Explore our content

All types | All dates | All authors
Unions
Quick Hit
by Ashlee Rezin
4:34pm
Wed May 29

Push Back Against Koch Brothers' Potential Tribune Purchase Continues With National Day Of Action (VIDEO)

Protesters are ramping up advocacy against the potential sale of all or some of the Tribune Company to the conservative billionaire Koch brothers with a nationwide day of action. Meanwhile, the number of signatures on various online petitions has risen to more than 500,000.

“We will not sell our freedom of speech. We will not sell our right to have independent news. We will not sell the City of Chicago,” said Shani Smith, 38, a project organizer with Stand Up! Chicago. “We are here for senior citizens, for children, for working families, and that’s what we stand for. If the Koch brothers don’t stand for it, they most certainly cannot buy the Chicago Tribune.”

Read more »

Quick Hit
by Ellyn Fortino
2:37pm
Wed May 29

CTU, Parents File New Lawsuit Against School Closings

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and parents of neighborhood school students filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Board of Education Wednesday to stop 10 schools from shutting down that independent hearing officers previously recommended the district not to close.

Independent hearing officers ruled earlier this month that Chicago Public Schools' (CPS) CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett failed to comply with the board's own school closing guidelines for 10 of the 50 schools approved for closure last week.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to issue an injunction, which would bar CPS from closing the 10 schools for the upcoming school year, said CTU lead attorney Robert Bloch.

“The board of education is now taking an approach that many believe it has been following all along, the public hearings on school closings were just for show," Bloch said. "The board does not view itself as obligated to respect the rulings of its own handpicked hearing officers." 

Read more »

Quick Hit
by Aricka Flowers
6:39pm
Thu May 23

Chronicling The Fight Against CPS School Closings (VIDEO)

Although the Chicago Board of Ed voted to close 50 schools among other school actions yesterday, education activists say the fight against the Chicago Public Schools' plan will continue.

Tonight, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is holding an education session to train individuals on how to be deputy registrars and get people the voter rolls. This is part of a CTU initiative to get 100,000 new voters registered as a means to change the leadership in city hall.

And earlier today, hearing dates for the two lawsuits filed last week against the school closings were set, with the first date being July 18.

Read more »

PI Original
by Ashlee Rezin
9:31pm
Wed May 22
2 comments

Board Of Ed Vote A 'Slap In The Face', Say CPS Parents (VIDEO)

Education

Parents and students affected by the Chicago Public Schools closures, consolidations and turnarounds are heartbroken by the board of education's vote to shutter 50 schools and turnaround and consolidate a number of others. Progress Illinois spoke to some of the many people who were at CPS headquarters today for the highly-anticipated vote.

Quick Hit
by Ashlee Rezin
2:04pm
Wed May 22

Protesters Rally Against Proposed CPS Closings Outside Board of Education Meeting (VIDEO)

Energy was high outside the Chicago Board of Education meeting Wednesday morning as education activists, union members, teachers, students and parents gathered in anticipation of a vote that could close a staggering amount of schools across the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) district.

“All I keep hearing is ‘we’re doing this for the kids,’ but there’s not been one iota of a discussion about the educational plan,” said Karen Lewis, president of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), said as she arrived for the meeting.

Read more »

Quick Hit
by Ashlee Rezin
4:47pm
Tue May 21

Unite Here Workers Oppose Pritzker Nomination For Commerce Secretary

Senate confirmation hearings for Chicago billionaire Penny Pritzker’s nomination for U.S. Secretary of Commerce are scheduled for Thursday, but workers from the her family-owned hotel chain are already voicing their opposition to the selection.

“This is not somebody we want in Washington; this is a lady whose business model hurts workers,” said Demetrius Jackson, 25, a lifelong Chicagoan and convention service houseman at the Hyatt Regency Chicago for six years.

Read more »