Chicago Public Schools (CPS) interim CEO Macquline King is set to present a $10.2 billion budget proposal this week that aims to safeguard classrooms from midyear cuts. The proposed budget prioritizes maintaining student services and staffing while addressing the district’s significant budget deficit.
Budget Strategy Focused on Stability
According to multiple sources familiar with the plan, the proposal does not include the previously discussed reimbursement to the City of Chicago for a pension payment covering non-teaching Chicago Public Schools employees. By not allocating funds to that payment, CPS is able to reduce the pressure on its operating budget and avoid further cuts to schools.
This decision comes as the district works to close an estimated $734 million budget gap identified earlier this year. The plan also avoids short-term, high-interest loans — an approach that had been considered in previous discussions — in favor of alternative cost-saving measures and revenue sources.
Use of TIF Funds to Support the Budget
The budget anticipates $404 million from the city’s surplus Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds. These dollars are typically allocated to support economic development but have increasingly been used to supplement school funding. This year’s expected allocation is $100 million more than the record Tax Increment Financing surplus Chicago Public Schools received last year.
Sources say district leaders are open to revisiting certain deferred payments if additional Tax Increment Financing funds become available or if the state provides unexpected revenue increases.
No New Cuts to Classrooms
Earlier in the summer, CPS announced layoffs and cuts in several departments, including reductions to the hot meals program. King’s proposal does not include further reductions that would directly affect classrooms, instructional staff, or core student programs. The plan also ensures that current commitments to district unions are maintained.
While central office reductions remain a possibility, officials indicate those decisions have not yet been finalized. Savings from operational adjustments and refinancing existing debt have contributed to closing the remaining budget gap.
Input from the Community
The proposal reflects feedback gathered during public forums hosted by Chicago Public Schools over the summer. Many participants expressed concern about maintaining classroom resources and opposed any budget measures that would disrupt student learning midyear.
Elected school board member Che “Rhymefest” Smith noted that community input played a role in shaping the proposal’s direction. “She heard the community loud and clear,” Smith said, referring to King’s emphasis on protecting educational programs.
Timeline for Approval
King will present the proposal during a Chicago Board of Education meeting this Wednesday. The board is expected to review the plan in detail before voting later this month, in line with state requirements for approving district budgets. CPS’s fiscal year began on July 1.
If approved, the budget would be implemented immediately, ensuring funding allocations are in place for the remainder of the school year. District leaders say the approach aims to provide financial stability for educators and students while positioning CPS to continue its academic priorities without disruption.
Long-Term Funding Needs
While the current proposal addresses the immediate deficit, district leaders and education advocates continue to highlight the need for sustainable, long-term funding solutions. According to state data, Chicago Public Schools remains $1.6 billion short of what Illinois considers “adequate” funding for its student population, despite the district receiving an additional $1.1 billion over the past seven years.
The Chicago Teachers Union, district officials, and other education groups plan to hold briefings for state lawmakers and local officials to advocate for increased state support. These sessions will focus on strategies to bridge the funding gap and maintain stable investments in CPS’s academic programs.
Commitment to Educational Continuity
King’s proposed budget reflects a deliberate effort to shield students from the effects of fiscal challenges. By prioritizing operational savings over instructional cuts, the district aims to keep classrooms functioning smoothly, support educators, and uphold commitments to student achievement.
As Chicago Public Schools moves toward a vote on the proposal, the emphasis remains on ensuring that financial decisions serve the long-term goal of sustaining high-quality education across Chicago’s public schools.
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