CHICAGO TONIGHT.

>> HERE IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

>> WHERE IS THE MONEY COMING FROM?

THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS DEBATE PLANS OVER HOUSING MIGRANTS.

THE SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM HAS THE LATEST.

>>> WE WERE PRIMARILY SEEING DARK CUBES INSIDE A CLEAR SPHERE.

>> ASTONISHING TESTIMONY FROM WITNESSES AT A UFO HEARING.

>>> THIS IS FOR YOU, OUR FANS, AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> HE PRESIDED OVER THE ORGANIZATION FOR THREE STANLEY CUPS.

REMEMBER THE BLACKHAWKS OWNER WHO DIED YESTERDAY.

>>> AND THE BLOCK PARTY PREPARES FOR ITS LAST DANCE IN HYDE PARK.

>>> MOUNTED TO THE TODAY STOPS TOWARDS.

THE COST TO BORROW MONEY IS SET TO GO UP AGAIN.

JEROME POWELL ANNOUNCES THE FED IS RAISING INTEREST RATES TO 5.5%, THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN 22 YEARS.

THE MOVE COMES DESPITE A DIP IN INFLATION AND A RELATIVELY STRONG ECONOMY.

HE SAYS IT MIGHT NOT BE THE LAST TIME RATES GO UP.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT IT IS CERTAINLY POSSIBLE THAT WE WOULD RAISE FUNDS AGAIN AT THE SEPTEMBER MEETING IF THEY ARE WORN TO.

I WOULD ALSO SAY IT IS POSSIBLE THAT WE WOULD CHOOSE TO HOLD STEADY AT THAT MEETING.

>> A STATEWIDE EFFORT TO REACH SO-CALLED FUNCTIONAL HOMELESSNESS IN ILLINOIS BECAME OFFICIAL TODAY.

>> WE UNDERSTAND THE NOTION OF FUNCTIONAL ZERO.

WE GET THAT, BUT FUNCTIONAL ZERO DOES NOT MEAN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF HOMELESS PEOPLE.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT.

THIS ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED WITH THE RIGHT LEADERSHIP AND THE RIGHT USE OF FUNDS AND THE RIGHT TEAM.

>> THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE HOME ILLINOIS BILL, WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER 17 STATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES TO DEVELOP A COPY OF THE PLAN TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS.

THE MAIN GOAL IS TO AVOID SHELTER ENTRY BY FINDING STABLE HOUSING, PERMANENT HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE UNHOUSED, AND ENSURE THAT SHELTER STAYS ARE BRIEF AND LEAD TO QUICK TRANSITIONS TO STABLE SITUATIONS.

THIS YEARS BUDGET COMMITS $360 MILLION TOWARDS THAT GOAL.

>>> LOCAL ESTATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS ARE SURVEYING THE FALLOUT FROM TORRENTIAL RAINFALL THAT LEFT THOUSANDS FLOODED BETWEEN JUNE 29 AND JULY 2.

THEY SAY THEY ARE GOING TO DOOR TO DOOR, ESPECIALLY ON THE WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO AND SUBURBS LIKE CICERO TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE AND DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT TO SEEK A PRESIDENTIAL DISASTER DECLARATION THROUGH FEMA.

THOSE COMMUNITIES WERE HIT THE HARDEST WITH AS MUCH AS NINE INCHES OF RAIN FALLING IN ONE DAY.

>> COOK COUNTY EMR ARREST , EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND REGIONAL SECURITY, IS COMMITTED TO PURSUING EVERY AVAILABLE RESOURCE THAT CAN ASSIST RESIDENTS ACROSS COOK COUNTY WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS OVERWHELMING CIRCUMSTANCE.

IT HAS UPENDED THEIR PERSONAL LIVES AND DAMAGE THEIR PROPERTIES, AND IT HAS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT HARDSHIP AND SO MANY MORE WAYS.

>> THE NEWLY HAND-PICKED CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION IS ALREADY MAKING CHANGES AT ITS FIRST MEETING TODAY.

THEY WILL NOW MEET EVERY FOURTH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH INSTEAD OF WEDNESDAY TO AVOID CONFLICTS WITH REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

THEY ARE ALSO EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC SPEAKERS AT MEETINGS, HOSTING SOME BOARD MEETINGS IN THE COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF HEADQUARTERS, AND INCREASING PARTICIPATION OF STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS.

THE SIX NEW MEMBERS AND ONE RETURNING MEMBER SAY THE CHANGES ARE MEANT TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND TRANSPARENCY.

>>> COMING UP, A CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE DEBATES OPTIONS TO HOUSE MIGRANTS IN THE CITY.

>>> BUT FIRST, LAWMAKERS IN WASHINGTON LOOK FOR ANSWERS ABOUT LIFE IN SPACE.

THAT IS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE, IN PART, BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS, THE GYM AND CAME FAMILY, THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> STAGE TO ANSWER LOTS OF PRESSING POLICY QUESTIONS, BUT TODAY'S HEARING OF U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE FOCUSED ON THAT MOST OF VEXING OF QUESTIONS FOR HUMANITY, ARE WE ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE?

MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE COMMITTEE HEARD TESTIMONY FROM SEVERAL WHISTLEBLOWERS WHO SAY THE GOVERNMENT IS COVERING UP VITAL INFORMATION ON UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENON, WERE COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS UFOS.

HERE IS A FORMER NAVY PILOT DESCRIBING SOME OF THE UNEXPLAINED PHENOMENA HE AND OTHER PILOTS HAVE SEEN.

>> WE WERE PRIMARILY SEEING DARK GRAY OR BLACK YOUTH INSIDE A CLEAR SPHERE.

>> I'M SORRY.

CUBES?

>> YES.

INSIDE A SPHERE WHERE THE APEX WAS TOUCHING THE INSIDE OF THE SPHERE.

THAT WAS PRIMARILY WHAT WAS BEING REPORTED WILL BE GOT A VISUAL TALLY.

THAT OCCURRED OVER ALMOST 8 YEARS.

AS FAR AS I KNOW, IT IS STILL OCCURRING.

>> JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ARE RON JAMES, MEDIA RELATIONS DIRECTOR FOR THE MUTUAL UFO NETWORK AND MAKER OF THE DOCUMENTARY, ACCIDENTAL TRUTH, UFO REVELATIONS.

JOINING US FROM SEDONA, ARIZONA.

LOCAL ASTRONOMER AND SPACE ENTHUSIASTS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF FARTHER HORIZONS, WELCOME BOCA VIEW TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

SOMEBODY MORE BOND SHALL TESTIMONY HERE FROM AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE OFFICER INCLUDED THE CLAIM THAT THE DOD, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, HAS BEEN RECOVERING CRASHED UFOS FOR YEARS AND FOR KEEPING THE FINDING SECRET.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION?

>> THE FILM I MADE, ACCIDENTAL TRUTH, IS VERY DETAILED EVIDENCE PRESENTED TO SUPPORT ALL OF THIS .

IN FACT, MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE FILM ARE PARTIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEADLINES WE'RE SEEING TODAY.

I PRESENT A VERY STRONG CASE THAT WHAT HE IS SAYING IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE.

>> FOR THOSE OF YOU IN THE SCIENCE COMMUNITY OR PHYSICS OR ASTRONOMERS, WHAT IS THE GENERAL VIEW ON CLAIMS LIKE THIS?

AND SOME OF THE VIDEOS AND INCIDENTS WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE YEARS OF THESE OBJECTS THAT REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY EXPLANATION?

>> THE THING THAT PEOPLE KEEP COMING BACK TO, SCIENTISTS ESPECIALLY, IS, WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE?

WE HAVE FANTASTIC TESTIMONY, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE?

NOT JUST PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, BUT CONVINCING, REPEATED PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE THAT DEMONSTRATES SOMETHING THAT IS NOT CAPABLE BY NATURE OR HUMAN CRAFT.

>> YOU ARE SAYING THERE IS EVIDENCE, AND THESE WITNESSES TODAY WERE SAYING THAT THERE ARE INVESTIGATIONS ONGOING.

THE INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORTS WHISTLEBLOWERS, BUT THEY CAN'T REALLY TALK ABOUT WHAT THE EVIDENCE IS.

SO WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE?

>> I THINK THAT IS ABOUT TO CHANGE.

WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH THE PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT, AS EARLY AS THE 30s, DEFINITELY THE 40s, A VERY SECRET SELECT GROUP WAS CONVENED TO MANAGE THIS INFORMATION.

SOME PEOPLE CALL THEM MAJESTIC 12, IT COULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING SIMILAR, BUT THESE PEOPLE, BASICALLY, WERE ACCOUNTABLE TO ONLY THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF MILITARY AND THE POLITICAL BODY.

THEY DECIDED THIS NEEDED TO BE KEPT SECRET.

HIGHLY COMPARTMENTALIZ ED PROGRAMS, FUSION OF GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY, ALL OPERATING ON BLACK BUDGET SO DEEP THAT, OVER TIME, THEY BECAME ACCOUNTABLE TO NOBODY.

THAT IS WHO HAS BEEN GUARDING THIS EVIDENCE, AND THAT IS WHERE IT LIES.

IN THE FILM, WE WERE ABLE TO UNCOVER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT RESPONSES THAT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IN THE 1940S THE ARMY FORMED SOMETHING CALLED THE INTERPLANETARY PHENOMENON RESEARCH UNIT.

AS MATTHEW MODINE, WHO NARRATES THE MOVIE ASKS, WHY DO THEY NEED THAT?

THE EVIDENCE CHAIN , MATERIALS THAT WERE SUPPOSEDLY CREATED IN LABORATORIES BY HUMANS GO BACK TO INSTITUTES LIKE THE TELL MEMORIAL INSTITUTE.

THEIR RESEARCH WAS SECRET .

>> I WANT TO CUT YOU OFF.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE OTHER TESTIMONY HERE.

THIS WAS REFERRING TO THE INFAMOUS TIKTOK AIRCRAFT INCIDENT FROM ABOUT 17 YEARS AGO THAT WAS CAUGHT ON VIDEO.

A FORMER NAVY COMMANDER A PILOT SPOKE OUT ABOUT THAT INCIDENT THAT HE OBSERVED.

>> I AM NOT A UFO FANATIC.

IT IS NOT ME.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU, WHAT WE SAW WITH FOUR SETS OF EYES OVER A FIVE-MINUTE PERIOD , THERE IS NOTHING, WE HAVE NOTHING CLOSE TO IT.

IT WAS AMAZING TO SEE.

I TOLD MY BUDDY I WANTED TO FIGHT IT.

IT IS INCREDIBLE TECHNOLOGY.

>> THIS THING THAT LOOKS LIKE THAT WAS ACCELERATING INSTANTLY AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY ENGINE.

IS A GENERALLY ACCEPTED THAT THIS WAS SOME KIND OF PHENOMENON THAT THERE ARE NO HUMAN ANSWERS TO HOW IT DID WHAT IT DID?

>> FIRST OF ALL, IT IS A TICTAC, LIKE THE CANDY.

>> I'M SORRY, NOT TIKTOK, LIKE THE APP.

>> AND ALL OF THESE CASES, THERE IS A BIG DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE PERSONAL TESTIMONY OF THE PILOTS AND THE VIDEOS THEMSELVES.

I HAVE ANALYZED THESE VIDEOS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THEM, AND PLOT THINGS OUT , NONE OF THE VIDEOS SHOW ANY KIND OF ANOMALOUS BEHAVIOR.

I HAVE WORKED WITH INFRARED SENSORS, THERMAL INFRARED, AND THE APPEARANCE IS LIKE A LOT OF THE ARTIFACTS, THE IMAGING DEFECTS THAT WE SEE IN THESE KINDS OF DETECTORS.

>> IS A POSSIBLE WITH THIS INCIDENT THAT THERE IS SOME KIND OF HUMAN SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION FOR WHAT THESE PHENOMENA ARE?

>> I CERTAINLY AGREE THAT THE STUFF THAT HAS BEEN RELEASED PUBLICLY IS INCONCLUSIVE, AT BEST.

BUT THE TESTIMONY FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEEN THE OTHER VIDEOS AND THE DESCRIPTIONS THAT ARE NOT CLASSIFIED ABOUT THE FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS OF THESE OBJECTS, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE VIDEO, THEY SEEMED INDICATED TECHNOLOGY FAR BEYOND WHAT WE CAN DO NOW.

THAT TECHNOLOGY SEEMS TO GO ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE 40s WHEN WE HAD FOO FIGHTERS CITED BY WORLD WAR II AIRCRAFT PILOTS DOING MANY OF THE SAME THINGS.

>> EXPLAIN TO VIEWERS HOW DIFFICULT, INDEED, IT WOULD BE FOR SOME EXTRATERRESTRIAL SPECIES TO SEND AN OBJECT ALL THE WAY HERE FROM SOME OTHER SOLAR SYSTEM TO EARTH IN TERMS OF OUR UNDERSTANDING OF PHYSICS.

IT IS STILL NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TAKE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

>> I THINK YOU HIT IT RIGHT THERE.

GIVEN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF PHYSICS WITH THE BIGGEST ONE BEING THE ULTIMATE SPEED LIMIT OF THE SPEED OF LIGHT.

THE VERY CLOSEST STAR IS MORE THAN FOUR LIGHT-YEARS AWAY.

IT WOULD TAKE MORE THAN FOUR YEARS EVEN IF WE COULD TRAVEL AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT.

GETTING CLOSE TO THE SPEED OF LIGHT IS NOT POSSIBLE WITH ANY HUMAN TECHNOLOGY WE HAVE NOW.

SCIENCE-FICTION.

GIVEN THAT, YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THINGS LIKE COLONY SHIPS.

WE ARE IN THE REALM OF SCIENCE FICTION HERE.

ON THE FACE OF IT, THERE IS A BIG HURDLE RIGHT THERE.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE THIS DISCUSSION THERE FOR NOW, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE HAVING THIS, BECAUSE I KNOW FOLKS, THE BIPARTISAN PANEL, IS INTERESTED IN GETTING MORE ANSWERS ON THIS.

>>> UP NEXT, THE SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WITH A LOOK AT THE HEATED DEBATE IN CITY HALL OVER HOUSING MIGRANTS.

STAY WITH US.

>>> ARE SEEMINGLY STUCK AT POLICE STATIONS.

HERE IS THAT STORY, MUCH MORE, ARE SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAMMATES .

THERE IS STILL 941 MIGRANTS LIVING IN CHICAGO POLICE STATIONS.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE URGENCY TO GET THEM OUT OF THOSE STATIONS AND INTO SOMETHING MORE STABLE?

>> WE HEARD FROM MEMBERS OF THE MAYORS ADMINISTRATION THAT THE URGENCY REMAINS IN THEIR COMMITTED TO DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MOVE THESE MIGRANTS TO SOMEWHERE MORE STABLE TO LIVE, BUT THE BUSES ARE ARRIVING, SOME AS FREQUENTLY AS EVERY DAY.

THERE JUST IS NOT THE SPACE IN CITY SHELTERS WERE NEARLY 5500 PEOPLE ARE ALREADY LIVING, MEETING, THERE IS SIMPLY NO MORE ROOM, AND THEY CAN'T OPEN ENOUGH SHELTER SPACE TO KEEP UP WITH THE SPACE PACE.

>> THE BUSES ARE STILL ARRIVING.

THERE IS NEW SHELTER OPENING TO HOUSE 500 TO 600 MIGRANTS.

WILL THAT EASE THE CRUNCH?

>> IT WILL NOT.

IT WILL SIMPLY MOVE THE FAMILIES ARE LIVING ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE , BECAUSE THOSE SCHOOLS, THE FALL TERMS START IN A MATTER OF WEEKS.

THEY CAN'T LIVE THERE ANYMORE.

AND THAT IS WHERE THESE PEOPLE WILL NOW GO.

THERE WILL BE A NEW SHELTER THAT WILL OPEN UP AT THE BROADWAY ARMORY IN EDGEWATER.

IT IS VERY CONTROVERSIAL.

THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS THAT WILL EASE THE PRESSURE, BUT IF THE BUSES KEEP PLAYING CATCH-UP IN A RACE WHERE REAL PEOPLE ARE PAYING THE PRICE.

>> IS THAT A DONE DEAL?

IS COMMUNITY INPUT COMING?

>> IT SEEMS TO BE A DONE DEAL BY THE ADMINISTRATION, DESPITE THEIR IS COMMUNITY OUTCRY.

TOMORROW WE EXPECT THERE TO BE A RALLY.

THIS UNDERSCORES THE DIFFICULTY, BECAUSE THERE ARE 77 COMMUNITY AREAS IN CHICAGO, AND IT SEEMS IN EACH AREA YOU HAVE RESIDENTS THAT SAY, WE WANT TO HELP THE MIGRANTS, BUT NOT AT THIS FACILITY.

IN THE CASE OF THE ARMY, THERE SAYING, WE NEED THIS FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS, LOW INCOME PROGRAMS.

THERE IS PROGRAMMING HERE THAT THE COMMUNITY RELIES ON, AND THIS WILL DISRUPT THAT.

WE HAVE TO FIND SOMEPLACE ELSE.

THE PROBLEM IS, THEY HAVE TRIED SO MANY DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, AND THERE IS OUTCRY IN EVERY SINGLE COMMUNITY.

SO WHERE IS THE PERFECT LOCATION?

IT DOESN'T SEEM THERE IS ONE.

>> THERE IS ALSO PROGRESS ON TWO OF THE BIGGEST CAMPAIGN PROMISES THIS WEEK.

WHERE DOES HE PUSHED TO REOPEN THE MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC STAND?

>> THERE WAS A LONG HEARING WHERE THE CASE WAS LAID OUT TO REOPEN 14 CLINICS, WHICH WOULD BRING THE TOTAL TO 19 CLINICS.

A BIG FIGHT WITH THIS WILL BE DURING THE 2024 BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS.

OPENING A CLINIC TAKES MONEY, AND THAT IS WHAT THE BUDGET WILL DECIDE.

TOMORROW THERE WILL BE A BIG HEARING OF THE SO-CALLED BRING CHICAGO HOME PROPOSAL, WHICH WOULD RAISE THE REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX ON PROPERTIES WORTH MORE THAN $1 MILLION TO CREATE A DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE TO HELP UNHOUSED CHICAGOANS.

AGAIN, A VERY CRUCIAL ISSUE THAT WILL BE MUCH IN THE SPOTLIGHT.

>> LITTLE BIT OF NATIONAL NEWS, THE LABOR UNIT AND DNC HAVE AGREED TO LABOR PEACE DURING THE CONVENTION FOR A BIG CONCERN WAS THIS?

>> IT WAS NOT A CONCERN.

CHICAGO IS REPRESENTED BY A FORMER ORGANIZER FOR THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION, THE GOVERNOR IS VERY ALIGNED WITH THE UNIONS IN THE STATE.

THERE WAS NEVER GOING TO BE A SITUATION WHERE THERE WAS LABOR UNREST DURING THE STARTING MOMENT ON THE NATIONAL STAGE NEXT SUMMER.

HOWEVER, THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYBODY TO GET TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT HOW WONDERFUL THE CONVENTION WILL BE IN JUST ABOUT A YEAR.

>> CAN I MENTION THE BIGGER CONCERN, HOW WILL THEY PAY FOR ALL OF IT?

THE GOVERNOR ACKNOWLEDGES IT WILL BE THE BIGGEST CONVENTION YOU, THE MOST EXPENSIVE ONE YET, WE HAVE TO RAISE TESTIMONY.

AND HEATHER HAS TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE, HE IS BASICALLY GUARANTEED IT WITH HIS OWN LAWS SAYING, YOU KNOW WHAT?

I AM YOUR INSURANCE PLAN, I GUESS I WILL COVER THE COST.

BUT THIS IS A ROLL OF THE DICE WHEN IT COMES TO FINANCES.

>> BEFORE WE GO, THE RACE TO REPLACE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY .

>> THERE TWO ANNOUNCED CANDIDATES, CLAYTON HARRIS AND EILEEN ONEILL , WHO IS A FORMER APPELLATE COURT JUDGE WHO STEPPED DOWN TO MAKE THIS RACE.

OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT GET IN THE RACE.

IT IS STILL EARLY.

THEY CAN START PETITIONING ABOUT LABOR DAY .

IT IS COMING UP.

MAYBE THE FORMER INSPECTOR GENERAL AND FORMER HOUSE LEADER.

>> DIDN'T WE JUST HAVE AN ELECTION.

>> WE ALWAYS HAVE ELECTIONS.

THIS IN CHICAGO.

KIM COX HAS A LOT OF SWAY.

THE QUESTION IS, WILL SHE HAVE SWAY AGAIN INPUTTING THE PERSON SHE WANTS IN THAT POSITION.

SHE WANT SOMEONE LIKE KIM FOXX, WHO SKUS TO PROGRESSIVE IDEALS.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> UP NEXT, I HYDE PARK BLOCK PARTY PREPARES FOR HIS LAST DANCE.

FIRST A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> PARK TO THE PRESENT-DAY LOCATION OF HYDE PARK, THE SILVER ROAD HAS BECOME MORE THAN A JEWELRY STORE.

THE ECLECTIC OFFERINGS CURATED BY THE OWNER HELP CREATE AN EQUALLY ECLECTIC COMMUNITY OVER THE LAST THREE DECADES.

THE SPIRIT OF THAT COMMUNITY INSPIRED WILLIAMS TO START THE BLOCK PARTY IN 1997 AS A SCRAPPY CELEBRATION OF MUSIC, DANCE, AND ARE.

NOW IN ITS 18th SUMMER, WILLIAMS SAYS THIS WILL BE THE LAST DANCE.

>> Reporter: >> I STILL REMEMBER THE FIRST ONE , THE ANTICIPATION OF IT HAPPENING.

IT WAS A PERFECT SUMMER DAY.

WHEN THE MUSIC COMES ON, IT'S LIKE, WE ARE ACTUALLY DOING IT.

>> Reporter: TODAY, THE BLACK PARTY IS A MASSIVE EVENT IN HYDE PARK.

TENS OF THOUSANDS GATHER TO DANCE, EAT, SHOP, AND CELEBRATE.

OWNER ERIC WILLIAMS THE FIRST THAT HE STAGE IN HIS ALLEY NEXT TO HIS ECLECTIC WICKER PARK TO RESTORE WAS NOT BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD BLOCK PARTY.

>> WAS MORE OF A CUSTOMER APPRECIATION PARTY.

I HAD BEEN OPEN FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS.

IN THAT TIME, I MET ALL THESE INTERESTING PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY.

I AM LIKE, IT WOULD BE COOL TO HAVE AN EVENT THAT FEATURES MY CUSTOMERS IN SOME WAYS.

WICKER PARK WAS VERY VIBRANT AND DIVERSE.

I HAD NO MONEY AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE HAD BEEN TRYING TO GET CITY FESTIVALS TO INCLUDE MORE BLACK AND BROWN ASK IN THEIR LINEUPS WITHOUT MUCH LUCK.

>> THEY ALWAYS HAD A REASON TO SAY NO.

I AM NOT GOING TO KEEP BEGGING THEM.

I WILL START IT MYSELF.

I CALLED UP FROM FRIENDS THAT WAS REALLY IT.

IT WAS A FREE EVENT.

I WENT TO HOME DEPOT , I RAN THE COURTS TO MY HOUSE DOWN TO THE ALLEY TO POWER THE ENTIRE BLOCK PARTY.

THE FIRST 10 YEARS WE HAD NO VENDORS.

WE HAD NO SECURITY.

THE FIRST ONE WAS GREAT.

IT WAS SO PURE.

MY THOUGHT PROCESS WAS, OKAY, I CAN HELP PAY FOR THIS BLOCK PARTY THE COST 400 BUCKS.

>> Reporter: OVER THE YEARS, THE EVENT OUTGREW THE ALLEY AND WILLIAM SAYS HE CONTINUE TO ABSORB MUCH OF THE COST HIMSELF.

IN 2015, WHEN THE SILVER ROOM BLOCK PARTY MOVED TO THE HEART OF HYDE PARK, THE EVENT TOOK ON AN EVEN BIGGER PROFILE.

>> WILL REMOVE DOWN HERE IS WHAT IT REALLY ESCALATED AND BECAME THIS HUGE ORDEAL.

NOW IT IS NOT 100 PEOPLE, IT IS 40,000.

YOU GO OVER TO 100 -- $1 MILLION.

THE EVENT REMAINS FREE TO ATTEND UNTIL THE 2022 FESTIVAL.

NOW THE OWNER OF MULTIPLE BUSINESSES , WILLIAMS SAYS THAT IS TOUGH TO CONTINUE TAKING ON THE LABOR AND COSTS THAT GOES INTO CREATING THE BLOCK PARTY.

>> I DON'T THINK THE AVERAGE PERSON UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH TIME, RESOURCES, AND MONEY IS INVOLVED IN CREATING AN EVENT LIKE THIS.

IT TAKES A YEAR.

WE DON'T HAVE A TEAM OF 100 PEOPLE.

IT IS ME AND THREE OR FOUR FRIENDS.

>> AND WILLIAMS SAYS THAT IS A BIG PART OF WHY THE 18th YEAR WILL BE ITS LAST.

>> I THINK IT IS TIME.

SOMETIMES THINGS NEED TO END.

AND NOW I AM HAPPY .

IT IS BEEN A GREAT RUN.

IT IMPACTED SO MANY ARTISTS.

PEOPLE ARE REALLY SAD ABOUT IT.

TO ME, IT IS NOT A TIME TO BE SAD, IT IS A CELEBRATION.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO DANCING AND SEEING OLD FRIENDS.

I HAVE, LIKE, A JOBS.

SO I AM GOOD.

>> EVEN THOUGH THIS WILL BE THE LAST SILVER ROOM SOUND SYSTEM BLOCK PARTY, WILLIAMS SAYS HE HAS A PRIZES UP ASLEEP.

THE TODAY BLOCK PARTY WILL TAKE PLACE ON JULY 29 AND JULY 30 AT OAKWOOD BEACH.

YOU CAN FIND INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> ALWAYS A FUN EVENT.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS ORDER ROCKY WIRTZ PRESIDED OVER THE TEAM AS IT WON THREE STANLEY CUP >> DIED YESTERDAY AT THE AGE OF 70.

HE TRANSFORMED WHAT HAD BEEN CALLED THE WORST ORGANIZATION IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS INTO A MODEL ON THE ICE AND ON THE BALANCE SHEET.

HIS LEGACY IS PROPAGATED BY THE BLACKHAWKS FAILURE TO ACT REGARDING THE ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A PLAYER BY A MEMBER OF THE COACHING STAFF.

INVESTIGATION SHOWED HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE COVER.

2001 YEAR BEFORE THE FIRST OF THE STANLEY CUPS, HE WAS HAILED AS A HERO BY THE FANS IN THE MEDIA.

HERE IS A LOOK.

>> HOW IS THIS FOR YOU, PERSONALLY?

IS IT FAIR TO SAY YOU ARE NOT A SHOWBOAT, YOU ARE NOT A PR GUY .

YOU'RE KIND OF SHY, I AM TOLD.

WHAT IS THIS LIKE NOW BEING A ROCKSTAR?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF I AM A ROCKSTAR, BUT I PUT THE TEAM FIRST.

YOU WALK A FINE LINE BETWEEN SELF-PROMOTING AND PROMOTING YOUR TEAM.

I NEVER WANT TO WALK OVER THAT LINE WERE SELF-PROMOTING DON'T PROMOTE THE TEAM.

THE ONLY REASON I DO ANY OF THE STUFF, INCLUDING TONIGHT, IS FOR THE TEAM.

IF WE CAN GET MORE PEOPLE IN, WE CAN KEEP SPONSORS HAPPY AND ACTUALLY BRING A WINNING FRANCHISE TO CHICAGO PEOPLE AND THIS GREAT CITY.

THAT IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.

>> WHAT KIND OF A FATHER WAS YOUR FATHER?

>> HE IS A TERRIFIC MAN.

I AM THE OLDEST OF FIVE CHILDREN.

MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY IN 1983.

GROWING UP, THERE WAS NEVER WEEKEND THEY WEREN'T DOING SOMETHING WITH THE KIDS.

I FINALLY REMEMBER TIMES WHEN HE WOULD BUNDLE US UP WITH OUR PAJAMAS ON AND WE BEGIN THE CAR AND GO TO THE DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATER.

>> I READ SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU MIGHT TAGALONG AT THE AGE OF SEVEN AND FIND YOURSELF FALLING ASLEEP ON HIS SHOULDER AT THE PUMP ROOM OR SOMETHING WHILE HE WAS WORKING HIS CONTACT.

>> THEY WOULD GO TO THE PUMP ROOM.

AT THAT TIME, THEY HAD THESE SMALL HAMBURGERS.

HE WOULD WAKE ME UP ENOUGH TO EAT SOMETHING.

I WOULD FALL ASLEEP.

I CAN ABOUT A, BECAUSE THE DEAL WAS, AS LONG AS I WOULD GO TO THE GAMES AND WENT TO SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY, IT WAS FINE.

BUT THE SCHOOL CALLED AND SAID THEY THOUGHT I HAD A LEARNING DISABILITY BECAUSE I KEPT FALLING ASLEEP IN CLASS.

MY MOTHER COULDN'T SAY BECAUSE HE WAS WITH HIS FATHER THE NIGHT BEFORE.

>> HERE WE ARE AT THREE CHAMPIONSHIPS LATER.

THAT WAS BACK IN 2009.

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

TORTOISE TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5:30 PM AND 10:00 EVER WORDED ABOUT THE BACK STORY TO THE INFAMOUS PARKING METER DEAL?

WE WILL SHARE THE DETAILS IN THE LATEST INSTALLMENT IN THE EXPLAINED SERIES.

>> AND A CHICAGO-BASED PHOTOGRAPHER FEATURED IN A NEW CENTER FOR PHOTOJOURNALISM.

>>> FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE, AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.