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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ IS ON ASSIGNMENT.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WITH THE CONCLUSION OF A CAREFUL FEDERAL REVIEW PROCESS THAT SPANS SEVERAL YEARS WE ARE READY TO GET TO WORK.

>> IT'S OFFICIAL, GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER WILL BEGIN THIS YEAR.

WE HEAR FROM THE OBAMA FOUNDATION.

>> THIS IS THE QUOTE-UNQUOTE SUPER BOWL OF SPORTS BET SNOOK AND IT IS NOT LIKE THE OLD DAYS YOU CAN LEGALLY BET ON THE SUPER BOWL IN ILLINOIS.

>> DRIVERS HERE IN CHICAGO MOVE, MOVE THE CITY.

>> A HUGE RISE IN CARJACKINGS, COVID-19 AND A FIGHT IN SPRINGFIELD ON THE HORIZON HERE FROM CHICAGO AREA RIDESHARE DRIVERS.

>> PRIORITIZE LIBRARY WORKERS AND MOVE US TO PHASE 1B OR CURBSIDE ASSISTANCE ONLY.

>> THE LATEST GROUP FIGHTING TO GET THE COVID VACCINE, LIBRARY WORKERS.

BUT ARE THERE ENOUGH DOSES TO GO AROUND?

>> THERE'S 80,000 OF THEM ACROSS THE CITY.

>> GAGE PARK'S HISTORIC BUNG LOW DISTRICT NOW ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HOMES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND ACROSS CHICAGO.

THE GREAT GRAND DODD OF IDA B.

WELLS WRITES A BIOGRAPHY.

AND GEOFFREY BAER ON THE HISTORY OF THE SEARS SUNKEN GARDEN AND THE COMPANY THAT BUILT IT IN AN ALL NEW "ASK GEOFFREY".

BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAYS IT'S WORKING ON A RESPONSE TO THE MOST RECENT COUNTER PROPOSAL RECEIVED FROM THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION LATE THIS AFTERNOON.

IT'S THE LATEST IN NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES AS PARENTS AWAIT WORD ON WHETHER STUDENTS CAN RETURN TO THEIR SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

THIS MORNING, MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT TURNED UP THE HEAT GROWING IMPATIENT THAT THEY HAVE NOT REACHED A DEAL AND BLAMING THE UNION FOR NOT SPANNED RESPONDING TO THE DISTRICT'S PROPOSALS.

>> I'VE HEARD FROM PARENTS WHY DIDN'T YOU LET US KNOW BECAUSE WE WERE WAITING ON THE C.T.U.

AND ON THE OFF CHANCE WE HAD AN ABILITY TO GET A BREAKTHROUGH AND WE WANTED TO SHARE THAT NEWS BUT WE WAITED AND WAITED AND WAITED AND WAITED.

TIME'S UP.

>> NOW, TODAY WAS ANOTHER DAY OF REMOTE LEARNING AS THE CITY AGREED TO EXPECTED THAT 48-HOUR COOLING OFF PERIOD INTO A THIRD DAY.

THE TWO SIDES TENTATIVELY AGREE ON TESTING, VENTILATION, PPE, SAFETY COMMITTEES AND WORK SPACES BUT THEY ARE WORKING THROUGH HEALTH METRICS WHICH TO CLOSE SCHOOLS A VACCINE PLAN AND GRANTING AN ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYEES WHO LIVE WITH PEOPLE WITH MEDICAL RISK AND MAKING IMPROVEMENTS FOR REMOTE LEARNING.

ORIGINAL IN A NEWS CONFERENCE SOME PARENTS SPOKE OUT HOW REMOTE LEARNING IS WORKING AND SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE UNTIL SCHOOLS ARE SAFER.

>> THOUGH FROM THE COMPUTER IT'S VIRTUALLY THE STUDENTS ARE LEARNING.

MY KIDS HAVE BEEN LEARNING.

MY PRE-K KNOWS HOW TO WRITE HIS NAME AND NUMBERS AND LETTERS AND THE TEACHERS ARE DOING A GREAT JOB WHY WOULD THEY NOT ALLOW THEM TO KEEP DOING THAT?

WE'RE ASKING THE MAYOR TO PLEASE [INAUDIBLE] THE DISTRICTS THAT ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.

>> A NUMBER OF TEACHERS HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF THE GOOGLE CLASSROOM ACCOUNTS.

JANICE JACKSON SAYS THERE HAS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE TEACHERS WHO REFUSE TO RETURN TO WORK.

THE SEMESTER ENDED TOMORROW AND TOMORROW IS SCHEDULED AS A DAY OF NO INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS BUT PLANNING FOR TEACH HE WAS.

>> ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT 3300 NEW CASES OF COVID-19 AND 69 DEATHS.

THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL CASE COUNT TO MORE THAN 1.13 MILLION PEOPLE WITH 19,444 TOTAL DEATHS.

STATE ADDED 80 NEW VACCINE SITES INCLUDING WALGREENS, JEWEL AND MARIANO'S PHARMACIES AND TWO NATIONAL GUARD SITES.

AND NOW TO PHIL PONCE WITH WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER.

>> IT IS OFFICIAL.

AFTER A FOUR-YEAR FEDERAL REVIEW CONSTRUCTION ON THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER IN JACKSON PARK WILL START PERHAPS AS EARLY AS AUGUST.

PRESIDENT OBAMA MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON TWITTER.

>> WITH THE CONCLUSION OF A CAREFUL FEDERAL REVIEW PROCESS THAT SPANNED SEVERAL YEARS WE ARE READY TO GET TO WORK.

>> THE CAMPUS WILL TAKE FOUR YEARS TO COMPLETE AND $500 MILLION IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS AN ECONOMIC I AM PAM OF $3 BILLION FOR COOK COUNTY, UP TO 5,000 DIRECT AND INDIRECT JOBS AND 700,000 PROJECTED ANNUAL VISITORS.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS PLANS FOR THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER IS MICHAEL STRAUTMANIS CHIEF ENGAGEMENT OFFICER OF THE OBAMA FOUNDATION AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

IF YOU WERE IN AN ELEVATOR AND YOU HAD 30 SECONDS TO DESCRIBE THE PROJECT TO SOMEBODY IN THAT ELEVATOR, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE IT PHYSICALLY.

>> GO.

GREAT MUSEUM.

AND OTHER AMENITIES.

THERE WILL BE A TEACHING GARDEN, A BRANCH OF THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY.

ALL SET WITHIN A BEAUTIFUL PARK.

AND ACTIVITIES AND SPACES FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND LEARN AND ENJOY.

BUT I SAY MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE'RE BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO JACKSON PARK.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A CATALYST FOR THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO AND A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHAT THE CITY STANDS FOR AND WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD REFERENCE WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

THEY SHOULD TALK ABOUT THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER AND TALK ABOUT THIS BEING A PLACE WHERE SOMEBODY CAN COME THAT HAS BIG DREAMS AND ACHIEVE THEM AND GO BEYOND.

SO I'M WILL PROBABLY TAKE MORE THAN 30 SECONDS SO I WILL STOP THERE.

>> MAYBE IT IS A LONG ELEVATOR RIDE.

BUT THE ESTIMATED COSTS IS ABOUT $500 MILLION.

DO YOU HAVE THAT MONEY IN HAND?

>> WE DO.

WE DO.

NOW, LOOK, THERE'S A LOT MORE THAT WE WANT TO DO THAN JUST BUILD THE PRESIDENTIAL CENTER ITSELF.

WE HAVE PROGRAMMING THAT WILL HAPPEN IN AND AROUND IT.

THAT PROGRAM, BY THE WAY, IS ALREADY STARTED AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE BUILD.

PRESIDENT AND MRS. OBAMA ARE DEDICATED TO GIVING THE TOOLS AND INSPIRATION PARTICULARLY TO YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO BECOME CIVIC ACTORS AND GET INVOLVED IN CIVIC LIFE.

WE WILL ENDOW THE PRESIDENTIAL CENTER.

I WOULDN'T SAY TO EVERYBODY CLOSE YOUR WALLETS WE WILL NEED YOUR HELP.

YES WE HAVE THE FUNDS READY TO BRING THE PRESIDENTIAL CENTER TO CHICAGO.

INTO THIS PROCESS HAS GONE ON FOR FOUR YEARS WITH COMMUNITY OPPOSITION VOCAL COMMUNITY OPPOSITION CONCERNING RISING RENTS AND RISING PROPERTY VALUES THAT MIGHT DISPLACE PEOPLE.

WHAT IS THE LATEST ON THAT?

>> I THINK FIRST OF ALL, WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT WHERE WE STARTED AND WHERE WE'VE GONE TO TODAY.

YES, PEOPLE WERE THRILLED OVERWHELMINGLY THRILLED THAT THE PRESIDENTIAL CENTER WAS COMING TO THE SOUTH SIDE OF CENTER AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD STARVED OF INVESTMENTS AND WE KNEW THERE WOULD BE CONSEQUENCES AND PEOPLE WERE WORRIED ABOUT UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

WE HEARD CONCERNS ABOUT PEOPLE GENTRIFICATION, AND DISPLACEMENT AND WHAT MADE ME SO PROUD THAT IS THAT COMMUNITY, LEADERS, GOVERNMENT, CITY COUNCIL, THE MAYOR GOT TOGETHER TO CRAFT A SOLUTION AROUND THAT.

THERE IS AN ORDINANCE IN PLACE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOODS TO PRESERVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE WILL HAVE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES ALONG THE WAY.

WE WANT TO HIRE AND HAVE THIS BE A MODEL FOR A DIVERSE WORKFORCE IN CONSTRUCTION AND WE WILL NEED PEOPLE'S SUPPORT TO RALLY AROUND AND DO THAT.

I THINK WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS THAT THIS ISN'T JUST TALK.

AND PEOPLE AREN'T JUST TALKING.

THEY ARE PUTTING PLANS IN PLACE.

THEY ARE CREATING SOLUTIONS AND JUST TO BRING IT BACK HOME, THAT IS LIKE WHAT THE OBAMA FOUNDATION IS ALL ABOUT.

SO IT'S VERY APPROPRIATE.

AND I HOPE PEOPLE TAKE A LOOK.

>> AS YOU KNOW OPPONENTS OF THE PROJECT JUST ANNOUNCED IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THEY FELT THAT THE FEDERAL REVIEW WAS SPECIOUS AND FURTHER LEGAL ACTION IS IMMINENT.

WAS IT SPECIOUS?

>> I USED TO ACT AS A LAWYER.

I WENT TO LAW SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

AND I'M NOT ANYMORE SO I WILL NOT DEFINE OR RESPOND TO SPECIOUS.

I WILL SAY THIS HAS BEEN A LONG REVIEW AND I ALSO NOTE THAT THIS IS A VERY SMALL BUT LOCAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE MANY OF WHOM I BELIEVE I HAVE NOT SEEN THEM AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS I'VE BEEN WALKING AROUND AND DOING MY WORK THERE.

AND IT'S BEEN FOUR YEARS.

EVERY INCH OF THE TIRE HAS BEEN KICKED ON THIS THING.

EVERY QUESTION THAT I CAN THINK OF AND THAT I DIDN'T THINK OF HAVE BEEN ASKED AND ANSWERED BY EXPERTS AT THE CITY, FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL.

WHAT I SAY TO EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO MAKE THIS PROJECT BETTER, ACCEPT THE DECISION THAT HAS BEEN MADE AND HELP US GET IT DONE RIGHT.

BECAUSE THIS IS A BIG DEAL.

AND WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS.

WE ARE GOING TO NEED THAT SUPPORT.

IF SOMEONE DECIDES THEY WANT TO CHALLENGE IT WE WILL DEFEND IT.

YOU KNOW, THE FOLKS LOST TO THE DISTRICT LEVEL.

THEY LOST IN THE SEVENTH CIRCUIT AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROJECT BECAUSE ONE THING THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IS THE STATUS QUO.

PEOPLE ARE READY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

PEOPLE ARE EXCITED THAT THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER IS COMING TO CHICAGO.

I'VE GOT TO GET TO WORK TO DELIVER.

>> WOULD YOU SAY THIS IS A DONE DEAL?

THE PROJECTION IS THE ESTIMATE IS CONSTRUCTION WILL START IN AUGUST.

DO YOU THINK THAT WILL HAPPEN?

>> OH, YES.

CONSTRUCTION WILL START THIS YEAR.

NOW, I DON'T GET INTO DATES AND I DON'T SAY A DONE DEAL BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A LONGTIME AND I DON'T MAKE PROMISES I CAN'T KEEP.

WE ARE PREPARED TO BRING THIS TO THE CITY.

CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN IN AUGUST AND I WANT TO SHOUT-OUT ALL OF THE I GOT MY -- I AM AT HOMEWORKING AND MY DAUGHTER IS HERE AND I USE PHRASED LIKE SHOUT-OUT.

I THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY THAT HAS BEEN INVOLVED AND ENGAGED IN IT.

I THANK YOU TO THE MAYOR AND HER TEAM FOR THEIR HARD WORK.

AND PARTICULARLY A THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS HEARD PROMISES BEFORE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DELIVERED BEFORE THAT HAVE BELIEVED IN US.

>> YOU EMPHASIZED THIS IS NOT JUST A BRICKS AND MORTAR PROJECT OTHER THINGS WILL GO WITH IT.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE IF THIS CENTER IS A SUCCESS?

WHAT DOES SUCCESS MEAN TO YOU?

>> YOU KNOW, SUCCESS MEANS A COUPLE THINGS TO ME.

THE FIRST IS, WE'RE EXPECTING VISITORS FROM ACROSS THE STREET.

FROM ACROSS THE CITY.

FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD ALL TO GATHER.

I WANT TO SEE THAT THAT MIX OF PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER ENJOYING THIS BEAUTIFUL PARK, PARTICIPATING IN ALL THE ACTIVITIES AT THE CENTER AND NOT STOPPING THERE BUT GOING INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE ARE CREATING A MUSEUM CAMPUS WITH THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

AND LET'S OPEN UP THEIR WALLETS AND SPEND DOLLARS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE COMMUNITY.

I THINK THAT IS SUCCESSFUL.

BUT TO ME MOST IMPORTANT IS THAT SOME YOUNG PERSON WHO ISN'T ALIVE RIGHT NOW AS I'M HERE TODAY, COMES TO THE CENTER AND IS INSPIRED TO LIVE OUT THEIR DREAMS.

THAT'S WHAT PRESIDENT OBAMA DID WHEN HE CAME TO CHICAGO.

THAT'S WHAT MRS. OBAMA DID AS SHE GREW UP BLOCKS AWAY FROM THIS CENTER.

YOU KNOW, I'M TALKING TO YOU TODAY BECAUSE SOMEBODY INVESTED IN LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS SO THAT I COULD A KID WHO IS A PARENT OF A COUPLE SCHOOLTEACHERS COULD GO AND WORK AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND BRING A PRESIDENTIAL CENTER TO MY HOMETOWN.

THAT IS WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT AND SUCCESSFUL TO ME.

>> MICHAEL STRAUTMANIS THANK YOU WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

12 ILLINOIS SITES WERE ADDED TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES IN 2020.

GAGE PARK'S HISTORIC BUNGALOW DISTRUCT ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE IS ONE OF THEM.

WTTW NEWS DIRECTOR AND LATINO VOICES HOST HUGO BALTA WITH MARISSA NELSON SPENT THE DAY REPORTING IN GAGE PARK THE LATEST STOP IN OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES AND HUGO BALTA JOINS US WITH MORE FROM INSIDE THE GAGE PARK LATINX CULTURAL CENTER.

>> GOOD EVENING.

CHICAGO'S HOME TO NEARLY 80,000 BUNGALOWS.

MOST OF THEM BUILT IN THE EARLY 1900'S.

THE SINGLE FAMILY HOME PROVIDED AN AFFORDABLE WAY TO GET HOME OPENERSHIP.

A CENTURY AGO FIRST GENERATION AMERICANS LIVED IN BUNGALOWS STANDING TODAY IN GAGE PARK.

>> THE CITY THAT'S SO OLD I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP THAT HISTORIC VALUE.

>> ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.

THE GAGE PARK BUNGALOW HISTORIC DISTRICT IS THE LATEST TO BE ADDED.

CARLA BRUNI OF BUNGALOW ASSOCIATION MADE THE NOMINATION.

>> THE FIRST BUNGALOW IN THE DISTRICT IS 1919.

>> BUNGALOWS HAVE BEEN AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE LANDSCAPE FOR A CENTURY.

AS THE POPULATION GREW SUBJECT DIVISIONS WERE BUILT IN NEIGHBORHOODS SURROUNDING CHICAGO CENTER T CAME TO BE KNOWN AS THE BUNGALOW BELT SWEEPING ACROSS FROM THE CITY FROM THE FAR SOUTH SIDE TO THE FAR NORTH.

LOCATED SEVEN MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE LOOP MANY BUNGALOWS WERE BETWEEN BETWEEN 1924-1927.

THE HISTORIC DISTRICT IS BOUNDED TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH BY 55 AND 59TH STREETS.

>> WE HAD A HUGE POPULATION BOON WITH A HUGE IMMIGRATION BOOM AND BUNGALOWS FULFILLED IN THE GAP THE CITY WAS RESPONDING BY HAVING THE LUXURY HIGH-RISES AND ALSO TENEMENT HOUSING.

THE BUNGALOW IS THE SURPRISINGLY AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVE.

>> ADAPTED FROM THE CALIFORNIA COTTAGE LOCAL ARCHITECTS MODIFIED THE STYLE TO MATCH THE CITY'S NARROW LOT SIZE CREATING WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS THE CHICAGO BUNGALOW.

THE SINGLE FAMILY HOME IS MARKED BY A NARROW SHAPE LOW ROOF OVERHANG AND GENEROUS WINDOW SPACE.

ADRIANA VARGAS AND HER MOM HAVE OWNED THEIR BUNGALOW FOR SIX YEARS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE DISTRICT THE HOME WAS BUILT IN 1920.

>> FOR US, IT'S LIKE THE AMERICAN DREAM.

SINGLE FAMILY HOME WHERE YOU CAN STAY FOREVER.

AND THIS HAS BEEN IT.

>> THE DESIGNATION IN A NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORICAL PLACES IS MOSTLY AN HONORARY ONE RECOGNIZING AN AREA'S HISTORIC AND SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE.

CARLA BRUNI SAYS IT DOES NOT COME WITH NEW REGULATIONS OR FEES TO RESIDENTS, BUT, IF SOMEONE WERE TO COME WANTING TO BULLDOZE A HIGHWAY THROUGH THE DISTRICT IT WOULD REQUIRE A SPECIAL REVIEW.

COMING UP WE WILL BE SPEAKING TO COMMUNITY AND HEALTH LEADERS ABOUT THE COVID-19 VACCINATION DISTRIBUTION HERE IN GAGE PARK.

BUT FOR NOW, BACK TO YOU BRANDIS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WHETHER YOU ARE IN IT FOR THE FOOTBALL, THE COMMERCIALS OR THE FOOD AND FRIENDS, THE CORONAVIRUS MEANS SUNDAY'S SUPER BOWL WILL BE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR.

BUT SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT THIS MATCHUP IS NEW.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO TRAVEL TO VA VEGAS TO BET ON IT.

>> MAYBE YOU PLAY AT A SUPER BOWL PARTY AND PERHAPS HAD AN OFF THE BOOKS BOOKIE OR USED AN OFFSHORE GAMING WEBSITE, THAT SORT OF THING WAS ILLEGAL AND THAT IS WHAT IS DIFFERENT IN ILLINOIS FOR SUPER BOWL LV.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO A LEGAL SPORTS BET ON A SUPER BOWL.

WE'RE EXCITED.

>> MIKE ZALEWSKI HELPED TO SHEPARD THROUGH THE LAW THAT MADE IT HAPPEN.

ILLINOIS PASSED THE LAW LEGALIZING SPORTS WAGERING IN 2019.

AND THE FIRST SPORTS BOOK AT THE RIVERS CASINO OPENED LAST MARCH.

SOON AFTER IT HAD TO SHUTDOWN BECAUSE OF COURSE OF COVID-19.

NOW THAT AND OTHER PHYSICAL SPORTS BOOKS HAVE BEEN OPEN SINCE THEN DEPENDING ON COVID RESTRICTIONS.

ARGUABLY THE BIGGEST GAME CHANGER, CAME LAST SUMMER WHEN ON-LINE BETTING APPS PREMIERED.

THEY HAVE BEEN GOING STRONG SINCE.

SUNDAY THAT IS WHEN IT'S REALLY GAME TIME.

MIKE ZALEWSKI WILL BE WATCHING THE GAME AND ALSO HOW MUCH SPORTS BOOKS REPORT PEOPLE HAVING WAGERED ON IT.

>> THIS IS THE QUOTE UP QUOTE SUPER BOWL OF SPORTS BETTING.

THE SUPER BOWL OF SPORTS BETTING.

SO IT'S THE DAY OF THE YEAR BESIDES THE NCAA TOURNAMENT WHERE WE EXPECT THE NUMBERS TO BE AT THEIR HIGHEST THAT WILL BE WHAT I'M WATCHING MOST CLOSELY.

THAT IS USED TO FUND SCHOOLS AND ILLINOIS LIBRARIES.

>> NO SCHOOL OR LIBRARY OPERATING FUNDS BUT THE STATE'S SHARE OF THE GAMBLING TAXES AND FEES IS MARKED TO PAY FOR THEIR CONSTRUCTION, FOR INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

WE WON'T KNOW HOW MUCH REVENUE THAT WILL RAKE IN FOR A MONTH-AND-A-HALF.

BUT THE SPORTS BETTING HANDLE IN NOVEMBER THE LATEST FIGURES THAT WE HAVE FROM THE GAMING BOARD REACHED NEARLY $450 MILLION.

IN ILLINOIS, IT IS A CHUNK OF THAT ANNUALLY THE STATE COULD BE LOOKING AT TAKING IN $70 MILLION IN REVENUE FROM SPORTS BETTING.

BECAUSE WE ARE IN PHASE FOUR OF STATE CORONAVIRUS MITIGATIONS, SPORTS BOOKS ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS INCLUDING AT HAUGH MICL HAWTHORNE THORN IN CICERO THE FIRST TRACK TO OVER THE SPORTS BOOK.

JIM MILLER SAYS IT'S LIKE A SPORTS BOOK IN VEGAS AND PEOPLE CAN COME ON SUNDAY ONLY AT 25% CAPACITY BECAUSE OF COVID.

>> AND BECAUSE THIS IS OUR FIRST SUPER BOWL WITH LEGALIZED SPORTS BETTING WE ARE NOT SURE WHAT THE CROWDS ARE GOING TO BE.

US AT HAWTHORNE WE WERE EQUATE TO GO TO KENTUCKY DERBY AND YOU GET A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT PLACE WAGERS ON ONE RACE.

WE ARE GOING TO TREAT THE SUPER BOWL THE SAME WAY.

WE WILL BE STAFFED UP AND WANT TO MAKE EVERYTHING CONVENIENT AND EASY.

>> THERE IS ANOTHER IN-PERSON OPTION A MORE OLD SCHOOL ONE THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE STAYING AND HANGING OUT AT THE SPORTS BOOK.

>> THE ONE THING I EXPECT TO SEE IS SIMILAR FOR KENTUCKY DERBY THAT IS THAT BET AND GO.

PEOPLE THAT WANT TO COME IN, PLACE THE WAGERS AND GO HOME AND WATCH THE GAME AND WE HAVE THAT ABILITY TO DO THAT, TOO, THEY CAN PLACE THEIR WAGERS WITH A LIVE TELLER EARLY IN THE DAY AND MAKE THEM DAYS PRIOR TO THE GAME AND GO HOME AND ENJOY THE GAME AND HOPEFULLY CASH THE WAGERS ON THE DAY AFTER.

>> OR PLACE A WAGER ON-LINE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF OPTIONS FOR THAT BUT ACTUALLY NOT AS MANY AS YOU MAY THINK.

WAGERS ARE LIMITED TO CONDUCT DIRECTLY UNDER THE NFL'S CONTROL OR JURISDICTION.

ILLINOIS' GAMING BOARD LAID OUT THE RULES DURING A VIRTUAL MEETING.

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE FIELD THAT IS ALLOWED.

>> SUCH AS COMPARING THE LENGTH OF A DRIVE TO THE LENGTH OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM ET CETERA.

ANY OCCURRENCES RELATED TO THE REFEREE'S CONDUCT OF THE GAME.

>> THE WINNING TEAM POURS ON THE COACHES HEAD LEGAL.

AND THAT IS BECAUSE THOSE INVOLVED ARE SUBJECT TO THE NFL'S POLICIES.

ALSO OK, PENALTIES AND HOW LONG HALFTIME GOES.

BUT NOT OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE LENGTH OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM OR... >> CONTENT OF THE HALFTIME SHOW.

THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE NUMBER OF SONGS, THE ORDER OF SONGS, WARDROBE CHANGES, SPECIAL APPEARANCES, COSTUME MALFUNCTIONS, ET CETERA.

>> NO BETS ON COACHES AND PLAYERS AFTER GAME CONDUCT BESIDES THAT GATORADE DUMPING.

>> FOR EXAMPLE THAT WOULD MEAN YOU CANNOT WAGER ON THE CONTENT OF A POSTGAME SPEECH HOW, WHEN, IF, WHETHER A PLAYER SAYS HE IS GOING TO DISNEYWORLD.

RETIREMENT WHETHER A PLAYER PROPOSES TO HIS FIANCEE.

>> HE ADMITS THESE ARE THE SORT OF NOVEL TIBETS THAT HELP TO POPULARIZE SPORTS WAGERING PARTICULARLY WITH THOSE WHO MAYBE ARE NOT REGULARLY INTO IT AND OF COURSE THE MORE POPULAR THE MORE REVENUE FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

BUT HE SAYS THE RESTRICTIONS ARE ABOUT CONDUCTING BETTING ACCORDING TO THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS TO MAINTAIN THE PUBLIC'S CONFIDENCE.

THERE ARE STILL WAYS TO HAVE FUN WITH IT.

>> THERE IS A GREAT BET THROUGH POINTS BET.

CALLED A DEVIN HESTER'S HOUSE CALL SUPER BOOST AND THE LAST TIME THE BEARS WERE IN A SUPER BOWL HIS SUPER BOOST YOU GET 17-1 ODDS IF ANYBODY RETURNS THE A KICK FOR A TOUCHDOWN.

PUT A COUPLE DOLLARS DOWN BUT IT GIVES YOU THAT ROOTING INTEREST IN THE GAME.

>> AND ROOTING INTEREST, HAWTHORNE DOES HAVE A HARP WITH POINTS BET.

ILLINOIS SAYS ILLINOIS IS PREYING ON GAMBLING ADDICTS AND WANTING IT TO BE POPULAR.

THE GAMING BOARD ALSO HELD A SPECIAL MEETING TODAY AND GAVE PRELIMINARY APPROVAL FOR A HARD ROCK CASINO IN ROCKFORD THAT IS NOT A COMPLETELY DONE DEAL BUT IT IS MUCH FARTHER ALONG THAN CHICAGO'S CASINO.

BRANDIS, BACK TO YOU AND BY THE WAY, I DON'T PLAN ON BETTING BUT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVE THE SUPER BOWL SNACKS.

>> AND THE COMMERCIALS AND A GOOD GAME.

THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, THE PRESSURES RIDESHARE DRIVERS ARE FACING.

STICK AROUND.

>> WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT HOW CHICAGO SMALL BUSINESSES ARE DOING IF.

>> THESE ARE MORE THAN JUST SHOPPING CENTERS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THEY'RE GATHERING PLACES WHERE THEY MAINTAIN THEIR CULTURE.

>> CHICAGO HAS SEEN A SWIFT AND DANGEROUS INCREASE IN CARJACKINGS WITH MORE THAN 1400 REPORTED IN 2020 INCLUDING CRIMES THAT HAVE TARGETED RIDESHARE DRIVERS.

THOSE DRIVERS HAVE BEEN FACING OTHER PRESSURES IN THE PAST YEAR OR TWO WORKING IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH PASSENGERS DURING THE PANDEMIC AND A HUGE DROP IN DEMAND.

AND AMID BOTH ISSUES, RIDESHARING PLATFORMS AND APP BASED COMPANIES ARE GEARING UP FOR A FIGHT OTHER WHETHER GIG WORKERS SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS EMPLOYEES.

NICK BLUMBERG HAS THE STORY.

>> CHICAGO POLICE SAY THERE WERE NEARLY 218 CARJACKINGS IN JANUARY.

NEARLY THREE TIMES WHAT THE CITY SAW IN 2020.

RIDESHARE DRIVERS ARE AMONG THE VICTIMS AND IT'S TOP OF MIND EVERY TIME THEY ARE ON THE ROAD.

>> YOU HAVE YOUR RADAR UP WHO IS AROUND AND WHAT OTHER CARS ARE DOING.

I'M LOOKING IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR.

AND IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE LIKE THAT.

>> THE SPIKE IN CARJACKINGS COMES AMID THE PANDEMIC THAT UPENDED THE RIDESHARING INDUSTRY.

>> AFTER THE PASSENGER GETS OUT YOU WIPE THE DOOR OR SPRAY IT WITH LYSOL I CARRY MASKS.

BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW.

>> AND LIKE OTHER FRONTLINE WORKERS THEY ARE DOING A DIFFICULT AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS JOB OFTEN WITH LOW PAY AND INFREQUENT TIPS ACCORDING TO A STUDY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AND THE ILLINOIS ECONOMIC POLICY INSTITUTE.

>> THIS IS REALLY A VERY DIFFICULT FORM OF EMPLOYMENT TO EARN A MIDDLE CLASS INCOME.

EXPENSES ARE AND THE OPPORTUNITIES TO GENERATE REVENUE ARE ACTUALLY QUITE MUTED.

>> THE STUDY ANALYZED PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATA FOR 80,000 TRIPS IN CHICAGO IN SEPTEMBER 2019 AND SEPTEMBER 2020 AND IT FOUND DRIVERS MADE BELOW MINIMUM WAGE.

>> COVID MEANT FEWER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD THE AUTHORS SAY THE CITY COULD MANDATE THAT THE DRIVERS MAKE THE MINIMUM WAGE AFTER EXPENSES ON THE STATE OR FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> CLASSIFY THE DRIVERS AS EMPLOYEES AND GRANT THEM THE FULL EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS THAT AND ACCESS TO LABOR PROTECTIONS THAT ALL W2 EMPLOYEES HAVE AND THAT INCLUDES MINIMUM WAGE LAWS, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS, WORKERS COMPENSATION BENEFITS.

>> STATE LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING ON A BILL THAT WOULD DO JUST THAT.

THE SPONSORS HOPE TO INTRODUCE IT DURING THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

STEVEN EVERETT IS AN ORGANIZER WITH THE CHICAGO CHAPTER OF THE INDEPENDENT DRIVERS GUILD WHICH HELPED PUSH FOR MINIMUM PAY AND BENEFITS IN NEW YORK CITY.

THEY ARE NOT TAKING A POSITION ON THE BILL UNTIL THEY SEE IT BUT STEVEN EVERETT SAYS... >> WE WANT THE GIG COMPANIES TO KNOW THAT IF THERE'S NO DRIVER, THERE'S NO GIG COMPANY.

THERE'S NO UBER, THERE'S NO LYFT.

>> WITH LEGISLATION, RIDESHARE COMPANIES ARE GEARING UP.

AN ILLINOIS SUPER PAC FUNDED BY LYFT SPEND $1.2 MILLION DONATING TO NONPROFITS AND POLITICAL CANDIDATES.

LENNY SANCHEZ EXPECTS WHAT HE CALLS A MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN.

>> MISINFORMATION IS THAT IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN THAT DRIVERS WOULD LOSE THEIR FLEXIBILITY AND ABILITY TO WORK WHEN THEY WANT AND THAT IS FALSE.

>> BUT DRIVER DARREN HEARD SAYS HE IS NOT MISINFORMED AND HE APPRECIATES WHAT MINIMUM PAY AND BENEFITS COULD MEAN FOR DRIVERS HE APPRECIATES THE INDEPENDENCE THAT COMES WITH BEING A CONTRACTOR.

>> EVERYBODY DOESN'T GET INVOLVED IN GIG ECONOMY WORK BECAUSE THEY WANT HEALTHCARE BENEFITS.

SOME PEOPLE NEED IT THEY WANT TO HAVE A TANK OF GAS TO FILL UP THEIR CAR OR TRYING TO BUY CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FOR THE FAMILY OR TRYING TO MAKE EXTRA BUCKS TO INVEST.

>> HEARD'S INVOLVED WITH THE COALITION FOR INDEPENDENT WORK WHICH SAYS IT IS A NONPROFIT FUNDED BY UBER, LYFT, AND DOORDASH.

HEARD SAYS THEY SHOULD GIVE GIG WORK A TRY.

THEN THEY WILL HAVE THAT VIABLE EXPERIENCE TO TAKE TO THE DECISION MAKING TABLE TO SAY I'VE DONE THIS BEFORE I SEE WHY THE GIG ECONOMY WORKERS WANT THAT TREATMENT OF CHOICE.

>> DRIVERS GUILD ORGANIZERS SAY IT IS NOT AN EITHER OR CHASE AND A SEAT AT THE TABLE WOULD LET THEM ADVOCATE FOR DRIVERS LIKE PUSHING COMPANIES TO VERIFY PASSENGER'S IDENTITIES.

REGARDLESS OF WHAT COMES OUT OF SPRINGFIELD OR CITY COUNCIL, THE SPIKE IN CARJACKING AND DRIVER SAFETY IS THE GROUP'S TOP PRIORITY.

>> WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO EARN AN HONEST GOOD LIVING AND BE ABLE TO COME HOME FROM OUR JOB SAFELY.

IT'S JUST REALLY DIRE TO BE A GIG WORKER AND A DRIVER FULL-TIME NOWADAYS.

AND PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M NICK BLUMBERG.

>> THE INDEPENDENT DRIVERS GUILD HAS A PETITION CALLING ON GIG COMPANIES TO WORK WITH DRIVERS TO ADDRESS THE SPIKE IN CARJACKINGS.

YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... HOW THE CORONAVIRUS HAS EXACERBATED FOOD INSECURITY IN CHICAGO'S GAGE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE HEAR FROM A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER.

CHICAGO LIBRARIANS ARE FIGHTING TO GET IN LINE FOR THE VACCINE.

WHY THEY SAY THEY NEED IT NOW.

AND A NEW BIOGRAPHY OR A WOMAN WHOND LEGEND LOOMS LARGE IN CHICAGO.

ACTIVIST IDA B.

WELLS AND IT'S WRITTEN BY HER GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER AND GEOFFREY BAER ON THE STATUS OF A GARDEN IN A NORTH LAWNDALE NEIGHBORHOOD.

FIRST, MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

CHICAGOANS ARE HUNKERING DOWN FOR MORE BRUTAL WINTER WEATHER.

IT STARTED THIS AFTERNOON WITH WHAT LOOKED LIKE A SNOW GLOBE OF FLURRIES AND SNOW UP TO THREE INCHES.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SAYS TONIGHT TEMPERATURES WILL PLUMMET AND STAY DOWN.

SUNDAY THE HIGH WILL BE IN THE SINGLE-DIGITS AND SOME OVERNIGHT LOWS BELOW 0.

WITH WIND-CHILL VALUES WELL BELOW 0 LIKE -12.

AND THAT ARCTIC BLAST IS CAUSING THE CITY TO TEMPORARILY SHUTDOWN FOUR OF THE COVID-19 TESTING FACILITIES.

THE FACILITIES REQUIRE STAFF MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS TO WORK OUTSIDE WHILE TESTING PEOPLE IN THEIR CARS EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN WINTER RISED, Dr. ALLISON ARWADY SAYS THE SEVERE DROP IN TEMPERATURES SAYS IT WILL NOT BE SAFE FOR ANYONE TO BE OUTSIDE.

THE FOUR LOCATIONS ARE MIDWAY AIRPORT, PROCESSOR CAREER ACADEMY.

AND GATELY PARK.

THE CENTERS WILL BE CLOSED FROM FRIDAY-WEDNESDAY.

>> WARMING CENTERS WILL BE OPEN WITH COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS IN PLACE.

FACE MASKS CAN BE PROVIDED TO PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM AT THE CITY'S WARMING CENTERS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS SAYS WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 32° THE WARMING CENTERS ARE OPEN AT COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS FROM 9-5 ON WEEKDAYS AND DURING THE EVENING AND ANDnd R THE WEEKEND.

RESIDENTS CAN CALL 311 TO LOCATE A CENTER.

HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT 33 HUNDRED MORE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DECISIONED WITH COVID-19.

GAGE PARK ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE SITS WITHIN TWO ZIPS CODE THAT SEEM SOME OF THE HIGHEST POSITIVITY RATES IN THE CITY.

HUGO BALTA SPENT THE DAY REPORTING AS PART OF OUR IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

>> THANK YOU.

I'M HERE WITH DAN FULWILER.

PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF ESPERANZA HEALTH CENTERS.

WHICH HAS A PEDIATRIC CENTER HERE IN GAGE PARK, AND THIS WEEK LAUNCHED A MASS VACCINE STATION THROUGH THE SOUTHWEST.

DAN, THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, WE'VE SEEM THE SOUTHWEST SIDE, GAGE PARK BE HIT HARDEST WITH THE PANDEMIC.

ALMOST A YEAR IN, WHERE IS THE COMMUNITY NOW?

>> IT'S AS YOU SAID IT'S BEEN A HARD TIME AND THAT WOULD BE UNDER STATING IT.

AT ESPERANZA WE HAVE DONE ALMOST 40,000 COVID TESTS THIS YEAR AND OVER 7,000 HAVE BEEN POSITIVE.

SO ALMOST 20% OF OUR PATIENTS HAVE HAD COVID BY NOW.

AND IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT ON EVERY LEVEL.

WE RECEIVE REQUESTS FROM PEOPLE ALL THE TIME FOR THINGS THAT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU.

WE HAD A PATIENT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO COME TO OUR EMERGENCY FUND BECAUSE THEY NEEDED $200 TO PAY FOR A CREMATION.

THOSE ARE HEART WREN ANDING AND IT'S HARD TO SEE HOW THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED US.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE VACCINE ROLLOUT.

A LOT OF CRITICISM AROUND WHO IS GETTING THE VACCINE, WHEN THEY ARE GETTING THE VACCINE.

ESPERANZA IS ADMINISTERING VACCINES FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, HOW ARE WE DOING?

>> IT IS A A MIXED BAG AND I WOULD SAY PROBABLY ON THE POOR SIDE OF THAT MIXED BAG.

YOU KNOW, THE ROLLOUT FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL HAS BEEN SO CHAOTIC THAT IT'S BEEN HARD TO PLAN.

SO THEY ARE ASKING US TO DO THIS COMPLEX PRIORITIZATION OF PATIENTS WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO GET THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE PROTECTED FIRST BUT THAT MAKES IT HARD.

ELDERLY PATIENTS NEED TIME TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS THEY DON'T HAVE TEXT MESSAGING WE HAVE TO DO CALLS TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENT.

AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH VACCINE WE ARE GETTING UNTIL ONE WEEK BEFORE.

AND IN FACT, THREE DAYS BEFORE.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT IT'S REALLY HARD TO JUST PLAN HOW MANY APPOINTMENTS TO MAKE.

WE WORKED AROUND MOST OF THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN HEFL HELPFUL IN TRYING TO GET US THE INFORMATION AND PUSHING VACCINES TO US WHICH HAS BEEN GREAT.

BUT IT IS A HUGE CHALLENGE AND THERE IS NO MONEY TO DO IT AND THE FEE FOR SERVICE ENVIRONMENT WE HAVE TO BILL INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR THAT AND FOR THE UNINSURED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> A LOT OF THE POPULATION IS HISPANIC LATINO.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR INFORMATION LIKE COVID 19, THE VACCINE ROLLOUT FOR IT TO BE IN THE LANGUAGE PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE IN?

>> IT WOULD BE HARD TO UNDER STATE THE IMPORTANT OF THAT.

THERE'S BEEN TALK ABOUT THE MEDIA ABOUT VACCINE HESITANCY WE ARE NOT SEEING THAT MUCH WITH OUR PATIENTS.

AS SOON AS WE TALK TO THEM ABOUT THAT AND SPEND TIME ANSWERING THEIR QUESTIONS WHICH ARE VALID IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ALL OF THEM ARE WILLING TO GET THE VACCINE.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION AND MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THEIR VALID QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND THAT HAS TO BE DONE IN THEIR LANGUAGE.

>> DO YOU THINK GAGE PARK AND THE SOUTHWEST SIDE IS GETTING THE AMOUNT OF DOSES IT NEEDS?

>> I WOULD SAY, NO.

BUT THAT IS NOT FOR LACK OF TRYING.

I THINK IT IS BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH DOSES.

THOUGH IT'S CLEAR FROM THE MAPS THAT ARE BEING PUBLISHED THAT THERE ARE MORE DOSES GOING TO THE NORTH SIDE RIGHT NOW WHERE THERE IS LESS INCIDENCE OF DISEASE THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO AS A CITY.

I WILL BE LOOKING AT THAT OVER THE COMING WEEKS TO SEE IF THAT TURNS AROUND.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

DAN FULWILER ESPERANZA HEALTHCARE CENTER WE WILL BE BACK TO TALK ABOUT A NEW PROGRAM HELPING DACA STUDENTS IN GAGE PARK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, THE FIGHT FOR CHICAGO'S LIBRARY WORKERS TO GET VACCINATED.

STICK AROUND.

CHICAGO'S LIBRARIES HAVE BEEN OPEN SINCE JUNE AND THOUGH SOME SAFETY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE LIBRARY WORKERS SAY IT'S THEIR TURN TO GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

>> SINCE THERE SEEMS TO BE NO CONSENSUS AMONGST CITY LEADERS, LIBRARY WORKERS ARE LEFT WONDERING WHEN IF EVER WE WILL BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY BY THE CITY THAT WE CONTINUE TO RISK OUR HEALTH TO SERVE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> AND WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

WHAT ARE LIBRARY WORKERS ASKING FOR AND WHY?

>> WELL, THEY WANT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE NOW.

IN THE SECOND PHASE OF THE VACCINATION EFFORT THAT INCLUDES FRONTLINE ESSENTIAL WORKERS LIKE TEACHERS AND GROCERY STORE WORKERS AND POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS.

BUT THEY ARE IN THE NEXT PHASE WHICH IS NOT LIKELY TO START IN CHICAGO UNTIL THE END OF MARCH.

WITH THE REST OF THE ESSENTIAL WORKERS LIKE YOU AND ME, JOURNALISTS AND EVERY OTHER CITY EMPLOYEE.

THEY SAY THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE RIGHT NOW AND NEED TO BE VACCINATED IMMEDIATELY.

>> HEATHER ARE OTHER GROUPS ASKING TO BE MOVED UP IN THE EFFORT, TOO?

>> THEY SURE ARE, LEGISLATORS ASKED GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER TO ALLOW THEM TO BE VACCINATED IN THE PHASE NOW AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER AGREED.

SOMETIMES THESE PLEAS CAN SORT OF CHANGE THINGS.

HOWEVER THERE'S STILL REMAINS A SIGNIFICANT SHORTAGE OF VACCINE SO EVEN IF LIBRARY WORKERS WERE MOVED UP WHICH CITY OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL NOT DO, THERE PROBABLY IS NOT ENOUGH VACCINE TO VACCINATE ALL 900 OR A THOUSAND WORKERS WHO STAFF CHICAGO LIBRARIES.

>> HEATHER CHERONE THANK YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> THANKS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S FULL STORY AND 0 OUR WEBSITE AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> UP NEXT, THE GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER OF JOURNALIST IDA B.

WELLS IN A CONVERSATION THAT FIRST AIRED ON OUR SUNDAY PROGRAM "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>> JOURNALIST, PUBLISHER AND ACTIVIST IDA B.

WELLS IS KNOWN FOR STANDING UP FOR WHAT SHE BELIEVED IN DESPITE THE RISK OF RETRIBUTION WHETHER IT WAS REFUSING TO LEAVE A SEGREGATED TRAIN CAR OR INVESTIGATING AND PUBLICIZING LYNCHING IN THE SOUTH.

AUTHOR MICHELLE DUSTER HAS WRITTEN A KNEW BIOGRAPHY CALLED IDENTIFY DAVMENT >> AND SHE HAS AN INTIMATE SHE IS WELLS GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER.

JOINING US IS MICHELLE DUSTER.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO WRITE THIS BOOK ABOUT YOUR GREAT GRANDMOTHER?

>> I DECIDED TO WRITE AT THIS TIME BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO INTRODUCE MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER'S LIFE AND LEGACY TO A NEW GENERATION THAT HAD HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN -- THE ACTUAL SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE PAST AND THE PRESENT.

AND I THINK -- I TRIED TO TIE THE WORK THAT MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER DID TO TODAY.

HOPEFULLY IT HELPS MODERNIZE HER STORY.

>> AND YOU SEE INTRODUCE HER TO A NEW AUDIENCE.

IT SEEMS LIKE AN ACCESSIBLE BOOK WHO IS THE BOOK FOR?

>> I THINK THIS BOOK IS FOR ANYBODY WHO IS INTERESTED IN HISTORY, ANYBODY WHO IS INTERESTED IN THE STORY OF BLACK AMERICA, ANYBODY WHO IS INTERESTED IN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I THINK CAN ENJOY THE BOOK.

>> EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE NURSING HOME GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER YOU LEARNED A LOT ABOUT HER YOURSELF IN THE PROCESS OF RESEARCHING AND WRITING THIS BOOK.

TELL US ABOUT THAT PART OF YOUR JOURNEY?

>> RIGHT, WELL, I GREW UP HEARING BITS AND PIECES OF MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER'S STORY.

THE WAY MOST PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.

SPRINKLED IN CONVERSATION.

BUT AS FAR AS THE DEPTH OF DANGER THAT SHE DEALT WITH AND THE SENSE OF LOSS THE DEPTHS OF THE LOSS SHE EXPERIENCED, I DIDN'T KNOW.

THOSE TYPE OF DETAILS UNTIL I STARTED DOING MORE RESEARCH AND READING THROUGH HER DIARY AND READING SOME OF THE CHRONICLES OF THE LYNCHINGS.

SHE WROTE SEVERAL PAMPHLETS THAT DOCUMENTED EXCRUCIATING DETAIL ABOUT LYNCHINGS AND THAT WAS NOT INFORMATION THAT I WAS NECESSARILY TAUGHT WHEN I WAS A CHILD.

>> YOU WRITE ABOUT TOUCH STONE EVENTS THAT SERVED AS A CATALYST FOR HER CAREER AND ACTIVISM LIKE THE MURDER OF THOMAS MOSS AND HIS PARTNERS.

AND THAT WAS IN MEMPHIS IN 1892.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WAS THAT DROVE HER PURSUITS FOR JUSTICE?

>> WELL, I MEAN I CAN GATHER THAT IDA GOT A SENSE OF WHAT WAS RIGHT AND WRONG AND WHAT THE POSSIBILITIES WERE FOR FREELY ENSLAVED AFRICAN-AMERICANS BECAUSE SHE WAS BORN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CIVIL WAR.

SO SHE BECAME OF AGE DURING RECONSTRUCTION.

WITH PARENTS WHO WERE PROGRESSIVE AND CIVICALLY AND POLITICALLY ENGAGED.

SO I THINK SHE HAD A STRONG SENSE OF POSSIBILITY.

AND ONCE THERE STARTED TO BE PUSHBACK AGAINST BLACK PROGRESS, I THINK SHE FELT A SENSE OF INDIGNATION OF WHAT THIS COUNTRY WAS VERSUS WHAT IT COULD BE.

AND I THINK IT WAS A PERSONAL LOSS BECAUSE SHE HAD LOST HER PARENTS AND THEN THOMAS MOSS IN PARTICULAR WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF HERS.

I THINK SOMETIMES WHEN THINGS ARE PERSONAL THEN IT DRIVES YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE TO DO SOMETHING.

AND KIND OF WORK ON ADVOCACY TO MAKE SOME CHANGES.

>> AND WE KNOW THAT SHE FOUGHT FOR WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE BUT SHE WAS NOT AFRAID TO CALL OUT THE UNEQUAL TREATMENT FROM WITHIN THE MOVEMENT.

ATTEMPTS TO PLACATE THE SOUTHERN SUFFRAGISTS BY ASKING BLACK WOMEN TO MARCH TOWARDS THE BACK OF A WASHINGTON D.C. PROTEST AND IDA B.

WELLS SHE DID MAKE HER WAY TO THE FRONT OF THAT MARCH.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> RIGHT.

EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAID.

FIRST OF ALL MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER IDA B.

WELLS FOUNDED THE SUFFRAGE CLUB IN 1913 BECAUSE SHE HAD BEEN INVOLVED WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT WERE WORKING FOR SUFFRAGE AND THERE WAS A FEELING THAT ILLINOIS WAS GOING TO GRANT WOMEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

SO SHE FOUNDED THAT.

AND SHORTLY THERE AFTER, THIS ILLINOIS DELEGATION WENT TO WASHINGTON D.C. AND SHE WAS WITH WHITE PEOPLE WHITE SUFFRAGISTS REPRESENTING THE STATE.

AND SO WHEN THEY ASKED BLACK WOMEN TO MARCH IN THE BACK SHE REFUSED.

AND FAMOUS LOY INSERTED HERSELF INTO THE ILLINOIS DELEGATION DURING THE MARCH.

SO THAT WAS SIGNIFICANT, BECAUSE SHE WAS WORKING WITH THE PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS.

SO, WHY SEPARATE HERSELF WHEN SHE GOT TO WASHINGTON D.C.?

>> AND YOU KNOW LASTLY I HAVE TO GET YOUR REACTION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NEW VICE-PRESIDENT TAKING THE OATH?

>> THAT WAS SUCH A TOUCHING MOMENT FOR ME TO WATCH.

THE COMBINATION OF SONJIA SOCIETY MARE MAHER, A SUPREME COURT -- SONJIA SOTOMAYOR SWEARING IN KAMALA HARRIS TWO WOMEN OF COLOR IN THE POWERFUL POSITIONS TO ME THAT WAS JUST AN AMAZING MOMENT.

AND IT MADE ME THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE WOMEN INCLUDING MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER WHO FOUGHT FOR OVER 160 YEARS FOR THIS MOMENT TO BE POSSIBLE.

>> AND HERE WE ARE.

THE NAME OF THE BOOK IS IDA B.

THE QUEEN THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE AND LEGACY OF IDA B.

WELLS.

AND THERE WILL BE A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT IDA B.

WELLS YOU CAN WATCH THAT SPECIAL EPISODE IN MAY.

OUR THANKS TO MICHELLE DUSTER FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND THERE'S MORE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" AHEAD SO STICK AROUND.

>> AND NOW WE CHECK BACK IF WITH HUGO BALTA IN GAGE PARK ON THE CITY A SOUTHWEST SIDE AS PART OF OUR IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'RE JOINED WITH ANTONIO SANTOS, THE COFOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GAGE PARK LATINX COUNCIL.

WELCOME.

JUST THIS MONTH, YOU'RE ADDING TO YOUR FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT [INAUDIBLE] >> THE NAME OF OUR FEBRUARY FOOD INITIATIVE WE ARE GIVING OUT 12,000 POUNDS OF FOOD.

THIS IS A COLLABORATION WITH ESPERANZA HEALTH CENTERS TO HELP MEET THE NEED THAT WE'RE SEEING FOR FOOD INSECURITY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

TODAY WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE OUT 3,000 POUNDS OF FOOD IN 15 MINUTES WHICH SPEAKS VOLUMES TO THE NEED THAT IS ALL AROUND OUR COMMUNITY.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

AND LAST MONTH, YOU ANNOUNCED A DACA APPLICATION SCHOLARSHIP FOR 30 RESIDENTS ROUGHLY $500 FEES PAID OVER TWO YEARS.

HOW HAS COVID-19 WORSENED THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE COMMUNITY?

>> WE KNOW OVER 50% OF GAGE PARK LIVES AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL AND THAT IS PREPANDEMIC.

WITH THE PANDEMIC, AND LAYOFFS WE KNOW THAT MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE FACING JOB INSECURITY, FOOD INSECURITY, AND THAT WHEN FOLKS CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE THE NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM A $500 APPLICATION FEE FOR DACA IS UNFEASIBLE.

AND IT IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF PAPER BECAUSE IT ALLOWS FOLKS TO WORK AND CONTRIBUTE.

IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO AFFORD TO RENEW THEIR DACA THEY CAN NO LONGER WORK OR GO TO SCHOOL WHICH PUTS THEM BACK IN A BAD SITUATION.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED A NUMBER OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS UNDOING THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION'S WORK AROUND THIS SPACE.

WHAT ARE YOU HOPING FOR FROM THIS ADMINISTRATION WHEN IT COMES TO IMMIGRATION?

>> WE HOPE FOR A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO GO DOWN THAT PATH.

WE HOPE THAT THE CHILDREN AT THE BORDER WILL BE REUNITED WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

AND WE HOPE THAT THE PROMISES OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS BEEN GIVING FOR MANY YEARS BECOME SOMETHING OF A REALITY NOW THAT WE HAVE CONTROL.

WE ARE HOPEFUL OF THESE THINGS BUT WE ARE SKEPTICAL AS WELL.

>> WE ARE ALMOST A YEAR INTO COVID-19.

HOW HAS THE COMMUNITY FARED THROUGHOUT THE TIME?

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THE COMMUNITY IN REGARDS TO NOT ONLY THEIR PHYSICAL BUT EMOTIONAL HEALTH?

>> GAGE PARK AND 60632 ARE AMONGST THE HARDEST HIT IN CHICAGO.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN MANY MORE RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO OUR COMMUNITY IN THE PAST NINE MONTHS THERE IS A SENSE OF HOPELESSNESS OF BEING LEFT BEHIND AS WE SEE MAPS OF ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES TO WEALTHIER NORTH SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS WHILE FOLKS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ARE DYING OF DISPROPORTIONATE RATES.

THERE IS A FEAR THAT THE FOLKS WITH ACCESS WILL MOVE ON FROM COVID AND LEAVE FOLKS LIVING IN POVERTY BEHIND TO DEAL WITH IT.

>> WE HAVE A MINUTE LEFT.

YOU SPOKE VERY MUCH ABOUT THE DISCREPANCIES IN REGARDS TO ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

IS IT THE SAME FOR THE ROLLOUT OF THE VACCINE?

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING?

>> YES, WE KNOW FROM THE NUMBERS OF WHO HAS BEEN VACCINATED THERE IS DISCREPANCY.

THERE ARE LESS VACCINES GOING TO PLAQUE AND BROWN COMMUNITIES -- BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

WE ARE HOPEFUL THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL CHANGE BUT ALWAYS SKEPTICAL.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ANTONIO SANTOS WITH THE GAGE PARK LATINX COUNCIL.

BRANDIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, THE HISTORIC SEARS SUNKEN GARDEN IN AN ALL NEW "ASK GEOFFREY".

>> WHILE CHICAGO MAY BE ON THE VERGE OF A PARTICULARLY BRUTAL COLD-SNAP, WARMER DAYS ARE AROUND THE CORNER.

WE HOPE.

TO GIVE US A TASTE, GEOFFREY BAER IS HERE WITH MORE ON THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF A HISTORIC WEST SIDE GARDEN IN THIS WEEK'S "ASK GEOFFREY".

GEOFFREY, THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND THE SEARS SUNKEN GARDEN IN NORTH LAWNDALE?

WHO DESIGNED IT AND WHAT WAS IT USED FOR.

>> WELL, LIKE THE REST OF CHICAGO, THE GARDEN IS UNDER MORE THAN A FOOT OF SNOW RIGHT NOW.

BUT AS YOU MENTIONED WE THOUGHT MAYBE ANSWERING THE QUESTION WOULD GIVE US A GLIMMER OF HOPE FOR WARMER DAYS TO COME.

LET'S SEE WHAT THE GARDEN LOOKS LIKE WHEN NOT COVERED WITH SNOW.

IT STANDS ACROSS FROM THE ORIGINAL SEARS ROEBUCK AND COMPANY HEADQUARTERS IN NORTH LAWNDALE ON CHICAGO'S WEST SIDE.

WHEN THE MAIL ORDER COMPANY OPENED THIS COMPLEX IN 1906 IT CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS THE LARGEST MERCANTILE PLANT IN THE WORLD.

SEARS PRINTED THE CATALOG AND HANDLE THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE MERCHANDISE.

WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE ORIGINAL SEARS TOWER STILL STANDS ON HOMAN AVENUE.

IT IS A COMMUNITY CENTER.

THE SEARS HEADQUARTERS WAS LIKE A CITY WITHIN A CITY FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO WORKED THERE AND IT HOUSED A SPOFT OF POST OFFICE AND RESTAURANTS AND A PRIVATE BANK.

THE SUNKEN GARDEN WAS ONE OF THE AMENITIES SITUATED ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

THE IDEA WAS TO GIVE EMPLOYEES A QUIET BREAK OUTDOORS DURING THE LUNCH-HOUR OR EVEN AFTER WORK.

IN SHARP CONTRAST TO THE DENSE URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS THEY LIVED IN.

SEARS FOUNDER RICHARD SEARS SAID THAT CHANGE OF ENVIRONMENT PARTICULARLY ON LUNCH-HOUR, ALLOWED EMPLOYEES TO COME BACK TO WORK QUOTE FORGET OF THE OF THE LITTLE ANNOYANCES OF THE MORNING, MAYBE THAT IS AN UNINTENDED ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT WORKING FOR HIS COMPANY COULD BE ANNOYING.

BUT IT'S LIKE THE OFFICES WE HAVE TODAY OF TECH COMPANIES WHERE YOU HAVE CAFES, DAYCARES, YOGA STUDIOS.

EVERYTHING ON-SITE.

IN THE 1970s SEARS BEGAN A PROCESS OF VACATING THE LAWNDALE HEADQUARTERS FOR A CERTAIN DOWNTOWN SKYSCRAPER.

THOUSANDS OF JOBS DISAPPEARED FROM NORTH LAWNDALE FOR TWO DECADES THIS COMBINED WITH EXTENDED DISINVESTMENT AND RACIST HOUSING POLICIES REALLY HAD A POWERFUL NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> I WAS JUST IN NORTH LAWNDALE FOR IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

WHAT IS A SUNKEN GARDEN?

>> IT'S WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE.

A PLANNED USUALLY QUITE ORNATE GARDEN AND YOU TAKE STEPS DOWN TO GET INTO THEM.

ARCHITECTS USED THEM TO CREATE A SENSE OF TOPOGRAPHICAL VARIATION APPRECIATED OUTSIDE THE GARDEN FROM THE EDGE OR INSIDE THE GUARD EARN.

THEY WERE POPULAR IN ENGLAND AND GAINED POPULARITY IN THE UNITED STATES AFTER THEY WERE SHOWCASED AT THE 1876 PHILADELPHIA WORLD'S FAIR.

SO THEY WERE USUALLY QUITE FORMAL AND THEY COULD INCLUDE STATUES AND FOUNTAINS AND OTHER STRUCTURES LIKE THIS CLASSICALLY DESIGNED PERKING LA THAT IS STILL STANDING.

THERE WAS A FOUNTAIN BUT REMOVED.

THERE ARE OTHER SUNKEN GARDENS IN THE CITY.

THIS IS IN HUMBOLDT PARK.

JEN JENSEN TODAY MUCH MORE FAMOUS FOR HIS PRAIRIE PSYCHOLOGY LANDSCAPE DESIGNS THAT FEATURED NATIVE PLANTS AND FORMS.

AND HE DESCRIBED THIS AS THE FOLEY OF MY YOUTH.

THE HUMBOLDT PARK GARDEN HAS HAD ISSUES WITH FLOODING OVER THE YEARS FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

IT IS A SUNKEN GARDEN AND WHILE SEARS WAS IN OPERATION ITS GARDEN WAS MAINTAINED BY A TEAM OF GROUNDSKEEPERS.

>> AND WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE SEARS GARDEN TODAY?

>> WELL, LIKE THE REST OF THE REMAINING SEARS COMPLEX THE GARDEN IS A CHICAGOLAND MARK ALTHOUGH IT HAS FADED A BIT.

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, SEVERAL NORTH LAWNDALE COMMUNITIES BANDED TOGETHER TO RESTORE THE GROUNDS AND THEY ARE RAISING MONEY FOR LANDSCAPING AND DESIGN COSTS.

THE GOAL IS TO USE THE SPACE TO HONOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S HISTORY FROM THE TIME WHEN IT WAS PREDOMINANTLY JEWISH ENCLAVE TO THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS FROM THE 1960s THROUGH TODAY.

>> SOMETHING THAT THE NEIGHBORS THERE COULD APPRECIATE TODAY AS WELL.

>> GARDENS, THINK GARDENS, GARDENS WHILE WE ARE IN THIS MIDST OF SNOW.

GARDENS.

>> KEEP THAT IN YOUR MIND.

AND YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE SEARS SUNKEN GARDEN AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBJECT MIGHT YOUR OWN QUESTION TO GEOFFREY BAER.

>> AND OF COURSE OUR THANKS TO GEOFFREY AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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

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

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

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

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY SAFE AND WARM AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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