Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez accused school board members of "hijacking" negotiations and trying to intimidate his team.

Chicago's Board of Education fired CPS CEO Pedro Martinez, creating uncertainty and sparking a legal challenge.

Martinez's lawyer says he is asking a judge to guarantee that no one can stand in the way of Martinez doing his job while he is still in office.

A leaked City Hall memo shows Mayor Johnson wanted Chicago Public Schools Chief Pedro Martinez out in September.

A Cook County judge ruled in favor of embattled Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, stating that school board members cannot participate in negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union unless invited by Martinez to do so.

Martinez was at Luther Burbank Elementary, 2035 N. Mobile Ave., as the Special Olympics recognized the school for excellence in inclusive sports programming.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s handpicked school board was blocked from modifying Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez’s duties by a Cook County Judge on Tuesday, giving the embattled schools chief a victory as he battles with City Hall over the district’s future.

The CPS board’s vote last week to fire CEO Pedro Martinez triggered a power struggle within the district. It is especially surprising that one of the first federal agencies to come under scrutiny from the incoming administration is one that has returned billions of dollars to many of the same consumers who were counting on leaders in Washington to look out for their wallets.

Cook County Judge Joel Chupack Tuesday afternoon ruled that Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez has a legally protected interest to continue negotiating current teachers contract without interference from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s handpicked school board.