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PI Original
by Ashlee Rezin
6:22pm
Fri May 10

Women Speak Out On CPS School Closings & Immigration Reform As Mother's Day Weekend Begins (VIDEO)

Politics

Including the voice of women, and particularly mothers, in pending issues across the city, state, and country is increasingly important, according to several organizations which saw the start of Mother’s Day weekend as an opportunity to advocate for their causes.

PI Original
by Ellyn Fortino
5:27pm
Fri May 10

The Votes Are In: A Look At Participatory Budgeting In Chicago

Chicago City Council

More than 2,600 residents in four Chicago wards voted for community projects that will be funded by “menu money” last weekend as part of the participatory budgeting process. We take a closer look at the process and projects that were chosen.

Quick Hit
by Ashlee Rezin
5:57pm
Thu May 9

Education Arts Non-Profit Could Play A Role In Easing The Transition For Students Affected By CPS School Closures

The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has asked Changing Worlds, a non-profit arts and education organization with a presence in schools across the district, to consider offering programs that will support welcoming students in schools slated for closure.

“This has had a dramatic impact on many communities,” said Mark Rodriguez, executive director for Changing Worlds, regarding a CPS proposal to close a recordbreaking number of schools across the city.

With 11 of Changing Worlds’ 32 school partners included on CPS’ proposed list for school actions, Rodriguez said the program is in dialogue with district officials regarding ways Changing Worlds can soften the blow to affected students.

“We’re trying to support the young people and help provide solutions and programming that will help schools that are welcoming new students,” he said, adding that Changing Worlds has provided testimonials and letters of support for several of the schools slated for closure. Read more »

Quick Hit
by Ellyn Fortino
5:31pm
Thu May 9
1 comment

IL Senate Committee Passes Legislation For State-based Health Insurance Exchange

The Illinois Senate Insurance Committee passed a measure Wednesday that looks to establish a state-run health insurance marketplace for small businesses and individuals as part of President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act of 2010.

Some health care and consumer advocates are pushing for a state-based insurance exchange, but questions still remain on how to make the marketplace the best it can be.

"We're walking into a new territory. We haven’t been here yet," said Brigid Leahy, director of legislative affairs at Planned Parenthood of Illinois. "But at least we know that if we're running things at the state level, we can fix things, we can make them better, we have better control over making sure that it works for consumers. If it’s in the hands of the feds, we don’t have that power." 

Read more »