Paul Vallas: Work-study changes futures of Chicago’s at-risk youth – Illinois Policy

"While campuses were closed for 78 weeks and jobs programs were diminished by the pandemic, there was a record increase in shootings, homicides and carjackings committed by school-aged youths who were not in school. That’s no coincidence. A Chicago study showed a 43 percent decrease in arrests for violent crimes among students in summer jobs programs. Youth summer jobs programs are a critical part of the city’s public safety strategy."