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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WE'RE BANNING ALL IMPORTS OF RUSSIAN OIL AND GAS.

>> THE IMPACT THE PRESIDENT'S ACTION COULD HAVE ON GAS PRICES AND THE BROADER ECONOMY.

>> WE DECIDED IT IS TIME NOW FOR OUR DISTRICT TO GO MASK OPTIONAL.

>> BUT THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION DISAGREES WE HEAR FROM VICE-PRESIDENT STACY DAVIS GATES.

>> I DON'T THINK PARENTS WANT THAT.

>> FLORIDA IS THE LATEST STATE TO PASS A SO-CALLED DON'T SAY GAY LAW.

A LOOK AT IT AND OTHER STATE MEASURES PASSING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> THE HISTORY OF THIS PAST CENTURY REFLECTS THE HISTORY OF THE CHICAGO COUNCIL ON GLOBAL AFFAIRS.

>> AND THE CHICAGO COUNCIL ON GLOBAL AFFAIRS TURNS 100 AND ITS MISSION TO CONNECT CHICAGO TO THE WORLD COULD NOT BE MORE RELEVANT.

>> I COULDN'T GO THEN AND I CAN'T GO NOW AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE IN THE FUTURE.

>> INSIDE A LOCAL RESTAURANT WHERE A CHEF IS USING A UKRAINIAN INSPIRED MENU TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE WAR-TORN COUNTRY.

>> THIS IS ONE PIECE OF A GREATER WHOLE.

>> AND A NEW COMMUNITY DRIVEN MARKET IS JUST STEP ONE OF A REVITALIZATION EFFORT IN ENGLEWOOD.

>> THE CHICAGO RIVER HAS MORE SPECIES OF FISH THAN EVER BEFORE.

BUT SCIENTISTS WARN THEY COULD DISAPPEAR.

>> WHEN HE CHANGED HIS MIND AND MADE A PLAY FOR YOU YOU HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM.

>> ACTOR LESLEY NICOL TELLS US ABOUT BRINGING A NEW SHOW TO THE CHICAGO STAGE.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> NEARLY TWO WEEKS INTO RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ANNOUNCES NEW SANCTIONS ON RUSSIAN OIL.

>> RUSSIAN OIL WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED WITH U.S.

PORTS.

AMERICA'S RALLIED SUPPORT HAVE RALLIED TO SUPPORT THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE AND MADE IT CLEAR WE WILL NOT BE PART OF SUBSIDIZING PUTIN'S WAR.

>> AS U.S. GAS PRICES REACH A RECORD-HIGH.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THE CURRENT STATE OF PRICES AT THE PUMP AND WHAT THIS COULD MEAN IN JUST A BIT.

>> AND WITH FURTHER HOPES OF WORSENING THE TOLL ON RUSSIA'S ECONOMY, MCDONALD'S ANNOUNCES IT IS TEMPORARILY CLOSING ITS RUSSIA LOCATIONS AND HALTING OPERATIONS THERE.

ACCORDING TO THE COMPANY THEY EMPLOY 62,000 PEOPLE AT ITS 847 LOCATIONS IN RUSSIA.

AND WILL CONTINUE TO PAY WORKERS.

MCDONALD'S HE TOOK MORE THAN $240,000 FROM THE TEAMSTERS LABOR UNION AND MORE ON THE STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> UP NEXT, WHAT PRESIDENT BIDEN'S BAN ON RUSSIAN OIL COULD MEAN FOR YOU AT THE GAS PUMP.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> IT IS A NEW FRONT AS THE U.S.

ATTEMPTS FROM AFAR TO INFLUENCE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN UKRAINE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY ANNOUNCES A BAN ON ALL IMPORTS OF OIL FROM RUSSIA.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON WHAT CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY HAVE ABROAD AND RIGHT HERE AT HOME.

AMANDA?

>> PARIS, YES, LET'S START AT HOME WHERE PRICES OF GAS ARE RISING.

ACCORDING TO AAA PRICES IN COOK COUNTY AVERAGING MORE THAN $4.60 A GALLON AND CLOSE IN COUNTIES IN CHICAGO REGULAR GAS GOING FOR 4.70.

A YEAR AGO IT WAS 3.20.

IT'S JUST NOT LOCALLY.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE ABOUT 4.10 A GALLON.

>> IN FACT, THAT AVERAGE PRICE IS THE HIGHEST EVER IN NOMINAL TERMS.

BUT NOT WHEN YOU CORRECT FOR INFLATION.

CORRECTED FOR INFLATION, THE PRICE WAS HIGHER BACK IN 2008.

SO IT'S NOT OUTRAGEOUS.

BUT IT WILL KEEP GOING UP WITH VOLATILITY.

IT WILL BOUNCE AROUND AS DIFFERENT COUNTRIES DECIDE WHETHER TO BAN IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA AND IT'S GOING TO BOUNCE AROUND ALONG WITH THE PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

IF THINGS GO BADLY, THE PRICE WILL GO UP MORE.

>> THIS EVEN AS BIDEN JUST ANNOUNCED THE BAN THIS MORNING.

SO WHY ARE PRICES HIGH ALREADY?

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY FINANCE PROFESSOR PHILLIP BRAUN SAYS THE SITUATION WITH RUSSIA CAUSED PRICES TO RISE OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

>> SO THIS STORY STARTED TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN THE U.S. AND EUROPE PROPOSED FINANCIAL SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA.

THOSE SANCTIONS AMAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR RUSSIAN BANKS TO DO INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS.

THAT MEANS THE RUSSIAN OIL COMPANIES CANNOT DO INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS.

SO THAT IN OF ITSELF IS A MAJOR BOTTLENECK FOR RUSSIA.

AND PROBABLY MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT THE U.S. DID TODAY BY LIMITING IMPORTS.

>> BRAWN SAYS THE BAN ON RUSSIAN IMPORTS ISN'T LIKELY TO HIT TOO HARD ON THE U.S. OR RUSSIA.

THE UNITED STATES GETS ABOUT 8% OF ITS OIL FROM RUSSIA.

MEANWHILE THE U.S. ACCOUNTS FOR 5% OF RUSSIAN EXPORTS.

STILL, MATT HART WITH THE STATE TRUCKING ASSOCIATION SAYS GAS PRICES ARE GOING TO DING THE TRUCK DRIVERS IN THE SHORT RUN AS THEY WILL BE ON THE HOOK FOR THE HIGHER PRICES OF GASOLINE AND DIESEL.

IT IS A DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR THE CONSUMER GIVEN THAT LABOR COSTS ARE HIGH WITH A TRUCK DRIVER SHORTAGE.

>> IN THE LONG-TERM IT HURTS THE CONSUMER BECAUSE IN THE LONG-TERM THESE THE HIGHER COSTS OF TRANSPORTING GOODS LEADS TO HIGHER COSTS AT THE GROCERY STORE.

HIGHER COSTS THE THE DEPARTMENT STORE AND AMAZON BECAUSE IT COSTS MORE TO TRANSPORT GOODS.

OUR INDUSTRY TRANSPORTS 70% OF THE NATION'S FREIGHT.

WHEN OUR COSTS GO UP THAT WILL LEAD TO HIGHER COSTS FOR THE CONSUMER IN THE NEND STILL, HE SAYS THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY ON PRINCIPLE SUPPORTS A BAN ON RUSSIAN IMPORTS NOT WANTING TO DO ANYTHING TO SUPPORT THAT COUNTRY AT THIS TIME.

HE SAYS ALSO THAT THE U.S. IS WELL POSITIONED TO REACT.

>> THE GOOD NEWS IS, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS THE LARGEST OIL PRODUCER IN THE WORLD AND WE HAVE A LOT OF UNTAPPED WELLS AND WE HAVE WELLS TURNED OFF AS FUEL PRICES WENT DOWN, CRUDE OIL WENT DOWN NOW THAT CRUDE OIL HAS GONE UP THEY ARE VIABLE TO TURN THOSE WELLS BACK ON AND WE HOPE THAT HAPPENS BECAUSE WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO MEET THE ENERGY DEMANDS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WITHOUT THE NEED FOR FOREIGN OIL.

>> BUT GETTING REFINERIES BACK ON-LINE, INCREASING HIRES AND PRODUCTION THAT TAKES TIME AND THIS AS INFLATION IS ALREADY A CONCERN AND HIGHER GAS PRICES WILL EXACERBATE THAT.

IT COULD PRESENT A POLITICAL PROBLEM FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN.

EVEN IF A "WALL STREET JOURNAL" POLL TODAY SHOWS VOTERS SUPPORTING TODAY'S MOVE.

A HANDFUL OF GOVERNORS INCLUDING WISCONSIN'S DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR ARE CALLING ON WASHINGTON D.C. TO TEMPORARILY REMOVE A FEDERAL GAS TAX.

AT A TIME WHEN PEOPLE ARE IMPACTED BY RISING PRICES ON EVERYDAY GOODS, A FEDERAL GAS TAX HOLIDAY IS A TOOL TO REDUCE COSTS FOR AMERICANS AND WE URGE YOU TO GIVE EVERY CONSIDERATION TO THIS PROPOSED LEGISLATION THEY WROTE IN A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S OFFICE DID NOT RESPOND TO A QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER HE SUPPORTS THAT FEDERAL HOLIDAY.

NOW, MEANWHILE NORTHWESTERN'S BRAWN SAYS INCREASES RELATED TO UKRAINE ARE A WORTHY EXPENSE.

>> THE AMERICAN CONSUMER WHEN THEY GO TO THE GAS PUMP THEY HAVE TO ACCEPT THE FACT THEY NEED TO MAKE SACRIFICES FOR THE UKRAINIANS.

YES, GASOLINE PRICES ARE HIGH.

BUT THE WAR IN UKRAINE IS HORRIBLE.

AND THERE IS A TRADE-OFF THAT AMERICANS MUST FIGHT AND COSTS WE MUST BEAR.

>> U OF I SAYS CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR HIGHER GAS PRICES AS GOVERNMENTS INTERNATIONALLY AND HERE AT HOME IN AMERICA, AND ILLINOIS, CHOOSE TO TAKE POLICIES THAT COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE.

HE SAYS THAT IN THE FACE OF THAT CONSUMERS CAN MAKE CHOICES TO REDUCE THE DEPENCE R PEN DENSE ON GASOLINE, RIDING A BIKE, TAKING PUBLIC TRANSIT OR BUYING AN ELECTRIC CAR AND THAT WILL REDUCE THE COUNTRY'S VULNERABILITY TO GEOPOLITICAL SHOCKS SUCH AS THIS ONE.

BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>> AMANDA VINICKY THANKS.

AND NOW TO BRANDIS AND THE ONGOING DISPUTE OVER IN-SCHOOL MASKING.

>> PARIS, CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF WHETHER TO WEAR MASKS STARTING NEXT WEEK.

THE MANDATE WAS ORIGINALLY MAINTAINED UNDER A CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION DESPITE ILLINOIS DROPPING MASKS FOR SCHOOLS STATE-WIDE LAST WEEK.

BUT YESTERDAY, THE DISTRICT ANNOUNCED IT'S DROPPING ITS OWN MANDATE.

IN RESPONSE, THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION FILED AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE CHARGE.

JOINING US WITH MORE IS CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION VICE-PRESIDENT STACY DAVIS GATES.

STACY WELCOME BACK.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO YESTERDAY'S NEWS FIRST OF ALL?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

AS A PARENT, I'M DISCOURAGED TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE WHO IS DISCONNECTED FROM CHICAGO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE IMPACT OF THE DECISIONS HERE IN CHICAGO GETS TO MAKE A DECISION.

I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT OUR C.E.O.

AND MAYOR ELECTED TO CHOOSE A LEGAL STRATEGY AND NOT A SCHOOL SAFETY STRATEGY IN THIS MOMENT.

IT IS A FACT THAT COVID IS NOT WHAT IT ONCE WAS.

AND THANK GOD FOR THAT.

AND IT IS ALSO A FACT THAT UNDER 50% OF OUR STUDENTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

IT IS A FACT THAT OUR PREKINDERGARTEN STUDENTS CANNOT BE VACCINATED.

IT IS A FACT THAT WE HAVE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED STUDENTS AND WORKERS WHO ARE GOING TO NEED MORE THAN A GOOD LUCK FROM OUR MAYOR.

>> THIS IS A LEGAL STRATEGY HOW IS IT A LEGAL STRATEGY?

>> IF YOU READ THEIR LETTERS AND YOU HEAR THEIR REASONING AND INTERVIEWS THEY ARE ALWAYS SPEAKING ABOUT NOT WANTING TO GO IN FRONT OF A JUDGE AND BE AT THE MERCY OF A JUDGE.

SO THEY ARE CHOOSING A LEGAL STRATEGY.

THEY ARE NOT CHOOSING TO ENGAGE WITH THE FAMILIES WHO ARE 90% BLACK AND BROWN.

THEY ARE CHOOSING TO PRIVILEGE LESSON A HANDFUL OF PARENTS WHO ARE LOUDLY SAYING THEY DON'T WANT IT.

A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I FILLED OUT A SURVEY ASKING ME AS A PARENT IF I WANTED MASKING TO STILL BE AVAILABLE IN OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES.

AND I HAVE YET THE HEAR THE RESULTS FROM THAT.

BUT I DO KNOW THAT THE DISTRICT'S ABILITY UNDER THIS MAYOR TO WORK WITH FAMILIES WHO COMPRISE 90% OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITIES TO WORK WITH THE PEOPLE WHO DO THE WORK TO COME TO CONCLUSIONS ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY IS DEMORALLIZING AND DISRESPECTFUL.

>> PEDRO MARTINEZ SPOKE ABOUT THIS TODAY ALONGSIDE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER Dr. ALLISON ARWADY.

HERE THEY ARE.

>> WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH C.T.U.

THEY ARE A AVAILABLE STAKE HOLD EARTH -- VALUABLE STAKEHOLDER AND PARTNER.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE WE HAVE OUR BOTH INTEREST TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

>> IS HE WRONG?

SHOULD THE DISTRICT ANTICIPATE ANOTHER WORK STOPPAGE?

>> THAT IS THE WRONG QUESTION.

THE QUESTION SHOULD BE WHY AREN'T YOU ENGAGING THE PEOPLE WHO COMPRISE THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND MAKING THE DECISIONS OTHER THAN PRIVILEGING SOMEONE WHO HAS ZERO SKIN IN THE GAME?

THIS DISCUSSION HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN A BINARY AND DOESN'T RESPECT THE IMPACT THE DECISIONS.

THE MASK WAS THE ONE THING THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE SCHOOL COMMUNITIES HAD AGENCY OVER.

IT WAS THE EASIEST MITIGATION.

IT WAS THE EASIEST MITIGATION TO PUT INSIDE IN OUR SCHOOL INSIDE OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

>> THE C.E.O.

SAID HE HAD BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH C.T.U.

WHAT HAS THE COMMUNICATION BEEN LIKE?

DID YOU ALL RECEIVE ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE YESTERDAY?

>> WE DON'T DISCUSS.

LET ME TELL YOU AND I WANT TO MAKE THIS CLEAR TO EVERYONE.

LABOR THAT IS US, MANAGEMENT, THAT IS THE MAYOR AND PEDRO.

WE BARGAIN.

WE NEGOTIATE.

WE DON'T COMMUNICATE OR TALK, RIGHT?

SO A CONVERSATION IS WHAT I HAVE WITH MY HUSBAND AND MY CHILDREN.

WE HAVE A BARGAINING RELATIONSHIP AND THEY HAVE A DUTY TO ADHERE TO THAT BARGAINING RELATIONSHIP.

THEY HAVE PLAYED FAST AND LOOSE WITH THEIR DUTY FOR THE LAST YEAR.

AND IT IS A DANGEROUS [INAUDIBLE] IN JANUARY ONE IN FIVE CHICAGOANS WERE INFECTED WITH COVID.

ONE IN FIVE.

AND THEY WANTED TO CONTINUE BRINGING STUDENTS BACK INTO THE SCHOOL COMMUNITIES.

THAT WAS DANGEROUS.

IF IT WAS NOT FOR THE SACRIFICE OF OUR MEMBERSHIP IN THAT MOMENT, MORE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE BEEN SICK AND THE POTENTIAL OF THAT ILLNESS DELVING INTO SOMETHING ELSE WAS ALSO POSSIBLE.

THAT BEING SAID, WE ARE STILL AWAITING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE MAYOR OF THIS CITY TO COME TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE AND TO TELL US HOW THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

THAT IS SOMETHING SOMETHING WE HAVE TO DO.

AGAIN, CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE JUST TEXTED ME TODAY AND SAID I GOT COVID I TESTED POSITIVE.

PEOPLE THAT I COMMUNICATE WITH.

THAT I ENGAGE WITH AND INTERACT WITH.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT STILL HAPPEN IN OUR SPACES.

AND HERE IS WHAT I WANT TO UNDERSCORE.

IN THIS CITY, WE KNOW SOUTH OF NORTH AVENUE HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE ATTENTION THE ENGAGEMENT AND THE RESOURCES TO COMBAT THIS AWFUL VIRUS.

THERE'S BEEN $2 BILLION SENT TO THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ADDRESS THIS.

WE'RE STILL WAITING TO SEE WHERE THE RESOURCES HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED.

AND WHO IS IN LINE TO GET THE RESOURCES, BRANDIS.

>> BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME C.T.U.

FILED AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE WITH THE STATE EDUCATION LABOR RELATIONS BOARD.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO COME OF THAT?

>> WE WANT SOMEONE ELSE TO TELL THEM THAT WE KNOW THEY HAVE A DUTY TO SIT AT A TABLE AND FIGURE IT OUT.

ABSENT THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR SAFETY, THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS DOESN'T HAVE SAFETY POLICIES THAT RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE DURING COVID.

SO THE DUTY TO NEGOTIATE IS NOT JUST A LABOR RIGHT, IT IS A HEALTH AND SAFETY RIGHT THAT ALL OF THE HUMANS NEED IN THIS CITY.

>> OK. THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

I'M SURE THERE WILL BE MORE TO DISCUSS GOING FORWARD, C.T.U.

VICE-PRESIDENT STACY DAVIS GATES.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW PARIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THE CHICAGO COUNCIL ON >> SINCE COVID, PANDEMIC SHUT US DOWN BACK TWO YEARS AGO ALMOST TO THE DAY.

WE HAVE FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA WITH US AND WORLD FAMOUS YOYO MA.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A WONDERFUL EVENING TOGETHER WITH A LOT OF LUMINARIES FROM THE CITY AND BEYOND TO HEAR WHAT THESE TWO VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT WHERE THE WORLD IS TODAY AND WHERE WE'RE GOING.

>> CRUCIAL TIME RIGHT NOW.

A LOT TO TALK ABOUT.

RICHARD LONGWORTH, 1922 THE COUNCIL WAS FOUNDED AS WE MENTIONED AMERICA IS IN AN ISOLATIONIST MOMENT ESPECIALLY THE MIDWEST.

WHAT WERE THE COUPLE'S EARLY AIMS?

>> THE COUNCIL'S EARLY AIMS WAS TO BRING IN INFORMATION FROM OVERSEAS TO PEOPLE IN CHICAGO WHO WANTED TO HEAR IT.

IT WAS FELT THERE WAS NO OTHER SOURCE OF INFORMATION ON THINGS GOING ON IN THE WORLD.

AND THERE WAS A TERRIFIC AMOUNT GOING ON IN THE WORLD JUST THEN WE HAD COME OFF WORLD WAR I AND GHANDI HAD BEGUN HIS WORK IN INDIA AND MUSSOLINI WAS RISING TO POWER BUT THE MIDWEST WAS LARGELY ISOLATED FROM THIS.

AND THE FOUNDERS OF THE COUNCIL FELT THAT PEOPLE THERE WERE PEOPLE IN CHICAGO WHO WANTED AN IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD AND HOW IT CONNECTED TO CHICAGO.

SO THEY SETUP THE COUNCIL.

>> AND THAT ISOLATION SENTIMENT CARRIED THROUGH THE COMBINING OF WORLD WAR II UNTIL PEARL HARBOR HOW DID THE COUNCIL ADAPT TO THE SITUATION LEADING UP TO WORLD WAR II?

>> WE HAD GREAT ACTIVITY IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST DRAMATIC TIMES IN THE COUNCIL'S HISTORY.

IN THE 30s AS IT BECAME APPARENT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A WAR IN EUROPE THE QUESTION WAS: IS IT OUR WAR?

DO WE GET INVOLVED IN IT OR IS THIS SOMETHING THAT IS THE EUROPEAN'S PROBLEMS?

SOMETHING THAT WE AS A DEMOCRACY HAVE A STAKE IN OR ARE WE BEST TO STAY OUT OF IT?

AND THERE WAS AS I SAID A TERRIFIC ISOLATIONIST FEELING IN ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDWEST AND ESPECIALLY IN CHICAGO.

AROUND THEN BY PUSHED BY THE PUBLISHER OF THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" COLONEL McCORMICK.

THE COUNCIL OFFICIALLY DID NOT TAKE A SIDE.

THE COUNCIL IS NONPARTISAN AND OUR PROGRAMS FEATURED SPEAKERS FROM BOTH SIDES INCLUDING A COUPLE OF NAZIS.

BUT COUNCIL LEADERS INCLUDING ADLAIDE STEVENSON THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS AND DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR PRESIDENT, LED THE CAMPAIGN IN THE MIDDLE WEST TO SEND AID TO THE ALLIES THE BRITISH AND THE FRENCH AND HELP THEM STAND UP AGAINST THE NAZIS.

TERRIBLY CONTROVERSIAL AT THAT TIME.

THE ACTIVITIES REALLY STRETCHED THE COUNCIL'S NONPARTISANSHIP ALMOST TO THE BREAKING POINT.

BUT IN THE PROCESS THE COUNCIL THROUGH ITS PROGRAMS SOME OF THEM ATTRACTING 2-4,000 PEOPLE IS BROADCAST REACHING 200,000 PEOPLE AROUND THE MIDWEST AND THESE ACTIVITIES PREPARED THE MIDWEST FOR GOING INTO WORLD WAR II.

>> COUNCILMEMBERS OFFICIALLY NONPARTISAN AS PART OF THE COUNCIL BUT PREFERRING ENGAGEMENT.

IVO DAALDER, DO WE SEE PARALLELS RIGHT NOW?

WE A BATTLE BETWEEN THOR TEARIANISM AND DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM IN EUROPE AND IT DOES HAVE RAMIFICATIONS FOR THE U.S.

THERE ARE PARALLELS TO THIS MOMENT IN HISTORY?

>> THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY PARALLELS.

IN SOME WAYS THE WORLD IN EUROPE LOOKS LIKE THE 1930s WE HAVE A MAJOR POWER THAT HAS DECIDED TO USE FORCE IN ORDER TO CHANGE BOUNDARIES AND IN SOME WAYS TO USURP FORECOUNTRY BECAUSE AS PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SAID UKRAINE REALLY ISN'T A COUNTRY.

IT'S PART OF RUSSIA AND NEEDS TO BE PART OF RUSSIA AND WE SEE PARALLELS IN TRYING TO UNITE CERTAIN GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THIS CASE RUSSIAN SPEAKING PEOPLE UNDER A SIMILAR UMBRELLA JUST AS THE NAZIS WERE TRYING TO BRING BACK THE GERMANS UNDER ITS OWN WING.

THOSE ARE THE PARALLELS IN TERMS OF THE THREAT.

IN TERMS OF THE RESPONSE, HOWEVER IT IS A BIG DIFFERENCE.

REMEMBER IN THE 1930s VERY FEW COUNTRIES WERE WILLING TO ENGAGE IN THE WAR.

FRANCE AND BRITAIN DECLARED WAR ON GERMANY AFTER POLAND WAS ATTACKED.

BUT FOR THE REST, COUNTRIES IN EUROPE WANTED TO REMAIN NEUTRAL AND THE UNITED STATES AS DICK SAID, WAS WANTED TO STAY OUT OF THE WAR.

NOW WE SEE THE WORLD UNITED.

THE UNITED STATES, ALLIES IN EUROPE AND INDEED EVEN ALLIES IN COUNTRIES IN ASIA AND AROUND THE WORLD, NOT ONLY CONDEMNING WHAT THE RUSSIANS HAVE DONE, BUT MOVING TO ACT SWIFTLY TO HELP THE UKRAINIANS WITH MILITARY AND OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE AND TO ISOLATE THE RUSSIANS ECONOMICALLY AND POLITICALLY.

COUNTRIES LIKE SINGAPORE AND SWITZERLAND NORMALLY ON THE SIDELINES WANTING TO STAY OUT OF ANY CONFLICT SIDING WITH THE WESTERN COUNTRIES AGAINST RUSSIA, WITH THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE.

AND THAT IS A BIG DIFFERENCE IT'S ALSO ONE OF THE REASONS WHY DESPITE ALL THE HORRIFIC IMAGES WE'RE SEEING COMING OUT OF UKRAINE, I DO THINK IN THE END, VLADIMIR PUTIN WILL HAVE MISCALCULATED AND THIS WILL END IN A WAY THAT WE WANTED TO SEE IT.

>> COUNCIL PLAYED A ROLE IN THIS PROGRAMMING AFTER WORLD WAR II IN THE FORMATION OF NATO, IN THE MARSHALL PLAN, AND SPREADING THE IDEA THAT WE HAD A PERMANENT ROLE TO PLAY IN EUROPE.

AND THAT THE ALLIANCE WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO US.

THE COUNCIL HELPED LAY THE GROUND WORK FOR WHAT WE SEE NOW IN THIS RATHER AMAZING COOPERATION AMONG THE ALLIES.

>> YOU HAD GEORGE MARSHALL SPEAK TALKING ABOUT THE MARSHALL PLAN AND PEOPLE GORBACHEV, THATCHER, MACKINAC MAROIS TALKING ABOUT THE MISTAKES IN VIETNAM.

ANY MOMENTS THAT STAND OUT TO YOU?

>> I THINK THE I BELIEVE THE SUBPOENA BY GEORGE MARSHALL WHEN HE CAME HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE MARSHALL PLAN.

VERY CONTROVERSIAL AT THE TIME.

THIS WAS NOT EXACTLY A SURE THING THAT THE MARSHALL PLAN WOULD BE ADOPTED.

SO MARSHALL CHOSE THE COUNCIL AS HIS PLATFORM TO SPEAK TO THE MIDWEST TO BUILDUP SUPPORT FOR THE MARSHALL PLAN.

WHEN THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA CAME HERE SHORTLY AFTER THE WAR TALKING ABOUT THE ROLE OF NATIONALISM IN WORLD AFFAIRS AND ESPECIALLY IN ASIA.

I THINK THAT WAS A VERY IMPORTANT THING.

HENRY KISSINGER CAME SEVERAL TIMES TO TALK ABOUT AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY.

WE HAD A WONDERFUL DEBATE DURING THE VIETNAM WAR BETWEEN WHO WAS ALL IN FAVOR OF AN ACTIVE AND AGGRESSIVE AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY.

AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SCHOLAR WHO WAS MORE ON THE SIDE OF RESTRAINT.

TALKING ABOUT HOW FAR THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE WORLD WAS EVERY BATTLE WHERE WE THE WORLD'S POLICEMAN?

WE ARE NOT.

THE INTELLECTUAL QUALITY OF THE SPEECHES STILL RESONATES TODAY >> AND THE DEBATES STILL HAD AT THE CHICAGO COUNCIL AND BRINGING THE LEADERS TO CHICAGO SO CHICAGOANS CAN BE PART OF THE DEBATES.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE CENTENNIAL THANKS TO RICHARD LONGWORTH AND IVO DAALDER FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT, A LOCAL CHEF CREATES A UKRAINIAN INSPIRED MENU.

WE GIVE YOU A TASTE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

WE HAVE A LOOK AT FLORIDA'S DON'T SAY GAY LAW AND OTHER STATE MEASURES.

>> FIRST A RESTAURANT OWNER IS USING HIS CULINARY SKILLS TO HELP KEEP UKRAINIAN CULTURE ALIVE IN THE CHICAGO.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ MEETS THE CHEF TO SEE WHAT HE IS COOKING TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE SITUATION IN UKRAINE.

>> IT'S DINNER SERVICE AT WHEREWITHALL RESTAURANT.

CHEF JOHNNY CLARK HAS COOKED UP A SPECIAL MENU HONORING HIS UKRAINIAN ROOTS.

>> MOO I GRANDMOTHER'S HOME IS BEING DESTROYED.

AND JUST HIT ME PERSONALLY.

I JUST WANT TO DO SOMETHING RIGHT NOW.

>> WHEN HE DECIDED TO CREATE A UKRAINIAN INSPIRED FOUR-COURSE MEAL DISHES THAT BRING BACK MEMORIES OF HIS LATE GRANDMOTHER.

>> SHE USED TO TELL ME ONE OF HIS FAVORITE FOODS WAS HEAD CHEESE PIG'S HEAD AND THE MEAT IS PULLED APART IN GELATIN FORMS.

THEY WOULD HAVE BREAD AND THAT IS ALL THEY COULD GET.

>> AS THE WORLD WATCHES HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES FLEE UKRAINE, CLARK REMEMBERS HIS GRANDMOTHER'S JOURNEY OUT OF THE COUNTRY MANY YEARS AGO.

>> SHE WAS SCARED TO TALK ABOUT RUSSIA IN ANY NEGATIVE WAY.

EVEN LIVING IN AND GROWING UP IN OHIO.

I GREW UP IN OHIO AND SHE WAS SCARED TO SPEAK OUT LOUD ABOUT THE SOVIET UNION.

THEY TOOK HER FATHER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHEN SHE WAS ABOUT 13 YEARS OLD.

AND THEY NEVER SAW HIM AGAIN.

>> EVERY CHRISTMAS MY GRANDMOTHER MAKE DEVILED EGGS.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS A UKRAINIAN THING.

I'M SURE THERE IS.

>> EUSED TO BRING A ROUND TRAY THAT HELD ALL THE DEVILED EGGS IN PLACE.

>> DINERS ARE POURING IN TO SHOW SOLIDARITY.

>> I'M FROM BORDERING UKRAINE AND THIS IS MADE IN UKRAINE AND I WANTED TO WEAR IT TODAY.

>> ANOTHER CUSTOMER WHO ONLY GAVE HIS NAME AS MATT IN FEAR OF PUTTING HIS FAMILY IN DANGER SHOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING HIS CULTURE NOW MORE THAN EVER.

>> I'VE ALWAYS LOVED MY HERITAGE AND PROUD BUT I'VE NEVER BEEN AS PROUD AS I AM NOW AND ESPECIALLY PROUD OF PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY WHO HAS BECOME SUCH A HERO.

>> THE OPENER SAYS A PORTION OF SALES WILL BE GOING TO A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WORKING TO HELP UKRAINIANS.

>> WE ARE THERE IN SPIRIT AND WE ARE LIKE... >> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN.

>> IT MEANS TOGETHER.

>> THE CHEF SAYS CREATING THE MENU HELPED HIM NAVIGATE THE PAINFUL EVENTS HAPPENING TO THE PEOPLE.

>> HOPEFULLY IT RESONATES THIS IS THESE ARE FLAVORS OF UKRAINE.

BUT ALSO THERE'S PERSONAL EXPRESSION THERE, TOO, TRYING TO BE CREATIVE WITH THE FOOD IT IS NOT TRADITIONAL BUT TAKING THAT INSPIRATION FROM UKRAINIAN RECIPES.

I'M PROUD UKRAINIAN AND IT JUST LIKE IT HURTS.

I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN EVEN GO THERE ANYMORE.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> CHEF CLARK SAYS THE UKRAINIAN CUISINE WAS SUPPOSE A SUCCESS HE IS EXTENDING THE MENU WITH NEW DISHES.

MORE DETAILS ON OUR WEBSITE.

PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", CHANGES IN WATER MANAGEMENT LED TO MORE FISH IN THE CHICAGO RIVER.

THAT WORKS TO MAKE SURE ALL THAT WORK DOESN'T GO TO WASTE.

>> FLORIDA IS THE LATEST STATE TO PASS THE DON'T SAY GAY LAW THE LEGISLATION AND OTHER MEASURES PASSING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

PRODUCE HEALTHY GROCERIES AND FRESH COOKED MEALS INSIDE A COMMUNITY MARKET THAT IS ONE PART OF A NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION PLAN.

AND ACTOR LESLEY NICOL TALKS ABOUT THE NEW DOWNTON ABBEY FILM AND HER SHOW OF MUSIC AND STORIES COMING TO THE CHICAGO STAGE.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> ILLINOIS HOTEL LEADERS SAY ECONOMIC RECOVERY ISN'T GOING WELL FOR THE INDUSTRY.

THIS AFTER TWO YEARS OF DISRUPTION DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

THE HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOCIATION IS CALLING ON ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PASS THE HOTEL JOBS RECOVERY PLAN WHICH WOULD ALLOCATE FUNDS TO HOTELS TO REHIRE WORKERS.

>> ED STATE LOST 5.5 BILLION IN REVENUE.

AND INCLUDED MORE THAN $1 BILLION IN LOST TAX REVENUE FOR STATE AND LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES.

ILLINOIS ALSO LOST 40% OF ALL THE HOTEL JOBS FROM 2019-2021.

>> AND TUNE IN TOMORROW WE'LL HAVE MORE ON HOTEL RECOVERY EFFORTS.

CITY HEALTH OFFICIALS REMOVED 12 STATES FROM THE COVID-19 TRAVEL ADVISORY AS CASES DECLINE.

WISCONSIN, INDIANA, FLORIDA, HAWAII NEW YORK AND SEVEN OTHERS IN YELLOW ARE AMONG THOSE REMOVED.

TH ABOUT LGBTQ MATTERS GENDER IDENTITY THOSE TOPICS?

>> THAT IS RIGHT, EXACTLY.

>> BRIAN MUSTANSKI WHAT FEAR DOES THIS PUT ON KIDS AND TEACHERS?

I IMAGINE IT WOULD HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT BEING ABLE TO DISCUSS THIS WITH KIDS?

>> THERE IS A NUMBER OF RESEARCH STUDIES THAT EXAMINED THIS FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES AND THE SOCIAL POLICIES DO HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

THERE HAVE BEEN STUDIES THAT LOOKED AT SCHOOLS WITH ANTI-BULLYING POLICIES.

LOOKED AT THE LAWS THAT PROHIBITED GAY MARRIAGE AND SEEING THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS THOSE POLICIES HAVE ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

THESE LAWS BECAUSE THEY PRETEND LIKE THEY DON'T EXIST WILL HAVE NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON THE MENTAL HEALTH YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS IN THOSE STATES.

I THINK IT'S WORTH POINTING OUT THAT LGBTQ PEOPLE DON'T EMERGE AT THE AGE OF 18 FULLY FORMED LIKE A GREEK GODDESS FROM THE SEA.

THEY EXIST BEFORE THE AGE OF 18.

AND THE LAWS ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING TO CHANGE THAT.

THE LGBTQ ARE GOING TO EXIST.

THE QUESTION IS ARE WE GOING TO SILENCE THEM, STIGMATIZE THEM AND MAKE THEM FEEL BAD ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT WILL AFFECT THE HEALTH OF OUR CITIZENS.

>> IOWA IS THE 11TH STATE TO PREVENT TRANSGENDER GIRLS AND WOMEN FROM PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS.

BILLS UNDERWAY IN INDIANA AND MISSOURI.

CAMILLA TAYLOR THEY SAY THIS IS ABOUT LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD WHAT ABOUT THE ARGUMENT INSURES FAIR COMPETITION?

>> WELL, THIS IS ANOTHER UNCONSTITUTIONAL ATTACK ON TRANSGENDER YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND IN THE STATES WHERE THE ATHLETE BANS HAVE PASSED WEST WT VERGE VERGE WE HAVE MANAGED TO GET IF ENJOINED IN COURT THAT PREVENTS THE LAW FROM GOING INTO EFFECT.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO TARGET TRANSGENDER YOUNG PEOPLE WHO SIMPLY WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS.

AND RECEIVE ALL OF THE BENEFITS OF BEING PART OF A TEAM THAT OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO ENJOY.

AND IT IS SIMPLY AN EXAMPLE OF CREATING A FALSE NARRATIVE THAT IS DESIGNED TO ATTACK KIDS AND TO PREVENT THEM FROM BEING FULLY INCLUDED IN SCHOOL.

>> SO MOVING TO TEXAS UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER THERE, CHILD ABUSE INVESTIGATIONS ARE ALLOWED INTO PARENTS WHO ALLOW PUBERTY BLOCKING HORMONES FOR TRANSCHILDREN.

BUT A JUDGE GRANTED A REQUEST FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER ON AN INVESTIGATION OF A TRANSCHILD AND HER PARENTS.

BRIAN MUSTANSKI COMING TO YOU FIRST ON THIS ONE, TELL US ABOUT THE HORMONE BLOCKERS.

ARE THEY SAFE?

HOW ARE THEY USED?

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE DECISION OF WHETHER YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES PURSUE GENDER AFFIRMING TREATMENTS IS A PERSONAL DECISION BETWEEN YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR PARENTS IN COLLABORATION WITH A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM OF MEDICAL PROVIDERS.

THESE ARE NOT DECISIONS THAT ARE ENTERED LIGHTLY.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS DONE WITH A LOT OF CONSIDERATION AND EVALUATION.

PUBERTY SUPPRESSING HORMONES ARE ONE EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE OF MEDICAL CARE PEOPLE CAN GET AS PART OF THE GENDER AFFIRMING PROCESS.

THESE TYPES OF HORMONES HAVE BEEN USED TO DELAY PUBERTY SINCE THE 1980s.

THEY ARE WELL STUDIED AND REVERSIBLE AND OFTEN USED AS A WAY TO GIVE PEOPLE MORE TIME TO CONSIDER THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR GENDER IDENTITY TO AVOID THE DEVELOPMENT OF SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS LIKE THE ADAM'S APPLE THAT ARE MORE DIFFICULT TO CHANGE LATER IN LIFE.

MINNIE MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS -- MANY MEDICAL ORIGINAL SAGSES THE AMERICAN PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATION, SOCIETIES FOR RESEARCH AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT I COULD GO ON AND ON DO NOT SUPPORT THE POLICIES BEING PROPOSED IN TEXAS THEY REALLY RECOMMENDING THAT THIS BE A DECISION BETWEEN MEDICAL PROVIDERS AND THE FAMILY AND THE YOUNG PERSON VERSUS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE DONE BY THE LEGISLATURE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.

>> THERE ARE MORE THAN 266 ANTI-LGBTQ PLUS BILLS UNDER CONSIDERATION IN STATE LEG SLAY SINCERELY YOURS ACROSS THE COUNTRY LEGISLATURES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WILL THE LAWS STAND UP AND MAKE IT PAST A COURT?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THEY ARE ALREADY BEING TOPPLED BUT THEY ARE HAVING DAMAGING EFFECTS.

WE REPRESENT THE FAMILY IN TEXAS TARGETED FOR A CHILD ABUSE ACCUSATION BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNOR'S LETTER.

REDEFINED CHILD ABUSE TO INCLUDE THE TYPES OF CARE THAT THE DOCTOR WAS DESCRIBING THAT ARE ABSOLUTELY THE STANDARD OF CARE.

AND ETHICALLY REQUIRED BY ALL THE MAJOR MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS.

AND PIE TARGETING TRANSCHILDREN IN THIS WAY, GOVERNOR ABBOTT IS TARGETING THEIR HEALTHCARE, TARGETING THEIR PARENTS, CAUSING THEM TO FEAR THE SPECTER OF BEING SEPARATED AS A FAMILY AND CAUSING ALL SORTS OF CONFUSION AMONG ALL SORTS OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND TEACHERS WHO QUALIFY AS MANDATORY REPORTERS AND WHETHER THEY WILL FACE A PENALTY IF THEY DON'T TURN IN FAMILIES FOR DOING WHAT IS MEDICALLY ADVISED.

>> AND SOUNDS LIKE A NUMBER OF BILLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY A LOT OF WORK FOR YOU TO DO AND SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON FOR SURE.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE THANKS TO CAMILLA TAYLOR AND BRIAN MUSTANSKI FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT JOINED RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN ENGLEWOOD EARLIER TODAY FOR THE OPENING OF THE NEW GO GREEN COMMUNITY FRESH MARKET.

>> A COMMUNITY NEEDS SOME BASIC THINGS.

ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD OF COURSE IS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.

AND WE HAVE TO RECOMMIT OURSELVES NOT ONLY HERE BUT IN EVERY FOOD DESERT ACROSS OUR CITY.

>> IT'S DESIGNED TO BE AS CONVENIENT AS A NEIGHBORHOOD CORNER STORE BUT WITH FRESH PRODUCE, A VARIETY OF HEALTHY OPTIONS AND MEALS COOKED ON-SITE.

AND AS COMMITTEE CHICAGO'S NICK BLUMBERG REPORTS IT IS ONE PART OF AN EFFORT TO BRING NEW LIFE TO ENGLEWOOD.

>> A 30 YEAR LIFE EXPECTANCY GAP NINE MILE AS PART WHICH FOUND THE STREETERVILLE RESIDENT AND LIVED TO 90 AND ENGLEWOOD LIVED TO 60.

>> THAT IS THE LARGEST AGE GAP IN THE COUNTRY GO GREEN IS AN EFFORT AIMED TO BRIDGE THAT GAP.

>> IT'S COLLECTIVE EFFORT INCLUDING TEAMWORK ENGLEWOOD FIRST PROJECT THE GO GREEN COMMUNITY FRESH MARKET AT 63rd AND RACINE.

>> THE GOALS ARE TO MAKE HEALTHY FOODS ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE TO THE COMMUNITY AND DO IN A WAY THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT A SPECIALTY FOOD STORE.

SEE US LIKE A NEIGHBORHOOD GROCERY STORE.

>> AND THE PLACE THAT COOK AND STORE KEEPER JAHARI FULTZ SAYS RESIDENTS DO NOT HAVE EASY ACCESS TO.

>> MY AUNT LIVES RIGHT THERE.

SHE HAS TO TRAVEL AND SHE IS OLDER.

AND SHE DOESN'T REALLY HAVE LIKE A PERSON LIKE ME ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO HELP HER.

SO IT'S GOOD THAT SHE COULD JUST COME HERE >> THE MARKET IS SET TO FEATURE COMMUNITY EVENTS AND CLASSES AND FRESH FOOD MADE ON-SITE.

>> MY FAVORITE RIGHT NOW IS THE CHICKEN WRAP THE CHICKEN TACO WRAP.

IT IS DELICIOUS.

AND WE HAVE A WIDE ARRANGE OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL LOVE.

>> IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT CREATING A PLACE TO BUY PRODUCE AND GROCERIES, GO GREEN SAYS IT'S TAKING A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO TACKLING HISTORIC DISINVESTMENT.

SOUTH OF THE MARKET SITS THE FORMER T WOODS ACADEMY ONE OF THE DOZENS OF C.P.S.

SCHOOLS SHUTTERED IN A WAVE OF CLOSURES IN 2013.

GO GREEN IS WORKING TO TURN IN INTO THE REGENERATOR WHICH WILL INCLUDE UNITS FOR PEOPLE RETURNING FROM INCARCERATION.

>> RETURNING CITIZENS MANY COME HOME TO ENGLEWOOD STRUGGLE WITH REEASTBOUND INDUSTRY AND SUCCESSFULLY REENTERING SOCIETY.

>> IT'S SET TO FEATURE HEALTH, WELLNESS AND JOB SUPPORTS.

LEADERS ARE ADVOCATING FOR REOPENING THE RACINE GREEN LINE STOP THAT HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE 1994 CREATING A MILE LONG GAP.

>> ENGLEWOOD RESIDENT RESPECTABLE TO ACCESS 280,000 JOBS WITHIN A 30-MINUTE TRAVEL RADIUS COMPARED TO ONE MILLION JOBS FOR A NORTH SIDE RESIDENT.

>> IT IS AN EFFORT WITH A LOT OF ANGLES BUT THE PEOPLE BEHIND GO GREEN ON RACINE SAY A HOLISTIC APPROACH IS THE ONLY OPTION.

>> YOU PROVIDE A PLACE TO SLEEP, HEALTHCARE, A PLACE TO EAT, GREAT DINING OPTIONS IT ALL CIRCULATES WITHIN THE ECONOMY OF THE COMMUNITY WHICH IS A BENEFIT FOR EVERYONE.

>> AND WHILE THEY ARE CELEBRATING THE GRAND OPENING OF THE GO GREEN MARKET LEADERS SAY THEY KNOW THERE'S MUCH MORE TO DO SINCE THE PROJECT IS DRIVEN BY PEOPLE ROOTED INTO THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE TAKE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE THAN FOLKS WHO COME THROUGH.

THERE IS A LONGER TERM ENDEAVOR AT STAKE.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M NICK BLUMBERG.

>> GO GREEN ON RACINE RECEIVED A LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT FROM THE CITY LAST YEAR AND HOPE TO BREAKDOWN ON THE REGENERATOR IN 2023.

AS FOR THE RACINE GREEN LINE STATION, THE CTA TOLD WTTW NEWS IT IS AWARE OF THE REQUEST BUT THAT THE STATION WOULD NEED AN ESTIMATED $100 MILLION OF WORK OR MORE BEFORE IT CAN GO BACK INTO SERVICE WITH NO FUNDING CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

AND THE AGENCY SAYS A 2017 RIDERSHIP ANALYSIS FOUND THE STATION WOULD SEE FEWER WEEKDAY RIDES WHEN WE COME BACK IT WAS CLOSED IN THE 1990s.

UP NEXT A DOWNTON ABBEY FAN FAVORITE BRINGS HER ONE-WOMAN SHOW TO CHICAGO.

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> ACTRESS LESLEY NICOL IS BEST KNOWN FOR PLAYING THE HEAD COOK MRS. PATMORE FOR DOWNTON ABBEY ON TELEVISION AND TWO MOVIES THE LATEST IS SET TO BE RELEASED IN THEATERS IN MAY.

NOW SHE WILL BE ON STAGE IN CHICAGO FOR THE PREMIER OF HER OUGHT BIOGRAPHICAL SHOW HOW THE HELL DID I GET HERE?

AND WE ARE PLEASED TO BELL COME BACK LESLEY NICOL TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

SO GOOD TO SEE YOU.

WISH WE COULD HAVE YOU HERE IN THE STUDIO.

AND BEFORE WE GET TO WHAT BRINGS YOU TO TOWN, THE TRAILER FOR THE NEW ERA OF DOWNTON ABBEY WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE SEQUEL?

>> WELL, I'VE SEEN IT.

NOT ON THE BIG SCREEN, I THINK IT WILL BE PHENOMENAL ON THE BIG SCREEN BECAUSE IT LOOKS SO BEAUTIFUL.

I SAW IT ON AN iPAD.

BUT IT'S PACKED WITH STUFF.

AND LOTS OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE WILL NOT EXPECT TO HAPPEN.

YOU KNOW I CAN'T TELL YOU ANYTHING BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT.

IT MADE ME LAUGH AND IT MADE ME CRY.

IT'S PACKED WITH ALL SORTS OF REALLY FUN STORYLINES.

I THINK WE ALL KNOW THAT THE FAMILY GOES TO THE SOUTH OF FRANCE.

SO THAT LOOKS ASTONISHING IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL.

AND MEANWHILE, STUFF GOES ON AT THE HOUSE WHO DID NOT GO TO FRANCE THAT YOU WON'T SEE COMING.

>> YOU ARE FILMING A MOVIE.

YOU ARE ALLOWED TO SPELL THAT.

>> WITH THE STAFF YOU WILL NOT SEE THAT COMING.

>> WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO THAT IN MAY.

TO YOUR STAGE SHOW HOW THE HELL DID I GET HERE YOU'RE PREMIERING IT HERETH N CHICAGO.

WHERE THE IDEA FROM THE SHOW CAME FROM?

>> WELL, I WAS LIVING IN LOS ANGELES THIS ALL STARTED OFF ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AGO.

I HAVE BECOME FRIENDS WITH A VERY CLEVER SONGWRITER CALLED MARK MULLER.

MARK HAD A PHENOMENAL CAREER AS A MUSICIAN AND SONGWRITER.

HE HAS A WALL FULL OF PLATINUM AND GOLD DISKS HE CAN WRITE A TUNE THAT IS FOR SURE.

AND WE WERE JUST FRIENDS AND I WAS TALKING TO HIM ONE NIGHT SAYING I HAVE A THING I WANT TO DO A SHOW.

AND HE STARTED WHITING SONGS AND THEN HE COULDN'T STOP.

SIMPLE AS THAT.

>> AND YOUR FANS MIGHT NEED TO BE REMINDED YOU ARE A SINGER.

THIS IS NOT NEW FOR YOU.

>> I ALWAYS COUNTED I AM AN ACTRESS WHO SINGS.

I HAVE DONE MUSICALS YOU ARE RIGHT.

I STARTED IN JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR WHEN I WAS YOUNG.

AND I DID A LOT OF MUSICALS AROUND THE THEATRE BUT I HAVE NOT JUST DONE THOSE EARLY.

I'LL DO A MUSICAL THERE MIGHT BE THREE YEARS THAT I DON'T DO ONE.

I'VE HAD THE FORTUNE TO DIP IN AND OUT.

>> AND IS THIS SHOW COMPLETELY OUGHT BIOGRAPHICAL?

>> YES.

EVERY SINGLE WORD IS TRUE.

BUT WHAT I DO WANT TO SAY IS AS WE DEVELOPED IT IT WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE THE LESLEY NICOL SHOW.

IT IS MY STORY.

BUT WE HAVE DESIGNED IT VERY MUCH AS SOMETHING THAT I HOPE THE AUDIENCE WILL WATCH AND COMPLETELY RELATE TO.

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT BEING AN ACTRESS.

IT'S ABOUT BEING A HUMAN BEING.

ABOUT BEING SHY.

HAVE A TERRIBLE BOYFRIEND SITUATION.

IT'S ABOUT A WEIGHT ISSUE THAT WAS A PROBLEM AND GOOD STUFF AND BAD STUFF THE POINT BEING WHAT I WANTED TO FEEL LIKE WE ARE ALL THE SAME.

WE HAVE OUR HIGHS WE HAVE OUR LOWS.

WE HAVE GOOD BITS AND BAD BITS YOU CANNOT AVOID THAT AND THAT IS HOW I WANT PEOPLE TO COME OUT WE'VE HAD A SHARED EXPERIENCE.

AND PEOPLE ARE INVITED REMEMBER STUFF ABOUT THEIR OWN JOURNEY.

>> AND HIGHS AND LOWS, YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT YOUR CAREER.

YOU FOUND YOUR GREATEST SUCCESS LATER ON.

WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF AS YOU PUT IT BEING A LATE DEVELOPER?

>> FUNNY THAT IS WHAT I WAS ALWAYS TOLD WHEN I WAS A KID.

SHE IS I LATE DEVELOPER WHICH IS PROVEN TRUE.

HONESTLY, I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT WAY AROUND TO BE HONEST.

BECAUSE I MEAN IT DOES HAPPEN FOR PEOPLE THEY HAVE HUGE SUCCESS WHEN THEY'RE YOUNG.

YOUNG PRETTY ACTORS WHATEVER TONIGHT GOES DOWNHILL FROM THERE.

I'M GLAD IT'S THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

I DID OK I HAD A NICE CAREER I DID WHAT I LOVE DOING, MADE A LIVING.

WASN'T A HOUSEHOLD NAME BUT WORKED ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT MYSELF AND DO WHAT I LOVE DOING.

I CONSIDERED MYSELF EXTREMELY LUCKY.

AND THEN DOWNTON CAME AT A TIME WHEN EVERYBODY SAID WELL, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET A BIG BREAK YOU ARE WAY TOO OLD.

THAT IS NOT TRUE.

AND I FOUND MY HUSBAND WHEN I WAS IN MY LATE 50s.

PEOPLE WILL TELL WOMEN THAT, TOO.

NO IT'S TOO LATE YOU WON'T FIND ANYBODY.

I'M HAPPY TO TELL THE STORY AND SAY DON'T LISTEN TO THAT.

LIFE CHANGING STUFF HAPPENS FOR PEOPLE YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> I AM ASSUMING DOING A ONE WOMAN SHOW IS LIFE CHANGING NOW.

ARE YOU NERVOUS ABOUT CARRYING THE LOAD YOURSELF AND NOT HAVING AN ENSEMBLE?

>> IT'S OPPOSITE OF ANYTHING I'VE EVER DONE.

THE BONUS IS MARK IS PLAYING FOR ME.

SO HE IS AT THE PIANO WITH ME SO I WON'T BE COMPLETELY ON MY OWN.

AND WE HAVE THIS IS OUR BABY WE'VE WORKED VERY HARD AT THIS AND IT FEELS VERY RIGHT THAT HE SHOULD BE ON THAT STAGE WITH ME.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

THEY SAY BECAUSE I HAVE NOT DONE THIS BEFORE YOU'RE RIGHT.

THEY SAY WHAT HAPPENS IS THE AUDIENCE BECOME YOUR PALS INSTEAD OF THE ACTORS THE AUDIENCE TAKES THAT ROLE AND I'M VERY MUCH TALKING TO THE AUDIENCE AND RELATING TO THEM.

I HOPE THAT IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

>> AND YOU'RE DEBUT TO GO HERE IN CHICAGO A THREE-WEEK RUN BEFORE GU TO NEW YORK.

HOW THE HELL DID I GET IT HAD OPENS THIS WEEKEND AT GREENHOUSE THEATRE CENTER.

LESLEY NICOL THANK YOU FOR COMING BACK.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

PLEASE COME AND SEE IT.

>> AND 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 TUESDAY NIGHT.

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. INDICTED FORMER ILLINOIS HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN IS SCHEDULED TO BE ARRAIGNED.

>> AND INVASIVE TREE SPECIES MAY BE THREATENING CHICAGO'S NATIVE WILDLIFE BUT SOME LOCAL EFFORTS ARE TURNING THE PROBLEMS INTO WORKS OF ART.

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

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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