CHICAGO (WLS) — In an effort to address a nearly billion-dollar budget gap, Chicago Public Schools unveiled a balanced budget on Wednesday that manages to avoid cuts to classroom activities or resorting to loans. However, some board members are still expressing significant concerns.
Before the meeting detailing the district’s strategy to cover a $734 million budget shortfall, union members voiced their opposition to proposed cuts involving janitorial staff in Chicago Public Schools.
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Despite prior announcements about reducing crossing guards and custodial roles, the proposed budget successfully sidesteps any immediate or mid-year reductions in classroom resources while upholding existing labor contracts.
“In addition to negotiated raises for our teachers, support staff, and administrators, this budget also fiercely commits to financing sustainable new schools, enhanced dual language programs, and expanded athletic initiatives,” said CPS Chief Budget Officer Mike Sitkowski.
Sitkowski says his team balanced the budget without a short-term loan, something Mayor Brandon Johnson had supported.
“Resorting to borrowing for operational costs would plunge the district into detrimental credit downgrades, soaring interest rates, and forced, deeper cuts,” stated Sitkowski.
Former CPS CEO Pedro Martinez lost his position due to his refusal to approve a loan. The current budget achieves balance through cuts to central office, repositioning grant funds, bond refinancing, tapping reserve funds, and boosting revenues. CPS is also prepared to make a debated $175 million municipal pension outlay, provided it secures additional Tax Increment Financing funds from the city.
“We are going to thumb our noses as the city, and say, ‘we’ll give you the money if we can.’ This foolhardy to me,” appointed school board member Michilla Blaise said.
Some of the mayor’s appointed school board members say CPS should pay it without strings attached. The pension fund includes city workers. CPS’ obligation is only about 33%. Others say the city should pay.
“We shouldn’t be bargaining, saying alderman shouldn’t give to our schools. The state and the city should be happy to fund joyous rigorous education,” elected school board member Che Smith said.
Some CPS parents are raising concerns over possible cuts across the district that include crossing guards.
“Safe passage is in jeopardy. Teachers aid is in jeopardy, lunchroom, librarians, janitorial,” said Elliot Jackson, who lives on the West Side. “If you cut anything, we are going to bear the burden. She shouldn’t bear the burden. She should not bear the burden.”
They’re calling for state leaders to intervene.
“We should be on the top of the list as far as education, but we keep getting pushed down lower and lower because of the divestment that’s happening in our communities,” said Dr. Angelique Orr, executive director of West Side Rising. “We were calling on you, governor. We are calling you, public officials. Stand up for your people because your people stand up for you.”
School and union leaders have been meeting to strategize on how to get more education money from Springfield, but it won’t come in time to close this year’s huge gap.
Brooms in hand, the custodial union also protested outside CPS headquarters.
They say, days before the start of the school year, the district cut more than 1,200 jobs.
Many longtime custodians, who have served CPS students for decades, handed out sanitizers, highlighting the threats to cleanliness and school safety.
“I have dedicated 25 years to this district,” CPS custodian Rebeca Salazar said. “I’ve built up seniority, and now I’m forced to start all over. It’s not easy. It’s not easy to start from scratch.”
“As a former public school teacher, I don’t want any cuts in the classroom. But all our options have to be available to the board,” Mayor Johnson said.
Next Tuesday, CPS plans to hold two public hearings on the budget. The school board will vote on the proposal on Aug. 28. It is unclear if there are enough votes to pass.
CPS has released a statement saying, “Chicago Public Schools (CPS) remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting classroom instruction and putting students first, even as the District confronts a $734 million budget deficit heading into Fiscal Year 2026.
“No cut to public education is ever made lightly. Every dollar we save centrally helps protect students, teachers, and classrooms from deeper disruption.
“The District is bringing all custodial operations under CPS to create a more efficient, reliable and unified workforce. Starting September 30, CPS will directly manage all custodial services.”
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