Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel insists that only two issues stand in the way of a new contract between the Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Teachers Union: an agreed upon teacher evaluation procedure and what requirements should be placed on principals to hire recently laid off teachers. CTU says that there are other outstanding matters. But the union agrees that teacher evaluation and a recall policy for laid off teachers are critical.

Yet the Chicago Tribune reports that neither issue was brought up in yesterday's collective bargaining session. CTU President Karen Lewis said that other issues, like further details on how to implement the longer school day, were discussed. Board of Education President David Vitale also confirmed that neither teacher evaluation nor the recall policy was talked about. Vitale said technical matters were discussed.

Nonetheless, Vitale said he thought a deal could be reached soon, perhaps even today. Asked about Vitale's optimism Lewis responded, according to the Tribune, "Wow."