Grundy Reporter

On May 15, hundreds of members from the Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU) took a taxpayer-funded day off to rally at the Capitol, demanding an additional $1 billion in state funding for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). This action drew criticism as it necessitated significant expenditure on substitute teachers, while also covering the salaries of the CTU members who journeyed to Springfield.

Republican lawmakers responded by holding a press conference to underscore the unique funding CPS receives that is not extended to other schools in the state facing more severe financial challenges. Under the Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) model, school districts are categorized into a four-tier system with Tier One school districts identified as those with the greatest need for new state funding to adequately educate their students. Since this funding formula was passed and supplemented with additional state support, CPS has already advanced to Tier 2.

State Senator Sue Rezin pointed out that CPS has received a disproportionate share of the state’s education resources for many years through special carve-outs and unique grants. She cited examples such as hundreds of millions from the Chicago Block Grant that was incorporated into the CPS base as part of the formula.

Republican lawmakers also criticized CTU's demands given Illinois' tight budget year. They claimed that both the Chicago Mayor and CTU members are disregarding fiscal realities Illinois faces in formulating its Fiscal Year 2025 budget. Members of the Senate Republican Caucus pledged to continue advocating for taxpayers and ensuring equal funding for schools throughout Illinois.