CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Friday sought to prod the Chicago Teachers Union into reaching a deal for in-person learning with Chicago Public Schools.
After saying CPS sent its “last, best, and final offer” to the CTU on Thursday, Lightfoot posted a video Friday afternoon on Twitter saying the city cannot meet teachers’ immediate demands for COVID-19 vaccines.
The mayor also released a joint statement with CPS CEO Janice K. Jackson: “We have yet to receive a formal response in writing today from CTU leadership. The ball is in their court.”
Both sides had been negotiating this week to try to come to terms that would allow the phased reopening of school buildings for students whose parents will allow them to learn in-person during the pandemic. Each side has accused the other at points of bargaining in bad faith, but CPS and CTU seemed to be settling many of the outstanding issues.
Lightfoot said the CTU has demanded that 20,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine be set aside for teachers immediately. Lightfoot, appearing with her health commissioner, Allison Arwady, said that diversion would deprive everyone else in the city, including high-risk populations, of the vaccine.
City and state leaders came together in a Zoom press conference Friday to stand in solidarity with the CTU.
“This is an unnecessary showdown,” state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe said. “Everyone wants to return to school in-person, as soon as possible. But the reality is that a hasty reentry could have devastating impacts on our schools and on the larger community.”
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