How to celebrate Christmas, New Year ’s and Kwanzaa on the West Side
By DEBORAH BAYLISS and BROOKE DUNCAN Contributing Reporter
As the holiday season continues, there’s no shortage of festive events to enjoy in the community and beyond. Whether you’re looking for lively holiday parties, meaningful worship services, or seasonal attractions, there’s something for everyone.
Winter Fun and Festivities
A Chosen Few DJs Holiday Party Saturday, Dec. 21, 4 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Join the legendary A Chosen Few DJs at Vu Rooftop for an unforgettable holiday bash. Dance the night away while enjoying stunning views of the city. Tickets available at ChosenHoliday24.eventbrite.com.
Vu Rooftop – 133 E. Cer mak Rd., Chicago
Bethel New Life aims to address mental health for Black men
The goal in par t is to help remove cultural stigma around mental health problems
By DEBORAH BAYLISS Contributing Reporter
According to the Chicago Data Portal, Austin leads all community areas with the highest number of homicides in 2024.
Along with the highest use of opioids and overdoses, these factors contribute to chronic stress, complex trauma and pervasive anxiety within the community. Data also shows that individuals in marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
All of this is exacerbated during the holidays. That’s why Bethel New Life – a nonprofit organization on Chicago’s West Side that seeks to empower and rebuild West Side neighborhoods through community-driven approaches – held its “Empowering Black Male Youth: Navigating Mental Health and Wellness Together” dinner event last week as a way to address it.
The Foundation was created by the community, for the community. Join us to build a racially just society in which all members of our community thrive and prosper. Together we can invest in real change.
Please give to our annual fund today.
e 10 stories in Austin you loved most this year
Political squabbles, housing and Meghan Markle all made the list
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
As we say goodbye to 2024, it’s only natural that we’d look back at the year to see which Austin Weekly News stories resonated most with our readers.
While there’s no way for us to tell how many print readers read our articles, here are the stories that received the most page views online. The article with the most page views is listed last, and I include whatever insight I have from my reporting process sprinkled in.
10.
West Siders backing Ald. Mitts call on Ald. RamirezRosa to resign - 1,677 views
While Chicago’s City Council is under the spotlight for its drawn-out ne gotiations to approve next year’s budget, riffs within the governing body have b much longer. This story co those instances in May, w leaders called for the resignation of Ramirez-Rosa, alderman of Ward. Their request came after Rosa was seen in court, suppo his staf f members after he was with aggravated assault.
9. Train cargo theft causes dela near Oak Park - 1,760 views Wednesday Journal re Draughon reported this article after a train cargo theft on Chicago’s West Side caused delays on the Metra around Oak Pa
8. Cook County pro spective homeowners with ible $20,000 grants - 1,854 views
Reporter Delaney Nelson detailed how those who want to become homeowner but may not be able to af ford seek some aid through the Cook County Land Bank Authority’s Homebuyer program.
7.
Time to reinstate the death penalty – 2,689 views
This piece by columnist Arlene Jones makes a case for reinstating the death penalty after Illinois eliminated it 13 years ago. Jones said crimes worthy of the death penalty, like shooting women and children, are still rampant, and should be dealt with accordingly.
6. Nontraditional ways of buying a house? NACA real estate broker Josie Hood explains how – 2,939 views
For this story, reporter Delaney Nelson interviewed Josie Hood, a real estate broker from Chicago’s South Side, who explained how nontraditional homebuyers – such as those with lower credit scores or on fixed incomes – can buy a house.
5.
Residents of West Suburban decry ‘disg raceful’ conditions - 3,477 views
This was the first story I wrote about the hospital, when resident doctors took a “unity break” in May to bring attention to
4.
Applications open for Fifth City Commons affordable housing –5,566 views
Reporter Michael Baniewicz told this story about the Fifth City Commons in East Garfield Park. Leases at the af fordable housing development start this month. A bookstore and restaurant on the building’s first floor are expected to open in spring.
3. As Mars Wrigley’s Chicago plant nears closure, the company finalizes a developer - 5,994 views
In 2022, the longtime candy maker in Chicago’s Galewood neighborhood announced that it would cease the plant’s operations this year. While the new developer, McCaffery Interests, has yet to announce what will replace the factory, the community has been involved in the process and say they want a mixed-use development.
2. West Suburban residents say hospital is in ‘critical condition,’ iting patient safety issues - 8,229 views views for this story onsidering it was only pubember. I wrote it after Suburban came to me with a letter outlining their complaints s management. The group oncerns they had about . We’ll see what ersation is around the hospital, wners and owed miler the past decade, in 2025.
le is desperate -
most read story is by columnist Arlene Jones and outlines her ussex Meghan for reading AusEach one of your means a lot to me and, I’m sure, to ill be back with
ach out to me with feedback or story ideas at jessica@austinweeklynews.com.
AU STIN WEEKLY news
Editor Erika Hobbs
Sta Repor ter Jessica Mordacq
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Columnists Arlene Jones, Aisha Oliver
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Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza
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JESSICA MOR DACQ
Iris Marin at West Suburban resident doctors’ unity break, May 7.
Christmas Brunch with Santa in the Grand Ballroom
Wednesday, Dec. 25, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Celebrate Christmas with a festive brunch buffet, live entertainment, a kids’ craft station, and a visit from Santa, all while enjoying stunning views of the Chicago skyline.
Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago – 401 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago
Winter holiday
Snowflakes Winter Flower Show
Through Jan. 5, 2025
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the season at the Garfield Park Conservatory’s annual winter display. Featuring poinsettias, dusty miller, snowbush, and more, this show is a festive retreat for all ages.
Garfield Park Conservatory – 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago For more information, call 773-638-1766.
City Winery Chicago Holiday Concerts
R&B fans won’t want to miss these exciting performances:
Raheem DeVaughn – Dec. 26 & 27 at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and Terisa Griffin – Dec. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a delicious dinner while experiencing these soulful performances. For tickets, call 312-733-9463.
City Winery Chicago – 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago
New Year ’s Eve
Pre-NYE Celebration
Saturday, Dec. 28, 6 p.m.
Join us for a Pre-New Year’s Eve Celebration. Enjoy live music and a special dinner menu, along with $5 Cuba Libres to kick of f the festivities.
Cafe Cubano – 113 N Oak Pa rk Ave. , Oak Pa rk
Bubbles and Beginnings: Wine Club Pairing Dinner
Monday, Dec. 30, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Celebrate the end of 2024 with an upscale wine pairing dinner at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant. Enjoy a special menu
filled with opulent flavors, perfect for ing in the New Year with good food and great company.
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant –950 Lake St., Oak Park
The Chosen Few DJs & Hot Mix 5 New Year’s Eve Celebration
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 6 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Ring in the New Year with iconic DJs and a vibrant crowd at Park West. This energy event promises music, dancing, and unforgettable memories to welcome 2025. Get your tickets at www.axs.com.
Park West – 322 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago
NYE Ceremony: Cacao Song Circle Ecstatic Dance Celebration
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m. - Wednesday, Jan. 1, 1:30 a.m.
Ring in the New Year with an evening of connection, joy, and movement. Join us for a soulful gathering filled with intention, music, and celebration as we welcome 2025 with open hearts and vibrant energ y.
Ahimsa Yoga Studio – 441 South Blvd, Oak Park
New Year’s Eve Party at Theater on the Lake
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Ring in the New Year at Chicago’s most extraordinary celebration. Enjoy a 5-hour premium package, sip curated specialty cocktails, and watch aerialist bartenders pour bubbly from above. Dance to live DJ performances and enjoy upscale appetizers with breathtaking views of Lake Michig an and the Chicago skyline.
Theater on the Lake – 2401 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
New Year, Eternal You: Restorative Yoga and Guided Meditation
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Deep relaxation contributes to an overall feeling of well-being and helps you uncover your natural clarity and peace of mind. In the state of deep relaxation, tension is released from the body on a physical level, and the mind completely switches off. This two-plus-hour restorative practice and guided meditation will help you unwind from holiday stress and set your intention for the year ahead. Available In-Person or on Zoom. Price: $40/$35 for Ahimsa members
Ahimsa Yoga Studio – 441 South Blvd, Oak Park.
New Ye ar ’s Eve Firewo rk s at Navy Pier Dec. 31, 10:15 p.m.
taking fireworks display at Navy Pier. Synchronized to music, this free event promises to be a stunning way to end the year and usher in 2025. Be sure to arrive early to grab a good viewing spot.
Navy Pier – 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa Celebration at Malcolm X Colle ge Dec. 26 - Jan. 1, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Celebrate the cultural heritage of Kwanzaa at Malcolm X Colle ge. This free, seven-day event offers a chance to learn and reflect on the principles of unity and heritage. Highlights include a procession and drum call on Dec. 26 at noon. For details, call 773-265-534.
Malcolm X Colle ge – 1900 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago
Christmas Worship Ser vices
First Baptist Congre gational Church’s Worship Arts Christmas Program – “The Greatest Gift” Thursday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m.
Celebrate the season through worship and art at First Baptist Cong re gational Church’s special Christmas program. For more infor mation, call 312-243-8047.
First Baptist Cong re gational Church –1613 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago
Christmas Worship Service at Chicago West Bible Church
Sunday, Dec. 22, 10 a.m.
Join Chicago West Bible Church for a meaningful Christmas service celebrating the birth of Christ.
Chicago West Bible Church – 5916 W. Lake St., Chicago
These events offer a wide range of holiday cheer, from heartwarming traditions to unforgettable experiences, all happening close to home. Don’t miss out on the festivities.
Black is beautiful is the lesson of new book on Afros
‘My Afro is a Rising Sun’ is an ode to Black hair and a story about embracing culture and identity
By DEBORAH BAYLISS Contributing Reporter
T he day that Yaram Yahu caught a glimpse of his fluffy Afro sitting like a crown of dark cotton on the top of his head was the magical moment that gave birth to the title of his fourth book.
“It was in April of 2022,” Yahu, of Oak Park, explained. “I went to get a drink of water after working out and saw the shadow of my Afro in silhouette. It looked like a rising sun, and I thought, ‘my Afro is a rising sun and that is the perfect children’s book title,’ because you know, I have been writing children’s books for almost 20 years now.”
obstacles will come your way and there will be things you will have to face…but it’s being able to persevere and shine through them despite those obstacles.”
Yahu wrote and self-published his first book “Heartland,” and founded his selfpublishing business at 11. He also wrote a 500-page novel as a sophomore at Oak Park River Forest High School.
“I got started [writing] when I was in fourth grade,” Yahoo, 29, recalled. “I went to Longfellow Elementary School here in Oak Park. My teacher, Mrs. Ambrosino, assigned a creative writing assignment that led me into writing full time.”
The idea stuck with him for about two weeks before he sat down to write the manuscript in May 2022. “My Afro is a Rising Sun” centers on a young boy who learns about his identity, culture and heritage through his Afro.
One of the book’s messages is for Black children and really anyone, to express themselves, see the beauty in themselves and to embrace their culture and heritage.
Perseverance is the book’s other message, he said.
“Another takeaway in the book, especially for marginalized people of color, is that
Yahu found his first representation in July 2022. The agent then sent the manuscript to publishers in September.
“A lot of people don’t know that you have to go through a literary agent who will then send the manuscript to the publisher,” Yahu said. “That’s how you get traditionally published.”
However, the road to getting there was by no means paved with gold. By Oct. 2022, the young author had gone through a series of job changes and was struggling financially.
Still, Yahu was determined to earn a liv-
See YARAM YAHU on pa ge 9
TR AC Y M. C ARGO
Yaram Yahu, author of ‘My Afro is a Rising Sun,’ signs books at a recent event.
Lawndale Christian Development Corporation celebrates MLK Jr. with annual gala
The event will also honor the organization’s past successes and future e orts
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
Live music with cocktails and dinner, a local history lesson, and a lively panel discussion – this is what you can expect from the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation’s upcoming annual gala.
An organization that increases af fordable housing and economic empowerment in North Lawndale, LCDC is hosting its 37th annual Reawakening Gala Jan. 17 to celebrate its ef for ts and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year, that falls on Jan. 20.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived in North Lawndale when he was visiting Chicago in 1966. During his stay, King worked on his Poor People’s Campaign to end slum housing in the area, according to Deputy Director for LCDC Whittney Smith. She added that LCDC built the Martin Luther King Le gacy Apartments, which opened in 2011 on the 1500 block of Hamlin, where King lived while he was in town.
“The gala is an extension of us honoring that le gacy and the type of leader that MLK was,” Smith said, “and really doing our part to ensure that it lives on and that people are re-educated about the nature of his work through our work.”
In addition to hearing about King and North Lawndale’s history from local historian Shermann Dilla Thomas, gala attendees will be served dinner and experience a panel discussion about future development in North Lawndale and Chicago as a whole.
“It’ll be insightful, it’ll be historic, but it’ll also be fun and celebratory,” Smith said. “Part of what helps all of us – in work and life [to] build community and reinforce our community in partnerships and collaborations – is having opportunities to share that joy around the impact of our work.”
The impact of LCDC’s work is extensive. Since it was founded in 1987, LCDC has built about 500 units of af fordable housing throughout Lawndale.
In August, LCDC opened the Lazarus Apartments, containing 48 units of af fordable housing.
Also this year, LCDC constructed 23 af fordable homes as part of an ef fort to build 1,000 of such dwellings on vacant
Continued on pa ge 7
lots in the area.
“All 23 of our current homeowners who purchased their homes with us over this last year are ecstatic and thrilled to be in their homes,” Smith said.
LCDC is in the permitting process for the next 20 houses it’s constructing and will start building soon. Smith said that they will likely break ground on another 30 houses come spring.
“We’re really trying to get to scale and pace with the work that we’re doing so we can do true transformation-level work,” Smith said. “That’s what North Lawndale needs, and that’s what it deserves to have.”
The 1,700-square-foot homes have three bedrooms, two bathrooms and are built with sustainability in mind, Smith said. That means they all have energy-efficient heating and cooling, and LCDC is exploring solar energy options for future builds.
At the Reawakening Gala, LCDC will also present five new projects that it’s launching in the next three-to-five years.
cooperative Chicago Chocolate Rebellion.
Smith said the panel at the Reawakening Gala will discuss the three other upcoming projects at the event. It will also address how, with President Elect Donald Trump taking office next month, changing federal leadership might affect Chicago. Smith said that LCDC is prepared to deal with a new administration.
“Our work is about bringing certainty in uncertain times,” Smith said. “You don’t make it to 37 years without being able to root yourself deeply and really help residents and communities in the city navigate uncertain waters.”
Smith said the gala also serves as a space for residents and those who care about North Lawndale to find community among each other.
“I think that’s as important as the work itself,” Smith said. “We encourage each other and we love on one another as we think thoughtfully about how we move everything forward, how we partner and col-
PHOTOS OF THE YEAR
PHOTO S BY SAM TUCKER
Marchers move down West Harrison Street near the intersec tion of Harrison and South Lotus Avenue dur ing the Invest in Peace March organized by the Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development June 5.
Mayor Brandon Johnson addresses attendees of a public upda te meeting for the People’s Plan for Chicago, a strategy to reduce crime and violence in Chicago’s highest-risk communities, at the Moore Park Fieldhouse, 5085 W. Adams St., Oct. 10.
e music group, Rocket & Gizzae, per form for the crowd and passing attendees at the Galewoodstock Music Festival Aug. 24.
Robert Hart, co-manager of the Hart and Peace Garden, inspects the stalks of tomato plants grow ing in the garden in Austin June 13.
A cherry waits to be plucked from its tree at the Hart and Peace Garden at 645 N. Latrobe, on June 13. e garden also has a pear tree.
Produce is displayed at the Forty Acres Fresh Market vending booth at the Austin Town Hall Farmers Market in Austin Town Hall Park Aug. 15.
MENTAL HEALTH
from page 1
The Austin Weekly News contacted Aniki Coates, Bethel’s senior manager of horticulture and wellness and host of the event to discuss mental health on the West Side and among Black male youth.
AWN: Why is this panel discussion necessary?
Black male youth in our communities face a disproportionate burden of mental health issues due to factors such as a high risk of trauma exposure, systemic racism, socioeconomic disparities, complex grief and loss and cultural stigma. By engaging in open co nversations with our youth and community, we are helping to destigmatize seeking help and fostering a culture of compassion. While our primary focus is on Black mental health, we are committed to inclusively addressing the needs of all individuals living in Austin and other communities we serve
AWN: Are mental health issues in the Black community/Austin, Garfield, Lawndale, outside of Bethel, being addressed? If not, what needs to be done and by whom?
At Bethel New Life, we recognize that while there have been commendable efforts to address mental health issues within the Black community in Austin, Garfield, and Lawndale, significant challenges persist. Issues like food insecurity, limited access to culturally sensitive mental health services, and enduring stigma continue to weigh heavily on our community’s mental well-being. Addressing these mental health challenges requires a collaborative and multifaceted approach. Sixty percent of attendees [of our dinners] have followed up with a mental health provider.
AWN: Tell me about your panelists. With a Ph.D. in Policy Studies in Urban Education from the University of Illinois Chicago, Dr. Elisha Hall, the founder of the African and Indigenous Knowledge Institute, is dedicated to restoring African healing legacies and fostering self-determination through storytelling and character development for healing both youth and adults. Also, with a background in restorative justice, panelist Jacob Walls, a mental health professional at GRO Community, which specializes in trauma-infor med care for boys and men of color, will focus on mental health and wellness, stress management, trauma recovery, and life transitions.
AWN: Why is it taking place this month?
Hosting our mental wellness panel in December allows us to address the heightened emotional challenges that often accompany the holiday season. For many, this time of year can bring increased stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation.
AWN: Do you have contact numbers or hotlines for people to call who may need to speak with someone, especially during the holidays?
At our community dinners, we ensure that all attendees have access to essential mental health resources. We provide contact information for local hotlines and support services.
AWN: Is there anything of note you’d like to point out, culturally speaking?
Black [people], in particular, are more likely to identify and describe physical symptoms related to mental health problems. A healthcare provider who is not culturally competent might not recognize these as symptoms of a mental health condition, [according to] the National Alliance on Mental Health NAMI. Furthermore, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health NAMI, in 2020, 10.4% of Black adults in the U.S. had no form of health insurance, which severely limits access to mental health services. Despite the needs, only one in three Black adults with mental illness receive treatment, according to the American Psychiatric Association’s Mental Health Facts for African Americans guide. Dr. Hall and Jacob Walls, along with other attending black mental health professionals, exemplify the collaborative spirit of our community partnerships, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise to address the mental health needs of Austin’s residents
Hotlines & Support services
■ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK 8255
■ NAMI Chicago: 833-626-4244
■ Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
■ Bethel New Life Wellness Office and Food Pantry: 773-887-3630
■ GRO Community Mental Health Se vices: 773-253-8385
■ New Life Knew Solutions: 773-309-2050
■ Kaleidoscope: 773-278-7200
■ Healthcare Alternative Systems: Phone: 312-850-0050
■ Catholic Charities Encompassing Center: 312-655-7700
■ Black Mental Health Alliance Hotline: 410-338-2642
YARAM YAHU
from page 5
ing as a traditionally published author. Just as the weight of not knowing what he was going to do to get out of his financial straits was closing in, “My Afro is a Rising Sun” was released this month by Running Kids Press, part of Hachette Book Group. Illustrations for the hardcover picture book were done by DeAnn Wiley.
“I went from having only 13 pennies to a five-figure, traditionally published author all within a day,” Yahu said. “I’m a living testament that all things are possible.
“People were telling me authors don’ t make money and that traditional publishing is a waste of time, especially because I’m Black, because statistically, Black authors already have it more difficult than others.”
He’s no longer operating the self-publishing business he started with his first book. He does however, offer ghost writing and editorial services. With more than 10 years’ experience in screenwriting and editorial work, including at Beacon Press, Yahu’s writing has appeared in
diverse publications such as Solstice Literary Magazine and Keystrokes. He studied at Emerson Colle ge, tutored at 826 Boston, and volunteered in places such as Pakistan and Tanzania. Yahu is also developing several TV, novel, and picture-book projects while continuing his passion for storytelling across multiple genres.
Yahoo’s mother, Chajuana Calhoun, recalled how he displayed his early writing talents by filling up so many spiral notes with stories, that she and his grandmother had to get crates to hold them all.
“He just has such a creative mind,” Calhoun said. “Having that mind and being able to put it on paper is a talent. It’s pretty unique that he would come up with the title ‘My Afro is a Rising Sun.’ I’m very proud of him for that.”
“M y Afro is a Rising S un” c an be found in 650 Bar nes and Noble Book S tores in the U. S. and j ust went to the U.K. last week.
It ’s also in all Chicago Public Libraries as well as the Oak Park Public Library. You can also order the book from Amazon. com, Walmart.com, Target.com and the publisher’s website, hachettebookgroup. com. He can also be found at Yaramyahu. com for school and author visits.
Budget pressures could impact K-12 funding
State Board of Education gets brie ng on scal landscape ahead
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois
Public schools in Illinois have enjoyed several consecutive years of substantial increases in state funding, thanks largely to steady growth in state revenues and a new funding for mula that lawmakers approved in 2018.
But whether that can continue into the upcoming fiscal year is an open question that state lawmakers will have to face when they retur n to the Statehouse in January.
With budget forecasters predicting flat revenue growth over the next year and continued demands for increased spending in other areas of the budget such as pension costs and health care, members of the Illinois State Board of Education were told Wednesday that they are now in a different fiscal environment.
“I do not envy anybody involved in that process because it won’t be a fun time,” Eric Noggle, revenue manager of the legislature’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, or COGFA, told the board.
COGFA is a nonpartisan agency that provides economic and budgetary analysis to the General Assembly. It operates independently of the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, or GOMB, although the two agencies are often in ag reement in their general findings and analysis.
In November, GOMB i ssued a re po rt projecting a $3.2 billion deficit in the fisc al year that begins Ju ly 1, 2025. Th at was b ased on projections of essentially flat reve nue growth of about $53.4 billion, and a 6% increase in spending d ue to statutorily required increases in thing s li ke p ension c ontributions, Medicai d and state employee health care c osts, and PreK-12 education.
In the current fiscal year, state spending on public schools totals just under $11 billion, or about 20% of the state’s $53 billion General Revenue Fund Budget.
Two factors are primarily responsible for the demand for increased state spending on schools. One is the 2018 funding fo rmula, known as the Evidence-Based Funding model, that calls for annual increases of at least $350 million.
That law sets out a for mula for determining what would be an “adequate” level of funding for each district based on factors such as total student enrollment, poverty rates, and the number of English language learners in the district. The adequacy target includes both state aid and money the district is able to raise on its own through local property taxes.
C
Andy Krupin, right, the Illinois State Board of Education’s director of funding and disbursement, and omas Bazan, ISBE’s director of budget and nance, brief the board on budget issues facing the agenc y during a meeting, Dec. 18.
state needs to increase its evidence-based funding by more than the minimum $350 million each year
“One thing that we know is that three out of four children in Illinois are still in underfunded districts. That’s more than 1 million students,” Jelani Saadiq, director of government relations for the advocacy group Advance Illinois, told the board during the public comment portion of its meeting Wednesday. “The latest school report card shows continued challenges with chronic absenteeism and lagging recovery in math. We need to set our schools up for success in addressing these challenges in the absence of federal stimulus funds by doubling down on our EBF investment moving forward.”
The law then directs that the new money each year be sent to districts that are furthest away from their adequacy target.
The annual funding increases are supposed to continue until all districts reach at least 90% of their adequacy target.
But some advocates argue the
The other factor driving increases in public school spending is known as “mandatory categorical” spending, or MCAT, which includes such things as transportation costs, the state’s free breakfast and lunch program and the cost of educating children in foster care
Andy Krupin, ISBE’s director of funding and disbursements, explained that the state often does not fully fund MCAT expenses and thus “prorates” the amount it reimburses districts for those expenses. The level of proration varies depending on how much the General Assembly appropriates in each category.
Based on the agency’s estimate of next year’s costs, Krupin said, the General As-
sembly would need to add another $142.2 million to its PreK-12 budget just to maintain the same level of proration as this year
Combined with the $350 million increase called for under the EBF for mula, that would be a total increase in PreK-12 spending of $492.2 million next year.
But ISBE has received requests for even more funding increases than that. During a series of public hearings on the budget in October, of ficials said, the agency heard numerous proposals adding up to about $2.2 billion in funding increase requests. Those included proposals for a $550 million increase in EBF funding and a $10 million increase in career and technical education funding, among other requests.
GOMB’s projection of a $3.2 billion deficit assumed a $444 million increase in school spending, as well as a $1.1 billion increase in health care expenses and a $437 million increase in pension contributions, among other increases.
State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders is scheduled to submit his final budget proposal to the board for approval at the board’s Jan. 15 meeting. Pritzker is scheduled to deliver his budget address to the General Assembly Feb. 19.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government covera ge to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
C APITO L N EW S ILLINOIS PH OTO BY PETER HANCOCK
Illinois State Board of Education member James Anderson, le , listens to a presentation about budget challenges for PreK-12 education along w ith board members Laura Gonzalez and Patricia Nugent.
HANCOCK
Accountability. Essential Civics
FLOYD, CRANDALL R FLOYD JR, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF NADINE FLOYD, UNKNOWN OWNERS GENERALLY, AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS
Defendant 22 CH 6566 CALENDAR 59 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on January 15, 2025, at the hour 11:00 A.M., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: SITUATED IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, DESCRIBED AS: LOT 13 IN BLOCK 3 IN WILLIAM A. MERIGOLD`S RESUBDIVISION DIVISION OF THE NORTH 50 ACRES OF THE EAST HALF OF THE NORTH EAST QUARTER OF SECTION 22, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
