The recent hearing convened by state representative Curtis Tarver raised significant concerns regarding the financial health of Chicago Public Schools (CPS).
Instead of providing solutions for the district’s troubling finances, the hearing served as a platform for criticism of CPS leadership, notably Mayor Johnson.
Tarver’s focus on the district’s shortcomings seemed to overshadow the pressing need for legislative action to address the school system’s financial drought.
This session unfolded amidst alarming statistics: while the district continues to face layoffs and shortages in essential resources for students, Illinois’ wealthiest 5 percent are benefiting from massive tax cuts totaling $8 billion within the state’s recent budget.
In addition, the state’s budget includes $10 billion in tax breaks favoring tech corporations and the ultra-wealthy, culminating in a staggering $18 billion in giveaways that could wipe out CPS’s $1.2 billion funding gap more than 15 times over.
The current climate starkly contrasts with the needs of working families who are striving for a balanced approach to education that includes not only adequate funding but also sustainable community support, illustrating societal shifts from previous years.
Despite the urgent financial realities, many politicians appear disengaged from actively debating solutions that can ensure both smaller class sizes and more secure retirement plans.
The funding crisis became even more pronounced as CPS lacks critical roles such as librarians and art teachers, and students are deprived of basic educational supplies.
The same lawmakers who question why schools are struggling simultaneously prioritize tax breaks over vital educational funding.
In response to the hearing, interim CPS CEO Macquline King and Board President Sean Harden, along with board members Debby Pope and Michiela Blaise, emphasized the need to secure the funding that the district rightfully deserves, asserting that no funding cuts are acceptable.
Conversely, board members Jenny Custer and Ellen Rosenfeld appeared to revive controversial strategies associated with former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, suggesting that the state government and legislature may seek reasons to overlook legal requirements for full funding of CPS.
At the hearing, dedicated members of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), such as CPS parent and teacher Deja Tillman, shared poignant testimonies about the depressing state of school libraries—well-stocked with books but void of librarians.
Tillman also highlighted a troubling $90,000 deficit in state funding needed for her classroom serving 24 students.
CTU Financial Secretary Dr. Diane Castro emphasized that Illinois, a state with a Democratic supermajority, must translate its political representation into meaningful action for educational investment.
However, Joe Ferguson has emerged as an advocate for what the CTU dubs the “Don’t Fund CPS Billionaire Bros Club,” effectively lobbying against ensuring that the newly formed hybrid Board of Education retains its democratic integrity.
Efforts to expand governor oversight over the nearly $2 billion Chicago Teachers Pension Fund also surfaced amid the discussions, igniting further concerns among educational stakeholders.
Prior to the hearing, members of the CTU, along with allies such as Better Streets Chicago, The People’s Lobby, SEIU Healthcare, IFT Local 4100, and the Cook County College Teachers Union, rallied for full funding for schools, public transit, and essential services.
Dr. Castro took significant steps by presenting letters urging Illinois’ 16 wealthiest individuals to reinvest their tax cuts back into the education system, a move gaining traction among millionaires nationwide.
Citing Massachusetts as a successful model, Dr. Castro referenced the implementation of a millionaire’s tax that generated $2.2 billion in its inaugural year, significantly exceeding expectations and funding universal free school meals, community college access, and transit improvements.
Contrary to fears of millionaire exodus, Massachusetts has witnessed a 38 percent increase in its millionaire population and even established a new initiative, DRIVE (Discovery, Research and Innovation for a Vibrant Economy), aimed at bolstering education infrastructure in the state.
The resounding calls from Illinois voters, evident in two separate ballots that garnered 60 percent support for a millionaire’s tax last November and 64 percent support in 2014, position the state for potential fiscal reform.
With Rep. Tarver’s resolution for a millionaire’s tax still on the table, the current Democratic supermajority should pave the way for strategic implementation of these progressive funding plans.
This raises the question: How can lawmakers conduct hearings to investigate the dire financial situations of local schools while simultaneously supporting policies allowing billionaires to siphon critical resources away from education?
As voiced by veteran educator and CTU member Chanise Stephens during her testimony, the need for courageous action toward investing in education is paramount—failing to do so risks exacerbating issues linked to lost potential and community trauma.
The CTU strives for a promising school year ahead, championing the fight for necessary resources for students while fostering an environment that celebrates and prioritizes educational enrichment.
Following the hearing, the CTU organized a block party aimed at youth engagement, reinforcing the notion that solutions are within reach and highlighting the importance of community involvement in education.
In President Stacy Davis Gates’ closing remarks, she urged that with the political power held by Democratic lawmakers in Illinois, opportunities to enact meaningful changes for equitable funding should be seized.
The stark portrayal of the educational funding crisis presented during the hearing exemplifies the urgent need for a shift in priorities—one that emphasizes student needs over tax breaks for the wealthiest citizens.
The ongoing struggle for fair funding in Chicago’s schools requires unified action from both community members and policymakers to create an environment where resources are equitably distributed and all students can thrive.
image source from：ctulocal1
