INVESTING IN EDUCATION
Alderman Solis first began to raise concerns over the challenges faced by immigrants and minorities in the Public school system in the 1970’s. As a community member, Solis knew first hand the inadequacies of public education for Latinos. As a leader, he began to work for minority and community representation on local school matters.

Education for Latino Youth
In the late 1970’s, Solis co-founded the Latino Youth Alternative High School to provide a strong educational institution that address challenges Latinos face. As Executive Director, Daniel Solis represented his belief in an educational system that accommodates the minority population.

As Co-founder and Executive Director of the United Neighborhood Organization, Alderman Solis fought for local decision-making by elected parents and community residents on Local School Councils. He was significantly involved in the 1989 Chicago Public School Reform, which saw the introduction of parent-teacher training programs and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for parents.

In 2004, Alderman Solis introduced an ordinance in the Chicago City Council to address the staggering Latino Student Drop-out Rate in Chicago. The ordinance called for a meeting between the Committee on Education and the Committee on Finance to discuss options and reallocation of resources.

Benito Juarez High School Improvements
Alderman Solis is working with Chicago Public Schools on the upcoming expansion and renovation of Benito Juarez High School. Contributors to the planning of the project’s design strategy include CPS Administration, Department of Planning and Development, United Neighborhood Organization, the Pilsen Chamber of Commerce, United Merchants of Pilsen, the Mexican Consulate, Alderman Solis and the community-at-large.

Existing buildings will undergo exterior renovations. However, perhaps the most exciting renovation will be the addition of solar panels to the current physical education building. These solar panels will absorb energy from the sun during the day and glow various colors throughout the night. San Diego is the only other place known to share this technology. Additions are to include a new Blue Island Plaza that will include an outdoor exhibit area. Latin American history will be represented throughout the plaza by fourteen bronze statues of Latino heroes including the school’s hero, Benito Juarez. These statues were donated by the Office of the Mexican Consulate. Future plans for the expansion also include a new performing arts center and new athletic fields. Alderman Solis secured $36 million to ensure a community-approved plan was implemented for the future of the school. Benito Juarez High School Expansion and Renovation will be the largest TIF funding recipient in Chicago.

University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
From the beginning of discussions, Daniel Solis has supported the development of the University of Illinois at Chicago at its current location, in the northeastern-most part of the 25th Ward. Solis viewed the proximity of the school to neighborhoods such as Pilsen, the Heart of Chicago and Chinatown as an opportunity for local students and schools. Since its beginning, UIC has developed partnerships with local schools to provide tutoring and mentoring programs. In addition, the number of local high school graduates continuing to post secondary education at UIC has increased as its proximity allows students more flexibility.

University of Mexico at Westside Technical Institute
In partnership with the Consul of Mexico, Alderman Solis established the University of Mexico at the Westside Technical Institute in 2000. The program provided many opportunities to the Latino Students.

Chicago Hope Academy
Alderman Solis mediated with the Illinois Medical District to allow the use of IMD property for the site of the Chicago Hope Academy.

News

Events
February 11, 2007
Come to Seat Check Sunday to Have Your Childs Car Seat Checked to Ensure That It is Properly Installed in Your Vehicle
1351 South Morgan

January 13, 2007
Save Our Children Anti-Violence Rally
Perez Elementary School, 1241 W. 19th Street

September 9, 2006
Alderman Daniel Solis invites you to attend The 25th Ward/UIC Family Fair
UIC South Field Complex, 900 W. 14th Place

Links
City of Chicago Web Site
A great site to find information for residents, business, government and exploring Chicago.

El Valor
El Valor’s mission is to support and challenge urban families to achieve excellence and participate fully in community life. Our programs exist to enrich and empower people with disabilities, the disenfranchised and the underserved.

El Hogar del Nino
Thus for over thirty years strong, the mission of El Hogar del Niño continues to be one which is for and about children assessing their needs and finding ways to meet those needs by providing and demonstrating comprehensive bilingual/bicultural child development facilities and curriculum for infants, pre-school and school-age children and their families.

The Resurrection Project
The Resurrection Project (TRP) has built and sold 140 new affordable homes, rehabbed 12 buildings to provide 156 units of affordable housing, counseled and educated over 5,000 families on financial literacy and homeownership, and developed hundreds of community leaders through our organizing work.

Jobs for Youth/Chicago
Jobs For Youth/Chicago helps young men and women from low-income families become a part of the economic mainstream.

Chicago Public Library
Since 1986, the Chicago Public Library Foundation has worked with the City of Chicago to enrich the Chicago Public Library by funding book acquisitions, special collections and community-based programs. Learn About Upcoming Events, Programs, and Opportunities.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS)


Instituto del Progreso Latino
Instituto del Progreso Latino (Instituto) was established in 1975 to meet the needs of Latino immigrants to learn English, find employment, accustom their children to the U.S. educational systems, and adjust to life in Chicago in a myriad of ways.