Toll hike, Emanuel’s critics and biking to school

Toll hike, Emanuel’s critics and biking to school
Flickr/jessamyn west
Toll hike, Emanuel’s critics and biking to school
Flickr/jessamyn west

Toll hike, Emanuel’s critics and biking to school

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(Flickr/jessamyn west)
The League of Illinois Bicyclists wants to see more students biking to school increase. The league says data indicate the number of students who bicycle to school has plummeted since 1969.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn came out in defense of the tollway hike Thursday. He said the plan will help fund construction projects, reduce traffic times and keep drivers safe. Quinn said the extra funds will pay for projects like expanding the Jane Addams Tollway and connecting Interstates 294 and 57.

The Chicago Teachers Union has rejected a plan to lengthen the school days. Teachers union president Karen Lewis said Chicago Public Schools is asking teachers to do 28 percent more work for 2 percent the pay. Chicago Public Schools wanted 90 more minutes of class for elementary schools this year, an idea schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard floated on TV this week. He said the district would somehow find the money to give teachers 2 percent raises — if they’d accept longer days.

Indiana’s top education official proposed Thursday that the state assume control of four troubled high schools and a middle school in what would be the state’s first takeover of underperforming public schools under a 1999 law.

Today we wrap up our coverage of Rahm Emanuel’s first 100 days in office. All week we’ve brought you stories about the new Chicago mayor: what he’s accomplished, where he’s fallen short. Now we give the microphone to people who tried to stop Emanuel from getting the job in the first place. We asked the mayor’s political opponents to grade his first 100 days.

The Sox are in Seattle for a three-game series, the Cubs have the Brewers. The Bears are in Tennessee for their third preseason game on Saturday.

Friday weather will be sunny and highs around 82. The beautiful weather will stay throughout the weekend. 

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