.grecaptcha-badge { visibility: hidden; }
Search
Close this search box.

WEATHER ALERT: Severe storms expected late this afternoon and evening

217 Today: As new mental health crisis line preps to go live, call centers deal with worker shortage

Wednesday, June 9, 2022

Today’s headlines:

  • Illinois State Senator Sara Feigenholtz said she’s optimistic about the future of the state’s child welfare system despite an investigation showing the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services routinely leaves kids wrongly incarcerated in the Cook County juvenile jail.
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker also defended DCFS after the WBEZ report but admits there are many challenges.
  • Prosecutors say Chicago native and R&B superstar R. Kelly deserves at least 25 years behind bars for sexually abusing women and girls.
  • Experts say more intense storms driven by climate change are boosting contamination risks for privately owned drinking water wells.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll hear how a new mental health crisis line is set to go live across the country this July. Although call centers are preparing for the spike in calls, there are not enough workers to take on the influx.  

217 Today is produced by Sydney Wood. Reporting today contributed by Patrick Smith, Alex Degman and Jim Meadows.

Sydney Wood

Sydney Wood

More Stories From Illinois Public Media