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Lawsuit: Laid Off CPS Teacher Can't Get His Unemployment Benefits

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A laid off Chicago Public Schools teacher is taking his former employer to court.

As WBBM Newsradio's David Roe reports, Nkrumah Collins has been unable to collect his unemployment benefits.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's David Roe reports

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Collins says he filed for unemployment when he was laid off on July 1. But his benefits were denied by the state, which told him that CPS claimed he was still employed and was still getting bi-weekly paychecks.

He said CPS "laid me off without laying me off," a violation of Chicago Board of Education policy, according to the complaint.

Hopkins says he has demanded written notice of his termination, but has not received it.

He says he wants the notice by next Monday because without his unemployment benefits, he is falling behind on his financial obligations. His rent is due Monday for a new apartment where he lives with his wife and toddler son.

No one at CPS was available to comment on the complaint Thursday evening.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.

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