CHICAGO TONIGHT.

HERE IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

>>> RECORDS SHOW WARM AIR RICHARD IRVIN SQUIRREL FRIEND WASN'T UPFRONT WHEN ASKING FOR TAXPAYER CASH.

>>> PUERTO RICAN FEST KICKS OFF TODAY.

WE ARE LIVE FROM HUMBOLDT PARK.

>>> THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ANNOUNCES A NEW PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE IN THE CITY.

>>> I AM IN HUMBOLDT PARK AS PART OF THE CHICAGO TONIGHT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

PUERTO RICAN FEST KICKS OFF TODAY RIGHT HERE IN THE HEART OF THE PARK.

THIS IS ONE OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HOLDS ONE OF THE LARGEST PUERTO RICAN POPULATIONS IN CHICAGO.

WE WILL TELL YOU WHAT THE PARADE IS HONORING THIS YEAR.

BACK TO YOU.

>>> FUND ASSIGNMENT TODAY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL NOW BE ABLE TO GET UP TO 12 WEEKS OF PAID PARENTAL LEAVE.

THE SCHOOL CHIEF, PEDRO MARTINEZ, ALONG WITH MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON AND THE TEACHERS PRESIDENT ANNOUNCE THE NEW POLICY TODAY.

IT WOULD MAKE ANY CPS EMPLOYEE ELIGIBLE FOR THREE MONTHS PAID PARENTAL LEAVE TO CARE FOR A NEWBORN OR NEW FOSTER CHILD.

OTHER UNITS OF CITY GOVERNMENT HAVE ALSO RECENTLY ENACTED THIS POLICY.

UP UNTIL NOW, BUT THE PARENTS WERE ALLOWED UP TO EIGHT WEEKS OF SHORT-TERM DISABILITY AND NOT BIRTH THE PARENTS GOT ONLY TWO WEEKS.

>> THIS IS THE SOUL OF CHICAGO.

CARING FOR THOSE WHO CARE FOR US .

THAT IS WHO WE ARE.

>> WOMEN COMING FROM OUT OF STATE TO GET AN ABORTION IN ILLINOIS WILL HAVE A NEW LAYER OF PRIVACY.

THE ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE JOINED PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND OTHER LOCAL LEADERS TO ANNOUNCE A NEW LAW THAT WOULD LIMIT THE USE OF AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READERS.

THE DEVICES ARE SOMETIMES USED BY POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO FIGURE OUT THE REAL-TIME LOCATION OF VEHICLES.

THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATION WOULD PROHIBIT THEM FROM BEING USED TO TRACK OR PENALIZE ANYONE FROM OUT-OF-STATE COMING HERE TO SEEK OUT ABORTION SERVICES.

>> WITH THIS FIRST OF ITS KIND LEGISLATION, ILLINOIS IS DRAWING A LINE IN THE SAND.

WILL NOT ALLOW PEOPLE TO BE TARGETED FOR VISITING OUR STATE TO PROCURE LEGAL HEALTHCARE.

>>> IS A CELEBRATION OF ONE OF THE GREATEST CULTURAL EXPORTS IN THE CITY, THE CHICAGO BLUES FEST IS OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY.

THE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR TAKES PLACE TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY ON THREE STAGES AT MILLENIUM PARK AND FUTURE HEADLINERS LIKE WAYNE BAKER BROOKS , JOHN SCHREIBER, AND LOS LOBOS ON SUNDAY.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2019 THE FESTIVAL IS BACK IN FULL FORCE AFTER IT WAS CANCELED FOR COVID IN 2020 AND 2021 AND WAS SIGNIFICANTLY SCALE DOWN LAST YEAR.

>>> LATER ON IN THE SHOW, A BIG DEVELOPMENT FOR A MUSEUM CELEBRATING THE FATHER OF CHICAGO BLUES, MUDDY WATERS.

>>> UP NEXT, DETAILS INTO A LOCAL BUSINESS GROUPS BOLD PLAN TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE.

THAT IS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS, THE GYM AND K NAVY FAMILY, THE FOUNDATION, AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> IS STEPPING UP TO TRY TO DRASTICALLY REDUCE THE RATE OF GUN VIOLENCE.

THE CIVIC COMMITTEE OF THE COMMERCIAL CLUB IN CHICAGO IS PROPOSING A PLAN THAT WOULD REDUCE HOMICIDES BY 80% IN 10 YEARS.

THAT IS THE HOPE.

THIS COMES IN SEVERAL MAJOR COMPANIES LEAVE THE CHICAGO AREA WITH SOME SIDING CRIME AS A REASON.

JOINING US ARE DEREK DOUGLAS, PRESIDENT OF THE CIVIC COMMITTEE, AND A FORMER CHICAGO POLICE CHIEF AND SENIOR ADVISOR FOR THE CIVIC COMMITTEE PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN.

WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

THE NEW MAYOR HAS SAID TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, INSTEAD OF PICKING UP AND LEAVING A COMPLAINT, WHY NOT PUT SKIN IN THE GAME AND DO SOMETHING?

HOW DEEP IS THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE PLAN?

>> THE COMMITMENT RUNS VERY DEEP.

THE CIVIC COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED JUST LAST WEEK THAT WE WANT TO LEAN IN ON THE ISSUE A PUBLIC SAFETY FOR MEMBERS, AS WELL AS THE PEOPLE OF CHICAGO.

THIS IS THE TOP ISSUE THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD IDENTIFY NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED.

TO DO THAT, WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER.

THERE WAS A RECOGNITION THAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAD NOT YET COME TO THE TABLE TO JOIN THE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS WORKING ON THE ISSUE.

WE SPENT SIX MONTHS LISTENING, LEARNING, MEETING WITH EVERYBODY WE COULD, TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE BEST WAYS IN WHICH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY CAN ENGAGE AND HAVE AN IMPACT.

THAT IS WHAT LED TO THE PLAN WE ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK.

>> WE WILL GET INTO THE SPECIFICS IN A MOMENT.

YOU HAVE BEEN WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR A LONG TIME.

THESE ARE VERY LOFTY GOALS, 80% REDUCTION IN HOMICIDES IN 10 YEARS.

WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENTS HAVE SAID THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND IT NEVER REALLY MATERIALIZES.

HOW DOABLE IS IT?

>> I THINK IT IS VERY DOABLE.

WANT TO PUT THE MECHANISM OF BUILDING TRUST INTO THE COMMUNITY, TAKING THIS ONE TABLE APPROACH IS REALLY VERY IMPORTANT.

YOU TAKE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I THINK ONCE THE COMMUNITY STARTS TO SEE HOW WE PLAY A ROLE IN THIS, THEY WILL ALSO PLAY A ROLE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FIVE PILLARS THAT YOU OUTLINED IN THIS PLAN.

HELPING TAKE COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS TO SCALE, HIRING ALUMNI OF THOSE PROGRAMS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS, HIRING MORE BROADLY FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES, INVESTING IN UNDER AVESTA COMMUNITIES.

LET'S START WITH THE FIRST TO TAKING PROGRAMS TO SCALE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> THERE IS A GROUP OF ORGANIZATIONS IN CHICAGO CALLED COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION ORGANIZATIONS.

THERE ARE LARGER ONES LIKE CHICAGO CRED, METROPOLITAN FAMILY SERVICES, HEARTLAND ALLIANCE , AND THERE ARE SMALLER ORGANIZATIONS DOING THIS WORK.

WHAT THEY DO IS WORK WITH THE MOST AT RISK INDIVIDUALS, THE ONES WHO ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE SHOT OR TO SHOOT, AND THEY GIVE THEM WRAPAROUND SERVICES.

BUT TRY TO GET THEM ON THE EMPLOYMENT TRACK SO THEY CAN GET OUT OF THAT LIFE AND INTO A DRIFTER LIFE.

THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME SUCCESS.

THERE IS THE INITIATIVE IN NORTH LAWNDALE WHERE A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS ARE COLLABORATING, BUT IT IS NOT AT SCALE.

>> THERE ARE SOME RESULTS TOO.

>> THEY ARE SEEING SOME RESULTS.

THE VIOLENCE HAS BEEN GOING DOWN OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO.

BUT THEY ARE ONLY IN ONE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> SO THEY NEED FUNDING .

>> THEY ARE WORKING WITH ABOUT 20% OF THE POPULATION THEY NEED TO GET TO.

ONE OF OUR FIRST PILLARS WAS TO SEE IF WE COULD WORK WITH THOSE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITIES, THE NONPROFIT COMMUNITY TO SCALE THAT UP AND MAYBE GET UP TO 80%.

>> FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, HOW ESSENTIAL ARE THESE GROUPS AND WRAPAROUND SERVICES , IN ADDITION TO WHAT POLICE DO?

>> MY EARLY CAREER WAS WORKING AS COMMANDER IN THE 15th DISTRICT.

WE CREATED A PROGRAM THAT WAS A COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAM.

IT IS EXACTLY WHAT DEREK IS TALK ABOUT.

TAKING MULTIPLE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESS, CLERGY, WHATEVER IT MAY BE, AND WORK AS ONE TEAM TO ADDRESS A PROBLEM.

TO OFFER, MANY ORGANIZATIONS WORK IN SILOS.

WE HAVE TO GET AWAY FROM THE SILOS AND COME TO THE TABLE.

THERE IS REALLY ONLY ONE GOAL, TO ENSURE COMMUNITIES ARE SAFE.

WHEN YOU SAY DOABLE, I WANT TO SAY THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT WILL OCCUR.

>> SOME OF THE SILOS COME DOWN OF PEOPLE WORK IN TANDEM WITH EACH OTHER, IT WILL TAKE INVESTMENT AND MONEY.

BUSINESS LEADERS, ARE THEY WILLING TO PONY UP?

>> BEFORE WE CAME UP WITH THE PLAN, WE WENT TO THE SENATE COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WILL BE REQUIRED, THE SCALE OF INVESTMENT NEEDED, AND WE GOT THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE FULL CIVIC COMMITTEE.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, IT IS MADE UP OF ABOUT 100 OF THE LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA.

THE CEOS OF THOSE COMPANIES.

THEY RECOGNIZE THAT WE WILL NEED TO PUT IN RESOURCES TO MAKE THIS WORK.

WE ALSO WANTED TO APPROACH THIS IN A HUMBLE WAY.

WE WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ORGANIZATIONS WORKING ON THIS ISSUE FOR MANY YEARS AND BUSINESSES COMING TO THE TABLE NEW.

PART OF THE APPROACH IS TO SIT DOWN WITH THOSE ORGANIZATIONS AT THE ONE TABLE AND UNDERSTAND THE THINGS NEEDED FOR BUSINESS TO HELP YOU DO THAT.

FOR JOBS AND HIRING FOR THE CVI PROGRAMS, ONE OF THE TYPES OF JOBS?

WHAT ARE THE SKILL SETS?

>> AND THE COMMITMENTS TO HIRE FOLKS.

>> EXACTLY.

>> THAT IS ANOTHER THING THE MAYOR HAS CALLED UPON.

HIGHER, STOP COMPLAINING, PUT KIDS TO WORK.

>> WE COMPLETELY AGREE.

>> ONE CRITICISM OF THIS PLAN IS THAT IT DIDN'T CALL FOR A FULLY STAFFED POLICE FORCE FOR IS THE FORCE UNDERSTAFFED RIGHT NOW?

>> WE KNOW THE RANKS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE DECREASED.

THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS THAT THE RANKS HAVE TO INCREASE.

THAT WE DEFINITELY HAVE TO BE A QUESTION THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL ACTUALLY HAVE TO ANSWER , BUT WE KNOW THE RANKS HAVE DECREASED.

>> THAT DID COME OUT .

WE WERE DISAPPOINTED TO SEE THAT, BECAUSE THE SUGGESTION WAS THAT WE WERE AGAINST ADDING POLICE , SAID WAS THAT THE APPROACH YOU WANT TO TAKE IS TO SIT DOWN WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF CPD, SIT DOWN WITH THE CITY AND UNDERSTAND THEIR STRATEGY, AND THE NEEDS AND HOW MUCH THEY WANT TO GROW AND GET BEHIND THAT.

AS OPPOSED TO WEST DICTATING THAT YOU NEED TO DO XYZ, IT WAS MORE OF A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO HEAR FROM THE POLICE THEMSELVES, HERE IS WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE.

THAT HAVE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY FIND WAYS TO SUPPORT THAT.

IT IS JUST ABOUT THE WAY YOU COME AT THE ISSUE.

>> UNDERSTOOD.

THE CITY, AS YOU KNOW, IS IN THE MIDST OF A SEARCH FOR THE NEXT SUPERINTENDENT.

YOUR NAME HAS BEEN VERY PROMINENT IN THAT SEARCH.

HOW INTERESTED ARE YOU IN THE JOB?

>> RIGHT NOW, THERE'S AN ACTUAL PROCESS GOING ON.

I HAVE TO LET THAT PLAY OUT.

>> FAIR ENOUGH.

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FOR THIS ?

HOW DO YOU PUT INTO ACTION?

>> NEXT STEPS ARE BRINGING THE ONE TABLE TOGETHER.

WE ARE VERY LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE MAYOR AND THE NEW ADMINISTRATION TO THINK ABOUT HOW TO GET ALL THE VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS TOGETHER, ORGANIZE AROUND A COMMON PLAN WITH A COMMON STRATEGY WITH TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL PARTS OF THE SYSTEM ARE BEING ACCOUNTABLE.

NUMBER TWO, WE WILL START WORKING ON THOSE INDIVIDUAL PILLARS.

YOU MENTIONED THE FIVE.

THE FIRST THREE, CVI SCALING, JOBS, AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE, ARE REALLY ABOUT DEALING WITH THE ACUTE PROBLEM RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE TO GET CONTROL OF THE VIOLENCE HAPPENING NOW.

BUT WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT IF YOU WANT HAVE A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE IMPACT, YOU ALSO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE ROOT CAUSES.

THE FIFTH PILLAR AND THE FOURTH PILLAR ABOUT HOW TO ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN THESE COMMUNITIES, WHICH OFTENTIMES LEADS TO THIS.

WE ARE GOING TO WORK WITH THE PARTNERS AROUND THE CITY, TRIED TO DEVELOP IMPLEMENTATION PLANS , AND HOPEFULLY, YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF THIS ACTIVITY HAPPENING SOON.

>> A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH.

WE HOPE TO TALK TO BOTH OF YOU ABOUT THIS GOING FORWARD.

VERY IMPORTANT REPORT.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>>> OP NEXT, ETHICAL QUESTIONS ABOUT GOVERNMENT GRANTS IN AURORA.

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>>> >>> HERNANDEZ, WHO HAS A FUN ASSIGNMENT TONIGHT.

SHE IS AN HUMBOLDT PARK FOR THE START OF PUERTO RICAN FEST.

GIVE US A PREVIEW.. LET ME FIRST TELL YOU THIS PARK GETS FILLED WITH PEOPLE.

AS YOU SAID, THE PUERTO RICAN FEST KICKS OFF TODAY RIGHT AT THE HEART OF HUMBOLDT PARK.

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COME HERE TO ENJOY THEIR TIME.

BUT BEFORE THE FESTIVAL KICKED OFF TODAY, WE MET A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WHO GOT THE CELEBRATION STARTED A BIT EARLY.

THE PUERTO RICAN VIBES ARE IN FULL FORCE ALONG DIVISION STREET.

>> IT IS EXCITING FOR ALL THE PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER.

IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT THERE IS MORE OF US THAN THAT LITTLE ISLAND.

>> Reporter: THIS HUMBOLDT PARK RESIDENT CELEBRATED EARLY WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

I COULDN'T RESIST JUMPING IN.

>> WE HAVE TO BE PROUD.

>> Reporter: THE FESTIVITIES IS YOUR HAVE MUSICAL GUESTS FROM PUERTO RICO AND SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS .

>> WAS BORN AND RAISED IN THIS COMMUNITY.

I GREW UP WITH THIS PARADE BEING OUR THING.

YOU WERE READY TO REPRESENT YOUR CULTURE.

>> Reporter: SOCIAL MEDIA AMBASSADORS WILL HOST A MEET AND GREET , A COOK-OFF, AND A FASHION SHOW.

>> THE TWO FLAGS MARK THAT SPACE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS AS FAR AS ARCHITECTURE THAT LOOK LIKE PUERTO RICO.

>> Reporter: HUMBOLDT PARK WASN'T ALWAYS A VIBRANT COMMUNITY IT IS TODAY.

IN THE 50s, THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS PLAGUED BY POVERTY AND CRIME.

>> IF YOU WOULD HAVE COME HERE 50 YEARS AGO AND SEEN THE SLUMS THAT PUERTO RICANS LIVED IN, INFESTED WITH ROACHES AND RATS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, AND TO SEE WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN 50 YEARS, IT IS AN INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENT.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR THE PARADE HONORS THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PUERTO RICAN CULTURE CENTER, A COMMUNITY GRASSROOT INITIATIVE THAT IS GROWN TO OFFER MULTIPLE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> WE CAN SEE HOW MANY PROGRAMS WE GOT FROM HIV PROGRAMS, CASE MANAGEMENT, MENTAL HEALTH , VIOLENCE PROGRAMS FOR TEENS.

WE ALSO ARE PART OF THE PROGRAM FOR WORKFORCE .

THAT IS ONE OF THE ONES I LEAD.

>> Reporter: THE CENTER WAS ALSO AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE HIV-AIDS EPIDEMIC IT HUMBOLDT PARK.

HIS PUERTO RICAN PRIDE IS EXPRESSED THROUGH HIS HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISM, FROM ADVOCATING FOR THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE ISLAND TO LGBTQ RIGHTS.

>> WHAT I WENT THROUGH AS A GAY PUERTO RICAN MAN, I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT AGONY.

>> Reporter: FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS, THE PARADE HAS HOSTED AN LGBTQ CORONATION.

THESE INDIVIDUALS REPRESENT THE FESTIVAL AS A KING AND QUEEN OF THE PARADE, A MOVE HIM AND A SAYS HELPS DISMANTLE THE STIGMA SURROUNDING LGBTQ PEOPLE IN LATINO CULTURE.

>> TODAY IT IS A TRANS WOMAN AND A GAY MAN.

NOWHERE IN UNITED STATES DOZEN ETHNIC PARADE DO THAT.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE GENTRIFICATION FACING THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THE COMMUNITY HAS FOUGHT TO KEEP THE CULTURE THRIVE.

LAST YEAR THE PUERTO RICAN FLAGS ON DIVISION STREET BECAME CITY LANDMARKS.

>> FAMILY AND FUN.

I WANT THEM TO FEEL THEY ARE AMONG THEIR PEOPLE.

EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT PUERTO RICAN, COME OUT AND EXPERIENCE THE CULTURE, THE FUND, THE FOOD.

THERE WILL BE INCREDIBLE MUSIC.

>> Reporter: I CLEARLY HAD TOO MUCH FUN WITH THIS ASSIGNMENT.

THE FESTIVAL IS OPEN TODAY ONLY TO THE COMMUNITY, BUT TOMORROW IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC STARTING AT 4:00 P.M. PEOPLE THAT ENJOY GAMES, LIVE MUSIC, AND A FORCE, FOOD.

THE PARADE KICKS OFF ON SATURDAY AT 2:00 P.M. ON DIVISION STREET.

BACK TO YOU.

>> NICE JOB WITH THOSE DANCE MOVES.

WHO KNEW?

>>> THE GIRLFRIEND OF THE AURORA MAYOR HAS GOTTEN SOME BIG TAXPAYER FUNDED GRANTS AFTER SHE WAS LESS THAN HONEST ABOUT WHETHER HURT BUSINESSES GOT FEDERAL COVID AID.

TRAN34 BENEFITED FROM A ROUND OF GRANTS FOR AURORA BUSINESSES TO THE TUNE OF $10,000.

WE OBTAINED A GRANT APPLICATION, AND IT SHOWS IT WASN'T ALL UP FRONT.

WE HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED THIS GRANT PROGRAM.

WHAT WAS THE ISSUE WITH THIS HANDOUT FROM THE CITY?

>> THAT GRANT PROGRAM THAT TRAN34 BENEFITED FROM WAS MEANT TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES STILL STRUGGLING WITH LINGERING EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

PART OF THE APPLICATION ASKS WHETHER THE COMPANY HAD EVER GOTTEN COVID RELATED FUND, LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL.

THE APPLICATION LAURA'S FURNITURE SAYS NOT APPLICABLE ON THAT PART OF THE FORM.

STATE RECORDS SHOW OTHERWISE.

THE STORE GOT $10,000 FROM THE STATE BUSINESS INTERRUPTION GRANT PROGRAM, WHICH WAS MEANT TO HELP KEEP SMALL BUSINESSES AFLOAT IN 2020 AND 2021 PASSING ALONG FEDERAL FUNDS.

WE TRIED TO ASK TRAN34 ABOUT THE MISREPRESENTATION, AND SHE DIDN'T RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR COMMENT.

WHEN WE VISITED LAURA'S FURNITURE EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE EMPLOYEE SAID SHE WASN'T THERE.

THE CITY OF AURORA SPOKESMAN ALSO DID NOT RESPOND.

>> WENT TO THE CITY ASKED BUSINESSES APPLYING FOR THE PROGRAM CAN >> AND ASKED THEM TO DESCRIBE THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COVID ON THEIR BUSINESSES.

IT GAVE THEM THE CHANCE TO INCLUDE DOCUMENTATION TO BACK THAT UP.

WE REVIEWED TWO OTHER APPLICATIONS TO THIS GRANT PROGRAM.

THEY HAD EXTENSIVE RUN DOWN A BUSINESS OPERATION, PROFESSIONALLY PREPARED LOST RECEIPTS.

LAURA'S FURNITURE JUSTIN ROSE FOR SENTENCES SAYING THE COMPANY HAD $22,000 IN LOSSES IN 2021 AND 2022, AND IT INCLUDED AN UNSIGNED PROFIT AND LOSS SHEET WITH THE YEARS HANDWRITTEN ON AN OTHERWISE TYPE TO DOCUMENT.

LAST MONTH, THE MAYOR RECUSED HIMSELF FROM VOTING ON THE GRANT PROGRAM HIS GIRLFRIEND BENEFITED FROM.

FOR THE VOTE, HE PRAYS THE STAFF THAT OVERSEES THE PROGRAM AS PROFESSIONAL AND PRECISE.

>> THIS SPEAKS VOLUMES TO THE FOLKS WE HAVE T. TEAM.

EVERY APPLICANT MET THE QUALIFICATIONS.

>> WE FIRST REPORTED ON THE GRANT LAST MONTH, HE WOULD NOT DO AN INTERVIEW WITH US, BUT A CITY SPOKESPERSON SAID THE PROCESS WAS ALL ABOVE BOARD AND APPLICANTS WERE EVALUATED ON MERITS.

>> HE WAS A GOP CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR THAT WE REPORTED EXTENSIVELY ON.

REMIND US OF SOME OF WHAT YOU FOUND WITH THE APPLICATION.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE 10,000 GRANT THAT WENT TO CSU FIVE GIRLFRIEND, WE FOUND $83,000 IN TAXPAYER FUNDED GRANTS THAT WENT TO THE AURORA BUSINESS CENTER.

THAT OFFICE BUILDING IS CO-OWNED BY THE HUSBAND OF THE CITY OF AURORA DIRECTOR OF CYBER AND TECHNOLOGY RISK AND TWO OF HIS CO-OWNERS WERE ALSO INVOLVED IN A SIDE CONSULTING BUSINESS THAT IRVIN QUIETLY STARTED IN 2020.

WE TRIED TO REACH OUT TO THOSE MEN AT THE DIFFERENT CONSULTING COMPANY THAT THEY WERE.

THE PERSON WHO ANSWERED THE PHONE SAID THAT NOBODY IS HERE AND HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE MEN, AND THEN HE HUNG UP.

CRITICS OF IRVIN SAY THESE KINDS OF DEALS ARE ALL TOO COMMON IN AURORA.

>> CERTAINLY SEEMS THAT WAY.

>>> THE MUDDY WATERS OF MOJO MUSEUM GETS ITS BIGGEST FINANCIAL BOOST TO DATE.

THE MUSEUM HONORING THE FATHER OF MODERN BLUES HAS RECEIVED A $1 MILLION GRANT FROM THE MELLON FOUNDATION.

REPRESENTATIVES WITH THE MUSEUM SAY THE GRANT GOES TOWARDS RESTORING THE BASEMENT LEVEL OF THE HOUSE IN NORTH KENWOOD.

BACK AT 2021 WE VISITED THE FUTURE MUSEUM AND MET WITH THE FAMILY OF THE LATE MUDDY WATERS, WHO SAY THEY ARE GRATEFUL TO BE TAKING A STEP IN CONTINUING HIS LEGACY.

HERE'S ANOTHER LOOK AT HOW THE MUSEUM PLANS TO ELEVATE THE INFLUENCE OF BLUES IN CHICAGO.

>> Reporter: AFTER YEARS OF UNCERTAINTY, TRANSFORMER THE HOME WITH THE PINK FLAMINGOS ON 43rd AND LAKE PARK IS NOW BECOME A REALITY FOR THE FAMILY OF MUDDY WATERS.

>> PEOPLE WHO LOVE BLUES AND WHO ARE VYING FOR THE BLUES LEGACY.

IT IS OUR JOB TO HELP PEOPLE REMEMBER BLUES IS THE ROOT OF A LOT OF MUSIC.

>> Reporter: MUDDY WATERS MOVED TO CHICAGO IN THE 1940S TO PURSUE MUSIC FULL-TIME.

HIS ELECTRIC BLUES STYLE HAS INFLUENCED NEARLY EVERY BLUES AND ROCK MUSICIANS THAT HAS COME AFTER HIM.

>> WE HAVE A HUGE VISION.

>> Reporter: SANDRA COOPER IS A GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER OF MUDDY WATERS AND IS OVERSEEING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW MOJO MUSEUM.

HER MOTHER, AMELIA, OR COOKIE, WAS RAISED BY HER GRANDFATHER THERE.

>> A HOUSE WITH DIFFERENT MUSICIANS.

IT WASN'T UNUSUAL TO ME.

I COULD BE WOKEN UP.

THEY WOULD COME IN FOR A GIG.

THAT IS HOW I LEARNED HOW TO COOK SO WELL.

THEY CAN COME OUT AT ONE OR 2:00, AND WE WOULD GO IN THE KITCHEN AND START MAKING EGGS, FRYING BACON, AND THEY WOULD EAT.

IF THEY FELT LIKE IT AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING, THEY WERE DOWN IN THE BASEMENT.

>> Reporter: THE MUSEUM PLANS TO CONTINUE THE TRADITION WITH THE RECORDING STUDIO TO PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTISTS.

>> WE WANT TO REALLY INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY.

WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IT'S MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO BRING CHILDREN IN THERE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BLUES IS AND GIVE BLUES EDUCATION.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE BLUES MUSICIANS TO GIVE THEM EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AS WELL.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS I AM STRONG ABOUT AND WHAT I LIKE IS TO EMPOWER WOMEN IN THE BLUES SPACE AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE MUSEUM WILL ALSO PAY TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH MOORE TO FEEL, A SON OF MUDDY WATERS WHO DIED LATE LAST YEAR JUST ONE HIS CAREER AS A BLUES MUSICIAN WAS TAKING OFF.

HE JUST RELEASED NEW MUSIC CREATED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> IT IS REALLY HEARTBREAKING FOR FAMILY, BECAUSE WITH THE SINGLE HE JUST CUT, WE CAN SEE SO MUCH OF A RESEMBLANCE.

>> Reporter: WITH A $50,000 GRANT FROM THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION, THE WATERS ESTATE SAYS THE MUSEUM COULD BE OPEN IN AS SOON AS TWO YEARS.

>> WE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT THERE IS NOT ANY TYPE OF BLUES MUSEUM IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

FOR US TO PULL THIS OFF WOULD BE GIGANTIC.

>> AGAIN, THAT STORY COMES TO YOU FROM 2021 BEFORE RENOVATIONS BEGAN ON THAT SITE.

THERE IS NO OPENING DATE FOR THE MUSEUM YET, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, YOU CAN HEAR ANOTHER SON OF MUDDY WATERS PLAY SATURDAY EVENING AT THE JAY PRITZKER PAVILION.

HIS PERFORMANCE AS PART OF THE CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL, WHICH KICKS OFF TODAY AND GOES UNTIL SUNDAY.

A LOT OF FUN AT THAT FESTIVAL.

>>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO SKY, ENJOY THIS WONDERFUL >>> POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A