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* As I’ve told you before, the only people who believe that a state takeover of the Chicago Public Schools is likely and desirable are Civic Federation President Joe Ferguson and members of the Chicago Tribune editorial board.
This isn’t 1980…
In January 1980, Gov. Jim Thompson hammered out a deal with the city, the Chicago Teachers Union and CPS to have the state essentially take over financial decision-making for Chicago’s public schools. The state was able to borrow on the schools’ behalf and collected new property taxes to finance the debt. The School Finance Authority, created to oversee CPS’ finances, assumed control of CPS budgets and contracting.
State legislators aren’t keen on the idea of being directly responsible for Chicago property tax levies - to say the least.
* More importantly, what the state takeover cheerleaders are ignoring or downplaying is that CPS is now on track to have a fully elected school board after the 2026 elections. And considering the Chicago Teachers Union’s popularity plummet and the union’s many losses during the first round of voting last year, it’s no longer automatically assumed that the union will control an elected majority.
So, why would state legislators, after years of trying to elect that school board, force a state takeover now? It just doesn’t make any sense.
* And Rep. Curtis Tarver, who introduced a state takeover bill last spring, has issued a statement saying he’s finally come to the conclusion that the idea is a non-starter. Politico…
State Rep. Curtis Tarver sees “little appetite” for reinstating the School Finance Authority for funding and reforming Chicago Public Schools. After holding a hearing on the issue, Tarver issued a statement, saying, “I understand there is little appetite, including myself, for a full takeover of CPS. Instead, we must work together on a realistic, collaborative path forward that pairs new investment with clear, student-centered reforms.”
Last Thursday’s House Education Committee hearing—prompted by House Bill 4017, which would reinstate the School Finance Authority—was intended to spark a thoughtful conversation about how best to fund and reform Chicago Public Schools. While reinstating the Authority signaled a willingness to explore state oversight, I understand there is little appetite, including myself, for a full takeover of CPS. Instead, we must work together on a realistic, collaborative path forward that pairs new investment with clear, student-centered reforms.
While a certain organization has only recently highlighted the proposed surcharge to fully fund education, I introduced this initiative in 2019. There has been no engagement or even acknowledgement of this concept until last week’s hearing. Rather than focusing on past (seemingly intentional) oversights, I welcome constructive dialogue with all stakeholders to refine and advance a plan that would provide per-pupil funding across every Illinois district. That is the only realistic path forward in Springfield. A Chicago only solution does not have support. This was what I attempted to convey but a nearly three (3) hour hearing’s substantive conversation was hijacked by an organization for its patently false, borderline risible, tactless social media posts and emails.
My position could not be clearer: I care about all students and all children. I want every child to have the promise of the future through access to a quality education, no matter their zip code
HB 4017
● No State Takeover Needed: I recognize that most stakeholders prefer local governance. My focus is on partnering with CPS and the City of Chicago—rather than supplanting them—to design reforms tied to any additional funding. We also cannot ignore the fact that there was a request for a fully elected school board. The current hybrid model was only requested due to the result of a municipal election. Furthermore, the hybrid model is no different than the past with mayoral control. The board allows for the majority of board members to be appointed by the mayor.
● Statewide Standard: Every other Illinois district follows a legislated equity-based funding formula that guarantees resources flow to the classrooms that need them most.
● CPS Today: Without a binding formula, CPS can—and has—allocated funds unevenly, risking a “blank check” scenario that fails to prioritize our highest-need students.
● My Ask: Before any new state dollars are released, CPS should agree to adopt a clear, outcome-driven funding formula aligned with statewide equity principles. This will reinforce transparency and direct support to literacy programs, teacher staffing, and wrap-around services in predominantly Black and low-income schools.Funding and Reform
To build trust and ensure accountability, I agree with Board Member Ellen Rosenfeld’s proposition of a joint working group of state, city, and CPS representatives. Ideally, I would ask that this group would:
1. Map a Multi-Year Funding Roadmap
○ Set incremental appropriation targets for the next three fiscal years.
○ Align each tranche of new funding with specific reform milestones.2. End Early-Childhood Testing & Remap Boundaries
○ Phase out pre-K and kindergarten entrance exams, which unfairly bar children before they even begin school. In other words, stop testing four (4) year olds for the handful of selective enrollment schools. Especially, when CPS refuses to provide any information about the contents of the test. It is far too subjective and unfair.
○ Complete a neighborhood boundary review— “remapping” —so every child can attend a quality campus nearby without testing barriers. This was CPS’ own resolution from 2005 that it has failed to do. Reviewing school boundaries is an extensive process that allows for maximum public input. Undertaking this would help to ensure resources are provided where they are needed most.3. Adopt an Equity-Based Funding Formula
○ Require CPS to implement a formula that ties dollars to measurable student needs—mirroring models used statewide—and report quarterly on progress to the General Assembly.
4. Publish Transparent Budget Reports
○ Provide detailed line-item budgets at the school and district levels, publicly available and updated on a quarterly basis rather than annually.
Opportunity for Partnership
My intent is not to cast blame, but to learn from past missteps so we never again leave critical needs unaddressed. I value CPS educators and city leaders as indispensable partners. By coupling new investments with these commonsense reforms, we will ensure that every additional state dollar truly reaches the classroom and advances student outcomes.
My Commitment Going Forward
I remain steadfast in my support for increased state funding of Chicago Public Schools—so long as it’s paired with genuine collaboration, accountability, and a laser focus on closing the achievement gaps that disproportionately affect Black and low-income students. I look forward to convening with the Mayor’s office, CPS administration, parents, and community leaders to finalize this partnership framework. I will not waste time with anyone who is not singularly focused on the children and their education.
* Meanwhile, from the Sun-Times…
Chicago is facing a $1.12 billion budget shortfall for 2026. The CTA, Metra and Pace face a $770 million mass transit funding shortfall. And the most immediate financial crisis is confronting Chicago Public Schools, which must find a way to erase a $734 million budget shortfall by the end of the month.
Matt Fabian, a partner at Municipal Market Analytics, said the converging crises raise “the odds for the state to help out.”
“Ultimately, the city’s budget situation is going to have to be fixed by the city and the state. And so the state, having just made it worse — even if it’s required under law — raises the potential for the state to help out the city at least in the near term,” Fabian said. “The state has the ability to raise taxes if it needs to. It can design new taxes. It could increase the income tax. It could find ways to extract more money.”
All school districts in the state were warned not to put their federal pandemic money into their ongoing operating budgets. CPS ignored the advice, which is a huge part of its current mess (along with agreeing to a union contract that it clearly cannot afford).
A Chicago municipal bailout would be unheard of, and next to impossible. Also, municipalities have received a ton of money from other sources in this budget.
Only the transit funding issue has wide, theoretical legislative support,
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 11:44 am
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Mayor Johnson and the CTU continue to to state that more state funding is the solution. They don’t seem to grasp that there will be no state funding to get them out of this mess. They need to accept that reality. It would not surprise me if CPS “balanced” their budget by including non-existent state revenues to fill the budget hole.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 12:01 pm
Why did they base operating budget on funds that were only pandemic-era? Seems they shot themselves in the foot. What’s the point in having so-called financial officers if these outcomes are possible?
Comment by hmmm Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 12:52 pm
Question.
Would a state takeover of CPS be able to immediately close the 50 schools that are operating at less than a third capacity?
Comment by The Farm Grad Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 12:53 pm