>>> BASE FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF.

HERE IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

AURORA MAYOR RICHARD DURBIN'S GIRLFRIEND WHO JUST GOT 10 GRAND IN TAXPAYER MONEY.

>>> WHY STATE LAWMAKERS ARE LIKELY TO MISS THEIR BUDGET DEADLINE.

>>> COLEMAN RESIDENTS PUSH FOR THE RESTORATION OF A 100-YEAR-OLD HOTEL ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

>>> A NEW WHITE HOUSE INITIATIVE TARGETS HOMELESSNESS IN FIVE URBAN AREAS, INCLUDING CHICAGO.

>>> A BIG SUMMER SHOW AT THE ART INSTITUTE FEATURES LANDSCAPES LIKE VINCENT VAN GOGH AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

>>> PARIS, AS YOU MENTIONED, I AM IN THE PULLMAN NEIGHBORHOOD AS PART OF OUR IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

PULLMAN RESIDENTS HAVE LONG MADE HISTORY FOR SHAPING NATIONAL LABOR POLICY.

OVER THE YEARS THE COMMUNITY HAS FOUGHT TO PRESERVE THIS.

WE WILL TELL YOU MORE ABOUT IT COMING UP.

FIRST, WE WILL SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>>> NOW TO OUR TOP STORY TONIGHT.

SWEETHEART DEALS AND PAY TO PLAY IN ILLINOIS'S SECOND LARGEST CITY.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE GOT TAXPAYER-FUNDED GRANTS.

THE OWNERS OF THESE COMPANIES ARE IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH OFFICIALS.

YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT RICHARD IRVIN RAN FOR GOVERNOR ON THE TICKET.

THERE IS A CONTINUED PATTERN OF CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY.

>> Reporter: THE FURNITURE STORE SITS IN ILLINOIS'S SECOND MOST POPULOUS CITY, AURORA.

CLARK HAS BEEN DESCRIBED BY MULTIPLE SOURCES AS THE MAYOR'S GIRLFRIEND.

LAST YEAR THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE AND AURORA BEACON NEWS SAID THAT IRVIN SHOWED UP WHEN SHE WAS ARRESTED AT A CANNABIS DISPENSARY AND SAID THE MATTER WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF.

LAST WEEK THE FURNITURE BUSINESS WAS TAKEN CARE OF TO THE TUNE OF $10,000 IN TAXPAYER GRANTS.

IT LAST WEEK CITY COUNCIL MEETING, IRVIN REFUSED A REQUEST TO INTERVIEW FROM WTTW NEWS , BUT HE MADE A POINTED STATEMENT.

>> THE COUNCIL IS INVOLVED WITH THE COMMITTEE ON MANY LEVELS.

WE HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH BUSINESS OWNERS.

ALTHOUGH WE MAY HAVE PROFESSIONAL OR PERSONAL CONNECTIONS, WE DO NOT VOTE ON THE PROCESS.

>> THEN IRVIN AND SEVERAL ALDERMEN RECUSE THEMSELVES FROM VOTING AND LEFT THE ROOM.

THE COUNCIL ALSO APPROVED AN ADDITIONAL $8100 TO AURORA BUSINESS CENTER ON TOP OF A $75,000 GRANT THAT THE COMPANY GOT LAST YEAR.

THE BUSINESS CENTER IS STEPS AWAY FROM AURORA CITY HALL AND IS CO-OWNED BY THE HUSBAND OF THE CITY'S $116,000 PER YOUR DIRECTOR OF CYBER TECHNOLOGY.

TWO OF THE OTHER MEN WHO CO-OWNED THE FIRM WERE THE SUBJECT OF AN INVESTIGATION.

THE TWO MEN ALSO HAD A CONSULTING COMPANY.

WHEN WTTW NEWS CALLED TO ASK IF EITHER WAS AVAILABLE, THE PERSON WHO ANSWERED THE PHONE SO THAT NEITHER WAS THERE AND DID NOT KNOW HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE MEN AND HUNG UP.

REACHED BY PHONE, THE HUSBAND OF THE TOP EMPLOYEE WOULD NOT COMMENT ON HIS BUSINESS PARTNERS OR WHETHER HIS WIFE'S JOB CREATES A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

>> THERE IS AN INSIDERS CLUB.

IF YOU ARE ON THE INSIDE THEN YOU ARE PART OF TEAM IRVIN, AND YOU ARE GOING TO GET MORE LUCRATIVE DEALS.

>> Reporter: JOHN LASH IS A REFORM ADVOCATE.

HE SAID WHILE HE WAS OUT CAMPAIGNING, THE BIGGEST CONCERN WAS RISING PROPERTY TAXES.

>> PEOPLE WHO DONATE ARE GETTING SWEETHEART DEALS.

THE REST OF AURORA IS PAYING FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: THESE INCLUDE CITY CONTRACTS, TAX INCENTIVES, LOANS AND FAVORABLE LEGISLATION GOING TO PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES THAT DONATE TO MAYOR RICHARD IRVIN AND HIS ALLIES.

IT IS A PATTERN THAT WTTW NEWS REPORTED ON LAST YEAR DURING HIS RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

LASH SAYS THAT HE PLANS TO PUSH FOR ETHIC REFORMS.

>> ANYBODY THAT WANTS INTO PUBLIC POCKETS, WE SHOULD NOT LET THOSE PEOPLE DONATE TO OUR PUBLIC OFFICIALS.

>> Reporter: BETWEEN JUNE AND APRIL OF LAST YEAR, A WTTW INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT MORE THAN $63,000 CAME FROM THOSE WITH TIES TO BUSINESS.

LASH AND OTHER CRITICS SAY THAT IT CAN ERODE PUBLIC TRUST.

OTHER STATES AND MUNICIPALITIES HAVE STRICTER GUARDRAILS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND NEARLY TWO DOZEN STATES PROHIBIT CORPORATIONS FROM GIVING DIRECTLY THE POLITICIANS, INCLUDING WISCONSIN, MICHIGAN AND IOWA.

>> IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO IS GIVEN GENEROUS CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

>> Reporter: BROWN HAS BEEN DIGGING INTO CITY COUNCIL DEALS .

SHE SAYS THAT GIVING $10,000 IS UNUSUALLY BOLD BUT STILL PART OF A PATTERN.

SHE HOPES THAT SHINING LIGHT ON THIS WILL CUT DOWN ON CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE COME OUT IN NUMBERS AND START TO PARTICIPATE AND GET ENGAGED WITH POLICY AND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR CITY.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM IN BLUMBERG.

>> WTTW WAS UNABLE TO REACH CLARK FOR COMMENT.

WE ALSO HAVE MUCH MORE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDING FROM THE CEO OF A COMPANY THAT IRVIN HATED.

>>> NOW TO MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

THE FORMER CLERK OF THE COUNTY WAS FOUND DEAD AT HIS OFFICE THIS MORNING.

THEY SAY THAT THOMAS HARTWELL WAS FOUND UNRESPONSIVE POLICE CONDUCTING A WELLNESS CHECK.

THE IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS NOT RELEASED.

SHERIFFS WERE CALLED TO HIS OFFICE AFTER HIS FAMILY REPORTED HIM MISSING.

HE WAS REPORTEDLY INDICTED ON FELONY THEFT AND HAS BEEN UNDER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SINCE 2021.

>>> AN EX-VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPERVISOR HAS PLED GUILTY TO AN ILLEGAL KICKBACK SCHEME.

THOMAS DUNCAN IS A FORMER SUPERVISOR AT THE VA IN CHICAGO.

HE ACCEPTED KICKBACKS FROM A MEDICAL SUPPLY COMPANY IN EXCHANGE FOR APPROVING PAYMENT FOR PRODUCTS THE HOSPITAL NEVER RECEIVED.

HE WORKED IN THE CENTRAL SUPPLY DEPARTMENT AT THE VA WHICH OVERSAW INVENTORY AND PURCHASING IN THE DEPARTMENT.

>>> DUNCAN AND DANIEL DINGELL BOTH PLED GUILTY AND FACE DECADES IN PRISON.

>>> 13 MINORITY-OWNED FIRMS HAVE SUED THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ALLEGING THAT THE STATE HAS NOT ENFORCED LAWS THAT ALLOW THEIR DISTRIBUTION COMPANY TO OPERATE.

THEY SAY THEY ARE TAKING AWAY FROM FIRMS THAT DO HAVE THE LICENSE.

>> THEY ARE ALLOWED TO TRANSPORT THEIR OWN GOODS.

THEY WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE TRANSPORTING THEIR OWN GOODS.

>> FORMER CHICAGO REAL ESTATE MAGNATE HAS DIED.

HE WAS CHAIRMAN UNTIL 2012.

HIS TENURE WAS MARKED BY CONTROVERSY AND A BANKRUPTCY FILING.

HE WAS ALSO A BILLIONAIRE REAL ESTATE TYCOON.

HE WAS A CHICAGO NATIVE WHO GREW UP IN ALBANY PARK AND HIS CAUSE OF DEATH WAS UNKNOWN.

HE WAS 81 YEARS OLD.

>>> UP NEXT, WILL LAWMAKERS MEET THEIR BUDGET DEADLINE?

WE WILL HAVE THE LATEST FROM SPRINGFIELD AFTER THIS.

TOMORR LAST DAY THAT THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE MEETS, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE LAWMAKERS WILL NOT MEET THAT DEADLINE.

AMANDA JOINS US NOW FROM THE CAPITAL WITH THE LATEST.

WILL THEY BE THERE OVER THE WEEKEND?

>> Reporter: PARIS, WE DON'T KNOW ONE TIMING, BUT TO BE CLEAR, THE DEADLINE WAS SELF-IMPOSED.

THERE ARE NO MAJOR CONSEQUENCES AS LONG AS THE SPENDING PLAN IS SETTLED BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.

AMONG THE ISSUES TO BE FIGURED OUT IS HOW TO EXPAND THE STATE HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES COVERAGE FOR NON-CITIZEN RESIDENTS AND ALSO HOW MUCH DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS ARE REIMBURSED AND WHETHER ILLINOIS WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE TAX CREDITS TO DONORS WHO ALLOW LOW INCOME STUDENTS TO ATTEND PRIVATE SCHOOL.

>> ANY INSIGHT AS TO WHEN A DEAL ON THIS WILL BE REACHED?

THERE IS NOT MUCH TO THE TIMING OF THE SELF-IMPOSED DEADLINE.

>> PARIS, WE ARE TOLD THAT THERE ARE BROAD PARAMETERS ON THE SPENDING PROGRAM.

SOMETHING LIKE THE HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM IS A BIG NUMBER.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECALL THAT THIS IS A SUPER MAJORITY AND THEY CAN PASS A BUDGET WITHOUT A SINGLE REPUBLICAN VOTE.

UNLIKE THE YEARS WHEN YOU HAD A REPUBLICAN CONTROL AND DEMOCRATS IN CONTROL OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE HERE.

THE QUESTION IS WHEN THE BUDGET WILL BE PASSED AND WHAT WILL BE IN IT.

>> SO HERE IS ANOTHER THORNY ISSUE THAT THEY HAVE.

THEY HAVE TO APPROVE THE NEW SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT.

THEY DREW A MAP.

WHERE IS THIS PROCESS AT?

>> THERE HAS BEEN WIDESPREAD CRITICISM OF THE INITIAL ATTEMPT AT DRAWING THE DISTRICT FOR THE CHICAGO ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.

LATE LAST NIGHT DEMOCRATS UNVEILED A NEW SECOND DRAFT VERSION.

AS WE SPEAK, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ABLE TO WEIGH IN ON WHAT THEY THINK OF IT AT A HEARING THAT IS OCCURRING VIRTUALLY.

LAWMAKERS SAY THAT THIS IS REPRESENTATIVE AND IT FOLLOWS ZONING LAW REQUIREMENTS AND WILL EMPOWER FAMILIES TO ELECT SCHOOL LEADERS WHO UNDERSTAND THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THE EARLY FEEDBACK FROM GROUPS ON THE SECOND DRAFT, INCLUDING RAISE YOUR HAND, IS THAT IT STILL DOES NOT CHANGE ENOUGH AND THAT IT IS GOING TO TOO MUCH TROUBLE FOR BLACK AND LATINO FAMILIES WHO LIVE ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO.

>> SO WHAT MEASURES ARE MOVING QUICKLY?

>> SO PARIS, THERE IS A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY, AS YOU WOULD EXPECT, BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE IS SET TO LEAVE.

ONE MEASURE WOULD ALLOW RECIPIENTS, OR DREAMERS, TO BECOME POLICE OFFICERS.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME CONCERN OVER HOW A NONCITIZEN WOULD UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION.

>> AS A PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTER THAT HAS WORKED TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION, I FIND THIS DISTURBING.

I FIND IT DISTASTEFUL.

>> THERE ARE ALSO MEASURES MAKING THEIR WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

J.B. PRITZKER SAYS THAT HE WILL FIND A WAY TO MOVE FORWARD MEASURES AGAINST GUN MANUFACTURERS.

>> ONE OF THE GOALS OF THIS IS TO PREVENT MARKETING FOR CHILDREN.

IF YOU THINK IT IS FAR-FETCHED, I AM LOOKING AT AN AD WITH CARTOON CHARACTERS MARKETING THE JR-15 RIFLE, WHICH LOOKS LIKE AN AR-15.

>> Reporter: AS YOU CAN SEE, THEY ARE STILL AT IT FOR HOURS INTO THIS EVENING.

AND WE ARE SENDING THEM BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>>> NEXT WE GO TO PULLMAN AND THE RENOVATION OF A HISTORIC HOTEL.

STAY WITH US.

THERE IS VICTORIAN-STYLE HOTEL HERE IN CHICAGO.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ SPENT TIME ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE IN THE PULLMAN COMMUNITY, WHICH INCLUDES THE PULLMAN NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK.

IT IS WHERE SOME RESIDENTS HOPE THAT A BILL WILL HELP TO REVIVE THE HOTEL.

JOANNA JOINS US FROM OUTSIDE THE HOTEL.

JOANNA?

>> Reporter: PARIS, I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT THE HOTEL IS BREATHTAKING.

IT WAS BUILT MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO.

THE ARCHITECTURE IS QUITE BEAUTIFUL.

IN 1881 IT WAS A LUXURIOUS HOTEL WHERE FANCY PARTIES TO PLACE AND CELEBRITIES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD STATE.

THE HOTEL HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR YEARS BUT COMMUNITY MEMBERS HOPE TO BRING THE HOTEL BACK TO LIFE.

>> I USED TO DO SHOESHINE AT THE BAR.

I GOT $.15 A SHINE.

THE CUSTOMERS USED TO GIVE ME A TIP AND THEY USED TO BUY ME A GLASS OF ROOT BEER POP AND POTATO CHIPS.

>> Reporter: IF THE WALLS COULD TALK, IT IS WHAT THE 87-YEAR-OLD SAYS ABOUT THE HISTORIC HOTEL.

>> I USED TO WALK AROUND ON THE ROOF.

I USED TO COME DOWN THE FIRE ESCAPE.

>> Reporter: THE LIFELONG PULLMAN RESIDENT GREW UP IN A HOTEL.

IN THE 1940s HIS BROTHER WAS THE HEAD HOUSEKEEPER.

>> HER NAME IS ELENA RODRIGUEZ.

>> Reporter: DECADES LATER, HE HOLDS ONTO THE HOPE OF WATCHING ONCE AGAIN.

>> I HOPE THAT THE HOTEL CAN BRING BACK WHAT IT HAD BEFORE.

>> Reporter: JULIAN JACKSON IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE COLEMAN FOUNDATION.

HE SAYS THAT THE BILL OPENS THE DOOR FOR A PRIVATE CONTRACTOR TO BE IN CHARGE OF THE REDEVELOPMENT OPERATION.

>> THIS IDEA OF PARTNERING TOGETHER TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN, TO BRAINSTORM ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO MAKE A COMMUNITY, IS WHAT PULLMAN IS ALL ABOUT.

I AM EXCITED TO SEE THE NEXT STEP OF THE HOTEL FLORENCE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS PARTNERSHIP.

>> Reporter: CURRENTLY THE PROPERTY IS OWNED BY THE STATE, BUT BEFORE THAT, THE PULLMAN FOUNDATION BOUGHT IN THE 70s TO SAVE IT FROM BEING DEMOLISHED.

IT IS NOW PART OF THE PULLMAN NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK.

YOU CAN FIND DOZENS OF TREASURES FROM THE HOTEL.

>> IS THERE ONE THAT IS YOUR FAVORITE?

>> I THINK THAT THE HOTEL SIGN IS PROBABLY MY FAVORITE.

WHEN WE FOUND THAT IT STILL LIVES UP AND THE ELECTRONICS WORKED IN IT, I GAVE A LITTLE JUMP!

>> Reporter: THE HOTEL IS PART OF A LARGER VISION SPEARHEADED BY A BUSINESSMAN, GEORGE PULLMAN.

>> THERE IS THIS EXAMPLE OF AMAZING ELEGANCE.

HE WANTED THE BEST OF EVERYTHING IN HIS RAILCARS.

THAT EXTENDED TO THE HOTEL FLOORING.

>> IF WE TALK ABOUT PULLMAN BEING HISTORIC, WE ALSO HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE HISTORIC VALUE OF -- >> Reporter: ROSELAND IS PUSHING TO BE PART OF THE CHANGE.

>> WHAT WOULD BE A CHANGE IS OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL BE CREATED.

>> Reporter: MUCH OF PULLMAN IS CONSIDERED HISTORIC.

>> I WENT THROUGH EVERY INCH OF THIS TOWN.

I WAS HOPING FOR HIDDEN TREASURE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE NEVER FOUND THE TREASURE, BUT THE REAL TREASURE WAS TO SEE THIS GEM TRANSFORMED INTO A FUNCTIONING HOTEL.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SEEING IT, PEOPLE CAN HEAR ABOUT THE UNION MOVEMENTS AND CHECK OUT THE NATIONAL PARK ARE THE BEST PART IS YOU CAN TAKE THE METRO THAT LEAVES YOU RIGHT HERE.

REPORTING LIVE FROM PULLMAN, JOANNA HERNANDEZ, BACK TO YOU.

>>> CHICAGO IS ONE OF FIVE URBAN CENTERS THAT WILL GET HELP FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS .

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

HEATHER, CHICAGO AND FIVE OTHER CITIES ARE GETTING THIS FEDERAL .

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE CITY?

>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS PLANNED TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS BY 25% BY 2025.

CHICAGO ALONG WITH DALLAS, LOS ANGELES, SEATTLE, THE PHOENIX METRO AREA AND THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA OUTSIDE LOS ANGELES WILL GET HELP WITH DEDICATED FEDERAL OFFICIALS IN EACH AREA FOCUSED ON SORT OF PULLING TOGETHER RESOURCES AND ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM.

>> IT IS NO SURPRISE THAT CHICAGO WOULD BE CHOSEN, BUT WHY SPECIFICALLY WASN'T CHOSEN?

>> THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THEIR GOALS ARE ALIGNED.

BIDEN IS RUNNING FOR A SECOND TERM AS PRESIDENT.

HE WILL ACCEPT THE PARTY NOMINATION IN CHICAGO.

SO IT BENEFITS EVERYBODY TO HAVE THE FEWEST AMOUNT OF UNSHELTERED CHICAGOANS ON CITY STREETS.

>> AND THE NEW MAYOR HAS DEPUTY DEVOTED TO THIS.

HERE IS THE NEW DEPUTY MAYOR JENNIFER JOHNSON MAKING THE CASE FOR THE CITY PLAN TO FOCUS ON THOSE WHO SHELTER ON CTA TRAINS.

>> UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS SPECIFICALLY AFFECTS BLACK RESIDENTS IN CHICAGO.

MANY OF THESE RESIDENTS HAVE COMPLEX NEEDS BASED ON ONGOING STRUGGLES WITH CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS, MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

THESE COMPLEX NEEDS OBVIOUSLY ENGAGE AND INTERACT WITH THEIR TRANSIENT NATURE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO REACH THIS VULNERABLE POPULATION.

>> 65,000 UNHOUSED IN CHICAGO.

>> THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE PEOPLE SEEKING SHELTER ON THE STREETS BECAME MORE VISIBLE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WHEN RIDERSHIP DROPPED ON CTA.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST AT RISK OF SUFFERING ILLNESSES.

THAT IS WHY THE CITY IS FOCUSED ON THEM.

HOWEVER, THESE PROGRAMS WILL ALSO TARGET VETERANS WHO ARE RETURNING TO CHICAGO AS WELL AS THOSE LEAVING PRISON, JAIL AND THOSE SEEKING SHELTER UNDER OVERPASSES.

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

>>> UP NEXT, INSIDE THE ART INSTITUTE'S BLOCKBUSTER SUMMER EXHIBIT.

>>> THIS YEAR THE FOCUS IS ON VINCENT VAN GOGH AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

CHICAGO TONIGHT WANTED TO GET A PREVIEW OF VAN GOGH ON THE GO.

>> THE STAR ATTRACTION HERE IS VINCENT VAN GOGH, AND HE HAS A STELLAR SUPPORTING CAST, INCLUDING PAINTERS GEORGE SIROTA, AND NEIL BERNARD , AND LOTS OF LANDSCAPES FROM THE SUBURBS OF PARIS IN THE 19th CENTURY.

IT IS CALLED VAN GOGH AND THE AVANT-GARDE, THE MODERN LANDSCAPE.

WE TOURED THE EXHIBITION WITH ONE OF THE CURATORS.

>> THE MONTHS THAT HE SPENT IN THE NORTHWESTERN SUBURBS OF PARIS IS IN MANY WAYS THE MISSING LINK IN HIS ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT.

IT WAS ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF PARIS WHERE THERE WAS THE MOMENT OF LEISURE AND THAT HE LEARNED TO SEE COLOR BY ENGAGING WITH THESE ARTISTS.

>> THERE WERE FACTORIES, TRAINS, BRIDGES AND BOATS.

EVEN A FAIRGROUND.

>> LOOKING AT THE CHANGES OF PARIS THROUGH THE MODERNIZATION OF THE CITY MAKE IT WHAT WE KNOW TODAY.

WE HAD PEOPLE WHO WERE MOVING TO THE SUBURBS BECAUSE THEY COULD NO LONGER AFFORD TO LIVE IN PARIS AND THEY WERE COMMITTING WITH THE TRAIN.

WE HAD DAYTRIPPERS GOING OUT AND SELLING ON THE PROMENADE, AND PICNICKING.

>> THE RAT, THE MOST FAMOUS EXAMPLE IS PICNICKING ON THE PROMENADE, BY SURAT .

THERE ARE SIMILAR CANVASES FROM OTHER PAINTERS.

>> THIS EXHIBITION COULD NOT HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITHOUT MUTUAL INFLUENCE BY THESE ARTISTS.

WE KNOW THAT SOME OF THEM PAINTED ALONGSIDE EACH OTHER AND OTHERS WERE SIMPLY IN COMMUNICATION, VISITING EACH OTHER STUDIOS.

I THINK THIS EXHIBITION DEMONSTRATES THE POWER OF CREATIVE EXCHANGE, TO REALLY EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF PAINTING.

THEY ARE TAKING PAINTING BEYOND WHAT IMPRESSIONISTS HAVE ALREADY DONE.

THEY ARE SEEKING TO CREATE A VERY METHODICAL APPROACH TO PAINTING AS OPPOSED TO THE FLEETING IMPRESSION THAT THEY ARE CALLING FOR.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, THIS IS MARK VITELLI.

>> THIS WAS COORDINATOR BY THE VAN GOGH MUSEUM IN AMSTERDAM.

IT IS CALLED VAN GOGH AND THE AVANT-GARDE, A MODERN LANDSCAPE.

THIS RUNS ALL SUMMER THROUGH SEPTEMBER 4th.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU ALL FOR WATCHING AND ENJOY THIS WONDERFUL EVENING.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A. CLIFFORD AND THE CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES , A PROUD SPONSOR OF DIVERSITY,