CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Activists from Chinatown and Bronzeville vowed to fight Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s plan for a new $120 million high school on a site that once had public housing on the Near South Side.
The plan barely won approval by the mayor’s hand-picked school board.
“So, last week, there was a crime committed,” said Roderick Wilson, an activist from Bronzeville. “People who were appointed by the mayor — but who were supposed to represent the citizens of Chicago, the students, and their parents — they didn’t represent them.”
Angela Lin, from Chinatown, said residents of her community don't want the school at its proposed location.
“We have said so many times, Chinatown community members, parents, have said so many times that we don’t want the school at 24th and State,” Lin said. “It’s just a complete, blatant, disrespect and disregard for what community members want.”
Although Lin said they do want a new school, both Lin and Wilson said the proposal would only benefit residents of the South Loop.
“This ain’t for Chinatown residents; Chinatown don’t want it there,” Wilson said. “It ain’t for Bronzeville residents, that’s our community, we don’t want it. The people who want it is the South Loop residents, that’s who she’s been listening to. That’s who she’s been meeting with over the last year. It’s for them.”
There are concerns about the impact on existing schools and demands for new public housing.
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez said he’ll fight the plan.
“We clearly see that she’s listening to those deep pockets,” he said.
State Rep. Theresa Mah has said she’d block state funding without community engagement.
“CPS could care less, that is why they voted ‘yes,’” protesters chanted at 24th and State Streets.
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