Chicago School Board Faces Budget Challenges
The Chicago school board is preparing for a significant vote on a proposed budget amendment. This amendment, supported by members allied with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), aims to increase the district’s predicted state revenue to reverse current cuts at the school level. Despite the Union’s efforts, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Macquline King has expressed strong opposition to the plan. She warned that this could lead to financial difficulties later this year, stating the district is “on the knife’s edge.”
King emphasized the importance of securing necessary funding through governmental channels, rather than relying on expected state revenue at the last minute. She cautioned that doing so could have severe consequences both now and in the future. The state’s budget, enacted in June, did not provide additional funds for CPS, and district leaders have not been informed of any new funding possibilities.
The district’s upcoming $9.96 billion budget includes over 700 teacher layoffs, departmental cuts, and a spending freeze midyear. Details are vague on the exact amount of new money the amendment would seek from the state, given its own $2.2 billion deficit. Yet, CTU continues to push for intervention from Springfield and found some support. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch assured CTU members of his support for more CPS funding during the fall veto session.
CTU President Stacy Davis Gates has asked the board to reject the current budget, describing it as a “first draft” that could harm students permanently. For the approval of the budget, a simple majority of the 21-member board is necessary, while amending it requires a two-thirds majority. CTU-backed board members hold a majority, mainly due to appointments by Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Recently, CPS increased assumed revenue from certain taxing districts to avoid staff furloughs, under pressure from unions. The district has experience banking on unconfirmed state revenue, as seen in 2017 when anticipated funds did not materialize, leading to cuts.
As the board prepares to vote on the budget, CPS has emphasized the urgency to pass it by Thursday to secure short-term borrowing for cash flow. If not approved, CPS leaders warned it could affect payroll for September. In a related development, Mayor Johnson appointed Connie Anderson to a long-vacant board seat, although the timing means she won’t participate in this decision-making process. Anderson, a CTU-endorsed candidate, has a background as a paralegal and high school robotics coach.
Mayor Johnson highlighted Anderson’s extensive work with student robotics teams and her long-standing role in school community boards. She succeeds Olga Bautista, who resigned in March after receiving a sabbatical award.