Chicago political notebook: Will Durbin run for reelection? Where will CPS/CTU negotiations go?
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A new year has begun, but several loose ends still need tying up in the Chicago and Illinois local political scene—from trials to retirements and contracts still being hammered out.
Sen. Dick Durbin's future
Up first is U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), who is in his fifth term and who turned 80 this past November—will he retire? It is expected that information will come out in the coming days as to whether Durbin will run for reelection for a sixth term in 2026.
Durbin, originally from downstate Illinois, is the fifth most senior member of the U.S. Senate. Certainly, many people over the age of 80 serve in the senate.
Durbin said he would make his announcement after the first of the year. If he retires, it would create a bit of a political earthquake in Illinois.
Many speculate that Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker may have an interest in running for Durbin's Senate seat. If he does, it could set off another sequence of political dominos.
"Durbin and Pritzker at the same time exiting the scene would be an earthquake and a tsunami," said political analyst Pat Brady of BE Media Inc., a former chairman of the Illinois Republican Party. "I mean, you've got two very established, respected leaders in this state, and if they both step down, that's everybody—everybody that goes to Springfield, looks in the mirror, and says, 'I should be governor, or can be governor,' so they'll all be looking at that."
Where will Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Teachers Union settle?
As that political guessing game continues, intrigue continues to mount over where things will settle between the Chicago Public Schools, led by Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez, and the Chicago Teachers Union, led by union President Stacy Davis Gates.
The two sides continue to negotiate. The union says the sticking points are its calls for class size caps for middle schoolers and high schoolers, a salary structure that rewards and retains veteran teachers, and benefits for school support staff.
The district said agreement has been reached on a number of issues—including health care, sustainable community schools, help for special education teachers, an agreement on gender support coordinators, and dress codes for LGBTQ+ students.
The word "strike" has been casually mentioned in heated news conferences, but a strike does not appear on the horizon as of this moment.
Jury returns in Mike Madigan trial
All this comes as the biggest political trial in recent Illinois history is about to wrap up. The jury in the case of Mike Madigan returned to court on Monday.
Madigan, the former speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, is charged with 23 counts of racketeering and bribery. Prosecutors say he orchestrated a criminal enterprise to line his own pockets.
Former Chicago alderman Danny Solis, who wore a wire for the feds, has testified. So far, Madigan has not.
U.S. District Judge John Blakey told jurors they should be able to begin deliberations in mid- to late January.
