A federal judge has denied Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s effort to forcefully end the city’s week-long teacher strike ahead of a vote by the union later today. Emanuel had sought a court order declaring the strike illegal. But on Monday, a circuit court judge said he will not consider the request until after union delegates decide on whether to proceed with the strike at a meeting set for tonight. In a statement, the Chicago Teachers Union blasted Emanuel’s effort, calling it “a vindictive act.”