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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> SOMETIMES BEING IN THE MILITARY IT IS A THANKLESS JOB A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE GO THROUGH BEHIND THE SCENES.

>> LIVE FROM NAVY STATION GREAT LAKES AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES" ON THIS VETERAN'S DAY.

>> WE'VE GONE FROM THE HEROS OF THE COVID PANDEMIC TO WHO CARES.

>> A NURSE SHARE WHAT IS IT'S LIKE WORKING IN A CHICAGO EMERGENCY ROOM.

>> DOZENS OF WOMEN ARE SPEAKING OUT ABOUT SEXISM IN CHICAGO'S RADIO INDUSTRY IN A TRIBUNE INVESTIGATION.

WE TALK WITH THREE OF THEM.

A PATCH OF RARE ILLINOIS PRAIRIE IS SLATED TO BE BULLDOZED AS PART OF ROCKFORD'S AIRPORT EXPANSION THE LATEST ON THE PRAIRIE.

>> A LOCAL SPIN ON SQUID GAMES THE KOREAN CULTURAL CENTER HOSTS A FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT TIED TO THE NETFLIX SMASH HIT SERIES.

>> ORIGINAL ARTWORK BY ONE OF AMERICA'S GREATEST EDITORIAL CARTOONISTS IS ON VIEW AT THE PRITZKER MILITARY MUSEUM AND LIBRARY.

>> I AM AT NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES IN NORTH CHICAGO AS PART OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

LOCATED 35 MILES FROM DOWNTOWN CHICAGO IT IS A LARGEST MILITARY INSTALLATION IN ILLINOIS AND HOME TO THE ONLY NAVY'S BOOTCAMP.

WE SPEAK WITH ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS ABOUT THEIR CURRENT SERVICE AND WORK AT THE NAVAL STATION AS WELL AS A NEARBY HOSPITAL.

BUT FIRST I SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND NOW TO TOP STORIES.

>> LOCAL LEADERS, MILITARY MEMBERS, VETERANS AND FAMILIES GATHER AT SOLDIER FIELD TO COMMEMORATE VETERAN'S DAY.

>> I STAND HERE TODAY INSPIRED BY ALL OF YOU.

ALL WHO HAVE SERVED AND ALL WHO SUPPORT THOSE WHO SERVED.

OUR VETERANS THEY COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

AND ALL WALKS OF COMMUNITIES.

IN ILLINOIS ALONE THERE ARE OVER 500,000 VETERANS.

ALL OF THEM HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO SOMETHING GREATER THAN THEMSELVES AND HAVE DEFENDED OUR NATION.

>> GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER AND MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT JOINED A WREATH LAYING CEREMONY AT SOLDIER FIELD'S SO-CALLED DOUGH BOY STATUE TO REFER TO IN WORLD WAR I TO REFER TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMY AND THE MARINES.

TO MAKE THE END OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR, THE HOLIDAY WAS NAMED VETERAN'S DAY IN 1954.

>> RENEWED CALLS TO PROSECUTE THE PERSON WHO SHOT AND KILLED NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIER CHRYS CARVAJAL.

THE 19-YEAR-OLD COMPLETED BHASSIC TRAINING WHEN HE WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN A DRIVE-BY SHOOTING IN JULY.

HIS FAMILY AND SUPPORTERS CALLED ON STATE'S ATTORNEY KIM FOXX TO FILE CHARGES AGAINST THE SUSPECT ARRESTED BUT RELEASED.

FOXX'S OFFICE SAYS THE EVIDENCE IS INSUFFICIENT.

AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY 36TH WARD ALDERMAN GILBERT VILLEGAS SAYS IT'S TIME FOR NEW EYES TO REVIEW THE CASE.

>> IN CHICAGO RIGHT NOW, THE MESSAGE IS THAT YOU COULD ALMOST GET AWAY WITH CRIME.

YOU CAN ALMOST GET AWAY WITH KILLING SOMEBODY.

THAT HAS TO STOP.

>> IT IS UNETHICAL TO FORCE FAMILIES INTO A DIVISION BETWEEN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE LEADERS OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM.

IT IS A VISION THAT LEAVES NOTHING BUT FRUSTRATION, DEVASTATION AND HEARTS WITH NO ANSWERS.

>> AN ILLINOIS CONGRESSWOMAN LAUREN UNDERWOOD FOR FIBROIDS.

UNDER WAS WAS SET TO HAVE SURGERY TODAY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MEDICAL CENTERS AND PLANS TO RECOVER IN ILLINOIS FOR A FEW WEEKS.

FIBROIDS ARE UTERINE GROWTHS THAT CAN CAUSE BLEEDING OR PAIN.

>> LIVE AT NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND ON THIS VETERAN'S DAY WE HEAD TO NORTH CHICAGO LOCATED 35 MILES NORTH OF DOWNTOWN ON THE SHORES OF LAKE MICHIGAN, NORTH CHICAGO IS HOME TO THE NAVY'S ONLY BOOTCAMP CALLED NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT" JOANNA HERNANDEZ WERE IN NORTH CHICAGO TODAY AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

JOANNA TELLS US MORE ABOUT THE SERVICE MEMBER THAT YOU MET TODAY.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

THIS COMPLEX IS FILLED WITH HISTORY AND THIS IS WHERE THE TRAINING BEGINS AFTER THEY GRADUATE.

IT IS A 1600 ACRE FACILITY AND IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE IT'S ITS OWN TOWN.

WE BEGIN FROM HEARING FROM A YOUNG SAILOR AND HIS JOURNEY IN THE MILITARY.

>> I'M PROUD TO BE IN THE MILITARY BECAUSE I CAN SERVE MY COUNTRY AND MAKE PEOPLE PROUD AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND BE THAT PERSON IF I CAN CHANGE A PERSON'S LIFE.

>> PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS BRANDON MCPHAN WAS BORN AND RAISED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO AND ENLISTED AT 20.

>> I WAS IN SCHOOL AND MY BROTHER JOINED THE MARINES AND MY GRANDMOTHER SAID YOU SHOULD GIVE THE MILITARY A TRY AND DO FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

>> OFFICER McPHAN NEVER ME IMAGINED HE WOULD BE INTEREST MILLION DOLLAR PURSUING CULINARY ARTS HE WAS A CHEF ON A SHIP BEFORE RETURNING TO NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES.

>> EARLY MORNINGS LONG NIGHTS.

>> WE WOULD HAVE TO BE AT WORK AT 4 TO GET BREAKFAST OUT BY ZERO 6.

THE LAST MEAL AT 1730 AND CLEANING UP TO UNTIL 18330.

IT WAS TOUGH BUT IT MAKES YOU A BETTER PERSON.

>> HE HOPES TO FOLLOW IN THE STEPS OF SERVICE MEMBERS THAT CAME BEFORE HIM.

>> THE ONE THING FOR VETERANS IS PEOPLE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEIR LIFE WAS HARD FOR THEM.

BACK IN THE DAY IN THE VIETNAM WAR THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE RESOURCES WE HAVE NOW.

>> CHRISTOPHER SCHMIDT IS AN ARMY VETERAN AND NOW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR AN ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN 1941 TO ASSIST TROOPS AND FAMILIES WITH FOOD SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES.

>> MY EXPERIENCE IN THE MILITARY WAS AMAZING.

I LOST MY FATHER WHEN I WAS A YOUNG TEENAGER AND I WAS ALMOST A CONTRIBUTE TO HIS SERVICE WHEN I DECIDED TO JOIN AND IT PROVIDED ME WITH LIFELONG LIST LESSONS IN DISCIPLINE AND LEADERSHIP THAT CONTINUE TODAY.

>> SCHMIDT SERVED 14 YEARS AS A AN ARMY OFFICER ACAREER THAT CARRIED ON AFTER HIS SERVICE.

>> FOR ME THE MOST SIGNIFICANT LESSON WAS THAT LIFE LESSON IS YOU PUT OTHERS FIRST.

AS AN OFFICER IN THE MILITARY, YOUR TROOPS COME FIRST THEY EAT FIRST AND GET THE SUPPLIES FIRST BECAUSE THEIR WELFARE DRIVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TEAM.

AND SO FOR ME WHETHER IT'S BEING A FATHER, A SPOUSE OR A LEADER AT USO MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY ELSE IS TAKEN CARE OF ALWAYS COMES FIRST.

>> SCHMIDT IS IN CHARGE OF NINE CENTERS ACROSS THE STATE INCLUDING THE ONE HERE AT NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES.

MILITARY WIFE KRISTA SCHANNO AND HER FAMILY BENEFITED WHEN THEY LIVED IN TOKYO FOR 20 YEARS.

>> WHEN YOUR HUSBAND IS IN THE MILITARY YOU HAVE TO BE TOUGH.

I LEFT MY HOME COUNTRY WHEN I WAS 20.

AND YOU HAVE TO BE TOUGH.

YOU'RE ALONE IN EVERYTHING.

>> KRISTA SCHANNO REFLECTS WHAT LIFE HAS BEEN LIKE FOR HER FAMILY.

HER CHILDREN WERE BORN ON THE NAVAL BASE AND OFTENTIMES SHE HAD TO GET USED TO HER HUSBAND BEING AWAY FOR MONTHS AT A TIME.

>> SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON'T APPRECIATE WHAT THEY HAVE.

AND I SEE MY KIDS, SACRIFICING HOLIDAYS, AND YOU CAN SEE OTHER PEOPLE JUST DON'T CARE.

AND THAT IS WHAT I WANT THEM TO FEEL.

>> THEY MOVED BACK TO THE BASE WHERE HER HUSBAND GRADUATED FROM BOOTCAMP YEARS AGO.

KRISTA SCHANNO WORKS AT AN OPERATIONS SPECIALIST FOR USO AND HER HUSBAND TRAINS NEW SAILORS.

>> FOR EACH MILITARY WIFE THERE'S GOING TO BE CHALLENGES.

BUT IF YOU TRUST THE SUPPORT THAT THE MILITARY IS GIVING YOU, AND THE SAME TIME YOU KNOW, BELIEVE IN EACH OTHER IF YOU ARE MARRIED TO A WONDERFUL PERSON YOU KNOW TRUST EACH OTHER.

>> A MESSAGE KRISTA SCHANNO SPREADS TO THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE ANYONE IN THE MILITARY AND WANT TO SUPPORT THEIR TROOPS.

>> EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS FIRST.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU VOTE, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE DON'T VOTE.

I MEAN THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS EVEN LITTLE THINGS JUST APPRECIATE THE FREEDOM THAT YOU ENJOYING.

WHAT YOU'RE BUYING ACTUALLY GIVES YOU THE FREEDOM AND SOMEBODY IS SACRIFICING FOR IT.

>> EACH PERSON WITH A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE BOUND BY THE LOVE OF THEIR COUNTRY.

>> IT IS A POINT OF PRIDE.

THOSE OF US WHO RAISED OUR HAND AND SWORN AN OATH TO OUR CONSTITUTION DO SO WITH SELFLESSNESS IN MIND.

I'M HUMBLED WHEN PEOPLE THANK ME FOR MY SERVICE BECAUSE I DID NOT DO IT TO BE THANKED.

>> AND THIS NAVAL STATION HAS GONE ON TO SEE THOUSANDS OF SAILORS GO ON AND DO GREAT THINGS AND WE SPEAK WITH A DIRECTOR OF A NEARBY HOSPITAL.

FIRST, BACK TO YOU.

>> GOOD TO HEAR THE DIFFERENT VOICES OF THE SERVICE MEMBERS THANK YOU.

>> NURSES ARE JOINING THE CHORUS OF WORKERS EXPERIENCING THE CITY'S INCREASE IN VIOLENCE.

NATIONWIDE, CITIES LIKE CHICAGO REPORT HIGHER CRIME ON THE GROUND WHILE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS SAY THEY ARE NOTICING IT IN THE SKY AS WELL.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH MORE.

WHAT ARE ARE THE NURSES SAYING?

>> WELL, IT WASN'T THAT LONG AGO THAT NURSES WERE AMONG THOSE BEING CELEBRATED AS HEALTHCARE HEROS HAILED WITH FREE MEALS AND APPLAUSE AND SIGNS THANKING THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE.

PAUL PATER SAYS THAT NOW IT FEEL LIKE A PR STUNT.

>> WE'VE GONE FROM THE HEROS OF THE COVID PANDEMIC TO WHO CARES, GET BACK TO WORK.

SHUT UP.

YOU KNOW.

WE'RE MOVING ON.

LIKE THIS PANDEMIC IS NOT OVER AND PEOPLE ARE STILL GETTING SICK, NURSES ARE STILL GETTING SICK EVEN WITH THE VACCINE.

>> HE SAYS NURSES ARE LITERALLY COMING UNDER ATTACK.

DEBREISHA FLOWERS-ANDERSON IS ALSO A NURSE AT UI HEALTH'S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT PATIENTS COME TO THE HOSPITAL WITH ANGER AND ANXIETY.

>> THEY ARE IN PAIN.

THEY MAY HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE.

BUT WHAT I CAN'T UNDERSTAND IS THE PHYSICAL ABUSE THAT IS PLACED UPON US TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

BECAUSE THEY ARE SCARED.

I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED AND CHASED.

I HAVE BEEN THREATENED WITH BATTERY.

I HAVE BEEN THREATENED WITH RAPE.

I HAVE BEEN HIT IN THE FACE.

I HAVE BEEN SPAT ON.

AND I HAVE BEEN SPAT AT.

ALL OF THESE THINGS HAVE LEFT ME EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY SCARED.

>> BOTH NURSES TOOK PART IN A PICKET ORGANIZED BY THEIR UNION AND SEIU PROTESTING UNSAFE CONDITIONS.

18 NURSES HAVE LEFT UI HEALTH DUE TO WHAT THEY CALL DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.

THE PAUL PATER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO WORK SINCE LATE AUGUST WHEN I ATTACKED BY A DRUNK PATIENT WHO AGREED TO TAKE A COVE TEST.

>> THEY WERE -- COVID TEST.

>> THEY WERE ALLOWING ME TO PERFORM THE TEST UNTIL THE SWAB WENT INTO THE PATIENT'S NOSE THEN THEY FLIPPED OUT.

THAT PATIENT HAD KICKED ME IN THE STOMACH, THE CHEST THE SHOULDER AND DIDN'T CONNECT BUT THE SHOULDER DID AND SPUN ME AROUND AND THE PATIENT KICKED ME IN THE LOWER BACK.

>> HE IS RECOVERING FROM SURGERY AND HE MAY REQUIRE ANOTHER AND A SEPARATE INCIDENT A PATIENT BROUGHT A GUN TO THE ER AND ANOTHER TIME GOT THROUGH METAL DETECTORS WITH KNIVES.

>> INCIDENTS KEEP OCCURRING AND IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT.

NOT TO SAY I WASN'T SERIOUSLY HURT BECAUSE I HAVE TO HAVE TWO SURGERIES TO GET ME BACK TO WHERE I WAS PRIOR TO THIS.

BUT I DON'T WANT TO SEE ONE OF MY STAFF MEMBERS DIE.

OR A PATIENT TO DIE BECAUSE WE WERE LAX IN OUR -- BECAUSE THE HOSPITAL DIDN'T WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY OR PUT IN THE EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE SAFE.

>> NOW, AMONG THE ISSUES HE SAYS BOARDING MEANING THAT THE HOSPITAL CANNOT HANDLE THE VOLUME OF PATIENTS COMING INTO THE ER.

A TRIBUNE INVESTIGATION DID FIND THAT U OF I'S HOSPITAL SAW AMBULANCE DOUBLE SINCE MERCY STOPPED RECEIVING DROP-OFFS THIS YEAR.

A SPIKE BROADLY REFERENCED IN A STATEMENT FROM UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS' HOSPITAL WHAT SAYS THAT THE HEALTH NEEDS OF PATIENTS INCLUDING THOSE WHO SOUGHT CARE AT MERCY ARE SIGNIFICANT.

THEN IN A STATEMENT GOING ON TO THANK YOU UI HEALTH NURSES FOR THEIR DEDICATION NOTING THAT PATIENTS ARE INCREASINGLY SEEKING CARE FOR CONDITIONS THAT HAD TO GO OR DID GO UNADDRESSED DURING COVID CLAMPDOWNS.

THE EVENTS CONTINUE TO CHALLENGE OUR CAPACITY AND STAFFING PARTICULARLY IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

BUT THESE CHALLENGES HAVE NOT RESULTED IN PATIENT HARM.

AND WE HAVE SEEN NEW ACTION ON SEVERAL FRONTS TO SUPPORT OUR ED STAFF IN DELIVERING HIGH-QUALITY CARE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

AND THOSE ACTIONS UI HEALTH SAYS INCLUDE HIRING 29 EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT NURSES THIS YEAR.

THE MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE UNDER AN ARRANGEMENT THAT PROVIDES FOR FLEXIBILITY AND SHIFT STAFFING.

CREATING A STEP DOWN UNIT SO PATIENTS READY TO BE DISCHARGED CAN FREE UP SPACE THAT ER PATIENTS DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR A HOSPITAL BED AND WHEN ER PATIENTS DO HAVE TO WAIT TO BE ADMITTED TO THE HOPEFULLY, STAFF FROM INPATIENT UNIONS INSTEAD OF ER NURSES CAN HELP TO PROVIDE CARE.

WHEN IT COMES TO SECURITY, UI HEALTH HAS ON-SITE POLICE OFFICERS AND HAS METAL DETECTORS AT EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT ENTRANCES.

AND ER NURSES RECEIVE EXTRA PAY WHEN THERE IS OVERCROWDING.

WHILE WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR NURSES WHO ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST PAID NURSES IN ILLINOIS, WE ALSO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR ENTIRE STAFF TO OUR PATIENTS AND TO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS THAT REQUIRES WE MANAGE OUR BUDGET RESPONSIBLY HE SAID IN A STATEMENT.

HE INVITES THE HOSPITAL'S NURSING COLLEAGUES TO JOIN WITH HIM IN FINDING SOLUTIONS.

THE NURSING UNION LEADERS THEY HAVE SOME IDEAS.

PAUL PATER SAYS IN THE INTERIM NURSES FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS SHOULD BE INCENTIVIZED TO HELP AND TAKE ON EXTRA HOURS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

ALSO HE WANTS SEVEN MORE ER NURSES HIRED.

>> RIGHT NOW, NURSES ARE WORKING SO HARD THEY DON'T GET LUNCH BREAKS THEY CAN BARELY GO TO THE BATHROOM.

IT IS NOT A NICE PLACE TO WORK RIGHT NOW.

AND I THINK THE OTHER THING THEY NEED TO DO IS HIRE MORE SECURITY STAFF.

>> THEY WANT SECURITY IN THE WAITING ROOM 24/7.

AND FOR THAT SECURITY TO BE REQUIRED TO INTERVENE WHEN A SITUATION ERUPTS.

>> WE ALSO WOULD LIKE THEM TO PROVIDE STAFFING FOR SECURITY OR POLICE TO SIT WITH THESE VIOLENT PATIENTS.

I AM NOT TRAINED TO DEESCALATE OR TAKE DOWN A VIOLENT PATIENT.

THEY ARE.

SO WE NEED THE PEOPLE WHO CAN DO THE BEST JOB IN THAT POSITION.

THAT'S NOT A NURSE.

>> PAUL PATER IS UNSURE WHEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN TO WORKING IN THE ER.

HE SAYS HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE A HEALTHCARE HERO.

>> I DON'T WANT TO BE A HERO BECAUSE THE HERO DIES IN THE END.

I WANT TO LIVE AND I WANT TO LIVE MY LIFE AND I DON'T WANT TO SACRIFICE MYSELF OR MY FAMILY FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S PROFIT SOMEONE ELSE'S MOTIVATION, SOMEONE ELSE'S VICTORY.

>> THE HOSPITAL MEANWHILE SAYS IT CONTINUOUSLY EVALUATES PATIENT CARE AS WELL AS STAFFING NEEDS AND PAY.

MINOR HAS C.P.S.

PARENTS WELL KNOW, NO SCHOOL TOMORROW FOR VACCINE AWARENESS DAY AND U OF IHOP IS ONE OF THOSE THAT SETUP AND EXPANDED THEIR VACCINE CLINICS SO THE ELIGIBLE 5-11-YEAR-OLDS WOULD BE ABLE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT BOOKED THERE.

AND WITH THAT, BRANDIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> WOMEN IN CHICAGO'S RADIO INDUSTRY ARE SPEAKING OUT ABOUT SEXISM THEY FACED.

LONG TIME MORNING SHOW HOST ERIC FERGUSON LEFT THE MIX LAST MONTH AS HE AND THE STATION'S PARENT COMPANY HUBBARD RADIO CHICAGO FACE LAWSUITS FROM FEMALE COLLEAGUES.

THE SUITS ALLEGE A TOXIC ENVIRONMENT FOR WOMEN INCLUDING COERCED SEXUAL ACTS AND MANAGEMENT'S INADEQUATE HANDLING OF COMPLAINTS AS THE TRIBUNE PUBLISHES A 10-MONTH INVESTIGATION INTO WHAT WOMEN FACE IN THE MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY.

THE REPORTERS SPOKE WITH THREE DOZEN WOMEN IN RADIO ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES.

THREE OF THEM JOIN US NOW TO TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES IN CHICAGO RADIO.

JULIE DICARO, WRITER AND EDITOR FOR DEAD SPIN AND THE AUTHOR OF SIDELINED SPORTS CULTURE AND BEING A WOMAN IN AMERICA.

BEFORE THAT, SHE WORKED AT 670 THE SCORE.

>> MARY DIXON MORNING EDITION ANCHOR AT WBEZ AND WAS AT XRT FOR 28 YEARS.

AND JENNIFER ASHRAFI FORMER CO-HOST OF THE AFTERNOON SHOW KNOWN AS AIR AS GENDER ROBERTS AND LEFT THE INDUSTRY IN JANUARY OF 2020.

AND WE REACHED OUT TO WTMX HUBBARD RADIO BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED.

TEAM THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT.

JENNIFER ASHRAFI LET'S START WITH YOU PLEASE, YOU LEFT YOUR POSITION AS CO-HOST OF THE AFTERNOON SHOW ON THE MIX IN JANUARY 2020.

WHAT WAS IT THAT MADE YOU LEAVE?

>> IT'S HARD TO NAIL THAT DOWN TO ONE OR TWO SENTENCES.

BUT I WOULD SAY THE OVERARCHING THEME WOULD BE BEING DISGUSTED WITH THE CULTURE AND WITH WHAT I WAS SEEING HAPPEN TO ME FOR SEEMINGLY NO REASON WHICH WAS BEING MY ROLE WAS BEING REDUCED AND IT WASN'T REALLY TOLD WHY THAT WAS HAPPENING.

A LOT OF NONCOMMUNICATION.

IT SEEMED TO ME THAT A LOT OF THE WOMEN THERE WERE SHARING SIMILAR STORIES BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

AND MY SITUATION JUST WASN'T IMPROVING AT ALL.

SO I DECIDED FOR MY MENTAL HEALTH, MY PHYSICAL HEALTH, AND JUST GENERAL WELL-BEING THAT IT WAS TIME TO SAY OK, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND SO I LEFT.

>> JENNIFER FORMER MORNING SHOW HOST ERIC FERGUSON AND THE PARENT COMPANY ARE FACE INCLUDES YOU TOLD THE TRIBUNE YOU TOLD AN EXECUTIVE THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH WOMEN.

WHAT DID YOU MEAN BY THAT?

>> I MEANT THAT THAT THE WOMEN WHO WORKED IN THE BUILDING WITH ME WERE EXPERIENCING AND FEELING SIMILAR WAYS THAT I WAS THAT MADE ME WANT TO LEAVE.

AND THAT SPECIFICALLY I TOLD JEFF ENGLAND AT MY EXIT INTERVIEW THAT HE HAD A PROBLEM WITH WOMEN AND THAT HE MIGHT NOT GET SO LUCKY IN THE FUTURE.

I WAS WALKING AWAY WANTING A CLEAN BREAK AND A FRESH START BUT HE MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY MEANING THEY CAN END UP FACING LAWSUITS BECAUSE THEY KNEW WHAT I WAS SUFFERING BY COMPARISON WAS NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT I KNEW WHAT SOME OF THE OTHER WOMEN WERE EXPERIENCING.

I ENCOURAGED THE HIM TO TALK TO PEOPLE.

HE MADE IT SEEM LIKE HE WOULD.

AND NOTHING.

NOTHING AFTER THAT.

AND NOTHING SINCE TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

>> MARY DIXON, YOU'VE SPENT THREE DECADES IN THE RADIO INDUSTRY.

WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE AS A WOMAN?

>> WELL, REALLY BRANDIS, I STARTED WORKING IN THIS INDUSTRY IN 1982.

I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL THEN.

AND FROM THEN TO TODAY YOU KNOW IT IS A LOT OF BEING THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM.

IT IS A LOT OF HAVING YOUR VOICE POLICED BEING TOLD TO PITCH IT MORE AUTHORITATIVELY CODE FOR SOUND MORE LIKE A DUDE.

AND ALL THE WAY UNTIL 2017 AT XRT BEING EXCLUDED FROM MEET GHTS, BEING EXCLUDED FROM BROADCASTS THAT I HELPED TO DEVELOPMENT ULTIMATELY HAVING MY PAY CUT WHEN I WAS BEING PAID LESS TO WORK ON A SHOW THAN THE GUY I WAS WORKING ON THE SHOW WITH.

THIS HAPPENS ALL THROUGH THE CUSTOMER SAL RADIO INDUSTRY IN PARTICULAR.

I SAW A LOT OF WOMEN WHO I WORKED WITH AT XRT WHO WERE BRILLIANT SALES AND MARKETING PEOPLE, PEOPLE WORKING IN THE BACKGROUND THAT YOU DON'T HEAR ON THE RADIO WHO WERE NEVER ABLE TO WORKOUT REASONABLE WORK AT HOME POLICIES WITH THEIR MANAGERS BECAUSE THESE MANAGERS MOSTLY MEN WOULD TELL THEM I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT YOU CAN WORK-FROM-HOME ONE DAY A WEEK TO BE AROUND YOUR CHILDREN BECAUSE MY BOSS WOULD GET MAD ABOUT THAT.

THAT HAPPENED ALL THE TIME.

MOST OF THE WOMEN LEFT THAT COMPANY BECAUSE THEY WOULD RATHER WORK FOR A COMPANY THAT HAD BETTER POLICIES FOR WOMEN.

>> AND JULIE, WE KNOW THAT RADIO AT LARGE IS MALE DOMINATED BUT THE SPORTS RADIO MORE SO JUST BECAUSE OF SPORTS.

WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN IN RADIO?

>> SIMILAR TO THE OTHER WOMEN THAT I'VE SPOKEN WITH.

I HAD A SHOW FIVE NIGHTS A WEEK THAT I FELT I HAD EARNED.

ON 670 THE SCORE I WAS NEVER MOVED INTO A FULL-TIME ROLE I WAS ALWAYS PART-TIME THE ONLY PERSON HAD A REGULAR DAILY SHOW THAT WAS KEPT ON PART-TIME STATUS.

I GOT $25 AN HOUR AND HOSTING I GOT $50 AN HOUR I GOT $100 FOR MY SHOW ON EVERY NIGHT FOR TWO HOURS AND OTHER GUYS ARE CONTRACTS AND AGENTS AND NEGOTIATED BENEFITS.

I DID NOT HAVE ANY OF THAT AND BEING EXCLUDED.

LIKE NOT BEING INVITED TO SPRING TRAINING.

I WAS NEVER INCLUDED IN THAT OR INCLUDED IN A LOT OF THE BIG OPENING DAY THINGS FOR ALL OF THE SPORTS.

JUST A LOT OF BEING LEFT OUT AND A LOT OF BEING THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM.

AND A LOT OF JUST BEING MARGINALIZED PUSHED TO THE EDGES AND KNOWING THAT YOU ARE NOT YOU DON'T COUNT.

YOU ARE LUCKY TO BE HERE SHUT UP AND ACCEPT IT.

THERE WAS NEVER ENOUGH MONEY TO MOVE ME INTO A FULL-TIME ROLE BUT ALWAYS MONEY TO NEGOTIATE DEALS WITH THE GUYS AT THE STATION AND THAT IS THE EXPERIENCE A LOT OF US HAVE HAD.

>> THE MARY, THE ARTICLE BROUGHT UP THE ISSUE OF DIVERSITY BY RACE AND RADIO IS NOT ONLY MOSTLY MALE DOMINATED MOSTLY A WHITE INDUSTRY HOW DOES THAT LACK OF DIVERSITY GENDER OR RACIAL OR OTHERWISE, HOW DOES THAT IMPACT THE EMPLOYEES AND ALSO THE PRODUCT THAT THE STATION OR THE COMPANY PRODUCES?

>> I THINK IT'S CRAZY THAT 100 YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A DECISION MADE TO SEPARATE MUSICAL GENRES SO THAT WHITE PEOPLE WOULD BE STEERED TOWARD BUYING WHITE ARTISTS MUSIC AND BLACK ARTISTS WOULD BE SOLD TO BLACK ARTISTS AND RADIO FOLLOWED THAT AND WE ARE STILL THERE IN ROCK 'N ROLL RADIO.

IN COUNTRY RADIO.

THAT IS STILL HAPPENING.

AND YOU KNOW, XRT NEVER HAD A PERSON OF COLOR ON THE AIR AS A DJ THAT SEEMS CRAZY IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

I THINK COUNTRY MUSIC STATION US99 HAS THAT LACK OF DIVERSITY.

IT'S NOT JUST WRONG AND IT IS WRONG IT'S ALSO BORING.

AND IT'S REFLECTED IN THE MUSIC THAT YOU HEAR ON A LOT OF THESE STATIONS WHERE ROCK 'N ROLL IS PRESENTED AS MUSIC THAT IS 40, 50 YEARS OLD BY WHITE GUYS.

I MEAN DO YOU NEED TO HEAR LED SIP LYNN EVERY THREE YEARS, COULD YOU PUT IN CURTIS MAYFIELD AND WOULD QUALIFY IN SOME GENRE.

IT'S JUST BORING.

IT'S BORING RADIO.

AND I REALLY THINK THAT THE STATIONS HERE COULD DO BETTER.

>> AND JULIE HOW DOES BEING THE LONE PERSON OF YOUR IDENTITY WHATEVER THAT MAYBE, SORT OF BEING THE TOKEN HOW DOES THAT IMPACT A WAY THE PERSON MOVES THROUGH THE WORKPLACE AND THE WORK THAT PERSON DOES?

>> I THINK IT PUTS A TARGET ON YOUR BACK NOT JUST WITH THE PEOPLE IN YOUR OFFICE BUT THE LISTENERS.

THERE WERE I WOULD GET HARASSED ON THE AIR PEOPLE WOULD SAY VIAL THINGS TO ME ON THE TEXT LINE THAT HAPPENS ACROSS GENDER LINES.

BUT I DID GET A LOT OF SEXUALLY EXPLICIT THREATS AND PEOPLE SCREAMING THINGS AT ME.

AND I THINK WHEN YOU BRING IN PEOPLE SO YOU CAN POINT TO HOW DIVERSE YOU ARE, WE HAVE A WOMAN TALKING SPORTS, YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED TO PROTECT THOSE PEOPLE AS WELL.

YOU CAN'T JUST LEAVE THEM TWISTING IN THE WIND WHEN THEY GET ATTACKED.

I HAD JENNIFER TELL ME THE FIRST ONE THROUGH THE WALL IS THE BLOODIEST AND THAT IS HOW IT FELT A LOT OF THE TIME.

THEY HAD WOMEN ON THE STATION BEFORE ME.

I DON'T THINK THERE WAS EVER MORE THAN ONE AT A TIME AND THAT SET A TONE FOR THE GUYS THAT WORKED THERE AND THE LISTENERS THIS IS HOW WE VIEW WOMEN IN THIS SPACE.

>> JENNIFER, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU GIVE TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO MAY BE IN A SITUATION SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU EXPERIENCED BEFORE YOU LEFT?

>> THAT'S BEEN ONE OF THE MOST I GUESS REWARDING THINGS TO COME OUT OF THIS ARTICLE GOING PUBLIC.

IS HEARING FROM OTHER PEOPLE AND WHILE IT'S SAD, THE VOLUME OF WOMEN THAT ARE APPROACHING ME IN PRIVATE SAYING I'M GOING THROUGH SOMETHING SIMILAR I WANT TO GET OUT HOW DID YOU GET OUT?

AND I'M SAYING TO THEM YOU KNOW IT'S EASIER SAID THAN DONE BUT THERE'S MOMENTUM.

NOW IS THE TIME.

IF YOU CAN SPEAK UP AND SPEAK OUT, NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT.

THERE'S POWER IN NUMBERS.

THERE'S POWER BEHIND ALL THE ARTICLES THAT HAVE COME OUT IN THE CHICAGO CONTRIBUTE BRUIN.

I WOULD -- "CHICAGO TRIBUNE".

I'M GIVING THEM THE COURAGE TO DO THAT AND IF THEY CAN'T, TO LET THEM KNOW THEY CAN TRUST ME.

IF THEY NEED TO PUT THER SECRETS OUT TO SOMEBODY THAT I CAN BE THAT FOR THEM AND SO MANY HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

AND IT'S HEARTWARMING BUT ALSO HEARTBREAKING AT THE SAME TIME.

I THINK IT WILL TAKE TIME.

>> OK. THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

THANKS TO JENNIFER ASHRAFI, MARY DIXON AND JULIE DICARO.

BEST OF LUCK AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, WE CHECK IN WITH JOANNA HERNANDEZ WHO IS REPORTING LIVE FROM NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES.

STAY WITH US.

WE CHECK BACK IN WITH JOANNA HERNANDEZ WHO SPENT THE DAY AT NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES AS PART OF OUR "IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES".

>> WE'RE HERE WITH Dr. ROBERT BUCKLEY, DIRECTOR OF CAPTAIN FEDERAL HEALTHCARE CENTER.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> I WANT TO START OFF WITH YOUR HOSPITAL IS A UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS AND THE NAVY.

>> SURE.

I THINK MOST OF OUR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" VIEWERS ARE FAMILIAR WITH V.A.

MEDICAL CENTERS OR MILITARY TREATMENT FACILITIES LIKE BETHESDA MARYLAND OR SAN DIEGO.

BUT FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS THE CAPTAIN JAMES FEDERAL HEALTHCARE CENTER HAS BEEN THIS COUNTRY'S FULL AND ONLY FULLY MERGED COMBINED MILITARY TREATMENT AND V.A.

MEDICAL CENTER.

TO BECOME THE ONLY HOSPITAL AND CLICKIC SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY THAT PROVIDES CARE TO MEET OUR MISSION TO READY WARRIORS AND CARING FOR HEROS.

WE HAVE 3,000 STAFF THAT COME TOGETHER TO MEET THAT MISSION EVERYDAY.

>> AND I DO HAVE TO ASK.

THE HOSPITAL'S NAMED AFTER A NAVY VETERAN AND NASA ASTRONAUT.

WHY WAS HE CHOSEN WHEN NAMING THE HOSPITAL?

>> WELL, CAPTAIN JAMES LOVELL WAS A NAVY CAPTAIN.

MOST OF US KNOW HIM AS A FAMOUS ASTRONAUT FROM THE MISSIONS.

AND MANY OF US HAVE SEEN APOLLO 13 MOVIE PLAYED BY TOM HANKS HE WILL TELL YOU HE IS BETTER LOOKING.

HE WAS A NAVY VETERAN AND SERVED HONORABLY FOR OVER 20 YEARS IN THE NAVY.

>> AND CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT THE CULTURE HAS BEEN LIKE TO HAVE BOTH VETERANS COMING IN AND RECEIVE CARE WHILE SITTING NEXT TO YOUNGER ACTIVE-DUTY FOLKS?

>> EXACTLY.

WHERE ELSE WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO FIND VETERANS FROM VIETNAM, KOREA, WORLD WAR II SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH YOUNG RECRUITS MANY TONIGHT THAT GET ENERGY FROM EACH OTHER.

THEY GET TO TELL EACH OTHER STORIES WHILE THEY ARE WAITING AT THE PHARMACY OR AN APPOINTMENT AND IT GIVES ENCOURAGEMENT TO EACH OTHER.

>> DO YOU LIKE WATCHING THOSE INTERACTIONS?

>> WE SEE THEM EVERYDAY IT IS A LOT OF ENERGY IT IS A GREAT MISSION.

>> HOW DO YOU PRIMARILY SERVE THE NAVY RECRUITS HERE AT THE NAVAL STATION?

>> WELL, FROM THE MINUTE THEY ARRIVE HERE, THEY GO THROUGH INTAKE, THERE'S ALL OF THE VACCINATIONS AND ALL OF THE CHECKUPS THEY NEED TO GET.

AND THEN ULTIMATELY, THEY HAVE TO HAVE EVERYTHING THEY NEED SO THEY ARE READY TO GO OUT TO THE FLEET AND SERVE THE NAVY AND THE MARINE CORPS AND THAT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE DENTAL CARE.

WE HAVE OVER 100 DENTISTS HERE AT OUR OSBOURNE MEDICAL CLINIC THAT HAVE TO SERVE AND GIVE CARE FOR PROBABLY UPWARDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF CARE FOR EACH RECRUIT BEFORE THEY ARE READY TO MOVE ON TO THE FLEET.

>> AND YOUR HOSPITAL WAS HIT LIKE ANY OTHER WITH WAVES OF COVID CASES.

WHAT HAVE VACCINATION EFFORTS BEEN LIKE?

>> WELL, COVID WAS A CHALLENGE FOR EVERYBODY.

AND FOR OUR HOSPITAL ABSOLUTELY IT WAS A CHALLENGE AS WELL AND CONTINUES TO BE.

BUT WE'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING OUR PATIENTS AND OUR STAFF VACCINATED.

THE NAVY IN FACT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HAS IT'S MANDATORY.

I WOULD SAY THE VACCINATION RATES OF OUR STAFF AND THE NAVY STAFF ARE WELL OVER 90% LET'S SAY AND SOMEPLACES APPROACHING 100%.

OUR OWN STAFF WITH SOME OF THE RECENT LEGISLATION IS NOW OUR VACCINATION RATES ARE GETTING SUPER HIGH.

WE HAD A GREAT EFFORT LED BY OUR PLANS AND OPPORTUNITIES AND PHARMACY FOLKS PARTNERING WITH ST. MAARTENS ACADEMY TO DO MASS VACCINATIONS ON THE WEEKEND AND THOUSANDS OF VACCINATIONS.

WE'VE DONE 50,000 VACCINATIONS BETWEEN ACTIVE-DUTY, FAMILY MEMBERS AND VETERANS.

>> WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME, YOU HAVE YOUR OWN CAREER IN THE U.S. NAVY CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR SERVICE AND HOW IT PREPARED YOU FOR YOUR ROLE?

>> I JOINED THE NAVY IN 1983 WHEN I STARTED MED SCHOOL AND SPENT MOST OF MY CAREER IN SAN DIEGO LOTS OF DEPLOYMENTS I DID MY TRAINING HERE IN COOK COUNTY.

MY WIFE LIKES CHICAGO SO WE KEEP STAYING IN CHICAGO EVEN AFTER I RETIRED FROM THE NAVY.

>> THANK YOU Dr. BUCKLEY AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE USO AND HOW THEY ARE ASSISTING SERVICE MEMBERS AND FAMILIES.

BUT FIRST WE SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> AND THE YOU AND Dr. BUCKLEY THANK YOU.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", ROCKFORD AIRPORT SAYS IT PLANS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CARGO EXPANSION.

WE SHARE THE LATEST ON BELL BOWL PRAIRIE.

THE KOREAN CULTURAL CENTER OF CHICAGO HOSTS A FAMILY FRIENDLY VERSION OF SQUID GAMES TIED TO THE SMASH HIT NETFLIX SERIES.

>> AND ARTWORK BY ONE OF AMERICA'S GREATEST CARTOONISTS BILL MAUDLIN.

BUT FIRST, MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED TODAY AND THEY WILL BE BE CLOSE TOMORROW TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO VACCINATE CHILDREN AGAINST COVID.

C.P.S.

AND CITY AGENCIES ARE HOSTING CLINICS AS IS THE CHICAGO TEACHERS' UNION.

THE MOVE CAME AFTER A FEDERAL OFFICIALS APPROVED THE PFIZER VACCINE FOR KIDS 5-11.

THE WHITE HOUSE SAID YESTERDAY ABOUT 900,000 CHILDREN IN THAT AGE GROUP GOT SHOTS IN THE FIRST WEEK SINCE THEY WERE OK'd.

>> AND TESTIMONY CONCLUDES IN THE KYLE RITTENHOUSE MURDER TRIAL.

THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS 18-YEAR-OLD PATROLLED DOWNTOWN KENOSHA WITH A RIFLE AMID UNREST IN 2020.

RITTENHOUSE KILLED TWO PEOPLE AND INJURED A THIRD.

HIS DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ARE ARGUING THE SHOOTING WERE IN SELF-DEFENSE.

RITTENHOUSE COULD RECEIVE A LIFE SENTENCE IF CONVICTED ON THE MOST SERIOUS CHARGES.

AND CLOSING ARGUMENTS ARE SET FOR MONDAY.

>> CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE SET TO CONSIDER $3 MILLION IN POLICE MISCONDUCT SETTLEMENTS.

ATTORNEYS RECOMMENDED PAYOUTS IN FIVE SEPARATE LAWSUITS.

THE LARGEST FOR $2 MILLION WOULD GO TO THE FAMILY OF A WOMAN STRUCK AND KILLED BY A SUSPECT FLEEING POLICE IN HIS CAR DURING A PURSUIT.

ALDERPEOPLE WILL LOOK AT SETTLING WRONGFUL CONVICTION CLAIMS, POLICE SHOOTINGS AND A SUIT FROM THE A.C.L.U.

AGRICULTURE ARGUING BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGOANS WAIT LONGER AFTER DYING 9-1-1.

THE FULL COUNCIL COULD VOTE ON THEM WEDNESDAY.

>> AND YOU PROBABLY ALREADY HEARD, BUT JUST IN CASE, THE CHICAGO AREA COULD SEE THE FIRST SNOWFALL OF THE SEASON TOMORROW.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EXPECTS ON AND OFF SNOW SHOWERS ACROSS 50-80% OF THE AREA BETWEEN 10:00 A.M.-8:00 P.M. A LIGHT DUSTING IS POSSIBLE AS ARE BRIEF HEAVY PERIODS THAT WILL AFFECT VISIBILITY AND GUSTS UP TO 35-MILES-PER-HOUR.

DON'T SAY WE DON'T WARN YOU PEOPLE.

>> IT WON'T BE ALL QUIET ON THE PRAIRIE FRONT AS ROCKFORD AIRPORT SAYS IT PLANS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH CARGO EXPANSION ON THE 3,000 ACRE PROPERTY WHICH INCLUDES A PATCH OF RARE ILLINOIS PRAIRIE.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER PATTY WETLI JOINS US NOW WITH THE LATEST ON BELL BOWL PRAIRIE.

AND OF COURSE WE KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS STORY FOR WEEKS.

FOR OUR VIEWERS HERE IS BACK STORY.

A PATCH OF LAND CALLED BELL BOWL PRAIRIE WAS THREATENED BY THE PLAN TO COMMAND CARGO OPERATION IT WOULD HAVE PLOWED THROUGH THE PATCH OF LAND AND CONSERVATIONISTS WON A REPRIEVE BUT HOPES OF THAT REPRIEVE WOULD BECOME PERMANENT THOSE WERE PLACED INTO GREATER DOUBT WHICH BRINGS US BACK TO YOU.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> RIGHT.

SO RIGHT NOW, THERE'S A PAUSE ON THE CONSTRUCTION THROUGH MARCH.

AND CONSERVATIONISTS HAD HOPED TO USE THIS PERIOD TO ARRANGE MEETINGS WITH THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, TO REACH SOME SORT OF COMPROMISE OR TO GET THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY TO COME TO THE TABLE AND LOOK AT ALTERNATIVE DESIGNS THAT WOULD ALLOW THE AIRPORT TO CONTINUE ITS EXPANSION WHICH CONSERVATIONISTS APPRECIATE IS IMPORTANT BUT WOULD ALSO SAVE THE PRAIRIE AT THE SAME TIME.

>> SO YOU SPOKE WITH ROCKFORD AIRPORT OFFICIALS ABOUT THEIR PLAN AND WHAT DO THEY SAY WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THIS?

>> THEY HAD BEEN QUIET MOSTLY UP UNTIL THIS POINT AND CAME OUT THIS WEEK WITH A RATHER LENGTHY STATEMENT AND TALKING POINTS AND FAQ, AND THEIR STANCE IS THAT WHAT CONSERVATIONISTS THINK CAN BE A WORK AROUND ISN'T POSSIBLE BECAUSE THEIR EXPANSION PLANS GO FAR BEYOND WHAT THE CURRENT PROJECT IS.

THEY HAVE MULTIPLE PHASES THAT WOULD FOLLOW AFTER THIS.

AND THAT PATCH OF PRAIRIE THEY SAY, IS CRUCIAL TO THOSE FOLLOWING PHASES DOWN THE ROAD.

SO THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE THINKING THAT A COMPROMISE IS AT ALL LIKELY.

>> AS WE ARE LOOKING PICTURES WE ARE CALLING IT A PATCH OF PRAIRIE BUT IT IS A DECENT AMOUNT OF SPACE AT THE AIRPORT IS EYEING IT.

AND WHAT DO PRAIRIE ADVOCATES HAVE TO SAY IN RESPONSE?

>> I MEAN TO THEM, THEY ARE ARGUING WHAT PRICE CAN YOU PUT ON THIS RARE PIECE OF LAND?

WHEN DO WE STOP JUST DISCARDING NATURE IN FAVOR OF ECONOMICS AND, AGAIN, IS THERE A WAY TO COME TO THE TABLE AND TRY AND COME UP WITH A COMPROMISE ALSO YOU KNOW, ONCE THE PRAIRIE IS GONE, IT'S GONE.

WHATEVER PLANS THE AIRPORT HAS, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ECONOMY IS GOING TO DO A YEAR FROM NOW MUCH LESS 10-30.

SO MAYBE THINK ABOUT LONGER TERM WHAT THE VALUE OF THE PRAIRIE IS.

>> PATTY WETLI ALWAYS ON THE PRAIRIE FOR US.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> UP NEXT, WE CHECK BACK IN WITH JOANNA HERNANDEZ REPORTING LIVE FROM NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES.

FIRST A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> AND NOW WE CHECK BACK IN WITH JOANNA AT NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES.

>> THANKS.

WE'RE HERE WITH JEREMIAH AVERS, USO GREAT LAKES CENTER MANAGER.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> I WANT TO START OFF YOUR TAG LINE IS THE FORCE BEHIND THE FORCE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> THE USO'S MISSION IS TO BE A PART OF A SERVICE MEMBER'S LIFE AND THEIR FAMILY'S LIFE FROM THE MOMENT THEY TRANSITION INTO THE SERVICE TO WELL AFTER THEY TRANSITION OUT OF THE SERVICE.

AND WE DO AT THAT TIME THROUGH THINGS LIKE OUR USO CENTER HERE, OUR EVENTS AND PROGRAMS, OUR FREE TICKETS TO SERVICE MEMBERS AND FAMILIES.

AND OUR USO PATHFINDER PROGRAM THAT HELPS THEM WHEN THEY TRANSITION OUT OF THE SERVICE.

MANY, MANY SERVICES AND WE TRY TO BE WITH THEM FROM DEPLOYMENTS TO HOMECOMINGS TO DEPARTURE CEREMONIES WE'RE THERE.

>> THE USO GREAT LAKES CENTER UNDERWENT A $3.2 MILLION RENOVATION, WHAT DID THAT LOOK LIKE?

>> IT WAS A VERY ADVANCED PROCESS.

IT TOOK US MANY YEARS SURVEYING BOTH SERVICE MEMBERS, THEIR FAMILIES, OUR VOLUNTEERS, THEIR DEPENDENTS AND CHILDREN TO PURPOSE BUILD THE CENTER TO BE WHAT THEY NEEDED IT TO BE.

SO EVERYTHING HAS BEEN PURPOSE BUILT EVERYTHING FROM THE FURNITURE TO ALL OF OUR KITCHEN APPLIANCES EVERYTHING FROM DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED SO THAT WE CAN SERVE EVERY NEED THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN FOR THE SERVICE MEMBERS.

>> WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPOT INSIDE THE FACILITY HERE?

>> MY FAVORITE SPOT IS THE MUSIC ROOM.

WE HAVE A FULL SUITE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS THAT ANY SERVICE MEMBER ANY FAMILY MEMBER ANY OF THEIR CHILDREN CAN BASICALLY CHECK OUT AND PLAY.

AND WE CAN PLAY THEIR MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE CENTER AT ANY TIME.

>> HOW DID COVID IMPACT THE SERVICES YOU WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE?

>> COVID WAS DIFFICULT FOR EVERYONE.

AND FOR US, WE REALIZED THEY LOT OF THE NEED CAME FROM EVERYONE BEING LOCKED DOWN.

WHEN WE LOCKED DOWN, WE CHANGED ALL OF OUR FACILITIES OVER TO MOBILE FACILITIES.

AND WE MANITOBAIZEED CREW -- MOBILIZED.

IN STATE OF ILLINOIS WE WERE SUPPLYING THE NATIONAL GUARD CENTERS WITH DRIPPINGS, SNACKS, MORALE, WELFARE DEVICES THINGS THEY COULD USE AT THE TESTING SITES AND VACCINATION SITES.

WE WERE ALSO SUPPORTING WITH DRIVE-THRU FREE MEALS FOR SPOUSES AND FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

BECAUSE WE KNEW A LOT OF PEOPLE LOST A LOT OF THEIR INCOME DUE TO COVID AND ALL THE SHUTDOWNS.

>> AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT THE JOB?

>> MY FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB IS BEING ABLE TO SEE BOTH SERVICE MEMBERS AS THEY TRANSITION OUT TO THE FLEET AND AS THEY COME BACK AND SEEING JUST HOW MUCH THE USO MEANT TO THEM AND HOW MUCH THE USO HAS BEEN ABLE TO HELP THEM.

THE USO PATHFINDER PROGRAM IN PARTICULAR AFFECTED ME AS A TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBER.

AND SO THAT PROGRAM WAS REALLY IMPORTANT IN HELPING ME TO LEAVE THE MILITARY IN THE BEST POSSIBLE SHAPE THAT I COULD BE.

>> AND YOU SERVED FOR 10 YEARS.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO SERVE HERE IN THIS CAPACITY?

>> SO WHEN I RETIRED FROM THE NAVY, I RETIRED FROM NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES AND I WANTED TO CONTINUE MY SERVICE IN A WAY THAT I COULD HELP THE MORALE AND THE HELP BOOST THE SERVICE MEMBERS THAT ARE LEAVING HERE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE ACROSS THE WORLD BY WORKING FOR THE USO.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

AND AGAIN THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THAT IS ALL FOR US HERE AT NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES IN NORTH CHICAGO.

BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO.

>> JOANNA, THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, A LOCAL SPIN ON THE SMASH HIT NETFLIX SERIES SQUID GAMES.

FIRST A LOOK AT EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND TOWN THIS WEEKEND.

>> BY NOW YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD OF SQUID GAMES IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE SOUTH KOREAN SURVIVAL DRAMA NOW THE MOST WATCHED NETFLIX SERIES EVER.

CREATOR RECENTLY SAID A SECOND SEASON IS GETTING THE GREEN LIGHT.

>> NOW, THE KOREAN CULTURAL CENTER OF CHICAGO HOSTED SQUID GAMES OF THEIR OWN.

DON'T WORRY FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE SEEN THE SHOW, ATTENDEES WERE INVITED TO PLAY NONLETHAL VERSIONS OF THE GAME WHILE LEARNING ABOUT KOREAN CULTURE.

JOINING US WITH MORE IS KAY KIHWA RHO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE KOREAN CULTURAL CENTER OF CHICAGO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WHAT DOES THE CULTURAL CENTER'S SQUID GAMES ENTAIL?

AND HOW DID THE IDEA COME ABOUT?

>> WE'VE BEEN PLAYING KOREAN GAMES ON OUR LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AND KOREAN THANKSGIVING DAY.

AND RECENTLY WE HAD FOCUS GROUP FOR SECOND GENERATION BECAUSE WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR CULTURAL CENTER.

AND WE DID A COUPLE TIMES WE HEARD ABOUT THEY KOREAN MODERN CULTURE RATHER THAN TRADITIONAL CULTURE.

SO WHEN I HEARD ABOUT SQUID GAME, I THOUGHT THIS IS IT.

WE CAN HAVE A PROGRAM AROUND THE SQUID GAME AND SECOND GENERATION AND MAIN TREATMENT CAN ENJOY IT TOGETHER.

>> AND SOUNDS LIKE YOU WANTED TO GET YOUNGER SECOND GENERATION MODERN KOREAN AMERICANS MORE INVOLVED IN THE CULTURAL CENTER AS WELL.

WHAT IS THE LEGACY BEHIND THE REAL SQUID GAME?

IT WAS A REAL CHILDREN'S GAME, CORRECT?

>> YES.

IT IS A CHILDREN'S GAME.

BUT IT IS ABOUT 70s AND 80s CHILDREN PLAYED THEIR GAMES.

BUT IT DOES A COST ANYTHING.

YOU GO OUT AND DRAW THE SQUID SHAPE AND YOU PLAY ON THAT.

BUT AT THE TIME OUR KOREAN ECONOMY WAS NOT GOOD COMPARED TO NOWADAYS.

SO A LITTLE BIT SAD FEELINGS THERE.

BUT WE ENJOYED A LOT BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY, YOU ARE HAPPY YOU CAN BE HAPPY.

>> YOU CAN STILL FIND GOOD GAMES TO PLAY.

ARE THERE PARTS OF THE SHOW THAT DIRECTLY REFLECT KOREAN CULTURE?

>> KOREAN PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN BITCOINS AND SO MAYBE THEY WANT TO HAVE LIKE THE EASY MONEY.

IN THAT WAY, THE DRAMA REFLECTS KOREAN CULTURE.

>> AND OF COURSE, THE SHOW HAS BEEN IMMENSELY POPULAR.

WOULD YOU SAY YOU'VE SEEN AN IMPACT HOW IT SPREADS KOREAN CULTURE AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE CULTURE WORLDWIDE?

>> YES.

TREMENDOUSLY.

AND I HAVE A SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS THEY TALK ABOUT WHEN THEY BRING LUNCH BOX THE KOREAN MOM MAKE A VERY PRETTY LUNCH BOX.

AND THEY ARE INTERESTED IN SEE WHAT THEY BRING AND THEY WANT TO ACTUALLY TASTE.

BUT WHEN I CAME HERE IN U.S.A., I DID BRING LUNCH FOR WORK.

SO IT IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT CULTURE NOW.

AND FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE KOREAN MOM HAD HALLOWEEN DAY, THEY -- THE KIDS GATHERING TOGETHER AND THEY PLAYED GREEN LIGHT AND RED LIGHT WHICH.

AND THEY SAY AND PLAY WHILE THEY ARE DOING TRICK-OR-TREAT.

IT IS A KOREAN PARENT WAS SURPRISED.

SO IT IS GETTING POPULAR KOREAN CULTURE NOWADAYS.

>> SO THERE'S BEEN DEBATE OVER WHETHER OR NOT TO WATCH THE SHOW DUBBED OR WITH THE SUBTITLES.

THE SHOW'S CREATOR SAID HE PREFERS THAT VIEWERS WATCH SQUID GAME WITH THE SUBTITLES.

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION?

>> TO ME, I NEVER THINK ABOUT COMPARING TWO DIFFERENT METHODS.

BUT TO ME, IT'S MUCH EASIER SO I DON'T NEED TO PUT INTO EFFORT TO READ THE SUBTITLES.

>> OF COURSE.

DO YOU THINK THERE IS ANY BENEFIT TO THOSE OF US WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND KOREAN TO HEARING THE LANGUAGE?

>> YES, OF COURSE.

I MEAN IF YOU CAN HEAR IF YOU DON'T LISTEN KOREAN AND IF YOU HEAR ENGLISH THEN IT WILL BE EASIER AND OF COURSE A BENEFIT FOR THEM.

>> ARE THERE PLANS FOR MORE SQUID GAME EVENTS AT THE CULTURAL CENTER?

WHAT IS NEXT?

>> I HEARD THE SECOND SEASON IS COMING.

BUT WE WANT TO SEE WAIT-AND-SEE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND BUT DEFINITELY WE ARE PLANNING ON NEXT WE ARE PROGRAMS RIGHT NOW AND WE ARE GOING TO PUT MORE MODERN KOREAN CULTURE SUCH AS K DRAMA AND K BEAUTY ALSO.

SO THAT THERE ARE MANY DEMANDS FOR IT AND THERE ARE MANY KOREAN MEET UP GROUPS ALSO AND THEY WANT MORE K PUFFS.

SO WE ARE PLANNING DEFINITELY ON THOSE PROGRAMS FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

>> BTS IS POPULAR.

KAY KIHWA RHO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> BY THE AGE OF 23, HE HAD FOUGHT IN WORLD WAR II, TANGLED WITH GENERAL PATTON AND WON HIS FIRST PULITZER PRIZE.

BILL MAUDLIN CREATED ARTWORK FOR MAGAZINES AND BOOKS AND NEWSPAPERS FROM THE 1940s INTO THE 90s.

AN EXHIBITION REMEMBERS THIS MILITARY MAN AND ARTIST WITH A STRONG CONNECTION TO CHICAGO.

MARC VITALI BROUGHT US THE STORY EARLIER THIS YEAR.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> FOR ANY ISSUE FACING THE UNITED STATES, OR THE WORLD AT LARGE, BILL MAUDLIN CAN SKETCH A STRONG OPINION HE SAT TARRIZED THE NEWS OF DAY AND DID NOT PULL PUNCHES.

NOW THE PRITZKER MILITARY MUSEUM AND LIBRARY OPENED ITS ARCHIVES OF ARTWORK BY BILL MAUL DIN.

YOU LOOK AT THE CARTOONS AND GO THROUGH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THEM AND YOU GAIN AN APPRECIATION FOR THE PIECES, HIS HUMOR AND THE SUBJECT MATTER.

HE TOUCHED ON EVERYTHING.

IF IT WAS IMPORTANT SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC TOPIC OF THE 1960s, 70s, 80s OR 90s HE PROBABLY TOUCHED ON IT AND HE DID IT IN SUCH A SHARP BITING COMMENTARY THAT I THINK REALLY ONLY CARTOONISTS CAN DO SOMETIMES.

BORN IN NEW MEXICO, MAUL MAULED INSTUDIED IN CHICAGO AND STARTED HIS ART WHILE FIGHTING IN WORLD WAR II.

HE CREATED WILLIE AND JOE TWO SOLDIERS WHO CAME TO SYMBOLIZE THE COMMON FIGHTING MAN.

>> WHEN HE WAS IN ITALY, WILLIE AND JOE EMERGE AS DISTINCT CHARACTERS AND HE WILL CONTINUE TO DRAW THEM THROUGHOUT THE WAR AND AFTER THE WAR AS WELL.

THEY ARE REALLY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE AVERAGE EXPERIENCE OF THE INFANTRY MEN.

>> HIS VIEW WAS POPULAR.

BUT THE SOLDIERS HE DREW WOULD NOT APPRECIATED BY SOME OF THE MILITARY BRASS INCLUDING GENERAL PATTON WHO HELD A PRIVATE MEETING WITH HIM THAT THE ARTIST DEPICTED.

>> PATTON CHEWED HIM OUT OVER THE CARTOONS AND TRIED THE MONROE BUILDING ON MICHIGAN AVENUE.

THE CURATOR HAS A CONNECTION TO THE ARTIST HE WAS I AN INFANTRY MAN.

>> I SERVED IN THE MARINES IN IRAQ AND THE EXPERIENCES HE REPRESENTS THROUGH WILLIE AND JOE ARE MANY OF THE EXPERIENCES THAT I WENT THROUGH AND INFANTRY MEN CONTINUE TO GO THROUGH, COMPLAINING ABOUT FOOD AND THE WEATHER THESE ARE THINGS THAT DON'T GO AWAY FOR THOSE IN THE MILITARY.

SO WHETHER YOU ARE A SOLDIER IN WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIETNAM, DESERT STORM, HIS CARTOONS WOULD SPEAK TO YOU.

>> YOU LOOK AT HIS ARTWORK NOW AND THERE ARE SOME OF HIS CARTOONS THAT ARE RELEVANT JUST AS MUCH TODAY AS THEY WERE WHEN HE DREW THEM.

WE SAY THAT THERE IS ALMOST A MADELEINE FOR EVERYTHING AND WE CAN FIND A MAULEDEN THAT ADDRESSES THE TOPIC.

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

>> AND BILL MALL DIN DIED IN 2003 AND IS BURIED IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY.

THE EXHIBIT IS CALLED DRAWN TO COMBAT AT THE PRITZKER MILITARY MUSEUM AND LIBRARY UNTIL SPRING 2022.

YOU CAN SEE 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 IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

STAY CONNECTED BY SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY BRIEFING.

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

AND YOU CAN ALSO 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 WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH A TAPS PERFORMANCE FROM TODAY'S VETERAN'S DAY CEREMONY AT SOLDIER FIELD.

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]