Parents, students rally to keep 7 Acero charter schools open in Chicago
Activists say the plan to close the schools is placing thousands of kids in limbo.
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Activists say the plan to close the schools is placing thousands of kids in limbo.
Students, parents, and teachers who rallied Wednesday night took their concerns about the planned closure of seven schools directly to the Acero charter school board. Jermont Terry reports.
The union also reacted to a letter from Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez to Chicago families about what he claimed were the costs of the union's demands.
Charter schools such as those run by Acero are privately managed, but publicly funded.
This happened as the union and CPS continue to iron out their contract.
This happened as the union and CPS continue to iron out their contract.
Despite a major push from the Chicago Teachers Union, there is a true split on the new elected board. But with Mayor Brandon Johnson still appointing some of the board members.
Despite a major push from the Chicago Teachers Union, there is a true split on the new elected board. But with Mayor Brandon Johnson still appointing some of the board members. Tara Molina reports.
Voters are casting their ballots for 10 elected Chicago School Board members for now, but the mayor still has control of most seats on the board. Vallas, a former Chicago Public Schools chief executive officer, explains what type of say the voter is really going to have on the school board. Vallas also says the Chicago Teachers Union has been undertaking a “big power grab” in recent years.
More than half a million dollars has poured in during the week leading up to Election Day on Nov. 5.
Voters will select the first elected school board in Chicago in 10 districts. Tara Molina reports.
Tara Molina has been following everything from the attack ads to the money for a school board race.
The big money being poured into the Chicago School Board races is closing in on nearly $7 million either directly to the 31 candidates' campaigns or for ads supporting or opposing some of them.
The flyers, which some are receiving in the mail right now, claim candidates in the race are aligned with former president Donald Trump and "out-of-state billionaires."
The flyers, which some are receiving in the mail right now, claim candidates in the race are aligned with former president Donald Trump and “out-of-state billionaires.” Tara Molina reports.
Two events taking place Wednesday morning are focused on ongoing issues with schools in Chicago. Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedros Martinez will attend a City Council committee meeting to discuss the district's budget, at the same time the teachers' union is calling on CPS to help keep several charter schools open.
CTU political action committees have contributed more than $1 million to candidate campaign coffers so far in the city's first-ever school board election.
CTU officials said their plan to sweep TIF funds back to CPS would help the district avoid mass program and personnel cuts.
The Chicago Teachers Union wants the city to take money used to entice developers and re-direct it to Chicago Public Schools, saying it could generate $1 billion for the school district.
The event came after an at-times contentious news conference on Monday, where Johnson announced six appointees to his new school board following mass-resignations from the board last week.
Mayor Brandon Johnson again emphasized that the power to transform the Chicago Public Schools lies only with him, but some lawmakers and advocates are not happy with the way he handled the CPS board. Sabrina Franza reports.
Johnson bristled when asked if he was moving to replace the entire school board so the new board could fire Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez.
On Monday, Johnson—who himself once worked for the Chicago Teachers Union—made his picks to replace the board. As Political Reporter Chris Tye reports, 41 out of 50 members of the Chicago City council do not like how these events are playing out.
Members of the City Council said they want a voice at the table, but Mayor Johnson said he alone has the authority on these matters.
The demonstrations came as approximately $200 billion federal COVID relief funding is coming to an end nationwide.
The final weekend of summer is shaping up to be a wet one for Chicago, just as thousands of music fans head to Douglass Park for Riot Fest.
Americans are optimistic about scientific advances in AI, but concerned that AI may take jobs.
A big gala on Friday night will honor a local non-profit that has served the community for two decades. Roseland Ceasefire has had some highs and lows but has maintained constant community impact.
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.
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.
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.
Following more attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said he'll make a "big decision" on whether to "annihilate" Iran's leadership.
A day after Mayor Brandon Johnson's revised renter protection ordinance got the backing of a key City Council committee, a group of aldermen advanced a dueling proposal, setting up a potential showdown next week.
Two months after Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling retired, some members of the City Council are pushing to hold off on appointing a permanent replacement until after next year's mayoral election.
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.
Cook County homeowners are again facing a sharper increase in property taxes this year than businesses, the Office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas announced Monday.
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.
Fuel prices continue to climb across the country, and that has U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) pointing the finger at President Trump.
Da'J Flowers was shot in her apartment in February. Five months later, her mother, Surbezz Clark, was killed in a gas station shooting in Auburn Gresham. "We're trying to get justice for both of them," her uncle said.
Bruno, a Salt Lake City police dog, suffered two broken legs and a fractured jaw after falling from a freeway overpass during an investigation and is now recovering at home following successful surgery.
Legal analysts say Trump's decision to bar CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from the White House will result in a First Amendment lawsuit against the administration.
Sheik's family says the musician, who also had the long-charting 1996 pop hit "Barely Breathing," died of cardiac arrest surrounded by loved ones.
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.
Six students from Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, Illinois, accused of racially harassing students from Homewood-Flossmoor, are now leaving the school.
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.
An unusual charge on an insurance letter led a woman to a bizarre medical office where mountains of unopened mail pile up and no employees have ever been seen.
The final weekend of summer is shaping up to be a wet one for Chicago, just as thousands of music fans head to Douglass Park for Riot Fest.
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.
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.
Chicago Bears starting right tackle Darnell Wright returned to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday, a day after missing practice with a knee injury, but it's the defense that's getting some renewed focus after a rough opener against the Panthers.
The Chicago Blackhawks opened training camp with three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane back on the roster, bolstering their own hopes of returning to the postseason.
Armstrong homered to lead off the third, breaking Billy Williams' franchise record set in 1970.
Petey Halpin hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning, Parker Messick struck out eight and the Cleveland Guardians moved into first place in the AL Central with a 6-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
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.
Three girls have been charged with threatening a school in the west Chicago suburb of Addison, with two of them making a video depicting a shooting at the school, authorities announced Wednesday.
A Zion man has been charged in the shooting death of another man in July in north suburban Ingleside.
