In financial maneuver, Mayor Brandon Johnson finds millions for Chicago Public Schools – Chicago Sun-Times

Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks during a press conference at Funston Elementary School, 2010 N. Central Park Ave., on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. | Zubaer Khan/Sun-TimesSources close to the board say that they expect CPS to get more than $500 million out of the City's special taxing districts, called TIFs. Because this is one-time funding, they say that they plan to turn their attention to the state to get more sustainable longterm funding.
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Waggs
7 months ago

The money will be funneled into some new long-term plan, and then CTU will be able to have a temper tantrum to try and keep those funds rolling in. Strike threat, then magic money appears.

Deb
7 months ago

CPS needs to close underutilized schools and lay off the staff associated with those schools. No more money until CPS stands up to CTU, behaves financially responsibly, and student test scores go up. CPS needs to focus on improving education, not far left ideology.

Barbara Brun
7 months ago

Is this really going to the schools or to the CTU.?

PPF
7 months ago
Reply to  Barbara Brun

Schools and their expenses. CTU doesn’t get money from the city as it comes from its employees.

Mark F
7 months ago

Accounting that would make Bernie Madoff blush.

MsT
7 months ago

It is remarkable how money can just appear and be shifted to CPS when the City’s own website says: TIF Funds are used to build and repair roads and infrastructure, clean polluted land and put vacant properties back to productive use, usually in conjunction with private development projects. Funds are generated by growth in the Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) of properties within a designated district over a 23-year period. Giving TIF money to CPS is not a listed purpose and does nothing to create economic prosperity in the city–only in the CTU, the Mayor’s home team. Does anyone really know… Read more »

Kwyjibo
7 months ago
Reply to  MsT

There is a provision that allows the city to recapture the surplus tax revenue if it hasn’t been allocated towards any projects within the TIF district. Since TIF districts sweep up all the excess tax revenue from all the taxing authorities, when this surplus is declared it must be paid back to each taxing authority based on their share of the tax revenue generated. Hence why it is not listed as an spending option on the city’s website. I believe CPS is roughly half of your tax bill, so they will get roughly half the surplus returned. The number is… Read more »

Call my shrink
7 months ago

Like putting a band aid on a bullet hole. Read the state Pinhead. They have no intention of bailing out an overstaffed under serving CPS

Last edited 7 months ago by Call my shrink
Brian Jones
7 months ago

Government panhandling

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