The first day of the Chicago Teachers Union strike meant the first day of the Chicago Public Schools strike contingency plan where 144 schools are open in the morning for non-instructional activity. The Welles Park Bulldog North Side community newspaper reports that while a little over 100 area students participated in the contingency plan, many were spotted outside schools on the picket line with their parents.

Also, the paper reports that the Illinois High School Association is not expected to grant a waiver request by CPS to let high school sports continue during the strike.