Chicago's Education: A Year of Struggles and Changes

Immigration Crackdowns and School Absenteeism

Chicago's schools faced significant challenges this year due to immigration crackdowns. Many Latino schools reported fewer students attending, and a false alarm about immigration agents caused widespread panic at one school. When the government launched Operation Midway Blitz, schools had to step up to support affected families.

Financial Troubles and Budget Cuts

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) faced severe financial difficulties. The school board approved a massive budget to cover a substantial deficit, leading to major changes, including the entire school board stepping down and the former CEO's departure. The final budget avoided a large loan but relied on additional tax revenue. Despite these measures, the district still faces financial strain. Teachers received a new contract, but it will be costly over the next few years. A report also revealed that spending on travel doubled post-pandemic.

Higher Education Challenges

Higher education institutions also struggled. Northwestern University lost significant research funding, resulting in job cuts and the resignation of its president. The university had to pay a hefty fine to regain the funding. Other Illinois schools faced difficulties due to a decline in international students and changes to student loan policies.

Government Changes and Discrimination Complaints

The government made substantial changes to the Education Department, impacting Chicago-area schools. Many discrimination complaints went unanswered, and remaining staff focused on cases aligning with the government's agenda, such as investigating a plan to support Black students.

Superintendent Salaries Under Scrutiny

A review of superintendent salaries revealed surprising disparities. Some suburban superintendents earned more than the former CPS CEO, despite overseeing much smaller districts. One superintendent in a low-performing district earned the highest salary in the state, raising questions about how superintendent pay is determined.