>>> HI THERE, THANKS FOR JOINING US ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT," I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

HERE IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ISSUES AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION IN RESPONSE TO THE INFLUX OF MIGRANTS.

>> THE TOP COP, CHARLIE BECK ON CHICAGO'S SEARCH FOR A NEW SUPERINTENDENT.

>>> DEMANDS FOR A STATE OF THE ART HOSPITAL ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE.

>> WHY IS IT SPELLED WVAG?

IT MAKES IT SPECIAL.

>>> THE SAUSAGE KING AND QUEEN OF CHICAGO CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF DIVINE.

>> WE DON'T HAVE OUR BEST PEOPLE GOING INTO POLITICS ANYMORE.

>> WE CONTINUE OUR REMEMBRANCE OF NEWT MINOW.

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

A JURY FINDS FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP LIABLE FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DEFAMATION IN A CIVIL CASE BROUGHT BY WRITER E. JEAN CARROLL.

TRUMP IS ORDERED TO PAY $5 MILLION IN DAMAGES RELATED TO A SEXUAL ASSAULT THAT TOOK PLACE IN 1996.

THE JURY DELIBERATED FOR UNDER THREE HOURS BEFORE COMING TO THE VERDICT, WHICH STOPPED SHORT OF HOLDING TRUMP LIABLE FOR RAPE.

THE FORMER PRESIDENT ALSO FACES STATE CRIMINAL CHARGES RELATED TO ALLEGED HUSH MONEY PAYMENTS TO AN ADULT MOVIE ACTRESS AND INVESTIGATIONS INTO CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS HELD AT MAR-A-LAGO AND INTO ATTEMPTS TO OVERTURN THE ELECTION THAT HE LOST.

>>> SOCIAL EQUITY CANNABIS ADVOCATES SAY THE CLOCK IS TICKING FOR STATE LAWMAKERS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS INEQUITY.

>> WE HAVE TEN DAYS LEFT IN OUR STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THESE NEXT TEN DAYS STAND TO DETERMINE NOT ONLY HOW THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY WILL EVOLVE IN OUR STATE OF ILLINOIS, BUT WHETHER OR NOT SOCIAL EQUITY WILL ACTUALLY FAIL.

>> INTO OUR NEWS CONFERENCE TONIGHT, MORE THAN 15 CANNABIS SOCIAL EQUITY SAY THEY HAVE SEEN LITTLE ACTION IN SPRINGFIELD IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.

THEIR DEMANDS FROM LEGISLATORS INCLUDE INCREASING THE CANNABIS SPACE ALLOWED FOR CRAFT LICENSE GROWERS FROM 5,000 TO 14,000 SQUARE FEET.

CONSOLIDATING CANNABIS DEPARTMENTS UNDER ONE UNIFIED AGENCY INSTEAD OF MULTIPLES.

AND EXTENDING THE LOOMING DEADLINE FOR SOCIAL EQUITY DISPENSARY OWNERS AMONG OTHER THINGS.

>>> CHICAGO ARTS PROGRAMS ARE GETTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM THE CITY UNDER SEVERAL GRANT PROGRAMS TOTALING $16.5 MILLION FOR THE YEAR.

>> DESPITE THE VERY REAL STRUGGLES AND MANY CHALLENGES OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, POISED TO SERVE THE NEED OF THE CHICAGO'S VITAL ARTS COMMUNITY TODAY AND INTO THE FUTURE.

>> THE CITY SAYS THE CHICAGO ARTS PROGRAM GRANTS ARE GOING TO 77 NON-PROFITS, STILL RECOVERING FROM THE COVID PANDEMIC.

AMONG THEM THE BEVERLY ARTS CENTER, WHICH YOU SEE HERE, THE CHICAGO LATINO ALLIANCE, AND THE CENTER FOR INDIAN PERFORMING ARTS JUST TO NAME A FEW.

THE CITY ALSO ANNOUNCED GRANT RECIPIENTS FOR THE CHICAGO PRESENTS LOOP PROGRAM SUPPORTING ARTS PROGRAMMING IN THE DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD.

>>> BLACKHAWKS SEASON TICKET SALES ARE SOARING TODAY AFTER A DISMAL SEASON.

WHY YOU ASK?

THAT'S BECAUSE THE TEAM WON THE NHL DRAFT LOTTERY AND WILL HAVE THE FIRST PICK IN THE UPCOMING NHL DRAFT.

THEY WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY SELECT 17-YEAR-OLD PHENOM CONNOR BEDARD DESCRIBED AS A GENERATIONAL TALENT ON PAR WITH PATRICK KANE.

BEDARD TALLIED 81 GOALS, 82 ASSISTS IN ONLY 64 GAMES.

THE TEAM HAS REPORTEDLY SOLD $2 MILLION IN TICKET SEASONS SINCE YESTERDAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> WOW.

>>> UP NEXT, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ISSUES AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION OVER CHICAGO'S MIGRANT CRISIS.

>> HEATHER CHERONE WITH THAT STORY RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLY IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

THE POLK BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT DECLARES A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN CHICAGO SAYING THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS GRIPPING THE CITY AMID A SURGE OF MIGRANTS FROM TEXAS IS ACCELERATING.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US WITH MORE.

HEATHER, THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 450 PEOPLE LIVING ON FLOORS IN POLICE STATIONS INCLUDING CHILDREN.

LET'S LISTEN TO LIGHTFOOT'S FIRST PUBLIC REMARKS ON THIS ISSUE SINCE THE SURGE BEGAN IN MID APRIL.

>> WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO.

COME TO THIS POINT, BUT HERE WE ARE.

EVEN IN MY FINAL DAYS AS MAYOR, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO STEP UP AND RESPOND TO THIS CRISIS.

>> AND SO WE'VE SEEN THE IMAGES OF OVERFLOWING POLICE STATIONS, KIDS SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR.

HOW DID THE CITY GET TO THIS POINT?

>> Reporter: WELL, IT REALLY STARTED IN ADVANCE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO LIFT RESTRICTIONS ON THE BORDER THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

SO THE CITY WAS CAUGHT FLAT FOOTED AND NOT REALIZING NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WERE FLYING MIGRANTS TO CHICAGO THAT MEANT THE CITY WAS CAUGHT FLAT FOOTED.

THEIR SHELTERS WERE ALREADY FULL, AND THAT IS WHY PEOPLE ARE BEING FORCED TO SLEEP ON THE FLOOR OF POLICE STATIONS.

>> THE MAYOR IS ALSO CALLING OUT THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS, GREG ABBOTT.

AND DURING A MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUDGET COMMITTEE TODAY, THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES COMMISSIONER BRANDIE KNAZZE ACKNOWLEDGED THE CITY'S SOCIAL SAFETY NET HAS BEEN PUSHED TO ITS BREAKING POINT.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> IT'S JUST A BAD SITUATION.

PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE IN POLICE STATIONS.

>> SO WHAT IS THIS EMERGENCY DECLARATION GOING TO DO IN PRACTICALITY?

>> Reporter: WELL, IT WILL NOT FREE UP MORE FUNDING TO MOVE THESE IMMIGRANTS INTO BETTER CONDITIONS.

WHAT IT WILL DO IS IT WILL END RULES THAT WILL REQUIRE APPROVALS FOR CITY OFFICIALS TO PURCHASE THINGS THE IMMIGRANTS NEED.

THIS IS HOPEFUL THAT THIS MONEY WILL HELP THE CITY OPEN NEW SHELTERS AND CENTERS TO GET THEM OUT OF THE POLICE STATIONS.

BUT BETWEEN 100 AND 150 IMMIGRANTS ARRIVING EACH DAY IN CHICAGO, THE CITY IS SIMPLY AT CAPACITY, WHICH IS WHY YOU'RE SEEING CONTROVERSIES ERUPT LIKE THE ONE OVER SOUTH SHORE HIGH SCHOOL.

>> RIGHT, VERY EMOTIONAL DEBATE AT SOUTH SHORE HIGH SCHOOL ABOUT HOUSING MIGRANTS THERE TEMPORARILY.

EMOTIONAL DEBATE IN CITY COUNCIL.

THERE WAS A BUDGET PROPOSAL BACKED BY LIGHTFOOT TO USE $51 MILLION IN BUDGET SURPLUS MONEY TO HELP CARE FOR THESE MIGRANTS.

LET'S LISTEN TO SOME OF THOSE FOLKS ON THAT DEBATE.

>> WHAT I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN IN THE 19th POLICE DISTRICT, I WOULDN'T ALLOW A DOG TO BE TREATED THAT WAY.

>> WE NEED TO STEP UP AS A CITY DURING THIS HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

>> WHAT ABOUT HELP FROM STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

>> Reporter: IN ALL THE CITY HAS GOTTEN $30 MILLION FROM THE STATE TO HELP CARE FOR THE IMMIGRANTS, BUT ONLY $4.3 MILLION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SINCE THE START OF THE YEAR.

THE NEED IS SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER, WHICH IS WHY WE HEARD THE MAYOR TODAY PLEAD FOR MORE HELP.

SOMETHING I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WE WILL HEAR ECHOED BY MAYOR ELECT BRANDON JOHNSON ONCE HE TAKES OFFICE IN SIX DAYS.

>> STAY TUNED FOR THAT.

SIX DAYS, THEN HE INHERITS THIS CRISIS RIGHT NOW IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

HEATHER CHERONE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> AND BRANDIS, WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>>> CHARLIE BECK LED THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR ALMOST A DECADE UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT IN 2018.

BUT HE CAME OUT OF RETIREMENT TO BE CHICAGO'S INTERIM POLICE SUPERINTENDENT AFTER MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT FIRED EDDIE JOHNSON IN 2019.

DESPITE JUST FIVE MONTHS ON THE JOB, HE PUSHED THROUGH SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURAL REFORMS, SOME OF WHICH WERE LATER UNDONE BY SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN.

JOINING US NOW FROM CALIFORNIA TO SHARE HIS THOUGHTS ON WHAT CHICAGO SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR IN ITS NEXT POLICE CHIEF IS CHARLIE BECK.

CHIEF BECK, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> BRANDIS, PLEASURE TO JOIN YOU.

>> SO BEFORE WE TALK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT CHICAGO SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR IN ITS NEXT POLICE SUPERINTENDENT.

GIVE US YOUR ASSESSMENT OF HOW FORMER SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN PERFORMED IN THAT ROLE?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY THAT IS CHICAGO'S JUDGMENT TO MAKE AND NOT MINE.

I WILL SAY THAT HE HAD A VERY TOUGH TIME IN A VERY TOUGH TIME IN POLICING IN AMERICA WITH COVID, INCREASING CRIME RATES, AND COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE TO LEADY A DEPARTMENT THAT IS VERY ATTUNED TO ITS OWN STYLE OF POLICING.

SO IT WAS A STEEP CLIMB FOR HIM.

I THINK BY NOT ONLY MY JUDGMENT, BUT HE FELL A LITTLE SHORT.

>> YOU SAID CHICAGO'S NEXT POLICE CHIEF HAS SOME BIG CHANGES TO MAKE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT AND WHY?

>> WELL, FIRST I THINK INCLUDING MORALE IS GOING TO BE KEY.

YOU KNOW, THE MORALE OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN HITTING ROCK BOTTOM RIGHT NOW.

THEY HAVE GONE TO VAST NUMBER OF PREVAILS AND TRAGEDY, AND I CAN CERTAINLY SEE WHY THEY FEEL UNDERSUPPORTED AND KIND OF UNWANTED IN CHICAGO.

WHICH TO ME IS THE OPPOSITE OF THE WAY PEOPLE IN CHICAGO THINK.

I FIND PEOPLE IN CHICAGO TO BE VERY STEADFAST AND IN THEIR SUPPORT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO BE VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD.

I LOVE WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITIES IN CHICAGO BECAUSE OF THAT.

SO I THINK THAT'S DOABLE.

OTHER THINGS HAVE TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO SHOW THE POLICE THAT THEY ARE APPRECIATED AND VALUED, JUST LIKE ALL OF US WANT.

SO I THINK THAT'S JOB ONE.

JOB TWO IS TO APPROVE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ONE OF THE PRIMARY WAYS OF DOING THAT IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE CONSENT DECREE.

I WAS UNDER THE CONSENT DECREE IN LOS ANGELES.

I COMPLETED THE CONSENT DECREE WHILE I WAS CHIEF.

AND WHEN PEOPLE ASKED ME WHAT I WOULD CHANGE AFTER IT WAS OVER, I SAID NOTHING.

BECAUSE IT IS A ROAD MAP TO EXCELLENT AND POLICING.

YOU KNOW YES, IT'S HARD, YES, IT'S A HEAVY LIFT.

BUT WHEN YOU'RE COMPLETED WITH IT, WHEN YOU'VE DONE MORE THAN CHECK THE BOXES, BUT ACTUALLY MADE THE CHANGE THAT IT DEMANDS.

YOU HAVE A MUCH, MUCH BETTER POLICE AGENCY.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS.

AND THEN THE STRUCTURE OF CPD IS ANTIQUATED.

IT IS VERY CENTRAL LEAD FOCUSED DEPARTMENT WITH MANY, MANY CITY WIDE UNITS THAT EAT UP A LOT OF RESOURCES.

I THINK THOSE RESOURCES NEED TO BE PUSHED DOWN TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

THEY NEED TO BE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DISTRICT COMMANDERS AND THOSE DISTRICT COMMANDERS ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE MOST RESPONSIBLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS, AND THE MOST RESPONSIBLE TO PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN CHICAGO.

THEY NEED TO BE THE ONES TO CONTROL THE RESOURCES.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS, BUT THAT'S JUST A FEW.

>> OKAY, SO WE'VE HEARD MAYOR ELECT BRANDON JOHNSON WOULD LIKE THE NEXT SUPERINTENDENT TO BE SOMEONE WHO IS CURRENTLY A CPD MEMBER.

BUT THE RECORD OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS UNDER CONSENT DECREES, HAVING BEEN MORE SUCCESSFUL UNDER OUTSIDERS.

MAYBE THERE'S LESS BAGGAGE, NO COMPLICATING TIES THAT OTHERS MIGHT HAVE TO OTHERS IN THE DEPARTMENT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF APPOINTING SOMEONE WHO IS AN INSIDER?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I'D PICK THE BEST PERSON.

I DON'T THINK IT MAKES ANY DIFFERENCE -- NO, THAT'S NOT EXACTLY RIGHT.

LET ME CLARIFY.

I THINK EITHER AN INSIDER OR OUTSIDER CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

AND THERE ARE ADVANTAGES TO BOTH.

YOU BROUGHT UP ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES TO AN OUTSIDER.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE EXCESS BAGGAGE THAT A LONG-TERM CPD MEMBER WOULD ENTAIL.

BUT THEY ALSO HAVE THE BENEFIT OF SEEING THINGS FROM A FRESH PERSPECTIVE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY SEEING HOW THINGS ARE DONE OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO.

YOU KNOW CPD IS A VERY INSULAR POLICE AGENCY.

IT'S NOT REALLY THEIR FAULT.

THEY'RE THE BIGGEST CITY IN ILLINOIS BY A FACTOR OF, I DON'T KNOW, 30 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AND SO THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF CONTEMPORARIES TO LOOK AT IN THE GEOGRAPHY.

SO THEY HAVE TO GO WAY OUTSIDE.

THEY HAVE TO GO TO NEW YORK, L.A., AND THEY HAVE TO LOOK AT THOSE CITIES AND SEE WHAT THEY DO, AND THEN SEE WHAT IS WORTH ADOPTING FOR CHICAGO.

THERE IS A LOT THAT WILL BE WORTH ADOPTING FOR CHICAGO.

SO IT COULD BE EITHER ONE.

BUT LIKE I SAY, SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, IT IS A STEEP LEARNING CURB FOR THE OUTSIDER.

AND IT IS A STEEP FORGIVING CURB FOR AN INSIDER.

YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THE ADVANTAGES AND BE THE ONE TO PICK THE PERSON THAT WILL BE THE BEST.

>> YOU'VE MENTIONED THE CONSENT DECREE, AND WE KNOW ULTIMATELY A LOT OF THE CONSENT DECREE IS ABOUT CHANGING THE CULTURE IN THE DEPARTMENT.

HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU THAT SUCH A CULTURE SHIFT IS POSSIBLE WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME?

>> WELL, I AM CONFIDENT BECAUSE I SAW IT HAPPEN IN LOS ANGELES WHEN I WAS THERE.

WHEN I WAS -- IN THE LATE 90s WHEN THE CONSENT DECREE WAS BEING FORMULATED, YOU KNOW, THE DEPARTMENT REJECTED IT.

THEY TRIED TO OVERTURN IT.

THE CHIEFS WERE HIGHLY RELUCTANT TO DO ANYTHING WITH IT OR TO SUPPORT IT.

AND YOU KNOW, AFTER THE 13 YEARS THAT WE WERE UNDER THE CONSENT DECREE, IT WAS ACCEPTED BY EVERYBODY.

PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE COMPLY WITH IT.

PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD WHAT THE GOALS WERE THAT ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS WERE PREDICATED ON.

AND IT'S A BETTER POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IN THE LAPD WILL SAY DIFFERENT.

YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WHO WERE IN CHARGE OF RUNNING THINGS BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE.

I MEAN I CAN LITERALLY SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE LAPD CONSENT DECREE AND POST CONSENT DECREE.

BELIEVE ME, OUR CULTURE WAS EASILY AS HARD HEADED AS CHICAGO'S, EASILY.

>> AND SO YOU'VE GOT FAITH THAT IT COULD HAPPEN IN CHICAGO AS WELL.

WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME, CHIEF.

I WANT TO ASK YOU AS WE HAVE TO LET YOU GO ABOUT GUN CONTROL IN THIS EPIDEMIC OF GUN VIOLENCE IN MASS SHOOTINGS THAT THIS COUNTRY IS EXPERIENCING.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS A POLICE OFFICER, A POLICE LEADER.

HOW DO YOU THINK THE COUNTRY NEEDS TO BE APPROACHING, BALANCING THE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS TO BEAR ARMS WITH EVERYBODY ELSE'S RIGHT NOT TO BE SHOT WHILE GOING ABOUT THEIR DAILY LIVES?

>> WE HAVE TO TAKE GUN CRIME SERIOUSLY.

I THINK UNWANTED GUNS ARE THE VAIN OF OUR EXISTENCE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

YES, I RECOGNIZE FOLKS HAVE A RIGHT TO OWN GUNS.

I'M A GUN OWNER AS ALL POLICE OFFICERS ARE.

BUT I ALSO SUPPORT WHAT YOU SAY.

THAT WE ALSO HAVE A RIGHT NOT TO BE SHOT.

SO I THINK GUN CRIME HAVE TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

THEY HAVE TO BE PROSECUTED.

POLICE DEPARTMENTS NEED TO MAKE THEIR ENFORCEMENT A PRIORITY, PARTICULARLY GETTING GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF FELONS AND GETTING GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF THOSE THAT HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS ISSUES.

AND I THINK IF WE CONCENTRATE ON THOSE THINGS, THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION IS UNAFFECTED BY THAT WORK.

>> OKAY, THAT'S WHERE WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

FORMER INTERIM POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

CHARLIE BECK, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> BRANDIS, THANK YOU.

>> PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, BRANDIS.

THE COVID PANDEMIC LAID INEQUITIES IN HEALTHCARE.

ADVOCATES FOR A NEW PROJECT ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE SAY ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE THEY ARE SERIOUS ABOUT CLOSING A GAP.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE ON EFFORTS TO BUILD A NEW HOSPITAL.

AMANDA?

>> Reporter: PARIS, ST. ANTHONY HOSPITAL HAS BEEN A CHICAGO FIXTURE FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY.

RESIDENTS AND LOCAL LEADERS SAY IT IS TIME TO UPGRADE THE HOSPITAL FACILITY, BUT THEY KEEP GETTING OVERLOOKED.

ST. ANTHONY'S IS KNOWN AS THE SAFETY NET HOSPITAL.

SO CEO GUY MODALIA PREFERS TO CALL IT A COMMUNITY HOSPITAL.

>> WE FORMED THE HOSPITAL BASED ON THE COMMUNITY NEEDS.

SO THE COMMUNITY NEEDS LABOR AND DELIVERY, PEDIATRICS, MENTAL HEALTH, VERY IMPORTANT.

AND OF COURSE, ICU, WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

>> THE BUILDING MAY LOOK BEAUTIFUL OUTSIDE, BUT HE SAYS IT IS SURELY IN NEED OF UPDATES, IF NOT BUILT LIKE A MODERN HOSPITAL.

WHICH IS WHY HE HAS SPENT MORE THAN A DECADE WORKING TO BUILD A NEW ONE.

IT WOULD BE AN ALDER PERSON MIKE RODRIGUEZ'S WORDS.

RODRIGUEZ SAYS RESIDENTS DESERVE A MODERN HEALTHCARE FACILITY.

>> COMMUNITIES LIKE LITTLE VILLAGE NORTH LAWNDALE THAT ST. ANTHONY SERVES ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY THE CORONAVIRUS.

WE KNOW THAT FOLKS THAT ARE MORE IMMIGRANTS, THAT ARE MORE WORKING CLASS HAVE LESS ACCESS TO EQUITABLE HEALTHCARE AND EQUITABLE HEALTHCARE OUTCOMES.

>> Reporter: THE PLAN IS FOR ST. ANTHONY TO RELOCATE ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF AWAY TO SERVE AS THE ANCHOR FOR A MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT.

THE HOSPITAL BOUGHT THE LAND AND HAS LOCAL ZONING APPROVAL.

THE FOCAL POINT COMMUNITY CAMPUS WOULD OFFER RETAIL, HOUSING, SCHOOL, WHICH IS NOW A VACANT ROD.

RODRIGUEZ CALLS IT A CRITICAL CORNER.

>> YOU KNOW, 31st AND KEDZIE IS IN THE HEART OF LITTLE VILLAGE, THE CAPITAL OF MEXICAN MIDWEST.

BUT IT'S BLOCKS FROM NORTH LAWNDALE, ONE OF THE MOST HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN CHICAGO.

JUST ACROSS THE BRIDGE ON THE I-55 EXPRESS WAY FROM BRIGHTON PARK AND MCKINLEY PARK AND ARCHER HEIGHTS, AREAS THAT ARE ALL WORKING CLASS.

>> WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE PROJECT RIGHT NOW?

>> Reporter: WELL PARIS, THE CEO OF THE HOSPITAL SAYS IT HAS SPENT $62 MILLION SO FAR ON THIS PROJECT.

COMMITTED TO SEEING THAT THROUGH.

BUT HE SAYS IN ORDER TO DO SO, GOVERNMENT SUPPORT IS NEEDED.

INSTEAD HE SAYS HE HAS WATCHED AS THE CITY, "WASTED MONEY" ON HOSPITAL BEDS AT MCCORMICK PLACE CONVENTION CENTER THAT NEVER GOT USED EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC.

AND AS THE STATE FUNNELS INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS TO PROJECTS THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED WORK.

>> THEY'RE BURIED IN THERE, WHETHER IT IS TO HELP, YOU KNOW, REMODEL A UNIVERSITY OR A SCHOOL OR A THEATRE.

IT'S JUST THERE.

>> HE DOES NOT DEGRUDGE THAT SPENDING, BUT HE SAYS IT IS A PITY THAT WITH A STATE BUDGET OF OVER $40 BILLION, ST. ANTHONY'S HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CLAIM A PERCENTAGE.

ITS FAIR SHARE HE SAYS.

HE WON'T GIVE A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF WHAT HE'S ASKING FOR, BUT RODRIGUEZ SAYS THE WORKING CLASS RESIDENTS FROM THE AREA ARE WORTH TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT.

>> FOR WHATEVER REASON, YOU KNOW, ST. ANTHONY'S GETS IGNORED.

>> Reporter: ST. ANTHONY BUSSED SEVERAL HUNDRED ADVOCATES TO SPRINGFIELD LAST WEEK TO PRESS LAWMAKERS TO STOP IGNORING THE PROJECT.

I'M TOLD THOSE MEETINGS WENT WELL, BUT THEY DID NOT GET ANY FUNDING GUARANTEES.

THAT MAKES SENSE, OF COURSE, PARIS.

STATE BUDGET DEBATES GOT HEATED.

JUST OVER A WEEK TO GO.

NO PROMISES WERE MADE.

>> IT IS THAT TIME OF THE YEAR COMING DOWN TO THE WIRE.

WE MIGHT NOT KNOW UNTIL BEFORE LEGISLATORS VOTE ON THE BUDGET WHETHER THIS PROJECT GETS THAT FUNDING.

>> I PREDICT YOU'RE RIGHT.

>> AMANDA, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> UP NEXT, AN ICONIC LOCAL EATERY TURNS 75.

STAY WITH US.

>>> IN 1948 THE NEIGHBORHOOD AROUND MILWAUKEE AND DAVINE AVENUES WERE UNDEVELOPED PRAIRIES.

BUT NEWLYWEDS SOUGHT POTENTIAL OF THAT PRAIRIE AS A PLACE TO DRIVE IN FOR A BITE.

CHICAGO CHANGED A LOT SINCE 1948, BUT NEARLY NOTHING HAS CHANGED AT SUPER DOG.

AND THAT'S JUST HOW PEOPLE LIKE IT.

SUPER DOG SUPER FAN ERICA GUNDERSON HAS THE STORY AS THE DRIVE-IN CELEBRATES ITS 75th BIRTHDAY TODAY.

>> HI, THANKS FOR STOPPING.

MAY I TAKE YOUR ORDER, PLEASE?

>> Reporter: CUSTOMERS PLACING AN ORDER HAVE RECEIVED THE SAME CHEERFUL GREETING SINCE MARI AND MURRAY OPENED IT IN 1948.

75 YEARS LATER, THE RESTAURANT AND ITS MASCOTS COULD FRANKLY BE CALLED CHICAGO ICONS.

IT WAS MEANT TO HELP THE COUPLE PAY FOR COLLEGE.

>> OUR PARENTS WERE HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS.

NEITHER OF THEM HAD ANY RESTAURANT BACKGROUND TO OPEN A RESTAURANT, A BUSINESS TOGETHER.

THEY WERE MARRIED LESS THAN A YEAR.

THE CREATIVITY, THE GUTS TO DO THIS AND IT WAS SUCCESSFUL.

>> Reporter: ONCE THE BERMAN'S RELISHED THE TASTE OF THE HOT DOG LIFE, THERE WAS NO GOING BACK.

>> IT WAS THEIR PASSION.

THEY LIKED IT NOT ONLY AS A BUSINESS, BUT A HOBBY.

SO EVEN IF THEY WEREN'T WORKING THAT DAY, WHICH WAS ALMOST NEVER.

THEY WERE WORKING A LOT, THEY WOULD STOP IN.

>> Reporter: AS THE BUSINESS GREW, THE BERMAN'S DEVELOPED INNOVATIVE METHODS FOR SPEEDIER SAUSAGE SLINGING.

THEY ALSO RAISED THREE OF THEIR OWN LITTLE WIENERS AT THE RESTAURANT.

>> I LEARNED THE ABCs AND THE NUMBERS SITTING AT MY MOM'S SIDE LISTENING TO HER TAKE ORDERS AT OUR SWITCHBOARD.

>> Reporter: OVER THE YEARS, TRUCKERS HUSBAND DAWN AND THE BERMAN GRANDKIDS HAVE JOINED THE HOT DOG PACK ALONG WITH MANY LONG-TIME EMPLOYEES.

>> I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR SO LONG, THAT IT IS JUST EASY.

EVERYBODY IS NICE.

IT'S A FAMILY.

IT'S JUST LIKE HOME.

>> MY ADULT CHILDREN GREW UP IN THE BUSINESS.

THEY BOTH LOVE SUPERDAWGS AND BOTH WORKED HERE AT LEAST A COUPLE OF SHIFTS A WEEK.

PLUS MY NIECE JOINED OUR BUSINESS 13 YEARS AGO.

>> Reporter: THE FAMILY LOST ITS ORIGINAL HOT DOG LOVERS MAURIE IN 2015 AND 2018.

BUT SUPERDAWG REMAINS FAITHFUL TO THEIR VISION.

>> OUR MENU IS THE SAME AS IT HAS BEEN FOR 75 YEARS.

THE WAY YOU TALK TO THE SWITCHBOARD, EVEN THE WAY WE SAY HIYA, THANKS FOR STOPPING, MAY I TAKE YOUR ORDER PLEASE.

THAT'S THE PHRASE MY MOTHER USED IN '48, 75 YEARS AGO, AND THE PHRASE WE STILL USE TODAY.

>> Reporter: AND PERSONALLY I THINK THAT'S THE BEST PART.

FOR ME, SUPERDAWG HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MAGICAL PLACE.

GROWING UP IN LOGAN SQUARE, WE WOULD PILE THE FAMILY INTO THE STATION WAGON AND MAKE THE LONG DRIVE DOWN TOWARDS MILWAUKEE AVENUE.

CLEARLY I'M NOT ALONE.

>> MY DAD USED TO COME HERE ALL THE TIME, AND HE WOULD TAKE US HERE.

YEAH, IT WAS KIND OF A NIGHT OUT.

>> THEY HAVE THE BEST HOT DOGS.

>> THE WHOLE OLD SCHOOL THING, YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY BRING THE FOOD TO YOUR CAR.

IT'S JUST A NICE EXPERIENCE.

>> TO HAVE A PLACE LIKE THIS LAST 75 YEARS, THAT SHOWS YOU HOW GOOD IT IS.

>> Reporter: AND THAT'S WHITE FAMILY SAYS THEY PLAN TO KEEP SUPERDAWGS JUST THE WAY IT IS FOR MANY DECADES TO COME.

>> BEING AN ICONIC CHICAGO INSTITUTION, WE GREW UP HERE.

WE'VE BEEN AT THE SAME CORNER FOR 75 YEARS, JUST DOING THE SAME THING EVERY DAY.

>> Reporter: FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE HEART, THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> NOW I WANT A HOT DOG.

FOR ALL ITS RETRO CHARM, THERE IS ONE VERY MODERN SUPERDAWG STORY.

THE BERMAN'S GRANDDAUGHTER, WHO MANAGES THE WHEELING LOCATION, SUCCESSFULLY CAMPAIGNED TO GET AN OFFICIAL HOT DOG EMOJI CREATED IN 2015.

AND NO, THERE IS NO KETCHUP ON THE EMOJI.

PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> BECAUSE WHY WOULD THERE BE, BRANDIS?

75 YEARS AND NO KETCHUP, I'M SURE.

>>> BRANDIS, ALL THIS WEEK WE'RE REMEMBERING NEWTON MINOW WHO DIED ON SATURDAY AT 97.

MINOW WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN PUSHING FOR QUALITY TELEVISION AND FOR THE CREATION OF PUBLIC TELEVISION.

HE'S ALSO THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE WTTW BOARD AND A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR WTTW NEWS.

MINOW WAS A KEY AID TO PRESIDENT KENNEDY AND SERVED AS KENNEDY'S FCC CHAIRMAN.

IN 1983 ON THE 20th ANNIVERSARY OF KENNEDY'S ASSASSINATION, MINOW JOINED JOHN CALLOWAY HERE ON WTTW TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HE THOUGHT ABOUT THE STATE OF AMERICAN POLITICS POST KENNEDY.

>> IF YOU HAVE A SELF-GOVERNING SOCIETY, WE HAVE TO HOPE THAT OUR BEST PEOPLE, NOT OUR WORST WILL RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE.

I'M AFRAID WITH THE LOSS OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY, FOLLOWED BY OTHER DEATHS BY WATERGATE, BY CYNICISM, BY THE PEOPLE IN YOUR SIDE OF THE MEDIA, WE DON'T HAVE OUR BEST PEOPLE GOING INTO POLITICS ANYMORE.

>> SO WOULD YOU HOPE THE MEMORY AND THE DISCUSSION MIGHT PROMPT PEOPLE WHO ARE YOUNG -- >> JACK KENNEDY USED TO SAY, USED TO QUOTE A BRITISH POLITICIAN SAYING POLITICS IS THE MOST HONORABLE PROFESSION.

AND I HOPE AS WE THINK 20 YEARS LATER ABOUT JACK KENNEDY, SOMEHOW WE WILL REVIVE THE IDEA THAT POLITICS IS AND CAN BE AN HONORABLE PROFESSION.

THAT'S WHAT'S MISSING TODAY.

>> WORDS OF WISDOM IN 1983.

40 YEARS LATER THEY STILL RESONATE.

WE'LL HAVE MORE WORDS OF WISDOM FROM NEWT TOMORROW NIGHT.

>>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5:30 AND 10:00.

NOW 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 ENJOY THIS EVENING.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A. CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT THAT IS