Jobs

Alderman Howard B. Brookins Jr. has a proven track record of job creation within the 21st ward community.  As alderman Howard Brookins Jr. has worked hard to bring more business development  and employment opportunities into the 21st ward. He initiated and facilitated the building of the 83rd street corridor, the new Dunkin Donuts and Wing Zone on 87th street, the Dunkin Donuts across from Walgreens on 79th street, and Chipotle, GNC, and Sprint stores on 87th and the Dan Ryan. The New Studio Movie Grill, and played a very intricate part in the renovation of the Woodson Regional Library project.

With the Woodson Library project Alderman Howard B. Brookins Jr. worked hard to get African-American contractors to bid for the project. To help get the information out his office created partnerships with Greater Aurbran Gresham, Chatham Business Association, Far South CDC, and the Endeleo Institute. This group joined together  with the Alderman to assist with helping African American contractors understand the paper work.  Labors were also provided assistance with updating their licence paper work to help ensure they had every opportunity of being able to apply when the jobs became available. The Alderman also made it where the project applications for the Woodson Library Project were first available and collected at each of these partnering locations, including his 21st ward office. As a result of this collaboration UJAMAA Construction an African American owned construction company was able to land the bid and completed the renovation of the New Woodson Regional Library. 

Alderman Howard Brookins Jr. also worked tirelessly with both Walmart and Lowe’s of the 83rd street corridor, to ensure the hiring came of resident within the 21st ward Community first.  He also worked along side both Chipotle and GNC of 87th and the Dan Ryan to ensure the same thing. To assist in this applications were made available to residents at the 21st ward office. 

Public Safety

Throughout his career,  Alderman Howard Brookins Jr. has been a leading advocate to end gun violence and police corruption.  Alderman Brookins believes that the federal government needs to step up to get guns out of our communities and create a new culture in the Chicago Police Department.

Alderman Brookins was also the first Alderman to call for the Laquan McDonald video to be released, he also stood with the black caucus  as they called for Police Superintendent McCarthy’s resignation. Brookins himself called for McCarty to get fired months before the video came out, and plans to continue to work making sure that  police are independently investigated in Chicago and nationwide for any unjust deaths at their hands.

Education

Alderman Howard B. Brookins Jr. was first appointed as the Chairman of Economic Capital and Technology Development in 2015. But in spring of 2016 he was moved to committee Chairman of Education and Child Development. 

Before his appointment as Chairman, Alderman Howard B. Brookins Jr. was known for taken a stand for the children of the 21st ward.  Making sure they receive high quality education. As a result the 21st ward now has 9 level one schools. Cuffe +1, Gresham +1, Lenart (Selective Enrollment+1), Turner Drew +1, Hansberry 1, Jackson 1, Perspective 1, Ryder 1, and Simeon 1, . 

When CPS tried to close Mahlia Jackson school, Alderman Brookins Jr. worked with community groups and the administration to save the school. Alderman Brookins has voted to create more after-school programs, longer school days, and extended preschool to assist with keeping our kids learning and off the streets.  He also hosted the 21st Ward 1st annual “High School Fair” at Fort Dearborn Elementary in November of 2015. Since 2016 Alderman Brookins Jr. has hosted a yearly “College Internship” fair for all High School age and College Students during their spring break.