>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN IS ON ASSIGNMENT.

HERE IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

THE MAYOR IS PLANNING TO MOVE MIGRANTS TO FORMER SOUTH SHORE HIGH SCHOOL.

HOW BUSINESSES IN EDGEWATER ARE FARING.

>>> JONATHAN JACKSON ON TACKLING GUN VIOLENCE AND MORE.

>>> YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS.

THE LATEST IN OUR WTTW NEWS EXPLAINS SERIES.

WE FOLLOW THE SEWER SYSTEM.

>>> PARIS, AS YOU MENTIONED, I AM IN EDGEWATER REPORTING ON OUR IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES.

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF REDLINE TRACKS ON THE NORTH SIDE IS OPENING UP SPACE THAT HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR AROUND 100 YEARS.

WE LOOK AT WHAT WILL FILL THAT SPACE AND OPERATING AROUND CHALLENGES DURING CTA CONSTRUCTION WITH COVID.

NOW BACK TO YOU.

>>> FOR OUR TOP STORY, RESIDENTS ARE SOUNDING OFF ON A PLAN TO MOVE MIGRANTS TO A FORMER HIGH SCHOOL IN THE SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY.

SOME BUSINESSES ARE CALLING ON THE MAYOR TO STOP THE MOVE.

JOANNA?

>> Reporter: THAT'S RIGHT, PARIS.

MANY RESIDENTS HERE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL BEING USED AS A SHELTER FOR MIGRANTS.

THEY SAY THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN PUSHING TO HAVE THIS BECOME A COMMUNAL SPACE.

WE ARE TOLD THE BUILDING HAS BEEN A TRAINING CENTER FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT.

RESIDENTS TOLD US ABOUT THIS BUILDING'S POSITION, INCLUDING HAVING AN INDOOR POOL.

WITH CITY PLANS TO USE IT AS A MIGRANT SHELTER, RESIDENTS ONCE AGAIN FEEL THEY ARE BEING IGNORED.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS WE SPOKE WITH SPOKE ONCE AGAIN ABOUT THE LACK OF CONSIDERATION FOR THE CITY TO USE THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD AS A HUB FOR ASYLUM-SEEKERS.

THEY EMPHASIZE A LACK OF RESOURCES IN THE AREA.

THEY TALK ABOUT A NEED FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING SAFE SPACES FOR YOUTH.

>> JUST LOOK AROUND OUR MAIN STREETS!

IT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE THAT WE AS CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT, BUT THEY ARE GOING TO BRING PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT CITIZENS INTO HERE, INTO OUR BUILDING THAT WE PAY TAXES FOR, THAT YOU TOOK AWAY FROM US!

>> IT FELT LIKE WHEN THE PROJECTS WERE TORN DOWN THEY SENT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE INTO OUR AREA, CREATING MORE AND MORE CRIME IN OUR AREA.

>> WE HAVE SEEN FOR DECADES NO ONE CARING.

NOW WE HAVE A HUMANITARIAN SITUATION HERE IN CHICAGO , AND NOW THE STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE MONEY TO SPEND.

NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN HERE ARE THE RESOURCES.

>> Reporter: THE CITY IS HOLDING A MEETING TO HEAR FROM RESIDENTS.

IN THE MEANTIME, OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO SEEK SOLUTIONS WITH MIGRANTS ARRIVING IN THE CITY.

IT IS A CRISIS THAT RESIDENTS SAY THEY EMPHASIZE WITH BUT CANNOT ACCEPT IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

NOW PARIS, YOU CAN FEEL THE TENSION AND FRUSTRATION FROM THESE RESIDENTS.

THE MAIN POINT IS WHY?

WHY HERE?

THESE ARE ONE OF MANY QUESTIONS THAT WILL BE ASKED AT THE COMMUNITY MEETING, WHICH WILL BE HELD RIGHT ACROSS FROM THIS BUILDING.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT WILL JOIN OTHER CITY OFFICIALS.

THIS SHOULD BE AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION.

REPORTING LIVE FROM SOUTH SHORE, JOANNA HERNANDEZ, BACK TO YOU.

>> NO DOUBT IT WILL BE AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION.

>>> NOW TO MORE OF TODAY STOP STORY.

A FAITH LEADER IS CONVICTED OF SEXUALLY ABUSING AN EMPLOYEE STILL LIVES NEAR A SCHOOL.

FAITH LEADER MOHAMMED SALIM PLED GUILTY TO TWO COUNTS OF SEXUAL ABUSE AT THE ISLAMIC CENTER OF ELGIN.

HE EMPLOYED HIS VICTIMS EVEN THOUGH IT IS ILLEGAL FOR A CHILD SEXUAL OFFENDER TO BE WITHIN 500 YARDS OF A SCHOOL.

YOU CAN READ THE FULL INVESTIGATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> A FIRE BROKE OUT AT A HIGH-RISE ON THE LAKESHORE THIS MORNING.

FIREFIGHTERS EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE ON THE 10th FLOOR AND CONDUCTED A SEARCH.

FIRE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> MEMBERS OF A FAR RIGHT EXTREMIST GROUP ARE CONVICTED FOR THEIR ROLE IN THE JANUARY 6th INSURRECTION AT THE U.S. CAPITOL.

FORMER PRO BOY LEADER AND RE-K TERRIO WAS AMONG THOSE CONVICTED.

THE CHARGE CARRIES A PRISON SENTENCE OF ALMOST 20 YEARS.

>>> RIDE-SHARE DRIVERS PROTEST WHAT THEY ARE CALLING DANGEROUS AND UNFAIR WORKING CONDITIONS.

>> THERE IS A SAFETY CRISIS AT HUBER AND PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE BEARING THE BRUNT!

>> THEY CALL FOR BETTER WAGES, WORKING CONDITIONS, AND A MORE SAFE AND FAIR EVALUATION PROCESS.

IN A STATEMENT, UBER SAYS THAT FULL-TIME DRIVERS MAKE MORE THAN $20 AN HOUR AFTER EXPENSES, AND OTHER DRIVERS CAN MAKE MORE THAN $29 AN HOUR AFTER EXPENSES.

>>> AND WE ARE LIVE IN CHICAGO'S EDGEWATER COMMUNITY RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> CONSTRUCTION OFTEN MEANS DISRUPTION.

THE CTA HAS BEEN WORKING TO REBUILD TRACKS AS PART OF MODIFICATION PROJECTS.

WITH THE PROJECT STARTING AS SOON AS COVID-19 HIT, THE CHALLENGES HAVE BEEN FELT EVEN MORE ACUTELY.

AS PART OF OUR CHICAGO TONIGHT INTERVIEWS SERIES, WE HAVE BEEN COVERING THIS FROM EDGEWATER.

NOW NEXT JOINS US LIVE.

>> Reporter: PARIS, WE ARE AT A STAGING GROUND FOR A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL THAT CTA CREWS ARE USING.

TWO OF THE FOUR STATIONS ALONG THE STRETCH ARE PARTIALLY SHUT DOWN.

THIS STATION IS AROUND THE CORNER FROM WHERE IS USUALLY LOCATED.

THE DISRUPTION MEANS BIG CHANGES TO THE FOOT TRAFFIC THE BUSINESSES IN THIS COMMUNITY ARE USED TO.

>> IF WE WERE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING IN ORDER, WE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING THAT WAS IMPACTFUL.

>> Reporter: LOCAL LEADERS VOTED TO APPROVE FOR OPENING UP ON BRYN MAWR.

>> I THINK THIS IS ONLY POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES PERMITTED.

>> Reporter: THE STORE SELLS CANDLES, INCENSE AND WATER-THEMED SWAG.

THE TOWN SAYS THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE SUPPORTING THE BUSINESS TO KEEP BRYN MAWR VIBRANT.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO SHOP IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Reporter: TOWNS SAYS THAT THE STREET HAS HAD A CHALLENGING THREE YEARS BETWEEN CONSTRUCTION AND THE PANDEMIC, BUT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS THAT IT IS KEEPING THE STATE NIMBLE.

>> THEY ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING OPTIONS, LOOKING FOR WAYS TO ATTRACT PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THEY EXPECT TO SEE A COUPLE OF NEW BUSINESSES POP UP SOON.

SHE CREDITS THE CTA WITH CLEAR COMMUNICATION ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT AND HOW TO PROMOTE BOTH BUSINESSES.

>> YOU CAN SEE THOSE TRACKS COME TO FRUITION.

YOU CAN FEEL THE EXCITEMENT ON THAT.

WE ARE REALLY BRINGING PEOPLE BACK, I HOPE, OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> Reporter: SHE IS A THIRD-GENERATION BUSINESS OWNER ON BRYN MAWR AND HAS SEEN PLENTY OF UPS AND DOWNS.

SHE OPENED THE SALON IN 2005.

SIGMUND'S SALON HELD ON THROUGH COVID AND RECONSTRUCTION.

IT SAYS THE COMMUNITY MAKES THE CHALLENGES WORTHWHILE.

>> THE COMMUNITY ITSELF IS VERY WELCOMING AND INVITING.

>> Reporter: WITH NEW STATIONS ON THE WAY, THEY ARE HOPEFUL THAT -- >> NEW BUSINESSES ARE BROUGHT BACK THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE ARE TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE TRAFFIC THAT WE HAVE.

I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE HEADWAY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A MILE OF SOON TO BE OPEN PUBLIC SPACE UNDER THE TRAIN TRACKS THAT HAS BEEN BLOCKED OFF BY THE SOLID EMBANKMENT WALLS OF THE L THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR THE PAST CENTURY.

WE WILL FIND OUT WHAT WILL TAKE UP THIS SPACE AND WE WILL FIND OUT WHERE THINGS STAND WITH THE OVERHAUL.

BACK TO YOU.

>> NICK, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> UP NEXT, ONE-ON-ONE WITH FRESHMAN CONGRESSMAN JACKSON.

A DEBT CEILING STANDOFF COULD PUSH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTO DEFAULT.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES FACING CONGRESS.

WE HAVE LONGTIME REPRESENTATIVE BOBBY RUSH FROM THE ILLINOIS FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE!

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

TOP OF THE AGENDA RIGHT NOW IS A TENTATIVE JUNE 1st DEADLINE WHERE THE U.S. COULD DEFAULT ON DEBT IF CONGRESS DOES NOT AGREE TO FUND THE DEBT CEILING.

>> IT HAS GONE ON TOO LONG AND TOO FAR.

THIS CAR IS RUNNING ON FUMES.

HOW IS THIS GOING TO RESOLVE ITSELF?

WE TALK ABOUT DEBT CEILING LIMITS.

THESE BILLS ARE DUE TODAY.

THERE IS NOTHING TO NEGOTIATE ON PAYING PAST BILLS.

NOW, THEY WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FUTURE, BUT NOT PAYING BILLS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN OCCURRED DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

>> WHAT IS THE MAIN OBSTACLE TO AN AGREEMENT?

>> 20% CUTS ACROSS THE BOARD, IT IS REALLY A DEFAULT ON AMERICA.

THE DEBT CEILING AND THE RISK-FREE SECURITIES, THERE IS NOTHING TO NEGOTIATE.

ERICA HAD 75% OF THE WORLD CURRENCY.

THAT IS AN EXTREME PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO HAVE.

WE ARE ONLY 4% OF THE WORLD POPULATION.

RUSSIA, CHINA, INDIA, OTHER CURRENCIES ARE EMERGING.

IF WE DEFAULT, THE BLOOD IS ALREADY IN THE WATER.

THEY WERE ALREADY SHOWING THE RISK OF AN ADJUSTED PREMIUM.

>> SO THE POINT IS THAT THERE WILL BE RAMIFICATIONS ON THE GLOBAL ECONOMY IF THE U.S. DEFAULTS.

I GUESS A PARLOR GAME IS GUESSING WHICH MODERATE REPUBLICANS PRESIDENT BIDEN COULD PICK OFF.

>> I WISH THAT SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES WOULD UNDERSTAND.

I WENT TO BUSINESS SCHOOL.

I CAN TELL YOU ABOUT THE DEBT CEILING.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT THEY ARE VOTING ALONG PARTY LINES, WHICH IS EVEN MORE SCARY.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS DISNEYLAND, A TRUE PLEASURE, AND ON THE WORST DAY IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE SPENDING A DAY AT HIGH SCHOOL PEOPLE ARE READING THE BOOKS, DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ASSIGNMENT WAS.

YOU DON'T PLAY WITH THE DEBT CEILING.

>> THE IDEA IS THAT PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT IDEAS ON HOW THIS WILL BE RESOLVED AT THIS POINT.

THERE IS NOT MUCH TIME LEFT.

WE WILL KEEP WATCHING.

IN A WEEK, TITLE 42 WILL END, WHICH COULD SEE LOTS MORE MIGRANTS COMING TO THE BORDER.

HOW SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ATTACK THIS?

DO YOU ANTICIPATE A SURGE TOWARDS THE BORDER?

>> WHAT IS A BRINGING PEOPLE ACROSS THE BORDER?

SAFETY, SECURITY, OPPORTUNITY.

THE PEOPLE ARE IN DESPERATION.

IF SOMEBODY DECIDES TO LEAVE WITH NOTHING MORE THAN THE SHIRT ON THEIR BACK TO A COUNTRY WHERE THEY DON'T SPEAK THE LANGUAGE, THAT IS JUST RATION.

PEOPLE ARE BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM THEIR OWN COUNTRIES.

WE HAVE TO HAVE THE INITIATIVE TO HELP.

I THINK THAT AMERICA IS BIG ENOUGH AND WE CAN BE COMPASSIONATE ENOUGH TO INCORPORATE EVERYBODY UNDER A FAIR POLICY.

I AM GOING TO PROPOSE THE RESTORATION ACT.

WE CANNOT HAVE 4.7 MILLION AMERICANS OFF OF THE VOTING ROLLS.

I WANT TO SEE A PATH FOR IMMIGRANTS TO COME IN AND FIND A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP.

I WANT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE JUDICIARY TO HAVE VOTING RIGHTS RESTORED.

>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT RELEASED FELONS?

>> CORRECT.

IT IS UNFAIR BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT WE CAN HOUSE AMERICANS.

I'M SO IMPRESSED WITH THE POLISH COMMUNITY.

TWO OR 3 MILLION AMERICANS FLED INTO POLAND.

POLAND TOOK THESE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE INTO THEIR HOMES, INTO THEIR SCHOOLS.

THEY DIDN'T MISS A BEAT.

>> SO THERE IS ROOM FOR MORE CAPACITY.

THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE, IS THERE ANY KIND OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD GET BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT?

>> THIS IS THE FRUSTRATING PART OF OUR TIME IN THE CONGRESS.

WHERE CAN WE GET MIDDLE GROUND ON GUN LEGISLATION?

THERE IS A GENERATION OF YOUNG ACTIVISTS WHO ARE LOOKING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON THIS ISSUE.

THIS IS TRAUMATIZING A GENERATION.

IN TENNESSEE, THESE YOUNG MEN WERE FIGHTING TO STOP THE PROLIFERATION OF AR-15 WEAPONS.

THESE WEAPONS ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN WHAT POLICE HAVE.

YOU ALSO HAVE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS GOING AROUND THE FLOOR AND PASSING OUT AR-15 LAPEL PINS.

YOU HAVE THEM GOING TO THE RESOURCE COMMITTEE ASKING IF THEY CAN BRING GUNS.

THAT IS INSANITY!

>> THAT IS VERY INTERESTING.

MEMBERS ASKING TO BRING GUNS TO THE CAPITAL.

CONGRESSMAN JACKSON, SO MANY ISSUES TO GET TO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!

TAKE CARE.

>>> UP NEXT, WE CHECKED BACK WITH NICK BLUMBERG WHO IS REPORTING LIVE FROM EDGEWATER.

FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

♪ ♪ NOW WE GO BACK TO NICK BLUMBERG WHO IS REPORTING FROM EDGEWATER.

>> Reporter: PARIS, AS MENTIONED EARLIER, THE CTA IS IN THE MIDST OF A MUCH-NEEDED OVERHAUL OF THE RED AND PURPLE LINE ON THE NORTH SIDE.

I CAUGHT UP WITH CTA'S TAMMY SHAY AND I ASKED HER ABOUT THE YEARS LONG MODERNIZATION EFFORT.

>> WE HAVE REBUILT MORE THAN A MILE OF TRACK STRUCTURE, WHICH INCLUDES BUILDING PURPLE AND RED LINE TRACKS THAT ARE IN THAT AREA.

WE ARE ALSO GETTING STARTED BUILDING FOUR NEW REDLINE STATIONS ALONG BERWYN AND BRYN MAWR.

>> Reporter: SO THIS IS A MUCH DIFFERENT PROFILE THAN WE ARE USED TO.

THIS WILL ACTUALLY CREATE SPACE BENEATH TRACKS.

WHAT IS THE CTA PLANNING TO DO WITH IT?

>> THERE WILL BE NO OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE STREETS, WHICH WILL BE GREAT FOR SIGHTLINES AND DRIVERS.

BUT THERE WILL BE A NEW SPACE UNDER THE TRACKS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 100 YEARS SINCE THE L LINE WAS BUILT.

WE WILL ASK THE COMMUNITY WHAT THEY WANT BLOCK BY BLOCK.

IT MIGHT BE MORE PARKING OR SPACE FOR COMMUNITY MARKETS.

SO WE ARE EXCITED!

IN WHAT CITY CAN YOU JUST HAVE BRAND-NEW SPACE TO OFFER PEOPLE?

>> Reporter: WHERE DO THINGS STAND IN TERMS OF REBUILDING THE TWO SIDES OF THE TRACK?

>> YEAH, WE ARE BUILDING THIS PROJECT IN TWO STAGES.

THE FIRST STAGE WAS BUILDING THE NORTHBOUND RED AND PURPLE LINE TRACKS.

THAT IS THE EXCITING PART.

ONCE WE COMPLETE THAT LATER THIS SUMMER, WE WILL PUT THE NEW TRACKS INTO SERVICE, WHICH MEANS OUR CUSTOMERS GET TO WRITE ON THEM FOR THE FIRST TIME.

WE CANNOT WAIT FOR THEM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

THEN WE WILL START BUILDING THE SOUTHBOUND TRACKS BETWEEN BRYN MAWR AND THE STATION HOUSES.

>> SO BUILDING THE STATION HOUSE AND SOUTHBOUND TRACKS, WHAT IS THE TIMELINE MIKE TO WRAP ALL OF THESE UP?

>> THIS WILL PROBABLY TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.

WE ARE STILL ON TIME FOR 2025.

>> Reporter: IN TERMS OF THE FURTHER WORK LOOKING NORTH, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THAT?

>> WE ARE A MULTIPHASE PROJECT.

WE ARE IN PHASE ONE, AS WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

WE ARE AT LEAST PROBABLY A COUPLE MORE PHASES, WHICH INCLUDES BUILDING FROM THORNDALE ALL THE WAY NORTH TO LINDEN AND WELL BACK!

THE OTHER STRETCH WE NEED TO BUILD IS AROUND SHERIDAN STATION.

THAT IS KIND OF AN OLD STATION THAT WE WANT TO REBUILD AND MAKE ACCESSIBLE AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THOSE NEW NORTHBOUND TRACKS THAT CHASE MENTIONED THAT ARE ABOUT TO GO INTO SERVICE THIS YEAR, THEY ARE HIGHER THAN MOST L TRACKS AROUND THE CITY.

THEY ALSO HAVE NOISE WELLS ON BOTH SIDES FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT WILL CUT DOWN ON A LOT OF THE ICONIC CTA CLATTER THAT MOST OF US ARE USED TO, BUT DON'T WORRY.

WE WILL STILL HEAR TRAINS GOING BY.

IT IS THE SOUND OF CHICAGO!

THAT'S ALL FROM EDGEWATER.

PARIS, BACK TO YOU.

>>> OUR DIGITAL SERIES WTTW EXPLAINS HAS TAKEN ON EVERYTHING FROM CARS ON SUNDAYS TO THE DETAILS OF LAKE EFFECT SNOW.

WE HAVE NOT COVERED TOILETS.

SO GATHER ALL THE NEIGHBORS AND KIDS AS PATTY WHITLEY BRAVES THE DEPTHS OF THE SEWER SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: EVERY TIME YOU FLUSH, THE WASTE DISAPPEARS IN A SWIRLY WORLD, NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN!

IT'S MAGIC!

ACTUALLY, IT'S SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING.

LET'S FOLLOW THE FLUSH.

FIRST STOP, THE SEWER PIPES.

HERE IS WHERE IT IS WITH ALL THE OTHER HOUSEHOLD WASTE WATER, YOU KNOW, FROM WHEN YOU RINSED OFF YOUR DISHES AND CLOTHES.

THEN, CHICAGO STORMWATER AND RUNOFF JOINS THE PARTY, TOO.

ALL OF THIS WASTE GETS SWEPT INTO HIS OWN OWNED BY THE METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT OF GREATER CHICAGO.

MORE THAN 1 BILLION GALLONS OF WASTEWATER ARE PRODUCED EVERY DAY WITHIN THE CHICAGO METRO AREA.

BEST CASE SCENARIO, THIS CA-CA COCKTAIL IS HEADED TOWARDS A RECLAMATION PLAN.

WORST CASE SCENARIO, IT COULD FLOW INTO WATERWAYS LIKE THE CHICAGO RIVER.

THAT IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST, WHEN ALL THE TOILET TREASURES WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE RIVER AND INTO LAKE MICHIGAN.

BUT LET'S STAY FOCUSED ON THE POSITIVE.

TODAY WHEN WASTEWATER REACHES WATER RECLAMATION PLANTS, LARGE SCREENS FILTER THINGS OUT.

SOLIDS SETTLE TO THE BOTTOM AND ARE FUNNELED AWAY.

IF ANYTHING SOMEHOW STAYS AFLOAT, THERE ARE, AND THERE IS NO BETTER WAY TO SAY THIS, POOP-EATING MICROBES.

THE MICROBES THEN DROPPED TO THE BOTTOM AND THE CLEAN WATER ON TOP FLOWS INTO THE WATERWAY, BUT NOT LAKE MICHIGAN.

REPEAT, NOT LAKE MICHIGAN.

THE WHOLE PROCESS TAKES ABOUT 12 HOURS.

AND THAT IS THE STORY, FROM FLUSH TO FINISH.

>> NOW YOU KNOW!

YOU CAN SEE ALL OF OUR WTTW NEWS EXPLAINS ON OUR WEBSITE , WTTW.COM.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5: 30 FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT LATINO VOICES , THEN AT 7:00 FOR THE WEEK IN REVIEW AND CHICAGO TONIGHT BLACK VOICES.

NOW FOR ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM PARIS SCHUTZ .

HAVE A WONDERFUL EVENING.

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

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