>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT -- PROVIDERS SAY THEY'RE TAKING CARE OF WORKERS CHILDREN THROUGH A STATE PROGRAM, BUT THEY'RE NOT GETTING PAID TO.

>> NOBODY SUPPORTS THEM, SO SOMEBODY HAS TO START AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> ENTERED THE BROWN BERETS, VOLUNTEERS STEPPING UP TO PROTECT STREET VENDORS IN LITTLE VILLAGE.

>>> IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS SINCE THE FIRST COVID CASE HIT CHICAGO.

WHERE WE ARE NOW IN THE COURSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

>>> READING IS FUNDAMENTAL.

>> AND A LOCAL NONPROFIT OPENED ITS THIRD LOCATION.

THE DECISION THEY SAY WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN.

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

LIVE NATION IS ON THE HOT SEAT, DUE TO THE RECENT TAYLOR SWIFT TICKETING FIASCO.

A LONGTIME CHICAGO PROMOTER TESTIFIED AGAINST THE COMPANY IN THE SENATE TODAY.

JAM PRODUCTIONS COFOUNDER JERRY MICHELSON APPEARED BEFORE THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE .

SENATORS THEIR FOCUSED ON WHETHER OR NOT THE COMMITTEE THAT OWNS TICKETMASTER IS TOO BIG AND ANTICOMPETITIVE.

JAM HAS LONG BEEN AN INDEPENDENT COMPETITOR.

SENATORS GRILLED TICKETMASTER ON MY ONLINE BOTS BOUGHT UP MILLIONS OF TAYLOR SWIFT PRESALE TICKETS, LEAVING FEW AT FACE VALUE FOR ACTUAL PEOPLE.

MICHELSON BLAMES THE COMPANY ITSELF AND SAYS CONGRESS SHOULD LOOK AT WHETHER IT VIOLATES FEDERAL ANTITRUST LAWS.

>> NOW LIVE NATION IS GOING AFTER MUSIC THEATERS AND CLUBS OF ALL SIZES IN AN EFFORT TO CONTROL THE ENTIRE LIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY, FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM.

FROM 2010 TO 2021, LIVE NATION ADDED 61 THEATERS AND 41 CLUBS TO THEIR ALREADY LARGE ARSENAL OF VENUES.

>> WITH TODAY'S UNVEILING OF THE ANNUAL DOOMSDAY CLOCK, SCIENTISTS SAY THEY FEAR WE ARE NOW CLOSER TO GLOBAL CATASTROPHE THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> WE MOVED THE CLOCK FORWARD, THE CLOSEST IT HAS EVER BEEN TO MIDNIGHT.

IT IS NOW 90 SECONDS TO MIDNIGHT.

>> THE BULLETIN OF THE ATOMIC SCIENTISTS, BASED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, SET THE DOOMSDAY CLOCK AT 90 SECONDS TO MIDNIGHT, MIDNIGHT BEING GLOBAL CATASTROPHE.

THE GROUP SAYS TH SECONDS TO MIDNIGHT, WHERE THE CLOCK IS BEEN SINCE 2020, IS DUE LARGELY TO RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE AND THE INCREASED RISK OF NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION.

BUT THEY ALSO POINT TO CONTINUING THREATS POSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIOLOGICAL THREATS SUCH AS COVID-19.

>>> ONLINE USED CAR DEALER CAR VONA ADMITS IT BROKE THE LAW, AS PART OF A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT REACHED WITH THE ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

>> HARV ANNA HAD BEEN ILLEGALLY ISSUING OUT-OF-STATE REGISTRATION PERMITS TO VEHICLE OWNERS AND FAILED TO ISSUE TRANSFERS IN A TIMELY MANNER, BOTH VIOLATIONS OF ILLINOIS LAW.

>> ILLINOIS SUSPENDED THEIR DEALERSHIP LICENSE IN MAY OF LAST YEAR AFTER HEARING COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS.

THE AGREEMENT REQUIRES THE COMPANY, KNOWN FOR ITS CAR VENDING MACHINES, TO FOLLOW NEW RESTRICTIONS AND IT ALLOWS THE ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE TO SUSPEND AND REVOKE THE COMPANY'S LICENSE AGAIN IF IT FAILS TO COMPLY.

>>> A NEWLY ACQUIRED WHITE SOX PITCHER IS REPORTEDLY UNDER INVESTIGATION BY MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL OVER ALLEGATIONS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE.

THE REPORTS SAY THAT MIKE CLEVENGER FACES ACCUSATIONS HE PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY ABUSED TWO WOMEN AND HIS THREE CHILDREN.

CLEVENGER WAS SIGNED TO A ONE-YEAR DEAL DURING THE OFF-SEASON AFTER A STINT WITH THE SAN DIEGO PADRES.

THE TEAM SAYS IT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ALLEGATIONS WHEN HE WAS SIGNED, AND SAYS THEY'LL REFRAIN FROM COMMENT UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE.

>>> SNOW.

IT'S REPORTEDLY STILL A THING, AND IT'S ON ITS WAY, REPORTEDLY.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS TRACKING A STORM SET TO HIT LATE TONIGHT WITH THE MAIN SNOW ACCUMULATION STARTING AT 3:00 THIS MORNING THROUGH NOON TOMORROW, SO JUST IN TIME TO SNARL YOUR MORNING COMMUTE.

ALTHOUGH NOT US, BECAUSE WE WORK LATE.

TONIGHT TO 4 INCHES ARE EXPECTED IN THE AREA WITH NORTHWEST INDIANA SEEING UP TO EIGHT INCHES.

THE SNOW SHOULD MAKE A DENT IN CHICAGO'S SNOWFALL DEFICIT.

ABOUT 10 INCHES BELOW NORMAL RIGHT NOW SINCE IT'S RECORDED JUST FIVE INCHES TO DATE.

THERE IS MORE STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> COMING UP IN THE PROGRAM, STREET VENDORS SOUNDING THE ALARM ON ROBBERIES IN LITTLE VILLAGE.

>>> AT FIRST, CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ACROSS THE STATE SAY THEY'RE NOT GETTING PAID.

AMANDA VINICKY HAS THE STORY RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF ILLINOIS CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ARE GETTING BY WITHOUT A PAYCHECK AS THEY AWAIT SOME DELAYED PAYMENTS FROM THE STATE .

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

WHAT IS THIS HOLDUP HERE AND HOW MANY FOLKS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

>> EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AS WELL AS CARE IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

OF COURSE IT CAN LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR KIDS AND IT'S NECESSARY FOR WORKING PARENTS.

THOSE ARE AMONG THE REASONS THAT GOVERNOR JD PRITZKER CITED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WHEN HE LAID OUT A SECOND TERM AGENDA THAT INCLUDES PRESCHOOL FOR ALL ILLINOIS FAMILIES AND EXPANDED CHILDCARE.

>> THE RESEARCH IS CLEAR.

QUALITY CHILDCARE AFFORDS PARENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK OR ATTEND SCHOOL, AND PURSUE GREATER ECONOMIC SECURITY.

LET'S PROVIDE MORE ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR FAMILIES BY ELIMINATING CHILDCARE DESERTS AND EXPANDING CHILDCARE OPTIONS.

>> EXCEPT THE STATE ISN'T PAIN CURRENT CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ON TIME.

THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES , OR DHS, DID NOT ANSWER WHEN I ASKED HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IMPACTED BY THIS, BUT THE SEIU UNION SAYS SEVERAL THOUSAND.

LATONYA MITCHELL SAYS SHE HASN'T BEEN PAID BY THE STATE SINCE NOVEMBER.

>> WE WANT TO BE MADE WHOLE.

WE DEMAND THAT A HARDSHIP PAYMENT ALSO BE MADE TO US FOR OUR LATE BILLS.

WE ARE ALSO ASKING THAT THEY GUARANTEE A PAY DATE.

>> THIS IS NOT ALL CHILDCARE WORKERS AND VENDORS IN ILLINOIS.

THIS INVOLVES THOSE WHO ARE PART OF THE STATE CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, IN WHICH ILLINOIS PAYS PROVIDERS A FEE FOR CARING FOR CHILDREN FROM LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

BUT DHS SAYS A TECHNICAL ISSUE IMPACTED PAYMENT PROCESSING.

PROVIDER DEBORAH MURPHY SAYS FIXING THAT IS A MATTER OF RESPECT.

>> IF THEY GIVE US RESPECT WE WILL HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED, BECAUSE THEY KNOW IN THAT RESPECT WE WANT THE SAME THINGS THEY WANT WHEN THEY GET THERE CHECK.

WE WANT TO FEED OUR FAMILY.

WE WANT TO PAY OUR BILLS ON TIME.

WE DON'T WANT TO INCUR NO LATE FEES BECAUSE OF WHAT SOMEONE ELSE DIDN'T DO, AND THEY LOOK AT YOU AND SAY OH WELL, SORRY.

SORRY WON'T DO.

I CAN'T TELL MY BILL COLLECTOR SORRY.

>> WHILE DAYCARE CENTERS COULD BE IMPACTED BY THE DELAYS, THE CHILDCARE WORKERS UNION SAYS THOSE ARE LARGER BUSINESSES AND THEY OFTEN ARE RECEIVING OTHER GRANTS, SO THEY'RE ABLE TO GET BY.

BUT THOSE WHO RUN SMALLER DAYCARE CENTERS OUT OF THEIR HOMES ARE NOT REIMBURSED ENOUGH.

THEY ALSO DON'T HAVE SAVINGS AND CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS PAYCHECKS.

ILLINOIS REQUIRES DAY CARES TO HAVE INSURANCE BUT PROVIDER TOSHA BARR SAYS WITH THE DELAY, SHE'S BEHIND ON HER BILLS.

>> I RECEIVED A CANCELLATION LETTER SAYING THAT MY DAY CARE INSURANCE HAS BEEN CANCELED BECAUSE I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PAY MY BILLS .

AS OF TODAY, MY DAY CARE IS NOT COVERED, AND I AM IN COMPLIANT DUE TO DCFS STANDARDS.

THIS GLITCH HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER TWO DECADES.

>> HUNDREDS OF CHILDCARE PROVIDER SIGNED A POSITION TO ASK DHS TO TAKE ACTION.

THEY WANT A NEW SYSTEM SO THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

ALSO, THEY WANT HARDSHIP PAYMENTS.

DHS DID NOT ANSWER WHETHER EITHER OF THOSE ARE OPTIONS THEY ARE WORKING ON, INSTEAD SENDING A STATEMENT SAYING IT IS DEDICATING EVERY AVAILABLE RESOURCE TO ADDRESSING THE BACKLOG .

WE HAVE CORRECTED THE TECHNICAL ISSUE, COMMUNICATED WITH PROVIDERS, AND ARE MOVING PAYMENTS THROUGH THE PROCESS AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

HE APOLOGIZED FOR THE HARDSHIP THE BACKLOG HAS CAUSED AND AS ALWAYS, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR PROVIDERS, THE AGENCY SAYS.

DHS SAYS THAT THE COMPTROLLER HAS IN FACT TIES PAYMENTS TO CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND PAYMENTS WILL BE PROCESSED IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT BY THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.

BUT THE COMPTROLLER SAYS IT CURRENTLY HAS NO DELAYS IN PAYING BILLS.

THERE JUST A REGULAR NINE DAY TURNAROUND TIME, AND IT HAS ZERO CHILDCARE PAYMENTS THAT ARE WAITING TO BE PAID OUT.

PROVIDERS SAY THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE DEALT WITH A GLITCH.

THEY'RE NOT ALONE AND SAY THAT IT'S ACTUALLY A RECURRING ISSUE , AND IT'S ONE THAT CHILDCARE WORKERS SAY FOLKS SHOULD NOT EXPECT.

>> STRESS RELIEF IS BECAUSE OF CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.

PARENTS ARE STRESS-FREE BECAUSE THEY HAVE QUALIFIED DAYCARE PROVIDERS TO TAKE THEIR CHILDREN TO.

I HAVE TWO CHILDREN HERE, AND THEIR PARENTS ARE IN THE COMMUNITY OF ILLINOIS.

IF WE DO NOT STAND TOGETHER AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR PAYMENT SYSTEM IS WORKING FOR THE CHILDCARE SYSTEM, THEN THE ILLINOIS WORKERS OF ILLINOIS WILL NOT BE WORKING.

>> AND IN FACT, THE UNION SAYS THAT MANY CHILDCARE WORKERS GOT OUT OF THE SYSTEM DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT DOES APPEAR TO BE ON ITS WAY TO GETTING RESOLVED , PER THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.

SOME OF THE PROVIDERS, MURPHY IS AMONG THEM, HAVE BEEN PAID BY THE STATE IN DECEMBER AS WELL AS THIS MONTH, SO IT IS NOT CLEAR IF THOSE PAYMENTS WERE MADE IN FULL , AND PARIS, THE SEIU UNION DID NOT SAY DEFINITIVELY WHETHER THIS IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THEY BARGAIN OVER, BUT ONE WOULD THINK IT IS AMONG THOSE THEY ARGUE TO NEGOTIATE A NEW CONTRACT.

>> WE JUST WONDER WHY THESE GLITCHES KEEP OCCURRING.

SEEMS TO BE AN UNANSWERED QUESTION.

>>> NOW TO BRANDIS AND SAFETY CONCERNS IN LITTLE VILLAGE.

>> STREET VENDORS IN LITTLE VILLAGE ARE PLEADING FOR HELP AFTER AN INCREASE IN ROBBERIES.

VENDORS SAY THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE LAST NOVEMBER.

THEY RALLIED IN FRONT OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS, ASKING FOR MORE POLICE PRESENCE AND WARNING WHEN MANY VENDORS ARE OUT AS EARLY AS 4:00 A.M.

SELLING TAMALES.

AS THEY WAIT TO HEAR FROM THE CITY, VOLUNTEERS ARE COMING TOGETHER TO PROTECT THE VENDORS.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: STREET VENDORS SAY THEY ARE BEING TORMENTED.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: LAST WEEK MARGARITA MENENDEZ SAYS SHE WAS ROBBED AT GUNPOINT BY A GROUP OF MEN.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: WHEN ANGEL VALDES HEARD THE LITTLE VILLAGE COMMUNITY COUNCIL WAS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO WATCH OVER THE VENDORS, HE SIGNED UP.

>> IT'S AMAZING HOW BRAVE THEY ARE.

EVEN THIS HAPPENED YESTERDAY, YOU SEE THEM HERE THE NEXT DAY.

BECAUSE THEY NEED TO PROVIDE, JUST LIKE ALL OF US.

>> Reporter: HE'S A MEMBER OF THE BROWN PEREZ, A NATIONAL CHICANO ORGANIZATION AIMED AT PROTECTING NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE LITTLE VILLAGE.

>> TO ME IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE I KNOW THEY'RE VERY VULNERABLE.

THERE'S PEOPLE THAT COME FROM MEXICO, FROM LATIN AMERICA, AND YOU KNOW, NOBODY SUPPORTS THEM.

>> Reporter: THE BROWN BERET MEMBERS TAKE TURNS WITH OTHER VOLUNTEERS, DRIVING AROUND AND CHECKING IN ON THE VENDORS THROUGHOUT THE MORNING.

>> WE JUST CREATE A WHATSAPP GROUP AND ALL OF THEM ARE IN IT.

THEY SAY GUYS, BE CAREFUL.

>> Reporter: ALONG 26th STREET, WE SPOKE WITH MARIA VELASQUEZ, A STREET VENDOR WHO SAYS SHE WAS ROBBED MULTIPLE TIMES LAST YEAR.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: BUT VENDORS LIKE VELASQUEZ ARE LOOKING FOR A PLAN OF ACTION FROM THE CITY.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: VALDES, WHO ALSO LIVES IN LITTLE VILLAGE, SAYS HIRING SECURITY IS AN OPTION.

>> IT'S MORE LIKE TO PULL A GROUP OF WORKERS DOING THEIR FULL-TIME AND GET PAID.

NOT BY THE VENDORS, BY THE RESOURCES THAT THE CITY HAS.

>> Reporter: THE ALDERMAN SAYS THE CITY HAS THE FUNDS TO ESTABLISH A VIABLE SOLUTION TO PROTECT STREET VENDORS.

>> THE CITY OF CHICAGO JUST APPROVED ONE OF THE LARGEST BUDGETS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO, $16.4 BILLION.

WE KNOW THE LATEST REPORT THAT JUST A LITTLE, 10% OF THE MONEY HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE FUNDS GO OUT THERE TO SEVERAL COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: IN THE MEANTIME, VALDES SAYS THEY WILL BE OUT AS MUCH AS THEY CAN TO SUPPORT THE VENDORS.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE OUR VOICES TO BE HEARD, SO THAT THE MAYOR AND WHOEVER IT NEEDS TO BE, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

THEY DO IT, AND AGAIN, USE THEIR RESOURCES, BECAUSE THEY NEED TO BE USED FOR THIS TYPE OF THING.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> VENDORS SAY THEY'LL BE MEETING WITH THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT 10th DISTRICT FOR THE SECOND TIME AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

THEY'RE HOPING CPD HAS A CLEAR STRATEGY.

>>> UP NEXT, THE STATUS OF THE PANDEMIC THREE YEARS AFTER CHICAGO'S FIRST COVID CASE.

>>> WHAT SHOULD THE CITY BE DOING BETTER TO SUPPORT BLACK CHICAGOANS WHO ARE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF HATE CRIMES?

>> CLASSIC CHICAGO, WE WORK IN SILOS SO THE LEFT HAND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT HAND DOING AND THE CONSTITUENCY LEFT OUT IS IMPORTANT.

>> POWER IS THE VOICE.

THE POWER IS THE NUMBERS.

THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE, THE ABILITY TO SWAY ELECTIONS IS THE POWER.

>> Reporter: IT WAS THREE YEARS AGO TODAY THAT THE FIRST CASE OF COVID-19 WAS CONFIRMED IN CHICAGO.

SINCE THEN, 4 MILLION PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THE VIRUS, AND IT'S KILLED 36,000 PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE.

WHILE THE DAYS OF BEING LOCKED DOWN INSIDE OUR HOMES ARE LONG OVER, IT APPEARS THE PANDEMIC STILL ISN'T.

JOINING US TO LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE WITH COVID ARE DR. SUSAN BLEASE DALE, CHIEF QUALITY OFFER FOR UI HEALTH AND ASSISTANT VICE CHANCELLOR FOR QUALITY AND PATIENT SAFETY FOR UIC, AND DR. SAMEER MORA, DIRECTOR OF THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

WELCOME BACK TO YOU BOTH.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU IN STUDIO.

TAKE US BACK THREE YEARS AGO TO THIS DAY.

FIRST CASE OF COVID-19 IN CHICAGO.

ONLY THE SECOND CASE IN THE COUNTRY AT THE TIME.

WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR HEAD AS A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL?

>> A LITTLE BIT OF ANXIETY AT THAT POINT, BUT I THINK WE WERE ALREADY STARTING TO THINK ABOUT IT.

IN MY FIELD, I'M AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE PHYSICIAN.

WE WERE ALREADY LISTENING TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN CHINA.

WE WERE THINKING THAT WE NEED TO BE READY.

WE HAD THE FIRST CASE IN WASHINGTON STATE, AND WE REALLY KNEW THAT SOON AFTER WE WOULD SEE OTHERS AROUND THE UNITED STATES, BECAUSE WE'RE A GLOBAL ECONOMY, WE ARE A GLOBAL TRAVEL, AND WE WERE NOT SURPRISED.

BUT WE HAD A LOT THAT WE DIDN'T KNOW YET, SO I THINK THERE WAS A LOT OF ANXIETY AND UNCERTAINTY, BUT WE LEARNED VERY QUICKLY.

WE LEARNED OVER TIME, AND HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED FROM THREE YEARS AGO TO NOW, I THINK WE'VE LEARNED A LOT ON WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO HELP US BE READY AND TO HELP US TO LIVE WITH THE PANDEMIC.

BECAUSE WE'RE NOT OUT.

>> WE ARE NOT OUT.

DR. LAURA, FAST FORWARDING TO TODAY, WHERE WOULD YOU SAY ILLINOIS IS NOW WITH COVID-19 CASES AND DEATHS?

>> I THINK AS DR. BLAISDELL SAID, WE ARE IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE, BUT THAT COVID-19 TOOK STILL THE LIVES OF 200 ILLINOISANS IN DECEMBER, AND IT'S MORE DEATHS THAN EBOLA TOOK IN THE ENTIRE WORLD .

AND MOST OF THOSE DEATHS STILL ARE PREVENTABLE.

BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO CARRY, THAT WE HAVE SO MANY MORE EFFECTIVE TOOLS NOW IN 2023, THAN WE HAD IN 2020, AND EVEN MORE POWERFUL, WE HAVE THAT KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, AND WE KNOW WHAT CAN PROTECT US .

A VACCINE AND TIMELY TESTS.

A PILL, A MASK.

THE AIR FILTER, KEEPING THAT WINDOW OPEN OR JUST STAYING HOME IF SICK.

SO HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO BE VIGILANT, TO PROTECT OURSELVES, PRESERVE HOSPITAL CAPACITY, AND PROTECT OUR LOVED ONES, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE MOST VULNERABLE FOR SERIOUS ILLNESS?

>> DR. BLAISDELL, WOULD YOU SAY WE MOVED TO THE POINT OF COVID-19 BEING ENDEMIC, AND AT WHAT POINT WOULD THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SAY THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC IS OVER?

>> I DON'T THINK WE'RE THERE YET, AND I THINK THAT LIKE HAS BEEN HIGHLIGHTED, THERE'S MANY THINGS THAT WE LEARNED, BUT THROUGH THIS RECENT RESPIRATORY SEASON, WE SAW SIGNIFICANT INCREASES.

WE SAW INCREASES IN HOSPITALIZATION.

THANKFULLY, BECAUSE OF VACCINES, WE DIDN'T SEE THE SAME NUMBER OF DEATHS THAT WE HAD SEEN IN PREVIOUS SURGES.

SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO STILL HIGHLIGHT THAT WE NEED PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED, TO BE PROTECTED, TO IMPROVE OUR HOSPITAL CAPACITY.

BUT WE ARE NOT THERE YET.

WE ARE LEARNING TO LIVE WITH IT, BUT WE ARE NOT OUT OF THE PANDEMIC YET.

WE ARE STILL SEEING STRAINS AND INCREASES ON OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

>> THE FDA IS LOOKING INTO BEGINNING TO OFFER AN ANNUAL COVID VACCINE, WITHOUT THE REQUIREMENT OF HAVING HAD THAT INITIAL DOSE OR THAT INITIAL SERIES.

SIMILAR TO THE FLU, WHAT EFFECT MIGHT THAT HAVE ON -- OBVIOUSLY ON THE VIRUS AND ITS ABILITY TO SPREAD?

WOULD THAT MAKE IT EASIER TO GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO MAKE IT EASIER TO GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED.

BECAUSE THE WAY THE MOST RECENT BIVALENT VACCINE WAS STUDIED, WAS STUDIED AS A BOOSTER.

IT'S REALLY REEVALUATING IT, AND IT CAN BE EVALUATED AND LIKELY BE VERY SAFE, CAN BE A PRIMARY SERIES.

IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO GET VACCINATED AGAINST THE WILD -TYPE FIRST STRAIN NOW, BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT'S CIRCULATING.

WE WANT TO VERY QUICKLY BE ABLE TO ADAPT AND GIVE VACCINE LIKE WE GIVE VACCINE FOR THE FLU, WHERE IF IT'S YOUR FIRST VACCINE, IT'S YOUR FIRST VACCINE, AND MAYBE WHEN YOU START A SERIES, WHATEVER THAT CURRENT SERIES IS FOR THE SEASON, WE STILL MAY NEED TWO DOSES TO GET BETTER PROTECTION, BUT WE LIKELY WON'T NEED THAT VERY FIRST SERIES OF THE VERY FIRST VACCINES THAT WE CAME OUT WITH.

>> THE PANDEMIC CLEARLY, OBVIOUSLY ILLUMINATED RACIAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC INEQUITIES IN OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

WHAT MORE CHANGES DO YOU THINK ARE NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THOSE INEQUITIES?

>> I THINK FIRST AND FOREMOST, HOW IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTING THOSE INEQUITIES IS, AND I THINK SOMETHING THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO MY PREDECESSOR, DR. SEK, IMPORTANT TO ME, AND OF COURSE IMPORTANT TO GOVERNOR PRITZKER, IS REALLY FIGURING OUT HOW WE CAN SORT OF CHANGE THE SYSTEM IN WHICH WE THINK ABOUT OUR HEALTH, TO REALLY PROMOTE HEALTH EQUITY.

AND PART OF THAT ROLE IS TO REALLY , ONE, BE ABLE TO BETTER COMMUNICATE TO COMMUNITIES AROUND SORT OF SPECIFIC CHALLENGES, BUT ALSO OPEN UP OUR PUBLIC SYSTEMS AND PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE, TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SERVING THOSE THAT NEED TO BE SERVED.

AND THAT'S A CRITICAL MISSION THAT THE ENTIRE HEALTH SYSTEM NEEDS TO EVOLVE INTO.

I THINK COVID SHINED THAT LIGHT AND IT REALLY PUT THAT PRESSURE AND THAT IMMEDIACY OF DOING ALL THAT WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT ALL ASPECTS OF HEALTHCARE , FROM ACCESS, TO COMMUNICATION, TO PREVENTION, TO TREATMENT WITHIN THAT EQUITABLE LENS, AND REALLY FOCUS ON THOSE RACIAL, CULTURAL, AND SOCIOECONOMIC EXPERIENCE.

>> THE PANDEMIC FIRST MANY OF US TO CHANGE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK MAYBE SOME OF THE LONG-LASTING PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC, FOR BETTER OR WORSE?

>> I THINK FOR BETTER, WE DID LEARN SO MUCH.

THE POWER OF DATA, UNDERSTANDING EQUITY FROM THE BEGINNING OF HOW WE DESIGN OUR PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS.

AND THEN THOSE LESSONS I THINK WE WERE ABLE TO ADAPT AND WE WERE ABLE TO THINK THROUGH ALL THOSE DIFFERENT DISEASES, AND THE WAY THAT WE WORK THROUGH AND POSSIBLY KNOW THE VIRUS, HOW WE THOUGHT ABOUT THE GLOBAL CHALLENGES AROUND EBOLA.

BUT I THINK ONE OF THOSE THINGS WE DO NEED TO CONTINUE TO LEARN AND DO BETTER IN, IN PUBLIC HEALTH, IS AROUND COMMUNICATION, AND HOW WE CAN TAKE SOME OF THOSE LESSONS THAT I KNOW WE THINK ABOUT, AND DR. BLAISDELL THINGS ABOUT CLINICALLY, ABOUT HOW WE CAN CREATE THOSE AUTHENTIC MOMENTS TO REALLY SHARE THE BEST EVIDENCE AND THE MOST TIMELY WAY, TO UNDERSTAND WHERE PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS, AND TO ADDRESS THEM AND ANSWER THEM AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, AND CONTINUE TO BE HONEST AND TRANSPARENT, SO THAT WE CAN DO WHAT WE ALL WANT TO DO.

WE KEEP OURSELVES AND OUR LOVED ONES HEALTHY.

THAT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME PURPOSEFUL ENGAGEMENT BUT IT'S A REAL POSSIBILITY THAT THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT TO GET THERE.

>> THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

I LEAVE IT TO YOU, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>>> A LOCAL BOOKSTORE OPENS A NEW LOCATION FOR ITS READERS.

WE TAKE A PEEK INSIDE, RIGHT AFTER THE WEATHER.

>>> A LOCAL NONPROFIT IS CELEBRATING THE EXPANSION OF ITS LITERARY REIT WITH A NEW BOOKSTORE IN LOGAN SQUARE.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT H ALITO TAKES US TO A NEW CHICAGO VACATION THAT'S BEEN MORE THAN A YEAR IN THE MAKING.

>> IT'S A REALLY GREAT WAY TO BE TRANSPORTED TO A NEW WORLD.

IT'S KIND OF HARD IN THE CURRENT WORLD, SO IT'S NICE TO TAKE A STEP BACK, TAKE SOME TIME FOR YOURSELF AND EXPLORE.

>> Reporter: THAT'S THE MISSION OF THE CHICAGO NONPROFIT, OPEN BOOK , TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO WHAT THEY SAY IS THE BASIC BUILDING BLOCK TO LIFE SUCCESS.

>> READING IS FUNDAMENTAL.

IT'S A SAYING THAT'S BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS, SO I DON'T THINK I HAVE MUCH MORE TO ADD TO THAT SIMPLEST OF IDEAS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO VARIOUS SPACES.

TO BE THINKING ABOUT ALL THE LITTLE PLACES WHERE LITERACY AND READING SHOWS UP.

THAT'S A HUGE FOCAL POINT FOR US AND WHY WE STRESS THE NEED FOR READING AT ALL TIMES.

>> Reporter: LOGAN SQUARE IS THE NONPROFIT'S THIRD CHICAGO LOCATION.

THE GROUP LEARNED MANY OF THEIR SHOPPERS WERE COMMUTING FROM THE NORTHWEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A BIG FAN OF THE WEST LOOP LOCATION AND ALL I EVER WANTED WAS ONE THAT WAS CLOSER TO ME.

>> THE BEST BOOKSTORE IN CHICAGO TO GET BOOKS.

>> I AM ON A SMALL BUDGET.

>> ELEANOR DAVIS, FAVORITE COMIC ARTIST.

THEY ALSO HAVE THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO PRINT AND PRINTMAKING, AS I AM A PRINTMAKER.

>> Reporter: THE DONATION MODEL ALLOWS THE ORGANIZATION TO OFFER READS AT CHEAPER RATES THAN BIGGER BOOKSTORES, AND DESPITE THE GROWING POPULARITY OF THE READERS AND TABLETS, OPEN BOOK SAYS ITS INTENDED TARGET AUDIENCE CONTINUES TO SHOW UP .

>> WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE READING HOWEVER THEY'RE READING.

IT COULD BE OLD-FASHIONED MAGAZINES.

IT COULD BE THEIR TABLET.

IT COULD BE THE RECIPE THAT THEY ARE READING WITH THEIR CHILDREN AS THEY'RE COOKING IN THEIR KITCHEN.

SO WHEREVER PEOPLE FIND THINGS TO READ, WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THOSE HABITS, ESPECIALLY WITHIN HOMES, AND AS IT IMPACTS CHILDREN ESPECIALLY, SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT READING AND LITERACY MEANS FROM AN EARLY AGE.

>> Reporter: THEIR READERS AGREE.

>> HAVING SOMETHING MORE TANGIBLE, THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT IT THAT HELPS ME CONNECT MORE TO IT AND RETAIN, RATHER THAN LOOK AT IT IN THE SCREEN.

>> WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT READING IN GENERAL?

>> I THINK IT'S MORE NOSTALGIA.

I USED TWO HATE IT.

THOUGHT IT WAS MORE LIKE PUNISHMENT WHEN I WAS A KID, AND NOW IT'S PROMISING.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" ON ANGEL ITO.

>> YOU CAN VISIT OR DONATE BOOKS TO ANY OF THE OPEN BOOKS LOCATIONS IN TILSON AND WEST LOOP AND MOUNT LOGAN SQUARE.

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

DON'T FORGET, YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, AND OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

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

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT THE CLOCK.

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

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD EVENING.