>>> WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT," I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

>> PRESSURE IS THE WHOLE GAME THEY'RE BOTH PLAYING WITH EACH OTHER.

>> WHAT A POTENTIAL RAIL STRIKE COULD MEAN FOR PASSENGERS AND FOR PACKAGES.

[ INAUDIBLE ] >>> CONGRESSMAN JESUS CHUY GARCIA LAUNCHES HIS SECOND CAMPAIGN FOR CHICAGO MAYOR WHO JOINS US ONE ON ONE.

>>> DACA URGENCY UKRAINE, GUN CONTROL, AND MORE.

LOCAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS BREAK DOWN PRIORITIES ON CAPITOL HILL.

[ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >>> HUNDREDS OF ASYLUM SEEKERS ARE NOW CALLING CHICAGO HOME.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ SHARES SOME OF YOUR STORIES.

>>> A DRY SHAMPOO RECALL OVER THE POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF A CANCER CAUSING CHEMICAL.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

>>> AND FOOD PANTRIES SAY BOTH COSTS AND DEMAND ARE ON THE RISE.

THREE LOCAL PANTRIES ON HOW THEY'RE MANAGING.

>>> BUT FIRST SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS AGAIN EXTENDING THE PAUSE ON FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS.

THE EXTENSION COMES AFTER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION' S BROADER STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM WAS BLOCKED BY A FEDERAL APPEAL'S COURT LAST WEEK AMID LEGAL CHALLENGES.

PRESIDENT BIDEN TOOK TO TWITTER TO SAY HE'S CONVINCED THE LOAN FORGIVENESS PLAN IS LEGAL.

HE ANNOUNCED THE EXTENSION OF THE PAYMENT PAUSE.

>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO BACK DOWN THOUGH ON OUR FIGHT TO GIVE FAMILIES BREATHING ROOM.

THAT'S WHY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS ASKING THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES TO RULE ON THE CASE.

IT ISN'T FAIR TO ASK TENS OF MILLIONS OF BORROWERS ELIGIBLE FOR RELIEF TO RESUME THEIR STUDENT DEBT PAYMENTS WHILE THE COURTS CONSIDER THE LAWSUIT.

FOR THAT REASON, THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION IS EXTENDING THE PAUSE ON STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS WHILE WE SEEK RELIEF FROM THE COURTS, BUT NO LATER THAN JUNE 30, 2023.

>>> A DEADLY EARLY MORNING FIRE IN LOGAN SQUARE.

FIREFIGHTERS AND PARAMEDICS RESPONDED TO THE FIRE AT 1813 NORTH SAWYER AROUND 5:45 THIS MORNING.

THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS ONE PERSON WAS KILLED AND A FIREFIGHTER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MINOR INJURIES.

WGN REPORTS THE MAN WHO WAS KILLED WAS IN HIS 70s AND A FIREFIGHTER WAS INJURED WHILE FALLING OFF A LADDER.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT FIREFIGHTER IS EXPECTED TO MAKE A FULL RECOVERY.

>>> A CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER IS FOUND NOT GUILTY OF AGGRAVATED BATTERY AND OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT AFTER SHOOTING AN UNARMED MAN AT A RED LINE STATION IN 2020.

COOK COUNTY JUDGE, JOSEPH CLAPS ISSUED THE DECISION.

BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE RELEASED BY THE CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND OTHER WITNESS VIDEO SHOWS TWO OFFICERS, BOGARD AND BERNARD BUTLER STRUGGLING WITH ROMAN AT THE BASE OF THE STAIRCASE INSIDE THE STATION.

DESPITE THE ACQUITTAL, SUPERINTENDENT DAVID BROWN IS MOVING TO FIRE BOTH OFFICERS.

BROWN RESPECTS THE COURT, BUT STOOD BY HIS DECISION.

>> WE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS QUITE APPROPRIATE TO SEPARATE THE OFFICERS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BASED ON THE VIOLATIONS IDENTIFIED BY COPA.

>>> CHICAGO'S TOP DOCTOR GETS THE LATEST COVID BOOSTER SHOTS.

WHILE THE BOOSTER BECAME AVAILABLE AROUND LABOR DAY, DR. ALLISON DELAYED GETTING THE SHOT AFTER CONTRACTING COVID IN AUGUST.

THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION SAYS YOU CAN WAIT UP TO THREE MONTHS AFTER HAVING COVID BEFORE GETTING THE BOOSTER.

WHILE GETTING THAT SHOT ALREADY TOUTED THE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN FIGHTING THE VIRUS.

>> AT THE WORST IT WAS ACTUALLY AT THE BEGINNING.

MORE THAN 50 CHICAGOANS A DAY DYING FROM COVID-19.

TODAY, THAT'S LESS THAN ONE PER DAY.

THE MAIN REASON WE HAVE MADE THAT PROGRESS IS COVID-19 VACCINES.

THEY ARE SAFE, THEY ARE EFFECTIVE, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU STAY UP TO DATE.

>>> COMING UP IN THE PROGRAM, CONGRESSMAN JESUS CHUY GARCIA ON ENTERING THE RACE FOR MAYOR.

>>> BUT UP NEXT, COULD A POTENTIAL RAIL WORKER STRIKE DERAIL THE NATION'S ECONOMY?

STAY WITH US.

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

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

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

>>> JUST AS THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS GETTING UNDERWAY IN EARNEST, A POTENTIAL STRIKE BY FREIGHT RAILROAD WORKERS STANDS TO POSSIBLY DERAIL THINGS.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

AMANDA, WHAT IS THIS DISPUTE?

>> Reporter: YES, BRANDIS.

STANDOFF BETWEEN RAIL COMPANIES AND A DOZEN RAIL UNIONS, THOSE REPRESENTING EVERYONE FROM CONDUCTORS TO LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS IS ABOUT TO REACH A FORK IN THE ROAD.

PERHAPS MAYBE A TURN IN THE TRACKS IS A MORE APPROPRIATE TERM.

EITHER WAY IT'S NOT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

IN SEPTEMBER UNIONS WERE ABOUT TO STRIKE, BUT THEN A WHITE HOUSE BOARD GOT INVOLVED AND HAMMERED OUT A TENTATIVE DEAL.

THERE'S GOOD REASON TO CALL IT TENTATIVE.

A HANDFUL OF UNIONS HAVE E VOTED TO REJECT THAT DEAL EVEN THOUGH EIGHT OTHER UNIONS ARE ON BOARD OF IT, BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

IF ONE UNION DECIDES TO STRIKE, THE OTHERS WILL NOT CROSS THE PICKET LINE.

SO IF IT COMES TO THAT, IT WOULD CAUSE WIDE DISRUPTIONS.

>> IT WOULD AFFECT ALL WALKS OF LIFE AS WE KNOW IT REGARDLESS OF DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS.

IT COULD AFFECT FAMILIES, INDUSTRIES, IT COULD AFFECT ANY DIFFERENT SECTOR THAT YOU CAN THINK OF.

>> WE HAD A REAL RAIL STRIKE LIKE YOU SEE IN OTHER INDUSTRIES.

IT WOULD NOT TAKE VERY LONG, MAYBE A DAY AND A HALF BEFORE AUTO PLANTS, WHICH ARE TRYING TO CATCH UP TO DEMAND WOULD HAVE TO SCALE BACK BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T BE GETTING PARTS.

YOU KNOW, STEEL WOULDN'T BE GETTING THROUGH.

AND FARMERS, THE GOODS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE DRY MISSISSIPPI RIVER WOULD NOT BE HEADING TOWARDS, YOU KNOW, THE APPROPRIATE SILOS OR DOWN TO THE GULF COAST FOR EXPORT.

>> RAILROADS ARE A LIFELINE FOR MOVING RAW MATERIALS AS WELL AS FINISHED GOODS.

LONG-TIME RAIL ANALYST ANTHONY HATCH SAYS CHICAGO IS A KEY HUB.

HATCH SAYS IT'S THE VERY CLOTHES ON HIS BODY AT SOME POINT PROBABLY CAME THROUGH CHICAGO ON A TRAIN BEFORE HEADING TO HIM IN NEW YORK.

>> THE SWEATER I'M WEARING, YOU KNOW, LIKELY CAME FROM ABROAD.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN SOUTHEAST ASIA IN A CONTAINER TO A STORE, WHICH THE ENTIRE NORTH AMERICAN JOURNEY WAS 90% RAIL AND THE LAST 10% WAS TRUCKS TO THE STORE ON MADISON AVENUE.

>> OF COURSE, WITH CHRISTMAS AND HANUKKAH COMING UP, IT'S HIGH SHOPPING SEASON.

WHAT COULD A STRIKE MEAN FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING?

>> HIGH HOLIDAY SHOPPING.

WE DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT AT ALL.

>> I TALKED TO GREGORY DEJONG WHO USED TO WORK IN LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY MANAGEMENT, NOW HE'S IN OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY WHERE HE WORKS AS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR.

HE SAYS MOST BIG BOX STORES LEARNED THEIR LESSONS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THEY'VE STOCKED UP IN CASE OF POTENTIAL DISRUPTIONS.

>> SO, IN FACT, FOR THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPINGEN IS, THE STORES ARE PRETTY WELL STOCKED AND THE PRODUCTS ARE ON THE SHELVES.

IF YOU'RE PLANNING ON DOING YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN PERSON, OTHER THAN IT'S GETTING LATE, YOU BETTER GET GOING.

IT'S NOT A BAD SITUATION.

IF YOU DO A LOT OF SHOPPING ONLINE, THE LONGER YOU WAIT, THE CLOSER WE WILL GET TO A SITUATION WHERE THERE COULD BE A DISRUPTION.

IT COULD BE A PROBLEM.

>> OF COURSE, THERE IS ANOTHER POTENTIAL IMPACT, NOT ON PACKAGES, BUT ON PASSENGERS.

HE SAYS EVEN THE THREAT OF A STRIKE COULD CAUSE AMTRAK TO CANCEL SERVICE AS IT DID IN THE FALL.

>> BECAUSE THE RAILWAYS DON'T WANT TO SCRAM THEIR PASSENGERS.

YOU CAN'T PUT A BUNCH OF PEOPLE ON THE TRAIN AND SEND THEM OUT TO CALIFORNIA AND HALFWAY THERE HAVE A RAIL WAY STRIKE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF UTAH.

THAT'S NOT A GOOD SITAGO.

IT'S BAD ENOUGH TO STRAND PRODUCTS.

IT'S REALLY BAD TO STRAND PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: I REACHED OUT TO AMTRAK, WHICH DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY.

A SPOKESPERSON DID SEND A STATEMENT POINTING OUT THIS IS A DISPUTE BETWEEN FREIGHT COMPANIES AND WORKERS.

THE NEGOTIATIONS DO NOT INVOLVE AMTRAK NOR ITS WORK FORCE.

NOW THIS COULD LEAD TO SERVICE DISRUPTIONS, THE COMPANY WOULD ONLY SAY AMTRAK CONTINUES TO MONITOR ONGOING FREIGHT RAIL MANAGEMENT LABOR CONTRACT RELATIONS.

>> AMANDA, HOW LIKELY IS A STRIKE?

WHAT IS AT STAKE?

>> Reporter: I'LL START WITH THE LADDER THERE.

THE TENTATIVE DEAL GAVE RAIL WORKERS A DOUBLE DIGIT PAY BOOST, 24% OVER THE LIFE OF THE CONTRACT AS WELL AS A RETROACTIVE PAY BUMP.

BUT THE PEOPLE I TALK WITH SAY WITH INFLATION AT NEARLY 8%, THAT'S NOT REALLY A GREAT OF A RAISE AS IT MAY APPEAR.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT MONEY.

WORKERS ARE ALSO DEMANDING LESS STRICT SICK LEAVE POLICIES, AND THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO CONSTANTLY BE ON CALL.

THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT GETS BACK TO LAYOFFS.

EARLIER IN THE PANDEMIC IT CAUSED A WORKER SHORTAGE NOW.

>> THE REALITY IS THEY NEED THAT WORK FORCE.

IN ORDER TO BRING THEM BACK, THEY NEED TO WOO THEM BACK.

IT'S NOT SO EASY.

THE WORKERS THAT HAVE BEEN LET GO HAVE GONE ON TO OTHER THINGS.

AND SO IT'S SO DIFFICULT TO BRING THAT TRAIN WORK FORCE BACK.

THAT'S WHERE THE JOB LIES.

>> Reporter: RAIL ANALYSTS TECH SAY THE TIMING COULDN'T BE BETTER FOR LABOR WITH WIDESPREAD WAGE INFLATION, WORKER SHORTAGES, HIGH PROFILES OF PRESSURE, AND WASHINGTON CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATS.

HE SAYS UNIONS HAVE THE UPPER HAND, BUT CONTROL OF THE U.S. HOUSE WILL SOON FLIP.

AND HATCH SAYS IF WORKERS PURSUE A STOPPAGE, THE WORKERS MIGHT HAVE BEEN SEEN AS HEROES WOULD BE PERCEIVED AS VILLAINS.

HE SAYS NEGOTIATIONS ARE ALL ABOUT PRESSURE.

SO BOTH SIDES ARE WAITING UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.

NOW DEYONG SAYS THERE IS NO COMPARISON FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

>> THIS WILL BE LIKE LAST TIME.

THE LAST TIME WAS 1992, SO THERE WAS NO INTERNET, THERE WAS NO AMAZON, THERE WAS NO GLOBAL ECONOMY THAT WE SEE TODAY.

SO IT'S TOTALLY DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN.

THAT BEING SAID, I THINK THE CHANCES OF AN ACTUAL STRIKE ARE FAIRLY LOW.

>> Reporter: HE IS NOT ALONE IN THAT THOUGHT.

EVERYONE I SPOKE WITH IN THIS STORY SAID THEY PREDICT THERE WILL NOT BE A WORK STOPPAGE BY UNIONS.

LIKEWISE THEY DON'T PREDICT A LOCKOUT BY RAIL COMPANIES.

THAT'S IN PART BECAUSE CONGRESS COULD GET INVOLVED AND ENSURE THE RAILROADS KEEP ON RUNNING, BUT ALSO BECAUSE THE STAKES ARE SO HIGH IN THE ECONOMIC DISRUPTION T WOULD BE SO SEVERE.

AND BRANDIS, THE WRAP UP IS EARLY DECEMBER.

>> A LOT OF FINGERS CROSSED.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AND NOW TO PARIS AND THE LATEST CANDIDATE TO ENTER THE RACE FOR MAYOR, CHICAGO MAYOR.

PARIS?

>> BRANDIS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

CONGRESSMAN CHUY GARCIA ENDORSED MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN HE DECIDED NOT TO RUN FOR MAYOR.

THAT'S AFTER HE PUSHED RAHM EMANUEL TO A FIRST EVER PAYOR RUNOFF MAYORAL RUNOFF.

DENYING LIGHTFOOT A SECOND TERM.

GARCIA IS A FAMILIAR FACE TO MANY, BEING THE ONLY CANDIDATE TO HAVE SERVED IN GOVERNMENT AT NEARLY ALL LEVELS DURING HIS NEARLY HALF CENTURY CAREER IN ILLINOIS POLITICS.

AND HERE TO DISCUSS HIS CANDIDACY AND CAMPAIGN IS JESUS CHUY GARCIA.

CONGRESSMAN GARCIA, GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK HERE ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

>> GREAT TO JOIN YOU IN YOUR NEW STUDIO.

>> IT'S GOOD TO JUST HAVE PEOPLE IN PERSON.

SO FOUR YEARS AGO AS WE MENTIONED YOU ENDORSED LIGHTFOOT FOR MAYOR.

WHY NOW DO YOU WANT TO MAKE HER A ONE-TERM MAYOR?

>> I BELIEVE CHICAGO NEEDS NEW LEADERSHIP THAT CAN BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

SOMEONE WHO IS ROOTED IN THE CHICAGO EXPERIENCE.

KNOWS THE NEIGHBORHOODS, UNDERSTANDS PEOPLES REALITIES, AND SOMEONE WHO CAN EWE NIGHT THE PEOPLE OF CHICAGO.

I THINK THAT MY HISTORY AS AN ORGANIZER, AS AN ADVOCATE, AS A COMMUNITY BUILDER, SOMEONE WHO HAS HELD VARIOUS OFFICE, ALL LEVELS OF OFFICE VIRTUALLY.

AND SOMEONE WHO HAS HELPED BRING ABOUT NEW LEADERSHIP AND HELPED THEM GET ELECTED AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVEL IS THE TYPE OF UNIFYING LEADERSHIP THAT CHICAGO NEEDS IN THESE TIMES.

PEOPLE FEEL UNSAFE.

AND IN ORDER TO MAKE THAT REALITY CHANGE, YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO BE COLLABORATIVE AND NOT COMBATIVE AND EXHIBITING THAT TYPE OF CONFLICT UNNECESSARILY, CONSTANTLY.

>> WE SHOULD MENTION YOU ANNOUNCED YOUR CAMPAIGN 40 YEARS TO THE DAY, HERALD WASHINGTON'S CAMPAIGN AS YOU WERE A PART OF.

ARE YOU SAYING LIGHTFOOT HAS BEEN COMBATIVE AND NOT COLLABORATIVE?

>> YES, THERE ARE A FEW RESULTS TO SHOW FOR AN INCREASE, A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN CITY BUDGET.

CHICAGO IS KNOWN FOR THE COMBATIVENESS THAT HAS BEEN ON FULL EXHIBIT NOW BECAUSE OF, YOU KNOW, THE TRANSMISSION OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS.

PETTY FIGHTS.

THE TEXTING, ON AND ON.

SHE HAS NOT BEEN A UNIFIER AND TYPE OF LEADER THAT WE NEED TO COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC AND TO MAKE CHICAGO A THRIVING CITY WITH THRIVING NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> AS THE SECOND TIME YOU'RE GOING FOR THIS JOB.

IN 2015 YOU PUSHED RAHM EMANUEL TO A RUNOFF.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU LEARNED FROM THAT CAMPAIGN THAT YOU MIGHT DO DIFFERENTLY NOW?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I LEARNED TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS AND THE U.S. CONGRESS IS GOOD FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

I'M VERY PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS CONGRESS, WHICH DELIVERED PANDEMIC RELIEF, STIMULUS CHECKS.

WE PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

I THINK WE KEPT THE COUNTRY FROM DIPPING INTO A RECESSION OR WORSE THAN THAT.

WITHOUT THE SUPPORT THAT WE FED CHICAGO, OUR ECONOMY WOULD BE IN A MUCH DIRE SITUATION.

I WANT TO COME BACK HOME TO CHICAGO TO ENSURE THAT THE RESOURCES THAT WE PROVIDED CHICAGO THROUGH THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND JOBS INVESTMENT ACT THROUGH THE CHIPS AND THE MANUFACTURING THAT IS COMING BACK ON SHORE IN AMERICA.

AND THEN THE INVESTMENT IN GREENING UP OF OUR TECHNOLOGY AND OUR SYSTEM ACROSS AMERICA.

GREAT WORK FORCE OPPORTUNITIES, THE CREATION OF NEW JOBS, AND ESSENTIALLY THRUSTING CHICAGO INTO THE 21st CENTURY AS A GLOBAL CITY.

>> SO THIS IS A PART OF YOUR WORK IN CONGRESS?

AND YOU PROBABLY WANT CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH CONGRESS.

YOU BUILT QUITE A POLITICAL MACHINE ON THE SOUTH SIDE FOUR YEARS AGO.

YOU SURPRISED THE POLITICAL WORLD WHEN YOU ENDORSED MIKE MADIGAN CHAIR.

HE'S FACING 20 COUNTS OF CHARGES.

DO YOU REGRET MAKING THAT ENDORSEMENT?

>> IN 2016, BRUCE RUNNER WAS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

TRYING TO MAKE THE STATE A RIGHT TO WORK STATE, IMPOSING AN INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE, TAKING ANTI-WORKER POSITIONS.

I WAS ASKED BY LABOR LEADERS IN ILLINOIS TO SUPPORT A CHALLENGER FROM THE RIGHT.

I DID SO.

I DON'T HAVE REGRETS ABOUT THAT.

IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ORGANIZED LABOR TO PROTECT WORKERS IN ILLINOIS.

THAT WAS THE MOTIVATION.

>> FOUR YEARS LATER ARE YOU SURPRISED BY THESE CHARGES?

A LOT OF FOLKS KNEW THE WAY MADIGAN RAN HIS ORGANIZATION.

>> I WAS SURPRISED BY THE CHARGES.

YOU KNOW, WE ALL KNOW THERE WAS A GREAT POLITICAL ORGANIZATION WITH A LOT OF POWER THAT WAS WIELDED ACROSS THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

I DIDN'T KNOW THE DEPTHS OF THE PRACTICES THAT WERE GOING ON THAT LED TO THE INDICTMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT, I HAVE TO ASK YOU THIS.

IN CONGRESS YOU'VE GOTTEN REPORTEDLY AROUND $200,000 IN DONATIONS FROM A PACK THAT'S FUNDED BY THE DISGRACED FTX FOUNDER AND THE WHOLE CRYPTO WORLD.

AND ALSO GOT A SMALL DIRECT CONTRIBUTION FROM HIM.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE HIS INTEREST WAS IN YOUR CAMPAIGN?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I READ THAT HE FAVORED WAS COVID PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS.

THAT MAY HAVE BEEN A WAY FOR HIM TO TRY TO WOO SEVERAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

THE SUPPORT THAT WAS PROVIDED WAS IN THE FORM OF AN INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE.

WE HAD NO CONTROL, NO COORDINATION, NO KNOWLEDGE OF IT UNTIL WE SAW THAT IT WAS TAKING PLACE IN THE DISTRICT.

THE $500 WERE RETURNED AND GIVEN -- >> THIS IS HIS CHARITY?

YOU RETURNED THAT?

>> EXACTLY, YES.

>> AND YOU ALSO SERVE ON THE HOUSE FINANCIAL COMMITTEE, THE DIGITAL ASSET WORKING GROUP.

SO EXTENSIVELY YOU'RE CHARGED IN THIS GROUP THAT'S COMING UP WITH POTENTIAL CRYPTO REGULATIONS.

DO YOU THINK THAT FACTORED INTO HIS INTEREST IN YOUR CAMPAIGN?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS I HAVE A STRONG HISTORY OF BEING VERY SKEPTICAL ABOUT CRYPTOCURRENCIES.

I THINK THEY OUGHT TO BE REGULATED VERY CLOSELY.

I'VE BEEN A FIERCE ADVOCATE ON THAT.

I HAVE SUGGESTED THAT TO THE REGULATORY AGENCIES THAT COME BEFORE US PERIODICALLY TO REPORT.

I CARE ABOUT THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM, PROTECTING IT, AND ENSURING -- >> GIVEN WHAT FOLKS ARE GOING THROUGH NOW?

>> EXACTLY.

>> THIS IS WHAT WE WERE WARNING IN THE PAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE.

AND UNFORTUNATELY ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF SHADY CHARACTERS OPERATING WITHOUT REGULATION.

THIS IS WHY WE NEED FIRM REGULATIONS.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO ASK SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES ON THIS LATER.

WE'LL GET TO THE CITY ISSUES.

CHICAGO RECORDED MORE THAN 600 HOMICIDES THIS YEAR.

IT'S DOWN FROM LAST YEAR, BUT STILL UP FROM THREE YEARS AGO.

WHAT WILL YOU DO DIFFERENTFULLY THE REALM OF PUBLIC SAFETY?

>> THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS IN SHAMBLES.

IN PART BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF SUPERINTENDENT BROWN.

I DON'T THINK HE'S CUT THE MUSTARD.

I THINK THE MAYOR HAS BEEN RELUCTANT TO ADMIT HE HAS BEEN INEFFECTIVE.

WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THE MORALE NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED.

BUT WE ALSO NEED URGENTLY, AND I THINK IT COMES WITH NEW LEADERSHIP TO REDUCE THE UNSOLVED HOMICIDE RATES IN CHICAGO.

WE NEED TO ENSURE WE REDUCE DRAMATICALLY THE CARJACKINGS AND THE ARMED ROBBERIES THAT ARE TAKING PLACE.

MAKE OUR TRANSIT SYSTEMS SAFER.

ALL OF THAT WILL HAPPEN.

I THINK THE RESOURCES ARE WITHIN THE ALLOCATED BUDGET, ALMOST $2 BILLION.

THE SINGLE LARGEST OUTLAY OF RESOURCES.

THEY NEED TO BE UTILIZED PROPERLY.

>> SO YOU WOULD KEEP THAT BUDGET THE SAME?

>> THE BUDGET, YEAH, IT HAS RESOURCES THAT CAN BE USED TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO COMMUNITY RESIDENTS, POLICE OFFICERS AS WELL, AND TO TRAINING UNCONSTITUTIONAL POLICING AND COMMUNITY POLICING.

THERE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY HERE TO REBUILD TRUST WITH COMMUNITY RESIDENTS AND POLICE OFFICERS, BUT IT REQUIRES NEW LEADERSHIP AND A MODERNIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT.

THAT IS WHAT I'M PREPARED TO DO BECAUSE I'M A LIFELONG CHICAGOAN.

>> YOU ARE.

I HAVE TO ASK YOU THOUGH.

YOU'VE GOT ALL THESE PROGRESSIVE GROUPS TO SUPPORT YOU FOUR YEARS AGO.

EIGHT YEARS AGO I SHOULD SAY.

BUT NOW THEY ARE WITH BRANDON JOHNSON.

IS THAT GOING TO BE AN IMPEDIMENT TO GETTING PROGRESSIVE VOTERS OUT FOR YOU NOW THAT THEY HAVE ALL THAT UNION SUPPORT?

>> LOOK, I WISH I HAD EVERY PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZATION ENDORSE ME.

THE REALITY IS THEY UNDERTOOK AN EARLY ENDORSEMENT PROCESS.

I DID NOT PARTICIPATE BECAUSE I WASN'T A CANDIDATE.

VERY TOUGH DECISION TO MAKE.

I ONLY CAME TO THAT DECISION AND I CLARIFIED I WOULD NOT RISK A POSSIBLE TIGHT HOUSE MAJORITY THAT I WOULD NOT RUN FOR MAYOR IF THAT HAPPENED.

SO I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL WE SAW HOW CONGRESS SHAPED OUT.

SO THEY UNDERTOOK A PROCESS THAT WAS EARLY.

YOU'LL HAVE TO ASK THEM ABOUT THAT.

BUT I BELIEVE I'M THE MOST VIABLE CANDIDATE TO DEFEAT LORI LIGHTFOOT IN A SHOWDOWN NEXT YEAR.

I AM APPEALING TO VOTERS ACROSS CHICAGOLAND.

I AM VIABLE.

POLLING HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT.

I COME A LOT MORE PREPARED THAN EIGHT YEARS AGO.

AND I WANT TO PUT THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE DESIGNATED FOR CHICAGO AND FOR ILLINOIS TO ENSURE THAT THE CITY BOUNCES BACK.

THAT THE CITY TURNS THE CORNER.

THAT IT BECOMES SAFER, AND THAT WE HAVE THRIVING NEIGHBORHOODS AS WELL AS ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES.

>> CERTAINLY A CRUCIAL TIME FOR THIS CITY.

CONGRESSMAN JESUS CHUY GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

>> LIKE WISE.

>>> UP NEXT WE CHECK IN WITH SOME LOCAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

CONGRESSMAN GARCIA'S COLLEAGUES AND THEIR ANALYSIS OF THE MIDTERM ELECTION AND MORE, SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>>> OUR CULTURE IS VIBRANT, IT'S RICH, IT'S FUN.

>> WE TRY TO FOCUS ON HEY, LET ME HELP YOU, THIS IS WHAT CHICAGO IS.

THIS IS LITTLE VILLAGE.

>>> DAYS ARE NUMBERED FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE MAJORITY.

LAME-DUCK SESSION IS UNDERWAY BEFORE A SLIM GOP MAJORITY TAKES OVER IN JANUARY.

AND DEMOCRATS WILL GO FORWARD NEXT TERM WITHOUT SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI IN LEADERSHIP AS SHE ANNOUNCED HER INTENTION TO STEP BACK.

>> I WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION TO DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP IN THE NEXT CONGRESS.

FOR MAY THE HOURS COME FOR A NEW GENERATION TO LEAD THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS THAT I SO DEEPLY RESPECT.

>> HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND MUCH MORE ARE CONGRESSWOMAN JANUARY, CONGRESSMAN MIKE QUIGLEY, A DEMOCRAT FROM CHICAGO'S NORTH SIDE, AND CONGRESSMAN RODNEY DAVIS, A REPUBLICAN FROM DOWN STATE TAYLORVILLE.

WELCOME ALL OF YOU HERE BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL.

CONGRESSWOMAN SHAKOWSKI, YOU SAW NANCY PELOSI STEPPING DOWN.

YOU'VE BEEN A PART OF HER LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR A LONG TIME.

DO YOU PLAN ON STAYING ON IN LEADERSHIP OR WILL YOU STEP DOWN AS WELL?

>> CERTAINLY THE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS RIGHT NOW, BUT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO MY COMMITTEE WORK AND HOPEFULLY STAYING AS A DEPUTY WHIP IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

IT'S REALLY KIND OF THE END OF AN ERA.

I THINK NANCY PELOSI WILL GO DOWN AS THE MOST EFFECTIVE OF OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM.

AND IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE THING.

>> LIKE YOU DO WANT TO STAY IN THE LEADERSHIP?

>> AND SURE, SHE'S GOING TO STAY -- [ INAUDIBLE ] >> AND YOU ULTIMATELY THINK WHO WILL GET THAT JOB?

>> HE IS AND HE WILL.

WHAT I SEE NOW IS THERE ARE THREE PEOPLE RUNNING A LOOSE ALLIANCE, AGUILAR AND CLARK TO JOIN HAKEEM.

I SUSPECT THEM TO BE THE TOP LEADERSHIP TEAM.

>> THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO HAVE A SMALL MAJORITY, MAYBE SIX OR SEVEN SEATS.

YOU'RE LEAVING AFTER THIS SESSION, SO YOU WON'T BE THERE FOR THAT.

BUT KEVIN MCCARTHY, IS HE THE GUY THAT'S GOING TO HAVE THE VOTES TO BECOME THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE?

>> ABSOLUTELY, KEVIN MCCARTHY IS THE BEST PERSON TO LEAD OUR CONFERENCE AND TO BE THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

IT'S A SLIM MAJORITY, BUT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A PRETTY SLIM MAJORITY.

AND I'M EXCITED TO KIND OF SEE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET MORE BIPARTISANSHIP WHEN IT COMES TO LEGISLATING.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT WITH THE SLIM MAJORITY.

I'M CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THAT OUR REPUBLICANS WHO WANT TO GOVERN WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE A LEADERSHIP ROLE.

>> ALTHOUGH CONGRESSMAN DAVIS, MCCARTHY HAS TALKED ABOUT SEVERAL INVESTIGATIONS HE WANTS TO LAUNCH INTO PRESIDENT BIDEN INTO THE BORDER AND TO AFGHANISTAN AND INTO HUNTER BIDEN.

ARE THOSE THINGS YOU THINK HE SHOULD GO FORWARD WITH?

>> WHY WOULDN'T WE WANT TO EXERCISE OUR OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITIES?

THE DEMOCRATS BEING IN CHARGE OF THE HOUSE HAVE ACTUALLY RUN AWAY FROM SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE ISSUES YOU JUST MENTIONED.

A PART OF THE REASON OF BEING IN THE MAJORITY IS HOLDING THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ACCOUNTABLE, AND MAKING SURE WE GET ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS MANY AMERICANS ARE ASKING ABOUT ALL OF THOSE SUBJECTS AND ISSUES YOU JUST MENTIONED.

>> AND SPEAKING OF OVERSIGHT CONGRESSWOMAN SCHAKOWSKY, DONALD TRUMP HAS TO TURN OVER HIS TAXES TO THE HOUSE COMMITTEE.

ALTHOUGH THE GOP AS WE MENTIONED IS SET TO TAKE CONTROL IN ABOUT SIX WEEKS.

WILL THIS BE ENOUGH TIME FOR HOUSE DEMOCRATS TO DO ANYTHING WITH THESE TAX RETURNS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I CERTAINLY HOPE SO.

BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU I THINK THE REPUBLICANS WANT TO FOCUS PRIMARILY ON INVESTIGATIONS.

I THINK THAT IS WHY THERE WAS NO RED WAVE.

BECAUSE WHAT AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT IS THEMSELVES TO BE AT THE CENTER OF THE AGENDA FOR THE REPUBLICANS AND FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE MY LIFE BETTER?

NOW, NOT HOW ARE YOU GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAMMER AWAY AT SOME INVESTIGATIONS THAT I THINK ARE NOT OF INTEREST TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> AND WE WILL SEE HOW THAT DYNAMIC PLAYS OUT.

BUT I DO WANT TO GET TO SOME ISSUES THAT PLAYS IN THIS LAME-DUCK SESSION.

CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY, DURBIN SAYS HE IS TRYING TO CORRAL GOP SENATE VOTES FOR THE DACA BILL, THE SO-CALLED DREAMERS, DO YOU THINK IT HAS THE SUPPORT TO PASS THE HOUSE?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S PASSED THE HOUSE.

IF IT'S MODIFIED, IT WILL PASS THE HOUSE AGAIN UNDER CURRENT DEMOCRATIC CONTROL.

I HAVE EVERY FAITH IN SENATOR DURBIN'S ABILITY AND OTHERS THAT ARE LEADING THE CHARGE HERE.

LOOK, THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO DO.

PROTECT THOSE WHO NO FOE KNOW NO OTHER HOME THAN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

WE NEED TO PASS THE IMMIGRATION MIGRATION REFORM.

IT'S THE SMART THING TO DO AND THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

>> CONGRESSMAN DAVIS, IS THAT A REALISTIC GOAL FOR THIS LAME-DUCK SESSION?

IS THERE A REPUBLICAN VOTE FOR SOME KIND OF MASSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM PACKAGE THAT MIGHT INCLUDE BORDER SECURITY AND A PATHWAY TO RESIDENCY FOR DACA RECIPIENTS?

>> LOOK, WE'VE HAD PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO VOTE FOR PACKAGES.

JUST AS RECENTLY AS 2018 THAT WOULD BUILD A BORDER WALL.

IT WOULD HAVE ACTUALLY FIXED OUR DACA ISSUES AS CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY JUST MENTIONED, SENATOR DURBIN IS TRYING TO ADDRESS RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE ZERO DEMOCRATS TO SUPPORT EITHER OF THOSE BILLS.

AND UNFORTUNATELY WE DIDN'T GET ENOUGH REPUBLICANS TO DO SO EITHER.

I'M ON RECORD OF SUPPORTING FIXES TO OUR DACA PROGRAM.

BUT TO THINK THIS IS GOING TO GET FIXED IN THE LAME-DUCK SESSION IS PROBABLY SHOOTING US STARS RIGHT NOW.

UNFORTUNATELY IMMIGRATION HAS BEEN THE ISSUE BOTH SIDES HAVE TAKEN ON AS A POLITICAL ISSUE.

AND UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT ARE BEING AFFECTED BY THE POLITICS OF THE DAY RATHER THAN ACTUALLY COMING UP WITH COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS LIKE I VOTED FOR IN MY ENTIRE TIME IN CONGRESS.

>> CONGRESSMAN SCHAKOWSKY, IS IT TOO MUCH TO THINK THERE COULD BE SOME KIND OF IMMIGRATION BILL IN THIS LAME-DUCK SESSION OR A DACA BILL IN THE SENATE?

>> WELL, I'M CERTAINLY HOPING WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FINALLY.

SENATOR DURBIN HAS BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

AND THESE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE, THIS IS THEIR COUNTRY.

IF QUESTION GET A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP FOR THEM, SO THEY CAN BE SECURE THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE VICTIMS OF ANY KIND OF DEPORTATION OR ANY KIND OF NEGATIVITY.

I'M HOPING WE CAN ALL AGREE ON THAT.

IT'S A SMALL PART OF WHAT IS THE NEED FOR A MASSIVE, I THINK, IMMIGRATION REFORM.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN THIS TIME.

>> CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY, PRESIDENT BIDEN IS ASKING FOR A MASSIVE NEW SUM OF MONEY IN AID TO GO TO UKRAINE, $37 BILLION TO BE EXACT.

IS THERE SUPPORT IN CONGRESS FOR THAT NUMBER, THAT AMOUNT?

>> LOOK, SO FAR SO GOOD.

IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE, BUT EVERY REQUEST THAT HAS BEEN MADE SO FAR HAS PASSED.

OBVIOUSLY WE'D LIKE TO GET IT PASSED, THE ON THE BUS FUNDING BILL, WHICH WILL PASS THE HOUSE BEFORE THE DECEMBER 16 DEADLINE.

I'D LIKE TO THINK WE WOULD GET THIS DONE, SO THROUGH MUCH OF THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, AS CONGRESS AND THE HOUSE CHANGES HANDS, WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE TRANSITION WHERE THERE IS A GAP IN FUNDING.

NOW MORE THAN EVER, I MEAN UKRAINE HAS TURNED THE TIDE IN THIS CONFLICT.

THE LAST THING WE NEED TO DO NOW IS TO HOLD AN ALERT WHILE THEY ARE WINNING THIS WAR.

>> ANOTHER ITEM CONGRESSMAN DAVIS, THE ELECTORAL VOTE COUNT ACT AMONG OTHER THINGS WOULD CODIFY THE VICE PRESIDENT DOES NOT HAVE ANY ROLE OTHER THAN CEREMONIAL IN CHOOSING THE NEXT PRESIDENT.

THAT IS, OF COURSE, UP TO THE VOTERS.

IS THIS SOMETHING YOU WOULD SUPPORT AND MIGHT HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT?

>> I THINK IF THE SENATE BILL COMES OVER TO THE HOUSE, IT IS MUCH MORE LIKELY TO GET SENT TO THE PRESIDENT'S DESK.

UNFORTUNATELY THE DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE DECIDED TO PUSH THEIR OWN VERSION OF THE ELECTORAL COUNT ACT.

AND IT WAS ONE THAT WENT WAY TOO FAR.

IT BASICALLY UNFORTUNATELY CONTINUED THE PROCESS THAT I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING AGAINST FROM HOUSE DEMOCRATS.

AND REALLY IT HAS LED TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE WE STOP THEM FROM NATIONALIZING OUR ELECTION SYSTEMS.

WE DO A GREAT JOB HERE IN ILLINOIS IN MAKING SURE OUR ELECTIONS ARE SECURE.

WE DO A GREAT JOB OF MAKING SURE THE DECISIONS ARE MADE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

I WAS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR ON JANUARY 6 WHEN WE FINISHED THAT VOTE AS ONE OF THE COUNTERS WITH VICE PRESIDENT PENCE.

I AGREE.

NO VICE PRESIDENT.

I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS PICKING THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING.

>> SO SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PARTIES ON THIS BILL.

CONGRESSWOMAN SCHAKOWSKY, I HAVE TO BRING UP SOCIAL MEDIA AND CRYPTOCURRENCY BECAUSE THESE THINGS ARE IN THE NEWS RIGHT NOW.

FIRST WITH FTX GOING DOWN OWING BILLIONS TO CREDITORS, AND THE OWNER IN A LOT OF TROUBLE RIGHT NOW.

IS THERE ANY KIND OF CONSENSUS ON REGULATION OF THIS INDUSTRY?

>> I THINK IT IS CERTAINLY WORTH LOOKING AT, THAT'S FOR SURE.

I THINK WE MAY BE ABLE TO GET SOME BIPARTISAN SUPPORT ON THAT AS WELL.

I HAVE BEEN THE CHAIR AND RIGHT NOW OF THE CONSUMER PROTECTION SUBCOMMITTEE.

AND THESE ARE THE KINDS OF ISSUES WHERE WE ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME TOGETHER.

SO I'M HOPING WE COULD MOVE FORWARD.

>> CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY, WHAT KIND OF REGULATION DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE PROPOSED FOR THE CRYPTO INDUSTRY, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY HAVING A LOT OF TROUBLE RIGHT NOW?

>> SURE.

AND LOOK, THE REASONS FOR THIS IS INNOCENT INVESTORS ARE LOSING THEIR MONEY.

WE REGULATE MOST OF THE FINANCIAL INDUSTRIES FOR A REASON.

WHEN SOMETHING NEW IS COMING ALONG LIKE CRYPTO AND IT IS UNREGULATED, THEY EXPOSE THOSE INVESTORS THROUGH THIS KIND OF RISK.

SO LOOK, I THINK THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS KNOWS HOW TO HANDLE IT.

LET'S HOLD HEARINGS AND FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

BRING THE EXPERTS IN AND PASS THOUGHTFUL, MEANINGFUL LEGISLATION.

>> IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE ANYTHING SPECIFIC AT THIS POINT.

CONGRESSMAN DAVIS, YOU ALSO HAVE THESE ISSUES WITH TWITTER, ELON MUSK.

WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO IN TERMS OF MODERATING TWITTER.

WHAT KIND OF REGULATION DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE IMPOSED ON A SOCIAL MEDIA LIKE TWITTER?

>> LOOK, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE LIBERAL PEE THEIR PANTS RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE NOT SEEING MODERATION BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE, YOU KNOW, WHO HAVE BEEN IN SILICON VALLEY AND WHO SUBSCRIBE TO A POLITICAL THEORY THAT DOESN'T -- MOST OF AMERICA DOESN'T SUBSCRIBE TO.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CRYPTOCURRENCY, CRYPTOCURRENCY, MANY IN THAT INDUSTRY HAVE BEEN BEGGING FOR A REGIME.

CONGRESS HAS BEEN PARALYZED AND DONE NOTHING.

NOW WE'VE SEEN THE IMPACT OF THAT IN ACTION.

I HOPE THE CFTC, WORKING WITH OTHER INVESTMENT AGENCIES AND PLACES LIKE THE CMA CAN HELP COME UP WITH THAT REGULATORY REGIME THAT WILL ENSURE INNOCENT AMERICANS DON'T HAVE THEIR LIFETIME SAVINGS TAKEN AWAY BY BAD INVESTMENTS LIKE WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW WITH FTX.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

QUIGLEY, DAVIS, AND SCHAKOSKY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NOW BRANDIS, WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>>> PARIS, THERE ARE PEOPLE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BATTLE OVER IMMIGRATION POLICIES.

ASYLUM SEEKERS FLEEING THEIR HOME COUNTRIES.

THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS HAVE ARRIVED IN CHICAGO FROM THE TEXAS BORDER SINCE AUGUST.

THE CITY HAS BEEN PROVIDING MEDICAL CARE AND CONNECTING THEM WITH SHELTERS, BUT THERE IS STILL A LONG ROAD AHEAD.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ SPOKE WITH MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS WHO SAY THEY'RE SEARCHING FOR BETTER OPPORTUNITIES.

>> Reporter: ON A COLD CHICAGO DAY, WE MET TWO WOMEN OUTSIDE A SHELTER IN HUMBLE PARK.

IT'S THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE SEEN A GLIMPSE OF SNOW.

[ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: SHE SAYS SHE TRAVELED THROUGH THE JUNGLE WITH HER TWO YOUNG CHILDREN.

HER 10-YEAR-OLD SON TELLS US ABOUT THEIR JOURNEY FROM VENEZUELA.

[ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: IT'S BEEN A MONTH SINCE THEY ARRIVED IN CHICAGO ON A BUS.

THE MOTHER OF FOUR HAD TO LEAVE BEHIND TWO OF HER OTHER CHILDREN.

NOW GRATEFUL TO HAVE A ROOF OVER HER HEAD.

SHE SAYS SHE IS EAGER TO WORK.

[ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: OWNING A SMALL RANCH IN VENEZUELA AND STRUGGLED TO PROVIDE FOR HER CHILDREN AS THE COUNTRY DEALS WITH AN ECONOMIC CRISIS.

SHE SAYS HER GOAL IS TO GIVE HER KIDS A SHOT AT A BETTER EDUCATION.

[ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: 50-YEAR-OLD PANTUNIA ALSO MADE THE DANGEROUS TRIP.

SHE CAME FROM ECUADOR WITH HER GRANDSON.

[ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: SHE RAN A VEGETABLE STAND IN THEIR HOMELAND, BUT THE VIOLENCE IN CORRUPTION WERE MAKING IT HARD TO SURVIVE.

>> Reporter: AT A HOTEL, ANOTHER GROUP OF MIGRANTS IS RECEIVING SHELTER.

A MOTHER OF SIX WHO DIDN'T WANT TO BE SHOWN ON CAMERA SHARES WHAT HER TWO MONTH JOURNEY WAS LIKE.

>> Reporter: THE 40-YEAR-OLD MOTHER IS HOPING TO GET A WORK VISA SOON AND ONE DAY BE ABLE TO RECONNECT WITH HER CHILDREN IN VENEZUELA.

[ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: DESPITE THE STRUGGLES AND UNCERTAINTY OF WHAT LIES AHEAD, THESE WOMEN SAY THEY ARE DRIVEN BY THE CHANCE OF A NEW BEGINNING.

[ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> WHAT A STORY.

THE CITY IS ASKING FOR DONATIONS OF NEW CLOTHING ITEMS AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN DONATING, YOU CAN FIND A LIST OF DROP OFF LOCATIONS ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> NOW PARIS, WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> BRANDIS, THANKS.

STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT," A NEW LAWSUIT TARGETS SOME DRY SHAMPOOS THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND TO CARRY CARCINOGENS.

WE'LL HEAR DETAILS ABOUT THE CASE.

>>> AND FAMILIES FACE FOOD INSECURITIES AS COSTS RISE.

HOW PANTRIES AND FOOD BANKS ARE DEALING WITH INCREASED DEMAND.

>>> BUT FIRST SOME MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

A NEW PROGRAM IS BEING LAUNCHED AT COOK COUNTY JAIL TO PREVENT FATAL OVERDOSES.

THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES ARE PARTNERING WITH THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO PROVIDE HARM REDUCTION KITS TO EVERYONE LEAVING A JAIL.

THE FENTANYL TEST STRIPS ARE INCLUDED IN THE KITS AS IS NARCAN.

CBPH SAYS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN RECENTLY RELEASED FROM INCARCERATION ARE 40 TO 100 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM AN OVERDOSE IN THE GENERAL POPULATION.

>>> SPEAKING OF ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL RAUL AND 13 OTHER ATTORNEY GENERALS TODAY ANNOUNCED A $6 BILLION SETMENT WITH OPIOID MAKERS FOR THEIR ROLE IN FUELING THE OPIOID CRISIS.

IN 2021 MORE THAN 107,000 PEOPLE DIED FROM OVERDOSES IN THE U.S.

INCLUDING 1,400 HERE IN CHICAGO.

>>> A FAREWELL FOR DR. ANTHONY FAUCI WHO LED THE NATION'S RESPONSE IN THE COVID PANDEMIC.

IT WAS HIS FINAL WHITE HOUSE PRESS CONFERENCE BEFORE RETIRING NEXT MONTH.

FAUCI SAID HE GAVE THE JOB HIS ALL.

>> I'LL LET OTHER PEOPLE JUDGE THE VALUE OF MY ACCOMPLISHMENT.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO REMEMBER ABOUT WHAT I'VE DONE IS THAT EVERY DAY THROUGH ALL OF THOSE YEARS I'VE GIVEN IT EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE, AND I HAVE NEVER LEFT ANYTHING ON THE FIELD.

>> FAUCI ALSO REMINDED PEOPLE TO GET THAT LATEST COVID BOOSTER DOSE.

>>> A WARNING FOR PARENTS AGAINST PURCHASING DANGEROUS TOYS FOR THEIR CHILDREN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

THE ANNUAL TROUBLE IN TOY LAND REPORT FROM ILLINOIS PURG FOUND MANY DANGEROUS TOYS RECALLED ARE STILL BEING SOLD BY MAINSTREAM RETAILERS.

IT WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE MORE THAN 30 RECALLED TOYS FROM U.S. BASED ONLINE SELLERS LAST MONTH DESPITE IT BEING ILLEGAL TO SELL THEM.

>>> AND NOW BRANDIS, WE'LL GO BACK TO YOU.

>> PARIS, THANK YOU.

>>> IF YOU USE DRY SHAMPOO TO KEEP YOUR HAIR FRESH BETWEEN WASH DAYS, YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK THE BRAND.

A NUMBER OF THEM HAVE BEEN RECALLED OVER HIGH LEVELS OF A CANCER CAUSING CHEMICAL, BENZINE, LEGALLED LINKED TO LEUKEMIA.

THEY KNEW ABOUT THE TOXIC CHEMICAL LONG BEFORE THE RECALL.

HERE WITH MORE ON THE CHEMICAL AND HOW IT WORKS IS DR. JUNE MCKOY, THE PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

DR. MCKOY, WELCOME BACK.

FIRST, WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THIS REPORT?

>> I AM NOT REALLY SURPRISED GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE KNOW BENZENE IS A CARCINOGENIC AGENT.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS DRUG.

I CANNOT BELIEVE THEY CAN SAY THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF IT.

SO THEY KNEW OR THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BECAUSE THE PUBLIC KNOWS BENZENE AT THIS POINT IS DANGEROUS.

>> WHAT ELSE DO WE KNOW ABOUT BENZENE AND HOW IT CAN LEAD TO CANCER?

>> SO BENZENE IS PRETTY MUCH IN A LOT OF PRODUCTS.

IT'S PART OF THE TOP 20 SUBSTANCES IN MANY PRODUCTS AROUND.

IT'S FUELED IN THE GAS WHEN YOU ARE PUMPING YOUR GAS.

IT'S IN SHAMPOOS AND OTHER PRODUCTS.

IT'S IN PESTICIDES.

IT'S IN THE WORKPLACE.

SO IT IS PRETTY MUCH AVAILABLE OR KNOWN TO BE IN MANY ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATIONS.

AND WE KNOW WHAT BENZENE DOES, IT CAN GET INTO THE BONE MARROW, THE SOFT PORTION OF THE BONES WHERE BLOOD CELLS ARE MADE, AND IT CAN ACTUALLY CHANGE THE GENETIC MAKEUP OF THE BONE MARROW.

SO IT ACTUALLY CHANGES THE DNA OF THE BONE MARROW.

THAT CHANGES WHAT CAN LEAD TO LEUKEMIA.

AND I THINK THE CASE IS ALL ABOUT THE RISK OF LEUKEMIA BEING VERY GREAT IN PEOPLE USING BENZENE INFUSED PRODUCTS.

>> WE SHOULD MENTION, OF COURSE, THE REPORT THAT FOUND THIS BENZENE DID NOT FIND IT IN ALL DRY SHAMPOOS, JUST THOSE MADE BY DOVE, NEXUS, SUAVE, TG, WHICH MAKES BED HEAD, AND TRESSEME.

HOW COULD THEY HAVE MADE IT INTO A PRODUCT THAT MAKES ITS WAY ONTO STORE SHELVES AND ALL THE OTHER PRODUCTS YOU MENTIONED THAT IT COULD BE FOUND IN?

>> AND THAT WAS CONCERNING THAT IT NOT ONLY GOT INTO THE PRODUCT AND THOSE PARTICULAR PRODUCTS, BUT GOT INTO THE PRODUCTS AT THE LEVEL THAT HAS PROVEN TO BE HARMFUL TO CONSUMERS.

IT HAD TO HAVE BEEN INTENTIONALLY PLACED WITHIN THE PRODUCT.

AND I'M NOT SO SURE HOW MUCH REGULATING THE AMOUNT OF BENZENE.

IT'S FOUND IN MANY AREAS AND MANY PLACES.

SO FOR IT TO BE IN THE PRODUCT THOSE DRY SHAMPOOS AT THAT DEGREE MEANS THE COMPANY WAS AWARE OF WHAT THEY WERE DOING.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S CONCERNING FOR YOU AS A PROFESSIONAL.

DO YOU THINK THIS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS STANDING?

>> I THINK IT HAS STANDING.

AND IT HAS STANDING ON SO MANY GROUNDS.

AGAIN AS I SAID BEFORE, THE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN.

EVEN YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED.

THE SECOND THING IS THAT THE COMPANY WAS GIVEN WARNINGS FROM BACK IN I THINK EARLY 2021 THAT THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS PRODUCT AND THE COMPANIES, THEY DID NOT TAKE ENOUGH STEPS TO PULL THE PRODUCTS FROM THE MARKET.

SO FAILURE TO WARN, FAILURE TO ACTUALLY PULL THE PRODUCT FROM THE MARKETS EARLY ENOUGH EXPOSED PEOPLE WHO WOULD NORMALLY NOT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED FROM THAT PERIOD OF TIME WHEN THEY CLAIMED THEY WERE MADE AWARE OF IT PLACES THOSE PEOPLE IN GREAT HARM.

LEUKEMIA, ACUTE LEUKEMIA CAN BE A DEADLY DIAGNOSIS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DIAGNOSED WITH THAT CONDITION.

>> WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE, DR. MCKOY, TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE OR HAVE BEEN USING THESE PRODUCTS?

SHOULD THEY BE ALARMED IF THEY FIND THEY'VE GOT THESE BRAND NAME DRY SHAMPOOS IN THEIR CABINETS?

>> I WOULD BE ALARMED.

I WOULD GO TO MY DOCTOR AND TRY TO GET TESTED TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MY BLOOD COUNT, MY RED BLOOD COUNT, MY WHITE BLOOD COUNT, AND MY PLATELETS.

I WOULD RECOMMEND THEY STOP USING THE PRODUCT.

I WOULD NOT THROW IT AWAY.

I WOULD ACTUALLY PACK THOSE PRODUCTS AND KEEP THEM BECAUSE YOU MIGHT NEED TO TAKE THOSE PRODUCTS TO PROVE YOU WERE USING THESE PARTICULAR PRODUCTS TO AN ATTORNEY WHO MIGHT BE HANDLING YOUR CASE.

>> AND WHAT DOES THIS SAY, DR. MCKOY?

WHERE SHE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE, SPECIFICALLY THE LINK TO UTERINE CANCER, AND HAIR RELAXERS BLACK WOMEN USE MOSTLY.

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

WHAT ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF TOXIC CHEMICALS THAT COULD BE FOUND IN BEAUTY PRODUCTS?

>> I AM THINKING WE NEED STRONGER REGULATIONS BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, BY THE FTC, BY OSHA, THE AGENTS THAT LOOKED AT ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY AREAS.

I THINK WE NEED BETTER FEDERAL REGULATIONS OF THESE PRODUCTS.

IT'S CONCERNING TO ME THAT AFTER THE LAST INTERVIEW, I'M HERE TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER PRODUCT, A KNOWN CARCINOGEN, AND TALKING ABOUT THE RISK TO SO MANY WOMEN OUT THERE WHO ARE TRUSTING THAT WHEN THEY GO TO THE SUPERMARKETS AND THEY BUY A PRODUCT WITH A BRAND NAME ON IT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE SAFE.

THAT'S VERY CONCERNING.

>> OKAY.

DR. JUNE MCKOY, THANKS AS ALWAYS FOR JOINING US.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> UP NEXT, DEMAND AT LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES AHEAD OF THANKSGIVING.

BUT FIRST A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>> IF YOU HAVE ALREADY DONE YOUR SHOPPING, YOU MIGHT HAVE NOTICED THE COST OF THANKSGIVING DINNER HAS GONE UP THIS YEAR BY ABOUT 13% IN PART BECAUSE OF INFLATION.

FOR FAMILIES STRETCHING TO MAKE ENDS MEET, IT MEANS SEEKING HELP FROM FOOD PANTRIES.

MANY OF WHICH ARE RECEIVING A SIGNIFICANT DEMAND.

JOINING US ON HOW THEY ARE MANAGING THE GREATER NEED ARE KATE MAYOR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CEO OF THE GREATER FOOD DEPOSITORY.

MICHELLE ZURAKOWSKY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF BEYOND HUNGER, AND MARGARET O'CONNOR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMON PANTRY.

THANKS TO THE THREE OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

WELCOME BACK.

KATE, STARTING WITH YOU, PLEASE.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE AMOUNT OF NEED YOU'RE SEEING THIS YEAR COMPARED TO THE PANDEMIC AND EVEN PREPANDEMIC?

>> YOU KNOW, BRANDIS, IT'S SOBERING.

WE'RE UP AGAIN OVER LAST YEAR.

SO WHEN WE LOOK AT OCTOBER OF 2022 COMPARED TO OCTOBER OF 2021, WE ARE UP ABOUT 20%.

WHEN WE LOOK BACK TO WHERE WE ARE COMPARED TO PREPANDEMIC, IT'S MORE THAN 30% INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS WHO ARE TURNING TO FOOD PANTRIES ALL ACROSS COOK COUNTY.

>> MICHELLE, I'M GOING TO ASK YOU THE SAME QUESTION.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE AMOUNT OF NEED YOU'RE SEEING?

>> YEAH, WE ARE UP 40% ACTUALLY OVER LAST YEAR.

AND THAT'S BEEN TRUE SINCE ABOUT MARCH.

REALLY WHEN THE GASOLINE PRICES STARTED TO GO UP, THAT'S WHEN WE REALLY STARTED TO SEE BIG INCREASES.

>> MARGARET?

>> WE ARE REALLY, FIRST OF ALL, EXCITED TO BE HERE TO TALK ABOUT COMMON PANTRY, THANK YOU.

AS OF OCTOBER 2022, WE ARE UP 74% AT COMMON PANTRY.

WE REALLY HAVE EXPLODED.

AGAIN, I THINK THAT'S A GREAT WORD, SOBERING.

I COULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT OF A BETTER WORD TO SAY IT.

>> 74% FROM LAST YEAR?

>> YES, LAST OCTOBER.

>> WHAT IS DRIVING THE INCREASE?

>> CERTAINLY INFLATION, YEAH.

I THINK FRANKLY WE ARE REALLY WELL RECEIVED PANTRY WITH A VAST ARRAY OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

WE REALLY JUST TRY OUR BEST TO FEED PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT.

AND THE CLIENT CHOICE CAME BACK IN A YEAR AGO AUGUST.

SO WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FILL THAT NEED.

IT'S INCREDIBLE.

>> MICHELLE, HAVE DONATIONS BEEN KEEPING UP WITH THE DEMAND?

>> NO, NOT REALLY, THEY HAVEN'T.

OUR FINANCIAL DONATIONS ARE DOWN SLIGHTLY, NOT HUGELY.

OF COURSE, THEY WERE REALLY ELEVATED DURING PANDEMIC.

AND THE IN-KIND DONATIONS HAVEN'T HIT THOSE PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS EITHER, SO THEY'RE DOWN.

>> KATE, HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR THIS DEMAND?

DID YOU SEE IT COMING?

>> WELL NOT REALLY.

I MEAN I THINK WE HAVE AT EVERY TURN OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE'VE BEEN HOPEFUL WE WERE SORT OF IN THE WORST MOMENT AND THINGS WERE GOING TO GET BETTER.

I DON'T THINK ANY OF US REALLY ANTICIPATED THAT THREE YEARS AFTER THE EMERGENCY WENT INTO EFFECT WE WOULD FIND OURSELVES TALKING ABOUT THE NUMBERS THAT WE ARE.

BUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS ALL THESE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AT ONE TIME.

WE STILL HAD HIGH NEED AND PEOPLES LIVES TURNED UPSIDE DOWN BY THE PANDEMIC.

THEN YOU ADD INFLATION.

AND IT IS HAVING A HUGE IMPACT, PARTICULARLY ON FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, FOR FOOD BANKS ALL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

WE'RE HAVING TO BUY FOOD, AND WE'RE HAVE TO PAY MUCH MORE FOR THE FOOD.

SO AT THE FOOD DEPOSITORY, WE'RE PAYING $1 MILLION MORE FOR FOOD THIS YEAR AND GETTING LESS THAN WE DID LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME.

>> MARGARET, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THE FAMILIES?

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING THEY NEED THE MOST?

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THEM?

>> WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO FILL THE, YOU KNOW, CULTURAL AND THE NEED THAT PEOPLE HAVE FOR FOOD THAT THEY WANT.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HEARING.

THEY'RE STRUGGLING.

WE ARE ALSO UP 36% MID YEAR.

WE JUST ADDED TO OUR BUDGET.

WE ARE PURCHASE 36% MORE FOOD THAN WE ANTICIPATED, SO OUR BUDGETS HAVE GONE UP FOR FOOD.

WE ARE MEETING THAT NEED BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE REALLY, THEY ARE JUST REALLY STRUGGLING.

>> MICHELLE, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM FAMILIES THAT THEY NEED?

>> PROTEIN PRETTY MUCH.

LIKE THE REALLY EXPENSIVE THINGS THAT WE STRUGGLE WITH TOO WHEN WE GO TO THE GROCERY STORE, RIGHT?

SO MEAT AND OTHER PROTEIN PRODUCTS, FRESH PRODUCE.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS PEOPLE WANT THE MOST.

>> HOW DO YOU MANAGE ALL THAT WHEN THE DEMAND CHANGES AROUND THE HOLIDAYS, RIGHT?

IT DOESN'T CHANGE.

>> COLD STORAGE.

I COULD GO INTO A WHOLE THING ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF COLD STORAGE.

YEAH, SO WE ARE ACTUALLY VERY LUCKY TO HAVE A FUNDER WHO PROVIDED US WITH ENOUGH MONEY TO GET TURKEYS FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT CAME DURING THE MONTHS OF NOVEMBER, SO THAT'S BEEN INCREDIBLE.

BUT WHERE TO STORE THEM HAS BEEN THE CHALLENGE.

I MEAN WE WERE REALLY LUCKY LAST WEEK IT WAS SO COLD, SO THE TRUCK COULD COME, UNLOAD THE TURKEYS, THEY COULD JUST SIT IN THE PARKING LOT, AND WE COULD JUST GIVE THEM OUT.

SO TOMORROW WE'RE NOT QUITE SURE.

WE'LL FIGURE IT OUT.

WE'LL FIGURE IT OUT.

>> WHAT TO DO WITH THE BIRDS, RIGHT?

>> KATE, OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE LEARNED, YOU KNOW, FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, FAMILIES OF COLOR EXPERIENCING GREATER FOOD INSECURITY.

IS THAT STILL THE CASE?

>> ABSOLUTELY AND IT'S GETTING WORSE.

SO TODAY WE KNOW THAT 37% OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE FOOD INSECURE.

THAT IS ASTONISHING.

AND IT REALLY HAS ME NERVOUS ABOUT WHAT IS AHEAD OF US.

>> HOW CAN THOSE COMMUNITIES BE BETTER SUPPORTED?

>> I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

FIRST OF ALL JUST TALKING ABOUT EQUITY AND IDENTIFYING THAT FOOD INSECURITY IS A SYMPTOM OF POVERTY AND WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT WHY PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING SO MUCH IN THIS COMMUNITY AND FRANKLY IN COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BUT THERE IS ALSO A WHOLE HOST OF POLICY CHANGES THAT WE NEED TO SEE HAPPENING.

WE HAVE A FARM BILL THAT'S COMING UP IN THE YEAR AHEAD THAT WILL BE SUPER IMPORTANT AS WE TALK ABOUT HOW DO WE DRIVE CHANGE THAT CAN ENSURE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY NUTRITIOUS FOOD.

>> MICHELLE, YOUR ORGANIZATION, YOU'VE DONE SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, BETTER TO SUPPORT THE IMMIGRANT FAMILIES YOU WORK WITH.

TELL ME ABOUT THAT.

>> YEAH, WE DEVELOPED A POP-UP PANTRY THAT IS LOOKING IN SUBURBAN IMMIGRANT POPULATION.

ONE OF THE BARRIERS THAT WE WERE FINDING FOR FOLKS WAS HAVING TO PROVE IDENTIFICATION, PROVIDE IDENTIFYING INFORMATION THAT WAS REAL PERSONAL, WHICH IS A REQUIREMENT FOR A LOT OF FOOD PANTRIES.

SO WE PRIVATELY FUND THIS ONE, SO PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT.

AND SO WE TEXT MESSAGE THEM, THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE, AND LET THEM KNOW WHERE THE SECRET PLACE IS FOR THEM TO COME PICK UP THE FOOD.

SO THAT REALLY ALLEVIATES A LOT OF THAT BARRIER.

>> MARGARET, FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT MORE CAN BE DONE TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN COMMUNITIES THAT NEED HELP?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL I THINK IF YOU'VE NEVER REALLY VOLUNTEERED OR EXPERIENCED FOOD INSECURITY YOURSELF, THAT'S ONE INTERSECTION THAT WOULD BE REALLY IMPORTANT EXAMINING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE CITY IN COOK COUNTY TO VOLUNTEER.

CERTAINLY FOR US, WE PROVIDE HOT MEALS, EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION, OF COURSE, BUT THEN WE ALSO HAVE HOLIDAY MEALS.

SO YOU CAN ACCESS THE WAYS YOU CAN HELP US ESPECIALLY THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS BY GOING TO OUR WEBSITE AND FIGURING OUT THE VARIOUS WAYS YOU CAN HELP.

$50, WE ARE PARTNERING WITH LOCAL JEWELL FOOD STORES IN OUR AREA, AND $50 CAN SUPPLY A WHOLE HOLIDAY MEAL FOR FAMILIES.

>> THAT'S AN IMPORTANT POINT, GIVING YOUR TIME, NOT JUST YOUR MONEY.

BUT SAME QUESTION TO EACH OF YOU IN THE LITTLE BIT OF TIME WE'VE GOT.

MARGARET, I'M SORRY, MICHELLE, HOW CAN FOLKS HELP?

>> YES, WE USUALLY SAY VOLUNTEER, DONATE, ADVOCATE.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS.

AND I'M REALLY GLAD KATE MENTIONED THE POLICIES THAT ARE COMING UP.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID SEE IN COVID WHILE THERE WAS REALLY HIGH FOOD INSECURITY AT FIRST, THE PROGRAMS THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE TO SUPPORT PEOPLE REALLY DECREASED POVERTY AND FOOD INSECURITY.

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ONE I'VE SEEN IN THE 20 YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN IN THIS WORK.

SO I WOULD SAY ADVOCATE.

>> KATE, ABOUT 20 SECONDS LEFT.

WHAT HAS YOU WORRIED AS WE HEAD INTO THE HOLIDAYS IN THE WINTER MONTHS?

>> THERE IS STILL HEAD WINDS.

WINTER IS A DIFFICULT TIME FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE TO MAKE TRADE-OFFS ABOUT PAYING FOR HEAT, RENT, FOOD.

WE KNOW FOOD PRICES ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE HIGH.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS FOR THE THREE OF YOU FOR JOINING US AND FOR THE WORK YOU DO.

KATE MAHER, MARGARET, AND MICHELLE, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

THE POLK BROS FOUNDATION AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

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

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING.

YOU CAN ALSO GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, AND OUR WEBSITE NEWS.WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW ON THE APP AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00.

WITH AN UPCOMING FEDERAL TRIAL, WHAT IS NEXT FOR OUTGOING ALDERMAN CARRIE AUSTIN?

OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WEIGHS IN.

>>> AND PEDIATRIC ICUs IN ILLINOIS ARE AT CRITICAL LEVELS BECAUSE OF RSV AND FLU CASES.

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

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.