Members of the Chicago Teachers Union-aligned school board are contemplating a budget amendment to boost assumed state revenue and counteract school-level funding cuts. CEO of Chicago Public Schools, Macquline King, criticized this approach in a detailed statement on Wednesday. She warned that it might leave CPS financially unstable later in the year, stating the district is “on the knife’s edge.”
King emphasized ongoing efforts to secure necessary funding from all government levels, but she cautioned against relying on unconfirmed state revenue. The state’s budget, passed in June, did not include extra funding for CPS, and officials report there is no sign of additional dollars coming soon. The proposed $9.96 billion budget involves the elimination of over 700 teacher positions, department reductions, and a midyear spending halt.
The potential amendment could change revenue assumptions, but details on the expected funds or how the state would address its $2.2 billion deficit are unclear. Despite this, CTU is pushing for Springfield’s intervention. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch expressed his full support for CTU’s cause at an Illinois Federation of Teachers meeting. He plans to advocate for increased CPS funding during the fall veto session, though specifics remain undisclosed.
CTU President Stacy Davis Gates urged board members to reject the current budget, labeling it as a “first draft” that could cause lasting harm to students. A simple majority of the 21-member board is needed to pass the 2026-27 budget, while a two-thirds vote is necessary for any amendment approval. CTU-backed members currently hold a majority on the board, due to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s appointments.
Previously, CPS increased revenue assumptions from special taxing districts to prevent furloughs under union pressure. The last CPS budget to include anticipated but unconfirmed state funding was in 2017, leading to financial instability when then-Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the necessary bill.
King recounted past difficulties when she was a principal, having to cut programs and furlough staff due to budget shortfalls. She urged for stability to avoid repeating history. CPS seeks budget approval by Thursday, well ahead of the state-required deadline, to facilitate short-term borrowing and resolve cash-flow challenges. Without it, payroll could become unfeasible in September.
On Wednesday, Mayor Johnson appointed Connie Anderson, a paralegal and high school robotics coach, to the vacant District 10B board seat, though she will not participate in the budget vote. Anderson has worked extensively with CPS robotics teams and held an executive role in Friends of Ogden International School. She replaces Olga Bautista, who resigned in March.