A note that this next story contains descriptions of self-harm.

The Joliet Treatment Center – about an hour outside of Chicago – is a specialized Illinois prison meant to provide intensive mental healthcare.

But some incarcerated people and civil rights lawyers say the treatment there is abysmal – and men are frequently left isolated in their cells for long stretches… their mental health deteriorating.

Desperate for help, some have chosen to do something extreme to bring attention to their troubles.

They set their locked cells – or their own bodies – on fire.

In the last 3 years there have been more than 70 fires at Joliet Treatment Center, including at least a dozen cases of self-immolation.

HOST: LANE

Annie Clark, the superstar guitarist who performs under the name St. Vincent, will play with the Chicago Symphony this weekend at Ravinia.

It’s a stop on her nationwide tour, appearing with local orchestras.

AND, it’s part of a larger trend that puts Clark in the company of many of her pop peers.

HOST: LABUZ

America is celebrating its 250th anniversary this month (July).

At a recent reading of the Declaration of Independence at Chicago’s Newberry Library, some Chicagoans shared their thoughts on the milestone.

HOST: LABUZ

Brothers and restaurateurs Teddy and Alexis Vejar spent their childhood surrounded by great cooks both in Mexico and the US.

Now, they run the restaurant Jarabe on the city’s Near West Side, where they serve cochinita pibil.

The dish reminds them of when their dad would cook it for them when they were kids.

HOST: LABUZ

School districts across the country are seeing a spike in students with autism.

As it has in other places, the increase in students with special needs is putting a tremendous strain on Chicago Public Schools’ budget.

It’s a key reason why, despite declining enrollment, CPS has added staff.

HOST: LABUZ

It’s been more than three months since West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park suddenly closed.

Now patients nearby on Chicago’s West Side are traveling farther for care and ending up in crowded emergency departments at other hospitals.

These are the unintended consequences when a community hospital shuts down.

Doctors worry more hospitals like West Suburban could close … those that treat people who can expect to die younger compared to Chicagoans in other parts of the city.

HOST: LABUZ

Indie rocker Lucy Dacus performs this weekend in Millennium Park.

She is backed by the Chicago Philharmonic.

It’s a full circle moment of sorts.

HOST: LABUZ

Layoff notices went out to more than 15-hundred Chicago Public School staffers yesterday [wed]. This includes nearly 800 teachers.

And the cash-strapped district plans to furlough staff for five days when students aren’t in class to save money.

This is part of the budget plan for the school year that starts next month.

The deficit is 732 million dollars.

HOST: LABUZ