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.
Newsclips
O’Neill Burke builds on her lead over Harris as vote count for state’s attorney enters second week
Measles outbreak in Chicago: What to know about the virus
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
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
Vote for Jesus, not for Barabbas