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Chicago Public Schools
PI Original
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4:52pm
Thu Jul 14, 2011

State Education Reform Bills Make The News (VIDEO)

Education

Education advocates have had a busy week. Not only are they holding their breaths and rallying for Gov. Pat Quinn to sign one reform bill into law, but many are also simultaneously seething over a controversy surrounding another.

Quick Hit
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4:23pm
Fri Jul 8, 2011

Ald. Ameya Pawar's Priority: TIF Money For Schools

Many eyes are watching Ameya Pawar as he gets settled into his new job as the 47th Ward aldermen. After coming out the victor in an against-all-odds upset in the affluent ward on the North Side, the 30-year-old talked to Progress Illinois this week about his priorities for the next few months.

Ald. Pawar says he will spend the next six weeks focusing on getting tax-increment financing (TIF) money funneled to the dozen schools in his ward. He has an upcoming meeting with Chicago Public Schools officials to materialize plans. Pawar -- who was endorsed by the Chicago Teacher’s Union -- called CPS “great partners”, adding “I’m not the expert at enhancing schools in curriculum, but if you put dollars in the right facilities, the change in outcome affects the students and perception.”
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Quick Hit
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3:31pm
Wed Jul 6, 2011
1 comment

CTU Fights Back On Interest-Rate Swaps (UPDATED)

When we first reported on interest-rate swap deals in May, the advocacy group National People's Action told Progress Illinois that it takes a huge amount of pressure for big banks to renegotiate rates.

And the Chicago Teacher’s Union is apparently taking that advice to heart. The union is again ramping up their continuous pressure on Bank of America and other big banks to re-negotiate interest-rate swaps with the Chicago Public Schools system. The union is hosting a march and rally Wednesday evening with 200 of its members after a cordial, but not fruitful, meeting on Tuesday with bank officials.
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