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Vote for Jesus, not for Barabbas

This Election Year, let's remember the lessons of Good Friday and not make the same tragic mistake.
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This week’s video features commentary from your Civic Update contributing editor

on Pastor ’s Palm Sunday sermon. To catch more sermons from Pastor Chris and plan your visit to the church he helps shepherd, visit the Chicago Embassy Church Network website.


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The Round Up

Here are the stories that caught our eyes this week and what they mean for the weeks ahead.

Chicago’s first school board elections mean crash course time for voters, candidates

Adam Parrott-Sheffer went to a community forum earlier this month as a candidate for elected office in hopes of shaking hands and listening to voter concerns. He wound up first having to explain the office he’s seeking.

Parrott-Sheffer, a former Chicago Public Schools principal, is one of five people who have filed campaign disclosure documents intending to run for Chicago’s first-ever school board elections this November.

They’re the first of likely dozens who will submit their names to election authorities over the coming weeks. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill this month establishing that Chicago voters will elect 10 school board members to represent geographic districts this fall, while Mayor Brandon Johnson will appoint another 10 and the school board president. All 21 seats will be up for election in November 2026.

With deficit looming, CPS vows to fund new education strategy at every school

To not only maintain but accelerate students’ growth, Chicago Public Schools will cement its transition from student-based to needs-based budgeting next school year, district officials said Thursday.

Rather than allocating funds to schools based only on the sheer number of students, the district committed to centrally funding what it calls ‘foundation’ roles and programs at every school in CPS in the 2024-25 school year.

That will translate to the district funding before-school and after-school programming, including athletics; administrative staff; a “holistic” set of teachers; counselors; a school clerk; and other operational staff, including custodians and security officers, in every school. According to Chief Budget Officer Mike Sitkowski, the plan also includes professional development and discretionary funding.

Additionally, at schools with a demonstrated need, the district also committed to funding extra teachers to support smaller class sizes and extra counselors as well as tutors, restorative justice coordinators and other staff positions supporting special education students, English learners and students in temporary living situations.

Popular Christian prayer app Hallow based in Chicago

A tech startup and Christian prayer app based in Chicago has soared up the app charts this Lent. The meteoric rise of "Hallow" came in the wake of a Super Bowl commercial featuring Mark Wahlberg.

During Super Bowl LVIII, the Hallow app ran a commercial featuring Catholic actors Mark Wahlberg and Jonathan Roumie. (OSV News photo/courtesy Hallow)

"Most people thought it was a stupid idea, the vast majority of people. I mean my family thought it was a stupid idea," Hallow co-founder and CEO Alex Jones said.

Jones was undeterred. A self-described fallen away Catholic, Jones said he built the app to help reconnect with his own faith. Millions of people all over the world in more than 150 countries are praying via their phones.

Just five years ago, Hallow was just an idea. Since that time, the Hallow app has had more than 18 million downloads. The entire operation is run out of a co-working space in the West Loop.

Hallow even peaked at No. 1 in Apple's App Store on Ash Wednesday, ahead of some of the world's most recognizable brands.


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Newsclips


O’Neill Burke builds on her lead over Harris as vote count for state’s attorney enters second week

Alderman’s ‘cancel DNC’ calls in front of burnt American flag spark criticism after veteran’s fiery protest

On brink of a strike, Chicago Park District union workers call for Mayor Brandon Johnson to intervene in contract talks

Measles outbreak in Chicago: What to know about the virus

Giving the pedestrianized Clark Street dining district back to cars this summer would be a very foolish thing to do

Should Chicagoans pay for new Sox, Bears stadiums? Ask voters, ex-gov says

Dolton trustees seek more transparent probe into mayor’s Las Vegas trip

City of Chicago files lawsuit against Glock gun manufacturer: 'Putting profit over public safety'


Housing


Hispanic residents a growing demographic for home buying in Chicago

Affordable housing towers proposed in Edgewater and Logan Square

These are the 10 best places to live in the Chicago area, according to new report

Which developers won low-income housing credits in Chicago?

Floating rates crush $240M in Chicagoland multifamily loans


Migrant crisis


Mayor Johnson says migrants being housed at Chicago Park District facilities to be moved starting Saturday

City speeds up measles vaccinations for migrants as cases continue to rise

Paul Vallas: Governor and mayor’s response to migrant crisis is an abuse of executive power


Education


Low enrollment to close Ingleside Catholic school, despite raising funds to cover budget deficit

Students of color more likely to attend schools with dress code policies in Chicago Public Schools


Creation care


Chicago ranked second for worst air pollution in 2023 among major US cities, global report says

Setting prairies ablaze in springtime is key to restoring damaged ecosystems, conservationists say

Advocates cry foul over forthcoming policy to make Chicago’s buildings safe for birds, call lack of mandatory requirements ‘enraging’


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