Chicago Public Schools Leaders Say Board Must Pass Budget to Make September Payroll
CPS leaders say the $9.88 billion plan must pass this month to secure borrowing and avoid missing payroll for 45,000 employees.
- The Chicago Board is scheduled to vote on the district's $9.88 billion budget July 30. CPS CEO Macquline King warned the plan must pass this month, or the district risks missing payroll for its 45,000 employees.
- District leaders defended the spending plan, citing a $732 million deficit and deep reliance on short-term borrowing. Property tax delays from Cook County have forced this dependence, leading to $43 million in interest payments last year.
- CPS laid off more than 700 teachers last week while planning five furlough days to save $17 million per day. During the budget hearing, Chicago Teachers Union members protested the cuts, urging The Board to reject the proposal.
- Board member Jitu Brown expressed pressure regarding the vote, noting constituents call the plan anything but equitable. Fellow Board member Debby Pope added, "There's something that doesn't compute to me," citing cuts despite claims of focusing on student needs.
- If the budget fails, "the immediate consequence is we wouldn't be able to make payroll in September," King told the Tribune. CTU-aligned officials continue pressing state lawmakers to convene a special session for additional funding.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Teachers and CTU tell Chicago Board of Education to reject proposed budget cuts, furloughs – Chalkbeat Chicago
Board members legally have until the end of August to pass a budget, but district leaders want the board to adopt a plan by July 30. That’s because, in order to make up for late Cook County property tax revenue, CPS needs a few weeks to take out a short-term loan to pay for daily operations, including payroll, at the start of the school year, according to Wally Stock, acting chief financial officer.
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Public Schools leaders say board must pass budget to make September payroll
The Chicago Teachers Union called on school board members to reject the budget, but CPS leaders said the budget must pass this month to make September's payroll.
Mass layoffs and furloughs still on the table as CPS navigates budget crisis
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Board of Education Members Share Concerns Over Cuts, Furloughs in $9.88B CPS Budget Plan
With a vote next week scheduled on Chicago Public Schools’ $9.88 billion budget plan, members of the city’s Board of Education on Monday shared concerns over proposed cuts, a lack of state funding and their voting timeline.
CPS layoffs raise fears for Black students
Chicago Public Schools announced plans Wednesday, July 15, 2026, to lay off 760 teachers, 801 teacher aides and classroom assistants, and 162 central office and citywide employees as the district attempts to close a $732 million budget deficit for the 2026-27 school year. The 1,723 layoffs are part of a proposed budget that also depends […]
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