>> HELLO, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

>> >>> THERE ARE NO HIDDEN OR UNDISCLOSED CASES.

>> CHILD ABUSE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

HIS INVESTIGATION AND THE CHURCH'S REACTION TO IT.

>>> I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANY -- FALLING SOLO SO WE CAN HELP US GET BACK UP.

>> HOW MUCH TIME IS ENOUGH?

OUR NEW THEORIES ON ELDERLY INMATES IN ILLINOIS PRISONS.

>>> RESIDENTS ARE CALLING ON THE CITY TO SCRAP PLANS FOR A FACILITY.

>>> A GRIEVING MOTHER SAYS SHE'S HOPEFUL SHE'LL FINALLY GET ANSWERS ABOUT HER SON'S KILLING.

>> IS A VERY HUMAN APPROACH TO HEALTHCARE.

>>> AND A PILOT PROGRAM HAS HOUSECALLS FOR HIGH-RISK PATIENTS.

>>> FIRST OFF TONIGHT, FOR FOLKS SERVING TIME IN ILLINOIS PRISONS, THERE ARE ONLY A FEW WAYS TO BE RELEASED BEFORE AN ENTIRE SENTENCE IS SERVED.

THAT'S BECAUSE IN 1978, THE STATE EFFECTIVELY ABOLISHED THE PAROLE SYSTEM.

DEFENDANTS ARE SENTENCED WITH A FIXED RELEASE DATE, AND CAN EARN TIME OFF FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR OR THROUGH PARTICIPATING IN PARTICULAR PROGRAMMING.

THEN, INSTEAD OF PAROLE, THEY ARE UNDER MANDATORY SUPERVISED RELEASE.

BUT HOW MUCH TIME IS ENOUGH?

TONIGHT, THE FIRST OF TWO PART SERIES ON ELDER PAROLE.

THE POPULATION OF ELDERLY INMATES RAPIDLY GROWS , ADVOCATES ARE WORKING TO RESTORE A PAROLE SYSTEM JUST FOR THEM.

DESPITE BEING SENTENCED TO LIVE THE REST OF HIS DAYS IN AN ILLINOIS STATE PRISON -- >> MY BEST FRIEND .

>> 59-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM PEEPLES STILL STRIVES FOR A BETTER LIFE.

>> MY FIRST GRADUATION FROM OAKTON .

>> IT'S TAKEN HIM 37 YEARS TO GET TO THIS PLACE.

HE WAS CONVICTED OF MURDER ALMOST FOUR DECADES AGO, AN ACT FOR WHICH HE TAKES FULL RESPONSIBILITY.

>> I WANTED TO BE KNOWN THAT I'M NOT INNOCENT.

I AM GUILTY OF THE MURDER THAT I COMMITTED.

I DIDN'T GO IN WITH THE INTENTION OF KILLING ANYBODY.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A BURGLARY.

THE PERSON CAME HOME AND SURPRISED ME, AND I PANICKED , AND NOW ANOTHER HUMAN BEING IS DEAD.

>> Reporter: IN 1990, PEEPLES WAS SENTENCED TO DIE, BUT HIS SENTENCE WAS ONE OF 167 LATER COMMUTED BY THEN GOVERNOR GEORGE RYAN IN 2003.

INSTEAD OF DEATH, PEEPLES IS SERVING LIFE.

>> THAT IS WILLIAM PEEPLES.

HE IS A VERY, VERY GOOD FRIEND.

>> BILL RYAN IS ALSO AN ADVOCATE FOR PEEPLES.

THEY MET WHEN PEEPLES WAS STILL ON DEATH ROW.

>> IT'S NOT BY LETHAL INJECTION.

IT'S BY SAYING IN A SIX BY NINE CELL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE , AND DYING IN PRISON.

>> PEEPLES ADMITS HIS EARLY YEARS IN PRISON WERE STILL DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTED, AND VIOLENT.

BUT IN THE LAST 27 YEARS, HE SAYS HE'S BECOME A DIFFERENT PERSON, CONVERTING TO ISLAM , EVEN SAYING A SHORT PRAYER BEFORE OUR INTERVIEW.

>> I SEEK REFUGE.

NOW WE'RE READY.

>> HE'S BECOME AN ACCOMPLISHED AND PUBLISHED WRITER.

>> AND THIS ONE I'M PARTICULARLY PROUD OF.

>> AND WAS EVEN ACCEPTED TO THE NORTHWESTERN PRISON EDUCATION PROGRAM, EARNING HIS BACHELOR'S DEGREE THIS YEAR AND WORKING AS A TEACHING ASSISTANT TO HELP FELLOW INCARCERATED STUDENTS.

DESPITE IT ALL -- BUT OTHER THAN A PRIVITY FROM THE GOVERNOR OR A CHANGE IN THE LAWS, I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER WAY OUT, UNFORTUNATELY .

>> RYAN AND A GROUP CALLED CITIZENS FOR ELDER PAROLE ARE WORKING TO CREATE THAT CHANGE IN THE LAWS FOR SOME OF THE INMATES OVER THE AGE OF 55, WHO MAKE UP OVER 53% OF IDOC INMATES SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE.

IN PRISON, SOCIAL SCIENTISTS CONSIDER 55 AND OLDER TO THE ELDERLY , 10 YEARS YOUNGER THAN IN THE FREE WORLD.

>> HEALTHCARE IN PRISON IS UNIVERSALLY ABYSMAL , AND PEOPLE AGE AT A MUCH MORE RAPID RATE.

SECOND, THE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HARMED BY THE SYSTEM WHO END UP IN THE SYSTEM IN THE FIRST PLACE AGE FASTER IN THE FREE WORLD BECAUSE OF THE SAME FACTORS THAT LEAD TO THEIR INCARCERATION.

POVERTY, ADDICTION, AND OTHER SOCIOECONOMIC CHALLENGES.

>> JENNY SOBLE RUNS THE ILLINOIS PRISON PROJECT, WHICH WORKS TO FIND LEVERS TO RELEASE PEOPLE FROM PRISON DEPENDING ON THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES.

SHE POINTS TO THE STATES TOUGH ON CRIME SENTENCING STRUCTURE, INCLUDING THREE STRIKES AND SENTENCING LAWS LEADING TO THE ESCALATING NUMBER OF OLDER PEOPLE BEHIND BARS.

>> SO SINCE 2005 , THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE SERVING SENTENCES LONGER THAN 20 YEARS HAS REALLY SKYROCKETED .

IT'S MOVED FROM JUST OVER A QUARTER OF THE POPULATION TO A LOT CLOSER TO MORE THAN HALF , EVEN TWO THIRDS OF THE POPULATION.

>> THIS MEANS THE NUMBER OF ELDERLY PEOPLE INCARCERATED HAS CLIMBED FROM LESS THAN 4% OF THE INMATE POPULATION TO JUST OVER 14% IN LESS THAN 20 YEARS.

ADVOCATES ARGUE AT THEIR ADVANCED AGE, ELDERLY PRISONERS ARE FAR LESS LIKELY TO COMMIT CRIME IF RELEASED.

>> YOU'RE NOT THE SAME PERSON YOU WERE 20 YEARS AGO .

NOR AM I THE SAME GUY, GOD FORBID , I WAS THE SAME PERSON I WAS 20, 25 YEARS AGO.

WE CHANGE, AND WE GROW, AND, AND THE, AND THE PEOPLE IN PRISON DO THE SAME THING.

>> BUT JOSEPH SALEMME OF THE CHICAGO POLICE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION IS OBOIST, AND POINTS TO THE CURRENT PAROLE PROCESS FOR PEOPLE SENTENCED BEFORE 1978.

HE ARGUES THAT PROCESS MEANS VICTIM'S FAMILIES RELIVE THE TRAUMA OF LOSING A LOVED ONE DURING PAROLE HEARINGS, AND THAT JUSTICE ISN'T SERVED IF A CONVICTED MURDERER IS PAROLED.

>> THEY'RE LIVING IN AGONY , AND, AND WONDERING IF THIS IS THE TIME WHERE THE PERSON WHO KILLED THEIR LOVED ONE IS GETTING OUT , GETTING OUT AND BEING FREE.

AND IT'S, IT'S BRUTAL.

>> SALEMME ARGUES THE CLEMENCY AND APPEALS PROCESS EXISTS TO DECIDE WHO GETS OUT OF PRISON AND WHEN .

THUS, HE SAYS, AN ELDER PAROLE SYSTEM ISN'T NECESSARY.

BUT THE CLEMENCY PROCESS IS UNCERTAIN .

AS WILLIAM PEEPLES AWAITS WORD ON HIS CLEMENCY APPLICATION, HE FINDS WAYS TO MAINTAIN HOPE.

>> I'VE PROVEN THROUGH MY INTERACTIONS WITH SOME OF THE STUDENTS, MY OWN FAMILY, THAT I CAN BE CONSISTENTLY CONTRIBUTE TO MY SOCIETY AND THE PEOPLE AROUND ME.

THAT I WOULD BE AN ASSET TO MY COMMUNITY, AS OPPOSED TO BEING CAGED AND FEARED.

I NEVER EXPECTED TO GET THIS OLD.

IT STILL FLOORS ME WHEN I THINK ABOUT 59.

I REALLY THOUGHT, IRRESPECTIVE OF BEING OFF OF DEATH ROW, THAT I WOULD BE DEAD BY NOW.

SO THAT , MY MERE EXISTENCE GIVES ME HOPE.

>> DURING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S RECENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, STATE REPRESENTATIVE JUSTIN SLAUGHTER INTRODUCED A BILL WHICH WOULD'VE RESTORED PAROLE FOR INMATES OVER THE AGE OF 55 SERVED AT LEAST 25 CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

ADVOCATES EMPHASIZED IT'S NOT A GUARANTEED RELEASE, BUT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INMATES TO MAKE THEIR CASE TO THE ILLINOIS PRISON REVIEW BOARD.

THE LEGISLATION WAS SENT TO THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE AND WAS NOT CALLED FOR A VOTE.

SLAUGHTER HOPES TO BRING UP DURING THE VETO SESSION.

TOMORROW, WE'LL HAVE MORE ABOUT WHAT HEALTHCARE IS LIKE FOR OLDER PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED, AND THE COST IT POSES ON THE STATE.

>>> AND BRANDIS, NOT TO SOME OTHER TOP STORIES TODAY.

KIM FOXX IT UP WITH A NEW POLICY TO REDUCE FEES AND FINES FOR DEFENDANTS IN THE COURT SYSTEM.

FOXX SAYS PROSECUTORS WILL NO LONGER OBJECT TO WAIVING COURT ORDER FINES AND FEES FOR DEFENDANTS THAT HAVE LITTLE OR NO INCOME.

THOSE COSTS SOMETIMES COVER ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES OR LATE FEES AND INTEREST CHARGES, AND CAN RESULT IN ADDED JAIL TIME IF THE DEFENDANT DOESN'T PAY.

FOXX SAYS THE IDEA IS TO DISRUPT THE CYCLE OF INCARCERATION THAT HAPPENS TO THE COUNTY'S POOREST RESIDENTS.

>>> SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY GROUPS ARE CALLING ON MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON TO SCRAP PLANS FOR METAL SHREDDING FACILITIES.

THE PROTEST COMES AS THE JUDGE OVERTURNED THE CITY'S DENIAL OF RESERVED MANAGEMENT GROUP PERMIT TO OPERATE THE SOUTHEAST SIDE FACILITY.

THE DENIAL CAME AFTER AN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW DONE UNDER THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.

BUT THE JUDGE SAYS THE COMPANY MET THE CITY'S REQUIREMENTS TO GAIN A PERMIT FOR THE FACILITY.

COMMUNITY GROUPS SAY THE NEW PLANT WILL ADD TO THE ALREADY HEAVY POLLUTION IN THE AREA.

>> WHEN IS IT TOO MANY SHREDDERS?

WHEN IS IT TOO MANY TRUCKS?

WHEN IS IT TOO MUCH AIR POLLUTION?

OUR COMMUNITIES CAN NO LONGER BE THE SACRIFICE HIS OWN FOR THE PROSPERITY OF A FEW, WITH THE COST BEING TO SO MANY.

WE JUST WANT A CHANCE TO BREATHE.

>> ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE IS JOINING A LAWSUIT AGAINST CRYPTOCURRENCY GIANT COIN BASE.

THE STATE JOINS THE FEDERAL SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IN TAKING ACTION AGAINST THE CRYPTO EXCHANGE PLATFORM, SAYING IT VIOLATED BOTH STATE AND U.S. SECURITIES LAWS.

SPECIFICALLY THE LAWSUITS CLAIM COIN BASE MUST REGISTER WITH THE STATE AND FCC TO ACT AS A MARKET FOR SECURITY EXCHANGES, AND HAS FAILED TO DO SO.

>> CHICAGO HAS THREE NEWLY MINTED JAMES BEARD AWARD-WINNING CHEFS.

JAMAR BROWN OF VIRTUE IN HYDE PARK TOOK HOME BEST EMERGING CHEF, WHICH WERE HELD AT THE OPERA LAST NIGHT.

RECOGNIZING CHEF RESTAURANTS AND BARS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

TIM FLOREZ AND JAMIE QUAN TOGETHER ONE BEST CHEFS.

>> TO OPEN IN CHICAGO, WERE BOTH OF OUR PARENTS ARE FROM, AND WHEN THEY IMMIGRATED TO THE STATES , IS SO SURREAL.

>> IT'S A WIN FOR MY TEAM, WHO WORKS REALLY, REALLY HARD.

IT'S A WIN FOR THE SOUTHSIDE.

AND I'M JUST REALLY GRATEFUL.

PEOPLE ARE RECOGNIZING THE WORK THAT WE'RE PUTTING IN.

>> CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THOSE WINNERS, AND OF COURSE, IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT HARDER TO GET RESERVATIONS AT THOSE PLACES NOW.

>> BOOK IT NOW.

>>> STILL COMING UP ON THE PROGRAM, A PILOT PROGRAM HAS PARAMEDICS MAKING HOUSE CALLS FOR HIGH-RISK PATIENTS.

>>> BUT FIRST, DISTURBING FINDINGS AND DISCREPANCIES OF ABUSE AMONG ILLINOIS CLERGY.

WE SPEAK WITH ILLINOIS ACCORDING GENERAL RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

THE GYM AND CAME MAY BE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> IS AN EXPLOSIVE INVESTIGATION INTO CHILD ABUSE AMONG CATHOLIC CLERGY IN ILLINOIS, AND CHICAGO'S ARC SPECIAL ON THE DEFENSIVE.

THE COMPETENCE OF MULTIYEAR INVESTIGATION FROM THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL NAMED 451 CATHOLIC CLERICS AND RELIGIOUS BROTHERS WHO WERE REPORTEDLY ABUSED NEARLY 2000 CHILDREN.

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ILLINOIS HAD PUBLICLY LISTED ONLY 103 SUBSTANTIATED CHILD ABUSERS .

THE AG'S OFFICE SAYS IT INTERVIEWED SURVIVORS AND REVIEWED MORE THAN 100,000 DOCUMENTS HELD BY THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE AND RECEIVED MORE THAN 600 CONFIDENTIAL CONTACTS FROM SURVIVORS THROUGH EMAILS, LETTERS, INTERVIEWS, AND PHONE CALLS.

AND HERE TALK ABOUT HIS OFFICE'S FINDINGS IS ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL.

WE SHOULD NOTE THAT WE HAVE ALSO INVITED CARDINAL TO JOIN US FOR REACTION ON THIS REPORT.

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL, MAGGIE FOR BEING HERE.

SO WE MENTIONED THAT GAP AT THE TOP BETWEEN HOW MUCH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAD LISTED, AND HOW MANY ABUSERS THAT YOUR OFFICE FOUND.

WHY THE DISCREPANCY, DO YOU BELIEVE?

>> WELL, I THINK THE FACT THAT, FIRST OFF, MY PREDECESSOR HAD ANNOUNCED THE INTENT TO INVESTIGATE .

AS SOON AS THAT ANNOUNCEMENT LACE, THERE WAS AN ADDITION OF SOME 80 SOME NAMES THAT CAME OUT IN THE ENSUING COUPLE OF MONTHS, AND THEN , AS WE ENGAGED IN THE INVESTIGATIONS AND BEGAN TO SPEAK TO SURVIVORS AND PUT FORTH EVIDENCE , THE DIOCESE ADDED TO THE INITIAL NUMBERS.

SO I , I CREDIT THE OUTREACH TO SURVIVORS .

THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THEM A VOICE, A TRUSTED RECIPIENT OF THEIR COMPLAINTS AND THEIR STORIES .

SO I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION OF THINGS.

THE FACT THAT IT WAS SOMEBODY OTHER THAN THE CHURCH GIVING THEM AN OUTLET TO REPORT THEIR EXPERIENCES , AS WELL AS , WE WERE INDEPENDENT.

>> WILL STILL COME AT THE END OF THE DAY, THOUGH, YOU MENTIONED THEY KEPT ADDING THEIR OWN NAMES AS YOUR INVESTIGATION PROCEEDED, BUT THERE WAS STILL A GAP AT THE END.

AND AS YOU KNOW, THE ARCHBISHOP, CARDINAL SEEPAGE, COMPLAINED THAT , THAT YOUR OFFICE HADN'T WORKED WITH THEM, THAT YOUR OFFICE DIDN'T LET THEM IN ON HOW YOU WERE SUBSTANTIATING THESE CLAIMS.

IS THERE TRUTH TO THAT?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL , THERE'S NOT TRUTH TO THAT, BECAUSE FIRST OF ALL, WE WERE PUTTING FORTH EVIDENCE BASED ON WHAT THE DOCUMENTS WE REVIEWED, AND THE INTERACTION WITH SURVIVORS.

WE LEFT IT TO THE RESPECTIVE DIOCESE TO SUBSTANTIATE , AND LEE, AND THE ORDERS TO SUBSTANTIATE THAT.

SO IT WASN'T OUR CALL IN THE END WHETHER WE WERE SUBSTANTIATING, WHETHER OR NOT THESE WERE ABUSIVE.

THAT, THAT WAS DONE ALL BY -- >> AND, IN FACT, YOU SEE A LOT OF THE ADDITIONAL NAMES THAT YOU FOUND CAME DIRECTLY FROM THE CHURCH'S -- >> YEAH, UNFORTUNATELY, AND I DON'T TRY TO GET GET INTO FOR TAT WITH THE CHURCH, THE I THINK THIS IS ALL ENDANGERING SURVIVORS, BUT THEY, THE CARDINAL MENTIONED 125 NAMES .

62 OF THAT WAS -- 62 OF THOSE NAMES WERE PROVIDED BY THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO ON A SPREADSHEET , SUBSTANTIATED ABUSERS.

THE OTHER 63, AND THESE WERE ALL OLDER CLERICS -- >> AND WE SHOULD CLARIFY, SO THOSE ARE CLERICS IN THE ORIGINAL DISORDERS OF THE CARDINAL HAS SAID HE DOESN'T HAVE DIRECT OVERSIGHT OVER.

>> CORRECT.

YEAH.

THEY, THEY -- WITHIN THE DIOCESE, THROUGH THE CHURCH'S ORDER.

>> IT WOULD MAKE SENSE THAT THE CHURCH HIERARCHY KNOW ABOUT THESE PEOPLE.

>> CORRECT.

AND SO -- AND WE BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION, SO THERE'S A NOTION FOR THE 63 OTHERS THAT WEREN'T ON THE LIST THAT WAS PROVIDED TO US BY THE DIOCESE, THEY CERTAINLY WEREN'T INFORMED OF THOSE FOLK.

AND AGAIN, WE DIDN'T CALL.

THOSE WERE CLERICS WHO WERE SUBSTANTIATED BY THOSE RESPECTIVE DIOCESE, OR THE RELIGIOUS ORDERS.

>> HAVE YOU SPOKEN TO THE ARCHBISHOP SIGNS AND CLARIFIED ANYTHING?

>> NO.

I THINK IT'S, IT'S, IT'S UNAMBIGUOUS .

WHAT HAPPENED.

AND WE, WE, WE HAD OUR MEETINGS DURING THE COURSE OF THINGS, BUT -- >> WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT THAT WAS HIS REACTION?

>> I WAS.

I WAS QUITE SURPRISED.

I WAS QUITE SURPRISED.

BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, AS WE PUT IT IN OUR REPORT, THERE WAS COOPERATION FROM THE RESPECTIVE DIOCESE THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.

WE WEREN'T TRYING TO -- THIS WAS NOT AN EFFORT TO DO A GOTCHA.

AS I SAID AT THE OUTSET OF MY ANNOUNCEMENT , I WAS RAISED CATHOLIC.

MY MOM WAS A DEVOUT CATHOLIC THROUGHOUT HER 90 YOUR LIFE.

I SENT MY KIDS THROUGH CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, AND I THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT TO GIVE VOICE TO THE SURVIVORS WHO TRUSTED , WHO WERE VICTIMIZED AS A RESULT OF THAT TRUST.

>> AND CERTAINLY THEY SPOKE OUT TODAY, SOME OF THE SURVIVORS, REPRESENTATIVE BY THE SURVIVORS NETWORK.

THEY SPOKE DIRECTLY TO ELECTED OFFICIALS.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> REFORM THE ARCHAIC AND PREDATOR FRIENDLY LAWS IN THIS STATE THAT PROTECT THOSE WHO COMMIT AND THOSE WHO CONCEAL ABUSE.

>> I THINK WHAT THEY'RE GETTING AT THERE IS, OBVIOUSLY THERE'S JUSTICE FOR SURVIVORS HERE IN NAMING SOME OF THESE NAMES, BUT IS THERE JUSTICE IN THE WAY OF A CIVIL OR LEGAL CASES IN ADDITION TO THE ONES THE CHURCH HAS ALREADY LITIGATED?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, THE PROBLEM IS THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS, BOTH ON THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL SIDE.

PRIOR TO -- WELL, I WAS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE AMENDED THE LAW PROSPECTIVELY TO, TO ELIMINATE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS WITH CHILD SEX ABUSE.

>> SO THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS -- WE ARE OUT OF TIME, BUT I WANT TO ASK YOU, SINCE THIS INVESTIGATION BEGAN, ARE YOU CONFIDENT THE CHURCH HAS PUT A SYSTEM IN PLACE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN CHICAGO, WHERE ABUSERS WILL NOT BE IN FRONT OF CHILDREN, AND THEY WILL BE SWIFTLY REMOVED IF THERE'S A CREDIBLE ALLEGATION?

>> WELL, I THINK IT IS IMPROVED, BUT I THINK IT'S A CONTINUOUS WORK IN PROGRESS.

WE PUT IN OUR REPORT ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE , WE ARE GLAD TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE CHURCH ON EMBRACING.

>> ALL RIGHT, ATTORNEY GENERAL TRINI RAOUL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THINK INCIPIT >>> AND UP NEXT, A GRIEVING MOTHER SEARCHES FOR ANSWERS ABOUT HER SON'S DEATH.

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>>> A GRIEVING MOTHER HAS BEEN SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS ABOUT THE KILLING OF HER 22-YEAR-OLD SON.

NOW, YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH, SHE'S HOPEFUL SHE'LL FINALLY GET THEM.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY OF SHAPEARL WELLS AND HER SON, COURTNEY COPELAND.

AND HEATHER JOINED US NOW WITH THE LATEST.

SO FIRST, REMIND US WHO COURTNEY COPELAND IS, AND WHAT WE DO AND DON'T KNOW ABOUT HIS DEATH FROM 2016.

>> SO COURTNEY COPELAND WAS DRIVING ON THE FAR NORTHWEST SIDE OF CHICAGO WHEN HE WAS SHOT IN THE BACK ON MARCH 4th, 2016.

WE MANAGED TO DRIVE HIMSELF TO THE 25th POLICE DISTRICT OUTSIDE GRANDIN CENTRAL AVENUE'S, WHERE HE COLLAPSED.

IT TOOK 13 MINUTES FOR AN AMBULANCE TO TAKE HIM TO A HOSPITAL, AND WHEN HE ARRIVED, HE WAS HANDCUFFED.

NOT ONLY DOES SHAPEARL WELLS NOT KNOW WHO SHOT HER SON, SHE DOES NOT KNOW WHY HE WAS HANDCUFFED AND WHY IT TOOK SO LONG FOR HIM TO GET TO A HOSPITAL.

>> AND YOU REPORT THAT HE DIED IN THE AMBULANCE ALONG THE WAY.

>> CORRECT.

>> HIS MOTHER, TRENT 27 WELLS, SHE'S BEEN SEEKING ANSWERS ABOUT HER SONS DEATH, BUT SHE'S COME UP SHORT.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ROADBLOCKS SHE'S BEEN RUNNING INTO?

>> FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S RESPONSE, SHE STARTED A PODCAST CALLED SOMEBODY WITH THE INVISIBLE INCIDENT, AND SHE PARTED WITH JOURNALIST JAMIE KALVEN, WHICH PROMPTED THE INSPECTOR GENERAL TO LAUNCH A PROBE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO HER SON.

THAT PROBE RECOMMENDED DISCIPLINE FOR TWO POLICE OFFICERS BASED ON THEIR HANDLING OF THE PROBE, BUT SHE HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN HER ATTEMPTS TO GET THAT FULL REPORT.

HER REQUEST WAS DENIED BY FORMER MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT.

>> ASSOCIATES FEELING MORE HOPEFUL HE STATES THAT SHE WILL FINALLY GET SOME OF THE ANSWERS.

WHY THE CHANGE?

>> THE ELECTION OF MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON.

DURING THE CAMPAIGN, HE COMMITTED TO RELEASING THESE KIND OF REPORTS QUICKLY TO HELP CHICAGOANS HOLD THEIR ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE .

NOW, THE DECISION ON WHETHER TO RELEASE THIS REPORT AND OTHERS LIKE IT, INCLUDING THE INTERNET YOUNG ONE, WILL BE UP TO THE NEXT CORPORATION COUNSEL, THE CITY'S TOP LAWYER.

JOHNSON HAS PICKED MARY RICHARDSON-LOWRY TO FILL THAT SPOT, SO AFTER SHE IS PRESUMABLY CONFIRMED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, SHE WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO RELEASE THIS REPORT AND OTHERS LIKE IT.

I SHOULD SAY I REACHED OUT TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE , AND THEY DECLINED TO RESPOND ABOUT WHETHER THEY ARE STILL COMMITTED TO RELEASING THESE KIND OF REPORTS.

>> OKAY.

MORE TO COME FROM HEATHER CHERONE, AS ALWAYS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANKS, BRANDIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT'S WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>>> IF YOU'VE EVER ACTED WITH A PARAMEDIC, IT'S LIKELY BEEN FOR A MEDICAL EMERGENCY AT YOUR HOME, BUT A PILOT PROGRAM LAUNCHED LAST FALL PUTS PARAMEDICS INSIDE PATIENT'S HOMES FOR NONEMERGENCY VISITS, TOO.

WELL, COMMUNITY PARAMEDICS ARE MAKING HOUSE CALLS FOR HIGH-RISK PATIENTS ON THE SOUTH SIDE TO HELP THEM BETTER MANAGE CHRONIC CONDITIONS AND SUPPORT RECOVERY FROM HOSPITALIZATION.

THEIR AIM IS TO IMPROVE LONG-TERM HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR THEIR PATIENTS, AND THEY SAY IT IS PAYING OFF.

ERICA GUNDERSON DID THE ROUNDS WITH ONE OF THE TEAMS.

>> WHEN YOU SAW DR. HIGGINBOTHAM, DID HE GIVE YOU, LIKE, AN AFTER VISIT SUMMARY?

>> YES HE DID.

>> PARAMEDICS INHERENTLY WERE DETECTIVES.

WE WALKED INTO A HOME, WE SEE THINGS THAT ARE DISCONNECTED TO HOW SOMEONE IS MANAGING THEIR CARE AT HOME.

>> DO THEY HAVE THEIR MEDICATIONS READY TO GO?

DO THEY HAVE THEM IN A PLACE THAT THEY EVEN KNOW WHERE THEY ARE?

>> CAN THEY GET THEIR MEDICATION BUT DISCONNECTED AND I WANT TO TAKE THEM?

>> WHEN MARGARET AND LAUREN O'CONNOR COME TO DENISE JACKSON'S HOME, THEY VISIT LANCE PALMER BETWEEN A HEALTHCARE HOUSECALL AND A CHECK IN WITH A FRIEND.

>> I REMEMBER HEARING YOU SAY ON VISIT ONE, HOW MUCH YOU WANTED TO SING AGAIN, AND HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO YOU.

>> BACK IN 2022, A COVID INFECTION DEVASTATED JACKSON'S LUNGS AND LEFT HER BEDRIDDEN.

>> NOBODY HAD NO ANSWERS .

SO PRETTY MUCH I JUST LAID IN THE BED AND WAITED FOR AN ANSWER.

>> THAT CHANGED WHEN JACKSON BECAME A PARTICIPANT IN THE MEDICAL HOME NETWORK PARAMEDIC PARTNERSHIP , A PILOT PROGRAM THAT LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER 2022.

THE PROGRAM CONNECTS CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT PARAMEDICS WITH PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP MANAGING CHRONIC CONDITIONS AT HOME.

>> THE TWO LADIES CAME TO THE DOOR, AND THEY CAME IN WITH SMILES, AND THEY WAS SO EXCITED.

THEY MADE ME EXCITED!

>> O'CONNOR COORDINATED JACKSON'S CARE WITH HER DOCTORS, HELPED HER MANAGE HER MEDICATION , AND RESEARCHED EXERCISES TO STRENGTHEN HER LUNGS.

>> I'VE BEEN TIRED.

TIRED OF FIGHTING.

BUT YOU ALL CAME AND KEPT ME MOTIVATED.

>> YOU'RE GIVING ME GOOSEBUMPS.

>> THE WHOLE TIME THAT I'VE BEEN IN THIS PROGRAM, I HAVE NOT BEEN BACK IN THE HOSPITAL.

I AM ENJOYING LIFE AGAIN.

>> THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

>> DISTRICT CHIEF JONATHAN ZINCS SAYS PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS OFTEN FIND THEMSELVES TRAPPED IN THE SELF-PERPETUATING EMERGENCY ROOM CYCLE THAT CONSTRAIN CFD RESOURCES.

>> FIRE DEPARTMENT, AMBULANCES, AND THE ENGINES OF THE PARAMEDICS ON THOSE TRUCKS AND OTHER VEHICLES RESPOND EVERY DAY THROUGHOUT THE DAY TO 911 EMERGENCIES.

MANY OF THESE EMERGENCIES ARE A DIRECT RESULT OF CHRONIC HEALTHCARE CONDITIONS THAT HAVE CAUSED PEOPLE TO GET TO A POINT WHERE THEIR ONLY RECOURSE IS TO DIAL 911 AND GO TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM.

>> PROGRAM LEADERSHIP SAYS PARAMEDICS ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO INTERRUPT THAT CYCLE.

IF THEY'RE GIVEN THE RIGHT WILL SPIT >> THEY'RE NOT ONLY COMFORTABLE IN THE HOME ENVIRONMENT, BUT THEY'RE ALSO COMFORTABLE IN GETTING THINGS DONE.

THEY REALLY ASSESS AND SAY, WHAT ARE SOME VERY CONCRETE ACTION STEPS THAT WE , AS THIS BROAD CARE TEAM, CAN TAKE TO REALLY SERVE THE PATIENT BETTER?

>> THEY WERE, YOU KNOW, FINDING SO MANY THINGS, LIKE BROKEN WHEELCHAIRS, AND MEDICATIONS THAT NEEDED TO BE REFILLED, THAT AS WE BEGAN THE CONVERSATION, WE UNDERSTOOD THAT WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR AS WELL WAS SOMEONE TO ACTUALLY WORK WITH OUR PATIENTS , AND IT JUST ALL CAME TOGETHER .

>> PARTICIPANT ROSA GONZALEZ SAYS O'CONNOR OFFERED THE INFORMATION SHE NEEDED TO RECOVER FROM HOSPITALIZATION FOR A HEART CONDITION.

>> WHEN HE MET YOU, YOU COULDN'T WALK LIKE A BLOCK.

>> I COULDN'T EVEN WALK FROM HERE TO THE WASHROOM.

LIKE, 10 STEPS.

>> WITHOUT BEING TOTALLY WINDED.

>> YES.

>> AND NOW WHAT DO YOU DO?

>> I GO WALKING.

I GO BIKE RIDING.

>> I THINK YOU TOLD US UP TO FIVE MILES NOW?

>> GONZALEZ SAYS THEY ALSO PROVIDED THE SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT SHE NEEDED TO CONTINUE PROACTIVELY MANAGING HER HEALTH.

>> WHEN I WENT TO HOSPITAL, MY HEART WAS WORKING ON 10%!

AND I HAD A -- SO I TOOK OVER HEALTH , AND I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I'M -- AND THERE'S ONE THING HERE.

THEY'RE AMAZING.

AND THEY'RE ALWAYS GOING TO BE IN MY HEART FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

>> NINE MONTHS INTO THE PILOT, VEINS SAYS THE RESULTS ARE SPEAKING FOR THEMSELVES.

>> WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE CALLING 911 50 TIMES A YEAR, BUT THEN STOPPED CALLING 911 , BECAUSE THEY SUDDENLY REGAINED CONTROL OF THEIR HEALTH.

IT JUST HONESTLY BLOWS ME OUT OF THE WATER HOW DRAMATIC THAT IMPROVEMENT HAS BEEN , THE CHANGES IN PEOPLE'S LIVES, AND THE ENGAGEMENT.

>> AND YOU ARE AN OFFICIAL GRADUATE NOW!

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> THE PILOT PROGRAM IS FUNDED THROUGH MEDICAL HOME NETWORK GRANTS IT'S SLATED TO END THIS FALL, BUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAY THEY'RE HOPING FOR FUNDING TO CONTINUE, AND TO EXPAND THE PILOT.

>> TOUCHING STORY.

AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

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

A COURT MONITOR SAYS THE STATE'S HEALTH CARE FOR ELDERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE IS INADEQUATE.

A CLOSER LOOK IN PART TWO OF OUR SERIES ON ELDER PAROLE.

>>> AND CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS REJOICE.

THE LAST DAY OF CLASSES AND THE START OF SUMMER.

>>> AND NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT FIVE, I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A. CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW, A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH ATTORNEY THAT IS PROUD TO