>> GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT.".

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> THIS IS REALLY THE WORST THING OF ALL.

>> THE DEBATE OVER DEBATES.

CANDIDATES ARE SAYING NO TO SHARING THEIR STATE WITH THEIR .

THEIR OPPONENT.

>> WE WANT TO SEE THE REDEMPTION STORY.

GIVE PEOPLE A.

A CHANCE.

>> HOW PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECS CRIMINAL RECORDS ARE HOPING TO GET A SECOND CHANCE IN OUR FOURTH AND FINAL INSTALLMENT OF OF PERMANENT PUNISHMENT.

>> THE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE BRIDGE THAT GAP.

> >> A STATE-OF-THE-ART CANCER CER CANCER CENTER IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

> >> CHICAGO IS SAYING THE LOWEST LOWEST NUMBERS OF NEW HIV CASES CASES SINCE THE 1980s.

SOME GROUPS ARE STILL GREATLY IMPACTED BY THE DISEASE.

> >> CHICAGO GETS THE BEST CITY N THE U.S. VOTE FOR THE SIXTH YEAR IN A ROW.

WE DIG INTO THE REASONS WHY.

> >> YOU MIGHT HAVE NOTICED IN THE STUDIO, WE HAVE A NEW THEME THEME SONG.

WE SIT DOWN WITH THE COMPOSER.

>> BRANDIS FRIEDMAN, AS YOU MENTIONED, I AM IN HYDE PARK .

THIS IS PART OF OUR CHICAGO TONIGHT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

IS A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH A NOTABLE RESIDENCE AND A NOTABLE NEW NEIGHBOR ON THE WAY IN THE FORM OF THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL SENSOR WHICH COMES COMES WITH A LOT OF EXCITEMENT, EXCITEMENT, AS WELL AS ANXIETY.

ANXIETY.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT ALL ALL OF THAT AND MUCH MORE COMING UP.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCES MAJOR EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON MARIJUANA THAT COULD AFFECT THOUSANDS WHO ARE INCAR.

ARE INCARCERATED.

THE PRESIDENT PRESIDENT TODAY ANNOUNCED HE WILL PARDON ALL OF THOSE CONVICTED OF FEDERAL SIMPLE MARA SIMPLE MARIJUANA POSSESSIONS.

HE IS ALSO ASKING GOVERNORS TO DO THE SAME FOR STATE-LEVEL OFFS STATE-LEVEL OFFENSES AND SAYS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL LOOK TO RECLASSIFY MARIJUANA, WHICH IS CURRENTLY A DRUG CLASSD DRUG CLASSIFIED AT THE SAME LEVEL OF SERIOUS DRUGS LIKE HER.

LIKE HEROIN.

IT IS ALREADY LEGAL IN ILLINOIS AND SEVERAL OTHER STATES.

THIS MOVES COME ON THE SAME DAY THAT THEY ARE REPORTING THAT FEDERAL AGENTS BELIEVE THEY HAVE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO FEDERALLY CHARGE THE PRESIDENT SIGNED, HUNTER BI.

HUNTER BIDEN.

> >> THE NUMBER OF CHICAGOANS NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH HIV IN 2020 IN 2020 WAS AT ITS LOWEST IN FOUR DECADES.

THAT IS ACCORDING ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT FROM THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALT.

OF HEALTH.

HIV DIAGNOSES WERE REPORTED IN 2020 IN CHICAGO, WHILE 269 CHICAGOANS WERE DIAGNOSED WITH A.I.D.S., WHICH IS THE MOST ADVANCED STAGE OF THE HIV INFECTION.

WE'LL HAVE MORE THIS LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

> >> O'HARA WILL BECOME ONE OF FE OF FIVE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS THAT WILL BE SCREENING SITES FOR EBOLA.

PASSENGERS TRAVELING TRAVELING FROM UGANDA WILL BE SENT TO O'HARA ARE ONE OF THE FOUR OTHER AIRPORTS FOR SCREENI.

FOR SCREENING.

THEY HAVE REPORTED A SLIGHT OUTBREAK OF THE DEADLY VIRUS IN THAT AFRICAN COUNTRY.

THERE ARE NO CONFIRMED CASES OUTSIDE OF UGANDA REPORTED AT THIS TIME.

> >> ONE OF CHICAGO'S TWO MAJOR DAILY NEWSPAPERS WILL NOT BE FREE TO READ ONLINE.

THE CHICAGO SUN TIMES ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT IS MOVING THE PAY PAY WALL FOR ONLINE CONTENT, BUT STILL ASKING READERS TO SUBSCRIBE OR DONATE.

THIS COMES COMES AFTER THE PAPER MERGED WITH THE CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA.

THE SUN TIMES WILL STILL CHARGE CHARGE FOR ITS PRINT EDITIONS.

> >> COMING UP I MADE A REPORT ON ON THE DECLINE OF HIV DIAGNOSES DIAGNOSES ACROSS CHICAGO.

> >> FIRST, THE HURDLES PEOPLE FACE WHEN IT COMES TO CLEARING CLEARING CRIMINAL RECORDS.

THE FINAL INSTALLMENT OF PERMANENT PUNISHMENT RIGHT AFTER THIS.

[ C ] [ MUSIC ] > >> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN , JOHN NICHOLS, THE GYM AND K NAVY FAMILY, THE POPE BROTHERS N BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

[ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] > >> THIS WEEK, OUR PUNISHMENT SERIES EXPLORES THE VARIOUS WAYS THAT THERE ARE WAYS TO GET GET AROUND THEM, TO CLEAR A RECORD.

THOSE COULD BE CUMBERSOME AND DIFFICULT TO ACCESS.

SOME ADVOCATES SAY THEY THEY ARE NOT NEARLY ENOUGH., [ C ] [ MUSIC ] >> HE RAPS ABOUT WHAT HE KNOWS.

AT THE AGE OF 14, HE WAS CHARGED AS AN ADULT WITH MURDER , A GUN DEAL GONE BAD.

HE WAS SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON, HE SPENT 13.

HE IS RAPPING ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE TO.

EXPERIENCE TODAY.

[ MUSIC ] [ C ] >> HE CALLS A MIRACLE.

>> HE KNOCKS JAKE ON MY DOOR -- HE WAS LIKE, YOU DON'T WANT TO TO GO HOME?

WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TRYING TO GET AN ADDRESS FOR YOU ALL DAY.

>> I WAS LIKE, WHAT?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN GO HOME?

>> HE HAD BEEN GRANTED SOMETHING ONLY A SMALL MINORITYF MINORITY OF -- HIS SENTENCE AND AND RELEASE THEM FROM PRISON.

WHAT HE DIDN'T DO WOULD CLEAR HIS RECORD.

>> I'M TRYING TO GET A HOME NOW.

EVERYTHING SEEMS GOOD.

THEN NOTHING HAPPENS.

I CAN ONLY BELIEVE IT IS BECAUSE OF MY RECORD.

I DEFINITELY APPLIED APPLIED FOR CERTAIN JOBS, AND I I HAVE HAD TO TELL EMPLOYERS LIKE, FIRST -- THEY ASK, WILL ANYTHING POP UP?

I'M LIKE, YEAH.

LIKE, YEAH.

THERE IS A FELONY MURDER THAT MIGHT POP UP.

>> THERE ARE ABOUT 1300 PERMANENT PUNISHMENTS ON THE BOOK IN ILLINOIS, THERE ARE ONLY A HANDFUL OF WAYS TO GET AROUND THAT.

OFTEN INVOLVING A COMPETENT MIX OF PAPERWORK.

ONE ONE OF THEM IS EXECUTIVE CLEMEN, EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY, GRANTED ONLY BY THE GOVERNOR.

IN HIS CASE, 151 TIMES IN EARLY 2021.

THE PROCESS IS LENGTHY AND UNPR.

AND UNPREDICTABLE.

>> HE READ A PETITION THAT GOES GOES TO THE PRISONER REVIEW BOA, REVIEW BOARD, WHICH THEN HE GETS HEARD BY THEM.

YOU DON'T GET TO KNOW WHAT THEIR RECOMMENDATION IS, WHETHER IT IS UP OR DOWN.

THEN HE GETS SENT TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ONLY IF IT IS A POSITIVE RECOGNITION FROM THE BOARD.

IN THE GOVERNOR DECIDES ON THE -- >> A CLINICAL LAW PROFESSOR AND AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE FAMILY AND JUSTICE CENTER AT NORTHWESTERN LAW.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS OF THAT PROCESS?

>> IT BUMS ME OUT.

IT IS VERY FG VERY FRUSTRATING TO NOT KNOW.

>> IT CAN COME IN THE FORM OF A A PARTY, WHICH CAN RESTORE ALL OR SOME, DUE TO THE CONVICTION.

A SEPARATE OPTION IS RECONCILING.

-- WHO WE MET TUESDAY WAS CONVICTED OF ATTEMPTED MURDER AND ARMED ROBBERY 26 YEARS AGO.

SHE HAD HER RECORDS HELD -- SEALED.

>> IN REGARDS OF TRYING TO GET T GET EMPLOYMENT, BEING TURNED DOWN FROM JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.

YOU CAN'T RENT AN AIRBNB WITH A RECORD.

>> IF A RECORD IS SEALED, THAT MEANS ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND N AND CERTAIN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AGENCIES CAN SEE IT.

TO HAVE IT IT AND IS INCREDIBLY COMPETENT.

YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR RAP SHEET, FEEL OUT THE RIGHT FORMS.

IF YOU DON'T FILLED OUT THE RIGHT FORM, THEY THROW YOU OUT OF COURT.

THEN THEY CAN OBJECT!

>> IN -- RECORD SALE LINK WASN'T ENOUGH.

>> TODAY MAKES YEAR AND A HALF SHE HAS BEEN GONE.

SHE DIED OCTOBER 20th, A DAY BEFORE HER BIRTHDAY.

SHE IS 35 YEARS OLD.

>> HER SISTER WAS MURDERED TWO YEARS AGO.

SHE WANTS TO BECOME L BECOME LEGAL GUARDIAN OF HER CHILDREN.

>> SHE HAS TWO BEAUTIFUL CHILDR.

BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN.

DUE TO MY CONVICTION, I AM NOT ALLOWED TO TO GET CUSTODY OF THEM.

I'M TOLD THAT SOMEBODY ELSE IN MY FAMILY WHO DOESN'T HAVE A RECORD SHOULD TRY TO APPLY FOR FULL CUSTODY.

>> THE ILLINOIS PROBATE ACT SAYS, QUOTE, A PERSON WHO IS QUALIFIED TO ACT AS GUARDIAN HAS NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY UNLESS THE COURT FINDS -- OF THE PERSON CONVICTED TO BE IN THE MINOR'S BEST INTEREST.

SHE FEELS CLEMENCY, A A PARDON FROM THE GOVERNOR, IS HER BEST CHANCE.

>> I WANT TO HAVE CUSTODY OF MY MY SISTER'S CHILDREN.

I WANT TO TO HAVE ALL MY CIVIL RIGHTS TO THAT.

I DON'T HAVE ALL MY CIVIL.

CIVIL RIGHTS.

IT DOESN'T MATTER MATTER THAT THE CASE OCCURRED OVER 26 YEARS AGO.

>> CLEARING THE RECORD, YOU STILL HAD TO EXPLAIN WHAT YOU DID WITH HIS BLACK HOLE OF TIME.

YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT SO.

OUT SOMETHING.

PEOPLE TEND TO DO BETTER WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE A RECORD.

>> ANOTHER RECORD TO WORK AROUND THE OPTION, -- >> YOU CAN PETITION THE COURT.

THAT MEANS IT IS RIPPED UP.

IT IS DESTROYED.

THAT IS WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.

>> EXPUNGEMENT >> EXPUNGEMENT ONLY APPLIES IN CERTAIN CASES.

>> IF YOU HAVE A CRIMINAL CONVI, CRIMINAL CONVICTION, YOU CANNOT CANNOT HAVE YOUR RECORD EXPUNGE.

RECORD EXPUNGED.

YOU CAN, HOWEVER, HAVE IT SEALED.

>> THE RECORD SELLING, OR EXPUNGEMENT PROCESS, INCLUDES FG INCLUDES FILING A PETITION IN CT IN COURT.

AROUND $157 PER CHARG.

PER CHARGE.

FEES THAT ADD UP IF IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE CHARG, ONE CHARGE, BUT CAN BE WAIVED IF YOU ARE AT OR BELOW 125% OF THE POVERTY LEVEL.

PSYCHOLOGISTS AND FORMER COOK COUNTY JAIL WARDEN SAYS, IT IS STILL A BARRIER.

ARGUES FOR SOME SORT OF AUTOMATIC EXPUNGEMENT PROCESS.

>> WILL RESEARCH HAS SHOWN US, EVEN THOUGH ILLINOIS HAS ONE OF OF THE BEST SYSTEMS FOR EXPUNGEMENT, NOT MANY PEOPLE UTILIZE IT.

WE SHIPPED THE BURDEN OF THE INDIVIDUAL PETITIG INDIVIDUAL PETITIONING FOR SEALING OF RECORDS, OR EXPUNGEMT OR EXPUNGEMENT FROM THE INDIVIDUAL TO THE SYSTEM.

THAT WILL HELP US TO MAKE THIS EXPUNGEMENT PROCESS AND SELLING SELLING PROCESS MORE EQUITABLE.

EQUITABLE.

>> MITCHELL DAVIS, THE FIRST BLACK MAN TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT PRESIDENT OF THE ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION CHIEF OF POLICE SAYS HE CAN GET BEHIND THE IDEA IDEA OF AUTOMATIC EXPUNGEMENT WITH SOME GUARDRAILS.

>> LOW-LEVEL, NONVIOLENT CRIMES CRIMES SHOULD BE IN CONSIDERATIN IN CONSIDERATION FOR SOME TYPE OF AUTOMATIC EXPUNGEMENT.

IN EAST WE COME TO UPON MEETING CERTAIN CRITERIA.

NOT JUST, OKA, JUST, OKAY, YOU'RE DONE.

YOU KN?

YOU KNOW?

NO FURTHER REST.

CERTAIN TIME PERIOD.

MAYBE SOME SOME OTHER THINGS THAT WILL FIT FIT THE CRITERIA.

>> IS TRYING TO BUILD A NETWORK NETWORK OF POWER.

YOU KNOW WHAT WHAT I'M SAYING?

>> THESE DAYS, IN ADDITION TO HIS MUSIC, HE TEAMS UP WITH CHAMBERLAIN, WHO WE MET ON MOND.

ON MONDAY.

THE TWO WORK ON A CAMPAIGN, IN AN EFFORT TO UNROLL SOME OF THE 1300 LAWS THAT HINDER PEOPLE WITH RECORDS RECORDS FROM MOVING FORWARD.

>> >> THEIR BACKGROUND, IT'S HARD TO -- >> TODAY, THEY ARE MAKING FEWER FEWER PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY STILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE ONCE THEY ARE OUT OF PRISON.

ONLY 18 STATES, INCLUDING ILLIN, INCLUDING ILLINOIS, ONLY RESTORE UPON RELIEF.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO PUNISHMENT, PUNISHMENT, IT IS LIKE, WHY?

WHY DO I CONTINUE TO HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PAY A DEBT TO SOCIEY TO SOCIETY.

WE CLAIM THAT WE WANT TO SEE SECOND CHANCE, REDEMPTION STORIES.

GIVE PEOPLE PEOPLE A CHANCE.

>> GETTING OLD LEGISLATION CHAND LEGISLATION CHANGED AND NEW LAWS INTRODUCED AS A ROLE THESE THESE TWO MEN SAY THAT THEY TAKE SERIOUSLY.

>> WHO WILL SPLIT US?

>> NOT JUST FOR THEMSELVES, BUT BUT FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHERS.

>> WE DON'T BELIEVE IT CONVICTION SHOULD FOLLOW ANYONE ANYONE FOR LIFE, NO MATTER THE .

THE CONVICTION.

>> WHEN I SAY FREE, THEY -- >> POINTS OUT THAT EVEN THOUGH E STATE HAVE RECORD SELLING AND EXPUNGEMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH RECORDS, NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE ACCESS IT.

THE PRISON INITIATIVE SAYS IN COOK COUNTY ALONE, 511 PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SOME SORT OF RECORDS RELEASED LIKE SAILING OR EXPUNG.

OR EXPUNGEMENT.

IN 2021, JUST UNDER 6000 PEOPLE STATEWIDE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF IT.

THAT RATE, THAT RATE, IT ESTIMATES IT TAKES 154 YEARS TO CLEAR WHAT THEY CALLED THE SECOND CHANCE G. CHANCE GAP.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

EARLY VOTING BEGINS IN CHICAGO TOMORR.

CHICAGO TOMORROW.

VIEWERS HAVE FEWER OPPORTUNITIES TO BE INFORMED ABOUT THE POSITIONS OF OF THOSE ON THE BALLOT.

THAT IS IS BECAUSE THERE ARE FEWER DEBATES THESE DAYS.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US MORE WITH NOW.

>> YEAH, PARIS.

WE WILL GET INTO THAT.

THERE IS A DEBATE BEN DEBATE BETWEEN THOSE ABOUT DEBATES FORGET YOU AND I BOTH KNOW THE MAGIC AND POWER OF TELEVISION.

JOHN KENNEDY AND RICHARD NIXON LEARNED IT TOO BACK IN 1960 FOR THE WORLD'S FIRST FAMOUS PRESIDENTIAL DEBAT.

PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.

EVERY PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE CENTS.

HE SAYS, DEBATES PRESENT VOTERS WITH A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO GET A TRUE VIEW OF CANDIDATES WITHOUT ADVISERS WHISPERING IN THEIR HEIRS.

EARS.

>> WITHOUT THEIR ADVISERS, WHERE THEY HAVE TO ANSWER TOUGHS TOUGH QUESTIONS.

THEY SHOW THAT THAT THEY HAVE THE BRAINS AND THE FORTITUDE, THE PERSONALITY THAT THE VOTERS WILL WANT TO VOTE FOR.

>> BEFORE WE GO FORWARD, WE WANT TO DISCLOSE THAT WHO WAS A A FORMER CHAIR SUPPORT HERE AT WTTW LONG SERVED ON THAT.

TO SHOW VOTERS WHAT THEY ARE, BUT VOTERS AREN'T GETTING THE CHANCE ANYMORE.

SOME CANDIDATES, THEY ARE NOT TAKING TAKING PART IN DEBATES.

>> THE NATIONAL GOP SAYING EARLIER THEY WENT TO TAKE PART IN THE DEBATES.

>> OPPOSED A VERY QUESTION, THE THE CHAIR OF POLITICS, MEGAN GOLDBERG.

SHE CAN GIVE AN EXACT EXACT ANSWER.

CRITICAL SCIENCES SCIENCES HAVE STUDIED THE EFFECT OF DEBATES AND HAVEN'T FOUND A HUGE -- IF YOU TUNED INTO ONE, YOU ARE PROBABLY ALREADY A LOAN FORM VOTER.

THAT THAT IS A DIFFERENT MATTER.

>> IT IS LIKE WHEN YOU TURN ON A GAME TO ROOT FOR YOUR TEAM.

IT IS THE SAME EFFECT WHEN PEOPLE TUNE INTO DEBATES.

WE KNOW A LOT ABOUT THE EFFECTS.

TREASURER HAS TRIED TO -- IN DEBATES, OR LACK THEREOF.

TRYING TO MAKE IT AN ISSUE, AS .

AS WELL.

THE TRIBUNE RECENTLY REPORTED ABOUT THE LAKE COUNTY LEAK WOMEN'S VOTER COMPLAINTS ABOUT BREAKING TRADITION, OR IGNORING THEIR FORM INVITATIONS.

FORM INVITATIONS.

>> WHAT IS BEHIND THIS, AMANDA?

AMANDA?

YOU THINK CANDIDATES WANT TO GET OUT THERE, WANT TO GET THEIR POOR BRICK -- THEIR POSITIONS r█>nsFRONT OF THE PUBLIC?

>> SOME REFUSED TO SHARE THE STAGE BECAUSE CANDIDATES SAY THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE LEGITIMACY TO AN OPPONENT WHAT THEY VIEW AS CONTROVERSIAL VIEW.

CONTROVERSIAL VIEWS.

AND THEY CAN JUST BYPASS DEBATES.

INSTEA, DEBATES.

INSTEAD, AIR CURATED C. CURATED COMMERCIALS.

>> AT ALL LEVELS WITH PURCHASED RADIO AND TELEVISION COMMERCIA, TELEVISION COMMERCIALS, WHICH ARE SIMPLY NOT TRUE.

THEY LIVE.

LIVE.

THIS IS TRUE OF BOTH PART.

BOTH PARTIES.

>> PROFESSOR GOLDBERG ALSO SAYS SAYS THAT ESPECIALLY IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA AGE, CAMPAIGNS MAKE CAREFUL CALCULATIONS.

>> IS IT WORTH THE POTENTIAL COST OF GETTING BACKED INTO A CORNER, AND HAVING THAT VIRAL INTERNET MOMENT?

VERSUS THE PURPOSE OF GETTING IN, AND WHAT WHAT IS LIKE A DUCK ON YOUR OPPONENT.

>> IF YOU ARE WAY AHEAD, CANDIDATES MAY NOT WANT TO PUT THEMSELVES IN THE SPOT TO SCREW SCREW THAT UP.

>> IF ONE CANDIDATE IS RUNNING WAY AHEAD, THAT CANDIDATE DOESN'T WANT TO DEBATE.

DOESN'T DOESN'T WANT TO RISK A MISTAKE, , OR ANYTHING HAPPENING.

HE VERY HE VERY OFTEN HAVE NO DEBATES, WHICH IS REALLY THE WORST THING THING OF ALL.

>> THAT IS NOT THE CASE FOR THE THE MARQUEE RACE HERE IN ILLINO.

IN ILLINOIS.

THEY DID FACE-OFF VIRTUALLY ANYWAY IN A NEWSPAPER NEWSPAPER FORM LAST WEEK.

CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR WILL ONY WILL ONLY DEBATE ON TV TWICE, INCLUDING TONIGHT.

WTTW HAS HOSTED FORMS VIRTUALLY EVERY ADDITION.

THEY NEVER RESPONDED TO OUR INVITE.

-- SAID IT WAS SCHEDULING CONFLICT, DESPITE SEVERAL NOTICED OF WEEKS.

>> NEITHER APPEARED IN THE PRIMARIES EITHER.

WE WILL BE HOSTING OTHER FORMS ARE IN CHICAGO TONIGHT.

>> WE WILL HAVE MATCHUP FEATURING THE CANDIDATES FOR U.S. SENATE, SECRETARY OF STATE, AND ATTORNEY GENERAL.

VOTERS WANT AND NEED TO BE EDUCATED AND INFORMED.

>> THE WHOLE IDEA OF DEMOCRACY, IT IS THAT WE HAVE INFORMED VO.

WE EXERCISE THEIR JUDGMENT TO CHOOSE OUR LEADER.

THAT IS THE HOLDING OF THE DEMOCRATIC SYSTE.

DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM.

>> GOLDBERG SAYS A LACK OF DEBATES COULD IMPACT DEMOCRACY, EVEN IF FOLKS DON'T ACTUALLY WATCH THE DEBATE LIVE.

THIS BECOMES PART OF THE CANDIDATES RECORD, SO THAT IT HAS A MORE LASTING IMPACT ON BOTH THE RACE RACE AND WHOEVER IS IMPACTED -- -- ELECTED, AS WELL.

>> WE SHOULD MENTION THERE IS STILL TIME FOR THE CANDIDATE TO TO ACCEPT THEIR INVITATION HERE.

INVITATION HERE.

THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

> >> HYDE PARK ON CHICAGO'S SOUTH SOUTH SIDE AS WELL KNOWN AS A DIVERSE COMMUNITY WITH -- CULTURE OFFERINGS.

AND THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY, INDUSTRY, AND OF COURSE THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

IN THE COMING YEARS, IT WILL HAVE A HIGH-PROFILE NEIGHBOR IN THE FORM OF THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER.

PART OF OUR CHICAGO TONIGHT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES, -- AND THE PRODUCER SPENT THE DAY IN HYDE PARK.

NIC?

PARK.

NICK?

>> Reporter: HYDE PARK ALSO HAS SEEN BIG CHANGES WITH MORE TO .

TO COME.

WE ARE ALONG THE CORRIDOR INSIDE THE SOVIET HOTEL.

OUR THANKS FOR SHELTER FROM THE RAIN.

THIS IS ALSO HOME TO MANY LOCAL YOUNG BUSINES YOUNG BUSINESSES AND RESTAURANTS.

THERE HAVE BEEN TURNOVER DURING COVID, BUT A LOT OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE HUNG ON, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE STILL FACING CHALLENGES.

THE LOCAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS STAFFING SHORTAGES MEAN SOME RESTAURANTS ARE ONLY OPEN FOR DINNER, OR NOT OPEN ALL WEEK.

>> TO TKVÑBALANCE THAT AGAINST CUSTOMERS, WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE A LOT OF CUSTOMERS COMING IN, AND YOU CAN SUPPORT THE CUSTOMERS THAT WANT TO COME IN AND EAT.

THE RETAIL SHOPS ARE IN THE SAME BOAT, TOO.

THEY ARE ARE OPEN.

THEY WOULD LOVE TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE WALKING IN.

>> >> Reporter: HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE STILL A CONCERN.

THEY ARE KNOWN FOR JAMAICAN FOOD LIKE JERK CHICKEN, --.

THEY ARE STILL FEELING -- FROM THE PANDEMIC.

>> RECOVERY HAS BEEN A LITTLE CHALLENGING IN REGARDS TO OUR TAKE-OUT, ALSO OUR DINE IN.

WE ARE NOT STILL BACK TO CAPACITY.

>> Reporter: THEY STARTED IN LINCOLN PARK, BUT MOVED TO HYDEK HYDE PARK YEARS AGO.

IT HAS A LOT OF ATTRACTIONS THAT BRING PEOPLE IN TO EAT AT HIS AND MANY OTHER LOCAL RESTAURANTS.

>> IT IS REALLY FUN TO BE A PART OF HYDE PARK.

IT IS THE HOME OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, OBAMA, THE NEW OBAMA FOUNDATION IS ABOUT TO BE OPENING.

THE LIBRARY.

THERE IS A LOT OF SHOPPING, A LOT OF EATING, JUST A LOT OF THINGS TO TO DO AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT IS ALL WITHIN ABOUT A FOUR BLOCK RADIUS, AS WELL.

>> Reporter: MALLORY PRICE OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS ALSO, ALSO, NO SURPRISE, A BIG BOOSTER FOR THE COMMUNITY.

SHE SAYS THAT SOME PEOPLE OVERLOOK THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT THEY ARE MISSING OUT ON ITS CULTURE.

IT IS PLANNING A SELF-GUIDED ARCHITECTURE COVER OF -- SHE HAS NEVER FELT MORE AT HOME ANYWHERE ELSE.

>> IT IS SUCH A RICH AND ENGAGING PLACE WITH SO MANY INTERESTING PEOPLE.

I THINK IT HAS TAUGHT ME TO LIVE WITH ALL, ALL, AND TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE AROUND ME.

THERE ARE SO MANY FASCINATING PEOPLE AND SO MUCH HISTORY HERE.

>> PART OF THAT HISTORY, THEY HAVE BEEN -- THE CEMETERY IN GRAND CROSSING, THE RESTING PLACE OF MANY NOTABLE HYDE PARK.

PARK RESIDENCE.

THE MEMBERS OF THE STAPLES MUSICAL FAMILY.

SHE SHE SAYS THERE WAS A HISTORY OFN OF DISCRIMINATION THERE.

>> THERE WAS DISCRIMINATION, EVEN IN THE CEMETERY IN BURIAL .

BURIAL PRACTICES.

WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE STORIES OF MANY INFLUENTIAL AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO WERE DENIED BURIAL THERE, AND ALSO PEOPLE WHO WERE ABLE TO FINALLY ADVOCATE AND FIGHT TO HAVE THAT CEMETERY INTEGRATE.

CEMETERY INTEGRATED.

>> Reporter: PRICE AND HER COLLEAGUES WERE TO DOCUMENT, AND A LOT OF CHANGE IN THE FUTU.

THE FUTURE.

THE MUCH-PUBLICIZED MUCH-PUBLICIZED OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER WITH ALL OF OF THE EXCITEMENT AND WITH IT.RSY THAT HAS dñDoáá WITH IT.

ALSO THE UNIVERSITY OF OF CHICAGO'S PLAN FOR A CARE CENTER, WHICH IT SAYS WILL BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE STATE.

IT WOULD BE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO THIS PART OF CHICAGO.

>> WE LOOK AT CANCER RATES, CANCER STAGE, AND CANCER SURVIVL CANCER SURVIVAL FOR PEOPLE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO, IT IS AS POOR AS SOME COUNTRIES THAT HAVE VERY LIMITED RESOURCES.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS A A STRONG INTEREST IN NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BRIDGE THAT G. THAT GAP.

I THINK EDUCATION, ACCESS TO CARE, PARTNERSHIP, THESE ARE ALL THE THINGS THAT A A FREESTANDING CANCER CENTER CAN PROVIDE.

>> Reporter: THAT CANCER CENTER CENTER IS STILL A FEW YEARS AWAY, AS IS THE OBAMA CENTER.

THEY ARE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PROJECTED VISITORS IT WILL BRING.

DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THINGS ARE LOOKING UP, ESPECIALLY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> A LOT OF OUR NEW MEMBERS HAVE BEEN SMALLER BUSINESSES.

I I THINK WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT OPENING UP IN HYDE PARK.

I THINK THEIR ENTHUSIASM IS A GOOD SIGN.

>> Reporter: COMING UP, WE WILL WILL HEAR FROM ONE OF HYDE PARKS HYDE PARK'S -- PEOPLE COMMAS AS AS WELL AS AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCATE.

BACK TO YOU.

SUMMIT 2020, THE LOWEST REPORTED SINCE THE LOW 80s.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LATEST HIV HIV AND STI DATA REPORT.

YOUNG BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGOANS ARE ARE SEEING A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF NEW DIAGNOSES CONTINUED TO OTHER GROUPS.

HOW CAN PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS BETTER REACH PEOPLE MORE GREATLY IMPACTED?

JOINING US TO TO DISCUSS ALL OF THAT AND MORE, OUR DOCTOR, ARENA -- INFECTIOUS DISEASE BUREAU, AND DR. --, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR SPECIALIZING IN -- AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

WELCOME HERE TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I WILL START WITH YOU WITH THIS REPORT OUT BY THE HEALTH DEPART.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

SINCE HUNDRED 27 IN 2020.

THAT IS THE THE LOWEST AMOUNT SINCE 1988.

WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR THAT?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODA.

ME TODAY.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME EVER SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC WHEN WE RECORDED THE LOWEST NUMBER OF C. OF CASES.

WILL COMPARE THIS.

OVERALL, 64%, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED HIV CASES.

THE DECREASES ARE SEEN ACROSS ALL RACES AND ETHNICITIES, ACROSS AGE GROUPS AS WELL AS GENDER.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE SEE DECREASES BY 30% IN BLACKS, AS WELL AS HISPANIC.

WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW, THIS IS THE FIRST REPORT WHERE -- THIS IS DATA WHICH WAS COLLECTED WAS COLLECTED DURING THE COVID .

COVID ERA.

IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME NUMBERS WERE UNDERREPORTED.

WERE UNDERREPORTED.

AS OF RIGHT RIGHT NOW, WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO TO REPORT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME EVER THAT CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH RECORDED THE LOWEST NUMBERS.

>> >> THE THINK SOME OF THIS IS ATTRIBUTED TO BETTER OUTCOMES, NOT JUST REPORTING DUE TO COVID?

>> I THINK THEY ARE SORT OF INNER TINGLE TOGETHER.

WE SHOULD CELEBRATE THAT WE ARE SEEING SUCH A DROP IN CASES, BUT ALSO PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

WE KNOW THERE WAS A DECLINE DURING THE PANDEMIC, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY IMPLEMENTING -- IMPLEG -- IMPLEMENTING THAT THE CASES ARE STILL NOT RISING IN THE PROPORTION OF YEARS PAST.

>> THE BREAKDOWN OF THE DEMOGRAC THE DEMOGRAPHIC GROUP IN THE ST.

THE STUDY.

HE REPORTS THAT BLACK CHICAGOANS MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF NEW HIV CASES THAT NEARLY 55%.

WHY CHICAGOANS AT 1.

AT 11%.

BY NEIGHBORHOOD, THE HIGHEST WERE FOUND IN FULLER PARK, UPTOWN, SO IS THE THROUGH THROUGH LINE HERE THAT THE MORE MORE ECONOMIC DISADVANTAGE THE , THE AREA, THE HIGHER LIKELIHOOD LIKELIHOOD OF A HIGHER RATE OF ?

OF HIV?

>> YES AND NO.

MOST OF THE CASES THE CASES, IF YOU LOOK AT THE TRENDS OVERALL, BY RACE, ETHNICY RACE, ETHNICITY, YOU WILL NOTICE THAT SOME OF THE CASES ARE NOT ONLY LOCATED -- THIS IS IS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF THE CASES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CITY.

HOWEVER, IF YOU LOOK AT THE PREVALENT HIV CASES, MOTRIN MOTRIN LOCATED IN THE NORTH SIDE.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO.

TO DISTINGUISH.

I WOULD LIKE TO TO ADD THAT IF WE LOOK AT THIS REPORT, YOU MENTIONED -- ALSO D ALSO PROVIDED DATA ON SEXUALLY D SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS, SUCH AS CHLAMYDIA AND -- IF WE LOOK AT THE SDIS IN COMPARISON TO HIV.

FOR EXAMP, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY ARE MOSTLY ON ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE OF THE AREAS IN THE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP AREAS.

>> OKAY SO -- >> AND IN THE MORE ECONOMICALLY ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED.

>> EXACTLY.

>> EXACTLY.

>> I WANTED TO GET ANOTHER METRIC HERE.

61% OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV ACHIEVE VIRAL SUPPRESSION IN 2022 -- WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE?

>> THE SUPPRESSION IS REALLY SORT OF THE WAY THAT WE CAN HAVE PEOPLE WHO WERE LIVING WITH HIV LIVE LONG AND HEALTHY LIVES, AND ALSO REDUCE -- THEY CANNOT TRIM IT TRANSMIT HIV TO TO THEIR PARTNER.

IT WORKS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, KEEPING PEOPLE PEOPLE HEALTHY WHILE ALSO REDUCING TRANSMISSION.

THIS IS A NUMBER THAT IS REALLY GREAT TO SEE.

ON THE FLIPSIDE, 40% ARE NOT AS SUPPRESSED.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO IN THE PANDEMIC IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND REALIZING WHAT OF THE CHARGES AND OBSTACLES TO BE SUPPRESSED WHERE THEY CAN BE HEALTHY AND THEIR COMMUNITIES CAN RAIN HEALTHY.

>> THERE IS A STATISTIC SAYING THAT 71% OF THOSE DIAGNOSED ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE.

41% RETAINED CARE, MEANING THEY HAD HAD MULTIPLE APPOINTMENTS IN ITS IN ITS CERTAIN TIME PERIOD.

WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE TREATMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO YOU.

>> THAN EVER THAT SHE DECIDED -- FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV.

ONE OF THE REASONS COULD BE THIS CARE.

WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL AND REMEMBER 2020, SOME SOME OF THE CLINICS WERE CLOSED.

THEY WERE ON LOCKDOWN.

SOME INDIVIDUALS MIGHT HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO GO SEE A DOCTOR.

I WANTED TO MENTION, THEY SUPPORTED THE USE OF TELEHEALTH, OF TELEHEALTH, WHICH WAS A TREMENDOUS HELP FOR HEALTHCARE .

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.

THE CARE WE PROVIDE IT WAS THERE TELEHEA.

THERE TELEHEALTH.

NOT ONLY PHYSICALLY GOING TO SING THE DO.

THE DOCTOR.

ANOTHER THING, THE CLINICS WERE CLOSED.

IT ALLOWED ALLOWED INDIVIDUALS TO SEE THE PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER.

>> THEY LITERALLY HAVE THE GOAL GOAL OF GETTING TO ZERO BY 2030.

HOW WILL THE STUDY FIT IN IN WITH THAT GOAL?

>> A REALLY HELP US ON THE TRAJ.

WE ARE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THEY HAVE MADE MAJOR MAJOR HEADWAY IN THE ABOUT THEIR APPROACH TO CONTROLLING H, CONTROLLING HIV, ELIMINATING HIV ELIMINATING HIV.

WE CAN HAVE THE BEST HIV MEDICINE IN THE WO.

THE WORLD.

IF FOLKS CAN'T GET TO THAT CARE FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEN IT REALLY IS NOT HAVING ANYWHERE.

WE HAD TO DETERMINE WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES THAT PREVENT.

FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEMS AND INNOVATIVE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS.

>> WE ARE SEEN THAT NOT JUST INT IN GET -- THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> >> THANK YOU.

>> BRANDIS, WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

STILL TWO, CHICAGO TONIGHT, NEW DEVELOPMENTS ON THE AREA IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER REASON O REASON TO BRAG ABOUT CHICAGO, FIND OUT WHY IT IS RANKED BEST BIG CITY IN THE U.S. FOR THE SIXTH YEAR IN A ROW.

> >> COMPOSER DOMINGUEZ SITS DOWN DOWN TO TALK #prTO US ABOUT HER- -- ON OUR NEW THEME MUSIC.

> >> PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCES MAJOR EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON MARIJUANA THAT COULD AFFECT THOUSANDS WHO ARE IN ULCERATED -- INCARCERATED.

HE WILL PARDON PARDON ALL THOSE CONVICTED OF FEDERAL SIMPLE MARIJUANA POSSESSIONS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL LET TO RECLASSIFY MARIJUANA AT THE SAME -- IT IS CLASSIFIED AT THE THE SAME LEVEL AS SERIOUS DRUGS DRUGS LIKE HEROIN.

MANY RECORDS RECORDS HERE HAVE BEEN EXPUNGED.

BEEN EXPUNGED.

> >> FACULTY AND STAFF AT THE CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO VOTE TO AUTHORIZE A STRIKE.

92% OF MEMBERS WITH THE TEACHERS UNION VOTED YES TO THE STRIKE.

HOWEVER, IT DOESN'T GUARANTEE THAT A WALKOUT WILL HAPPEN.

THEY ARE NEGOTIATING WITH CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO FOR HIGHER WAGES AND MORE TO SUPPORT.

THEIR CONTRACT EXPIRED IN JULY.

> >> COOK COUNTY PRESIDENT -- IS IS PROPOSING A BUDGET FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

HIS OFFICE SAYS THE BUDGET CAUSES -- WITHOUT RAISING TAXES.

IT EXPECTS HIGHER REVENUE NUMBERS FOR THE BUDGET AMONG THE PRIORITIES, USING THE FEDERAL FUNDING RELIEF.

$170 MILLION OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS FOR COOK COUNTY, BUT ESPECIALLY FOR FOR THOSE POPULATIONS THIS PROPORTIONALLY IMPACTED BY COVI.

BY COVID-19.

70 MILLION INVESTMENT IN SMALL BUSINESSES, BUSINESSES, WHICH WILL PROVIDE $10,000 GRANTS TO 7000 BUSINESSS 7000 BUSINESSES AND $42 MILLION MILLION FOR A GUARANTEED INCOME INCOME PILOT.

APPLICATIONS FOR H FOR WHICH OPEN TODAY THROUGH OCTOBER 21st.

CHICAGO VOTERS CAN START CASTING THEIR BALLOTS BALLOTS AS EARLY AS TOMORROW.

TWO DOWNTOWN SITES OPEN TOMORROW AT 9:00 A.M. FOR EARLY EARLY VOTING.

191 NORTH CLARK AND THE OTHER AT THE BOARD OF ELECTION OFFICE.

EARLY VOTING IN ALL 50 WARDS BEGINS LATER ON ON THE 24th.

IF YOU LIKE TO EIGHT, ELECTION DAY IT WAS OF COURSE ON OCTOBER 8th.

YOU CAN FIND IT ON OUR WEBSITE.

NOW, TO NICK BLUMBERG WHO SPENT THE DAY IN HYDE PARK.

NICK?

>> Reporter: WE ARE JOINED NOW BY LASTLY HARRISON OF THE FIFTH WARD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>> >> THAT EVENING.

>> Reporter: WE HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH FOLKS ALL DAY AND TODAY ABOUT THE EXCITEMENT AND AND ANXIETY THAT COMES ALONG WITH THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES?

WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN IN TERMS OF DEVELOPMENT, AND ALSO KEEPING AN EYE ON MAKING SURE PEOPLE DON'T GET -- >> WE STARTED EARLY ON ENGAGING ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY.

TALKING, MEETING WITH RESIDENTS, MEETING WITH DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, DIFFERENT GROUP, THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER.

WE MADE SURE THAT WE KEPT THOSE CONVERSATIONS GOING.

I HAVE MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS.

SOMEONE SOMEONE FROM THE FOUNDATION IS PRESENT AT EACH AND EVERY MEETIG EVERY MEETING TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, SHOULD THEY ARISE.

I I THINK IT IS GREAT TO SEE SOMETHING RISING, SEE THE CRANES IN THE AIR AND SAY, YES.

YES.

THIS IS THE SOUTH SIDE AND AND THIS IS FOR US.

>> ANOTHER LONGTIME WELL LOVE JIM OF THE SOUTH, WHICH IS A LAE A LARGE ADVOCATE FOR PROVIDING .

PROVIDING THAT.

>> I THINK THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO BE A LANDMARK.

WE ARE MOVING MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT.

THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND THE PARK DISTRICT TO GET THAT DONE.

>> Reporter: YOU ARE JOINING US US THIS EVENING AFTER THE FIRST FIRST MARATHON DAY OF THE CITY'S BUDGET HEARING.

I WAS SICK, A LOT OF ATTENTION BEING PAID TO THE FACT THAT IN THIS ELECTION, THERE WOULD BE NO PROPERTY TAX INCREASE, WHICH FOLKS ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THE PROPOS?

THE PROPOSAL?

>> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS, OF COURSE, PEOPLE ARE REALLY HA.

REALLY HAPPY.

PEOPLE ARE ALSO REALLY UNSURE ABOUT WHERE WE ARE GOING, WITH THE ECONOMY IS , IS GOING, WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH GAS PRICES AND HOUSING PRICES.

THESE ARE ALL THINGS WE WE LOOKED AT.

WHAT I HEARD FROM FROM OUR COLLEAGUES TODAY, WHILE WE ARE IN A POSITION WHERE WE CAN MAKE DECISIONS, LET'S MAKE THE DECISIONS NOW SO SO THAT IF AND WHEN SOMETHING H, SOMETHING HAPPENS, WE ARE NOT GOING TO RAMBLE -- WE DID NOT HAVE THE APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY TO SHIFT.

I HAVE HEARD FROM A LOT OF MY COLLEAGUES TALKING ABOUT WANTING THE RETURN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, LOOKING AT WHAT HAPPENED IN FLORIDA, HERE IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE BE AHEAD OF THE GAME INSTEAD INSTEAD OF BEHIND.

>> YEAH, THERE ARE SPECIFIC PRI.

SPECIFIC PRIORITIES.

YOU MENTIONED THE CHALLENGES OF COV.

OF COVID.

THAT COULD BE LIMITED.

IT MIGHT NOT BE SO EASY TO DO.

>> WE ARE LIMITED.

WE ONLY HAVE HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT TO RUN OUR OFFICE.

THE CITY ONLY GIVES GIVES US A LIMITED AMOUNT.

WE ARE ONLY ABLE TO HAVE A STAFF OF THREE.

IF YOU HAVE TWO PEOPLE ON ZOOM, AND EACH OF THE CITY DEPARTMENTS ARE POSTING ON THEIR WEBSITE, YOU HAVE TO ANSWER THE PHONE, ANSWER EMAILS, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT.

>> YOU ARE ONE OF THE FOLKS WHO WHO WAS CALLING IT QUITS AFTER S AFTER THIS CURRENT TIME.

WISE IS THE TIME TO MOVE ON TO YOUR NEXT CHAPTER?

>> I HAVE BEEN THINKING OF FOR A LONG TIME.

I LOVE MY JOB, WHAT I DO, MY COMMUNITY.

I WANT WANT TO BE ACTIVE AND INVOLVED AND TO BE MORE FOCUSED ON DEVELOPMENT IN THE COMMUNITY, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AS OPPOSED TO -- >> Reporter: HOPEFULLY NOT TOO MANY SQUABBLES IN YOUR FUTURE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Reporter: COMING UP, WE WILL WILL HEAR MORE FROM HYDE PARK WITH A LONGTIME RESIDENT AND A AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCATE.

FOR NOW, BETSY.

>> NICK, THANK YOU.

> >> CHICAGO KEEPS TOPPING THE LIST FOR BEST TOP CITY IN THE U.S. FOR THE SIXTH YEAR IN A ROW.

MORE THAN 240,000 -- FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY RANKED CHICAGO AS THEIR FAVORITE CITY TO VISIT.

WHAT MAKES CHICAGO SO?

SO SPECIAL?

BESIDES THE FACT THAT YOU AND I ARE HERE.

WELCOME TO THE STUDIO.

IT IS GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

WHY CHICAGO THE NUMBER ONE CITY?

>> >> CHICAGO HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER.

TO OFFER.

THAT WAS REALLY INTERESTING, THEY TALKED ABOUT, , FIRST OF ALL, THE MIDWEST TOPY MIDWEST TOPICALITY -- HOSPITALI.

-- HOSPITALITY.

HOW MUCH THEY GREETED PEOPLE.

ALSO, THE DIVERSITY OF WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER.

WE HAVE INCREDIBLE LAKEFRONT, PARKS, ART AND CULTURE INSTITUTIONS, WONDERFUL WONDERFUL SPORTS TEAMS, FABULOUS ARCHITECTURE.

INCREDIBLE RESTAURANTS.

HIRING .

HIRING HOTELS.

WE HAVE IT ALL.

>> SIX YEARS RUNNING, WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

>> NEVER BEFORE.

34 YEARS, THIS THIS AWARD HAS BEEN GIVEN UP.

NO ONE HAS EVER RECEIVED A SIX YEARS IN A ROW.

THAT IS QUITE AMAZING.

>> THAT'S IMPRESSIVE.

YOU TALK ABOUT ALL CHICAGO HAS TO OFFER, OFFER, I KNOW YOU HAVE A BACKGROUND IN ARCHITECTURE.

BUT BUT THE FOOD ARCHITECTURE PARK NEIGHBORHOODS, WHAT ABOUT ALL OF THESE THINGS MAKE CHICAGO SPECIAL?

>> THINK OF OUR RESTAURANTS, WE WE PARTNER WITH THE JAMES BEARD BEARD FOUNDATION AWARD.

THAT IS IS BECAUSE WE ARE A FOODIE TOWN.

FOODIE TOWN.

WE JUST FINISHED CHICAGO GOURMET.

WE HAVE OPEN HOUSE CHICAGO COMING UP NEXT WEEK.

GREAT WAY TO GO OUT AND EXPLORE THE CITY.

PEOPLE COME FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD FOR T. FOR THAT.

EVEN JUST OUR HOTELS.

HOTELS.

WE HAVE SO MANY HOTELS ON THE TOP 10 LIST.

THAT IS REALLY A TESTAMENT TO WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER.

OF COURSE, WE COULD TALK ABOUT THE ART INSTIT, ART INSTITUTE, THE AQUARIAN, THE MEXICAN FINE ART EXAM.

SO MANY MUSINGS -- THEY ARE JUST .

JUST INCREDIBLE.

THE FORMER JOHN HANCOCK OBSERVATORY.

THERE THERE IS JUSTICE DIVERSITY PEOPLE PEOPLE LOVE TO COME AND EXPLORE.

>> AND THEY HELD -- ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER.

>> YOU CAN GO TO ROGERS PARK AND EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC CUISINE.

I WAS JUST READING ABOUT A NEW CAMBODIAN RESTAURAN.

CAMBODIAN RESTAURANT.

YOU CAN GO TO EVERY CULTURE IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD AND EXPERIENCE A NEW CUISINE ARE A NEW SHOPPING EXPERIENCE.

>> HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE TOURIM IN CHICAGO RIGHT NOW?

>> 90% THERE, ALMOST 90%.

2019, 2019, COMPARED TO 2019, WE HAD REALLY GREAT RECOVERY.

WHAT HAS HAS HAPPENED, WAS THE A LOT OF LEISURE TRAVEL COMING BACK.

YOU YOU CAN WORK FROM ANYWHERE, SO WHY NOT EXTENDED AND WORK ON FRY ON FRIDAY AND MONDAY FROM CHICA, FROM CHICAGO, THEN SATURDAY AND AND SUNDAY, GO PLAY.

OUR CONVENN OUR CONVENTION INDUSTRY IS EXTREMELY -- 86,000 PEOPLE.

>> BLEISURE, I WILL START USING USING THAT WORD.

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, WE ARE AUTHENTIC.

WHEN PEOPLE COME COME HERE, THEY EXPERIENCE THE AUTHENTIC.

>> THE BUSINESS TRAVELERS, FAMILIES, AND JUST HERS.

>> AND DeGENERES ARE CERTAINLY - CERTAINLY -- CONVENTION NEAREST ARE RETURNING.

THERE IS JUST RY JUST REALLY -- THEY ARE CALLING CALLING IT REVENGE TOURISM.

THAT IS ANOTHER ONE.

THEY ARE JUST ANXIOUS TO GET BACK OUT.

THEY HAVE HAD ALL OF THE CHALLENGES OF BEING LOCKED UP.

NOW THEY ARE ABOUT TO GO OUT AND WILL EXPERIENCE THE CITIES.

CITIES.

FAMILIES, WE HAVE SUCH A ROBUST PLETHORA OF ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES.

BUSINESS TRAVEL, NORMAL BUSINESS TRAVELERS ARE SLOW TO .

TO RETURN.

THAT IS THE MARKET CERTAINLY.

WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO START GETTING THEIR EMPLOYEES BACK TO TO THE OFFICE.

THAT WILL ENCOURAGE BUSINESS TRAVEL TO RETURN.

>> WHAT ABOUT HOTELS?

ARE THEY EXPERIENCING THE WORKER SHORTAGE?

>> YOU KNOW, WE ARE STILL EXPERIENCING SHORTAGES.

I THINK THINK PEOPLE HAVE MADE ADJUSTMENTS TO SERVICES ACCORDI.

SERVICES ACCORDINGLY.

WE ARE AT AT 94% OF OUR WORK IS RETURNING.

THAT IS REALLY SOLID SOLID FOR US.

HOTELS IN THE PAST HAVE HAD THE BEST DEMAND EVER.

THEY HAVE HAD THE HIGHEST HIGHEST ROOMMATES EVER.

TRY TO GET A HOTEL DURING THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS AND YOU WOULD KNOW ABOUT THAT.

ACTUALLY, THEIR HOTEL REVENUES HAVE BEEN UP OVER 2019 LEVELS, WHICH IS GREAT TO HEAR.

>> OKAY.

THAT IS WHERE HE WILL HAD TO LEAVE IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

COMING UP NEXT, HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED ABOUT OUR NEW THEME MUSIC?

WE WILL HEAR FROM THE COMPUTER -- COMPOSER RIGHT AFTER THIS.

[ MUC ] [ MUSIC ] > >> A LOT OF CHANGES AROUND HERE HERE LATELY.

YOU MIGHT HAVE NOTICED THAT ALONG WITH OUR NEW NEW SET, TECHNOLOGY AND GRAPHIC, AND GRAPHICS, THIS WEEK WE ARE ROLLING OUT NEW THEME MUSIC.

WE WE HAVE ATTIRED THE OLD THEME, COMPARE HOST DESK COMPOSED BY YOURS TRULY.

DOMINGUEZ, SHE IS A CLASSICALLY TRAINED PIANIST AND VOCALIST AND ONE OF THE FEW FEW FEMALES -- FEMALE ENGINEERS ENGINEERS IN TOWN.

THE NEW THEME SONG FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES, AND LATINO VOICE, LATINO VOICES, DOMINGUEZ.

IT IS IS VERY EXCITING TO HEAR YOUR FINAL PRODUCT AREA VERY QUICKLY, LET'S JUST TAKE A QUICK LISTEN TO IT.

[ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] >> ALL RIGHT.

THERE IS THE MAIN MAIN THING THAT FOLKS WILL ASSOCIATE WITH CHICAGO TONIGHT FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> ONE THING I DEFINITELY WANTED TO CONVEY, CHICAGO TONIGT CHICAGO TONIGHT IS A LONG-STANDG A LONG-STANDING PROGRAM THAT I GREW UP WATCHING, MY FAMILY.

JUST BEING ABLE TO RELAY THAT FG THAT FEELING, KNOWING WHAT IS COMING BEHIND HIS MUSIC.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN RELY .

RELY ON.

>> IS A LONG PROCESS.

THERE WERE A LOT OF CALLS.

THEY MENTIONED, ALL RIGHT, MAKE THIS THIS SECTION -- TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROCESS.

>> JUST FROM THE BEGINNING, I DEFINITELY THINK THAT THEY LEADING ME THROUGH THE PROJECT AND GUIDED ME THROUGH THE PATHW.

THE PATHWAY.

I JUST SAT DOWN ORY DOWN ORIGINALLY, AND IT JUST CAME NATURALLY.

JUST KNOWING THE BRAND, AND KNOWING THE SHOW, SHOW WILL, I JUST LET IT COME OUT NATURALLY.

JUST TO BE ABLE TO -- TODAY.

>> IN ADDITION, YOU COMPOSED THE SONG FOR BLACK VOICES AND -- AND -- LET'S LISTEN TO THE MUSIC.

[ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] >> >> WHAT DID YOU WANT TO CONVEY HERE?

THE LITTLE SAXOPHONE IN THERE.

SLIGHT VARIATION.

>> YES.

>> YES.

I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT SPECIAL ELEMENT.

SAXOPHONE SAXOPHONE IS SOMETHING THAT IS WELL KNOWN IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY, AS FAR AS JUST AND OTHER GENRES.

JUST BRINGING THAT SPECIAL ELEMENT.

IT IS GAVE A LITTLE FLAVOR, IF YOU WI.

YOU WILL.

>> SPEAKING OF FLAVOR, YOU ADDED A LATINO FLAVOR.

LESS QUICKLY TAKE A LISTEN TO THAT.

[ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] >> SO LITTLE BIT OF SPANISH GUITAR IN THERE.

YOU HAVE SUCH A BROAD TALENT HERE.

YOU ARE CLASSICALLY TRAINED.

YOU HAVE MODERN POP IN HIP-HOP ELEMENTS TO THE MUSIC YOU CREATE.

TELL US HOW YOU GOT INTERESTED IN DOING THIS.

>> BASICALLY, I BASICALLY FROM A FROM A YOUNG AGE, LEARNING PIANO IN CHURCH, BEING SELF-TAUGHT UP UNTIL MY COLLEGE.

COLLEGE YEARS.

I MINORED IN PIANO PERFORMANCE.

I STUDIED CLASSICALLY THERE.

THROUGH THERE, MY PASSION GREW FOR MUSI.

FOR MUSIC.

ALL OF THE MODERN MUSIC I LISTEN TO, JUST JUMP RIGHT INTO IT.

I PRETTY MUCH WORK ON ALL STYLES OF MUSIC.

>> >> I UNDERSTAND THIS IS YOUR FIRST TV NEW STAIN.

TELL US WHAT WE MIGHT HEAR SOME OF YOUR YOUR OTHER PIECES OF WORK?

>> I WORK WITH COMMERCIAL MUSIC MUSIC AS WELL AS FILM.

I HAVE PIECES WITH NETFLIX IN DIFFERENT MOVIES, AS WELL AS TV TV ADS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

KIND OF ALL OVER THE SPECTRUM, AS FAR AS MUSIC.

>> ALL RIGHT, DOMINGUEZ, A RISING STAR IN MUSIC.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE FANTASTIC NEW MUSIC.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, WE CHECK BACK IN WITH NICK BLUMBERG WHO WAS REPORTING LIVE TONIGHT FROM CHICAGO'S HYDE PARK COMMUNITY.

FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

[ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] > >> NOW, WE CHECK BACK IN WITH NICK BLUMBERG.

HE IS PART OF IN OUR IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

>> Reporter: HEY, I AM HERE WITH JOHN MURPHY OF THE HYDE PARK COALITION FOR EQUITABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I AM GLAD TO SEE YOU FOCUSED ON HYDE.

HYDE PARK.

>> Reporter: TELL ME ABOUT SOME SOME OF THE WORK THAT ORGANIZATION FOCUSES ON, IN TERMS OF MAINTAINING THE DIVERS.

THE DIVERSITY.

>> IS PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY FAMILIAR WITH, THE CHARACTERISTIC ABOUT HYDE PARK, PARK, THE EXISTENCE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

ABOUT 15 15 YEARS AGO, WE BEGAN TO RECOGE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE DIVERSITY, BOTH ECONOMICALLY AND RACIALLY OF THE COMMUNITY WS BEGINNING TO CHANGE.

A LOT OF THAT WAS RELATED TO THE ECONOMIC ISSUES.

WE BEGAN AN EFFORT TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT AS AS NEW DEVELOPMENTS CAME INTO THE COMMUNITY, THAT THEY WERE REQUIRED TO INCLUDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS.

WE WORKED WITH -- OF COURSE, THE FIFTH WARD -- THAT WAS THE FIRST EFFORT.

THEN WE MOVED ON TO ISSUES THAT THAT INCLUDED TRYING TO INVITE PEOPLE INTO THE COMMUNITY.

WE WORKED WITH THE CHA AND -- TO DE TO DESIGNATE HYDE PARK AS AN OPPORTUNITY ZONE, SO THAT WE CAN HAVE -- THE MOBILITY ZONE, AS THEY CALL IT, TO HAVE PEOPLE TO MOVE INTO THE COMMUNITY WITH HOUSING CHOICE VS CHOICE VOUCHERS THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THEM, EVEN THOUGH THE RENTS IN HYDE PARK WOULD BE HIGHER THAN THOSE IN OTHER AREAS.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT HOU.

ABOUT HOUSING.

AS SOME OF THE DEVELOPMENT CAME THROUGH, HAD AT THAT AFFECT THE HOUSING RECORD AND PROPERTY CRISIS.

>> WE HAVE HAD ISSUES GOING ON.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF 3 OR 4 MAJOR UPPER INCOME STYLE APARTMENT UNIT CONDOS, AND WE HAVE HAD THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO BEGAN TO REMOVE MORE STUDENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY, BRING THEM BACK ONTO CAMPUS BY BUILDING MORE DORMITORIES.

WE STILL HAVE A PROBLEM IN OUR CURRENT POPULATION, ABOUT A THIRD OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE YOUNG ADULTS, MOST OF THEM LIVING IN SINGLE ROOM ARE SINGLE BEDROOM APARTMENTS.

THEY THEY ARE PAYING MORE THAN 30% OF THEIR INCOME FOR THOSE APARTMENTS.

THE ISSUE OF AFFORDY OF AFFORDABILITY, NOT ONLY FOR LOWER INCOME PEOPLE, BUT EVEN FOR SOME IN THE UPPER RANGES OF OF LOWER INCOME, THAT HAS BECOME MORE MORE DIFFICULT.

WE ARE ABLE TO GET 1 ON 2 OF THEM TO COMMIT TO MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAN THEY WOULD NORMALLY BE REQUIRED THROUGH THE HELP OF -- AND SOME PUBLIC PRESSURE.

>> YOU MENTIONED AT THE UNIVERSY THE UNIVERSITY IS OBVIOUSLY AN , AN ANCHOR, AND SOMETIMES A SOURCE OF CONTROVERSY AND STRIFE HERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN EYES TOWARD THE OBAMA OBAMA RESIDENTIAL CENTER COMING COMING IN NEARBY.

AS YOU LOOK AT THAT DEVELOPMENT, WHAT ARE YOU KEEPING YOUR EYES ON, IN TERMS OF HOUSING AFFORDABILITY, AFFORDABILITY, TRANSIT, AND ALL ALL THE EFFECTS ON THE COMMUNIT?

THE COMMUNITY?

>> WE ARE FEELING PRETTY CERTAIN ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN WOODLAWN AND -- WIH -- WITH DEVELOPERS MOVING IN TO TO BUY, TEAR DOWN HOUSING.

-- WITH GROUPS FROM THE COMMUNITY.

COMMUNITY.

WE TRY TO STAY IN OUR OWN BACKYARD, AS FAR AS AN ORGANIZATION.

THERE IS NOT TOO MUCH WE HAVE SEEN YET IN HYDE PARK ITSELF, EXCEPT THAT WE EXPECT THAT THERE WILL BE PRESSURE ON THE HOUSING MARKET, MARKET, AS THAT CENTER DEVELOPS.

CENTER DEVELOPS.

AND THAT THE IS THE ISSUES THAT WILL BE OF CONCERN IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO PEOPLE IN WHAT LINE.

WOODLAWN.

>> Reporter: JOHN MURPHY OF THE THE HYDE PARK COALITION FOR EQUITABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

THAT WOULD DO IT FROM US FOR US FOR HYDE PARK.

BRANDIS, BACK BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>> BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, WE TALKED ABOUT PLANS FOR CANCER CR CANCER CENTER.

WHAT ARE SOME OF OF THE DESIGN ELEMENTS THAT HELP INTEGRATED INTO THE COMMUN?

THE COMMUNITY?

>> Reporter: OBVIOUSLY, THAT WILL BE A CANCEROUS -- CANCER TREATMENT CENTER.

THEY REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE CENTER IS SOMETHING THAT IS OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, TO HAVE SPACES FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS TO COME IN.

THEY TALK A LOT ABOUT THE FACT THAT CANCER IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH ON CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE.

THERE IS THE TREATMENT COMPONENT, BUT ALSO PREVENTION.

PREVENTION.

THE QUESTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND OVERALL HEALTHY LIVING, ACCESS TO GOOD FOOD, PREVENTATIVE CARE.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT CAN LOOK AT BY MAKING SURE THEY THEY OPEN THEIR DOORS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Reporter: THANK YOU.

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

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT'S MATE PARTIALLY IN PART BY ALEXANDER AND -- NICHOLS.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

[ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] > >> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

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

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

> >> YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST.

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT, LIVE AT 7:00.

IN PERSON -- RIGHT HERE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL STUDIO.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

STAY STAY SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] >> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY -- CLIFFORD LAW.