>>>WE ARE PRIORITIZING LOTS OF THINGS TONIGHT.

>> TONIGHT, A DEEP DIVE INTO THE SUSPECTED VIOLENCE.

TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

WARNING SIGNS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR, AND WHAT KIND OF RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE.

>>> LOCAL LAWMAKERS ARE STRENGTHENING LAWS.

>> IT IS FILLED WITH SO MUCH LOVE FROM ME, TO WHOMEVER IS GOING TO RECEIVE THIS.

MEET A LOCAL WOMAN PROVIDING ESSENTIALS TO WOMEN IN NEED.

ALL OF THAT, RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

THE JIM AND KATE MAY BE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

SUPPORT OF ANY DONORS.

CHICAGO TONIGHT'S COVERAGE IS SUPPORTED BY THE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION FOR REDUCING VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO.

>> ESTIMATED 1-5 HOMICIDE VICTIMS ARE KILLED BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION.

LAWMAKERS ARE HOPING UPDATES TO SOME DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAWS WILL LOWER THAT GRIM STATISTIC, AND HELP SURVIVORS OF ABUSE.

JOINING IS NOW TO TALK ABOUT STRENGTHENING THIS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAW, IS A DEMOCRAT WHO REPRESENTS HER KNEES.

SHE IS A SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

THIS IS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

THIS IS THE LAKE COUNTY CRISIS CENTER.

WE HAVE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH ILLINOIS HOUSING SENATE.

WE ARE GLAD THAT YOU ARE JOINING US TONIGHT.

AS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE YOURSELF, WHAT ARE THE RECENT UPDATES TO ILLINOIS LAW THAT OFFER THE MOST PROTECTION TO SURVIVORS?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

THE GENERAL HAS BEEN DOING A LOT OF WORK IN THIS SPACE.

INCREASINGLY SO, SINCE COVID BROUGHT A LOT OF LIGHT TO THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRISIS THAT WE ARE IN, PEOPLE WERE TRAPPED AT HOME.

WE REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A WHOLE LOT OF EXTRA WORK.

WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO HAVE SOME TECHNOLOGY.

THOSE WHO LIVE IN COUNTIES, WE HAVE 250,000.

WE HAVE OTHER POPULATIONS.

WE ARE FILING FOR ORDERS OF PROTECTION ONLINE.

THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

THEY KNOW THEY ARE AFRAID TO LEAVE THEIR HOME.

THIS IS BECAUSE OF THEIR ABUSER.

THEY CAN'T TAKE OFF OF WORK.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT EXPANDED.

THIS IS ALL BEYOND THAT.

>> I WANTED TO ASK YOU EVERYTHING TO EXPAND ON THAT.

IT IS MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE RURAL COUNTIES, TO BE ABLE TO GET THE TECHNOLOGY WORKING.

>> THERE WAS SOME PUSHBACK.

THE COUNTIES WERE WORRIED ABOUT PRODUCTS.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE BIG STAFF TO IMPLEMENT THE TECHNOLOGY.

UNFORTUNATELY, SOME OF THOSE AREAS WOULD TAKE LITERALLY HOURS TO GET TO THE NEAREST COURTHOUSE.

THAT IS WHERE THEY HAVE DONE IT THE MOST.

THEY ARE EXPENDING THAT.

ONCE WE HAVE MORE ESTABLISHED PROGRAMS, IT WILL BE EASIER TO ROLL OUT IN THOSE RURAL AREAS.

>> TONY WAS STILL EXISTS WITH THE ORDER OF PROTECTION IN ILLINOIS.

CURRENTLY, THEY HAVE SOMETHING THAT HAS AN ORDER AGAINST HIM.

THEY HAVE TO REVOKE THEIR CARD.

ACCORDING TO MOST OF THEM, 74% OF PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS, WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE THEIR CARDS REVOKED.

THEY HAVE NOT YET SEEN IT IN SO MANY OTHER INSTANCES.

THERE ARE OTHER THINGS OF MANPOWER.

THEY ARE ACTUALLY GOING IN.

THEY ARE TAKING TOY CARS AND GUNS.

>> WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS.

WHEN SOMEBODY GETS AN ORDER OF PROTECTION, AT FIRST, IT IS THE EMERGENCY ORDER OF PROTECTION.

THE ABUSER ISN'T THERE.

THE VICTIM GOES IN, AND TELLS THE JUDGE WHAT HAPPENS.

THE JUDGE PUTS THEM IN IMMINENT DANGER, AND GIVES THEM AN EMERGENCY ORDER OF PROTECTION.

AT THAT POINT, THE ABUSER DOESN'T HAVE THEIR DATE IN COURT.

IF THEY WAIT UNTIL 30 DAYS, IT IS DIFFERENT.

THEY CAN GO BACK FOR A HEARING.

THEY HAVE ANOTHER ABUSER.

AT THAT POINT, THE JUDGE WILL ORDER A PRIMARY ORDER OF PROTECTION.

AT THAT POINT, THAT IS WHERE IT GETS REVOKED.

UNDER THE LAW, THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO GIVE THEIR WEAPONS TO ANOTHER POINT CARDHOLDER.

THEY HAVE A LOT OF LEGAL DEBATES RIGHT NOW.

SOME OF THE PUSHBACK IS ONE OF THE CONCERNS FOR SAFETY.

THEY ARE TRYING TO GO IN TOWARD SOMEONE.

THEY ARE DANGEROUS.

THEY ARE COLLECTING WEAPONS.

THEY THINK ABOUT HOW THE VICTIM FEELS.

OFFICERS ARE AFRAID TO GO.

TWO, IT INCLUDES MANPOWER.

THEY HAVE COUNTLESS WEAPONS OUT THERE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COLLECTED.

THERE WERE SO MANY.

>> I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT.

WE HAVE SEEN AT ISSUE POP UP INSTANTLY DIFFERENT INSTANCES.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE RED FLAG LAWS THAT ALLOWED THE BIPARTISAN FEES.

THEY HAVE IMMEDIATE CASES OF DOMESTIC ABUSE.

IS THERE SOMETHING IN THE SENATE THAT IS HAPPENING IN THE CHAMBER?

>> IT GOT LATE IN THE SENATE.

MY HOPE IS THAT THEY WILL BRING A FACTOR DURING THE SESSION IN OCTOBER.

THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PASS IT.

I KNOW THEY HAVE FELT THE CATCH, JUST BECAUSE THERE IS SOME PUSHBACK.

IT IS THE OTHER THING THAT I WAS GOING TO MENTION.

A LOT OF THINGS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT STORING THOSE WEAPONS.

ONCE THEY COLLECT THEM, THEY NEED THE PROPER FACILITIES TO BE ABLE TO STORE THEM.

I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, CAN WORK IT OUT.

THIS IS SO THAT WE CAN PROTECT THE VICTIMS.

WE NEED TO DO THAT FIRST.

THIS IS BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE.

WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO ADD THE YOUTH SPONSOR THAT HAS PASSED.

WE HAVE CONTACT ORDERS OF PROTECTION.

FROM EMAIL, AND THINGS LIKE THAT, HOW BIG OF A PROBLEM HAS THIS BEEN FOR THE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE?

THEY ARE STILL GOING TO BE INUNDATED WITH COMMUNICATION.

>> IT IS A BIG PROBLEM.

PREVIOUSLY, WHEN THE LAWS WERE ORIGINALLY WRITTEN, WE DIDN'T HAVE ALL OF THESE ELECTRONIC THINGS.

ONCE WE DID, IT WAS UP TO THE JUDGE TO REMEMBER TO ADD IN THAT IT ALSO INCLUDED EMAILS.

IT ALSO INCLUDED FACEBOOK.

THIS LAW, INCLUDES ALL ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

THEY CANNOT ONLY HARASS THEIR VICTIMS, BUT IT CAN ALSO THREATEN THEM.

OFTEN TIMES, YOU WOULD SEE THE VICTIMS BE THREATENED.

THEY HAVE ORDERS OF PROTECTION.

THEY ARE GOING BACK TO AN UNFAITHFUL SITUATION.

THIS HELPS TO REALLY CUT OFF THE COMMUNICATION.

THEY ARE CUTTING OFF THE FEAR AND THE THREATS FROM AN ABUSER.

THEY ARE KEEPING VICTIMS SAFER.

>> WE ONLY HAVE A FEW SECONDS LEFT.

WE HAVE VICTIMS THAT DO GO BACK TO THEIR ABUSERS.

PEOPLE MIGHT ASK THEM, IF THIS PERSON IS SO BAD, WHY DO YOU GO BACK?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

>> IS A HORRIBLE QUESTION.

ONE THAT IS NATURAL TO CROSS HER MIND.

AS A SURVIVOR MYSELF, I KNOW THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AFFECTS SMART PEOPLE.

IT AFFECTS WEALTHY PEOPLE.

PEOPLE WILL ALSO SEE ON ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS.

IT IS A POVERTY AND RACE ISSUE.

REALLY, ABUSERS HAVE A WAY OF LOOKING AT WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO A VICTIM.

EVEN THREATENING CHILDREN.

IF YOU LEAVE, I'M GOING TO DO SOMETHING TO YOUR CHILDREN.

EVEN THE STRONGEST PEOPLE, OUT OF FEAR FOR THEIR OWN CHILDREN, OR THEIR OWN WELL-BEING, EVEN FINANCIAL REASONS, THEY WILL ENDURE SIGNIFICANT ABUSE.

THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS WHY.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

ABUSERS TEND TO HAVE ALL KINDS OF TOOLS OF MANIPULATION IN THESE SITUATIONS.

WE APPRECIATE YOU SHARING THIS WITH US TODAY.

THIS IS FROM THE ILLINOIS GENERAL CENTER.

THANKS A LOT.

>>> OF MAX, RESOURCES FOR THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS.

STAY WITH US.

>>> DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURGED BY 30% ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHEN THE PANDEMIC FIRST HIT.

IT IS HIGHLIGHTING THE NEED FOR BETTER PROTECTION FOR SURVIVORS.

ALSO, THE NEED FOR CREATING A BETTER NETWORK OF CARE.

DOZENS OF ORGANIZATIONS IN CHICAGO ARE WORKING TO ADDRESS THESE NEEDS, WHILE GETTING TO THE ROOT CAUSES.

JOINING US, A HUGE GROUP.

THIS IS THE SECOND DIRECTOR AT THE CONNECTION POINT.

COFOUNDER AND CODIRECTOR OF THESE ACTIONS.

WE HAVE THE MANAGING DIRECTOR.

THEY HAVE LAW AND PRACTICE.

THEY HAVE THE OTHER CLINICS.

THEY WERE JOINING ALL OF THESE THINGS.

HOW COMMON IS IT FOR SOMEONE WHO EXPERIENCES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

HOW ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

I WOULD SAY THAT IT IS EXTREMELY COMMON.

IT IS THE UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE THAT IS DIFFICULT FOR THE SURVIVORS TO COME FORWARD AND EXPERIENCE WHAT THEY NEED.

IT IS NOT AS AN INDIVIDUAL PROBLEM, OR A PROBLEM THAT A SURVIVOR HAS HAD TO FIGURE OUT ON THEIR OWN.

IT IS A COMMUNITY PROBLEM THAT WE ARE ALL TRYING TO CREATE.

IF THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY CAN COME FORWARD, OR THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY CAN SHARE SOME OF THAT THEY TRUST, THEY KNOW WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO THEM.

THERE IS NOT A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT HAPPENS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THEY ARE SHARED BY EVERYONE.

IT IS REALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR IT SURVIVOR TO COME FORWARD.

APPEALING TO ACTION AND ALL THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE WILL BE HEARING FROM THIS CONVERSATION, WE ARE WORKING TO CREATE A COMMUNITY RESPONSE.

WE HAVE THE GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE TASK FORCE, AS PART OF THE ISSUES.

WE HAVE A POWERFUL NETWORK OF PEER SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO COME FORWARD.

THEY ARE ACCESSING TRUSTED POINTS OF CONTACT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> WE RECENTLY SAW THE CASE OF A LITTLE VILLAGE DAUGHTER, AND A MOTHER, FATALLY SHOT IN THEIR HOME, TWO WEEKS BEFORE SHE HAD FILED AN ORDER OF PROTECTION AGAINST HER HUSBAND AFTER HE THREATENED TO KILL HER.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE WENT WRONG IN THIS SITUATION?

>> IT IS THE ACCOUNTABILITY PIECE THAT WENT WRONG.

AS YOU SAID, SHE DID ALL THOSE THINGS.

WHY DON'T YOU JUST LEAVE?

WHY DON'T YOU GET AN ORDER OF PROTECTION?

SHE DID THAT.

WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF ENFORCEMENT OF THOSE REMEDIES.

THEY HAVE THE ORDER OF PROTECTION.

IT IS STILL JUST A PIECE OF PAPER.

MOST OF US WERE WORKING IN THIS FIELD, UNDERSTAND THAT SOMETIMES THEY CAN CONTROL THE DYNAMIC.

THEY DON'T CARE THAT IT IS A PIECE OF PAPER.

UNFORTUNATELY, KILLING HIS DAUGHTER AND SHOOTING HIS SON.

THEY SHOULD BE EXCITED ABOUT THE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT IS MOVING FORWARD.

THEY HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY.

THEY ARE SURRENDERING ALL THAT.

>> WE HEARD FROM SOME OF THE CHALLENGES.

WE ARE SERVING THE REVOCATION OF CARS, AND SELECTING A WEAPON.

THIS WOULD GIVE THE POLICE AUTHORITY TO IMMEDIATELY REMOVE A GUN AFTER THAT ORDER OF PROTECTION IS ISSUED.

THEY WOULD GIVE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT 48 HOURS TO DO IT.

WHAT A BILL LIKE THIS HAVE HELPED GONZALES AND HER FAMILY?

>> EVERY SINGLE LAYER OF PROTECTION THAT WE CAN WRAPAROUND SURVIVOR, HELPS THE SURVIVOR.

THIS IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

WHERE WE PUT IT IN THE SURVIVORS WAY, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE COMMUNITIES.

WE HAVE LEGAL ACTIONS.

BY THE TIME SHE DECIDES THAT SHE IS GOING TO REMOVE HERSELF FOR HER OWN INDEPENDENCE, SHE IS NOT SCARED OF COMING TO SEE AN ATTORNEY.

THEY ARE REMOVING FIREARMS.

ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO WRAP OUR MINDS AROUND SURVIVORS, INCLUDES INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT STEPS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE THIS IS A BIG MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY.

YOU CAN HELP, AND YOU CAN PARTNER WITH US TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER.

IF YOU WANTED TO DECREASE THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE MASS SHOOTINGS, YOU CAN INCREASE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

BEHIND EVERY MASS SHOOTING IS A STORY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

WE ARE TRYING TO TACK ON THE ECONOMY.

THEY HAVE THE DIRECT IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY.

THEY SHOULD NOT BE PARTNERING THIS TOGETHER.

THEY SHOULD NOT BE HOLDING HANDS.

THEY HAVE HISTORICALLY SEPARATED EACH ONE OF OUR AGENCIES.

THEY ARE TRYING TO WORK TOGETHER, TO TAKE DOWN THE THINGS THAT PUT THESE BARRIERS BETWEEN SURVIVORS, AND IS GETTING THEM HELP TRADE THEY HAVE DISTANCE BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND ABUSERS.

>> I WANT TO GET THEM IN HERE BRIEFLY.

WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU AS WELL.

WHAT KIND OF PROTECTIONS ARE ARTIE AVAILABLE FOR WOMEN WHO ARE EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

WHAT ARE SOME OTHER OPTIONS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> IS A SOMEONE THAT YOU MENTIONED.

WE WERE LOOKING AT PROTECTIVE ORDERS.

WE KNOW HOW THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK.

THESE ARE INTENDED TO KEEP SOMEONE SAFE.

SOMETHING HAS BEEN HARMING THEM, AND IT OFTEN HAPPENS AWAY FROM THEM.

IT PREVENTS HIM FROM HAVING ACCESS TO A DANGEROUS WEAPON.

WE HAVE OTHER LEGAL AVENUES.

THEY ARE FILING A PARENTAGE CASE.

WE WERE LOOKING AT THE OTHER PROCESS.

IT WAS PART OF THE WORKMAN SURVIVORS.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT WHEN ONE THING WAS GOING TO SOLVE THE ISSUE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

THEY WERE TAKING ANOTHER ACTION.

THEY WERE GOING TO WORK FOR EVERYONE.

WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR CLIENTS.

WE PROVIDE LINKS TO OTHER PROVIDERS.

THIS INCLUDES COUNSELING.

WE DO SAFETY PLANNING.

WE ARE TRYING TO HELP OUR CLIENTS ACCESS AVAILABLE FINANCIAL RESOURCES.

THIS IS SO THAT WE ARE REALLY LOOKING AT IT.

THIS IS FROM A WIDER LENS.

>> THIS SUMMER, YOUR TEAM HAS BEEN LEADING VIRAL ACTIONS LED BY WORKSHOPS IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> THOSE CONVERSATIONS, SURVIVORS ARE SPEAKING FROM THEIR OWN EXPERTISE.

THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE OF LEAVING ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS.

THEY ARE TRYING TO GET AT THE HEART OF THESE ISSUES.

WHAT ARE THE TRADITIONAL GENERALS?

WHAT IS THE UNDERSTANDING OF CONSENT?

WHAT IS A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE?

WE KNOW WHAT SURVIVOR LED JUSTICES ACTIONS WILL LOOK LIKE.

THEY HAVE ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

THEY ARE GOING AND TALKING TO CERTAIN PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

THEY HAVE NEVER HAD THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE.

THIS IS A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATION.

WE ARE STARTING TO OPEN UP THOSE DIALOGUES AGAIN.

SO THEY FEEL LIKE THEY CAN COME FORWARD.

SOMEBODY CAN COME FORWARD.

THIS IS SOMEBODY THEY CAN TRUST.

WE CAN SUPPORT THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS, ALONG WITH ALL OF THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT.

THIS IS ALL TODAY.

>> I WANT TO GET ONE MORE QUESTION.

WE HAVE 45 SECONDS LEFT.

THE ORGANIZATION STARTED 24 HOURS WITHIN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS.

THIS WAS ALL HERE SOME YEARS AGO.

HOW IMPORTANT HAVE THESE RESOURCES BEEN PROVEN TO BE?

>> THEY ARE LITERALLY LIFE-SAVING.

THEY REALLY ARE LIFE-SAVING RESOURCES.

THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN.

WE ARE ABLE TO RESPOND.

SOMETIMES, IT IS THE MOST VULNERABLE AND DANGEROUS TIMES.

THEY HAVE DIFFERENT RELATIONSHIPS.

IT HAS BEEN PIVOTAL.

THIS IS ALL BEFORE THEY CAME IN.

THERE REALLY WEREN'T ANY LAWS.

THEY WERE REALLY TRYING TO PICK UP PHONES LIKE THAT.

>> WE ARE GOING TO SHARE A NUMBER OF THINGS IN JUST A SECOND.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU CAN CALL THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELPLINE.

187 677-8633.

>>> OF NEXT, DELIVERING ESSENTIALS TO WOMEN IN NEED.

ONE THING AT A TIME.

>> JUSTICE IN OUR SENSE IS TO SERVE.

>> LACK STORYTELLING IS A HUGE PART OF OUR CULTURE.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE YOUNG WRITERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THEIR STORY.

>> THEY CAN BE SPARKED WITH AN IDEA.

THAT IS THE KIND OF THING THAT CHANGES THE WORLD.

>> THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO PACK ESSENTIALS WITH THEM.

THEY ARE TRYING TO FULFILL THAT GAP, BY PROVIDING A TOUCH OF INSPIRATION TO WOMEN IN NEED.

HER ORGANIZATION LOVED HER.

THIS ALSO HELPS WITH WOMEN STRUGGLING WITH HOUSING AND SECURITY.

THIS IN CUES HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

THEY BROUGHT US THE STORY LAST YEAR.

>> BEFORE WE WALK OUT THE DOOR, WE GRAB HER PURSE.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE WHERE THEY ARE CARRYING THEIR KEYS.

IT IS ANYTHING FROM THE PHOTOS.

MAYBE IT IS A TRINKET THAT THEY GAVE YOU.

WHEN YOU HAVE TO LEAVE SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO PICK UP DANGER, AND YOU JUST RUN OUT, YOU HAVE NOTHING.

HOW DO YOU PICK UP THE PIECES?

HOW DO YOU GET BACK THAT PERSON MEANT SO MUCH TO YOU?

>> CHAT WITH A FRIEND.

THEY WERE TURNING INTO A MOVEMENT.

>> A VERY DEAR FRIEND OF MINE IS RIGHT HERE IN CHICAGO.

>> THEY ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF MODELS TO HELP DRIVE WHOEVER CAUSES THE POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS.

>> WE WERE HAVING A CONVERSATION.

THEY KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON.

THEY HAVE TROUBLE GETTING TOILETRIES.

SHE WAS IN A QUANDARY.

THIS IS ALL SIMPLE.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET THESE ITEMS QUICKLY.

SHE JUST WENT OUT AND BOUGHT WHAT SHE NEEDED.

SITTING IN HER LIVING ROOM, SURROUNDED BY SHAMPOO AND TOOTHPASTE, SHE SAID INSPIRATION STRUCK.

>> WE HAVE PLASTIC BAGS FILLED WITH TOILETRIES.

HOW INSENSITIVE WOULD THAT BE?

WE HAD A NOTE OF INSPIRATION.

IT JUST DAWNED ON ME.

IT IS FILLED WITH SO MUCH LOVE FROM ME.

THIS IS FOR WHOEVER IS GOING TO RECEIVE THIS.

>> THIS WAS DIFFERENT FROM ME FOR SO MANY DIFFERENT REASONS.

IT WAS RIGHT HERE.

>> IT IS TRULY LIVING UP TO THEIR EXPERIENCE.

THEY ARE STARTING TO REALIZE THAT ANYONE WANTING TO HELP WOMEN IN NEED, CAN CARRY IT OUT.

>> IT BECAME SOMETHING THAT ANYONE CAN DO SO EASILY.

>> ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND EVEN THE GLOBE, THEY CALL THEM ANGEL AMBASSADORS.

THEY DELIVER THEM TO SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES IN THEIR AREA.

>> CAN WE DUPLICATED?

OF COURSE.

PUERTO RICO, MEXICO, EVEN UKRAINE RECENTLY.

>> LOCALLY, THEY PARTNER WITH AGENCIES LIKE METROPOLITAN FAMILY SERVICES, AND MAGDALENE HALL CHICAGO, FOR RESIDENTIAL'S RECOVERY PROGRAMS WITHIN CHICAGO.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, IDA BUTLER, SAYS WOMEN AFTER TRAUMA, HAVE SPECIAL PURSES THAT THEY CARRY WITH THEM IN NEED.

>> WE PROVIDE SERVICES.

WE KNOW WE NEED TO FUNCTION WITH THIS.

MAYBE THIS IS SOMETHING THEY HAVE NOT HAD FOR YEARS.

MAYBE NOT EVER.

SOMETHING THAT IS PERSONAL, SOMETHING THAT IS THEIRS.

SOMETHING THAT IS UNIQUE AND SPECIAL TO THEM.

>> ONE YEAR, 6000 PURSES DONATED LATER, THEY HELP AND ENCOURAGE WHAT THEY WANT TO RECEIVE.

THEY HAVE THE DIE DESIRE TO KEEP GOING.

>> WE WANT TO HELP AS MANY AS WE CAN.

THE NEED IS THERE.

THERE IS NEVER A LACK OF DONATIONS OR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HELP.

IT JUST PROVES TO ME THAT THERE IS SO MUCH KINDNESS, AND SO MUCH GOOD OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, THIS IS ERIKA GUNDERSON.

>> YOU CAN BUY TICKETS TO THE ANNUAL GALA HAPPENING.

MORE DETAILS AND MORE ON OUR WEBSITE ABOUT THAT INSTITUTION.

>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US AGAIN NEXT MONDAY FOR THE NEXT PROGRAM IN THE SERIES.

BE SURE TO FOLLOW OUR ONGOING COVERAGE ONLINE.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5:30 AND 10:00.

BY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ILLINOIS RESIDENTS ARE BEING KICKED OFF OF MEDICAID, AND WHAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT.

>>> MYSTICAL PAINTINGS WITH A SIDE OF SURREALISM BY A SPANISH PAINTER.

HIS WORK IS LITTLE-KNOWN IN THE U.S. FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, WE SAY THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE HOPE YOU ARE SAFE.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.