Catherwood LibraryILR School

Today, public school students in Chicago returned to school. For some students, today was the first time they were back in classrooms in over 10 months. The decision to start school back today came amidst intense pushback from the Chicago Teachers' Union to increase safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Across the country, many big cities, such as New York, have struggled to resume even limited in-person instruction, while a number, including Los Angeles, have simply given up on the idea for now, choosing to stick with all-remote education into the spring at least. Chicago Public Schools had been engaged with an intense battle with the Chicago Teacher's Union. The Chicago Teacher's Union has been adamant in its argument for more safety precautions, and remote learning until there is a reduction in COVID-19 cases. However, Chicago Public Schools was steadfast in its decision to reopen school. Chicago Public Schools even told teachers that if they failed to report to work today, in-person, that they will not receive pay. The intense battle between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teacher's Union has led many to speculate whether or not a strike is potentially on the horizon.