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Karen Lewis
PI Original
by Ashlee Rezin
5:39pm
Mon Apr 15

Chicago Teachers Union Plans To Intensify Political Activity, Push For New Voters (VIDEO)

Education

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is preparing to intensify political activity and push for new voters with a citywide campaign against Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the mayoral-appointed Chicago Board of Education. According to CTU President Karen Lewis, the union could begin canvasing for new mayoral candidates, and selecting nominees for Illinois’ political offices, as early as next week.

PI Original
by Ashlee Rezin
8:22pm
Wed Apr 3
1 comment

Debate On CPS School Closures Heats Up At Chicago Board Of Education Meeting (VIDEO)

Education

There was no shortage of heated words today at the Chicago Board of Education’s monthly meeting as Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett presented her final school closure plan. Parents, teachers and activists all urged board members to consider the consequences the school actions will likely have on Chicago's communities.

PI Original
by Ashlee Rezin
11:22pm
Wed Mar 27

Thousands Take To Downtown Chicago Streets In Protest Against CPS School Closures (VIDEO)

Education

More than 7,000 protesters descended upon downtown Chicago today in protest of school closures and related actions by the Chicago Public Schools system. Progress Illinois was there for the action.

Quick Hit
by Ashlee Rezin
8:40pm
Thu Mar 21
1 comment

Chicago Teachers Union, Advocates Speak Out Against School Closures (VIDEO)

Standing outside one of the schools slated for closure, Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) President Karen Lewis had heated words for Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Board of Education today.

Today, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) released a list of 61 school buildings that will be closed. Six of those schools will be turned around while the other 54 will be shuttered outright. Eleven schools will be consolidated.

Calling the school actions a “travesty” and an “abomination,” Lewis called Mayor Rahm Emanuel “cowardly” and said he “should be ashamed of himself.”

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Quick Hit
by Aricka Flowers
5:49pm
Wed Mar 20

CPS Rumored To Announce Some 50 School Closures Thursday

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is set to announce Thursday that some 50 schools will be closed at the end of this school year. If this is accurate, it would be the largest number of schools in the nation to be closed at one time, the newspaper reports.

CPS has notified several aldermen to prepare for school closures in their wards, according to the Sun-Times.

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