Chicago teachers took to picket lines Friday in a one-day strike they say is aimed at getting lawmakers to adequately fund education and other programs in the nation’s third-largest district. The walkout has closed schools for nearly 400,000 students, who have the option of spending the day at one of the more than 250 “contingency sites” Chicago Public Schools has opened at churches, libraries and school buildings.
Among those picketing outside the Oscar DePriest Elementary School was special education teacher Brian Orlinsky, who said he hopes the walkout will be a wake-up call for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and other lawmakers. “There’s not enough textbooks,” the Spencer Technology Elementary School teacher said. “There’s not enough technology that’s up to date and that’s working.” READ MORE