By Mike Flannery, FOX 32 News Political Editor - bio
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Just about 24 hours after the announcement that more than 50 Chicago public schools are slated to be closed, the shockwaves are still rolling through the city. The schools chief says it's for the good of the children but the head of the teachers union calls it a racist outrage.
Teacher's Union president Karen Lewis has made inflammatory, over-the-top her trademark. In a city beset by a blood-dimmed tide of homicide, she responded to yesterday's school closings announcement by calling Mayor Emanuel a "murderer" of schools. Today, at FOX 32 News, she was unapologetic.
"It's the truth," Lewis said when asked if calling the mayor a "murderer" of schools is the right thing to say. "And he's delusional about the problem he has with the murder rate, and delusional about what this is going to do to schools."
But she didn't stop with calling the school moves "murder."
"This policy is racist," she continued. "It's classist."
When asked if the racism charge is helpful in this debate, UIC Professor Dick Simpson said, "I think it's the kind of rhetoric that will simply be ignored."
Others disagree, especially those in the predominantly African-American neighborhoods hit hardest by the proposed school closings. They note that a map of them coincides closely with a map of Chicago's homicide hotspots. Hundreds of thousands of African-Americans have moved out of Chicago in the past quarter-century. Once a clear majority of students in the public schools, African-Americans are now 41.6%, surpassed by Latinos who are now more than 44%.
"If it's not racism, it's very suspicious, very suspicious," Senator Hunter says. "Just the fact that so many schools are being closed in our communities. I have 15 schools that are being affected."
Thursday, June 13 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-06-13 17:45:09 GMT
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 9:55 PM EDT2013-06-13 01:55:01 GMT
Forecasters say hot weather could give way to violent storms across parts of Illinois and are warning residents to be prepared for strong winds, hail and even tornadoes.
Forecasters say hot weather could give way to violent storms across parts of Illinois and are warning residents to be prepared for strong winds, hail and even tornadoes.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:55 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:55:19 GMT
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:43 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:43:56 GMT
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:12:41 GMT
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:43 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:43:56 GMT
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:12:41 GMT
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Saturday, June 15 2013 12:19 PM EDT2013-06-15 16:19:59 GMT
While the school year is winding down for Chicago Public Schools students, police and other city departments are preparing Safe Passage routes for the fall.
While the school year is winding down for Chicago Public Schools students, police and other city departments are preparing Safe Passage routes for the fall.
Friday, June 14 2013 9:10 PM EDT2013-06-15 01:10:30 GMT
About 850 teachers and staffers at schools doomed to either close this month or to reboot their staffs were handed pink slips Friday afternoon, according to Chicago Public Schools.
About 850 teachers and staffers at schools doomed to either close this month or to reboot their staffs were handed pink slips Friday afternoon, according to Chicago Public Schools.
Learn-a-palooza is a free festival where people learn from one another. Organizers say their mission is to foster free, creative exploration and help strengthen and develop communities. Kinna Thompson explains.
Learn-a-palooza is a free festival where people learn from one another. Organizers say their mission is to foster free, creative exploration and help strengthen and develop communities. Kinna Thompson explains.
Thursday, June 13 2013 10:49 AM EDT2013-06-13 14:49:47 GMT
Homelessness remains a big problem facing Chicago and the state of Illinois, particularly for military veterans. The Pritzker Military Library is doing its part to stop the trend.
Homelessness remains a big problem facing Chicago and the state of Illinois, particularly for military veterans. The Pritzker Military Library is doing its part to stop the trend.
A group of authors are touring the country on the Young Authors Give Back tour, trying to inspire young writers to follow their dreams. Authors Erin Bowman and Kat Zhang explained how the tour works.
A group of authors are touring the country on the Young Authors Give Back tour, trying to inspire young writers to follow their dreams. Authors Erin Bowman and Kat Zhang explained how the tour works.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 11:02 AM EDT2013-06-12 15:02:19 GMT
For now, Chicago Public Schools has legally left the door open to the possibility of halting 10 of its 50 historic school closings, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
For now, Chicago Public Schools has legally left the door open to the possibility of halting 10 of its 50 historic school closings, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Baseball legend and Cubs Hall of Famer Andre "The Hawk" Dawson works with Citi Cub Kids, a program that partners with the Jackie Robinson Foundation. He's visiting Polaris Charter Academy to send a positive message!
Baseball legend and Cubs Hall of Famer Andre "The Hawk" Dawson works with Citi Cub Kids, a program that partners with the Jackie Robinson Foundation. He's visiting Polaris Charter Academy to send a positive message!
The Little Style File's Kristin Cheuvront shared great ideas on how to keep the kids entertained this summer, like playing in nature, getting into the kitchen, encouraging reading and developing personal style!
The Little Style File's Kristin Cheuvront shared great ideas on how to keep the kids entertained this summer, like playing in nature, getting into the kitchen, encouraging reading and developing personal style!
