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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ, HERE'S WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

THANK YOU BUT WE NEED MORE.

>> REACTION TO PRESIDENT BIDEN ALLOWING SOME MIGRANTS TO WORK WHILE SEEKING ASYLUM.

>>> PUSHBACK ON A PROPOSAL TO HIKE TAXES ON SALES OF MILLION DOLLAR HOMES TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS.

>> I'M REALLY EXCITED.

>> RETURNING TO BROADWAY, WE SIT DOWN WITH LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA.

>> POTATOES, RANCH DRESSING WHICH WE ALL LOVE BUT THERE IS MORE TO IT.

>> SOUNDS DELICIOUS.

THE SPIEZING HISTORY OF MIDWESTERN FOOD.

>>> IMMIGRANT ADVOCATES ARE CELEBRATING PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PLAN TO EXPAND ACCESS TO WORK PERMITS FOR VENEZUELAN MIGRANTS LOOKING TO WORK IN THE U.S..

THEY ARE CALLING ON HIM TO GO ONE STEP FORWARD.

>> IT IS TIME.

WE DESERVE WORK PERMITS TOO.

WE HAVE FAMILIES TOO.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING HERE FOR DECADES AND WE HAVE BEEN FOR DECADES TO MAKE SURE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE ALSO PROTECTED.

>> ADVOCATES ARE ASKING THE PRESIDENT TO GRANT WORK PERMITS FOR MILLIONS OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS THROUGH A PROCESS CALLED PAROLE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN'S OFFER FOR VENEZUELANS WHO ARRIVED IN THE COUNTRY BEFORE JULY 31st MEANS THEY WILL NOT FACE THE THREAT OF DEPORTATION AND THEY CAN WORK FOR 18 MONTHS.

HEATHER WILL HAVE MORE ON THIS STORY IN A FEW MINUTES.

>>> THE CITY HAS A CONTRACT TO BUILD WINTERIZED CITIES TO HOUSE SOME OF THE MIGRANTS CURRENTLY STAYING IN POLICE STATIONS AND AIRPORTS.

THE $30 MILLION CONTRACT IS WITH DAR WORLD SUBSIDIARIES.

THEY WILL MOVE ABOUT 1600 MIGRANTS INTO A TEMPORARY SHELTER THERE.

A SPOKESPERSON IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE SAYS THEY WANT TO CONSTRUCTION AND THE MOVE TO HAPPEN QUICKLY.

>>> MENTAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ARE RECEIVING $32 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

THE GRANTS WERE NOUNCED AT THE CENTER FOR WELL-BEING IN RAVEN WOOD.

THE DPRANT WILL SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDED AT THE CERTIFIED COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINICS IN CHICAGO, KANKAKEE AND COUNTY.

>>> WE ARE DIVING INTO THE TAX DEBATE BUT FIRST MORE REACTION TO MIGRANTS WORKING WHILE SEEKING ASYLUM AFTER THIS.

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

>> A DECISION BY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TO ALLOW THOUSANDS OF VENEZUELAN MIGRANTS SENT TO CHICAGO FROM THE SOUTHERN BORDER TO WORK LEGALLY COULD GIVE THEM A PATH OUT OF SHELTERS.

IT IS PRAISED BY ADVOCATES FOR EMIGRANTS ACROSS THE CITY WHO WARN THERE IS MUCH MORE TO BE DONE TO RESOLVE THE CRISIS.

HERE'S ALDERMAN MIKE RODRIGUEZ AT A RALLY IN HILTON THIS MORNING.

>> TODAY, I STAND WITH MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF CHICAGO, ACROSS THE ENTIRE CITY OF CHICAGO TO SAY, THANK YOU BUT WE NEED MORE.

THANK YOU, PRESIDENT, BUT WE DESERVE MORE.

THANK YOU PRESIDENT, BUT OUR COUNTRY DEMANDS MORE FOR OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES.

>> REPORTER HEATHER SURE OWN IS JOINING US NOW WITH MORE.

WHAT DID THE PRESIDENT DO ON MONDAY NIGHT ?

HE GRANTED TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE STATUS TO A HALF MILLION VENEZUELAN MIGRANTS WHO ARRIVED IN THE UNITED STATES ON OR BEFORE JULY 31st.

THAT MEANS FOR THE NEXT 18 MONTHS, THEY ARE PROTECTED FROM DEPORTATION AND THEY ARE ALLOWED TO WORK LEGALLY IN INDUSTRIES SUFFERING LABOR SHORTAGES.

>> THERE ARE 7100 MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN IN THE CITY'S SHELTERS AND 2100 LIVING AT POLICE STATIONS ACROSS THE CITY AND AT O'HARE.

WHAT IMPACT WILL THIS HAVE ON THEM?

>> SOME OF THEM, THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE VENEZUELAN.

UNDER THIS PROTECTED STATUS, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET A JOB AND EARN ENOUGH MONEY TO MOVE OUT OF THE SHELTERS AND RENT THEIR OWN APARTMENTS OR HOMES.

NOW THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO WORK IN ANY JOB.

THEY HAVE TO WORK IN JOBS FACING LABOR SHORTAGES LIKE TRANSPORTATION, FOOD PROCESSING, AND WAREHOUSING.

THERE ARE LIMITS.

BUT IT IS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL FOR SOME OF THESE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN LIVING IN CITY SHELTERS AND AT POLICE STATIONS FOR MONTHS.

>> DIDN'T MAYOR JOHNSON AND GOVERNOR PRITZKER ASK THE PRESIDENT TO DO THIS SOME WEEKS AGO?

>> THEY SURE DID.

AND THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRENT ASK NOT JUST FROM ILLINOIS DEMOCRATS BUT NEW YORK INCLUDING MAYOR ADAMS.

THE PRESIDENT WAS IN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE BECAUSE AS THIS TOOK OVER THE DEBATE, HE FEARED CREATING ANOTHER SURGE OF MIGRANTS TO THE SOUTHERN BORDER WHICH COULD COMPLICATE THE EFFORT TO RUN FOR REELECTION.

BUT LIMITING IT TO THOSE HERE BY JULY 31st, THE PRESIDENT IS HOPING IT WILL NOT TRIGGER A SURGE WHILE GIVING DEMOCRATIC OFFICIALS LIKE GRANDEN JOHNSON AND GOVERNOR PRITZKER HELP IN THE CRISIS.

>> JOHNSON WAS FACING CRITICISM FROM HIS ALLIES FOR SIGNING A $25 MILLION CONTRACT TO BUILD A BASE CAMP THAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

IT WOULD MOVE MIGRANTS OUT OF THE POLICE STATION AND AIRPORTS.

WHY IS THIS CONTROVERSIAL?

>> THE FIRM THAT THE CITY AGREED TO CONTRACT WITH, GUARDA WORLD FEDERAL SERVICES, ALSO HAD A CONTRACT WITH FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS.

THEY WERE THE FIRM THAT HE CONTRACTED WITH TO MOVE MIGRANTS FROM FLORIDA AND OTHER STATES TO DEMOCRATIC STATES AS PART OF THIS POLITICAL FOOTBALL GAME AS JOHNSON AND PRITZKER HAVE SAID.

THAT BROUGHT INTENSE CRITICISM FROM JOHNSON'S ALLIES ON THE CITY COUNCIL SAYING THE CITY SHOULD NOT BE CONTRACTING WITH SUCH A FIRM.

AND NOT ALL OF THE CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ARE CONVINCED THAT BASE CAMPS ARE THE WAY TO GO TO ADDRESS THIS CRISIS.

SO WE WILL HAVE TO KEEP WATCHING.

>> I'M SURE YOU WILL.

THANK YOU.

YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

BACK TO YOU.

>>> ALL RIGHT.

THE PLAN TO ENACT HIGHER TAXES ON SALES OF EXPENSIVE REAL ESTATE IS MOVING FORWARD.

THE MAYOR ANNOUNCED THE NEW PROPOSAL CALLED BRING CHICAGO HOME WHICH WOULD RAISE TAXES ON SALES ABOVE A MILLION AND AN ADDITIONAL HIKE ON THOSE ABOVE $1.5 MILLION.

IT WOULD SLASH TAX ON REAL ESTATE THAT SELLS BELOW A MILLION.

JOINING US IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BUILDING OWNERS AND MANAGERS ASSOCIATION OF CHICAGO.

AND 35th WARD ALDERMAN, CARLOS ROSA, CHAIR OF THE ZONING COMMITTEE.

WELCOME BOTH OF YOU.

AELDERMAN ROSA, YOU HAD A MEETING THIS AFTERNOON.

IN REAL DOLLARS, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE?

>> THERE ARE OVER 60,000 CHICAGOENS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THIS INCREASE FOR PROPERTY OVER A MILLION AND THEN OVER $1.5 MILLION, IT IS GRADUATED AND MARGINAL.

IT WILL GENERATE OVER A $100 MILLION A YEAR IN ROW SOURCES FOR HOMELESSNESS WITH HOUSING AND WRAP AROUND SERVICES.

>> AND WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SOME OF YOUR CLIENTS AS BUILDING OWNERS, COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL?

>> YES.

OUR ASSOCIATION IS GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL OFFICE BUILDING.

ONE THING PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE ABOUT THE INDUSTRY IS THAT THE PEOPLE THINK IF YOU SELL $100 MILLION OFFICE BUILDING YOU HAVE $100 MILLION AND WHAT ARE YOU COMPLAINING ABOUT?

THEY DON'T REALIZE THESE ARE INSTITUTIONAL ASSETS.

IT IS RARE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO HAVE THAT MONEY AND BUY A $100 MILLION OFFICE BUILDING.

YOU HAVE CHICAGOENS FINANCING 70% OF A DEAL.

THEY RECRUIT INVESTMENTS FROM INSTITUTIONAL PLAYERS.

MOST OF REAL ESTATE IS PENGS FUNDS, INSURANCE COMPANIES.

IT IS LARGE ENTITIES THAT CAN INVEST ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD AND WE CONVINCE THEM TO COME TO CHICAGO.

THAT TRANSFER TAX IS CALCULATED ON THE ENTIRE VALUE OF THE SALE.

THE FINANCING AND LENDING GOES BACK TO THE LENDER.

SO THE PAYERS OF THAT SAY IT IS $100 MILLION SALE IS ONLY THE $30 MILLION IN EQUITY.

IT IS A SIGNIFICANT MARGIN.

OUR CONCERN IS IT WILL AFFECT ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR INDUSTRY THAT IS AT AN EXISTENTIAL CHALLENGE, ONCE IN A 100 YEAR CRISIS.

>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE VACANCY IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.

>> SO ALT ALDERMAN ROSA, WHAT ABOUT THAT?

COULD THIS MOVE SOME OF THE PROPERTY TAX BURDEN TO HOME OWNERS?

>> NOT AT ALL.

THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN VERY INTENTIONAL.

IT TOOK US MANY MONTHS, LOTS OF DIALOGUE WITH REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY EXPERTS, LOTS OF DIALOGUE WITH LOCAL AND NATIONAL EXPERTS TO LAND AT THIS PROPOSAL.

THIS IS A GRADUATED, MARGINAL PROPOSAL.

IT IS A PROGRESSIVE PROPOSAL.

IT WILL LOWER THE ONE TIME REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX ON 96% OF SALES IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO UNDER A MILLION.

FOR PROPERTIES BETWEEN 1 AND 1.5 MILLION, IT WILL GO SLIGHTLY UP A LITTLE BIT AND 1.5 MILLION AND MORE, IT WILL GO UP JUST A LITTLE MORE.

FOR THAT HIGHEST BRACKET, IT SELLS FOR OVER $1.5 MILLION, THERE ARE OTHER CITIES WHERE THEY ARE PAYING 3.75%.

IN PHILADELPHIA, IT IS 3.287%.

SO THERE ARE STATES THAT ARE COMPARABLE, CITIES THAT ARE COMPARABLE TO US THAT ARE PAYING A HIGHER RATE THAN THE ONE THAT WE ARE PROPOSING.

DEALS AREN'T BEING KILLED THERE.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS RECORD INVESTMENT IN CITIES ACROSS THE NATION.

YOU OR I, MIDDLE CLASS FOLKS ARE NEVER GOING TO BUY THESE $100 MILLION PROPERTIES.

WHO IS BUYING THESE ARE HEDGE FUNDS.

THEY ARE MAKING MORE MONEY THAN EVER BEFORE.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING TO DO IS WE WANT TO ENSURE WE ARE INVESTING IN ADDRESSING THE CRISIS OF HOMELESSNESS IN THE COMMUNITY AND THIS IS A SMART WAY TO DO IT.

>> SO THE ARGUMENT IS THAT THE HEDGE FUNDS BUYING THIS CAN ABSORB THE ADDED COST, ROIT?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT MARKET HE IS TALKING ABOUT.

THE OFFICE MARKET, THERE ARE NO TRANSACTIONS.

WE HAD THE FIRST OFFICE BUILDING DOWNTOWN SOLD ALL YEAR AND IT SOLD AT A 60% LOSS.

WE ARE SEEING 40 % TO 80% DROP IN VALUE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CHAIRMAN IS REFERRING TO MAKING HAND OVER FIST.

THE OFFICE MARKET IN REAL ESTATE IS A COMPLETE CATASTROPHE.

THE ARGUMENT THAT WE TRY TO CLARIFY IS THESE ARE NOT HOUSES OR PEOPLE.

THIS IS ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

IT SUPPORTS PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

OUR INDUSTRY RECRUITS INVESTMENTS AND THOSE ARE ALL UNION JOBS, ENGINEERS IN THE BUILDING, CUSTODIAL WORKERS, SECURITY FOLKS, METAL WORKING, THAT IS ALL UNION WORK.

IT SUPPORTS EVERYONE IN THE ENTIRE CITY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PROPERTY TAX BASE, A 40% TO 80% LAUTSZ IN VALUE IS A 9% INCREASE IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAX.

>> IT IS A SHIFT BECAUSE THERE IS ONE PROPERTY TAX LEVY AND THE TAX HAS TO GET THAT AMOUNT NO MATTER WHERE IT COMES FROM.

WE HEARD A STATEMENT FROM NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDING OWNERS ALLIANCE.

THEY SENT US A STATEMENT SAYING ANY OWNER THINKING OF SELLING IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS WILL NEED TO RAISE RENT TO COVER THE IMPACT OF TAX INCREASE, OFTEN BY $100 A MONTH.

THIS IS A GROUP THAT REPRESENTS NEIGHBORHOODS AND RESIDENTIAL.

WHAT ABOUT THAT ALDERMAN ROSA, COULD THIS LEAD TO HIGHER RATES?

>> THE PRIMARY LEADERSHIP IS THESE PEOPLE OWN HUNDREDS OF UNITS, THOUSANDS OF UNITS.

I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THEM MANY TIMES.

THEY TAKE AN EXTREME POSITION ON THESE ISSUES.

THEY TRY AND USE FEAR MONGERING TACTICS THAT HAVE NO BASIS IN REALITY.

YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO, WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT OUR REAL ESTATE MARKET IS HOT AND LEADING THE NATION IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT METRICS.

YOU HAVE TO REALIZE WHEN IT COMES TO RETURN TO WORK, WE ARE LEADING THE NATION NOW.

A LOT OF DATA CAME OUT THAT WE ARE LEADING THE NATION IN PEOPLE COMING BACK TO THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, TO GO TO THEIR JOBS.

SO CHICAGO IS SEEING A LOT OF INVESTMENT.

OF COURSE, WE KNOW INTEREST RATES ARE HIGH RIGHT WE KNOW THAT IS COOLING DOWN THE MARKET.

BUT THAT WILL NOT BE FOREVER.

WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE ADDRESS THE CRISIS OF HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE ARE CREATING A LOCAL SOURCE OF FUNDING TO CHIP AWAY AT THE ISSUE YEAR AFTER YEAR.

>> IT HAS BEEN ON THE TABLE FOR A WHILE .

WOE NEED TO CLARIFY FOR VIEWERS THAT IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS ON THE FAST TRACK TO PASS BUT IT BECOMES A REFERENDUM, AND GOES ON A BALLOT AND CHICAGO VOTERS WILL HAVE TO DECIDE.

SO IF IT DOES GET TO THE BALLOT, WILL THERE BE A PUBLIC CAMPAIGN TO SORT OF INFLUENCE VOTERS ONE WAY OR ANOTHER?

>> I WANT TO CORRECT TWO THINGS.

WE ARE NOT LEADING THE NATION ON RETURN TO OFFICE.

THAT IS BASED ON CAPITAL DATA AND SAYS WE ARE HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE, DOESN'T COUNT THE COMPETITOR CITIES.

THAT IS CAPITAL CUSTOMERS IN THE AREA.

IT IS ABOUT 10% HIGHER THAN WHAT WE ARE SEEING DOWNTOWN.

THE PROBLEM WITH THIS PROPOSAL IS NOT -- EVERYONE IN OUR INDUSTRY AGREES.

HOMELESSNESS IS A MAJOR CRISIS IN THE CITY AND IT WAS BEFORE YOU HAD ALL OF THE ASYLUM SEEKERS, BEFORE YOU INTRODUCED THAT TO THE CRISIS.

THE PROPOSAL HAS NOT BEEN -- THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

EVEN IF YOU LOOK AT ANY TAX, YOU WANT TO HAVE A VALUE PROPOSITION, WHAT ARE YOU GETTING FROM THE TAX?

THERE IS NO PROGRAM.

THERE IS NO METRIC OF WHAT WE ARE DOING OR WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING.

>> THAT'S NOT TRUE.

>> I READ THERE WAS 15% OF FEDERAL MONEY FOR HOMELESSNESS HAS BEEN SPENT.

THERE IS NO PROGRAM.

>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THIS MONEY GOING TO BE SPENT WHERE IT IS INTENDED, I KNOW THAT IS A CONCERN.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

ALDERMAN ROSA, WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

>>> ONE ON ONE WITH MR. HAMILTON HIMSELF, LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA.

POLICE STAY WITH US.

>>> LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA MADE A STOP IN THE WINDY CITY TO COMMEMORATE THE RETURN OF HAMILTON TO THE STAGE.

WE SAT DOWN WITH HIM TO GET THE HIS TAKE ON WHY THE RETURN TO CHICAGO IS SO SPECIAL.

>> WE HAVE A SPECIAL CHARACTER ON SESAME STREET NAMED AFTER YOU.

>> ALSO, MY FIRST JOB WAS AN INTERNSHIP AT CHANNEL 13, THE PBS AFFILIATE IN NEW YORK CITY.

I WORKED IN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

I GOT EVERYONE COFFEE, ALPHABETIZED READING RAINBOW.

>> HOW OLD WERE YOU THEN?

>> ABOUT 14.

>> WAS THAT WHEN YOU REALIZED YOU WERE INTERESTED IN THEATER?

>> I WAS INTERESTED WAY BEFORE THAT.

IT WAS A SUMMER GIG.

IT WAS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK.

IT WAS A GREAT ENVIRONMENT.

WE LOVE THE PBS LABS.

>> WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE, BEFORE WE GET INTO THE SHOW, I KNOW YOU HAD A LONG STANDING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OBAMAS.

THEY ARE KIND OF A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN THE EVOLUTION WHEN THE WORLD WAS FIRST INTRODUCING HAMILTON.

>> THE IDEA THAT YOU HAD THAT WASN'T MAKING SENSE IN THE ELEVATOR PITCH BUT IN THE END IT CAPTIVATED EVERYONE.

>> THAT IS A GOOD WAY TO PUT IT.

WE WERE VERY EARLY IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.

THIS WAS MAY OF 2009.

THEY WERE DOING THE FIRST READING OF POETRY AND SPOKEN WORD IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO SOMETHING FOR MIDNIGHT, THE SHOW THAT WAS RUNNING ON BROADWAY AT THE TIME.

THEY SAID UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMETHING ABOUT THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, AND THE ONE SONG I HAD WRITTEN FOR HAMILTON, I HADN'T REALLY WRITTEN ANYTHING ELSE.

I HAD BIG PLANS BUT I FIGURED, IF IT DOESN'T WORK IN THIS ROOM, WHERE IS IT GOING TO WORK?

SO I JUST FIGURED THIS WAS KIND OF THE PERFECT TEST AUDIENCES.

I LAUGH NOW AT HOW BRAVE I WAS TO SING THIS PIECE THAT ONLY MY WIFE AND ALEX LACKMER HAD HEARD IN THE EAST WING OF THE WHITE HOUSE BUT THERE WE WERE.

YOU CAN TELL HOW NERVOUS I AM IF YOU WATCH THE VIDEO.

AND I WAS FREAKING OUT.

I WAS DEBUTING A SONG IN FRONT OF THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD.

I REMEMBER LOOKING AT HIM RIGHT IN THE EYES WHEN IT STARTED.

AND I LOOKED AND LOOKED AT MICHELLE, AND THEN I CAN'T LOOK THERE EITHER.

AND IT WAS MICHELLE'S MOM WHO BECAME MY ANCHOR.

>> HOW DOES THAT FEEL TO HAVE HAMILTON BACK ON STAGE IN CHICAGO, AT A LOCAL THEATER?

THIS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST STOPS WHEN HAMILTON REALLY REACHED ITS PEAK.

AND IT SEEMS GREAT THAT IT IS BACK HERE.

>> I WOULD GO FURTHER IN THAT IT WAEBT JUST THE FIRST STOP.

IT WAS THE CHICAGO COMPANY.

IT WAS THE SECOND COMPANY WE HAD SET UP, THE FIRST TIME AFTER THE ORIGINAL COMPANY.

THEY WERE ALL STARS.

IT WAS SUCH A THRILL TO WATCH CHICAGO EMPRAS THE SHOW AND THE ACTORS IN THE SHOW.

YOU WOULD SEE JOSH HAMILTON, JOHN SEAT CLUB CUB GAMES.

THIS IS A TALENTED GROUP THAT IS COMING FROM ALASKA.

THEY HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

I'M EXCITED FOR CHICAGO TO EMBRACE THEM THE WAY THEY EMBRACED THE ORIGINAL CHICAGO COMPANY.

I'M EXCITED FOR THEM TO SIT DOWN FOR A FEW MONTHS.

THEY HAVE BEEN RUNNING AROUND.

I'M REALLY EXCITED TO ALSO JUST SUPPORT LIVE THEATER IN CHICAGO AGAIN BECAUSE IT IS STRUGGLING HERE, STRUGGLING IN NEW YORK AND I'M REALLY PROUD TO BE HERE.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO VIEWERS WHO ARE NOT TAPPED INTO LOCAL THEATER OR UNDERSTAND THE NECESSITY OF IT SPECIFICALLY IN CHICAGO?

WHY SHOULD THEY COME SEE THE SHOW?

>> I THINK THE TWO GREATEST THEATER AMBASSADORS THIS SUMMER HAVE BEEN TAYLOR SWIFT AND BEYONCE.

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE GOTTEN -- YOU HAVE TAKEN THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE TO HEAR THE MUSIC YOU LOVE.

IT WASN'T MUSIC YOU HADN'T HEARD BEFORE.

YOU HAVE HEARD EVERY ALPM IN THE ERAS TOUR.

BUT TO EXPERIENCE THAT IN A ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE WHO LOVE WHAT YOU LOVE, AND WITH YOUR LOVED ONES, WHETHER IT IS A FIRST DATE OR WITH YOUR MOM, IT IS REALLY SPECIAL AND NOTHING THAT DUPLICATES IT.

THE SAME IS TRUE WITH HAMILTON.

THERE WAS A WHOLE GENERATION THAT FELL IN LOVE WITH HAMILTON WHEN IT WAS STREAMING.

I'M EXCITED FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO MAYBE DIDN'T SEE THE FIRST CHICAGO RUN TO COME SEE IT PAUSE THERE IS NOTHING LIKE SEEING IT LIVE.

>> I'M ONE OF THOSE.

I'M WAITING FOR IT TO COME BACK.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE IT AGAIN.

>> THAT MAKES ME SO HAPPY.

>> WORTH THE TRIP TO SEE IT.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHEN YOU CAN SEE HAMILTON IN CHICAGO.

THERE IS MORE OF OUR CONVERSATION WITH LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA ONLINE.

HE SHARES HOW HE AVOIDS BURNOUT DURING PRODUCTION AND HIS FAVORITE ARTIST.

>> HE IS SO ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT IT DESPITE HOW OFTEN IT HAS BEEN REPRODUCED AROUND THE WORLD.

>>> PAUL FERRIC WANTS YOU TO TAKE MIDWESTERN FOOD SERIOUSLY.

HE SAYS IT IS MORE THAN CROCK POT MEALS WITH CREAM OF MUSHROOM OR SALADS MADE WITH COOL WHIP.

HE SAYS AMERICA HAS UNDERESTIMATED THE CULINARY DEPTH OF THE MIDWEST ON THE COUNTRY'S TASTE.

HE IS THE CHEF AND OWNER OF BIG JOANS IN ANDERSONVILLE.

HE IS OUT WITH A SECOND BOOK THIS WEEK, A COLLECTION OF RECIPES AND A TOUR THROUGH OUR REGION'S FOOD'S HISTORY.

>> I'M GOING TO PUT SOME FRIES OVER HERE.

>> Reporter: THESE DAYS, PAUL FERBACK IS MOSTLY COOKING UP FOOD AT HIS RESTAURANT.

>> WE WILL BASTE THEM AND THEN PLATE THEM HERE.

>> Reporter: HIS EARLIEST CULINARY REMRIES ARE NOT FROM LOUISIANA BUT FROM INDIA.

>> MY GRAND PARENTS HOUSE, ON THE FARM, WHERE THE BACK BERRY PATCH WAS, THEY STILL DID HOG KILLINGS.

GRANDMA HAD A GARDEN AND CANNED ALL OF THIS.

>> Reporter: WHEN HE WAS TRAVELLING AROUND THE SOUTH, MAKING THE CUISINE HE NOW MAKES FOR A LIVING, HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE ARRAY OF FOOD.

WHEN HE VISITED HIS FOLKS?

>> I REALIZED WE HAVE A LOT OF INTERESTING FOODS HERE THAT WHEN I WAS GROWING UP I JUST TOOK FOR GRANTED.

I WANTED TO DOCUMENT THE TRADITIONAL FOODS BECAUSE FOOD CHANGES AND IT DISAPPEARS.

>> Reporter: WHEN WE VISITED, HE WAS COOKING UP MIDWESTERN BARBECUE.

BY CELEBRATING THE RECIPES IN THE NEW BOOK, HE WANTED TO DISPELSOME OF THE SMALL MINDED VIEWS PEOPLE HAVE OF MIDWESTERN COOKING.

>> MEAT, POTATOES, RANCH DRESSING, WHICH WE ALL LOVE BUT THERE IS A LOT MORE TO IT THAN THAT.

>> YOU WROTE, THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY, THE MIDWEST HAS BEEN THE MOST CONQUENTIAL REGION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AMERICAN FOOD AND DRINK CULTURE.

>> I CAN'T GO INTO DEPICT ABOUT WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT BUT THE MIDWEST HAS BEEN THE SDRAEAL HUB OF THE COUNTRY.

IT IS HOW IT WAS DEVELOPED.

IT HAS BEEN THE BREAD BASKET FOR THE COUNTRY AS WELL.

>> THE MEAT PACKERS OF CHICAGO, FLOUR MILLERS OF MINNESOTA.

BUT THE MIDWEST WAS NOT JUST MAKING FOOD.

IT WAS INCLUNSING HOW PEOPLE COOK.

THE CHARACTER OF BETTY CROCKER WAS CREATED BY THE MINNESOTA BASED COMPANY THAT BECAME GENERAL MILLS.

>> I'M BETTY CROCKER AND I PROMISE YOU A PERFECT CAKE EVERY TIME YOU BAKE.

>> SHE HAD MORE LISTENERS IN THE SOUTH FOR HER RADIO PROGRAM THAN SHE DID IN THE MIDWEST.

>> Reporter: COOK BOOKS WERE A HUGE PART OF FERBACK'S RESEARCH.

MANY OF THEM WERE IN GERMAN BROUGHT BY IMMIGRANTS TO THE MIDWEST.

AMONG HIS FINDS?

>> THE OLDEST HAM BURGER RECIPE, THE OLDEST FRIED CHICKEN RECIPE.

>> Reporter: YOU HEARD HIM RIGHT, FRIED CHICKEN, MIDWESTERN, NOT SOUTHERN.

HE SAID ALL BEEF HOT DOGS WERE INVENTED BY CHICAGO'S JEWISH COMMUNITY.

>> SORRY NEW YORK.

IT WAS ACTUALLY DECADES EARLIER.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS WHILE FRIED CHICKEN ISN'T ORIGINALLY SOUTHERN, A LOT OF MIDWESTERN COOKING IS SHAPED BY PATTERNS FROM THE GREAT MIGRATION AND RESETTLING UP NORTH.

JAMES P. LEMON SAW MEAT PACKERS CUTTING THE TIPS OFF OF SPARERIBS AND PUT THEM TO USE IN BARBECUE.

>> MOST BARBECUE, YOU ARE DOING LOW AND SLOW.

CHICAGO STYLE, WE ARE DOING A LITTLE BIT HIGHER HEAT AND NOT AS LONG.

>> WHAT ARE YOU BAKING?

>> THIS IS A CHICAGO STYLE BARBECUE SAUCE, IT IS SIMILAR TO MEMSIS FS.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE FULTZPLE PROFILES OF CHEFS ACROSS THE REGION.

HE HOPES TO HIGHLIGHTS PEOPLE OF COLOR IN THE BOOK.

HE SAID IT IS TIME BLACK, LATINO AND INDIGENOUS MIDWESTERNERS GET THEIR DUE IN FOOD AND BEYOND.

>> WE NEED TO INVITE THEM TO THE TABLE AND SUPPORT WHAT THEY ARE DOING BECAUSE WE WILL ALL BE RICHER BY HAVING THEM AS PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: A COMMUNITY FERBACK HOPES GETS LOUDER ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTIONS.

>> WE NEED TO TOOT OUR HORN A LITTLE AND PUFF UP OUR CHESTS AND HAVE PRIDE ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: AS FOR WHAT I GOT TO EAT THE DAY OF OUR CONVERSATION?

ENOUGH SAID.

FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M NICK LUMBER.

>> I SAW IT ON MONDAY AND SEEING IT AGAIN, STILL HUNGRY.

STILL TOUGH TOWATCH ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

THE BOOK IS MIDWESTERN FOOD, A CHEF'S GUIDE TO THE SURPRISING HISTORY OF THE GREAT AMERICAN CUISINE, AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE.

>> IT LOOKS DELICIOUS.

THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

FOR ALL OF US HERE, I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

SEE YOU AT BIG JOE'S AFTER THE SHOW.

>>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A. CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND