Office vacancy rates in Chicago have climbed to 28.2 percent, exceeding pre-pandemic levels and marking the 14th straight quarter of rising vacancies, according to The Center Square. Over the past year, businesses have vacated approximately 370,000 square feet of office space.
Mark Glennon, executive editor at Wirepoints, sharply criticized city and state leadership over what he described as an unfriendly climate for employers. “You never see any effort to make life easier for employers here. The state of Illinois is like one big oppressive intermeddling HR department with countless rules and regulations that strangle people,” Glennon told Center Square.
He also warned that weakening demand for office space could have ripple effects on the city’s finances and homeowners. “The valuations of those big buildings go down because they’re not getting as much rent, and those lower valuations mean lower property taxes that they pay that have to get passed off somewhere, and that goes largely to homeowners,” he noted.
Glennon cautioned that the current trajectory could accelerate broader economic decline if policies remain unchanged. “All those things, of course, snowball,” Glennon explained. “They drive more people away, other things will continue to deteriorate, and businesses will get more fed up, and more people will leave. It’s more of the same and a spiral downward.”
Separate reporting from J.D. Busch of Chicago Contrarian highlighted a series of major corporations that have relocated their headquarters out of Chicago or Illinois in recent years. Among the companies cited were Beam Suntory, Boeing, Caterpillar, Citadel, Guggenheim Partners, PEAK6 Investments, Schumacher Electric Corp., SC Johnson, TTX Company, Tyson Foods, United Airlines, and Walgreens Boots Alliance.
Data from the Illinois Policy Institute indicates that between 2015 and 2024, Chicago lost roughly 17 percent of its businesses, with the total declining from approximately 54,135 in 2015 to about 44,840 in 2024. The city’s Magnificent Mile corridor saw a notable contraction as well, falling from around 1,600 registered businesses to 784 in 2024.
Chicago’s broader business climate continues to face scrutiny over costs. Illinois has the second-highest state corporate income tax rate in the nation, while commercial property taxes rank as the highest in the country.
Concerns about the policy environment have also been voiced by Democratic Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who has questioned whether current approaches may be contributing to companies leaving the city.
Meanwhile, Mayor Brandon Johnson has advanced revenue proposals that include a head tax of $21 per employee, along with taxes targeting Chicago-based social media users and cloud computing services. Although these measures have not yet been approved by the City Council, they remain under discussion as part of the city’s broader revenue strategy.
Critics argue that additional taxes could further discourage investment and business expansion at a time when Chicago is still navigating its economic recovery.
CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago Public Schools employee is facing charges after allegedly putting a child in a chokehold and throwing him to the ground, court documents show.
The alleged incident happened on Nov. 13 at Parker Elementary School in the city’s Englewood neighborhood.
Kenwood senior guard Danielle Brooks had accomplished almost everything in her high school career. She became Kenwood’s all-time leading scorer — boys or girls — this season, was a starter on last year’s IHSA Class 4A state championship and is committed to UIC. But one goal had eluded her over her previous three years: a city championship.
Brooks crossed that achievement off her list after Kenwood’s 56-25 win in the CPS city championship over Butler at UIC’s Credit Union 1 Arena. It’s Kenwood’s first city title after four consecutive runner-up finishes.
“Our goal was to be champions,” said Brooks, who scored 12 points.
From the beginning of the game, Kenwood played with extra energy and never relented. Every Butler run was snuffed out immediately.
In the third quarter, Kenwood senior guard Valencia Miller got open on a corner three and let it rip. The shot missed off the side of the rim and went up in the air. While other players watched the ball in the air, Miller rushed toward the ball, grabbed her rebound and earned a trip to the free-throw line.
Kenwood players pose for a photo with the championship trophy after winning the city championship game against Butler at UIC. |
There was a sense of urgency throughout Kenwood’s team the entire night. They were quick to lose balls, crashed the glass with verve and had no wasted motion offensively. They played with the poise and purpose.
They didn’t come out to merely win a city championship; the Broncos came to strut and show their public-league dominance. Kenwood has never shot it well at Credit Union 1 Arena. The Broncos knew they would need to have a dominant defensive performance to win on Friday.
In the first quarter, Butler’s first point didn’t come until there were 26.6 seconds left in the first quarter. Kenwood forced Butler into a 0-for-15 showing from the field that made it hard for the Lady Lynx to recover from. Coach Andrew Lewis said it was team’s finest defensive showing.
“We’re trying to do it all together in one year,” Lewis said. “We’ve grown a lot since the beginning of the year. There [were] games that we didn’t trust each other in, and that’s natural because they’re new. The willingness to sacrifice for one another, it comes over time. It comes as a result of what you do off the court as well as what you do on the court … learning to trust one another. You got to actually go through some things. You’ve got to fail.”
Senior guard Darryelle Smith, who transferred from Fenwick, scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Senior guard Valencia Miller scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds. Sophomore guard Kerminicia Wellington scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
The Broncos were relentless defensively, digging on every drive and forcing Butler into tough, off-balance shots at the rim. Butler shot 22.2% from the field for the entire game. Twice in the third quarter, Butler coach Xaver Walton had to call a timeout to avoid 10-second violations.
Kenwood was fiesty, particularly senior guard Amillya Henigan, who recorded five steals and was disruptive at the point of attack. Kenwood’s ball pressure forced Butler into 17 turnovers.
Friday’s win was a culmination for a Broncos team that is playing their best basketball late in the season. The championship is a testament to the foundation laid by previous Broncos teams. The tradition of winning is passed down from player to player over the years.
Brooks, the lone returning starter from last year’s state championship-winning team, learned from former Kenwood players Ariella Henigan, Diann Jackson and London Walker George and is now teaching her Broncos teammates Kenwood’s winning ways.
“[Brooks] is a dog, so it’s just her bringing my dog out,” Smith said.
Saturday is Valentine’s Day and couples looking for a romantic getaway could find exactly what they are searching for at the Navy Pier. The Sable at Navy Pier Chicago, is an upscale hotel that offers floor-to-ceiling views of the Chicago skyline and a rooftop bar. Visit the Sable website for more information or to book […]
A 15-year-old boy was wounded during a drive-by shooting overnight on the Far South Side in the South Deering neighborhood, Chicago police said.
Shortly after 3:30 a.m., officers responded to a call of a person shot in the 10000 block of South Paxton Avenue and discovered a 15-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the left side of his face, police said.
The teenage boy was outside when a dark-colored sedan drove past and someone inside pulled out a gun and fired in his direction. The boy was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital where he was listed in fair condition, police said.
No one was in custody and detectives were investigating.
A boss, parent or someone in a position of authority might catch you off guard today or surprise you in some way. Pay attention to the rules to avoid later regrets. Meanwhile, secret love affairs will sizzle on this romantic day. Friendships will be warm and rewarding.
You might suddenly have to travel today. Conversely, travel plans might change, be delayed or canceled. News in the media might also hold a surprise for you. Meanwhile, friendships are warm and some platonic relationships will turn romantic on this Valentine’s Day.
Keep an eye on banking details because something unexpected could impact your assets or wealth. Meanwhile, discussions with authority figures will go well today. Plan on doing something unusual. Think outside the box. Impress someone this special day!
A spouse, partner or close friend will surprise you today. Perhaps a sweet Valentine’s gift? Travel for pleasure is on your menu. A flirtation or a romance with someone “different” might be exciting and titillating. (Be still, my beating heart.)
Something related to your job or health might catch you off guard today. It could be a technological glitch. Pet owners should be vigilant because something unexpected could affect your pet. Today your focus is on partners, spouses and close friends.
Parents should be extra vigilant about their children today because this is a mildly accident-prone day for them. Meanwhile, expect to be surprised in some fashion today. It could relate to a social occasion, a vacation or a fun outing. Hopefully, it’s a pleasant Valentine’s surprise.
Your home routine might be interrupted today. Small appliances might break down, or a minor breakage could occur. Perhaps someone unexpected will appear at your door. Meanwhile, this is a fun-loving, playful time. A work-related romance might be your secret valentine.
Pay attention to everything you say and do because this is a mildly accident-prone day for you. Don’t be distracted by something because distractions can lead to an accident. This is a romantic, social and fun-loving day. Make plans for a good time!
Keep an eye on your money, assets and possessions because something unexpected could impact them. For example, you might find money or you might lose money. Something you own might be lost, stolen or damaged. This is a pleasant day to entertain at home.
Today the moon is in your sign, dancing with wild, unpredictable Uranus. This makes you feel energetic, original and spontaneous. Even your Spidey sense will be highly tuned. Changeable moods throughout the day are likely. Expect new friends to enter your world.
This is a restless day for you. You have that feeling that you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop. Nevertheless, with three planets in your sign, you are empowered, bold and forthright. Go after what you want today. It’s the perfect time to buy something beautiful for a loved one (hint, hint).
You are a romantic sign, and on this special Valentine’s Day, fair Venus is in Pisces, stirring your romantic ideas, desires and expectations. Oh yes. If someone else doesn’t give you special treatment or a little gift today, then do it yourself! Buy yourself something special. Go out and gift yourself your own fun experience. Why not?
If today is your birthday
Actor Enrico Colantoni (1963) shares your birthday today. You are sensitive, articulate, and clear-thinking. You want to set the world right. This year you will reap the benefits of all your hard work. Expect power and leadership. It’s a year of major decisions and accomplishments. Seize opportunities. Expect awards, kudos, and acknowledgments!
AURORA, Ill. (WLS) — Chicago and suburban students joining others across the state and nationwide protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday morning.
A walkout at Lake View High School got underway as students in Aurora also walked out of school on Friday.
The demonstrations come after more than 1,500 students participated in a walkout earlier this week in Aurora, where things got contentious between students and police.
Officers arrested three East Aurora High School students, one of whom is also charged with aggravated battery to a police officer.
Protesters say officers used excessive force while police say the students did not follow commands, walked out into the street, and resisted. Multiple officers were injured in the protest.
Because of this, Aurora school superintendents released a video, urging parents to encourage their kids to stay in the classroom on Friday for their safety.
“When students leave campus, we cannot ensure their safety. Outside groups may join. Large gatherings can escalate. Law enforcement resources may be stretched if multiple schools are involved. These are real concerns,” the video says.
Students on Chicago’s North Side marched to the North Center Town Square.
Other student walkouts were also planned in Bolingbrook, Addison, and Elmhurst on Friday.
Chicago Public Schools issued a statement, saying, “Chicago Public Schools (CPS) remains committed to fostering learning environments that allow students to respectfully deliberate issues with evidence and an open mind – and safely participate in civic action.
It is appropriate in classes or special school events to create an environment where students of all viewpoints feel that they can express themselves in a safe and respectful environment.
In the event that students want to participate in civic action, school administrators work with student organizers to designate an appropriate, safe space for students to convene for a group activity. CPS allows for students to participate in planned civic actions, including walkouts or protests, for a period of time during the school day, according to CPS guidance.”
CHICAGO (WGN) – Political Analyst Paul Lisnek joined WGN Evening News to discuss several big political stories from the week. This week’s topics include the looming partial government shutdown, AG Pam Bondi’s testimony on the Epstein files and more. Tune in on Sundays for WGN-TV Political Report with Paul Lisnek.
Aurora students walked out of school on Friday in protest of the Trump administration’s continued mass deportation campaign, the second walkout staged by the city’s students this week and the third in two weeks.
The Aurora Police Department estimates that 500 to 600 students from up to 11 schools participated in the walkouts. Between around 10:30 a.m. and noon, the students left their schools, marched downtown and gathered in front of City Hall, police said.
East Aurora High School students were seen walking out and marching towards City Hall with flags and signs at around noon.
At City Hall, students were chanting things like “ICE out,” in reference to one of the federal agencies spearheading the mass deportations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Some blew whistles, which have become a symbol of resistance to ICE. Others held signs saying things like “Liberty and justice for all,” “Love melts ICE,” “Hate will not make us great” and “Families belong together.”
Between the protesters’ signs, Mexican and other flags flapped in the wind.
Meanwhile, cars driving by honked in apparent support as adults in high-visibility vests stood between the protestors and the road to encourage them to stay on the sidewalk.
For the most part, students remained on sidewalks, did not significantly impact traffic and complied with verbal directions, according to a police spokesperson.
No arrests were made during Friday’s walkouts, but police officers did address several reported disturbances, the spokesperson said.
Multiple drivers were issued traffic-related citations, including a vehicle that was driving recklessly with the driver issued multiple citations, a statement from the police department said.
At one point, a counter-protester holding a Trump flag stood on the opposite side of the street from the student protesters until he was chased away by a group of the students. Officers responded to a report of this incident, police said.
That group of protesters was then seen marching down Broadway before turning on Galena Boulevard and rejoining the rest of the student protesters through the Water Street Mall.
Around 1:30 p.m., groups began leaving the downtown area, separating into smaller groups and traveling to different locations throughout the city, according to a police spokesperson. Most activity was over by around 3 p.m.
But, after the downtown crowd had dispersed, an aggravated battery was reported in the 300 block of North Lincoln Avenue following a fight involving several young people, police said. The incident is still under investigation.
State Sen. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, attended the students’ protest. Speaking with reporters before the walkout at East Aurora High School, she said that she was there because she believes in the right to peacefully assemble.
“The students are our future,” she told The Beacon-News. “They are why I do the work that I do every single day, so I’m here to stand with them.”
Neither the Department of Homeland Security nor ICE immediately responded to a request for comment about recent student walkouts in Aurora.
Many students at the protest in downtown Aurora on Feb. 13, 2026, held signs with messages of unity. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)
West Aurora School District 129 saw 50 students from its middle schools and 200 students from its high school walk out of class Friday, a district spokesperson said. Students from Indian Prairie School District 204 also participated in the walkouts, according to a district spokesperson.
East Aurora School District 131 did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On Thursday, East Aurora School District 131 and West Aurora School District 129 posted on Facebook a joint message from the districts’ two superintendents that discouraged students from walking out, asking students’ family and community members to encourage them to stay in school.
“When we discourage student walkouts, it’s a result of safety and a desire to protect the children placed in our care during the school day,” West Aurora Superintendent Michael Smith said in the video.
East Aurora, West Aurora and Indian Prairie school districts all said that students who walked out of class Friday would be marked as having an unexcused absence from class.
Both a Facebook post from East Aurora and the video message from the two districts’ superintendents included safety guidelines for students to follow if they did decide to walk out, including walking only on the sidewalk, not throwing items at others, having respectful interactions and following traffic laws.
“Videos from Monday’s walkout showed students not following these protocols — this is unacceptable and puts everyone at risk,” said East Aurora’s Facebook post. “We value student voice and encourage expression through safe, respectful means while remaining engaged in learning.”
In their video message, the two school districts’ superintendents said they were committed to finding a time outside of the school day for students and their families to make their voices heard in a way that is safe and respectful.
The Aurora Police Department, also in a post on Facebook, said Friday morning it was aware of several student walkouts planned for that day. Like the posts from the school districts, it also encouraged students to stay in school.
“For those who choose to participate, we ask that they do so peacefully, follow the law and help ensure the situation does not escalate,” the police’s Facebook post said.
The Aurora Police Department increased staffing and worked with community leaders, event marshals and organizers to have open lines of communication, to monitor conditions and to encourage peaceful participation, according to the post. It also warned residents of traffic disruptions near where gatherings would take place and encouraged travelers to find alternative routes.
On Monday, around 1,500 students from area schools walked out of school toward downtown Aurora. Three students were arrested during that protest and later charged with multiple crimes, which drew criticism from local officials and sparked a protest at the Aurora Police Department on Tuesday evening.
Specifically, the three students were charged with improper walking in the roadway, obstructing and resisting a peace officer, officials said. One of the three was also charged with aggravated battery to a police officer.
In a Facebook post, police said that two of the students were “contributing to the unsafe conditions” and were taken into custody after they resisted officers’ attempts to detain and identify them. The third student then “intervened and punched an officer in the head, causing a laceration,” according to the post.
Students were given many opportunities to move out of traffic and continue their demonstration safely, Aurora Chief of Police Matt Thomas said in a separate Facebook post.
As the situation continued, officers saw rocks and water bottles being thrown at police vehicles, physical fights breaking out among students, intimidation of passing drivers and reckless driving close to the crowd, Thomas said in his post.
An officer then approached two protesters who police believed were the main contributors to the ongoing unsafe and unlawful behavior, according to Thomas. He said that, despite clear direction, the encounter quickly escalated when the two pulled away and actively attempted to evade the officer, so several additional officers came to that officer’s assistance.
Videos circulating online seem to show what Thomas describes in his post: police officers tackling and wrestling protesters to the ground, and a protester punching an officer in the head. He said that the video shared online shows an officer tackling someone who appeared to be compliant, but said that the brief clips do not capture the full sequence of events.
The use of force is now under investigation by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, which has received all body-worn camera footage, reports and related evidence from the Aurora Police Department, the office said in a news release Thursday.
A comprehensive review of all available information will be done to see whether the actions were consistent with department policy, established training and applicable law, according to the release. Officials said that, once the review is complete, the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office will publish a full report with its findings to the police department and to the public.
Villa, in a statement made following Monday’s protest, said that the videos circulating online are “deeply disturbing and unacceptable” and show young people being “restrained and handled like criminals in front of their peers,” she said.
“Young people from our community peacefully exercised their constitutional right to protest the harmful actions of ICE and were met with force and violence by the institution entrusted with their safety,” she said. “Police officers are responsible for protecting every member of our community, especially children.”
A protest was held on Tuesday evening in response to the actions of police at the Monday event and the arrest of three students during the walkout. Those protesters, standing in front of the Aurora Police Department, chanted and held signs against both ICE and the police department, called for the charges to be dropped against the students and called for Police Chief Thomas to be fired.
George Gutierrez, who was one of many speakers at the Tuesday evening protest and last year was awarded $1 million in a lawsuit against an Aurora police officer for excessive force, said he attended to hold the Aurora Police Department accountable.
There’s a right way to protest that’s respectful, according to Gutierrez. But even if the students did something wrong, he said, that doesn’t make it right for the police to use excessive force.
“They need to be held accountable, because they always talk about holding us accountable, but they never hold themselves accountable,” Gutierrez said.
Aurora Mayor John Laesch, at a meeting of the Aurora City Council on Tuesday evening, said he admired the students’ efforts to take a stand and make their voices heard but encouraged them to take an “alternative and equally-effective course of action” by getting involved in local community watch and rapid response groups or by forming their own groups to “strengthen the community response” to federal immigration enforcement agents.
If students are going to protest, Aurora wants to work with them to make sure their voices are heard in a safe way, according to Laesch. At Monday’s protest, many stuck to sidewalks but a small number insisted on walking in the street and antagonized the police by throwing water bottles at their vehicles, he said.
“I’m disturbed that children feel compelled to leave school in the first place and march in the streets over an issue that adults should be dealing with in Washington, D.C., but that’s the times that we’re living in,” he said.
After Friday’s protest, Laesch told The Beacon-News that students may not have been the most coordinated, but they seemed to hear the message about staying on the sidewalks. Plus many adults from local groups came out to marshal the protest, he said.
“The community stepped up. The police hung back,” Laesch said of the protest on Friday. “We didn’t have any interactions between protesters and police, which is what I wanted, and no kids got hurt.
“So overall, I think it was a success,” he said.
Student walkouts to protest ICE have been happening in the Chicago area since at least October, when hundreds of students in Little Village walked out of class after several people were taken into custody in their neighborhood the week before. But this month has seen a high number of these types of protests, including in Chicago’s North Side,Elgin, Naperville, Waukegan and Hammond, Indiana.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Mainly clear and mild by February standards. Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph. Near 30 degrees coldest outlying areas to the middle 30s elsewhere. Low: 30. Saturday will feature far more clouds than the past couple of days (but not without some mixed sunshine) as an area of low pressure tracks across central and […]
ROME — A Slovak fugitive who had been on the run for 16 years was finally arrested when he turned up in Milan to support his national ice hockey team at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, police said Friday.
The 44-year-old man, who was not named, was wanted by Italian authorities for a series of thefts committed in 2010.
The carabinieri managed to track down and arrest the man Wednesday after he checked into a campsite in the outskirts of Milan, thanks to an automatic alert from the campsite reception.
The fugitive was then taken to Milan’s San Vittore prison to serve a pending sentence of 11 month and 7 days, the carabinieri said.
The man did not manage to see the opening game in which Slovakia’s hockey team beat Finland with a sound 4-1 at Milan’s Santagiulia Arena on Wednesday.
The intersection at Ashland Avenue and Irving Park Road in Lake View came alive Friday morning as hundreds of students from Lake View High School protested the actions of federal immigration agents across the country. Hours later in the Loop, hundreds of high school and college students from across the Chicago area gathered at Federal Plaza to continue the call.
The Lake View High students, many carrying signs and waving flags, marched through the neighborhood and led chants calling for an end to enhanced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. Passing drivers held signs from car windows in support of the students.
“We’re just telling ICE to get out of our streets,” said freshman Morgan Andriano. “It’s insane the amount of people that have been murdered and have been brutalized from what they call federal agents.”
Hundreds of students from area high schools rally Friday afternoon in Federal Plaza in The Loop. Speakers recounted stories of their encounters with immigration agents.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Lake View students have been protesting against ICE since September. Morgan, who helped plan and organize the demonstrations, said Friday marked the school’s third and largest protest to date. He said his goal was to tell the world “that this is not right.”
“This is not normal,” Morgan added. “Don’t make it normal.”
Students at Lake View High School protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations during a walkout and rally at the corner or North Ashland Avenue and West Irving Park Road in Lakeview. “I’m super-proud of them,” English teacher Rachel Davis said. “It just makes me feel better about the future and where we’re headed.”
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Students walked out of class during fourth period and met in the school’s auditorium to go through safety protocols. Once outside, they were supervised by teachers and community leaders who were organized as a rapid-response team.
Since federal agents began their operations in Chicago, English teacher Rachel Davis has helped coordinate the team overseeing the intersection outside the school at every arrival and dismissal.
“I’m super-proud of them,” Davis said. “It just makes me feel better about the future and where we’re headed.”
The citywide mobilization began later in the afternoon.
By 2 p.m. hundreds of high school and college students from across the city gathered in Federal Plaza in the Loop.
The crowd included students from Columbia College, Nicholas Senn High School, Hubbard High School, Curie Metropolitan High School, Little Village Lawndale High School, Amundsen High School, Chicago High School for the Arts, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Wells High School, Von Steuben Metropolitan High School, Kennedy High School and South Shore International College prep.
“We’re here at Federal Plaza, across the street is the federal courthouse. You know, these are the places where federal agents can be held accountable,” said Lauren Valice, 28, an organizer with Dare to Struggle, a national volunteer group.
The group of volunteers began planning the protest in January, Valice said. Friday’s rally is part of the group’s “Spring surge to melt ICE,” Valice said. From February until April the group intends to continue mobilizing community members to continue building a movement to stop deportations, she said.
“This is the start,” Valice said.
Hundreds of students from area high schools and colleges rally Friday in Federal Plaza to protest enhanced federal immigration enforcement. Dare to Struggle, a national volunteer group, plans to mobilize communities nationwide to build a movement to stop deportations.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
The rally featured student-led speeches, with speakers sharing tales of their encounters with immigration agents. Between speeches, the crowd erupted in chants and drummers beat out rhythms to keep the mood going.
Xavier Nondorf, a junior at Senn High School, joined about 50 of his classmates traveling to the Loop from Edgewater.
“We filled up the Red Line, like completely,” Xavier said.
Meeting with other students from across the city in the Loop, Xavier said “it’s nice to see us united and fight against ICE, organized as a school community, and as a city.”
Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn is scheduled to undergo yet another surgery — and another after that — to fix the broken tibia she sustained when she crashed during a downhill race on Sunday.
Even though they have kids who aren’t yet old enough to be in school, educators from Cook County School District 130 are lending a helping hand to parents who are struggling with “a lack of support, connection and guidance.”
Maria Zaragoza, a parent educator with the school district that serves parts of Alsip, Blue Island, Robbins and Crestwood, is part of a team that makes home visits to make sure parents are getting needed help.
The Families First/Prevention Initiative 0-3 program, which sends these helpers to families who request it, offers developmental screening, information about child abuse prevention, and connects parents with various resources, including nonprofits and therapists who offer focused early intervention services. They also connect parents with food pantries, counseling and domestic violence support.
Zaragoza and two of her five children actually benefited from the program in the district years ago, when one was an infant and the other a toddler.
“We are able to offer resources to our struggling families to help them, and their children thrive,” said Zaragoza of her current role.
Alma Cano, the district’s director of Early Childhood, oversees the parent educators and knows Zaragoza well. She said the ultimate goal is to help their kids succeed in life, and getting an early start is crucial.
Alma Cano, director of Early Childhood for Cook County School District 130 joins Principal Alicia Smith at the indoor playground at Horace Mann School in Blue Island. The district offers resources for parents even before their kids are old enough to attend classes. (Janice Neumann/Daily Southtown)
“We want to intervene early and provide services that would change their trajectory so they are having more of a successful academic future,” she said. “We’re just supporting them in this process. I wish I’d had it when I had my little ones.”
The program is for parents who face various challenges, including being single, speaking only Spanish, or experiencing a lack of income. It’s overseen and funded by the Illinois State Board of Education.
“I think all these resources are essential for parents,” said Cano, who has worked as a teacher, assistant principal and principal in her 27 years in the district. “When we research statistics, these eligibility points (such as being single or speaking only Spanish) are predictors of future academic success.”
The parent educators are trained by Start Early in Chicago.
“Many of the families I work with have no support from their family, some due to living in a different state or country and some due to coming from broken families,” Cano said.
For the first visit, parent educators develop a rapport with the family. During subsequent visits, they check progress and needs. The educators also give tips on how to handle difficulties, such as tantrums or a child not knowing to wait their turn, bringing resources that might help them and which will help when they attend school.
For many, that begins in the district’s preschool program for kids aged 3-5, and the parent educators help connect the children with their new teachers.
“They become a bridge between school and home,” explained Cano.
Though the program has been in the district for roughly 30 years, it faced a lull during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s picking back up gradually, Cano said. And mental health and safety of the district’s children are becoming more of an emphasis, both at home and when they get to school.
Alma Cano, director of Early Childhood for Cook County School District 130, meets with Safety Director Geoffery Farr, the district’s safety director, at Horace Mann School in Blue Island. Cano and Farr are implementing safety and mental health initiatives in an effort to make sure families feel safe, Cano said. (Janice Neumann/Daily Southtown)
Geoffery Farr, a former Blue Island police chief, was recently hired as the district’s director of safety, overseeing communication between families and local agencies, and training staff and students in emergency responses in case of violence.
“It’s the heads up, eyes open kind of stuff,” said Farr. “I think there’s been an increased emphasis just with the climate in the world.”
Farr said he’s also planning to implement a dog therapy program, which can have a calming effect on staff and students. He said the dogs will be trained in Florida by prison inmates, a common program in prisons to help inmates build skills and empathy and to help shelter dogs have a better chance at being adopted.
“There’s been statistics showing it (having dogs in school) improves absenteeism, de-escalates friction and tension,” said Farr, adding he has three dogs of his own. “You’re going to have your occasional meltdown and the dogs will be there.”
The district also has a 10-week Parent Leadership Class at Horace Mann School in Blue Island using the Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors curriculum. “Honeybee University,” as the district calls it — the honeybee is the school’s mascot, helps parents of infants through 5 years old improve their child rearing skills. They also get to network and make friends.
“Parenthood can be lonely sometimes,” said Cano. “The parents come in as strangers and they walk out as friends.”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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CPD officers in a marked SUV were traveling southbound on Hoyne Avenue, approaching the Chicago Avenue intersection, when they collided with the bus, which was traveling westbound on Chicago Avenue, police said.
Police said a woman on the bus suffered a minor injury. She was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
Two officers were also transported to a local hospital for observation and are listed in good condition, police said.
Further information was not immediately available.
A man was stabbed on a CTA Green Line train Thursday night on the South Side, according to Chicago police.
The man, 44, was riding the train about 10:45 p.m. when someone swung a sharp object at him, police said in a statement. Authorities arrived to the 47th Street station, in the 300 block of West 47th Street, and found the man with face injuries.
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and listed in fair condition, police said.
EVANSTON, Ill. (WGN) – Two workers in Evanston-Skokie School District 65 are facing charges for alleged sex crimes against their own children. Carlos Mendez, assistant principal at Washington Elementary, and Maribel Flores-Hernandez, paraprofessional at the Joseph Hill Early Childhood Center, were arrested on Thursday, Feb. 5. Both are facing charges of aggravated sexual abuse after […]
