Chicago Public Schools introduced its 2014 school budget on Wednesday amid protesting parents and teachers. Officials say they will fill the $1 billion budget gap with $68 million in classroom cuts and the use of $700 million from reserve funds. Elizabeth Brackett has the details.

The Chicago Public Schools have announced more layoffs. This round cuts more than 2,100 people, including 1,036 teachers -- half of whom are tenured. This reduction follows the June announcement of 855 layoffs. Eddie Arruza and his guests examine the latest round of cuts, and how it will impact students and the system’s $1 billion budget deficit. Read the CPS fact sheet.

Hearings begin Tuesday on a lawsuit seeking to block the planned closure of 50 Chicago Public Schools. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of parents, are backed by the Chicago Teachers Union. Elizabeth Brackett has the latest.

Complete with toys like 3-D printers and laser cutters, Harold Washington Library’s new maker lab is the first in Chicago that’s open to the public free of charge. We take you there. Read an article.

It was revealed this week that Chicago Public Schools' central office has decided to strip a majority of the funds raised by individual CPS schools. Joel Weisman and his panel of local journalists take a deeper look into the Sun-Times story. Watch the web extra conversation.

Some innovative programs are preparing school principals for struggling urban schools by mentoring them and getting them firsthand experience. We look at how the Center for Urban Education Leadership at UIC and the nonprofit New Leaders are training 21st century urban school principals for the tough job they face. Read an article.

The Supreme Court punts a case on affirmative action in college admissions back down to the lower court. Read the decision.

Players and executives from the White Sox and Bulls are part of a new series of PSAs to promote Becoming a Man, the school-based anti-violence program. Bulls forward Jimmy Butler, White Sox executive vice president Ken Williams, and University of Chicago Crime Lab co-director Harold Pollack join us with more on their collaboration. Watch the video and read an article.

Dozens of Chicago Public Schools close for the last time -- and hundreds of teachers may not return. Read a report on national teacher quality.

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis says Chicago has to break its addiction to tax-breaks and find ways to generate revenue for our schools. She joins us to talk about the fate of teachers and students under the new-look CPS. Read Lewis's full statement in response to CPS' proposed five-year action plan and read 11 Things About Lewis you may not have known.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett joins us to discuss her Five Year Plan. 

Chicago Public Schools says 78 percent of students from closed schools have already enrolled in their new schools. But parents say the process is too difficult. Elizabeth Brackett has the details.

Nearly one week after the divisive vote to close 50 Chicago schools, Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett outlines the challenges ahead for the school system at a City Club luncheon. Eddie Arruza reports on what she had to say.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the nomination of Zachary Fardon as U.S. Attorney, and the impact of the school closings vote on Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s popularity.

The Chicago School Board voted to close 50 CPS schools. We share what some of you had to say in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

Watch CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett and CTU President Karen Lewis's full testimony from today's school board meeting.