FOX Chicago Sunday Reporter's Notebook: Political ads on new teachers' contract
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By Dane Placko, FOX 32 News Investigative Reporter - bio | email
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
If you ever had any doubt that a large part of the fight over a new Chicago teachers' contract was all about politics, just take a look at what happened after the strike was settled last week.
A campaign-style ad featuring Mayor Emanuel ran heavily on television stations, starting the day after the strike was settled, and a similar ad featuring the mayor ran on radio.
No tax funds were used to produce or run the ads. The ad was paid for by a deep-pockets business group promoting school reform.
A similar spot featuring Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis ran on radio.
Now I understand that both parties want get their side of the story out for public consumption, and do a little victory dance.
I don't know exactly how much money was spent, although the mayor's ad was running constantly.
But wouldn't it have been nice if both sides instead spent the "we won the battle" money on something like… public education?
We keep hearing about teachers reaching into their own pockets to buy school supplies for their kids, and music programs and intramurals being cut.
But it apparently was more important – politically - for both sides to claim victory.
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