In a radio interview, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis said the potential for a teachers strike is "very high" this coming school year. Although the recent school reform bill requires that a larger majority, 75 percent, of members vote in favor of a strike and also lengthens the timeline before a work stoppage can be held, Lewis contends that it is still a serious possibility.

"We still have the leverage of a strike," Lewis said on WLS AM radio, according to the Tribune. "If they continue to push us and not want to be reasonable, then we still do have that leverage."

The last teachers strike in the Chicago Public School district took place back in 1987.