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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> EXPLOSION AT A SOUTH AUSTIN APARTMENT BUILDING LEAVES EIGHT PEOPLE HURT.

THE LATEST ON THE INVESTIGATION.

>> WE HAVE A SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF JUDGES.

>> ELECTIONS OFFICIALS HOPE TO HEAD OFF A CRISIS BEFORE THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS.

>> WHEN CORPORATIONS ARE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT HOW MUCH RISK TO IMPOSE ON THE THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY OPERATE IT SHOULD BE ZERO.

>> A JURY ORDERS MEDICAL TOOL STERILIZATION COMPANY STERIGENICS TO PAY MILLIONS FOR DECADES OF TOXIC AIR POLLUTION.

>> WE CAN'T KICK THIS CAN DOWN THE ROAD ANY LONGER.

>> BOLD WORDS BUT SO FAR DATA SHOWS EMPTY PROMISES FROM MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ON LEAD SERVICE REPLACEMENTS.

>> PERSONS WITH HIV ARE CONTRACTING MONKEYPOX WHAT PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS CAN DO.

>> BLACK WORKERS ARE REPRESENTED IN LOWER WAGE JOBS.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PAY GAP.

>> NOT TOO SWEET, AND SOFT IN THE MIDDLE.

TASTE THE FRESHNESS.

>> A LITTLE VILLAGE IS BRINGING SOMETHING NEW TO 26TH STREET BY MAKING A SWEET TREAT THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES..., PROSECUTORS ARE CHARGING DEMOCRATIC SENATOR EMIL JONES, III WITH THREE FELONIES.

THE GOVERNMENT ALLEGES JONES TOOK A $5,000 BRIBE FROM A FIRM THAT INSTALLED RED LIGHT CAMERAS THROUGHOUT THE STATE ALSO THAT HE LIED TO F.B.I.

AGENTS.

JONES IS THE LATEST TO BE CHARGED IN A PROBE INTO WHETHER ELECTED OFFICIALS ACCEPTED BRIBES AS PART OF A PUSH TO INSTALL RED LIGHT CAMERAS IN THE CITY AND SUBURBS.

EIGHT PEOPLE ARE INJURED FOLLOWING AN EXPLOSION AT A BUILDING IN SOUTH AUSTIN THIS MORNING.

MARK TERM MAN SAYS THE VICTIMS SUFFERED EVERYTHING FROM BURNS TO TRAUMATIC INJURIES.

THREE OF THE VICTIMS ARE IN SERIOUS TO CRITICAL CONDITION.

OFFICIALS SAY THE CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION AND WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE ON THIS IN JUST A MOMENT.

>> LOCAL LEADERS ARE URGING FOLKS TO HELP RESIDENTS OF PUERTO RICO GET RELIEF FROM THE EFFECTS OF HURRICANE FIONA.

CO-CHAIR OF THE PUERTO RICAN AGENDA OF CHICAGO JESSIE FUENTES SAYS THE ORGANIZATION WILL HELP REBUILD, RESCUE AND PROVIDE RELIEF FOR THE ISLAND.

>> PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO NEED OUR SUPPORT.

THEY NEED OUR SOLIDARITY.

MORE IMPORTANTLY THEY NEED THE MONEY.

>> THE CATEGORY THREE STORM LEFT RESIDENTS OF PUERTO RICO AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC WITH FLOODING, POWER FAILURES AND LANDSLIDES.

>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> EIGHT PEOPLE ARE IN THE HOSPITAL THIS EVENING AFTER RECEIVING INJURIES SOME CRITICAL DURING A BUILDING EXPLOSION IN THE SOUTH OUGHT CONTINUE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE EXPLOSION COLLAPSED THE FOURTH FLOOR OF AN APARTMENT BUILDING AT CENTRAL AND WEST END.

FIRE OFFICIALS ARE STILL INVESTIGATING WHAT CAUSED THE BLAST AND DOZENS OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE AREA COLLAPSED ZONE ARE LEFT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S NEXT.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE LATEST IN THE INVESTIGATION AND HOW AGENCIES ARE STEPPING UP TO HELP ARE JOYCE TAYLOR THREATT, CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER FOR THE AMERICAN RED CROSS ILLINOIS REGION.

DEPUTY FIRE COMMISSIONER CYNTHIA HERRING AND ALDERMAN CHRIS TALIAFERRO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

ALDERMAN LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US WHAT DID WE KNOW ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE SURVIVORS AND INJURIES TONIGHT?

>> I'VE BEEN INFORMED BY OUR CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY EIGHT PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN INJURED.

SOME MORE SERIOUS THAN OTHERS.

AND I AM VERY THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL THERE ARE NO FATALITIES AS OF THIS POINT.

>> AND WE KNOW THOSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO MULTIPLE AREA HOSPITALS FOR CARE.

>> DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE BUILDING RIGHT NOW?

>> THE BUILDING IS CURRENTLY STILL BEING INVESTIGATED FOR THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.

SO WE'RE WORKING WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND A.T.F.

AND OTHER AGENCIES TO DETERMINE WHAT IS THE CAUSE IS.

THERE'S NO CONCLUSION AT THIS TIME AS TO WHAT HAPPENED.

>> AND WHEN FIREFIGHTERS ARE CALLED TO THE SCENE LIKE THAT WHAT ARE THE FIRST STEPS THEY NEED TO TAKE TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE SAFE?

>> WELL, THE ORIGINAL CALL CAME IN AS A STILL ALARM WHICH ESCALATED UPON THE FIRST CHIEF ARRIVING AND SEEING THE TOP OF THE BUILDING WAS EXPLODED AS HE REPORTED.

IMMEDIATELY, THAT CAUSES US TO ESCALATE THE ALARM AND PLAN ONE GIVING THE PROPENSITY OF WHAT THE OCCUPANCY WAS HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE POSSIBLY IN THE BUILDING.

WE HAD AN INITIAL FIVE AMBULANCES AND AGAIN, LATER ESCALATED TO AN EMS PLAN TWO WHICH GIVES US 10 AMBULANCES AT THE SCENE TO ADDRESS THE RESCUES AND TRANSPORTED THOSE INJURED.

>> JOY, WHAT IS IT THAT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS IS DOING FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE BUILDING AND THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE AREA AND HAVE BEEN DISPLACED?

>> WELL, THE RED CROSS OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO THOSE IMPACTED BY THIS TRAGIC DISASTER.

AND THAT IS WHAT THE EXPLOSION DID, IT IS AN EMERGENCY AND THE RED CROSS RESPONDS TO EMERGENCIES.

SO TODAY WE SETUP AT A LOCAL CHURCH IN AUSTIN AT THE CIRCLE UNION MINISTRIES CHURCH.

A REUNIFICATION CENTER FOR FAMILIES.

WE HAVE A SHELTER IT THERE THIS EVENING WE HAVE BEEN PROVIDING FOOD, SHELTER, AND HEALTH SERVICES REPORT IF YOU NEED MEDICAL DEVICE PLACEMENT AND WE ARE HELPING PEOPLE THINK ABOUT HOW THEY CAN MOVE TOWARD RECOVERY.

OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE ON-SITE RIGHT NOW AT THAT CHURCH AND WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE CHURCH AND THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY FOR ALLOWING US TO BE THERE.

>> WE REFERENCED THE COLLAPSE ZONE.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE HOW BROAD THAT IS AND WHAT IS INCLUDED AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE FOLKS WHO LIVE WITHIN THAT AREA?

>> WE ESTABLISHED A COLLAPSE ZONE FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR FIRST-RESPONDERS AS WELL AS THOSE PERSPECTIVES THAT ARE BEING REMOVED FROM THE BUILDING AND THE ADJACENT BUILDING WE HAD TO EVACUATE.

SO WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ESTABLISH THAT COLLAPSE ZONE IN CASE THERE IS A SECONDARY COLLAPSE WE DON'T WANT AT RISK FOR FURTHER INJURY OR INJURY AT ALL.

>> HOW BROAD OR HOW WIDE WOULD YOU SAY THAT AREA IS?

>> GENERALLY, WE LOOK TWO-AND-A-HALF TIMES THE HEIGHT OF THE BUILDING WILL GIVE US A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF COLLAPSED ROOM IN CASE THERE IS A SECONDARY COLLAPSE IT WILL KEEP EVERYONE OUT OF HARM'S WAY.

>> ALDERMAN, WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THIS BUILDING?

>> YOU KNOW, THE ONLY REPORTS I'VE RECEIVED WITH REGARD TO THE BUILDING IS OTHER THAN A FEW INSPECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN FAILED PREVIOUSLY, I BELIEVE IN 2020, THERE HAVE BEEN NO MAJOR COMPLAINTS.

ESPECIALLY NONE MADE WITH MY OFFICE.

HOWEVER, I DO BELIEVE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING HAD REPORTED THAT THERE WAS INSPECTION FAILURES AS WELL AS COMPLAINTS MADE BY SOME OF THE RESIDENTS WITHIN THE BUILDING.

>> ALDERMAN, WHAT ARE THE OTHER AGENCIES THAT YOU HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH?

OF COURSE THERE'S SPECULATION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT GAS IS RELATED TO THIS.

HAVE YOU HEARD FROM ComEd ON THIS?

>> WELL, I'VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE'S GAS AND I DO UNDERSTAND THAT A.T.F.

IS ON THE SCENE AS WELL.

BUT I PARTICULAR BRANDIS, WANT TO THANK THE AMERICAN RED CROSS AND THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAME OUT TO THE SCENE OUR FAITH BASED LEADERSHIP, AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT HAVE ALL ARE TRYING TO BRING RESOURCES TO THE COMMUNITY.

SO THAT THOSE THAT ARE INJURED AND DISPLACED CAN HAVE A KIND OF TRANSITION THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN PROVIDE RESOURCES TO THEM.

I DO WANT TO THANK ALL OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE REALLY STEPPING UP AND SHOWING THE CITY THAT AUSTIN SUPPORTS THEM.

>> AND PEOPLE'S GAS NOT ComEd, I MISSPOKE.

ALDERMAN WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR RESIDENTS AND NEIGHBORS IN THAT AREA?

>> WELL, THIS IS GOING TO BE LONG-TERM RECOVERY FOR THE RESIDENTS IN THE BUILDING.

YOU KNOW, PARTICULARLY EVEN ONE YOUNG LADY THAT LIVES IN THE BUILDING TOLD ME THAT EVERYTHING THAT SHE HAS WAS IN THAT BUILDING.

SHE LEFT WITHOUT HER CELLPHONE.

SO THIS IS GOING TO BE LONG-TERM RECOVERY FOR A LOT OF THE FAMILIES.

I BELIEVE IT IS A 35-UNIT BUILDING.

YOU HAVE QUITE A FEW FAMILIES THAT WILL BE DISPLACED AND AFFECTED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS TO BEYOND A YEAR TO BE ABLE TO RECOVER FROM WHAT THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED TODAY.

>> JOYCE JOY SQUIER WE HEARD THE ALDERMAN SAY THIS WILL BE A LONG-TERM RECOVERY AND YOUR ORGANIZATION IS PROVIDING IMMEDIATE NEEDS FOR FOLKS RIGHT NOW.

WHAT OTHER RESOURCES ARE THEY GOING TO NEED GOING FORWARD AND WHAT IS NEXT FOR THEM?

>> YOU KNOW, THE RED CROSS IS THERE ALONG WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND WE'RE THERE TO HELP THE COMMUNITY AS LONG AS NEED BE.

WE'LL PROBABLY SETUP A MULTIAGENCY RESOURCE CENTER A LONGER TERM FACILITY WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME AND GET RESOURCES FROM A VARIETY OF ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS.

WE'RE THERE WORKING WITH THE ALDERMAN WORKING WITH COOK COUNTY AND THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT, CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ON HELPING PEOPLE FIGURE OUT WHAT IS NEXT.

THE RED CROSS RESPONDS IN EMERGENCIES AND THIS IS AN EMERGENCY.

WE CAN'T RECOVER OVERNIGHT AND WE'RE GOING TO BE THERE HELPING THE COMMUNITY.

>> COMMISSIONER, WE TALKED ABOUT THE AREA AROUND THE BUILDING THAT COLLAPSED ZONE.

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN ORDER FOR YOU TO LIFT THAT AND FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO RETURN TO HOMES THAT WERE NOT NECESSARILY DAMAGED IN THE SAME WAY?

>> OUR PRIMARY CONCERN IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE RESCUE, FIND AND REMOVE ANY VICTIMS.

AND THEN WE BEGIN OUR SYSTEMIC SEARCHES TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY REMAINING VICTIMS AND THE EXCEPT OF THE DAMAGE.

AND BEGIN THE PROCESS OF SHORING THE FLOORS WHERE THE MOST EXTENSIVE DAMAGE OCCURRED TO INSURE THAT THE BUILDING IS SAFE ENOUGH TO ENTER AND WE CAN CONTINUE WITH OUR ONGOING INVESTIGATION AS TO WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY IT HAPPENED AND HOW IT HAPPENED.

AND AGAIN WORKING WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO DETERMINE THAT IS OUR PRIMARY FOCUS AND GOAL.

>> TO BE CLEAR, DO YOU BELIEVE THERE ARE ANY OTHER VICTIMS TO BE FOUND?

OR IS YOUR DEPARTMENT CONFIDENT THAT THAT PART IS DONE?

>> WE'RE CONFIDENT WE REMOVED EVERY VICTIM AND EVERY PERSON NOT ONLY IN THE COLLAPSED BUILDING BUT THE ADJACENT BUILDING WAS EVACUATED TO INSURE ALL PERSONS WERE NOT IN DANGER THAT COULD OCCUR IF THERE WERE A SECONDARY COLLAPSE.

WE'RE CONFIDENT WE RESCUED ALL PERSONS.

>> UNDERSTOOD.

BEST OF LUCK TO THE THREE OF YOU AND THE WORK THAT LIES AHEAD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

CHRIS TALIAFERRO, CYNTHIA HERRING AND JOY SQUIER AT AMERICAN RED CROSS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT'S EASIER THAN EVER TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ILLINOIS ELECTION WITH VOTE-BY-MAIL AS A PERMANENT OPTION AND EARLY VOTING OPPORTUNITIES ALSO AVAILABLE.

BUT ELECTION OFFICIALS SAY SOME PARTS OF RUNNING THE ELECTIONS ARE HARDER.

LIKE FINDING VOLUNTEERS TO HELP MAKE IT ALL GO SMOOTHLY.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

>> NOT JUST A PROBLEM BUT ACCORDING TO CLERK KAREN YARBROUGH A POTENTIAL CRISIS.

>> WE HAVE A SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF JUDGES AND POLL WORKERS.

NOW, THE CLERK'S OFFICE MANAGES ELECTIONS IN SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY AND WE'VE SEEN OUR NUMBER OF ELECTION JUDGES SHRINK SIGNIFICANTLY IN RECENT YEARS.

OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, WE'VE SEEN A REDUCTION OF ABOUT 40%.

>> NOW, KAREN YARBROUGH SAYS 4,000 PEOPLE TOLD THE CLERK'S OFFICE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO HELP OUT ON NOVEMBER 8TH BUT THEY NEED 7,000.

KAREN YARBROUGH SAYS THE PANDEMIC HINDERED HER OFFICE'S ABILITY TO RECRUIT JUDGES AND POLL WATCHERS AND SUSPECTS MANY MAY BE RETIRING BECAUSE THE AVERAGE AGE IS 65-70 YEARS OLD AND THE POLITICAL CLIMATE ISN'T HELPING.

A REPORT FROM THE BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE FOUND INCREASINGLY ELECTION OFFICIALS ARE UNDER ATTACK OF VIOLENT THREATS AND ALSO PRESSURE TO PRIORITIZE PARTISANSHIP OVER A FAIR ELECTION PROCESS AND THAT HAS BEEN MADE MORE DIFFICULT BY AN UNSUSTAINABLE WORKLOAD AND THE EXPRESS OF DISINFORMATION.

DAVID BECKER IS THE FOUNDER AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE NONPARTISAN CENTER FOR ELECTION INNOVATION AND RESEARCH HE IS ALSO OUT FRESH TODAY COAUTHORING A BOOK: THE BIG TRUST UPHOLDING DEMOCRACY IN THE AGE OF THE BIG LIE.

>> IF WE GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE CANNOT BELIEVE OR DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ELECTIONS ARE VALID THAT THEY HAVE INTEGRITY DESPITE THE FACT WE HAVE MORE SECURE ELECTIONS THAN EVER RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN A DANGEROUS PLACE AS A DEMOCRACY.

>> IS THERE A WAY TO PUT THAT GENIE BACK IN THE BOTTLE?

>> IT WILL TAKE A LONGTIME.

>> AND THAT DAMAGE IS NOT JUST HERE IN COOK COUNTY OR EVEN MOSTLY HERE, KAREN YARBROUGH SAYS SHE IS UNAWARE OF SUBURBAN CUMBERLAND COUNTY JUDGES FACE THAT HARASSMENT BUT BECKER SAID WITH PAPER BALLOTS, AUDITS ELECTIONS ARE MORE SECURE AND NATIONALLY LIES ABOUT THE ELECTION LED TO HARASSMENT, ABUSE AND DEATH THREATS OF ELECTION OFFICIALS.

NOW, GIVEN THAT BECKER SAYS HE DOESN'T BLAME FOLKS FOR NOT WANTING TO SERVE AS JUDGES OR POLL WATCHERS, BUT HE SAYS WHEN THERE ARE THESE MAJOR ELECTIONS AND 2020 SAW RECORD TURNOUT OF 160 MILLION VOTERS HE SAYS THE SYSTEM RELIES ON THESE VOLUNTEERS.

>> NOT ONLY WORTH IT IT'S MORE CRUCIAL THAN EVER THIS CITIZENSHIP TO GO IN THERE AND SEE THE PROCESS AND LEARN ABOUT THE PROCESS TO FACILITATE YOUR VOTES EVEN IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THEM.

AND THEN TO BE AN EEVANGELIST FOR THAT PROCESS TO HAVE A PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER.

>> ONE OF THOSE ELECTION JUDGES HARRIET HOLMES SHE IS ACTUALLY PERFORMED THAT DUTY FOR SOME 40 YEARS.

AND SHE SAYS THAT AS ENOUGH PEOPLE DON'T SHOW UP ON ELECTION DAY IT MAKES THE JOB DIFFICULT.

>> IT IS A BURDEN WHEN YOU HAVE A PLACE WHERE YOU SHOULD HAVE FIVE JUDGES AND YOU ONLY HAVE THREE.

AND WE ARE RUNNING AROUND TRYING TO GET THINGS DONE WE WANT THINGS DONE IN A PROPER MANNER THAT IS WHY WE SIGNED ON TO BE JUDGES.

WE DO DOUBLE WORK.

SO WE ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO COME OUT TO STAND UP TO SERVE TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO BE DONE IN ORDER FOR US TO MOVE DEMOCRACY AND MOVE OUR WORLD IN THE PLACE WHERE WE NEED TO GO TO.

>> CHICAGO IN FACT DID EXPERIENCE A SHORTAGE OF ELECTION JUDGES FOR THE JUNE 28TH PRIMARY BUT SOME POLLING PLACES WERE DELAYED IN OPENING.

NOW, SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY TRYING SOMETHING NEW TO ATTRACT RECRUITS TO THE CAUSE.

THE CLERK'S OFFICE SAYS IT IS GOING TO BE REACHING OUT TO VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS AND WILL ASK THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY TO PERFORM ANOTHER PATRIOTIC DUTY.

>> SO THESE ARE TOUGH TIMES FOR DEMOCRACY.

AND THOSE IN THE VETERANS COMMUNITY TOOK MANY YEARS OUT OF THEIR LIVES TO FIGHT FOR THIS DEMOCRACY.

AND WE'RE ASKING FOR THEM TO FIGHT FOR THIS DEMOCRACY AGAIN BY SERVING ON ELECTION DAY.

>> COOK COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICIALS ARE SEARCHING FOR THOUSANDS MORE JUDGES EVEN THOUGH THERE WILL BE FEWER PRECINCTS STARTING THIS MIDTERM ELECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE LAW THAT ALLOWS THE BOUNDARIES TO EXPAND.

>> WE DID REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF PRECINCTS TO KEEP UP WITH THE SHORTAGES BUT IT'S STILL DIFFICULT >> NOW, THE CHICAGO BOARD OF ELECTIONS SAYS THAT DUE TO THAT PRECINCT CONSOLIDATION IT WILL NEED 6450 JUDGES RATHER THAN THE CURRENT 10345.

A SPOKESPERSON SAYS THAT WILL ALLOW POLLING PLACES TO BE OVERSTAFFED AT LEAST THAT IS THE HOPE WITH SIX TO SEVEN JUDGES RATHER THAN THE TARGET OF FIVE.

AND THAT CHICAGO IS IN FACT CLOSE TO HITTING THAT GOAL AND ALSO HAVING BETTER LUCK OF RECRUITING BILINGUAL JUDGES.

IF YOU ARE WANTING TO STEP UP THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES WITH COOK COUNTY, BUT ALSO WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND I HAVE BEEN USING, BY THE WAY, THE WORD VOLUNTEER WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE RECRUITS.

BUT IN FACT THIS IS A PAID POSITION FOR THE DAY.

WITH THAT BACK TO YOU.

>> AMANDA, THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO PARIS WITH MORE ON A BOMBSHELL VERDICT.

PARIS?

>> SOME RESIDENTS OF SUBURBAN WILLOWBROOK ARE BREATHING A SIGH OF RELIEF AFTER A COOK COUNTY JURY AWARDS $363 MILLION IN DAMAGES FROM THE MEDICAL TOOL STERILIZATION COMPANY CALLED STERIGENICS.

THE COMPANY'S FACILITY WAS CLOSED IN 2019 MONTHS AFTER AN EPA REPORT DISCOVERED PEOPLE LIVING WITHIN 1.5 MILES OF THE PLANT WERE 10 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP CANCER.

THE PLAINTIFF SUE KAMUDA WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER IN 2007.

THE COMPANY IS FACING HUNDREDS MORE LAWSUITS AND JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ARE PATRICK SALVI, JR., MANAGING PARTNER OF SALVI, SCHOSTOK & PRITCHARD, CHICAGO'S OFFICE.

HE REPRESENTED SUE KAMUDA.

SUE KAMUDA THE PLAINTIFF IN THE FIRST CASE AGAINST STERIGENICS.

AND URSZULA TANOUYE, MEMBER OF THE GROUP STOP STERIGENICS.

AND WE DID REACH OUT TOSTER FER FOR A STATEMENT WHICH WE WILL GET TO SHORTLY.

FIRST, WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

SUE, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.

I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A LONG FOUR YEARS.

WHAT WAS YOUR INITIAL REACTION WHEN YOU HEARD THIS RECORD VERDICT?

>> PAT AND JEN, THE ATTORNEYS WERE SITTING NEXT TO ME HOLDING MY HANDS AND LITERALLY I FELT MYSELF SHAKING IT WAS MORE THAN I COULD HAVE EXPECTED.

>> AND SUE TAKE US BACK.

YOU WERE DIAGNOSED IN 2007.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH IN TERMS OF THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER THAT THERE WAS A LINK TO WHAT YOU WERE EGHT BREATHING IN AND YOUR BREAST CANCER?

>> I DIDN'T KNOW FOR YEARS.

A NEIGHBOR STOPPED ME WHEN THEY FOUND OUT ABOUT IT WHEN THE REPORT CAME OUT.

AND SAID THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A MEETING AND THAT THERE WAS I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ETHYLENE OXIDE WAS AT THE TIME.

AND THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME I EVER HEARD OF IT AND I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT.

>> AND URSZULA TANOUYE YOU FORMED THIS GROUP STOP STERIGENICS.

THE FIRST KNOWN STUDY THAT THERE MIGHT BE A LINK BETWEEN ETHYLENE OXIDE AND CANCER WAS IN 2004.

STERIGENICS DID NOT SHUTDOWN UNTIL 2019.

WHY DID THE FIGHT TAKE SO LONG?

>> A LOT OF IT WAS COMMUNITY AWARENESS.

THERE WERE SOME NEWSPAPER ARTICLES THAT WE DUG UP AFTER WE FOUND OUT ABOUT IT AS A COMMUNITY THAT WERE DATED EARLIER.

BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF US WERE NOT PAYING ATTENTION OR IT DIDN'T GET THE NEWS COVERAGE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION UNTIL 2018.

WE HAD SOME OF OUR GROUP MEMBERS WHO WERE VERY ATTUNED TO LOCAL POLITICS AND LOCAL MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT THAT NOTICED THAT THE A.T.F.

REPORT WAS ON THE VILLAGE WEBSITE AND ONCE THAT WAS THERE THEY STARTED TO DISTRIBUTE IT AND A LOT OF US GOT TOGETHER IN A ROOM AND DECIDED THAT WE WOULD TAKE OUR STAND HERE.

SO THERE WERE MANY OF US WHO WERE CONCERNED FROM DAY ONE AND GOT TOGETHER.

>> AND OF COURSE, LATER THE RATES OF CANCER FOUND IN WILLOWBROOK AND HINSDALE AND BURR RIDGE AND OTHER COMMUNITIES WAS STARTLING.

PATRICK SALVI, JR. TELL US ABOUT THAT.

WHAT THESE STUDIES FOUND ABOUT THE RATES OF CANCER IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.

>> SURE.

WELL, PARIS, I THINK WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO WHEN YOU USE THAT FIGURE, NINE OR 10 TIMES HIGHER CANCER RISK THAT CAME FROM THE CONCLUSION FROM THE EPA IN 2016 THROUGH AN IRIS REPORT THAT IDENTIFIED THE INHALATION UNIT RISK FACTOR FOR ETHYLENE OXIDE DETERMINING ITS POTENCY AND WHEN YOU COMPARE THE WILLOWBROOK AREA BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF EMISSIONS COMING FROM STERIGENICS TO OTHER PLACES IN THE COUNTRY, IT LITERALLY RANKED IN THE TOP 25 AMONGST CENSUS TRACKS.

THE TWO TRACKS CLOSEST TO THE WILLOWBROOK FACILITY IN THE TOP 25 OF TRACKS IN TERMS OF CANCER RISK OUT OF 77,000 CENSUS TRACKS IN THE COUNTRY.

THAT WAS A RISK ANALYSIS.

IN TERMS OF AN ECOLOGICAL STUDY THAT WAS DONE IN THE AREA FOR EXAMPLE, SUE'S BREAST CANCER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN BREAST CANCER IN THE WHAT IS CALLED THE ECOLOGICAL STUDY WHEN THEY LOOKED AT CANCER RATES BETWEEN 9--2015 THAT WAS EVIDENCED IN THE CASE AS WELL.

THERE'S TOO MUCH CANCER IN THE AREA AND WE'VE BROUGHT THE LAWSUITS AND WERE SUCCESSFUL IN THE FIRST ONE YESTERDAY.

>> AND INDEED, STERIGENICS WE DID ASK THEM TO COME ON THE SHOW AND THEY RESPONDED... PATRICK AS LEAD ATTORNEY DO YOU ANTICIPATE THIS COMPANY WILL MAKE A QUICK APPEAL OF THIS RULING?

>> SURE.

SO THE LEGAL PROCESS STARTS WITH THE POST TRIAL MOTION IN FRONT OF THE TRIAL JUDGE.

THAT IS GOING TO BE DUE BY THE END OF OCTOBER.

AND WE SHOULD HAVE A RULING HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF NOVEMBER.

IT WILL SOMEWHAT DEPEND ON THE JUDGE'S SCHEDULE.

FROM THERE IT GOES TO THE APPEAL PROCESS.

BUT THERE ARE TWO TRIALS THAT ARE WAITING IN THE WINGS.

THERE'S ONE THAT STARTS SOON AND ANOTHER ONE STARTS A MONTH AFTER THAT, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, WILL BE THE THIRD TRIAL.

AND THE EVIDENCE IS GOING TO BE VERY SIMILAR.

IT WILL BE THE SAME.

AND SO WE BELIEVE THAT THE DEFENDANTS OUGHT TO WISE UP AND COME TO THE TABLE POTENTIALLY TRY TO RESOLVE THESE CASES BUT WE'LL SEE WHAT THEY DO.

IF THEY WANT TO GO THROUGH THE APPEAL THAT BRINGS ITS OWN RISKS IN TERMS OF THE 9% POST JUDGMENT INTEREST ON THE $363 MILLION VERDICT.

AND THIS IS A FAIRLY LARGE CORPORATION THAT CAN PAY THOSE FEES.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

TO HAVE A JUDGMENT IS NOT ONLY SATISFYING BUT IT PUTS THE PLAINTIFFS IN THESE LAWSUITS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHICH IS WHERE THEY BELONG AFTER WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THEM.

>> SUE, PART OF THE EVIDENCE WAS THE FACT THERE HAD BEEN NO HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER IN YOUR FAMILY AND OF COURSE THIS LINK BETWEEN ETHYLENE OXIDE AND CANCER.

WHEN DID YOU DECIDE THAT YOU WANTED TO TAKE THIS BIG COMPANY ON?

>> I REALLY DID IT JUST TO GET THEM TO STOP AND GET OUT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

I ENCOURAGED OTHER PEOPLE THAT CAME FORWARD AND TOLD ME ABOUT THEIR CANCERS AND I'VE ENCOURAGED TO EVERYBODY TO GET ON SO WE CAN GET THEM OUT.

I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS GOING TO BE THE FIRST CASE AND I DIDN'T KNOW IT WOULD BE OVER FOUR YEARS BEFORE WE HAVE THE JUDGMENT.

>> LONG FIGHT.

URSZULA TANOUYE, STERIGENICS DOES HAVE OTHER FACILITIES.

AND BY THE WAY, THE ETHYLENE OXIDE WAS THE BYPRODUCT OF THEM STERILIZING MEDICAL EQUIPMENT COMING OUT OF THAT CHUTE THAT THEY HAD BEFORE THEY SHUTDOWN.

THERE ARE OTHER FACILITIES MED LINE IN WAUKEGAN RELEASING ETHYLENE OXIDE WHAT IS THE NEXT FOR THE STOP STERIGENICS MOVEMENT AS IT RELATES TO THE FACILITIES?

>> WELL, THERE'S -- WE'VE DONE WHAT WE CAN AT THE ILLINOIS STATE LEVEL.

THAT IS HOW WE FEEL ABOUT IT AS AN ORGANIZATION.

WE DO HAVE MORE WORK TO DO AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

WHICH IS THE NEXT PLACE WHERE WE CAN HAVE THE MOST INFLUENCE AND IN GATHERING OTHER COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS AND GETTING THEM ACTIVATED AND ORGANIZED AND SHARING OUR INFORMATION AND OUR EXPERIENCE SO THEY CAN HIT THE GROUND RUNNING SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE LEARNING CURVE WE HAD TO FIND OUT WHAT IS ETHYLENE OXIDE HOW IS IT REGULATED, WHAT AGENCIES ARE INVOLVED THAT WE HAVE TO GET IN CONTACT WITH.

IF WE CAN GET THEM A RUNNING STOTTER START ON THAT PROCESS THEY CAN GO THROUGH THE PROCESS FASTER.

YES, WE PLAN TO CONTINUE TO LOBBY AS PRIVATE CITIZENS AND AS AN ORGANIZATION TO GET MORE STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS OF THESE COMPANIES.

THERE'S NO IDEA IN OUR MIND THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET RID OF ETHYLENE OXIDE ALTOGETHER.

BUT THERE IS A NARRATIVE THAT IS USED FOR STERILIZING MEDICAL DEVICES AND THAT DOESN'T CAPTURE THE BREADTH OF HOW THE CHEMICAL IS USED.

IT'S USED ON FOOD.

I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT IT IS MISUSED WHEN IT'S USED ON FOOD BECAUSE WE HAVE OTHER WAYS TO INSURE THAT OUR FOOD IS SAFE.

>> MORE EDUCATION PERHAPS NEEDING TO BE DONE ON ETHYLENE OXIDE IN THE WAYS IT'S USED.

FOR NOW, OUR THANKS TO PATRICK SALVI, JR., SUE KAMUDA AND URSZULA TANOUYE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> THANKS.

>> AND WE'RE BACK WITH MORE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... CREWS HAVE REPLACED LESS THAN .5% OF LEAD SERVICE LINES IN CHICAGO HOMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS ACCORDING TO CITY DATA.

WHAT IS THE HOLD-UP?

PEOPLE WITH HIV ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY CONTRACTING MONKEYPOX.

WE HEAR HOW PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS CAN ADDRESS THE DISPARITY.

LOW-WAGE WORKERS ARE MAKING UP AN INCREASING PORTION OF AMERICA'S WORKFORCE AND IN CHICAGO A DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE ARE BLACK.

>> NOT TOO SWEET, SOFT IN THE MIDDLE AND SAFETY OF FRESH -- TASTE OF FRESHNESS.

>> A LITTLE VILLAGE NATIVE IS MAKING A SWEET TREAT THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... AN OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICER WAS SHOT ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE IN WHAT DAVID BROWN CALLS A ROAD-RAGE INCIDENT.

THE SHOOTING OCCURRED AT ADDISON AND ELSTON THERE WAS A POLICE PRESENCE NEAR LAWRENCE AND THE KENNEDY EXPRESSWAY.

POLICE DON'T HAVE ANYONE IN CUSTODY BUT DESCRIBE THE SUSPECT'S VEHICLE AS A BLACK S.U.V.

THE OFF DUTY OFFICER WAS WOUNDED IN THE FACE WITH NONLIFE-THREATENING INJURIES.

>> I DID TALK TO THE OFFICER AND SHE IS TALKING.

SHE IS DID NOT LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS.

SO THANK GOODNESS THAT SHE'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO RECOVER FROM THESE INJURIES.

>> THE CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT AGENCY TASKED WITH INVESTIGATING POLICE MISCONDUCT RELEASED VIDEO OF A JULY SHOOTING IN PILSEN THAT LED TO TWO CHICAGO POLICE OFFICIALS ARRESTED ON FELONY CHARGES.

THE CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY RELEASED MULTIPLE VIDEOS FROM THE JULY 22 SHOOTING THAT LEFT AN UNARMED MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED.

LAST WEEK, THE COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY CHARGED THE TWO C.P.D.

OFFICIALS WITH AGGRAVATED BATTERY WITH A FIREARM, AGGRAVATED DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM AND OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT.

>> A NEW REPORT ESTIMATES MORE THAN 65,000 PEOPLE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS IN CHICAGO IN 2020.

THAT NUMBER GATHERED BY THE CHICAGO COALITION FOR THE HOMENESS ACCOUNTS FOR PEOPLE SHELTERED UNSHELTERED AND STAYING WITH OTHERS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENTS DEFINITION OF HOMELESSNESS FAILS TO ACCOUNT FOR PEOPLE TEMPORARILY STAYING WITH OTHERS WHICH IS THE WAY MOST PEOPLE EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS IN ILLINOIS.

IT FINDS THAT HOMELESSNESS CONTINUES TO DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT BLACK CHICAGOANS.

>> MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO, MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT DECLARED IT WAS QUOTE WAY PASTIME FOR CITY OFFICIALS TO START REMOVING LEAD SERVICE LINES.

THE LINES CAN LEECH A BRAIN DAMAGING CHEMICAL INTO THE WATER CHICAGOANS USE TO DRINK, BATHE AND COOK.

CREWS REMOVED LESS THAN ONE-HALF OF 1% OF THE 400,000 LINES IN THE CITY AND THERE'S NO PLAN TO PICK UP THE PACE.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINING US NOW WITH WHAT THAT MEANS FOR EFFORTS TO INSURE CHICAGOANS HAVE CLEAN WATER IN THEIR HOMES.

REMIND US HOW CHICAGO CAME TO HAVE MORE LEAD SERVICE LINES THAN ANY OTHER AMERICAN CITY AND WHAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT PROMISED TO DO ABOUT IT?

>> WELL, UNTIL 1985, CHICAGO HOMES HAD TO BE CONNECTED TO WATERMAINS VIA LEAD SERVICE LINES.

NOW, AFTER FEDERAL OFFICIALS BANNED THE USE OF LEAD BECAUSE IT CAN CONTAMINATE DRINKING WATERS OFFICIALS STOPPED.

BUT AT NO POINT DID THE OFFICIALS TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHANGING OUT THE DANGEROUS PIPES.

UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2020 WHEN MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SAID IT SHOULD BE THE CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REMOVE THOSE PIPES IN A ESPECIALLY LOW INCOME AND MODERATE INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD GET STARTED WITH $15 MILLION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND FOCUS ON 650 HOMES IN CHICAGO'S POOREST NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> AND SINCE THAT PROMISE HOW MANY OF THOSE LEAD SERVICE LINES HAVE BEEN REMOVED?

>> A TOTAL OF 188 HAVE BEEN REMOVED.

BUT ONLY 154 IN THOSE LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS I MENTIONED.

THAT IS THE LESS THAN ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT OF ALL OF THE LEAD SERVICE LINES IN CHICAGO.

THE REMAINING 34 LINES WERE PAID FOR BY PROPERTY OWNERS WHO COVERED THE TOTAL COST BUT THE CITY WAIVED THE FEES.

>> SO DESPITE THAT SLOW PACE, LIGHTFOOT SPOKE TO A GATHERING OF MAYORS LAST WEEK AND HIGHLIGHTED HER PUSH TO REMOVE THE LEAD SERVICE LINES.

HERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT SHE SAID.

>> I BECAME THE FIRST CHICAGO MAYOR IN HISTORY TO SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

THAT WE CAN'T KICK THIS CAN DOWN THE ROAD ANY LONGER AND WE MUST BE COMMITTED TO ACHIEVING WATER EQUITY BY REPLACING ALL OF THESE LEAD SERVICE LINES.

>> HEATHER DID SHE AT ALL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HER ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FULFILL THOSE PROMISES?

>> SHE TOLD HER FELLOW MAYORS IT WAS QUOTE EASIER SAID THAN DONE UNQUOTE, TO REMOVE THESE LEAD SERVICE LINES.

BUT SHE DECLINED TO ANSWER MY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY THE CITY HAD FALLEN SO SHORT OF FULFILLING THE PROMISES THAT SHE MADE.

AND WHAT THE PLAN WAS MOVING FORWARD >> NOW, YOU MENTIONED A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY AND WE MOVING THE LEAD SERVICE LINES CAN BE REALLY EXPENSIVE.

IS THAT WHAT IS HOLDING UP THE PUSH?

>> IT COSTS BETWEEN $15,000 AND $26,000 TO REMOVE EACH LEAD SERVICE LINE.

IN PART BECAUSE CHICAGO IS SUCH A DENSE URBAN ENVIRONMENT.

BUT THE CITY NOT ONLY HAS THAT INITIAL GRANT MONEY THAT IT'S BEEN HANGING ON TO SINCE 2020, THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT PASSED IN NOVEMBER 2021 INCLUDED $15 BILLION TO REMOVE LEAD SERVICE LINES.

AND CHICAGO WILL BE IN LINE FOR ITS FAIR SHARE OF THAT POT.

IF CITY OFFICIALS CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THIS PROGRAM OFF THE GROUND ONCE AND FOR ALL.

>> A LOT OF WORK REMAINS.

HEATHER CHERONE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND NOW PARIS BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT THE MONKEYPOX VIRUS IS DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTING PEOPLE WITH HIV.

A RECENT STUDY FROM THE C.D.C.

FINDS THAT IN A SAMPLE OF NEARLY 2,000 PEOPLE WHO HAD MONKEYPOX 38% HAD HIV INFECTION AND 41% HAD AN STI IN THE PRECEDING YEAR THOSE RATES ARE HIGHER THAN THE GENERAL RATES OF HIV AND STI IN THE GENERAL POPULATION.

AND JOINING US WITH MORE IS Dr. ANU HAZRA ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN GLOBAL HEALTH THE U CHICAGO MEDICINE.

Dr. HAZRA WELCOME BACK.

WHAT IS BEHIND THIS DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT OF MONKEYPOX IN THOSE THAT ARE HIV POSITIVE OR HAVE STD'S?

>> YES.

I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE SEEN SORT OF CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY THE MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK.

SPECIFICALLY GAY, BISECTS YOU'LL MEN AND WITHIN THAT POPULATION THOSE WHO HAD WEAKENED STI'S AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV.

THIS ISN'T SURPRISING REALLY.

THIS HAS BEEN DATA WE HAVE SEEN AS OUTBREAK HAD BEEN PERCOLATING IN EUROPE AND CANADA AND SEEING SIMILAR DATA HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> AND THERE IS A FEW THEORIES AS TO WHY.

EXPAND ON THOSE?

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST DRAW FROM THE MOST RECENT STUDY FROM THE C.D.C.

SHOWS THAT PEOPLE WITH HIV COMPRISE NEARLY DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND THOSE WITHOUT HIV.

AND THERE'S BEEN A FEW HYPOTHESIS WHY PEOPLE WITH HIV MIGHT BE SEEING MORE HOSPITALIZATIONS.

AND SOME HAS TO DO WITH THE POTENTIALLY FOLKS LIVING WITH HIV PARTICULARLY THOSE ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED CONDITIONS, MEANS TO COME TO MORE SEVERE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE MONKEYPOX THAN THE NON-HIV COUNTERPARTS.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THIS HAS BEEN SEEN IN SOME STUDIES IN EUROPE, BUT IN THE GENERAL POPULATION OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV THEY DO NOT SEEM TO BE AT HIGHER RISK OF SEVERE OUTCOMES COMPARED TO NON-HIV FOLKS.

>> YOU ANSWERED MY NEXT QUESTION.

DOES HAVING HIV IMPACT YOUR RESPONSE TO MONKEYPOX IF YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM IS COMPROMISED?

>> I THINK IT IS A BIT MORE NUANCED THAN JUST IF YOU ARE HIV POSITIVE OR NOT.

IT'S FOLKS LIVING WITH HIV THAT HAVE IMMUNE SYSTEMS NOT FUNCTIONING AS WELL OR HIV THAT IS NOT AS WELL CONTROLLED WE KNOW THEY ARE AT RISK FOR OTHER COMPLICATIONS LIKE WE SAW WITH COVID THAT COVID DOESN'T IMPACT ALL PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV THE SAME WAY.

WE SEE THAT COVID CAUSES MORE SEVERE ILLNESS IN THOSE WHO HAVE UNCONTROLLED HIV OR HIV THAT HAS IMPACTED THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM IN A SEVERE WAY.

AND THAT IS THE SAME THING WE'RE SEEING WITH MONKEYPOX CURRENTLY.

>> AND YOU MENTIONED THE COMMUNITIES WHERE MONKEYPOX IS MORE PREVALENT.

ARE THESE COMMUNITIES ABLE TO GET CARE?

DO THEY HAVE ENOUGH ACCESS TO CARE?

>> I THINK THAT IS THE OTHER SORT OF HYPOTHESIS WHY WE MAYBE SEEING MORE SEVERE CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS IN PEOPLE WITH HIV.

WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE WHEN WE THINK ABOUT PEOPLE WITH HIV IT'S OFTEN FOLK BHOS HAVE MORE ACCESS TO CARE OR ARE ENGAGED IN CARE AND MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO TESTING OR ACCESS TO HOSPITALIZATION IF NEEDED EASIER.

BUT WE KNOW THAT THESE SORT OF ACCESS METRICS ARE OFTENTIMES INFORMED BY OTHER SOCIAL DETERMINANTS THAT IMPACT THE OTHER ALL CARE OF ANYONE LIVING IN CHICAGO NOT JUST LIVING WITH HIV OR AT RISK OF MONKEYPOX VIRUS.

>> AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF PLACES LIKE THE CENTER ON HALSTED, HOWARD BROWN IN CHICAGO, ARE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS DOING ENOUGH TO HELP PEOPLE LINK TO CARE?

>> THERE IS A PUSH TO IDENTIFY THE COMMUNITIES AT RISK AND MORE VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND MAKING SURE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO NOT ONLY INTERVENTIONS AND KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

I DO THINK CHICAGO HAS BEEN DOING A ON PAR WITH OTHER MAJOR METROPOLITAN CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES MAKING SURE THE COMMUNITIES ARE AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE AWARE OF WHAT ACCESS TO RESOURCES THEY HAVE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

>> EXPANDING OUT, HAS THE GLOBE HAS THE COUNTRY, HAS THE CHICAGO AREA SEEN ITS PEAK IN MONKEYPOX INFECTIONS?

OR IS IT STILL ON THE RISE?

>> MOST OF US ARE OPTIMISTIC WITH HOW THE CURVE HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS BUT FOUR TO FIVE WEEKS WE HAVE BEEN SEEING ONGOING DECLINES IN CASES OF THE MONKEYPOX VIRUS.

GLOBALLY AND NATIONALLY AND LOCALLY IN CHICAGO.

THAT CAN BLUR THE PICTURE WHILE WE'RE SEEING CASES GO DOWN WE'RE SEEING PROPORTIONS OF CASES INCREASE IN POPULATIONS PARTICULARLY AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES.

WE MIGHT BE SEEING CASES GO DOWN THAT BLURS THE PICTURE OF HOW THE EPIDEMIC IS SHIFTING AWAY FROM WHERE WE INITIALLY SAW IT.

>> WE HAVE NUMBERS THAT ILLUSTRATE THAT FROM DATA THIS MONTH.

AFRICAN-AMERICANS MAKEUP 23% OF CASES.

LATINO, 27%.

HOWEVER, BLACK RESIDENTS MAKEUP 12% IN VACCINE DOSES, LATINO RESIDENTS 21%.

WHAT DO YOU THINK COUNTS FOR THE DISPARITY IN VACCINE RATES?

>> THIS GOES BACK TO THINKING ABOUT IT'S MULTIFACTORIAL.

PART IS VACCINE CONFIDENCE AND VACCINE EDUCATION MAKING SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THESE ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM AND THEY WILL PROTECT THEM.

THE FACT THAT ONLY WE'RE SEEING A HUGE DISPARITY WHO IS GETTING MONKEYPOX VERSUS WHO IS VACCINATED IS VERY IT DRAWS MEMORY WHAT HAPPENED WITH COVID THAT WE'RE SEEING POPULATIONS IMPACTED THE MOST WITH COVID, THE ONES WITH THE LEAST VACCINE UPTAKE.

A LOT OF OUR EFFORTS AROUND BIOMEDICAL INTERVENTIONS HAS TO BE FOCUSED ON THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE'RE SEEING NEWER CASES OR RISE IN CASES AT THIS TIME.

AND SO AGAIN IT'S TRYING TO MATCH THE EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PUBLIC HEALTH HAS TO BE IN MY OPINIONLE IN ORDER TO DO SO.

>> AND THE 80s AND 90s THERE WAS A STIGMA AROUND HIV OR AIDS OR ANY STI, COULD THERE BE A STIGMA NOW AROUND MONKEYPOX AND COULD THAT PREVENT FROM PEOPLE GOING AND GETTING TREATMENT?

>> I WOULD ARGUE HIV AND STI THEY ARE STIGMATIZED IN OUR SOCIETY.

AND MONKEYPOX WHAT WE'RE SEEING SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED, SORT OF CARRYING THAT STIGMA.

THAT IS HUGELY COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IN CHICAGO AND REALLY ANYWAY WE ARE THINK BEING MESSAGING AND THINK BEING OUR PERSPECTIVE ON MONKEYPOX HAS TO BE IN A LENS OF DISMANTLING STIGMA, NORMALIZING SCREENING AND TESTING AND TREATMENT AND MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS REALIZE THAT GETTING VACCINATED IN THEY ARE IN A RISK GROUP AND ACCESS TO VACCINES IS IMPORTANT.

BUT, AGAIN, I THINK STIGMA PLAYS A HUGE ROLE WHEN WE THINK OF SEXUAL IDENTITIES AROUND BLACK AND BROWN FOLKS WHO MAY IDENTIFY AS GAY, QUEER THAT ADDS ANOTHER LAYER OF STIGMA THAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND THINK ABOUT WHEN WE ARE FORMING OUR COUNSELING AROUND OR RESOURCES AROUND MONKEYPOX.

>> A LOT TO KEEP IN MIND OUR THANKS TO Dr. ANU HAZRA THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME AGAIN.

>> AND WE'RE BACK WITH MORE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" RIGHT AFTER THIS.

FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> A NEW REPORT FINDS BLACK WORKERS ARE OVERREPRESENTED IN LOW-WAGE ROLES.

ACCORDING TO AN ANALYSIS BY THE SHRIVER CENTER ON POVERTY LAW, BLACK WOMEN MAKEUP 6% OF EMPLOYED WORKERS BUT 32% OF HOME HEALTH AIDES WHERE THEY EARN AN AVERAGE OF AROUND $23,000 A YEAR.

BLACK MEN MAKEUP 6% OF EMPLOYED WORKERS BUT 15% OF LABORERS IN FREIGHT, STOCK AND MATERIAL MOVERS AND EARN AN AVERAGE OF AROUND $27,000 A YEAR.

THE REPORT SAYS THESE WORKERS STRUGGLE WITH NOT JUST LOW-WAGES BUT A LACK OF BENEFITS, INSUFFICIENT SAFETY PROTECTIONS AND JOB SECURITY.

ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES" WE SPOKE WITH THE SHRIVER'S CENTER PRESIDENT AND THE PRESIDENT OF WOMEN EMPLOYED AND BEGAN BY ASKING WHAT SOME OF THE REASONS ARE FOR THE OVERREPRESENTATION OF BLACK WORKERS IN THE LOW-WAGE JOBS.

>> THE FIRST AND FOREMOST AT THE SHRIVER CENTER WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT ECONOMIC JUSTICE IS A RACIAL JUSTICE ISSUE.

WORKERS OF COLOR HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN MARGINALIZED IN LOW-WAGE AND LOW SKILL JOBS THE GROWTH OF THE GIG INDUSTRY, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS FOR FREELANCERS DOING TEMPORARY WORK WORSENED THIS TREND.

AND GROWTH IN GIG WORK LED TO MISCLASSIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES MANY OF WHOM WOULD OTHERWISE BE ENTITLED TO BENEFITS AND PROTECTIONS AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS AND THOSE ARE INDIVIDUALS ENTITLED TO ALMOST NO PROTECTIONS.

THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND WE SEE AN OVERREPRESENTATION 40% OF THE CHICAGO METROPOLITAN AREA IS BLACK AND LATINX YET 85% OF THE AREA'S BLUE-COLLAR TEMP WORK GOES TO BLACK AND LATINX.

RACIAL JUSTICE IS FOREFRONT WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND THAT IS THE FOCUS OF THE REPORT THAT YOU MENTIONED.

>> CHERITA ELLENS WHAT JOB CATEGORIES ARE BLACK WOMEN MOST UNDERREPRESENTED IN AND INDUSTRIES THAT HAVE A WIDER PAY GAP THAN OTHERS?

>> TYPICALLY WHAT YOU WILL FIND BLACK WOMEN ARE SEGREGATED TO USE THE TERM OCCUPATIONAL SEGREGATION INTO ROLES WHERE THERE'S LOW-WAGES AND OFTEN IN ROLES WHERE THEY ARE ON A MINIMUM TIP WAGE AND THAT WILL BE THE DIRECT CARE SERVICES AND FOOD SERVICES OTHER HEALTHCARE SUPPORT JOBS SUCH AS CNA'S NURSING ASSISTANTS, CARE GIVING ROLES.

THEY ARE ALSO IN CHILDCARE BUT NOT IN TEACHER ROLES IN EDUCATING MORE EDUCATED ROLES.

BUT IN TEACHER ASSISTANT ROLES WHERE THE PAY GAP IS LOW AND RETAIL AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

AND WHAT IS UNIQUE IS EVEN WHILE THEY ARE IN ROLES WHERE YOU REQUIRE A DEGREE, EVEN IN THOSE ROLES THEY ARE STILL UNDERPAID.

SO IT IS AN ISSUE AROUND LOW-WAGE WORK, BUT IT IS AN ISSUE OVERALL FOR BLACK WOMEN.

>> AUDRA WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THIS CURRENT LABOR MARKET WE HAVE THE GREAT RESIGNATION AND A LABOR MARKET WHERE EMPLOYERS ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND WORKERS, WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THAT MARKET AND THE RELIANCE ON LOWER WAGE GIG WORKERS?

>> WELL, FOR MANY EMPLOYERS IT'S MORE EXPEDIENT FRANKLY, TO BE ABLE TO RELY UPON GIG WORKERS TO NOT HAVE TO PAY BENEFITS.

KNOWING ESPECIALLY THE POPULATION WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

THERE'S MORE FLEXIBILITY OBVIOUSLY IN GIG WORK WHICH IS WHY MANY PEOPLE PURSUE THAT.

AND SO EMPLOYERS HAVE A BENEFIT BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE PAYING LESS MONEY TO THOSE THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY BENEFITS AND CERTAIN WAGES.

BUT OBVIOUSLY THIS IS WHY WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR THESE SORTS OF PROTECTIONS.

BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE AS THIS INDUSTRY IS PROLIFERATING THAT ULTIMATELY IT WILL DO A MORE DAMAGE TO THE POPULATION OF WORKERS.

AND INTERESTINGLY FOR EMPLOYERS TO NOT TO TRY TO AVOID PAYING BENEFITS IS EXTRAORDINARILY SHORT-SIGHTED.

BECAUSE WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING YOU HAVE HIGH TURNOVER WHEN YOU DON'T OFFER BENEFITS YOU HAVE PEOPLE NOT ABLE TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF SICK LEAVE WHICH WAS IMPORTANT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IT IS A SHORT-SIGHTED MOVE FOR EMPLOYERS TO NOT BE THINK BEING MAKING INVESTMENTS IN THEIR WORKERS BUT ON THE FRONT END IT SEEMS TO BE MORE COST SAVINGS FOR THEM.

>> CHERITA ELLENS EFFORTS TO UNIONIZE SECTORS OF EMPLOYMENT HAVE BLOOMED, CAN THAT HELP WITH CLOSING THE PAY GAP FOR BLACK WOMEN?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE KNOW THAT WORKERS THAT ARE PART OF A UNION ARE PAID MORE.

WE KNOW THAT WOMEN WHO HAVE THE BENEFIT OF BEING REPRESENTED BY A UNION SEE EVEN A LARGER DIFFERENCE IN MOST.

IN ILLINOIS, UNION MEMBERSHIP INCREASED HOURLY EARNINGS BY 14.7%.

AND FOR BLACK WOMEN THAT AREN'T PART OF A UNION THEY ARE MAKING 23 MORE PERCENT THAN BLACK WOMEN NOT IN A UNION.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WE KNOW WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT AND CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT FOR WORKERS TO UNIONIZE AND WE KNOW THAT THERE IS ALSO A PUSH FOR THOSE PROTECTIONS TO BE STRIPPED AWAY.

AND A LOT OF THAT IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE SOMEONE THERE THAT IS HELPING TO NEGOTIATE YOUR SALARY ON YOUR BEHALF THROUGH COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

YOU HAVE A PLACE TO GO TO WITH A FORMAL GRIEVANCE AND YOU ARE PROTECTED BY UNION REPRESENTATION.

AND THAT JUST DOESN'T EXIST MOST OF THE TIME OUTSIDE OF A UNION.

>> AUDRA, THE CITY RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT ITS GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT IS FULLY ENROLLED AND COOK COUNTY IS TAKING STEPS TOWARDS LAUNCHING THE PROGRAM WHICH WILL BE BIGGER POSSIBLY THE BIGGEST IN THE NATION.

AND WITH REGARDS TO THE LOW-WAGE WORKERS HOW MUCH COULD CONTINUING A GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAM HELP?

>> VERY, VERY MUCH SO.

AND I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED THE FACT THAT THE DUEL PILOT THIS MAKES BOTH CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY WE ARE THE SECOND MOST POPULOUS COUNTY AND THE THIRD LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTRY THAT ARE LAUNCHING PILOTS SIMULTANEOUSLY.

THE COUNTRY IS GOING TO BE WATCHING TO SEE THE IMPACT OF THIS PROGRAM.

AND WE KNOW THAT IT WILL HAVE EXTRAORDINARY BENEFITS.

IN THE CHICAGO PILOT ALONE THERE IS I DON'T WANT TO SEE A OVERREPRESENTATION OF WOMEN BUT IT'S OVER 60%, NEARLY 70% BECAUSE MANY ARE HEADS OF HOUSEHOLD.

YOU ARE SEEING THE IMPACT ON BLACK WOMEN SPECIFICALLY.

BUT WE KNOW THAT COLLECTIVELY THE PILOTS WILL HELP MANY PEOPLE.

I SHOULD SAY, THOUGH, THAT I'VE SPOKEN TO OTHERS WHO THINK WELL IT'S ENOUGH MONEY OR WHAT MORE CAN WE DO.

AND I REMIND THEM TWO THINGS: NUMBER ONE ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY WE'RE ABLE TO GIVE IN A SUBSIDY THAT PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO USE IN THE WAY THAT BEST SUITS THEIR FAMILIES IS IS A POSITIVE THING.

BUT SECONDLY IT DOES NOT PRECLUDE THE CONVERSATION WE MUST CONTINUE TO HAVE ABOUT PAYING PEOPLE WHAT THEY ARE WORTH.

WE STILL NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT PAYING LIVABLE WAGES.

WE NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE BENEFITS.

>> YOU'RE ADVOCATING FOR A BOTH AND RATHER THAN EITHER OR.

AUDRA WILSON AND CHERITA ELLENS THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> LITTLE VILLAGE IS HOME TO ONE OF CHICAGO'S YOUNGEST POPULATIONS.

30% OF RESIDENTS ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 20.

BUT THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING PLACES IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THEY ARE WELCOME TO JUST HANGOUT.

A NEW SPOT ON 26TH STREET WANTS TO ROPE IN THOSE YOUNG CHICAGOANS BY OFFERING THEM A FRIED TWIST ON A MEXICAN TRADITION.

ERICA GUNDERSON LOOKS IN ON A CHURRO SHOP.

>> CHURRO IS VERY CLASSIC WHICH IS BUTTER, FLOUR, SUGAR, WATER.

WE NEVER REFRIGERATE IT AND NEVER HOLD IT OVERNIGHT.

>> THE BATTER TELLS YOU WHEN TO STOP.

>> BORN IN SPAIN AND PERFECTED IN MEXICO, CHURRO IS A PERFECT FRIED SUGARED DOUGH STICK.

>> CRUNCHY OUTSIDE.

>> AND ON 26TH STREET CHURROS FRESH FROM THE FRYER ARE A RARITY.

HERE AT EL CHURRO SHOP ALDO RIOS IS TAKING THE SWEET SNACK BACK TO THE MEXICAN ROOTS.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE GREW UP WITH THE IDEA.

IT WAS MADE BY HAND AND FRESH AND FRIED DOUGH.

AND IT WAS NOT STUFFED.

>> RATHER THAN FILLING HIS CHURROS, ALDO RIOS OFFERS HOUSE MADE SAUCES AND TOPPINGS TO ANTON ADKINS VENTURE TO THE TREAT.

>> WE A STRAWBERRY SAUCE WHICH IS ON THE SWEET SIDE WITH A COCONUT.

A SALTED CARAMEL.

AND THE NEAT ONE HAS MARSCAPONE.

>> BEFORE OPENING RIOS WORKED IN KITCHENS FOR HIS LIFE.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC SHUTDOWNS CAUSED HIS HOURS TO BE CUT IN 2020, RIOS HAD ONE INGREDIENT THAT HE ALWAYS BEEN SHORT ON BEFORE.

TIME.

>> IT GAVE ME ENOUGH TIME TO THINK OF SOMETHING I COULD DO ON MY OWN.

AND CHURROS CAME UP.

>> RIOS DEVELOPED A RECIPE AND SETUP A SHOP WHERE HE DISCOVERED THE OLD WAY MAKING CHURROS WAS NEW TO MANY LITTLE VILLAGE RESIDENTS.

THEY THOUGHT I WAS FRYING FISH.

ONCE THEY SAW I WAS MAKING CHURROS SEEING IT BE MADE BY HAND AND CUTTING IT AND FRIED TO ORDER WAS LIKE WOW IS THAT YOU MAKE THE CHURRO?

THAT IS HOW IT IS.

>> NOT LONG AFTER, RIOS BEGAN MAKING CHURROS AT POP-UPS AND PRIVATE EVENTS.

PEOPLE LOVED HIS PRODUCT OPENING A BRICK AND MORTAR SHOP DID NOT OCCUR TO HIM UNTIL... >> ME AND MY WIFE WERE DRIVING DOWN 26TH STREET AND HANGOUT.

AND WE DIDN'T FIND THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE A SPACE THAT WE COULD DO THAT.

IT WASN'T REALLY THE INTENTION BUT WE SAW THE LACK OF IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND WE PURSUED IT.

>> NOW, RIOS HOPES HE FOUND THE SECRET SAUCE FOR SUCCESS BY CREATING A PLACE FOR COMMUNITY IN LITTLE VILLAGE.

>> EVERYBODY'S WELCOME TO COME IN AND SIT DOWN AND HAVE A CONVERSATION.

IF YOU HAVE NO INTERNET AT HOME YOU ARE WELCOME TO USE IT HERE.

AND DO RESEARCH WHATEVER IT IS ENJOY A HOT BEVERAGE AND CHURRO AND SOMETHING THAT WE TRY TO PRESENT CULTURALLY TRADITIONALLY.

WE HAVE A YOUNG CROWD AND PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND THERE'S PLENTY OF POTENTIAL TO DO THE STUFF AND KEEP IT WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND KEEP IT OURS.

FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS THIS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> CHURROS AREN'T THE ONLY DOUGH GETTING THE HOT TREATMENT.

THEY FRY UP AN AMERICAN CLASSIC, FUNNEL CAKES.

YOU WILL FIND MORE ABOUT EL CHURRO SHOP ON OUR WEBSITE.

WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

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 LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERS BANNING POLICE FROM COOPERATING WITH INVESTIGATIONS INTO THOSE SEEKING ABORTIONS.

>> AND OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON THE MAYOR'S PICK TO LEAD THE 43rd WARD MUCH MORE.

AND NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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