Overview
- The district’s 2026–27 proposal would eliminate roughly 760 teacher positions, 801 teacher aide roles, and 162 central office jobs and add five staff furlough days during the second semester.
- CPS plans a midyear spending freeze and uses one-time moves such as Tax Increment Financing transfers to close a roughly $732 million deficit, which critics say is unsustainable.
- Union members and teachers gathered at two public hearings and held a rally at the CPS Loop office, with the Chicago Teachers Union urging state lawmakers to call a special session and the board to change or reject the plan.
- Spoken registration for Monday’s hearings was closed but written comments are being accepted through 5 p.m. Tuesday, and the board has scheduled a final vote for July 30, forcing a compressed public review period.
- District officials warn that delayed Cook County tax distributions could force short-term borrowing if the budget is not approved, while CPS says some laid-off staff are often rehired as vacancies open.