U.S. Judge Refuses To Halt Chicago School Closings

CHICAGO (AP) — A federal judge says he won't order a halt to school closings in Chicago.

In a 54-page ruling posted Thursday, US. District Judge John Lee says parents who requested an injunction stopping the closures hadn't shown kids forced to attend new schools would be seriously harmed.

On Monday, Lee denied class-action status to the two main civil lawsuits at the center of the sometimes emotional dispute pitting parents against education officials.

That ruling already ensured nearly all of the around 50 elementary schools slated for closing would be shuttered. Thursday's ruling directly affects around half a dozen schools.

Parents said the closures will force their children to negotiate unfamiliar street gang territory, endangering them. Chicago school officials say the closing of underused buildings will improve schools as a whole.

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