>> Hello and thanks for joining us on Chicago Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

What's changed with federal immigration enforcement since operation Midway Blitz began a year ago.

And in a welcome change, the Chicago Bears look to exceed expectations as they head into the season opener.

>> First off tonight, new research shows the economic impact of federal immigration enforcement in Cook County last year.

Researchers at the UIC Great Cities Institute found that neighbors in communities with a large Latin American born population made 9% fewer trips out of their community for discretionary spending and 10% less for dining the decline for essential destinations like grocery stores, pharmacies and banks was 8%.

They say that impact was especially felt in suburban communities.

The study estimates 1.2, 6 billion dollars in commercial activity was lost and 107 million dollars in sales tax revenue.

Researchers say there's no evidence that the missing commercial activity shifted elsewhere.

And we'll have more on the impact of Operation Midway Blitz coming up in just a few minutes.

Residents are pushing back on a plan that would see the White Sox potentially move out of their community.

Amtrak facility move in Bridgeport, Chinatown and Armor Square neighbors joined elected officials outside guaranteed Rate Field today denouncing the plans that would bring a new railcar maintenance facility to the area.

It comes after White Sox minority owner.

Just a niche be is company released plans over the weekend for a mixed use development called the Railyards as the site for a potential new stadium which would be built in the South Loop where an Amtrak rail yard currently operates.

Officials say Amtrak received a federal categorical exclusion for the project allowing it to move forward without a full environmental assessment.

>> When an industrial facility is being built within mile of at least 17 schools and a senior living facilities, housing Amtrak claim it will have no impact on not worth their time.

>> In a news release is BS.

Company says the project is still in the early stages of development.

Swimmers who want to join the fun for this year's Chicago River Swim.

But don't actually want to go the distance can instead just make a splash.

Organizers have announced the big jump as the newest way to participate.

Cannonball Belly Flop Swan dive, whatever you got.

But just 100 public slots are available and they'll cost you a $500 registration fee.

Those folks will jump in alongside Olympians, celebrities, elected officials and more.

The big jump happens on September 18th before everyone else swims the one or 2 mile distance of the swim on September.

20th organizers have also reopened registration for the swim increasing the maximum or participants up to 750 qualified swimmers proceeds from both the jump and the swim support, ALS research and youth swim education.

Joanna Hernandez looks at the Trump administration's Chicago area immigration crackdown one year in.

That's right after this.

>> Chicago tonight is made possible in part by the Alexander and John Nichols family.

The Pope Brothers Foundation.

And the support of these donors.

>> It's been one year since Operation Midway Blitz began in Chicago.

Max agents patrolling neighborhoods, streets, overcrowding at the Broad View, detention center and the shootings of see video, Vegas Gonzalez and money.

Mike Mike Dean all followed one year later, residents are still navigating a changing immigration system.

Arrest patterns are shifting.

Court hearings are becoming more crowded and some say chaotic and community members are still seeking accountability for agents accused of wrongdoing.

Joining to talk about the impact is state Senator Garcia Guzman, whose district includes parts of Albany, Park, Avondale in Belmont Cragin.

I've sent a little the tegus executive director at last.

It you Goggle Dianna Rashid State, director of legal defense at the Resurrection Project and Samuel co-chief immigration litigation counsel at the ACLU of Illinois in a former immigration judge.

Thank you all for joining us today.

There's a lot to talk about.

So let's see how far we can get.

Senator Guzman, you organize neighborhood rapid response efforts during Midway Blitz.

Now looking back to this time last year.

What stands out to you the most when you think about that time?

>> I think I call it the tale of 2 different experiences.

It was some of the best most amazing display of solidarity from a town in a state that are very deeply committed to using every single step possible to protect our neighbors.

And we saw that and people's benevolence of the ways in which they voluntarily put themselves on the line to make sure the children got to school the ways which they so many other those, the kinds of support that that our neighbors have needed.

So that's a beautiful display.

We also saw just that quick decay of public trust as we were seeing killing shootings, tear gas, aggressive deploys of tactics to try to get everything from folks that had no criminal record U.S.

citizen children like it was so widespread.

And I think that collective trauma is something that we continue to work through as we think about the gaps and our policy landscape here at the state of Illinois.

As we look at other states that are seeking to continue the art of accountability that we have begun here and what service mutual responsibility to one another, to ensure that in light of the federal atrocities that are being occur occurring in this moment that we continue advancing advancing the welcoming state Illinois and I said I want to go to you.

What is the lasting impact of Midway that Midway Bliss had on communities like Little Village.

We know they want a little village them on Craig.

In many areas in the suburbs and the North side.

>> How did that impact these communities?

Sure.

I mean, I think the the loudest impact has been a tremendous amount of fear and anxiety.

>> That even though enforcement is not at the level or blunt as it was for some months people are still scared >> you you feel a certain sense of normalcy that's come back to the community.

>> But at any rumor event of a site of any car that's mark that has place that has tinted windows and it triggers people.

And you begin to immediately see the effects of that fear returning into the community, which is say that some of these communities have healed or I think that our communities heal because is who we are as people our culture, right.

that the first thing that we persevered it won't be the last bite.

>> I think that both government philanthropy, community-based organizations.

>> We all have to continue to come together to really help the community recover.

I think there's one thing to heal and that's going to take time.

But so is recovery.

And so how can we continue to come together?

Not just to ensure accountability is where needs to be, but how do we bring resources together to help families recover?

At some point as real rate?

And Sam, the broad attention center, as we know, was the Tories for overcrowding at the height of these operations.

What have we learned about the conditions inside of detention center?

>> Well, value Illinois, along with MacArthur Justice Center and I'm or stall off early.

But a lawsuit about the conditions there in October of 2025. and they were when at that they were absolutely abominable.

since that time, there's just been a fewer may fewer people who are detained there.

So people brought detention center is kind of like a bus stop like people should be in and out in 6 hours, 12 hours at most, the one she was staying overnight there.

There are right there aren't enough toilets.

And that's what hearing from people.

that's that's exactly.

That's the that was the problem.

There were no because because it wasn't meant to be a facility people stayed overnight.

So fortunately now because of temporary restraining order that the Gettleman entered.

isn't used for for long term.

Stays, right.

People go in and out much quicker call that it was a fight.

But was it was it was a real the real fight.

It was.

It was it was a real fight.

Unfortunately.

Now people are moved to other detention centers that also have really bad conditions right outside of Illinois.

They get moved to to Miami congressional facility.

got moved to other other states and it's still not great.

And you are assisting many of these people who are detained.

Now, the Trump administration repeatedly said the midway Bliss was focused on.

>> Detaining the worst of the worse, right.

But government data shows many of these detained had no prior criminal convictions.

Now, what does that tell us about cool was actually being detained during that time?

>> Yeah, absolutely.

I mean, are the government data and our records show that?

You know, I think it was approximately 70% of individuals who were detained had no criminal record.

And so when they say that they're targeting the worst of the worst, that is just a false narrative right?

We know that individuals who were being impacted were hard working parents, minors.

There were children getting detained with their parents, individuals who had long-term ties in the United States who had a long working history and also those who had recently arrived and were seeking asylum in the United States.

And we're following all of the process available to them and trying their best to abide by the laws in the process.

They were set up and those are the individuals that were targeted.

what are your thoughts?

>> Angry with that.

And I think, you they painted our community that they attacked as the worst of the worst when in reality, they were the best of the best.

They're the people that contribute to not just, you know, the the Chicago economy, the Illinois economy, but the U.S.

economy.

And so eventually they're going feel bad effect as we're feeling it.

Now it's going trickle up to the entire country and it it wasn't the worst of the worst.

It was working families.

So as people that come here to feed their families to send their kids to school, to be a its citizens contributors of their.

they want show nurses, many of them were business these neighborhood reside I'm going announce Senator Guzman, do you remember what that was like?

A?

>> Remember going to a restaurant in Little village when Mayfair ones like us have someone on a Saturday.

It was completely empty.

I was shocked.

>> Definitely remember you.

You feel the chill that people feel and it wasn't just, you know, routine things like going to the store going to school.

We thought that sustained presence of fear in our communities for over a Now a lot walking those Central American parade in knowing that the reason folks, a warrant there this weekend is because there were detentions and Albany Park, particularly violent ones.

And that's the legacy that remains from Midway Blitz.

And beyond that, I think understanding that, unfortunately, this is a part of our daily experience that's being perpetuated by the same federal government that is stripping health care and food away.

And so we have a choice in this moment about how we engage not just state revenue but state policy tools to continue to protect our residents and to continue to enforce accountability.

Because in this moment it's not about the policy that we're setting forth.

It's about the political will to continue investigations to pursue the evidence, to continue to fight for justice for the residents here Illinois.

And Sam, I want to talk about what we're seeing in immigration court.

Most recently we heard about mega master hearings.

>> Where those how would you describe them?

Megan master hearing is is when the immigration court sends hearing notices to have 200 cases may be called at the same time in front of the same judge in the same courtroom.

>> It's chaos, right?

People don't know where to go.

Way too many people for one time in one courtroom.

I was there a couple weeks ago.

Want to look at one of the mega master hearings.

There were people that had to had to wait at the first floor of this of the 55 East Monroe building.

They were allowed upstairs because it's too crowded.

The court is on the on the 5th floor of the building and the hallways are jam packed people, Mister Court.

Not because they're not there, but because they don't know where to go.

It's chaotic.

I I saw one court where the judge wasn't even in the courtroom.

The judge was wasn't by video from Maryland and yet she require all these people come into into the courtroom and check in.

These are designed to to have the judge's order.

People removed designs that people don't show up to court or aren't in the right place at right moment.

And so they lose their chance to present their case.

>> And Diana, how with these heart of these hearings impact the right to due process?

we're telling us an example, something you saw that was happening.

Yeah, absolutely.

So through the hotline we receive calls from individuals who have now been detained because they missed one of these mega master hearings.

They didn't receive sufficient notice.

Often time we see these hearings were scheduled for 2027, 2029.

And now within 2 weeks, they get a notice that they have to show up.

Sometimes those notices don't come in time for them to be able to make it.

But even when some individuals do show up the chaos inside of the courtroom makes it so that they miss their court hearing.

We received a call from the wife of a gentleman they both had a court hearing.

They both showed up at court.

She was allowed into the courtroom and had to wait outside in the lobby.

And lo and behold, he gets ordered removed even though he's waiting there in the room.

He was he was in the building.

He was in the lobby just outside of the courtroom, receiving a removal order in his absence, even though he was present just because of the chaos and the confusion that they cost.

And I want to quickly get everyone, you know, one year after Midway blitz.

But Stella, what's the biggest lesson Chicago should take away?

>> I think it's about our ability to I mean, I think very early on, right.

Someone said something along the lines Chicago is to educate a Hagel immigrants to educate it to fall into the Bates.

I think that it showed the world our ability to come together and support each other to stand shoulder to shoulder and defend each other.

And we will recover and heal in the same Senator gather, I'm sorry, senator, really have time.

We have a couple seconds.

What you like to say?

think just that we continue to be there for our residents.

I think folks to continue understand that ice continues their malice in their neighborhoods.

>> And should you need help?

Legal assistance?

855-435-7693.

That's her state statewide hotline.

That is ready to people that think you're going to have to leave it at that.

But thank you for all of your input.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank Up next, brand is Freeman and James Bay Katt Williams with a look at the upcoming their season.

>> Hibernation is almost over as the Bears gear up for their first regular season game against the Panthers this Sunday, the Bears are coming off their best showing in years finishing atop the NFC north for the first time since 2018 and ending their season.

Just 2 wins away from the Super Bowl.

The team enters this season with high expectations under quarterback Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson joining us to break it all down is James Big Cat Williams, former offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears.

Welcome back.

James, good to see you.

Thanks for having had the season.

I guess.

>> Okay.

So Bears fans are going to be looking for their ice man, Caleb Williams to have another great season.

He's recently shown he can take the heat.

Also.

>> On a hot ones anyways, year's Madden cover athlete.

He's sitting at the 8th best odds to win the NFL MVP award.

Are you expecting him to live up to those expectations?

>> I think it's growing every year.

We saw in the 2004.

Over 3500 yards last year is over.

3900 yards.

And I think we're looking for him to make a jump and having been jobs, coach with Johnson and his corner.

good predictor of what he should You know, co-stars always talks about he was from the have 60% completion rate battle propel offense for world.

This is the year to see a book.

You have pieces of places for running backs wide receivers tight couple questions on the offensive line.

But hopefully those things, Lauren themselves out work.

look for him to have a good season this year.

>> No Bears quarterback has ever reached 4,000 yards passing in a season.

I think you can do it.

I think you I think you be just as happy if they went to the Super Bowl we have 3200 yards passing.

>> But, you quarterbacks are.

Value by how many yards, how many touchdowns, how many the lack of interceptions so to see him put all these things together to produce a good season for the Bears.

It's exciting.

>> Ok, Ben Johnson, though he's got some.

He's got his sights set pretty high above the Super Bowl Super Bowl saying last week, quote or last month, excuse me, quote, I want to have the highest-scoring offense ever which happens to be the 2013 Denver Broncos.

I know how many points per game they scored.

37.9 and I want to surpass them.

I won't shut out.

I want blowouts.

>> That's a big statement.

haul.

That's a big statement.

You look at the way that he won last year as far as the one point game, score games that they the last minute wins that they had.

It's not something that I think you can sustain over the years, but if the offense is stronger and the defense can play up to par, get a few turnovers play a little better on that defensive line.

And they did last year.

Who knows?

Because of If that defense can create turnovers, now it's more more times offense has to drive down the field to put points on the board will.

How is offensive line looking after centered on and sudden retirement?

>> Well, you always wonder where a center leaves how the offensive line is going to jail because that center position is the leader of all.

He's the one that puts the room and the right block of News.

Weather Bureau.

Other past warmer pointing out the mike linebacker could change depending on what the focus is for >> you're talking about a guy who is now being asked to come in and run the entire show worth it all.

4 guys for quarterback that he's always been with for a couple months.

So if he's able to perform, I think the Bears line will do well.

They still have a little bit of the season making a make over to left tackle position.

But it seems like Braxton Jones will be their starter going into the first game book, you know, trip alone has rehabbed and they're looking for the comeback.

>> Last season, the Bears won 7 games after trailing with 2 minutes or less to play.

I think we all remember those few games.

Do you expect that to continue or is this coast Johnson going to be looking to get out in front, start leading the season?

No, I think they're going I don't think it was his intention not to get out in front last year, but they just weren't able to do it.

I think they're going to make a concerted effort to get it done this year because >> I think the defense is going to be a little further behind that offensive if they're able to go out there put up some points if they're able to go out there and hold onto the ball.

It bodes well for the Bears.

You know.

So yes, I could.

I could see putting up quite a few points.

All right.

So talking defense a little more because the story of last season was a side great at generating turnovers.

Not so great at stopping the run.

>> How is this year's defense looking to improve?

You have to love personnel very.

>> Have sounded very confident in the people as they have on the defense now as a collection.

I don't think there's anyone in there that they're saying stands out.

But they're saying as a group they can play they can get the things that they need to get dark.

So it'll be all about the You know, what type with says they want a because what they do to refuse people as far secondary goals were, you know, it's safeties down in the box safeties off the corner quarter blitzes.

>> You know, the different things that they want to throw out of defensively.

It's going to be they're going to need to put on a good performance because if you have an offense is trying to put this really points up.

You're going to be the defense to roll along with him for?

Well, yeah, OK in the Bears also have got a few injuries this year.

wide receiver dunes, a quarterbacks tyrique Stevenson and Jalen Johnson.

>> And running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle minimum guy.

How are in a jury injuries going to play a role in the season opener this weekend for injuries are always a shirts with women practice this week.

So >> they went through or practice yesterday.

So hopefully, you know, both of those guys are ready for the work.

Will, but they will curl that will occur on Sunday.

You listen Coach Dawson talk.

I think it was yesterday he talked about as far as the wide receivers go.

He might not know Thursday.

>> Who's going to be starting guys and what packages things like that.

So that's a little bit of a concern.

But you're talking about a wide receiver ruled that is packed with power that it has.

A lot of young guys are ready to shine.

So we'll see if they get their moment.

Alright, 30 seconds left predictions for the NFC North this year.

>> The Bears going make a run at the Super Bowl.

Yes or Yeah.

I think the Bears have an opportunity you know, this is a tough division.

They're going to have to deal with Detroit.

They're going to have to deal with Green Bay.

>> They're going to have see what Minnesota has to offer.

So there's a lot more our division, but they do have the ability win division.

Make up for the But it's about how healthy you are, how cohesive, you know, your 2 units are as a whole.

Okay.

>> All right.

Sorry.

going watch what's going to watching All right.

Yeah, OK, James, Big Cat Williams, thank you so much.

As always.

Good to see you.

Thanks for him.

And we're back to wrap things up right after this.

And that's our show for this Tuesday night on a programming note.

Be sure to join us next Tuesday for a candidate forum with the 4 contenders.

>> Vying for president of Chicago's school board head to our website to RSVP to be in our studio audience.

That's at W T Tw Dot com slash events and you can stay connected with our reporters and what they're working on by following us on Instagram at W T Tw Chicago.

Enjoin us tomorrow night at 5, 30 10 as the summer months.

And a look at violent crime in Chicago and what's being done to prevent it.

>> Now for all of us here at Chicago Brandis Friedman, thank you for watching.

Stay healthy and safe and have a good night.

>> Closed captioning is made possible by Robert.

A clip from and Chicago personal