Meeks Chicago Public Schools Boycott Fizzles
(Chicago, IL) — Illinois State Senator Rev. James Meeks‘ boycott of Chicago public schools and New Trier State Senator James Meeks (D-Chicago) school registration has, apparently, failed.
“We estimate well over 99-percent of our students are going to be in school and so our focus is on that 99 point 95 percent who are in school today,” said Arne Duncan, Chicago Public Schools CEO.
There are approximately 425,000 CPS students.
ABC-7 counted about 80 buses at Meek’s House of Hope church from which most of the students were supposed to be leaving. It appears only about 20 of those buses carried any people of 5-10 people each. The other buses were empty. Buses were scheduled to depart from other locations.
Winnetka and Northfield schools officials had prepared for as many as 2,000 to 3,000 Chicago public school students to appear on Tuesday. Meeks is claiming 1,000. The Chicago Tribune is reporting “hundreds” of students showed up. Ditto WBBM radio. Not a deluge.
Governor Rod Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) may now be off the hook for Meeks’ $120 million special school funding demand now that the Reverend’s boycott flopped. No muscle.
11 Comments »
Leave a comment
Our Mission
The Illinois politics news Weblog-Your Two Cents Less-offers state government-related news and its own two cents on the often strenuous and the occasionally senseless efforts of the Illinois General Assembly, the Governor, not-so-special interest groups, hired lobbyists, citizen lobbyists, organized labor, disorganized labor, reporters, think tank thinkers, public relations wizards, and bloggers to shape or misshape public opinion and pretzel-twist public policy in the unending wrangles over political power or publicity or, often over, well, nothing.
ABC report is contradicted by others including witnesses on the ground.
Comment by rich miller | September 2, 2008
I think that it is appalling that African American are so divided on the issue of supporting Rev. Meeks in his quest to get more funding for our children. Everybody that i have heard speak their opinion on the issue all say the same thing “they do not think boycotting school is the answer”. I have this to say,at least he has come up with some form of action to address this issue everybody else has just talked, critized and oppose his plan for action. I have not heard not one person from the Mayor Daley to Arne Duncan to Rufus Williams come up with any form of plan to get this resolved. Talk, talk talk is all i have heard no solutions. Not even so much a suggestion well lets not boycott school, but let do this. I 100% support Rev. Meeks because no one else has come up with any other solution. Everybody has acknowledge there should be more money put into Chicago Public schools but nobody but Rev. Meeks is trying to figure out a way to pressure the City to do so.
Comment by Ramona | September 2, 2008
WBEZ is reporting around 1,000 CPS students showed up. Not quite an avalanche.
Comment by David Ormsby | September 2, 2008
Ramona,
In Rev. Meeks quest “to get more funding”, the Chicago Public Schools lose money. The State of Illinois distributes financial aid based on student attendance.
David Ormsby
Comment by David Ormsby | September 2, 2008
The Chicago Tribune and WBBM radio are reporting only “hundreds” of Chicago Public Schools students boycotted their first day to “register” at New Trier.
Comment by David Ormsby | September 2, 2008
[...] » Shut Up & Sing Flier » Sarah Palin theme: Should I Stay Or Should I Go » Meeks Chicago Public Schools Boycott Fizzles » Charges Pending In Uptown Beating » Constitutional Convention Debate » Big [...]
Pingback by The Capitol Fax Blog » Boycott news and serious hypocrisy alert | September 2, 2008
If sometimes you have to take two steps back to eventually get six steps forward, then in the end it will be worth the sacrafice. Finacial aid can be and distributed any way they like it to be especially in extreme circumstances. Also remember this is only the first day of the boycott. I wonder how did the African Americans feel when they had to make the decision to boycott riding the bus? I am sure there were some such as yourself who could not see the bigger picture and see thing for what they really are and not what the media puts out there.
Comment by Ramona | September 2, 2008
Ramona,
The news media observed that about approximately 700 Chicago Public School students–out of 425,000–boycotted school. More than 99% remained in school today. The big picture is clear enough for all those who want to see Rev. Meeks’ adventure for what it is.
David Ormsby
Comment by David Ormsby | September 2, 2008
Why does someone wanting more money to be put into Chicago publics school have to be an adventure? I have heard a lot of people disagree and complaining about the method in which Rev. Meeks is using to get more school funding but none disagree with the fact the more money is needed. I believe something as drastic as a school boycott is just what is need. It is obvious this matter is not being taking seriously and a lot of people dont care about the education of Chicago public school kids as long as it does not effect them directly or their children. We can go another 30 years or so without just the basic necessites such as working water fountains or leaking roofs, not enough books, computer or qualifyed teachers, this list could go on and on. But for some of the people on the outside looking in, it may seem like an adventure. But nothing could be further from the truth.
Comment by Ramona | September 3, 2008
Thank God that this tactic didn’t receive much publicity. James Meeks, if he was a good leader, would pursue this cause while the children attended school. It a good purpose, but the children need to be encouraged to go to school and for no reason, skip it. Chicago has endured a struggle trying to increase the 1st day of school attendance and we’ve come a long ways. While Meeks pursues more money, he mustn’t forget that without encourage from family and motivating the children, this will be useless. Let’s try to make good of what we have.
Comment by Audrey | September 4, 2008
I could support Rev Meeks if he would just leave the children in school. What an idiot!
Comment by Audrey | September 4, 2008