>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TODAY.

THE STORABLE, BRUTAL VIDEO FROM MEMPHIS ON THE TYRE NICHOLS CASE.

>>> WHY BLIND PEDESTRIANS SAY THAT THE CITY'S FAILURE TO UPDATE SIGNAGE IS HOLDING THEM BACK.

>>> WE TALK WITH PUBLIC HOUSING.

>>> AND AN EXHIBITION SHOWING WORK FROM LOCAL ART STUDIOS.

>>> BUT FIRST, THE TOP STORY.

WE HAVE A WARNING THAT SOME OF THE VIDEO YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE IS QUITE GRAPHIC.

THIS IS VIDEO RELEASED BY MEMPHIS POLICE OF THE BRUTAL BEATING OF TYRE NICHOLS.

FIVE OFFICERS WERE FIRED AND CHARGED WITH SECOND-DEGREE MURDER FOR THE INCIDENT.

NICHOLS WAS PULLED OVER FOLLOWING AN ALLEGED TRAFFIC VIOLATION.

DURING THE ENCOUNTER, POLICE TRIED TO TASE HIM AS HE RAN.

THEN THEY BRUTALLY BEAT HIM, AS SEEN BY BOTH POLICE BODY CAMERA VIDEO AND VIDEO FROM OTHER PUBLIC CAMERAS.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT TODAY ASKED FOR PEACEFUL PROTESTS IN CHICAGO.

THE MAYOR SAID, IN PART, SEEING A BLACK MAN MURDERED BY POLICE WILL ALWAYS SPARK OUTRAGE AND DESPAIR.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO CHANNEL THESE EMOTIONS AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO HOLD ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF ETHICAL, PROFESSIONAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL INTEGRITY.

WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THIS IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS.

>>> ENVIRONMENTALISTS IN SKOKIE PROPOSED AGAINST A CAR DEALER AND MAY HAVE WON FOR NOW.

THE SITE PLAN APPROVAL HAS NOW EXPIRED SINCE IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN SIX MONTHS.

IT IS THE LATEST SETBACK FOR CARR VONA.

CARVANA CAN REAPPLY FOR A PERMIT AT A LATER TIME.

>>> A NEW HELPLINE IS ONLINE FOR COOK COUNTY RESIDENTS LOOKING TO FIND DISCOUNTS ON HOUSING AND FOOD.

JUST TEXT 211.

>> 211 IS A SIMPLE, EASY TO REMEMBER NUMBER THAT ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO CONNECT DIRECTLY WITH A TRAINED RESOURCE NAVIGATOR WHO WILL TALK WITH THEM ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCING, WHAT CHALLENGES THEY ARE FACING, AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO HELP THEM.

>> THE COUNTY PARTNERED WITH UNITED WAY OF CHICAGO AS WELL AS THE STATE AND CITY OF CHICAGO IN ORDER TO CONNECT RESIDENTS WITH EXPENSIVE SOCIAL SERVICES.

COORDINATOR'S STRESS THAT IT DOES NOT REPLACE 911 OR 311.

>>> HERE WE GO AGAIN.

COLD, BLUSTERY, SWIRLING SNOW OVER THE WEEKEND.

THERE IS A CHANCE THE PARTS OF THE REGION COULD SEE AS MUCH AS HALF A FOOT OF SNOW WITH A LOT MORE EXPECTED TO THE NORTH.

THAT IS ON TOP OF LAKE EFFECT SNOW AND HAS BECOME THE ROUTINE.

THE BIGGER THREAT MIGHT BE BLOWING SNOW CAUSED BY HEAVY WIND GUSTS.

BUNDLE UP!

>> OR BUCKLE UP!

>> THAT TOO, IF YOU ARE GOING ANYWHERE!

>>> LATER IN THE PROGRAM, A LOOK AT THE BATTLE OVER SAFE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR BLIND PEDESTRIANS.

>>> BUT IN JUST A MOMENT WE EXPLORE THE DEADLY POLICE SHOOTING OF TYRE NICHOLS IN MEMPHIS.

THAT IS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> VIDEO RELEASED THIS EVENING OF THE BEATING DEATH OF MEMPHIS MOTORIST TYRE NICHOLS IS RAISING NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OVER POLICING.

>> THE CASE IN THE VIDEO HAS MEMPHIS AND CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY INCLUDING CHICAGO BRACING FOR A VIOLENT REACTION.

>> JOINING US IS A PROFESSOR FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LAW SCHOOL, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR AND FORMER CHIEF OF THE POLICE PURVIEW AUTHORITY, AND CREATED THE SUCCESSOR, THE OFFICE OF POLICE OFFICER ACCOUNTABILITY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE SEEN THE VIDEO.

WE HAVE BOTH SEEN IT.

FROM ONE MOM TO ANOTHER, WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO SEEING THIS VIDEO?

>> IT WAS HEART WRENCHING.

IT WAS HEART WRENCHING JUST HEARING HIM SHOUTING FOR HIS MOM.

CLEARLY THIS HAPPENED VERY CLOSE TO HER HOME, AND TO HEAR HIM SHOUTING, IT BROKE MY HEART.

>> WHAT DOES IT TELL YOU THAT THIS HAPPENED DESPITE POLICE USING BODY CAMS AND TASERS?

THESE ARE THINGS THAT HAVE COME IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS IN RESPONSE TO POLICE MISCONDUCT, YET WE STILL SEE WHAT HAPPENED TONIGHT.

>> I THINK IT SHOWS THAT WE STILL HAVE A WAYS TO GO WHEN IT COMES TO POLICE REFORM, WHEN IT COMES TO TRAINING ON USE OF FORCE AND ENFORCEMENT, USE OF FORCE POLICIES AND ALSO INTERVENING.

THAT IS AT ISSUE HERE, ALONG WITH IN THE GEORGE FLOYD INCIDENT.

>> WHAT IS THE ROLE OF RACE HERE?

PREVIOUS INCIDENTS TALKED ABOUT RACE.

IN THIS INSTANCE, ALL OF THE OFFICERS CHARGED ARE BLACK, AND SIMILARLY IN THE FREDDIE GRAY CASE IN BALTIMORE, SEVERAL OF THE OFFICERS WERE BLACK.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF RACE IN POLICING HERE?

>> YES, WELL, WE KNOW -- >> SHARON, DID WE LOSE YOU?

>> YES, IT IS DEFINITELY COLLOCATED.

WE TEND TO THINK OF -- WE TEND TO THINK OF THE ISSUE OF POLICING BEING RACIALLY MOTIVATED.

BUT HERE WE HAVE A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE BLACK OFFICERS AND A BLACK VICTIM, SO CLEARLY THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH POLICING.

I THINK IT IS BECAUSE WE ARE STILL WORKING TO ADDRESS THE US VERSUS THEM MENTALITY WHEN IT COMES TO POLICING.

THAT IS A STRUGGLE THAT WE ARE CONSTANTLY DEALING WITH.

>> SHARON, WHEN YOU THINK OF WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE LAQUAN McDONALD SITUATION, CHARGES DIDN'T COME FOR MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER IT HAPPENED.

THIS WAS AFTER COMMUNITY PRESSURE FOR RELEASE OF THE VIDEO THAT THE MAYOR HAD FOUGHT TO KEEP PRIVATE.

SO COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE QUICK REACTION HERE VERSUS WHAT HAPPENED THEN.

>> THIS IS VERY, VERY DIFFERENT.

WE -- WHAT WE SEE HAPPENING IS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING ACTION HERE DID SO VERY QUICKLY.

A MATTER OF DAYS INSTEAD OF WEEKS OR MONTHS.

THE DEPARTMENT TOOK ACTION BY INVESTIGATING, USING THE POWER OF THE MINISTRY OF INVESTIGATION, THEN FIRING OFFICERS.

THE STATE'S ATTORNEY OF COURSE BROUGHT CHARGES.

THIS HAPPENED WAY MORE QUICKLY THAN WE HAVE SEEN IT HAPPEN IN MOST CASES.

>> SHARON, SECONDARY MURDER CHARGES FOR THOSE FIVE OFFICERS.

ARE THOSE THE RIGHT CHARGES?

AND WHERE DOES THIS GO NEXT?

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

>> AGAIN, I AM NOT AN EXPERT ON CRIMINAL LAW.

THE PRACTICE MOSTLY IN FEDERAL COURT.

BUT BASED ON A BRIEF LOOK AT THE STATUTE MYSELF, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE STATE'S ATTORNEY DID CHARGE THE MOST SERIOUS CHARGE THAT WAS APPROPRIATE BASED ON THE CONDUCT THAT WAS SEEN.

BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT CHARGES CAN CHANGE OVER TIME AS THE CASE DEVELOPS, AS THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES AND AS THE CASE PREPARES FOR TRIAL.

SO IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE CHARGES MAY CHANGE OVER TIME.

BUT IT DOES SEEM TO BE THAT THE MOST SERIOUS CHARGES WERE BROUGHT.

>> SHARON FAIRLY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>>> UP NEXT, YOU MAY TAKE CROSSING THE STREET FOR GRANTED.

BUT FOR THE BLIND, IT IS NOT SO EASY IN CHICAGO.

WE HAVE THE STORY RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

>> THE POWER IS THE VOICE.

THE POWERS THE NUMBERS.

THE POWER IS THE PEOPLE.

THE ABILITY TO SWAY ELECTIONS IS THE POWER.

>>> THE CITY OF CHICAGO'S EFFORTS TO MAKE INTERSECTIONS ACCESSIBLE TO BLIND PEDESTRIANS ARE MOVING AT A SNAILS PACE.

LAST MARCH, THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IT WAS PREPARING TO INSTALL ABOUT 160 PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS IN 2022 IN 2023.

SO FAR THEY HAVEN'T EVEN COME CLOSE.

THE CITY IS STILL FACING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OVER ITS FAILURE TO MAKE INTERSECTIONS ACCESSIBLE FOR THE ESTIMATED 65,000 CHICAGOANS WITH VISUAL DISABILITY.

FAITH BLUMBERG HAS THE STORY.

>> I WANT TO GO PLACES.

I WANT TO BE DEPENDENT.

I DON'T WANT TO BE DEPENDENT ON OTHER PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: AND YU RASH IS PART OF A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT HOPING TO MAKE INTERSECTIONS ACCESSIBLE.

>> I WANT TO BE ABLE TO CROSS THE STREET SAFELY.

I HAVE LOST A LOT OF THE BLINDNESS SKILLS THAT I HAD BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, BECAUSE YOU NEED TO USE THEM EVERY DAY IN ORDER TO KEEP CURRENT.

>> Reporter: RASH AND OTHER ADVOCATES SAY THAT THE ANSWER IS ACCESSIBLE INTERSECTIONS.

WHEN A BLIND PEDESTRIAN REACHES AN INTERSECTION, THEY PRESS A BUTTON.

AN AUDIO ALERT TELLS YOU WHEN IT IS SAFE TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION.

AN ARROW HELPS ORIENT YOU, AND THE VOICE TELLS YOU WHEN IT IS SAFE TO CROSS.

IN THE ABSENCE OF ACCESSIBLE SIGNALS, BLIND PEDESTRIANS WAIT FOR TRAFFIC PARALLEL TO THEM TO KEEP MOVING.

>> IN AN ENVIRONMENT LIKE CHICAGO WHERE THERE ARE SO MANY DISTRACTIONS, EVEN IF YOU ARE ABLE TO LISTEN TO PARALLEL TRAFFIC, I IMAGINE THAT THAT IS BY NO MEANS A SURE BET.

>> IT IS NOT.

IT IS VERY DIFFICULT, BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER THINGS GOING ON.

FOR EXAMPLE, RIGHT NOW ACROSS THE ROAD, CARS ARE GOING ACROSS A BRIDGE.

SO YOU HAVE THE BRIDGE NOISES, AND YOU HAVE MUSICIANS ON THE STREET AND YOU HAVE L TRAINS AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE TALKING.

SO IT IS VERY DIFFICULT.

>> Reporter: WTTW NEWS 1st INTRODUCED YOU TO ANNE RASH WHEN A JUDGE ALLOWED THIS TO MOVE FORWARD AS A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT.

AT THE TIME, THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAID THAT IT WAS PLANNING TO INSTALL ABOUT 150 OF THESE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS IN 2022 IN 2023.

SINCE THEN, THE DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT IT HAS ADDED JUST NINE, ONE OF WHICH WAS UPGRADED FROM AN EXISTING SIGNAL.

THEY SAID THERE ARE MORE THAN 150 INTERSECTIONS THAT NEED TO BE REDEVELOPED.

>> THE CITY HAS NOT TAKEN THE TIME TO INVEST IN THE ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS.

>> Reporter: THE ATTORNEY REPRESENT THE PLAINTIFFS WHO HAVE FILED TO HAVE THE JUDGE BRING THE CASE TO TRIAL.

>> WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN NEGOTIATE A PROPER PLAN.

>> Reporter: THE COMMITTEE DECLINED TO COMMENT ON PENDING LITIGATION.

IT ALSO ASKED THE JUDGE TO RULE OUT THE TRIAL.

IN A COUNTER FILING, THE CITY SAID THAT THE A.D.A.

ONLY REQUIRES EQUIVALENT SIGNALS, NOT A REPLACEMENT OF ALL SIGNALS.

>> THEY SAY THAT IF A PERSON CAN GET ACROSS THE STREET IN ANY WAY AT ALL, THEN THAT IS FINE.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE DISAGREE WITH.

>> Reporter: THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AGREES, TOO.

IT HAS JOINED THE CASE IN SUPPORT OF THE PLAINTIFFS.

IN A COURT FILING, THEY CALLED CHICAGO'S COMPLEMENT OF ACCESSIBLE SIGNALS " APPALLINGLY SMALL."

AND THEY ALSO SAY THAT THE PLANS TO INSTALL NEW SIGNALS HAS A MATERIALIZE.

>> IT IS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING.

>> Reporter: THE CITY'S LAWSUIT ALSO HAS NOT BEEN CHEAP.

RECORDS OBTAINED BY WTTW NEWS SAID THAT CHICAGO HAS SPENT MORE THAN 1.6 MILLION DOLLARS SO FAR AND OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS BASED ON COST ESTIMATES FROM THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.

THAT MONEY COULD HAVE PAID FOR AS MANY AS 32 NEW ACCESSIBLE SIGNALS.

NOT ONLY IS THIS DEEPLY PERSONAL FOR RASH, BUT NEARLY STRUCK BY A BUS SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN SHE STARTED CROSSING THE STREET AT THE WRONG TIME.

>> I DON'T KNOW OF A SIGHTED PERSON WHO WOULD WILLINGLY GO ACROSS THE STREET WITHOUT A TRAFFIC LIGHT.

THIS WILL GIVE US AN EQUAL FOOTING WITH SIGHTED PEOPLE IN THAT RESPECT.

THAT IS WHAT WE WANT.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM NICK BLUMBERG.

>> IN A STATEMENT ON THE PACE OF INSTALLATIONS, THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT SAYS, QUOTE, THE CITY OF CHICAGO RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS .

APS IS IMPACTED BY THE COMPLEXITY OF CURRENT INTERSECTIONS, IN ADDITION TO LONG LEAD TIMES ON MATERIALS AND SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES.

THE CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST CHICAGO FOLLOWS A SIMILAR CASE IN NEW YORK.

THE CITY IS COMMITTED TO MAKING 75% OF INTERSECTIONS ACCESSIBLE FOR PEDESTRIANS IN THE NEXT DECADE.

>>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS AND THE HEAD OF THE CHA.

BRANDIS?

>> THANK YOU.

THERE ARE LOTS OF QUESTIONS TOWARDS THE CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY ON HOW THEY ARE USING RESOURCES.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES IS CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY CEO TRACY SCOTT.

WELCOME IN.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> SO ON TUESDAY YOU TOLD THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE THAT CHICAGO WAS REACHING CAPACITY.

HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO PREVIOUS YEARS?

>> WE ARE DOING MUCH BETTER THAN PREVIOUS YEARS.

WE SERVE OVER 20,000 UNITS THAT THE CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY SUPPORTS IN THE CITY.

ONE OF EVERY 22 CHICAGOANS RECEIVES SOME HEIGHTENED SUPPORT.

SO WE LOOK AT OCCUPANCY, WE ARE LOOKING AT BUILDINGS THAT ARE OVER 50 YEARS OLD ON AVERAGE.

WE ARE MAKING MANY EFFORTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MAINTAINING THOSE BUILDINGS AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE HABITABLE.

>> WE WILL COME BACK TO THAT IN A LITTLE BIT.

THE HOMELESS COUNT SHOWS THAT NEARLY 3900 RESIDENTS ARE ON HOUSE.

HOW MUCH CAPACITY DOES CHA HAVE AVAILABLE?

>> WHEN IT COMES TO HOMELESSNESS, CHA WORKS AND PARTNERS WITH CONTINUOUS CARE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND HOUSING SUPPORT SERVICES DEALS WITH THOSE WHO ARE IN CRISIS.

CHA SUPPORTS THEM AS WELL AS THROUGH THE CONTINUUM OF CARE BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

THEY ALSO PROVIDE VOUCHERS AND A HOMELESSNESS PREFERENCE.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE SEEKING HOUSING, WE HAVE A WAITING LIST.

WE HAVE MULTIPLE WAITING LISTS, AS I TOLD THE CITY COUNCIL.

WHENEVER WE HAVE A UNIT THAT IS AVAILABLE, WE PULL FROM THE WAITING LIST.

>> THE CITY IS SURE ABOUT 150 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE HEARD FROM THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION THAT THEY ARE FALLING SHORT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

BY YOUR ACCOUNT, HOW MANY UNITS ARE YOU SHORT?

>> WELL, THE CITY IS SHORT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND THAT IS A NATIONAL CRISIS, NOT JUST THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

SO THERE ARE RESOURCES.

ONE, WE HAVE TO DO TWO THINGS.

ONE, WE HAVE TO ADD TWO MORE UNITS.

WE HAVE TO BUILD MORE.

THOSE RESOURCES TAKE MULTIPLE PARTNERSHIPS IN ORDER TO FINANCE, THEN WE ALSO HAVE TO PRESERVE THE UNITS THAT WE HAVE.

SO WHILE CHA PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES, WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE, AND WE ARE ALL WORKING TOWARDS MAINTAINING THAT.

>> AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAS BEEN BUILT OUT OF A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

IS THIS THE BEGINNING OF A LONG TIME, LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP FOR CHA TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING SHORTAGE?

>> WE ABSOLUTELY NEED PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERS.

I LIKE TO DESCRIBE IT AS PUBLIC-PUBLIC-PUBLIC, BECAUSE IT TAKES ALL THOSE PLAYERS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

WE WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, OTHER AGENCIES, THE STATE AND SOMEONE TO MAKE EVERY UNIT THAT WE ADD.

IT TAKES ALL THOSE PARTNERS.

>> WE HEARD FROM RESIDENTS OF THE ALBANY TERRACE APARTMENTS WHO SAY THAT THEIR HOUSING WAS UNSAFE.

WHAT IS YOUR AGENCY DOING TO MAINTAIN HOUSING, ESPECIALLY WITH A 50-YEAR-OLD BUILDING?

>> SAID DURING MY ADMINISTRATION, I HAVE EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN THE PORTFOLIO THAT WE HAVE.

IN DECEMBER I SIGNED THE PAPERS FOR A MOVING BOARD AT ALBANY TERRACE.

WE WILL BE INVESTING IN RENOVATING AND ADDRESSING ALL OF THE SYSTEMS ISSUES AS WELL AS ADDING MORE AMENITIES, INCLUDING A NEW ELEVATOR FOR RESIDENTS THERE.

SO WE DEFINITELY RECOGNIZE THE ISSUES AND WE INVEST WHERE WE CAN.

>> WHEN WILL YOU START ON THAT?

>> WE WILL START ON THE PROJECT SHORTLY.

WE EXPECT TO FINISH THAT PROJECT BY LATE 2024.

SO THEY WILL START TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE HERE SOON.

>> SO THE CHA DECISION HAS DRAWN SOME CRITICISM.

WHY DID THE CHA CONSIDER THAT A BETTER USE OF LAND THAN DEVOTING ALL THE LAND TO HOUSING?

>> THIS IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CHA AND CHICAGO FIRE TO REINVEST IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE LAND THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HAS BEEN VACANT FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

WHILE WE BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF WAYS THAT YOU CAN USE LAND, BY REINVESTING IN THIS COMMUNITY WE ARE ACTUALLY SUPPORTING BUILDING MORE HOUSING AND UPDATING THE HOUSING THAT IS CLOSE BY.

WE ABSOLUTELY WANT TO MAKE THAT COMMITMENT.

THE OTHER THING TO THINK ABOUT IS THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I AM AWARE OF, AT LEAST, THAT WE HAVE NEGOTIATED A MARKET RATE GROUND LEASE WITH CHICAGO FIRE.

THAT WILL BRING IN $1 MILLION A YEAR TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO REINVEST IN HOUSING INITIATIVES.

I DON'T KNOW THAT CHA HAS EVER DONE THAT BEFORE.

>> THE BIGGEST FUNDER IS OF COURSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, WHICH ACTUALLY TOOK OVER THE CHA IN 1995 OVER MISMANAGEMENT AND DETERIORATING BUILDINGS.

IS YOUR AGENCY GETTING ENOUGH SUPPORT FROM HUD TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS?

>> WELL, HUD IS OUR REGULATOR!

SO I WILL SAY THAT WE DO RECEIVE ABOUT 95% OF OUR BUDGET FROM HUD.

IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT THERE IS A NATIONAL DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN TERMS OF PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.

THEY CUT , VERY SLIGHTLY, BUT THEY CUT BACK ON CAPITAL THAT THEY ARE PROVIDING, WHICH IS WHAT WE USED TO MAINTAIN EXISTING HOUSING.

THEY HAVE MOVED TO EXPAND THE VOUCHER PROGRAM, WHICH HAS UNFORTUNATELY NOT COME THROUGH, BUT WHENEVER WE CAN INCREASE THAT TYPE OF FUNDING, THAT WILL BENEFIT CHICAGO.

>> HOW MANY WOULD SAY THAT THE CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY IS DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE FROM 22 YEARS AGO?

>> NOT TO BE SELF-SERVING, BUT I AM HERE AND I BELIEVE THAT I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN BUILDING SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE ARE INVESTING IN THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR 2023?

>> WE HAVE GOT ABOUT 2000 UNITS THAT ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION OVER THIS NEXT YEAR AND A HALF.

>> WHERE?

>> QUITE A FEW PROJECTS.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT BRINGING ON NEW UNITS AS WELL AS HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

>> TRACY SCOTT WITH THE CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE ARE BACK WITH MORE AFTER THIS.

>>> A GALLERY IN RIVER WEST IS LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE DESPITE THE COLD AND BLEW ME CHICAGO DAYS ON THE HORIZON.

THE OWNERS SAY THEY HOPE TO GIVE THE COMMUNITY A REASON TO CELEBRATE THIS SEASON THROUGH STORYTELLING.

>> Reporter: IT IS WITHIN THIS TRANSFORMED WINTER SEASON THAT 30 ARTISTS ARE BOTH EXAMINING AND CELEBRATING.

>> I AM EXCITED ABOUT BUILDING A COMMUNITY.

I THINK THIS SPACE HAS DONE THAT, ESPECIALLY IN THE COLDEST TIME WHEN NOT EVERYONE HERE AND EVERYONE IS TRAVELING.

I THINK THIS IS JUST CREATING A LITTLE SPACE HERE.

>> Reporter: AMONG THESE ARTISTS ARE STUDENTS AT THE CHICAGO ART INSTITUTE SUCH AS JACKIE PITINO.

>> I HOPE TO SHOW OFF MY LIVED EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING RELIGIOUS TRAUMA AND GROWING UP IN MY LATIN AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE RELIGIOUS HOUSEHOLD.

IF I LOSE THAT RELIGIOUS PART OF MYSELF, I ALSO LOSE A BIT OF MY CULTURE AND MY ETHNICITY.

THAT -- WHEN I THINK ABOUT OUR WORK, IT HELPS ME REGROUND MYSELF.

>> Reporter: FOR HER FIRST OFFICIAL ART SHOW, PITINO CREATED A PIECE THAT CELEBRATES HER ETHNICITY.

>> I DIDN'T HAVE A THEME FOR MY PAINTING A FEW WEEKS AGO.

I THOUGHT THAT THIS FIT PERFECTLY WITH WINTER AND WINTER DREAMS.

THIS IS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT ME IN THE PRESENT, LOOKING BACK INTO MY PAST MEMORIES AND TRYING TO RELIVE THEM AND ALSO TRY TO INFLUENCE THEM WITH NEW MEMORIES.

I HOPE THAT THE PIECE CAN KIND OF SHOW HOW THINGS ARE.

NOTHING IS ALWAYS BLACK AND WHITE WITH TRAUMA AND HEALING.

>> Reporter: BEHIND THE WALL IS AN INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT.

>> I LIKE APPROACHING PORTRAITS, BUT I AM WORKING WITH THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPACE AND GRADING ENVIRONMENTS THAT EVOKE EMOTION AND TAKE PEOPLE INTO A DREAM -LIKE ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: THERE IS ALSO SOME FUN AND INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES THAT MAKE IT APPROACHABLE.

>> WE WANT TO GET PEOPLE A DESTINATION AND AN EXPERIENCE IN AN AREA THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR NECESSARILY.

>> Reporter: FOR FOLKS WHO MAKE IT OUT TO THIS ART SHOW OR ANY SHOW DESPITE THE FRIGID TEMPS.

>> IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THE OPENING AND HOW MANY PEOPLE LOVE ART AND WHAT PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO GO THROUGH WITH THE COLD AND EVERYTHING JUST TO COME AND SEE ART.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM ANGEL ITO.

>> YOU CAN SEE WINTER DREAMS AT THE VERY SERIOUS GALLERY AT RIVER WEST.

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

>> JOIN US AGAIN ON CHICAGO TONIGHT FOR LATINA VOICES.

ALSO, ADVICE FOR HELPING TO TREAT CHILDHOOD OBESITY.

>> WE WILL BE ONE ON ONE WITH THE CONTROVERSIAL DETECTION COMPANY.

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

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND ENJOY THE WEEKEND.