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Chicago Board highlights historic TIF proposal and presses for school safety steps amid increased federal enforcement
Summary
The Chicago Board of Education praised a mayoral proposal to direct a historic TIF surplus to schools and pressed district leaders to expand safety measures and communication after a recent spike in federal enforcement activity near schools; board members asked staff to report on signage, safe passage and remote-learning limits.
President Sean B. Hardin opened the Oct. 23 meeting by welcoming board members and noting a mayoral proposal that would direct an unprecedented tax-increment financing (TIF) surplus to Chicago Public Schools.
"Through a historic tax increment financing surplus, the mayor is proposing over a half $1,000,000,000 in TIF surplus to fund and support the education of our students," President Hardin said, describing the proposal as an "unprecedented investment." Board members and union leaders urged the board and city council to ensure those dollars are used to support safe passage, social-emotional supports and community schools.
The meeting quickly turned to safety after members described an increase in federal enforcement activity in neighborhoods including Little Village, Pilsen and Brighton Park. Board members repeatedly urged the district to expand signage, deploy more safe-passage workers and improve two-way communications between the CPS command center and elected board members.
"If you see that there are policies that need to be put in place, we will respond," Interim Superintendent Dr. King said, describing a district command center that meets twice daily to triage responses and provide resources to school leaders. He said CPS is providing "real time assistance to dozens of schools" and coordinating with city public-safety leaders and labor partners.
Several board members asked whether the district can authorize remote learning in affected neighborhoods. Dr. King and Chief Counsel/CEO staff clarified that the district does not have unilateral authority to call districtwide remote learning; that authority rests with the state governor or a declared state of emergency. Carmona said CPS is preparing an emergency remote-learning plan but said the governor must authorize a districtwide switch to remote instruction.
Board members pressed for clearer, faster information sharing from the command center so elected members can activate local supports. "For board members to be able to activate our networks and do the work that we need to do, we need to know what is happening," one member said.
The board adopted a series of routine procurement and personnel items and voted to adopt RS1, a resolution the board said strengthens protections for school-based custodial workers. The meeting recessed for 30 minutes before resuming for presentations and votes.
What happens next: board members asked staff to provide a report on signage installation status, gate-closure practices and command-center communications; the board also requested details about options and legal constraints for remote instruction in emergencies.
