For someone whose organization represents teachers, one would think Jesse Sharkey would do his homework before making inaccurate statements about public schools in Chicago. In his recent op-ed, Sharkey calls for an end to school choice programs that allegedly “allow charter operators to profit.” A cursory review of state law or CPS policy reveals that all charter public schools in Illinois are nonprofit.
But Sharkey knows that. He simply prefers to pander rather than inform. As for the claim that allowing Chicago families to choose the public school that best fits their children’s needs hurts neighborhoods, perhaps I have more faith in families than Mr. Sharkey does. More than 60,000 families have chosen a charter public school to educate their children. Those choices aren’t a scheme, they reflect families’ agency in building brighter futures for their children — something we should all support.
Andrew Broy, president, Illinois Network of Charter Schools
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Cut size of City Council
We are told that the Chicago government should tighten its belt, and what happens? Alderman get a raise! Also they need more money for their staff. Maybe we should put a referendum on the ballot to cut the City Council in half. Ex-mayor Rahm Emanuel proposed it in his first run for mayor. I believe at the time hearing that New York and Los Angeles have larger populations with fewer City Council members.
Edward Kurek, West Loop
Unfair assessment
In comments at their latest summit, Michelle Obama described the section of Jackson Park slated to become the site of the Obama Presidential Center as “underutilized.” I think this is an unfair assessment, as that part of the park is, in fact, frequently used by local residents, who take advantage of the open space by using it for picnics, for family reunions, birthday parties, and the like. There are several church groups who also use the space, along with groups that are not-so organized. I, myself, frequently go out just before dawn, make my way to the wooded island, bird watching. Parking is free along Stony Island. That area is amazing for birdwatchers. Cornell Drive is easily crossed at the Midway, as there are crosswalks and traffic signals at the intersection.
The site for the OPC will eliminate the eastbound Midway Plaisance. Cornell Drive will be removed, with traffic diverted to Stony Island, or by Hayes Drive to a widened Lake Shore Drive. The cost of these projects is estimated at $175 million to $ 200 million. The full impact of traffic changes will be significant.
There is no reason to give up park land, when city and university sites lie vacant. There are numerous sites adjacent to Washington Park, as well.
Chicagoans have a long, rich history of doing battle to save our Parks. Consider the work of A. Montgomery Ward, or, in the 1960s, the work of the Burnham brigade in their battle to save, protect, preserve our parks. We fought a similar battle, back in the 1960s, to preserve our rich architectural heritage. The question is, what have we learned from that?
We need to protect our historic landscape designs, not build on them.
Ross Petersen, Northwest Side
Pounding the table
In any legal proceeding the rule to follow is: If you have the facts on your side, argue the facts; if you have the law on your side, argue the law; if you have neither, pound on the table. Apparently Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., had nothing Wednesday during the hearings, so he resorted to pounding on the table. Oh, not literally, instead he argued that the whistleblower needed to testify, be outed, and multiple other things too many to mention. Never mind that the whistleblower is protected from the likes of Nunes; never mind that everything alleged by the whistleblower has been corroborated by subsequent testimony. Nunes was there to make noise for his full allotted time.
Lee Knohl, Evanston
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