>>> >>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

.

>> I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

>> THE THINGS THAT UNITE US AND ARE THE SAME AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN -- >> AFTER LOSING EVERY STATEWIDE RACE IN THE ELECTION, WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE GOP IN ILLINOIS?

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN'S STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PLAN HITS ANOTHER LEGAL ROADBLOCK, WHAT DO BORROWERS NEED TO KNOW?

>>> MANY FAMILIES ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO FIND BABY FORMULA, HOW LOCAL MILK BANKS ARE HELPING WITH THE SHORTAGE.

>>> WE STAY ON TOP OF THESE PEOPLE.

WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE.

>> BLACK TEMP WORKERS AT A CHICAGO INDUSTRIAL BAKERY ARE NEARING A SETTLEMENT FOR CHARGES OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.

>>> CHICAGO HOMEOWNERS MIGHT FACE A GREATER PROPERTY TAX.

>>> MEET THE NEWLY APPOINTED AND FIRST LATINO EDITOR IN CHIEF OF THE CHICAGO READER.

>> FOR ME, YOU KNOW, I FOUND MY IDENTITY AND VOICE IN MY ART.

>>> A STREET ARTIST INTRODUCES US TO A GRAFFITI CHARACTER THAT IS TAKING CENTER STAGE IN HIS FIRST SOLO EXHIBITION.

♪ >>> AND A TOP CONCERT PIANIST TALKS ABOUT HER YEARS IN CHICAGO AND UKRAINE, PLUS, AN EARLY TELEVISION APPEARANCE ON WTTW.

>>> FIRST, TODAY'S TOP STORIES, FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN WAS TOUTING EDUCATION AND APPRENTICESHIPS FOR AN AUDIENCE OF BUSINESS LEADERS.

>> EDUCATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT JOBS.

IT IS NOT A RED ISSUE OR A BLUE ISSUE.

IT'S AN AMERICAN ISSUE.

AGAIN AND AGAIN, I HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO WORK WITH REPUBLICAN LEADERS ON THIS.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SOME REAL BIPARTISAN PROGRESS, BUILDING PATHWAYS THAT WORK FOR ALL STUDENTS, AND EVERYONE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY.

>> THE FIRST LADY NOTABLY IS ALSO A COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROFESSOR.

SHE WAS GREETED EARLIER BY COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT WHO ACCOMPANIED HER TO ROLLING MEADOWS HIGH SCHOOL TO MEET WITH STUDENTS IN THE CAREER PATHWAYS PROGRAM.

>>> CITY COUNCIL SHENANIGANS DELAY A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD ASK VOTERS TO RAISE A REAL ESTATE TAX.

THE PROPOSAL WOULD ADD A TAX ON THE SALE OF PROPERTIES WORTH $1 MILLION OR MORE TO HELP FIGHT CHICAGO HOMELESSNESS.

CITY COUNCIL NEEDS 26 PEOPLE TO REACH A QUORUM.

ONLY 25 ATTENDED THE MEETING EVEN THOUGH NINE OTHER PEOPLE WERE IN CITY HALL AT THE TIME.

THOSE DECLINING TO PARTICIPATE ARE ALLIES OF THE MAYOR.

UNDER THE CURRENT LAW, THE TRANSPORT TAX FOR SKYSCRAPERS AND A $300,000 HOME IS THE SAME.

THE BORDERS OF THE PROPOSAL CALL THAT UNFAIR.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAYS IT WOULD BE, QUOTE, A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE AHEAD OF FEBRUARYS ELECTION.

>>> THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO CODIFY THE RIGHT TO UNIONIZE IN ILLINOIS AFFORDABLY HAS VOTES.

ACCORDING TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THE SO-CALLED WORKERS RIGHTS AMENDMENT HAS PASSED A SIMPLE MAJORITY ON LAST TUESDAY'S VOTE.

VOTERS REPORTEDLY COST 2.1 MILLION VOTES FOR CHANGING THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION.

>>> WITH NEGOTIATIONS AT A STANDSTILL, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO ARE VOTING TODAY AND TOMORROW TO AUTHORIZE A STRIKE.

THE UNION REPRESENTING THE FACULTY SAYS COMPENSATION, JOB SECURITY AND WORKLOAD ARE STILL BEING NEGOTIATED AFTER SEVEN MONTHS AT THE BARGAINING TABLE.

THEY AGREED TO AN INDEPENDENT MEDIA TO REACH A RESOLUTION, SAYING IN A STATEMENT, QUOTE, WE ARE EAGER TO CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS AS WE BELIEVE MUCH CAN BE RESOLVED THROUGH CONTINUED DIALOGUE AND THE INVOLVEMENT OF A FEDERAL MEDIATOR.

FACULTY HAS BEEN WORKING WITHOUT A CONTRACT SINCE AUGUST.

RESULTS OF THE STRIKE AUTHORIZATION VOTE WILL BE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK.

>>> COMING UP IN THE PROGRAM, THE LATEST LAWSUIT BATTLING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS.

>>> FIRST, A LOOK AT THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN ILLINOIS, THAT IS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDER AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE GYM AND K MAY BE FAMILY.

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

>>> A YEAR OR SO AGO CONDITIONS SEEMED RIGHT FOR ILLINOIS REPUBLICANS TO GAIN A BIGGER FOOTHOLD IN 2022.

THE STATE'S LONGTIME FORMER DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER FACED A FEDERAL CORRUPTION INDICTMENT AND THE OFF YEAR ELECTION TYPICALLY FAVOR THE PARTY OUT OF POWER.

BUT THANKS TO A CONFLUENCE OF POWERS, LAST TUESDAY WAS A DISASTER FOR THE ILLINOIS GOP LOSING EVERY STATEWIDE OFFICE AND FALLING FURTHER INTO SUPER MINORITY STATUS IN THE STATEHOUSE.

PROFIT CALLS FROM WITHIN FOR SOME SOUL-SEARCHING.

JOINING US TONIGHT FOR SOME SOUL-SEARCHING, PAT BRADY, FORMER CHAIR OF THE ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY, THOMAS DeVORE CANDIDATE FOR ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO WAS DEFEATED BY A DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT, AND STATE SENATOR JASON PLUMMER WHO REPRESENTS THE 54th DISTRICT IN ILLINOIS.

GENTLEMEN, WELCOME ALL OF YOU REMOTELY OR IN PERSON TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

PAT BRADY, WE MENTIONED FACTORS IN THE GOP'S FAVOR.

WHAT WENT WRONG ON TUESDAY?

>> I THINK THERE'S A TRUMP EFFECT HANGOVER NORTH OF I-80 THAT HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE VOTING REPUBLICAN INSTEAD VOTING DEMOCRAT.

WE HAD DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE CONSULTANTS WHO CAME IN AND DRAINED ALL HER MONEY.

I THINK , MAYBE WE MISFIRED ON SOME OF THE ISSUES.

>> WHICH CONSULTANT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

>> WE HAD A CONSULTANT WHO ANOINTED RICHARD IRVIN TO BE THE NOMINEE.

THEY PROMISED EVERYBODY MONEY, THEN THEY LEFT TOWN.

>> IT WAS THAT CREW.

>> THAT REALLY HURT EVERYBODY ELSE.

THEY MADE PROMISES TO ALL THE CANDIDATES ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY THEY WERE GOING TO DUMP INTO THIS ELECTION, THEY WERE GOING TO PAIR WITH GOVERNOR PRITZKER, AND THEY WEREN'T.

THAT BEING SAID, GIVING DEMOCRATS CREDIT, GOVERNOR PRITZKER, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE RUN GOOD CAMPAIGNS IN THE LAST FEW CYCLES.

REPUBLICANS, WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE ARE GOING TO WORK AROUND IT.

THEY ARE PRETTY EFFECTIVE.

>> TOM, YOU REALLY GALVANIZE THE BASE WITH YOUR STAMP AGAINST THE LOCKDOWNS, BUT YOU SAID IN THE ELECTION YOU ARE MORE MODERATE OVERALL.

DOES THE PARTY HAVE A PROBLEM NORTH OF I-80 IF A CANDIDATE IS TOO CONSERVATIVE?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK SO.

IT IS CERTAINLY A FACTOR TO BE CONSIDERED.

IS THAT A FACTOR THAT MOVES THE NEEDLE TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CAN'T OVERCOME IT?

I DON'T THINK SO, YOU KNOW?

YOU KNOW, MR. BRADY SAID THE TRUMP EFFECT, YOU KNOW, TRUMP HAS BEEN GONE A LONG TIME, YOU KNOW?

ABSENT TRUMP, WOULD WE WON ANY OF THOSE RACES, I DON'T THINK SO.

THERE WAS A STRUCTURAL PERSPECTIVE AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERSPECTIVE FOR THE PARTY IN ILLINOIS.

I THINK THAT HAD A MUCH LARGER IMPACT ON THESE RACES THAN ANY FORMER PRESIDENT COULD'VE HAD.

>> SENATOR JASON PLUMMER, WHAT ARE THE STRUCTURAL ISSUES WITHIN THE GOP?

>> YEAH, NO, TOM IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

WE HAVE STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS IN ILLINOIS REGARDLESS OF THE ELECTION CYCLE, REGARDLESS OF NAMES PEOPLE LIKE TO TALK ABOUT.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN POLITICS WOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO SENDING THE CHICAGO CUBS ON THE FIELD WITHOUT PADS OR GLOVES.

YOU KNOW?

YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR TEAM IN A POSITION TO WIN.

YOU KNOW, THAT INCLUDES COUNTY PARTY ORGANIZATIONS, PRECINCTS GET OUT THE VOTE EFFORTS, ALL OF THE BLOCKING FOR THE BASIC POLITICS, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THE VARIOUS ENTITIES AFFILIATED WITH IT JUST HAVEN'T INVESTMENT , YOU KNOW, CORRECTLY.

THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO BE COMPETITIVE.

THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES.

>> PAT BRADY, OUTGOING HOUSE JIM DURKIN TOOK SOME PARTING SHOTS AND SAID, CANDIDATES DO NEED TO MOVE TO THE MIDDLE ON ISSUES LIKE ABORTION, GUN CONTROL, DO THEY?

THAT MIGHT BRING UP THE FACT THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS BEEN OUT OF POWER FOR THE BETTER OF 30 YEARS.

>> IN THE STATE HOUSE, WE HAD A GOVERNOR FOUR YEARS AGO FOR 25 YEARS.

YOU ARE STRAIGHT.

WE HAD GOVERNORS.

IT WAS A BIG DIFFERENCE.

I HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE STATE.

YOU DO HAVE TO PUT A DIFFERENT KIND OF CANDIDATE NORTH OF I-80 THEN YOU DUE SOUTH OF I-80 OR SOUTH OF I-54.

YOU NEED MORE MODERATE CANDIDATE, MORE OF A PRO-CHOICE CANDIDATE, SOMEONE WITH GUN ISSUES IN YOUR BACK DOOR WHEN THERE IS CARJACKING'S .

THERE IS A CANDIDATE.

BUT GOING FORWARD, THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH HAVE GOT TO RECONCILE THIS OR WE ARE NEVER GOING TO WIN.

WE HAVE TO BE ON ONE TEAM.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS PEOPLE CAN'T STAND ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS FOLKS THINK, SOME OF THESE POLICIES WE CAN MEET IN THE MIDDLE SOMEWHERE.

BUT IF WE DON'T, RIGHT NOW, WE ARE JUST ABOUT IRRELEVANT.

I AGREE WITH WHAT JASON SAID.

ALL THE PARTY STRUCTURE NEEDS TO GO.

>> DOES THAT MEAN THE GOP CHAIRMAN?

>> I THINK THE CHAIRMAN, RICHARD PORTER, NATIONAL COMMITTEE PEOPLE NEED TO RESTRUCTURE.

IF IT WERE ME, I WOULD START OVER, START HAVING THOSE PEOPLE BE ELECTED, HAVE THEM PARTICIPATE IN PARTY POLITICS AND THE GOVERNOR COULD RAISE MONEY.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT LATER, TOO.

I AGREE WITH JASON.

THE PARTY STRUCTURE HAS BEEN A COMPLETE DISAPPOINTMENT.

>> SPEAKING OF THAT, A LOT OF MONEY CAME FROM RICHARD, FROM THE PEOPLE WHO PLAY BY THE RULES PACKED.

MOST COMMERCIALS SEEM TO BE ABOUT THE SAFETY ACT AND CRYING.

IT SEEMS LIKE AT THE END OF THE DAY, BUT DIDN'T MOVE THE NEEDLE QUITE AS MUCH OF PEOPLE THOUGHT.

WAS IT A MISTAKE IN HINDSIGHT?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK THOSE ISSUES NECESSARILY RE: MISTAKE.

I THINK THE CONVERSATION WE ARE NOT HAVING IS THERE WAS A WHOLE HUGE SEGMENT OF POPULATION THAT DOESN'T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO THAT TYPE OF ADVERTISING.

IT'S OUTDATED.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY -- SHOULD BE COMPLETELY ABANDONED, BUT IT'S AN OUTLET WRONG CAMPAIGNING.

WE HAVE PEOPLE RUNNING ON THESE ISSUES.

YOU HAVE DEMOCRATS WITH A WELL OILED MAIL-IN BALLOT GET OUT THE VOTE CAMPAIGN.

THEY'RE GETTING BALLOTS COMPLETED.

THEY ARE GETTING ELECTION VOTES, AND WE ARE RUNNING ADS FOR NOVEMBER 8th.

THAT WAS THE MAIN ISSUE THAT CAUSED US TO LOSE.

YOU KNOW?

I SPENT 250,000 ON A CAMPAIGN.

I HAD MORE VOTES STATEWIDE AND WON MORE COUNTIES THAN ANY OTHER CANDIDATE.

THE ONES THAT SPENT $10 MILLION, BECAUSE AGAIN, THE BIG ADVERTISING, IT DOESN'T MOVE THE NEEDLE WITH AN OVERWHELMINGLY AN INCREASING NUMBER OF PEOPLE VOTING.

THEY DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THAT STUFF.

>> YOUR SING THE GET OUT THE VOTE OPERATION, OF COURSE, PRESIDENT TRUMP CAST A LOT OF DOUBT ON THINGS LIKE 2020, OBVIOUSLY.

JASON PLUMMER, CONVENTIONAL WISDOM IN RECENT CYCLES SHOWS YOU NEED TO KEEP TO THE PARTY'S BASE TO GET OUT THE PRIMARY.

BUT THAT CANDIDATE CANNOT WIN IN THE GENERAL IN THE STATE.

HOW HE SAW THE CATCH-22?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT GOES BOTH WAYS.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE BASE IN ORDER TO WIN.

YOU HAVE TO GO TO THOSE FOLKS IN THE MIDDLE, THE INDEPENDENCE, THE MODERATES, AND TALK ABOUT MESSAGES THAT MATTER TO THEM.

AND I DON'T WANT TO BE THE BORING ONE HERE.

I KNOW FOLKS WANT TO TALK ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP AND DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, WE CAN HAVE THE GREATEST CANDIDATE ON EARTH.

WE CAN HAVE AS MUCH MONEY AS WE POSSIBLY NEED, BUT IF WE DON'T HAVE AN INTER-STRUCTURE IN PLACE TO BE COMPETITIVE LIKE THE DEMOCRATS HAD, THE WELL OILED MACHINE, WE WON'T BE COMPETITIVE.

THE ISSUES MATTER.

THE PERSONALITIES MATTER, BUT YOU KNOW, DATING BACK TO PROBABLY THE LATE 90s OR EARLY 2000'S WAS THE LAST TIME THAT WE REALLY HAD AN INFRA STRUCTURE IN PLACE, YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY BASED ON PATRONAGE.

YOU KNOW?

THAT'S IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR.

NOW WE HAVE TO GO FORWARD.

THAT INFRASTRUCTURE HAS TO BE DEALT ON THE PRECINCT COMMITTEE AND THE PARTY BASE.

WE GROW FROM THERE.

YEAH.

I AGREE WITH WHAT PAT SAID, YOU KNOW, DIVERSITY.

MY SENATE DISTRICT IS HALF RURAL AND HALF SUBURBAN.

I COME FROM MADISON COUNTY.

IT'S THE LARGEST POPULATION CENTER OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO.

I UNDERSTAND ILLINOIS PRETTY WELL.

YOU KNOW?

I THINK YOU CAN WIN BIG AS A CONSERVATIVE, BUT A LOT OF TIMES, IT'S HOW YOU CARRY THE MESSAGE.

YOU HAVE TO RESPECT, YOU KNOW, YOUR PRIORITIES MIGHT NOT BE THE PRIORITIES OF THE AVERAGE FAMILY.

THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, AGAIN, GREATEST CANDIDATE ON EARTH AS A REPUBLICAN IN ILLINOIS WILL NOT WIN UNLESS WE HAVE THE PARTY STRUCTURE REBUILD AND ARE READY TO COMPETE WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

THEY HAVE A GOOD START ON THIS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

>> TOM, YOU WANTED TO JUMP IN THERE?

>> NO.

I WAS JUST AGREEING WITH JASON.

>> IS A THING I DO NEED TO SAY.

WE ARE ALL FRIENDS.

YOU CANNOT ESTIMATE THE IMPACT, THE NEGATIVE IMPACT THAT DONALD TRUMP HAD ON THE REPUBLICAN PARTY NORTH OF I-80.

I WALKED SIX CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AND THE 14th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

IT WAS HORRENDOUS, THE DISLIKE FOR DONALD TRUMP.

IF HE'S GOING TO STAY AROUND AND RUN FOR PRESIDENT, HE'S GOING TO BE OUR STANDARD, WE ARE NOT GOING TO WIN.

>> PAT, I WANT TO JUMP ON THAT AND EXTRAPOLATE NATIONALLY.

>> YOU HAVE TO REALIZE YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE TALKING ABOUT HIM.

THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT HIM!

>> I LIVE UP HERE, I WALKED UP HERE, THEY STILL TALK ABOUT HIM.

HE IS ANNOUNCING TOMORROW AFTER A DISASTROUS MIDTERM.

LISTEN, YOU AND I PROBABLY AGREE ON A LOT OF THINGS.

BUT THIS GUY IS A TRAIN WRECK FOR THE PARTY!

WE NEED TO GET RID OF HIM AND MOVE ON!

WE HAVE GOOD ALTERNATIVES, SOME OF THE OTHER ONES, BUT AS LONG AS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HANGS ON TO TRUMP WE ARE GOING TO BE GOING THE WRONG WAY!

>> HOW THAT WILL -- HOW WILL THAT PLAY OUT NATIONALLY?

>> WE GOT KILLED.

>> IT WAS HORRIBLE.

>> AND I WILL SAY THIS.

PAT AND I LIKELY AGREE MORE THAN WE DISAGREE.

AS LONG AS WE HAVE A CONVERSATION AND WE ARE NOT HAVING THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE INSTITUTIONAL SHORTCOMINGS JASON AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, WE ARE WASTING OUR ENERGY -- >> THE HEAD OF THE PARTY WOULD BE DONALD TRUMP.

AS LONG AS HE IS THE HEAD OF THE PARTY, WE WILL NEVER HAVE ANYTHING BUT DONALD TRUMP LAND.

I AGREE ON THE INFRA STRUCTURE.

LET'S DO IT.

LET'S GET RID OF THE GUY THAT COST US SO MANY RACES.

ALL RIGHT?

>> I DIDN'T WANT HIM AS HEAD OF THE PARTY WHEN HE WAS PRESIDENT!

>> JASON, JASON, ONE QUICK LAST WORD BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GO.

>> YEAH, NO.

SO I LISTENED TO THE CONVERSATION.

I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE THING.

I AM A NUMBERS GUY.

I DUG INTO THE DATA.

ONE THING THAT IS INTERESTING, AND AGAIN, GOING BACK TO INFRASTRUCTURE, THE BLOCKING, THINGS THAT MATTER, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE DEEP SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE STATE WHERE ONE WOULD ASSUME DONALD TRUMP IS VERY POPULAR.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THE NORTHERN AREAS WHERE MAYBE HIS POPULARITY IS NOT AS STRONG.

WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS, ACROSS THE STATE, IN VARIOUS GEOGRAPHIES, WE HAVE LOWER REPUBLICAN TURNOUT.

WE HAD PRETTY DECENT TURNOUT, NOT GREAT, BUT WE HAD BETTER TURNOUT IN METRO EAST WHERE REPUBLICANS TOOK SEATS IN DEMOCRAT AREAS AND GOT BACK TO TURNOUT.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THESE ARE DISCUSSIONS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAD WITHIN THE PARTY.

>> WE ARE ALL FRIENDS -- >> TO BE AMONGST FRIENDS.

THANK YOU TO PAT BRADY, THOMAS DeVORE AND STATE SENATOR JASON.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> COLLEGE DEBTHOLDERS WHO SIGNED UP FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN'S RELIEF PLAN MUST FEEL WHIPLASH RIGHT ABOUT NOW.

TODAY, A U.S. APPEALS COURT EXTENDED THE BLOCK ON BIDEN'S PLAN AFTER A TEXAS COURT ALSO STRUCK DOWN THE PROGRAM.

FOR BORROWERS STILL LOOKING TO APPLY, THEY WILL BE MET WITH THIS MESSAGE BLOCKING THEM FROM APPLYING.

26 MILLION BORROWERS NATIONWIDE HAVE ALREADY APPLIED FOR BIDEN'S STUDENT LOAN DEBT RELIEF PLAN.

16 MILLION OF WHOM HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROVED.

>>> JOINING US, LYNN BAKER, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AT THE ILLINOIS STUDENT ASSISTANCE COMMISSION.

WHEN BAKER, WELCOME BACK TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

WHAT IS THE LATEST MEANING FOR THE 16 MILLION WHO HAVE ALREADY SIGNED UP?

>> Reporter: WELL, AS YOU KNOW, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS CHALLENGES TO THE PROGRAM.

AT THIS POINT, IT IS KIND OF STATUS QUO, RIGHT?

SO STUDENTS HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD AS IF THIS PROGRAM WASN'T HAPPENING .

AS WE KNOW, STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENTS START AGAIN IN JANUARY.

THE PAUSE ENDS IN DECEMBER.

SO STUDENTS NEED TO PREPARE FOR REPAYMENT UNTIL WE FIND OUT MORE.

>> WE SHOULD REMIND EVERYBODY THAT THIS PLAN APPLIES TO LOANS OF $10,000, $20,000 FOR PELL GRANTS, AND OF COURSE, THERE ARE INCOME LIMITS ON ALL OF THIS.

SO, WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER 10 MILLION THAT WOULD BE ELIGIBLE BUT CAN'T APPLY RIGHT NOW?

WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?

>> Reporter: WELL, AGAIN, THE WEBSITE DOES SAY YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE FOR ALERTS.

SO AS SOON AS, OR IF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO APPLY, YOU KNOW, THEY SHOULD SUBSCRIBE FOR AN ALERT .

AND THEY CAN APPLY ONCE THEY REOPEN APPLICATIONS IF, IN FACT, THEY DO REOPEN APPLICATIONS.

IN THE MEANTIME, YOU HAVE GOT TO GET PREPARED TO REPAY YOUR LOANS.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY LEGAL CHALLENGES OUT THERE.

THIS APPELLATE COURT RULING IS SAYING OKAY TO THE INJUNCTION TO PAUSE THIS AS LEGAL CHALLENGES PLAY OUT.

IN GENERAL, CAN YOU GIVE US A SYNOPSIS OF WHERE THOSE LEGAL CHALLENGES ARE?

>> YEAH.

THERE WERE SIX STATES.

I CAN'T RECALL ALL OF THE STATES.

BUT THERE WERE SIX STATES THAT WERE CHALLENGING THE PROGRAM .

THERE WERE ISSUES RELATED TO STANDING AND THOSE STANDING TO CHALLENGE IT.

THE LATEST, A CIRCUIT RULING SAYS THAT THE STATE OF MISSOURI AT LEAST HAS A PROPER BASIS FOR THE CASE.

AGAIN, IT'S NOT A RULING ON THE MERITS OF THE CASE.

IT'S JUST THAT THE STATE OF MISSOURI WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING A CASE.

IT IS RELATED TO PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION.

THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT INJUNCTION.

>> SO A RULING ON THE STANDING OF THE CASE.

HOW LONG DO YOU EXPECT THIS TO PLAY OUT?

THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THE MEAT OF THE CASES.

>> WELL, I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY, AT LEAST NOT ANYMORE.

SO I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TELL YOU THAT.

BUT YOU KNOW, WHO KNOWS?

I MEAN, IT COULD BE A WILD.

CERTAINLY, I THINK STUDENTS NEED TO MOVE FORWARD IN GETTING READY TO START TO REPAY THEIR LOANS UNTIL WE FIND OUT MORE.

>> ASSUMING THIS RELIEF ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN, WHAT DOES THAT DO , THE WHIPLASH, WHEN YOU ARE ONE OF THE BORROWERS THINKING, I MIGHT HAVE $10,000 OR $20,000 IN DEBT CANCELED OR WIPED OUT?

NOW, PROBABLY NOT.

HOW DOES THAT AFFECT YOUR FINANCIAL DECISIONS?

>> CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, IT HAS AN IMPACT.

ONE THING THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR BORROWERS TO CONSIDER IS AS YOU GET READY FOR REPAYMENT, AND ALSO, LET'S NOT FORGET THERE WOULD BE SOME BORROWERS WHO EVEN IF THEY GOT THE STUDENT LOAN DEBT RELIEF THROUGH THE PROGRAM WOULD STILL HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL DEBT TO PAY OFF, SO THEY WOULD STILL BE DEALING WITH REPAYMENT AGAIN.

AND SO, A COUPLE OF THE THINGS TO REMEMBER IS, YOU KNOW, IF YOUR FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE CHANGED OR EVEN IF THEY HAVEN'T, YOU MAY WANT TO LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT REPAYMENT PROGRAMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND COMPARE THEM.

STUDENT AID.GOV HAS A REALLY NICE PROGRAM ON IT THAT ALLOWS YOU TO COMPARE THE DIFFERENT REPAYMENT PROGRAMS AND SEE HOW MUCH YOU WOULD HAVE TO PAY UNDER THOSE PROGRAMS.

AND THEN YOU CAN TALK TO YOUR LOAN SERVICER, AND IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR REPAYMENT PROGRAM, YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR REPAYMENT PROGRAM.

IT ALSO WORKED FOR BORROWERS TO REMEMBER YOU COULD DO THAT FOR FREE THROUGH YOUR LOAN SERVICER.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY TO CHANGE YOUR REPAYMENT PROGRAM.

>> ALL RIGHT, STILL SOME OPPORTUNITIES IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET THE FEDERAL RELIEF FOR NOW TO RESTRUCTURE YOUR DEBT.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS STARTING COLLEGE OR CURRENTLY IN COLLEGE, COMMUNITY COLLEGE THEY'RE LOOKING AT THEIR FINANCIAL DECISION AND DEBATING WHETHER TO TAKE LOANS OUT?

>> WELL, THERE'S A COUPLE THINGS THAT ARE ALWAYS IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO REMEMBER.

THE FIRST THING IS, YOU WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANY FINANCIAL AID YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY BACK.

THAT MEANS GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS.

THE WAY TO DO THAT, TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN DO THAT, IS TO COMPLETE THE FAFSA.

YOU WANT TO COMPLETE THE FEDERAL APPLICATION FOR STUDENT AID OR IF YOU ARE UNDOCUMENTED IN ILLINOIS, THE ALTERNATIVE APPLICATION FOR ILLINOIS FINANCIAL AID.

BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO DETERMINE WHAT KIND OF GRANTS OR SCHOLARSHIPS YOU WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR.

THAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU WANT TO DO.

NEXT, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE IF YOU DO TAKE OUT A LOAN THAT YOU DON'T TAKE OUT MORE THAN YOU NEED TO PAY FOR YOUR EXPENSES.

THE REALITY IS, YOU WILL USE UP ALL THAT MONEY.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY IT BACK.

>> VERY SOUND ADVICE, IN A BIT OF AN UNCERTAIN TIME FOR STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS, COLLEGE BORROWERS, LYNN BAKER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>>> UP NEXT, A CHECK IN ON THE SUPPLY OF BABY FORMULA IN THE U.S., SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>>> WHEN A BIGELOW -- BABY FORMULA PLANT SHUTDOWN IN MICHIGAN, IT SENT PARENTS INTO A TAILSPIN.

PRICES SOARED.

FOR CHILDREN WHO NEEDED SPECIALIZED FORMULAS, THE PROBLEM WAS LIFE-THREATENING.

FOR SOME FAMILIES, RELIEF CAME FROM AN UNEXPECTED PLACE, DONOR BREASTMILK .

IN CHICAGO, THE ONLY MILK BANK IS STILL PROVIDING AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE OF THE SUPPLY .

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE MILK BANK AND THE INCREASED NEED FOR DONOR BREASTMILK IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT MOTHER'S MILK BANK OF THE WESTERN GREAT LAKES.

WELCOME BACK.

SUMMER, YOU SAW AN INCREASING DEMAND AT THE HEIGHT OF THE SHORTAGE.

WHAT DEMAND ARE YOU SEEING TODAY?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT DEMAND IS CARRYING THROUGH.

PART OF THAT, WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE AVAILABLE SUPPLY OF FORMULA.

BUT THE INCREASED AWARENESS ABOUT MILK BANKING AND THE USE OF DONOR MILK FOR BABIES AT HOME HAS INCREASED.

THAT HAS LED TO A SUSTAINED INCREASE IN DEMAND.

>> HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE DEMAND COMPARES TO 6 MONTHS AGO?

>> ACTUALLY, RIGHT AT THE HEIGHT OF THE FORMULA CRISIS WE SAW A 20% INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR DONOR MILK BOTH IN THE HOSPITAL SETTING -- HOSPITALS WERE STRUGGLING TO FIND FORMULA AS WELL AS FAMILIES AT HOME.

THAT 20% INCREASE HAS CARRIED ALL THE WAY THROUGH UNTIL TODAY.

SO WE ARE PUTTING A CALL OUT FOR DONORS TO COME DONATE MILK.

THIS IS THANKSGIVING SEASON.

SO OF COURSE, WE WANT TO GIVE THANKS AND GRATITUDE TO OUR DONORS AND ALSO ENCOURAGE THEM TO DONATE A PLACE TO PUT THEIR TURKEY, IN THE FREEZER.

IT'S A GREAT TIME TO DONATE MILK.

>> MOVE THE BREASTMILK TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE TURKEY.

>> YES.

SO, YOU SAW AN INCREASE.

>> HOW DID THAT WORK?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING.

THE INCREASE IN DONATIONS MATCHED THE INCREASE IN DEMAND, EXACTLY.

WE HAD A 20% INCREASE IN GENEROUS MOMS REACHING OUT TO DONATE MILK.

THEY HEARD ABOUT THE FORMULA CRISIS ON TV.

THEIR FRIENDS WERE STRUGGLING TO FIND BABY FOOD.

THEY REACHED OUT TO US TO DONATE THEIR EXTRA MILK.

WE WERE ABLE TO PASTEURIZE IT, TEST IT, SEND IT TO HOSPITALS AND BABIES AT HOME WHO NEEDED AN OAK.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

ANY MOM WHO HAS BREAST-FED NO IT'S A LOT OF WORK.

TELL ME ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE FOLKS WHO DONATED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THESE MOMS HAVE AN EXTRA SUPPLY.

WHETHER THEY ARE PUMPING TO DONATE SPECIFICALLY TO HELP BABIES, OR MAYBE THEY HAVE AN OVERSUPPLY FROM PUMPING WHEN THEY WENT BACK TO WORK, THESE MOMS DONATE 100 OUNCES TO THE MILK BANK.

WE HAVE A SCREENING PROCESS.

WE CHECK IN WITH THEIR PHYSICIAN OR PROVIDER.

WE DO A BLOOD TEST.

A LOT OF PROTOCOLS ARE SIMILAR TO THE SCREENING PROTOCOLS THAT BLOOD BANKS USED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF BLOOD.

SO WE RELY HEAVILY ON THAT GUIDANCE AS WELL AS GUIDANCE FROM THE FDA AND LOCAL REGULATORY AGENCIES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF DONOR MILK.

>> DOES IT EVER GET A LITTLE BIT TRICKY?

A MOTHER'S BODY, DOESN'T IT PRODUCE WHAT HER BABY NEEDS ?

THEN WE ARE GIVING THAT MILK TO ANOTHER BABY?

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

SO FOR A LOT OF MOMS, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THEY MATCHED EXACTLY, THEY DON'T HAVE AN EXTRA AMOUNT TO DONATE, THAT'S OKAY.

WE ARE REALLY TARGETING ARE LOOKING FOR DONATIONS FROM MOM'S THAT HAVE AN OVERSUPPLY.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT 10 TO 15% OF ALL OF OUR MILK DONORS ARE MOMS WHO DONATE AFTER LOSS.

MAYBE THEIR CHILD PASSED AWAY IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT OR AFTER HOSPITALIZATION, AND THESE MOMS DONATE TO HONOR THEIR CHILD'S LEGACY.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM WE HAVE.

WE HONOR THE DONATIONS.

WE ARE HONORED TO CELEBRATE THEIR CHILD'S LEGACY ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> OFFICIALS SAY THE SUPPLY OF BABY FORMULA HAS INCREASED SINCE THIS CRISIS.

ACCORDING TO AN ANALYTICS AND MARKET RESEARCH FIRM, BABY FORMULA SUPPLY IS AT 87%.

THAT IS UP FROM 69% DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE SHORTAGE.

BUT IT IS STILL NOT QUITE AT THE 90% FROM JUST BEFORE FEBRUARY.

DOES THAT TRACK WITH WHAT YOU ARE HEARING FROM PARENTS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE SEEN A DECREASE IN THE URGENT CALLS OF FAMILIES AT THE WALMART OR GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT WHO ARE LOOKING FOR FORMULA.

WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW IS PROVIDING SPECIALTY, YOU KNOW, COVERING KIDS TAKING SPECIALTY FORMULAS BECAUSE THEY MIGHT HAVE A KIDNEY ISSUE OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF MEDICAL ISSUE THAT REQUIRES THE USE OF SPECIALTY FORMULA, SOME OF THOSE ARE STILL HARD-TO-FIND.

WE ARE CARRYING AND PROVIDING DONOR MILK TO KIDS WITH SPECIAL MEDICAL NEEDS.

>> TO BE CLEAR, WE DID RECEIVE A STATEMENT FROM ABBOTT LABS TODAY BEFORE THE SHUTDOWN OF THEIR LAB IN MICHIGAN OR THEIR PLANT IN MICHIGAN.

PART OF WHAT LED TO THIS ENTIRE PROBLEM, IT READS, QUOTE, WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET MY ARMS FORMULA AND GET THEM INTO CAREGIVERS HANDS.

WE ARE FOCUSING ON SPECIALTY INFANT FORMULAS.

IN SEPTEMBER, WE BEGAN PROTECTIONS OF SIMILAC FORMULAS WHICH ARE REACHING SHELVES SHORTLY.

IT GOES ON TO SAY THEY ARE WORKING WITH GLOBAL PROVIDERS OR GLOBAL FACILITIES AS WELL TO SHIP TENS OF MILLIONS OF POUNDS FROM THE FACILITY IN EUROPE.

THE SHORTAGE, OF COURSE, BROUGHT AWARENESS OF THE OPTION OF DONOR BREASTMILK FOR MILLIONS OF FAMILIES.

THEY WEREN'T AWARE IT WAS POSSIBLE.

AND YOU ALL HAVE -- YOU WANT TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING.

YOU HAVE A DRIVE COMING UP.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> IT IS A DRIVE FOR MILK.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MOMS IN THE CHICAGO AREA AND BEYOND BECAUSE WE SERVE ALL OF ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN.

FOR MOMS TO REACH OUT TO DONATE EXTRA BREASTMILK.

SO WE WOULD BE REALLY GRATEFUL IF MOMS WOULD GIVE US A CALL OR GO TO OUR WEBSITE AT MILK BANK GL.ORG.

THEY CAN START THE DONATION PROCESS.

IF A FAMILY IS WATCHING AND THEY DON'T HAVE MILK TO DONATE OR THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO DONATE , YOU KNOW, FINANCIAL DONATIONS ARE WELCOME.

WE WILL USE THAT TO SUPPORT POPPY'S DREAM AND ALL OF THE MILK BANKS.

>> WHAT IS THE COST FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE RECEIVING DONATED BREASTMILK?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

LUCKILY, IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WE HAVE A FANTASTIC LAW THAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER SIGNED INTO LAW THAT TOOK EFFECT IN 2020.

THAT MANDATES THE COVERAGE OF DONOR MILK FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL MEDICAL NEEDS .

THAT INCLUDES PREMATURE BABIES, BABIES WITH G.I.

CONDITIONS OR OTHER CONDITIONS THAT MANDATE OR WARRANT THE USE OF DONOR MILK.

IN THOSE CASES, MEDICAID AND INSURANCE SHOULD COVER THE COST OF DONOR MILK.

IT'S NOT THAT FAMILIES CAN HAVE THE OPTION, WE OFFER DISCOUNTS THROUGH THE MILK BANK.

>> FEEDING BABIES, SUPER IMPORTANT, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, BRENDA.

>>> UP NEXT, A TOP CONCERT PIANIST ON LIFE IN CHICAGO AND UKRAINE, PLUS, HER EARLY APPEARANCE ON WTTW.

STAY WITH US.

>>> SHE IS AN EDUCATOR, A MOM, AND A DISTINGUISHED CONCERT PIANIST IN DEMAND FROM CHINA TO EUROPE AND RIGHT HERE ON WTTW.

ONE OF HER FIRST APPEARANCES WAS HERE ON WTTW IN 1994.

IT'S A LONG ROAD FROM ODESA, UKRAINE TO COOK COUNTY.

AND SHE HAS A LONG ROAD AHEAD OF HER.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH HER ON A TRIP THROUGH TOWN SOON AFTER A CONCERT AT LINCOLN CENTER.

>> I DON'T LIKE DISTINCTIONS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC VERSUS POPULAR.

I MEAN, GREAT MUSIC IS GREAT MUSIC.

IT COMES TO LIFE THROUGH COMMUNICATION AND PASSIONATE CONVINCING AND COMMITTED PERFORMANCE.

EVERY NOTE NEEDS TO SPEAK IN A SPECIFIC WAY JUST LIKE AN ACTOR WILL NEVER SAY TWO WORDS THE SAME WAY.

I FEEL LIKE A MUSICIAN NEEDS TO SPEAK EVERY NOTE DIFFERENTLY AND EVERY NOTE COMMUNICATES SOMETHING PARTICULAR.

THAT IS THE PART OF A GREATER WHOLE.

>> Reporter: WE MET HER AT THE INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO WHERE HER MOTHER WAS A FACULTY MEMBER.

SHE IS NOW A PROFESSOR OF PIANO AT THIS SCHOOL OF MUSIC.

I FIRST MET HER BACK IN 1994.

>> HI.

I AM ENOUGH.

I PLAY THE PIANO.

>> Reporter: AS A CONTESTANT ON WTTW, SHE PERFORMED WITH THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

>> IT WAS VERY EXCITING.

MY MOM WAS PROUD, MY DAD, TOO.

IT WAS SOMETHING EVERYBODY WANTED IN THOSE DAYS.

IN A SENSE, IT WAS COMPETITION.

AND I TRY TO TELL IT TO MY STUDENTS AND TO THOSE I MENTOR.

YOU CAN'T PLACE EVERYTHING ON THAT ONE MOMENT, THE ONE PERFORMANCE, THE ONE COMPETITION.

IT IS ONE STONE IN THE ROAD.

>> Reporter: SHE LIVES IN LOS ANGELES.

SHE WAS VISITING CHICAGO FOR A MEMORIAL CONCERT FOR HER MOTHER.

SHE RECALLED COMING HERE FROM UKRAINE.

>> WHEN I CAME HERE WITH MY PARENTS FROM ODESSA IN 1989, MY MOTHER TOOK ME THROUGH IMMIGRATION, MAKING ME PRACTICE ON THE TABLES WHEN THERE WAS NO PIANO SO I WOULDN'T LOSE MY TECHNIQUE AS A 10-YEAR-OLD.

>> Reporter: WHETHER PERFORMING CONCERTS FROM HOME OR TOURING THE WORLD, INA HAS A REPUTATION FOR FEARLESSNESS.

>> EVERYONE HAS BUTTERFLIES IN THEIR STOMACH.

IT'S WHAT YOU DO WITH THEM THAT'S WHAT MATTERS.

YOU TURN THEM INTO ENERGY WHICH THEN TAKES YOU THROUGH AN EXCITING PERFORMANCE, OR DO YOU LET IT AFFECT YOU?

>> Reporter: AS FOR HER BUSY LIFE AS A TOURING PIANIST AND MOTHER -- >> IT'S LIKE HAVING NINE LIVES LIKE A CAT.

YOU KNOW?

EACH ONE, YOU TAKE ON THESE ROLES.

YOU DO THEM.

ONE HAS TO BE VERY ORGANIZED.

I THINK IT'S ALL PART OF BEING A HUMAN.

IT IS PART OF THIS VERY RICH EXPERIENCE THAT I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR.

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

>> HER MOST RECENT RECORDING IS REIMAGINED BEETHOVEN .

SHE IS WRITING A MEMOIR TO BE PUBLISHED NEXT YEAR.

WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN SHE IS BACK IN THE CHICAGO AREA.

YOU CAN FIND MORE ABOUT HER ON A WEBSITE.

>>> STILL TO COME ON CHICAGO TONIGHT, MORE FAMILIES ARE MOVING FROM THE SUBURBS TO DOWNTOWN, PLUS, MORE BUSINESS NEWS FROM CRANES.

>>> CHICAGO AREA TEMP WORKERS AND THEIR ADVOCATES SAY A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT OVER ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION POINTS TO WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS.

>>> MEET THE NEW EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE CHICAGO READER, WE HAVE WHAT HE ENVISIONS FOR THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION.

>> FOR ME, I FOUND MY IDENTITY OR VOICE IN MY ART.

>>> PLUS, A STREET ARTIST INTRODUCES US TO A GRAFFITI CHARACTER THAT IS TAKING CENTER STAGE IN HIS FIRST SOLO EXHIBITION.

>>> FIRST, MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, THE SOCIAL EQUITY MARIJUANA DISPENSARY HAS OPEN.

THE STORE CALLED IVY HALL DAVE AND HAS A 61% BLACK OWNERSHIP STATE.

WHEN MARIJUANA WAS LEGALIZED, THE LAW ADDED SOCIAL EQUITY LICENSES FOR BUSINESSES OWNED BY PEOPLE OF COLOR.

THE LAWSUITS OVER THE LEGISLATURE HAS DELAYED THEM FOR OPENING FOR YEARS.

RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA HAS BEEN SOLD BY MOSTLY WHITE OWNERSHIP TEAMS.

>>> ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT OFFICIALLY HAS A NEW CHIEF JUSTICE.

>> ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY -- >> CONGRATULATIONS, CHIEF JUSTICE.

>> CHIEF JUSTICE MARY JANE TICE WAS SWORN IN AS THE FOURTH FEMALE CHIEF JUSTICE BY ANOTHER, AND BURNS.

AFTER THE ELECTION OF TWO ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, ONE BY A DEMOCRAT IN A HIGH-PROFILE ELECTION BATTLE, THE CHIEF JUSTICE STRESSED TODAY THAT PARTISANSHIP WOULD HAVE NO PLACE ON THE BENCH.

>>> THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT HELD A PROMOTION AND GRADUATION CEREMONY.

DOZENS OF NEW CHICAGO POLICE RECRUITS AND PROMOTED OFFICERS LISTENED TO DAVID BROWN TALK ABOUT THE REALITY OF BEING A POLICE OFFICER TODAY.

>> EVEN THOUGH HE HAS NEVER BEEN A TOUGHER TIME TO BE THE POLICE, TRUST ME, WHEN I SAY THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE OUT THERE HAVE YOUR BACK.

PEOPLE WANT THE POLICE.

THEY NEED THE POLICE.

>> NOW WE GO TO BRANDIS FRIEDMAN FOR TODAY'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> PROPERTY OWNERS WILL RECEIVE THEIR TAX BILL SOON.

HOMEOWNERS MIGHT BE A BIT LET DOWN.

AN e-COMMERCE PLATFORM IS JOINING THE LIST OF COMPANIES MOVING FROM THE SUBURBS TO THE CITY, AND McDONALD'S IS ROLLING OUT WHAT THEY SAY IS THEIR LARGEST MOBILE CAMPAIGN TO DATE FOR THE WORLD CUP.

HERE TO GO BEHIND THE HEADLINES, IS CHICAGO BUSINESS EDITOR AND WIRE EDITOR.

HAPPY MONDAY.

HOMEOWNERS ARE ABOUT TO GET THEIR TAX BILLS.

WHY MIGHT HOMEOWNERS AND LANDLORDS HAVE DIFFERENT REACTIONS?

>> HOMEOWNERS ARE LIKELY TO BE CARRYING A BIGGER PART OF THE LOAD, BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THAT'S BECAUSE MANY COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS, ESPECIALLY DOWNTOWN HAVE BEEN SPECIAL IN APPEALING THEIR PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS TO THE ORDER OF REVIEW.

THE COOK COUNTY EXECUTIVE PUT OUT SOME NUMBERS TODAY THAT REPORTED THAT HOMEOWNERS THIS YEAR WILL HAVE 53% OF THE TAX BURDEN THIS YEAR.

THAT IS UP FROM 52% LAST YEAR.

NOT ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES, 47.2% OF THE BURDEN.

THAT IS DOWN FROM 47.9% LAST YEAR.

NOW THESE SOUND LIKE VERY SMALL, INCREMENTAL PERCENTAGE DIFFERENCES.

WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TOTAL TAX BURDEN IT CAN REALLY MATTER TO A HOMEOWNERS BOTTOM LINE.

THIS IS ALL BECAUSE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE BEEN RESISTING EFFORTS TO MOVE THE TAX BURDEN AWAY FROM HOMEOWNERS AND TOWARD COMMERCIAL HOLDINGS.

IT'S AN ONGOING BATTLE.

IT'S GOING TO BE PLAYING OUT FOR PEOPLE ON THEIR TAX BILLS LATER THIS MONTH OR EARLY NEXT MONTH.

>> THAT IS AN e-COMMERCE PLATFORM OFFSHOOT OF WW GRAINGER, MOVING FROM THE SUBURBS TO DOWNTOWN, 500 WEST MADISON.

HOW LARGE IS THIS TREND OF BUSINESS IS MOVING BACK TO THE CITY, DOWNTOWN IN PARTICULAR?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S A TREND, BRANDIS, THAT STARTED WITH THE PANDEMIC.

McDONALD'S CAME FROM THE LOOP, GRAND TIMES, THEY WERE MARCHING IN THAT DIRECTION.

EVEN AFTER COVID STRUCK, WE SAW A HOBBY GROUP AND CISCO DOING THE SAME THING.

IT'S REALLY ALL ABOUT TRYING TO BE LOCATED IN PLACES WHERE YOUNG, TECHNOLOGY TALENT WANT TO GO TO WORK.

EVEN IN TODAY'S HYBRID AND REMOTE ENVIRONMENT, THESE COMPANIES ARE BETTING THAT BEING IN THE DISTRICT AS OPPOSED TO THE SUBURBS IS GOING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO ATTRACT TALENT.

IN THE CASE OF ZORRO, THEY ARE MOVING FROM BUFFALO GROVE DOWN TO 500 WEST MADISON STREET.

THERE IS A LEASE THERE THAT REPRESENTS A BIG COMMITMENT.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A BIG COMPANY.

THEY ARE ON TRACK FOR $1 BILLION IN SALES THIS YEAR.

SO THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT MOVE EVEN IF IT'S JUST A DIVISION OF WW GRAINGER.

>> A BIG MOVE, YOU ALSO MENTIONED McDONALD'S.

THEY ARE PUTTING TOGETHER A STAR-STUDDED AD CAMPAIGN.

THEY SAY IT'S THE LARGEST GLOBAL CAMPAIGN TO DATE.

THIS IS FOR THE WORLD CUP.

WHAT IS THE GOAL?

>> THE GOAL IS TO TRY TO DO WHAT THEY HAVEN'T DONE BEFORE WHICH IS A SOCIAL MEDIA AND DIGITAL DRIVEN AD CAMPAIGN.

I THINK McDONALD'S UNDERSTANDS THAT THE AUDIENCE THAT GRAVITATES TOWARD THE WORLD CUP IS A YOUNG AUDIENCE AND ONLINE AUDIENCE.

WHILE HE MIGHT BE SEEING SOME ADS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN ON TV, THEY WILL MOSTLY BE PLAYING OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, TIKTOK, TWITCH, ET CETERA.

TED LASSO IS GOING TO BE CENTRAL TO THE CAMPAIGN, WHICH MAKES SENSE.

IT'S A SOCCER THEMED SHOW.

THERE WILL BE A TIKTOK CREATOR WHO IS GOING TO BE CENTER STAGE IN THIS, A K-POP BAND NAMED ITSY, A TWITCH STREAMER, ALL OF THEM ARE GOING TO BE DRIVING THE IDEA THAT McDONALD'S IS A PLACE TO GATHER BEFORE AND AFTER GAMES, AND TO CELEBRATE WINDS AND LOSSES.

>> I THINK THEIR LINE IS, WANT TO GO TO McDONALD'S?

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, BRANDIS.

>>> BLACK TEMP WORKERS ARE SYSTEMICALLY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.

THAT'S THE CHARGE AT THE NEARLY DECADE OLD CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST AN INDUSTRIAL BAKERY IN CHICAGO.

HAVE A STAFFING AGENCY AND THE BAKERIES OWNER ARE SET TO PAY MORE THAN $1 MILLION TO SETTLE THE CASE.

WORKER ADVOCATES HAVE SUED FOR WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS FROM TEMP WORKERS AND LEGISLATIVE SOLUTIONS.

NICK LOMBARD JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> Reporter: BRANDIS, IT HAS BEEN A LONG ROAD TO RESOLVE THE CASE.

THERE IS AN END TONIGHT.

THE LAWSUIT WAS FILED BACK IN 2013 AGAINST AN INDUSTRIAL BAKERY THEN CALLED GOLD STANDARD AND A STAFF AGENCY KNOWN AS MVP.

THEY SAY SYSTEMIC DISCRIMINATION WHEN THEY TRIED TO GET HIRED AT THE BAKERY.

>> THEY WOULD HIRE YOU, LET YOU WORK, AND IT WOULD BE THE WORST JOB EVER WHERE YOU COULDN'T BE SEEN.

THE OTHER WAY WAS LIKE 200 DEGREES.

IN THE SANITATION JOB, YOU CLEAN, AND YOU DON'T WANT TO -- >> Reporter: THOSE WORKERS WERE PLUCKED FROM GETTING A PERMANENT JOB.

THEY WOULD BE HIRED FOR 60 DAYS, LET GO, THEN GOT BACK ON AS A TEMP.

HE AND OTHERS ORGANIZED WITH GUIDANCE FROM THE CHICAGO'S WORKERS INITIATIVE.

>> THE TEMP AGENCY WAS DISCRIMINATING, PUTTING WORKERS LIKE IMMIGRANT WORKERS INTO JOBS WHILE DISCRIMINATING OVER BLACK WORKERS.

THE ISSUE WASN'T INSPIRED BY 10 YEARS AGO .

IT IS SOMETHING THAT REGULARLY HAPPENED AT TEMP AGENCIES.

WE STILL SEE THAT VERY OFTEN, MAINLY IN ALL THE TEMP AGENCIES.

>> HOW WIDESPREAD THE ADVOCATES OF SADIE ISSUES ARE?

>> THEY ACCUSE STAFFING AGENCIES OF A WIDESPREAD PATTERN OF BIAS.

A REPORT FROM AN ADVOCACY GROUP THAT CAME OUT LAST YEAR SAID THEY SENT PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS TO THE CHICAGO AREA, ONE BLACK PERSON, ONE LATINO PERSON TO SEE WHO GOT A JOB OFFER.

52% OF AGENCIES MADE SEGREGATED JOB OFFERS, AND 38% OF AGENCIES DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BLACK WORKERS.

TO ADVOCATES, THAT POINTS TO THE NEED FOR OVERSIGHT.

>> THERE IS NOT A LOT OF REGULATIONS FOR TEMP AGENCIES THROUGH GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.

ALTHOUGH, THEY HAVE TO REPORT DEMOGRAPHICS, BUT THEY ONLY HAVE TO REPORT DEMOGRAPHICS OVER THE PEOPLE WHO GET HIRED, NOT THE PEOPLE WHO GO AND APPLY FOR JOBS.

THAT'S WHY IT'S EASY FOR THEM TO DISCRIMINATE.

>> IT CAN ALSO BE DIFFICULT FOR WORKERS WHO FACE DISCRIMINATION TO BAND TOGETHER AND TAKE ACTION, LIKE A LAWSUIT.

JAMIE FRANKLIN SAYS THE BARRIERS ARE LOGISTICAL, FINANCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL.

>> THERE ARE VERY FEW WORKERS WHO WANT TO STICK THEIR NECKS OUT AND BE NAMED IN A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT.

HER NAME IS ON THE COURT CASE, YOU KNOW?

THAT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING WITH THEM FOR LIFE.

EVEN FINDING AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT THEM CAN BE A CHALLENGE.

BECAUSE THESE CASES TAKE SO LONG, ATTORNEYS WHO TAKE THEM MAY END UP HAVING YEARS AND YEARS OF RISK OF NOT BEING PAID.

>> Reporter: THE SETTLEMENT COMES AFTER PROTRACTED LEGAL WRANGLING AND NEGOTIATIONS.

THE COMPANIES THAT WERE SUED DON'T ADMIT TO ANY WRONGDOING.

FRANKLIN SAYS CASES LIKE THIS DEMONSTRATE THE LIMITS OF WHAT HER AND ADVOCATES CAN ACHIEVE IN THE COURTROOM.

>> LITIGATION ITSELF IS NOT THE ANSWER.

I THINK LEGISLATION IS THE ANSWER, ORGANIZING, YOU KNOW, IS ONE OF THE ANSWERS, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WENT ALONGSIDE THIS CASE.

THERE IS A STATUTE IN ILLINOIS THAT WAS PASSED DURING THIS CASE WHILE IT WAS PENDING WHICH HELPS TO PROTECT TEMPORARY WORKERS.

>> A LAW THAT THE WORKERS COLLABORATIVE HOPES TO BUILD ON AND EXPAND.

DESPITE THE LONG ROAD, ONE WORKER SAYS THE SUIT WAS WORTH IT.

>> IF WE STAY ON TOP OF THESE PEOPLE, WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE.

BUT IF WE SLACK OFF, THEY WILL GO BACK TO THE EARLY PRACTICE.

THEY WILL GO BACK.

WHEN REPORTING STOPS, WHEN THE MONEY GETS SETTLED, THEY WILL GO BACK TO THEIR OLD PRACTICE.

>> WE SHOULD NOTE MATTER THE BAKERY OWNERS, THE STAFFING AGENCY, NOR STATE AND NATIONAL STAFFING COMPANY INDUSTRY GROUPS WOULD COMMENT FOR THIS STORY.

AND BRANDIS, THE JUDGE IN THE CASE JUST SIGNED OFF ON THE PRELIMINARY SETTLEMENT DEAL, FINAL APPROVAL COULD COME SOON.

>> INTERESTINGLY CHURCH, THANK YOU.

>>> UP NEXT, WE INTRODUCE YOU TO THE NEW HEAD OF THE CHICAGO READER.

THE CONVERSATION THAT FIRST AIRED ON CHICAGO TONIGHT LATINO VOICES, BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> THE CHICAGO READER IS A MUCH BELOVED COMMUNITY INSTITUTION.

IN A PREDIGITAL AGE, IT WAS AN INDISPENSABLE GUIDE TO ALL THINGS CHICAGO.

IN A WORLD WERE ALMOST ANY INFORMATION IS JUST A GOOGLE SEARCH AWAY, IT IS TAKING TIME TO BE AN ALTERNATIVE AND FREE WEEKLY NEWSPAPER, TASK WITH THE EVER-CHANGING MEDIA LANDSCAPE, IS THE READER'S NEW EDITOR IN CHIEF AND THE FIRST LATINO TO HOLD THE POSITION IN THE PUBLICATIONS MORE THAN 50 YEAR HISTORY.

HE JOINS US TODAY.

WELCOME, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

YOU WERE FIRST A FAN OF THE READER LONG BEFORE YOU GOT THE TOP JOB.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO NOW BE LEADING WHAT IS A CHICAGO INSTITUTION?

>> IT'S A HUGE RESPONSE ABILITY FOR STARTERS, RIGHT?

I FIRST FELL IN LOVE WITH THE READER WHEN I WAS IN CHICAGO IN DECEMBER OF 2009 UNDER A FELLOWSHIP.

I SAW THEN THE GRIP THAT THE READER HAD ON THE LOCAL ZEITGEIST.

I COULD ONLY DREAM BACK THEN OF ONE DAY BEING A FREELANCE CONTRIBUTOR LET ALONE THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.

SO HERE WE ARE ALL THESE YEARS LATER, A LOT OF LESSONS LEARNED, A LOT OF CLIMB HAPPENING ON THE PROFESSIONAL LADDER TO GET TO THIS POINT, AND YOU KNOW, IN VERY MANY WAYS, IT'S A HOMECOMING.

I AM VERY, VERY HUMBLED BY IT.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGOANS OF A CERTAIN AGE, THE READER WAS INDISPENSABLE.

IT WAS A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD FIND A JOB, MAYBE A DATE, A FEW THINGS TO DO AROUND THE CITY, AND ALSO SOME GREAT JOURNALISM.

NOW, A LOT OF STUFF IS JUST A GOOGLE SEARCH AWAY.

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN THE READER'S RELEVANCE IN A DIGITAL AGE?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THE READER REPRESENTS SOMETHING SO SPECIAL IN THE LIVES OF MANY IF NOT ALL CHICAGOANS.

AND A LOT OF CHICAGOANS HAVE A READER STORY.

IT'S FUNNY YOU MENTIONED THE PERSONALS FROM BACK IN THE DAY.

THOSE WERE THE PRETENDER DAYS.

RIGHT?

YOU HAD TO GO TO THE PHYSICAL PAPER.

SO IT DEFINITELY HAS A RETRO QUALITY TO IT.

STILL IN THIS DAY AND AGE, YOU CAN PICK UP A PHYSICAL ISSUE.

FOR ME, AS A MEDIA PERSON TO ACTUALLY GET TO PRODUCE THAT IS EXTRAORDINARY.

RIGHT NOW, I FEEL THAT PEOPLE TURN TOWARD THE READER ONLINE AND THE PHYSICAL ISSUE OF THE READER FOR THE SAME -- TO REESTABLISH THAT CONNECTION THEY HAD TO THE PRODUCT.

I WAS JUST TALKING, INTERVIEWING ACTUALLY, A FILM DIRECTOR.

IT WAS VERY FUNNY.

SHE MENTIONED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE INTERVIEW, I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I MET MY HUSBAND THROUGH THE READER CLASSIFIEDS.

NOT ONLY THAT, I WAS A READER OF THE WEEK.

THERE ARE SO MANY STORIES LIKE THAT THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THAT JUST REMINDS ME OF THE READER'S RELEVANCE.

EVERYTHING THAT OLD IS NEW AGAIN.

SAME THING COULD HAPPEN FOR VINYL OR VINTAGE CLOTHING.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING BACK TO VINYL.

WE MIGHT SAY THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE MIGHT BE GOING BACK TO ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER AS WELL, RIGHT?

EVEN FOR JOURNALISM, WE WILL SEE SOME GOOD JOURNALISM.

>> YOU CAN SEE IT NOT EVERY WEEK OR NOT EVERY OTHER WEEK.

YOU CAN SEE IT EVERY DAY.

ON THE READER'S WEBSITE, I THINK THAT'S ONE THING THAT WE HAVE NOT LOST TRACK OF, THE COMMITMENT IN PARTICULAR TO LONGFORM JOURNALISM.

YOU MENTIONED DWINDLING OUTLETS OUT THERE.

THEY ARE CERTAINLY DWINDLING WHEN IT COMES TO BEING ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND PRODUCE A 4000 OR 5000 COUNT WORD PIECE.

READER DOES THAT.

IT IS AN EXTREMELY VALUABLE JOURNALISM SCHOOL FOR UP-AND-COMING WRITERS.

>> YOU ARE THE FIRST LATINO CHIEF.

DO YOU SEE THAT AS SIGNIFICANT OR NOT?

>> I DO.

I SEE IT IS NOT JUST A CHANGE IN CHICAGO AND THE GRAPHICS AND MEDIA IN GENERAL, BUT I ALSO SEE IT -- OUR TIME HAS COME.

OUR TIME HAS COME AS A POPULATION TO NOT JUST BE RELEGATED TO OUR NICHE OUTLETS TO BE PART OF THE MAINSTREAM, YOU KNOW?

I'M PRETTY SURE YOU AND I ARE AWARE OF INCREDIBLE MUSICAL ARTISTS, FOR EXAMPLE, WHO ARE HUGE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, BUT THEY HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING IN ENGLISH.

ONCE THEY DO, IS CALLED A CROSSOVER, RIGHT?

SO YOU COULD BE THE MOST FAMOUS, MULTIPLATINUM ARTIST, BUT UNLESS YOU DO THAT THING IN ENGLISH, YOU ARE SORT OF RELEGATED TO THE NICHE CATEGORY.

YOU NEED THE CROSSOVER.

SO THE FACT THAT I GET TO BE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF IN AN INDUSTRY THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY PROGRESSIVE BUT THAT HASN'T ALWAYS HAD THE DOOR OPEN FOR OTHER MINORITIES AND OTHER UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS IS PRETTY BIG.

>> SPEAKING OF OUR COMMUNITY, DO YOU SEE OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW YOUR AUDIENCE IN THE LATINO COMMUNITY?

>> YES.

IN FACT, IT WAS IN THE PAST YEAR THE READER MADE EFFORTS TO TRANSLATE THOSE BIG STORIES INTO SPANISH.

SO NOW WE HAVE A WHOLE SECTION OF READERS STORIES IN SPANISH.

WE PLAN TO EXPAND THAT IN 2023.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BEING AN ALTERNATIVE FREE WEEKLY NEWSPAPER.

HOW DO YOU KEEP THE LIGHTS ON?

>> RIGHT?

EXACTLY, EXACTLY.

RECENTLY, JUST RECENTLY, THE READER WENT TO NONPROFIT STATUS.

SO IN THAT REGARD, WE ARE NOT MUCH DIFFERENT THAN YOU.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE A HYBRID MODEL BETWEEN WHAT WAS THE BREAD AND BUTTER WHICH IS ADVERTISING WITHIN THE PAPER AND WITHIN OUR WEBSITE, DIGITALLY, BUT WE ALSO HAVE A SUBSCRIPTION MODEL WHERE PEOPLE CAN DONATE AND BE ACTIVE SUBSCRIBERS.

EVEN THOUGH WE HAVEN'T PUSHED IT THAT MUCH, SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE DONE IT BECAUSE, AGAIN, THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THE READER IS STILL THERE.

THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THE READER IS THRIVING.

SO THAT IS EXTREMELY MEANINGFUL.

OF COURSE, THERE IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER UP WITH LARGER ORGANIZATIONS, GRANTS, ET CETERA.

SO YOU KNOW, WE ARE FIGURING IT OUT, BUT I THINK WE ARE DOING IT.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IT MEANS TO BE AN ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER?

>> IT MEANS GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN.

IT MEANS MARCHING TO THE BEAT OF YOUR OWN DRUM.

IT MEANS BEING A CREATIVE SCHOOL AND LAUNCHING PAD FOR OTHER JOURNALISTS, PARTICULARLY JOURNALISTS FROM UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS.

AND IT MEANS BEING WITH THE TIMES, YOU KNOW?

ALTERNATIVE NEWSWEEK, AND THE READER WHICH IS THE DADDY OF THEM ALL, SPRUNG FROM COUNTERCULTURE MOVEMENTS, THE 60s AND 70s.

SO YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT IT THROUGH THAT SCOPE THEN ADOPT IT AND SAY, WHAT IS THE COUNTERCULTURE NOW?

SO THAT'S WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY CHASING.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND CONGRATULATIONS, BY THE WAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> THE FIRST TIME, THE WORK OF A GRAFFITI ARTIST IS BEING SHOWCASED INSIDE AT THE AMHERST ART MUSEUM TO BE EXACT.

ANGEL ITO RECENTLY INTRODUCED US, AND SHARES THE MESSAGE BEHIND HIS GRAFFITI CHARACTER SEEN FLYING AROUND THE CITY.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> I AM MOSTLY KNOWN FOR MY MURALS AND STREET ART, PUBLIC WORK, I WANTED TO CONVEY THE MESSAGE AND THE STORY ANYMORE, I GUESS, THREE WAY OR SOMETHING THAT THE VIEWER AND THE AUDIENCE CAN HAVE A LITTLE MORE HANDS-ON, HAVING THEMSELVES IN THE STORY.

>> Reporter: IT'S THE STORY OF HIS SIGNATURE CHARACTER, THE CITY STAINED , THE VISUAL STREET ARTIST WANTS VIEWERS TO STEP INTO WHEN VISITING HIS EXHIBIT, THE BOY WHO WANTED TO FLY AT THE AMHERST ART MUSEUM.

>> I WANT THE VIEWERS IN THE AUDIENCE TO BE ABLE TO PUT THEMSELVES IN THEIR SHOES, OR BE ABLE TO PUT THEMSELVES BEHIND THAT MASK AS WELL, BE ABLE TO HAVE THE IDEA OF FREEDOM, ESCAPE, AND UNDERSTAND IT IS THE STORY OF A YOUNG LATINO WHO GREW UP IN THE HOOD, YOU KNOW?

HE GREW UP IN A TOUGH ENVIRONMENT AND WANTED TO FIND HIS ARTISTIC VOICE AND LIVE OUT HIS DREAMS.

>> Reporter: IT'S A NARRATIVE SIMILAR TO HIS OWN.

BUT UNLIKE HIS PUBLIC ART, THE SOLO EXHIBITION ALLOWS HIM TO TELL THE STORY THROUGH SEVERAL MEDIUMS, NOT JUST SPRAY PAINT.

>> SO YOU SEE THE YOUNG BOY FINDS A SPRAY CAN.

THAT'S HOW I FOUND IT, YOU KNOW, FINDING THE ART THROUGH GRAFFITI AND STREET ART, I WAS ABLE TO FIND MY VOICE.

IN THIS SPACE, I CONSIDER THE CHARACTERS, SPRAY PAINTING HIS BIRDHOUSE, HIS TREE HOUSE, YOU SEE SKETCHES, YOU SEE HIS IDEAS, JUST LITTLE THINGS THAT REPRESENT THE CHARACTERS LIFE , THEN FROM THERE, YOU GO TO HIS OUTSIDE, HIS ENVIRONMENT, YOU KNOW, ART, YOU CAN'T DENY THE ENVIRONMENT IT IS IN.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

SO YOU SEE A GIANT SCULPTURE OF THE KID LAYING DOWN.

YOU SEE A CART, THEN YOU SEE THE PAINTINGS THAT KIND OF REFLECT, YOU KNOW, THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: WITH HIS ENVIRONMENT HAVING PLAYED SUCH A BIG ROLE IN HIS DEVELOPMENT, HE HOPES TO SHARE BIRD CITY SAINT WHO HE SAYS, COMBINES HUMANITY WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.

>> MY CULTURE, MASKS ARE REAL BIG TO REPRESENT ALTER EGOS, EMPOWERMENT, THE SPIRITUAL, YOU KNOW, THAT SIDE OF THINGS.

I WANT IT TO BE A UNIVERSAL MESSAGE.

I HOPE PEOPLE TAKE AWAY THE IDEA OF HOW, YOU KNOW, THIS YOUNG CHARACTER FOUND HIS VOICE OR FOUND HIS DREAM , SO PEOPLE CAN DO THE SAME WHETHER IT IS THROUGH ART, JOURNALISM, SPORTS, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM ANGEL ITO.

>> YOU CAN SEE THE BOY WHO WANTED TO FLY AT THE ELMHURST ART MUSEUM THROUGH JANUARY 15th.

WE ARE ABOUT TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS, THE GYM AND K MAY BE FAMILY.

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

>>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00.

AS PROPERTY TAX BILLS MAKE THEIR WAY TO HOMEOWNERS, WE EXPLAIN HOW THE FINAL AMOUNT IS SET.

>>> AND THE STORY OF A TREE, ONE THAT HAS WITNESSED GENERATIONS OF CHICAGO HISTORY AND IS NOW COMING DOWN.

>>> WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH MORE FROM A PIANIST.

FOR OUR ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

BE SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A CLIFF AND