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.

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

The Chicago Public Schools Board’s vote last week to fire CEO Pedro Martinez triggered a power struggle within the third-largest school district in the country.

Several City Council members have called the school board's vote to fire Martinez without cause reckless and irresponsible.

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.

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.

Attorneys for Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez are in court Tuesday, for a hearing to fight his recent firing by the CPS School Board.