>>> HEY EVERYONE, THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN IS ON ASSIGNMENT.

HERE'S WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

A NEW BILL IN SPRINGFIELD AIMS TO MOVE THE BALL FORWARD ON THE BEARS PLAN TO BUILD A NEW STADIUM IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

>> WE WANT TO PROVE OURSELVES.

>> THE OWNER OF A NEW ENGELWOOD GROCERY STORE HOPE TO WIN OVER SKEPTICAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR YEARS.

AND IT CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM.

>> EXAMINING THE STATE WILD FAIR AGENCY AND THE IMPACT ON VULNERABLE CHILDREN.

>>> PROMONTORY POINT IS NOW A OFFICIAL CHICAGO LANDMARK.

>> BUT I AM STILL IN DISBELIEF.

>> ONE ON ONE WITH THE CHICAGO AND JUST NAMED ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE OF 2023.

>> THE CITY'S RECYCLING RATE HAS BEEN STUCK BELOW 10% SINCE 2016.

>> EARTH DAY IS APPROACHING AND WTTW NEWS EXPLAINS THE HISTORY OF RECYCLING IN CHICAGO.

SOME MAY SAY A SORDID HISTORY.

>>> NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

ACCESS TO THE MIFEPRISTONE ABORTION PILL IS PRESERVED FOR NOW.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT REVERSED THE LOWER COURT RULING AND EXTENDED A STAY ON RESTRICTIONS TO THE DRUG AS A LAWSUIT SEEKS TO REVOKE FDA APPROVAL.

THAT LAWSUIT IS MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE COURTS RIGHT NOW.

THE OVERALL CHALLENGE TO THE LEGALITY OF THE PILL IN A POST ROE WORLD WILL LIKELY COME BACK TO THE HIGH COURT.

A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT JUDGE HAD PREVIOUSLY RULED IN FAVOR OF PLAINTIFFS SEEKING TO EFFECTIVELY TAKE AWAY FDA APPROVAL OF THE DRUG.

>>> A POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED IN THE CHASE AND FATAL SHOOTING OF ANTHONY ALVAREZ SHOULD BE FIRED.

THAT'S THE RECOMMENDATION FROM DAVID BROWN AND THE AGENCY THAT INVESTIGATES POLICE MISCONDUCT.

THIS ACCORDING TO DOCUMENTS OBTAINED BY WTTW NEWS.

THEY CHASED ANTHONY ALVAREZ BEFORE HIS POLICE PARTNER SHOT AND KILLED HIM.

THE RECOMMENDED FIRING IS BASED ON FIRINGS HE ABUSED HIS GIRLFRIEND IN 2017 YEARS BEFORE ALVAREZ WAS SHOT AND KILLED.

>>> OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE PREPARING FOR TIGHTER SECURITY ALONG MELINNIUM PARK.

THE CURFEW FOR TEENAGERS WITHOUT PARENTS WILL BE IN PLACE STARTING AT 4:00 P.M. THAT IS TWO HOURS EARLIER THAN THE NORMAL CURFEW OF 6:00 P.M. UP NEXT, WE DIVE INTO THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION KICKING OFF THE BEARS STADIUM PLAN.

THAT'S RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRIA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE JIM AND KAY FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> A STATE LAWMAKER IS BEARING DOWN ON CHICAGO'S NFL FRANCHISE OVER A POTENTIAL MOVE TO ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.

AMONG THE KEY ELEMENTS OF A JUST PROPOSED PIECE OF LEGISLATION, THE CREATION OF AN ARLINGTON MEGAPROJECT OVERSIGHT BOARD.

A TAX TO PAY DOWN SOLDIER FIELD DEBT.

STATE TAX REVENUE FROM THE PROJECT USED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE AREA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AND A PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT FREEZE FOR THE ARLINGTON SITE.

AND JOINING US NOW IS THE BILLS CHIEF SPONSOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARTIN MOYLAN.

FROM 2009 TO 201, HE SERVED AS THE MAYOR OF THE PLAINS.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE AND VERY EXCITED TO PROMOTE THIS BILL AND THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH.

>> I WANT TO GET SOMETHING PAST THE SESSION.

THERE IS A BILL.

THE SPONSOR SAYS IS DEAD IN THE WATER AND I SAID NO IT'S NOT.

BUT WE LISTEN.

WE SPOKE TO THE LEGISLATORS AND SAID WE WILL MAKE THE PROPER ADJUSTMENT AND A GOOD BILL BETTER AND WE THINK WE HAVE A CHANCE.

>> SO THE ORIGINAL BILL YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THE ONE THE BEARS WON WITH THE PROPERTY TAX FREE.

WE KNOW THAT CHICAGO HAS TO PAY OFF SOMETHING LIKE HALF A BILLION DOLLARS ON DEBT IN SOLDIER FIELD.

HOW WOULD THIS HELP?

>> THEY HAVE THE HOTEL TAX PARTIALLY HELPING OUT.

OUR $3 HEAD TAX WOULD GO TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

WE WANT TO MAKE THE CITY OF CHICAGO WHOLE.

WE HAVE LEGISLATORS SAYING WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?

WHY SHOULD I VOTE ON A BILL THAT WILL BENEFIT THE BEARS?

THEY HAVE TO PAY DOWN THE DEBT.

>> THEY STILL HAVE THE HOTEL TAX TO PAY ABOUT 6 MILLION MORE OF THAT AND THERE ABOUTS.

AND THE PROPERTY TAX FREEZE ON THE RACE COURSE SITE.

HOW COULD THAT HELP THE BEARS?

>> WE KEPT THE FOUNDATION OF THE ORIGINAL BILL.

BUT WE ADDED AN OVERSIGHT A PART OF IT.

AN OVERSIGHT BOARD TO OKAY ANY INITIATIVES.

ANY TYPE OF GIVEBACK THAT THEY WANT FROM THE COMMUNITY.

SO THIS BOARD WOULD OVERSEE ANY INCENTIVE.

ENHANCE TO OKAY.

IT INCLUDES LEGISLATORS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> DID THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPOINT THIS BOARD?

>> NO.

IT IS ALL INCLUDED IN THE BILL.

>> BUT WHO SITS ON IT?

>> THAT WOULD BE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SCHOOL BOARDS.

AND, THE SENATOR IN THE DISTRICT.

AND TWO HOUSE REPS AND PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

>> AND WE DID INVITE THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BEARS.

THEY DIDN'T MAKE IT.

HAVE YOU MADE ANY RESPONSE FROM THEM?

>> I SPOKE TO SOME OF THE LOBBIESTS AND LET THEM KNOW ABOUT OUR PLANS AND I TOLD THEM WHAT WAS COMING.

>> WHAT WAS THEIR REACTION?

>> SOME OF, ONE OF THE LOBBIESTS EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE $3 PER HEAD TAX.

I SAID IT WILL NOT COST THE BEAR, ANYTHING.

TICKETS RANGE FROM 200 TO $600.

THE HEAD TAX WON'T AFFECT THEM AT ALL AND SALES TAX FROM LIQUOR.

THEY HAD A SALES ON ANY KIND OF ITEMS.

THE SALES TAX WOULD GO INTO A FUND THAT WOULD HELP SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES WITH INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL POLICE AND SAFETY CONCERNS.

>> VILLAGES LIKE ELK GROVE OR PALATINE OR VILLAGES AROUND THERE.

WHAT ABOUT WHAT THE BEARS HAVE WANTED FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE?

WOULD THAT BE ON THIS BILL?

>> YES, CORRECT.

WE KEPT THE FOUNDATION OF THE ORIGINAL BILL BUT ADDED CERTAIN SAFEGUARDS AND INCENTIVES TO GET TO 60.

I NEED 60 VOTES TO GET THIS PASSED.

>> SO IN HERE WOULD BE MONEY TO BUILD ROADS ON THIS SITE.

AND BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> RIGHT.

AS WAS THE PREVIOUS BILL.

>> AND WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CHANCES OF THIS BILL ARE?

THE PREVIOUS ONE THE BEARS WERE SUPPORTING WASN'T GOING ANYWHERE.

>> IT WAS DEAD IN THE WATER AND THE TWO SPONSORS ADMITTED.

I THINK WE HAVE HAD A REAL GOOD CHANCE BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN SPEAKING TO STAKE HOLDERS AND THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE CHANGES WE HAVE MADE AND THE CHANCE TO GET SOMETHING DONE.

REMEMBER, THIS IS A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR PROJECT.

IT WILL BE A BIG BOON TO THE NORTHWEST SUBURBS.

WE ARE TALKING JOBS, TICKETHOLDERS, BARTENDERS, PARKING AGENTS.

PEOPLE MOVING TO TOWN WHO WORK FOR THE BEARS SO IT WILL BE GOOD FOR PROPERTY VALUES.

IT WILL BE A MEGATHING FOR JOBS.

>> WHAT IS THE BEARS' PRESENCE DOWN THERE?

ARE THEY WORKING THESE BILLS WITH LOBBYISTS?

>> THERE HASN'T BEEN MUCH PRESENCE OF ANY TYPE OF LOBBYIST.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE CALLED AND ASKED, THEY HAVE BEARS COME DOWN.

BEARS FIRST PLACERS.

I ASKED THE GENERAL MANAGER DOWN THERE.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO HELP SOLVE THIS BILL.

>> THAT IS MANAGER THE BEARS MIGHT WANT TO THINK ABOUT.

THAT MIGHT GO A LONG WAY WITH LAWMAKERS.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARTIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> YOU BENCH HOW THE OWNERS OF A CONTROVERSIAL NEW SAVE A LOT GROCERY STORE HOPE TO WIN OVER THE CUSTOMERS.

STAY WITH US.

>>> WHERE HAVE WE BEEN?

WHERE ARE WE AT?

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

>> ESSENTIALLY TO HELP ANYONE AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY.

WHETHER THAT IS THROUGH ACADEMIC SUPPORT.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING OR JUST PROVIDING A SAFE SPACE FOR YOUTH TO BE ABLE TO BE THERE.

>> THIS IS THE FABRIC OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT'S AN ECO SYSTEM.

>>> IT'S BEEN A WHOLE YEAR SINCE WHOLE FOOD MADE THE SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT IT WAS SHUTTING DOWN ITS ENGELWOOD LOCATION.

IT HAS BEEN A SITE OF CONTROVERSY SINCE IT WAS ANNOUNCED SAVE A LOT OPERATOR YELLOW BANANA WAS TAKING OVER THE LEASE.

CHICAGO TONIGHT'S NICK BLUMBERG SPOKE WITH TWO OF THE COMPANY LEADERS ABOUT THE PUSHBACK THEY HAVE GOTTEN AND HOW THEY HOPE TO WIN OVER CHICAGOANS.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL NANN SAYS HE KNOWS WHAT IT IS LIKE TO WAKE UP WITH PARENTS STRUGGLING TO GET BY.

>> WE SHOPPED AT A LOCAL SAVE A LOT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

I WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE STORE AND UNDERTHAT IT HAD SUFFERED FROM A LACK OF INVESTMENT OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS.

>> Reporter: HE IS ONE OF THE COFOUNDERS OF YELLOW BANANA.

A MAJORITY BLACK OWNED COMPANY THAT RUNS 38 SAVE A LOTS ACROSS FIVE STATES.

>> WHAT WE HAVE TRIED TO MAKE OUR CALLING CARD IS TO GO INTO LOCALITIES THAT OTHER PEOPLE WON'T GO INTO.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS WHOLE FOODS APPROACHED HIS COMPANY LAST SPRING ABOUT TAKING OVER THE SPACE IN ENGELWOOD.

>> BASED ON THE LEASE TERMS THERE, IT DIDN'T WORK WITH OUR MODEL.

WHOLE FOODS WOULDN'T SHOP THE DEAL AND NO ONE BIT.

>> Reporter: WHOLE FOODS AND YELLOW BANANA STRUCK A DEAL THIS PAST FALL ANGERING RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS OPPOSED TO A SAVE A LOT.

>> WE DO NOT WANT SAVE A LOT, YELLOW BANANA OR WHOLE FOODS TO BE HERE.

>> Reporter: A DEMONSTRATION EARLIER THIS MONTH DELAYED THE STORE'S SOFT OPENING.

BUT YELLOW BANANA CEO JOE CANFIELD SAYS THEY ARE PROUD OF THIS LOCATION.

>> I DON'T EXPECT NOR WOULD I ASK ANYONE TO TRUST US.

WE JUST WANT TO OPEN THE DOORS, HAVE PEOPLE COME EXPERIENCE THIS LOCATION.

BECAUSE IT IS A GORGEOUS LOCATION.

>> SO A LOT OF THE PUSHBACK HERE IN ENGLEWOOD HAS BEEN ABOUT THE REPUTATION AFTER THE SAVE A LOT BRAND ITSELF.

ARE YOU HOPEFUL YOU CAN CHANGE PEOPLE'S PERCEPTION?

>> SURE.

FIRST, LET ME ACKNOWLEDGE.

I UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE HAVE THE PERCEPTIONS THAT THEY HAVE.

ABOUT SAVE A LOT.

I DON'T THINK THEY ARE UNFOUNDED FOR HAVING THOSE PERCEPTIONS.

THE SAME REASON PEOPLE HAVE THOSE PERCEPTIONS IS THE SAME WAY WE ARE GOING TO TURN THE TIDE IS BY SHOWING PEOPLE WHAT THE EXPERIENCE IS LIKE.

>> Reporter: CANFIELD SAYS CALL TO BRAND THE STORE AS SOMETHING OTHER THAN SAVE A LOT WOULD VIOLATE THEIR CONTRACT.

BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT WHOLE FOODS LEFT LIKE A BAKERY, A HOT FOOD BAR, A COFFEE BAR, THE LOCATION GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO PILOT A NEW MODEL.

>> WE HAVE ACTUALLY OFFERED THOSE SPACES OUT TO LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS.

>> Reporter: COFOUNDER NANN SAYS FACING PROTEST AND PUSHBACK HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING.

>> WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ENGLEWOOD STAKE HOLDERS AND LEADERSHIP.

THAT'S IMPORTANT TO US.

WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT IS PROVIDING GROCERIES IN THIS COMMUNITY.

>> ARE YOU HOPEFUL YOU CAN FORGE A MORE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH RESIDENTS?

WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS?

>> YEAH, FOR SURE.

I WISH THAT THINGS HAD STARTED OFF DIFFERENTLY HERE IN ENGLEWOOD.

I WISH I KNEW IT.

AND WE WOULD HAVE HANDLED IT DIFFERENTLY AND TRY TO BE AS ACCOMMODATING AS POSSIBLE.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE CAN'T FORGE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP GOING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: THIS WEEK, SAVE A LOT'S CEO AND CFO MET WITH THE LOCAL ALDER PERSON IN AN EFFORT TO START THAT PROCESS.

>> SO WHAT KIND OF A TIMELINE DO YOU HAVE IN MIND FOR A SOFT OPENING?

A GRAND OPENING?

>> WE HAVEN'T SETTLED ON ANYTHING YET BUT WE WANT TO GET THE DOORS OPEN AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

YOU WANT TO OFFER QUALITY PRODUCTS IN A WELL STOCKED WELL KEPT STORE.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M NICK BLUMBERG.

>> CUSTOMERS CAN EXPECT FRESH CUT MEAT, LOCAL PRODUCE AND NAME BRAND PRODUCTS IN THEIR STORES.

THEY ARE ALSO WORKING TO REHAB OR REHOPE SEVERAL OTHER SAVE A LOT LOCATIONS IN THE CITY.

WE HAVE DETAILS ON ALL OF THAT IN OUR WEBSITE.

>>> UP NEXT, HIRING FOR A HARD JOB AND THE IMPACT ON VULNERABLE CHILDREN.

>>> THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES HAS A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.

CARING FOR YOUTH WHOSE FAMILIES CAN'T.

THE AGENCY HAS COME UNDER FIRE FROM CRITICS WHO SAY DC HAS TOO OFTEN FAILED TO MEET THAT OBLIGATION BY TAKING TOO LONG TO PLACE THE MOST VULNERABLE YOUTH.

AS PART OF A SURVEY OF HEAD COUNTS, NEWS REPORTER JARED EXAMINED HIRING AT THAT AGENCY AND WHAT HE FOUND MAY SURPRISE YOU.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

SO WHAT HAVE WE FOUND HERE?

>> Reporter: WELL PARIS, SOME STATE AGENCIES SAW THE NUMBER OF STAFF DECLINE LAST YEAR.

SUCH AS THE DEPARTMENT OF PUB LUCK HEALTH.

YOU WILL REMEMBER, WE TOOK A CLOSER LOOK AT THAT LAST WEEK.

AND VIEWER CANS CHECK THAT OUT ONLINE.

DCSF IS THE OPPOSITE.

THE AGENCY HAS HIRED MORE PEOPLE.

THE CHIEF OF STAFF SAYS A LOT OF CHILD WELFARE INVESTIGATORS RESIGNED IN THE EARLY MONTHS OF COVID.

>> WE SAW QUITE A DROPOFF AT THE BEGINNING OF COVID.

THE FIRST FEW MONTHS WE HAD A LOT OF RESIGNATIONS.

A LOT OF FOLKS WHO WALKED AWAY FROM THE WORK FOR A HOST OF REASONS.

IT IS CHALLENGING WORK WHERE WE HAVE TO GO OUT AND GO INTO THE HOMES OF STRANGERS EVERY DAY.

THAT IS THE CALL OF THE JOB.

YOU ARE KNOCKING ON DOORS AND GOING INTO HOMES.

AND YOU CAN IMAGINE THE FIRST SIX TO NINE TO 12 MONTHS OF COVID, THAT'S A SCARY ASK.

>> Reporter: NOW, HE SAYS THE AGENCY IS BACK TO ALMOST 700 INVESTIGATORS, ABOUT WHAT THE NUMBER WAS PREPANDEMIC.

HE SAYS HIRING HAS TO BE A TOP PRIORITY.

>> THE MORE TIME THEY GET TO SPEND IN QUALITY INTERACTIONS WITH THE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN WE SERVE, THE MORE TIME THEY GET TO SPEND ON QUALITY INVESTIGATIONS.

IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: THAT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR COOK COUNTY GUARDIAN CHARLES GOLDBYRD.

HE SAY DCSF HAS TOO MANY VACANCIES.

>> IT'S ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS.

THEY DON'T PAY ENOUGH.

IT IS VERY HIGH STRESS JOB AND IT IS A COMPLETELY INSEPTEMBER BUREAUCRACY.

>> Reporter: DCSF SAYS IT IS HARD TO JUDGE VACANCY RATES STATEWIDE.

IT CAN BE MORE DIFFICULT TO HIRE IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS THAN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS FOR ECONOMIC REASONS.

BUT, HE DOES ADMIT IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE.

>> THERE ARE CHRONIC HIRING CHALLENGES IN CHILD WELFARE IN GENERAL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

THE TURNOVER RATES, THE RETENTION RATES, THE INABILITY TO STEP UP IS A CHALLENGE.

NOT UNIQUE TO ILLINOIS.

>> AS FOR SALARIES, HE SAYS HE KNOWS OF INVESTIGATORS WHO LEFT THE JOB WITH DCSF BECAUSE THEY COULD GET A BIGGER PAYCHECK WORKING AT AN AMAZON WAREHOUSE.

>> WE ASKED A LOT OF THE WORKERS WHETHER TO TAKE CHILDREN FROM PARENTS AWAY WHO HAVE BEEN RAISING THEM OR WHETHER TO KEEP CHILDREN IN FAMILIES WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE AND UNSAFE CIRCUMSTANCES.

WHETHER TO REUNIFY CHILDREN WITH PARENTS.

WHETHER PARENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO VISIT WITH CHILDREN.

THESE ARE HIGH IMPACT DECISIONS FOR VULNERABLE REALLY HELPLESS CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS FOR ALL OF THAT, ILLINOIS NEEDS TO COMPENSATE ACCORDINGLY.

THEY SAY THEY ARE RAISING SALARIES.

THE STARTING SALARY FOR AN INVESTIGATOR WITH TWO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE NOW NEARLY $68,000 A YEAR, HE HAS VISITED PERSONALLY FIELD OFFICES AND SPOKEN WITH NEARLY EVERY INVESTIGATOR TO HEAR ABOUT THEIR ISSUES.

A TOP ONE.

NOT ENOUGH SUPERVISION.

SO HE SAYS THE AGENCY HAS HIRED MORE SUPERVISORS.

>> A LOT MORE TIME TO FOCUS ON QUALITY SUPERVISION.

GIVING THEM THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.

NOW IT HAS TAKEN A LITTLE BIT OF TIME.

THAT OBVIOUSLY MEANS WE NEED MORE SUPERVISORS THAN WE DID BEFORE.

BUT WHERE WE SEE TEAMS AT 5-1, WE ALSO SEE MUCH BETTER RETENTION.

>> Reporter: HE GIVES THE GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S ADMINISTRATION MORE CREDIT FOR PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO IT.

HE USED TO THINK FUNDING WAS THE SOLUTION.

BUT NOT ANYMORE.

>> IT IS CLEAR TO ME, THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ATTENTION THAT IT NEEDS FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.

SO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES BUT THAT HAS NOT TRANSLATED INTO INCREASED IMPROVED OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN YET.

>> Reporter: DCFS IS SET TO GET ANOTHER BUMP IN THE COMING BUDGET AS WELL AS FUNDING FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS INTENDED TO CREATE MORE PLACEMENT FOR YOUTH IN CARE.

THE AGENCY SAYS OTHER MEASURES TO IMPROVE RETENTION IS UNDERWAY.

AND PARIS, MEANWHILE, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED YOU CAN CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE HOW OTHER AGENCIES ARE DOING IT.

>> A LOT OF CHALLENGES AT THAT AGENCY.

AMANDA VINICKY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Reporter: THANKS.

>>> UP NEXT, LANDMARK STATUS FOR A BELOVED LIMESTONE WALL.

WE EXPLAIN AFTER A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>>> A BIG VICTORY THIS WEEK FOR PROMENTORY POINT RESERVATIONISTS.

THE POINT HAS RECEIVED CHICAGO LANDMARK DESIGNATION.

PATTY JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

SO THE POINT IS NOW AN OFFICIAL CHICAGO LANDMARK.

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> Reporter: IT MEAN THERES ARE MORE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE AGAINST THINGS LIKE DEMOLITION AND IF ANY ENTITY WANTS TO MAKE CHANGES TO ANY OF THE LANDMARKS FEATURED AT THE POINT, THERE'S A PROCESS BY WHICH ALL OF THIS WOULD BE REVIEWED.

SO THOSE LIMESTONE STEPS THAT PEOPLE LOVE SO MUCH ARE PART OF THE LANDMARK DESIGNATION.

>> CERTAINLY A PICTURE POSTCARD SPOT.

>> YES IT IS.

>> A LOT OF INSTAGRAM SHOPS.

>> Reporter: IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

>> SO WHY HAVE RESERVATIONISTS FOUGHT MORE THAN 20 YEARS TO GET THIS DESIGNATION?

>> Reporter: THEY LIKE THE AESTHETIC.

THE NATURAL AESTHETIC AT THE POINT.

WHEN THE ARMY CORE CAME THROUGH LOOKING AT SHORELINE PROTECTION 20 SOMETHING YEARS AGO, THEY REPLACED A LOT OF THAT LINE STONE UP ON THE NORTH PART OF THE LAKE FRONT WITH CONCRETE.

AND THAT'S NOT WHAT FOLKS WANT TO SEE HERE.

THE LIMESTONE AND SOME OTHER REALLY COOL NATURAL FEATURES.

>> FOLKS LOVE THIS SPOT.

SO WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG TO OFFICIALLY BECOME A LANDMARK?

>> I MEAN BECAUSE YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT STAKE HOLDERS, YOU HAVE THE ARMY CORE OF ENGINEER.

WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IN TERMS OF PROTECTING THE LAKE FRONT FROM EROSION.

OR YOU KNOW, TRANSPORTATION, ALL THOSE THINGS, LET'S KEEP THIS THE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS IT WITH ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH OTHER ASPECTS LIKE THE ARMY CORPS.

>> SO GENERATIONS OF FOLKS WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY THAT SPOT.

PATTY, THANKS VERY MUCH.

AND YOU CAN READ PATTY'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>>> THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO LEAD THE CHICAGO BASED AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION IS ALSO IN ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE OF THE YEAR.

TRACY HALL IS OUR GUEST ON THIS WEEKEND'S CHICAGO TONIGHT BLACK VOICES.

IN THIS CLIP, WE TALK ABOUT GROWING EFFORTS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO BAN BOOKS AND THE FACT SOME OFFICIALS ARE EVEN THREATENING TO SHUT DOWN LIBRARIES.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN ASKED HALL WHAT SHE THINKS IS AT STAKE.

>> LIBRARIES TODAY ARE THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF NOT ONLY PRINT MATERIALS BUT DIGITAL ASSETS.

AND SO, IF YOU HAVE EVER WORKED IN THE LIBRARY, YOU KNOW THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CUEING UP IN FRONT OF A LIBRARY AN HOUR OR TWO HOURS EARLY ARE PEOPLE WHO NEED ACCESS TO COMPUTERS, WHO NEED ACCESS TO TEXTBOOKS THAT MIGHT BE IN THE LIBRARY THAT THEY CAN'T AFFORD AND THEY NEED THOSE THINGS BEFORE THEY START THEIR DAY.

IF WE SIT SILENT WHILE SOME OF THE LEGISLATION IS PROPOSED, IT COULD REALLY ERADICATE ONE OF THE MOST USED PUBLIC SERVICES THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COUNTRY TODAY.

>> HOW IS THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION APPROACHING THIS?

>> WELL, IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION WAS THE FIRST TO MOUNT AN ANTICENSORSHIP PROGRAM.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO GO TO UNITE AGAINST BOOK BANS.ORG.

AND RECEIVE THEIR OWN PLAY BOOK.

HOW THEY CAN ORGANIZE IN THEIR HOUSEHOLDS.

IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND THE LARGER SPHERE OF INFLUENCE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NOTION THAT FREE PEOPLE READ FREELY IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE JUST SAY.

BUT SOMETHING THAT IS A REALITY.

>> AND YOU CAN WATCH THE FULL CONVERSATION WITH TRACY HALL ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

BLACK VOICES.

THAT AIRS ON SATURDAY AT 6:30.

>>> RECYCLING IS ONE OF THOSE STORIES THAT WE KEEP COMING BACK TO.

AGAIN AND AGAIN.

YOU COULD SAY WE RECYCLE THAT STORY.

WITH EARTH DAY COMING UP THIS WEEKEND, WE THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD TIME TO REVISIT THE RECYCLING EPISODE FROM OUR DIGITAL SERIES WTTW NEWS EXPLAINS.

HERE ONCE AGAIN IS PATTY.

>> Reporter: CHICAGO MAY BE A WORLD CLASS CITY BUT WHEN IT COMES TO RECYCLING LET'S SAY IT IS NOT WINNING ANY REWARDS.

THE RECYCLING RATE HAS BEEN STUCK BELOW 10% SINCE 2016.

HOW BAD IS THAT?

PLACES LIKE SAN FRANCISCO AND LA CLAIM TO KEEP 80% OF THEIR WASTE OUT OF LANDFILL.

SO WHAT WENT WRONG HERE?

LET'S TAKE A DEEP DUMPSTER DIVE.

FLASH BACK TO THE 1990s .

THE BLUE BAG PROGRAM, ALONG WITH THE USUAL CHARGE OF CORRUPTION, THE PROGRAM HAD A SERIOUS IMAGE PROBLEM WHEN PEOPLE SAW BLUE BAGS OF RECYCLING COLLECTED IN THE SAME TRUCKS AS TRASH.

CHICAGOANS SMELLED A RAT.

WAS ANYTHING BEING RECYCLED?

BLUE BAGS WERE SCRAPPED.

FAST FORWARD TO 2007 WITH THE BLUE CARTS BUT ONLY FOR BUILDINGS WITH ONLY FOUR UNITS.

NO LUCK FOR THE HIGH-RISES.

EVERYTHING GOES INTO A SINGLE BIN.

THIS IS CALLED SINGLE STREAM WHERE THE SORTING HAPPENS ON THE BACK END.

SINGLE STREAM IS POPULAR BECAUSE IT IS SIMPLE BUT IT HAS MAJOR FLAWS.

SOME PEOPLE TOOK EVERYTHING GOES A LITTLE TOO LITERALLY.

TOSSING THINGS LIKE BOWLING BALLS AND LUMBER INTO THEIR CART WHICH FOR THE RECORD ARE NOT RECYCLABLE.

ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH SINGLE STREAM IS CONTAMINATION.

CONTAMINATION CAN RUIN AN ENTIRE LOAD OF RECYCLABLES.

THAT'S WHY THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS SEPARATE WASTE.

WHEN THE CITY TRIED TO STOP CONTAMINATION, RECYCLING GOT MORE COMPLICATED.

A LOT OF THINGS CAN'T GO IN THE CART.

CHICAGOANS SMELLED A RAT AGAIN.

IS ANYTHING ACTUALLY BEING RECYCLED?

THE CITY HAS TRIED TO TAKE THIS RUN AWAY RECYCLING TRAIN BACK ON TRACK INCLUDING A 2017 BACK TO BASICS CAMPAIGN AND A NEW VENDOR CONTRACT.

BUT IS IT TOO LITTLE TOO LATE?

THE MARKET FOR RECYCLABLES HAS PLUMMETED AND THE FUTURE OF WASTE MANAGEMENT IS LOOKING MORE AND MORE LIKE COMPOSTING.

MAYBE THIS TIME, CHICAGO WILL GET IT RIGHT.

>>> EARTH DAY IS TOMORROW.

AND IN CASE YOU ARE WONDERING, THE FIRST EARTH DAY WAS 53 YEARS AGO, APRIL 22, 1970.

>>> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:00 FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT LATINO VOICES.

WE EXAMINE WHETHER MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT ACTUALLY APPOINTED THE DIVERSE LEADERSHIP LIKE SHE PROMISED.

AND 6:30 TOMORROW CHICAGO TONIGHT BLACK VOICES, UNIVERSITIES SAW FACULTY STRIKES THIS MONTH.

WHAT IS BEHIND THE PICKET LINE?

AND TUNE INTO OUR VIRTUAL VOICES COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN WILL BE SPEAKING WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE 2023 CHICAGO MAYORAL ELECTION AND EXPECTATIONS OF MAYOR-ELECT BRANDON JOHNSON.

TO RSVP, VISIT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>>> NOW, FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A. CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES.

A