Chicago Public Schools Removes Furloughs from Budget Proposal Amid Community Pushback
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has announced the removal of proposed staff furloughs from its budget for the 2026-27 school year. This decision comes ahead of a crucial budget vote by the Chicago Board of Education. Initially, CPS had planned for five furlough days starting in January, affecting all staff on days when students were not in school. However, following feedback from the community, board members, and unions, CPS revised its revenue assumptions to avoid these unpaid days off. The district plans to increase its projection of TIF surplus dollars by $85 million to $285 million to cover the budget gap. The change has been welcomed by unions, including SEIU Local 73, which had demanded revisions to prevent furloughs. 
