The Academy for Global Citizenship has ambition plans for a publicly-funded charter school in the Hearst area. --Supplied image

The Academy for Global Citizenship has ambition plans for a publicly-funded charter school in the Hearst area. --Supplied image

Pritzker green-lights Madigan improvement projects for SW Side

Spread the love

Were briefly frozen after indictment 

By Tim Hadac

Three public works projects affecting the Southwest Side appear to be back on track now that Governor JB Pritzker has given the green light to their state funding.

Funding had been jeopardized briefly by a request from 10 state representatives (none from the Southwest Side), who in a March 7 letter to the governor implied the projects may somehow be inappropriate because they had been pushed by former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D-22nd), who was indicted on 22 counts of corruption on March 2.

GSWNH AcademyForGlobalCitizenship 040122

The Academy for Global Citizenship, a charter school founded in 2008, is in the opening stages of an ambitious plan to build a large school and surrounding campus rooted in what they call racial justice. The campus will include a community health clinic, an urban farm, solar panels to make the development net-positive in terms of energy usage, and more. Ground was to be broken at the site, 4942 W. 44th St., next month. –Supplied image from rendered plans

Madigan’s indictment, they wrote, calls into question “the legitimacy of these projects and whether they inured to the benefit of the community and the taxpayers or whether they were advanced at the behest of Madigan on behalf of or to benefit his private law clients or other politically-connected individuals or entities.

“According to a January 2022 report published in the Sun-Times, the 2019 Rebuild Illinois capital package contained $144M of projects directly tied to former Speaker Madigan,” the 10 legislators continued. “Records show that among other projects, Madigan secured $98M to address train brake noise outside three hotels near Midway Airport owned by two brothers, who were clients of Madigan’s property tax business. According to the Better Government Association, the brothers said they never requested the funding.

“The report also identified three additional projects tied to Madigan, totaling $6M for a control tower at Lewis University Airport in Romeoville, $31M for The Academy for Global Citizenship, a charter school near Madigan’s former House district, and $9M for John Hancock College Prep, a Chicago public high school in Madigan’s former district. According to the BGA, the Academy received tens of millions more than it requested, and no funding was requested for John Hancock by CPS.”

Two days after they sent the letter, however, the legislators basically said “Never mind” and asked the governor to move forward with the project. They hinted they had been pressed by members of the General Assembly’s Latino Caucus to back off.

Some of those members include Southwest Side Reps. Aaron Ortiz (D-1st), Edgar Gonzalez Jr. (D-21st) and Madigan’s successor, Angelica “Angie” Guerrero-Cuellar (D-22nd), as well as Senators Antonio “Tony” Munoz (D-1st) and Celina Villanueva (D-11th). What specific role any of them may or may not have had in defending the funding remains unclear.

Southwest Siders contacted by the Greater Southwest News-Herald should mixed reaction.

“Who are [the 10 legislators] to question funding for projects in this part of city?” asked Ruben Jimenez. “What about state-funded projects in their districts? Why can’t they be reviewed? Are you telling me politics played no role in getting their pet projects funded? Give me a break.”

The initial request to freeze the state funding was “nothing more than virtue signaling, an empty gesture,” added Ken Micek. “I know it’s open season on Mike Madigan right now and some politicians want to kick him when he’s down, as they probably have for years, but why do it at the expense of funding for our community?”

Joseph Devlin looked at the dollar amounts and shook his head.

“I think some of this is excessive, especially when you consider all the things that aren’t funded,” he said. “Look at the condition of some of our state roads, especially Cicero Avenue. Why can’t some of those funds be used to reconstruct Cicero north and south of the airport? Why are some needs fully funded while others starve for attention?

Local News

Priscilla Steinmetz, of Orland Park's Bridge Teen Center, has fun March 7 at Congressman Sean Casten's desk in Washington. (Bridge Teen Center photo)

Casten secures $11M for district; invites Bridge Teen founder to State of Union

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Congressman Sean Casten is bringing some big bucks home. Casten (D-6th) announced that he helped secure more than $11 million in federal funding for local community projects. Included in that bounty is: $1.28 million to Evergreen Park for water main replacement. $500,000 to La Grange for storm and sanitary sewer…

Trinity Christian College of Nursing received a grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education. (Supplied photo)

Trinity, MVCC nursing schools schools receive state grants

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Bob Bong The Illinois Board of Higher Education has awarded nursing school grants to 12 institutions of higher education across the state, including two in the south suburbs, totaling $1.4 million. Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills received a grant of $38,316 to focus on improved math proficiency and preparedness of…

biz runnings logo NEW

Runnings holds grand opening in Homer Glen

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Bob Bong The big-box store at 15830 S. Bell Road in Homer Glen has certainly had a storied past. Once upon a time, it was part of the Kmart chain. That ended years ago. Since then, it has been a Big R, a Stock + Field, and an R.P. Home and Harvest.…

State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid celebrates winning the Democratic primary in the 21st House District with Safaa Zarzour (left) and wife Fidaa, who holds their 1-month-old son Mohammad Zain, at Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. in Chicago Ridge. (Photos by Steve Metsch)

Rashid rolls in 21st House, but Vasquez plans rematch

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid may have rolled to victory over challenger Vidal Vasquez in the 21st House District Democratic primary, but he took nothing for granted. “I am humbled and honored that the voters chose to send me back and I look forward to continuing the work ahead of us,”…

Brookfield Zoo Chicago's Anniversary Ferris Wheel features 24 gondolas that each seat up to six people. The attraction will be at the Zoo through Dec. 31, 2024. (Photo by Jim Schulz/Brookfield Zoo Chicago)

Brookfield Zoo Anniversary Ferris Wheel now open

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Brookfield Zoo has been attracting visitors for 90 years. To celebrate the anniversary, the zoo has opened a new attraction that has nothing to do with animals. Last Friday, the zoo opened its Anniversary Ferris Wheel. The towering 110-foot Ferris wheel offers guests unique bird’s-eye views of the park’s gardens, animal…

Congressman Sean Casten, speaking at a Town Hall meeting at Moraine Valley Community College.
(Photos by Jeff Vorva)

Casten romps over primary foes in 6th Congressional race

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Three-term Congressman Sean Casten easily defeated two challengers in Tuesday’s Democratic primary in the 6th Congressional District. “First and foremost, thank you,” he said. “Thank you to the voters who have entrusted me once again with their vote. Thank you to the volunteers who knocked on doors, made phone calls,…

Flanked by members of his political machine as he declared victory Tuesday night, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th) invokes the names of Harold Washington and Rudy Lozano—two men who served as highly influential political mentors of his, early in his career. The congressman hinted at further expansion of his political reach when he said, “…and we’re not done yet.” --Supplied photo

Chuy’s expansion continues

Spread the love

Spread the love. ‘And we’re not done yet,’ congressman vows . By Tim Hadac Most observers in the city seemed to agree that U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th) would handily win his primary battle with 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez. They were right. With almost all precincts reporting across the city and nearby suburbs,…

Peggy Zabicki

Silent spring break for children these days

Spread the love

Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place •  (773) 504-9327 . Spring break for Chicago Public Schools will take place next week. In the past, that meant we would hear the sounds of kids playing outside. We won’t hear that joyful noise next week. The issue is safety. Wouldn’t…

Kathy Headley

Things are looking bright at Lith Youth Center

Spread the love

Spread the love. By Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . Cleaning, restoration and remodeling continues at the Chicago Lithuanian Youth Center on Claremont Avenue. New programs have been well attended and recent classes, Like Making Your Own Bacon Buns, have sold out quickly. Thanks…

Oak Lawn sophomore Jack Dempsey loads up as a pitch approaches during the Spartans 12-5 win over Crete-Monee on March 11. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Baseball | Oak Lawn rolls over Crete-Monee to open season

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Oak Lawn traveled to Ozinga Field in Crestwood to open the season against Crete-Monee at Ozinga Field in Crestwood, home of the Windy City Thunderbolts. The Spartans climbed to a big lead early and never turned back as they went on to defeat the Warriors, 12-5. Sophomore starting pitcher…

Neighbors

Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance

Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance

By HANNAH MEISEL & DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com The Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear the case of actor Jussie Smollett, who was convicted for staging a hate crime against him in 2019 in a case that drew criticism for Cook County’s top prosecutor. Smollett made what turned out to be…

Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds

Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds

By PETER HANCOCK  Capitol News Illinois  phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com  SPRINGFIELD – Illinois continues to suffer from a shortage of teachers and other education professionals, although recent efforts by the state to ease the strain have made an impact.  That’s according to the latest annual survey of school officials from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools,…

Bills in state Senate would further regulate battery storage and disposal

Bills in state Senate would further regulate battery storage and disposal

COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Two bills that would regulate battery disposal and storage are awaiting action from the full Illinois Senate after unanimous committee approval.   Senate Bill 3481, sponsored by Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, would require facilities that store electric vehicle batteries to register with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency…

Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate

Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com The longtime chair and a relatively new member of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board have resigned, Gov. JB Pritzker’s office announced Monday. The governor’s office announced the pair’s resignations within hours of each other nearly two weeks after Crosetti Brand was released from Stateville Correctional Center. Brand is…

Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify

Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify

By ALEX ABBEDUTO   Capitol News Illinois  abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com  The night before Rebecca Hooks started at the Illinois State Police Academy in 2002, she spoke on the phone with her father and her brother – both of whom worked in law enforcement.  Her father encouraged her, telling her she was strong and could get through the…

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

 By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

 By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

 By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

 By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…

Capitol Briefs: Insurance reforms advance as Pritzker announces California trip

Capitol Briefs: Insurance reforms advance as Pritzker announces California trip

By PETER HANCOCK, JENNIFER FULLER & ALEX ABBEDUTO Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposal for sweeping reforms in the state’s health insurance industry passed out of a committee Thursday and will soon make its way to the full House for consideration. Pritzker first outlined the proposal in his State of the…