
Teacher evaluations at center of Chicago strike
Educators in Los Angeles just signed a new deal with the city's school district. So, too, did teachers in Boston. Both require performance evaluations ...

Chicago teachers union president is brash advocate
She's brash and blunt, a union leader known for her tart tongue and flip one-liners often aimed at Mayor Rahm Emanuel in a bitter contract dispute ...

Chicago teacher strike poses test for unions
The massive teachers' strike in Chicago offers a high-profile test for the nation's teachers' unions, which have seen their political influence ...

Chicago teachers strike in bitter contract dispute
For the first time in a quarter century, Chicago teachers walked out of the classroom Monday, taking a bitter contract dispute over evaluations and ...

Romney: Chicago teachers turning backs on students
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney said Monday that striking Chicago teachers are turning their backs on thousands of students and that ...

Strike highlights division on teacher evaluation
One of the key disagreements driving Chicago teachers to the picket lines this week is also a central component of President Barack Obama's education ...

Chicago teachers to strike after talks fail
Chicago teachers went on strike Monday for the first time in 25 years after their union and district officials failed to reach a contract agreement ...
Chicago teachers say latest offer disappointing
The vice president of the Chicago Teachers Union said Saturday the city school district's latest offer in contract negotiations was disappointing and ...
Chicago teachers ready to strike, hoping for deal
The Chicago Teachers Union and district officials said they will negotiate through the weekend, if necessary, to try to avoid a strike on Monday.

Clinton boosts Obama in rousing convention speech
In an impassioned speech that rocked the Democratic National Convention, former President Bill Clinton proclaimed Wednesday night, "I know we're ...

Chicago mayor shifting to pro-Obama super PAC
President Barack Obama's national campaign co-chairman, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, is stepping down to help raise money for a "super" political ...
Some Obama programs embellished by Democrats
Speakers at the Democratic National Convention portrayed President Barack Obama's presidency in glowing terms Tuesday evening, but sometimes left out ...

Emanuel: Clinton will offer clear vision for Dems
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says former President Bill Clinton will help Democrats offer a clear vision of the future when he takes the podium at the ...

CONVENTION WATCH: Michelle's words, Julian Castro
Convention Watch shows you the 2012 political conventions through the eyes of Associated Press journalists. Follow them on Twitter where available ...

In Chicago, lifeline schools brace for strike
Elfega Cazares isn't taking sides in the standoff between the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools over contract talks. Like many of the ...

Governor rejects plan to expand Illinois gambling
Citing Chicago's reputation of mobsters and corruption, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed a plan Tuesday to bring casinos to the city and four other ...
Emanuel, Kaine among Dem convention speakers
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick are among prominent Democrats who will speak at their ...

Chick-fil-A sandwiches become a political symbol
All of a sudden, biting into a fried chicken sandwich has become a political statement. Chick-fil-A, the fast-food chain known for putting faith ahead ...

Chicago City Council approves food truck ordinance
Food truck operators in Chicago can finally cook onboard their vehicles, as they do across much of the U.S., under an ordinance approved Wednesday ...

A look at President Barack Obama's inner circle
Barack Obama has made "change" the hallmark of his presidency. For his team of advisers, "continuity" might be a more operable term. Obama has ...

Chicago mayor seeks recipe to expand food trucks
Each day at lunch Amy Le faces the same dilemma as she looks for a spot to park her bright green food truck in downtown Chicago. She needs a space ...

Obama says no apology to Romney over Bain attacks
Mitt Romney's campaign said Sunday that President Barack Obama is willing to say anything to win a second term and should say he's sorry for attacks ...

Congressman's 'mood disorder' raising questions
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s disclosure that he is suffering from a "mood disorder" still leaves many questions about his secretive medical leave and ...

More mega projects turning to private investors
For cities and states buried under mountains of debt, it has become a tantalizing proposition: invite private financial institutions to put up the ...