Chicago Public Schools Celebrates the Class of 2023

CHICAGO – Chicago Public Schools (CPS) high school graduates began moving tassels to the left and tossing mortarboards in the air this past weekend amid the bittersweet sound of Pomp and Circumstance in auditoriums and other local venues across the city. The Class of 2023 - who were all freshmen during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic - have earned nearly $1 billion in college scholarships and garnered thousands of state and national honors and academic distinctions. The ceremonies and celebrations will continue through mid-June for thousands of CPS graduates with a final tally to be available in the fall. Last year, 21,205 students graduated from CPS, with the District graduation rate increasing 2.7 percentage points to 82.9 percent.

With high school diplomas - and often college credits - already attained, CPS graduates are moving on to attend higher education powerhouses like Stanford, Harvard, Michigan, North Carolina A&T, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Eastern Kentucky and institutions around the world. Some will stay closer to home with plans to attend a City Colleges of Chicago campus, University of Chicago, Northwestern University or the University of Illinois at Chicago campus among others. Still, others will continue their training and apprenticeship programs in the culinary arts, cosmetology, automotive, construction and other skilled trades.

“Every day, our students show our city that they are talented, hardworking and engaged and I am excited to watch this year’s graduating class continue to grow into the teachers, engineers, writers and leaders of tomorrow,” said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. “I am incredibly proud of our 2023 graduating class and offer them my sincere congratulations on their outstanding achievements. I also extend my deepest thanks to the incredible teachers, school leaders and family members who supported them in their achievement.”

This year’s graduating class includes Englewood STEM High School’s first cohort of graduates, with nearly 50 percent of Englewood seniors earning college credit and five earning associate degrees.

Seal of Biliteracy

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SOUTH END Washington Heights,Roseland,Rosemoor, Englewood,West Englewood, Auburn-Gresham, Morgan Park, Maple Park, Mt. Vernon, Fernwood, Bellevue, Beverly, Pullman, West Pullman, West Pullman,Riverdale, Jeffrey Manor and Hegewisch.

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HYDE PARK Lake Meadows, Oakland, Prairie Shores,Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Woodland,South Shore and Hyde Park.

CHICAGO WEEKEND Chicago Westside Communities, Austin and Garfield Park

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More than 2,400 students earned the Illinois Seal of Biliteracy this year –a 25 percent increase from 2022. The Seal of Biliteracy is given to students who have attained proficiency in two more languages before their high school graduation. Students from 87 District schools earned a Seal of Biliteracy this year in 34 total languages, including American Sign Language (ASL), Hebrew, Mandarin and Turkish, with Spanish being the most common Seal language.

This increase reflects the District’s intentional investment in bilingual and dual-language programs, with the FY2023 budget providing $3 million in new funding for additional bilingual teachers and dual-language program coordinators, as well as the formation of bilingual advisory councils. Dual language programming provides instruction in both English and Spanish, ensuring students are biliterate and bilingual in both languages.

Industry Credentials

CPS graduates earned industry certifications in healthcare and various trades this year which can help them earn a living post high school while

ELIZABETH “LIZZIE G” ELIE

they pursue additional education. This year, 20 CPS students will pursue paid trainee positions with the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) 399 to complete the IUOE Trainee program as operating engineers with the support of a highly-skilled JLL mentor. After completion of the program, the trainees will have earned an associate degree and have the option to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a reduced cost, and students will be eligible to apply for work at CPS, which can ultimately open the door to job opportunities throughout the U.S. and globally. This year’s students come from Senn, Kelly, Curie, Peace & Education Coalition, Back of the Yards, Richards, CVCA and Bogan high schools.

Early College Attainment

CPS students also made great strides in early college attainment. This year, more than 5,000 CPS students earned college credits before graduation, with over 600 of those students earning at least 15 credits – a 32 percent increase from last year. Students of color saw significant gains, with a 100 percent increase for Black male students, from 37 in 2022 to 74 in 2023, and a nearly 56 percent increase for Hispanic male students, up from 76 in 2022 to 119 in 2023. Students who earned college credits did so either through the District’s partnership with City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) or through DeVry Unity Advantage Academy High School’s associate degree program. More than 120 CPS students earned an associate degree through these two programs.

The number of District students who sat for the May 2023 International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program exams increased to 884, up from 770 in 2022. IB students who earn a score of a 4 or higher on IB exams may receive college credit. All public postsecondary institutions in Illinois, including all City Colleges of Chicago, award college credit for passing scores on IB exams.

Nationally-Recognized Scholars

Five of this year’s graduating class have also been awarded the prestigious Gates Scholarship for their exemplary work in leadership, perseverance and academic excellence. Paul Adekola of Air Force Academy High School, Alanah Martin of Kenwood Academy, Kevin Reyes Vega of Chicago Military Academy and Jaylen Brown and Sammi Yee of Whitney Young High School will attend prestigious colleges next year with the support of the Gates Foundation full-tuition scholarship.

Learn more about CPS at www. cps.edu.

Lightford Encourages Illinois To Celebrate Juneteenth

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly

A. Lightford championed legislation in 2021 to ensure that the people of Illinois understood that Black history is American history. This year she is building upon that monumental measure by encouraging people to celebrate Juneteenth and reminding them of the reason for the holiday.

“Juneteenth being a state holiday reminds us that freedom and racial equality have always been a hard-fought battle for Black Americans,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This day gives everyone an opportunity to celebrate Black culture, Black achievements, and learn more about Black history.”

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which established that all enslaved people in Confederate states were forever free. However, it was not until two years later in June of 1865 that federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the proclamation freeing the last of slaves in the United States.

In 2021, Lightford championed House Bill 3922, which established June 19 as a state holiday for Juneteenth National Freedom Day. It is now a paid day off holiday for all state employees and a school holiday.

Today, Juneteenth has grown from the celebration of the abolition of slavery into a celebration of Black arts, culture, and the impacts of the civil rights movement throughout the country.

“The struggle for our people to achieve full equity in Illinois and across the nation continues still to this day,” Lightford said. “Juneteenth recognizes our accomplishments, our achievements, our culture, and reminds us that our fight is not over.”

SEN. BELT & REP. HOFFMAN: BUDGET ENSURES FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR THE METRO EAST

SPRINGFIELD

– Continuing their work to uplift families across the Metro East, State Senator Christopher Belt and State Representative Jay Hoffman supported a financially responsible state budget plan that provides services for those who need it most and makes crucial investments for the next generation.

“I made sure the Metro East was not forgotten in the budget process. I wanted to ensure that the municipalities that comprise the 57th District received their fair share,” said Belt (D-Swansea) “That’s why there is a $15 million allocation for Veterans Property Tax Relief Reimbursement Pilot Program, which will reimburse St. Clair County for every property tax deduction, exemption and freeze they provide for our veterans.”

Belt, Chair of the Senate Appropriations - Public Safety & Infrastructure committee and Vice-Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee was deeply involved in budget negotiations for the Senate. He was proud to support a budget gives the Metro East’s infrastructure and education institutions the funding it needs.

“I also wanted to make sure that students in the area receive the same opportunities that students in Chicago and suburbs get,” said Belt. “The budget includes a $350 million in new funding toward the evidence-based funding model for K-12 education and increases needbased tuition assistance by $100 million – to a total of $701 million, which will help keep property taxes from rising and ensure that our students have access to great schools.”

This increased funding allows nearly all community college students at or below median income levels to have their tuition and fees covered through MAP and Pell Grants, which is good for Southwestern Illinois College and surrounding communities.

“This is a responsible and compassionate state budget that prioritizes investment in the issues families are facing,” Hoffman said. “We’re dedicating significant resources for our public safety efforts, while also increasing funding for childcare and early childhood education. If we want to build a stronger Illinois, we need to support the next generation and ensure that every individual in the Metro East has an opportunity to succeed. I appreciate the advocacy from Sen. Belt, Rep. Katie Stuart and all of the local leaders who used their voice to help put together a strong budget that will help our community.”

Once signed into law, the FY 24 Budget will take effect July 1.