On this week’s edition of "The Week In Review" with Joel Weisman:

The Chicago Teachers Union threatens an April strike over the surprise announcement by Chicago Public Schools on Thursday that there will be three unpaid furlough days this school year, along with the possible elimination of the 7-percent pension pickup. Political rhetoric ramped up to a new nasty level in Springfield with Gov. Bruce Rauner blasting both Senate President John Cullerton and House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Meanwhile, Illinois House legislators vote overwhelmingly to strip Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s appointment powers of the Chicago school board. What’s unclear is whether the Illinois Senate will pass it. Interim Chicago Police Superintendent John Escalante insists things are getting better despite Chicago’s soaring homicide rates and an 87-percent drop in police stops.

And in sports, the Chicago Blackhawks and Cubs playoff hopes are already high. 

Guests

Charles Thomas, ABC 7: @CThomasABC7
John McCarron, Chicago Tribune: @McCarronJohn
Lynne Marek, Crain’s Chicago Business: @LynneMarek
Nancy Armour, USA Today: @nrarmour

The conversation continues online as Joel Weisman and his guests take a stab at predicting the GOP presidential winners in Illinois.