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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

TONIGHT, A SPECIAL EDITION OF THE PROGRAM HELPING KICKOFF WTTW'S NEW FIRSTHAND INITIATIVE FOCUSING THIS YEAR ON POVERTY.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THE F.B.I.

IS PART OF IT, THE SECRET SERVICE IS PART OF IT.

>> THE SECURITY IN PLACE FOR PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION WEDNESDAY INCLUDING VETTING OF THE MILITARY.

>> IT CAN BE CASCADING EVENTS.

>> UNEMPLOYMENT HAS HIT RECORD-HIGHS DURING THE PANDEMIC AS WE LAUNCH THE FIRSTHAND INITIATIVE FOCUSING ON POVERTY WE EXPLORE THE LINK BETWEEN UNEMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY.

>> OUR RENT WAS TOO MUCH, AND I AIN'T FIND A JOB IN CHICAGO SO IT WAS HARD.

>> HOW THE STATE, COUNTY AND CITY ARE RESPONDING TO A POVERTY PANDEMIC THAT PREDATES COVID-19 AND THAT IS DRIVING SOME PEOPLE OUT OF ILLINOIS.

>> YOU NEED HELP SOMETIMES.

>> CASH ASSISTANCE NO QUESTIONS ASKED WHAT ARE BASIC INCOME PAYMENTS AND WHY DO SOME ADVOCATES SAY THEY CAN HELP FAMILIES IN POVERTY REACH THEIR FINANCIAL GOAL.

>> A LOOK AT SUBURBAN POVERTY WE TALK WITH A GROUP WORKING ON THAT ISSUE AND SOMEONE WHO IS EXPERIENCING IT FIRSTHAND.

>> AND IT'S BEEN 55 YEARS SINCE Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

ARRIVED IN CHICAGO'S NORTH LAWNDALE COMMUNITY.

THE WORK HE DID COULD COMBAT DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING PRACTICES.

>> THE 26TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY OF SERVICE, VOLUNTEERS DEDICATED THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BRIDGE THAT CROSSES THE BISHOP FORD EXPRESSWAY IN THE ROSE MOORE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> THIS IS A REVOLUTION STARTED BY THIS MAN AND WE HONOR HIM IN HIS FULL LEGACY AS A MAN OF A FULL REVOLUTION.

YOU Y'ALL DID NOT JUST STAY HOME YOU CAME OUT TODAY AS A LEGACY OF THAT RADICAL ACTION.

>> VOLUNTEERS DEDICATED THE BRIDGE WITH A PLAQUE AND DISTRIBUTED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO PORE THAN 2,000 SENIOR CITIZENS.

VOLUNTEERS DECORATED THE BRIDGE WITH RED ROSES IN HONOR OF REVEREND KING.

>> ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE NEARLY 3400 NEW CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS AND 50 ADDITIONAL DEATHS TODAY.

THE STATE'S TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES STANDS JUST OVER 1 MILLION 72,000 WITH 18258 DEATHS.

THE POSITIVITY RATE IS 7%.

>> AND THIS WEEKEND CHICAGO LOST A PIONEER AND A MEMBER OF THE WTTW FAMILY.

JIM TILMON WAR MANY HATS, PILOT, BROADCASTER, MUSICIAN, AUTHOR AND TRAIL BLAZER.

HE IS HERE WITH PHIL PONCE IN 2017 DISCUSSING THE START OF HIS BROADCASTING CAREER HERE AT WTTW.

>> OUR PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU STARTED YOUR BROADCAST CAREER HERE ON WTTW, QUICKLY WHAT WAS OUR PEOPLE?

>> OUR PEOPLE WAS AN EXPRESSION OF VOICE.

IT GAVE VISIBILITY AND VOICE FOR A PEOPLE WHO HAD NONE.

IT GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO OUR STORIES NOT JUST THE ONES ON BROADCAST TELEVISION BUT STORIES GERMAINE TO US AND MEANINGFUL TO US AND SUBJECT MATTER AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

IT WAS 'OUTLET THAT NEEDED TO BE.

IT HAD TO BE RIGHT THEN.

>> MY OWN THANKS TO JIM TILMON FOR BLAZING THAT TRAIL.

AT THE TIME HE WAS DISCUSSING HIS NEW BOOK, I JUST WANTED TO FLY.

ABOUT HIS CAREERS IN THE MILITARY AND AS ONE OF THE FIRST BLACK COMMERCIAL AIRLINE PILOTS.

TILMON WENT ON TO BECOME THE HOST OF OUR PEOPLE HERE AT WTTW AND LATER WEATHERMAN AND BROADCASTER AT OTHER STATIONS IN CHICAGO.

HE DIED AT HIS HOME IN ARIZONA THIS WEEKEND AT THE AGE OF 86.

AND WE WILL HAVE MORE OF PHIL'S CONVERSATION WITH JIM TILMON ON TOMORROW NIGHT'S PROGRAM.

>> TO PARIS AND A PREVIEW OF SECURITY PLANS IN PLACE FOR THE INAUGURATION.

>> BARRICADES, SECURITY CHECKPOINTS AND A HUGE MILITARY PRESENCE ARE SURROUNDING THE U.S. CAPITOL AHEAD OF WEDNESDAY'S INAUGURATION.

THE SWEARING IN OF A NEW PRESIDENT COMES WITH HEIGHTENED SECURITY BUT THIS CEREMONY COMES TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CAPITOL BUILDING WAS BREACHED AND TO SOME THE LOCKDOWN IS A JARRING SIGHT.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO SEE FENCES.

WE DEFINITELY DON'T'S WANT TO SEE ARMED TROOPS ON OUR STREETS BUT WE HAVE TO TAKE A DIFFERENT POSTURE.

>> WE ARE PART OF THE LAYERED DEFENSE TO INSURE THAT THE BUBBLE, THE BUBBLE THAT WILL BE AROUND THE VICE-PRESIDENT-ELECT AND THE PRESIDENT-ELECT SO WE CAN HAVE A PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER.

>> AND JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT SECURITY ARE JAVED ALI, POLICY MAKER AND RESIDENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN'S FORD SCHOOL AND WORKED FOR THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

AND ROSS RICE A FORMER F.B.I.

SPECIAL AGENT WHO SPENT 30 YEARS IN THE BUREAU'S CHICAGO OFFICE.

GENTLEMEN WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT".

>> THANK YOU.

>> ROSS, INAUGURATIONS ARE ALWAYS MASSIVE NATIONAL SECURITY EVENTS.

BUT THIS YEAR EXTRA LAYERS WITH UP TO 25,000 NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT THIS WILL BE CARRIED OUT SAFELY?

>> WELL, I DON'T LIKE TO TRY AND PREDICT THE FUTURE BUT I THINK EVERY STEP HAS BEEN TAKEN TO INSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION OF POWER.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE INAUGURATION GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED TWO WEEKS AGO IN THE CAPITOL.

I THINK FRANKLY, THE TWO EVENTS ARE COMPLETELY UNRELATED.

GREAT STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO SECURE THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY.

IT'S CONSIDERED A NATIONAL SPECIAL SECURITY EVENT.

AND IT'S BEEN IN THE PLANNING PROCESS FOR MONTHS IF NOT LONGER.

THE SECRET SERVICE AND THE F.B.I.

TAKE THE LEAD ON THAT.

THE SECRET SERVICE FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY AND THE F.B.I.

FOR THREAT ASSESSMENTS AND INVESTIGATING ANY INCIDENTS THAT MIGHT TAKE PLACE DURING BEFORE OR AFTER THE INAUGURATION.

>> JAVED ALI DOES IT ACT AS A DETERRENT TO POSSIBLE EXTREMIST GROUPS OR MILITIAS WHEN YOU HAVE A SITUATION THAT THAT IS THAT FORTIFIED?

DOES IT TELL THEM TO STAY AWAY?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

CERTAINLY ONE WOULD THINK THAT WITH THAT MANY RESOURCES AND ON THE GROUND IN WASHINGTON D.C.

LOOKING AT THE 25,000 NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS THE PRESENCE OF FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT LIKE THE F.B.I.

AND SECRET SERVICE AND OTHER STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESOURCES, ONLY RINGS AND RINGS OF SECURITY AND HARD SECURITY FEATURES ALL OVER WASHINGTON D.C.

BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THERE'S ABSOLUTELY ZERO RISK OF A THREAT.

HOPEFULLY THERE WON'T BE.

BUT AS WE USED TO SAY, THE ENEMY ALWAYS GETS A VOTE.

EVEN IF WASHINGTON D.C. IS SIGNIFICANTLY PROTECTED AND CERTAINLY IT SEEMS TO BE, AS THE F.B.I.

A WEEK AGO, SUGGESTED THERE WAS THE POTENTIAL FOR THREATS ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY OR AT LEAST AT STATE HOUSES OR OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

SO THAT IS ANOTHER FEATURE OF THIS THREAT.

IT IS NOT GOING TO DISSIPATE AFTER THE INAUGURATION.

IT IS HERE TO STAY.

I THINK IT'S ALREADY A PERMANENT FEATURE OF THE DOMESTIC SECURITY LANDSCAPE AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MY FORMER COLLEAGUES AND ROSS' FORMER COLLEAGUES WILL HAVE TO STRUGGLE WITH.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE THE RIGHT PARADIGM TO DEAL WITH THIS KIND OF SECURITY.

>> ROSS, DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT, THIS IS HERE TO STAY PERHAPS A PERMANENT MOVEMENT WHERE THERE WILL BE TARGETS ON GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AT THE STATE CAPITOL OR THE U.S. CAPITOL?

>> WE HAVE HAD WHAT WE CALL DOMESTIC TERRORISM FOR DECADES .

IT'S NOT NEW.

WHAT HAS CHANGED IS THE MOTIVATION OF THE TERRORISTS.

IT IS A SMALL FRACTION OF THE POPULATION.

VERY VOCAL.

IS IT GOING TO BE IN THE FOREFRONT FOR A WHILE?

YES, I THINK SO.

IS IT LONG-TERM A THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY OR THE STABILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT?

I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE UPSET FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

AND COOLER HEADS WILL PREVAIL, I THINK.

>> JAVED ALI THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT LAST NIGHT TOLD THE AP THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE INSIDE ATTACKS WHERE THERE MIGHT BE SYMPATHIZERS IN THE NATIONAL GUARD THAT ARE TASKED WITH GUARDING THE CEREMONY ON WEDNESDAY.

AND THERE ARE DOCUMENTED INSTANCES OF PERHAPS EXTREMISM FILTERING INTO THE ARMED SERVICES.

HOW BIG OF A THREAT DO YOUTY THAT IS?

>> IT IS A THREAT AND THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF CASES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH INACTIVE-DUTY STATUS OR FORMER MILITARY SERVICE THAT ARE CAUGHT UP IN THE FAR RIGHT BELIEFS AND IN 2020 THERE WERE PEOPLE WITH THOSE BACKGROUNDS AND ONE LETHAL ATTACK LAST SUMMER WHERE AN ACTIVE-DUTY AIR FORCE SERGEANT SUPPORTER OF THE BOOING LOO MOVEMENT SHOT AND KILLED TWO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN LOS ANGELES.

BUT WHAT OCCURRED THAT SEEMED LESS BASED ON THE NOTION OF AN ACTIVE CREDIBLE THREAT FROM ANY OF THE GUARD TROOPS DEPLOYED ON THE GROUND.

IT WAS ANOTHER PRUDENT SCREENING MEASURE THAT WENT INTO EFFECT TO JUST MAKE SURE TRYING TO MINIMIZE RISK.

AND FOR FOLKS LIKE ROSS AND MYSELF WE USED TO GET SCREENED LIKE THAT ALL THE TIME.

I DON'T THINK IT'S THAT UNUSUAL TO HAVE THAT CHECK HAPPEN.

IT MAY SEEM A LITTLE JARRING, BUT I'M NOT AS CONCERNED AS OTHERS.

>> MORE OF A PRO FORM MA ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> ROSS RICE A LOT OF THE CRITICS TO JANUARY 6 SAY THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE ON MULTIPLE FRONTS BY INTELLIGENCE OR SHARING INTELLIGENCE OR ADEQUATELY FORTIFYING THE CAPITOL IN THE WAKE OF KNOWN THREATS.

DO YOU AGREE WITH SOME OF THOSE ASSESSMENTS?

>> SOMETHING WENT WRONG.

AND TO SIT HERE AND TRY AND SECOND-GUESS AND SAY WHAT IT WAS IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE.

THERE'S GOING TO BE AN INVESTIGATION.

BUT PEOPLE HAVE TO REALIZE THE CAPITOL BUILDING IS AN ENTITY TO US SELF.

IT IS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESS AND THAT IS WHY THEY HAVE THE CAPITOL POLICE.

THEY EITHER DID NOT TAKE THE THREAT SERIOUSLY OR DID NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD TO PROTECT THE BUILDING AND THE GROUNDS.

BUT INTELLIGENCE WAS GIVEN TO THEM AND WHEN I'M NOT SURE.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE VIDEO AND THE IMAGES FROM THAT DAY, MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE THEY CAME PREPARED.

THEY DIDN'T GO TO A RALLY AND GET MOTIVATED BY THE PRESIDENT AND RUN HOME AND GET HELMETS AND ARMOR AND WEAPONS.

THEY CAME TO WASHINGTON PREPARED TO DO BATTLE OF SOME SORT.

>> IT SEEMS TO INDICATE.

>> JAVED ALI WE HAVE A FEW SECONDS LEFT.

YOU'VE WRITTEN A COLUMN TALKING ABOUT THE WEAPONNIZATION OF PATRIOTIC LANGUAGE FOLKS CALLING THEMSELVES PATRIOTS IN THE SERVICE OF GOING OUT AND COMMITTING VIOLENT ACTS WHAT SHOULD AMERICANS KNOW ABOUT THIS MOVEMENT AND HOW FOLKS HAVE BEEN RADICALIZED?

>> IT IS A DISTURBING FEATURE WHAT IS GOING ON AND THIS NOTION THAT PEOPLE WILL CLAIM TO BE PATRIOTS AND WRAP THEMSELVES AROUND THE FLAG OR TERMS, THAT SEEM ORDINARY TO MOST AMERICANS AND THEN USE THAT TO JUSTIFY VIOLENT ACTION AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OR PERCEIVED ENEMIES, THAT IS SOMETHING DISTURBING.

I DON'T THINK WE'VE SEEN THAT IN MODERN HISTORY AND THIS IS ANOTHER PIECE OF THE PUZZLE THAT HAS TO BE EXAMINED >> WE HOPE TO HAVE YOU BACK.

THANKS TO JAVED ALI AND ROSS RICE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT, SPECIAL COVERAGE OF POVERTY AS WTTW KICKS OFF THE YEAR LONG FIRST LAND LIVING IN POVERTY INITIATIVE.

PLEASE STICK AROUND.

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

THESE ARE MORE THAN JUST SHOPPING CENTERS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE GATHERING PLACES WHERE THEY MAINTAIN THEIR CULTURE.

AS WE MENTIONED AT THE TOP OF THE PROGRAM, WTTW'S "FIRSTHAND: LIVING IN POVERTY" A YEARLONG INITIATIVE LAUNCHES TODAY ON MLK DAY AND DURING POVERTY AWARENESS MONTH.

YOU CAN EXPLORE THE DOCUMENTARIES AND CONTENT AT WTTW.COM/POVERTY.

LONG BEFORE THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN ILLINOIS AND THE CITY WERE EXPERIENCING AN EPIDEMIC OF POVERTY.

A 2020 STATE REPORT FINDS AS OF 2018, ONE IN EIGHT ILLINOISANS WERE LIVING IN POVERTY FOR A FAMILY OF THREE THAT WAS DEFINED AS HAVING AN INCOME OF JUST OVER $20,000.

BLACK WOMEN IN ILLINOIS WERE THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE POVERTY THAN WHITE MEN.

AND ONE IN THREE BLACK CHILDREN LIVED BELOW THE POVERTY LINE.

AND THAT WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC CREATED A PERFECT STORM OF NEED AS COVID-19 HIT BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES THE HARDEST.

>> JOINING US ARE XOCHITE FLORES BUREAU CHIEF FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF COOK COUNTY.

CANDACE MOORE THE FIRST CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER A POSITION CREATED UNDER MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT.

AND SOL FLORES ONE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNORS.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR, SOL FLORES AT $20,000 OF A FAMILY OF THREE ARE WE DEFINING POVERTY ACCURATELY?

A FAMILY OF THREE AT 30,000 OR 40,000 IS LIKELY STRUGGLING?

>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

AND THEY ARE STRUGGLING ON MULTIPLE FRONTS.

HOW TO PAY RENT INSURE THE FOOD IS SECURE AND THEY HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO EAT.

MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION, TO HEALTHCARE, TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES.

AND ONCE IN A WHILE YOU HAVE TO BUY NEW CLOTHES.

I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.

IT'S WELL BELOW WHAT MOST INDIVIDUALS COULD LIVE ON IN THIS COUNTRY EVEN WHEN YOU ARE STRUGGLING DAY-TO-DAY.

>> HOW WOULD YOU DEPUTY GOVERNOR, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE LEVEL OF NEED BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND HOW IS IT NOW NEARLY 11 MONTHS INTO IT?

>> WELL, AT THE INTRO YOU TALKED ABOUT ONE IN EIGHT ILLINOISANS AND IT'S ONE IN SIX CHILDREN.

THE OTHER THING WE KNOW IS THAT POVERTY IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS HAS NOT SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED -- DECREASED RATHER IN THE LAST 30 YEARS.

WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING HAS NOT BEEN WORKING.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT SOCIAL MOBILITY HAS DECREASED.

SO WE KNOW THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE DOING WORSE OFF THAN THEIR PARENTS BEFORE THEM WHICH IS THE REVERSE WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE HAPPEN.

WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WORK TO DO.

THE PANDEMIC AS YOU SAID HAS RIPPED THE BAND AID OFF AND MADE CLEAR WHAT POOR PEOPLE IN THE STATE WERE DEALING WITH AND NOW WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE DEALING WITH IT.

AND UNFORTUNATELY IT CONTINUES TO SHINE A LIGHT ON PEOPLE OF COLOR, BLACK, LATINO AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES, RURAL COMMUNITIES CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC AND MORE NOW.

>> AND XOCHITE FLORES WHAT ARE THE MOST ACUTE NEEDS YOU ARE SEEING?

HOUSING?

FOOD INSECURITY AND MENTAL HEALTH?

>> WELL, ACROSS THE BOARD WE ARE SEEING THE NEEDS JUST EXACERBATED DURING THIS TIME.

WE SAW IN THE U.S. OVER EIGHT MILLION AMERICANS ARE SLIPPING INTO POVERTY SINCE MAY.

AND THIS PANDEMIC IS EXPOSING HOW EASY IT IS TO FALL FROM THE MIDDLE CLASS INTO POVERTY.

AND PEOPLE JUST REALLY NEED TO DEPEND ON THEIR GOVERNMENT RIGHT NOW AND ASK THEM TO FUNCTION TO STRENGTHEN THE NETWORKS OF SUPPORT.

WE'RE SEEING THAT ACROSS THE BOARD FROM HOUSING, FROM INDIVIDUALS HAVING FOOD INSECURITY FROM CHILDREN NOT HAVING LAPTOPS TO WORK AND STUDY REMOTELY.

SO IT IS ACROSS THE BOARD.

AND SPECIFICALLY WITHIN COOK COUNTY WE HAVE FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON OUR SUBURBAN AREAS OF THE COUNTY.

SO OUR DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDING DEPOSE TO 2.5 MILLION RESIDENTS AND THE 130 MUNICIPALITIES OF OUR SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY AREAS.

>> CANDACE MOORE, WE KNOW THAT SYSTEMIC RACISM MEANS THAT PLAQUE AND BROWN COMMUNITIES ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY POVERTY AND WE KNOW THOSE SAME COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC.

FROM THE CITY'S PERSPECTIVE WHAT CAN YOU DO, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP REMEDY THOSE INEQUITIES?

>> YEAH, I THINK AT A CITY AND ACROSS GOVERNMENT IT'S IMPORTANT TO CENTER THAT AS A TRUTH OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH.

AND THEN THINK ABOUT AS WE ARE THINKING ABOUT THE SOLUTIONS, HOW DO WE FOCUS ON THE TARGETED COMMUNITIES THAT WE REALLY NEED TO HIT?

AND THAT IS NOT TO THE EXCEPTION OF OTHER COMMUNITIES BUT IT'S INSURING THAT OUR STRATEGIES AND FOCUS WILL MOVE THE NEEDLE FOR THAT COMMUNITY.

THAT MEANS THINKING ABOUT NEIGHBORHOODS, THINKING ABOUT HOW WE MAKE AVAILABLE ACCESS TO OUR SERVICES.

IS THIS FIRST COME VERSUS IS IT A PERIOD OF TIME IN WHICH WE CAN DO THE APPROPRIATE OUTREACH TO LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THE SERVICES AND THE RESOURCES THAT ARE OUT THERE.

PUSHING OURSELVES STRETCHING OUR MUSCLES HOW WE DELIVER OUR RESOURCES WITH THAT EYE TOWARDS EQUITY IN MIND.

>> IN OUR FIRSTHAND POVERTY SERIES, CHAMBERS HELPS US ADDRESS THE COST OF HOUSING SHE WAS AN EXCELLENT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AND HAS BEEN STRUGGLING TO EARN A COLLEGE DEGREE AND FIND A JOB AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

HERE IS SOMETHING SHE TOLD US.

>> TODAY IS THE DAY THAT I MOVE TO INDIANA.

I WAS LOOKING FOR APARTMENTS IN CHICAGO THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS TOO MUCH.

I AIN'T FOUND NO JOB IN CHICAGO SO IT WAS HARD.

THEN, A MIRACLE HAPPENED.

AND MY BROTHER HAPPENED TO HAVE AN APARTMENT IN SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.

>> CANDACE MOORE WHAT DO YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO FINDS THEY HAVE TO LEAVE THE CITY IN ORDER TO MAKE A WAY FOR THEMSELVES?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN I THINK FOR US HERE AT THE CITY THAT THAT INCREASES THE DEMAND ON US TO THINK ABOUT SOLUTIONS AROUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AROUND JOBS.

TO MAKE SURE THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ARE PRESENTING RIGHT NOW ARE FORCING PEOPLE TO MAKE THESE TOUGH DECISIONS.

OF NOTING HOW IN THIS CASE THE PERSON IS THINKING ABOUT WHERE THEIR FAMILY IS AND HOW PEOPLE ARE PULLING TOGETHER TO MAKE EDGEDS MEET.

THIS IS THE SAME SITUATIONS WE ARE DEALING WITH INSIDE THE CITY AND ON A SYSTEMIC LEVEL WHAT DOES AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOOK LIKE EVEN UNDER THE CONSTRAINTS WE ARE UNDER.

SO THAT HAS BEEN TOP OF MIND.

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A TON OF FOCUS ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS A CITY AND THINKING ABOUT THE URGENCY OF THE MOMENT AND THE RESOURCES WE CAN DELIVER AS A CITY.

>> XOCHITE FLORES WE KNOW THAT THE BURDEN OF PROPERTY TAXES HAS FALLEN ON DISPROPORTIONATELY OHMEN INNERS AND NOT PROVIDED LOANS TO PLAQUE AND BROWN COMMUNITIES HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THE INEQUITIES THAT HAVE BEEN DECADES IN THE MAKING?

>> WELL, YOU ARE CORRECT IN TERMS OF THE DECADES IN THE MAKING.

AND SPECIFICALLY OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, WE'VE SEEN ACROSS THE U.S.

THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASING OF SUBURBANIZATION OF POVERTY.

SO INDIVIDUALS SUCH AS THE ONE THAT SHARED HER STORY WE SEE THAT HAPPENING ACROSS SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY.

PEOPLE CANNOT -- ARE MOVING TOWARDS THE AREAS AND THE DIFFICULTY NOT JUST WITH THE PROPERTY TAXES, BUT ACROSS THE BOARD, ACCESS TO SOCIAL SERVICES, WITHIN MANY OF THE COMMUNITIES.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN NOT BUILT OUT THE SUPPORT SYSTEMS NEEDED BY THE GROWING LOW INCOME POPULATION.

THEY HAVE A WEAKER SUPPORT SAFETY NET WITHIN THESE AREAS THAT IS AN AREA WE HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY FOCUSED ON FIGURING OUT HOW TO ADDRESS THESE SAFETY NETS THAT NEED TO BE PROVIDED WITHIN OUR SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY.

>> DEPUTY GOVERNOR FLORES, GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S CALLED ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR MORE ASSISTANCE.

THE MAYOR HAS SAID THE SAME.

WHAT SUPPORT ARE YOU EXPECTING FROM A BIDEN ADMINISTRATION?

>> WE'RE EXPECTING A LOT OF SUPPORT.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, ATTACKING THE PANDEMIC.

AND THAT MEANS DELIVERING ADDITIONAL VACCINES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

IT MEANS SENDING FEDERAL RESOURCES TO ILLINOIS TO HELP US DEVELOP AND EXECUTE ON MASS VACCINATION SITES.

IT MEANS INCREASING TESTING OPPORTUNITIES AND IT MEANS ADDITIONAL AID FOR LOCAL JURISDICTIONS AND STATES TO RECOVER FROM SOME OF OUR LOST REVENUE SOURCES.

ALONG WITH ADDITIONAL JUST LIKE WE HAD BEFORE, CARES FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE, FOOD SECURITY AND HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

>> WE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU TO XOCHITE FLORES FROM COOK COUNTY AND CANDACE MOORE FROM THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW WE TAKE A LOOK AT A CLIP FROM ONE OF THE NEW "FIRSTHAND: LIVING IN POVERTY" DOCUMENTARIES.

THIS PART FOLLOWS PATRICIA JACKSON AND HER HUSBAND DERRICK THEY ARE WORKING TO GET A DELIVERY BUSINESS OFF THE GROUND WITH THE HELP OF BASIC INCOME PAYMENTS FROM AN ORGANIZATION CALLED THE FAMILY INDEPENDENCE INITIATIVE OR FII.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

>> THE TREE WAS HERE AND WHEN IT FELL I HAD A BIG TREE AND IT FELL THIS WAY.

>> WHEN THE TREE FELL, IT BROKE ALL OF THIS.

IT BROKE INTO PIECES.

>> AND THEN IT KNOCKED THIS GARAGE OUT.

>> THAT MEANT THAT NOW I HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER I'M GOING TO PAY THE WHOLE LIGHT BILL OR PARTIAL OR GET ON A PARTIAL PLAN NOW I GOT TO GET ON A PLAN BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR EMERGENCY.

SEE, I REALLY NEVER HAD EMERGENCY MONEY.

MY DAUGHTER AND I GOT MONEY FROM FII AND WE PUT IT TOGETHER AND HAD HIM START.

>> FII IS FAMILY INDEPENDENCE INITIATIVE.

THEY GIVE YOU A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FUNDS TO USE TOWARDS YOUR GOAL.

>> I GOT TO TELL YOU ABOUT THIS HELP.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MY MOM WANTS TO GET DONE IS HER KITCHEN.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE WINDOWS?

>> YEAH, THE WINDOWS.

>> SHE NEEDED NEW FLOOR, KNEW CABINETS, SINK.

EVERYTHING.

>> HOME DEPOT.

>> THE FUNDS THAT FII GIVE OUT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY IT BACK.

IT'S LIKE A GIFT.

>> WE ARE GOING TO GET THE NEW STOVE.

>> FII MONEY HELPED WITH RENT.

FII MONEY HELPED BE ME UP-TO-DATE WITH MY CAR NOTE.

YOU ARE GOING TO GO THROUGH TRIAL AND TRIBULATIONS WHILE YOU LIVE IN THIS WORLD AND YOU NEED HELP SOMETIMES.

AND THEY WERE HO THAT ORGANIZATION THAT WAS LIKE WE UNDERSTAND REAL-LIFE SITUATIONS.

THEY WANTED TO HELP PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT HAD GOALS THAT IT WAS HARD OR IMPOSSIBLE TO GET A LOAN.

BECAUSE OF YOUR CREDIT.

OR BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN.

OR BECAUSE OF YOUR INCOME.

FII WAS LIKE WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT ANY OF THAT.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A PERSON THAT HAS A DREAM AND A GOAL AND WE WANT TO HELP YOU FULFILL IT.

>> WHAT STUFF HAVE YOU DONE WITH YOUR FII FUNDS?

>> OH, MY GOD, I HAVE DONE SO MUCH.

WE JUST -- MY THREE DEALS WHEN WE STARTED -- GOALS WAS TO FIX MY CREDIT.

TO WORK TOWARDS BUYING A HOUSE.

AND TO WORK TOWARDS MY HUSBAND'S TRUCK HE HAS HIS OWN BUSINESS.

HE DIDN'T HAVE A WORK TRUCK.

HE HAD A RENT TRUCK AND HE HAD TO PAY LIKE 45, 50 A DAY.

IT WAS JUST LIKE WASTING MONEY.

>> JOINING US WITH MORE ON BASIC INCOME PAYMENTS ARE HARISH PATEL, DIRECTOR OF THE GROUP ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR ILLINOIS.

EBONY SCOTT PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR AT FAMILY INDEPENDENCE INITIATIVE WHAT YOU SAW IN THE FILM.

AND PATRICIA JACKSON FII RECIPIENT AND THE PARTICIPANT WE SAW IN THE "FIRSTHAND: LIVING IN POVERTY" CLIP.

AND AS WE START OUR CONVERSATION LET'S SHOW A CLIP FROM FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ANDREW YANG PROMOTING THE IDEA OF A UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME.

>> MY FLAGSHIP PROPOSAL WOULD PUT $1,000 A MONTH INTO THE HAND OF EVERY AMERICAN ADULT AND BE A GAME-CHANGER FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICAN FAMILIES.

>> HARISH PATEL THERE'S DIFFERENT IDEAS THE INCOMING PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TALKING ABOUT A $1400 DIRECT CASH PAYMENT AND A UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME AND A GUARANTEED INCOME.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

>> FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

YOU KNOW THIS IDEA OF BASIC INCOME GUARANTEED INCOME CASH HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONGTIME.

AS IT IS MLK DAY TODAY THERE IS A CODE FLYING AROUND THAT CAME ACROSS MY DESK WHICH IS HIM TALKING ABOUT IN 1967 IN TALKING ABOUT A GUARANTEED INCOME.

ANDREW YANG, MAYOR TALKS, MORE FOLKS TALKING ABOUT IT HOW DO YOU PUT CASH INTO PEOPLE'S POCKETS AND THERE IS PROBABLY A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE HOW YOU GET THERE.

WHAT CASH MEANS IS DIGNITY, FREEDOM, EMPOWERMENT TO DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH THE MONEY.

BASIC INCOME COVERS GAD THAT ANYBODY -- GROUND THAT ANYBODY WHO QUALIFIES CAN GET IT.

GUARANTEED INCOME IS MORE TARGETED TOWARDS A GEOGRAPHY OR RACE OR GENDER AND THAT IS WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS.

>> AND THAT IS WHAT FAMILY INDEPENDENCE INITIATIVE IS DOING THE GUARANTEED INCOME TARGETED TO A SPECIFIC AUDIENCE HERE.

TELL US HOW FII WORKS, EBONY SCOTT?

>> SURE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

FII REALLY WORKS IN A SIMPLE FASHION.

WE TRY TO FIND FAMILIES WHO HAVE GOALS AND INITIATIVE AND LIKE MOST AMERICANS ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY TOWARDS THEM.

WE MAKE A DIRECT CASH INVESTMENT IN THEM AND WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO TELL US ABOUT THE SOCIAL CAPITAL THAT THEY ARE EXCHANGING IN THEIR COMMUNITY THAT IS PART OF WHAT DOESN'T GET TALKED ABOUT HOW PEOPLE ARE HELPING PEOPLE EVERYDAY IN COMMUNITIES.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SETS FII APART WHEN WE MEET FAMILIES WE DON'T PUT THEM THROUGH THE RINGER AND FORCE THEM TO PROVE THAT THEY ARE HUMBLE AND WORTHY AND DESERVING.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME TO US AND SAY I'M DOWN TRODDEN AND I WANT HELP.

WE RECOGNIZE PATRICIA AND HER FAMILY AS HOLY CAPABLE AND MADE AN INVESTMENT BECAUSE SHE CAME TO US ALREADY KNOWING WHAT THE PATH FORWARD WOULD LOOK LIKE THAT IS WHAT MAKES FII DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER SUPPORTS OUT THERE.

>> AND YOU SAY IN THE DOCUMENTARY THIS IS BASED ON THE TRUST THAT YOU HAVE THAT FAMILIES KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH INCOME THEY KNOW HOW TO MAKE WISE CHASES AND PATRICIA WE SAW YOU TALKING ABOUT USING THIS FII INCOME TO HELP YOUR HUSBAND PURCHASE A TRUCK FOR HIS BUSINESS.

HOW HAS THAT AFFECTED YOUR HUSBAND'S BUSINESS AND YOUR FAMILY?

>> HI.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

IT AFFECTED US IN A POSITIVE WAY.

RIGHT NOW MY HUSBAND HAS HIS OWN TRUCK.

HE CAN WORK SEVEN DAYS A WEEK IF HE WANTS.

AND ALL THE PROFIT IS HIS.

HE DON'T HAVE TO PAY SOMEBODY TO RENT A TRUCK IN ORDER TO WORK.

EVERYTHING THAT HE MAKES IS ALL PROFIT.

IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

AND HAVING TO RENT SOMETHING VERSUS OWNING IT YOURSELF.

AND IT'S JUST A GREAT DIFFERENCE.

IT'S FOR THE BEST.

WE ARE GOING IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION.

>> THIS HAS GIVEN YOU A BOOST.

HARISH PATEL WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THE CRITICS THAT SAY GUARANTEED INCOME COULD BE A DISINCENTIVE TO WORK?

>> I WOULD SAY TO THEM TO LOOK AT DATA.

THERE'S BEEN HUNDREDS OF YEARS OF RESEARCH DONE INTERNATIONALLY AND NATIONALLY, TWO YEARS AGO WE RAN A TASK FORCE THAT COMPILED ALL THE RESEARCH IN CHICAGO AND THE TASK FORCE HAS A REPORT THAT PEOPLE CAN LOOK AT.

AND THE REPORT SHOWS THAT THAT IS NOT TRUE.

NOT ONLY THAT WHAT REALLY SAD IS MOST PEOPLE ARE WORKING MULTIPLE JOBS.

MOST PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET WORKING THREE JOBS.

AND FOR US, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE PEOPLE TO HAVE ONE JOB AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE JOBS ACTUALLY PAY.

>> EBONY SCOTT, THE FII IS FUNDED BY PHILANTHROPIC GRANTS IT'S $18 MILLION FOR THE GUARANTEED PAYMENTS.

TELL US THE SCOPE OF THE PROGRAM AND WHAT YOU'VE SEEN FROM OTHER FAMILIES LIKE PATRICIA'S?

>> SURE.

HERE IN CHICAGO WE ARE A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 20 YEARS.

HERE IN CHICAGO WE HAVE ABOUT 500 FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN ENROLLED INTO OUR INITIATIVE.

AND THE RESULTS ACROSS THE BOARD ARE REALLY MOTIVATING AND INSPIRING.

WE HAVE LOTS OF FAMILIES.

WE HAVE ONE GENTLEMAN WHO IMMEDIATELY UPON JOINING INVESTED THE DOLLARS BACK INTO THE LANDSCAPING BUSINESS BECAUSE WEIGHS A SINGLE DAD RAISING HIS KIDS AND THE CHILDREN OF A SIBLING WHO PASSED AWAY.

SO TO BUILD OFF WHAT THEY BOTH SAID, WE SEE OUR FAMILIES GO OUT AND DO MORE WORK AS AN AS A RESULT OF THE INVESTMENT AND THE NOTION THAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO THE OPPOSITE IS ROOTED IN SOME MISTRUST IN A LOT OF RACIST AND CLASSIC THINGS WE THINK ABOUT.

WE LOVE TO TALK ABOUT HOW LAZY POOR FOLKS ARE.

OUR DATA SHOWS US THAT IS THE OPPOSITE.

IT IS ASTOUNDING EVERY MONTH TO LOOK AT THE DATA AND SEE HOW FOLKS ARE STARTING BUSINESSES AND USING THE MONEY 2-G PACK TO SCHOOL WHILE THEY WORK.

THEY DO MORE AS SOON AS THEY HAVE THE CASH TO DO SO.

>> IT HAS A STIMULATIVE IMPACT.

PATRICIA YOU TALKED ABOUT BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS.

YOUR HUSBAND BEING ABLE TO HAVE HIS OWN TRUCK AND NOT HAVE TO PAY THE DAILY PAYMENTS.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER ASPECTS OF LIFE?

EDUCATION, BILLS?

IS THIS HELPING YOU WITH THAT?

>> DEFINITELY.

IT WITH EDUCATION I HAD A SCHOOL LOAN.

AND WITH THE HELP OF FII AND ME PAYING THROUGH MY JOB, I WAS ABLE TO PAY OFF MY STUDENT LOAN.

SO I NO LONGER HAVE A STUDENT LOAN.

AS FAR AS LIKE WITH DEALS, WHEN MY HUSBAND COULDN'T WORK FOR MONTHS WHEN THE PANDEMIC FIRST HAPPENED, WE HAD SOME OF THOSE FUNDS IN A SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

IT WENT TOWARDS HELPING US.

SO IT DEFINITELY HELPED GIVE YOU A BOOST AND IT DEFINITELY GIVES YOU THAT STEP YOU NEED TO GO TOWARDS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION YOU ARE TRYING TO MOVE TOWARDS.

>> INTERESTING DISCUSSION CERTAINLY A GOOD TIME TO TALK ABOUT IT.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE DOCUMENTARY AND THANK YOU TO HARISH PATEL, EBONY SCOTT AND PATRICIA JACKSON.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND BRANDIS WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, THANK YOU.

STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" LOOKING AT A GROWING PROBLEM...

POVERTY IN THE SUBURBS.

WE MEET SOME OF THE CAST OF IN OUR FIRSTHAND DOCUMENTARY.

AND REVISITING Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.'S WORK TO END SLUM CONDITIONS IN COMBAT DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING PRACTICES.

>> BUT FIRST WE CONTINUE OUR SPECIAL PROGRAM HELPING LAUNCH WTTW'S "FIRSTHAND: LIVING IN POVERTY" INITIATIVE WITH A LOOK AT A SUBJECT THAT HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE NEWS.

UNEMPLOYMENT WHICH HIT RECORD LEVELS AS BUSINESSES FORCED TO SHUTDOWN LAID OFF WORKERS.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> BRANDIS, DAVONTE POOLE IS A HAIR STYLEST IN DOWN STATE DANVILLE AND REMEMBERS LAST MARCH WHEN THE STATE SHUTDOWN HER SALON BECAUSE OF COVID-19.

SUDDENLY THROUGH NO FAULT OF HER OWN, SHE WAS WITHOUT ANY INCOME.

SHE IS SELF EMPLOYED WHICH MEANS... >> WE DON'T HAVE AN EMPLOYER THAT PAYS INTO UNEMPLOYMENT SO WE HAD NO OPTIONS.

WE WERE LITERALLY TOLD YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO WORK BUT WE HAVE NO SOURCE OF INCOME, NOTHING TO FALL BACK ON.

AND INITIALLY, IT WAS TWO WEEKS.

BUT THEN IT TURNED INTO AND WE'RE EXTENDING THAT.

>> AND IT LEFT HER WITH A PIT IN HER STOMACH.

EVENTUALLY MONTHS LATER SHE DID GET MONEY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO HELP THE SELF EMPLOYED AND GIG WORKERS.

BUT SHE SAYS SHE STILL WAS LEFT BEHIND ON HER BILLS EVEN THOUGH THANKFULLY SHE HAD HER HUSBAND WHO KEPT HIS JOB.

IT LEFT HER WORRIED FOR OTHERS.

>> ALL THE SINGLE MOMS WHO HAVE KIDS THAT THEY HAD TO SUPPORT DURING IT AND THEY HAD NO SOURCE OF INCOME AND HAD EVERY BILL COMING IN BECAUSE NOTHING THOSE DID NOT SEE -- BILLS DID NOT SEE THE FREEZE.

YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PAYING THOSE.

SO I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW HOW A LOT OF PEOPLE GOT THROUGH.

>> UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO'S BRUCE BRUCECO-A SHORED A STUDY.

AND THE RESEARCH SHOWED A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN POVERTY IN THE LATTER HALF OF 2020.

>> THE LARGEST INCREASE WAS 1.4 PERCENTAGE POINTS OVER A YEAR AND WE SAW A 2.3% INCREASE OVER FIVE MONTHS.

>> THE IMPACT HE SAYS IS UNEVEN ACROSS DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS.

BLACKS WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED AS THOSE WITHOUT A HIGHER EDUCATION.

HE SAYS THE $600 NOW $300 COVID BOOST IN UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS DID HELP.

BUT HE SAYS WHILE THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR THOSE WHO MAKE LESS MONEY TO START WITH.

>> WHILE MORE MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE WHO ENDED UP LOSING THEIR JOBS THEY HAD A SMALLER FRACTION OF THEIR LOST EARNINGS REPLACED.

>> IT DOESN'T GO AS FAR IF YOU HAD BEEN MAKING MORE MONEY.

JEREMY ROSEN THE DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC JUSTICE AT THE SHRIVER CENTER ON POVERTY LAW SAYS PREPANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT RATES WERE AROUND 3-4%.

NOW THEY'VE CLIMBED STEEPLY WITH RATES CLOSE TO 10% FOR MANY BLACK AND LATINO HOUSEHOLDS.

ILLINOIS IS AMONG THE STATES WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS IN THE NATION.

>> AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY A FUNCTION OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE IN CHICAGO AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS WHO WORK AT THE TYPE OF LOW WAGE JOBS THAT HAVE BEEN MOST IMPACTED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT BEEN EQUAL TO THE TASK OF RESPONDING.

ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL THERE WAS A HUGE LAPSE IN TIME BETWEEN THE INITIAL CARES ACT AND THE COVID RESPONSE THAT FOLLOWED LAST MONTH.

AND ILLINOIS' DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY IS STILL OVERWHELMED.

>> COMPLETELY FAILED THE TASK OF GETTING THE BENEFITS TO PEOPLE.

SO CONGRESS AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN AUTHORIZE BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE BOTH BENEFITS SUCCESSFULLY.

IT DOESN'T MEAN A WHOLE LOT FOR PEOPLE IF THEY ARE NOT GETTING THE MONEY THAT THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR.

>> LOSING THE JOB IS A SORT OF LIFE EVENT THAT CAN LEAD TO A CASCADE OF OTHERS SAYS PAT WRONA A LEGAL DIRECTOR AT CARPLS LEGAL AID SERVICE.

>> THAT TAKE ONE DOWN INTO DEBT AND POVERTY.

SOMETIMES IT IS A ONE-TIME THING BUT THEY NEVER RECOVER FROM.

SOMETIMES EMPLOYMENT HAS BEEN A WAY OUT OF POVERTY AND TO LOSE THAT JOB IS SLIDING BACK INTO POVERTY.

SO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ARE A REAL BRIDGE TO GET YOU TO WHAT WE HOPE WILL BE A BRIGHTER SPOT IN THE FUTURE.

>> ONE OF THE WAYS CARPLS LEGAL AID SERVICE IS HELPING, MEET BENNY.

HE IS A NEW CHAT BOT.

>> BENNY TAKES THE USER THROUGH A LOGIC TREE.

A CONVERSATION IF YOU WILL TO FIND OUT WHERE THEY ARE AT IN THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT JOURNEY.

AND GIVES THEM HELPFUL TIPS LETS THEM KNOW WHETHER THEY ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH.

>> CARPLS LEGAL AID SERVICE HAS DEVELOPED OVER CHAT BOTS TO HELP THOSE ON THE COVID ASSISTANCE WEBSITE AND WALK PEOPLE THROUGH THINGS THAT ARE RELATED LIKE FORECLOSE, DEBT AND EVICTION.

MEANWHILE, GOING FORWARD, U OF C'S BRUCE MEYER IS KEEPING AN EYE ON POVERTY DATA.

HE IS OPTIMISTIC THAT WITH THAT LATEST STIMULUS AND ALSO SHOULD ANY OF PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN'S PLANS GO THROUGH THEN HE EXPECTS THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE POVERTY RATES DECLINE.

BRANDIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> I'M SURE PEOPLE HOPE SO.

THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT AND NOW WE LOOK AT ANOTHER CLIP FROM WTTW'S NEW DOCUMENTARY SERIES "FIRSTHAND: LIVING IN POVERTY".

THIS EPISODE FOLLOWS GARY LADEHOFF, OF ZION AS HE SEEKS OUT NEW EMPLOYMENT LOOKS FOR RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION AND TAKES CARE OF HIS YOUNG DAUGHTER.

[♪♪♪] >> LITERALLY PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

AFTER RENT, PHONE BILL, KID, MONEY GETS ACCOUNTED FOR RIGHT AWAY.

>> DON'T HAVE A CAR RIGHT NOW.

SO I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY GET PEOPLE TO GIVE ME RIDES.

FORK OVER GAS MONEY.

>> LET ME GRAB THE CAR SEAT REAL QUICK.

>> I WANT TO GET A CAR.

MAKE MY LIFE SO MUCH EASIER.

LIKE A PRIORITY THAT I NEED.

IT IS A NECESSITY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> AFTER MY FRIEND MALCOLM AND HIS GIRLFRIEND PICKED ME UP TO GO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER MIA FROM MY FRIEND MATT'S HOUSE.

>> PEANUT.

DADDY.

>> HI DADDY, BOO-BOO.

>> YOU GOT A BOO-BOO?

>> YEAH.

>> TWO BOO-BOOS?

>> YEAH.

>> MY DAUGHTER MIA BELLA SHE IS TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS OLD RIGHT NOW.

SHE MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME.

I DON'T THINK I WOULD BE WHERE I'M AT WITHOUT HER.

>> YOU PLAYED WITH THE CHICKYS?

>> YEAH!

>> SHE SCARED.

>> SCARED.

[LAUGHTER] >> GO TO THE BEAUTY SHOP AND LOOK AT THIS -- DEALERSHIP AND LOOKING AT THE TRUCK, MAN AND DO SIDE WORK AND STUFF WITH IT.

IT'S EXPENSIVE HAVING TO PAY PEOPLE GO BACK AND FORTHWITH HER LIKE THAT AND I CAN GET PAYING MORE MONEY.

I MEAN THEY ARE GOOD PEOPLE THERE BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO CUT IF FOR A WHILE IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY HARD.

SAY GOOD-BYE TO UNCLE MATT.

GIVE HUGS.

>> THIS PROMOTION THEY HAVE ALL THE DEALERSHIPS ARE HURTING THEY HAVE GIVING EVERYBODY CARS LIKE ANYBODY.

>> IF YOU DRIVE OFF THE LOT I KNOW I WILL, TOO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> WHAT?

>> WHY?

BECAUSE IT'S HIS.

WHY DO YOU SAY WHY TO EVERYTHING?

>> WELL, WHY?

>> DADDY.

>> OK. WATCH YOUR HANDS.

>> TURN RIGHT... >> YOU HEARD HER, RIGHT?

ENGINE RIGHT... [LAUGHTER] >> IN A QUARTER MILE TURN RIGHT... >> BEING IN THE ZION AREA IS ROUGH BECAUSE THERE'S NOT MUCH OUT HERE.

YOU WANT TO FIND A JOB WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO LIVE COMFORTABLE YOU WILL NEED TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO VENTURE OUTSIDE OF ZION.

>> JOINING US ARE MAGGIE MORALES, EXECUTIVE OF THE LAKE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND GARY LADEHOFF WHO WE SAW IN THE CLIP FROM "FIRSTHAND: LIVING IN POVERTY".

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

GARY, JUST A FASCINATING DOCUMENTARY SERIES.

TELL US HOW THINGS HAVE BEEN GOING FOR YOU SINCE YOU FILMED THAT DOCUMENTARY?

>> THINGS WERE GOING WELL FOR A WHILE UNTIL RECENTLY, I SPLIT UP WITH A GIRLFRIEND AND UNFORTUNATELY I MAY GO BACK TO THE ZION AREA.

>> GO AHEAD?

>> STARTING BACK OVER IN THE ZION AREA.

UNFORTUNATELY, I FEEL LIKE MY ONLY OPTION.

>> WHY DID YOU WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT WE ARE DOING LOOKING AT POVERTY IN THE CHICAGO AREA?

>> I MEAN PUT A STORY OUT THERE SO PEOPLE CAN SEE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THEY TURN THEIR HEAD AND THEY DON'T SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE.

AND ALSO I WENT THROUGH A LOT OF STUFF AND MAYBE TO HELP SOMEBODY OVERCOME ADDICTION AND NOT BECOME A PRODUCT OF THEIR ENVIRONMENT.

>> AND MAGGIE MORALES WE TEND TO THINK OF POVERTY AS SOMETHING THAT IS A BIG PROBLEM IN URBAN AREAS AND RURAL AREAS.

BUT NOT SO MUCH THE SUBURBS AND HERE WE ARE FOCUSING ON THE SUBURBS.

WHY THAT PERCEPTION?

>> I THINK IT IS A HUGE MISCONCEPTION THAT POVERTY IS AN URBAN ISSUE AND IT'S IMPACTING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

AND HERE IN LAKE COUNTY WE SEE POVERTY ALL THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

AND THOSE IN POVERTY HERE IN LAKE COUNTY, ROUGHLY 38% OF THEM, ARE INDIVIDUALS ARE CAUCASIAN.

IT'S NOT CONCENTRATED IN ONE PARTICULAR AREA.

AND I THINK AS XOCHITE FLORES SHARED EARLIER, THE SUBURBANIZATION OF POVERTY CREATES THE VERY ISSUES THAT GARY IS EXPERIENCING ON A DAILY BASIS WITH TRYING TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT AND ACCESS PROPER TRANSPORTATION THAT IS RELIABLE TO GET HIM TO AND FROM WORK.

>> LET'S LOOK AT A CLIP FROM OUR "FIRSTHAND: LIVING IN POVERTY".

I HAD A BAD OVERDOSE.

>> DID YOU REALLY?

>> YES.

RIGHT BEFORE MY DAUGHTER WAS BORN.

IT WAS LOOKING BACK NOW, LIKE I PUT MYSELF THROUGH A LOT JUST FOR SOMETHING THAT IS POINTLESS.

>> IT SCARES ME SO MUCH LIKE BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER COULD EASILY GET WRAPPED UP INTO THAT AND THAT WOULD BREAK MY HEART.

THAT IS THE ONE THING THAT SCARES ME ABOUT FALLING REALLY HARD.

>> GARY, YOU SAID YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH A LOT OF STUFF HOPEFULLY YOU CAN SHARE THAT WITH FOLKS TALKING ABOUT ADDICTION PROBLEMS.

WHAT IS THE ADVICE THAT YOU WANT TO SHARE TO OTHERS GOING THROUGH THIS?

>> IT'S NOT EASY AT ALL.

YOU HAVE TO WANT IT.

I HAD SO MANY PEOPLE TRY TO HELP ME AND I NEVER GOT MYSELF CLEAN UNTIL I WANTED TO DO IT.

YES THE BATTLE THE EASY PART IS BEING CLEAN IT'S PLAYING CATCH UP FROM EVERYTHING THAT YOU THREW AWAY IS THE HARD PART.

MY ADVICE IS TAKE ANY HELP OFFERED TO YOU.

BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL HELP YOU.

>> AND MAGGIE, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT LAKE COUNTY SUBURBS, LAKE COUNTY WE THINK OF ONE OF THE MOST AFFLUENT COUNTIES IN THE COUNTRY BUT THERE IS A HUGE DISPARITY IN THAT COUNTY.

TALK ABOUT THAT?

>> YES.

SO YOU KNOW, WE'RE KNOWN AS ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST COUNTY IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

BUT WHEN YOU REALLY START TO DRILL DOWN AND LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, YOU CAN SEE AT THAT TIME THERE IS A TREMENDOUS DISPARITY BETWEEN THE QUALITY OF LIFE JUST FIVE MILES APART FROM ONE MUNICIPALITY TO ANOTHER.

AND IT AFFECTS EVERYTHING.

IT AFFECTS PEOPLE'S LIFE EXPECTANCY.

THERE IS A 14-YEAR DIFFERENCE IN LIFE EXPECTANCY BETWEEN OUR RICHEST COMMUNITIES AND ONE OF OUR POOREST COMMUNITIES.

AND THAT IS THE STUFF WE'RE WORKING TO ADDRESS.

BECAUSE YOUR ZIP CODE SHOULD NOT DICTATE YOUR FUTURE.

>> GARY WHAT IS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE FOR YOU LIVING IN DIFFICULT CONDITIONS SOMETIMES BUT SO CLOSE BY YOU SEE SUCH AFFLUENCE IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES?

>> IT'S FOR THE LONGEST, I WOULD HAVE LIKE I WOULD BE ENVIOUS TOWARDS IT.

IT'S JUST SOMETHING I GREW UP IN.

SO THERE'S SOMETHING I WAS USED TO.

AND LIKE THE SAME THING A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT TARGETS LIKE LOW INCOME AREAS BUT IT DOESN'T DISCRIMINATE.

IT GOES EVERYWHERE.

>> CERTAINLY IT KNOWS NO DEMOGRAPHIC OR PHYSICAL BOUNDARIES.

MAGGIE HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED EFFORTS TO COMBAT POVERTY IN THE SUBURBS?

>> I THINK THAT THE PANDEMIC AND JUST EVERYTHING THAT IS HAPPENING IN THE ENVIRONMENT POLITICALLY AND SOCIALLY HAS REALLY AMPLIFIED THE ISSUES AND DEMONSTRATED THE HUGE DISPARITY THAT LIES WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE WEALTHY AND THOSE THAT AREN'T.

AND THAT DISPORTION AT INVESTMENT.

-- DISPROPORTIONATE INVESTMENT.

IT CREATES A DIVIDE WHEN WE NEED TO BE UNITED.

WHAT WE'VE BEEN FOCUSING ON AT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IS REALLY BUILDING A PERMANENT CRISIS RELIEF FUND TO RESPOND TO THESE NEEDS.

AND IN LAKE COUNTY, THE BIGGEST NEEDS WE'RE SEEING IS ACCESS TO FOOD, RENT IS ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT ISSUE.

YOU KNOW, REGULAR TRANSPORTATION TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE FOR APPOINTMENTS THAT ARE NON-COVID RELATED IS AN ISSUE.

SO IT'S TOUCHING ON A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS THAT GARY'S STORY HIGHLIGHTED.

OUR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IS REALLY PLAYED A COORDINATING ROLE TO HELP SUPPORT LOCAL PHILANTHROPY AND COORDINATE THAT INVESTMENT SO WE ARE LEVERAGING EVERY DOLLAR AND MAXIMIZING THAT IMPACT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

CERTAINLY A LOT OF THINGS EXACERBATING WHAT YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

OUR THANKS TO MAGGIE MORALES AND GARY LADEHOFF.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT A LOOK AT Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.'S LEGACY IN LAWNDALE.

>> IN JANUARY 1966, Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HIS WIFE, CORETTA AND THEIR FOUR CHILDREN MOVED INTO A WEST SIDE TENEMENT AND SET TO WORK ADDRESSING HIS BATTLE AGAINST POVERTY.

QUALITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

HERE IS THE STORY AND CONVERSATION THAT FIRST AIRED ON YESTERDAY'S "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

>> WHEN REVEREND MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

CAME TO LAWNDALE 50 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH, HIS MISSION WAS TO BRING AN END TO THE DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING PRACTICES THAT FORCED MANY BLACK CHICAGOANS TO LIVE IN TERRIBLE CONDITIONS.

>> WE HAVE LOOKED FORWARD TO COMING TO CHICAGO WITH GREAT AND EAGER ANTICIPATION.

>> KING AND THREE CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS SEIZED THIS THREE-FLAT.

WHERE TENANTS WERE LIVING WITH NO HEAT, ELECTRICITY OR HOT WATER.

>> KING AND THE BUILDING'S TENANTS WORKED TO FIX UP THE BUILDING AND KING'S VISION FOR CHICAGO WENT FAR BEYOND FIXING UP HOUSING.

IN A 1967 SPEECH KING SAID QUOTE IF THERE IS TO BE GENUINE EQUALITY THERE MUST BE A RADICAL REDISTRIBUTION OF ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL POWER.

50 YEARS LATER, THE REDISTRIBUTION KING HOPED FOR HAS YET TO REACH LAWNDALE.

THOUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS STRUGGLING WITH POVERTY WHEN KING LIVED HERE, 16TH STREET WAS LINED WITH SHOPS AND APARTMENT BUILDINGS.

TODAY, VACANT LOTS DOMINATE 16TH STREET AND AFFORDABLE QUALITY HOUSING IS STILL IN SHORT SUPPLY.

WHEN HE WAS ASSASSINATED IN 1968, KING WAS PREPARING TO LAUNCH THE POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN.

HIS MOVEMENT FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE.

ONE OF THE PILLARS OF THAT CAMPAIGN REFLECTED HIS WORK IN LAWNDALE THE FIGHT TO SECURE FAIR HOUSING WHICH HE SAW AS CRUCIAL TO ENABLING FAMILIES TO LIFT THEMSELVES OUT OF POVERTY.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT HOW FAIR HOUSING AND POVERTY INTERSECT ARE YOLANDA CANNON.

AND RICHARD TOWNFELL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LAWNDALE CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

HOW DOES AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE HELP PEOPLE TO ACHIEVE FINANCIAL STABILITY?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS.

WHEN IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE HOUSED.

AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE SAFE.

IT'S ALSO ABOUT GIVING THEM QUALITY HOUSING.

WHEN A PERSON IS HOUSED THEY ARE SAFE, THEY ARE ABLE TO LIVE IN A WAY THAT IS HONORABLE TO THEM.

THEN THAT IMPACTS THEIR EMPLOYMENT, THEIR ABILITY TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO SLEEP AND PREPARE THEIR FOOD.

IT IMPACTS THEIR HEALTH AND IMPACTS EVERYTHING IN THEIR LIVES.

SO HOUSING SAFE HOUSE SOMETHING ONE THING BUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> YOU MENTIONED ONE OF THEM.

BUT WHAT ARE SOME OF THE POSITIVE RIPPLE EFFECTS THAT COME WITH HAVING THAT STABLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

>> THAT IS -- I HAVE A VERY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THIS.

THERE WAS A PERSON THAT I KNOW WHO WAS GOING TO SCHOOL AND HAD EMPLOYMENT.

BUT SHE WAS COUCH SURFING SHE DIDN'T MAKE ENOUGH TO LIVE ON HER OWN AND SHE HAD TO LIVE WITH A RELATIVE.

WELL, THE RELATIVES COULD NO LONGER ALLOW HER TO SLEEP ON THEIR COUCH.

SHE HAD TO MOVE THEIR CLOTHES INTO A STORAGE BIN AND EVERYDAY GO AUTO TO THE STORAGE CHANGE HER CLOTHES AND THEN GO TO SCHOOL AND GO TO HER EMPLOYER.

THAT EMPLOYER THAT IS WHERE SHE WOULD SLEEP OR WASH UP OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

WHEN THEY FOUND OUT SHE WAS DOING THAT SHE LOST HER JOB.

THIS IS HOW THAT IMPACTS A PERSON'S LIFE.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT HOUSING IN THE WAY THAT WE THINK.

WHEN YOU HAVE A HOUSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE A SHOWER OR FIGURE OUT WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO SLEEP.

THAT SIMPLE THING THAT MANY OF US TAKE FOR GRANTED IS MAJOR AND IT CAUSED HER TO LOSE HER JOB BECAUSE SHE DID NOT HAVE A PLACE TO REGULARLY REST EVERY NIGHT.

>> RICHARD YOUR ORGANIZATION LAWNDALE CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION YOU MANAGE SEVERAL MIXED INCOME HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDING THE Dr. KING LEGACY APARTMENTS AND THEY STAND ON THE SITE OF THE BUILDING WHERE Dr. KING LIVED.

CAN THIS MODEL BE REPLICATED IN OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY?

>> WELL, IT HAS BEEN REPLICATED.

THERE'S BEEN ROBUST WORK IN COMMUNITIES LIKE IN PILSEN AND ON THE SOUTH SIDE, THERE IS A BUS LANE MOVEMENT IN CHICAGO AND GROUPS HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 50 YEARS.

IT CAN BE REPLICATED.

IT HAS BEEN REPLICATED AND WE LEARNED FROM OTHERS AS WELL.

>> IF IT CAN BE REPLICATED AND IT HAS BEEN WHAT MORE DOES CITY GOVERNMENT NEED TO DO TO HELP REMEDY THE PROBLEM OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

>> THE ISSUE STARTS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

HUD HAS NOT GIVEN IN THE SAME WAY CHICAGO GOES AFTER DOLLARS FOR TRANSPORTATION OUR DELEGATION DOES A GREAT JOB OF GETTING TRANSPORTATION DOLLARS THEY HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING AROUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THEY ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY FOR FOR EVERY PERSON THAT WINS AN AWARD TO DO A DEVELOPMENT, THERE ARE 10 OR 15 THAT DIDN'T GET IT.

WE NEED RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS WORK AND IN ADDITION ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE WORKING ON WITH THE CITY IS WE HAVE A THOUSAND HOMES CAMPAIGN.

SHIRT I'M WEARING TALKS ABOUT THE NORTH LAWNDALE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION OUR GOAL IS TO BUILD A THOUSAND HOMES FOR WORKING FAMILIES AND WE ARE WORKING WITH THE CITY TO START THE FIRST 250 HOMES IN NORTH LAWNDALE.

YOLANDA HAS BEEN KEY TO HELPING US TRAIN AND DEVELOP NEW HOMEOWNERS THAT WILL OWN THOSE HOMES.

THE CITY CAN PLAY ITS PART AND WE HAVE TO PLAY OUR PART AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU TO YOLANDA AND RICHARD FOR JOINING US.

>> AGAIN THAT CONVERSATION FIRST AIRED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES" OVER THE WEEKEND.

YOU CAN SEE AN EXTENDED VERGE ON OUR WEBSITE.

YOU CAN CATCH "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES" ON SUNDAYS AT 6:00 P.M. >> AND WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP, FIRST A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

>> JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. AND JOIN WTTW AT 8:00 P.M. FOR A VIRTUAL EVENT "FIRSTHAND: LIVING IN POVERTY" WE'LL CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.

GO TO WTTW.COM/POVERTY EVENT AND JOIN THE LINK TO ACCESS THE SCREENING AND DISCUSSION.

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

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND GOOD NIGHT.

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