The Chicago Transit Authority is expanding an apprenticeship program that will give more people who have committed crimes a second chance and give commuters cleaner buses and trains to ride on.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CTA President Forrest Claypool announced Wednesday the ex-offender apprenticeship program will be quadrupled in size to allow for as many as 265 apprenticeship opportunities on the city's bus and rail systems. The apprenticeship assignments will last nine months to a year, and will include duties such as servicing platforms and cleaning buses and trains.
Emanuel says the program benefits Chicago because it will lower the unemployment rate among hard-to-employ ex-offenders, and reduce recidivism. He and Claypool say as the ex-offenders learn job skills, they are also making buses and trains cleaner for riders.
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Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:32 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:32:45 GMT
A 23-year-old woman was killed and four others were critically injured when two cars crashed into a building in the Far South Side Washington Heights neighborhood early Sunday.
A 23-year-old woman was killed and four others were critically injured when two cars crashed into a building in the Far South Side Washington Heights neighborhood early Sunday.
Friday, May 17 2013 1:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 17:49:58 GMT
Nine stops on the south branch of the CTA's Red Line – from Cermak/Chinatown to 95th/Dan Ryan - will be shut down starting Sunday for a five-month $1 billion reconstruction project.
Nine stops on the south branch of the CTA's Red Line – from Cermak/Chinatown to 95th/Dan Ryan - will be shut down starting Sunday for a five-month $1 billion reconstruction project.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 4:00 PM EDT2013-05-15 20:00:03 GMT
A truck driver was seriously injured when the semi-truck he was driving overturned on the exit ramp from the outbound Eisenhower Expressway to Route 83 North.
A truck driver was seriously injured when the semi-truck he was driving overturned on the exit ramp from the outbound Eisenhower Expressway to Route 83 North.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 2:51 PM EDT2013-05-15 18:51:57 GMT
Some big headaches are just days away for CTA Red Line riders on Chicago's South Side. The reconstruction of the south branch is scheduled to begin, along with free shuttle service.
Some big headaches are just days away for CTA Red Line riders on Chicago's South Side. The reconstruction of the south branch is scheduled to begin, along with free shuttle service.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 9:12 AM EDT2013-05-15 13:12:16 GMT
A 38-year-old woman accused of dragging a Chicago Police officer from a vehicle while speeding away from a traffic stop Monday night has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, police said.
A 38-year-old woman accused of dragging a Chicago Police officer from a vehicle while speeding away from a traffic stop Monday night has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, police said.