>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME T CHICAGO TONIGHT.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT, CHANGE ARE COMING FOR THE SAFETY ACT A THE CONTROVERSIAL LAW TAKES CENTER STAGE AT THE FINAL GOVERNOR DEBATE.

>> JUST THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE HIM HERE IS GOING TO HELP EVERY SINGLE BUSINESS.

>> CHICAGO IS LOOKING TO TRANSFORM OLD RESIDENTIAL SPACE INTO BUSINESS SPACES IN THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT.

WE HAVE A LIVE REPORT.

>>> NEW GUIDANCE ON SCREENING KIDS FOR ANXIETY.

THE NEW TASK FORCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.

>>> WITH TEMPS DROPPING, THE IMPACTS ON LOCAL WATERWAYS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP.

>>> ADVICE FOR PARENTS ON HOW T PROTECT KIDS FROM SEXUAL ABUSE AND HOW TO EMPOWER CHILDREN TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

>> WHAT I LOVE IS SEE IN THE PHOTOGRAPH MATERIALIZE AND GRABBING IT BEFORE IT VANISHES.

>>> WE HEAD OUT TO THE WEST SIDE.

>> Reporter: AS YOU MENTIONED, AM OUT HERE ON THIS SIDE OF TOWN.

CITY LEADERS ARE HOPING T REVITALIZE THE AREA AS A PLACE TO LIVE, IN ADDITION TO WORKING WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT AND OTHER WAYS TO REIMAGINE THE LOOP, COMING UP.

AT FIRST, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, NICK.

WE WILL CHECK IN WITH YOU SHORTLY.

BUT FIRST, SOME OF THE TOP STORIES.

>>> THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ANNOUNCES AN INITIATIVE TO DISCOURAGE WOULD-BE CARJACKERS.

CAR OWNERS CAN SIGN AN ONLINE WAIVER TO ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO TRACK CARS QUICKER IN THE EVENT OF A CARJACKING OR IF A CAR IS STOLEN.

>> IF YOUR CAR IS TAKEN, THE TRACKING CAN START GOING ON.

WE CAN RECOVER THEM QUICKLY AND WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO STOP THE CRIME.

>> ONCE PEOPLE GIVE OUT INFORMATION ONLINE, POLICE OFFICERS CAN PUT STICKERS IN VEHICLE WINDOWS TO ACT AS A DETERRENT.

>>> POLICE CONFIRM A FIFTH ABDUCTION AND ROBBERY VICTIM IN WRIGLEYVILLE.

ALL FIVE HAVE HAPPENED IN PARK AND RIDES NEAR WRIGLEY FIELD.

CHICAGO POLICE SAY THAT THE GUNMEN FORCED THE VICTIM INTO THE CAR AND DROVE AROUND, THEN KICKED THEM OUT OF THE CAR.

ASKING POLICE LEADERSHIP FOR MORE OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO THE AREA, ESPECIALL AS HALLOWEEN APPROACHES.

MEANWHILE, BUSINESSES IN THE LAKEVIEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AR INCREASING PRIVATE SECURITY EFFORTS.

>>> UNDER THE CTA'S POST-BUDGET IT AVOIDS SERVICE CUTS OR PRIC INCREASES, SUSPENSION ON HIRING AND INCREASED SECURITY.

THE CT ALSO RELEASED A FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN WHICH LOOKS TO INVEST IN MAJOR PROJECTS SUCH AS THE REDLINE EXTENSION AND MODERNIZING THE CTA BUS AND RAILROAD CARS.

RIDERSHIP IS STILL BELOW PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

>>> COMING UP ON THE PROGRAM, A ALTERNATIVE BILL FOR THE CONTROVERSIAL SAFETY ACT.

>>> BUT FIRST, REIMAGINING THE CHICAGO FINANCIAL DISTRICT AND MORE FROM OUR IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES, RIGHT AFTE THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> LaSALLE STREET, IN THE LOOP HAS BEEN HOME TO THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT.

BUT AS THESE BUSINESSES HAVE RELOCATED OFFICES IN OTHER PARTS OF TOWN, AND WITH A MASSIVE SHIFT IN WOR PATTERN DRIVEN BY COVID-19, THI EIGHT-BLOCK STRETCH AND HAS BECOME HOME TO MORE VACANCIES THAN ANY OTHER PART OF DOWNTOWN NOW THE CITY HAS AN AMBITIOUS PLAN TO SPUR DEVELOPMENT, MAKIN THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT A PLACE TO LIVE, NOT JUST A PLACE TO WORK.

AS PART OF CHICAGO TONIGHT'S IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TONIGHT SERIES , OUR PRODUCERS SPENT THE DAY IN THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT, AND NICK JOINS US NOW NECK?

>> Reporter: 1000 NEW PLACES TO LIVE.

THAT IS THE GOAL OF THE LaSALLE STREET REIMAGINED PLAN.

THE GOAL IS TO CONVERT A MASSIV AMOUNT OF UNUSED FINANCIAL SPAC INTO RESIDENTIAL UNITS.

THE IDEA ISN'T JUST ABOUT PLACES TO LIVE, BUT PLACES TO EAT, SHOP, BUY GROCERIES.

THE HOPE IS THAT IT WILL BREATHE NEW LIFE ONTO A STREET THAT NEEDS BIG CHANGES.

>> AS BANKS START MOVING INTO NEWER BUILDINGS, WE SAW LaSALLE STREET START TO EMPTY OUT.

WE HAVE MILLIONS OF SQUARE FEET THAT CAN EASILY BE CONVERTED INTO RESIDENTIAL, AND THERE IS STRONG APPETITE AND DEMAND TO LIVE DOWNTOWN, CLOSER TO WHERE YOU WORK.

WE WILL CHANGE THE ZONING CODES, THEN WORK WITH PROPERTY OWNERS AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES TO REVITALIZE THIS STREET WITH NEW SHOPPING, RESTAURANTS, ENTERTAINMENT, LIVING ABOVE THESE BEAUTIFUL, HISTORIC STRUCTURES.

>> Reporter: THOSE OLD BUILDING ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE STRUGGLE THE MOST WITH VACANCIES, ACCORDING TO THE OWNER AND MANAGER OF THE BUILDING ADMINISTRATION.

WITH ABOUT 42% OF TENANTS IN THE OFFICE ON A BUSY DAY, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTO SAID THAT IT IS THE WAY TO GO.

>> WHAT YOU ARE SEEING A LOT OF OFFICE BUILDINGS ARE, YOU LOOK AT THE FULTON MARKET, THEY HAVE THIS DIFFERENT MIX.

THE CORE IDEA IN SOME OF THESE AREAS WHERE YOU HAVE VERY LOW OCCUPANCY, IS THAT YOU ARE SUPPLEMENTING THAT WITH A LITTL BIT MORE POTENTIAL.

THIS SUPPORTS MORE RETAIL, AMONG OTHER USES.

THE VALUE PROPOSITION OFF OF THAT IS RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

>> Reporter: THE PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES OF THOSE HISTORIC BUILDINGS CAN MAKE CONVERSION A CHALLENGE.

THAT IS WHY BACKERS OF LaSALLE STREET REIMAGINED SA THAT BYRON SENT IT HAS TO BE A PRIORITY.

ANOTHER PRIORITY IS MAKING SURE THAT THE RESIDENTIA UNITS ARE OPEN TO PEOPLE WITH A RANGE OF INCOMES.

THE CITY PLAN CALLS FOR 30% OF UNITS TO BE AFFORDABLE.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCATES SAY THAT HAVING A MIX OF RATES CAN BE AN EFFECTIVE WA TO CREATE HOUSING OPTIONS IN A PLACE LIKE THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT.

>> SOMETIMES IT IS FINDING AN OPPORTUNITY THAT IS IN A DEVELOPMENT OR A BUILDING THAT MIGHT HAVE, YOU KNOW, A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MARKET RATE HOUSING, BUT THERE IS ROOM WITHIN THAT DEVELOPMENT FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE UNITS, EVEN IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE BUILT UP.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WORK.

PEOPLE WHO HAV LOW TO MODERATE INCOMES, WHO MA WORK IN THAT AREA, AND WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE NEAR WHERE THEY WORK.

>> Reporter: LIVING NEAR WORK COULD BE A BOON TO MANY OF THES EMPLOYEES OF AREA BUSINESSES THAT HAVE FACED A POST-COVID STAFFING CRUNCH.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THESE RESTAURANTS WORK IN JOBS IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRY , AND THEY ARE COMING FROM AN HOUR AWAY.

JUST THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING HERE I THINK IS GOING TO HELP EVERY SINGLE BUSINESS NOT JUST IN THE LaSALLE CORE DOOR, BUT AROUND THE CITY.

>> Reporter: AT 90th AND MERIDIAN, LIKE MANY RESTAURANTS IN THE AREA, THEY HAVE HAD TO CUT BACK HOURS OF OPERATION BASED ON DEMAND.

HAVING MORE PEOPLE LIVING ALONG LaSALLE COULD MAKE THIS MORE STABLE.

>> YOU HAVE YOUR FOOT TRAFFIC I THE AREA AS WELL AS YOUR BUSINESS CLIENTELE.

THE OFFICER ARE 30% OCCUPANCY, AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE AT 30% OF WHAT YOU THOUGHT YOUR SALES MIGHT BE THIS IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE THE NEW NORMAL FOR US AS WE COM OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: LaSALLE STREET IS NOT THE ONLY PART OF DOWNTOWN THAT IS FACING CHALLENGES.

COMING UP, WE WILL HEAR HOW STATE STREET AND MICHIGAN AVENU HAVE BEEN FARING, AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOTH IN THE LOOP AND AROUND CHICAGO.

BUT FO NOW, BACK TO YOU.

>> SOUNDS LIKE SNOW NO SMALL PLAN, NICK.

THANK YOU.

>>> NOW TO THE CONTROVERSIAL LA TAKING PLACE AT THIS YEAR'S ELECTION.

>> Reporter: CHANGES ARE COMING TO THE CONTROVERSIAL ACT.

THAT IS THE LAW THAT GETS RID OF BAI IN THE NEW YEAR.

IT TOOK CENTER STAGE AT THE LAST DEBATE.

>> THE SAFETY ACT WILL LET PRISONERS OUT OF JAIL.

IT IS A REVOLVING GENERAL DOOR ON ALL JAILS ACROSS ILLINOIS.

LET'S AMEND IT, BUT NOT END IT.

IT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO BUY THEIR WAY OUT OF PRISON.

>> Reporter: THE CHANGES THAT ARE COMING, AND WILL RESOLVE TH CONCERN OF STATES ATTORNEYS WHO WORRY ABOUT THE LAW'S IMPACT ON CRIME?

HERE WITH MOORE IS JAMIE MAUSER AND MITCHELL, COOK COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER.

WELCOME BACK TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

WE AR TWO MONTHS AWAY FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS LAW.

WHA ARE YOUR CONCERNS AT THIS POINT >> THE BIGGEST CONCERN WE HAVE IS THAT THERE ARE ENOUGH OFFENDERS OUT THERE THAT ARE DANGEROUS ENOUGH BASED ON WHAT THE PERSON HAS BEEN DONE, THAT THEY CAN BE HELPED.

RIGHT NOW THERE IS A LIMIT ON WHO WE CAN ASK TO BE DETAINED.

THROUGH OU DISCUSSIONS, WE ARE EXPANDING THIS TO MAKE SURE THAT STATES ATTORNEYS AND JUDGES HAVE THE ABILITY TO HOLD PEOPLE WHO ARE THREAT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT I ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONCERNS WE HAVE SEEN.

>> THE BIGGEST CONCERN YOU HAV HEARD FROM REPUBLICANS IS THAT THERE WILL BE A LITANY OF CRIMES.

AS THE STATE'S ATTORNEY MENTIONED, PROSECUTORS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEEK DETENTION.

HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS?

>> WITH THE SAFETY ACT , THERE HAVE BEEN BILLS ABOUT THE SAFET ACT ALREADY.

QUITE FRANKLY, ADVOCATES HAVE PARTICIPATED.

THAT IS THE ONLY REASON WHY WE HAD THE BILL THAT WAS WRITTEN.

ABOUT A YEAR BACK, WE ANTICIPAT THAT THERE WILL BE CHANGES.

WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE DON'T EXACERBATE RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, WE DON'T DISCLOSE JAIL POPULATIONS.

THE STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE IS LED BY THE ILLINOIS CONGRESS, AND I'M GLAD WE HAVE LEADERSHIP.

AS A LEGISLATOR, I UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR US TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND QUICK.

>> I UNDERSTAND YOU TWO ARE IN AGREEMENT ON PRINCIPLE ON THE BROADER PARTS OF THIS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSAL IN THE SENATE THAT HAS GOTTEN THE MOST TRACTION.

HIS PROPOSAL WOULD SEEK TO CLARIFY THE OFFENSES.

GIVE JUDGES MORE DISCRETION TO DETAIN SOMEONE A FLIGHT RISK AN KEEP THEM IN JAIL.

WOULD MAKE SURE THE LANGUAGE IS CLEAR THAT THOSE WHO ARE DETAINED WOULD NO AUTOMATICALLY BE RELEASED ALONG THE NEW YEAR.

STATE'S ATTORNEY MAUSER, TO THESE ASSUAGE YOUR CONCERNS?

>> VERY MUCH SO.

WE LOOKED AT THE NEW JERSEY LAW THAT HAS ELIMINATED CASH BAIL.

IT GIVES US THE ABILITY TO ARGUE THAT CERTAIN CASES, BASED ON THE OFFENSE PATTERN, NOT NECESSARIL THE CHARGE, BUT THEY SHOULD BE DETAINED.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, IT DOES ADD LANGUAGE FOR WHAT W ARE SUPPOSED TO DO FOR CASES THAT ARE HAPPENING NOW THROUGH JANUARY 1st.

BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW.

IS IT A PROSPECTIVE LAW, OR IS IT RETROACTIVE?

BECAUSE W HAVE BEEN IN THESE DISCUSSIONS, WE KNOW THAT THROUGHOUT THE 102 COUNTIES, EVERYBODY IS GOING TO BE DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY.

THAT IS NOT JUSTICE.

WE SHOULD HAVE A CLEAR DIRECTION AS TO HO THESE CASES ARE HANDLED, SO THA THE WAY THEY ARE TREATED IN COO COUNTY IS THE SAME WAY THEY ARE TREATED HERE.

>> MITCHELL, THE CHANGES IN THE BEEN A PROPOSAL, ARE THESE THE RIGHT CHANGES?

>> IT WOULD EXACERBATE RACIAL DISPARITIES.

WITH THAT SAID, WE ARE GLAD FOR A CONVERSATION WITH THE STATE'S ATTORNEY HERE ABOUT HOW WE CAN MAKE THIS LAW CORRECT.

I WILL SAY THIS, THOUGH.

CURRENTLY THE STATUS QU IS FAR FROM PERFECT.

IT IS ACTUALLY A DISASTER.

WILL THER BE TWEAKS AND CHANGES?

YES, THERE ARE TWEAKS AND CHANGES TO EVERYTHING, AND EVERY LOT.

BUT WE ARE EXCITED TO BE INVOLVED I THE CONVERSATION.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T GO TO A PLACE WHERE WE ARE EXPLODING TH JAIL POPULATION, ESPECIALLY BLACK AND BROWN.

>> WHAT YOU THINK WOULD EXPLODE THE JAIL POPULATION?

>> I THINK THAT THERE IS KIND O A MISCONCEPTION THAT JUDGES UNDER THE CURRENT LAW DON'T -- THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE ABILIT TO DETAIN PEOPLE.

THE REALITY O THE SITUATION IS THAT THERE IS AN EXPANDED PEOPLE UNDER CASH BOND TO DETAIN PEOPLE.

WHEN YOU GIVE JUDGES THE ABILITY TO DETAIN ANYBODY, EVERYBODY, WHEN YOU GET INTO A SITUATION WHERE THE JAIL POPULATION EXPLODES, WHAT THIS DOES IS IT CREATES CLEAR STANDARDS FOR WHEN THEY CAN DETAIN PEOPLE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE THESE DEFENDERS TO LIGHT.

WE JUST WANT KIND OF -- >> WHAT ABOUT THAT STATE'S ATTORNEY MAUSER?

WHAT ABOUT TH CONCERN THAT I COULD SWING THE PENDULUM TOO MUCH THE OTHER DIRECTION?

>> THIS IS WHERE WE DISAGREE.

I THINK THAT SENATOR BENNETT HAS PUT OUT CLEAR RESTRICTIONS.

THE STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE HAS TO HAVE CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT A PERSON HAS COMMITTED -- PROBABLE CAUSE THA THEY HAVE COMMITTED A CRIME, BU ALSO CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT WE SHOULD DETAIN THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE A DANGER OR BECAUSE THEY AR A FLIGHT RISK.

WHAT IS CONSISTENT BETWEEN SENATOR BENNETT AND PRETRIAL FAIRNESS I THAT THERE ARE CHECKS AND BALANCES IN ALL OF THAT, INCLUDING THE ABILITY FOR THE PERSON TO APPEAL.

SO I THINK THAT THIS IS NOT GOING TO EXPLODE THE POPULATION.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, STATES ATTORNEYS EVERYWHERE HAVE THE VALIDITY TO ASK FOR PEOPLE TO BE DETAINED BECAUSE THEY ARE A DANGER OR A FLIGHT RISK.

THE LAW THAT SENATOR BENNETT HAS PROPOSED GIVES US THE SAME AUTHORITY AND EVEN SETS THAT STANDARD HIGHER THAN WHAT WE HAVE NOW.

THERE IS A MUCH GREATER CHANCE OF HOW WE HAVE TO PROVE THE PROCEDURES BEFORE IT.

SO I THINK THE PEOPL WHO ARE GOING TO REMAIN IN JAIL ARE THE DANGEROUS PEOPLE.

BUT A HE SAID, WE WANT TO ELIMINATE CASH BAIL, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT A DANGEROUS PERSON TO BE ABLE T WALK OUT OF JAIL BECAUSE THEY CAN PAY THEIR WAY OUT OF THERE.

THAT IS NOT AT YOUR SYSTEM.

I THINK THAT SENATOR BENNETT DOES WHAT WE WANTED TO.

>> THAT IS A SYSTEM THAT REMAIN CURRENTLY.

THE COOK COUNTY STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE HAS BEE STRUGGLING WITH ATTRITION AND STAFFING LEVELS, A LOT OF THAT HAVE LEFT THE OFFICE.

IS THIS READY FOR THE EXTRA LOAD OF ALL THE THINGS IT IS GOING TO NEED TO DO COME JANUARY 1st?

>> LET'S BE CLEAR.

WHEN PEOPLE ARE A RISK, THEY HAVE TO GO BEFORE A JUDGE AS WELL.

WE HAVE TO BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO THEM.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT THAT IS A KEY POINT.

WHEN WE WORRY ABOUT, WHE YOU OPEN DETENTION DECISIONS, EVERY SINGLE PERSON, WE HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER PEOPLE SHOULD BE IN JAIL.

THAT IS WHEN YOU RUN INTO THOSE ISSUES ARE AND WHAT WE WANT IS THERE TO BE CLEAR STANDARDS ABOUT WHO CAN BE DETAINED AND WHO CAN'T BE DETAINED.

ALTHOUGH I AM VERY APPRECIATIVE, I THINK THAT WHAT WE ARE CONCERNED WITH IS THAT IT OPENS UP -- IF THE BAIL IS PASSED IN CURRENT FORM, IT WILL EXPLODE JAIL POPULATION WE ARE HERE TO MAKE CHANGES, BU IN CURRENT FORM, IT WILL CREATE A BAD, BAD -- >> AS I UNDERSTAND, FROM LAWMAKERS THAT WE TALKED TO, THERE ARE NEGOTIATIONS HAPPENIN ON THIS EVERY DAY.

STATE'S ATTORNEY MAUSER, WHAT ABOUT SOM OF THE OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE SAFETY ACT THAT ARE GOING TO GO INTO PLACE?

>> ONE OF THE OTHER ONES WE WER VERY CONCERNED WITH IS THE JUDGE'S ABILITY TO ISSUE A WARRANT FOR THE ARREST OF A PERSON THAT THEY WANT TO APPEAR IN COURT.

WITH PRETRIAL FAIRNESS, WE WOULD HAVE TO ISSU A WILL TO SHOW CAUSE IN SUMMONS THE PROBLEM IS THAT THAT HAS TH POTENTIAL TO SHUT DOWN A CASE.

I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT IN OUR DISCUSSION, THERE HAS BEEN A MOVEMENT TOWARDS ALLOWING JUDGE TO ISSUE THESE WARRANTS, BUT FO PREFERENCE FOR SOMEBODY TO ISSU -- WE KNOW, WE HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE IN OUR CAREERS, THERE AR SOMETIMES PEOPLE WHO DO NOT COM TO COURT BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL REASONS.

WE DON'T WANT TO PUT THEM IN JAIL IF THEY GET WORSE.

HOWEVER, WE DO WANT TO HAVE A SYSTEM THAT WILL HOLD SOMEBODY ACCOUNTABLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO PURPOSELY EVADE COURT AND EVADE THE PROSECUTION >> AGAIN, SO IT SEEMS LIKE -- G AHEAD, REALLY QUICKLY.

>> WE GAVE JUDGES THE OPTION, AND THERE WERE INTERPRETATIONS THAT THOUGHT THAT WARRANTS WOUL BE ABOLISHED.

THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

I AM GLAD THAT WE ARE ABL TO COME TO A CLARIFICATION OF THAT.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF AGREEMENT AND A LOT OF DISCUSSION THAT IS STILL ONGOING.

WE APPRECIATE YOU DISCUSSING THIS WITH US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO STATE'S ATTORNEY JAMIE MAUSER AND MITCHELL, COOK COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NOW WE GO BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> IN ANOTHER MOVE SIGNALING THE NATION'S MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, A PANEL OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS ARE RECOMMENDING THAT ALL KIDS GET TESTED FOR ANXIETY AS YOUNG AS EIGHT YEARS OLD.

THE U.S. PREVENTIVE SERVICES TASK FORCE MAKES THIS RECOMMENDATION ON TH HEELS OF THE SAME ONE FOR ALL ADULTS UNDER 65 JUST WEEKS AGO.

THE CDC SAID THAT ANXIETY IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMONLY-DIAGNO ED MENTAL DISORDERS IN CHILDREN IT ESTIMATES NEARLY 5.8 MILLION CHILDREN AGES 3-17 IN THE U.S.

WERE DIAGNOSED WITH ANXIETY FRO 2015 TO 2019.

THAT IS ALMOST 10 OF U.S. CHILDREN.

JOINING US AR A THERAPIST WITH THE FAMILY INSTITUTE AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AT THE CENTER FOR CHILDHOOD AT HOSPITAL.

LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE.

THIS RECOMMENDATION COMES ON THE HEELS OF THE SAME TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATION FOR ALL ADULTS UNDER 65 JUST WEEKS AGO.

HOW SIGNIFICANT IS THIS NEW RECOMMENDATION?

>> I THINK IT IS A REALLY POSITIVE MOVE ON THE PART OF MENTAL HEALTH AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.

WE KNOW THAT EARLY INTERVENTION AND EARLY TREATMENT IS THE BEST CHANCE THAT A CHILD HAS TO CONTINUE TO SUCCEED AND GET BY IN LIFE AND IN SCHOOL.

SO I APPLAUD THIS MOVE.

WITH THE ONGOING MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, WE KNOW THAT A STUDY LOOKING AT ACROSS THE GLOBE SHOWS THAT THERE IS ABOUT A 50% INCREASE IN THE GLOBAL REACH OF CHILDHOOD ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION WITH ABOUT 20% OF YOUNG PEOPLE ESTIMATED TO EXPERIENCE ANXIETY.

SO IT IS A REALLY IMPORTANT THING FOR US T ADDRESS IN SOCIETY.

>> WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT MENTA HEALTH IN OUR COUNTRY?

>> I THINK WE KNOW THAT THERE WAS A CRISIS PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

WE -- IN 2016, ABOUT MILLION CHILDREN HAD UNDIAGNOSED MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS WE KNOW THAT NATIONALLY, ABOUT 50% OF YOUTH HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER AND GET TREATMENT, AND THAT WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

WHEN RATES ARE RISING AS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC, WE KNOW THAT OUR CURRENT MENTAL HEALTH CAPACITY IS NOT MEETING THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

SO W NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF RAISING MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE WERE CHILDREN LIVE, LEARN AND PLAY.

>> WE HAVE HEARD THEM SAY THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, BUT THEN THERE WAS TH PANDEMIC.

HOW DID THAT IMPACT ANXIETY IN CHILDREN?

>> SURE.

I THINK WE SAW CHILDRE IN MORE SOCIAL ISOLATION AT THA TIME.

SOME OF THE DARKER PLACES THEY MIGHT GO TO FOR SUPPORT OR HELP WERE NOW AVAILABLE TO THEM THEIR SCHEDULES AND LIVES GOT TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.

MANY ADULTS CAN RELATE TO THAT.

BUT CHILDRE THRIVE ON STRUCTURE, AND STRUCTURE WAS REMOVED.

IN IT, W SAW THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY, A LOT OF UNPREDICTABILITY, A LOT OF JUST NOT KNOWING.

I THINK THAT IS KIND OF WHERE THE PANDEMIC HAS LEFT A LOT OF THE CHILDREN.

>> HOW MIGHT ANXIETY PRESENT I CHILDREN?

>> IT IS GOING TO LOOK DIFFEREN IN DIFFERENT KIDS AND DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES.

IT ALSO DEPENDS ON THE PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE KID.

BUT IN YOUNG KIDS YOU MIGHT SEE MORE STOMACHACHES ARE JUST MORE KIND OF GENERALIZED PHYSICAL, I DON'T FEEL SO GOOD.

OLDER KIDS, YOU MIGHT SEE AVOIDANCE.

YOU MIGHT SEE VULNERABILITY.

IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE THEY ARE BEING LAZY AND JUST SPENDING ALL THIS TIME ON THEIR PHONES OR THE INTERNET, BUT THAT MAY BE, YOU KNOW, KIND OF DRIVEN BY ANXIETY OR WORRIES.

>> KELLY, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMON FACTORS THAT INCREASE ANXIETY IN CHILDREN?

>> FIRST, WE NEED TO REALLY THINK ABOUT FAMILY HISTORY.

WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A STRONG GENETIC COMPONENT TO ANXIETY AN DEPRESSION AS WELL.

I THINK WHA WE REALLY WANT TO THINK ABOUT I WHAT THEIR FAMILY RISK FACTORS ARE.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE KNOW THAT ANY CHILDHOOD ADVERSITY OR EXPOSURE TO TRAUMA TO THINGS LIKE POVERTY, EXPOSUR TO VIOLENCE, LACK OF DISRUPTION IN CAREGIVING, THOSE KIND OF THINGS CAN HAVE A REALLY STRONG IMPACT ON YOUNG PEOPLE.

THEN WE ALSO WANT TO THINK VERY CAREFULLY ABOUT THE ROLE OF -- YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT SUPPORTED, THAT MIGHT BE, YOU COULD EXPERIENCE DISCRIMINATION YOU TWO ARE MY NORA TIES.

THEY MIGHT BE EXPERIENCING THINGS LIKE THAT.

THE LGBTQ PLUS POPULATION IN PARTICULAR, WE WANT TO BE REALLY PROACTIVE ABOUT GETTING THEM SUPPORT.

>> WHAT MIGHT BE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES IN SCREENING CHILDREN?

IF A KID HAS THE ANNUAL CHECKUP, THERE IS NOT A WHOLE LOT OF TIME FOR DOCTORS T HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO MANAGE THIS.

>> I THINK THAT THIS IS A POSITIVE STEP OVER A NUMBER OF THINGS WITH VISION, HEARING, SCOLIOSIS.

SO I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN DO.

THER MUST BE A WAY TO MAKE THIS AN ANNUAL PROCESS OR REGULAR PROCESS.

I THINK, ALSO, YOU KNOW, HAVING A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN, OR HAVING SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS THE CHILD WELL KIND O DOING THIS ON A -- BASIS CAN HELP PARENTS AND FAMILIES DECID THE BEST PATH TO TAKE.

>> WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR KEEPING AN EYE ON HOW SOON THAT SCREENING MIGHT NEED TO HAPPEN?

>> TALK TO YOUR KIDS.

RECOGNIZE THAT NOT ALL COMMUNICATION IS VERBAL.

SO YOU KNOW, YOUR KID I COMMUNICATING WHETHER THEY ARE SPEAKING OR NOT.

LOOK AT THEIR BEHAVIOR.

ANY SUDDEN CHANGES OR , YOU KNOW, THEY USED TO LOVE AND ACTIVITY, NOW THEY ARE NOT INVOLVED IN IT, THEY USED TO TALK TO THESE FRIENDS, NOW THEY DON'T, THESE ARE THINGS TO CHEC IN WITH.

>> KELLY, WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF NOT ADDRESSING ANXIETY AND PROVIDING THAT EARL INTERVENTION?

>> YEAH, I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONS FOR FAMILIES IS THAT KIDS ARE JUST GOING TO GROW OUT OF IT ON THEI OWN.

THAT IS TRUE FOR, YOU KNOW THE TYPICAL RUN-OF-THE-MILL ANXIETY THAT KIDS HAVE, YOU KNOW, WORRYING ABOUT THE MONSTE UNDER THE BED.

BUT FOR SOME YOUNG PEOPLE, ANXIETY THAT IS UNTREATED IS NOT SOMETHING THEY ARE GOING TO OUTGROW.

IF IT IS STARTING TO AFFECT THEIR ABILIT TO DO THEIR TYPICAL ACTIVITIES, GO TO SCHOOL, GO TO FRIENDS HOUSES, AND DIRECT SOCIALLY , O IS CAUSING HIM A LOT OF DISTRES WHERE THEY ARE HAVING A LOT OF HEADACHES OR STOMACHACHES, THEY ARE JUST FEELING UPSET ALL THE TIME, IT REALLY CAN GROW AND ALSO LEAD TO SECONDARY DEPRESSION.

SO WHEN KIDS ARE ANXIOUS AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE T DO THE THINGS THAT THEY FEEL THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO, THEY CAN BECOME ISOLATED AND DEPRESSED.

IT IS GOOD TO CATCH THIS EARLY.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE EFFECTIVE FOR KIDS.

EVEN REALLY YOUNG KIDS CAN BENEFIT FROM THAT.

OF COURSE, THERE IS ALSO MEDICATION FOR CASES THAT ARE MORE SEVERE.

>> KELLY, WE HAVE A FEW MORE SECONDS LEFT.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WITH ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH CARE?

>> YEAH, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE PARTICULARLY CUTE INTO.

WE KNOW THAT MOST KIDS WHO NEED TREATMENT ARE NEVER GOING TO MAKE IT TO MY LOVELY PROCESS KNOWN AS STREETER BILL DOWNTOWN WE NEED TO DO A MUCH BETTER JOB OF RAISING MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY.

THAT MEANS TEACHERS, COACHES, WHOMEVER, IF THEY ARE ADULTS THAT WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.

KIDS ARE THERE ALL DAY LONG.

THE MORE THAT WE CAN BUIL UP SUPPORT IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE CHILDREN ARE LIVING, THE BETTER OFF WE ARE GOING TO BE.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT, BUT THANKS TO DAWN AND KELLY FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> UP NEXT, EXAMINING CHICAGO' MOST COMMUNAL MOMENTS IN A NEW EXHIBIT.

STAY WITH US.

>>> DO YOU THINK THERE HAS BEEN A RETHINKING OF HOW THESE EVENT HAVE HAPPENED IN CHICAGO?

>> WE WILL SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO ELEVATE EACH OTHER.

THAT IS ALL WE HAVE GOT AT THIS POINT.

>> I WANT TO CREATE A MOVEMENT TO SEE THE WORLD THAT WE ALL WANT TO SEE.

>>> THERE IS MUCH MORE ON THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING FROM CHICAGO'S FINANCIAL DISTRICT.

BUT FIRST, THE HELLENIC MUSEUM IS SHOWING SOME THROWBACK MOMENTS FROM THE CITY DATING BACK TO THE 1980s.

WE SHARE HOW SHE CAPTURED CHICAGO.

>> Reporter: WHAT DO THE GREEK INDEPENDENCE PARADE AND THE MEXICAN PARADE HAVE IN COMMON O COURSE?

WELL, THEY WERE ALL PHOTOGRAPHED BY THE GREEK PHOTOGRAPHER DIANE ALEXANDER WHITE.

>> THAT IS THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF DIFFERENCE, RIGHT?

SO THOSE KINDS OF THINGS ARE WHAT I LIKE TO LOOK FOR.

>> Reporter: IT IS THE SUMMER O 1981, AND WHITE IS A COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHY STUDENT ON A MISSIO TO CAPTURE CHICAGO.

NO MATTER THE PARADE OR FESTIVAL, THE GOA WAS TO CAPTURE THE IMPORTANCE O COMMUNITY, A VALUE SHE WAS RAISED WITH.

>> GROWING UP GREEK WAS PART OF A COMMUNITY.

A REALLY INCLUSIVE FUN -- WE HAD OUR OWN FESTIVALS CHURCH PICNICS.

THE GREEK PARADES WERE A BIG PART OF THAT AT THAT TIME IN THE 80s, THOSE PARADES TOOK PLACE ON THESE STREETS DOWNTOWN.

SO MICHIGAN AVENUE.

STATE STREET.

DEARBORN.

WE HAVE THAT INCREDIBLE AREA AS A BACKDROP.

>> Reporter: THE EXHIBIT ALSO INCLUDES COMMUNITY GATHERINGS FROM 1974.

THE CHINESE PARADE, THE JEWISH FESTIVAL, AND MANY MORE.

>> WHAT I LOVE THE MOST, AND YO WILL SEE IT IN MANY OF THESE PHOTOS, ARE THE GROUPS OF PEOPLE.

IT IS LIKE THEY ARE THERE FOR A PARTICULAR REASON.

MY INSTRUCTOR SAID, DON'T JUST FOCUS ON THE EVENT ITSELF, BUT AROUND THE EVENT.

IN 1981 WHEN JANE BYRNE WAS MAYOR, THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT THING.

CHICAGO FEST WAS A BIG DEAL.

I PHOTOGRAPHED -- >> Reporter: WHITE HAS SINCE MOVED FROM THE CITY STREETS OF CHICAGO DOCUMENTING ARTIFACTS, BUT SHE SAYS THAT HER LOVE FOR CAPTURING MOMENTS IN TIME WILL ALWAYS BE REAL, CELEBRATING SIMILARITIES RATHER THAN DIFFERENCES .

>> WE LOVE TOGETHER, AND THAT I WHAT THIS IS ABOUT, IS GATHERED TOGETHER.

YOU ARE GATHERING WHETHER YOU ARE WITH FRIENDS OR YOU ARE GOING OUT TOGETHER AS A GROUP, BUT REALLY KIND OF SHARING YOUR ETHNICITY, AND WHO YOU ARE, WHERE YOU CAME FROM.

WHERE YOUR FAMILY CAME FROM.

>> YOU CAN SEE GATHERED TOGETHE AT THE NATIONAL HELLENIC MUSEUM IN GREEKTOWN AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

AND NOW WE GO BACK TO YOU >>> STILL TO COME ON CHICAGO TONIGHT , WINTER IS AROUND THE CORNER, AND THAT MEANS THAT ROAD SALT IS SOON HITTING THE STREETS.

THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS O LOCAL WATERWAYS AND WATER LIFE, AND HOW YOU CAN HELP.

>>> HOW ABOUT HOW A BOUND TOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT IS FARING?

WE ARE ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE CHICAGO LOOP ALLIANCE.

>>> AND INFORMATION FOR PARENTS ON HOW TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL ABUSE AND HOW TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND TEACH THEM TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

>>> BUT FIRST , MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE STARTING NEXT MONTH WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

THE FUNDS CAN COVER PAST DUE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS AND UP TO THREE MONTHS OF FUTURE PAYMENTS OR DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES, HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE, AS WELL A CONDO OR HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION FEES.

ALL FIVE, HOMEOWNERS MUST APPLY FOR FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, CURRENTLY OWN AND OCCUPY THE HOME AS THEIR PRIMARY RESIDENCE BE AT LEAST 30 DAYS LATE ON THEIR MONTHLY HOUSE PAYMENT, HAVE A HOUSEHOLD INCOME ONE OR BELOW THE MEDIAN INCOME, OR COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR MORTGAGE PROVIDER ABOUT THEIR INABILITY TO PAY.

APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED FROM THE FIRST THROUGH THE END OF NEXT JANUARY.

>>> ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS SPOKE WITH AFGHAN REFUGEES TODAY TO ADVOCATE FOR EXPANDING VISA ELIGIBILITY.

SENATOR DURBIN AND -- ARE CALLING FOR CONGRESS TO EXTEND THE AFGHAN REFUGEE ACT.

>> I THINK THE UNITED STATES KNOWS WHAT THE BEST THING TO DO IS.

THIS IS A FALSE, PHONY ISSUE.

>> MORE THAN 70,000 AFGHAN NATIONALS WERE ADMITTED INTO TH U.S. THOSE REFUGEES OF TEMPORAR STATUS THAT ENDS IN 2023.

>>> AURORA IS REPORTING A DATA BREACH THAT AFFECTS AS MANY AS MILLION PATIENTS.

THEY SAY THAT OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, IT IS ASSUMING THAT ANYONE WITH ADVOCATE AURORA MY HEALTH CHART ACCOUNTS, IN PUTTING THE APP, COULD BE AFFECTED.

ADVOCATE AURORA SAYS THAT THE INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT NO SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, CREDIT CARD, OR DEBIT CARD INFORMATION WAS INVOLVED.

HEALTH OFFICIALS HAD DISABLED OR REMOVED THE COD AND LAUNCHED AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION.

BACK TO YOU.

>>> HOW MUCH ROAD SALT ENDS UP IN ILLINOIS WATERWAYS?

THAT IS WHAT A STUDY HOPES TO ANSWER, BUT WITH HELP FROM WINTER CHLORIDE WATCHERS.

OUR REPORTER PATTY WHITLEY JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN WHAT EXACTLY THAT IS.

I WILL GET TO THAT IN A SECOND, PATTY.

WE SAW THIS FIRST SNOWFLAKE THIS SEASON.

I DID NOT, SO IT DIDN'T HAPPEN, AND LAST I SAW IT.

BUT THAT MEANS THAT SNOW IS COMING.

WITH THAT, ROAD SALT.

REMIND US WHY ROAD SALT CAN BE PROBLEMATIC.

>> BECAUSE WE SPREAD SO MUCH OF IT, A LOT MORE THAN WE NEED.

A LOT OF THAT, WHEN IT DISSOLVES, IT COMBINES WITH MELTWATER THAT WORKS ITS WAY INTO OUR SEWERS, STORMWATER SYSTEMS, AND IT ENDS UP IN OUR STREAMS AND WATERWAYS IF YOU THINK ABOUT HOW WE AS HUMANS CAN'T DRINK, YOU KNOW, SALTWATER, NEITHER CAN FRESHWATER WILDLIFE.

WHETHER IT IS INVERTEBRATES, FISH, YOU KNOW, PLANTS.

THEY EVOLVED FOR FRESHWATER.

WHEN WE DUMP A WHOL BUNCH OF SALT IN, THAT CAUSES ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS.

IT CAN OUTRIGHT KILL SOME WILDLIFE, OR IT CAN CREATE SORT OF CASCADING ISSUES FOR THEM.

>> THE ISSUE IS CHLORIDE IN THE WATER.

I THINK WE HAVE SOME STATISTICS ON HOW MUCH CHLORIDE IS FOUND IN FRESHWATER AND OCEA WATER.

DO WE KNOW HOW MUCH IS FOUND IN ILLINOIS WATERWAYS, IN THE CHICAGO RIVER, THE CANALS?

>> THAT IS WHAT THIS STUDY IS ALL ABOUT.

I'M GOING TO LOOK AT MY NOTES SHEET.

BUT IT IS THE NATIONAL GREAT RIVERS EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CENTER IN ILLINOIS THEY RUN THIS ILLINOIS RIVER WATCH PROGRAM, AND THEY ARE RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS WHO WILL RUN SOMETIME BETWEEN NOVEMBER T LET'S SAY MARCH, APRIL, THE WINTER SEASON.

THEY WILL VOLUNTEER TO GO AND MONITOR AND TEST AREAS IN THE STATE'S WATERWAYS TO ESTABLISH BASELINE LEVELS BEFORE THE SNOW AND ROAD SALT SEASON STARTS AND SEE HOW THE CHLORIDE LEVELS ARE AFFECTED.

THEY DO HAVE DATA THAT WE LOOKED AT FROM 2021 WHERE IT SHOWS, YOU KNOW, LOW LEVELS IN OCTOBER.

YOU SEE WHEN THE FIRST SNOW HAPPENED LAST YEAR.

THOSE LEVELS TO SPIKE.

SOME OF THEM WERE ACTUALLY OVER THE LEVEL THAT THE EPA SAYS IS OKAY FOR AQUATIC LIFE.

SO WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO WANT TO SEE I PROGRAMS LIKE -- IS THAT LESSENING THE CHLORIDE, OR ARE TOO MANY OF US STILL PUTTING WA TOO MUCH SALT ON OUR SIDEWALKS AND OUR DRIVEWAYS AND OUR PARKING LOT?

>> DO BEACHES DO THE SAME JOB LIKE CLEARING SALT OFF OF ROADS >> ONE THING YOU COULD JUST DO IS LESS SALT.

IF YOU CAN SEE TH SALT, THAT IS TOO MUCH SALT.

WHEN YOU SEE THOSE CLUMPS, YOU HAVE APPLIED IT WRONG, AND YOU HAVE APPLIED WAY TOO MUCH, AND IT IS AQUATIC LIFE THAT IS GOIN TO PAY THE PRICE.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WITH CHICAGO MAYORS, THEY PAY THE PRICE POLITICALLY!

>> EVERYONE IN CONSERVATION IS AWARE OF THAT.

THEY KEEP TRYING TO GET THIS MESSAGE OUT.

SALT PROPORTIONALLY.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO OVERSELL YOUR FOOD.

STOP OVER SALTING OUR ROADWAYS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU CAN SIGN UP TO BE A WINTER CHLORIDE WATCHER.

IT IS ALL AT WTTW.COM NOW BACK TO YOU.

>>> NICK?

>> Reporter: I AM HERE WITH MICHAEL EDWARDS, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CHICAGO LOOP ALLIANCE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE LaSALLE STREET REIMAGINED PLAN.

WHAT WOULD YOU ASK CITY LEADERS TO BEAR IN MIND AS THEY ARE TRYING TO BRING MORE RESIDENTIAL INTO THE LOOP?

>> THE LOOP IS A REALLY EXCITIN PLACE.

WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF DOING A RESIDENTIAL STUDY TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT A LOT OF WHAT THEY WANT WILL BE RIGHT HERE ON LaSALLE STREET.

THERE WILL BE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES.

>> WHAT DO YOU SEE AS SOME OF THESE BIG OPPORTUNITIES?

>> THERE IS A DENSITY HERE THA IS REALLY SPECIAL.

THE ARCHITECTURE IS WORLD-FAMOUS.

W THINK THAT IT IS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO BE.

>> THINKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, OTHER PARTS OF THE LOOP, PLACES LIKE STATE STREET, SOME OF THE COMMERCIAL CENTERS, THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES AROUND VACANCY BEFORE COVID.

HOW ARE THE EFFORTS GOING IN TERMS OF TRYIN TO READ NEW LIFE INTO THOSE STRETCHES?

>> WE HAVE BEEN TRACKING DATA SINCE THE PANDEMIC HOW THINGS ARE HAPPENING DOWNTOWN.

EVERYTHING IS TRENDING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

SOME ARE SLOWE THAN WE WOULD LIKE.

OFFICE CAPACITY THROUGHOUT THE LOOP AS A 50%.

WE WOULD LIKE IT TO BE HIGHER THAN THAT.

WE EXPECT IT WILL BE BY THE END OF 2023.

RETAIL IS DIFFICULT, THAT WE HAVE SOME NEW STORES THAT I'VE OPENED UP ON STATE STREET THAT OUR RETAIL CENTERS.

AS I INDICATED EARLIER, THERE WERE 45,000 PEOPLE LIVING DOWNTOWN.

UP UNTIL JUST A MONTH AGO, DEMAND FOR APARTMENTS WAS UP.

I WAS UP BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

>> TALKING ABOUT DIFFERENT WAYS, OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN BRING I NEW RETAIL BUSINESSES TO THE STRETCHES.

I KNOW THAT THERE HA ALSO BEEN SOME WORK TO DO WITH POP-UPS THAT HAVE CREATIVE REUSE.

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THAT?

>> YEAH, POP-UPS.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF THOSE, BECAUSE THINGS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE TO DEAL WITH FOR POP-UPS.

SO MANY OF YOUR VIEWERS MAY HAVE PARTICIPATED I -- THE LAST FEW YEARS IT WAS REALLY, REALLY EFFECTIVE AND REALLY ENCOURAGED A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM THROUGHOUT THE CITY WHO HADN'T BEEN IN THE LOOP IN LONG TIME OR NEVER TO ACTUALLY COME DOWN AND MAKE A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY AND JUST BE PART OF TH CHICAGO VIBE.

>> YEAH.

HOW CAN THEY PARTICIPATE IN THAT KIND OF PROGRAMMING, WHETHER IT IS SUNDAYS ON STATE, OR DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON?

>> THE HOLIDAYS ARE A BIG PART OF WHAT GOES ON IN THE LOOP.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT ALL THE THING THAT ARE HAPPENING AND WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, FINALLY, AFTER TW YEARS OF COVID.

THE CHRISTMAS MARKET, THE TREE LIGHTING, ALL THE OTHER THINGS.

BUT WE ARE TAKING ALL OF THE VENDORS, OR MANY OF THEM, FROM STATE STREET AND MOVING THEM INTO WHAT WE AR GOING TO DO AS A HOLIDAY MARKET WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

IT WIL BE ONE MORE THING TO DO WHEN YO COME DOWN FOR CHRISTMAS HERE IN THE LOOP.

>> ONE OF US STILL WANTS TO CAL IT MARSHALL FIELD.

I WILL LET THAT GO.

ALSO, TOURISM IS PART OF THE DOWNTOWN ECONOMY.

HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THOSE NUMBERS REBOUND?

>> THAT IS ANOTHER GREAT QUESTION.

THE OFFICE HAS ALWAYS LED THE ECONOMICS OF THE LOOP, AND OF WAS THAT IS CONTINUING WITH TOURISM AND PEOPLE COMING DOWN TO THE THEATER AND STAYING IN HOTELS.

HOTELS WERE 90% LAST MONTH.

WE ARE HEADED INTO WINTER, BUT WE ARE ALMOST AT 100% OCCUPANCY FOR HOTELS COMPARED TO 2019.

>> MICHAEL EDWARDS, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CHICAGO LOOP ALLIANCE.

THANK YOU FOR TALKING WITH US.

WE APPRECIATE IT .

WE WILL HAVE MORE COMING UP ABOUT THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN AND AROUND THE CITY.

FOR NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> NICK , WE WILL SEE YOU SOON >>> OF NASH, PROTECTING KIDS FROM SEXUAL PREDATORS.

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

[ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] >>> FOR ANY PARENT, CHILD SEXUA ABUSE IS A TOUGH THING TO TALK ABOUT.

BUT AS UNCOMFORTABLE AS IT SHOULD BE, TALKING ABOUT IT IS ONE WAY THAT PARENTS CAN HEL PROTECT THEM.

ACCORDING TO THE CDC, ONE IN 13 GIRLS AND ONE IN 13 BOYS IN THE U.S. ARE SEXUALL ABUSED.

MANY ABUSERS ARE KNOWN BY THE CHILD OR CHILD'S FAMILY.

FEMALE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE ARE AT HIGHER RISK OF VICTIMIZATION IN ADULTHOOD.

ALL VICTIMS ARE AT TWICE THE RISK O NON-SEXUAL INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE.

JOINING US NOW ALL ON HOW TO START THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH KIDS AND MORE, IS TONYA HAIG.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

TONYA, I WANT TO START TALKING ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION.

HOW DI YOU START YOUR ORGANIZATION, PARENTS AGAINST CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

FIVE YEARS AGO, WE GO BY TH ACRONYM PAXA, BUT THIS HAD AFFECTED MY FAMILY.

PARENTS HAD NOT BEEN IN THE CONVERSATION WHEN IT CAME TO THIS TOPIC.

THERE IS A LOT OF DATA THAT SHOWS HOW LONG THIS TOPIC HAS BEEN IN MEDICAL JOURNALS.

IN WHITE PAPER LAND, AS I LIKE TO CALL IT.

NOW WE ARE IN A PLACE WHERE BECAUSE OF THE MOVEMENT, IT HAS REACHED A LEVEL WHERE TH CULTURE IS WARNING ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

WHEN THIS ALL CAME ABOUT FOR US FIVE, SIX, SEVEN YEARS AGO , WE WANTED TO CLOSE THIS GAP SO THE PARENTS ARE NOT BLINDSIDED.

THEY ARE MORE INFORMED NOW THAN THEY HAV EVER BEEN BEFORE.

THAT IS WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO DO.

THE MOVEMENT IS ON FIRE RIGHT NOW, ALEX.

WE ACTUALLY STARTED USING THE HASHTAG ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

W WERE PARTICIPATING IN A COALITION THAT BROUGHT A LOT OF OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ALONG TO TALK ABOUT ONLINE SAFETY.

WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT IN THE PANDEMIC, THE DATA SHOWS THAT 20 MILLION CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

THAT IS WHERE EVERYON CALLS IN ABOUT ONLINE EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN.

COVID AND THE PANDEMIC JUST BLEW THE DOORS OPEN AND EXPOSE THE FACT THAT KIDS WERE BEING VICTIMIZED THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.

SO WE STARTED THIS RALLY CRY AROUND THE MOVEMENT THAT CONNECTS, HELPING PEOPLE GET THE CONNECTION.

WE HAVE REALLY BEEN ON THAT PATH THE PAST YEAR GETTING PARENTS MORE AWARE AND INFORMED.

>> HOW SOON DO YOU THINK PARENT SHOULD TALK WITH THEIR KIDS AND HAVE CONVERSATION ABOUT POTENTIAL SEX ABUSE?

>> AS YOU SAID AT THE BEGINNING THIS IS A TOUGH CONVERSATION OR EVEN THOUGHT TO HAVE.

WE KNOW THAT IT IS HAPPENING UNDER OUR NOSES.

SO OUR POINT OF VIEW AS AN ORGANIZATION IS THAT AS SOON AS A KID IS VERBAL, LET'S SAY TWO YEARS OLD, START TALKING TO THEM ABOUT THEIR BODIES.

THE CONVERSATION, OBVIOUSLY, IT IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM A TWO-YEAR-OLD TO A 10-YEAR-OLD T A 15-YEAR-OLD.

IT IS ABOUT HELP HEALTH AND SAFETY.

A LOT OF TIMES, THAT TOPIC IS UNCOMFORTABLE FOR PARENTS, SO THEY LEAVE IT TO THE SCHOOL, AN THAT IS NOT ENOUGH!

>> HOW CAN THEY HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WHILE THE KIDS ARE GROWING?

HOW CAN PARENTS ADJUS FOR THAT?

>> IS A LOT OF PARENTS NOW, WHE WE START ENGAGING WITH KIDS AND TALKING AT THEIR LEVEL, AT TWO YEARS OLD, FIVE YEARS OLD , WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MEETING KIDS WHERE THEY ARE.

THE CONVERSATIO MIGHT START ABOUT THEIR BODIES AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS OKAY AND WHAT IS NOT OKAY.

THEN WE START BY CHECKING IN WITH THEM ABOUT ADULTS THAT ARE AROUND TH KIDS.

ARE YOU COMFORTABLE AROUN THIS UNCLE?

HOW WAS THE COACH?

EVEN AT THAT LEVEL, A KIND OF COMES NATURALLY OVER A PROGRESSION OF TIME.

WHAT WE WANT TO INVITE PARENTS TO DO IS TO KEEP HAVING CHICKENS NOT JUS ABOUT THEMSELVES, BECAUSE YOU SEE THE BEHAVIOR IS A LITTLE BI DIFFERENT, BUT ALSO START ASKIN THEM ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE AROUND THEM.

THE HUSBAND'S.

THE FAMILY MEMBERS.

THE ADULTS!

>> NOW THAT SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION, YOU KNOW, THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

KIDS MIGHT FEEL THAT I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE COMFORTABLE OR SHY.

SOMETHING MIGHT BE OFF.

HOW CAN WE MAKE THEM FEEL COMFORTABLE TO TALK ABOUT AND REPORT THAT MAYBE THE FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE WITH AN ADULT?

>> THE MORE WE CAN ENCOURAGE KIDS TO USE THEIR VOICES AND TO TRUST THEM WITH INFORMATION THA PEOPLE LEAVE, MOST OF THE TIME THIS IS BECAUSE THE TOPIC IS ENTIRELY UNDERREPORTED.

ONLY 38 OF KIDS, AND THAT IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO REPRESENTATIVE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING.

IT COMES FROM THE PARENTS, AND THAT IS WHAT I AM HERE WITH.

EMPOWER PARENTS AND USE THEIR ABILITY TO KEEP COMMUNICATING.

>> ONE OF THE RED FLAGS THAT PARENTS SHOULD BE LOOKING OUT FOR HER.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY DOCUMENTARIES OUT RIGHT NOW.

HOPEFULLY PEOPLE KNOW THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON.

BASICALLY, SOME OF THE PREDATORY RED FLAGS ARE THAT IT IMPACTS PARENTS AND KIDS.

IT CAN FEEL SO HARMLESS SOMETIMES.

OH, LET ME DO THIS FAVOR.

THIS ADULT WANTS TO BE S HELP.

WE WANT PARENTS TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE PROTECTIVE, HAV A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A GUARD UP .

EXPLOITING THE VULNERABILITIE OF THAT KID IS SOMETHING TO LOO OUT FOR.

>> WHAT STEPS SHOULD PARENTS TAKE?

>> OKAY.

FIRST THINGS FIRST, WE WANT PARENTS TO TALK TO THEIR CHILD.

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE.

ASKED THEM IF ANYONE EVER MAKES YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE.

IF ANYONE EVER TRIES TO TOUCH YOU INAPPROPRIATELY.

IF ANYTHING EVER HAPPENS, COME TO MOM AND DAD.

WE WILL BELIEVE YOU.

>> A BIG THANKS TO TONYA HAIG FOR JOINING US.

>> YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> NOVA CHECK BACK IN WITH NIC LOMBERG WHO HAS SPENT THE DAY IN THE CITY FINANCIAL DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: THANKS FOR COMING OUT TODAY.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN IN DETAIL IN JUST A MOMENT.

BUT FIRST WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE LaSALLE STREE REIMAGINED PLAN.

PART OF THAT CALLS FOR HAVING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THAT PORTION OF THIS IDEA?

>> I THINK THAT WHEN YOU SAY, OKAY, WE ARE DOING THIS REVITALIZATION CAMPAIGN , AND 30% OF IT IS GOING TO BE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THAT SOUNDS REALLY GOOD.

BUT WHEN THE MAYOR SAYS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE KNO THAT THAT IS NOT REALLY ADDRESSING THE ISSUES LIKE HOMELESSNESS ACROSS THE CITY.

I IS NOT AFFORDABLE FOR THE PEOPL THAT REALLY NEED IT.

THERE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE SOMETHIN ELSE IN PLACE.

IT IS A GOOD LINE, BUT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOUSING PEOPLE, IT SHOULD START WITH TH MOST VULNERABLE.

>> HOW DO YOU SEEK TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE WHO FEE MOST VULNERABLE AS PART OF THIS EFFORT?

>> WE ARE CAMPAIGNING FOR BRING CHICAGO HOME, WHICH IS PART OF THE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CREATE A TAX ON THE HIGH-AND PROPERTIES THAT ARE SOLD IN THE LOOP.

THAT WOULD CREATE A DEDICATED REVENUE STREAM THAT GOES TOWARD ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY, SUBSIDIZED HOUSING, AND GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS AND ALSO ADDRESS THE LARGER ISSUE OF THE 65,000 PEOPLE IN THE CITY THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS I A MULTITUDE OF WAYS.

>> FOR FOLKS WHO DON'T KNOW THE IDEA , WHAT WOULD YOU CALL PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS BUT PERHAPS NOT LIVING ON THE STREET?

>> YEAH, WE SEE THAT A LOT.

AS AN EDUCATOR, I SAW THAT A LOT WHEN WE WERE DOING ABOUT LEARNING.

YOU SEE A LOT OF FAMILIES THAT ARE LIVING IN A UNIT THAT IS MEANT FOR ONE FAMILY, MULTIPLE FAMILIES IN TH UNIT.

IT IS A PROBLEM THAT IS HUGE ACROSS THE CITY.

IT IS A PROBLEM FOR LOTS OF YOUNG PEOPL IN THE CITY THAT MAY NOT BE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THE WAY THAT YOU THINK ABOUT PEOPLE OUT ON THE STREETS, BUT THEY AR STILL VERY MUCH EXPERIENCING TH TRAUMA OF THAT EXPERIENCE AND NEED HELP.

>> AS YOU HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GARNER SUPPORT FROM OLDER PEOPL TO GET THAT REFERENDUM ON THE BALLOT TO RAISE THE REAL ESTAT TRANSFER TAX, OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE A LOT OF HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH THERE.

THERE WILL BE HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH IN SPRINGFIELD AS WELL.

WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE T GARNER?

WHAT HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH LAWMAKERS BEEN LIKE?

>> IN GENERAL WHEN WE TALK WITH LAWMAKERS ABOUT BRING CHICAGO HOME, THERE IS SUPPORT.

THERE I REALLY NO DOWNSIDE TO HELPING PEOPLE.

THAT IS A POSITIVE THING.

WHEN YOU TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT IT AND GIVE THEM THE PLAN FOR HOW WE CAN ACTUALLY GO ABOU PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES, PEOPL ARE ON BOARD.

BRING CHICAGO HOM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR THREE YEARS.

THE MAYOR HASN'T RESPONDED TO OUR DEMANDS IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER.

IT IS KIND OF IRONIC.

KIND OF THE WAY PEOPLE ARE CONDITIONED TO RESPOND HOMELESSNESS, TO IGNORE IT AND NOT ADDRESS IT AS A PROBLEM.

IT IS KIND OF HOW SHE IS TREATING OUR CAMPAIGN RIGHT NOW.

WE WOUL LIKE THAT TO CHANGE IN FEBRUARY WE WOULD HOPE TO HAVE THAT ON THE BALLOT SO PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY PAY ATTENTION TO IT, AND HAVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE THESE NEEDS BE TAKEN CARE OF.

>> THANK YOU FOR TELLING US A BIT ABOUT YOUR EFFORTS WITH THE BRING CHICAGO HOME CAMPAIGN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE HAVE HEARD A LOT ABOUT TH NEEDS OF FOLKS IN THE LOOP AS WELL AS AROUND THE CITY.

THAT I IT FOR US FROM THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT.

BACK TO YOU.

>> HEY, NICK, BEFORE WE LET YO GO, WE HEARD ABOUT THAT LaSALLE STREET REIMAGINED PROJECT.

WHAT IS THE TIMELINE ON THAT PROJECT >> Reporter: IT IS CERTAINLY NO GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS OF THE APPLICATIONS ARE DUE IN LATE DECEMBER.

THE CITY IS GOING TO GO THROUGH WHAT THEY RECEIVE, AND OFFICIALS SAY THAT THEY WAN TO RELEASE A LIST OF FINALISTS EARLY NEXT YEAR.

BABA SAID THER IS STILL GOING TO BE A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE.

WE KNOW THAT PARTICULARLY IN THESE OLDER BUILDINGS WHERE THERE IS A HIGHER COMMERCIAL OCCUPANCY RATE, THAT MEANS THERE IS LOTS OF OPPORTUNITY TO CONVERT IT TO RESIDENTIAL, BUT IT ALSO MEANS THAT IN OLDER BUILDINGS, THERE IS MORE WORK TO BE DONE.

IT MIGHT NOT BE SET UP TO EASILY B CONVERTED INTO A HOME IS A NEWE BUILDING WOULD BE.

IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN QUICKLY, NECESSARILY, BUT IT IS SOMETHIN THAT CITY OFFICIALS ARE CERTAINLY EAGER TO GET OFF THE GROUND.

>> I WONDER IF THE TRADING PITS WILL BECOME A CONDO OR SOMETHING.

NICK AND I THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE ARE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP AFTER THIS.

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

WE ENCOURAGE YO TO STAY CONNECTED WITH US.

YOU CAN ALSO GET CHICAGO TONIGHT STREAMED ON FACEBOOK OR GO TO OUR WEBSITE WTTW.COM/NEWS.

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

NOW, FOR ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT -- >> THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.