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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

>> REPUBLICANS OF CONGRESS AND GOVERNORS CAN DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO DENY THIS RELIEF EVEN TO THEIR OWN CONSTITUENTS.

>> MORE THAN 22 MILLION AMERICANS APPLYING FOR FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN RELIEF.

WE HAVE THE LATEST ON EFFORTS TO CANCEL THE DEBT RELIEF.

>>> NEARLY $2 BILLION IN THE BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR NEXT YEAR AND ITS PLAN FOR IMPROVING SERVICE.

>>> IN CHICAGO WHEN YOU FEED YOUR BALLOT TO THE MACHINE ON ELECTION DAY, YOU'RE EVENTUALLY PUTTING IT IN THE BALLOT BOX WITH TWO APARTMENTS.

>> THE LATEST IN OUR NEWS, WE WILL EXPLAIN THE QUESTION WHAT HAPPENS TO MY BALLOT AFTER I VOTE.

>>> A MAJOR SUPERMARKET MERGER.

A LOOK AT WHAT THE KROGER AND ALBERTSON'S DEAL COULD MEAN FOR EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS.

>>> ADDITIONAL LIVING SPACE PROPOSED FOR CHICAGO'S WEST LOOP COMMUNITY.

THAT AND MORE BUSINESS NEWS FROM CRANES.

>>> A SURGE IN RESPIRATORY VIRUS CASES IS PUTTING HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS ON HIGH ALERT.

WHAT'S BEHIND THE RISE, AND HOW YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF.

>>> AND A LOOK AT THE PRAIRIE SCHOOL ARCHITECT GEORGE MAYOR AND HIS ENDURING INFLUENCE IN THE CHICAGO REGION FROM BLUE ISLAND TO KENNELWORTH.

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

A TEACHER AND A TEENAGE GIRL ARE DEAD AND AT LEAST SIX OTHERS INJURED IN YET ANOTHER SCHOOL SHOOTING.

THIS ONE IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

POLICE SAY AN ARMED GUNMAN OPENED FIRE INSIDE CENTRAL VISUAL AND PERFORMING ART HIGH SCHOOL AFTER 9:00 THIS MORNING, FORCING STUDENTS TO BARRICADE DOORS, HUDDLE IN CLASSROOM CORNERS, AND JUMP FROM WINDOWS TO RUN TO SAFETY.

POLICE OFFICERS WERE EVENTUALLY ABLE TO RETURN FIRE, STRIKING AND KILLING THE SHOOTER WHO HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 19-YEAR-OLD ORLANDO HARRIS WHO GRADUATED FROM THE SCHOOL LAST YEAR.

OFFICIALS SAY THE DOORS TO THE SCHOOL WERE LOCKED, BUT DECLINED TO CLARIFY HOW THE SHOOTER GAINED ACCESS.

>> THE SECURITY STAFF DID AN OUTSTANDING STAFF IDENTIFYING THE SUSPECT'S EFFORTS TO ENTER, AND IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED OTHER STAFF AND ENSURED WE WERE CONTACTED.

>> SEVERAL OF THE PEOPLE INJURED WERE STRUCK BY GUNFIRE, OTHERS INJURED BY SHRAPNEL.

>>> AND CLOSER TO HOME, THE CITY SUFFERS ONE OF ITS DEADLIEST WEEKENDS OF THE FALL.

TEN PEOPLE WERE KILLED BY GUN VIOLENCE, AND THAT INCLUDES THREE SHOT DEAD DURING AN ILLEGAL STREET TAKEOVER IN BRIGHTON PARK EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.

AT THAT EVENT, MOTORISTS AND ONLOOKERS SHUT DOWN THE INTERSECTION OF KEDZIE AND ARCHER AS CARS DID DONUTS.

THROUGHOUT THE CITY,51 PEOPLE WERE SHOT IN 43 SEPARATE INCIDENTS BETWEEN 6:00 P.M. FRIDAY AND MIDNIGHT SUNDAY.

THERE ARE TWO ADDITIONAL VICTIMS IN THAT BRIGHTON PARK SHOOTING THAT ARE STILL HOSPITALIZED ACCORDING TO POLICE.

>>> IF YOU JUST CAN'T WAIT UNTIL ELECTION DAY, GOOD NEWS, EARLY VOTING OPENS TODAY IN ALL 50 OF CHICAGO'S WARDS.

THE CHICAGO BOARD OF ELECTIONS SAYS EARLY VOTING SITES WILL BE OPEN FROM 9:00 TO 6:00 ON WEEKDAYS, 9:00 TO 5:00 ON SATURDAYS, AND 10:00 TO 4:00 ON SUNDAYS FROM TODAY THROUGH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7.

SO FAR OVER 5,200 EARLY VOTERS HAVE CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

THIS INCLUDES THOSE CAST AT THE CITY'S SUPER SITE AND ELECTIONS OFFICER DOWNTOWN, AND OF COURSE, ELECTION DAY IS TWO WEEKS AWAY ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8.

>>> AND ON THAT NOTE OR THAT VOTE, YOU CAN PREPARE FOR ELECTION DAY WITH OUR COMPREHENSIVE WTTW VOTER GUIDE, WHICH IS NOW LIVE ON OUR WEBSITE.

IT FEATURES A COUNTDOWN TO ELECTION DAY, A RUNDOWN OF LOCAL RACES, AND YOU CAN HEAR FROM THE CANDIDATES IN THEIR OWN WORDS ON WHY THEY WANT YOUR VOTE.

JUST GO TO WTTW.COM/VOTERGUIDE, AND YOU'LL HAVE IT ALL AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.

>>> COMING UP ON THE PROGRAM, WHAT BORROWERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE STUDENT DEBT FORGIVENESS AMONG ONGOING LAWSUITS.

>>> BUT FIRST, THE TRANSIT AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES A NEW BUDGET ON THE RISE AND GHOST BUSES AND TRAINS.

A LOOK AT ALL THAT AND MORE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

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

>>> THE CHICAGO TRANSITION AUTHORITY IS UNVEILING ITS BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR NEXT YEAR.

THE PROPOSED $1.8 BILLION BUDGET AVOIDS SERVICE CUTS AND PRICE INCREASES WHILE MAKING INVESTMENTS TO UPGRADE THE TRANSIT SYSTEM.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AMID CALLS FOR INCREASED RELIABILITY IN SERVICE.

JOINING US NOW IS BRIAN STEEL, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AT THE CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY.

BRIAN, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU.

SO WHAT WERE YOUR TOP PRIORITIES THAT YOU WANTED TO ADDRESS WITH THIS BUDGET?

REALLY THE PRIORITY WAS TO PRESERVE THE ESSENTIAL TRANSIT SERVICE THAT HAS SERVED THIS REGION FOR THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS.

THERE'S NO QUESTION EVERY BUSINESS FACES CHALLENGES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

BUT PERHAPS NO BUSINESS MORE SO THAN THE TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS.

PUBLIC TRANSIT WAS REALLY A LIFELINE FROM DAY ONE OF THE PANDEMIC.

REMEMBER BACK IN MARCH 2020, TRANSIT RIDERSHIP DROPPED.

WE DROPPED DOWN FROM 1.5 MILLION RIDERS TO 250,000 RIDERS.

BUT IT WAS STILL AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, FOR OVERNIGHT WORKERS, PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO OTHER TRANSIT OPTIONS.

THAT'S REALLY AT THE CORE OF THIS BUDGET TO PRESERVE THAT SERVICE, TO BUILD ON THE SERVICE, AND TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO KEEP THE SYSTEM STRONG.

>> AND NOW WE SPOKE TO SOMEONE WHO IS A PART OF THE TRANSIT EQUITY PROGRAM.

HERE IS A PART OF WHAT THEY SAID.

>> THERE HAS BEEN WORKER SHORTAGE, WHICH HAS CAUSED A LOT OF SERVICE CUTS OR INCONSISTENCIES IN UNRELIABILITY OF SERVICE BOTH TRANSIT SYSTEMS ACROSS THE CITY THAT WE KNOW IN THE WINTER CAN BE EVEN MORE DANGEROUS.

WITH LOW TEMPERATURES AND HAVING TO WAIT, YOU KNOW, 20, 40 MINUTES OUTSIDE IN THE COLD PRESENTS A DANGER TO MANY PEOPLE.

>> SO BRIAN, WE KNOW THIS AGENCY HAS DONE SOME WORK TO HIRE MORE WORKERS.

BUT HOW MANY WOULD YOU SAY YOU STILL NEED TO HIRE?

WHAT ARE THE PLANS TO FILL THAT GAP?

>> YEAH.

WELL THERE'S NO QUESTION THE WORK FORCE SHORTAGES IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN ANY TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS FACES, BUT ESPECIALLY PUBLIC TRANSIT.

SIMPLY PUT, IF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO DRIVE THE TRANSIT BUSES, THEN WE CAN'T PROVIDE THE LEVEL OF SERVICE WE WANT TO.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE STILL DOWN SEVERAL HUNDRED BUS AND RAIL OPERATORS.

THE GOOD NEWS IS WE ARE MAKING SOME PROGRESS ON THAT FRONT.

WE'VE HELD OVER A DOZEN JOB FAIRS THIS YEAR THAT HAVE ATTRACTED NEW CANDIDATES ON BOTH THE BUS AND RAIL SIDE.

WE HAVE A REAL AGGRESSIVE RECRUITMENT MARKETING CAMPAIGN.

AND WE CONTINUE TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS.

BUT IT'S A CHALLENGE THAT'S GOING TO TAKE US A WHILE TO ADDRESS.

THE GOOD NEWS IS WE ARE DOING OTHER THINGS BESIDES HIRING.

BACK IN AUGUST, PRESIDENT CARTER OF THE C.K.

ANNOUNCED A PLAN CALLED MEETING THE MOMENT.

IT'S REALLY A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, FIRST OF ITS KIND, AMONG ANY TRANSIT AGENCIES TO REALLY ADDRESS ALL THE CHALLENGES THE PANDEMIC HAS POSED TO THE TRANSIT AGENCY.

WE ARE ADDRESSING THE WORK FORCE ISSUE.

THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN THE CORE OF SOME OF THE ISSUES WE'VE BEEN HAVING WITH OUR BUS AND TRAIN TRACKERS.

PEOPLE WILL BE WATCHING TRAIN OR BUS IT'S A HAD SUPPOSE TO BE DROPPING OFF THE TRACKER BECAUSE OUR TRACKERS RELY IN PART ON SCHEDULE INFORMATION.

SO THERE ARE REALLY A NUMBER OF AREAS WE'RE FIGHTING TO PRESERVE THE SERVICE IN THE 2023 BUDGET REALLY TO GIVE US A PASS TO BE ABLE TO DO SO.

>> SO ADVOCATES ARE REPORTING THE PHENOMENON OF GHOST BUSES AND TRAINS, WHEN BUSES AND TRAINS SHOW UP ON THE CTA TRACKER, BUT THEN THEY DON'T ACTUALLY ARRIVE WHEN THE TRACKER SAYS THEY SHOULD.

THE GROUP COMMUTERS TAKE ACTIONS SAYS THEY HAVE RECEIVED ABOUT 3,000 INDIVIDUAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT GHOST BUSES AND TRAINS IN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS ALONE.

BRIAN, IS THIS A RESULT OF BEING SHORT STAFFED?

>> ABSOLUTELY, IT'S A RESULT OF BEING SHORT STAFFED.

AGAIN, IF WE DON'T HAVE ADEQUATE PEOPLE TO OPERATE THE TRAINS AND BUSES, WE WON'T BE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE SERVICE THAT WE WANT TO.

GHOST AND TRAIN BUS ISSUE IS REALLY A FUNCTION OF THAT SCHEDULE.

THE TRACKERS ARE BASED ON A MIX OF REAL-TIME AND SCHEDULE-BASED INFORMATIONS.

SO IF WE'RE NOT MEETING OUR SCHEDULE, THEN THAT TRACKER INFORMATION MAY NOT ALWAYS BE ACCURATE.

NOW THE GOOD NEWS IS WE HAVE DONE A COUPLE OF THINGS RECENTLY TO REALLY HELP IMPROVE THE SCHEDULES AND IMPROVE THE SERVICE.

JUST LAST WEEKEND, WE INTRODUCED A NEW SCHEDULE FOR OUR RAIL SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES MORE CONSISTENT AND RELIABLE SERVICE.

SO INSTEAD OF MAYBE WAITING FIVE MINUTES FOR A TRAIN AND THE NEXT TRAIN BEING 20 MINUTES, THE TRAIN AFTER THAT BEING 15 MINUTES, WE'RE TRYING TO EVEN OUT THAT SERVICE TO MAKE IT MORE RELIABLE AND MORE CONSISTENT.

NOW THAT IS SOMETHING OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE TOLD US THEY WANT TO SEE.

AN ADDED BENEFIT OF THAT IS OUR TRACKERS ARE GOING TO BE MORE ACCURATE BECAUSE THEY'RE BASED ON A SCHEDULE THAT'S ACTUALLY OBTAINABLE.

IT'S BASED ON THE WORK FORCE THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE AVAILABLE.

>> WE ALSO SPOKE TO AN ADVOCATE AT COMMUTERS TAKE ACTION ABOUT GHOST BUSES AND TRAINS.

HERE THEY ARE.

>> WHAT I'M LEARNING, I'M TRYING TO CONFIRM IS THERE ARE ACTUALLY PRIORITIZING AND DEPRIORITIZED ROUTES FOR THE CTA.

WHEN THEY CAN'T FIND ENOUGH PEOPLE TO STAFF ALL OF THEIR ROUTES, THEY DESTAFF THE DEPRIORITIZED ROUTES.

>> SO BRIAN, WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU CAN CONFIRM?

>> I'M NOT SURE WHERE THAT INFORMATION CAME FROM, BUT IT'S NOT ACCURATE AT ALL.

WE AIM TO PUT OUT AS MUCH SERVICE AS POSSIBLE AND AS CLOSELY TO OUR SCHEDULE AS POSSIBLE AT EVERY TERMINAL AND BUS PASS.

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WITH THE PROBLEM IS OUR WORK FORCE AVAILABILITY IS DYNAMIC.

IT VARIES DAY TO DAY.

ON A GIVEN DAY YOU MIGHT HAVE TEN PEOPLE CALL IN SICK BECAUSE THEY HAVE ILLNESSES OR THEY HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF A FAMILY MEMBER.

ON ANOTHER DAY YOU MAY HAVE 30 PEOPLE.

SO EACH DAY THE NUMBER OF STAFF AVAILABLE IS GOING TO VARY.

SO NO, WE DON'T PRIORITIZE OR DEPRIORITIZE EVERY BUS TERMINAL, EXCUSE ME, EVERY BUS GARAGE AND EVERY RAIL TERMINAL.

NOW THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE SIMPLY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH WORKERS TO PUT OUT SERVICE FOR A GIVEN PART OF THE DAY.

AND IN THOSE CASES, IF IT'S A SHORTAGE ON THE RAIL SIDE, WE WILL OFFER FREE BUS SHUTTLES TO MAKE CONNECTIVITY TO THE RAIL SYSTEMS.

SO AGAIN THESE ARE ISSUES THE ENTIRE U.S.

TRANSIT AGENCY IS FACING, BUT ALSO EVERY TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS.

YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE AIRLINES DURING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND A COUPLE OF TIMES THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR WHERE THEY'VE HAD TO CANCEL HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF FLIGHTS, BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE AVAILABLE.

THAT'S A CHALLENGE THE CTA AND U.S. TRANSPORTATION AGENCIES FACE ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> SO BRIAN, YOUR OFFICE IS REPORTING RIDERSHIP IS UP TO 5.5 MILLION WEEKLY RIDES.

THAT IS EXPECTED TO GROW OR ADD 9% IN THE YEAR 2023.

OF COURSE, YOU ALL WANT TO BE READY FOR THAT.

BUT THE STREETS BLOG CHICAGO IS REPORTING YOU ARE STILL ONLY AT 64% OF YOUR PREPANDEMIC LEVEL.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

DO YOU EXPECT TO RETURN TO YOUR PREPANDEMIC LEVEL?

>> WELL PREDICTING THE FUTURE HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT TRANSIT AGENCIES AND THE BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN DOING FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS NOW.

BASICALLY AS THE PANDEMIC GOES IS HOW PUBLIC TRANSIT GOES.

RIGHT NOW THE REASON WHY WE'RE NOT SEEING THE RIDERSHIP AS WE'RE USED TO BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT COMING TO THE OFFICE.

MOST PEOPLE ARE WORKING A SCHEDULE REMOTELY.

THE BIGGEST DROP IN RIDERSHIP WE'VE SEEN IS FROM OUR DAY-TO-DAY 9:00 TO 5:00 DOWNTOWN COMMUTERS.

NOW OUR RIDERSHIP MEMBERS HAVE BEEN INCREASING STEADILY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

WE'RE AT ABOUT 60% OF OUR PREPANDEMIC RIDERSHIP.

THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST ROBUST RECOVERIES OF ANY U.S.

TRANSIT AGENCY.

SO YES, WE SEE THE NUMBERS INCREASING, BUT A LOT OF THIS DEPENDS ON OUR PEOPLE RETURNING TO THE OFFICE, ARE PEOPLE RETURNING TO THE SUMMER FESTIVALS AND ACTIVITIES?

ARE PEOPLE RETURNING TO THEIR DAILY ROUTINES?

>> AND OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW FEDERAL FUNDING IS HELPING TO BOOST THIS BUDGET A BIT.

OF COURSE, ARE THERE CONCERNS IS MY FIRST QUESTION ABOUT WHEN THAT MONEY SHOULD RUN OUT.

BUT ADDITIONALLY WHEN THAT HAPPENS, WILL YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER CUTTING SERVICE IF RIDERSHIP HASN'T RETURNED?

>> WELL DECISIONS IN THE FUTURE ARE STILL TO BE MADE.

BUT WHAT I WILL SAY IS ABOUT 50% OF CT'S REVENUE COMES FROM THE FARES BOX, WHAT WE CHARGE FOR BUSES AND TRAINS.

THAT FARE REVENUE IS DOWN BELOW THE PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC REALLY RECOGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC TRANSIT, AND PUT A LOT OF FEDERAL RELIEF DOLLARS ON THE TABLE FOR ALL U.S.

TRANSIT AGENCIES.

CTA HAS BEEN A PRUDENT STEWARD OF THOSE DOLLARS, AND THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS ARE COVERING NOT ONLY THIS YEAR'S BUDGET DEFICIT, BUT WE EXPECT THOSE FUNDS TO LAST US THROUGH 2025.

NOW AFTER THAT, WE WILL BE LOOKING AT WAYS TO MAKE UP FOR THAT FUND DISPARITY.

WE ARE DOING SO IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.

AMONG THEM LOOKING FOR WAYS TO CHANGE THE WAY PUBLIC TRANSIT IS FUNDING.

TO GET MORE DEDICATED FUNDING.

TO REDUCE WHAT'S CALLED THE RECOVERY RATIO, WHICH IS THE PERCENTAGE OF YOUR REVENUE THAT HAS TO BE OBTAINED FROM THE FAIR BOXES.

SO WE ARE LOOKING AT ALL TYPES OF FEDERAL STATE AND LOCAL SOURCES FOR TRANSIT.

IT'S AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE.

>> BRIAN STEELE, THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

OF COURSE, VIEWERS CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW RIDERS, COMMUTERS CAN PROVIDE THAT INPUT ON OUR WEBSITE AS WELL ON THE BUDGET.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> NOW TO PARIS, A LEGAL LIMBO FOR MILLIONS OF PERSONS.

PARIS?

>> BRANDIS, BORROWERS HOPING FOR FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN RELIEF MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE BIT LONGER.

MORE THAN 22 MILLION AMERICANS HAVE ALREADY SIGNED UP SINCE THE APPLICATION WENT ONLINE A WEEK AGO.

SIX REPUBLICAN LED STATES HAVE FILED A LEGAL CHALLENGE OVER THE DEBT CANCELLATION.

AND LATE FRIDAY, A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT PUT A TEMPORARY HOLD ON THE PRESIDENT'S LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM.

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE MILLIONS WHO HAVE ALREADY APPLIED TO HAVE THEIR DEBT CANCELED?

SHOULD BORROWERS CONTINUE TO DO SO?

HERE TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS AND MORE ARE LYNN BAKER, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AT THE ILLINOIS STUDENT ASSISTANCE COMMISSION, AND CLAIRE JOHNSON RABA, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO SCHOOL OF LAW.

THE FORMER LEGAL AID ATTORNEY, ROBERT HEDLOW, HELPING TO NAVIGATE THE STUDENT LOAN SYSTEM.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU.

LYNN BAKER, LET'S START WITH YOU AND THIS FEDERAL APPEALS COURT LATE FRIDAY NIGHT.

WHAT ARE YOU TELLING BORROWERS ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THEIR STATUS?

>> EVERYTHING IS CONFUSING WITH STUDENT LOANS NOW AND ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU START A PROGRAM, AND THEN THE PROGRAM IS HALTED.

SO THE APPLICATION TAKES LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES TO COMPLETE.

SO WE ARE TELLING PEOPLE EXACTLY WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS TELLING PEOPLE, WHICH IS TO GO AHEAD, COMPLETE THE APPLICATION.

YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO LOSE BY COMPLETING THE APPLICATION IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE.

THERE ARE SOME CRITERIAS TO BE ELIGIBLE.

BUT YOU HAVE NOTHING TO BE LOSE.

IT TAKES A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

THE ADMINISTRATION HAS SAID THEY ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE REVIEWING APPLICATIONS.

OBVIOUSLY THEY CAN'T PROCESS THEM OR DISPERSE FUNDS UNTIL THE LAWSUITS ARE RESOLVED.

BUT CERTAINLY GO AHEAD, FILE YOUR APPLICATION.

>> AND ONE OF THE LEGAL CHALLENGES HERE COMES FROM SIX REPUBLICAN LED STATES.

WHAT IS THEIR ARGUMENT, CLAIRE JOHNSON RABA, AGAINST THE LEGALITY OF THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER?

>> WELL THE ARGUMENT INTO THE CASE THAT WAS BROUGHT BY SIX ATTORNEY GENERALS IN THE REPUBLICAN LED STATES IS THAT SERVICES THAT ARE UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ADMINISTER AND COLLECT ON STUDENT LOANS WILL LOSE OUT ON STUDENT LOAN SERVICING FEES.

THIS IS A LARGE PART BY A COMPANY THAT'S IN MISSOURI.

AND ON THE GROUNDS THEY'RE LOSING MONEY.

THE FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, MADE A QUICK CHANGE AND EXEMPTED CERTAIN PRIVATELY HELD FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS FROM THE PLAN.

SO IT'S LIKELY THAT -- THESE LENDERS AND STATES ATTORNEY GENERALS SITTING ON THEIR BEHALF WILL NOT HAVE STANDING, WHICH MEANS THE ABILITY TO LEGAL RIGHTS.

>> AND THEN THERE IS ANOTHER LEGAL CHALLENGE TO THE CONSTITUTIONALITY IN GENERAL SAYING IT DOESN'T -- WELL THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SAYS THEIR INTERPRETATION OF THE 2003 HEROES ACT GIVES THEM THE LEE WAY TO DO THIS.

SO FIRST OF ALL REMIND US WHAT THAT ACT IS.

>> SO THE 2003 ACT THAT SAYS THEY'RE GOING TO GET SWEEPING AUTHORITY TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO PROVIDE RELIEF FOR SERVICE MEMBERS AND FOR VETERANS.

AND IN TIMES OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY OR NATIONAL -- [ INAUDIBLE ] SO ONE OF THE GROUNDS FOR AUTHORITY FOR THE SWEEPING DEBT RELIEF IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ASSERTED IN THE 2003 HEROES ACT SAYING THIS RELIEF IS DUE TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS.

A NUMBER OF BORROWERS LOST THEIR INCOME.

AND SO THIS IS PROVIDING RELIEF TO INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE AFFECTED BY THE CRISIS.

>> LYNN BAKER, WOULD YOU THINK THE CHALLENGES MIGHT CREATE A PERMANENT HALL ON THE EXECUTIVE ORDER?

>> COULDN'T PREDICT IT.

I WOULD DEFER TO PROFESSOR RABA ON THAT.

BUT CERTAINLY I THINK BORROWERS SHOULD MOVE FORWARD.

WE STILL HAVE A PAYMENT PAUSE UNTIL DECEMBER 31.

SO BORROWERS PROBABLY SHOULD GET READY IN CASE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN.

I MEAN FIRST OF ALL THERE WILL BE BORROWERS WHO WILL STILL HAVE DEBT EVEN IF THIS DOES HAPPEN, AND THEY SHOULD GET THEMSELVES PREPARED.

BY THAT THEY SHOULD MAKE SURE THEY'VE CONTACTED THEIR LOAN SERVICER IF THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION HAS CHANGED.

THEY SHOULD BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT STUDENT LOAN SCAMS BECAUSE THERE ARE JUST A TON OF THEM OUT THERE.

AND SO THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE CALLING PEOPLE SAYING OH, WE CAN CONSOLIDATE YOUR LOANS, WE CAN REDUCE YOUR INTEREST RATES, AND YOU JUST HAVE TO PAY US A FEE AND WE WILL TAKE CARE OF ALL OF THIS.

DON'T EVER DO THAT.

THAT'S ALMOST ALWAYS A SCAM.

MOST OF THIS FOR FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS IS FREE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OR BY CONTACTING YOUR LENDER DIRECTLY.

SO BORROWERS BE READY.

>> AS YOU SAID BEFORE, BE PREPARED, OR ALL THINGS GO.

THEY SHOULDS ACT ALL THINGS ARE A GO.

AND DO ANY OF THESE LAWSUITS STAND A CHANCE AT DERAILING THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER AND WINNING OUT?

>> AT THIS TIME, A FEDERAL RULE CAN BE CHALLENGED WHEN IT IS VITAL.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS NOT ISSUED A FINAL FEDERAL RULE.

THERE'S A QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT THE FEDERAL COURT HAS, YOU KNOW, THE JURISDICTION OVER THESE CASES.

WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS ACTUALLY A CASE OR CONTROVERSY BEFORE THE FEDERAL COURT.

SO THE FEDERAL COURTS MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO HEAR THESE CASES BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF CLAIM.

THE FEDERAL RULE ISN'T FINAL.

AND THEN SECOND INDIVIDUALS WHO BRING CASES IN FEDERAL COURT NEED TO HAVE STANDINGS.

SO THEY HAVE TO BE HARMED IN AN IMMEDIATE AND CONCRETE WAY.

THAT'S AS FAR AS THE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO FEDERAL COURT ARE BROUGHT BY PLAINTIFFS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SHOW THERE IS A LONG SIDE IN A CONCRETE WAY.

FOR EXAMPLE THE CASE THAT WAS BROUGHT IN INDIANA WAS A CLAIM BROUGHT BY AN INDIVIDUAL WHO SAID PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM WOULD BE FINANCIALLY A BETTER OUTCOME.

AND SO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RESPONDED BY AMENDING THE RULE TO ENSURE OR THE PLAN TO ENSURE PEOPLE CAN OPT OUT OF THE PROGRAM AND CHOOSE EITHER FUNDS, OR THE $20,000 LOAN FORGIVENESS.

SIMILARLY IN WISCONSIN, A CASE THAT WAS BROUGHT ON TAXPAYER STANDING WAS BROUGHT IN A SERIES OF STANDINGS THAT THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT HAS NOT ADOPTED IT.

SO THE SHERIFFS, WHICH ARE THE PEOPLE BRINGING THE LAWSUIT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THUS FAR THEY'RE BEING INJURED IN ANY WAY BY THE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM.

>> WE MIGHT FIGURE THIS OUT IN SHORT ORDER.

LYNN BAKER, REMIND US, ASSUMING THIS DOES ULTIMATELY GO THROUGH, HOW THIS IMPACTS BORROWERS IN ILLINOIS AND HOW MANY?

>> YEAH, SO THERE ARE ABOUT 1.5 MILLION STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS IN ILLINOIS WHO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM.

ABOUT 863,000 ARE PELL RECIPIENTS.

AND SO THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR $20,000 OF RELIEF IF THEY, AGAIN, MEET THE INCOME REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROGRAM.

BASICALLY ABOUT 30% OF FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS IN ILLINOIS HAVE $10,000 OR LESS IN DEBT.

SO THEIR DEBT WOULD ACTUALLY BE WIPED OUT IF, AGAIN, THEY MEET THE INCOME REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROGRAM.

ABOUT 43% OF FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS IN THE STATE HAVE BETWEEN $10,000 AND $40,000 WORTH OF DEBT.

SO A LOT OF STUDENTS, IF THEY MEET THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROGRAM, COULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED BY THIS IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY FOR THEM.

>> YES, SO MANY STUDENTS IN ILLINOIS COULD BE IMPACTED AS YOU SAID.

ALL RIGHT, WE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

OUR THANKS TO LYNN BAKER AND PROFESSOR CLAIRE JOHNSON RABA, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>>> AND UP NEXT, WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BALLOT AFTER YOUR VOTE?

WE EXPLAIN RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> SPEND SATURDAY EVENING WITH THE VOICES OF CHICAGO.

LATINO VOICES AT 6:00 AND BLACK VOICES AT 6:30.

SEE YOU ON SATURDAY.

>>> ELECTION DAY IS JUST TWO WEEKS AWAY.

AMANDA VINICKY IS HERE WITH THE LATEST EPISODE IN OUR DIGITAL SERIES WTTW NEWS EXPLAINS.

AND A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BALLOT ONCE YOU SLIDE IT INTO THE BALLOT BOX.

AMANDA?

>> PARIS, WEEKS OUT FROM THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS COMES REPORTS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS MONITORING THREATS TO THE NATION'S ELECTIONS SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE.

CLOSER TO HOME, LOCAL ELECTION AUTHORITIES ARE PREPARING FOR THE BIG THOUGH.

THOUGH AS YOU HEARD JUST A BIT AGO, NO NEED TO WAIT FOR NOVEMBER 8 WITH EXPANDED EARLY VOTING OPENING TODAY AND MANY VOTERS MAKING THEIR CHOICES AT HOME WITH MAIL-IN BALLOTS.

BUT WHAT HAPPENS ONCE YOU VOTE?

HERE IS THE JOURNEY OF A CHICAGO BALLOT.

[ MUSIC ] YOU'VE DONE YOUR RESEARCH, MADE YOUR CHOICES, CAST YOUR BALLOT.

THEN YOU CAST A COUPLE OF MORE ON BEHALF OF YOUR DEAD RELATIVE.

HEY, IT'S THE CHICAGO WAY.

JUST KIDDING.

SO YOU EARNED YOUR I VOTED STICKER, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

IN CHICAGO WHEN YOU FEED YOUR BALLOT INTO A MACHINE ON ELECTION DAY, YOU'RE ESSENTIALLY PUTTING IT IN A BALLOT BOX WITH TWO COMPARTMENTS.

BALLOTS WITH WRITE-IN CANDIDATES SAY SEPARATE IN ONE COMPARTMENT.

AND ELECTION BALLOTS WILL COUNT THESE BY THE END OF THE NIGHT.

ALL OTHER BALLOTS ARE SCANNED AND COUNTED BY MACHINE.

IT WOULD BE A LOT OF COUNTING.

ONCE THE POLLS CLOSE, THE MACHINE PRINTS OUT A TOTAL LIKE A RECEIPT.

OTHER BIPARTISAN TEAMS IN EACH PRECINCT CAN KEEP AN EYE ON EVERYTHING.

MAKE SURE THINGS WENT SMOOTHLY AND BALLOTS WEREN'T COMPROMISED.

AND THEN THEY USE A CELLULAR DEVICE TO TRANSMIT THE TOTALS DOWNTOWN TO ELECTION CENTRAL.

THAT'S WHEN WE BEGIN TO SEE THE RESULTS.

BUT IT'S NOT ALL HIGH-TECH.

THE PAPER BALLOTS THAT GOT SCANNED INTO THE MACHINE DON'T GET TOSSED.

THEY GO INTO A BIG BLUE HARD SHELL CASE ON WHEELS PACKED UP WITH A PRETTY BOW TO ENSURE NOBODY MESSES WITH THE PRECIOUS CARGO.

FROM THEN ON ANYONE WHO TOUCHES THE CASE HAS TO SIGN A CHAIN OF CUSTODY FORM LIKE EVIDENCE IN ONE OF THE TV PROCEDURAL DRAMAS.

THOUSANDS OF SUITCASES FROM EVERY CHICAGO PRECINCT GO TO A WAREHOUSE WHERE THEY STAY.

SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED FOR AT LEAST 22 MONTHS JUST IN CASE.

SOME WILL BE REVIEWED AS AN EXTRA CHECK.

BY LAW THE STATE AUDIT RECOUNTS VOTES FROM 5% OF ALL PREDIGITS.

PROCEDURES DIFFER SLIGHTLY BY MAIL, AND THOSE WHO VOTE FROM OVERSEAS, BUT NOT BY MUCH.

ALL LEGITIMATE BALLOTS ARE COUNTED, KEPT SECURE AT EVERY TURN, AND END UP IN THE SAME WAREHOUSE FOR SAFEKEEPING.

SO WEAR THAT STICKER WITH PRIDE AND PEACE OF MIND.

HAPPY VOTING.

>>> IT'S NOT JUST ELECTION JUDGES WHO GUARD OVER WHAT GOES ON ELECTION DAY.

CHICAGO ALSO HAS CERTIFIED POLL WATCHERS.

NOBODY'S ALLOWED TO WATCH OVER YOUR SHOULDER OR NUDGE YOU ABOUT YOUR CHOICES.

PER THE CHICAGO ELECTION COMMISSIONS GUIDELINE, TWO POLL WATCHERS PER CANDIDATE AND TWO FROM EACH POLITICAL PARTY, PLUS SOMEONE FROM THE QUALIFIED CIVICS GROUP ARE PERMITTED TO STICK AROUND AT A PRECINCT AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

THEY CAN WATCH AS IN OBSERVE, NOT INTERFERE, WITH ELECTION JUDGES AS THEY GET INSTRUCTIONS AND AS THEY MARK IN THE POLL BOOK THAT A VOTER HAS VOTED.

THEY CAN ALSO GET A COPY OF THAT RECEIPT ONCE THE RESULTS TAPE HAS BEEN TRANSMITTED.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO WE FOCUSED ON THE WONDERFUL ANIMATED VIDEO ON CHICAGO.

WHAT ABOUT ELSEWHERE?

>> LOCAL ELECTED COUNTY CLARKS ARE USUALLY IN CHARGE OF THE ELECTIONS.

SO IT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU'RE VOTING AT.

CHICAGO, FOR EXAMPLE, 25 RECEIVING STATIONS OVER BALLOTS TO MAKE A PIT STOP BEFORE GOING TO THAT WAREHOUSE.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE CASE IN SMALLER AREAS.

I'LL SPARE YOU 100 DIFFERENT PROCEDURES THERE.

BUT A LOT LIKE DEADLINES IN THE BALLOT ARE SET BY STATE LAW.

>> AND WHAT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG?

>> IT'S A GOOD QUESTION BECAUSE THERE'S ANY NUMBER OF WHAT IFS, BUT ELECTION OFFICIALS DO A LOT TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN AND LIKE TESTING OF THE MACHINES BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

CHICAGO ALSO HAS TEAMS THAT ANALYZE DATA AND SEARCH FOR ANY ANOMALIES, SO THEY CAN BE FIXED.

AND IF NEEDED, THEN THE BALLOTS WOULD BE HAND COUNTED.

IN CHICAGO, THERE IS A PAPER TRAIL NO MATTER HOW YOU VOTE.

>> AND AMANDA, ANYTHING ELSE STICKING OUT?

THIS IS A CONCERN ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN ON ELECTION DAY WITH THE POLL WATCHERS AND OBVIOUSLY LOTS OF FOLKS THAT HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT ELECTIONS WHETHER THEY ARE REAL OR PERCEIVED WE SHOULD ADD.

ANYTHING ELSE STICK OUT?

>> WELL YEAH, PARIS.

AGAIN ALL THOSE BALLOTS ARE KEPT IN A WAREHOUSE.

AND SO IF THERE IS A LAWSUIT AS IT IS THE WAY REGARDING 2020, THEY WILL BE KEPT UNTIL THAT RESULT.

AND ALSO A LOT OF PEOPLE VOTING BY MAIL MORE OR THEY ARE AT LEAST VOTING AT HOME AND THEN PUTTING IN THAT DROP BOX MORE OFTEN.

CHICAGO HAS A COUPLE OF HUGE THINGS, NOW THESE WERE DESCRIBED TO ME AS LITERALLY THE SIZE OF THE SCHOOL BUS, HUGE MACHINES THAT SCAN AND THEN SORT ALL OF THOSE ESPECIALLY DESIGNED BALLOTS.

>> ALL RIGHT, DEFINITELY NEWS YOU COULD USE AND YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT STUFF.

AMANDA, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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

>> PARIS, THANK YOU.

>>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT," FROM HOTEL TO HOSPITAL SKY BRIDGE.

NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE HAS A NEW PLAN.

THAT AND MORE FROM GREEN.

>>> THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE KROGER, ALBERTSON'S MEGA MERGER ON CHICAGOANS AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

>>> HEALTHCARE OFFICIALS CALL FOR RESIDENTS TO GET THEIR FLU AND COVID BOOSTER VACCINATIONS AS THE WINTER SEASON APPROACHES.

>>> AND A LOOK AT THE PRAIRIE SCHOOL ARCHITECT GEORGE MAYOR AND HIS ENDURING INFLUENCE IN THE CHICAGO REGION FROM BLUE ISLAND TO KENNELWORTH.

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

MORE THAN233,000 PEOPLE HAVE APPLIED FOR WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE THE COUNTRY'S BIGGEST TEST OF A UNIVERSAL INCOME PROGRAM.

THE TWO-YEAR PROGRAM IN COOK COUNTY WILL USE A LOTTERY TO AWARD 3,250 PEOPLE WITH $500 MONTHLY PAYMENTS FOR TWO YEARS.

THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF THE APPLICANT WAS $15,000 A YEAR.

51% OF THE APPLICANTS SAY THEY WERE BLACK, AND 51% IDENTIFY AS HISPANIC.

WOMEN FILED 70% OF APPLICATIONS.

PAYMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN BY THE END OF DECEMBER.

>>> ANOTHER COVID OUTBREAK AT THE STATE VETERANS HOME THAT EXPERIENCED A LARGE NUMBER OF DEATHS DURING THE INITIAL STAGES OF THE PANDEMIC.

LASALLE VETERANS HOME IS REPORTING 23 CASES AMONG STAFF AND 42 AMONG RESIDENTS IN THIS CURRENT OUTBREAK ACCORDING TO THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

IDVA SAYS ALL THE INFECTED ARE VACCINATED AND BEING TREATED WITH THERAPIES.

LASALLE HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A SCATHING INSPECTOR GENERALS REPORT AND LAWSUITS ALLEGING NEGLIGENCE.

AT ONE POINT THE MAJORITY OF THE RESIDENTS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 AND SEVERAL DIED.

>>> ALARMING TEST RESULTS FROM THE EDUCATION PROGRESS.

NOTICE THE NATION'S REPORT CARD, THIS YEAR'S RESULT SHOWS THE PROGRESS AND WIDENING RACIAL DISPARITIES.

EVERY STATE IN THE COUNTRY SAW MATH AND READING SCORES DECLINE.

THIS YEAR WAS THE FIRST TIME THE TEST WAS GIVEN SINCE 2019, AND THEY SAW THEIR LARGEST DECREASE EVER.

READING LEVELS FELL BACK DOWN TO THE 1992 LEVELS.

IT'S THE FIRST NATIONAL REPORT TO COMPARE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT FROM BEFORE THE PANDEMIC TO NOW.

>>> AND NOW TO PARIS FOR SOME OF TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

PARIS?

>>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

CHICAGO BIOTECH COMPANY, TEMPIS, RAISES HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FUNDING FROM BIG NAME PLAYERS NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL REACHES FOR THE SKY.

AND ANOTHER APARTMENT BUILDING IS PROPOSED FOR WHAT HAS BECOME CHICAGO'S HOTTEST NEIGHBORHOOD FOR MULTI-FAMILY UNITS.

HERE TO GO BEHIND THE HEADLINES IS CRANE CHICAGO BUSINESS EDITOR ANN DYER, GREAT TO SEE YOU.

LET'S START WITH THE CHICAGO COMPANY RUN BY ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE ENTREPRENEURS IN TOWN.

RAISING ABOUT $275 MILLION IN FUNDING.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS COMPANY, AND WHAT IS SIGNIFICANT ABOUT THIS FUNDRAISING?

>> WELL, THIS COMPANY IS ONE THAT GOT STARTED SEVERAL YEARS AGO AFTER HIS WIFE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER.

HE DECIDED TO DEPLOY SOME OF HIS MONEY, HIS PRIVATE MONEY INTO A START-UP THAT WOULD PURSUE TECHNICAL EXPERIMENTS TO TRY TO UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF CANCER.

ACTUALLY ALONG THE WAY, HE HAS PICKED UP 1,700 EMPLOYEES AND A LOT OF BIG NAME INVESTORS INCLUDING GOOGLE, I BELIEVE, ALONG WITH SOME OTHERS.

TODAY COMES THE NEWS HE HAS RAISED ANOTHER $275 MILLION TOWARDS HIS GOAL OF USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND GENE SEQUENCING TO UNDERSTAND CANCER BETTER.

WHAT TEMPIS HAS DONE ALONG THE WAY IS EXPAND THE SCOPE BEYOND CANCER.

THEY'RE NOW FINDING SOME OF THE TECHNOLOGY THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO DEVELOP POTENTIALLY HAS USES FOR OTHER TYPES OF AILMENTS SUCH AS DIABETES AND EVEN INFECTIOUS DISEASES LIKE COVID-19.

IT'S A FASCINATING COMPANY WITH 900 EMPLOYEES HERE IN CHICAGO.

ANY TIME THEY RAISE A BIG SLUG OF MONEY LIKE THIS, WE PAY ATTENTION.

>> A LOT OF POTENTIAL FOR THIS COMPANY.

>>> NEXT TO THE HEALTHCARE, THEY WANT TO CONVERT A PART OF THE HYATT CENTRIC HOTEL IN STREETERVILLE, AND THEN BUILD A SKY BRIDGE.

HOW COME?

>> WELL DEMAND FOR MEDICAL OFFICE SPACE, PARIS, IN THE STREETERVILLE AREA AND BEYOND, IS JUST BOOMING RIGHT NOW.

WE'VE EVEN SEEN PROPERTIES LIKE THE OLD HANCOCK BUILDING.

IT'S NOT WHAT IT IS CALLED NOWADAYS.

CONVERTING MANY FLOORS OF ITS SPACE INTO MEDICAL OFFICE.

NORTHWESTERN HEALTHCARE LOOKS TO DO THE SAME RIGHT NOW WITH A HOTEL THEY BOUGHT LAST YEAR.

IT'S ADJACENT TO THEIR CAMPUS IN STREETERVILLE WHERE THE HYATT CENTRIC IS NOW.

THE HOTEL WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE, BUT NORTHWESTERN WANTS TO CONVERT TWO STORIES OF THAT 17-STORY BUILDING TO MEDICAL OFFICE, AND BUILD A SKY BRIDGE AS YOU MENTIONED TO OTHER PARTS OF THE CAMPUS.

THEY'RE GOING TO NEED CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR SOME OF THE ZONING THAT THEY WANT TO ACHIEVE HERE.

BUT IT'S DEFINITELY AN INDICATION THAT THE DOWNTOWN MEDICAL OFFICE MARKET IS ON FIRE WHEREAS THE HOTEL MARKET NOT SO MUCH.

AND I THINK ONCE THEY OWN THAT BUILDING, THEY WILL SEE MORE VALUE IN THAT.

>> NOT SO MUCH.

ANOTHER AREA ON FIRE AND IT HAS BEEN FOR YEARS, THE WEST LOOP.

A NEW TOWER PROPOSED.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THIS?

>> 28 STORIES, 370 UNITS ON A BLOCK, THE 1000 BLOCK OF WEST JACKSON, ABOUT A BLOCK AWAY FROM A LARGE TARGET THERE.

JUST MORE AFFIRMATION THAT THE WEST LOOP AND FULTON MARKET IS JUST ON FIRE WHEN IT COMES TO MULTI-FAMILY DWELLINGS.

EVERYBODY SEEMS TO WANT TO BUILD THERE NOW, AND THERE IS A HUGE LAND BRUSH GOING ON.

>> ALL RIGHT, ANN, WE WILL KEEP FOLLOWING THAT.

THANK YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AND NOW TO BRANDIS AND A MEGA MERGER'S LOCAL IMPACT.

BRANDIS?

>>> PARIS, TWO OF THE NATION'S LARGEST GROCERY STORE COMPANIES ARE ANNOUNCING A MERGER.

THE $25 BILLION DEAL BETWEEN KROGER AND ALBERTSON'S IS RAISING SOME CONCERNS THOUGH WITH SOME U.S.

SENATORS PLANNING A HEARING NEXT MONTH.

THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION IS EXPECTED TO REVIEW THE DEAL TO MAKE SURE IT COMPLIES WITH ANTI-TRUST LAWS.

JOINING US NOW ARE JAMES WARZEN, CORPORATE PARTNER, AND ROBERT BRUNO, PROFESSOR AT UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SCHOOL OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS.

THANKS TO YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

SO JAMES, THIS MERGER WOULD COMBINE THE FIFTH AND TENTH BIGGEST RETAILERS IN THE COUNTRY, OPPONENTS SENATOR ELIZABETH WARNER, AND BERNIE SANDERS ARE CALLING ON FEDERAL REGULATORS TO BLOCK IT.

JAMES, WHAT KIND OF ANTI-TRUST ISSUES COULD THIS DEAL RUN INTO?

>> YES.

SO WHENEVER COMPANIES ARE LOOKING TO COMBINE -- AND THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY DOING THAT FOR BUSINESS REASONS THAT THEY THINK IS GOING TO BENEFIT THE SHAREHOLDERS.

BUT WITH THOSE TRANSACTIONS, GOVERNMENTS, DIFFERENT REGULATORY BODIES, FTC, OR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, TAKE A LOOK AT THE TRANSACTION AND CONFIRM THAT IT ISN'T UNDERMINING GOOD, HEALTHY COMPETITION.

SO THAT'S REALLY THE VIEW REGULATORS WILL TAKE WHEN LOOKING AT A DEAL LIKE THIS.

IS IT UNDERMINING THE COMPETITION AND THE BENEFITS OF THE COMPETITION THAT CONSUMERS GET?

>> AND WHEN COMPANIES AS BIG AS THESE TWO ARE, WHAT MIGHT THEIR ARGUMENT BE WHEN GOING INTO THAT KIND OF REGULATION?

>> YEAH, I MEAN THAT'S REALLY THE INTERESTING PIECE OF THIS.

I MEAN THERE WILL BE TWO SIDES OF THE STORY.

THE SENATORS THAT YOU MENTIONED ARE ALREADY MAKING COMMENTS ABOUT HOW THIS IS GOING TO UNDERMINE STORES BY POTENTIALLY LEADING TO LAYOFFS.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CLAIMS THAT MIGHT RAISE PRICES FOR WHAT'S BEING OFFERED BY THE OUTLETS.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT IS THIS IS COMING FROM THE PARTISAN INVOLVED WITH THE MERGER.

AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE ENHANCING THE JOINT BUSINESS AND MAKING IT SO THEY CAN OFFER HIGHER WAGES TO WORKERS, PROVIDE PRODUCTS FOR LOWER PRICES, AND ALLOW THEM TO COMPETE, NO LONGER WITH ONE ANOTHER, BUT COMPETE WITH OTHER PLAYERS FROM THE MARKET.

YOU KNOW, FOR INSTANCE, WAL-MART IS STILL GOING TO BE, WHICH OFFERS GROCERIES, IS STILL GOING TO BE FAR LARGER THAN THE COMBINED COMPANY.

SO IN THE DELIBERATIONS OVER THIS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE MAKING THOSE DIFFERENT ARGUMENTS.

>> AND BOB BRUNO, LET'S GET INTO THE WORK FORCE A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE BOTH OF THESE COMPANIES EMPLOYEE A MOSTLY UNION WORK FORCE.

THEY HAVE ARGUED THIS WILL MAKE THEM MORE COMPETITIVE AGAINST BIGGER RETAILERS LIKE WAL-MART AND AMAZON WHO DO NOT HIRE A UNION WORK FORCE.

WHAT IS SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS THERE, BOB?

>> WELL JAMES NOTED THAT THERE WOULD BE A CONCERN ABOUT LAYOFFS.

AND FRANKLY WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A CONCENTRATION OF CORPORATE POWER AMONG MARKET LEADERS IN OTHER INDUSTRIES.

LAYOFFS USUALLY DO OCCUR.

OBVIOUSLY THEY GET DISAPPROVED, THEY WOULD NEED TO HAVE SOME STORES THAT ARE SHUTTERED.

USUALLY THERE ARE ATTEMPTS TO FIGHT ECONOMY TO SCALE AND REDUCE THE COST, WHICH LEADS TO A LOT OF LABOR AS REDUNDANT.

SO I THINK THERE IS A JOB LOSS CONCERN AND A LOT OF RESEARCH TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

THERE IS ALSO, YOU KNOW, SOME REAL INTRICATE ISSUES AROUND WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS?

THERE MAY BE SIMILARITIES, BUT A LOT OF DIFFERENCES.

HOW DO THEY INTEGRATE THEM?

WHICH COLLECTIVE BARGAINING WOULD BE CONSIDERED DOMINANT?

ONE COULD IMAGINE A SET OF WAGE RATES THAT ARE A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN THE OTHER.

WELL WHICH ONE WOULD DOMINATE?

YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT THE UNION TO APPROVE ANYTHING THAT WOULD LOWER ANYBODY'S WAGES.

AND YOU KNOW, A THIRD PIECE IS THESE STORES AND HOW WELL THEY DO MAY MARY.

SO I THINK THE LOCALS IN CHICAGO HAVE COME OUT AND THEY HAVE BEEN CRITICAL OF THE MERGER.

THE INTERNATIONAL HAS TAKEN A MORE DELIBERATE APPROACH TO THIS.

>> AND BOB, THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY NEXT QUESTION.

HOW MIGHT THEY WOUND?

WOULDN'T A BIGGER UNION HAVE MORE WEIGHT?

>> WELL YOU KNOW, IT WOULD BE A VERY LARGE UNION.

KEEP IN MIND, THESE ARE UNIONIZED EMPLOYEES.

THIS ISN'T REALLY GROWING THE SECTOR.

AND IT IS NOT NECESSARILY CLEAR THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GROW YOUR DENSITY IN AN INDUSTRY WHEN YOU REDUCE THE NUMBER OF COMPETITORS, AND IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY LEAD TO HAVING MORE RESOURCES TO ORGANIZE THE SOURCE.

A LOT WILL HAVE TO DO WITH WHAT THEY WILL AGREE AND SO FOR EXAMPLE, THEY COULD AGREE IF THEY WERE TO SUPPORT THE MERGERS, THEY COULD GET THE MERGED COMPANIES TO AGREE TO TAKE A NEUTRAL POSITION WHEN THE UNION ATTEMPTS TO ORGANIZE OTHER STORES THAT MAY BE WITHIN, YOU KNOW, THE CORPORATE STRUCTURE.

AND PERHAPS THAT WOULD LEAD TO SOME GROWTH.

BUT IT'S NOT AT ALL CLEAR THAT'S WHAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE.

>> AND JAMES, BECAUSE OF THE OVERLAP, COULD THERE BE A SITUATION IN A PLACE LIKE CHICAGO WHERE BOTH COMPANIES HAVE STORES WHERE THIS LEADS TO FEWER GROCERY STORES IN SOME COMMUNITIES?

>> YEAH, THAT WILL BE A KEY COMPONENT OF THE DEAL.

IN ONE WAY THEY'VE SORT OF ANTICIPATED THAT CHALLENGE IS THEY'VE ALREADY IN ANNOUNCING THE MERGER, THEY ANNOUNCED THEY ARE PLANNING ON SPINNING OFF TO A SUBSIDIARY OF ALBERTSON'S.

ALMOST 400 STORES TO HOPEFULLY REDUCE SOME OF THE OVERLAP AND SORT OF REDUCE SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS THAT THIS IS GOING TO UNDERMIND COMPETITION.

BUT ABSOLUTELY, THAT IS ALWAYS A KEY COMPONENT WHEN THERE IS RETAIL INVOLVED.

>> BOB BRUNO, IF THIS DOESN'T GO AS PLANNED, COULD WE SEE LAYOFFS?

>> I'M NOT ANTICIPATING THAT WOULD BE THE CASE.

THESE ARE TWO REALLY HEALTHY BUSINESSES.

THERE'S NO REASON TO BELIEVE INDEPENDENT OF THIS MERGER THAT YOU WOULD SEE LAYOFFS OCCUR.

>> OKAY.

AND I'M SURE A LOT OF EMPLOYEES HOPE THAT'S NOT THE CASE, BUT THAT'S WHERE WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT FOR NOW.

BOB BRUNO AND JAMES WARZEN, THANK YOU TO YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> UP NEXT, A LOOK AT THE RISE IN RSV CASES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THAT'S IN A CONVERSATION THAT FIRST AIRED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" LATINO VOICES WITH PHIL PONCE.

BUT FIRST A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> THIS WEEKEND'S BALMY WEATHER MIGHT INDICATE OTHERWISE, WINTER IS ON THE WAY.

UNFORTUNATELY, ONE'S LUNGS WILL HAVE A LOT TO LOOK UP FOR THIS SEASON SORT TO SPEAK.

RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS ARE ON THE RISE, HIGH RATES OF FLU AND COLD INFECTIONS ARE EXPECTED.

THE NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE OF PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL BEDS AND ICU RESOURCES IS STRAINING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM ONCE AGAIN.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ARE DR. JUANITA MORA, AN ALLERGIST AND IMMUNOLOGIST AT THE CHICAGO ALLERGY CENTER.

DR. LUNA.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

AND DR. LUNA, IF I CAN BEGIN WITH YOU.

THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED RSV.

WHAT IS RSV?

>> HI, YES, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

RSV IS RESPIRATORY VIRUS.

AND IT IS A VIRUS THAT HAS A PREFERENCE FOR CHILDREN.

AND WE SEE IT IN THE SEASON.

WE STARTED TO SEE IN THE CASE OF HERE IN ILLINOIS AND CHICAGO, AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE IT DOES SEND CHILDREN TO THE HOSPITAL.

AND THOSE PATIENTS ARE COMPLICATED, YOU KNOW, PRESENT A SEVERE FACE OF THE DISEASE.

AND THEY COULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF INDIVIDUALS.

>> AND WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF RSV?

>> RSV IS LIKE, IT PRESENTS LIKE EVERY COLD SYNDROME THAT WE SEE.

COLD, RUNNY NOSE, AND THAT RESPIRATORY DISTRESS THAT WE START SEEING.

IN A SEVERE CASE, THE PRESENTATION OF THE DISEASE, AND THAT'S WHEN OUR FAMILIES, CAREGIVERS HAVE THE NECESSITY TO LOOK FOR THAT HEALTHCARE AID, GOING TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, AND THEN AFTER WE DIAGNOSIS IT, THERE IS NOT MUCH TREATMENT, SO IT'S SYMPTOMATIC TREATMENT IN A LOCATION THAT REQUIRES VENTILATION OR MECHANICAL VENTILATION AT THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT.

>> AND DR. MORA, THIS SOUNDS KIND OF ALARMING.

AT WHAT POINT DOES A FAMILY REALIZE THAT MAYBE THEY SHOULD TAKE THEIR CHILD TO THE HOSPITAL?

>> THE VERY IMPORTANT SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR, ONE IS IF THE CHILD STARTS HAVING TROUBLE BREATHING.

SO THEY'RE USING THEIR MUSCLE, WHICH MEANS THEIR CHEST IS MOVING UP OR DOWN OR THEIR COUGH GETS WORSE.

THAT'S A SIGN THEY'RE HAVING TROUBLE BREATHING.

THE OTHER SIGN IS THE PLANS OF DEHYDRATION.

SO THEY'RE NOT EATING AS MUCH.

THEY'RE NOT DRINKING ENOUGH FLUIDS.

FOR BABIES, THEY'RE NOT PUTTING OUT AS MANY DIAPERS.

THESE ARE SIGNS THOSE CHILDREN SHOULD GO TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

>> AND DR. MORRIS STAYING WITH YOU, WHAT IS THE DEMAND RIGHT NOW?

HOW ARE PEDIATRIC UNITS DEALING WITH RSV?

>> WELL THERE IS A HIGH DEMAND ALL THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, IT CAUSES 2 NEW HAMPSHIRE 1 MILLION HOSPITAL VISITS AND 150,000 HOSPITALIZATIONS A YEAR FOR RSV.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE SEEING THE EARLY SURGE OF OURS, WHICH IS CAUSING A LOT TO BE FULL, SO WE WANT TO TEACH PARENTS THE ISSUES, SO THEY HAVE A BED IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IF NEEDED.

>> AND LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FLU VACCINE UPTAKE IS LOWER AMONG BLACK AND LATINO POPULATIONS.

WHAT IS BEHIND THIS DISCREPANCY?

>> THERE'S MANY FACTORS.

IT IS NOT JUST ONE THING THAT WE CAN ADDRESS.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME ACCESS TO CARE, SO THERE ARE THOSE BARRIERS AND MISTRUST AND LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN OUR VACCINES.

AND THEN THE HEALTH INSURANCE IS ANOTHER PROBLEM.

ADDING TO THOSE BARRIERS, AND LAND WAGE IN CULTURAL, ACCESS TO INDIVIDUALS TOO FOR CARE IS ANOTHER THING THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED.

SO THERE'S MULTIPLE THINGS THAT WE SEE IN OUR MARGINALIZED SEGREGATED COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

AND MINORITIES HERE IN CHICAGO AND ILLINOIS AND NATIONWIDE, SO THAT IS WHY WE ARE SEEING THIS LAG OF INDIVIDUALS GETTING THEIR VACCINES.

TAKING THAT PROACTIVE APPROACH TO GETTING THE VACCINE, AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

>> DR. MORA, WE'VE HEARD OF DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES BEING PERHAPS MORE -- MORE SKEPTICAL OF VACCINES THAN OTHERS.

AT THIS POINT, WITH ALL THE PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT HAS GONE ON, HOW DOES ONE CONVINCE SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN RELUCTANT AND DEVELOPED THIS TO ACTUALLY GET VACCINATED?

>> WELL, IT'S BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS A PERSON AT A TIME.

AND SO IT'S NURSES, EVEN MEDICAL ASSISTANTS.

AND WE ALL CAN TAKE PART IN HAVING THAT CONVERSATION.

STARTING TO TRUST IN PEOPLE WHO STILL HAVE MISTRUST AND TELLING THEM TO LOOK AT ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE NO LONGER HERE WITH US BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT VACCINATED.

COVID-19 HAS TAKEN ENOUGH LIFE WITHIN OUR COUNTRY, AND IT HAS BEEN HARD HIT IN THE AFRICAN AND LATINO COMMUNITIES.

I TELL THEM AND THIS IS WHY WE NEED TO VACCINATE, SO WE CAN SAVE MORE LIFE AND CONTINUE TO SAVE MORE LIVES.

WINTER IS ABOUT TO START, TIME TO GET YOUR COVID-19 VACCINE OR BOOSTER AND YOUR FLU SHOTS TOO.

>> DR. LUNA, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE RATES OF PEOPLE GETTING THE MOST RECENT COVID VACCINE, THE RATES ARE LOW?

AGAIN, CAN YOU AMPLIFY ON WHY THAT MIGHT BE?

>> YEAH, IT'S UNFORTUNATE, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR LATINX COMMUNITY THAT WE KNOW OUR CHILDREN, THE LARGEST COMMUNITY OF CHILDREN IN CHICAGO.

SO WE HAVE 38% OF THE CHILDREN IN THE LATINX COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE LESS THAN 6% THAT HAVE TAKEN A BOOSTER IN WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BOOSTER THAT IS IMPORTANT, AND I HAVE TO STRETCH IT OUT TO FAMILIES.

IT HAS ALL THE INFORMATION FOR THE VARIANTS THAT WE HAVE OUT THERE.

IT'S INCREDIBLE HOW WE LOOK AT THE PRE VERSIONS AND THE ONES WE HAVE.

WE KNOW WE HAVE LOST PROTECTION USING THE PREVIOUS VACCINE THAT WE HAD AROUND.

IT HAS BEEN 1,750 NEW CASES SINCE THE WUHAN COVID-19 HAS OCCURRED SINCE THE INITIAL OF THE PANDEMIC.

SO NOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF STRETCH, THE VIRUSES VERSES THE ONES THAT WE HAVE, WHICH IS STILL COVID-19, BUT VERY WELL MUTATED.

SO GETTING THAT ACTUAL BOOSTER WILL MAKE A WHOLE DIFFERENCE.

WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF MISINFORMATION OUT THERE.

THAT'S ANOTHER THING WE HAVE IDENTIFIED.

DOCTORS ARE SAYING MASSIVE HEART ATTACKS HAPPEN IN CHILDREN, WHICH IS NOT TRUE.

WE ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO GET THE INFORMATION FROM AUTHORIZED SOURCES.

SIT DOWN IN A LANGUAGE, IN A CULTURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND AND MAKE SENSE OF THAT, SO WE CAN MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS, IT IS INCREDIBLE.

WE'VE HAD MORE THAN 600 BILLION INDIVIDUALS GLOBALLY WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED WITH AN INCREDIBLE SUCCESS IN EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY, ALWAYS GUIDING OUR DECISIONS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

THESE VACCINES, THEY DO PREVENT NOW INFECTIONS, HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND DEATH.

>> AND WE THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR INSIGHTS.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

DR. JUANITA MORA, AND DR. LUNA, MY THANKS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

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

>>> THE ART INDUSTRY OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT CENTER WHEN IT COMES TO ARCHITECTURAL, BUT OTHERS MADE IMPACTS AS WELL.

A NEW GROUP EARNING THE SPOTLIGHT ON GEORGE WASHINGTON MAHER, RECOGNIZING BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT THE MIDWEST, AND HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> Reporter: AT THE CORNER OF PLEASANT STREET STANDS THE JOHN FARSONS HOUSE.

THE EARLY PRAIRIE STYLE RESIDENCE WAS COMPLETED IN 1897 AND IS A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK.

>> A LOT OF PRAIRIE SCHOOL DESIGNED WAS THE VOID.

IF YOU LOOK AT PLEASANT HOMES, THERE IS A LOT OF ELABORATE MOTIFS.

AND THAT WAS NOT TYPICAL OF WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF FOR PRAIRIE SCHOOL WORK LIFE BY FRANK LLOYD, FOR EXAMPLE.

>> PLEASANT HOME WAS DESIGNED BY A CONTEMPORARY OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT, GEORGE WASHINGTON MAHER.

>> PLEASANT HOME WAS HIS FORAY INTO ARCHITECTURE, AND ONE OF THE EARLY EXAMPLES OF PRAIRIE SCHOOL DESIGN.

WHEN IT WAS BUILT IN 1897, IT WAS HIGHLY BORROWED FROM OR COPIED ACROSS THE MIDWEST BECAUSE IT WAS GROUND BREAKING.

NOT JUST THE EXTERIOR LOOK, BUT THE INTERIOR DESIGN, WHICH OBVIOUSLY HIM AND WRIGHT HAVE THAT IN COMMON AS WELL.

>> MAHER'S BUILDING ARE ALL OVER THE REGION.

THIS LIMESTONE MANSION IS IN EAST GARFIELD PARK.

THIS BRICK HOME IS ONE OF SEVERAL IN BEVERLY.

AND THERE IS A GROUP OF HIS RESIDENTS IN THE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD.

EACH ONE FILLED WITH FINE CRAFTSMANSHIP AND INCREDIBLE DETAILS.

GEORGE MAHER DESIGNED HIS OWN FAMILY HOME IN KENNILWORTH.

SOME OF HIS WORK FROM THE ENGLISH ARTS AND CRAFTS MOVEMENT.

OTHER BUILDINGS HAVE A SIMILARITY.

>> AND HE GETS LUMPED IN WITH PRAIRIE SCHOOL ARCHITECTS.

AND FOR -- I MEAN A LOT OF HIS CAREER, HE DEFINITELY DID DESIGN PRAIRIE HOUSES OR PRAIRIE LEANING HOUSES.

BUT A LOT OF THE AILMENTS HE INCORPORATED WERE EUROPEAN IN ORIGIN.

HE WAS ALWAYS VERY INTO EUROPEAN ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN.

THAT'S ONE OF THE MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HIM AND WRIGHT.

SIMILARLY THEY ADVOCATED FOR AN INDIGENOUS AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE.

THEY PRACTICED TO DEVELOP AN INDIGENOUS AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE.

BUT IT'S VERY OBVIOUS THE BORROWINGS FROM EUROPEAN DESIGN.

YOU'LL SEE THAT AS HIS CAREER EVOLVES, YOU'LL SEE MORE AND MORE OF THAT.

>> Reporter: THE PLEASANT HOME FOUNDATION JUST LAUNCHED THE GEORGE MAHER'S SOCIETY, WHOSE MISSION IS TO DOCUMENT MAHER'S DESIGN AND PRESERVE HIS LEGACY.

KEVIN BROWN LIVES IN A GEORGE MAHER HOUSE THAT HE'S CURRENTLY RENOVATING IN BLUE ISLAND.

>> YEAH, WE'RE ONE OF THE LUCKY OF HANDFUL OF PEOPLE WHO GETS TO LIVE IN ONE OF HIS DESIGNS.

FOR ME IT'S LIKE LIVING IN A WORK OF LIFE.

YOU'RE A SHEPARD OF STEWARD OF A WORK OF ART.

>> Reporter: MAHER DID INSTITUTIONAL DESIGN, IT STILL STANDS IN GARY, INDIANA.

SOME DESIGNS HAVEN'T SURVIVED LIKE GYMNASIUMS ON THE CAMPUS OF NORTHWESTERN, AND THIS MANSION.

MORE RECENTLY MAHER'S CHICAGO TOWN AND TENNIS CENTER WAS DEMOLISHED IN JUNE OF 2020.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF BUILDINGS AND HOUSES.

PEOPLE WALK BY IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIFE THAT THEY DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY OF THEM, THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THEM.

AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO SHINE A LIGHT ON THESE COMMUNITIES.

SEE WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN, WHERE THEY ARE AT, AND WHERE THEY ARE GOING.

>> GEORGE MAHER'S CAREER WAS CUT SHORT WHEN HE TOOK HIS OWN LIFE IN 1926 AFTER HIS HEALTH DECLINED.

HIS SON TOOK OVER THE BUSINESS AND HAD A SUCCESSFUL CAREER AS AN ARCHITECT.

>> FAMILY WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO HIM.

THE CLIENT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO HIM.

THEIR TASTES, THE WAY THEY LIVED THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO HIM.

HE WANTED TO CREATE A DEMOCRATIC ARCHITECTURE FOR THE PEOPLE.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> AND YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE NEWLY FORMED GEORGE WASHINGTON MAHER SOCIETY AND PLEASANT HOME ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> WE ARE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

THE POLK BROS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DOE NO, SIR.

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

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00.

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

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.