A Just Chicago Rally at Chicago Thomson Center
About 250 teachers, students and parents came to the Thompson Center in Chicago, on Thursday March 26, 2015. A Just Chicago sponsored a rally at the Thompson Center to highlight full education funding in Chicago's Public Schools. The rally focus was on the 50 city schools closed by Rahm Emmanuel, upcoming teacher contract talks and Chicago mayor race. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is still feeling the hurt from the closing of 50 schools in 2014.
Vacant school buildings, budget deficits and pension issues still persist at CPS. Mayor Emmanuel has been criticized for those school closings that has accomplished very little but squeeze access to education in predominately west and south side neighborhoods. This school discussion fed into the current Chicago Mayor race between Rahm Emmanuel and Jesus Garcia; who was heavily favored at this rally.
Chicago public school teachers' contract negotiations have begun, as their contract expires this July, 2015. Mr. Jesse Starkey, VP of the Chicago Teachers Union, said that earlier that day CTU started talks with CPS on contract terms. The last contract talks ended in a teacher strike in 2012. Although a strike is not preffered, Karen Lewis President CTU has not ruled it out.
Vacant school buildings, budget deficits and pension issues still persist at CPS. Mayor Emmanuel has been criticized for those school closings that has accomplished very little but squeeze access to education in predominately west and south side neighborhoods. This school discussion fed into the current Chicago Mayor race between Rahm Emmanuel and Jesus Garcia; who was heavily favored at this rally.
Chicago public school teachers' contract negotiations have begun, as their contract expires this July, 2015. Mr. Jesse Starkey, VP of the Chicago Teachers Union, said that earlier that day CTU started talks with CPS on contract terms. The last contract talks ended in a teacher strike in 2012. Although a strike is not preffered, Karen Lewis President CTU has not ruled it out.
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