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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

HERE IN OUR NORTHWEST SIDE STUDIO.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ REPORTING LIVE FROM CHICAGO'S WEST LOOP.

>> ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WHAT A RIFT BETWEEN BEARS LEADERSHIP AND THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT COULD MEAN FOR THE FUTURE OF SOLDIER FIELD AND THE TEAM STAYING THERE.

>> THEY HAVE TO HAVE A PEACE OF MIND.

>> THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANTS RIGHTS CURRENT SUPPORTERS ARE IN WASHINGTON DEMANDING A LEGAL PATHWAY FOR MILLIONS OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

>> POPULAR NEIGHBORHOODS MEANS HIGHER COSTS.

>> HOW BUSINESSES IN THE WEST LOOP ARE GRAPPLING WITH THE PANDEMIC.

COULD LOCAL SITES BE ADDED TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES?

>> FIELDS, GOOD PROTECTION GOOD BALL TO THE SIDELINE.

>> ROOKIE QUARTERBACK JUSTIN FIELDS IS SET TO TAKE THE FIELD IN HIS FIRST NFL START SUNDAY.

GAME PREDICTIONS AND MORE WITH FORMER BEAR, JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS.

[♪♪♪] AND THE MIGHTY CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA RETURNS WE SIT DOWN WITH THE MAESTRO, RICCARDO MUTI.

>> I AM IN THE WEST LOOP AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" HOME TO BUSTLING NIGHT LIFE AND RESTAURANTS BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS IMMUNE TO TROUBLE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND BUSINESSES SAY IT'S BEEN A LONG ROAD BACK.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THAT IN A BIT, FIRST, BACK TO YOU.

>> PARIS, THANKS SEE YOU SOON.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> FOR THE FIRST TIME, IN FRANCHISE HISTORY THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS TWO YEARS IN A ROW.

TIM ANDERSON LED OFF THE FIRST GAME OF THE DOUBLE-HEADER WITH THIS SOLO HOME RUN AND THE SOX NEVER LOOKED BACK.

ADD DEN SORE ADDED ANOTHER HOMER AS DID ROBERT AND JIMENEZ AND THE SOX BEAT LEAF 7-2 TO CLINCH THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL DIVISION.

TONI LaRUSSA HAS WON 13 DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIPS IN A STORIED CAREER THAT BEGAN WITH THE SOX IN 1979.

THEY WILL LIKELY PLAY THE ASTROS IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS WHICH START OCTOBER 7 OR 8.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S LATEST GOAL IS TO HAVE 77% OF CHICAGOANS OLDER THAN 12 RECEIVE ONE DOSE OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE BY DECEMBER.

HER LATEST PUSH INVOKES THE 77 COMMUNITY AREAS TO ENCOURAGE CHICAGOANS TO GET VACCINATED.

>> RIGHT NOW IN CHICAGO, IF YOU ARE UNVACCINATED ON AVERAGE YOU ARE LOOKING AT 15 TIMES THE POSSIBILITY THAT YOU MAY DIE FROM COVID-19 THAN SOMEBODY WHO IS VACCINATED.

>> ACCORDING TO DATA 72% OF CHICAGOANS AGES 12 AND OLDER HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE.

AND THE MAYOR MAY GET A BOOST IN THAT EFFORT AS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS SET TO MAKE HIS WAY TO THE WINDY CHICAGO NEXT WEDNESDAY HE WILL BE ADDRESSING WHAT HE SEES AS THE IMPORTANCE OF COVID-19 VACCINE REQUIREMENTS FOR BUSINESSES.

IT WILL BE BIDEN'S SECOND PRESIDENTIAL VISIT TO THE STATE HIS FIRST WAS TO CRYSTAL LAKE IN EARLY JULY.

>> UP NEXT, PARIS SCHUTZ REPORTS FROM THE WEST LOOP.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> IT'S ONE OF THE PRICIEST AND FASTEST DEVELOPING COMMUNITIES IN THE CITY.

THE WEST LOOP IS KNOWN FOR ITS TRENDY MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS AND LIVELY NIGHT LIFE.

IT'S LOCATED JUST WEST OF THE LOOP.

CENTERED AROUND MADISON, RANDOLPH, FULTON AND LAKE STREETS AND THERE ARE CONSTRUCTION CRANES EVERYWHERE.

AS PARIS SCHUTZ FOUND OUT THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN BOOM TIMES FOR EVERYONE.

PARIS JOINS US NOW.

>> ONE OF THE TRENDIEST NEIGHBORHOODS ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY MANY YEARS RUNNING HOME TO GIRL AND THE GOAT AND AVEHICLE.

AND IT HAD TO ADAPT TO COVID-19 LOTS OF OUTDOOR DINING HERE ON FULTON.

A BIG PORTION IS SHUTDOWN FOR OUTDOOR DINING.

ALSO OVER THERE ON RANDOLPH AS WELL.

THE CHALLENGE NOW, ACCORDING TO RESTAURANT OWNER DONNI MADIA WHO RUNS PUBLIC INN AND AVEC IS GETTING THE STAFF BACK AND ALL THE WORKERS BACK TO MEET THE DEMAND.

>> EVERYBODY'S THRIVING FOR THE SAME PERSON, RIGHT?

NOT JUST RESTAURANTS BUT OTHER INDUSTRIES THAT RESTAURANT WORKERS WERE ONCE WORKING IN AND OUR INDUSTRY HAVE NOT GONE TO A DIFFERENT INDUSTRY.

SO INCHING TOWARDS A CLOSER -- INCHING CLOSER TO FILLING THOSE DESPERATE NEEDS.

BUT WE STILL NEED A FEW MORE PEOPLE FOR SURE.

>> A LONG SLOW ROAD BACK.

THAT IS NOT THE ONLY ISSUE ACCORDING TO MANIAH MALLICK WHO RUNS ROOH, AN INDIAN RESTAURANT ON RANDOLPH.

HE SAYS FOOD SUPPLY COSTS ARE WAY UP.

20-30% DEPENDING ON THE ITEM.

AND HE DOESN'T WANT THAT TO BE REFLECTED IN THE MENU PRICE WHICH MAKES THE DAY-TO-DAY CASH FLOW HIT OR MISS IT IS A DAY-TO-DAY BUSINESS.

ONE BRIGHT SPOT HE SAYS HE IS SEEING WORKERS COME BACK.

>> POPULAR NEIGHBORHOOD MEANS HIGHER COSTS.

SO WHEN WE DON'T HAVE GUESTS COMING IN TO DINE OUR COSTS ARE NOT GOING AWAY.

SO THE RISK IS HIGHER.

STAFFING LIKE THE REST OF OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE INDUSTRY, IS THE NUMBER ONE CHALLENGE.

HOWEVER, WE'VE NOTICED IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS SINCE LABOR DAY, THINGS HAVE STARTED TO IMPROVE.

>> MANY BUSINESSES WE HAVE SPOKEN TO HERE THEY ARE HAPPY TO BE IN THE WEST LOOP IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO BE BUT THEY ARE NOT BACK AT FULL CAPACITY EVEN THOUGH RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN LIFTED.

SUSAN ROTHMAN IS THE OWNER OF PURE BARRE FITNESS AND HER COSTS STAYED THE SAME AND THE MONEY COMING IN IS A FRACTION OF 2019 PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO PERHAPS COME INTO GYMS OR WORKOUT WITH MASKS.

SHE HAS HAD TO ASK HER LANDLORD TO CUT HER A LITTLE BIT OF SLACK AS A RESULT.

>> I WENT TO MY LANDLORDS AND SAID, HEY BECAUSE OF THE LENGTH OF THIS, I NEED RELIEF.

AND YOU KNOW IT'S HARD HEARING SOME OF THE STORIES AND SOME OF THE DISCREPANCIES.

SOME LANDLORDS ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH PEOPLE AND OTHERS ARE PLAYING HARDBALL.

AND TO BE HONEST LOOKING AT THE COMMERCIAL SPACES AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE CITY IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE NOW IS THE TIME TO PLAY HARDBALL ESPECIALLY WITH SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESSES THAT PROVIDE A LOT OF VARIETY AND VIBRANCY.

>> ROTHMAN IS ON THE AREA'S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

AND MOST NEIGHBORHOODS WOULD KILL FOR THE LEVEL OF INVESTMENT AND ACTIVITY AND DEVELOPMENT THAT IS HAPPENING HERE IN THE WEST LOOP.

CONSTRUCTION CRANES LITTERING THE SKYLINE.

MID-RISES GOING UP.

BUT THERE IS A TUG OF WAR WITH RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES WHO WANT DEVELOPMENT BUT THEY ARE WARY OF RISING COSTS THAT THAT BRINGS AND ALONG WITH THAT THE RISING PROPERTY TAXES.

>> DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED AS OF RECENTLY IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS THERE HAS NOT BEEN GIVE WHERE THE RESIDENTS HAVE NOT VOICED SOMETHING AND THERE HASN'T BEEN SOME CHANGE TO FIT INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD BETTER TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

WHETHER THAT'S IN GREENSPACE OR MONEY THAT GOES INTO CERTAIN FUNDS.

THAT IS AN ENCOURAGING AND PRODUCTIVE DIALOGUE IN TERMS OF RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, DEVELOPERS EVERYONE AND THE CITY.

>> SHIFTING GEARS A BIT.

THERE IS A VENERABLE NONPROFIT CALLED OPEN BOOKS IT IS A USED BOOKSTORE THAT USES PROCEEDS TO PROVIDE READING AND WRITING EDUCATION AND DELIVER BOOKS TO STUDENTS THROUGHOUT CHICAGO AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THE PANDEMIC OBVIOUSLY PUT A DAMPER ON SOME OF THAT WORK AND NOW THAT SCHOOL IS BACK THEY ARE BACK TO DELIVERING BOOKS TO THE CLASSROOM AND TO THE HOME.

>> RESEARCH SHOWS THE MORE BOOKS YOU HAVE WITHIN THE HOME WHERE READING CAN HAPPEN THE MORE LIKELY A CHILD IS GOING TO BE ENGAGED IN READING, INTERESTED IN READING AND PREPARED FOR KINDERGARTEN ENTRY, PRE-K, SCHOOL AND THE LIKE.

WE ALSO AGAIN DURING THE PANDEMIC HAVE BEGUN TO GET BOOKS TO HOMES.

AGAIN TO HAVE BOOKS IN CLASSROOMS AND IN HOMES AND UNUSUAL PLACES, NOOKS AND SMALL BUSINESSES WHERE WE CAN PROMOTE FAMILY LITERACY.

>> WEST LOOP AND FULTON MARKET LIVING UP TO ITS LIVELY REPUTATION ON THIS CRISP, CLEAR FALL EVENING.

AND WE'LL BE BACK IN A BIT WITH THE AREA'S ALDERMAN BURNETT TO TALK ABOUT THE HOT BUTTON ISSUES HERE AND IN CITY COUNCIL.

>> IT'S LOOKING LIKE A BUSY SCENE BEHIND YOU.

SEE NEW A LITTLE BIT.

>> A RIFT BETWEEN CHICAGO BEARS LEADERSHIP AND THE OWNER OF SOLDIER FIELD, THE PARK DISTRICT MAY BE BREWING ASPECTLATION SWARMS OVER WHETHER THE TEAM IS PLANNING TO RELOCATE.

THREE MONTHS AGO, THE BEARS ANNOUNCED THEIR BID FOR THE ARLINGTON INTERNATIONAL RACE COURSE PROPERTY AND THAT IS NOT THE ONLY SOURCE OF CONTENTION.

JOINING US ARE TONY ARNOLD A REPORTER WITH WBEZ WHO OBTAINED THOSE E-MAILS AND MARC GANIS PRESIDENT OF THE SPORTS BUSINESS CONSULTING FIRM SPORTS CORP.

HE IS A SPORTS FACILITIES SPECIALIST AND WORKED ON THE SALE OF THE CUBS FROM THE TRIBUNE COMPANY TO THE RICKETTS FAMILY AMONG MANY OTHER PROJECTS.

WE REACHED OUT TO THE BEARS FOR COMMENT AND THEY DECLINED THE AND THE PARK DISTRICT DID NOT RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

TONY LET'S START WITH YOU, YOU OBTAINED E-MAILS SHOWING THE CLASH BETWEEN THE BEARS AND THE PARK DISTRICT PARTICULARLY ABOUT REPAIRS.

WHAT WERE BEARS' LEADERSHIPS CONCERNS ABOUT THE UPKEEP THERE?

>> THE E-MAILS THAT I OBTAINED FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE THROUGH AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST, SHOWED THE BEARS AND THE QHI PARK DISTRICT, THE LANDLORD THEY OWN SOLDIER FIELD, THE LEADERSHIP OF BOTH ORGANIZATIONS HAVE HAD THIS VERY VOLATILE RELATIONSHIP OVER E-MAILS IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO THE BEARS BID FOR THE ARLINGTON PROPERTY.

AND THESE E-MAILS SHOWED THAT FOR WEEK THERE WAS A BACK AND FORTH ABOUT THE BEARS SAYING GIVE US DOCUMENTS THAT SHOW WHAT THE NEEDS ARE FOR SOLDIER FIELD.

WHAT ARE THE LIFE EXPECTANCY FOR THE PLUMBING, THE ELECT RALE THE ROOF THE FACADE.

EVERY COMPONENT.

THE PARK DISINDUSTRIES WAS RESPONDING YOU HAVE THE REPORTS YOU HAVE THE DOCUMENTS THE BEARS WOULD SAY THOSE ARE NOT WHAT WE WANT.

THOSE ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

ALSO WE WANT A FIVE-YEAR VISION FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF SOLDIER FIELD.

WHERE ARE YOU GOING WITH THIS?

AND THE PARK DISTRICT BASICALLY HELD THE LINE AND EVENTUALLY, CULMINATED -- GOT OFF TO THE START WITH A ROUGH START WITH THE PARK DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT MICHAEL KELLY ACCUSING THE BEARS PRESIDENT TED PHILLIPS OF HAVING A PRO PENALTY FOR MAKING -- PROPENSITY OF MAKING MISSTATEMENTS AND ALMOST CALLING HIM A LIAR ABOUT THE REPORTS.

IT IS AN ASTONISHING BACK AND FORTH TO READ THE E-MAILS THAT THE TWO SIDES HAVE HAD HERE.

>> YOU'RE REPORTING SHOWED SOME OF THE E-MAILS SHOWED ALMOST NASTY RELATIONSHIP.

MARC GANIS WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES AND CONCERNS WITH SOLDIER FIELD ARE THEY A VIABLE 21ST CENTURY FACILITY?

>> IT IS NOT.

THAT WAS OBVIOUS AT THE TIME THE DEAL FOR THE REMODEL SOLDIER FIELD TOOK PLACE.

IT WAS THE BEST OPTION THAT WAS AVAILABLE AT THE TIME BUT IT WASN'T A GOOD OPTION EVEN THEN.

NOW THEY ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY HAVE LEASE AGREEMENTS THERE ARE FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS BY BOTH PARTIES.

STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL OBLIGATIONS.

THE BEARS WERE PUSHING THE LANDLORD.

NOT THE FIRST TIME A TENANT PUSHED A LANDLORD BUT WHAT MAKES THIS SO DIFFERENT IS WHAT HAPPENS IN THE LONG-TERM?

IF THE LANDLORD PUTS MONEY IN AND GETS MONEY FROM OTHER PUBLIC SOURCES TO PUT MONEY IN, HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO BE GOOD FOR?

THE BEARS INDICATED BY THEIR BID AND MAKING IT PUBLIC TO BUY ARLINGTON PARK, THAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT OTHER OPTIONS THEY ARE LOOKING TO BECOME THEIR OWN LANDLORD RATHER THAN HAVE A THIRD PARTY GOVERNMENT AS THE LANDLORD.

AND THE REALITIES THERE ARE JUST VERY SEVERE LIMITATIONS TO WHAT SOLDIER FIELD CAN BECOME EVEN WITH A LOT OF MONEY PUT INTO IT.

IT IS NO LONGER A TOP FLIGHT IF IT EVER WAS, A TOP FLIGHT BUILDING FOR AN NFL TEAM MUCH LESS THE ONLY NFL TEAM IN THE THIRD LARGEST MARKET IN THE COUNTRY.

LOOKING LONG-TERM SOLDIER FIELD DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THE PLACE FOR THE BEARS.

>> AND MARC WHAT WOULD IT COST TO BUILD A NEW STADIUM AND WHO IS PAYING FOR THAT?

>> IT DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF STADIUM BUT AN OPEN AIR STADIUM, WE ARE LOOKING AT BETWEEN A BILLION-AND-A-HALF TO 2 BILLION.

AND I KNOW THE BUFFALO BILLS THEY ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A STADIUM NEGOTIATIONS THEY'VE SAID THE COST FOR AN OPEN AIR STADIUM WOULD BE $1.4 BILLION THAT WOULD BE ABOUT RIGHT FOR A TRADITIONAL OPEN AIR STADIUM BUT CHICAGO WILL WANT MORE THAN THE MARKET THAN JUST THE TRADITIONAL STADIUM.

AND WHO PAYS FOR IT?

IT DEPENDS WHERE IT GOES.

IF IT GOES TO ARLINGTON PARK, I WOULD EXPECT THE BEARS AND THE NFL TO COVER THE COST.

IF THERE IS A POLITICAL DEAL WHERE THERE IS INCENSE TENSE ON THE TEAM STAYING IN McCORMICK PLACE OR A DOME PROJECT, THAT WAS PUT FORTH ABOUT 25 YEARS AGO, THEN YOU LOOK AT THE PUBLIC SECTOR PUTTING A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE COSTS.

>> TONY YOU OBTAINED E-MAILS THAT SHOWED THE RIFT BETWEEN THE PARK DISTRICT AND THE LEADERSHIP OVER SPORTS BETTING.

WHAT DID THAT ENTAIL?

>> SOLDIER FIELD IS NOT THE ONLY POINT OF CONTENTION BETWEEN THE BEARS AND THE PARK DISTRICT OVERRIDING.

THE BEARS AS EARLY AS APRIL OF LAST YEAR, WAS ASKING THE PARK DISTRICT TO GET MOVING ON CREATING THE SPORTS BOOK NEAR SOLDIER FIELD.

THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE APPROVED SPORTS BETTING IN 2019 THEY WERE LESS THAN A YEAR LATER ASKING THE PARK DISTRICT LET'S START TALKING HERE ABOUT ADDING THE SPORTS BOOK.

IN THE MEANTIME, UNTIL A SPORTS BOOK IS BUILT WHERE A FAN CAN PLACE A PHYSICAL BET LET'S GET A SPORTS BETTING LOUNGE THE INSIDE SOLDIER FIELD IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS AND THEE WOULD BE THEY WOULD LOOK AND FEEL LIKE A SPORTS BOOK WITH TV'S ALL OVER THE PLACE.

BUT THEY WOULD LACK KIOSKS A PLACE TO PLAYS A PHYSICAL BET.

COULD A FAN GET ON THE PHONE THERE AND PLACE THEIR BETS?

YES.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY CAN PATROL THAT.

BUT THE BEARS WERE TRYING TO SET THE SPACE WITHIN SOLDIER FIELD WHERE SOMEONE COULD DO THIS.

AND THE PARK DISTRICT WAS SAYING NO.

NO.

>> SHORT ANSWER.

>> TONY, WITH BOTH OF YOUR REPORTS ON SOLDIER FIELD INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE SPORTS BETTING WHAT IS THE REACTION FROM THE BEARS?

>> THE BEARS HAVE BEEN -- IF YOU READ THE BODY LANGUAGE OF THE BEARS ARE THEY SERIOUS ABOUT MOVING TO THE SUBURBS OR NOT?

THE BEARS TOLD ME THAT THE SPORTS BETTING ISSUE IS COMPLETELY UNRELATED TO THEIR BID FOR ARLINGTON.

WHEN I ASKED FOR COMMENT ABOUT THE CONDITIONS OF SOLDIER FIELD, THEY SAID NO COMMENT.

SO THEY ARE KIND OF TELLS YOU WHERE THE BEARS' EMPHASIS IN THEIR MIND IS IT IS MORE OF THE CONDITIONS OF SOLDIER FIELD THAN IT IS ABOUT THE ADDITION OF A SPORTS BOOK WHICH I IMAGINE THE CITY WOULD GET ONBOARD WITH OVER TIME.

>> AND WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN FOR THE BEARS TO STAY?

>> IN SOLDIER FIELD LONG-TERM?

I DON'T THINK IT'S VIABLE.

IS IT VIABLE THEY NEED A NEW STADIUM WHEREVER IT GOES THE NEXT GENERATION OF BEARS FANS WILL BE GOING TO A NEW STADIUM.

I'M CONFIDENT OF THAT.

WHETHER THAT IS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF CHICAGO, ALONG THE LAKEFRONT NEAR THE EXISTING STADIUM OR ARLINGTON PARK OR ANOTHER LOCATION, I THINK WE CAN LOOK AT BY THE TIME WE GET TO THE END OF THIS DECADE, THE BEARS ARE VERY LIKELY TO BE PLAYING IN I ANEW STADIUM IN THE CHICAGO AREA.

>> CURIOUS TO HEAR WHAT BEARS FANS THINK ABOUT THAT BECAUSE SOLDIER FIELD CAN BE SENTIMENTAL FOR MANY.

THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

TONY ARNOLD AND MARC GANIS THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> PLEASURE.

THANK YOU.

>> AND LATER IN THE PROGRAM WE'LL CATCH UP WITH FORMER BEAR JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS TO PREVIEW THIS SUNDAY'S MATCHUP WITH THE CLEVELAND BROWNS.

STAY TUNED FOR THAT.

FIRST, WE SIT DOWN WITH CHICAGO ORCHESTRA MAESTRO, RICCARDO MUTI RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING HOW SOME ARE WORKING TO BALANCE NEW DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS IN CHICAGO'S TRENDY FULTON MARKET.

>> FIRST, THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCED THE TEN-YEAR CONTRACT OF RICCARDO MUTI WHICH WAS SET TO EXPIRE HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOR ONE YEAR.

THE ORCHESTRA OPENS TONIGHT PLAYING IN PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 19 MONTHS.

YESTERDAY, "CHICAGO TONIGHT" SAT IN ON A REHEARSAL AND HEDY WEISS SAT DOWN WITH A SPECIAL GUEST, RICCARDO MUTI.

[♪♪♪] >> SO I WATCHED REHEARSAL THAT YOU ARE HAVING FOR YOUR OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCE.

AND THE CONNECTION BETWEEN YOU AND THAT ORCHESTRA HAS SOMETHING SPECIAL.

FROM THE VERY START IT HAS BEEN A MAGIC CONNECTION BETWEEN YOU AND THE MUSICIANS OF THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY.

WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?

>> THIS IS DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN.

BUT FROM THE FIRST TIME I WAS INVITED TO CONDUCT THE ORCHESTRA AND I REMEMBER THAT FROM THE FIRST BAR, IMMEDIATELY FROM THIS BEGINNING I FELT THAT I HAD IN FRONT OF ME NOT ONLY GREAT ORCHESTRA BUT A SPECIAL ORCHESTRA BUT NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRILLIANCE AND THE EXCELLENCE OF THE BRUSH BECAUSE THAT PERIOD THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY WAS AROUND THE WORLD ALWAYS CONSIDERED FAMOUS BECAUSE IT KEPT EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY OF THE BRASS PLAYERS, AND HORNS.

BUT I FELT IMMEDIATELY THAT WOOD WINDS AND STRINGS VERY SPECIAL.

[♪♪♪] AND SPECIAL BEGIN OUR RELATIONSHIP.

YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT I'M NOT THE PERSON THAT LIKES TO MAKE COMPLIMENTS AND SAY HOW GOOD YOU ARE AND HOW LUCKY I AM TO BE HERE.

I DO MY WORK YOU DO YOUR WORK.

AND WE SEEM TO DEFLECT THE ORCHESTRA IS ME.

AND THEN WE DID A TOUR AND TOURS INTERNATIONAL TOURS.

CAN MAKE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AN ORCHESTRA AND THE CONDUCTOR MORE POSITIVE, MORE BEAUTIFUL, OR IT CAN TURN INTO DISASTER.

EVERYDAY DIFFERENT PROGRAM TRAVELING, TIRED THE HOTELS ET CETERA, ET CETERA.

IT'S LIKE SOME MARRIAGES YOU KNOW.

EVERYDAY, EVERYDAY, EVERYDAY.

WHEN YOU EAT EVERYDAY EVEN IF YOU EAT THE PROCESS SHUTE TOW AT SOME POINT INSTEAD OF SIX DAYS THEN THE SEVEN-DAY YOU RECEIVE A CABBAGE FOR BREAKFAST.

YOU FIND THAT THE CABBAGE IS WONDERFUL.

[♪♪♪] >> AND THE THREE DIFFERENT CONCERTS YOU ARE GOING TO BE DOING THERE ARE THE BIG NAMES, BEETHOVEN, BRANTS AND TCHAIKOVSKY.

TELL ME ABOUT THE BEETHOVEN YOU ARE PLAYING.

IT'S LIKE MICHELANGELO, THEY ARE ETERNAL.

SO EVERY GENERATION OF MUSICIANS AND EVERY GENERATION OF THE PUBLIC THEY MUST HAVE THE EXPERIENCE AND ABSORB THE MESSAGES IN THE MUSIC OF THIS GREAT GENIUS.

THE MUSICIANS NEED BEETHOVEN LIKE WE NEED BREAD AT THE TABLE.

[♪♪♪] WE SHOULD NOT FORGET THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY IS AN INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTION.

IT IS NOT ONLY A LOCAL INSTITUTION.

IF YOU GO IN EVERY PART OF THE WORLD AND YOU SAY CHICAGO SYMPHONY, THEY WILL HEAR THE NAME WITH GREAT RESPECT.

[♪♪♪] >> YOU ARE GOING TO BE CONTINUING YOUR JOB AS MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE CSO FOR AN EXTRA YEAR IN PART BECAUSE THE PANDEMIC ROBBED YOU OF ONE YEAR OR MORE I'M WONDERING HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

>> AS I SAID TO THE MUSICIANS I WILL STILL CONTINUE TO BE NEAR THE MUSICIANS BECAUSE I LOVE THEM.

I LOVE CHICAGO IT IS A BEAUTIFUL I ALWAYS SAY AROUND THE WORLD AND IT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE ARCHITECTURE AND THE CULTURE ET CETERA, MORE SHOULD BE DONE AND WE MUST DO FOR BRINGING THE ORCHESTRA TO DIFFERENT PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

WE SHOULD NOT ABANDON THE FACT THAT MUSIC IS AN EXPERIENCE OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE PLAYER AND THE PLAYERS AND THE PUBLIC.

AND WE NEED THE ELECTRICITY, THE ATTENTION AND THE PARTICIPATION OF THE PUBLIC IN A POSITIVE WAY ALSO IN NEGATIVE WAY IN THE SENSE WE FEEL THAT THE PUBLIC IS NOT LIKING WHAT -- DOESN'T LIKE WHAT WE ARE DOING OR MAYBE IF WE FEEL THAT THEY CAN GIVE US MORE ENERGY.

SO THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIVE CONCERT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

[♪♪♪] >> BY THE WAY, RICCARDO MUTI TURNED 80 YEARS OLD OVER THE SUMMER.

AGAIN, THE LONG AWAITED SEASON OF THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY BEGINS TONIGHT AT SYMPHONY CENTER.

STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT"... DEVELOPMENT IS BOOMING IN THE WEST LOOP.

HOW LOCAL LEADERS ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE RESIDENTS' CONCERNS ARE HEARD.

THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANT RIGHT SUPPORTERS ARE IN WASHINGTON DEMANDING A LEGAL PATHWAY FOR MILLIONS OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

>> WE'LL TELL YOU WHICH LOCAL SITES ARE ON TRACK TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.

AND ROOKIE QUARTERBACK JUSTIN FIELDS IS SET TO GET HIS FIRST NFL START AGAINST CLEVELAND WE PREVIEW THE MATCHUPS.

>> BUT FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... FIRST.

>> A GROUP OF WORKERS WITH TORTILLA MAKER EL MILAGRO MARCHED TO PROTEST WORKING CONDITIONS.

ARISE CHICAGO PARTNERED WITH WORKERS TO ORGANIZE THE MARCH.

>> LET ME BE CLEAR TO EL MILAGRO AND THE PSYCHOLOGIST THEY HIRED YESTERDAY.

THEY ARE RESENTFUL BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT MAKING GOOD WAGES AND NOT BEING TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT THE EL MILAGRO PAYS ATTENTION AND NEGOTIATES WITH THE WORKERS.

>> EL MILAGRO WORKERS REPORTED TEMPERATURES INSIDE THE FACTORIES REACHING UP TO 90° WHILE CONFINED TO TIGHT SPACES.

THEY ARE ASKING FOR HIGHER WAGES.

EL MILAGRO DID NOT RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

>> ILLINOIS IS LAUNCHING A $40 MILLION WORKFORCE RECOVERY GRANT PROGRAM IN AN EFFORT TO HELP JOB SEEKERS RETURN TO WORK.

IT WILL EXPAND ACCESS TO TRAINING JOB PLACEMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES AND AIM TO REDUCE BARRIERS THAT PREVENT PEOPLE FROM REENTERING THE WORKFORCE.

>> IN ORDER TO CREATE AN ILLINOIS WHERE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ABOUNDS FOR ALL RESIDENTS WE HAVE TO ADDRESS WHAT IS HOLDING THEM BACK.

>> APPLICATIONS FOR THE GRANTS OPENED TODAY AND YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

>> AND AS WE MENTIONED, THE WHITE SOX GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.

THIS FIRST INNING TIM ANDERSON HOMERED STARTED THE SCORING WHERE THE SOUTH SIDERS DEFEATED CLEVELAND AND HE ADDED ANOTHER HOMER.

AND THE SOX BEAT CLEVELAND 7-2 TO CLINCH THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL DIVISION.

TONY LaRUSSA WHO BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH THE WHITE SOX IN 1979, NOW HAS 13 DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIPS UNDER HIS BELT.

THE SOX WILL LIKELY PLAY THE HOUSTON ASTROS IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS WHICH START OCTOBER 7 OR 8.

>> AND NOW BACK TO PARIS SCHUTZ IN THE WEST LOOP AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> WE'RE JOINED BY WALTER BURNETT.

ALDERMAN BURNETT THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON FULTON MARKET.

THERE IS A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT IN YOUR WARD AROUND HERE INCLUDING A GIANT GUINESS BREWERY.

WHAT IS THAT GOING TO BE LIKE?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE FUN.

IT'S GOING TO BE A PLACE COMING FROM, I THINK I FORGET WHAT TOWN BUT THEY HAVE A BIG ONE.

IT'S HOSPITALITY, THEY WILL HAVE PARTIES THERE AND EAT THERE AND DRINK, OF COURSE.

WE WELCOME IT TO THIS COMMUNITY.

IT WILL BE NEXT TO CITY HALL AND FULTON MARKET.

IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK, PLAY AND LIVE YOU KNOW.

THIS IS JUST A FANTASTIC AREA IT'S GROWN OVER THE YEARS.

IT USED TO BE BLOOD ON THE STREETS.

YOU LITERALLY USED TO HAD TO DODGE TRUCKS.

>> COW BLOOD, PIG BLOOD.

>> [NO AD 0 >> LOOKS LIKE WE ARE HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.

FIRST, HERE IS A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> ALL RIGHT A LITTLE BIT OF TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY BUT WE ARE BACK WITH ALDERMAN BURNETT.

WHAT I ASKED YOU DID THE PANDEMIC AND THE CIVIL UNREST STALL THE MOMENTUM?

>> IT STOPPED THE WORKERS FROM COMING TO WORK BUT IT DID NOT STOP DEVELOPMENT NOR THE RESTAURANTS ARE FROM OPENING UP.

WE ALLOWED THEM TO COME ON OUTSIDE OFF THE SIDEWALK INTO STREET AND NOW WE ALLOW THEM TO KEEP IT LIKE THAT.

FULTON STREET WAS DESIGNED TO HAVE A PEDESTRIAN FEEL TO IT SO PEOPLE CAN WALK AND EAT AND DINE.

SO THIS AREA HAS BEEN SUSTAINING ITSELF AND ALSO IT HAS BEEN HELPING TO SUSTAIN THE CITY OF CHICAGO WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE BUILDING HAS BEEN GOING ON IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING ELSE HAPPENING.

>> AND THE CITY'S ECONOMY IS DEPENDING ON CONSTRUCTION.

LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT CITY ISSUES THE REMAP IS GOING ON.

LOOKS LIKE A TUG OF WAR BETWEEN BLACK AND LATINO ALDERPEOPLE ABOUT WHO IS GOING TO GAIN SEATS AND WHO IS GOING TO LOSE SEATS.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO GO?

>> THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THAT EVERYONE'S NUMBERS HAVE CHANGED BUT THE FUNNY THING, PARIS S. THAT A LOT OF FOLKS ARE NOT CONCENTRATED.

THE CITY HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE INTEGRATED EVEN IN THIS AREA.

WHEN I LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, I HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS THAT LIVE HERE, LATINOS, I MEAN IT'S MIXED.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO SAY IN CERTAIN AREAS THAT WE HAVE ALL LATINOS OR WE HAVE ALL AFRICAN-AMERICANS HERE.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT AND WE WILL FIGURE IT OUT.

>> DOES THAT MEAN SOME ALDERPEOPLE MIGHT HAVE TO RUN AGAINST SITTING ALDERMEN.

>> YOU WILL SEE INTERESTING THINGS HAPPEN AND SOME THINGS WILL CHANGE BUT IT'S PART OF HISTORY.

IT'S PART OF LIFE.

>> I WANT TO BE A FLY ON A WALL IN THOSE NEGOTIATIONS.

THE MAYOR INTRODUCED HER BUDGET SOUNDED LIKE YOU WERE SUPPORTIVE AND SOME WERE NOT.

DOES SHE HAVE 26 VOTES TO PASS IT?

>> ONE, THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS.

SO WE STILL NEED TO SEE ALL OF THE BUDGET AND SEE ALL THE DETAILS OF IT.

BUT FROM THE SURFACE IT LOOKS GREAT.

I MEAN WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT MUCH AS FAR AS TRYING TO GAIN MORE FUNDS FROM PEOPLE.

THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD SERVICES OUT THERE.

I LIKE THE FACT WE HAVE OVER $10 MILLION FOR RETURNING CITIZENS TO HELP FOLKS GET BACK ON THEIR FEET, ACCEPT THEM BACK INTO SOCIETY.

THERE IS A LOT OF CHILDCARE STUFF AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

THERE'S SO MANY THINGS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THERE ARE SO MANY GREAT THINGS IN THE BUDGET.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WORRIED IF THE CITY CAN SUSTAIN THAT LEVEL OF SPENDING GIVEN NO MORE FEDERAL DOLLARS AND THE ORDINANCE THAT PASSED TO ALLOW WEED SHOPS DOWNTOWN EXCEPT ON MICHIGAN AVENUE DESIGNED TO GET MORE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND LATINO AND DIVERSITY OWNERS IN THE GAME.

AND SOME PEOPLE SAYING IT'S NOT GOING TO FIX THIS EQUITY PROBLEM.

>> PARIS, HONESTLY ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WHEREVER THEY HAD MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES THE BIG BOYS BUY EVERYBODY OUT.

NO MATTER IF THEY BLACK, WHITE, GREEN OR BLUE IT'S GREEN.

THE MONEY BUYS EVERYONE OUT.

>> HENDON WANTS TO SELL THE LICENSE.

>> IF GUYS IS GOING TO USE SEVERAL MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WILL BE CHALLENGING TO CONTROL.

I WISH THE STATE WOULD PUT IN SOMETHING THAT WOULD MAKE IT SUSTAINABLE THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE IN PERPETUITY A SOCIAL EQUITY PARTNER.

>> THAT HAS TO HAPPEN AT THE STATE LEVEL.

THERE IS SO MUCH WE CAN TALK ABOUT BUT IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I APPRECIATE YOU.

>> AND BRANDIS WE WILL BE BACK WITH MORE.

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

>> THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ADVOCATES INCLUDING SOME FROM ILLINOIS ARE MARCHING IN WASHINGTON TO DEMAND THAT CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS PROPOSE A LEGAL PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP FOR 11 MILLION UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

THIS WEEK, THE SENATE DEALT A BLOW TO DEMOCRATS WHO HOPED TO INCLUDE AN IMMIGRATION MEASURE IN THE BUDGET BILL BUT THE PARLIAMENTIAN DECLARED THAT MEASURE INAPPROPRIATE.

JOINING US ARE IRA MEHLMAN MEDIA DIRECTOR FOR FAIR IN WASHINGTON D.C. AND BASSEM KAWAR POLITICAL DIRECTOR OF THE ILLINOIS COALITION FOR IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE RIGHTS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

BASSEM KAWAR LET'S START WITH YOU, WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE SENATE PARLIAMENTIAN'S RECOMMENDATION THAT THE CITIZENSHIP MEASURE NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET BILL.

>> FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

FOR THIS IMPORTANT DEBATE.

AND I WANT TO KICK IT OFF BY STATING THAT OUR ORGANIZATION AND NOT ONLY OUR ORGANIZATION BUT 70% OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC BELIEVES IN IMMIGRATION REFORM THAT INCLUDES A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP TO UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

AS FAR AS OUR REACTION TO THE PARLIAMENTIAN'S RULES IT IS DISAPPOINTING.

BUT OUR MOVEMENT HAS ENERGIZED.

AS YOU STATED WE ARE IN WASHINGTON D.C. WHERE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE CAME FROM OVER 35 STATES TO MARCH THIS PAST TUESDAY.

WE DID OUR LEGISLATIVE VISITS YESTERDAY.

AND OUT OF THE THOUSANDS OVER 100 LEADERS CAME FROM ILLINOIS WE MET WITH OUR ILLINOIS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

AND THEY HAD NINE GREAT MEETINGS WITH OUR ILLINOIS DELEGATION.

WE HAD THE CONVERSATION AND OUR MOVEMENT IS READY.

WE'RE ENERGIZED.

>> CONTINUING TO PUSH FORWARD >> YES.

I MEAN THERE IS A PLAN B THAT WE WILL PUSH FOR.

AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP TO MILLIONS OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

>> IRA MEHLMAN WHAT IS YOUR REACTION?

DO YOU AGREE WITH THE PARLIAMENTARIAN'S RECOMMENDATION?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BUDGETARY ISSUES.

AND THIS WAS AN ATTEMPT TO SNEAK IT THROUGH BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY CANNOT GET THE 60 VOTES NECESSARY IN THE SENATE TO PASS A MASS AMNESTY AND GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A BORDER RAGING OUT OF CONTROL WE HAVE AN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM THAT IS NOT BEING ENFORCED BY THIS ADMINISTRATION, THERE'S LITTLE APPETITE ON THE PART OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC FOR CREATING MORE CHAOS.

WHAT WE NEED IS WHAT HAS BEEN PROMISED TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC FOR DECADES AN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM THAT MAKES SENSE FOR THE COUNTRY AND THAT ENFORCES LAWS.

EVERY COUNTRY ON EARTH HAS IMMIGRATION LAWS.

BUT THEY ARE MEANINGLESS UNLESS THERE IS AN ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM AND THERE HASN'T AND CREATING ANOTHER AMNESS CITY IS GOING TO TRIGGER MORE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AS PEOPLE START TO BELIEVE THAT EVERY TIME YOU VIOLATE OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS YOU WILL BE REWARDED.

>> EVA IS A DACA RECIPIENT AND SPOKE ABOUT A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP DURING THE DEMONSTRATION.

HERE SHE IS.

>> DACA RECIPIENTS THAT ARE HERE THAT ARE UNDOCUMENTED THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING AND PROVIDING AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE COUNTRY ARE DESERVING OF A PERMANENT PROTECTION.

STOP BEING DEPORTED THERE ARE MANY, MANY WORKERS AND THOSE FARM WORKERS THAT PROVIDE A MEAL DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT WERE OUT THERE.

IT IS A BIG COMMUNITY THAT IS DESERVING OF THIS.

AND THEY DESERVE TO HAVE A PEACE OF MIND AND A PERMANENT PROTECTION.

>> IRA MEHLMAN BACK TO YOU, OBVIOUSLY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 11 MILLION IMMIGRANTS HERE.

WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO CAME HERE BROUGHT HERE AS YOUNG PEOPLE BY THEIR PARENTS?

>> YOU MENTIONED THEY WERE BROUGHT HERE BY THEIR PARENTS.

THEIR PARENTS UNDERSTOOD THEY WERE PUTTING THEM IN A ILLEGAL LIMBO BY VIOLATING U.S. IMMIGRATION LAWS.

IT IS ULTIMATELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT THAT THE SITUATION THE YOUNG PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES IN.

MOST PEOPLE COMING TO THE UNITED STATES ARE GOOD PEOPLE.

BUT IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT IT IT HAS AN IMPACT ON AMERICAN SOCIETY.

THE REASON COUNTRIES HAVE IMMIGRATION LAWS IS BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE THAT IT HAS AN IMPACT ON THE RECEIVING COUNTRY.

IT AFFECTS PEOPLE'S JOBS.

THEIR ABILITY TO EARN A LIVING, THEIR CHILDREN'S SCHOOL IT AFFECTS EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND FOR MANY PEOPLE IT HAS A HARMFUL EFFECT AND THAT IS THE REASON WHY EVERY NATION ON EARTH HAS IMMIGRATION LAWS AND WHY THEY NEED TO BE ENFORCED.

>> BASSEM KAWAR WHAT ARE YOU ASKING ORGANIZERS ASKING LAWMAKERS FOR WHAT SPECIFICALLY WOULD YOU LIKE THEM TO DO?

>> YOU KNOW, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD AGREE WITH MY COCATALYST ON ANY POINT BUT WE AGREE WE HAVE A BROKEN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM.

AND IN THE PAST 35 YEARS WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY POSITIVE LEGISLATION OR MOVEMENT ON IMMIGRATION.

IT TELLS YOU THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG HAPPENING IN THIS COUNTRY AND THE IMMIGRATION LAWS THAT WE HAVE THE HEARTBREAKING SCENES WE'RE SEEING ON OUR SOUTHERN BORDER.

WHEN WE SEE WHITE MEN ON HORSES WITH WHIPS, WHIPPING BLACK IMMIGRANTS IN A DISTURBING SCENE THAT CAME OUT OF THE MOVIE OF THE 1700'S.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN THOSE SCENES SINCE THE 1700'S.

YES WE HAVE A BROKEN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM AND WE NEED TO FIX IT AND FIX IT NOW.

AND THE WAY WE FIX THIS BROKEN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM SO BY PASSING A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP TO ALL UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE.

AND HERE WE ARE IN A MOMENT WHERE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE RELIEF AND TO RECOGNIZE THAT MUSEUMTY OF THE PEOPLE WHO -- HUMANITY WHO KEPT THE COUNTRY RUNNING THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

WHEN MYSELF AND WERE SENT HOME ZOOMING INTO OUR MEETINGS MY NEIGHBORS AND HIS NEIGHBORS WERE WORKING THE GROCERY STORES THEY WERE THE BUS DRIVERS AND THE TEACHERS AND THE NURSES THE DOCTORS.

AND HERE WE ARE REJECTING THEIR BASIC HUMANITY THEIR RIGHT TO LIVE PEACEFULLY, TO LIVE IN SAFETY AND TO REASON THE BENEFITS WE ALL BENEFIT FROM IN THIS COUNTRY.

THIS NOTION THAT WE'RE JUST CERTAIN PEOPLE THEIR HUMANITY IS A ARGUMENT AND THIS IS WHAT ORGANIZERS ARE DEMANDING.

NOTHING LESS THAN A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET RECONCILIATION.

>> IRA MEHLMAN THERE ARE POINTS ON WHICH THE TWO OF YOU AGREE.

WE HAVE 45 SECONDS LEFT.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE LAWMAKERS DO TO REPAIR WHAT YOU BOTH REFER TO AS A BROKEN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM?

>> ESTABLISH IMMIGRATION LAWS THAT MAKE SENSE.

SELECT PEOPLE BASED ON ASSESSMENTS OF THEIR LIKELIHOOD TO CONTRIBUTE IN THIS COUNTRY AND ENFORCE THE LAWS.

WE DON'T HAVE AN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THE PRIMARY CONSTITUENCY FOR U.S. IMMIGRATION POLICIES ARE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

AND THE ASSERTION THAT SOMEHOW AMERICANS AREN'T DOING VITAL JOBS IN THE COUNTRY IT'S ONLY THE IMMIGRANTS KEEPING US AFLOAT IS PREPOSTEROUS AND IT DEGRADES THE WHOLE NOTION OF WHAT AMERICAN CITIZENS CONTRIBUTE TO THE UNITED STATES.

IF WE NEED TO HAVE A SYSTEM THAT MAKES IT CLEAR TO PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE TO OBEY THE RULES OTHERWISE YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO COME.

AND NOT EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE ABLE TO COME IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO COME.

>> MY THANKS TO BASSEM KAWAR AND IRA MEHLMAN FOR JOINING US.

>> SOME CHICAGO SITES COULD BE ADDED TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES BROADENING THE STORIES REPRESENTED IN THE NATION'S HISTORY.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER PATTY WETLI JOINS US NOW WITH MORE DETAILS.

SO PATTY, PROPOSALS TO INCLUDE THREE CHICAGO SITES PASSED A KEY COMMITTEE HEARING WITH THE COMMISSION ON CHICAGOLAND MARKS.

WHICH SITES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

>> WELL, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FOR ONE ALTGELD GARDENS WHICH IS A CHICAGO PUBLIC HOUSING COMPLEX ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE.

SO THAT IS BEING PROPOSED IN PART BECAUSE IT WAS BUILT IN THE 1940s, AND WHAT IT REPRESENTED IN THAT PERIOD OF A SHIFT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC HOUSING.

IT WAS BUILT SPECIFICALLY FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN WORKERS WHO WERE WORKING AT NEARBY STEEL PLANTS AND OTHER INDUSTRIES DURING WORLD WAR II.

PART OF IT HAS TO DO WITH WHAT THE BUILDINGS REPRESENT AND WHAT IT REPRESENTS IN TERMS OF PUBLIC HOUSING AND ALSO PERHAPS MOST SIGNIFICANT AS THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE MOVEMENT BASED ON THE WORK OF ONE OF ITS RESIDENTS HAZEL JOHNSON.

VERY SIGNIFICANT SITE.

WE'LL SEE HOW THAT MOVES FORWARD.

AND WE ALSO HAVE THE RAMOVA THEATRE IN BRIDGEPORT, OLD SCHOOL CLASSIC MOVIE PALACES LIKE THE MUSIC BOX AND PATIO THEATERS ON THE NORTH SIDE.

THIS ONE FOLKS ARE LOOKING TO REDEVELOP IT AND BRING IT BACK TO ITS FORMER GLORIAS A SORT OF ANCHOR FOR COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.

THEY ARE HOPING TO DO LIVE MUSIC AND OTHER EVENTS.

AND THE THIRD IS THE ALIE JA MOHAMMED HOUSE.

HE WAS THE LEADER OF THE NATION OF ISLAM.

THIS HOME HE OWNED FROM THE 50s TO THE 70s.

HOSTED SO MANY LUMINARIES THERE FROM POLITICIANS TO FOLKS LIKE MUHAMMAD ALI TO SAM COOK IT WAS A HUB DURING THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND YEAH THAT IS A THIRD PLACE BEING CONSIDERED FOR THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

>> BEAUTIFUL HOME.

RICH HISTORY.

WHAT IS NEXT IN GETTING THE PLACES LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER?

>> THEY PASSED A COMMITTEE VOTE NOW THEY WILL GO IN FRONT OF THE ENTIRE COMMISSION ON CHICAGOLAND MARKS IN EARLY OCTOBER.

AND THEN ASSUMING THEY ALL GET APPROVED AND YES VOTES THERE, THEN THEY GO TO AN ILLINOIS A STATE AGENCY THAT HAS THE FINAL SAY ON WHAT GETS BUMPED UP TO THAT NEXT LEVEL.

THEY HAVE THE TIME SAY ON RECOMMENDATIONS.

AND THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR SOME OF THE DEVELOPERS OF THESE SITES BECAUSE THIS WOULD PUT THEM IN LINE FOR FEDERAL TAX CREDITS WHICH WOULD BE HELPFUL IN BRINGING SOME OF THESE PROPERTIES BACK UP TO SNUFF.

>> OK. PATTY WETLI THANK YOU.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ PATTY'S TORRE ON OUR WEBSITE ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND NOW WE CHECK BACK IN WITH PARIS SCHUTZ COANCHORING TONIGHT FROM THE WEST LOOP AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" >> NOW, WE'RE JOINED BY CARLA AGOSTINELLI, WHAT IS THE REST LOOP COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION LEADER AND GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> WE TALKED WITH THE ALDERMAN ABOUT THE BOOMING DEVELOPMENT AND THE HOUSING BUT IT'S EXPENSIVE TO LIVE HERE.

HOW DOES THIS NEIGHBORHOOD OPEN SPACE UP FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

>> IT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

AND WHAT I CAN SAY WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE ALDERMAN AND ALL OF THE ADMINISTRATIONS THAT WE'VE WORKED WITH OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS HERE WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO OPEN UP THE NEIGHBORHOOD OPPORTUNITY BONUS WHICH ALLOWS DEVELOPERS TO PURCHASE FAR RIGHT AND THAT PILE OF MONEY OUT OF 50 PLUS PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN BUILT IN THE WEST LOOP WE'VE HAD 113 MILLION GO TOWARDS INVEST SOUTHWEST.

FOUR MILLION HERE.

THAT IS AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT.

WHAT THIS OPPORTUNITY DOES IT ALLOWS 0 FORWARDABILITY THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE AND WORKING WITH THE DEVELOPERS AND THE ALDERMEN IS TO BRING MORE AFFORDABLE UNITS TO THE WEST LOOP.

WE WANT THIS TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO COME AND PLAY AND LIVE AND WORK HERE.

>> A LOT OF THAT FUND GOES TO OUTSIDE THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

IF PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE HERE BUT THEY CANNOT AFFORD THE MULTIMILLION DOLLAR UNITS WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

THERE IS A LOT OF SPACE NORTH OF THE TRAIN TRACKS HERE.

>> THERE IS.

SOME DEVELOPERS HAVE A REQUIREMENT OF HAVING 20% ON-SITE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND NOW WITH THE ALDERMEN'S GUIDANCE WE'RE GOING TO OPEN THAT UP TO 30% NORTH OF LAKE.

AND THAT IS AN AFFORDABLE PRODUCT WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND WE ARE HOPEFUL TO BRING MORE EDUCATION TO THE COMMUNITIES TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO WHAT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM IS AND HOW IT CAN BE A TOOL IN CREATING GENERATIONAL WEALTH FOR ALL CHICAGOANS.

>> YOU SAY EDUCATION PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM?

>> WHO QUALIFIES FOR THAT WHAT THE AVERAGE MEDIAN INCOME BRACKETS ARE WHAT PERCENTAGES IS APPROVED.

>> THE OTHER ISSUE THE REASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES AND PEOPLE KLAIN THEY HAVE GONE WAY UP.

AND THE PROPERTY VALUES WHAT ABOUT THAT ISSUE HERE IN THE WEST LOOP?

>> IT'S MUCH LIKE ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE CITY IT IS A PROBLEM WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ADDRESS AND I WISH I HAD THE ANSWERS I DON'T.

>> IT IS A PROBLEM THAT A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AND ADDRESS.

CARLA AGOSTINELLI THANK YOU FOR JOINING US WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> AND WE WILL BE WRAPPING THINGS UP IN A BIT NOW WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT, PREVIEWING THE BEARS MATCHUP WITH THE BROWNS.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... A LOOK AT EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND TOWN THIS WEEKEND... >> JUSTIN FIELDS IS SET TO GET HIS FIRST NFL START SUNDAY.

CAN THE ROOKIE QUARTERBACK AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE FRANCHISE LIVE UP TO THE EXPECTATIONS AGAINST THE CLEVELAND BROWNS?

[♪♪♪] JOINING US NOW IS JAMES "BIG CAT" WILLIAMS FORMER OFFENSIVE LINEMAN FOR THE CHICAGO BEARS FROM 1991-2002.

WELCOME BACK JAMES.

AS WE DISCUSSED IN THE PROGRAM THERE IS TALK AT LEAST OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THE BEARS MOVING OUT OF SOLDIER FIELD TO ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

COULD YOU EVER IMAGINE A BEARS GAME THAT IS NOT PLAYED AT SOLDIER FIELD A HOME GAME NOT SOLDIER FIELD?

>> I COULDN'T IMAGINE IT.

BUT I'M ALSO ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY IN CHAMPAIGN WHEN THEY WERE REDOING THE OLDER STADIUM WHICH IS NOW THE NEWER STADIUM.

YOU KNOW, I FEEL LIKE BEING IN THE HEART OF CHICAGO BY THE WATERFRONT IS A STAPLE.

I UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO MOVE AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO GET A NEWER FACILITY A MORE MODERNIZED FACILITY.

BUT I FEEL LIKE PART OF THE ALLURE AND PART OF THE ATTRACTION OF SOLDIER FIELD IS WHERE IT'S LOCATED AND YOU KNOW, THE CRAZY WEATHER THAT YOU CAN GET FROM BEING DOWN THERE.

>> WE ALL KNOW IT WELL.

TO THE GAME.

JUSTIN FIELDS SET FOR HIS FIRST NFL START WITH ANDY DALTON SIDELINED WITH A KNEE INJURY WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF HIS PERFORMANCE AFTER HE CAME IN FOR DALTON?

>> HE LOOKED LIKE A ROOKIE.

ONE OF THE HARD THINGS FOR A YOUNG QUARTERBACK IS THAT DURING THE WEEK IF YOU ARE NOT THE STARTER YOU DON'T GET A LOT OF THE REPS. DURING THE WEEK LEADING UP TO THE BENGALS, EVERYTHING WAS CIRCLED AROUND ANDY DALTON.

HE GOT 90-95% OF THE REPS. FIELDS COMES IN AND HE DOES A COUPLE MAYBE ONE OR TWO PLAYS AT THE END OF EVERY PERIOD.

JUST TO KEEP GET HIS FEET WET.

BUT NOTHING IS ACTUALLY PUT IN FOR FIELDS.

SO COMING IN LAST WEEK, AND RUNNING WHAT THEY WERE ASKING ANDY TO RUN ALL GAME AND WHAT THEY HAD PUT IN FOR WHAT ANDY IS GOOD AT, MADE IT DIFFICULT ON FIELDS.

SO WE'RE HOPING THIS WEEK THAT WE SEE THEM CHANGE IT AROUND A LITTLE BIT AND MAKE IT MORE FIELDS FRIENDLY.

>> DALTON IS EXPECTED TO BE SIDELINED FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS MATT NAGY SAID DALTON WILL BE THE STARTER WHEN HEALTHY.

DO YOU THINK HIS MIND IS MADE UP OR COULD YOU BE SWAYED IF FIELDS PLAYS LIGHTS OUT?

>> I THINK HIS MIND IS MADE UP UNTIL FIELDS BALLS OUTS.

HE COMES OUT AND THROWS FOR 250- 300 YARDS AND SCORES TOUCHDOWNS YOU KNOW AS A YOUNG GUY HE IS GOING TO MAKE MISTAKES THERE MIGHT BE AN INTERCEPTION, MIGHT BE A FUMBLE IN THERE.

I THINK AS LONG AS THEY FEEL AS THOUGH THE THINGS THAT HE DID CONSISTENTLY WERE GOOD AND CAN HELP THE TEAM MOVING FORWARD, WE'LL SEE HIM IN THERE FOR THE LONG-HAUL >> THE BEARS THEY WERE UP TWO SCORES WITH FIVE MINUTES LEFT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER AND THEY CONCEDED TWO TOUCHDOWNS.

WAS THE DEFENSE BEING UNDISCIPLINED IN THAT GAME?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK IT WAS UNDISCIPLINED.

SOMETIMES THE TIDES OF THE GAME CHANGE.

DEFENSIVELY WE SAW A LOT MORE UPBEAT DEFENSIVE UNIT THAN WE HAVE SEEN WEEK ONE VERSE THE RAMS.

AND THEY SEEM TO CLEAN UP A LOT OF THINGS THEY PLAYED WITH MORE ATTITUDE.

YOU SAW GUYS RUNNING TO THE BALL, PILING ON THE PILES.

YOU SAW A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WERE -- A COUPLE PENALTIES, THE TAUNTING CALL AND HITTING THE QUARTERBACK LATE THESE ARE THINGS THAT OCCASIONALLY A DEFENSE WILL DO WHEN THEY ARE PLAYING WELL TO LET THE OPPOSITION KNOW HEY WE'RE HERE ALL DAY.

I THINK THERE ARE THINGS THAT CAN BE CLEANED UP BUT THEY HAD TO STAY ON THEIR P'S AND Q'S.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE MATCHUP AGAINST THE BROWNS?

WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO DO TO WIN?

>> THE INTERESTING PART WILL BE THAT CLEVELAND'S OFFENSE IS GOING TO BE SIMILAR TO WHAT WE WANT TO SEE THE CHICAGO BEAR OFFENSE LOOK LIKE.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE HEAVY VERSE THE RUN AND RUN A LOT OF PLAY ACTION OFF OF THAT RUN.

AS I COULD SEE THE BEARS DO THE SAME THING.

LEAN ON DAVID MONTGOMERY.

HE IS A HARD RUNNING BACK AND GETS A LOT ACCOMPLISHED.

THE FIRST GUY THROUGH THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE IS NOT GOING TO TACKLE HIM 90% OF THE TIME AND FIELDS WILL BE ABLE TO RUN PLAY ACTION AND READ OPTION THE QUICK GAME OUT OFF OF THAT.

SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THEY PUT TOGETHER IF HE IS ABLE TO LET'S SAY DUMB IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

NOT SO MUCH DUMB IT DOWN BUT GIVE JUSTIN THINGS THAT ARE EASY FOR HIM.

ONLY ALLOWING HIM TO READ ONE-HALF OF THE FIELD AND NOT THE OTHER.

BEING ON THE MOVE AND GETTING OUTSIDE OF THE POCKET.

IF THEY CAN DO THOSE THINGS I THINK THEY STAND A CHANCE.

>> KEEP IT SIMPLE.

BIG PREDICTION LET ME HEAR IT.

>> UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE TO GO CLEVELAND 20 BEARS 17.

I THINK THAT CLEVELAND HAS AN OPPORTUNITY WITH THAT DEFENSE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO PUT ON THE FIELD TO CONFUSE FIELDS A FEW TIMES AND THAT WOULD SWAY THE GAME ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

WE'LL GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW GOOD HE IS.

>> WE'LL SEE WHAT BEARS THINK OF THAT.

BIG CAT THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU BRANDIS.

HAVE A GOOD ONE.

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

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND WE'RE JOINED BY PARIS SCHUTZ WHO IS COANCHORING FROM THE WEST LOOP AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

PARIS, WE CAN SEE A BUSTLING STREET BEHIND YOU WITH TABLES FOR OUTDOOR DINING AND WE KNOW THAT THE WINTER WAS CHALLENGING FOR RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE CITY.

HOW ARE BUSINESSES PREPARING FOR THE COLDER WEATHER?

>> WELL, THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

ALL THE OUTDOOR DINING IS GREAT IT'S FINE NOW.

SOME OF THE STRUCTURES ARE SEMI PERMANENT THE OUTDOOR STRUCTURES THEY HAVE HEAT LAMBS SO THEY ARE DESIGNED TO CONTINUE INTO THE COLDER WEATHER.

BUT THERE IS ONLY A LIMITED CAPACITY FOR THAT.

SO THERE IS WORRY THAT IF THERE'S ANYTHING LIKE A SHUTDOWN AGAIN OR A PARTIAL SHUTDOWN IT'S GOING TO BE GAME OVER FOR SOME OF THE BUSINESSES.

AS WELL RESPECTED AS THESE ESTABLISHMENTS ARE, AS BUSTLING A NEIGHBORHOOD AS WEST LOOP IS, EVERY SINGLE DAY THEY ARE WALKING THE LINE HERE.

THEY ARE BARELY MAKING ENDS MEET AND THEY ARE BANKING ON THE FACT THAT THE COVID SITUATION HAS STABILIZED AND THE STATE AND THE CITY WILL NOT HAVE TO RETURN TO ANY OF THOSE MITIGATIONS.

>> AND WE KNOW WHILE MANY WERE ABLE TO SHIFT TO MORE TAKE OUT, THAT'S NOT ENOUGH.

PARIS THANK YOU.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

AND YOU CAN GET "CHICAGO TONIGHT" STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YouTube ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND YOU CAN GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

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

>> AND BEFORE WE GO, A PROGRAMMING NOTE.

BEGINNING THIS WEEKEND, "CHICAGO TONIGHT" BLACK CHOICES WILL BE MOVING TO SATURDAY NIGHTS AT 6:30 IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES".

BOTH SHOW ALSO REAIR ON SUNDAYS AT 10:00 P.M. AND WE HOPE YOU WILL JOINS THEN.

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

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ AND WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING AND WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.