>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

LATINO VOICES I'M JOINED ON THIS ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

MAYOR JOHNSON IS SET TO ASK CITY COUNCIL FOR AN ADDITIONAL 70 MILLION DOLLARS FOR MIGRANT CARE.

>> THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL GLOBAL CRISIS THAT REQUIRES A FEDERAL RESPONSE.

>> ADVOCATES PUSH FOR EXPANDED WORK PERMITS.

RESEARCH SHOWS INCREASING SUICIDE RATES AMONG BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGOANS.

A LOOK AT POTENTIAL CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS.

>> WE HAVE BUILDING A DIFFERENT HAMISH OF LATINOS.

>> AND GRAB HER BAG OF POPCORN.

CHICAGO LATINO FILM FESTIVAL KICKS OFF TODAY.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

>> AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, OJ SIMPSON, THE FORMER FOOTBALL STAR FAMOUSLY ACQUITTED OF A DOUBLE HOMICIDE IN THE 90'S HAS DIED.

SIMPSON IS REGARDED AS ONE OF THE GREATEST RUNNING BACKS OF ALL TIME.

HIS PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS, THOUGH, BECAME OVERSHADOWED AFTER HE WAS CHARGED WITH THE 1994 MURDER OF HIS EX-WIFE, NICOLE BROWN.

SIMPSON AND HER FRIEND RON GOLDMAN.

SIMPSON WAS ACQUITTED IN WHAT IS OFTEN REFERRED AS THE TRIAL OF THE CENTURY.

HIS FAMILY ANNOUNCED HIS DEATH SOCIAL MEDIA EARLIER TODAY SAY HE DIED OF PROSTATE CANCER.

HE WAS 76.

OVER APP IS ADDING TAXIS TO ITS LIST OF RIGHT OPTIONS IN CHICAGO.

STARTING TODAY, CHICAGO DRIVERS CAN BOOK A TAXI THROUGH THE APP OVER SAYS THE NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TAXI INDUSTRY WILL OFFER RIDERS MORE OPTIONS WHILE BENEFITING CABDRIVERS FINANCIALLY.

THE RIDESHARE COMPANY HAS LONG BEEN BLAMED FOR A DECLINE IN THE TAXI INDUSTRY.

WILBER SAYS RIDERS WILL STILL RECEIVE UPFRONT PRICING IN THE APP WHEN SELECTING A TAXI.

AND MARK YOUR CALENDAR.

THIS SATURDAY IS THE 6TH ANNUAL LATINO HEALTH EQUITY FEST FIESTA TORE IN AN EFFORT TO PROMOTE HEALTH EQUITY.

THE EVENT WILL OFFER EXAMS, HIV TESTING DENTAL CHECKUPS, HEALTH SCREENINGS AND D DNA TESTING.

AMONG OTHER SERVICES.

ORGANIZERS SAY THE EVENT IS FREE TO EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF CITIZENSHIP STATUS AND ALL SERVICES ARE FREE.

THIS YEAR'S EVENT WILL BE AT THE INCIDENT, THOUGH, THAT FOCUS ON LATINO HIGH SCHOOL FROM 10:00PM TO 03:00PM.

UP NEXT, ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR MIGRANT CARE.

THAT'S RIGHT.

AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE SUPPORT OF DONORS.

>> MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON IS EXPECTED TO ASK CITY COUNCIL TO SPEND AN ADDITIONAL 70 MILLION DOLLARS TO CARE FOR MIGRANTS SENT TO CHICAGO FROM THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

THE REQUEST COMES 6 WEEKS AFTER THE MAYOR DECLINED TO JOIN GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER AND COOK COUNTY BOARD.

PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE SETTING ASIDE MORE MONEY TO CONFRONT THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.

REPORTER HEATHER JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

HEATHER, FIRST QUESTION.

TELL US WHY THE CITY NEEDS MORE MONEY TO CARE FOR MIGRANTS.

WELL, IT IS AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT THERE IS NO HELP FINANCIALLY COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

DESPITE NEARLY A YEAR US OF IMPASSIONED PLEAS FROM MAYOR JOHNSON AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS.

IT IS ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT THE CITY ALONG WITH SOME HELP FROM THE STATE IN THE COUNTY IS ESSENTIALLY ON ITS OWN CARING FOR.

>> TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS MADE THEIR WAY TO CHICAGO BECOMING OUR CITY'S NEWEST RESIDENCE AND TALKING ABOUT MONEY.

STATE AND COUNTY OFFICIALS AGREED TO SPEND 250 MILLION TO CARE FOR THE MIGRANTS BACK IN FEBRUARY.

BUT UNTIL NOW, THE MAYOR DECLINED TO JOIN THEM.

>> WHY?

WELL, THERE WAS DEEP BREACH OPENED UP BETWEEN THE STATE IN THE CITY OVER THE ISSUE OF THE WINTERIZED BASE CAMP THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO OPEN IN BRIGHTON PARK THIS PAST WINTER.

>> IT NEVER DID.

EVEN THOUGH THE STATE HAD PROMISED TO COOPERATE A SHELTER OF NEARLY 2000 BEDS THAT LEFT MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON FEELING LIKE HE WAS IN THE LURCH STRUGGLING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CARE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW IN CHICAGO.

HE IT'S ALSO COULD NOT CLEAR WHETHER THE CITY COUNCIL WILL APPROVE THIS MONEY BECAUSE THE LAST TIME THE CITY COUNCIL WAS ASKED TO APPROVE FUNDS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL.

IT WAS A HUGE FIGHT.

EVEN THOUGH THE MAYOR SAID THE SITE ONLY 150 MILLION DOLLARS THIS YEAR KNOWING FULL WELL, THAT WAS PROBABLY LESS THAN HALF OF WHAT THE CITY WOULD AND WHEN THIS, WHEN IS THE CITY COUNCIL SCHEDULED TO VOTE ON THIS REQUEST, WILL IT WILL FACE ITS FIRST TEST ON MONDAY AT 02:00PM WHEN THE BUDGET COMMITTEE TAKES UP THIS PROPOSAL.

IF IT WINS THE ENDORSEMENT OF THAT COMMITTEE, A FINAL VOTE COULD HAPPEN AS SOON AS WEDNESDAY.

I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER TOUGH FIGHT FOR THEM AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

THANK YOU, MOTHER FOR THE UPDATE.

THANKS, JOHN.

A.

>> UP NEXT, THE DEBATE OVER EXPANDING WORK PERMITS.

ADVOCATES ARE PUSHING FOR EXPANDING ACCESS TO WORK PERMITS FOR MIGRANTS IN LONG TERM.

UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON AND OTHER PROPONENTS SAY EXPANDING WORK PERMITS WILL BOOST THE U.S.

WORKFORCE AND THE ECONOMY.

BUT OPPONENTS SAY LOCAL TAXPAYERS WILL HAVE TO PAY AND THEY SHOULD BE PROTECTED.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ARE LAURA ALYSSA IMMIGRATION ORGANIZER AT THE RECENT ACTION PROJECT.

AND JOINING US VIA ZOOM IS REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR AND A CHESS ME.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

NOW, SENATOR, I WANT TO GO TO YOU.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RISK THAT YOU SEE AN EXTENDED WORK PERMITS TO ALL UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS?

>> WELL, IT'S GOING TO DRIVE DOWN THE WAGES FOR THE AMERICAN WORKER.

AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE THE AMERICAN WORKER THAT DAY HAS DONE IT THE RIGHT WAY THE ENTIRE TIME AND THAT THE U.S. CITIZENS ARE GOING TO BE PENALIZE BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO DRIVE DOWN THE WAGES FOR THEM.

FOR THOSE REASONS, I THINK WE NEED TO BE INCREDIBLY CAUTIOUS FOR ANY EXPANSIONS.

>> AND LAURA, GOING TO YOU FROM WHAT HE'S SAYING, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF EXTENDING WORK PERMITS TO ON DOCUMENT TO CITIZENS?

YEAH, THAT PROVIDE YES.

I DON'T THINK IT ACTUALLY BRING DOWN THE WAGES.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS WE DEFINITELY WANT THOSE FAIR WAGES TO BE UPHELD.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE PART OF THE FORMAL ECONOMY AND ARE PAYING TAXES, RIGHT, AND THAT LAWS FOR FAIR WAGES ARE UPHELD.

A LOT OF THE TIMES PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING WITHOUT DOCUMENTS.

>> HAVE TO TAKE A JOB THAT PAYS LAST AND THAT IS MAYBE WORKING THEM MORE HOURS WITHOUT EQUAL PAY.

AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE PROTECTED AND THEY'RE ABLE TO GO AND THEY'RE ABLE TO DEMAND THEIR RIGHTS AS WORKERS ON MAY BE ABLE TO HAVE THOSE RIGHTS THAT HAVE BEEN TIRELESSLY WORKED FOR WORKERS TO BE PROTECTED.

SO THAT'S WHAT A WORK PERMIT WOULD ALLOW US TO DO YOU ATTEND A MEETING LAST WEEK WITH THE MAYOR AND OTHER LOCAL LEADERS PUSHING THE HERE TO WORK CAMPAIGN.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GOALS OF THIS INITIATIVE AND WHAT WAS THE SCENE LIKE AT THAT MEETING?

>> YEAH, THE THE PURPOSE IS TO EXPAND WORK PERMITS FOR ALL SPECIALLY 2 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN UNDOCUMENTED IN THE U.S. FOR NOW A DECADE TALKING ABOUT THE TIME THAT PEOPLE HAVE DOCUMENTED 16 YEARS.

>> SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE SOME PROTECTIONS.

I THINK IT WAS A WONDERFUL IT WAS WONDERFUL TO BE PART OF THAT MEETING TO SEE PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS FROM THE PRIVATE INTO FAITH LEADERS TO CIVIC LEADERS ALL COMING TOGETHER AND SAYING THIS IS A PROTECTION THAT IS NEEDED FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE WHO HAVE BEEN CONTRIBUTING TO THIS COUNTRY WHO HAVE BEEN MAKING THIS COUNTRY WHAT IT IS NOW.

>> AND, SENATOR, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

HOW DO YOU FEEL THAT THE GOALS OF THE HERE TO PAIN COULD BACKFIRE.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT FIRST WE HAVE TO WE HAVE TO SAY WHAT IT IS AND THEY'RE THEY'RE ILLEGAL.

IMMIGRANTS HAVE COME HERE REGARDLESS HOW LONG THEY'VE BEEN HERE.

THERE ARE LEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND YOU CAN ADD MILLIONS MILLIONS OF PEOPLE TO THE WORKFORCE AND EXPECTED TO HAVE NO IMPACT ON THE WAGES FOR THE LEGAL CITIZENS THAT ARE HERE THAT RESIDE IN NOT ONLY OUR STATE BUT ALSO OUR COUNTRY.

BUT IF YOU IF YOU WANT TO EXPAND BEYOND THAT AND IF YOU THINK ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OR MIGRANT CRISIS IS BAD NOW, IF YOU FORMALIZE THAT YOU ARE LITERALLY OPENING UP THE FLOODGATES EVEN WORSE THAN THEY ALREADY HAVE, THAT THAT JB PRITZKER.

AND AND AND AND MAYOR JOHNSON OTHERS HAVE ESSENTIALLY ROLLED OUT THE RED CARPET FOR MIGRANTS AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS COME STATE OF ILLINOIS AND WE JUST CAN SUSTAIN IT AND IT'S SIPHONING OFF RESOURCES FOR THOSE THAT HAVE HAVE LIT THAT LIVE HERE LEGALLY AND HAVE FOR FOR DECADES.

AND SO I THINK IT COMES DOWN TO PRIORITIES.

WE CERTAINLY HAVE EMPATHY.

WE ALSO HAVE A FINITE AMOUNT OF DOLLARS WE CAN SPEND IN THE STATE AND WE'RE CITING OFF BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR MIGRANTS IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

THAT SHOULD BE YOU SHOULD BE USED FOR LAWFUL CITIZENS OF OUR STATE.

>> A LOT OF WHAT IS YOUR COMMENT ON THAT?

BECAUSE THERE ARE UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE WHO ARE PAYING TAXES YET.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR YEARS CONTRIBUTING.

SO IT IS NOT ABOUT THAT.

AND THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THINK ABOUT THE WORKFORCE HAS ECOSYSTEM.

YOU NEED THOSE TO BE PICKING THOSE CROPS.

MANY PEOPLE, THEY'RE GOING TO PICK THOSE CROPS THAT THEN GOING TO BE SO THAT ARE THEN GOING TO GO TO RESTAURANTS, RIGHT?

ALL OF THAT IS A CHAIN WHERE YOU NEED PEOPLE WORKING.

AND WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH WORKERS IN THE U.S. TO FULFILL ALL OF THE VACANCIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

AND SO WE NEED AND THE GRANTS TO CALM ACTUALLY BE DONE.

HERE TO BE ABLE TO TO TAKE ON THOSE THOSE POSITIONS ARE THAT ARE OPEN AND ABLE TO THEM THAT GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW THE ECONOMY THE WAY THAT IT HAS WORKED FOR MANY YEARS.

>> AND SENATOR, WHAT IS YOUR INPUT ON THAT?

BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THERE'S A NEED FOR MORE WORKERS AND IN DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES.

DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> I THINK IT'S INSULTING TO THE AMERICAN WORKER TO SUGGEST THAT THE ONLY PEOPLE TO COME PICK CROPS ARE LEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

I THINK THAT THE AMERICAN WORKERS ARE THE BEST WORKERS IN THIS IN THIS WORLD.

AND CERTAINLY HAVE TO PUT THEM FIRST FOREMOST IN OUR POLICY DECISIONS.

AND SO LITERALLY MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF PEOPLE LEGALLY GIVING THEM LEGAL WORK STATUS WITHIN OUR COUNTRY WILL NOT ONLY OPENED THE FLOODGATES ON OUR SOUTHERN BORDER FURTHER THAN IT ALREADY IS, BUT IT WILL ALSO DRIVE DOWN THE WAGES FOR THOSE FOR THOSE THAT I REPRESENT.

AND THAT FOR THOSE REASONS, I SIMPLY CANNOT SUPPORT IT.

>> AND ANOTHER QUESTION ARE AMERICAN JOBS?

ARE THEY AT RISK?

>> WELL, OF COURSE, ARE AT RISK, RIGHT?

I MEAN, YOU, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T LEGALIZING ILLEGAL ACTIVITY EXPECTED.

THOSE ARE NOT GOING TO SIPHON OFF JOBS FROM LEGAL TAXPAYERS AND U.S. CITIZENS.

AND SO IT IS NOT ABOUT AND THAT THE IT'S ABOUT IT'S ABOUT PRIORITIES.

AND I THINK AS A STATE AND A NATION, WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE THOSE THAT HAVE DONE IT THE RIGHT WAY AND LEGAL CITIZENS, THOSE THAT THAT VOTE US INTO OFFICE.

AND THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE CAN'T HAVE COMPASSION AND EMPATHY AND LEGAL PASSPORT FOR CITIZENSHIP, BUT THEY NEED TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.

AND WE WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING BY RECORD INFLATION NUMBERS, HIGH GAS PRICES AND ETCETERA.

AND YOU CAN'T CHANGE THE WORKFORCE ENVIRONMENT EXPECTED TO HAVE NO IMPACT ON THE MOST VULNERABLE, WHICH IS WILL IMPACT THE MOST WAS THE POOR AND THE WORKING POOR THAT ARE HERE LEGALLY.

>> A LOT OF WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WHEN HE SAYS THE RIGHT WAY?

YEAH, I MEAN THAT, YOU KNOW, NOBODY WANTS TO BE UNDOCUMENTED.

I WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN DHAKA WHEN I WAS 24 I IT WASN'T LIKE I WAS LIKE, YES, I WANT TO BE ON DOCUMENT TO READ.

THESE WAS A REALLY TOUGH CHOICE THAT MY PARENTS HAD TO MAKE IN ORDER FOR THEIR FAMILY TO STAY TOGETHER FOR THE FAMILY TO BE ABLE TO THRIVE.

SO NOBODY WANTS TO BE UNDOCUMENTED.

NOBODY'S LOOKING FOR THAT.

IT IS REALLY, REALLY DIFFICULT.

AND WE ALSO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT.

THERE IS NO PASS RATE LIKE I CONTINUE TO JUST HAVE A PROTECTION OF DHAKA BECAUSE THAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT IS AVAILABLE TO ME.

THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDOCUMENTED.

I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 16, 2030, YEARS.

THEY DON'T HAVE A PAP TO ANYTHING, RIGHT.

SO WHEN I HEAR, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO DO THE LEGAL WAY.

NOTHING HAS BEEN OPEN FOR PEOPLE.

I UNDERSTAND, RIGHT?

THEY CAME AND THE CROSS THE BORDER.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE BEEN HERE, THEY'VE BEEN CONTRIBUTING.

SO IT IS TIME TALKING ABOUT THAT.

THERE HASN'T BEEN AN IMMIGRATION REFORM POLICY AMNESTY DURING REAGAN ERA 1986, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

WHAT'S NEXT FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM?

I MEAN, IF ANYTHING, IT'S BEEN HARDER, RIGHT?

WE HAD THE 1996 IRA IRA THAT MADE IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT THAT PENALIZE PEOPLE FOR FOR CROSSING THE BORDER.

YOU KNOW, I YOU KNOW, ANOTHER THING THAT THE SENATOR MENTIONED WAS, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THAT PUT HIM INTO OFFICE.

THERE'S A LOT OF MIXED STATUS FAMILIES.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PARENTS, 2 U.S. CITIZEN CHILDREN THAT ARE COMING OF AGE.

THEY'RE GETTING READY TO VOTE.

AND THOSE SAME PARENTS ARE STILL ON DOCUMENTED.

SO THAT ALSO, YOU KNOW, A BIG DEMOGRAPHIC THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO BE CONSCIOUS THEY THESE ARE FAMILIES THAT WANT TO STAY TOGETHER AND ARE NOT ABLE TO STAY TOGETHER BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN OFFERED TO THEM AND SENATE ARE GOING TO YOU.

WHY SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT IMMIGRATION REFORM AND WHAT DOES IMMIGRATION REFORM LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

>> WELL, I MEAN, THERE'S A FEDERAL FIX THAT I'M ON THE STATE LEVEL.

SO I CAN ONLY SPEAK THE STATE LEVEL BECAUSE I'M NOT IN CONGRESS IN THE U.S. SENATE.

SO I PREFER THAT THE FEDERAL DEBATE FOR A FOR A FEDERAL LEGISLATOR.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU WHAT WE NEED TO DO FROM THE STATE LEVEL IS IF A MIGRANT OR LEGAL IMMIGRANT, YOU HAVE BETTER HEALTH CARE THAN ANY LEGAL CITIZEN IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

AND I THINK THAT'S RIGHT?

SO IF IF YOU'RE 65 YOU KNOW, ELDERLY WOMAN OR 70 OR 80, YOU PICK YOUR AGE, YOU HAVE A WORSE HEALTH CARE PLAN IN A MIGRANT OR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO CAME.

AND THINK THAT THAT'S RIGHT.

AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, IT WAS ALSO SIGNED ACTUALLY GOVERNOR RAUNER OF THE TRUST ACT, ELIMINATING THE ABILITY FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNICATE WITH FEDERAL AUTHORITIES FOR THOSE THAT ARE BAD PEOPLE DOING BAD THINGS TO MOVE THEM ALONG AND WERE NOT ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ABOUT IMMIGRATION STATUS.

AND I THINK THAT'S WRONG.

AND SO FROM THE STATE LEVEL, WE HAVE TO TAKE AWAY THE MAINTENANCE THAT ARE BRINGING PEOPLE TO OUR STATE THAT ARE TAKING AWAY THE RESOURCES, THE VITAL RESOURCES THAT WE NEED FOR THE U.S. CITIZENS AND THE LEGAL RESIDENTS THAT ARE VITALLY NEED THESE RESOURCES TRY AND START WITH >> I'M SORRY IN TRUMP, WE ONLY HAVE A FINAL SECONDS.

WANT TO GET LAURA QUICKLY HERE.

WHAT ARE YOUR FINAL YOU KNOW, IMMIGRANTS CONTRIBUTING TO THE TO THE STATE THAT INSURANCE THE SOUTHERNERS TALKING ABOUT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TAXES ARE PAID BY IMMIGRANTS TOLD THEY SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM AND SO IT'S JUST IT'S THEY ARE NOT TAKING.

THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING BY THE BILLIONS AND THEY ARE PART OF THIS OF THIS GREAT STATE.

AND WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW INTEGRATE THEM INTO THE STATE WITH ANGULAR.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE IT AT THAT.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

PREMIER.

>> I LOOK AT POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO INCREASING SUICIDE RATES AMONG BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGO.

AND STAY WITH US.

>> BLACK >> AND LATINO CHICAGOANS ARE SEEING INCREASING RATES OF SUICIDE.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A STUDY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND EARLY INTERVENTION CAN PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE AND PREVENTING SUICIDES.

BUT RESEARCHERS SAY THEY ARE BECOMING HARDER TO ACCESS.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE, JONELLE GOODWILL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK AND THE STUDY'S AUTHORS.

AND LOOK AT DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION FOR THE BRIGHTON PARK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

JONELLE, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

YOU BEGAN WORKING ON THE RESEARCH.

WE NOTICED A GAP WHEN TALKING ABOUT CHICAGO VIOLENCE.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT.

CERTAINLY.

SO I MOVED TO CHICAGO IN 2020 TO BEGIN, IN FACT, A POSITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

>> AND DURING THAT TIME AGAIN TO READ LOCAL NEWS SITES, TOO, GET MORE ACCLIMATED WITH THE COMMUNITY AND WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I WAS MOVING INTO DURING THAT TIME OF THE CASE IN YEAR WITH SOME OF THE WRITINGS BY REPORTER AND JOURNALIST, THE KEY CHAVIS WHO WAS WRITING ABOUT INCREASE IN SUICIDES AMONG BLACK HAWK COUNTY RESIDENTS.

NOTICE THAT REALLY AND RESEARCH ACROSS THE SOCIAL SCIENCES, THERE'S A STRONG FOCUS ON HOMICIDE IN CHICAGO, BUT THAT SUICIDE HAS REALLY BEEN UNDER CITY TOPIC IN THIS CITY.

AND SO I FEEL LIKE IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY DELVE DEEPER AND TO BUILD UPON THE TEACHERS REALLY IMPORTANT WORK AND TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW SUICIDE IS IMPACTING RESIDENTS IN THE CITY.

>> AND THAT TOTAL.

WHAT IMPACT YOU SEEN FROM LACK MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND IN COMMUNITIES?

>> YEAH, THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC AND I'M VERY GLAD CONTENTION, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS THAT THE AREAS THAT HAVE SEEN HIGHEST RATES OF THIS INVESTMENTS ARE ALSO THE HIGHEST AREAS OF THE CITY, THE HIGHEST RATE BEHAVIOR HAS BEEN MADE IN 9-1-1, CALLS WE'VE SEEN THE IMPACT OF THIS INVESTMENT AND HOW IT'S LEFT COMMUNITIES WITHOUT RESOURCES AND 14 HAVING TO RELY ON A SYSTEM COULD DOESN'T EXIST.

>> THE STUDY ALSO POINTED TO THE YOUNGER AGES AT WHICH BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGOANS ARE COMMITTING SUICIDE.

WHAT STOOD OUT TO YOU THE MOST?

YEAH.

SO I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE REALLY HEARTBREAKING ASPECTS OF DOING THIS WORK IS THAT THESE ARE NOT JUST NUMBERS.

THESE ARE.

>> FAMILY MEMBERS OR LOVED ONES OR FRIENDS AND MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

AND SO WHEN THINKING ABOUT HOW TO INTERVENE, RESEARCHERS AND CLINICIANS ARE TASKED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY SOME GROUPS ARE DYING BY SUICIDE EARLIER THAN OTHERS.

SO IN OUR STUDY, WE FOUND THAT BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGOANS ARE DYING BY SUICIDE BEFORE AGE 20 RELATIVE TO WHY AN ASIAN CHICAGO INTO A DYING AT LATER AGES.

I THINK THIS POINTS TO THE NEED FOR INTERVENTIONS IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND CHURCHES AND FAMILIES VISIT.

WHERE IS MAYBE PERSONS WHO ARE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH WHITE AND ASIAN CHICAGOANS MAY THINK ABOUT INTERVENING IN WORKPLACES ARE SPACES OLDER CHICAGO RESIDENTS ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE AND WEATHER PATTERNS THAT YOU NOTICE OF HOW THEY WERE TAKING THEIR LIVES.

WELL, WE DID SEE SOME DIFFERENCES IN METHOD.

AND SO THIS IS VERY CONCERNING.

AND I THINK, AGAIN COMPLICATES OUR UNDERSTANDING OF VIOLENCE IN THE CITY.

WE DID SEE THAT BLACK MALES IN CHICAGO WERE MOST LIKELY TO DIE BY SUICIDE USING A FIREARM.

AND AGAIN, THAT IS I THINK IT'S VERY UNDERSTATED IN THE CITY WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WHAT GUN VIOLENCE TRULY LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE.

BUT WE ALSO DID SEE, I THINK PATTERNS THAT WERE CONSISTENT WITH SUICIDE METHODS AND TRENDS GLOBALLY WHERE MEN ARE USING FIREARMS GENERALLY MORE OFTEN THAN WOMEN ARE.

>> AND THAT HELP UNCOVER STATIONS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, BE ENCOURAGED YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> YEAH, IT'S IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS EARLY AND OFTEN, RIGHT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE FEEL THAT THEY CAN GET THE SUPPORT THEY NEED ARE AWARE WHY MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS AND WHAT TURN TO THE MOMENT PRICES?

HOW CAN SOMEBODY WHO IS GOING TO A MOMENT?

AGAIN, HE'S QUESTIONING THEIR LIVES WERE REALLY IN A MOMENT.

THAT CRITICAL ATTENTION CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE REACHING OUT TO SOMEBODY.

AND THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE PREVENT OF ENGAGE PEOPLE IN A MOMENT OF NEED IT WITH WITH PARENTS REPORT.

>> AND, KNOW, BASINGER RESEARCH, WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE?

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DISPARITIES THAT YOU SAW IN TERMS OF LIKE ACCESS ALSO TO MENTAL HEALTH?

CERTAINLY.

SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT WE ACTUALLY CITE THE TREATMENT, NOT TRAUMA REPORT IN THIS PEER REVIEWED STUDIES.

SO AGAIN, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REITERATE THAT RESEARCHERS ARE NOT THE ONES WHO ARE GOING TO ONLY BE THE CHANGES REALLY HAS TO BE REALLY A COMMUNITY EFFORT THAT'S LED BY POLICYMAKERS.

CLINICIANS RESEARCHERS.

ORGANIZERS.

AND SO I FEEL LIKE ONE OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF MYSELF AND OTHER RESEARCHERS.

AND EVEN IN THIS STUDY IS TO AMPLIFY THE WORK THAT'S ALREADY BEEN HAPPENING, RIGHT?

SO I JUST GOT TO CHICAGO IN 2020.

I'M CERTAINLY NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO CARE ABOUT THIS BUT WE REALLY AMPLIFY, I THINK A LOT OF EFFORT BY TREATING NOT TRAUMA AND OTHER GROUPS ALREADY BEEN HAPPENING.

AND SO THROUGH THOSE SPACES, I THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY THINK ABOUT THE REOPENING ANYTHING EXPANSION OF MORE PUBLICLY FUNDED MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS, ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES OF THE CITY.

AND TALKING ABOUT THAT ARE LITTLE GROUPS LIKE YOURS ARE WORKING TO REOPEN CHICAGO'S PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS.

>> HOW WILL THIS HELP THOSE SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH CARE AS OPPOSED TO THOSE PRIVATE SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE?

>> YES.

DO OUR RESEARCH WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THAT WHEN THE CITY.

AND THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION INVESTED IN THE NONPROFIT PRIVATE EYES, MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM THAT ALREADY EXISTED.

THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT WENT TO THESE RESOURCES AND COMMUNITIES DID NOT ACTUALLY INCREASED ACCESS IN THE WAY THAT WAS VERY MUCH MEANINGFUL.

THOSE BARRIERS STILL EXIST RIGHT?

SO WE WANT TO CREATE A SYSTEM OF CARE TO THE 2 MINUTE TRAVEL MODEL THAT INVEST IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR WHERE PEOPLE CAN WALK INTO A COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, JUST LIKE THEY DO A PUBLIC LIBRARY AT THE MOMENT.

RIGHT?

BUT EASE OF ACCESS CAN ALLOW PEOPLE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THAT SUPPORT WHEN THEY NEED IT.

AND ALSO TO CREATE A POLICE CRISIS RESPONSE SYSTEM, CITYWIDE RATE SO PEOPLE CAN TURN TO A RESOURCE AND A MOMENT OF NEED AND HAVE UP HERE.

ALL SOCIAL WORKER TO COMMUNITY RESIDENT WAS TRAINED RESPOND TO CRISIS.

BE THERE FOR THEM IN THAT MOMENT AND BE ABLE TO TRANSITION INTO CARE AT ONE OF THE CENTER'S.

BUT WE ALSO WANT THE SENATE TO PROVIDE THE PROACTIVE OUTREACH IN THE WAY THEY CONFORM COMMUNITY ENGAGE IN PREVENTATIVE AFTER TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT PEOPLE AND ENTIRE COMMUNITY BY AGAINST A FULLY FUNDED SYSTEM THAT CAN PROVIDE THE RESOURCES IN THE CARE TRUMBULL LOOKING INTO.

>> I HOW HARD IS HONESTLY TO FIND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE?

WE SEE LONG WAY SPRAY EVEN WHEN THOSE RESOURCES EXIST.

WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE WAITING 6 MONTHS TO A YEAR TO TO RECEIVE SERVICES IN SOME CASES.

>> OR WHEN RECEIVE CARE, IT'S VERY LIMITED AS TO HOW APPOINTMENTS THEY CAN.

THEY CAN ACCESS.

COST IS STILL PROHIBITIVE BARRIER.

SO WE KNOW YOU'RE SAYING ANYONE THERAPISTS FOR >> WHOLE NEIGHBORHOODS, SOMETIMES.

ACTUALLY, 0.1 WE SHOULD WAIT WANT THEIR 1000 COMMUNITY.

RESIDENTS IN COMPANY CALLED RIGHT.

BUT COME BY COMPARISON WERE FROM THE NEIGHBORS HAVE FOR THERAPIST FOR 1000 RESIDENTS.

THAT'S THAT'S DATA.

THE RESEARCHERS SHOW.

>> AND WE'VE BUILT ALONG THE SHORE TO ATTEND A TO POINT OUT HOW PUBLIC INVESTMENT NEEDS TO BE CREATED IN AREAS OF THE CITY.

WHERE WITH DOES EXIST.

>> THANK THAT I MEAN, WE ONLY HAVE TIME FOR ONE LAST QUESTION I WANT TO GO TO YOU.

YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR OVER 10 YEARS.

WHERE DOES YOUR PASSION COME FROM TO SPEAK OUT ON SUICIDE?

I THINK THAT MANY OF US TO DO THIS WORK ARE DRIVEN NOT JUST BY RESEARCH INTEREST PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

UNFORTUNATELY ARE LIVING WITH AND CARING FOR EITHER OURSELVES OR INDIVIDUALS IN OUR FAMILIES WHO NEED IMMEDIATE SUPPORT.

AND SO THERE'S A SENSE OF URGENCY.

THE SUICIDES ARE HAPPENING RIGHT IN FRONT OF BUT THEY CAN BE ADDRESSED AND WE CAN ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT POLICIES THAT CAN SAVE LIVES LITERALLY.

AND SO I'M HOPEFUL THAT OTHERS WILL WATCH THIS TODAY AND FEEL LIKE THEY REALLY ARE IN A POSITION TO HELP AND TO DO SOMETHING.

IT'S I'M GRATEFUL TO TRAUMA AND ALL THOSE OTHERS IN CHICAGO HAVE BEEN LEADING THESE EFFORTS LOT LONG BEFORE I ARRIVED HERE.

BUT THANK YOU, BILL, FOR THIS CONVERSATION.

>> UP NEXT, WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CHICAGO'S LATINO FILM FESTIVAL THAT'S KICKING OFF TODAY.

MOVIE LOVERS.

IT'S TIME TO HEAD TO THE THEATERS FOR THE 40TH ANNUAL CHICAGO LATINO FILM FESTIVAL.

THE FESTIVAL SCREEN A VARIETY OF FEATURES AND SHORT FILMS FROM COUNTRIES ALL OVER LATIN AMERICA, INCLUDING ISLANDS LIKE WHAT ARTICLE WE SPOKE WITH THE FILM FESTIVAL'S FOUNDER WHO TELLS US MORE ABOUT HIS PASSION FOR BRINGING STORIES OF LATINOS TO THE BIG SCREEN.

>> IS BASED ON THIS STORY THAT OUT THE HOURS.

I DO RECOMMEND THAT PEOPLE GO OUT.

HE SAID UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO SOMETHING DIFFERENT SCENTED THAT WE MORE OF I WITNESSED A WITH PEOPLE BUT A TIME.

>> THE STUDIES SO PROFOUND.

AND SO AND THINK AND THEY PLAN DEAL WITH IDEAS, DREAMS BECOME A I SEEN ALL OF THEM FOR A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

THAT'S PART OF MY JOB.

HAD TREATED BY I ENJOY >> BECAUSE I GET CONNECTED TO WANTED TO SAY THAT THE FED MATTIAS HAD ONE.

>> THAT A GREAT HAVE CUT.

THAT'S WHERE WANT TO BUILD THE MECCA.

BUT KIND OF CULTURE AND CHICAGO.

A BASE AND, YOU KNOW, MADE A CAUSE DOESN'T GIVE THE IS.

>> THAT PEOPLE NASA I MATTER.

SO THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.

AND BASED SAID THAT WE WANTED TO US AND CRAFT BY.

BUT SHARON, OUR CULTURE.

>> THE FILM FESTIVAL RUNS THROUGH APRIL 22ND IN THEATERS ALL AROUND THE CITY TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE FILM'S LOCATIONS HEAD OVER TO OUR WEBSITE.

AND THAT'S SHOW TONIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5.37, FOR THE WEEKEND REVIEW.

>> AND WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH A LOOK AT A CUTTLEFISH NOW ON EXHIBIT AT THE SHEDD AQUARIUM.

>> NOW FROM ALL OF US HERE IN CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES.

I'M JOINED THAT MAN THIS STAY HEALTHY.

STAY SAFE.

ONE AS NOTCHES.

>> CLOSED CAPTION WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, CHICAGO, PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH.

THAT IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE IT'S 18 ATTORNEYS