Latest news with #EvanstonTownshipHighSchoolDistrict202
Chicago Tribune
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Evanston ‘will not be silenced,' holds No Kings rally to protest Trump policies
An estimated 1,000 people filled Fountain Square in Evanston on Saturday for a No Kings rally protesting a wide range of President Donald Trump's policies. Similar rallies were taking place in most cities across the nation, including Chicago and many of its suburbs. U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Mayor Daniel Biss and Evanston Township High School District 202 Board President Pat Savage-Williams were among the speakers who warned of the 'critical juncture' the country faces as Trump expands his deportation plan and other controversial policies. Members of Indivisible Evanston, a local community activist group, led the crowd in chants of 'Hey hey, ho ho, it's the Gulf of Mexico,' 'No tyrants, no kings, democracy is everything,' 'Whose streets? Our streets. No soldiers on our streets,' and other slogans. The rally was peppered with songs from Chicago area performers, including critically acclaimed Nora O'Connor of Chicago and local performer Margaret Nelson, who led the crowd singing 'Get the Money Out of Congress.' Savage-Williams said the U.S. Department of Education, which Trump has proposed dismantling, was created to protect and serve all American students, in particular marginalized students. 'This isn't just about bureaucracy. It's about our children's futures and their relentless attack on diversity, equity and inclusion,' she said. 'It is overtly racist and threatens to unravel decades of hard-won progress on racial equality and civil rights.' District 202 will not comply with Trump's demands, Savage-Williams said. 'Our students need us to continue to provide the resources, supports and services to facilitate their success,' she said. 'DEI is not an add-on. It is embedded in everything we do. Yes, we are running the risk of losing federal funds, and that makes me very nervous. But we would not know who we are if we cut our equity initiatives.' Biss said every time he thinks Trump's actions and policies can't get any worse, somehow they do. He accused the president of facism and trying to instigate violence among Americans. 'This is the fascist playbook,' he said. 'They know what they're doing and doing what they can. They're trying to disable anyone who wants to push back.' Biss said Americans must use the 'anti-fascist playbook.' 'When we stand up to them, they don't stand a chance,' he said. 'When we fight them in the courts, they have to defend their bogus arguments. Even when we lose, we slow them down.' Patrick Hanley, Winnetka environmental activist and cofounder of Operation Swing State, said he apologized to his British wife because of the rally's name, which Hanley said implies an attack on kings. 'I had to tell her it's not personal,' he said. 'Kings just don't work out well here.' Hanley urged the crowd to view the country's future through the lens of sustainability. 'There's nothing sustainable about targeting individuals in the street without due process,' he said. 'This is not the country we signed up for. This is not the country our ancestors died for.' Rev. Eileen Wiviott of the Unitarian Church of Evanston said the crowd's presence sends the message to the Trump administration that Americans 'will not be silenced and will not be complicit.' 'This might be the most brazen and corrupt regime we've known in our lifetime,' Wiviott said. 'But this regime will not survive. They always fall because the people will always bring them down.' Attendees came from throughout the North Shore and Chicago. Betty Brucato of Evanston said she and friend Nan Carlson of Chicago, who attended the rally with her, are 'outraged' by Trump's behavior and policies. 'I'm still in shock that he's president,' Brucato said. 'He's violating the law.' 'I'm losing my mind,' Carlson said. 'Waiting for the mid-term elections is not a solution when he's violating the law. He claims he's a Republican and he goes into California and takes over the National Guard. That is not a Republican value.'
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Evanston Township High School approves $2.5 million Arts, Innovation Wing expansion
The Board of Education for Evanston Township High School District 202 moved forward at its April 7 meeting with plans to expand the high school's Arts & Innovation wing. The board approved awarding $2.5 million in construction contracts for the first phase of renovations and upgrades to the Arts & Innovation wing. Construction is scheduled to begin over the summer. The renovations to the Arts & Innovation space include a new orchestra space, a black box style theater and an extended hallway for the first phase of approved bids. Bulley and Andrews, a Chicago-based construction group, is overseeing the bidding process and construction. In a letter from Bulley and Andrews' Senior Project Manager Antonia Winfrey to the district's Chief Financial Officer Kendra Williams, Winfrey recommended that the board approve 11 bids for the first phase of construction. Winfrey recommended an additional five bids for general trades, wood flooring, drywall, electric and excavation go out to bid again to ensure a fair and competitive bidding process and for the project to keep on schedule. Per the letter, the district has chosen to postpone accepting further bids for an orchestra addition, seating for the theater, a hallway extension and portable recording equipment before the May Board of Education meeting. Construction for the expansion and other upgrades to ETHS are being funded through the Evanston Township High School Education Foundation. Throughout the school year, ETHS has been celebrating the 100 year anniversary of its move to its current location near Church Street and Dodge Avenue in Evanston. The foundation has solicited and received big donations in the last year. In January, the Board of Education approved a $7 million gift, to be paid in installments, from an alumnus, Leonard Schaeffer, to upgrade the high school's auditorium. And in February, the board approved a $2.5 million donation from the Lewis-Sebring Family Foundation to upgrade the school's facilities, infrastructure and learning spaces.
Chicago Tribune
18-04-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Evanston Township High School approves $2.5 million Arts, Innovation Wing expansion
The Board of Education for Evanston Township High School District 202 moved forward at its April 7 meeting with plans to expand the high school's Arts & Innovation wing. The board approved awarding $2.5 million in construction contracts for the first phase of renovations and upgrades to the Arts & Innovation wing. Construction is scheduled to begin over the summer. The renovations to the Arts & Innovation space include a new orchestra space, a black box style theater and an extended hallway for the first phase of approved bids. Bulley and Andrews, a Chicago-based construction group, is overseeing the bidding process and construction. In a letter from Bulley and Andrews' Senior Project Manager Antonia Winfrey to the district's Chief Financial Officer Kendra Williams, Winfrey recommended that the board approve 11 bids for the first phase of construction. Winfrey recommended an additional five bids for general trades, wood flooring, drywall, electric and excavation go out to bid again to ensure a fair and competitive bidding process and for the project to keep on schedule. Per the letter, the district has chosen to postpone accepting further bids for an orchestra addition, seating for the theater, a hallway extension and portable recording equipment before the May Board of Education meeting. Construction for the expansion and other upgrades to ETHS are being funded through the Evanston Township High School Education Foundation. Throughout the school year, ETHS has been celebrating the 100 year anniversary of its move to its current location near Church Street and Dodge Avenue in Evanston. The foundation has solicited and received big donations in the last year. In January, the Board of Education approved a $7 million gift, to be paid in installments, from an alumnus, Leonard Schaeffer, to upgrade the high school's auditorium.
