Rahm’s Been Reaching Out to Karen Lewis

Chicago Teacher's Union President Karen Lewis hasn't spoken to Rahm Emanuel in two years, ever since he allegedly cursed at her during a meeting.

But the mayor appears to be trying to repair their relationship.

"Well the mayor reached out to me because he hadn't seen me in a while," she said during a one-on-one interview with NBC 5. "Obviously that's different, so I'm looking forward to moving in a completely different direction."

Lewis and Emanuel became sparring partners before he took office, and political enemies after Emanuel announced plans to close schools.

She encouraged her union to strike in 2012, and they did just that.

But now that the dust has settled on closing 50 Chicago Public Schools, Rahm is reaching out. He sent Lewis a letter on the first day of school asking about her well being after she missed the first day of school.

"Karen, as a former teacher, I know it must have been difficult for you to miss the first day of school. I hope you feel better and have a quick recovery. Sincerely, Mayor Emanuel," the letter read.

Lewis said she was keeping a low profile on day one, and wasn't ill.

But she takes the letter as a good sign; perhaps an indicator of a relationship reset.

"Well I don't know if we want to do 'do over,'" she said. "I think we need to do differently."