Record #: R2022-1119   
Type: Resolution Status: Failed to Pass
Intro date: 10/26/2022 Current Controlling Legislative Body: Joint Committee: Health and Human Relations; Public Safety
Final action: 5/24/2023
Title: Call for hearing(s) on access to alternative and innovative treatments for Chicago employees dealing with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Sponsors: Napolitano, Anthony V., Lopez, Raymond A., Sposato, Nicholas, Martin, Matthew J. , Scott, Monique L. , Osterman, Harry, Burke, Edward M., Coleman, Stephanie D. , Dowell, Pat, Maldonado, Roberto, Rodriguez Sanchez, Rossana , Sigcho-Lopez, Byron, Quinn, Marty, Hadden, Maria E. , Rodriguez, Michael D., Lee, Nicole T. , Vasquez, Jr., Andre, Harris, Michelle A., Cappleman, James, O'Shea, Matthew J., Tunney, Thomas, Cardona, Jr., Felix , Reboyras, Ariel, Taliaferro, Chris, Austin, Carrie M., Waguespack, Scott, Reilly, Brendan, Burnett, Jr., Walter, Mitts, Emma, King, Sophia D., Beale, Anthony, Sawyer, Roderick T., Nugent, Samantha , Knudsen, Timothy R., Taylor, Jeanette B. , Sadlowski Garza, Susan, Silverstein, Debra L., Ervin, Jason C., Tabares, Silvana, Hopkins, Brian
Topic: COMMITTEE/PUBLIC HEARINGS - Joint Committee - Health & Human Relations and Public Safety
Attachments: 1. R2022-1119.pdf

Committee(s) Assignment:

treatments for Chicago employees dealing with symptoms of

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Joint Committee: Health and Human Relations; Public

Safety

 

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, there is currently a mental health crisis among the City of Chicago's first responders, as well as in its labor workforce; and

WHEREAS, The City of Chicago has had twenty (20) deaths by suicide in the past four years by Chicago Police Officers. According to 2021 data, law enforcement personnel are 54% more likely to die by suicide than all other segments of the population; and

WHEREAS, according to a 2017 Justice Department research study, Chicago Police Department Officers were 60% more likely to die by suicide than the general population; and

WHEREAS, the Chicago Police Department has lost four (4) active duty police officers to suicide in just the past three (3) months as well as one (1) recent retiree; and

WHEREAS, former wellness advisor to the Chicago Police Department, Alexa James, has been quoted as saying the Chicago Police Department is in drastic need of a "comprehensive strategy" for assisting overworked officers, and that the officers "need a break" to reduce "hugely impactful" stress from the "inhumane" canceling of days off. Actions which affect decision-making and compounds disorders, stress, depression and anxiety; and

WHEREAS, mental health experts, like Ms. James, state clearly that the "City of Chicago must reimagine its strategy in regards to detecting, intervening, and saving officers who are on the brink of a mental health crisis"; and

WHEREAS, there are now more effective and innovative options for treatment to help our Chicago Police Officers, as well as every other employee of the City of Chicago affected by symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress including but not limited to: stress, depression, anxiety, hyper-vigilance, and self-destructive behaviors.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF CHICAGO, that we the members of the City Council of the City of Chicago hereby call upon the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations and the Committee on Health and Human Relations and the Committee of Public Safety to convene a joint public hearing to discuss access to alternate and innovative treatments, including but not limited to Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) and Ketamine treatments, for Chicago employees dealing with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF CHICAGO, such hearing shall include testimony from Chicago Police Officers and military veterans who suffered symptoms such as Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Hyper-Vigilance, and Self-Destructive Behaviors as a result of Traumatic Stress from performing their respective work duties. These testimonies will be followed by the testimony of treatment for conditions such as Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and PTSD through the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB), ketamine treatments and other innovative treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms. The Stellate Ganglion Block otherwise known as the "GOD SHOT" by it recipients, is based on two injections of a local anesthetic known as the "Dual Sympathetic Reset" that can bring the fight-or-flight response back to its pre-trauma state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF CHICAGO, such hearing shall also include testimony regarding Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) treatments from one of the world's leading experts in Stellate Ganglion Block research, Dr. Lipov, regarding his work developing the SGB treatment for PTSD symptoms; and

 

4

 

SO

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF CHICAGO, that testimony will be provided by Mark Doyle, Founder of Rags of Honor, who has been dedicated to the investment in saving the lives and futures of police officers and veterans by assisting, through his foundation, with the financial burden of receiving these innovative treatments for symptoms of PTSD; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF CHICAGO, that these innovative treatments are not being discussed as a simple "cure" for the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress but rather an opportunity to provide a supplement to the personalized treatments the employee is seeking to overcome the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress, and a comprehensive plan to ensure well-rounded treatment will be brought into discussions

2, and/or added to the City of Chicago's FLEXpay treatments, and/or a City of

Nicholas Sposato 38th Ward Alderman

£ j£p   Derrick G. Curtis

18th Ward Alderman

Silvana Tabares 23rd Ward Alderman

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF CHICAGO, that these innovative treatments and payment options for all City of Chicago employees will be brought into discussions, to be covered under all City of Chicago insurance, Chicago grant funding.