* A recent citywide poll conducted by the University of Chicago’s NORC for Kids First Chicago showed that two-thirds of Chicagoans were unaware that the city is moving to a fully elected school board in 2027.

From the executive summary…

○ Roughly six in ten Chicago adults say the City of Chicago should provide more money to CPS, forming the base for the City revenue questions.

■ There is a significant association between parent/non-parent status and belief that the City should provide more money to CPS; 67% of CPS parents believe the City should provide more money, compared to 58% of non-parents.

● Among those who believe the City should provide more funding, support is strongest for corporate and high-end real estate taxes:

○ 74% support increasing taxes on large corporations based in Chicago.
○ 56% support starting or increasing taxes on real estate transactions for homes priced above $500,000.
○ 53% support creating a new local income tax for individuals making above $100,000 per year.

● Support for tourism taxes and TIF reforms is more mixed or uncertain.

○ 48% support increasing certain tourism taxes (hotel, car rental); 32% oppose; 20% are unsure.
○ 45% support closing certain TIF districts early and moving the maximum legally allowable unused TIF funds to CPS, 11% oppose, and a large 43% are unsure.

* The public wants the state to step in, and opposes borrowing and, mostly, layoffs…

When asked how CPS should prioritize closing a $569 million budget deficit, respondents rated five options as high, medium, or low priority.

● High-priority actions

○ Advocate for more money from the State:
■ 43% high
■ 27% medium
■ 18% low

○ Advocate for the State to take on the full cost of Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund and combine it with the statewide Teachers’ Retirement System:
■ 34% high
■ 27% medium
■ 16% low

○ Advocate for more money from the City:
■ 33% high
■ 30% medium
■ 23% low

● Low-priority actions

○ Staff layoffs:
■ 19% high
■ 18% medium
■ 50% low

○ Borrow money:
■ 8% high
■ 19% medium
■ 53% low

Respondents were not asked about closing under-utilized schools.

* However, Chicagoans oppose a sales tax on non-essential services, according to the poll…

Only 28% support expanding the sales tax to certain services (excluding essentials), while 52% oppose it; 18% are unsure.

* Confidence levels that the following will act in the best interests of CPS students…

● Governor J.B. Pritzker

○ 63% have a great deal or some confidence.
○ 27% have not much or no confidence.
○ Net: +36.

● Chicago Teachers Union (CTU)

○ 46% have a great deal or some confidence.
○ 39% have not much or no confidence.
○ Net: +7.
○ CPS parents are more likely to report a great deal/some confidence (54%) compared to non-parents (44%).

● Members of the Chicago Board of Education

○ 43% have a great deal or some confidence.
○ 37% have not much or no confidence.
○ 19% are unsure.
○ CPS parents have more confidence (54% great deal/some) in the Board than do non-parents (39% great deal/some)
○ CPS parents have less uncertainty (12%) than non-parents (21%)

● Mayor Brandon Johnson

○ 35% have a great deal or some confidence.
○ 55% have not much or no confidence.
○ Net: –20.

● Interim CPS CEO / Superintendent Macquline King

○ 30% have a great deal or some confidence.
○ 33% have not much or no confidence.
○ 36% are unsure.
○ 40% of non-parents report uncertainty, compared to 22% of CPS parents.
○ Most parents (57%) report not much / some confidence, compared to non-parents (40%)

* Methodology…

● Study target population: Adults age 18+ living in the City of Chicago.
● Completed interviews: 1,361
● Sample units: 2,887
● Eligibility: Expected 100%; observed 100%.
● Field period: September 16–29, 2025
● Median survey duration: 15 minutes
● Margin of error: ±3.73 percentage points, with a design effect of 1.97.

The survey was conducted using a probability-based sample and weighted to be representative of Chicago’s adult population by age, race/ethnicity, gender, and geography. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding. […]

“CPS parents” are defined as respondents who reported “Yes” to the question, “Are you a parent or guardian of a student currently enrolled in Chicago Public Schools (CPS)?” “Non-parents” are defined as those who responded “No” to this question.