Two Local Activists to Support

I'm going to recommend two women who deserve our support locally. Help them make a difference.

In the midst of all that is going on in the world, I’m weighing in to ask for your support for two local people who can made a big difference.

Alderman Debra Silverstein

I am honored to co-host an event supporting 50th Ward Alderman Debra Silverstein on Wednesday, July 10th at 5:30 pm and I hope that you can join us! More details are below.

In addition to leading the most diverse ward in the city of Chicago, Ald. Silverstein is also the only Jewish member on the City Council. As a caucus of one, she has taken on the responsibility of representing the Jewish community and its allies during these challenging times. I am proud to be one of her supporters and I hope you can make it to our reception on July 10th.

Even if you cannot make the reception, I hope you will make a contribution to Alderman Silverstein so she can continue her important work in City Council. She has bravely represented her ward and Jewish people in the face of increasing anti-semitism in our City.

Support Ellen Rosenfeld for Chicago School Board

For the first time, Chicagoans will have the opportunity to vote for members of the Chicago Public Schools Board in the November general election. The State Assembly passed a law creating a 21-member Board to govern our schools. In November, we will have a chance to elect one member to represent our area and much of the North Side.

I enthusiastically endorse Ellen Rosenfeld for this seat and urge you to learn more about her. Over the course of her career, She has been a CPS teacher, parent of 4 CPS students, Local School Council member, and a CPS employee family and community engagement specialist (should she win the seat she would step down from CPS employment).

Ellen has sent her own children to neighborhood, magnet and selective enrollment schools. She believes in having the types of schools necessary to meet the varying needs and talents of our students.

Why is this seat important? What if you have kids in private schools or don’t have kids?

CPS is the largest recipient of our property taxes. Having good public schools, is as you all know, a very important factor in property values. Declining public schools are almost always accompanied by lower property values.

When I was your Alderman, one of my primary missions was to support our public schools to keep families in our neighborhood. The number of children under 18 grew by 50% during my terms in office. We expanded Lincoln Elementary and Alcott Elementary transitioned to a full neighborhood school to support this growth, and many pre-schools opened. Our mix of neighborhood and magnet schools is enviable, and Lincoln Park High School keeps getting better and better. We must support these schools, and Ellen Rosenfeld is the best choice to fight to make our schools as best as they can be.

Please contribute to her campaign and sign-up to get her email updates.

That’s all for now. Hope to see you soon,

Michele