CPS Warns Of Potential Layoffs As Union Tells Teachers To Prepare For Strike
Drastic cuts leading to teacher layoffs and dramatically higher class sizes could hit Chicago classrooms in the first week of February.
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Drastic cuts leading to teacher layoffs and dramatically higher class sizes could hit Chicago classrooms in the first week of February.
Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis on Friday painted a grim picture of ongoing contract talks with the Chicago Public Schools, calling the district's rejection of a possible one-year deal a "breach of trust."
A few dozen students and parents demonstrated at Daley Plaza - upset with the Chicago Public Schools plan to change the start time this fall at more than 80 schools.
Public school teachers were raising their voices against Mayor Rahm Emanuel's leadership of the district; in particular his proposal to help shore up CPS finances by having teachers pay the full cost of their individual pension contributions, most of which is now paid by the district.
The union said the district's cutbacks are counterproductive, and will lead to fewer resources for educators. The Emanuel administration has said the cuts will save $200 million for a district reeling from paying $634 million in pension obligations.
The Chicago Teachers Union was quick to respond to Mayor Emanuel, and to challenge the mayor's assertions about the budget.
The Chicago Public Schools and its teachers face two deadlines on Tuesday: their three-year contract expires at midnight, and a $634 million pension payment is due by the end of the day.
Teachers and their supporters held a rally at the Thompson Center before moving to the streets downtown.
Faced with a proposed pay cut it finds insulting, the Chicago Teachers' Union has filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the state of Illinois, reports WBBM's Bob Roberts.
The Chicago Teachers Union is incensed over the city's demand that teachers accept a seven percent pay cut, but Mayor Rahm Emanuel today emphasized he's fighting a two front battle: not just over a teachers contract, but also over pension relief from Springfield.
The Chicago Teachers Union lashed out at the Emanuel administration Tuesday, accusing the mayor of "lying in wait" to raise property taxes, after demanding teachers and other union employees take a 7 percent pay cut next year.
Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis joined mayoral candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia for a strategy session Thursday afternoon in Bronzeville, their first joint appearance in several weeks.
The Chicago Teachers Union has stepped up the fight to increase the minimum wage in Chicago, demanding better pay for non-union workers at the Chicago Public Schools, and mayoral candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia has joined their effort.
Hundreds of thousands of students in Chicago and the suburbs began taking a controversial new standardized test on Monday, but some parents want their kids to opt out.
Among the first to back Jesus "Chuy" Garcia in his bid for mayor, the Chicago Teachers Union on Wednesday was taking a brief moment to enjoy Garcia's success in forcing a runoff with Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia says another teachers strike is likely next fall if Emanuel is re-elected.
Three months after surgery for a brain tumor forced her out of the race for mayor, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis spoke publicly for the first time about her disappointment that she won't be taking on Mayor Rahm Emanuel next month.
The Chicago Teachers Union, parents, and other critics on Thursday accused Mayor Rahm Emanuel of misleading the public when he trumpets his achievements in early childhood education.
Chicago Police broke up a demonstration at City Hall on Thursday, after activists staged a sit-in to protest controversial bond deals at the Chicago Public Schools.
Lewis was hospitalized Sunday after feeling "discomfort," but the union had been tight-lipped about what is ailing the potential mayoral candidate.
Chicago Teachers Union President and potential mayoral contender Karen Lewis has spent the past two nights in the hospital after feeling discomfort and lightheaded. WBBM Newsradio's Steve Miller reports CTU representatives were quick to shoot down rumors Lewis suffered a stroke.
CTU spokeswoman Stephanie Gadlin says Lewis, 61, is being evaluated at a local hospital "after experiencing discomfort Sunday evening." Gadlin says it is not due to a stroke, as rumors have suggested.
Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis said a recent poll showing most voters are unhappy with how Mayor Rahm Emanuel is handling the Chicago Public Schools reveals "pushback for … failed policies" such as the controversial closing of nearly 50 schools.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has ruled out challenging Mayor Rahm Emanuel in next year's mayoral election.
For months, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis has said she's considering a run for mayor. Now she has taken another step toward jumping in the race.
The defense said Katlar Parchman, 19, is a nursing assistant, goes to church, does community service, but was not the person who caused Kyle Bickham's death.
Chicago dropped into second in the AL Central after it blew a six-run lead in an 11-8 loss to Detroit on Friday night.
Saturday's headliners, including Tool, Nas, Morrissey, Bad Religion and Bright Eyes, will now take place during the 6 p.m. hour.
It is unclear what caused the man to fall onto the tracks.
Chicago police are investigating two crashes that left a 23-year-old man and another unidentified man dead an hour apart on the North and Far Southwest sides.
President Trump said Friday that three outlets would be banned from the White House, "effective immediately."
Fuel prices continue to climb across the country, and that has U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) pointing the finger at President Trump.
Americans are optimistic about scientific advances in AI, but concerned that AI may take jobs.
The vice president headlines a Council Bluffs rally Friday, his second Iowa stop this year. He's been one of the GOP's most visible midterm surrogates, with trips to Kansas, Wisconsin and Ohio.
The U.S. military has escorted one billion barrels of oil and over 2,000 commercial vessels out of the Persian Gulf in the last couple of months, the Pentagon said.
Fuel prices continue to climb across the country, and that has U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) pointing the finger at President Trump.
Nicor customers will get a break on their bills this fall after Illinois Attorney General Kwame Roul reached an agreement with the utility to cut $140 million from its requested rate hike.
Drivers in Chicago and beyond were paying the highest gas prices ever recorded for the Labor Day holiday as millions of Americans were making their way home on Monday.
Around 115 million domestic and international tourists visited Illinois last year, pushing visitor spending past $50 billion for the first time and generating more than $88 billion in total economic impact.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit Thursday against ABC Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric Inc., alleging deceptive business practices.
Nearly half of Americans with medical debt owe at least $2,000, forcing them to make tough choices, new research shows.
A judge on Tuesday was expected to place two shuttered Chicago-area safety-net hospitals into receivership.
Cardinal Blase Cupich and a group of Catholic nuns have joined a federal lawsuit challenging Illinois' Medical Aid in Dying law, which is set to take effect in just over a week.
Flies have been everywhere this summer in the Chicago area, and some of them bite. But why is this happening?
Prime Healthcare is drawing criticism after announcing it will stop obstetrics services at three Chicago-area hospitals.
The future of Rate Field was back in the spotlight on Wednesday.
Plans for a new Chicago White Sox stadium in the South Loop have residents near the existing ballpark in Bridgeport concerned, not just because the team might be leaving, but also what might be coming nearby.
A new report from the University of Illinois Chicago said federal immigration enforcement led to $1.26 billion in unspent money at retail establishments and restaurants in Cook County.
Around 115 million domestic and international tourists visited Illinois last year, pushing visitor spending past $50 billion for the first time and generating more than $88 billion in total economic impact.
A new Whole Foods Market is coming to Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.
Duncan Sheik died on Thursday night, his family said.
Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas all released statements Tuesday on Instagram saying they were withdrawing from Ed Sheeran's tour.
Performer Macklemore is being dropped from Ed Sheeran's Loop tour after making on-stage statements that some found controversial.
Dubbed the "Designer to the Stars," Bob Mackie won nine Emmy Awards, a Tony Award and was nominated for three Oscars.
The stage was set and the air was humid as rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, took the stage for the first of two Chicago concerts at Soldier Field Thursday night.
The company said that Gemini managed to gain access to that company and two others by finding passwords online or guessing the login information.
Saturday marked the second of three days of fun with live entertainment, food, and, of course, beer. On Sunday, there will be a dog parade.
The event featured experts in workshops and presentations about parenting. Organizers say the event was created to remind moms that taking care of themselves isn't selfish, but essential.
There are 96 days until Christmas, but kids got into the holiday spirit early to audition for the 49th production of the play at the Goodman Theatre.
Journalists from MS NOW, CNN and Politico are seen walking away from the White House grounds after their press badges were revoked at the security post Saturday morning.
The defense said Katlar Parchman, 19, is a nursing assistant, goes to church, does community service, but was not the person who caused Kyle Bickham's death.
An off duty Cook County Sheriff's correctional officer was among 3 men injured in a shooting in River North.
Heavy rain and storms are prompting flooding concerns in the Chicago area.
Saturday's headliners, including Tool, Nas, Morrissey, Bad Religion and Bright Eyes, will now take place during the 6 p.m. hour.
It is unclear what caused the man to fall onto the tracks.
The village of Grayslake is touting a new massive data center, but neighbors say they weren't given an opportunity to make their voices heard before the project was approved.
A Cicero woman is suing Uber and a driver after the driver allegedly sexually assaulted her. She and her boyfriend said Uber hired him despite the driver having a criminal background.
Both hospitals were supposed to be placed in receivership, but after five hours of closed-door negotiations on Tuesday, it is still unclear what the future holds for both hospitals.
Chicago police crime data show 255 reported crimes in the last two years on the two blocks where the former Hard Rock and Rainforest cafés sit vacant. Neighbors have been calling the city about the alley between them for six years.
A three-year effort by the Cook County Sheriff's Office to help bring down crime on the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago appears to be working.
Chicago dropped into second in the AL Central after it blew a six-run lead in an 11-8 loss to Detroit on Friday night.
Hao-Yu Lee and Riley Greene each hit a two-run homer in a five-run eighth inning as the Detroit Tigers rallied from six down to beat the Chicago White Sox 11-8.
Jose Trevino lined a two-run single to right field with the bases loaded in the seventh inning and the Cincinnati Reds rallied for a 6-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
With heavy rain in the forecast on Saturday night, the White Sox have moved up their game against the Detroit Tigers.
Munetaka Murakami hit his team-leading 32nd home run as the Chicago White Sox tied with Cleveland for first place in the AL Central with a 3-1 win over the Detroit Tigers.
An off duty Cook County Sheriff's correctional officer was among three men injured in a shooting during fight in River North early Saturday morning.
A man was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after firing shots at an Indiana State Police trooper and fleeing the scene on Friday afternoon in rural LaPorte County.
A second person has been charged with killing a man by pushing him out of a moving CTA Red Line train last week on the South Side.
Darreon Plummer's flight to Washington state after Da'J Flowers was killed was itself evidence he committed the crime, the judge said, rejecting a defense request for electronic monitoring.
Inside the home, owned by Eugene Horsch and connected to his father, R.C. Horsch, authorities have found a trove of digital images, a so-called laboratory of chemicals and a small marijuana grow operation.
