Weekly Roundup: A New Library Is Coming To Altgeld Gardens!
Building a Better Future at Altgeld Gardens!
This week, Mayor Emanuel announced a new library is coming to Altgeld Gardens!
The new branch will serve as a community anchor for all ages. The features will include YOUmedia digital and early childhood learning centers as well as computer classes and one-on one coaching to build digital literacy and technology skills for adults and seniors.
This announcement is the latest in Mayor Emanuel’s efforts to make investments in the South Side of Chicago that will foster economic growth and community revitalization.
Work on this project will begin next year.
Fall into fun at the Park District!
From softball league to acting class to swimming, the Chicago Park District has something for you. Online registration for fall Chicago Park District programming kicked off this week!
Residents can register online at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com and in-person registration begins either Saturday, Aug. 20 or Monday, Aug. 22, depending upon the park.
Fall programs run from the week of Sept. 19 to the week of Nov. 21, unless otherwise noted. The Park District works with residents to ensure that programming is affordable regardless of income level.
Motorola Solutions is coming back home to Chicago!
Mayor Emanuel joined Motorola Solutions CEO Greg Brown to open the company’s new global headquarters at 500 W. Monroe in the West Loop.
The new office has 800 employees and marks a return to Chicago for the company, which was founded in 1928 on Harrison Street.
The headquarters will house the company’s chief technology office, ventures group, software engineering team and corporate functions — as well as an innovation center showcasing the products and services depended on by the company’s 100,000 customers worldwide.
When combined with a sales office on Michigan Ave., Motorola Solutions has more than 1,100 employees in Chicago.
Chicago’s attendance rates reach new heights!
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced that students set record-high attendance rates last year, school year 15–16.
The record-high 93.4 percent average is consistent with CPS’ steady attendance rate growth since 2012, when the District implemented new programs and policies designed to eradicate chronic truancy and keep more students in school for instructional time. This latest attendance rate is up by nearly 2 percentage points since the Mayor took office in 2011.
Each tenth of a percentage point gained is equivalent to an additional hour of instruction time gained per student over the course of the year. Providing students with modern academic supports and extended time in the classroom are central tenets of the Mayor’s education agenda.
The data is in just in time for the city to ramp up its back to school efforts, which are designed to continue building upon academic gains by Chicago’s students. CPS’ climbing attendance rates are a key lever in its recent landmark gains — which include record-setting gains in math and reading, and more students graduating college-ready than ever before.
Constellation Brands has a bright future in Chicago!
Mayor Emanuel announced Constellation Brands is moving to a larger location in Chicago to accommodate their rapid workforce growth.
The company, which is the third-largest and fastest growing major beer company in the U.S., has seen its workforce grow by more than 60 percent since 2014, adding more than 120 jobs.
“This week we’ve seen two international companies decide to invest in a future in the city of Chicago,” Mayor Emanuel said. “Constellation, like Motorola Solutions, knows that Chicago’s unparalleled workforce and world-class transportation systems are the key ingredients a global corporation needs for success. I look forward to celebrating Constellation’s bright future in Chicago.”
The company will spend the next year-and-a-half planning, designing and constructing its new workspace at 131 S. Dearborn before employees officially move in spring of 2018.
A vision for Chicago’s three rivers!
Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the Metropolitan Planning Council and other stakeholders unveiled Our Great Rivers, the City’s first unifying vision for Chicago’s three rivers — the Calumet River, Chicago River and Des Plaines River.
Our Great Rivers calls for Chicago’s rivers to be more inviting, productive and living places by 2040. The report outlines more than two dozen goals, including the improvement of water quality; the expansion of river edge open space; the promotion of continuous trails and river access; the integration of the river system into the broader transportation network; and the promotion of neighborhood tourism and entrepreneurship along the rivers.
The announcement was made at Clark Park in Albany Park at the future site of Riverview Bridge, which will provide bicycle and pedestrian access between the paths in Clark Park to the south and California Park to the north.
This week’s announcement underscores Mayor Emanuel’s commitment to transforming the river into the City’s next recreational frontier, from expanding the Riverwalk to opening four new boat houses throughout the City.
The 58th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show!
The 58th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show, presented by Shell and the City of Chicago, is this weekend, August 20 and 21 along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach serving as show center from 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. daily.
Strong in tradition and one of the largest free admission events of its kind, the show headliners include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights and the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs.
This week, to preview the show and celebrate their win, the Clear Ridge Senior League World Series Champions, one of the players, Mel Morario, represented the team and flew Sean D. Tucker of Team Oracle as part of the Young Eagle program.
The 2016 Senior League (15–16 year old players) from Clear Ridge Little League won the Little League World Series in Bangor, Maine, defeating the Southern Mariners of Melbourne, Australia, by a score of 7 to 2 in the final game on August 6.
Straight from the ‘Go — Movie Edition!
Mark your calendars. Beginning August 30, Chicago’s summer staple Movies in the Park is going local! See short and feature-length films and documentaries created by and about Chicagoans during the Chicago Onscreen Local Film Showcase.
Thirteen diverse features will hit the big screen, exploring diverse themes and characteristics of our neighborhoods and its residents. The free screenings will be in neighborhood parks around the City through September 3. Full schedule here.
Now in its 16th year, Movies in the Parks is part of the Mayor’s Night Out in the Parks initiative. The year-round event series features more than 1,200 citywide cultural and arts activities, including 200 movie screenings this summer.
