Judge to hear Chicago school closings case

Opponents of the Chicago Board of Education’s decision to close 50 schools and programs will get their day in court.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that on Thursday a federal judge announced he would start hearing evidence July 16 from parents who argue in two lawsuits that black and disabled students are unfairly affected by the closures.

The school board contends that students are not being harmed and that steps were taken to make the transfer easier on special needs kids.

The parents — who are backed by the Chicago Teachers Union — asked Judge John Z. Lee to issue a preliminary injunction against the closures but Lee denied that request.

The judge says he wants to hear about how the closings will affect specific students during the July hearing.