[♪♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME BACK I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HERE IN OUR NORTHWEST SIDE STUDIO.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ REPORTING LIVE FROM CHICAGO'S WASHINGTON HEIGHTS COMMUNITY.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> IN THE CHICAGO WARD REMAP BATTLE BLACK AND LATINO ALDERPEOPLE FIGHT FOR POWER.

>> EVERY PROJECT THAT IS STARTED WE SHOULD THINK OF FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF CLIMATE.

>> DETAILS ON THE COP 26 CLIMATE CONFERENCE IN SCOTLAND.

>> WE INTEND FOR IT ALWAYS TO BE A PRIMARY COMMUNITY HUB.

>> THE WOODSON LIBRARY IS AN ANCHOR AND HOME TO THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF BLACK HISTORY AND LITERATURE IN THE MIDWEST WE ARE IN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS WITH THAT AND MUCH MORE.

>> WHEN I WAS A LITTLE OLDER THAN YOU ARE NOW, I HAD AN INJURY.

>> THE INSPIRING STORY OF NORMAN MALONE A CHICAGO MAN WHO OVERCAME PARALYSIS TO BECOME A CONCERT PIANIST.

>> HAVING THE RESPECT OF SOMEONE ELSE'S FEELINGS AND BRIDGE THAT GAP WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> MEET TWO ACCLAIMED CHEFS WORKING TO BRING BLACK AND BROWN THE COUPS TOGETHER THROUGH FOOD.

>> WE MAKE THE BEST POTATO CHIP COOKIE.

>> WE VISIT A BAKERY THAT OFFERS LIFE SKILLS AND JOB TRAINING TO ADULTS WITH DIFFERENT ABILITIES.

>> AS WE MENTIONED I'M IN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

IT IS A PREDOMINANTLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE HIGH RATE OF HOMEOWNERSHIP AND LOW RATE OF COVID-19 VACCINATIONS AT THIS POINT AND HOME TO A PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCH THAT IS VISITED BY SCHOLARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON WHY AND MANY MORE THINGS IN JUST A BIT.

FIRST, BRANDIS, WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SEE YOU SOON.

NOW TOP STORIES LARGE COMPANIES HAVE UNTIL JANUARY 4 TO HAVE WORKERS GET FULLY VACCINATED OR SUBMIT TO WEEKLY TESTING.

A VACCINE MANDATE FOR COMPANIES WAS COMING AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR REVEALED DETAILS OF THE PLAN.

UNDER AN EMERGENCY OCCUPATIONAL AND SAFETY HEALTH ADMINISTRATION ORDER COMPANIES WITH 100 OR MORE EMPLOYEES MUST ENFORCE THE VACCINE MANDATE OR HAVE EMPLOYEES REGULARLY TEST TO DO COVERS 80 MILLION PRIVATE SECTOR WORKERS INCLUDING THE 31 MILLION WORKERS NOT VACCINATED.

A WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON SAID THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONFIDENT THE PLAN WILL SURVIVE LEGAL CHALLENGES.

>> ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN ADAM KINZINGER SAYS HE IS NOT RULING OUT A PRESIDENTIAL RUN IN 2024.

KINZINGER A REPUBLICAN TOLD CNN HE IS CONSIDERING RUNNING FOR THE ILLINOIS GOVERNOR OR THE NUVMENT SENATE AND THAT HE WOULD LIKELY MAKE A DECISION ON THOSE POSITIONS BY JANUARY.

BUT HE REPORTEDLY SAID HE DEFINITELY WOULD NOT RULE OUT A RUN FOR THE WHITE HOUSE.

KINZINGER A CRITIC OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WHOM HE VOTED TO IMPEACH ANNOUNCED HE WOULD NOT SEEK REELECTION TO THE U.S. HOUSE NEXT YEAR.

>> GOOGLE INVESTED $1 BILLION IN CHICAGO'S CME GROUP AND WILL HELP THE OPERATOR TRANSITION THE TRADING SYSTEM TO THE CLOUD.

THE TWO COMPANIES ANNOUNCED A 10-YEAR PARTNERSHIP AND SAY THEY WILL BEGIN MOVING THE TECHNOLOGY'S INFRASTRUCTURE TO GOOGLE CLOUD NEXT YEAR.

GOOGLE'S INVESTMENT IS IN THE FORM OF NONVOTING SHARES.

>> UP NEXT THE BATTLE DRAW THE CITY'S WARD MAP.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AS THE DEADLINE FOR A NEW CITY WARD MAP APPROACHES MEMBERS OF THE LATINO AND BLACK CAUCUSES ARE SPLIT ON HOW THE MAP SHOULD BE DRAWN.

THE LATINO CAUCUS UNVEILED A MAP THAT REDUCES THE NUMBER OF WARDS ARE A MAJORITY OF BLACK VOTERS.

THE PROPOSAL INTENDS TO REFLECT A GROWING LATINO POPULATION IN THE CITY.

BLACK CAUCUS LEADERS WANT TO CREATE A MAP THAT MAINTAINS 18 BLACK WARDS BUT THE POPULATION DROPPED BY 10% WHILE THE LATINO POPULATION GREW BY 5%.

JOINING US ARE CARLOS RAMIREZ ROSA AND JASON ERVIN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

ALDERMAN ERVIN, WHAT IS THE STATUS OF NEGOTIATIONS RIGHT NOW?

>> WELL, WE HAVE SUBMITTED MAPS TO THE COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES AND RULES.

AND WE BELIEVE THAT WHAT WE PRESENTED WILL PASS LEGAL MUSTER AND FAIRLY AND ACCURATELY REPRESENTS THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> HOW CLOSE WOULD YOU SAY YOU ARE TO UNVEILING THE MAP THAT MAINTAINS THE 18 MAJORITY BLACK WARDS?

>> I THINK RIGHT NOW IT'S IN THE HANDS OF THE COMMITTEE AND THEY WILL BE UNVEILING SOMETHING FAIRLY SOON.

AS IT RELATES TO THE CITY IN ITS ENTIRETY.

IT IS TROUBLING TO DRAW WARDS FOR OTHER COMMUNITIES WE DREW WARDS FOR THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES IN THE CITY TO MAINTAIN THE PRESENCE WE HAVE TODAY.

>> AND IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S IN THE RULES COMMITTEE I'M NOT SURE HOW LIMITED YOU ARE YOU CAN SAY.

>> WITHOUT QUESTION.

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE PERCENTAGE OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN CERTAIN WARDS BUT THERE'S WARDS WITH UPWARDS OF 90 PLUS PERCENT AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND THERE'S SOME IN THE 50s AND AFTER THE REAPPORTIONMENT WERE IN THE 40s AFTER THE CENSUS.

IT'S BASICALLY A PUZZLE YOU ARE PUTTING TOGETHER AND IT IS POSSIBLE TO DRAW ADDITIONAL WARDS.

WE COULD HAVE DRAWN A 19TH WARD.

BUT WE WANT TO BE FAIR WITH EVERYONE AND JUST HAVE A POINT OF MAINTENANCE FOR THE 18 WARDS AT THAT TIME WE HAVE AS A WHOLE.

>> NOW, ALDERMAN RAMIREZ ROSA YOUR CAUCUS UNVEILED A MAP THAT WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF WARDS WITH IMAGEDY BLACK VOTERS FROM 18 TO 16.

WOULD THE MEMBERS OF THE LATINO CAUCUS VOTE FOR A MAP WITH FEWER THAN 15 MAJORITY LATINO WARDS?

>> THE LATINO CAUCUS IS FOLLOWING THE DATA WE'RE FOLLOWING THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND SEEKING TO CREATE A MAP THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR GREAT CITY.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DATA AND THE FACTS THAT LATINOS ARE A THIRD OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO WHEN WE SEE THE GROWTH WE BELIEVE THAT 15 MAJORITY LATINO WARDS IS NOT JUST POSSIBLE, IT'S AN IMPERATIVE.

THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO ACHIEVE AS A CITY IF WE ARE GOING TO INSURE WE HAVE A MAP THAT INSURES PARITY THAT HAS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR GREAT CITY AND MEETS LEGAL MUSTER.

IT'S NOT JUST THE LATINO CAUCUS THAT HAS TO WEIGH-IN THERE ARE LEGAL GROUPS THAT GET TO WEIGH-IN ON THE MAP.

AND WE WANT A MAP THAT PASSES LEGAL MUSTER THAT GROUPS WON'T SUE AND SAY LOOK THIS IS A MAP THAT LEAVES OUR COMMUNITIES BEHIND.

>> AND STICKING WITH YOU, THE LATINO CAUCUS MAP WOULD NOT CREATE A WARD OF MAJORITY OF ASIAN-AMERICAN VOTERS HOW SHOULD THIS MAP REFLECT THE ASIAN GROWTH IN THE POPULATION.

>> THEY HAVE A WARD AT MAJORITY ASIAN AT 49%.

WE'VE HEARD FROM LEADERS THEY BELIEVE A MAP THAT IS 50% OR MORE ASIAN IS POSSIBLE WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT.

WE WEREN'T I MAP THAT HAS PARITY FOR ALL OF CHICAGO'S COMMUNITIES THAT MEETS THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT THAT FOLLOWS THE DATA OF THE 2020 CENSUS.

AND THAT IT INSURES THE DIVERSITY OF OUR CITY IS REFLECTING AT CITY HALL.

>> DO YOU FAVOR THE CREATION OF A WARD THAT INCLUDES CHINATOWN A MAJORITY OF ASIAN-AMERICAN VOTERS?

>> WELL, THE MAP WE CREATED DOES HAVE A WARD THAT INCLUDES AN ASIAN MAJORITY WARD THAT IS OVER 50%.

SO NOT ONLY IS IT POSSIBLE WE'VE DONE IT.

AND AS IT GOES BACK TO THE MAP THAT THE OTHER CAUCUS PRESENTED, ON ITS FACE IS ILLEGAL.

WHEN YOU TRY TO TAKE OTHER COMMUNITIES OUT OF THE EQUATION AND USE THOSE COMMUNITIES WHICH ARE PROTECTED IN ORDER TO CREATE OTHER WARDS THAT IS A CLEAR VIOLATION OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND ALSO A SECTION 2 OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT IT DOES NOT TALK ABOUT PARITY IT TALKS AGAINST IT.

THE POINTS THAT MY COLLEAGUE HAS MADE ALTHOUGH WELL INTENTIONED DO NOT LINEUP WITH THE LAW.

>> A SECOND TO RESPOND TO THAT?

>> WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT IS CLEAR.

THE LAW IS CLEAR.

THE LATINO CAUCUS IS FOLLOWING THE DATA.

YOU KNOW WE'VE MAPPED FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE THE DATA SUPPORTS.

AND ULTIMATELY, THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND THE LAW PROTECTS THE LATINX COMMUNITY AND THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY EQUALLY.

AND SO YOU CAN'T MAKE A MAP THAT HAS 18 MAJORITY BLACK WARDS AT THE EXPENSE OF PARITY FOR THE LATINO COMMUNITY AND DISEN FRANCHISED THE LATINO COMMUNITY AND YOU CANNOT DRAW A MAP THAT DISEN FRANCHISES THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

>> YOU DID.

>> WE BELIEVE THE MAP FOLLOWS THE DATA AND DRAWN A MAP THAT IS FAIR.

AND AGAIN, WHAT WE DID IS WE FOLLOWED THE DATA AND THAT IS HOW WE GOT TO THE MAP THAT WE ARE PROPOSING AT THIS TIME.

>> A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN CITY COUNCIL.

>> I WANT TO ASK THE CLOCK IS TICKING OBVIOUSLY YOU WILL NEED 41 VOTES BY DECEMBER FIRST TO AVOID A REFERENDUM.

DO YOU EXPECT THAT THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE A MAP DRAWN BY THAT DEADLINE?

>> I BELIEVE WE'LL HAVE A MAP DRAWN BY THAT DEADLINE.

I DO BELIEVE THE MAP WILL BE DRAWN.

IF IT GOES TO REFERENDUM IT GOES TO REFERENDUM.

BUT, AGAIN, I THINK THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNCIL WILL SIDE ON THE FACT OF THE LAW AND THE LAW IS CLEAR YOU CANNOT VIOLATE ONE COMMUNITY TO GO AFTER ANOTHER AND THAT IS WHAT THIS MAP HAS DONE.

AND AGAIN, WHILE WE TALK ABOUT OTHER COMMUNITIES WANTING TO SUE, OUR COMMUNITY STANDS READY TO DO THE SAME.

>> AS THE LATINO CAUCUS WILLING TO ENFORCE A REFERENDUM TO INSURE THE ROADMAP REFLECTS THE CITY'S LATINO GROWTH OF 5% IN THE PAST DECADE?

>> YES, THERE IS A SENSE IN THE LATINO COMMUNITY THAT THE PREVIOUS REMAPPING PROCESSES LEFT OUR COMMUNITIES BEHIND.

OUR COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO GROW YET WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE REPRESENTATION THAT OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES IN CITY COUNCIL.

I THINK THERE DEFINITELY IS A SENSE THAT WE CANNOT ALLOW THIS REMAP PROCESS.

SO ONCE AGAIN, LEAVE OUR COMMUNITY BEHIND.

AND NOT GIVE US EQUAL PROTECTION NOT GIVE US THE REPRESENTATION THAT OUR COMMUNITIES NEED AT CITY HALL.

WHAT I WILL ALSO SAY IS THAT ANY ALDERMAN CAN COME TOGETHER AND PUT FORWARD A MAP OF THEIR OWN IF THEY VOTE AGAINST THE MAP THAT PASSES AND FORCE A REFERENDUM.

I THINK THAT ULTIMATELY EVERYONE WANTS TO WORK TOWARDS COMPROMISE AND WANTS TO WORK TOWARDS LANDING THE PLANE AND GETTING A MAP THAT WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE BY DECEMBER FIRST.

AS DICTATED BY LAW.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK THE LATINO CAUCUS IS CLEAR WE'RE FOLLOWING THE DATA AND FOLLOWING THE LAW AND WE'RE LOOKING TO GET 15 WARDS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS REPRESENTED.

>> EVERY WARD HAS GONE DOWN IN THE LAST CENSUS I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU MAKE THAT POINT.

THEY'VE GOT THREE WARDS OF PEOPLE AND ONLY CAN PUT ONE WARD TOGETHER.

WE'LL HAVE THIS CONVERSATION ANOTHER TIME BUT I THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO HAVE IT TODAY.

>> THANK YOU ALDERMEN WE WILL BE TALKING WITH YOU BOTH IN A MONTH IF NOT SOONER.

>> GOOD NIGHT.

>> ONE OF THE STATED GOALS OF A GROUP CALLED THE PEOPLE'S MAP IS TO DRAW A MAP THAT DOESN'T DIVIDE CHICAGO'S NEIGHBORHOODS INTO WARDS.

COMMUNITIES LIKE WASHINGTON HEIGHTS WHERE PARIS SCHUTZ IS THIS EVENING FOR OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

IT IS A PREDOMINANTLY BLACK MIDDLE CLASS NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR ROSELAND AND BEVERLY.

IT IS A PART OF THE CITY THAT HAS PLAYED A HUGE ROLE IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY.

PARIS WITH PRODUCER MARISSA NELSON, SPENT THE DAY REPORTING IN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS.

AND PARIS JOINS US NOW OUTSIDE OF THE WOODSON REGIONAL BRANCH OF THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY.

PARIS?

>> BRANDIS, THIS COMMUNITY IS HOME TO THE FAMED CHURCH THAT WAS ONCE THE HOME OR PLACE OF WORSHIP OF THE OBAMAS AND OPRAH WINFREY AND THE WOODSON LIBRARY A STATE-OF-THE-ART LIBRARY THAT IS VISITED BY SCHOLARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD BECAUSE OF THE COLLECTION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY.

MORE ON THAT IN JUST A MOMENT.

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS AS YOU MENTIONED PREDOMINANTLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

ACCORDING TO A GROUP CALLED THE ENDELEO INSTITUTE IT IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THE LARGEST RATE OF HOME OWNSHIP IN CHICAGO.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS IMMUNE FROM CRIME OR POVERTY AND HAS A 44% COVID-19 VACCINATION RATE.

NOW, THE WOODSON LIBRARY IS THE ANCHOR OF THIS COMMUNITY.

IT STAYS OPEN LATE HOURS TO PROVIDE A REFUGE AND LEARNING SPACE FOR CHILDREN.

>> THIS LIBRARY IS THE ABSOLUTE STRONGEST ANCHOR ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

AS FAR AS A TRUSTED RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE TO COME FOR CHILDREN TO COME AFTER SCHOOL, FOR HOMEWORK HELP, FOR COMPUTER ASSISTANCE, WE HAVE MORE THAN 100 COMPUTERS IN THE BUILDING FOR INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO DO NOT HAVE WI-FI AND INTERNET AT HOME AND THEY ARE ABLE TO COME HERE.

>> AND UNDERWENT A MAJOR RENOVATION IN 2018 AFTER COMMUNITY GROUPS FOUGHT THE CITY YEARS AND YEARS TO UPDATE THE STRUCTURE.

IT IS HOME TO THE VIVIAN HARSH COLLECTION THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE IN HISTORY ANYWHERE IN THE MIDWEST, BOOKS, ARTIFACTS, RARE ARTICLES INCLUDING THE WORK OF THE LATE GREAT HISTORIAN TIM BLACK.

VIVIAN HARSH WAS THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY'S FIRST EVER AFRICAN-AMERICAN LIBRARIAN AND KICK STARTED THE NOTABLE COLLECTION.

>> SHE WORKED WITH PEOPLE LIKE LANGSTON HUGHES AND RICHARD WRIGHT AND GREAT SCHOLARS OF THAT TIME AND THAT ERA.

AND STARTED KEEPING COLLECTIONS OF RESOURCES THAT THEY WERE PUTTING TOGETHER.

WE RECEIVE APPOINTMENT REQUESTS ON A REGULAR BASIS FROM SCHOLARS, FROM DOCUMENTARY MAKERS, FROM REPORTERS.

ALL OVER THE WORLD THAT ARE DOING RESEARCH ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN SCHOLARS, AUTHORS, LOOKING FOR DETAILS ABOUT THEIR LIVES AND ABOUT THEIR WORK AND THEY CAN FIND THAT HERE.

>> AND NEARBY IS ANOTHER COMMUNITY ANCHOR, THE LARGE CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHARTER SCHOOL WHICH SERVES A AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND LOW INCOME POPULATION.

90% OF THE STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR FREE OR REDUCED SCHOOL LUNCH.

AND ADD TO THAT THE STRUGGLES OF THE LAST YEAR.

STAY AT HOME LEARNING KIDS COULD NOT GO TO SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC SCHOOLS OPENED THIS YEAR TO THE DELIGHT OF PARENTS, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ALIKE.

>> THE FIRST DAY WE CAME BACK THEY WERE RUNNING THROUGH OUR DOORS THEY ARE STILL RUNNING THROUGH OUR DOORS.

THEY COME TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY THEY ARE HERE EARLY AND THE PARENTS ARE EXCITED TO HAVE THEM HERE AND TEACHERS ARE GLAD TO HAVE THEM BACK IN PERSON.

OUR STUDENTS BELONG IN SCHOOL.

WHEN OUR STUDENTS CANNOT BE IN SCHOOL THEY GO HOME AND WE TEACH THEM THROUGH REMOTE LEARNING AND IT IS OK. >> AND TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST THE HOME CHURCH OF THE OBAMAS FOR FIERCE WHERE THE PRESIDENT HAD THE SPLIT WITH THE THEN PASTOR.

THE CHURCH IS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN THE COMMUNITY HOLDING FOOD-DRIVES HELPING OUT WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND IT DRAWS WORSHIPERS FROM ALL OVER THE REGION.

IT ONLY REOPENED FOR INDOOR SERVICE THIS FALL.

AND HAS TAKEN TONS OF COVID PRECAUTIONS ESPECIALLY TRYING TO LOOK OUT FOR THE OLDER MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION.

>> BECAUSE I THINK BECAUSE OF OUR INTENTIONALITY WITH OUR PROTOCOLS AROUND WORSHIP WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE DECREASED EXPOSURE.

SO IT'S NO MORE PASSING BASKETS FOR OFFERINGS NO MORE PASSING OF COMMUNION.

EVERYTHING IS PREPACKAGED AND YOU HAVE TO PICK THE THINGS UP.

WE HAVE QR CODES ON THE BACK OF OUR PEWS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN TAKE A PICTURE WITH THE SMARTPHONE AND PULL UP THE BULLETIN AND DO THEIR GIVING AS WELL.

>> ED WAY TO WORSHIP IN 2021 AND ONE OF THE MORE NOTABLE BUSINESSES LARRY'S BARBER COLLEGE LARRY ROBERTS HAS BEEN CUTTING HAIR FOR 30 YEARS AND EXPANDED TO MULTIPLE LOCATIONS.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS INSIDE COOK COUNTY JAIL WHERE HE IS TEACHING INMATES THE TRADE IN HOPES IT TURNS THEIR LIVES AROUND.

>> WHEN THEY GET OUT OF JAIL WITH CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS THEY TRY TO GET A JOB BUT THEY CAN'T GET A JOB BECAUSE OF THEIR HISTORY.

SO I FIGURED THAT WHY NOT TRAIN THEM WHILE THEY ARE LOCKED UP SO WHEN THEY GET OUT I CAN PUT THEM TO WORK AND IT WORKS OUT FINE.

THERE ARAL TERNE I HAVE ITS TO VIOLENCE BUT PEOPLE HAVE TO BE WILLING TO GIVE THOSE ALTERNATIVES AND PUT IN THE WORK AND MAKE SACRIFICES AND THAT IS WHAT OUR TEAM IS HERE TO DO.

>> AND DOESN'T UNDERSCORE HOW WASHINGTON HEIGHTS ENDELEO GAVE ME A SHIRT THAT SAYS WHERE'S WASHINGTON HEIGHTS RIGHT HERE ON THE MAP RIGHT BY ROSELAND, BEVERLY, A GREAT COMMUNITY OFF OF 95TH STREET AND HALSTED WE WILL HAVE HOWARD BROOKINS IN A BIT.

WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

NOT EVERYBODY KNOWS WHERE WASHINGTON HEIGHTS IS.

SEE YOU IN A BIT.

>> UP NEXT, LOCAL ANALYSIS OF THE CLIMATE CONFERENCE IN GLASGOW.

STAY WITH US.

>> LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD HAVE BEEN GATHERING IN GLASGLOW SCOTLAND FOR THE 26 CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES, COP 26 FOR CLINTON ADMINISTRATION.

THEY WILL BE MEETING TO OUTLINE GOALS FROM CUTTING EMISSIONS TO CREATING POLICIES TO HOLD DOWN GLOBAL TEMPERATURES.

AND ALONGSIDE THE DIPLOMATS ACADEMICS AND ACTIVISTS IS GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER WHO IS REPRESENTING THE MIDWEST TO PRESENT ILLINOIS' IDEAS FOR A GREEN ECONOMY.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THIS ARE JEN WALLINGS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL.

AND JACK DARIN, DIRECTOR OF THE SIERRA CLUB'S ILLINOIS CHAPTER.

WELCOME BACK.

>> JEN WALLINGS LET'S START WITH YOU.

WHAT ARE YOUR IMPRESSIONS OF THIS CONFERENCE?

>> WELL, I'M SO EXCITED THAT NOT ONLY THE GOVERNOR IS THERE BUT ALSO OUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS FROM ILLINOIS.

I KNOW THAT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR IDEAS FROM ILLINOIS TO BE HEARD ON AN INTERNATIONAL STAGE.

I THINK THAT PART IS REALLY EXCITING.

AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK WE'VE DONE HERE IS GOING TO BE PRESENTED IN TERMS OF THE PLEDGES AND OTHER COMMITMENTS THAT INTERNATIONAL LEADERS ARE MAKING.

AND I THINK THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE HELD UP FOR INTERNATIONAL COUNTRIES TO FOLLOW AND THAT IS EXCITING.

>> JACK DARIN HOW ABOUT YOU WHAT IS YOUR IMPRESSION SO FAR?

>> YEAH, JUST WHAT A BREATH OF FRESH AIR THAT ILLINOIS CAN CONTRIBUTE ON A GLOBAL STAGE TO ONE OF THE MOST PRESSING PROBLEMS OF OUR TIME AND THE FACT WE HAVE THIS NEW CONSENSUS IN OUR STATE THAT WE ARE A BOLD CLIMATE ACTION STATE AND RECOGNIZING IT'S NOT ONLY THE THING WE NEED TO DO FOR THE PLANET BUT REAL BOOM TO OUR ECONOMY.

>> WE HEAR ABOUT THIS 1.5° CELSIUS TARGET AS AN IMPORTANT FIGURE WHAT IS THAT TARGET AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

>> THE 1.5° CELSIUS TARGET THAT SCIENTISTS HAVE FOR WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY OUR LAST CHANCE TO KEEP LESS LIFE AS WE KNOW EXISTING ON THE PLANET IT IS IMPORTANT TARGET THAT SCIENTISTS PUT TOGETHER TO SUSTAIN OUR WORLD.

AND THE CONFERENCE WAS FOCUSED A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE CALLED IT A LAST CHANCE FOR GLOBAL LEADERS TO GET TOGETHER AND FIGURE OUT REAL BOLD ACTIONS WE CAN DO.

IT CAN'T BE PLEDGES IT HAS TO BE THINGS WE ARE DOING RIGHT BACK AT HOME LIKE WE ARE WHETHER IT'S OUR CITY OF CHICAGO ENVIRONMENT BUDGET, THE CLIMATE EQUITABLE JOBS ACT IN ILLINOIS OR WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IT IS A TIME FOR ACTION AND THIS IS WHAT THIS CONFERENCE IS ABOUT.

>> LAST CHANCE SO VIEWERS ARE CLEAR IF THERE IS NOT SOMETHING DONE AND SOON IT COULD LEAD TO MUCH MORE EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS ON THE PLANET BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> JACK DARIN, COP 26 CRUCIAL BECAUSE RECEIPTS HAVE COME DUE FROM THE 2015 PARIS AGREEMENT HAS DOES COP 26 CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THE WORK DONE IN 2015?

>> IT IS A TIME TO CHECK IN ON THAT PARIS AGREEMENT AND WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN REACH CONSENSUS TO GO BEYOND THAT AGREEMENT IT HAS BEEN FIVE YEARS.

WE HAVE NOT MADE AS A WORLD THE PROGRESS WE'VE NEEDED TO MAKE.

SO IT MAY BE TIME TO SET THE NEXT ROUND OF BINDING EMISSIONS TARGETS AND ALSO TIME FOR THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, TO MAKE GOOD ON PLEDGES MADE PREVIOUSLY TO SUPPORT CLIMATE ACTION IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD, AND PLEASED THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN IS PROPOSING TO DOUBLE AMERICA'S CONTRIBUTION TO THAT.

HOPEFULLY OTHER WORLD LEADERS WILL FOLLOW.

AND THEN WE CAN FINALIZE THE COMMITMENTS BY PASSING A BUILD BACK BETTER PLAN SOON IN WASHINGTON.

>> AND PRESIDENT BIDEN HE WAS THERE THIS WEEK AS WELL AND HE SPOKE ON JOBS HERE IS A BIT OF WHAT HE SAID.

>> BUILDING OUT CLIMATE INFRASTRUCTURE CAN AND SHOULD HELP DRIVE A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

IN THE FIRST MEETING WE HAD, I KNOW I APOLOGIZE FOR THE REPETITION BUT I LOOK AT CLIMATE AND DEALING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE AND I SEE JOBS.

GOOD JOBS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MOVEMENT.

THAT IS WHAT I SEE.

>> SO, JEN, THE CLIMATE AND EQUITABLE JOBS ACT IN ILLINOIS PASSED WHAT DOES A GREEN ECONOMY LOOK LIKE?

>> WELL, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THOUGHT THAT A GREEN ECONOMY HAS MEANT WILL MEAN CUTTING JOBS, OR PEOPLE SHIVERING IN SWEATERS AS WE TURN THE HEAT DOWN AND THAT TURNED OUT TO ABSOLUTELY NOT BE TRUE.

THERE'S SO MUCH INVESTMENT AND SO MANY JOBS AND COUPLED WITH THE COST OF DOING NOTHING IS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TIMES MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE COST OF ACTUALLY ADDRESSING THE ISSUE.

AND IT BRINGS WITH IT GREAT GOOD PAYING JOBS AND THE BILL MAKES SURE MOST OF THE JOBS ARE UNION LABOR JOBS WITH GOOD PAYING WAGES IN COMMUNITIES THAT NEED IT THE MOST.

SO WE HAVE SEEN ABSOLUTELY THE OPPOSITE.

WE'VE SEEN INVESTMENT IN ILLINOIS.

WE'VE SEEN JOB GROWTH IN THE CLEAN ENERGY SECTOR.

AND JUST FORWARD PROGRESS ON THESE ECONOMIC ISSUES.

THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT SOME OPPONENTS HAVE PREDICTED WOULD COME TRUE.

>> AND GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HE WAS AT THE CONFERENCE.

JACK WHAT CAN OTHER COUNTRIES LEARN FROM ILLINOIS' RECENT CLIMATE ACTION?

>> YEAH, SO WE HAVE TO SET BOLD COMMITMENTS BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S GOING TO BE EASY AND IT WASN'T EASY IN ILLINOIS TO PASS OUR JOBS ACT.

BUT I THINK A COUPLE THINGS THAT WERE DIFFERENT THIS TIME FOR ILLINOIS, ARE GOOD LESSONS FOR THE WORLD.

NUMBER ONE IF WE HAVE LEADERS COMMITTED TO SCIENCE AND AND EVALUATE PROPOSALS BASED ON WHERE THEY GET US, WHERE SCIENTISTS SAY WE NEED TO GO, THAT IS HUGE.

THAT WAS GOVERNOR PRITZKER AND CHAMPION LEADERSHIP AND THE OTHER IS OPENING UP THE DOORS TO EVERYONE.

CLIMATE CHANGE THREATENS ALL OF US AND UNIQUELY OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ANOTHER EQUITABLE JUSTICE COMMUNITIES THEY NEED TO BE AT THE TABLE.

THEIR LEADERS THEIR VALUES AND NEEDS NEED TO BE FRONT AND CENTER AND WE DID THAT HERE IN ILLINOIS AND IT HELPED MAKE THE BILL STRONGER AND THOSE ARE TWO PRINCIPLES THAT OUR WORLD NEEDS TO FOLLOW.

I THINK THAT GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HAS GOOD ADVICE TO ACCOMPANY HIS NEW ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE WORLD.

>> AND BIDEN WAS AT THE CONFERENCE THE SPECIFICS OF COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE BUILD BACK BETTER PLAN WERE STILL CONTESTED.

JACK WE HAVE 30 SECONDS HOW DOES THAT LOOK TO OTHER COUNTRIES HOW DOES THAT IMPACT HIM ON THE WORLD STAGE?

>> IN NOT ONLY PUTS US IN A POSITION WE ARE A BIG COAL STATE LARGE STATE FIRST IN THE MIDWEST.

IF WE CAN DO IT HERE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT ANYWHERE AND IT PUTS AN OPEN FOR BUSINESS SIGN ON ILLINOIS IN ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.

WIND AND SOLAR AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES HAVING SET THE TARGETS PUTS US IN A PLACE TO WIN THE HIGH QUALITY JOBS FOR ILLINOIS AS WELL.

>> OK. JEN WALLINGS AND JACK DARIN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS.

WE TALK WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS ABOUT PROJECTS UNDER WAY IN THE AREA.

>> THE FILM FOR "FOR THE LEFT HAND" AND HOW A CHICAGO PIANIST OVERCAME PARALYSIS TO MAKE HIS DEBUT AT 79 YEARS OLD.

>> MEET TWO CHEFS WHO WERE WORKING ON COOKING UP UNITY BETWEEN CULTURES THROUGH CONVERSATIONS AND FOOD.

>> PLUS, A VISIT TO A LINCOLN SQUARE BAKERY THAT OFFERS LIFE SKILLS AND JOB TRAINING TO ADULTS WITH DIFFERENT ABILITIES.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> A COOK COUNTY JUDGE VACATED FIVE MORE CONVICTIONS INVOLVING CORRUPT FORMER SERGEANT RONALD WATTS.

OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, COOK COUNTY JUDGES HAVE THROWN OUT 114 CONVICTIONS TIED TO WATTS AND HIS TEAM FOR PLANTING DRUG EVIDENCE AND FALSIFYING CHARGES.

COOK COUNTY'S STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX'S OFFICE REQUESTED THE MOVE SAYING QUOTE... >> TODAY IS A STEP TOWARDS RIGHTING THE WRONGS OF THE PAST AND GIVING THESE INDIVIDUALS THEIR NAMES BACK.

>> STANDARD & POORS GLOBE AT RATINGS UPGRADED THETY OF CHICAGO'S OUTLOOK TO STABLE FROM NEGATIVE THAT MEANS S&P DOES NOT EXPECT TO CHANGE THE RATING ANYTIME SOON.

THE NEW YORK BASED AGENCY SAYS THE UPGRADE IN THE OUTLOOK WAS BASED ON THE VIEW OF THE CITY'S RETURN TO GREATER STABILITY FOLLOWING THE PRESSURES CREATED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

THE INCORPORATING REMAINS AT TRIPLE B PLUS.

>> MATT NAGY IS BACK WITH THE TEAM AFTER TESTING NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19.

NAGY RETURNED THURSDAY AFTER BEING OUT FOR EIGHT DAYS AND HAVING TO CONCEDE COACHING DUTIES FOR LAST SUNDAY'S LOSS.

NAGY WILL BE BACK ON THE SIDELINES WHEN THE BEARS TRAVEL TO PITTSBURGH FOR MONDAY NIGHT'S GAME AND FORMER BEAR JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS WILL PREVIEW THAT GAME THIS WEEK ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES" SATURDAY NIGHT AT 6:30.

>> AND NOW BACK TO PARIS WHO SPENT THE DAY IN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS ON THE CITY'S FAR SOUTH SIDE AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

PARIS?

>> NOW I'M JOINED BY ALDERMAN HOWARD BROOKINS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU TOO.

>> GOOD TO BE ON YOUR HOME TURF YOU ARE THE ALDERMAN HERE HOW IS IT COMING OUT OF COVID, BUSINESS WISE YOU HAVE THE CORRIDOR ON 95TH STREET.

>> THE BUSINESSES ARE STARTING TO DO WELL.

AND EVERYTHING IS REALLY LOOKING GOOD WHETHER IT IS THE BIG BOX RETAIL AND WILL SMALLER STORES ARE STARTING TO FLOURISH NOW.

WE COULD ALWAYS USE A BOOST BUT COMING OUT OF COVID WE WERE HIT HARD AND THE FIRST PERSON TO DIE IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO LIVED HERE IN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS.

AND SO THAT REALLY TOOK A HIT US HARD AND WE REALLY GALVANIZED THE FORCES TO COME TOGETHER AND MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAD PPE AND VACCINES AND DID EVERYTHING WE COULD TO TRY AND KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

>> AND SPEAKING OF VACCINES WE MENTIONED THAT IT'S UNDER 50% FOR COMPLETE VACCINATION LOWER THAN THE REST OF THE CITY.

WHAT HAS TO BE DONE?

>> WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO GET PEOPLE LIKE Dr. EVERETT TELLING PEOPLE HOW WELL THE VACCINE WORKS AND EVEN IF YOU GET COVID, THE ODDS OF YOU DYING ARE NOT THERE.

AND THAT THIS VACCINE REALLY HELPS SAVE LIVES.

AND IT HAS TO BE SOMEBODY THAT THEY TRUST.

NOT A POLITICIAN, BUT A DOCTOR, A PRIEST, A PASTOR.

>> SOMEONE LOCAL.

WE'VE HEARD THAT EVERYWHERE.

IS THERE SKEPTICISM YOU THINK AMONG RESIDENTS?

>> THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN A LITTLE SKEPTICISM ESPECIALLY IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES AND IT GOES BACK TO THE EXPERIMENT.

AND SO WE HAVE TO OVERCOME THAT.

PEOPLE THINK AND YOU HEAR MIXED MESSAGES ON RADIO AND TV ABOUT IT'S NOT SAFE IT IS SAFE ET CETERA.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME CITY BUSINESS.

THE 16.7 BILLION BUDGET PASSED.

>> SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY.

IT IS CHRISTMAS.

>> IT IS CHRISTMAS WITH ALL THE FEDERAL MONEY BUT CAN THAT BE SUSTAINED IN FUTURE YEARS?

>> I DON'T THINK IT CAN BE SUSTAINED BUT HOPEFULLY WE CAN START GROWING OUR CITY AGAIN AND GETTING PEOPLE TO MOVE BACK.

GET THIS CRIME UNDER CONTROL.

AND THEN GET OUR REVENUES UP.

AND SO I THINK IT WILL HELP STABILIZE ALL OF THE COMMUNITIES.

MAKE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS BETTER.

AND AGAIN, THERE'S SOMETHING TO FIX AND HELP MOST OF THE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE CITY.

>> SPEAKING OF CRIME, WE'VE SEEN VIOLENT CRIME GO UP IN PARTS OF THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE HOW IS WASHINGTON HEIGHTS DOING IN TERMS OF VIOLENT CRIME?

>> WE'RE HOLDING OUR OWN BUT WE'RE TRYING TO GET EVERYBODY TO COME TOGETHER WE NEED BLOCK BY BLOCK, PERSON TO PERSON.

WE HAVE TO TELL PEOPLE ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND IT HAS TO BE THE RESIDENTS THAT STAND UP AND SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE.

COME TOGETHER AS A UNIT TO STOP THIS CRIME.

>> E-SCOOTERS HAS BEEN ONE OF YOUR PASSIONS YOU ARE CHAIR OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.

>> WE ARE GOING TO SEE E-SCOOTERS ALL OVER THE CITY.

IT'S GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

WE HAVE TO WALK THE WALK.

AND PARTICULARLY DO THINGS THAT MAKE OUR CITY GREENER AND THE E-SCOOTERS FROM A SHORT JAUNT FROM THIS LIBRARY TO 95TH.

ONE MILE TREK E-SCOOTERS IS A GREAT WAY TO GET THERE.

>> FROM THE REDLINE TO THE LIBRARY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THE REMAP WE TALKED ABOUT THAT ON THE SHOW, THE LATINO CAUCUS WANTS TO ADD LATINO WARDS.

BUT IT WOULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN WARDS HOW DO YOU THINK THAT IS GOING TO PLAY OUT?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO FLY.

IF THEY ADD WARDS THEY NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DRAW THEM WITHOUT KILLING THE COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO MAKE A WARD WHOLE FOR THEM.

SO IF THEY CAN DO IT, THEN HAVE AT IT.

BUT THE TWO MINORITY PROTECTED CLASSES SHOULD NOT BE AT EACH OTHER'S THROAT IN ORDER TO COME UP WITH THE MAP THAT IS FAIR TO ALL OF US.

>> BOTTOM LINE YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THE SAME AMOUNT OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN WARDS STAY IN THE NEW MAP?

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT A NEW WARD DOESN'T COME AT THE EXPENSE OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN WARD.

>> GOT IT.

ALDERMAN HOWARD BROOKINS THANK YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> BRANDIS WE WILL BE BACK WITH MORE IN A BIT.

>> THE WARD REMAP SOMETHING A COMPLEX SITUATION THANK YOU.

>> NORMAN MALONE NEVER ABANDONED HIS DREAM OF BECOMING A CONCERT PIANIST DESPITE A VIOLENT ATTACK BY HIS FATHER THAT LEFT HIS RIGHT SIDE PARALYZED AT AGE OF 10.

THE NEW FILM, "FOR THE LEFT HAND" PREMIERING TOMORROW ON WTTW CHRONICLES THE CHICAGOANS PATH FROM CHILD PRODIGY TO TEACHER TO HIS DEBUT AT AGE 79.

HERE IS A CLIP WHICH MALONE REFLECTS ON HIS FEELINGS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ATTACK THAT LEFT HIM PARALYZED.

>> I COULDN'T MOVE.

I WAS PANICKED.

PANIC.

YOUR ABILITY TO WALK WAS GONE.

YOUR ABILITY TO USE YOUR RIGHT HAND WAS GONE.

I HAD TO LEARN HOW TO WRITE.

I HAD TO LEARN HOW TO PICK UP THINGS.

BUT I WANTED TO PLAY THE PIANO.

[♪♪♪] IT BECAME THE FORCE OF SURVIVAL.

>> PLY PIANO HE DID "FOR THE LEFT HAND" IS AIRING ON WTTW FRIDAY AT 9:00 P.M. AND JOINING US IS THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, GORDON QUINN THE COFOUNDER OF THE FILM COMPANY.

EARLY ON IN THE FILM, ANOTHER MAN MALONE DESCRIBES THAT VIOLENT ATTACK THAT HE AND HIS BROTHERS SUFFERED AT THE HANDS OF HIS FATHER HOW DID THAT AFFECT HIS LIFE AND PASSION FOR PIANO?

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU HAD HIS FATHER SUFFERED FROM MENTAL ILLNESS.

AND NORMAN OF THE THREE OF THEM WAS THE ONE THE LEAST DAMAGED BUT THEY WERE ALL HIT ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THEY ALL BECAME PARALYZED ON THE RIGHT SIDE.

AND NORMAN HAD THAT DRIVE THROUGH REHAB, THROUGH GETTING BACK INTO THE WORLD, GETTING A MUSIC EDUCATION.

AND REALLY FINDING TEACHERS THAT WOULD TEACH HIM WITH ONLY THE LEFT HAND AND HE FOUND THE MUSIC THAT HAD BEEN WRITTEN SPECIFICALLY FOR THE LEFT HAND.

SO HE KEPT PRACTICING EVEN THOUGH HE WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL AS A CHOIR TEACHER FOR 35 YEARS IN THE CHICAGO SCHOOLS ONE OF THE PARTS OF THE STORY THAT ATTRACTED ME.

>> AND HE ALSO SEEMED TO KEEP THIS TRAUMATIC EVENT PRIVATE FOR A WHILE EVEN FROM HIS OWN SON.

AS YOU WERE MAKING THE FILM WAS IT DIFFICULT TO GET HIM TO OPEN UP ABOUT IT?

>> YOU KNOW, THE WE CAME INTO THE FILM AFTER HOWARD HAD DONE THIS MAJOR SERIES IN THE TRIBUNE.

HOWARD HAS SINCE RETIRED FROM THE TRIBUNE.

BUT THEY WERE THE ONES THAT DID THE EARLY INTERVIEWS WITH NORMAN.

BUT I THINK YOU KNOW WHEN YOU GET OLDER I'M A FEW YEARS YOUNGER THAN NORMAN, YOU SORT OF BECOME MORE WILLING TO SHARE CERTAIN KINDS OF TRAUMATIC THINGS IN YOUR LIFE.

>> FOR "FOR THE LEFT HAND" WE SHOULD CLARIFY IT REFERS TO LEFT HAND MUSIC THAT IS WRITTEN TO BE PERFORMED WITH JUST THE LEFT HAND AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND RIGHT HAND MUSIC IS LESS LIKELY BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE PIANO IS MADE.

BUT WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES ABOUT NORMAN HAVE TO PERFORMING?

>> WELL, I MEAN EVERYBODY KNOWS YOU PLAY THE PIANO WITH TWO HANDS.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN HE WAS YOUNG WHEN HE WAS JUST STRUGGLING TO GET BACK TO LEARNING THE PIANO AND FIND A TEACHER, PEOPLE THOUGHT HE WAS CRAZY.

AND TOOK HIM TO A PSYCHIATRIST HE TALKED ABOUT THAT IN THE FILM.

I THINK WHAT HE FOUND WAS THAT LITTLE BY LITTLE HE DISCOVERED ALL OF THIS MUSIC SOME BY FAMOUS COMPOSERS WRITTEN SPECIFICALLY FOR THE LEFT HAND AND ACTUALLY WHEN HE GOT INTO DePAUL AND WROTE HIS THESIS IT'S ABOUT LIECHTENSTEIN AND THE PIECE THAT NORMAN IS SO INTENSELY INVOLVED WITH WHICH IS THE RA VEL CONCERTO FOR THE LEFT HAND AND THAT IS THE PIECE WE SEE HIM WORKING ON THROUGH THE WORSE OF THE FILM.

AND EVENTUALLY, AT THE END OF THE FILM IT'S DESIGNED TO BE PLAYED WITH AN ORCHESTRA.

AND THEY SAY DON'T GIVEAWAY THE ENDING.

>> THEY HAVE TO WATCH THE MOVIE.

>> HE PLAYS WITH AN ORCHESTRA.

AND IT IS A BIG DEAL.

AND NORMAN IS A VERY DETERMINED AND VERY BRAVE GUY.

THAT HE YOU KNOW, HE IS INVITED TO PERFORM.

HE HAS PER TROPICAL STORMED AT A LOT OF THE SCREENINGS OF THE FILM WE HAVE BEEN DOING AT FESTIVALS.

HE PERFORMED AT THE CISCO CENTER AS PART OF CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AFTER THE SCREENING OF THE FILM.

>> THAT IS A BONUS TO GET THE SCREENING AND A PERFORMANCE BY THE MAIN CHARACTER.

HE WENT ON TO BECOME A PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHER AND SEVERAL FORMER STUDENTS REUNITED IN THE FILM.

HOW DO STUDENTS REMEMBER HIM AND HIS CLASS IS THIS.

>> YOU KNOW.

WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IS THE FILM THEY'VE COME TOGETHER TO DO A CONCERT IN HIS HONOR AND YOU SEE HIM GETTING INVOLVED IN THE REHEARSAL.

AT FIRST HE IS ON THE SIDELINE AND LITTLE BY LITTLE HE IS RIGHT THERE DIRECTING THEM.

AND THEY GIVE THIS CONCERT BUT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING IT AT THE SCREENINGS AT FILM FESTIVALS AND I'M SURE YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT IT WHEN IT HAPPENS ON PBS.

THAT HIS STUDENTS COME OUT OF THE WOODWORK.

AND HE CHANGED MANY OF THEIR LIVES YOU KNOW.

AND MEANT SO MUCH TO THEM.

BOTH IN TERMS OF BECAUSE OF HIS PASSION FOR MUSIC AND ALSO THE ROLE THAT HE PLAYED AS A MENTOR AND A ROLE MODEL FOR THEM.

>> SO WE HAVE A CLIP OF NORMAN SPEAKING TO A COMPOSER WHO WROTE A LEFT HAND PIECE FOR NORMAN.

HERE IS A BIT OF THAT.

>> I PLAYED THE CHURCH ORGAN I WOULD PLAY FOR MASS.

BUT THEN THE PASTOR WAS THE NEW PASTOR.

AND HE SAID OH, YOU'RE THE CRIPPLED ONE.

AND I THOUGHT WHOA.

I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO RESPOND TO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

NO ONE EVER SAID THAT.

AND NEVER TEST YOUR -- NEVER TOUCHED THE ORGAN AGAIN.

>> REGINALD'S PIECE IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE FIELD OF LEFT HAND REPERTOIRE WHICH IS SO NEEDED.

[APPLAUSE] >> SO I HAVE TO LIVE UP TO MY PART.

>> NOW, THE FILM FOLLOWS HIM FULFILLING HIS DREAM OF BECOMING A CONCERT PIANIST WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO WITNESS THAT TRANSFORMATION AND I KNOW YOU MENTIONED HE HAS BEEN PERFORMING AT SCREENINGS IS HE PLANNING TO CONTINUE TO PERFORM?

>> YES.

AND ACTUALLY HE WENT TO NEW HAVEN AND PERFORMED WITH A COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA AND THEY INVITED HIM BACK A FEW YEARS LATER AND YOU WILL ALSO SEE THAT IN THE FILM.

I MEAN IT'S YOU KNOW, LIKE MANY PERFORMERS HE IS INCREDIBLY NERVOUS BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE.

AND EXTREMELY HAPPY WHEN IT'S OVER.

BUT HE'S REALLY PLEASING AUDIENCES AND I THINK JUST DOING SOMETHING THAT HAS SO MUCH MEANING FOR HIM.

NORMAN'S PASSION IS MUSIC.

AND YOU SEE HIM HE IS EITHER PLAYING MUSIC, PRACTICING MUSIC OR HE IS GOING TO OTHER PEOPLE'S CONCERTS AND PERFORMANCES.

THAT IS WHAT HIS LIFE REVOLVES AROUND.

YOU KNOW YOU GUYS MENTIONED THE WOODSON LIBRARY EARLIER AND WE USED THAT LIBRARY FOR VERY IMPORTANT RESEARCH FOR OUR EARLIER FILM 63 BOYCOTT WHICH YOU SHOWED A FEW YEARS AGO.

>> YES.

YES.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT FULL CIRCLE I AM AWARE OF THAT FILM.

THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT IT IS AN AMAZING STORY.

GORDON QUINN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> SURE, THANKS.

>> AND AGAIN YOU CAN WATCH FOR THE "FOR THE LEFT HAND" ON WTTW TOMORROW FRIDAY AT 9:00 P.M. >> AND NOW WE CHECK BACK IN WITH PARIS IN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> WE'RE JOINED BY MELVIN THOMPSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ENDELEO INSTITUTE HERE IN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT HERE.

>> THANKS TORE HAVING ME.

>> TELL US THERE'S THREE MAIN AREAS THAT YOU FOCUS ON.

>> HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THEY TEND TO BLEED INTO EACH OTHER SO IT'S AN INTEGRATED APPROACH.

>> SPEAKING OF BLEEDING INTO EACH OTHER I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE A VISION FOR THE 95TH STREET CORRIDOR HERE AS THE ALDERMAN MENTIONED FROM THE DAN RYAN TO THE METRA TRACKS WHAT IS THAT VISION?

IT IS A VIBRANT REVITALIZED CORRIDOR WITH A FOOD THEM WE ARE IN A FOOD DESERT WE'RE DOING A SERIES OF FOOD INTERVENTIONS ALONG THE CORRIDOR.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOOD INTERVENTIONS?

>> THERE IS A NUTRITION INSECURITY IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND WE'VE GOT NOTHING BUT LIQUOR STORES AND FAST FOOD AND IT IS AFFECTING OUR HEALTH AND THAT IS WHY WE DO BOTH HEALTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND WE SEE THAT NUTRITION IS THE ANSWER TO BETTER HEALTH BECAUSE WE HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, DIABETES, AND ALL OF THESE THINGS.

AND SO THE REMEDY TO THAT IS GETTING ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE TO TRAVEL OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR THAT.

>> THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE WALMART IN CHATHAM OR BEVERLY EVERGREEN PARK.

WHAT ABOUT PERMANENT PLANS FOR A GROCERY STORE ALONG 95TH OR SOMEWHERE AROUND HERE GIVEN THE LACK OF ACCESS?

>> INTERESTING BECAUSE WE JUST WERE AWARDED A PLANNING GRANT FROM THE EQUITABLE TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT THAT THE CITY AND ELEVATE CHICAGO IS SPONSOR SOMETHING AND WE WERE AWARDED A PLANNING GRANT TO PLAN A MULTIYEAR CORNER GROCERY STORE RIGHT ON 95TH STREET WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE HEALTH PARTNERS THAT ARE EXCITED AS WELL.

BECAUSE THEY WANT TO ADDRESS THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND THEY YOU HAD THAT NUTRITION IS ONE OF THE KEY FACTORS IN THAT.

>> WHEN DO YOU THINK THAT WILL COME UP AND RUNNING?

>> A MULTIYEAR PROJECT PROBABLY IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS BUT WE HAVE THE FOUNDATION AND WE HAVE PARTNERS IN PLACE AND WE HAVE FOUNDATIONS AS WELL.

THAT ARE SUPPORTING THE EFFORT.

>> AND AS I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A PROJECT THAT IS A COMBINATION COFFEE SHOP AND LAUNDROMAT.

>> THAT WAS BASED ON A CLAMORING FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT SAID WE DON'T HAVE ANY SIT DOWN COFFEE SHOPS AND WE NEED A LAUNDROMAT.

AND SO I THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND FOUND A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES IN DETROIT AND WE'RE EMULATING ONE NOW AND COME IN JULY WE WILL HAVE CAFE DUBOIS WHICH WILL BE AT 325 WEST 9 KNIFETH STREET.

IT WILL BE A SIT DOWN COFFEE SHOP AND A SMALL LAUNDROMAT.

>> GET YOUR SHEETS CLEANED AND YOUR LATTE.

YOU MENTIONED TO US THIS IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THE HIGHEST RATE OF HOMEOWNERSHIP IN THE CITY.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT -- >> BEST KEPT SECRET.

STABLE, STABLE, LONG TIME HISTORIC, 67% HOMEOWNERSHIP AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THAT IN A PREDOMINANTLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY, ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IT HOVERS AROUND 44%.

SO.

>> THEY ARE GIVING US THE RAP.

THE BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE TO LOOK AND SAY THIS IS A COMMUNITY.

>> THERE IS A DISCONNECT WE NEED THE COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT.

>> MELVIN THOMPSON THANK YOU.

AND WE WILL BE BACK TO CLOSE-OUT THE SHOW IN A BIT AND NOW WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

LATTES AND LAUNDRY.

UP NEXT HOW TWO CHEFS ARE BRINGING COMMUNITIES TO THE TABLE BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> IN AN EFFORT TO BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES THE CONSUL GENERAL OF MEXICO IN CHICAGO IS PARTNERING WITH TWO CHEFS TO HOST A DINNER.

IT'S AIMED AT BRINGING THE COMMUNITIES TOGETHER TO WORK ON HEALING DIVISIONS BETWEEN THE CULTURES.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" JOANNA HERNANDEZ TELLS US MORE ABOUT THIS THREE-DAY EVENT AND YOU GOT TO SPEAK WITH THE CHEFS, RIGHT?

>> I DID AND THE CELEBRITY CHEFS ARE NOT ONLY KNOWN IN THE COMMUNITY BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

CHEF CARLO WAS BORN IN MEXICO AND THE FIRST MEXICAN CHEF TO WIN A MICHELIN STAR.

AND HE WAS BORN AND RAISED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO AND THE TWO ARE OPENING THE DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CULTURES AND FIGURED WHAT BETTER WAY TO DO IT THAN FOOD.

>> WE ALWAYS SEEN FRIENDS AND MODERNIZE AND WORKING REALLY HARD.

AND SOMEHOW WE CAME I GUESS YOU KNOW LEADERS WE BECAME ROLE MODELS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

AND FOR US IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO SHOWCASE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS WORKING TOGETHER.

>> AND BRANDIS THE TWO FRIENDS ARE NOT ONLY CHEFS BUT THEY ARE VOICES FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THEY TALKED ABOUT WHEN THEY STARTED TO LEARN TO COOK.

IT WAS WEIRD TO SEE BLACK AND BROWN CHEFS IN THE KITCHEN THOSE ARE THE EXPERIENCES THEY WANT TO SHARE WITH THE YOUNGER GENERATION AND HOW THEY HELPED EACH OTHER ALONG THE WAY.

HERE IS WHY CHEF MOORE WANTED TO BE PART OF THE EVENT.

>> TO HAVE THE RESPECT OF SOMEONE ELSE'S COMMUNITY AND BRIDGE THAT GAP WHY A DINNER LIKE THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO REALIZE AND CARLOS WHEN WE STARTED TALKING OUR STORIES ARE SIMILAR BUT VERY, VERY DIFFERENT.

I COME FROM A BLACK VILLAGE.

AND THE MISSION IS THE SAME AND THE ISSUES ARE STILL THE SAME.

>> AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE CONSUL GENERAL HOSTED THE EVENT LIKE THIS CALLED THE BLACK, BROWN DIALOGUE.

WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT FOR HER TO ORGANIZE THIS NOW?

>> IT STEMMED FROM WATCHING THE TENSIONS GROW BETWEEN THE COMMUNITIES LAST YEAR.

VIOLENCE BETWEEN THE TWO CULTURES AND GANGS WERE BECOMING MORE APPARENT.

WE ATTENDED A RALLY LAST YEAR IN PILSEN WHERE ACTIVISTS CAME TOGETHER TO TRY AND RESTORE PEACE BY ORGANIZING A UNITY MARCH AND THAT IS WHY RAINNA, THE CONSUL GENERAL IN MEXICO IS TRYING TO DO.

>> I THINK WE CARRY A LOT OF IN SPANISH... FOG THAT YOU KNOW, KIND OF PREVENTS US FROM SEEING CLEARLY THE OPPORTUNITIES AND THE POSSIBILITIES.

AND THERE IS A LOT OF RACISM IN MEXICO AS WELL.

WE HAVE TO SEE OURSELVES IN THE MIRROR WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS.

AND WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO OVERCOME THIS.

THERE ARE MANY MEMBERS OR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY HERE IN THE U.S. THAT ARE OF AFRICAN DESCENT AND WE HAVE TO ACT NON-THAT.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT IT IS NOT ONLY RELEVANT THAT WE NEED AND SIT TOGETHER AND WE TALK AND EAT WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE OURSELVES IN EACH OTHER.

>> AND THERE IS A LINEUP OF COMMUNITY LEADERS, ACTIVISTS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, ARTISTS TAKING PART IN THE DIALOGUE IT STARTED YESTERDAY AND IT CAN BE TREATMENTED ON-LINE.

SHARE FOR US ABOUT WHAT THE PANELS AND CONVERSATIONS HAVE BEEN LIKE?

>> THERE IS A BIG LINEUP WHAT IS INTERESTING AT MEXICAN CONSUL INVITED ORGANIZERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE WHICH TO BE PART OF THIS RAW CONVERSATION YOUNG LEADERS AMONG OTHER OLDER GENERATION WERE GIVEN A PLATFORM TO EXPRESS CHANGES THEY WANTED TO SEE THIS IS THE DIALOGUE WE REPORTED ON A NUMBER OF TIMES SINCE THE PROTESTS AND RIOTS SURROUNDING THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD.

CAR CARL AND MOORE WERE WANTS TO GIVE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED AND THEY ARE USING FOOD AND SHARING TALENTS WITH OTHERS THAT LOOK JUST LIKE THEM.

>> WE WAKE UP EVERYDAY WITH A SURVIVAL INSTINCT AND MAINTAIN THROUGH THE SURVIVAL TO HAVE GREAT TEAM MANSHIP AND NOT BEING JEALOUS WHAT WE FEEL IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER PERSON.

OUR TIME WILL ALWAYS COME ESPECIALLY WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER.

OUR SUCCESSES ARE HIGH AND DIFFERENT AND WE PRAISE EACH OTHER LOUDLY IN OUR SUCCESSES AND ANYTHING WE'RE LOOKING TO CRITIQUE.

ACCEPTING CRITICISM BRINGS OUT A GREAT LEADER.

>> AND THE MENU THEY HAVE FOR THE DINNER IT COMBINED BOTH CULTURES WITH SOUL FOOD.

IF YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION IT WILL BE STREAMING ON THEIR FACEBOOK TOMORROW.

>> THANK YOU.

WHO IS HUNGRY.

>> A BAKERY ON THE NORTH SIDE IS HELPING ADULTS WITH DIFFERENT ABILITIES BUILD LIFE AND WORK SKILLS.

THE SHOP REVAMPED THE SPACE AND EXPANDED HOURS TO INCLUDE THE WEEKEND.

WE BROUGHT YOU THE STORY AND HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> YOU LOOK LIKE A CHEF.

>> ALEXIS LONG HAS A PASSION FOR BAKING.

AND THANKS TO A CULINARY PROGRAM AT THE LINCOLN SQUARE NONPROFIT GATEWAY TO LEARNING, LONG IS WORKING TOWARD HER GOAL OF TURNING HER HOBBY INTO A CAREER.

>> TO BE FRENCH PASTRY CHEF AND MAYBE MOVE UP TO CAKES.

GATEWAY PROVIDES LIFE SKILLS AND TRAINING TO ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGES AND DIFFERENT ABILITIES.

ONE OF THE SWEETEST OFFERINGS IS A BAKERY ON LYNDON AVENUE.

DOROTHY'S SWEET SHOPPE.

>> THE COOKIES AND THE I WIPE THE TABLES, SWEEP THE FLOOR >> THE ORGANIZATION'S PARTICIPANTS HELP KEEP THE SHOP RUNNING FROM BAKING TO TAKING CUSTOMERS' ORDERS AND CASHING THEM OUT.

>> I THOUGHT WE WOULD CUTTING MORE AND WHAT THEY WANT TO BUY.

>> THE INTENT IS TO EVEN FOR THE TRAINEES THAT ARE IN DOROTHY'S SWEET SHOPPE TO HAVE THAT HANDS ON EXPERIENCE SO THEY CAN APPLY TO OTHER BAKERIES, OTHER FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA.

>> DIANE LIMAS SAYS THE IMPACT GATEWAY AND DOROTHY'S SWEET SHOPPE HAS HAD ON HER BROTHER BILLY KOCOL HAS BEEN PROFOUND.

>> HE GETS UP IN THE MORNING AND HAS BREAKFAST AND WALKS TO WORK EVERYDAY.

THAT IS HOW HE FEELS.

HE FEELS LIKE HE IS DOING THE SAME THING HIS DAD DID EVERY MORNING.

>> ALEXIS LONG'S DAD JIM, SAYS DOROTHY'S SWEET SHOPPE HAS HELPED HIS DAUGHTER BUILD CULINARY AND LIFE SKILLS.

>> ONE OF THE NEAT THINGS ABOUT WORKING IN THE CAFE IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS WORKING WITH MONEY, WHERE SOME THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN A LITTLE DIFFICULT FOR ALEXIS BUT SHE HAS DEVELOPED GREAT CONFIDENCE.

>> DOROTHY'S SWEET SHOPPE HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1986.

BUT THIS FALL, THE BAKERY REVAMPED THE STOREFRONT.

FLIPPING THE COLORS FROM ORANGE TO PASTELS.

AND REPLACING COUNTERTOPS AND CASES WITH THOSE DONATED BY LOCAL BAKERY VANILLE.

>> WE CLOSED STORES DUE TO THE PANDEMIC AND WE WERE SITTING ON A BUNCH OF CUSTOM EQUIPMENT AND I DIDN'T WANT IT TO GO ANYWHERE OR SIT IN STORAGE OR SELL IT JUST TO ANYBODY.

>> THEY BEGAN WORKING TOGETHER THREE YEARS AGO.

SOME OF VANILLE'S PASS INDUSTRYPASTRIES ARE SOLD THE TE BAKERY.

AND THE PARTNERSHIP DOES NOT END THERE.

ALEXIS LONG IS VANILLE'S NEWEST EMPLOYEES.

ALEXIS CAME IN AND ENTRY LEVEL THINGS THAT ANY PASTRY COOK WOULD DO AND SHES PAD WITH FLYING COLORS.

WE OFFERED HER A JOB.

>> SHE WAS ON CLOUD 9 AS A RESULT OF THAT SHE IS VERY DEDICATED TO THE JOB.

>> SHE SPLITS HER TIME AND IS ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE OF WORKING TOWARD HER GOAL.

>> I LOVE IT.

IT'S STARTING TO BE A FRENCH PASTRY CHEF THERE.

>> IN ADDITION TO BAKED GOODS DOROTHY'S SWEET SHOPPE SELLS HOMEMADE DOGGIES KITS THE SHOP IS ON LINCOLN AVENUE OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY AND YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE.

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

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

>> PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]