Mayor Brandon Johnson said Wednesday that “May 1 is happening,” signaling his support for the nationwide day of protest as the Chicago Teachers Union continues to urge the school district to cancel classes so that students and staff can participate.
“We have an opportunity in this moment to push the narrative, not just at the federal level, but for Chicago and the state of Illinois to show up on behalf of working people,” said Johnson, a former CTU organizer and close ally of the union.
For weeks, CTU leaders have called on Chicago Public Schools to designate May 1 as a teacher-directed professional development day. The national “no work, no school and no shopping” action is aimed at protesting the Trump administration and advocating for immigrant and labor rights.
But interim CPS CEO Macquline King – who will lead the district permanently beginning July 1 – has so far refused the union’s demands to cancel class, citing concerns of disruption for families.
Asked if there will be class on May 1 during a Wednesday news conference, Johnson did not directly answer, only repeating that: “May 1 is happening.”
Johnson said the organizing around the day is happening “all over the country.” He underlined the need for major political action to push for higher taxes on America’s wealthiest people and companies.
Pressed again later to clarify if schools will be open or not, Johnson again said “May 1 is going to happen” and “planning is underway.”
City departments are preparing “to ensure that there is a strong plan for parents and families,” Johnson added, without sharing details.
CTU has asked the district to consider making May 1 a half-day as a compromise, though King has remained firm in her decision, sources told the Tribune. A district spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The CTU House of Delegates, the union’s highest governing body, approved a resolution in March to join the national day of protest. The union’s “Day of Civic Action” would include activities such as civic education and voter registration, according to the resolution.
Last week, interim CEO King sent a memo outlining her concerns to the Board of Education.
Canceling a full-day of classes would trigger disruptions across the district, she wrote: A nonattendance day would affect on-site events at 113 schools, including activities such as field trips, AP testing and athletic events. Another 102 schools could be affected for off-site events, including proms and senior nights, according to the memo.
King faced pushback from board members aligned with CTU and appointed by Johnson, who make up the majority of the 21-member body. But she stood her ground in a statement later that week.
“As a career educator, I believe every minute in the classroom is vital for our students,” King said. “My position has not changed.”
She said the board could overrule her decision in a formal vote, urging board members to call a special meeting “as soon as possible” should they choose to do so. No meeting was scheduled this week, however. The board’s next regular meeting is April 23.
For his part, Johnson Wednesday did not clearly answer when asked if he thought the board should overrule King.
Kia Banks, president of the Chicago Principals & Administrators Association, said principals have so far only prepared for a full-day of attendance. She stressed that if there are any changes to the district’s academic calendar “we need time to adequately prepare.”
“We’ve been discussing how there could be options … but there have not been any decisions made,” Banks said. “Dr. King still remains firm that the priority is that students are in school.”
May 1 is also known as International Workers’ Day, and is closely tied to the progressive labor movement. Several other Chicago unions have echoed CTU’s call to participate.
In a Wednesday presentation to the union’s House of Delegates, which was obtained by the Tribune, CTU officials encouraged members to bring students on field trips to youth teach-ins or to the citywide May Day rally, or host educational civic events at schools.
Asked Thursday whether school should be in session May 1, Gov. JB Pritzker seemed to push back on canceling classes.
“We need to make sure that our kids are getting every day of education that they deserve and that parents demand,” Pritzker said at an unrelated event downtown. “Speaking as to which days are on and off, that’s not something I want to opine about, but I can say that political operators trying to determine what the calendar should be for kids seems inappropriate.”
Tribune reporters Gregory Royal Pratt and Olivia Olander contributed.
