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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT NEW VEHICLES ARE GREAT, BUT IF WE DON'T HAVE COPS TO FILL THEM, THEY'RE FOR NOT.

>> THE MAYOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL IS UP FOR A VOTE MONDAY.

WE BREAK DOWN THE BIGGEST STICKING POINTS.

>>> OUR FAMILIES DON'T OFTEN HAVE TIME TO HEAL BEFORE THE NEXT INCIDENT OCCURS.

>> ANTI-VIOLENCE EFFORTS IN EAST GARFIELD PARK AS THE COMMUNITY WORKS TO HEAL FROM MONDAY'S MASS SHOOTING.

WE'LL HAVE A LIVE REPORT.

>>> THE ONCE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI RIVER IS FACING NEAR RECORD LOWS, HOW THAT IMPACTS ILLINOIS FARMERS AND THE COUNTRY'S SUPPLY CHAIN.

>>> THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS WE WANT TO DO, PLAN TO DO WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO WITHOUT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.

>> COOK COUNTY VOTERS ASKED FOR A TAX HIKE BY THE FOREST SERVICE.

>>> A LOOK AT THE EFFECT DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME HAS HAD ON SLEEP PATTERNS.

>>> HISTORICAL WORKS OF ART SHOW HOW ARTISTS EMBRACE NEW DEFINITIONS OF SEXUAL, JUNIOR AND ROMANCE.

>> HE ALWAYS SAID THESE PHOTOGRAPHS AND FRAGMENTS WERE NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE BUILDING ITSELF.

>> WE INTRODUCE YOU TO THE PRESERVATIONIST BEHIND THE LENS, RICHARD NICHOLS IN AN EXHIBIT AT THE TREEHOUSE MUSEUM.

>>> AS YOU MENTIONED, I'LL BE REPORTING LIVE TONIGHT FROM EAST GARFIELD PARK, THE LATEST IN OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

14 PEOPLE, THREE OF WHOM WERE KIDS, WERE WOUNDED IN A DRIVE-BY SHOOTING MONDAY NIGHT.

CPD THIS AFTERNOON HAD NO UPDATES ON THEIR INVESTIGATION.

RESIDENTS AND ADVOCATES SAY SUCH TRAUMA TAKES A TOLL BUT SAY THEY AREN'T GIVING UP HOPE, MORE ON THAT STORY IN JUST A BIT.

>>> NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS NOT USING ITS BUDGET EFFECTIVELY OR EQUITABLY TO REDUCE VIOLENCE IN THE CITY ACCORDING TO THE COMMUNITY COMMISSION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY THAT REVIEWED CPD'S 2023 BUDGET.

THE COMMISSION IS LEGALLY REQUIRED TO REVIEW THE POLICE BUDGET EACH YEAR BEFORE CITY COUNCIL VOTES ON IT AND SAYS THE DEPARTMENT "DOES NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A LONG TERM DATA DRIVEN STRATEGY TO REDUCE VIOLENCE."

IN A STATEMENT POLICE DEPARTMENT LEADERS SAY THEY APPRECIATE THE COMMISSION'S INPUT "LISTENING TO AND HAVING OPEN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE RESIDENTS WE SERVE IS ESSENTIAL TO PUBLIC SAFETY."

>>> A CHICAGO ALDER PERSON IS DEMANDING A REPUBLICAN AD BE TAKEN DOWN.

THE AD IS THE LATEST FROM A REPUBLICAN PAC THAT USES AUDIO OF PRITZKER DISPAIR DISPARAGING WITH ANTHONY BEAL SEEMINGLY CRITICIZING PRITZKER FOR TAKING THE BLACK COMMUNITY FOR GRANTED, BUT HE SAYS THEY HAVE TAKEN HIS WORDS OUT OF CONTEXT IN AN ATTEMPT TO DIMINISH THE VOTE FOR GOVERNOR PRITZKER.

IT'S ADDED THE FEAR MONGERING PROPAGANDA MACHINE HAVE NEVER ONCE STOOD UP FOR BLACK AND BROWN FAMILIES AND THEIR ATTEMPTS TO USE US AS POLITICAL PAWNS IS SICKENING.

>>> IN A STATEMENT POSTED ON TWITTER THIS MORNING, THE WHITE SOX ANNOUNCED PEDRO GRUFAL AGREED TO TERMS ON A MULTIYEAR CONTRACT.

THE 52-YEAR-OLD JOINS THE SOX FROM THE ROYALS WHERE THE LAST THREE YEARS HE'S BEEN BENCH COACH.

THE SOX GM PRAISING HIM SAYING HE'S A "BILINGUAL MODERN BASEBALL THINKER WHO BRINGS TWO PLUS DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN A VARIETY OF ROLES."

>> INTERESTING NEWS ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

>>> COMING UP IN THE PROGRAM, THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND ITS NEAR RECORD LOWS, WE'LL LOOK HOW THAT AFFECTS ILLINOIS FARMERS.

>>> BUT FIRST HOW IS THE EAST GARFIELD PARK COMMUNITY HEALING FOLLOWING THE MASS SHOOTING ON HALLOWEEN?

THAT AND MORE FROM OUR IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS, THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY, THE POLK BROTHERS FOUNDATION AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> CHICAGO POLICE HAVE NO UPDATES ON MONDAY'S MASS SHOOTING IN EAST GARFIELD PARK.

CORRESPONDENT AMANDA VINICKY SPENT TIME IN THE COMMUNITY ON THE CITY'S WEST SIDE FOR THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

AMANDA JOINS US FROM THE GARFIELD PARK FIELDHOUSE NOW.

AMANDA?

>> Reporter: THE FIELDHOUSE IS BETTER KNOWN AS THE GOLDEN DOME BUILDING FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.

THIS STRUCTURE WAS BUILT IN 1928.

THAT'S BEFORE THE COMMUNITY HERE SAW A PRECIPITOUS DROP IN POPULATION AT ABOUT 20,000 RESIDENTS NOW EASILY A THIRD OF WHAT IT WAS AT THE TIME.

SOME IN CHICAGO MAY BETTER ASSOCIATE EAST GARFIELD PARK WITH VIOLENCE THAN THEY DO THE GOLDEN DOME.

ACCORDING TO AN ANALYSIS BY THE CHICAGO "SUN-TIMES," EAST GARFIELD PARK HAD 14 HOMICIDES AND 80 NONFATAL SHOOTINGS THROUGH OCTOBER 28th.

THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE HALLOWEEN'S MASS SHOOTING, WHICH IS BELIEVED TO BE THE LARGEST INCIDENCE OF GUN VIOLENCE IN YEAR.

14 PEOPLE, 10 OF WHOM WERE FROM THE SAME FAMILY, WERE SHOT AT THE INTERSECTION OF POLK AND CALIFORNIA.

THREE WERE CHILDREN.

THE VICTIMS HAD BEEN HOLDING A VIGIL FOR A RELATIVE WHO HAD RECENTLY PASSED AWAY WHEN A CAR DROVE BY AND OPENED FIRE.

DAMIAN MORRIS SAYS THERE USED TO BE A CODE OF CONDUCT THAT WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE OFF LIMITS.

>> NOW WHEN YOU ARE HEARING ABOUT MORE CHILDREN BEING INVOLVED OR BECOMING VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE AND WOMEN AS WELL, LAST MONDAY'S INCIDENT WE HAD ABOUT EIGHT WOMEN THAT WERE SHOT OUT OF THE 13 AND SO WHEN YOU HEAR NEWS LIKE THAT, NOW PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING LIKE THERE'S NO CODE OF CONDUCT ANYMORE LIKE ANYBODY CAN BE A VICTIM?

SO THAT IS -- THAT INCREASES THE FEAR.

>> Reporter: BREAKTHROUGH WAS ON HAND MONDAY AS IT OFTEN IS WHEN VIOLENCE ERUPTS.

THE GROUP AIMS TO HAVE VICTIMS ADVOCATES ON SCENE WITHIN HALF HOUR OF A SHOOTING.

>> THE MORE RESOURCES THAT YOU COME INTO THAT INCIDENT WITH, THE BETTER IT IS FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO CALM DOWN A SITUATION AND PUT SOME OF THE VICTIMS' MIND AT EASE AS WELL BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY'RE IN A CRISIS.

THEY'RE PANICKING.

THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT SURVIVING.

>> Reporter: AS HEAD OF METROPOLITAN FAMILY SERVICES PEACE INITIATIVE, DOMINIC McCORD PARTNERS WITH BREAKTHROUGH AND SAYS THEIR THERAPISTS AND CLINICIANS WORK TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNE AND ALSO HELP RESIDENTS GET OVER ANY NEGATIVE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH THERAPY THAT COULD HELP THEM BECAUSE SHE SAYS FOR RESIDENTS THE TRAUMA IS OFTEN COMPOUNDED.

>> SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN EAST GARFIELD PARK, OUR FAMILIES DON'T OFTEN HAVE TIME TO HEAL BEFORE THE NEXT INCIDENT OCCURS.

IT WAS TALKED ABOUT EARLIER AND WE ALL CAN SEE LIKE WHEN WE LOOK AROUND US, WE DON'T HAVE GREEN SPACE.

WE'RE IN A FOOD DESERT.

THERE'S SO MANY THINGS NOT JUST VIOLENCE THAT IMPACTS A DAY-TO-DAY LIFE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN EAST GARFIELD PARK.

>> Reporter: A LOT OF THE FOLKS THAT WE TALKED TO DID TALK ABOUT THAT ACTIVITY, BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS, GROCERY STORES, EVEN, OPPORTUNITIES, LACK THEREOF IN EAST GARFIELD PARK.

CORNELIUS PARK IS A PASTOR AT A CHURCH BLOCKS DOWN THE PARK FROM MONDAY'S SHOOTING.

>> I DO BELIEVE THIS CALIFORNIA STREET NEEDS A MAKEOVER.

JUST LAST NIGHT, LET'S BE HONEST, WHEN WE DID THE FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE, IT WAS DIRTY IN THE PARKING LOT.

JUST BECAUSE THE MAYOR WAS COMING LAST NIGHT, THEY MADE SURE THEY PROVIDED TRUCKS AND WORKER OUT THERE TO CLEAN IT UP FOR THE MAYOR.

WHY WE CAN'T CLEAN IT UP FOR THE COMMUNITY?

WHY WE CAN'T CLEAN IT UP FOR THE PEOPLE?

WHY WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL DIGNITARIES COME AROUND TO MAKE IT LOOK GOOD?

LET'S MAKE IT LOOK GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR WAS AMONG THOSE WHO LAST NIGHT HELD A VIGIL FOR THE VICTIMS.

PARKS SAYS HE'S GRATEFUL NOBODY WAS KILLED.

STILL HE SAYS AREA FAMILIES ARE SCARED.

HE SAID THEY WERE FRIGHTENED.

A 2021 STATE LAW IS DESIGNED TO TARGET FUNDING TO ILLINOIS' COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE THE MOST VIOLENCE AND THAT INCLUDES PER DATA EAST GARFIELD PARK.

STATE OFFICIALS SAY $65 MILLION THIS YEAR HAS BEEN SPENT ON TRAUMA AND FORMED CARE, BUT STATE REPRESENTATIVE LAKEISHA COLLINS WHOSE DISTRICT INCLUDES EAST GARFIELD PARK SAYS THAT THAT IS BARELY NOTICEABLE BECAUSE BLACK COMMUNITIES LIKE THIS ONE HAVE BEEN OPPRESSED FOR SO LONG.

>> SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE LACK OF SCHOOL FUNDING, THE LACK OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE BLIND EYE TO THE VIOLENCE THAT WE'RE SEEING IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT'S ROOTED IN POVERTY, ANY TYPE OF FUNDING, WHETHER IT'S 65 MILLION OR MORE, YOU CAN BARELY SEE IT AND YES, OUR KIDS, THEY DON'T HAVE HOPE.

THEIR PARENTS ARE FRIGHTENED.

I KNOW I'M FRIGHTENED.

>> Reporter: STATE REPRESENTATIVE CAMILLE LILY SAYS IT IS UP TO STEP, STATE, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EVEN TO HELP THESE FAMILIES HEAL, TO BRING RESOURCES TO VICTIMS' FAMILIES.

SHE SAYS HER BROTHER WAS KILLED IN OAK PARK.

>> IT IS SO ALARMING THAT NOT ONLY DID MY BROTHER GET KILLED BY A PERSON, BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR HIS MEDICAL COSTS.

SO THAT BURDEN STAYS ON THE FAMILY.

WE HAVE TO SEE THE WHOLE PICTURE OF WHAT THESE INCIDENTS DO TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS.

>> Reporter: LILY SAYS SHE KNOWS AND BELIEVES THAT OFFICIALS WANT TO HELP, BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT SHE SAYS THAT THE STATUS QUO CAN'T STAND.

SHE SAYS THAT RESIDENTS DO HAVE IDEAS FOR TURNING THOSE VACANT LOTS INTO SOMETHING AND SHE SAYS THOSE VISIONS NEED TO BE EXECUTED.

THAT IN TURN SHE SAYS GIVES RESIDENTS MORE FAITH AND BELIEF IN THEMSELVES AND IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

ADVOCATES SAY THAT EAST GARFIELD PARK DOES HAVE A LOT GOING FOR IT.

IT IS CLOSE TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WITH THE GREEN LINE NEARBY.

IT IS ALSO CLOSE AND EASY TO GET TO DOWNTOWN AND THEN, OF COURSE, THERE IS A GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY, A WORLD RENOWNED BOTANICAL PARK.

SO WE'LL BE BACK WITH MORE INCLUDING INTERVIEWING THE ALDERMAN WHO REPRESENTS THIS AREA.

FOR NOW SENDING IT BACK TO YOU.

>> AMANDA, THANKS.

WE'LL SEE YOU SOON.

>>> NOW TO PARIS SCHUTZ AND A CITY BUDGET BREAKDOWN.

PARIS?

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S 2023 SPENDING PLAN IS SET FOR FINAL VOTE MONDAY, BUT A DISPUTE OVER HOW TO STEP UP EFFORTS TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE IN CHICAGO COULD COMPLICATE THE MAYOR'S EFFORTS TO WIN APPROVAL.

HOURS OF DEBATE THIS WEEK MADE IT CLEAR LIGHTFOOT'S ATTEMPT TO MOLIFY SOME OF THE PEOPLE HAVE LEFT HER SHORT AND COULD LEAVE THE BUDGET PLAN IN DOUBT.

HEATHER JOINS US NOW WITH WHY THE ENVIRONMENT HAS BECOME SUCH A HOT BUTTON ISSUE IN THIS BUDGET DEBATE.

LET'S START WITH 2019 WHEN CANDIDATE LORI LIGHTFOOT PROMISED TO REESTABLISH THE DEPARTMENT.

ENVIRONMENT WHICH WAS DISBANDED IN 2012 BY FORMER MAYOR EMANUEL.

LET'S LISTEN TO ALDERMAN ROSA, FREQUENT FOE, BLAST THE MAYOR FOR FAILING TO KEEP THOSE PROMISES.

>> I FIND IT INSULTING.

I FIND IT DISRESPECTFUL TO THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR CHANGE THAT IN THIS BUDGET AFTER FOUR YEARS WE HAVE FAILED TO GET TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE TEN POSITIONS IN THIS OFFICE, THAT'S LESS THAN THE 15 IN THE MAYOR'S PRESS OFFICE.

SO WE WITH WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHERE OUR PRIORITIES LIE IN THE CITY.

I THINK IT'S PRETTY CLEAR FROM THIS BUDGET APPROPRIATION.

>> THIS IS THE HILL BUDGET PEOPLE SEEM TO BE READY TO DIE ON RIGHT NOW.

WHY HASN'T THE MAYOR ESTABLISHED A DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT?

>> IN 2019 SHE TOOK OFFICE AND IMMEDIATELY WAS CONFRONTED WITH A MASSIVE BUDGET DEFICIT OF $838 MILLION.

SHE SIMPLY SAID THAT THE CITY COULD NOT AFFORD IT.

THAT MOLLIFIED SOME PEOPLE AND THEN COVID-19 TOOK OVER AND PUSHED EVERY OTHER ISSUE TO THE BACK BURNER, BUT THIS ISSUE IS BACK FRONT AND CENTER NOW.

>> SHE OFFERED SOME KIND OF MIDDLE GROUND?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

ORIGINALLY IN THIS BUDGET THE MAYOR PROPOSED TO CREATE AN OFFICE OF CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY.

THAT WOULD BE UNDER HER AUTHORITY IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND HAVE TWO NEW POSITIONS.

THAT WASN'T ACCEPTABLE, SO SHE ADDED THREE MORE POSITIONS AND SAID IT COULD BE A STAND-ALONE OFFICE AND SHE'D CONDUCT A STUDY TO DETERMINE WHETHER A FULL DEPARTMENT WAS NECESSARY AND HOW IT SHOULD BE STRUCTURED.

AGAIN, UNACCEPTABLE ACCORDING TO PROGRESSIVE ALDER PEOPLE.

>> SO THE MATH HERE COULD BE A PROBLEM FOR MAYOR LIGHTFOOT IF SHE LOSES THE ENTIRETY OF THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS IN CITY COUNCIL.

THAT MEANS SHE WOULD NEED THE SUPPORT OF MORE CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

LET'S LISTEN TO ALDERMAN MARTY QUINN'S REACTION TO THE FACT THAT THE BUDGET DOESN'T INCREASE FUNDING FOR EFFORTS TO FILL VACANCIES IN THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> I CAN'T SOUND THE ALARM LOUD ENOUGH THAT WE ARE LOSING OFFICERS EVERY SINGLE DAY.

SO IT'S GREAT TO DO A VICTORY LAP AROUND RECRUITING, BUT IF WE'RE RECRUITING AND NOT RETAINING, IT'S ALL FOR NAUGHT.

SO THIS BLIND SPOT WILL CONTINUE IF WE DON'T INCENTIVIZE.

>> SHE'S GOT A PROBLEM SPOT WITH HER MORE LEFT FLANK, WITH THE MORE CENTRIST FLANK ANOTHER PROBLEM SPOT.

THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE SOMEONE READY TO VOTE FOR HER BUDGET.

>> IT SURE DOES NOT AND HE IS LIKELY TO BE PART OF A CONSERVATIVE FLOCK DETERMINED TO SORT OF INSIST UPON MORE MONEY FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SO SHE'S NOT GOING TO FIND THOSE VOTES THERE BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T HAVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS MORE TO SPEND.

SO THAT WILL MEAN THAT THERE WILL BE AN ONUS ON HER TO MAKE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE PROGRESSIVES LIKE SHE DID LAST YEAR WHICH ENTAILED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS MORE IN SPENDING ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND MENTAL HEALTHCARE.

THOSE PROPOSALS AREN'T ON THE TABLE THIS YEAR.

>> SEEMS LIKE ALL DIFFERENT FACTIONS FLEXING THEIR MUSCLE ON THIS BUDGET.

WHAT HAPPENS IF LIGHTFOOT CAN'T ROUND UP THE STENT 26 VOTES DOESN'T ROUND UP THE 26 VOTES IT TAKES?

>> IF SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE VOTES MONDAY, THEY WON'T VOTE.

THE CITY HAS UNTIL DECEMBER 31st TO PASS A BUDGET FOR 2023.

>>> WAIT, WE HAVE A MIDTERM ELECTION AS WELL, A LOT GOING ON.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> YOU CAN READ MORE OF THE BUDGET PROPOSAL ON OUR WEBSITE, NEWS.WTTW.COM.

>>> NOW TO BRANDIS WITH DETAILS ON A RIVER NEAR RECORD LOWS.

>> THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI'S WATER LEVELS ARE SO LOW, SO MUCH SO OLD SHIPWRECKS HAVE BEEN REVEALED ON PARTS OF THE RIVER.

JOINING TO US TALK ABOUT WHAT'S DRIVING THE DROUGHT AND ITS IMPACT ARE ADAMS COUNTY FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT BRENT CLAIR AND JONATHAN REMO, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF EARTH SYSTEMS AND SUSTAINABILITY AT SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

JUST HOW LOW ARE WATER LEVELS?

>> FROM THE SOUTHERN TIP OF ILLINOIS DOWN TO MIDWAY THROUGH ARKANSAS THEY WERE AT RECORD WATER LEVEL LOWS.

BY THE RIVER'S FLOW WE'RE AT LOW CONDITIONS, BUT NOT AT ALL TIME RECORD LOWS LIKE WE SAW DURING THE DUST BOWL IN THE 1930s.

>> BRENT, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME IT WAS THIS BAD, 1988ISH?

>> 1988, THE GREAT DROUGHT WE HAD BACK THEN THAT PUSHED LOWER LEVELS THEN, ALMOST TO WHERE THEY ARE NOW.

>> SO, JONATHAN, HERE'S A MAP MONITORING DROUGHTS IN THE U.S. WE'LL SHOW YOU RED BEING THE MOST EXTREME DROUGHT, YELLOW BEING ABNORMALLY DRY.

HOW ARE THE CURRENT DROUGHTS CONTRIBUTING TO WATER LEVELS?

>> WELL, THAT'S THE BIG ISSUE.

IT HASN'T BEEN RAINING SINCE ABOUT MIDWAY THROUGH THE SPRING HERE IN THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND YOU CAN SEE A BIG SPOT HERE IN THE CENTRAL PORTION, BUT PRETTY MUCH FROM WEST OF THE APPALACHIANS TO THE WEST COAST THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS IN DROUGHT.

SO WE HAVE ABOUT 80% OF THE COUNTRY IS IN DROUGHT AND WE NEED THE RAIN.

>> WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT MAP RIGHT NOW.

YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE RED WE MENTIONED EARLIER WHERE THE DROUGHT IS AT ITS WORST, YELLOW WHERE IT'S ABNORMALLY DRY.

MOST OF THE COUNTRY IS FACING THIS.

BRENT CLAIR, WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER FOR FARMING AND TRADE?

>> MISSISSIPPI RIVER IS THE LIFELINE FOR AGRICULTURE, BUT IT'S NOT JUST AGRICULTURE.

IT'S THE COMMODITIES TO COME UP THE RIVER AS WELL, BUT SPECIFICALLY FOR US, IF WE CANNOT GET OUR GRAIN TO THE GULF OF MEXICO WHERE IT GETS PUT ONTO THE LARGER SHIPS, WE CAN'T MARKET OUR GRAIN TO THE GLOBAL MARKET.

THERE'S DEMAND IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT OUR MAIN MARKET IS ACROSS THE GLOBE AND UNFORTUNATELY SOME REPORTS HAVE BEEN SAYING THE RIVER IS CLOSED DOWN.

THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY TRUE.

FOR THE MOST PART, THE RIVER HAS STAYED OPEN.

IN THE PAST FOUR DAYS IT ACTUALLY HAS BEEN WIDE OPEN IT.

JUST CANNOT HAUL AS MUCH UP AND DOWN THE RIVER.

>> TELL ME A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THAT AS FAR AS THE BARGES BECAUSE OF THE WATER LEVELS NOT BEING ABLE TO HAUL AS MUCH UP AND DOWN THE RIVER.

>> WELL, THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN IS PRETTY MUCH FROM CAIRO TO MINNESOTA AND THE ARMY CORP. OF ENGINEERS IS RESPONSE FOR MAINTAINING A MINIMUM OF A NINE FOOT DEPTH THROUGHOUT THAT ENTIRE STRETCH OF LAND.

THAT WAY BARGES WILL GET THROUGH NO MATTER WHAT AND SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEM MAINTAINING THAT, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, BARGES ARE TYPICALLY LOADED MORE THAN NINE FOOT, MAYBE 10, 11-FOOT HEAVY.

THEY'VE HAD TO REDUCE THEIR LOADS IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THEY MAINTAIN THE MINIMUM DEPTH AS WELL.

SO MAYBE A 65,000-BUSHEL TUG MAY ONLY HOLD 50,000 NOW AND AGAIN, EVERY BUSHEL COUNTS WHEN THE PRICE OF FUEL AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS GOING UP TRYING TO GET AS MUCH AS YOU CAN DOWN THE RIVER IN ONE TRIP AS POSSIBLE.

>> BRENT, HOW HAS ALL THAT AFFECTED THE SUPPLY CHAIN?

>> SO FAR WE ARE ABLE TO GET OUR GRAIN DOWN THE RIVER.

LIKE I SAID EARLIER, IT'S NOT CLOSED DOWN TOOTOO MUCH AND THERE ARE BUYERS FOR THE GRAIN EVEN THOUGH THE PRICE OF FREIGHT IS IT SO OUTRAGEOUSLY HIGH, ALMOST TWO TIMES AS NORMAL.

BUYERS DOWN IN THE GULF WILL BUY FOR THAT PREMIUM JUST TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN SUSTAIN DEMAND, BUT ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT, WE NEED THE PRODUCT TO COME FROM THE GULF UP TO US.

THE FERTILIZER THAT WE USE, THE FUEL ANYWHERE FROM CHICAGO DOWN ON TO THE ILLINOIS RIVER FUEL IS USED AND WE HAVE TO SHIP THAT UPSTREAM AS WELL.

SO AGAIN, THIS IS A TWO-WAY STREET.

IT'S NOT JUST SENDING THINGS DOWN TO THE GULF OF MEXICO.

IT'S GETTING THOSE PRODUCTS UP INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY.

>> JONATHAN, WHAT'S THE ECOLOGICAL IMPACT OF THESE DROUGHTS ON THE RIVER?

>> ON THE RIVER?

LOW WATER, WE AREN'T SEEING ABNORMALLY LOW WATER.

IT WILL IMPACT THE ECOLOGY AND THE VEGETATION AS ONE WOULD IMAGINE DURING THE DROUGHT, BUT MOST OF THE ECOSYSTEMS CAN SUSTAIN A DROUGHT OF THIS MAGNITUDE, BUT IF IT CONTINUES INTO MULTIPLE YEARS, WE COULD SEE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

>> JONATHAN, HOW DOES CLIMATE CHANGE FACTOR INTO THESE CONDITIONS?

>> RIGHT.

SO IT'S HARD TO SAY ONE DROUGHT IS ATTRIBUTED TO CLIMATE CHANGE, BUT WHAT WE SEE FROM THE SCIENCE LITERATURE AND OUR MODELS, WE EXPECT TO SEE MORE OF THIS VARIABILITY FROM FLOOD TO DROUGHT.

SO WE CAN EXPECT MORE DROUGHTS PROBABLY LIKE THIS GOING INTO THE FUTURE.

>> AS YOU'RE SPEAKING, WE'RE LOOKING AT VIDEO OF A SHIP THAT I BELIEVE HAS BEEN REVEALED BY THE WATER LEVELS FALLING.

ILLINOIS AND THE SURROUNDING REGIONS, THOUGH, JONATHAN SAW SOME INTENSE RAINS AND FLOODINGS THIS PAST SUMMER.

WHY THIS JUMP IN EXTREMES?

>> RIGHT.

WHAT THE MODELS HAVE SHOWN US AND OTHER SCIENCE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN US IS THAT THE VARIABILITY IS GOING TO INCREASE AS THE CLIMATE GETS WARMER.

SO WE'LL SEE THESE FREAK FLOODS WHERE WE'LL HAVE PRETTY MUCH A DROUGHT AND GET NINE INCHES OF RAIN LIKE IN ST. LOUIS OR ELSEWHERE THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THEN WE WON'T SEE ANY RAIN AT ALL.

SO THE WARMER AIR IS HOLDING MORE MOISTURE, SO WE CAN GET MORE INTENSE RAIN EVENTS AND THEN WE HAVE THESE DICHOTOMIES BETWEEN THE WET AND DRY WHICH WE AREN'T USED TO.

WE'RE USED TO WET PERIODS AND DRY PERIODS.

SO WE CAN EXPECT MORE OF THIS IN THE FUTURE I WOULD ASSUME.

>> BRENT, IF THIS CONTINUES, COULD THIS BECOME A FINANCIAL BURDEN OR YOU OR FOR OTHER FARMERS?

>> ONE THING FARMERS ARE GOOD AT IS ADAPTING TO CHANGE.

WE'VE GONE FROM WHAT JONATHAN HAS MENTIONED ABOUT GOING FROM FLOODS TO DROUGHTS IN ONE YEAR AND FORTUNATELY TECHNOLOGY AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS HELPING TO US ADAPT TO THAT.

WE WILL FIND A WAY.

WE ALWAYS DO.

THAT MEANS HAVING TO MOVE OUR GRAIN THROUGH TRAINS.

IT'S NOT THE MOST DESIRABLE, BUT IT'S A POSSIBLE WAY, BUT AGAIN, WE'RE NOT TOO CONCERNED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE WE KNOW AT LEAST IN THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY, THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS, AT LEAST GET US DOWN TO CAIRO, AT LEAST GET STUFF DOWN TO THAT POINT.

AGAIN, WE'LL FIND A WAY NO MATTER WHAT MOTHER NATURE DEALS US.

>> MEANWHILE, JONATHAN, WHAT IS MOTHER NATURE GOING TO DEAL THEM?

IS THERE RELIEF IN SIGHT?

>> IN THE NEAR TERM THE RIVERS WILL COME UP A LITTLE BIT AND HELP OUT NAVIGATION, BUT WE TYPICALLY SEE LOW WATER ON THE MISSISSIPPI JANUARY, FEBRUARY, AND THEN WE GET INTO SPRING MELT AND THE WATER WILL COME UP, BUT IF IT STAYS BELOW AVERAGE RAINFALL LIKE WE'VE SEEN, WE MAY BE BACK THE SAME PLACE HERE COME JULY AGAIN.

>> GENTLEMEN, SOMEONE WHO GREW UP A MILE FROM THE VICKBURG BLUFF OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO SEE IT TODAY, IT IS SHOCKINGLY LOW AND, OF COURSE, OBVIOUSLY WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE LIKE YOU SAID WHAT MOTHER NATURE DEALS US.

THANKS TO YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> UP NEXT, EVOLVING VIEWS OF GENDER AND ROMANCE ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN A NEW SHOW.

WE TAKE YOU INSIDE THAT EXHIBIT, BUT FIRST A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

[ MUSIC ] >>> OUR CULTURE IS VIBRANT.

IT'S RICH.

IT'S FUN.

>> WE TRY TO FOCUS ON HEY, LET ME HELP YOU ON.

THIS IS CHICAGO.

THIS IS LITTLE VILLAGE.

>>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD ON THE PROGRAM INCLUDING MORE FROM EAST GARFIELD PARK AS PART OF OUR IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES, BUT FIRST ROMANCE, GENDER AND SEXUALITY ARE NEWLY FRAMED IN AN ART SHOW AT A CHICAGO EXHIBITION SPACE.

IT'S CALLED THE FIRST HOMOSEXUALS.

PRODUCER MARK VITALY HAS THE STORY AND FAIR WARNING, THERE'S PROVOCATIVE CONTENT AND NUDITY.

>> THERE ARE SOLOISTS, DUETS AND ENSEMBLES, MYTHS, LEGENDS AND NEWFOUND DELIGHTS.

THEY ARE HISTORICAL FROM THE LATE 19th AND 20th CENTURIES.

>> ANY WORK THAT LOOKS LIKE A CONTEMPORARY WORK WOULD SAY THAT IT INCLUDE A WHOLE RANGE OF WORK THAT INCLUDES GENDER, THAT INCLUDES TRANSNESS, IN FACT, WE'RE SHOWING ONE OF THE VERY EARLIEST WORKS OF TRANS ART EVER.

SO WHAT WE'RE THINKING IS SOMETHING I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE A BIT SURPRISED BY, WHICH IS WE DIDN'T INVENT THE IDEA OF QUEERNESS.

IT'S NOT A CONTEMPORARY IDEA.

>> THE SHOW IS CALLED "THE FIRST HOMOSEXUALS, GLOBAL DETECTIONS OF A NEW IDENTITY" AND THE ART BEGINS IN 1869 FOR A REASON.

>> BECAUSE THEN THE WORLD HOMOSEXUAL WAS COINED AND IT WAS THE FIRST TERM TO ESSENTIALIZE AND IDENTITY TO, MAKE A PERSON WHO WAS INCLINED TO SAME SEX ACTS HAVE A DEEP INTERIOR CORE THAT WAS DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT FROM HETEROSEXUALS.

UP UNTIL THAT POINT HOMO AND HETEROSEXUALITY EXISTED ALONG A CONTINUUM.

THEY WERE BOTH FORMS OF SEXUALITY AND WERE UNDERSTOOD AS FUNCTIONALLY THE SAME.

ONE WAS, OF COURSE, PROHIBITED.

ONE WAS CELEBRATED, BUT THEY WERE ALL FORMS OF SEXUALITY.

WITH THE CREATION OF THE HOMOSEXUAL, ALL OF A SUDDEN SEXUALITY TOOK A BINARY CAST.

AS THE LANGUAGE OF SEXUALITY BECAME INCREASINGLY TRUNCATED AND LIMITING, ART TOOK UP THE SLACK.

ART STARTED TO BE THE PLACE WHERE ALL FORMS OF SEXUAL DIFFERENCE THAT LANGUAGE COULD NO LONGER ACTUALLY NAME COULDN'T SPEAK TO EMERGED.

>> THERE ARE DUAL PORTRAITS FROM ARTISTS WHO WERE LOVERS AND CODED IMAGERY THAT SUGGESTS MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE INCLUDING A PAINTING OF THE CELEBRATED ACTRESS SARAH BURNHART BY HER FRENCH ARTIST PARTNER, OBEMA.

>> SHE INCLUDES TWO BLACK SWANS IN A KIND OF CODED WAY SUGGESTING THE INTIMACY AND THE DIFFERENCE OF THEIR PARTNERSHIP FROM THE NORM.

>> THIS IS AN UNEXPECTED PAINTING OF A BOXER BY THE GREAT AMERICAN PAINTER THOMAS AKINS.

>> IN 1898 WHEN THIS PICTURE WAS MADE, HOMOSEXUAL IN THE UNITED STATES WAS NOT IN WIDE USE.

IT WAS A MEDICAL OR LEGAL TERM BUT WAS NOT IN WIDE USE.

THIS IS THE QUEER'S BOXING PICTURE IN THAT THE POINT OF A BOXING PICTURE WAS TO SHOW BLOOD, SWEATED AND MASCULINE AGGRESSION.

NONE OF THAT IS IN EVIDENCE HERE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO IN ALL MY EXHIBITIONS IS TO UNDERSCORE THAT THE IDEA OF GAY AND LESBIAN IS OF A BINARY CONSTRUCT, OF A HISTORICALLY LIMITED NATURE AND BEFORE IT AND NOW AFTER IT SEXUALITY IS SEXUALITY AND IT ISN'T SO EASILY BINARYIZED.

>> THE EXHIBITION IS AT WRIGHTWOOD 659 IN LINCOLN PARK THROUGH DECEMBER 17th.

YOU CAN FIND MORE OUT ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT," A LOCAL NONPROFIT OFFERS YOU THE SAFE PLACE IN EAST GARFIELD PARK AMID INCREASED GUN VIOLENCE.

WE'RE ONE ON ONE WITH ONE OF ITS DIRECTORS.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DO, THERE ARE PLANS TO DO WE REALLY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO WITHOUT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.

>> COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES ASKED VOTERS FOR A TAX HIKE.

>>> SHOULD DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BECOME THE NEW NORM?

PROPOSED LEGISLATION SAYS YES, BUT MANY HEALTH EXPERTS ADVISE AGAINST IT.

>>> PLUS HOW A NEW EXHIBIT IS HONORING THE LEGACY OF AN ARCHITECT, PRESERVATION ITS AND PHOTOGRAPHER.

>>> BUT FIRST SOME MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS WILL BOTH BE CAMPAIGNING IN THE CHICAGO AREA AHEAD OF TUESDAY'S MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

THE PRESIDENT WILL BE IN THE CHICAGO AREA TOMORROW AND IS EXPECTED TO LEAD VOTER TURNOUT EFFORTS FOR INCUMBENT HOUSE DEMOCRAT LAUREN UNDERWOOD, BILL FOSTER AND SEAN CASTEN IN APPARENTLY TIGHTENING RACES IN CHICAGO'S SUBURBS.

IN A STATEMENT ILLINOIS DEMOCRATS SAY VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS WILL CAMPAIGN IN CHICAGO SUNDAY.

>>> CHICAGO-BASED MONDOLESE, MAKER OF OREO COOKIES, IS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDING ADVERTISING ON TWITTER, A GROWING NUMBER OF COMPANIES HITTING THE PAUSE BUTTONS ON TWITTER ADS IN THE WAKE OF ELON MUSK'S TAKEOVER OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.

A NUMBER OF THEM ARE CONCERNED MUSK'S DESIRE TO SCALE BACK ON TWITTER COULD AFFECT THEIR ADS CONTENT.

MONODOLESE SPENT THREE-QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS ADVERTISING ON TWITTER THIS YEAR.

>>> THE CHILDHOOD CLASSIC, MOLDERAMA MACHINES HAVE LONG BEEN A FAVORITE OF VISITORS TO MSI.

NOW A NEW EXHIBIT TELLS THE STORY OF THE BELOVED RETRO MACHINES THAT DEBUTED AT THE 1962 WORLD FAIR IN SEATTLE.

THIS RUNS THROUGH FALL OF 2023.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW.

>> I'LL HAVE TO RUN AND GET MY MOLDERAMA DINOSAURS AND WHATNOT.

THANKS.

>>> NOW WE RETURN TO EAST GARFIELD PARK WHERE AMANDA VINICKY SPENT THE DAY AS PART OF OUR IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

AMANDA.

>> Reporter: YEAH, PARIS, THE LOCAL ALDERMAN JASON IRVIN OF THE 28th WARD AND GARFIELD PARK RESIDENT WAS KIND ENOUGH TO JOIN US AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR STARTERS AND, OF COURSE, THIS COMMUNITY REELING FROM MONDAY'S TRAGEDY.

DO YOU HAVE ANY UPDATES YOU CAN SHARE?

>> ONE THING THAT I CAN TELL YOU, THE POLICE HAVE BEEN WORKING EXTREMELY HARD.

THEY HAVE SOME STRONG LEADS IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE AND WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT THEY WILL BE BRINGING SOMEONE TO JUSTICE IN SHORT ORDER.

>> Reporter: SOMEONE OR SOMEONES?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT OCCURRED HALLOWEEN NIGHT HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: IF YOU BELIEVE THERE IS A REWARD, WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THAT?

>> A $15,000 REWARD THROUGH CPD TIPS.

SO IF ANYONE HAS INFORMATION THEY WISH TO SHARE, THERE IS A REWARD AVAILABLE IF YOU WILL SHARE THAT INFORMATION.

WE NEED THAT INFORMATION.

THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE, WOMEN, CHILDREN, DESERVE JUSTICE AND IF YOU'RE HOLDING THE KEY TO SOLVING THAT PUZZLE, WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOU TO GET INVOLVED WITH THIS.

>> Reporter: WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT RESIDENTS THAT ARE SOMETIMES AFRAID OF COMING FORWARD, LACK OF PROTECTION OR THAT THEY MIGHT BE RETALIATED AGAINST.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY TO FOLKS WHO AREN'T FEELING COMFORTABLE COMING FORWARD?

>> LAST NIGHT I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE MAYOR AND SPOKE WITH THE GOVERNOR.

YOU WILL BE PROTECTED.

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION THAT WILL LEAD TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF THESE INDIVIDUALS, YOU WILL BE PROTECTED.

WE CANNOT HAVE A SITUATION WHERE PEOPLE WON'T STEP FORWARD BECAUSE OF THAT AND THIS IS A VERY, VERY POINT WHERE WE'RE LOOKING TO BRING RESOURCES TO THOSE WHO ARE IN THOSE PREDICAMENTS.

SO AGAIN, WE NEED EVERYONE TO STEP UP AND DO THEIR PART.

>> Reporter: ALDERMAN, 14 INDIVIDUALS SHOT.

THANKFULLY AS FAR AS WE KNOW NOBODY HAS DIED FROM THAT, BUT ALSO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL HIT BY A CAR AS SHE TRIED TO RUN FROM THE SCENE.

CLEARLY GARFIELD PARK HAS MANY GEMS.

WE'RE STANDING BY A COUPLE RIGHT NOW, BUT WHAT CAN BE DONE BY THE VIOLENCE THAT DOES HAVE THIS COMMUNITY ON THE TOP OF THE MOST VIOLENT IN ALL OF ILLINOIS?

>> WHAT WE CAN DO, NUMBER ONE, WE MUST BAND TOGETHER.

THAT'S POINT NUMBER ONE.

POINT NUMBER TWO, WE MUST HAVE NECESSARY RESOURCES THAT OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE.

THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE IN WHAT THE RESPONSE WAS IN HIGHLAND PARK VERSUS THE RESPONSE IN GARFIELD PARK AND IN A STATE LIKE THIS AND A COUNTRY LIKE THIS THAT SHOULD NOT BE.

SO COMMUNITIES THAT ARE PROPERLY RESOURCED AND CARED FOR DON'T HAVE THESE KIND OF CHALLENGES PERFORM.

>> Reporter: WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS THAT, THE PUBLIC, GOVERNMENT?

>> IT'S ALL OF US.

WE ALL PLAY A ROLE IN SAFETY.

WE CAN'T JUST LAY SAFETY AT SOMEONE ELSE'S FEET.

ALL OF US HAVE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR HELPING TO CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT IN OUR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: OF COURSE, CITY BUDGET IS PROJECTED TUESDAY.

YOU HAVE BEEN A STEADFAST ALLY OF MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT.

WHAT MONEY IS IN THERE OR WILL YOU DEMAND BE IN THERE FOR THINGS LIKE EAST GARFIELD PARK AND PUBLIC SAFETY?

>> WELL, THERE ARE PLENTY OF ITEMS IN THE BUDGET FOR NOT ONLY EAST AND WEST GARFIELD PARK AND ALSO FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THIS BUILDING WE'RE STANDING BEHIND HERE, THE GOLD DOME IN THIS PARK, WE PUT ALMOST $22 MILLION INTO THIS PARK IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

PATHS IN THIS PARK HAD NOT BEEN TOUCHED IN PROBABLY 30 YEARS.

THEY'VE BEEN REPAVED.

STREETS IN THIS PARK AND CURBS AND LIGHTS IN THIS PARK HADN'T BEEN DONE, BUT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND MYSELF ACCOMPLISHED THAT AND RESTORED THIS GEM.

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING.

WE CALL IT THE GOLD DOME.

THAT'S WHY IT'S A GEM.

>> Reporter: DEFINITELY BEAUTIFUL.

FINALLY, DON'T WANT TO LET YOU LEAVE WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT BEING IN THE MAYOR'S RACE, PARTICULARLY WE MIGHT SEE ANOTHER CANDIDATE.

>> IT'S HOPEFUL EVERYTHING IS KEPT IN A CIVIL TONE, BUT WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS GOING THROUGH A COUPLE PROCESSES, I THINK IT MAY BE VERY DIFFICULT TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE NO QUALMS AGAINST ANYONE WANTING TO DEAL WITH THEIR POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT.

THINGS SHOULDN'T BE DONE AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS.

IT'S NOT GOOD POLITICS OR GOOD BUSINESS.

THOSE DIFFERENCES AND WHAT HAPPENS IN THE STREETS CARRY OUT.

>> Reporter: THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

THAT IS ALDERMAN JASON IRVIN OF THE 28th WARD AND AS THE ALDERMAN SAID, HE BELIEVES CPD ARE CLOSE TO APPREHENDING SOMEONE IN CONNECTION WITH THAT DRIVE-BY SHOOTING THAT WOUNDED 14 INDIVIDUALS ON MONDAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> CERTAINLY SOMETHING THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES WANT TO HEAR RIGHT NOW.

AMANDA, WE'LL CHECK IN WITH YOU IN A BIT.

>>> NOW TO BRANDIS FOR A LOOK AT THE PUSH TO MAKE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME PERMANENT.

>> WHAT'S THAT STAYING?

SPRING FORWARD, FALL BACK.

IT'S HOW MANY OF US REMEMBER TO CHANGE OUR CLOCKS WHEN THE TIME COMES.

THIS TIME IS COMING THIS WEEKEND.

THE TWICE YEARLY CLOCK SWITCHING MIGHT END FOR GOOD IF CONGRESS PASSES THE SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT MAKING DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME PERMANENT IN 2023, BUT THERE'S PLENTY OF DISAGREEMENT OVER WHETHER THAT'S BENEFICIAL TO HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENERGY COSTS.

JOIN IS US WITH MORE IS DR. ABBOTT, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF NEUROLOGY IN SLEEP MEDICINE AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

DR. ABBOTT, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

FIRST, IF YOU WOULD, REMIND US THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME AND STANDARD TIME.

>> YES.

SO WHAT WE'RE IN CURRENTLY IS DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME AND WE'RE GOING TO BE SWITCHING TO STANDARD TIME OVER THIS WEEKEND.

BASICALLY WHAT THAT MEANS FOR MOST OF US IS WE DELAY OR PUSH THE CLOCKS BACK BY AN HOUR.

THAT BETTER ALIGNS US WITH THE TIME THAT THE SUN IS RISING AND SETTING.

>> WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THIS TIME SHIFT ON OUR BODIES?

>> WELL, THIS TIME OF YEAR IS ACTUALLY THE EASY ONE FOR US.

WE NATURALLY TEND TO MOVE A LITTLE BIT LATER.

IT ALSO GIVES US AN EXTRA HOUR TO POTENTIALLY CATCH UP ON SLEEP OVER THE WEEKEND, BUT WE ARE POSSIBLY GOING TO FIND THAT FOR A COUPLE DAYS NEXT WEEK YOU MIGHT BE FEELING SLEEPY A LITTLE BIT EARLIER AT NIGHT AND YOU MIGHT WAKE UP A LITTLE BIT BEFORE YOUR ALARM THOSE FIRST COUPLE DAYS.

>> WHAT IS THE IMPACT LONG TERM OF SORT IS OF LIVING IN DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME VERSUS DAYLIGHT STANDARD TIME?

>> YEAH.

IT'S A LITTLE HARD TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THAT IMPACT IS GOING TO BE, BUT WE CAN KIND OF APPROXIMATE FROM WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO LIVE IN SORT OF ONE RELATIONSHIP OF TIME WITH THE SUN VERSUS ANOTHER.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME VERSUS STANDARD TIME, BASICALLY ALL WE'RE DOING IS SHIFTING THAT ARBITRARY CLOCK ON THE WALL.

THE SUN RISES AND SETS AT THE SAME TIME AND OUR BODY SENDS TO FOLLOW WHAT THE SUN DOES.

WHEN WE ARE IN DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME, WE THINK OF IT AS KIND OF A MISALIGNMENT BETWEEN WHAT THE SUN IS DOING AND WHAT OUR BODIES WANT TO DO AND THE CLOCK ON THE WALL.

SO WHAT HAPPENS IF WE STAY IN DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME YEAR-ROUND, BASICALLY WE END UP WAKING UP WHEN THE SUN IS STILL DOWN WHEN IT'S STILL DARK OUT AND THEN IT'S LIKE A LITTLE BIT LATER IN THE EVENING, ALTHOUGH THE DAYS ARE STILL PRETTY SHORT.

THAT ALSO MEANS WE GET A LITTLE BIT MORE LIGHT AT NIGHT.

IT MAKES IT HARDER FOR TO US FALL ASLEEP AND HARDER TO WAKE UP IN THE MORNING.

THAT ALSO -- >> PLEASE GO AHEAD.

SORRY.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT ALSO CAN TRANSLATE INTO OTHER NEGATIVE HEALTH IMPACTS.

SO WE THINK THAT THIS COULD ALSO RESULT IN INCREASED RATES OF IMPRESSION AND INCREASED RATES OF CANCER AND SOME OF THAT DATA COMES FROM COMPARING PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE EASTERN SIDE OF A TIME ZONE VERSUS THE WESTERN SIDE AND THAT SORT OF APPROXIMATES THAT MISMATCH BETWEEN THE SUN AND YOUR INTERNAL BODY CLOCK AND THOSE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE TIME ZONE DO TEND TO HAVE THOSE HIGHER RATES OF IMPRESSION AND CANCER.

>> ADVOCATES SAY MAKING DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME PERMANENT AS THE SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT WOULD DO CAN HAVE POSITIVE IMPACTS OF FEWER CAR ACCIDENTS.

KIDS AND ADULTS CAN ENJOY MORE OUTDOOR TIME AND ENERGY SAVINGS.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION?

>> I THINK THE DATA IS A LITTLE MIXED.

I THINK FIRST OF ALL, THE NAME IS A LITTLE MISLEADING TO CALL IT THE SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT.

NO MATTER WHAT WE DO WITH DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME OR STANDARD TIME, THE DAYS STILL GET SHORTER IN THE WINTER.

SO WE WON'T GAIN ANY MORE HOURS OF SUNSHINE.

WHAT WE DO KNOW IS, FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE STAYED ON PERMANENT DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME IT, DOES MEAN FOR PLACES LIKE CHICAGO, THE SUN WON'T RISE UNTIL 8:00 OR 9:00 IN THE MORNING IN WINTER.

PREVIOUSLY WHEN THE COUNTRY TRIED THINGS LIKE THIS, THERE WERE MORE FATALITIES WITH SCHOOL BUSES.

WE DON'T NECESSARILY THINK IT'S HELPFUL FROM THAT RESPECT AND THE ENERGY SAVINGS IS A LITTLE DEBATABLE BECAUSE YOU'LL HAVE TO HEAT THE HOUSE MORE IN THE WINTER IN THE MORNING AND YOU MAY NEED TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONING MORE IN THE EVENING IN THE SUMMER.

>> WHAT WOULD THE IMPACT ON KIDS BE FROM SOMETHING LIKE THAT, FROM EXTENDING DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME, MAKING IT PERMANENT, FROM YOUNGER ONES WHO STILL NAP TO TEENAGERS WHO START THEIR DAYS EARLY AND HAVE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WELL INTO THE EVENING OFTENTIMES?

>> YEAH.

I THINK THE TEENAGERS WILL SEE THE BIGGEST IMPACT.

WE ALREADY KNOW AS YOU GO INTO ADOLESCENCE, YOU TEND TO GET A LITTLE BIT LATER.

YOU BECOME MORE OF A NIGHT OWL AND IF EAR IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHEN THE SUN IS RISING LATER, IT'S GOING TO BE HARDER TO GET THOSE TEENAGERS UP.

>> ALL THAT SAID, THE TIME CHANGE IS STILL HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND AND AGAIN IN THE SPRING UNLESS SOMETHING CHANGES IN WASHINGTON, D.C. HOW CAN WE PREPARE FOR THIS UPCOMING TIME SHIFT?

IS.

>> YEAH.

SO LIKE I SAID, THE TIME CHANGE FOR THE WEEKEND IS PROBABLY THE EASIER ONE TO ADAPT TO.

A LITTLE EXTRA LIGHT IN THE EVENING WILL HELP YOU PUSH YOUR CLOCK A LITTLE BIT LATER IF YOU WANT TO START MAKING THOSE CHANGES A COUPLE DAYS IN ADVANCE.

YOU MAY FIND IT EASIER TO SHIFT, BUT MOST OF US BY TUESDAY PROBABLY SHOULD NOT REALLY FEEL MUCH DIFFERENCE.

>> OF COURSE, THAT'S ALL UNTIL MARCH WHEN THINGS GET A LITTLE BIT HARDER WHEN WE LOSE THAT HOUR AGAIN.

>> YES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> IT'S RARE WHEN NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL BOARDS AND FISCAL WATCHDOG GROUPS RECOMMEND RESIDENTS VOTE TO INCREASE THEIR PROPERTY TAXES, BUT THAT'S EXACTLY THE CASE AS COOK COUNTY VOTERS FACE A BINDING QUESTION ON THEIR ELECTION BALLOTS.

DO YOU WANT TO PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE TO HELP FUND THE COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES?

OUT GROUPS HAVE WAGED A PUBLIC GAIN TO CONVINCE VOTERS TO SAY YES BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THE INVESTMENT WILL PAY GROWING DIVIDENDS.

THE 3,500-ACRE BUSSEY WORDS FOREST PRESERVE IS KNOWN FOR ITS TRAILS, LAGOONS AND ANCIENT FORESTS, BUT A CLUSTER OF INVASIVE BUCK THORN THREATENS THE AREA'S ECOLOGY.

>> IT'S BASICALLY A WEED THAT CHOKES OUT ALL THE NATIVE PLANTS AND IT DOESN'T ALLOW SUNLIGHT TO GET TO THE FLOOR OF THE FOREST.

>> COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT MANAGER ARNOLD RANDALL WANT TO RESTORE THE FOREST LIKE IT DID ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS TRAIL.

>> YOU CAN SEE THIS IS MUCH CLEARER.

YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE INTO THE FOREST.

YOU'RE LOOKING INTO A THICKET OF GREEN.

>> BUT HE SAYS THE FOREST PRESERVES NEED MORE MONEY FOR THIS AND NEARLY 20 NOW ACRES THAT ARE IN LINE FOR A CLEARING.

>> A LOT THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DO, THERE ARE PLANS TO DO WE REALLY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO WITHOUT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.

>> THE FOREST PRESERVES ARE A QUASISEPARATE UNIT OF COOK COUNTY GOVERNMENT THAT MANAGES 70,000 ACRES OF PUBLIC LAND ALONG WITH THE BROOKFIELD ZOO AND CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN.

IT DOES NOT HAVE ITS OWN TAXING AUTHORITY AND MUST GO DIRECTLY TO VOTERS INSTEAD.

COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTED TO PUT A BINDING REFERENDUM ON NOVEMBER'S BALLOT THAT ASKS VOTERS WHETHER THEY WOULD SUPPORT HIKING THE FOREST PRESERVE LEVY A FRACTION OF A PERCENT TO BRING IN $40 MILLION IN NEW ANNUAL REVENUE.

PROPONENTS SAY THAT AMOUNTS TO ABOUT $20 ANNUALLY ON A HOUSE WORTH 300,000.

>> AS A BORN AND RAISED ILLINOISIAN, I GET IT.

I KNOW WHAT'S COOL AND WHAT'S THE FACTORS.

I ALSO KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THE FOREST PRESERVES ARE TO COOK COUNTY AND I KNOW THAT WE GET TO ENJOY THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE PRESERVED FOR US.

>> ILLINOIS BORN ACTOR NICK OFFERMAN CUT AN AD FOR AN INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE GROUP CALLED VOTE YES FOR CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER AND WILDLIFE AIMED AT GETTING THE PUBLIC ON BOARD.

>> AND FRANKLY, IF YOU COMPARE TO OTHER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS AND FOREST PRESERVES IN THE STATE, IT'S UNDERFUNDED AND UNDERSTAFFED PER ACRE PRETTY DRAMATICALLY.

>> THE CAMPAIGN TOUTS THE FOREST PRESERVE'S ROLE IN ABSORBING FLOODWATER AND IMPROVING AIR QUALITY.

IT HAS WON THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE EDITORIAL BOARD AND THE CIVIC FEDERATION, WHICH IS A NONPARTISAN FISCAL WATCHDOG GROUP.

CIVIC FEDERATION PRESIDENT LAWRENCE MISOL, NO FAN OF HIGHER TAXES, SAYS THIS HIKE MAKES SENSE.

>> THERE'S A PLAN.

THIS MONEY ISN'T GOING TO BE JUST THROWN INTO THE SYSTEM.

>> HE SAYS 10 MILLION OF THE 40 MILLION IS EARMARKED TO SHORE UP THE DISTRICT'S PENSION SYSTEM WHICH AT NEARLY 60% FUNDING MAKES IT ONE OF THE HEALTHIEST OF ALL THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSIONS.

HE SAYS THE DISTRICT UNDER BOARD PRESIDENT ATTORNEY P RE KWINKLE AND SUPERINTENDENT EARLY RANDALL HAVE CLEANED UP THEIR ACT.

>> BOTH IN TERMS OF MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS AND WHAT THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO TO BRING CAMPING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AND WE REALLY SAW DURING COVID HOW MUCH THE FOREST PRESERVES WERE A BENEFIT FOR PEOPLE WHO COULD GET OUT AND USE THEM.

>> THE REMAINING 30 MILLION IS PEGGED FOR RESTORATION, CONSERVATION PROGRAMS AND THE ACQUISITION OF THOUSANDS OF NEW ACRES SO COOK COUNTY RESIDENTS CAN ESCAPE TO NATURE OUTSIDE THEIR FRONT DOOR FOR DECADES TO COME.

>> OBVIOUSLY IF YOU GO OUT WEST TO THE NATIONAL PARKS, THAT'S DIFFERENT, BUT HERE IN AN URBANIZED AREA TO HAVE THIS SO ACCESSIBLE IS WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT AND SPECIAL.

>> RANDALL SAYS THE FOREST PRESERVES MAKE UP ABOUT 11% OF ALL THE LAND IN COOK COUNTY MAKING IT THE LARGEST URBAN PRESERVE OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY.

>>> NOW WE GO BACK TO EAST GARFIELD PARK WHERE AMANDA VINICKY SPENT ALL DAY AS PART OF OUR IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

AMANDA.

>> Reporter: YES, PARIS.

EARLIER TODAY WE VISITED STATE FAMILY SERVICES THAT AIMS TO BE A SAFE PLACE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO LEARN, GROW SKILLS.

THEY HAVE PROGRAMS FOR PREGNANT PEOPLE THROUGH THE ELDERLY AND ALSO CHILDREN.

WITH THAT WE SPOKE WITH ALBERT RICHARDSON.

HE'S BEEN WITH THEM SINCE 1996 AND IS CURRENTLY THE DIRECTOR OF YOUTH SERVICES.

I ASKED HIM ABOUT THE OBJECTIVE AND HERE'S HIS ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE.

>> FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING ACROSS THE BOARD.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IN ADDITION TO HAVING THESE SERVICES FOR THEM, THERE'S PEACE OF MIND, THAT YOU'RE NOT WORRYING ABOUT THE FEE AND TUITIONS.

WE MAKE SURE THOSE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED SO PARENTS CAN GO TO WORK OR SCHOOL AND KNOW THEIR CHILDREN ARE SAFE AND CARED FOR.

>> Reporter: ALL THESE ACTIVITIES, THERE'S A LOT GOING ON.

OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE CHILDREN THAT HAVE COME FROM A LONG DAY OF SCHOOL, MAYBE SOME QUIZZES AND MATH TESTS, EKE.

>> I KNOW.

>> Reporter: WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT BEING IN THOSE SCHOOL CLASSROOMS AND THEN YOU COME TO AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM LIKE THIS?

>> SO MANY OF OUR SCHOOLS NOW, I LOVE THAT THEY LOOK AT THEM AND CALL THEM SCHOLARS.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT BEING PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS.

WHEN YOU COME IN HERE, YOU'RE STILL A KID.

YOU CAN ACT LIKE A KID.

YOU CAN PLAY LIKE A KID.

THROUGH PLAY YOU'RE LEARNING, BUT YOU HAVE DRAMATIC PLAY, ARTS AND CRAFTS AND GAMES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOU'RE BUILDING THAT RAPPORT WITH YOUR TEACHER, SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST AND GO TO IF YOU HAVE A BAD DAY THAT YOU CAN TALK TO AND GET YOU THROUGH IT OUTSIDE OF YOUR MOM AND DAD.

>> Reporter: YOU ARE STILL IN TOUCH WITH SOME OF THE STUDENTS THAT TOOK PART IN THESE PROGRAMS WHEN -- I DON'T KNOW -- WHAT, 15, 20 YEARS AGO AND THEY ARE STILL INVOLVED.

>> YES.

SOME OF THEM HAVE CHILDREN HERE.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE THEIR CHILDREN HERE NOW.

THEY HAVE SOME TYPE OF RELATIVE THAT'S GOING THROUGH THE PROGRAM, BUT EVEN JUST THROUGH A PHONE CALL, THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA OR THEY'LL STOP BY, REMINDS YOU HOW OLD YOU ARE A LITTLE BIT AND THAT'S OKAY, BUT JUST SO PROUD TO SEE THE THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING TODAY.

>> Reporter: WE'RE HERE TO FOCUS ON THE COMMUNITY OF EAST GARFIELD PARK.

PART OF THIS IS HISTORICAL AND DATES BACK 108 YEARS I'VE LEARNED, BUT WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE ALL OF THESE SERVICES, THAT FULL GAMUT, IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON IN THIS WORLD TODAY A LOT OF OUR KIDS ARE BEING FORCED TO GROW UP TOO FAST.

A LOT OF THEM ARE ALMOST HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD, YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS.

THEY'RE RUNNING THE HOUSEHOLD.

THERE'S NOT A LOT OF ATTENTION ON THEM WHEN THEY GO HOME.

THEY HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE LITTLE ONES AND EVERYTHING ELSE GOING ON.

>> Reporter: A LOT OF PRESSURE.

>> WE WANT TO REMIND THEM WHEN YOU'RE HERE, YOU'RE CHILDREN.

YOU CAN BE THAT AND BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR FRIENDS.

YOU CAN DO SOME OF THE THINGS YOU DREAM ABOUT DOING.

OUR JOB IS TO WALK THEM THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE FUN DOING IT.

>> Reporter: DID YOU TALK AT ALL WITH TEACHERS, THOSE WHO LEAD THESE CLASSROOMS ABOUT, WHAT HAPPENED HERE?

UNFORTUNATELY THERE WAS A MASS SHOOTING.

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT STUDENTS HAVE ASKED ABOUT THAT YOU ADDRESS WITH LEADERS?

>> I'LL SAY THIS.

AS LEADERS WE ACTUALLY HAD A PHONE CALL, WE KIND OF TALKED AS A GROUP, AS A STAFF ABOUT IT WHEN IT HAPPENED.

THE FIRST THING THAT GOES UP WITH THE ANTENNAS ARE IS IT SOMEONE WE KNOW?

YOU ALWAYS GET WORRIED IS IT A YOUTH OR TEEN OR PARENT?

SOMETIMES NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS, BUT ON THE SCARY PART OF THIS, A LOT OF THE KIDS DON'T ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.

THAT'S NERVE WRACKING BECAUSE THEY BEGIN TO NORMALIZE IT.

A LOT OF THE YOUTH IN THIS AREA, THEY SEE IT DAY IN AND DAY OUT, SO IT BECOMES NORMAL TO THEM, BUT FOR THE ONES, WE DO LOOK OUT FOR THOSE TRAUMATIZED BY IT, IF THEY LOST A FRIEND OR YOU'RE DUCKING IN YOUR HOUSE NOW BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW IF A BULLET IS GOING TO COME THROUGH THE WINDOW.

WE'RE TRAINING KIDS FOR THAT NOW IN SCHOOLS OF HOW TO BE ABLE TO KEEP SAFE OR IF WE'RE OUTSIDE, WHEN TO DROP DOWN OR GO DOWN.

>> Reporter: INCLUDING HERE?

>> INCLUDING HERE.

WITH DO THAT HERE AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

WE DO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

WE DON'T WANT TO PUSH THAT BECAUSE IT COULD RETRAUMATIZE SOME OF THE CHILDREN, BUT IF THEY NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT, WE'RE THERE FOR THEM AS A TEACHER, AS STAFF, BUT WE ALSO HAVE SERVICES HERE TO ASSIST US WITH THAT.

>> Reporter: AGAIN, THAT WAS ALBERT RICHARDSON WHO HAS BEEN HELPING AREA YOUTH AS PART OF MERILAC ST. VINCENT WHICH HAS BEEN IN THE COMMUNITIES 108 YEARS TRYING TO BOOST FAMILIES IN NEED.

THEY'VE GOT SOME AMAZING PROGRAMS COMING UP, PARTICULARLY FOR THE HOLIDAYS AS WELL.

>> YOU'RE JUST DOWN THE STREET FROM ANOTHER CITY STAPLE, THE GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY.

I HEAR THERE'S AN EVENT TONIGHT.

WHAT CAN YOU SHARE WITH US ABOUT IT?

>> Reporter: THERE IS.

THERE'S A FUNDRAISER.

EVEN IF YOU AREN'T THERE, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO AS SOON AS "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS OVER WITH, CATCH SOME OF THIS ONLINE.

IT'S CALLED FLOROTICA.

LOCAL FASHION AND FLORAL DESIGNERS MAKE OUTFITS OUT OF ALL FLOWERS, PLANTS, FLORA, FAUNA AND IT'S SORT OF A GOING DOWN THE RUNWAY WITH ALL THAT, SO AGAIN, A FUNDRAISER FOR THE CONSERVATORY THAT REALLY FITS WITH ITS MISSION.

>> SOUNDS VERY INTRIGUING.

I KNOW YOU'LL SKIP OVER THERE AS SOON AS YOU'RE DONE WITH "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS EVENING.

THANKS MUCH.

>> Reporter: BETTER BELIEVE IT.

THANK YOU.

>> NOW RIGHT BACK TO YOU, BRANDIS.

>>> "A TALE OF TWO STORIES" IS TAKING CENTER STAGE AT THE RICHARD H.DREHOUSE MUSEUM AS IT EXPLORES THE LITERAL LIFE'S MISSION TO CAPTURE SULLIVAN'S IMPACT.

OUR ARTS CORRESPONDENT RECENTLY INTRODUCED US TO CAPTURING LOUIS SULLIVAN, WHAT RICHARD NICHOLS SAW.

HERE'S ANOTHER LOOK.

>> WE'RE MOVING BOTH NARRATIVES FORWARD THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EXHIBITION AND IT'S SORT OF LIKE AN OPERA I FELT BECAUSE THE MUSIC GOES FORWARD AND THEN THE DRAMA.

SO WE HAVE TWO STORIES WE'RE TRYING TO TELL.

>> Reporter: IT'S A STORY OF ARCHITECT LOUIE SULLIVAN AND PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD NICHOLS, TWO ARTISTS CONNECTED THROUGH THEIR WORK BUT NEVER IN LIFE.

BORN JUST FOUR YEARS AFTER SULLIVAN'S DEATH, RICHARD NICHOL COMMITTED HIS LIFE'S WORK TO DOCUMENTING SULLIVAN'S ARCHITECTURE AS BOTH A PHOTOGRAPHER AND PRESERVATIONIST.

IT WAS A DECISION HE MADE WHEN LEARNING OF LOUIS SULLIVAN'S WORK WHILE AS A STUDENT AT THE IIT INSTITUTE OF DESIGN.

>> RICHARD NICHOL WAS TRYING TO RECORD THE BUILDINGS, ONE, THROUGH TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEM AND THEN, SECOND, BY SALVAGING ARCHITECTURAL ORNAMENT BECAUSE THE ORNAMENT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO SULLIVAN'S IDEA OF ADDING BEAUTY AND AESTHETIC DIMENSION TO HIS HOUSES.

SO THE EXHIBITION IS NOT ONLY THE PHOTOGRAPHS THAT RICHARD NICHOL TOOK, BUT ALSO THE ARTIFACTS THAT HE SALVAGED.

>> Reporter: CHICAGO BUILDINGS BEING CREATED BY SULLIVAN AND HIS PARTNER ADLER WERE BEING DESTROYED IN THE 1960s AND '70s.

A PRESERVATIONIST, RICHARD NICHOL, SAW IT HIS DUTY TO DOCUMENT EVERYTHING FROM BEHIND THE LENS.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO TELL THE STORY ABOUT RICHARD NICHOL'S PHOTOGRAPHY, FOR EXAMPLE, THE AUDITORIUM PHOTOGRAPH OVER THERE, RICHARD CLIMBED UP HIGH ON THE BUILDING ACROSS FROM THE AUDITORIUM TO GET THIS MAGNIFICENT VIEW.

HE HAD NO FEAR OF HEIGHTS.

HE WAS A PARATROOPER DURING THE KOREAN WAR AND HE JUST JUMPED UP TOP OF BUILDINGS TO GET THESE GREAT SHOTS.

HE WAS A DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER AND HE TOLD IT AS IT WAS.

SO WARTS AND ALL.

HE SHOWED THE BUILDING IN A DOCUMENTARY FASHION, NOT TO MAKE THEM THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS, THOUGH, OF COURSE, THE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE BEAUTIFUL BUT TO DOCUMENT HIS BUILDINGS.

HIS GOAL WAS TO PUBLISH A BOOK AND HE WAS GATHERING THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE INFORMATION, THE DOCUMENTATION ON THE BUILDINGS, HE DISCOVERED BUILDINGS THAT WERE UNKNOWN BY ADLER AND SULLIVAN.

SO HE WAS DOING RESEARCH.

>> Reporter: NICHOL'S RESEARCH AND THE EXHIBITION HAS BEEN BROKEN UP INTO FOUR THEMES, TWO ON SULLIVAN'S RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND THE OTHER ON THE CHICAGO STOCK EXCHANGE BUILDING.

THAT BUILDING IS ALSO THE LOCATION OF RICHARD NICK ONLY'S DEATH.

HE DIED IN 1972 WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SALVAGE PIECES OF THE BUILDING WHEN IT COLLAPSED ON HIM.

WHILE HIS COMMITMENT TO PRESERVATION ENDED THERE, HIS LIFE'S MISSION LIVES ON IN NORWAYS THAN ONE.

>> AFTER RICHARD NICHOL DIED THE RICHARD NICHOL COMMITTEE WAS CREATED WHICH HAD HIS ARCHIVES, ALL OF HIS NEGATIVES, ALL THE DOCUMENTATION.

MAYBE A DECADE LATER THEY GAVE IN TO THE CHICAGO ART INSTITUTE.

IT'S NOW IN THE LIBRARY AT THE ART INSTITUTE.

NOW THERE'S A WHOLE OTHER GENERATION WHO NEED TO HEAR THE STORY AGAIN ABOUT HOW RICHARD NICHOL REALLY GAVE HIS LIFE TO SAVE BUILDINGS AND THAT WAS A MISSION THAT CAN INSPIRE US TODAY.

>> Reporter: FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT," I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> CAPTURING LOUIS SULLIVAN RUNS THROUGH FEBRUARY 19th.

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

>>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS, THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY, THE POLK BROTHERS FOUNDATION AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

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

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 FOR THE WEEK IN REVIEW.

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

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING!

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A. CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A PERSONAL INJURY LAW FIRM