CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Chicago City Council’s Education Committee took a pointed look at the Public School’s reopening plans and procedures.
A majority of City Council members have signed a letter opposing the resumption of in-person learning at CPS right now. But members of the Chicago Teachers Union, who are also opposed, were not invited to testify at the day-long hearing. That was a problem for Education Committee Vice-Chair Sophia King and others.
"We should seek to hear diverging opinions. I think our country has shown us what happens when we don't," she said.
Committee Chair Michael Scott said the hearing allowed CPS officials to answer questions. Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor had a lot of questions for Health Department Infections Disease expert Marielle Friccione, and was clearly critical.
"The day that we say we are put in a stay-at-home order, you think it is okay to allow young people to be back in the building? It is either yes or no?" Ald. Taylor said.
"Yes, because it is being put in place to protect the students," Dr. Friccione said.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot extended the city's stay-at-home advisory to remain "aligned" with state guidance, she said Monday.
The city's stay-at-home advisory was extended through Jan. 22 as the coronavirus pandemic continues, officials announced Sunday.
Alderman Anthony Beale was among the majority of council members who expressed grave concerns about the CPS resuming some in-person learning, and during questioning of CPS Facilities Chief Clarence Carson he highlighted the irony that the Education Committee was holding a virtual meeting about schools reopening.
"If you think it is safe enough for our kids to go back to school, that's a comment, does anyone think it's safe for us to go back to City Council in-person hearings, in-person meetings?" Ald. Beale said.
"I would say Alderman, I am not sure what precautions you all put in place in your facility, but I know what we have done on our side," Carson said.
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Education Committee Vice-Chair Alderman Sophia King expressed the feeling of most of her colleagues who told CPS officials they don’t believe the middle of a COVID-19 surge is the time to reopen the schools to in person learning.
"And I also believe that there will never be an ideal time, but there will certainly be a better time where we are more optimally prepared," Ald. King said.
CPS and health officials stressed that all measures have been taken to assure a safe environment for teachers, staff and students.
But Alderwoman Susan Sadlowski Garza—a former teachers union official—said she’d visited schools in her ward and they are concerned about having enough PPE and cleaning personnel.
"Some schools had all the PPE they need, some schools have the face shields, some schools have plexiglass dividers for their classrooms, some don't," she said.
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At the long hearing, Alderwoman Rosanna Rodriguez-Sanchez asked CPS Public Policy Chief Frank Bilecki how can officials insist teachers coming back to class when most of them don’t feel safe?
"To say that the majority of people don't feel safe, when 71 percent of our teachers did show on Friday..." Bilecki said.
"But they were threatened with being fired," Ald. Rodriguez-Sanchez said.
"There's a contract in place," Bilecki said.
"Like you are forced to make a decision about your survival and being able to get paid. That does not mean that they feel safe," Ald. Rodriguez-Sanchez said.
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Aldermen echoed teachers who say they are being forced to choose between their health and their livelihoods.
Officials spent hours going over their precautions and justifications, reassuring that schools are as safe as they can make them.
The CTU and principals were not invited to this hearing to testify, but Committee Chair Michael Scott promised they will be heard in the future.