>>> WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M A BRANDIS FRIEDMAN I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON IS PITCHING A CITY-OWNED GROCERY STORE.

WHAT THAT COULD LOOK LIKE.

>> THE CRIME IS CUTTING ACROSS EVERYTHING AND PEOPLE ARE PETRIFIED.

>> A WTTW NEWS EXCLUSIVE.

HOW LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS WORKING TOGETHER TO COMBAT CARJACKING.

>> THIS IS A VERY SMALL PERSON WHO IS RUINING RUSSIA.

>> AND THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE VISITS CHICAGO AS THE CURRENT ONE SPEAKS AT THE UNITED NATIONS.

>>> NEXT, A RIDE ALONG TO SEE HOW A NEW PASSPORT IS WORKING TO STOP CARJACKINGS .

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ALEXANDER AND JOHN NICHOLS.

>>> NOW TO A WTTW NEWS EXCLUSIVE.

THE CITY STILL FACES A CRISIS TO FIGHT EFFORTS TO CRACK DOWN ON CARJACKING.

THE SHERIFF ESTIMATES UP TO 1600 CARJACKINGS WILL HAPPEN THIS YEAR.

WTTW'S JOANA HERNANDEZ HAS EFFORTS ON COMBATING THE CRIME.

>> A SPECIAL TASK FORCE EXPANDED IN 2021.

MANY FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO THE CARJACKING.

ONE THING I LEARNED ON THE RIDE ALONG IS STOPPING AND FINDING CARJACKERS BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS USED TO COMMIT OTHER CRIMES.

>>> A HOT SUMMER DAY IN CHICAGO.

THE TASK FORCE IS ON A MISSION.

>> THEIR EYES IN THE SKY AND CAMERAS ROLLING AS DEPUTIES AND THE TEAM TRACK DOWN A STOLEN VEHICLE.

>> ON THE STEVENSON HEADING SOUTHBOUND.

>> THE SUSPECTS SEEM TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE ON TO THEM .

>> THEY NAVIGATE THE STREETS KNOWING EVERY SECOND COUNTS WHEN TRYING TO CATCH THE DRIVER OF A STOLEN VEHICLE .

>> WE MAKE IT TO THE LOCATION WHERE POLICE UNITS SURROUND A STOLEN LEXUS.

ONLY THIS TIME, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER MANAGED TO ESCAPE ON FOOT.

>> THE VEHICLE IS WANTED FOR OTHER STUFF.

>> CARJACKINGS ARE TERRIFYING, DANGEROUS AND CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE.

WE GOT A RARE INSIDE LOOK AT A TASK FORCE WORKING TO STOP IT.

WE STOPPED AT THE COMMAND CENTER WHERE THE DEPUTY WHO WAS A FORMER RADIO HOST, WORKS IN A PRIME ANALYTICS DATABASE TRACKING PATTERNS OF CARJACKINGS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

>> WE HAVE INVESTIGATORS WHO ARE ON 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, WHO ARE LOOKING FOR OTHER FELONY VEHICLES .

>> ACCORDING TO THE POLICE CARJACKING DASHBOARD, NEARLY 42% OF CARJACKINGS HAPPEN CURBSIDE.

31% ON THE STREETS AND 6% AT GAS STATIONS.

OFTEN, CRIMINALS AMBUSH A VICTIM ON FOOT.

>> IT HAPPENS DOWNTOWN AND IT HAPPENS A LOT ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF.

>> FAR MORE ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE.

IT IS REALLY IMPACTING THE COMMUNITIES WHERE PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEIR CARS STOLEN.

>> WE PUT ON A BULLET PROOF VEST AND TO THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION, THE 911 CENTER.

>> YOU WILL HEAR ALL THE VEHICLES THAT ARE BEING TRACKED.

>> THE VEHICULAR HIJACKINGS WHAT IS A TEAM OF ILLINOIS STATE POLICE, CHICAGO POLICE, THE SHERIFF AND THE FBI.

THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF HAS BEEN WORKING TO CONTROL THE PROBLEM RECENTLY A BILL HE INITIATED PAST INTO LAW TO LOCATE HIJACKED CARS THEIR PROGRAMS RUN BY AUTOMAKERS.

>> IT REQUIRES A 24 HOUR HOTLINE.

WHEN CARJACKING OCCURS, WE CAN IMMEDIATELY GET TRACKING GOING AND WE WILL GET MOST OF THE HURDLES THAT ARE OUT THERE NOW .

>> BACK ON THE STREET, DEPUTIES TAKE US ON THE NEXT MISSION.

>> WE ARE GOING TO THE WEST SIDE WHERE U-HAUL VAN HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN SOME INCIDENTS.

>> THE TEAM CONTINUES TO FOLLOW LEADS AS THE NIGHT GOES ON.

>> WE ARE ABLE TO GET ANOTHER POLICE AGENCY INFORMATION HE WAS LOOKING FOR THIS CAR .

>> THIS TIME, THE DRIVER OF THE CAR BEING TRACKED IS SUSPECTED OF BEING INVOLVED IN A VIOLENT CRIME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CAMPUS.

>> OUR GUYS ARE ON IT.

>> WITHOUT HELICOPTER SUPPORT, THE TEAM DEPENDS ON PLATE READERS TO PINPOINT THE HIJACKER'S PATH.

>> THE VEHICLE DRIVES RIGHT PAST US.

THE DEBBIE DECIDES NOT TO CHASE THE SUSPECT FOR SAFETY REASONS.

>> HE KNOWS THERE ARE PEOPLE ON HIM.

SO HE TOOK OFF.

THERE IS A LOT OF THAT WERE THEY WANT TO GO THE OTHER WAY.

>> >> SIX HOURS INTO THE MISSION AND THEY CALL IT A NIGHT .

>> WE HAVE HAD MINIMAL AIR SUPPORT.

WE STILL WERE ABLE TO RECOVER SOME VEHICLES THAT HAD BEEN STOLEN.

WE HAVE LEADS ON OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL.

ALL IN ALL, IT WAS A FAIR NIGHT.

>> LAST YEAR, THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ROLLED OUT A PROGRAM WHERE DRIVERS CAN REGISTER THEIR VEHICLES IN THE SHERIFF'S DATABASE.

THAT WAY IF THE DRIVER IS A VICTIM OF CARJACKING, LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL HAVE FASTER ACCESS TO FIND THE CAR.

THIS IS JUST ONE OF MANY STRATEGIES TO COMBAT THIS ONGOING PROBLEM.

>> YOU MENTIONED THERE WILL BE NEW LEGISLATION.

ALREADY TAKING EFFECT AND A 24 HOUR HOTLINE.

>> THIS IS SET TO START NEXT YEAR.

THE REASON WHY THE PUSH THIS TO HAPPEN WAS, LET'S SAY YOU ARE A VICTIM OF A CARJACKING AND YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR LICENSE PLATE.

SO LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS TO CALL AUTOMAKERS AND OFTEN GO THROUGH HURDLES BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE THEN THE LICENSE PLATE.

OR THE AUTO COMPANY IS CLOSED.

THIS WAY, A 24 HOUR HOTLINE, YOU CAN HAVE FASTER ACCESS.

>> A LOT TO TACKLE A REALLY BIG PROBLEM IN CHICAGO RIGHT NOW.

NICE JOB.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> WE ARE BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT RIGHT AFTER THIS!

>>> LIBRARIES AND POST OFFICES ARE FREQUENTLY SERVICES RUN BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

UNDER NEW PITCH FROM MAYOR BRENDA JOHNSON, THE CITY COULD BE RUNNING A GROCERY STORE IN THE FUTURE.

JOHNSON IS PITCHING A CITY-OWNED GROCERY STORE IN AN EFFORT TO REVERSE NO FOOD ACCESS ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE.

JOINING US WITH A LOOK AT WHAT THE PUBLICLY OWNED GROCERY STORE MIGHT LOOK LIKE.

WE HAVE JENNIFER STEWART, AND THE CHIEF OF POLICY FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND THE OWNER OF 40 ACRES FRESH MARKET.

THANK YOU TO THE THREE OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

A ME, LET'S START WITH YOU.

WE KNOW THE IDEAS IN ITS INFANCY.

IT IS EARLY BUT WHAT DOES THE CITY IMAGINE IT WILL LOOK LIKE?

WILL THERE BE MULTIPLE STORES?

>> I THINK WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE WE HAVE ALL THE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AT THE TABLE HELPING US ENVISION WHAT THIS COULD LOOK LIKE.

WE ARE OPEN .

OUR FOCUS IS ON ENSURING WE ARE INCREASING FOOD ACCESS AT HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING ACCESS PROBLEMS TO HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS RIGHT NOW.

>> I WANT TO COME TO BOTH OF YOU ON THIS, JENNIFER AND LIZ.

FOR PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE WORK, WHAT HAS YOUR REACTION BEEN?

>> I THINK IT IS AN INTERESTING IDEA OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FOR THE CITY TO PROVIDE THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

FOR BEING ABLE TO COME IN AND PUT THE THINGS YOU WANT TO WORK ON THE GROUND IN PLACE WITH THE COMMUNITY.

>> IS THIS SOMETHING THE CITY, A ROLE THE CITY SHOULD START TO PLAY?

>> I THINK BECAUSE OF THE INVESTMENT, IT LOOKS LIKE, WHAT CAN WE DO FROM THE CITY SPACE TO REPAIR SOME OF THAT?

AND HOW CAN WE CREATE A MORE EXPEDITED PATHWAY FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO THEN BEGIN TO SAY, THIS IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAPPEN.

THE COMMUNITY AROUND FOOD.

FIRST, A LOT OF FOLKS ON THE GROUND EXPERIENCE A LOT OF BARRIERS IN THIS AT THE CITY LEVEL IN TRYING TO GET THIS OFF THE GROUND.

SO HAVING A SPACE TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THEM WHERE WE ARE NOT ASKING THE CITY TO NECESSARILY RUN IT FOR US BUT PROVIDE A PATHWAY SO PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE SPACES AND PROVIDE FUNDS TOWARD THESE TYPES OF INITIATIVES.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT WORKS.

>> SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS IDEA?

>> FIRST, I THINK IT IS NICE TO SEE THAT THE CITY ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT EQUITY IN TERMS OF HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS, ESPECIALLY COMMERCIAL HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS AND NOT JUST PANTRIES OR FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS, BUT THE ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL AVENUE OF FOOD.

SO THAT IS GOOD.

I AM A LITTLE BIT SKEPTICAL ABOUT WHAT A MUNICIPALLY OWNED MODEL WILL LOOK LIKE.

I THINK THAT THE CITY ALREADY HAS COMMERCIAL FOOD PROGRAMS THAT CAN BE BUILT UPON, EXPANDED AND IMPROVED LIKE THE CITY MARKET PROGRAM.

LIKE THE FRESH MARKET IS THE CITY CONTRACTED VENDOR FOR THE AUSTIN TOWN HALL CITY MARKET EVERY THURSDAY FROM 1:00 P.M. UNTIL 6:00 P.M.

CHECK US OUT.

>> AND SO I THINK THAT THERE IS MORE THAT THE CITY CAN DO AND GETTING THE MARKETS INTO OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE NORTH LAWNDALE WHO DOESN'T HAVE ONE.

BETTER FUNDING IN THOSE MARKETS.

BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT SOMETHING AS COMPLEX AS GROCERY RETAIL.

>> WHAT IS THE SITTING LOOKING TO FOR GUIDANCE WITH THIS?

WE KNOW OTHER CITIES HAVE GOTTEN THIS OFF THE GROUND?

>> I KNOW CHICAGO WILL BE THE FIRST BIG CITY TO DO SO.

I JUST WANT TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE ARE THINKING BEYOND JUST A GROCERY STORE.

FOR US, IT IS THE HEART OF THE OVERALL STRATEGY AROUND FOOD RETAIL AND INCREASING ACCESS.

WE HAVE A FOOD EQUITY COUNCIL THAT IS MADE UP OF COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND WE HOPE TO LEAN ON THEM TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THAT PROSPECTIVE OF WHAT IT REALLY DOES LOOK LIKE TO INCREASE ACCESS AND TO ENSURE THAT THE AGENCY AND THE OWNERSHIP REMAINS IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE WEALTH REMAINS IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

SO I WANTED TO SAY THAT.

WE ARE PARTNERING WITH ECONOMIC SECURITY PROCESS.

SO THE IDEA IS TO PROVIDE PRO BONO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

THAT MEANS THAT THEY ARE NOT ONLY BRINGING US THE EXPERTISE AND NOT ONLY WILL THEY ENSURE THAT WE HAVE ACCESS TO MORE RESOURCES, BOTH AT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL, BUT WE FEEL GREAT WITH THE RESOURCES AND THE EXPERTISE THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE RIGHT NOW WE'RE JUST HOPING THAT WE ARE ABLE TO BUILD A LARGE ENOUGH TABLE THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO HELPING US ENVISION WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE.

>> JENNIFER ENGLEWOOD WE KNOW HAS GONE TO THE CLOSURE.

THE OPENING IN ITS PLACE.

WHAT HAS THAT BACK-AND-FORTH BEEN LIKE FOR THE COMMUNITY?

>> I THINK IT HAS BEEN VERY DISHEARTENING.

WE ARE LOOKED AT AS NOT AS VALUABLE IN THE ENGLEWOOD AREA.

SO YOU TAKE SOMETHING LIKE WHOLE FOODS WHICH IS SEEN ON ONE END OF THE SPECTRUM IS HAVING A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR DIFFERENT FOOD ACCESS TO FOODS FOR PEOPLE WITH DIETARY RESTRICTIONS OR ORGANIC FOODS AND THEN ON THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM WHERE YOU HAVE VERY HEAVILY PROCESSED GMO FOODS WITH DYES AND SUGARS AND SALTS.

IT FELT LIKE A REFLECTION OF, THIS IS WHAT YOU DESERVE WHICH IS TOTALLY OPPOSITE OF HOW PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT THEMSELVES AND WHAT THEY ACTUALLY DESERVE, WHICH IS TO BE VALUED AND HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD.

>> LIZ, YOUR GROCERY STORE HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR YEARS.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HURDLES YOU FACE TRYING TO IMPROVE FOOD ACCESS?

>> WE COULD REALLY USE A BUILDING PERMIT.

IF IT IS THE BILLING TO HARM LISTENING TO THIS, TO ISSUE THE CONSTRUCTION PERMIT.

THAT IS A THING THE DEVELOPERS ACROSS THE CITY HAVE BEEN SAYING ABOUT THE CHICAGO BILLING DEPARTMENT BEING DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE.

AND SO THAT IS THE HOLDUP.

WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THAT THE CITY DID AWARD US THE OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT.

BUT IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT DIFFERENT CITY DEPARTMENTS ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO PUSH THOSE SMALLER NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPERS THROUGH THE PROCESS.

SO DPD HAS TO NOW WITH THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT IS DOING AND VICE VERSA.

IT DOESN'T WORK WITHOUT THAT.

AND ALSO YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WITH A LOT OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SO USE TO NOT WANTING OR LIKING THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE THAT THERE IS A MASS EXODUS OF DOLLARS THAT LEAVE BLACK COMMUNITIES AND GO TO WEALTHIER, MORE PREDOMINANTLY WHITE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE THE AMENITIES THAT WE WANT .

GROCERY STORES ARE MAKING INCOME ON BLACK PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY LIVE.

WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS YOU WANT THAT IN THE COMMUNITY.

BUT THAT IS REALLY HARD TO REVERSE DECADES OF BEHAVIOR IN A YEAR, TWO YEARS, SIX YEARS.

IT IS A LONG-TERM PLAN AND I THINK THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE EXPERTISE AND GROCERIES KNOW WHAT WORKS AND THOSE OF THE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE BUILDING THIS.

WE BUILT 40 ACRES -- I BUILT 40 ACRES FROM THE GROUND UP.

THERE WAS NO 40 ACRES.

I BUILT THE GROUND AND THE BRAND IN THE MODEL.

SO THAT EXPERTISE LIVES WITHIN ME AND THE GOAL IS TO GET THE EXPERTISE ACROSS THE COMMUNITY SO THAT MORE OF US CAN DO WHAT I HAVE DONE IN THE CITY CAN COME ALONG AND PARTNER IN THAT.

IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE CITY OWNERSHIP OF THAT.

>> TONS OF QUESTIONS TO ASK.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT THIS MORE DOWN THE ROAD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THANK YOU ALL OF YOU.

>> WE ARE BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT AFTER THIS!

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

TIPPED WORKERS IN CHICAGO MIGHT BE A STEP CLOSER TO GETTING RAISES AS A COMPROMISE PLAN TO PHASE OUT THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR WORKERS.

UNDER THE PROPOSAL BROKERED BY MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON, ALL CHICAGO BUSINESSES WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY WORKERS THE SAME MINIMUM HOURLY WAGE WHETHER OR NOT THEY EARN TIPPED WAGES IN FIVE YEARS.

THE PROPOSAL WOULD ELIMINATE THE MINIMUM WAGE BY 2025.

THE NEW MEASURE BOSA AND THE BACKING OF RESTAURANT LEADERS AND COULD BE APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL DURING ITS MEETING ON OCTOBER 4th.

MUCH MORE ON THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> AND PROPERTY DAMAGE FROM THIS SUMMER'S FLOODING, RESIDENTS SHOULD KNOW HOW TO APPEAL.

>> 20,000 FLOODING VICTIMS APPLIED FOR RELIEF SO FAR IN MY DISTRICT.

$52 MILLION IN DAMAGE WAS IDENTIFIED FROM THE FLOODING.

THOUSANDS OF HOMES AND BUSINESSES WERE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED.

WE ARE HERE TO MAKE SURE THE PROPERTY OWNERS UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS.

>> RESIDENTS ESPECIALLY IN WESTERN SUBURBS HAVE EXPERIENCED A HISTORIC FLOOD DAMAGE.

THE BOARD OF REVIEW COMMISSIONERS SAY RESIDENTS NEED TO PROVIDE A DESCRIPTION OF THE DAMAGE, THE DATE OR ANY RELEVANT DOCUMENTS LIKE PHOTOS OR INSURANCE REPORTS ALONG WITH THE RIGHT FORMS TO APPEAL PROPERTY VALUE ASSESSMENTS.

>>> CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAY CHANGES ARE BEING MADE TO IMPROVE LEARNING FOR STUDENTS AND IT IS WORKING.

THE DISTRICT CEO PEDRO MARTINEZ, ANNOUNCED CPS STUDENTS SHOWED A NEARLY 6% INCREASE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE ART ON THE ILLINOIS ASSESSMENT OF READINESS AND ALMOST RETURNING TO PREPANDEMIC LEVELS.

STUDENTS SHOWED A 2.6% GAIN IN MATH.

THEY CREDIT SMALLER CLASS SIZES, MORE TEACHER AIDES AS WELL AS MORE STUDENT, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL SUPPORT WITH ADDITIONAL WORKERS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND COUNSELORS.

>>> A GROUNDBREAKING TODAY FOR NEW CHICAGO MEDICINE.

HOSPITAL AND CIVIC LEADERS CAME TOGETHER TO KICK OFF THE NEW $815 MILLION CANCER CARE AND RESEARCH CENTER.

IT IS TOUTED TO BE THE ONLY FREESTANDING FACILITY OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY AND IS SLATED TO OPEN IN 2027.

THERE WILL BE 90 INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT ROOMS AND THEY WILL COLLABORATE WITH RESEARCH FACILITIES ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CAMPUS.

>> USE CHICAGO MEDICINE.

MAKING SURE THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES OF CHICAGO ARE PROPERLY SERVED AGAIN IS A CLEAR EXAMPLE OF HOW YOUR LOVE AND YOUR TREASURE IS ALIVE .

>>> TODAY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY SPOKE BEFORE THE UNITED NATIONS STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE FOR THE WEST TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING UKRAINE'S DEFENSE AGAINST THE RUSSIAN INVASION IN.

>> WELL RUSSIA IS PUSHING THE WORLD TO THE FINAL WORK, UKRAINE IS DOING EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE NO ONE IN THE WORLD WILL FEAR TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM ANY NATION.

>> UKRAINE'S FORMER PRESIDENT WAS HERE IN CHICAGO.

HE WAS A KEY FIGURE IN THE UKRAINIAN MOVEMENT TOWARD INDEPENDENCE AND DEMOCRACY AND PARIS SCHUTZ CAUGHT UP WITH HIM THIS MORNING.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

HE SERVED AS PRESIDENT TRUMP 2005, UNTIL 2010 OF UKRAINE AND WAS FAMOUSLY PRO-WESTERN, PRO- DEMOCRATIC.

A LEADER THAT CAMPAIGNED AGAINST A PRO- RUSSIAN CANDIDATE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE REMEMBER THAT HE WAS POISONED DURING HIS CAMPAIGN AND 2004 MOST CERTAINLY AT THE HANDS OF THE KREMLIN AND ALMOST DIED.

AFTER LOSING THE ELECTION, THERE WERE MASSIVE PROTESTS IN UKRAINE CALLED THE ORANGE REVOLUTION.

HERE THEY ARE MEMORIALIZING THAT.

HE WON THAT BUT CONSTANTLY HAD TO CONTEND WITH THE RUSSIAN AUTHORITARIANISM AND HERE IS VLADIMIR PUTIN APPEARING BEFORE CONGRESS.

NOW HE IS IN CHICAGO FOR VARIOUS EVENTS.

WE MET UP WITH HIM AT PERHAPS THE IDEAL PLACE AT THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH ON THE FAR NORTHWEST SIDE.

HE WAS WITH HIS WIFE AND INTERPRETER, CHICAGO NATIVE WHO HE INTERVIEWED LAST WEEK.

THIS COMES AS BIDEN AND VLADIMIR ZIELINSKI DELIVERED THE SPEECHES WE HEARD.

I ASKED HIM WHETHER HE FEARS AN EROSION OF WESTERN SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE AS RUSSIA'S WAR DRAGS ON.

HERE WAS HIS ANSWER INTERPRETED BY HIS WIFE.

>> EVERY MONTH, EVERY YEAR, WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BATTLE IS ABOUT AND IT IS A BATTLE NOT JUST ABOUT UKRAINE BUT ABOUT EVIL.

IF WE WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE FREEDOM AND SURVIVAL, I THINK ALL PEOPLE WANT TO BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY AND WILL UNDERSTAND THE JUSTICE OF THE WAR.

>> I ALSO ASKED HIM TO TAKE US INTO THE MIND OF VLADIMIR PUTIN AND WHAT HE IS ULTIMATELY AFTER.

>> HE HAS ONE MOTIVE.

ONE THING THAT MOTIVATES HIM AND THAT IS STAYING IN POWER.

>> HE IS WILLING TO KILL THOUSANDS, TENS OF THOUSANDS, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS TO ACHIEVE HIS GOAL.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE ].

>> THIS IS A VERY SMALL PERSON WHO IS RUINING RUSSIA.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE ] .

>> HE IS SOMEONE WHO HAS KILLED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF OUR UKRAINIANS AND HAS CAUSED MILLIONS TO HAVE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY FOR SAFETY.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE ] .

>> VLADIMIR PUTIN HAS ONLY ACCOMPLISHED ONE THING AND THERE IS ONLY ONE THING HE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR AND THAT IS TO BE THE CREATOR OF GREAT TRAGEDY.

>> I ASKED ABOUT THE POISONING WHEN HE WAS CAMPAIGNING AND 2004 AND ASKED WHEN HE KNEW IF HE HAD BEEN POISONED AND HOW HE WAS ABLE TO STAY ALIVE.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE ] .

>> WHEN I LEFT THE DINNER THAT WAS ORGANIZED BY THE SECRET SERVICE AS OF OUR COUNTRY -- >> [ SPEAKING IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE ] .

>> I REALIZED I WAS STARTING TO UNDERGO A TYPE OF PAIN I HAVE NEVER FELT BEFORE IN MY LIFE .

>> [ SPEAKING IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE ] .

>> AND THEN, WHEN I WAS VISITED SEVERAL DAYS LATER BY THE HEAD OF THE UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT -- >> [ SPEAKING IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE ] .

>> AND HE SAID, IF YOU WANT HIM TO LIVE, TAKE HIM TO A GOOD HOSPITAL.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE ].

>> THAT IS WHEN IT HIT ME THAT IT WAS NOT SOMETHING SIMPLE HAPPENING AND SOMETHING INTENTIONAL HAD HAPPENED.

>> THE UNIVERSAL CONSENSUS IS THAT THIS WAS DONE AT THE HANDS OF KREMLIN AND HE SAID HE DOES HOPE FOR JUSTICE ONE DAY.

YOU CAN LOOK FOR MORE OF THE CONVERSATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> STUNNING TO SEE HIM TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AND IN CHICAGO.

>> THE SISTER CITY OF KYIV.

>> THAT IS OUR CHAUFFEUR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

ONE PROGRAMMING NOTE, SOME VIEWERS WERE UNABLE TO WATCH THE SHOW LAST NIGHT.

YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE ALL, PART OR ALL THE PROGRAM.

>> THE BATTLE BETWEEN LEGAL CANNABIS AND THE NEW UNREGULATED SO-CALLED DELTA EIGHT CANNABIS.

>>> LEARNING TRADITIONAL MEXICAN DANCING.

>> FOR ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

STAYS HEALTHY AND SAFE AND SEE YOU TOMORROW!