Chicago to shut down 50 schools

The Chicago Board of Education voted on Wednesday to close 50 schools and programs in a move that has sparked protests and lawsuits, TASS reports.

City officials say the closings are necessary because of falling school enrollment and as part of their efforts to improve the city's struggling education system.

The closures represent 10% of the city's public school system. The district's plans to close 49 elementary schools and a high school this year, mainly in Hispanic and African-American neighborhoods, has been met with protests by parents and union leaders.

The Chicago Teachers Union, which has clashed with Mayor Rahm Emanuel over other school issues and held a seven-day strike last fall for better pay and conditions, filed federal lawsuits last week to stop the closings.