZ AND MARISSA NELSON TRAVELED TO GREEKTOWN A DINING DESTINATION FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

IT'S LOCATED IN THE NEAR WEST SIDE COMMUNITY ON HALSTED BETWEEN RANDOLPH AND THE JANE BYRNE INTERCHANGE YOU CAN SEE SIGNS OF LIFE POP-UP AS RESTAURANTS ARE BACK TO 50% INDOOR CAPACITY.

AND TO BOOST BUSINESS MORE, COMPETING GREEKTOWN RESTAURANTS DECIDED TO COME TOGETHER.

PARIS SPENT THE DAY ON THE WEST SIDE AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES AND JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> I MEAN THE SHUTDOWN, COVID STRUCK IT TO HEART AND SOUL OF GREEKTOWN.

IT'S FAMED RESTAURANTS AND NIGHT LIFE SPOTS AND THERE ARE SIGNS OF LIFE NOW WITH 50% INDOOR CAPACITY.

SOME OF THE RESTAURANTS WERE ABLE TO ADAPT OVER THE SUMMER.

THE ONES THAT HAD OUTDOOR SPACES.

BUT THE COMMUNITY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC UNSCATHED.

SANTORINI IS SHUTDOWN.

THE CON INFLUENCE OF LOW BUSINESS AND HIGH RENTAL RATES LOTS OF JEN INDICATION THEY ARE CAUSING LAKES FOR RESTAURANT OWNERS THAT ARE TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

THEY DECIDED TO COME TOGETHER AND NEXT WEEK 10 RESTAURANTS WILL OFFER DISCOUNTS AND SPECIALS AS PART OF THE FIRST EVER GREEKTOWN RESTAURANT WEEK AND THE GREEKTOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT THE OWNER OF A RESTAURANT HERE CALLED SPECTRUM SAYS THE BUSINESS OWNERS ARE FULL OF OPTIMISM.

>> GREEKTOWN IS GOING NOWHERE.

WE HAVE BEEN HERE FOR DECADES AND DECADES.

I'VE BEEN HERE 40 YEARS.

THIS PLACE HERE I'VE BEEN FOR 33 YEARS AND I'M EXCITED TO BE A PART OF IT ON THE GREEKTOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND WE DO DIFFERENT EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO HELP THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

I DON'T THINK THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAS BEEN SO TOGETHER AT ANY OTHER TIME.

>> AND ONE OF THE RESTAURANTS PARTICIPATING IS ATHENA.

A STAPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR 30 YEARS.

OWNER DALILA YOUKHANA, CREDITS LOYAL CUSTOMERS WITH KEEPING THE RESTAURANT GOING THROUGHOUT THE DARK TIMES AND THE PANDEMIC DOING TAKE OUT.

AND NOW SHE INVESTED IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF HER RESTAURANT AND NOW TO TRY AND COAX CUSTOMERS BACK INDOORS.

>> WE'VE IMPLEMENTED AIR FILTRATION SYSTEMS TO MAKE SURE THAT CUSTOMERS FEEL COMFORTABLE AND THE DINING EXPERIENCE IS COMFORTABLE FOR PEOPLE.

SOCIAL DISTANCING, MASK WEARING, MAKING SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS SANITIZED AND CLEANED.

SO ONCE PEOPLE FEEL THAT COMFORT LEVEL WE'VE SEEN PEOPLE POUR IN AND BE SUPER HAPPY TO COME OUT AND ENJOY LAUGHING AND HAVING COMPANY AND FINALLY GETTING OUT OF THE HOUSE.

>> ANOTHER CORNERSTONE IN THE GREEK CHICAGO COMMUNITY IS THE NATIONAL HELLENIC MUSEUM IT IS CLOSED BUT IT IS SERVING AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION.

IT IS THE COORDINATION SITE FOR A FOOD-DRIVE RUN BY THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH.

ORGANIZERS DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN 50,000 MEAL KITS SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC AND EACH KIT HAS 15 MEALS IN IT AND ORGANIZER, YIANNI SIANIS SAYS THE PROGRAM IS ALSO GOING TO START PROVIDING CARE FOR SOME OF THE CITY'S HOMELESS POPULATION.

>> COVID WAS IN THE REGION THAT WE ESTABLISHED THIS PROGRAM BUT IT WAS THE CATALYST TO CREATE URGENCY AND KICK IT INTO HIGH GEAR.

WE WILL BE GOING OUT TOMORROW WITH VOLUNTEERS FROM THE COMMUNITY TO DIFFERENT UNDERNEATH THE HIGHWAYS, THINGS OF THIS NATURE TO HELP PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH FOOD, 15, 20 MEALS BUT KEEP THEM WARM AND SAFE.

>> AND OTHER COMMON THREADS IN THE COMMUNITY SIGNS THAT THE COMMUNITY IS TRYING TO BAND TOGETHER STREET ART.

THEY HAVE COMMISSIONED A STREET ART PROGRAM LIKE THE COW'S ON PARADE FROM 25 YEARS AGO.

THESE ARE FISH ON PARADE.

SPECIFICALLY, THE OVERARCING THEMES IN THE ARTWORK ON THE FISH ARE LOVE, UNITY AND THE GREEK NOTION OF FILOTOMO.

>> EMBRACING EVERYONE AND BRINGING THEM IN LIKE FAMILY.

THIS IS ENCOMPASSING THE TWO SIDES THAT WE'RE GOING AT IT.

>> THE POSITIVITY RATE IS BELOW THE CITY AVERAGE AT 2 PRESUMPTIVE POSITIVE 8% -- 2.8%.

AND THE COMMUNITY IS HELPED BY A GIANT VACCINATION SITE AT THE UIC BASKETBALL ARENA.

OFFICIALS ARE DOING A THOUSAND VACCINATIONS PER DAY BUT THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY FOR FOUR TIMES THAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR THE VACCINATION DELIVERY TO SPEED UP.

AND ONE CUSTOMER TODAY WHO RECEIVED HER SECOND SHOT DESCRIBED THE PROCESS AS QUICK, PAINLESS, FRIENDLY AND FEELS LIKE A NEW PERSON.

>> I FEEL AND MY KIDS ARE SCHOOLTEACHERS AND THEY HAVE BEEN VACCINATED ALSO.

NOW WE CAN GET TOGETHER, I THINK.

STILL WEAR OUR MASK AND DISTANCE BUT STILL, FINALLY GET TO HUG EVERYONE.

>> AND UIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE PHYSICIAN SUSAN BLEASDALE SAID THEY MADE AN EFFORT TO REACH OUT TO THE HARDEST HIT COMMUNITIES TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE GETTING PRIORITY TO COME AND GET VACCINATED IT'S NOT JUST FOLKS WAITING FOR A WEBSITE TO REFRESH THEY ARE REACHING OUT TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> IT'S BEEN REALLY IMPORTANT TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE TO THEM.

WE'VE USED MULTIPLE METHODS IF WE HAVE A PHONE NUMBER WE WILL SEND A TEXT MESSAGE WITH A LINK TO SCHEDULE IF WE HAVE AN E-MAIL AND THEN WE'RE MAKING PHONE CALLS TO HELP FOR THE PEOPLE ARE NOT TECHNOLOGICALLY SAVVY.

>> AND WE WILL BE BACK WITH THE AREA'S ALDERMAN WALTER BURNETT, JR. ABOUT CITY COUNCIL INTRIGUE BUT FIRST BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> A CHICAGO COMMISSION SAYS 41 OF THE CITY'S MORE THAN 500 PUBLIC MONUMENTS ARE PROBLEMATIC.

THE CHICAGO MONUMENTS PROJECT WAS FORMED LAST YEAR AFTER STATUES OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS BECAME FOCAL POTS OF PROTEST.

THIS REVIEW IS PART OF A RACIAL HEALING AND HISTORICAL RECKONING PROJECT AND THE FIRST REPORT SAYS MANY HISTORICAL FIGURES ARE ON THE LIST.

JOINING US TO GIVE US THEIR THROATS ARE RON ONESTI -- THOUGHTS ARE RON ONESTI PRESIDENT OF THE JOINT CIVIC COMMITTEE OF ITALIAN/AMERICAS AND THE ITALIAN/AMERICA SPORTS HALL OF FAME.

CESAREO MORENO VISUAL ARTS DIRECTOR AT THE MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART ON THE MONUMENTS PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

AND BONNIE MCDONALD, PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE LANDMARKS ILLINOIS AND ONE OF THE THREE COCHAIRS OF THE PROJECT.

ALL OF YOU WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT" AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

BONNIE MCDONALD LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE, YOU ARE ONE OF THE COCHAIRS OF THE PROJECT WHAT MISSION WERE YOU ALL GIVEN?

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THE MAYOR GAVE US THE JOB OF REALLY REVIEWING THE CITY'S PUBLIC ART COLLECTION AND DETERMINING WITHIN THAT ART COLLECTION WHERE DID WE SEE THERE WERE PROBLEMATIC NARRATIVES WITHIN THE COLLECTION.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE A PUBLIC DIALOGUE WHAT WE SEE IN OUR PUBLIC SPACE AND WHAT WE WANT TO SEE IN OUR PUBLIC SPACE AND THEN TO CONSIDER REALLY WHAT NEW WORKS ARE WE GOING TO CREATE TO THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF MEMORIALS AS WELL.

>> THE MONUMENTS PROJECT YOU'VE LISTED 41 MONUMENTS PROBLEMATIC OR POTENTIALLY PROBLEMATIC.

BONNIE AGAIN, WHAT WERE THE CRITERIA THAT DETERMINED A PROBLEMATIC OR POTENTIALLY PROBLEMATIC MONUMENT?

>> WE HAD MULTIPLE CRITERIA, BRANDIS.

WE WERE LOOKING FOR MONUMENTS THAT MAY SPEAK TO ACTS OF WHITE SUPREMACY.

WE WERE LOOKING AT DEPICTIONS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND WHERE THOSE CHARACTERIZATIONS ARE NOT ACCURATE.

AND ALSO LOOKING AT PEOPLE WHO HAD SOME RELATIONSHIP TO ACTS OF RACISM, SLAVERY OR ALSO GENOCIDE IN THE PROCESS.

AND THEN ALSO WHAT WAS MISSING IN OUR COLLECTION AS WELL YOU WILL SEE IF YOU LOOK THROUGH OUR SELECTION AT CHICAGO MONUMENTS.ORG THAT WE'RE MISSING DEPICTIONS OF WOMEN OF PEOPLE OF COLOR AND ALSO IMPORTANT MOVEMENTS IN OUR HISTORY SUCH AS OUR LABOR MOVEMENT.

MIGRATION, IMMIGRATION TO OUR CITY AND WE WANTED TO ADDRESS THAT WITH THE PUBLIC AND LEARN WHAT THEY THOUGHT ABOUT THIS COLLECTION.

>> RON ONESTI STATUES OF COLUMBUS LONG A SOURCE OF CONTENTION EVOKING STRONG FEELINGS FROM NATIVE-AMERICANS AND ITALIAN/AMERICAS AND BEYOND.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO FIND COMMON GROUND ON THIS?

>> I REALLY BELIEVE SO, BRANDIS, BECAUSE WHAT MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TABLE, HAVEN'T REALIZED IS TRULY HOW MUCH THIS IS AFFECTING OUR ITALIAN/AMERICA COMMUNITY.

IT'S BEEN SAID THAT WHAT HAS BEEN PERCEIVED AS A ONE-SIDED DIALOGUE ABOUT CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, SHOULDN'T BE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER ONE-SIDED NARRATIVE ABOUT CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.

>> WE SHOULD MENTION WE DID REACH OUT TO SEVERAL NATIVE-AMERICAN MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND NONE WERE ABLE TO JOIN US THIS EVENING.

RON IS THERE AN ARGUMENT TO BE MADE THAT THE HISTORY OF COLUMBUS IN AMERICA SHOULD BE TAUGHT WITH MORE NUANCE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE ARE SO MANY PERSPECTIVES WE HAVE AUTHORS AND SCHOLARS AND WE BELIEVE WE HAVE THE FACTS AND ALL THE NEGATIVES ABOUT COLUMBUS AND WHAT HE REPRESENTED.

WE HAVE OUR SIDE OF THE STORY AS WELL AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO WITH THIS TREMENDOUS UNDERTAKING THEY ARE DOING WITH THIS MONUMENTS PROJECT WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE CITY HAS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT TOGETHER DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES ABOUT THIS.

WHAT HASN'T HAPPENED IS ALL THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS THAT OPPORTUNITIES THAT THIS COMMISSION IS CREATING OF DIALOGUE, BASICALLY EVERY MEETING IS RELATIVELY THE SAME THING IT'S ONE SIDE AND THE OTHER SIDE SAYS THEIR SIDE.

WE HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO GET EVERYBODY FROM THE INTELLECTUAL COMMUNITY IN A ROOM TO COME UP WITH A NARRATIVE THAT REPRESENTS EVERYBODY.

THAT IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.

>> CESAREO MORENO, GIVEN THAT EVEN PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE ACCOMPLISHED GREAT THINGS MADE MISTAKES OR THEY HAD BLIND SPOTS.

IS THERE A CASE TO MAKE THAT PERHAPS WE SHOULD NOT BE PUTTING PEOPLE ON A PEDESTAL ANYMORE?

>> THAT IS A GREAT DISCUSSION AND WE'RE COLLECTING A LOT OF SUGGESTIONS LIKE THAT.

OBVIOUSLY HUMAN BEINGS ARE FLAWED.

WE ARE FLAWED SPECIES.

AND OVER TIME, I THINK A LOT OF TIMES OUR PAST COMES BACK TO HAUNT US.

AND ALTHOUGH SOMEBODY CAN BE A HERO IN ONE ASPECT OF THEIR LIFE, CERTAINLY THERE MAYBE OTHER ASPECTS WHERE THEY ARE NOT A HEROIC PERSON AT ALL.

WITH THE LENS OF HISTORY, I THINK HUMANS OFTENTIMES FALL SHORT.

AND MAYBE IT'S TIME TO START THINKING MORE ABOUT CONCEPTS, RIGHT?

SO THINKING ABOUT AS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER, IMMIGRATION, LABOR, THESE ARE TWO HUGE THINGS FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND CERTAINLY WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER PERSON CAST IN BRONZE TO REPRESENT THAT.

>> CESAREO MORENO THERE ARE VERY FEW MONUMENTS AS BONNIE MENTIONED DEDICATED TO WOMEN OR PEOPLE OF COLOR HOW DO YOU THINK THAT SHOULD BE REDRESSED?

>> I THINK IT IS A MATTER OF ASKING THE RESIDENTS OF CHICAGO AND IN SOME WAY TAKING OUR TIME.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE FIXED OVERNIGHT.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE FIXED IN ONE YEAR.

SO IT'S A MATTER OF THINKING WHO IS HERE, WHO CONTRIBUTED AND HOW CAN WE REALLY EXEMPLIFY THEM AND MEMORIALIZE THEIR ACTIONS ACROSS THE CITY OF CHICAGO?

IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE DOWNTOWN AREA >> NOW, FIVE STATUES OF LINCOLN WERE ALSO FLAGGED.

BONNIE MCDONALD TELL US WHY HE MADE THE LIST BECAUSE I THINK THAT MIGHT BE A SURPRISE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE?

>> THANK YOU.

I DO KNOW THAT IS A SURPRISE TO PEOPLE AS WE'VE HEARD PUBLIC FEEDBACK OF THE LISTING OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN ESPECIALLY IN THE LAND OF LINCOLN.

IT IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT LINCOLN AS A COMPLICATED FIGURE IN HISTORY.

HIS ACTS AS THE GREAT EMANCIPATOR AND FIGHTING FOR THE FREEDOM OF ENSLAVED PEOPLE STANDS SIDE-BY-SIDE THAT HIS LEGACY INCLUDES THE EXPULSION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE FROM THE WEST AND THE SOUTH WHICH CONTINUED ON AFTER BECAUSE OF HIS POLICIES.

SO WE NEED TO EXAMINE OUR HISTORICAL FIGURES AND I THINK THAT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO HAVE A PERSON REPRESENT AN ENTIRE MOVEMENT OF ABOLITIONISTS.

>> RON ONESTI WHAT WOULD YOU HOPE COMES FROM THIS ENTIRE PROCESS THAT THE CHICAGO MONUMENTS PROJECT IS EMBARKING ON?

>> EXACTLY WHAT THEIR MISSION IS.

INCREASED DIALOGUE BUT WE WANT TO BE A PART OF THE DIALOGUE.

THE STATUES CAME OUT WITHOUT THE ITALIAN/AMERICA COMMUNITY BEING INVOLVED AND FOLKS HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THIS ISN'T -- THAT STATUE DOESN'T REPRESENT TO US CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AND HIS ACHIEVEMENTS AS MUCH AS IT REPRESENTS THE TRADITIONS OF GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE SINCE 1890s.

SO I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SIT DOWN WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, TO COME TO SOME AGREEMENT SOME RESOLVE HERE TO INCREASE THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS SO WE ARE ALL REPRESENTED.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT DIVERSITY.

TALKING ABOUT INCLUSION AND THOSE ARE THE BUZZWORDS OF THE DAY.

WE WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A MONUMENT OR SOMETHING THAT REPRESENTS THE TRADITIONS THAT WE HAVE CELEBRATED FOR GENERATIONS.

>> AND CESAREO MORENO ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT WHAT FEEDBACK HAVE YOU RECEIVED FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS SO FAR?

>> AGAIN, EVERYBODY THAT I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO BRINGS UP THE IDEA OF EDUCATION.

IT IS PARAMOUNT THAT THE PIECES THE SCULPTURES SERVE TO EDUCATE OUR CITIZENS OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR TOURISTS.

AND GIVE A COMPLETE AND COMPLEX, SOMETIMES THE STORIES ARE CONFLICTING, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE BE TRANSPARENT AND TRY TO TELL THE COMPLICATED STORIES.

EDUCATION IS KEY.

AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS?

THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

>> I THINK WE'LL ALL GET AN EDUCATION AS WE WATCH THIS PROCESS.

THANKS TO BONNIE MCDONALD, RON ONESTI AND CESAREO MORENO FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT LOOKING THROUGH A LOCAL ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING CHICAGO'S BLACK MUSICIANS.

STICK AROUND.

>> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE NEWS AHEAD INCLUDING THE MAYOR ELECT OF EVANSTON.

FIRST, A CHICAGO ARTIST IS WORKING TO MAKE SURE NO MUSICIAN IS LEFT BEHIND WITH THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO BLACK MUSICIANS IN CHICAGO.

ANGEL IDOWU SHARES HOW THAT MISSION HAS QUICKLY EXPANDED TO SERVE ANY WIN IN NEED.

>> -- ANYONE IN NEED.

>> GOD SENT TO ME TO BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING FOR SOME MUSICIANS THAT CAN'T PLAY.

THEY CAN'T SING.

THEY CAN'T APPEAR IN CLUBS.

THEY CAN'T TOUR.

[♪♪♪] >> I KNOW HOW THAT FEELS BECAUSE OF ME NOT BEING ABLE TO SING FOR TWO YEARS.

I WAS HOMELESS.

I ATE OUT OF GARBAGE CANS.

AND I JUST DECIDED THAT BECAUSE LIFE MUSIC HAS BEEN MY LIFE I KNOW HOW THE MUSICIANS ARE FEELING.

AND I HAD TO DO SOMETHING.

>> IT WAS ON HER BIRTHDAY LAST OCTOBER WHEN CHICAGO ARTIST HOLLEETHEE MAXWELL DECIDED TO CREATE BLACK MUSICIANS MATTERS.

WITH HELP FROM COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE GUARDIAN INTEREST SECURITY COMPANY THE GROUP DELIVERS FOOD ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

>> THEY WON'T REACH OUT.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MUCH PRIDE.

SO WHAT I DO, IS I JUST GO AND CALL THEM, AND ASK THEM DO YOU NEED SOMETHING?

I NEED MUSICIANS CHICAGO MUSICIANS TO KNOW PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH US.

WE WILL COME TO YOU IF YOU CAN'T GET OUT.

WE COVER THE WEST SIDE, WE WENT TO MELROSE PARK, WE WENT TO OAK PARK.

WE GO TO THE HUNDREDS.

>> WITH DONATIONS FROM "GOFUNDME" PAGE THE GROUP IS ABLE TO PROVIDE MONETARY SUPPORT FOR ARTISTS LIKE BASS PLAYER JOE PRATT WHO WAS THE BAND DIRECTOR AT THE EAST ODYSSEY LOUNGE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT.

>> BIG BOX OF FOOD, I WAS GIVEN MONEY AND THAT CAME IN HANDY.

AT THE TIME I REALLY, REALLY NEEDED IT BECAUSE BILLS NEED TO BE PAID.

>> MUSICIANS CHARLES CRANE AND JIMMY BURNS HAVE ALSO RECEIVED SUPPORT.

>> I'VE HAD TO PAY MY CELLPHONE BILL AND IT WAS RIGHT ON TIME.

TAKE MY WORD ON IT.

AND I LOVE APPLE THEY GAVE ME A FRESH APPLE.

THIS IS WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> HELPING ME TREMENDOUSLY.

I JUST MADE BEEF STEW THE OTHER NIGHT.

>> THE ORGANIZATION PRIMARILY SERVES BLACK ARTISTS BUT THEY WORK TO HELP ANYONE IN NEED WHETHER THEY BE HOMELESS, OLDER ADULTS OR SINGLE PARENTS.

>> WE HAD ONE GIRL BRITNEY?

BRITNEY, THAT'S HOW I REMEMBER, SHE HAD FOUR KIDS AND WAS HOMELESS.

>> WHILE RONNIE BAKER BROOKS HAS NOT RECEIVED AID HE HAS SEEN THE IMPACT FIRSTHAND.

>> MUSIC IS INSPIRATIONAL AND IF YOU GET SO DISGUSTED HOW CAN YOU BE CREATIVE?

OR NEGATIVE THAT IS ALL YOU ARE GOING TO SING ABOUT.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND INSPIRE.

>> BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

>> I DIDN'T FORM THIS ORGANIZATION JUST FOR FOOD.

AND JUST FOR MONIES.

I FORMED THIS ORGANIZATION BECAUSE I HAVE A DREAM.

I HAVE A VISION.

I WANT TO PUT UP A BUILDING IN BRONZEVILLE THAT WILL HOUSE MUSICIANS IF THEY GET ON BAD LUCK.

THIS IS MY DREAM NOW.

[♪♪♪] FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> AND FOOD PICK UP IS NOW AVAILABLE EVERY FRIDAY FROM 10:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. AT THE EAST ODYSSEY LOUNGE FOR ANYONE WHO NEEDS IT.

THERE'S MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"...

THE OUTLOOK FOR GREEKTOWN HOW RENT COSTS AND THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC ARE IMPACTING THE FUTURE OF THIS NEAR WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> TACKLING NATIONAL ISSUES LIKE SEGREGATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE LOCAL LEVEL.

HOW EVANSTON'S NEW MAYOR HOPES TO DO IT.

>> AND URBAN FARMER IS TURNING A LONG VACANT PROPERTY ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE INTO A FOOD CO-OP WE HAVE THOSE DETAILS.

AND GEOFFREY BAER ON WHAT IS LEFT OF A TREASURED DAIRY FARM AND AMUSEMENT PARK THAT ONCE STOOD IN CHICAGO'S NORTHERN SUBURBS IN "ASK GEOFFREY".

FIRST MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

DRIVERS WHO USE THE ILLINOIS TOLLWAY WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO USE CASH TO PAY THE TOLL.

THE ILLINOIS TOLLWAY HALTED CASH COLLECTION AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC AND SAYS IT'S NOT COMING BACK MORE THAN 92% OF TOLL TRANSACTIONS WERE THROUGH THE I PASS AND EZ PASS IN 2019.

THE AGENCY IS EXPANDING THE I PASS ASSIST PROGRAM TO HELP THOSE WHO HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS BELOW 250% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES.

$20 MILLION IN CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE ON THE WAY.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT IS PROPOSING THE USE OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCE TO PAY FOR THE PROJECTS.

PROPOSED UPGRADES INCLUDE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FIELD HOUSE IN BELMONT CRAGIN, CAMPING PLATFORMS FOR BIG MARSH PARK IN SOUTH DEERING AND NEW EQUIPMENT AND RESURFACING AT 10 PLAYGROUNDS ACROSS THE CITY.

THE MEASURES WERE INTRODUCED AND NOW AWAIT APPROVAL.

>> AND NOW WE HEAD BACK TO PARIS SCHUTZ WHO SPENT THE DAY IN GREEKTOWN AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

>> PARIS?

>> AND WE'RE JOINED NOW BY THE LOCAL ALDERMAN, WALTER BURNETT, JR. AND YOUR WARD IS BIG IT ENCOMPASSES A LOT OF PLACES INCLUDING GREEKTOWN.

FIRST THERE WAS A WEIRD CITY COUNCIL MEETING WHERE THEY WERE GOING TO VOTE ON COVID STIMULUS FUND TONIGHT GOT DELAYED UNTIL TOMORROW.

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TOMORROW?

>> I THINK TOMORROW IT'S GOING TO GET VOTED ON.

THE THING ABOUT DEFERRING FOR THE NEXT MEETING YOU HAVE TO VOTE.

IT WILL BE VOTED UP OR DOWN.

AND I THINK IT WILL BE VOTED UP.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR US TO UTILIZE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S MONEY TO HELP RELIEVE SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE IN THE CITY.

>> AND PROGRESSIVE COLLEAGUES AND ED BURKE ARE UPSET THAT $281 MILLION ARE GOING TO POLICE PERSONNEL COSTS.

ARE YOU UPSET OR DO YOU THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE?

>> NO, I TELL YOU WHEN THE PANDEMIC FIRST HAPPENED, ALL OF US ALDERMEN WANTED TO DO SOMETHING AND SEE PEOPLE AND WE COULDN'T GO IN BUILDING THEY USED THE POLICE.

SO I GOT A COUSIN WHO IS A COP THEY HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITALS, THEY HAD TO GO INTO EVERYWHERE BECAUSE NO, THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW ANYONE ELSE TO DO IT EXCEPT THE POLICE.

AND A LOT OF POLICE OFFICERS WAS CATCHING COVID-19.

IN DOING SO.

AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH SUPPLIES FOR THEM.

SO I THINK THEY DESERVE IT.

I THINK THEY WORKED HARD.

THEY HAD TO DELIVER FOOD TO THE SENIORS AND DO WELL CHECKS AND GO IN ALL THE BUILDINGS THEY DID A LOT OF WORK.

>> UNFORTUNATELY A COUPLE OF POLICE OFFICERS DIED OF COVID.

SO ALDERMAN HERE IN GREEKTOWN WE TALKED TO RESTAURANT OWNERS THEY ARE SURVIVING THOUGH THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO A LOT OF BUSINESS OVER THE LAST 11 MONTHS.

WHAT IS THE PROSPECT HERE FOR THEIR SURVIVAL AND THE FUTURE ONCE THE RESTAURANTS GO FULLY BACK?

>> WELL, I TELL YOU THESE GUYS ARE VERY RESILIENT.

WHAT'S HOLDING THEM UP IS THE COMMUNITY ORDERING TAKE OUT FOOD.

IF YOU GO INTO THE RESTAURANTS MOST OF THE BUSINESS IS TAKEN OUT.

DELIVERIES THAT IS HELPING THEM A LOT.

BUT THEY ARE STILL HURTING REAL BAD.

SO THERE'S LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

THEY ARE HAPPY THEY WERE ABLE TO GET MORE PEOPLE IN THIS WEEK.

AND WE HOPING THAT PEOPLE GET THEIR VACCINES AND MORE RESTAURANTS OPEN UP BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN DYING.

WE HAVE NEW PLACES THAT OPENED UP AND THEY CAN'T RENT THEM OUT.

THERE IS A LOT OF VACANCIES IN NEW BUILDINGS BECAUSE PEOPLE WON'T RENT A PLACE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING.

IT'S HURTING A LOT OF FOLKS.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE COVID SITUATION?

THE MAYOR TALKED ABOUT TRYING TO GET THE EQUITY NUMBERS THE RATE HIGHER IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HISPANIC COMMUNITY.

HAVE THEY HAD ENOUGH ACCESS IN YOUR WARD?

>> WELL, THEY CALL THEIR DOCTORS AND GO TO THE DOCTORS AND A LOT OF THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT DOCTORS DO HAVE SOME OF THE VACCINES.

PEOPLE NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

I'M HOPING FOLKS WILL DO IT.

THE WAY I SEE IT IT'S ABOUT FREEDOM.

HAVING THE A VACCINE IS HAVING FREEDOM, FREEDOM TO MOVE FREEDOM TO GO TO PLACES.

FREEDOM TO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IF YOU ARE GOING TO HURT SOMEBODY ELSE OR SOMEBODY IS GOING TO HURT YOU.

GET THAT FREEDOM.

IT'S SOCIAL JUSTICE.

GET THE SHOT.

YOU KNOW PEOPLE NEED TO GO DO IT AND GET IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ALDERMAN WALTER BURNETT, JR., THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> AND HELP GREEKTOWN!

THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> AND BRANDIS WE WILL BE BACK WITH MORE ON GREEKTOWN IN A BIT.

>> NOW TO PHIL PONCE FOR A ONE-ON-ONE WITH EVANSTON'S MAYOR ELECT.

>> ONE OF CHICAGO'S MOST POPULAR SUBURBS IS SOON TO HAVE A LEADER WHO IS FAMILIAR STATE-WIDE.

FORMER STATE LEGISLATORS, DAN BISS WITH 74% OF THE VOTE AND DANIEL BISS CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR VICTORY.

WHEN YOU DO TAKE OFFICE.

>> THANK YOU, PHIL GREAT TO BE WITH YOU EVEN REMOTELY.

I WILL TAKE OFFICE ON MAY 10TH.

SO THERE IS A RUNOFF ELECTION THAT I DON'T HAVE TO BE IN BECAUSE OF THE MARGIN WE WON ON TUESDAY APRIL 6TH AND THAT WILL DETERMINE THE WHOLE CITY COUNCIL AND WE ARE ALL SEATED TOGETHER MONDAY MAY 10.

>> WE HEARD PARIS TALKING WITH ALDERMAN BURNETT WHAT IS IT THAT YOU CAN DO AS MAYOR OF EVANSTON TO HELP PEOPLE RECOVER BUSINESSES RECOVER WITH OR WITHOUT STATE OR FEDERAL AID?

>> WELL, CERTAINLY WITHOUT STATE OR FEDERAL AID DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A GREAT FORMULA.

COLLABORATION BETWEEN STATE, LOCAL AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS CRITICAL AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY.

EVANSSTON LIKE CHICAGO HAS ITS OWN HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHICH PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN VACCINE DISTRIBUTION IF WE ASK OURSELVES QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EFFICIENCY AND THE EQUITY OF VACCINE DISTRIBUTION THAT IS DETERMINED IN PART BY THE EVANSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THAT IS IMPORTANT.

AND THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY IS GOING TO BE ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL AS WELL.

MUCH LIKE ALDERMAN BURNET WAS TALKING ABOUT IN GREEKTOWN THERE IS A CONCERN ABOUT THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT REALLY GIVE IT THE OFFBEAT FEEL THE RECOVERY AND REPOPULATION WILL BE CRITICAL FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> YOU ELUDE TO EQUITY WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT EQUITY REGARDING SAY, HOUSING AND SEGREGATION?

>> WELL, EVANSTON IS PROUD TO BE LEADING THE COUNTRY AS THE FIRST MUNICIPALITY TO PUT IN PLACE A REPARATIONS PROGRAM AND WE PUT THAT IN PLACE BECAUSE OF AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE MUNICIPALITY'S HISTORICAL ROLE THROUGH REDLINING AND POLICIES THAT DIRECTLY ENFORCE SEGREGATION AND NOT ONLY CREATING IMMORALLY SEGREGATED NEIGHBORHOODS AND THEREFORE GROWING THE MASS OF RACIAL GAPS.

THE REPARATIONS PROGRAM IS AN IMPORTANT STEP BUT THERE'S LOTS MORE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE WAY THE ZONING CODES ARE DESIGNED THEY ARE DESIGNED FOR SEGREGATION.

AND INCLUSION AREA HOUSING POLICIES THEY CAN BE IMPROVED TO ALLOW FOR NOT JUST THE DIVERSITY THAT WE LIKE TO TALK ABOUT, BUT INTEGRATION AS WELL.

DIVERSITY AND SEGREGATION IS NOT AN ADEQUATE SOLUTION TO THE RACIAL JUSTICE PROBLEM THAT WE FACE.

>> FOR POINT OF CLARIFICATION THE REPARATIONS PROGRAM IS MONEY FOR HOUSING IMPROVEMENTS AND MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE FUNDED BY MARIJUANA DISPENSARY TAX.

AND CALLED FOR CHANGES THE WAY THE CITY HANDLES EMERGENCY CALLS AND FOCUS MORE ON SOCIAL WORK RESPONSE AS OPPOSED TO STRICTLY A LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE.

HOW DO YOU PAY FOR IT?

AND HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

>> I WAY I THINK ABOUT IT IS A POLICE OFFICER IS A VERY, VERY SPECIAL AND UNIQUE TYPE OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE.

THERE'S NO OTHER GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE WHO SHOWS UP TO SOLVE A PROBLEM WITH A GUN AND BADGE AND THE POWER TO TAKE AWAY YOUR LIBERTY AND PUTS YOU IN A CAGE.

THOSE ARE A SPECIALIZED SET OF CAPABILITIES AND THEY OUGHT TO BE DEPLOYED FOR A SET OF PROBLEMS THAT REQUIRE THAT RESPONSE.

THE RIGHT NOW WE'RE CALLING UPON POLICE OFFICERS TRAINED TO DO A SPECIFIC SET OF THINGS TO DO ALL KINDS OF OTHER STUFF AS WELL.

TO DEAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH CRISES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE CRISIS, AND APPROACH DEESCALATION TO KEEP CROWDS CONTROLLED AND MORE.

SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS INSURE THAT WE'RE DOING AN ENTIRE AUDIT WHAT ALL EVANSSTON POLICE OFFICERS ARE CALLED UPON TO DO WHAT TASKS THEY ARE CALLED UPON TO PERFORM AND HERE ARE THE THINGS THAT IN FACT THOSE CAPABILITIES ARE NECESSARY AND HERE IS A COLLECTION OF THINGS THAT SOMEONE ELSE CAN DO BETTER AND TRAINED FOR, AND SOMEONE ELSE IS PREPARED FOR AND THAT SOMEONE ELSE IS LIKELY LESS COSTLY TO EMPLOY BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL COSTS THAT COME WITH EMPLOYING POLICE OFFICERS BECAUSE OF THE DANGER THEY PUT THEMSELVES IN.

IF WE DO THIS PROPERLY WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE GRADUAL AND ROLLED OUT CAREFULLY BUT IT WILL NOT ONLY PROVIDE A TRUE SENSE OF SHARED SAFETY FOR ALL RATHER THAN SECURITY FOR SOME IT WILL DO IT AT A LOWER COST FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> SINCE YOU LEFT SPRINGFIELD YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES.

WHAT IS IT A MUNICIPALITY CAN DO TO DEAL WITH GLOBAL WARMING IN THE ABSENCE OF A NATIONAL POLICY?

>> EVERY MUNICIPALITY EVERY INDIVIDUAL NEEDS TO DO WHAT WE CAN.

I DON'T WANT TO PRETEND THAT THE CITY OF EVANSTON IS GOING TO FIX CLIMATE CHANGE ITSELF.

IT DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULDN'T TRY WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO DO WHAT WE CAN BECAUSE NO ONE ENTITY CAN DO IT ALL.

THE CITY HAS A PLAN ON THE BOOKS THAT WAS MOST RECENTLY UPDATED A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND THAT PLAN HAS TARGETS LIKE CARBON FREE ELECTRICITY BY 2030.

AND ZERO WASTE BY 205O THOSE ARE GREAT NUMBERS.

YOU CAN PUT OUT A PRESS RELEASE AND CELEBRATE BUT IMPLEMENTING THAT AND HITTING THOSE GOALS AND MAKING SURE WE TRANSFORM OUR CODES AND TRANSPORTATION MECHANISMS AND ZONING CODES AND THE WAY WE HANDLE WASTE AND MORE TO ACHIEVE THOSE TARGETS IS GOING TO REQUIRE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK.

AND IF WE DO THAT PROPERLY, WE CAN LEAD OTHER COMMUNITIES ALONG.

THE SOLUTION TO THE CLIMATE CHANGE PROBLEMS ARE GOING TO REQUIRE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ENTITIES LEARNING FROM ONE ANOTHER, PUSHING ONE ANOTHER AND COMPETING WITH ONE ANOTHER TO INSURE THAT WE GET TO A SPOT WHERE WE'RE PRESERVING THE LIVEABILITY OF THIS PLANET.

>> DANIEL BISS THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

ALL THE BEST TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT, A FOOD CO-OP IS COMING TO CHICAGO'S BACK OF THE YARDS NEIGHBORHOOD BUT FIRST A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>> A LOCAL URBAN IS GROWER, IS GROWING HER OPERATIONS TO INCLUDE A FOOD CO-OP ON CHICAGO'S SOUTHWEST SIDE.

PATTY WETLI JOINS US MORE WITH STAR FARMS.

WHAT IS STAR FARM AND WHO IS THE LOCAL GROWER?

>> YES, STAR FARM IS ONE OF CHICAGO'S SORT OF SMALL BUT MIGHTY URBAN FARMS.

THE COUPLE'S SITE EQUALS UP TO ABOUT AN ACRE IN BACK OF THE YARDS.

AND IT WAS FOUNDED BY STEPHANIE DUNN WHO WORKS THE LAND WITH SOME EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS AND HER HUSBAND.

REALLY BASICALLY, TO PROVIDE HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS IN THE BACK OF THE YARDS NEIGHBORHOOD WHICH IS BETTER KNOWN AS THE HUB FOR THE MEATPACKING INDUSTRY BACK IN THE DAY.

>> WHERE DOES STEPHANIE WANT TO OPEN THE CO-OP AND WHY THERE?

>> SHE FOUND A BUILDING AT THE ASHLAND AND 53rd STREET SOUTH ASHLAND.

AND IT'S WALKING DISTANCE FROM HER FARM.

EASY FOR HER TO GET HER PRODUCE THERE.

BUT ALSO BECAUSE IT'S IN THE HEART OF WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY A FOOD DESERT AND SAID THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO PROVIDE HEALTHY, FRESH PRODUCE TO FOLKS WHERE THE LOCAL OPTIONS TEND TO BE LIQUOR STORES AND CONVENIENCE STORES OR FOOD PANTRIES FOR WHERE THEY CAN GET THEIR FOOD.

>> BEST OF LUCK TO HER.

PATTY WETLI THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS.

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

>> AND NOW WE CHECK BACK IN WITH PARIS SCHUTZ HE SPENT THE DAY IN GREEKTOWN AS A PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

>> WE ARE JOINED NOW BY GEORGE CARDENAS, WHO IS A, GEORGE ANDERSON GEORGE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

OUT HERE ON THIS CHILLY NIGHT.

FIRST OF ALL, GREEKTOWN RESTAURANT WEEK STARTS NEXT WEEK, THE FIRST-EVER OF ITS KIND TELL US WHAT PEOPLE CAN EXPECT?

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

THE EVENT IS IN COMMEMORATION OF 200 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE FROM THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE.

MARCH 25 OF 1821 WAS THE YEAR THE DATE THAT THE GREEKS REBELLED AGAINST THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE AND SUCCEEDED AND ACHIEVED THEIR INDEPENDENCE.

>> YOU'RE CELEBRATING GREEK INDEPENDENCE 200 YEARS OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE AND ALSO IT IS A WAY TO SORT OF BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO GET PEOPLE BACK IN RESTAURANTS IN GREEKTOWN >> YES, MOST DEFINITELY.

AND IT'S WE'RE USING THIS GREAT DATE FOR THE COMMEMORATION BUT FOR EVERY COMMEMORATION THAT WE CELEBRATE IT IS A MEANS OF GATHERING.

FAMILIES AND FRIENDS HOPEFULLY WE CAN PUT A NICE POSITIVE SPOTLIGHT ON ALL THE MERCHANTS THE RESTAURANTS, CAFES THE STORES IN GREEKTOWN.

>> HOW ARE THEY DOING?

YOU HEARD ALDERMAN BURNETT SAY THERE ARE A COUPLE EMPTY STOREFRONTS.

SANTORINI HAD TO SHUTDOWN.

IS THE FUTURE LOOKING OK FOR SOME OF THE LONG TIME INSTITUTIONS?

>> THE FUTURE, I BELIEVE, IS LOOKS PROMISING.

NOT JUST FOR GREEKTOWN BUT I BELIEVE FOR THE CITY FOR THE STATE.

THIS PANDEMIC HAS AFFECTED BASICALLY EVERY TYPE OF BUSINESS THAT IS ON MAIN STREET VERSUS WALL STREET AS THEY SAY.

THERE IS A BIG CHASM AND IT IS APPARENT TO A LOT OF BUSINESSES MOM AND POP TYPE OPERATIONS ESPECIALLY.

I BELIEVE AND HOPEFULLY WITH THE VACCINATIONS THAT PEOPLE WILL HOPEFULLY RECEIVE THINGS WILL RETURN BACK TO NORMAL AND PEOPLE WILL FEEL COMFORTABLE TO GO OUT AND ABOUT AND FREQUENT THE BUSINESSES AGAIN.

>> TELL US ABOUT THE HISTORY OF GREEKTOWN.

ALL OF US KNOW IT AS HALSTED AND HAVE BEEN COMING TO THE RESTAURANTS FOR SO MANY YEARS BUT IT'S SHIFTED IN THE LAST SEVERAL DECADES RIGHT IN FRONT OF US IS THE JANE BYRNE INTERCHANGE HOW DID THAT IMPACT THE COMMUNITY?

>> I REMEMBER AN OLD TIMER HE TOLD ME THAT CHICAGO AT ONE TIME EXTENDED ONLY THROUGH HARLEM AVENUE.

EVERYTHING WAS INSIDE THAT PERIMETER.

AND SO BACK THEN YOU HAD POCKETS.

YOU HAD NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND HERE YOU HAD A LOT OF BIG CONCENTRATION OF GREEKS AND LITTLE ITALY AND OTHER COMMUNITIES OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE POLES AND OTHERS AS WELL.

AT ONE TIME THERE WAS A BIG CONCENTRATION OF GREEKS THAT LIVED HERE ON HALSTED AND IT DID EXTEND SOUTH TO WHERE UIC IS RIGHT NOW.

OF COURSE, THERE HAVE BEEN MIGRATIONS.

PEOPLE THEY DID TOUCHDOWN HERE AND THEN AS THEY PROGRESSED THEY MOVED OUT FURTHER AND FURTHER AWAY FROM THE CENTER.

>> KEEPS THE CHARACTER HERE WITH THE RESTAURANTS.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

GOOD LUCK AT RESTAURANT WEEK NEXT WEEK.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

>> BRANDIS WE'LL WRAP IT UP IN A FEW MINUTES FIRST WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> GOOD TIME FOR GREEK FOOD.

>> UP NEXT, AND ALL NEW "ASK GEOFFREY".

WHAT DOES A 20TH CENTURY ELECTRICITY BARON HAD TO DO WITH A SPITTING LLAMA AT A SUBURBAN PETTING ZOO?

GEOFFREY BAER IS HERE WITH THE STORY OF HAWTHORN MELLODY DAIRY FARM IN THIS WEEK'S "ASK GEOFFREY".

WELCOME BACK.

>> I WILL TRY NOT TO SPIT.

>> PLEASE DON'T, LLAMA.

THIS IS FROM A VIEWER... >> TOM, YOU MISSED OUT ON A LOT.

AFTER ALL THESE YEARS WE WILL MAKE IT UP TO YOU RIGHT NOW.

HERE WE GO.

THE FORMER HAWTHORN MELLODY DAIRY FARM WAS BOTH A WORKING DAIRY AND A VERY POPULAR TOURIST ATTRACTION IN CHICAGO'S NORTHERN SUBURBS STRADDLING VERNON HILLS AND LIBERTYVILLE.

NOT ONLY DID THEY OFFER TOURS OF THE DAIRY BUT THEY ALSO RAN AN AMUSEMENT PARK WITH A WILD WEST TOWN AND A PETTING ZOO AND WE'LL GET TO ALL OF THAT IN JUST A MINUTE.

THE ORIGINS OF HAWTHORN MELLODY DAIRY FARM CAN BE TRACED BACK TO SOMEONE YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF, NO, NOT TEDDY ROOSEVELT, THE OTHER GUY STANDING NEXT TO HIM, SAMUEL INSULL.

FOUNDER OF COMMONWEALTH EDISON WHICH TODAY WE CALL ComEd.

INSULL WAS ONE OF MANY EARLY 20TH CENTURY MOGULS WHO BUILT COUNTRY ESTATES IN LAKE AND DUPAGE COUNTIES WITH SO-CALLED HOBBY FARMS WHICH WERE A WAY FOR THE OWNERS TO DABBLE IN THE FARM LIFE.

INSULL OVERSAW A MIDWEST ELECTRICITY EMPIRE IT WAS A MONOPOLY AT THAT TIME PROVIDED ALMOST ALL OF CHICAGO'S ELECTRICITY IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY AND CONTROLLED ELECTRIC RAILROADS INCLUDING THE L AND ALL THAT SPLENDOR CAME CRASHING DOWN DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION WHEN INSULL'S COMPANIES WENT BUST AND THE MOM AND POP INVESTORS DID, TOO, MANY THEIR LIFE SAVINGS.

INSULL AFTER THAT BECAME A POSTER CHILD FOR SOCIAL INEQUITY IN THE 1930s.

HE FLED TO EUROPE AND WAS EXTRADITED BACK TO CHICAGO.

HE WAS TRIED FOR FRAUD AND EMBEZZLEMENT AND SURVIVED ALL THAT AND MOVED BACK TO EUROPE WHERE HE DIED.

>> WOW.

WHAT A STORY.

WHAT BECAME OF THE FARM AFTER INSULL?

>> WELL, IN THE LATE 1930s, THE PROPERTY WAS PURCHASED BY A MAN NAMED JOHN CUENO, SR. WHO WAS A PRINTING COMPANY MAGNATE AND HE HAD A WIDE RANGE OF BUSINESS INTERESTS.

CUNEO BOUGHT UP SURROUNDING FARMLAND AND EXPANDED THE DAIRY OPERATION AND KEPT THE ORIGINAL PART OF THE HAWTHORN MELLODY DAIRY FARM NAME.

THE DAIRY AND THE FARM RAISED HORSES AND HOGS AND POULTRY.

BUT THE BIG BUSINESS WAS THE DAIRY COWS.

AND AT ITS PEAK THE COMPANY DISTRIBUTED MILK AND PRODUCTS ALL OVER THE CHICAGO REGION.

I TOTALLY REMEMBER THESE MILK TRUCKS WHEN I WAS A KID.

HAWTHORN MELLODY DAIRY FARM WELCOMED THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES AND SCHOOL GROUPS AND MARVELED AT THE DAIRY'S NEWFANGLED MECHANIZED MILKING UNIT FREE OF HUMAN TOUCH AND THERE WAS THE PARK AND THE WILD WEST TOWN KNOWN AS HAWTHORN GULCH WHICH FEATURED AN OLD TIME BANK A GENERAL STORE AND COVERED WAGONS IT WAS ONE OF THE STOPS ON A MINIATURE STEAM RAILROAD THAT TOOK VISITORS ON TOURS OF THE PROPERTY AND I WENT THERE WHEN I WAS A KID I REMEMBER THIS AND I REMEMBER THE WILD WEST TOWN HAD A BOOT HILL CEMETERY WITH WOODEN TOMBSTONES WITH FUNNY ESPECIALLY STAFFS LIKE I TOLD YOU I WAS SICK.

AND THEN THERE WAS THAT PETTING ZOO.

SOMETIMES CALLED A CHILDREN'S ZOO AND THEY HAD TURKEYS AND DUCKS AND REPORTEDLY A POPULAR SPITTING LLAMA.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT MADE THE LLAMA POPULAR.

BUT CHECK THIS OUT CIRCUS ANIMALS LIKE THIS ELEPHANT NOT SURE ANY ZOO TODAY WOULD ALLOW PEOPLE ESPECIALLY CHILDREN TO GET THIS CLOSE TO A WILD ANIMAL.

>> EVEN IF IT IS A BABY ELEPHANT BUT THE SPITTING LLAMA WAS POPULAR WITH THE KIDS.

SO GEOFFREY, HAWTHORNE MELODY IS NO LONGER AROUND TODAY WHAT HAPPENED TO IT?

>> IN THE LATE 1960s Mr. CUNEO BEGAN SELLING OFF PORTIONS OF THE DAIRY AND THE LAND AND THE PARK CLOSED IN THE 1970s AFTER THE ATTENDANCE STARTED TO SAG.

THE HAWTHORN MELLODY DAIRY FARM BRAND CONTINUED TO EXIST UNDER VARIOUS CORPORATE OWNERS UNTIL IT WAS PHASED OUT OR FIZZLED OUT IN THE EARLY 1990s.

MOST OF THAT VERNON HILLS PROPERTY HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY SUBURBANIZED HOME TO SUBDIVISIONS AND THE HAWTHORNE MALL, A NOD TO WHAT USED TO BE THERE.

BUT THE SHOCKING PINK CUNEO MANSION BY THE ARCHITECT BENJAMIN MARSHALL AND JEN JENSEN DESIGNED GROUNDS ALL OF THAT IS STILL THERE AND THAT IS OPEN FOR TOURISTS FOR MANY YEARS.

THE SITE IS NOW OWNED AND OPERATED AS A CONFERENCE CENTER AND EVENT SPACE BY THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

AND WE FOUND AT LEAST ONE TRACE OF HAWTHORN MELLODY DAIRY FARM LEFT IN CHICAGO.

LOOK AT THIS GHOST SIGN ON A BUILDING NEAR HORNER PARK ON THE NORTH SIDE.

LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A CORNER GROCERY.

>> WOW.

I LEARNED SOMETHING NEW EVERY TIME.

THANK YOU.

>> GLAD.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> AND YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS ABOUT HAWTHORN MELLODY DAIRY FARM AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION TO GEOFFREY BAER.

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

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

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

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

GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]