Chicago Public Schools set to vote on $9.9B budget Thursday

CHICAGO — Chicago Public Schools is set to approve its $9.9 billion budget on Thursday, but not without some pushback from the Chicago Teachers Union.

The district’s $9.9 billion budget includes closing a nearly $500 million deficit.

To balance the budget, CPS says it made cuts to central academic and operational departments and focused money on teaching and provide, what CPS CEO Pedro Martinez called, foundational staff and holistic teachers who concentrae on arts, physical education, as well as STEM.

The CTU argues CPS is intentionally leaving jobs vacant and the budget cuts will have the largest impact on vulnerable students on the South and West sides — especially children in temporary housing and Special Ed students.

Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is a former CTU organizer, has said he does not support the proposed budget.

Johnson, as well as leadership with CPS and the CTU, lobbied lawmakers this spring at the capital for what it called its fair share of education dollars — which it values around $1 billion.

CPS got a fraction of what they asked for.

Even if board members do pass the budget as expected, they will still need to come back and revise it once CPS and the CTU agree on a new contract, which they are negotiating now.

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