POLITICAL AFFAIRS

REP. MAYFIELD REAPPOINTED CHAIRPERSON OF HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS-PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

State Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, will continue to take a leading role in facilitating public safety efforts across Illinois after being reappointed to lead the Appropriations-Public Safety Committee in the Illinois House of Representatives for the newly-begun 103rd General Assembly.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue the important work in which I have been engaged during the next two years,” Mayfield said. “During the last General Assembly, we were able to move Illinois forward with several significant achievements including more funding for law enforcement, enhanced programs to address retail theft, car theft, gun crime and more. However, more work remains to be done and the coming session is the time to do it.”

The 103rd General Assembly began on Jan. 11 and will continue until January 2025. Mayfield was also the chairperson of the same committee during the recently-ended 102nd General Assembly, where she maintained a consistent record of no-nonsense, equity-focused legislative work, including her efforts to help successfully pass the historic SAFE-T Act.

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The following schools achieved either 50 percent or higher female representation in at least one of the two AP computer science courses or the percentage of the female computer science exam takers met or exceeded that of the school’s female population during the 2021-22 school year:

● Aspira Business and Finance High School

● Aspira Early College High School

● Austin College & Career Academy High School*

● Back of the Yards High School*

● Chicago Academy High School*

● CICS Northtown Academy

● Curie Metropolitan High School*

● Greater Lawndale High School for Social Justice*

● Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep Academy*

● Hyde Park Academy High School*

● Intrinsic Schools – Belmont Campus

● Intrinsic Schools – Downtown Campus

● ITW David Speer Academy

● Bowen High School*

● Hancock College Prep High School*

● Johnson College Prep

● Jones College Prep High School*

● Lane Tech College Prep High

“We’re excited to receive this award, not just for the amazing students and teachers at North-Grand, but for so many other schools across the District,” said North-Grand High School Principal Emily Feltes. “Supporting and empowering female students is fundamental to providing equitable education in our schools, and I’m incredibly proud of the work my colleagues are doing throughout CPS to make that a reality for our students.” citizennewspapergroup.com

According to a Google study, 54 percent of female computer science majors took AP CSA in high school. College Board research about AP CSP also finds AP CSP students are nearly twice as likely to enroll in AP CSA, and that for most students, AP CSP serves as a stepping stone to other advanced AP STEM coursework.

These findings highlight the importance of schools nationwide achieving gender parity in AP computer science classrooms. Across the nation, female students remain underrepresented in high school computer science classes, accounting for just 33 percent of AP Computer Science Principles participants and 25 percent of AP Computer Science A participants. Currently, 51 percent of high schools teach foundational computer science. Within CPS, all students receive foundational computer science education before graduation. CPS remains the only large urban district in the country with a high school computer science graduation requirement.

“This committee’s work is at the intersection of two of the most important aspects of public service—keeping the public safe and ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” Mayfield said. “These are both areas of responsibility that I take very seriously, and I am excited once again to take on the challenge of ensuring they continue to be addressed in a balanced way.”

Mayfield’s constituent service office is reachable at 847-599-2800 or 60thdistrict@ gmail.com.

REP. DAVIS ANNOUNCES CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY FOR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS

Rep. Danny K. Davis announced that the City of Chicago and Cook County would receive a reallocation of emergency rental assistance funds from the U. S. Treasury for the second quarter, beginning in April. This funding is a result of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, enacted on March 11, 2021. The funds are provided directly to states, U.S. territories, and local governments. Grantees such as the City of Chicago and Cook County use the funds to assist eligible households through existing or newly created rental assistance programs.

Davis said, “Emergency rental assistance is of great need in the City of Chicago, especially in Cook County’s marginalized communities. This funding will help many people.”

The U. S. Treasury reallocated $422,807.14 to the City of Chicago and $2,561,988.87 to Cook County. Here is the website for additional information about the program: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/ coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/emergency-rental-assistance-program

For Chicago: https://www.chicago.gov/ city/en/depts/doh/provdrs/renters/svcs/emergency-rental-assistance-program.html

For Cook County: https://www.cookcountyil.gov/rent-help