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Public Safety
Quick Hit
by Aricka Flowers
2:32pm
Thu Jun 13

Illinois Environmental Activists Continue Fight Against Fracking

The fight against fracking in Illinois continues.

This time, activists from MoveOn.org, Food & Water Watch, the Progressive Democrats of America, Americans Against Fracking and other groups took to Wrigleyville and demanded that lawmakers not "play ball with the oil and gas industry."

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Quick Hit
by Ellyn Fortino
12:34pm
Fri May 24

West Siders Say Emanuel Has To Go, Vow To Push Back Against Lawmakers (VIDEO)

West Side parents and activists have pledged to vote out Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his “rubber stamp” aldermen who have not stood with the community against school closings.

“Aldermen, you have committed political murder upon yourselves,” said West Side activist Windy Pearson outside Edward C. Delano Elementary School Friday morning. “We have decided that it is time for all of you that have not stood strongly and firmly with us to go.”

The Chicago Board of Education unanimously approved the Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) plan to close 49 elementary schools and one high school at its monthly meeting Wednesday.

“The city of Chicago, CPS, Rahm Emanuel, non-elected school board, Mr. Vitale, this message is for you,” Pearson said. “We are the community. We are the stakeholders. We are the parents, the activists, the teachers, the voters, and we are registering individuals to become deputy registrars.” Read more »

PI Original
by Ellyn Fortino
7:24pm
Wed May 22
2 comments

Education Activists Decry CPS Closings At Tense Board Of Ed Meeting (VIDEO)

Education

The Chicago Board of Education has voted to close 49 elementary schools and one high school in order to address the Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) reported underutilization crisis. Progress Illinois was there for the tense and emotional meeting.

Quick Hit
by Ashlee Rezin
1:41pm
Thu May 16

Protesters Say Woodlawn School Actions Endanger Students, Hold "Die In" To Show Area Violence

In the Woodlawn neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, Cottage Grove Ave. serves as the dividing line between two violent gang territories, according to area residents.

And concerned community members say a Chicago Public Schools’ proposal to close John Fiske Elementary and send its students to Austin Sexton Elementary means students will be forced to to travel across the invisible barrier.

Cottage Grove, according to the proposal’s opponents, is a boundary not to be taken lightly.

“That’s a line you just don’t cross,” said Randy Pouncy, 22, a Sexton Elementary alumnus who said he’s been shot at too many times to count. “It’s so dangerous.”

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