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

CHICAGO FIREFIGHTERS SAY FAREWELL TO ONE OF THEIR OWN.

>> THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT VIOLENCE.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> A SPECIAL TOUR OF THE COMMUNITY WITH MAYOR-ELECT BRANDON JOHNSON.

>>> ONE ON ONE WITH THE POLICE BOARD PRESIDENT STRUCK BY AN OFFICER DURING A PROTEST.

WHAT HE IS SAYING ABOUT THE OFFICER'S PENDING SUSPENSION.

>>> AND VENDORS WHO LOST THEIR LEASE HAVE FOUND A NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

NOW, TO OUR TOP STORY TONIGHT, AS PART OF A SPECIAL EDITION OF THIS WEEK'S IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, WE TOOK A TRIP TO MAYOR-ELECT BRANDON JOHNSON'S AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD.

HE IS THE FIRST MAYOR IN A CENTURY TO CALL THE WEST SIDE HOME.

ONE OF THE GROUPS IN THE AREA TRYING TO COUNTER THE VIOLENCE IN THE AREA IS CALLED BUILD.

BRANDIS JOINS US NOW.

>> Reporter: WE WILL GET TO MORE ON MAYOR-ELECT JOHNSON'S CONNECTION TO BUILD IN A MOMENT.

HE SHOWED US SOME OF HIS GO TOES ACROSS AUSTIN T RESTAURANT HE GOES TO WHEN THERE IS NO TIME TO COOK TO A FUTURE OF HEALING AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMING FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO GO TO SCHOOL ACROSS THE STREET FROM THIS LOCATION AT MICHELLE CLARK HIGH SCHOOL.

>> YEAH.

WHAT'S UP, WEST SIDE?

>> Reporter: STUDENTS AT MICHELLE CLARK HIGH SCHOOL ARE NO STUDENTS TO GUN VIOLENCE.

EXPERIENCING TWO NEARBY SHOOTINGS LAST YEAR INCLUDING ONE IN DECEMBER WHERE 15-YEAR-OLD WAS KILLED.

>> I KNOW WHAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN THROUGH BECAUSE IT IS JUST DOWN THE STREET FROM ME.

SO WHEN MY 15-YEAR-OLD SON RIDES HIS BIKE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, YOU KNOW YOU THINK ABOUT HIS SAFETY.

>> HOW DOES THE COMMUNITY HEAL?

>> MICHELLE CLARK HIGH SCHOOL IS A PLACE WHERE TRANSFORMATION IS STILL AVAILABLE.

I MEAN.

IT'S A REAL TESTAMENT OF WHY WE NEED TO HAVE FULL WRAP AROUND SERVICES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL DAY.

>> TELL ME ABOUT THAT ORGANIZATION ACROSS THE STREET.

BUILD.

AND THE IMPORTANCE.

IT'S THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE SCHOOL.

AT THE SAME TIME, THESE INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE NEAR SCHOOL AND NEAR SCHOOL GROUNDS CAN STILL HAPPEN.

>> WHAT BUILD HAS DONE, IT HAS DEMONSTRATED THE VERY BEST OF COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS.

RIGHT?

BECAUSE, THEY PROVIDE THAT ADDITIONAL SUPPORT, NOT JUST DURING THE DAY, BUT AFTER SCHOOL.

THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

THE VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS.

BUT ALSO, THE ARTS.

RIGHT?

THE ABILITY AGAIN FOR STUDENTS TO FIND PURPOSE IS NOT JUST ABOUT FINDING SAFE HAVEN.

A DROP OFF CENTER.

WE ARE BETTER THAN THAT.

CHICAGO IS BETTER THAN THAT.

>> Reporter: LESS THAN TEN MINUTES AWAY, THE GREEN LINE.

WHICH JOHNSON USED TO GET DOWNTOWN FOR HIS WORK AS A COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

OFTEN TAKING THE CENTRAL OR AUSTIN STOP.

>> JOE, NICE TO MEET BOTH OF YOU.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

>> WHAT DID YOU TAKE WITH YOU ON THE TRAIN?

AND I MEAN THAT IN SEVERAL SENSES.

WHAT WAS ON YOUR MIND?

WHAT WAS ON YOUR HEART?

DID YOU TAKE A BOOK?

>> SO YOU KNOW, ONCE UPON A TIME, I WOULD SPEND MORE TIME READING.

BUT, A LOT OF TIMES BECAUSE MOST OF THE TIME WHEN I WOULD TAKE THE TRAIN, I'M EITHER TAKING THE KIDS TO SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS, GARFIELD PARK.

OR I WAS HEADED DOWNTOWN FOR BOARD MEETINGS.

SO USUALLY, I'M LOOKING AT THE BOARD AGENDA.

WHATEVER, YOU KNOW, ITEM NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS.

>> Reporter: DOWN THE TRACK, JOHNSON WILL HAVE TO ADDRESS CTA'S MANY PROBLEMS.

>> I HAVE SEEN REGULAR, BUS ONLY LANES.

HEAVY TRAFFIC SIGNALS.

THAT GIVE PREFERENCE OR DEFERENCE ESSENTIALLY TO OUR BUSES THAT WILL HELP ALLOW FOR OUR TRANSPORTATION TO MOVE MORE FLUIDLY.

SO ACCESSIBILITY, PARTICULARLY WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, BUT ALSO, INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN RELIED UPON THE GREEN LINE OR ALL F ORILLIONS FOR HOUSING ESSENTIALLY.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER ONE OF JOHNSON'S AUSTIN FAVES, COLUMBUS PARK.

A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK IN ITS ENTIRETY.

>> GATHERINGS.

I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS.

>> Reporter: WE ENDED OUR TOUR AT ONE OF HIS GO TO RESTAURANTS.

MACARTHURS.

A PLACE THAT GETS A LOT OF LOVE FOR ITS SOUTHERN CUISINE.

>> WHAT'S UP?

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

>> TO ME, IF YOU COME HERE.

GET THE STEAK.

>> THE GREENES ARE GREAT.

BUT YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THE SWEET POTATO AND MARC AND CHEESE.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN BE HEALTHY TOMORROW, BUT IF YOU ARE AT MACARTHURS, GET WHAT YOU WANT WHILE YOU ARE THERE.

WE ALL MADE SURE TO PLACE AN ORDER THERE.

THE STAFF SAYS THEY HAVE ONLY BEEN OPEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

AND DOWN THE LINE, THEY ARE PLANNING ON BEING A LOT BUSIER AT NIGHT.

IT IS PRETTY QUIET NOW.

BUT THEY ARE PLANING TO BE OPEN LATE ON NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS OVER THE SUMMER INTRODUCING SOME PROGRAMMING LIKE MIDNIGHT BASKETBALL, MOVIES, SPOKEN WORD NIGHTS.

NOW WE WILL BE BACK WITH THAT SIT DOWN INTERVIEW, MORE OF IT IN JUST A BIT.

AT MACARTHUR'S RESTAURANT.

THE MAYOR-ELECT DISCUSSES HIS PLANS TO ADDRESS CHICAGO'S FOOD DESERTS.

WHAT HE IS LOOKING FOR IN THE NEXT TOP COP.

>> WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO THAT, BRANDIS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

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

FIRE DEPARTMENTS FROM THE CHICAGO SUBURBS AND AROUND THE STATE PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO 249-YEAR-OLD JERMAINE PELT AS HE WAS LAID TO REST TODAY.

FRIENDS REMEMBERED HIM AS THE FRIEND WHO ALWAYS SHOWED UP, ALWAYS STRIVING TO DO BETTER.

>> AS LONG AS YOU REALLY ARE DOING BETTER, EACH DAY, WE HEAD IN THAT DIRECTION.

AND FOR THAT, I WOULD SAY MY FRIEND JERMAINE, OUR FRIEND JERMAINE DID HIS ABSOLUTE BEST.

>> THE FATHER OF TWO WAS KILLED EARLY LAST WEEK FIGHTING A MULTIHOME FIRE IN THE CITY'S WEST PULLMAN NEIGHBORHOOD.

SERVICES WERE HELD IN OAK LAWN FOLLOWED BY A BURIAL AT LINCOLN CEMETERY.

THIS FOLLOWS THE SERVICES OF ANOTHER CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMBER.

LIEUTENANT JOHN CHOREC KILLED IN A GOLD COAST FIRE THE DAY PELT DIED.

>>> CHICAGO TEACHER UNION MEMBERS HAVE THEIR CASE DISMISSED.

THE ILLINOIS EDUCATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD DROPPED THE COMPLAINT FROM CTU MEMBERS SAYING THEY DIVERTED UNION DUES TO BRANDON JOHNSON.

DELEGATES VOTED ON THAT MONEY MOVE IN FEBRUARY AND DETERMINED THAT THE UNION DID NOT COMMIT AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE BY DOING SO.

>>> VENDORS WHO ARE AFFECTED BY A LEASE BATTLE IN LITTLE VILLAGE ARE GETTING A NEW HOME.

A GROUP OF VENDORS ANNOUNCED THEIR NEW SPACE AT THE FORMER K-MART ON 51st AND KINSEY AND GAUGE PARK.

VENDORS ARE SET TO GET $500,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO HELP WITH RENT.

>> IT IN A STRIP MALL, THE ECONOMIC MODEL WILL WORK.

BUILDING PERMITS WERE APPROVED ON APRIL 3.

AND WE HOPED THIS WOULD TAKE BETWEEN FOUR TO FIVE WEEKS.

WE WILL WORK WITH THE OTHER WOMEN OF THE 14th WARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WITH HER TEAM, WE GUARANTEE BETTER CONDITIONS, A FAIR CONTRACT.

>> THE CHANGE COMES AFTER AN ONGOING BATTLE OVER LEASES AT THE DISCOUNT MALL WHERE MORE THAN 40 VENDORS WERE NOTIFIED IN FEBRUARY THAT ONE OF THE BUSINESS OWNERS COULDN'T COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH NOVAK CONSTRUCTION.

ANOTHER OWNER AT THE MALL, PILSON PLAZA CORPORATION WHICH OPERATES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUILDING SIGNED A TEN YEAR CONTRACT WITH NOVAK.

THEY BOUGHT THE K-MART WHERE THE DISPLACED VENDORS WILL BE MOVING TO AS SOON AS MAY 15th.

>>> A TRIO OF LION CUBS IS MAKING THEIR PUBLIC DEBUT AND THEY WERE TOTALLY THE CAT'S MEOW.

THE LINCOLN PARK ZOO'S THREE MALE AFRICAN LION CUBS GREETED THE PUBLIC TODAY IN AIR OUTDOOR HABITAT.

THEY WERE BORN IN JANUARY AND THE ZOO SAYS THE CUBS HAVE PASSED CRITICAL MILESTONES LIKE THEIR FIRST VET EXAM AND MEETING THE REST OF THE LION PRIDE TO NAME A FEW.

THEY ARE THE MOST BELOVED CUBS IN TOWN RIGHT NOW.

>>> UP NEXT, IN THE SHOW WE TALK ABOUT THE PRESIDENT OF CHICAGO'S POLICE BOARD ABOUT THE PUNISHMENT AN OFFICER IS FACING FOR STRIKING HIM DURING A PROTEST.

WON'T WANT TO MISS THAT.

RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

THE JIM AND KAY NAVY FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHER'S FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> LET'S TAKE YOU BACK TO SUMMER 2020.

PROTESTS AND RIOTS ALL OVER THE CITY.

ONE SUCH PROTEST IN HYDE PARK, AN ONLOOKER WITNESSES A POLICE OFFICER USING FORCE AGAINST A CIVILIAN AND FINDS HIMSELF PART OF THE MELEE.

THAT HAPPENED TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHICAGO POLICE BOARD DION FOREMAN.

A DISCIPLINARY BODY HAS RECOMMENDED A 90-DAY SUSPENSION FOR THE POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED.

JOINING US IS FOREMAN HIMSELF.

GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

SO, WE SET THE STAGE THERE.

YOU ARE AT A PROTEST.

YOU ARE WITNESSING THIS GOING DOWN.

TAKE US THROUGH WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

>> IT WAS AN UNREAL SITUATION.

ONE THAT YOU NEVER EXPECT YOURSELF TO BE IN.

I SAW JUST CHAOS.

POLICE OFFICERS HITTING CIVILIANS.

CIVILIANS HITTING POLICE OFFICERS.

IT WAS CRAZY.

AND SO YOU KNOW, I TRIED TO STEP IN AND TRIED TO KIND OF CALM SITUATIONS DOWN.

I ULTIMATELY ENDED UP GETTING HIT BY A POLICE OFFICER AND THEN, YOU KNOW, REALLY JUST TRIED TO CONTINUE TO JUST, THIS WHOLE THING TOOK PLACE OVER PROBABLY ABOUT THE COURSE OF AN HOUR.

>> AND CLEARLY, THE POLICE OFFICER DIDN'T KNOW WHO YOU WERE.

YOU WERE THE HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE BOARD.

HE CLUBBED YOU FIVE TIMES IN THE LEG AND YOU HAD SIGNIFICANT INJURIES.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS SIGNIFICANT BUT IT HURT.

>> WELL WE JUST GOT THE REPORT FROM COPA THAT OFFICER INVOLVED WILL RECEIVE A 90-DAY SUSPENSION.

YOUR REACTION TO THE DISCIPLINE?

>> IT WILL GO TO ARBITRATION.

ULTIMATELY, THERE WILL BE SOME DISCIPLINE.

YOU KNOW, THAT WAS THE DAY THAT, TWO DAYS REALLY WHERE ALL OF CHICAGO LOST.

I DON'T THINK IT WAS A WIN FOR THE COMMUNITY OR THE POLICE OFFICERS.

AND SO, IN ANY ACTION, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU THINK ABOUT THAT AFTER ACTION REVIEW.

AND SO I THINK THE PLACE WHERE WE ARE NOW IS TO REALLY KIND OF THINK ABOUT HOW DO WE ADVANCE FROM THIS?

THIS WON'T BE THE LAST RIOT IN CHICAGO.

THIS WASN'T THE FIRST.

SO HOW DO WE THINK ABOUT HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD FROM THIS?

THIS PARTICULAR OFFICER I THINK AT THAT PARTICULAR POINT IN TIME KIND OF THINKING ABOUT THE TOOLS THAT HE HAD.

YEAH.

HE USED THE WRONG TOOL.

RIGHT?

IS THAT THE RIGHT SUSPENSION?

IS THAT THE WRONG TIME FOR SUSPENSION?

THAT'S WHERE THE ARBITRATORS WILL FIGURE IT OUT.

I THINK THERE IS DEFINITELY AN OPPORTUNITY TO THINK ABOUT SOME MEDIATION.

WHERE HE AND SOME OTHER PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY CAN SIT DOWN, WE CAN LOOK AT THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER.

HOW DO WE NOT LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN AND HOW CAN WE BUILD SOME BRIDGES WITHIN THE POLICE COMMUNITY AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO COMMUNITY SO WE CAN AVOID THINGS LIKE THIS.

>> HAVE YOU TALK TODAY THE OFFICER INVOLVED AT ALL?

ARE YOU STILL LOOKING TO DO THAT IN.

>> I HAVE NOT.

I CERTAINLY WOULD LIKE TO.

I HAVE SEEN FROM THE VERY BEGINNING THAT I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GET TO TALK.

MY TIME ON THE BOARD, I GOT A CHANCE TO LEARN.

WHAT POLICE OFFICERS DO ON A REGULAR BASIS.

RIGHT?

AND WE ASK A LOT OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS.

ACTUALLY I HAVE DEVELOPED THIS HABIT OF JUST SAYING THANK YOU TO THEM WHEN I SEE THEM.

AND SO I DON'T KNOW THAT I NECESSARILY THINK OF POLICE OFFICERS.

OH, THEY ARE BAD.

BAD THINGS HAPPEN.

RIGHT?

AND I THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE TREAT POLICE OFFICERS AS PROFESSIONAL.

AND SO YEAH.

I DEFINITELY WOULD WELCOME THAT OPPORTUNITY.

NOT JUST US ONE ON ONE.

BUT MAYBE OTHERS.

RIGHT?

LET'S HAVE A CONVERSATION.

LET'S FIGURE OUT WHERE WE HAVE SIMILARITIES AND WE ALL WANT THE SAME THING FOR OUR CITY.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE COMMAND STRUCTURE?

THERE'S THE ACTIONS OF THE OFFICER, WHAT ABOUT THE FOLKS ABOVE HIM?

THINGS HAPPEN THE WAY THEY SHOULD?

>> NOW KNOW.

IT IS HARD TO SAY IF THINGS SHOULD HAPPEN THE WAY THEY SHOULD.

AND WHEN I WAS TALKING TO ONE OF YOUR PRODUCERS EARLIER IN THE DAY.

AND THINKING ABOUT IT.

RIGHT?

I THINK THAT I OWE THE COMMANDER AN APOLOGY.

RIGHT?

IT WAS A MELEE.

AND I WENT UP TO HIM AND WE KNOW EACH OTHER AND I SAID MAN, YOU'RE NOT DOING YOUR JOB AND I WAS BLASTING HIM BUT I WASN'T IN HIS SHOES.

IT WAS CHAOS.

IT WAS PANDEMONIUM.

BUT THERE WAS A LIEUTENANT.

CHARLIE JOHNSON.

I KNEW CHARLIE.

HE GREW UP IN THE PROJECTS.

I SAID CHARLIE, MAN, YOU GOT TO DO SOMETHING.

HE SAID IF YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING, STOP BEING OVER HERE TALKING TO ME.

GO OVER AND TRY TO HELP US GET THIS SITUATION UNDER CONTROL.

SO THAT LEADERSHIP THAT HE SHOWED KIND OF STOPPED ME.

GOT ME OUT OF THIS SITUATION OF BEING SO UPSET.

AND I WENT OVER AND I TRIED TO HELP KIND OF CALM THE SITUATION.

AND THOSE ARE THE KIND OF STORIES THAT DON'T GET TOLD OF THAT DAY.

RIGHT?

THAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP THAT DOESN'T GET TOLD HOW I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ALSO TELL THAT.

WE TALK ABOUT WHEN THE POLICE DO BAD THINGS BUT WE RARELY TALK ABOUT WHEN THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT IN THE FACE OF A LOT OF ADVERSITY.

>> NO DOUBT.

THOSE STORIES SHOULD BE TOLD AS WELL.

YOU MENTIONED YOU HAVE BEEN ON A POLICE FORCE FOR 13 YEARS NOW.

YOU ARE GOING TO BE LEAVING THERE IN AUGUST.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR MAYOR-ELECT BRANDON JOHNSON SEEING WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN OVER THESE 13 YEARS AND HOW HE SHOULD HANDLE PUBLIC SAFETY?

>> IT IS COMPLEX.

YOU KNOW.

WE HAVE A NEW COMMISSION AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO EMBRACE THIS NEW COMMISSION.

I THINK THIS NEW COMMISSION IS GOING TO HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE OF BEING SOME OF THAT BRIDGE BUILDING.

THEY HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITIES ON THE POLICE BOARD.

FOR COPA, FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE IEG.

THEY WILL BE INTERACTING WITH THE MAYOR AND THE COMMUNITY.

THE MAYOR WILL BE THE MAYOR FOR EVERYONE.

HE WILL BE THE MAYOR FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE POLICE OFFICERS.

HE WILL HAVE TO BALANCE SOME THINGS.

AND I THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT TIME I THINK OF BRIDGE BUILDING AND WE ALL WANT THE SAME THINGS FOR OUR CITY.

A BETTER CITY.

WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF GOING ABOUT THAT.

SO I THINK IT WILL BE A LOT OF COMMUNICATION THAT WILL BE IMPORTANT.

YOU KNOW.

AND I THINK THAT WE ALL WANT TO SEE MAYOR JOHNSON SUCCESSFUL.

>> THANK YOU GHION FOREMAN FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AND WE CHECK BACK IN WITH BRANDIS FRIEDMAN WHO IS REPORTING LIVE IN CHICAGO'S AUSTIN COMMUNITY.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

LIVE FROM CHICAGO'S AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD AS PART OF OUR SPECIAL EDITION OF IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

BRANDIS?

>> Reporter: AND PARIS, AFTER THAT TOUR THAT WE SHOWED YOU EARLIER, WE SAT DOWN WITH THE MAYOR-ELECT FOR A WIDE RANGING INTERVIEW ON EVERYTHING FROM WHY HE CHOSE TO MOVE TO AUSTIN TO RAISE HIS FAMILY TO HOW HE PLANS ON SELECTING THE NEXT SUPERINTENDENT.

>> MY FAMILY IS A PART, WE SETTLED HERE.

WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME GROWING UP HANGING OUT WITH COUSINS AND FAMILY.

DID A LOT OF CELEBRATIONS IN CHICAGO.

OF COURSE, MY FATHER IS A PASTOR SO WE WORSHIPED QUITE A BIT ON THE WEST SIDE.

SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO.

AS I GOT OLDER, WHAT'S UP Y'ALL?

>> HI BRANDON.

>> WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> IT WILL GET CONFUSING, BRANDON AND BRANDIS.

>> WHEN MY WIFE AND I KNEW THAT WE WERE FULFILLING OUR PURPOSE, YOU KNOW, WE KNEW THE WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO WOULD BE THE PLACE FOR US.

AND AUSTIN IS ONE OF THE MOST DYNAMIC NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE ENTIRE CITY.

THE HOUSING STOCK, THE GREEN LINE, THE BLUE LINE.

THE MAIN ARTERIES THAT MOVE THROUGH THE WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO.

THE AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD IN PARTICULAR.

>> Reporter: YOU WILL BE THE FIRST MAYOR OF CHICAGO TO COME FROM THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

TO COME FROM THE WEST SIDE IN ABOUT A CENTURY.

HOW WILL THAT SHAPE AND INFLUENCE THE DECISIONS THAT YOU MAKE?

>> THERE IS NO SECRET THAT THE WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO HAS YET TO RECOVER IN TOTALITY FROM ONE OF THE MORE TRAUMATIC MOMENTS IN OUR CITY'S HISTORY.

AND YOU KNOW, WHEN REVEREND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

CAME TO THE WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO, HE EXPRESSED ALL OF THAT WHICH WAS CERTAINLY TUMULTUOUS.

BUT HE ALSO EXPRESSED WHAT WAS POSSIBLE.

SO I BELIEVE THE WEST SIDE OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO IS NOT JUST POSITIONED TO HELP PROVIDE DIRECTION FOR WHAT INVESTMENTS WILL MEAN, NOT JUST FOR THE WEST SIDE, BUT IT ALSO REFLECTS WHERE WE CAN PULL THE CITY OF CHICAGO TOGETHER REGIONALLY.

WE CERTAINLY ARE CLOSE TO THE LOOP.

THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE ON THE WEST SIDE ARE NOT THAT MUCH DIFFERENT.

IN FACT, THEY ARE NOT THAT DIFFERENT THAN THE CHALLENGES THAT EXIST ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO.

SO THE WEST SIDE, ITS PROXIMITY TO DOWNTOWN AND THE WESTERN SUBURBS.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PRACTICE REGIONAL.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AS WELL.

AND SO, IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND RAISE A FAMILY.

DESPITE THE CHALLENGES.

AND AGAIN, I'M EAGER TO UNITE THE ENTIRE CITY AROUND THE VALUES OF COURSE IN WHICH I RAN ON AND WHAT I WAS ELECTED TO DO.

>> Reporter: THAT SAID, WAL-MART HAS ANNOUNCED THEY ARE CLOSING FOUR STORES.

WHOLE FOODS HAS LEFT.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE CITY'S FOOD DESERTS AND YOUR PLAN TO ADDRESS THEM?

>> WELL LOOK.

WAL-MART HAS BEEN PREVIEWING THIS SHIFT FOR SOME TIME.

AND IT CERTAINLY IS UNFORTUNATE.

YOU KNOW.

AND WHAT I'M VERY MUCH COMMITTED TO IS WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY.

BUSINESSES TO ENSURE THAT THESE HOLES THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT.

WE CAN FILL THEM AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME OF COURSE THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS.

YOU REMEMBER, TWO ADMINISTRATIONS AGO, I BELIEVE IT WAS DOMINIQUE'S THAT DID THE SAME THING.

RIGHT?

SO I'M CONFIDENT THAT THIS IS STILL A PLACE THAT FRESH FOODS, I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE CITY OF CHICAGO IS A PLACE THAT ITS EMBRACE OF COMPANIES AND GROCERY STORES THAT WANT TO DO BUSINESS HERE IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

WE ARE GOING TO GO AFTER IT WITH ALL EXPEDIENCY.

>> Reporter: TOP OF YOUR TO-DO LIST, YOU HAVE TO PICK A NEW TOP COP.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE PERSON WHO FILLS THAT ROLE AND CONSIDERING WHAT WE HEARD ACROSS THE CAMPAIGN, HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU WILL HAVE THE CONFIDENCE OF THE RANK AND FILE?

>> SO, HAVING SERVED IN THE CITY AS A RANK AND FILE WORKER, AS A TEACHER, I KNOW THE EXPERIENCES OF WHAT WORKERS GO THROUGH EVERY SINGLE DAY.

THEY ARE RAISING FAMILIES.

THEY WANT TO SERVE.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT OFFICERS WANT?

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THEIR ASSIGNMENT IS.

THEY WANT DIRECTION.

THEY WANT CLARITY OF WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THEM EVERY SINGLE DAY.

DOESN'T MEAN THAT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT ISN'T NIMBLE AND FLEXIBLE TO DO THE TYPE OF WORK THAT I BELIEVE THE CITY OF CHICAGO UNFORTUNATELY HAVE NOT INVESTED ENOUGH IN.

WE ARE ASKING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DO THEIR JOB AND SOMEONE ELSE'S.

FOR ME, THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS TO BE SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THE DESIRE OF THE RANK AND FILE MEMBERS WHO SERVE THIS CITY.

THEY ALSO HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE DESIRES OF EVERYDAY RESIDENTS.

AND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT THOSE DESIRES ARE WORKING IN TANDEM?

SO AS I HAVE HAD, COMPASSION, COLLABORATIVE, AND COMPETENT.

THAT'S WHAT THE NEXT SUPERINTENDENT, THEY HAVE TO POSSESS THOSE QUALITIES.

IN ORDER TO BUILD A BETTER, STRONGER SAFER CHICAGO.

>> WE ARE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

BUT EVERYONE IS GOING TO WANT TO KNOW.

OBVIOUSLY, FORMER TEACHER AND VERY CLOSE TO THE CHICAGO TEACHER'S UNION.

YOU WORKED WITH HIM A GREAT DEAL AS WE DISCUSSED EARLIER.

STACEY DAVIS GATES INTRODUCED YOU AT YOUR OWN VICTORY PARTY THAT NIGHT.

HOW DO VOTERS, CITIZENS, HOW DO THE PEOPLE OF CHICAGO, PARENTS KNOW THAT YOU WILL BE INDEPENDENT OF THE CTU, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TIME TO RENEGOTIATE THAT CONTRACT NEXT YEAR?

>> AS I SAID AS I WAS RUNNING I WILL BE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOR EVERYONE.

THAT'S NOT THE ONLY CONTRACT THAT I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

RIGHT?

AND SO I WILL TAKE THE SAME APPROACH WITH EVERY SINGLE CONTRACT.

THAT THOSE WHO DO THE WORK AND THOSE WHO RELY UPON THOSE SERVICES THAT OUR SYSTEMS REFLECT THE BEST PART OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

NOW OBVIOUSLY, I HAVE A FEE FEDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY, THAT IT REFLECTS OUR VALUES AND IS DONE IN THE MOST RESPONSIBLE WAYS.

AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL DO THAT.

AND HERE'S THE THING.

I'M A PARENT.

MY WIFE AND I SEND OUR CHILDREN TO THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WHAT WE WANT CANNOT BE CONFINED TO A CONTRACT.

MY JOB AS MAYOR IS TO BUILD A BETTER SYSTEM WHERE NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE, WHETHER IT IS JEFFERSON PARK, MORGAN PARK, ANYWHERE ELSE IN BETWEEN, THAT WE HAVE FULLY FUNDED WELL ROUNDED SYSTEMS THAT PROVIDE THE TYPE OF SUPPORT THAT ALL OF OUR FAMILIES DESIRE.

I WILL WORK HARD EVERY SINGLE DAY TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT I WANT FOR MY FAMILY, I WILL WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY SINGLE FAMILY HAS THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL.

>> Reporter: AND PARIS, AS YOU AND I KNOW, MAYOR-ELECT JOHNSON WILL OFFICIALLY BE SWORN IN AND BECOME CHICAGO'S 57th MAYOR ON MAY 15th.

PARIS?

>> ALL RIGHT, GREAT INTERVIEW BRANDIS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND WE ARE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UPRIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING AND YOU CAN GET CHICAGO TONIGHT STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, AN OUR WEBSITE.

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

AND JOIN US FOR LATINO VOICES.

A PUSH FOR A PERMANENT CHILD TAX CREDIT IN SPRINGFIELD.

HOW IT WOULD WORK AND ITS IMPACT ON LATINO FAMILIES.

AND AT 6:30 ON CHICAGO TONIGHT BLACK VOICES, A LOCAL BARBER FINDS HIS CHAPTER AT A LOCAL LIBRARY.

FOR ALL OF US HERE.

I'M PARIS SCHUTZ, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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

A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND