rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/petition/petition-for-accountability-at-the-chicago-park-district?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-petition-area-petition-for-accountability-at-the-chicago-park-district' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Ana Marija Sokovic https://actionnetwork.org/users/ana-marija-sokovic/profile https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg We are Chicago residents and Park Advisory Council (PAC) volunteers from across the city. We are the people who set up chairs, recruit instructors, write grant applications, coordinate cleanups, and bring free programming to our communities—often after work, on weekends, and with no pay—because we care about our neighbors. We are simply asking for clear answers and an immediate remedy to the unfair treatment of community volunteers who are working in good faith to build a brighter future for our children. THE PROBLEM What happened here matters beyond one park. If a volunteer can be sanctioned under an unpublished or newly announced rule—without clear written standards, documented notice, and a fair review of the evidence—then any PAC volunteer anywhere in the city can be treated the same way. That is the core problem: without transparent procedures and a written record tied to specific allegations and disclosed evidence, decisions become effectively unreviewable, accountability disappears, and the public is left with “trust us” instead of governance. This Suspension Letter shows how quickly a volunteer can face punitive action without a clear cited rule, without disclosed evidence, and without a meaningful opportunity to respond—creating the appearance of retaliation rather than a fair, accountable process. If leadership allows this to be brushed aside, it sets a precedent that discourages volunteer service, chills grant-seeking and programming, and ultimately harms the communities our parks are supposed to serve. These practices raise serious compliance concerns under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120), and the due process and equal protection guarantees of Article I, Section 2 of the Illinois Constitution, and they warrant immediate corrective action and transparent, written procedures. ASKS: Transparent, Fair, and Consistent PAC Governance No surprise rules. CPD should maintain a single public PAC policy page with effective dates. If a rule is not posted, it should not be enforced. Written decisions, not silence. When CPD denies, delays, or restricts a PAC request, CPD should provide a brief written response within 5 business days citing the specific policy, its effective date, and the path to review. Fair process before sanctions. Before suspending or materially restricting volunteers, CPD should provide written notice of the concern, a reasonable window to respond (10 days), and a written determination after reviewing relevant records. Service timelines that respect volunteer labor. Acknowledge PAC submissions within 2 business days; decide within 10 business days or issue a dated extension with an escalation contact. One accountable point of contact. Each PAC should have a designated CPD liaison with published contact information to prevent requests from being lost or bounced. Safe participation and independent reporting. Volunteers should be able to ask questions, request clarification, and raise concerns without fear of retaliation, with a clear independent channel for unresolved issues. Public accountability metrics. CPD should publish annual, easy-to-read metrics—response times, approval rates, and sanctions by region—so residents can track consistency and equity across the city. ACCOUNTABILITY NOT CONFLICT This is not about blaming individuals. It is about clear rules, written decisions, fair process, and measurable service—so volunteers can serve and the public can trust the system. WHY THIS MATTERS SEIU Local 73’s State of the Parks Revisited: 2025 The report above explains why community-programming work matters on the South Side: even though 98% of Chicagoans live within a 10-minute walk of a park, higher-poverty areas have under 4.5% of land devoted to park space (vs ~10% citywide) and some “parks” are effectively empty lots with few amenities—so the places that most need cultural programming often have the least; the report also shows a massive programming gap, where in 2024 North Region Area 4 delivered 5,044 programs (51,595 enrollments) while South Region Area 2 delivered 587 programs (6,661 enrollments)—nearly 10× fewer opportunities for families; and arts/culture capacity has been cut (specialized instructor positions 55 → 39 since 2018), while the District’s Financial Assistance Fund dropped from $1.5M to $500K in 2025—meaning in Black, historically disinvested communities like South Shore, blocking volunteer-led outreach and cultural activation deepens an already documented citywide inequity in programming, arts access, and family support. CALL TO ACTION If you’ve ever relied on park programs to keep your kids busy, safe, and connected—this is for you. When volunteers get ignored, rules show up after the fact, and people get punished without a fair process, the outcome is always the same: programs get canceled and communities lose. Please do this today: Sign and share the petition. Drop a quick comment: what park are you in, and what happened (no replies, last-minute rule, delay, canceled program, unfair sanction)? Call or email any of the following contacts: Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners: commissioners@chicagoparkdistrict.com General Superintendent: (312) 742-4200; superintendent@chicagoparkdistrict.com Chicago Park District Office of Inspector General: (312) 742-9500 Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson: (312) 744-5000; (312) 744-3334 Governor Pritzker: (217) 782-0244; (217) 782-6830; (312) 814-2121; (312) 814-2122 Illinois Attorney General – Public Access Counselor (PAC): (877) 299-3642 Robin L. Kelly - U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 2nd Congressional District: (202) 224-3121 Jonathan L. Jackson – U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 1st Congressional District: (202) 224-3121 https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/petition-for-accountability-at-the-chicago-park-district