Chicago teachers strike must end by Oct. 29 for football teams to avoid IHSA playoff forfeits

The Chicago Teachers Union strike must end by Tuesday, Oct. 29, for Chicago Public Schools football teams to play in the Illinois High School Association state playoffs.

IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson announced Wednesday that according to IHSA board policy qualifying CPS teams will be placed in the playoff brackets when the pairings are released on Oct. 26.

Around 20 teams are likely to qualify for the state playoffs.

However, in order to play in first-round playoff games on Nov. 2 the teams would have to practice on Oct. 30, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 to be in compliance with the IHSA’s football practice rules.

CPS football teams started playing Week 8 football games on Tuesday to get games in before Thursday’s strike date. The games continue tonight.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and schools chief Janice Jackson announced Wednesday morning that all classes are canceled on Thursday on the heels of the union president telling the city and the public that he’s “overwhelmingly certain” teachers would walk out Thursday.