Sandoval delivers $100 million for UNO’s Charter
schools to end overcrowding

UNO CEO Juan Rangel, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Senator Martin A. Sandoval, a champion advocate of school construction in Springfield, during the naming ceremony at UNO’s Veterans Memorial School Campus at 4248 W. 47th Street. Gov. Quinn hailed Senator Sandoval’s efforts as a true champion for guaranteeing that every child has school in their neighborhood.

Chicago, Illinois – State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-12) has championed an historical achievement that would alleviate the critical school overcrowding in Chicago by obtaining $100 million for UNO’s Charter Schools on the Southwest side of the city.

After UNO released a study that highlighted where severe school overcrowding exists in Chicago, Senator Sandoval fought tirelessly for proper funding until the Illinois General Assembly unanimously approved a capital funding bill that allocates $100 million to the United Neighborhood Organization (UNO) to build new schools in overcrowded areas. The study found that 44 of the 64 overcrowded schools in Chicago serve predominately Hispanic students and that fixing the problem requires 552 new classrooms. The bill is awaiting signature of Governor Quinn.

On June 3d, 2009, over one 1,500 people joined UNO and dignitaries including Latino Caucus Co-Chair Senator Martin Sandoval, Governor Pat Quinn, Minority Leader Senator Christine Rodogno and State Representative Dan Burke for the Veteran Memorial School Campus official Naming Ceremony at 4248 W. 47th St., after three veterans, Dr. Hector P. Garcia, SPC Daniel Zizumbo and PFC Omar Torres.

“I am proud to have ensured that Daniel Zizumbo and Omar Torres lives will live on forever in the lives of our children,” said Senator Sandoval. UNO’s CEO Juan Rangel publicly acclaimed that: “Senator Sandoval’s leadership was monumental in improving the quality of life on the Southwest side of Chicago.”

The campus in the Archer Hts. Neighborhood – one High School and two elementary schools --will serve as a model in how to finance and build new schools quickly and efficiently.

“It is a privilege and an honor to celebrate the memory of these three heroes by bringing to this community the needed funds to build and expand our schools. More than 1,800 children will benefit now and thousands more will enjoy improved education in better classroom settings in 8 more schools in the next 4 years to relieve overcrowding on Chicago's northwest, southwest and southeast sides,” said Senator Sandoval who represents the 12th Legislative District and the Southwest Side of Chicago, including the suburbs of Cicero, Berwyn and Stickney.