Chicago Public Schools To Remain Remote, Union Preps For Strike

CHICAGO — Remote learning will continue at city public schools Thursday after district officials failed to reach a deal with the Chicago Teachers union over the return to in-person learning.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Wednesday said negotiations will continue, but the school district has not deviated from plans to resume in-person learning at grade schools on Monday.

She said that after two months of talks it's time for negotiations to CTU should intensify. "We've been at the table every this week, but 40 minutes a day is not enough, so we've got to move aggressively," the mayor said. "We've got to be at the table for as long as it takes to get a deal done."

On Tuesday, Chicago Teachers Union officials sent messages to members telling them to be prepared to "set up picket lines at their schools," if district officials prohibit them from teaching remotely.

The two sides remain deadlocked on whether schools should reopen before teachers receive coronavirus vaccines, and health metrics determining whether it's safe for teachers and students to return to classrooms, among other things.