CHA to consider leasing public housing land to CPS for new Near South Side high school

A vacant lot at West 24th Street and South State Street in the South Loop — part of the former Harold L. Ickes Homes — is the proposed site for a new CPS high school. (Pat Nabong/Sun-Times)

Chicago officials are moving forward with plans to repurpose former public housing land for a new Near South Side high school, reigniting the frustrations of housing advocates who say the city is breaking promises to Black residents.

Neighbors and community leaders gathered Monday to protest a vote this week by the Chicago Housing Authority board that, if passed, would take a step toward leasing part of the land that made up the former Harold L. Ickes Homes to Chicago Public Schools.