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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> IN 2022 WE GOT THIS DONE.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SHOWS THEIR CARDS SELECTING BALLY'S CASINO PROPOSAL.

A LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL FINANCIAL IMPACT ON THE CITY.

>> WE HAVE BOTH THE TOOLS WE NEED AND THE RESOLVE THAT IT WILL TAKE TO RESTORE PRICE STABILITY ON BEHALF OF AMERICANS AND BUSINESSES.

>> THE BIGGEST RATE HIKE IN 20 YEARS IN AN EFFORT TO COMBAT INFLATION.

>> THE STATE'S DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES RESPONDS TO CRITICISM HIS OFFICE IS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO PLACE CHILDREN IN THE STATE'S CARE.

>> HE WAS ALONE AND DIED ALL ALONE.

>> A SCATHING AUDIT FINDS THE PRITZKER ADMINISTRATION FAILED TO ADDRESS A COVID OUTBREAK IN A STATE VETERANS HOME.

>> FROM HISTORIC PRESERVATION TO ADAPTATION WE HAVE A LIVE REPORT FROM THE OLD TOWN NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> I'M ANGEL IDOWU AND TONIGHT, WE TAKE YOU TO A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR A NEW ARTS INCUBATOR HEADED TO GREATER GRAND CROSSING.

>> METEOROLOGISTS HAVE A NEW SET OF EYES MONITORING LAKE MICHIGAN MEET CHUOY THE BUOY.

>> AND AS YOU MENTIONED I'M IN OLD TOWN AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

THIS NEIGHBORHOOD HAS UNDER DONE A LOT OF CHANGE DURING THE PAST DECADE.

RESIDENTS HAVE SOUGHT TO PRESERVISTIC BUILDINGS IN THE AREA.

WE CHECKED IN WITH STAPLES IN THE COMMUNITY AND SPEAK WITH A YOUTH FOCUS ORGANIZATION ON SERVING UNDERSERVED YOUTH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NOW TO TOP STORY, U.S. MARKETS FELL SHARPLY MARKING THEIR WORST DAY OF THE YEAR.

ALL OF WEDNESDAY'S GAINS AFTER THE FEDERAL RESERVE ANNOUNCE TO DO WOULD RAISE INTEREST RATES WERE ERASED BY MIDDAY AND MARKETS GOT WORSE FROM THERE.

THE DOW DROPPED MORE THAN 3%, THE S&P 500 FELL 3.5%.

THE NASDAQ TUMBLED 5%.

THE WORST DAY SINCE 2020.

GLOBAL DEFENSE CONTRACTOR BOEING IS TICKING OFF FROM CHICAGO AND MOVING ITS HEADQUARTERS TO WASHINGTON D.C.

THE COMPANY CONFIRMED THE MOVE PUTTING EXECUTIVES CLOSER TO THE PENTAGON AS WELL AS THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION WHICH CERTIFIES BOEING PASSENGER JETS.

THE COMPANY SETUP HEADQUARTERS IN 2001 AND HAS 142,000 GLOBAL EMPLOYEES.

12% OF WHOM ARE BASED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.

IN A STATEMENT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAYS THE CITY STILL HAS A ROBUST PIPELINE OF MAJOR CORPORATE RELOCATIONS AND EXPANSIONS TO ANNOUNCE IN THE COMING MONTHS.

>> AND DIVVY BIKE RIDERS WILL BE UP TO HERE.

THE CITY INSTALLED THE CHARGING STATIONS.

THE CITIES WILL BE ABLE TO CHARGE THE LYFT E-BIKE MODEL.

THE CITY AND THE COMPANY SAY THE STATIONS WILL MAKE THE E-BIKE MORE AVAILABLE FOR RIDERS AND REDUCE THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH OPERATING THE FLEET.

DIVVY PLANS TO EXPAND SERVICE TO ALL AREAS OF THE CITY LATER THIS YEAR.

>> UP NEXT, NOW THAT THE MAYOR SELECTED A CASINO PROPOSAL, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR CITY FINANCES?

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT IS PLACING A HIGH STAKES BET SELECTING BALLY'S CASINO PROPOSAL IN THE CITY'S RIVER WEST NEIGHBORHOOD.

OFFICIALS CONSIDER THE GAMING PALACE KEY TO THE CITY'S FINANCIAL FUTURE.

THE VISIBLY EXCITED MAYOR ANNOUNCED HER PICK IN FRONT OF A CROWD OF THRILLED UNION MEMBERS THIS MORNING.

>> 30 YEARS AND TWO MAYORS LATER I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT IN 2022, WE GOT THIS DONE.

>> AND WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US NOW WITH A LOOK AT LIGHTFOOT'S DECISION TO GO ALL IN AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR THE CITY'S FINANCES AND THE MAYOR'S ALL BUT ANNOUNCED REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

AND THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT MAYORS DALEY AND RAHM EMANUEL TRIED TO GET DONE.

WHAT DOES THIS INCLUDE?

>> IT IS A $1.73 BILLION PROPOSAL THAT WOULD BUILD A CASINO WITH 3400 SLOT GAMES, 173 TABLE GAMES, A CONCERT VENUE, EVENT SPACE, SIX RESTAURANTS, A FOOD HALL AN R AND EXTENSION OF THE CHICAGO RIVERWALK ON WHAT IS THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" PRINTING PLANT AND NEWSROOM IN THE RIVER WEST NEIGHBORHOOD WHICH WILL TRANSFORM, IF BUILTINGS THAT PART OF THE CITY.

>> AND SHE PICKED BALLY'S BECAUSE IT WAS THE MOST LUCRATIVE FOR THE CITY.

>> IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME THAT WE HAD A FINANCIAL DEAL THAT WORKED FOR THE CITY.

>> SO DOES THIS ALL BUT SOLVE THE CITY'S FISCAL ISSUES?

>> IT WILL HELP.

THE BALLY'S CASINO IS EXPECTED TO RING UP $192 MILLION IN THE SIXTH YEAR OF OPERATION FOR THE CITY IN TAX REVENUE ALONE.

IN ADDITION, BALLY'S AGREED TO GIVE THE CITY 40 MILLION ONCE IT SIGNS THE AGREEMENT AFTER APPROVED BY THE ILLINOIS GAMING BOARD.

AND THE CASINO OPERATORS WILL GIVE THE CITY $4 MILLION A YEAR TO HELP DEFRAY THE COST THAT THE CASINO IS GOING TO HAVE ON THE CITY'S OPERATIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

ALL OF THAT REVENUE IS EARMARKED FOR THE CITY'S POLICE AND FIRE PENSION FUNDS, WHICH, OF COURSE, AS YOU KNOW IS A HUGE BURDEN ON THE CITY'S BUDGET AND IT THREATENS ITS FINANCIAL STABILITY.

>> THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN BELEAGUERED FOR YEARS MANY AND LIGHTFOOT WILL NEED THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND ALSO THE ILLINOIS GAMING BOARD.

LET'S HEAR WHAT SHE SAID.

>> MANY I'M MORE THAN CONFIDENT WE WILL HAVE A GOOD SOLID MAJORITY THAT SAYS YES.

>> THERE ARE ALDERPEOPLE THAT BEG TO DIFFER.

DOES SHE HAVE THE MOST VOTES?

>> SHE HAS THE MOST CRUCIAL ALONGSIDE HER WAS WALTER BARNETTE, THE CASINO WILL BE BUILT IN THIS WARD.

HE IS NOT NECESSARILY THRILLED WITH THE CASINO.

BUT HE IS HAPPY TO VOTE FOR IT IF IT MEANS THAT PROPERTY TAXES DON'T HAVE TO RISE.

NOW, THE MAYOR FORMED A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER THE CASINO.

THAT COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON MONDAY.

WHAT IS INTERESTING IS THAT AGENDA SAYS IT WILL CONSIDER ALL THREE FINALISTS FOR THE CHICAGO CASINO EVEN THOUGH THE MAYOR MADE THEIR PICK TODAY AND THAT HAS RAISED A GREAT DEAL OF FRUITS TRATION AMONG ALDERPEOPLE INCLUDING BRENDAN REILLY AND BRIAN HOPKINS WHO HAVE THE WARDS ADJOINING THIS AREA AND THEY ARE VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED TO THIS PROPOSAL.

>> YOU MENTIONED THAT MEETING NEXT MONDAY SUPPOSED TO CONSIDER ALL THE PROPOSALS, DOES THIS MEAN THE OTHER TWO PROPOSALS REALLY ARE DONE OR STILL HAVE FIGHTING CHANCE?

>> WELL, BOTH RUSH STREET GAMING AND HARD ROCK CASINO ISSUED STATEMENTS CONGRATULATING BALLY'S AND WISHING THE CITY WELL.

SO IT APPEARS THEY HAVE TOSSED IN THE PROVERBIAL TOWEL WHICH WILL MAKE IT HARD FOR THE ALDERPEOPLE TO REJECT THE CASINO, THERE'S GOING TO BE ON PRESSURES OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THIS DEAL BECAUSE THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY AT STAKE HERE.

>> BIG DAY, THANK YOU.

>> THANKS PARIS.

>> AND CAN YOU READ HEATHER'S STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS AND THE HEAD OF AN EMBATTLED STATE AGENCY.

>> THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES IS UNDER SCRUTINY FOR A HOST OF REASONS.

SINCE DECEMBER, AT LEAST FIVE CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE AGENCY HAVE DIED.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE CALLING FOR AN AUDIT AND THE AGENCY'S OWN DIRECTOR MARK SMITH HAS BEEN HELD IN CONTEMPT OF COURT NINE TIMES BECAUSE THERE IS A COURT DOCKET OF CHILDREN IN THE STATE'S CARE AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT THE KIDS HAVE BEEN REMAINING IN HOSPITALS BECAUSE DCFS HAS NOT.ABLE TO PLACE THEM.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT HOW HE PLANS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS IS MARK SMITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES.

OF THOSE NINE TIMES YOU HAVE BEEN HELD IN CONTEMPT THREE HAVE BEEN PURGED INCLUDING ONE TODAY.

BUT IT'S ABOUT CHILDREN WHO ARE STILL LIVING IN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS THOUGH MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS CLEARED THEM FOR RELEASE.

WHAT IS HAPPEN HERE?

WHY ARE SO MANY CHILDREN BEING HELD IN THE HOSPITALS AND NOT BEING PLACED?

>> SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TODAY.

AND I FIRST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE BEING HERE AND HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO BE IN THE ROLE OF LEADING DCFS AND SUPPORTING THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WE SERVE.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT KIDS IN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS, AND WHEN THEY ARE GRANTED RELEASE FROM THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, WHAT HAS TO BE MADE CLEAR IS THAT IT DOESN'T MEAN THOSE CHILDREN ARE READY FOR DISCHARGE IMMEDIATELY.

IT MEANS THEY ARE NOW ON THE PATHWAY TO BEING RELEASED.

THOSE CHILDREN ARE IN THE CARE OF DCFS AND WE'VE WORKED HARD TO INSURE THAT WE FIND THE MOST SAFE, APPROPRIATE PLACEMENTS FOR THOSE CHILDREN.

THE 20,000 CHILDREN WE HAVE IN CARE, ABOUT 35 OF THOSE KIDS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED AS BEING PREPARED AND READY FOR DISCHARGE PLANNING FROM PSYCH HOSPITALS AND DCFS WORKS AGGRESSIVELY TO GET THOSE KIDS PLACED.

WE ARE HAPPY WITH WORKING WITH OUR RESIDENTIAL PARTNERS WHO WORKED HARD AT DEVELOPING BEDS AND APPROPRIATE RESOURCES FOR THOSE CHILDREN.

AND ABOUT A THIRD OF THE CHILDREN THAT COME OUT OF MEDICAL NECESSITY GO BACK TO THE COMMUNITY FROM WHICH THEY CAME.

WE'VE HARD TO DEVELOP BEDS AND FOSTER HOMES AND TO SUPPORT PARENTS AND FAMILIES AND GETTING THOSE CHILDREN PLACED IN THEIR HOMES.

>> AND TO BE CLEAR, IT SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A MINORITY OF CHILDREN.

35 WHO ARE READY FOR DISCHARGE AND FOR WHOM THAT PLANNING NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE SOME OF THEM ARE STILL NOT BEING RELEASED FROM THOSE MEDICAL FACILITIES.

WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR ESTABLISHING SOME SORT OF OTHER SHELTER OTHER PLACEMENT FOR THOSE CHILDREN?

>> CURRENTLY, WE ARE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH RESIDENTIAL PROVIDERS ACROSS THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND WE ARE ALSO WORKING WITH PROVIDERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO DEVELOP THE APPROPRIATE RESOURCES FOR THESE CHILDREN.

YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THESE CHILDREN HAVE UNIQUE PSYCHIATRIC BEHAVIORAL AND MEDICAL NEEDS.

AND BECAUSE THEY ARE SO UNIQUE IT TAKES TIME TO DEVELOP THE RESOURCES FOR THOSE CHILDREN.

FOR EXAMPLE WE HAVE CHILDREN WHO HAVE SUICIDAL AND HOMICIDAL IDENTIFIATIONS THAT ARE ACTIVELY DEALING WITH PSYCHOTIC IDENTITIATIONS AND ALSO HAVE SEVERE MEDICAL ISSUES.

BECAUSE OF THOSE UNIQUE SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES IT BECOMES IMPORTANT FOR US TO TAKE THE TIME TO DEVELOP A SPECIFIC TIME OF PLACEMENT FOR THOSE CHILDREN.

WE HAVE GOOD PARTNERS ACROSS THE STATE WHO ARE SLOWLY BUT SURELY DEVELOPING THOSE SERVICES FOR THOSE KIDS.

WE HAVE ADDED IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, FRANKLY, WE HAVE ADDED 16 NEW RESIDENTIAL BEDS THAT WE ARE PLACING CHILDREN IN.

THIS CALENDAR YEAR WE'VE ADDED 37 NEW BEDS.

AND OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO WE'VE ADDED 90 PLUS NEW BEDS THERAPEUTIC BEDS FOR THESE CHILDREN.

WE ARE ON TRACK TO ADD ANOTHER 74 BEDS WITHIN THE NEXT SIX TO 12 MONTHS.

SO WE ARE EXCITED THAT WE ARE MAKING AGGRESSIVE PROGRESS AND NEGOTIATING THESE RESOURCES FOR THE KIDS THAT WE SERVE.

>> DIRECTOR, IN DECEMBER, AT LEAST AS WE MENTIONED, FIVE CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH YOUR AGENCY HAVE DIED.

AND INVESTIGATOR AS WELL, WAS MURDERED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

HOW REPUBLICANS IN SPRINGFIELD ARE CALLING FOR AN AUDIT.

AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS ILLINOIS CHAPTER HAS ASKED FOR YOUR REMOVAL.

DIRECTOR YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE JOB FOR THREE YEARS.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO ALL OF THIS?

>> SO, NOTHING IS -- IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO US THAN THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WE SERVE.

AND IT TAKES A LOT TO SUPPORT THESE CHILDREN.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO REMEMBER THAT DCFS PLAYS A ROLE IN SUPPORTING FAMILIES THAT ARE IN TRAGEDY.

THAT OUR INVESTIGATORS OUR SOCIAL WORKERS WHO GO OUT AND TRY TO HELP FAMILIES AND TRY TO HELP FAMILIES MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS AND CONNECT THEM TO THE MOST RESOURCES AND SUPPORT THEY CAN.

WE WORK ARM IN ARM WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, WITH LOCAL STATE'S ATTORNEYS AND TO TRY TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS WE CAN FOR FAMILIES.

WE KNOW THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR STAFF TO BE VIGILANT AND DILIGENT IN THE WAY THEY MAKE DECISIONS.

WE SUPPORT THEM AGGRESSIVELY.

WITH POLICY AND TRAINING.

AND IT'S OUR EXPECTATION THAT THEY DO THE BEST THEY CAN AND WE SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR DECISION MAKING.

>> DIRECTOR WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE BEDS YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ADD.

IN THE RAUNER ADMINISTRATION DCFS LOST BEDS.

>> IT DOESN'T TAKE YEARS TO REBUILD THAT CAPACITY.

THERE'S SHORT-TERM, MEDIUM TERM AND THE LONG-TERM.

IN THE SHORT-TERM THERE ARE BEDS RIGHT NOW IN EXISTING PLACEMENTS THAT ARE EMPTY.

BUT THE PLACEMENTS DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY THE STAFF THAT THEY NEED TO HIRE THE STAFF THEY NEED AND FULLY STAFF THE BEDS THAT EXIST.

THAT CAN BE ADDRESSED IN THE NEAR TO THE SHORT-TERM RUN.

>> DIRECTOR, IS THAT RIGHT?

IS IT JUST A MATTER OF SPACE OR IS IT A MATTER OF THE MONEY TO HIRE THE STAFF TO OPERATE THE SPACE?

HAVING LOST 500 BEDS THE NUMBER OF BEDS THAT YOU SOUNDS LIKE YOU'VE ADDED RECENTLY IS NOT ENOUGH TO MAKEUP FOR THAT?

>> SO THE TRUTH IS WE ALWAYS HAVE TO REMEMBER THERE ARE NO SIMPLE EXPLANATIONS AND NO SIMPLE OPTIONS TO ANY OF THE WORK THAT WE DO IN CHILD WELFARE.

IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, DCFS HAS BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE AN ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATORS WHO INCREASED THE BUDGET FOR OUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS BY MORE THAN 58%.

THAT MONEY IS BEING SPENT DIRECTLY TO PROVIDE THE INCREASED CAPACITY FOR THE CHILDREN WE HAVE.

YOU CANNOT CORRECT THE SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN DEPLETED FOR MANY YEARS OVERNIGHT.

BUT WE HAVE MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS NOT ONLY HAVE WE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF BEDS BUT THE QUALITY OF THE SERVICES THAT ARE DELIVERED TO THESE CHILDREN.

BECAUSE THESE ARE CHILDREN WHO HAVE VERY, VERY HIGH-END NEEDS.

THE QUALITY OF THESE BEDS AND THE QUALITY OF OUR PROVIDERS HAS IMPROVED.

WE HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO HELP OUR PROVIDER HIRE MORE STAFF.

WE HAVE RAISED THE MINIMUM STARTING SALARY FROM $12 AN HOUR, A FEW YEARS AGO, TO UPWARDS OF $19 AN HOUR.

AND SO THOSE RESOURCES ARE ABSOLUTELY HELPFUL.

>> THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

I WISH WE HAD MORE TIME.

MARK SMITH OF DCFS THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> OLD TOWN IS A NEIGHBORHOOD NESTLED WITHIN CHICAGO'S NEAR NORTH SIDE COMMUNITY.

IT IS A HISTORIC DISTRICT FILLED WITH VICTORIAN BUILDINGS AND STORIES OF GERMAN IMMIGRANTS WHO SETTLED IN THE 19TH CENTURY.

THE DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGED BUT IT HOLDS THE CHARM WITH THE ARCHITECTURE AND CLASSIC COMEDY CLUBS.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ SPENT THE DAY IN OLD TOWN AND JOINS US FROM ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH.

>> PARIS, THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW BUILDINGS THAT SURVIVED THE CHICAGO FIRE.

WE START BY VISITING THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM ON CLARK STREET TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AREA'S ORIGIN.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS HOME TO NATIVE-AMERICAN TRIBES AND IN THE 40s AND 50s GERMANS SETTLED IN AND BEGAN TO FARM AND BUILD.

>> THERE WERE GERMANS HERE THAT HAD QUITE A BIT OF AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY GOING ON.

AND THEY WERE ON THE EMOF THE CITY SO THERE WERE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO HOW THAT COMMUNITY WAS FORMED AT THE TIME.

BUT THE PROPERTY GOT VALUABLE AND FARMS AREN'T THE THING YOU WILL SEE SPREAD OUT INSIDE URBAN LIMITS THEY GOT MOVED ON AND CHANGED THE CHARACTER AS IT BECAME MORE RESIDENTIAL OVER TIME.

>> BECAUSE OF THOSE GERMAN FARMERS AND THE LAND THEY ONCE HAD OLD UP TO WAS NICKNAMED CABBAGE PATCH.

THE AREA HAS BEEN A LARGELY WHITE NEIGHBORHOOD AND LOTS OF COMMUNITIES CALLED THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOME.

ART AND ENTERTAINMENT PLAY A LARGE ROLE.

THE GENERAL MANAGER SPOKE WITH US ABOUT THE COMEDY CLUB MAKING ITS WAY FROM YEARS.

THE PANDEMIC WAS TOUGH FOR BUSINESS, BUT AS CITY REGULATIONS EASED HICKS SAYS IT'S EXCITING TO HOST A FULL CAPACITY SHOW.

>> THE SPACE IS GREAT, BECAUSE WE'RE OBVIOUSLY IT IS NOT A HUGE CLUB.

IT IS THE ONLY REMAINING COMEDY CLUB THAT STARTED BACK IN THE BOOM.

IT'S NARROW.

PEOPLE WHO COME HERE AND PERFORM HERE THEY LOVE THE SPACE.

EVERYTHING IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.

AND VERY MANAGEABLE.

AND IT'S GREAT FOR OLD UP TO IT IS A PERFECT STAPLE.

>> THROUGHOUT THE YEARS NEW RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS MADE A HOME IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BUT THERE'S STILL BARS AND RESTAURANTS TO CONTINUE TO HOLD THE OLD TIMES.

ONE IS ON WELLS STREET.

THE BROTHERS SHARE THE RESTAURANT WAS OPENED BY THEIR LATE FATHER 33 YEARS AGO.

WHEN THE RESTAURANT OPENED THE CORPS WAS NOT DEVELOPED AND SINCE THEN THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAS BECOME YOUNGER INTEREST A LOT OF VACANT LOTS ON THE STREET.

THERE WAS SEVERAL RESTAURANTS THAT WERE HERE FOR A LONGTIME.

ONLY TWO ARE LEFT NOW US AND FIREPLACE INN.

AND IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OLDER OF A CLIENTELE.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS DIFFERENT.

YOU HAD CABRINI GREEN HALF A MILE AWAY.

AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD ON THE NORTH SIDE.

A LOT OF HIPPIES AROUND THAT TIME, TOO.

>> YOU HEARD ONE OF THE BROTHERS MENTION CABRINI GREEN AND THAT COMPLEX WAS DEMOLISHED THERE'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEXES LIKE MARSHALL FIELD GARDEN APARTMENTS.

WE MET A FOUNDER OF A NONPROFIT WHO SEEKS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF UNDERSERVED YOUTH IN THE AREA.

HE SERVES 100 KIDS FROM NEARBY SCHOOLS.

THE OFFERS COMMUNITY WORK AND STEM SUPPORT AND THE CHALLENGE IS OBTAINING FUNDS.

>> I ENCOURAGE MORE COLLABORATION.

AND I THINK THAT IS THE SUPPORT OF GENTRIFICATION IF WE ARE ABLE TO FIND WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER, IT CAN MAKE THE PROCESS A LOT EASIER AND LESS DIFFICULT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

WE NEED MORE RESOURCES.

WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS ARE GREAT.

BUT IT TAKES RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO EMPOWER PEOPLE.

AS I MENTIONED EARLIER IF PARENTS ARE WORKING, HOW DO YOU PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT FOR KIDS WHEN THERE'S FEW SUPPORTERS?

>> NOW, I WANTED TO GET BACK TO ST. MICHAEL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.

THE WALLS OF PARISH SURVIVED THE CHICAGO FIRE.

WE'RE TOLD THE COMMUNITY WORKED TOGETHER TO REBUILD THE STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH.

THE CHURCH DIRECTOR SAYS OLD TOWN IS A TRANSITING COMMUNITY FOR YOUNGER RESIDENTS RESULTING IN MORE WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS.

>> OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY YOU HAVE A LOT OF FUNERALS AND WE HAVE A LOT OF WEDDINGS HERE.

A LOT OF WEDDINGS.

AND SO IT IS A DIFFERENT DYNAMIC AS FAR AS PARISH ACTIVITIES.

WE HAVE BETWEEN 80 AND 110 WEDDINGS.

>> AS YOU HEARD, THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS HOME TO A LARGE POPULATION OF YOUNGER PROFESSIONALS.

BUT THERE'S RESIDENTS WHO CALLED THIS HOME FOR DECADES.

WE'LL SPEAK TO THE LOCAL ALDERWOMAN, FIRST, BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

>> AND THERE'S MORE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" AHEAD SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> AFTER BEING CLOSED FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS, A FORMER CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN GREATER GRAND CROSSING IS BEING REBUILT INTO A NEW ARTS INCUBATOR FOR THE REBUILD FOUNDATION.

ANG OF ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU TAKES US TO THE GROUNDBREAKING FOR A LOOK AT THE CITY'S NEWEST CULTURAL HUB.

>> I THINK WITH THE WORK OF TODD AND SONS, WE WILL BE ABLE TO RESTORE THIS BUILDING THIS PART OF THE AUDITORIUM AND MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL.

>> IN A YEAR'S TIME THIS SPACE WILL SOON BE TRANSFORMED INTO THIS... [♪♪♪] IT'S ALL A PART OF REBUILD FOUNDATION'S NEWEST VENTURE: REBUILDING THE FORMER ST. LAWRENCE SCHOOL INTO A ONE OF A KIND ARTS INCUE BAITER.

>> I AM BUILDING WILL OFFER ART STUDIOS, CO-WORKING SPACES AND CLASSROOMS THAT WILL OFFER EDUCATION ON FINANCIAL LITERACY.

REBUILD FOUNDATION FOUNDER EREZ THATMINDS ARE FOSTERED RECREATIY AND ARTS AS WELL.

BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE BEING THE TALENT FOR OTHER INFRASTRUCTURAL HOUSES AND TAKE OUR TALENT AND DO GREAT THINGS.

BUT IS IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO BUILD THE HOUSES THAT OUR TALENT LIVES IN AND SO PART OF WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THE TALENT PART AND ALSO EQUIP PEOPLE WITH THE TOOLS SO IF THEY WANTED TO START AN LLC OR NEEDED LEGAL ADVICE AS THEY GROW THAT WE WOULD BE WITH THEM EVERY STEP OF THE WAY WITH THAT GROWTH UNTIL THEY DON'T NEED US ANYMORE.

>> ONE OF THE NEWEST DONORS AGREES.

>> PEOPLE COME AND LEARN A SKILL, A CRAFT, STAY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND BECOME ENTREPRENEURS THEMSELVES.

AND THAT HAS A COMPOUNDING EFFECT ON THE COMMUNITY.

BOTH CULTURALLY AND ECONOMICALLY.

>> ONE OF THE ARTISTS WHO WILL UTILIZE THIS NEW RESERVE IS FURNITURE DESIGNER NORMAN TEAGUE.

HE IS ONE OF MANY ARTISTS SELECTED TO BE A PART OF A NEW COHORT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PRADA GROUP, DORCHESTER INDUSTRIES.

>> THAT IS ONE OF THE PROUDEST MOMENTS TO BE AND WORKING WITH THE PEOPLE IT'S THE MOST GRATIFYING THING I COULD ASK FOR AS A DESIGNER.

JUST GIVES ME THE FREEDOM TO FLAP MY WINNINGS.

>> TEAGUE HAS BEEN DISRUPTING SPACES AND MANIPULATING WOOD AND OBJECTS FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

THE NEW COLLABORATION WILL ALLOW HIM TO NOT ONLY GROW AS AN ARTIST AND HELP THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTISTS GROW AS WELL.

>> THE EXPOSURE I WILL GET WILL BE THE INFLUENCE FOR THE NEXT YOUNG BLACK DESIGNER WHO SHES IS IT IS OK AND YOU CAN FLAP YOUR WINGS.

WHO SEES THAT YOU CAN DO THINGS OUTSIDE OF THE NORM.

[♪♪♪] >> THIS PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION IS A MISSION NOT JUST OF TEAGUE'S BUT IT'S ALSO GATE'S MISSION WITH THE DORCHESTER DESIGN LAB, THIS NEW INCUBATOR AND ALL OF THE OTHER ENTITIES AS A WHOLE.

>> IT'S DOWN THE STREET FROM THE STUDIO, A BLOCK FROM THE HOUSES THAT WILL ALSO BE ARTIST HOUSING THAT IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE IN THE BEGINNING OF THE CREATION OF A SOPHISTICATED CULTURAL DISTRICT.

[♪♪♪] >> BUN WIG HOPE THAT REBUILD -- ONE BIG HOPE THAT REBUILD HAS IS TO MODEL WHAT CULTURAL LEADERSHIP LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT A CULTURAL HUB LOOKS LIKE.

WE DON'T HAVE TO DO IT IN 77 NEIGHBORHOODS WE CAN DO IT WELL HERE.

AND THEN USE WHAT WE'VE DONE HERE AS A MODEL THAT COULD IMPACT THE CULTURAL LEADERS IN OTHER CITIES AROUND THE WORLD.

[♪♪♪] >> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> PROGRAMMING FOR THE DEVELOPING ARTS INCUBATOR IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN THE FALL OF 2023.

PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... FINANCIAL ANALYSTS WEIGH-IN ON THE HISTORIC INTEREST RATE HIKE BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE.

>> AN ORGANIZATION FIGHTS TO PRESERVE THE RELICS FROM OLD TOWN.

AND 36 RESIDENTS OF THE LASALLE VETERANS HOME DIED IN A COVID OUTBREAK A REPORT SHOWS A SERIES OF FAILURES BY THE STATE TO STOP THE SPREAD.

AND HOW LAKE MICHIGAN'S NEWEST BOYY BUOY WILL KEEP SWIMMERS SAFE.

FIRST MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

THE DOW TUMBLED MORE THAN 1,000 POINTS AFTER CLOSING 900 YESTERDAY.

INVESTORS ATTRIBUTE IT TO THE FEDS ANNOUNCING THE RAISING INTEREST RATES ABOUT CONCERNS ABOUT A SHRINKING ECONOMY.

NASDAQ LOST 5% AND WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THIS IN A FEW MOMENTS.

>> A NEW STUDY OUT OF NORTHWESTERN FOUND A POTENTIAL WAY TO ROOT OUT POLICE MISCONDUCT.

MISSISSIPPI CONDUCT IS OFTEN A GROUP PHENOMENON AND IT LEADS TO A HIGH NUMBER OF ARRESTS IN MINORITY COMMUNITIES.

THE STUDY FOUNDS CREWS TIED THE MISCONDUCT ACCOUNTED FOR A DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGH AMOUNT OF USE-OF-FORCE COMPLAINTS AND POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTING.

THE AUTHOR SAID USING THIS HELP TO ROOT OUT POLICE OFFICERS BUT THE STUDY STRESSED THERE ARE LIMITATIONS TO THE MODEL.

A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK ON ILLINOIS' FISCAL FRONT, FITCH UPGRADED STATE DEBT TO TRIPLE B PLUS REFLECTING AN IMPROVEMENT IN FISCAL PERFORMANCE AND TAX REVENUE.

BBB IS CONSIDERED JUNK BOND STATUS T FOLLOWS SIMILAR REPORTS FROM MOODY'S AND S&P.

>> AND AS WE MENTIONED STOCKS TOOK A STUMBLE TODAY.

ONE DAY AFTER THE FED ANNOUNCED THE BIGGEST INTEREST RATE HIKE IN 22 YEARS.

HERE IS JEROME POWELL TALKING ABOUT THAT MOVE YESTERDAY.

>> INFLATION IS MUCH TOO HIGH.

AND WE YOU HAD THE HARDSHIP IT'S CAUSING.

AND WE'RE MOVING TO BRING IT BACK DOWN.

WE HAVE BOTH THE TOOLS WE NEED AND THE RESOLVE IT WILL TAKE TO RESTORE PRICE STABILITY ON BEHALF AMERICAN FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES.

>> AND HERE TO DISCUSS HOW THIS MOVE COULD AFFECT THE ECONOMY AND YOUR WALLET GOING FORWARD ARE COROLLA FREEDMAN.

AND SUSAN SCHMIDT HEAD OF U.S. EQUITIES FOR AVEF AINVESTORS.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT IS THAT THE RIGHT AMOUNT AT THE RIGHT TIME?

>> WELL, IT'S THE RIGHT TIME.

WHETHER IT'S THE RIGHT AMOUNT OR NOT THAT IS REALLY, REALLY HARD TO SAY.

SO IS IT RIGHT THE RIGHT MOVE THAT THE FED INCREASED RATES?

YES.

WE'RE SEEING A TIME IN WHICH THE ECONOMY IS HAS RECOVERED QUITE A BIT.

BUT WE'RE SEEING INFLATION RATES THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN IN THE LAST FOUR DECADES.

SO INCREASING INTEREST RATES IS A WAY TO TRY TO TAME INFLATION RATES AND THAT IS AN IMPORTANT MOVE.

WHETHER THEY HAVE DONE THE RIGHT AMOUNT, PROBABLY WE'RE GOING TO SEE FURTHER INCREASES DOWN THE LINE.

>> TIME WILL TELL.

SUSAN SCHMIDT CAN THIS STENCH THE RISING TIDE OF INFLATION A LITTLE BIT?

>> SUSAN I THINK YOU ARE ON MUTE.

>> SORRY.

IT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT FOR SURE.

IT WILL IMPACT THE MARKETS YOU'VE SEEN THAT IN THE REACTION YESTERDAY AND TODAY AND IT WILL OFFSET SOME OF THAT INCREASE IN INFLATION.

REMEMBER A LOT OF INFLATION HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY SUPPLY SHORTAGES BECAUSE OF COVID NOW THEY ARE STRAIGHTENING OUT AND COMING BACK.

WE MIGHT SEE MORE WITHS ABOUT CHILD ABUSE SHUTDOWN.

FOOD AND FUEL HAS GONE UP AND THOSE CONTRIBUTE TO INFLATION GREATLY.

I THINK THAT INCREASE IN INTEREST RATES INITIALLY MET INVESTORS' EXPECTATIONS.

>> CAROL, SUSAN MENTIONED THE MARKET REACTION IT WAS NOT POSITIVE TODAY.

THE MARKETS DO NOT LIKE MOVES LIKE THIS BUT THEY RESPECT CERTAINTY.

WHAT IS THE LONG-TERM OUTLOOK HERE WITH THE MARKETS?

>> WELL, THE MARKETS DO GO UP AND DOWN.

AND YOU KNOW I THINK THEY WENT UP YESTERDAY BECAUSE THE INCREASING RATES WAS NO WORD ON WHAT SOME PEOPLE EXPECTED.

SOME PEOPLE WERE EXPECTING A 75 BARES BASIS POINT INCREASE.

AND WE HAVE 1%.

AND THERE WAS SOME REASSURANCE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE RATE INCREASES AS HIGH AS THREE QUARTERS OF A PERCENTAGE POINT GOING FORWARD.

BUT THAT WAS A VERY SHORT-LIVED REACTION.

AND I THINK WHAT SAW TODAY WE WILL SEE FURTHER INCREASES AND THE FED IS TRYING TO WALK THE TIGHT ROPE BETWEEN ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INFLATION.

BY SLOWLY INCREASING RATES AS OPPOSED TO DOING ONE LARGE INCREASE NOW.

>> ALL RIGHT, FOR THE VIEWERS OUT THERE THAT WANT TO KNOW HOW THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT THE MORTGAGE THEY MAYBE SEEKING OR CREDIT CARD DEBT WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THEM?

>> MORTGAGES ARE GOING TO GET MORE EXPENSIVE.

RATES ARE GOING UP AND THE SAME THING FOR THE CHARGES ON YOUR CREDIT CARD DEBT.

WE ARE IN A UPHILL RATE ENVIRONMENT NOW WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT IN A LONGTIME.

THIS IS A NEW THING FOR A LOT OF MARKET PARTICIPANTS.

WHAT IT DOES MEAN IS THAT THE MARKETS ALSO THE STOCK MARKETS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO COME UNDER PRESSURE AND THIS IS LEADING TO A LOT OF VOLATILITY WE SAW A WHIPSAW IN RETURNS BETWEEN YESTERDAY AND TODAY.

AND CONSUMERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THAT.

SAVERS AND INVESTORS NEED TO BE AWARE.

VOLATILITY IS HERE AND YOU ARE IN A NEW DYNAMIC THAT YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IN FOUR DECADES.

>> FUTURE ACTIONS POSSIBLY COMING FROM THE FED SHOULD THEY HOLD OFF GIVEN THE VOLATILITY HERE OR IS IT A FOREGONE CONCLUSION WE WILL SEE THE FUTURE MOVES?

>> I DON'T THINK IT IS A FOREGONE CONCLUSION.

I THINK WHAT THE FED IS DOING IS WAITING UNTIL IT HAS MORE DATA COMES IN AND I AGREE WE ARE IN A TIME OF EXTREME UNCERTAINTY AND IT IS NOT ONLY THE SUPPLY CHAIN DISLOCATIONS AND THE UKRAINE-RUSSIAN CONFLICT PUTS PRESSURE ON ENERGY PRICES AND HOW LONG THOSE TWO ISSUES TAKE TO RESOLVE REALLY VERY MUCH GOING TO IMPACT THE PERIOD IN WHICH THE UPWARD PRESSURE ON PRICES.

SO THE FED IS GOING TO ACT IF THEY SEE INFLATION STAY HIGH.

>> AND SUSAN SCHMIDT PUT THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE FOLKS MIGHT WORRY ABOUT THE RATES BUT IT'S NOT MUCH COMPARED TO WHAT THEY WERE 40 YEARS AGO?

>> OH, MY GOSH.

IT'S NOT MUCH COMPARED TO WHAT THEY WERE 40 YEARS AGO.

MOST OF THE MARKET PRESSURES DON'T HAVE THAT COMPARISON AND HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED IT.

RATES OVERALL ARE STILL VERY LOW.

TWO DECADES AGO IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL TO GET A HIGH SINGLE-DIGIT INTERR INTEREST RATES AND DOUBLE-DIGITS FOR SOME IN MY LIFETIME.

TODAY'S GENERATION X, MILLENNIALS HAVE NO CONCEPT OF THAT.

IT'S STILL RELATIVELY LOW INTEREST RATE.

HOUSING IS STILL VERY AFFORDABLE.

BUT THERE IS A STICKER SHOCK IMPACT WHEN IT WAS 0% FOR A LODGE TIME TO HAVE INTEREST RATES GO UP FROM THERE.

HAS AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE IN THE MARKET AND MAKES PEOPLE BACK OFF ON THE PURCHASES.

>> AND CAROL WE SAW THAT REPORT SHOWING CONTRACTION WORRIES ABOUT A RECESSION.

DO YOU THINK THOSE WORRIES ARE FOUNDED AND HOW MIGHT THAT AFFECTION FUTURE FED ACTION?

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT COMPONENTS OF GDP DROVE THE DOWNTURN AND SOME ARE LESS CONCERNING THAN OTHERS.

A LOT HAD TO DO WITH COVID DISLOCATIONS.

WE SAW LITTLE INCREASE IN GDP LAST YEAR.

THAT IS ANOTHER INDICATOR THAT I THINK THE FED IS ITS WHATTING TO SEE HOW THE ECONOMY IS MOVING TO DECIDE HOW AGGRESSIVE THEY GOING TO BE WITH THE INTEREST RATES BECAUSE WHEN THEY INCREASE INTEREST RATES THAT HAS A CONTRACTION EFFECT ON CONSUMPTION AND INVESTMENT.

WHAT THE FED BECAUSE'S WANT TO DO IS INCREASE INTEREST RATES SO MUCH THAT THEY LEADS TO A RECESSION.

BUT IT IS A VERY TIGHT ROPE TO WALK.

>> DELICATE BALANCE.

WE THANK YOU TWO FOR WALKING THAT TIGHT ROPE WITH US TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW TO JOANNA HERNANDEZ WHO SPENT THE DAY IN OLD TOWN AS A PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

JOANNA?

>> THANKS, BRANDIS WE ARE HERE WITH MICHELLE SMITH OF THE 43rd WARD AND CHAIR OF THE CITY COUNCIL'S ETHICS COMMITTEE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US IN BEAUTIFUL OLD TOWN >> THE FIRST QUESTION IS HOW WOULD YOU SAY OLD TOWN HAS CHANGED SINCE YOUR TIME AS ALDERWOMAN?

>> WELL, WE'VE HAD A BIG TURNOVER OF POPULATION.

WE HAVE SO MANY MORE YOUNG FAMILIES THAT ARE DECIDING TO STAY IN THE CITY, TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN.

AND SO IT'S LED TO AN INCREASE IN OUR SCHOOL POPULATION AND WE COULD NOT BE MORE DELIGHTED TO SEE THE STROLLERS AND KIDS ON THE PLAYGROUNDS.

>> ANOTHER QUESTION I HAVE THAT I A CONCERN I KEPT HEARING FROM RESIDENTS IS UPRISE IN CRIME.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY YOUR OFFICE IS DOING TO ADDRESS THIS?

>> PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING AN ALDERMAN CAN WORK ON.

WE HAVE BEEN PRO-ACTIVE IN THE OLD TOWN TRIANGLE IS A WONDERFUL PARTNER WE ARE HAVING A SAFETY MEETING NEXT WEEK TO ADDRESS PEOPLE'S CONCERNS.

AND THE OUTCOME OF OUR HUGE AMOUNT OF CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IS WE HAVE BEEN ACTIVE IN HELPING TO REDUCE OUR CRIME RATES HERE IN THE 43rd WARD.

>> YOUR NEW ETHICS PROPOSAL SUGGESTS RAISING THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR VIOLATING THE ETHICS ORDINANCE FROM 5,000 TO 20,000.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

>> THAT IS AMONG THE CHANGES WE ARE MAKING.

THE NUMBER ONE THING WE'RE DOING IS TIGHTENING UP ETHICS REFORM TO END THE I GOT A GUY MENTALITY OF OLD CHICAGO AND THAT MEANS WE'RE TIGHTENING UP ON CONFLICT OF INTERESTS BETWEEN PEOPLE WHO ARE CITY EMPLOYEES AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO WANT THEIR RELATIVES TO BENEFIT FROM THEIR CITY OFFICE.

AND WE'RE MAKING THOSE RULES EXTREMELY STRINGENT.

>> AND WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE PROPOSAL?

>> WE'RE BRIEFING SOME OF THE ALDERMEN TOMORROW ABOUT IT AND I HOPE TO HAVE A COMMITTEE MEETING AS SOON AS I CAN AND I EXPECT IT TO PASS.

>> THERE IS A LARGE POPULATION OF POPULATION WHO LIVE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE COMMUNITY HOW HAS YOUR OFFICE SUPPORTED THIS PART OF OLD TOWN?

>> WE HAVE ACTUALLY OVER 1500 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE 43rd WARD HIGHER THAN MANY COMMUNITIES ON THE NORTH SIDE AND WE ARE INVOLVED WITH DOING EVERYTHING FROM HELPING OUR AGING SENIORS TO ACTUALLY WORKING IN TRYING TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATION AT ATAPE MANY OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE LESS ADVANTAGE THAN SOME OF OUR OTHER RESIDENTS BECAUSE THEY ALL GO TO LINCOLN PARK HIGH SCHOOL WHICH IS THE MOST DIVERSE HIGH SCHOOL IN THE CITY AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE CAN EXCEL THERE.

>> AND THREE SCHOOLS IN THE AREA YOU MENTIONED?

>> HE SERVES MA NEAR, JENNER AND MAYBE FRANKLIN FINE ARTS WHICH IS NOT LITERALLY IN MY WARD BUT WE WORK LYNN NEAR AND JENNER COME, THE KIDS FROM THAT SCHOOL END UP COMING TO LINCOLN PARK HIGH SCHOOL AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY CHILD THAT COMES TO THAT HIGH SCHOOL IS WELL PREPARED SO THEY CAN GO TO COLLEGE IF THEY CHOOSE.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF WORK YOUR OFFICE IS DOING.

>> WE ARE ENCOURAGING OUR NEIGHBORS TO JOIN IN THAT ACTIVITY.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> COMING UP YOU WILL HEAR FROM ANOTHER ORGANIZATION AND WE TALK ABOUT A HISTORIC ART FAIR, FIRST, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, A SCATHING AUDIT ON A COVID OUTBREAK IN A STATE VETERAN'S HOME.

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH BECAME A TRUSTED SOURCE FOR MANY THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC BUT A REPORT FROM THE STATE'S AUDITOR GENERAL FINDS THAT IDPH NEGLECTED TO RESPOND TO A COVID OUTBREAK AT A STATE RUN VETERAN'S HOME AND FOR MANY IT WAS TOO LATE.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH THE STORY.

>> 32 RESIDENTS OF THAT LASALLE VETERANS HOME DID DIE IN 2020 AS A RESULT OF THAT OUTBREAK AND ONE WAS RICHARD SUSKIN.

HIS WIFE HAD VISITED RICHARD EVERYDAY AT THE HOME FROM 9:30-2:00 P.M.

DINING WITH HIM UNTIL THE PANDEMIC HIT WHEN SUDDENLY VISITS WERE NOT ALLOWED.

AND THEN THE FAMILY STARTED VISITING RICHARD AT HIS WINDOW.

NOT IDEAL BUT IT WAS FOR EVERYONE'S SAFETY.

>> IT WAS JUST REALLY WEIRD.

AND YOU KNOW, YOU TRY TO EXPLAIN NO WE ARE OUTSIDE PLEXI GLASS AND THEN THEY CAN'T HEAR BECAUSE YOU HAVE A MASK ON.

YOU ARE TALKING TO SOMEONE WHO IS HARD OF HEARING IN A MASK BUT IT WAS A NIGHTMARE.

IT WAS GOOD TO SEE HIS FACE AND GLOW WHEN HE LOOKED AT US.

IT WAS WORTH IT TO SEE HIS FACE THROUGH THE DIRTY WINDOW.

>> THE FAMILY WAS IMPRESSED AS COVID HIT OTHER CONGREGATE SETTINGS LASALLE STAYED SAFE.

BUT EIGHT MONTHS INTO THE PANDEMIC, IT SURGED THROUGH THE HOME.

FOR DAD ALL THE LUNCH PALS THEY GOT COVID.

FEWER CALL SHE RECALLS THE LAST TIME SHE BROUGHT WINDEX.

>> AFTER WE ALL SAID OUR GOOD-BYES THROUGH THE WINDOW, IT WAS LIKE HE WAS WAITING FOR ALL OF US TO COME AND SAY GOOD-BYE BECAUSE HE PASSED AWAY THAT NIGHT.

SO HE WENT FROM BEING SEMI OK TO ON HIS DEATH BED IN A MATTER OF HOURS THAT IS HOW QUICKLY THAT HAPPENED.

AND THEN MY DAD WAS GONE.

>> NEW INVESTIGATION BY THE STATE'S INDEPENDENT AUDITOR GENERAL THAT IS FORMER DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE FRANK MARTINO DETAILS HOW THE STATE RESPONDED OR MORE PRECISELY HOW THE STATE DID NOT RESPOND AT LEAST NOT RIGHT AWAY.

>> WHAT IS VERY TROUBLING FOR ME IS THAT THE GOVERNOR, THIS ADMINISTRATION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH WAITED ALMOST 12 DAYS BEFORE THEY ARRIVED ON-SITE TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE HOME.

HAD THEY ARRIVED ON THE SITE AT THE FIRST ONSET OF AN OUTBREAK NOVEMBER 1, THEY COULD HAVE SLOWED THE OUTBREAK.

>> SENATOR REPRESENTS THE AREA WHERE THE HOME IS AND WHISTLEBLOWERS CALLED HER TALKING ABOUT PROBLEMS AT THE HOME.

THERE WERE NO MASKS, PROCEDURES NOT BEING FOLLOWED.

BY THE TIME THAT IDPH VISITED 83 RESIDENTS HAD CONTRACTED COVID AND 11 HAD DIED.

THE 154-PAGE AUDIT SLAMS THE PRITZKER ADMINISTRATION SAYING ALTHOUGH THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS WERE INFORMED OF THE INCREASING POSITIVE CASES ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CHIEF OF STAFF, IDPH DID NOT IDENTIFY AND RESPOND TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OUTBREAKS.

THE AUDIT TAKES UMBRAGE WITH A PREVIOUS REPORT ORDERED BY GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER THAT WOULD FOCUS ON THE VETERAN'S AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND SAYING THE SCOPE OF THAT AUDIT WAS NARROW AND THE PRIMARY FINDING WAS FLAWED.

PRITZKER SAID HE DID TAKE ACTION UPON LEARNING OF THE SITUATION AND ENDED UP FIRING THE DIRECTOR OF THE VETERANS AFFAIRS AGENCY.

AT THE TIME OF THE OUTBREAK, THE STATE WAS FIGHTING AN UPHILL BATTLE TO STOP COVID SPREAD.

>> AND YOU MAY REMEMBER THIS IS BEFORE WE HAD VACCINES.

WE WERE WORKING AGAINST REPUBLICAN ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO TOLD THE PUBLIC TO DENY MITIGATION EFFORTS.

WE TOLD PEOPLE THEY NEEDEDDED TO FOLLOW THE MITIGATIONS AND REPUBLICANS TOLD THEM THAT THEY NEED NOT WEAR MASKS.

THEY TOLD PEOPLE THAT THEY DIDN'T NEED TO GET VACCINATED.

THEY TOLD PEOPLE THAT COVID WASN'T SERIOUS.

THOSE LIES PUT PEOPLE'S LIVES AT RISK ESPECIALLY THE MOST VULNERABLE AS MY TEAM AND I WORKED 18 HOURS A DAY FOR NINE MONTHS STRAIGHT TO FIGHT THEM.

>> THOSE WHO WANT TO REPLACE PRITZKER AS GOVERNOR SAY HE SHOULDERS THE BLAME.

ESPECIALLY AFTER BLASTING BRUCE RAUNER TO FOR FAILURES OF THE LEGIONNAIRES OUTBREAK IN A QUINCY HOME.

>> WHEN YOU ARE GOVERNOR THE BUCK STOPS WITH YOU.

MY HEART IS BREAKING FOR THESE VETERANS AND FAMILIES AND MY BLOOD BOILS WHEN I SEE EXCUSES COMING FROM OUR GOVERNOR.

IT'S DOWN RIGHT EMBARRASSING THAT WE HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO BLAMES EVERYONE BUT HIMSELF.

EXCUSES WON'T BRING OUR VETERANS BACK.

>> HE ALSO IS NOT SATISFIED AND GETS EMOTIONAL THINKING ABOUT HER DAD A KOREAN WAR VETERAN DYING ALONE.

AND WITHOUT THE MORE FEEN THAT HE HAD BEEN PRESCRIBED.

BECAUSE THE HOME DID NOT HAVE ANY.

>> HE SUFFERED THE LAST HOURS OF HIS LIFE TRYING TO BREATHE.

THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN THAT.

CHOKING ON HIS PHLEGM AND ALL ALONE.

I MEAN NO ONE DESERVES THAT.

NO ONE.

THE GOVERNOR PRITZKER TO KEEP PASSING THIS AND BLAMING EVERYBODY, TAKE HOLD OF SOMETHING AND GET THIS DONE RIGHT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE DONE.

STEP UP.

>> LYNN IS ONE OF 27 FAMILIES THAT IS SUING THE STATE OVER THIS.

SHE SAYS THAT SHE WANTS PRITZKER TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ADMINISTRATION'S MISTAKES AND WILL SHE BE ABLE TO PROBABLY GRIEVE AND IT IS INCUMBENT ON THE ADMINISTRATION TO GET IT RIGHT, ESPECIALLY AFTER LEGIONNAIRES AND ALL OF THAT ISSUE SHE SAYS IT HAS TO BE CORRECTED IN THE FUTURE.

THE ATTORNEY WHO IS REPRESENTING LYNN AND THE OTHER FAMILIES SAYS THERE HAS BEEN NO UPDATE IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE STATE SINCE THE LAWSUITS WERE FILED IN MARCH.

BACK TO YOU.

>> SOBERING REPORT THANK YOU.

>> AND BRANDIS BACK TO YOU.

>> AND PARIS FOR THE LONG HE HAVE TIME WEATHER FORECASTERS ONLY EYES ON LAKE MICHIGAN WERE SHIP CAPTAINS.

TODAY TECHNOLOGY MAKES REALTIME MONITORING POSSIBLE.

A PROGRAM HAS APPLIED DATA TRACKING TECHNOLOGY TO BUOYS FLOATING IN LAKE MICHIGAN AND THE GROUP ADDED A NEW ONE TO THE NIX NICKNAMED CHUOY THE BUOY.

PATTY WETLI JOINS US WITH MORE.

BEFORE CHUOY THE BUOY JOINED THE TEAM THAT PROGRAM THE ILLINOIS INDIANA SEA GRANT HAD A PAIR OF BUOYS ONE BY WILMETTE AND ANOTHER BY MICHIGAN CITY IN ADDITION TO ANOTHER PAIR THAT THE GROUP OVERSEE HES HAD FOR THE NATIONAL CAROL OSHANA.

WHY -- NATIONAL CAROL OSHANA.

>> ALL CHICAGOANS CAN ATTEST THE CITY HAS ITS OWN MICRO CLIMATE.

A BUOY IN THE MIDDLE OF LAKE MICHIGAN OR ONE THAT IS A COUPLE MILES IN EITHER DIRECTION OF THE CITY IS NOT GOING TO PROVIDE AN ACCURATE DEPICTION OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN LAKE MICHIGAN OFF OUR SHORES.

CHUOY THE BUOY BEING A MILE AND A QUARTER OFF OF NAVY PIER IS GOING TO GIVE THAT REAL, ACCURATE PICTURE OF WHAT THE WATER CONDITIONS ARE LIKE HERE.

>> AND WHAT DOES CHUOY THE BUOY BRING TO THE TABLE OR THE LAKE?

>> YES, SO THE BUOY WILL MONITOR THINGS LIKE AIR TEMPERATURE AND WATER TEMPERATURE AT THE SURFACE AND AT THE BOTTOM.

THINGS LIKE WIND SPEED, WIND DIRECTION AND IMPORTANTLY, OTHER THINGS LIKE WAVE HEIGHT AND SOMETHING CALLED WAVE PERIOD, WHICH IS THE TIME BETWEEN WAVES.

SO WHETHER THERE'S LIKE LOW SWELLS OR COMING IN RAPID SUCCESSION AND IT HAS A CAMERA MOUNTED ON IT.

AND TAKES PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO WHICH PEOPLE CAN ACCESS.

>> WOW THAT SHOULD BE INTERESTING.

WHO CAN MAKE USE OF THIS DATA?

>> ANYONE AND EVERYONE.

METEOROLOGISTS WILL USE IT TO WITH THEIR FORECASTS.

SO THEY WILL BE ABLE TO KNOW IF THEY NEED TO ISSUE SOMETHING LIKE A SMALL CRAFT VARIED OR A BEACH WARNING, RESEARCHERS CAN USE IT.

YOU OR I ANYBODY IN THE PUBLIC CAN AXIS R SES THIS INFORMATION AND IT'S -- CAN ACCESS THE INFORMATION AND IT IS A SAFETY TOOL FOR SWIMMERS AND BOATERS.

ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THAT CAMERA, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SEE IF THERE ARE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS ON THE WATER AND THINGS LIKE THAT WAVE PERIOD THAT I MENTIONED THAT CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS FOR SWIMMERS.

BECAUSE IT CAN PUMMEL FOLKS EVEN IF THE WAVE HEIGHTS ARE NOT THAT HIGH.

THEY WILL HAVE A GOOD PICTURE OF WHAT THOSE CONDITIONS ARE BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO HEAD TO THE WATER.

>> LOOK TO CHUOY THE BUOY FOR INFORMATION.

PATTY WETLI THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> YOU CAN READ PATTY'S STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> UP NEJTS WE CHECK BACK IN WITH JOANNA IN OLD TOWN.

FIRST, A LOOK AT EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND.

>> NOW, WE CHECK BACK IN WITH JOANNA WHO IS IN OLD TOWN AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> WE ARE HERE WITH SCOTT EARLY PAST PRESIDENT AND LIFE MEMBER OF THE OLD TOWN TRIANGLE ASSOCIATION.

YOU'VE BEEN LIVING HERE FOR 44 YEARS?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> A LONGTIME.

>> BRIEFLY PAINT A PICTURE FOR US ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION'S WORK HERE.

>> THE OLD TOWN TRIANGLE ASSOCIATION PROVIDES ALL KINDS OF FUNCTIONS.

WHAT DISTINGUISHES OLD TOWN IS TWO THINGS: ONE, WE HAVE AIDED STRONGLY IN PRESERVING OLD TOWN AS A DESIGNATED HISTORIC DISTRICT TO PRESERVE THE HOMES BUILT AFTER THE CHICAGO FIRE AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS IT WAS.

AND TWO WE'VE INSTITUTED THE OLD TOWN ART FAIR, THE SECOND WEEKEND IN JUNE.

IT'S NOW BEEN JUDGED ONE OF THE BEST ART FAIRS IN AMERICA.

225 ARTISTS NATIONWIDE COME IN AND THE PROCEEDS FROM THAT NOT ONLY GO TO THE TRIANGLE ASSOCIATION BUT IN LARGE PART TO THE CLUB FOR BOYS AND GIRLS WHICH STARTED IN A FORMER BOWLING ALLEY ON WILLOW WEST OF HERE.

AND NOW TRANSFERRED ALL OF ITS OPERATIONS INTO THE COMPLEX WHICH SERVES 1500 SCHOOL AGED BOYS AND GIRLS IN EVERYTHING FROM BASKETBALL TO GARDENING.

>> YOU BRIEFLY TOUCHED HOW IT'S BEEN PRESERVING THIS HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN THE AREA.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

>> CERTAINLY.

IN THE OLD TOWN TRIANGLE DISTRICT YOU HAVE HOMES THAT RANGE FROM VICTORIANS BUILT AFTER THE FIRE, 1872K, 1873.

AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITED WOOD CONSTRUCTION.

SO YOU SEE THE STONE BUILDINGS THAT PEOPLE CONSIDER THOSE OLD EDWARDIANS.

AND THEN WHEN THAT RESTRICTION WAS REVOKED YOU STARTED GETTING NEW BUILDINGS AGAIN.

ON LINCOLN PARK WEST THERE'S LOUIE SULLIVAN ROWHOUSES.

THERE IS A CONGREGATION OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY OF CHICAGO LIKE THE CITY ITSELF CONTAINED IN THE ONE POCKET OF THE TRIANGLE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> I DO WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS FAMOUS ART FAIR.

WE TALKED BRIEFLY ALSO THIS AREA THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF HIPPIES?

>> OLD TOWN IN THE 60s WAS FAMOUS.

YOU WENT TO SECOND CITY.

AND IT WAS A LIBERAL AREA.

AND THERE WAS A LARGE ARTIST COMMUNITY ON WELLS IN THE CURLEY COURT COMPLEX.

AS YOU GET LATER ON AND IT BECAME MORE OF A CURRENT R RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, THE TRIANGLE ASSOCIATION HISTORIC DISTRICT PRESERVED THOSE ASPECTS OF THE OLD NEIGHBORHOODS.

YOU CAN FEEL LIKE YOU ARE WALKING IN THE PAST.

YOU DON'T SEE THE LONG HAIR AND THE BEARDS BUT YOU SEE THE HOUSES.

>> AND I WANT TO ASK YOU THIS LAST QUESTION FOR THE NEWCOMERS COMING IN AREA WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TELL THEM WHAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS OR WHAT IT STILL IS?

>> IT'S TRULY A NEIGHBORHOOD.

PEOPLE COME IN AND STAY AND RAISE THEIR KIDS.

AND PEOPLE STAY AS OLD SENIORS.

IT'S TRULY A NEIGHBORHOOD YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN THE POCKET IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY AND IT'S WONDERFUL.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THAT IS ALL WE HAVE HERE FROM OLD TOWN FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> A LOT OF GREAT HISTORY THANK YOU.

AND BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, 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 AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

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

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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