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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HERE IN OUR NORTHWEST SIDE STUDIO.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ LIVE ON THE CHICAGO RIVER.

>> HONEST R ON THE SHOW TONIGHT?

>> WHEN WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE WE ARE AS WELL CONTROLLED AS WE ARE, IT IS THE TIME, RIGHT?

>> THE CITY AND STATE PREPARE TO FULLY REOPEN.

BUT CHICAGO'S TOP DOCTOR SAYS CHALLENGES MAY STILL LIE AHEAD.

>> THE LABOR POOL IS REALLY HAS BEEN DECIMATED FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY BY COVID-19.

>> HOW DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES ARE PREPARING FOR THE NEW NORMAL IN A FULLY OPEN CHICAGO.

>> I'M ANGEL IDOWU AND COMING UP TONIGHT WE WILL HAVE A CLOSER LOOK AT 26 OF THE ORIGINAL WORKS BY ARTIST FRIDA KAHLO.

>> AND AS WE MENTIONED I'M COANCHORING ON THE SITE HEADING NORTHBOUND WE WILL TALK ABOUT ALL SECTORS OF CHICAGO'S HOSPITALLALITY, ENTERTAINMENT AND TOURISM INDUSTRY ON THE EVE OF CHICAGO'S FULL REOPENING AND WHY THAT'S GOING TO PRESENT A NEW SET OF CHALLENGES FOR ALL OF THOSE BUSINESSES.

BUT NOW, WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS MAKING PROGRESS IN MONITORING ITS BODY-CAMERA VIDEOS BUT HAS WORK TO DO.

HAT IS ACCORDING TO A REPORT FROM THE CITY'S INSPECTOR GENERAL THAT CLAIMS THAT WHILE THE DEPARTMENT HAS IMPROVED THE PROCESS FOR SUPERVISORS TO REVIEW RANDOMLY SELECTED VIDEOS IT HAS NOT DEVELOPED POLICIES FOR SUPERVISORS TO IDENTIFY INSTANCES WHERE BODY-CAMERA VIDEO SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECORDED BUT WASN'T.

THE VORT A FOLLOW-UP TO A 2019 INVESTIGATION.

>> IF YOU ARE A REGULAR VIEWER OF THIS PROGRAM WE HAVE BEEN UPDATES YOU ON THE STATE COVID NUMBERS DAILY FOR MORE THAN A YEAR AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NUMBERS AND BROADCAST THEM PERIODICALLY WITH THE REOPENING TOMORROW AND THE DROPPING NUMBERS THIS WILL BE OUR LAST DAILY REPORT OF THE STATE-WIDE STATISTICS.

THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ANNOUNCES 366 NEW CASES OF COVID-19.

INCLUDING 18 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN IS 1.386 MILLION CASES AND 23,014 PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

AND OVER 44% OF ILLINOISIANS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

>> AND AS THE CITY HEADS TOWARDS REOPENING TOMORROW IT'S GIVING CHICAGOANS MORE REASONS TO HEAD BACK TO THE LOOP WHETHER OR NOT THEY WORK THERE.

THE MAYOR'S OFFICE TODAY ANNOUNCED THE CENTRAL CITY RECOVERY ROADMAP TO GUIDE THE REVITALIZATION OF DOWNTOWN WHICH INCLUDES SAFE, RELIABLE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, ENHANCED BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE AND NEW EVENTS.

THOSE NEW EVENTS INCLUDE MEET ME ON THE MILE, LUNCHEON LASALLE AND SUNDAYS ON STATE WHERE PARTS OF THE STREETS WILL BE CLOSED OFF FOR VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES TO ENJOY FREE PERFORMANCES AND OUTDOOR DINING.

WE WILL HAVE MORE DETAILS ON THE CITY AND STATE'S FULL REOPENING PLAN IN A FEW MOMENTS.

>> AND EVERYONE'S FAVORITE PAIR OF PIPING PLOVERS MONTY AND ROSE ARE EXPECTING AGAIN.

JUST A WEEK AFTER LOSING THEIR NEST AND FOUR EGGS TO A SKUNK ATTACK THE BIRDS BUILT A NEW NEST WITH ONE EGG.

WILDLIFE OFFICIALS PLACED A STRUCTURE AROUND IT THIS ONE STRONGER AND LARGER AND EQUIPPED WITH CAMERAS.

VOLUNTEERS ARE KEEPING AN EYE AND THE NEST AND THE PARENTS.

PLOVER EGGS HATCH IN ABOUT 30 DAYS AND MUCH MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> GET READY.

CHICAGO AND THE REST OF ILLINOIS WILL FULLY REOPEN TOMORROW WITHOUT ANY CAPACITY LIMITS.

BUT THAT NEWS IS A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD FOR MANY IN THE HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES.

THE CROWDS MAY BE COMING BACK BUT WILL THE LABOR FORCE RETURN?

AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" PARIS SCHUTZ SPENT THE DAY IN AND AROUND DOWNTOWN TO SEE IF CHICAGO'S ALL IMPORTANT TOURISM INDUSTRY IS PRIME TO RECOVER FROM 15 MONTHS PARTIALLY OR FULLY SHUTDOWN.

PARIS JOINING US NOW ABOARD THE SHORT LINE SIGHT-SEEING BOAT TOUR ON THE CHICAGO RIVER.

ARE YOU HEARING OPTIMISM?

>> ABSOLUTELY BOUNDING WITH OPTIMISM IN ALL SECTORS OF THE TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AS WE FLIP AROUND AND START TO HEAD SOUTH ON THE CHICAGO RIVER.

BRANDIS, THAT PRESENTS A NEW SET OF CHALLENGES FOR ALL THESE BUSINESSES, HOWEVER.

NOW IT WAS A VERY EMOTIONAL DAY AT THE HILTON CHICAGO ON SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE AS THE ICONIC HOTEL OPENED ITS DOORS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 15 MONTHS.

IT WAS COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN.

AS YOU SEE JOHN WELCH PERFORMING A CEREMONIAL DOOR UNLOCKING AND WELCOMED BACK 200 STAFF THAT HAD BEEN FURLOUGHED AND SAYS THE HOTEL WILL START WITH 25% CAPACITY WITH HOPES TO RAMP UP TO 100% BY LOLLAPALOOZA BUT THAT WILL NOT BE EASY.

>> EVERY GUEST ROOM HAS 24 BATTERIES.

NO ONE THOUGHT OF THAT.

THAT IS 37,000 BATTERIES THAT WE HAD TO PURCHASE IF YOU LINED THEM UP IT WOULD STRETCH FROM HERE TO THE DRAKE HOTEL.

FLIPPING ALL THE MATTRESSES AGAIN.

HAVING 65,000 PIECES OF LINEN THAT HAD TO BE CLEANED.

IT'S A LOT OF WORK.

>> BUT WORKERS LIKE NELIDA CRUZ ARE THRILLED TO BE BACK ON THE JOB.

>> THIS IS A BIG COMPANY THEY DECIDE TO REOPEN.

SO THEY DON'T REOPEN MAYBE I DECIDE TO STAY HOME.

BECAUSE I AM ALMOST RETIRED ALREADY.

SO BUT, THEY CALLED ME AND I DECIDED TO COME BACK TO WORK.

I LIKE TO WORK.

>> NOW THIS MIGHT BE THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AS THERE IS A GENUINE LABOR SHORTAGE RIGHT NOW MANY FOLKS LEAVING THIS INDUSTRY FOR GOOD.

>> THEY ARE HEARING NO OFTEN FROM EMPLOYEES FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

CHILDCARE, OR PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE LEFT THE MARKET.

WE LOST A LOT OF EMPLOYEES EITHER OUT OF OUR INDUSTRY OR OUT OF OUR CITY.

WE SAW A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES GO TO STATES THAT REOPENED QUICKER, WEREN'T SHUTDOWN LIKE FLORIDA, ARIZONA, TEXAS, WHERE THEIR HOTEL INDUSTRY WASN'T IMPACTED AS MUCH AS IT WAS HERE IN ILLINOIS.

IT IS A CHALLENGE OF GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK AND MAKING SURE WE ARE STAFFED AT A LEVEL TO ACCOMMODATE THE INFLUX OF GUESTS.

>> FOR THIS REASON AND OTHERS, MICHAEL JACOBSON LOBBYING MAYOR LIGHTFOOT FOR $75 MILLION TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE HOTEL INDUSTRY.

AS NUMBERS CONTINUE TO RISE, OFFICIAL STATISTICS FROM CHICAGO'S TOURISM OFFICE SHOW A STEADY WEEK OVER WEEK INCREASE IN CAPACITY AND OCCUPANCY APPROACHING 50% RIGHT NOW ALTHOUGH MOST CUSTOMERS AREN'T TRAVELING VERY FAR.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL TRAVELERS COMING IN FROM INDIANA, WISCONSIN, OR THE SUBURBS AND SPENDING THE WEEKEND.

IT'S THOSE INDIVIDUALS DOWN HERE FOR FUN.

WHAT WE NEED BACK IS CORPORATE TRAVEL AND THEN THE CONVENTIONS.

>> RESTAURANT INDUSTRY STRUGGLING WITH THE SAME ISSUES.

THE OWNER OF DEARBORN IS THRILLED AT THE RETURN OF DEMAND EXCEEDED HER EXPECTATION BUT THERE IS A CONCERNING LABOR SHORTAGE IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY AS WELL.

AS PLACES LIKE HERS ARE STRUGGLING TO MEET THE DEMAND WITH NOT A FULL WORKFORCE.

>> THE LABOR POOL IS REALLY HAS BEEN DECIMATED FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY BY COVID-19.

WOMEN HAVE BEEN FORCED TO STAY AT HOME.

BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET CHILDCARE AND IT WOULD BE MORE IN THEIR INTEREST TO STAY AT HOME THAN TO PAY FOR CHILDCARE.

IT'S ALSO JUST THE SHELLSHOCK OF THE DISSEMINATION OF OUR INDUSTRY WHERE ESPECIALLY VETERANS WHO HAVE GIVEN 20 YEARS OF THEIR LIFE TO THE INDUSTRY THEY'VE DECIDED I'M CHANGING JOBS, CHANGING CAREERS.

>> A GREAT TIME TO APPLY FOR WORK IN THE RESTAURANT AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

ANOTHER COG IN THE TOURISM MACHINE IS THE THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE ARTS SECTOR.

THE LEAGUE OF CHICAGO THEATERS SAYS MOST VENUES WILL BE BACK IN BUSINESS BY AUGUST STAGING PLAYS THEY SAY THEY ARE CONFIDENT IN ACTORS AND WORKERS MOVED OUT OF TOWN THEY ARE GOING TO COME BACK.

>> CERTAIN PEOPLE RELOCATED FOR VOIR R VARIOUS REASONS BUT THERE'S WORK HERE AND THAT MADE CHICAGO THRIVE CHICAGO SUPPORTS AN ENORMOUS THEATRE SCENE BUT THERE IS A STRONG FILM AND TELEVISION SCENE THE ACTORS WILL GO WHERE THE WORK IS.

AND WE HAVE WORK TO OFFER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONGTIME.

>> AND COLLINS SAYS DEMAND FOR TICKETS HAS EXCEEDED HIS EXPECTATION OVER AT THE GOODMAN THEATRE.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE HEARING AND NOW WE'RE JOINED BY LAURA DECKER OF SHORELINE SIGHT-SEEING.

WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

GREAT TO BE ON THE CHICAGO RIVER.

>> THANK YOU, WELCOME ABOARD THE SHORELINE SIGHT-SEEING.

>> WHAT ARE YOU SEEING IN TERMS OF DEMAND FOR RIVER TOURS?

>> WE ARE EXCITED.

WE HAVE HAD A GREAT RESPONSE THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC OF PEOPLE WANTING TO COME ON THE BOATS BUT OBVIOUSLY COME TOMORROW WE ARE JUST THRILLED TO BE AT 100% AND THE DEMAND KEEPS RISING AND WE ARE A THRILLED.

>> IN HOTELS AND HOSPITALITY THERE IS A LABOR SHORTAGE THE DEMAND IS THERE BUT THEY CANNOT FIND THE WORKERS.

ARE YOU SEEING THAT, TOO?

>> WE ARE SEEING THAT AS WELL.

WE HAVE HIRED BACK PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO COME BACK WE ARE STILL ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR LICENSED BOAT CAPTAINS AND BARTENDERS AND IT HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE TO FIND PEOPLE WHO WANT TO COME BACK TO WORK.

>> THOSE SOUND LIKE FUN JOBS.

>> IT IS.

WORK ONGOING A BOAT.

>> THIS IS YOUR OFFICE, THE CHICAGO RIVER.

HOW DIFFICULT HAS THE LAST 15 MONTHS BEEN FOR YOUR COMPANY?

>> IT'S BEEN CHALLENGING.

SINCE WE ARE AN OPEN AIR BOAT WE DID GET TO RUN OUR ARCHITECTURE TOURS LAST SUMMER BUT THAT ALL WE HAD.

OUR TAXIS AND OPTIONS WE COULDN'T RUN THOSE.

BUT WE WERE ABLE TO RUN AT 25% OF OUR CAPACITY.

AND STILL TRYING TO BOUNCE BACK FROM THAT.

WE LOST 85% OF OUR REVENUE.

WE ARE JUMPING OVER THAT HURDLE NOW AND TRYING TO JUST RECOVER FROM THE LAST 15 MONTHS.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK TOMORROW IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE?

>> THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF EXCITEMENT FROM OUR CREW A LOT OF EXCITEMENT WATCHING PEOPLE WATCHING FROM THE RIVER.

WE THINK THE DEMAND IS GOING TO BE SKYROCKETING AS IT HAS THE LAST MONTH-AND-A-HALF AND WE'RE WELCOME EVERYONE BACK.

>> AND WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE CRUISES RIGHT NOW THAT PERHAPS WASN'T THE CASE A YEAR-AND-A-HALF AGO?

>> THE ARCHITECTURE TOURS IS ALWAYS CHANGING IN CHICAGO RIGHT NOW THERE IS MANY BUILDINGS THAT WERE BUILT OVER THE PANDEMIC YEAR MONTHS, AND -- >> FELT LIKE YEARS.

>> IT DID.

AND THERE ARE NEW THINGS TO BE TALKED ABOUT THE DOUGH SONS HAVE FUN TRIPS AND TRICKS >> WELL, WE'RE KICKING OFF A TOUR WE ARE AT MADDION RIGHT BY THE LYRIC.

HEADING TOUT TOWARD THE WILLIS TOWER.

BRANDIS WE WILL ENJOY THE TOUR ON THE CHICAGO RIVER AND TOSS IT BACK TO YOU AND WE'LL SAY HI AGAIN BEFORE THE END OF THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, PARIS.

>> UP NEXT, PHIL PONCE AND THE CITY'S TOP DOCTOR ON THE DAY WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR: THE CITY'S FULL REOPENING.

[♪♪♪] >> AS WE'VE NOTED CHICAGO AND THE STATE OF ILLINOIS ARE SET TO FULLY REOPEN AFTER NEARLY 15 MONTHS OF PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS.

THAT MEANS STARTING TOMORROW PEOPLE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED CAN GO WITHOUT MASKS IN MOST SITUATIONS.

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS FOR CONGREGATE SETTINGS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND MASKS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR THE UNVACCINATED.

CONVENTIONS, FESTIVALS AND LARGE EVENTS CAN GO AHEAD WITHOUT COVID CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS.

THE OUTDOOR MASK REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOLS WILL BE LIFTED IN LINE WITH CDC GUIDELINES.

BUT BUSINESSES ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTINUE TO ALLOW SOCIAL DISTANCING ESPECIALLY INDOORS.

JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT THE REOPENING IS Dr. ALLISON ARWADY, COMMISSIONER OF THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THIS MUST BE A BIG EVENT FOR YOU.

GIVEN EVERYTHING THAT THE CITY HAS AGAIN THROUGH?

>> IT IS.

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO BE AT A POINT WHERE COVID IS NOT OVER BUT, BOY, IS IT THE TIME TO MOVE AHEAD WITH REOPENING AND ENJOYING THIS AMAZING CITY.

>> HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU GIVEN THE LIFTING OF THE RESTRICTIONS THERE MIGHT NOT BE A RESURGENCE?

>> WE ARE FEELING GOOD PARTICULARLY IN THE SHORT-TERM.

THE BIGGEST PIECE HAS BEEN DUE TO VACCINES BUT WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE WE ARE AT THE LOWEST CASES THE LOWEST HOSPITALIZATIONS, THE LOWEST ICU AND EVERYTHING IS HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND IT'S BEEN DOING THAT WHILE TURNING THAT DRIL ON REOPENING.

WE HAVE NO THREAT RIGHT NOW TO OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM WE HAVE A WIDELY AVAILABLE VACCINE AND OUR NUMBERS ARE HEADING THE RIGHT WAY.

IT IS THE TIME TO REOPEN EVEN IF COVID IS NOT ENTIRELY OVER.

>> IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE DELTA VARIANT FIRST IDENTIFIED IN INDIA HAS BEEN DISCOVERED IN ILLINOIS AND THERE ARE 100 VARIANTS IN ILLINOIS.

HOW BIG A THREAT ARE THOSE VARIANTS?

>> SO, WE DETECTED ALL OF THE KNOWN VARIANTS OF CONCERN HERE IN ILLINOIS AND HERE IN CHICAGO.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT ALL THREE OF THE AUTHORIZED VACCINES HERE IN THE U.S. DO REMAIN PROTECTIVE AGAINST ALL OF THE KNOWN VARIANTS.

ALTHOUGH WE START TO SEE PERHAPS SOME DECREASE IN THAT PROTECTION.

SO CERTAINLY WE'RE CONCERNED WHERE WE SEE NEW VARIANTS EMERGING AND WE DOUBLED DOWN WITH CONTACT TRACING AND WORKING TO CONTAIN THAT.

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS IF WE CAN GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED WE WON'T HAVE AS MUCH OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MORE POTENTIALLY CONTAGIOUS AND DANGEROUS VARIANTS TO TAKE HOLD MORE.

>> SPEAKING OF PEOPLE UNVACCINATED CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS REMAIN HIGHEST AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHICAGOANS AND IN FACT THE VACCINATION RATE IS HIGHEST ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT THAT?

>> SO WE'RE DEFINITELY SEEING THE HIGHEST RATES OF VACCINATION IN WHITE AND ASIAN CHICAGOANS AND LAGGING IN LATINX CHICAGOANS AND FURTHER BACK WITH THE BLACK CHICAGOANS AND WE'RE FOCUSED ON THE LESS VACCINATED NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE THAT WHERE WE'RE SEEING CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT THE SOCIAL NETWORKS ARE NOT WELL VACCINATED.

THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY PEOPLE HAD TO BE FULLY VACCINATED WAS IN JANUARY.

97% OF THE HOSPITALIZATIONS HERE IN CHICAGO HAVE BEEN IN PEOPLE NOT FULLY VACCINATED.

98% IN PEOPLE NOT FULLY VACCINATED.

WE ARE DOING A LOT OF WORK ESPECIALLY IN THE 13 LEAST VACCINATED COMMUNITIES LITERALLY KNOCKING ON EVERY DOOR SIGNING PEOPLE UP FOR VACCINES.

SEND OUR BUSES OUT, GOING TO SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES AND FESTIVALS GOING TO WHEREVER PEOPLE ARE TO MAKE IT EASY AS POSSIBLE AND PAIR THAT CAN GOOD COMMUNITY MESSAGING WHO HAVE GOTTEN THE VACCINE AND SEEN HOW IT CAN LEAD TO LESS WORRY AND PROTECT THE COMMUNITY.

>> YESTERDAY, THE CDC ANNOUNCED THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH THAT COOK COUNTY'S DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH WILL GET 84 MILLION DOLLARS TO ADDRESS COVID RELATED HEALTH DISPARITIES.

HOW MUCH MONEY IS THE CITY GETTING AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH IT?

>> WE ARE GETTING IN THE RANGE OF $30 MILLION.

IT'S EXCITING.

WE ARE INVESTING MOST OF THIS TOWARD WHAT WE'RE CALLING OUR HEALTH EQUITY ZONES.

WE HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH IN COVID HOW TO WORK WELL WITH COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS, WITH OUR FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS AND PARTNERS AND WE WANT TO KEEP THIS NETWORK GOING.

WE'VE DONE A LOT OF HIRING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS PARTICULARLY ON THE WEST AND SOUTH SIDES.

AND SO AS WE LOOK AHEAD, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO USE THE FUNDING THAT GIVES SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON HEALTH EQUITY AND WORKING ON HEALTH DISPARITIES WHICH IS ALREADY THE CORE MISSION FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

WE WANT TO GET THAT OUT TO COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND MOVE BEYOND COVID TO THINK ABOUT CHRONIC DISEASES AND ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT REALLY MAKE OUR OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE LONG LIVES NOT EQUAL HERE IN CHICAGO.

>> EARLIER THIS WEEK, YOU SAID THAT THE CITY WAS EXPERIENCING QUOTE EXPONENTIAL DECAY IN THE NUMBER OF COVID CASES.

IS THE CITY AT HERD IMMUNITY LEVELS YET?

>> THERE'S NO MAGIC NUMBER FOR HERD IMMUNITY.

IF WE WERE TO SEE HERD IMMUNITY IT WOULD MEAN IF A CASE OF COVID WERE DETECT TO DO WOULD NOT HAVE ANYWHERE TO SPREAD.

THAT IS NOT WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

WHERE CASES OF COVID ARE DETECTED WE CONTINUE THROUGH OUR CONTACT TRACING TO SEE COVID SPREAD ESPECIALLY AMONG VERY UNVACCINATED PARTS OF THE CITY OR GROUPS OF FRIENDS, FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS, NEIGHBORS THAT ARE NOT WELL VACCINATED.

WE ARE NOT A HERD IMMUNITY BUT EVERY TIME YOU BREAK THE CHAIN OF TRANSMISSION WHEN NUMBERS START TO COME UNDER CONTROL YOU CAN CUTOFF MORE AND MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR COVID TO SPREAD AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

I'M CONFIDENT LOOKING AHEAD PARTICULARLY IN THE SHORT-TERM OVER THE SUMMER THAT WE WILL REMAIN IN GOOD CONTROL IF WE KEEP MAKING GOOD PROGRESS ON VACCINATIONS.

>> THOUGH CASES ARE GOING DOWN AND THERE IS A REOPENING PUSH, IS COVID SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ARE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO LIVE WITH LONG-TERM?

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS IN THE WAY THAT IT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED IN ORDER TO AMELIORATE ITS IMPACT?

>> WE'LL SEE.

I DO NOT EXPECT THAT WE WILL IRRADICATE MEANING GET RID OF COVID ENTIRELY UNLESS THERE IS A NEW MEDICATION THAT IS DEVELOPED THAT CAN ELIMINATE IT AND I DON'T SEE ANYTHING LIKE THAT SHORTLY.

IT'S SO WIDESPREAD WORLDWIDE AND THERE ARE MANY COUNTRIES THAT HAVE NOT BEGUN TO VACCINATE THEIR POPULATION AND WE HAVE A GLOBAL SOCIETY THAT I DO THINK COVID IS HERE WITH US FOR SOMETIME.

WHAT WE WILL BE WATCHING FOR IS HOW SEASONAL IS THIS?

IS THIS SOMETHING THAT BECOMES PART OF OUR COLD AND FLU SEASON?

IF IT DOES, IT COULD BE SOMETHING WE COULD NEED TO DO ADDITIONAL VACCINATING AROUND IF WE SEE CASES RETURN IN THE FALL.

WE ARE SETTING UPDATE TA MONITORING TO MAKE SURE WE CAN UNDERSTAND AND DO MORE LAB TESTING AROUND THINGS LIKE VARIANTS AND MAKE SURE WE'RE AS PREPARED FOR WHATEVER COMES.

GETTING VACCINATE SECOND HOW WE TURN THIS FROM A DISEASE THAT KILLED SO MANY PEOPLE AND SHATTERED PEOPLE'S LIVES IN CHICAGO, POTENTIALLY TURN IT INTO SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MORE THAN WE DO COLDS OR THE OTHER VIRUSES.

>> Dr. ARWADY THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME ON THIS VERY SIGNIFICANT DATE.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> SUCH AN EXCITING LANDMARK AND THANK YOU CHICAGO FORGETS US THIS FAR.

>> UP NEXT UNTOLD STORIES ABOUT ARTIST FRIDA KAHLO IN A NEW EXHIBITION FEATURING 20 OF HER ORIGINAL PIECES.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE LATE 70s, A PORTION OF ARTIST FRIDA KAHLO'S ORIGINAL WORKS ARE IN THE CHICAGO AREA AS PART OF A NEW EXHIBITION.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU TAKES US FOR A VISIT AND GIVES US A LOOK HOW FRIDA KAHLO'S LIFE EXPERIENCE INFLUENCED HER WORK.

[♪♪♪] >> WHILE SHE IS KNOWN AS ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL MEXICAN PAINTERS OF OUR TIME, A NEW EXHIBIT HONORING THE LATE ARTIST HOPES TO TELL STORIES NOT COMMONLY SHARED OF FRIDA KAHLO.

>> THE IDEA BEHIND THIS WAS TO GIVE PEOPLE CONTEXT TO HER LIFE, WHO SHE WAS, HER INFLUENCE AND NOT ONLY ABOUT HER BUT WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THAT PERIOD.

>> THE FIRST PORTION OF THE EXHIBIT TELLS JUST THAT.

A BREAKDOWN OF WHO FRIDA KAHLO WAS BEFORE SHE BECAME AN ARTIST THAT WOULD LEAD UP TO THE MOMENT THAT WOULD DEFINE HER WORK.

A SEVERE BUS ACCIDENT WOULD REQUIRE HER TO HAVE 30 SURGERIES AND WEAR CORSETS FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE.

BUT IN RECOVERY, SHE FOUND INGENUITY WITHIN HER DEVELOPING CRAFT.

>> THIS IS A RECREATION OF THE BED THAT SHE PAINTED SELF PORTRAITS IN WITH THE HELP OF A MIRROR.

>> THINK ABOUT THIS YOUNG 18-YEAR-OLD GIRL THAT IS CONFINED VIBRANT AND DEPRESSED.

THEY CREATED AN EASEL THAT SHE COULD USE WHILE LYING IN BED AND PUT A MIRROR UNDER THE CANOPY SO SHE COULD SEE HERSELF SHE WANTED PAINTING SELF PORTRAITS AND SAID I OFTEN PAINT SELF PORTRAITS BECAUSE I AM SO OFTEN ALONE AND I AM THE SUBJECT I KNOW BEST.

>> ONCE VISITORS HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW THE WOMAN BEHIND THE ARTIST THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO USE THAT KNOWLEDGE TO INTERPRET 26 OF FRIDA KAHLO'S ORIGINAL WORKS BORROWED FROM THE COLLECTION.

>> EVERYONE CAN RECOGNIZE THE EYEBROWS THE CLOTHES AND THOSE ARE SUPERFICIAL REPRESENTATIONS OF WHO SHE WAS.

I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THESE ACTUAL WORKS IN PERSON IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET AS CLOSE TO HEARING FRIDA KAHLO TELL HER STORY.

SHE SPEAKS DIRECTLY AND HONESTLY ABOUT THE CHALLENGES IN HER LIFE THAT HAS AN HONESTY THAT IS COUPLED WITH THE INTENSITY OF THE IMAGES.

IT IS ALMOST LIKE THEY ARE SUPER CHARGED.

>> THE FIGURES IN HER WORK ARE SO RECOGNIZABLE MANY ARGUE THAT FRIDA KAHLO'S STYLE WAS BASED IN SURREALISM AN IDEA SHE REJECTED.

BUT IT'S BECAUSE OF THE STORIES WITHIN HER STORIES THAT JUSTIN WITTE DESCRIBES HER STYLE AS SYMBOLIC REALISM SEEN IN HER BROKEN COLUMN SELF PORTRAIT.

>> YOU HAVE FRIDA KAHLO EXPOSED THE CENTER OF HER CHEST OPENED UP AND REPLACED A COLUMN THAT HAS BEEN SHATTERED AND CRACKED AND IS BARELY HOLDING ON AND THAT IS HELD TOGETHER BY THE MEDICAL CORSET.

ON TOP OF THAT CRUMBLING YOU HAVE FRIDA KAHLO'S HEAD STARING OUT AND SHE HAS TEARS THAT EXPRESSES THE PAIN HER LOOK IS IN NO WAY RESIGNED TO THE PAIN.

AND IT'S UNAPOLOGETIC.

SHE DID NOT RUN AWAY FROM THESE REALITIES IN HER LIFE.

SHE DID NOT TRY TO DIMINISH HERSELF BECAUSE OF THEM.

AND SHE WAS AN INCREDIBLY STRONG POWERFUL WOMAN AND ARTIST WHO WOKE THROUGH HER WORK EVEN WHEN THAT TRUTH IS PAINFUL.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> AND YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE EXHIBIT FRIDA KAHLO TIMELESS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 6TH AT THE MUSEUM LOCATED IN THE ARTS CENTER IN GLEN ELLEN.

AND WE CHECK BACK IN WITH PARIS SCHUTZ.

HE JOINS US NOW FROM THE CHICAGO RIVER QUITE LITERALLY.

YOU CAN SEE HIM MOVING.

HOW BIG A PROBLEM IS THE HOSPITALITY LABOR SHORTAGE THAT YOU MENTIONED EARLIER?

>> BRANDIS THAT SAY PROBLEM WE HEARD ACROSS ALL SECTORS OF THE HOSPITALITY, TOURISM AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES.

THEY ARE SERIOUSLY CONCERNED THEY ARE NOT FINDING THE WORKERS THEY USED TO HAVE THE LABOR POOL THEY USED TO HAVE.

AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT MADE ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE ADDED UNEMPLOYMENT MIGHT BE URGING PEOPLE TO STAY HOME AND NOT GO BACK TO WORK AND MAYBE RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS AND OTHER SECTORS HAVE TO LOOK AT WAGES TO SEE IF THEY ARE PAYING COMPETITIVE WAGES.

BUT REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL THE INDUSTRIES SAY THAT IS NOT THE WHOLE STORY.

IT'S FOLKS WORRIED ABOUT CHILDCARE.

IT'S FOLKS THAT HAVE LEFT THE INDUSTRY.

THAT HAVE RETIRED, MOVED WAY AND SWITCHED TO OTHER JOBS.

THIS IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING TO WATCH BECAUSE EVERYBODY SAID THEY ARE SHOCKED AT THE DEMAND.

THE DEMAND HAS BEEN STEADILY RISING BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FULL REOPENING AND TOMORROW AND THIS WEEKEND IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING ELSE.

BRANDIS, WE'RE RIGHT ABOUT BACK AT THE WILLIS TOWER HERE HEADING NORTHBOUND AGAIN ON THE CHICAGO RIVER.

>> YOU WILL HAVE TO GET OFF THAT BOAT AT SOME POINT BUT IT IS A PROBLEM AND WE WILL KEEP WATCHING IN THE WEEKS TO COME.

THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YouTube AND WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND YOU WILL GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

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

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

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]