Chicago teachers on Wednesday got a big boost from some political heavyweights.
Reps. Luis Gutierrez, Bobby Rush and Danny Davis stood with the teachers union to demand that Chicago Public Schools hire qualified educators that had been laid off due to budget cuts.
They said the district is using millions in new federal funding to replace them with less-qualified applicants who will work for lower pay.
"In order for our education system to work, we must ensure that our students are taught by the best teachers and that these teachers have the respect and protections that they have earned," said Gutierrez.
A judge earlier this month ordered that CPS should give the laid off teachers priority for new openings. The district is working on an appeal of that ruling.
