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Since my name was used in the debate…

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* Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez and Caise D. Hassan writing in the Tribune…

State funding for CPS has decreased as a share of total funding. According to Chalkbeat Chicago, CPS’ share of funding from Illinois, based on the state’s evidence-based funding (EBF) formula, dropped from 24% to 21%. Even government watchdog Rich Miller, in an article critical of Johnson, estimates CPS should receive under the EBF law $503 million of the withheld funds.

Way to twist my words there, folks. I never said CPS “should” receive that money. Also, zero state funds are being “withheld.” That’s just a ridiculous thing to say.

* But first, let’s go to the Chalkbeat article…

Chicago gets about 21% of the funding distributed through the state’s evidence-based formula — which allocates money to districts based on their students’ needs — but serves about 18% of Illinois’ students, said State Superintendent Tony Sanders.

“I think it’s important to note that we still have districts that are below what Chicago was funded,” Sanders said.

Data show 49 Illinois districts are still below 70% adequately funded, compared to 72 districts last year and 430 districts in 2018, right after the state’s funding formula was revamped. Chicago is considered 79% adequately funded. […]

CPS’s budget includes a total of $2.6 billion in state funding.

CPS is getting a slightly lower percentage of EBF money because the district moved up a tier on its adequate funding levels. That’s actually good news.

* Now, from my column…

According to the Illinois State Board of Education, if the state had decided last fiscal year to just all of a sudden abandon the funding “ramp” and immediately reach 90% adequacy, the total state cost would’ve been $2.5 billion.

Of that $2.5 billion, the ISBE says, Chicago would’ve received $503 million, less than half the $1.1 billion that Mayor Johnson claims the state owes.

So, where does the $1.1 billion number come from? According to the state board, that amount would’ve been owed to Chicago last fiscal year if the state immediately funded schools at 100% of their adequacy levels. However, the board points out that 100% funding is not in state law, despite what the mayor is saying.

Again, that $505 million for CPS would require an immediate outlay of $2.5 billion for all schools. And that’s base spending, not one-time.

* Back to the op-ed…

Gov. JB Pritzker, who sent his children to private schools in Chicago, rejected Johnson’s request that Springfield release $1.1 billion in funds earmarked for CPS. Pritzker smacked CPS from the bully pulpit, saying that the General Assembly should not throw more money at a financial mess — a mess his wealthy circle, as we shall argue, created.

That’s not what he said, but whatever. He can defend himself. But they blast a guy for sending his kids to private school while the president of the Chicago Teachers Union has a kid in private school? Puh-leaze.

* Again, to the op-ed…

Pritzker and former Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s billionaire peers on Wall Street dug this huge hole in CPS’ finances. These bankers introduced “toxic swaps” and other outrageous debt instruments to CPS as an alternative method of funding to traditional municipal bonds. These ended up costing Chicagoans billions more in interest than the traditional offerings.

I can think of a very uncharitable way to read their little “analysis,” especially considering some of the alderperson’s past statements, but I won’t go there.

* One more excerpt…

Pritzker should collaborate with Johnson, the General Assembly and the new school board to improve our schools. The rhetoric about taking over CPS is unproductive and beyond the state’s authority.

Literally nobody is talking about a state take-over of CPS.

* From the Pritzker administration…

Governor Pritzker shares the belief that a well funded public school system is critical to the success of our state. That’s why, to date, his administration has increased funding for CPS by 14%. That number jumps to 16.6% when accounting for estimated FY25 investments. Overall, during that time, the administration has increased funding for EBF by $1.8 billion. We look forward to further discussions next Spring when, in partnership with the General Assembly, Governor Pritzker will continue to make responsible decisions, investment in public schools across the state, and balance our seventh straight budget.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 1:49 pm

Comments

Wow. Thanks for breaking it all down. I wish the op Ed authors, BJ and company would dial down the gaslighting and start dealing with the facts. It’s frightening.
Of the many highlights of your post this one takes the cake:
But they blast a guy for sending his kids to private school while the president of the Chicago Teachers Union has a kid in private school? Puh-leaze.

Comment by 44 Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 1:59 pm
I know I am probably stating the obvious, but this entire debate is just about making Gov. Pritzker kowtow to CTU and their allies. It is really sick.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 2:03 pm
They keep doubling down on the same arguments, no matter how poorly they have been received. It’s Trumpian. They may be energizing their base, but they will not attract any new supporters.

The mayor is getting everyone against him now. People may support what he is trying to do, but no one wants to help the Mayor. The City council is seemingly going out of their way just to embarrass him.

I would think most other politicians would rethink heading to London for a Bears game while fires are burning out of control back home (fires that he started) but this mayor really likes playing Mayor (show up to ribbon cuttings, wear NASCAR suits, be the face of this world-class city). He just doesn’t like doing the duties of a mayor.

Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 2:22 pm
“op Ed authors … gaslighting and start dealing with the facts …”

Those are mutually exclusive and incongruent ideas.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 2:27 pm
With friends like Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, who needs enemies?

These attacks on people whose help you need are profoundly unhelpful.

Comment by OneOpinion Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 2:28 pm
Hey Alderman Sigcho-Lopez:I know you’re a rookie at this governing thing, but

It’s usually better to back up any argument with some actually true statements.

It’s always better to avoid creating enemies before asking them for more money.

Unless of course your only goal is to look good to your friends.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 2:29 pm
I’m pretty disappointed in Sigcho-Lopez. I thought he had some thoughtful positions during the Lightfoot administration, didn’t think he would be this much of a hack for the Johnson administration.

Pointing the finger at the most progressive governor in my lifetime for the city’s failures is lazy and dishonest.

Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 2:43 pm
Why would IGA chief Kennedy allow this op-ed to be published? You’re going into veto session and one of the mayor’s strongest allies is blasting the state leader? The most popular elected in the state?

Rookie mistake after rookie mistake.

Comment by TruthTeller Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 2:44 pm
I’m still not understanding how going to war with Pritzker is going to help Johnson achieve his goals. It seems like they haven’t thought this through.

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 2:51 pm
Wow, talk about some loaded, dishonest language. Newsflash: The state is not “withholding” $503M in funds from CPS. It’s not like the money is sitting there and the state is preventing it from going to Chicago. Likewise, there is no $1.1B in funds “earmarked” for CPS in the formula and so no way for the governor to “reject” the request to release those funds.

Comment by Lagertha's Shield Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 3:00 pm
==I’m still not understanding how going to war with Pritzker is going to help Johnson achieve his goals. It seems like they haven’t thought this through.==

Precisely. They don’t have a clue. Just like Ald Jeannettr Taylor said, they don’t belong on the 5th Floor. Mind you, Taylor is a Johnson ally.

Comment by low level Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 3:04 pm
==Rookie mistake after rookie mistake.==

Very true, but we shouldn’t insult rookies like that.

Comment by low level Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 3:06 pm
The ongoing parallels between this “strategy” and the Trump strategy are frightening. Say whatever you want, doesn’t matter if it’s true. Blame other people for your missteps. Bully and attack anyone who dares to open their mouth to question the leader, including the press. Incite hateful rhetoric from your supporters. Jeopardize the well-being of the very communities you claim to care about. Double-down and then triple-down on losing tactics because who the hell is anyone else to tell you what losing looks like. Repeat as necessary, and it’s always necessary.

Comment by Who else Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 3:08 pm
Going to war with elected officials is what the CTU does. They’ve had to set their sights on Pritzker as the mayor is now an ally instead of a foe. But the calculus in going after the governor is quite different. And to Pritzker’s credit he’s done a masterful job of dealing with the issue.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 3:13 pm
@Walker +1

=Even government watchdog Rich Miller=

Better than being called a government “watchcat” all day long.

With regard to the investment piece- so these were not adults making decisions? Good to know.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 3:23 pm
Evidenced-based funding has ruined so many minds on the true goal: educating kids. Student outcome is all that matters. If the money isn’t yielding improved learning reflected in improved test scores, then the money’s not fulfilling its intent.

All this talk of giving CPS hundreds of millions of dollars yet no mention of accountability. There are plenty of schools in the district with embarrassingly dismal reading and math scores. What exactly is an extra 25% of funding going to do in those schools that the original 75% didn’t accomplish?

And when CPS funding reaches 100% and 3 out of 4 kids still aren’t proficient in reading and math, what then?

Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 3:41 pm
Dumb.

Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 3:49 pm
- Even government watchdog Rich Miller -

The thorn exists to protect the Rose.

Comment by Dotnonymous x Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 3:54 pm
On the day first of his trip to Japan, on Monday the Governor announced a deal with medical diagnostic product-maker Sysmex America Inc., which is headquartered in Lincolnshire. Sysmex will invest $20.6M in northeastern Illinois to create 110 more jobs and retain 550 others.

Mayor, the marker has been placed. What will you bring back from London ?

Comment by Minnie Pearl Jam Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 3:59 pm
Mayor Johnson, raise your Chicago school taxes to fund your teachers’ pay increases. Your school taxes are low compared to the collar counties.

Comment by Dupage Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 4:46 pm
=== Mayor, the marker has been placed. What will you bring back from London ? ===

A hangover

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Oct 9, 24 @ 6:22 pm