CPS budget: Outgoing Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez outlines 2026 budget plan
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — On Wednesday afternoon, outgoing Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez presented a draft of the 2026 budget via Zoom, which he plans to distribute to schools on Thursday.

This proposed budget includes a tax increase but ensures that schools won’t experience funding cuts. However, it is contingent on an extra $300 million in funding that the district may not actually obtain.

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

Principals are expected to get their school’s budgets from the CPS central office on Thursday. Nevertheless, doubts about the reliability of these figures have already emerged.

“We are ultimately the face of the district’s decisions, and our students deserve better,” said Kia Banks with the Chicago Principals & Administrators Association.

The needs of CPS students have never been bigger, according to officials who released a 2026 budget outline Wednesday that no longer includes federal COVID-19 pandemic funding and is being impacted by higher costs and inflation.

“We know we can balance the budget without raising taxes and without irresponsible borrowing,” Martinez said.

RELATED | Chicago Public Schools Board holds public hearing on budget amendment

“At this point, they’re so dug into their positions that reaching some sort of compromise or accommodation seems highly unlikely,” said David Greising, Better Government Associate president.

The best-case scenario released Wednesday is based on a $229 million dollar deficit assumption. It relies on receiving $300 million dollars in additional funding from either the state-or from the city, reimbursing it for the funds it currently looses as a result of TIFs.

“If the money is not obtained from Springfield, then the mayor, when he passes his budget this fall, can just easily make sure that CPS gets $600 million dollars in TIF revenue,” Martinez said. “Right now we’re getting $298 [million], which we’re grateful for, but if TIFs didn’t exist, we’d be getting $600 million.”

The Chicago Teachers Union has spoken in favor of such a strategy in the past, but the union that represents Chicago principals is already calling CPS’ budget figures “magical and false” in a letter to members.

“In a presentation by the lame-duck CPS administration, we were told our members would be required to waste their time and credibility by drafting budgets for next school year that are based on numbers CPS admits are off-likely by hundreds of millions of dollars,” the letter read in part. “These moves would paper over a budget deficit of more than $500 million, but they have not happened and are unlikely… CPAA members will be left to clean up the mess.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office shot down the suggestion outright, saying in part, “This is part of the same pattern of irresponsible and reckless budgeting under CEO Martinez that has led our school district into this fiscal position in the first place. There are serious issues at stake, and we cannot afford for the CEO to continue to put politics above the needs of our students.”

“To give us a budget… without a commitment that that budget will be fully funded, I think is very irresponsible,” Banks said.

By law, the Chicago Board of Education has to vote on and pass a balanced budget. That vote will likely happen sometime in August.

The problem is likely to fall to Martinez’s successor. His last day on the job is June 18.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Seattle man charged with string of burglaries at the homes of NFL and MLB stars

Seattle Man Faces Charges for Multiple Burglaries at Homes of NFL and MLB Athletes

SEATTLE (AP) — Charges were brought against a Seattle resident on Friday…
Germany's Merz to 'adapt' to Trump during high-stakes meeting on tariffs, defense

Germany’s Merz to Adjust Strategy Ahead of Crucial Tariff and Defense Talks with Trump

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! German Chancellor Friedrich Merz…
Rhode Island college graduate Timothy Howard died from allergic reaction days after receiving diploma

Rhode Island Graduate Timothy Howard Passes Away from Allergic Reaction Shortly After Graduation

A 22-year-old Rhode Island college graduate, known for his “kind-hearted” nature, passed…
Former cop mom slams policies that let illegal alien allegedly strike son in hit-and-run: ‘A lot of problems’

Ex-police officer mother criticizes policies allowing undocumented immigrant to allegedly hit her son in hit-and-run: ‘Numerous Issues’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A former police officer…
Drone footage showing ground magnetic anomaly; yaw re-aligned.

Amazing New Video of Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb: Smuggled Drone Launches and Targets Putin’s Burning Bombers

THIS is the moment a smuggled Ukrainian drone launched from the roof…
Don't underestimate Donald Trump — he and his goals will survive without Musk

Don’t Count Out Donald Trump — He and His Ambitions Will Persist Without Musk

Last week, among other activities, President Trump hosted Germany’s chancellor in the…
How will Qatari jet be converted into Air Force One?

Transforming a Qatari Jet into Air Force One: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a look at what it would take to make the Qatari…
President Trump banned travel from 12 countries, but included some exceptions to avoid legal battles

Trump Implements Travel Ban on 12 Nations, Includes Exceptions to Prevent Legal Issues

MIAMI — The recent travel ban affecting citizens from 12 countries and…
Reckoning: Lisa Murkowski Censured Again by Alaska Republicans

Alaska Republicans Censure Lisa Murkowski Once More

As RedState’s leading (and only) correspondent from Alaska, I feel a bit…
French Open finals: Coco Gauff defeats Aryna Sabalenka in 3 sets

Coco Gauff Triumphs Over Aryna Sabalenka in Three-Set French Open Final

It was the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 final in Paris…
Trump officials are vowing to end school desegregation orders. Some parents say they're still needed

Trump Officials Pledge to Terminate School Desegregation Orders, Though Some Parents Argue They’re Still Necessary

FERRIDAY, La. (AP) — The disparities are evident at first glance. Ferriday…
Chicago Police Department, Chicago Park District host 'Play Like a Champion' golf program at South Shore Golf Course

Chicago Police and Park District Launch ‘Play Like a Champion’ Golf Event at South Shore Course

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Park District…