Chicago Public Schools budget vote set for Thursday

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Chicago Board of Education is expected to consider a new $9.88 billion budget on Thursday, but the Chicago Teachers Union opposed the plan and urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the state legislature to step in.

The Chicago Board of Education is expected to consider a new $9.88 billion budget on Thursday, but the Chicago Teachers Union opposed the proposal and urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the state legislature to step in.

Chicago Public Schools Superintendent Macquline King said the spending plan closes a projected $732.5 million deficit by mandating five furlough days for all CPS employees, imposing a mid-year spending freeze and assuming a $200 million tax-increment-financing sweep from the city.

Last December, Mayor Brandon Johnson helped the district close its budget gap with a $1 billion TIF sweep from the city.

CTU Recording Secretary Vicki Kurzydlo said the union demands no cuts and no furloughs.

“It’s absolutely reckless to start cutting when there is revenue our district is owed and real solutions to fill the budget gaps,” Kurzydlo said at a public hearing last week.

Kurzydlo said CPS must fight for real funding instead of managed decline.

“Demand that Gov. Pritzker and state lawmakers call a special session and fully fund our schools,” Kurzydlo said.

A post on CTU’s website said the union would write letters to Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, “ringing the alarm for each of them.”

Even if the board approves the current budget plan on Thursday, CPS may still face a $250 million shortfall.

Cook County’s $30 million deal with Tyler Technologies to upgrade the county’s property tax billing system has caused delays in payments to local taxing districts, costing those districts tens of millions of dollars in some cases.

State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, filed House Bill 5241, a measure that would require the county to reimburse the districts for interest lost and debts incurred.

“The bill never moved. It did create quite a bit of discussion. It was never heard or voted on in committee, but it brought to light some of the impact that units of local government were facing based on the property tax bills being delayed,” DeLuca told The Center Square.

King said the CPS budget is painful for everyone, but parents want stability and want to know that their children’s education will not be interrupted.

The board is scheduled to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 30.

The first day of classes for CPS is scheduled on Monday, August 24.