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 Mayor Brandon Johnson’s hand-picked school board voted Friday to fire Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, taking a step their predecessors had resisted and capping a months-long campaign by the mayor and teachers union to oust the schools chief.

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The attorney for embattled Chicago Public Schools CEO is threatening a lawsuit against the Chicago Board of Education, should the mayor's hand-picked board members move forward with a move to fire him at a special meeting scheduled for Friday evening.