As a pivotal vote approaches, Chicago school board members linked to the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) are weighing a budget amendment to boost the district’s expected state revenue. The goal is to reverse cuts at the school level. Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King criticized this proposal on Wednesday, expressing concerns that it might lead to a financial shortfall later in the year.
King described the district’s financial situation as being on a precarious edge. She emphasized the importance of working with governmental partners to secure the necessary funding for students. She warned against relying on unconfirmed state revenue to balance the budget at the last minute, calling it a mistake with potentially severe consequences.
The state budget was approved in June without additional CPS funding. District officials report no signs of incoming new funds. The proposed $9.96 billion CPS spending plan involves over 700 teacher layoffs, department reductions, and a midyear spending freeze.
Details remain unclear about how much new funding the amendment would project or where Illinois might source those funds, given its own $2.2 billion deficit. Despite this, CTU has kept pressing state authorities, making some progress. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch assured CTU members that he would support additional CPS funding in the fall veto session. However, Welch did not expand on how he would achieve this.
CTU President Stacy Davis Gates urged the board to dismiss the proposed budget, deeming it a “first draft” with potentially lasting negative impacts on students. The board requires a simple majority to pass the 2026-27 budget but a two-thirds majority for any amendments. Presently, CTU-supported members have a majority on the board, largely due to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s appointments.
The district has already increased projected revenue from certain taxing districts earlier this week to prevent furloughs after pressure from staff unions. The last time CPS based a budget on unconfirmed state revenue was in 2017. Then-Governor Bruce Rauner vetoed the expected funding, leading schools to reopen budgets and cut programs.
CPS urges school board members to approve the budget soon, a month before the official deadline, partly to secure short-term borrowing to address cash flow challenges. Without approval, the district warns it might not meet payroll obligations in September.
New Board Member Appointed
On Wednesday, Mayor Johnson filled a long-vacant school board seat. Connie Anderson, a paralegal and high school robotics coach, was appointed to represent District 10B. Although her timing means she won’t vote in the budget decision, Anderson was endorsed by the CTU and is a candidate in the upcoming November election.
The appointment follows a similar pattern from the previous year when Johnson appointed a board member just before a budget vote. Anderson’s involvement in the CPS community includes leading student robotics teams and serving on the Friends of Ogden International School board for over 13 years.
Johnson expressed confidence in Anderson’s ability to advocate for students, educators, and school communities.
“Connie Anderson is a tireless advocate for our students, educators, and school communities.” — Mayor Brandon Johnson
Anderson replaced Olga Bautista, a community organizer who left in March due to a sabbatical award.
Report contributed by Jeremy Gorner.
Antisemitism in Schools: A Growing Concern 
Reviving Interest in the Teaching Profession 
Daycare Owner Finds Vital School Supplies in Discarded Dumpster 
Veteran Journalists Move from ’60 Minutes’ to Columbia Journalism School 
Challenging Zionism in Schools: A Critical Examination 
Libertyville’s Academic and Athletic Achievements: A Closer Look