This Monday, WTTW News has an interview with Kat Abughazaleh, who is running for Congress, a story on the CPS-CTU contract and an update on the Southwest Side's debate over bike lanes.
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Kat Abughazaleh (Provided)
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Progressive media star Kat Abughazaleh, 26, told WTTW News she plans to leverage her social media fame into real political power by ousting U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, 80, who has represented Illinois’ 9th Congressional District since 1999.
Abughazaleh, who rose to prominence by making lively TikTok videos critiquing Fox News and Republicans, said her campaign will rely on mutual aid, community support and direct action efforts, rather than television ads, to win voter support. Abughazaleh said her announcement triggered a tsunami of contributions, reaching $250,000 in just two days.
Home to Northwestern University and Loyola University, the 9th District is the “perfect place” to test whether a new version of the Democratic Party can win elections, especially since Schakowsky has not faced a competitive primary since 1998, when she defeated future Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Abughazaleh said.
“I feel very strongly that is a huge reason Trump is in office now,” Abughazaleh said. “That’s just so against my values.”
More context:
Abughazaleh’s bid to take down the gerontocracy and push back the moderate wing of the Democratic Party faces major head winds — including the fact that she has been a Chicagoan for less than a year and does not live in the congressional district that stretches from Chicago’s North Side through northwest Cook County to southwest Lake County and southeast McHenry County.
“It makes sense for people to ask that,” said Abughazaleh, who lives with her partner in Streeterville, one of Chicago’s wealthiest neighborhoods, which is split between the 7th Congressional District, represented by Rep. Danny Davis, and 5th Congressional District, which is represented by Rep. Mike Quigley.
“This isn’t a referendum on (Schakowsky),” Abughazaleh said. “I’m trying this different kind of campaign, and I think that it really reflects the values of the district, and I think it will be well received.”
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(WTTW News)
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The Chicago Teachers Union’s bargaining team is set to convene Monday to consider a contract proposal from Chicago Public Schools, the latest sign a new labor deal could be imminent.
CTU confirmed the union’s big bargaining team — comprised of rank-and-file members — will meet Monday afternoon to weigh the potential deal. If that body approves, the proposal would then be sent to the union’s House of Delegates for a vote. The deal, however, would still not be finalized, and won’t be until the CTU’s 30,000 rank-and-file members vote to approve the contract.
What's happened so far?
Union and school district negotiators have been working in recent days to iron out the final sticking points, which include a revised teacher evaluation system, prep time for elementary school teachers and retaining veteran educators. Negotiations had grown contentious in recent weeks, as the union pushed hard for a new deal it considers a “force field” against intrusions from President Donald Trump’s administration. But the parties had a breakthrough following what Mayor Brandon Johnson termed a “productive” conversation at City Hall earlier this month between CTU President Stacy Davis Gates, CPS CEO Pedro Martinez and Board President Sean Hardin.
There's optimism for a deal:
“Our students have waited long enough, my hope is that they will settle on a tentative deal as soon as possible,” Johnson — a former CTU organizer — said in a statement Thursday evening.
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(Albert Pego / iStock)
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Residents of the 25th Ward, which includes Little Village and Pilsen, are being asked to participate in a survey to rank their main infrastructure priorities. The survey allows neighbors to influence how the ward’s annual $1.5 million in discretionary funding, known as “menu money,” is allocated. Options include improvements to alleys, sidewalks, lighting, street resurfacing and protected bike lanes. Among these, bike infrastructure is one of the most contentious topics. While some see bike infrastructure as necessary for public safety and mobility, others worry the introduction could accelerate displacement in the predominantly Latino communities.
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More From WTTW News
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The legacy of former Chicago Teachers Union president Karen Lewis can still be felt in public education in the city today. She died in 2021 at 67 years old. But she still told her story in a new posthumous memoir called, “I Didn’t Come Here to Lie: My Life and Education.”
Get ready to salsa, bachata and cumbia in Grant Park again this spring. Sueños Music Festival is returning for its fourth year at Grant Park on May 24-25.
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Back in the Day: March 31, 2018 - Michigan Ends Loyola University’s Magical March Madness Run
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As a proud Loyola Chicago alum, 2018 was one of the best years of my life solely because the Ramblers, led by coach Porter Moser, advanced to the Final Four in the March Madness college basketball tournament. With scoring threats in seniors Ben Custer, Donte Ingram and Ben Richardson, the 11-seed Ramblers made their way through the bracket defeating Miami, Tennessee and Nevada — all decided by game-winning shots in the final six seconds. They entered the final four after a resounding win against Kansas State but on this day seven years ago, their Cinderella came to an end when they lost to Michigan 69-57 in the Final Four game. Promising freshmen Cameron Krutwig and Lucas
Williamson would lead the team to another Sweet 16 appearance in 2021. To date, the Ramblers are the only team in Illinois ever to win the tournament.
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This Week’s Meetings and Civic Events
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Every Monday, WTTW News highlights the best ways to get involved with local government.
Show Up Chicago – A Community Gathering and Political Panel Show
The Hideout is hosting a new political panel show called Show Up Chicago. This week's event features Tribune reporter Gregory Pratt and the Emmy-winning journalist Brandon Pope. It's free but details can be found here.
City Council's Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy
Among the topics discussed Wednesday will be a call for a hearing impact and reduction of single-use plastics in Chicago. Details, location and agenda can be found here.
City Club of Chicago: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul
On Tuesday, City Club of Chicago will host Attorney General Kwame Raoul at Maggiano's Banquets. Ticket pricing and details are here.
City Club of Chicago: Tom Skilling & Don Wuebbles
UIC Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda moderates a climate-focused panel Wednesday with Tom Skilling, WGN-TV chief meteorologist emeritus, and Harry E. Preble Emeritus Professor of Atmospheric Science at the University of Illinois, Dr. Donald J. Wuebbles. Ticket pricing and details are here.
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Baseball is back. The NHL, NBA, MLS, NWSL and college basketball are still playing too. What's
your favorite Chicago sports memory?
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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5:30 PM | 10:00 PM
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Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more.
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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