CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago City Council is taking a closer look at how the City Colleges of Chicago could do an even better job of helping students and the city’s government.
The Chicago City Council Education Committee held a lengthy hearing on Tuesday — but no vote — on the status of various programs at the City Colleges.
Committee chair Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th) said the hearing was an opportunity to get a concentrated view of the system and the strides it's making. Sometimes, the good news gets lost, she said. She noted that there are programs where the City of Chicago hires kids who were trained at the City Colleges, and Taylor highlighted scholarships where the tuition and fees can be paid.
As for those programs where the City of Chicago hires individuals who received training at the City Colleges, Ald. Marty Quinn (13th) suggested the Water Department should be on the list of participating city departments.
“I say that because we’re going to be replacing years’ worth of lead lines, and it would be malfeasance on our part not to have our students, Chicagoans, be a part of that and making that union rate,” said Quinn.
City Colleges Chancellor Juan Salgado had a very positive response.
“We have been working with Deputy [Education] Mayor Jen Johnson on a whole list of opportunities where we could build off of this, right here,” Salgado said. “We’re going to add to that list the Department of Water Management; We’re going to add the Department of the Environment.”
Taylor said the council will be joining the push for more funding for the college system.
Later this month a hearing is expected on the college system's finances.
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