Get out of jail faster by earning GED
New legislation will help ex-offenders improve their job skills and education by earning a GED while incarcerated. The legislation, House Bill 611 (Good Conduct Credit Bill), will double the number of inmates who take the General Educational Development (GED) test in prison and grant 60 days of good conduct credit to any prisoner who earns a GED while incarcerated.
Mayor Richard M. Daley has earmarked $4 million of the proceeds from the sale of the Chicago Skyway lease to fund programs for ex-offenders over the next five years.
"Only about four percent of the more than 40,000 adult inmates took the GED high school equivalency exam in 2003, the last year for which we have the statistics. A high school diploma is the minimal requirement for an entry-level job in our society," said the Mayor.
The Mayor also continued to call on the Governor and the General Assembly to provide funding for House Bill 3316, which was signed into law in 2003 and authorizes the state departments of Human Services and Corrections to set up pilot programs to train ex-offenders for jobs.
Meeting: Stop graffiti vandals
Summer always seems to bring an increase in graffiti and calling 311 doesn't always get the job done quickly. If you would like to find out more, join members of the residential and business community to discuss prevention and removal of graffiti. The meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 18, at 6:30 p.m. at Olson Auditorium, Illinois Masonic Hospital, 836 W. Wellington St. Representatives of the Chicago Police Department, Graffiti Blasters, and local aldermen will address the issue. Members of the audience will be able to ask questions and offer comments. The meeting is being sponsored by the Lakeview Citizens' Council.
Raise awareness of domestic violence
It's time to Step Out to Stop Abuse — Chicago's 14th Annual Walk and Fun Run dedicated to raising funds and awareness of domestic violence, and sponsored by Between Friends. This year's family-friendly walk will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10, along Chicago's lakefront, beginning at Belmont Harbor. There will be fun and entertainment for everyone including a "Kids' Korner," live music and snacks. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the Walk "steps off" at 10 a.m.
To make a donation or register to walk, visit www.stepouttostopabuse.kintera.org. Specify whether you are walking or making a contribution on behalf of Between Friends when you sign up or donate.
There are many ways to support Between Friends' fundraising Walkathon efforts, all of which help Friends provide critical counseling, court advocacy, education, and prevention services free of charge to women and children throughout Chicago. These include:
* Walking or running
* Forming a team
* Making a donation
* Sponsoring a participant
* Being a business sponsor
For paper applications or information on sponsorships or donations, please contact Director of Development Maria Mowbray at (773) 274-5232, ext. 16, or mmowbray@betweenfriendschicago.org.
For legal garage sale — get permit
Chicagoans planning to hold yard, apartment, garage or basement sales can obtain their required permits at any of the city's 50 aldermanic offices or ward sanitation offices. Locations of the ward sanitation offices are available by calling the city's 311 non-emergency number.
In 1996, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance requiring such permits to guard against seemingly perpetual yard sales that actually were unlicensed retail operations in residential neighborhoods. The ordinance limits each household to two per calendar year, unless a third sale is needed because the applicant is moving. All such sales are limited in duration to three consecutive days between 9 a.m. and sunset.
If more than one household participates in a combined sale, each needs a separate permit. The ordinance specifically prohibits advertising these sales by placing signs anywhere other than on the property where the sale is taking place. That means that residents seeking to pull in extra customers by posting their signs on light poles or anywhere else in the public way can face fines ranging from $50 to $500 per day. Charitable organizations, churches and schools are exempt from the ordinance. There is no fee for obtaining these permits. |
