Chicago Public Schools

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 announced partial members of the Black Student Achievement Committee, formed to oversee the district’s Black Student Success Plan. The committee, selected from 500 applicants, includes community leaders, educators, and administrators, with four additional members to be announced later.

Chicago's school board approved a resolution prohibiting candidates from accepting campaign donations from current or prospective vendors of Chicago Public Schools. The 16-1 vote aims to prevent conflicts of interest, requiring board members to recuse themselves or return donations from vendors. Critics, like board member Che Smith, argue the resolution targets some donors while allowing others like PACs to contribute.

Chicago Public Schools cut funding for assistant principals in schools with fewer than 250 students to address a $732.5 million budget deficit. Most small schools retained their assistant principals using discretionary funds or exceptions, leaving about 40 campuses without the position. The decision faced criticism from school leaders and unions, who argue assistant principals are critical for school operations and leadership development.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state bans on transgender girls participating in girls' school sports in Idaho and West Virginia, prompting criticism from Chicago LGBTQ+ advocates who argue the ruling supports discrimination against trans youth. Illinois currently protects transgender students under state guidance, but the decision may embolden challenges to these protections.

A Crystal Lake woman teaches special education in Chicago Public Schools while managing phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic condition that makes protein toxic to the brain. She and her daughter are among the one in 25,000 people globally who have PKU, diagnosed in her case at 14 days old.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has denied claims from the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) that it is considering shortening the school year to save money. CPS stated that reducing instructional time is not an option.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will not cut instructional time or the Safe Passage program despite a $732 million budget deficit. The district plans to reduce non-classroom costs, including custodians and central office staff, while preserving partnerships with organizations like Youth Guidance and City Year. CPS CEO Macquline King confirmed no reductions in instructional time, though the Chicago Teachers Union was informed a shortened school year was under consideration.

Chicago Public Schools is considering reducing the school year by two weeks next year as a cost-saving measure to address a financial deficit.

Chicago Public Schools teachers are warning about potential cuts as the district faces a $700 million budget deficit. The financial shortfall has raised concerns about the district's future.

McCook is proposing a stadium to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois. The article also covers developments in the funding dispute involving Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

Chicago Public Schools are increasingly relying on alternate revenue streams as budgets tighten, according to a report by Chalkbeat and the Chicago Tribune. Mila Koumpilova from Chalkbeat discussed the findings on The Point.

The Consulate General of Israel in Chicago hosted a 78th birthday celebration, drawing 500 attendees including Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Attendees discussed concerns about anti-Israel sentiment in Chicago Public Schools, with Mendoza criticizing the teaching of Palestine as Israel's name. Critics highlighted Israel's military actions in Gaza and rising anti-Zionist influence.

Chicago schools, including Kenwood Academy, are increasingly relying on independently raised funds to cover essentials due to the district's financial struggles. Independent revenue for CPS schools rose 78% since 2021, reaching $48 million in fiscal year 2025, with funds used for staffing, athletic equipment, and academic resources.

Beatrice Lumpkin, a workers' rights leader and Communist Party member for nearly 90 years, died at 107. She was involved in labor struggles in Chicago, including supporting Starbucks unionization and advocating for workers fired at the Wisconsin Steel plant closure in 1980.

A mayoral working group in Chicago released recommendations to reduce structural barriers for trans people, focusing on housing, healthcare, workplace inclusivity, and data collection. The report, created to address anti-trans violence, highlights immediate actions like improving access to city services and long-term strategies for policy changes across agencies.

School districts in Illinois, including Valley View 365U and Chicago Public Schools, face federal lawsuits and complaints from conservative groups over policies allowing transgender students access to bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender. Pat Green, a parent advocating for his transgender son after a bullying incident, highlights the emotional toll on families and students amid these legal battles.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King testified before a U.S. House committee on policies related to gender identity, sex education, abortion, and religious freedom. The hearing follows federal scrutiny of CPS's diversity initiatives and investigations into its Black Student Success Plan. King was subpoenaed by the Republican-led committee, which also invited superintendents from San Francisco and Loudoun County school districts.

Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero is a candidate for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools superintendent position. He has been Denver's superintendent since 2021, with a contract through 2028, and was previously a finalist for Chicago Public Schools and considered for New York City Public Schools.

CPS CEO Dr. Macquline King attended a congressional hearing criticized by Rep. Mike Quigley as a waste of taxpayer dollars. Some Chicago Democrats argued the hearing prioritized politics over parents' rights.

Three superintendents from San Francisco Unified School District, Loudoun County, and Chicago Public Schools defended their policies on transgender student inclusion and parental involvement during a congressional hearing titled 'Breaking Trust,' where Republican lawmakers criticized the policies and accused the districts of violating parental rights. The superintendents emphasized creating inclusive school environments and respecting parental partnerships.

Susana Mendoza, a mayoral challenger in Chicago, pledged to address the city's $36 billion pension crisis using her experience as state comptroller. She criticized Mayor Brandon Johnson's budget practices, including borrowing to cover back pay and using tax increment financing for schools and teacher contracts, and advocated for cost-cutting measures and difficult negotiations with unions to stabilize finances.

U.S. House Democrats called for increased protections for transgender and diverse students, criticizing Republican-led efforts to eliminate diversity initiatives. They highlighted a recent bill blocking federal funding for schools that allow updates to student pronouns or gender markers without parental consent and condemned policies labeled as attacking 'gender ideology.'

Chicago Public Schools CEO Macqueline King was questioned by House Republicans on transgender policies during a House Committee on Education hearing. She appeared alongside superintendents from San Francisco and Loudon County.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King testified before the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce on policies related to gender identity, sex education, abortion, and religious freedom. The hearing follows ongoing federal scrutiny of CPS's diversity and inclusion efforts, including investigations into its Black Student Success Plan and previous funding disputes. King was subpoenaed for the testimony, which also included superintendents from San Francisco and Loudoun County.

Three progressive superintendents defended policies promoting transgender inclusion and parental involvement during a congressional hearing. Republican lawmakers criticized the policies as excluding parents and promoting political agendas, while the superintendents emphasized creating inclusive school environments.

The CEO of Chicago Public Schools was subpoenaed and testified before Congress on Tuesday. The head of the school district appeared in response to a congressional request.

U.S. House Democrats, including Reps. Delia Ramirez, Mark Takano, and Summer Lee, urged Congress to enhance protections for transgender and diverse students, opposing efforts to dismantle diversity initiatives and restrict federal funding for schools. They criticized a recent House bill requiring parental sign-off for updating student pronouns and gender markers, as well as policies banning discussions of 'gender ideology' in 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.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King is testifying before a House committee in Washington, DC after a subpoena.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King is set to testify under subpoena before a U.S. House education committee hearing focused on parental rights, inappropriate content, and legal abuses in schools. The hearing will scrutinize Chicago’s policies for transgender students and the Black Student Success initiative, both under investigation by the Trump administration, as King balances community support with potential federal funding risks.

The Chicago Teachers Union is supporting Hilario Dominguez in the race for Chicago's first elected school board president. Dominguez, a former student and teacher at Chicago Public Schools, previously served as the Political Director of the CTU.

A City Council committee approved a crackdown on marijuana sales within 1,000 feet of schools and parks, with Ald. Gilbert Villegas adjusting penalties to address concerns about disproportionate enforcement. The move aims to combat black-market cannabis sales near public spaces, which officials attribute to high state taxes and weak state-level disciplinary measures for illegal sales.

Cook County property tax bills, typically sent in July, are delayed by two months, prompting the reopening of a $300 million Property Tax Bridge Fund Program for suburban tax districts. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is excluded from the loan program, risking significant financial strain as it previously incurred $220,000 daily in interest costs from short-term loans during a prior delay.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King will testify before the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce regarding policies supporting transgender and Black students amid Republican-led criticism. Local supporters, including Rep. Delia Ramirez and the Chicago Teachers Union, will advocate for King, who is defending programs like the Black Student Success Plan and transgender student protections.

Illinois’ 2027 fiscal year state budget allocates $56 billion, including a $9.2 billion K-12 funding increase via an evidence-based formula. Chicago Public Schools faces a $732 million deficit, leading to program cuts, while advocates argue the state remains off track to fully fund schools by 2027.

Chicago Public Schools is replacing its High School Admissions Test with the longer PreACT 9 Secure, available only in English. The change has sparked concerns about worsening disparities for non-English-speaking students, while CPS claims it aims to improve equity and test security.

The Department of Education criticized the Associated Press for labeling its actions as 'inaccurate and dangerous' after AP accused the administration of neglecting Black students. AP highlighted the Trump administration's reversal of historical efforts to address racial inequities in education, including cutting funding for diverse magnet schools and investigating programs targeting Black student success in Chicago and Los Angeles. The ED defended its civil rights investigations, arguing they apply to all students, not just Black students.

Illinois’ FY27 state budget allocates $9.2 billion for K-12 schools via an evidence-based funding formula, a $350 million increase from last year, but education advocates argue the state remains off track to fully fund schools by 2027. Chicago Public Schools faces a $732 million deficit and potential staff cuts, intensifying calls for additional state support.

Chicago Public Schools will replace the High School Admissions Test (HSAT) with the longer PreACT 9 Secure for eighth graders starting this fall. The new test includes reading and science sections, is only offered in English, and lasts 2.5 hours. A bilingual teacher criticized the test's increased length and lack of non-English options.