CPS layoffs news: Chicago Public Schools eliminating jobs, including crossing guards to close projected $734M budget shortfall
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago Public Schools faces a huge deficit that must be closed this summer.

Layoffs were announced late Friday, but the question is, are more coming?

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Approximately 600 crossing guards work for CPS, and nearly 90 are facing layoffs. Additionally, around 20 guard positions remain unfilled. This measure aims to reduce expenses as part of efforts to bridge a $730 million budget gap.

“The district has previously managed its budget challenges at the expense of its lowest-paid employees, such as support staff,” stated SEIU Local 73 Executive VP Stacia Scott Kennedy. “We are optimistic that this approach won’t continue in the future.”

SEIU Local 73 represents both crossing guards and special education classroom assistants. Altogether, CPS has laid off 161 workers, with several cuts occurring at the district’s central office. However, no school-based staff were affected by these layoffs.

“Schools don’t want to see cuts, especially, especially laying off staff, like right before the new school year starts. That is still a possibility, though, given the size of the budget deficit,” said Reema Amin with Chalkbeat Chicago.

Closing a $730 million budget gap falls on the lap of the district’s new interim CEO Macquline King. Previously, she worked in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration.

To avoid classroom cuts, the mayor and the Chicago Teachers Union have been pushing for a high-interest short-term loan. Education experts call it the toughest budget situation CPS has seen in years.

“Major deficit, no signs of like, for sure, revenue coming their way. So, there’s going to be, I think there’s going to be a lot of hard decisions to be made,” Amin said.

They are hard decisions that experts say will likely hit the classroom. Unions have continued to call for more money from the state and more Tax Increment Financing money from the city. Until then, SEIU will fight to keep crossing guards, positions they say are needed.

“I think that’s a misnomer to think that just anybody could be a crossing guard,” Kennedy said. “Crossing guards are out there in extreme weather. They are standing in Chicago’s traffic, and they build relationships with a lot of the community. “

CPS does not have a lot of time. State law requires the district to balance its budget 60 days after the start of its fiscal year, which is July 1. School starts on Aug. 18.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
George Retes, disabled vet and US citizen, taken during Camarillo, California immigration raid at Glass House Farms: family

Disabled Veteran George Retes Detained in Immigration Raid at Glass House Farms, Camarillo, California, Says Family

Family members are in a state of distress seeking information after a…
Iliamna Volcano in Alaska 'rumbling' after being inactive for a century

Alaska’s Iliamna Volcano Shows Signs of Activity After 100 Years of Dormancy

(NewsNation) — A volcano in Alaska that last erupted in 1867 is…
Surprise witness in Idaho student murders says she 'saw Bryan there' on deadly night

Bryan Kohberger Thought He Pulled Off ‘The Perfect Murders’—But One Crucial Error Exposed Him, Says Author

Bryan Kohberger, described as a painfully awkward and arrogant introvert and a…
Mamdani's dad part of anti-Israel group sympathetic to suicide bombers

Mamdani’s Father Linked to Anti-Israel Group Supportive of Suicide Bombers

The father of socialist NYC mayoral contender Zohran Mamdani serves on an…
Security camera footage of a blurry altercation in a restaurant.

Shocking Incident: Intoxicated Driver Crashes SUV Through Restaurant Wall After Brawl

THIS is the terrifying moment a drunk driver smashes his SUV into…
Multiple people struck by lightning at St. Augustine Pier: SJCFR

Several People Injured by Lightning at St. Augustine Pier: SJCFR

Fire rescue crews say one person was flown by helicopter with serious…
30 years later: How deadly July, 1995 Chicago heat wave led to formation of Office of Emergency Management and Communications

Three Decades On: The Impact of Chicago’s July 1995 Heatwave on Creating the Office of Emergency Management and Communications

CHICAGO (WLS) — This time, 30 year ago, Chicago was grappling with…
Aerial view of a large inflatable dome covering a construction site in a city.

China Introduces World’s Largest $50 Million Inflatable Dome for Construction Site with a Unique Purpose

CHINA has unveiled a massive inflatable dome in the middle of a…
Portrait of a young girl wearing purple glasses.

Three-Year-Old Girl Found Wrapped in Plastic in Suitcase; Mother and Partner Arrested Following False Kidnapping Report

THE body of three-year-old Nola Dinkins has been found wrapped in Saran…
‘Peacemaker’ Trump can end Africa’s biggest war, former White House advisor says

Former White House Advisor Claims Trump Can Resolve Africa’s Largest Conflict

Following the recent success in resolving a conflict within Africa, President Donald…
Pope Leo XIV gives autographed jersey to White Sox player from 2005 World Series team

Pope Leo XIV Presents Signed Jersey to Member of the 2005 White Sox World Series Team

In a reversal of roles, a fan has signed a jersey for…
FX's "Alien: Earth" expands its universe with a companion podcast and immersive experiences

FX’s “Alien: Earth” Expands Universe with Companion Podcast and Immersive Experiences

LOS ANGELES — FX is offering its fans a closer look into…