>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT -- >> THE WAGES THEY ARE PROPOSING IS A SLAP IN THE FACE.

>> A STRIKE CANCELS SOME CLASSES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO.

>>> SHERIFFS SAYS THEY WILL NOT ENFORCE THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.

WE SPEAK WITH ONE OF THEM.

>>> WHAT IS BEHIND THE SOARING PRICE OF EGGS?

>> JANUARY HAS BEEN UNSEASONABLY WARM , BUT THAT COULD CHANGE SOON , WE GO ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE STATE OF POCKET CLIMATOLOGIST .

>>> AS THE NUMBER OF MIGRANTS ARE LEAVING THEIR HOMES IN CHICAGO , WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A SANCTUARY CITY.

>> COMING UP , WE ARE TRYING TO FOR THE FALL AT A NEW RESTAURANT IN LAWNDALE.

>>> FIRST , THE TOP STORIES, COMMONWEALTH EDISON IS ASKING REGULATORS FOR A $1.5 BILLION RATE INCREASE STARTING IN 2024 .

THE UTILITY SAYS THE FOR YOUR HIKE WILL HELP WITH INCREASED DEMANDS , POWER ELECTRIC VEHICLES , DEAL WITH CLIMATE CHANGE AS IT BOILS DOWN TO ABOUT AN ADDITIONAL SEVEN DOLLARS PER MONTH IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE RATE INCREASE .

BY YEAR FOUR, CUSTOMERS WILL BE PAYING $17 MORE PER MONTH.

IF APPROVED , IT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL $900 MILLION IN REVENUE .

>>> THE CHICAGO BEARS HAVE A NEW PAPA BEAR, INTRODUCING THE NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO, THE FIFTH IN HISTORY, REPLACING TED PHILLIPS WHO WILL RETIRE NEXT MONTH .

HE WILL TRY TO TURN AROUND THE WORST TEAM IN THE NFL.

>> WE WILL NOT TAKE SHORTCUTS.

WE WILL BUILD AN INCREDIBLE FRANCHISE .

I CAME HERE TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS.

TO WIN THE NFC NORTH, TO WIN THE NFC, TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL, TO LEAD A STADIUM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT .

>>> POLICE IN PEORIA ARE INVESTIGATING AN OVERNIGHT FIRE IN A PLANNED PARENTHOOD FACILITY, THEY SUSPECT IT WAS INTENTIONALLY SET AFTER J.B. PRITZKER SIGNED A BILL EXPANDING ABORTION PRODUCTION .

NO PATIENTS OR STAFF WERE INSIDE BUT THEY SAY THE FIRE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.

THEY SAY THAT, WHILE WE GET OFF HER MEDICATION ABORTION , IT WAS NOT A SITE FOR CLINIC PROCEDURES , THIS WILL HAVE A DEVASTATING IMPACT ON THE ABILITY IN THE COMMUNITY TO ACCESS BIRTH CONTROL, CANCER SCREENING, AND GENDER AFFIRMING CARE, BUT WE WILL NOT STOP PROVIDING CARE OUR PATIENTS NEED.

>>> THE NEW ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN IS IN EFFECT IN THE STATE BUT SOME SHERIFFS SAY THEY WILL NOT ENFORCE IT.

>>> UIC FACULTY ARE ON STRIKE.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH THE DETAILS COMING UP NEXT.

>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

THE POLK BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> MANY STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER BEING OFF FOR THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HOLIDAY, BUT MANY OF THE 34,000 STUDENTS AT UIC HAD ANOTHER DAY OFF , UNSCHEDULED , BECAUSE OF A STRIKE.

AMANDA JOINS US MORE .

>> Reporter: THE FIRST DAY OF THE UIC STAFF STRIKE , HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UIC UNITED FACULTY IS COCHAIR OF THE UNION BARGAINING TEAM.

>> WE ARE FIGHTING FOR A FAIR CONTRACT.

WE ARE FIGHTING FOR OUR STUDENTS AND IT IS NO EXAGGERATION TO SAY WE ARE FIGHTING FOR THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> Reporter: THE UNION CONTRACT EXPIRES MID-AUGUST AND THE PROFESSORS AND LECTURERS HAVE BEEN WORKING SINCE THEN ON THE LAST CONTRACT THE UNIVERSITY SAYS IT HAS MET WITH THEM 31 TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO REACH A NEW DEAL, INCLUDING A MARATHON OF TALKS RECENTLY .

THEY SAY OUTSTANDING DISPUTES ARE OVERPAID, JOB SECURITY FOR NONTENURED STAFF, THE UNION WANTS MORE -- NOTICE THE CONTRACTS WILL NOT BE RENEWED.

THEY WANT SHARED GOVERNANCE.

FUNDAMENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR STUDENT.

THEY SEE STUDENTS STRUGGLING WITH DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.

>> WE ARE FEELING LIKE WE'RE BEING ASKED TO COMPLETE THE IMPOSSIBLE TASK WHEN WE SEND OUR STUDENTS TO GO FIND HELP AND SUPPORT SERVICES, WE EXPECT THEM TO GET HELP BUT WE ARE HEARING THEY'RE NOT GETTING THE HELP.

>> Reporter: THE UNION IS ASKING THE UNIVERSITY TO PROVIDE MORE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS.

>> THIS ADMINISTRATION , WHO HAS REFUSED TO DO IT UP UNTIL NOW , SAID TO YOU YESTERDAY , IT IS NOT YOUR BUSINESS.

REALLY ?

NOT YOUR BUSINESS ?

IT IS EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS IN THE CITY.

IT IS YOUR BUSINESS.

THAT IS WHAT BARGAINING FOR THE COMMON GOOD MEANS.

>> Reporter: THE UNIVERSITY UNVEILED A PLAN TO PUT $4.5 MILLION MORE TOWARDS STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, MORE COUNSELORS , A SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FIELD UNIT .

THE NOTION OF BARGAINING FOR THE COMMON GOOD GETS TO THE HEART OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN WITH OTHER STRIKES BY THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION , OVER SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS STUDENTS AND FAMILIES , THE PRESIDENT SAYS THE MOVEMENT IS ABOUT BREAD-AND-BUTTER ISSUES, AND ALSO THE REST.

>> WE WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DRAW MORE STARK LINES IN THE SAND WHEN IT COMES TO HOW THE UNION AND THE CITY AND THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY.

HOW WE UNION WILL DETERMINE IF PEOPLE GET HELP HERE.

HOW WE UNION WILL DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUNDING COMES INTO OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

>> AMANDA , WHAT ABOUT THE BREAD-AND-BUTTER ISSUES , HOW DOES PAY FACTOR IN?

>> Reporter: YES, THAT IS A MAJOR POINT OF DISPUTE.

>> I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE SITTING ACROSS FROM THE TABLE OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE WORKERS AND WHAT WE DO.

I SAT ACROSS FROM THE TABLE FROM PEOPLE WHO LOOKED AT US AND UNDERVALUED US AND DID NOT APPRECIATE THE WORK WE DO.

WITHOUT YOU , THIS PLACE WILL NOT RUN.

THE ADMINISTRATION NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE LOW WAGES THEY ARE PRESENTING TO YOU IS A SLAP IN THE FACE.

THEY CAN DO BETTER.

>> UNION LEADERS COULD NOT GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF HOW MUCH THE DEMANDS WOULD COST BUT THEY SAY UIC CAN AFFORD IT .

ONE PERSON SAID THAT PAY IS THE ISSUE.

>> WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IS COMPENSATION.

IT IS VERY DIFFICULT , THE COST OF LIVING IS CONSTANTLY INCREASING AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR PENNIES FOR SO LONG.

TO GIVE YOU CONTENT , WHEN I STARTED AT UIC IN 2015 , THEY HAD JUST GOADED -- NEGOTIATED A CONTRACT .

WE SEE WHERE WE ARE, PEOPLE ARE STARTING AT 51 , IT IS INSULTING.

>> Reporter: THE UNIT IS ASKING FOR MINIMUM PAY AROUND $60,000.

THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THE STRIKE ARE NOT GETTING PAID WHILE IT IS GOING ON.

THE UNIVERSITY SAYS UNION MEMBERS DO NOT HAVE TO INFORM UIC IF THEY WILL STRIKE AND THE UNIVERSITY CANNOT INQUIRE.

WE DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY CLASSES WERE CANCELED.

NOT ALL AS I SPOKE WITH SOME STUDENTS WHO WERE AWARE OF THE STRIKE BUT THEY WERE NOT CLEAR ON THE DETAILS AND STILL WORK RUSHING OFF TO CLASS.

OTHER STUDENTS WERE AT THE RALLY IN SUPPORT OF THEIR TEACHERS.

>> WHAT IS THE TAKE FIVE UNIVERSITY?

>> Reporter: THE UNIVERSITY SAID NO REQUEST TO OUR INTERVIEW.

THEY POSTED A LETTER ONLINE, NOTING THAT THE ENTIRE CAMPUS IS NOT AFFECTED, CLASSES IN THE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, PHARMACY, AND LAW ARE NOT IMPACTED BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PART OF THE UNION.

UIC ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO CHECK THEIR ONLINE BLACKBOARD AND , UNLESS THEY HEAR OTHERWISE, SHOULD SHOW UP TO CLASS.

THEY SAY MAKEUP ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE OF LIMITED.

UIC VALUES THE FACULTY FOR THE KEY ROLE IN UPHOLDING THE UNIVERSITIES ACADEMIC MISSION BASED ON THE SHARED PRINCIPLES BETWEEN ALL INVOLVED .

THE UNIVERSITY REMAINS OPTIMISTIC THAT A FAIR AND BENEFICIAL BARGAINING AGREEMENT CAN BE ACHIEVED.

>> THE TWO SIDES RETURN TO THE BARGAINING TABLE TOMORROW .

THE UNION PRESIDENT SAYS SHE DOES NOT KNOW IF EVERYTHING CAN GET WRAPPED UP WITHIN THAT TIME BUT DOES SAY HE HOPES IT WILL BE A SHORT STRIKE.

>> THANK YOU .

>>> NOW TO PARIS AND A NEW STATE LAW .

>> IT IS NOW NOT LEGAL TO BUY OR SELL SO-CALLED ASSAULT WEAPONS LIKE SEMI AUTOMATIC RIFLES WITH 10 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION.

GUN CONTROL GROUPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE PRAISED THE NEW LAW BUT IT HAS PUSHED BACK FROM THE GUN INDUSTRY.

A GROUP OF STATE SHERIFFS ARE JOINING AGAINST THE LAW SAYING THEY WILL NOT ENFORCE IT.

JOINING US IS THE CHAIRMAN OF DOWNSTATE JEFFERSON COUNTY.

WE REACHED OUT TO A SHERIFF IN SUPPORT OF THE LEGISLATION BUT HE COULD NOT JOIN US.

SHERIFF , WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE WITH US.

WHEN YOU ARE NOT ENFORCING THIS, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IN PRACTICALITY?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON THE SHOW, PARIS ANY PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVE THAT INVOLVES THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS TO START AT THE CORE OF THE CONSTITUTION WE CANNOT COME UP WITH ANY STRATEGIES OR TECHNIQUES THAT WOULD VIOLATE ANY ASPECT OF THE CONSTITUTION.

I SAID ON THE SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION WEBSITE COMMITTEE, WE SAW THIS BILL IN PROCESS AND WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MANY ASPECTS OF IT .

IT CLEARLY VIOLATED , NOT ONLY THE SECOND AMENDMENT OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION, BUT EXISTING CASE LAW IN THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT.

WE GAVE OUR FEEDBACK IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND WE KNEW THAT , IF IT PASSED AS WRITTEN, IT WOULD NOT BE SOMETHING WE WOULD BE WILLING TO ENFORCE BECAUSE OUR OATH FIRST AND FOREMOST IS TO UPHOLD THE STATE AND NATIONAL CONSTITUTIONS.

THIS LAW IS IN CONTRARY TO THAT.

>> YOU ARE SAYING YOU WILL NOT ARREST PEOPLE OR GO KNOCKING ON THE DOOR IF THEY DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE LAW, INCLUDING PEOPLE WHO HAVE THEIR WEAPONS GRANDFATHERED IN THAT WOULD NOT HAVE TO REGISTER THE BUT THAT IS A FUNCTION OF THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE.

DO SHERIFFS REALLY HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN THIS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE SHERIFF IS THE TOP RANKING PEACE OFFICER IN THE COUNTY.

YOU CAN LOOK UP IN ILLINOIS STATUTE THAT THERE IS A DUTY TO INTERVENE THAT SAYS AND TALKS ABOUT POLICE USE OF FORCE.

IT FALLS FOR POLICE OFFICERS , IF THEY SEE RIGHTS BEING VIOLATED, IF THEY SEEK EXCESSIVE FORCE BEING USED , A CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION, WE HAVE A DUTY TO INTERVENE .

IT IS NOT JUST THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO ENFORCE IT , THE CHIEF CONSTITUTIONAL PEACE OFFICER IN THE COUNTY , IT IS MY DUTY TO STOP CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS FROM HAPPENING IN MY COUNTY.

IT GOES WAY BEYOND JUST NOT ENFORCING IT.

>> AT THE SAME TIME , THE QUESTION OF , WHAT CONSTITUTES A WEAPON THAT YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO KEEP UNDER THE SECOND AMENDMENT, THAT IS STILL BEING LITIGATED.

THERE IS A CASE IN THE APPELLATE COURT WHAT DO YOU FIND CONSTITUTIONAL ABOUT THIS LAW ?

>> THE COURTS HAVE ALREADY RULED , A LAW SAID THAT A WEAPONS IN COMMON USE WERE PROTECTED BY THE CONSTITUTION.

THEY HAVE NOT COME UP WITH ANY NEW TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE ANY NEW KINDS OF WEAPONS.

LONG GUNS, RIFLES , SHOTGUNS , REVOLVERS , HANDGUNS , THE SAME THINGS WE HAVE HAD FOR MIKE DECADES.

THOSE WEAPONS ARE PROTECTED BY THE CONSTITUTION, EVERY WEAPON LISTED.

BASED ON THE DC VS. HELLER CASE .

IT IS PROTECTED UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.

WE GET TRAINING EVERY YEAR ON WHEN WE CAN ENTER INTO A HOUSE LAWFULLY TO CONDUCT A SEARCH.

WHEN WE CAN PROPERLY QUESTION AND INTERVIEW SOMEONE REGARDING THE FIFTH AMENDMENT.

WE CANNOT IGNORE THE SECOND AMENDMENT AND CIVIL RIGHTS WHILE WE PROTECT EVERYONE ELSE'S .

A CASE IN YORK LAST JUNE , THE SUPREME COURT RECOGNIZED THE FACT THAT THE SECOND AMENDED WAS BEING TREATED AS A SECOND-CLASS RIGHT.

>> IT IS THE LAW OF ILLINOIS , PENDING AN APPEAL , THAT IS STILL WORKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGAL PROCESS.

THERE IS NO INJUNCTION ON THIS LAW.

HOW CAN A SHERIFF PICK AND CHOOSE WHICH LAW TO FOLLOW?

>> THAT IS A VERY GOOD POINT.

MY ANSWER ALWAYS IS THAT IT IS THE CONSTITUTION THAT OUTRANKS STATE LAW.

THE SHERIFF, AND ELECTED CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER, I AM A CONSERVATOR OF THE PIECE.

LAW ENFORCEMENT IS ONLY A TOOL I USE TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY.

YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK AT CASES IN 1985 WHERE THE STATE LAW SAYS YOU CAN SHOOT A FLEEING FELON , AN OFFICER DID THAT , HE WAS NO THREAT, THE SUSPECT DIED, THE LOSS OF CAMELOT AND THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT IN THE CASE SAID THAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS WERE MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE STATE LAW.

THE OFFICER FOLLOWED THE LAW, HOWEVER, IT WAS THE DUTY OF GOVERNMENT TO RESPECT THE CIVIL RIGHTS BEFORE THE LAW.

THE SUPREME COURT SAID THAT THE MAN SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SHOT BECAUSE HE POSED NO IMMEDIATE RISK.

>> AT THE SAME TIME , YOU SAY THAT THIS VIOLATES THE SECOND AMENDMENT, EVEN THE MOST CONSERVATIVE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES HAVE SAID THAT THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS NOT ABSOLUTE , THERE IS NO ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS .

THERE WILL BE LIMITATIONS AND THIS IS THE GRAY AREA BEING LITIGATED.

YOU MENTIONED CASE LAW, HOW CAN YOU CONFIDENTLY SAY IT IS NONCONSTITUTIONAL WHEN THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT IT?

>> BECAUSE I CAN READ ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND I CAN BE THE CONSTITUTION.

UNFORTUNATELY , THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES WHO HAVE RULED IN THAT MANNER HAVE STEPPED OUTSIDE OF THE AUTHORITY.

THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT GIVE THE SUPREME COURT THE RIGHT TO INFRINGE RIGHTS .

THE SECOND AMENDMENT STATES THAT THEY SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.

THERE HAS BEEN INFRINGEMENT OVER YEARS IN GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE HAVE ALLOWED THAT.

BUT THAT IS NOT SOMETHING EVER WITHIN MY CONTROL .

WHAT IS IN MY CONTROL , SINCE DECEMBER 1st OF 2018, IS THAT, IF I SEE A CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION OCCURRING IN MY COUNTY , I AM DUTY-BOUND TO STOP IT.

I CAN SAY WITH 100% CERTAINTY THAT THE PROTECT ILLINOIS COMMUNITY ACT IS A VIOLATION OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT .

REGISTERING FIREARMS, FORCING REGISTRY OF FIREARMS TURNS THE SECOND AMENDMENT FROM -- >> WILL YOU STOP THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE FROM TRYING TO REGISTER THE FIREARMS ?

>> I HAVE PUT OUT A NOTICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY THAT IF THEY ARE BEING HARASSED BY AGENTS OF GOVERNMENT THAT ARE VIOLATING ANY CIVIL LIBERTIES, THEY SHOULD BE CONTACT ME SO I CAN BE AWARE OF IT.

>> SHERIFF OF JEFFERSON COUNTY , WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> YOU AS WELL.

WE GO BACK TO YOU, BRANDIS .

>>> EGG PRICES HAVE BEEN GOING UP AS THE WORST AVIAN FLU OUTBREAK IN HISTORY HAS INFECTED MORE THAN 57 MILLION BIRDS ACCORDING TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

HERE TO EXPLAIN WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR WALLET AND WHEN WE CAN EXPECT PRICES TO COME DOWN ARE PHILIP BRAUN, FROM NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, AND CLIFF , OWNER OF A FORM.

CLIFF , YOU FARM EGGS, HAVE YOU HAD TO RAISE THE COST OF YOUR EGGS ?

>> WE HAVE NOT RAISE THE PRICE IN SIX MONTHS BUT WE DID LAST SUMMER, PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF THE COSTS WERE GOING UP.

WE HAVE NOT RAISE THEM BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE, MOSTLY BECAUSE OF AN INCREASE COST IN THE FEED.

WE ARE CONSIDERING ANOTHER PRICE INCREASE.

WE WILL JUST HAVE TO SEE .

A LOT OF GROCERY STORES ARE RUNNING OUT OF EGGS .

>> ON YOUR WEBSITE, EGGS ARE OUT OF STOCK.

I IMAGINE YOU ARE STILL SELLING THEM IN YOUR STORE ?

>> CORRECT.

>> EXPLAINED HOW YOU RAISE YOUR CHICKENS SO YOU ARE ABLE TO AVOID THE BIRD FLU ?

>> WE HAVE BEEN RAISING EGGS FOR 12 YEARS AND THIS IS THE THIRD WAVE OF AVIAN BIRD FLU.

THE FIRST YEAR I WAS REALLY NERVOUS.

WE RAISE OUR CHICKENS OUTDOORS WITH GRASS , THEY MINGLE WITH WILDLIFE, I WAS NERVOUS THE FIRST YEAR.

BUT I HAVE FOUND THAT IT SEEMS LIKE THE FARMERS LIKE ME HAVE A MORE ROBUST IMMUNE SYSTEM.

I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY FARMERS THAT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH AVIAN INFLUENZA, PROBABLY A PROBLEM IN THE CONFINED HOUSES IF YOU HAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CHICKENS JAMMED INTO A BUILDING, THEY ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE.

>> PROFESSOR BRAUN , HOW MUCH OF A FACTOR IS INFLATION IN THE RAISING OF PRICES RIGHT NOW?

>> THE MAIN THING DRIVING THE PRICES OF EGGS UP, FEED COSTS HAVE GONE DRAMATICALLY UP , PETROLEUM COSTS HAVE GONE UP.

>> IS THIS THE PERFECT STORM OF FACTORS THAT ARE LEADING TO THESE PRICES GOING UP FOR EGGS ?

>> YES, IT IS A PERFECT STORM, BIRD FLU , INFLATION AROUND THE WORLD, PARTICULARLY FOR CHICKENS , THE COST OF FEED , PARTICULARLY CORN.

THAT IS PARTLY BEING DRIVEN BY THE COST OF FERTILIZER.

RUSSIA IS A MAJOR EXPORTER OF FERTILIZER AROUND THE WORLD .

THAT IS A SUPPLY THAT HAS BEEN CUT OFF WHICH CAUSES FERTILIZER PRICES TO GO UP .

THERE HAVE BEEN DROUGHTS AROUND THE WORLD.

THAT ALSO CAUSES THE PRICE OF CORN TO GO UP.

>> THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORTS AN INCREASE OF 59% YEAR-OVER-YEAR AND 11.1% FROM NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER.

IN ORDER TO GIVE SOME FOLKS PERSPECTIVE, IT DOESN'T WENT FROM $1.50 IN JANUARY OF LAST YEAR TO OVER FIVE DOLLARS THIS MONTH.

PROFESSOR , HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT IS IS HAVING ON FAMILIES?

>> IN DECEMBER , ONE OF THE ISSUES WITH THE PRICE INCREASE WAS INCREASED DEMAND WITH THE HOLIDAYS .

THEY ARE GONE.

THE EXPECTATION IS THERE WILL BE LOWER DEMAND FOR EGGS .

IT WILL PUT A PINCH INTO THE HOUSEHOLD BUDGET.

>> CLIFF, A LOT OF OTHER FOOD BUSINESSES ALSO NEED EGGS FOR WHAT THEY DO.

WHAT ARE THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF SUCH HIGH PRICES ?

>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

WE SELL TO CONSUMERS , I IMAGINE THAT BAKER'S USE A LOT OF EGGS, IT WILL AFFECT THE PRICE BAKED GOODS,OF RESTAURANTS THAT PURCHASE EGGS ARE HAVING A BIG INCREASE AND THEY WILL PASS ON THE COST.

>> WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM SOME OF THE CONSUMERS ?

>> IT IS INTERESTING, I HAD A LADY THIS MORNING IN THE STORE SAYING THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY EGGS AT COSTCO, THAT IS UNREAL, YOU FIGURE HOW MANY EGGS THEY SELL.

PEOPLE ARE GETTING ANXIOUS.

HOPEFULLY , THIS IS A SHORT-TERM SITUATION.

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS THE SUPPLY OF HENS, LET'S SAY THEY WERE IN THE PRODUCTION AND THEY GET WIPED OUT, IF YOU TAKE THEM OUT THE PRODUCTION, THERE IS NOT A READY SUPPLY OF HENS THAT ARE READY TO LAY EGGS.

THERE IS A BIG SHORTAGE OF HENS.

THE EGG SUPPLY SHORTAGE MAY LAST LONGER THAN WE EXPECT.

>> AT LEAST THREE WEEKS.

PROFESSOR , CAN FAMILIES EXPECT TO CONTINUE SEEING HIGHER PRICES ?

WHEN THEY COULD GO DOWN ?

>> I THINK THE PRICES WILL GO DOWN BECAUSE THEY'RE SO HIGH.

FEED PRICES WILL BE HIGH THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS THEY HAVE BEEN HIGH FOR 1.5 YEARS.

THE REAL ISSUE IS THE AVIAN FLU.

AND HOW WE CAN REPLENISH THE SUPPLY.

IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING IT WILL TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS.

AT LEAST A HALF OF A YEAR.

>> MY THANKS TO YOU BOTH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> NEXT, SOUL FOOD WITH A TWIST.

STAY WITH US.

>>> MARKER CALENDARS , LESS THAN A WEEK AWAY, MUCH MORE COMING UP, INCLUDING WHEN WE GET COLD TEMPERATURES.

>>> A NEW GO TO PLACE IN THE CITY FOR SOUL FOOD WITH A TWIST.

ANGEL IDOWU TOOK US TO LAWNDALE TO THE SOUL FOOD LOUNGE.

>> Reporter: IT WAS AFTER BEING APPROACHED BY THE LAWNDALE CHRISTIAN DEVELOP A NETWORK WHEN AN ENTREPRENEUR AND CHEF DECIDED TO OPEN WHAT HE HOPES WILL BE A SOUL FOOD STAPLE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE CITY.

>> WHEN WE WANT TO DO SOMETHING FANCY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, WE HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: THE SOUL FOOD LOUNGE WAS BORN.

>> WE DEEPLY INVEST IN UPSCALE IN OUR OWN BACKYARD.

WE DON'T HAVE MORE FINE DINING THINGS IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: LOCATED NEXT-DOOR TO THE MLK APARTMENTS, IT UP OFFERS SALTED COMBINATIONS, CUSTOMERS SAY THEY HAVE NOT SEEN THEM ANYWHERE.

>> IT IS SWANKY.

THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS.

>> I HAD A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY DINNER.

DELICIOUS.

>> WHAT DID YOU GET?

>> POT ROAST WITH ASPARAGUS , MISSISSIPPI CRABCAKES.

WE ARE TRYING EACH OTHER'S FOOD, LOBSTER MACARONI .

>> Reporter: MENU OPTIONS ARE NOT THE ONLY THING THEY'RE FINDING.

>> WE DESERVE IT, THERE IS A FOOD DESERT IN OUR COMMUNITY .

IN ORDER FOR US TO EAT , WE HAVE TO GO AND PUT RESOURCES IN SOMEONE ELSE'S COMMUNITY, IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA , IT IS GOOD IN THE HOOD , I AM FROM THE HOOD AND I AM GOOD.

>> MY MOTHER ALWAYS TOOK US OUT DINING WHEN I WAS GROWING UP .

IT IS AN EXPERIENCE AND I ENJOYED THAT EXPERIENCE.

OUR KIDS DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON IN THE WORLD.

ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE.

TEACH THEM DEDICATE AND YOU CAN GO TO YOUR OWN COMMUNITY AND HAVE A REALLY NICE , INTIMATE DINNER.

>> Reporter: IT IS ONLY A FEW MONTHS , IT CAN ONLY CONTINUE WITH THOSE SUPPORT FROM THOSE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> HOW DO YOU CHANGE THE PARADIGM?

THE PARADIGM OF VIOLENCE?

WHEN YOU ARE GOING DOWN THE INNER-CITY, CHICAGO IS THE NOTHING BUT DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS, IT IS A CRIMINAL HAVEN.

WHAT IF DEVELOPMENT IS PRESENT ?

THE ELEMENT CHANGES.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO SHIP FIELD OF NORTH .

THE EXPERIENCES ARE IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD .

>> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW THEY DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THE DOLLARS OUTSIDE OF THE COMMUNITY TO GET A HIGH QUALITY MEAL.

SO MANY TIMES WE HAVE HAD TO GO OTHER PLACES AND WE WANT TO BUILD A LEGACY AND IT IS A LASTING BUSINESS IN THE LAWNDALE COMMUNITY.

>> THAT IS SO GOOD.

>>> THE SOULFUL LOVE IS OPENING WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING WITH EXTENDED HOURS IN THE WEEKEND.

BRANDIS ?

>> WHO IS HUNGRY ?

>>> WHY JANUARY HAS BEEN UNSEASONABLY WARM AND WHEN TEMPERATURES WILL FALL?

WE WILL TALK WITH THE STATE'S CLIMATOLOGIST.

>>> PLANS TO REJUVENATE AN AREA ARE TAKING SHAPE.

>>> AS MIGRANTS AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS ARE MAKING THEIR HOME IN CHICAGO, WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A SANCTUARY CITY?

>>> FIRST , MORE TOP STORIES, A GROUP OF SHERIFFS ARE STANDING UP AGAINST THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN AND NOW THE FIRST LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED AGAINST THE LAW .

AN EMERGENCY HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW MORNING IN A CASE FILED TODAY.

AN ATTORNEY IS REPRESENTING MORE THAN 860 PLAINTIFFS , ARGUING THAT THE NEW LAW VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION OF EQUAL PROTECTION.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER SIGNED THE BILL ON JANUARY 10th AS IT BANS THE SALE OF SOME SEMIOTIC FIREARMS, SOME PEOPLE MUST REGISTER THEM BY JANUARY 1st, 2024.

>>> CHICAGO POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR A HAMMER WIELDING MAN WHO SHOUTED SLURS AND SMASHED THE FRONT DOOR OF A LESBIAN OWNED PUB.

INSIDE , THE MAN REPORTEDLY SHOUTED A GAY SLUR AND CHALLENGED PEOPLE TO A FIGHT BEFORE BEING SHOVED OUTSIDE.

PEOPLE INSIDE RAN TO THE BACK OF THE RESTAURANT NOT SURE IF THE SOUND CAME FROM A GUNSHOT.

THE COMMUNITY IS RAISING MONEY TO REPLACE THE DOOR.

>>> AURORA PRIDE AND THE ACLU FILED A FEDERAL LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE SPECIAL EVENT ORDINANCE THAT LED TO A PRIDE PARADE BEING CANCELED LAST SUMMER.

IT WAS ON AND OFF AFTER THE ORDINANCE -- THE LAWSUIT SEEKS INJUNCTION PREVENTING USE THE SPECIAL EVENT ORDINANCE WHICH AURORA PRIDE AND THE ACLU CALLED UNCONSTITUTIONAL .

IN A STATEMENT RELEASED BY THE ACLU , "OUR CONSTITUTION DOES NOT GIVE THE MAYOR OR THE POLICE AND NEED TO DECIDE WHETHER A PARADE OR DEMONSTRATION GOES FORWARD , IT SIMPLY SAYS THEY DO NOT LIKE THE MESSAGE OF THE ORGANIZERS."

>>> IT HAS BEEN AN UNSEASONABLY WARM START TO THE YEAR.

TEMPERATURES AVERAGING MID TO HIGH 30s , CHICAGO LEASING ITS FOURTH WARMEST JANUARY ON RECORD AS OF YESTERDAY.

DON'T GET VERY EXCITED , IT WILL NOT LAST FOREVER , IT IS WINTER AND THERE ARE GROWING INDICATIONS WE WILL BE RETURNING TO MUCH MORE COLD WINTER WEATHER NEXT WEEK.

WE WANT TO DISCUSS WHY THE TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN SO WARM AND WHERE THEY'RE HEADED, HERE IS OUR CLIMATOLOGIST FOR THE STATE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HOW UNUSUAL IS THIS WHETHER WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING?

>> IT IS VERY UNUSUAL .

AS YOU MENTIONED IN THE OPENING, FOURTH WARMEST START IN JANUARY ON RECORD THROUGH THE 16th .

THE ONLY YEARS THAT WERE WARMER, 1880, 1939, 2006, 100+ YEAR RECORD IN CHICAGO .

UNUSUAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR TO HAVE THESE TEMPERATURES.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU ATTRIBUTE THIS TO ?

>> IF YOU REMEMBER ABOUT CHRISTMAS EVE, CHRISTMAS DAY , WE HAD A COLD PATTERN .

THAT MOVED OUT OF THE WAY ON THE 28th AND 29th OF DECEMBER, WE HAVE HAD SOME VARIABILITY BUT THE LARGER PATTERN THAT HAS KEPT A LOT OF CALIFORNIA VERY WET FOR THAT TIME HAS KEPT OUR WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST BRINGING US HUMID AIR.

UNSEASONABLY WARM.

IT HAS KEPT TEMPERATURES ELEVATED BETWEEN 8 AND 12 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS.

PERSISTENCE OF THE PATTERN IS UNUSUAL, NOT UNUSUAL TO GET A COUPLE OF DAYS HERE OR THERE, EVERYONE ENJOYS IT, AND WE ARE BACK INTO THE 20s, BUT THE PERSISTENCE OF THIS PATTERN IS UNUSUAL.

>> IT IS STOPPING SOON .

WHAT WEATHER CAN WE EXPECT GOING FORWARD ?

>> AS YOU MENTIONED, IT IS WINTER, WINTER GOES BACK TO NORMAL AT SOME POINT.

MODELS HAVE CONFIDENCE IN A SHIFTING PATTERN TO GET CLOSER TO NORMAL OR FOR THE LAST WEEK OF JANUARY, THIS WEEK IS MILD WITH HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID-30s .

IF NOT UPPER-30S.

WE WILL SHIFT TO BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES.

NORMAL FOR THE LAST WEEK IN JANUARY WITH HIGHS AROUND 30 , 31 DEGREES.

BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES , WE WILL SEE HIGHS IN THE MID TO UPPER-20S.

IT IS DEFINITELY MOVING OUT OF THE WAY.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE MOVING OUT OF THE WAY THE LAST WEEK OF JANUARY.

>> CLOSER TO NORMAL , COLDER THAN IT IS RIGHT NOW.

HOW IS CLIMATE CHANGE PLAYING A ROLE IN ALL OF THIS?

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST TRENDS WE HAVE SEEN IN ILLINOIS THE LAST CENTURY OR SO IS INCREASING TEMPERATURES IN ALL SEASONS, WINTER HAS WARMED AT A FASTER RATE THAN ANOTHER SEASONS.

THIS IS PAR FOR THE COURSE.

WHAT THIS MEANS , BECAUSE OF THE BACKGROUND CLIMATE IS WARMING IN THE WINTERTIME, IT MAKES IT MORE LIKELY THAT WE HAVE THESE WARM PERIODS OF TIME AND THEY PERSISTS FOR LONGER .

THE FINGERPRINT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IS ON PATTERNS LIKE THIS WHEN WE GET EXTENDED TIME WITH RELATIVELY WARM TEMPERATURES IN THE WINTERTIME .

PROJECTIONS INDICATE THE WARMING TRENDS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE LAST 100 YEARS IS VERY LIKELY TO CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE.

THESE MILD WINTER TEMPERATURES ARE SOMETHING WE ARE LOOKING AT AS A BELLWETHER FOR FUTURE DECADES IN CHICAGO .

>> WHAT IMPACT DO WARMER WINTERS HAVE ON THE ENVIRONMENT?

>> ONE OF THE -- THERE ARE SOME POSITIVE IMPACTS , IT REDUCES EXPOSURE OF PEOPLE TO EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES THAT WE HAVE THIS TIME OF YEAR, ESPECIALLY IN HOUSING.

BUT THERE ARE SOME NEGATIVE IMPACTS AS WELL.

MAINLY , THE ECHO SYSTEM AND PERENNIAL CROPS .

WHEN WE HAVE THESE LONG PERIODS OF WARM WEATHER, IT AFFECTS THE ECOSYSTEM AND OUR AGRICULTURAL CROPS, APPLES, PEACHES .

IT MEANS THAT IT CAN AFFECT WHEN THEY OPEN UP AND FLOWER.

THAT CAN DO A COUPLE OF THINGS FOR OUR ECOSYSTEM , IT CAN SHIFT AND MISMATCH THE TIMING OF WHEN WE FLOWER AND POLLINATORS WAKE UP.

IT CAN AFFECT THE HEALTH OF OUR ECOSYSTEM .

ON THE AGRICULTURE SIDE, AN EARLY BUT BREAK, FLOWERING , CAN PUT US PARADOXICALLY AT A HIGHER RISK OF SPRING FREEZE DAMAGE FOR APPLES AND PEACHES.

TAKE ABOUT CROPS, ECOSYSTEMS , IT IS NICE TO HAVE 40s AND 50s FOR A FEW DAYS HERE AND THERE IN ILLINOIS IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER, BUT IN THE BACK OF MY MIND I AM THINKING ABOUT THE IMPACT.

PAY THE PIPER NOW OR LATER KIND OF THING .

WE MAY SEE IMPACT LATER ON IN THE SPRING.

>> IS CLIMATE CHANGE INDICATES INCREASE IN SEVERITY OF THE STORMS AND THE GREATER FLUCTUATIONS, COULD THIS MEAN MUCH COLDER COLD SNAPS ?

>> REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

VERY COMPLICATED.

THE JURY IS STILL OUT ON THAT SOME EVIDENCE THAT , BECAUSE OF THE JET STREAM, GLOBAL WARMING, WE MAY SEE MORE COLD OUTBREAKS, ANOTHER ARGUMENT THAT THE COLD FRONT THAT COMES FROM THE ARCTIC WHERE OUR COLD AIR COMES FROM MAYBE WARMER BECAUSE OF GLOBAL WARMING.

IT IS UP IN THE AIR.

WHAT WE WILL SEE ARE THESE INCREASES IN WARM EXTREMITIES THROUGH THE WINTER.

>> OBVIOUSLY, WE WILL TALK AGAIN SOON.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>>> NEXT , REIMAGINING THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT IN CHICAGO AND INCENTIVES TO HELP WITH THE PLAN.

>>> FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> GET READY TO SEE APARTMENTS AND THE CONDOS, AND STORES ON THE LaSALLE STREET CORRIDOR IF BIG-CITY PLANS COME TO FRUITION AS IT HAS BEEN THE HEART OF THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT FOR YEARS BUT STRUGGLING WITH HIGH VACANCY RATES.

BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS HAVE MOVED ELSEWHERE.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE PLAN IS A COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE REPORTER .

ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE YOU.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT SITUATION ON LaSALLE STREET AS IT RELATES TO OCCUPANCY OF THE BUILDINGS ?

>> THERE IS NOT A LOT OF IT.

YOU MENTIONED, THE HISTORIC CORRIDOR WITH THESE BEAUTIFUL OFFICE BUILDINGS WHICH ARE IN MANY CASES OUTDATED.

THERE IS A LOT OF VACANCIES.

AS YOU MENTIONED , A LOT OF THE THINK TANKS, BANK OF AMERICA , NORTHERN TRUST , THEY HAVE ALL MOVED OFF OF LaSALLE STREET.

YOU HAVE THIS SOMEWHAT DESOLATE CORRIDOR THAT HAS BUILDINGS WITH OWNERS FACING LOAN DEFAULTS , FORECLOSURES , THIS IS A STREET THAT NEEDS A LOT OF NEW INVESTMENT .

THAT IS WHAT THE CITY IS TRYING TO INCENTIVIZE BY GETTING DEVELOPERS TO WORK WITH THEM AND SAYING, HE RETURNED THESE OFFICE BUILDINGS INTO SOMETHING ELSE?

APARTMENTS WITH MIXED-USE , RETAIL ELEMENTS TO THIS THE MIDDLE OF DOWNTOWN VIBRANT AGAIN?

>> WHAT ABOUT THE DEVELOPERS ?

>> THE CITY IN THE FALL ROLLED OUT THIS PROGRAM CALLED LaSALLE REIMAGINED .

THEY ARE SAYING , IF SOME DEVELOPERS WILL COME IN AND INVEST HEAVILY IN TURNING THE OFFICE BUILDINGS INTO APARTMENTS WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING , WE WILL OFFER MONEY , $197 MILLION THAT COULD BE GIVEN OUT.

THERE ARE OTHER TAX CREDITS FOR PRESERVING OR RESTORING BUILDINGS.

NEW STATE AFFORDABLE ILLINOIS PROGRAM WHICH INCENTIVIZES AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT .

A NEW SMALL BUSINESS GRANT THE CITY IS TRYING TO ROLLOUT TO RETAILERS TO GET THEM TO COME BACK TO LaSALLE STREET.

THERE IS AN IMPRESSIVE VENUE OF OPTIONS WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT DEVELOPERS HAVE IN FRONT OF THEM, WHICH IN MANY CASES THEY WILL BE TO MAKE SOME OF THESE CONVERSIONS MAKE FINANCIAL SENSE .

>> THERE IS AN IMPRESSIVE MENU OF OPTIONS IN TERMS OF PROPOSALS THAT DEVELOPERS HAPPEN ON THE TABLE, $1.2 BILLION AT THIS POINT.

GIVE US THE HIGHLIGHTS.

>> THE CITY SOLICITED THESE PROPOSALS TO SAY, WE WILL DANGLE SOME INCENTIVES FOR YOU AND ENTICE DEVELOPERS TO REDEVELOP SOME OF THESE BUILDINGS.

THERE WERE NINE DIFFERENT PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY THE LATE DECEMBER DEADLINE, BUILDINGS ON IN YOUR LaSALLE STREET, $1.2 BILLION WORTH OF PROJECTS .

A COUPLE THAT STOOD OUT THAT WERE ESPECIALLY LARGE, ONE , 135 SOUTH LaSALLE, THE FORMER BANK OF AMERICA BUILDING AS THEY MOVED OUT IN 2020.

IT WAS THE DEVELOPER OF THE NEW TOWER THAT NOW SAID I WILL PARTNER WITH THE OWNER OF THE BUILDING I POACHED BANK OF AMERICA FROM AND WE WILL TURN THIS INTO A 430 APARTMENT BUILDING , STILL FINDING A WAY TO CAPITALIZE ON THE STRESS THAT THE DEVELOPER CREATED HIMSELF .

THERE IS ANOTHER ONE AT THE FORMER BMO HARRIS BANK BUILDING THAT THE DEVELOPER, WHO IS NOTABLY WORKING WITH GOOGLE TO REDEVELOP THE THOMPSON CENTER, HE WANTS TO CUT A HOLE IN THE TOP OF THIS BUILDING TO CREATE A COURTYARD AND THEY CAN TURN THE OFFICE BUILDING INTO APARTMENTS.

THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF INTERIOR LIGHT.

THE QUESTION FOR ALL OF THESE PEOPLE IS , CAN WE GET FINANCING ?

THAT IS NOT EASY TO DO.

TO FINANCE ANY BIG PROJECT, LET ALONE ONE WITH A LOT OF UNEXPECTED COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE THOMPSON CENTER?

REDEVELOPMENTS AT THE HANDS OF GOOGLE, COULD THAT HELP THE PROJECTS ?

>> ABSOLUTELY THAT DEAL ALONE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF DOWNTOWN COMING OUT OF COVID .

THAT IS AN AREA, IT WENT FROM AN AREA WHERE COMPANIES DID NOT WANT TO BE WHERE NOW GOOGLE, AND THEY COULD MAKE IT AN AREA WHERE IT HAS THIS MAGNETIC ASPECT WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO BE NEAR THEIR.

LET'S SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE GOOGLE PUT THERE.

YOU COULD HAVE THOUSANDS OF GOOGLE EMPLOYEES WORKING THERE, A DEMAND FOR HOUSING NEAR.

YOU COULD HAVE A LOT OF WIND IN THE SAILS OF TURNING OFFICE BUILDINGS INTO APARTMENTS .

THE REASON THEY'RE LOOKING AT THIS PROJECT IS THE FUNDAMENTALS FOR APARTMENTS DOWNTOWN ARE FANTASTIC.

THE HIGHEST RENT THEY HAVE EVER SEEN IN MANY CASES.

THAT IS A COMPELLING PROPERTY TYPE FOR DEVELOPERS TO CONSIDER WITH SUCH GREAT DEMAND AND WEAK DEMAND FOR OFFICE SPACE .

>> YOU CAN RESIDENTS SAY THERE IS NO GREEN SPACE, NO STORES, NOT REALLY ANY RESTAURANTS , WHAT ABOUT THOSE CONCERNS ?

>> THAT IS A BIG CHALLENGE.

THAT IS WHY THE SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS WILL BE ESSENTIAL TO GET PEOPLE -- IF YOU WANT TO LIVE THERE, YOU WILL WANT PLACES TO EAT, SHOP, GET GROCERIES THAT ARE HOPEFULLY NEARBY.

MAKING LaSALLE STREET A PLACE PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE IS NOT AS EASY AS TURNING A FEW BUILDINGS INTO APARTMENTS.

ONE OF THE BUILDINGS THAT HAS BEEN TURNED INTO AN APARTMENT ON LaSALLE STREET, IT HAS DONE OKAY.

THEY PILED ON THE AMENITIES.

NOT MANY PLACES AROUND THERE HAVE THE THINGS THEY NEED.

THAT IS SOMETHING THE CITY WILL HAVE TO OVERCOME.

>> VERY INTERESTING DISCUSSION.

STAY WITH US.

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

>> THE CHICAGO HISTORY AS A CENTURY CITY DATE BACK TO 1985 WHEN HAROLD WASHINGTON ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER PROHIBITING CITY EMPLOYS FROM ENFORCING FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS.

AT THAT TIME , THE TERM CENTURY CITY AND MORE RECENTLY WELCOMING CITY HAS A BALL BEYOND LAW ENFORCEMENT LOCATIONS .

AS AN INCREASING NUMBER OF MIGRANTS AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS ARE MAKING THEIR HOME IN CHICAGO , THE CITY GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ARE GRAPPLING WITH WHAT IS BEING A WELCOME CITY MEANS ALL OF THE RESIDENTS.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ARE THE PASTOR OF SAINT AGATHA CHURCH IN NORTH HILL.

AND THE CHICAGO CHIEF ENGAGEMENT OFFICER, AND THE COMMUNITY INTAKE SPECIALIST.

FATHER , I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

CHURCHES HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF BECOMING SANCTUARY PLACES FOR REFUGEES, HOW HAS THE WORD SANCTUARY EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS?

>> THE MENTION OF THE CHURCH IN GENERAL, WE WELCOME EVERYONE.

THE HISTORY OF ETHNIC GROUPS IN CHICAGO, OVER HUNDREDS OF YEARS NOW, THE CHURCH HAS ALWAYS WELCOMED THOSE GROUPS.

FOUNDING PARISHES AROUND THOSE AREAS.

RECENTLY , PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM, THE CHURCH IS STEPPING UP AND RESPONDING.

TO SUPPORT THE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE TRYING TO REESTABLISH THEMSELVES.

WE ARE CONTINUING THE LONG TRADITION IN THE CHURCH.

THE ESSENCE OF THE FAITH IS TO CARE FOR THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING.

BY DOING SO, SHARING OUR GIFTS AND THAT EMPOWERS US AS WELL.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU THE SAME QUESTION.

WELCOMING CITY IS BEING USED.

HOW HAS THE STRUCTURE EXPENDED OVER THE YEARS TO OFFER MORE SUPPORT?

>> THROUGHOUT THE PAST DECADE , WE HAVE USED THE TERM CENTURY CITY, WE REALLY FOCUS ON WELCOMING .

SANCTUARY IS ABOUT PROTECTING AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND WELCOMING IS ABOUT BEING HOLISTIC, EMBRACING PEOPLE AND MAKING THEM FEEL WELCOME.

NOT JUST ABOUT PROTECTION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUT ABOUT CELEBRATION , AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO USE THAT WORD.

LEGALLY SPEAKING, WE DO HAVE A WELCOMING CITY ORDINANCE.

OVERALL , OUR POLICY IS TO BE WELCOMING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> YOU WORK TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO IMMIGRANT FAMILIES, DO YOU THINK CHICAGOANS EMBRACE BEING A SANCTUARY CITY?

>> I DO.

ON MY BIRTHDAY, THE FIRST BUSES CAME , WE RECEIVED A BUNCH OF SUPPORT FROM DIFFERENT GROUPS, ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

WE WERE BUSY AND WANTED TO HELP.

>> AS WE KNOW, PEOPLE WANT TO HELP THE ASYLUM-SEEKERS WHO WERE BUS FROM TEXAS I SPOKE WITH SOME OF THEM AND THIS IS ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT KEEPS POPPING UP.

LISTEN TO THIS ONE PERSON WHO DID NOT WANT TO BE NAMED.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> I WANT TO GO TO YOU, IS THERE ANY TALK ABOUT TEMPORARY WORK PERMITS?

PEOPLE WHO MENTIONED THEY HAVE HAD A HARD TIME CONNECTING WITH ANY LAWYERS TO BEGIN THE IMMIGRATION PROCESS.

>> ABSOLUTELY .

WE ARE COMMITTED TO GETTING PEOPLE SELF-SUSTAINING AND CAN PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS IN CHARGE OF PROVIDING COMPENSATION TO PEOPLE AND THIS CAN ONLY WORK IF THEY HAVE VALID WORK AUTHORIZATION.

WE CANNOT PROVIDE THAT.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STEP UP AND PROVIDE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES.

WE CAN ADVOCATE FOR THE WORK PERMITS AND EXPAND HUMANITARIAN PAROLE.

PEOPLE NEED TO BE ABLE TO WORK.

WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

AT THE SAME TIME , WE HAVE TO WORK WITH PEOPLE ON THE GROUND , EQUAL PARTNERSHIP TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUED THE DISCUSSION FOR MORE ROBUST LEGAL SERVICES SO PEOPLE CAN GET REPRESENTATION .

>> FATHER, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THIS ?

YOU HAVE BEEN A PRIEST AT SAINT AGATHA FOR 17 YEARS , WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO COME TO YOUR CHURCH AND ASK HOW THEY CAN GET A WORK PERMIT?

WHAT YOU TELL THEM?

>> WE HAVE A GROWING POPULATION OF LATINO PEOPLE COMING , JOINING US IN THE COMMUNITY.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SHOWN UP, WE TYPICALLY TRY TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE BASIC NEEDS AND REFER THEM TO NETWORKS , LIKE CATHOLIC CHARITIES , AND SOME OF THE CITY SHELTERS, TO DO THAT.

THE WORK ISSUE IS A MAJOR ISSUE BECAUSE TELLING THEM WHERE TO GO IS SOMETHING WE CANNOT DO.

MANY OF THEM ARE GOING OUT ON THEIR OWN.

THEY WANT TO WORK .

THEY WANT TO START PROVIDING AND BUILDING A NEW LIFE FOR THE FAMILY.

A LOT OF THAT IS ALREADY HAPPENING.

>> WHAT ENCOURAGEMENT DO YOU PROVIDE WHEN PEOPLE COME TO YOU?

>> THEY ARE NOT ALONE.

THEY HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH COMMUNITY.

MANY OF OUR PARISHIONERS HAVE BEEN WELCOMING AND EMBRACED THEM.

WE ALWAYS GIVE THEM REFERRALS AND MAKE SURE THEY CONNECT WITH LARGER GROUPS THAT WILL BE SUPPORTIVE.

A NETWORK TO SUPPORT THEM ON THEIR JOURNEY TO REBUILD THE LIVES.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH FAMILIES , IN YOUR OPINION, IS THE CITY AND STATE DOING ENOUGH?

DO YOU THINK A WORK PERMIT IS A VIABLE OPTION?

>> I THINK THAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN.

AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, FORCEFULLY , THE WAY THE LAW IS WRITTEN, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, PEOPLE ARE STILL IN A CATCH-22 SITUATION WHERE , TO APPLY FOR A WORK PERMIT OR ASYLUM, THEY HAVE TO PAY CRAZY FEES, BUT THEY CANNOT WORK, IT IS UNFORTUNATELY A CATCH-22 SITUATION.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 3000 MIGRANTS WHO ARRIVED IN CHICAGO, NOT COUNTING THOSE WHO DID NOT ARRIVE ON BUSES.

FATHER LARRY, TALK TO ME MORE ABOUT THE SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM THE ARCHDIOCESE IS WORKING ON ?

WHAT IS THE VISION TO HELP THE REFUGEES?

>> IN COORDINATION WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES , WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE CHURCHES NEAR US, WE ARE OFFERING SUPPORT AND SOURCES .

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF INSTITUTING A SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM , SO WE CAN SPONSOR FAMILIES, PROVIDE HOUSING FOR THEM , PAY FOR THE HOUSING, BASICALLY, FOR OTHER SOCIAL -- INITIAL SIX TO MONTH PERIOD.

WE WORK TO SAY , THIS IS WHAT THIS FAMILY NEEDS.

>> WIND DOES THIS BEGIN ?

>> WE HAVE DONE SOME INFORMATION SESSIONS.

PROBABLY WITHIN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE MONTHS WE WILL BE FULLY INSTITUTING THAT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU ALL.

BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

THE POLK BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING AND YOU CAN GET CHICAGO TONIGHT ON FACEBOOK , YOUTUBE , AND OUR WEBSITE WTTW.COM/NEWS .

>> GET OUR PODCAST .

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00, CITY COUNCIL WILL VOTE ON INCREASE PROTECTION FOR TRANS CHICAGOANS .

>> ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS ENACT SAFEGUARDS FOR GENDER AFFIRMING CARE.

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

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ .

THEY PEOPLE WATCHING .

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A. CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH LAWYER, PROVIDING TRANSLATORS FOR A VARIETY OF LANGUAGES.