Afternoon Announcements: September 13, 2012

The Chicago teachers strike marches on, making today the fourth day that educators have stuck to their demands and students have been out of school. The New York Times reports that Karen Lewis, president of the Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU) believes that a deal may be found soon, and students could be back in classrooms by Monday.

 “I’m praying, praying, praying. I’m on my knees for that. Please, yes, I’m hoping for Monday,” she said.

What else is happening on the picket lines? Here’s our roundup of updates to help you stay in the moment in Chicago no matter where you are.

Why are the teachers striking? Wheredoes Mayor Rahm Emanuel stand? What exactly is happening in Chicago? If these are questions you're asking, head over to the Huffington Post's slideshow of events leading up to the historic strike to find answers. 

The Illinois House of Delegates will meet tomorrow at 2:00pm. If they vote to end the strike, classes will resume on Monday while details of a new teacher contract are finalized and ratified, the Chicago Tribune reports. 

The Huffington Post takes an early look at external effects this strike will have on education, suggesting it may open the door for charter school options for Latinos, a group with disproportionately fewer K-12 education options. 

Finally, well-known opinion columnist Nicholas Kristof takes on the Chicago teacher strike in his most recent New York Times column. He argues that students should come before unions.