>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

HERE IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

>>> NORTH SIDE RESIDENT SOUND OFF ON A PROPOSED MIGRANT SHELTER AND A COMMUNITY CENTER.

WE ARE LIVE FROM EDGEWATER.

>>> MEETING AGAIN AS THE TEAM KEEPS ITS STADIUM OPTIONS OPEN .

>>> SWELTERING TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE REGION.

WE LOOK AT THE IMPACT ON THE POWER GRID.

>>> A QUARTER USED BY AN HOUR OF WORKING TIME.

TODAY, -- >>> THE INFAMOUS CHICAGO PARKING METER DEAL .

EXPECT WE WILL DEFINITELY BE REPRESENTING CHICAGO HIP-HOP TO THE CORE ON SATURDAY.

>>> DIVERSIFYING OF THE EVENTS 19 SEASON THIS WEEKEND .

>>> MARBLED CARE IS COME TO LIFE IN A PAINTING BY A LOCAL ARTIST.

>>> NOW TO OUR TOP STORY, NEIGHBORS IN EDGEWATER ARE PROTESTING FOR DECIDING TO USE A COMMUNITY PARK DISTRICT CEREMONY .

THE CITY HAS BEEN UNDER A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR MONTHS SINCE THE SIX TO HOUSE THE 800,000 MIGRANTS THAT HAVE BEEN BOUNCED FROM TEXAS WITH NO WARNING.

THE LATEST SHELTER OFFERED.

FRIEDMAN IS AT THE BROADWAY ARMORY WITH MORE.

WHAT IS GOING ON BEHIND YOU, RIGHT NOW?

>> Reporter: THE PROTEST RALLY THAT WAS HAPPENING BEHIND ME JUST WRAPPED UP A COUPLE OF MINUTES AGO.

IT STARTED ABOUT HALF AN HOUR AGO AND THERE WILL BE A COMMUNITY MEETING HAPPENING INSIDE THE ARMORY WITH THE OTHER WOMAN AS WELL AS THE CITY REPRESENTATIVE.

THIS BUILDING IS OPERATED BY THE CITY PARK DISTRICT.

A SENIOR CENTER AS WELL AS A HOST OF OTHER PROGRAMS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, A LETTER SIGNED BY THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT AND TWO DEPUTY MAYORS INFORMED THOSE WHO USE THE ARMORY THAT WOULD BE USED AS A TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR ASYLUM-SEEKERS STARTING ON AUGUST 1st.

THAT IS TUESDAY.

AND THE MANY PROGRAMS THAT ARE HERE WILL NEED TO BE MOVED OUTSIDE FOR MUCH OF THE DAY.

I AM JOINED BY PAT SHARKEY, ONE OF THE ORGANIZERS OF TODAY'S PROTEST.

WHAT DO YOU WANT THE CITY TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS?

>> THE PROCESS HERE HAS BEEN A DISASTER.

THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN EXCLUDED.

THAT WE HAVE WAITED PATIENTLY FOR A CONVERSATION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION WHEN WE HEARD THAT THE CIVILITY MIGHT BE USED AS A SHELTER.

WE WERE SHOCKED.

WE LEARNED THIS JUST TUESDAY.

WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR TWO MONTHS FOR THIS EVENT TONIGHT.

>> Reporter: AND TO BE CLEAR, IT IS NOT SO MUCH ABOUT THE MIGRANTS AS IT IS ABOUT THE FACILITY THAT YOU ALL POST.

OBVIOUSLY, YOU SUPPORT HAVING THE MIGRANTS HOUSED?

>> THIS IS A VERY WELCOMING COMMUNITY, A COMMUNITY OF IMMIGRANTS AND WE WELCOME THE MIGRANTS IN THE COMMUNITY, THE BEST OF THE FACILITY IS A WELCOMING FACILITY.

A SERVICE HUB FOR MIGRANTS.

WE REALLY ARE CONCERNED OF TAKING A FACILITY WITH THOUSANDS OF USERS, TAKING AWAY PROGRAMS FOR AT -RISK YOUTH .

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE HAD TO FIGHT FOR PROTECTION OF THE FACILITY, CORRECT.

>> IS THE COMMUNITY THAT LOBBIED TO PREVENT THE SHUTDOWN OF THIS FACILITY BY GOVERNOR EDGAR .

IT IS A COMMUNITY THAT HAS SINCE BEEN LOBBIED FOR ALL KINDS OF IMPROVEMENTS AND THERE IS A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP TO THE COMMUNITY, >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I KNOW YOU HAVE GOT A COMMUNITY MEETING TO GET TO AND I WANTED TO MENTION IN A STATEMENT SENT TO HER CONSTITUENTS, SAYING COAT WHILE I DISAGREE WITH THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS, THE MISSION WITH SUPPORTING NEW ARRIVALS, SHE DOES AGREE WITH THAT WHOLEHEARTEDLY BUT IS, QUOTE,, WE HAVE A MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP THOSE ARRIVING AND WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THE OLDER WOMAN WILL BE PARTICIPATING.

THE CITY SAYS 67 BUSES HAVE ARRIVED, 59 OF WHICH HAVE COME SINCE MAY OF 2023 AND THERE ARE OVER 50 FOUR -- 5400 NEW ARRIVALS TO THE CITY.

950 ARE STILL BEING HOUSED AT POLICE DISTRICTS AS WELL AS BOTH AIRPORTS MEETING THE CITY IS IN NEED OF 1500 BEDS.

>> IS A THORNY ISSUE IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD, IT , TO STAY COOL OUT THERE.

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

TALKS SEEM TO BE HEATING UP BETWEEN THE CHICAGO BEARS AND THE CITY REGARDING A FUTURE HOME FOR THE TEAM.

THE MAYOR ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING HE MET WITH KEVIN AGAIN WITH , QUOTE, REGULAR DIALOGUE.

THE MAYOR HAS BROACHED THE SUBJECT OF A POTENTIAL SITE TO KEEP THEM IN THE CITY.

SEVERAL OTHER SUBURBS HAVE THEIR HATS INTO THE RING.

WTTW-TV NEWS REPORTED LAST MONTH ON A COUPLE OF NEW SITES .

>>> A BATTLE BREWING BETWEEN ELECTED OFFICIALS AND SO-CALLED CRISIS MISSING CENTERS.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNED A LAW EMPOWERING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO INVESTIGATE THE FACILITY IF THEY ENGAGE IN DECEPTIVE PRACTICES OR CONSUMER FRAUD.

ACCORDING TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THESE CENTERS ARE DECEPTIVE BECAUSE THEY ATTEMPT OFFER CARE AND ABORTION.

>>> HEAT INDICES COULD GO AS FAR AS 105 DEGREES TODAY AND TOMORROW.

CHICAGOANS ARE URGED TO SEEK RELIEF AT THE LIBRARIES, HOUSES AND ABOUT HALF A DOZEN COOLING CENTERS SET UP THROUGH THE AREA.

>>> NEXT, THE IMPACT OF EXTREME TEMPERATURES ON THE NATION'S POWER GRID.

>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY : >> 150 MILLION AMERICANS ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HEAT ALERTS AND SCORCHING TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

EXCESSIVE WEATHER IS PUTTING A STRAIN ON THE NATION'S POWER GRID.

THE LARGEST GRID OPERATOR ISSUED AN ALERT THAT IT MAY HAVE TO IMPLEMENT EMERGENCY PROCEDURES SO WILL THE POWER GRID BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND AND KEEP FOLKS COOL AS EVERYONE NO DOUBT TURNS UP THOSE AIR-CONDITIONERS.

JOINING US NOW TO SHARE HIS INSIGHT IS MARK PETRY, DIRECTOR OF THE POWER GRID PROGRAM AT ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY RELIABILITY, RESILIENCY, SECURITY AND EFFICIENCY OF THE NATION'S POWER GRID.

MARK PETRIE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

WHEN YOU HEAR THAT WARNING FROM FIJI AND HIM , WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN THEY SAID THEY HAVE TO PUT INTO PLACE PERHAPS EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS?

>> WHAT I'M HEARING IS THAT THEY ARE RUNNING REALLY CLOSE TO THEIR MARGIN AND UNDER TYPICAL CIRCUMSTANCES, OUR GRID IS RUN WITH EXTRA CAPACITY KEPT IN RESERVE BUT WITH THE INCREASING AIR CONDITIONING ON THE COMMAND SIDE AND THE LIMITATIONS THAT HAPPEN ON THE POWER GRID SIDE BECAUSE OF RISING TEMPERATURES, THEY FEEL THAT THEY ARE REALLY CUTTING INTO THOSE MARGINS.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT THINGS SHOULD BE FINE BUT IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER EVENT THAT TAKE PLACE , ONE OR MORE POWER PLANTS GO DOWN.

A CIRCUIT BREAKER TRIPS, A SUBSTATION GOES OUT OR SOME COMBINATION OF THESE THINGS.

IT COULD REQUIRE THE POWER GRID OPERATORS TO SHED LOAD AND START WITH BROWNOUTS OR ROLLING BLACKOUTS.

>> PGM REMINDS US THEY START IN 13 STATES.

DOES THAT INCLUDE THIS AREA?

>> IT EXTENDS INTO THE TERRITORY.

>> LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE THE TEMPERATURES ARE THE HOTTEST.

IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE MAP, IT IS THE ENTIRE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS IN CHICAGO AND WILL ANNOY.

SAID -- SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN AND THAT OUR GRID GO DOWN CAUSING A BROWNOUT?

SPENT THE POWER GRID IS THE HEART OF OUR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURES.

AS WE SAW IN PAST EVENTS LIKE DOWN IN TEXAS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WERE GOING WAY BACK TO 23 WITH NORTHEAST POWER OUTAGE, IF YOU LOSE POWER, I LOSE COMMUNICATIONS, I HAVE TROUBLE WITH TRANSPORTATION, FINANCE.

I CANNOT USE THE ATM IN NEW YORK, THEY COULD NOT BECAUSE THE POWER WENT OUT.

I HAVE TROUBLE STORING FOOD.

YOU MENTIONED THESE COMMUNITY CENTERS THAT ARE BEING SET UP FOR SHELTERS AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO KEEP OUR PEOPLE SAFE UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS.

IT CAN BE A PROBLEM.

>> WHEN YOU SEE EXCESSIVE RAIN EVENTS, CHICAGO OFFICIALS URGE PEOPLE TO CONSERVE WATER, DON'T RUN THE DISHWASHER, DON'T RUN THE WASHING MACHINE.

IS IT A SENSITIVE -- SIMILAR SITUATION HERE?

>> YOUR UTILITY WILL OFTEN GIVE YOU NOTICES.

IN FACT, THERE ARE MANY PROGRAMS CALLED DEMAND RESPONSE PROGRAMS WHERE THE UTILITY MIGHT PAY YOU A FEE TO ALLOW THEM TO ASK YOU TO TURN DOWN YOUR AIR CONDITIONER OR MAYBE REDUCER ELECTRICITY USAGE.

SO THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS, NEW TOOLS THAT UTILITY OPERATORS HAVE TO WORK WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THE POWER GRID REMAINS RELIABLE.

>> GIVEN THE FACT THAT RATES ARE PROBABLY GOING TO SORE RIGHT NOW WITH ALL OF THE DEMANDS ON THE SYSTEM AND THERE ARE LOT OF ALARM AND HEAT RECORDS ARE BEING BROKEN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

THIS WILL LIKELY BE THE HOTTEST YEAR ON RECORD GIVEN THE SEVERAL RECENT YEARS SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN LONG-TERM FOR THE POWER GRID?

YOU MENTIONED THAT IT OPERATES SOMETIMES CLOSE TO THE LIMIT >> SO WE SPEND A LOT OF EFFORT HERE AT ARGONNE TO TRY TO STUDY WHAT, CHANGE IS GOING TO DO IN TERMS OF FUTURE EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS.

AND WE HAVE THE HIGHEST RESOLUTION CLIMATE MODELS IN THE ENTIRE NORTH AMERICA.

AND WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS THAT THESE EVENTS ARE MORE TYPICAL.

WE WILL SEE LONGER AND DEEPER HEAT EVENTS AND DROUGHTS .

HERE IN THE ILLINOIS AREA, WE CAN ALSO EXPECT , SURPRISINGLY, PROBABLY MORE ICE STORMS IN THE WINTER AND THOSE CAN CAUSE DIFFERENT TYPE OF PROBLEMS WITH WINTER AND CABLES.

BACK TO WHAT THE HEAT CAN DO TO THE POWER GRID SYSTEM, WELL, IT REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF POWER YOU CAN RUN ON YOUR TRANSMISSION LINES.

EVERY TIME YOU RUN ELECTRONS THROUGH THOSE CABLES, GENERATES HEAT SO THERE ARE TEMPERATURE LIMITS ON THOSE THINGS.

AND NOW, I AM COMPOUNDING THE FACT THAT THERE IS MORE DEMAND ON THE SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THE CONDITIONING AND OTHER RESOURCES LIKE THAT.

I CAN FLOW LESS POWER THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION LINES AND EVEN THE GENERATORS AT THE BIG POWER PLANTS, THEY WILL HAVE LIMITS ON HOW MUCH THEY CAN HEAT UP THE COOLING WATER.

FOR INSTANCE, IF THEY ARE USING A RESERVOIR OR A RIVER.

THEY MAY HAVE TO CUT BACK ON POWERS GENERATED .

>> GOING TO SPRINGFIELD ASKING FOR RATE HIKES SO THAT IT CAN INTRODUCE A MORE EFFICIENT GRID AND I KNOW THAT TAKES A LOT OF CONSUMERS OFF BUT ANYWAY, CAN THEY MODERNIZE THE SYSTEM TO MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT?

>> SO, I AM OBVIOUSLY NOT WANT TO GET INTO THE DEBATE BETWEEN STATE REGULATORS BUT THERE DEFINITELY ARE TO ALLERGIES AND TOOLS THAT CAN HELP MAKE THE GRID MORE RELIABLE AND RESILIENT.

SO, WE TALKED ABOUT DEMAND AND RESPONSE, WHERE THERE ARE PROGRAMS BETWEEN CUSTOMERS AND UTILITIES THAT CAN HELP MANAGE THE SYSTEM.

THERE ARE WAYS OF HARD THE SYSTEM TO ADD REDUNDANCY TO THE SYSTEM.

>> SORRY.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME SO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GET INTO SOME OF THE DETAILS AT A LATER DATE.

I AM SURE WE WILL CONTINUE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>>> UP NEXT, WTTW-TV EXPLAINS THE BACK STORY TO CHICAGO'S INFAMOUS PARKING.

>>> IF YOU LIVED IN CHICAGO 15 YEARS AGO, YOU PROBABLY KNOW THE DETAILS OF THE CITY'S PARKING METER DEAL.

IF YOU'RE JUST TOO YOUNG TO REMEMBER, OUR LATEST EDITION HAS THE STORY OF THIS NOTORIOUS CHAPTER IN CHICAGO HISTORY AND IT IS STILL RESONATING TODAY.

HERE IS PATTY WESLEY.

>> Reporter: EVERY TIME A CHICAGOAN PAYS FOR PARKING, THE METERS ARE A SERIOUS MONEYMAKER.

JUST NOT FOR CHICAGO.

MAYBE YOU HAVE HEARD OF THE IS PARKING METER DEAL.

HERE IS WHY IT IS SO UNPOPULAR AND WHY IT BEGAN A CASE STUDY IN WORST PRACTICES.

PICTURE THE YEAR 2008, THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS STRIKES AND EVERYONE IS STRAPPED FOR CASH INCLUDING CHICAGO.

THE CITY IS BROKE.

IF YOU WANT TO PLUG A BUDGET GAP, RAISING PROPERTY TAXES WILL DO THE TRICK BUT IF YOU WANT TO REMAIN POPULAR WITH VOTERS, THAT IS NOT A GREAT IDEA SO THE MAYOR GOT CREATIVE.

HE LOOKED AROUND FOR ASSET.

WHAT ABOUT CHICAGO'S 36,000 PARKING METERS?

BINGO!

IS TASTEFULLY FORMED INVESTMENT GROUP AGREED TO COUGH UP 1 BILLION IN CHANGE FOR A 75 YEAR LEASE AT CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL RUBBERSTAMPS THAT RAN FASTER THAN MEMBERS CAN READ THE TERMS OF THE DEAL.

$1 BILLION SOUNDS LIKE SO MUCH MONEY AND IT IS BUT SO MUCH MORE MONEY MAY HAVE GOTTEN LEFT ON THE TABLE.

THE MAN WAS LEAVE THE PARKING METERS WERE LEASED WORTH $2 BILLION.

AS SOON AS THE NEW RENTERS TOOK OVER THE PROPERTIES, THEY BEGAN RAISING FEES.

A QUARTER USED TO BUY AN HOUR OF PARKING TIME.

TODAY, NO.

BUT WHAT , THERE WAS MORE.

IF THE CITY TAKES A PARKING SPACE OUT OF SERVICE FOR A FESTIVAL OR TO BUILD A PROTECT BIKE LANE, IT HAS TO PAY CHICAGO PARKING METERS FOR THE LOST REVENUE.

NOW THE LANDLORD IS PAYING THE RENTER.

PLENTY OF PEOPLE HAVE SEARCHED FOR LOOPHOLES THAT WOULD ALLOW THE CITY TO BREAK THEIR SOMEWHAT LOPSIDED LEASE.

CRITICS HAVE CALLED THE DEAL SHORTSIGHTED OR WORSE BUT IT TURNS OUT IT IS NOT ILLEGAL WHICH SOME 60 YEARS LATER, CHICAGO PARKING METERS LLC HAS ALREADY MADE BACK ITS INITIAL INVESTMENT AND THEN SOME.

AN IMPRESSIVE RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR THEM AND GREAT FOR CHICAGO.

>> YOU CAN SEE MORE FROM OUR WTTW-TV NEWS WEBSITE .

>>> UP NEXT, A LOCAL HIP-HOP ARTIST PREPARES FOR HER PERFORMANCE.

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

19 YEARS OF THE BANDS ACROSS THREE STAGES AND SHOWCASING THE TALENT OF MARQUEE LOCAL ARTISTS LOOKING TO GET THEIR NAME OUT THERE.

ANGEL TAKES US TO SUBTERRANEAN IN WICKER PARK FOR A PREVIEW OF ONE OF THOSE LOCAL ACTS.

>> MY DAY TODAY SELF IS REALLY CHILLED, LAID-BACK, FUN.

AND WHEN I GET ON THAT STAGE, THAT REALLY GIVES ME THAT TIME TO UNLEASH.

IT IS ALMOST LIKE I AM ON AUTOPILOT.

SO WHEN I AM WRAPPING, I CAN GET NERVOUS AND ONCE THAT IS EXTRACTED I AM RIGHT THERE, IT IS LIKE THERE IS NO TURNING BACK.

>> SHE DESCRIBES HERSELF AS A HIP-HOP VOCALIST RESONATING WITH VOCALIST FROM TLC AND MISSY ELLIOTT.

>> WHAT I WANT TO CHANNEL WHAT I WANT TO SAY IN FRONT OF A CROWD IS TO SHOW THAT I AM A STRONG WOMAN BUT AT THE SAME TIME, NOT ALLOWING WHAT YOU SEE TO BE LIKE THIS IS WHAT SHE IS AND THIS IS WHAT SHE IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT.

LIKE THERE IS NO FILTER, NO LIMITATIONS.

I DESCRIBE MY SOUND AS INTELLECTUAL FREQUENCY.

JUST LIKE MY PROJECT.

INTELLECTUAL IN THE SENSE OF THE RECORD , INTELLECTUAL IN THE SENSE OF SOMETHING THAT IS THOUGHT PROVOKING BUT ALSO A VIBE .

>> THAT VIBE IS HITTING THE PARK FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE 2019 DEBUT.

JOHN LEONE IS THE TALENT FOR WINTER PARK FEST AND THE LOCAL MUSIC SUBTERRANEAN.

HE SAYS FESTIVALS LIKE THESE GIVE LOCAL ARTISTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BREAK INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY.

>> IS IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE AN OUTLET FOR ARTISTS TO PLAY AT FESTIVALS BEFORE THEY GO PLAY LOLLAPALOOZA ONE DAY .

SO, ARTIST NEEDS OUTLETS AND WE ARE HONORED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT.

>> AND LOOKING LIKE ME.

YOU KNOW?

IT DEFINITELY BRINGS REPRESENTATION AND I LOVE , LIKE , IT IS LIKE YOU COME TO A FESTIVAL NOT EXPECTING THAT AND THEN SOME PEOPLE MAY COME AND I EVEN LIKE HIP-HOP MUSIC SO I KNOW THAT THIS WITH ME BEING HERE IS GOING TO INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO HIP-HOP IN A WAY THAT THEY MAY HAVE NEVER HEARD BEFORE AND INTRODUCE THEM TO THE WOMAN, A LIVE BAND.

SO I KNOW PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOVE IT REGARDLESS BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING NEW AND REFRESHING AND HOPEFULLY, IT GIVES MORE ARTISTS LIKE ME A CHANCE TO BE A PART OF WICKER PARK FEST.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, WTTW-TV .

>>> YOU CAN CATCH LANDRY AND HER BAND ON THE CENTER STAGE SATURDAY AT:30 PM.

>>> HE HAS A FAN OF COMIC BOOK ART AND GRAPHIC NOVELS CREATING PHOTOREALISTIC DEPICTIONS OF CLASSIC SUPERHEROES.

FOR 30 YEARS, ALEX ROSS HAS BEEN THE GO TO ARTIST FOR REVITALIZING BELOVED CHARACTERS FROM SPIDERMAN AND SUPERMAN TO IRONMAN AND THE FANTASTIC FOUR.

CHICAGO TONIGHT MARIO BATALI MET UP WITH ROSS TO TALK ABOUT THE REAR SHOW, AS WELL.

>> Reporter: CALLED MORE VELOCITY, THE SHOW FOCUSES ON HEROES, VILLAINS WHERE THE GOOD GUYS OFTEN HAVE FLAWS AND SO-CALLED FEET OF CLAY.

>> IN A WAY, THE FEET OF CLAY IDEA FOR MARVEL CHARACTERS IS THEIR SELLING POINT, THE RELATED ABILITY WHERE YOU SEE AN ASPECT OF YOURSELF AND YOUR OWN LAW OF HUMANITY REFLECTED BACK AT YOU.

THERE IS A UNIQUE ASPECT OF MARVEL STORIES WHERE MUCH OF THE CHARACTERS ACTIONS ARE ABOUT REDEMPTION FOR HAVING LIVED A SORT OF LOGGED OR VERY SELF AND WORKING LIFE BEFORE THEY HAVE AN EPIPHANY OF HOW THEY BETTER USE THEIR ABILITIES TO BENEFIT OTHERS AND SEE BEYOND THEMSELVES.

>> ALEX ROSS'S ORIGIN STORY BEGAN WHEN AS A KID, HE PERSONAL SPIDERMAN DEPICTED ON PBS.

HE GREW UP IN TEXAS AND MOVED TO CHICAGO TO STUDY AT THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OUR -- ART .

THAT IS WHERE HE LEARNED TO DRAW FROM A LIVE MODEL.

>> IT WAS AN EYE-OPENING THING BECAUSE I HAD CERTAINLY DRAWN OFFICIALLY FROM LIVE MORALS IN CLASS BEFORE BUT THIS WAS NOW A HARD-CORE INTENSIVE SESSION FOCUSING ON IT AND REALIZING JUST WHAT MY CAPACITY WAS TO BE ABLE TO TRANSLATE WHAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME TO THE PAGE.

I HAVE BEEN EITHER CURSED OR BREAST -- BLAST WITH A SENSE OF SELF-CONFIDENCE .

SO I KIND OF CAME INTO THE BUSINESS WITH A SENSE OF OKAY, I'VE GOT TO JUST DELIVER THIS THING THAT I HAVE GOD IN ME PLUS I HAD THE CONFIDENCE COMING FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY.

I HAVE A WORLD CHANNELING THROUGH ME, I JUST HAVE TO FIND THE ABILITY TO GET A JOB THAT WOULD THEN SHOW OFF WHAT I HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO DO.

>> THE ART MUSEUM INCLUDES SKETCHES, A COLLECTION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL BUS AND STUNNING ARTWORK THAT HE PAINTS WITH WASH, A KIND OF WATERCOLOR.

>> WHEN I AM PLANNING ANY COMPOSITION , I AM ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT THE GRAPHIC IMPACT THAT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE LIGHTING AND SINCE WE ARE SKETCHING SOMETHING OUT, WE ARE NOT THINKING OF COLOR.

IT IS REALLY ABOUT HOW HEAVY YOUR SHADOW IS IN YOUR LIGHT SOURCES GOING TO BE INFORMING THE SUBJECT BECAUSE THAT WILL CREATE A SENSE OF PLACE AND TIME AND THAT HAS GOT TO BE FRONT OF MY ME BECAUSE THAT IS THE REASON FOR THE PAINTINGS AS OPPOSED TO PEN AND INK.

>> ONE THING HE DOES NOT USE FOR HIS WORK AS A COMPUTER .

>> I DO NOT USE A COMPUTER WHATSOEVER.

I CAN OPEN AN EMAIL ON A iPAD TO READ IT BUT I DO NOT TYPE SO I HAVE TO THEN DIG TATE WHAT MY RESPONSE IS FOR MY WIFE TO SEND.

I WANT TO MAKE IT TO MY GRAVE WITHOUT HAVING LEARNED A SINGLE THING ABOUT CONTEMPORARY TECHNOLOGY.

>> ALEX ROSS HAS BEEN DEPICTED AS SOMEWHAT ELUSIVE BUT HE DISAGREES.

>> I AM NOT ELUSIVE.

I GET CALLED OUT FOR THIS APPARENTLY IN THESE MEDIAS.

OH, HE DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW WHERE HE IS OR HE IS NOT AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE.

I'M LIKE, I MAKE WORK ALL THE TIME!

WHAT ELSE AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?

THE ONLY THING I WANTED FROM THE SKILLED PEOPLE I FOLLOWED MY WHOLE LIFE WAS JUST FOR THEM TO MAKE MORE.

I LOVED WHAT THEY DO AND I WANTED TO ALWAYS FOLLOW THEM WITH WHATEVER THEY COULD MAKE SO THAT IS WHAT I WANTED TO DO AS A PROFESSIONAL.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, THIS IS MARK PACELLI.

>> THE ART OF ALEX ROSS'S AT THE ELMHURST ART MUSEUM THROUGH AUGUST 20th.

>>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT AND WE LEAVE YOU WITH MORE TUNES FROM LANDRY PERFORMING AT THE PARK BEST THIS SATURDAY AND FROM ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I AM PARIS .

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.