>>>HELLO, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US HERE ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

>> THIS IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

THE CHICAGO FIREFIGHTERS, GATHERED TO HONOR ONE OF THEIR OWN, WHO WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

>>> AMIR JOHNSON'S PLAN TO ADDRESS A $500 MILLION BUDGET SHORTFALL, THAT AND MORE, FROM THE SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

>>> WHY SOME RESIDENTS, SAY THEY HAVE RETALIATION FROM A CERTAIN AGENCY.

IT >>> A NEW TRAINING PROGRAM OUT OF CHICAGO, PLANS TO ADDRESS THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE POLICE USE FORCE OUTSIDE OF WORK.

>> IF THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT, HOW DO THEY KNOW IF THEY LOVE IT?

>>> A LOCAL BIOCHEMISTRY PROFESSOR WANTS TO GET MORE LATIN STUDENTS INTO THE LABORATORY.

>>> OUT OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, HUNDREDS GATHERED TODAY AT A PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TO HONOR THE LIFE OF A FALLEN CHICAGO FIRE ATTENDANT, KEVIN WARD.

AMONG THOSE WHO SPOKE, HIS FORMER WIFE, SAID SHE NEVER LIKED CALLING HER EX-HUSBAND, HER EX.

>> I THINK OF KEVIN'S A SPIRIT, I'M REMINDED OF HIS FAVORITE BOOK, "THE HOBBIT."

HE EXPLAINED THAT HE WAS GOING ON AN ADVENTURE.

HE WAS IMMENSELY CURIOUS, AND LOVED A CHALLENGE.

>> MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON, ALSO OFFERED CONDOLENCES AT THE SERVICE.

HE WAS A QUOTE, RENAISSANCE MAN.

HE WAS BECOMING A FIREFIGHTER, INCLUDING WORKING AT THE CHICAGO EXCHANGE.

THIS INCLUDED COMMERCIAL FISHING.

THE 58-YEAR-OLD FIREFIGHTER WAS ALSO A GLASS GOING ARTIST, WHO PLAYED UNDERWATER HOCKEY.

HE DIED LATE LAST MONTH AFTER INJURIES WERE SEVERE, THAT HE SUSTAINED A FIGHTING A FIRE.

>>> MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON'S BUDGET SHORTFALL IS BAD AT THE PART OF THIS FISCAL YEAR.

JOHNSON, SAYS HE HAS INHERITED A COMPLEX, FINANCIAL SITUATION, THAT IS COMFORTED BY THE COST OF SHELTERING, FEEDING, AND CARING FOR MORE THAN 13,000 MIGRANTS WHO HAVE BEEN SENT TO CHICAGO FROM THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

HE VOWS NOT TO CLOSE THE BUDGET GAP, QUOTE, ON THE BACKS OF WORKERS AND WORKING FAMILIES.

WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE ON THIS BUDGET SHORTFALL, COMING UP IN A DIFFERENT SPOTLIGHT.

>>> WE ARE NOW EXPLORING A CITY-OWNED GROCERY STORE.

WE HAVE A NONPROFIT, CALL THE ECONOMIC SECURITY PROJECT, FOR A POSSIBLE, MYTHICAL SHORTAGE.

THESE COMMUNITIES, HAVE HAD A HISTORIC LACK OF ACCESS AND FOOD.

THIS IS BEFORE DECIDING ON THE NEXT STEP.

>>> PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE SUING THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX.

TO GET CELL PRACTICES ARE DISCRIMINATORY.

THEY HAVE ACCESS LIVING.

THEY REFUSED TO SELL ACCESSIBLE VISITS.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE TO CALL THE PURCHASE SEASON TICKETS.

THEY ARE LIMITING THE PURCHASE.

THEY HAVE STANDARD TICKET HOLDERS THAT CAN PURCHASE THAT ONLINE.

A TEAM SPOKESMAN, RESPONDED THAT WE ARE DISAPPOINTED BY THIS LAWSUIT.

WE ARE HOPING TO ALWAYS ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF ALL OF OUR FANS.

WHITE SOX CAN COMPLY WITH ALL SIGNIFICANT, ACCESSIBLE SEATING AT OUR GAME, FOR OUR GUESTS.

WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT WHITE SOX BASEBALL IS FOR EVERYONE.

>>> SOME PARENTS AND FAMILIES ARE CALLING ON THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO RENEW A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THAT HELP COVER THE COSTS OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

ACTIVISTS CAN SAY, THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH IT IN THIS YEAR.

9500 FAMILIES WILL LOSE THE SCHOLARSHIP.

THIS IS HARMING BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS.

IN 2023, THIS HAPPENED AFTER FIVE YEARS.

ADVOCATES ARE HOPING THAT IT WILL BE VETOED DURING THE OCTOBER SESSION.

THIS IS IN EXCHANGE FOR TAXPAYER CREDIT.

>> FIRST, THE PREVIEW OF CHICAGO'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

THIS IS ALL RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> A PROJECTED $538 MILLION BUDGET SHORTFALL IS THE NEWEST CHALLENGE FOR THE JOHNSON MINISTRATION.

THE COUNCIL MEETS OVER WRONGFUL SETTLEMENTS, AND CHICAGO DOUBLES DOWN ON ITS FIRST CASINO.

HERE IS ALL OF THAT AND MORE, ON THE SPOTLIGHT FOR THE POLITICS SECTION.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> THIS IS A FINE POLITICAL TRADITION IN CHICAGO.

THE NEW MAYOR CAN TAKE OFFICE, LOOK AROUND, AND SAY WOW, THINGS ARE SO MUCH MORE WORSE THAN I THOUGHT THEY WERE.

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TODAY.

JOHNSON, DID SAY THAT THE CITY AND THE ECONOMY IS SLOWING.

THE RECOVERY FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, HAS BEEN UNEVEN.

THAT HAS ALSO BALLOONED THE DEATH OF THIS DEFICIT.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT DID NOT LOOK AT THIS.

>> WHAT IS JOHNSON'S PLAN ON ATTENDING TO CLOSE THE GAP?

>> WE HAVE OTHER WORDS LIKE EFFICIENCIES.

WE ARE DECLARING SURPLUSES, AND PUTTING THEM IN THERE.

I WANT TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF WHAT HEATHER SAID.

THE LAST YEAR OF THESE TERMS, IT IS MAGICALLY VERY SMALL.

THE MAYOR DID SUCH A GREAT JOB OVER THOSE FOUR YEARS, CORRECTING IT.

THE NEAR MAYOR COMES IN, AND IT IS ALMOST LIKE A SHELL GAME.

MOVE THESE NUMBERS AROUND A LITTLE BIT.

CREATE THE PICTURE THAT YOU WANT TO CREATE.

IT IS STRATEGIC.

HERE IS THE BUDGET GAP.

THIS IS WHAT WE ARE FACING.

MAYBE WHEN PEOPLE SEE THAT THIS IS A BIG BUDGET, THEY KNOW YOU CAN'T GO FORWARD ON A LOT OF YOUR OTHER PRIORITIES.

THIS IS WHAT YOU ALREADY OWE.

WITH THAT MIGRANT SITUATION, IT IS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO HOUSE THEM.

THERE IS NO DOUBT, THAT IT IS EXACERBATING THE PRESSURE ON CHICAGO.

>> WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF FIRST AID THAT IS STILL NEEDED FOR THEM?

>> THE MAYOR'S OFFICE TELLS ME THAT $200 MILLION IS PART OF THE DEFICIT.

THIS IS CAUSED BY THE PARALLEL SYSTEM TO TAKE CARE OF THESE THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY HERE IN CHICAGO, AND THE THOUSANDS MORE THAT THE CITY HAS EXPECTED IN THE NEXT COMING MONTHS.

THAT IS NO DOUBT A MAJOR STRAIN ON THE BUDGET.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE WORKING, AND HAVING VERY HARD DISCUSSIONS IN CITY COUNCIL, WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT THRILLED AT THE ASPECT OF SPENDING TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON PEOPLE THEY SEE AS NOT CHICAGO CIVILIANS, AND NOT AMERICANS.

THEIR COMMUNITIES HAVE FACED DECADES OF ADJUSTMENT.

WE MUST BE FRANK WITH ELECTING THEM, AND CORRECTING THOSE ADJUSTMENTS.

THAT IS NOW A LOT HARDER.

>> TOMORROW, THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, ARE BEING CHICAGO HOME.

WE ARE GOING TO BE INTRODUCING IT.

HEATHER, WHAT IS THE OUT LIKE OR THE OUTLOOK?

>> NOW, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO PUT IT TO VOTERS IN THE MARCH PRIMARY.

THAT WILL COME BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL.

IF IT PASSES, THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO CHANGE THE WAY REAL ESTATE SALES ARE TAXED IN CHICAGO.

THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN A MULTI STEP PROCESS.

IT WILL NOT IMPACT THE 2024 BUDGET.

THIS IS MONEY THAT IS SORT OF IN THE OTHER YEARS.

THEY ARE GOING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE LARGER PROGRESSIVE PRIORITIES.

THIS IS WHAT THEY MENTIONED.

THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN WHAT PROMISES TO BE A HARD-FOUGHT FIGHT.

IT WILL MAKE THE BALLOT GOOD, AS MOST PEOPLE EXPECTED TO.

>> HOW DO PENSIONS FACTOR INTO THIS BUDGET?

>> THE MAYOR SAID IT IS GOING TO DEPOSIT AN EXTRA $300 MILLION PAYMENT TO WHAT IS ALREADY OWED INTO THIS BUDGET.

IT THAT IS WHAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT DID IN THE PAST.

THAT IS SIGNIFICANT.

IN 10 OR 20 YEARS, THAT IS GOING TO BALLOON TO $1 BILLION IN SAVINGS.

THE THING IS, THESE PENSION DEFICITS ARE SO BAD, THAT A DEPOSIT LIKE THAT, IT CAN ONLY BARELY KEEP THEM TREADING ABOVE WATER.

IT WILL BARELY KEEP THEM GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THAT IS WHY THEY HAVE THE CASINO.

THEY WANT THOSE TAX REVENUES FROM THE CASINO TO GO STRAIGHT INTO THE PENSION FUND.

IT IS ONLY A SMALL PIECE OF THE PIE.

>> THEY ARE TRYING TO PAY OVER $300 MILLION OVER A REQUIRED AMOUNT.

WHY IS THAT?

>> IT IS A WAY TO SORT OF HAVE MORE PAIN FOR PAIN NOW.

INSTEAD OF LATER.

YOU ARE GOING TO SAVE $2 BILLION OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT 20 YEARS.

YOU ARE JUST TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF THE CURVE.

>> I THINK CHICAGO'S THAT IS PART OF A HIGH-INTEREST CREDIT CARD.

MAKE THE MINIMUM PAYMENTS.

THIS IS WHAT THE CITY HAS BEEN DOING FOR DECADES.

THE CREDIT CARDS ARE NOT GOING TO COME AFTER YOU.

THEY ARE HAPPY TO CHARGE YOU MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF INTEREST.

ESSENTIALLY, THIS IS THE CITY TRYING TO GET A LITTLE BIT AHEAD, PAYING DOWN A LITTLE BIT OF THAT PRINCIPLE.

THIS IS SO THEY DON'T PAY AS MUCH INTEREST IN THE FUTURE.

DOES IT SOLVE THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS?

IT IS NOT.

>> I'M CURIOUS HOW THIS AGGRESSIVENESS IS BEING TAKEN.

WITH LIGHTFOOT, THEY THOUGHT THE PAYMENTS SHOULD GO MORE TOWARDS PRESSING ISSUES.

HE >> THE MAYOR IS GOING TO SAY WE HAVE TO DO THIS.

WE WILL NOT SEE A CREDIT RATING GROUND GRADE, AND THIS COULD COST TENS OF MILLIONS MORE DOLLARS TO BORROW THE MONEY THAT IT NEEDS TO KEEP THE CITY RUNNING.

>> HOW IS CITY COUNCIL GOING TO CONSIDER PAYING $25 MILLION TO A WRONGFUL CONVICTION AND CONVICTION LAWSUITS?

>> TWO MEN HAVE BEEN CONFINED TO 34 YEARS IN PRISON.

CONVICTED OF A 1993 MURDER THAT THEY DID NOT COMMIT.

THEY BLAME TWO CHICAGO POLICE DETECTIVES WHO HAVE BEEN AT THE ROOT OF SEVERAL, MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR MISCONDUCT SETTLEMENTS.

THEY ARE PUTTING THEM IN JAIL.

THE SETTLEMENT WILL RESOLVE THESE LAWSUITS THAT WERE RIGHT BACK IN 2016.

THEY HAVE ALREADY COST THE CITY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN OUTSIDE LAWYER FEES.

>> IT IS A WHIPLASH WITH THIS CASE.

THEY BELIEVE FINANCIAL COMMITTEES DECIDED AGAINST IT.

>> THAT IS A DIFFERENT MULTIMILLION DOLLAR DEAL.

THAT IS A $2 MILLION SETTLEMENT FOR A MAN WHO WAS KILLED BY POLICE IN 2014.

THE CITY COUNCIL REJECTED THAT SETTLEMENT.

THEY ARE BACK IN THAT SECTION, BECAUSE PERHAPS THE CITY COUNCIL KNOWS THAT THEY GO TO TRIAL.

THEY ARE LIKELY TO LOSE.

>>> VALLEY TEMPORARY CASINO, HAS YOU THINKING, WHAT OTHER THINGS ARE PERMANENT FOR THIS CASINO?

>> I'M GOING TO AVOID USING ANY GAMBLING PONDS.

THEY HOPE PEOPLE HAVE A GOOD TIME.

THEY ARE ARCHITECTURALLY BEAUTIFUL.

THERE WAS THE SHOOTING ON MONDAY, NOT CONNECTED TO THE CASINO IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

BRIAN HOPKINS, FROM THE SECOND WORD ON MONDAY, HE IS NOT SURE THAT THE PERMANENT CASINO IS GOING TO BE BUILT.

HE BROUGHT UP THE POINT THAT THEY ARE IN A TOUGH FINANCIAL POSITION RIGHT NOW.

THEY HAVE TO RAISE IN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF CAPITAL TO BUILD THIS GIANT FREEDOM CENTER IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO.

HE DOES NOT THINK IT IS GOING TO BE DONE.

IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE OPEN BY 2026.

THEY ARE GOING TO KEEP RENEWING THEIR TEMPORARY LICENSE.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS ON THIS.

>> WE ARE PROUD OF YOU.

FORMER MAYOR LIGHTFOOT, SPOTTED AT CITY HALL, BUT NOT TOGETHER.

>> THEY ARE INSPIRED BY MARY BRANDON JOHNSON.

HARVARD, IS WHERE MAYOR LIGHTFOOT IS TEACHING A FELLOWSHIP ON HER RESPONSE TO COVID-19, AND HOW SHE COPED WITH THESE STRESSORS.

SHE TWEETED A PICTURE TODAY OF HER ADDRESSING THE STUDENTS.

THIS IS A NOT VERY SUBTLE POINTED STICK TO THE CURRENT MAYOR.

THEY FIRED HER WITHOUT GIVING HER A CHANCE TO REALLY COMPETE FOR HER JOB.

IT IS A CLEAR SIGN THAT WHILE IN THE PAST, MOST MAYORS HAVE LEFT OFF THAT THEY HAVE RECEDED FROM THE POLITICAL SCENE.

SHE CLEARLY HAS NO DESIRE TO DO THAT.

>> GIVE US A SENSE, IF YOU HAD, ON WHAT SHE PLANS ON TEACHING.

>> SHE SAID THAT SHE REALLY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT HOW SHE USED COVID-19 TO COMBAT THE STRUCTURAL INEQUITIES THAT SHE CONFRONTED WHEN SHE BECAME MAYOR.

IT IS A FASCINATING ARGUMENT.

ONE THAT I WOULD SURE LOVE TO LISTEN IN ON.

THIS IS THE CRITICISM THAT SHE HAS FACE.

SHE DID NOT ADDRESS THOSE STRUCTURAL INEQUITIES.

THEY FELL HARDEST ON THE POOR, AND THE LEASE STRICKEN PERMANENT RESIDENT.

>>> UP NEXT, BY SOME RESIDENTS, FEAR THEY ARE BEING PUSHED OUT OF THEIR HOMES.

THAT STORY, RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> SOME CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY RESIDENTS, TELL WTTW, THAT THEY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO MOVE FROM THEIR HOME.

THIS IS AN ONGOING BEHAVIOR.

SOME OF THEM FLATLY DENY THIS.

BLOOMBERG, FROM CHICAGO, JOINS US NOW.

TELL US ABOUT THIS RESIDENT THAT MIGHT HAVE TO MOVE OUT OF HER HOME.

>> EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE FIRST TOLD HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO CALL, BECAUSE SHE IS CONCERNED ABOUT RETALIATION, AS WELL AS LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING.

SHE AND HER CHILDREN LIVED IN A SCATTERED UNIT.

THIS IS A DIFFERENT HOME.

THEY ARE STANDALONE PROPERTIES, OR SMALL CLUSTERS, RATHER THAN A WHOLE BUILDING.

SHE HAS BEEN THERE FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, AND FOR A LONG TIME, HAVE TAKEN ISSUE WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND IN PARTICULAR, THE QUALITY OF MAINTENANCE THAT SHE HAS GOTTEN FROM THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY.

THIS IS WHAT THEY CONTRACT WITH.

THIS IS AMONG THE PROBLEMS SHE HAS FACE.

FLOODED BASEMENT, DAMAGE TO HER LIVING ROOM CEILING, PLUMBING WORK, UPSTAIRS BATHROOM, AND WHAT SHE FEARS ARE RAT BURROWS OUTSIDE OF HER HOME.

WHAT IS THE CONCERN ABOUT THE RETALIATION COMING IN?

>> SHE HAS BEEN DEMANDING UPKEEP TO HER HOME.

THE PROPERTY COMPANY THAT IS MANAGING IT IN CHICAGO, ARE TRYING TO FORCE HER OUT.

SHE GOT A LETTER THAT SAYS THE HOME IN WHICH SHE IS LIVING IN, IS BEING CONSIDERED FOR SALE.

THAT MEANS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PERMANENTLY RELOCATE.

HER UNIT IS THE ONLY ONE IN MORE THAN 2800 SCATTERED SITES UNIT, UP FOR POTENTIAL FAIL.

>> WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

>> BUSTED CLOSET DOOR.

SOME OF IT IS MORE MAJOR.

ROOF LEAKS, OR FLOODING, AS WE JUST MENTIONED.

SHE WON'T JUST LET ANYONE IN TO DO THE WORK.

SHE ALWAYS ASKS TO BE THEIR PROFESSIONAL.

LICENSE FIRST.

SHE TOLD THEM THAT THE MAINTENANCE WORK WAS DONE PROPERLY.

IT WOULD NEED TO BE A DIFFERENT REQUEST.

THEY ARE POTENTIALLY SELLING THESE HOMES, IN PART OF THE PATTERN OF POOR OVERSIGHT.

THIS INCLUDES RETALIATION FROM MANAGEMENT COMPANIES.

THEY HAVE THREE OTHER LEASEHOLDERS.

THIS IS WHAT I SPOKE WITH.

THEY OFTEN DESCRIBE THE FEELING OF WALKING ON EGGSHELLS, AND THE RESIDENTS, OR WORRYING ABOUT BACKLASH.

THEY HAVE DIFFERENT UNITS.

THEY WERE BUILT DIFFERENTLY.

>> THIS IS HOW YOU ARE LIVING IN A PLACE LIKE THAT.

HOW DO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S RESPONSE?

>> THE REASON THAT THESE UNITS MAY BE UP FOR SALE, IS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF WORKORDERS THAT THE UNIT NEED.

THIS IS FAR MORE THAN SIMILAR UNITS.

A SPOKESPERSON TOLD US THAT THEY HAVE AN ACTIVE CONDO ASSOCIATION.

THEY ARE MAINTAINING COMMON AREAS, OR OTHER AREAS OF THE BUILDING.

THEY NEED REPAIRS EARLIER THIS YEAR.

WE ALSO ASKED THEM HOW OFTEN WE SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO LOOK AT THEM UNDER THESE POLICIES.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, REQUESTS THAT WE FILE NEW RECORDS FROM THIS PAST YEAR, AND NONE FROM YEARS PRIOR.

THEY TOLD US THAT ALL WORKERS ARE APPROPRIATELY LICENSED OR CERTIFIED.

THEY TAKE ALLEGATIONS OF UNPROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR FROM MANAGEMENT COMPANY SERIOUSLY.

THEY WILL INVESTIGATE ACCORDINGLY.

THIS WILL MANAGE TO HAVE A REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

THERE IS MUCH MORE TO ALL OF THIS.

THIS IS INCLUDING THE OTHER LEASEHOLDERS.

ALSO, WHAT THEY TOLD US.

>> WE ARE GOING TO POINT OUR VIEWERS TO THE WEBSITE TO READ ALL OF THAT.

THANK YOU.

>> WTTW.COM/NEWS.

WE ARE SENDING IT BACK TO YOU.

>>> RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CRIME LAB, SAY THEY HAVE FOUND A TRAINING PROGRAM THAT CAN DRAMATICALLY CUT THE NUMBER OF TIMES POLICE OFFICERS USE FORCE, WHILE ALSO INCREASING THEIR SAFETY.

THE FINDINGS ARE OUTLINED IN A NEW STUDY, AND A WTTW NEWS REPORTER, JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON THE STUDY.

THE PROGRAM IS CALLED SITUATIONAL DECISION-MAKING.

THIS IS PILOTED WITH MORE THAN 2000 CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS BETWEEN 2020, AND 2021.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT HOW THE TRAINING WORKS?

>> Reporter: THEY ARE TRYING TO HANDLE HIGH-STAKES SITUATIONS.

THAT IS THE GOAL.

THEY NEED TO RETHINK HOW THEY ACTUALLY DO THAT.

OFFICERS LEARN ABOUT COGNITIVE BIAS, AND THE REASON WHY THEY MAKE THE DECISIONS THEY MAKE.

WHY THEY THINK THE WAY THEY DO.

THEY ARE PLACED INTO SIMULATIONS, WITH SOME OF THESE HIGH-STAKES SITUATIONS.

THEY ARE GOING TO DEBRIEF WITH OTHER OFFICERS AFTER, WHICH IS ALL CLASSROOM LEARNING.

THEY ARE TRYING TO CONSIDER DIFFERENT THINGS ABOUT THESE THINGS THAT THEY MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT.

>> WHAT IMPACT DOES IT HAVE ON THE POLICE OFFICERS THAT ARE GOING TO PARTICIPATE?

THEY CUT USE OF FORCE BY THE OFFICERS AND 22%.

THIS WAS A SO-CALLED DISCRETIONARY REST.

WE HAVE NECESSARY THINGS THAT MIGHT NOT AFFECT PUBLIC SAFETY.

IT INCREASE OFFICER SAFETY.

THEY WERE REDUCING INJURIES.

WE ALSO MADE OFFICERS ACT MORE DECISIVELY IN THESE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.

>> WHAT IS THE TALK OF THE POLICE PARTICIPANTS?

THE POLICE OFFICERS THAT WENT WITH THIS, WERE OVERLAPPING, AND RESPONDING WELL TO HIM THE NATURE OF THIS PROGRAMMING.

THEY CAN FIND THEMSELVES IN HERE AT ANY TIME.

>> THEY BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL BE ADOPTED AT SOME POINT.

THEY HOPE THIS TRAINING WILL BECOME THE NORM FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

NOT NECESSARILY JUST THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM, BUT TRAINING THAT FOCUSES ON BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE, AND THINKING THAT OFFICERS WILL DO IT CORRECTLY DURING THE SITUATIONS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY ON THE WEBSITE.

WTTW .COM/NEWS.

>>> UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO BIOCHEMISTRY PROFESSOR, SAYS HE HAS EMBARKED ON HIS PATH TO A SCIENCE CAREER IN ACADEMIA.

THIS BECAME THE CATALYST FOR HIS SUCCESS.

HE IS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO BRING MORE LATINOS INTO THE LAB.

WE HAVE THE STORY.

>> THE WORK THAT WE DO IN THE LAB, I'M VERY INTERESTED AT HOW THINGS INTERACT AT THE MOLECULAR LEVEL.

>> Reporter: IN HIS LAB AT THE SCHOOLS OF MOLECULAR ENGINEERING , PROFESSOR, PROTEIN ENGINEER, AND COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGIST, RESEARCHES THE IMMUNE SYSTEM TO UNDERGO CANCER TREATMENT.

IT CAME THROUGH A LITTLE BIT LATER IN LIFE.

HIS IMMIGRANT PARENTS COULD NOT HAVE IMAGINED THEIR SON, AS THEY WERE RAISED IN CALIFORNIA.

>> I NEVER KNEW THAT SCIENCE COULD BE A CAREER.

MY PARENTS WERE FROM A SMALL FARMING TOWN.

THEY DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH.

IT WAS JUST NOT A PATHWAY THAT WE EVEN THOUGHT WAS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: HE STARTED OUT STUDYING BIOCHEMISTRY AT SAN FRANCISCO UNIVERSITY.

THIS IS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO I.T.

BEFORE POSTING HIS DEGREE.

SUPPORT THE MENTORSHIP AND SALARY FELLOWSHIP.

THAT ALLOWED HIM TO REACH HIS POTENTIAL.

>> I REMEMBER WORKING AS A KID, UP THROUGH COLLEGE.

THE FOCUS ON MY ACADEMICS WAS NOT ALWAYS THERE.

I WAS NOT THE STRONGEST STUDENT.

AFTER COMING BACK WITH MY MASTERS DEGREE, I GOT INTRODUCED TO THESE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS.

THAT ALLOWED ME TO DO RESEARCH, AND THEY PAID ME A SALARY.

I CAN FOCUS ON MY WORK.

THAT MEANS THE WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, I WAS APPLYING TO GRADUATE SCHOOLS.

>> HE JOINED THE FACULTY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO IN 2018.

HE WAS NAMED A FREEMAN SCHOLAR, OUT OF THE HARVARD INJURY.

THAT BRINGS MORE SCIENTISTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND TO SCIENTIFIC CONCLUSIONS.

HE GOT RIGHT TO WORK ON RECRUITING.

>> I SAID I AM HOPING TO HIRE PEOPLE.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN?

>> HE HAD BEEN WORKING IN HIS LAB FOR THE LAST YEAR.

>> I AM WORKING ONE-ON-ONE.

WE HAVE VARIOUS GRADUATES.

>> MY PLAN IS TO PURSUE A CAREER IN MEDICINE.

OUT OF COLLEGE, I WANTED TO BE IN A CLINICAL HEALTHCARE SETTING.

AFTER BEING LIKE THAT, I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE TWO.

MY BOSS WAS UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORTIVE OF MY PLANS TO GAIN THAT CLINICAL AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE.

I HAD NEVER BEFORE EXPERIENCED SOMEONE COMING FROM THE SAME BACKGROUND AS I DO.

THEY ARE GUIDING ME PROFESSIONALLY.

>> SHE SAYS EVERY SITUATION COULD BE A CONNECTION CHANCE.

>> WE HAVE TO ALWAYS BE OUT THERE, AND WE HAVE TO LET THEM KNOW THAT IT IS A POSSIBILITY.

IF THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT, THEY LOVE IT.

EVER SINCE GETTING MY FIRST CHANCE, I HAVE BEEN WORKING AROUND.

I AM IN LOVE WITH THE WORK I DO.

>> THEY WILL BE AMONG THE FACULTY STUDENTS ON HAND AS THE SOUTH CHICAGO SOUTHSIDE SCIENCE FESTIVAL, STARTING ON SEPTEMBER 30th.

WE OFFER FREE ACTIVITIES FOR ALL ACTIVITIES.

>> SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY BRIEFING.

YOU CAN GET CHICAGO NEWS STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, AND THE WEBSITE.

WTTW.COM/NEWS.

THIS IS GOING TO PAY OUT.

BASE PREVIEWING THE ENGLEWOOD JAZZ FESTIVAL.

IT IS GOING TO BE SMART.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M THANKING YOU ALL FOR WATCHING.

>> STAY SAFE, AND SEE YOU ALL TOMORROW.