Committee on Education and Child Development meeting, January 9, 2024
- When: Tue, Jan 9, 2024, 11:30 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Education and Child Development
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928507/video/893866253
- Transcript: full text (15,813 words, official captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
The Committee on Education and Child Development, chaired by Alderperson Jeanette B. Taylor, held a subject matter hearing on the state of City Colleges of Chicago and approved the minutes of its previous meeting. Chancellor Juan Salgado and other City Colleges leaders presented on student demographics, programs, enrollment growth of 12.7 percent in fall 2023, free college and debt relief programs, student supports, the Chicago Roadmap partnership with Chicago Public Schools, early college and transitional coursework, capital funding requests, and economic mobility outcomes. Alderpersons asked about education for incarcerated people, federal and state funding, One Summer Chicago numbers, services for asylum seekers and language barriers, workforce partnerships with city departments, outreach to younger students, and marketing. No action was taken on the hearing topic, and the chair noted that City Colleges finances would be discussed at a later meeting. Two public commenters spoke.
Topics: City Colleges of Chicago, enrollment, Chicago Roadmap, early college, adult education, asylum seekers, workforce partnerships, marketing and outreach
Agenda items discussed
- 25:06 Subject matter hearing on the state of City Colleges of Chicago: discussed
- 32:24 Approval of minutes from the previous meeting: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Jeanette B. Taylor (chair): Asked for data on how many City Colleges students come from Chicago and on students with disabilities. (1:09:07); Called the presentation impressive and urged more marketing, saying college should be discussed with students as early as third grade. (1:45:24); Asked City Colleges to commit to working with all 50 alderpersons and said cost should not be a barrier because programs are nearly free. (1:46:28)
- Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Called community colleges a hidden gem and asked whether City Colleges offers education to incarcerated people. (1:09:54); Said education for incarcerated people reduces recidivism and urged City Colleges to do more in that area. (1:12:44); Concurred with the chair on the need for more outreach and asked whether City Colleges receives federal funding. (1:47:56)
- David H. Moore (alderperson): Asked for a list of specific partnerships City Colleges is developing so the council can follow up on them. (1:24:41); Asked how many students City Colleges serves through One Summer Chicago and whether they are separate from the city's total. (1:25:59); Asked how education for asylum seekers is being paid for. (1:27:06)
- Marty Quinn (alderperson): Suggested a partnership with the Department of Water Management so Chicagoans can be trained for lead service line replacement jobs. (1:50:41); Asked what programs City Colleges has to develop social workers. (1:51:33)
- Angela Clay (alderperson): Thanked City Colleges for supporting students beyond academics and asked about linking programs with the new Department of Environment. (1:52:35); Said City Colleges offers the same quality of education as four-year institutions at a fraction of the price. (1:56:44)
- William E. Hall (alderperson): Described himself as a Harold Washington College alumnus and praised the system. (1:57:11); Asked about challenges at campuses from the arrival of asylum seekers and how language barriers, including for Haitian arrivals, are being addressed. (1:57:44)
- Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Asked for data on work permit assistance and ESL classes for new arrivals and how those services are promoted. (2:02:38); Asked what barriers limit outreach to elementary and middle school students, such as transportation. (2:03:55); Proposed a City Colleges day in the 11th Ward to reach immigrant families across generations. (2:06:34)
Exchanges between members
- 1:24:45 Alderperson David H. Moore said his question built on what Alderperson Walter R. Burnett had asked.
- 1:47:56 Alderperson Walter R. Burnett said he concurred with Chair Jeanette B. Taylor on letting more people know about City Colleges.
- 1:53:05 Alderperson Angela Clay said Alderperson Marty Quinn had asked one of her questions.
- 1:57:13 Alderperson William E. Hall echoed what Alderperson Angela Clay had said about the quality of City Colleges.