CHICAGO — As Chicago Public Schools (CPS) grapples with a ballooning $529 million budget shortfall, officials are weighing the controversial option of delaying key provisions in the newly ratified contract with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) — a move that’s already igniting strong union backlash and legal threats.
Staffing Gains at Risk as CPS Seeks Cuts
At a recent school board briefing, CPS leaders floated the idea of postponing the hiring of librarians, nurses, and classroom support staff—two major victories the CTU secured in its April labor deal. The delay could save the district up to $70 million, according to an internal CPS budget document shared with the board, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
In response, the CTU issued a letter labeling the proposal “vindictive sabotage” and warned it would trigger legal action if implemented. “Contracts are not optional documents,” the union wrote. “They are covenants that provide security for district employees and promises to students.”
$300 Million Ask from City and State Goes Unmet
CPS’s financial pressures intensified after state lawmakers passed a budget without allocating new funds to the district. WBEZ previously reported that district officials had requested $300 million in additional city and state revenue, warning that without it, school-level and departmental cuts would be inevitable.
In the absence of new funding, CPS forecasts cuts of:
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$254 million from school-level budgets
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$271 million from central CPS departments
Outgoing CEO Pedro Martínez has resisted calls for short-term borrowing to close the deficit, citing fiscal risk. He was reportedly dismissed partly for opposing a loan, according to WBEZ.
Union, Principals Brace for Staffing Chaos
If enacted, the rollback would directly affect school operations this fall. Hundreds — possibly thousands — of staff, particularly support workers represented by SEIU Local 73, could face layoffs. The union has already mobilized members to flood board inboxes urging them not to balance the budget “on the backs of low-income Black and Latino workers,” notes the Chicago Sun-Times.
Meanwhile, school principals remain in limbo, with no clear guidance on fall staffing. “Nobody wants to make cuts and nobody wants to give us more money,” one anonymous board member told the outlet.
Board Member Blasts CPS for ‘Bad Faith’
Board member Debby Pope criticized district leaders, noting they were aware of budget challenges during negotiations. “Nothing has changed that they wouldn’t have known,” she said. “I wonder how CPS ever intended to honor those commitments.”
The CTU has made it clear: if the district follows through, a court battle is likely to follow.
Do you believe CPS should delay contract promises to fix its budget? Tell us your thoughts in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
