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.

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.

After months of speculation, the Chicago Board of Education unanimously voted to fire Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez on Friday. Why it matters: The removal comes at a critical time when the Chicago Teachers Union is still without a contract and right before Chicago's first partially elected school board starts next month.