August Press Coverage

It’s been a busy few weeks for our group. We’ve been out advocating on a few different issues and have received a fair amount of press coverage for our efforts on the budget and recess.

On TIF and the Budget:
CPS is raising property taxes at a time when we have over $850 million in unallocated tif funds. That’s property tax money that has been diverted over the years from CPS and other taxing bodies.  We question why some of this isn’t going back to the schools.

Chicago Tribune, Aug. 10, 2011
CPS holds its first budget hearing this week
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/education/ct-met-cps-budget-hearing-20110810,0,880798.story

Catalyst Chicago, Aug. 10, 2011
Speakers at first budget hearing make TIF funds a key issue
http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/notebook/index.php/entry/1223

The New York Times Chicago News Cooperative, Aug. 11, 2011
Questions about CPS reserve fund
http://www.chicagonewscoop.org/reserve-fund-provides-answer-for-cps-and-questions-for-others

Chicago Tribune, Aug. 12, 2011
City school tax hike greeted with frustration
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/education/ct-met-cps-budget-reaction-20110812,0,6558311.story

Chicago Tribune, Aug. 19, 2011
New CPS leaders face red ink, vow 'courageous decisions'
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/education/ct-met-cps-budget-0819-20110819,0,942679.story

On Recess:
Schools are reporting hearing mixed messages on recess for 2012/2013.  You should have received our action alert to hold CPS accountable for promises made by emailing jcbrizard@cps.edu or calling 773-553-1500 to express your support for recess for all. Please continue to call.

WBEZ, Aug. 10, 2011
Activists “thrilled” with mandatory recess
http://www.wbez.org/story/activists-thrilled-mandatory-recess-90393

Chicago Tribune, Aug. 17, 2011
Recess for all elementary schools already promised, CPS says
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/education/chicagoschools/ct-met-cps-recess-20110816,0,965842.story

Thanks for all your support. We need your help in alerting other CPS parents,  guardians and friends to join us so we can all continue to work together to impact a positive education for the children of Chicago. Share our signup link (“Join Us”) and read our latest blog entries at ilraiseyourhand.org.