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

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

HERE IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

SIX FATALITIES AND NUMEROUS CRASHES ON I-55 AFTER A DANGEROUS DUST STORM.

>> I HEARD WE WERE GOING TO HAVE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS.

>>> CITY OFFICIALS SAY CHICAGO HAS REACHED MAX CAPACITY.

>>> LOOKING AT THE CAUSE OF FLOODING ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

>>> IT IS A CRUCIAL TIME FOR THOSE WHO RELY ON GOVERNMENT-BACKED HEALTH INSURANCE.

>> I THINK FRANKLY THEY SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN.

>>> AND CALLS FOR A PRISON TO BE CLOSED.

>>> NOW TO OUR TOP STORY TONIGHT.

CHICAGO OFFICIALS AND GROUPS ARE SCRAMBLING, BUT THEY SAY THE CITY IS OUT OF MONEY, SPACE AND STAFFING.

JOANNA?

>> Reporter: BRANDIS, THE CITY SAYS THERE ARE ABOUT 150 ASYLUM-SEEKERS ARRIVING DAILY, AND THEY ARE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING PLACES FOR THEM TO STAY.

I HAVE SEEN AT LEAST FOUR FAMILIES INCLUDING A PREGNANT WOMAN.

FAMILIES HAVE BEEN BEING MOVED TO A TEMPORARY SHELTER IN THE CITY, BUT OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH BEDS.

THE LOCAL COUNCIL HAS BEEN ORGANIZING EFFORTS SINCE AUGUST , HELPING MIGRANTS WITH HOUSING.

HE SAYS ADULTS AND CHILDREN HAVE BEEN SLEEPING HERE FOR AT LEAST THE PAST TWO MONTHS.

>> WE DROP THEM OFF AT THE POLICE STATION.

YOU HAVE IMMIGRANTS FROM COLOMBIA, VENEZUELA, EVEN SOME ROMANIAN FAMILIES.

>> AND MARIA HAS TRIED TO ASSIST WITH THE INFLUX OF ASYLUM-SEEKERS, WITH SOME ARRIVING ON PLANES AND MORE EXPECTED HERE.

REMEMBER THAT CHICAGO IS A SANCTUARY CITY AND TITLE 42 EXPIRES ON THE 11th.

THAT MEANS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL REVERT TO PREVIOUS ASYLUM LAW.

>> THE STATE STOPS EMERGENCY FUNDING IN DECEMBER.

THE CITY HAS BEEN TAKING EVERYBODY.

WE HAVE THE SYSTEM SET UP FOR SINGLE ADULTS AND NOW WE HAVE TO SET UP SYSTEMS FOR CHILDREN.

I THINK THERE ARE LIKE 130 PEOPLE THERE RIGHT NOW.

>> FOR MONTHS, HUNDREDS OF MIGRANTS HAVE BEEN PLACED AT SALVATION ARMY HOTELS, SHELTERS, AND RECENTLY A CLOSED WOODLAWN SCHOOL.

OFFICIALS SAY THEY DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO SUPPORT MIGRANTS.

THE CITY HAS SO FAR RECEIVED $5.5 MILLION FROM THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY TO CARE FOR MIGRANTS WHO ARRIVED IN 2022 BUT HAS YET TO RECEIVE ANYTHING THIS YEAR.

WITH ALL THAT IT TAKES FOR STAFF TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY EMERGENCY SHELTER, AT A NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE HAS DONE ALL HE CAN TO HELP CHICAGO AND HAS ASKED PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR MORE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH HE SAYS HAS NOT BEEN NEARLY ENOUGH.

>> THERE IS NEW MONEY AVAILABLE, WE HOPE.

BUT WHO KNOWS.

MEANWHILE, MY JOB IS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET AND TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE IN OUR STATE.

>> AS FOR WHAT IS NEXT, THE OLDER WOMAN SUGGESTED A BETTER SYSTEM TO SUPPORT LOCAL AGENCIES BY HAVING WEEKLY CHECK INS WITH ALL THE AWARDS, NOT JUST SEPARATELY WITH THE CITY.

>> SO SITTING DOWN WITH COUNTY PARTNERS, WITH STATE PARTNERS TO SAY, WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO STOP PROGRAMS OR RELOCATE PROGRAMS FROM EXISTING PLACES IF WE CAN'T FIND OTHER FACILITIES THAT ARE NOT IN USE.

>> ONE OF THE MAJOR CHALLENGES WILL BE FINDING SPACES FOR FAMILIES TO STAY TOGETHER.

CITY COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT McCORMICK PLACE OR THE CITY PARK COULD COME WITH A COST AS WELL.

REPORTING LIVE FROM NORTH LAWNDALE, JOANNA HERNANDEZ, SENDING IT BACK TO YOU.

>> IT IS A TOUGH SITUATION TO FIGURE OUT.

AND NOW TO OUR TOP STORY.

A DUST STORM CAUSES CRASHES AND AT LEAST SIX FATALITIES.

THE CRASHES HAVE SHUT DOWN TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE 55 IN BOTH DIRECTIONS MIDWAY BETWEEN SPRINGFIELD AND ST. LOUIS.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE SAY THE CRASH HAPPENED EARLY IN THE MORNING AND INVOLVED 40 TO 60 CARS AND MULTIPLE TRACTOR TRAILERS, TWO OF WHICH CAUGHT FIRE.

STATE POLICE HAVE SAID THE AREA WILL REMAIN CLOSE THIS EVENING.

>>> SHOOTINGS AND HOMICIDES IN CHICAGO ARE DOWN MORE THAN 10% OF THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT SAY THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN 166 HOMICIDES TO DATE.

THAT IS FEWER THAN THE SAME TIME PERIOD IN 2022 AND 2021.

THERE WERE 52 HOMICIDES REPORTED IN APRIL WHICH WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR THAT THE NUMBER OF HOMICIDES ACTUALLY INCREASED COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

THE 641 SHOOTINGS RECORDED THIS YEAR ARE ALSO THE LOWEST TOTAL FOR THE TIME PERIOD SINCE 2020.

>>> A MOVE TO DECRIMINALIZE HANGING AIR FRESHENERS OR OTHER ITEMS FROM YOUR REARVIEW MIRROR.

YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT.

IT TURNS OUT THAT HAVING ANY ITEMS HANGING FROM YOUR REARVIEW MIRROR, WHETHER IT IS AN AIR FRESHENER OR DISABILITY PLACARD, IS CURRENTLY ILLEGAL IN ILLINOIS.

BUT A NEW PROPOSAL WOULD LEGALIZE HANGING ITEMS FROM A REARVIEW MIRROR.

PROPONENTS OF THE BILL SAY THAT THE CURRENT LAW IS OFTEN USED AS PRETEXT FOR POLICE TRAFFIC STOPS.

HOUSE LAWMAKERS PASS THE MEASURE IN APRIL AND IT IS NOW AWAITING APPROVAL.

>>> THE COOK COUNTY STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT, QUOTE, WITH THE STANDARD USE OF VIDEO TO SOLVE CRIMES, THE VOLUME OF DIGITAL EVIDENCE ASSOCIATED WITH THESE CASES IS STAGGERING.

MORE THAN 30,000 FELONY CASES ARE HANDLED EACH YEAR.

>>> FUNERAL RITES TODAY FOR THE OWNER OF ICONIC MARGIE'S CANDIES.

THE STORE WAS FOUNDED IN NOVEMBER 1921 AND SERVED ICE CREAM AND CANDY TO CHICAGOANS FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY.

HE DIED LAST WEEK IN EVANSTON, ACCORDING TO HIS OBITUARY.

HE WAS 86 YEARS OLD.

>>> OF NEXT ON THE SHOW, THE DANGERS OF HIGH MISSISSIPPI RIVER WATER LEVELS.

STAY WITH US.

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

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> IT HAS BEEN A MONTH OF HIGHS AND LOWS FOR CHICAGO.

I'M TALKING ABOUT SPRING.

THE SPRING SURGE OF RAIN AND SNOW HAS LED TO DANGEROUSLY HIGH WATER LEVELS.

WHEN CAN WE EXPECT THE PLEASANT MAY TEMPERATURES?

HERE TO HELP US OUT IS SCOTT COLLINS, ATMOSPHERIC SCIENTIST AT ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORIES.

SCOTT, WELCOME BACK.

LET'S START WITH THE LOCAL LEVELS.

IT IS MAY 1st.

WHAT IS WITH THE WEATHER?

>> WE ARE ABOUT 20 DEGREES BELOW NORMAL FOR MAY 1st.

THE THING ABOUT CHICAGO AND SPRING IS THAT IT FLIPS BACK AND FORTH AND BACK AND FORTH.

AS ALREADY KNOWS, IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE WEATHER, WAIT A WHILE.

>> WHAT KIND OF TEMPERATURES ARE WE LOOKING AT?

>> THEY ARE GOING TO RAISE INTO THE 50s TOMORROW AND INTO THE 70s BY SUNDAY.

>> IS WHATEVER BUT HE WANTS.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN WESTERN ILLINOIS.

WHAT IS THE LATEST THERE?

>> AT THE MOMENT LOOKING AT DUBUQUE AND DAVENPORT, THEY ARE AT MAJOR FLOOD LEVELS, THE THIRD HIGHEST LEVELS, BECAUSE OF RAPID SNOWMELT IN NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN.

REMEMBER THE WARM-UP FROM A LITTLE WHILE AGO?

THAT HAD A RADICAL MELTING EFFECT.

>> OKAY.

SO LOOKS LIKE THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER HAS CRESTED AT THIS POINT AND THE WORST IS BEHIND US.

>> IT IS LIKE A SLOPE GOING DOWNSTREAM.

YOU HAVE DUBUQUE AND IOWA AND DAVENPORT.

THAT IS GOING TO MOVE DOWNSTREAM.

IT WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE DOWN TO THE SOUTH OF THE STATE.

>> SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PROJECT YOU ARE WORKING ON THAT INVOLVES OUR NEIGHBORS AT NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY.

HOW WILL THAT WORK?

>> SCIENTISTS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY URBAN INTEGRATED RESEARCH LAB ARE BUILDING A NEW MODEL AND COMPUTERS TO SIMULATE THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON CHICAGO .

>> WHEN USING INSTRUMENTS, WHAT INSTRUMENTS AND WHERE?

>> THIS SOUNDS REALLY, REALLY COOL.

IT IS.

YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE THINGS THAT ARE CAUSING ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE IN CHICAGO.

ONE OF THEM IS BAD AIR QUALITY.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

>> SO THE WACKY WEATHER WE HAVE SEEN THIS SPRING, IS THAT EVIDENCE OF FLOODING?

>> THE MORE WE WON THE PLANET, THE MORE EXTREME THINGS ARE.

CHICAGO'S RAINFALL IS RELATIVELY STABLE.

WE ARE GOING TO GET MORE FREQUENT FLOODS.

>> WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE COMMUNITY?

>> THE ONE THING THAT IT HELPS TO DO IS PUSH NUMBERS.

IT MAY HELP WITH DRAINAGE, BETTER AIR QUALITY.

WHAT IT CAN DO IS ACTUALLY GIVE COMMUNITIES ACTIONABLE DATA.

>> BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, SOME OF THE PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS YOU WORK FOR -- >> THE PUERTO RICAN AGENDA OF CHICAGO, THE CHATHAM INITIATIVE, THE MAYOR'S CORPORATION, IT HELPS US GET INTO THESE COMMUNITIES.

>> OKAY.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT YOU ALL COME UP WITH.

SCOTT COLLINS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> UP NEXT, BEHIND THE WALLS AT ONE OF THE STATE'S BIGGEST PRISONS.

STAY WITH US.

NO MAC NO MAC ♪ ♪ >>> 99 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CHICAGO SITS THE PONTIAC CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, ONE OF THREE NATIONAL MAXIMUM-SECURITY PRISONS IN ILLINOIS.

FELONIES RANGE FROM SEXUAL ASSAULT TO ARMED ROBBERY AND MANY OTHERS SERVING TIME FOR LESSER OFFENSES.

IT HAS BECOME KNOWN AS ONE OF THE WORST PRISONS IN THE STATE.

JUST LAST FALL A CORRECTIONS OFFICER WAS STAMPED BY AN INMATE.

INMATES HAVE ACCUSED GUARDS OF ABUSE AND INHUMANE TREATMENT.

CRITICS SAY THE PROBLEMS ARE NOT JUST BETWEEN THE GUARDS AND THE INMATES, BUT WITH THE PRISON ITSELF.

THE CLIMATE INSIDE PONTIAC IS FRAUGHT.

LETTERS PAINTING THE PICTURE BEHIND THESE WALLS TELL PART OF THE STORY.

28-YEAR-OLD JERMAINE YOUNG SAYS, QUOTE, LIEUTENANT BOWDEN HAD ASSAULTED ME BY KICKING ME IN MY CHEST AND HITTING ME IN THE HEAD AND NICK , WHICH WAS ON CAMERA.

I WAS IN RESTRAINTS EXCEPT FOR MY HANDS AND FEET, SO THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO EVEN IF I WANTED TO.

ANOTHER INMATE, PAUL SMITH, WRITES ABOUT THE POOR LIVING CONDITIONS THAT INMATES ARE SUBJECTED TO, SAYING, WE NEED MORE HEALTHCARE.

WE ARE LIVING IN CELLS WITH BLACK MOLD EVERYWHERE.

IN A FOUR-PAGE LETTER, HE WRITES, THERE IS AN INFESTATION OF ROACHES AND BUGS.

PONTIAC PRISON IS ONE OF THE OLDEST IN THE STATE, OPENED IN 1871.

IN ADDITION TO WHAT COMES WITH ITS AGE, THERE ARE ALSO THE REASONS WHY INMATES AND ADVOCATES SAY THE CLIMATE INSIDE.

ABBY ADVOCATES FOR THE INCARCERATED IN ILLINOIS.

>> WE HAVE STAFF WHO TALK ABOUT THE HIGH LEVELS OF VIOLENCE THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM.

>> ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS RECORDS SAY THAT THE INMATE STRUCK YOUNG IN THE CHEST WHILE HE WAS RESTRAINED.

HE TOLD INVESTIGATORS THAT HE WAS GOING TO SEE WHAT HE WOULD DO AND THAT HE MIGHT ASSAULT STAFF.

WTTW NEWS HAS GONE TO COURT TO OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE INTERNAL VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT , SOMETHING THE STATE HAS SO FAR DENIED.

THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW OR EVEN IF OFFICER BOWDEN WAS DISCIPLINED.

>> WE JUST KEPT SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO WORK INSIDE THE PRISONS, WHY THEY ARE DISCIPLINED, WHAT THE OUTCOME OF THAT IS.

NONE OF THAT INFORMATION IS PUBLICLY AVAILABLE.

>> ANOTHER PONTIAC PROBLEM IS THE NUMBER OF INCARCERATED PEOPLE DESIGNATED AS SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL. 26%, ACCORDING TO STATE DATA.

>> PONTIAC WAS SHORT STAFFED BY 43%.

>> ROBERT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE STATE HAS BEEN HIT WITH CONSENT DECREES OVER PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS.

>> CORRECTIONS HAS BECOME THE DEFAULT FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH.

SO UNFORTUNATELY 42% OF OUR POPULATION.

>> HE CLAIMS THE STATE HAS BEEN WORKING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

>> SO THIS IS IN PLACE.

WE HAVE AN INCREASE IN OUR STAFFING LEVELS.

WE CAN PROVIDE THOSE TYPES OF MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENTS FOR OUR POPULATION.

>> DOCUMENTS SHOW THAT IN FISCAL YEAR 2023, PONTIAC HAD THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF INCIDENTS ACROSS ALL 45 FACILITIES.

THE PRISON ALSO POSTED THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON SUICIDE WATCH BETWEEN 2020 AND 2023, THE LOWEST FOR ANY GIVEN MONTH BEING 44 PEOPLE ON SUICIDE WATCH, PEAKING AT 99 FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2020.

THE FACILITY AVERAGED 10 SUICIDE ATTEMPTS PER YEAR BETWEEN 2022 AND 2023.

PONTIAC IS ALSO SHORT ON CORRECTIONS OFFICERS.

IT IS THE BIGGEST DEFICIT OF ANY FACILITY.

>> WE HAVE MOSTLY OFFICERS THAT HAVE RESIGNED IN 2022.

WE ARE NOT IN KEEPING UP WITH RETIREMENT.

>> THE UNION REPRESENTING PRISON GUARDS SAYS THAT NEARLY HALF OF THE 53% OF STAFF HAVE LOST OVER TIME AND BURNOUT.

THEY SAY THAT IS WHY THEY ARE CLOSING THE MEDIUM SECURITY UNITS AND SHUFFLING INMATES INTO MAXIMUM-SECURITY.

>> WHAT PROPERTY DO THEY GET AND WHAT PROPERTY DO THEY NOT GET?

JIM SCHEDULED, ALL THESE LITTLE THINGS, THEY ARE NOT GETTING IT.

>> FOR THOSE IMPRISONED HERE, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM SECURITY IS CLEAR.

>> YOU HAVE A KEY TO YOUR DOOR TO GET IN AND OUT.

YOU HAVE ONLY ONE SET OF GUARDS.

ON THE MAX SIDE WHERE WE ARE AT NOW, NONE OF THOSE THINGS.

YOU SIT ON A CONCRETE BUNK.

>> TONY DAMRON TALKS ABOUT THE FIVE VENTURES.

WHEN WE VISITED THE PRISON, THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF THE HOPE THAT THESE MEN HAVE.

>> IN ORDER TO GET THERE, THEY SAY YOU HAVE LITTLE TO NO REDEEMABLE VALUE.

>> NOW SERVING LIFE IN PRISON, DAMRON AND HIS CLASSMATES WILL GRADUATE.

SOME OF THEM HAVE THEIR FIRST TIME GRADUATING IN ANYTHING.

BUT AS SOME OF THEM SAY, I D.O.C.

ISN'T DOING ENOUGH.

>> WE ARE UNDER CAPACITY FOR POPULATION IN TERMS OF WHAT THE PRISON CAN HOLD.

IT IS TIME FOR ILLINOIS TO SHUT DOWN SOME PRISONS.

>> THE LATEST NUMBERS SHOW THAT OF THE 775 INMATES AT THE PRISON, 537 ARE ON A MENTAL HEALTH CASELOAD AT PONTIAC.

ALSO, THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SAYS IT IS WORKING TO HIRE MORE STAFF BY INCREASING RECRUITERS AND HAVING SCREENING ON WEEKENDS.

IT HAS ALSO IMPLEMENTED A REINSTATEMENT PROCESS FOR FORMER OFFICERS WHO LEFT THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN GOOD STANDING AFTER 18 MONTHS OF LEAVING.

TOMORROW WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THE CITY OF PONTIAC AND HOW THE PRISON CAN IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY THERE.

>>> UP NEXT, A CRUCIAL DEADLINE FOR MEDICARE RECIPIENTS.

THAT'S PART OF WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HEALTHCARE COVERAGE, INCLUDING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ILLINOIS RESIDENTS.

WE HAVE MORE ON WHAT IS AT STAKE AND WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO TO KEEP THEIR COVERAGE.

AMANDA?

>> Reporter: BRANDIS, DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS ON GOVERNMENT HEALTHCARE INSURANCE GROUP ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

DURING COVID CONGRESS MADE IT ILLEGAL FOR STATES TO KICK ANYONE OFF OF MEDICAID.

BUT RECIPIENTS WILL SOON LOSE THAT COVERAGE.

HERE IS GOVERNOR PRITZKER ABOUT IT EARLIER TODAY.

>> MANY STATES RUSHED TO PUSH THEIR RESIDENTS OFF OF A CLIFF.

BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR.

HERE IN ILLINOIS THERE WILL BE NO COVERAGE LEFT.

PRE-DETERMINATIO NS AND RENEWALS IN ILLINOIS ARE HAPPENING THROUGH A DELIBERATE AND A CAREFUL PROCESS ON A ROLLING BASIS OVER THE COMING YEAR.

>> Reporter: THAT IS STARTING NOW.

THESE READY TO RENEW NOTICES WILL BEGIN TO ARRIVE IN MAILBOXES THIS WEEK.

MORE THAN 113,000 ILLINOIS CASES ARE UP FOR RENEWAL BY JUNE.

THE STATE SAYS THAT IT CAN AUTO RENEW FOR SOME, BUT THE OTHER HALF MUST HAVE THE PAPERWORK IN BY JUNE 1st.

SO PAY ATTENTION.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR AND THAT THEY DON'T GET FOOLED BY A POTENTIAL SCAM OR SOMETHING ELSE.

THIS PAPERWORK OR A.GOV EMAIL.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS BESIDES'S NAME SNAIL MAIL.

YOU CAN VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY OR CALL THE PHONE NUMBER.

THE SECRETARY OF THE DHS PROMISES THAT THE PROCESS IS NO LONGER BROKEN.

>> WE HAVE GONE FROM SEVEN TO EIGHT HOURS WAITING TO TALK TO AN OPERATOR TO NOW LESS THAN A TWO MINUTES ON AVERAGE.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CALLING THE TELEPHONE NUMBER, NOBODY HAS SIX, SEVEN HOURS OF THEIR DAY TO TALK TO A PERSON.

>> Reporter: YEAH, NOBODY HAS THAT TIME.

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT ANYBODY CAN RECEIVE MEDICAID.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR STATE HAS CURRENT CONTACT INFORMATION LIKE AN ADDRESS.

OF COURSE YOU CAN'T VERY WELL GET THAT REMINDER NOTICE IN THE MAIL IF THE STATE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE TO SEND IT!

THIS IS THE REASON WHY BEFORE THE PANDEMIC TOOK HOLD PEOPLE DID NOT KNOW THEY HAD COVERAGE.

>> I WAS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT RAISING A CHILD AT THE AGE OF 16 YEARS OLD AND RECEIVING MEDICAID.

RECEIVING ASSISTANCE HELPED ME TO RAISE MY DAUGHTER, COMPLETE MY HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE EDUCATION AND PUT ME ON TRACK TO BECOME THE TL OF TCC.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT CHICAGO OFFERING PRIMARY AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE TO THE MANY PATIENTS WHO USE MEDICAID.

AMONG STATE PARTNERS, THEY ARE WORKING WITH ILLINOIS TO GET THE WORD OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA .

BRANDIS, CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN THE OUTREACH EFFORT.

FAMILIES CAN REACH OUT TO THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS BENEFITS TEAM .

70% OF STUDENTS RELY ON MEDICAID FOR HEALTHCARE INSURANCE.

>> AN IMPORTANT DEADLINE TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

THANK YOU.

AND WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO NO LONGER QUALIFY?

>> Reporter: SO YOU MIGHT GET SOMETHING ELSE IN THE MAIL THAT SAYS THAT.

FILL OUT YOUR RENEWAL FORM SO THAT THE STATE HAS RECURRENT INFORMATION ON FILE.

IT COULD BE USED FOR OTHER BENEFITS.

SEE IF STATE AGENCIES CAN HELP ANYBODY CONNECT IN THIS SITUATION WITH A DIFFERENT FORM OF WHAT THE STATE FEDS CAN OFFER.

AGAIN, THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF FOLKS.

THIS WILL GO MIDWAY THROUGH 2024.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH!

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

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

FOR ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A CLIFFORD