49 public schools closed. Six public mental health clinics closed. Mass transit service cut backs. Chicago parks needing expansion and repair. Massive cuts threaten public schools. Joblessness and violence escalates in our communities. At the same time we see the Mayor pushing to give away park land to a billionaire filmmaker and plunge the city into another billion dollars of expensive debt to build a vanity museum. At the same time, Chicago continues to be plagued by corruption and crooked deals that rob us of hundreds of millions of dollars. It's time to get to the bottom of the TRUE state of Chicago's twisted finances. The CivicLab is calling for an independent forensic audit of EVERY aspect of Chicago's business. We want ALL the books opened and examined by experts who are not creatures of the Democratic Machine or its allies in business and Big Law. We want all departments, agencies, boards, commissions, contracts and employee records open and put online. The CivicLab is responsible for the TIF Illumination Project (http://www.tifreports.com) and the new book "Chicago Is Not Broke. Funding the City We Deserve" (http://www.wearenotbroke.org). More info at [email protected].

Winning the fight against TPP is more important than winning the presidency. If multinationals can go through the back door to neutralize our laws, voting in elections will be pointless. Bernie must hold Hillary's feet to the fire on this, the biggest of all issues.

Governor Dayton said, "Would this have happened if those passengers and the driver were white? I don’t think it would’ve." I represent St. Paul, and I've worked with the community on many issues, including criminal justice issues. When our leaders speak truth to power, it is essential that morally conscious citizens stand up to support them. People of color are killed by police disproportionally. The time for reform is now. We need a cultural shift within the nation's police departments, and we can start today with the state of Minnesota. Lend your support today and sign this petition. Thank you.

We the undersigned believe it’s time to erase the name of bigoted Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney from public places like Taney Street and Taney Park in Philadelphia. Taney notably delivered the shameful Dred Scott decision that said people of African ancestry were not or ever intended to be citizens under the Constitution. Honoring him is like honoring John Wilkes Booth or Adolph Hitler. Plus he has little if any actual physical connection with Philadelphia. Instead, we want to celebrate the life of a real Philadelphia hero, Octavius Catto, who did so much for racial justice here. (And while the city will be honoring him with a statue on the apron of City Hall, it’s also important for his name to be prominent outside of Center City.) This renaissance man, scholar, athlete, teacher, organizer, patriot and civil rights activist was brutally murdered on Election Day in 1871 during a particularly nasty campaign. His killer was acquitted. Catto contributed his talents and finally his life to Philadelphia. So we are asking you to remove Taney’s name and rename both Taney Street and Taney Park in Catto’s honor – as a lasting demonstration of justice over prejudice in Philadelphia. Baltimore and Maryland are both trying to distance themselves from Taney and move his statues from prominent spots. Let’s beat them to it by putting Taney in the rubbish bin of Philadelphia history where he belongs – and rightfully elevating Octavius Catto to a place of honor.

Gov. Charlie Baker just vetoed a number of funding items for early education. I need your help to override these cuts. Massachusetts should lead on education, but when it comes to early education we're falling behind. While states like Oklahoma offer a free year of early education to every child, Massachusetts has repeatedly cut funding for these critical programs. Since 2001, early education and out-of-school-time programs have lost more than $148 million in state funding, adjusting for inflation. 1 There were modest gains in this year's budget, but if we don't override the cuts from Gov. Baker, we'll continue to undermine early learning programs. The research is clear -- kids who receive a high-quality early education graduate from high school and college at higher rates, and are less likely to be incarcerated or rely on public assistance. It is incredibly short-sighted to cut early education. It just means more costs down the line. Among the cuts to the program are $7.5 million in cuts to early education salaries, which is especially troubling. Early educators have already born the brunt of 15 years of cuts. As a result, the field is in crisis, with a 30% turnover rate in the workforce. We can do better. Every child deserves the same strong start. I know we can override these cuts, but we have to speak up so lawmakers know we are paying attention. 1. MassBudget, July 7, 2016 http://goo.gl/KvRxHx

We want transparent communication about current policies and provisions. We want our elected officials to reflect the priorities of the citizens they represent. Developments seem to be happening without any forethought for the overcrowding of schools, the destruction of our natural environment and the traffic issues that will ensue.

There have been hundreds of thousands of American citizens killed during police interactions. This petition is a request that we honor all the lost lives by commemorating them with a national memorial that recognizes the pain of our country and calls for an end to this senseless waste of precious lives. Please sign this petition and call on the legislature to fund and erect a memorial.

As derby skaters and roller skaters we are part of an athletic and social movement - and people are watching us! This includes all the kids in our communities. We wear our helmets because it's important for our brains - and the brains of everyone who looks up to us. Brains are so much better than hair! We wear our helmets and you should too!

I'm tired of it. I care about the planet? The list goes on.

We, the residents of Wesley Hills, are shocked and upset with VERIZON'S BLATANT DISREGARD for our neighborhood and children's schools. Verizon has contracted a third-party to install DOZENS OF CELLULAR ANTENNAS AND DEVICES AROUND OUR HOMES AND CHILDREN'S SCHOOLS throughout our neighborhood.

It personally affects all Americans.

Racism is real. The recent killings of black men by white officers is a continuation of oppressive acts against minorities which was first initiated by the KKK in 1865. During that time it was common knowledge that sheriff's and deputies were active members in this hate group. The DOJ should investigate all officers and remove any and all personnel with ties to racial hate organizations