logo
9 candidates vie for 4 seats on Rich Township District 227 Board

9 candidates vie for 4 seats on Rich Township District 227 Board

Yahoo11-03-2025

Nine candidates, including three incumbents, are seeking election to four 4-year seats on the Rich Township High School District 227 Board April 1.
With proficiency scores across the district consistently below the state average, according to the Illinois State Board of Education, academic improvement is a top priority for many candidates.
Board member Tiffany Taylor, seeking a second term, said the district has provided great facilities for students over the past several years.
After announcing in 2019 it would close Rich East High School in Park Forest, the district poured millions of dollars into renovating its other two schools. The former Rich South, located in Richton Park, reopened as the Fine Arts and Communications Campus, and the former Rich Central in Olympia Fields is now the STEM, or science, technology, engineering and mathematics, campus.
'We're focusing now on the academic side,' Taylor said Monday.
Taylor said the district has made slow progress on academics over the past several years. Between 2020 and 2024, the percentage of ninth graders on track to graduate jumped from 76% to 89%, according to data from ISBE. The 4-year graduation rate also rose from about 82% to 85% during the same period.
The district lags in proficiency scores for English/language arts, math and science, which are assessed each year.
Last year, 10% of Rich Township 227 students were assessed to be proficient in English/language arts, compared to 39% of students across Illinois. In math, about 4% of students were proficient, compared to 28% statewide, and in science, 26% were proficient compared to 53% statewide, ISBE reported.
'We are making strides,' Taylor said. 'It's a slow motion type of thing. It's not something that's going to happen overnight.'
Taylor is running as part of a slate that includes board members Andre Allen and Mia Carter as well as former board member Cheryl Monique Coleman. Taylor said Coleman's former seat was up for election two years ago, but Coleman chose not to seek reelection for personal reasons.
Others seeking election this year include Petrina Bennett-Wilkins, Mason B. Newell, Jasmin S. Ford, Shagmond Lowery and Marla D. Johnson.
Lowery said he is running after a unsuccessful bid to bring a fresh perspective. A Rich Township High Schools alumnus and retired teacher, he said as a board member he would better engage the community in helping students succeed.
Lowery said he worked with neighboring schools to prevent bullying, fighting and school threats via an alert system he developed, MyPAL Schools, to share data on reported incidents. He said he also visits area districts to mentor students and prevent violence.
'The culture has to be changed,' Lowery said about District 227. He said as someone who lives in the community and is active at school events, he believes he has the respect and admiration of many students that will serve him well.
'I'm coming to keep these babies safe — I'm coming to make a difference with school safety,' Lowery said.
Petrina Bennett-Jackson, an alumae, also looks to improve safety and test scores. Bennett-Jackson said Tuesday the board has misplaced priorities and electing her would help fix the district's 'horrible reputation.'
'I would love to have better communication,' Bennett-Jackson said. 'I would love for more people to attend the meetings and speak up on what's going on in the schools and in the community and what we can do to collaborate, to work together.'
Bennett-Jackson said working as a finance director for Cook County puts her in an especially strong position to abate property taxes that have soared to record highs in the south suburbs.
'Our taxes are high, and it's getting out of control,' Bennett-Jackson said. 'You have people moving out of the community. You have businesses moving out of the community, and we need to bring those businesses back.'
She said she would work to get more community grants and bonds to cover district projects rather than relying on homeowners in the community.
Lowery also said he wants to lower taxes for homeowners, and as board member would leverage business partnerships he has developed through MyPAL Schools to bring funding in without relying on homeowners.
Lowery also wants to partner with businesses rather than out-of-state vendors to revitalize and, in turn, benefit the schools.
Taylor said the district has saved homeowners $23 million through state property tax relief grants, which abate $2.5 million each year.
She said as overall costs and worker salaries increase, taxes inevitably go up as well. She said it's important the district continues to be fiscally responsible in order to minimize that extra burden.
Besides Lowery and Bennett-Jackson, district alumni running for board seats are Newell and Ford. The two candidates are running together with goals to similarly foster community engagement, minimize taxes and boost academic achievement.
'We are proud products of this community, and we are deeply invested in its success,' their website states. 'Our unique blend of expertise in education, health care and mental health equips us to tackle the challenges facing our district … Together, we can create a district that reflects the strength and potential of our community.'
Newell, Ford, Coleman, Johnson, Carter and Allen did not respond to requests for comment by the Daily Southtown.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jailed Wisconsin Man Fooled ICE Barbie With Forged Death Threats Against Trump
Jailed Wisconsin Man Fooled ICE Barbie With Forged Death Threats Against Trump

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Jailed Wisconsin Man Fooled ICE Barbie With Forged Death Threats Against Trump

A Milwaukee man awaiting trial on criminal robbery charges had an interesting defense strategy: framing one of his victims for threatening to murder President Trump. On Monday, Demetric D. Scott, 42, who was already in jail on charges of armed robbery and aggravated battery, was charged with witness intimidation, identity theft, and bail jumping after police discovered he'd forged several letters threatening the president's life under the name of Ramón Morales-Reyes. Scott admitted to police that he'd forged the letters not because he had any interest in harming the president, but because he'd hoped they would lead to the deportation of Morales-Reyes, who was set to testify at his upcoming robbery trial. Scott was arrested in 2023 after being captured on a Ring camera stabbing Morales-Reyes with a corkscrew while attempting to steal his bike, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported. The phony letters already made national headlines when DHS Secretary Kristi Noem publicly celebrated the arrest of Morales-Reyes, despite police quickly expressing suspicion that the letters had been forged. According to Milwaukee police, on May 21, the offices of the Wisconsin Attorney General, Milwaukee Police Chief, and Milwaukee ICE headquarters each received handwritten letters signed in Morales-Reyes' name and with his home listed as the return address, containing threats against the president's life. The letters read in part, 'I will self deport myself back to Mexico, but not before I use my 30 yard 6 [rifle] to shoot your precious president in his head—I will see him at one of his big ralleys.' The following day, on May 22, police arrested Morales-Reyes, 54. He was quickly transferred into DHS custody due to his undocumented status. The arrest earned praise from Noem, who wrote, 'Thanks to our ICE officers, this illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump is behind bars.' However, Milwaukee police weren't certain they had the right man. Not only did a handwriting test quickly reveal that Morales-Reyes' penmanship didn't match the letters, but they also discovered he is not fluent in English. When asked if someone may have a motive to frame him for the crime, Morales-Reyes mentioned his plans to testify against Scott. Upon further investigation, police discovered that Scott had made explicit plans to forge and mail the letters in recorded jail phone calls dating back nearly a month, NBC News reported. In one call, made five days before the letters were received, Scott said, 'This dude is a goddamn illegal immigrant and they just need to pick his ass up… if he gets picked up by ICE, there won't be a jury trial, so they will probably dismiss it that day. That's my plan.' Since his arrest, Scott has had a pattern of mischievous letter-writing. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, in an August 2024 letter to Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Kristy Yang, the judge presiding over his case, Scott had threatened to turn her courtroom 'into a circus,' adding, 'This case will never make it to jury trial.' After Morales-Reyes identified Scott as a suspect in the forgery, police searched his jail cell, finding a pen matching the ink used in the letters, an envelope, and a note Scott had written reminding himself to find out the address of the attorney general's office. Scott eventually confessed during police questioning on May 30. However, Morales-Reyes remains in ICE custody at Dodge County Jail in Juneau, Wisconsin, and is now facing removal proceedings. Responding to initial reports that the letters were forged, a senior official from the Department of Homeland Security told The Daily Beast last week that Morales-Reyes will remain in custody because he was 'determined to be in the country illegally and [has] a criminal record.' According to a DHS press release, Morales-Reyes has previously been arrested for felony hit and run, criminal damage to property, and disorderly conduct with a domestic abuse modifier. The press release also claimed Morales-Reyes entered the U.S. illegally nine times between 1998 and 2005. Morales-Reyes' attorney, Kime Abduli, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that because he is still a witness in Scott's robbery trial, which is set for July 14, Morales-Reyes is in the process of applying for a U-visa, which allows undocumented immigrants to remain in the country if they are testifying in a criminal case.

Anti-ICE protesters express anger, heartbreak at Trump immigration crackdown
Anti-ICE protesters express anger, heartbreak at Trump immigration crackdown

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Anti-ICE protesters express anger, heartbreak at Trump immigration crackdown

Hundreds of protesters waving American and Mexican flags and carrying signs that ranged from heartfelt to profane marched through downtown Milwaukee streets June 10 to protest federal immigration operations and decry the crackdown on demonstrations in Los Angeles by President Donald Trump's administration. The crowd made their way to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices. Those in the crowd said it was important to speak out and express their opposition to large-scale ICE arrests. Alan Chavoya, a protester with the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, said earlier in the day he fielded phone calls June 10 from several people hearing about ICE arrests in the area. "It's devastating," he said. "It's important to be out here and support, and it's also important to be bold about this." In the crowd were two 22-year-old women who met at the protest, Natalia Murillo, who draped a Mexican flag around her shoulders, and Alejandra Martinez. Murillo held a sign that read, "You can't love the culture and not support the people." "It's been stressful. You don't know when they're going to come into your cities and neighborhoods," Martinez said. Murillo said she was concerned about people being arrested by ICE who have legal status. "It's scary to see what's going on. We come here for a better life, and this is how we're getting treated?" she said. An arrest of an immigrant June 10 by federal agents on Milwaukee's south side added to a sense of anxiety in the city's Latino community over immigration enforcement operations. A spokesperson for ICE said the agency could not share information about whether agents were operating in Milwaukee. That arrest came as massive protests against recent ICE raids erupted in Los Angeles over the weekend and have since spread to other cities. Trump ordered National Guard troops to the Los Angeles area. The march in Milwaukee spanned roughly two city blocks and included dozens of young Latino adults as well as people from a range of ages and backgrounds. Some marchers held handmade signs that read, "We speak for those who can't" and, "Immigrants are welcome here." Other popular slogans urged authorities to keep families together, to keep ICE out of Milwaukee and to abolish the agency altogether. "No justice, no peace, we want ICE off our streets," marchers chanted. Signs and chants alike reflected the depth of anger at Trump's immigration crackdown and at ICE. Some posters referred to Trump as a parasite, or a pig. Others said "Dump Trump," and many chose similar phrases with expletives, in both English and Spanish. Rose Walters, a retiree from South Milwaukee, said she was "just livid" at several Trump policies. She was concerned about her Social Security benefits as well as immigration arrests that, in her view, lacked due process. She began attending protests for the first time in February. "I simply am fed up," she said. "It's ridiculous." Daniel Rivera, 27, of Michigan, was visiting Milwaukee and was walking past Cathedral Square Park when he noticed people were gathering for a protest about immigration. He jumped in because he he said feels strongly about the issue. "Immigrants are the backbones of this nation," he said, adding that more "dialogue across the aisle" was needed. There was a sense from several marchers that the Latino community's contributions and culture were being cast aside, and that politicians and pundits were conflating the entire community with the criminal actions of a few. A 40-year-old Milwaukee mother named Angelica, who asked for her last name not to be used, brought her two daughters and her niece to the protest. She wanted to stand up for Mexican Americans like her family, she said. And speaking about recent ICE efforts to expand arrests, she said, "It's heartbreaking. It causes me to question, what am I proud of as an American?" Nayleth Sedano, 30, of Milwaukee, arrived in the U.S. at age 4, and her family got legal status. She understands how "scary" moments like this can be for immigrant families. She has been especially concerned about the effect of that fear on children, who may be worried about ICE showing up at their graduation ceremonies. "If you have a heart, that's traumatizing for anybody," she said. The organizing groups included the Party for Socialism and Liberation's Milwaukee chapter; Comité Sin Fronteras, or "Committee Without Borders" — the young adult arm of local immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera — Codepink Milwaukee, and 50501 Milwaukee, part of a national anti-Trump protest movement called 50501. The 50501 group, short for "50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement," is the organizer of the so-called "No Kings" rallies taking place across the country. One is scheduled for noon June 14 in Cathedral Square Park as part of a nationwide day of protest. Several additional "No Kings" protests are scheduled for the same day across southern Wisconsin, including in Brookfield, Cedarburg, Racine, Kenosha, Watertown and Madison, according to the organizer's website. They were planned to coincide with Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C., which is being held to honor the Army's 250th birthday and coincides with Trump's 79th birthday. Brian Dunleavy, a protester from Milwaukee, said he hopes both protests show that Milwaukeeans are standing in solidarity with others protesting around the country. 'I hope people see this and see (that) we've got your back," Dunleavy said. "We do not think what's going on in Washington and other parts of the country is OK, and we're going to be here for you." Sophie Carson is a general assignment reporter who reports on religion and faith, immigrants and refugees and more. Contact her at scarson@ or 920-323-5758. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Anti-ICE protesters in Milwaukee decry Trump immigration crackdown

Burkina leader's 'anti-West speech' is AI generated
Burkina leader's 'anti-West speech' is AI generated

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Burkina leader's 'anti-West speech' is AI generated

"Best speech of the 21st century. If Captain Traore wins this time, not only Burkina Faso, but the whole of Africa will win," says a Bengali-language Facebook post on May 28, 2025. The accompanying video, which has racked up more than 1.9 million views, purportedly shows Traore attacking Western propaganda, exposing media lies and declaring a new era for Africa. "The Africa you showed us wasn't real. The story you told us was a lie. The fate you imposed on us was a script you had written for years," he says in English, apparently referring to multiple news organisations. "You're not free press, you're corporate press, your bosses are billionaires." Since Traore swept into power, Burkina Faso has turned away from former colonial master France and moved closer to Russia (archived link). A steady stream of viral social media posts -- many misleading or outright false -- has portrayed him as a fearless reformer who defied Western powers and reclaimed his country's dignity. The AI footage also surfaced in posts from South Africa and Kenya. A reverse image search on Google using keyframes found it earlier posted on YouTube on May 25, 2025 with a note that it was "entirely fictional" (archived link). The platform has marked the clip as "altered or synthetic content" while the channel has previously uploaded AI clips of Traore (archived link). An analysis of the circulating footage spotted visual errors that are hallmarks of AI. The fingernails on Traore's hands disappear at the 6:30 mark and his hand blurs at the 11:55 mark. Despite the meteoric rise in generative AI, errors persist and checking them is one way to tell the content is not genuine. AFP has debunked more misinformation around Traore here and here.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store