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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Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Tuesday, February 5 2013 3:09 PM EST2013-02-05 20:09:54 GMT
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl, and including our friends serving overseas. Thousands of Chicago-style pizzas were sent overseas Tuesday.
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl, and including our friends serving overseas. Thousands of Chicago-style pizzas were sent overseas Tuesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:07:37 GMT
A 25-year-old man has been cited for driving the wrong way on the Chicago Skyway after a head-on crash with a pickup truck Thursday morning that sent four people to hospitals.
A 25-year-old man has been cited for driving the wrong way on the Chicago Skyway after a head-on crash with a pickup truck Thursday morning that sent four people to hospitals.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:10:07 GMT
Though at least five ambulances and Fire Department personnel were dispatched to Midway Airport when a 737 reported a cracked windshield, the plane landed safely Wednesday morning.
Though at least five ambulances and Fire Department personnel were dispatched to Midway Airport when a 737 reported a cracked windshield, the plane landed safely Wednesday morning.
Monday, May 20 2013 2:53 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:53:43 GMT
Five people died and six others were taken to hospitals Monday after the van they were riding in left a southern Illinois freeway and overturned several times, Illinois State Police said.
Five people died and six others were taken to hospitals Monday after the van they were riding in left a southern Illinois freeway and overturned several times, Illinois State Police said.
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.
Friday, November 23 2012 8:49 AM EST2012-11-23 13:49:13 GMT
Two people were killed and over 80 hurt Thursday when at least 140 vehicles collided in Texas. The pileup that left trucks twisted on top of each other and authorities rushing to pull survivors from the wreckage.
Two people were killed and over 80 hurt Thursday when at least 140 vehicles collided in Texas. The pileup that left trucks twisted on top of each other and authorities rushing to pull survivors from the wreckage.
Monday, September 3 2012 1:12 PM EDT2012-09-03 17:12:11 GMT
The nation-wide average is $3.80 for a gallon of unleaded regular. That's $0.13 higher than 2011, and the highest gas prices have ever been on Labor Day.
The nation-wide average is $3.80 for a gallon of unleaded regular. That's $0.13 higher than 2011, and the highest gas prices have ever been on Labor Day.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:55 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:55:34 GMT
As the country looks at the relief efforts in Oklahoma, Illinois is training for the same kind of disaster. The Illinois National Guard prepares every year for disaster events.
As the country looks at the relief efforts in Oklahoma, Illinois is training for the same kind of disaster. The Illinois National Guard prepares every year for disaster events.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:40:45 GMT
Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.
Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:32 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:32:17 GMT
A couple accused of murdering a 1-month-old boy and allegedly dumping the body in the Des Plaines River pleaded not guilty to the crime during a Thursday court hearing in Maywood.
A couple accused of murdering a 1-month-old boy and allegedly dumping the body in the Des Plaines River pleaded not guilty to the crime during a Thursday court hearing in Maywood.