CHICAGO – Below is a statement from Mayor Johnson on the confirmation of Linda McMahon to lead the U.S. Department of Education:  

 “As a former public school teacher and a parent to three students attending public school in Chicago, I am deeply concerned about the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Linda McMahon as our next Secretary of Education. McMahon is a billionaire with no education experience. Her only mission is to defund and privatize our public education system.  

 “I saw firsthand, while teaching at Jenner Academy in Cabrini-Green, that it is our Black and brown children who bear the brunt of cuts to public education. Poor and working-class communities across Chicago rely on our public school system and any attempt to defund public education is a direct attack on our communities. Make no mistake, we fought against school closings in Chicago, and we will fight for the schools our students deserve at the national level as well.  

 “We know that McMahon wants to turn our public education system into a multi-trillion-dollar for-profit industry using private school voucher programs and other “school choice” scams. To McMahon, and all of those who wish to privatize public education, we must be clear: our students are not for sale.  

 “We will continue to work with our Congressional delegation to advocate for the resources that our students need in Chicago to live up to the values of public education for all and as a tool for self-determination.” 

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