ISRAEL ORDERS A TOTAL SIEGE ON GAZA AFTER THIS WEEKEND'S SURPRISE ATTACKS FROM HAMAS LEAVE HUNDREDS DEAD.

CHICAGO'S THEATER SCENE IN CRISIS.

A NEW REPORT ON THE STATUS ARTS AND CULTURE IN CHICAGO.

>> IT'S NOT A CRAZY CONSPIRACY.

THERE'S NOTHING BUT PEOPLE ARE IN HERE DOING THEIR JOB, TRYING TO KEEP THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM SAFE.

>> AND A RARE GLIMPSE INSIDE THE CHICAGO FEDERAL RESERVE BUILDING AND EXPLORING A MUSEUM DEVOTED MONEY.

AND THAT SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

THE OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED TEMPORARY SHELTERS FOR MIGRANTS GROWS LOUDER TODAY.

RESIDENTS ON THE FAR NORTHWEST SIDE OF THE CITY SPOKE OUT ABOUT ALLEGED PLANS TO TURN THE AHMANSON PARK FIELD HOUSE.

>> INTO A TEMPORARY SHELTER.

THE RESIDENTS THERE SAY IT WILL FORCE PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND SENIORS TO MOVE ELSEWHERE.

AND THEY'RE CALLING ON MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON TO MEET WITH THEM BEFORE MAKING A FINAL DECISION.

WE STAND PASSIONATE.

>> VERY RESOLVED IN OPPOSITION.

THE GO AHEAD AND DO EVERYTHING WE CAN.

THE KEEP THIS COMMUNITY SANCTUARY ASSET IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR USE BY THIS COMMUNITY BY BABY'S A SENIOR CITIZEN ALL RESIDENTS WHO PAY THEIR TAXES FOR HIS PART.

PUTIN STILL THE >> THE VILLAGE OF ELK GROVE IS SUING THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION OVER NOISE AT O'HARE AIRPORT JUST TO THE EAST VILLAGE.

OFFICIALS THERE SAY THE LANDING AND TAKEOFF PATTERNS MAKE FOR A LOT OF NOISE.

ASKING FOR THE FAA TO CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES AFTER COMPLETING ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED FLY QUIET PROGRAM AT O'HARE.

THAT'S A PROBLEM THAT AIMS TO MITIGATE THE NOISE AROUND CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS AND OTHER COMMUNITIES IN O'HARE IS FLY >> WE JUST WANT WHAT'S FAIR ALL WE'RE ASKING FAA TO DO IS THEIR JOB THAT REQUIRED BY LAW THAT IS LOOK AT ALL ALL REASONABLE ALTERNATIVES OUT THERE.

>> AND TODAY IS COLUMBUS DAY OR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY, DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU CELEBRATE THE TIME AMERICANS AND OTHER REVELERS TO PART OF THE 71ST ANNUAL COLUMBUS DAY PARADE DOWNTOWN FOLKS MIGHT BE WONDERING THE STATUS OF THOSE 3 COLUMBUS STATUES ACROSS THE CITY THAT WERE TAKEN DOWN UNDER THE LIGHTFOOT ADMINISTRATION.

THEY'RE STILL IN STORAGE AT THIS POINT.

THE JOINTS OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE 10 AMERICANS HAVE SUED TO GET THE COLUMBUS STATUE RETURN TO LITTLE ITALY ON THE CITY'S WEST SIDE.

A STATEMENT FROM MAYOR JOHNSON OFFICE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SETTLEMENT TALKS ARE ONGOING BUT DECLINED TO COMMENT.

FURTHER.

AND OVER THE FIELD MUSEUM, THERE WERE MANY DANCERS GATHERED TO CELEBRATE AND MANY ON-LOOKERS CELEBRATING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY.

MUSEUM GOERS WERE TREATED TO TRADITIONAL DANCE IS FROM A SMALL COMMUNITY OF INDIGENOUS KITSCH WA PEOPLE FROM ECUADOR WHO LIVE IN CHICAGO AS WELL AS THE PERFORMANCE OF DON'S TECH, A CULTURAL TRADITION FROM AS AMERICA'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.

TODAY WAS FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL ILLINOIS RESIDENTS.

NEXT, THE LATEST ON ISRAEL'S WAR WITH HAMAS AFTER THIS WEEKEND'S UNPRECEDENTED ATTACKS.

THAT'S RIGHT.

AFTER THIS.

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

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> MORE THAN 1500 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REPORTED KILLED, INCLUDING AT LEAST 900 ISRAELI SINCE THE MILITANT GROUP HAMAS LAUNCHED A MASSIVE ATTACK ON ISRAEL EARLY SATURDAY.

150 ISRAELIS ARE REPORTEDLY HELD HOSTAGE BY THE GROUP AT THIS POINT, THE SURPRISE ATTACK LED TO WHAT ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU IS CALLING AN ALL OUT WAR.

SO WHAT ARE THE RAMIFICATIONS FOR THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE REST OF THE WORLD?

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THIS IS, YOU COHEN, THE CONSUL GENERAL OF ISRAEL TO THE MIDWEST CONSUL GENERAL, THANK YOU FOR BEING VERY BUSY.

48 HOURS FOR YOU FIRST.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS ON THE GROUND IN ISRAEL?

>> WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO FAMILY AND ALONG THE LAST 48 HOURS.

MY FAMILY IS OK, BUT THERE'S NOT A SINGLE FAMILY IN ISRAEL THAT HASN'T BEEN AFFECTED IN WAY, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER FROM ATROCITY IS ON SUNDAY MORNING.

>> AND LET'S HEAR FROM ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU ON THE GRAVITY.

WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEKEND?

>> WE HAVE A GUN AND I EMPHASIZE WE HAVE ONLY BEGUN TO STRIKE AND THE IMAGES OF THE DEVASTATION AND DESTRUCTION FROM STRONGHOLDS IN GAZA ARE JUST THE BEGINNING.

WE HAVE ELIMINATED MANY HUNDREDS OF TERRORISTS AND WE WILL NOT STOP THERE.

>> THEN, YOU SAYING THIS IS NOT A WORRY WANTED, BUT IT'S A WAR THERE.

AND NOW THEY'RE ONLY STRIKING HAMAS.

WHAT IS THE ENDGAME HERE AND HOW MUCH MORE CARNAGE UNTIL THAT HAPPENS TO BELIEVE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NUMBERS.

FIRST OF LAST 48 HOURS IN ISRAEL HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MORE THAN 900'S, THE CASUALTIES IN ISRAEL.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM ARE CIVILIANS.

WE HAVE REMEMBER WHAT THE TERRORISTS IS THAT THIS STORM MORE THAN 20 IS REALLY COMMUNITY IS GOING FROM ONE HOUSE TO ANOTHER SHOOTING AND KILLING ENTIRE FAMILY IS BABY IS IN FRONT OF THE MOTHERS.

PARENTS IN FRONT OF THE THEIR KIDS SITTING HOUSES ON FIRE, ACTING MANY ISRAELIS TO THE TO THE GAZA STRIP HAVE THEIR WHOLE HELD RIGHT NOW.

BUT HANDS OF COMUS CHILDREN, MOTHERS, HOCHUL SURVIVORS, BY THE WAY, AMONG THE CASUALTIES ARE ALSO 11 AMERICAN CITIZENS PROBABLY SO ALSO AMONG THE ABDUCTED PEOPLE HELD HOSTAGE IN AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.

AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING RIGHT NOW.

CLEARLY A COORDINATED ATTACK HERE ON PRECEDENT.

AS WE SAID, >> WHAT WHAT DOES A WAR LOOK LIKE?

WHAT WHAT?

WHAT IS THE ENDGAME?

>> THE IN GAMES ABSOLUTELY.

TO READ TO KIDS THE THREAT THAT IS POSED TODAY TO OUR POPULATION BY AND ISLAMIC IN GAZA.

>> AND IT DOES THAT MEAN IT IS REALLY TAKEOVER OF GAZA.

AND WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN FOR THE GAZA STRIP?

>> WE'RE PLANNING TO CONTROL THE LIFE OF 2 MILLION PALESTINIANS THAT LIVE IN THE GAZA STRIP.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE DETERMINED TO MAKE SURE THAT BOTH ISRAELI AND PALESTINIANS ENJOY THE MOST BASIC CIVIL RIGHTS.

AND THAT IS THE RIGHT FOR LIFE.

>> AND THIS IS ACCORDING TO ATTACK, AS THE PRESIDENT SAID PRIME MINISTER SAID ON THERE ARE OTHER MILITANT GROUPS, HOWEVER, INVOLVED, ARE THERE NOT RIGHT.

IT WAS BOTH COME US AND ITS LET ME CUT LET ME DO IT IN THE GAZA STRIP, BOTH ORGANIZATIONS, BOTH OF THEM, BY THE WAY, INSPIRED, FINANCED AND TRAINED BY EURON.

THIS IS THE MAJOR FORCE BEHIND.

>> WELL, THAT THEIR ACTIVITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, WHETHER FROM THE DOZENS THE WEST HE'S THERE, BUT SHIITE MILITIAS SYRIA AND YEMEN.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING RIGHT NOW.

AND YOU MENTIONED IRAN.

IS THERE EVIDENCE IRAN IS SOMEHOW BEHIND SOME OF THIS AND TRYING TO PROVOKE A BROADER CONFLICT?

>> WAS THERE IS NO SPECIFIC INFORMATION OR WAS STILL INVESTIGATING WHETHER WAS SPECIFICALLY INVOLVED IN ATTACK.

IT IS CLEAR THAT THE RUN HAS BEEN.

>> THOUGH, FOR MANY YEARS, TRAINING SUPPORTING INSPIRING THAT ORGANIZATION.

SO THE RUNNIN FOOTPRINTS AND ARE ALL OVER THE MIDDLE EAST AND ESPECIALLY IN THE GAZA STRIP.

AND DOES THAT MEAN THIS COULD GO ISRAEL AND GAZA AND PALESTINE INTO A BROADER CONFLICT?

>> WE KNOW THAT THERE GOING ASIANS IN THE REGION, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE BUT I BELIEVE IN AND THAT VERY TEMPTED TO JOIN THE WE'RE FOR WITH ISRAEL AND SEEING THAT.

I HOPE THAT THEY HEARD VERY CLEARLY PRESIDENT BIDEN WARNING THEM NOT TO DO THAT IN MANY OTHER WESTERN LEADERS WARNING LEBANON CREWS AND SYRIA TO JOIN THIS WAR AGAIN.

THESE ARE FOCUSED ON THESE TERRORIST GROUPS THAT HAVE CARRIED OUT THESE HORRIBLE ACTIONS.

THERE ARE MANY SYMPATHETIC TO THE PALESTINIAN CAUSE OVER OVER MANY YEARS.

AGAIN, NOT CONDONING ANYTHING THAT THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEKEND.

BUT WHO SAY THAT ISRAEL HAS HAS PROVOKED UNREST OVER THE YEARS BY EXPANDING ITS FOOTPRINT IN THE WEST BANK.

DOES THAT PLAY INTO ANYTHING THAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?

THE WHY THE POLITICAL DISCUSSION IS VERY LEGITIMATE.

I THINK THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW WITH IS THE RADICAL ISLAMIC IDEOLOGY THAT DOES NOT CARE ABOUT POLITICS BUT ONLY ABOUT ERADICATING THE JEWISH STATE OF ISRAEL FROM THE MIDDLE EAST IS WHAT FIGHTING FOR.

AND THIS IS WHAT THIS IS WHITE, WHY WE HAVE OUR OWN POLITICAL DEBATES IN ISRAEL RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE UNITED AGAINST THIS THREAT AND THERE WERE MANY POLITICAL DEBATES GOING ON IN ISRAEL ABOUT DEMOCRACY, ABOUT THE JUDICIARY THERE'S A LOT OF TALK THAT THAT ISRAEL DIDN'T SEE THIS COMING OF.

THE PRIME MINISTER DIDN'T SEE THIS COMING OR THE INTELLIGENCE DIDN'T SEE IT COMING.

WAS THERE WAS THERE A BREAKDOWN ON THAT FRONT?

SHOULD THEY HAVE SEEN IT COMING?

WE SHOULD DEFINITELY INVESTIGATE.

HOW COME WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH INTELLIGENCE ABOUT THIS THIS UPCOMING ATTACK?

THIS IS DEFINITELY A >> BUT RIGHT NOW FOCUSED ON IS REESTABLISHING SECURITY IN THE SOUTHERN.

BEEN MAKING SURE THAT EVERY CITIZENS, EVERY ISRAELI CITIZEN IN OUR SOUTH, IN COMMUNITIES AND ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY COULD LEAVE A SAFETY AND SECURITY.

AND AS I SAID, REDDICK AIDING THE THREAT FROM COMA SINCE THE MINUTE YOU HIDING DOESN'T.

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE U.S.

RESPONSE TO RESPONSE FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN RIGHT NOW AND WHAT >> DO YOU THINK IT WOULD TAKE IN ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO TO HELP FUND THE IRON DOME AND HELP FUND A DEFENSE EFFORTS IN ISRAEL.

>> THE U.S. IS IS REALLY THE MOST THAT IS WHAT HAS IN THE SO, YOU KNOW, IN THE PAST 48 HOURS, WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING DOZENS OF SUPPORT MESSAGES FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN FOLLOWING, YOU KNOW, GOVERNORS AND JUST CITIZENS REACHING OUT ASKING HOW CAN WE HELP?

WE WANT TO EXPRESS OUR SUPPORT.

HOW CAN WE SUPPORT ISRAEL?

SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY MEANINGFUL FOR US OR YOU.

ARE YOU WORRIED AT ALL GIVEN THE DEBATE OVER AID TO UKRAINE AND THE FACT THAT SOME OF THAT IS GETTING BOTTLED UP, ESPECIALLY THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

>> THAT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT MIGHT BE ABLE PROVIDE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT THAT THAT ISRAEL NEEDS.

>> WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST FOR THE 8 HOURS VARY VERY UNITED AMERICAN CONGRESS, BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS FULL CONSENSUS ABOUT THE NEED TO SUPPORT ISRAEL ABOUT THE NEED TO LEGITIMIZE WHAT ISRAEL DOES TO FIGHT AGAINST THIS TO ITS IS THERE A DOLLAR VALUE THINK AT THIS POINT ARE KIND OF DEPENDS ON HOW LONG THIS GOES ON.

I THINK THAT ISRAEL'S ECONOMY IS STRONG, BUT DEFINITELY WE'VE ENJOYING THE YOU CAN SUPPORT AMERICAN MILITARY SUPPORT FOR MANY YEARS IN PRISON, BUT VERY MUCH COMMITTED TO CONTINUE INVEST.

ALL RIGHT, TO ISRAELI CONSUL GENERAL.

YOU KNOW, COHEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE IN OUR BEST WISHES AND SYMPATHIES WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS OVER THERE AND WISHES FOR THEIR SAFETY.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO AND TOMORROW NIGHT WE'LL HEAR FROM A PALESTINIAN PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THIS ONGOING SITUATION.

>> BUT NOW ON TONIGHT'S PROGRAM, THE POST-PANDEMIC STRUGGLES CHICAGO THEATERS ARE STILL FACING.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> TEMPERATURES >> ARE DROPPING, WHICH FOR MANY MEANS THEATER SEASON HAS ARRIVED.

BUT MANY OF THOSE THEATERS HAVE GONE DARK AND OTHERS ARE HAVING TROUBLE FILLING THEIR HOUSES.

A NEW REPORT COMMISSIONED BY CHICAGO'S DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS HAS SOME SCARY DATA THEATER.

ATTENDANCE HAS DROPPED BY 60% IN THE LAST 4 YEARS, FORCING BELOVED AND RESPECTED THEATERS LIKE STEPPENWOLF AND LOOKING GLASS TO LAY OFF STAFF AND SUSPEND PRODUCTIONS.

AND JOINING US TO DISCUSS LIVE THEATER, STRUGGLES AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS ARE AARON HARKEY COMMISSIONER CHICAGO'S DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS AND CHRIS JONES, CHIEF THEATER CRITIC FOR THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE JOINS ALSO SERVES AS THE TRIBUNE'S EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR.

VERY GLAD TO HAVE BOTH OF YOU HERE.

FIRST COMMISSIONER ARE KEY.

NEARLY 60% DROP IN ATTENDANCE AT THEATERS RIGHT NOW.

THEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, HOW DIRE IS THE SITUATION FOR THEATERS?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE DEFINITELY NEED TO PAY ATTENTION WE DEFINITELY HAVE SEEN IN THE NEWS AND OUR FANS AND THE MEDIA HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB REPORTING THE CONTRACTIONS WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.

A SUSPENSION OF PRODUCTIONS AND THAT THE LAYOFFS.

SO THE DATA REPORT IS REALLY JUST ABOUT PROVIDING SORT OF BROADER CONTEXT THAT THESE ARE IN A FLUKE.

IT REALLY IS A SYSTEMWIDE CHALLENGE.

SO WE ARE, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE THE SUPPORT THAT OUR THEATERS AND CHRIS JONES, YOU'VE WRITTEN THAT LAST 4 YEARS HAS BEEN A BLOODBATH, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, TO.

>> CONTRA GOING IS BACK TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

WE TAYLOR SWIFT DID IN CHICAGO.

WHY NOT LIVE THEATER?

WELL, IT'S A VEXING QUESTION.

AND I THINK THIS IS A COMPLICATED QUESTION.

THERE ARE MANY, MANY DIFFERENT >> REASONS FOR IT.

I HEAR A DRUM BEAT FROM READERS ABOUT WHY THEY DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO THAT DATA.

SOME OF THEM MENTION WORRIES ABOUT GOING DOWNTOWN, FOR EXAMPLE, WHICH A LOT OF OLDER AUDIENCE FOCUS ON.

I ALSO THINK PEOPLE OBVIOUSLY STARTED STREAMING JOINING THE PANDEMIC AND TELEVISIONS GOT A LOT BETTER.

AND FOR A LOT OF THE IT IS DRAMA THAT'S PROVIDED A KIND OF NEW COMPETITION.

AND I THINK PEOPLE GOT OUT OF THE HABIT LITTLE BIT OF GOING TO.

SO IT'S YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALSO BEEN A BIT OF A SORT OF SYSTEMIC CONTRACTION THAT THOSE OF US IN THE MEDIA, FRANKLY, A SORT OF FAMILIAR WITH.

IT'S JUST PEOPLE ON THE PHONES A LOT THESE DAYS AND NOT CONSUMING THEATER IN QUITE THE SAME WHEN I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY THE WHOLE LIKE SOCIAL MEDIA BEING ON YOUR PHONE, WATCHING SHORT CLIPS AND THINGS LIKE TIKTOK GETS HURT.

>> I THINK ALL MEDIA BUT A LIVE PERFORMANCE, ESPECIALLY SO COMMISSIONER HARKEY, HOW DO YOU KICK START TO GETTING PEOPLE BACK INTO THE AUDIENCE?

>> WELL, I YOU KNOW, RELEASING THIS DATA REPORT WAS REALLY GREAT BECAUSE WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE INFORMATION OUT.

ARE ALSO LAUNCHING A THEATER SEASON CAMPAIGN WITH TO CHICAGO TO GET PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT THE 150 PLUS SHOWS THAT ARE GOING ON IN CHICAGO RIGHT NOW.

SO I THINK PEOPLE HAVE TO JUST RE EXERCISE THAT MUSCLE RIGHT AND JUST STARTS BY BUYING A TICKET TO A SHOW.

IT'S GOING TO BE GOOD FOR YOU AT THE END.

AND THEN AT THE END OF THE DAY, RIGHT?

SO THIS IS A A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH A LOVED ONE, YOU KNOW, AND SEE SOMETHING THAT'S GOING EXPAND HER MIND.

SO WE WANT PEOPLE TO STAY KIND GET IN THE HABIT.

AGAIN, CHRIS SHOWS ARE SOME THEATERS THAT DIDN'T MIND EXPANDING WORK, THAT THEY'RE THEY'RE GONE RIGHT NOW.

I MEAN, HOW TRAGIC IS THAT?

AND WHAT'S STATUS FOR SOME OF THESE OTHER BIG THEATERS?

WELL, I THINK SOMETHING THAT IS OF DISSIPATE SOMETHING IT IS A PRODUCING A LOT LESS LIGHT.

>> I'VE BEEN GOING MOST EVERY NIGHT OF MY LIFE 25 OR 2.

>> PROFESSIONAL THEATER IN CHICAGO.

SO I SORT OF HAVE IN MY HEAD WHAT THE SCHEDULE USED TO BE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

AND THIS NO QUESTION THAT IS, YOU KNOW, 30, 40, 50% FEWER SHOWS.

BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS REALLY THIS MOMENT AND HOW IT'S ABOUT.

I THINK REMINDING PEOPLE THAT DATA DOES REALLY COOL WAYS TO SPEND AN EVENING AND THIS SOMETHING ABOUT LIVE DOT IS THAT COMBER REPLICATED ON TELEVISION.

YOU MENTIONED LIKE THE HOUSE, THE AIR.

THAT WAS A GREAT.

THAT'S THAT'S THAT'S BIG LOSS.

I MEAN, CHICAGO HAS THESE GREAT IT IS THAT ONCE THEY'VE GONE THE DIFFICULT TO, YOU KNOW, BRING BITE.

>> BUT IT IS A REASON TO LIVE HERE.

CROSS THE YES.

PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS SAID TO ME HOW PROUD THEY ARE OF CHICAGO THEATER EVEN WHEN THEY DON'T GO.

THEY SAY THAT PROUD OF IT.

AND NOW I SORT OF TURN AROUND AND GO WELL.

HAVE YOU SEEN?

BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T GO, IT MIGHT NOT EXIST.

SO THAT IS A A BIG FACTOR.

I IT'S ALWAYS FELT LIKE A FEATHER IN OUR CAP.

SO COMMISSIONER HARKEY, YOU KNOW, THE CITY IS DEALING WITH A BUDGET GAP RIGHT NOW.

IS THERE MORE PUBLIC THAT CAN SUPPORT SOME SOME OF THESE THEATERS.

>> WELL, THE MAYOR IS GOING TO BUDGET ADDRESS ON WEDNESDAY.

SO I DO I WANT DO WANT TO GET AHEAD OF THAT.

BUT I CAN SAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THE KIND OF COMMITMENT THAT WE'VE MADE HISTORICALLY OVER THE YEARS AND IN TERMS OF GRANT FUNDING OTHER SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE CAPACITY BUILDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

WE KNOW THAT THE UTTERS A PRIORITY PRIORITY BECAUSE THE DATA HAS TOLD US THAT.

SO THERE DEFINITELY ARE GOING TO BE, I THINK SOME SPECIAL RESOURCES FOR THEATERS.

SO YEAH, YOU KNOW, TO CONTINUE CONTINUING TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE.

I FOR THEATER.

AND I THINK SOME SPECIAL RESOURCES GOING FORWARD.

THE CHRIS JONES, THE OTHER FINANCIAL PRONG HERE FOR THEATERS OR ANY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, FUNDRAISING, PHILANTHROPIC, GIVING.

>> I'M GETTING FROM WEALTHY DONORS ARE ORGANIZATIONS AND THAT'S BEEN RELATIVELY FLAT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

HOW COME THAT HASN'T YOU KNOW THAT.

I THINK YOU SEE THE IMPACT OF INFLATION SOME WAYS BECAUSE PEOPLE ATTENDING TO GIVE THE REPORTS THAT >> PEOPLE ATTENDING TO GIVE IT THE SAME LEVEL.

THEY'RE RIDING THE SAME CHECK TO THESE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT THEY WROTE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AND AS WE ALL KNOW, THE REALITY IS THAT'S BUYING 2025% LAST.

PLUS, THE FACT COSTS OVERALL WITHIN PRODUCTION HAVE GREATLY INCREASED.

SO IT'S NOT THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT GIVING ANY MORE.

IT'S MORE THAT THAT GIVING IT THE SAME OLD LEVEL THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME IMPACT.

SO I MEAN, ON THE SIMPLE TO THAT IS SOME PEOPLE WHO CAN AFFORD IT.

GOING TO HAVE TO UP THAT GIVING BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY WAY THESE ORGANIZATIONS GOING TO SURVIVE.

I THINK.

BUT ORGANIZATIONS THEMSELVES, THIS PART OF IT, THIS IS ON THEM TOO.

THEY HAVE TO DO SHOWS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO GO AND SEE THE END OF THE DAY.

YOU BUY A TICKET TO SEE SOMETHING THEY CARE ABOUT THAT YOU WANT TO SEE.

YOU DON'T BUY A TICKET TO SOMETHING YOU DON'T WANT TO SAY.

AND THERE ALWAYS ARE.

THOSE SHOWS THAT DOES CREATE THAT BUZZ THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO GO SEE LIKE HAMILTON OR SOMETHING COMING BACK INTO TOWN.

SO COMMISSIONER HARKEY, IS THERE SOMETHING THAT THAT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS?

>> DO YOU HAVE A ROLE IN ENCOURAGING PRIVATE UPFRONT, PHILANTHROPY, PRIVATE GIVERS TO IT TO HELP THAT STEP UP TO THE PLATE.

YEAH, I THINK, YOU KNOW, EVER SINCE THE PANDEMIC, WE'VE ACTUALLY DONE A GOOD JOB OF WORKING COLLECTIVELY TOGETHER, WHICH MEANS THAT, YOU KNOW, THE KIND OF LIMITED RESOURCES THAT WE MIGHT HAVE INDIVIDUALLY, IF WE CAN PULL IN THE SAME DIRECTION, YOU KNOW, THOSE DOLLARS HAVE MORE OF AN IMPACT.

SO WE DEFINITELY HAVE BEEN HAVING, YOU KNOW, CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW TO YOU KNOW, AVAILABLE RESOURCES SO WE CAN KIND OF PULL PULL THE SHIP AND THEN THE SAME SO I'M OPTIMISTIC ABOUT WHAT THAT KIND OF COLLABORATION MIGHT LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE YOU KNOW, SUPPORT THEATERS AT THIS TIME.

THE CHRIS JONES THAT, YOU KNOW, PART OF THE BUSINESS SPOT IN THE PAST ALWAYS BEEN A LOCK PEOPLE INTO THESE FULL SEASON OR MULTI SHOW SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES NOW WORKING THAT'S DROPPED 65% OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS.

SO HOW DID YOU NEED TO CHANGE THAT BUSINESS MODEL?

THAT'S TED.

THAT'S JUST DEAD IN THE WORLD OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO COMMIT LIKE THAT ANYMORE.

THAT WAS A PREVIOUS GENERATION, I THINK.

AND IN THE DAYS OF >> VARIABLE PRICING, WHEN YOU CAN GO ON MIGHT SEAT GEEK.

THIS ALL OF THESE DISCOUNTS GAMES FOR GETTING BETTER TICKETS.

THE HOT THAT MOTIVE SELLING IS JUST NOT HAPPENING ANYMORE.

EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE STILL SUBSCRIBERS WHO REALLY CARE ABOUT THE STATE IS.

BUT I KNOW I THINK THE WHOLE BUSINESS MODEL TO SOME DEGREE IS BROKEN AND IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE REINVENTED IN THE FACE OF ALL CURRENT SITUATION.

AND THIS A BIT OF A WAKE-UP CALL THIS IS A DIFFICULT QUESTION TO ASK YOU, THOUGH, BUT IT'S SOME OF THIS JUST CULTURAL ATTITUDES CHANGING YOUNGER GENERATIONS WERE THEATER DOESN'T MEAN QUITE AS MUCH TO THEM AS IT HAS TO PREVIOUS GENERATIONS.

AND THEY JUST HAVE ALL THESE OTHER MODES OF ENTERTAINMENT.

I THINK SOME TRUTH TO THAT.

BUT I MEAN, THAT'S SOMEBODY MY AGE IS ALWAYS I GOING TO ADMIT THAT BECAUSE I BELIEVE SO POWERFULLY AND SO STRONGLY IN THE POWER OF THE THEATER AND THE ABILITY TO JUST SIT WITH YOUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS AND WATCH A REALLY GREAT SHOW.

YOU KNOW, THE PHONE DOESN'T DO THAT FROM A MUCH AS I'M THOSE OBSESSED AS ANYBODY ELSE.

BUT I SEE PEOPLE TWITCH WHEN THEY HAVE TO TURN OFF THE PHONE.

I MEAN, I THINK THERE CHANGES.

THE KEY IS TO ADAPT ITS AGAIN, LIKE A MEDIA ORGANIZATION.

THE STATE IS HAVE TO ADAPT TO THESE NEW REALITIES AND IT'S PAINFUL IN SOME CASES BECAUSE CHANGE IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THAT.

THERE ARE SUCCESS.

STORIES ARE STICKING OF TOMMY, THAT WITH THAT WAS A RECENT SUCCESS STORY BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE SUCH A MULTIMEDIA.

HAVE AGAIN TO THE MUSIC AND THE SPECIAL EFFECTS AND THE VIDEO AND THE SHOW AND PEOPLE JUST LOVED IT.

AND IT DID REALLY WELL.

SO THERE ARE SUCCESS STORIES RIGHT NOW.

>> BECAUSE YOU'RE HARKEY.

HOW IMPORTANT IS A THRIVING THEATER SCENE TO JUST OVERALL RECOVERY DOWNTOWN?

>> WELL, IT'S EXTREMELY YOU KNOW, THE ARTS ARE REALLY AN ECONOMIC SORT OF MULTIPLIER.

SO THEIR BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY IN CHICAGO, THEY'RE PART OF THE REASON WHY PEOPLE COME TO VISIT THE CITY.

SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE CONTRACTION YOU KNOW, THE THEATER SECTOR, WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WITH THE ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, IT'S A LOSS OF YOU KNOW, OUR COMMUNITIES LOSE IMPORTANT.

CULTURAL ANCHORS THAT ARE ECONOMIC DRIVERS FOR ACTIVITY IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.

SO, YOU KNOW, IT IS AS MUCH A SORT OF CULTURAL AND ARTS PRICES OF THAT AS IT IS AN ECONOMIC, YOU KNOW, A CRISIS.

SO WE NEED TO SORT OF PAY ATTENTION TO IT ON ON MULTIPLE LEVELS VACCINE AND WE'RE ALL PROUD OF THE CHICAGO, THE THEATER TOWN.

SO.

>> THE SOLUTION IS THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO, I GUESS, PUT THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTH IS.

IF THEY CAN EITHER IN SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONER AND HURRICANE CHRIS JONES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU.

AND UP NEXT, A TOUR INSIDE THE CHICAGO FEDERAL RESERVE.

BUT FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

THIS WEEKEND.

CHICAGOANS GET THE CHANCE TO TOUR SOME OF THE MOST HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN THE CITY IS PART OF OPEN HOUSE CHICAGO.

THAT INCLUDES ONE VERY FORTIFIED BUILDING THAT SITS AT THE HEART OF THE NATION'S FINANCIAL SYSTEM.

AND WE'VE GOT A SNEAK PEEK.

WE'RE LIKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> THAT WAS SET UP BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE ACTED 1913, AUSTAN GOOLSBEE SERVED AS A TOP ECONOMIC ADVISER IN THE CABINET OF FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.

NOW HE'S PRESIDENT OF THE CHICAGO FEDERAL RESERVE BANK, ONE OF 12 REGIONAL FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS THAT MAKE UP THE NATION'S CENTRAL BANKING SYSTEM.

GOOLSBEE IS ONE OF THE VOICES ON THE FED'S OPEN MARKET COMMITTEE THAT DECIDES WHAT TO DO WITH INTEREST RATES.

SPECIFICALLY THE FEDERAL FUNDS RATE.

WE DO BASICALLY 3 THINGS AT THE RESERVE BANK'S AND I GO TO THE FOMC MEETINGS WHERE THEY VOTE ON THE INTEREST RATES.

SECOND, WHERE THE SUPERVISOR REGULATOR OF A LOT OF BANKS IN THE DISTRICT AND 3RD, THE FED IS KIND OF THE BANK TO THE BANKS THIS WEEKEND.

VISITORS CAN LEARN ALL ABOUT IT AND GET A RARE GLIMPSE AT A HISTORIC AND HEAVILY FORTIFIED BUILDING.

MORE THAN 100 YEARS OLD.

THEY WILL GET TO SEE ANY VAULTS OF CASH.

JUST THIS ORNATE LOBBY WITH 12 COLUMNS REPRESENTING THE 12 BRANCHES OF THE FED.

BY THE WAY, THOSE VAULTS OF CASH ARE HOLDING WITH BILLIONS OF COLD, HARD DOLLAR BILLS AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT.

WE'RE UNDER 10200 MILLION DOLLARS OF CASH IN AND OUT OF YOUR EVERYDAY.

YOU GO TO YOUR ATM MACHINE.

YOU GET A $20 BILL CHANCES ARE IT PROBABLY WAS SITTING IN OUR VALE GOT SENT OUT.

THEIR GOALS BE SAYS THE GOAL IS TO GIVE THE PUBLIC A GLIMPSE INTO WHAT CAN BE SEEN AS A VERY SECRETIVE ORGANIZATION.

IT'S IMPORTANT AS PART OF THE FED SYSTEM THAT PEOPLE SEE.

IT'S NOT A CRAZY CONSPIRACY.

THERE'S NOTHING BUT PEOPLE ARE IN HERE DOING THEIR JOBS, TRYING TO KEEP THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM SAFE.

THE BEST WAY TO GET EDUCATED IS IN THE MONEY MUSEUM, WHICH IRONICALLY IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC VISITORS CAN GAWK AT A GIANT CUBE HOLDING 1 MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH AND LEARN EVERYTHING THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT WHAT'S IN THEIR WALLET.

FOR INSTANCE, THERE'S A GREAT CHANCE YOUR DOLLAR BILL SAT IN THIS VERY BUILDING BEFORE ENTERING THE WORLD ON THE LEFT SIDE OF EVERY ONE DOLLAR BILL, A LETTER INDICATES WHICH FED BANK IT CAME FROM G MEANS CHICAGO.

I'VE GOT AN OFFICIAL, CHICAGO FEDERAL RESERVE BANK NOTE IN MY WALLET HERE THAT I CAN GO BUY A GUN WITH YOU CAN AND JUST TO BE SURE THAT ACTUAL CASH I'M CARRYING IN MY WALLET.

THIS EXHIBIT EXPOSES COUNTERFEITS.

IF THEY PUT THE UV LIGHT, YOU SEE YOU'VE GOT THE STRIPS.

PUT THE BILL BEHIND THIS MAGNIFYING GLASS, LIGHT UP THE BACKGROUND AND YOU SHOULD SEE A STRIP ON RIGHT SIDE AND A LITTLE WATER MARK OF MISTER FRANKLIN FURTHER TO THE RIGHT.

IF NOT WELL, THEN PLEAD IGNORANCE AND WHAT WE HAVE A TOP ECONOMIC OFFICIAL LIKE MISTER GOOLSBEE, WE SHOULD PROBABLY ASK HIM WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THOSE INTEREST RATES AND WHETHER THE FED CAN BRING DOWN INFLATION WITHOUT CAUSING A RECESSION.

THEY'RE BASICALLY HAS NEVER BEEN A CENTRAL BANK NOT TO SEE THE FED, BUT AROUND THE WORLD.

THAT BEEN ABLE TO BRING INFLATION DOWN THIS MUCH WITHOUT HAVING A BIG RECESSION FOR SOME REASONS.

I THINK RIGHT NOW WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO PULL IT OFF.

IT'S CERTAINLY NOT A GUARANTEE.

AND WE'VE GOT A LOT BUMPS IN THE ROAD THAT WE HAVE TO NAVIGATE.

SPEAKING OF DRIVING INFLATION DOWN ONE FUNCTION OF THE CHICAGO FED IS TO TAKE OLD OR WARN DOLLAR BILLS OUT OF CIRCULATION.

HOW DO THEY DO THAT BY SHREDDING THEM AND GIVING THEM AWAY AS SOMETHING AKIN TO A PARTY FAVOR.

REMEMBER THAT YOUR NEXT BIRTHDAY?

THE ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE.

CHICAGO RUNS THIS WEEKEND, OCTOBER 14TH AND 15TH AND INCLUDES SITES LIKE >> WALT DISNEY'S BIRTHPLACE, THE PULLMAN NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK AND MORE AND ADMISSION LIKE THE MONEY MUSEUM IS FREE.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10 LOCAL PALESTINIANS REACT TO THE DEVASTATING ATTACKS IN GAZA AND ISRAEL.

AND WE EXPLORE THE BATTLE FOR REPRESENTATION ON CHICAGO'S ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE IN CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

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

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT, A CLIPPER AND CLIFFORD LAW A PERSONAL INJURY LAW FIRM, DEDICATED TO