The War at Home: Fighting For Jobs and Housing in Chicago
Chicago's general unemployment rate stands above the national average of 9 percent. In some African Americans communities on the south and west side of Chicago unemployment of African American men is well over 40 percent The crisis in jobs and employment across Chicago has contributed to a serious housing crisis that has seen thousands of people in Chicago alone--not including suburban areas--lose their homes to either eviction, foreclosure or the permanent closure of publicly subsidized housing across the city. There were more than 50,000 filings for eviction of tenants in both public and private housing last year. in 2010 there were also more than 51,000 foreclosure filings were made in Cook County, compared to 17,000 made in 2006. Despite national attention consistently raised about the illegal means by which the banks are stealing people's home and their callous demand to evict, the government bails them out leaving the rest of us to fend for ourselves. This combination of unemployment and housing insecurity amounts to nothing less than a war on the poor and working people of Chicago.
Come to this important discussion with community activists and others directly affected by foreclosure, eviction and unemployment to see how these issues affect Chicago and how you can get involved in the movement to fight for jobs and housing in the city.
Endorsers:
Chicago Jobs with Justice
Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign
Caucus of Rank and File Educators
Bridgeport Unemployed Action Center
South Austin Community Coalition Council
