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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO MAKE MEDICAL DECISIONS WITHOUT FEAR.

>> THOSE SEEKING ABORTIONS IN CHICAGO NOW HAVE FURTHER PROTECTIONS.

WE SHARE THE DETAILS.

>> OUR ECONOMY REMAINS RESILIENT.

>> IS AMERICA HEADING TOWARDS A RECESSION OR ARE CONCERNS OVERBLOWN?

WE TALK WITH THREE ECONOMISTS.

>> WHEN I THINK OF THE PATIENTS TRAVELING FROM WISCONSIN AND HAVING TO NAVIGATE CROSSING STATE BORDERS FOR HEALTHCARE.

>> LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM WISCONSIN DOCTORS ARE HELPING MEET ABORTION NEEDS.

WE HAVE A LIVE REPORT FROM SUBURBAN WAUKEGAN.

AND RIDERS COMPLAIN ABOUT GHOST TRAINS AND BUSES THE CHALLENGES FACING THE C.T.A.

POST PANDEMIC.

>> I'M ANGEL IDOWU AND COMING UP TONIGHT I'M LIVE IN GRANT PARK TALKING ALL THINGS MUSIC, CREATIVITY AND FINDING YOUR VOICE WITH THE NEXT GENERATION OF FUTURE LOLLAPALOOZA HEADLINERS.

>> WE'RE HERE TO HELP THEM IN THEIR LANGUAGE.

>> SUBURBAN LIBRARIES ARE WELCOMING SPANISH SPEAKING LATINOS WITH OPEN ARMS AND OPEN BOOKS.

>> AND PARIS, I'M IN WAUKEGAN AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

WAUKEGAN IS 35 MILES NORTH OF DOWNTOWN CHICAGO.

COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE SERVING A LARGE POPULATION OF SPANISH SPEAKING RESIDENTS WITH RESOURCES AND MEANWHILE PLANS ARE UNDERWAY FOR A TEMPORARY CASINO.

WE HAVE THAT AND MUCH MORE.

BUT FIRST, I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> A LOT TO DIG INTO.

THANKS, JOANNA WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

>> LOLLAPALOOZA IS UNDERWAY AND WILL BE IN GRANT PARK FOR THE NEXT FOUR DAYS BUT WORD COMES IT WILL BE THERE FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 10 YEARS.

LOLLAPALOOZA CREATOR PERRY FARRELL TOLD WGN NEWS THE MAYOR HAS GIVEN THE FESTIVAL A 10-YEAR EXTENSION IN GRANT PARK.

THE MAYOR'S OFFICE REFERRED QUESTIONS ON THE SUBJECT TO THE PRODUCER THIS EVENING.

AND WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE LIVE FROM THE FESTIVAL IN JUST A BIT.

>> AND MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYS CHICAGO AGENCY ALSO NOT COOPERATE IN ANY OTHER STATE'S INVESTIGATION INTO ABORTION CARE THAT TAKES PLACE IN THE CITY.

THE MAYOR SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TODAY PROHIBITS STATE SAGHTSIES ARE BEING INVOLVED IN ANY PROCEEDING FROM AN ANTIABORTION STATE SHOULD THEY INVESTIGATE AN OUT OF STATE PERSON COMING TO GET AN BORINGS HERE.

WE WILL HAVE MORE FROM HEATHER CHERONE IN A BIT AS WELL.

>> ANOTHER PROMINENT ILLINOIS ELECTED OFFICIAL COMES DOWN WITH COVID THIS TIME IT'S U.S.

SENATOR DICK DURBIN.

DURBIN ANNOUNCED HE CONTRACTED THE VIRUS BUT SAYS THANKS TO VACCINES AND BOOSTER DOSES HE IS ONLY EXPERIENCING MILD SYMPTOMS.

THIS COMES ON THE HEELS OF GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER WHO JUST RECOVERED FROM COVID AND PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WHO ALSO RECENTLY RECOVERED IN THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS.

>> UP NEXT MORE ON THE MAYOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER BANNING CHICAGO POLICE FROM INVESTIGATING THOSE SEEKING ABORTIONS.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND AS WE MENTIONED, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT TOOK ACTION TO CREATE MORE PROTECTIONS FOR THOSE SEEKING AN ABORTION IN THE CITY.

LIGHTFOOT SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT BANS CHICAGO POLICE FROM COOPERATING WITH PROBES INTO THOSE WHO TRAVEL TO CHICAGO FOR ABORTIONS OR THEIR DOCTORS.

>> WE WILL WILL NOT COLLABORATE WITH PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DENY WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

>> WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US WITH MORE.

HEATHER, TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER ENTAILS?

>> WELL, IT BANS ANY CITY AGENCY INCLUDING THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM HELPING ANOTHER STATE ANOTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY INVESTIGATE ANYONE WHO TRAVELED TO CHICAGO TO RECEIVE ABORTION CARE.

IT ALSO APPLIES TO INVESTIGATIONS OF THE DOCTORS OR NURSES WHO PROVIDED THAT CARE.

NOW, IT'S MODELED ON THE CITY'S LONGSTANDING ORDINANCE THAT PROHIBITS FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AGENTS FROM BEING HELD BY CHICAGO POLICE TO DETAIN OR DEPORT IMMIGRANTS.

>> AND IT COMES AFTER PROGRESSIVE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS INTRODUCED A MEASURE TO DO THE SAME THING.

LET'S LISTEN TO ONE OF THE ALDERPEOPLE BEHIND THAT.

>> OUR BODIES AND OUR ABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS AND EXERCISE AUTONOMY ARE THE MOST BASIC EXPRESSION OF OUR HUMANITY.

AND WITHOUT THAT POSSIBILITY WE ARE IN FACT STRIPPED OF OUR HUMANITY.

>> WHY WOULD THE MAYOR SIGN THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER WHEN THERE WAS LEGISLATION AN ORDINANCE HERE TO DO THE SAME THING?

>> WELL, THIS MEASURE WAS INTRODUCED EARLIER THIS MONTH BUT NOW THE CITY COUNCIL IS ON ITS ANNUAL SUMMER RECESS AND WON'T MEET UNTIL LATE SEPTEMBER.

THE MAYOR SAID TODAY THAT THE MATTER WAS MUCH TOO URGENT TO LET IT WAIT UNTIL THEN.

ALTHOUGH I SHOULD MENTION THAT ALDERMAN SANCHEZ AND OTHERS TODAY, HELD THEIR OWN PRESS CONFERENCE AT CITY HALL YESTERDAY NO DOUBT TURNING UP THE HEAT ON THIS VERY, VERY HOT BUTTON ISSUE >> AND THE MAYOR'S BEEN AT ODDS WITH SOME OF THOSE MEMBERS.

DOES THAT PLAY INTO THIS MOVE?

>> IT ABSOLUTELY DOES.

IT IS, I THINK, NEARLY UNPRECEDENTED FOR THE MAYOR AND ALDERWOMAN RODRIGUEZ SANCHEZ TO SHARE THE PODIUM THEY HAVE CLASHED BITTERLY OVER THE ROLE OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND HOW IT SHOULD BE FUNDED.

TODAY THEY WERE ALL SMILES AN INDICATION THAT THE ISSUE OF ABORTION IN A POST ROE WORLD WILL BLUR THOSE LINES AND MAKE FOR NEW ALLIANCES AT CITY HALL GOING FORWARD >> AND AS I UNDERSTAND THERE IS ANOTHER POLICY THE MAYOR'S CONSIDERING TO HELP THOSE SEEKING AN ABORTION.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> WELL THERE IS A MEASURE THAT WAS INTRODUCED BY THE PROGRESSIVE ALDERPEOPLE BACK IN JULY.

IT WOULD SET ASIDE $1 MILLION IN 2023 TO HELP PEOPLE OBTAIN ABORTION CARE THROUGH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE CHICAGO ABORTION FUND.

THE MAYOR SAID SHE WAS NOT PREPARED TO COMMIT TO A DOLLAR FIGURE.

BUT SHE SAID SHE COULD INCLUDE SOME FUNDING FOR THAT IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET AND WE ARE ABOUT TO GO INTO BUDGET SEASON IT WILL NO DOUBT BE A TOPIC OF MUCH CONVERSATION.

>> THE MAYOR GETTING THAT DONE BEFORE HEADING OFF TO LOLLAPALOOZA TONIGHT WE PRESUME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S STORY AND 0 OUR WEBSITE AND FIND A LINK TO THE EXECUTIVE ORDER.

IT'S ALL AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> IT IS ONE OF THE OLDEST COMMUNITIES IN THE ENTIRE STATE.

LOCATED ON THE SHORES OF LAKE MICHIGAN, WAUKEGAN IS A WORKING CLASS NEIGHBORHOOD 30 MILES NORTH OF DOWNTOWN CHICAGO.

RECENTLY IT'S BECOME A HUB FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD DOCTORS IN WISCONSIN TO TREAT PATIENTS FOLLOWING THE COURT'S OVERTURNING OF ROE VS. WADE.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ AND ACACIA HERNANDEZ SPENT THE DAY IN WAUKEGAN AND JOINS US NOW.

YOU HAVE SPOKEN TO A DOCTOR TRAVELING TO WAUKEGAN WHAT DID YOU FIND OUT.

Dr. ALLISON LINTON HAS BEEN TRAVELING ONCE A WEEK TO THE WAUKEGAN CLINIC TO TREAT PATIENTS.

PATIENTS CROSS THE STATE LINES FOR A VARIETY OF HEALTH SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

SHE MENTIONED THAT THIS MOO HAS BEEN TOUGH BUT IS GRATEFUL FOR THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN TO PROVIDE ABORTION SERVICES.

THE WAUKEGAN HEALTH CENTER HAS BEEN OPEN SINCE 2020 AND IS NOW WORKING WITH PHYSICIANS FROM WISCONSIN.

Dr. LINTON STRESSED THE CHANGE IN WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE PUTS A STRAIN ON PATIENTS IN ILLINOIS SEEKING SERVICES.

>> WE FOCUS SO MUCH ON THE PATIENTS THAT ARE TRAVELING FROM THE RESTRICTED STATES.

AND THAT IS CERTAINLY IMPORTANT WHEN I THINK OF THE PATIENTS THAT ARE TRAVELING FROM WISCONSIN AND HAVING TO NAVIGATE CROSSING STATE BORDERS FOR HEALTHCARE.

AT THE SAME TIME THIS IMPACTS ALL PATIENTS.

THIS IS IMPACTING PATIENTS IN ILLINOIS AS WELL.

PATIENTS THAT PREVIOUSLY HAD ACCESS TO SERVICES IN THEIR OWN STATE, THOSE SERVICES ARE STILL THERE BUT BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE COMING FROM OUT OF STATE AND UTILIZING THE SERVICES IS... >> WE LOOKED AT WAUKEGAN'S DEMOGRAPHICS THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION IS LATINO 52% AND 20% ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

WE WENT TO A NONPROFIT IMMIGRANT SERVICE ORGANIZATION.

MARIA ELENA JONAS TELLS US YEARS AGO PEOPLE HAD TO TRAVEL TO CHICAGO TO FIND SERVICES.

NOW THEY ARE ASSISTING RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY WITH CITIZENSHIP, LEGAL SERVICES AND A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL CLASSES.

OVER THE YEARS, THE LATINO COMMUNITY HAS BECOME MORE INVOLVED ESPECIALLY THE YOUNGER GENERATION.

>> TWO OF MY WORKERS HERE THEY JUST CAME FROM NEWLY GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE.

AND THE FIRST TIME EVER I HEARD LIKE I WANT TO DO MORE.

I WANT TO LEARN MORE TO DO MORE FOR MY COMMUNITY.

THE COMMUNITY THEY WANTED TO REACH.

THE PLACE WE WANTED TO BE IN.

I'M LIKE YES, COME AND LET'S TALK.

GIVE YOU THE RESOURCES THAT YOU NEED TO GIVE YOU MORE KNOWLEDGE.

>> THERE IS A PUSH FOR HEALTHIER IN NEIGHBORHOODS CONSIDERED TO BE FOOD DESERTS.

RESIDENTS CAME TOGETHER TO BUILD THE GARDEN TO PROVIDE FRESH PRODUCE TO THE COMMUNITY.

WE'RE TOLD IT EVOLVED INTO A COLLABORATIVE WITH BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE AREA.

ONE OF THE PROGRAMS HELPS FAMILIES BUILD THEIR OWN GARDEN RIGHT IN THEIR OWN BACKYARDS.

>> REFERRALS FROM AREA ORGANIZATIONS AND WE WORK WITH FAMILIES SUCH AS YOU, AND WE INSTALL A GARDEN.

AND WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO WILL MENTOR YOU AND WE'VE HAD THAT MENTORSHIP GOING FOR THREE YEARS NOW >> YES, I HAVE A DAYCARE IN MY HOME.

SO FOR THE KIDS TO HAVE ACCESS AND LEARN ABOUT THE PROCESS, YOU KNOW IT'S THE SCIENCE OF IT, THE ENGINEERING OF IT, THEY YOU KNOW, CAME AND BROUGHT THE PIECES AND EVERYONE HAD TO HELP AND PUT IT ALTOGETHER.

YOU KNOW.

SO IT'S BEEN THE WHOLE PROCESS OF WATCHING IT GROW.

>> DOWN ON GRAND AVENUE NEW WAUKEGAN'S COLLEGE IS HELPING THE FIRST GENERATION POPULATION HEAD TO COLLEGE.

THE ORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED BACK IN 2009 PREPARING STUDENTS WHOSE PARENTS DID NOT GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND.

THE PROGRAM HELPS STUDENTS AND FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM FROM FIFTH-12 GRADES.

>> THIS YEAR, 100% OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS THE CLASS OF 2022 ARE ADMITTED TO COLLEGE AND ALMOST ALL OF THEM HAVE FULL FINANCIAL AID.

FOR THESE FAMILIES TO BE ABLE TO SAY MY CHILD HAS GONE TO COLLEGE.

MY CHILD HAS GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE, MY CHILD NOW HAS A CAREER, AT GOOGLE OR AT LINKED IN, IS SOMETHING TO BE VERY HAPPY ABOUT.

>> ALIYAH PLUMMER IS THE FIRST MEMBER OF HER FAMILY TO ATTEND COLLEGE AND SAID SHE STARTED THE PROGRAM IN HIGH SCHOOL AND NOW ATTENDS THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHERE I WOULD BE WITHOUT THE PROGRAM.

I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN TO COLLEGE AND MAYBE DROPPED OUT.

I WOULD SAY IT'S ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL.

THEY PROVIDE YOU WITH THE RESOURCES THAT YOU NEVER THOUGHT WERE THERE.

AND NOT ONLY THAT THEY TEACH YOU HOW TO BE INDEPENDENT AND HOW TO USE WHERE YOU GREW UP FROM AND YOUR OWN CULTURE AND THINGS LIKE THAT TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR CAREERS.

>> THERE'S BEEN A BIG WAVE OF DEVELOPMENT COMING INTO WAUKEGAN.

LOCALS ARE PUSHING FOR NEW ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.

ONE DEVELOPMENT ON THE WAY IS AMERICAN PLACE CASINO BEING CONSTRUCTED IN THE FOUNTAIN -- FOUNDATION SQUARE AREA.

THE CASINO IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN 2025.

IN THE MEANTIME, A TEMPORARY CASINO IS BEING BUILT CLOSE BY OPENING MID-NOVEMBER.

THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER SAYS THEY ARE EXPECTING TO PROVIDE UP TO 1,000 JOBS WHILE WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE'RE HAVING A CAREER FAIR WHERE WE'RE INTRODUCING OURSELVES TO PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE LOOKING FOR CAREERS WITH A COMPANY THAT IS JUST GETTING STARTED SO THEY CAN COME WITH US AND BE ON THE GROUND FLOOR AND GROW WITH US AS WE GROW OF THAT 800 PEOPLE WE'VE HIRED 100 THIS WEEK FOR PEOPLE WE'VE TOLD COME IN AND SEE US AND TALK TO US.

>> AND THE JOB FAIR WILL BE GOING ON ALL WEEK LONG, ALONG WHITE OAK DRIVE.

WE SPEAK WITH THE MAYOR OF WAUKEGAN COMING UP.

FIRST, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

RIDERS HAVE RETURNED TO THE C.T.A.

BUT RETURNED TO A HOST OF ISSUES.

AMONG THEM A NOTICEABLE SLOW DOWN IN SERVICE AND BREAKDOWN IN RELIABILITY AND GHOST TRAINS OR BUSES SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE AT YOUR STOP BUT THEY NEVER DO.

IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS THERE HAVE BEEN TWO MAJOR STABBING INCIDENTS AND ROBBERIES ON TRAINS.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THESE ISSUES ARE ERIC DIXON PRESIDENT OF THE TRANSIT UNION LOCAL 30 EIGHT.

LESLE HONORE, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY AND COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE CENTER FOR NEIGHBORHOOD TECHNOLOGY AND THE TRANSPORTATION EQUITY NETWORK.

JOSEPH SCHWIETERMAN, PROFESSOR AT DePAUL UNIVERSITY SPECIALIZING IN TRANSPORTATION AND URBAN PLANNING AND AMY RYNELL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE.

WE INVITED THE C.T.A.

PRESIDENT TO BE HERE BUT HE DECLINED OUR INVITATION.

WE APPRECIATE THE FOUR OF YOU JOINING US.

AMY RYNELL I WILL START WITH YOU.

FIRST OFF, A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SO-CALLED GHOST BUSES.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE THOSE?

>> YEAH.

THE SCHEDULE IS SHOWING THAT A BUS IS GOING TO ARRIVE SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE AND IT JUST DOESN'T SHOW.

SO THE TRANSIT TRACKERS AREN'T REFLECTING THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT C.T.A.

IS ABLE TO PROVIDE RIGHT NOW.

AND THEY ARE COMPROMISED ON STAFFING.

THE PANDEMIC HAS NOT BEEN EASY.

FUNDING HAS NOT BEEN EASY AND THESE ARE REALLY, REALLY HARD TIMES.

BUS DRIVERS ARE HARD JOBS YOU CAN HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT FROM ERIC.

AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT IS ONLY HAPPENING HERE IN CHICAGO BUT IT'S PRONOUNCED RIGHT NOW AND IT'S AFFECTING OUR SERVICE IN WAYS THAT IS MAKING IT HARD FOR THOSE OF US THAT RELY ON TRANSIT TO GET WHERE WE NEED TO GO WHEN WE NEED TO.

WE'RE HEARING STORIES FROM THE TRANSIT RIDERS UNIT AND CONSUMERS TAKING ACTION FOR TRANSIT ABOUT THE DIFFERENT WAYS PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO SPEND MONEY ON EXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVES.

>> FOLKS WAITING AROUND AND AT THE LAST-MINUTE DECIDING THEY HAVE TO TAKE A RIDESHARE WHICH IS MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE TO GET WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.

JOE, WE MENTIONED THE ISSUES THE UNRELIABLE SERVICE, CRIME, WHAT ARE THE CULPRITS HERE?

>> IT'S BEEN AN INTERESTING SUMMER.

TRANSIT IS BOUNCING BACK.

WE'RE SEEING RECOVERY ESPECIALLY ON THE WEEKENDS AND THE BUS ROUTES ESPECIALLY.

BUT THE CEILING ON WHERE TRANSIT IS GOING TO GET BACK TO UNLESS WE CAN SOLVE THE ISSUES PARTICULARLY ON C.T.A.

TRAINS.

10:00 NEWS WITH VIOLENCE DOMINATING ON L PLATFORMS PEOPLE ARE NOT READY TO MAKE THE PLUNGE TO MAKE THE TRAINS A DAILY PART OF THEIR LIVES.

AND WE HAVE TO FIX THAT.

BECAUSE WE'RE EXTENDING THE REDLINE AND ROLLING SERVICE BACK.

THE C.T.A.

KNOWS THIS IS ISSUE NUMBER ONE.

>> AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY STORIES DOMINATING THE HEADLINES IN WEEKS.

LESLE HONORE, ARE THESE SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS BEING FELT ALL OVER THE CITY?

ARE THERE AREAS BEING MORE ACUTELY FELT?

>> ABSOLUTELY BEING FELT ALL OVER THE CITY BUT THE IMPACT IS HEAVIEST IS WHERE WE HAVE DISENFRANCHISE.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN OPPRESSED AND BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES THAT IT IS NOT AN OPTION TO TAKE A RIDESHARE SERVICE.

THEY ARE RELIANT ON TRANSIT.

WHICH HE WE HEAR STORIES OF OLDER ADULTS IN BELMONT CRAGIN WAITING FOR TWO HOURS FOR A BUS THAT NEVER SHOWS.

CANNOT MAKE THE TRIP TO THE DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS AND CANNOT GET MEDICATION AND HAVING TO WALK AND COMPOUNDING THAT WITH THE HOT TEMPERATURES IN THE SUMMER AND COLD TEMPERATURES IN THE WINTER IT BECOMES A LARGER ISSUE WELL PAST TRANSIT WHEN IT COMES TO QUALITY OF LIFE.

AND EQUITY.

AND SERVICES THAT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE EQUITABLY FOR ALL CHICAGOANS.

>> PUBLIC TRANSIT A LIFELINE FOR MANY CHICAGOANS.

ERIC DIXON, C.T.A.

PRESIDENT CARTER SAYS HE IS HAVING A PROBLEM HIRING ENOUGH BUS DRIVERS, TRAIN CONDUCTORS, C.T.A.

STAFF MEMBERS HE CANNOT KEEP UP WITH PEOPLE RETIRING OR BEING SICK.

HOW COME IT'S SO HARD TO FIND ENOUGH WORKERS RIGHT NOW?

>> I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S HARD TO FIND ENOUGH WORKERS.

YOU HAVE TO CHANGE WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING.

YOU CAN'T CONTINUE TO DO THE SAME THING YOU HAVE BEEN DOING TIME AND TIME AGAIN IT'S NOT WORKING.

I'VE BEEN SAYING SOMETHING TO THE C.T.A.

FOR OVER A YEAR-AND-A-HALF THAT WE NEED TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE'RE DOING DIFFERENTLY AS FAR AS HIRING.

WE ARE AT A PLACE WHERE IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL.

YOU CAN'T DISCHARGE PEOPLE IF YOU ARE NOT REPLACING PEOPLE.

YOU CAN -- PEOPLE ARE RETIRING BUT YOU ARE NOT REPLACING THEM.

>> ARE YOU SAYING THERE ARE A POOL OF WORKERS AVAILABLE AND THE C.T.A.

IS NOT DOING A GOOD JOB HIRING THEM?

>> YES.

THEIR PRACTICE OF HIRING PEOPLE FIRST AND FOREMOST IT TAKES TOO LONG.

AND I'VE TRIED TO TELL THEM TO STREAMLINE THAT.

WE'RE TRYING TO GET BODIES IN HERE.

YOU CAN'T CONTINUE TO FIRE PEOPLE.

I GET IT IF SOMEBODY DOES SOMETHING WRONG THAT YOU BELIEVE, ERIC YOU DID SOMETHING WRONG AND NOW WE ARE AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP GOOD PEOPLE, PEOPLE THAT GOT 10 OR 15 YEARS.

I HAVE PEOPLE NOW FOR WHATEVER REASON THEY CHANGE PRACTICES CAN'T PASS THE PRACTICAL TEST.

YOU MOVE FOR THE THIRD TIME TO DISCHARGE THE INDIVIDUALS AND SOME HAVE 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE OPERATING TRAINS AND YOU STILL WANT TO GET RID OF THEM BECAUSE OF YOUR NEW TESTING PRACTICES.

>> YOU ARE SAYING THEY ARE UNFAIRLY GETTING RID OF PEOPLE AND THAT IS HELPING TO LEAD TO THE SHORTAGES.

AMY RYNELL THE ISSUE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIME.

THE C.T.A.

TALKED ABOUT PUTTING SECURITY GUARDS ON TRAINS.

IS ANY OF THIS MAKING ANY IMPACT AT ALL?

>> THERE HAS NOT BEEN A LOT OF TRANSPARENCY WHAT THOSE SECURITY GUARDS ARE DOING.

I RIDE THE TRAIN ALL THE TIME AND I HAVE NOT SEEN THEM.

I THINK THERE'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF THIS PUZZLE IS TRANSPARENCY IS WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE DOLLARS AND ALSO THERE IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE OPERATOR SHORTAGE AND GHOST BUSES AND SAFETY.

HAVING UNRELIABLE SERVICE LEADING TO DECREASED RIDERSHIP MEANS FEWER PEOPLE ARE AROUND TO CREATE SAFER ENVIRONMENTS.

I THINK WE NEED TO SPEED UP OUR BUSES.

WE NEED TO GET OUR SCHEDULING BACK ON TRACK.

AND BE REALLY TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SAFETY THAT WE'RE CREE ITS AIDING AND THERE ARE GREAT IDEAS OUT THERE THAT THE TRANSPORTATION EQUITY NETWORK HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR THAT I THINK COULD IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR PEOPLE RIDING AND FEELING SAFE AS WELL.

>> JOSEPH SCHWIETERMAN, ASIDE FROM FINDING A WAY TO HIRE MORE STAFFERS WHAT ARE THE IDEAS TO TURN THIS SYSTEM AROUND RIGHT NOW?

>> WE'RE REALIZING WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONE WE HAVE A TRANSIT SYSTEM WHERE CONNECTION BETWEEN METRA, PACE AND C.T.A.

IS NOT WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE DESPITE HAVING METRA.

PEOPLE NEED TO FEEL LIKE THE SYSTEM IS SEAMLESS.

ON OUR BUS SYSTEM PEOPLE ARE MORE COMFORTABLE RIDING BECAUSE THEY SEE THE DRIVER WHO IS A GATEKEEPER.

ON THE TRAINS WE HAVE TO REBUILD CONFIDENCE THAT THERE IS A WAY TO NOTIFY SECURITY WHEN PROBLEMS OCCUR.

AND THE C.T.A.

STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THAT WITH THE STAFF SHORTAGES.

TRANSIT HAS A PROMISING FUTURE.

WE HAVE TO RAISE THE PUBLIC IMAGE HERE AND A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE.

>> LESLE HONORE, WHAT CAN THE C.T.A.

DO TO STOP THIS SERVICE DISRUPTION AND TO STOP HAVING FOLKS WAIT IN BELMONT CRAGIN FOR TWO HOURS FOR A BUS.

>> .

>> I THINK ECHOING WHAT AMY SAID.

TRANSPARENCY IT IS A CHICKEN BEFORE THE EGG CONVERSATION WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INCREASING SERVICE AND INCREASING SPEED AND MAKING IT AVAILABLE TO MORE RIDERS CAN BE ON BUSES AND TRAINS.

WE KNOW AFTER THE PANDEMIC WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE COMMUTE HAS CHANGED SO THEY ARE NOT RIDING THE SAME WAY.

AND THAT HAS OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM OPEN A LOT MORE WHERE THINGS CAN HAPPEN.

IN THE PAST THEY MAY NOT HAVE BECAUSE WE HAD MORE PRESENCE ON THERE.

IT'S IMPORTANT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE SAFETY WE DON'T GET OVERLY RELIANT ON POLICE AND SECURITY GUARDSES AWAYS TO POLICE AND ULTIMATELY CRIMINALIZE PEOPLE WHO WE KNOW ARE HAVING ISSUES.

THERE ARE CITIES LIKE SAN FRANCISCO AND PHILADELPHIA WHO HAVE GREAT AMBASSADOR PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON CRISIS INTERVENTION, SKILLED PEOPLE TO TALK TO.

AND USE TRAINS AS A WAY TO GET SHELTER AND PREVENT ISSUES HAPPENING BY BEING A PROPONENT OF HUMAN NEED AND FINDING A WAY TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO THE SERVICES THEY NEED.

INSTEAD OF JUST LETTING THINGS HAPPEN AND THEN CRIMINALIZING THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SUFFERING THE MOST.

>> ALTERNATIVES TO HAVING SECURITY GUARDS.

ERIC DIXON YOUR UNION MANAGES ALL THE TRAIN CONDUCTORS, THE BUS DRIVERS DO THEY FEEL SAFE?

AND WHAT DO THEY BELIEVE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY ON TRANSIT BUSES?

>> LISTEN, I'VE SEEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN WE NEED TO BRING BACK OUR OWN POLICING HERE IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO JUST LIKE NEW YORK, DC, ATLANTA, TORONTO ALL THE LOCATIONS HAVE THEIR OWN POLICING ON THEIR TRANSIT SYSTEMS.

RIGHT NOW PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO ON THE C.T.A.

AND THEY ARE DOING IT.

BECAUSE THEY DON'T FEEL NOBODY IS GOING TO DO ANYTHING TO STOP THEM.

WE NEED TO BRING BACK CONDUCTORS IF NOTHING ELSE ON THE RED AND THE BLUE LINE AND THE SUBWAYS SO THEY HAVE AN EXTRA PAIR OF EYES BECAUSE BACK IN THE DAY WHEN WE HAD CONDUCTORS WE DIDN'T HAVE THE VIOLENCE WE HAVE NOW.

BECAUSE YOU HAD SOMEBODY THERE ANOTHER PERSON ANOTHER SET OF EYES TO HELP THE SITUATION OUT TO GET POLICE THERE IN A QUICKER MANNER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

A LOT OF ISSUES TO TACKLE AND THANKS TO YOU FOR BEING HERE.

ERIC DIXON, LESLE HONORE, JOSEPH SCHWIETERMAN AND AMY RYNELL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> .

>> UP NEXT WE GO LIVE TO LOLLAPALOOZA.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> LOLLAPALOOZA HAS OFFICIALLY KICKED OFF.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED IN GRANT PARK IN THE MUSIC FESTIVAL.

ANGEL IDOWU SPENT THE DAY AND JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> HI, PARIS.

RIGHT NOW, I AM STANDING IN THE PRESS TENT AND I SPENT THE DAY TALKING WITH SEVERAL EMERGING ARTISTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND WHILE NONE ARE FROM CHICAGO THEY ALL SAY THEY ARE EXCITED TO BE PERFORMING AT LOLLAPALOOZA.

AMONG MAINSTREAM ARTISTS STAND THE NEXT GENERATION OF LOLLAPALOOZA HEADLINERS.

[♪♪♪] WHILE SOME HAVE BEEN MAKING MUSIC FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS FOR OTHERS THIS IS THEIR FIRST TIME PERFORMING.

>> I'VE NEVER BEEN TO A MUSIC FESTIVAL LIKE A WATCH AND TO ENJOY.

WE GOT THE WRISTBANDS AND IT SAYS THE ARTISTS THE FACT WE'RE HERE DOING THIS STUFF WITH AN ARTIST BAND THIS IS SO CRAZY.

THIS IS THE FANCIEST THING I'VE WORN.

IT'S SURREAL WE ARE VERY, VERY BLESSED AND THANKFUL AND EXCITED TO KEEP IT MOVING.

WE'LL TRYING TO PERFORM TOMORROW IT WILL BE SICK.

>> MEET TWO HIP-HOP HEADS.

AND IT'S JOEY AND BRAY.

>> THAT IS WHAT IT IS.

>> .

>> THEY SAY IT'S BOTH OF THEIR FATHER'S INFLUENCE THAT INSPIRED THEIR COMMITMENT TO CREATE A NEW HIP-HOP COMPRISED OF SOUND FROM THE 80s, 90s AND NOW.

>> MY BAD IS FILIPINO AND GREW UP IN NEW YORK CITY HE WAS AN OLD B BOY DOING HEAD SPINS WITH A TRACK SUIT.

HE WAS THAT GUY.

>> MY DAD GOT REALLY, REALLY, REALLY INTO HIP-HOP BECAUSE NOBODY ELSE WAS LISTENING TO IT.

AND HE WAS VERY, VERY INTO LIKE RAP, JAZZ, FUNK, R&B THAT IS WHAT I GREW UP WITH.

IT'S FUN TO BRING IT BACK AND MAKE IT SOMETHING THAT IS OURS AND JUST DO SOMETHING WE LOVE AND RESPECT.

AND SO IT'S LIKE US MAKING GENUINE MUSIC WE LOVE BECAUSE IT'S FUN.

[♪♪♪] >> BEING AN ARTIST THAT KIND OF HAD THEIR FIRST MOMENT IN THE PANDEMIC, IT'S SO REWARDING SEEING LIVE REACTIONS TO THE MUSIC I'M CREATING.

>> OTHER ARTISTS SHARE SIMILAR SENTIMENTS ABOUT PERFORMING LIKE ROSIE FROM NEW YORK WHOSE SINGLE TOOK OFF ON TIKTOK SPARKING HER MUSIC CAREER.

>> PARTICULARLY WITH CHICAGO, I REALLY HAVEN'T SPENT A LOT OF TIME HERE AND THERE'S SOMETHING REALLY MAGICAL ABOUT STEPPING INTO A CROWD AND KNOWING THE ONLY THING YOU KNOW IS YOURSELF AND YOUR MUSIC.

>> [♪♪♪] >> THE MARYLAND NATIVE PERFORMED LAST YEAR DURING ANOTHER ARTIST SET BUT THE 18-YEAR-OLD TOOK HIS OWN STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> IT'S COOL BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I GOT THE OPPORTUNITY.

I'M NEW TO PERFORMING.

LIKE I STARTED PERFORMING FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST JULY AND SINCE THEN AND NOW, I GOT SOMETIME TO DEVELOP LIKE MY LIVE SHOW A LITTLE BIT.

I'VE GOTTEN A LOT BETTER AS A PERFORMER.

I THINK THAT REFLECTS ON A CROWD BACK TO ME.

EVERY TIME I DO IT ON STAGE IT'S FEELS LIKE GOOD AGAIN LIKE EXCITING AGAIN.

IT'S LIKE FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME I MADE IT AGAIN.

>> WHILE IT MIGHT BE [INAUDIBLE] FEATURED IN THE MUSIC FESTIVAL JOEY AND BRAY SAY IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING.

>> LOLLAPALOOZA THE BIGGEST THING WE'VE DONE IN OUR CAREER.

IT'S EXCITING, MAN.

>> LIKE IT IS AMAZING.

WE WOULD HAVE NEVER EXPECTED TO EVER BE HERE A YEAR-AND-A-HALF MAKING MUSIC IN AN APARTMENT.

>> NOW, LOLLAPALOOZA CONTINUES IN GRANT PARK THROUGH SUNDAY, VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO STAY UP-TO-DATE FOR MY CONTINUED COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND.

PARIS, I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THAT MEANS YOU ARE GOING TO STAY THERE AND CHECK OUT THE HEADLINERS TONIGHT?

>> YES, IT'S SO FUN.

I WILL SEE METALLICA LATER.

>> I'M JEALOUS.

ALL RIGHT.

REPORT BACK TO US TOMORROW IF YOU CAN STILL HEAR BECAUSE THEY ARE LOUD.

ALL RIGHT.

HAVE FUN OUT THERE.

THANKS, ANGEL.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> AND LOLLAPALOOZA DOES CONTINUE IN GRANT PARK THROUGH SUNDAY.

YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR CONTINUED COVERAGE.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" WE'RE ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE MAYOR OF WAUKEGAN FOCUSING ON A NEW CASINO COMING TO THE AREA.

IS THE COUNTRY HEADING TOWARDS A RECESSION?

ARE ARE CONCERNS BEING OVERBLOWN.

>> WE ARE HERE TO HELP THEM IN THEIR LANGUAGE.

>> AND HOW SUBURBAN LIBRARIES ARE WELCOMING SPANISH SPEAKING LATINOS WITH OPEN ARMS.

AND OPEN BOOKS.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> ANOTHER SALVO IN THE BATTLE OVER WHO WILL LEAD THE ILLINOIS DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

TODAY MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAYS SHE BACKS CONGRESSWOMAN ROBIN KELLY KEEPING THAT JOB AFTER GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HAS REPEATEDLY SAID HE DOESN'T THINK KELLY RAISED ENOUGH MONEY AND WANTS SOMEONE ELSE TO TAKEOVER.

LIGHTFOOT SAID SHE THOUGHT KELLY RAISED PLENTY OF MONEY FOR THE PARTY.

>> $24 MILLION IN LESS THAN A YEAR.

FUNDAMENTALLY WHAT I WOULD SAY IS WHAT DEMOCRATS SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON IS UNITY.

>> AND PRITZKER SAYS HE WANTS LISA HERNANDEZ TO GET THAT POST.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY COMMITTEE PERSONS WILL VOTE ON A LEADER THIS WEEKEND.

LIGHTFOOT DOESN'T HAVE A VOTE ON THAT COMMITTEE.

>> STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL PRIORITIZE ONE DOSE OF THE MONKEYPOX VACCINE TO THOSE AT HIGH-RISK.

THE STATE RECEIVED 7300 DOSES OF THE VACCINE AND DESIGNATED 4600 OF THOSE TO CHICAGO ON TOP OF THE 18,000 DOSES THE CITY HAS RECEIVED SEPARATELY.

AS A RESULT OF THE LIMITED SUPPLY, THE STATE MUCH LIKE THE CITY WILL ADMINISTER JUST THAT BUN DOSE OF THE TWO-DOSE VACCINE TO HIGH-RISK INDIVIDUALS FOR NOW UNTIL MORE VACCINE COMES IN.

ILLINOIS' CURRENTLY REPORTING 401 MONKEYPOX CASES TO DATE.

85% OF WHICH ARE IN CHICAGO.

>> 700 OF THE COUNTRY'S NEWEST CITIZENS TOOK THEIR OATH OF CITIZENSHIP AT WRIGLEY FIELD ON A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY AFTERNOON.

THE NATURALIZATION CEREMONY IS THE SECOND TO BE HELD AT THE STADIUM.

THE CITIZENS COME FROM 91 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.

TODAY ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL KWAME RAOUL HIMSELF THE SON OF HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS WELCOMED THE NEW CHICAGOANS HOME.

>> IN CHICAGO, WE BOAST COMMUNITIES THAT BEAR THE NAME OF COUNTRIES FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE.

SO WHEN YOU TRAVEL HERE TO CHICAGO, WHEN YOU TRAVEL TO AMERICA, YOU ARE NOT TRAVELING FROM HOME, YOU ARE TRAVELING TO HOME.

SO WELCOME HOME NEW CITIZENS.

[APPLAUSE] >> AND WE GO BACK TO JOANNA HERNANDEZ WHO SPENT THE DAY IN NORTH SUBURBAN WAUKEGAN AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> NOW, PARIS JOINING US NOW IS MAYOR OF WAUKEGAN ANN TAYLOR THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> NOW, I WANT TO START OFF YOU HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE FOR JUST OVER A YEAR AND A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IS COMING TO THIS AREA.

A CASINO.

THERE'S PEOPLE FOR IT AND AGAINST IT.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE WHAT A CASINO CAN BRING TO THE COMMUNITY?

>> THE CASINO CAN BRING ONE: JOBS.

THE TEMPORARY CASINO SHOULD BRING 800 JOBS.

THE PERMANENT ONE SHOULD BRING MORE THAN THAT.

SOMEWHERE AROUND ANOTHER THOUSAND.

BUT IT ALSO GIVES REVENUE TO THE CITY THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD BEFORE IN TERMS OF A LONG-TERM REVENUE SOURCE.

WE ALSO HAVE FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAXES FROM IT.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT IS A CATALYST FOR DEVELOPMENT.

NOT ONLY IN THAT AREA BUT FOR THE ENTIRE CITY OF WAUKEGAN.

IT'S LITERALLY HELPING PUT WAUKEGAN ON THE MAP.

>> IT'S HOME TO A LARGE LATINO AND BLACK POPULATION HOW ARE YOU AIMING TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITIES?

>> WE ARE MAKING SURE THEY ARE INCLUDED WHEN IT COMES FOR CONSTRUCTION JOBS WHEN IT COMES FOR JOBS WITHIN THE CASINO.

BUT ALSO THAT, AGAIN, THEY ARE ATTRACTED TO OUR COMMUNITY AND THEY WANT TO WORK AND PLAY IN THIS COMMUNITY.

IT IS A GREAT COMMUNITY.

>> WE SPOKE AND SAID THERE WAS MISINFORMATION SURROUNDING COVID VACCINES HOW WOULD YOU SAY WAUKEGAN IS FARING?

>> WE ARE DOING WELL AT THIS POINT.

I THINK A LOT OF MISINFORMATION WAS INITIALLY PUT OUT.

BUT I WOULD SAY AT THIS POINT IN TIME THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS DECIDED THAT IT DOES WANT TO BE VACCINATED BA US WE WANT TO BE OUT AND ABOUT AGAIN.

WE ARE A COMMUNITY THAT LOVES TO HAVE FESTIVALS AND YOU KNOW, WALK ALONG OUR LAKEFRONT.

SO WE WANT TO BE VACCINATED AND WE WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN ALL THOSE THINGS.

AND LIKE I SAID, I THINK INITIALLY, WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE WE WERE FEARFUL WE DIDN'T KNOW THE INFORMATION.

NOW THAT THAT PASSED I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE GETTING VACCINATED AND WANTING TO BE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY AGAIN.

>> WE ALSO LEARNED THAT WAUKEGAN'S PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLINIC IS SERVING PATIENTS COMING FROM WISCONSIN.

WHAT IMPACT DO YOU SEE -- WHAT IMPACT DO YOU SEE AS HAVING ON WAUKEGAN?

>> WELL, WAUKEGAN IS WELCOMING TO EVERYONE.

AND THE SAME THING FOR A WOMAN'S CHOICE.

THE STATE IS A PRO-CHOICE STATE NOW AND IT WILL ALWAYS BE A PRO-CHOICE STATE.

AND I THINK HAVING THAT OPTION FOR WOMEN TO COME HERE AND HAVE WHATEVER PROCEDURE THEY NEED TO HAVE DONE, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS A BIG PART OF OUR COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

AND THAT IS IMPORTANT >> NOW, YOU ARE THE FIRST WOMAN MAYOR OF WAUKEGAN.

HOW DOES THAT FEEL?

AND TALK TO ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROJECTS THAT YOU'RE WORKING ON FOR THE CITY?

>> SO, AS THE FIRST FEMALE MAYOR, OBVIOUSLY I'M CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT YOU KNOW I WANT WOMEN TO FOLLOW IN MY FOOTSTEPS.

I WANT WOMEN TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU KNOW, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE OTHER WOMEN WHO PRECEDED ME WHO TRIED TO BREAK THE GLASS CEILING BUT IT'S BROKEN.

I WANT WOMEN TO FOLLOW IN MY FOOTSTEPS AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE IMPORTANT IN POLITICS.

OUR VOICES MATTER.

AND I'M SO PROUD TO BE THE FIRST WOMAN OF THE CITY.

>> THANK YOU MAYOR ANN TAYLOR FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> COMING UP WE SPEAK TO A LOCAL ORGANIZATION WHO IS RAISING AWARENESS ON GAMBLING.

FIRST, I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS.

IS THE U.S. ON THE VERGE OF A RECESSION?

WELL, THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMY SAW A SECOND STRAIGHT DECLINE IN GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AN INDICATION THAT COULD DECLARE A RECESSION.

BUT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS PUSHING BACK SAYING THE ECONOMY IS HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

TREASURY SECRETARY JANET YELLEN SAYS THE ECONOMIC NEWS IS NOT NECESSARILY BAD.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK BEYOND THE HEADLINE NUMBER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING.

THE CONTRACTION IN GDP WAS DRIVEN PRIMARILY BY THE CHANGE IN PRIVATE INVENTORIES.

TODAY'S REPORT SHOWS CONTINUED EXPANSION AND CONSUMER SPENDING OVERALL AND IN SERVICES IN PARTICULAR.

>> AND JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE NEWS, ARE MICHAEL MILLER A PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AT DePAUL UNIVERSITY.

PRESTON CALDWELL CHIEF U.S.

ECONOMIST AT MORNINGSTAR RESEARCH AND MARK WEISBROT CODIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR ECONOMIC AND POLICY RESEARCH.

WELCOME ALL OF YOU BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

MIKE, I WILL START WITH YOU.

SLIGHT DECLINE IN GDP FOR TWO STRAIGHT QUARTER IT IS HAS FOLKS UTTERING THE R WORD WOULD YOU CALL THIS A RECESSION?

>> I WOULD NOT.

THERE ARE TWO DEFINITIONS THAT PEOPLE ACCEPT WHEN IT COMES TO RECESSION.

THE OLDER ONE HAS TO DO WITH TWO CONSECUTIVE QUARTERS OF DECLINE AND THAT IS THE IDEA ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS GVMENT DP OVER TIME.

AND THE MBER THAT PEAKS AND TROUGHS OF THE BUSINESS CYCLE FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS HAD A BROADER DEFINITION AND IT HAS TO DO WITH GDP AND SALES AND EMPLOYMENT AND PRODUCTION AND INCOMES.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT EVERYTHING EXCEPT GDP THE ECONOMY IS NOT IN RECESSION.

>> MARK WEISBROT DO YOU SHARE THE TREASURY SECRETARY A OPTIMISM HERE ECHOING WHAT MICHAEL MILLER SAID?

THERE ARE INDICATORS THAT THINGS AREN'T NECESSARILY SO BAD RIGHT NOW?

>> YES, I THINK WHAT MICHAEL SAID WAS A VERY GOOD EXPLANATION WHY THE MBER DOESN'T USE THE KIND OF RULE OF THUMB TEXTBOOK ECONE COIN 01 IDEA OF A RECESSION SHORTHAND TWO QUARTERS OF THE DECLINE IN THE VALUE OF GOODS AND SERVICES IN THE ECONOMY.

THE BIGGEST THREAT TO THE ECONOMY RIGHT NOW IS THAT THE FED WILL DO WHAT IT HAS DONE TO MOST OF THE MAJORITY VAST MAJORITY OF THE ECONOMIC EXPANSIONS SINCE WORLD WAR II.

PUT AN END TO IT BY RAISING INTEREST RATES TOO MUCH.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR.

THIS WHOLE IDEA THAT WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE A SOFT LANDING IS A METAPHOR THAT IS ALWAYS USED.

THAT IS NOT QUITE RIGHT.

PEOPLE THINK WELL, YOU COULD HAVE A COUPLE BUMPS BUT NOT A SOFT LANDING ALTERNATIVE WHICH COULD THROW MILLIONS OF PEOPLE OUT OF WORK AND THAT WOULD BE A BIG MISTAKE.

>> PRESTON CALDWELL WHAT ABOUT THE FED ANNOUNCES THE SECOND RATE HIKE IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS UP THREE QUARTERS OF A PERCENT.

JEROME POWELL AGAIN SAYING THAT HE WANTS A SOFT LANDING FOR THE ECONOMY AND TO EASE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES COULD IT HURT THE ECONOMY AS MARK WEISBROT IS SAYING?

>> FIRST OFF, I WANT TO ECHO THE REMARKS YOU HEARD EARLIER.

I DON'T THINK THE U.S. ECONOMY WAS IN A RECESSION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2022 AND I AGREE WITH YELLEN THAT THE DECLINE IN GDP WAS DRIVEN BY THE NOISIEST COMPONENTS SUCH AS INVENTORIES AND EXPORTS AND THERE'S OTHER REASONS.

BUT RECESSION RISK IS ON THE HORIZON.

ESPECIALLY FOR 2023 I THINK THAT IS WHEN THE IYMEN CHEHADE PACK OF THE FEDS RATE HIKES WILL BE FULLY FELT.

I THINK ANY RECESSION IS LIKELY TO BE MILD AND SHORT-LIVED.

AND FOLLOWED BY A SWIFT COURSE CORRECTION FROM THE FED TO JUMP START GROWTH AGAIN.

>> MICHAEL MILLER ANY INDICATIONS THAT THE RATE HIKES WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON INFLATION?

>> WELL, THEY ALWAYS DO IN TERMS OF SLOWING DOWN THE MISMATCH BETWEEN DEMAND AND SUPPLY.

AND THE IDEA BEHIND RAISING RATES IS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF INTEREST SENSITIVE SPENDING.

GET IT MORE IN LINE WITH SUPPLY.

MY WISH IS, OF COURSE, THAT THE FED WOULD CONTINUE TO DO THAT BUT THAT THERE WOULD BE MORE INCENTIVE CREATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN TERMS OF REGULATION AND TAX POLICY TO TRY TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY TO TAKE ACTIONS TO CREATE MORE GOODS AND THEN YOU HAVE FEWER DOLLARS CHASING MORE GOODS AND THAT WOULD BE THE BEST POSSIBLE SOLUTION FOR INFLATION.

>> MARK WEISBROT YOU ARE SAYING THAT THE FED COMING IN HERE AND DOING THIS ECHOS WHAT THEY HAVE DONE FOR THE LAST SEVERAL DECADES.

AND YOU SAY IT'S COOLED OFF ECONOMIC EXPANSIONS.

WHAT IMPACT WILL THIS HAVE ON MORTGAGE RATES, CREDIT CARD RATES OTHER INTEREST RATES?

>> YES, THESE THINGS TRIGGERED RATE HIKES WITH -- TRIGGERED RECESSIONS WITH THEIR INTEREST RATE HIKES AND THAT IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM.

AND YOU KNOW, THE OTHER PROBLEM -- IT WILL BRING -- OBVIOUSLY IF YOU GET A RECESSION, THE FED WILL REVERSE COURSE AND LOWER INTEREST RATES AND BRING DOWN MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES AND SO ON.

AND IT'S ALREADY HAD AN IMPACT IN THE OTHER DIRECTION RIGHT NOW ON THE HOUSING MARKET.

BUT THIS IS REALLY I THINK IT SHOULDN'T BE ACCEPTABLE FOR PEOPLE LIKE LARRY SUMMERS TO SAY WE MIGHT HAVE TO UNEMPLOYMENT UP TO 6% AND TALKING ABOUT A RECESSION AND THIS IS CONSIDERED AN OK THING TO BRING DOWN INFLATION A LITTLE BIT FASTER.

FIRST OF ALL, MOST OF THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE INCREASE IN INFLATION WE'VE HAD IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS HAS BEEN IN GASOLINE, 59% OVER LAST YEAR.

YOU KNOW, THINGS THAT FED INTEREST RATE RATE INCREASES ARE NOT GOING TO IMPACT IN ANYWAY.

AND THE UKRAINE WAR.

I MEAN IF WE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT WE COULD NEGOTIATE.

I MEAN, I'M NOT SAYING THE RUSSIANS WOULD NEGOTIATE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WOULD DO BUT WE'RE NOT TRYING TO FIND AN END TO THE WAR AND THAT IS A PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF REASONS AS WELL.

BUT THE POINT IS YOU HAVE PEOPLE TALKING CAUSING A RECESSION IN THE UNITED STATES, THE FED IS DOING THAT.

THEY ARE NOT RAISING RATES ENOUGH AS THOUGH THERE IS A REASON TO DO THAT TO BRING DOWN INFLATION.

AND I MEAN, AGAIN, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THAT INFLATION IS NOT ANYTHING THAT IS IMPACTED -- IS NOT THE -- THIS IS POLITICS, TOO.

BECAUSE THE ARGUMENT THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH INFLATION THE INFLATION ARE SAYING BECAUSE WE SPENT TOO MUCH MONEY AND FISCAL POLICY.

AND OF COURSE, THE FEDS INTEREST RATES WERE TOO LOW FOR TOO LONG.

BUT, AGAIN, IF YOU ADD THAT UP AND LOOK AT ECONOMISTS WHO ESTIMATED THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A SMALL, SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE INCREASE IN INFLATION.

>> SO YOU ARE SAYING SOMERS SAYING THE COST MIGHT BE BRINGING UNEMPLOYMENT UP TO 6% WHERE IT'S LOW AND JOBS ARE PLENTIFUL.

PRESTON, YOU SAID THAT 2023 MIGHT BE THE TIME WHERE WE SEE A SLIGHT RECESSION.

HOW WOULD YOU ADVISE FOLKS TO MAKE PERSONAL FINANCIAL DECISIONS RIGHT NOW IN ANTICIPATION OF THAT?

>> WELL, LOOK, I JUST WANT TO SAY, I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH THE REMARK THAT SUPPLY PROBLEMS CAUSED MOST OF THE INFLATION WE'VE HAD THUS FAR.

REGARDLESS OF WHAT CAUSED HIGH INFLATION IT'S THE CASE AS MICHAEL ELUDED TO IF YOU BRING DOWN DEMAND TO CALIBRATE WHERE THE SUPPLY IS.

IT WILL HELP SOLVE THE INFLATION PROBLEM.

AND A RISK MANAGEMENT PROBLEM THE FED HAS TO WORRY ABOUT INFLATION BECOMING ENTRENCHED.

IF IT DOESN'T DO THAT, WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT BEING 6% WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BEING IN THE DOUBLE-DIGITS LIKE IT WAS IN THE EARLY 1980s RECESSION.

I DO THINK THE FED IS GOING ABOUT THE CORRECT COURSE RIGHT NOW.

>> TAKE ACTION NOW TO AVOID PERHAPS WORSE PROBLEMS OR UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE FUTURE.

MICHAEL MILLER HOW WOULD YOU ADVICE FOLKS MAKING PERSONAL FINANCIAL DECISIONS RIGHT NOW IN ANTICIPATION OF PERHAPS A FUTURE SLOW DOWN?

>> WELL THERE'S GOING TO BE A SLOWDOWN BASED UPON EVERYTHING WE SEE AND THE INTEREST RATES AND THAT IS THE INTENTION OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE.

THE ONE THING IS PEOPLE IF THEY HAVE JOBS THAT ARE SECURE THEN THEY DON'T HAVE TO CHANGE THEIR LIVES.

BUT ANYBODY ON ANY CYCLICAL INCOME TIED TO GOODS SUCH AS HOUSING, AUTOMOBILES, FURNITURE, APPLIANCES, WHERE THE DEMAND FOR THOSE FALL DURING A RECESSION THEY HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T GET THEMSELVES FURTHER IN DEBT AND HAVE A CUSHION OF MONEY TO FALL BACK ON DURING THAT SLOW DOWN PERIOD.

>> A LOT TO LOOK INTO RIGHT NOW.

THANKS TO MICHAEL MILLER, PRESTON CALDWELL AND MARK WEISBROT.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> UP NEXT WE CHECK BACK IN WITH JOANNA HERNANDEZ WHO IS REPORTING LIVE FROM SUBURBAN WAUKEGAN.

BUT FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... NOW WE CHECK BACK IN WITH JOANNA HERNANDEZ WHO SPENT THE DAY IN WAUKEGAN AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

JOANNA?

>> NOW, PARIS WE ARE NOW HERE WITH ELIZABETH BLASIUS SENIOR DIRECTOR OF McCASS KA BEHAVIORAL SOURCES.

AS I MENTIONED THE AMERICAN PLACE CASINO IS COMING TO WAUKEGAN.

WHAT KIND OF CONVERSATIONS AND ROLE HAS YOUR ORGANIZATION HAD SURROUNDING THIS DEVELOPMENT?

>> ANYTIME THERE IS EXPANSION OF GAMBLING IN A COMMUNITY IT'S IMPORTANT TO COME TOGETHER AND SAY WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME AND US?

IF WE ARE LOOKING AT TRYING TO MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITS THE ONLY WAY IS TO MINIMIZE PROBLEM GAMBLING.

>> FOR SOMEONE NOT FAMILIAR WITH MI CASA?

>> WE HAVE BEEN THE ONLY TREATMENT PROVIDER SINCE 2003 IN LAKE COUNTY AND WE HAVE INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING AND GROUP COUNSELING AS WELL AS TELEHEALTH SO PEOPLE CAN GET PHONE OR VIDEO COUNSELING FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR OFTEN HOMES.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT LIKE?

>> THE TREATMENT IS REALLY POWERFUL.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO FEEL UNDERSTOOD AND TO FEEL CONNECTED AND PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCE GAMBLING RELATED HARM FEEL ISOLATED AND ASHAMED.

TO COME TOGETHER WITH PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND YOU AND CARE ABOUT YOU IS REALLY POWERFUL AND VERY HEALING.

>> WHEN WE WERE DRIVING AROUND WE NOTICED THERE WAS A LOT OF SLOTS INSIDE OF RESTAURANTS AND CONVENIENCE STORES DO YOU SEE THE NEED FOR THE SERVICES IN THE AREA?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE'VE ALWAYS REACHED THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND EXPANDED.

AND SO WE SEE THAT IT'S ALL AROUND US.

IT'S ON OUR PHONES.

IT'S HARD TO GET AROUND YOUR DAY WITHOUT BEING FACED WITH GAMBLING.

IF SOMEBODY DOES CHOOSE TO GAMBLE IT'S IMPORTANT THEY CAN DECIDE IS THIS FOR ME AND IF I CHOOSED TO IT HOW CAN I BE SAFE AND WHAT DO I LOOK OUT FOR AND EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTIES WHERE DO I TURN FOR HELP AND THAT IS WHERE WE COME IN.

>> PEOPLE WILL PLAY REGARDLESS.

ARE YOU SAYING LEARN HOW TO BE SAFE?

>> RIGHT.

CHOOSE WHETHER OR NOT IT'S FOR YOU.

IF YOU DO CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO IT SAFELY AND WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR IN CASE THINGS GO AWRY AND REACH OUT FOR HELP RIGHT AWAY AND IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO ASK FOR HELP.

RIGHT UP THROUGH THE PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED SERIOUS GAMBLING RELATED HARM >> AND THE YOUTH HAVE BEEN INVOLVED.

TELL ME ABOUT THAT.

>> THIS IS COOL.

UNDERAGED GAMBLING IS PREDICTIVE OF GAMBLING PROBLEMS.

WE'RE TRYING TO PREVENT UNDERAGE GAMBLING AND YOUTH ARE HARMED WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT THAT EXPERIENCES GAMBLING PROBLEMS.

WE HAVE A GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEY ARE DOING A SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN THEY ARE MAKING SONGS, DOING ARTWORK AND USING ALL THE CREATIVE MEANS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT PROBLEM GAMBLING IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> THESE TEENAGERS DID THEY KNOW PEOPLE WHO WOULD OR HAD GAMBLING PROBLEMS?

>> SOME HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS OR NEIGHBORS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS.

SOME ARE JUST THE KIDS WHO ARE JUST LIKE I WANT TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY WHAT CAN I DO?

AND THEY LEARN THE RESEARCH AND GET THE CALL TO ACTION AND TAKE IT AND RUN.

>> THE TEMPORARY CASINO IS SET TO OPEN THIS FALL A FEW MONTHS AWAY.

WHAT MORE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FROM THE DEVELOPER AS IT INCORPORATES ITSELF INTO THE COMMUNITY?

>> IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PREVENTING PROBLEM GAMBLING.

EVERY STEP TO SAY HOW CAN WE IMPLEMENT SOME SAFER GAMBLING PRACTICES, HOW CAN WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BE SAFE, HOW CAN WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO REACH OUT FOR HELP IF THEY NEED IT.

EVERY STEP.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> BEFORE WE LET YOU KNOW, YOU WERE FOCUSING AND THE DAY THE WAYS WAUKEGAN IS TRYING TO EXPAND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE TOWN.

TELL US ABOUT THOSE EFFORTS.

>> I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS AWESOME SUPERMARKET CALL GONZALES INSIDE THE OWNERS CREATED THIS REALLY AWESOME COFFEE SHOP AND UPSTAIRS THEY HAVE A GALLERY WHERE THEY ARE HOSTING CLASSES.

THEY ARE FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHICH I THOUGHT THAT WAS COOL.

AND THEY ALLOWED US TO WORK THERE ALL DAY.

AND BEFORE WE LEAVE, I WANT TO SHOW YOU THIS BACKGROUND WHERE WAUKEGAN MARINA AND HARBOR.

HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THIS?

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I ACTUALLY SEE THIS AND RIGHT ACROSS FROM ME I CAN SEE CHICAGO SO THAT IS COOL.

>> NO DOUBT A BEAUTIFUL SPOT AND A REALLY INTERESTING TOWN A FUN TOWN, BEAUTIFUL HARBOR THERE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

UP NEXT SUBURBAN LIBRARIES THAT ARE GOING BEYOND BOOKS.

FIRST, A LOOK AT EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND.

PLENTY OF THINGS TO DO THAT ARE NOT LOLLAPALOOZA.

TWO 2000 AND 20166 OF CHICAGO SUBURBS FLIPPED FROM MAJORITY WHITE TO MAJORITY LATINO.

BY PASSING THE PORT OF ENTRY NEIGHBORHOODS OF THE CITY AND SETTLING DIRECTLY IN THE SUBURBS.

AND AS THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE COMMUNITIES EVOLVED THEIR INSTITUTIONS HAVE HAD TO FIND NEW WAYS TO SERVE AND ENGAGE THOSE RESIDENTS.

ERICA GUNDERSON CHECKED OUT TWO SUBURBAN LIBRARIES TO SEE HOW THEY ARE GOING BEYOND JUST BOOKS.

>> WHEN WE HAVE NEW FAMILIES THAT ARE COMING HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME I WANT THEM TO KNOW THIS IS THEIR LIBRARY THIS IS THEIR SPACE.

>> LIKE ALL SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS, THE PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS HAD TO EVOLVE WITH THE TIMES.

>> PEOPLE COME HERE FOR PASSPORT SERVICES.

PEOPLE COME TO GET THEIR BLOOD SUGAR SCREENINGS.

PEOPLE CHECK OUT OUR ITEMS THAT INCLUDE SEWING MACHINES 0 OR TELESCOPES.

>> AS LATINOS ESPECIALLY IMMIGRANT LATINOS HAVE SETTLED IN CHICAGO'S SUBURBS OVER THE YEARS.

SUBURBAN LIBRARIES HAVE DEVELOPED WAYS TO BETTER SERVE THEIR CHANGES COMMUNITIES.

>> WE ARE HERE TO HELP THEM IN THEIR LANGUAGE AND WE CAN CELEBRATE THEIR CULTURAL BACKGROUND AS WELL.

>> AT THE ROUND LAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY A BOOK CLUB OFFERS READERS TO DISCUSS LITERATURE IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE.

A LOT WHAT THEY HAVE TOLD ME THEY FEEL LIKE THIS IS A SPACE AND TIME WHERE THEY CAN DEDICATE TO THEMSELVES.

WE TALK ABOUT THE BOOK AND DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEWS OF EVERYBODY WITHIN THE BOOK AND THEIR LIVES.

BECAUSE WE FIND SOMETHING TO RELATE TO.

>> ROUND LAKE LIBRARY HEAD OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SANDRA LOPEZ SAYS DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC PATRONS TURNED TO THE LIBRARY FOR PROBLEMS.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BECAME VIRTUAL A LOT OF FAMILIES IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DID NOT HAVE COMPUTERS OR DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO USE COMPUTERS.

AND THEY HAD A LANGUAGE BARRIER.

SO WE HAD OUR PARTNER OVER AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT REACH OUT TO US SAY, HEY CAN YOU HELP?

AND WE DEVELOPED COMPUTER CLASSES THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE TO PARENTS IN NEED.

>> IN WEST SUBURBAN NORTHLAKE, BILINGUAL LIBRARIAN SAYS THE STAFF DEVELOPS ITS PROGRAMMING BASED ON INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY.

>> THAT MEANS THAT THEY ARE TRUSTING US MORE IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY ASK FOR.

AND THEY DO NEED SOMETHING THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHETHER WE PROVIDE IT OR NOT, THEY FEEL LIKE THEY CAN COME IN AND ASK FOR IT.

>> NORTHLAKE YOUTH SERVICES LIBRARIAN JACKIE SAYS SHE DRAWS UPON HER OWN UPBRINGING WHEN SELECTING RESOURCES FOR THE CHILDREN WHO COME TO HER LIBRARY.

>> THE OTHER DAY I HAD BOOKS ABOUT LIKE A [INAUDIBLE] MEXICAN COMMUNITY GREW UP LISTENING TO WHICH ARE IN STORY TIMES.

>> NORTHLAKE PATRONS BOTH SAY THEY BEGAN COMING TO THE NORTHLAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY TO FIND ACTIVITIES FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND NOW THEY KEEP COMING BACK FOR THEMSELVES.

>> I WAS BORN IN MEXICO AND CAME HERE AND RECENTLY I TOOK MY CITIZENSHIP TEST.

AND THE FACT THAT THEY OFFER THAT PROGRAM SO YOU CAN STUDY FOR THE TEST IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING THINGS.

>> THEY BOTH SAY THEY OFTEN RECOMMEND THE NORTHLAKE LIBRARY TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHICH LIBRARIANS SAY IS KEY TO BUILDING TRUST IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> A LOT OF THE TIME WE FEEL THAT PATRON ALSO COME IN BECAUSE THEY'VE TALKED TO A FAMILY MEMBER OR A FRIEND.

>> IT MAKES ME FEEL GREAT THAT THERE IS A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE AND PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO HELP YOU OUT WHEN YOU KNOW YOU NEED THE HELP.

AND A LIBRARY IS THE PLACE WHERE I NEVER WOULD HAVE EXPECTED.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES" THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> AND YOU WILL FIND MORE ABOUTED LIBRARIES YOU SAW ON OUR WEB SITE.

WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

AND NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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