>> Hello and thanks for joining us on Chicago tonight.

Black voices, I'm Brandis Friedman.

Here's what we're looking at.

Organizers and state lawmakers push to reopen Weiss hospital after it closed in Uptown last month federal funding cuts.

And vending machines containing an overdose.

Reversing drug are coming to some CTA stations.

>> First off tonight, Northside immigrant rights activists say ICE agents are pushing new boundaries in their efforts to round up undocumented immigrants.

>> Before Trump's return to office, shelters like this one were among the sensitive locations that were off limits to immigration enforcement along with schools, hospitals and churches, Historically it was not permitted by their own policy to target these places along shelters.

Trump repeal that policy on day one of his administration and this week has ICE agents decided they wanted to test those limits >> the group's coalition against the Trump agenda and the Illinois Coalition Immigrant and Refugee Rights claim ICE agents attempted to enter a homeless shelter in Albany Park this week but were denied entry.

Agents still detained 2 people outside the facility who were released a statement late this afternoon.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem responded to the shooting at a Dallas ice facility where one to Taney was killed and 2 others are in critical condition.

It reads, quote, Our prayers are with the families of those killed and our ice law enforcement.

This violent act was motivated by hatred for ice.

For months.

We've been warning politicians and the media to tone down the rhetoric about law enforcement before someone was killed.

It goes on to say the shooting must serve as a wake-up call to the far left that their rhetoric about ICE has consequences.

Comparing ICE Day in and day out to the Nazi's Gestapo, the secret police and slave patrols has consequences.

Authorities say the suspected gunman in the Dallas shooting took his own life.

All adults are recommended to receive the COVID-19 booster shot this fall.

That message from the Illinois Department of Public Health as it breaks from federal guidelines that only recommend the vaccine for small group of people.

The standing order from IDPH recommends the vaccine for all children.

6 to 23 months old, children ages 2 to 17 who have an underlying risk factor or live with someone who does any child whose parents want them to have the shot.

People who are pregnant, planning or post partum and all adults last month.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention only recommending the vaccine for people ages 65 and older.

This move from IDPH does require most health insurers to cover the cost.

for more on that, please visit our website.

At 106 years Old.

Loyola University's sister Jean is retiring.

She has served as the longtime chaplain and perhaps his biggest fan of Loyola men's basketball team, sister Jean Rose to fame during the team's Final 4 run in the 2018 NCAA Tournament often found sitting courtside cheering the men on.

But as the team chaplain for 30 years, she also provided players with support mentorship and encouragement.

She wrote a memoir in 2023, 20 titled Wake Up with Purpose.

What I've learned in my first 100 years, the school's student newspaper, the Loyola Phoenix broke the news earlier this month that sister Jeanne stepping away because of health concerns.

Up next, the crisis at Weis Hospital right after this.

>> Chicago tonight, black voices he's made possible in part by the support of these donors.

>> Community members and local leaders are pushing to reopen Weiss Hospital.

The Uptown facility shut its doors last month after losing the Medicaid grants.

It depends on activists are urging hospital's owner to appeal the funding cut by what the funding cut by the federal deadline.

And that is today.

They worry the closure leaves a critical gap in health care access, especially for low-income and elderly patients.

Joining us to discuss the effort are Pittman, longtime uptown resident and organizer with Northside Action for Justice.

Lilly Way organized director at the Vietnamese Association of Illinois.

And State Senator Mike Simmons whose district includes parts of the North side, including Uptown and Ravenswood.

Thanks to all 3 of you for joining OK, sir.

Senator, let's start with you.

Please explain to us what's going on here.

You have said that the 4 million dollars in state safety net funds that were supposed to go to the hospital are being withheld and that they'll be released when that Medicaid funding cut is appealed.

However, the deadline, as we've said, that's that's today.

So quite why make this move?

so we actually just heard from CMS that the appeal is actually been filed by was hospital.

So this is a big win for the community.

>> Myself and your cope.

Analysts literally were on the.

49 on Monday stand in front of hospital.

>> Literally called Dr.

Syed the CEO of this hospital on a cell phone as we demanded that he submit this appeal and we just got clarification that the appeal was filed by the deadline, which was at 5 o'clock today.

It should not have taken this long because reality is that Wise Hospital has several improvements that need to be made for the safety of the patients that use this facility.

It is one of the only safe thing that's on the hot second hospitals in the far north side of Chicago, we have to fight myself and the state Senate fight really hard to get sick in a status for them in 2023 so that they could access to these funds.

so they have remedy the violation.

The CMS has found they will not be able access that 4 million dollars.

Okay.

So it sounds like we're hearing some news here.

You just found out today how late have recently did you hear this and to hear from Dr Persaud owns the company that >> that owns White Hospital.

So we've been in touch of Dr Side has not been communicative.

So actually got the update from Senator Duckworth's office.

Are United States senator.

>> And we've been in touch with her and with Senator Ben to get updates from CMS has their representatives that can get quick updates from them on these types of appeals.

So we're gonna come back to that a little bit.

I want to get Lily in as well because White Hospital has served many diverse immigrant communities, you know, on the north side as well many low-income patients, those who are on Medicaid, Medicare, how some of these folks been getting the medical care that they need in the absence of Bryce.

>> Yeah, I mean, I've heard a lot of concern from the community that I work with use it mostly low-income immigrants and refugees.

A lot of folks right are really just in limbo and waiting for updates from their providers to Right.

last time I was here was 2 months ago and back then folks were telling me that they were not receiving communication from the hospital management about the next steps and almost 2 months later, I still hear the same thing, right where folks are still in limbo.

Still don't know where to go for their next appointment.

And of course, there's also scramble to transfer all the inpatient services and get patients out to local hospitals.

But this talking about right?

Swedish.

But those hospitals are miles away from where the folks that I work with live, right, which time they live, maybe 5 or 10 minute walk away from Weis.

So my concern is that before a population like others who often face health emergencies.

All right.

If they do not have access to emergency room, that's a 5 minute walk away.

even a couple minutes can make a huge difference right in their health outcomes.

And folks are now willing to just postpone their health checkups because of the inconvenience right of having to go somewhere far.

So it's it's possible some people are just going without the care that they need for sure, without Weiss done.

>> you've you've been a longtime uptown resident.

What are you hearing from your neighbors now that the hospital is closed?

I have a hearing here in the same thing at some of and health care, which is concerning to me.

>> In stability, you know, just walk into Weiss.

They know the neighborhood.

We have so many low-income immigrants Bay everything they do it in the community really have affected them.

>> We as a community and when.

Ems come pick them up, we don't know where they taken now because Rex is open lamb with patients.

So it's a big you notice a big deal we try to encourage everyone X and everything.

Weiss going to open windows.

mean, why open?

We have people go dialysis, they have senior activities there for them.

Homeless population used filler and it is very devastating to the community and we just want them ever want to know if out neighbors of not helping.

Den the community.

It's not helping because we really do take care of elders in and everyone in neighborhood.

So take care everyone.

I'm sorry.

No, it's okay.

Thank Lily.

We know that.

You've said that you've been concerned about hospitals, funds being mismanaged.

Tell us more about that.

What what are your concerns there?

>> Yeah, I mean, we know right that over past 3 years, Dr Persaud has been receiving 3 years ago.

Ms was also white.

One of the folks protesting right?

The so the parking lot.

And we know that he received it 8 million dollars from that sale.

And in 3 years we have not seen any concrete improvements right in the conditions in the hospital that it led to a situation where the hospital is now closed is deeply concerning, right?

Because we don't know where that money went and really liked the lack of communication from Dr Persaud side.

shows to us right that he's not really moving in good faith, even the filing this appeal happened at the very last moment.

And I didn't believe it would have happened without the community pressure and the oversight, right, that we've been really pushing for Dr Start to be accountable to the people in the community that he serves.

Senator, what's next?

What what would happen if the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should grant the appeal?

>> So if they were to grant the appeal, then we would see the hospital be able to re operate.

The CMS grants, the appeal that that means that within minutes, a safe facility.

And so that will free up the state funds for million dollars that I was able to secure in the pledge.

It too abuse that Weiss Hospital for, for all the things that they need to operate.

This hospital.

We've also secured capital dollars for them to be able to improve their dollars and their old AC systems, HVAC systems.

But Dr Side has got to act because every time we've sat down in good faith with him, he goes to us.

And even this Monday I was not impressed when I called and was sent to voicemail.

And I was saying with the community.

>> Kate and T and like you, we also have not received a response from from Dr for side of resilience, health care.

Why do you think it's been difficult to communicate with him?

You know, I I think that overall the situation spells out the need for new leadership.

>> You know, we have the state has done above and beyond what we would do to stabilize house because we believe in my spine hospital, 2 important resource for the neighborhood of town as a comedian, a far north side Chicago have some the highest concentration of poverty percent since track.

And so these are folks that are going to be health care, even with the Medicaid cuts, the being handed down by the federal government right now, it makes twice even more important.

And so I do.

I really want to see a doctor.

Syed communicate better with local elected officials and with our community-based leaders because we have been trying to work with in good faith and he has not shown up well to the community.

>> This woman, are you wise patient yourself?

whites been healthy so far.

Thank But I know 7 members of one of my grant was have a stroke.

Its service.

You get it was okay.

It could have been better.

But I The peak once again is what we're from mice and men uptown community.

It's what not going stand for it this time.

does not going to do it.

What are some of the improvements that you think the hospital needs to make refined get oxygen?

in the ER?

like I because to become there in the deputy, you know, most when likeness something that breathing.

I jus they did treat have a members are better.

When they do there and have the tools they need and you can be.

Can this open?

Because people's can get in there and get drugs.

I had met effect at have someone that noted, yeah, been there.

That could have been very devastated.

This because of something that they what more do you think the community that community can do to sort of support each other in to take care of themselves?

In the meantime, until this decision is made by the federal government, in the meantime, keep doing we're doing, X and a patient K, I mean, that patient X now numbers, neighbors, you know, are they OK?

>> Make it, you know, we make sure the E make sure if they're going to have that they're you know, if you need some help, some liken go with let them.

So that gets a lot of organization that we know people that ask you to get people's.

you know, to the doctor because have mobility issues.

They can't take that mask.

And if they do take the bus to take so long and you know that that's gets it going to Lilly few seconds left.

You know what if does not grant this appeal for Wise Hospital?

There's still this is a long fight, right?

So even after this, Dr Persaud still has to make the repairs that There's still write a whole year that he can then reapply the next cycle.

>> And truly right, like this woman and center Suns have said this is about public accountability to the community to patients.

So the staff who have also been affected by the sudden closure.

All right.

This is showing the clear commitment that he has to the hospital and to protecting this very crucial community support system.

we'll have to leave the best of luck to all of obviously look forward to following this story.

>> As it develops, Wilma Pittman, really late State.

Senator Mike 7, thanks, everyone.

Thank so much.

Up next, vending machines with overdose reversing drug czar, common coming to some CTA stations.

We sure which ones and how it all works right after this.

>> There's a push to get Narcan into the hands of Cook County's most vulnerable residents.

Public health officials hope they're getting naloxone campaign will destigmatize the overdose, reversing medicine.

One way they're doing it is with vending machines offering free Narcan 5 CTA stations throughout the city.

It's a six-month pilot program between the CTA and Cook County Health.

So joining us to discuss more are Dr.

Thomas never Chief Behavioral health officer for Cook County Health, Richard Vargas, director of outreach and engagement at the Westside Heroin and Opioid Task Force and Dan Loose take president and CEO of the Haymarket Center, the Substance Use Disorder facility.

Gentlemen, thanks to all of you for joining Thank you for having.

course.

there have been so far 480 confirmed opioid overdose deaths in Cook County since the start of this year.

We know it.

Those deaths they spikes in 2022.

That was during the pandemic 2002 deaths.

But so far this year or excuse me down to 1168 in 2024.

So last year.

Dan, I want to start with you, please to what do you attribute this sharp decline in the last couple of years?

I think the biggest.

Approach this has been the lifesaving medication that people are getting.

>> It is one of the biggest and best interventions that we have in preventing overdoses.

What we've seen at Haymarket Center is that we are using Narcan between 3 to 4 times a day for people coming in who are off the streets.

So that any kind of assistance in access to treatment, getting people, medications going to bend the needle.

But we're seeing 3, 4 times a day.

The >> is that common?

And does that compare to 2022, for example, when the number of deaths were so much higher, know what the difference is that we're seeing now is almost all of our cases and all fentanyl.

And that's where a single dose of Narcan has not been enough.

So typically would have between 3 and 4 person just to get them fight.

Richard, who who's most vulnerable to overdosing from opioid use.

So what we're seeing is that studies are showing largest group of individuals.

>> I think roughly about 50 something percent are African-American male.

Why do you think that Well, I think part of it is I think there's the exposure.

I think there's a lot of street use.

So when you combine kind of in areas that are kind of poverty, driven areas and street drug use those those numbers will go up.

>> Dr.

Peter, what are what are the chances that we're on track for another decline in the year 2025, when you look at, you know, 480 confirmed opioid overdose deaths so far this year and it's it's been trending downward and it's Certainly certainly encouraged by the early returns in project it out for the rest of the year.

>> This would mean that we would down 50% from the high.

>> over 2000 deaths in 2022. now that having been said that still nearly 1000 of our friends, neighbors and families who died in horrific epidemic.

And the fact we have such an amazing tool in the locks on we just want make sure we're getting that out.

To as many people as possible.

This is a a medicine that's highly effective in overdose.

It's easy to use.

It is inexpensive and it's safe enough to be available over the counter.

So it's it's a it's very powerful tool.

And I think it's been a large part of why we see in this decline over the last couple years.

>> We know that.

So we're looking at video now.

Cook County Health, your pilot program putting free Narcan in CTA stations.

This is not the stuff that you've got to the CTA stations concentrated on the south and West sides.

What was the catalyst for this program?

How likely are?

And we're looking at a map now of some of stations where they are.

But why transit white what we think it's important to have access to Narcan in public transit?

>> because a lot of people use transit.

And so we want to have the medication available where where the population of folks are.

And obviously lots of people take the CTA every day.

And so this has been in addition to having Narcan or naloxone, Narcan, a seal trade name available in all of our sites in Cook County Health and at the jail and off county courthouse is it just makes makes sense to go where people are and to get it get in the hands of as many people as possible.

Not just people who are using opioids but family friends, people who may come in contact with somebody who may have overdosed.

>> Richard, you've witnessed people that you're close struggled with substance abuse substance use.

How did how did that experience influence the work that you do today?

>> Well, because is you're experiencing individuals who are having overdose.

There's kind of this like hopelessness, like, you know, what can we do seen this in these things happen?

And I think people kind of experience this kind of feel enough that they can't do anything about it.

But that's the whole great purpose of naloxone.

It really is a lifesaving overdose reversal medication and they should be in every home, every neighborhood and every community because we can't really just look at street drug use.

People use opioid related pain medications in the home.

So again, if a person is using a pain medication opioid related pain medication, naloxone should be president with that in that House bill.

And of course, to be clear, you know, the stuff that you might find in the home, sometimes it is the street used.

But sometimes it is.

You know, it's been prescribed in U.S.

a kid in the house to get their hands And you never know where you may have a senior who may be using it and may more than you because he was or double down and take more.

>> So again, if not no locks on is nearby and present, you can save that life.

And what's important is Narcan isn't just for the patient.

Narcan should be for friends, family relatives.

They sure this is a lifesaving tool that if you are around individuals.

>> That are at high risk curing our can on you.

It could be that one step that saves a life.

>> course, we when you will announce this last week, we heard from a mother who had lost her son to an opioid overdose on CTA on public transit.

Dan, there is a lot of stigma around drug addiction.

How we break shame.

Education is one important intervention, but it it's a multi problem and fascinating issue.

>> Everything about this is the only medical disorder that's both criminalized as well as funded, pour because of stigma.

The number one cause of death in the state of Illinois is alcohol related deaths, but less than 0, 0.1% of the of the state budget goes towards that.

So stick.

My is is killing people and preventing them from going on to get help.

So they're getting they're getting negative feedback from pharmacists.

They're getting medic in the feedback from the health care industry.

They're getting negative feedback from friends and family.

This is a highly stigmatized medical issue that through education and understanding that treatment works.

Narcan is just one piece of this.

The back end is being able to really work with treatment providers to get that individual into treatment because Narcan is very time-limited.

So Narcan can wear off and that overdose can continue.

So getting them into medical services, getting them into a community-based provider is key.

And I will tell you, this is the one thing the President Preckwinkle was laser focused on 2 out her administration is health care for Cook County.

She is locked arms with medical providers and community based providers providing a single intervention and getting them into treatment is absolutely critical.

But that's the way you're going to beat stigma.

So we're also seeing a lot of non opioids sedatives being mixed in with some of the drugs that were fighting on the but beyond fentanyl and xylazine, which is also known as a strength, Dr another.

We're also seeing something else that I can't pronounce yet.

>> That isn't.

>> Yes, And it will.

I guess my point the reason I raise that is because of Newark and does not necessarily work to reverse some of those other drugs.

Narcan can still be valuable in the instance of overdose.

>> Yes, even in the even in the case most of the most of what's on the street now, even as heroin.

doesn't have heroin anymore.

It's under 40% now in city Chicago, close to 90% of it has not knowing it and close to 20% has.

Night as Enes, which are actually more potent.

Even then fentanyl and yeah, important note that it the naloxone does still work and it's not to not to be avoided.

But if we haven't even a small bump in the amount of night as Enes in a in a supply and the given months is an illicit market that could be devastating.

it's obviously a major concern all of you.

Have your work cut out for But >> keep an eye out for that in our can vending machines at some CTA stations and other places.

My thanks to all of you, Dr, Thomas not or Richard Vargas and a list things that want Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank Asked.

And that is our show for this Wednesday night.

Don't forget, you can stay connected with our reporters and what they're working on by following us on Instagram at W T Tw Chicago.

>> And join us tomorrow night at 5, 30 10.

Now for all of us here in Chicago tonight, one greatest Friedman, thanks for watching.

Stay healthy and safe.

>> Closed caption News made possible by Robert a cliff and Clifford law Chicago personal injury and wrongful death,