Thousands of Everest College Students May Get Loan Relief, Lisa Madigan Says

Here is a press released emailed to the news media at 4:31 p.m. Friday, March 25 by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan:

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Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced today that thousands of former Illinois students

Lisa Madigan

who attended Everest Colleges are eligible to have their federal student loan debt forgiven by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Department of Education announced the relief earlier today for former students of colleges operated by Corinthian Colleges Inc., which in Illinois operated Everest College campuses in the Chicago area. The Attorney General’s investigation of Corinthian revealed widespread misrepresentations to prospective students, and the Department of Education last summer announced an overall plan to forgive the federal loan debt of students who have a defense to repayment of their student loans. Today, the Department announced specific relief for students who were defrauded at 91 former Corinthian campuses nationwide, including at seven campuses in Illinois.

“Students who were lured into for-profit schools such as Corinthian deserve relief,” said Madigan. “Today’s action by the Department helps, but I will continue to fight for relief for Illinois students who Corinthian and other for-profit schools lied to and took advantage of.”

Students who are eligible for relief need to complete a form on the Department’s website. They will also be contacted by the Department.

The Department of Education continues to investigate Corinthian’s campuses in Illinois and provided the following list of Illinois campus locations and programs that are now eligible for relief:

Attorney General Madigan is a national leader in investigating and enforcing consumer protection laws in the higher education field. Madigan is leading an investigation into Sallie Mae (now Navient) and has reached several settlements with for-profit schools. Madigan also launched a Student Loan Helpline, 1(800) 455-2456 (TTY: 1 (800) 964-3013), which is answered by trained staff who can assist borrowers, including former Corinthian students who believe they may be eligible for relief.

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Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch Sets Big Pro-Police Rally at Archer/Harlem

By Joan Hadac
Editor and Publisher
Southwest Chicago Post

Two months after nearly 70 men, women and children

GRNW leaders talk to neighbors Monday night.

stood at Archer and Nashville in darkness, rain and near-freezing temperatures—all to show support for Chicago Police officers—those same people and possibly hundreds more are expected to rally at Archer and Harlem at noon Saturday, April 2.

“A turnout of that many people in that kind of weather, on short notice, said a lot about the strong character of our neighborhoods,” said Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch President Al Cacciottolo. “If the springtime weather is good and enough people know about this ahead of time, we may get 10 times as many people as before.”

Plans for the 60-minute rally were announced by Cacciottolo at the GRNW’s March meeting, held at St. Jane de Chantal Parish’s Ward Hall. About 50 people attended.

The February rally was held, at least in part, Cacciottolo said, by a report in a daily newspaper that he said unfairly tarred and feathered Garfield Ridge as a haven for police officers accused of misconduct.

The April 2 rally was scheduled, at least in part, as a reaction to last week’s Palm Sunday Takeover, a protest by the Community Renewal Society against police brutality. The protest, which included blocking streets, station entrances and other acts of civil disobedience, was held at most CPD stations, including the Eighth District.

“This rally will be strong, but lawful and peaceful,” Cacciottolo added. “We will stay on the sidewalks and not block streets. Archer and Harlem is a high-visibility location, and we intend to use it to put our community’s best foot forward as we show our support for our Eighth District police.”

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The weather forecast for April 2 calls for temperatures in the high 40s with little chance of rain. Those interested in participating are encouraged to wear blue and make signs of support for police. All are expected to gather on the sidewalks adjacent to the Walgreens on the intersection’s northeast corner, as well as sidewalks adjacent to Joe & Frank’s Market, on the southeast corner.

Cacciottolo said that the Summit Police Department will stage a similar rally on the west side Archer and Harlem at the same time, as a coordinated city-suburban show of support for law enforcement.

Also at Monday’s meeting GRNW board member Arlene White announced that the group’s Sell-A-Bration event is set for Saturday, May 21. The rummage sale-style event will once again be held outdoors in the parking lot of Kennedy High School, 56th and Narragansett.

Proceeds from the event help fund the various community improvement projects spearheaded by the GRNW, including helping Garfield Ridge residents in need.

Volunteers are needed to promote and staff the event. Donations of items for raffle baskets are also needed. Those interested in more information are encouraged to send a message to email@garfieldridgenw.com.

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Protecting Kids is Focus at Next Meeting of Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch

Garfield Ridge residents who live west of Central Avenue

(CPD Beat 811) are invited to attend the next meeting of the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch organization, set for 7 p.m. Monday, March 21 at Ward Hall, 5159 S. McVicker.

Featured speaker at the event will be Patti Diaz of INJANCRC (I’m Not Just A Name Children's Resource Center), a non-profit organization that works to prevent the abduction and exploitation of children.

GRNW leaders also will talk about the group's "back to basics" plan for 2016--the focus of which is putting as many volunteers as possible out in the community to patrol streets and alleys. GRNW volunteers work with police and keep watchful eyes on homes, businesses, schools, parks, churches and more.

Volunteers patrol in their cars, on bicycles and on foot. They also patrol at all hours--at times that are convenient for them, and inconvenient for burglars, taggers and other petty criminals. The GRNW's "you never know where we are or when" tactics have thwarted a number of crimes in the past four years.

Those attending the meeting are asked to bring donations of supplies for local public schools affected by budget cuts. Items requested include latex-free gloves, latex-free adhesive bandages, instant cold packs, cotton swabs, hand sanitizer, new or used sports equipment like basketballs, soccer balls, playground balls, hula hoops and bean bags.

Those attending the meeting are encouraged to bring reports of criminal activity in CPD Beat 811, as well as constructive solutions to prevent crime and promote a safer Garfield Ridge.

For more information, send an email to email@garfieldridgenw.com.

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Stempien VFW Post Collecting Clothing, Household Items, More for Needy Vets

Members of the PFC Ted Stempien VFW Post 8821 will

conduct their semi-annual clothing drive from 8 a.m. to noon

Saturday, March 19 at the post, 5104 S. Archer.

Donations of clothing will be accepted and later taken to the Jesse Brown VA Hospital, where they will be distributed to needy and homeless veterans.

Also accepted will be “goodies to send to the troops overseas,” according to a post press release.

Breakfast will be served at the event. Donations of “household goods” will be accepted and shared with “veterans who have recently found housing but have no possessions to their name, other than what they can carry on their backs,” a post representative said.

For more information, contact post Commander Mike DeRoss at (773) 403-3789.

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St. Patrick's Day Parade Will Step Off This Saturday in Garfield Ridge

A city neighborhood not known for Irish identity will host an

Irish-themed parade for the second year in a row.

The Clear-Ridge Social Athletic Club (SAC)'s parade is scheduled to step off at noon Saturday, March 12 at St. Daniel the Prophet School, 53rd and Natoma, march east to Narragansett and then south to Wentworth Park.

"This is not a big parade--no politicians or businesses--but it's a good parade focused on families, on what makes Garfield Ridge such a great place to live," said SAC member Al Cacciottolo, who announced the event at a recent meeting of the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce. "It's truly a parade for the people."

While Garfield Ridge has never been thought of as an Irish bastion like the Mount Greenwood neighborhood, it has its sons and daughters of Erin, as several locals recently noted while shopping at Jewel-Osco on Archer.

"When you think of Garfield Ridge, you don't think of green, you think of the red and white," smiled Katie McLaughlin, referring to the colors of the Polish flag. "But we Irish are here in the neighborhood. We don't have the numbers to be big or loud like in Beverly, but that's OK. We're proud nonetheless."

John Halloran agreed. "When I walked a precinct around here years ago, you'd look at the polling list and you'd see Grabowski, Kowalski, Hernandez, Fernandez and Kozlowski," he laughed. "Then you'd stumble across an Irish name like Murphy and say, 'Hey, where'd you come from? Are you lost?'"

But Saturday's parade will be much more than a celebration of St. Patrick or all things Irish.

"This is a day for us all--on Saturday, we'll all be Irish for a day," said Lisa Kwiat. "Last year's parade was a lot of fun, just a simple celebration of ourselves, of our neighborhood. I'm sure this year's will be the same, and I'm glad the SAC is putting it on again. I don't want to have to go downtown or to Western Avenue or to some suburb to have a little St. Patrick's Day fun."

The weather forecast for Saturday calls for unseasonably warm temperatures in the 60s, but overcast and with a chance of scattered showers.

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St. Bede Pastor Leaving; Named Rector of Guadalupe Shrine in Des Plaines

Archbishop Blase J. Cupich has announced the appointment of the Rev. Esequiel Sanchez,

The Rev. Esequiel Sanchez

pastor of St. Bede the Venerable Parish, as rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines. The appointment is effective immediately.

The Rev. Robert W. "Bobby" Krueger, associate pastor of St. Bede, was named administrator, effective immediately.

“Father Sanchez comes to this important assignment with 20 years ofpriestly experience and great dedication,” Archbishop Cupich said. “The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe enjoys a special significance, not only for the Mexican people, but for all of us in the Archdiocese of Chicago. It is a holy place with a vibrant future, and I know that Father
Sanchez will continue to enhance and grow its mission of worship and inspiration.” 

The Rev. Sanchez’s first assignment as a priest was as associate pastor at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Chicago (1995-98). In 1998, he was named director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics and served in that capacity until 2004. As director, he organized the first Noche de Gala in 1999, which serves to acknowledge leadership for their dedication to
Hispanic Ministry in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The Rev. Sanchez was appointed administrator of St. Mark Parish in Chicago in 2000, and the following year was named pastor of Holy Trinity Croatian Parish. After four years, he became pastor of Mary, Queen of Heaven Parish, serving there until 2011.

His most recent appointment was as pastor of St. Bede the Venerable, 83rd and Kostner. In addition, he served on Cardinal George’s Administrative Council, the Archdiocesan Presbyteral Council and from 2006 to 2010 he served as a member and
vice-chair of the Archdiocesan Priest Placement Board.

The Rev. Sanchez was born in Chicago to Mexican immigrant parents from Durango. He attended Eli Whitney School, Curie High School and Niles College of Loyola University Chicago before going on to the University of St. Mary of Lake / Mundelein Seminary. He was ordained into the priesthood in 1995 and celebrated his first Mass at St. Agnes of Bohemia, his home parish.

The Rev. Robert W. "Bobby" Krueger (center)

Archbishop Cupich thanked the Rev. Adan Sandoval for assuming administrative duties at the shrine during the search for a permanent rector. “He will continue to assist me in a special way through his work as the director of the Consejo Hispano, while remaining as pastor of Our Lady of the Mount Parish in Cicero,” the Archbishop noted. 

The Rev. Krueger was born in Hoffman Estates. He was ordained in 2012, “Father Krueger has won the admiration of many in the short time he has served at St. Bede’s, and I thank him for his generosity in stepping forward now to take on these temporary duties as administrator,” Archbishop Cupich said. 

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CPD Alert: Man Missing From Clearing

UPDATE: At 8:55 a.m. Saturday, March 5, CPD said that William Ulrich's family has reported that William "has been located." Thanks to all who helped spread the word.

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Original post:

Chicago Police have issued a "missing person" alert for

William Ulrich

William Ulrich, 25, who was last seen near 60th and Austin at about 9 p.m Monday, February 29.

Ulrich is a white man, 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds, brown hair and eyes, light complexion. Police said he may be mentally confused.

Those who see him should call 911 immediately. Others with useful information to share are asked to call CPD Area Central Detectives at (312) 747-8380 and mention case number HZ-171667.

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