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Teachers and their unions are battling with Chicago leaders, including mayor Lori Lightfoot, on several fronts, primarily pay and benefits, smaller class sizes and providing more support staff.

\"PHOTO:
Scott Heins/Getty Images
PHOTO: Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Downtown Chicago, stopping traffic and circling City Hall in a show support for the ongoing teachers strike on Oct. 23, 2019 in Chicago, I.L.
>

Wednesday's march to City Hall began before Lightfoot gave her 2020 budget address.

The Chicago Teachers Union is seeking 15% raises over three years in addition solutions for staffing concerns regarding substitute teachers, librarians, school nurses and social workers.

The strike has gained national attention, with several Democratic presidential candidates weighing in. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, previously a teacher, went to Chicago to rally with protesting teachers on Tuesday. Sen. Bernie Sanders visited the union before the strike officially launched and former Vice President Joe Biden applauded the teachers' \"courage\" over the weekend.

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