Published Online: August 1, 2013

Judge rejects request to keep 10 schools open

CHICAGO (AP) — A lawsuit by parents of Chicago Public School students to keep open 10 elementary schools shuttered by the district has been rejected by a Cook County judge.

The Chicago Teachers Union filed the parents' lawsuit, which argued the district ignored the recommendations of independent hearing officers it appointed. The hearing officers decided against the closing of 50 schools or expressed concerns about it.

However, Judge Thomas Allen ruled Wednesday the state legislature never specified the hearing officers had binding authority over school closure decisions.

In a statement, teachers union President Karen Lewis called the judge's decision "unfortunate."

Schools CEO Barbara Byrd Bennett says despite the pain caused by the closings, the district is committed to working with parents and educators to ensure students "can live up to their potential."


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