During public participation at the May 29 Chicago Board of Education meeting, dozens of speakers and elected officials urged the board to preserve and fully fund the Safe Passage program, which partners with community organizations to staff crossing and school‑route posts.

Representatives of implementing partners, including the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, and Safe Passage parent operators said their teams have prevented hundreds of incidents, increased attendance, and provided wraparound supports such as hats, gloves and book bags. Patrick Brosnan, executive director of Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, said the program employs more than 2,000 parents and community leaders across roughly 191 schools and that partners brought more than 14,000 petitions and letters in support.

Several elected officials — including Aldermen Lamont Robinson, Byron Sigcho‑Lopez, Gilbert Villegas, Nicole Lee, Jaylee Gutierrez, and Jeanette Taylor — spoke in support of Safe Passage and asked the board to maintain city and district funding. Board members thanked Safe Passage participants and acknowledged visits to route posts.

Speakers said the program’s daily presence helps students arrive for class, reduces absences and increases family engagement. Speakers asked the board to protect jobs for parents who rely on the program and to avoid cuts in the face of district budget pressures. The board did not vote on Safe Passage funding during the meeting; members said they had heard the testimony and would consider the program in upcoming budget deliberations.