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

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

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ LIVE IN RIVER NORTH.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> MY NAME IS KAM BUCKNER AND I ANNOUNCING MY CANDIDACY TO BE THE NEXT MAYOR OF CHICAGO.

>> ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE NEWEST CANDIDATE TO ENTER THE RACE FOR CHICAGO MAYOR.

>> OUR BABIES LITERALLY DO NOT HAVE THE FORMULA THAT THEY NEED TO SURVIVE.

>> A BABY FORMULA COMPANY SAYS IT'S READY TO REOPEN ITS MICHIGAN PLANT AS PARENTS STRUGGLE TO FIND THE PRODUCT ON STORE SHELVES.

>> GAMBLING AFFECTS EVERYBODY SO EVERYBODY CAN AND SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE CONVERSATION.

>> A LIVE NEIGHBORHOOD REPORT FROM RIVER NORTH THE POTENTIAL HOME OF CHICAGO'S FIRST TEMPORARY CASINO.

SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER A ASEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL ERUPTS AT CHICAGO BEACHES AND POOLS.

THE PARK DISTRICT HAS A NEW LEADER.

>> IT HAS A LONG HISTORY AND SOMEBODY TO BE PROUD OF.

>> INSIDE AN EFFORT TO DOCUMENT A CLASSIC FORM OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN CHICAGO AND KEEP IT FROM THE WRECKING BALL.

>> WHAT MAKES THEM ESPECIALLY UNIQUE IS THEIR SIGHT.

AS YOU CAN SEE WITH THIS ONE.

>> DETAILS ON AN UPCOMING HOME TOUR DESIGNED BY THREE GENERATIONS.

>> THIS PROMISES TO BE A REALLY GOOD ONE.

>> LOCAL ASTROS MONEY JOE GUZMAN GIVES A PREVIEW WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR DURING THIS WEEKEND'S LUNAR ECLIPSE.

>> AND AS WE MENTIONED I'M LIVE IN RIVER NORTH AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" WHERE THE LOCAL ALDERMAN AND RESIDENTS WANT TO PUT A HALT TO A PLAN TO PUT THE TEMPORARY SKAN HERE AT THE MEDINAH TEMPLE AND A GENERAL SPIKE IN CRIME IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

FIRST, WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> AND NOW TOP STORIES... 10 MEMBERS OF A CHICAGO STREET GANG HAVE BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH FEDERAL DRUG CONSPIRACY.

U.S. ATTORNEY JOHN LAUSCH SAYS THE INVESTIGATION LEAD TO THE SEIZURE OF HEROIN, SOME OF WHICH LACED WITH FENTANYL AND COCAINE.

IN ADDITION TO 10 MEN, 21 OTHERS HAVE ALSO BEEN CHARGED IN COOK COUNTY WITH STATE DRUG OFFENSES RELATED TO THAT INVESTIGATION.

>> CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS CHIEF PEDRO MARTINEZ ANNOUNCES HE HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.

HE IS FULLY VACCINATED AND BOOSTED AND EXPERIENCING MILD COVID SYMPTOMS.

HE WILL WORK-FROM-HOME FOLLOWING C.D.C.

GUIDELINES FOR ISOLATION.

IN A STATEMENT MARTINEZ SAID QUOTE... >> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN MARKS THE GRIM MILESTONE OF ONE MILLION COVID DEATHS TODAY AT A GLOBAL SUMMIT.

>> WE MARK A TRAGIC MILESTONE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

ONE MILLION COVID DEATHS.

ONE MILLION EMPTY CHAIRS AROUND THE FAMILY DINNER TABLE.

EACH IRREPLACEABLE, IRREPLACEABLE LOSSES.

EACH LEAVING BEHIND A FAMILY, A COMMUNITY FOREVER CHANGED BECAUSE OF THIS PANDEMIC.

>> THE CORONAVIRUS HAS KILLED MORE THAN 99,000 PEOPLE IN THE U.S. -- 999 PEOPLE IN THE U.S.

IN ILLINOIS THERE HAS BEEN 3.2 MILLION COVID CASES AND 33,698 DEATHS.

>> UP NEXT, WE'RE IN RIVER NORTH WHERE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS ARE PREPARING FOR A POSSIBLE TEMPORARY CASINO.

>> STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND RESIDENTS ARE SCRAMBLING TO FIGURE OUT MORE ABOUT PLANS TO MOVE A GIANT TEMPORARY CHICAGO CASINO INTO THE HISTORIC MEDINAH TEMPLE LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE FASHIONABLE RIVER NORTH NEIGHBORHOOD HOME TO TOURISM, COMMERCE AND LOTS OF REPRESENT SHALL UNITS.

THE MAYOR SIGNALED SHE WANTS A VOTE ON THIS GIANT CASINO PLAN WHICH INCLUDES THE TEMPORARY SPOT IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS.

PARIS SCHUTZ SPENT THE DAY REPORTING IN THE AREA AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" AND PARIS JOINS US LIVE OUTSIDE MEDINAH TEMPLE.

HEY, PARIS?

>> HEY, BRANDIS, YEAH, THE EARLY RETURNS ON THIS POTENTIAL PLAN TO BRING A TEMPORARY BALLY'S CHICAGO CASINO TO THE HISTORIC MEDINAH TEMPLE BEHIND ME ARE THUMB'S DOWN RIGHT NOW.

THE LOCAL RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF 2,000 PEOPLE, 87 SAID NO THEY DO NOT WANT A CASINO HERE.

AND THEY ARE WORRIED THE CITY HAS NOT COME UP WITH ANY PLANS TO MITIGATE THE TRAFFIC THAT WOULD CAUSE, THE POSSIBLE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES THAT WOULD CAUSE.

WE SHOULD MENTION THERE IS A TOWN HALL MEETING GOING ON RIGHT NOW AT UIC ON THE CASINO PLAN IN TODO AND THAT INCLUDES FOLKS AIRING THEIR GRIEVANCES ON THIS TEMPORARY PLAN TO BRING THE CASINO TO MEDINAH TEMPLE FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

THE TEMPLE IS A HISTORIC BUILDING IT HOUSED BLOOMINGDALES AND NOW SITS EMPTY.

THE ARCHITECTURE HAS BECOME WELL-KNOWN.

IT WAS BUILT 110 YEARS AGO.

IT HAD A BEAUTIFUL THEATRE THAT WAS KNOWN AROUND THE WORLD WAS ONE OF THE BEST ACOUSTICLY SOUNDING ROOMS AND THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY OR CASE TRA USED TO RECORD ALBUM'S.

WE'LL SEE IF BALLY'S WANT TO RESTORE THAT.

NEIGHBORS ARE SAYING ANYTHING BUT A CASINO.

>> THE MEDINAH TEMPLE LOCATION IS A TERRIBLE IDEA.

IT'S ILL SUITED.

IT IS A WONDERFUL PIECE OF ARCHITECTURE WE WANT TO SEE SOMETHING WONDERFUL DONE IT SHOULD BE A THEATRE OR RESTAURANT, OR RETAIL.

THAT IS A HEAVY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT THERE IS A LOT OF TOURIST TRAFFIC.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC AND THERE ARE A LOT RESIDENTS THAT LIVE WITHIN A FEW BLOCKS OF THAT SITE.

WE HAVE HAD TREMENDOUS FEEDBACK FROM THE PEOPLE AND THEY ARE UNSET ABOUT THIS DECISION.

>> AND WHEN THE PERMANENT CASINO GOES IN IN RIVER WEST SHOULD THIS BE APPROVED IT MEANS 3400 SLOTS AND 200 TABLE GAMES AND WITH THAT COMES THE THREAT OF GAMBLING ADDICTION.

ELIZABETH THIELEN SERVICES SAID THE STATE HAS INCREASED GAMBLING ADDICTION SERVICES IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

>> THE STATE HAS WORKED REALLY HARD TO EXPAND THE TREATMENT OPTIONS.

SO WE WENT FROM HAVING SIX OR SEVEN TREATMENT PROVIDERS IN THE WHOLE STATE TO 30 DIFFERENT PROGRAMS.

WE'VE GOT MANY CERTIFIED GAMBLING COUNSELORS AND IT'S GROWING AND THERE IS TELEHEALTH AVAILABLE AND IF SOMEBODY NEEDS HELP, A PLACE LIKE US OR PLACES THAT ARE PROVIDING TELEHEALTH SERVICES CAN WORK WITH THEM FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR OWN HOME.

>> AND THE MYRIAD ESTABLISHMENTS FEEL ABOUT A CASINO AT MEDINAH TEMPLE?

UNTITLED SUPPER CLUB IS KNOWN FOR THE CASINO LIKE STAGE SHOWS, BURLESQUE AND LIVE MUSIC ITS MANAGER TOLD US HE HAS AN OPEN MIND.

>> I DON'T ANYBODY CAN IMAGINE WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE.

A LOT MORE FOOT TRAFFIC AND A LOT MORE BUSINESS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A FIRST FOR THE CITY.

WE CAN ADJUST OURSELVES TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR.

IF THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A DINNER AN FER AND A SHOW WE CAN PROVIDE THAT.

I AASSUMING CASINO WOULD PROVIDE SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THAT AS WELL BUT I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THEM.

>> AMID ALL THIS RIVER NORTH STRUGGLED WITH A RISE IN CRIME SINCE THE ONSET OF COVID SUFFERING THE LOOTING EVENTS IN THE SUMMER OF 2020 AND A STRING OF ATTEMPTED ROBBERIES AT NEARBY CTA STATIONS.

THERE WAS A SHOOTING IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

THE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION SAYS THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS HAVE SEEN HIGHER THAN NORMAL CRIME NUMBERS ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> 230 MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT OF THEFTS, 55 AGGRAVATED BATTERIES, 110 ROBBERIES, 76 CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULTS AND THREE MURDERS.

IT IS A DREADFUL THING PEOPLE ARE VERY WORRIED ABOUT IT.

THERE'S PROBABLY NOTHING MORE CONCERNING AND CREATES MORE FEAR AND ANXIETY ON THE PART OF RESIDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAN THE INCREASES OF SERIOUS CRIME OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> AND JUST A BIT LATER ON IN THE PROGRAM WE WILL SPEAK WITH BRENDAN REILLY A OPPONENT OF THIS PLAN.

WE'LL ASK HIM WHY HE IS LIKENING IT TO A POTENTIAL ANOTHER PARKING METER DEAL.

THAT AND MORE IN A BIT.

FIRST, WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> A SHORTAGE OF BABY FORMULA IS TURNING INTO A CRISIS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING TO GET THEIR HANDS ON A VARIETY OF FORMULAS AND WHEN THEY DO, IT'S IN LIMITED AMOUNTS.

THE SHORTAGE MEANS THERE'S 40% LESS FORMULA NATIONWIDE AND FAMILIES ARE TURNING TO ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO FEED THEIR BABIES WHICH HAS MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS SOUNDING THE APROBLEM.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE PROBLEM ARE MACIEK NOWAK THE DEAN AT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, Dr. JOANN ROMANO-KEELER JOE A NEONATOLOGIST AND CHAIR OF UIC FOR NICK CUE AND NURSERY.

AND SUMMER KELLY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE LEARNED TODAY THAT NORTH SHORE PACED ABBOTT LABS IS OPENING TO RESTART PRODUCTION SAYING IN A STATEMENT QUOTE... Dr. JOANN ROMANO-KEELER HOW WILL RESUMING PRODUCTION HELP WITH THE CRISIS?

>> I THINK IT WILL HELP TREMENDOUSLY.

WE KNOW THAT THERE'S BEEN AN ISSUE OF BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION THAT TRIGGERED THE SHUTDOWN.

BUT THE REASON THAT IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR THE FACILITY TO REOPEN IS THAT THIS ACUTE SHORTAGE CAME ON TOP OF A LOT OF LONGSTANDING PROBLEMS THAT HAD BEEN AN ISSUE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SO NOW MORE THAN EVER HAVING THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF FORMULA UP AND RUNNING IS CRITICAL FOR OUR FAMILIES.

>> MACIEK NOWAK, HOW SOON BEFORE PARENTS MIGHT NOTICE AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE STOCK ON STORE SHELVES?

>> WELL, THEY SAY IT WILL BE SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS FOR THIS PLANT TO GET THE PRODUCTS AFTER IT'S UP AND RUNNING.

BUT ULTIMATELY, IT'S PART OF A FACTOR OF HOW DEMAND REACTS AND HOW QUICKLY THAT SUPPLY GETS OUT.

IF THERE CONTINUES TO BE A HIGH DEMAND IT MAY TAKE LONGER BEFORE PEOPLE FEEL THAT.

>> SO WE KNOW THAT LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR THIS PLANT TO REOPEN.

HERE IS U.S.

SENATOR TAMMY DUCKWORTH TALKING ABOUT THE NEED FOR URGENCY.

>> MY CONVERSATIONS WITH ABBOTT AND F.D.A.

IS FOR THE TWO OF THEM TO WORK TOGETHER SO THAT ABBOTT CAN BRING ITS FACTORY IMMEDIATELY UP TO SAFETY STANDARDS AND THE F.D.A.

DOES NOT WAIT TO INSPECT, DON'T SAY WE'LL GIVE YOU AN APPOINTMENT IN TWO WEEKS AND WE'LL COME AND INSPECT.

YOU NEED TO INSPECT TOMORROW.

>> HOW AT EASE CAN PARENTS FEEL FEEDING SIMILAC TO BABIES AFTER THE CONTAMINATION?

>> FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY I 100% AGREE WITH THOSE SENTIMENTS THIS IS AUR URGENT MATTER.

I THINK FAMILIES SHOULD FEEL SAFE.

THINGS HAVE BEEN SCRUTINIZED.

THE SAFETY OF THESE PRODUCTS AS THEY REOPEN HAS BEEN IN SHORT ON MULTIPLE LEVELS.

SO I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH MY PATIENTS RESUMING USE OF THESE PRODUCTS.

>> MACIEK NOWAK WHAT HAS BEEN THE IMPACT OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN CRISIS ON THE BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE?

>> I WOULDN'T NECESSARILY SAY IT'S THE SUPPLY CHAIN.

AS THE DOCTOR NOTED, THERE WERE ISSUES BEFORE JUST LAKE WE SAW WITH EVERYTHING -- LIKE WE SEE WITH EVERYTHING ON OUR STORE SHELVES.

THERE ARE LIMITED QUANTITIES BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND WHEN THIS RECALL HAPPENED, THE PLANT SHUTDOWN, IT CREATED A SIMILAR TO WHAT WE SAW WITH THE TOILET PAPER SHORTAGE.

THERE WAS A RUN ON BABY FORMULA, NOT SURPRISINGLY PEOPLE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ENOUGH OF AND THEY BOUGHT MORE AND THAT EXACERBATED THIS PROBLEM AND ULTIMATELY THERE'S WAY MORE DEMAND THAN THERE IS SUPPLY.

>> SUMMER KELLY I WANT TO GET YOU IN HERE WE KNOW THE BENEFITS OF BREAST-FEEDING AND BREAST MILK AND THAT IS NOT AN OPTION FOR EVERY MOTHER FOR A VARIETY OF ISSUES.

FORER FOR SOME FAMILIES DONATED BREAST MILK CAN BE AN OPTION.

TELL US HOW IT WORKS.

>> MOST OF THE MILK WE DISPENSE HERE AT THE MILK BANK IS TO HOSPITALS THE NEONATOLOGY UNITS.

BUT WE HAVE MILK AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES AT HOME FAMILIES THAT MAY BE OUT OF FORMULA OR FAMILIES WITH INFANTS WITH MEDICAL NEEDS.

THEY CAN REACH OUT AND WE CAN DISPENSE SAFE HUMAN PRODUCTS TO ANY FAMILY IN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN.

>> DOCTOR ARE THE BABIES MOST AT RISK PA MATURE HE HE -- PREMATURE AND FOOD INSECURITY.

>> THAT IS A PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE POPULATION PARTICULARLY AS THEIR INTESTINES AND IMMUNE SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT WE CONTINUE AS WE ALWAYS HAVE WITH OUR PREMATURE INFANTS TO ADVOCATE STRONGLY FOR THEM TO TRY NURSING OR EXPRESSING BREAST MILK AND OUR LACTATION CONSULTANTS ARE ALL HANDS ON DECK DURING THIS NATIONAL CRISIS.

FOR BABIES WITH FOOD ALLERGIES OR WHOSE MOMS CAN'T PRODUCE MILK AS SOMEONE DESCRIBED WE RECOMMEND TRYING AN ALTERNATIVE PRODUCT BY ANOTHER MANUFACTURER.

BUT ALL OF THIS REALLY TAKES THE SUPPORT OF OUR PEDIATRICIANS AND OUR PARENTS REALLY NEED TO KNOW THAT WE'RE HERE AS A RESOURCE TO GUIDE THEM THROUGH SOME OF THESE CHALLENGING DECISIONS.

>> AND SUMMER SOME PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN IT UPON THEMSELVES TO SHARE RECIPES OF HOMEMADE FORMULA ON-LINE.

WHAT IS YOUR WARNING THERE?

>> I HAVE A STRONG WARNING AGAINST HOMEMADE FORMULAS.

THEY ARE NOT TESTED, THEY COULD BE CONTAMINATED WITH BACTERIA AS WELL.

I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO SEEK REPUTABLE FORMULA FROM STORES AND PHARMACIES AND REACH OUT TO THE MILK BANK IF THEY ARE IN NEED OF MILK FOR THEIR BABIES.

>> THE SHORTAGE HAS SHED LIGHT ON THE FACT THERE ARE TWO COMPANIES THAT PRODUCE ALL THE FORMULA, A LOT OF IT.

SHOULD THERE BE MORE COMPETITION, PRODUCTION IN THE MARKET?

>> WELL, THIS WAS A BIT OF A PERFECT STORM EVENT.

I THINK THE REACTION OF THE F.D.A.

WAS ACCURATE IN THAT THERE WAS A CONCERN AND THEY FELT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL TO SHUT THIS PLANT DOWN TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS SAFE.

HAD IT HAPPENED OUTSIDE OF THE PANDEMIC, I WOULD IMAGINE WE WOULDN'T HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS EVENT.

SO FOR A ANOTHER MANUFACTURER TO COME IN AND RAMP UP PRODUCTION AND MEET THE F.D.A.

STANDARDS IT WOULD TAKE SO LONG, IT'S REALLY TOUGH TO ENTER THIS INDUSTRY.

I THINK -- I WOULD EXPECT THAT WE ARE IN A SOMEWHAT RARE EVENT.

>> AND SUMMER THE LAST WORD WE HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT, HAVE YOU ALL NOTICED ANY SUPPLY ISSUES DRIVE ESPECIALLY BY THIS SHORTAGE IN FORMULA IT'S INCREASED DEMAND?

>> WE HAVE SEEN A LITTLE BIT OF AN INCREASE IN DEMAND AND WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE MILK TO THE FAMILIES THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF MILK DONORS THAT PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING MILK FOR FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

I THANK ALL THE GENEROUS DON FORS FOR DONATING.

AND PROVIDING MORE SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES SO THAT THEY CAN MEET THEIR BREAST-FEEDING GOALS.

>> THANKS TO Dr. JOANN ROMANO-KEELER, MACIEK NOWAK AND SUMMER KELLY FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, EFFORTS TO DOCUMENT AND PRESERVE A CLASSIC FORM OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN CHICAGO.

STAY WITH US.

>> AND WE'LL HAVE THAT STORY ON AFFORD ACT HOUSING IN JUST A MOMENT.

THE RACE FOR MAYOR GOT ANOTHER ENTRANT, KAM BUCKNER IS TOSSING HIS HAT INTO THE RING.

HE IS THE THIRD MAJOR CANDIDATE TO ANNOUNCE A BID JOINING WILLIE WILSON AND RAY LOPEZ.

AND JOINING US NOW IS MAYORAL CANDIDATE STATE REPRESENTATIVE KAM BUCKNER THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

REPRESENTATIVE, FIRST QUESTION: WHY DO YOU WANT THIS JOB?

>> BECAUSE I LOVE CHICAGO, BRAN SIS I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE.

I AM A NATIVE SOUTH SIDER AND I KEPT MY ROOTS HERE.

AND I KNOW THAT CHICAGO HAS A LOT MORE ROOM TO GROW.

A LOT MORE ROOM TO DEVELOPMENT AS I TALK TO PEOPLE AROUND THE CITY THEY DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS A PLAN TO MOVE US FORWARD.

I LOVE CHICAGO I WANT TO BET ON CHICAGO AND CHICAGO IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR SO I'M JUMPING IN THE RACE.

>> EVERY CANDIDATE WHO RUNS FOR MAYOR KNOWS THAT CRIME WILL BE A MAJOR ISSUE FOR THAT JOB.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY WOULD YOU DO TO LOWER CRIME IN CHICAGO?

>> A FEW THINGS WE HAVE TO DO IMMEDIATELY.

WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE FACT WE HAVE A 15 HUNDRED OFFICER SHORTAGE RIGHT NOW.

AND WE HAVE 500-600 OFFICERS THAT WILL RETIRE BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF SUMMER.

WE HAVE TO REPLENISH OUR RANKS WITH FOLKS WHO OFTEN HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND PEOPLE FROM COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE BEEN MOST AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE THESE ARE THE FOLKS THAT NEED TO BE DOING ON THE WORK ON THE GROUND IN THE CITY.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT THE DIFFERENCE HOW TO INVEST IN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY.

SECURITY BEING THOSE FACTORS THAT HAPPEN IN THE STREETS OF CHICAGO.

THINGS LIKE GETTING SHOT AND CARJACKING.

AND THROUGH THE PUBLIC SAFETY STANDPOINT SAFETY BEING THE FACTOR LIKE POVERTY, LIKE LACK OF RESOURCES FOR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE HAVE TO INCREASE OUR VIOLENCE PREVENTION BUDGET.

LAST YEAR WE SPENT $16 MILLION ON GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

$16 MILLION IS A PALTRY AMOUNT.

I'VE SAID THIS WE HAVE TO TREAT VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO THE SAME WAY WE TREATED COVID-19 AND THAT MEANS WE WERE WILLING TO DO WHAT WE HAD TO DO AND PAY WHAT WE HAD TO PAY AND THAT NEEDS TO BE THE SAME STANCE WITH THE VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO.

>> EDUCATION IS ANOTHER MAJOR ISSUE.

YOU HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION AND OTHERS HAVE ENDORSED YOU AS WELL.

HOW WOULD YOU WORK WITH C.T.U.

AS THE HEAD THE MAYOR AND THEREFORE WITH A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR C.P.S.

HOW WOULD YOU WORK WITH THE UNION GOING FORWARD?

>> FOR FAR TOO LONG THERE'S BEEN A RIFT BETWEEN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE ON THE FOLKS ON THE GROUND DOING THE WORK.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THERE IS CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN CITY HALL AND THE FOLKS IN THE CLASSROOM TRYING TO EDUCATE THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

I SAID TODAY AND REITERATE TODAY AS WELL ON THIS PROGRAM, IS THAT WE KNOW WE HAVE A TEACHERS CONTRACT COMING UP IN JUNE OF 2024.

AND THOSE FOLKS WHO I TALK TO EVERYDAY ARE MY NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN THEY ARE WORRIED THAT CONTRACT IS GOING TO CREATE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR DISSENTION.

WHAT I WANT TO PROMISE TO PEOPLE IN CHICAGO IS THAT ON DAY ONE, NOT IN JUNE 2024 BUT DAY ONE ON THE JOB I WILL BEGIN TO NEGOTIATE THAT CONTRACT MYSELF.

I WON'T DO IT BY PROXY OR BEHIND THE PODIUM I WILL DO IT FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE AND THAT IS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE CONTINUITY.

>> YOU PLAN TO GET DIRECTLY INVOLVED.

YOU'VE SERVED IN THE STATE HOUSE SINCE 2019.

HOW IS THAT EXPERIENCE HOW HAS THAT PREPARED YOU FOR THE JOB?

>> I'VE DONE A LOT BEFORE I GOT TO THE STATE HOUSE.

I SPENT TIME WORKING ON CAPITOL HILL WORKING IN THE U.S. SENATE AND I WORKED FOR THE MAYOR OF NEW ORLEANS AND NOW I'M ON THE STATE LEVEL.

SPEND TIME IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR I WORKED IN ACADEMIA, A PROFESSOR AND TRUSTEE.

I'M ABLE TO RUN A NONPROFIT IN A CITY THAT REACHED 70,000 YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGHOUT CHICAGO.

MY WORK AND MY COMMITMENT TO THE CITY HAS BEEN CLEAR.

THROUGH MY WORK IN SPRINGFIELD, I AM NOW THE CHAIR OF THE 22-MEMBER ILLINOIS HOUSE BLACK CAUCUS AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE WORK WE'VE DONE ON CRIMINAL REFORM, AND EDUCATION REFORM AND HEALTHCARE I'VE BEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND I HAD THE GREAT PLEASURE TO BE ONE OF THE LEAD NEGOTIATORS ON WHAT WE PASSED LAST YEAR AS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE CLEAN ENERGY LEGISLATION IN THE COUNTRY.

SO MY TRACK RECORD IS CLEAR.

IT'S KNOWN.

I BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND GET SOLUTIONS.

IT IS A SOLUTION.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S CAMPAIGN THOUGH SHE HAS YET TO ANNOUNCE SHE IS RUNNING AGAIN BUT HER CAMPAIGN TELLS WTTW NEWS THAT YOU HAVE NOT QUITE SHOWN IN YOUR PUBLIC LIFE THE TOUGHNESS THAT THEY BELIEVE IS NECESSARY TO BE MAYOR OF CHICAGO.

THEY ALSO CLAIM THAT YOU STILL VOTED FOR FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN TO REMAIN ON AS SPEAKER WE NOW HE IS FACING FEDERAL INDICTMENT.

BUT WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT CRITICISM FROM THE LIGHTFOOT CAMPAIGN?

>> THREE MINUTES INTO THE CAMPAIGN I'M ALREADY BEING ATTACKED BY THIS MAYOR.

LISTEN, THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT ANYBODY CAN GO BACK AND FACT CHECK THAT I'VE ONLY VOTED FOR SPEAKER ONCE IN MY TIME IN SPRINGFIELD, AND THE PERSON I VOTED FOR WAS CHRIS WELCH.

THAT STATEMENT IS COMPLETELY OFF BASE AND UNTRUE.

>> WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THEIR ATTEMPT TO LINK YOU TO THE FORMER SPEAKER?

>> I GET IT.

IT SOUNDS LIKE A DESPERATE GAME, CREATE ATTACKS WHICH I DON'T STOOP TO THAT LEVEL.

I WILL SAY ANYBODY WHO IS IN THIS RACE WHETHER IT'S THE INCUMBENT OR ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE REAL THINGS GOING ON IN CHICAGO, THE REAL THINGS THAT ARE AT OUR DOORSTEP AND HOW WE FIGURE OUT SOLUTIONS AND A WAY TO DEAL WITH THOSE ISSUES I'M HAPPY TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND NOT MAKEUP THINGS JUST MADE NEWSPAPER THAT QUOTE.

>> ASIDE FROM CRIME AND EDUCATION WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMICS OF THE CITY?

>> THAT'S I BIG DEAL.

MUCH OF MY DISTRICT NOW IS THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT I HAVE MUCH OF DOWNTOWN AND RIVER NORTH.

I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF REPRESENTING THAT SPACE SINCE 2019.

WE KNOW THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A PLAN ABOUT OUR COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS AND MAKE IT USABLE FOR THE NEW WORLD WE LIVE IN.

NOT POST COVID-19, BUT THE WITH COVID-19 WORLD.

WE GOT TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR FOLKS TO DO BUSINESS IN THE CITY.

FOR AS I SAID, IF YOU ARE A NATIONAL RETAILER SUCH AS WHOLE FOODS YOU NEED TO NOTE THAT A PROMISE YOU MAKE HAS TO BE A PROMISE THAT YOU KEEP.

IF ARE YOU AN INTERNATIONAL COMPANY LIKE BOEING AND YOU SIDE TO MOVE HERE WE NEED TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO NOT JUST MOVE HERE BUT TO STAY HERE AND EXPAND.

WHETHER IT IS A SMALL BUSINESS ON 35TH STREET OR AUSTIN OR MADISON WE HAVE TO DO THE WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT BUSINESSES FEEL COMFORTABLE IN THE SPACE.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE TONIGHT IT'S YOUR 37TH BIRTHDAY THE DAY YOU CHOSE TO MAKE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE KAM BUCKNER THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CHICAGO THEY SAY IS A CITY OF NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND THE ORIGINS OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS OCCUPY A UNIQUE PLACE AMONG AMERICAN CITIES.

NEITHER MASTER PLANNED COMMUNITIES NOR BUILT ON LAND CONTROLLED BY OLD MONEY.

MUCH OF CHICAGO IS DEFINED BY THE REN THAT BUILDINGS A MISH-MASH OF STYLES, SIZES AND AGES.

AND NICK BLUMBERG REPORTS, PRESERVATIONISTS ARE CALLING ATTENTION TO A STYLE KNOWN AS WORERS COTTAGES.

AN ORIGINAL FORM OF AFFORDABLE HOUSE.

>> ON A CHILLY APRIL MORNING, A GROUP OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION STUDENTS FROM THE SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE GATHERED IN MCKINLAY PARK BEFORE HEADING OUT INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO SURVEY ITS WORKERS COTTAGES.

>> MAKE SURE THAT ONE OF YOU SHARES YOUR LOCATION WITH BE AND I WILL MEET WITH EVERY GROUP TODAY.

GO.

>> THEY ARE SIMPLE HOMES OF FOUR-SIX ROOMS WITH A GABLED ROOF AND ENTRANCE OFF TO A SIDE.

ONE STOREY SOMETIMES TWO.

>> TAKE A PICTURE HERE.

>> WORKERS COTTAGES ARE UBIQUITOUS IN CHICAGO BUT PERHAPS NOT AS WELL-KNOWN BY NAME.

>> ONCE YOU RECOGNIZING THE HOUSE YOU START SEEING THEM ALL OVER THE PLACE.

AND THEY ARE INTERESTING.

THEY HAVE THE HISTORY OF THE FAMILIES THAT LIVED IN THEM IS NOT WASN'T FAMOUS PEOPLE OR RICH PEOPLE.

THEY WERE REGULAR CHICAGOANS.

>> MATT BERGSTROM COFOUNDED THE CHICAGO WORKERS COTTAGE INITIATIVE BECAUSE HE SAW THEM BEING DEMOLISHED IN LOGAN SQUARE WHERE THEY LAUNCHED THE SURVEY WITH THE HELP OF STUDENTS AND PROCESS VACCINATION CHICAGO.

>> WHEN THEY ARE KNOCKED DOWN AND REPLACED BY MUCH BIGGER HOUSES, IT IS REALLY CHANGING THE CHARACTER OF A LOT OF NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> THE WORKERS COTTAGE INITIATIVE ESTIMATES THERE ARE 60,000 OF THESE HOMES AROUND THE CITY.

THE EARLIEST DATE BACK TO THE 1860s AND CONSTRUCTION TOOK OFF IN THE 1880s.

>> CHICAGO WAS THE MOST DRAMATICALLY GROWING CITY IN THE WORLD.

THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT CHICAGO AT THIS TIME IS EXPERIENCING A GROWTH WITH WORKING CLASS PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT WORKING CLASS NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE INDUSTRY IS COMING TO THE CITY.

BIG INDUSTRY.

>> MANY WERE MOVING OUT OF TENEMENTS OR NEW IMMIGRANTS ABLE TO FORM A NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERED AROUND A CHURCH AND FIND A NEW HOME.

>> THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP A NEW LIFE AND UPWARD MOBILITY IS COMMUNAL.

AND I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT PART.

PLUS R ONCE YOU OWN LAND YOU HAVE A CONCERN WITH POLITICS AND AMERICAN LIFE.

>> THE WORKERS COTTAGE INITIATIVE TRACKED DEMOLITIONS S IN LOGAN SQUARE AND AVONDALE BETWEEN 2006-2020.

IN LOGAN SQUARE 40% OF BUILDINGS KNOCKED DOWN WITH WORKERS COTTAGES.

AVONDALE, 40%.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WORKERS COTTAGE NOT JUST BECAUSE WHO THEY HOUSED IN THE PAST BUT WHO THEY CAN HOUSE NOW.

THERE IS A NEED TO FILL FULL HOUSING NEEDS TODAY.

>> IN MANY PLACES THE NEW HOMES ARE LARGER AND MORE EXPENSIVE MEANING PRESERVATION IS NOT JUST ABOUT HISTORY IT'S HOLDING ON TO THE RAPIDLY DECLINING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> CHICAGO'S ARCHITECTURE IS HOUSING BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MUCH HOUSING IN CHICAGO.

AND HOUSING WHERE PEOPLE LIVE, REALLY RESONATES WITH CHICAGOANS.

>> WE HOPE TO SEE THAT THE HOUSES ARE KEPT UP AND THAT PEOPLE VALUE THE HOUSES.

THAT THERE'S A PRIDE IN LIVING IN A WORKERS COTTAGE WHY WOULD YOU KNOCK IT DOWN?

IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE.

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

>> AND IN MCKINLAY PARK A QUARTER OF PARCELS THEY SURVEYED WERE WORKERS COTTAGES THERE IS A SURVEY SET TO WRAP UP SOON AND THE INITIATIVE IS PLANNING TO TACTICT ANOTHER PART OF TOWN NEXT SPRING.

STILL TO COME, A PROPOSED TEMPORARY CASINO AT THE MEDINAH TEMPLE.

SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER A SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL EREACHES AT CHICAGO'S BEACHES AND POOL THE PARK DISTRICT HAS A NEW LEADER.

>> A LOOK INSIDE THE FORMER HOME OF ONE OF CHICAGO'S MOST VACCINATAL BANKERS AHEAD OF A TOUR ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

>> AND A SELESSIAL SHOW IS COMING TO CHICAGO.

GUZ GUDZ GIVES JOE GUZMAN GIVES US A LOOK AT THE LUNAR ECLIPSE.

>> AN AUDIT AT DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN FAMILY SERVICES FOUND FAILURES TO PROVIDE PROPER MEDICAL CARE AND CONSTRUCTING HOME SAFETY CHECKS.

IT FOUND THAT CHILDREN AREN'T RECEIVING MEDICAL CARE.

88% OF THE 50 CHILDREN TESTED WERE MISSING DENTAL EXAMS, 56% WERE MISSING HEARING SCREENINGS.

THE DEPARTMENT AND DIRECTOR MARK SMITH HAVE BEEN IN HOT WATER FOR A HOST OF REASONS ONE BEING SINCE DECEMBER FIVE CHILDREN IN CONTACT WITH THE AGENCY HAVE DIED.

>> THE IF YOU ARE AN ILLINOIS RESIDENT YOU COULD BE SEEING EXTRA CASH.

CHECKS ARE BEING SENT TO 1.4 MILLION FACEBOOK USERS PART OF A 650 MILLION CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE COMPANY.

THE SUIT ALLEGES THAT FACEBOOK BROKE ILLINOIS' PRIVACY LAWS BY COLLECTING AND STORING DATA WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT AND ILLINOISANS WHO FILED A CLAIM WILL GET PAYMENTS BETWEEN $200 AND $400.

>> IT IS HOT IN CHICAGO NOT JUST YOU.

SO MUCH SO THE CITY SET A NEW RECORD-HIGH TEMPERATURE YESTERDAY WHEN IT REACHED 90°.

IT IS THE EARLIEST THE CITY NOTCHED A 90° DAY IN MORE THAN A DECADE.

ON TOP OF THAT, HUMIDITY SENT THE HEAT INDICES ABOVE 100.

TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO PEEL MORE SPRING-LIKE WITH HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60s.

TO PARIS WHO SPENT THE DAY IN RIVER NORTH AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON I SPOKE WITH ALDERMAN BRENDAN REILLY WHO SAID HE HAD A MYRIAD OF QUESTIONS.

I ASKED HIM IF THE CITY OR BALLY'S ANSWERED ANY OF THOSE QUESTIONS.

>> THERE HAS NOT BEEN A TRAFFIC STUDY, NO PUBLIC SAFETY ANALYSIS AND THAT IS EXTRAORDINARY BECAUSE IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO WHENEVER WE LOOK AT BUILDING A NEW HIGH-RISE THERE IS A TRAFFIC STUDY FIRST TO INSURE THAT IT CAN SUPPORT THE NEW PROJECT.

FOR SOMETHING THIS IMPORTANT TO THE CITY NOT BE SUPPORTED ALREADY WITH A TRAFFIC STUDY SEEMS STRANGE TO ME.

>> WHAT IS THE SENTIMENT FROM THE RESIDENTS HERE?

>> OVERWHELMINGLY AGAINST.

AS YOU WERE SETTING UP TO INTERVIEW ME A GROUP OF LADIES SAID, HEY THAT'S OUR ALDERMAN.

VOTE NO ON THE CASINO.

PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE LOCATION INVOLVED.

THE TRIBUNE PLANT HAS ITS OWN CHALLENGES AND THE CITY ADMITTED THIS WEEK THAT THEY NEED TO INVEST $75 MILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE JUST TO BARELY HANDLE THE TRAFFIC.

YOU CAN'T WIDEN THE STREETS IN THE MIDDLE OF RIVER NORTH HERE AT MEDINAH TEMPLE.

SO IF THE OTHER SITE WHICH HAS FEWER CONSTRAINTS, 75 MILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE HOW IS MEDINAH TEMPLE GOING TO WORKOUT?

AND ANYONE WHO LIVES IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA KNOWS IT WON'T.

>> OVERALL, I MEAN I THINK YOU MADE THE POINT THIS LOOKS LIKE A PARKING METER DEAL AND A MASSIVE ORDINANCE YOU ARE GIVEN NO TIME TO DIGEST.

IS THIS POTENTIALLY ANOTHER PARKING METER DEAL?

>> IT HAS ALL THE WARNING SIGNS OF ONE.

WE ARE NOT SELLING A PUBLIC ASSET BUT THE REVENUE DEAL WE STRIKE AND THE SUCCESS OF THE CASINO IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE.

WHEN WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN ONE FINANCIAL ANALYSIS PREPARED AFFILIATED WITH THE PARENT COMPANY THAT RAISED MONEY FOR BALLY'S THAT RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VALIDITY OF THAT REPORT.

AND PARKING METER DEAL WE HAD TO DEPEND ON ONE FINANCIAL ANALYSIS AND TOLD AT THE TIME HURRY UP DON'T ASK TOO MANY QUESTIONS WE HAVE TO GET THIS DONE THERE ARE A LOT OF SIMILARITIES.

AND COLLEAGUES ARE FEELING THAT.

I THINK THIS REQUIRES MORE DELIBERATION AND MUCH BETTER CONSIDERATION FOR THE SITES THEY HAVE PROPOSED FOR THE PERMANENT CASINO AND THE TEMPORARY.

>> WHERE ARE THE VOTES RIGHT NOW?

IS THIS AN ALDERMANIC PREROGATIVE, THE TEMPORARY CASINO ARE THEY GOING TO BE WITH YOU OR THE MAYOR?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF ALDERMEN ON THE FENCE THEY ARE NOT HAPPY WITH HOW THE PROCESS HAS BEEN SHORT CIRCUITED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

WE SETUP THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE.

WE'VE MET FOR A TOTAL OF -- WE HAD A LENGTHY HEARING IN THE SECOND MEETING BUT A TOTAL OF SIX HOURS TO TALK ABOUT A DEAL THAT IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT TO THIS CITY FOR 50-60 YEARS.

WE'RE STAKING OUR PUBLIC PENSIONS ON.

AND THE SITES THAT WERE SELECTED WERE DONE IN A VACUUM WITH NO UNDERSTANDING OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> A RELATED QUESTION IT'S WARM NOW AND WE'VE SEEN MASS SHOOTING IN THE CITY WE SAW UNREST AROUND NEAR NORTH SIDE LAST NIGHT.

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN FOR RIVER NORTH FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS?

>> NO.

AND WE HAVE GREAT POLICE COMMANDERS DOWN HERE DOING GREAT WORK.

AND THE 18TH POLICE DISTRICT ARE WORKING HARD BUT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OF THEM AND WE NEED THEM OVERNIGHT.

WE HAVE GOOD COVERAGE IN THE DAYTIME HOURS AND THAT IS GREAT.

BUT THE CRITICAL TIME IS REALLY WHAT IT STARTS TO GET DARKER OUT AND THAT IS WHERE WE NEED THE RESOURCES.

I WANT TO SEE A ROBUST COMMITMENT TO THAT AND FINALLY SEE POLICE OFFICERS RIDING ON CTA TRAINS.

YEAR TWO I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR THAT AND IT HAS NOT HAPPENED.

THAT HAS TO BE CRITICAL TO KEEP DOWNTOWN SAFE.

>> ESPECIALLY AROUND STOPS ON GRAND AVENUE NEW.

>> REDLINE STOPS.

WE KNOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE CRIME EVERY WEEKEND.

>> AND AGAIN THAT WAS PARIS WITH BRENDAN REILLY OF THE 42nd WARD.

WE WILL SEE PARIS WITH THE OWNER OF MOE'S CANTINA.

>> THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT HAS A NEW LEADER AFTER A SCANDAL PLAGUED THE DISTRICT AND OUSTED THE LAST LAST SUPERINTENDENT.

HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

WELCOME BACK HEATHER.

ROSA ESCARENO HAS BEEN THEY WILLED THE SUPERINTENDENT.

TELL US ABOUT HER.

>> SHE IS A VETERAN OF CHICAGO CITY HALL.

SHE HAS WORKED THERE FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS AND IN JULY, SHE RETIRED AS COMMISSIONER OF THE BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.

SHE LED THAT DEPARTMENT THROUGH COVID WHICH FORCED BUSINESSES TO SHUTDOWN AND LIMIT CAPACITY.

AND SHE SAID SHE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO LEARNING SPENDING TIME WITH HER FAMILY AND LEARNING HOW TO RUN A MARATHON.

BUT ALL OF THAT CHANGED IN THE FALL WHEN THE SCANDAL ERUPTED IN THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT AND MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT ASKED HER TO COME OUT OF RETIREMENT AND LEAD THE AGENCY ON AN INTERIM BASIS AND NOW SHE IS STICKING AROUND PERMANENTLY.

>> AS WE MENTION THIS COMES AFTER A SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL THAT INVOLVED CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT WORKERS AT THE BEACHES AND POOLS.

REMIND US WHAT THAT INVESTIGATION FOUND AND THE AFTERMATH OF IT?

>> WELL, THE AGENCY THE PARK DISTRICT I SHOULD SAY IGNORED REPEATED COMPLAINTS FROM GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN WHO WERE EMPLOYED AS LIFEGUARDS AT CHICAGO'S BEACHES AND POOLS THAT THEY WERE BEING SEXUALLY HARASSED AND SOME CASES ABUSED AND EVEN RAPED.

THOSE COMPLAINTS LINGERED ON THE DESK OF SUPERINTENDENT MIKE KELLY FOR MONTHS BEFORE ANYTHING WAS DONE ABOUT THEM.

AND THAT IS WHY MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT FORCED HIS OUSTER IN OCTOBER.

SINCE THEN TWO FORMER LIFEGUARDS HAVE BEEN CHARGED CRIMINALLY AND THE PARK DISTRICT HAS ALL NEW LEADERSHIP INCLUDING ROSA ESCARENO AND A NEW BOARD PRESIDENT WHO REPLACED AVIS LAVAL IN CHARGE.

>> ALL OF THAT SAID, DOES ROSA ESCARENO HAVE A LOT ON HER PLATE COMING INTO THIS POSITION?

>> SHE SURE DOES.

SHE WILL OVERSEE A NEW DEPARTMENT IN THE PARK DISTRICT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE COMPLAINTS AND TO INSURE THEY ARE PROPERLY INVESTIGATED AND THAT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO LINGER FOR MONTHS LIKE IT DID BEFORE WBEZ FIRST BROKE THE STORY.

>> HEATHER CHERONE THANKS AS ALWAYS.

>> THANKS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER AREA FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE, THAT'S WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> UP NEXT, A TOUR INSIDE THE FORMER HOME OF ONE OF CHICAGO'S MOST VITAL BANKERS.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> A FAMILY SPANNING THREE GENERATIONS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF 100 HOMES ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

THE HEATHER TON FAMILY AND THIS WEEKEND, THE BEVERLY AREA PLANNING ASSOCIATION IS PARTNERING WITH THE RIDGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO OFFER TOURS OF SOME OF THE HOMES WITH A PHOTO EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTING THEIR WORK AND IMPACT.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU TAKES US TO BEVERLY FOR A LOOK INSIDE ONE OF THE FEATURED HOMES.

>> IN NORTH BEVERLY, NESTLED ALONG THE DAN RYAN WOODS STAND THREE HOMES DESIGNED BY THE HETHERINGTON'S.

THEY WORKED ON 100 HOMES IN BEVERLY, MORGAN PARK AND MOUNT GREENWOOD.

A TOUR IS HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THE HOMES AND SOME OF THE FASCINATING RESIDENTS.

OCCUPIED BY AUDRIUS PLIOPLYS SINCE 1999 THIS HOME WAS FORMERLY OWNED BY AL CAPONE'S BANKER JOHN BAIN.

>> HE WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT BANKER IN CHICAGO AT THE TIME.

>> BAIN OCCUPIED THE HOME IN THE 1930s AND BASED ON INFORMATION SHARED BY BAIN'S GRANDDAUGHTER AND HIS PERSONAL RESEARCH, AUDRIUS PLIOPLYS BELIEVED BAIN WAS VISITED BY CAPONE'S ORGANIZATION ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> AS THE DEPRESSION WAS SETTING IN, AND INVESTMENTS WERE GRADUALLY TANKING THE CAPONE ORGANIZATION DEMANDED THE MONEY TO BE TAKEN OUT.

AND HE HAD TO GUARANTEE IT BECAUSE HE WOULD HAVE PEOPLE COME AND TALK TO HIM IN GRAPHIC TERMS.

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE CHILDREN YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND HE HAD TO GIVE THE MONEY BACK TO THE CAPONE PEOPLE.

>> WHEN IT CAME TIME TO PAY AUDRIUS PLIOPLYS COULD ONLY THING OF ONE PLACE BAIN WOULD STASH ALL OF THE MONEY.

>> IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A CONVENIENT PLACE TO HIDE MONEY, WHAT ABOUT YOUR LIBRARY?

YOU COULD FINAL KNICKS AND CRANNIES BUT THERE'S NO CASH LYING AROUND BUT THEY HAVE A HIDDEN COMPARTMENT LIKELY THEY ARE HERE.

>> FROM THE LIGHT FIXTURES TO THE FIREPLACE AND THE GLASS AND THE DOUBLE DOORS, AUDRIUS PLIOPLYS MAINTAINED THE LIKERY.

BUT THE HOME WAS NOT ONTARIO R ONLY OCCUPIED BY BAIN IT WAS OWNED BY THE FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT OF GENERAL MOTORS OSCAR ARNOLD HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A LOT OF THE SIGN INCLUDING THE HANT PAINTED GARLANDS THAT AUDRIUS PLIOPLYS COMMISSIONED.

>> THEY ARE IDENTICAL MANUFACTURING.

WHAT I THINK HAPPENED IS THAT ARNOLD HE KNEW IT WAS BEING BUILT HE ORDERED THE SAME SUPPLIERS AND SAME MANUFACTURERS IN DETROIT PROVIDING FOR THE DODGE MANSION FOR THIS ONE.

>> THE HOME OFFERS A SAD REALITY FOR BLACK CHICAGOANS UP UNTIL THE 1960s.

>> IN 1928, AND ALL THE DOCUMENTS THE SAME COVENANT WOULD APPEAR THE HOUSE IS BEING SOLD WITH THE UNDERSTANDING IT IT WILL NEVER BE RESOLD TO ANYONE WHO IS AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

AND IT DOES HAVE AN EXCEPTION FOR HIRED HELP.

SO THAT RACISM IS INTO THE 60s IN THE COVENANTS ON THE OWNERSHIP.

>> AS FOR THE HETHERINGTON FAMILY'S DESIGN STILL TIM BLACKBURN SAYS THERE ARE LOTS OF DISTINCTIONS.

>> THE THREE GENERATIONS YOU KNOW, COVER WELL OVER EIGHT DECADES PROBABLY IF YOU INCLUDE THE THIRD GENERATION JACK HE LIVED KOS THROUGH CLOSE TO 2,000 AND IN THE 1920s AND 30s THEY FOCUSED ON THE RELIABLE STYLES GO TO TUDOR AND AMERICAN COLONIAL REVIVAL.

AND SO WHAT YOU HAVE BEHIND US, THE DRISCOLL GRAVER HOUSE IS A TUDOR REVIVAL HOUSE.

WHAT MAKES THEM ESPECIALLY UNIQUE IS THEIR SIZE.

WITH THIS ONE, THEY REALLY ARE BUILT FOR THEIR LOCATION.

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

>> AND THESE ARE ONE OF THE MANY STORIES THAT FOLK ALSO GET A CHANCE TO HEAR ABOUT DURING SUNDAY'S TOUR AT NOON.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HETHERINGTON'S AND THE RESIDENTS THAT OCCUPY THEM YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

>> WE WILL CHECK BACK IN WITH PARIS IN RIVER NORTH AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> HOW DO THE LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS FEEL ABOUT THE PROSPECTING OF A TEMPORARY CASINO RIGHT HERE MIND KNEE AT THE MEDINAH TEMPLE?

I SPOKE WITH THE CHAIR OF THE ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION SAM SANCHEZ WHO HAPPENS TO OWN BIG RESTAURANTS AND BARS IN RIVER NORTH AND HERE IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY?

>> WE'RE HOPING TO DRAW IN MORE TOURISTS.

NEW CASINO COMING IN, DEFINITELY GOING TO KEEP A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE CITY.

THEY WILL PLAY ENJOY THEIR RESTAURANT THEY LIKE.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO LOSE THEM TO DES PLAINES OR INDIANA WE WILL KEEP THEM HERE IT WILL BE GOOD FOR THE RESTAURANTS.

>> IS THERE A CHANCE IT COULD CANNIBALIZE RESTAURANTS?

>> NO, YOU KNOW THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE AND SO MUCH IN THE CITY IT'S SHARING.

EVERYBODY IS GOING TO COMPETE WITH THE BEST SERVICE AND QUALITY.

NO, PEOPLE WILL ENJOY FOOD AND COME AND ENJOY FOOD AT THE RESTAURANTS.

>> ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THE TRAFFIC?

A LOT OF FOLKS SAID IT CANNOT HANDLE THE TRAFFIC.

>> TRAFFIC EVERYDAY.

THERE'S TRAFFIC EVERYDAY.

I DRIVE IN AND OUT AND THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE.

CONGESTION, IT IS A CONGESTED CITY.

WE LIVE IN A CITY.

THE OWNER OF A [INAUDIBLE] WE'RE SUPPORTING THIS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT WILL GIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION FOR TRAUNTS AND EMPLOYMENT THERE IS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES.

AND NOT ONLY THAT THE CITY NEEDS FUNDING AND WE HAVE TO HAVE RESOURCES AND THE RESOURCES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS SO MUCH NEEDED WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH POLICE WE HAVE TO GET MORE HIRED.

THERE'S A PENSION BENEFIT.

I MEAN IT WILL HELP FILL THE VOID THAT WE'RE MISSING IN THE PENSIONS.

>> THAT MONEY BEING INTO THE PENSION SYSTEM.

YOU'VE TAKEN A POSITION NOT JUST SUPPORTING THE TEMPORARY BUT THE PERMANENT ONE, TOO, IN RIVER WEST?

>> THAT IS THE SPOT THEY PICKED IT'S UP TO THE CITY COUNCIL, 26 VOTES.

WE'RE HOPING THEY GET TOGETHER.

THERE IS A LOT QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MINORITY PARTICIPATION IS THERE AS THEY PROMISED.

THE SERVERS AT THE HOTELS AND UNIONS ARE HAPPY I KNOW THEY ARE HAPPY.

THERE WILL BE UNION JOBS AND A GOOD FUTURE WE'RE EXCITED WE'RE SUPPORTING AND PUSHING FOR THAT IS THE LOCATION THAT WAS CHOSEN AND THAT IS THE LOCATION WE WANT TO SUPPORT.

RIVER NORTH THERE'S BEEN ISSUES OF CRIME AND CARJACKINGS ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THE SUMMER MONTHS HERE AND WHETHER THE CITY HAS A PLAN TO KEEP IT SAFE?

>> HERE IS THE THING WITH THE CRIME GOING ON IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

IT'S GOING ON ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES.

OUR PROBLEM IS PROSECUTIONS.

YOU COULD PUT A THOUSAND MORE POLICE OFFICERS AND ELECT A NEW MAYOR BUT SHE IS NOT THE PROSECUTOR AND SHE IS NOT THE JUDGE.

I WOULD ASK THOSE QUESTIONS TO THE ATTORNEY KIM FOXX AND TIM EVANS.

THE REQUEST FROM THE MAYOR CAME VERY STRONG NO MORE ELECTRONIC MONITORS REPEAT VIOLENT OFFENDERS AND CARJACKERS.

YOU HAVE TO KEEP CRIMINALS IN PRISON IF THEY ARE DETAINEES NEED TO STAY IN PRISON IF THEY ARE DANGEROUS TO SOCIETY.

THERE IS NO SUCH THINGS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE THE SUPREME COURT RULED THAT IS NOT AN ABSOLUTE RIGHT.

>> FROM A RESTAURANT OWNER PERSPECTIVE THIS IS WHAT RESTAURANT OWNERS SEE AS THE BIG ISSUE?

>> THE CRIME IS AN ISSUE.

WE SAW IT LAST NIGHT.

WE SEE IT ON THE WEEKENDS.

WE SAW A SHOOTING WHERE A GUY PUNCHED ANOTHER GUY AND HE WAS SHOT FIVE TIMES AND HE WAS NOT CHARGED BECAUSE THEY CALL TO DO MUTUAL COMBAT.

THAT IS RIDICULOUS.

THERE IS A LAW ON THAT AND THAT IS NOT A FAIR FIGHT WHICH IS NOT WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE.

WE NEED TO PROSECUTE.

AND NOT ONLY PROSECUTE YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE GUNS OFF THE KIDS AND GIVE THEM TRADES.

I TALKED TO THE MONEY AND SHE SUPPORTS ME I AM ON A COMMITTEE.

I AM A CO-CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE.

WE TALKED TO THE REGARDING THE CITY COLLEGES.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A SCHOOL TO BRING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO LEARN TRADES.

THE ONLY WAY WE ARE GOING TO ELIMINATE CRIME IS CREATING JOBS AND SKILLS AND PUT IN THE FEAR WILL YOU GO TO SCRAL.

AND WE NEED A STRONG PROSECUTOR.

>> CRIME A PERSISTENT CONCERN IN RIVER NORTH AS IS THAT TEMPORARY CASINO AT MEDINAH TEMPLE.

AND WE WILL BE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP IN A BIT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, A PREVIEW OF SUNDAY'S LUNAR ECLIPSE.

FIRST A LOOK AT OTHER EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND.

[♪♪♪] >> A SHOW IS COMING TO CHICAGO NEXT WEEKEND ON THE EVENING OF SUNDAY MAY 15TH.

A LUNAR ECLIPSE WILL GRACE THE NIGHT'S SKIES.

JOE GUZMAN SAYS IT IS A GREAT REASON TO SPEND AN EVENING MOON GAZING.

>> HI I'M GUZ GLOBALIZATION THE CHICAGO ASTRONOMER AND WE ARE GOING TO DISCUSS THE UPCOMING, EXCITING TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE AND THIS PROMISES TO BE A GOOD ONE.

ON SUNDAY, EVENING MAY 15TH, AT 8:3 2:00 P.M. WE WILL WITNESS THE START.

IF WEATHER PERMITS.

THE LIGHT IS PART OF EARTH'S SHADOW LATIN FOR LIGHTER PART OF THE SHADOW WILL SLOWLY COVER THE LOWER LEFT HAND PORTION OF THE MOON.

SLIGHTLY DARKEN IT FROM THE REST.

MOST WON'T NOTICE THE SLIGHT SHADING.

LOOK FOR A SLIGHT DARKENING AT THIS LOWER LEFT HAND PART OF THE MOON.

AT 9:27, THE UMBRA STARTS TO STAKE A BITE OUT OF THE MOON AND HERE YOU CAN SEE THE CURVATURE OF THE EARTH AGAINST THE SURFACE OF THE MOON.

AT 11:11 THIS AS DARK AS THE LUNAR DISK WILL GET.

AND DUE TO THE FOREST FIRES OUT WEST WE MIGHT SEE THE DEEP HE HAVE REDMOON.

AND THE MOON SLOWLY STARTS TO EXIST OF EXIT REPEATING WHAT WE SAW AT THE FIRST BUT IN REVERSE.

AND 1:30 AM MONDAY MORNING IT'S OVER AND THE NEXT ONE WILL BE NOVEMBER 7TH OF THIS YEAR.

DASH THIS ONE IN -- CATCH THIS ONE IF YOU CAN.

IN THE MIDWEST WE GET A FRONT ROW SEAT.

TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE ARE SAFE TO OBSERVE ALL YOU NEED ARE YOUR EYES A CHAIR AND A BLANKET TO ENJOY.

BUT TO ENHANCE THE EXPERIENCE, GRAB A PAIR OF BINOCULARS AND FOLLOW ALONG.

THOSE WITH TELESCOPES SET THEM UP AND SHARE THE EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR FAMILY.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER, THAT THE SKIES ARE FREE AND SO ARE THE VIEWS.

I'M JOE GUZMAN THE CHICAGO ASTRONOMER.

>> GUZMAN AND HIS ORGANIZATION CHICAGO ASTRONOMER HOSTS FREE SKY GAZING EVENTS TO CONNECT THEM TO THE COSMOS.

YOU CAN FOLLOW HIM ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER AND YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND BEFORE WE GO TONIGHT WE'LL CHECK BACK IN WITH PARIS WHO SPENT THE DAY IN RIVER NORTH AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FROM YOUR TIME IN RIVER NORTH TODAY?

>> WELL, ON THE APPROVAL OF THIS MEDINAH TEMPLE TEMPORARY CASINO, THE RESIDENTS ARE THUMB'S DOWN AND BUSINESSES ARE THUMB'S UP.

ALTHOUGH WE DID SPEAK TO SOMEONE A SECOND AGO WHO IS FROM THE SUBURBS AND WORKS IN THE CITY AND SAYS IT IS A PERFECT LOCATION FOR THE CASINO.

IF YOU LIVE HERE NOT SO GREAT.

IF YOU DON'T LIVE AROUND HERE WHAT BETTER PLACE.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

>> THE CASINO HAS NOT BEEN A SUREFIRE BET FOR ANYONE THAT WE'VE HEARD FROM.

THANK YOU.

BEFORE WE GO, A CLARIFICATION ABOUT SOMETHING SAID IN YOUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS SEGMENT.

THE COMPANY SAFE SPEED HAS NOT BEEN CHARGED OR ACCUSED OF WRONG DOING AND THE COMPANY BLAMES A FORMER EMPLOYEE WITH THE CORRUPT ACTIVITY WITHOUT THE FIRM'S KNOWLEDGE.

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

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

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

>> AND MAKE SURE TO CATCH THE GREAT CHICAGO QUIZ SHOW WITH GEOFFREY BAER TONIGHT IN A FEW MINUTES.

OUR AMANDA VINICKY MAKES A GUEST APPEARANCE.

THAT IS COMING UP AT 8:00 P.M. FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

ENJOY THIS WONDERFUL EVENING WEATHER AND WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

[♪♪♪]