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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> INFLATION COULD TURNOUT TO BE HIGHER AND MORE PERSISTENT THAN WE EXPECT.

>> JEROME POWELL SIGNALS INFLATION 0 COULD BECOME A PROBLEM FOR THE ECONOMY.

>> I THINK IT'S THE NEIGHBORHOOD ATMOSPHERE OF LISLE.

>> HOW BUSINESSES IN LISLE ARE RECOVERING FROM THE PANDEMIC.

>> AS JUNETEENTH BECOMES A WIDELY RECOGNIZED HOLIDAY, CHICAGO CHEF ERICK WILLIAMS WHAT THE DAY MEANS TO HIM AND HOW HE TRIES TO HONOR IT THROUGH HIS WORK.

>> GEOFFREY BAER ON THE NEWEST SKYSCRAPERS AND OTHER PROJECTS THAT POPPED UP DURING THE PANDEMIC IN AN ALL NEW "ASK GEOFFREY".

>> A PREVIEW OF PRESIDENTIAL PORTRAITS BARACK AND MICHELLE OBAMA VISIT CHICAGO FROM THE PORTRAIT GALLERY.

[♪♪♪] >> AND CELEBRATING ALLIGATOR RECORDS' 50TH ANNIVERSARY WITH ONE OF ITS RISING YOUNG STARS.

>> AND BRANDIS I'M AT THE MORTON ARBORETUM THIS BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR MUSEUM WITH A NEW SCULPTURE EXHIBIT RIGHT NOW IS IN THE WESTERN SUBURB OF LISLE.

AND LIKE A LOT OF PLACES IN THE SUBURBS IT IS A SELLER'S MARKET WE ARE GOING TO SPEAK WITH A REALTOR SOMEBODY WHO SOLD HER HOME, A COUPLE OF LOCAL BUSINESSES AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS GORGEOUS ARTWORK COMING UP.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES...... >> JUNE 19TH KNOWN TO MANY AS JUNETEENTH IS NOW A FEDERAL HOLIDAY.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TODAY SIGNED A BILL RECOGNIZING THE HOLIDAY THAT COMMEMORATES THE EMMANS PARTICIPATION EMANSTATION OF ENSLAVED AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

>> WE MUST LEARN FROM HISTORY AND WE MUST TEACH OUR CHILDREN OUR HISTORY BECAUSE IT IS PART OF OUR HISTORY AS A NATION.

IT IS PART OF AMERICAN HISTORY.

>> AND WE WILL HAVE MORE ABOUT THE LEGACY OF THE HOLIDAY LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

>> ONE WAY CHICAGO WILL BE CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAY IS LIGHTING UP THE SKYLINE.

STARTING TONIGHT, CHICAGO'S DOWNTOWN WILL BE LIT UP WITH RED LIGHTS TO HONOR JUNETEENTH.

THE LIGHTS WILL STAY UP THROUGH SATURDAY.

>> THE CHICAGO BEARS COULD BECOME THE NEW OWNERS OF ARLINGTON INTERNATIONAL RACE COURSE.

THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

TED PHILLIPS CONFIRMED THAT THE TEAM SUBMITTED A BITD FOR THE PROPERTY SAYING QUOTE IT'S OUR OBLIGATION TO EXPLORE EVERY POSSIBLE OPTION TO INSURE WE ARE DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR ORGANIZATION AND ITS FUTURE.

IF SELECTED THIS STEP ALLOWS US TO EVALUATE THE PROPERTY AND POTENTIAL.

BUT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT IS NOT SOLD ON THE IDEA SAYING QUOTE THIS IS CLEARLY A NEGOTIATING TACTIC THAT THE BEARS USED BEFORE.

AS A SEASON TICKET HOLDER AND BEARS FAN I'M COMMITTED TO KEEPING THE CHICAGO NAME IN OUR FOOTBALL TEAM.

CHURCHILL DOWNS PUT THE PROPERTY UP FOR SALE IN FEBRUARY.

THE DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE 100 YEAR OLD RACE COURSE WAS TUESDAY.

NO SET DATE WHEN CHURCHILL WILL ANNOUNCE ITS DECISION.

THE BEARS ARE LOCKED INTO A LEASE AT SOLDIER FIELD UNTIL 2033.

>> NURSES, SOCIAL WORKERS AND EMPLOYEES WHO WORK FOR COOK COUNTY HEALTH ARE PLANNING A ONE-DAY STRIKE.

THE WORKERS ARE PROTESTING WHAT THEY SAY IS A STAFFING SHORTAGE IT'S SET FOR JUNE 24TH IF THERE IS NO MOVEMENT AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE BY THEM.

CONTRACT GEORGATIONS NEGOTIATIONS BEGAN IN OCTOBER BUT THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE SAYS THE COUNTY ENGAGED IN BAD FAITH BARGAINING.

>> WE'RE HEADED TO THE SUBURBS NOW AND SO ARE MANY OF YOU IF HOUSING SALES ARE AN GAIT INDICATOR.

FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" SERIES AMANDA VINICKY SPENT THE DAY IN SUBURBAN LISLE.

AMANDA JOINS US FROM THE MORTON ARBORETUM.

>> BRANDIS, HOUSES ARE HOT IN THE WESTERN SUBURBS INCLUDING IN LISLE WHICH IS NEAR A METRA STOP AND 355 AND I88.

THE MAYOR CHRIS PECAK WON REELECTION AND HE IS STAYING PUT.

>> LISLE IS THE BEST OF EVERYTHING.

IT'S SMALL ENOUGH THAT YOU KNOW EVERYBODY AROUND TOWN.

IT'S BIG ENOUGH THAT YOU CAN FIND WHATEVER YOU NEED WITHIN THE VICINITY.

IT'S CLOSE ENOUGH THAT YOU CAN WORK THROUGHOUT THE CHICAGOLAND AREA.

>> NOW, REALTOR AND BROKER DEBBIE PAWLOWICZ IS WITNESSING THAT STAMPEDE TO THE SUBURBS FIRSTHAND.

CITY DWELLERS WHO SPENT THE PANDEMIC WORKING REMOTELY REALIZED THEY CAN LIVE ANYWHERE.

WHY NOT HAVE SOMEPLACE WHERE THEY CAN SPREAD OUT AND HAVE MORE SPACE AND A YARD EVEN.

AND RECORD LOW INTEREST RATES DEBBIE PAWLOWICZ SAYS THINGS GOT BUSY IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR AND HAVEN'T SLOWED DOWN.

>> SO WE IMMEDIATELY HAD THIS FLORENCESYED MARKETS PEOPLE WERE FALLING OVER THEMSELVES TO GET HOUSES WHEN YOU COULD SEE THE CRAZY OFFERS AND CONTINGENCIES BEING WAIVED AND PEOPLE SELLING THEIR SOULS TO GET SOME HOMES.

>> SHE SAYS THAT SOME HOMES ARE GETTING 10 OFFERS AND ONLY ONE BUYER CAN GET THE HOUSE THAT MEANS YOU GOT NINE PEOPLE STILL LOOKING.

ROSEMARY GALLAWAY IS ON THE OPPOSITE END HER FAMILY HAD BEEN PLANNING TO SELL THE HOUSE AND MOVE OUT OF STATE NEXT YEAR AFTER THE DAUGHTER FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL.

THEY SOLD THIS SPRING.

THEY JUST CLOSED LAST WEEK.

>> IT WASN'T VERY EMOTIONAL DISCUSSION AND OBVIOUSLY IF YOU ARE IN A HOME FOR 20 YEARS THERE IS A LOT OF MEMORIES, THERE IS A LOT OF HISTORY AND IT'S HARD TO LEAVE.

BUT AS A FAMILY WE DECIDED THIS IS SOMETHING WE WANTED TO DO AND WE FELT IF WE ARE GOING TO DO IT IT WOULD BE THE BEST TIME TO DO IT.

>> THE GALLAWAYS ARE LIVING IN AN APARTMENT IN LISLE WHILE THEIR DREAM HOME IS BUILT.

SHE IS HOPING THAT THAT HIGHER SELLING PRICE OF THEIR LISLE HOME WILL EVEN THINGS OUT BECAUSE THE PRICE OF LUMBER IS UP, TOO.

SO MUCH SO THAT THAT HOME BUILD IS COSTING $75 MORE A SQUARE-FOOT THAN THE ESTIMATE.

THE PANDEMIC HAS BROUGHT ABOUT A SHORTAGE OF STEEL AND LABOR NOTICED BY THE OWNER OF THE NORTH AMERICA PIZZA AND ACADEMY AND THAT IS BASED IN LISLE.

>> NOW, SOME OF THE RESIDENTIAL MADE WITH STEEL HUGE STEEL SHORTAGE.

THEY ARE HAVING A HARD TIME KEEPING UP.

DEMAND IS HUGE.

EVERYONE IS STAYING AT HOME STILL AND THEY ARE DOING THEIR BACKYARDS UP AND EVERYBODY WANTS A PIZZA OVEN IN THE BACKYARD.

>> YOU CAN LEARN TO MAKE PIZZA AT THE ACADEMY.

THE BUSINESS IS APPROACHING ITS THIRD YEAR AND THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN TOUGH BECAUSE BUSINESSES STOPPED HOLDING CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT PIZZA WORKSHOPS.

THEN AGAIN PIZZA HAS BEEN A POPULAR PANDEMIC MEAL AND THAT HAS HELPED.

THE ACADEMY DOES CONSULTING WITH RESTAURANTS THEY ARE WORKING WITH A SWEDISH ONE THAT WANTS TO PUT A SPIN ON PIZZA DOUGH AND THE ACADEMY CAN DO THAT FROM THEIR TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED DOUGH ROOM.

MAYBE YOU DON'T WANT TO GO OUT TO EAT BUT YOU ARE SICK OF THE HASSLE AND CLEAN UP OF COVID COOKING.

THAT IS WHERE DINNER READY COMES IN.

THE MENU IS EVER ROTATING TO KEEP THINGS FRESH FOR CUSTOMERS AND FOR CHEF AND OWNER CHRIS MARKS WHO OPENED IN APRIL AND HOPES AS PEOPLE GET BACK TO POST PANDEMIC LIFE THEY FIND HIS MEALS AS CONVENIENT NOW AS THEY HAVE BEEN.

>> THE PANDEMIC PROBABLY HELPED US TO START OFF WITH.

AS FAR AS PEOPLE NOT WANTING TO GET OUT THERE AND HAVE THE CUISINES THEY LOVE.

THEY COULD BRING IT HOME.

AND THEY COULD GET ALL THE FLAVOR THEY ARE LOOKING FOR AND THE SEASONINGS AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO TO A DINING ROOM AND TIP THE WAITER, PAY FOR PARKING, WHATEVER THE CASE MIGHT BE AND THEY CAN HAVE THAT CUISINE IN THEIR HOME.

>> ALSO RELATIVELY NEW TO LISLE, A NEW PARK DISTRICT PLAYGROUND BUT THIS IS BUILT TO BE INCLUSIVE OF PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES.

FOR EXAMPLE, IT HAS SLIDES THAT HAVE DIFFERENT TEXTURES FOR THOSE WITH SENSORY ISSUES AND PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT DESIGNED FOR SOMEBODY IN A WHEELCHAIR.

>> BASED ON YOUR ABILITIES YOU ARE ABLE 0 ACCESS THE PLAYGROUND AND THERE'S MORE DETAIL.

IF YOU CANNOT MAKE IT TO THE TOP THERE'S FEATURES IN THE BOTTOM.

IT JUST FACILITATES AND FOSTERS FUN AND SAFE PLAY FOR EVERYONE.

>> WHILE PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO ENJOY THE PARK FOR THE LAST YEAR, OF THE PANDEMIC, LAST SUMMER, THE PARK DISTRICT POOL WAS CLOSED.

NOT ANYMORE AND IT WAS HOT TODAY AND I WAS READY TO TAKE A DIP.

EVEN SO THE WATER SLIDES IN SOME OF THE OTHER POOL EQUIPMENT ARE NOT OPEN AND THAT IS DUE TO COVID BUT NOT NECESSARILY FOR A REASON THAT YOU MAY ASSUME.

RATHER IT IS BECAUSE PARK DISTRICT PROGRAMS HAD TO BE CANCELED LAST SUMMER THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC THEY ARE BACK ON NOW.

THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS THAT REVENUES ARE DOWN SO KEEPING SOME OF THAT EQUIPMENT SHUTOFF, THAT IS A MONEY SAVING VENTURE.

ALL IN ALL LISLE HAS FARED WELL THROUGHOUT COVID.

THE MAYOR SAYS THAT THE LATEST REPORT OF SALES TAX RECEIPTS FROM MARCH AND THAT WAS LISLE'S THIRD HIGHEST GROSSING MONTH.

DECEMBER THE FIFTH HIGHEST EVER IN LISLE HELPED BY SPECIAL PROGRAMS LIKE EXPANDED OUTDOOR DINING AND THERE IS AN EXCEPTION TO THAT, HOWEVER, LISLE HAS SEVERAL HOTELS AND THOSE HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING.

SPEAKING OF COMEBACKS, HOWEVER BECAUSE THE MAYOR IS HOPING THE HOTELS MAKE ONE, LISLE IS GOING TO BE HOSTING ITS TRADITIONAL FOURTH OF JULY PARADE COMING UP.

IT WAS CANCELED LAST YEAR AT LEAST MOSTLY.

THE MAYOR SAYS THAT LYLE DIDN'T WANT TO NOT -- LISLE DID NOT WANT TO COMMEMORATE ANY HOLIDAY THEY HELD CONVOYS.

INSTEAD OF PEOPLE GOING TO THE PARADE, THE PARADE CAME TO THE PEOPLE.

MORE ON LISLE COMING UP BUT TOSSING IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

AND NOW TO PHIL PONCE AND THE IMPACT OF INFLATION ON THE ECONOMY.

PHIL?

>> BRANDIS, THE U.S. FEDERAL RESERVE HAS REVISED ITS FORECAST FOR INFLATION PREDICTING THAT CORE INFLATION WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COST OF FOOD OR GAS TO RISE TO 3.4% BY YEAR'S END.

FED CHAIR JEROME POWELL SAYS WHILE THE ECONOMY IS GROWING STRONGLY IT IS STILL DOWN SEVEN MILLION JOBS AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC AND EXPRESSED CONCERNS THAT INFLATION COULD BECOME AN ISSUE GOING FORWARD.

HERE IS A LITTLE OF WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> THE PROCESS OF REOPENING THE ECONOMY IS UNPRECEDENTED AS WAS THE SHUTDOWN.

AS THE REOPENING CONTINUES SHIFTS IN DEMAND CAN BE LARGE AND RAPID AND BOTTLENECKS, HIRING DIFFICULTIES AND CONSTRAINTS COULD LIMIT HOW QUICKLY SUPPLY CAN ADJUST RAISING THE POSSIBILITY THAT INFLATION COULD TURNOUT TO BE HIGHER AND MORE PERSISTENT THAN WE EXPECT.

>> JOINING US NOW IS MARTIN EICHENBAUM, PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY WHERE HE IS CODIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL MACROECONOMICS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FIRST OF ALL, AS WE MENTIONED THE FED HAD A TWO-DAY MEETING.

WHAT WAS IT THAT ECONOMISTS WERE EXPECTING MIGHT COME OUT OF THAT MEETING?

>> WELL, THANKS IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE ON SHOW.

WE ARE ALL LOOKING FOR HOW THE FED IS PARCELING THE SIGNALS OF A RAPIDLY EVOLVING ENVIRONMENT HOW ARE THEY WEIGHING THE RISK OF SLOW RECOVERY VERSUS TOO STRONG A RECOVERY.

WHAT DO WE MEAN?

THE RECOVERY THAT TRIGGERS AN OUTBURST OF INFLATION.

AND THEY DELIVERED ON THAT PROMISE AND GIVING US INSIGHTS INTO THEIR ONGOING THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT PROCESS.

>> AND WHAT DO YOU THINK THOSE THOUGHTS ARE?

WHERE DO YOU THINK THE FED AND THE FED CHAIRMAN THINK THE ECONOMY IS RIGHT NOW?

>> I THINK THEY THINK THE RECOVERY IS STRONGER THAN THEY THOUGHT, SAY, IN MARCH LOOKING AT THE FORECAST THEY ARE SOMEWHAT SURPRISED BY THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY.

AND AT THE SAME TIME THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY SURPRISED AT THE STRENGTH OF INFLATION.

AND BY THE WAY, WHEN I SAY SURPRISED IT IS NOT PEJORATIVE.

THE DATA CHANGE AND THEY REACT.

GROWTH IS GOOD THAT IS THE GOOD NEWS.

AND INFLATION IS HIGHER THAN THEY THOUGHT A COUPLE MONTHS AGO.

>> WHAT IS DRIVING THAT INFLATION?

IS THERE A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GROWTH AND INFLATION?

>> WELL, I THINK IF YOU LOOK THE THE SHORT RUN THERE'S TREMENDOUS GROWTH AND DEMAND FOR WHICH WE ARE ALL HAPPY AS PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO EMERGE FROM THEIR SHELLS WE'VE SEEN SHORTAGES, SOME OF WHICH ARE DUE TO PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

CHIPS IN CARS AND THINGS LIKE THAT WHICH WILL CURE THEMSELVES BUT THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT AS WE HIT THE LIMITS OF OUR ABILITY TO PRODUCE THE OUTPUT AND THE GOODS PEOPLE WANT, FIRMS WILL DO WHAT FIRMS DO WHICH IS RAISE PRICES AS THEY TRY AND ALLOCATE RELATIVELY SCARCE GOODS AMONGST PEOPLE WHO WANT THEM.

>> WE HEARD THE REPORT FROM AMANDA FROM LISLE AND SHE TALKED ABOUT HOW IT IS A STRONG SELLERS MARKET AND THE PRICES OF HOMES ARE SHOOTING UP AND TALKED ABOUT HOW THE SOME SELLERS GET AS MANY AS 10 OFFERS IS THAT PART OF THE INFLATION EQUATION WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE HOUSING MARKET?

>> I'M NOT SO SURE ABOUT THAT.

WHAT IS TRUE IS INTEREST RATES ARE VERY LOW STILL SO MORTGAGE RATES ARE LOW AND PEOPLE BUILT UP A LOT OF WEALTH.

NOT EVERYONE.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT SAVINGS OF CONSUMERS THE STOCK MARKET WEALTH, THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO THANK GOD THEIR WEALTH IS UP.

THEY WOULD LIKE TO MOVE UP TO NICER HOMES.

I THINK THE COVID CAUSED A LOT OF PEOPLE TO REASSESS WHERE AND HOW THEY WANT TO LIVE.

AND YOU TAKE THOSE FORCES, BASIC ECONOMICS PEOPLE REEVALUATING LIFE AND THEY WANT HOMES.

>> GETTING BACK TO THE FED.

HOW MUCH OF THIS APPROACH IS IMPROVISATION ON THE PART OF THE FED?

ARE THEY MAKING THINGS UP AS THEY GO ALONG?

>> SURE.

BUT LET ME CLEAR WHAT I MEAN BY THAT.

A GREAT VIRTUE OF JEROME POWELL THAT HE IS NOT DOGMATIC.

PEOPLE TALK ABOUT FDR AS IN THE END HE WAS THE SAME AS THE BEGINNING.

IT IS A VIRTUE THAT WHEN DECISION MAKERS ARE RESPONSIVE TO POLICY AND A LITTLE BIT HUMBLE IN WHAT THEY KNOW OR DON'T KNOW.

THE FED HAS A AWAYSIC PARADIGM BUT THERE IS A LOT WITHIN THAT PARADIGM PEOPLE ARE RICHER THEY WILL SPEND MORE.

HOW MUCH MORE?

IF OUTPUT GROWS INFLATION WILL PICK UP BUT HOW MUCH?

I THINK YEAH, IN THE ACCEPTS THEY ARE LOOKING AT DATA AND RESPONDING TO IT, YOU COULD CHARACTERIZE THAT AS MAKING IT UP AS YOU GO ALONG.

MY OWN VIEW IT IS A GOOD.

>> WE HAVE LIVED IN A LOW INTEREST RATE AND LOW INFLATION ECONOMY FOR SO LONG IT'S POSSIBLE PEOPLE HAVE FOR GOTTEN WHAT THE DANGER IS FOR INFLATION.

GIVE US A 101 WHY IT CAN BE A BAD THINGS.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I BELIEVE AND I THINK MOST ECONOMISTS BELIEVE INFLATION IS A VICIOUSLY REGRESSIVE TAX.

IMAGINE THAT YOU ARE A WORKER ON A FIXED SALARY AS MANY ARE.

AND INFLATION GOES UP.

I'M LITERALLY THAT IS THE SAME AS IF I CUT YOUR WAGE.

EVERYTHING COSTS 2% MORE IT'S AS IF I CUT YOUR WAGE BY 2%.

IF INFLATION GOES UP BY 10% IT IS A PAY CUT AND THE INFLATION IS THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING.

OVER A COUPLE YEARS YOU HAVE TAKEN A HUGE CUT TO YOUR SALARY.

IT MEANS YOU HAVE LESS RESOURCES TO BUY FOOD FOR YOUR FAMILY, PAY THE RENT, PAY FOR A MORTGAGE.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS MORTGAGES.

I'M PROBABLY ABOUT YOUR AGE AND WHEN I GOT MY FIRST HOUSE IN PITTSBURGH MORTGAGE RATES WERE 18%.

>> OH, YEAH.

THAT WAS OUR FIRST MORTGAGE, TOO.

ABSOLUTELY.

IT WAS TERRIFYING.

>> ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING.

IF YOU ARE A YOUNG PERSON STARTING OFF, THAT IS AN INCREDIBLE BURDEN TO BEAR.

SO MORTGAGE RATES GO UP INFLATION GOES UP, OF COURSE.

IF I'M LENDING YOU MONEY AND INFLATION GOES UP, I WANT COMPENSATION.

FOR ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE OUT THERE, IF YOU ARE GOING TO BUY A HOUSE IN THE FUTURE, YOU WANT TO HOPE THAT INFLATION IS LOW SO MORTGAGE RATES ARE LOW.

>> MARTIN EICHENBAUM REAL WORLD CONSEQUENCES OF THE DANGERS THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INSIGHTS WE APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

>> MY PLEASURE.

MY PLEASURE.

>> PERM PERSON NEWS THAT SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW.

IN RECENT YEARS I'VE BEEN HOSTING SEGMENTS ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS AT THE INDEPENDENT OF THIS MONTH I WILL BE MAKING MY LAST REGULAR APPEARANCE ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" AFTER 25 YEARS OF BEING A REPORTER, THE HOST OF THE PROGRAM OR ANCHORING SEGMENTS BUT I WILL NOT BE RETIRING COMPLETELY.

I WILL BE BACK WHEN THE SHOW NEEDS A HAND OR TO FILL IN ON SATURDAYS, "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES".

WORKING HERE HAS BEEN THE HONOR OF MY LIFETIME AND I'M GLAD IT'S NOT QUITE OVER YET.

BACK TO YOU.

>> PHIL CONGRATULATIONS ON TURNING THE PAGENA THIS NEXT CHAPTER YOU HAVE BEEN A MENTOR AN A NEWSROOM LEADER AND MEANT A LOT TO US OBVIOUSLY AND SO MUCH TO BE SAID IN THE INFLUENCE YOU HAVE HAD IN SHAPING THE SHOW.

TO SAY YOU WILL BE MISSED IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT AND BEFORE WE MOVE ON THERE WILL BE TIME DOWN THE ROAD TO GIVE YOU ALL OF YOUR FLOWERS AND CELEBRATE THE 27 YEARS, BUT WHY NOW?

>> IT IS A CLICHE WHEN YOU HEAR PEOPLE SAY THAT THEY KNOW WHEN IT'S TIME.

AND I KNOW THAT IT'S TIME.

CAROL MARIN SAYS SOMETHING SHE SAID YOU WANT TO LEAVE WHEN YOU'RE STILL LOVING WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND HOPEFULLY WHEN YOU ARE STILL DOING A DECENT JOB AT WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

THIS IS MY CHOICE IT FEELS RIGHT IN TERMS OF WHERE I AM IN LIFE.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY FAMILY, THE GOOD THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN MY FAMILY THANK GOD.

IT'S TIMING, TIMING IS INTUITIVE.

BUT FEEL THE TIME IS RIGHT.

>> MORE TIME WITH THE GRANDKIDS.

WE WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRANDIS.

>> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING VIRTUE RESTAURANT CHEF'S ERICK WILLIAMS ON WHAT THE JUNETEENTH MEANS TO HIM.

A PORTRAIT IS A TRADITION WAY OF COMMEMORATING THE PRESIDENCY.

BARACK OBAMA AND MICHELLE OBAMA MADE A STATEMENT BY CHOOSING CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS.

CHICAGO IS THE FIRST CITY OUTSIDE WASHINGTON D.C. TO HOST THE OBAMA PORTRAITS.

MARC VITALI HAS A PREVIEW.

>> THEY ARE REALLY RECASTING WHAT A PRESIDENTIAL PORTRAIT CAN BE.

THESE ARE ENDURING LINCOLN CONTEMPORARY PORTRAITS IT IS NOT DOCUMENTATION THESE ARE ARTWORKS.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHY WE'RE SEEING THEM HERE AT THE ART INSTITUTE.

>> IN THE SUMMER OF 1989, THE MUSEUM WAS THE SITE OF THE OBAMA'S FIRST DATE AND NOW THEIR PORTRAITS ARE IN THE WING.

IT WAS PAINTED BY ARKED ACTIVITY KEHINDE WILEY.

ARTIST KEHINDE WILEY.

>> THE PORTRAIT OF MICHELLE OBAMA WAS PAINTED BY ARTIST AMY SHERALD.

>> KEHINDE WILEY AND AMY SHERALD WERE A BOLD CHOICE FOR MANY REASONS.

BOTH ARTISTS THEY REALLY TAKE PORTRAITURE TO ANOTHER LEVEL THEY SHIFT THE TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT OF WHO IS BEING PORTRAYED IN A PORTRAIT THEY ARE VIVID, EXPERIMENTAL, CONCEPTUAL.

EVERYTHING THAT DEFINES 21ST CENTURY CONTEMPORARY ART AND THE OBAMAS ARE CHAMPIONS OF CONTEMPORARY ART.

>> PRESIDENTIAL PORTRAITS TEND TOWARD TRADITIONAL INTERPRETATIONS.

THE OBAMAS CHOSE THE ARTISTS TO PAINT THEIR PORTRAITS AND SAT FOR THE PAINTINGS WHICH WERE UNVEILED IN FEBRUARY OF 2018.

THEY ARE THE FIRST PORTRAITS PAINTED BY BLACK ARTISTS.

IN THE PRESIDENT'S PORTRAIT FLOWERS REPRESENT DIFFERENT MOMENTS OF HIS LIFE INCLUDED ARE THE OFFICIAL FLOWER OF CHICAGO.

>> AND IT CREATES A REFLECTION WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SIT FOR A PORTRAIT AND THE HISTORY OF POWER ENGRAINED IN THAT POSTURE.

HE IS LEANING FORWARD AND LOOKING RIGHT AT YOU AND AS MUCH AS IT IS RENDERED IT'S SURREAL LIKE HE IS FLOATING.

>> THERE IS SYMBOLISM AT PLAY IN AMY SHERALD I'M PORTRAIT THE FIRST LADY.

THE PATTERNS IN THE DRESS ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN QUILT MAKING TRADITIONS.

>> IT RENDERED HERE IN A STATE OF DIGNITY AND AGAIN, ONE THAT IS ALSO SO GENEROUS, INVITING AND INCLUSIVE.

>> CHICAGO IS THE FIRST STOP IN A FIVE-CITY TOUR OF THE PORTRAITS ON LOAN FROM THE SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART.

>> AMY SHERALD SAID SHE PAINTS AMERICAN PEOPLE AND BLACK AMERICAN PEOPLE BECOME PRESIDENTS AND FIRST LADIES IT FITS WITHIN HER PRACTICE AND BOTH PORTRAITS BECOMING A RADICAL SHIFT IN WHAT WE KNOW IN PRESIDENTIAL PORTRAITURE.

>> THE OBAMA PORTRAITS EXHIBITION OPENS TOMORROW AND WILL BE ON VIEW THROUGH AUGUST 15TH.

YOU CAN VISIT US ON-LINE TO FIND OUT MORE.

>> UP NEXT, COVID-19'S IMPACT ON DUPAGE COUNTY.

STAY WITH US.

>> WE CHECK BACK IN WITH AMANDA VINICKY SHE SPENT THE DAY REPORTING IN LISLE AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" AND JOINS US AGAIN FROM THE MORTON ARBORETUM.

AMANDA?

>> BRANDIS I'M HERE WITH SAM TORNATORE HE IS A MEMBER OF THE DUPAGE COUNTY BOARD AND PRESIDENT OF THE DUPAGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

COULD YOU BEGIN BY TELLING US HOW HAS DUPAGE COUNTY FARED DURING COVID?

>> WE ARE THE NUMBER ONE COUNTY IN THE STATE IN TERMS OF COVID VACCINATIONS AND WE HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BE THE HEALTHIEST COUNTY IN THE STATE SO WE'RE PROUD OF THAT.

OUR VACCINE ROLLOUT HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL.

WE HAVE VACCINATED OVER A MILLION PEOPLE.

HALF OF WHICH ARE DUPAGE COUNTY RESIDENTS AND THE OTHER HALF ARE FROM OTHER COUNTIES WHO EITHER WORK HERE AND LIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE OR CAME HERE BECAUSE WE HAD IT AVAILABLE.

>> WHAT DO YOU APRESCRIBE THAT SUCCESS?

>> A REMARKABLE STAFF AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT THEY HAVE BEEN AMAZING IN TERMS OF PUTTING WORKING 24/7 PUTTING A SYSTEM TOGETHER NOT ONLY TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE AND FACILITATE THE VACCINES.

>> HOW DID ELIGIBLE FOR GETTING THE VACCINE EARLY ON PLAY A ROLE?

>> IT WAS DIFFICULT BECAUSE PEOPLE ALL WANTED THE VACCINE AND ORIGINALLY IT WAS 65 AND OLDER OR PEOPLE WITH UNDERLYING CONDITIONS OR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS.

AND HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHO AN ESSENTIAL WORKER WAS?

WE HAD PEOPLE THAT SUGGEST THEY ARE AS ESSENTIAL AS THE NEXT PERSON WHERE YOU LIVED WAS IMPORTANT.

IF YOU WERE FROM AN ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AREA THAT MIGHT HAVE MORE COVID THAN OTHERS WERE THOSE PEOPLE GIVEN PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT.

IT WAS A DAILY PUSH AND PULL WITH NOT ONLY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT BUT OUR RESIDENTS AS WELL.

>> NOW, THAT VACCINATIONS HAVE OPENED UP TO ALL ADULTS AS WELL AS TO SOME YOUTH, THERE'S STILL HOWEVER A MILLION PEOPLE VACCINATED BUT A LOT OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT YET VACCINATED.

WHAT IS THE DUPAGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH DOING TO TRY AND CONVINCE PEOPLE TO GET THAT SHOT WHAT EFFORTS ARE YOU UP TO?

>> THERE'S APPROXIMATELY 200,000 ELIGIBLE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY WHO HAVE NOT YET BEEN VACCINATED.

WE ARE WORKING ON OUR SHOT DUPAGE MOVEMENT FORWARD TO TRY TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE NOT ONLY VACCINATED BUT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS.

WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 150 PLACES WHERE YOU CAN GET A VACCINATION WITHIN THE COUNTY.

WE HAD A GROCERY STORE OR A PHARMACY OR A HEALTHCARE PLACE THE DUPAGE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS IS OPEN FREE.

IT IS A WALK IN YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

IF YOU CANNOT LEAVE YOUR HOME WE'VE WORKED WITH COMMUNITY SERVICES AS WELL AS FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO GO TO INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE'S HOMES.

YOU CAN HAVE A VACCINATION FESTIVAL AT YOUR VILLAGE ANYMORE THAN 10 OR MORE PEOPLE WE WILL SEND SOMEBODY OUT AND GET YOUR PEOPLE VACCINATED.

WE ARE REACHING OUT TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS THOUGHT.

>> THOUGHTS ON GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER TODAY UNVEILED PLANS FOR A VACCINATION LOTTERY PEOPLE CAN GET A PRIZE IF YOU GET A SHOT.

THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT INCENTIVIZING PEOPLE WASN'T IN ANYBODY'S MIND WHEN PEOPLE WERE DRIVING TO INDIANA TO GET A VACCINE.

BUT FRANKLY, IF IT HELPS PEOPLE GET VACCINATED AND IRRADICATES THE VIRUS I'M ALL FOR IT.

>> AND WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS IS THE PANDEMIC DONE?

AS OF JUNE 11TH ILLINOIS IS OPEN.

DO YOU HAVE INSIGHT HOW THAT HAS GONE OR THOUGHTS FOR THE SUMMER?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S GONE.

I THINK WE'RE SEEING THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL AND IT IS NO LONGER THE FREIGHT TRAIN.

WE'RE HOPING NOW THAT PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO GET VACCINATED AND BE COGNIZANT OF BEING SOCIALLY DISTANCED WHEN NECESSARY.

AND USE GOOD SENSE.

ESPECIALLY WITH SO MANY PEOPLE STILL UNVACCINATED WE ARE GETTING THERE BUT WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN THERE YET.

>> WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU SHARING YOUR INSIGHT WITH US.

THAT WAS SAM TORNATORE PRESIDENT OF THE DUPAGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SEE NEW A LITTLE BIT.

>> AND ALSO TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", A WARD WINNING CHEF ERICK WILLIAMS ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JUNETEENTH.

>> GEOFFREY BAER ON THE LATEST ADDITIONS TO CHICAGO'S EVER GROWING SKYLINE IN AN ALL NEW "ASK GEOFFREY".

>> AND AS HISTORIC CHICAGO RECORD LABEL ALLIGATOR RECORDS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS WE REVISIT OUR CONVERSATION WITH A YOUNG BLUES PRODIGY.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES..., MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT DECLARES RACISM AT PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

VOWING TO REDOUBLE THE CITY'S EFFORTS TO ERASE DISPARITIES EXACERBATED BY THE PANDEMIC.

THE MAYOR AND PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS POINT TO THE LIFE EXPECTANCY GAP.

BLACK RESIDENTS DIE NOON YEARS SOONER ACCORDING TO A REPORT.

OFFICIALS SAY THEY'VE SELECTED SIX ORGANIZATIONS TO LEAD EFFORTS VACCINATING RESIDENTS AGAINST COVID-19 AND TO ADDRESS LONG-TERM HEALTH ISSUES LIKE ACCESS TO ROUTINE MEDICAL CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

THERE'S MUCH MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> IF YOU ARE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 YOU COULD WIN $1 MILLION.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER ANNOUNCES THAT EVERY ILLINOIS RESIDENT WHO HAS GOTTEN ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE CAN WIN UP TO $1 MILLION IN CASH OR $150,000 IN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AND EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING VACCINATED TODAY.

>> THIS MIGHT BE A LOTTERY BUT COVID-19 IS NOT A GAME.

IN THE PAST 24 HOURS WE RECEIVED REPORTS OF 16 ADDITIONAL DEATHS DUE TO COVID-19.

IN 2020 THE YEAR 2020, MORE ILLINOISIANS DIED FROM COVID-19 THAN FROM STROKES AND ACCIDENTS COMBINED.

WITH A VACCINE WIDELY AVAILABLE AND FREE, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY.

>> AND RESIDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED THE DOSE WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE ENTERED INTO THE LOTTERY THROUGH THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

AND CHICAGOANS CAN GET VACCINATED ON THE GO.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS TEAMING UP WITH THE TRANSIT AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE COVID-19 VACCINES EVERY MONDAY AND FRIDAY.

PFIZER AND JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINES WILL BE OFFERED AT CTA BUSES OUTSIDE OF THE TRAIN STATIONS.

ALL COVID-19 VACCINES ARE OFFERED AT NO COST AND NO INSURANCE OR ID IS REQUIRED.

TO FIND VACCINE LOCATIONS VISIT... >> SATURDAY IS JUNETEENTH THE DAY CELEBRATING THE EMANCIPATION OF ENSLAVED AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

THIS AFTERNOON, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT JOINED CHICAGO AND ILLINOIS IN RECOGNIZING IT AS A HOLIDAY.

>> NATIONAL HOLIDAYS ARE SOMETHING IMPORTANT.

THESE ARE DAYS WHEN WE AS A NATION HAVE DECIDED TO STOP AND TAKE STOCK.

AND OFTEN, TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR HISTORY.

>> WITH THE HOLIDAY GAINING WIDER RECOGNITION, WHAT SIGNIFICANCE DOES IT HOLD FOR BLACK AMERICANS?

AND HOW DO THEY TRY TO HONOR ITS LEGACY THROUGH THEIR WORK?

JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT THIS IS ERICK WILLIAMS, EXECUTIVE CHEF AND OWNER OF THE RESTAURANT VIRTUE IN HYDE PARK WHO HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE MICHELIN GUIDE AND THE JAMES BEARD AWARDS AND A 2020 RECIPIENT OF THE MAYOR'S MEDAL OF HONOR.

WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

AS WE MENTIONED JUNETEENTH IS GETTING WIDER RECOGNITION.

WHAT SIGNIFICANCE DOES THIS HOLIDAY HOLD FOR YOU?

>> WELL, FIRST THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON.

I THINK IT HOLDS A LOT OF SIGNIFICANCE.

IT'S PERSONAL FOR ME.

WE'RE IN 2021 AND WE ARE STILL FIGHTING THE BATTLE OF HAVING ACCESS TO CAPITAL.

AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ABROAD.

WHY THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME IS BECAUSE ONCE THE NEWS HIT TEXAS, THEN THE SLAVES HAD NOWHERE TO GO.

AND SO WE ARE MAKING FORWARD STRIDES IN TERMS OF CREATING OUR OWN NARRATIVES AND SHARING THOSE NARRATIVES WHICH GIVES ME A LOT OF HOPE IN OUR ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE BOTH IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND ABROAD.

HOWEVER, WE ARE STILL AT A SPACE WHERE WE HAVE TO KEEP CONTINUE TO PUT PRESSURE ON BANKS AND INSTITUTIONS THAT PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES.

BECAUSE IT DOESN'T DO US ANY GOOD IF WE ARE FREE AND WE HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.

>> THE SLAVES THE ENSLAVED PEOPLE IN GALVESTON LEARNING ABOUT THE END OF THE CIVIL WAR AND THEY HAD BEEN FREED IT IS A MATTER OF ACCESS THEY DID NOT HAVE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES AND YOU TALKED ABOUT IN YOUR INDUSTRY THERE ARE BARRIERS TO INFORMATION AND RESOURCES.

HOW DO YOU TRY TO REMOVE THOSE BARRIERS?

>> I THINK IT IS SET AROUND DIALOGUE.

AS AN ENTREPRENEUR, OR CHEF OWNER HOWEVER YOU WOULD LIKE TO FASHION THAT, IT'S BECOMING INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO TRADE NOTES WITH FELLOW OPERATORS AND GETTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING WITH THINGS THAT I DON'T KNOW.

AND SHARE INFORMATION THAT I AM SAVVY ABOUT BECAUSE WE ARE FIGHTING AAND UPHILL BATTLE.

BEING A SMALL BUSINESS IS TOUGH AND THE WORLD HAS SEEN THAT OVER THE LAST 13 MONTHS.

>> YOU RECEIVED THE MEDAL OF HONOR FROM THE MAYOR HOW DO YOU HOPE TO USE THAT PLATFORM?

>> WELL, I WILL USE THAT PLATFORM THE SAME WAY I USE ANY PLATFORM WITH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMILITY AND A LOT OF PURPOSE.

WE DIDN'T OPEN VIRTUE BY MISTAKE.

OUR RESTAURANT STANDS ON THE SHOULDERS OF ITS DEFINITION AND THAT IS HIGH MORAL STANDARD.

AND WE USE THE TWO BORDERS TO ENCOMPASS THAT MORAL STANDARD BEING KINDNESS AND HOSPITALITY.

WE TAKE PEOPLE IN.

WE SATIATE THEM.

AND WE MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE DIGNITY, INTELLIGENCE AND INGENUITY THROUGHOUT OUR SPACE.

WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT AND IT IS DISARMING.

ONCE WE ARE ABLE TO FEED PEOPLE WE ARE ABLE TO GET THEM TO HEAR OUR STORY.

>> WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH A DIFFICULT YEAR.

RESTAURANTS ESPECIALLY.

HOW DID VIRTUE RESPOND IN THE PAST YEAR?

>> WELL, WE RESPONDED MANY WAYS.

ONE OF THE WAYS THAT IS MOST TALKED ABOUT IS OUR COMMITMENT TO TAKING CARE OF FIRST-RESPONDERS, HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

WE SENT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MEALS OUT TO LOCAL HOSPITALS PREDOMINANTLY THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO TO MAKE SURE THAT MORALE WAS LIFTED AND TO LET OUR FIRST-RESPONDERS KNOW THAT THEY MATTER TO US.

WE WERE ALL UNDER A CHALLENGING YEAR AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO US TO BOTH BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> YOU ALSO YOU WERE ABLE TO STAY OPEN WHEN MANY RESTAURANTS SADLY HAD TO CLOSE.

WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO STAY OPEN ESPECIALLY FOR YOUR STAFF?

>> WELL, IT IS ANOTHER SCENARIO WHERE OUR PEOPLE HAD NOWHERE TO GO.

UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICES WERE OVERWHELMED.

AND WE JUST FELT LIKE THE BEST USE OF OUR TIME WOULD BE TO WORK THROUGH THE CONFUSION THAT WAS GOING ON.

AT THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE CLOSE DOWNS.

WE STABILIZED OUR BUSINESS WE MADE SURE WE COULD OPERATE AT BREAK EVEN AND PART OF THE REVENUES WE BROUGHT IN WE SUPPORTED OUR TEAM MEMBERS WITH BY WAY OF FORGIVABLE LOANS AND THAT WORKED OUT VERY, VERY WELL FOR US.

IT'S BEEN A HUGE INVESTMENT AND A LOT OF LOYALTY AND THANKSGIVING ON THE SIDE OF THE COMMUNITY AND OUR TEAM MEMBERS.

AND WE'RE GRATEFUL THAT IT WORKED OUT.

>> AS WE MENTIONED JUNETEENTH IS GETTING MORE RECOGNITION.

AND THERE ARE WAYS IN WHICH BLACKS AND THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CONTRIBUTION TO AMERICAN CULTURE HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED.

HOW DO YOU TRY TO COMBAT THROUGH THE FOOD YOU SERVE AT VIRTUE?

>> WELL, AGAIN, I THINK WHEN YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE A MEAL FOR SOMEONE, FOOD IS A GREAT EQUALIZER.

SO IT OFFERS A LEVEL OF TRUST, IT OFFERS A LEVEL OF CARE.

AND A LEVEL OF SERVICE.

AND WE TAKE ALL OF THOSE THINGS VERY, VERY SERIOUSLY.

AND WE CONTINUE, AGAIN, TO USE OUR PLATFORM TO SPREAD THE WORD AS FAR AS WE CAN.

MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING NOW, WOW, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THAT HAPPENED IN TEXAS.

WOW, WHY HAVEN'T I HEARD THE STORY BEFORE AND THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY BECOMES ACCUSTOMED OUR STORIES NOT BEING TOLD.

WE TAKE THE MOMENTS TO STABILIZE, TOTIVE VOTE AND PUSH -- PIVOT AND PUSH FORWARD THE MESSAGES LOST OR BURIED OVER THE YEARS.

>> AND WHAT MORE DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO BE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE EDUCATED ABOUT THE HISTORY OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS?

>> I THINK, AGAIN, WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT BLACKS HAVE MADE BOTH FOR AND IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND I THINK MORE THAN ANYTHING OUR CONSTITUTION ENCOMPASSES THIS IDEAL OF LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUED OF HAPPINESS WITH LIBERTY BEING A BIG WORD.

UNTIL ALL OF OUR FELLOW AMERICANS ARE IN A POSITION WHERE LIBERTY RINGS, WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE STRUGGLES.

I THINK THE PROMOTION OF LIBERTY, THE PROMOTION OF LIFE, AND THE PROMOTION OF THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS WILL BE AT THE TOP OF MY AGENDA AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE AS WE ADVOCATE FOR PEOPLE NEAR AND FAR.

>> CHEF ERICK WILLIAMS OF VIRTUE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND NOW WE CHECK BACK IN WITH AMANDA VINICKY SHE SPENT THE DAY IN LISLE AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

SHE IS COMING TO US FROM THE MORTON ARBORETUM.

>> A DAY IN DOWNTOWN LISLE BUT THIS EVENING, THIS GORGEOUS SUMMER NIGHT HERE AT THE MORTON ARBORETUM WHICH HAS A NEW EXHIBIT HUMAN NATURE AND HERE TO TALK ABOUT IT IS THE MORTON ARBORETUM'S SARAH SARGENT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

RIGHT BEHIND US IS A SCULPTURE BY SOUTH AFRICAN ARTIST WHAT IS THIS MADE OF AND WHAT IS IT?

>> THIS IS DANIEL'S CONCEPTION WE TALKED TO HIM IN 2019 DOING WORKS THAT WOULD RESONATES WITH LANDSCAPES.

SO HE HAD THE IDEA OF HUMANS AND NATURE BEING CONNECTED.

THEY LOOK LIKE WOOD BUT THEY ARE MADE OUT OF CONCRETE.

>> SO PEOPLE CAN TOUCH IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THIS COMES AFTER A SUCCESSFUL TROLL EXHIBIT AS WELL.

HOW BIG ARE THE TROLLS?

>> THE LARGEST OF DANIEL'S SCULPTURES IS 26 FEET TALL AND THE SAME HEIGHT AS THE TROLLS.

>> AND THERE ARE FIVE OF THESE THROUGHOUT THE MORTON ARBORETUM'S PROPERTY.

WHICH IS.

>> 1700 ACRES.

>> QUITE LANGUAGE.

WE'RE FOCUSING ON THE SCULPTURE BUT THERE ARE BEAUTIFUL TREES THOSE ARE OAKS?

>> ABOUT 100-YEAR-OLD OAKS.

THIS IS A PLACE WHERE THE MORTON ARBORETUM LIKES TO CONSERVE OAKS THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO ILLINOIS AND SO FOR ME DANIEL SET THEM IN FRONT OF OUR FAVORITE TREES.

>> AND OF COURSE, PROTECTING AND PRESERVING TREES IS PART OF THE MORTON ARBORETUM'S MISSION.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE OR WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH OUR VIEWERS AT THIS TIME WHERE I THINK WE ARE GOING TO BE GETTING RAIN SOON BUT A LOT OF ILLINOIS IS IN A DROUGHT.

>> TREES NEED WATER IF YOU HAVE A TREE WATER IT.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS CALL OR E-MAIL OUR PLANT CLINIC AND THEY WILL TALK THROUGH THE TYPE OF SPECIES YOU HAVE IN YOUR YARD.

>> HOW OFTEN THIS IS NOT YOUR THING BUT HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU BE WATERING A TREE?

>> IF I HAD A TREE I WOULD CALL THE PLANT CLINIC.

>> CAN YOU SPEAK TO DURING THE PANDEMIC, PEOPLE COULDN'T GO TO THE THEATRE, EAT INSIDE, GO TO BARS BUT THEY COULD BE OUTSIDE.

WHAT DID THE PANDEMIC LOOK LIKE HERE ON THE GROUNDS OF THE MORTON ARBORETUM.

>> WE HAD TO CLOSE BRIEFLY BUT WE WERE ABLE TO REOPEN AND PEOPLE FOUND IT WAS A RESPITE TO BE OUTSIDE AND WE HAD ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL EARLY SPRINGS BECAUSE PEOPLE NEEDED TO GET OUT AND SEE NATURE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE MORTON ARBORETUM'S SARAH SARGENT.

AND I WILL GO OUT ON A LIMB, HA, HA, AND SAY I'M GUESSING WITH THE NEW EXHIBIT IT WILL BE A POPULAR SUMMER HERE AS WELL.

BACK TO YOU BRANDIS.

>> I SEE WHAT YOU DID, THANK YOU.

STAY DRY.

>> UP NEXT, DETAILS OF NEW DOWNTOWN ARCHITECTURE IN AN ALL NEW "ASK GEOFFREY".

YOU MAY HAVE BEEN STUCK AT HOME FOR THE PAST 15 MONTHS BUT THE CITY'S EVER GROWING SKYLINE DID NOT SKIP A BEAT.

NEW BUILDINGS HAVE SPROUTED UP OVER DOWNTOWN CHICAGO INCLUDING PROJECTS THAT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU.

GEOFFREY BAER JOINS US FOR TONIGHT'S "ASK GEOFFREY".

I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE LAST TIME YOU WENT TO THE LOOP WAS, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY BUILDINGS WERE A SURPRISE AS WELL.

>> TOTALLY SURPRISED IN SOME CASES.

>> THIS QUESTION... >> YOU KNOW, IT FEELS A LITTLE BIT LIKE MANY OF US DURING THE PANDEMIC WERE IN SUSPENDED ANIMATION.

SO THE BUILDINGS SEEMED TO HAVE GONE UP IN A BLINK OF AN EYE.

LET'S START OUT WITH ONE THAT IS HARD TO MISS.

IT'S THE ST. REGIS CHICAGO KNOWN AS VISTA TOWER BY ACCLAIMED ARCHITECT JEANNE GANG.

YOU PROBABLY KNOW JEANNE GANG FOR THE ST. REGIS' NEIGHBOR TOWER CALLED AQUA.

THE SOARING ST. REGIS WITH THE ZIG-ZAG PROFILE INSPIRED BY A FRUSTUM IS THE THIRD TALLEST BUILDING IN CHICAGO AND THE WORLD'S TALLEST BUILDING DESIGNED BY A WOMAN.

ONE CURIOUS DETAIL IS THE 83rd FLOOR IS EMPTY AND OPEN TO THE ELEMENTS BECAUSE IT'S KNOWN AS A BLOW THROUGH FLOOR AND ADDED TO THE DESIGN TO REDUE SWAY IN THE STRUCTURE AFTER TUNNEL TESTS ON A MODEL.

>> A HUGE DEVELOPMENT IS DOWN THE RIVER AT WOLF POINT?

>> RIGHT, WOLF POINT IS THE CONFLUENCE OF THE THREE BRANCHES OF THE CHICAGO RIVER, NORTH, SOUTH AND THE MAIN BRANCH.

TODAY IT'S JUST WEST OF THE MERCHANDISE MART.

OVER THE PAST DECADE, IT'S BEEN TOTALLY TRANSFORMED FROM A SURFACE PARKING LOT BY THREE SLEEK TOWERS TWO OF WHICH ARE NEW SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

THE 60 STOREY WOLF POINT EAST WAS COMPLETED LAST YEAR AND IS HOME TO 700 UNITS.

AND A SOARING OFFICE BUILDING AT THE CENTER OF THE COMPLEX SET TO BE COMPLETED IN EARLY 2023.

IS KNOWN AS SALESFORCE TOWER AFTER THE TECH COMPANY THAT WILL BE THE TENANT.

BOTH ARE DESIGNED BY PELLI CLARKE PELLI OF NEW HAVEN WHICH DID THE SITE PLAN.

ANOTHER SUPER TALL PROJECT YOU CAN SEE IT FROM THE EXPRESSWAY IS NEARING COMPLETION CALLED ONE CHICAGO.

AND IT'S RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM HOLY NAMED CATHEDRAL ON THE OTHER SIDE FROM THE EXPRESSWAY BUT IT'S SO TALL.

THE RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX INCLUDES TWO TOWERS, 49 AND 76 STOREYS RESPECTIVELY DESIGNED BY GOETTSCH PARTNERS AND HARTSHORNE PLUNKARD ARCHITECTURE AND THEY ARE CONNECTED AT THE BASE BY RETAIL AND OFFICE SPACE WITH TENANTS EXPECTING TO MOVE IN LATER THIS YEAR.

GOETTSCH PARTNERS DESIGNED A NEW TOWER ON THE CHICAGO I'VE SOUTH -- RIVER'S SOUTH BRANCH.

110 NORTH WACKER IS SUPPORTED BY METAL INDUSTRY DENTS TO OPEN UP THE BASE FOR A RIVERWALK.

GOETTSCH HAS DONE DRAMATIC THINGS AT THE BASES OF RECENT BUILDINGS.

ACROSS THE RIVER AT 150 NORTH RIVERSIDE THAT BUILDING SEEMS TO COME TO A POINT AT THE BOTTOM.

AND ANOTHER BUILDING 111 SOUTH WACKER BY GOETTSCH.

WHERE THE CEILING OF THE LOBBY IS THE UNDERSIDE OF THE SPIRAL RAMP TO THE PARKING GARAGE.

>> NOT EVERY NEW ADDITION DOWNTOWN IS A NEW BUILDING?

>> RIGHT.

YES.

THERE'S ONE THAT YOU WON'T SEE FROM LAKE SHORE DRIVE.

THE RENOVATED BASE OF THE SEARS -- I MEAN WILLIS TOWER.

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE BUILDING'S LOBBY AND GROUND LEVELS HAVE UNDERGONE A COMPLETE OVERALL BY GENSLER FEATURING A SOARING ATRIUM AND SHOPS, RESTAURANTS, AND AN OUTDOOR GREENSPACE.

IT'S ALL DESIGNED TO CONNECT THE BUILDING WITH THE STREET INSTEAD OF IT BEING A FORTRESS AND THERE IS AN EYE CATCHING NEW PIECE OF PUBLIC ART ON JACKSON STREET BY ARTIST INSPIRED BY WAVES ON LAKE MICHIGAN.

AND THEN THE $800 MILLION TRANSFORMATION OF THE OLD CHICAGO POST OFFICE INTO 2.5 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF OFFICE SPACE IS FINISHED AND IT INCLUDES 3.5 ACRE ROOFTOP PARK COMPLETE WITH A RUNNING TRACK AND ONLY OPEN TO THE TENANTS BUT IT CAN BE RENTED FOR SPECIAL EVENTS.

AND THERE ARE JUST THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE TRAPS FORMATIONS THAT YOU WILL NOTICE WHEN YOU RETURN TO THE LOOP.

AND IF YOU CAST YOUR GAZE IN THE OTHER DIRECTION OUT TO SEA, YOU WILL SEE THE NEW SABLE HOTEL AT THE EAST END OF NAVY PIER WHICH IMPROVED THE LOOK OF THE PEER WHEN YOU VIEW IT FROM THE SOUTH.

MARKETED AS THE FIRST HOTEL EVER BUILT ON TOP OF LAKE MICHIGAN.

ONE FINAL NOTE, BEFORE WE GO, WE RECENTLY DID A STORY ON THE SEARCH FOR A CHICAGO ANTHEM BACK IN THE 1980s.

AND AFTER THE STORY AIRED, THE WINNER OF THE CONTEST JEFF JACOBS CONTACTED US AND GIVE US A RECORDING OF HIS ANTHEM.

AND CONTRARY TO WHAT I REPORTED, JACOBS TOLD US THAT HE DID, IN FACT, RECEIVE THE PRIZE MONEY AFTER A YEAR OF QUOTE WRANGLING WITH THE CITY.

YOU CAN LISTEN TO HIS SONG ON OUR WEBSITE AND IT IS WELL WORTH IT.

>> TOUGH TO GET MONEY OUT OF THE CITY THAT IS GREAT THAT HE REACHED OUT TO US AND HE DID GET THE PRICES MONEY FROM THE CITY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

GEOFFREY BAER THANK YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> AND YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT NEW BUILDINGS DOWNTOWN AND SUBMIT YOUR OWN QUESTION TO GEOFFREY BAER.

>> CHICAGO'S ALLIGATOR RECORDS IS CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF WHAT IT CALLS GENUINE HOUSE ROCKING MUSIC.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK AT ONE OF ITS YOUNG STARS, CHRISTONE "KINGFISH" INGRAM, BUDDY GUY HIMSELF CALLED KINGFISH THE NEXT EXPLOSION OF THE BLUES WHEN HE WAS STILL A TEENAGER.

HERE IS PARIS SCHUTZ WITH ANOTHER LOOK.

>> THE GUITAR PRODIGY AND HIS BAND ARRIVED FOR A SOUND CHECK.

HE IS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE A DRINK BUT THIS 20-YEAR-OLD CAN UNCORK THE BLUES.

[♪♪♪] CHRISTONE "KINGFISH" INGRAM HAILS FROM MISSISSIPPI THE CROSSROADS OF THE BLUES.

HE TOOK CLASSES AT THE DELTA BLUES MUSEUM WHERE AN INSTRUCTOR GAVE HIM THE NICKNAME KINGFISH AND CREDITS PBS WITH FOSTERING HIS INTEREST IN MUSIC.

>> I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS YOUNGER LIKE MAYBE LIKE FIVE, MY DAD SHOWED ME A PBS DOCUMENTARY OR MUDDY WATERS AND SAID ONE OF THESE DAYS I WILL TAKE YOU TO THE BLUES AND SHOW YOU.

HE TOOK ME ONE DAY.

[♪♪♪] IN MISSISSIPPI ALL OF MY UNCLES, AUNTS THEY PREACHED AND KING IN THE CHOIR AND ALL OF THEM LEAD AND PLAY INSTRUMENTS THEY WERE A BIG INFLUENCE ON ME.

MY MOM WAS TAKING ME TO GOSPEL PROGRAMS AND QUARTET PROGRAMS AND WATCHING THE GROUPS AND GETTING UP THERE WITH MY GUITAR AND MIMICKING AND NOT KNOWING WHAT I'M DOING.

MY FAMILY AND CHURCH WAS LIKE MY FIRST INFLUENCE.

>> WHEN HE IS NOT ON THE ROAD KINGFISH WORKS WITH UNITED BY MUSIC NORTH AMERICA AND PERFORMS WITH PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL CHALLENGES.

[♪♪♪] GROWING UP IN MISSISSIPPI, HE LOVED ALL KINDS OF MUSIC.

BUT HE FELL FOR THE BLUES WHILE HIS PEERS WERE IN TO HIP-HOP.

>> SOME THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY.

LIKE YOU YOUNG BUT YOU LISTEN TO THAT OLD SAD STUFF.

I'M MORE FOR A CULTURE THING THIS IS HISTORY.

THERE'S NO REFERENCE IN THE BLUES GRANDCHILD.

>> NOW HE RELEASED HIS LONG AWAITED DEBUT ALBUM, KINGFISH ON CHICAGO'S BLUES LABEL ALLIGATOR RECORDS.

>> CHRISTONE "KINGFISH" INGRAM IS THE BUZZ OF THE BLUES WORLD FOR THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS.

TO PLAY BLUES WITH THIS LEVEL OF AUTHORITY AND TO COME OUT OF THE BLUES HEARTLAND OF MISSISSIPPI MADE HIM IMMEDIATELY A BIT OF A SENSATION.

[♪♪♪] HE TOLD US HE LOVES TO PLAY CHICAGO AND HE SPOKE ABOUT HIS HOMETOWN CLARKSDALE.

>> IT'S THE BLUES MECCA, THE HOME OF THE BLUES.

IT'S BLUES ALL AROUND WITH THE POVERTY AND THIS AND THAT BUT AS FAR AS THE MUSIC GOES AND CULTURE ASPECT IT'S ALL AROUND.

IT'S THE BLUES HOLY LAND IS WHAT IT'S LIKE.

>> WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER HE PLAYED A LOT OF NOTES LIKE YOUNGER PLAYERS DO.

BUT BY THE TIME HE TURNED 18 HE BEGAN FIGURING OUT WHICH THE IMPORTANT WORDS WERE AND NOW HE TELLS THE STORY WITH HIS GUITAR AND VOICE IT'S SO GROWN-UP YOU CANNOT BELIEVE HE JUST TURNED 20 YEARS OLD.

IT'S THRILLING TO WATCH HIM GROW AS A MUSICIAN AND HE'S JUST GETTING STARTED.

>> I'M GRATEFUL FOR EVERYBODY WHO SUPPORTED ME AND WHO GUIDED ME TO THIS POINT.

I'M JUST RIDING THE WAVE AND SEE WHAT THE END IS GOING TO BE, MAN.

[♪♪♪] WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.

I'M JUST RIDING THE WAVE.

[♪♪♪] >> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> THE CITY OF CHICAGO IS DECLARING TOMORROW ALLIGATOR RECORDS DAY IN HONOR OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY AND CHRISTONE "KINGFISH" INGRAM IS DUE TO RELEASE HIS SECOND RECORD NEXT MONTH.

AND HE HAS TURNED 21 SINCE THAT STORY FIRST AIRED.

CHEERS TO HIM.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YouTube AND OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT 7:00 P.M. FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]