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

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF.

AND ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

>> WE ARE REMINDING PEOPLE OF SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY.

>> SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS AFTER MULTIPLE DROWNINGS IN LAKE MICHIGAN THIS WEEK.

WHAT OFFICIALS WANT BEACH AND LAKE PATRONS TO KEEP IN MIND.

>> LET'S WORK TOGETHER AND LET'S WIN TOGETHER.

>> DO ILLINOIS REPUBLICANS STAND A CHANCE?

CANDIDATES SAY DON'T WRITE THEM OFF EVEN IN MEMBERS OF THEIR PARTY HAVE.

WE ARE LIVE FROM THE STATE FAIR.

>> MILLIONS OF AMERICANS EXPERIENCING HEARING LOSS WILL BE ABLE TO BUY HEARING AIDS OVER-THE-COUNTER.

HOW THE F.D.A.

WILL MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE.

>> CONSERVATION EFFORTS TO SAVE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES ARE ON THE WAY IN OUR BACKYARD.

>> ILLINOIS HAS MORE MUSLIM AMERICANS PER CAPITA THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

A REPORT OFFERS A LOOK INTO THEIR STRENGTH AND STRUGGLES.

[♪♪♪] >> DESPITE A LIFE ALTERING EVENT A LOCAL RETIRED CHORUS TEACHER SHARES HOW IT HASN'T STOPPED HIM FROM PLAYING THE MUSIC HE LOVES.

>> MEET MELODY ANGEL ONE OF CHICAGO'S PROMISING NEW BLUES MUSICIANS.

>> AND PARIS, I'M IN NORTH PARK AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

NOW, LOCATED IN THE NORTH SIDE OF CHICAGO, NORTH PARK IS HOME TO TWO UNIVERSITIES.

WE WILL TEA TELL YOU THE INFLUENCE THOSE UNIVERSITIES HAVE HAD IN THE COMMUNITY AND NEW CONSTRUCTION BEING DEVELOPED HERE.

BUT FIRST, I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS JOANNA.

>> CHICAGO IS GETTING AN ADDITIONAL 20,000 DOSES OF THE MONKEYPOX VACCINE FROM THE STRATEGIC NATIONAL STOCKPILE.

PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE VACCINES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT VIN CLINICS OVER THE NEXT WEEK.

ELIGIBILITY HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ANY SEXUALLY ACTIVE BISEXUAL AND GAY MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN AND TRANSGENDER PERSONS.

VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO HAS HAD CLOSE PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH SOMEONE DIAGNOSED WITH MONKEYPOX SUCH AS FAMILY MEMBERS REGARDLESS OF SEX, GENDER OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

>> THE WOMAN AT THE HEART OF TWO SEPARATE R. KELLY CHILD PORNOGRAPHY TRIALS TESTIFIES THE SINGLE-DIGITTER BEGAN PUSHING FOR A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HER WEEKS AFTER SHE BECAME HIS GOD DAUMENT AT 13-YEAR-OLD OLD, THE WOMAN NOW 37 YEARS OLD, JANE, IS ONE OF THE MAIN WITNESSES AT THE CENTER OF THE CASE.

SHE HEARD HUNDREDS OF SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS WITH KELLY WHILE SHE WAS A MINOR.

KELLY RECORDED HIMSELF SEXUALLY ABUSING HER IN FOUR VIDEOS PORTIONS OF WHICH WILL BE SHOWN TO JURORS.

KELLY'S ATTORNEY CALLS THE ACCUSERS LIARS AND EXTORTIONISTS AND JANE AND HER PARENTS FOR YEARS DENIED SHE HAD ANY SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH KELLY.

>> FELONY CHARGES FOR A CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER FORCING A PARK RIDGE TEEN FROM THE GROUND AFTER CLAIMING HE WAS TRYING TO STEAL HIS SON'S BIKE.

MICHAEL VITELLARO HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED BATTERY AND OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT AFTER HE PRINKED THE BOY DOWN BY KNEELING ON HIS BACK.

THE BOY'S MOTHER RELEASED THE VIDEO ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

THE BOY'S PER-SHARE BASISES WELCOME THE CHARGE AND DON'T KNOW IF RACE PLAYED A ROLE.

>> THESE ARE HARD CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE WITH OUR CHILDREN AND THE SITUATION WHERE HE FACED SOMETHING THAT WAS EGREGIOUS AND TRAGIC AND HE DID HAPPEN TO BE THE ONLY BROWN BOY THERE AND THAT IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR HOW WE ARE PROCESSING THIS AS A FAMILY.

>> AND LAWYERS FOR THE FAMILY SAY THEY ANTICIPATE FILING CIVIL CHARGES IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

UP NEXT, SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM G.O.P.

DAY AT THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> COWS, CORN DOGS, RIDES ALL PART OF A TRADITION, THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR.

POLITICIANS ARE ALSO A PART OF THAT TRADITION.

DEMOCRATS RALLIED ONS FAIRGROUNDS YESTERDAY AND TODAY IT WAS REPUBLICAN'S TURN.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US FROM JUST INSIDE THE MAIN GATE.

WHAT WENT ON TODAY?

>> WELL, PARIS, THERE IS A LOT OF TALK NATIONALLY ABOUT A RED WAVE IN THIS NOVEMBER'S MIDTERM ELECTION AND ILLINOIS REPUBLICANS ARE HOPING TO RIDE IT.

AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET THE G.O.P.

NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR SENATOR DARREN BAILEY.

HE RODE A TRACTOR INTO THE STATE FAIR MAKING A GRAND ENTRANCE WITH HIS WIFE.

HE IS A FARMER AND SAYS THAT AGRICULTURE IS OFTEN IGNORED BUT IT IS A BACKBONE OF ILLINOIS' ECONOMY.

BUT HE SAYS THE STATE IS HURTING AND THAT IS BECAUSE HE SAYS OF DEMOCRATS' POLICIES.

>> OUR HOME'S IN TROUBLE.

THANKS TO FAT CAT LEADERS LIKE JOE BIDEN AND J.B. PRITZKER.

YOU CAN'T CLEAR A FIELD OF WEEDS IF YOU DON'T PULL THEM OUT BY THE ROOTS, FRIENDS.

AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX ILLINOIS, IS TO FIRE J.B. PRITZKER AND GET THE PROBLEM OUT BY THE ROOTS.

>> YOU CAN HEAR THOUGH BAILEY HAS AN ENTHUSIASTIC CROP OF SUPPORTERS.

HE DID EASILY WIN THE G.O.P.

'S NOMINATION GETTING MORE THAN 57% OF THE PRIMARY VOTE DESPITE A CROWDED FIELD.

G.O.P.

CHAIRMAN DON TRACY ADMITS THAT PRIMARY DID GET ROUGH BUT HE SAYS THAT THE PARTY IS NOW UNIFIED AND BAILEY'S CHALLENGERS THE TOP CHALLENGERS ANYWAY, INCLUDING MAYOR RICHARD IRVIN JOINING HIM LAST NIGHT FOR A UNITY EVENT IN SPRINGFIELD IT WAS A PRIVATE EVENT.

THE JOINT GOAL OF THE G.O.P.

NOW TO TAKE BACK THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION FROM J.B. PRITZKER.

>> HE WANTS TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

WHAT A DISAS PER HE HAS BEEN FOR ILLINOIS.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER HAS DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS PUBLIC CORRUPTION, CRIME OR THE RISING COST OF GAS AND GROCERIES.

GOVERNOR, HOW ABOUT FIXING OUR STATE INSTEAD OF AGREEMENTING ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE?

>> -- DREAMING ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE?

>> TRACY SAYS THAT PREVIOUSLY THE G.O.P.

HAD BEEN THOUGHT OF AS THE PARTY OF ELITES CORPORATE DONORS.

BUT NOW THAT HAS SLIPPED.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF TODAY IS THE ONE THAT HELPED AND IS FOR WORKING FAMILIES.

NOW, IT IS NOT JUST THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE THAT THE G.O.P.

OF ILLINOIS IS EYEING, TRACY SAYS THAT A RECORD NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS WILL BE ON THE BALLOT THIS FALL.

AND SIX U.S. HOUSE SEATS FROM ILLINOIS ARE SWING DISTRICTS.

WINNING THEM PARTY LEADERS SAY, IS GOING TO TAKE WINNING OVER SWING VOTERS AND INDEPENDENT ONES.

>> THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO OVER THE NEXT 80 DAYS.

J.B. PRITZKER IS GOING TO DUMP OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO THE TV ADS, RIGHT?

THERE IS ONE SUREFIRE WAY TO DEFEAT HIS MONEY.

AND THAT IS TO INVITE YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOUR FRIENDS FROM CHURCH, THE MODERATES AND SOME OF THOSE MODERATE DEMOCRATS WHO USED TO BE REAGAN DEMOCRATS AND THEY LEFT THE PARTY.

BRING THEM BACK.

>> BAILEY IS NOT UNIVERSALLY BELOVED EVEN BY MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY.

TALKED WITH ONE POLITICAL CONSULTANT ON THE WATCH DURING THE RALLY TO MAKE SURE THAT CANDIDATE SHE IS WORKING FOR WAS NOT PHOTOGRAPHED WITH ANYONE CONTROVERSIAL LIKE BAILEY.

AND WHILE YOU DIDN'T HAVE THEM SAY IT OUT RIGHT, AT LEAST PUBLICLY, SEVERAL REPUBLICANS WOULD NOT SAY FLAT OUT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR BAILEY INSTEAD SAYING ONLY THAT THEY SUPPORT THE G.O.P.

TICKET.

HERE FOR EXAMPLE IS SECRETARY OF STATE NOMINEE DAN BRADY WHEN REPORTERS WERE PRESSING HIM ABOUT HIS BACKGROUND AND VOTING HISTORY ON PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

>> WHAT I SEE IN MY PARTICULAR RACE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE IS THE PEOPLE WANT TO IMPROVE SERVICES IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE, HELP WAIT TIMES, IMPROVE TECHNOLOGY AND THOSE ARE ALL THE THINGS I'M TALKING ABOUT.

NO ONE ASKED ME ABOUT MY VOTING RECORD EXCEPT YOU FOLKS.

>> REPUBLICANS SAY THAT WHAT VOTERS REALLY CARE ABOUT ARE POCKETBOOK ISSUES THINGS LIKE THE PRICE OF GAS AND INFLATION.

BUT IT IS NOT JUST THE MEDIA THAT HAS THIS TRUMP FACTOR.

DEMETRA DEMONTE CALLED THE F.B.I.

RETRIEVAL OF CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS FROM FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S MAR-A-LAGO ESTATE IN FLORIDA A QUOTE UNPRECEDENTED WEAPONNIZATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST POLITICAL OPPONENTS.

>> THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME PRESIDENT TRUMP, REPUBLICANS AND CONSERVATIVES HAVE BEEN UNFAIRLY TARGETED BY THE DOJ AND THE F.B.I.

WE NEED TO KNOW WHY THIS UNPRECEDENTED ACTION WAS TAKEN.

WE NEED FACTS.

WE NEED THE AFFIDAVIT.

WE NEED TRANSPARENCY.

WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND WE NEED IT NOW.

>> STILL, REPUBLICANS ARE ALSO UNITED ON ANOTHER ISSUE AND THAT IS THEY SAY THAT CRIME IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS RESOLUTION.

WITH BAILEY SAYING THAT PRITZKER HAS GONE SO SOFT ON CRIMINALS HE HELPED TO TURN CHICAGO INTO A HELL HOLE.

BAILEY DOUBLING DOWN A COUPLE OF TIMES ON THAT COMMENT.

SAYING THAT HE SAYS CHICAGO RESIDENTS THINK SO, TOO.

>> ACTUALLY I BELIEVE THEY DO BECAUSE IT'S UNSAFE.

IT'S GOING TO CHANGE.

CHICAGOANS DESERVE BETTER.

I CALL IT OUT FRIENDS AND YOU KNOW THAT.

YOU REALIZE THE FIRST TIME I MADE THAT STATEMENT ON THE DEBATE STAGE THAT VERY NIGHT, THE HOMELESS MAN, THE WALKING MAN IN THE LOOP HE WAS SET ON FIRE.

KIDS ARE GETTING SHOT.

FIVE-MONTH-OLD KIDS.

YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT TAKES TO PUT A CAR SEAT IN?

IT TAKES YOU 30 MINUTES THAT SHOULD BE THE SAFEST PLACE FOR A KID TO BE.

A FIVE-MONTH-OLD KID GETS SHOT DO WE KNOW THE KID'S NAME?

NO WE DON'T.

THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT.

>> MEANWHILE, J.B. PRITZKER'S CAMPAIGN PUTTING OUT WORD TODAY THAT HE WILL PARTICIPATE IN TWO DEBATES LEADING UP TO THE NOVEMBER 8TH ELECTION.

YES, JUST TWO.

BAILEY DID NOT IMMEDIATELY SAY WHETHER HE, TOO, WILL PARTAKE IN THOSE EXACT FORUMS.

HE DID SAY, HOWEVER, THAT HE IS READY, WILLING AND WANTING TO DEBATE PRITZKER TO HELP GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT ALL THAT HE SAYS PRITZKER HAS DONE WRONG.

WTTW, WBEZ AND "THE SUN TIMES" DID PARTNER AND HAVE INVITED CANDIDATES TO A JOINTLY PRODUCED FORUM FROM THE MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS.

PRITZKER TODAY DECLINED HIS CAMPAIGN SAID IT'S SCHEDULING ISSUES.

WE ARE HOWEVER OPEN TO OTHER DEBATES DATES IN OCTOBER AND ARE HOPING THAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER CHANGES HIS MIND.

NO WORD IMMEDIATELY FROM BAILEY'S CAMP ON THAT.

WITH THAT, PARIS, I THINK THIS IS MY LAST HIT HERE FROM THE FAIR.

SO I WILL GO GET MYSELF A FUNNEL CAKE AND RAINBOW GRILLED CHEESE.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT'S BEEN A DEADLY 24 HOURS ON LAKE MICHIGAN AS CHICAGO POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL HAVE CONDUCTED SEVERAL WATER RESCUES WITH TWO PEOPLE DEAD AND ONE STILL MISSING.

AND WITH THE AIR AND WATER SHOW MAKING ITS RETURN AFTER A TWO-YEAR HIATUS OFFICIALS ARE REMINDING PATRONS TO PLAY TA SAFE.

>> ONE OF OUR GRIM RESPONSIBILITIES IS TO RECOVER BODIES AFTER THEY HAVE DROWNED.

WE DON'T WANT THAT TO BE YOU OR ONE OF YOUR LOVED ONES.

>> PATTY WETLI JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

THIS IS BECOMING HUGE CRISIS.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THIS WEEK'S DROWNINGS TO THIS POINT?

>> THERE WAS A CLUSTER OF INCIDENTS A COUPLE WEEKS AGO ON THE MICHIGAN SIDE OF THE LAKE TIED TO DANGEROUS SWIM CONDITIONS.

HERE IN CHICAGO, AROUND THE PLAY PEN THAT AREA AROUND OHIO STREET BEACH, INCIDENTS IN THE LAST FEW DAYS HAVE BEEN MORE TIED TO FOLKS SLIPPING INTO THE WATER AT HARBORS OR OFF BOATS WHICH IS SORT OF A DIFFERENT PROPOSITION BUT DANGEROUS ALL THE SAME.

>> AND WITH THIS WEEK'S CLUSTER OF EVENTS POLICE AND FIRE OFFICIALS ARE REMINDING PEOPLE TO AVOID ALCOHOL AROUND THE LAKE.

TAKE A LISTEN.

>> IF YOU ARE GOING TO SWIM, BOAT, DON'T DRINK.

WE CAN HAVE FUN WITHOUT DRINKING.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU WILL DO IS BRING YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES SAFELY BACK HOME.

>> ALCOHOL SOMETIMES A PART OF THESE PARTIES FOR BOATERS AT THE PLAY PEN.

WHAT ELSE ARE OFFICIALS RECOMMENDING TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE?

>> DON'T GO OUT SWIMMING ALONE.

IF YOU ARE AT THE BEACH, KEEP AN EYE ON LITTLE ONES.

MAKE SURE IF YOU ARE ON A BOAT YOU HAVE YOUR LIFE PRESERVERS.

AND ESPECIALLY IF FOR SWIMMERS AS WELL, KNOW WHAT THE WEATHER IS.

UNDERSTAND THE WEATHER AROUND CHICAGO HOW QUICKLY IT CAN CHANGE.

AND UNDERSTAND YOU KNOW, THIS IS A BIG LAKE AND THERE ARE RIP CURRENTS.

AND YOU KNOW, FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE SITUATIONS IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN TROUBLE.

>> A BIG LAKE AND THE AIR AND WATER SHOW WHICH IMPLEMENTS A LOT OF FOLKS ON TO THE LAKE.

WHAT ARE OFFICIALS DOING TO PREPARE FOR SAFETY THIS WEEKEND ON THE LAKE?

>> WE DID HEAR FROM THE COAST GUARD AND THEY ECHOED MANY OF THE THINGS THAT WE HEARD FROM CHICAGO FIRE AND POLICE OFFICIALS ABOUT BEING SOBER, BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND THEY ALSO SAID SPECIAL FOR THE AIR AND WATER SHOW THEY DO HAVE A ZONE AROUND DOWNTOWN WHERE THEY WILL BE KEEPING VESSELS OUT OF THAT AREA.

THAT IS THE PLAN FOR THE AIR AND WATER SHOW.

BUT IT IS A LOT OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY OUT THERE IS THE MESSAGE THAT WE'RE GETTING FROM OFFICIALS.

>> A LOT OF PROBLEMS HERE IN THIS PLAY PEN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

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

>> IT IS A NEIGHBORHOOD ONCE HOME TO A LARGE SWEDISH POPULATION AND NOW NORTH PARK IS A BLEND OF CULTURES AND ETHNICITIES.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD ON THE NORTH SIDE OF CHICAGO IS HOME TO TWO UNIVERSITIES AND FOR THIS WEEK'S "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" REPORTER JOANNA HERNANDEZ AND PRODUCER ACACIA HERNANDEZ EXPLORE THE COMMUNITY HOME TO A MUCH-LOVED PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATION, WE SHOULD MENTION.

AND WE FIND JOANNA AT THE NORTH PARK NATURE CENTER.

>> PARIS, AT THIS POINT, YOU KNOW I'M LOOKING FOR GREEN SPACE AROUND ME.

LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL WATERFALL HERE.

THIS IS THE END OF THE WATERFALL.

SO YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW BEAUTIFUL IT LOOKS ON THE OTHER SIDE.

NORTH PARK VILLAGE NATURE CENTER.

IT WAS A 46-ACRE NATURE HE LER PRESERVE OFFERING HIKING TRAILS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING.

IT'S ONE OF THE LARGEST NATURE AREAS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF CHICAGO ALONG THE CHICAGO RIVER.

THERE'S FOUR MINNIE ECOSYSTEMS THAT PEOPLE WITH ENJOY FROM WOODLAND TO WETLAND.

WE SPOKE WITH THE DIRECTOR AND THE PRESERVE IS UNIQUE BECAUSE OF THE WILDLIFE PEOPLE CAN SEE.

AND SHARES THE CENTER IS WORKING ON HELPING PRESERVE A SPECIFIC ENDANGERED SPECIES.

>> WE'RE DOING A LOT OF WORK TO RESTORE LIKE A LOT OF THE PRAIRIE AND NATIVE PLANT SPECIES.

SO MONARCH BUTTERFLIES THIS YEAR WERE LISTED AS ENDANGERED.

EVERY YEAR WE HOLD THE FESTIVAL CALLED MON ARPA LOUISA.

THIS YEAR WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE CONSERVATION OF BUTTERFLIES.

AND WE ALSO WANT TO UPLIFT THE INDIGENOUS AND CULTURAL CONNECTIONS WITH THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY.

>> THIS NEIGHBORHOOD WAS ORIGINALLY A SWEDISH COMMUNITY AND OVER THE YEARS IT'S BECOME MORE DIVERSE.

WHEN YOU WALK AROUND THE COMMUNITY YOU CAN SEE THE BLEND AND INFLUENCE OF CULTURES.

WE MET WITH RESIDENT AND MEMBER OF THE HOLLYWOOD NORTH PARK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION A RESIDENT DRIVEN ALLIANCE RUNNING SINCE 1951.

ANDREW JOHNSON SHARES ONE OF THE CONCERNS HAS BEEN UNDERSTANDING WHAT NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY WILL DO WITH THE PRIVATE PROPERTIES THEY OBTAINED ALONG WEST BRYN MAWR AVENUE IN 2016.

SOME RESIDENTS LOST THEIR PROPERTIES FROM THE ACQUISITION AND ACCORDING TO REPORTS NORTHEASTERN PLANNED ON BUILDING STUDENT HOUSING AND NOW IT SEEMS THE PLAN IS TO REPURPOSE IT FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS WITH RETAIL SPACE.

>> FOR A LONGTIME IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROPERTIES ON BRYN MAWR OWNED BY NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY.

WE'RE EAGER TO SEE THEM DO SOMETHING WITH THOSE PROPERTIES.

THEIR ACQUISITION WAS CONTROVERSIAL AND THEY HARMED THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND TAKING THEM THROUGH THE POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN AND WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING POSITIVE DONE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT THAT STIRRED DEBATE IS A REZONING PROPOSAL FOR A PROPERTY ON THE CORNER OF KIMBEL AND FOSTER.

THE PROPERTY OWNER WHERE FIVE BUSINESSES CURRENTLY RENT.

I SPOKE WITH THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY AND HE TOLD ME OFF CAMERA HIS PLAN IS TO REBUILD A MIXED-USE BUILDING WITH APARTMENT UNITS AND COMMERCIAL SPACE.

HE SHARED HE HAS OWNED THE SUBWAY NEXT TO THE PROPERTY FOR 20 YEARS AND HIS VISION IS TO ENHANCE THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

HOWEVER, THE ASSOCIATION HAS BROUGHT UP CONCERNS OF EVEN MORE TRAFFIC ON KIMBEL AND FOSTER AND BUSINESSES FORCED TO CLOSE.

>> IDEALLY THERE IS A NEW DEVELOPMENT SO MORE PEOPLE CAN LIVE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND MORE FOOT TRAFFIC TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES BUT IF COMES AT THE EXPENSE OF LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT ARE HERE THAT IS A TOUGH TRADE OFF.

HOPEFULLY THERE IS A WAY TO MEET BOTH NEEDS.

>> ONE OF THE BUSINESSES OPERATING AT THE BUILDING.

WE MET WITH JAZMIN FLORES THE OWNER OF THE RESTAURANT AND SHE SAYS SHE HAS INVESTED HER SAVINGS INTO THE BUSINESS AND HAVING TO CLOSE WILL COST FINANCIAL PRESSURE TO ALL THE BUSINESS OWNERS, DESPITE THE PROPOSED TIMELINE FOR REDEVELOPMENT.

>> SO MY BUSINESS IS ONE OF THE FEW BUSINESSES THAT DID NOT GET ANY FINANCIAL HELP.

WE WERE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE PPE LOAN AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET THE MONEY.

WHEN I HEARD THIS I WAS LIKE NO I HAVE TO START FROM ZERO AGAIN.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE OR COME BACK IT WOULD HAVE TO BE ZERO.

INTO STARTING OVER.

SUCKS.

>> ON THE BORDERED OF NORTH PARK AND ALBANY PARK WE VISITED ASIAN HUMAN SERVICES AN ORGANIZATION FOCUSING ON HELPING I AM GRANTS AND REFUGEES RECEIVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED FROM JOB TRAINING TO HEALTH PROGRAMMING.

CHICAGO IS A HUB FOR REFUGEES SEEKING ASYLUM AND THE LAST 45 YEARS, ASIAN HUMAN SERVICES HAS BEEN ASSISTING THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

>> NORTHWEST SIDE IS SLOWLY BECOMING THE HUB FOR IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE FAMILIES.

THE UPTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORICALLY WAS KIND OF THE ENTRY POINT AND WHAT YOU SEE AS THINGS GENTRIFY AND THINGS CHANGE FOLKS MOVE FURTHER NORTH AND WEST.

AND SO THE NORTH PARK AREA, THE WEST RIDGE AREA, ROGERS PARK AREA, WE PULL FAMILIES THE ALBANY PARK AREA FROM ALL OF THE NEIGHBORING NEIGHBORHOODS TO WHERE WE ARE LOCATED.

>> ASIAN HUMAN SERVICES RUNS A CHARTER SCHOOL NAMED PASSAGES.

ALI TAROKH SHARES THEY SERVE A LARGE POPULATION OF REFUGEES.

HE HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO HELPING OTHERS NAVIGATE THROUGH THE CHALLENGES OF ESCAPING THEIR COUNTRIES AND FORCED TO REBUILD A NEW LIFE.

>> I WANT TO [INAUDIBLE] WE CAME HERE BY FORCE THAT IS FINE.

BUT WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO BUILD OUR LIFE AGAIN.

EVERY SINGLE REFUGEE SAY THEY ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK AND IT MAKES ME HAPPY.

>> THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS HOME TO TWO UNIVERSITIES NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY AND NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY.

NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN A PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1891.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY TELLS US THE UNIVERSITY OFFERS A VARIETY OF CLASSES AND THIS YEAR THEY EXPECT ALL STUDENTS TO ATTEND IN-PERSON.

>> WELL, SOME CALL US THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN CHICAGO BECAUSE WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS AN URBAN OASIS HERE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF CHICAGO.

BUT WE STARTED OUT AS A SMALL, CHRISTIAN INSTITUTION THAT WAS FOUNDED BY SWEDISH IMMIGRANTS.

FOUNDED IN MINNESOTA AND MOVED TO THE URBAN CENTER OF CHICAGO IN THE EARLY 1890s.

BUT AS THE CITY GREW UP TO OUR SOUTH NORTH PARK EXPANDED ALL ALONG THE WAY.

>> THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY ALSO SHARES THEY ARE IN THE EARLY PLANNING STAGES OF DEVELOPING NEW RESIDENTIAL HOUSING ON CAMPUS.

AND COMING UP WE SPEAK TO THE LOCAL ALDERMAN.

FIRST, I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER AND APPROVED THE SALE OF HEARING AIDS OVER-THE-COUNTER THE HOPE TO BRING THE PRICES DOWN SINCE THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS NEEDING THEM HAVE HAD TO GET A PRESCRIPTION.

THE EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE ORDER CREATES MORE COMPETITION IN THE MARKET ALLOWING FOR HOPEFULLY MORE AFFORDABLE OPTIONS.

AND JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THIS ARE Dr. ELIZABETH MEYER, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

AND Dr. DAVID SCHMIDT CLINICAL AUDIOLOGIST WITH THE CHICAGO HEARING SOCIETY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

Dr. MEYER WHAT PRACTICAL IMPACT WILL THIS F.D.A.

RULING HAVE ON THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS SEEKING OUT HEARING AIDS?

>> WELL, I THINK THE PRACTICAL IMPACT I'M HOPING THIS WILL LOWER THE PRICE OF HEARING DEVICES AND PROVIDE A REASONABLE OPTION FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T MEET THE CRITERIA FOR GETTING PUBLIC AID OPTIONS OR MEET CRITERIA FOR CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS BUT CANNOT AFFORD $5,000 HEARING DEVICES.

>> Dr. DAVID SCHMIDT WHAT IS THE RANGE OF COSTS FOR HEARING AIDS?

>> BOY, THE RANGE IS FROM SOUP TO NUTS BECAUSE IT IS NOT VERY REGULATED.

SOMEPLACES A PAIR OF HEARING AIDS MAYBE $2,000 TO $4,000.

SOME PROVIDERS IN THE CHICAGO AREA IT COULD BE AS MUCH AS 5.

WHEN I WORKED IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS, SOME PEOPLE WOULD SHOW OFF THEIR PAIR OF $8,000 HEARING AIDS.

PEOPLE ARE SPENDING A WIDE RANGE OF MONEY.

>> NOT ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL.

ALL OF THEM EXPENSIVE.

AND Dr. MEYER WHY UP TO THIS POINT HAVE THEY ONLY BEEN AVAILABLE WITH A DOCTOR'S PRESCRIPTION?

>> WELL, THE REGULATION FOR OUR LICENSURE IS SUCH THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION OR A HEARING TEST TO FIT HEARING DEVICES.

SO THAT'S ONE OF MANY REASONS WHY UP UNTIL THIS POINT THERE HAVEN'T BEEN F.D.A.

RULES HEARING AIDS.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THERE ARE NOT UNREGULATED DEVICES THAT HAVE A SIMILAR PURPOSE.

THAT ARE ON THE MARKET AND HAVE BEEN ON THE MARKET.

BUT THIS PROVIDES REGULATION OF SOME OF THOSE OVERTHE COUNTER DEVICES.

>> AND DOCTOR WITH THE RULING DO FOLKS NEED TO GET HEARING TESTS AND SOME KIND OF APPROVAL TO BUY THEM OVER-THE-COUNTER?

>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY WHEN THEY ARE OVER-THE-COUNTER PEOPLE WILL NOT NEED TO HAVE A PRESCRIPTION TO GET THEIR DEVICES.

WHAT I THINK PEOPLE WILL FIND IS THE OVER-THE-COUNTER DEVICES WILL BE A GOOD BRIDGE FOR PEOPLE WHO REALIZE I TRIED THIS BUT IT'S NOT GIVING ME ENOUGH BENEFIT.

READERS TO BIFOCALS.

MAYBE THIS IS MY FIRST STEP AND THEN I WILL GET SOMETHING MORE APPROPRIATELY FIT TO OFFSET MY HEARING LOSS.

>> Dr. MEYER YOU BROUGHT UP THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNREGULATED HEARING DEVICES VERSUS THE ONES THAT REQUIRED A DOCTOR'S PRESCRIPTION CAN YOU EXPOUND MORE ON THOSE DIFFERENCES?

>> YEAH.

SO CURRENT HEARING DEVICES ARE CONTROLLED BY OUR LICENSURE.

SO THAT IS ONE WHERE WE'RE REGULATED TO HAVE A RECENT HEARING TEST, AND TO TREAT THE HEARING WITH HEARING AIDS.

AND THAT IN COMPARISON TO THE MODEL OF FITTING ONESELF.

HAVING AN ON-LINE HEARING TEST OR USING A HEARING TEST AND ORDERING DEVICES ON-LINE.

SO THE DIFFERENCE IS IS ONE IS UNDER THE CARE OF AN AUDIOLOGIST OR HEARING DISPENSER IN COMPARISON TO BASICALLY DOING THE TREATMENT ON YOUR OWN.

>> DAVID SCHMIDT, DO ALL HEARING ISSUES NECESSITATE HEARING AIDS?

>> WELL, PART OF THE REASON WHY EVEN THE HEARING AID CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT INCLUDES PHYSICIANS BECAUSE PEOPLE LOTS OF TIMES HAVE IMPACTED EAR WAX FOR WEEKS AND THINK THEY NEED HEARING AIDS.

PEOPLE HAVE MIDDLE EAR DISEASE AND NEED MEDICAL INTERVENTION NOT MORE LOUDNESS.

>> SO A RANGE OF ISSUES POSSIBLY CAUSING FOLKS AND EVERYBODY HAS EXPERIENCED SOME HEARING ISSUE AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIFE.

Dr. MEYER, WHAT IF FOLKS WITHOUT MEDICAL INSURANCE OR ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE DONE UP TO THIS POINT TO BE ABLE TO GET AN ADEQUATE HEARING AID?

>> THEY PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR HEARING TREATMENT AND THAT IS WHAT HAS TYPICALLY BEEN THE MODEL.

MOST PEOPLE PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR HEARING TREATMENT AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR INSURANCE BENEFITS.

AND SO THAT IS WHAT THE MODEL HAS BEEN.

>> AND YOU MENTIONED THERE'S NONPROFIT ASSISTANCE THAT SOME FOLKS CAN GET.

CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THAT?

>> SURE.

COMPANIES SUCH AS THE ONE THAT Dr. DAVID SCHMIDT WORKS AT THE LIONS CLUB, THERE IS A FOUNDATION BY ONE OF THE HEARING AID MANUFACTURERS THAT PROVIDES HEARING DEVICES WHEN PEOPLE MEET CERTAIN INCOME REQUIREMENTS.

SO THAT IS WHAT PEOPLE WILL DO WHEN THEY NEED THE CATEGORIES.

AND THAT HAS BEEN THE MODEL UP UNTIL THIS POINT.

>> Dr. DAVID SCHMIDT HOW HELPFUL HAS IT BEEN FOR THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO ADEQUATE HEALTHCARE OR LOW INCOME?

>> ESPECIALLY THE PERMANENT REHAB SERVICES HELPS PEOPLE EMPLOYABLE TO GET HEARING AIDS IF THEY CANNOT AFFORD THEM.

SPECIALIZED FOR CHILDREN WILL PROVIDE VOUCHERS AND HELP CHILDREN, AND PEOPLE EARN MORE THAN PUBLIC AID LEVEL.

THOSE PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN LOTS OF BENEFITS THROUGH THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS.

LOTS OF ASSISTANCE AND WE'LL SEE IMPACT OF THIS NEW F.D.A.

RULING.

THANKS TO ELIZABETH MEYER AND Dr. DAVID SCHMIDT THANK YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> UP NEXT, CATCHING UP WITH ONE OF THE CITY'S MOST INFLUENTIAL MUSIC TEACHERS.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM IS SHARING A SCREENING OF THE DOCUMENTARY FOR THE LEFT HAND.

IT TELLS THE STORY OF ONE OF THE CITY'S MOST INFLUENTIAL MUSIC TEACHERS WHO SHARED HIS LOVE FOR THE CRAFT IN CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

NOW AT 84, NORMAN MALONE SITS DOWN WITH ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU TO SHARE WHAT HE HAS BEEN UP TO SINCE THE DOCUMENTARY AIRED ON WTTW LAST FALL.

>> [♪♪♪] >> NORMAN MALONE SAYS HE'S LOVED MUSIC SINCE HE WAS FIVE YEARS OLD.

>> IT IS THE FOUNDATION OF MY LIFE.

MUSIC.

>> AT 10 YEARS OLD HE WAS ATTACKED BY HIS FATHER LEAVING HIM PARTIALLY PARALYZED ON HIS RIGHT SIDE.

DESPITE THE LIFE ALTERING MOMENT, MALONE HAS SPENT THE DECADE PURSUING HIS LOVE FOR MUSIC.

>> I ENTERED DePAUL AS A PIANO MAJOR WITH VOICE MINOR AND IT TOOK NINE YEARS, I HAD TO WORK FULL-TIME.

I WORKED WITH AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

FULL-TIME DURING THE DAY AND TOOK CLASSES AT NIGHT AND SHE TOOK ME ASIDE AFTERWARDS AND SAID HOW CAN YOU TEACH?

YOU'RE HANDICAPPED?

AND TO HEAR THAT WAS A SHOCK.

I THOUGHT MY GOD WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING ALL THIS TIME IF I CAN'T TEACH.

I FIGURED I'VE GONE THIS FAR, JUST KEEP GOING.

>> AFTER GRADUATING MALONE WENT ON TO SPEND SEVEN DECADES SERVING ACE A CHORUS TEACHER FOR CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACROSS THE CITY.

>> I ASKED WHAT KEPT HIM ENCOURAGED TO NOT ONLY PLAY BUT TEACH FOR ALL OF THOSE YEARS?

>> BUILD A BUILDING YOU DON'T BUILD A BATTLE FROM THE OWE BUILDING FROM THE TOP DOWN YOU HAVE TO HAVE A FOUNDATION.

THAT IS THE LEFT HAND IS THE GROUND WORK.

AND MY LITTLE FINGER IS THE MELODY.

THERE ARE COMPETITIONS WHERE I HAVE TO USE OTHER FINGERS WITH THE MELODY.

THE BALK THAT I WAS WORKING ON BACH THAT I WAS WORKING ON AND THOUSANDS OF COMPETITIONS WITH THE LEFT HAND.

AND ONLY ABOUT A DOZEN FOR THE RIGHT HAND.

>> MALONE MADE HIS CONCERT DEBUT AT 79 YEARS OLD IN 2016 PLAYING THE PIANO CONCERTO FOR LEFT HAND.

[♪♪♪] NOW DESPITE THE COMPETITION BEING CREATED FOR MUSICIANS LIKE MALONE THE RETIRED MUSIC TEACHER CREDITS HIS SUCCESS TO A DIFFERENT COMPOSER.

>> HE WAS A CONCERT PIANIST AND WENT TO WAR AND LOST THE USE OF HIS RIGHT HAND AND CAME BACK AND -- >> MADE THE ORIGINAL.

>> RA VEL, WRITTEN ALL THE CONCERTOS ARE A RESULT OF THIS MAN.

MEETING PAUL'S DAUGHTER WAS OH, I MEAN THAT IS A LIFETIME AMBITION AND SHE GAVE ME HIS PICTURE WHICH I HAVE ON MY MANTDLE AND FIREPLACE THERE.

AND WE SPENT A GREAT TIME TOGETHER AND I STILL CORRESPOND WITH HER.

THAT WAS REMARKABLE.

[♪♪♪] >> [APPLAUSE] >> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> MALONE SAYS HE HAS NO PLANS TO PLAY FOR AN AUDIENCE ANYTIME SOON EXCEPT DURING THE HOLIDAYS WITH HIS FAMILY.

AND YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE YOU CAN VIEW THE DOCUMENTARY TORE THE LEFT HAND.

>> AND STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT" WE'RE ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE ALDERPERSON REPRESENTING CHICAGO'S NORTH PARK COMMUNITY TO TALK DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION EFFORTS.

>> A LOOK INTO A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND STUDY THAT OFFERS DETAILED FINDINGS INTO THE STRENGTHS AND NEEDS OF MUSLIMS IN ILLINOIS.

[♪♪♪] AND MEET MELODY ANGEL AN EMERGING TALENT ON THE CHICAGO BLUES SCENE.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> A FLORIDA JUDGE SIGNALS HE IS WILLING TO UNSEAL PARTS OF THE AFFIDAVIT FOR THE SEARCH WARRANT OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S MAR-A-LAGO HOME.

U.S. MAGISTRATE SAYS HE WANTS TO HEAR MORE FROM THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ON HOW MUCH OF THE DOCUMENT VFER INVESTIGATORS WANT TO KEEP SECRET.

PROSECUTORS ARE CONCERNED THE RELEASE COULD PROVIDE A ROADMAP TO THE INVESTIGATION HAVE UNTIL AUGUST 25 TO PROPOSE REDACTIONS.

THE JUDGE IS NOT CONVINCED THAT ALL OF THE AFFIDAVIT SHOULD REMAIN UNDER SEAL.

>> CITY OF CHICAGO INSPECTOR GENERAL WILL NOMINATE TOBARA RICHARDSON TO BE DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

RICHARDSON HAS MORE THAN A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE AS A CRIMINAL PROSECUTOR AND CURRENTLY SERVES AS COUNSEL TO THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL, ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY ISSUES.

IN A STATEMENT DEBRA WILLIAMS PRAISED THE PASSION FOR JUSTICE AND EXPERIENCE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.

RICHARDSON'S NOMINATION WILL CAN TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.

>> UNEMPLOYMENT IN ILLINOIS TICKED DOWN TO 4.4% IN JULY.

THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY REPORTS THAT NONFARM PAYROLL JOBS INCREASED BY 31,000 LAST MONTH.

THE BIGGEST GAINS WERE IN PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS SERVICES, WHICH ADDED 10,000 JOBS.

FOLLOWED BY MANUFACTURING WHICH ADDED 6300, AND THE TRADE TRANSPORT AND UTILITIES SECTOR ADDED 5700 JOBS.

AND CONSTRUCTION WAS DOWN 1400 JOBS AS WAS THE EDUCATIONAL AND HEALTH SERVICES SECTOR.

THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 3.5%.

>> AND NOW WE GO GABBING TO JOANNA HERNANDEZ WHO SPENT THE DAY IN NORTH PARK AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

JOANNA?

>> AND PARIS, WE ARE HERE WITH ALDERMAN OF THE 39TH WARD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE HAVE TO START OFF TALKING ABOUT THE BEAUTIFUL NATURE PRESERVE.

I WANT TO ASK YOU TELL US ABOUT THE EFFORTS TO PRESERVE THIS AREA AND WHAT IT TOOK TO MAKE IT INTO WHAT IT IS TODAY?

>> WHAT WE'RE STANDING IN IS 155 ACRES OF PROTECTED SPACE.

WE INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE IN THE FALL OF 2020 THAT PROTECTS THIS LAND WHICH MEANS THAT YOU AND I AND OUR FAMILIES CAN ENJOY THIS LAND FOR FOREVER.

THIS IS THE SITE OF A FORMER TUBERCULOSIS SANITORIUM AND NOW A BEAUTIFUL SPACE THAT IS SENIOR HOUSING, PARKLAND, TRAILS, GYMNASTICS CENTER AND NATURE CENTER.

>> AND TALKING ABOUT SENIOR HOUSING WE KNOW THERE'S ALSO A SENIOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THE CAMPUS UNDERGOING A RENOVATION.

WHAT IMPROVEMENTS ARE NEEDED?

>> WELL, THIS PROPERTY IS THE HOME TO OVER 500 APARTMENTS FOR OUR SENIORS.

AND AS YOU CAN SEE THE RENOVATION WE'RE UNDERGOING BUT IT'S NEW WINDOWS, KITCHENS, CUPBOARDS BATHROOMS IT'S OVERDUE AND THE COMMUNITY IS EXCITED.

>> WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE AREA?

YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU FREQUENT HERE?

>> I MEAN WHAT IS NOT TO LOVE.

LOOK AT THE BEAUTIFUL WATERFALL BEHIND ME.

IT'S SUCH EXPANSIVE GREEN SPACE.

I AM A RUNNER, I RUN HERE AND SENIORS LOVE TO HANGOUT AND FAMILIES ENJOY THE SPACE WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

THE NATURE CENTER HAS A MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE HERE.

>> I DO HAVE TO ASK WE DID SPEAK WITH RESIDENTS IN THE AREA AND WE DID SPEAK WITH THE HOLLYWOOD NORTH PARK ASSOCIATION AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE POSSIBLE NEW DEVELOPMENT ON KIMBEL AND FOSTER THEY RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT POSSIBLE DISPLACEMENT OF SOME BUSINESSES THERE.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE BRINGING DEVELOPMENT INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD WITHOUT DISPLACEMENT IS THAT POSSIBLE?

>> SURE.

SO WE'RE IN THE REAL EARLY STAGES OF CONVERSATIONS WITH THAT DEVELOPMENT.

AND IT FITS INTO WHAT OUR ZONING PROCESS IS.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE DEVELOPER AND THE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, THEY'VE MET THEY ARE DISCUSSING AND THE DEVELOPER IS COMING BACK TO US WITH MORE OPTIONS.

AND WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS FIND THAT SWEET SPOT AT THE END OF THE DAY WHERE THE COMMUNITY CAN BE HAPPY AND THE DEVELOPER SO THAT WE DO GOOD THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND WE DON'T WANT TO DISPLACE ANYBODY.

WE WANT TO HAVE A WARD WHERE IT IS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE AND DINE AND SEND YOUR KIDS TO SCHOOL.

I THINK WE'LL FIND THE HAPPY MEDIUM WITH THAT DEVELOPMENT.

>> CAN YOU QUICKLY TELL ME WHAT THINGS YOUR OFFICE IS WORKING ON CURRENTLY?

>> SURE.

WE ARE WORKING ON A DEVELOPMENT IN SAGA NASH WE ARE BUILDING A $40 MILLION LABOR PROJECT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT SCHOOL IS NOT OVER CAPACITY.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> AND COMING UP WE SPEAK WITH THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS FROM NORTHEASTERN.

FIRST BACK TO YOU.

>> NORTHEASTERN OUR NEIGHBOR AND YOU ARE A COUPLE BLOCKS AWAY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

UP NEXT NEW INSIGHTS INTO THE STATE'S MUSLIM COMMUNITY THANKS TO A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND STUDY.

FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... ILLINOIS IS HOME TO MORE THAN 350,000 MUSLIMS AND ACCORDING TO A STUDY IT MAKES THE STATE NUMBER ONE IN THE COUNTRY.

THAT REPORT OFFERS INSIGHT INTO THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THIS COMMUNITY IN ILLINOIS AS WELL AS THEIR NEEDS AND CHALLENGES.

THIS FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND STUDY WAS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE ILLINOIS MUSLIM CIVIC COALITION, THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO AND THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL POLICY AND UNDERSTANDING.

AND JOINING US TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE FINDINGS ARE ERUM IKRAMULLAH, RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGER AT INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL POLICY AND UNDERSTANDING AND DILARA SAYEED PRESIDENT OF THE ILLINOIS MUSLIM CIVIC COALITION.

WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

DILARA SAYEED THE MAKE TAKEAWAYS FOR YOU FROM THIS STUDY?

>> WELL, THE STUDY IS ABOUT THE DIVERSITY OF OUR CITIES OUR STATES AND NATION, PARIS.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

WE KNOW ILLINOIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE STATES IN THE NATION.

WE HAVE SUBURBAN, RURAL AND CITY.

AND WE HAVE RACE, CLASS AND FAITH OF EVERY BACKGROUND.

THE ILLINOIS MUSLIM COMMUNITY SIMPLY MIRRORS THAT IN BEING THE SAME EXACT WAY OF VERY DIVERSE, COMPLEX AND VERY LARGE COMMUNITY THAT IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN ILLINOIS AND IN CHICAGO AND EVERY WAY.

SO ONE OF THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS IS THAT, DIVERSITY AND OUR PART IN IT.

>> AND I THINK WE HAVE A GRAPHIC SHOWING THE DIVERSE MAKEUP OF MUSLIMS IN ILLINOIS.

ERUM IKRAMULLAH, WHAT PORTRAIT DO THE FINDINGS PAINT ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE DO YOU BELIEVE?

>> YEAH, I THINK I'D ECHO WHAT DILARA SAYEED JUST SAID.

THE MAIN FINDINGS DEMOGRAPHICLY IS THAT THE COMMUNITY IS DIVERSE, THEY ARE YOUNG, DIVERSE IN TERMS OF RACE, ETHNICITY, LANGUAGE, POLITICAL AFFILIATION.

SO THEY ARE A VIBRANT AND ENGAGED COMMUNITY IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

>> AND THE STUDY LOOKED AT THE STRENGTHS AND NEEDS OF THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY.

WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS FIRST OF ALL?

>> GREAT THANK YOU.

ABOUT 12% OF MUSLIMS IDENTIFY AS SELF EMPLOYED OR ENTREPRENEURS.

AND THEY HAVE CREATED ABOUT 350,000 JOBS A YEAR.

THAT IS ABOUT 6% OF ALL JOBS IN ILLINOIS WHEN THE COMMUNITY ITSELF MAKES UP 3% OF THE POPULATION.

THAT IS A HUGE ASSET TO ALL ILLINOIS.

WE ARE ALSO VERY GIVING.

83% OF ILLINOIS MUSLIMS GIVE IN CHARITY.

THAT IS PART OF THEIR FAITH, FOCUSED WAY OF LIVING TO GIVE AND TO GIVE WHICH IS ALSO CHARITY.

BUT THIS IS JUST SOMETHING THAT WE DO.

AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER WE'RE HURTING OR NOT OR WE HAVE FINANCIAL ISSUES OR NOT WE'RE A GIVING COMMUNITY.

>> AS I READ THE LEVEL OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT IS HIGHER THAN MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES IN ILLINOIS.

WHAT ABOUT SOME OF THE NEEDS AND THE CHALLENGES THE COMMUNITY IS FACING IN ILLINOIS?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ASKING.

I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT INCLUDE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

SO ONE QUARTER OF ILLINOIS STATED THEY NEEDED IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE AND THE YEAR PRIOR TO THE SURVEY REPORTED THAT THEY SOMETIMES OR NEVER GOT THAT IMMEDIATE CARE.

AND SO THE FINDING UNDERSCORES THE NEED FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT BARRIERS TO ACCESSING HEALTHCARE.

AND WHAT OUR SURVEY WAS ABLE TO DO WHAT THE STUDY WAS ABLE TO DO WHEN WE ALSO ASKED ABOUT ACCESS AND ACCESSING MENTAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND BARRIERS TO MENTAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

SO WE ALSO FOUND THAT MUSLIMS IN THE ILLINOIS SAMPLE WERE ALSO LESS LIKELY TO ACCESS THERAPY AND MENTAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

AND WE ASKED A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION ABOUT WHAT SOME OF THE BARRIERS INCLUDE.

AND ROUGHLY A THIRD RESPONDED THAT AFFORDABILITY WAS A MAIN ISSUE.

COST AND AFFORDABILITY OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES IT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A NEED.

I ALSO WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT QUICKLY THE ISSUE OF RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION IN THE SAMPLE WE FOUND ROUGHLY HALF OF ALL RESPOND ENDS REPORTED HAVING FACED RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION IN THE PAST YEAR.

WHICH WAS LESS LIKELY THAN THE ILLINOIS GENERAL PUBLIC.

AND WE KNOW FROM NATIONAL DATA THAT THIS TAKES SEVERAL FORMS BOTH AT THE INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL AND THE INTERPERSONAL LEVEL.

THIS CAN AFFECT THINGS FROM HEALTHCARE ACCESS, POLITICAL PARTICIPATION ACCESS, BULLYING WITHIN CLASSROOMS, TO ALSO EVERYDAY MICRO AGGRESSIONS WITHIN DAILY LIFE.

>> AND THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY NEXT QUESTION.

DILARA SAYEED CAN YOU EXPOUND ON THAT DISCRIMINATION PART AND RESPONDENTS TALKING ABOUT GENDER DISCRIMINATION WITHIN THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY AND WITHOUT?

>> YEP.

AS IN ANY COMPLEX COMMUNITY, WE -- THIS REPORT ALLOWED US TO HAVE A MIRROR TO OURSELVES AS WELL AS A WINDOW FOR THE OUTSIDE WORLD TO LOOK IN.

CERTAINLY WE FOUND THAT RESPONDENTS SAID IF THEY WERE OF COLOR AND BLACK MUSLIMS SAID THAT THEY FELT DISCRIMINATED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AT TIMES.

AS WELL AS OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY.

WOMEN ALSO FELT THAT.

YOUTH FELT THAT THEIR VOICES COULD BE MORE HEARD IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND THEN AS A COMMUNITY IN GENERAL, BESIDES THESE TYPES OF RESPONSES WE FELT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE HAD MORE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION.

WE ARE A COMMUNITY THAT IS STRONG IN VOTER ENGAGEMENT.

91% OF US ARE EITHER REGISTERED TO VOTE OR WILL BE REGISTERED FOR 2022.

WE ARE A COMMUNITY THAT IS ENGAGED IN THE POLITICAL AND CIVIC SCENE WHERE FUNDING CANDIDATES, SUPPORTING CANDIDATES AND YET OUR REPRESENTATION ACROSS OUR CITIES AND OUR STATE IS ZERO OR VERY MINIMAL.

AND THIS IS IMPACTING THE WAY WE'RE LOOKING AT OUR POLITICAL PARTIES, THE WAY WE ARE IDENTIFYING AS INDEPENDENTS AND THE WAY THAT WE ARE ENGAGING WITH OUR NEIGHBORS IN THE WORLD AROUND US.

>> AND I WANTED TO PICK UP ON THAT POLITICAL POINT, HIGH LEVEL OF POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT BUT I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE A LARGE PERCENTAGE AS I MENTIONED INDEPENDENT VOTERS, ERUM IKRAMULLAH, WHAT IS THE MESSAGE HERE FOR PUBLIC POLICYHOLDERS FROM BOTH PARTIES FROM THE FINDINGS IN THIS STUDY?

>> YEAH, REALLY THE TAKEAWAY FROM THAT FINDING IS THAT MUSLIMS ARE UP FOR GRABS FOR BOTH PARTIES AND MUSLIMS AREN'T NECESSARILY 100% ALIGNED ON A POLITICAL PLATFORM AND ARE MORE ISSUE-BASED VOTERS.

SO THAT LEAVES THEM YOU KNOW, OPEN FOR POLITICAL CANDIDATES TO KIND OF CAPTURE THEIR VOTES.

>> IF I CAN ADD TO THAT, BASICALLY THE MESSAGE IS DON'T TAKE US FOR GRANTED AND YOU ARE HEARING THAT FROM A LOT OF MINORITY COMMUNITIES, LATINO COMMUNITIES, AFRICAN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES WE ARE VOTERS AND FUNDERS AND SUPPORTERS HEAR US AND SEE US.

>> AND WITH THIS STUDY INTEREST'S SURE MORE FOLKS IN THOSE POSITIONS WILL BE PAYING ATTENTION AND OUR THANKSER TOKER AND DILARA SAYEED.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND UP NEXT WE CHECK BACK IN WITH JOANNA HERNANDEZ WHO IS REPORTING LIVE FROM CHICAGO'S NORTH PARK COMMUNITY.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ SPENT THE DAY IN NORTH PARK AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

WHAT YOU GOT?

>> WE'RE NOW HERE WITH THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS AT NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> I HAVE TO START BY ASKING THE SCHOOL YEAR IS AROUND THE CORNER.

HOW IS NORTHEASTERN PREPARING FOR THE SEMESTER AMID COVID?

>> WE ARE EXCITED TOMORROW WILL BE OPENING OUR RESIDENT HALL THE NEST FOR THE RESIDENTS TO MOVE BACK ON CAMPUS TO START THE SCHOOL YEAR ON AUGUST 22.

AND WE'RE READY.

WE'RE EXCITED.

AS AN INSTITUTION THAT IS DEDICATED TO SERVING A MINORITY POPULATION AND THE LONGEST AND OLDEST HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTION IN THE MIDWEST.

WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE OUR STUDENTS COME BACK.

TO BE ENGAGED TO GET INTO THE CLASSROOM AND START THEIR ACADEMIC CAREER FOR 2022.

>> WE DID SPEAK WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY WERE ASKING ME THEY WANTED AN UPDATE ON WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE PROPERTY THAT IS NORTHEASTERN OBTAINED ON BRYN MAWR AVENUE.

IT WAS PROPOSED TO HAVE STUDENT DORMS AND IT WENT FROM MIXED APARTMENT BUILDINGS.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT?

>> I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE UNIVERSITY HAS ACQUIRED A FIRM CBRE, INC., WHO HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO SOLICIT FEEDBACK AND COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ARE HIRING AND WILL HAVE OUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS WHO WILL BE JOINING THOSE EFFORTS AND WORKING WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO BETTER IDENTIFY THE BEST OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE IN THAT SPACE.

>> OK. AND "CHICAGO TONIGHT" DID A STORY ON THE SCHOLARSHIPS OF NEIU PROVIDED AFGHAN REFUGEES.

HOW HAVE THEY ADJUSTED OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

OUR 15 AFGHAN STUDENTS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE SPRING 2022 SEMESTER WITH REALLY GOOD REMARKS AND SUCCESS RATE FOR RETENTION.

AT FAU WE'VE WORKED HARD TO PROVIDE WRAP AROUND SERVICES FOR THE STUDENTS WHO HAVE HAD A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE HAVING TO BE AIRLIFTED OUT OF AFGHANISTAN AND SO WE WORKED HARD TO GIVE THEM SUPPORT PERSON WHO WORKS WITH THEM, WHO PROVIDES THEM SUPPORT, ACADEMICALLY, PERSONALLY.

ALONG WITH A TEAM OF PEOPLE.

WORKING WITH OUR COUNSELING CENTER OUR STUDENT HEALTH CENTER, THE AFGHAN REFUGEE AGENCIES THEY HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO HERE IN THE CHICAGO OF CITY.

>> -- CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> THERE IS A LARGE POPULATION OF FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS HERE, AND MANY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS.

TELL ME IN YOUR ROLE, WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR PRIORITIES THIS YEAR?

BECAUSE YOU ARE NEW TO THE POSITION AS WELL?

YOU ARE A YEAR IN.

>> I AM A YEAR AND SEVEN MONTHS IN.

NEIU IS DEDICATED TO THE SUCCESS OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS AND IT'S BEEN A FOCAL POINT OF SERVING A FIRST GENERATION WORKING CLASS STUDENT.

A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE FAMILIES.

THEY GIVE BACK.

THEY ARE STRUGGLING AS WELL AS BEING IN THE STATUS OF UNDOCUMENTED.

AND SO WE'RE PROUD OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY.

AND WORKING WITH OUR STUDENTS WE PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES LIKE OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS IF THEY MEET THE FINANCIAL CRITERIA THEY CAN QUALIFY FOR IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND IT SEEMS LIKE A FULL PACKED SEMESTER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND THAT IS ALL WE HAVE FROM NORTH PARK.

PARIS, I SEND IT BACK TO YOU AND I WILL WALK TO THE STATION SINCE IT IS A COUPLE BLOCKS AWAY.

>> SEE YOU IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND I HAD A PLEASURE OF MEETING THE AFGHAN STUDENTS THIS YEAR.

TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO GET AN EDUCATION AT NORTHEASTERN.

BEST OF LUCK TO THEM.

UP NEXT WE INTRODUCE YOU TO ONE OF CHICAGO'S PROMISING NEW MUSICIANINGS.

MONICA MUELLER SIXES.

FIRST -- MUSICIANS.

>> FIRST A LOOK AT EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND.

>> A LOCAL SINGER SONGWRITER HAS BEEN LISTENING TO BLUES, ROCK AND SOUL HER WHOLE LIFE NOW PEOPLE ARE LISTENING TO HER AS SHE BECOMES A RISING FORCE IN THE BLUES SCENE.

MELODY ANGEL, YES THAT IS HER REAL NAME HAS MUSIC IN HER DNA AND MARC VITALI BRINGS US THE STORY.

[♪♪♪] >> IF YOU REALLY LOVE MUSIC, YOU MUST ALSO LOVE THE BLUES.

IT IS THE BASELINE FOR EVERY FORM OF MUSIC WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY.

EVEN HIP-HOP.

IT'S FAIRLY UNCOMMON TO SEE BLACK FEMALE GUITAR PLAYERS.

I'M FIGHTING FOR THE YOUNG GIRL THAT COMES UP TO ME, THE YOUNG BLACK GIRL THAT COMES UP TO ME ALL THE TIME AND SAYS I WANT TO PLAY LIKE YOU.

I WANT TO DO THIS.

I FEEL IT'S MY JOB TO MAKE THAT EASIER FOR HER.

>> ONE PERSON WHO MADE IT EASIER FOR MELODY ANGEL WAS HER MOTHER WHO IS HER MANAGER AND SOMETIMES STYLIST.

>> IT IS OVERWHELMING SOMETIME TO SEE HER AND ALL SHE CAN DO.

SEEING HER AS A LITTLE BITTY BABY AND GROW.

BUT I SAW THIS SPARK IN HER IT WAS UNDENIABLE.

[♪♪♪] >> ANGEL PLAYS THE GUITAR HER MOTHER BOUGHT HER AT A PAWNSHOP.

>> I WILL NEVER FORGET THE DAY SHE CAME HOME FROM THE PAWNSHOP IT CHANGED MY LIFE.

I CRIED LIKE A BABY.

I REMEMBER THINKING ONE DAY, I WILL BE ON STAGE WITH THIS GUITAR YOU KNOW PAYING FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

[CHEERING] >> THAT HAPPENED.

SO I'M LIKE WHEN LITTLE KIDS SAY THEIR DREAMS OUT LOUD IT IS NOT A SMALL THING.

IT IS A BIG THING.

IT CAN ACTUALLY COME TRUE.

[♪♪♪] >> THE LIFELONG SOUTH SIDER CARRIED HER GUITAR FROM EUROPE TO AUSTRALIA.

SHE HAS ACTED ON STAGE AT COURT THEATRE AND THE GOODMAN.

AND RELEASED HER LP OF ORIGINAL MATERIAL.

[♪♪♪] >> ONE OF THE THINGS I LEARNED ABOUT WRITING WAS FROM THE ARTISTS THAT I LOVED AND WHEN I LISTEN TO THEM IN THEIR INTERVIEWS THEY ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT BEING TRUE TO THEMSELVES.

AND THAT'S HOW I LOOK AT SONG WRITING.

IT'S A PEACEFUL RELEASE WHATEVER IS ON MY HEART GOOD OR BAD, I CAN RELEASE IT.

>> MELODY ANGEL COMES FROM A MUSICAL FAMILY.

HER MOTHER'S COUSIN WAS OTIS RUSH, THE LATE CHICAGO BLUES MAN INTEREST I DO ADMIT I DIDN'T WANT HER GOING INTO IT BECAUSE I KNOW HOW DIFFICULT THIS INDUSTRY IS.

BUT WHEN YOU COME HERE YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT YOUR PURPOSE TO DO.

SO IT'S NO WAY I WOULD COME IN-BETWEEN THAT.

[♪♪♪] >> I'M SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM IN FRONT OF PEOPLE AGAIN AND THAT IN ITS SELF IS A TRIUMPH FOR ME.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> MELODY ANGEL RELEASED HER NEW RECORD FOXY AND PLAYS AT REGGIE'S ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

SHE PLAYED THE CHICAGO BLUES FEST AND SATURDAY SHE WILL PLAY THE BEER GARDEN STAGE AT NAVY PIER.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND 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.

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

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

AND WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH MORE FROM BLUES ARTIST MELODY ANGEL.

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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