Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth Signs Letter in Support of Safe and Equitable Transportation for all CPS Students.
Alderwoman Leni Manna-Hoppenworth was one of 27 alders to sign a letter in response to CPS’s recent decision to cancel busing for students in magnet and selective enrollment schools.
85% of affected students affected by this decision reside in low-income households, and many come from Black and brown families. Without busing, these families are struggling to adjust work schedules, student activities, and budgets.
The letter highlights these disparities and calls on the Chicago Board of Education to consider solutions such as stipends for families who qualify for CPS transportation but can not get a seat on a bus, employing more bus drivers with better pay and benefits, prioritizing low-income students, and partnering with paratransit companies.
Read the full letter below:
March 20, 2024
Dear Chicago Board of Education Members,
We are contacting you regarding the lack of transportation and financial relief for a number of our constituents in the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 22nd, 25th, 26th, 30th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th, 36th, 37th, 39th, 40th, 43rd, 46th, 47th, 48th, 49th Wards. CPS’s recent decision to cancel busing for students in magnet and selective enrollment schools has caused hardship to many of the families we represent. Especially concerning is that 85% of affected students reside in low-income households. Many of these students also hail from Black and brown families. Without busing, these families are struggling to adjust work schedules, student activities, and budgets to get their kids to their school and friends. We fear that without a solution, the racial and income disparities seen at these schools will grow. We recognize that CPS has offered Ventra cards to impacted families. However, public transit simply is not a viable option for many working parents with young children. Accordingly, we respectfully ask you to consider the following solutions put forth by our constituents:
1. Stipends: Earlier this year, CPS ended its policy of providing $500 per month to families who qualified for CPS transportation but could not get a seat on a bus. We ask that CPS reinstitute this policy. Given that 85% of the students without transportation come from low-income families, many cannot afford to pay for private transportation, nor should they be expected to do so. Many families also do not have the job flexibility that enables them to drive their children to and from school. This money would be a much-needed lifeline for thousands of Chicago students. Paying $500 per month is less than half of what CPS is currently paying per student per month to bus students.
2. Pay, Benefits, and Legislation for Bus Drivers: Currently, CPS employs approximately 715 drivers, which is 600 fewer than CPS currently estimates is needed to route all students. Hiring additional bus drivers will allow CPS to better serve low-income students while also ensuring that diverse learners continue to receive the transportation assistance they need and are legally entitled to. Given the large gap in bus drivers, CPS could reduce the target number of drivers and, using the savings, could properly compensate current and prospective drivers with bonuses. Though CPS has increased bus driver pay, it still offers only $22-$27 per hour. Compared to neighboring cities, this pay rate is not as competitive as it could be. For example, Bensenville offers $27 per hour, Skokie offers $25-$30 per hour, and Niles offers health insurance plus a 401k to all drivers. Raising bus driver salaries and offering benefits would assist in the recruitment and retention of bus drivers for CPS. Additionally, we ask that CPS work in collaboration with parent advocates to influence state legislators and the Illinois Secretary of State to pass laws and regulations that facilitate driver recruitment. Below are four examples of such action that could increase the number of drivers available to CPS:
Implement the Federal “Under-the-Hood Waiver” to increase the number of eligible drivers by allowing prospective bus drivers to skip the onerous requirement of physically lifting the hood of the bus and identifying parts of the engine;
Pass HB3476 to enable HopSkipDrive to come to Illinois;
Offer more Commercial Drivers License (CDL) certification dates/times; and
Offer CDL certification exams in Spanish.
3. Prioritizing Low-Income Students: Students from low-income families should be routed first. This routing can be done on an individual basis or by starting with the schools with the highest percentage of low-income families. Stipends (financial relief) can be given to students without a seat until one becomes available for them. Stipends provide immediate support until a bus seat becomes available.
4. Paratransit Companies: Allow paratransit companies (vans) to begin transporting Priority Group A and B students from buses currently transporting less than seven students so that large school buses can be reassigned for larger populations needing transport to magnet and selective enrollment schools. We look forward to working with you to find solutions that are equitable and provide access to schools that are the best fit for the children in our wards.
Respectfully,
Alderperson Matt Martin, 47th Ward
Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, 26th Ward
Alderperson Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, 33rd Ward
Alderperson Angela Clay, 46th Ward
Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, 48th Ward
Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez, 22nd Ward
Alderperson Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th Ward
Alderperson Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward
Alderperson Jeanette B. Taylor, 20th Ward
Alderperson Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th Ward
Alderperson Daniel La Spata, 1st Ward
Alderperson Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward
Alderperson Gilbert Villegas, 36th Ward
Alderperson Ruth Cruz, 30th Ward
Alderperson Jeylu B. Gutierrez, 14th Ward
Alderperson Felix Cardona, Jr., 31st Ward
Alderperson Emma Mitts, 37th Ward
Alderperson Peter Chico, 10th Ward
Alderperson Julia M. Ramirez, 12th Ward
Alderperson Desmon C. Yancy, 5th Ward
Alderperson Marty Quinn, 13th Ward
Alderperson Samantha Nugent, 39th Ward
Alderperson Brian Hopkins, 2nd Ward
Alderperson Maria E. Hadden, 49th Ward
Alderperson Timmy Knudsen, 43rd Ward
Alderperson Nicole Lee, 11th Ward
Alderperson William Conway, 34th Ward
