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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THEY ARE NOT CARGO.

THEY ARE NOT CATTLE THEY ARE HUMAN BEINGS.

>> A NATIONAL IMMIGRATION FIGHT LANDS ON CHICAGO'S WELCOME MATT AS TEXAS SENDS A BUS LOAD TO THE CITY.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT EXPANDED THE CURFEW FOR TEENS AND WTTW LOOKS INTO WHETHER IT'S MADE DOWNTOWN SAFER.

>> ALL CONFLICTS OF TAKEN CARE OF BY VIRTUE OF THE BLIND TRUST AND THE SAFEGUARDS WE PUT IN PLACE.

>> A NEW REPORT LOOKS INTO GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S BLIND TRUST AND STATE CONTRACTS.

>> HOW THE EASTSIDE COMMUNITY GOT ITS START AND HOW IT'S FARING NOW AMID COVID.

WE HAVE A LIVE REPORT.

>> AND WITH REPRESENTATIVE SKYROCKETING AND A COMPETITIVE HOUSING MARKET RENTAL SCAMS ARE ON THE RISE.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT HOW TO AVOID GETTING TAKEN IN.

>> AS A KID YOU LOVE TO DRAW IN SOMETHING THAT I WAS SO LIKE GEARED TOWARDS ALL THE TIME BECAUSE IT WOULD BE THINGS THAT LIKE WOULD KEEP MY BUSY.

>> MEET A ARTIST BRINGING CULTURE AND COMMUNITY TO WRIGLEY FIELD.

AND EXPLORING THE ARTWORKS OF PAUL CEZANNE WITH CURATORS AT THE ART INSTITUTE.

>> AND AS YOU MENTIONED I'M IN THE EASTSIDE COMMUNITY AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" SERIES.

NOW, IT'S KNOWN FOR THE BLUE-COLLAR WORKING CLASS COMMUNITY WITH THE RICH INDUSTRIAL HISTORY.

IT'S ALSO SET TO HOST CHICAGO'S LABOR DAY PARADE THIS WEEKEND SINCE 2019.

WE'LL HEAR FROM LEADERS ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND MUCH MORE.

BUT FIRST, I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND TOP STORIES...

SOME LOCAL APPROXIMATELY IT IS AND NONPROFITS ARE WELCOMING SOME 75 IMMIGRANTS BUSSED TO CHICAGO BY TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT AND VOWING TO PROVIDE THEM WITH RESOURCES.

THE BUSES CARRYING THE IMMIGRANTS MOST OF WHOM ARRIVED IN THE U.S. AFTER FLEEING VENEZUELA LA MADE IT TO THE CITY LATE WEDNESDAY.

>> THE 75 PEOPLE WHO ARRIVED IN CHICAGO HAVE BEEN THROUGH WEEKS AND MONTHS OF DIFFICULT, FRIGHTENING TRAVEL TO MAKE A BETTER LIFE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

THEY DESERVE SO MUCH MORE THAN BEING VILLAGENIZED AS GOVERNOR ABBOTT'S POLITICAL PAWNS AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THEY ARE TREATED WITH BASIC HUMAN DIGNITY.

>> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYS THE TEXAS GOVERNOR'S MOVE WAS AN ATTEMPT TO EMBARRASS DEMOCRATIC MAYORS FOR SUPPORTING PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

WE HAVE MORE ON THIS STORY IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

>> THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS ADVISING RESIDENTS TO GET THE UPDATED COVID-19 VACCINE AS SOON AS THEY CAN.

CDPH COULD RECEIVE THE FIRST DOSES AS EARLY AS TUESDAY.

THESE UPDATED VACCINES ARE FORMULATED TO PROVIDE IMMUNITY AGAINST THE OMICRON VARIANTS BA.4 AND 5 WHICH ACCOUNT FOR ALL COVID CASES IN THE U.S. >> TWO MONTHS AGO, OMICRON LOOKED REALLY DIFFERENT THAN IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW.

AND THE REASON I VERY MUCH WANT FOLKS TO GET THIS NOW, IS BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A GOOD MATCH FOR THE BA.4 5 THAT IS PREDOMINANT.

>> ARWADY CAUTIONS THAT LOW UPTAKE OF THE NEW VACCINE COULD ALLOW ANOTHER VARIANT TO EMERGE.

>> THE BEARS WILL REVEAL PLANS FOR THEIR NEW ARLINGTON HEIGHTS STADIUM ON SEPTEMBER 8.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT FROM THE TEAM.

THE TEAM SAYS THE MEETING WILL DETAIL QUOTE ONE OF THE LARGEST DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN ILLINOIS STATE HISTORY.

THEY WILL BE TAKING OVER THE FORMER ARLINGTON RACETRACK SITE AND CREATING A TRANSIT ORIENTED MIXED-USE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.

IN SEPTEMBER, THE TEAM ANNOUNCED IT HAD INKED A PURCHASING AGREEMENT FOR THE RACETRACK HOWEVER THAT DEAL HAS THAT CLOSED AFTER NEARLY A YEAR.

>> UP NEXT, MORE ON THOSE 75 MIGRANTS WHO WERE DROPPED OFF IN CHICAGO COURTY OF THE TEXAS GOVERNOR.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> CHICAGO IS LAYING OUT THE WELCOME MATT FORMY FRAPTS FROM CENTRAL AMERICA THEY ARRIVED LATE LAST NIGHT IT IS PART OF A PRACTICE WHERE TEXAS IS SHIPPING IMMIGRANTS THAT ILLEGALLY CROSSED INTO THE UNITED STATES TO SANCTUARY CITIES LIKE CHICAGO.

AMANDA JOINS US NOW.

>> IT'S UNCLEAR HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS WERE ON THAT BUS.

GOVERNOR ABBOTT'S BUS PUTS THE NUMBER AT 95 AND COMING FROM COLOMBIA, CUBA, NICK RAG GEORGIA, PANAMA AND SLANS VMENT VENEZUELA.

ALL OF THE MIGRANTS SIGNED A WAIVER FORM ACKNOWLEDGING THEY WANTED TO COME TO CHICAGO.

CHICAGO AREA OFFICIALS PUT THAT NUMBER AT 75 AND SAY MOST WERE FROM VENEZUELA.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAYS THAT TEXAS REPUBLICAN GREG ABBOTT DID NOT COORDINATE IT ALL WITH THE CITY.

SHE SAYS CHICAGO AS WELL AS THE STATE AND NONPROFITS WORKING IN THE SPACE WERE PREPARED THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD BE COMING SOON BECAUSE TEXAS HAS RECENTLY LIKEWISE BUSSED MIGRANTS TO SANCTUARY CITIES RUN BY DEMOCRATS INCLUDING NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON D.C.

SO CHICAGO WAS READY THEREFORE TO GREET THESE INDIVIDUALS.

FAMILIES SOME KIDS, PREGNANT WOMEN WITH TRAUMA INFORMED AND COMPETENT CARE.

>> MANY HAVE WALKED MILES JUST TO GET HERE AND SO THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS THAT THEY HAVE IS GREAT.

WHEN THESE INDIVIDUALS MADE IT TO THEIR CARE THEY WERE GREETED WITH FOOD, SHELTER, CLOTHING, CLEAN TOWELS AND A SHOWER.

>> THE NATIONAL IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CENTER IS PART OF THAT RAPID RESPONSE TEAMWORKING WITH THOSE NEW ARRIVALS BY REVIEWING THEIR DOCUMENTS AND IN TIMES WILL BEGIN TO WORK WITH THEM ON THE NEXT LEGAL STEPS.

FIRST COME MORE ACUTE NEEDS INCLUDING BUILDING TRUST AND ASSURANCE THAT THE CENTER'S DIRECTOR MARY MEG MCCARTHY.

>> PEOPLE ARE VERY TRAUMATIZED.

I MEAN SOME PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THEY WERE WHEN THEY ARRIVED HERE.

AND WE'VE PROVIDED A PACKET OF MATERIALS AND IN THAT PACKET WE INCLUDED A MAP.

AND THE MAP OF ILLINOIS OF CHICAGO, BUT THEN A BIG UNITED STATES MAP SO THEY HAVE A SENSE OF WHERE THEY ARE IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> IN A STATEMENT RELEASED, ABBOTT SAID MAKING CHICAGO A DROP-OFF LOCATION IS PART OF HIS RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT BIDEN'S OPEN BORDER POLICIES OVERWHELMING BORDER COMMUNITIES IN TEXAS.

HE SAYS THAT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT LOVES TO TOUT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HER CITY TO WELCOME ALL REGARDLESS OF LEGAL STATUS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THIS RESPONSIBILITY IN ACTION AS THESE MIGRANTS RECEIVE RESOURCES FROM A SANCTUARY CITY WITH A CAPACITY TO SERVE THEM.

RODNEY SCOTT WORKED WITH THE BORDER CONTROL FOR 30 YEARS RISING TO THE POSITION OF CHIEF UNDER FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND STAYING ON UNDER THE BIDEN PRESIDENCY UNTIL BIDEN FORCED HIM OUT OF THAT JOB LATE LAST SUMMER.

SCOTT IS WITH A THINK TANK IN TEXAS AND SAYS THAT THE NATION'S SOUTHERN BORDER IN CHAOS AND THAT AGENTS ARE OVERWHELMED.

>> IT IS A COMPLETE CRISIS ON THE BORDER CHAOS.

WE TALK ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND IT GIVES THE CARTEL COVER, THEY CAN SMUGGLE ANYTHING THEY WANT INTO THE UNITED STATES AS WELL.

SO THIS IS A HUGE NATIONAL SECURITY RISK.

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT IMMIGRATION.

>> HE SAYS THAT ABBOTT IS RESPONDING TO A CRISIS THAT THIS IS TRIAGE.

>> DEL RIO TEXAS WHERE A LOT OF THIS IS HAPPENING ENTIRE POPULATION IS 3 FIVE,000 PEOPLE.

THAT MEANS YOU COULD PUT THE ENTIRE CITY IN WRIGLEY FIELD AND HAVE 6,000 EMPTY SEATS YET THEY ARE DEALING WITH 40,000 MIGRANTS COMING INTO THEIR COMMUNITY ILLEGAL ALIENS COMING INTO THEIR COMMUNITY EVERY MONTH.

JUST FROM A CHICAGO PERSPECTIVE FORGET ABOUT NATIONALITY AND THINK ABOUT 40,000 PEOPLE THAT ARE TRANSIENT TYPE SITUATION THEY ARE HOMELESS BEING TRYING TO INGEST THEM INTO A COMMUNITY LIKE DEL RIO.

THE GOVERNOR HAD TO DO SOMETHING.

>> SCOTT SAYS IT IS HYPOCRISY FOR PLACES LIKE CHICAGO AND ILLINOIS THAT HAVE ADOPTED SANCTUARY STATUS FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS TO THEN COMPLAIN.

LIGHTFOOT SAYS SHE IS NOT COMPLAINING.

SHE SAYS IF ABBOTT'S GOAL WAS TO HUMILIATE CHICAGO AND PRESIDENT BIDEN BY CREATING A CHAOTIC SITUATION IT DID NOT HAPPEN.

SHE UNDERSTANDS THE CONCERNS OF BORDER STATINGS ON THE SOUTHERN BORDER LIKE TEXAS AND ARIZONA BUT SHE SAYS IN THIS CASE, ABBOTT APPROACHED IT ALL WRONG.

>> BECAUSE THIS IS ABOUT A CHEAP POLITICAL POINT.

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SHARING THE LOAD.

THAT IS NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

AND I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO MISTAKE HIS ACTION AS BEING ANYTHING WHAT THEY ARE INHUMAN MAIN AND A CHEAP STUNT.

>> IMMIGRATION RIGHTS ATTORNEYS SAYS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHOSE LIVES ARE ENDANGERED IN THEIR HOME COUNTRIES HAVE A RIGHT TO SEEK ASYLUM IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> YOU KNOW IT'S DISAPPOINTING TO SEE NATIONAL LEADERS USING SUCH RACIST, ANTI-IMMIGRANT RHETORIC.

AND THAT'S WHAT THAT WAS FROM THE GOVERNOR.

IN MY OPINION.

OUR POLICIES, OUR LAWS RELATING TO IMMIGRANTINGS AND REFUGEES SHOULDN'T BE STATE BY STATE BUT THIS IS A NATIONAL POLICY.

THIS IS REFLECTIVE OF WHO WE ARE AS A COUNTRY WELCOMING THOSE WHO ARE NEED A SAFETY AND SECURITY.

>> NOW, GOVERNOR ABBOTT IS IN A RACE FOR REELECTION RIGHT NOW AGAINST DEMOCRAT BETO O'ROURKE.

ABBOTT'S OFFICE SAYS PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS TURNED A BLIND EYE TO TEXAS SUFFERING.

BUT ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN JESUS CHUY GARCIA SAYS IF ABBOTT HAD TRIED TO WORK WITH BIDEN HE MIGHT HAVE RECEIVED MORE HELP AND THINGS MIGHT HAVE GONE SMOOTHER.

GARCIA BLAMES FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S POLICIES FOR CREATING THE BACKUP AND THE CURRENT SURGE.

>> IF THERE ARE COSTS TO MIGRANTS COMING TO THESE LOCALITIES, YES, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE FOOD AND SHELTER AND OTHER SERVICES TO THEM.

BUT THERE IS A PROUD HISTORY OF THAT IN CHICAGOLAND AND IN ILLINOIS.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT WAS UNABLE TO PUT A DOLLAR FIGURE ON THE COSTS TO CHICAGO TO CARE FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS AS WELL AS FOR ADDITIONAL MIGRANTS THAT OFFICIALS ARE EXPECTING TEXAS TO BE SENDING TO CHICAGO IN THE FUTURE.

MEANWHILE, CONGRESSMAN GARCIA SAYS HE JUST RETURNED LAST WEEK FROM A TRIP TO COLOMBIA AND PART OF THE SOLUTION IS GOING TO BE RESOLVING BORDER CRISIS IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND SAYS THAT THAT IS PART OF THE ROOT CAUSE AS WELL OF THE CURRENT CRISIS.

WITH THAT BRANDIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW WE HEAD TO THE FAR SOUTHERN CORNER OF THE CITY TO AN INDUSTRIAL NEIGHBORHOOD.

A COMMUNITY CONNECTED BY THE CALUMET RIVER AND LAKE MICHIGAN FOR THIS WEEK'S "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES", JOANNA HERNANDEZ AND ACACIA HERNANDEZ ARE IN CHICAGO'S EASTSIDE COMMUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AREA'S PAST AND PRESENT.

TELL US HOW THE NEIGHBORHOOD GOT ITS NAME?

>> AND BRANDIS I LEARNED QUITE A BIT ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

TO START OFF THE COMMUNITY GOT ITS NAME FROM THE LOCATION ON THE EASTSIDE OF THE CALUMET ROUGHER AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS AN INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR.

IT HAS A HISTORY THAT DATES BACK WITH THE ARRIVAL OF STEEL MILLS THAT DROVE HUNDREDS OF IMMIGRANTINGS TO THE AREA.

WE TALKED TO A LONGTIME RESIDENT WHO TELLS US MORE ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE STEEL MILL SHUTDOWN.

>> ONCE THE STEEL MILLS LEFT AND EVERYTHING ELSE STARTED LIKE, I GUESS, FALLING APART IN THE AREA, THERE WAS ALWAYS PEOPLE IN NEED.

ALWAYS.

SINGLE MOTHERS, KIDS JUST TRYING TO GET ON THEIR OWN AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.

>> ROSEMARY ARIAS RUNS A FOOD PANTRY ON 114TH STREET.

SHE FOUNDED THE PANTRY WHERE HER TEAM SERVES UP TO 160 FAMILIES EVERY WEDNESDAY.

SHE SHARES THE PANTRY IS A LABOR OF LOVE FOR HER COMMUNITY IN A TIME OF NEED WHEN HIGH FOOD PRICES ARE IMPACTING FAMILIES MORE THAN EVER.

AND RUNS A MOBILE FOOD PANTRY AND OPERATES ON DONATIONS.

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT STILL HAVE FULL-TIME JOBS BUT THEY STILL CAN'T MEET THEIR FAMILYS' NEEDS SO THEY COME HERE.

SOME THEY ARE HOMELESS.

WE HAVE TO SERVE THEM ALSO.

THERE IS A WAY WE REGISTER THEM.

THERE'S -- I'VE SEEN SO MANY DIFFERENT FACTIONS.

IT HURTS.

IT HURTS TO SEE THE COMMUNITY LIKE THIS.

>> RESIDENTS WE SPOKE WITH DESCRIBE THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS A WORKING CLASS FAMILY COMMUNITY.

A MELTING POT OF MANY NATIONALITIES.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS 80% LATINO.

IMMAR AYALA THE OWNER OF SHY BURGER BABY TELLS THE STORY OF HIS MOTHER FLEEING EL SALVADOR IN THE 70s AND SETTLING WITH HIS SIBLINGS.

IMMAR AYALA WORKED HIS WAY AROUND KITCHENS IN CHICAGO AND AROUND THE WORLD.

HE OPENED HIS OWN RESTAURANT WHERE HE DOES IT ALL.

>> THIS IS ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT HER.

THE HARD WORKINGS THE EFFORT, THE AMERICAN DREAM THAT EVERYBODY KEEPS TALKING ABOUT MAY SOUND LIKE A CLICHE BUT IT'S TRUE.

I GREW UP FROM THIS NEIGHBORHOOD I WANTED TO PUT THE PLACES HERE NOWHERE ELSE.

>> TODAY THE COMMUNITY IS HOME TO A BUSTLING BORDER ON THE CALUMET RIVER AND HAS BRIDGES AND FACTORIES.

SOME HO SOUTH SHORE RECYCLING.

WE SPOKE TO AN ACTIVIST WHO GREW UP ON THE EASTSIDE AND TELLS US ABOUT THE HEALTH CHALLENGES THE NEIGHBORHOOD FACES.

>> TALKING ABOUT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LIVE IN AN INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR.

THERE ARE MANY FACTORS THAT AFFECT YOU.

THERE ARE HEATWAVES.

THERE IS DAMAGE TO INFRASTRUCTURE AND FLOODING.

AND THERE IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL BURDEN THERE IS A COST WE HAVE HIGH RESPIRATORY ISSUES.

HIGH RATES OF CANCER.

WE SEE OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

>> AFTER SANCHEZ WORKS AT THE SOUTHEAST ENVIRONMENTAL TASK FORCE AN ORGANIZATION DRIVEN BY BRINGING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND EDUCATION TO THE COMMUNITY.

HE SAYS THEIR WORK CONSISTS OF FIGHTINGS AGAINST RACIAL DISPARITIES BY GETTING YOUTH INVOLVED.

>> WE THOUGHT THERE WAS A NEGATIVE STIGMA FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS YOU FELT IT.

AND WHEN YOU SEE YOUR COMMUNITY IS A DUMPING SITE AND SAY THIS IS A DUMPING SITE THERE'S NOTHING GOOD HERE, THAT CREATES A MENTAL HEALTH BARRIER WHEN YOU SEE COMMUNITY MEMBERS SAYING NO, I WILL FIGHT THE STIGMA AND INTRODUCE ART, AND INTRODUCE FOOD, I WILL INTRODUCE MY PASSION HERE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS ALSO GETTING READY TO BRING BACK THE CHICAGO LABOR DAY PARADE FOR FIRST TIME SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

LOOK AT SOME OF THE PAST PARADE PICTURES.

THE CHICAGO FEDERATION LABOR ORGANIZATION MERGED WITH THE ALDERMAN'S OFFICE TO WORK TOGETHER TO ORGANIZE THE CELEBRATION.

WE MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE LABOR FEDERATION WHO SAYS THEY WILL BE RECOGNIZING THE HUNDREDS OF UNION MEMBERS IN CHICAGO.

>> WE'RE SUPER EXCITED.

THE PARADE KICKS OFF AT 12:00.

THIS SATURDAY.

SATURDAY, LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

AND AT 1:00 P.M., OUR FESTIVAL STARTS 1:00 P.M.

GOES UNTIL 6:00 P.M.

FEATURES UNION BAND CALLED UNION RULES, UNION RULES IS MADE UP OF UNION MUSICIANS FROM THE CHICAGO FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS.

WE WILL HAVE OTHER ENTERTAINMENT AND BOUNCY HOUSES, FAMILY ACTIVITIES.

>> AND THE PARADE WILL BE ENTERING HERE AT EGG GEARS GROVE.

LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL FOREST PRESERVE A LOCAL RESIDENT TOLD ME THAT THIS BIKE PATH USED TO BE A RAILROAD TRACK AND LOOK HOW IT LOOKS LIKE NOW.

COMING UP WE SPEAK WITH THE LOCAL ALDERWOMAN.

FIRST, BACK TO YOU.

>> A NEW REPORT SHOWS GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER'S VAST INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO INCLUDES A DOZEN COMPANIES THAT EARNED BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN STATE CONTRACTS.

WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE, PRITZKER PROMISED TO SHIFT THAT PORTFOLIO INTO A BLIND TRUST TO ELIMINATE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.

BUT AN INVESTIGATION FROM THE BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION THROWS INTO QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT THE MOVE WORKED.

JOINING US IS DADIV JACKSON SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER FOR THE BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU.

>> FIRST, GIVE US AN OVERVIEW WHAT YOU FOUND DURING YOUR INVESTIGATION, PLEASE.

>> WELL, THE BIG FINDING WAS ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S PROMISE WHICH YOU OUTLINED WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE IN 2019.

GOVERNOR PRITZKER PLEDGED THAT HE WOULD DIVEST HIS VERY SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO OF COMPANIES THAT DID BUSINESS WITH THE STATE.

AND HE SAID HE WOULD PUT THE REMAINING ASSETS INTO WHAT HE CALLED A BLIND TRUST.

OUR INVESTIGATION SCRUBBED THE GOVERNOR'S ETHICS STATEMENTS SINCE 2019, AND WE FOUND THAT THERE WERE 12 STOCK INVESTMENTS THAT THE GOVERNOR AND HIS TRUST MADE THAT WERE WITH COMPANIES THAT HELD CONTRACTS OR DID BUSINESS WITH THE STATE.

WE ALSO FOUND THAT THREE OF THOSE DIRECTLY LOBBIED REGISTERED LOBBIED GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER.

AND ONE CASE WE FOUND SUBSTANTIAL INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THAT COMPANY AND GOVERNOR PRITZKER AND HIS OFFICE.

>> YOU JUST TALKED ABOUT THE THREE STATE CONTRACTORS THAT PRITZKER AND HIS TRUST INVESTED IN BUT THEY WERE ALSO REGISTERED TO LOBBY.

IS THERE A SYSTEM THAT IS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING?

>> NO.

IT'S THE PLEDGE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT THE GOVERNOR, AGAIN, PROMISED TO INSULATE HIMSELF FROM WHAT HE CALLED EVEN THE APPEARANCE OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

AND HE DOES FILE AN ANNUAL ETHICS REPORT.

AND ALL OF THE HOLDINGS WE HOPE IN HIS TRUST, AND THOSE COMPANIES ALSO REGISTERED TO LOBBY.

THIS IS NOT REALLY A STORY ABOUT QUID PRO QUO PER SE.

IT IS A STORY ABOUT HIS PROMISE TO, AGAIN, DIVEST HIS HOLDINGS OF COMPANIES THAT DID BUSINESS WITH THE STATE.

AND PUT HIS REMAINING HOLDINGS INTO A BLIND TRUST.

WE TALKED TO LEADING EXPERTS IN TRUST LAW AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THEY SAID WELL, IF IT'S THE GOVERNOR KNEW WHAT HE PUT INTO HIS TRUST WHEN HE CREATED IT AND THEN BY LAW, HAD TO REPORT WHAT WAS IN IT EVERY YEAR, IT'S HARDLY A BLIND TRUST.

>> OK.

ELABORATE PLEASE ON SPECIFICALLY CENTENE CORPORATION AND THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH MEDICAID CONTRACTS.

AS YOU DETAILED PRITZKER MET WITH THEIR C.E.O.S REGULARLY.

>> WE LOOKED IN DEPTH IN ONE OF THESE DEALS, BRANDIS.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE THE BIG QUESTION FOR US IS DOES IT REALLY MATTER IF THE GOVERNOR OWNS STOCK IN A COMPANY THAT DOES BUSINESS WITH THE STATE?

IS IT MATERIAL TO THAT COMPANY?

IS IT MATERIAL TO THE GOVERNOR'S PORTFOLIO.

AND IT WAS ONE CASE THAT WE DECIDED TO REALLY DELVE INTO IN DEPTH AND THAT WAS THE CASE OF CENTENE CORPORATION.

THIS IS A LARGE MULTINATIONAL MEDICAID CONTRACTOR THAT SINCE THE GOVERNOR HAS TAKEN OFFICE HAS DONE BUSINESS WITH THE STATE THAT TOTALS $20.6 BILLION.

SO IT IS A GIANT CONTRACTOR.

AND WE FOUND THAT THE CORPORATION HAD THREE LOBBYISTS, THREE LOBBYING FIRMS REGISTERED TO LOBBY GOVERNOR PRITZKER AS WELL AS FIVE ADDITIONAL FIRMS LOBBYING FIRMS REGISTERED TO LOBBY HIS OFFICE, AND THE STATE AGENCIES INVOLVED.

AND WE OBTAINED E-MAILS FROM THE FOIA AND WE LOOKED AT THE GOVERNOR'S SCHEDULE AND WE FOUND THAT CENTENE AND TOP EXECUTIVES MET WITH THE GOVERNOR ON TWO OCCASIONS AS CENTENE REALLY NEEDED THE SIGN OFF AND THE HELP OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AT THE TIME THIS BIG GIANT COMPANY WAS FACING FEDERAL ANTITRUST CONCERNS OVER A MERGER IT WAS TRYING TO PUT INTO EFFECT.

AND ILLINOIS WAS ONE OF THE CRUCIAL STATES WHERE CENTENE NEEDED TO MOVE SOME OF THE MEDICAID PATIENTS TO OTHER FIRMS SO AS NOT TO HAVE A MARKET CONCENTRATION THAT WOULD TRIGGER ANTITRUST VIOLATIONS.

ILLINOIS HELPED THE COMPANY DO THAT BY SIGNING OFF ON DEALS THAT TRANSFERRED PATIENTS TO OTHER COMPANIES.

AND OBVIOUSLY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WAS INVOLVED IN THAT.

>> SO, DAVID, WE DID GET A STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR AND IT READS QUOTE... >> DAVID, HOW HAS THE PRITZKER ADMINISTRATION RESPONDED TO YOUR INVESTIGATION?

>> WELL, THAT STATEMENT WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE BGA CONTINUES TO HAVE TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING THE BASIC FACTS.

THE AND BRANDIS, I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY WITH THAT PART OF THE STATEMENT.

THE FACTS ARE VERY HARD TO UNDERSTAND.

AND THAT IS PRECISELY WHY WE DID SHARE OUR REPORTING WITH LEADING U.S. LAW PROFESSORS.

WE CONTINUED TO DIG OUT RECORDS FROM PUBLIC SOURCES.

AND WE PRESENTED EVERYTHING WE FOUND TO THE PRITZKER TEAM.

THE FINDINGS THAT WE HAVE ARE DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND.

AGAIN, I THINK MOST SIMPLY THEY HAVE TO DO WITH THE PLEDGE AND THE PROMISE GOVERNOR PRITZKER MADE WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE.

HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO DIVEST HIS VAST INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO OF COMPANIES THAT DID BUSINESS WITH THE STATE.

WE FOUND FIVE COMPANIES THAT THE WERE STILL IN HIS INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO.

AND HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO FURTHER INSULATE HIMSELF AGAINST THE APPEARANCE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST BY IMPOSING A BLIND TRUST.

AGAIN, BRANDIS, WE TALKED TO EXPERTS WHO SAID WELL IF THE GOVERNOR KNOWS WHAT HE PUT IN THAT TRUST AND THE GOVERNOR HAS TO REPORT EVERY YEAR WHAT IS IN THAT TRUST THEN IT IS HARDLY MIND.

>> NOT THAT BLIND.

DADIV JACKSON BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, THE CHICAGO CUBS ORGANIZATION IS COMBINING SPORT AND ART IN A NEW PROJECT.

STAY WITH US FOR A LOOK.

>> AND THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING MORE FROM CHICAGO'S EASTSIDE COMMUNITY PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

BUT FIRST, A CHICAGOLAND ARTIST IS MAKING HIS WRIGLEY FIELD DEBUT WITH A SCULPTOR MEANT TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU INTRODUCES US TO COHERE, AND THE VISUAL ARTIST BEHIND THE BRONZE BEAST.

>> FROM MY BACKYARD IN THE SUBURBS TO A STADIUM IN WRIGLEY FIELD IS JUST CRAZY.

>> FROM BLOOMINGDALE TO WRIGLEY FIELD FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS LOUIS DE GUZMAN HAS BEEN WORKING FULL-TIME AS A VISUAL ARTIST CREATING ART OF ALL MEDIUM AND MADE FROM DIFFERENT MATERIALS THE MESSAGE BEHIND THIS WORK HAS REMAINED THE SAME.

>> MY FAMILY CAME FROM THE PHILIPPINES, THEIR CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY AND CULTURE WAS THROUGH SPORTS.

>> HE CONTINUES TO BRIDGE THAT GAP BETWEEN CULTURE AND COMMUNITY IN THE LATEST STATUE COHERE FOR THE CUBS.

>> IT STEMMED FROM THE ANGRY CUB LOGO I HAVE BEEN ATTRACTED TO THE BEAR LOGO BECAUSE IT'S LIKE ON THE OG CLASSIC JERSEYS AND YET IT'S RIGHT THERE ON THE ARM AND FOR ME WHEN I SAW IT I WAS LIKE IT LOOKS LIKE HE IS TRYING TO BREAK OUT OF HIS OWN BOX.

HOW CAN I BRING THAT INTO REAL OFFENSE AND THAT IDEA BECAUSE THE WORK WE'VE CREATED I CALL IT BETWEEN THE LINES ABOUT LIKE, BRINGING YOUR BEST STUFF OUT AND PULLING YOURSELF UP THROUGH SITUATIONS YOU ARE GOING THROUGH AND PREPARING FOR WHAT IS TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.

FOR ME, IT'S HOW CAN I GIVE THAT MESSAGING NOT JUST FOR A SPORTS TEAM BUT MORE THAN JUST BEYOND SPORT BUT FOR COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE LIKE WHO MAY NOT UNDERSTAND SPORTS BUT UNDERSTAND THE MESSAGE BEHIND THE SCULPTURE.

>> WHILE HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE END RESULT WOULD BE, GUZMAN SAYS THE PROCESS OF BRINGING THE IDEA FROM THE SCREEN TO REALITY IS THE STEP HE APPRECIATED SINCE HE STARTED.

>> I CAN ACTUALLY SEE SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST A SCREEN OR A PIECE OF PAPER.

I CAN SEE IT ON A T-SHIRT.

WE'RE THE BIG KIDS AND BRING IDEAS INTO LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL TO ME.

>> NEARLY TWO YEARS LATER WITH THE HELP OF A PARTNER AND COMPANY TO BUILD THE STATUE, DEGUZMAN WAS ABLE TO BRING COHERE TO LIFE.

>> THE ONE AT WRIGLEY IS ELECTRO PLATED BRONZE.

IT IS ABOUT 700 POUNDS OF BRONZE.

IT'S SUPER DENSE BUT IT'S ALL WELDED BRONZE AND THEY SHOCK IT TO GET THAT SHINEY PAINT LOOKING MIRROR EFFECT.

>> WITH FUTURE CUBS COLLABORATIONS ON THE HORIZON, THE MESSAGE BEHIND HIS WORK WILL REMAIN THE SAME.

>> I CREATE WITH PURPOSE AND THAT PURPOSE IS TO LIKE NOT ONLY REPRESENT MY ROOTS BUT REPRESENT EVERYBODY.

BEING INCLUSIVE AND BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER THROUGH ART.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> AND YOU CAN SEE COHERE AT WRIGLEY FIELD NOW IN THE GIFT SHOP AT THE CUBS NEXT HOME GAME SEPTEMBER 6.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"...

THE NUMBERS ON MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S EXTENDED CURFEW.

WE FIND OUT HOW MANY TEENS WERE TAKE KETTED AND -- TICKETED AND WHETHER THE CURFEW MADE DOWNTOWN SAFER.

CHICAGO'S LABOR DAY PARADE RETURNS TO THE EASTSIDE COMMUNITY WE ARE ONE-ON-ONE WITH A LOCAL ALDERWOMAN.

WITH RENTS SKYROCKETING AND A COMPETITIVE HOUSING MARKET SCAMS ARE ON THE RISE.

WE TALK ABOUT HOW TO AVOID GETTING TAKEN IN.

AND COLOR, FORM AND FAITH CREATE HARMONY IN THE PAINTINGS OF PAUL CEZANNE FEATURED AT THE ART INSTITUTE.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> R. KELLY WILL NOT TESTIFY IN HIS DEFENSE AT THIS CHICAGO TRIAL.

ATTORNEYS FOR KELLY AND CO-DEFENDANTS BEGAN CALLING WITNESSES ONE, MILTON JUNE BROWN WILL NOT TESTIFY HOWEVER THE THIRD, DARRYL McDAVID IS PLANNING TO DO SO.

THE PROSECUTION RESTED ITS CASE TUESDAY AFTER CALLING MORE THAN 20 WITNESSES OVER TWO WEEKS.

YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THE TRIAL ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS REPORTING THE FIRST CASE OF A WEST NILE VIRUS FOR CHICAGOAN THIS YEAR.

HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE INDIVIDUAL IS A MALE IN HIS MID-60s AND WAS HOSPITALIZED.

FOR THE 2021 SEASON, 13 HUMAN CASES WERE REPORTED AND NO DEATHS.

OFFICIALS SAY THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT INFECTION IS USE INSECT REPELLANT WEAR LONG SLEEVES AND ELIMINATE STANDING WATER.

AND CDPH IS ADVISING RESIDENTS TO GET THE UPDATED COVID-19 VACCINE AS SOON AS THEY CAN.

CHICAGO COULD RECEIVE ITS FIRST DOSES OF THE UPDATED VACCINE AS EARLY AS TUESDAY.

THESE UPDATED VACCINES ARE FORMULATED TO PROVIDE IMMUNITY AGAINST THE OMICRON VARIANTS BA.4 AND 5 WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR ALL COVID CASES IN THE U.S. >> TWO MONTHS AGO, OMICRON LOOKED REALLY DIFFERENT THAN IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW.

AND THE REASON I VERY MUCH WANT FOLKS TO GET THIS NOW IS BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A GOOD MATCH FOR THE BA.4 5 THAT IS PREDOMINANT.

>> ARWADY CAUTIONED LOW UPTAKE OF THE NEW VACCINE COULD ALLOW ANOTHER VARIANT TO EMERGE.

>> LOCAL PICKLE BALL PLAYERS WILL BE PLEASED BY THE PARKS.

TO MEET THE BOOM IN THE SPORTS POPULARITY, CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT OFFICIALS SAY THEY PLAN TO BUILD 50 NEW COURTS BY 2025 ADDING TO THE NEARLY 80 EXISTING ONES.

THE PLAN INCLUDES DEVELOPMENT OF THREE FACILITIES THAT WILL HAVE THE CAPACITY TO HOST TOURNAMENTS.

A WTTW NEWS ANALYSIS OF THE CITY'S EXTENDED AND EXPANDED TEEN CURFEW TOUTED BY THE MAYOR AS A WAY TO PUT AN END TO A SPATE OF DOWNTOWN VIOLENCE HAS ONLY BEEN USED FOUR TIMES IN THREE MONTHS OVER THE SUMMER.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US NOW WITH A LOOK AT HER ANALYSIS.

WELCOME BACK HEATHER.

AND REMIND US HOW AND WHY THE CITY'S CURFEW WAS CHANGED BACK IN MAY?

>> WELL, FOR 30 YEARS, THE CITY'S CURFEW ONLY APPLIED TO TEENS YOUNGER THAN 16 AND LET THEM STAY OUT UNTIL 11:00 P.M. ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS.

THAT CHANGED IN MAY AS THE MAYOR STRUGGLED TO RESPOND TO AS YOU SAID, A SPATE OF VERY VIOLENT INCIDENTS DOWNTOWN.

AND PUSHED THE CITY COUNCIL SUCCESSFULLY TO BROADEN THE USE OF THE TEEN CURFEW LAW IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THOSE INCIDENTS.

>> OK. WHAT DID YOUR ANALYSIS FIND THEN?

>> WELL, ONLY FOUR TIMES DID POLICE OFFICERS FIND A VIOLATION OF THE CITY'S CURFEW BETWEEN 10-11:00 P.M. ON A FRIDAY OR SATURDAY.

AND NO 17-YEAR-OLDS WERE FOUND TO HAVE VIOLATED THE CITY'S CURFEW AT ANY POINT BETWEEN MID-MAY AND MID-AUGUST THAT MEANS ONLY 3% OF THE CITY'S CURFEW VIOLATIONS IN THAT TIME PERIOD WERE TRIGGERED BY THE MAYOR'S EXPANDED LAW AT A TIME WHEN THE POLICE WERE REALLY STEPPING UP THEIR USE OF THE CURFEW INCREASING VIOLATIONS, BY 57% IN 2022 AS COMPARED TO 2021.

>> WAS THIS SURPRISING FINDING FOR THE MAYOR?

OR TO THOSE WHO OPPOSE THE EXPANSION AND THE EXTENSION OF THE CURFEW?

>> THE MAYOR'S OFFICE DID NOT RESPOND TO MY REQUESTS FOR COMMENT BUT THIS EXPANSION WAS VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED BY THE A.C.L.U.

AND PREROGATIVE ALDERPEOPLE THAT WERE NOT SURPRISED THIS EXPANSION DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE A BIG IMPACT BECAUSE DURING THE DEBATE, THE MAYOR'S ADMINISTRATION COULD NOT PRESENT DATA THAT WOULD SHOW IT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE.

SO THEY SAID IT'S WHAT THEY EXPECTED.

>> OK. AND OF COURSE, WE CAN FIND OUT MORE OF HEATHER'S STORY ON OUR WEBSITE AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

MEANWHILE, HEATHER CHERONE AS ALWAYS THANK YOU.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

>> AND NOW TO JOANNA HERNANDEZ WHO SPENT THE DAY IN CHICAGO'S EASTSIDE COMMUNITY AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

JOANNA?

>> BRANDIS, EARLIER TODAY I SPOKE WITH THE ALDERWOMAN, SUSAN SADLOWSKI GARZA.

SHE BROUGHT BACK THE CHICAGO LABOR DAY PARADE A FEW YEARS AGO AND WE BEGAN BY ASKING HER WHAT SHE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO AS THE PARADE KICKS OFF THIS WEEKEND.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO CELEBRATING OUR WORKING CLASS, ALL ACROSS THE CITY.

WE HAVE OVER ALMOST 90 UNITS IN THE PARADE THIS YEAR.

WE'RE COMING BACK WITH A VENGEANCE.

IT'S REALLY A CELEBRATION OF THE HARD-WORKING MEN AND WOMEN ACROSS THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND I'M PROUD OF THAT.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT THAT WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING THIS PARADE HERE?

I KNOW IT'S MERGING.

>> IT IS MERGING.

SO WHEN I WAS A KID GROWING UP WE HAD NINE STEEL MILLS HERE.

AND EVERY YEAR LABOR DAY WAS THE BIGGEST CELEBRATION IN THE 10TH WARD THAT WE EVER SAW.

WE HAD 125,000 STEELWORKERS IN DISTRICT 31.

EVERYBODY WAS IN THE PARADE.

AND THE WHOLE COMMUNITY CAME OUT FOR THIS.

AND IT TOOK -- IT ONCE THE MILLS CLOSED THE PARADE STOPPED.

WHEN I TOOK OFFICE IN 2015 WE BROUGHT THE PARADE BACK IN 2016.

CULMINATING IN A FEST THE FEDERATION OF LABOR MERGED WITH US.

AND THEY RENAMED THE FEST EDDIE FEST AFTER MY DAD.

THIS IS PERSONAL FOR ME.

AND IT ALSO BRINGS BACK A SENSE OF COMMUNITY, A SENSE OF PRIDE AS WE CELEBRATE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORK TIRELESSLY FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> YOUR FATHER WAS A ACTIVIST AND A STEELWORKER AND INSPIRATION FOR YOU?

>> MY FATHER WAS A HUGE INSPIRATION TO ME.

I LEARNED VALUABLE LESSONS FROM HIM.

HE WORKED TIRELESSLY IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD AS PRESIDENT OF LOCAL 65.

AND HE TAUGHT ME TO DO THE SAME.

AND I DO FEEL I STAND ON THE SHOULDER OF GIANTS.

BUT I THINK THAT MY DAD WOULD BE REALLY PROUD OF THE WORK WE'VE DONE.

>> WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WOULD SAY THE PERSON WHO NEVER COMES TO THE EASTSIDE DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> THE EASTSIDE WE HAVE SUCH WONDERFUL AMENITIES HERE.

WE HAVE BIG MARSH BIKE PARK WE HAVE WOLF LAKE STATE PARK.

WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL BEACHES.

WE ARE THE ONLY WARD THAT BORDERS ANOTHER STATE.

SOME OF THE BEST PEOPLE, THE HARDEST WORKING PEOPLE I'VE MET COME FROM THIS WARD.

AND I'M PROUD OF OUR BLUE-COLLAR HERITAGE AND SO ARE THE OTHER PEOPLE.

SO IS EVERYBODY THAT LIVES HERE.

>> BECAUSE THIS IS AN INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS THAT YOUR OFFICE HAS PUT IN PLACE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS?

>> SO WE WORK TIRELESSLY TO INSTILL LEGISLATION THAT PROTECTS OUR CONSTITUENTS.

THERE IS A LOT OF INDUSTRY HERE.

BUT YOU HAVE TO REALIZE, TOO, THE CALUMET RIVER IS A WORKING RIVER.

THE ONLY WAY TO THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY.

WE HAVE BOATS FROM STOCKHOLM AND POLAND AND KOREA EVERYWHERE THAT COME THROUGH OUR RIVERS.

WE HAVE FIVE MOVABLE BRIDGES THE MOST NEXT TO DOWNTOWN.

THIS IS SOMETHING ALMOST 9,000 PEOPLE WORK ALONG THE RIVER FROM 92 TO 137TH.

WE HAVE THE ILLINOIS PORT AUTHORITY THAT IS ON OUR RIVER.

SO WE ARE A TRUE WORKING RIVER.

AND I'M PROUD OF THAT.

I'M PROUD OF THAT.

>> IT IS A MELTING POT AS WELL.

>> IT IS A MELTING POT WE HAVE CROATIAN, ITALIAN, WHITE, BLACK, BROWN, ASIAN, WE HAVE A HUGE HAITIAN POPULATION.

I'M PROUD OF THE MELTING POT.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THAT BECAUSE PEOPLE MIGRATED TO WORK IN THE STEEL MILLS WHEN THE NINE WERE OPEN.

AND PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO COME BACK AS WELL.

>> I CAN SEE GENERATIONS WE SPOKE TO PEOPLE WHO REMEMBER THEIR GRANDPARENTS WORKING HERE.

IT SEEMS LIKE PEOPLE STAY HERE?

>> IT'S GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

I BRING PEOPLE HERE AND PEOPLE ARE LIKE WOW I CANNOT BELIEVE I'M IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

THERE ARE WONDERFUL AMENITIES WE ARE THE ONLY WARD THAT BORDERS ANOTHER STATE.

SIX BLOCKS TO THE EAST IS INDIANA.

BUT WE ARE A A VERY CLOSE-KNIT TIGHT COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE ARE AMAZING.

>> YOU SUPPORT A CLEANING CO-OP CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> IT IS OUR SECOND COOPERATIVE THAT WE'RE OPENING.

THE FIRST ONE THAT WE STARTED WAS WOMEN RUN AS WELL.

THEY ARE MAKING AND BOTTLING SALSA.

THIS IS A CLEANING SERVICE.

I HAVE TO GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO ANNA SHE HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO GET THIS DONE.

SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING A WORKERS' RIGHTS CENTER WITH A KITCHEN IN THE BASEMENT.

>> AGAIN, THAT WAS ALDERWOMAN SUSAN SADLOWSKI GARZA AND COMING UP WE SPEAK TO A LOCAL BUSINESS WOMAN AND A TEACHER FROM THE COMMUNITY.

FIRST I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS.

UP NEXT, WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT RENTAL SCAMS IN A CONVERSATION THAT ORIGINALLY AIRED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> A HOUSING MARKET AND RISING INTEREST RATES ARE SHUTTING OUT WOULD BE HOME BUYERS THAT PUT A SQUEEZE ON RENTAL MARKET.

ACCORDING TO DATA, 60% OF CHICAGOANS LIVE IN RENTAL PROPERTIES.

A REPORT BY REAL ESTATE PLATFORM FINDS THE MEDIAN RENT FOR ONE BEDROOM APARTMENTS IN CHICAGO IS UP 8% SINCE JANUARY.

AND COMPETITION FOR APARTMENTS IS INTENSE.

LEAVING THE CITY'S RENTERS WHICH INCLUDES MANY BLACK CHICAGOANS AS MORE VULNERABLE TARGETS FOR SCAMMERS AND SHADY LANDLORDS.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF ARE DENNIS HORTON DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHICAGO BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WHAT ARE COMMON SCAMS THAT THE RENTERS MIGHT ENCOUNTER RIGHT NOW?

>> WELL, WHAT HAPPENS IN GENERAL IS THAT PEOPLE LOOKING FOR APARTMENTS WILL GO ON-LINE AND FIND WHAT THEY THINK IS THE PERFECT APARTMENT PROPERTY FOR THEM.

THEY WILL SEE GREAT PICTURES WITH GREAT AMENITIES.

AND LOW RENTS.

AND THAT IS WHERE THE TROUBLE BEGINS.

>> WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT?

THEY SEE THE PICTURES?

>> THEY SEE THE PICTURES AND THE SCAMS THEY TALK TO A LANDLORD WHO THEY NEVER ACTUALLY WILL MEET IN CONTACT WITH OTHER THAN THROUGH E-MAILS OR TEXT MESSAGES.

AND THEN THEY ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE AN APPLICATION, PAY THE DEPOSIT FIRST MONTH'S RENT AND THEN THEY DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND THEY NEVER HEAR FROM THAT LANDLORD AGAIN.

>> AND IT TURNS OUT THE ALLEGED LANDLORD WAS MASQUERADING AS SOMEONE WHO HAD THE RIGHTS TO RENT THAT APARTMENT WHICH IS NOT THEIRS.

MICHELLE GILBERT WHO IS THE MOST VULNERABLE TO RENTAL SCAMS?

>> CERTAINLY PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING HOUSING.

AND WE HAVE LITIGATED THESE CASES WHERE SOMEONE CALLED HIM OR SEVAYLA OUT TO BE AN AGENT FOR THE LANDLORD AND SOMETIMES HAS KEYS ALLOWS THE TENANT TO MOVE IN.

THE TENANT WILL PAY RENT AND BEFORE THEY KNOW IT THEY ARE GETTING A NOTICE THE PERSON THEY HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH IS NOT THE AGENT FOR THE PROPERTY.

AND THEN THEY ARE FORCED OUT OF THE PROPERTY FORCED TO BE EVICTED IN VERY SHORT ORDER.

AND, OF COURSE, IT HAPPENS JUST AS YOU SAID BECAUSE THE RENTAL MARKET IS SO TIGHT RIGHT NOW.

>> DENNIS WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DO OWNERS HAVE, THOUGH, TO AVOID SCAMS PERPETRATED USING THEIR PROPERTIES?

IS THERE ANYTHING THEY CAN DO?

>> OWNERS SHOULD ALSO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE CHECKING ON-LINE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR PROPERTIES AREN'T BEING POSTED WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE.

THAT'S WHEN PEOPLE GO TO ON-LINE METHODS TO FIND PROPERTIES, THEY DON'T KNOW THAT THE ONE THAT IS BEING POSTED THERE ISN'T LEGITIMATE.

>> MICHELLE WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINTS ABOUT LANDLORDS YOU SEE IN YOUR WORK?

>> OF COURSE, WE TALK TO A LOT OF TENANTS HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING CONDITIONS REPAIRED.

TENANTS DO HAVE RIGHTS.

AND WE SHARED RESOURCES THAT WILL BE POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE WITH PLACES WHERE TENANTS CAN TURN TO LEARN THOSE RIGHTS FROM THE CITY OR COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

OUR OFFICE, ALSO IF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT APARTMENTS, OF COURSE, WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THE OLD RULES THAT OUR GRANDMOTHERS TAUGHT US, THAT IF SOMETHING SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT PROBABLY IS.

SO GO WITH YOUR GUT IF YOU THINK THERE ARE QUESTIONS.

BUT THERE ARE PLACES TO VERIFY AS WELL.

THAT COOK COUNTY TAX PORTAL CAN BE SEARCHED WITH JUST AN ADDRESS.

AND A TENANT CAN CHECK TO SEE WHETHER THE NAME THAT THE COUNTY HAS LISTED IS THE SAME NAME AS THE PERSON THAT THEY ARE DEALING WITH.

AND THEY SHOULDN'T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS.

>> DENNIS WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE HOW TO AVOID THESE SCAMS?

>> THE NUMBER ONE THING WHEN YOU ARE ASKED TO PAY THE DEPOSITS, THAT IF YOU ARE ASKED TO PAY THROUGH AN ON-LINE APP LIKE VENMO OR ZELL YOU ARE DEALING WITH A SCAMMER.

ALSO MAKE SURE THAT YOU AS A TENANT THAT YOU DO LOOK ON-LINE FOR THAT ADDRESS.

IF YOU SEARCH ON-LINE FOR THAT ADDRESS AND IT POPS UP AGAIN, YOU WILL KNOW THAT IT'S BEING USED AS A SCAM PROPERTY.

AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU GO SEE THE PROPERTY IN-PERSON.

YOU DON'T WANT TO JUST TAKE THE WORD OF SOMEONE WHO YOU HAVE NOT ACTUALLY MET BECAUSE VERY OFTEN THESE REPORTED LANDLORDS GIVE YOU EXCUSE FOR WHY THEY CAN'T MEET WITH YOU.

THAT THEY ARE OUT OF TOWN OR THAT THE PROPERTY HAS SEVERAL DIFFERENT PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR THIS PROPERTY SO YOU NEED TO HOP ON IT RIGHT NOW OR YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE OUT.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE BEING PRO-ACTIVE AND GOING AND SEEING THE PROPERTY AND YOU KNOCK ON THE DOOR AND IF SOMEONE OPENS THAT DOOR AND SAYS IT'S NOT FOR RENT YOU HAVE SAVED YOURSELF POSSIBLY IDENTITY THEFT AND LOSING A LOT OF MONEY.

>> THAT HAS TO BE A RED FLAG.

MICHELLE WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR TENANTS LOOKING FOR HOUSING AND THEY MIGHT HAVE EVICTIONS ON THEIR RECORD?

>> EXACTLY THANKS SO MUCH FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION.

FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD CAUTION LANDLORDS NOT JUST TO RELY ON THE FACT THAT AN EVICTION WAS FILED.

BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES IN FACT WE KNOW IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO 40% OF ALL EVICTION DOSE NOT RESULT IN JUDGMENTS AGAINST THE TENANT.

IN FACT WE KNOW BECAUSE OF THE RACIAL IMPACT OF EVICTION, THAT IF A LANDLORD DENIES SOMEONE A HOUSE JUST BECAUSE THE CASE WAS FILED THEY ARE PROBABLY ACTING ILLEGALLY AND AGAINST FAIR HOUSING.

FOR A TENANT CHECK THE PUBLIC RECORD OF CASE FILINGS.

WE'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF WORK ON SEALING OLD EVICTION RECORDS.

AND IT'S SAD HOW MANY CASES WE FIND WHERE THE TENANT ISN'T AWARE OF THE OLD EVICTION RECORD UNTIL A CREDIT REPORT IS RUN.

AND THEY'VE WASTED THE MONEY FOR THE CREDIT REPORT AND THEY ARE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GET THE HOUSING.

CHECK YOUR CREDIT.

CHECK THE PUBLIC ACCESS.

YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO HAVE THAT RECORD SEALED.

YOU CAN CONTACT US, AGAIN, CONTACT INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS TO DENNIS HORTON AND MICHELLE GILBERT FOR JOINING US.

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

[♪♪♪] >> AND WE CHECK BACK IN WITH JOANNA HERNANDEZ WHO SPENT THE DAY IN THE EASTSIDE COMMUNITY AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> HELLO.

WE'RE HERE WITH INES ORNELAS, SHE IS THE OWNER OF TOCI LA DIOSA AND A LONGTIME RESIDENT AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> I WANT TO START OFF CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS AND THE CONCEPT BEHIND IT.

>> SURE.

LA DIOSA IS A COLLECTIVE OF BUSINESS OWNERS I HAVE 12 FROM THE COMMUNITY WE'RE A COLLECTIVE.

WE WORK TOGETHER TO BUILDUP, I GIVE THEM A SPACE FOR THEIR MERCHANDISE.

AND MORE THAN THAT, WE HAVE PAINTING PARTIES, WE HAVE BINGO, WE HAVE WORKSHOPS.

SO MANY THINGS ARE IN THE WORKS, TOO.

GOING TO INVITE A BUNCH OF ARTISTS FROM THE COMMUNITY TO COME AND CREATE A MURAL WITHIN THE STORE.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF STUFF.

>> WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION YOU ARE A TEACHER AS WELL.

WHAT WAS THAT MINDSET I WANT TO OPEN A BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY?

>> BECAUSE I AM A TEACHER I WANTED TO BUILD COMMUNITY.

AS AN EDUCATOR YOU NEVER STOP.

IN THE BEGINNING WHEN EVERYTHING WAS GOING ON MY STUDENTS WERE COMING IN AND THEY LIKE THAT IS YOUR STORE.

AND IT'S LIKE THEIR WHOLE CONCEPT CHANGED.

LIKE THEIR VISION OF WHAT CAN BE IN THEIR LIVES COMING FROM A SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD CHANGED YOU KNOW.

AND THAT IS WHAT I TEACH THEM.

YOU CAN BE SO MUCH MORE YOU KNOW.

LIKE YOU CAN LEAVE THE COMMUNITY BUT YOU CAN STAY AND BUILD IT UP, ALSO.

AND THEIR MENTALITY REALLY CHANGED.

AND JUST LIKE THEIR VISION OF WHAT COULD BE.

IT EXPANDED.

SO.

>> AND AS A TEACHER AND RESIDENT WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT YOU WOULD SAY THE COMMUNITY STILL NEEDS?

>> OH, MY GOD WE NEED MORE ARTS PROGRAMS.

WE NEED MORE FUNDING FOR BUSINESSES.

MORE EDUCATION.

TOTALLY TO EDUCATE THEM SO THEY KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A BUSINESS OWNER.

I MEAN GIVING MORE NETWORKING, WORKSHOPS FOR THEM.

SO THEY KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO HAVE AN LLC, TO HAVE AN INSURANCE, ALL THE TAXES HERE IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN A SMALL BUSINESS HERE.

AND JUST LETTING THEM KNOW WHAT IT ENTAILS SO THEY ARE PREPARED WHEN THEY UNDERTAKE THAT ENDEAVOR.

>> AND THIS IS MULTILATINO COMMUNITY >> YES, HIM'S 90% -- 90% ASSUMING WE'VE GROWN A LOT.

>> AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HAVING A BUSINESS DURING THE PANDEMIC WAS TOUGH?

>> YES.

I AM A SINGLE MOM.

SO WHEN WE WERE GETTING OUR STIMULUS CHECKS IS WHEN I DECIDED I NEED TO BUILD THE INCOME, I NEED TO BUILD FOR MY DAUGHTER.

SO THAT WAS THE WHOLE PASSION, VISION BEHIND IT.

WHAT LEGACY CAN I GIVE HER?

AND THIS IS WHAT IT CAME TO.

>> AND FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T COME TO THE EASTSIDE WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO TELL THEM ABOUT THE COMMUNITY?

>> WE ARE A HARD-WORKING, ARTISTS, TALENTED, PASSIONATE.

WE'RE HERE COME AND VISIT.

I'M ALWAYS OPENING MY DOORS FOR NEW BUSINESSES.

SO IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO SHOWCASE YOUR MERCHANDISE, COME.

I HAVE SPACE FOR EVERYBODY.

AND WE'RE VERY OPEN TO THAT.

>> DO YOU SEE MORE PEOPLE WANT TO OPEN BUSINESSES IN THE AREA?

>> MOST DEFINITELY.

THEY ARE AMAZING JUST THEIR THOUGHTS AND THEY ARE ARTISTS.

BECAUSE THEY ARE CREATORS.

IF YOU COME TO THE STORE, MOST OF THE STUFF IS HANDMADE.

IT'S CREATED BY THEM.

AND THEY PUT SO MUCH LOVE INTO WHAT THEY DO AND YOU KNOW, IT'S UNIQUE.

>> THAT IS SOMETHING YOU WILL FIND LIKE AT A BIG CHAIN STORE.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> AND BRANDIS, I HEAR YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR ME.

>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION.

TOCI LA DIOSA CUTE BUSINESS BUT BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, YOU SPOKE TO SEVERAL FAMILIES IN THE EASTSIDE COMMUNITY, WERE THERE ANY SHARED EXPERIENCES AMONG THE FAMILIES THAT CAUGHT YOUR ATTENTION?

>> I THINK ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS I TOOK AWAY WAS EVERYONE I SPOKE WITH HAD A GENERATIONS LIKE LINE WHEN IT COMES TO LIKE MIGRATING HERE BECAUSE OF THE FACTORIES THEIR FATHERS WORKED IN THE FACTORIES.

THEY MIGRATED HERE BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO WORK IN THE FACTORIES THAT IS SOMETHING I NOTICED THROUGHOUT THE DAY THAT I SPENT HERE.

SO THEY ARE REALLY INVESTED IN THIS COMMUNITY.

>> THEY CALL IT HOME.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ IN EASTSIDE THANK YOU.

>> PAUL CEZANNE WAS THOUGHT OF AS THE GREATEST BY SOME VERY GREAT ARTISTS.

PABLO PICASSO AND CLAUDE MONET.

THE ART INSTITUTE IN LONDON IS PRESENTING ITS FIRST EXHIBITION OF CEZANNE IN 70 YEARS.

PRODUCER MARC VITALI RECENTLY MET THE CURATORS AT THE MUSEUM.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

[♪♪♪] >> BATHING BEAUTIES... RICHLAND SCAPES... SEEMINGLY SIMPLE STILL LIVES AND COMPLICATED PORTRAITS.

AND STRANGER THINGS...

THE CEZANNE SHOW AT THE ART INSTITUTE LOOKS FROM A DISTANCE AND CLOSELY AT A GIANT OF MODERN ART.

>> HE WAS COMING-OF-AGE IN THE 19TH CENTURY.

BUT HE PAVED THE WAY FOR WHAT MODERN ART WOULD BECOME IN THE 20TH CENTURY LIKE CUBIC, EXPRESSIONISM.

>> CEZANNE IS AN TART R ARTIST WE PUT HIM IN ANOTHER GALLEY BECAUSE HE DOES NOT PLAY WELL WITH RENOIR LIKE THE ODD MAN OUT.

BUT HE IS VERY MUCH INFORMED BY IMPRESSIONISM AND HE TAKES WHAT HE NEEDS AND MOVES ON.

>> CEZANNE WAS ADMIRED BY ARTISTS.

PAINTING ON VIEW WERE ONCE OWNED BY THEM.

THIS BELONGED TO PABLO PICASSO.

>> ARTISTS UNDERSTOOD AND THEY WERE THE MOST IMPORTANT AUDIENCE FOR HIS WORK DURING HIS LIFETIME.

WORKS OWNED BY MONET, AND IN THE 20TH CENTURY MATISSE, PICASSO AND LOANS FROM JOHN.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT CONTINUES AND IN THE EXHIBITION AND CATALOG WE WORKED WITH 10 ARTISTS TO LOOK AT ARTWORKS IN THE SHOW AND HELP US SEE THEM THROUGH AN ARTIST'S EYES.

>> CEZANNE WAS TRYING TO BE MODERN AND FIT IN AND HE CAN'T.

IT WAS WHEN HE REFUSES TO FIT IN AND WHEN HE STARTS WORKING FOR HIMSELF FOR AN AUDIENCE OF ONE THAT HE BECOMES THE ARTIST THAT THE ARTISTS LOOK AT AND GO OH, MY GOSH HE IS A RISK TAKER.

>> ONE OF THE WONDERFUL THING HE IS HONEST ABOUT HIS PROCESS.

YOU CAN SEE HOW THE PICTURE CAME TOGETHER STROKE BY STROKE.

SENSATION BY SENSATION, COLOR BY COLOR.

ASSOCIATING SITE AND TOUCH AND USING THAT AS A BASIS OF A NEW LANGUAGE OF COMMUNICATION.

>> IT IS A LOT AND IT'S VERY MINIMALIST.

AND EVEN IN THE SUBJECT MATTERS, IT'S LIMITED BUT IT'S WITHIN THAT THAT HE MAKES ALL OF HIS COMPLETELY NEW AND DIFFERENT EXPRESSIONS.

>> MANY FIGURES AND OBJECTS ARE OUTLINED IN COBALT BLUE.

A WHITE TABLE CLOTH MIGHT CONTAIN GREENS AND YELLOWS.

COLORS BLEED INTO EACH OTHER AND PERSPECTIVES ARE OFTEN SKEWED.

>> IN THE END HE IS GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN FANTASY AND OBSERVATION, BETWEEN DIFFERENT WAYS OF APPROACHING A PAINTING.

>> IN THE END HE IS GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN FANTASY AND OBSERVATION, BETWEEN DIFFERENT WAYS OF APPROACHING A PAINTING.

>> IT IS A SPECIAL THING TO HAVE 125 CEZANNE WORKS TOGETHER AND WE TAKE YOU THROUGH HIS CAREER THROUGH THE MID-1860s TO THE END OF HIS LIFE IN 1906.

>> I THINK THERE IS A CHANCE TO APPRECIATE THE EXTENT OF HIS COMMITMENT TO FINDING A NEW WAY OF PAINTING AND UNDERSTAND WHY THE WORKS ARE MORE THAN 100 YEARS OLD THEY ARE STILL FULL OF MYSTERY AND SURPRISE.

IT HIS LIFE'S WORK WAS CREATING THE PAINTINGS AND WATERCOLORS WE SEE HERE AND THEY SET THE TONE FOR AN ENTIRELY NEW MODE OF PAINTING IN THE 20TH CENTURY.

FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> AND YOU CAN CATCHED CEZANNE AT THE ART INSURANCE ACONSTITUTE OF -- INSTITUES OF CHICAGO THROUGH MONDAY.

AND IT REOPENS AT THE TATE MODERN IN LONDON.

BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

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

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

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

AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "THE WEEK IN REVIEW".

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

THANKS TORE WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪] ER TO TORE,