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Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) is grateful to have been chosen as the beneficiary for Skender Foundation’s 8th annual Harvesting Hope fundraiser. More than 300 people attended the October 17 event at Venue West in the West Loop, raising $43,000 for CCH’s Youth Futures mobile legal aid clinic.

Organized by Skender Foundation’s Builders’ Board, Harvesting Hope seeks to encourage the spirit of giving among young professionals looking to create positive change in Chicago. The Builders’ Board is comprised of young professionals across various industries and career stages. Members give back to their communities through leadership development, fundraising, and volunteerism. The board presented its check to Youth Futures on Nov. 14.

The mission of Skender Foundation is to create access to resources and relationships that help people make good life decisions through greater education and wellness. Founded in 2012 as a 501(c)3 public foundation, Skender Foundation has donated more than $5.6 million to over 300 nonprofits in Chicago. Previous beneficiaries of Harvesting Hope include Purple Asparagus, Snow City Arts, and Embarc Chicago.

“Youth Futures provides critical and life-changing legal services to homeless young people to put them on the path toward safety, stability, and independence,” said Associate Legal Director Beth Malik, in her remarks at Harvesting Hope.

“We would not be able to do this work without the generous support of organizations like Skender and the Builders’ Board. Over 11,000 youth experience homelessness each year in Chicago. By supporting Youth Futures tonight, you are lifting up these young people, and letting them know that they are seen, that they are supported, and that they matter.”

During FY19, Youth Futures outreached to more than 4,000 homeless and unaccompanied youths at schools, shelters, drop-in centers, and community events, educating them on their rights and available resources. CCH attorneys closed 501 cases on behalf of 315 youth clients, helping homeless students turned away by their public schools and representing young people struggling to access Medicaid and health care.

Generous support from partners like Skender Foundation make it possible for Youth Futures to continue to support homeless and unaccompanied youth navigate pressing legal issues, including access to education, health care, and housing.

– Erin Sindewald, Development Manager

The Board of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless has seated three new members and named new officers to two-year terms, including Caronina Grimble as Board president.

Caronina succeeds attorney Angela E.L. Barnes as president of CCH’s now 30-member Board of Directors. Appointed to the Board three years ago, Caronina is a Program Officer at the Woods Fund Chicago. She has co-chaired the Board Fundraising Committee and served as Board secretary.

Angela was honored at the CCH Board meeting Nov. 13 as she passed the gavel to Caronina.

Praised for her “incredible support” of CCH, Angela said, “This has honestly been one of the best experiences of my life… I feel the respect of this Board and to see the dedication you have for the mission is inspiring.”

Angela has served five years on the CCH Board. She was among 15 members who were appointed at Wednesday’s meeting to new two-year terms. Angela is the General Counsel and Director of Legal Affairs and Growth Initiatives for City Tech Collaborative of Chicago.

Other new officers include Dr. Traci P. Beck. She succeeds writer Robert Riesman as Board vice president. Traci is the director and physician for Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at Stroger Cook County Health and Hospitals Systems and a staff physician at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

Jessica L. Staiger, Associate General Counsel at Archer Daniels Midland Company, will serve as Board secretary. Patrick J. Hickey, Director of Private Client Services at Associated Bank, will continue as Board treasurer and co-chair of the Finance Committee.

Also, as recommended by the Board Development Committee, three new Board members were seated:

• Meena Beyers, Director of Market Strategy for Southern Company Gas of Naperville
• Carlos R. DeJesus, Director of Housing for Special Initiatives at The Center for Housing and Health in Chicago
• Caroline McCoy, a Program Officer at the Robert R. McCormick Foundation

The Board also named committee co-chairs for the coming year. They include co-chairs for its new Racial Equity Committee: Dr. Mikal N. Rasheed, retired chairman and professor of the Social Work Department at Chicago State University, and Jennifer Atkins, Vice-President of Network Solutions at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

The Finance Committee is co-chaired by Patrick Hickey and Michael P. Bagley, Executive Vice President at American Community Bank & Trust in Crystal Lake. The Fundraising Committee will be co-chaired by Renauda Riddle, a Senior Revenue Auditor for the state of Illinois, and Christopher Sanders, Associate General Counsel for Harley-Davidson Financial Services.

The Board Development Committee is co-chaired by Brett Rausch, Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking for Wells Fargo, and Charles Jenkins, a longtime CCH leader who works in program development for Men Making a Difference.

One member also retired from the Board. Michael Bush, Property Manager at the Ewing Annex men’s hotel, concluded his tenure after serving four years.

A list of the CCH Board of Directors is available here.

– Anne Bowhay, Media

 

 STATE LAWMAKERS’ ADJUSTMENT TO LIGHTFOOT’S PROPOSED TAX INCREASE ON PROPERTY SALES WOULD PRODUCE NEEDED REVENUE FOR BOTH GOALS 

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has yet to respond to a proposal that would produce a “win-win” outcome for both her and a faction of lawmakers currently opposed to her bid to obtain state authorization to increase the city’s tax on property sales.

The attempted compromise would modify Lightfoot’s proposal to raise the rate of Chicago’s Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) on sales of elite properties, yielding sufficient revenue to boost city funding to provide affordable housing for Chicagoans experiencing homlessness– a plan the Mayor promised to support during her campaign for office – without diminishing revenues she said she needs to trim the budget deficit.

Under the concept presented to the Mayor last week, the city would adjust the graduated structure of Lightfoot’s RETT increase by 1.) changing the rate for property sales worth more than $10 million from the 2.55 percent that Lightfoot proposed to 4 percent, with the rate applying only to the portion of the sale over $10 million, not the entire sale; and 2.) apply the rate that Lightfoot has proposed for properties sold for between $1 million and $3 million to those also sold for more than  $750,000. The counter proposal also ensures that any property sold for less than $800,000 would receive a tax cut. This equates to roughly 70% of property transactions in the city.

Capitol Fax: Tax proposal floated

Crain’s Chicago Business, Greg Hinz: Lightfoot’s tax plan is in trouble in Springfield

State lawmakers who devised the compromise sought to work together with the Mayor’s administration to advance the idea, but their overture has elicited no response.

“I can’t emphasize enough that we see this proposal as a “win-win” opportunity for everyone,” said Representative Theresa Mah. “It leaves the money that Mayor Lightfoot had budgeted to curb the deficit unscathed, but it also honors her campaign commitment to support a dedicated revenue stream to combat homelessness by investing in permanent, supportive housing. This is what our city desperately needs after generations of chronic under-funding at the city level.”

During her campaign for office, Lightfoot repeatedly promised to seek a RETT increase exclusively to address glaring housing needs in the city.  Advocates with the Bring Chicago Home (BCH) coalition have pressed the Mayor to uphold her promise and last week, 13 state lawmakers – including 10 representing districts that include areas of the city – cautioned Lightfoot that they could not support her quest for legislative approval of a RETT increase unless the Mayor made good on that pledge.

Lawmakers pointed out that their proposed amendment to the RETT increase would meet the Mayor’s goals for shrinking the budget deficit – ostensibly sparing her any need to consider a property tax increase – while concentrating the impacts on a small fraction of the city properties sold at high to ultra-high prices.

“A budget is a moral document and here is a way for us to fund homelessness and address our budget needs without having to go the route of a property tax increase,” said Senator Robert Peters. “We hope to be able to work together on this common-sense solution.”

Crain’s Chicago Business, Op-Ed: A way to reduce homelessness – and the deficit

Meanwhile, the fate of more than 86,000 homeless residents in Chicago remains in the balance, as Lightfoot prepares to renew efforts next week to shepherd a RETT increase through Springfield.

Without supplementary funding from the RETT increase, aid to Chicagoans experiencing homelessness will increase by a paltry $5 million in Lightfoot’s proposed 2020 budget, ensuring that her spending to combat the problem remains mired near the bottom among U.S. cities with the largest homeless populations.

In a study it conducted earlier this year based on an analysis of U.S. Census data, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless found that:

·       21 percent of all homeless Chicago adults are employed, but still can’t afford a permanent roof over their heads.

·       28 percent of all homeless Chicago adults had some college education or had obtained a degree.

·       24 percent of all homeless Chicagoans are children.

The report tallied a total of 86,324 Chicago residents experiencing homelessness.

Contact: Mike Truppa – miketruppa@gmail.com

Working alongside coalition partners, legislators, and community allies, this year CCH secured many victories to increase resources and remove barriers for people experiencing homelessness in Illinois.

From strengthening the Homelessness Prevention grant program to upholding the rights of people living on the street, 2019 has been a year with progress to celebrate.

On Thursday, November 7, CCH honored community and political leaders who made this year’s successes possible. Continue reading CCH recognizes community partners at 2019 Victory Celebration

Lawmakers notify Mayor by letter that they’re seeking compromise that would salvage her campaign promise; characterize it as a ‘win-win’ opportunity for the city

With Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot already facing formidable odds in her quest to convince the Illinois Legislature to approve an increase in the city’s Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT), 13 state lawmakers said Tuesday that they’re not prepared to vote for the measure unless it includes funds dedicated to alleviating homelessness.

In a letter that was submitted to Lightfoot, 13 members of the Illinois House of Representatives wrote, “It is our intention to support your proposed Real Estate Transfer Tax increase only if a significant amount is statutorily dedicated to homelessness, and we believe that at least 60% should go toward that purpose.” Continue reading Key bloc of state legislators announce intention to vote against Lightfoot’s tax increase without revenues pledged to combatting homelessness

We are honored that StreetLight Chicago was among 25 finalists announced Monday night at the annual Chicago Innovation Awards, the 2019 co-winner of its Collaboration Award.

A free mobile app of resources to assist homeless youth, StreetLight Chicago is a joint project of the Young Invincibles and the Youth Futures mobile legal clinic at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. The app and a companion website connect youth and service providers to resources, including access to a 24/7 crisis text line and a Book-a-Bed feature at four overnight youth shelters.

Launched in November 2016, StreetLight has been supported by generous grants and collaboration with the VNA Foundation. The app has more than 3,400 downloads, with about 400 providers and youth also accessing its website each month. Continue reading StreetLight Chicago is a Chicago Innovation Award winner

CCH is proud to be an affiliate charity for the 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, October 11, 2020. We are now recruiting our next Team to End Homelessness, offering a limited number of guaranteed entries to the race.

Runners who join our team before December 3, 2019 will be required to set a $1,250 minimum fundraising goal, to be raised online in conjunction with their race training. Those who join our team after December 3 will be required to set a $1,750 minimum fundraising goal.

Benefits of joining our team include:

• Free guaranteed entry into the 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
• Moisture-wicking team shirt
• Race day location near the start gate, with private bag check, bathrooms, and refreshments
• Team building events, including a pre-race pasta party
• Virtual coaching during training months
• Discounted in-person training
• Team email updates
• Personal fundraising page and fundraising support from CCH staff
• The opportunity to support CCH’s mission to prevent and end homelessness

If interested in joining our team for the 2020 race, please contact Claire Sloss at csloss@chicagohomeless.org or complete this interest form.

I am thrilled to assume my new position as education attorney with the Law Project at CCH. I run outreach, professional training, and legal clinics on the educational rights of students who experience homelessness. These are offered at school and community venues throughout the Chicago area, focusing on suburban Cook County and the collar counties. I also run monthly legal clinics at the Waukegan Public Library, Family Resource Center in Bolingbrook, Wayside Shelter in Elgin, and family shelters in the Chicago area  

I help our staff of six attorneys provide legal aid to homeless children, youth, and families on school-related matters. Issues include immediate enrollment, school discipline, special education services, preschool access, transportation, and school fee waivers. I also assist clients in disputes over the rights and services to which homeless students are entitled under state and federal law. 

In September, I concluded a two-year fellowship at CCH – the second Equal Justice Works fellow assigned to CCH in five years. My project was to advocate and provide legal assistance focused on the educational rights of homeless students, including new outreach sites in the suburbs. I closed 143 educational rights cases in two years. The cases included transportation, enrollment, preschool access, and school fee waiver issues.  

While attending Notre Dame law school, I spent a summer at CCH interning through the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI). I also interned another summer at the Chicago Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Inc. For both internships I conducted case intakes and outreach to homeless youth. I also drafted a memo that led to Illinois state agencies releasing guidelines that clarified unaccompanied youth are eligible for SNAP food benefits.  

  I am excited to continue advocating for the educational rights of families and children experiencing homeless. Education plays a significant role in ending homelessness. Quality and appropriate education provides consistency, resources, and a social network for students. For students experiencing homelessness, school might be the only space that feels familiar to them and the only place they know they will receive support, including regular meals.  

 The CCH model of combining advocacy, community education, and direct representation is incredibly impactful in addressing systemic barriers for people experiencing homelessness. I am honored to be given the opportunity to work for an organization that works tirelessly for the rights of students, youth, families, and adults who are coping with homelessness.  

Alyssa Phillips, EJW Fellow Interview (February 2019)

More than 40 Chicago punk, prog, noise, rock, and surf musicians, including current and former members of PiL, Pegboy, Naked Raygun, and Local H, will perform an October 21 memorial concert at Metro, raising money for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

The Rob Warmowski Memorial: A Benefit for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless will honor the lifelong Chicagoan who was a fixture on the local music scene since forming the surf-punk band The Defoliants in 1984. Rob died last month after a brief illness.

Musician and audio engineer Steve Albini will emcee the evening. Pegboy, Cheer-Accident, ONO, Silver Abuse, Watchmen, 007, and Dummy will perform, along with Rob’s own bands, The Defoliants, Buzzmuscle, SIRS, and San Andreas Fault.

When: Monday, October 21, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Where: Metro,  3730 N. Clark Street, Chicago

The evening will feature a DJ set by Scary Lady Sarah and a performance by the jazz band at Mather High School, Rob’s alma mater. Also performing will be special guests Martin Atkins of PiL and Pigface, Eric Spicer of Naked Raygun, and Scott Lucas of Local H and The Married Men. Metro owner Joe Shanahan is providing use of the iconic music hall.

Rob Warmowski was 52 when he died on Sept. 1, following a short illness. After breaking onto the Chicago 1980s punk rock scene with his band The Defoliants, he went on to form several other music projects over the next four decades. His most recent was San Andreas Fault, a surf-noir band.

Rob’s widow, Maureen Sullivan, planned the memorial to celebrate her husband’s life and work while raising money for a cause he cared deeply about – homelessness in Chicago.

A sound technician who worked at the Chicago Cultural Center, Rob saw the enormity of Chicago’s homelessness crisis as he walked downtown. He would often stop to talk with the unhoused people he met, helping them with cash, food, and other assistance.

Rob was grew up in the city’s Rogers Park neighborhood. He later lived in the South Side Bridgeport neighborhood for 28 years, where his wife Maureen was born and raised. In addition to his musical legacy, Rob wrote frequently about sports and labor issues, running the popular Twitter accounts @whitesoxski and @ScabbyTheRat

The Rob Warmowski Memorial: A Benefit for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is an all-ages, donation-based event with a cash bar. All proceeds go to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/492048414860791/?ti=icl

If you’re unable to attend and would like to make a donation visit https://tinyurl.com/CelebrateRobW

Chicago Sun-Times: Rob Warmowski, dead at 52, started surf-punk band The Defoliants, also played with Buzzmuscle, SIRS

Helped by a scholarship from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, this fall Alexandria Bolling starts her freshman year at Howard University, her dream school. Alex is studying to become a teacher, another dream she has held for as long as she can remember.

But her journey has not been easy.

Originally from southeast Louisiana, Alex’s parents split when she was four, leaving her mother to raise Alex, her twin sister, and two brothers on her own. Soon after, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the family’s apartment and most of their belongings. They bounced around relatives’ homes until her mother could get them back on their feet.

“My mom was always socially conscious and demanded the best of ourselves,” Alex recalled. “She taught us to have a voice of our own.” But Alex was shy, more observant: “I liked to hear what other people had to say.”

When she was 14, Alex made the difficult choice to leave home, moving north to Evanston for better educational opportunities. Money was tight – she stayed with an aunt and seven younger cousins – but the change in academic environment proved beneficial.

It was at her new school that Alex began to speak up, and her passion for social justice was ignited. Class discussions around social issues were encouraged: “I learned what it means to fight for what’s right.” She joined the Debate Team, serving as captain her senior year.

“Debate opened my world to who I could be when advocating for others,” Alex said. She competed around the country, championing mock legislation to support youth programs. She spearheaded a group for classmates of color to share their experiences. She participated in a school walkout against gun violence.

But the summer before her junior year, financial challenges caused her aunt to be evicted from their Evanston home. Alex was forced to double-up with relatives on the far South Side of Chicago. Her commute to school topped three hours round trip, involving two buses and a train. This took away valuable study time and made getting to school on time challenging. She lost friends and her grades suffered.

“Homelessness broke my confidence,” Alex said. “It took a toll on me emotionally. I struggled to keep up a level of scholarship that I felt I was capable of.”

Despite these challenges, Alex persevered. She continued to make the honor roll. She participated in Evanston Scholars, a college readiness program. She worked as a counselor for a camp serving homeless children. And after years of struggle, she is proud to be attending an historically black university, like her mother did.

“Homelessness doesn’t have to keep you from succeeding,” she said. But support is crucial.

Alex credits her mother and her Evanston Scholars mentor for their guidance, as well as a teacher that showed empathy for her situation. “When I came to class really late, instead of scolding me, she got me caught up right away,” said Alex. “She prioritized my success and education over my tardiness.”

As a future educator, Alex seeks to do the same.

“There’s more to education than the textbooks and history lessons,” she said. “It’s a community inside a classroom.”

And her wish for her future students? “I want them to find happiness and peace, no matter what they’re going through.”

– Story by Erin Sindewald

– Photos by Claire Sloss