Harper Speaks Out on School Closings, Demands Action from Chicago Public Schools

CHICAGO – Following the announcement from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to close four high schools in the city’s South Side, state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is demanding that more resources and attention be paid to black communities who have been needlessly struggled as a result of failed CPS leadership.

“The decision by Chicago Public Schools to close its doors on our vulnerable students is an outright attack on our community,” Harper said. “Our high schools and students should have never been placed in this situation in the first place, and promises that were made to us were not kept. Once again, it is children of color paying the price for a school board that only answers to the mayor.”

CPS unilaterally moved forward in closing Hope, Harper, Team Englewood and Robeson High Schools recently, all of which are located in the Englewood community, displacing students without any real hope for their future. Harper has been a leading voice in calling on an elected school board for CPS in order to have accountability for reckless actions like these.

“Through actions like these, it’s clear that the CPS board does not care about the fate of these students and families who have to suffer the consequences,” Harper said. “Above all, students and parents should know that I will continue fighting until CPS adopts a comprehensive strategy to accommodate the needs of students affected by these school closings.”