The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has taken an immense and unthinkable toll on Chicago families and businesses. Thousands of families have lost the income they rely on for food and housing, hundreds of businesses have shuttered and will never re-open, and Chicago Public Schools is clamoring for state and federal assistance.
A recent survey conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health and others found that half of all Chicago households are facing serious financial problems, one in five report missing or delaying paying any major bills to ensure everyone has enough to eat, and about one in six households report serious problems affording food since the pandemic began.
Given these conditions, I’m left wondering how, by any measure, is this an appropriate time to increase Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson’s salary by $40,000?
At the Greater Chicago Food Depository, $40,000 would cover the cost of 1.2 million meals. And while this isn’t enough to eradicate the hunger problem, it would be very helpful at a time when needs have never been greater.
Yes, Jackson may currently earn less than her counterparts in other large school districts, and yes, she works hard and may deserve a higher salary. But the timing of this raise suggests a complete lack of sensitivity by the Board of Education to the current plight of the families it serves. Shame on them.
Erica Salem, Lakeview
GOP sedition
Nancy Pelosi should refuse to seat the 120-some House Republicans who signed on to the ridiculous Supreme Court case to throw out millions of ballots!
How can they be sworn in to support and protect the Constitution when, in fact, they are actively trying to undermine our democracy? It will make the GOP lose their minds, but it would be the right thing to do. We shouldn’t let them get off with no repercussions for their seditious behavior.
Michael Shepherd, Bellwood
