AND DOWN, THESE ARE GLOBAL -- ♪°7 >>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> THE MIDDLE CLASS, MORE THAN EVER, HAS BEEN FEELING A SQUEEZE.

>> ATTACKING ILLINOIS WEALTHIEST RESIDENTS.

>>> A NEW STUDY FINDS ALARMINGLY HIGH LEVELS OF FOREVER CHEMICALS IN PART OF THE GREAT LAKES.

>> WE WILL DO WHAT WE NEED TO FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE.

>> AND MULTIMILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN THE PARK MEANS FOR RESIDENTS.

>>> A PROPOSED RAILROAD EXPANSION IS DERAILED AT THE BLACK VOTE IN CITY COUNCIL.

>>> NOW MORE THAN EVER, WE MUST PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE LEGACY.

>>> WITH THE NEWEST DIGGNATION AS A HISTORIC PART MEANS.

>> IT TELLS A LOT OF WHAT WE ARE TODAY.

>> ON THE RICH HISTORY.

>>> PABLO ON HOW ART MAKES HIS HOME IN CHICAGO.

>>> AND AS YOU MENTIONED, I AM IN WEST GARFIELD PARK REPORTING LIVE AS PART OF THE CHICAGO IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

THEY WERE JUST AWARDED $10 MILLION AS PART OF THE WORK TO REVERSE THIS INVESTMENT AND CLOSE THE LIFE EXPECTANCY GET.

WE WILL HEAR ABOUT THEIR WORK AND MUCH MORE COMING UP.

FIRST, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, NICK.

>>> TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

DCFS, FACING A LAWSUIT.

-- IN JUVENILE JAILS UP TO WEEK OR MONTHS AFTER THEY WERE ORDERED TO BE RELEASED.

>>> FORCED TO REMAIN IN JAIL.

FORCED TO BE UNDER THE CONDITIONS WHERE THEY ARE CONFINED, PREVENTED FROM GETTING THE SAME SCHOOLING THEY WOULD GET IN THE COMMUNITIES , TO VISIT WITH THEIR FAMILIES, BEING ABLE TO BUILD THE RELATIONSHIPS THEY NEED TO PREPARE THEM FOR LIFE.

>> AFTER MULTIPLE UNANSWERED CALLS BY THE CASEWORKER, 18-YEAR-OLD SHANIA SAYS SHE MISSED HER GRANDMOTHER'S FUNERAL, DESPITE HAVING A RELEASE ORDER.

>> IT IS HORRIBLE.

IT FEELS LIKE NOBODY CARES ABOUT ME .

PEOPLE WERE SUPPOSED TO GET ME OUT OF A BAD SITUATION, BUT PUT ME IN ANOTHER BAD SITUATION.

IT IS A HORRIBLE FEELING.

>> THEY ALLEGE IN 2021, THERE WERE MORE THAN 80 CHILDREN INCARCERATED DESPITE ORDERS FOR THEIR RELEASE.

THE SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE DEPARTMENT WORKS AS QUICKLY AS I CAN TO REPLACE CHILDREN IN APPROPRIATE AND SAFE SETTINGS.

FOR MORE ON THE STORY, VISIT THE WEBSITE.

>>> U.S.

SENATORS ANNOUNCED THE U.S. ATTORNEY APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS.

THE NEW ATTORNEY WILL REPLACE JOHN LOUCKS, WHO IS SAID TO LEAVE EARLY THIS YEAR FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

A SCREENING COMMITTEE WILL ASSESS IN REVIEWING THE CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION.

IN A STATEMENT, BOTH SAY THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVISE AND CONSENT IS ONE OF THE -- AS WE MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS.

WE WILL BENEFIT FROM THE GUIDANCE OF THE COMMITTEE.

>>> THE CHICAGO BULLS REMAIN UNDEFEATED , IN PARIS THAT IS.

THEY BEAT THE PISTONS 126-108 EARLIER TODAY.

-- HAD MULTIPLE DUNKS.

SEVEN PLAYERS SCORED IN DOUBLE DIGITS.

THEY ARE BACK IN CHICAGO ON MONDAY TO HOST THE ATLANTA HAWKS.

>> EARNING THAT CITIZENSHIP.

>> THAT IS ALL YOU HAVE TO DO.

>>> -- BECOMES AN HISTORICAL NATIONAL PARK.

WE SPLIT WITH A MEANS.

>> FIRST, WE ARE LIVE IN WEST GARFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> WEST GARFIELD PARK IS GETTING A BOOST FROM A FOUNDATION WITH DEEP POCKETS.

A COALITION OF COMMUNITY LED GROUPS JUST RECEIVED $10 MILLION FROM THE FOUNDATION TO HELP FUND THE WIDE RANGING PROJECT.

BRINGING TOGETHER SERVICES TO ARTS, CULTURE AND BEYOND.

THE GOAL IS TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ADDRESS THE LONG LIFE EXPECTANCY GET.

THIS IS PART OF THE CHICAGO REPORTING NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

SPENDING TIME THIS WEEK IN WEST GARFIELD PARK.

NICK JOINS US NOW FROM INSIDE A LONGTIME LOCAL BUSINESS CALLED, OUT OF THE PAST RECORDS.

NICK?

>> Reporter: PEREZ, A 13 YEAR LIFE EXPECTANCY GET.

THAT IS THE AVERAGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WEST GARFIELD PARK RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE LIVE DOWNTOWN, ACCORDING TO CITY DATA.

THE GARFIELD PARK RIGHT TO WELLNESS COLLABORATIVES IS WORKING FROM WITHIN TO CHANGE THAT.

THE COALITION OF COME ON -- COMMUNITY ORIENTED GROUPS.

THEY JUST WON THAT $10 MILLION PRIZE YOU MENTIONED.

IT WILL BE ANCHORED BY A 60,000 SQUARE FOOT CENTER TO BRING TOGETHER MULTIPLE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, A CREDIT UNION, AND MORE.

THE IDEA IS TO TACKLE A RANGE OF THESE IN A SINGLE BUILDING.

>> RESIDENTS HAVE A ONE-STOP SHOP, OR ONE DOOR ACCESS, AS WE CALL IT.

ALSO SO THAT THE PROVIDERS CAN CONNECT AND COORDINATE WITH ONE ANOTHER, SO THAT IF ONE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS ACCESS TO DIETITIAN NUTRITION, THEY CAN GO DOWN TO THE YMCA AND HAVE THAT SUPPORT , IN ADDITION TO HAVING THE PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER ALL IN ONE LOCATION .

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE WELLNESS CENTER, IT IS ADDRESSING THE WHOLE FAMILY.

>> MANY OF THOSE FAMILIES WERE LEFT IN ALERT WHEN THE -- CLOSED ABRUPTLY IN FALL OF 2021.

THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF FRESH FOOD FOR A LOT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

THE CENTER, WHICH IS ALSO PART OF THE PROJECT , QUICKLY ORGANIZED FOOD DISTRIBUTION POP-UPS THAT SERVE HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES EACH WEEKEND.

>> WE HAD TO ACT FAST AND PROVIDE.

THAT IS WHAT I CALLED LIKE A BAND-AID APPROACH.

BRINGING THAT FOOD IN WAS SUPER IMPERATIVE.

NOW, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING TO AMENITY RESIDENTS.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING POP-UPS IN THE COMMUNITIES.

THAT IS UNTIL A GROCERY STORE IS IN PLACE.

>> Reporter: FINDING A PERMANENT GROCERY OPTION THAT IS COMMITTED TO STAYING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS ANOTHER ONE OF THE MAJOR GOALS FOR THE PROJECT.

>> WE HAD TO STAY ON TOP OF MAKING SURE RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS.

THAT, AGAIN, IT IS POSSIBLE TO COLLABORATION.

HAVING THE VOICE OF RESIDENTS LEAD THE WAY .

HAVING PARTNERS THAT HAVE ACCESS TO FUNDING AND OTHER CORE PARTNERSHIPS BE PART OF THAT.

AND FOR US TO THINK THROUGH THE FUTURE GENERATIONS, SO THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO SHOP -- THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE DOING IN ABSENCE OF THE STORE.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN MAKE A REALITY.

THIS COMMUNITY NEEDS IT.

>> Reporter: CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE FUTURE ORGANIZATIONS IS THE FORCE BEHIND THE RESURRECTION PROJECT.

THE -- BAPTIST CHURCH THAT OFFERS HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, AND FAMILY SUPPORT FOR BLACK AND BROWN, YOUTH AND WEST GARFIELD PARK AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS.

THERE ALSO PART OF THE LARGER PROJECT AND PLAN TO LAUNCH A CENTER FOR ART.

THE DIRECTOR SAYS THOSE TWO IDEAS HAVE ALWAYS GONE HAND IN HAND.

>> THE GRAND TRADITION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AFRICAN-AMERICAN HAS ALWAYS INCORPORATED ART TO CHALLENGE, TO INSPIRE.

WE BELIEVE THAT ART AND ACTIVISM ARE TWO TOOLS IN THE TOOLKIT TO SHOW RESIDENTS, YOUNG AND OLD , THAT THIS IS A NEIGHBORHOOD WE ARE FIGHTING FOR.

AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE.

>> HE SAYS THAT IS EVEN REFLECTED WITHIN THE CHURCH.

FORMERLY A CATHOLIC PLACE OF WORSHIP, IT HAS BEEN RENOVATED WITH ARTWORK THAT REFLECT CONGREGATION.

HE SAYS THE LARGER WELLNESS PROJECT REFLECT THE SELF-DETERMINED COMMITTEE -- COMMUNITY , REFLECTED TO MAKING POSITIVE CHANGE.

>> IT IS A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH A LOT OF HISTORY.

WE SEE OURSELVES AS A PART OF THE CONTINUUM.

GOING ON WITH THAT HISTORY, MAKING SURE THAT THE COMING GENERATIONS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES , AND THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED TO THRIVE.

>> Reporter: OF THE WELLNESS VILLAGE IS SLATED TO COST ABOUT $50 MILLION IN TOTAL.

LEADERS HOPE TO BREAK GROUND BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

COMING UP COME WE WILL TALK WITH THE LEADER OF THE COLLABORATIVE BEHIND THE PROJECT ABOUT RECLAIMING COMMUNITY SPACE .

PARIS, WE WILL ALSO HEAR FROM FOLKS BEHIND THIS LONG TIME LOCAL COMMUNITY BUSINESS.

FOR NOW, BACK TO YOU.

BYE NICK EMMA WE WILL SEE YOU IN A BIT.

BRANDIS, WE TOSS IT TO YOU.

>>> NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY YOU MAKE, ILLINOIS RESIDENTS ALL PAY THE SAME INCOME TAX RATES.

-- WILL CHANGE THAT, AND TAKE PARTICULAR AIM AT THE STATES WEALTHIEST RESIDENTS.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US NOW WITH DETAILS.

>> THEY COULD CONSIDER A COUPLE OF OPTIONS THAT WOULD HAVE WEALTHY INDIVIDUALS PAYING MORE IN TAXES.

THIS WILL SOUND FAMILIAR.

THEY TRIED TO THROW WITH VOTERS -- WITH THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED FOR A GRADUATED INCOME TAX.

SUPPORTERS CALLED IT THE FAIR TAX.

IT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE STATE TO CREATE VARIOUS -- BASED ON HOW MUCH MONEY THEY MADE.

STATE SENATOR IS WELL AWARE THAT VOTERS REJECTED IT.

HE WANTS TO TRY AGAIN.

>> WE ARE ON COURSE ON A CRASH COURSE WITH OUR FINANCES.

WE HAVE MASSIVE PENSIONS WE HAVE TO PAY DOWN.

THE REALITY OF IT IS, THE TRAJECTORIES LONG-TERM DON'T MATCH OUR -- TO THE RACE.

IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING , WHETHER THIS IS THE BEST IDEA OR NOT, IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING, THEN WE ARE PUTTING THE NEXT GENERATION IN A POSITION WHERE THEY WILL BE HAPPENING TO -- TO GET BY.

>> HE SAYS HIS PLAN IS NOT ABOUT TAXING THE WEALTHY MORE, HIS GOAL WOULD BE TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF TO LITTLE AND WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY SQUEEZED SINCE THE COVID PANDEMIC.

>> I THINK THE MIDDLE CLASS IS OVERTAXED.

I WANT TO TAKE THAT STRUCTURE, AND I WANT TO TIP A LITTLE.

I WANT TO ASK THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE DONE SO WELL, MADE SO MUCH MONEY IN OUR ECONOMY TO PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE SO THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE STRUGGLING THE MOST, AND THE MIDDLE CLASS IS THE CONSUMER CAST -- CLASS.

WE NEED THEM TO BE HEALTHY IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

>> AN ISSUE.

THE FAIR TAX WAS AN ISSUE FOR GOVERNOR -- A BILLIONAIRE WHO POURED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO THE CAMPAIGN .

CURRENTLY IN SWITZERLAND FOR THE ECONOMIC FORM.

HE DOES NOT SEEM INCLINED TO STAKE HIS TENURE ON A SECOND TRY.

THAT IS NOT SOMETHING I AM FOCUS ON THE SESSION, HE SAID.

THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE, WILL, WHO WAS OUT WITH A NEW PLAN THAT WOULD NOT REQUIRE CHANGING THE CONSTITUTION'S REQUIREMENT, TO TAX AT A FLAT RATE.

PITCHING A SO-CALLED WEALTH TAX.

HE COMPARED IT TO PROPERTY TAXES.

AS THE VALUES OF HOME INCREASE, YOUR PROPERTY -- GOES UP.

IT WOULD WORK SIMILARLY, BUT APPLY ONLY TO THE FINANCIAL ASSETS OF THOSE WORTH $1 BILLION OR MORE.

>> A BILLIONAIRE, WITH ALL OF THEIR ASSETS , STOCKS, FINANCIALS, INVESTMENTS, WE WILL EVALUATE THEIR ASSETS.

IF THEY GO UP AND DOWN, WE WILL TAX THEM ON THE INCREASE IN VALUE.

THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX ON BILLIONAIRES PROPERTIES.

>> HE SAYS ILLINOIS REVENUE HAS A DECENT ACCOUNTING OF THOSE ALREADY.

IF THEY TRY TO AVOID THAT.

HE SAYS IT WILL WORK SIMILARLY TO IT NOW.

THEY WOULD PAY 4.95% TAX ON WHAT ALREADY QUALIFIES AS THEIR INCOME.

>> HE HAS MADE BILLIONS, TENDS OF HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IT DIDN'T MAKE THAT IN INCOME, LIKE WAGES, THE WAY THAT YOU AND I MAKE INCOME.

THEY MADE THAT THROUGH THE GROWTH OF THEIR ASSETS.

RIGHT?

THE VALUE OF THEIR STOCKS WENT UP.

THAT IS WHAT THEY DO TO MAKE MONEY.

THAT IS INCOME FOR THESE GUYS.

WE WANT TO TAX THAT JUST LIKE THE INCOME THAT THE REST OF US MAKE.

>> HE SAYS IT COULD RAISE BETWEEN $200-$500 MILLION ANNUALLY.

THIS CALLS FOR ANY REVENUE TO GO INTO A NEW FUND, WITH THE MONEY GOING TO THREE SPECIFIC PURPOSES.

AND FULLY FUNDING -- JARRET SAYS, ALREADY CAPITAL GAINS ARE TAXED, BUT ONLY WHEN STOCKS, BONDS, OR OTHER INVESTMENTS ARE SOLD.

>> AND THAT IS BECAUSE, UNTIL YOU SELL IT, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY MORE LIQUID VALUE.

OF COURSE, IT FLUCTUATES OVER TIME.

STOCKS CAN GO UP ONE YEAR, AND DOWN ANOTHER YEAR.

WHEN YOU SELL IT, YOU DON'T GET THE BENEFIT -- ALSO WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF A GOING DOWN.

>> HE SAYS THIS PROPOSAL WOULD -- EVERY YEAR.

THOSE IMPACTED WOULD PAY MULTIPLE TIMES OVER.

EVEN IF ONLY A SMALL GROUP OF BILLIONAIRES WOULD BE DIRECTLY IMPACTED.

HE SAYS THE BURDEN WOULD BE WIDESPREAD.

>> YOU WOULD SEE A REDUCED RETURN TO INVESTMENTS.

A LOT OF INVESTMENTS ARE CERTAINLY NOT WORTH DOING ANYMORE.

THEY DON'T HAVE RETURN FOR IT TO BE WORTH YOUR TIME OR YOUR MONEY WITH THIS HIGHER RATE OF TAXATION.

IT ALSO CAN LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT -- THESE ARE SIGNIFICANT TAX BURDENS THAT CAN LEAD PEOPLE TO LEAVE ILLINOIS AND NOT PAY ANY TAXES INTO THE STATE ANYMORE.

>> HE SAYS HE IS NOT WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

IN A COORDINATED EFFORT , LAWMAKERS IN CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, WYOMING, THEY INTRODUCED SIMILAR LEGISLATION.

PLENTY OF OTHER STATES -- THEY WOULD TAKE UP RESIDENCE.

THE NEW LEGISLATION IS JUST GETTING UNDERWAY.

NEITHER THE GRADUATED INCOME TAX PLAN, NOR THE -- TAX HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN INTRODUCED YET.

PROPOSALS ON WHICH VOTERS CAN VOTE.

BRANDIS, WE WILL OF COURSE BE WATCHING ALL OF IT.

>> WE WILL BE HEARING FROM YOU THEN, AMANDA.

THANK YOU.

>>> NOW TO PARIS.

AN ALARMING STUDY FOUND IN THE GREAT LAKES.

>> Reporter: YOU MIGHT WANT TO THINK TWICE BEFORE EATING THAT FRESHLY CAUGHT FISH FROM THE GREAT LAKES.

THE STUDY FINDS FRESHWATER FISH CAN BE MORE CONTAMINATED WITH TOXIC SO-CALLED "FOREVER CHEMICALS" , AND EXPOSURE TO THESE CHEMICALS ARE LINKED TO -- INCLUDING CANCER.

THERE IS ESSENTIALLY NO SAFE LEVEL OF CONSUMPTION.

JOINING US ARE TOSHA FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP AND ONE OF THE AUTHORS OF THIS NEW REPORT.

AND -- OUR PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES.

WE SHOULD NOTE THAT WE DID INVITE THE EPA TO JOIN US FOR THIS DISCUSSION, BUT THEY DECLINED.

WE DO THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

FIRST, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FOREVER CHEMICALS, WHAT ARE WE REFERRING TO?

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT -- THESE ARE CHEMICALS THAT ARE IN A LOT OF PRODUCTS THAT PEOPLE MAY FIND IN THEIR HOME , AND CALLED LIKE FIREFIGHTING -- AND OTHER PRODUCTS.

IT CAN CAUSE CANCER , AND HAS AN IMPACT ON PEOPLE.

AND FISH AND WILDLIFE.

>> GIVE US THE KEY FINDINGS OF THE STUDY THAT WE ARE REFERRING TO.

>> SURE.

THE PAPER THAT WAS PUBLISHED THIS WEEK, IT WAS AN ANALYSIS .

IT LOOKED AT SAMPLES FROM RIVERS AND STREAMS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, AS WELL AS THE GREAT LAKES.

WHAT WAS FOUND WAS WIDESPREAD CONTAMINATION OF PFAS IN FISH.

ALL BUT ONE OF THE 500 SAMPLES HAD DETECTABLE LEVELS OF PFAS.

THIS CONTAMINATION IS CONTAMINATING THAT'S CONCERNING FOR THOSE WHO EAT FRESH FACE.

ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO FREQUENTLY EAT FRESHWATER FISH, OR RELY ON IT FOR THEIR DIET.

JUST FOUR MILLS OF FISH PER YEAR COULD NEARLY DOUBLE THE LEVEL OF IT IN YOUR BLOOD.

>> THAT IS INDEED FRIGHTENING AROUND THESE PARTS.

LOTS OF FOLKS DO ENJOY FISH CAUGHT FROM LOCAL WATERS.

JOE, HOW ARE THEY MAKING THEIR WAY INTO THE GREAT LAKES?

AND WHY ARE THEY SO UBIQUITOUS?

PRETTY MUCH, THEY ALL HAVE IT IN THEM?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM.

THEY HAVE BEEN USED IN MANUFACTURING FOR GENERATIONS, RIGHT?

THIS IS SOMETHING WE UNFORTUNATELY KNOW VERY WELL IN THE GREAT LAKES.

YOU HAVE CONTAMINANTS PEOPLE MAY HAVE HEARD OF LIKE -- OR MERCURY.

THEY STAY CIRCULATING IN THE WATER FOR GENERATIONS.

UNFORTUNATELY, THEY HAVE BEEN USED IN THINGS LIKE FIREFIGHTING --, PLASTICS.

STAIN PROTECTORS, ALL SORTS OF COMMERCIAL PRODUCT.

THEY DON'T WASH OUT.

THEY ACCUMULATE IN PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE.

IT IS REALLY CONCERNING THAT WE ARE SEEING THIS.

REALLY, THE FACT THAT WE HAVE ALLOWED CHEMICALS, WITHOUT KNOWING THAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY SAFE FOR PEOPLE, OR SAY FOR WILDLIFE.

WE ARE NOT TAKING THOSE PRECAUTIONS.

IN THIS CASE, IT IS ABOUT UNFORTUNATELY ABOUT A CONTAMINANT.

>> AS WE MENTIONED, THE EPA SAYS THERE IS REALLY NO SAFE LEVEL OF CONSUMPTION.

TOSHA, DID YOUR STUDY FIND THAT THEY WERE WORSE IN CERTAIN AREAS?

SAY, LAKE MICHIGAN VERSUS RIVERS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY?

>> WHAT THE DATA SHOWED OVERALL, THE LEVEL DID TEND TO BE HIGHER IN THE GREAT LAKES, COMPARED TO RIVERS AND STREAMS.

THEY WERE ALSO HIGHER IN RIVERS AND STREAMS THAT WERE DESIGNATED AS -- THAT IT WOULD BE HIGHER NEAR URBAN AREAS.

AND IT MIGHT BE HIGHER IN THE GREAT LAKES, GIVEN HOW YOU TALKED ABOUT THESE CHEMICALS BEING -- THE GREAT LAKES MIGHT HAVE A LONGER RETENTION TIME, COMPARED TO SMALLER RIVERS AND STREAMS.

THEY DID TEND TO BE HIGHER IN THE GREAT LAKES.

>> ONE OF THE BIG POLLUTANTS IS 3M.

THEY SAID THEY WOULD STOP USING THESE CHEMICALS BY 2025, EVEN IF NO FUTURE ONES WERE DISCHARGED.

THEY LIVED THERE FOR LONG.

MAC OF TIME.

IS THERE A WAY TO SAFELY EAT THE FRESHWATER FISH?

>> I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE SAFELY FRESHWATER FISH.

AGAIN, WE ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE FISH CONSUMPTION.

I KNOW THEY ARE SO WORTH -- FOR THE CONTAMINATION.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THEY ARE PURSUING DRINKING WATER STANDARDS RIGHT NOW.

THAT IS SOMETHING .

MAKING SURE THAT THE DRINKING WATER IS NOT CONTAMINATED BY PFAS.

ALSO, EPA AND OTHER NONPROFITS ARE PURSUING ENFORCEMENT TO GET COMPANIES THAT DON'T TO CLEAN IT UP.

OF COURSE, THAT IS NOT HAPPENING FAST ENOUGH, AND NOT IN ENOUGH PLACES.

I THINK, ULTIMATELY, THIS IS ABOUT SHIFTING TO ANOTHER APPROACH.

NOT MANUFACTURING CHEMICALS THAT AREN'T SAFE FOR PEOPLE TO BE AROUND.

AS TOSHA SAID, THE GREAT LAKES -- FOR POLLUTION.

WE SHOULD BE SAYING WE ARE DONE WITH THIS.

WE ARE NOT GOING BACK TO WHEN WE WERE DUMPING OUT POLLUTION.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS, AND A SYMPTOM OF THIS BIGGER PROBLEM HERE IN THE GREAT LAKES FOR TIME TO COME.

>> LISTENED, UNLESS I AM MISSING -- THESE CHEMICALS IN FISH, THEY HAVE REGULATORY AGENCIES.

HAVE THEY BEEN SLOW TO WARN THE PUBLIC ABOUT THESE DANGERS?

>> THERE IS A PATCHWORK OF STATE LEVEL ADVISORIES FOR FISH CONSUMPTION .

THERE ARE ABOUT 14 STATES IN THE U.S.

THEY DO HAVE ADVISERS.

MANY OF THEM ARE BASED ON THE OLD LIFETIME HEALTH ADVISORY LEVEL.

THEY NEED TO BE REVISITED, AND WHAT IS NEEDED, THE BOTTOM LINE, FEDERAL LEVEL GUIDANCE ACROSS THE BOARD FOR THOSE THAT EAT FRESHWATER FISH.

THAT IS LACKING RIGHT NOW.

WE JUST HAD STATE LEVEL GUIDANCE.

THAT IS QUITE OUTDATED WITH WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT HOW SENSITIVE THE HUMAN BODY IS.

>> GO AHEAD, JOEL.

GO AHEAD.

>> THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHY THEY NEED TO HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO THE JOB.

WILL WE SEE THINGS LIKE THIS, IT'S GOT THE CAPACITY TO DO IT IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

>> A GOOD TAKE AWAY HERE, UNLESS I'M MISSING SOMETHING, AND HE CONSUMPTION OF FRESHWATER THIS, THERE WILL BE SOME RISK THAT THESE CHEMICALS WIND UP IN YOUR BODY.

THEY ARE VERY TOXIC.

>> RIGHT.

THAT IS THE DIFFICULT PART ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

THE EXPOSURE COULD EXPOSE YOU TO LEVELS THAT COULD BE LINKED TO HARM TO THE BODY.

IT IS QUITE TYPICAL.

THIS PROBLEM CAN'T BE SOLVED ON INDIVIDUAL LEVELS.

THOSE HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

THESE ARE REGULATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN NEEDED DECADES AGO.

NOW, THIS WIDESPREAD CONTAMINATION AND EXPOSURE TO PEOPLE, THIS IS THE RESULT OF IT.

>> VERY IMPORTANT STUDY HERE.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> UP NEXT, DETAILS ON A MONUMENTAL DESIGNATION .

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>>> WHAT SHOULD THE CITY BE DOING TO BETTER SUPPORT BLACK CHICAGOANS WHO ARE BIG AND SURVIVORS -- >> AND IT IS LEFT OUT IN BETWEEN.

>> POWER IS THE VOICE.

POWER ARE THE PEOPLE.

THE ABILITY TO SWAY ELECTIONS IS THE POWER.

>>> LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEADERS GATHERED TODAY TO MARK A CHANGE TO CHICAGO'S FIRST NATIONAL PARK SERVICE UNIT.

IT IS NOW THE NATIONAL PARK.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER JOINTS IS NOW ABOUT WHAT THE DESIGNATION NEEDS FOR PULLMAN'S LEGACY.

>> YEAH.

YOU MIGHT THINK, DIDN'T WE ALREADY MAKE THIS A NATIONAL MONUMENT?

AGAIN, MORE THAN JUST -- THEY ARE CREATED TYPICALLY BY THE U.S. PRESIDENT, USING SOMETHING CALLED THE PACK.

BARACK OBAMA CREATED THIS IN 2015.

THE CONCERN IS THAT THEY COULD ALSO APPEAL, OR UNDO THE CREATION OF THE NATIONAL -- WHICH DID HAPPEN UNDER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, WHO REPEALED THE NATIONAL ON MONUMENT , WHICH OBAMA HAD ALSO CREATED.

NATIONAL PARKS ARE CREATED BY PIECE OF LEGISLATION PASSED BY CONGRESS.

THEY HAVE A LOT MORE PROTECTION ATTACHED TO THEM.

CHANGING PULLMAN TO A NATIONAL PARK , AS THE SENATOR SAID, ANYONE WHO WANTS TO COME AFTER PULLMAN, THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH HIM, AND ALL THE REST OF CONGRESS.

>> SO THE TWO DAY CELEBRATION WAS A RESULT OF THE COLLABORATION AT THE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS.

HERE IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

>> THIS IS HUGE.

THE TRAJECTORY OF THE SPARK , OVER THE COURSE OF JUST A SEVEN-YEAR PERIOD, THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN WITHIN THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE VERY OFTEN.

I REALLY ENVISIONED THE SERVICE POTENTIALLY USING THIS .

FOR PARTNERSHIP PARTS LIKE THIS TO WORK COLLABORATIVE.

>> WHAT IS NEXT?

>> IS HE REFERENCING THAT IT IS A PARTNERSHIP PARK?

>> THEY WANT PULLMAN TO BE AN ANCHOR FOR THAT COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE INVESTING MONEY AROUND THAT.

THEY WANT TO CREATE A SERVICE BETWEEN THE NATIONAL PARK.

THEY ARE GOING TO PUT TOGETHER A ROBUST MENU MEANT -- MANAGEMENT PROJECT.

FOR SURE, THEY WANT THE COMMUNITY TO REMAIN ENGAGED, WHICH KNOWING THOSE ARE THE FOLKS WHO FALL FOR THIS FOR SO LONG IN THE FIRST PLACE, I DON'T THINK THAT WILL BE A PROBLEM.

>> NO DOUBT.

>> THEY WILL HAVE PLENTY TO SAY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YOU CAN READ THE WHOLE STORY ON THE WEBSITE.

STAY TUNED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PULLMAN'S HISTORY LATER IN THE SHOW.

PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>>> -- ONE OF CHICAGO'S MURALIST.

HE COMPLETED FOUR TOWERING ARTWORKS OVER THE CITY.

WE RECENTLY MET UP WITH HIM AT -- WHERE HE TALKED ABOUT WHAT MAKING A HOME FOR PUBLIC ART IN CHICAGO CAN DO FOR PEOPLE.

>> ARTISTS, RESPONDING TO LIFE.

FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS THEY GO TO, WHERE HAVE WE BEEN, WHERE WE HAD, WHERE ARE WE GOING.

HERE IN CHICAGO, THEY HAD THE SAME OBLIGATION AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A CHICAGO IDENTITY.

WHO ARE WE?

WHAT HAVE WE BEEN ?

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

WHAT IS THE CHALLENGE?

WHAT ARE WE RESPONDING TO?

THIS IS REAL ESTATE, OWNED BY THE FAMILY THAT JUST RECENTLY CELEBRATED 25 YEARS.

THIS MURAL WAS COMMISSIONED TO CELEBRATE THAT HISTORY.

THE TITLE OF IT IS HOPED, THE JOURNEY TOWARD THE FUTURE.

IT FEATURES A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT ELEMENTS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO WHAT I THINK IS A SHARED GOAL OF HOME.

WHEN YOU ESTABLISH HOME.

RIGHT?

WHETHER IT IS YOUR APARTMENT, ARE YOU BY YOUR FIRST ON THAT YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT, THINKING ABOUT YOUR FAMILY, YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOUR CITY , THAT THIS IS WHERE YOU WILL BE.

YOU ARE RAISING YOUR FAMILY, AND YOU ARE ENGAGED.

I WAS BLESSED TO GROW UP , TO HAVE THIS AMAZING , RICH, CULTURAL HISTORY OF PUBLIC ART ARTISTS LIKE -- ALL OF THESE GIANTS THAT PAVED THE WAY FOR THIS ONGOING CONVERSATION .

MEXICAN AMERICAN IDENTITY .

RIGHT?

AMERICAN IDENTITY , RIGHT?

AS A WHOLE.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF OTHER MURALIST , OTHER ARTIST.

CHICAGO'S CHALLENGE IS TRANSCENDING THE BORDERS THAT ARE IN OUR CITY.

RIGHT?

CONNECTING WHAT IS DISCONNECTED.

PUBLIC ART CAN BE A TREMENDOUS SERVICE TO THAT.

>> HE SAYS HE'S BEEN A GNU STUDIO SPACE TO OFFER CLASSES AND MENTORSHIP.

AS WE MENTIONED, TORONTO COMPLETED THREE OTHER MURALS LAST YEAR.

DETAILS ON THAT ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> STILL TO COME IN CHICAGO TONIGHT.

HOW -- BEING USED AS AN ANTI-VIOLENCE TOOL.

-- GETS PUT OFF TRACK AFTER A VOTE IN CITY COUNCIL.

>> THOSE HISTORY BEGIN TO TELL ABOUT WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

>>> WE HEARD WHAT PULLMAN'S NEWEST DESTINATION MEANS FOR THE FUTURE.

>>> THE FIRST OF MARCH TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

AMAZON WILL DELAY OPENING ITS WAREHOUSE UNTIL LATE THIS YEAR, DESPITE HAVING A MOSTLY FINISHED BUILDING.

THE e-COMMERCE GIANT IS PLANNING TO HIRE AS MANY AS 500 PEOPLE FOR AN END OF 2022 OPENING DAY.

RESIDENCE IN THE PARK SAY THEY ARE LEFT IN LIMBO, AS THEY ARE DEPENDING ON THE ECONOMIC BOOST THAT THE WAREHOUSE WOULD BRING.

LOCAL ACTIVISTS ARE CALLING FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY FROM THE COMPANY.

>>> I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, HOW THIS WILL AFFECT US AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

US, AS A PEOPLE?

HOW WILL IT AFFECT US?

WHAT WILL THEY DO WITH IT?

WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

NOW, WE NEED ANSWERS.

WE WANT ANSWERS, AND WE WANT AMAZON TO BE ACCOUNTABLE.

>>> A JUDGE IS ORDERING THE -- ON FEDERAL CRIMINAL CHARGES.

THIS IS FROM THE 2019 CRASHES OF TWO JETS THAT KILLED MORE THAN 300 PEOPLE.

THE COMPANY FORMALLY BASED IN CHICAGO WAS INITIALLY GRANTED IMMUNITY FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AS PART OF A $2.5 BILLION SETTLEMENT.

THE RULING CAME AFTER THE VICTIM SAID THE GOVERNMENT VIOLATED THEIR RIGHTS BY REACHING A SETTLEMENT WITHOUT FIRST NOTIFYING THE FAMILIES.

>>> SENATORS -- ANNOUNCED THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS NOW UNDERWAY FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS.

THE NEW ATTORNEY WILL REPLACE HIM, WHO WAS SAID TO LEAVE EARLY NEXT YEAR.

THEY WILL ASSIST IN REVIEWING CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION.

THEY SAY, QUOTE, THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVISE AND CONSENT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WE HAVE IN THE SENATE.

WE MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS IMPORTANT DECISION.

WE WILL BENEFIT FROM THE GUIDANCE AND INSIGHTS OF OUR DISTINGUISHED COMMITTEE.

AND NOW WE GO BACK TO NICK BLUMBERG, WHO HAS SPENT THE DAY IN WEST GARFIELD PARK AS PART OF OUR IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

NICK, WHAT DO YOU GOT?

WE MET EARLIER TODAY, I SPOKE WITH THEODORE, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GARFIELD RIGHT TO COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM.

HIS REACTION TO THE WELLNESS VISIT PROJECT.

>>> ELATION.

EXHALE.

IT HAS BEEN A LOT OF WORK.

A BURST OF ENERGY.

IT IS AN INVESTMENT , KIND OF A BENCHMARK INVESTMENT.

IT WILL REALLY IMPROVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD, ENGAGING RESIDENCE IN A REAL WAY.

THAT IMPROVES OUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

AS A COMMUNITY AS A BLACK FOLKS.

THE WINNING OF THE PRIZE.

THAT IS THE CORE ELEMENT OF OUR BELIEF.

IT DOES ENCOURAGE US, MORE FOCUSED ON JOINING IN, SEEN THE VALUE OF THE WORK.

MAKING INVESTMENTS IN PEOPLE AND PLACES THAT HAVE BEEN LONG DESERVING OF THE TYPES OF INVESTMENTS THAT WE HOPE , THE CHICAGO PRIZE WILL GROW INTO.

>> YEAH.

RECOGNITION OF THE WORK THAT YOU ALL A DONE TO HELP WHICH HER OWN COMMUNITY.

>> DEFINITELY.

THE VALUES, THE PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE US.

THE FIRST ONE IS RESPECT.

YOU WANT TO ENSURE THAT FOLKS RESPECT OUR CULTURE, OUR COMMUNITY.

ALL OF THOSE PROJECTS, THEY REALLY HELP TO BE INVESTMENTS THAT WE EXPECT TO GEL WITH OTHER INVESTMENTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> TELL ME ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY.

>> WE ARE IN THE GARFIELD PARK COMMUNITY PLAZA.

THIS IS REALLY ONE OF THE FIRST PIECES THAT ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE WORK THAT THE COLLABORATIVE HAS BEEN DOING.

IT IS A PARTNERSHIP OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

IT WAS KIND OF DRIVEN BY US, THE GOLDEN INSTITUTE STUDIO GANG TO REALLY TAKE THE VACANT SPACE , TURN INTO A SAFE SPACE.

RECLAIMING AN AREA THAT IS CONSIDERED DOWNTOWN WESTSIDE, BUT FOLKS DON'T ALWAYS FEEL COMFORTABLE BEING AT BECAUSE OF THE DISINVESTMENT.

WE WERE ABLE TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY, DO TONS OF SURVEYS, ENGAGE OVER 400 RESIDENTS.

OVERALL, WE GOT ABOUT 4000 SURVEYS COMPLETED.

ASKING, WHAT DO YOU ENVISION?

THE IDEA OF A ROLLER RINK PAYMENT.

THERE USE TO BE ONE IN GARFIELD PARK.

FOLKS WERE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

REALLY WORKED HARD TO FIND THE RESOURCES.

NOW WE ARE SITTING HERE IN THE MIDST OF PHASE ONE.

WE STARTED WHEN WE FIRST OPENED.

WHAT YOU SEE NOW WILL BE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

HOPEFULLY IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

WE MET HOW DOES ACTIVATING A VACANT SPACE LIKE THIS IMPROVE A COMMUNITY -- IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> I THINK THE FIRST THING, PLACING THAT INVESTMENT.

THAT JUST SAYS THAT THIS HAS VALUE.

RIGHT?

LIKE BEFORE, THERE WERE ABANDONED CARS AND TRASH ALL OVER THE PLACE.

CLEANING THAT UP, MAKING IT BE A SPACE THAT WHEN YOU COME INSIDE THE GATES, IT IS KIND OF AN OASIS OF CULTURE, AN OASIS OF PEACE.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOWS THAT YOU CAN TAKE SOMETHING THAT WAS KIND OF ABANDONED BY OTHERS.

WHEN YOU ARE INTENTIONAL ABOUT THE INVESTMENT ENVISION THAT YOU HAVE.

ALSO, TO ENSURE THAT IT IS SAFE -- IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THIS IS A CORNER THAT NEEDS A LOT OF ATTENTION.

WE ARE GIVING THE ATTENTION THAT HE NEEDS, AND WE ARE THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX.

SOME FOLKS WOULDN'T WANT TO COME HERE.

NO, THIS IS WHERE WE NEED TO COME.

WE NEED TO RADICALLY CHANGE THE WAY IN HOW OUR COMMUNITY CURRENTLY EXISTS AND IS VIEWED.

>> Reporter: AGAIN, THAT WAS THEODORE CRAWFORD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GARFIELD PARK RIGHT TO WELLNESS COLLABORATIVE.

COMING UP, WE WILL HEAR FROM THE WOMAN BEHIND OUT OF THE PAST RECORDS, A LONGTIME COMMITTEE STAPLE ABOUT THEIR ROLE IN THE STAPLE, AND THE MANY MUSICAL TREASURES I'M SURROUNDED BY RIGHT NOW.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE A COUPLE OF GYMS BEHIND YOU.

AND NOW TO BRANDIS.

A PROJECT THAT HAVE GONE OFF THE RAILS.

>>> A YEARS LONG EFFORT BY THE RAILWAY TO DOUBLE THE SIZE OF ITS STORAGE YARD IN INGLEWOOD , LOOKING TO GET CLEARANCE FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.

>>> WORKING TO EXPAND THE STORAGE YARD.

WHAT IS THE ISSUE HERE?

>> THEY NEEDED TO BUY ABOUT 500 LOTS , WHICH DISPLACED ABOUT 400 FAMILIES.

THAT WAS VERY CONTROVERSIAL.

IT TOOK A LONG TIME.

APART FROM THAT EFFORT, THEY AGREED TO HIRE WORKERS FROM THE SOUTH SIDE AND TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.

THIS IS ALSO WHERE THE INGLEWOOD TRAIL IS SAID TO BE BUILT.

SHE SAID SHE WAS NOT CONVINCED THOSE PROMISES HAVE BEEN FULFILLED.

SHE PUT A BRICK ON THIS MEASURE FOR 5 MONTHS, ONLY TO BE INSIDE THE COMMITTEE EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THOSE CONCERNS WERE BACK IN FULL FORCE.

>> SO THE CITY COUNCIL, AS YOU SAID, WAS SUPPOSED TO ADVANCE IT THIS WEEK.

THEY RAN INTO A BRICK WALL.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> SHE SAID SHE NEEDED MORE PROMISES FROM THEM THAT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN WOODLAWN AND INGLEWOOD WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO WORK AT THIS YARD.

THAT IS CRUCIAL, THE COMPANY SAYS, TO KEEP IT RUNNING, AND KEEP THAT SUPPLY CHAIN GOING, WHICH WE ALL KNOW IS VERY IMPORTANT.

THIS COULD COME BACK FOR A VOTE, BUT JEANETTE TAYLOR WANTS TO INSURE IT FIRST.

>> SO HOW DID THEY RESPOND?

>> WELL, THEY ARE FRUSTRATED.

THIS IS THE LAST PIECE THEY NEED TO TAKE CONTROL OVER THE STREETS AND ALLEYS THAT THE CITY CONTROLS TO PUT THIS PROJECT FULLY IN AND BEGIN THE CONSTRUCTION.

THEY SAY THEY HAVE LIVED UP TO ALL OF THOSE PROMISES, AND THAT THEY ARE A GREAT PARTNER , AND PROUD TO BE A COMPANY ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

A POSITION THAT IS BACKED BY -- WHO SUPPORTED THIS MEASURE , AND SAID SHE WAS HOPEFUL IT WOULD GET A VOTE IN THE COMING WEEKS.

>> AND WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

>> IT COULD COME BACK AS SOON AS FEBRUARY 1st.

THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THERE WILL BE 26 VOTES FOR IT.

JEANETTE TAYLOR SAYS SHE HAS THE CAUCUS AND THOSE 18 VOTES BEHIND HER.

>> WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

>>> NEXT, WE CHECKED BACK IN WITH NICK BLUMBERG WHO WAS CHECKING IN FROM THE WEST GARFIELD COMMITTEE.

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

♪ >>> TIME TO CHECK BACK IN WITH NICK BLUMBERG, WHO HAS SPENT THE DAY IN WEST GARFIELD PARK.

NICK?

>> Reporter: PARIS, I AM HERE WITH MARIE HENDERSON FROM OUT OF THE PAST RECORDS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, THANK YOU FOR GIVING US SHELTER FROM THE ELEMENTS.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN SELLING MUSIC SINCE THE 60s.

YOU HAVE BEEN IN THIS LOCATION SINCE THE 80s.

WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE TO BE SUCH A STAPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

NOT JUST A PLACE FOR A SOURCE OF MUSIC, BUT A PLACE PEOPLE CAN GATHER?

>> WHEN WE FIRST OPENED UP THIS STORE, WE HEADED FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND ENJOY THE MUSIC.

THROUGH THE YEARS, THEY WOULD AWAIT US -- ALWAYS COME IN.

EVERYBODY GREETS EVERYBODY HERE, SO YOU KNOW EVERYBODY THAT IS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE HAVE BEEN KNOWING THEM FOR YEARS.

I HAVE ENJOYED BEING HERE ALL OF THESE YEARS.

>> I WOULD IMAGINE YOU WOULD GET TO SEE GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES, KIDS GROWING UP.

HE MAY GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES, AND PEOPLE I KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE BUSINESS FOR A WHILE.

I ALSO HAVE MY FAMILY THAT IS RUNNING IT NOW.

WE SEEM TO ENJOY EVERYBODY.

I AM GOING TO SAY INSTEAD OF OUT OF THE PAST RECORDS, THEY CALL IT OUT OF THE PAST -- EVERYONE WHO COME HERE KNOWS SOMEBODY.

YOU CAN'T GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT KNOWING THAT WE ARE HERE.

PEOPLE SEEM TO ENJOY.

OH YEAH, I WAS CURIOUS TO KNOW, THIS IS SORT OF BEEN THE BUSINESS HUB OF THE COMMUNITY.

I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF CHANGE OVER THE YEARS.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE HERE?

>> I WOULD SAY WITH THE HOPE OF -- I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE.

I KNOW I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN HERE WITHOUT THE CREATOR.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

I APPRECIATE THE PEOPLE WHO COME IN FOR THE BUSINESS?

WE HAVE ENJOYED IT.

I'M GLAD TO SEE THE MUSIC, THE RECORDS.

>> YEAH, DO YOU STILL SEE A LOT OF YOUNG FOLKS THAT ARE COMING IN THAT WANT TO BUY CDS, TAPES, ALBUMS?

>> MOSTLY, YOUNG FOLKS NOW , WE BEGIN TO GET A LOT OF YOUNG FOLKS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN MUSIC.

THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS THAT ARE COMING IN NOW.

>> HAS THAT SURPRISE YOU AT ALL?

>> A LITTLE BIT.

NOW THEY ARE COMING BACK TO I SAY THE GOOD MUSIC HERO.

>> WHAT KIND OF MUSIC WILL I FIND HERE?

>> JAZZ , SOUL MUSIC .

HOUSE MUSIC.

HIP-HOP MUSIC .

THIS PLACE IS LOADED .

YOU HAD TO COME AND HUNT FOR WHAT YOU WANT.

IT IS A JOY TO LET PEOPLE COME IN AND LET THEM PLAY MUSIC.

LET THEM GET WHAT THEY WANT.

IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE, BEING HERE ALL THESE YEARS.

>> YEAH.

I IMAGINE YOU SURVEY ROLE.

PRESERVING A LOT OF MUSIC THAT FOLKS MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SEE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS SINCE 1986.

WE HAVE THE ORIGINAL ALBUMS.

A LOT OF 45S THAT ARE STILL PUT AWAY.

>> YEAH, THEY CAN COME IN AND HUNT FOR A TREASURE.

>> DO NOT COME DRESSED LIKE YOU ARE COMING TO -- COME IN LIKE YOU WANT TO COME SING SOME MUSIC.

>> THE YOU HAVE A FAVORITE?

SOMETHING YOU LOVE ?

>> I ALWAYS THINK ABOUT THE FIRST RECORD.

THEY ALWAYS SAY, HOW TO GET STARTED?

I SAID, MY HUSBAND BOUGHT THIS RECORD.

WE WERE ABOUT 25 WE FIRST STARTED IN.

THAT CAME OUT IN THE '60S , I THINK '66.

HE PROBABLY SOLD ABOUT -- RECORDS OUT OF THAT SMALL SHOP.

>> IT WAS A JOY.

FROM THEN ON, THAT WAS MY FAVORITE RECORD.

IT GETS ME IN BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: I COULD TALK WITH YOU ALL NIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR SPENDING TIME.

>> IT IS A PLEASURE.

ENJOY BECOME OKAY?

>> TODAY, LIVE FROM WEST GARFIELD PARK.

>> WAIT A SECOND, NICK, BEFORE WE LET YOU GO.

IT LOOKS LIKE THAT CAT WAS HUNTING FOR FOOD.

YOU KNOW THE CATS NAME BY CHANCE?

>> I HAVEN'T FOUND OUT, BUT I WANT TO HANG OUT WITH HIM.

WE WERE LOOKING FOR HIM EARLIER.

THE CAT WAS OFF DOING WHATEVER THEY WANTED TO DO.

>> DOES SHE KNOW THE NAME?

>> Reporter: WHAT IS THE KITTY'S NAME?

THE KITTY IS WHITE GIRL.

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST.

>> SHE HAS TWO DIFFERENT EYES.

A WHITE GUY -- GREEN I AND A BLUE-EYED.

>> UP NEXT, THE RICH HISTORY.

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

♪ >>> THAT EVENING.

WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

♪ >>> AS WE HEARD EARLIER, THE PULLMAN NATIONAL 90 MINUTE MONUMENT IS NOW THE PULLMAN NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK.

IT IS LIKE TRAVELING BACK IN TIME.

GEOFFREY BAER VISITED A COUPLE YEARS AGO WHEN THEY OPEN IT A NEW VISITOR CENTER .

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> DOES THIS LOOK LIKE PART OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE?

THE ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD IS A NATIONAL MONUMENT .

IT MORE THAN MAKES UP FOR IN HISTORY.

>> THIS IS AMERICA'S FIRST PLANT INDUSTRIAL COMMUNITY.

THERE IS A LOT TO BE LEARNED HERE.

>> Reporter: GEORGE PULLMAN REVOLUTIONIZED RAIL TRAVEL WITH HIS CAR.

AS HIS BUSINESS GREW, HE OPENED A FACTORY SOUTH OF CHICAGO.

RIGHT NEXT DOOR, HE BUILT A TOWN, WHICH HE NAMED FOR HIMSELF.

IT WAS ENVISIONED AS A WORKERS UTOPIA.

>> HERE, YOU HAVE INDOOR PLUMBING, TRASH PICKUP, EVERYTHING THAT A COMMUNITY SHOULD HAVE, BUT BUILT FOR THE WORKERS.

>> WORKERS AND MANAGERS PLAYED RENT TO PULLMAN.

THEY COULD ONLY DREAM OF, BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURE, MENU CURD LANDSCAPING .

A THEATER, ALL OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY THE PULLMAN COMPANY.

THIS WAS THE EPICENTER OF THE FACTORY AND COMPANY TOWN WITH THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

ON LABOR DAY, IT WILL BECOME AN EPICENTER OF A DIFFERENT KIND.

THE VISITOR CENTER FOR CHICAGO'S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONAL MONUMENT.

INSIDE, A NEARLY FULL SIZE MODEL OF A PULLMAN SLEEPER CAR.

ALL ABOARD.

>> THIS IS NOTHING LIKE WHAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCED IN TRAIN TRAVEL.

>> NO.

PRIOR TO THE PULLMAN TRAVEL, TRAVEL BY RAILROADS WAS VERY UNPLEASANT.

>> Reporter: IT IS A GATEWAY TO A PERMANENT EXHIBIT ABOUT PULLMAN.

THE MAN, THE COMPANY, AND THE TOWN.

ALSO HIS IMPORTANT AND UNINTENDED ROLE IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS AND LABOR MOVEMENTS.

>> THE ECONOMIC RECESSION OCCURRED, AND -- HE REDUCED THEIR HOURS, THEIR WAGES, BUT HE REFUSED TO REDUCE THEIR RENT.

>> SOME WORKERS REFUSED -- BARELY HAD ENOUGH TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES.

THEY QUICKLY ESCALATED INTO A NATIONAL RAILROAD STRIKE.

PRESIDENT GROVER CLEVELAND SENT FEDERAL TROOPS TO THE STRIKE, RESULTING IN ONE OF THE MOST VIOLENT -- IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

>> AT THE TIME, THE RAILROAD IN THE UNITED STATES WERE NOT TRYING TO ARBITRATE OR NEGOTIATE WITH EMPLOYEES.

>>> IN THE AFTERMATH, THE COMPANY WAS FORCED TO SELL OFF THE TOWN, WHICH WAS LATER NEXT TO CHICAGO.

CLEVELAND MADE LABOR DAY A NATIONAL HOLIDAY.

>> PERHAPS A LITTLE BIT OF APPEASEMENT FOR THE WORKERS.

THE STRIKE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RESOLVE IN THE KIND OF LABOR CHANGES THAT THEY WOULD HAVE HELP FOR -- HOPED FOR.

>> THE COMPANY HIRED FORMER ENSLAVED PEOPLE AS PULLMAN PORTERS, WHO CARRIED LUGGAGE, SERVED THEIR MEALS, AND EVEN SHINED THEIR SHOES.

>> ON ONE END, IT COULD BE LOOKED AT AS A TERRIBLE JOB.

ON THE OTHER END , A FOOTSTOOL FOR -- THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

>> THEY WORK UP TO 20 HOURS A SHIFT, MOSTLY JUST FOR TIPS, AND HAD TO SIT ON SEATS OF THE SMOKING CAR.

THEY FACED RACISM FROM PASSENGERS, WHO NICKNAMED THEM AFTER MR. PULLMAN HIMSELF .

>> IMAGINE YOUR NAME IS TOM.

SOMEONE DISRESPECTFULLY CALLS YOU GEORGE.

YOU MIGHT AS WELL JUST SAY HEY, BOY, COME HERE.

>> THEY COULD ALSO EAVESDROP ON CONVERSATIONS OF TRAVELING BUSINESSMEN.

>> THROUGH OSMOSIS, THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THIS BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> THE PORTERS ALSO QUIETLY DISTRIBUTED BLACK NEWSPAPERS LIKE THE CHICAGO DEFENDER.

SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NORTH.

>> IT WAS THE UNOFFICIAL USHERS OF THE GREAT MIGRATION.

>> ABOUT THREE DECADES AFTER THE STRIKE IN THE DEATH OF GEORGE PULLMAN, THEY FORMED AMERICA'S FIRST MAJOR UNION OF BLACK WORKERS.

THE BROTHERHOOD OF SLEEPING -- LED BY RANDOLPH.

HE CLOSED THE FACTORY IN THE HISTORIC TOWN OF 1958.

LIKE MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE , THIS ONE HAS FACED SIGNIFICANT DISINVESTMENT OVER THE LAST DECADES.

BUILDINGS FROM THE 19th CENTURY DETERIORATED.

ALL ALONG, NEIGHBORS AND LOCAL NONPROFITS FOUGHT TO PRESERVE PULLMAN AND ITS HISTORY.

THE STATE REBUILD THE CLOCK TOWER IN 2005.

IN 2015, THEY SCORED A HUGE VICTORY WHEN PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA DECLARED PULLMAN A NATIONAL MONUMENT FOR THE SIGNIFICANCE, BOTH PAST AND PRESENT.

>> NOT A WEEK GOES BY THAT THERE IS NOT A HEADLINE WHERE I HEAR A PART OF THE STORY OF TODAY , GOING BACK TO THE ISSUES OF RACE, IMMIGRATION, LABOR, CAPITALISM, GOVERNMENT REGULATION, GENDER EQUITY.

YOU NAME IT, WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORY.

>> IN RECENT YEARS, COMPANIES LIKE WHOLE FOODS AND AMAZON HAVE COME TO THE AREA.

>> IN JUST A SHORT FEW YEARS, WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT.

>> SOME SAY THE COMMUNITY WANTS THOUGHT TO BE A MODEL FOR AMENITY TOWNS MAY NOW BE A MODEL FOR REVITALIZATION WITH TOURISTS BEING A DRIVING FORCE.

>> WE WANT TO GET THEM A PLACE TO SHOP, A PLACE TO SLEEP, A PLACE TO EAT, AND -- >> Reporter: ANTHONY SAYS PRESERVATION AND RECREATION ARE FAR FROM OVER.

THROUGH THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF NONPROFIT DEVELOPMENT -- PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE HISTORIC PULLMAN ORGANIZATION, AND CITY, STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES.

>> TO SEE AN AREA LIKE THIS BE ABLE TO COME BACK THROUGH TOURISM.

NOT THROUGH SOME KIND OF QUICKFIX METHOD.

THROUGH TOURISM AND HISTORY.

IT IS AN IMPORTANT THING.

I REALLY THINK IT IS A BLUEPRINT FOR WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR OTHER AREAS OF THE SOUTH SIDE.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM GEOFFREY BAER.

>>> MORE DETAILS ARE ON THE WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN ALSO SEE THE COVERAGE OF PULLMAN NEW DESIGNATION AS A NATIONAL PARK.

WE ARE BACK TO REP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

, CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS, THE -- FAMILY , THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION , AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE OWNERS.

♪ >>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED BY SIGNING UP FOR THE DAILY BRIEFING.

YOU CAN GET CHICAGO TONIGHT STRAINED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, AND OUR WEBSITE , NEWS.WTTW.COM.

>>> PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 FOR THE INTERVIEW.

ONE MORE NOTE BEFORE WE GO, AS WE HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS, NEXT MONDAY, JANUARY 23rd, WE WILL BRING YOU CHICAGO TONIGHT AT 10:00 P.M. THAT IS 10:00 P.M. LOCAL TIME.

THE WEEKEND REVIEW, THAT WILL STICK AT 7:00 P.M.

THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL CHICAGO TONIGHT SHOW.

A NEW HALF-HOUR THERE.

LATINA VOICES IN BLACK VOICES ON SATURDAY AT 6:00 AND 6:30.

>> THIS COMES WITH EXPANDED INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING , AND A CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO REPORT ABOUT YOU AND THE MANY NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS CHICAGO AND BEYOND.

>> WILL ALSO COVER NEWS OF THE DAY EVERY DAY AS WE ALWAYS DO ON OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

.

AND OF COURSE, ALL THE SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS.

NOT TIKTOK.

>> I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

STAY SAFE, SEE YOU TOMORROW.

♪ >>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS BAIT -- MADE POSSIBLE BY -- CHICAGO PERSONAL LAW FIRM THAT IS