Chicago Teachers Union Seeks Illinois Assistance Amidst $730 Million Budget Deficit in Schools

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago Public Schools are grappling with a more than $700 million budget gap.

The Chicago Teachers Union said this is Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s problem too.

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Kids still don’t go back to school for another month, but both the CTU and CPS are already raising concerns about district finances and funding.

Leaders and members of the Chicago Teachers Union convened outside the Chicago Public Schools’ Loop headquarters, urging state legislators and the governor to ensure that Illinois education is safeguarded from what they describe as ‘Trump-Proof’ measures.

The governor has previously said there are no plans in place to boost education funding.

This press gathering occurred early in the morning following announcements from the Trump Administration regarding the withholding of over $6 billion in federal educational grants allocated for schools across various states.

SEE ALSO: What to know about impact of CPS layoffs as district tries to close budget shortfall

The funds, previously sanctioned, were intended to finance after-school initiatives, student support services, and teacher training, among other crucial needs. However, with the rapidly approaching new school year, states are left uncertain about the availability of these resources.

CTU officials are calling on the state to pay CPS $1.2 billion in what they believed is owed to them by Illinois and to call a legislative session to fund public schools.

“Enough is enough, that’s why we are here today calling on Governor JB Pritzker,” Jackson Potter with the Chicago Teachers Union. “These cuts are severe as they are perverse and we won’t let it stand and neither should the governor especially one that wants to fight these Trump attacks on working families.”

“We’re not just reducing staff, we’re removing the lifelines for some of the most marginalized students in our classrooms,” special education teacher Keerti Nandan said. “Please do not balance the budget on the back of kids with disabilities.”

The comments made by the CTU came before a CPS Board agenda review meeting, where a number of big issues were front and center, including how the district is supposed to fill a whopping $734 million budget gap.

The budget for the coming school year has not yet been unveiled.

District leaders say it will be announced later this month or in early August after the superintendent has had a chance to look at solutions to fill that budget deficit.