In Chicago, parents & new CTU leaders stand up to Daley on TIFs

There's an alternative to mass teacher firings

TIFs are the city's tax increment financing districts. And they collect about $500 million in property taxes a year. Mayor Daley has the final say in how the money is spent. But the Chicago Teacher's Union and a group of mostly north side parents say TIFs are siphoning away millions of dollars from Chicago Public Schools.

If Raise Your Hand is going to have any sway, it has to find powerful allies. And they may have one in the new president of the Chicago Teachers Union--Karen Lewis. Lewis argued before the board of education last month that CPS could balance its books with TIF money. (WBEZ City Room)