Chicago teachers deliver their union demands

The Chicago Teachers Union submitted a list of demands to the Chicago Public Schools on Friday as they and district administrators embark on what is likely to become months of grueling contract negotiations.
Especially divisive issues are on the table this time — class size, loss of professional development days, compensation and what the next school year's 71/2-hour day will look like — and the union released few details about their proposal.

New State Budget Released- Jan. 4, 2012

Gov. Pat Quinn Tuesday released a gloomy three-year budget projection Tuesday that shows stagnant spending or cutbacks in most state services with a notable exception: pensions.

The report shows revenues climbing for two years and then dropping sharply when the state income tax increase enacted a year ago expires. More federal money could make up the difference. The Democratic governor's forecast assumes state education spending will not grow at all, staying just below $9 billion through 2015. Services likely to be cut back include public safety and protection for the state's most vulnerable residents.