Chicago Public Schools Announce Layoffs Impacting Central Office, Network Office, CTU, and SEIU Staff

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago Public Schools revealed on Friday the layoffs affecting over 100 staff members as well as more than 200 unoccupied job roles, with a significant number being crossing guards.

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CPS stated that 67 employees from Central Office and Network Offices were affected, and 166 empty slots were eliminated. Additionally, seven employees from the Chicago Teachers Union were impacted and 19 unfilled positions were closed. Furthermore, 87 members of SEIU Local 73, mostly crossing guards, were affected, and 24 unoccupied crossing guard positions were closed.

“The District is dedicated to maintaining open communication in the future and recognizes the careful and challenging work by teams across the organization to ensure these choices minimally impact students,” CPS shared in a statement.

The layoffs come as the district faces a $734 million budget deficit.

SEIU Local 73 President Dian Palmer issued the following statement:
“It is our understanding that CPS has begun issuing layoff notices to staff, however, we do not yet have numbers on how many have or will be impacted. We believe that laying off any of these essential workers would be a significant blow to our education system. Our union will work to mitigate the impact of any layoffs and continues to call on the City of Chicago and the Board of Education to urgently explore other alternatives that will not directly harm students’ education. Combining additional state funding and using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds from Chicago could easily bridge this gap. Mayor Brandon Johnson has the power to declare a surplus of those funds, which would go a long way towards honoring his promise to equitably fund and staff our schools. SEIU Local 73 represents more than 11,000 CPS support staff including Special Education Classroom Assistants, Custodians, Crossing Guards, Bus Aides, Security Officers, and Parent Workers.”

ABC7 has reached also reached out to the CTU for comment.