>> THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

HERE'S WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

>> IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT TIME FOR OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> AND 18-YEAR-OLD IS CHARGED WITH MURDER IN THE KILLING OF A CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER.

>> WHY SOME WILL COUNTY RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING A MAJOR DISTRIBUTION HUB.

>> IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE SAME.

>> HALF OF THE VENDORS IN DISCOUNT MALL ARE LEAVING, WE WILL TELL YOU WHY.

AND A NEW ERA OF OVERSIGHT, THERE ARE THREE NEW CHICAGOANS VOTED TO SERVE ON THE CITY'S FIRST-EVER POLICE COUNSEL.

>>> AN 18-YEAR-OLD IS CHARGED WITH THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER.

REMIND US EVERYTHING THAT WENT DOWN YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

>> THIS STARTED AROUND 4:45 WEDNESDAY AS OTHER OFFICERS WERE RESPONDING TO A DOMESTIC CALL.

POLICE RESPONDED TO THE SCENE AND 2 OFFICERS LOCATED THIS 18-YEAR-OLD WHO WAS APPARENTLY ARMED AND THEY BEGAN CHASING HIM.

HE AND THE TEAM ENGAGED IN WHAT DAVID BROWN CALLED A CLOSE SHOOT OUT WITH EACH OTHER DURING WHICH BOTH OF THEM WERE SHOT.

THE GUNMAN WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD AND HAS BEEN HOSPITALIZED.

>> HOSPITALIZED IN CRITICAL CONDITION AND WILL BE IN BOND COURT TOMORROW, A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL PROBABLY BE IN BOND COURT.

>> POLICE ANNOUNCED TONIGHT THAT STEPHEN MONTANO HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER, HE'S ALSO FACING OTHER FELONIES.

AGGRAVATED DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM AND ALSO 2 ADDITIONAL MISDEMEANORS INCLUDING INTERFERING WITH REPORTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, LIKELY CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH THE EVENT THAT BROUGHT POLICE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

HE HAS A BOND HEARING TOMORROW BUT AS HE HAS BEEN HOSPITALIZED HE PROBABLY WILL BE PRESENT.

>> WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE OFFICER KILLED?

>> HE WAS A FIVE YEAR VETERAN OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

HE WAS MARRIED WITH SOME FAMILY IN THE U.S. AND IN COLOMBIA.

SOME OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS SET UP A GO FUND ME TO RAISE MONEY FOR EXPENSES AND FOR OTHER FUNERAL COSTS.

THEY DESCRIBED HIM AS DEDICATED AND COURAGEOUS.

WHO SERVED THE COMMUNITY WITH HONOR AND CONVICTION.

>> A VERY SAD SITUATION .

>>> YOU CAN READ MATT'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

IT'S ALL AT WTTW.COM /NEWS.

NOW MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

>> FEDERAL AGENTS FOUND BOMB MAKING MATERIALS AT THE HOME OF THE SUSPECT AND JULY FOURTH SHOOTER ACCORDING TO A WARRANT UNSEALED TODAY.

IT SHOWS COMMERCIAL COMPONENTS USED FOR EXPLOSIVES AND A TIMER AMONG THOSE ITEMS.

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE REPORTS THE WARRANT WAS FILED SHORTLY AFTER THE SHOOTING, THOUGH NO FEDERAL CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED.

IN THE AFFIDAVIT ATTACHED TO THE WARRANT, ROBERT PRIMO TOLD AGENTS HE CONSIDERED DEPLOYING EXPLOSIVES IN THE ATTACK BUT THEY WERE TOO HEAVY TO CARRY TO THE PARADE.

>>> CAMERA FOOTAGE OF A FATAL POLICE SHOOTING SHOWS A MAN ATTEMPTING TO RUN AWAY WHEN HE WAS KILLED.

THE VIDEO WAS RELEASED TODAY SHOWING THE SHOOTING OF A 21-YEAR-OLD.

OFFICIALS SAY HE MAY HAVE FIRED A SHOT IN THE ATTEMPT TO GET ON THE GROUND IN IRVING PARK.

NINE GUNSHOTS CAN BE HEARD IN THE VIDEO THOUGH IT'S UNCLEAR WHO WAS FIRING THOSE SHOTS.

IT IS STILL TAKING ADDITIONAL VIDEOS.

>>> A BIG ENDORSEMENT IN THE RACE FROM A CHICAGO MAYOR.

JESSE WHITE THROWS HIS SUPPORT BEHIND PAUL VALLAS.

HE CITED HIS CLEAR PLAN TO MAKE EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD SAFER IS A REASON FOR ENDORSING HIM OVER BRANDON JOHNSON.

>> I THINK THAT YOU ARE THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB AND NOT ONLY WILL YOU DO THE JOB BUT YOU WILL MAKE US PROUD.

>>> >>> THE WEATHER FORECASTERS SAY YOU SHOULD EXPECT SOME SNOW TOMORROW OR MAYBE RAIN AND THEY ARE NOT SURE WHEN OR HOW MUCH.

HOW'S THAT FOR A FORECAST?

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS THE WEATHER SYSTEM HEADING IN IS FRAUGHT WITH UNCERTAINTY.

THE CITY COULD GET THREE INCHES OF SNOW OR UP TO SIX INCHES DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE WEATHER SYSTEM SWINGS NORTH OR SOUTH.

THE STORM WATCH STARTS AT 10 A CLOCK FRIDAY MORNING.

>>> NEIGHBORS ARE SAYING NO TO A MAJOR NEW DISTRIBUTION HUB.

>>> WILL COUNTY IS HOME TO THE LARGEST INLAND PORT TAKING IN PRODUCTS THAT JUST ABOUT ALL OF US DEPEND ON.

SERVING AS A MAJOR LOGISTICS HUB HAS MADE ITS MARK ON THE COMMUNITY.

>>> A MASSIVE NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTER WAS PROPOSED IN THE JULIET AREA AND NEIGHBORS ORGANIZED TO PUSH BACK.

NICK REPORTS ON WHERE THAT PROJECT STANDS AND WHY ITS BACKERS SAY IT'S NECESSARY.

>> Reporter: IF YOU SPEND MUCH TIME ON THE ROAD IN JOLIET AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES THIS IS A FAMILIAR SIGHT.

LONG LINES OF TRUCKS MOVING HUGE LOADS OF CARGO EVERY DAY.

>> INSTEAD OF CARRYING THIS INFRASTRUCTURE AND WATER BURDEN, IT'S ALL COMING TO OUR DOORSTEP.

>> IT'S NOT JUST LARGE STATE ROUTES OR THE EXPRESSWAY.

>> MY STOMACH DROPPED AND I PROBABLY WANTED TO PUKE.

>> KATIE SERVES AS THE JACKSON TOWNSHIP'S CLERK, WHEN SHE SAW THE INITIAL PROPOSAL THE SITE WAS RIGHT NEXT TO HER PARENTS HOUSE.

>> I WOULD ALWAYS TAKE THOSE BACK ROADS AND SEE WHO WAS FARMING ARE DOING WHAT.

THE THOUGHT OF IT ALL BEING WAREHOUSE IS MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH.

>> THEY BEGAN A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING EFFORT CALLING ON THE VILLAGE OF ELLWOOD TO TURN DOWN THE PROJECT.

IN NO SMALL PART BECAUSE THEY SEE ME AND IMPACT OF CENTERPOINT.

>> TO SEE IT CHASE US TO OUR NEW HOME.

ORGANIZERS BLOCKED THE PROJECT IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM BUT IT FOUND ITS HOME ON A SMALLER PLOT OF LAND THAT JOLIET ANNEXED FROM ELLWOOD WHEN A BOUNDARY AGREEMENT AND IT.

>> THEY WERE WORRIED THAT RUNOFF WOULD BE A PROBLEM.

>> OPPONENTS SAY INCREASED TRUCK TRAFFIC SAY MORE WEAR AND TEAR ON ALREADY BUMPY ROADS AND THERE WON'T BE ENOUGH MONEY COMING IN FOR NEEDED REPAIRS TO STREETS AND BRIDGES.

>> THE QUESTION IS ONE OF THE REASONS JOLIET MAYOR HAS BEEN BACKING NORTH POINT.

>> THE INFRASTRUCTURE CURRENTLY WAS NOT BUILT TO HANDLE THIS.

IT'S BEEN REALLY UNDERFUNDED WITH ALL THE COMMERCE AND ALL THE NEW BUSINESS COMING TO THE AREA.

>> NORTH POINT SAID IT PLANS TO USE A CLOSED LOOP OF ROADWAYS TO KEEP TRUCKS OFF LOCAL STREETS WHICH OPPONENTS QUESTION THEIR COMMITMENT TO.

>> THIS IS A CONTROL DEVELOPMENT AND WE ARE TRYING TO PUT SOME ORDER TO WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

>> NORTH POINT OPPONENTS HAVE ALSO CRIED FOUL BECAUSE ODIN KIRK HAS RECEIVED $20,000 FROM DONATIONS.

HE SAYS THERE IS NO ON DUE INFLUENCE.

>> THIS IS PART OF BEING A POLITICIAN.

THIS IS TO SUPPORT THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT ARE SUPPORTING THEM.

>> THE PROJECT HAS ALSO DRAWN THE SUPPORT OF THE LOCAL 150 CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY UNION.

MARK POLIS LEADS THE UNION'S LABOR-MANAGEMENT GROUP.

>> WE SAW DURING COVID THAT WE REALLY WENT INTO A CONSUMER SPENDING WHEN PEOPLE WANTED THINGS AT THEIR FINGERTIPS.

>> NORTH POINT HAS ALSO DONATED MORE THAN $23,000 TO THE UNION'S PACK BUT HE SAYS THEY BACK THE PROJECT BECAUSE IT WILL BE BUILT WITH UNION LABOR.

HE ALSO SAID THE DEVELOPER HAS PLEDGED NOT TO INTERFERE WITH ANY POTENTIAL UNION DRIVE FOR PEOPLE WHO END UP WORKING AT THE HUB.

>> THESE GUYS GAVE A PRESENTATION THAT MADE ASSURANCES , NOT JUST ON THE BUILDING SIDE OF THINGS BUT OPERATIONS.

THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE FAIRLY TREATED.

>> DESPITE THE SMALLER FOOTPRINT OF THE HUB IT'S BEGUN CONSTRUCTION, SOME NEIGHBORS QUESTION WHETHER THE COMPANY HAS AN EYE ON FUTURE EXPANSION.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE THEY HAVE ANY INTENTION OF STOPPING IN THIS SMALL SECTION OF THE CITY THAT THEY OFFICIALLY HAVE APPROVED.

>> FOR DELILAH AND OTHER OPPONENTS, THE FIGHT IS FAR FROM OVER.

>> THEY MAY BE DETERMINED TO BUILD THIS BUT I DON'T THINK IT WILL HAVE HER BE MORE THAN OUR DETERMINATION.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M BLUMBERG.

>>> THE PROJECT HAS FACED SEVERAL LEGAL CHALLENGES FROM CENTERPOINT AND FROM THE VILLAGE OF ELLWOOD.

DESPITE THAT , THE MAYOR WAS FACING TWO CHALLENGERS IN NEXT MONTH'S MAYORAL ELECTION, HE SAID HE'S CONFIDENT IT WILL MOVE FORWARD.

NORTH POINT DID NOT RESPOND TO INTERVIEW REQUESTS.

>>> UP NEXT WE HEAR FROM SOME OF THE ELECTION WINNERS WHO WILL SERVE ON CHICAGO'S FIRST-EVER POLICE DISTRICT COUNCIL.

>> THE POWER IS THE PEOPLE AND THE ABILITY TO SWAY ELECTION.

>>> IT WAS A PRETTY STANDARD ELECTION BALLOT ON TUESDAY EXCEPT FOR THE CHOICES AT THE VERY BOTTOM WHERE NAMES POPPED UP IN RACES FOR POLICE DISTRICT COUNCILS.

I'M SURE FOLKS ARE STILL SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS AS TO WHAT EXACTLY THIS NEW POLICE OVERSIGHT BODY WILL DO.

TONIGHT WE WELCOME THREE WINNERS FROM THE RACES, KAREN WINTERS ELECTED TO THE 15th DISTRICT COUNCIL ON THE WEST SIDE AND COLLEEN DYLAN ELECTED TO THE 16th RELEASE DISTRICT COUNCIL ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE.

WELCOME AND CONGRATULATION ON YOUR VICTORIES.

A QUICK PRIMER ON WHAT THIS BODY WILL DO, IT'S GOING TO NOMINATE 14 MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE NEW COMMUNITY COMMISSION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

THE MAYOR WILL CHOOSE SEVEN OF THOSE.

THE BODY WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO SET POLICY FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THE MAYOR CAN VETO IT AND THE CITY COUNCIL CAN OVERRIDE THE VETO.

THEN THEY CAN HIRE AND FIRE THE HEAD OF CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

AMONG OTHER THINGS.

I KNOW YOU ARE ALL FIGURING OUT THE FUNCTIONS OF YOUR NEW JOBS.

LEONARDO, WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN FOR THE SEAT AND WHAT'S YOUR VISION FOR IT?

>> MY VISION FOR IT IS, TO MAKE SURE THERE IS POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BUT ALSO TO BRING IN DIFFERENT PROGRAMMING AND DIFFERENT SERVICES TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, TO OUR DISTRICT.

WHAT PROMPTED ME TO RUN WAS THAT I HAVE CHILDREN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY ARE GROWING UP IN CHICAGO, THEY ARE BROWN YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN AND WE WANT SAFETY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE SAFE, REGARDLESS IF IT'S COMMUNITY OR POLICE VIOLENCE.

>> KAREN WINTERS, WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO RUN?

>> THERE WERE MANY PROMPTS BUT RIGHT NOW I'M INVOLVED IN THE CHICAGO COALITION WORKING ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL, NOW THIS GIVES ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON OVERSIGHT ON A COMMUNITY LEVEL.

THIS CAME ABOUT FOR ME BECAUSE I LOST A NEPHEW IN 2016 TO A POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTING.

SINCE THAT TIME I'VE BEEN ENGAGED AND I WANT TO SEE A DIFFERENCE IN MY POLICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE IF THAT HAPPENS, MAYBE WE CAN BEGIN TO REALLY ADDRESS A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT WE ARE HAVING.

>> COLLEEN HOW ABOUT YOU?

>> AS A MOTHER OF THREE, I KNEW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN, I DECIDED TO RUN BECAUSE I FELT LIKE AT THE ADVENT OF THIS COUNSEL IT WOULD BE SOMETHING I COULD DO TO HELP THE COMMUNITY AND HELP WITH THE POLICING STRATEGIES.

>> AS I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE FROM A POLICE FAMILY SO WHAT KIND OF CONVERSATIONS HAVE YOU HAD WITH POLICE OFFICERS ABOUT THIS BOARD?

>> MY FATHER AND SISTER WERE POLICEMAN.

I HAVE A VERY GOOD OUTLOOK ON THE POLICE AND I SUPPORT THEM, I FEEL THAT THEY HAVE A DIFFICULT JOB EVERY DAY THEY GO TO WORK.

SO WE ARE VERY POSITIVE ABOUT THEM, WE THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO REBUILD TRUST BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE POLICE, AND TO MOVE ON AND MOVE FORWARD.

>> KAREN WE MENTIONED THE BIG JOB RIGHT NOW IS TO NOMINATE THE PEOPLE WHO WILL SERVE ON THE COMMUNITY COMMISSIONS, THEY WILL BE INVOLVED IN THE SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH, WHAT OTHER THINGS IS THIS BODY GOING TO DO BEYOND THAT?

>> WE WILL HAVE MONTHLY MEETINGS WHERE WE MEET WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND THIS IS NOT ABOUT, OUR VISION AND WHAT WE WANT TO BRING BUT WE WANT TO HEAR FROM OUR RESIDENTS AND WHAT ARE THEIR CONCERNS AND NEEDS.

LIKE IN MY COMMUNITY WE TALK ABOUT THE RESPONSE TIME.

IF THERE IS A RESPONSE AT ALL.

EVERY COMMUNITY HAS ITS OWN ISSUES AND PROBLEMS BUT OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE MORE PROBLEMS AND ISSUES WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, THERE IS NO REBUILDING OF TRUST, THEY ARE ACTUALLY TRYING TO ESTABLISH AND BUILD TRUST.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES HAVE NEVER FULLY TRUSTED OUR POLICING DEPARTMENTS, SO THAT'S ONE OF THE GOALS THAT WE HOPE TO BRIDGE THAT AT THIS JUNCTURE BECAUSE IT'S TIME.

>> YOU MENTIONED YOU ARE KIND OF THE OUTWARD FACING BODY TO THE COMMUNITY AND THEN THE SEPARATE COMMUNITY COMMISSION, THAT'S KIND OF THE INWARD FACING BODY, LEONARDO, WHAT IS YOUR VISION?

>> YEAH, JUST EXPERIENCE OF HOLDING PROGRAMMING AND WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT COALITIONS.

JUST PUSHING THAT FORWARD.

BEING ABLE TO BRING UNITY WITHIN THE DISTRICTS, WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND A COMMUNITY VISION OF MAKING SURE WE CAN INFLUENCE HOW WE ARE POLICED.

I THINK THAT'S VITAL BECAUSE THE WAY IT'S CURRENTLY SET UP, IT'S MORE SET UP TO PROTECT CAPITAL AND THE CITIZENS OF DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

>> SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN IS RESIGNING SO THE COMMISSION IS CHARGED WITH FINDING A FINALIST.

THIS IS A INTERIM COMMUNITY COMMISSION BECAUSE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO SELECTIVELY MEMBERS.

IT'S YOUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS INTERIM COMMUNITY COMMISSION IS EMPOWERED NOW TO DO THIS SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH, OR SHOULD THEY WAIT TILL YOU FIND THE MEMBERS TO PUT ON THAT BODY?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THEY NECESSARILY HAVE TO WAIT.

I THINK THEY CAN START THE SEARCH EVEN IF THE NEXT INCOMING BODY FINISHES.

>> DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> I DO.

>> COLLEEN, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE QUALITIES YOU WILL LOOK FOR WHEN YOU FIND THE MEMBERS THAT YOU WANT TO SERVE ON THE COMMUNITY COMMISSION.

>> PEOPLE WHO ARE FAIR, OBJECTIVE, PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WORK WITH DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

ALL OF THESE COUNCILS HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER IN THE COMMISSIONS OTHERWISE IT WILL BE A SUCCESSFUL PROCESS.

SO EVERYONE IS FAIR AND EXPERIENCED.

>> HOW WOULD YOU GO FIND THE BEST CANDIDATES.

>> SAME THING, PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCED AND PASSIONATE ABOUT BRINGING CHANGE.

BUT ALSO IMPACTING PEOPLE .

A LOT OF TIMES THEY ARE LEFT OUT OF THE EQUATION.

SO THIS MOVEMENT PROVIDES THAT, PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY POLICE IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, THEIR VOICES CAN BE AT THE TABLE.

>> SIMILAR, SOMEONE WITH EXPERIENCE OF UNIFYING, I MYSELF HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF POLICE VIOLENCE.

I THINK THERE'S AN IMPORTANT ROLE FOR PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF TO BE IN THESE ROLES.

WHEN LOOKING FOR THE COMMISSION I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO ARE READY TO PUT IN WORK AND HAVE A RECORD OF STANDING UP FOR THE COMMUNITY SPECIFICALLY AND THOSE RESIDENTS THAT USUALLY ARE LEFT SILENCED BECAUSE THEY DESERVE A VOICE.

>> YOU HAVE ALL MENTIONED YOU WILL HAVE COMMUNITY MEETINGS, MONTHLY OR PERHAPS MORE THAN THAT, HOW DO YOU THINK YOU CAN GO ABOUT REPAIRING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY.

>> LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE.

THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE A MONTHLY MEETING, QUARTERLY MEETING AND A YEARLY MEETING LISTENING TO INPUT.

WE SHARED OBJECTIVE WITH WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO BRING THE ISSUES TO THE COMMISSION.

I THINK JUST REBUILDING THE TRUST AND LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE, TO HAVE A CIVILIAN VIEW AND FIND OUT WHAT THEIR CONCERNS REALLY ARE AND LISTENING.

I THINK LISTENING IS KEY.

>> THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU FOR WINNING THIS VERY IMPORTANT ROLE.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, THE REASON WHY SOME VENDORS ARE LEAVING THE DISCOUNT MALL IN LITTLE VILLAGE BUT FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> THE DISCOUNT MALL IN LITTLE VILLAGE MAY SOON BE RUNNING WITH JUST HALF ITS VENDORS.

FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS THE MALL HAS BEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BATTLE BETWEEN THE PROPERTY OWNER AND ITS VENDORS.

JOANA HERNANDEZ HAS MORE IN THIS ONGOING SAGA.

>> Reporter: IT MIGHT BE THE END OF AN ERA FOR THE DISCOUNT MALL, THAT'S BECAUSE HALF OF THE MALLS VENDORS HAVE UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH TO PACK UP AND LEAVE.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE VENDORS CLOSING SHOP.

>> WE DON'T HAVE ANY CHOICE.

IF WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE WE HAVE TO LEAVE.

THEY GIVE US NOTICE AND YOU HAVE TO GO.

>> YOU NEVER WANTED TO LEAVE?

>> OF COURSE NOT.

>> AFTER MORE THAN 30 YEARS HE'S ONE OF 67 VENDORS WHO RECEIVED A LETTER EXPLAINING THEY HAVE UNTIL MARCH 26th TO SELL THEIR MERCHANDISE.

>> IS NOT GOING TO END HERE.

I WILL GO FOR FIVE MONTHS IN PAKISTAN AND THAT I WILL COME BACK HERE.

>> THE BUILDING IS OPERATED BY TWO SEPARATE COMPANIES, THE OWNER OF THE CORPORATION RECENTLY SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH NOVAK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

THE NEW LEASE RUNS FOR 10 YEARS WITH THREE FIVE-YEAR OPTIONS.

FOR A POTENTIAL TOTAL OF 25 YEARS.

AS FOR THE OTHER SIDE, THE MANAGER OF PK MALL SAID THE OWNER COULDN'T COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH NOVAK.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE VENDORS AS WELL AS THE MANAGEMENT.

WHEN THEY DIDN'T AGREE TO THE OWNERS OFFER, WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO DECIDE TO LEAVE.

>> THE MALL IS KNOWN TO OFFER BELOW-MARKET RENTALS AND SHORT-TERM AGREEMENTS WITH LITTLE TO NO CREDIT HISTORY.

THE CONTRACT NOVAK WAS OFFERING THE OWNER WAS NOT SUSTAINABLE FOR ITS VENDORS.

>> VERY HIGH, WE KNOW THAT OUR VENDORS, THEY WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME.

ESPECIALLY NOWADAYS LIVING IN A RECESSION.

>> Reporter: THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FOR THE OPERATOR WHO RENEWED WITH NOVAK.

>> WE WILL SEE IF HE'S ABLE TO KEEP SOME OF THEM.

>> Reporter: THIS IS ONE OF THE VENDORS HOPING TO STAY, THEY'VE BEEN OPERATING A PET STORE SINCE 1989.

>> IN FEBRUARY, ALDERMAN LOPEZ SAT DOWN WITH NOVAK'S TEAM ALONGSIDE CITY OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS PLANS FOR THE PLAZA.

>> IS ENOUGH ROOM HERE TO ACCOMMODATE EVERYONE AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT.

BUT YET THEY SAID SORRY WE ALREADY SIGNED A CONTRACT.

CONTRACTS CHANGE ALL THE TIME.

I WASN'T BORN YESTERDAY.

>> THIS NEWLY RELEASED RENDERING SHOWS WHAT THE PLAZA WILL LOOK LIKE AFTER RENOVATIONS.

NOVAK SAYS IT PLANS ON REPAIRING THE FRONT OF THE MALL WHICH INCLUDES THE ROOF, THE PLAZA PARKING LOT WITH AN UNDERGROUND STORM WATER SYSTEM AMONG OTHER IMPROVEMENTS.

>> THE DISCOUNT MALL BELONGS TO MISTER KIM.

SO THIS IS NOT THE SAME.

>> TORRES HAS BEEN A MANAGER FOR PK MALL FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS AND SAYS IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO LEAVE SUCH A BIG CHAPTER OF HER LIFE.

>> I HOPE WE ARE ABLE TO OPEN ANOTHER DISCOUNT MALL IN THE FUTURE.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT I'M JOANA HERNANDEZ.

>> AS FOR A NAME CHANGE FOR THE MALL, A SPOKESPERSON SAID IT'S BETWEEN THE TWO MALL OPERATORS.

WE ASKED ABOUT PLANS FOR THE SITE IT'S LEAVING AND WE WERE TOLD SPACE WILL BE LEASED TO OTHER TENANTS BUT NO WORD ON WHO OR WHAT WILL REPLACE IT.

RENOVATIONS ARE EXPECTED IN THE SPRING.

THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT, DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING AND YOU CAN GET CHICAGO TONIGHT STREAMED ON OUR WEBSITE WTTW.COM/NEWS.

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

DON'T FORGET AT 10:00, CHICAGO TONIGHT.

FOR ALL OF US HERE I'M PARIS SCHUTZ, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.