Chicago Public Schools said 60% of the 5,352 pre-kindergarten and special education cluster program students who opted for in-person learning showed up at their school last week. That amounts to about 3,200 students.
Stories by Matt Masterson
CPS Will Begin Vaccinating Teachers, School Staff for COVID-19 as Soon as Next Month
The state of Illinois is expanding vaccine eligibility beginning Monday, meaning school-based staff and other front-line employees will be able to start getting inoculated
Police: Spike in Carjackings Continuing into 2021 With Nearly 150 Cases Already Reported
In just the first three weeks of 2021, there have already been 144 carjackings across Chicago, according to police, continuing the spike seen throughout last year.
Suburban Man Charged With Threatening Violence at Biden Inauguration Held Without Bond
During a hearing Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Gabriel Fuentes pointed to the “very explicit and concerning” voicemails allegedly left by Louis Capriotti in ordering the Chicago Heights man held without bond during his case.
CTU Delegates Approve Walkout Resolution That Could Lead to Possible Strike
Voting members of the Chicago Teachers Union approved a resolution Wednesday night which could mark the first step toward a potential strike if the union can’t reach a deal with Chicago Public Schools on a safe reopening plan amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Judge: Smollett Trial Will Focus on Allegations, Not Events Surrounding High-Profile Case
The judge handling Jussie Smollett’s case wants to keep a potential trial focused on the events that occurred the night the former “Empire” star allegedly filed a false police report, rather than the controversy surrounding his initial charges and their subsequent dismissal.
Chicago Police Lieutenant Files Whistleblower Suit Over ‘Illegal’ Daily Quotas
A Chicago police lieutenant is suing the city, claiming a new safety team designed to address neighborhood concerns and improve community relationships has instead focused on making baseless traffic stops in order to meet illegal self-imposed quotas.
CPS: We’ll Continue Negotiating With CTU, But Not Over Decision to Reopen Schools
CPS CEO Janice Jackson said the school district is still having conversations with the Chicago Teachers Union on in-person staffing levels, and she believes “we’ll get to a resolution on that.” But she said the conversation can no longer be about whether or not to reopen schools.
‘We Need an Agreement’: CPS, CTU Still Working Toward Deal on School Reopening
The head of Chicago Public Schools said the district is “willing to compromise” on an agreement with the Chicago Teachers Union to safely reopen schools as the first week of in-person learning since last spring comes to a close.
Ex-Ald. Moreno Granted Release From Cook County Jail
Just over a week after he was taken into custody on a bond violation, former Chicago Ald. Proco “Joe” Moreno will be released from the Cook County Jail on condition he begin alcohol treatment following his arrest on drunk driving charges.
Teen Charged in Fatal Bridgeport Carjacking
Denroy Garcia, 16, was charged as an adult after he allegedly shot and killed 33-year-old Shuai Guan during an attempted carjacking last month.
Illinois Legislators Approve Massive Criminal Justice Reform Bill
Both the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives approved the sweeping measure Wednesday, which could end the practice of cash bail in Illinois and make it easier to decertify officers who commit misconduct.
CTU Educators Hold Teach-Out at Board of Education President’s Home
Chicago teachers who’ve been locked out of their education accounts after refusing to show up for in-person learning showed up outside the home of Board of Education President Miguel del Valle to call for a safer school reopening plan.
Chicago Heights Man Charged With Threatening Violence at Biden Inauguration
A suburban Chicago Heights man who allegedly pledged in a voicemail to “kill any m-----f---ing Democrat that steps on the m-----f---ing lawn” at President-elect Joe Biden’s upcoming inauguration is now facing a criminal charge.
CPS: 145 Employees Listed as AWOL on First Day of In-Person Learning
Chicago Public Schools has warned nearly 150 of its educators and employees that if they don’t show up for work beginning Tuesday, they would not be paid and will be locked out of their Google Classroom accounts.
Illinois Senate Approves Bill That Could Expand Bargaining Rights For Chicago Teachers
A victory for the Chicago Teachers Union in Springfield on Monday could mark a change in the way the union is able to bargain with Chicago Public Schools over plans to reopen schools and other issues.
CPS Brings Back First Students for In-Person Learning Despite Pushback From Teachers Union
Some Chicago Public Schools students returned Monday to their classrooms for the first time in 10 months as the school district resumed in-person learning despite fervent pushback from many educators.
CPS: Teachers Who Don’t Show Up Monday Will Be Deemed Absent Without Leave
Less than 60% of Chicago Public Schools teachers returned as expected for in-person learning prep this week. School district officials said those who don't show up beginning Monday will not be eligible for pay.
After Defending US Capitol Riot, Chicago Police Union President Apologizes
John Catanzara, head of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, said his comments earlier this week were in "no way condoning the violence in" Washington D.C.
Ex-Ald. Joe Moreno Ordered to Jail Following Drunk Driving Allegations
A Cook County judge has ordered former Chicago Ald. Proco “Joe” Moreno to be held without bail and report to jail, calling him “a danger to the community” after he allegedly drove drunk last month and damaged more than a half dozen vehicles.
Despite School Shutdown, CPS Watchdog Opened Hundreds of Sexual Misconduct Cases in 2020
The Chicago Public Schools watchdog unit tasked with investigating reports of sexual abuse opened more than 400 new cases last year, including allegations of a teacher who sexually assaulted a student and a registered sex offender who was able to work as a volunteer.
Less Than Half of CPS Teachers Expected to Return Monday Actually Did
CPS CEO Janice Jackson said 49.7% of teachers returned Monday, one week before in-person learning is set to resume for some 17,000 students. Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Stacy Davis Gates weighs in on “Chicago Tonight.”
Erica Reddick Becomes 1st Woman to Oversee Cook County’s Criminal Court Division
Erica Reddick, a longtime public defender and judge, is replacing Judge LeRoy Martin Jr., who has been assigned to serve as an appellate court justice.
Some CPS Teachers Not Returning to Schools as In-Person Learning Set to Resume
More than 5,800 Chicago Public Schools employees were due back in their classrooms Monday to prepare for students’ return next week. But not all of them showed up.
Illinois Records Another 133 COVID-19 Deaths as Year Marred by Pandemic Comes to an End
The Illinois Department of Public Health on Thursday announced an additional 8,009 confirmed and probable coronavirus cases, the highest single-day total in two weeks.
Local School Council Passes Resolution Seeking to Prevent School Reopening
CPS says councils don’t have authority to do so
Representatives of a Portage Park high school on Tuesday unanimously approved a measure saying students and staff will not be allowed into the building following winter break “until it is safe to return to in-person learning.”
