TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

THE DETAILS ON THE DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN EMAILS TO EDUCATORS.

>> THIS IS REALLY A PRICE PLACE OF INSPIRATION.

>> WHAT THAT MEANS FOR LIFELONG RESIDENTS.

>>> CHINATOWN CELEBRATES THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

WE HEAR ABOUT SAFETY PROGRESSIONS.

>>> THE BEST ACROSS MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE CITY.

>>> AS I MENTIONED, I AM IN BROWNSVILLE , WHERE I WILL BE CO-ANCHORING TONIGHT.

IN BROWNSVILLE, GAINED NATIONAL ATTENTION AS IT IS NOW A NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

RESIDENTS ARE HOPING THAT THE EFFORTS WILL BRING TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO THE COMMUNITY.

WE WILL TELL YOU ALL ABOUT IT IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW TO TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

YES, THERE WAS AN ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

GUESS WHAT?

EARLY VOTING IS UNDERWAY.

IS 339 CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR, AND DOZENS OF CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES.

WHERE CAN A VOTER GO NOW?

THERE ARE TWO PLACES OPEN.

THE SUPER SITE AT 91 -- AND HAD 68 WEST WASHINGTON.

STARTING FEBRUARY 14, VOTERS WILL BE ABLE TO GO TO A LOCATION IN ALL 15 WARDS.

THAT WILL RUN THROUGH ELECTION DAY ON FEBRUARY 20th.

>>> A GROUP OF SOUTHSIDE RESIDENTS WANT TO SAVVY TEXEL POSTAL WORKERS.

IT IS MADE UP OF PASTORS AND POSTAL UNION MEMBERS TO TALK ABOUT SETTING UP A WARNING SYSTEM TO PREVENT WORKERS -- ATTACKS ON WORKERS DELIVERING MAIL.

GOING AFTER MAIL, PACKAGES AND UNIVERSAL -- LOCAL OFFICIALS TO TAKE ACTION, BUT ALSO SAY THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL RESIDENT ALSO HAS A ROLE TO PLAY.

>> COME OUT ON THE PORCH.

TIE A RIBBON ON YOUR DOOR HANDLE , ON THE GATE, ANYTHING TO LET THEM KNOW THAT IS A SAFE HAVEN FOR THEM , AND THAT SOMEONE IS WATCHING.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ARGUES THAT A PORTION OF THE SAFETY ACTUALLY BE REINSTATED.

JUST BEFORE THE NEW YEAR, A COUNTY JUDGE STRUCK DOWN THE PATH -- PORTION OF THE LOG THAT SAID VIOLATED THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

-- FILED A -- BRIEF TODAY.

HE SAYS THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT REQUIRE THE STATE TO HAVE A SYSTEM OF MONETARY BILL.

-- ON THE CASE IN MARCH.

>>> UP NEXT, HEATHER CHERONE WITH AN UPDATE ON HER STORY.

THAT IS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> NEW DETAILS ON WTTW NEWS FIRST BROKE THIS MONTH.

OBTAINING RECORDS REVEALING CHICAGO PUBLIC OFFICIALS -- THE BRAKES ON THE CAMPAIGN EMAIL THAT ASKED FOR CPS STUDENT VOLUNTEERS.

THE EMAIL REVEALED CPS OFFICIALS IMMEDIATELY TOLD MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN.

THAT CONTRADICTS WHAT WAS SAID ON THE MATTER.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US WITH THE LATEST ON THOSE UPDATES.

HEATHER, YOU WROTE THE STORY A FEW WEEKS AGO.

WE LEARN MORE TODAY FOR THESE NEW EMAILS AFTER THE CAMPAIGN SENT THE ORIGINAL EMAILS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO COME IN, HELP HER WIN HER CAMPAIGN.

WHAT DO WE KNOW NOW?

>> AT LEAST 168 TEACHERS GOT THESE EMAILS STARTING AT ABOUT 8:30 IN THE MORNING FROM MEGAN CRANE, THE LIGHTFOOT CAMPAIGN MANAGER .

THEY HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND SENT THESE EMAILS ASKING WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO TO DISTRICT OFFICIALS.

THAT BROUGHT AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE FROM DISTRICT OFFICIALS WHO GOT IN TOUCH WITH MEGAN CRANE JUST BEFORE 1:00 P.M.

THEY TOLD HER TO STOP SENDING THE EMAILS AND THAT THEY WERE IN VIOLATION OF THE DISTRICTS AT NICK -- ETHNIC POLICY.

>> MEGAN CRANE, BEING THE DEPUTY ON THE LIGHTFOOT CAMPAIGN.

QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THE MAYOR AND HER STAFF -- TIMEWISE.

>> THE FIRST CONVERSATION HAPPENED JUST BEFORE 1:00 P.M. BY 3:30, CHUCK SWIRSKY , HAD MEMORIALIZED THAT CONVERSATION IN AN EMAIL HE SENT TO HIS COLLEAGUES, INCLUDING THE CPS ETHNICS OFFICER.

THAT WAS WHEN I REACHED OUT TO THE CAMPAIGN, ASKING ABOUT THESE EMAILS AND ASKING IF THEY WERE CONCERNED THAT IT WAS AN ETHICS VIOLATION.

IT WAS AT 5:00 P.M. THAT THEY SENT ME AN EMAIL STATEMENT , SENDING THESE EMAILS THEY WERE A COMMON PRACTICE.

EVEN THOUGH SEVEN, ALMOST SIX HOURS AGO AT THAT POINT, THEY HAD BEEN INFORMED THAT THE EMAILS WERE INAPPROPRIATE.

IT WASN'T UNTIL 7:00 P.M. THAT THEY STOPPED THE EMAILS IN TOTAL AND SAID THEY WERE INAPPROPRIATE.

>> WE SHOULD MENTION CHUCK SWIRSKY, NOT THE PLAY-BY-PLAY GUY, BUT A DIFFERENT CHUCK SWIRSKY THAT WORKS IN CPS.

HAS SHE TALKED ABOUT THE CONTRADICTION HERE?

>> I ASKED THE MAYOR'S CAMPAIGN THE QUESTION.

THEY DECLINED TO RESPOND IN DETAIL.

THEY SAID THESE EMAILS WERE A MISTAKE AND THAT THE MAYOR PUT A STOP TO THEM.

HOWEVER, THEY WERE INFORMED THAT 1:00 P.M. ON JANUARY 11th THAT THE EMAILS WERE INAPPROPRIATE.

THEY DID NOT HAVE THEM UNTIL 7:00 P.M.

THIS CERTAINLY RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW IMMEDIATE THE MAYOR'S ACTION WAS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

HEATHER CHERONE CONTINUING TO FOLLOW THE STORY.

YOU CAN READ THE WEBSITE , NEWS.WTTW.COM.

>>> AS SOUTHSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD IS GETTING $10-$15 MILLION TO ENSURING YOU CAN CONTINUE TO TELL THE STORY OF THE GREAT MIGRATION DURING THE EARLY 1900s.

THE NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STRETCHES FROM THE SOUTH LOOP TO WOODLAWN AND IS HOME TO NATURAL HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES THAT TELL THE STORY OF THE TIME PERIOD.

-- AND PRODUCER ARE IN -- CHICAGO IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

BRANDIS , TELL US WHAT PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD YOU ARE IN RIGHT NOW.

>> I AM AT THE INTERSECTION OF 35th AND CAN DRIVE.

I'VE GOT THE MONUMENT BEHIND ME.

I WILL TELL YOU ABOUT THAT IN JUST A LITTLE BIT.

BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, OFFICES.

THAT IS REALLY REFLECTIVE AT WHAT RUNS BROWNSVILLE, HISTORIC TO THE COMMUNITY THEY CREATED.

WHAT IS MORE, WE ARE NOW SURROUNDED BY WHAT IS CALLED THE BRAND-NEW BROWNSVILLE BLACK METROPOLIS HERITAGE AREA.

IT HAS HELPED THE STORY.

MORE THAN HALF AMERICAN BLACK AMERICANS FLED THE DANGERS OF THE JIM CROW AND SETTLED RIGHT HERE IN CHICAGO.

>> Reporter: IF THE WALLS INSIDE THIS BUILDING COULD TALK, THEY MIGHT TELL THE HISTORY OF SOME OF BROWNSVILLE'S GREATEST RESIDENCE.

>> QUINCY JONES, JOHN JOHNSON.

>> Reporter: THE MASSIVE APARTMENTS OPENED IN 1929 TO PROVIDE MODERN HOUSING FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS MOVING TO CHICAGO DURING THE GREAT MIGRATION.

>> HAS VERY -- HAS A POTENT HAS -- HAS SUPPOSEDLY WRITTEN THAT HERE.

>> Reporter: -- BY THE YEAR 2000.

>> AT ONE TIME, THIS BUILDING HAD A BAD REPUTATION.

IT ENDED UP BEING CLOSED.

THEY DIDN'T WANT TO TEAR IT DOWN.

>> Reporter: SHE IS A LONG TIME RESIDENT AND HAVES LIVED IN THE LAST APARTMENT FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.

>> I AM GLAD IT IS BEING RECOGNIZED.

IT HISTORIC , OVER 100 YEARS OLD.

>> Reporter: IT WAS AFTER A MASSIVE REDEVELOPMENT.

THE BUILDING IN JUST ONE OF AT LEAST 20 THAT TELL THE HISTORY OF BROWNSVILLE.

A WELCOMING CENTER TO BLACKS FLEEING RACISM IN THE SOUTH AND THE MECCA FOR ARTISTRY.

IT IS FINALLY BEING RECOGNIZED AND PRESERVED.

>> WE BEGAN THIS JOURNEY.

THEY TOLD US IT WAS GOING TO BE A MARATHON NOT A SPRINT.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IT HAS BEEN.

>> Reporter: ROBINSON, PRESIDENT OF THE BLACK METROPOLIS HERITAGE AREA -- THE COMMUNITY HAVE FINALLY COME TO FRUITION.

IN LATE DECEMBER, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SIGNED THE NATIONAL HERITAGE ACT, ESTABLISHING THE BLACK METALLIC -- METROPOLITAN IS AREA.

FOR THE NEXT 15 YEARS.

LOCAL PRESERVATIONISTS ARE TASKED WITH DEVELOPING A MANAGEMENT PLAN TO PROPERLY PREP THEM FOR TOURS.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM.

PEOPLE COME HERE FOR THE GOSPEL MUSIC.

PEOPLE COME HERE FOR THE BLUES.

PEOPLE COME HERE FOR THE JAZZ.

AND THEY COME HERE TO SEE THE ARCHITECTURE.

THE STORIES.

>> Reporter: FEATURE VISITORS WILL HAVE PLENTY TO EXPLORE.

WITH OVER 20 SITES INCLUDED IN THE PLAN.

RANGING FROM THE MUDDY WATERS HOME, THE MONUMENT AND THE B BRANCH OF THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY.

THE AREA BEING DESIGNATED IS A BEGIN IN SIZE, TOO.

STRETCHING FROM 18th STREET DOWN TO 71st.

IT IS REFLECTED ON THIS PATH TO PROVIDE LESSONS FOR INNOVATION.

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE HERE WHO WERE INNOVATORS AND THAT THE FIRST OPEN HEART SURGERY.

WHO CREATED FRANCHISES LIKE THE LEE.

WE ARE KEY IN BUILDING ON THAT SENSE OF INNOVATION BECAUSE WE FELT LIKE WE NEEDED AGAIN NOW.

>> Reporter: -- ARTIST FRANCIS, WHO WORKS UNDER THE NAME MARLENE CAMPBELL TO TELL THE STORY OF HISTORY.

LIKE IN THIS PIECE TITLED, THE GREAT MIGRATION.

>> IT IS ALL ABOUT THE ANCESTORS WHO COME BACK AND TELL US TO BE MORE SOCIAL -- ECONOMICALLY AND SO WE HAVE SOMETHING TO LEAVE THE NEXT GENERATION.

MAXIE AND HER HUSBAND RUN -- AND I RESIDENCE AT THE BROWNSVILLE -- ONE INCLUDED IN THE AREA , THEY ALL HAVE THEIR OWN STORIES TO TELL.

>> THE BROWNSVILLE LAW ACTUALLY USED TO BE THE BEN FRANKLIN STORE, THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN DEPARTMENT STORE IN THE COUNTRY OWNED BY THE JONES BROTHER.

>> YOU CAN'T WALK ANYWHERE IN BROWNSVILLE WITHOUT READING SOME HISTORY THAT WAS AMAZING THROUGHOUT OUR CULTURE.

>> Reporter: ALSO SIGNIFICANT ABOUT THIS LOCATION, WE ARE ABOUT THIS MONUMENT.

IT WAS BUILT BY THE SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT -- IN THE 93rd DIVISION.

ROSSVILLE IS ALSO HOME TO ANOTHER MAJOR, THOUGH HE WAS NOT IN THE ARMY, JOHN ADAMS.

FOUNDER OF THE BROWNSVILLE TEST FORCE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US IN SUCH CHILLY TEMPERATURES.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

FIRST, TELL US IF YOU WOULD ABOUT MARSHALL.

HE WAS NICKNAMED THE MAJOR AS A KID.

WHO DID HE GO ON TO BECOME?

>> HE WENT ON TO BECOME THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO WIN AN INTERNATIONAL SPORT CHAMPIONSHIP IN ANY SPORT.

HE WON A SPRING RACE IN MONTREAL IN 1899.

>> Reporter: TELL US ABOUT THE CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION THAT YOU ALL ARE LOOKING FOR.

>> WE LEARNED JUST TWO YEARS AGO ANOTHER U.S. OCULUS PSYCHE LIST , GREG , RECEIVED A MEDAL.

AS HE BEGAN RESEARCH, THE CIVIC AWARDS RECEIVED BY HIM, WE LEARNED HE RECEIVED SUCH AWARD.

THAT IS OUR ORGANIZATION.

PAST THE RESOLUTION, ADVOCATING FOR HIM TO RECEIVE THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

>> TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE MISSION?

>> THE MISSION IS TO REPURPOSE THE ABANDONED AIRLINE THAT RUNS EAST TO WEST DOWN FOR THE STREET.

40th STREET .

IT WAS ELEVATED TO AN EMBANKMENT BACK IN 19 SEVEN OR SO.

SINCE THAT TIME, IT OPERATED AS A COMMERCIAL AND PASSENGER LINE.

BEING A PASSENGER LINE IN 1957.

>> Reporter: ALL RIGHT.

JOHN ADAMS, TEST FORCE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> PLEASED TO BE HERE.

>> Reporter: WE WILL BE BACK TO WRAP IT UP WITH YOU IN JUST A BIT.

>> ALL RIGHT, BRANDIS.

STAY WARM.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> UP NEXT, CELEBRATING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR AND INCREASED SECURITY.

>>> FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

♪ >>> THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PARADE IS RETURNING TO CHINATOWN.

IT WILL BE ON ALERT FOLLOWING THE RECENT MASS SHOOTING IN MONTEREY PARK, CALIFORNIA.

IT LEFT 11 PEOPLE DEAD.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ WENT TO CHINATOWN TO SEE HOW PEOPLE ARE CELEBRATING THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS PRIDE IN THE AIR.

WENTWORTH AVENUE IS FILLED WITH TRADITIONAL DECORATION IN PREPARATION FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PARADE.

>> EVERYTHING STARTED FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

WE WISH THE NEW YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT FROM LAST YEAR.

IT WILL BE MORE WEALTHY, MORE HEALTH, MORE MONEY.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THIS YEAR SHE WILL BE WALKING THE PARADE.

>> THIS LUNAR NEW YEAR ESPECIALLY IS EXCITING FOR ME.

I THINK IT WILL BE A WONDERFUL FEELING TO MARCH IN THE PARADE.

IN A PRAYER THAT -- PARADE THAT I HAVE WATCHED MY ENTIRE LIFE.

TO WATCH IN IT AS THE REPRESENTATIVE.

>> THEY ARE HOPING FOR A STRONG TURNOUT FOR LUCK AND WEALTH ON THE NEW YEAR.

LEE SAYS A TOP ALREADY HAS BEEN PUTTING TOGETHER A SECURITY PLAN.

>> AFTER TALKING TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, COMMANDERS, WE KNOW EVERYONE IS ON HEIGHTENED ALERT.

WE ABSOLUTELY HAD TO BE PREPARED FOR THE WORSE.

THAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR US TO COMBAT THIS.

TO GATHER TOGETHER, TO BE TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THE COMMUNITY BELIEVES THAT REUNITING WITH FAMILY IS VERY IMPORTANT DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS.

SANDY FROM PROJECT VISION, AN ORGANIZATION CATERING TO YOUTH IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, SAYS THEY FOCUS ON CONNECTING STUDENTS TO THEIR CULTURE.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF FEED.

IT IS REALLY REWARDING TO SEE THEIR EYES LIGHT UP WHEN THEY SEE THE DECORATIONS .

WISHING BLESSING ON THEIR FAMILY.

PROSPERITY, MONEY, ALL OF THEIR WISHES COMING TRUE.

>> Reporter: IT WOULDN'T BE A LUNAR NEW YEAR WITHOUT THE FOOD.

OF COURSE, THE NOODLES THAT SIGNIFY LONGEVITY.

WE CAN'T FORGET THE DESSERT.

>> IT IS A LOADED PACE, AND THEN THE OUTSIDE IS MORE FLAKY, PASTRY.

>> WE CAUGHT UP WITH HER ON HER WAY TO SHARE SOME CELEBRATORY DESSERT.

>> A HUGE THING IN OUR CULTURE IS EATING MOON CAKE.

IT IS ONLY EATEN ON HOLIDAYS, LIKE THE FESTIVAL, NEW YEAR.

IT IS PRETTY IMPORTANT TO THE CELEBRATION.

THE MAC IF YOU ARE HEADING TO THE PARADE, GET READY TO WATCH DRAGGING AND LINE DANCING TEAMS.

OH YEAH, DON'T GET -- FORGET TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE RABBIT.

I AM JOANNA HERNANDEZ.

>> THE LUNAR PARADE TAKES PLACE THIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT 1:00.

SUMMING UP NEXT, ADDRESSING CONCERNS ABOUT ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> WHERE HAVE WE BEEN?

WHERE ARE WE AT?

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

>> TO BE ABLE TO HELP ANYONE AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY.

THROUGH ACADEMICS, SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING.

TO BE THERE.

>> THIS IS THE FABRIC OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>>> MENTAL HEALTH IS EMERGING AS A KEY ISSUE IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR.

SOME OF THE CANDIDATES WANT TO REOPEN CITY RUN MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS.

OTHERS SAY IT IS TO ATTRACT LOCAL GROUPS TO TAKE CARE OF THE IMMEDIATE RESIDENCE.

DISCUSSING BEST PRACTICES AND DEMAND ARE ALEXA JAMES, WHO -- WHICH ADVOCATES FOR AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY WELLNESS AND PROGRAMS IN THE CITY AVALON.

AND DR. ROBERT SHULMAN, DIRECTOR AND THE ACTING CHAIR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES AT THE MEDICAL COLLEGE.

WELCOME TO BOTH OF YOU.

ALEXA JAMES, LAYOUT FOR CHICAGOANS WHO ARE PERHAPS UNSURE WHAT MENTAL HEALTH OPTIONS EXIST FOR THEM AT THIS POINT.

>> IF YOU ARE UNINSURED, YOU HAVE TO TO GET INSURED.

WE KNOW THAT WHETHER YOU ARE UNINSURED ARE NOT AS COMPLICATED.

WHEN IT COMES TO -- IT ALSO DEPENDS.

THERE IS CLINICAL CARE, COMMUNITY-BASED CARE.

WHAT INSURANCE DOESN'T BUY YOU IS HOUSING.

WE HAVE A HUGE -- WHETHER YOU ARE UNINSURED ARE NOT.

WE CERTAINLY SEE THE NEED FOR THE CITY TO STEP IN, AND THEY HAVE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDERINSURED OR UNINSURED.

>> WHAT IS THE BEST SOLUTION HERE TO THIS ACCESS PROBLEM?

EVEN THE FACT THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS EXACERBATED THOSE NEEDS?

>> THERE IS NO EASY ANSWER.

PART OF IT IS A DEMAND EXCEEDS SUPPLY.

SUPPLY IS PROVIDED.

THE SECOND -- THEY CAN BE THOUGHT OF OF SORT OF INEFFICIENT.

TO TREAT A GREATER NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

>> ARE YOU TALKING -- >> THAT IS MOVING FAST AND EFFICIENT CARE INTO A DIFFERENT VENUE.

A REMOTE VENUE.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS OF ACTUALLY TAKING CARE POPULATIONS.

JUST ACCESSING THE INDIVIDUAL CARE.

THE THRESHOLDS OF SOMETHING SIMILAR , HAVING THERAPISTS AND PROGRAMS WHERE THEY CAN ACTUALLY TAKE CARE OF MORE PEOPLE.

JUST ADDING UP THE INDIVIDUAL PROVIDER CASELOAD.

>> A LOT OF THESE CANDIDATES TALK ABOUT REOPENING THE MENTAL HEALTH -- HOW MANY FOLKS THAT THOSE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS SERVE?

AND WHAT IMPACT WOULD THAT HAVE?

>> I THINK THAT THE QUESTION IS REALLY, DO WE HAVE ENOUGH ACCESS?

I DON'T THINK THE ANSWER IS JUST TO OPEN MORE CLINICS.

I THINK THE ANSWER, YOU NEED TO LOOK AT A COMPREHENSIVE INTERVENTION ABOUT HOW WE INVESTING INTO THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH?

WE ARE IN THE BIGGEST MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS I HOPE WE EVER SEE IN OUR LIFETIME.

EVERYBODY IS GOING TO CONNECT TO CLINICAL BASED CARE.

IT IS NOT LIKE THAT THIS ONLY IS THE INTERVENTION.

THIS IS ONLY ABOUT MAKING SURE WE HAVE A WORKFORCE THAT WANTS TO BE DOING THIS WORK.

THAT THE WAGES ARE LIVABLE.

AND THAT THE AGENCIES ARE ALREADY OVER DELIVERING AND , YOU KNOW, RUNNING DEFICITS.

>> THEY CERTAINLY ARE A LOT OF -- ALWAYS IN NEED OF FUNDING.

DR. ROBERT SHULMAN, WHAT DOES BEST PRACTICES LOOK LIKE?

IS IT THE CITY RUNNING FOR THIS AND PAYING FOR THIS?

OR IS IT CONTRACTING WITH THE AGENCIES IN THE COMMUNITY?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ONE ANSWER, BECAUSE EVERY COMMUNITY IS DIFFERENT.

I CAN TELL YOU, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE STAFF AND THE PEOPLE TO STAFF THEM, THE PROVIDERS.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE WORKFORCE IN ORDER TO DO THIS.

THINKING ABOUT THE DELIVERY OF CARE AND HELPING TO COMMUNITIES IN A DIFFERENT WAY I THINK IS WHAT IS NEEDED.

THE STIGMA ATTACHED TO MENTAL HEALTH, SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS, ILLNESSES.

AND THEN THERE ARE MORE OF THE BEST I WOULD SAY THAT THEY ARE LESS SERIOUS, BUT THEY FALL INTO A DIFFERENT BUCKET.

PEOPLE NEED TEMPORARY HELP IN ORDER TO GET THREE CERTAIN SITUATIONS AND SUCH.

THERE IS A WIDE SPECTRUM OF PEOPLE.

OUR JOB IS TO DESTIGMATIZE AND NOT THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS AS ILLNESS, BUT TO THINK ABOUT CONDITIONS.

THINK ABOUT WELLNESS.

THERE ARE ISSUES WITH WELLNESS THAT WE CAN TELL PEOPLE TO RETURN TO A STATE OF BETTER WELLNESS.

DESTIGMATIZE, PROVIDE CARE IN DIFFERENT VENUES.

HE TABLED PREVENTATIVE APPROACH SO THAT YOU ARE NOT ALWAYS REACTING.

>> IS IN ANY KIND OF HEALTHCARE.

ALEXA JAMES, YOUR GROUP HAS WORKED A LOT WITH THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SOMETHING LIKE SEVEN IN THE LAST YEAR.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT IS HAPPENING?

>> I THINK IT IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING EVERYWHERE.

SIGNIFICANT HOPELESSNESS.

WE CAN SIT HERE AND DIAGNOSE EACH INDIVIDUAL PERSON.

WILL WE KNOW, WE SEE A LOT RIGHT NOW IS NURSES, TOO.

SOCIAL WORKERS.

PEOPLE ARE BURNED OUT.

THEY DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE SOME ON THE OTHER SIDE.

YOU ALSO HAVE TO REMEMBER THIS COMPOUNDED WITH SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL STRAIN, DOMESTIC ISSUES.

EVERY DISABLING FACTOR.

IT IS COMING TO A HEAD.

YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND -- NOT POLARIZE THESE ISSUES.

COME TOGETHER AND SAY, HOW DO WE COMPREHENSIVELY SERVE THE CITY?

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS AFFECTING THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

THEY MET A COURSE ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL, THE 988-CRISIS HOTLINE, THAT HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS.

IS THAT MAKING A DENT IN THIS PRODUCT -- PROBLEM?

>> NOT THAT I AM AWARE OF .

>> I DO WANT TO ASK YOU, DR. SHULMAN, WE TALKED ABOUT POLICE OFFICERS ARE SEEING HIGHER INCIDENCE OF SUICIDE IN MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.

FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> WE DEAL WITH THIS QUITE A BIT, IN TERMS OF OUR OWN STAFF DEALING WITH IT WITH MEDICAL STUDENTS, RESIDENTS.

THERE IS A HIGHER RISK.

THIS IS A COMMUNITY THAT HAS A HIGHER RISK OF SUICIDE THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION.

CERTAINLY WITH FIRST RESPONDERS.

WE HAVE OUR PROGRAM FOR VETERANS WHERE WE UNDERSTAND HOW TO TREAT IT.

YOU CAN THINK OF POLICE AND FIRE RESPONDERS THE SAME LIGHT.

IN ADDITION TO THE NOTION BURNED OUT, THERE SOMETHING THAT IS CALLED MORAL INJURY.

THAT IS WHERE YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT YOU CAN'T.

YOU ARE STRAINED BECAUSE THE SITUATION IS OUTSIDE OF YOUR CONTROL.

IT IS DEMORALIZING.

IT IS PART OF BURNOUT.

>> A LOT OF THINGS TO THINK ABOUT OUT AT SOME OF THESE CANDIDATES -- ALEXA JAMES, DR. ROBERT SHULMAN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING.

YOU CAN GET CHICAGO TONIGHT STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, AND OUR WEBSITE , TRAN40 ONE.

>>> PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 FOR THE WEEKEND REVIEW.

LIFE TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT.

FOR ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I AM PARIS SCHUTZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

STAY SAFE AND WARM, BRANDIS.

STAY SAFE.

>> THANK YOU.

♪ >>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY -- AND CLINTON