♪♪ ♪♪ >> GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

>> WE ARE GLAD TO IMAGINE A KNOW.

>> CEO OF CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT RESIGNS COULD, MORE CHANGES BE COMING.

>> WE ARE CERTAINLY GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS.

>> WITH COVID CASES DROPPING NATIONWIDE IS THE U.S.

REACHING HERD IMMUNITY.

>> I AM HONESTLY GETTING READY TO BE FIRED.

>> AIRLINE EMPLOYEES REFUSING COVID VACCINES COULD LOSE THEIR JOB.

WHAT IMPACT THAT COULD HAVE ON THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY.

>> WHO ARE THE SUPER AGERS.

>> NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY FAMOUS FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT.

THAT IN CHICAGO BUSINESS NEWS.

>> RAUCOUS NIGHT ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

>> OFFERING JOB TRAINING TO ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES.

>> TO BE ABLE TO SEE US REPRESENTING AND TO BE ABLE TO SEE PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE THEM.

>> PROFESSIONAL SOFTBALL PLAYER ON HER JOURNEY AND HOW SHE HOPES TO INSPIRE OTHER LATINAS.

TOP STORIES MANY WHILE TODAY'S FEDERAL HOLIDAY IS COLUMBUS DAY AFTER CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS MANY NATIONS AND SUPPORTERS ADVOCATE AN INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY.

>> OVER 500 YEARS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR THEIR SURVIVAL THEIR LAND AND THEIR RIGHTS AND EACH OCTOBER WHEN COLUMBUS IS HONORED IT FURTHER DIMINISHES NATIVE PEOPLE.

UNFORTUNATELY IT ALSO WAS THE BEGINNING OF GENOCIDE AGAINST NATIVE PEOPLE TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVERY AND DEHUMANIZING EFFECT OF COLONIES.

>> OPENING WITH SONG FROM PAWNEE NATION.

THE JOINT CIVIC COMMITTEE OF ITALIAN AMERICANS STEPPED OFF ITS PARADE DOWNTOWN CHICAGO.

RON ADDRESSED WHAT SEES AS THE NEED TO RETURN THE CLAUDIA SCHIFFER COLUMBUS STATUE.

>> DIALOGUE MUST ENSUE.

MORE STORIES ABOUT ALL OUR HISTORY NEED TO BE TOLD AND AMENDS MADE.

WE WANT TO LEARN THE GOOD THE BAD THE UGLY TRUTH ABOUT OUR OWN AMERICAN HISTORY.

BUT WHAT CANNOT BE DONE IS TO REPLACE WHAT IS PERCEIVED TO BE A ONE SIDED NARRATIVE WITH ANOTHER ONE.

>> AMONG THE FLOATS AND MARCHERS WERE ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING OTHER ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS.

HE ALSO CALLED FOR CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE ITALIAN AMERICANS AN NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES.

WHITE SOX FANS HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER DAY FOR GAME 4 OF THE AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES AGAINST HOUSTON ASTROS AFTER LAST NIGHT'S DRAMATIC 4-HOUR WIN KEEPING THE SOX HOPES ALIVE.

TODAY POSTPONED BECAUSE OF RAIN FORECAST.

TEAM SCHEDULED TOMORROW AFTERNOON 1:07.

TICKETS AND PASSES TRANSFER, GATES OPEN 11 A.M., TODAY WAS SUPPOSED TO START WITH CARLOS, NEEDING A WIN AGAINST HOUSTON TO STAY ALIVE, 2-5 BEST OF FIVE SERIES.

CHICAGO SKY INTO WNBA FINALS WEDNESDAY WITH ONE GAME TO NOTHING LEAD OVER THE PHOENIX AFTER BEATING THE MERCURY ON SUNDAY.

GAME 2 IS WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN PHOENIX AFTER AGAIN THE SKY BEAT THE MERCURY LAST NIGHT.

MEANWHILE MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND PHOENIX MAYOR GALLEGOS HAVE ENTERED A BET WHO WINS.

GALLEGOS SAYS SHE WILL PONY UP GOODS FROM WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES IN PHOENIX IF THEY LOSE.

UP NEXT LONG AWAITED MILESTONE AGAINST COVID.

>> IN RECENT WEEKS NUMBER OF COVID CASES IN HOSPITALIZATION DROPPED.

SEPTEMBER U.S. WAS AVERAGING 160,000 CASES A DAY, THAT NOW OVER 90,000 TRENDING DOWNWARD.

IS THE NATION APPROACHING HERD IMMUNITY?

HERE'S WHAT ANTHONY FAUCI SAYS.

>> CERTAINLY GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND HOPEFULLY IT'S GOING DOWNWARD BUT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL THAT WE DON'T PREMATURELY DECLARE VICTORY.

WE STILL HAVE 68 MILLION PEOPLE ELIGIBLE TO BE VACCINATED THAT HAVEN'T GOT IT.

>> AND DR. EVELYN FIGUEROA AT THE UNIVERSITY ILLINOIS, DR. FIGUEROA IS DIRECTOR OF UIC FAMILY RESIDENCY PROGRAM.

WE ARE THANKFUL BOTH THESE DOCTORS MADE TIME FOR US THE DR. LANDON WITH YOU, NATIONWIDE COVID CASES HAVE BEEN DECLINING.

DO YOU THINK THE DELTA VARIANT WAVE OF THE VIRUS HAS PEAKED OR IS THERE RESURGENCE ON THE WAY?

>> 'YEAH I THINK THAT SUMMER WAVE HAS PEAKED AND I THINK A LOT OF LOSSES THAT DIDN'T HAVE IMMUNITY BECAUSE OF VACCINATION HAVE NOW ACHIEVED NATURAL IMMUNITY THROUGH INFECTION BUT THERE'S STILL POCKETS OF THE COUNTRY THAT WERE RELATIVELY PROTECTED BY IMMUNIZATION THAT ARE ELIGIBLE TO HAVE A WAVE OF COVID COME THROUGH THIS WINTER AND I THINK PEOPLE IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE COUNTRY AREAS THAT YOU LIVE IN A COMMUNITY THAT DOESN'T HAVE MUCH VACCINATION PROBABLY AT RISK FOR A BUMP.

HOPEFULLY NOTHING LIKE THE SURGE WE SEE IN THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE COUNTRY THIS SUMMER.

>> DR. FIGUEROA JUST OVER 65 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION HAS HAD AT LEAST ONE VACCINE DOSE, FOR PEOPLE OVER 12 THAT'S 76 PERCENT.

ARE WE CLOSE TO REACHING HERD IMMUNITY?

>> I'M CERTAINLY NOT THE HERD IMMUNITY EXPERT THAT WOULD BE DR. LANDON AND DR. FAUCI BUT WE ARE MAKING STRIDES TREATING FOLKS WITH COVID.

ONE BIG OPPORTUNITY IS TO JUST INSURE THAT EVEN THOUGH WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE NATIONAL RATES OF COVID VACCINATION IN ILLINOIS FOLKS ARE BELOW THE NATIONAL RATE SO WE ARE INCREASED BY A FEW PERCENTAGE POINTS AND WE SHOULD NOT FORGET THAT'S AN AVERAGE SOME COMMUNITIES 20 PERCENT OTHERS OVER 90 PERCENT SO IT'S GETTING INTO ALL THE COMMUNITIES AND TRYING TO AS MUCH AS CAN.

>> DR. LANDON HOW CLOSE ARE WE TO HERD IMMUNITY?

>> SOME PLACES ARE PROBABLY ALREADY THERE.

THE PROBABLY YOU CAN'T JUST BE A LITTLE HERD IMMUNITY IN A WHOLE NATION AND THINGS GET MORE HYPER LOCAL SO IT COMES DOWN TO IF YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH VACCINE PEOPLE YOU'RE PROBABLY IN GOOD SHAPE BUT IF YOU'RE THE OWN VACCINATED PERSON AROUND UNVACCINATED YOU'RE GOING TO GET EXPOSED OVER AND AGAIN.

YOU PROBABLY WOULD GET A BREAKTHROUGH PROTECTION SO IT'S DOWN TO NITTY-GRITTY IS THAT PERSON SITTING ACROSS NEXT OR FEAR TO YOU VACCINATED.

>> DR. FIGUEROA ARE WE SEEING RACIAL SPARE ADVERTISE IN THE WAY COMMUNITIES ARE IMPACTED BY THE VIRUS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO GO BACK TO WORK.

WE KNOW THAT LOCALLY DIFFERENT SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN CHANGING.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS HAVE EXPIRED FOR FOLKS SO THEY HAVE TO GO BACK INTO SET THAT IS ARE AREN'T ALWAYS IDEAL.

I THINK THERE IS A LAG IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND I TAKE CARE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN FOLKS AT UI HEALTH SO IT'S DISTRESSING.

>> HOSPITALIZATIONS AD DEATHS ARE DROPPING IN CITIES AND WERE YOU TALKING ABOUT VACCINATION LEVELS.

HOW MUCH IS DUE TO CONTINUE VACCINE HESITANTSI.

>> WE HAVE TARGETED AT MORE RURAL COMMUNITIES BUT THAT TARGETED DISINFORMATION IS COURTING LIVES.

THIS IS A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE VACCINE SO YOU HAVE JUST EVEN JUST A BOOK CLUB THAT SHARES DISINFORMATION AND INFLUENZA PEOPLE IT TAKES A TOLL.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR WINTER AND OUT OF FLU SEASON?

>> I THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE A BUMP OF INFECTIONS AND THE AMOUNT OF THAT WILL IMPACT US IN ILLINOIS CHICAGO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND ZIP CODE.

IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON HOW VACCINATED THAT GROUP OF PEOPLE IS SO I THINK WE WILL SEE A BUMP.

IT'S UP TO US TO DECIDE.

INFLUENZA ON THE OTHER HAND I'M HOPING WE CAN KEEP OUR MASKS ON.

UNLESS YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR MASKS OFF UPON SOMETHING IT'S NOT THAT INCONVENIENT TO WEAR AND THAT WILL HELP SPREAD INFLUENCE AS WELL.

CLEANING YOUR HANDS AND SORT OF KEEPING DISTANCE WITH YOU NEED TO UNMASKED IS GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR INFLUENZA.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FOR INFLUENZA.

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE IS USUALLY A GREAT PREDICTOR BUT LAST YEAR THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE ESPECIALLY AUSTRALIA WAS IN LARGE SCALE LOCKDOWN AND SOUTH AMERICA DIDN'T HAVE MUCH INFLUENZA BUT WERE SEEING A LOT OF COVID SO DIFFICULT TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AS WE OPEN UP MORE AS CASES COME DOWN IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET FLU SHOTS.

>> WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE SEEN IS GOING TO BE LIKE.

ONE PEOPLE GROUP NOT VAIKTD PEOPLE UNDER AGE 126789 HOW MUCH A DIFFERENCE DO YOU THINK THE EXPECTED EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION WILL MAKE?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE SO IMPACT H IMPACTFUL.

IT'S GOING TO HELP US EXPAND AND HELP WITH GAPS IN CONGREGATE SETTINGS WE ARE SEEING.

IT WILL BE WONDERFUL.

HOPEFULLY THE COMMUNITIES WILL TAKE OF THE VACCINE BECAUSE THERE ARE HUGE DISPARITIES IN CHICAGO BUT HOPEFULLY WE KEEP GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT.

>> THANKS FOR FINDING TIME DR. LANDON AND FIGUEROA FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS.

TAKE CARE.

>> AND BACK TO YOU.

>> TROUBLE BREWING AT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES AS LOW COST CARRIERS TODAY CANCEL NEARLY 200 FLIGHTS IN CHICAGO ALONE AT A TIME WHEN ISSUES ARE ISSUING VACCINE MANDATES FOR EMPLOYEES.

ALSO ADDING TO DISRUPTION ARE UNRULY CUSTOMERS RESISTING COMPLIANCE WITH COVID PROTOCOLS.

>> I'VE INSTRUCTED THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DEAL WITH THE VIOLENCE ON AIRCRAFT COOLING FROM THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE TAKING ISSUES.

WE ARE GOING TO DEAL WITH THAT.

>> HERE TO DISCUSS DISRUPTION VACCINE MANDATES AN MORE ARE TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST JOSEPH SWEDERMAN AND DENNIS PAIGER AN AMERICAN AIRLINES PILOT AND SPOKESMAN FOR THE ALLIED PILOTS ASSOCIATION.

WELCOME BACK THE CHICAGO.

JOY SOUTHWEST ISSUE CANCELLATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND MORE TODAY, SOUTHWEST BLAMING IT ON WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE AIRLINES.

>> I'VE BEEN WATCHING AVIATION A LONG TIME.

THIS IS A UNIQUE CASE BECAUSE THERE'S NOT A SINGLE THING THEY'RE POINTING TO CAUSED THIS.

I THINK IF YOU CUT TO THE CHASE THE AIRLINES ARE CUTTING IT REALLY CLOSE ON LABOR RIGHT NOW.

THEY'RE FACING SHORTAGES.

THEY'RE FACING RESIGNATIONS AND YOU THROW IN AN UNEXPECTED EVENT LIKE THIS FROM THINGS WE FOUND WITH SOUTHWEST CAUGHT THEM OFF GUARD, THEY SPIRALED AND PROBABLY SUGGEST THERE'S EMPLOYEE MORALE IN PLAY.

>> DENNIS PAIGER THERE'S REPORTS OF POSSIBLE SICK OUT RESULT HEARING ANYTHING LIKE THAT FROM YOUR COLLEAGUES THAT'S HAPPENING?

>> AS PROFESSOR SWEDERMAN SAYS, ALL THE INDICATIONS EVEN FROM SOUTHWEST AND THE METROPOLITAN UNION WE REPRESENT THE AMERICAN PILOTS IS THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH A MAN DATE WE WATCHED AMERICAN HAVE THESE TROUBLE THROUGH THE SUMMER, WEATHER HITS THEY CAN'T RECOVER EFFICIENTLY, THIESH HORRIBLE AT IT.

WE'VE CALLED THAT AND WILL CONTINUE TO CALL THAT OUT AS WE LOOK AT THE WINTER MONTHS AND BE VERY PUBLIC ABOUT IT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO FAIL SERVING OUR PASSENGERS.

>> COMING MONTHS HOLIDAY TRAVEL, LET'S TALK ABOUT VACCINE MANDATES UNITED AMERICAN SOUTHWEST DO REQUIRE THE VACCINE FOR EMPLOYEES BECAUSE THEY'RE FEDERAL CONTRACTORS IN ADDITION TO PRIVATE CARRIERS.

IS THIS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO?

>> I SUPPORT VACCINE MANDATES.

I THINK OVERALL THEY'RE A GOOD IDEA.

I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE THOUGH THAT THE PRIVATE AIRLINES GOT SNARED IN THE FEDERAL CON DRAMATIC FOR LAWS BUT IT REALLY IS SORT OF A VERY PUBLIC SERVICE ORIENTED APPROACH TO THEM BEING CONTRACTORS IN TIMES OF WAR RUNNING EQUIPMENT SO THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE CONTRACTORS.

I THINK THAT'S WHY PERHAPS SOME OF THE RESENTMENT IS GOING UP AMONG LABOR THAT THEY ALONE ARE FORCED TO GET VACCINATIONS WITHOUT ALTERNATIVES AND THE BIDEN MANDATE WHICH CAN AFFECT ALL INDUSTRIES COULD LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD AND MAKE EVERYBODY GET VACCINATED BUT RIGHT NOW AIRLINE WORKERS SINGLED OUT.

>> RIGHT, SO OTHER AIRLINES THAT ARE NOT FEDERAL CONTRACTORS ARE NOT FEDERAL MANDATES.

DENNIS WE KNOW FEDERAL PILOTS AND EMPLOYEES MUST BE VACCINATED.

HOW ARE THEY AFFECTED?

>> THE 30 PERCENT, 4,000 PILOTS ARE STANDING BY.

YOU BUY A TICKET ON AMERICAN OR UNITED.

THEY HAVE REGIONAL AFFILIATES THAT FEED THEM.

SOME OF THEM ARE OWNED.

SOME OF THEM ARE PARTNERSHIPS.

THOSE CARRIERS LIKE THE PROFESSOR MENTIONED ARE NOT FEDERALLY MANDATED BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT CONTRACTORS SO THIS IMAGERY THAT WE'VE GOT EVERYBODY VACCINATED IS NOT CONSISTENT AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE CALLING OUT ON.

THIS WE ARE NOT CALLING OUT THE VACCINE AT ALL.

WE ARE JUST CALLING OUT THE RATHER INCONSISTENT WAY IT'S BEING DOLED OUT AND VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE APPROACHING HOLIDAY AND WE ARE JUST ACTUALLY LOOKING FOR A PAUSE IN EXTENSION ON.

THIS WE'VE OFFERED UP EITHER A TESTING FOR NATURAL IMMUNITY AND/OR FREQUENT TESTING LIKE ALL COMPANIES WILL LIKELY BE SUBJECT TO, SO IT'S WORKED ON AIRPLANES.

I DID MY FIRST INTERVIEW WITH YOU AT O'HARE.

>> WE DID.

VERY EMPTY O'HARE TERMINAL.

WHAT YOU'RE MENTIONING YOU BUY A TICKET FOR AMERICAN YOU MIGHT NOT BE FILING AMERICAN BUT ONE OF THOSE CONTRACTING AIRLINES THAT AREN'T SUBJECT TO FEDERAL MANDATE.

LET'S HERE FROM AN AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT ATTENDANT WHO IS HOPING FOR ALTERNATIVE OPTION.

>> I AM FOR MEDICAL FREEDOM AND FOR ME I THINK ALSO IN ALERT PLACES ARE DIVIDED.

IT CAME OUT AS FAR AS PEOPLE COWORKERS ASKING IF YOU'RE VACCINATED OR NOT, AND I SAY THAT'S A PERSONAL DECISION.

>> IF I AM HONESTLY GETTING READY TO BE FIRED I AM NOT GOING TO COMPLY WITH THE MANDATE.

IF I'M PREPARED TO LOSE MY JOB MY INCOME AND BENEFITS.

>> YOU HEARD DENNIS MENTION 30 PERCENT OF PILOTS IN HIS UNION NOT VACCINATED, YOU HEAR FROM THIS EMPLOYEE.

COULD THERE BE A CRITICAL STAFFING SHORTAGE FOR HOLIDAY TRAVEL?

>> THAT'S THE BIG SCARE.

THIS IS REALLY A TOUGH ONE BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT VACCINES ARE A GOOD THING BUT IT'S DEVELOPED IN SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO RIPPLE THROUGH THE AIRLINE STAFF OF MORAL ISSUES.

I THINK SOUTHWEST IS FAMOUS FOR BEING LABOR SWITCH BETWEEN TASKS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION BY LOTS OF FACTORS, THE WORKFORCE BATTERED RIGHT NOW THERE.

WERE LAYOFFS, UNRULY PASSENGERS NOW ON BOARD WITH THE MASK THE FEELING OF TENSION SO I REALLY HOPE THAT AS WE APPROACH THE HOLIDAYS, WE GET THINGS BACK ON TRACK BUT IT'S PRETTY SCARY RIGHT NOW ON AIRLINES.

>> CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF WORKERS SO MANY INDUSTRIES.

WE GET TO THE ISSUE OF SCUFFLES IN THE AIR, PRETTY BAD LAST YEAR 18 MONTHS.

HOW BAD IS IT YOU'RE HEARING FROM PILOTS AND FLIGHT ATTENDANTS?

>> IT'S MUCH WORSE THAN BEFORE.

THE GOOD NEWS IT'S INFREQUENT BUT WHEN IT HAPPENS IT'S VIOLENT AND WE ARE PLEASED TO HEAR PRESIDENT BIDEN CALL ON THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

ALL THE UNIONS OF THE AIRLINES SENT A LETTER TO ATTORNEY GENERAL GARLAND SAYING WE NEED CRIMINAL PROCEDURES TAKEN ON THESE ISSUES.

THE FAA STEPPED UP WITH FINES MADE IT PUBLIC THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS YOU'RE DISTRACTING THE CREW.

I'VE GOT TO DIVERT MY ATTENTION ESPECIALLY IF THERE'S VIOLENCE BACK THERE AND WE ARE AT 35,000 FEET NEAR THE SPEED OF SOUND, THIS IS WHY IT'S GOT TO BE ZERO TOLERANCE AND HAVE CONSEQUENCES THAT GO BEYOND JUST THE MONEY BECAUSE YOU'RE PUTTING MY AIR PLIEN AND 170 PLUS CREW IN DANGER IF YOU BECOME UNHINGED FOR ANY REASON.

THE MAJORITY ARE MASK RELATED.

IT'S THE WAY IT IS.

EVEN WHEN I PUT IT ON FIRST INTERVIEW WITH YOU IT'S WHAT KEEPS US SAFE AND WE HAD CAN CONTINUE THAT THROUGH THIS DEBATE ABOUT MANDATES.

>> SCARY IN THE AIR WHEN THAT DOES HAPPEN.

THANKS TO JOANNE -- JOE, AN DENNIS FOR JOINING US.

>> I COME FROM A PEOPLE THAT NOT ONLY FOUND A WAY TO SURVIVE THROUGH THE MOST HORRIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES BUT THEY THOOIFD.

>> I COULD NOT SAVE ONE OF THE BOYS OF COLOR IN MY OWN LIFE.

IF MY FAMILY COULD BE EXPOSED TO THIS HORROR IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE.

>> A BAKERY ON THE NORTH SIDE IS HELPING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BUILD LIFE SKILLS WHILE PROVIDING SWEET TREATS.

THEY REVAMPED AND EXPANDED HOURS OVER THE WEEKEND.

ALEXIS LONG HAS A PASSION FOR LEARNING.

AT THE GATE WAY TO LEARNING LONG IS WORKING TOWARD HER GOAL OF TURNING A HOBBY INTO A CAREER.

>> TO BE A FRENCH PASTRY CHEF AND MOVE UP TO CHEF.

>> GATEWAY PROCEEDS OPPORTUNITIES TO FOLKS WITH INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGES AND DISABILITIES.

ONE OFFERING, DOOR THEY'S SWEET SHOP.

>> WE DO COOKIES.

I LIKE THE TABLE, SWEEP THE FLOOR.

>> THE ORGANIZATION PARTICIPANTS KEEP THE SHOP RUNNING FROM BAKING TO TAKING CUSTOMER ORDERS AND CASHING THEM OUT.

>> I HELP THE CUSTOMERS WHAT THEY WANT TO BUY.

>> THE INTENT IS TO EVEN FOR THE TRAINEES THAT ARE IN DOROTHY'S SWEET SHOP TO HAVE THAT BEEN EXPERIENCE SO THEY CAN APPLY TO OUR BAKERIES AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS.

>> DIANE SAYS THE IMPACT THEIR SHOPS HAVE HAD ON HER BROTHER HAS BEEN PROFOUND.

>> HE GETS UP IN THE MORNING HAS HIS BREAKFAST, HE TAKES HIS SANDWICH AND HE WALKS TO WORK EVERY DAY.

THAT'S HOW HE FEELS.

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

>> ALEXIS'S DAD JIM SAYS DOROTHIES HAS HELPED HIS DAUGHTER BUILD CULINARY AND LIFE SKILLS.

>> ONE OF THE NEEMENTS THINGS ABOUT WORKING IN THE CAFE IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS THINGS DIFFICULT FOR ALEXIS BUT SHE'S DEVELOPED GREAT CONFIDENCE.

>> DOOR THEY'S SWEET SHOP HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 19686 PUT THIS FALL THE BAKERY REVAMPED ITS STOREFRONT AND REPLACED OLD COUNTER TOPS AN DISPLAY CASES WITH THOSE DONATED BY LOCAL BAKERY.

>> WE HAD TO CLOSE IN THE PAC AND SITTING ON A BUNCH OF CUSTOM EQUIPMENT AND I DIDN'T WANT IT TO GO JUST ANYWHERE.

>> THEY BEGAN WORKING TOGETHER THREE YEARS AGO.

TODAY SOME PASTRIES ARE SOLD AT THE BAKERY.

CUSTOMERS PICK UP ORDERS HERE.

THE PARTNERSHIP GOES ON.

ALEXIS IS THE NEWEST EMPLOYEE.

>> ALEXIS CAME IN, ENTRY LEVEL THINGS AND PASSED FLYING COLORS.

SO WE OFFERED HER A JOB IMMEDIATELY IS THAT SHE WAS ON CLOUD 9 AS A RESULT OF THAT.

SHE'S VERY DEDICATED TO THE JOB.

>> LONG SPLITS TIME BETWEEN THE TWO SHOPS AND SAYS SHE'S ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE WORKING TOWARD HER GOAL.

>> I LOVE IT BECAUSE I'M STARTING TO BE A FRENCH PASTRY MAKER.

IN ADDITION TO BAKE GOODS DOROTHY'S SELLS HOMEMADE DOG BISCUITS.

ON MONDAY-SATURDAY.

VISIT OUR WEB SITE FOR MORE.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" MORE ON WHY SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CANCELLED MORE THAN A QUARTER OF ITS SCHEDULED FLIGHTS YESTERDAY.

THAT AND MORE BUSINESS NOW FROM CRANES.

THE PARK BUSINESS CEO IS OUT OVER HIS HANDLING OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN THE LIFEGUARD RANKS.

WHAT'S THE SECRET TO SUPER AGING NORTHWESTERN GETS A GRANT TO STUDY BRAIN AND COGNITIVE AGING.

WHITE SOX AGAINST THE HOUSTON ASTROS WE LOOK AHEAD TO TOMORROW'S MUST WIN GAME 4.

WE INTRODUCE YOU TO A SOFTBALL PLAYER AND COACH WHO IS DETERMINED TO HELP OTHER GIRLS FOLLOW IN HER CLEATS AND GO PRO.

MORE TODAY'S TOP STORIES MUCH OF THE CHICAGO AREA UNDER TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 9:00 THIS EVENING AFTER MOST OF THE AREA SEEN PERSISTENT SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGHOUT THE DAY, CANVAS ISSUED MARINE WARNING DUE TO POSSIBLE WATERSPOUTS ON LAKE MICHIGAN, THE WEATHER POSTPONED THE SOX HOME PLAYOFF GAME UNTIL TOMORROW.

MORE ON THAT IN A BIT.

FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN SET TO TRAVEL TO CHICAGO TOMORROW PLANNING TO A COMPANY CONGRESSMAN GARCIA TO AN EVENT AND DALY COLLEGE AND NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART PART OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH BUILT AS CONVERSATION WITH THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY.

IT WILL BE BIDEN'S FIRST VISIT TO CHICAGO AS FIRST LADY.

NOW LOOK AT TODAY'S BUSINESS NEWS.

>> NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY NAMED THE FIRST WOMAN TO EVER SERVE AS ITSELF PRESIDENT.

INSURANCE COMPANY ALLSTATE IS EMBRACING HYBRID WORK AN SELLING NORTHBROOK HEADQUARTERS AND WHY SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CANCELLED A QUARTER FLIGHTS GRED.

A.D. QUIGG.

WHO IS THE NORTHWESTERN PRESIDENT?

>> REBECCA BLAKE WILL START NEXT SUMMER.

SHE'S WORKED AT UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN PRINCETON IN THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT FOR BARACK OBAMA AND BILL CLINTON.

ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO GET OUT OF THE BUBBLE OF EVANS ON THE.

RESEARCH FUNDING MADISON BROUGHT IN $1.5 BILLION LAST YEAR SO NORTHWESTERN HAS ROOM TO GROW UNDER 900 MILLION LAST YEAR AND LIKE ANY UNIVERSITY FUNDRAISING IS GOING TO BE A BIG DEAL.

>> SHE WILL TAKE OFFICE IN AUGUST OF '22.

SO ALLSTATE SELLING THAT HEADQUARTERS IN NORTHBROOK WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HYBRID WORK?

>> BASICALLY THAT IS HERE TO STAY.

WHEN YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT DOESN'T MAKE MUCH SENSE TO KEEP ALL 1.9 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF REAL ESTATE ON 186 ACRES WHEN YOUR WORKERS DON'T WANT TO COME INTO THE OFFICE.

THE COMPANY SAYS THEY'LL KEEP A SIGNIFICANT PRESENCE IN THE CHICAGO AREA BUT THIS IS JUST AN INTERESTING WRINKLE IN THE CONVERSATION WE HAVE HAD IN RECENT YEARS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF SUBURBAN OFFICE PARKS.

BEFORE IT WAS ALL ABOUT COMPANIES MOVING TO DOWNTOWN CHICAGO.

NOW IT'S ABOUT DOWNSIZING TO ACCOMMODATE WORKERS WHO LIKE BEING HOME.

>> SOUTHWEST CANCELLED A QUARTER OF ITS FLIGHTS.

WHAT GOES ON THERE?

>> SHORTAGE OF PLOMENTS AND FLIGHT ATTENDANTS IMPACTED MORE THAN 3B,000 FLIGHTS.

THE COMPANY IS THE BIGGEST CARRIER OUT OF MIDWAY.

CHIEF OFFICER VANDENBERG SAYS THE DOES TRU IS FRINGE I WILL.

TALK ABOUT A PILOT SICK OUT.

THE HEAD OF THE PILOT ASSOCIATION SAID THAT IS NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM.

THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO TAKE ACTION TO RESOLVE LABOR DISPUTE.

THE BIGGER ISSUE IS PILOTS FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AND GROUNDWORKERS BEING OVERWORKED AND NOT ENOUGH TO FILL VACANCIES.

THEY SET UP EARLY GOAL TO FILL 500 POSITIONS AT THE COMPANY AND THEY'RE STRUGGLING TO MEET THAT.

FLIGHTS ARE IMPACTED.

>> THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING DELAYS A.D.

THANKS FOR JOINING NEWS IS THANK YOU.

>> CHICAGO LONG TIME PARK DISTRICT CEO OUT AN JOB AFTER ACCUSATIONS HE DIDN'T TAKE ACTION AGAINST SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ABUSE.

AMANDA JOINS US THIS IS A CASE BUILDING FOR A WHILE NOW.

>> YES, YOU HAVE THREATS BY SUPERVISORS, SEXUAL ABUSE PROPOSITIONS IN FRONT OF CHILDREN LIFEGUARDS FOR SEX, VICTIMS WHO WORKED FOR THE PARK DISTRICT WROTE LETTERS DESCRIBING CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS THESE BUT THE PROBE HAS DRAGGED ON AND WHISTLEBLOWERS FRUSTRATION WITH DELAYS AND WHAT CRITICS SAY IS A DEEP CULTURE OF SYSTEMIC ISSUES DUE TO REPORTING THAT STATES ATTORNEY KIM FOX IS LOOKING INTO THE MATTER.

IN THE MATTER KELLY VOWED HE WAS TAKING ALL OF IT SERIOUSLY.

>> I CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO ROOT OUT THE BAD ACTORS AND BAD BEHAVIOR.

I UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION WITH THE TIME IT'S TAKEN TO LOOK INTO THESE COMPLAINTS.

INVESTIGATIONS NEVER HAPPEN FAST ENOUGH BUT I ASSURE EVERYBODY IMPACTED BY THIS CASE THIS IS TOP OF MIND FOR ME.

>> AT THE TIME HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO SEE THIS ALL THROUGH AND APPEARED TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT WHO STOOD BY HIM AT A RIBBON CUTTING.

SHE DIDN'T APPOINT HIM.

THAT WAS MAYOR RAUM EMANUEL WHO PUT KELLY IN.

THE PARK BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MET PRIVATELY.

LIGHTFOOT ISSUED A STATEMENT AT THE TIME SAYING SHE URGED THE COMMISSIONERS TO HAVE HIM OUT TO OUST HIM.

THE ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO NEW ALLEGATIONS OF HARM TO A CHILD CANNOT BE TOLERATED ONE DAY LONGER SHE SAID.

THE BOARD DID NOT FORCE HER OUT BUT BY SATURDAY KELLY HAD TENTER DIFFICULTIES RESIGNATION.

>> AN HANDFUL OF OTHER MEMBERS EVER JOINED THAT CALL THEM.

SANCHEZ SAYS IT FELT LIKE FOR A LONG TIME COULD I WAS GIVEN THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.

>> IT'S INCREDIBLE THAT AFTER THE ASKED FOR HIS RESIGNATION IT HAPPENED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY SO THIS COULD HAVE ACTUALLY HAPPENED BEFORE AND IT IS OUTRAGEOUS IT DIDN'T.

THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE AT THIS POINT AND THAT POINTS THE FACT THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF MISCONDUCT, THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF DAMAGE DONE.

>> SHE SAYS THE MAYOR SHOULD HAVE TAKEN ACTION AGAINST KELLY PREVIOUSLY DESPITE A CLAUSE PRESENT DATING THE LYFT ADMINISTRATION THAT COULD HAVE PUT TAXPAYERS ON THE HOOK FOR BREAKING KELLY'S CONTRACT EARLY.

OTHERS HAVE QUESTIONED WHY MORE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL HAVEN'T SPOKEN OUT OR WHY IT TOOK SO LONG FOR MANY OF THOSE WHO DID TO DO SO.

>> I THINK THERE'S A POLITICAL CULTURE IN CHICAGO THAT IS A LOT ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS THAT IS A LOT ABOUT THEY WAY YOU SEE YOU SO YOU DON'T GET ON THE WRONG SIDE OF SO AND SO AND THAT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AND IT CAN BE AN ENEMY OF THE GOVERNMENT.

>> SHE SAYS THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD CHANGE IN CHICAGO.

NOW YOU HAVE FRIENDS OF THE PARK PRESIDENT JUANITA SAYING SHE WISHES KELLY HAD BEEN PUSHED OUT SOONER.

SHE CITES OTHER QUESTIONS OF JUDGMENT.

>> FRIEND OF THE PARK HAVE LONG BEEN CONCERNED THAT LEADERSHIP OF KELLY DID NOT BRING AN ATMOSPHERE OF EQUITY ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT.

MAYBE HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT TERM MEANS.

WE HAVE SEEN A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN A LOT OF CASES.

>> SHE SAYS KELLY WAS TO BE FOCUSED ON REVENUE CITING FOR EXAMPLE WHEN THE BOARD TOLD HER TO DEAL WITH AMAZON TO INSTALL PICK UP WALKERS IN PUBLIC PARKS.

FRIEND OF THE PARK HAVE OTHER FRUSTRATIONS WITH PARK LEADERSHIP.

>> I HAVE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BEING A RUBBER STAMP BOARD THAT JUST REALLY FOLLOWS ORDERS FROM ABOVE OR FROM BELOW IN THE CASE OF MIKE KELL I AND IT IS NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY.

SO WE THINK THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO THINK ABOUT WHAT CHANGED NEED TO BE MADE IN THE COMPOSITION AND THE CONSTRUCT OF THIS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

>> SO IT COULD MEAN EXPLORING MOVING TO AN ELECTED BOARD MEDIC NICHLGS FOR GREATER OVERSIGHT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL GIVEN THAT THE PART DISTRICT IS SEPARATE OR PRIORITIZING COMMISSIONERS WITH EXPERTISE IN PARKS AND RECREATION RATHER THAN COMMISSIONERS SHE SAYS ARE REALLY APPOINTED FOR THEIR PRELIMINARY CONNECTIONS OR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

WTTW REACHED OUT BUT A PARKS PERSON SAID SHE WASN'T AVAILABLE.

LIKEWISE, OTHER COMMISSIONERS DID NOT RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT OR INTERVIEW BUT OVER THE WEEKEND THE BOARD ISSUING A STATEMENT SAYING THAT THE COMMISSIONERS WILL CONSULT WITH THE MAYOR TO GET GOING ON APPOINTING AN INTERIM CEO WITH A HEIGHTENED LEVEL OF ATTENTION TO THE ISSUES CONFRONTING THE PARK DISTRICT.

AT THIS POINT YOU HAVE VARIOUS INVESTIGATIONS ONGOING AND THE BOARD MEETING ON WEDNESDAY.

BY THE WAY ALSO I DID REACH OUT TO MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S OFFICE AND HER SPOKESPERSON HAD ADDITIONAL COMMENT.

BACK TO YOU.

>> NOW MORE ON A WILD NIGHT OF BASEBALL.

>> STORMS TODAY FORCED THE SOX-ASTROS GAME POSTPONED UNTIL TOMORROW BUT THE PLAYERS AND FANS ARE THUNDER STRUCK AFTER LAST NIGHT'S VICTORY BY THE SOX IN A MUST WIN GAME 3.

DID THE VICTORY TURN THE TIDE?

DARREN TEAMS UP ON RADIO, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

>> IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

LAST NIGHT'S GAME WAS LONG BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, HAD WE PLAYED WE WOULD HAVE BEEN READY TO GO TODAY.

>> BUT YOU GET THE DAY OFF.

YOU'VE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THIS TEAM A LONG TIME.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN GUARANTEED RATE FIELD ROCKING LIKE THAT?

>> NOT TO THAT LEVEL.

IF YOU CONSIDER ALL THINGS WHICH MEANS HERE WE ARE IN THE POST-SEASON FIRST ACTUAL PLAYOFF GAME IN FRONT OF FANS SINCE 2008 AND IT'S THE ASTROS WHO ARE NOT AMERICA'S FAVORITE TEAM SO WE HAD THAT BLACK OUT.

ISOLATED ORANGE SHIRT OR JERSEY BUT THE PLACE WAS SHAKING.

>> CERTAINLY THE SOX FANS LET THE ASTROS KNOW ABOUT THEIR DISPLEASURE.

THE SOX WERE DOWN 5-1 THEIR BATS STRUGGLING THE FIRST TWO GAMES, WHAT AWAKENED THEM?

>> THE FACT THEY HAD THE RIGHT APPROACHES.

AND THEY THINK ABOUT THE ONE PARTICULAR PLAY, YASMANI GRANDAL.

IT'S NOT BY DESIGN HE WAS RUNNING ON THE GRASS OTHER THAN IT WAS A BRILLIANT PLAY.

HE HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY.

I THINK HE KNEW THAT.

DIDN'T DO OVERT MOVE TO CREATE A PROBABLE.

THAT TURNED THE GAME IN OUR FAVOR.

FROM THERE GOOD THINGS HAPPENED NOT TO MENTION THE TWO-RUN HOME RUN CHANGING PITCHER IN THE MIDDLE OF A BAT DOESN'T HAPPEN BUT DUSTY BAKER CAME IN WITH 2-0 COUNT, AND GARCIA CRUSHED 3-1 FASTBALL LIKE HE SHOULD.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT TURN THE GAME IN FACEOFF OF THE WHITE SOX.

>> YOU WERE REFERRING TO THAT CONTROVERSIAL CALL EARLIER IN THE GAME THAT DUSTY BAKER THOUGHT SHOULD HAVE GONE THE.

TOMORROW RODAN TAKES THEM ON.

WHAT'S HIS STATUS TOMORROW?

>> HE SAYS HE'S READY TO GO AS OF YESTERDAY SO I DON'T THINK THERE'S CONCERN ABOUT HIS HEALTH.

THE KEY IS VELOCITY, BUT ONE THING I SAW WITH CARLOS LAST TIME OUT AND NEVER SEEN HIM DO THIS IS HE ESTABLISHED HE CAN PITCH AT LOWER VELOCITY.

HE DID IT 90 MILES PER HOUR 5 INNINGS, LOOKED GREAT, BREAKING STUFF GOOD, USUALLY VELOCITY DOWN HE'S VULNERABLE BUT HE WAS PITCHING THE FIRST TIME NOT TRYING TO BLOW GUYS AWAY SO THAT TELLS ME HE SEEMS TO BE SETTLED INTO THE FACT HE CAN WORK WITH HIGHER OR LOWER VELOCITY AN FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET OPPONENTS OUT.

THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE ASTROS ARE THE ONE OF THE SMARTEST TEAMS IN BASEBALL.

THEY'LL BE READY FOR WHATEVER HE HAS TO OFFER SO HE HAS TO EXECUTE.

>> STILL SOME CONTROVERSY ABOUT COMMENTS THAT SOX RELIEVER RYAN MADE LAST NIGHT TO INSINUATE AT THE AS TROLLS HOME BALLPARK THEY'RE ENGAGING IN SKETCHY ACTIVITY POSSIBLY STEALING SIGNS LIKE A FEW YEARS AGO WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THOSE COMMENTS?

>> OBVIOUSLY RYAN CAN SAY WHATEVER HE WANTS.

I THINK HE'S VERY OPINIONATED AND BELIEVES WHAT HE SAYS BUT I COME FROM AN ERA WHERE EVERYBODY WAS STEALING SIGNS IN THE SENSE IF THE CATCHER WAS NOT CODING HIS SIGNS PROPERLY RUNNER ON SECOND BASE GOT HIM, DO A BETTER JOB.

IF PCHER GRABBING THE BALL CERTAIN WAY SHOWING IT TO RUNNER SECOND BASE THAT'S THEIR JOB TO HIDE HOW THEY'RE DOING THAT.

MASK THE PITCHES.

NO TECHNOLOGY.

I DON'T BELIEVE IN THAT.

DON'T SIT OUT THERE WITH BINOCULARS AND SAY HEY FASTBALL COMING.

NOT THAT, BUT JUST IF YOU'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO MASK WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO THE BATTERS THAT'S SHAME ON YOU.

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE BATTERS.

IF YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING AWAY AND GUYS ARE GETTING YOUR SIGNS DON'T TELL THEM.

LET THEM THEM THEY HAVE THE SIGNS.

THEN THEY'LL BE SHOCKED WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE IT RIGHT AND GO WHOA THAT FASTBALL ALMOST GOT ME ON THE COCONUT.

THAT'S HOW YOU COUNTER IT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> PLAY THE CHESS GAME.

LIKE YOU SAID A LOT OF THESE THINGS HAVE BEEN PART OF THE GAME A LONG TIME.

LANCE GOING FOR HOUSTON TOMORROW, HE'S HAD ALMOST EVERYBODY'S NUMBER.

WHAT DO THE SOX HAVE TO DO TO GET ON THE BOARD EARLY?

>> WELL, I THINK THE NUMBER ONE THING FOR US WE HAVE TO LAY OFF THE STRIKES.

I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE SAID AND DONE HIS PITCHES LOOKED LIKE FASTBALLS AND WERE HUNTING FASTBALLS IN THE FIRST PLACE SO YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK LOCATION, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE I WAS TALKING TO RON ABOUT THIS THE OLD SCHOOL WAY MANY HE HAS GRADE CURVEBALL SLIDER LOOKS LIKE FASTBALL DOWN THE MIDDLE.

CAN'T SWING AT ANYTHING DOWN THE MIDDLE.

YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE THOSE PITCHES START RIGHT AT YOUR HIP AND YOU'LL KNOW THEME END UP IN THE HITTING SPOT SO IT'S A DISCIPLINE.

IF THEY HAVE THAT EARLY GAME GO DEEPER IN COUNTS FALL BEHIND IN COUNTS IF WE ARE LAYING OFF AND THAT GIVES SOMEWHAT AN ADVANTAGE.

WE ARE HOPING FOURTH TIME A CHARM BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD SEEN THEM 3 TIMES THIS YEAR THINGS HAVE NOT GONE WELL.

IF WE HAVEN'T CLEARED UP BY NOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE PROBLEMS ANYWAY.

>> DARREN JACKSON WE LOOK FORWARD TO GAME 4 TOMORROW AND GAME 5 IN HOUSTON, I NOEL WE WILL GET THERE.

THANKS FOR JIENG US ON YOUR DAY OFF.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING.

>> OLD TIMERS IS THE SIXTH LEADING CAUSE.

ALZHEIMER'S LIVE 4-8 YEARS AFTER DIAGNOSIS BUT CAN LIVE 20 YEARS DEPENDING TO FACTORS.

ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO CURE RESEARCHERS AT NORTH WESTERN UNIVERSITY LOOK AT HOW THE BRAIN MIGHT BE ABLE TO PROTECT AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S.

THE UNIVERSITY JUST ANNOUNCED A MAJOR FINANCIAL BOOST TO PROMOTE FURTHER COGNITIVE BRAIN HEALTH RESEARCH.

A $20 MILLION GRANT FROM NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING.

JOIN US IS THE SCIENTIST EMILY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US MANY YOUR RESEARCH HAS COINED THE TERM SUPER AGER.

TELL US WHAT THAT IS.

>> SURE.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME HERE.

SO, IT'S A FUNNY QUIRKY TERM BUT IT STANDS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OVER AGE 80 THAT HAVE MEMORY PERFORMANCE AT LEAST AS GOOD AS GOOD AS INDIVIDUALS IN 50s OR 60s.

SO WE THINK ABOUT MEMORY AND HOW MEMORY WORKS AS WE AGE.

WE KNOW THAT OUR MEMORY TENDS TO PEAK IN OUR 20s OR 30s, MAYBE 40s AND THERE'S CONTROVERSY WHAT IS THOUGHT TO BE THE NORMAL PROCESS IN AGING.

SO INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR 80 HAVE DIFFERENT NORMAL AND AVERAGE MEMORY PERFORMANCE COMPARED TO SOMEONE IN THEIR 50s AND 60s SO WE ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE OVER AGE 80 WHO HAVE OUTSTANDING MEMORY PERFORMANCE.

YOU CAN THINK OF THEM AS THAT NEIGHBOR OR FRIEND YOU KNOW WHO YOU SAY YOU'D NEVER KNOW THEY WERE 80.

THESE ARE THE TYPES OF INDIVIDUALS WE HAD WERE SEEKING TO FIND.

>> I WANT TO COME BACK TO THE BEHAVIOR OF THOSE SUPER AGERS.

BUT AS YOU MENTIONED YOU RECEIVED A $20 MILLION GRANT FROM NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING.

HOW WILL THAT FURTHER YOUR RESEARCH?

>> WE HAVE BEEN EXCITED TO DO THIS MORE THAN A DECADE NOW.

THE IDEA COMES FROM ONE WE ARE ANAHEIMERS RESEARCH CENTER AND ONE OF THE WAYS WE CAN UNDERSTAND ALZHEIMER'S IS BY INVITING PARTICIPANTS AND STUDY NEUROBIOLOGY OF I'MERS AN UNDERSTAND HOW TO CHANGE THAT TRAJECTORY.

ANOTHER PATH WE CAN TAKE IDENTIFYING SUPER AGERS WHO SEEM TO HAVE AVOID NAED CHANGE IN MEMORY OR THINKING ABILITY SO THESE ARE POTENTIALLY PROTECTIVE FACTORS.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT RESEARCH MORE THAN A DECADE NOW AND IT'S MOSTLY IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA.

THIS GRANT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF SCIENCE THAT WE ARE DOING AND EXTEND ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA SO WE FIND SUPER AGERS OUTSIDE THE CHICAGOLAND AREA.

>> SO YOU'LL BE CREASING TO WHAT ABOUT 500 PARTICIPANTS YOU'RE ADD?

>> YES, EXACTLY SO WE WILL BE ENROLLING 500 PARTICIPANTS ACROSS 5 SITES INCLUDING WISCONSIN AND GEORGIA AND CANADA AND MICHIGAN SO WE ARE EXCITED TO EXPAND BOTH PHYSICALLY AND IN THE SCIENCE WE ARE ABLE TO COVER.

>> SO YOUR RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT A FEW HABITS OF SUPER AGERS, THEY LEAD AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE AND CHALLENGE THEMSELVES MENTALLY, THEY SOCIAL AND HOW DOES THAT TRANSFER TO THEIR COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE.

>> WHEN WE LOOK AT THE BIOLOGY OF SUPER AGERS ONE WAY TO MESH TOUR HEALTH OF THE BRAIN IS THROUGH MRI SCANS.

THERE WE CAN LOOK AT THE OUTER LAYER OF THE BRAIN.

WE SEE THAT A NORMAL AVERAGE AGEING THE BRAIN TENDS TO BE SHRINK WITH TIME AND THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES IN THINKING ABILITY.

WHAT WE LOOK AT IN SUPER AGERS IS DOES THEIR BRAIN LOOK MORE LIKE THEIR 80-YEAR-OLD PEERS OR MORE LIKE YOUNGER PEOPLE.

WHAT WE FOUND IS THE SUPER AGE ERS LOOK YOUNGER.

WE HAVE EXTENDED THOSE FIND INFORMATION LOOK UNDER THE MICROSCOPE FROM SUPER AGESERS WHO AFTER THEY PASS AWAY DONATE THEIR BODIES AND WE CAN LOOK FOR CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR FACTORS AND FOUND UNIQUE FEATURES.

>> YOUR RESEARCH DISCUSSES SUCCESSFUL COGNITIVE AGING.

HOW DO YOU RECOMMEND PEOPLE TAKE CARE OF COGNITIVE HEALTH AS THEY AGE?

>> SO, OUR RESEARCH IS IN AND AMONG A GREAT BAND OF RESEARCHERS LOOKING AT QUESTIONS HOW DO WE OPTIMIZE COGNITIVE AGING.

SO WE ARE LEARNING BIT BY BIT FROM THE SUPER AGERS WHAT THEY CAN TELL US BUT SOME OF THOSE THINGS YOU MENTIONED EARLIER ABOUT STAYING ACTIVE HAVING A GOOD OUTLOOK ON LIFE THOSE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE SHOWN THAT SCIENTIFICALLY WITH OTHER STUDIES AND OUR RESEARCH.

WE ARE DIGGING INTO THOSE PROTECTIVE FACTORS AND THROUGH THIS CON SOURCE WE WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.

>> SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

EMILY THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

BEST OF LUCK.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> UP NEXT, A PASSIONATE ATHLETE WHO DOUBTED WHETHER SHE COULD GO PRO.

FIRST A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>> IT'S HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.

WE ARE HIGHLIGHTING A WOMAN AND ACCOMPLISHED ATHLETE.

SHE SHARED WITH JONAH HERNÁNDEZ WHAT DROVE HER TO PLAY PROFESSIONAL SOFTBALL.

>> I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO BE A PROFESSIONAL SOFTBALL PLAYER.

>> ABBY RAMÍREZ HAS BEEN PLAYING SINCE SHE WAS A KID.

>> I COME FROM AN ATHLETIC FAMILY.

GRANDPA HAS BEEN ONE OF MY BIGGEST CHEERLEADERS.

>> AT 26 YEARS OLD THE CHICAGO NATIVE HAS PLAYED WITH THE CHICAGO BANDITS AND COMPETED WITH ATHLETES UNLIMITED A SOFT BALL LEAGUE FOR PRO ATHLETES WHERE PLAYERS ARE DRAFTED FROM DIFFERENT TEAMS EACH WEEK.

>> FOR ATHLETES UNLIMITED IT'S BEEN A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE SOFTBALL COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE WERE LACKING THAT PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE AND TO BE ABLE TO PLAY BEYOND COLLEGE IS AMAZE.

I'VE BEEN ABLE TO PLAY WITH TEAMMATES I PLAYED AGAINST IN COLLEGE.

>> RAMÍREZ WHO HAS IRISH HARD DAMAGE IS MAKING A MARK ON THE GAME SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH.

>> THERE'S TONS OF GIRLS EXCITED TO GET OUR SIGNATURES.

THAT HAS BEEN REALLY COOL AND THEN I DO LESSONS IN THE AREA.

SO DURING THE OFFSEASON I WORK WITH YOUNG PLAYERS.

IT'S VERY REWARDING.

I ALWAYS TELL THEM I STARTED IN THEIR ST. LOUIS SO IF I CAN GET HERE SO CAN THEY.

>> THE YOUNG PLAYER WHO GREW UP ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF CHICAGO PLAYED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN WHERE SHE GOT DEGREE IN COMMUNICATIONS AND MASTERS IN SPORTS ADMINISTRATION FROM NORTHWESTERN.

>> I PLAYED HIGH SCHOOL GAMES HERE SO TO BE BACK AS A PROFESSIONAL IS COOL AND KIND OF A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT FOR ME SO THAT'S DIFFICULTIESLY A COUPLE TIMES I WAS LIKED WOW I DREAMED ABOUT THERE SO SO LONG AND NOW I'M HERE DOING IT.

>> IT'S A CONNECTION SHE SHARES WITH HER FAMILY.

>> I PLAYED WITH THE CHICAGO BAY NETS.

THEY CAME OUT AND THINK THERE WAS 36 OR 37 BUT IT WAS APPROACHING 40.

RAMÍREZ SHIRTS IN THE FANS SCREAMING THEY ARE HEADS OFF.

>> AS SHE WRAPS UP WITH ATHLETES UNLIMITED SHE'S SET ON COACHING HOPING TO GIVE OTHER WOMEN OPPORTUNITIES TO GO PRO.

>> CAROL HUNCH INSTANCE AT UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HAS BEEN A HUGE MENTOR FOR ME AND HAD SUCH AN IMPACT ON MY LIFE.

>> SHE SAYS SHE'S PROUD TO BE REPRESENTING HER HERITAGE ON AND OFF THE FIELD.

>> I THINK IT'S GREAT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, PLAYERS WHO COME FROM MEXICAN OR HISPANIC BACKGROUND TO BE ABLE TO SEE US REPRESENTING AND PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE THEM ON THAT STAGE AND THEN THAT JUST MOTIVATES THEM.

SO I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" JONAH HERNÁNDEZ.

>> RAMÍREZ HAS BEEN CONSISTENT CATCH FOR DePAUL SOFT BALL TEAM.

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

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00.

>> A NEW NASA MISSION AIMS TO SHOW IT CAN DEFLECT AN ASTEROID BOUND FOR EARTH.

>> THREE ARTISTS BRING THE COLORS OF BASEBALL TO LIFE FOR THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX.

>> STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.