CTU holding press conference Wednesday on new lawsuit against closing... Union and parents to charge that the Board's May 22 vote was illegal
The Chicago Teachers Union announced on May 28 that it will hold a press conference at CTU headquarters at Chicago's Merchandise Mart at 11 a.m. to announce another lawsuit being filed against the school closings. According to a CTU press release:
NEWS ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Stephanie Gadlin. May 28, 2013 312/329-6250
Press Conference Wednesday: CTU and Parents file new lawsuit challenging school closures; says Board's approval is unlawful
CHICAGO - As the city braces for the impact of the largest school closures in U.S. history, parents and members of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) have not given up hope that the courts will step in and reverse the school board's decision to shutter 50 schools. CTU lead attorney Robert Bloch, Esq., is expected to file a new lawsuit challenging the legality of the Board's decision on Wednesday.
WHO: Attorney Robert Bloch, CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey, parents representing students in 10 neighborhood schools slated for closure
WHAT: Will hold a press conference to talk about the grounds for a new lawsuit seeking injunctive relief against the closures.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 29, 2013, 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: CTU Headquarters, 222 Merchandise Mart, 4th Floor
Executive Board Room
WHY: Plaintiffs bring this action because the Illinois School Code bars the Board from closing 10 of the elementary schools that it determined to close at its May 22, 2013 meeting. Independent hearing officers appointed by statute — all former Illinois and federal court judges — determined that Board Chief Executive Officer Barbara Byrd Bennett failed to comply with the Board's own published guidelines for selecting schools for closure. Section 34-230(h) of the School Code therefore bars the Board from approving the closure of these 10 schools during this school year, and the Board's attempted approval of these closures is unlawful.
