Teachers, unions and parents urge board to avoid cuts to classrooms and oppose risky borrowing or pension reimbursement without new revenue

Summary

Union leaders, teachers, parents and aldermen used the Aug. 19 FY26 budget hearing to urge the Chicago Board of Education to protect classroom staff and services, oppose city‑pension reimbursement unless covered by new funds, and press Springfield and City Hall to tax wealthier residents and provide sustainable revenue.

A steady stream of union leaders, teachers, parents and elected officials urged the Chicago Board of Education Aug. 19 to protect classroom positions and student services and to avoid midyear cuts, risky borrowing or reimbursing the city for non‑teacher pensions unless new, dedicated revenue is secured.

Jackson Potter, vice president of the Chicago Teachers Union, said the budget choices have real human consequences and singled out the municipal pension reimbursement debate. "Some of the people advocating the strongest for, hey, don't make that payment to the lowest paid Black and brown women in the system for their pensions, are the same people who have banks on their boards," Potter said, arguing the district should pursue aggressive revenue and legal strategies rather than shift costs onto workers and students.

Jen Conant, CTU charter division chair, told the board that CPS must "mitigate negative…

Teachers, unions and parents urge board to avoid cuts to classrooms and oppose risky borrowing or pension reimbursement without new revenue

Summary

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