Chicago Public Schools (CPS) officials celebrated the next milestone in a District-community collaborative project to provide high-quality science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) programming at three North Lawndale schools. Newly approved TIF funding – greenlighted last week by Chicago City Council – paves the way for a slate of STEAM-related academic enhancements and building renovations for Chalmers STEAM Elementary School, James Weldon Johnson STEAM Elementary School, and The Collins Academy STEAM High School. The planned improvements will further the District’s goals to provide students with a well-balanced education that deepens their knowledge in STEAM subjects, starting in elementary school and continuing through high school – yielding more graduates prepared for in-demand STEAM careers. CEO Martinez, District and local officials, including Alderperson Monique Scott, Alderperson Jason Ervin, Cook County Commissioner Michael Scott Jr., and Community Action Councils members convened Tuesday morning at The Collins Academy STEAM High School to celebrate the recent City Council-approved $10 million in TIF funding, in addition to a $30 million allocation in the CPS Fiscal Year 2025 capital budget for an anticipated $40 million total for renovations at all three schools.