Chicago Board of Education

Teachers and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) urged the Chicago Board of Education to reject a proposed $9.88 billion budget that includes furloughs, a spending freeze, and staff cuts to address a $732.5 million deficit. The budget proposal has sparked tensions, with teachers citing issues like large class sizes and inadequate custodial support, while the CTU demands increased state funding and legal action against Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas for delayed tax revenue.

Chicago Board of Education members aligned with Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union urged Governor JB Pritzker to hold a special legislative session to increase education funding, citing a $700 million deficit in Chicago Public Schools' budget. They advocated for progressive tax policies targeting wealthy individuals and corporations, but legislation for a millionaire's tax stalled in May.

Chicago school board candidates will remain on the ballot after the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners rejected objections about 'dual-circulation' of petitions. The board ruled that petition circulators who also supported partisan candidates in Illinois' March primary did not violate election laws, despite challenges from 28 candidates facing signature validity concerns.

U.S. Rep. Jesús 'Chuy' Garcia introduced The Right to Learn Act to provide federal support for schools serving immigrant students, including funding for counselors and trauma-informed services. The bill faces challenges in the Republican-controlled House but could gain traction if Democrats win November midterms. The Trump administration has reduced funding for programs aiding undocumented and immigrant students, including cutting access to Head Start for undocumented children.

The Chicago Board of Education renewed charters for six charter school networks with terms ranging from four to seven years, following a delayed vote and implementing a revamped oversight process. The decision comes after financial turmoil in the charter sector led to closures, including two ASPIRA charter network high schools.

The Chicago Board of Education renewed charters for six charter school networks after a delayed vote, approving contracts with terms ranging from four to seven years. The decision followed a revamped oversight process aimed at addressing financial issues and preventing closures, amid criticism from some board members and the Chicago Teachers Union.

Over half of the 51 candidates for the Chicago Board of Education may be removed from the ballot due to challenges to their petition signatures. Four at-large school board president candidates and all nine mayoral appointees running for re-election face challenges, while some incumbents remain unchallenged. The deadline to finalize the ballot is August 27.

More than half of the 51 candidates for the Chicago Board of Education may be removed from the ballot due to petition challenges. Over 28 candidates face invalidated signatures, including nine appointed board members and two elected members aligned with Mayor Brandon Johnson. The election, the first to include all 21 seats, ends 30 years of mayoral control.

Dozens of Chicago seniors, including Jonathan Escobar, were forced to transfer schools after the ASPIRA charter network abruptly closed midyear due to financial issues. Escobar and over 500 students were relocated to district schools like Carl Schurz High School, where he eventually graduated despite initial uncertainty about passing his classes.

Dozens of Chicago seniors, including Jonathan Escobar, were forced to transfer schools after two ASPIRA charter schools closed midyear due to financial issues. Escobar graduated from Carl Schurz High School, where he and 72 other ASPIRA seniors integrated into the school system.

Fifty-one candidates have filed to run for Chicago’s Board of Education in November, marking the first fully elected board in the city’s history. The election will transition governance from mayoral control after 30 years, with candidates required to collect signatures for ballot inclusion, though challenges may remove some contenders.

Chicago's school board elections began with the first day of candidate filing, drawing over 20 people to submit paperwork early. Candidates compete for 21 seats on the Board of Education, transitioning from mayor-appointed to elected roles. The first name on the November ballot is determined by a lottery for those filing by 9 a.m.