Chicago Parents Occupy Elementary School Building to Prevent Demolition

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http://www.democracynow.org/2010/10/21/chicago_parents_occupy_elementary_school_building


A preliminary deal has been reached between Chicago Public Schools and a group of parents who have occupied a field house at Whittier Elementary School for thirty-seven days to prevent its demolition. The Chicago Public Schools have agreed to build a library and scrap plans to demolish the field house and lease it to the local parents’ association instead. We get a report from Democracy Now!’s Jaisal Noor and speak to Chicago community organizer Cecile Carroll.

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AMY GOODMAN: Despite the agreement, the parents aren’t going home just yet. They’ve vowed to continue the sit-in at the field house until they get an agreement in writing.

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JAISAL NOOR: An assessment commissioned by the Chicago school system found the building unsafe for public use and put the cost of demolition at over $350,000. That amount would come from the $1.4 million in Chicago’s tax increment financing, or TIF, funds that parents had secured for renovations and an expansion of the school. Daniella’s mother is Araceli Gonzalez, a vocal member of the community.

ARACELI GONZALEZ: The school—there has been a fight for seven years. The school was in so bad of conditions, so finally the TIF gave money, and it was, you know, part of the—TIF is our tax money. So they remodeled, you know, renovated stuff that needed to be renovated. It wasn’t like a luxury. It needed to be renovated. If you would have seen this place before, oh, my god, it was bad.

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good for them - hugs and kisses

[dkf]

1. I'll be curious to see if the parents association can keep funds flowing to support the library.

If so it will be quite an accomplishment.