Chicago schools release ‘safe passage’ routes

Chicago Public School administrators released a map of dozens of “safe passage” routes in the city that will be used by students who have to attend new schools when classes begin later this month.

The nation’s third-largest school district is closing 50 schools.

Critics of the closures say students walking through unfamiliar neighborhoods to and from their new classrooms may step into the line of fire of warring gangs.

The routes will be staffed by 600 newly hired safety workers. And police have said they’ll increase patrols in the area.

The mayor’s office says the routes were selected with input from community members, students, parents, educators and school employees.

The city’s also working to tear down vacant buildings along the routes while also cleaning up vacant lots and removing graffiti.