As they stare down a $734 million budget deficit, some Chicago Board of Education members are calling on the governor to hold a special legislative session this summer to drum up money for schools.
They say this is an urgent need not just for Chicago, but for school districts across the state that also are grappling with budget troubles as federal COVID-19 relief money runs out and the Trump administration puts other federal funding in jeopardy.
Two board members in particular— Aaron “Jitu” Brown, an elected member who represents the West Side, and Debby Pope, an appointed member from the North Side — are echoing the demands of the Chicago Teachers Union. The CTU held a news conference this month where officials and members said Illinois leaders must “Trump proof” the state by providing additional funding for schools.
Other school board members, including board president Sean Harden, agree the state needs to be involved in finding a solution. Harden said timing is an issue. CPS is required to approve a balanced budget by the end of August.
Federal funding issues are exposing longtime state funding inequities. According to the state’s education funding formula, CPS is only receiving about 80% what it needs to provide an “adequate” education. Forty-nine other Illinois districts are below 70% of adequate funding.
The state has put more than $300 million in new money into the funding formula each year since it was approved in 2018. Yet, with those increases, it won’t be fully funded until at least 2034, despite the deadline of 2027 set in the law, according to the Center on Budget and Tax Accountability.
So far, neither Gov. JB Pritzker, nor legislative leaders, are jumping to heed the call. Asked Tuesday, Pritzker’s office referred to a previous statement in which the governor said he would like to provide more money for education, but finding the dollars to do so was a challenge.
Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s office also referred to a previous statement in which he said, “The House will continue to closely monitor the things we can control and make the most responsible and compassionate decisions for our state.”
Illinois Education Association President Al Llorens said that, although the organization is not working directly with CTU, it “absolutely supports more funding for schools.” The IEA is the state’s largest union, representing school staff across Illinois.
“Eighty percent of our schools are underfunded,” he said. “While the Trump administration continues to make cuts to the education funding and Medicaid that our students and members rely on, it’s more important than ever that Illinois continues to support all students.”
Bryen Johnson, director of political activities for the Illinois Federation of Teachers, said the state has an “obligation to figure out how” to come up with more money for education and other essential services. The CTU is a local affiliate of the IFT.
“The sooner the better,” he said.
Without state help, Harden said borrowing was an option for CPS. The suggestion that CPS take out a loan last year set off a controversy that in large part led to the firing of the former CEO Pedro Martinez.
Harden argues a loan this year would stabilize the district as it works on longer-term solutions in collaboration with the state. CPS has already found about $160 million in savings through laying off staff and scaling back some vendor contracts. At this point, cuts would curtail the education provided to students, he said.
“The impacts of the cuts would far exceed the interest that we would have to pay,” he said. “Everything is on the table.”
Harden, Brown and Pope are aligned with Mayor Brandon Johnson, who holds the balance of power on Chicago’s partly elected, partly appointed 21 member board.
Pope said Tuesday that she was open to borrowing but would much rather have the state step in. Pritzker, she said, could be a leader in making sure that students, not only in Chicago, but across the state are not harmed by federal efforts to scale back funding.
“I want the governor to show Illinois a beacon of light at the time that Trump is trying to destroy public education,” she said.
In a social media post, Brown said the state Legislature could consider a so-called millionaire’s tax, which would target high-income earners, or a sales tax on services, such as haircuts or repairs.
“We have to heal the structural deficit that sabotages public education in our state,” he wrote. “Lastly, we are committed to NO CUTS. The days of balancing CPS’ budget on the backs of Black and Brown children have ended.”
Other members are not as confrontational.
Yesenia Lopez, an elected school board member who represents the Southwest Side, said state funding was essential. She would also like to see the school board look at creative ways to drum up money locally.
“Addressing this issue requires collaboration across all levels of government,” she said. “It is important that we work together rather than shift responsibility.”
Sarah Karp covers education for WBEZ. Follow her on X @WBEZeducation and @sskedreporter.