Obama Incredulous Over School Closing, Says DC Needs To Toughen Up

"My children's school was canceled today, because of what? Some ice," Obama said, and all at the table started laughing.

"As my children pointed out, in Chicago school is never canceled," he continued. He said that in their old hometown, "you'd go outside for recess in weather like this. You wouldn't even stay indoors."

The President said he would have to bring "some flinty Chicago toughness" to Washington.

Jan 15, 2009: Bitter cold cancels school in Chicago

Scores of public and private schools throughout the Chicago area announced in advance that they would be closed or have delayed starts Thursday because of the bitter cold.

Jan 15, 2009: Winter delivers one-two punch of snow, bitter cold

CHICAGO (AP) — Blinding snow and blistering cold descended upon northern and central Illinois on Thursday as city and state officials braced for days of dangerously frigid temperatures.
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Hundreds of schools across Illinois are closed for the day Thursday as dangerously cold air grips the state.