“The tree equity strategy will prioritize the planting of trees in historically marginalized and underserved communities, equitably conveying ecosystem benefits to communities disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. This effort will help meet the City’s commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement, environmental justice, and equity.”

On the CPS Facebook page, some people complained that the extra day off only means parents have to find someone to take care of their children while they work. Another suggested the day off was declared because schools are already going to be closed on Thursday and that the system would have been woefully short of substitute teachers for Friday, as many regular teachers make it a four-day weekend.

Under a compromise bill signed by Gov. J.B Pritzker in June, Chicago will transition to a fully elected school board by 2027. A new trailer bill passed during the October veto session specifies that board members will not be paid. The trailer bill also moved up the school closure moratorium, changed how the mayor appoints members, and moved the first election to Nov. 5, 2024, the date of that year’s general election.

Two days before Chicago Public Schools called off Nov. 12 classes for “vaccine awareness,” the district offered substitute teachers and staff bonuses to fill in that day because officials predicted “a high volume” of staffing shortages.

“My great grandparents moved here in 1913 from Georgia and my family has been here since so this is something that feels very personal to us,” said Justin Marcoviche-Garnett, one of more than 500 applicants.

“CVS can’t take all the Chicago Public Schools kids in one day,” said Karen Jakacki Gonzales of Jefferson Park, who has two kids in CPS elementary schools. “If CPS had offered on-campus vaccine clinics, it could have better served the students rather than being like, ‘Hey, we’re giving you a day off to go find a vaccine that’s in limited supply that your family, if you get an appointment, may have to travel a considerable distance to go get to that appointment.”

If 10 alderpeople agree on an alternative map — either the one drawn by the caucus or another group— it would force a referendum that would put the competing maps up to a vote, officials said. The Black Caucus is also prepared to challenge a map in court if it does not protect the political power of Black Chicagoans, Ald. Jason Ervin said.

“While you don’t have to wait until that day to get your child or yourself vaccinated, we’re taking these special steps to ensure people have the time to get it done and encourage other institutions and private businesses to follow the City’s example,” the mayor announced.

The school district will hold a “Vaccine Awareness Day,” which combined with Veterans Day on Thursday will give CPS students a four-day weekend. “CPS’ decision to close schools and give all school staff paid time off is welcome relief from the stress of trying to protect and educate students without the resources to address their needs,” CTU President Jesse Sharkey said. “But we cannot stop here. Our students are crying out for support in every way possible.”

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx is not embracing the city’s increased focus on gangs. “I think we certainly need to make sure that we don’t have these organizations that are hellbent on creating violence and mayhem under control, but we also have to make sure that we’re addressing why people join gangs, what happens to our social structure when we have kids as young as nine, 10, 11, feeling that there’s more comfort and solidarity in a gang structure than they have in their communities.”