Chicago City Wire

Chicago Public Schools may not open buildings in the first weeks of 2021 as projected, following safety concerns raised by the Chicago Teachers Union.

“The push to reopen schools is rooted in sexism, racism and misogyny,” the state's largest teachers union said in a deleted tweet. 

They also went after Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. 

“We have just filed an injunction against Mayor Lori Lightfoot's arbitrary return-to-school building dates, calling on the city and CPS to bargain in good faith with our union and land enforceable safety standards before school buildings reopen,” read a post on their official Twitter account.

Critics say CTU has been using the coronavirus pandemic as a bargaining tool. 

Though they are the highest paid teachers in the nation, in September they petitioned for a slash in virtual learning hours from eight to four daily.

In the same month, other nearby teachers unions began using COVID as a political tool. At Kenosha Public Schools in nearby Kenosha, Wis., 269 teachers called out sick to protest in-person learning; this resulted in about 21,000 students missing school.

CTU is noted to have spent millions of dollars on lobbying and political campaigns and requesting hazard pay even though they are not doing in-person lessons.

In an interview with Chicago City Wire, Northwest Side GOP Club President Ammie Kessem highlighted the importance of having children back in school.

“We need to get these kids back in school,” she said. “The repercussions of that not happening are catastrophic. Many, many doctors have said so. Children’s brains learn and retain knowledge at very distinct times throughout their growth cycle. The harm that is being done to them is irreversible.”

Mayor Lightfoot announced the opening of schools next year starting with prekindergarten, moderate and severe special education cluster programs on Jan. 11, with other students set to return to school on Feb. 1.