November 8 - 14, 2021

November 8 - 14, 2021 Vol. 29 No. 44

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$1.10 goes to vendor

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Arts & (Home) Entertainment

We are replacing our usual calendar with virtual events and recommendations from StreetWise vendors, readers and staff to keep you entertained at home!

6 SportsWise 7 EatWise

Vendor Donald Morris congratulates the Chicago Sky on their championship.

Meet new StreetWise Vendor Lisa Getches as she recounts a recent lunch at Seven on State inside Macy's.

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Cover Story: Mental Health

See where Illinois ranks in Mental Health America's annual study that correlates the prevalence of mental illness with access to care. MHA also discusses two policy priorities: the rollout of a 988 suicide prevention hotline and increased access to care for youth.

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From the Streets

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The Playground

The $16.7 billion budget passed by the Chicago City Council October 27 is the most progressive ever, says Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and highlights the conviction that "now, more than ever, we must do more for marginalized people," says Progressive Caucus Chair Ald. Sophia King (4th ward).

Dave Hamilton, Creative Director/Publisher

dhamilton@streetwise.org

StreetWiseChicago @StreetWise_CHI

Suzanne Hanney, Editor-In-Chief

suzannestreetwise@yahoo.com

Amanda Jones, Director of programs

ajones@streetwise.org

Julie Youngquist, Executive director

jyoungquist@streetwise.org

Ph: 773-334-6600 Office: 2009 S. State St., Chicago, IL, 60616

LEARN MORE AT streetwise.org

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ARTS & (HOME) ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Since being stuck inside, which shows have you been watching? Which movies? Have you read any good books lately? Any new music releases have you dancing in your living room? StreetWise vendors, readers and staff are sharing what is occupying their attention during this unprecedented time.

To be featured in a future edition, send your recommendations of things you do at home and why you love them to Creative Director / Publisher Dave Hamilton at dhamilton@streetwise.org

Celebrating Fair Trade!

Globalfest Chicago Fair Trade presents Globalfest at the Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St., on November 12 from 6-9 p.m.

This will be an evening filled with music, dancing, food, and a silent auction. This year’s Globalfest will be honoring WorldFinds and Nasreen Sheikh. WorldFinds is a jewelry and accessories company that empowers women through fair trade. Their ethically-produced jewelry is handmade from repurposed materials by over 700 women.

Nasreen Sheikh is a survivor of modern-day slavery who advocates for people still enslaved. She founded Local Women’s Handicrafts, a retail store run by women who make rugs, blankets, jewelry, and more. Local Women’s Handicrafts is 100% fair trade and creates jobs for marginalized and exploited Nepali women. Globalfest tickets cost $95 and can be purchased at chicagofairtrade.org.

Exhibit Opening!

(HOME) ENTERTAINMENT

‘Notes From VEGA’: Art Exhibit Opening Notes from VEGA, by artist A.J. McClenon, will be opening at the Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave., on November 8.

“Notes from VEGA” is an exhibit that covers themes such as racism, capitalism, parallel universes, and a Black future and features sculptures, writings, diagrams, collages, and video clips. A.J. McClenon is a multi-disciplinary artist from Washington, D.C., who finds inspiration from Blackness, water, science, and politics. They are the co-founder of F4F, a domestic venue that fosters a femme and Black community. Through January 22, 2022.

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Immersive Jazz

'In the Moment' Show The Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave., is showcasing “In the Moment”

by Typhanie Monique (pictured) on November 11 from 7:30-9 p.m. “In the Moment” is a series of jazz performances that is described as “a sensory experience that will call your soul to listen.” It is unlike other shows, in that the audience surrounds the musicians, instead of being seated in front of a stage. Doors open at 4 p.m. for Golden Hour. General Admission tickets are $20 at epiphanychi.com.

Comedy & Music!

Smiley Face Comedy Show The Lincoln Lodge, 2040 N. Milwaukee Ave., presents the Smiley Face comedy show on November 14 from 8-9:30 p.m. Part comedy show, part concert, this show features local comedians and singers alongside the Smiley Face band, which will be playing live music. The lineup goes back and forth between comedians and singers. It is a night filled with jokes and jams. Tickets are $5 on eventbrite.com.

Art Battle!

Art Battle Chicago SPIN Chicago, 344 N. State St., is hosting Art Battle on November 12 from 7-11 p.m. Art Battle is a live art tournament. Local artists receive blank canvases and acrylic paint. After 20 minutes, the audience chooses the winner.

After three rounds, the end of the night, all of the paintings will be offered at a silent auction. This is an event is 21+ and tickets start at $17 at artbattle.com.

Rock Climbing for All!

Adaptive Rock Climbing The Adaptive Climbing Group will host a rock climbing session in Chicago at Brooklyn Boulders Chicago, 100 S. Morgan St., on November 10 from 7:30-10 p.m. The Adaptive Climbing Group is a non-profit organization that creates accessible and affordable climbing for anyone with a disability. This class costs $11 and welcomes anyone with a disability. Climbing equipment will be provided on-site. Upon arrival at Brooklyn Boulders Chicago, please state that you are with the Adaptive Climbing Group. There will be adaptive climbing or an adaptive swing available. For more information and to sign up for indoor climbing please visit adaptiveclimbinggroup.org/chicago.

Share Your Story!

Flash Fiction: Writers on the Edge Friends of the Edgewater Library is hosting an open mic night for flash fiction writers on November 11 from 6:30-8 p.m. Flash fiction means short stories containing no more than 500 words. Any writer over the age of 16 may submit their work, and will be alloted 4 minutes to read it. Edgewater Library is asking all writers to keep in mind this is an event open to the public, so bad language or anything inappropriate is not allowed. This event will take place on Zoom, so please visit foelchicago.org, to sign up to attend, submit writing, or read.

Restaged Opera!

‘Magic Flute’ Mozart’s miraculous blend of natural and supernatural, comedy and romance, draws us into a world where a prince, Tamino, and a princess, Pamina, triumph over every obstacle in their search for wisdom and enlightenment, and are finally united in love. This is a gloriously varied score, with the lovers’ soulful arias, the stratospheric vocal fireworks of the villainous Queen of the Night, the subterranean depths of the formidable high priest Sarastro, and the folk-like melodies of the lovable birdcatcher, Papageno. Lyric Opera of Chicago's production pays homage to the silent movies of the 1920s and was praised by The Guardian as “a joyous yet profound staging in which animation takes center stage…[taking] live video to new heights on the opera stage.”

Tickets start at $49 and can be purchased on lyricopera.org. Shows are on Thursday (11/11), Sunday (11/14), Wednesday (11/17) at 2 p.m., Friday (11/19) at 7 p.m., and Saturday (11/27) at 7:30 p.m. at Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive.

A Moment of Reflection

'Kristallnacht- Night of Broken Glass' Remembrance The Illinois Holocaust Museum is commemorates the “Night of Broken Glass” on at 6:30 p.m. November 9. On Nov. 9, 1938, Nazis in Germany torched synagogues and vandalized Jewish homes, schools and businesses. The anti-Semitic violence gained its name from the broken windows that littered streets afterward. This remembrance will be led by Ralph Rehbock, a Kristallnacht survivor and museum vice president, which will include a candlelighting with survivors and descendants of survivors, a prayer service and guest speakers, such as Yinam Cohen- the Consul General of Israel to the Midwest.

The Night of Broken Glass will be held in person at the Illinois Holocaust Museum, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, and online. For more information and to reserve your spot, please visit ilholocaustmuseum.org.

-Compiled by Paige Bialik

www.streetwise.org

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Vendor Donald Morris chats about the Chicago Sky championship with Executive Assistant Patrick Edwards.

Candace Parker (Ned Dishman/NBAE photo)

Kahleah Cooper (Chicago Sky photo)

Donald: I was dang near there for the actual confetti blast.

Patrick: You mean to witness live the championship game?

Yep. You tried to tell me, but you know what? I’m okay with being at game 3 instead of the deciding game 4, so thank you for the ticket.

Plus, we could’ve swept and it would’ve been horrible to have not seen either game!

SPORTSWISE

Man, look, you deserve it.

You’ve been doing SportsWise for too many years not to get to see your favorite ballplayer—Candace Parker—compete for an actual championship.

And I was very up close and personal, too. Shoot, I was only four rows back. Four!

And, like I said in a previous issue, I could hear and see everything: the strategizing, the cussing, all of it!

P: Well, good. All right, so speak on the Chicago Sky and this magical moment.

I felt they would do well regardless of them barely making the playoffs. I felt a championship was still possible.

When the Sky won that first

game 91-77 against the Mercury in Phoenix, I felt it was only a matter of time. Despite the following game when the Sky lost in overtime 9186, I still felt good. I mean, this Mercury team is made up of some major ballers.

Diana Taurasi. We all know her name. She was drafted No. 1 overall in 2004; also, Skylar Diggins-Smith put it down. She showed a little less than she’s capable of, but she did well. Averaged about 13 points and 7 rebounds a game.

Wow. That is something. So, what about Phoenix’s power in the middle?

Oh, don’t worry, Brittney Griner was definitely gonna get some airtime here. Standing at 6’9” with a weight of 205 pounds, she’s real. She hit us with the dominance throughout the entire series.

In the first game alone, she had 28 points on 12-19 shoot-

ing, 7 rebounds and 2 assists; for the series, she averaged 23 points per game.

And we won?

Yep, we, the Sky, won. And you know why? A talent combination that could not be stopped this year, and will be hard to stop next year. Big ups to Kahleah Copper. I mean, man, she’s the real deal.

Big ups, also, to Candace Parker—Candy to those in her circle—but I have to tell you, Kahleah’s going to be a heavy hitter for a very long time. She appears to be soaking up the knowledge that the experienced Ms. Parker has to give.

Yeah, I like Kahleah. She’s an in-the-cut baller. And, might I add, Finals MVP. When asked how she went from a little girl with a dream to winning the award, she replied: “…my teammates and my coaches believed in me,

and I just stayed down until it was my turn.”

Shoot, we got to see what’s really going on in the Chi! Yeah, and she averaged 18.6 points on 53.5% shooting, with nearly 8 rebounds and 2 assists per game. That’s phenomenal.

So, on a separate note, I’ve heard that Candace would retire once this season was over… especially if they won a championship. Had you heard that?

And, if so, how would you feel about it?

I hadn’t heard that. However, if that were to go down, I’d be heartbroken. But I’d be solid in knowing we have some major pieces in play for the future. Back-to-back championships is not an impossibility.

Good deal.

Any comments or suggestions?

Email pedwards@streetwise.org

SEVEN ON STATE

by Lisa Getches

New vendor Lisa Getches loves to shop at Macy’s on State Street, but she always found the food options lacking. “The basement food options are overpriced, and I knew there was the Walnut Room on the 7th floor, but that’s really expensive, too,” Lisa said.

Then she saw a spot on TV about Seven on State, the food court on Macy’s 7th floor on the opposite end of the store from the Walnut Room. Seven on State offers three affordable restaurant options: State of Taco, which whips up Mexican fare; burgers, hot dogs and more at Chicago Grill; and Walnut Room Favorites, which offers inexpensive renditions of dishes from the pricey Walnut Room.

Lisa Getches

On a recent rainy Tuesday, Lisa stopped by Macy’s and headed up to Seven on State. She loved the atmosphere at Macy’s, which has recently put up Christmas decorations. “It made me feel like I was home for the holidays,” she said.

Lisa opted for the Chicago Grill hamburger, a 1/3-pound burger grilled to order and topped with lettuce, tomato and pickles. The burger is $5.95, and if you’d like to add cheese, it’s an extra dollar.

SEVEN ON STATE “I just couldn’t believe that you could eat at Macy’s on State Street for under $7!” Lisa exLocation: claimed.

Inisde Macy's 111 N. State St., floor 7 And the burger was certainly worth the reasonable price, Lisa said.

Price Range: Around $10 / per person “It tasted fresh, like someone just handed it to me off the barbeque in their backyard,” she Hours: said. “It felt like it had a personal touch, and Monday - Friday tasted like something I would cook. The burg11 a.m. - 2 p.m. er had a homey feeling.”

Lisa also added a side of fries and a Coke for an extra $2.95, which with tax brought her total to $11.06.

She noted the fries were crispy and the Coke had a generous ratio of pop to ice.

Next time she visits, Lisa plans to try out the signature beef, spinach and pine nut meatloaf sandwich at Chicago Grill, which features cheddar, romaine lettuce, tomato and roasted garlic onion jam on whole grain oat bread for $9.95. She also had her eye on Mrs. Hering’s chicken pot pie from Walnut Room Favorites, a slightly more expensive option at $11.95, and the steak tacos at State of Taco, which cost $4 each.

“You can eat at Macy’s for a reasonable price,” Lisa said. “Just go on up to the 7th floor.”

From top: Lisa's burger; the entry sign to Seven on State; seating at Seven on State.

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'THE STATE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN AMERICA' STUDY REVEALS SURPRISING STATS: WHAT ILLINOIS IS IMPLEMENTING

by Suzanne Hanney charts taken from "2022 State of Mental Health in America"

Mental illness goes untreated in over half of U.S. adults – 27 million – and the number of people seriously thinking of suicide rose by 664,000 people over last year. These were just two findings of the 2022 report, “The State of Mental Health in America.”

Released October 24 by the nonprofit Mental Health America (MHA), the annual study uses data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Education (DoE).

Other key findings include: • 19.86% of adults experienced a mental illness, equivalent to nearly 50 million Americans in 2019, just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 4.58% of U.S. adults had serious thoughts of suicide, an increase of 664,000 over last year. The national rate of suicidal ideation among adults has risen every year since 2011-12.

• 10.6% of U.S. youth (over 2.5 million) have severe depression.

The rate was highest among youth who identified as more than one race (14.5% or 1 in 7).

• 11% of Americans with mental illness are uninsured.

• 7.74% of U.S. adults and 4.08% of U.S. youth had a substance use disorder in the past year.

MHA says the statistics support its spotlight on two priorities for 202122: 1) implementation of 988 as the national three-digit suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline, and 2) increased mental health education and supports in schools, especially for youth of color.

The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act was passed by Congress in September 2020, signed by President Biden on Oct. 17, 2020, and slated to take effect in one year. There are 129 suicides each day in the United States, the legislation noted, and prevention meant the cumbersome, 10-digit phone number had to go.

OVERALL RANKINGS

An overall ranking 1-13 indicates lower prevalence of mental illness and higher rates of access to care. An overall ranking 39-51 indicates higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care.

The combined scores of all 15 measures make up the overall ranking. The overall ranking includes both adult and youth measures as well as prevalence and access to care measures.

The chart is a visual representation of the sum of the scores for each state. It provides an opportunity to see the difference between ranked states. For example, Massachusetts (ranked one) has a score that is higher than Illinois (ranked 12). Virginia (ranked 20) has a score that is closest to the average.

ADULT RANKINGS

States that are ranked 1-13 have a lower prevalence of mental illness and higher rates of access to care for adults. States that are ranked 39-51 indicate that adults have a higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care.

The Illinois Department of Human Services/ Division of Mental Health (IDHS/DMH) began working with six Lifeline call centers in the state for rollout this past July.

Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA). NAMI Chicago provided this information.

When fully operational, the 988 crisis call hubs will operate like air traffic controllers, providing a variety of support across the nation, according to “The Promise of 988” video by crisisnow.com on the IDHS/DMH website. Instead of law enforcement, the 988 call hubs will dispatch mobile crisis outreach teams available 24/7. The mobile crisis teams will take people to short-term crisis receiving centers for assessment, rather than hospital emergency rooms.

“The pandemic has intensified this crisis: across the country, we have witnessed dramatic increases in Emergency Department visits for all mental health emergencies, including suspected suicide attempts,” the AAP, AACAP and CHA noted in a joint National State of Emergency in Children’s Mental Health.

The expectation is fewer arrests – and shootings – according to the video. Callers will go from “point of crisis to the level of care that is right for them….Mental health will move out of the shadows into the mainstream.”

The American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) provides an 85 percent federal match under Medicaid for three years to cover mobile crisis intervention services, according to a report by the Brookings Institution.

The Illinois General Assembly passed its own 988 supplement, effective July 1. Schools that issue identification cards for youth in grades 6 to 12 must also include the 988 number, the Crisis Text Line, the Safe2Help Illinois line or a local suicide prevention hotline on the ID. If the school custom-prints a handbook or planner, the hotline numbers must be included.

Rates of childhood mental health concerns and suicide rose steadily between 2010 and 2020, to the point where suicide was the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American

“They pandemic has struck at the safety and stability of families,” according to the three organizations. “More than 140,000 children in the United States lost a primary and/or secondary caregiver, with youth of color disproportionately impacted. We are caring for young people with soaring rates of depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness and suicidality that will have lasting impacts on them, their families, and their communities.”

Policies recommended by AAP, AACAP and CHA to end the National State of Emergency included federal funding for mental health screening, diagnosis and treatment for infants through adolescents; improved technology to bring telemedicine to more populations; and more school-based mental health care.

Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, meanwhile, issued a report last April that said 70,000 toddlers and children were showing symptoms of possible detrimental mental or behavioral health, such as tantrums, nightmares or clinginess. Survey data was collected between November 2020 and February 2021 from 1,505 Chicago parents in all 77 community areas, weighted to be representative of households with children across the city. www.streetwise.org

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YOUTH RANKINGS

States that are ranked 1-13 have a lower prevalence of mental illness and higher rates of access to care for adults. States that are ranked 39-51 indicate that youth have a higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care.

What we know so far, however, about the effects of the pandemic on children’s mental health, is that the worst impacts were concentrated in uniquely vulnerable populations: low-income kids, BIPOC kids, LGBTQ+ kids, kids with unstable home lives or with mental health disorders like anxiety, depression or ADHD, according to the Child Mind Institute’s 2021 Children’s Mental Health report, provided by NAMI Chicago.

The Child Mind Institute pointed to a growing body of research that showed that the stress experienced early in the pandemic has evened out over time. Still, kids who had a preexisting mental health disorder (including but not limited to depression, anxiety, or ADHD), or who had experienced previous trauma, food insecurity, economic vulnerability or disproportionate disruption to their schedules, were at greater risk for psychological distress.

Building resilience in these kids would come from giving families resources to help their kids; providing teacher training, and offering direct clinical care, said Harold S. Koplewicz, MD, president and founder of the Child Mind Institute, in his foreword to the report.

NAMI Chicago noted various efforts in Illinois to increase mental health services for children. The caveat is that the plans will take time to roll out amid workforce shortages.

The Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership hosted a webinar June 29 to create a new plan in 2022 for prevention, early intervention and services up to age 18. The Partnership was created by the Illinois General

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Assembly in 2003 to build an interdisciplinary system across Illinois government that looks not only at mental health treatment, but at education, child welfare and the juvenile justice system. Next year’s report will be the first since its 2005 report was updated in 2012.

Next March, Illinois will also launch the “Pathways to Success Program,” which will provide high-intensity mental health services to children up to age 21 who have complex needs and who are on Medicaid. The program is part of a consent decree in a federal lawsuit filed in Chicago in 2011 and approved in 2018. In Cook County, the program won't launch until at least May 2022.

The Chicago City Council also agreed October 27 to expand mental health services to children and youth at all five city clinics.

The Mental Health America study corellates mental illness prevalence among adults and youth with access to care.

Illinois had the 16th lowest numbers for mental illness prevalence. When access to care was measured, it was 12th best overall. Last year, Illinois was 22nd overall.

Illinois had the best change in Youth Ranking – from 36th to 12th – since last year. In Illinois, the percentage of youth with severe Major Depressive Episodes (MDE) who received some consistent treatment increased from 25% to 38.3%. The percentage of Illinois youth with MDE who did not receive mental health services decreased from 62.1% to 55.2%.

www.streetwise.org

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STREETWISE VENDOR A. ALLEN SHARES HIS STORY OF FACING MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE CARE HE RECEIVED

by A. Allen

The day I felt as though I could have almost lost my mind was an average day dealing with everyday problems, including my drug and alcohol addictions; only this day, I decided enough was enough concerning heroin.

I was tired of chasing a fix for heroin, day in, day out. I said to myself, “Maybe I’ll be better off doing like most of my friends: getting on the methadone program.”

The program was right around the corner from the shelter where I was staying on the Far South Side. I had to see one of its doctors before I could get on the methadone program.

I was excited and eager to let the doctor know I was sick of being sick and tired, as civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer said.

The shelter had encouraged us to sign up for ID cards and to become organ donors. I told the doctor I suspected they just wanted our body parts.

He was writing the whole time, and when the interview was over, he asked me to step out into the hallway and have a seat.

After sitting in the hallway for 30 to 45 minutes, he called me back into his office and very seriously suggested that I stand outside his office with this brown 8 ½ by 11 envelope, which to me was kinda thick and heavy. He advised me to stay until the ambulance came and then he asked me, did I understand his instructions.

I told him yes, and then he suggested once again not to leave until the ambulance got there. I said OK. After a while, I started to hear the ambulance siren getting closer and closer.

I started thinking, “Why am I waiting for an ambulance?”

I could hear it was very close, maybe even the next block.

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I decided very quickly to move from the office. I took off the red jacket I had been wearing and blended in with the other patients.

Sure enough, the doctor came out looking for me, then he and the ambulance crew finally gave up.

I thought to myself, “What is really going on?”

And then I said to myself, “The only way to find out is to open the envelope.”

When I got to a well-lit, secluded area about two blocks away, I sat down and began to read the letters in the envelope. The doctor had written, “I am a licensed psychologist, and I am recommending you take this man, A. Allen, into custody for psychological evaluation – even if it is against his will.”

When I read this, I was blown away. There was a lot more written, but the part I remember is, “even if it is against his will.”

Maybe 18 months later, I experienced what it is like to be willing to go, because once again during my drug and alcohol career, I found myself at the turning point of being sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I was coming up on my third year of being homeless. It was October and I began to think, “You need to make some moves before it gets cold because when it gets cold, everything gets harder.” My plan was to check myself into Jackson Park Hospital’s mental health ward for drug and alcohol detox. According to plan, I got as high as I could all weekend long and then checked into rehabilitation late Sunday night.

They kept me on observation until about 3 p.m. Monday, then informed me they had no available beds and recommended I go to Michael Reese Hospital. Mind you, I had it all planned, and Michael Reese was not part of my plan.

Nevertheless, the show of recovery must go on. I took a CTA bus to Michael Reese.

Madden Mental Health Center (David Wilson photo).

They tried to get me into detox, but no beds were available.

It was about 6 p.m. when they recommended that I go to the Haymarket Inpatient program. So back on the CTA to Haymarket I went, hoping and praying that they would accept me into their detox recovery program. By now it was getting dark and I was hungry, tired, and all the drugs were wearing off, including the heroin. I was beginning to panic, especially when Haymarket asked me if I did heroin and I said, yes, thinking they would give me something for the withdrawal.

They immediately said I should go to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County for the withdrawal medication.

Off to the county I went, thanks to Haymarket for the van ride. The county wait is always long. It was about 8:30 p.m. now and I was really tired, hungry, as well as nauseous and weak from the heroin withdrawal.

Nevertheless, the recovery must go on. I waited and waited and waited. I thought I was coming to the end of my rope.

The withdrawals were so bad I felt I was dying in the hospital. It was getting to be about midnight, and I went to the receptionist and told her I could not take it anymore. Immediately, she calmly asked me if I felt like hurting myself.

I said no.

She said, "Do you feel like hurting someone else?"

I stopped to think, now there’s an idea. Not the brightest one, but still, if I hurt someone, I could go to jail and get three hots and a cot: three meals and a bed. At this point, it sounded like a good idea to hurt someone and go to jail.

So I said yes to maybe hurting someone else.

She put a red band on my arm and told me to have a seat alongside her desk.

I sat there until the ambulance came.

They asked me to hold out my arms and they saw the red band. Then they approached me and said to come with them.

“To the hospital.”

I responded, “You must think I’m crazy, because I am at the hospital.”

In my previous encounter at the methadone clinic, where they wanted to take me forcefully, against my will, to a mental institution, I knew it would not have been a pretty picture. I know I would have been fighting for my life. The only option for them would be to kill me or drug me, because I wasn’t going against my will. Period.

But because these paramedics took the time to explain and assured me that as long as I cooperated, there would be no forced medication, and that once I was evaluated and medication was adjusted, I should be out in 21 days, I willingly agreed and cooperated. Being at the end of my rope, three hots and a cot (indoors) sounded great. I could hopefully get some help for my alcohol and drug addiction.

I was taken to Madden Mental Health Center, a psychiatric hospital run by the Illinois Department of Human Services in Maywood, IL. It was Oct. 9, 2009. I never forget that day, because it is the day I claim as my sobriety day. This is also the day I really got an inside look at mental health institutions. It was the end of one life and the beginning of another.

What I thought would be the worst day of my life turned out to be the best day of my life.

If anyone is going through this kind of struggle and would like to talk about it, I can be found selling StreetWise Magazine outside Mariano’s on Sheridan and Foster, Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Or, if you would like to become a vendor, orientation is 10 a.m. Thursday at 2009 S. State St. Hope to see you there. Thank you for reading StreetWise.

“Where are we going?” I asked. www.streetwise.org

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$16.7 b budget passed by city council: 'most progressive ever'

by Suzanne Hanney

The $16.7 billion budget passed by a 3515 Chicago City Council vote October 27 is the “most progressive ever in the City of Chicago,” says Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “Our future lies with all 77 neighborhoods. We will leave no one behind.”

The loss of 6,000 Chicagoans to COVID-19 and the racial reckoning and social unrest after the death of George Floyd highlighted the conviction that “now, more than ever, we must do more for our marginalized, especially in our Black and Brown communities,” said Progressive Caucus Chair, Ald. Sophia King (4th ward).

The budget that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2022 will include: • $202 million to reduce homelessness • 52 million for mental health initiatives, including a $15 million pilot for alternatives to police response in mental health emergencies • $150 million for youth programs

FROM THE STREETS

• $85 million for violence prevention

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The $202 million line item for homelessness and the $150 million for youth programs were in Lightfoot’s original September 20 budget proposal. She moved up talks by a month in order to discuss using up to half the $1.9 billion the City received in federal COVID relief to pay down debt. Ultimately, she used roughly 2 out of 3 federal dollars to replace revenue lost in the pandemic, but managed to save $537.4 million for 2022 and 23, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Progressive Caucus had sought $50 million for guaranteed basic income, and the final budget set aside $30 million for a one-year pilot, “which will give 5,000 of our neighbors $500 a month to make ends meet,” Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22nd ward) said.

The $85 million for violence prevention is a historic increase, said Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th ward), but public safety cannot be achieved unless everyone has a place to stay. “The increased investments in permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, diversion housing and the additional commitment to capital for preserving Single Room Occupancy [hotels] couldn’t come soon enough,” said Ald. Maria Hadden (49th ward).

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th ward), however, protested that $5 million for SRO preservation was far short of the $70 million originally sought; he voted no on the budget.

“SROs keep a lot of people from being homeless; a lot of people can’t afford higher rent,” said Lamont Burnett, a resident of the Wilson Hotel in Uptown before and after its refurbishment. He pays $300 monthly rent for a furnished apartment. A ONE Northside board member, Burnett was part of an October 18 action at the ward office of Budget Committee member Ald. James Cappleman (46th ward).

Advocates wanted Cappleman to support the $70 million for maintenance and long-term affordability of two SROs in his ward, another farther north in the 48th ward and others around the city, Burnett said.

Mike Slachetka, a member of the ONE Northside mental health justice team, said during the same October 18 action that he wanted to see more money to reopen the mental health clinics, provide evening and weekend hours, or even 24-hour service. Slachetka’s parents died years ago. He doesn’t have stable employment, and he has relied on Medicare and Medicaid for almost 19 years.

He uses the mental health clinics for therapy, money management and people to watch out for him. “Because I don’t have a family anymore, this support is crucial for me. More and more people are living with mental illness and feeling isolated and alone.”

The budget will add $6.3 million to hire 29 new full-time staffers at Chicago’s remaining mental health clinics to increase hours and provide services to youth, said Ald. Susan Sadlowski-Garza (10th ward).

The biggest investment in the public clinics in the last decade, the new positions are permanent, “the result of an intensified fight over the last two years by grassroots movements and labor to get the mental health services our communities deserve,” said Ald. Rossana RodriguezSanchez (33rd ward).

Members of ONE Northside demonstrate October 18 near the home of Ald. James Cappleman (46th ward) in favor of using all $1.9 billion of Chicago's federal COVID relief funds in the City budget to alleviate poverty (Suzanne Hanney photo).

Streetwise 10/24/16 Crossword

Sudoku

To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

©2016 PuzzleJunction.com

63 Perceived 64 Secluded valleys 65 Toy that does tricks

11 12 13 21 22

Actress Téa 38 Abdicator of Concealed 1917 Paroxysm 41 Skiers’ aid Distort 42 Blueprint “The Merry 44 Inevitably Drinker” 45 Newspapers Down painter 46 Indian coin 24 Like some 1 Barber’s 47 Best of the cheddar supply best 2 Lunchbox 25 Very small 48 Pie choice 26 Bikini parts treat 49 Hammerin’ 27 Poland’s 3 Repast Hank 4 Exposed Walesa 51 Not too bright 28 ___ mundi 5 California 52 Put in stitches white oaks 29 Antler wearer 53 King of the 6 Impressive 30 1992 also-ran road 32 Wash oneself display 54 Do as directed 7 Squander 33 Type of order 55 Game you 8 Bleacher 34 “What a pity!” can’t play leftbum’s shout 35 Missing a handed 9 Calligrapher’s deadline 57 Children’s Copyright 36 ©2016 PuzzleJunction.com purchase Shoelace game 10 Garden pest problem 58 Feverish

Copyright ©2016 PuzzleJunction.com

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last week's Puzzle Answers Sudoku Solution Solution

Sudoku Solution

PuzzleJu

Crossword

Across 1 Hindu wrap 5 “The ___ have it” 9 Latitude 13 Philosopher William of ___ 14 Church section 15 Justice’s garb 16 Bluebottle 18 Nile wader 19 Low card 20 Deeply affected or influenced 22 Husky 25 Get checkmated 26 Feasible 28 It may be raised at a party 30 Put away, in a ©2016 PuzzleJunction.com way 31 Polly, to Tom 56 Pen name 9 Clink Sawyer 10 Sites for studs 59 Distress signal 32 Get in a pool 11 Put up with 60 Assortment 35 Kind of chop 61 Some execs 12 “Absolutely!”

36 Mike holder 62 River of Hades 13 Halloween mo.

38 Greek cheese 17 Safety harness 63 Vice president 39 Mandela’s org. under Jefferson 21 Buttonhole 40 Blackthorn 23 Deep black 64 Locomotive fruit 24 Shade tree followers 41 After root or 26 Constellation wine between Down 43 Cobblestone 1 Garbage barge Carina and 44 Least sweet Pyxis 2 Like tumblers 45 Fencing sword 27 ___ a good 3 Amscrayed 47 Main artery thing 4 UN agency 48 Commence, 5 Personal state 28 Stage signal quickly 29 Short story of isolation 52 Long-snouted 31 One in a suit 6 Complain fish 7 ___ and anon 32 Assail 55 Termite, e.g.

8 Like the Sahara 33 Greek letters

34 Fruity pastry 37 Bon ___ (witticism) 38 Dart 40 Percolate 42 Drop the ball 43 Czech plastic explosive 45 Remote button 46 Aggressive 47 Passion 49 Kind of appeal 50 Balsam tree 51 Mideast chief: Var. 53 Woodstock gear 54 Legal matter 55 Dance bit 57 Tubing inits.

58 Rustic locale

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