Whittier Sit-In Ends

By Kevin Robinson in News on Oct 28, 2010 2:30PM

Parents in the Pilsen neighborhood have ended a stand-off with Chicago Public School officials that saw a 40 day sit-in at a fieldhouse that was condemned to be demolished. CPS officials originally intended to demolish the fieldhouse and replace it with a soccer field that nearby Cristo Rey Jesuit high school would use.

Whittier parents want a library and parent resource center instead. CPS CEO Ron Huberman agreed in writing Wednesday evening to the parents demand that the building not be demolished, that the building be assessed for structural integrity, to work with the Whittier Parents Committee to repair the fieldhouse, to lease the building to the WPC for $1, and to find a space within the school to house a library for the children. Huberman said last week that he would agree to the parents demands, but they insisted that they get the agreement in writing. Whittier parents occupying the fieldhouse initially said that the letter didn't sufficiently address the library issue, but they vacated the building late Wednesday night.