City, County Team Up For Kids' Summer Jobs Program
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The city of Chicago this year is teaming up with Cook County government to mount its summer jobs program.
As WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports, officials promised more opportunities than ever.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said the so-called "One Summer Chicago" partnership will feature a single website where children from the city and suburbs will be able to sign up for jobs and other summer activities.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports
Podcast
Chicago Family & Support Services Commissioner Evelyn Diaz said the offerings are widespread.
"We have over 17,000 summer jobs and 168,000 recreational and educational clubs this summer," she said. "Some examples of what those recreational and educational clubs are: summer camps, some kids are going to be in organized sports."
Diaz said it makes sense for the city and county to team up for such a program.
"Not only are we able to do more … we've also begun to streamline the process. So county residents will be able to come to the one website and look at all of the different programs," she said.
Diaz also said the program will offer special jobs tailored to "at risk" youth in some of the more troubled communities in Chicago and Cook County. It will be called "Summer Jobs Plus."
"It's going to be a summer jobs program, but it's going to have more hours, more money, more coaching and mentoring for the kids who participate, and more support. Just more intensive than our typical summer jobs program," she said.
According to Diaz, money collected from overdue fines and bills helped fund more jobs and other activities than were originally budgeted.
"It boosted our numbers by about 35,000 opportunities, frankly. Those opportunities are Chicago Park District opportunities, After School Matters, and the jobs program," she said.
You can find more information about the program at the One Summer Chicago website by clicking here.
