PETRARCA, GLEASON, BOYLE AND IZZO ATTORNEYS SECURE PERMANENT INJUNCTION FOR CHARTER SCHOOL CLIENT

On July 24, 2023, Cook County Judge Anna Loftus issued a permanent injunction on behalf of Urban Prep Academies, which was represented by Petrarca, Gleason, Boyle & Izzo attorneys, Eric Grodsky and Eric Bernard.  CPS sought to close both of Urban Prep Academies’ campuses at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 school year through a non-renewal of the charter agreement.  On behalf of Urban Prep Academies, our firm challenged whether CPS had the lawful authority to non-renew Urban Prep Academies’ charter based upon the school closure moratorium which remains in place until an elected board of education is seated in January of 2025.  Following a trial on the merits of the case, Judge Loftus found that CPS violated the school closure moratorium and further found that CPS’ actions amounted to an illegal school closure.  The permanent injunction prohibits CPS from closing Urban Prep until 2025 and requires CPS to negotiate contracts with Urban Prep so that it can continue operating its two campuses, Urban Prep-Englewood and Urban Prep-Bronzeville.   If you are interested in reading a more thorough summary of the proceedings, please see the article about this dispute published in the Cook County Record.

Petrarca, Gleason, Boyle & Izzo, LLC is grateful for the opportunity to represent Urban Prep Academies, which will be able to continue to provide an excellent education to Chicago-area boys and young men.