Civic Federation Criticizes Chicago Board of Education Over CPS Budget Amendment (Chicago, IL) – The Civic Federation is criticizing the Chicago Board of Education after it approved an amendment to the Chicago Public Schools budget that assumes $150 million in additional state funding that has not been approved or identified.
In a statement released Thursday, Civic Federation President Joe Ferguson said the board’s decision departed from sound budgeting principles by relying on speculative revenue to balance the district’s finances.
“Sound budgeting, and the law, require reliable, fact-based revenue projections,” Ferguson said. “By approving an amendment that assumes $150 million in additional State funding that has neither been approved nor identified, the Chicago Board of Education abandoned those principles.”
Ferguson said the organization was “deeply disappointed” that the board rejected what he described as the fiscally responsible approach presented by Chicago Public Schools leadership.
According to the Civic Federation, the board’s action creates unnecessary financial uncertainty by depending on revenue that has not yet been secured.
The organization also voiced support for the district’s chief executive officer, who objected to the amendment.
“We strongly support the CEO’s objection to this amendment and commend her commitment to presenting a budget grounded in realistic financial assumptions,” Ferguson said.
The Civic Federation warned that if the anticipated state funding does not materialize, Chicago Public Schools could be forced to make mid-year budget reductions, including layoffs, while delaying longer-term financial reforms.
“By adopting a budget that relies on uncertain State revenue, the Board has increased the District’s financial risk,” Ferguson said. “If these funds do not materialize, CPS will likely need to enact mid-year cuts and layoffs and further delay the long-term reforms needed to restore the District’s financial stability.”
Ferguson concluded that students and their families would ultimately bear the consequences if the projected funding fails to become available.
The statement comes after the Chicago Board of Education approved the amended CPS budget despite concerns raised by the Civic Federation over the use of unconfirmed state funding to close a budget gap.
Civic Federation Criticizes Chicago Board of Education Over CPS Budget Amendment
