>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I AM AMANDA VINICKY .

HEALTH OFFICIALS SOUND THE ALARM ABOUT UPPER RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES IN TIME FOR WINTER.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

>> AND ALDERMAN DROPS OUT IN THE RACE FOR MAYOR .

>> THE CHICAGO BOARD OF ELECTION MRS. A DEADLINE.

HOW DISABILITY ADVOCATES ARE REACTING.

>> FOR MANY NATIVE AMERICANS, IT IS A NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING TOMORROW, THE DIFFICULT HISTORY BEHIND THE HOLIDAY.

>> TAKE A TRIP TO THE TROPICS BY WAY OF JEFFERSON PARK, A LOCAL COUPLE SHARING THEIR LOVE OF POLYNESIAN CULTURE.

>> WE VISIT A LOCAL POINSETTIA FARM TO FIND OUT HOW IT BECAME THE UNOFFICIAL PLANT OF CHRISTMAS.

>> SOME OF THE TOP STORIES , AN 18-YEAR-OLD HAS BEEN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH A DEADLY TRAFFIC COLLISION ON THE SOUTH SIDE AS PROSECUTORS SAY HE WAS DRIVING OVER THE SPEED LIMIT WHEN HE CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TRAFFIC STOP.

ONE MAN WAS KILLED AND SIX WERE INJURED.

THERE IS MORE ON THE STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> WEISS MEMORIAL IN UPTOWN PASSED ANOTHER HURDLE IN THAT EFFORT TO GET A NEW OWNER.

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE REPORTS THE CALIFORNIA-BASED COMPANY RECENT AGREEMENT WITH A COMPANY TO TAKE OVER OPERATIONS.

THE AGREEMENT STILL HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE U.S. BANKRUPTCY COURT.

>>> ILLINOIS IS SEEING STATEWIDE JOB GROWTH , MORE THAN 190,000 NEW JOBS WERE REPORTED ACROSS THE STATE FROM OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR TO OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR , THAT IS NONFARM JOBS.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DECREASED IN 12 OF THE 14 NOTARY PUBLIC IN AREAS.

THE STATEWIDE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 5.3%.

>> COMING UP, WE TALK WITH LOCAL NATIVE AMERICANS AND GET THEIR THOUGHTS ON THANKSGIVING >>> NEXT , RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES ARE HITTING US HARD.

STAY WITH US.

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

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

POLK BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AS WELL AS THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> U.S. HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM ABOUT A TRIFECTA OF UPPER RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES HITTING IN TIME FOR WINTER.

THE PERSISTENT AND STUBBORN PROBLEM OF RSV IN INFANTS, THE COVID INFECTION, AND SEASONAL FLU HAS US WORRIED THAT PEDIATRIC CARE CENTERS MAY NOT BE READY.

WE HAVE A PRACTICING PEDIATRICIAN AT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER AND AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MEDICINE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

PARENTS OF SMALL CHILDREN ARE FAMILIAR WITH RSV.

WHAT IS IT AND WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

>> IT IS A VIRUS THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON VIRUSES CHILDREN EXPERIENCE .

IN THE CHICAGO AREA , ALMOST EVERY CHILD AT SOME POINT HAS EXPERIENCED RSV.

SYMPTOMS LIKE EVERY OTHER COLD, -- >> DR. FITZGERALD, SORRY, DR. BARTLETT , WHAT ARE YOU SEEING IN TERMS OF PATIENT CAPACITY?

>> WE SEE THE SAME AS ALL THE OTHER HOSPITALS IN THE AREA.

THAT IS , WE HAVE BEEN AT 100% CAPACITY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER.

WITH OVERWHELMED UNIVERSITY ROOMS AND OUR ICU.

>> WHAT ARE YOU SEEING AT LOYOLA , DR. FITZGERALD ?

>> SIMILAR TO WHAT DR. BARTLETT JUST EXPLAINED , IT IS A STATE WHERE PROBLEM.

THERE IS LESS THAN 300 PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNITS FOR THE ENTIRE STATE.

MANY AREAS HAVE NO PEDIATRIC COVERAGE.

PLACES LIKE CHICAGO AND THE LARGER CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS ARE BEING INUNDATED WITH ALL OF THESE CHILDREN WHO HAVE SEVERE RESPIRATORY ILLNESS.

>> HOW DO YOU MANAGE THIS WHEN YOU ARE AT OR NEAR CAPACITY?

>> IT HAS BEEN QUITE A CHALLENGE.

OUR HOSPITAL IS NOT UNIQUE IN THE STATE OR IN THE COUNTRY.

WE ARE PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS IN MAKING AS MUCH EXTRA CAPACITY AS WE CAN, FROM OPENING UP EXTRA EMERGENCY ROOMS IN OUR INPATIENT CLINICS , AND SEEING IF WE CANNOT HAVE OUR COLLEAGUES ACCEPT SOME OF OUR 17 AND 18-YEAR-OLD PATIENTS, EXPANDING BEDS IN THE PEDIATRIC ICU.

WE ARE ALSO HAVING NURSING STAFFING SHORTAGES.

>> HEALTH LEADERS ARE CALLING FOR AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE NATIONWIDE.

>> I THINK THAT WILL NEED TO INTEL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ON EVERY LEVEL, FROM THE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL PEDIATRICIANS IN THEIR OWN CLINICS, TO URGENT CARE CENTERS , COMMUNITY HOSPITALS , AND THE UNIVERSITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, AND FREESTANDING CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS.

WE WILL NEED AN INCREASE IN NURSING SUPPORT AND RESPIRATORY THERAPY SUPPORT, AND WELL AS SUPPLY-CHAIN , GETTING SUPPLIES FOR THE CHILDREN , WE NEED BETTER EQUIPMENT AND WE ARE RUNNING INTO DRUG SHORTAGES.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE A COORDINATED RESPONSE WILL BE NEEDED.

KIND OF LIKE COVID .

>> IT IS VERY SIMILAR.

WE HAVE A DRY RUN WITH COVID AND WE ARE APPLYING A LOT OF WHAT WE LEARN THROUGH THE ORIGINAL PANDEMIC TO OUR PEDIATRIC EXPERIENCE.

>> WE HAVE THANKSGIVING WHERE MANY PEOPLE WILL BE GATHERING CLOSE TOGETHER , HOLIDAY PARTIES , HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU FOR THE FURTHER SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS ?

>> I THINK THAT , AT LEAST IN THE CHICAGO AREA, IT LOOKS LIKE RSV HAS REACHED ITS PEAK AND IS GOING DOWN.

AS FAMILIES COME IN FROM OTHER AREAS, THERE IS A RISK , INFLUENZA HAS BEEN GOING CRAZY THROUGHOUT THE AREA.

THAT IS MY BIGGER CONCERN AT THE MOMENT.

COVID IS STARTING TO COME UP.

I AM PREPARED FOR THAT TO INCREASE.

OUR TEAMS HAVE BEEN WORKING TIRELESSLY , TWO OR THREE MONTHS OF RUNNING ON FULL STEAM AND WE ARE GETTING TIRED.

>> WHAT ABOUT THAT?

ARE YOU MONITORING THE SITUATION WITH COVID DURING THANKSGIVING , BECAUSE OF STAFFING SHORTAGES AND BED SHORTAGES ?

>> WE ALREADY SEE COVID CASES IN OUR EMERGENCY ROOMS , WE DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE TROUBLE OVER THE HOLIDAY AND WHAT THAT WILL BRING US.

WE ARE AS READY AS WE CAN BE.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN MOBILIZED .

DR. BARTLETT , YOU MENTIONED INFLUENZA IS HIGHER , WHAT IS CAUSING THAT ?

>> I THINK IT IS OUR STANDARD INFLUENZA , IT STARTED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

WE DON'T HAVE A GREAT UNDERSTANDING OF WHY.

WE ARE OUT AND ABOUT AND NOT USING THE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES WE WERE USING AT THE HEIGHT OF COVID .

THAT IS CONTRIBUTING.

ALL OF THE POPULATION MAY NOT HAVE GOTTEN THE FLU VACCINE THIS YEAR.

>> YOU HAVE FLU VACCINES THAT ONLY 11% OF AMERICANS HAVE TAKEN.

OMICRON BOOSTER, HOW CAN THE COUNTRY GET THE RATES UP ?

>> EDUCATION FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES , GETTING OUT THE TRUTH THAT THESE VACCINES ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE .

THEY CAN SAVE YOUR CHILD'S LIFE.

IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO GET ALL OF YOUR CHILDREN VACCINATED.

>> GIVEN WHAT YOU ARE SEEING AT HOSPITALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE ABOUT TO GET READY FOR THANKSGIVING , YOUR ADVICE ?

>> THE SAME , GET TOGETHER SAFELY.

WE HAVE CHANGED OUR FAMILY PLANS , I AM WITH MY FAMILY IN WISCONSIN , MY BROTHER AND HIS FAMILY HAVE THE FLU , WE CANNOT GET TOGETHER RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE MAKING A FAMILY DECISION FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILY.

>> DECISIONS ALL FAMILIES ARE MAKING RIGHT NOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

AMANDA HAS A LOOK AT HOW INDIGENOUS AMERICANS ARE SPENDING THE HOLIDAY.

>>> THANKSGIVING IS TOMORROW, BRINGING FAMILY AND FRIENDS TOGETHER ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BUT FOR MANY NATIVE AMERICANS , THIS IS A NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING.

JOINING US NOW WITH THE DIFFICULTIES BEHIND THE HOLIDAY AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR NATIVE AMERICANS, ARE A NUMBER OF A YOUTH COUNCIL AND A PHD CANDIDATE AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

FIRST OF ALL, YOU HAVE A NEW POSITION YOU WILL SOON BE UNDERTAKING.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR TRIBAL AFFILIATION?

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] I AM FROM IDAHO AND I AM OF IRISH DESCENT.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] MY NAME IS ANTHONY AND I AM A PART OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL.

WE ARE LOCATED IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND WE HELP THE ARTS, AND EDUCATION.

>> ANTHONY , YOU ARE THE USE, THANKSGIVING BEGINS WITH LEARNING IN KINDERGARTEN CLASS , WHERE A LOT OF AMERICAN CHILDREN ARE COMING UP A BROWN PAPER BAG AND THAT IS THE INTRODUCTION TO THANKSGIVING.

WHAT DO PEOPLE , YOUNG CHILDREN , ADULTS , GET WRONG ABOUT THAT ORIGINAL STORY ?

>> I REMEMBER , WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL , ELEMENTARY SCHOOL , MY CLASSROOM , THE TEACHERS DOING THAT , CUTTING UP A PERHAPS AND MAKING THE HEADDRESSES.

I THINK A LOT OF THE TIME , PEOPLE THINK THANKSGIVING WAS A TIME WHERE NATIVE AMERICANS AND PILGRIMS CAME TOGETHER AND HAD A HAPPY MEAL.

REALLY , WE LOOK AND SEE WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THANKSGIVING , THE WAR , AND LOOK WHAT THEY DID TO THE NATIVE AMERICANS.

THEY MARKED THEM AND BANISHED THEM FROM THEIR HOMES.

THERE IS A MYTHICAL NARRATIVE OF NATIVE AMERICANS AND PILGRIMS COMING TOGETHER BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED.

>> YOU HAVE CHILDREN WHO ARE IN SCHOOL NOW.

IS IT STILL THE CASE?

ARE THERE STILL MOST FEATHERS , HEADDRESSES MADE OF CONSTRUCTION PAPER?

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WOULD CHARACTERIZE IT AS ROMANTICIZED.

WHAT VERSION OF THANKSGIVING IS TAUGHT IN SCHOOL AND IS IT OKAY?

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHAT PART OF THE NATION YOU ARE IN.

SOME CONTINUE THE MYTH, BUT NOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND BETTER.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH MY KIDS , THEY DID NOT TALK ABOUT IT AT ALL.

MY KIDS LEARNED NOTHING ABOUT THANKSGIVING EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THEY GET A WEEK OFF OF SCHOOL.

IT IS A SHAME BECAUSE IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH CHILDREN A REAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.

SO THEY ARE PREPARED TO HANDLE IT.

BUT THEY DON'T.

>> NOTHING AT ALL, NO RECOGNITION.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE CHILDREN SHOULD LEARN ?

>> AS AN EDUCATOR , THEY SHOULD LEARN THE TRUTH .

IN CONVERSATION WITH VARIOUS SCHOOLS, I HAVE HEARD THE PUSHBACK THAT , IT IS A HARD HISTORY FOR CHILDREN TO LEARN ABOUT , GENOCIDE, AND IT IS , BUT SOMETHING WE DON'T HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF NOT LEARNING ABOUT.

WE KNOW OUR HISTORY FROM WHEN WE ARE YOUNG .

MY KIDS KNOW THE HISTORY AND FOR THEM TO BE IGNORED OR LEARNED WHITEWASH VERSION IS HARMFUL TO NATIVE CHILDREN.

AND THE IGNORANCE FROM ALL CHILDREN.

>> ANTHONY, WHEN YOU WERE IN SCHOOL, WAS IT INCUMBENT ON YOU TO SPEAK UP?

THAT IS A LOT OF PRESSURE TO PUT ON ANYBODY, PARTICULARLY SOMEBODY WHO IS YOUNG.

>> I OFTEN FOUND MYSELF SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE TEACHER.

FROM KINDERGARTEN ALL THE WAY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, EVEN IN COLLEGE , EDUCATING MY PEERS AND NATIVE ISSUES AND NATIVE CULTURE .

OFTENTIMES , WHEN WE GET TO NOVEMBER AND PEOPLE IN THE CLASSROOM, WE OFTEN TURN INTO AN INDIAN EXPERT.

THEY ASKED ABOUT NATIVE PEOPLE.

I CAN ONLY SPEAK TO WHAT I KNOW ABOUT MY TRIBES , MY TRIBAL AFFILIATIONS , PEOPLE EXPECT YOU TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT NATIVE PEOPLE.

IT OFTEN PUTS A BIG BURDEN ON US TO ANSWER ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS.

I DON'T WANT TO LET MY CLASSMATES DOWN.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO KNOW NATIVE PEOPLE ARE NOT A MONOLITH.

THERE IS OVER 500+ NATIVE TRIBES , ALL VERY DIFFERENT.

THAT IS IMPORTANT.

ALSO , DURING THIS TIME , NATIVE PEOPLE CAN TURN INTO THAT CULTURE , PEOPLE VIEW US AS ONE , ALL NATIVE AMERICANS.

>> THERE IS A MUCH -- THERE IS AN EFFORT TO TEACH MORE OF THE HISTORY ?

>> A GROUP OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE CHICAGO AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE ARE WORKING TOWARD LEGISLATION STATEWIDE THAT WOULD REQUIRE TEACHINGS ABOUT NATIVE PEOPLE , HERE AND NATIONWIDE THROUGH K-12.

IT INVOLVES NOT JUST TEACHING ABOUT US FROM BEFORE 1900 , WHICH IS THE CASE, THAT PROMULGATES THE CASE THAT WE DON'T EXIST.

IF I HAD A DOLLAR FOR PEOPLE SAYING THEY DID NOT REALIZE NATIVE WAS A THING ANYMORE.

ANOTHER PART OF IT THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT IS THAT THERE IS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PIECES .

WE CANNOT JUST PUT OUT A CURRICULUM AND EXPECT TEACHERS TO JUST DO IT , WE HAVE TO HELP TEACHERS KNOW HOW TO IMPLEMENT THEM AND TALK ABOUT THESE SUBJECTS , PARTICULARLY WHEN MOST TEACHERS ARE NOT NATIVES.

>> TOMORROW IS THANKSGIVING .

WHAT DO YOU DO ON THAT DAY?

DO YOU RECOGNIZE IT ?

>> FOR A LOT OF NATIVE PEOPLE , WE STILL HAVE A THANKSGIVING DINNER BECAUSE IT IS THE TIME TO COME TOGETHER WITH OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN DOING FOR A LONG TIME FOR HARVEST , WE ARE CELEBRATING HARVEST ACROSS THE NATION.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE DO.

SOME PEOPLE CHOOSE NOT TO , I WILL NOT CELEBRATE TOMORROW.

WE WILL BE DOING OTHER THINGS, -- >> IT IS A TIME FOR PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE OUR SOVEREIGNTY.

WE LOOK AT WHAT WE DID IN CHICAGO AT THE FIRST NATIONS GARDEN.

ALL OF THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> MY GRATITUDE TO EACH OF YOU FOR BEING WITH US AND SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCES.

>>> NEXT , HOW A LOCAL DANCE ACADEMY CAN HELP YOU GET INTO A WARM WEATHER STATE OF MIND.

STAY WITH US.

>> THROUGHOUT THE DARKEST DAYS OF WINTER, EVERYBODY DREAMS OF A POLYNESIAN PARADISE.

DANCERS AT THIS ACADEMY CAN DELIVER A TASTE OF THE TROPICS BY WAY OF JEFFERSON PARK.

>> HAWAIIAN HULA IS STORYTELLING .

IT WAS A WAKE OF RECORD-KEEPING FOR THE HAWAIIANS BEFORE A WRITTEN LANGUAGE.

>> Reporter: THEY KELLY LOVE STORY THROUGH DANCE.

>> WE MET AT A DANCE COMPETITION IN HAWAII AND WE BECAME FRIENDS AND GOT TO TALKING.

>> I LOVE DOING WHAT HE LOVES TO DO.

WE DANCE TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE LIFELONG DANCERS.

SIX YEARS AFTER MEETING IN HAWAII , THEY MARRIED IN 2009 AND LATER OPENED THIS ACADEMY .

THEY TEACH THE LOVE OF POLYNESIAN CULTURE AND DANCE.

>> IN MEXICO, EVERYBODY EATS AND DANCES AT ACE FAMILY GATHERING.

THAT IS SOMETHING I SAW IN THE POLYNESIAN CULTURE.

THEY CARE ABOUT THE FAMILY.

IT GOES VERY DEEP INTO CONNECTING EVERYTHING IN NATURE.

THEIR ANCESTORS , THE LAND.

>> Reporter: THEY PERFORMED ALL OVER THE CITY , LIKE AT THIS COMMUNITY EVENT IN ALBANY PARK.

THEY WANT TO ENTERTAIN AND EDUCATE.

>> THEY HAVE NO GPS OR NO MAPS, OTHER THAN THE BIRD MIGRATION PATTERN AND THE STARS IN THE SKY.

>> THERE WERE OTHER POLYNESIAN GROUPS AROUND, BUT NOTHING WAS GIVING THAT AUTHENTICITY.

IF IT DOESN'T EXIST, YOU CREATE IT.

>> WE FOCUS ON HAWAII.

WHEN YOU GO TO A LUAU , THEY REPRESENT ALL OF THE COUNTRIES.

YOU SEE THE GRASS SKIRTS.

THE FIRE DANCE.

PEOPLE GET THE IDEA IT IS HAWAIIAN DANCING.

THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

TWO DIFFERENT STYLES.

I HAVE THAT RESPONSIBILITY TO SHOW CORRECT POLYNESIAN CULTURE.

I DO MY BEST TO KEEP IT AUTHENTIC AND AS RESPECTFUL AS POSSIBLE.

>> LEARNING IT DIRECTLY FROM HAWAIIANS.

WE TEACH THAT TO OUR DANCERS.

THESE ARE THE MOVEMENTS.

THESE ARE THE TEACHINGS WE WERE TAUGHT.

IN POLYNESIAN CULTURE , IT IS A GIFT.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THE STUDENTS COME FROM ALL OVER THE CHICAGO AREA , OFTEN WITH PERSONAL CONNECTIONS TO POLYNESIAN CULTURE.

>> I RECEIVED A CALL FROM A DANCER WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN HAWAII AND CAME TO CHICAGO FOR FIVE YEARS AND FOR HIM IT IS ABOUT CAMARADERIE AND FELLOWSHIP , THAT FAMILY SINCE.

>> Reporter: WHETHER THEY COME FROM HAWAII, MEXICO , OR CHICAGO , THE STORY RETURNS TO LOVE.

>> WHEN I SING AND DANCE, I LOVE IT.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CONNECTS US.

IT IS NOT HOME BUT IT FEELS LIKE HOME.

>> THROUGH THE BUSINESS , WE GET TO PERFORM TOGETHER , THE LOVE IS REAL AND DEEP.

IT IS PRETTY COOL.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THEY CAN TEACH ANYONE THE MOVES, YOU CAN FIND MORE ON OUR WEBSITE .

>>> STILL TO COME, THE CHICAGO BOARD OF ELECTIONS SAYS 90% OF THE POLLING PLACES ARE ACCEPTABLE , BUT THE INCUMBENT HAS BEEN ATTACKED -- WITH THE HOLIDAY SEASON STARTING , -- >>> MORE TOP STORIES , THE MAN ACCUSED OF CARRYING OUT A MASS SHOOTING OVER THE WEEKEND AND LGBTQ COLORADO NIGHTCLUB WILL BE HELD WITHOUT BOND.

THE 22-YEAR-OLD APPEARED IN COURT TODAY THROUGH VIDEOCONFERENCE AND ALLEGEDLY SHOT AND KILLED FIVE PEOPLE , MORE THAN A DOZEN OTHERS WERE INJURED .

FORMAL CHARGES ARE EXPECTED TO BE ANNOUNCED NEXT COURT APPEARANCE.

>>> IMMUNIZATION FOR MEASLES IS AT AN ALL-TIME LOW .

A RECORD HIGH 40 MILLION CHILDREN HAVE THE VACCINE LAST YEAR ACCORDING TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND THE U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION.

THE ORGANIZATIONS SAY GETTING THESE DOSES HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID PANDEMIC AND WORLDWIDE THERE WAS ABOUT 9 MILLION NEW INFECTIONS LAST YEAR AND 120,000 DEATHS.

>>> IF YOU WANT TO BE ON TIME FOR A TURKEY, MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE EARLY , THAT IS WHAT AAA IS ADVISING THANKSGIVING TRAVELERS AS HOLIDAY TRAVEL WILL BE THE HIGHEST IN A LONG TIME AAA SAYS NEARLY 2.8 MILLION PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS WILL TRAVEL 50 MILES OR MORE DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

AND ABOUT 30,000 MORE TRAVELERS THAN LAST YEAR.

>>> STILL HOPING TO KEEP HAROLD WASHINGTON'S LEGACY ALIVE , THERE WILL BE A CEREMONY TODAY, IT IS THE 37th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH.

WASHINGTON BECAME THE FIRST BLACK MAYOR OF CHICAGO IN 1983.

BACK TO YOU, PARIS.

>>> PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE HAVING A TOUGHER TIME CASTING THEIR ELECTION BALLOT BECAUSE THE INTERNAL ANALYSIS ON THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS FOUND THAT LESS THAN 10% OF POLLING PLACES WERE COMPLIANT WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.

THEY SAY THAT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT MOST OF THOSE ARE INACCESSIBLE , WILL THE CITY BE READY FOR THE FEBRUARY MUNICIPAL ELECTION?

WE HAVE THE PROJECT DIRECTOR OF THE GREAT LAKES ADA, AND A SENIOR ATTORNEY FOR VOTING RIGHTS.

WE INVITED A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO JOIN US BUT THEY DECLINED.

WE THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

I WILL START WITH YOU, ROBIN.

LESS THAN 10% OF POLLING PLACES WERE FULLY A.D.A.

COMPLIANT , WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE FULLY IN COMPLIANCE ?

>> THOSE ARE STANDARDS OF ACCESSIBILITY , STARTING FROM THE OUTSIDE, THE TRAVEL GETTING TO THE PLACE, AND PARKING , IF THERE WAS PARKING AVAILABLE.

IS THERE A ACCEPTABLE PATHWAY TO THE DOOR?

THAT SOMEBODY IN A WHEELCHAIR COULD USE?

IS THERE STEPS?

CAN THE DOOR BE OPEN, CAN THE HANDLE BE OPEN BY SOMEONE WITHOUT A HAND?

CAN I GET TO THE POLLING PLACE ?

ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE FACTORS.

>> THEY HAVE TO HAVE FULLY ACCESSIBLE BATHROOMS?

>> YES , IF THE BATHROOMS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

>> WHY IS THERE SUCH A LOW LEVEL OF COMPLIANCE?

>> COUPLE OF THOUGHTS, THE INFORMATION THAT THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS IS USING COMES FROM A SURVEY PROGRAM THAT MY ORGANIZATION IS MANAGING FOR THEM.

IT IS PURSUANT TO A SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

THEY MEASURE EVERY ASPECT OF THE POLLING SITES, BUILDINGS , EVERYTHING ROBIN WAS TALKING ABOUT, PUTTING THE AGAINST THE A.D.A.

STANDARDS OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION.

THOSE STANDARDS DON'T NECESSARILY APPLY TO THESE BUILDINGS.

MANY OF THEM ARE BEFORE THAT A.D.A.

THERE IS NO EASY STANDARD FOR THESE BUILDINGS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SAYS THAT ENTITIES SHOULD USE THESE CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS AS A GUIDE.

ANY TINY DEVIATION WOULD RENDER THEM SUPPOSEDLY INACCESSIBLE.

MANY OF THEM WOULD BE ACCESSIBLE TO MANY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BECAUSE, FOR INSTANCE, IF THERE WAS ONE BULB ON THE SIDEWALK MORE THAN THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH HIGH , NOT A BARRIER TO MANY PEOPLE , INCLUDING PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY ISSUES.

THAT ENTIRE POLLING PLACE WOULD BE RENDERED INACCESSIBLE THROUGHOUT OUR SURVEY .

IT IS A VERY HIGH STANDARD.

>> IT GETS TO THAT POINT WE MADE AT THE TOP, IT DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE INACCESSIBLE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

THE BOARD HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT FOUR YEARS TO PERFORM REMEDIES AT INACCESSIBLE LOCATIONS WHILE MOST SHOW ONE ELEMENT NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE A.D.A.

STANDARDS, THE MAJORITY OF POLLING PLACES ARE USABLE BY MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

ROBIN JONES , WHAT PERCENTAGE OF POLLING PLACES ARE USABLE FOR ALL PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

EVEN IF THERE IS ONE THING THAT MAKES THEM NOT A COMPLIANT?

>> >> USABLE IS A TRICKY TERM, IT MAKES AN ASSUMPTION, EVERYBODY HAS TO USE SOMETHING.

WE DON'T USE THAT TERMINOLOGY.

IT IS MORE OF AN ISSUE OF, IS THERE A BARRIER, SOMETHING THAT WOULD LIMIT SOMEBODY FROM USING THAT SPACE ?

THAT IS DIFFERENT FOR EVERYBODY.

SOMEBODY WHO USES A WHEELCHAIR , WALKS WITH A CANE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THE CHICAGO BOARD OF ELECTIONS ADMITTED TO , MAYBE THEIR COMMUNICATION ABOUT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

THEY WILL CLEARLY MARK, THOSE THAT ARE FULLY COMPLIANT AND PARTIALLY COMPLIANT, NONCOMPLIANT, WILL THAT HELP?

>> IT WILL HELP A LOT.

THE BOARD IS TRYING TO COME UP WITH TERMS THAT ARE MORE HELPFUL FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO WANT TO VOTE.

COMING UP WITH TERMS THAT MEAN SOMETHING , MORE THAN INACCESSIBLE OR ACCESSIBLE.

WE WILL SAVE WHICH ONES REQUIRE STEPS.

THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY IMPORTANT BARRIER TO PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS.

AND WE WILL HAVE BACKUP INFORMATION .

DIFFERENT PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT ABILITIES MAY HAVE DIFFERENT -- WE NEED THAT INFORMATION AVAILABLE , DETAILED INFORMATION , AND TO HAVE TERMINOLOGY THAT WILL BE HELPFUL.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON WITH THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

>> ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT EVERY PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WILL BE ABLE TO CAST A BALLOT IN FEBRUARY?

>> NO.

THERE ARE OTHER BARRIERS WE DON'T EVEN TALK ABOUT.

BEYOND THE PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY OF THE SPACE.

PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH TRANSPORTATION AND GETTING TO THE POLLING PLACE IS A HUGE BARRIER .

WE HAVE A LOT OF TRANSPORTATION ISSUES IN CHICAGO.

GETTING FROM THE BUS STOP TO THE POLLING PLACE.

THERE ARE BARRIERS ALONG OUR SIDEWALKS THAT COULD BE A PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ARE IN THE WINTERTIME.

YOU TALK ABOUT SNOW AND WE COULD HAVE A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SNOW REMOVAL, A TEMPORARY ISSUE BUT IT CAN BE A BARRIER.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT THAT ON THE SHOW.

WHAT ABOUT THAT , COULD THIS BE A DETERRENT FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO VOTE BUT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO?

>> SNOW IS AN ISSUE.

THE TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS ARE A BIG PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH CHICAGO HAS DONE A LOT TO MAKE TRANSPORTATION ACCESSIBLE BUT THERE IS A WAYS TO GO.

IN THE MEANTIME , WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CITY ENTITIES, SCHOOLS , THE PARK DISTRICT , THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION , AND THE CITY ITSELF, THEY HAVE BEEN MAKING PERMANENT REMEDIATION'S TO THE POLLING PLACES TO MAKE POLLING MORE ACCESSIBLE.

ABOUT 400 FACILITIES HAVE BEEN RENOVATED BETWEEN JUNE AND THE NOVEMBER ELECTION TO MAKE THOSE AREAS MORE ACCESSIBLE.

THERE IS MORE OF THAT GOING ON.

>> THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS WILL SAY THERE IS EARLY VOTING, VOTE BY MAIL .

OUR THANKS TO YOU BOTH.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXPERTISE.

>>> WE BREAK DOWN THE WEEK IN POLITICS COMING UP, PLEASE , STAY WITH US.

>> HALDEMAN RAY LOPEZ DROPS OUT OF THE MAYORAL RACE AND ATTACKS THE INCUMBENT, AND DONATIONS FROM FTX LEAVES A MAYOR CANDIDATE WITH QUESTIONS.

A DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR WITH A NARROW REELECTION VICTORY.

ALL THAT AND MORE IS OUR SPOTLIGHT ON POLITICS TEAM .

LET'S GET RIGHT TO IT.

BOTH OF YOU ARE IN RED .

I DID NOT GET THE MEMO.

I WISH I HAD KNOWN.

LOPEZ AND THE WITHDRAWAL FROM THE MAYOR'S RACE.

>> I MADE THE DECISION TO ANNOUNCE I WILL NOT RUN FOR MAYOR.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE LORI LIGHTFOOT IS DEFEATED AND DENIED A SECOND TERM.

HER CHANCES WILL GROW WITH EVERY CANDIDATE THAT ENTERS THE RACE.

>> HE WAS A CONSERVATIVE CRITIC OF THE MAYOR.

EVERYBODY THINKS THIS WILL HELP WILSON WHO HAS STAKED OUT THAT CONSERVATIVE LANE IN THE RACE.

RAY LOPEZ SAID HE ONLY COLLECTED ABOUT 26,000 SIGNATURES.

HE WAS LIKELY -- NOT CLEAR HE COULD HAVE MADE THE BALLOT TO BEGIN WITH.

WE WAIT AND SEE WHAT GARCIA AND THE MAYOR DOES ON MONDAY.

>> DOES HE TRANSFER THE SIGNATURES TO THE ALDERMAN RACE?

>> NO , THAT HAD TO BE FOR THE CITY COUNCIL AND FOR MAYOR TO RUN FOR ALDERMAN , YOU ONLY NEED 500 SIGNATURES.

THAT SHOULD BE A PRETTY EASY LIFT.

TWO SEPARATE PETITIONS.

>> LET'S SAY YOU WERE A DONOR TO ALDERMAN LOPEZ , YOU THINK HE WILL RUN FOR MAYOR AND HE HAS HER MONEY, ASSUMING HE HAS NOT SPENT IT ?

>> YOU SEE CAMPAIGN FUNDS SHIPPED FROM ONE TO ANOTHER.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF ELECTED OFFICIALS USING THEIR CAMPAIGN MONEY TO PAY LEGAL FEES.

MANY DONORS SAY, I AM NOT GIVING YOU MONEY TO SUSPEND WHAT APPEARS TO BE A LEGAL ACTIVITY.

IN ILLINOIS, YOU USED TO BE ABLE TO POCKET THE MONEY.

>> THIS WAS BEFORE 1997.

THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE 1907, CAN STILL POCKET THE MONEY.

>> PURCHASE A CAR, GO SOMEWHERE WARM.

RAY LOPEZ, THIS WAS A PARALLEL TRACK.

YOU HAVE TO WONDER , HOW MUCH DID HE RECOGNIZE -- >> THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES .

WITH THE AMOUNT OF SIGNATURES HE HAD, HE WOULD NOT CHALLENGE.

WHO WILL CHALLENGE?

>> PEOPLE HAVE UNTIL DECEMBER 5th TO FILE THE CHALLENGES .

IF I WERE A STATE REPRESENTATIVE , I WOULD BE NERVOUS .

I WOULD BE NERVOUS IF I WERE GREEN.

THEY TURNED IN ABOUT 30,000 SIGNATURES.

THE THRESHOLD -- 2019 , THEY RAN FOR MAYOR AND WAS OUSTED BY WILSON.

THEY ARE BOTH RUNNING AGAIN.

WE WILL SEE THAT FIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN.

IT MAY BE A FREE-FOR-ALL.

>> GARCIA ANNOUNCED HE IS RUNNING.

IN.HE WILL HAVE ENOUGH SIGNATURES.

>> IT IS A LATE START IN THIS ENDEAVOR.

SOMETIMES , YOU NEED ALLIES, WORKERS , GARCIA HAS ALL OF THAT AND HAS FUNDING.

BUT IT IS A MATTER OF TIME.

LET'S SAY, IN A FAKE WORLD , YOU WERE TRYING TO DO A PUBLIC SERVICE , JUST BECAUSE YOU SIGN THE PETITION DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TO VOTE FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL.

YOU SIGNED THE , I DON'T KNOW , THE PETITION , AND YOU ARE SUPPORTED OF KING.

YOU COULD NOT SIGN HIS.

HE KNOWS THIS AND PRESUMABLY HAS A POLITICAL ORGANIZATION.

YOU WOULD THINK HE WOULD NOT HAVE ENTERED THE MAYOR'S RACE.

>> WE SEE SIGNATURES LIKE BUGS BUNNY, DAFFY DUCK , IT IS DIFFICULT TO BEAT THE THRESHOLD.

>> CANDIDATES TAKE MONEY.

>> THEY PAY BETTER MONEY TO ONES THAT GET MORE SIGNATURES.

>> WE HAD ON GARCIA LAST NIGHT AND HE BROUGHT UP SOME DONATIONS HE GOT FROM A GROUP FUNDED BY THE FOUNDER OF FTX WHO HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS.

GIVING ABOUT $200,000 TO THE GARCIA CAMPAIGN.

HERE IS WHAT GARCIA SAID ABOUT THAT LAST NIGHT.

>> IT WAS IN THE WARM OF AN INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE.

WE HAD NO CONTROL OR KNOWLEDGE OF IT UNTIL WE SAW THAT IT WAS TAKING PLACE.

THE $2500 WERE RETURNED.

>> INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION ?

>> EXACTLY.

>> I AM VERY SKEPTICAL ABOUT CRYPTO CURRENCY.

I THINK THEY SHOULD BE REGULATED CLOSELY.

>> THIS IS CONFUSING BUT GARCIA IS IN A HOUSE WORKING GROUP WORKING ON REGULATIONS FOR CRYPTO.

COULD THIS HAUNT HIM ?

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT FEDERAL PROSECUTORS WILL FIND AS THEY INVESTIGATE THE COLLAPSE OF FTX.

THE STRANGE THING ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTION TO GARCIA, HE WAS UNOPPOSED , YOU NORMALLY DO NOT SEE A LARGE INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES IN RACES THAT ARE ESSENTIALLY CERTAIN TO GO ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

GARCIA WAS NOT THE ONLY CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE IN ILLINOIS -- >> CHICAGO POLITICS .

>> JONATHAN JACKSON, THE FIRST DISTRICT , HE GOT $500,000 INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE GOING TOWARDS TELEVISION ADS AND IN DOWNSTATE, NOW THE CONGRESSPERSON ELECT , SHE ALSO GOT $263,000 FROM THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF SAM BANKMAN-FRIED.

HE WAS THROWING A WEIGHT IN ILLINOIS POLITICS.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT WAS NOT A GROUNDBREAKING FOR A ILLINOIS LOCATION .

>> THEY WERE GOING TO PAY FOR A PRIVATE INCOME PROGRAM .

THIS IS SEPARATE ONE.

THAT IS IN THE LARGE BECAUSE THE REST OF THE MONEY -- >> THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE UP FOR THE SHORTFALL.

STATE POLITICS , MICHAEL HASTINGS, FACED A NARROW REELECTION RACE , HE WAS CAUGHT UP IN SOME SEVERE DOMESTIC ABUSE ALLEGATIONS.

THE GOVERNOR CALLED FOR HIS RESIGNATION, WILL HE TAKE HIS SEAT ?

>> IT APPEARS SO, HE HAS SHOWN NO SIGNS OF RESIGNING.

HE WAS ASKED BY SOME DEMOCRATIC LEADERS .

BUT THE VOTERS CHOSE HIM.

EVEN AS ALL OF THIS WAS VERY PUBLIC AND WELL-KNOWN.

IT CAME OUT WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE ELECTION.

HAVE AN OPPONENT WHO WAS NOT AN AFTERTHOUGHT, SOMETIMES IN RACES, YOU MAY HAVE A NAME FOR THE SAKE OF HAVING A NAME.

THIS PERSON HAD SUPPORT.

NO, HE WON THIS RACE OUTRIGHT.

HE HAS DENIED A LOT OF ALLEGATIONS.

>> THERE IS SOME INTERESTING GOINGS-ON IN A STATE REPRESENTATIVE RACE WERE A REPUBLICAN IS CHALLENGING THE VOTE COUNT AND THE SUPREME COURT RULED , GET US UP TO SPEED.

>> WE KNOW THAT THE ILLINOIS HOUSE DEMOCRATS GAINED ON THE SUPER MAJORITY.

WE DO NOT KNOW BY HOW MANY SEATS BECAUSE OF THIS OUTSTANDING RACE.

IN DUPAGE COUNTY.

YOU HAVE AN INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN WHO , IF ANYBODY PAYS ATTENTION, YOU WILL KNOW HER, SHE IS A LAWYER WHO IS NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK HER MIND.

SOME WOULD SAY COMBATIVE.

STICKING UP FOR HER CONSTITUENTS.

SHE HAS BEEN IN OFFICE SINCE 2010.

YOU HAD SHIFTING DISTRICTS DRAWN BY DEMOCRATS.

THE GOP KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE TOUGH.

AT LAST COUNT, THE DEMOCRAT , ALSO AN ATTORNEY , SHE IS LEADING.

BUT, THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT IS GETTING INVOLVED AND HOW THE MAIL-IN BALLOTS WERE TREATED .

THE COUNTY CLERK , A DEMOCRAT, WON REELECTION , AGAINST A FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, SHE TRIED TO BE THE LEGAL CLERK -- >> WHAT IS THE LEGAL CHALLENGE?

>> THEY ALLEGE IT IS HOW YOU DETERMINE THE MAIL-IN BALLOTS AND THE VALIDITY OF THE .

THE CLERK ALLEGES THEY WERE WRONGLY USING THE PEOPLE'S APPLICATIONS FOR A VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT VERSUS THEIR SIGNATURE WHEN THEY FIRST REGISTERED TO VOTE.

WHENEVER THAT MAY HAVE BEEN.

SHE TOOK THE FIGHT TO THE COURT AND THEY AGREED THAT THAT IS HOW IT IS TO BE DONE.

>> THE COURT DECIDED AGAINST THE CLERK ?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> THAT COULD CHANGE THE OUTCOME ?

>> WE DON'T KNOW.

THIS IS ALL FAIRLY NEW.

IT IS WITHIN A COUPLE HUNDRED VOTES.

THE MAIL-IN BALLOTS WERE COUNTED UP UNTIL YESTERDAY.

THIS IS NEW TERRITORY .

>> WE WILL KEEP FOLLOWING THOSE STORIES.

SOMEBODY TO STICK TO STAND TRIAL.

>> SHE TOLD THE FEDERAL COURT SHE WILL RETIRE ON MARCH 1st .

THAT DATE IS INTERESTING BECAUSE IT IS ONE DAY AFTER THE FIRST ROUND OF VOTING ON FEBRUARY 28th.

IT IS SAYING , I AM TOO SICK TO STAND TRIAL , SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN COURT NEXT WEEK, SHE IS TOO SICK TO ATTEND CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND SHE HAS BEEN USING OXYGEN THERAPY DURING THOSE MEETINGS.

THE QUESTION IS , IF SHE IS TOO SICK TO STAND TRIAL , WHY IS SHE STILL FIT TO HAVE HER RESIDENCE ON THE 34th FLOOR.

>> IS THE FAR SOUTH SIDE, ROSELAND , IT COULD BE MOVING DOWNTOWN.

SHE WILL STEP DOWN ON MARCH 1st.

BEFORE A NEW CITY COUNCIL SINCE.

WILL MAYOR LIGHTFOOT APPOINT AN INTERIM ?

>> SHE COULD .

THE NEW ALTAR PERSON OF THE 21st WARD , THAT WOULD MAKE UP THE CURRENT 34th WARD , WOULD SERVE THAT REMAINING TERM AND MOVE OVER TO THE 21st WARD , ONCE THE NEW TERM STARTS IN MAY.

THE QUESTION IS, WHO IS REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE IN THE 34th WARD RIGHT NOW?

THE CURRENT ONE IS TOO SICK WHICH RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT GOVERNANCE IN CHICAGO, ESPECIALLY IN AN AREA WHICH HAS SEEN DISINVESTMENT FOR DECADES.

>> THIS MUST BE A FIRST.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO BOTH OF YOU.

I AM SURE YOU HAVE WONDERFUL PLANS FOR TOMORROW AND ENJOY THE LONG WEEKEND.

NEXT , A LOCAL SOURCE OF HOLIDAY BLOOM .

FIRST , A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

>> IF YOU ARE GOING TO SPEND THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND LOOKING FOR A CHRISTMAS TREE, WHAT ABOUT A POINSETTIA?

THEY ARE ACTUALLY FROM MEXICO.

MOST OF THE ONES WE SEE OUR FROM CALIFORNIA BUT SOME PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS CULTIVATE THEM.

WE VISITED ONE A COUPLE YEARS BACK AND HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK.

>> Reporter: THE DEXTERITY OF SOMEONE WORKING FOR A LIFETIME WITH EVERGREENS.

HIS FATHER SOLD LILAC FROM A FARM STAND.

TOGETHER , THEY BUILT THIS GREENHOUSE FROM SCRATCH .

IT WAS NOT UNTIL 2003 THEY BEGAN TO GROW ALL OF THIS, POINSETTIAS.

NOT JUST YOUR RUN-OF-THE-MILL RED.

>> THESE WINTER ROSE ARE THE MOST UNIQUE BECAUSE IT IS A POINSETTIA THAT LOOKS LIKE ROSEBUDS.

IT IS JUST DIFFERENT.

I LIKE THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE DIFFERENT.

>> RUBY FROST , GREEN, SOME HYBRID.

RUFFLES.

JINGLE BELL ROCK.

POLLY PINK.

>> HIS FAVORITE ?

>> THAT RED GLITTER.

HE IS LIKE , I WILL DO IT THIS WAY AND THAT WAY.

I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THAT.

>> Reporter: SELLING POINSETTIAS IS COMMON ENOUGH THIS TIME OF YEAR BUT GROWING THEM IS DIFFERENT.

>> WE DECIDED THE QUALITY WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

WE DECIDED WE WOULD TACKLE A NEW PROBLEM , THE POINSETTIA.

WE HAD TO TEACH OURSELVES HOW TO GROW THEM.

FOR EACH JULY, THEY GET 5000 CUTTINGS, THEY SPEND FROM SUMMER THROUGH THANKSGIVING WORKING WITH THEM.

THAT IS NO EASY CHORE.

IT IS A CHORE.

THEY ARE THE MOST DEMANDING PLANTS HE GROWS.

>> WE HAVE TO TRIM THEM, PINCH THEM , SLOW THEM DOWN , TURN UP THE HEAT.

THE BUGS ARE ATTACKING.

WE NEED TO BE AFTER THE.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE TO CULTIVATE THE CROP TO ITS FULLEST AND BOLDEST AROUND THE HOLIDAY.

CUSTOMERS LIKE THIS WILL BE HAPPY.

>> THE COLOR IS A RAINBOW , LIKE THE HOLIDAY.

JUST GORGEOUS.

>> Reporter: THIS REQUIRES GETTING THE TEMPERATURE JUST RIGHT.

THEY HAVE THERMOMETERS SO THEY CAN MONITOR THE POINSETTIAS AS THEY GROW AND THEY ARE WATERED FROM UNDERNEATH SO THE GROWTH IS NOT DISTURBED.

>> IF YOU GIVE A PERSON EVERYTHING THEY WANT, GIVE A PLANT EVERYTHING HE WANTS , HE GROWS WILD AND DOES NOT HAVE DISCIPLINE.

IF YOU TAKE AWAY THE WATER, HE MAY BE SHORTER , IF THEY ARE PUT THROUGH TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS, IT BUILDS CHARACTER , THAT IS LIKE THESE PLANTS.

I WILL MAKE THEM BIGGER IF THEY ARE TOO SHORT.

I GROW THE PLANTS LIKE LIFE CAN BE.

>> Reporter: HE PROMISES -- HE RECOMMENDS WATERING THEM WEEKLY.

KEEP THEM IN NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL LIGHT BETWEEN 60 AND 70 DEGREES.

AND AWAY FROM ANY DRAFT.

KEY DISTURBANCE TO A MINIMUM.

>> SAID IT WHEN YOU BRING IT HOME, GET IT THE WAY YOU LIKE IT , LEAVE IT AND LOOK AT IT LOOK PRETTY.

>> Reporter: NO NEED TO WORRY IF YOU HAVE A POINSETTIA AND A PET, THEY WOULD HAVE TO EAT TOO MANY LEAVES FOR IT TO BE TOXIC.

ANY REMAINING POINSETTIAS WILL BE COMPOST AND NEW CUTTINGS WILL ARRIVE AND A LITTLE BIT OF HOLIDAY CHEER WILL AGAIN TAKE ROOT.

>> THE COLORFUL POINT IS NOT THE FLOWER, IT IS THE COLORED LEAVES.

FOR THE DEBATE ON HOW TO PRONOUNCE THE PLANT, WE ASKED HIM AND HE SAID WHATEVER THE CUSTOMER WANTS TO CALL IT.

THEY ARE PRETTY.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH HIM BRIEFLY TODAY AND THEY ARE NOW SELLING A SMALLER VERSION OF THE POINSETTIA.

WE WILL BE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

THE JIM AND KAY MABIE FAMILY.

POLK BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AS WELL AS THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

SIGN UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING AND GET CHICAGO TONIGHT STREAMED ON FACEBOOK , YOUTUBE, AND OUR WEBSITE.

>> GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST .

WE ARE OFF TOMORROW FOR THE HOLIDAY BUT JOIN US FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:00 FOR THE WEEK IN REVIEW.

FOR ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT , I AM AMANDA VINICKY .

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ .

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE THANKSGIVING .

WE WILL SEE YOU ON FRIDAY.