Chicago School Boycott Moves Downtown

'Teach-ins' at corporate offices protest unfair funding

By Michael Foreman, Newser User

Posted Sep 3, 2008 2:28 PM CDT

(Newser) – Civic leaders held "teach-ins" at downtown Chicago businesses today to protest uneven education funding in Illinois, the Tribune reports. Educators joined students boycotting a second day of school in the lobbies of buildings including the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Boeing Corp. Most businesses said they would welcome the students during the protest, which is expected to last until Friday.

State Sen. James Meeks, the protest organizer, called on Mayor Richard Daley to address the funding issue during a press conference at City Hall. "I have carried school funding bills for the last 6 years," Meeks said. "Mayor Daley has never spoken about one." The senator also attempted to pressure Daley by gathering students outside the mayor's office.

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Organizers bused students to downtown Chicago businesses, including the Mercantile Exchange, for the second day of school funding protests. (AP Photo, file)

Hundreds of Chicago public school students tried to enroll at New Trier High School in Northfield as they boycotted the first day of classes yesterday. (AP Photo)

Hundreds of Chicago public school students tried to enroll at New Trier High School in suburban Northfield yesterday. (AP Photo)

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If they can call an emergency session for capital projects, they can call an emergency session to deal with education. This is human capital. - Sen. James Meeks, urging legislators to address Illinois school funding issues

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Chicago School Boycott Moves Downtown