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

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN .

>> 20 DEGREE TEMPERATURE DROP COMING IN MINUTES.

WHAT IS HAPPENING NEAR THE LAKEFRONT.

>>> A SURVIVAL TEST FOR ILLINOIS' BAN ON ASSAULT WEAPONS.

>> SAFETY STANDARDS ON RIGHT EAR COMPANIES.

>>> REOPENING OUR MENTAL HEALTH CARE CENTER ACROSS THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

DID YOU GET A NEW APPROACH TO THE CITY'S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

>>> ILLINOIS IS THE EXONERATION CAPITAL OF THE U.S. WHAT THAT TITLE MEANS FOR THE NEW MAYOR'S REFORM EFFORTS.

>>> FIRST, OUR TOP STORY TONIGHT.

IF YOU ARE HEADING TO THE LAKE, NOT SO FAST.

GRAB A SWEATER BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

THAT IS BECAUSE THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS CALLING FOR A SO-CALLED PNEUMONIA FRONT SET TO HIT CHICAGO LAKEFRONT SHORTLY.

TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO DROP FROM 80 DEGREES TO THE LOW 50s WITHIN MINUTES.

JOINING US TO EXPLAIN THIS WEATHER PHENOMENON IS PROFESSOR OF METEOROLOGY AT THE COLLEGE OF DUPAGE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> STILL WARM THERE.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE SO-CALLED PNEUMONIA FRONT ?

>> AND PNEUMONIA FRONT IS SORT OF A SLANG NAME THAT WEATHER FORECASTERS BACK IN WISCONSIN AND MILWAUKEE BACK IN THE '60s CAME UP WITH.

IT INDICATES WHAT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN IN THE SPRINGTIME WITH COLD AIR COMING IN OFF OF THE LAKE.

THE WINDS SHIFT AROUND IN THE NORTHEAST.

THAT COLD AIR OFF OF LAKE MICHIGAN JUST SPREADS INLAND.

AND YOU GET SOME REALLY RADICAL TEMPERATURE DROPS .

>> THIS IS SAID TO BE HAPPENING AROUND 5:40.

THAT IS IN A FEW MINUTES.

WE KNOW IT IS STILL IN THE 80s FOR A HIGH.

JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO.

THAT IS GOING TO LURE PEOPLE OUT TO THE LAKE.

WHAT KIND OF WEATHER AND WE EXPECT FOR THE REST OF THE NIGHT?

>> JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME IDEA, I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT CHICAGO AIRPORT.

IT USED TO BE KNOWN AS PAUL LOCKEY AIRPORT.

THEY DROPPED 17 DEGREES IN 15 MINUTES.

81 DEGREES AT 5:05.

5:20 IT IS 64 DEGREES.

THAT COLD AIR IS RUSHING SOUTHWARD.

O'HARE WILL BE THE NEXT ONE.

YOU AT THE STUDIO AT WTTW .

WINDS WILL SHIFT FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 10 TO THE NORTH-NORTHEAST AT ABOUT 15 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR.

YOU WILL KNOW INSTANTLY WHEN IT PASSES.

THAT SHOULD BE SCREAMING THROUGH THE CHICAGO AREA IN TENS OF MINUTES.

>> OF COURSE IT LEGITIMIZES THE REFRAIN WE ARE USED TO HEARING IN CHICAGO.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE WEATHER, JUST WAIT FIVE MINUTES.

HOW COMMON IS THIS?

>> WELL, WE GET THIS QUITE OFTEN IN THE SPRINGTIME.

ANYWHERE BETWEEN APRIL AND MAYBE EARLY JUNE.

TEMPERATURES ARE RATHER COLD.

IT TAKES MUCH LONGER TO HEAT UP THAT COLDWATER .

AND THEN WHEN WE HAVE DAYS LIKE TODAY WITH DRY CONDITIONS AND IT IS SUNNY AND WARM AND BEAUTIFUL, THAT SETS UP A REALLY BIG TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE FROM THE WATER TO THE LAND.

AND THAT ALLOWS THE PRESSURE TO BUILD UP OVER LAKE MICHIGAN .

EVENTUALLY THAT COLD AIR HAS AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE THAT STARTS TO PUSH ENGLAND.

YOU WILL SEE IT PUSH RACINE, WISCONSIN.

KENOSHA.

THEN YOU GO TO WAUKEGAN AND MILWAUKEE AIRPORT.

O'HARE.

DUPAGE AND MIDWAY AIRPORT.

IT WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH SOUTHEAST.

MAYBE AS FAR AS JULIET .

USUALLY WHEN YOU GET OUT FAR ENOUGH SOUTH AND FAR ENOUGH WEST, IT IS NOT SO BAD.

>> IT LOOKS PRETTY OUT THERE.

15 SECONDS BEFORE WE LET YOU GO.

IS IT VERY DIFFICULT TO PREDICT THIS KIND OF AFFRONT?

>> NO.

THINGS ARE PRETTY WELL HANDLED BY THE MODELS.

LAKE MICHIGAN -- WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR NUMERICAL MODELS, THE TEMPERATURE SHOWS REALLY COLD.

HIGH RESOLUTION MODELS.

WHEN YOU HAVE THESE LIGHTER WINDS IN THE AREA AND I AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE COMING OUT OF CANADA , WE MIGHT HAVE SOME GORGEOUS SUNSETS TONIGHT.

BUT THOSE ARE USUALLY THE DAYS WE EXPECT THE BACK DOOR COLD FRONTS.

>> ALREADY.

HOPEFULLY NOBODY ACTUALLY GETS PNEUMONIA.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I THINK I JUST FELT IT.

>>> MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON ADDRESSES THE CITY'S MIGRANT SITUATION TODAY.

ONE OF SEVERAL PUBLIC EVENTS ON HIS FIRST FULL DAY IN OFFICE.

HE TOURED OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS TEMPORARILY HOUSING ASYLUM-SEEKERS DUE TO OVERCROWDING ELSEWHERE.

HE SPOKE HERE AT A TEMPORARY RESPITE CENTER LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE IN LITTLE VILLAGE.

DAY ONE EXECUTIVE ORDER TO CREATE A DEPUTY MAYOR FOR IMMIGRANTS, MIGRANTS, AND REFUGEE RIGHTS.

>> BRING THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY CLOSER TOGETHER.

THAT IS ALSO GOING TO ENTAIL MAKING SURE THAT THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE NOT TAPPED INTO WHAT IS THIS PERSON WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A TEAM OF INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE TAPPING INTO THOSE RESOURCES.

>> ALSO PAID RESPECT AT THE MEMORIAL FOR FALLEN CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER AREANAH PRESTON PRESTON'S FUNERAL WILL BE HELD TOMORROW.

WE WILL HAVE A FULL RECAP ON TOMORROW'S PROGRAM.

>>> MIGRANTS LIVING IN POLICE STATIONS ACROSS CHICAGO ARE GETTING SOMETHING THEY MAY NOT HAVE HAD IN DAYS ORAL WEEKS, A HOT SHOWER.

>> 40 TO 50 SHOWERS PER DAY.

ONLY IN ONE LOCATION WITHIN TWO HOURS.

IF WE WERE TO VISIT MORE LOCATIONS AROUND THE CITY, WE USUALLY PROVIDE NO LESS THAN 60 PER DAY.

WE EXPECT THOSE NUMBERS TO GROW.

>> THE ORGANIZATION, SHOWER UP, OFFERS MOBILE SHOWERS TO UNHOUSED PEOPLE IN THE CITY.

LATELY IT HAS DOUBLED ITS RESOURCES PROVIDING A LOT MORE DRUG SHOWERS THAN USUAL BECAUSE OF THE MIGRANT CRISIS.

SHOWER UP SAYS IT'S MADE CONTRIBUTIONS TO HELP ITS EFFORTS.

>>> LIGHTNING STRIKES FOR THE BULLS LIKE IT RECENTLY DID FOR THE BLACKHAWKS.

TONIGHT AT 7:00 .

IT WILL DETERMINE WHO GETS THE COVETED FIRST PICK AND THE RIGHT TO SELECT 7'3" FRENCH SENSATION VICTOR .

THE BULLS ARE ONE OF 14 TEAMS TO MISS THE PLAYOFFS.

THEY ONLY HAVE ABOUT A 1.8% CHANCE OF LANDING THAT TOP SPOT.

>>> FOO FIGHTERS, ANDY DiFRANCO AND FUNKADELIC ARE JUST A FEW OF THE PERFORMERS FANS CAN SEE, WHICH ANNOUNCED ITS LINEUP TODAY.

THAT IS ALL OF THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT CAN APPROVE THE SUMMIT.

IT IS SLATED FOR SEPTEMBER IN DOUGLAS PARK.

TWO OF THE FESTIVALS HAVE TAKEN CRITICISM FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO SAY THE EVENTS HIJACKER GREEN SPACE FOR WEEKS, PREVENTING RESIDENTS FROM USING THE PARK AND DAMAGING THE GROUNDS.

TWO OF THE FESTIVALS HAVE ALREADY ANNOUNCED PLANS TO MOVE TO A DIFFERENT VENUE.

FOR MORE ON THE PARK DISTRICT IN NEXT STEPS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

>>> COMING UP, HOW CHICAGO'S NEW MAYOR TACKLES THE CITY'S MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.

>>> FIRST, THE NEW GUN CONTROL TACTIC.

LIABILITY FOR GUN MANUFACTURERS.

LIVE IN SPRINGFIELD RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> ILLINOIS ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN FACES A MAJOR HURDLE.

DEMOCRATS LOOK TO PASS MORE GUN CONTROL LAWS BEFORE THE SPRING LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS OVER.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US .

WHAT IS THE LATEST?

>> Reporter: SEVEN PEOPLE WERE SHOT AND KILLED IN THE HIGHLAND PARK INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE.

MAJOR, ALBEIT CONTROVERSIAL, STEP TOWARD LIMITING WHAT CAN BE USED IN STATES.

THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN ITSELF IS UNDER ASSAULT .

LEGALLY ANYWAY.

THE SUPREME COURT TODAY -- CONSTITUTIONALI TY AND HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WANT TO RISK -- WHO RULED THAT THE LAW THAT IT VIOLATES THE EQUAL PROTECTION CONSTITUTIONAL CLAUSE.

PLAINTIFF SAY THAT ALL INDIVIDUALS -- IN THIS CASE, THEY MEAN GUN OWNERS -- SHOULD BE TREATED EQUALLY.

THEY SAY INSTEAD ILLINOIS LAW ALLOWS THOSE -- BECAUSE ILLINOIS' LAW ALLOWS THOSE WHO PREVIOUSLY OWNED GUNS TO KEEP THEM AS WELL AS LEASE .

IN CERTAIN CASES, SECURITY GUARDS AND PRISON WARDENS.

THERE IS NOT THAT LEGAL PROTECTION.

>> A MILITARY VETERAN IS TRAINED .

BUT HE CANNOT HAVE THAT WEAPON TO PROTECT HIS FAMILY AT HOME.

A SECURITY GUARD MAY OR MAY NOT BE TRAINED.

BUT HE HAS IT ONLY WHILE HE WORKS.

THE SECOND AMENDMENT ELEVATES ABOVE ALL INTERESTS .

IT IS NOT TOLERATING INTEREST FOR A POLICE OFFICER OR INTEREST FOR A SECURITY GUARD.

INTEREST FOR A PRISON WARDEN.

>>> ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS THERE IS A RATIONAL BASIS FOR THOSE CATEGORIES.

POLICE MUST TAKE ONGOING TRAINING TO BE ABLE TO KNOW HOW TO USE THOSE MILITARY GRADE AND ASSAULT GRADE WEAPONS.

HE SAYS ILLINOIS RESIDENTS --.

>> DO YOU WANT MORE PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND GET THOSE WEAPONS AND GO TO PARADE AND COMMIT MASS SHOOTINGS?

I DON'T.

I DON'T THINK THE LEGISLATURE DOES EITHER .

>> Reporter: THERE IS ALSO FEDERAL COURT ACTION WITH THIS LAW.

THE CASE IS AWAITING ACTION FROM A U.S. APPEALS COURT.

A LOT HANGS ON THAT LEGAL VERDICT.

MEANWHILE YOU HAVE GUN ADVOCATES HERE IN SPRINGFIELD TODAY ASKING LAWMAKERS TO DO MORE.

THEY WANT LAWS THAT ALLOW PRIVATE CITIZENS TO BE ABLE TO SUE GUN MANUFACTURERS .

THE LEAD POLICE SEIZE GUNS FROM SOMEONE IF A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM WINS AN ORDER OF PROTECTION AGAINST HIM.

ALSO A MEASURE THAT WOULD REVISE COLD CASES.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO VALERIE BURGESS, WHOSE SON WAS SHOT ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO IN 2013.

ALMOST A DECADE LATER, HIS MURDER STILL UNSOLVED.

SHE SAYS HER SON LEFT BEHIND TWO CHILDREN WILL ONE OF WHOM IS 10 YEARS OLD AND IS ASKING QUESTIONS.

>> WHY DID THEY SHOOT?

AND I HAD TO TELL THEM, I DON'T KNOW.

HIS NEXT QUESTION WAS, DID THEY CATCH YOU DID IT?

AGAIN, MY ANSWER WAS, NO.

I WANT TO SAY, NOT YET.

BECAUSE I STILL HAVE HOPE .

>> DESPITE DEMOCRATIC SUPER MAJORITIES IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND A GOVERNOR WHO SUPPORTS FUND CONTROL MEASURES, NONE OF THOSE MEASURES ARE FOR SURE GOING TO HAPPEN BY THE END OF THIS WEEK WHEN ADJOURNMENT IS SCHEDULED.

I WILL BE HERE THOUGH FOR ANY POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT .

FOR NOW, BACK TO YOU.

>>> NOW WE GO TO BRANDIS WITH A LOOK AT THE LOBBYING BLITZ AROUND TIGHTENED RIDESHARE SAFETY STANDARDS.

>> Reporter: RIDE-SHARE GIANT HUBER IS RINGING ALARM BELLS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE BILL IN SPRINGFIELD.

SAFETY STANDARDS FOR RIDESHARE COMPANIES.

THE SAME STANDARD FOR TRANSPORTATION METHODS LIKE TAXIS, TRAINS, AND AIRPLANES AND WOULD HOLD HUBER LIABLE .

IF HARM COMES TO A PASSENGER.

NOT JUST TO A DRIVER.

THE LOBBYING AND ADVERTISING BLITZ AGAINST THE MEASURE DOESN'T APPEAR TO HAVE SWAYED LAWMAKERS.

>> Reporter: EMAILS AND PUSH NOTIFICATIONS TO CUSTOMERS.

A REPORTED SIX-FIGURE ADD BY ON POPULAR RADIO STATIONS AND NEW SITES COUNTERING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND A FLUE OF LOBBYING.

HUBER HAS BEEN PUSHING BACK HARD AGAINST THE COMMON CARRIER PROPOSAL.

BUT PATRICK SAYS THEIR ARGUMENTS DON'T HOLD UP.

>> FARES ARE GOING TO GO UP.

THAT DOESN'T REALLY MAKE SENSE BECAUSE THOSE WITH WHOM THEY ARE COMPETING ARE ALREADY COMMON CARRIERS.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT OF THE ILLINOIS TRIAL ARE YOUR ASSOCIATION ALSO SAYS UBER'S CLAIMS THAT RIDES WON'T BE AS WIDELY AVAILABLE AS HARD TO BELIEVE.

>> I'M TRYING TO IMAGINE A DRIVER THAT WOULD OTHERWISE SIGN UP FOR LYFT AND HUBER AND SAY, WAIT A MINUTE -- I AM A COMMON CARRIER?

REMAKE DIRECTLY TO THE HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE WARNING OF CONSEQUENCES FOR NEXT YEAR'S CONVENTION.

QUOTE, WE DON'T WANT YOU CAUGHT OFF GUARD ON THE AVAILABILITY OF ON-DEMAND TRANSPORTATION LESS THAN ANTICIPATED AS A RESULT OF THE NEW LAW.

>> WE THINK SPRINGFIELD SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON TRYING TO MAKE LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR MIDDLE AND WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE.

REMAKE DIRECTOR OF CITIZENS AGAINST LAW ABUSES ILLINOIS CHAPTER.

>> WHEN YOU HELLO RIDESHARE SERVICE, YOU ARE NOT CUSTOMER OF HUBER OR LIFT.

THEY ARE MORE LIKE A DISPATCH COMPANY.

THE PERSON YOU'RE HAVING THE COMMON CARRIER RELATIONSHIP WITH IS THE DRIVER.

>> Reporter: THE PRACTICE OF DONATING TO LAWMAKERS, INCLUDING MORE THAN $400,000 TO SPONSORS OF THE COMMON CARRIER BILL OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, MEANS THE TRIAL LAWYERS HAVE UNFAIR SWAY.

>> WHEN YOU ARE OUT AT NIGHT AND PAYING A LITTLE EXTRA FOR YOUR RIDE HOME, IT'S NOT AN ACCIDENT.

>> Reporter: HE IS NOT ACCUSING THEM OF BREAKING ANY LAWS, BUT THEY ARE EVEN SUGGESTING DONATING TO LAWMAKERS IS PAID TO PLAY IS IRRESPONSIBLE.

>> WE REPRESENT PEOPLE IN THEIR DARKEST TIMES.

WHEN THEY ARE HURT HORRIBLY.

WE HAVE AN INTEREST IN PROTECTING THOSE RIGHTS.

WHEREAS PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING TO DO REFORM WOULD RATHER BUSINESSES NOT HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY.

REMAKE GROUPS HAVE REPORTEDLY BEEN FUNDED BY BIG CORPORATIONS PUSHING FOR REFORM THAT WOULD MAKE IT HARDER FOR PLAINTIFFS .

MELLON SAYS THE ILLINOIS CHAPTER IS MADE UP OF SMALL BUSINESSES.

THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN MANY ONLINE AD BUYS FROM HUBER CLEARLY TARGETED AT LAWMAKERS BUT THAT DON'T COUNT AS DIRECTLY LOBBYING LEGISLATORS.

WHATEVER THE SPENDING ON BOTH SIDES, THE COMMON CARRIER ARGUMENT HAS SO FAR WON THE DAY .

VERSIONS OF THE BILL HAVE PASSED THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

LAWMAKERS HAVE UNTIL THE END OF THE WEEK TO WORK OUT A FINAL VERSION AND SEND IT TO THE GOVERNOR.

FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I AM NICK LUNDBERG.

>>> LYFT PREVIOUSLY OPPOSED THE BILL BUT HAS SINCE SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL.

THAT CAME AFTER AN AMENDMENT DELAYING WHEN THE RULE WOULD TAKE EFFECT.

THAT WOULD LET RIDESHARE COMPANIES OPERATE FOR AT LEAST AN ADDITIONAL FIVE YEARS IN ILLINOIS.

TO GIVE UP NEXT, A LOOK AT BRANDON JOHNSON'S APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS.

STAY WITH US.

♪ ♪ >>> MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON IS VOWING A DIFFERENT RESPONSE TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE THAN HIS TWO PREDECESSORS.

HE SAYS HE WILL REOPEN SIX PUBLICLY RUN MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC THAT CLOSED MORE THAN A DECADE AGO.

HERE HE IS AT HIS INAUGURATION YESTERDAY.

>> LET'S BRING TOGETHER THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THE COUNTY, THE STATE, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO FIND THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR DELIVERING THE SERVICES, INCLUDING REOPENING OUR MENTAL HEALTH CARE CENTERS ACROSS THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> JOINING US ARE DR. ERIC REINHARDT AND PSYCHOANALYST OF NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY AND ARTURO , DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION AT BRIGHTON PARK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OF THE COLLABORATIVE FOR COMMUNITY WELLNESS.

WE ALSO REACHED OUT TO THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO JOIN THIS CONVERSATION BUT THEY DECLINED.

TONIGHT WE DO APPRECIATE BOTH OF YOU BEING HERE.

FIRST WITH YOU, DR. REINHARDT.

EXPLAIN FOR US THE MENTAL HEALTH CARE STRUCTURE THAT THE CITY HAS IN PLACE NOW.

AT LEAST THE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> RIGHT NOW THERE ARE FIVE CITY RUN MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF MENTAL HEALTH STRUCTURE IN CHICAGO IS PRIVATE.

SOME OF THAT STRUCTURE IS FEDERALLY QUALIFIED.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

CLINICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHAT WE LACK IS AN INFRASTRUCTURE TO RESPOND TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE GREATEST NEED WHO DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE GOOD ENOUGH INSURANCE TO GET INTO A LOT OF THOSE PROVIDERS.

>> THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY NEXT QUESTION FOR YOU.

GIVEN THE LOOSE NETWORK OF NONPROFITS OR FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS THAT EXIST NOW, ARE THERE BARRIERS FOR THE AVERAGE CHICAGOAN WHO MIGHT WANT TO ACCESS THIS HEALTHCARE?

>> YES.

ABSOLUTELY.

WE SEE LONG WAGES FOR SERVICES.

WE SEE A LOT OF GAPS IN COVERAGE.

UNFORTUNATELY WHAT WE SEE ALSO IS A LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT TYPES OF SERVICES AND TYPES ARE .

>> ACCORDING TO CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, THERE ARE STILL FIVE CITY RUN MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS THAT ARE OPEN.

THEY ONLY SEE A VERY SMALL FRACTION OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PATIENTS THAT THE CITY SEES.

THEY GO TO SOME OF THOSE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

SO WHAT IS THE ARGUMENT THEN FOR REOPENING THOSE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS?

>> YOU HAVE TO PUT THIS IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE.

OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS SINCE RONALD REAGAN AND THEN BILL CLINTON, WE HAVE HAD A DEFAMATION OF OUR PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE U.S.

IT USED TO BE UNDER HAROLD WASHINGTON.

THE CITY OF CHICAGO IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROVIDERS OF AMBULATORY CARE SERVICES IN CHICAGO.

THAT HAS ALL GONE AWAY.

THAT DOES NOT EXIST AT ALL ANYMORE.

ALL THE MONEY THAT USED TO BE GIVEN TO PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE TO PROVIDE FOR PEOPLE'S NEEDS HAVE GONE TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, SOME OF WHICH DO EXCELLENT WORK , BUT AS DR. JUST SAID, THERE ISN'T AN ACCOUNTABILITY INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHAT YOU HAVE IS LAYERS AND LAYERS OF GRANTMAKING WHERE YOU HAVE A WHOLE BUNCH OF REALLY SMART PEOPLE SPENDING ALL OF THEIR TIME TRYING TO GET GRANTS.

HUGE AND EFFICIENCY.

TRYING TO PRIORITIZE THEIR OWN ORGANIZATIONAL REPRODUCTION AND BUDGET OVER PROVIDING CARE TO PEOPLE .

NOT THROUGH ANY FAULT OF THEIR OWN.

THAT IS JUST WHAT THE STRUCTURE AND FORCES ON THEM.

WHEN YOU HAVE A PRIVATE HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE , YOU HAVE A HORRIFIC OUTCOME.

WE HAVE THE WORST HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN THE ENTIRE PUBLIC WORLD.

DEVELOPED WORLD.

THIS IS A CONSEQUENCE OF DECADES OF --.

THE ARGUMENT FOR REBUILDING PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE NOW IS, LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE.

IT IS AN ABSOLUTE FAILURE.

WE HAVE TO BUILD ANOTHER KIND OF MODEL.

YOU HAVE SEEN IT BEFORE IN THE U.S.

THIS IS A MODEL WHERE YOU CAN TAKE PUBLIC DOLLARS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE GOING TOWARD PROVIDING SERVICES TO PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM MOST.

>> AS YOU SAID, HAVING THE CITY HAVE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE OUTCOMES RATHER THAN THROWING MONEY AT AN ORGANIZATION AND NOT KEEPING TRACK OF WHAT HAPPENS.

ARTURO, GIVEN THE BARRIERS WE TALKED ABOUT AND GIVEN SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT DR. REINHARDT BROUGHT UP, HOW WOULD REOPENING MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS RUN BY THE CITY HELP SOLVE SOME OF THESE THINGS IN YOUR EYES?

>> THE ADMINISTRATION REALLY SET UP A HOUSE OF CARDS.

WHAT WE SEE WITH THIS LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY IS THAT THE CONTRACTS THAT ARE PROVIDERS -- WE ARE LOOKING AT ACTUAL NUMBERS FROM FISCAL YEAR 2022.

THEY HAVE AN ABSURD RANGE.

ANYWHERE FROM 16 PEOPLE TO OVER 4000 PEOPLE.

SO EVEN THOUGH THE CITY TOUTED THAT IT WAS SERVING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE SERVICES ACTUALLY PROVIDED.

WORSE YET, THAT FUNDING ALL GOES AWAY WHEN FEDERAL RELIEF EXPIRES IN A YEAR OR TWO.

FOR US, BUILDING THIS PERMANENT INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUILDING IT INTO THE CITY AS PART OF A PERMANENT STRUCTURE OF SERVICE OF CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY RATHER THAN THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CITY IS AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY THE ADMINISTRATION NOW HAS TO MAKE THEM A RESOURCE FOR EVERYBODY JUST LIKE WE HAVE CURRENTLY WITH LIBRARIES AND PARKS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY NOW.

PART OF THE NONPOLICE CRISIS RESPONSE PROGRAM THAT CAN BE ESTABLISHED AND ROLLED OUT CITYWIDE.

>> SOME OF THOSE PLACES LIKE LIBRARIES AND PARKS ARE OFFERED AS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL SIDE OF THE COSTS AS BEING A REASON FOR NOT SUSTAINING THE CENTERS.

WHAT WOULD IT COST?

>> IT WOULD COST A LOT OF MONEY, FRANKLY.

CARING FOR PEOPLE COSTS MONEY.

BUT IF THERE'S ANYTHING THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE INVESTING MONEY IN, IT IS CARING FOR THE POPULATION.

WHAT WE HAVE IN CHICAGO AND PLACES AROUND THE U.S. IS A CHOICE TO PRIORITIZE PUNISHMENT AND REACTION THROUGH HEALTHCARE TREATMENT, WHICH IS REACTING , OR THAT CAN BE THROUGH POLICING AND RESPONDING TO VIOLENCE THAT HAS ALREADY OCCURRED.

WE HAVE SYSTEMATICALLY FAILED TO INVEST IN PREVENTATIVE STRUCTURE.

IT WILL BE EXPENSIVE.

>> THESE ARE ARGUMENTS OF THE CURRENT MAYOR HAS MADE FOR REOPENING HIS CLINICS.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE THIS DISCUSSION HERE.

THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>>> UP NEXT, WHY CHICAGO LEADS THE COUNTRY IN EXONERATION.

BUT FIRST WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

♪ ♪ >>> FOR THE FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW, CHICAGO IS THE WRONG CALL CONVICTION V UNITED STATES.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL REGISTRY OF EXONERATION.

HEATHER JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

124 PEOPLE WERE EXONERATED IN 2022 AFTER BEING CONVICTED.

HOW DOES THAT COMPARE WITH THE REST OF THE NATION?

>> IN ALL, 223 PEOPLE WERE EXONERATED NATIONWIDE .

THERE WERE TWO OTHER EXONERATIONS IN ILLINOIS.

ONE IN WILL COUNTY AND ONE IN LAKE COUNTY.

BUT NO OTHER STATE HAD MORE THAN ILLINOIS.

MICHIGAN HAD 16 EXONERATIONS.

TEXAS HAD 11.

NO OTHER STATE REACHED DOUBLE DIGITS.

>> SO THE MAST VAST MAJORITY WERE TWO -- AND DETECTIVE RINALDO .

WHAT ARE THEY ACCUSED OF DOING?

>> RONALD WATTS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE POLICED THE HOUSING PROJECT.

HE IS ACCUSED AND WAS CONVICTED OF CORRUPTION AND BASICALLY EXTORTING VISITORS AND RESIDENTS OF THE HOUSING PROJECT.

DETECTIVE WAS A JUDGE FOUND ROUTINELY LIED UNDER OATH .

>> IN 2022, CHICAGO TAXPAYERS SPEND AT LEAST $98 MILLION ALLEGING MISCONDUCT BY CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS.

WHAT DO THESE EXONERATIONS COST THE CITY?

>> CONSERVATIVELY, TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

ALTHOUGH WE WILL NOT KNOW FOR MANY YEARS.

IN SEPTEMBER 2021, TWO MEN WHO WERE CONVICTED BASED ON EVIDENCE DEVELOPED BY DETECTIVE WERE EACH PAID $10.5 MILLION BY THE CITY AFTER SPENDING 23 YEARS IN PRISON FOR A CRIME THEY WERE LATER EXONERATED OF.

THIS IS A MASSIVE DRAIN ON THE CITY'S FINANCES.

>> NOT TO MENTION TRUST IN THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THIS IS NO DOUBT BAD NEWS FOR BRAND NEW MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON.

HE HAS VOWED TO REFORM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND STOP SPENDING MILLIONS IN A LAWSUIT BY FEDERAL OFFICERS.

TELL US ABOUT THE CHALLENGES HE FACES.

>> THEY ARE ENORMOUS.

WHOEVER IS THE NEXT TOP COP WILL HAVE TO ADDRESS THESE REFORM QUESTIONS FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

THE CITY WILL REMAIN UNDER A COURT ORDER REQUIRING IT -- SPECIFICALLY BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGOANS.

ALL BUT ONE OF THE PEOPLE EXONERATED IN THEIR 22 WERE EITHER BLACK OR LATINO.

THAT WAS BASED ON A 2017 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REPORT THAT FOUND THAT BLACK AND LATINO CHICAGOANS ROUTINELY HAVE THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS VIOLATED.

THAT WILL BE JOB NUMBER ONE FOR MAYOR JOHNSON AND WHOEVER THE NEXT POLICE LIEUTENANT IS.

>> NOT A SMALL TASK AT HAND.

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

WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>>> WE ARE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

♪ ♪ >>> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

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

WE TAKE YOU INSIDE THE FUNERAL OF FALLEN CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER AREANAH PRESTON.

>> A LOCAL ARTIST COMMUNICATED TO COMMUNITY.

>>> FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> AND I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES.

A PROUD SPONSOR OF DIVERSITY,