Chicago’s ongoing education power struggle escalated Tuesday after a judge granted CPS CEO Pedro Martinez’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO), blocking the Chicago Board of Education from interfering in union contract negotiations. The move further deepens the rift between CPS leadership, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), and city officials, delivering yet another political blow to Mayor Brandon Johnson.

The TRO comes after board members voted last week to fire Martinez without cause, prompting the CEO to seek legal protection to maintain his role during high-stakes bargaining with CTU. While Martinez and his legal team framed the ruling as a necessary measure, critics lambasted the move as a sign of dysfunction and misplaced priorities.

“This ruling ensures that Mr. Martinez can fulfill his duties without interference,” said William Quinlan, Martinez’s attorney. “The board cannot obstruct him, diminish his role, or interfere with negotiations.”

However, the ruling has drawn sharp criticism from both the CTU and local observers, who argue it undermines accountability while CPS grapples with critical issues like teacher contracts and funding.

CTU President Stacy Davis Gates said the union made progress Tuesday on key proposals, including adding staff to kindergarten classrooms, but took aim at Martinez’s decision to prioritize a courtroom fight over collaboration.

“Pedro Martinez thought he needed a judge to secure his spot at the table. Meanwhile, we’re here doing the real work,” Davis Gates said. “His actions show where his priorities lie, and it’s not with our educators or students.”

The TRO bars board members from participating in or influencing union negotiations and blocks them from taking actions that could impede Martinez’s job performance. Critics of Martinez see the legal maneuver as part of a larger power struggle with Mayor Johnson, stemming from Martinez’s refusal to take out a loan to fund the teachers’ contract.

The court’s decision adds another challenge for Mayor Johnson, who has struggled to align with CPS leadership while navigating the city’s complex education and budget crises. Johnson’s alliance with the CTU has already drawn scrutiny, and the ruling underscores his waning influence over the school board and broader CPS governance.

The CTU slammed Martinez’s actions, calling the TRO a “dangerous precedent” and accusing him of failing to understand his responsibilities as a public servant.

“This isn’t about leadership or students. This is about Pedro Martinez protecting himself,” the union said in a statement.

The courtroom drama unfolds as CPS prepares for a leadership shake-up, with newly elected school board members set to take office on January 15. The TRO will remain in effect until at least January 9, when a hearing will determine its future.

Adding to the controversy, a motion filed Tuesday revealed concerns from CPS’s chief talent officer about ethical issues surrounding Mayor Johnson’s continued CTU affiliation. The motion adds yet another layer to the already tangled web of conflicts engulfing CPS leadership.

While the TRO temporarily secures Martinez’s authority, the legal battle has further polarized an education system already in crisis. With union negotiations ongoing and CPS leadership fractured, the stakes for Chicago’s students and teachers couldn’t be higher. For now, the focus remains on whether progress at the bargaining table can withstand the mounting tensions at the top.