Chicago: School budget to add thousand SPED staff members

July 30, 2026, CBS News: Chicago Public Schools budget vote scheduled for Thursday - CBS Chicago

The Chicago Board of Education is gearing up to vote on a budget plan worth almost $10 billion.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Dr. Macquline King sent a letter home to parents outlining the stakes of Thursday's vote. 

She says the budget must pass to avoid a shutdown.

Dr. King went on to explain that CPS won't be able to make the first round of payroll without an approved budget. The district can't access short-term financing without a finalized spending plan.

CPS needs a loan because funds expected from Cook County property tax collections are delayed.

However, on Thursday, the Cook County Treasurer's Office confirmed it sent $33.3M to the Chicago Board of Education with "more money coming." . . .

This budget uses layoffs, some salary freezes, and more to fill a $732 million hole.

A few key components of the $9.96 billion spending plan on the table include cuts to more than 1,600 positions, including over 700 teachers, and increases student-teacher ratios by one child. 

The budget also adds a thousand special education staff members, keeps individual school budgets flat, and includes $143 million in raises. . . .