Good afternoon, Chicago.
An alderman is asking the Board of Education to reschedule tomorrow’s special meeting — with two explicit options to either fire schools chief Pedro Martinez or offer him a settlement — in order to make sure people of all religious observances can participate.
Ald. Debra Silverstein’s letter joined a chorus of voices yesterday and today asking the board to wait to take any action on the Chicago Public Schools chief’s job before the current seven-member body expands to 21 members — part elected and part appointed — in January. Several other aldermen and education advocacy groups also spoke out against the last-minute meeting, scheduled at a tense time in Chicago Teachers Union contract negotiations.
Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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‘All you’ve done is ignite a bigger fight’: Arab American groups protest dismissal of charges against Oak Lawn cop
Organizers outraged by the recent decision to drop charges brought against an Oak Lawn police officer accused of beating a Bridgeview 17-year-old in 2022 picketed the Cook County state’s attorney’s office in downtown Chicago today. Read more here.
More top news stories:
- After jury hears of contracts ‘crammed’ down AT&T’s throat, Madigan attorneys begin their defense case
- 1 to 3 inches of snow expected in Chicago area Thursday afternoon, with more after midnight
Amazon delivery drivers in Skokie, six other facilities go on strike: ‘We’re the ones who move the packages every day’
On Thursday morning, about 20 drivers and supporters picketed three entrances to the Amazon delivery station in Skokie. A representative for the union said about 30 drivers had signed in to picket in the morning and that drivers would be walking the line in shifts. Read more here.
More top business stories:
- UAW said to reach secret deal with Rivian to make unionizing easier
- Tanco Terminals invests $8.2 million into Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor
Chicago Bears Q&A: Will the franchise be seen as ‘too toxic’ to get the right coach?
Will ownership and Kevin Warren make it difficult for the Chicago Bears to attract the right coaching candidate? Brad Biggs answers your questions weekly. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
- Are the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics ruining basketball? ‘We just have to play our generation of basketball.’
- Tracking trade rumors for Chicago Bulls: Zach LaVine reportedly drawing interest from Denver Nuggets
Chicagoan of the Year in Jazz: Saxophonist Isaiah Collier has found his shape
Saxophonist and composer Isaiah Collier created what can only be described as a choreo-musical epic on the African American experience in the United States. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
- Chicagoans of the Year for Pop Music: From hit album to a Lollapalooza set, this is Friko’s year
- Chicagoans of the Year in Museums: Liesl Olson, Ross Jordan and Matthew Randle-Bent of Jane Addams Hull-House
California declared an emergency over bird flu. How serious is the situation?
More than 60 people in eight states have been infected, with mostly mild illnesses, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One person in Louisiana has been hospitalized with the nation’s first known severe illness caused by the virus, health officials said this week. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
