DISTRICT OFFICE: CAPITOL OFFICE: 308 W, NORTH AVENUE 200-58 STRATTON OFFICE BUILDING CHICAGO, 1 60687 SPRINGFIELD, 1.62706 7737998219 217.782.0150 snforpdeharamire.com Delia C. Ramirez ‘STATE REPRESENTATIVE 4TH DISTRICT May 21, 2019 Mary DeRuntz Deputy Chief of Capital Planning and Construction Chicago Public Schools Dear Ms. DeRuntz, As the State Representative for the 4th house district, I am writing to express my support for the installation of a playground at Sabin Elementary Dual Language Magnet School. I am requesting that CPS stand by its commitment to install a playground this summer. As a former student of Sabin, I know first hand how hard the students, parents, and faculty work to make it such a great school. I also know that they have been advocating for a much needed new playground for about eight years but this project has not prioritized by the district until very recently. While I was glad to hear last summer that CPS was committed to funding and installing a new playground in FY19 I was disappointed to hear recent updates that the scheduled build timeline has been pushed back. It is my understanding that a letter from Dr. Jackson and Mayor Emanuel in the summer of 2018 informed Sabin that money for a playground had been allocated in CPS’ FY2019 budget with a June 24 target date for installation. However, despite this promise, CPS has postponed the installation until September-October 2019. A of the date of this letter, Sabin remains without a playground or any other playlot equipment, save a small asphalt lot, for its students. The school is about to go this entire school year without a playground, which was removed as this school year began. Prior to its removal, the playground ‘was in such disrepair that students were prohibited from using it out of concem for their safety. Parents are rightfully upset at the prospect of entering another school year without a safe space for their children to play. am concerned, as are many of the families and staff at Sabin, that the delays will continue and that a new playground may not be built by even the new timeline. I believe all students should have equitable access to a well resourced public school. Sabin is 80% low-income and 98% minority; it lacks opportunities to raise money from sources outside of CPS. For this reason, the district should be doing everything possible to make sure the needs of the families at this school are prioritized. I urge you to please reconsider your proposed timeline and instead honor the initial commitment to have the playground installed by this summer,Thank you for your consideration and attention to this matter, Please let me know if there is anything my office can be helpful with to ensure that Sabin students have a playground for the 2019-2020 school year. Sincerely, l0uaGMi, Delia C. Ramirez 4th District State Representative