>>> HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

HERE'S WHAT WE ARE LOCKING AT.

A HIGH END FURNITURE STORE IS NOW A CHICAGO CASINO, WHAT ARE THE ODDS IT WILL BE BIG MONEY FOR THE CITY?

>>> A KEY CITY PANEL APPROVED A SETTLEMENT FOR TWO MEN WRONGFULLY CONVICTED OF MURDER.

WE ANALYZE THE COST OF WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS TO CHICAGO TAXPAYERS.

>>> THE WORK OF A CHICAGO BASED PHOTOGRAPHER WHO HAS DOCUMENTED CUBA FORDICADES.

>>> AND PULL UP A SEAT AT THE TABLE FOR BLACK RESTAURANT WEEK.

WE SHARE A RUNDOWN OF WHAT TO EXPECT AND EAT.

>>> FIRST TODAY, SOME OF OUR TOP STORIES, FIRE DEPARTMENTS AROUND THE REGION PAUSED TO REFLECT ON THE MEN AND WOMEN KILLED 22 YEARS UH-UH GO TODAY ON 9/11.

MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON JOINED FIREFIGHTERS DURING A BELL RINGING CEREMONY TO HONOR THE FIRST RESPONDERS WHO RAN TOWARDS DANGER THAT DAY.

FIREFIGHTERS AND NEIGHBORS IN PALESTINE MARKED THE OCCASION WITH A CEREMONY OF THEIR OWN.

NEARLY 2,000 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN ALL WHEN TERRORISTS FLEW HIJACKED PLANES INTO THE TRADE TOWERS, PENTAGON AND A FIELD IN PENNSYLVANIA.

>>> LATER THIS YEAR, WE SHOULD KNOW WHEN THE HIGHLAND PARK ALLEGED SHOOTER WILL STAND TRIAL.

THE JUDGE INTENDED TO SET A DATE AT THE NEXT COURT APPEARANCE, DECEMBER 11th.

A COURT HEARING TODAY WAS THE FIRST SINCE MAY.

SHE WAS INDICTED LAST YEAR ON 117 CHARGES INCLUDING 21 COUNTS OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER STEMMING FROM THE MASS SHOOTING.

>>> THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS TOUTS ITS LARGEST FRESHMEN CLASS EVER.

THE OFFICIALS WELCOMED MORE THAN 8300 IN THE FRESHMEN CLASS THIS YEAR AND IT BREAKS A RECORD.

74% OF THE STUDENTS ARE IN STATE, THE LARGEST NUMBER SINCE 2006.

THE REMAINING STUDENTS COME FROM 47 OTHER U.S. STATES AND COUNTRIES.

>>> THE NEXT COVID-19 VACCINE BOOSTER SHOT COULD GO INTO ARMS WITHIN A MATTER OF DAYS WHEN THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION GIVES IT THE GREEN LIGHT.

MODERNA AND PFIZER SAY THE BOOSTER IS EFFECTIVE AGAINST THE CURRENT DOMINANT COVID STRAIN IN THE U.S. A MANL OF INDEPENDENT EXPERTS THAT ADVISES THE C DRGS C IS EXPECTED TO MEET TOMORROW BEFORE MAKING A RECOMMENDATION.

THE CDC DIRECTOR COULD THEN SIGN OFF.

MOST INSURED PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE WITHOUT A COPAY.

PEOPLE WHO ARE UNINSURED CAN GET IT THROUGH THE PRIVILEGE ACCESS PROGRAM.

>>> COMING UP IN OUR PROGRAM, NEW ANALYSIS FROM HOW MUCH TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING TO SETTLE WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS.

>>> BUT FIRST, THE CITY BETS BIG ON CHICAGO'S FIRST TEMPORARY CASINO RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDERA AND JOHN NICHOLS, THE JIM AND KAY NAVY FAMILY, THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> PLACE YOUR BETS.

THE FIRST CITY CASINO OPENED ON SATURDAY AT 8:00 A.M.

IT WAS HOME TO THE SHRINERS CIRCUIT AND THEN A BLOOMING DALE'S STORE BUT NOW IT IS A VALLEY CASINO AS PLANS CONTINUE FOR THE PERMANENT RIVER FRONT LOCATION IN 2026.

CITY LEADERS HOPE THE WINNINGS EXTEND TO THE PEPGZ SITUATION.

TAX REVENUE IS SLATED TO FUND THE UNDERFUNDED ACCOUNTS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE WINNERS AND LOSERS, ALDERMAN BRIAN HOPKINS WHOSE AREA INCLUDES THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

PAST PRESIDENT OF RIVER WEST AND MEMBER OF THE CASINO ADVISORY COUNSEL CREATED BY FORMER MAYOR AND PROFESSOR DEBORAH CAROL, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE RESEARCH CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS PLANNING EARNING COLLEGE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING AT OUR TABLE.

NO BLACKJACK OR CARD JAMES HERE JUST A LOT OF GOOD DISCUSSION.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE LATEST SHOOTING IN RIVER NORTH NEAR THE CASINO.

WHAT DO WE KNOW?

>> WE WERE HOPING TO GET THROUGH THE WEEKEND WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT WAS NOT THE CASE.

THERE IS NO DIRECT CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SHOOTING AND ACTIVITY IN THE CASINO.

WE POURED OVER THE EXTENSIVE VIDEO AND WE HAVE CAMERAS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CASINO.

IT DOESN'T APPEAR THAT EITHER OF THE PARTIES ENGAGED IN THE SHOOTING WERE CONNECTED TO THE SHOOTING.

>> AND VALLEY DID PUT OUT A STATEMENT SAYING IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CASINO.

JOHN BOSSY, ARE YOU WORRIED THAT THE CASINO COULD BRING INCIDENTS OF CRIME?

>> I THINK ANY OPPORTUNITY THAT BAD PEOPLE HAVE, BAD ACTORS HAVE TO GO AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOMETHING NEW, THEY WILL DO THAT.

I HAVE A LOT OF FAITH AND HOPE IN PEOPLE OF CHICAGO AS WELL AS OUR LEADERS AND POLITICIANS AS WELL AS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> WHAT A LOT OF CASINO OWNERS HAVE SAID IS THAT THEIR PLACES ARE MORE SECURE THAN A NORMAL BUILDING BECAUSE THEY HAVE SECURITY CAMERAS AND GUARDS JUST FOR THAT REASON.

PROFESSOR CAROL, FIRST WEEKEND IN THE BOOKS SO TO SPEAK.

WHAT IS A REALISTIC EXPECTATION AS TO THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THIS CASINO COULD PROVIDE?

>> SURE.

MANY OF THOSE WHO TRY TO SELL THE PROSPECTS OF CASINOS DO THAT ON THE PROSPECTS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.

THERE IS AN A LOT OF PROMISE FOR INCREASED JOBS, INCREASED RETAIL SALES, AND THEREFORE INCREASED REVENUE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

I THINK THE THING THAT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND IS FOR THE CASINO TO TRULY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE CITY, IT HAS TO ATTRACT INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD NOT OTHERWISE COME TO THE CITY IN THE ABSENCE OF THE CASINO OR TO CAPTURE THE --.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT THE CASINO WOULD DO THAT?

>> I THINK THE JURY IS STILL OUT ON THAT.

IF YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THE RESEARCH ON CASINOS IN GENERAL, A LOT OF IT SAYS THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IS STILL UNCERTAIN.

CERTAINLY, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL TO IMPROVE REGIONAL ECONOMIES WHERE THEY OPERATE.

A LOT OF THE OTHER RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT IT IS A SHIFTING AROUND OF THE INCOME WITHIN INDUSTRIES.

>> JOHN, YOU ARE A LOCAL RESIDENT AND YOU HAVE BEEN THERE TWICE.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE?

>> IT WAS BEAUTIFUL INSIDE, A LOT OF ACTIVITY, GREAT ENERGY THERE.

I WAS THERE LAST NIGHT, WENT THERE AFTER THE FOOTBALL GAME, A LOT OF PACKER FANS.

>> MAYBE SAD BEARS FANS IF THEY PLACED A BET ON THE BEARS.

BUT IT IS NOT A SPORTS CASINO.

>> NOT YET.

>> THEY WOULD BE TRYING TO WIN IT BACK.

ALDERMAN HOPKINS, YOU HAVE HAD CONCERNS ABOUT THIS PROCESS.

ARE THE CONCERNS STILL THERE?

WHAT ARE THOSE CONCERNS?

>> IF ANYTHING, THEY ARE EXACERBATED RIGHT NOW.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PROCESS THAT IS SELECTED BOTH VALLEY AS THE OPERATOR OF THE SITE, THEY WERE NOT THE BEST OPERATOR OR THE BEST SITES.

SINCE WE MADE THIS CHOICE, BALLY STOCK IS DOWN 27% IN THE LAST YEAR.

THEIR MARKET CAPITALIZATION IS ABOUT $700 MILLION.

THAT IS LESS THAN HALF OF THE TOTAL COST REQUIRED TO BUILD OUT THE CHICAGO SITE.

THERE ARE REAL QUESTIONS ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN EVEN DO THIS.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE AS BIG OF AN OPENING WEEKEND AS THEY THOUGHT.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE MONEY WILL COME FROM FOR THE OBLIGATION TO BUILD THE NEW STRUCTURE.

>> PROFESSOR CAROL, WHAT ABOUT THE CONCERNS GIVEN THAT BALLY ITSELF IS STRUGGLING?

HOW IS THE INDUSTRY DOING OVERALL?

>> I THINK WE HAVE SEEN OVER TIME, ESPECIALLY OVER THE PAST DECADE, WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF GROWTH IN GAMING ACROSS THE U.S.. BEFORE 1991, THERE WERE ONLY TWO PLACES, NEVADA AND ATLANTIC CITY WHERE CASINO GAMING OCCURRED.

SINCE THAT TIME, ABOUT HALF THE STATES HAVE STATE SPONSORED CASINOS.

THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION IN 2018 THAT ESSENTIALLY REVERSED THE BAN, IT HAS EXPANDED IN 28 STATES AS WELL.

WE HAVE SEEN A LARGE EXPANSION.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE REVENUE THAT IS GENERATING, IT IS A SMALL PORTION OF THE CITY OR STATE'S REVENUE.

>> AND THE CITY IS EXPECTING A LARGE PIECE TO GO TO THE PEPGZ FUND BUT WE KNOW THAT IT WILL TAKE MORE THAT CASINO REVENUE TO SHORE THOSE UP.

WHAT ABOUT TRAFFIC?

>> LAST NIGHT, IT LOOKED AT IF IT WAS COVERED PRETTY WELL.

OLMC WERE THERE.

I TALKED TO A COUPLE OF GUYS WORKING THERE.

IT LOOKED LIKE THEY HAD IT HANDLED.

>> WHAT ABOUT YOU, ALDERMAN?

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THE TRAFFIC PROJECTION?

>> YEAH, I WAS OUT THERE, TALKING TO THE PATROL OFFICERS WHO WERE ON SITE.

IT WENT PRETTY SMOOTH ASIDE FROM THE SHOOTING IN THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

THE DEPARTMENT HAS THEIR TRAFFIC CONTROL PIECE IN PLACE.

WE DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SUSTAINAL.

BALLY HAS ONLY GIVING US $2 MILLION TO COVER THE COST OF SECURITY.

WE WILL SPEND THAT QUICKLY.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN SUSTAIN THE LEVEL OF PRESENCE FROM THE TRAFFIC PATROL AIDS AND THE OFFICERS ON THE GROUND.

IT IS COSTLY TO HAVE THAT PRESENCE.

>> THE PERMANENT SITE IS AT THE FREEDOM CENTER.

THE FREEDOM CENTER IS STILL THERE AND THERE IS NO TEARING DOWN OF THAT OR CONSTRUCTION.

2026 IS THE PLANNED OPENING DATE.

DO YOU THINK THIS MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE BUILT BY THEN?

>> I DON'T SEE IT.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY GET THE CAPITAL OR FINANCE FROM.

THIS IS A STRUGGLING COMPANY.

THEY HAVE BITTEN OFF MORE THAN THEY CAN CHEW.

THE BALLY NAME IS A LEGACY NAME IN THE GAMING INDUSTRY BUT THE PRIVATE EQUITY FUND THAT BOUGHT THIS A FEW YEARS AGO HAD NO EXPERIENCE IN GAMBLING OR BUILDING MULTIBILLION DOLLAR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

WITH A LACK OF EXPERIENCE, LACK OF CAPITAL AND FINANCING, I DON'T KNOW SEE WHERE THEY GET IT TOGETHER IN A THREE YEAR PERIOD.

>> AND PROFESSOR CAROL, THIS IS A MARKET WHERE THERE ARE SO MANY NEW GAMING OPPORTUNITIES.

YOU HAVE HARD ROCK CASINO, YOU HAVE ALL OF THE SPORTS BOOKS GOING UP.

YOU HAVE THE CASINO BILL PASSED IN THE STATE THAT IS AUTHORIZING CASINOS IN THE SUBURBS AND DOWN STATE.

ARE THEY GOING TO CANBLEIZE THEMSELVES HERE?

>> QUITE LIKELY YES.

WHEN YOU INCREASE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR GAMING, THE EARLY ADOPTERS THAT HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TEND TO LOSE REVENUE AS A RESULT OF THE INCREASED COMPETITION.

>> WHAT WOULD BALLY HAVE TO DO TO STAND OUT IN THE PACK HERE, TO FIELD CUSTOMERS FROM OTHER CASINOS?

>> I THINK IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE.

THE CITY OF CHICAGO OFFERS A LOT OUTSIDE OF JUST THE CASINO.

SO THE GOAL OF IS TO ATTRACT THE VISITORS INTO THE CITY SO THEY CAN ENJOY THE PARKS, MUZEEMZ, HOTELS, RESTRUPTS, AND THAT'S WHAT CREATES ECONOMIC GROWTH.

>> AND RIGHT NOW, THERE IS HOPE THAT THE TEMPORARY CASINO WOULD HELP BUSINESSES AROUND THERE, RESTAURANTS, THE STRUGGLING RETAIL OPERATIONS ON MICHIGAN AVENUE WHERE THERE IS A 30% VACANCY RATE.

ANY CHANCE THAT WOULD HAPPEN?

>> I THINK THERE IS HOPE FOR THAT.

I THINK RETAILERS NEED TO REACH OUT AND START WUSHING TOGETHER.

WE NEED CIVIC LEADERSHIP ON THAT WHERE PEOPLE ARE GETTING TOGETHER AND WORKING TOGETHER.

>> HOW DO YOU TURN THE CUSTOMERS AT THE CASINO INTO REVENUE FOR MICHIGAN AVENUE AND RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

I DON'T KNOW OF ANYONE WHO HAS MET THE CHALLENGE.

LOOK AT DOWNTOWN AURORA, ROCKFORD, WHERE THE OTHER CASINO, THE PARADISE, THEY HAVE ALWAYS STRUGGLED TO LIVE UP TO THE PROMISE OF A SPILL OVER EFFECT WHERE NEARBY ENTITIES AND ATTRACTIONS CAN BENEFIT FROM THE CASINO.

INSTEAD, THE CASINO TENDS TO SUCK IN ALL OF THE REVENUE AND BECOME THE DOMINANT FORCE, LEAVING OTHERS TO STRUGGLE.

>> IS THAT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE IMMEDIATE ECONOMY?

>> IT CAN BUT NOT NECESSARILY.

YOU ARE TRYING TO BRING NEW GAMERS, PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE IN ADDITION TO HOW THEY ARE ALREADY SPENDING THEIR MONEY.

BUT THERE IS A RISK THAT CONSUMERS WILL SUBSTITUTE THE GAMING ACTIVITIES FOR OTHER ACTIVITIES LIKE GOING OUT TO DINNER OR GOING TO THE MOVIES.

>> JOHN BOSQUEA, IF THIS PERMANENT LOCATION IS NOT BUILT BY 2026, WITH WOULD THEY SUPPORT THE IT TENSION OF THE TEMPORARY SITE?

>> I'M IN RIVER WEST.

THE FOLKS IN RIVER NORTH WILL HAVE TO ANSWER THAT.

I WILL ADD TO THE MICHIGAN AVENUE ARGUMENT.

HAVING THOSE FOLKS WILLIAMSBURG TOGETHER, ESPECIALLY GOING AFTER THE TURF, THE MIDWESTERNERS, INTERNATIONAL TURF, THAT IS NEW MONEY COMING INTO THE CITY.

YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO ATTRACT THAT AND MAKE THAT A VERY FAVORABLE EXPERIENCE.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN THERE TWICE.

CAN I ASK YOU HOW YOU HAVE DONE?

>> I ONLY BET THE FIRST NIGHT AND I WAS THERE WITH SOME FRIENDS AND PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY.

I DID JUST FINE, I BROKE EVEN.

LAST NIGHT I DIDN'T PLAY.

I'M NOT MUCH OF A GAMBLER.

>> I GET A SENSE OF WHERE YOU ARE BETTING ON THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF THE CASINO.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT IT DOWN THE ROAD.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> UP NEXT, CHICAGO TAXPAYERS ON THE HOOK BIG TIME FOR POLICE MISCONDUCT SETTLEMENTS.

WE SHARE THE LATEST ANALYSIS FROM WTTW NEWS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> A WTTW NEWS ANALYSIS FOUND THAT CHICAGO TAXPAYERS PAID $1533 MILLION SINCE 2019 TO RESOLVE LAWSUITS BROUGHT BY MORE THAN THREE DOZEN PEOPLE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED BASED ON EVIDENCE GATHERED BY CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS.

THAT TOLL IS ONLY SET TO GROW AS A KEY CITY PANEL ENDORSES A RECOMMENDATION TO PAY $25 MILLION TO TWO MEN WHO SPENT A COMBINED 34 YEARS IN PRISON.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER SURE OWN JOINS US WITH MORE.

AS PART OF A SERIES OF REPORTS ON POLICE MISCONDUCT, YOU LOOKED AT THE CAUSES OF THE LAWSUITS THAT HAVE COST TAXPAYERS $313 MILLION SINCE JANUARY OF 2019.

WHAT DID YOU FIND?

>> CASES THAT INVOLVED WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS COST CHICAGO TAXPAYERS THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS LAWSUITS THAT CITED ANY OTHER CAUSE AS IDENTIFIED PIE BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF LAW.

THESE CASES ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY HALF OF THE $313 MILLION THAT YOU MENTIONED SINCE 2019.

AND THIS TOTAL AS YOU SAID IS SET TO GROW AND THESE CASES, THERE IS NO END IN SIGHT.

>> YOU CAN SEE A STARK CONTRAST AS YOU SAID BETWEEN REVERSE CONVICTION AND EXCESSIVE FORCE.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE LATEST WRONGFUL CONVICTION CASE THAT THE CITY COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING?

>> TODAY THE CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE ADVANCED A PROPOSAL OR RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CITY'S LAWYERS TO PAY TWO MEN A COMBINED $25 MILLION.

THEY SPENT 34 YEARS IN PRISON COMBINED, CHARGED AND CONVICTED OF CRIMES THEY DID NOT COMMIT, THE 1993 MURDER OF A BASKETBALL STANDOUT.

THEY ALLEGE THE CONVICTION WAS BASED ON FAULT Y EVIDENCE DEVELOPED BY CHICAGO POLICE DETECTIVES.

>> HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO WHAT THEY PAID TO OTHER PEOPLE SPENTING TIME FOR CRIMES THEY DIDN'T COMMIT?

>> IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HAS CONVICTED.

IT CAN ONLY BE COMPARED TO TWO JURY VERDICTS IN RECENT YEARS WHERE A JURY FOUND THAT THE WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS WERE THE RESULT OF MISCONDUCT BY CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS.

THE SETTLEMENT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT AN EVEN LARGER JURY VERDICT THAT THE CITY'S LAWYERS TOLD THE CITY COUNCIL WAS QUITE LIKELY.

>> YOU ALSO REPORTED THAT THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL WILL RECONSIDER THE DECISION TO REJECT A RECOMMENDATION FROM CITY LAWYERS TO PAY $2 MILLION TO THE FAMILY OF A MAN SHOT AND KILLED BY POLICE OFFICERS IN 2014 DURING A FOOT CHASE.

WHAT IS THE LATEST ON THAT?

>> THE ALDERMAN DELAYED A VOTE ON THAT RECONSIDERATION TODAY SAYING THE LAW DEPARTMENT HAD MORE WORK TO DO BEFORE IT WAS READY FOR THE RECONSIDERATION AT THE CITY COUNCIL.

SO IT IS BACK PERHAPS IN LIMBO.

WE DON'T KNOW WHY THE CITY COUNCIL HAS DECIDED TO RECONSIDER THEIR VOTE IN JULY TO REJECT IT ON A 22-26 VOTE, SOMETHING THAT IS NEARLY UNPRES DEPTED IN CITY COUNCIL HISTORY.

>> VERY RARE.

WE WILL KEEP AN EYE ON THAT ONE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU CAN READ THE STORY ON OUR WOULD HAVE BEEN WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>>> WHEN YOU PICTURE CUBA, YOU SEE CIGARS, VINTAGE CARS AND WEATHER BEATEN BUILDINGS.

BUT FOR PHOTOGRAPHER ALEX GARCIA, THAT IS NOT NEARLY A FULL PORTRAT.

THE CHICAGO NATIVE HAS BEEN DOCUMENTING AND PHOTOGRAPHING CUBA FOR YEARS, WUSHINGING AS A PHOTO JOURNALIST.

NOW HIS WORK IS BEING FEATURED IN A SOLO SHOW AT THE RECENTLY OPENED CHICAGO CENTER FOR PHOTO JOURNALISM.

NICK RECENTLY PAID A VISIT.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> Reporter: ALEX GARCIA FIRST VISITED HIS FAMILY IN CUBA IN 1995.

>> I WAS REALLY PROPELLED TO GO THERE FOR THE FIRST TIME TO SEE THEM BECAUSE IT WAS RIGHT AFTER THE CRISIS WHERE PEEP WERE BASICALLY JUMPING INTO THE OCEAN.

>> Reporter: THOUSANDS OF CUBANS ON RAFTS AND BOATS WERE FLEEING TO THE UNITED STATES.

BUT DESPITE BEING SPURRED BY THE CRISIS AND DESPITE THE FRAUGHT POLITICAL HISTORY BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES, GARCIA SAYS HE IS PRETTY NONPARTISAN.

>> I THINK THE ONLY TIME THAT PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT CUBA IS MAYBE MORE IN A POLITICAL CONTEXT.

THE MORE WE GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AS PEOPLE AND NEIGHBORS, I THINK WE WILL HAVE GREATER INTERSECTIONS OF UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION.

>> Reporter: AFTER HIS FIRST TRIP IN 1995, HE RETURNED AS AN EXCHANGE STUDENT AND EVENTUALLY WORKED AS A PHOTO JOURNALIST WHEN THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE OPENED A HAVANA BUREAU.

>> THE PICTURES I WAS LOOKING FOR MAY HAVE HAD MORE OF A NEWS ANGLE TO THEM.

THEY ARE MORE IN BLACK AND WHITE THOOEMPHASIS THE CONTENT.

AND THEN OVER TIME, THEY ARE MORE COLORFUL, MORE APPRECIATIVE OF THE CULTURE OF THE PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: GARCIA'S PICTURES ALLOW THE HUMANITY OF HIS SUBJECTS TO SHINE, FREE OF CONCEIVED NOTIONS.

IT DOESN'T SHY AWAY FROM THE HARSH CONDITIONS MANY CUBANS FACE LIKE A ONCE WELL OFF MOTHER AND SON WITH LITTLE LEFT BEYOND ONE ANOTHER.

>> PHOTO JOURNALIST IS AT ITS BEST WHEN IT TELLS A STORY THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND COMPLEX ISSUES IN A WAY THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE UNDERSTOOD.

>> IT REQUIRES A LOT OF GUTS, TENACITY, AND THERE IS VERY LITTLE SUPPORT FOR PHOTO JOURNALIST TODAY.

>> Reporter: DENISE CLINE IS A LONGTIME STREET PHOTOGRAPHER AND EDUCATOR.

SHE OPENED THE CENTER FOR PHOTO JOURNALISM EARLIER THIS YEAR IN AN UPTOWN STORE FRONT.

>> IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO BRING ART BACK TO THE STREET LEVEL, JUST LIKE THE BODEGA AND BUTCHER, AND THE BUTITIANS, COFFEE SHOPS.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO EXHIBITING PHOTOGRAPHER WORK, SHE IS HOSTING A LECTURE SERIES AND PLANNING AN AFTER SCHOOL SERIES WITH LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS.

THE CENTER IS A WAY TO MAKE THE IMPORTANT IMAGES LAST.

>> THE OLD SAYING WAS THAT YOUR PHOTO WAS IN THE NEWSPAPER AND THE NEXT DAY IT IS IN THE KITTY LITTER BOX.

SO I'M REALLY CONCENTRATING ON LONGTERM PROJECTS THAT FOES JOURNALISTS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME OF TIME.

>> Reporter: ALEX GARCIA'S DECADES OF PHOTOS FIT THAT BILL.

SINCE LEAVING THE TRIBUNE, HE HAS OPENEDED A VIDEO PRODUCTION COMPANY AND HE RUNS WORK SHOPS IN CUBA, TAKING GROUPS ON PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS.

>> WE ARE STAYING IN PEOPLE'S HOMES, EATING AT RESTAURANTS RUN BY PRIVATE CITIZENS.

IT IS REALLY A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET CLOSE TO THE WARMTH AND OPENNESS OF THE PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M NICK BLUMBURG.

>> THE SHOW RESILIENCE AND LONGING IN CUBA RUNS THROUGH FRIDAY.

THE CENTER IS HOSTING AN ARTIST TALK WITH GARCIA ON SATURDAY FROM 7:00 TO 9:00 P.M.

THERE IS MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> UP NEXT, WHAT TO EXPECT AT THIS YEAR'S BLACK RESTAURANT WEEK, STAY WITH US.

>>> THE NATIONAL BLACK RESTAURANT WEEK CAMPAIGN RETURNS TO CHICAGO WITH TWO FULL WEEKS OF SPECIALS AND EVENTS AT 35 BLACK OWNED EATERIES.

THE ORGANIZERS SAY IT IS A DELICIOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO DISCOVER NEW FLAVORS AND REVISIT FLAVORS ACROSS THE CITY.

>> IT IS BEING HOSTED, SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10-24.

IT IS TWO FULL WEEKS OF SPECIALS THROUGHOUT THE CHICAGO AREA.

ESSENTIALLY WE ARE A BRAND AWARENESS PLATFORM FOR BLACK OWN CULINARY BUSINESSES IN THE NATION.

WE HAVE A GREAT LIST PARTICIPATING IN CHICAGO TO CELEBRATE THE AFRICAN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN RESTAURANTS.

WE HAVE EVERYTHING FROM 14 PERISH WHICH IS LIKE A CARIBBEAN BAR AND WE HAVE AN ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT PARTICIPATING.

FRONT HERE IS DOING SOME THINGS.

WE ARE HOSTING A HAPPY HOUR AT INA MAY ON TUESDAY.

EVERYTHING FROM BARBECUE TO VEGAN RESTAURANTS, WHATEVER YOUR TASTE BUDS ARE U YOU CAN FIND A RESTAURANT THAT IS PARTICIPATING.

THIS CAMPAIGN IS ONLY AS STRONG AS THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTS AS ARE LOCAL BUSINESSES.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT LOCAL BUSINESSES BRING TO THE COMMUNITY.

THEY HIRE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

WHEN SOMETHING GOES DOWN, THEY ARE THE FIRST TO GIVE BACK THROUGH DONATING FOOD, HELPING FIRST RESPONDERS.

YOU KNOW THIS IS REALLY OUR TIME OF THE YEAR TO GIVE BACK TO THEM, LET THEM KNOW WE SUPPORT THEM.

WE ARE HEAR FOR THEM.

A LOT OF BUSINESSES ARE STILL RECOVERING SO TO SPEAK FROM THE PANDEMIC.

YOU LOOK AT INFLATION AND A LOT OF THEM ARE DEALING WITH LABOR SHORTAGES AND THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO PUMP SOME DOLLARS INTO THE BUDGET BEFORE THE BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON.

>> BLACK RESTAURANT WEEK KICKED OFF YESTERDAY AND RUNS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 24th.

YOU WILL FIND MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

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

ALEXIS AND NEWY IS SET TO TESTIFY ON A SENATE HEARING ON THE GROWING NUMBER OF BOOK BANDS.

>> AND A LANDMARK ANTITRUST TRIAL TO SEE IF GOOGLE ABUSED ITS ONLOIN SEARCH ENGINE DOMINANCE.

FOR ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A. CLIFTON AND LAW OFFICE, PROUD TO BE A