City funds will help Chicago bike shop stay open, employ youth

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Sunday a plan to provide more jobs for young people.

Newly allocated city funds will allow a shop called Bikes N' Roses to restore employment for 65 local high school students. The Belmont Cragin neighborhood business shut earlier this year when it didn't get an expected state money that has been held up by the state's budget stalemate.

The business expects to employ 50 youth as part of the 2016 One Summer Chicago program. The city will direct $60,000 to the program, and another $94,000 will come from the One Summer Chicago program.

"The summer months are when our children need us the most, which is why we must step in when the state will not," Emanuel said.

Started in 2011, Bikes N' Roses is a youth employment program run by non-profit organization Communities United, according to the city.