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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ IN OUR OUR NORTHWEST SIDE STUDIO.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN REPORTING LIVE IN CHICAGO'S HUMBOLDT PARK COMMUNITY.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> I ASKED TEENS TO PUT DOWN YOUR GUNS AND PICK UP A BASKETBALL.

>> THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT HAS A NEW C.E.O.

HOW ROSA ESCARENO PLANS TO CURB THE WAVE OF VIOLENCE AMONG TEENS.

>> THE CITY HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT HOW ONE OPENING CAN BENEFIT NORTHWEST SIDE RESIDENTS AND BEYOND.

>> BETTER PRICING WE GO TO THE MARKET EVERYDAY AND BUY ALL FRESH PRODUCE.

>> A HUMBOLDT PARK GROCER IS MOVING INTO A BIGGER BUILDING TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS.

WE HAVE A LIVE REPORT FROM THE AREA.

>> A FORMER COOK COUNTY JAIL WARDEN GIVES HER THOUGHTS ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM IN AMERICA.

>> AN EFFORT IS UNDERWAY TO CONSERVE 30% OF ILLINOIS' LAND AND WATER RESOURCES BY 2030.

A LIBRARY IN GARFIELD PARK WITH ARTWORK GETS NEW WORK FROM THE ARTISTS AND RESIDENTS.

>> AND PARIS AS WE MENTIONED I AM LIVE IN CHICAGO'S HUMBOLDT PARK NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE I WILL BE COANCHORING AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

ARTISTS HAVE BEEN PAINTING SIDEWALK MURALS IN THIS LATINO COMMUNITY.

PUERTO RICAN TO BE EXACT I'M STANDING ON ONE OF THE MURALS INTENDING TO BRING MORE FOOT TRAFFIC INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE FACE OF GENTRIFICATION.

AND A LOCAL HOSPITAL IS EXPANDING TO IMPROVE WELLNESS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE WILL HAVE ALL OF THAT AND MUCH MORE COMING UP.

FOR NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NOW A LOOK AT TOP STORIES ...

THE CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY IS INVESTIGATING A SHOOTING LATE LAST NIGHT ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE THAT HAS A 13-YEAR-OLD BOY IN THE HOSPITAL IN SERIOUS CONDITION.

POLICE SAY OFFICERS WERE TRYING TO STOP A CAR REPORTED AS CARJACKED.

AFTER THE BOY RAN FROM THE CAR AN OFFICER CHASED AND SHOT HIM.

CHRIS POLICE SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN SAYS MORE DETAILS WILL COME.

HE CANNOT SAY EXACTLY WHERE THE BOY WAS SHOT.

HE WARNED NOT TO MAKE GENERALIZATIONS.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF EVIDENCE AND A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO COME TO CONCLUSIONS IS NOT FAIR TO ANY OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED BECAUSE YOU MIGHT JUMP TO A CONCLUSION THAT IS IT WRONG.

THAT IS WRONG.

>> AND BROWN IS NOT SHARING DETAILS ABOUT THE OFFICER.

ACCORDING TO EVIDENCE THE YOUNG MAN WAS INVOLVED IN A PAIR OF CARJACKINGS.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT AND COPA ABOUT THE CASE.

ACTIVISTS SAY IT IS ANOTHER INSTANCE OF POLICE TERROR AND THEY A PROTEST TOMORROW.

THE FULL STORY IS ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> GAS STATION OWNERS SAYS IT'S ILLEGAL TO FORCE SIGNS ABOUT A TEMPORARY GAS TAX-FREE AND NOW THEY ARE SUING OVER IT.

THE ASSOCIATION THAT REPRESENTS GAS STATIONS AND CONVENIENCE STORES FILED A LAWSUIT IN CIRCUIT COURT.

THE TAX WAS SET TO INCREASE IN JULY.

INSTEAD THE INCREASE WILL COME IN JANUARY AFTER THE ELECTIONS.

THE LAW REQUIRES STATIONS POST THE INFORMATION AT GAS PUMPS OR RISK FINES OF $500 PER VIOLATION.

>> ILLINOIS HAS NOT LOST RESIDENTS AFTER ALL.

FOR THE FIRST TIME THE STATE IS HOME TO MORE THAN 13 MILLION PEOPLE.

THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU IS OUT WITH A REVIEW OF THE 2020 CENSUS AND FOUND THAT IT UNDER COUNTED THE POPULATIONS OF SIX STATES INCLUDING ILLINOIS.

ORIGINALLY, THE CENSUS PEGGED ILLINOIS AS ONE OF THREE STATES THAT LOST POPULATION.

BUT THE UPDATE MEANS THE STATE GAINED A QUARTER OF A MILLION PEOPLE.

THAT IS NOT, HOWEVER, ENOUGH TO REVERSE ILLINOIS' LOSS OF A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT.

>> AND UP NEXT, BRANDIS JOINS US FROM HUMBOLDT PARK.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY DRN MORE CHICAGO RESIDENTS ARE FIND THEMSELVES DINING AROUND THE CITY.

ONE NEIGHBORHOOD DINERS WILL BE SURROUNDED BY LOCAL ART PAINTED TO MAKE THE AREA MORE INVITING.

IT'S HUMBOLDT PARK.

POPULATION 54,000.

ON THE CITY'S WEST SIDE.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN SPENT THE DAY THERE AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

AND BRANDIS JOINS US NOW.

BRANDIS.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE STANDING AT ONE OF MANY PARTS OF HUMBOLDT PARK THAT REMINDS YOU HOW DEEP THE ROOTS OF PUERTO RICO ARE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

ANOTHER, OF COURSE, ARE THE FAMOUS STEEL FLAGS, PASEO BORICUA EVERYBODY HAS SEEN THOSE AND MAINTAINING THAT CULTURE IS SOMETHING THAT ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN WORKING TO MAINTAIN AS YOU WERE WALKING DOWN DIVISION STREET IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, PEDESTRIANS WILL PASS NINE OF THESE SIDEWALK MURALS PAINTED BY LOCAL ARTISTS.

THE IDEA IS TO CREATE PUBLIC ART AND WITH PUERTO RICAN ART AS GENTRIFICATION CREEPS IN.

ARTIST CRISTIAN ROLDAN LED THOSE EFFORTS RECRUITING ARTISTS AFTER LIVING IN HUMBOLDT PARK FOR SEVEN YEARS HE HAS NOTICED CHANGES IN SOCIAL NORMS.

>> RECENTLY, IT'S LIKE PEOPLE USED TO GO TO THE PARK PLAY MUSIC IN THEIR CARS PUT THEIR SPEAKERS OUT.

NOW YOU HAVE SIGNS THIS YEAR THAT SAYS LIKE NO, SPEAKER MUSIC, NO LOUD MUSIC.

PART OF LIKE THE CHANGES LIKE PEOPLE LIKE BEHAVE IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKEN JOY THEMSELVES.

THINGS THAT WE'RE USED TO DO AND TO RELAX, NOW THEY ARE FORBIDDEN.

>> AND FOR THOSE SIDEWALK MURALS PARTNERED WITH THE INITIATIVE TO CREATE INVITING SPACES FOR OUTDOOR DINING, CRISTIAN ROLDAN DESCRIBES THEM AS RUGS THAT INVITE YOU IN THE HOME.

>> THE DIFFERENT MULTIPLICITY OF OPINIONS OF WAY OF LOOKING AT THE ARTWORK, THAT'S WHY IT'S -- HOW IS HOW IT BECOMES PART OF THE ESTHETICS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC ARTWORK I THINK IS THAT FOR THOSE DIFFERENT IDEAS IT BUILDS DIALOGUE, IT BUILDS CONVERSATIONS.

>> ANOTHER CHANGE IS A LACK OF ACCESS TO QUALITY FOODS.

HUMBOLDT PARK IS A FOOD DESERT.

WE WILL TALK TO THE ALDERMAN LATER ON.

FOR EXAMPLE THERE'S A FORMER CVS PHARMACY AT DIVISION AND GRAND EMPTY FOR 12 YEARS BEFORE IT WAS A CVS IT WAS A JEWEL GROCERY STORE AND THAT STORE LEFT.

SO TODAY IT IS THE FUTURE HOME OF CENTRAL PARK FOODS A GROCERY STORE EXPANDING FROM A SMALLER LOCATION ACROSS THE STREET.

THERE SHOPPERS CAN ACCESS FRESH PRODUCE BUT THE OWNER SAYS IT IS TOO SMALL AND TIME TO MOVE UP TO A BIGGER LOCATION.

>> MY VISION IS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY BETTER BECAUSE I START MY BECAUSE IN THE EARLY 80s AND THE STORE THAT I AM AT NOW IS REALLY SMALL AND I CANNOT REALLY SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND GIVE THEM WHAT THEY NEED.

MY DREAM WAS TO COME HERE TO A BIGGER STORE AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND SAY THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY FOR ALL THE SUPPORT THEY GIVE ME ALL THESE YEARS.

>> ARE THAT IS A DREAM THAT STARTED IN THE 80s WHEN HE OPENED THAT SMALL SHOP HIS FIRST GROCERY STORE IN CHICAGO.

HE STARTED IT KNOWING NOTHING ABOUT RUNNING A GROCERY STORE BUT TODAY HE OWN 10 STORES IN CHICAGO AND HIS SON OWNS FIVE.

SURMAC FRESH MARKET.

HE IS INVESTING $7 MILLION INTO THE 35,000 SQUARE-FOOT LOCATION AND HOPES TO OPEN AS A FULL STORE IN THE FALL.

ANOTHER CHANGE IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD HAS BEEN THE AREA HOSPITAL.

YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THAT EARLY LAST YEAR, NORWEGIAN AMERICAN HOSPITAL CHANGED ITS NAME TO HUMBOLDT PARK HEALTH.

THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER SAYS IT WAS IN RESPONSE TO BEHALFING WAS HAPPENING.

THE NAME REFLECTS THE COMMUNITY, HUM AND THE GOALS OF THE HOSPITAL.

HOSPITAL.

THE HOSPITAL SAYS IT TREATS A GREAT DEAL OF CHRONIC ILLNESSES FROM DIABETES TO HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND ALSO A LARGE NUMBER OF PATIENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS AS WELL AS A YOUNGER AND LGBTQ POPULATION.

>> 34% OF OUR HEALTH I WOULD SAY 10% OF THE HEALTH OUTCOMES ARE IMPACTED BY WHAT WE COINCIDE THE HOSPITAL.

IT'S IMPERATIVE FOR US TO ADDRESS THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH.

>> TO THAT END, THE HOSPITAL IS PLANNING TO BREAK GROUND ON A BRAND NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART WELLNESS CENTER ON DIVISION BETWEEN RICHMOND AND SACRAMENTO.

IT WILL INCLUDE A WALKING TRACK, A POOL AND SPACES FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY, COMMUNITY GATHERINGS AMONG OTHER THINGS.

>> IT IS A LANDMARK RULING WE ANTICIPATE IT TO BE THAT WILL CHANGE THE WHOLE MAKEUP OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

TO SAY YES, HUMBOLDT PARK CAN HAVE A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING THAT WILL ADVANCE HEALTH IN HUMBOLDT PARK.

>> NOW, THE Dr. SAYS THAT IS JUST ONE PHASE OF THE BROADER WELLNESS DISTRICT PLAN.

THEY HOPE THEIR SECOND PHASE WILL INCLUDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ALSO A SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH THAT IS PHASE TWO.

COMING UP WE WILL HEAR FROM ALDERMAN ROBERTO MALDONADO AS WELL AS ANOTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS WHO KNOWS THE AREA VERY WELL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE NEW C.E.O.

AND GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT IS NO STRANGER TO CITY GOVERNMENT.

ROSA ESCARENO POSTPONED HER RETIREMENT WITH THE CITY LEADING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION.

ROSA ESCARENO IS REPLACING MIKE KELLY WHO WAS FIRED FROM THE ROLE FROM MISHANDLING COMPLAINTS FROM GIRL WILL AND YOUNG WOMEN WHO SAY THEY ARE ABUSED AND ASSAULTED WHILE WORKING AT CHICAGO'S BEACHES AND POOLS.

ROSA ESCARENO IS TASKED WITH RESTORING TRUST IN THE PARK DISTRICT AND PROVIDING SAFE SPACES FOR CHICAGO YOUTH AS MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SEEKS TO MOVE THE WEEKEND CURFEW.

AND JOINING US NOW IS ROSA ESCARENO.

COMMISSIONER OUR SUPERINTENDENT, I SHOULD SAY WELCOME BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

WE MENTIONED YOU'VE HAD A LONG CAREER WITH THE CITY.

WHY COME OUT OF RETIREMENT TO TAKE THIS VERY BIG JOB?

>> I'VE BEEN A PUBLIC SERVANT ALL MY CAREER.

IT IS SUCH A WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION AND I WAS ASKED TO COME IN AND HELP IT WAS SOMETHING THAT TOUCHED MY HEART BECAUSE I AM PARK KID AND -- IT'S JUST IN MY BLOOD.

>> AND YOU HAVE WORK CUT OUT FOR YOU.

MONDAY YOU WERE WITH THE MAYOR WHEN SHE ANNOUNCED THE CURFEW AT 10:00 P.M. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT MOVE TO HELP PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE CITY?

>> WELL, I THINK THE GOAL IS TO HELP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE AND ENGAGED.

AND THAT IS THE PRIORITY.

FROM THE PARK'S PERSPECTIVE WE ARE OBVIOUSLY IN THE BUSINESS OF RECREATION AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE STRONG RECREATION PROGRAMS IN EVERY COMMUNITY.

AND IN OUR PARKS EVERY SINGLE DAY.

SO WE WANT TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

>> AND SPECIFICALLY WITH MILLENNIUM PARK THE MAYOR SAYING SHE DOESN'T WANT UNACCOMPANIED MINORS ON WEEKEND EVENING HOURS.

IS THAT THE RIGHT MOVE GIVEN WEATHER APPED IN MILLENNIUM PARK -- GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED IN MILLENNIUM PARK?

>> THE GOAL IS ABOUT SAFETY AND PUTTING KIDS AND FAMILIES THEIR SAFETY IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR ALL OF US.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT KIDS ARE WELCOME THROUGH OUR ENTIRE CITY.

THROUGHOUT ALL OF OUR PARKS AND THE CITY.

I THINK THAT YOU KNOW IT IS A CONCERN HERE ABOUT MAKING SURE HAT WHEN KIDS ARE CONGREGATING IN SPECIFIC AREAS, MILLENNIUM PARK HAS BEEN AN AREA OF ATTRACTION FOR OUR YOUTH AND OTHER VISITORS AND WE JUST WORRY ABOUT SAFETY AND MAKING SURE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING TO KEEP OUR FAMILIES SAFE.

I WAS GOING TO SAY I THINK THIS IS A MEASURE THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED TO DO THAT.

BUT WE HAVE THE ENTIRE CITY THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE WELCOME TO BE THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND AGAIN, WE EMBRACE THEM IN HEALTHY AND SAFE ENVIRONMENTS.

>> TELL US THE PROGRAMS THAT THE PARKS DO PROVIDE FOR YOUTH ESPECIALLY DURING EVENING HOURS OR WEEKEND HOURS WHEN YOU SEE THOSE VIOLENCE RATES TICK UP?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I SAID WE ARE THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND IT'S BEEN SAID THAT IT'S FUN DEPARTMENT BUT WE HELP THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGHOUT OUR 250 PARKS FIELD HOUSES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

AND THE SUMMER A VERY IMPORTANT TIME FOR US.

AND SO WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF LESION, SOCCER LEAGUES, BASEBALL LEAGUES, BASKETBALL LEAGUES.

WE HAVE A STRONG GYMNASTICS PROGRAM.

WE HAVE SWIMMING PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE CITY ALL YEAR LONG.

AS WE GO INTO THE SUMMER WE HAVE SPECIFIC TEAM PROGRAMS THAT WE ARE LAUNCHING.

TO INSURE THAT OUR TEENS ARE ENGAGED.

BUT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF SUMMER IN THE PARK IS OUR EMPLOYMENT.

WE HIRE ABOUT 2100 YOUNG PEOPLE OF ALL KINDS OF JOBS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE BEING ENGAGED AND THAT WE'RE KEEPING THEM BUSY AND PREPARING THEM FOR THEIR FUTURE AND A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE.

AND I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE MANY YOUNG ADULTS INCLUDING MYSELF, THEY WERE [INAUDIBLE] AND MANY STARTED AS SUMMER WORKERS AND ARE CURRENTLY THE ONES RUNNING OUR PARKS.

WE ARE DOING A LOT AND WE WANT KIDS TO KNOW THERE IS A LOT FOR THEM TO DO THIS SUMMER AT THE PARK.

>> THE PARK SYSTEM IS SO IMPORTANT TO SO MANY PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN CHICAGO.

YOU TAKEOVER AT A PERILOUS TIME YOUR PREDECESSOR WAS LET GO AFTER IT WAS FOUND HE WAITED SIX MONTHS TO ACT ON THESE ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE THERE.

THERE ARE SOME FORMER LIFEGUARDS NOW CRIMINALLY CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ABUSE.

MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN FIRED.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT IN THE SYSTEM PUT IN PLACE NOW THAT THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN?

>> YOU KNOW, WE HAVE WORKED SO CLOSELY ON THIS MATTER.

I SPENT THE FIRST SIX MONTHS AND CONTINUE TO WORK ON MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE BUILDING A PARK SYSTEM THAT IS BUILT ON TRUST AND THAT WE ARE BEING RESPECTFUL AND THAT SAFETY IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF EVERYTHING WE DO.

I FEEL VERY, VERY COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT OF THE STEPS WE HAVE TAKEN TO PROTECT OUR WORKERS AND TO PROTECT THE THOUSANDS OF KIDS THAT ARE IN OUR SYSTEM.

WE ESTABLISHED THE OFFICE OF PREVENTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND PUT LEGISLATION THROUGH THE BOARD.

WE WILL BE UPLIFTING THAT OFFICE THIS SUMMER.

WE HAVE DONE LOTS OF TRAINING ON EVERYTHING FROM SEXUAL MISCONDUCT TRAINING FROM THE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND WE PUT SO MANY LAYERS OF COMMUNICATION IN PLACE AND AS WE GO INTO THE SUMMER WE ARE ADDING A LAYER OF SUPERVISION THROUGHOUT OUR BEACHES AND THROUGHOUT OUR AQUATICS PROGRAM TO INSURE WE'RE STRENGTHENING THAT.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO INSURE WE'RE WORKING WITH THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

THEY HAVE TAKEN THOSE INVESTIGATIONS SERIOUSLY AND ANY UP COMING INVESTIGATIONS I AM HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.

SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND WE MUST SHOW ACCOUNTABILITY IN ORDER TO GAIN THE TRUST OF THE RESIDENTS.

BUT ALSO OUR EMPLOYEES WHO RELY ON A STRONG WORKFORCE.

THEY WANT TO WORK IN A PLACE THAT RESPECTS THEM AND THAT IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR ME.

>> AND YOU MENTIONED THOSE INVESTIGATIONS INSPECTOR GENERAL, THE STATE'S ATTORNEY WAS INVESTIGATING, DO YOU ANTICIPATE MORE TO COME, MORE SHOES TO DROP?

>> AGAIN, I THINK MY JOB IS TO INSURE WE TAKE EVERY COMPLAINT AND EVERY CLAIM SERIOUSLY AND THAT WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL AND ANY INVESTIGATIVE BODY THAT WE TAKE THOSE ISSUES VERY SERIOUSLY.

AND THAT WE IMMEDIATELY ACT ON ANY ALLEGATIONS AND COMPLAINTS.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STAFF KNOW THAT THEY ARE PUT ON NOTICE AND ALSO THAT THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO SIT BACK.

IF I AM -- I HAVE ESTABLISHED A CLOSE WORKING PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

AND AS SOON AS THEY ARE SENDING ME INFORMATION WE ARE HAVING CONVERSATIONS AND ACTING UPON ANY INFORMATION THAT I AM RECEIVING OF CLAIMS THAT ARE FOUND TO BE LEGITIMATE COMPLAINTS.

>> CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT C.E.O.

AND SUPERINTENDENT ROSA ESCARENO THANK YOU FOR BEING BACK HERE AND JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CITY OFFICIALS SAY ONE WAY TO PROMOTE WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOODS IS TO BUILD DEVELOPMENTS NEAR TRAIN STATIONS AND BUS LINES.

AND ONE OF THE SO-CALLED TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENTS PUSHED BY THE CITY WILL OPEN FRIDAY IN LOGAN SQUARE AN EFFORT THAT WILL HELP FIGHT DISPLACEMENT AND BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES.

AND JOINING US ARE CHICAGO HOUSING COMMISSIONER, MARISA NOVARA AND ROBERTO REQUEJO, PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR ELEVATED CHICAGO AN ORGANIZATION WORKING TO IMPROVE THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT.

>> COMMISSIONER MARISA NOVARA THE EMMETT STREET COMPLEX HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS AND WHY DO YOU BELIEVE IT IS A CRUCIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CHICAGO?

>> IT'S A EXCITING MOMENT.

TO BE HERE AND I ACTUALLY PERSONALLY AM EXCITED BECAUSE I WORKED ON THIS DEVELOPMENT AT A FORMER ROLLBACK IN 2014.

DURING THE BEGINNING OF A COMMUNITY PROCESS WHAT SHOULD COME IN THAT SITE.

AND I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT PLACES LIKE LOGAN SQUARE HAVE LOST A LOT OF AFFORDABILITY AND LATINO POPULATION.

WHEN WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE THIS WITH CITY-OWNED LAND ON TOP OF A TRANSIT STATION WE WANT TO MAXIMIZE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE MOST HOUSING POSSIBLE, THE MOST AFFORDABILITY POSSIBLE AND TO DO THAT WE HAVE TO MINIMIZE OUR PARKING AND MAKE THE BEST USE OF THAT SPACE.

AND THAT IS WHAT FOLKS AT THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WERE ABLE TO DO HERE.

>> AND IT'S BUILT RIGHT ON TOP OF THE LOGAN SQUARE BLUE LINE.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS OFFERED THERE FOR RESIDENTS?

>> RIGHT.

SO IT IS 100 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PART OF THAT IS WITH THE CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY AND PART IS FUNDED BY THE CITY.

AND 20 PARKING SPOTS, LOTS OF RESIDENT AMENITIES INCLUDING BIKE PARKING AS WELL.

AND COMMERCIAL SPACE ON THE FIRST FLOOR WITH ROOM FOR FIVE LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES TO SETUP SHOP.

>> ROBERTO REQUEJO, AS SOMEONE WHO ADVOCATED FOR TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE?

AN IDEAL VERSION OF IT?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH CHICAGO FOR FIVE YEARS NOW.

AND SINCE 2017 WE HAVE WITHIN FUNDING HOUSING AND SMALL BUSINESSES AND GROCERY STORES AND HEALTH CLINICS AND THIS TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT IS WONDERFUL BUT IT'S HARD TO BUILD SO WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CITY TO MAKE IT EASIER BY CREATING NEW ORDINANCE AND OUR HOPE IS IT WILL BE THE NORM ACROSS CHICAGO AND NOT THE EXCEPTION.

AND JUST LIKE THE COMMISSIONER HER STORY.

LOGAN SQUARE BEING THE FIRST NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I MOVED INTO WHEN I MOVED TO THE STATES 20 YEARS AND SEEING THIS AMAZING DEVELOPMENT AND OUR MEMBERS BE ONE OF THE ORGANIZERS BEHIND IT IS FILLS ME WITH JOY.

>> I BEAUTIFUL NEIGHBORHOOD AND HAVING AFFORDABILITY ISSUE.

COMMISSIONER THERE IS A PROJECT WE WANT TO FOCUS ON.

43 GREEN IN BRONZEVILLE.

TELL US ABOUT THAT ONE.

>> THAT IS RIGHT, PARIS.

WE DID AN ANALYSIS WITH OUR PARTNERS AT ELEVATED CHICAGO.

THE FIRST TRANSIT ORDINANCE CAME OUT IN 2013 AND WE FOUND BETWEEN 2013 AND 2020, FULLY 90% OF ALL OF THE TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENTS APPROVED WERE ON THE NORTH SIDE NEAR NORTH SIDE, WEST LOOP, DOWNTOWN.

90% WE KNOW WE HAVE STRONG TRANSIT LINES RUNNING THROUGH THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES AND THAT IS A REAL LOST OPPORTUNITY AND INEQUITABLE.

WE NEEDED TO ACT DIFFERENTLY.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID IN THE FIRST FUNDING ROUND WE HAD WAS TO FUND A DEVELOPMENT AT THE 43rd STREET AND GREEN LINE IN BRONZEVILLE AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL.

WE TALKED ABOUT LOGAN SQUARE AND EMMETT STREET BEING 100% AFFORDABLE.

IT'S DIFFERENT IN BRONZEVILLE THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM WAS FOCUSED ON DOING A DEVELOPMENT THAT IS HALF MARKET RATE AND HALF AFFORDABLE AND MAXIMIZING AGAIN THE FACT THAT THEY ARE RIGHT NEXT TO TRANSIT.

SO THEY HAVE RIGHT SIZED THE PARKING AND CREATED AS MANY UNITS AS POSSIBLE.

AND THEY HAVE A LARGER BUILDING AS A RESULT.

>> ROBERTO REQUEJO YOU'VE MENTIONED YOU WERE WORKING WITH THE CITY TO REVAMP THE ORDINANCES AROUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT DOES A IDEAL POLICY MEAN IT'S NOT ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL IT SHOULD BE BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND BECAUSE WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL AND DIVERSE CITY, WE EMBARK IN A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS BROUGHT TOGETHER 70 PLUS ORGANIZATIONS AND HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS CAN DIFFERENT VOICES FROM DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES FROM ALBANY PARK TO WASHINGTON HEIGHTS FROM GARFIELD PARK TO LOGAN CARE AND WE ARE DIVERSE BUT WE HEARD COMMON THEMES.

WE HEARD PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE CHOICES TO MOVE AROUND.

AND THEY DON'T WANT TO BE CAR DEPENDENT.

AND THEY WANT TO HAVE A VARIETY OF AMENITIES NEAR TRANSIT.

AND AS WE WERE COLLECTING ALL THIS FEEDBACK WE HEARD CHALLENGES LIKE BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEAR TRANSIT BEING HARD IN HIGH COST COMMUNITIES AND TAKING TOO LONG OR TRANSIT HUB BEING CAR CENTRIC AND DANGEROUS FOR PEDESTRIANS, BIKERS AND PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS BEING TOO DARK OR SCARY TO WALK AND TO AND FROM AT TIMES OF THE DAY AND WE HEARD FROM COMMUNITIES ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE THEY NEEDED MORE TO FILL THE LOTS AND THE BUILDINGS NEAR TRANSIT HUBS.

WE ARE EXCITED AGAIN THIS NEW ORDINANCE IS RESPONSIBLE TO THE VARIETY OF VOICES AND ADDRESSING ALL THE CHALLENGES AND RESPONDING TO WHAT COMMUNITIES ARE ASKING FOR.

>> COMMISSIONER WE FOCUSED ON TWO, ONE IN LOGAN SQUARE AND BRONZEVILLE ARE THERE PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS SPECIFICALLY SOUTH AND WEST SIDES?

AND WILL THEY ACCELERATE AS ROBERTO REQUEJO IS SAYING?

IT'S BEEN HARD TO GET THE DEVELOPMENTS THROUGH?

>> WELL, WE HAVE DEFINITELY BEEN DOING OUR PART TO MAKE SURE IT'S EASIER.

AND ONE OF THE WAYS WE'VE DONE THAT IN THE LAST FUNDING ROUND IN DECEMBER OF 2021 WE ANNOUNCED 24 DEVELOPMENTS, 18 OF THOSE 24 WERE EQUITABLE TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENTS.

OF THOSE 1812 ARE ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE INCLUDING PHASE TWO OF 43 GREEN.

WE'RE CERTAINLY PUSHING VERY HARD ON THIS.

WE THINK THAT THE BENEFITS OF EQUITABLE TRANSIT ORIENTEDDED DEVELOPMENT NEED TO TAKE PLACE ACROSS THE CITY.

PART IS THE FUNDING ROUND.

AND PART OF IT IS THE ORDINANCE THE CONNECTING COMMUNITIES ORDINANCE WHICH WE PLAN TO INTRODUCE NEXT WEEK WHICH WILL DO THREE REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS.

ONE IT WILL EXPAND DOT -- TOD INCENTIVES.

IT BUILDLESS MORE UNITS AND CONNECTS PEOPLE TO JOBS.

THE OTHER THING IT IMPROVES PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

WHETHER YOU ARE WALKING, BIKING, WHEELCHAIR, STROLLER WE WANT THE AREAS TO BE THE MOST SAFE AND WELCOMING PARTS OF OUR CITY.

AND FINALLY, IT WILL INCREASE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THAT IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

BIG AREAS ARE THE MOST EXPENSIVE PLACES TO LIVE AND THAT IS JUST SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT.

>> WE'LL WATCH FOR THE ORDINANCE THAT CITY COUNCIL WILL TAKE UP NEXT WEEK.

THANKS TO 0 MARISA NOVARA AND ROBERTO REQUEJO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> UP NEXT, VISITORS TO A WEST SIDE LIBRARY CAN NOW ENJOY MUSEUM QUALITY ART WHILE THEY BROWSE FOR BOOKS.

STAY WITH US.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING PROPOSALS FOR PRISON REFORM FROM A PSYCHOLOGIST AND FORMER COUNTY JAIL WARDEN.

FIRST THERE IS MUSEUM QUALITY ARTWORK IN CHICAGO THAT IS FREE FOR ANYONE TO SEE.

IT'S IN THE CITY'S FIRST REGIONAL LIBRARY WHICH OPENED IN 1920 IN THE WEST GARFIELD PARK NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE LIBRARY HAS BEEN RENOVATED AND ONE OF THE NEWEST FEATURES IS A RESIDENT ARTIST.

MARC VITALI HAS AN INTRODUCTION TO A YOUNG ARTIST WHO BRINGS VIBRANCY.

>> THE LEGLER LIBRARY IS HOME TO A LOT OF WEEKS BUT ALSO VALUABLE ARTWORK.

AND THE STUDIO OF A NEW ARTIST IN RESIDENCE.

>> I AM HAITIAN AMERICAN PROUD, VISUAL ARTIST.

VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN MY CULTURE, FOOD AS WELL AS ART PRACTICES THAT SPAN FROM PAINTING TO PRINTMAKING.

I AM WORK BASED ON WHAT I KNOW AND WHAT I'VE EXPERIENCED THAT COMES FROM ANCESTORS WHO HAVE GONE ON AND THEN ALSO LIKE CURRENT DAY FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE STILL LIVING NOW.

TRAVELS THAT I'VE TAKEN THROUGHOUT THE AFRICAN DIASPORA, VIBRANT COLORS IS WHAT I SAW.

GROWING UP I SAW HAITIAN ARTWORK IN MY HOUSE BEFORE I GOT TO ART HISTORY ONE AND TWO IN COLLEGE.

THAT IS WHAT I CHOSE THE VIBRANCY AND THE JOY THAT I KNOW.

>> THE RESIDENCE GIVES THE MIAMI BORN ARTIST A SMALL STUDIO IN THE LIBRARY.

ANTOINE FILL TO DO WITH WORKS BY ARTISTS SHE ADMIRES AND HER OWN WORKS.

COLLAGES THAT FEATURE A LOT OF FOOD.

>> THE OTHER ART FORM I'M INTERESTED IN IS CULINARY.

I CONSIDER EVERY WOMAN IN MY FAMILY A CHEF.

WHETHER THEY WENT TO SCHOOL FOR IT OR NOT, THEY ARE WHAT I CALL A CHEF.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE INTERESTED IN FOOD.

ESPECIALLY ME.

>> AND SHE VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SHE CALLS IT BEING IN THE MIX.

>> IN THE MIX, BUT ALSO LIKE INTENTIONALLY WANTING TO BE IN THE MIX.

NOT JUST HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER HERE TWO WEEKS DOWN THE LINE I CAN ASK YOU FOR SOMETHING BUT HOW DO WE BUILD THIS CONNECTION BECAUSE I ALSO LOVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> THE LEGLER LIBRARY IS HOME TO FLOATING FAMILY BY ELIZABETH CAT LYNN.

AND THE LARGE-SCALE PAINTING KNOWLEDGE AND WONDER.

THAT IS THE ARTWORK THE CITY PLANNED TO AUCTION FOR MILLIONS IN 2018 UNTIL CRITICISM STOPPED THE PLAN IN ITS TRACKS.

AND THERE IS A WPA MURAL FROM THE 1930s WITH DATED DEPICTIONS OF NATIVE-AMERICANS AND A MODERN RESPONSE TO IT BY NATIVE-AMERICAN ARTIST.

ALL OF THE WORKS WILL MAKE GOOD COMPANY FOR A NEW WORK BY THE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE.

>> ALEXANDRA WILL BE WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THE STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOLS, ADULTS, TEENS, CHILDREN, AND THEN SHE WILL BE CREATING AN ART PIECE OVER THE TWO YEARS THAT WILL BE HOUSED HERE AT LEGLER.

>> SHE WAS BORN FOR THIS.

SHE IS HERE AS AN ARTIST TO CREATE WORK BUT SHE IS HERE TO WORK AND CONNECT WITH PEOPLE AS WELL.

AND I'M SO EXCITED THAT SHE GETS TO WEAVE IN HER CULTURE AND HER HERITAGE, HER PASSION.

>> IT IS A BIG DEAL.

NOW I GOT TO BE HONEST I'VE DONE SOME ART SIFT OF ACTIVITY RESPECTSIES RESIDENCY BEFORE BUT THIS IS IN THE LIBRARY AND THAT IS EXCITING IN A SPACE WHERE I CAN DO RESEARCH AND DO MY ART PRACTICE AS WELL.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> SHE WILL BE THE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE AT LEGLER LIBRARY THROUGH THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

THE LIBRARY IS ON SOUTH PULASKI ROAD IN WEST GARFIELD PARK.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THE IMPACT OF RECENTLY APPROVED CITY WARD MAP ON HUMBOLDT PARK WE HEAR FROM THE ALDERMAN.

>> A FORMER COOK COUNTY JAIL WARDEN CALLS FOR SAFER PRISONS AND SHE LAYS OUT HER VISION FOR A HOLISTIC CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM.

AND AN EFFORT IS UNDERWAY TO CONSERVE 30% OF ILLINOIS' LAND AND WATER RESOURCES AND A LOOK HOW IT CAN BE DONE.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> CHICAGO'S PREPARING TO PAY MORE THAN $14 MILLION TO A WRONGFULLY CONVICTED MAN.

DANIEL TAYLOR SPENT 21 YEARS IN PRISON AFTER CONVICTED OF A DOUBLE MURDER.

TAYLOR WAS IN CHICAGO POLICE CUSTODY LOCKED UP ON A DISORDERLY CONDUCT CHARGE AT THE TIME OF THE KILLINGS.

THE LAWSUIT CLAIMS OFFICERS HID THAT EVIDENCE WHICH COULD HAVE EXONERATED HIM.

>> STATE UNEMPLOYMENT WAS DOWN IN APRIL.

FIGURES RELEASED BY THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY TODAY SHOW THAT JOBLESS RATE FELL FROM 4.7 TO 4.6 IN APRIL AND NONFARM PAYROLL JOBS INCREASED 9300.

THE LARGEST GAINS WERE IN THE LEADER AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND MANUFACTURING.

STATE UNEMPLOYMENT IS ONE POINT HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE AT 3.6%.

>> WITH OPIOID USE AND OVERDOSE RATES AT CRISIS LEVELS DOCTORS A A NEW CITY STATE COLLABORATION COULD SAVE LIVES THROUGH EASIER ACCESS TO TREATMENT.

MEDICATED ASSISTED RECOVERY OR MAR IS STANDARD BUT ONLY 20% EVE THAT TREATMENT.

ROBERT HARRIS HAS BEEN IN RECOVERY FOR SIX YEARS AND PRIOR TO LANDING IN THE HOSPITAL AFTER AN OVERDOSE HE HAD TROUBLE FINDING HELP.

>> I NEEDED HELP.

AND I DID NOT WALKOUT I RAN TO IT.

I WAS LUCKY THAT WHEN I WANTED HELP IT WAS THERE FOR ME.

OTHERS IN THE SIMILAR SITUATION I WAS IN, TAKE THAT FIRST STEP.

IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE LIKE IT DID MINE.

>> AND STARTING TODAY INDIVIDUALS CAN CALL 3-1-1 OR THE STATE'S OPIOID HELP HOTLINE TO ACCESS MAR A FULL STORY IS ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> TO BRANDIS FRIEDMAN WHO SPENT THE DAY IN HUMBOLDT PARK AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> EARLIER TODAY WE SPOKE WITH ALDERMAN ROBERTO MALDONADO AND I STARTED BY ASKING HIM ABOUT WHAT ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS LIKE.

>> IT HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED AS A FOOD DESERT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS EVEN BY STUDIES FROM THE NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITIES 10 YEARS AGO WAS DOCUMENTED.

SADLY UNDER THE RAHM EMANUEL ADMINISTRATION HE DETERMINED THAT OUR COMMUNITY WAS NOT A FOOD DESERT.

AND SO EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TONIGHT THAT CENTRAL FOODS FINALLY IS GOING TO BUILD A 35,000 SQUARE-FOOT STORE ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE FIRST STORE THEY EVER BUILT OVER 35 YEARS AGO.

SINCE 2012, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIND AND FIGHT FOR A LOCATION FOR THE OWNERS OF CENTRAL FOODS.

AND FINALLY, THAT DREAM IS BECOMING A REALITY.

AND IN A FEW MONTHS, WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE OPENING OF THE GRAND OPENING OF THE CENTRAL FOODS ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE OLD ISLAND WHERE THEY ARE RIGHT NOW.

>> IT IS A SMALL LOCATION RIGHT NOW.

ASIDE FROM THAT ARE WHERE DO YOU RESIDENTS GO TO ACCESS A FULL-SCALE GROCERY STORE?

>> PEOPLE HAVE TO TAKE THEIR CARS AND GO TO TARGET OR THEY CAN GO TO OTHER FAIRLY LARGE MARKETS IN THE AREA, SURMAC ON NORTH AVENUE AND ON ARMITAGE.

BUT IF YOU DON'T FIND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR, AT THOSE THREE LOCATIONS, FAIR SIZE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT,000 SQUARE FEET, NOTHING COMPARES WITH WHAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AND SEE AT THE FUTURE CENTRAL FOODS ON DIVISION AND CENTRAL PARK.

>> ANOTHER ISSUE WE'VE HEARD IS GENTRIFICATION IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO DO TO DIMINISH THAT?

>> WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE IS A CLEAR OPEN E. EXPLICIT COMMITMENT THAT FOR TO SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

ANY DEVELOPER THAT WANTS TO COME TO THE AREA, WE WELCOME THEM WITH OPEN ARMS.

TO THE EXCEPT THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR WORKING FAMILIES.

100%, 75%.

AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS FOR WORKING FAMILIES.

IF MOST OF THEM THEY DON'T CARE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND THOSE CONVERSATIONS END UP VERY -- THEY ARE SHORT AND FAST.

HOWEVER WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR REELECTION ALMOST FOUR YEARS AGO, I RAN ON A PLATFORM OF BRINGING 485 NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR WORKING FAMILIES DURING THIS TERM.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE EITHER UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR FULLY FUNDED ALREADY 430.

SO WE HAVE ANOTHER YEAR TO COMPLETE OUR PLEDGE OUR GOAL OF BUILDING 485 NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS FOR OUR WORKING FAMILIES.

WE KNOW THAT THE ONLY WAY TO SLOW DOWN OR TO STOP GENTRIFICATION IS BY BRINGING AFFORDABLE HOUSING INTO THE AREA AND SO THAT WE CAN OFFSET THE FORCES OF THE DEVELOPERS THAT ARE BUILDING ON MARKET RATE LAND THAT WE CANNOT CONTROL THAT.

>> BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME I HAVE TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE WARD MAP PASSED.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THIS IS THE RIGHT MAP FOR THE CITY?

AND IS IT BETTER THAN HAVING GONE TO A REFERENDUM?

>> DEFINITELY.

I MEAN I'M PLEASED.

AND MOST OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS IN THE WARD ARE VERY PLEASED WITH THE BOUNDARIES OF THE NEW 26 WARD.

WE WILL GO FROM 56% LATINOS THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, TO 67.5.

A CITIZENS AGED POPULATION OF 58%.

THAT MEANS THAT IN MY ABSENCE, THERE IS IT WILL BE HARD NOT TO ELECT A LATINO.

SO LET'S SAY I CHOOSE NOT TO RUN OR EASTERN IF I RUN, OR EVEN IF OTHER PEOPLE WILL RUN I DON'T FORESEE ANYBODY BUT LATINOS OR AND LATINAS RUNNING FOR THE 26 WARD BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY THAT A LATINO OR LATINA CAN BE ELECTED IN THIS WARD.

AND THAT IS THE POWER OF THE 1965 VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

WE HAVE TO PROTECT AND PROTECT THE GROUPS AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE LOSE PERSPECTIVE IN THE RHETORIC AND TALKING ABOUT THE REMAPS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO GIVE HONOR TO THE 1965 VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND THE NEW 26 WARD REFLECTS THAT.

>> AND AGAIN, THAT WAS ALDERMAN ROBERTO MALDONADO OF THE 26TH WARD.

LATER WE WILL SPEAK TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE PUERTO RICAN CULTURAL CENTER ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE.

PASEO BORICUA GAINING LANDMARK STATUS.

>> UP NEXT, A NEW EFFORT TO CONSERVE LAND IN ILLINOIS.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

ILLINOIS IS AIMED AT CONSERVING MORE LAND AND WATER RESOURCES.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER PATTY WETLI JOINS WITH US MORE ON THIS EFFORT.

PATTY, TELL US WHAT IS 30 BY 30?

>> RIGHT.

SO AS YOU MENTIONED 30 BY 30 IS A GLOBE AT INITIATIVE TO CONSERVE 30% OF THE EARTH'S LAND AND WATER RESOURCES BY THE YEAR 2030.

AND PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SIGNED ON TO IT IN EARLY 2021 AND ILLINOIS HAS AS WELL.

SO THERE WERE SOME LISTENING SESSIONS BY ILLINOIS' TASK FORCE TO KIND OF LOOK AT WHAT THE LAY OF THE LAND IS HERE IN ILLINOIS AND HOW WE GET TO 30 BY 30.

>> WHAT IS THE LAY OF THE LAND HERE IN ILLINOIS?

>> WELL, WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO GET TO 30 FOR SURE.

RIGHT NOW, ONLY 4% OF THE STATE'S LAND IS FORMALLY PROTECTED.

AND THAT IS VERSUS ABOUT 67% OF THE STATE WHICH IS DEVOTED TO AGRICULTURE AND CROPLAND.

SO WE'VE PROTECTED FAR LEFT THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND WE HAVE MORE CROPLAND THAN NATIONWIDE.

AND THE QUESTION WILL BE WHERE DO WE GET NINE MILLION MORE ACRES TO PROTECT BY 2030 WHEN IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS WE'VE ONLY PROTECTED 27,000 ACRES.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN ALL HANDS ON DECK KIND OF THING.

CAN WE GET ACRES FROM AGRICULTURE THAT AREN'T BEING PRODUCTIVE AND RESTORE THEM TO PRAIRIE OR WETLAND?

DO WE CONVERT LAWN INTO POLLINATOR FRIENDLY HABITAT?

IT WILL HAVE TO BE A MIX OF CREATIVE SOLUTIONS.

>> AND A LONG WAY TO GO.

ARE THERE ANY PLANS IN PLACE RIGHT NOW?

>> WELL, THE TASK FORCE WILL ACTUALLY PRESENT ITS PLAN OR KIND OF ASSESSMENT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE GOVERNOR BY JULY 1 AND KIND OF OUTLINING HERE IS THE SORT OF BUFFET OF OPTIONS THAT WE HAVE WHERE DO WE WANT TO PUT OUR RESOURCES?

WHAT CAN WE RAMP UP?

SO EXPECT SOMETIME LATER THIS SUMMER TO HAVE MORE INFORMATION.

>> WE KNOW YOU WILL BE WATCHING FOR THAT AND YOU WILL GIVE US THAT INFORMATION.

THANK YOU.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ PATTY'S STORY ON OUR WEBSITE THAT INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE LISTENING SESSIONS ALL AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> DO INMATES IN ILLINOIS PRISONS AND JAILS HAVE A RIGHT TO FEEL SAFE?

THAT IS A CENTRAL QUESTION RAISED IN A PUBLICATION BY FORMER WARDEN, NNEKA JONES TAPIA.

IN IT SHE MAKES THE CASE FOR A MORE HOLISTIC HEALTH AND SAFETY VISION FOR THOSE IN CUSTODY AFTER COVID RAVAGED THROUGH CORRECTIONS FACILITIES HERE IN ILLINOIS AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND JOINING US NOW IS Dr. NNEKA JONES TAPIA.

DOCTOR THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE INITIATIVE HERE THAT YOU ARE SPEARHEADING IS CALLED DO I HAVE A RIGHT TO FEEL SAFE?

A HOLISTIC VISION FOR SAFETY AMONG INMATES.

TELL US WHAT THIS VISION ENCOMPASSES?

>> IT ENCOMPASSES A WIDE ARRAY OF HOLISTIC SUPPORTS FOR NOT JUST PEOPLE INCARCERATED BUT FOR STAFF AND FOR THE LARGER COMMUNITY AS WELL.

IT'S PREDICATED ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND CONSIDERATION FOR THE RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS THAT PEOPLE NEED TO THRIVE AND TO BE WELL.

>> AND AS WE MENTIONED THE FORMER WARDEN YOU ARE A PSYCHOLOGIST BY TRADE.

I REMEMBER SHERIFF DART SAYING COOK COUNTY JAIL WAS THE LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY IN THE STATE BECAUSE OF THE NATURE WHAT INMATES WERE GOING THROUGH.

HOW DID YOUR EXPERIENCE INFORM WHAT YOU WANT YOUR VISION TO BE?

>> I THINK MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WAS WHEN I WAS A CHILD AND I LEARNED EARLY ON THAT THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND SPECIFICALLY JAILS AND PRISONS CAUSE DAMAGE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.

AND IT WAS WHEN I STARTED WORKING IN CORRECTIONS THAT REALLY I SAY TWO CORE LEARNINGS EMERGED AND THE FIRST WAS THAT WE AS A SOCIETY HAD GROWN COMPLICIT IN THE CRIMINALIZATION OF TRAUMA.

MORE THAN 98% OF MEN AND 99% OF WOMEN WHO ARE INCARCERATED IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE EXPOSED TO TRAUMA OVEREXPOSED TO TRAUMA.

AND I ALSO LEARNED THAT THESE SYSTEMS WERE DAMAGING STAFF.

STAFF WITNESSED AND EXPERIENCED VIOLENCE AT ALARMING RATES.

I KNEW WHEN I JOINED CHICAGO BEYOND THAT WE WERE WELL EQUIPPED FROM A COMMUNITY STANDPOINT TO REALLY PUSH FOR A SYSTEM LEVEL CHANGE TO HOW WE DO BUSINESS.

>> AND CAN YOU GIVE US SOME OF THE SPECIFICS IN COOK COUNTY JAIL?

THERE WAS A LOT OF CHANGES THAT HAPPENED WHAT ARE THE FURTHER CHANGES THAT YOU WANT TO SEE?

>> WELL, I HAVE TO SAY THAT IT'S NOT LIMITED TO COOK COUNTY JAIL.

WHAT WE HAVE ACROSS THIS COUNTRY IS I THINK IT'S TRAUMA AND TOXICITY THAT IS WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF ALL JAILS AND PRISONS.

AND THAT TOXICITY LIKE I SAID BEFORE, IMPACTS THE PEOPLE INCARCERATED IN WAYS THAT HAVE REVERBERATING IMPACTS TO NOT JUST THEM AND FAMILIES.

SOME OF THE CHANGES WE WANT TO SEE INCLUDE EMPOWERMENT OF PEOPLE MOST IMPACTED BY THESE SYSTEMS.

SO THAT THE EXPERTISE TO CHANGE THEM IS AT THE TABLE WHEN WE ARE MAKING REFORMS THAT ARE NECESSARY.

>> TELL US YOU BRIEFLY MENTIONED BUT THE TOLL NOT JUST ON THOSE IN CUSTODY BUT THE FOLKS THAT WORK IN THE SYSTEM?

>> YES.

YOU KNOW PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE JAILS AND PRISONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE DISPOURING PORTION AT RATES OF SUBSTANCE USE.

DISPROPORTIONATE RATES OF MATT TALL DISCORD, HIGH RATES DEATH.

THEY HAVE UNFORTUNATELY, A LIFE EXPECTANCY THAT IS 20 YEARS LOWER THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION.

SO BY VERY THEYER OF THEIR WORK, PEOPLE ARE DYING FOR THIS PAYCHECK AND CORRECTIONAL STAFF ARE SPEAKING OUT ABOUT IT.

>> CERTAINLY INCREDIBLY STRESSFUL WORK.

IN THE AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THERE'S BEEN A FOCUS HOW WHITE INMATES ARE TREATED DIFFERENTLY THAN BLACK OR BROWN INMATES.

DID YOU SEE THAT AT COOK COUNTY JAIL?

AND WHAT IS THE SITUATION ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

>> EVERY PERSON ENTERING INTO A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IS IMPACTED BY THE DARKNESS THAT EXISTS WITHIN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

OUR PEOPLE TREATED DIFFERENTLY WITHIN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS BASED OFF OF THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN?

ABSOLUTELY.

WE SEE THAT SAME THING HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT DISINVESTMENT.

AND SO WHEN I SAY THAT WE AS A SOCIETY HAVE GROWN COMPLICIT IN THE CRIMINALIZATION OF TRAUMA WE ARE GROWN COMPLICIT IN THE DISINVESTMENT IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES AND NOT INSURING THAT BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED ON THE FRONT END SO WE ARE NOT TRYING TO PUNISH THEM ON THE BACK END.

>> IN RECENT YEARS, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND POLICE SUPERINTENDENT BROWN HAVE SOUGHT TO BLAME A LOT OF THE CURRENT SPIKE IN VIOLENCE ON BAIL REFORM AND THEY ARE SAYING MORE FOLKS ARE OUT ON THE STREETS AND THEY REOFFEND.

THE POPULATION OF COOK COUNTY JAIL HAS COME DOWN FROM YOUR VANTAGE DOES NOT RING TRUE AT ALL TO YOU?

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN WE TELL STORIES OF CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITIES, WE REALLY HAVE TO TELL THE WHOLE NARRATIVE.

AND THE NARRATIVE DOES NOT START WITH THE CRIME AND THE PERSON COMMITTING THE CRIME.

IT STARTS WITH EXCLUSION.

AND WE AS A SOCIETY HAVE THE PERPETRATORS OF THAT EXCLUSION.

EXCLUSION FROM QUALITY EDUCATION, EXCLUSION FROM QUALITY MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTHCARE, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, AND WHAT THESE TOUGH ON CRIME STATEMENTS AND THIS RHETORIC DOES IS FURTHER EXCLUDE PEOPLE.

AS WE CONTINUE TO PUSH PEOPLE FURTHER AND FURTHER IN THE MARGINS OF SOCIETY AS IF THEY ARE SOMETHING TO BE TOSSED AWAY AND IF THEY ARE SOMETHING TO BE LOCKED AWAY A PROBLEM TO BE MANAGED THEN WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE TRAUMA MANIFESTED THROUGH VIOLENCE.

>> WHEN YOU SAW WHAT COVID DID TO JAILS AND PRISONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY INCLUDING COOK COUNTY JAIL DOES THIS PLAY INTO YOUR NOTION HERE THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A HOLISTIC RETHINKING OF THE SAFETY OF FOLKS IN CUSTODY?

BECAUSE SO MANY OF THEM WERE NOT SAFE FROM THE VIRUS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE AS A SOCIETY NEED A FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT IN THE WAY WE VIEW JAILS AND PRISONS.

AND THE PEOPLE WITHIN THEM.

THE PEOPLE INCARCERATED IN THEM AS WELL AS THE STAFF.

AND WE DIDN'T SEE THAT WHEN COVID-19 RAVAGED JAILS AND PRISONS AND PEOPLE IN THEM.

WE DID NOT HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE SO THAT STAKEHOLDERS IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM INCLUDING THE PEOPLE MOST IMPACTED BY THIS, COULD HAVE A VOICE AT THE TABLE THAT WAS MAKING DECISIONS TO SPARE LIVES.

INSTEAD, WE HAD A PENDULUM SHIFT WHERE THERE WAS A LOT OF BLAMING HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE ON THE OUTCOME WAS LIVES.

WE NEED TO GET IN FRONT OF THIS ISSUE THAT WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY IN TERMS OF MASS INCARCERATION AND REALLY THINK ABOUT NOT JUST INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITIES BUT REAL DECARCERATION.

>> ALL RIGHT Dr. NNEKA JONES TAPIA VERY IMPORTANT WORK YOU ARE DOING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT WE'RE BACK IN HUMBOLDT PARK AT ONE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S BIGGEST CULTURAL HUBS AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> WE CHECK BACK IN WITH BRANDIS FRIEDMAN WHO SPENT THE DAY IN HUMBOLDT PARK AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> PARIS, NOW WE ARE JOINED BY JOSE LOPEZ HE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PUERTO RICAN CULTURAL CENTER.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FIRST, IF YOU WOULD TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS COMMUNITY ART PROJECT.

>> COMMUNITY ART PROJECT WAS CREATED IN 1977 AS PART OF A PROGRAM IN OUR ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL THE HIGH SCHOOL WHICH BY THE WAY, THIS JUNE 11TH WE WILL BE CELEBRATING ITS 50TH YEAR.

IT IS AN ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL.

SERVING THE NEEDS OF OUR AT RISK YOUTH.

THIS IS A SPACE THAT WAS MADE TO SORT OF LOOK AT AND MEMORIALIZE A HOUSE A REAL HOUSE IN PUERTO RICO THAT THEY COULD IMAGINE THEIR GRANDPARENTS LIVE IN.

IT HAS A [INAUDIBLE] EVERYTHING IN TOOK A YEAR WAS HANDMADE INCLUDING THE FLAGS YOU SEE ON THE FENCE.

SO IT'S OBVIOUSLY AN ART PROJECT BUT IT'S ALSO AN ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT BECAUSE IT WAS DONE WITH ARCHITECTURE CHICAGO.

>> AND THE PASEO BORICUA ARTS BUILDING IS WELL UNDERWAY.

WHAT WILL THAT BRING?

>> THAT WILL BRING 24 AFFORDABLE HOUSING APARTMENTS FOR ARTISTS WHO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY.

HAVE BEEN DISPLACED IN THE COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO LIVE, WORK AND SELL THEIR ART AS WELL AS THE FIRST FOUR WILL SERVE AS THE HOME OF URBAN THEATRE COMPANY, THE ONLY PUERTO RICAN THEATRE COMPANY IN CHICAGO.

>> A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR AARTISTS.

>> THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU WILL SEE THE VIBRANCY AND THE AMAZING SORT OF COMMITMENT OF THE ARTISTS IN THIS COMMUNITY TO MAINTAINING IT.

OBVIOUSLY AS A VIBRANT, BEAUTIFULLY EXPRESSED COMMUNITY.

THAT TRIES TO RECOVER ITS HERITAGE THROUGH ART, MUSIC, AND OTHER FORMS OF EXPRESSION.

>> SOMETHING ELSE YOU ARE WORKING ON A BIG DEVELOPMENT THE PASEO BORICUA STEEL FLAGS RECEIVING SPECIAL RECOGNITION.

>> THAT IS SO AMAZING BECAUSE THOSE FLAGS WERE ERECTED ON JANUARY 6, 1995 ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF THE PUERTO RICAN FLAG BY PUERTO RICANS IN NEW YORK CITY.

AND IT'S MODELED AFTER THE CUBAN FLAG BECAUSE THERE WERE MEMBERS OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTIONARY PARTY THAT WAS STRUGGLING FOR THE INDEPENDENCE OF CUBA AND PUERTO RICO AGAINST SPAIN.

IN 1995 WE ERECTED THE FLAGS THEY ARE MADE OUT OF STEEL.

TO COMMEMORATE THE FIRST MIGRATION OF THE PUERTO RICANS THAT CAME TO CHICAGO.

IT'S MADE OUT OF STEEL PIPES.

SORT OF COMMEMORATING THE PUERTO RICANS WHO CAME TO WORK ON THE PIPELINES AND THE PIPES ARE WELDED TOGETHER COMMEMORATING THE WELDERS WHO CAME TO WORK IN CHICAGO.

IT IS REALLY SORT OF MEMORIALIZES THE PUERTO RICAN PRESENCE PERSONS IN OUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY.

>> WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP IN ACHIEVING LANDMARK STATUS?

>> IN SEPTEMBER THE CITY COUNCIL WILL FORMALLY ADOPT IT AND WE WILL HAVE AN AMAZING CELEBRATION TO COINCIDE WITH OUR PARTY THAT WE HOLD FROM FLAG TO FLAG.

WE CLOSE DOWN THE ENTIRE STREET.

THIS ENTIRE CORRIDOR.

PASEO BORICUA AND WE CELEBRATE FULLY AND IMMERSE OURSELVES IN PUERTO RICAN ARTS AND MUSIC AND EVERY ASPECT OF PUERTO RICAN LIFE INCLUDING FOOD AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

>> JOSE A COUPLE SECOND LEFT.

YOU HAVE BEEN HERE 60 PLUS YEAR.

WHY DO YOU LOVE THIS NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> I LOVE THIS NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE IT IS REALLY WHAT EVERY CITY SHOULD BECOME.

IT REMINDS ONE THAT YOU ARE LIVING THE WILL, IN THE CITY.

IN OTHER WORDS CHICAGO SHOULD BE THE WORLD IN THE CITY.

WITH SO MANY INCREDIBLY DIFFERENT CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS AND ETHNIC GROUPS WE COULD REALLY LIVE UP TO AN AMAZING CONCEPT OF MAGICAL URBANISM IN TERMS OF THE FUTURE OF CITY PLANNING BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY I THINK THERE IS A WONDERFUL QUOTE FROM THE QURAN THAT SAYS WE HAVE MADE YOU DIFFERENT SO YOU CAN KNOW EACH OTHER.

>> JOSE LOPEZ THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

AND PARIS I WILL BE BACK TO WRAP UP THE SHOW IN A BIT.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THE WORLD DOES LIVE HERE IN CHICAGO.

THANK YOU.

AND WE ARE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR BRIEFING.

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

>> AND CAN GET THE VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW" AT 7:00 P.M. FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND COOL HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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