New interim Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King begins tenure, takes over for Pedro Martinez
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — The new interim CEO of Chicago Public Schools took over on Friday.

Macquline King comes from a position in Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office.

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

King is taking over for former CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. He was fired after public disagreements with the mayor and the Chicago Teachers Union.

The Chicago Public Schools Board appointed King last week. The vote was 11 to 8 to approve her, with one abstention.

King holds a doctorate in education and possesses a superintendent’s license. She served as a long-standing CPS principal and was recently appointed as the mayor’s senior director of educational policy.

Pedro Martinez officially departed the CPS CEO position this week.

READ MORE | Former CPS CEO Martinez reflects on tumultuous term, saying he’s proud of work he did, stood up to bullies

The district is seeking at least $300 million more from city and state funding to balance its budget. Martinez and Mayor Johnson had disputes over short-term borrowing to cover the district’s budget shortfall. Some board members are now concerned that King might approve that loan without much scrutiny.

Additionally, some board members voiced concern over complaints found in King’s CPS personnel file, which ABC7 accessed via a Freedom of Information Act request.

In 2015, she was accused of waiting weeks to report student abuse allegations to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. And in 2019, King allegedly allowed a school volunteer, later found to have a criminal record, to work without a background check. In both cases, King did not face discipline.

Messages left for King by ABC7 last week were not returned.

The permanent CEO job has been posted, and the board hopes to fill it by October.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Wisconsin's budget includes tax cuts, university funding boost and prison closure

Wisconsin’s Budget Features Tax Reductions, Increased University Funding, and a Prison Closure

Wisconsin’s Democratic Governor, Tony Evers, alongside the Republican-led state Legislature, reached an…
UFchild abuse pediatrician to resign following controversial custody case

UF Pediatrician Specializing in Child Abuse to Step Down After Disputed Custody Case

Dr. Barbara Knox is set to step down from her role at…
People fleeing in panic.

Dramatic Scene: Russians Flee Fireballs During Ukrainian Kamikaze Drone Attack on Putin’s ‘Gun City’

THIS is the dramatic moment Russians sprinted in terror as Ukrainian kamikaze…
Texas man admits to killing missing American Airlines flight attendant: Docs

Texas Man Confesses to Killing Missing American Airlines Flight Attendant: Investigators Report

TARRANT COUNTY, Texas (KFDX/KJTL) — Authorities in Fort Worth have reported that…
Idaho firefighter shooter Wess Roley had 'Nazi tendencies,' ex classmates say

Former classmates claim Idaho firefighter shooter Wess Roley exhibited ‘Nazi tendencies’

Idaho firefighter murderer Wess Roley was known to have “Nazi tendencies” and…
Exterior of a cluttered shed where two children lived.

Siblings, Aged 9 and 6, Discovered Living Off-Grid in Farm: Limited Communication Skills and Use of Diapers

A BROTHER and sister have been discovered by horrified cops living off-grid…
Young mother holding her daughter while reading medicine instructions.

Common Household Item Sold Nationwide Poses Deadly Poisoning Threat to Children, Widely Used by Expectant Mothers

AN innocent household item could be putting tens of thousands of children…

Expert Warns Plea Deal May Conceal Bryan Kohberger’s Reasons for Killing Four Idaho Students

The reasons behind the shocking murder of four University of Idaho students…
Chicago shooting suspect Charles Leto, a lifeguard, due in court for Douglass Park incident that killed Marjay Dotson, hurt cousin

Chicago Shooter and Lifeguard Charles Leto to Appear in Court for Douglass Park Incident Resulting in the Death of Marjay Dotson and Injury to His Cousin

CHICAGO (WLS) — The suspected gunman in a deadly Douglass Park shooting…
Illinois lead exposure testing : More Cook County ZIP codes added to list, Illinois Department of Public Health says

Illinois Expands Lead Exposure Testing: Additional Cook County ZIP Codes Identified by State Health Department

CHICAGO (WLS) — The list of areas where lead exposure testing is…
Handout screenshots of suspect's Instagram story.

Chilling Social Media Post by Idaho Sniper Suspect Wess Roley Surfaces Hours Before Fatal Firefighter Ambush

THE suspected shooter who reportedly started a wildfire to draw firefighters into…
'Big, beautiful bill' funding failure puts US at risk from bad actors, expert warns

Expert Warns US Faces Increased Risks as Funding Bill Fails

As lawmakers advance the comprehensive One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the leader…