CHICAGO TONIGHT BLACK VOICES.

THANKS FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT, FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS CAN BEGIN APPLYING FOR RELIEF.

A LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL IMPACT ON BLACK BORROWERS.

>>> A WTTW PROPUBLICA INVESTIGATION INTO PATIENT TEST AT A FOUR SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL.

>>> A BENEFIT CONCERT SUPPORTING FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE BUILDING EXPLOSION IN THE AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD.

>>> THE THEATER BUT FOR THE DOCUMENTARY PUNCH NINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED.

HILL FROM THE PRODUCERS AND HOW YOU CAN SEE IT THIS WEEK.

>>> I WANTED IT TO LOOK NONTRADITIONAL.

>> AND EXPLORING THE IMPACTS ART CAN HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH.

ALL THAT IS COMING UP.

>> FIRST OR TONIGHT, APPLYING FOR THE FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN RELIEF PROGRAM.

THAT IS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> CHICAGO TONIGHT BLACK VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> VOICES ARE HEARD AND EMPOWERED, COMMUNITIES ARE MADE STRONGER.

THE FUTURE HOLDS GREATER PROMISE FOR ALL.

THAT IS WHY WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT CHICAGO TONIGHT BLACK VOICES.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

TOGETHER WE CAN DRIVE CHANGE.

>>> HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF AMERICANS WITH STUDENT DEBT.

THE INITIAL APPLICATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM.

THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS BORROWERS WHO APPLY BY MID-NOVEMBER SHOULD SEE FORGIVENESS BEFORE JANUARY 1.

THIS IS ALL, OF COURSE, PENDING THE OUTCOME OF FEDERAL LAWSUITS.

BORROWERS CAN QUALIFY TO HAVE UP TO $10,000 FORGIVEN IF THEIR LOAN IS HELD BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION , AND THEY MAKE LESS THAN $125,000 INDIVIDUALLY, OR $250,000 FOR A FAMILY.

FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVED PELL GRANTS, UP TO $20,000 CAN BE FORGIVEN.

FOR MANY BLACK AMERICANS, THIS IS BIG NEWS, AS NEARLY 60% OF BLACK STUDENTS RECEIVED PELL GRANTS EACH YEAR.

JOINING US NOW IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID , SCHOLARSHIP, AND STUDENT EMPLOYMENT AT NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, AND ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR OF FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS AT THE CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

WHAT INFORMATION DO PEOPLE NEED TO APPLY FOR THIS?

>> THE APPLICATION IS VERY SIMPLE.

IT LITERALLY TAKES ABOUT A MINUTE TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION.

BEFORE, STUDENTS WOULD HAVE TO HAVE AN IDEA.

IT WAS SOMEWHAT OF AN ARDUOUS PROCESS.

BUT NOW, YOU JUST NEED YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY, NAME, DATE OF BIRTH.

IT IS REALLY SIMPLE.

>> WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF IT BEING SO SIMPLE?

OBVIOUSLY, YOU FACT THAT YOU WORK FOR A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION.

IT IS A WAITING GAME.

WITH THE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED , YOU WILL HEAR BACK FROM YOUR SERVICER BUT I HAVE HEARD GOOD NEWS FROM SOME BORROWERS THAT THEY DO GET THE RESPONSE WITH THE TIME PERIOD THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD.

>> THERE IS ALSO BEEN A REPRIEVE THROUGH THE END OF OCTOBER FOR MORE PEOPLE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT.

>> THAT WAS EXTENDED.

IT WAS EXTENDED TWICE, ACTUALLY.

THAT WAY MORE STUDENTS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY WITH FILLING OUT THE APPLICATION, AND FROM HEARING BACK, THE DEPARTMENT OF ED REALIZED THEY NEEDED TO GET MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED.

WAS HARD FOR PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY ENGAGE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT BECAUSE THERE WERE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHICH LOANS QUALIFY AND WHICH DO NOT.

ALL OF THAT NEEDED TO BE CLARIFIED FOR BORROWERS.

ONCE ALL THAT WAS CLARIFIED, THEY ALLOWED MORE TIME FOR PEOPLE TO APPLY.

>> WHAT ABOUT PRIVATE STUDENT DEBT?

IS THERE ANY RECOURSE FOR THOSE STUDENTS?

>> THE STUDENT REPAYMENT PLAN.

AS FAR AS THAT PARTICULAR DECK, IT IS ABOUT GETTING WITH YOUR FINANCIAL AID PROFESSIONALS AND SETTING UP A PAYMENT PLAN.

THEY HAVE A LOT OF PAYMENT PLANS BASED ON INCOME.

IF A STUDENT IS NOT MAKE AS MUCH AS THEY THOUGHT THEY WOULD AFTER COLLEGE, THEY CAN USE THAT AS AN AVENUE TO PAY A LESSER PAYMENT.

IT IS REALLY ABOUT COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR SERVICER WITH THE PRIVATE STUDENT LOANS AND LETTING THEM KNOW ABOUT YOUR SITUATION.

THE WORST THING YOU COULD DO IS NOT SAY ANYTHING.

>> WHAT MORE CAN BE DONE ABOUT HELPING STUDENTS AVOID PRIVATE LOAN DEBT AND AVOIDING SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT IN THE FIRST PLACE?

>> WE DON'T CHARGE A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY AT OUR INSTITUTION.

ONE THING YOU CAN DO IS LOOK AT OPTIONS THAT ARE IN STATE.

WE HAVE A TON OF GREAT OPTIONS.

WE HAVE VARYING SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

WE HAVE OVER 40 DIFFERENT SCHOLARSHIPS , AND WE HAVE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE UNDOCUMENTED POPULATION AS WELL.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT STUDENTS DON'T KNOW WHERE TO LOOK .

IT IS ABOUT TALKING TO YOUR ADVISORS OR PROFESSIONALS AT THE SCHOOL SO THEY CAN HELP YOU.

>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAVE MORE IN THE PLAN.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT IS COMING NEXT?

>> THERE IS A THREE-STEP PLAN TO THE STUDENT DEBT RELIEF.

THE FIRST ONE, OBVIOUSLY, WAS TO ALLOW AN EXTENSION TO THE REPAYMENT PAUSE.

THAT HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL THE END OF DECEMBER.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE THIS LOAN CANCELLATION, WHICH IS VERY BENEFICIAL.

AFTER THAT, WE HAVE A LOOK AT STUDENTS -- I HAVE SOME DATA HERE THAT I CAN SHARE.

MAKE THE STUDENT LOAN SYSTEM MORE MANAGEABLE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT BORROWERS PAY NO MORE THAN 5% OF DISCRETIONARY INCOME .

>> SO MORE TO COME.

MORE TO LOOK OUT FOR .

>> YES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> NO TEXT MESSAGES OR PHONE CALLS.

WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS.

>> BUILDING EXPLOSION IN THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY LAST MONTH LEFT ONE PERSON DEAD, SEVERAL INJURED, IN EVEN MORE FAMILIES WITHOUT A PLACE TO LIVE.

NEIGHBORING ORGANIZATIONS IS PLANNING A CONCERT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE FAMILIES AS THEY WORK TO REBUILD.

>> IT IS A CELEBRATION OF CREATIVE ART.

DARRIUS BROOKS WILL BE THERE .

SEPTEMBER 20, A HUGE EXPLOSION .

WHEN I SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH THE ARTIST, THEY SAID, LET'S FOCUS ON GIVING THE FAMILIES A GOOD TIME AND HELPING THE FAMILIES REBUILD .

WE ALSO WANT TO SHOW THE FAMILIES IMPACTED BY THE EXPLOSION THAT WE ARE HERE WITH THEM.

WE WANT TO HELP THEM REBUILD.

MANY FAMILY MEMBERS WILL BE THERE.

COME OUT AND CELEBRATE WITH US.

>> THE CONCERT IS SET FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THAT ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> -- NEIGHBORS -- AND 2020, NEARLY 92% RECEIVE MEDICARE OR MEDICAID.

THE HOSPITAL HAS LONG FACE FINANCIAL TROUBLES AND STAFFING WAS.

THE HOSPITAL HAS ALSO FACED LAWSUITS AND COMPLAINTS THAT RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT QUALITY OF CARE AND PATIENT DEBT.

>> Reporter: SHE DID NOT WANT HER FATHER TO GO INTO ROSELAND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL.

>> I KNEW IT WAS ABOUT HOSPITAL.

YEARS OF NEGLECT.

YEARS OF PEOPLE NOT BEING TREATED RIGHT.

THEY HAVE A HISTORY.

>> Reporter: IN ANY CASE, THE DOCTORS FOR HIS FATHER BUT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOSPITAL CHICAGO HOSPITAL.

>> THE AMBULANCE GUYS SAID THEY HAVE TO TAKE INTO ROSELAND BECAUSE THAT WAS THE NEAREST HOSPITAL.

THAT WAS A PROCEDURE THEY HAD TO FOLLOW.

>> Reporter: HER FATHER GREW UP ON THE WEST SIDE WHERE HIS PARENTS OWNED AND RAN APARTMENT BUILDINGS.

HE AND HIS FORMER WIFE RAISED THEIR CHILDREN ON THE NORTH SIDE.

>> HE WAS A GOOD PERSON.

HE WAS VERY SMART.

HE DRESSED NICE.

VERY CLASSY.

VERY RESPECTED.

>> Reporter: AS HE GOT OLDER, YOU MOVED INTO AN ASSISTED LIVING BUILDING ON THE SOUTHSIDE AND STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH BREATHING.

>> IT WAS NOT ABNORMAL FOR HIM TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL IF THE NURSING HOME FELT HE NEEDED TO GO .

HE WAS AGAINST GOING TO ROSELAND.

I SAID, WE WILL TRY TO GET YOU OUT OF THERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: THE SKEPTICISM OF ROSELAND MAY HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED WITH HOSPITAL MONITORS TAKING A CLOSE LOOK AT THE FACILITY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

>> OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS, ROSELAND HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO MORE DEFICIENCIES F IN THE STATE.

>> Reporter: SINCE 2017, ROSELAND HAS RECEIVED AT LEAST 72 CITATIONS FOR DEFICIENCIES IN CARE, MORE THAN ANY OTHER HOSPITAL IN ILLINOIS REGULATED BY THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES.

SINCE 2017, ROSELAND RECEIVED EIGHT CITATIONS FOR PUTTING PATIENTS IN IMMEDIATE JEOPARDY OF INJURY OR DEATH.

>> IN 2020, THEY WERE HIT WITH IMMEDIATE JEOPARDY WARNINGS AFTER A PREGNANT WOMAN WAS ADMITTED HERE TO THE HOSPITAL TO RECEIVE THE REQUIRED MEDICAL ASSESSMENT.

SHE LATER DIED.

THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN HIT WITH VARIOUS DIFFERENT DEFICIENCIES RELATED TO IMMEDIATE JEOPARDY SITUATIONS RELATED TO THE LEVEL OF STAFFING HERE.

THE LEVEL OF SUPERVISION THAT THE STAFFERS ACTUALLY PROVIDED TO PATIENTS.

>> Reporter: SINCE 2020, ERRORS OR NEGLECT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEATHS OF AT LEAST SEVEN ROSELAND PATIENTS, ACCORDING TO FEDERAL REPORTS.

AT LEAST ONE PATIENT WAS PREGNANT.

IN A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO PROPUBLICA AND WTTW, THE CHIEF QUALITY OFFICER SAID EVERYONE AT THE ORGANIZATION GRIEVES FOR THE LOSS OF LIFE, BUT THAT THE PANDEMIC STRAINED STAFFING THROUGHOUT ALL HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, ESPECIALLY URBAN AND SAFETY NET HOSPITALS.

THESE EXPERIENCES IT ROSELAND MIRROR EXPERIENCES OF OTHER HOSPITALS IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.

BUT STAFFING PROBLEMS PREDATE COVID-19 , AS A FORMER EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR TOLD US IN 2016.

>> THERE IS A SHORTAGE .

IT IS A CHALLENGE TO RECRUIT STAFF MEMBERS TO WORK IN A COMMUNITY HOSPITAL.

>> Reporter: THE HOSPITAL CEU CEO DECLINED TO SPEAK WITH US FOR THIS STORY.

BUT BACK IN 2016, HE HAD A DIRE WARNING FOR WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF THE HOSPITAL CLOSED.

>> I THINK PEOPLE WOULD ABSOLUTELY DIE.

NO QUESTION.

ANYONE FROM OUTSIDE THIS COMMUNITY , THE AMBULANCES TO TAKE PATIENTS TO THE NEXT HOSPITAL.

THE NEXT HOSPITAL IS SEVEN MILES AWAY.

THAT IS LIFE OR DEATH TIME.

TOOK A REPRESENTATIVE SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT HE IS PROUD OF THE STAFF AND COMMUNITY THEY ARE PRIVILEGED TO SERVE.

DESPITE THE CRITICAL ROLE THE HOSPITAL SEES ITSELF PLAYING, EXPERT SAY THAT EVEN ONE IMMEDIATE JEOPARDY CITATION IS A SERIOUS BREACH IN CARE.

THE HOSPITAL IS NOW BACK IN GOOD STANDING WITH REGULATORS.

IN ORDER TO STAY IN GOOD STANDING AFTER PUTTING PATIENTS IN IMMEDIATE JEOPARDY EIGHT TIMES IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE HOSPITAL WAS REQUIRED TO PUT A CORRECTIVE PLAN EMPLOYEES THAT WOULD ENHANCE THE SAFETY CULTURE OF THE ENTIRE CULTURE UNIT BY UNIT.

BUT THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY GUARANTEE THE DEEPER HIS SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS ARE CORRECTED.

>> THAT HOSPITAL IS IN TROUBLE.

NEEDS TO TAKE THE CITATION SERIOUSLY.

>> Reporter: LISA McGIVERN SPENT 15 YEARS RUNNING THE SAFE PATIENT PROJECT FOR CONSUMER REPORTS AND OUT LEADS THE PATIENT SAFETY ACTION NETWORK.

SHE SAYS HOSPITALS HAVE TO MEET FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR THINGS LIKE INFECTION CONTROL, NURSE TO PATIENT RATIOS, AND AIR QUALITY.

>> THESE STANDARDS ARE BASIC.

EVERY HOSPITAL SHOULD MEET SOME.

SOME HOSPITALS MAY BE ABLE TO MEET THEM WITH MORE BELLS AND WHISTLES THAN OTHERS, BUT I BELIEVE THE STANDARDS SHOULD BE THE SAME, AND THAT NO MATTER WHERE PATIENTS LIVE AND GO TO THE HOSPITAL, THEY SHOULD EXPECT THOSE SAME STANDARDS.

>> Reporter: IN A STATEMENT, THE CEO REPRESENTATIVE SAYS THAT THE ENTIRE STAFF SERVES THE DISINVEST THE COMMUNITY OF THE FAR SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO THROUGH THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

THE CHALLENGES OF WHICH THE HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY CONTINUE TO FACE TO THIS DAY.

SEVERELY ILL PATIENTS FROM OUR COMMUNITY PRESENTED IN OUR SAFETY NET HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, AND SADLY, SOME DID NOT SURVIVE.

ONE OF THOSE PATIENTS WAS WILFORD PICKY WHEN IT ROSELAND ON A FRIDAY MORNING IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR AND WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD HOURS LATER.

>> HIS BIRTHDAY JUST PASSED.

I STILL HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GRIEVE.

I KNOW THAT IS IMPORTANT.

I AM AT THE POINT WHERE THE GRIEVING PROCESS HAS NOT COME YET.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO A WHISTLEBLOWER, SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO AGREE.

THE COMPLAINT FILED WITH STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS BY A FORMER PHYSICIAN SAYS THE ER DOCTOR WHO TREATED HIM DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT HE WAS IN RESPIRATORY DISTRESS AND FAILED TO ACT QUICKLY ENOUGH AFTER MULTIPLE NURSES CAME DIRECTLY TO HIM, ASKING HIM TO INTUBATE AND STABILIZE THE PATIENT.

SHE SAW THE COMPLETE FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN WE SAT DOWN FOR AN INTERVIEW.

>> SO SAD.

>> Reporter: ROSELAND DECLINED TO COMMENT ON ANY SPECIFIC DEATHS.

THE CHIEF QUALITY OFFICER SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT PATIENT SAFETY IS A PRIORITY.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO FURTHER IMPROVING THE CULTURE OF SAFETY IT ROSELAND.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO THINK ABOUT WHAT SHE MIGHT WANT TO COME OUT OF HER EXPERIENCE.

>> I WILL NEVER TAKE SOMETHING AWAY FROM THE COMMUNITY.

THEY NEED THE HOSPITAL.

BUT IF THE THE HOSPITALS NOT SERVING ITS PURPOSE, I MEAN, I WOULD WANT TO SEE THE HOSPITAL GET BETTER.

>> THAT WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT ALSO INCLUDED A SECOND PATIENT WHO DIED UNDER SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

ROSELAND IS FACING AT LEAST FOUR LAWSUITS OVER PATIENT TESTS.

THE HOSPITAL CHIEF QUALITY OFFICER SAYS THAT THE HOSPITAL HAS WORKED TO IMPROVE PATIENT SAFETY PRACTICES ACROSS THE FACILITY.

WE HAVE MUCH MORE ABOUT THE ACCUSATIONS AT ROSELAND AND ITS RESPONSE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> THERE IS MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT BLACK VOICES RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> THE MAYOR , HAROLD WASHINGTON, DISTINCT THE CHICAGO.

BUT THE MAKERS OF THE DOCUMENTARY PUNCH NINE SAY HIS ELECTION HAD REVERBERATIONS FAR BEYOND THE CHICAGO BOARD IS.

THE FILM SHOWS THE JOURNEY OF WASHINGTON TO THE MAYORS OFFICE, THE RACIST RESISTANCE TO HIS CANDIDACY, AS WELL AS THE HISTORIC BLACK AND BROWN COALITIONS FOR TO SUPPORT IT.

IT ALSO SHOWS HOW HIS ELECTION OFFERED A BLUEPRINT FOR PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE DIRECTOR A COPRODUCER SAY THEY HOPE TO KEEP THIS CHICAGO STORY ON SCREEN FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

>> HE WAS ONE OF THOSE FOLKS, THEY DON'T GROW IN BUNCHES LIKE GRAPES, THEY COME ALONG ONCE IN A GENERATION.

HE CERTAINLY WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE.

THE TURNOUT FOR BLACK REGISTERED VOTERS WAS 92%.

THERE IS A WONDERFUL QUOTE IN THE FILM ABOUT A PRECINCT WHERE THEY WERE MIDWAY THROUGH THE DAY AND CALL DOWN TO CITY HALL TO SAY , WHAT DO WE DO , BECAUSE EVERYONE IN THE PRECINCT HAS VOTED?

>> THE MISSION OF PUNCH NINE IS THE REALIZATION THAT THE HAROLD WASHINGTON STORY IS A NATIONAL STORY.

IT HAS RAMIFICATIONS BEYOND THE PAST AND BEYOND CHICAGO.

WHAT CHICAGO WENT THROUGH DURING HIS TIME IS LIKE A PLAYBOOK FOR HOW TO BILL PROGRESSIVE COALITIONS.

WE HAVE SHOWN THIS MOVIE FROM COAST-TO-COAST MORE THAN 20 CITIES .

PEOPLE OUTSIDE CHICAGO ARE SHOCKED THEY DON'T ALREADY KNOW THE STORY.

WHEN THEY SEE THESE EVENTS FROM THE PAST, LIKE THE COUNCIL WARS BEING PLAYED OUT AGAIN WHAT OBAMA BECOMES PRESIDENT AND THE OBSTRUCTION ON OBSTRUCTION CONGRESS, THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE GOING IN A TIME MACHINE.

>> WE KNEW THIS WOULD BE TOUGH.

FOLKS IS SO EMOTIONALLY INVESTED IN HAROLD WASHINGTON AND HIS LEGACY.

WE WERE BRACING OURSELVES TO GET THIS RIGHT.

PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE RESPONDED INCREDIBLY FAVORABLY.

WE KNEW IT WOULD HAVE TO BE RIGHT HERE.

IT DEFINITELY IS RESONATING.

>> AMC THEATERS IN CHICAGO WILL BE SHOWING AT LEAST TWO LOCATIONS , ONE ON THE NORTH SIDE AND ONE ON THE SOUTHSIDE, THROUGH AT LEAST OCTOBER 27.

THEY DECIDE EACH WEEK BASED ON THE PREVIOUS PERFORMANCE.

LET'S KEEP IT GOING, CHICAGO.

>> THE FIRST SPEAKER YOU HEARD FROM, THAT WAS ACTUALLY THE COPRODUCER OF PUNCH NINE .

THE SECOND WAS THE DIRECTOR.

YOU WILL FIND MORE ON WHERE TO SEE PUNCH NINE FOR HAROLD WASHINGTON ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> AN INGLEWOOD NATIVE A SHOWING THE IMPACT ART THERAPY CAN HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH IN THE EXHIBITION TITLED THERAPEUTIC REASONING.

THE HOURS CORRESPONDED TAKES TO A VERY SERIOUS GALLERY IN RIVER WEST FOR A LOOK.

A NOTE, SOME OF THE ARTWORK IS GRAPHIC.

>> Reporter: WHEN YOU THINK OF THE PHRASE, A LOT CAN CHANGE IN A YEAR, IT CAN BEST BE USED TO DESCRIBE DAVID ELLIS AND THE ROLE EXPRESSION HAS PLAYED IN HIS LIFE.

>> I HAVE REALLY AGGRESSIVE SUICIDAL IDEATION.

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS LIFTED WAS FOR ME TO PAINT WHEN I FELT A COME ON.

SO THAT IS WHAT I STARTED DOING.

I WENT BACK TO WHAT I REMEMBERED.

WHAT MADE ME HAPPY WHEN I WAS YOUNGER.

>> Reporter: WHEN IT CAME TIME TO PAY RENT, HE DECIDED TO SELL PAINTINGS ON HIS FRONT LAWN .

HE GREW SO SUCCESSFUL, HE DECIDED TO DO IT MONTHLY.

>> I HAD MY FIRST TWO SALES.

AS SOON AS PEOPLE SEE PEOPLE BUYING ART, PULLS MORE EYES IN YOUR DIRECTION PATRICK WEATHERFORD HIMSELF WERE COMMISSIONED, HE SAYS HE NEEDS TO PAINT EVERY DAY.

>> PEOPLE IGNORE THE NEED FOR ART AND IGNORE THE PLACE AND HOLDS IN SOCIETY THAT GIVES EVERYTHING MEETING.

ART IS NEEDED.

>> Reporter: HE SHOWS THAT NEED THROUGH SELF-EXPRESSION AND A NEW EXHIBIT AT A VERY SERIOUS GALLERY IN RIVER WEST, WHERE HE DOCUMENTS SOCIETAL MOMENTS IN TIME WITH ACRYLIC ON CANVAS.

EACH PIECE TAKING NO MORE THAN A DAY.

>> I WILL TAKE SCREENSHOTS OF A LOVELY MOMENT, A POP-CULTURE MOMENT, THINGS MEANINGFUL TO ME.

NOTHING IS SUPER INTENTIONAL IN TERMS OF WHAT I CREATE.

IT IS ALWAYS THERAPEUTIC.

I CREATE IT TO FEEL GOOD, TO FEEL NORMAL, TO BALANCE MYSELF AND CENTER MYSELF.

IT HAS NEVER BEEN ABOUT SOLELY THE ART, IS ABOUT MY HEALING.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A PRACTICE HE SAYS HE WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO WORK ON.

>> I FEEL LIKE IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT IS NOT THE END ALL SOLUTION .

IT WILL NOT MAKE YOU HEALTHY THE REST OF YOUR LIFE .

IT IS THE THING THAT YOU ALWAYS KNOW YOU CAN COME BACK TO TO CENTER YOURSELF.

>> Reporter: HE HAS HOPES THAT HIS ART WILL DISMANTLE HOMOPHOBIA, RACISM, AND ELITISM, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

>> ART HAS ALWAYS BEEN INTERGENERATIONAL.

I CAN ENGAGE WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, PEOPLE MY AGE, OLDER BLACK FOLKS.

A LOT OF IT SPEAKS TO MY SEXUALITY.

I IDENTIFY IS FLUID.

IT IS A TALKING POINT AND CREATES A BIGGER SPACE TO HEALING AND UNDERSTANDING INTERGENERATIONAL HE.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE ARTIST FOR HIS PERSONAL HEALING, HE HOPES AND INSPIRES BLACK AND BROWN CHILDREN SPECIFICALLY.

>> THERE IS NO WAY AROUND NOT SPENDING THE MONEY AND TIME AND NOT PRACTICING .

TAKE CREATIVE AGENCY OVER WHAT IT IS YOU LOVE TO DO IN LIFE.

DON'T LET ANYBODY ELSE MAKE YOUR LIFE DECISIONS.

>> YOU CAN SEE THERAPEUTIC REASONING AT A VERY SERIOUS GALLERY IN RIVER WEST THROUGH SUNDAY.

>>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEKEND.

THERE WATCHING US ON SATURDAY NIGHT, YOU CAN ALSO CATCH BLACK VOICES AND LATINA VOICES ON SUNDAYS BEGINNING AT 10:00 P.M.

JOINED ME NEXT WEEK AT 7:00 ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.