Home rule is under threat again. This time it's different.
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Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Paul Vallas: CPS budget is responsible, but avoids structural fixes
Chicago Public Schools interim CEO Macquline King has presented the most responsible budget possible under current conditions, especially considering the strong influence of the Chicago Teachers Union and a mayor committed to prioritizing union interests over all other considerations. King's plan solidly protects local school funding without worsening the district's immediate financial health. However, it disappointingly avoids structural fixes — guaranteeing Chicago will face a similar budget crisis next year. The plan clearly elevates CTU priorities above student needs. CPS' budget presentation balances the 2026 budget with the following measures: The district will continue to receive 56% of all property revenues paid by city residents and business while the city will provide the district with almost $1.1 billion in additional subsidies. This includes at least $557 million in the dedicated teacher pension city property tax levy, $379 million in TIF property tax windfall and almost $100 million in debt service on school district capital bonds. The district's budget materials understate a significant increase in property tax revenues. While the district claims deficit progress, its own projections show future budget holes growing — even assuming the property levy is raised to its legal cap limit each year. To her credit, the CEO has proposed hundreds of millions of cuts, but the larger question remains: How will CPS resolve future budget shortfalls? The oft-repeated claim — CPS needs $1 billion more in state funding for adequacy — is simply not supported by facts. CPS spends $30,000 per student, more than the state average, but delivers poorer results. Despite cuts, staff levels in the new budget are 16% higher than in 2019, while student enrollment has dropped 8.5%. The proposed staffing ratio is now one position per seven students — a troubling inefficiency. Meanwhile, the district spends $100 million yearly on 20 near empty schools and wants to spend $1 billion on capital improvements. Despite the 20 schools averaging one employee per four students, just one in 10 kids read at grade level, and in several, it's zero. At the same time the campaign to close public charter schools or convert to CTU member district schools will drive up costs of those schools. On the academic side the proposed $10.2 billion budget will further reduce standards and accountability that will deny poor families alternatives. Meanwhile, CPS continues to shift away from student-based budgeting in favor of the CTU-backed 'Sustainable Community School Model,' which prioritizes not enrollment but perceived needs regardless of outcomes. The district is set to increase its current 20 'community schools' to 70 under this model despite the existing such schools lagging the district average by most measures including academic proficiency and attendance. King is doing her best under enormous pressure, but record-sized union contracts and inefficient CTU-driven policies continue to drive up costs and degrade both the quantity and quality of educational choices. The budget sustains CTU priorities at the expense of needed reforms, deeper efficiencies and, ultimately, the interests of Chicago's students.
Time Magazine
3 days ago
- Time Magazine
More Than 100 Arrested Since Trump's D.C. Takeover
Authorities have arrested more than 100 people in Washington, D.C. since President Donald Trump took control of the city's police force this week, a White House official tells TIME. Trump's federal intervention in the nation's capital represents an unusual assertion of presidential authority under the D.C. Home Rule Act that has long afforded the city a greater degree of self-governance. Sixty-six arrests took place over the first two nights of the operation, and 45 occurred Wednesday night. The White House official says that reasons for the latest arrests include a warrant for first and second degree assault, distribution of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, carrying a concealed weapon, assaulting a federal officer, and undocumented immigrants who had a final order of removal. Of the 45 people who were arrested on Wednesday night, 29 were undocumented immigrants, according to the official, underscoring the operation's reach into immigration enforcement, which has alarmed civil rights advocates and residents. More than 1,650 officers were involved in the operation on Wednesday night, the official says, up from 1,450 officers the previous night. As of Wednesday, around 30 National Guard troops were on the ground in D.C., though the Trump Administration has said up to 800 could be deployed to assist law enforcement officers. As of Wednesday, around 30 National Guard troops were on the ground in D.C., though the Trump Administration has said up to 800 could be deployed to assist law enforcement officers. The official notes that National Guard troops are not currently making arrests themselves. The federal government's aggressive intervention in the nation's capital has angered many city residents. Last night, more than 100 people protested a vehicle checkpoint that authorities set up in their neighborhood, shouting phrases at officers such as, 'Go home, fascists' and 'Get off our streets,' according to NBC4 Washington. Read More: Trump Took Over the D.C. Police. He Can't Do It In Other Cities, Legal Experts Say Authorities have shifted to a round-the-clock operation, marking a sharp change in strategy from previous patrols that took place in the evening hours. The official adds that authorities are now doing so-called proactive targeting; rather than broadly patrolling public spaces, authorities are now focusing on known issues, such as warrants. For instance, the official says authorities are targeting wanted gang members, drug dealers, and street corners where authorities believe criminal activity is taking place. The arrests come after Trump on Monday declared a public safety emergency in D.C., citing 'violent crime.' He invoked a rare provision of the D.C. Home Rule Act of 1973, allowing the President to take control of the city's police department for up to 30 days in 'conditions of an emergency nature.' After 30 days, both chambers of Congress have to enact into law a joint resolution to extend the operation. The move sparked backlash from Democrats, many of whom have pointed out that data show that violent crime in the city is down significantly. Violent crime in the nation's capital is down by 26% so far in 2025 compared to 2024, according to recent city police data. And in 2024, total violent crime in D.C. dropped to 'the lowest it has been in over 30 years,' the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia said in January. When asked about the city's crime statistics on Thursday, Trump told reporters that D.C.'s crime data 'are under investigation right now' and accused the city of 'giving us phony crime stats.' 'Washington, D.C. is at its worst point, and it will soon be at its best point,' the President said. 'You're going to have a very safe, you're going to have a crime free city. I mean, I say that—virtually a crime-free city.' —With reporting by Nik Popli
Axios
4 days ago
- Axios
CPS chief bucks mayor on $200M loan
Interim CPS CEO Macquline King has presented a budget that defies Mayor Brandon Johnson on taking out a $200 million loan and hedges on covering a city pension payment — issues that led to the firing of her predecessor Pedro Martinez. Why it matters: When King was appointed interim CEO/superintendent, many assumed she'd act as a proxy for the mayor, who'd been her city hall boss since 2023 and wants CPS to cover the city pension payment, in part, by taking out a loan. The big picture: Forgoing the loan could save taxpayers millions. And King's move to make the pension payment contingent on additional state support or TIF funding could attract more money to the district. Some who rallied near or spoke at the Wednesday CPS board meeting where King was presenting the plan applauded the moves as ways to help the district's financial health. What they're saying: "It looks like our superintendent is not a rubber stamp superintendent," elected school board member Che "Rhymefest" Smith told Chalkbeat this week. "She heard the community loud and clear." The other side: When asked about loan concerns on Tuesday Johnson snapped, "No parent has ever come up to me and asked that question, not one. This is about the long-term solvency and sustainability of a school district that overwhelmingly services working people, overwhelmingly brown and Black." He called CPS debt, "a focal point for a couple of people." Reality check: At a CPS public budget meeting last month, many attendees expressed shock that the district spends $800 million a year in debt payments and they strongly advised against adding to that burden. Between the lines: Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union are calling on state lawmakers to pony up more cash for the district. They point to a state funding formula program, aimed at providing 90% adequate funding by 2027, that suggests a fully funded CPS would need $1.6 billion in additional state support. But even if the state approved more funding in the veto session, it would come too late for this budget process. What's next: The 21-member CPS board — with 11 members appointed by Johnson — must review and approve a budget by Aug. 28.
