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* A group of high school students joined homeless activists and somehow got inside the executive mansion today…
2 totally full buses of Niles North & Niles West HS students to Springfield to fight 4 homeless youth @ChiHomeless pic.twitter.com/L2PbZoTRf3
— Hannah Willage (@HWillage) April 5, 2016
Homeless youth protesting for funding to services at Gov Rauner's Mansion in Springfield @ChiHomeless pic.twitter.com/rXOi9TIqnZ
— Hannah Willage (@HWillage) April 5, 2016
More than 130 @ChiHomeless homeless youth held a sit-in at the @GovRauner's mansion in Springfield #ILBudgetnow pic.twitter.com/ueX85R18Kd
— Jim Picchetti (@cchstatenet) April 5, 2016
…Adding… Related…
* Students Protest Higher Education Cuts at Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Five protesters who had purchased tickets to the CSO show entered the performance hall and dropped a banner from the second-floor balcony. The banner read “Sam Zell, Ken Griffin, Tell Rauner: Don’t Cut Colleges.” Security and audience members quickly moved to take the banner down, according to Wood. After about 15 minutes inside, security threatened the protesters with arrest, and the protesters left the building.
*** UPDATE *** The explanation for today’s action…
100 homeless youth, providers, and allies took to the Governor’s Mansion this morning to protest the Governor’s refusal to release funding for housing services. They pushed for Governor Rauner to support HB 4955/SB 2603, legislation that releases millions from state funds earmarked for services that provide affordable housing and end homelessness.
“I traveled hundreds of miles to ask the Governor why he thinks my future’s not worth investing in,” said Kevin Flint, age 23, who rode on a bus this morning from Chicago to get a hearing with the Governor. “I want to move out on my own and become independent, but the Governor is harming the program that can help me do that.”
Kevin ended up spending 18 months in adult prison for failing to register as an address with parole for crimes he had committed ten years before as a juvenile. When he got out, he was homeless, but ready to change his life. He found Neon Street Dorms, a state-funded homeless youth program which helped him get on his feet. During the last six months, Kevin’s mother died and he was diagnosed with a serious heart condition which required surgery. Despite these difficulties, Neon Street has been able to support him in finding full time employment, getting back into school and saving money for an apartment.
“Our youth are doing their best to better their circumstances but because of the budget crisis their futures and the futures of the programs that assist them are in jeopardy. It is horrifying that the person elected to lead our state continues to stand by and allow this happen,” said Jeri Linas, Executive Director of Teen Living Programs.
Due to the continued budget crisis Teen Living Program has had to make $300,000 in cuts to vital programming. The organization has also had to layoff staff. These cuts can change the circumstances of a youth’s life trajectory; it can mean the difference between becoming successfully independent or their ultimate failure and lifelong dependency in and on the system.
In February, twenty homeless youth and service providers met with the Governor to discuss HB 4955/SB 2603. Days later, Gov. Rauner, through his policy director, told the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless he would not support the funding measure for housing services.
“Governor Rauner refuses to explain why he, an individual with nine homes, will not support the release of funding for homeless services across the state, including funding for homeless youth,” said Doug Schenkelberg, Executive Director of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. “We implore the governor to show leadership by reconsidering and supporting legislation that would immediately release funding to ensure these youth have a place to lay their heads at night.”
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:28 am
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Over-privileged youth helping under-privileged youth. There might be hope for us yet.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:30 am
Rep. Hammond,
Yeah, no one will blame the governor. Ugh.
“We’ll take it from here… Representative Hammond”
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:34 am
Will the homeless kids be spending the night?
Comment by Mama Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:35 am
Two concerns: 1. Where was security? 2. Where was 1.4% during the sit in?
I am sure that 1.4% will be having a discussion with his protection unit about security at the mansion. Wonder who’s head will roll.
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:35 am
They should get an A in their civics course.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:36 am
Will the Guv take a selfie with these students?
Comment by Henry Francis Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:36 am
Sweet! That’s goin’ to wake a few people up at the Governor’s mansion. Maybe he can find a new security company who will work for nothin’.
Comment by BBG Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:38 am
Never underestimate the resourcefulness of homeless youth. A+.
Comment by LuckyCharm Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:39 am
@RaunerMostlyMonosyllabic:
“Great to meet protesters. What democracy is all about.”
Comment by Formerly Known as Frenchie M Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:39 am
Somehow? I was there a year or two ago and had to pick something up after an event. I was with my wife who had to pee really badly. After I did my business she insisted we find a bathroom. We wandered around most of the entire bottom floor of the mansion completely unabated. We just kept opening doors until we found a bathroom
Comment by Johnny Pyle Driver Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:39 am
“Bruce has no social agenda”
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:41 am
This is our leader of our State! I’m glad he has everything the way he likes it for security at the Mansion! He has no one to blame but himself! He is the top dog!
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:41 am
Looks like Niles North and Niles West are now officially on Double Secret Probation.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:42 am
Proud of those kids.
Comment by Dread Pirate Roberts Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:43 am
Well done students, well done!
Comment by Because I Said So..... Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:44 am
A 1960 sit- in or 2016 sit- in at the mansion?
Comment by Mama Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:44 am
===I was there a year or two ago and had to pick something up after an event===
The point is, you were already inside.
They have a guarded, locked gate.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:47 am
The Executive Mansion is open to the public for tours every Tuesday morning. Has been for many years, and I hope it always will be. I used to be a docent there. Always State Police presence there. If the Gov is in building, his detail is with him. I don’t believe this was a security issue.
Comment by retired firefighter Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:48 am
The homeless would be treated better if they were one of the governers dogs. At least then he might show a little emotion.
Comment by sparky791 Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:49 am
I hope they are old enough and are registered to vote
Perhaps security is waiting to get paid
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:49 am
Wonder if Bruce will get the message from them? Doesn’t get if from anybody else
Comment by downstate commissioner Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:52 am
“The point is, you were already inside.
They have a guarded, locked gate.”
Oh, were these guys not even supposed to be in the gate? Cuz yea, my experience was that once i was inside the gate, there was no security presence to speak of. Even inside the mansion
Comment by Johnny Pyle Driver Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:53 am
Good job, kids.
Good job.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:55 am
HBO - “Dad’s Home State” - Season 2, Episode 25
Bruce gets a late start to the Capital, leaves the front gate open at the mansion. Diana’s State Employeee convinces Diana to head to Chicago early. Diana leaves for Chicago seeing the protesters and wonders where they’re headed. Lance trolls protesters tweets, “ck” hands out “Turnaround Agenda” packets to protesters, Goldberg writes a note to the students’ principals. Comedy, 54 minutes.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 11:57 am
===there was no security presence to speak of===
Yes, there is. You just didn’t see it. Had you ventured into an off limits area you woulda seen it. Trust me on this one. Personal experience.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 12:08 pm
Well good for these kids, their school and their parents should be proud.
Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 12:11 pm
Ah, the creativity of youth. Much better this than putting a Volkswagen inside the cafeteria.
I agree with Rich, without saying how, that security measures are in place at the Mansion, whether a visitor can see them or not.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 12:25 pm
BTW, Niles West HS is the alma mater of (SCOTUS nominee) Merrick Garland. I agree with @47th. Good on those students.
Comment by Anonymiss Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 12:29 pm
Our governor was elected to solve problems not create them. What will it take for this thick skull to wake up.
Comment by Magic carpet ride Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 12:37 pm
Let me share my disturbing vision with you: busloads of “protestors” with murky backgrounds show up at the capitol to establish a virtual hobo camp in front of the office of Mike Madigan. They pay for their snacks at the canteen with fresh fifties.
Comment by Stumpy's bunker Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 12:50 pm
It is very affirming to see students at the high school level take action like this. The trip from Niles to Springfield is a very long one, they would not have made it if their heart wasn’t in it. It gives me hope!
Comment by Spidey9 Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 12:58 pm
At first I wondered if Meeks organized it. Then realized no media, so it couldn’t be Meeks .
Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 1:04 pm
===Trust me on this one. Personal experience.
Sounds like a good story.
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 1:12 pm
Dear high school students
No internships for you.
PS. Get a job.
Signed
Donna Arduin
Comment by Dr X Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 1:35 pm
The kids are alright!!
Comment by northsider (the original) Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 2:59 pm
Let’s teach these students that money doesn’t fall from the trees. Our State has been over spending for too long and it has to stop. Governor Rauner is doing the right thing.
Comment by Stop the spending Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 4:45 pm
==Let’s teach these students that money doesn’t fall from the trees. Governor Rauner is doing the right thing.==
Wow Mr. or Ms. “Stop the spending”, if you don’t believe that our state should be spending money to aid homeless youth, then you are truly inhumane.
Comment by Former Hoosier Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 4:56 pm
–In February, twenty homeless youth and service providers met with the Governor to discuss HB 4955/SB 2603. Days later, Gov. Rauner, through his policy director, told the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless he would not support the funding measure for housing services.–
They forgot to mention the governor’s hugs and his promises as to how he would get “creative.”
Keep in mind, these are non-GRF funds, dedicated specifically for homeless youth shelters, gathering dust in the Treasury…
….waiting to be swept to help cover the historic GRF deficits of Gov. Fiscal Responsibility.
–Will the homeless kids be spending the night?–
I can’t think of an Illinois governor in my lifetime who would not have met and talked with these kids, gave them a hot meal, and the opportunity for a bath and laundry, at least.
Actually, all of them would have done a lot more.
Until this one.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 5, 16 @ 5:06 pm
You can call me inhumane, but all of our citizens would be better off if our State learned to live within their means. Where do you think this money comes from? We are finally trying to pass a budget that doesn’t spend what we don’t have. Get behind our Governor, who is doing the right thing for once.
Comment by Stop the spending Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 1:16 pm