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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> AS INTEREST RATES CLIMB, HOME PRICES SEE A 9-YEAR LOW.

WE TALK ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO BUY A HOUSE RIGHT NOW.

>> WORKING WEEKENDS, WORKING DOUBLE SHIFTS.

THAT NOT SPENDING TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

>> NURSE THES AT TWO STATE FACILITIES SAY THEY ARE FACING THE BRUNT OF A STAFFING SHORTAGE.

A LIVE REPORT FROM DUNGING.

>> NEIGHBORS REPORT DAMAGE TO DOUGLASS PARK AFTER CONCERTS AT RIOT FEST.

[♪♪♪] >> AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS FINAL SEASON IN CHICAGO, MAESTRO RICCARDO MUTI REFLECTS ON THE YEAR.

>> ART CREATURES TAKEOVER WHEATON'S CANTIGNY PARK.

>> AND INSTEAD OF CARS A FLEET OF ROBOTS ABOUT DELIVER YOUR FOOD DEALS INTO A NEW PILOT PROGRAM TO TEST THE DEVICES IN CHICAGO.

>> AND AS YOU MENTIONED I WILL BE REPORTING LIVE IN DUNNING FOR OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

AND WE ARE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT NURSING SHORTAGES AT TWO STATE-RUN FACILITIES AND ALSO SPEAKING WITH A LOCAL ALDERMAN AND WE'LL SERVE UP DESSERT.

THAT AND MORE BUT FIRST BACK TO YOU.

>> WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

>> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER IS CALLING ON TWO STATE SENATORS FROM HIS OWN PARTY TO RESIGN.

STATE SENATOR EMIL JONES, III IS FACING 23-D CHARGES FOR ALLEGEDLY TAKING A BRIBE FROM A FIRM THAT INSTALLED RED LIGHT CAMERAS IN THE STATE.

AND STATE SENATOR MICHAEL HASTINGS IS ACCUSED OF ABUSING HIS WIFE AND FACED CHARGES OF VERBABLE ABUSE.

THE CALLS TO STEP DOWN COME AS JONES AND HASTINGS RESIGNED FROM THEIR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AT THE REQUEST OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT.

IN A STATEMENT GOVERNOR PRITZKER UP FOR REELECTION SAYS QUOTE... >> THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT RULES 6-0 THAT TWO FORMER STATE SENATORS ARE NOT ALLOWS TO RECEIVE BACK PAY FOR RAISES THEY VOTED TO REJECT WHEN THEY WERE IN OFFICE.

FORMER DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATORS JAMES CLAY BURN, AND MIKE MILAN ARGUED IT VIOLATED THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION.

AFTER A LAWSUIT THAT ILLINOIS COMPTROLLER MENDOZA BROUGHT FIVE YEARS AGO.

THE RULING SAVES TAXPAYERS $10 MILLION OR MORE.

>> AN INDIANA JUDGE IS BLOCKING THE STATE'S BAN ON NEARLY ALL ABORTIONS A WEEK AFTER IT WENT INTO EFFECT.

ABORTION CLINIC OPERATORS SAY THE BAN VIOLATES THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

THEY ARGUE IN A LAWSUIT THAT INDIANA'S CONSTITUTION ACTUALLY PROTECTS ACCESS TO THE MEDICAL PROCEDURE.

INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS IN A STATEMENT THAT THEY PLAN TO APPEAL THE JUDGE'S DECISION.

>> SOME COOK COUNTY RESIDENTS WILL HAVE ONE LESS TAX COME NEXT SUMMER.

THAT IS AFTER COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONERS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED THE WHEEL TAX ELIMINATION ORDINANCE.

IT PUTS AN END TO DRIVERS IN UNINCORPORATED FROM THE COUNTY FROM HAVING TO REGISTER THEIR VEHICLES LIKE SOMEPLACES REQUIRE A CITY STICKER.

>> THIS ORDINANCE IS SUPPORTED BY THE CHICAGO METROPOLITAN PLANNING AGENCY, WHO LAST YEAR PUBLISHED A REPORT HIGHLIGHTING THE DETRIMENTAL IMPACTS TRANSPORTATION FEES AND FINES CAN HAVE ON LOW INCOME RESIDENTS.

>> THE COUNTY'S FINANCE BUREAU SAYS REVENUE ACCOUNTS FOR LESS THAN HALF OF A PERCENT OF THE COUNTY'S MORE THAN $8 BILLION BUDGET.

THE ORDINANCE IS SET TO TAKE EFFECT JUNE 30, 2023.

NEXT UP, A LIVE REPORT FROM CHICAGO'S DUNNING COMMUNITY.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> MANY CITY EMPLOYEES AND PEOPLE OF POLISH DESCENT CALL THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF DUNGING HOME AS DO VETERANS WHO ARE BEGINNING TO MOVE INTO THE STATE'S NEWEST VETERANS' HOME.

THE NORTHWEST SIDE COMMUNITY AREA HAS A STORIED AND SOME CASES GRIM HISTORY.

OUR AMANDA VINICKY AND ACASSNA HERNANDEZ SPENT TIME IN DUNNING AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" AND AMANDA JOINS US NOW.

AMANDA?

>> BRANDIS BACK IN THE LATE 19TH CENTURY DUNNING WAS CONSIDERED A SCARY PLACE.

>> PARENTS USED TO THREATEN THEIR CHILDREN THAT IF YOU DIDN'T BEHAVE IF YOU DIDN'T EAT YOUR BREAKFAST THEY WOULD SEND TO YOU DUNNING.

>> NOW, THAT IS BECAUSE DUNNING WAS THE SITE OF AN ASYLUM FOR THOSE CONSIDERED TO BE INSANE AND THEY WERE NOT TREATED WELL.

THERE ARE REFERENCES TO IT AS A TOMB FOR THE LIVING.

IN DUNNING WHAT IS KNOWN THEN AS A POOR HOUSE, REALLY A FARM WHERE PEOPLE IN POVERTY WERE ABLE TO GROW FOOD TO EAT.

NOW, SOME OF THOSE LONG AGO RESIDENTS WILL BE CONSIDERED -- WILL SPEND THEIR ETERNITY IN DUNNING BECAUSE SWATHS OF THE AREA WERE USED AS A POTTER'S FIELD OR BURIAL GROUND FOR THE INDIGENT.

RESIDENT, DAN POVOVERSK TOLD ME ABOUT HOW THAT HAS MESSED WITH MODERN-DAY PLANS.

>> PARK AVENUE WAS WORKED ON WHERE EXCAVATE CREWS LITERALLY HAD TO CHANGE WHERE THE SEWERS IN THE ACTUAL UNDER THE ROAD WERE BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THERE WERE CASKETS THAT FOLKS NEEDED TO AVOID.

YOU HAD WHETHER IT'S THE COLLEGE AT THE LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER AT IRVING AND NARRAGANSETT, BECAUSE OF PEOPLE COUNT BETWEEN 40,000-60,000 PEOPLE BURIED HERE.

>> HE SAYS THAT HAS GIVEN RISE TO A LOT OF GHOST STORIES AND THERE HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTS TO RECKON WITH THAT PAST.

THERE IS NOW A MEMORIAL THAT IS HONORING THOSE WHO MORE THAN A CENTURY AGO WERE BURIED WITHOUT REGULAR ANYTHING.

DAN POVOVERSK SAYS THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO DUNNING THAN THAT PAST LIKE THE CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO'S WILBUR WRIGHT COLLEGE.

BEHIND ME.

CHICAGO BORN AND RAISED ARCHITECT BERTRAND GOLDBERG KNOWN FOR THE MA RHYNENA CITIES AND HE IS THE VISIONARY BEHIND THE COMPLEX AT WILBUR WRIGHT COLLEGE AND THE SOARING PYRAMID.

AND DAN POVOVERSK SAYS THE ARTIST LEE GOLDY, ALSO GREW UP RIGHT DOWN NARRAGANSETT FROM WHERE I AM STANDING NOW.

HE SAYS DUNNING MAY NOT BE KNOWN OR THOUGHT OF AS CHIC BUT HE LIKES TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE STORIES.

SO HE SAYS PEOPLE CAN FEEL PROUD OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

OF COURSE, AGAIN THAT ASYLUM A SORE POINT IT IS LONG GONE BUT THOSE WITH SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES MAY RESIDE AT THE STATE RUN CHICAGO READ MENTAL HEALTH CENTER.

JIM ALM IS A NURSE THERE AND HE SAYS THE JOB IS TOUGH THESE DAYS BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH NURSES.

THAT WAS AN ISSUE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

BUT HE SAYS IT GOT WORSE DURING COVID.

AND HE SAYS THAT BEING UNDERSTAFFED AND OVERWORKED TAKES A TOLL.

>> YOU ARE FORCED TO DO MANDATORY OVERTIME AND AFTER TWO OR THREE LONG SHIFTS THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO HEAR IS A PHONE CALL AN HOUR BEFORE YOU GO HOME, HEY YOU NEED TO STAY FOR ANOTHER EIGHT HOURS.

SO IT IS, IT'S VERY STRESSFUL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH MISSING DOWNTIME FOR HOBBIES, RELAXATION, WORKING WEEKENDS, WORKING DOUBLE SHIFTS, NOT SPENDING TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

>> A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES ACKNOWLEDGES THAT READ IS HAVING DIFFICULTIES HIRING.

AND OUR HOSPITALS EVERYWHERE.

AND AND THE DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH IS WORKING DILIGENTLY TO ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES THROUGH INITIATIVES.

SUCH AS LOAN FORGIVE ANDS, AND CREATION OF A BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE CARE FOR SOME OF OUR STATE'S MOST VULNERABLE DEPARTMENTS AND SAYS THE DEPARTMENT IS COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THOSE CHALLENGES WITH HIRING.

NOW, NURSES SAY, HOWEVER THAT SHORTAGES ARE ALSO A PROBLEM AT THE NEARBY STATE VETERANS HOME.

MEMBERS OF THE NURSES UNION RECENTLY DEMONSTRATED TO BRING AWARENESS AND ATTENTION TO THESE ISSUES.

THE FIRST RESIDENTS JUST MOVED INTO THE VETERANS' HOME IN JANUARY.

THAT IS ACTUALLY EIGHT YEARS AFTER THE GROUNDBREAKING.

BIG DELAYS DUE TO POLITICAL, FINANCIAL, CONSTRUCTION RELATED ISSUES.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE VETERANS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT SAYS IT IS WORKING TO HIRE LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES RIGHT NOW.

AND ALSO THAT MORE THAN 100 STAFF ARE CURRENTLY THERE TAKING CARE OF TWO DOZEN RESIDENTS.

>> ONE COULD LOOK AT JUST THE NUMBERS AND SAY WE'RE GOOD TO GO.

I AM NOT ACCEPTING OF THAT.

WE LOOK AT SOCIAL SERVICES, ACTIVITIES, TRIPS, FAMILY VISITS, VOLUNTEERISM, WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS WITH VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE TO INSURE THAT IT ISN'T JUST HEY WE HAVE THIS MANY HOURS OF CARE, NO, ARE YOU HAVING A GREAT EXPERIENCE AT THE VETERANS HOME?

BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY NONE OF OUR VETERANS WANT TO LIVE IN A NURSING HOME.

SO WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE IT ISN'T A NURSING HOME.

IT IS A HOME.

>> BEFORE I SEND IT BACK TO YOU, GOING TO GO FOR A DUNNING SWEET TREAT AND THAT IS ELI'S.

PRESIDENT CLINTON AND BARACK OBAMA INDULGED ON THIS CHICAGO DESERT AND FRANK SINATRA HE GIFTED THE OWNER WITH A CARTIER WATCH THAT HIS SON WEARS EVERYDAY.

WHAT MAKES THIGHS CHEESECAKE SPECIAL AND DIFFERENT?

IT COMES IN 200 FLAVORS.

>> WE'RE CHICAGO, RIGHT?

IT IS A DIFFERENT TEXTURE.

AND I THINK MY DAD, ELI, WANTED TO CREATE THIS UNIQUE CAKE.

AND THAT WAS REALLY IN HIS RESTAURANT IN THE 70s BEFORE TASTE OF CHICAGO WORKING ON GETTING THAT RIGHT TASTE.

COOKIE CRUST, THE COOKIE BAKERS WORKING THROUGH THE NIGHT.

IT IS A FASTER BAKE A LOT OF CHEESECAKES ARE MADE WITH A WATER BATH.

WE USE SOUR CREAM, SO IT HAS A LITTLE BIT OF A BITE, A LITTLE DIFFERENT FLAVOR.

>> ELI'S HAS BEEN IN DUNGING SINCE 1984 MOVING TO THE CURRENT LOCATION IN ' 96.

THINGS HAVE GONE SO WELL THAT IT IS ACTUALLY EXPANDING ADDING 42,000 FEET TO THE DUNNING LOCATION AND ADDING 35 MORE JOBS.

OWNER SHULMAN SAYS THEY LIKE BEING IN THE CITY AND THEY HAVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH WILBUR WRIGHT COLLEGE INCLUDING ELS CLASSES AND HIRING OF REFUGEES AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

AND SHULMAN SAYS, YES, HE HAS AT LEAST SOME CHEESECAKE EVERYDAY.

MORE COMING UP, FOR NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CHEESECAKE SAMPLES I'M SURE YOU ARE BRINGING BACK TO EVERYBODY AT THE STATION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> TO PARIS AND THE IMPACT THE LATEST INTEREST RATE HIKE COULD HAVE ON THE HOUSING MARKET.

PARIS?

>> THE FEDERAL RESERVE'S LATEST RATE HIKE MEANS HIGHER COSTS FOR CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS, BANK LOANS AND MORTGAGES, OUR FEARS THAT HOUSING PRICES IN CHICAGO AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY COULD CRASH SOON.

SEAMS ARE DOWN 8% FROM PEAK AND SOME ECONOMISTS SAY THEY COULD PLUMMET AS MUCH AS 20%.

IS IT A BUYERS MARKET?

A SELLERS MARKET?

OR A BEAR MARKET?

HERE TO BREAK IT DOWN ARE GEOFF SMITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DePAUL UNIVERSITY'S OF HOUSING STUDIES.

AINHOA GARCIA HISPANIC REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS, AND DENNIS RODKIN, RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE REPORTER AT CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS.

WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

DENNIS, THE PACE OF HOME SALES IS SLOWING NATIONALLY.

PRICES ARE OFF OF THEIR PEAK IN JUNE.

ARE WE SEEING THE SAME TRENDS IN CHICAGO?

>> WE'VE STARTED TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF IT, YES.

WE JUST YESTERDAY GOT DATA FOR AUGUST.

AND PRICES IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO DROPPED BY 5% FROM A YEAR BEFORE.

FOR THE REGION THEY ARE STILL GROWING THEY ARE GOING UP FOR AUGUST THEY WERE UP 3%.

THE PRICE IS DOWN NOT ONLY FROM 2021 WHEN PRICES WERE SURGING, BUT FROM 2019 WHICH IS PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC HOUSING BOOM.

SO, YES, WE HAVE STARTED TO SEE IT ESPECIALLY IN CHICAGO BUT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WE MAY IT SEE IT IN THE LARGER METRO AREA.

>> THE CITY IS REFLECTING THE NUMBERS NATIONWIDE.

THE FEDERAL INCREASED INTEREST RATES, MORTGAGES THE RATE IS 6% RIGHT NOW.

COULD THAT GO EVEN HIGHER?

>> YES.

AND IT IS SUSPECTED AND WE HAVE SEEN IT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

I DO ANTICIPATE TO SEE IT.

AND WE HAVE TO PREPARE OUR BUYERS AND SELLERS TO RECORRECT EVEN THE STRATEGY FOR BUYING AND SELLING, ESPECIALLY TOO, FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT IN ORDER TO SELL THEY NEED TO CONSIDER THESE CORRECTIONS.

>> GEOFF SMITH DO YOU ANTICIPATE BECAUSE OF HIGHER INTEREST RATES THAT SALES AND PRICES MAY DROP-OFF IN CHICAGO OVER THE NEXT YEAR AS WELL?

>> YES, I DEFINITELY WOULD EXPECT PRICES AND SALES TO SLOW DOWN.

I THINK LOW INTEREST RATES DROVE INCREASES IN DEMAND ALONG WITH CHANGING CONSUMER PREFERENCES FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES DURING THE PANDEMIC AND THAT PAIRED WITH LIMITED SUPPLY OF FOR SALE HOUSING CAUSED THE PRICES TO BOOM DURING THE LAST FEW YEARS.

AND NOW THAT THE DEMAND SIDE IS SLOWING DOWN DUE TO HIGHER INTEREST RATES I SPECIFIC THAT IS A PRICE FOR SALES ACTIVITY OVERALL.

>> AND DENNIS RODKIN WE KNOW HOW CHICAGO IS DEPENDENT ON THE HOUSING MARKET AND THE U.S. ECONOMY IS VERY RELIANT ON THE HOUSING MARKET AND IN CHICAGO YOU HAVE THE MEGA PROJECTS LIKE LINCOLN YARDS OR THE 78 THAT HAVE PLANS TO BUILD THOUSANDS OF UNITS COULD THIS CORRECTION HERE PUT A DAMPER ON SOME OF THOSE PLANS?

>> I THINK MOST OF THE DEVELOPERS LOOK LONG-TERM.

IT'S ALSO POSSIBLE YOU KNOW, IF BUYING BECOMES TOO DIFFICULT RENTING WILL BECOME MORE POPULAR AND WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SHIFT SOME OF THE UNITS.

THE OTHER THING TO THINK ABOUT, SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS YOU TALKED ABOUT, PARIS AND SOME OF THE BIG CONDO BUILDINGS COON, BUYERS ARE OFTEN NOT INTEREST RATE DEPENDENT.

WE SAW A SALE TODAY OF THE HIGHEST PRICED HOME IN CHICAGO IN 2022, A CONDO DOWNTOWN AT THE ST. REGIS WENT FOR $20.5 MILLION.

THAT IS THE SECOND SALE AT OVER $20 MILLION THIS YEAR.

AND A LOT OF THE PEOPLE BUYING UP AT THAT LEVEL AT THE 3, 4, 20 MILLION LEVEL, INTEREST RATES HAVE LITTLE EFFECT ON THEM.

THEY ARE PAYING CASH.

THEY HAVE CASH AND BONUSES AND STOCK MARKET WEALTH STOCKPILED SO THEY ARE NOT AS AFFECTED.

>> THE SUPER WEALTHY NOT SO AFFECTED.

AINHOA GARCIA WHAT ABOUT FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS OR HOMEOWNERS LOOKING TO PERHAPS SELL BUT NOW THINKING WELL, I'VE GOT A GOOD INTEREST RATE MAYBE I SHOULD HANG ON TO THIS FOR NOW?

>> ANYTIME WE SEE A CORRECTION IN THE ECONOMY, AFFECTING THE REAL ESTATE MARKET, THE FIRST ONES TO GET HURT IS THE MINORITIES, THE BROWN AND THE BLACK COMMUNITIES.

LOWER INCOME FAMILIES AND THOSE WHO REALLY DREAM TO OWN THEIR HOME AS THE VEHICLE TO BUILD WEALTH TO PAY FOR COLLEGE FOR THEIR KIDS AND RETIREMENT PLANS, THESE IS THE MAIN PROBLEM.

WE NOW SEE THAT THOSE FAMILIES THAT COULD AFFORD A $1500 MORTGAGE PAYMENT NO LONGER QUALIFY BECAUSE OF THE INTEREST RATES.

SO THIS IS THE MAIN REASON WHY WE NEED THESE CORRECTIONS IN THE PRICING.

SO WE CAN STILL BALANCE THE BALANCE THE SITUATION OUT AND STILL HAVE THE LOWER INCOME FAMILIES AND MINORITIES STILL BEING ABLE TO BECOME HOMEOWNERS.

THAT IS WHAT I SEE THE MOST NEED RIGHT NOW FROM [INAUDIBLE] >> GEOFF SMITH COULD THIS BE A NECESSARY CORRECTION TO BRING PRICES MORE IN LINE SO MORE FOLKS CAN AFFORD TO BUY HOMES?

THERE IS A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN CHICAGO AND ACROSS THE NATION.

WHAT ABOUT THAT?

>> YES, I MEAN IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA ON OVERALL HOUSING AFFORDABILITY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOUSE PRICES AND RENTS AND INCOMES YOU SEE THE HOUSE PRICES AND RENTS HAVE GROWN WHILE INCOMES HAVE NOT.

THEREFORE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IS A REAL CHALLENGE FOR BOTH FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS, MODERATE INCOME RENTERS.

I DO THINK THAT SLOWING DOWN THE HOUSING MARKET AND SLOWING PRICE GROWTH MAY HAVE A LONG-TERM BENEFIT TO HELPING PEOPLE ACCESS HOMEOWNERSHIP.

INTEREST RATES GOING UP MIGHT MAKE IT MORE EXPENSIVE, AND YOU STILL HAVE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF THE LACK OF STARTER HOMES AND ACCESSIBLE MODEST COSTS HOMEOWNERSHIP OPTIONS FOR MODEST INCOME BUYERS.

IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

AFFORDABILITY IS A CHALLENGE.

DROPPING HOUSE PRICES TFLLY WILL -- HOPEFULLY WILL ADDRESS THAT.

>> DENNIS RODKIN CAN YOU HAVE ONLOOKERS WORRY ABOUT A CRASH AKIN TO 2008?

DO YOU SEE TRENDS LEADING IN THAT DIRECTION AT ALL IN CHICAGO?

>> I THINK IT'S TOO SOON TO SAY THAT.

IT DOES SEEM LIKELY THAT THINGS WILL SOFTEN BOTH ON PRICE AND ON THE NUMBER OF SALES.

BUT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANY REASON REALLY YET TO THINK ABOUT A CRASH.

WE WERE FOUND IN ONE NATIONAL REPORT TO BE ONE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE MARKETS THE OTHER BEING NEW YORK CITY WHERE THE NEW JERSEY SUBURBS OF NEW YORK CITY IN THE EVENT OF A RECESSION.

BUT PART OF OUR PROBLEM IS WE HAVE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDERWATER ON THE MORTGAGE.

THAT MEANS YOU OWE MORE ON THE HOUSE THAN IT'S WORTH.

AND IF ONE OF THE REASONS WE'RE VULNERABLE IS IF WE TURN DOWN THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE MORE LIKELY TO SAY THIS INVESTMENT IS NOT PERFORMING FOR ME.

I'M JUST GOING TO WALK IT WAY AND LET IT FALL INTO FORECLOSE.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE COULD SEE IF THINGS STARTED TO CRASH.

BUT IT'S TOO SOON.

PRICES ARE GOING UP FOR THE REGION IN GENERAL.

REGION WIDE THOUGH THEY HAVE FALLEN IN THE CITY.

IT'S TOO SOON TO SAY THAT WE'LL HAVE A CRASH.

BUT IF WE DID HAVE A CRASH, CHICAGO WOULD BE QUITE VULNERABLE.

>> I KNOW AINHOA GARCIA YOU WERE MENTIONING COMMUNITIES OF COLLEGE MIGHT BE THE MUST VULNERABLE HOMEOWNERS.

WHAT PROGRAMS ARE OUT THERE FOR FOLKS THAT MIGHT BE UNDERWATER RIGHT NOW?

>> THERE ARE MANY.

IF YOU ALLOW ME I WOULD ACTUALLY MENTION SOMETHING TO WHAT DENNIS MENTIONED BEFORE.

I AGREE WITH THE MARKET NOT CRASHING NOT USING THAT WORD AT LEAST JUST YET.

BECAUSE OUT OF ALL THE YEARS IN HISTORY LOOKING AT DATA, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THE MOST 35 YEAR READY AND ABLE TO PURCHASE.

AND THE INVENTORY NATIONWIDE FOR THIS YEAR WAS 870,000 FOR OVER 30 MILLION OF 35 YEARS OLD.

IT'S STILL INVENTORY AND THE DEMAND AND THE INVENTORY THAT IS EXISTING RIGHT NOW IT IS STILL A GOOD STANDING.

IT WOULD HAVE TO DISAPPEAR THE DEMAND AND ALL THE PEOPLE NOT WANTING TO BUY IN ORDER FOR THIS TO CRASH.

HOWEVER IN RESPONDING TO YOUR QUESTION FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOWER INCOME FAMILIES THERE ARE PROGRAMS.

THE MAIN ISSUE WE SEE WITH OUR COMMUNITIES IS THE LACK OF RESOURCES ALSO THE ACCESSIBILITY TO ASSETS.

SOMETIMES THEY HAVE -- WHEN THEY COME AND TALK TO ME,S THEY HAVE LOW CREDIT SCORES.

SO PROGRAMS TO FIX THEIR CREDIT SO THEY COULD QUALIFY FOR BETTER LOAN PRODUCT.

FOR THESE GRANTS.

THERE ARE GRANTS NATIONALLY AND THE COUNTIES AND ILLINOIS WE DO HAVE GRANTS.

AND RIGHT NOW I'M ACTUALLY I HAVE A CONFERENCE LEARNING MANY, MANY RESOURCES AND WE HAVE THEM AVAILABLE.

>> AND AS YOU SAID A LOT OF DEMAND AND THERE ARE MORE RESTRICTIONS ON GETTING A HOME LOAN THAN IN 2008.

SO YOU WOULD THINK THAT MIGHT STAVE OFF SOME OF THE WORST OF WHAT HAPPENED.

OUR THANKS TO GEOFF SMITH, AINHOA GARCIA AND DENNIS RODKIN THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, AN EXIT INTERVIEW WITH ONE OF CHICAGO'S MOST PROMINENT CULTURAL ICONS.

SO STAY WITH US.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING REPORTS OF DAMAGE DONE TO DOUGLASS PARK FOLLOWING A MUSIC FESTIVAL.

FIRST, THIS WEEKEND MARKS THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF MY TRO RICCARDO MUTI'S TENURE AS MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

WE VISITED IN A ROUSING REHEARSAL.

HEDY WEISS SPOKE WITH HIM ABOUT HIS TIME IN CHICAGO.

[♪♪♪] >> THIS AFTERNOON WHEN YOU WERE LEADING REHEARSAL, I WAS THINKING IF THEY HAD BROUGHT IN EVEN JUST THREE OR FOUR CLASSROOMS OF KIDS I THINK THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AWE.

AND THINK WHAT HAPPENS IS THERE ARE BARRIERS IN JUST THE WAY THE MUSIC IS TALKED ABOUT RATHER THAN JUST EXPOSING THEM.

>> SO THE PROBLEM IS THE EDUCATION.

IT'S EVERYTHING RIGHT THERE.

IF THE CHILDREN FROM WHEN THEY ARE CHILDREN, THEY HAVE A RIGHT EDUCATION ABOUT MUSIC, BUT WHEN I SAY EDUCATION IT DOESN'T MEAN TO HAVE A SMALL FLUTE IN THE HANDS AND TO BE BORED OR TO SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

ITALIAN OR AMERICAN OR JAPANESE.

IT'S TO BE EDUCATED TO AS I SAID IN OTHER OCCASIONS, TO ENTER AND ENJOY TO WALK IN THE FOREST OF THE SOUNDS.

[♪♪♪] IF THEY ARE EDUCATED TO MUSIC WHEN THEY ARE CHILDREN, THEN YOU WILL HAVE THE ADULT EDUCATED AUDIENCE.

IT DOESN'T COME TO SEE THE CONDUCTOR JUMPING ON THE PODIUM OR THE SOLOIST COMING ON STAGE IN ECCENTRIC CLOTHES TO IMPRESS THE PEOPLE BEFORE HE OR SHE PLAYS.

TO BE DIGNIFIED.

THE ATTENTION MUST BE ON THE MUSIC THAT YOU CREATE.

[♪♪♪] THE SOCIETY TODAY IS MORE VISUAL SOCIETY.

PEOPLE WANT TO SEE.

NOT ONLY TO HEAR.

OR MAYBE THEY LISTEN LESS.

THEY WANT TO SEE.

THEY WANT TO BE ENTERTAINED.

IT'S LIKE WHEN YOU GO TO A RESTAURANT, THE DIFFERENCE NOW, I'M SPEAKING IN A SIMPLE WAY, WHEN I AM IN ITALY AND I HAVE THE SPAGHETTI, YOU ARE ASKING A SPAGHETTI.

AND YOU HAVE THE SPAGHETTI, YOU SEE THAT IS OTHER SPAGHETTI WITH TOMATO.

HERE IT'S DIFFERENT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO FIND THE SPAGHETTI AND A LOT OF THINGS THAT THEY PUT ON.

BECAUSE PEOPLE BEFORE THEY ENJOY EATING THEY WANT TO SEE.

THEY WANT TO BE ATTRACTED.

AND THIS IS A PROBLEM.

[♪♪♪] >> LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED HERE?

>> THERE ARE MANY POSSIBILITIES.

POSSIBILITY THAT THEY WILL FORGET ME.

POSSIBILITY THAT THEY WILL REMEMBER ME IN A BAD WAY.

AND THEY WILL REMEMBER ME IN A GOOD WAY.

I DON'T KNOW.

IT DEPENDS.

I HAVE BEEN IN CHICAGO HAPPY WITH MY ORCHESTRA, MY PROPERTY, NOT MUSICIANS, I AM A MUSICIAN AMONG THEM.

[♪♪♪] WE NEVER HAD NOT EVEN ONE MINUTE OF FRICTION OR DISAGREEMENT.

SO WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME ON STAGE, GREAT SERIOUSNESS.

THE ORCHESTRA IS A GREAT ORCHESTRA.

WHEN I TOOK THE ORCHESTRA IT WAS GREAT, HE MADE THIS ORCHESTRA.

I AM OLD-FASHIONED MUSIC DIRECTOR.

MUSIC DIRECTORS SHOULD NOT ONLY BE THE MUSIC DIRECTOR, BUT ALSO LIKE A FATHER OR A BROTHER.

IN MY CASE, A GRANDFATHER OF THE MUSICIANS.

[♪♪♪] SO I THINK THAT I CANNOT PREDICT WHAT WILL BE THE MEMORY OF RICCARDO MUTI IN THE FUTURE.

ONE THING I KNOW...

I'VE BEEN ALWAYS IN MY WORK VERY HONEST WITH THE MUSICIANS, WITH THE PUBLIC, I NEVER TRIED TO BUY THEIR LOVE OR FRIENDSHIP IN THIS VERY MUCH SOUTHERN ITALIAN.

[♪♪♪] >> RICCARDO MUTI'S FAREWELL SEASON CONTINUES TONIGHT WITH MUSIC GUY TCHAIKOVSKY, BRAUMS AND MORE.

>> NO NEED TO MAKE STREET SPACE.

>> TALKS ARE UNDERWAY AS THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT TAKES OVER DUNNING'S CONSERVATION AREA.

WE'RE WITH THE GROUP HAND TO GO OVER.

>> NEIGHBORS REPORT THAT RIOT FEST LEFT DOUGLASS PARK DAMAGED.

>> AND ONTARIO MONUMENTAL ART CREATURES ARE TAKING OVER CANTIGNY PARK IN WHEATON.

>> FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER IS CALLING ON TWO STATE SENATORS FROM HIS OWN PARTY TO RESIGN.

STATE SENATOR EMIL JONES, III IS FACING FEDERAL CHARGES FOR ALLEGEDLY TAKING A BRIBE FROM A FIRM THAT INSTALLED RED LIGHT CAMERAS IN THE STATE.

AND STATE SENATOR MICHAEL HASTINGS IS ACCUSED OF ABUSING HIS WIFE AND VERBAL ABUSE BY A STATE HOUSE LOBBIEST.

HASTINGS DENIED ALL CHANGES.

THE CALLS COME AS THEY RESIGNED FROM LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AT THE REQUEST OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT.

IN A STATEMENT, GOVERNOR PRITZKER WHO IS UP FOR REELECTION SAYS QUOTE... >> CHICAGO OFFICIALS ARE REPORTING THE CITY HAS RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 925 MIGRANTS FROM TEXAS.

33 NEW MIGRANTS ARRIVED JUST YESTERDAY AND CITY OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE EXPECTING MORE.

ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT, MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S OFFICE GAVE PO POLITICO, LIGHTFOOT HAS HAD PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH MAYORS TO HELP CARE FOR THE MIGRANTS AND LIGHTFOOT MET WITH OFFICIALS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND AGENCIES MAKING CLEAR THE NEED FOR HELP.

>> A COOK COUNTY JUDGE IS BEING PLACED ON RESTRICTED DUTIES AFTER BEING ARRESTED ON ALLEGATIONS OF DOMESTIC BATTERY.

SIX MUNICIPAL DISTRICT JUDGE CARL BOYD WAS ARRESTED TUESDAY NIGHT FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT AT HIS HOME.

POLICE SAY A 57-YEAR-OLD WOMAN SUFFERED A LARGE LACERATION TO HER FACE AFTER BOYD THREW A BOTTLE AT A GLASS DOOR WINDOW.

BOYD HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH A MISDEMEANOR COUNT OF DOMESTIC BATTERY CAUSING BODILY HARM.

>> EMPLOYEES AT A STARBUCKS IN WEST SUBURBAN ELMHURST FILED FOR UNION REPRESENTATION.

JOINING HUNDREDS OF OTHER COFFEE SHOPS IN THE CHICAGO AREA AND AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THE WORKERS WROTE TO STARBUCKS FOUNDER HOWARD SCHULTZ IN PART QUOTE... LAST MONTH EMPLOYEES AT A LAKEVIEW STARBUCKS ANNOUNCED THEIR INTENT TO UNIONIZE.

IF SUCCESSFUL THEY WOULD JOIN COLLEAGUES AT SEVEN UNIONIZED STARBUCKS COFFEE SHOPS IN THE AREA.

>> AND NOW PARIS, WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

THERE IS A NEW FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE THAT HOPES TO MAKE IT PAST A PILOT PROGRAM IN CHICAGO.

AND UNLIKE UBER OR GRUBHUB THIS SERVICE NEEDS ONLY AN APP AND A SIDEWALK TO OPERATE.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER PATTY WETLI JOINING US NOW TO EXPLAIN.

ALL RIGHT, PATTY, AMID ALL THE DRAMA AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING A PILOT PROGRAM FOR PERSONAL DEVICES, DELIVERY DEVICES OR PDD'S WAS APPROVED BY ALDERPEOPLE.

WHAT IS A PDD?

>> IT'S JUST A FANCY WORD FOR ROBOT.

PICTURE THESE THINGS THAT LIKE LIKE A ACROSS BETWEEN A JEDI COOLER AND "STAR WARS" DROID, CRUISING DOWN THE SIDEWALK TO DELIVER YOU YOUR STARBUCKS OR DUNKIN DOUGHNUTS OR GROCERY ORDER.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SMALL ROBOTS THAT CAN DELIVER FOR GROCERY STORES AND RESTAURANTS.

>> THE ROBOT REVOLUTION IS UNDERWAY.

AND THEY HAVE LIKE SENSORS SO THEY DON'T BUMP INTO PEOPLE.

WE'LL SEE HOW THAT WORKS.

WHAT DOES THE PILOT PROGRAM ENTAIL?

>> WELL, A LOT OF IT IS TO SEE HOW THEY ACTUALLY DO INTERACT WITH PEDESTRIANS AND WORK ON CITY SIDEWALKS AND CROSSING STREETS.

RIGHT NOW THEY ARE USED QUITE A BIT ON CAMPUSES, INCLUDING UIC WHERE I'M TOLD STUDENTS LIKE TO JUMP OVER THEM.

SOMEONE MESSAGED ME ON TWITTER SAYING THAT AT PURDUE THEY ARE USED AND MADE A CLEAR PATH IN FRONT OF THEM TO CROSS THE STREET.

WHAT THE CITY WANTS TO ASSESS IS DO THESE HELP SMALL BUSINESSES AT ALL?

OR DO THEY CREATE TOO MUCH CHAOS ON SIDEWALKS THAT ARE ALREADY CROWDED WITH CAFES AND SCOOTERS AND DOGS AND PEDESTRIANS.

SO THEY'VE GOT TWO YEARS TO FIGURE THIS OUT.

>> HOPEFULLY THEY KEEP YOUR DRINKS COOL AS THEY ARE SCOOTING ALONG THE SIDEWALK THERE.

PATTY WE'LL WATCH THIS AND YOU CAN READ PATTY'S STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> NOW, WE CHECK BACK IN WITH AMANDA EXO SPENT THE DAY IN DUNGING AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> PARIS, I'M JOINED BY MARY JOYCE CAHILL THE DIRECTOR OF THE DUNNING READ CONSERVATION AREA BOARD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TO BEGIN WITH, WHAT IS THIS CONSERVATION AREA FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE GOOD FORTUNE IT'S BEAUTIFUL TO VISIT?

>> THANK YOU, AMANDA FOR COMING TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

WELCOME TO DUNNING.

ASKING ABOUT OUR WONDERFUL HIDDEN GEM CALLED THE CONSERVATION AREA.

IT IS A WETLAND AND A NATURAL RESOURCE AREA THAT HAS BEEN IN THE COMMUNITY FOREVER.

AND IT'S BEEN ALWAYS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ALWAYS OCCURRED WITHIN THE CONSERVATION AREA.

MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, APPARENTLY I HAVE SOME INFORMATION ON THIS, REALTORS WANTED TO BUILD A HOME DEPOT THERE.

AND THE COMMUNITY JOINED TOGETHER AND STOPPED THAT.

TO MAINTAIN THE AREA.

OVER THE YEARS, IT'S BEEN CHALLENGING HAVING DIFFERENT MANAGERS, RESOURCES, COVID, SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE REALLY EXCITED BECAUSE THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT IS GOING TO TAKEOVER THE MANAGEMENT.

>> AND THERE WAS MOVEMENT ON THAT JUST TODAY.

SO AGAIN, WHY IS THE PARK DISTRICT TAKING OVER AND WHAT MIGHT THAT DO FOR THE AREA?

>> BASICALLY THEY ARE GOING TO HELP CLEAN IT UP AND SHOW WHAT A WONDERFUL RESOURCE AREA IT IS AND ALSO MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE COMMUNITY.

RIGHT NOW THE INVASIVE SPECIES HAVE TAKEN OVER.

OVER THE YEARS COMMUNITY GROUPS AND THE BOARD AND MANY, MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY I'M ONE PERSON BUT BEHIND ME THERE'S SO MANY.

THAT HAVE MAINTAINED THE TRAILS JUST WITH THEIR OWN TOOLS, THEIR OWN SWEAT.

AND THEIR OWN TIME.

THERE WERE TRAILS THAT WALKED THROUGH THE AREA THAT SHOWS THE DIFFERENT WOODLANDS IN THE SPRING THERE'S VERNAL POOLS THAT ARE CRAWFISH IN.

AND ALSO WE HAD A COYOTE STUDY DONE THERE.

THE NATIONAL COYOTE STUDY WAS DONE THERE.

>> AND WHAT DID THAT FIND?

>> JUST COYOTES.

AND THAT THEY LIKE TO FOLLOW RAILROAD TRACKS AND THEY MIGRATE.

IT WAS INTERESTING.

>> YOU HAVEN'T ENCOUNTERED THEM?

>> WE HEAR THE PUPS AT NIGHT.

>> CUTE BUT NOT CLOSE.

>> I DON'T HAVE AN AVERSION TO COYOTES I DON'T THINK ANY OF US INVOLVED IN.

>> IT INVASIVE SPECIES?

WHAT SORTS?

>> THIGHTEST, YOU WILL SEE THE LONG FEATHERRY LOOKING PLANTS WHICH ARE PRETTY BUT THEY ACTUALLY TAKEOVER AND THEY SMOTHER AND THE NATURAL SPECIES CAN'T GROW.

>> THIS HAS BEEN OBVIOUSLY A PLACE OF RESPITE AND JOY FOR YOU AND ALSO FOR OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

CAN YOU SHARE SOME OF THE HISTORY OF THIS AREA?

>> YES.

DUNNING ITSELF HAS A VERY LONG HISTORY.

AND THE AREA WAS THE ORIGINAL SITE FOR THE CHICAGO ASYLUM, THE DUNNING ASYLUM.

I AM NOT ORIGINALLY FROM DUNNING.

HOWEVER, WHEN IF YOU GOOGLE IT OR LOOK IT UP IT WAS AN ASYLUM A MENTAL ASYLUM THAT HAS A DARK HISTORY.

AND IT WAS WHERE APPARENTLY, A POOR HOUSE WAS BASICALLY SOMEONE TOLD ME THEIR GRANDPARENTS USED TO SAY TO THEM IF YOU DON'T BEHAVE YOU ARE GOING TO DUNNING.

OVER THE YEARS THAT THAT WAS CHANGED AND THE CONSERVATION HAS BEEN DEVELOPED INTO A BEAUTIFUL RESOURCE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

AS WELL AS THE PATIENTS OVER THERE.

>> THIS IS ALMOST THERAPY NOW FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO RESIDE AT THE STATE RUN FACILITY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

EVEN LOOKING AT THE GROUNDS.

RIGHT NOW IT NEEDS A LITTLE BIT OF WORK.

HOWEVER, JUST LOOKING AT THE GROUNDS IS PEACEFUL.

>> WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE HOPE FOR THE AREA AND WHAT IT WILL BECOME?

>> MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE COMMUNITY.

THERE'S SUCH -- EVERYONE IS SO EXCITED BECAUSE THERE IS A LIGHT, THIS IS REALLY WE'RE THERE THERE'S GOING TO BE A MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS THAT WILL TAKEOVER THAT ARE GOING TO OPEN UP THE TRAILS AND GOING TO REMOVE THE INVASIVE SPECIES.

THE COMMUNITY AS I SAID IN THE PAST THEY'VE USED THEIR OWN TOOLS AND SWEAT AND WE WANT TO GET IN THERE AND GET OURS BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND START.

WE'RE EXCITED OVER THIS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE WORK.

YOU ARE NOT ORIGINALLY FROM THE AREA, THOUGH DUNNING PRIDE CLEARLY REPRESENT.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT DUNNING AND WHY YOU ENJOY LIVING HERE?

>> WELL, AS I TOLD YOU EARLIER, I ENDED UP IN THE AREA BECAUSE OF LOVE.

AND IT'S A REALLY STRONG COMMUNITY AS FAR AS SUPPORT AND JUST A BONDING.

VERY OPENING, VERY WELCOME FROM DAY ONE WHEN I CAME HERE NOT KNOWING A SOUL, I WENT TO THE LIBRARY AND MET MANY PEOPLE AND SAID WE HAVE THIS ORGANIZATION, WE'RE GOING TO MEET HERE WE'RE DOING THIS AND IT BLOSSOMS FROM THERE.

>> AND MARY BY THE WAY S. NOT ONLY THE DIRECTOR OF THE CONSERVATION AREA OF DUNNING BUT SHE IS ALSO A NURSE WHO GAVE A LOT OF CARE TO PATIENTS THROUGHOUT COVID.

WE THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION YOU HAVE GIVEN TO THEM AND SPENDING YOUR TIME WITH US.

THANK YOU THAT WAS MARY JOYCE CAHILL.

>> WEARING A LOT OF HATS.

THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT, HOW NEIGHBORS OF DOUGLASS PARK FEEL ABOUT THE DAMAGE DONE FROM RIOT FEST.

>> THREE FESTIVALS AND SEVERAL WEEKS LATER DOUGLASS PARK IS FULLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

AND EVEN THOUGH THE LAST FESTIVAL RIOT FEST IS OVER RESIDENTS SAY THE IMPACT ON THE PARK CAN BE SEEN.

THEY POINT TO WHERE STAGES WERE, TRACK MARKS FROM VEHICLES AND SPORTS FIELDS.

JOINING US ARE ANTON ADKINS AND ELVIA RODRIGUEZ OCHOA DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WITH FRIENDS OF THE PARKS WHO HAPPENS TO BE AT DOUGLASS PARK.

WE REACHED OUT TO RIOT FEST, AND THE PARK DISTRICT AND THE ALDERMAN AND NONE RESPONDED TO OUR REQUEST.

ANTON ADKINS LET'S START WITH YOU, WHAT WAS IT LIKE LIVING ACROSS FROM THAT FESTIVAL ALL WEEKEND?

>> YEAH, IN SHORT IT WAS A GREAT DISTURBANCE.

NORTH LAWNDALE AND DOUGLASS PARK IN PARTICULAR DOESN'T SEE THAT INFLUX OF PEOPLE IF NOT FOR A CERTAIN EVENT.

AND IT'S BEEN THE THIRD FESTIVAL WE HAVE SEEN THIS SUMMER.

THE BIGGEST ONE OF ALL THREE.

IN SHORT, YES, WHAT A DISTURBANCE IT WAS GRND NOT HAVING A PLACE TO PARK.

NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCESS THE PARK IN THE TOTALITY AS WE HAVE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO.

IT IS GREAT NOW THAT IT IS FINALLY OVER AND WE CAN GET BACK TO OUR DAILY LIVES THE WAY WE WERE LIVING IT BEFORE THEY GOT HERE.

>> ELVIA RODRIGUEZ OCHOA, YOU WERE OUT ASSESSING THE DAMAGE TODAY.

WHAT DID YOU SEE?

>> YES.

I WAS OUT HERE WITH A GROUP OF STUDENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO GIVING THEM A QUICK TOUR AND YOU KNOW, I CONQUER WITH WHAT ANTON SAID YOU SEE THE DAMAGE ACROSS THE AREA THAT WAS STARTING FROM THE SOCCER FIELDS I'M NEAR THE SOCCER FIELDS THIS YEAR.

YOU ABOUT YOU CAN SEE THE DAMAGE.

YOU CAN SEE THE IMPRINTS NOT JUST ON THE GRASS BUT ALSO ON ONE OF THE BASEBALL DIAMONDS THE IMPRINT FROM THE STAGES.

CAN YOU SEE THE PATTERN OF THE STAGE THERE.

AND IT STRETCHES FROM CALIFORNIA ALL THE WAY TO THE BOULEVARD.

SO THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE PARK ON THIS SECTION OF THE PARK.

>> AS YOU ARE SPEAKING WE ARE LOOKING AT THE PHOTOS THAT YOU TOOK OF THAT DAMAGE.

IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE PARK USING IT RIGHT NOW.

ANTON YOU WERE ALSO OUT THERE TODAY.

WHAT IS SOME OF THE DAMAGE BEEN TO THE SPORTS FIELDS AND THE IMPACT ON SPORTS LEAGUES OF THE PARK'S BEING CLOSED FOR AS LONG AS IT IS?

>> I WANT TO START BY SAYING IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THE LEAGUES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE TO PAY AHEAD OF TIME TO RENT OUT THE FIELDS OR WHATEVER PART OF THE PARK THAT THEY ARE USING.

AND ANY OTHER TIME ANY OF THE TIME THAT RIOT FEST OR ANY FESTIVAL HAPPENS THERE LEAGUES ARE CANCELED AND THEY ARE NOT REPAID FOR THE FUNDING OR THE MONEY THAT THEY USED IN THEIR LEAGUE TO RENT OUT THE PARK.

THAT SHOULDN'T BE THAT WAY.

THEY SHOULD AT LEAST GET THAT FUNDING BACK.

BEYOND THAT, WE UNDERSTAND AND KNOW THAT SOME OF THE HIGH SCHOOLS AROUND HERE OR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS SOME OF THEM UTILIZED THE PARK FOR THEIR SUMMER OR FALL LEAGUES.

ELVIA RODRIGUEZ OCHOA MENTIONED PART OF THE BASEBALL FIELD OR THE SOFTBALL FIELD, OBVIOUSLY THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A STAGE OR SOMETHING THAT IS THERE, IT LOOKS TERRIBLE.

IT'S REALLY IN BAD CONDITION.

IT'S NOT PLAYABLE.

WHETHER THAT IS FOR OFFICIAL GAMES OR PRACTICES, WHATEVER IT IS.

IT IS A SHAME IF I MAY SAY IT QUITE FRANKLY.

THAT THESE KIDS WHO DO NOT HAVE THE FACILITIES WITHIN THEIR OWN SCHOOLS, IT'S GREAT THERE IS A PARK NEARBY, RIGHT?

BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO PLAY AT THEM DUE TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

THAT IS BEYOND THEM AS STUDENT ATHLETES AND BEYOND THEIR SCHOOL.

THEY HAVE TO SUFFER AND AT LEAST CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE THE ONES THAT WILL HAVE TO SUFFER THESE CONSEQUENCES.

>> ANTON HOW DOES THIS AFFECT YOUR NEIGHBORS WHO LIVE IN THE AAREA?

>> YES, RIOT FESTIVAL I BELIEVE IS JUST A MICROCOZUM OF THE LONGSTANDING DIVESTMENT OF NEGLECT OF DOUGLASS PARK AND NORTH LAWNDALE.

WE SEE THE THREE FESTIVALS, HAS BEEN DUMPED INTO OUR COMMUNITY, WITH THIS BORDER WAR ABOUT WHOSE WARD IS IT IN AND WHO HAS THE CONTROL AND THE PARK DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT AND THE MANAGERS THEY PUT IN PLACE, THE RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN STUCK IN-BETWEEN ALL OF THIS.

EVERYONE IT SEEMS HAS BENEFITED FROM THIS BUT THE RESIDENTS.

PART OF THE PARK BEING SHUTOFF OR RESTRICTED FROM US THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.

AND THEN AS YOU SEE AND AS YOU'VE SHOWN TO YOUR VIEWERS WHAT WE'VE -- WHAT ARE WE LEFT WITH?

THIS IS THE THIRD FESTIVAL.

THIS IS NOT JUST WHAT RIOT FEST HAS DONE IT'S HEATWAVE IN JULY AND JUNE.

AND I THINK THAT NONE OF THE RESIDENTS ON THIS PART SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE A PARK IN SUCH A MANNER IN THE SENSE HEY, DEAL WITH IT.

>> ELVIA RODRIGUEZ OCHOA WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE FROM THE CITY TO THE PUSHBACK OF THESE FESTIVALS?

>> RIGHT NOW THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT HAS DECIDED TO PASS A NEW STANDARD IN HOW THEY ARE TREATING FESTIVALS.

THEY WANT THE CONCERTS TO BE APPROVED THROUGH THE PARK DISTRICT BOARD.

PRIOR TO THIS, IT WAS YOU KNOW, STAFF MEMBERS AND THE C.E.O.

OF THE PARK DISTRICT THAT WOULD APPROVE THESE FESTIVALS.

BUT NOW THEY WANT TO SWITCH IT SO IT'S THE BOARD THAT VOTES ON IT.

WHICH WOULD GIVE THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TO THE BOARD THEIR CONCERNS AND THEIR ISSUES.

AND THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME OF THESE FESTIVALS BEING VOTED DOWN.

THAT'S A VERY DIFFERENT WAY OF DOING BUSINESS WHICH WE APPRECIATE AND WE HOPE THAT IT DOES PASS.

AND SO THAT COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUSHBACK ON THESE FESTIVALS.

BECAUSE IT IS NOT JUST DOUGLAS.

THERE'S CONCERNS AT HARRISON AND GRANT PARK AND OTHER PARKS MENTIONED THAT THEY ARE NOT TOTALLY HAPPY WITH THE FESTIVALS BEING THERE BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL THE FESTIVALS ARE IMPOSED UPON THEM.

>> ANTON, AS WE HEARD, THE PARK DISTRICT IS PLANNING TO A DON'T A RULE THAT WOULD ACQUIRE APPROVAL FOR THE BOARD THAT DRAWS OVER 10,000 PEOPLE.

DO YOU THINK THAT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

>> DEFINITELY IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND SOME WOULD SAY IT'S LONG OVERDUE.

THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE PROCESS LONG AGO IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A BOARD IN THE FIRST PLACE.

IT WOULD BE GREAT AS A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE THAT THERE IS POTENTIALLY THIS BOARD IS ELECTED EVEN THAT OUR PEERS MAY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT ON THIS BOARD AND THERE MAY BE A FAIR PROCESS ONE WITH PARITY, ONE THAT WE CAN SEE THAT THERE'S ACTUAL PROGRESS BEING MADE AND IT'S SHOWN IN GOOD FAITH.

BECAUSE WE WOULD HATE TO HAVE THE MEETINGS WHERE WE PRESENT THIS EVIDENCE WHERE WE WOULD HAVE THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY COME OUT, VOICE THEIR OPINION, AND GIVE EVERYTHING THAT THEY BELIEVE WHAT SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND THEN AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE VOTE GOES AGAINST WHAT THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN.

THAT WOULD REALLY NOT HELP US IN THIS REGARD TO SAY IT PLAINLY.

YES, IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WE HOPE IT WILL BENEFIT THE PEOPLE WILL BENEFIT AND GOOD FRUIT WILL COME FROM IT.

>> ELVIA RODRIGUEZ OCHOA WHAT MORE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE DONE?

>> WELL, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY THE PARK DISTRICT SERIOUSLY CONSIDER A PERMANENT SITE FOR THESE TYPES OF FESTIVALS.

YOU KNOW RIGHT NOW THERE IS A LOT OF TALK BECAUSE THE BEARS ARE LEAVING SOLDIER FIELD.

RIGHT NOW THAT IS TOP OF MIND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT IS POTENTIALLY THE SITE FOR DOING THIS.

AND THAT PRESENTS A REAL OPPORTUNITY AND NOT JUST SOLDIER FIELD THERE'S TALK ABOUT McCORMICK PLACE BEING REDONE.

THESE ARE TWO SPACES THAT COULD POTENTIALLY SERVE.

>> A PERMANENT SITE WHERE THE CONCERTS ARE NOT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THE WAY THEY HAVE BEEN.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE THANKS TO ANTON ADKINS AND ELVIA RODRIGUEZ OCHOA FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, WE CHECK BACK IN WITH AMANDA VINICKY WHO IS REPORTING LIVE FROM DUNNING COMMUNITY.

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> BACK TO AMANDA EXO SPENT THE DAY IN DUNNING AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

LOOKS CRISP OUT THERE.

EARLIER YOU TALKED ABOUT THE VETERANS HOME AND THE RESIDENTS MOVED IN EIGHT YEARS AFTER THE GROUNDBREAKING.

WHY HAS IT TAKEN SO LONG TO GET THE HOME UP AND RUNNING?

>> GOOD QUESTION, PARIS.

AS YOU'LL RECALL WE REPORTED A LOT ON THIS AT THE TIME.

THAT BUDGET IMPASSE THAT TOOK PLACE WHEN GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER WAS FIGHTING WITH THE DEMOCRATIC CONTROLLED GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WELL, THAT BUDGET FIGHT LED TO A DELAY.

SO YOU HAD THE VETERANS HOME SITTING AS A MOSTLY EMPTY SHELL FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS WHILE THAT FIGHT BORE OUT IN SPRINGFIELD.

THAT, OF COURSE, THEN CAUSED CONSTRUCTION ISSUES AND THAT IS WHY YOU HAD A COUPLE RESIDENTS MOVE IN THIS JANUARY.

BUDGET FIGHTING AND POLITICS YOU MAY WONDER THERE'S 24 RESIDENT IT IS DOESN'T SEEM LIKE MUCH FOR A FACILITY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO BE A HOME TO 200 INDIVIDUALS, VETERANS.

AND THE REASON THAT IS WHEN WE SPOKE WITH THE DIRECTOR, HE SAYS IT'S BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY ARE AT THEIR MAX FOR WHAT IS ALLOWED UNDER FEDERAL GUIDELINES AS THEY ARE WAITING WHAT FEDERAL CERTIFICATION.

AND BY THE WAY, ONCE THAT CERTIFICATION COMES THEY WILL GET ADDITIONAL MONEY TO HELP THE STATE CARE FOR THOSE RESIDENTS.

>> AND AMANDA, I THINK THAT IS WRIGHT JUNIOR COLLEGE I REMEMBER PASSING BY IT IT LOOKS LIKE A SPACESHIP.

FUN LOCATION FOR YOU TONIGHT.

UP NEXT, FANTASTICAL FOLK ART CREATURES MAKE A SPLASH AT A SUBURBAN PARK BUT FIRST A LOOK AT EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND... >> FROM EMBROIDERED TEXTILES TO POTTERY MEXICO'S FOLK ART TRADITIONS BURST WITH THE COLOR AND LIGHT OF THE COUNTRY.

SOME TRADITIONS GO BACK CENTURIES BUT ONE FORM IS NOT EVEN 100 YEARS OLD YET.

THE IMAGINATIVE CRETE TEARS ANOTHER AS ALEBRIJES.

IT EXPLODED WHEN AN ALEBRIJES WAS FEATURED IN THE FILM COHERE CUBS.

NOW, ALEBRIJES MADE HAVE TAKEN UP RESIDENCE IN A NORTH SUBURBAN PARK.

ERICA GUNDERSON RECENTLY WEDNESDAY FOR A VISIT.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK AT THIS VERY BIG STORY.

>> >> YOU'RE NOT DREAMING.

GIANT, FANTASTICAL CREATURES LIKE TWO DOGS DOGS AND ROB BIT KANGAROOS ARE FROLICKING IN WHEATON IN CANTIGNY PARK.

ALEBRIJES ARE IN THE PARK AS PART OF AN EXHIBIT BYRON WITH MI ARTIST COLLECTIVE IN MEXICO CITY.

>> IF YOU'VE TRAVELED TO MEXICO YOU MIGHT HAVE BROUGHT HOME AN ALEBRIJES AS A MOMENTO.

BUT THE ALEBRIJES ON DISPLAY AT CANTIGNY PARK ARE CLOSER TO THE ARTIST'S FEVER DREAM OF CREATURES THAT EXISTED ONLY IN HIS IMAGINATION.

AND THEY ARE ALSO A LITTLE BIT BIGGER.

THE ARTISTS SAY THE INSPIRATION FOR THE ADORNMENT ON EACH ALEBRIJES CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE.

HE CONSTRUCTED HIS ALEBRIJES, TOUCAN, JAGUAR AND BUTTERFLY THE "MALUCAN", WITH RECYCLED MATERIALS THAT HE SOLICITED THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> THE VISITING ARTISTS HOPE THEIR BIG ALEBRIJES WILL INSPIRE PEOPLE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MEXICO'S ARTISTIC TRADITIONS.

FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> THE EXHIBIT "ALEBRIJES: CREATURES OF THE DREAM WORLD" WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT CANTIGNY PARK THROUGH NOVEMBER 2.

AND STARTING OCTOBER 4, THE PARK IS ADDING MORE.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS.

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 THURSDAY NIGHT.

>> .

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

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

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]