[♪♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ HERE IN OUR NORTHWEST SIDE STUDIO.

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN REPORTING LIVE IN UPTOWN IN OUR PART OF YOUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> ON THE HOE TONIGHT... >> THEY ARE LIFE SAVE, THEY ARE GAME CANING FOR OUR COUNTRY.

>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN VISITS ILLINOIS AS HE CHAMPIONS COVID VACCINE MANDATES.

>> ONE-ON-ONE WITH COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE ON HER $8 BILLION BUDGET PROPOSAL.

>> THERE IS A HOUSING CRISIS IN UPTOWN.

>> NEW DEVELOPMENTS ARE COMING TO UPTOWN BUT NOT WITHOUT COMMUNITY PUSHBACK IT'S THE NEXT STOP IN OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> I'VE WATCHEDDED THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR PARTY DEVELOP AND GROW.

>> CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST REVEREND JESSE JACKSON LOOKS BACK AT HIS LEGACY AHEAD OF HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY.

A NEW SHOW THE THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM THAT BRING TO LIFE THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE ON THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY.

>> WINDS UP... >> AND JUSTIN FIELDS SECURES THE STARTING QUARTERBACK SPOT AS THE BEARS TRAVEL TO LAS VEGAS FOR A DATE WITH THE RAIDERS.

>> AND PARIS, AS I MENTIONED I'M LIVE IN UPTOWN WHERE I WILL BE COANCHORING AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IN YOUR 234UR.

IT IS HOME TO ICONS IN THE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT SCENE, THE GREEN MILL IS ON THE CORNER BEHIND ME.

A JAZZ CLUB.

I'M OUTSIDE THE RIVIERA THEATRE AND THE BALL VOOM NOT FAR.

AND IT'S HOME TO SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND LIKE MANY NEIGHBORHOODS IT'S FACING GENTRIFICATION WE WILL HEAR FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS ABOUT PLANNED LUXURY APARTMENTS THAT HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCATES UPSET AND THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW TO SOME TOP STORIES... FOUR MORE PASSENGERS ON AN AMTRAK TRAIN FROM CHICAGO THAT DELABELLED FILED SUIT AGAINST THAT RAIL LINE.

THE EMPIRE BUILDER TRAIN WAS TRAVELING FROM CHICAGO TO SEATTLE WHEN IT DERAILED IN MONTANA.

THREE WERE KILLED.

ONE OF THE PASSENGERS FILED SUIT SPOKE OUT ABOUT THE CRASH IN A PRESS CONFERENCE SAYING HE HAD GONE TO THE RESTROOM AND THE DOOR FLEW OPEN WHEN THE TRAIN DERAILED.

>> MY ARMS WERE SO STRAINED FOR HANGING ON AND I HIT MY HEAD ON SOMETHING.

I SAW DEATH AND DESTRUCTION AROUND ME THAT I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO FORGET.

AT THE HOSPITAL AMTRAK OFFERED NO HELP.

THE EXPERIENCE WAS LACKING FOR CONCERN FOR MY CARE AND SAFETY.

>> AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES THE FIRM THAT SUPPORTED HIM IS A SPONSOR OF WTTW.

>> DEBRA SHORE WILL HEAD UP THE MIDWEST OFFICE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.

A LONGTIME CLEAN WATER ADVOCATE SHORE WAS RECOMMEND TO THE BOARD IN 2006.

SHE WILL LEAVE THE LARGEST OFFICE OVERSEEING INDIANA, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN.

>> 300 CHICAGOANS ASKED TO BUILD COACH HOUSES OR PAYMENT APARTMENTS SINCE THE CITY LIFTED A BAN ON THE HOUSING UNITS.

FOR 64 YEARS CHICAGO OUTLAWED THE UNITS BUT UNDER A PILOT PROGRAM RESIDENTS IN FIVE PARTS OF THE CITY ARE ALLOWED TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT TO BUILD THE UNIT.

THIS IS PART OF AN EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE AFFORDING HOUSING SHORTAGE IN CHICAGO AND WE HAVE MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

UP NEXT, THE PRESIDENTIAL VISIT TO CHICAGO.

WE HAVE ALL THE DETAILS.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAYS THE COUNTRY IS HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECT SHOP WITH THE CORONAVIRUS BUT HE SAYS QUOTE WE'VE GOT TO KEEP OUR EYE ON THE BALL.

BIDEN MADE THE COMMENTS THIS AFTERNOON IN SUBURBAN ELK GROVE VILLAGE DURING A SPEECH STRESSING HOW BUSINESSES CAN HELP END THE PANDEMIC THROUGH VACCINE REQUIREMENTS.

AMANDA VINICKY WAS THERE AND JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

AMANDA?

>> YES, PARIS, BIDEN HAD A SIMILAR ITINERARY FOR LAST WEEK BUT HE POSTPONED HIS TRIP TO STAY IN WASHINGTON AND NEGOTIATE WITH CONGRESS OVER THE SOCIAL AGENDA.

AIR FORCE ONE LANDED AT O'HARE TODAY.

THE DATE MAY HAVE CHANGED BUT THE OBJECTIVES WERE THE SAME.

TO CALL FOR EVERYONE TO GET THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE.

AND FOR BUSINESSES TO HELP FORCE THE ISSUE.

>> I'M CALLING ON MORE EMPLOYERS TO ACT.

MY MESSAGE IS REQUIRE YOU GO EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED.

THE VACCINATIONS WE'RE GOING TO BEAT THIS PANDEMIC.

WITHOUT THEM, WE FACE ENDLESS MONTHS OF CHAOS IN OUR HOSPITALS, DAMAGE TO OUR ECONOMY AND ANXIETY IN OUR SCHOOLS.

AND EMPTY RESTAURANTS.

AND MUCH LESS COMMERCE.

>> BIDEN IN SEPTEMBER ANNOUNCED THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND OSHA WILL BE IMPLEMENTING RULES THAT REQUIRE BUSINESSES WITH 100 OR MORE WORKERS TO REQUIRE ALL THOSE EMPLOYEES EITHER BE VACCINATED OR GET REGULARLY TESTED.

THOSE FEDERAL RULES ARE NOT FINALIZED YET.

BUT CHICAGO BASED CONSTRUCTION COMPANY DID ANNOUNCE TODAY THEY ARE FOLLOWING THE PRESIDENT'S REQUIREMENTS EARLY.

SO VACCINATIONS OR WEEKLY COVID TESTS AND THAT IS WHY BIDEN VISITED A DISTRIBUTION CENTER BY CLAYCO.

LABORERS MADE UP MOST OF THE AUDIENCE.

IT ALSO DOESN'T HURT THAT CLAYCO'S OWNER BOB CLARK IS A BIG TIME DEMOCRATIC DONOR.

THE PRESIDENT MENTIONED OTHER ILLINOIS COMPANIES AS PROOF THAT VACCINE REQUIREMENTS WORK IN DECREASING RATES LIKE UNIVERSITIES, NORTHWESTERN, RUSH, ALSO CHICAGO BASED UNITED AIRLINES WHICH SOUGHT 99% OF ITS WORKFORCE VACCINATED WITHIN THE MONTHS IT INSTITUTED A MANDATE.

BIDEN SAYS THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO BEAT THE PANDEMIC AND HE DOESN'T GET THE OPPOSITION TO VACCINE MANDATES.

>> VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS WORK AND THEY ARE NOTHING NEW ABOUT THEM.

THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR DECADES.

WE HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES.

STUDENTS, HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS OUR TROOPS HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO SEEK VACCINATIONS FROM POLIO TO MEASLES TO MUMPS TO RUBELLA.

AND THE REASON MOST PEOPLE IN AMERICA DON'T WORRY ABOUT POLIO, MEASLES, MUMPS, RUBELLA IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

>> EARLY THIS MORNING, THE WHITE HOUSE RELEASED A NEW REPORT ON VACCINE MANDATES AND STRESSING AGAIN THEY WORK.

THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS THE MORE PEOPLE THAT ARE VACCINATED THE BETTER IT IS FOR THE ECONOMY ALSO THE REPORT SHOWING POLLING THAT SHOWS MOST AMERICANS ARE ONBOARD.

>> AND SOME ARE MAKING A POLITICAL STATEMENT OUT OF THIS ISSUE.

BUT A STRONG BIPARTISAN MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SUPPORT VACCINATIONS.

THEY KNOW IT ISN'T ABOUT POLITICS.

IT'S ABOUT LIFE AND DEATH.

>> I DID ENCOUNTER SEVERAL DOZEN PROTESTORS OUTSIDE OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITE MANY OF WHOM WERE WEARING TRUMP 2024 FLAGS AND SIGNS AGAINST MANDATES AND MASKS.

NONE MADE IT CLOSE TO PRESIDENT BIDEN.

UNLIKE CHICAGO MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT.

WHO MANAGED TO WRANGLE A RIDE WITH BIDEN FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE EVENT IN THE PRESIDENTIAL MOTORCADE.

SHE HAD NOT BEEN ON AN ORIGINAL SPEAKER'S LIST SHOWN TO MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA.

BUT SHE ENDED UP WITH PODIUM TIME.

>> IT IS SENSELESS THAT EVERY SINGLE DAY THERE ARE PEOPLE LYING IN EMERGENCY ROOMS IN ICU BEDS AND THEY ARE ON THE VERGE OF DEATH SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE LIFE-SAVING VACCINE.

SO WE NEED TO HEED THE ADVICE OF THE EXPERTS AND WE NEED TO FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF OUR PRESIDENT.

>> LIGHTFOOT, HOWEVER, DID NOT STAY TO LISTEN BIDEN'S SPEECH.

HE REFERENCED SHE HAD TO GET BACK TO WORK.

MEANWHILE GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HAD TIME AT THE PODIUM AND HE USED PART TO BRAG THAT ILLINOIS HAS THE HIGHEST VACCINATION RATES IN THE MIDWEST.

>> AS THE DELTA WAVE MADE ALL THE MORE CLEAR TO EXIT THIS PANDEMIC INVENTING LIFE-SAVING VACCINES ISN'T ENOUGH.

WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY USE THEM.

GETTING VACCINATED IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

FOR OURSELVES AND FOR EACH OTHER.

>> PRITZKER GOT SOME TIME WITH THE PRESIDENT, NOT QUITE ONE-ON-ONE NOT REALLY IN PRIVATE.

AFTER THE EVENT PRITZKER SAYS HE AND BIDEN TALKED MOSTLY ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

THE GOVERNOR SAYING ILLINOIS HAS A LOT OF JOB CREATING TO DO AND A LOT OF JOBS THAT NEED FILLING.

CHICAGO'S VIOLENCE ISSUES DID NOT COME UP IN THEIR CONVERSATION.

BUT AS FOR THE BIDEN'S CALL FOR BUSINESSES TO INSTITUTE THESE VACCINE MANDATES, WELL, THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO IMPLEMENT VACCINE REQUIREMENTS ON THE STATE LEVEL AT LEAST FOR STATE EMPLOYEES WHO WORK WITH WHAT HE CALLS THE STATE'S MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS SO THOSE IN PRISONS, HEALTHCARE FACILITIES, VETERANS HOMES RUN BY THE STATE.

BUT SO FAR THE GOVERNOR HAS ONLY SECURED DEALS WITH THREE SMALL UNIONS INCLUDING TWO NEW DEALS ANNOUNCED TODAY ON GETTING VACCINES UNDERWAY.

NEGOTIATIONS, HOWEVER, STILL ONGOING WITH THE STATE'S LARGEST PUBLIC EMPLOYEES UNION.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE IS FOCUSING, AGAIN, ON EMPLOYEES WHO WORK DIRECTLY WITH THE MOST VULNERABLE.

BUT THEN, HE WILL TURN TO ANY POTENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE REST OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WORKFORCE.

NOW, BY THE WAY, NOT THE ONLY BIDEN MAKING IT TO ILLINOIS.

FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN IS SCHEDULED TO BE IN CHICAGO ON TUESDAY.

PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AND WHAT SOME SAY IS A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS CAUSING CONTROVERSY IN ONE NORTH SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD IN PARTICULAR.

THE APTLY NAME UP TOON NEIGHBORHOOD IS ON THE LAKE ON THE NORTH SIDE AND WHERE BRANDIS FRIEDMAN AND MARISSA NELSON SPENT THE DAY REPORTING AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

AND BRANDIS, I THINK I RECOGNIZE WHERE YOU ARE.

TELL OUR VIEWERS WHAT PART OF UPTOWN YOU'RE IN?

>> I AM IN A RECOGNIZABLE PART OF UPTOWN.

RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME IS UPTOWN'S COLOR WHEEL AT LAWRENCE AND BROADWAY WHERE THE FAMOUS JAZZ CLUB THE GREEN MILL IS OUTSIDE THE RIVIERA THEATRE AND THE ARGONNE BALLROOM IS NOT FAR.

THE COMMUNITY IS KNOWN FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE.

AND WE WILL GET TO THAT LATER ON.

BUT PARIS, AS YOU SAID, THE CONTROVERSY HERE IS ABOUT WHO GETS TO LIVE HERE AND WHO CAN AFFORD TO LIVE IN UPTOWN.

DEVELOPERS ARE PLANNING A 314-UNIT LUXURY APARTMENT BUILDING TO BE BUILT ON THE SITE OF A PARKING LOT NEXT TO WEISS HOSPITAL ON MARINE DRIVES.

RENTS WOULD RANGE FROM $1700 TO $3,000 FOR A BIGGER SPACE.

DESPITE BEING APPROVED BY THE ZONING COMMISSION IT HAS PLENTY OF OPPOSITION.

>> LESS THAN HALF OF THE RENTAL UNITS IN UPTOWN ARE AFFORDABLE.

AND THAT THE NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE UNITS IN UPTOWN HAVE DECLINED BY 8.7%.

AND THAT'S JUST BETWEEN THE PERIOD OF 2012 OF 2019.

THAT IS WHY THERE IS A HOUSING CRISIS HERE.

MANY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES HAVE BEEN PUSHED OUT OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> AND UIC RESEARCHER ANNA GUEVARRA POINTS OUT TO CROSS THE STREET FROM THE APARTMENT ARE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THE CHANGING FACE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

IF FEWER COMMUNITIES OF COLOR CAN AFFORD TO LIVE HERE.

MIKE SIMMONS REPRESENTS UPTOWN WITH SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS HE GREW UP IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN LINCOLN SQUARE.

HE TAKES A BROADER VIEW AND SEES A MORE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM.

>> THIS IS A PHENOMENON WE ARE SEEING ON THE NORTH SIDE.

AND IN UPTOWN AND EDGEWATER AND ROGERS PARK.

IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT TO INSURE THAT WE KEEP THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING WE HAVE AND THAT WE MAKE SURE WE KEEP THE NEIGHBORHOODS AFFORDABLE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE LONG TIME RESIDENTS AND NEWER PEOPLE WHO DON'T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY AND CANNOT AFFORD THOSE PRICES.

>> IN 0 ORDER TO COMPLY, EIGHT OF THE BUILDING'S 314 UNITS WILL BE AFFORDABLE.

AT THE TIME THIS WAS APPROVED THE ORDINANCE REQUIRED CERTAIN NEW CHICAGO HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS TO MAKE 2.5% UNITS AFFORDABLE IT WENT UP TO 5%.

THE RENT RANGE FROM AROUND 900 A MONTH FOR STUDIOS TO 1100 FOR A TWO BEDROOM.

ADVOCATES SAY EIGHT UNITS IS COMPLIANT THAT IS THE BARE MINIMUM AND LINCOLN PROPERTIES IS DONATING $3 MILLION TO A NONPROFIT SARAH'S CIRCLE THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT TO WOMEN WHO ARE HOMELESS.

EVERYTHING THE ORGANIZATION DOES FOCUSES HOW TO PROVIDE PERMANENT HOUSING FOR THE WOMEN WHO NEED IT.

>> THINK LONG-TERM IN TERMS OF DEVELOPING PERMANENT HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WE NEED TO THINK SHORT-TERM BECAUSE WE'RE DEPENDENT ON AGENCIES, SUPPORT AND DONATIONS.

AND SO $3 MILLION GOES A LONG WAY AT SARAH'S CIRCLE BECAUSE WE ARE SMART ABOUT IT IN THE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM BASIS.

>> NOW, SARAH'S CIRCLE PROVIDES A NUMBER OF SERVICES ACROSS TWO LOCATIONS A THIRD IS ON THE WAY TO PROVIDE INTERIM HOUSING FOR WOMEN FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND ACROSS THE CITY.

BUT IT HAS 73 PERMANENT HOUSING UNITS APARTMENTS FOR WOMEN WHO ARE WORKING AND READY TO TRANSITION.

SARAH'S CIRCLE WORKED WITH PERKINS AND WILL WHO PROVIDED THE SERVICES TO DESIGN AND BUILD THIS AND TWO BUILDINGS FOR SARAH'S CIRCLE AT NO OR LOW COST KEEPING IN MIND HOW THE WOMEN WHO NEED THE SERVICES WOULD USE THE SPACES.

ONE OF THE WOMEN IS JUNE MERRITT SHE CAME TO CZAR RA'S CIRCLE EIGHT YEARS AGO.

>> PEACE OF MIND.

I CAN REST, DEFINITELY PLACE TO CALL MY OWN.

THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANYONE LIVING ON THE STREET.

WHEN I SEE THAT, IT HURTS ME.

BECAUSE I'VE NEVER SLEPT IN A TENT AND THAT SITUATION BUT I DO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE HOMELESS.

>> NOW, AS I MENTIONED, THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS KNOWN FOR ITS ENTERTAINMENT VENUES BUT IT'S KNOWN FOR ARGYLE STREET THAT IS THE PLACE TO FIND VIETNAMESE FOOD IN CHICAGO AND IT'S ONE OF 15 PLACES WHERE CHICAGO AL FRESCO IS OPENING.

A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO GIVE COMMUNITIES MORE OUTDOOR SPACE FOR DINING, ARTS, CULTURE AND PUBLIC LIFE.

CHICAGO APPROVED 15 COMMUNITY APPLICATIONS AND IS DISTRIBUTING $2 MILLION TO HELP CREATE SPACES LIKE THE ONE ON ARGYLE.

UPTOWN UNITED IT IS USING ITS FUNDS TO EXPAND OUTDOOR DINING.

THE CO-OWNER OF A COFFEE SHOP CALLED FIRST SIP SHE HOPES TO HELP RECOVER FROM THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC.

>> I'M EXCITED.

I THINK ARGYLE IS I AGREAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ENOUGH WALKING PEDESTRIANS.

SO IT WILL BE COOL BECAUSE I THINK IT WILL ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME AND DINE OUTDOORS AND SEE THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WALK AROUND AND CHECK OUT THE SHOPS.

IT WILL MAKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD MORE LIVELY.

>> AND PARIS, THE APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT THAT WE MENTIONED NEXT TO WEISS HOSPITAL IT HAS THE SUPPORT OF ONE OF THE LOCAL ALDERMEN.

WE WILL HEAR FROM HIM LATER ON IN THE PROGRAM.

FOR NOW, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE UNVEILED THE PROPOSED 2022 COUNTY BUDGET THAT SAYS WILL PUT NO NEW TAXES ON RESIDENTS.

THE COUNTY IS RECEIVING $1 BILLION IN FEDERAL RELIEF THAT WILL BE SPLIT UP OVER THREE YEARS THAT COULD COVER A GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT TO 9-1-1 ALTERNATIVES.

AND JOINING US WITH MORE IS TONI PRECKWINKLE, COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT.

WELCOME BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT".

>> GOOD EVENING, PARIS.

>> GOOD EVENING.

LET'S GO OVER HIGHLIGHTS HERE IN THE $8 BILLION COUNTY BUDGET.

$100 MILLION OF THE FEDERAL RELIEF MONEY WILL GO TO ONE TIME COSTS.

23 MILLION FOR NEW AND EXPANDED PROGRAMS AND 11% HIRING EXPANSION IN THE COOK COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM.

FIRST OFF, WHAT ARE THE NEW AND EXPANDED PROGRAMS THAT SOME OF THIS FEDERAL RELIEF AID IS PAYING FOR?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO MY BUDGET TEAM, OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND THEIR TEAM FOR THEIR HARD WORK.

THIS HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING YEAR-AND-A-HALF.

AND I'M GRATEFUL TO THEM FOR THE WAY IN WHICH THEY'VE STEPPED UP TO MEET THE CHALLENGE AND TO ALL OF OUR TEAM.

WE ARE IN AN EXTRAORDINARY MOMENT.

AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A BILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN THE PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES OF COOK COUNTY.

THAT IS WHAT THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT AFFORDS US A BILLION DOLLARS.

AND WE ARE GOING TO PUT THAT INTO OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND A VARIETY OF INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITIES OF COOK COUNTY.

>> ONE OF THOSE INITIATIVES IS A GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME PILOT PROGRAM LIKE THE CITY ROLLED OUT.

TELL US HOW THE COUNTY'S WILL WORK?

>> WE ARE DEVELOPING THE PARAMETERS.

WE USED SOME OF OUR CARES ACT MONEY THAT BECAME AVAILABLE LAST YEAR FOR A ONE-TIME $600 GRANT TO 20,000 INDIVIDUALS IN SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY.

BUT WE ARE LOOKING AT A PILOT THAT WILL ENABLE US TO PROVIDE REGULAR SUPPORT FOR THOSE IN GREATEST NEED.

>> AND WE MENTIONED IT IS AN $8 BILLION BUDGET AND SPENDING A BILLION MORE THAN LAST YEAR YOU ARE GETTING THAT IN FEDERAL RELIEF.

ALMOST $2 BILLION MORE IN SPENDING THAN TWO YEARS PRIOR.

CAN THE COUNTY SUSTAIN THESE ADDED SPENDING PROGRAMS IN FUTURE YEARS WITHOUT FEDERAL RELIEF?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WE ARE GOING TO USE OUR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN MONEY TO MAKE INVESTMENTS.

TO MAKE INVESTMENTS AND THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITIES OF COOK COUNTY.

AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT WE HAVE THREE YEARS TO ALLOCATE THE RESOURCES AND FIVE YEARS TO SPEND IT AND WE HAVE COMMITTED WE ARE NOT GOING TO PUT OURSELVES IN A POSITION WITH ONGOING OBLIGATIONS THAT REQUIRE INCREASES IN TAXES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE OF COOK COUNTY.

WE ARE GOING TO SPEND THIS MONEY IN FIVE YEARS AND DO IT IN A WAY THAT HAS MAXIMUM IMPACT AND NO LONG-TERM FUNDING OBLIGATIONS FROM THE TAXPAYERS.

>> AND ONE OF THOSE AREAS OF NEED IS THE COOK COUNTY HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SYSTEM.

DRIVEN BY THE COUNTY CARE MEDICAID PROGRAM WHICH HAS ABOUT 422,000 COUNTY ENROLLEES.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF GROWTH CAN THE SYSTEM MAINTAIN THAT GROWTH AND THAT SPENDING?

>> WELL, ONE OF THE REASONS WE'RE INCREASING OUR FTE COUNT OUR EMPLOYEE COUNT IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS TO MEET THE DEMANDS CREATED BY A TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN OUR PROGRAM COUNTY CARE.

AS YOU SAID IT'S 422,000.

AND THAT IS MORE THAN 50,000 WE ANTICIPATED AND AS A RESULT OF THE FACT THAT THE STATE DECIDED RIGHTLY, NOT TO KICK ANYBODY OUT OF MEDICAID EXPANSION PROGRAMS IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC.

THE RESULT IS THAT WE HAVE 422,000 MANY MORE THAN WE ANTICIPATED AND WE'RE STAFFING UP TO PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE PATIENT CARE TO THE MEMBERS OF OUR MEDICAID EXPANSION PROGRAM.

I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO OUR HEALTH AND HOSPITAL TEAM FOR THE GOOD WORK THEY HAVE DONE AND CONTINUE TO DO.

>> AND MAYBE AS THE ECONOMY IMPROVES THAT NUMBER MIGHT GO DOWN.

I NEED TO ASK YOU ABOUT AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED LAST MONTH WHEN A MEMBER OF YOUR SECURITY DETAIL WAS INVOLVED IN AN VIOLENT ALTERCATION, SHOTS FIRED DURING A CARJACKING OUTSIDE YOUR HOUSE.

ARE YOU AT LIBERTY TO SAY ANYTHING MORE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT INCIDENT AND WHETHER ANYONE WAS HURT?

>> FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY I'M VERY, VERY GRATEFUL THAT THE MEMBER OF MY DETAIL WHO WAS SUBJECT TO A CARJACKING IS OK.

HE WAS NOT HARMED.

AND THAT IS THE FIRST THING THAT IS CRITICAL TO ME.

BUT YOU KNOW THESE RANDOM ACTS OF VIOLENCE UNFORTUNATELY PLAGUE MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS NOT JUST MY OWN, HYDE PARK IS A RELATIVELY SAFE COMMUNITY IN OUR CITY.

BUT WE ARE AT A MOMENT IN TIME IN WHICH THESE THINGS I AM AFRAID HAPPEN ALL OVER THE CITY.

AND WE ARE IN THE COUNTY DECIDED IN THE MID-2013, 2014, THAT WE BEGIN INVESTING IN PROGRAMS ANTI-RECIDIVISM, VIOLENCE PREVENTION RESTORATIVE JUSTICE TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF VIOLENT CRIME ON OUR STREETS.

AND PREVIOUSLY THE COUNTY MADE TREMENDOUS INVESTMENTS IN THE JAIL AND THE COURT SYSTEM BUT WE HAD TO DO WHAT WE COULD TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM COMING INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OR RETURNING TO IT.

SO WE HAVE BEEN MAKING INVESTMENTS IN COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO THAT WORK FOR ALMOST A DECADE NOW.

AND I'M PLEASED TO SAY THAT WE'VE ESTABLISHED GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO STREET INTERVENTIONS AND WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND TRY TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH MUCH OF THE VIOLENCE TAKES PLACE.

>> AND MORE INVESTMENTS WITH SOME OF THE FEDERAL AID.

YOU GOT A LETTER FROM THE LONE REPUBLICAN COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER MORRISON ASKING WHY COMMISSIONERS WERE NOT INFORMED OF THIS INCIDENT WHY YOU DID NOT GO PUBLIC WITH IT BEFORE IT WAS REPORTED OUT BY A FEW MEDIA OUTLETS INCLUDING THE ON-LINE ACCOUNT CWB CHICAGO.

HOW COME YOU DID NOT TELL COMMISSIONERS?

>> LOOK, FIRST THING I SHOULD SAY WHEN I'M CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE I CALL THEM UP AND TALK TO THEM.

AND WHAT I GOT FROM COMMISSIONER MORRISON A LETTER WHY I DID NOT DIE JUDGE INFORMATION ABOUT THE INCIDENT.

THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE POLICE.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE INVESTIGATING I'M NOT GOING TO SAY ANYTHING THAT IMPEDES THEIR INVESTIGATION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ALSO THIS WEEK WE'VE SEEN A WAR OF WORDS ESCALATE BETWEEN CHICAGO'S MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT AND COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX.

LORI LIGHTFOOT WANTS KIM FOXX TO PROSECUTE FOLKS ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN A SHOOTOUT ON THE WEST SIDE AND HERE IS WHAT KIM FOXX HAD TO SAY IN RESPONSE.

>> I WAS QUITE HONESTLY MORTIFIED BY WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THE MAYOR IS A FORMER PROSECUTOR KNOWS WHAT SHE DID YESTERDAY WAS WRONG.

>> AND SPEAKING ABOUT AIRING COMPLAINTS IN PUBLIC THIS IS A STEADY DRUM BEATS FROM CHICAGO'S MAYOR AND POLICE SUPERINTENDENT ALLEGING WHAT THEY SEE AS SOFT PROSECUTION OF VIOLENT CRIME ON PART OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS THAT A FAIR CRITICISM?

>> NO, OF COURSE NOT.

I THINK THE MOST INTERESTING FACT THAT CAME OUT OF THAT PRESS CONFERENCE WAS STATE'S ATTORNEY FOXX'S NOTE SINCE SHE BECAME THE STATE'S ATTORNEY SINCE 2016 MORE THAN 13,000 SHOOTINGS AND 2004 RESIDENTS.

11,000 SHOOTING WHERE NO ONE HAS BEEN ARRESTED.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT SO MUCH OF OUR VIOLENT CRIME DOES NOT RESULT IN ARRESTS AND PROSECUTORS AND YOU CANNOT PROSECUTE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ARRESTED.

LET'S BEGIN WITH THAT.

WE NEED TO ARREST THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE CRIMINAL ACTS AND WE ARE HAVING A CHALLENGE DOING THAT.

>> STAGGERING NUMBERS.

IS THIS DEFLECTION ON THE PART OF THE MAYOR AND THE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT?

>> WHEN YOU'RE FACED WITH A DIFFICULT CHALLENGE AND THE VIOLENCE THAT WE SEE IN OUR CITY AND BIG CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IS TREMENDOUSLY CHALLENGING.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT THE CONTEXT ABOUT THE HISTORY.

HOW WE GOT HERE AND WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW.

AND THEN WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO WITH PARTNERS TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS.

WHAT WE'VE SEEN FROM THE MAYOR AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE IS BLAMING AND THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO MOVE AHEAD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THE DAY THAT YOU UNVEILED THE COUNTY'S BUDGET AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, PARIS.

>> AND UP NEXT A NEW EXHIBIT TAKES AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO SHOWCASE THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING A ONE-ON-ONE WITH CIVIL RIGHTS ICON REVEREND JESSE JACKSON AHEAD OF HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY.

FIRST, TOMORROW OCTOBER 8 IS 150 YEARS SINCE THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE IT STARTED ON THE NEAR SOUTH SIDE.

IT BURNED UNTIL TUESDAY MORNING AS FAR NORTH AS LINCOLN PARK.

A NEW EXHIBIT OFFERS A FRESH LOOK AT THE CALAMITY THAT SCORCHED THE CITY IN 1871 A CENTURY-AND-A-HALF AGO.

MARC VITALI HAS A PRO VIEW FROM THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM.

>> NEWLY COMMISSIONED ARTWORK DEPICTS THE BLAZE AND THE REACTIONS OF THE PEOPLE IN THE CITY.

SHORT FILMS USE SHADOW PUPPETRY BY MANUAL CINEMA TO DEPICT THE FIRE AND SHARE EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS FROM SURVIVORS.

THE NEW FAMILY FRIENDLY EXHIBITION AT THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM DELAYS A CHILD'S MARBLE COLLECTION MELTED.

A CHARRED BOOK OF HYMNS THE ONLY BOOK FROM THE ORIGINAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO SURVIVE THE FIRE.

AND A PIECE OF WOOD FROM THE O'LEARY FAMILY'S BARN.

>> YOU ARE GOING TO SEE FIRST AND FOREMOST WHAT THE CITY THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN 1871 WAS LIKE.

IT WAS A WOODEN CITY.

IT HAD BEEN BUILT FAST AND CHEAPLY AS IT WAS THE FASTEST GROWING CITY IN ENTIRE WORLD.

AND FROM THERE YOU ARE GOING TO LEARN ABOUT HOW THAT BUILDING LARGELY THROUGH WOOD SET THE CONDITIONS FOR THE FIRE.

IT IS A FLAMMABLE CITY.

THERE'S BEEN A DROUGHT.

THERE'S BEEN ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES.

AND THERE'S STRONG WINDS BLOWING.

BUT YOU ARE ALSO GOING TO LEARN ABOUT THE SOCIAL CLIMATE HOW THE CITY WAS DIVIDED IN A LOT OF WAYS AND THE CONTEXT FOR WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE FIRE ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO THE MYTH OF MRS. O'LEARY AND HER COW.

WE INTRODUCE YOU TO KATHERINE AND PATRICK AND THE IDEA THAT IN MANY WAYS SHE IS A SCAPEGOAT, A STAND IN FOR A GROUP OF PEOPLE IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE BEING BLAMED FOR A WHOLE HOST OF SOCIAL ILLS IN CHICAGO AT THE TIME.

>> OUTSIDE THE MUSEUM, A LAVA LIKE RELIC FROM THE FIRE KICKS OFF THE HISTORY TRAIL AT CLARK AND LASALLE.

INSIDE THERE IS A CLOSER LOOK AT THE EFFORTS TO CONTAIN THE FIRE, AND THE BLAZE'S TRAUMATIC EFFECT ON RESIDENTS.

>> WE TALK ABOUT HOW PEOPLE PROCESSED THE DISASTER OF THIS SCALE.

IT WAS HARD FOR PEOPLE TO FATHOM AND IS IN A LOT OF WAYS HOW MUCH WAS DESTROYED.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT 17500 BUILDINGS, 100,000 PEOPLE LEFT HOMELESS AND HOW PEOPLE EVEN COME TO TERMS WITH THE DISASTER OF THAT MAGNITUDE.

AND THEN WE GET INTO THE RECOVERY AND HOW IN THE AGE WHERE THERE IS NO FEMA, THERE IS NO EMERGENCY RESPONSE, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT, HOW DO YOU MANAGE A RECOVERY OF THAT SCALE?

>> ONE WAS WAS OUTSIDE HELP AN OUTPOURING SUPPORT FROM AROUND THE WORLD BROUGHT RELIEF TO THE CITY.

>> THE FIRE LITERALLY CLEARS THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT WHAT WE KNOW AS THE LOOP AND MAKES IT AVAILABLE FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION.

AND SO THAT CLEARING OF SPACE ALLOWED US TO BUILD BIGGER BUILDINGS AND ALLOWS THE CITY TO GROW UP IN TERMS OF SKYSCRAPERS AND STEEL FRAMED CONSTRUCTION AND THE CITY CAME TOGETHER.

THERE WAS AN OLD MONIKER FOR THE CITY THAT IT'S FALLEN OUT OF USE.

THAT PHOENIX CITY IT HAD BURNED AND RESURRECTED ITSELF UP FROM ITS ASHES AND THAT WAS EMBEDDED HOW CHICAGOANS THOUGHT OF THEMSELVES.

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

>> THE EXHIBITION IS CALLED CITY ON FIRE, CHICAGO 1871.

IT OPENS TOMORROW AT THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM.

AND YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FIRE AND ITS AFTERMATH FROM WTTW'S CHICAGO STORIES PROGRAM BY VISITING WTTW.COM/NEWS/FIRE.

AND YOU WILL FIND A LIST OF 11 BUILDINGS THAT SURVIVED THE FIRE.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... >> I'VE WATCHED THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR PARTY DEVELOP AND GROW.

>> REVEREND JESSE JACKSON JOINS US TO LOOK BACK AT HISTORICAL MOMENTS BEFORE HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY.

A NEW GALLERY OF UPTOWN'S HISTORIC GREEN MILL GIVES UNDERREPRESENTED ARTISTS OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOWCASE THEIR WORK.

AND DAVID MONTGOMERY IS OUT WITH A SPRAINED KNEE AS THE TEAM TRAVELS TO LAS VEGAS TO TAKE ON THE RAIDERS.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX STRUGGLED IN THEIR FIRST GAME OF THE PLAYOFF SERIES AGAINST THE HOUSTON ASTROS.

LOSING BY A FINAL OF 6-1.

STARTING PITCHER LYNN GAVE UP FIVE RUNS BEFORE PULLED AND LOPEZ GAVE UP THIS 411-FOOT HOMER TO ALVAREZ.

GAME TWO IS SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW IN HOUSTON AT 1:07 P.M. >> THE CHICAGO SKY MEANWHILE ARE IN THE WNBA FINALS BUT THEY WON'T KNOW UNTIL TOMORROW WHO THEY WILL FACE.

CANDACE PARKER IN HIS R HER FIRST SEASON LED THE SKY TO THE VICTORY OVER THE CONNECTICUT SUN 3-1.

TOMORROW NIGHT THE LAS VEGAS ACES FACE OFF AGAINST THE MERCURY FOR THE FIFTH GAME OF THEIR SERIES.

AND THE WINNER WILL FACE THE SKY IN THE FIRST GAME OF THE WNBA FINALS STARTING SUNDAY.

>> MORE STREET CLOSURES AS THE CITY PREPARES TO HOST THE CHICAGO MARATHON SUNDAY.

COLUMBUS DRIVE FROM ROOSEVELT TO IDA B.

WELLS IS SHUTDOWN AND THAT CLOSURE ALSO EXTEND UP TO MONROE AT 4:00 A.M.

TOMORROW AND THEN EXTEND TO RANDOLPH SATURDAY MORNING.

RACE DAY CLOSURES ALONG THE ROUTE ARE SET TO START AT 7:00 A.M. ON SUNDAY.

>> ONE OF CHICAGO'S MOST NOTABLE RESIDENTS AND ICONIC CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS TURNS 80 TOMORROW.

REF REPRESENTED JESSE JACKSON WAS ON THE BALCONY OF THE LORRAINE MOTEL IN MEMPHIS 1968, THE DAY THAT Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. WAS ASSASSINATED AND HAS BEEN CARRYING THE MANTLE EVER SINCE AND JACKSON TURNED HIS FOCUS TO THE PROBLEMS OF CHICAGO FROM CRIME TO POLICING TO HOUSING.

AND JOINING US ON THE EVE OF HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY TO LOOK BACK AT HIS LEGACY TO THIS POINT IS REVEREND JESSE JACKSON FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE RAINBOW/PUSH COALITION.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE PART OF THIS.

>> FIRST OF ALL I HAVE TO ASK YOU YOU AND YOUR WIFE JACQUELINE SUFFERED BOUTS OF COVID YOU WERE VACCINATED YOUR WIFE WASN'T.

HOW ARE YOU DOING RIGHT NOW?

>> VERY WELL.

ACTUALLY I WAS BROUGHT TO THE HOSPITAL AND SHE WAS QUITE SICK THAT MORNING.

I WAS ASYMPTOMATIC.

THE COVID HIT ME TESTED POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE.

IT WENT TO MY PARKINSON'S.

I COULD NOT WALK FOR THREE WEEKS.

I COULD HARDLY TALK FOR TWO WEEKS.

I WAS IN THE REHAB FOR A MONTH.

THE COVID BOUNCED OFF ME.

BUT IT WENT TO MY PARTNER.

>> AND THE PARKINSON'S A COMPLICATING FACTOR.

AS YOU KNOW COVID HAS HIT AFRICAN-AMERICAN, LATINO COMMUNITIES THE HARDEST AND THE COMMUNITIES LAGGED A BIT IN VACCINATION RATES.

HAVE YOU SEEN THAT IMPROVE AT ALL?

AND WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE ON THAT?

>> THE MESSAGE IS DON'T BE FOOLISH.

THE VACCINE WORKS.

I AM A WITNESS.

JESSE WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD HAD I NOT HAD THE VACCINATION.

>> I WANT TO TURN OUR ATTENTION TO A PRESS CONFERENCE YOU HAD TALKING ABOUT PEACEFUL SOLUTIONS TO VIOLENCE.

KIDS SHOT AND KILLED NEAR THERE.

WHEN YOU SEE MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND THIS BLAME GAME WITH STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX LIGHTFOOT SAYING SHE DOES NOT BELIEVE FOXX IS PROSECUTING ENOUGH.

DO YOU BELIEVE THIS IS PRODUCTIVE?

>> I'M TRYING TO MEET THE TWO OF THEM AND RESOLVE THE TALKING PAST EACH OTHER.

KIM IS SAYING SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VETTED WITHOUT PROPER PROTOCOL.

LIGHTFOOT SAYS BROAD DAYLIGHT.

IT IS A TECHNICAL NOT A PERSONAL ONE.

I'M TRYING TO MEET WITH THE TWO OF THEM SO WE CAN PUT AWAY THE ISSUE.

>> I WANT TO TURN TO YOUR LEGACY AND 1968, APRIL 4, LORRAINE MOTEL YOU WERE ON THE BALCONY WITH Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

WHEN YOU REFLECT ON THAT MOMENT 50 PLUS YEARS LATER WHAT FLASHES THROUGH YOUR MIND?

>> I WAS ON THE GROUND TALKING TO HIM.

I WAS LOOKING UP.

HE SAID PAL AND HE WAS GONE.

KNOCKED HIM AGAINST THE BACK OF THE WALL I WAS RUNNING UPSTAIRS AND GET LOCO.

AND HE KILLED KILLED ALL OF US IN THE PARKING LOT.

I WENT UP THERE AND GET BACK MY FRIEND'S DYING.

I [INAUDIBLE] AND MAKE SURE I WAS NEXT TO HIM AND Mr. KING I COULDN'T SAY DOCTOR WE NEED YOU TO COME I THINK WE HAVE BEEN SHOT IN THE SHOULDER.

HE WAS HIT IN THE NECK AND CUT HIS NECK TIE AND BLEW HIS HEART OUT IT WAS AWFUL SCENE.

I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT SCENE I PLAY IT BACK IN MY HEAD SO OFTEN.

I MADE UP MY MIND BEFORE THEN BUT THAT DAY I WAS GOING TO CARRY OUT HIS WORK.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE IMAGE GRANT PARK 2008, WHEN SENATOR BARACK OBAMA FORMALLY ACCEPTS HIS VICTORY AS THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES YOU WERE IN THE CROWD IN THE FRONT ROW TEARING UP AND YOU HAD RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 1988.

WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND IN THAT MOMENT AS YOU SAW THE OBAMAS ON STAGE IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY IN GRANT PARK?

>> IN GRANT PARK, WHERE WE WERE AT IN THE CONVENTION.

WE CELEBRATED AND WE HAD BEEN TEAR GASSED THERE.

HIT WITH IRON PIPE AND A MAN LOST HIS LIMBS FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.

I WAS TALKING ABOUT THE MOMENT MOVEMENT AND THE MISSION.

WHAT MADE HIM HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE WAS SELMA, ALABAMA.

NOT JUST JOHN LEWIS, AND THE MARCH ACROSS THE BRIDGE BUT SO MANY DIED FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A BIG PART OF YOUR LEGACY, ALL THE TIMES THAT YOU NEGOTIATED WITH HOSTILE FOREIGN LEADERS LET'S SAY THE FORMER USING SLOVAKIA, PRESIDENT OF SYRIA TO FREE U.S.

HOSTAGES AND YOU WERE SUCCESSFUL IN SO MANY OF THESE INSTANCES.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE YOU WERE ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL WHEN MANY DIPLOMATS COULDN'T?

>> WELL, I DIDN'T HAVE THE RESTRAINTS OF GOVERNMENT I WAS FREE TO DO IT.

I GREW UP [INAUDIBLE] WE HAD NO RIGHTS AND WHERE A RESTAURANT WE COULDN'T VOTE AND THEN SO I GREW UP WE HAD TO NEGOTIATE TO LIVE TO BE ABLE TO FIGHT TYRANTS AND THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

AND WE LEARNED TO LIVE UNDER CONDITIONS OF SEGREGATION, APARTHEID CONDITIONS LIKE THAT IN SOUTH AFRICA.

WE LEARNED TO NEGOTIATE TO LIVE.

>> REVEREND, I KNOW YOU STILL KEEP A FULL SCHEDULE CLEARLY YOU ARE TRULY ENGAGED IN ALL THE ISSUES OF OUR TIME RIGHT NOW.

AND VERY HARDY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, FRIEND.

>> UP NEXT MORE FROM CHICAGO'S UPTOWN COMMUNITY AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> AND NOW TO BRANDIS WHO SPENT THE DAY IN UPTOWN ON THE NORTH SIDE AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> BRANDIS?

>> THAT IS RIGHT, PARIS.

I'M WITH HENOK MISGINA OF THE NEW UPTOWN GALLERY WE ARE OUTSIDE THE THEATRE AND YOUR GALLERY IS BEHIND US.

YOU HAD YOUR FIRST SHOW IN AUGUST.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO OPEN THE GALLERY IN UPTOWN?

>> I LOVE ART AND SO BEING AN ENTHUSIAST OF ART AND ENJOY ELEVATING INDIVIDUALS.

ELEVATING CREATORS AND BUILDING COMMUNITY SO ME BEING HERE IN UPTOWN THIS IS MY COMMUNITY.

AND SO I JUST LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO SHOWCASE BRILLIANT, AND GIFTED CHICAGO ARTISTS.

>> AND SOME OF THOSE ARTISTS YOU FOCUSED ON ELEVATING UNDERREPRESENTED ARTISTS?

>> ONCE AGAIN, I LOVE ART AND I LOVE SEEING ART FROM PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE ME AND ABLE TO DEPICT STORIES THAT ARE RELEVANT TO ME.

AND SO, WE DO FOCUS ON THAT.

AND WE'RE LUCKY AND PRIVILEGED HERE IN CHICAGO TO HAVE SO MANY BRILLIANTLY TALENTED BLACK AND BROWN ARTISTS AND ARTISTS IN GENERAL.

>> WHAT KIND OF ART CAN WE SEE?

>> OIL ON VAN CASS -- CANVAS.

PHOTOGRAPHY WE HAVE A SHOW COMING UP A WIDE ARRAY OF ART MEDIUMS BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY WHAT YOU WILL SEE IS INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE SHARING STORIES.

AND SHARING ART WITH THE WORLD THAT HAS DEPTH AND MEANING TO IT AND THAT ARE ADDRESSING TOPICS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND OUR COMMUNITYS.

WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS THAT EXIST FOR THE ARTISTS THAT YOU LIKE TO REPRESENT HERE?

>> THE HURDLES THEY MIRROR HURDLES AND DIFFICULTIES WE SEE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

ACCESS TO RESOURCES.

FOR YOUTH.

BEING ABLE TO -- REPRESENTATION.

IN GALLERIES AND SPACES.

EQUITABLE PAY THESE ARE THINGS WE KNOW ARE HURDLES AND DIFFICULTIES BUT I LIKE LOVE TO FOCUS ON ALL OF THE POSSIBLE ACTIVITY AND THE -- POST ACTIVITY AND THE GREAT WORK THAT IS OCCURRING AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE GREAT WORK THAT IS BEING DONE.

>> HOW WAS THE FIRST SHOW RECEIVED?

>> FANTASTIC.

IT WAS A GREAT, GREAT RECEPTION FOR FOLKS IN UPTOWN AND ACROSS THE CITY.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND THAT WAS DUE TO THE CURATOR I HAD AS WELL AS THE 12 ARTISTS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE SHOW.

>> OBVIOUSLY THIS NEIGHBORHOOD HAS A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT VENUES AND NOT SO MUCH ART GALLERIES.

WHAT IS IT LIKE HERE?

>> IT'S GREAT.

THERE IS AN EXCITEMENT FOR IT.

THERE IS AN ENTHUSIASM FOR TONIGHT THERE'S SO MUCH ART HERE IN THE UPTOWN COMMUNITY BEING ABLE TO BRING IN VISUAL ART AND COMPLIMENT THE STUFF WE HAVE IS PRIVILEGED.

>> BEFORE WE LET YOU GO WE HAVE A SIREN BEHIND YOU.

YOU HAVE A NEW SHOW OPENING TOMORROW WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> 6:00 P.M.

TOMORROW CURATOR BY GLORIA, ANOTHER VERY, VERY TALENTED INDIVIDUAL.

IT IS A PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW WE WILL HAVE SIX LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ARTISTS SHARING HOW THEY SEE THE WORLD.

ESPECIALLY OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.

SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> CONGRATULATIONS ON OPENING THAT AND HENOK MISGINA FROM THE UPTOWN GALLERY.

AS WE MENTIONED WE WILL HEAR FROM ONE OF THE ALDERMEN JAMES CAPPLEMAN IN A LITTLE BIT FOR NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

BEARS FANS HAVE REASON FOR OPTIMISM EVEN IF THE TEAM DOESN'T COMPETE FOR THE PLAYOFFS.

THAT IS BECAUSE THIS WEEK MATT NAGY NAMED ROOKIE FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICK JUSTIN FIELDS THE TEAM'S STARTING QUARTERBACK GOING FORWARD.

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE MATCHUP AGAINST THE 3-1 LAS VEGAS RAIDERS?

[♪♪♪] >> JOINING US IS JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS FORMER OFFENSIVE LINEMAN FOR THE CHICAGO BEARS FROM 1991-2002.

JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AFTER HEAD COACH MATT NAGY INSISTED DALTON WOULD BE THE STARTING QUARTERBACK HE DID A REVERSAL IS THIS THE RIGHT MOVE?

>> DEFINITELY.

DEFINITELY.

I THINK ANYTIME YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET A YOUNG QUARTERBACK PLAYING TIME, KNOWING THAT HE IS THE FUTURE OF THE FRANCHISE, YOU HAVE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

WE SAT HERE FOR THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS AND HEARD HIM TALK ABOUT AS SOON AS DALTON WAS BACK AS SOON AS THAT KNEE ALLOWED HIM TO GET BACK ON THE FIELD HE WAS GOING TO BE THE STARTER.

YOU KNOW, YOU WANT TO SEE THAT BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE A STEP BACK WITH FIELDS AND THIS IS THEIR VERSION OF NOT TAKING THAT STEP BACKWARDS.

>> WILL THIS BE PAIRED WITH A CONTINUATION OF OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR CALLING THE PLAYS INSTEAD OF MATT NAGY?

THE OFFENSE LOOKS DIFFERENT WHEN LASER IS CALLING THE PLAYS?

>> WE HAVE TO HOPE SO.

WE HAVE TO HOPE SO.

WE HAVE TO HOPE THAT NAGY IS ALL RIGHT WITH JUST BEING THE HEAD COACH WITH PUTTING HIS INPUT IN OFFENSE AND ALLOWING LASER AND FIELDS TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT MAKES FIELDS MOST COMFORTABLE, WHAT HELPS OUT THAT OFFENSIVE LINE, WHAT MAKES THAT DEFENSE RUN AND LOOK AS EFFICIENT AS IT DID LAST WEEK VERSE DETROIT.

>> WHAT DOES IT SAY THAT FIELDS WAS ABLE TO HAVE SO MUCH COMPOSURE AFTER BEING BATTERED WITH NINE SACKS THE WEEK BEFORE?

SY.

WELL, I THINK IT'S BIG.

BECAUSE THAT IS ONE THING THAT YOU ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT NOT JUST A YOUNG QUARTERBACK BUT A YOUNG PLAYER.

CAN YOU MAKE A MISTAKE ON ONE PLAY OR MAKE A MISTAKE ONE WEEK AND COME BACK AND PUT IT OUT OF YOUR MIND AND CLEAN IT UP.

FOR A GUY THAT TOOK NINE SACKS VERSE CLEVELAND TO COME IN VERSE DETROIT AND NOT SHOW ANY ILL EFFECTS FROM IT, YOU KNOW, YOU SAW THEM GOING OUT FIRST DRIVE PUT THE BALL INTO THE END ZONE.

AND HE LOOKED LIKE NOTHING HAD HAPPENED THE WEEK PRIOR.

THERE WAS NO FEAR IN HIM AS FAR AS WHAT WAS GOING TO OCCUR FROM THE DETROIT DEFENSE.

>> CERTAINLY LOOKED LIKE HE WAS IN CONTROL OF THAT OFFENSE.

IT IS NOT ALL GOOD NEWS.

DAVID MONTGOMERY THE OUTSTANDING RUNNING BACK IS INJURED HE HAD A GRUESOME LEG INJURY IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS A SPRAINED KNEE OUT FOUR-FIVE WEEKS HOW CAN THE BEARS MAKEUP FOR THAT?

THE RUNNING GAME IS REALLY IMPORTANT HERE?

>> THE RUNNING GAME IS VERY IMPORTANT.

BUT IT'S ALL ABOUT HOW THEY BUILD OFF OF WHAT THEY DID VERSE DETROIT.

YOU SAW THEM COME OUT AND SAW THEM DO A LITTLE BIT A LOT MORE FROM UNDER CENTER.

YOU SAW THE PLAY ACTION FROM UNDER CENTER.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT FIELDS IS VERY COMFORTABLE WITH AND CAN RUN VERY WELL.

NOW YOU HAVE TO EXPAND ON THESE THINGS.

YOU KNOW, CAN YOU GIVE HIM THE READ OPTION TYPE WHERE THEY CAN RUN OUTSIDE ZONES BUT IF THAT BACK DEFENSIVE END THAT THEY ARE NOT BLOCKING CRASHES, FIELDS CAN READ THAT AND NOW GET AROUND THE CORNER.

THIS ADDS ANOTHER ASPECT TO THE RUNNING GAME THAT TEAMS HAVE TO PREPARE FOR.

AND HE HAS ALREADY SHOWN HE IS A VERY GOOD ATHLETE.

SO GETTING HIM OUT AND OUTSIDE, OUT OF THE TACKLE BOX AND ALLOWING HIM TO USE HIS SPEED IS PROBABLY THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF WHAT THIS OFFENSE HAS TO DO.

>> WILL HE BE HURT WITHOUT MONTGOMERY CAN OTHER RUNNING BACKS FILL THE VOID?

>> I THINK WILLIAMS WILL FILL THE VOID HE GOT A FULL DAY OF PRACTICE IN TODAY.

HE IS A COMPETENT BACK.

YOU DON'T NEED HIM TO BE A WORLD BEATER AND BREAK OFF SIX, SEVEN YARDS A POP.

YOU NEED THE OFFENSIVE LINE AND WILLIAMS TO BE CONSISTENT AND ALLOW THEM TO OPEN UP THINGS IN THE PASSING GAME.

ONCE THEY OPEN THOSE THINGS UP, THEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT SECOND HALF OF THE GAME POSSIBLY WILLIAMS BEING ABLE TO BREAK THE LONGER RUNS ON A DEFENSE THAT SHOULD BE A LITTLE MORE CONFUSED THAN THEY WERE TO START OFF THE GAME.

>> SO HOW HAS THE BEARS DEFENSE STACK UP AGAINST LAS VEGAS HIGH POWERED OFFENSE AND QUARTERBACK DERRICK CARR?

>> ORDINARYLY I WOULD SAY IT IS A GREAT MATCHUP THERE ARE REPORTS ABOUT THE CHARGERS DEFENSIVE LINEMAN TALKING ABOUT HOW IF YOU CAN GET TO CARR AND PUT HITS ON HIM YOU CAN SHAKE HIM A LITTLE BIT.

AND THE BEARS DEFENSE IS SALIVATING OVER THAT.

THEY HAVE A GOOD FRONT BUT THE THING THAT WORRIES ME A LITTLE BIT IS NOW HICKS IS OUT.

HE DID NOT PRACTICE TODAY.

MACK DID NOT PRACTICE TODAY AND HE IS ON THE INJURY REPORT.

THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO GET PRESSURE ON CARR AND ITH THINK THEY CAN DO IT.

YOU LOOK AT THE BLITZ PACKAGES THAT THEY WILL POSSIBLY BE ABLE TO PUT IN AND THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET HITS ON HIM EARLY AND HOPEFULLY RATTLE THAT CAGE A LITTLE BIT.

>> THAT SEEMS TO BE THE KEY TO SLOWING THAT OFFENSE DOWN.

YOUR BOLD PREDICTION FOR THIS WEEKEND?

>> I'M TORN BECAUSE OF THE HICKS-MACK NEWS.

AND MONTGOMERY BEING OUT.

I THINK EARLIER IN THE WEEK, I WOULD HAVE CHOSEN THE BEARS JUST THE POSSIBILITY OF THE OFFENSE BEING SO MUCH BETTER.

BUT WITH THOSE TWO GUYS BEING DOWN RIGHT NOW AND NOT POSITIVE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE GOING TO PLAY, I WILL GO RAIDERS 24, BEARS 20.

>> THAT MIGHT CHANGE IF THOSE TWO ARE ABLE TO PLAY KNOCK ON WOOD THEY GET HEALTHY REALLY FAST.

JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS THANKS AS ALWAYS.

>> THANKS PARIS, HAVE A GOOD ONE.

>> YOU, TOO.

>> UP NEXT WE CHECK IN WITH BRANDIS FRIEDMAN FROM CHICAGO'S UPTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD.

FIRST A LOOK AT SOME EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND TOWN THIS WEEKEND... AND NOW WE TOSS IT BACK TO BRANDIS WHO SPENT THE DAY IN UPTOWN A BIT EAST OF HERE AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

BRANDIS.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

WE ARE HERE WITH 46TH WARD ALDERPERSON JAMES CAPPLEMAN.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND WELCOME BACK.

THE LAST TIME WE WERE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS BACK IN MARCH 2020 DURING THE INITIAL SHUTDOWN.

WE TALKED ABOUT EMERGENCY HOUSING ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC.

IT IS A YEAR-AND-A-HALF LATER NOW.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM RESIDENTS IN TERMS OF AFFORDING RENT AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC?

>> A LOT OF RESIDENTS ARE TELLING ME THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE HIGH RATE OF HOMELESSNESS THEY ARE SEEING IN THE PARKS AND ELSEWHERE.

AND IT'S CLEARLY THE CITY HAS TO DO A LOT MORE.

>> HOW WOULD YOU WANT TO QUALIFY THE HOMELESSNESS IN THE COMMUNITY AND HOW IT'S CHANGED OVER THE LAST YEAR-AND-A-HALF?

>> OVER THE LAST YEAR-AND-A-HALF WE SEE MORE PEOPLE SLEEPING OUT IN THE OPEN.

MUCH MORE SO THAN WE EVER HAVE BEFORE.

>> SO ONE OF THE PROJECTS WE'RE COVERING AT THE PLANNED LUXURY DEVELOPMENT ON THE PARKING LOT OF WEISS HOSPITAL WE TALK TO PEOPLE OPPOSED TO THIS BECAUSE THERE ARE CONCERNS THERE IS NOT ENOUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSE.

YOU ARE IN FAVOR OF IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I JUST GOT BACK FROM AN OPEN HOUSE AT THE CHICAGO CENTER FOR ORTHOPAEDICS AND ROBOTIC ASSISTANT SURGERY AT WEISS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

AND THAT PROGRAM WAS PARTLY PAID FOR BY THE SALE OF THIS UNDERUTILIZED PARKING LOT THAT WEISS OWNED.

WHY I WAS SO SUPPORTIVE OF IT BESIDES HELPING WEISS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WHICH HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE NEIGHBOR TO THIS COMMUNITY IS BECAUSE WE USE THE FROM THAT DEVELOPMENT TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO WOMEN WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE LIVING ON THE STREETS.

>> SOME ADVOCATES ARE CONCERNED, THOUGH, THAT THE BUILDING MEETS THE ARO REQUIREMENT, EIGHT UNITS FOR THE 2.5% BUT WE KNOW THAT THE AFFORDABLE REQUIREMENT ORDINANCE WENT UP TO 5% THIS MONTH.

SO THEY ARE SAYING THOSE EIGHT UNITS IS THE MINIMUM.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> THE ARO, THE NEWLY ENACTED ARO WENT INTO PLACE OCTOBER FIRST.

WE HAVE ABEEN HAVING ZONING MEETINGS FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS WITH THE PREVIOUS ARO IN PLACE.

WE USED THAT ARO FOR ALL THE DEVELOPMENTS AND JUST SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT IF WE CHANGE THE RULES FOR ONE PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENT.

ANOTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND THEY WANT HOUSING FOR PEOPLE EARNING 60% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME.

IT'S NICE BUT I'M FOCUSED ON HOUSING TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH TOILETS WITH A SHOWER, WITH A BED W. A REAL MATTRESS.

THAT IS WHAT WE DESPERATELY NEED IN THE CITY AND THIS COMMUNITY.

>> SO HOUSING AND URBAN SECRETARY VISITED CHICAGO AND SAID AFFORDABLE HOUSE SOMETHING AT A CRISIS POINT.

HOW DO YOU SEE IT IN UPTOWN?

>> IT IS A CRISIS POINT IN UPTOWN AND THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CITY.

I BELIEVE I TALKED WITH COMMISSIONER NAVARA TODAY THERE IS 180,000 FAMILIES WHO EARN LESS THAN 30% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR THAT IS $27,000.

THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND THAT INCOME GROUP, 75% ARE HAVING EXTREME DIFFICULTY JUST MAKING THEIR MONTHLY BILLS.

THEIR NEXT STOP IS HOMELESSNESS.

>> IN THE FEW SECONDS WE HAVE LEFT WHAT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO HELP THE FOLKS?

>> WE ALSO NEED TO RAMP UP THE CO-RESPONDER MODEL WHERE CRISIS TRAINED OFFICERS AND THE SOCIAL WORKER RESPONDING TO THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE PARKS.

MANY OF THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN OFFERED HOUSING BUT THEY REFUSED IT.

WE NEED TO DEVELOP A TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM SO THAT THEY WILL RESPOND MORE EASILY.

>> JAMES CAPPLEMAN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND PARIS WE WILL BE BACK IN A BIT TO WRAP THINGS UP FROM HERE.

>> YEP, WE ARE GOING TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> THAT IS OUR PROGRAM FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

AND CAN YOU GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YouTube AND OUR WEBSITE WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

AND BE SURE TO JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ THANK YOU ALL FOR WATCHING.

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

[♪♪♪]