Waiting a month to learn about my son Malcolm Jermaine McFadden's death was not just heartbreaking but unacceptable. After filing a missing person's report, I was completely in the dark, assuming my child was out there somewhere. The Chicago authorities – be it the CTA, the police department, or the Cook County Medical Examiner – failed to notify me promptly in person about my son's passing. A voicemail, left with my other son, does not suffice for such grave news. Families deserve the dignity of a personal notification regarding the loss of their loved ones, not an impersonal message left to chance, potentially buried amongst dozens of other notifications. My son was found electrocuted on the CTA Green Line at Lake/Cicero. His body lay in the Cook County morgue from July 20th, 2024, until August 15th, 2024, before any meaningful contact was made with our family. The agony of not knowing for weeks is a pain I wouldn’t wish on any other parent. This experience has spurred me to seek change. Families in Chicago should never have to endure such prolonged uncertainty. The current system is inadequate and must be reformed to ensure families are personally and promptly informed of their loved one's demise. Police departments and medical examiners need to adopt and enforce policies prioritizing direct family engagement, rather than leaving such earth-shattering news to a voicemail or any other indirect means. Training must be provided to the staff responsible for notifications, emphasizing the need for empathy, respect, and proper communication. Every day, families suffer losses, and while the pain cannot be eliminated, the process of being notified can and must be reformed. Families deserve to receive such devastating news with the immediate support they need, starting with a compassionate and respectful notification. This is about honoring those we've lost and treating surviving family members with the decency and humanity they deserve. Sign this petition to urge local authorities in Chicago, including the CTA, the Police Department, and the Medical Examiner's Office, to implement policies ensuring families are properly and personally notified of their loved one's passing. Together, we can build a more compassionate system for those enduring the worst moments of their lives. Your support can help bring about this crucial change.