Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel listens to a question after announcing the appointment of Sharon Fairley as leader of the Independent Police Review Authority, Monday, Dec. 7, 2015, during a news conference in Chicago. Officials have been criticized for the handling of the 2014 fatal shooting of a black teenager by a white Chicago police officer. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) Charles Rex Arbogast / AP
Chicago teachers demanded Emanuel release funds from a surplus development account and divert $200 million of to help schools. The city gave them $88 million. The agreement, which came about after a marathon series of talks Monday, must still be agreed to and voted on by members of the teachers' union.
"Both sides worked in good faith to reach a deal, and as a result Chicago's students are in class where they belong today, getting the education they deserve," said Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel during a budget address on Tuesday. "Chicago Public Schools' finances will be on stronger, firmer ground because of this agreement."
This would have been the third time the city's teacher's union will have gone on strike during Emanuel's five year tenure.
Chicago teachers, who educate nearly 400,000 students, picketed for ten days in 2012 and again for one day earlier this year in the hopes of increasing funding for schools and educators. Prior to 2012, there hadn't been a teacher walkout in twenty-five years.
The school district laid off more than 1,000 teachers and supports staff earlier this year citing low enrollment numbers as the catalyst. Another 250 educators and staff were let go last week.
But Emanuel said he has been more than fair to teachers and that a strike would be "one of choice, and not of necessity," at a press conference.
As part of the
The district also promised $7 million for support staff in classrooms.
The agreement also promises to find positions for tenured teachers who were laid off.
Chicago teachers have been working without a contract since June 2015, when their existing contract expired.
"CTU members have worked without a contract for nearly 500 days as the Board of Education has intentionally stalled labor talks and rejected all contract proposals—including those with no costs associated with them, the teachers union
Negotiations have been ongoing since.
The existing school board is not elected and instead has been appointed by Emanuel, which parents say is bound to Emanuel's bidding. However, new
Parents are standing in solidarity with their teachers.
"These cuts are physically painful to us," said Amy Ellison, a parent of children who attend public school, at a press conference. Thousands of children are put into school environments that Emanuel would never subject his own children to, she said. "The village into which we've entrusted our children is in need of help."
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: A sign supporting teachers sits in the window of a home across the street from the Jose De Diego Community Academy on September 17, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. More than 26,000 teachers and support staff walked off of their jobs on September 10 after the Chicago Teachers Union failed to reach an agreement with the city on compensation, benefits and job security. With about 350,000 students, the Chicago school district is the third largest in the United States. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Scott Olson / Getty Images
Parents and students rallied through the mayor's neighborhood on Monday, canvassing and handing out fliers in the hopes the mayor will hear their call.
"We don't want a strike, no one does," said Erica Hade, a Chicago Public school parent at an earlier press conference. "But if there is a strike, we are holding Mayor Emanuel accountable."
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