City Cast
January 3, 2022

Here We Go Again — Should CPS Students Return to Classrooms?

More than 300,000 public school kids in Chicago are expected back in the classroom today after winter break. Their return comes as the city averages nearly 4,000 COVID cases a day. Before the break, CPS sent testing kits home with about half of the district’s students. But the Chicago Teachers Union and some parents questioned the efficacy of that plan when this image was on the front page of the Chicago Tribune. The union held a virtual town hall Sunday night so members could share their concerns about teaching in person, but CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said last week he’s confident about students returning. Chicago Tribune education reporter Tracy Swartz has the latest on what the next week could look like in the country’s third largest school district. 

Guest: Tracy Swartz—Reporter, Chicago Tribune


News:

New Illinois laws enacted in 2022


Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago

Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Hey Chicago

Want to know what's happening in Chicago? Sign up for our free newsletter, Hey Chicago. Packed with local news, curated event recs, local life hacks, and more, it's your daily toolkit for getting the most out of the city you love.

Latest Episodes

See all
September 22

Migrant 'Base Camps,' Future of Tipping, and Soccer at Soldier Field

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is defending the decision to sign a one-year, nearly $30 million contract with controversial private ...

Migrant 'Base Camps,' Future of Tipping, and Soccer at Soldier Field image
September 21

'Do You Remember' Why It's Earth, Wind & Fire Day?

Today is Earth, Wind & Fire Day. Founded in Chicago by the late band leader Maurice White in 1969, the legendary group has sold over 100...

'Do You Remember' Why It's Earth, Wind & Fire Day? image
September 20

‘Young Love’ Is TV’s Newest Chicago Love Letter

Matthew Cherry’s short film “Hair Love” won an Oscar and became a New York Times bestselling children’s book. Now the writer, director, and ...

‘Young Love’ Is TV’s Newest Chicago Love Letter image
September 19

Obama Center Housing Protections, Your Fav Chi Dates, Say Goodbye to Summer

Last week, Fifth Ward Ald. Desmon Yancy introduced the South Shore Housing Preservation Ordinance to City Council. The measure would provide...

Obama Center Housing Protections, Your Fav Chi Dates, Say Goodbye to Summer image
September 18

How Will Mayor Johnson Close Chicago’s Budget Gap?

Budget season has officially begun! Mayor Brandon Johnson released his first budget forecast last week, kicking off his first budget process...

How Will Mayor Johnson Close Chicago’s Budget Gap? image
September 15

New Migrant Shelter Plan, Riot Fest Weekend, and Celebrating Mexican Independence Day

Mayor Brandon Johnson has outlined a plan to relocate nearly 1,600 migrants and asylum-seekers from Chicago police stations to what he calls...

New Migrant Shelter Plan, Riot Fest Weekend, and Celebrating Mexican Independence Day image
September 14

Who Can Plan The Best Chicago Alphabet Dates?

In a twist on the “alphabet dating” TikTok trend, host Jacoby Cochran and City Cast marketing coordinator Jermaine Thomas faced off last wee...

Who Can Plan The Best Chicago Alphabet Dates? image
September 13

How One Pilsen Home Became a Butterfly Sanctuary

Been seeing more monarch butterflies lately? Now is the time when Illinois’ state insect migrates south toward Mexico. Along the way, many w...

How One Pilsen Home Became a Butterfly Sanctuary image
September 12

911 Response Times, Student Loan Questions, and Foxes vs. Plovers

Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg reports police failed to accurately track 911 response times nearly half time. The lack of data m...

911 Response Times, Student Loan Questions, and Foxes vs. Plovers image
September 11

What Do Local School Councils Do?

Next week, Chicago Public Schools will kick off election season for local school councils. The councils help drive big decisions across Chic...

What Do Local School Councils Do? image