Chicago City Hall
Supporters of the former Chicago schools chief Paul Vallas interrupted a press conference held by Brandon Johnson backers aimed at denouncing Vallas’ schools record ahead of the heated mayoral runoff election.
As the Chicago Teachers Union found its political footing, Johnson worked on the union’s front line. Now, his years of knocking on doors might be his secret weapon to win over voters.
The top two candidates to be Chicago’s next mayor are headed to a runoff election. Both have deep experience in public education, but differ on many key challenges facing the school district. Here’s how they answered a Chalkbeat questionnaire.
With nearly all precincts reporting, former Chicago schools CEO Paul Vallas and teachers union organizer Brandon Johnson are headed to a runoff to be Chicago’s next mayor on April 4.
Candidates have taken aim at Vallas, arguing he helped create Chicago schools’ current financial problems and laid the groundwork that led to the eventual closing of Black and Latino schools.
Lightfoot struggled with labor relations and pandemic school closures, changed her views on an elected school board, and plowed more city money into school building repairs during her first term.
Early childhood education needs more funding, say Chicago’s mayoral candidates. However, each candidate’s proposal differs in how to do it.
The Cook Commissioner and Teachers Union organizer’s education platform includes tackling the district’s school funding model and providing free public transit rides and universal child care.
If elected Chicago mayor, Paul Vallas promises to open schools on nights and weekends, expand choice
Vallas’s education platform brings back some policies from his time as CEO of Chicago Public Schools. His platform proposes to expand charters, alternative schools, and work study programs. Vallas also wants to keep schools open on nights, weekends, holidays, and during summer to provide young people a safe place to go.
Chicago Public Schools will host the first of three public meetings at 6 p.m. Jan. 19. Residents are invited to weigh in on the plan to build a new high school on vacant land at 26th and State streets, where the Harold L. Ickes Homes once stood.
The migrants — single men and women who are mostly asylum seekers — are expected to move into the former school campus starting the week of Jan. 23. The campus, vacant since 2017, will be a shelter for up to two years, city officials said.
Mayor says outreach to to educators at Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges was an “honest mistake” by a staffer.
The move may violate city and district ethics rules surrounding political activity and official business.
The candidates have varying connections to the city’s schools and young people. Chalkbeat Chicago is summing up what they’ve done and is asking readers what questions we should ask them.
Chicago Public Schools will use the money to buy land and swap property with Chicago Housing Authority to make way for the new campus.
Chicago Public Schools gets initial OK for city money to buy parcels, swap land with Chicago Housing Authority to make way for a new Near South high school.
Before heading to Congress in 2019, U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia forced former Mayor Rahm Emanuel into a runoff in 2015 with the backing of the Chicago Teachers Union.
The measure would have temporarily withheld city money for school projects if Chicago Public Schools officials failed to show up. Several aldermen voted against the proposal because they didn’t want to stymie projects in their communities.
The document was required as Chicago gears up to transition to an elected school board.
Former teacher Brandon Johnson is one of at least eight people challenging Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
The former Von Humboldt Elementary in Humboldt Park, which closed in 2013, is poised to become an 107-unit apartment complex geared toward teachers.
State Rep. Kambium “Kam” Buckner outlined a platform for Chicago Public Schools that looks to tackle the district’s school funding model, staffing, and universal preschool for all 3-year-olds.
Amid pushback on a Near South Side high school, Mayor replaces Chicago school board member Dwayne Truss with a city council ally
A Chicago planning document includes proposals to create a Department of Learning, repurpose vacant schools, subsidize child care, and offer career training for people leaving prison.
One Summer Chicago, Chicagobility, and youth programs aim to engage children, teenagers, and young adults with paid jobs and arts and cultural programs across the city.
Where to go and what to know for Vaccination Awareness Day in Chicago — and why some people are irked.
Chicago’s school board members will not be compensated according to a newly passed bill, raising concerns about representation of working-class families.
CPS will begin offering the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine next Wednesday at four regional school-based hubs on rotating days.
So far, only 46.7% of eligible Chicago Public Schools students 12 and up have received the vaccine. Officials say they hope to increase that number as they stage a campaign to reach families of younger children.
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