Governor Quinn Attends Back-to-School Community Festival

CHICAGO – September 4, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today attended Humboldt Park’s fifth annual HopeFest to remind Chicago area students and families of the importance of starting the school year off on the right foot. The festival is designed to provide area students with basic necessities like backpacks and school supplies, dental exams, haircuts and vision screenings at no cost.

“It is important that the children of our state are well prepared to go back to school,” Governor Quinn said. “Events like HopeFest ensure that these students will be focused and ready to learn when schools open their doors on Tuesday.”

All services and supplies for HopeFest were donated by local businesses, churches and nonprofit organizations. Volunteers were also on hand to help ensure the success of the event. In its first four years, HopeFest has provided more than 10,000 backpacks filled with school supplies, 2,500 free haircuts and 200,000 pounds of groceries to the community.

Tuesday marks the first day of classes for most Chicago Public Schools. The district is composed of more than 600 schools serving 435,000-plus students throughout the city.