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Poll: Chicagoans are fed up

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* From a New York Times poll of Chicagoans…

Fifty-nine percent of residents citywide support the decision [by the Chicago Teachers Union] to strike, and that soars to almost three-quarters among African-American parents living with children.

* Also…

Nearly half of all parents living with children said they would like to leave Chicago.

* And…

(O)nly one-third of residents say the police are doing a good job. Nearly six in 10 think officers are not punished harshly enough in cases of excessive force. And a majority of residents believe the police are more likely to use deadly force against black people and that African-Americans and Latinos are usually treated unfairly by the city’s criminal justice system.

* More…

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 6, 16 @ 12:30 pm

Comments

the only thing surprising about these results is that anyone should be surprised. probably could get same result for the state — all the more reason to defend the status quo to the bitter end

Comment by jim Friday, May 6, 16 @ 12:32 pm
Those trying to improve their lot in life, or their children’s, view teachers as the way to do so. Education improves life and your chances in it. But so many who come from middle class or upper class view teachers with contempt and would rather set themselves on fire than acknowledge any contribution on their part in their own success.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 6, 16 @ 12:36 pm
–Fifty-nine percent of residents citywide support the decision [by the Chicago Teachers Union] to strike, and that soars to almost three-quarters among African-American parents living with children.–

And some think CTU is crazy for playing hardball. They can read polls, too.

–Nearly half of all parents living with children said they would like to leave Chicago.–

That doesn’t strike me as high or unique to Chicago. Moving out of the Big City to the suburbs after you have kids has been The American Dream for many ever since Levittown, 30-year-mortgages and urban expressways came along.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 6, 16 @ 12:45 pm
We left Hyde Park when our oldest daughter was in pre-k. We told her that we were moving and asked if she had any questions. “Are there bullies at that school?” We never looked back. The spouse was robbed at knife point at our front door at noon. There was a stabbing in our back ally. And the stress of winter was too much. It was one of our best decisions to move back to my spouses home town. We love visiting now. Chicago is a tough place to raise kids.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, May 6, 16 @ 12:46 pm
[Rahm reading this] All the more reason to spend a billion to raze Lakeshore East and erect a Star Wars museum!

To the post itself, it would be nice to also see an income breakdown, but the numbers speak for themselves. The city has always left behind it’s black and brown residents.

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, May 6, 16 @ 12:47 pm
Oh, after the hold up at the door, my spouse felt more victimized by the police than the perpetrator.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, May 6, 16 @ 12:48 pm
So 59% of the people of Chicago believe that the CTU should walk out on their kids so that they can put more of the kids money in their pockets without expanding or improving their kids educations. And some wonder how Chicago has the most overpriced and underachieving school system amongst major cities in the nation. It would be interesting to ask these people who were polled if they’d be willing to have their taxes increased by the amount required to pay for the raises and increased benefits from the strike without any improved quality of education for their kids. That would at least establish if Chicago parents are committed to the CTU or just stupid…

Comment by Zonker Friday, May 6, 16 @ 12:49 pm
The Catholic school system in the Chicago area has become unaffordable for most middle class families. That’s my theory as to why there is such a heightened outcry regarding the condition of the schools. The school system has always been subpar, but before it only affected the poor. Many more are affected nowadays.

Comment by Anonymouth Friday, May 6, 16 @ 12:55 pm
I’ve lived near Wicker Park for over 20 years, back when it was actually dangerous and a mix of white and Latinos.

After living in the City for most of the past 45 yrs, I have never seen so many kids. I think it has to be very difficult but the parents probably prefer the restaurants and nightlife and don’t want to deprive themselves of their lives while nurturing a family. There are kids stores and dance classes all over the place-all within walking distance but you rarely see small kids on their own.

It is a very different mindset from people of my age-group who either didn’t have kids or moved to the burbs.

The safety factor is interesting. I don’t feel as safe as I did compared to about 10-15 yrs ago. The escalating amount of money in my hood has made it very attractive to burglars, robbers and other minor crimes. You would never know that the one of the most dangerous areas of the City is about 3 miles away.

I put the failure on Daley and Rahm. We need more CPD. Daley lured all of these people into the City with Home Depots and Targets and promises that CPS would improve. And, in some areas of the City, it is far better. My neighbors all love their kid’s teachers and many of them actively raise money to support the schools.

Comment by Belle Friday, May 6, 16 @ 1:09 pm
Impending doom, the City is toast. Just like the state. Do these fools even know what will be required to support the CTU goons? W atch real estate prices closely over the next year.

Comment by Tone Friday, May 6, 16 @ 1:15 pm
Zonker, it’s amazing how clueless you are about all the effort and time and personal money teachers put into improving a child and their education. Can we have the underlying nonpartisan research and stats about this overpriced and underacheivment?

To the post, given the results concerning crime as primary problem and issues with police coupled with low approvals of mayor, I wonder if CTU can successfully bunch CPS as another part of the city/mayor’s broken system. Also interesting that lack of educational opportunities was third highest for role in crime rate.

Comment by TD Friday, May 6, 16 @ 1:20 pm
*So glad* our city leadership’s collective energy is being put toward some billionaire’s vanity project…not just any billionaire. This is the guy who brought the world Jar Jar Binks!

Comment by pizza rat Friday, May 6, 16 @ 1:26 pm
I started reading this article and gave up half way. Not gonna lie, the people had this article had their chance and it was called the 2015 election. Both the south and west side wards voted for Emmanuel (especially AA wards). Now they sit back and start complaining? How about you vote against him! It’s not that hard. High Crime, school closures and mental clinics all occurred before the election. And now people are surprised and outraged that he withheld the video of a shooting of an unarmed AA youth? This is a perfect example of getting what you vote for. Deal with it or show up in 2019.

Comment by Berwyn Friday, May 6, 16 @ 1:27 pm
TD, you are clueless. Read what was written. Do the people of Chicago understand the level of taxation required to appease CTU? We spend $15k per student now. How much more is needed?

Comment by Tone Friday, May 6, 16 @ 1:27 pm
Not sure that I would surmise “fed up” from these numbers. They’re actually not that bad, certainly some areas of concern but I think you’d find that in any large city in America.

Comment by cgo75 Friday, May 6, 16 @ 1:28 pm
CPS will default soon enough.

Comment by Tone Friday, May 6, 16 @ 1:28 pm
I don’t think it is that enlightening unless you compare it with some other communities. Is this different from large cities in general? Is this different from suburban cities?

Comment by NoGifts Friday, May 6, 16 @ 1:42 pm
A few people have used this blog to knock down the Lucas museum proposal. I think this study is evidence we need the museum. It will create jobs and attract more visitors to Chicago. You can put all the police you want on the streets, but if you really want to decrease crime you need to create jobs.

Comment by Chicago Guy Friday, May 6, 16 @ 2:28 pm
If I could take my pension with me, continue to work and have it grow elsewhere, I would leave Illinois. It is ugly.

Comment by doedoa Friday, May 6, 16 @ 2:32 pm
Not surprising. I imagine that 59% jumps over 70% when you talk to the parents of CPS students.

Comment by Carhartt Representative Friday, May 6, 16 @ 2:44 pm
==if you really want to decrease crime you need to create jobs==

Agreed. But Lucas jobs are not the jobs that can help Chicago.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Friday, May 6, 16 @ 2:49 pm
This Lucas-thing is so much like the Olympics and I can bet it is only Daley and Walsh Construction that still bemoan the loss of the Olympics.
There is no reason to spend money when it comes to appeasing the Mr and Mrs Lucas. They have plenty of dough! Let them spend all of their money if they feel the need to venerate George at such a high level.
Once the construction is over, 99% of those museum jobs will pay $10/hour.
I still wonder why the City had to pay to update Halas Field?

Comment by Belle Friday, May 6, 16 @ 2:56 pm
Honeybear, if you moved out so long ago how can you judge Chicago? I think it’s a great place to raise my kids. They’ve been exposed to children of all types, don’t thumb their noses at public transportation, and know what an alley is. I’ve come across many kids and parents who are freaked out by those things.

Comment by Original Rambler Friday, May 6, 16 @ 3:40 pm
Evidently a liberal society is not a happy one.

Comment by Liberty Friday, May 6, 16 @ 3:51 pm