CTU To Seek Candidate To Run Against Emanuel In 2015
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Chicago Teachers Union on Monday outlined its plan to fight back against the Emanuel administration's plan to close more than 50 public schools.
WBBM Newsradio's John Cody reports CTU President Karen Lewis said the public hearings being held on plans to close 53 schools and 61 school buildings are nothing more than a sham, and it appears the closings are a done deal.
CTU To Step Up Political Activity
"The mayor has said no more negotiations. Board members have been trotted out to parrot CPS talking points as if they have already voted on the matter," she said.
Lewis asserted there's no democracy in the school closings plan, just a sham providing therapy for those affected.
She said CTU will step up its political activity and have volunteers in the city trying to round up 100,000 new voters who are concerned about education. She said the union would hold workshops and open calls to round up new candidates for mayor and alderman.
"We will be hosting 'Who wants to run for mayor?' 'Who wants to be an alderman?' and 'Who wants to run for statewide office?' political education bootcamps, where we will help vet people interested in public service," Lewis said.
Lewis said she hopes a different elected leadership would not see a need to close dozens of public schools as proposed by the Emanuel administration.
She denied having any plans at this time to run for mayor or alderman herself.
