March 4
A brief and experimental meeting of the 1st Police District Council—Loop/River West/Near South Side was held during the day. Members heard from community engagement lead Jamie Brown, who spoke on residents’ concerns about not enough police. Citing the Congressional Budget Report, Brown reported optimistically about federal funding: law enforcement appears to be exempt from cutbacks. Brown reported that the Council’s outreach efforts have emphasized homeowner association meetings, visits to businesses, including restaurants, and discussions with stakeholders. A public speaker pointed out the dangers of summer crime and, for minor issues, asked whether alternatives to arrest were available. Such alternatives might include, the commenter said, community-based intervention and restorative justice. The 1st Police District released its strategic plan for 2025. It prioritized focusing on vice complaints, motor vehicle theft, and robberies.
March 8
At its meeting the Chicago Police District Council—Special Quarterly Meeting All Police District Councils provided a forum for members to call attention to issues they were facing: insufficient police interaction with the community, slow response times, understaffing, and turnover. A report on an analysis of 911 calls citywide showed that almost eight percent are about parking violations. Members of the 19th Police District Council who performed the analysis recommended that parking violations calls be routed to civilian agencies instead of police. They also urged fellow police district council members, the mayor, and the City Council to work together to allocate police time more efficiently. The district councils’ planning committee introduced protocols to support more consensus-based decision-making, including training so members can better understand the district councils’ legal authority.
March 20
This meeting of the Chicago Board of Education focused on renewing the charters of several high schools and included wide-ranging discussion of thirty-eight Options Network schools. These schools, the network’s website reports, “are designed to be a unique learning model for students not engaged in a traditional high school.” Options students “seek an alternative pathway to graduation” leading to college and career success. Some thirty public commenters spoke on this topic and others. Most speakers seemed to support the Options Network program. After public comments, many other issues were covered. Board Member Jitu Brown praised Dyett High School for winning its first state basketball championship a few days earlier. In 2015, Brown led a month-long hunger strike to keep the school open. Board members expressed concern that a vote planned on the FY 2025 CPS budget was being delayed amid negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union. Federal funding for education has been uncertain in view of Washington’s likely shutdown of the Department of Education. [Editor’s Note: A tentative agreement with Chicago teachers was reached on March 31, eleven days after this CPS Board meeting.]
March 24
Launching the search for a new CEO, opening the National Museum of Public Housing, and extending of Housing Assistance Payments were key items on the agenda at a Chicago Housing Authority Board of Commissioners meeting. Finding a new leader is part of CHA’s “Year of Renewal” initiatives for 2025, which also include developing a long-term strategic plan. “It’s about being intentional in beginning to rebuild trust through openness, collaboration and long-term strategic planning,” said Interim Board Chair Matthew Brewer, an attorney. “Residents deserve a leader who understands their needs, listens to their concerns and fights for continued funding for safe, stable and affordable housing.” Former CEO Tracey Scott left her position last October after more than four years, thanks in part to criticism of her decision to sell public land to private developers and allow properties to remain empty even though waiting lists contained more than 200,000 names. CHA Board Chair Angela Hurlock has served as interim CEO since October. The board also announced the opening of the National Museum of Public Housing in Little Italy. Commissioners approved an extension of Housing Assistance Payments for four housing developments in Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Ashburn, and Englewood.
March 25
Three public commenters offered their thoughts on the COPA Chief Administrator Search during a public hearing hosted by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA). Scheduled for ninety minutes, the meeting concluded in less than twenty-five. “Sexual assault cases are still a big issue,” the first speaker said when suggesting priorities for the new chief administrator. The second speaker said they would like to see someone proven to be an unbiased investigator and a good manager. A third said the new administrator should “let the city know how the investigations [are] being done [and] the progress being made.” This hearing was one of several listening sessions being conducted across the city looking for public input. The position became open in February after Andrea Kersten, then the chief administrator, stepped down. Mayor Brandon Johnson appointed COPA Director of Investigations Lakenya White as interim chief administrator. CCPSA continues to hold Traffic Stop Listening Sessions as members work to draft a policy on the issue. The next session is April 16.
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This information was collected and curated by the Weekly in large part using reporting from City Bureau’s Documenters at documenters.org.