Chicago Public Schools

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Confronting CPS’ Deficit and Structural Issues

The following is testimony delivered by Civic Federation President Joe Ferguson to the Illinois House Executive Committee at a July 31, 2025 hearing on Chicago Public Schools' finances. The original testimony has been edited slightly for…

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Understanding the Components of CPS’ FY2026 Projected Structural Deficit

This report is part of a three-part educational series on what's at stake for CPS in FY2026 and beyond. Click here to view the one-page summary…

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How Chicago Public Schools' Pensions Work: An Explainer

By Daniel Vesecky The Chicago Public Schools District (CPS, or the ‘District’) has over 45,000 employees, all of whom are guaranteed a pension after retirement if they…

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A Brief History of the Chicago School Finance Authority

This report is part of a three-part educational series on what's at stake for CPS in FY2026 and beyond. Click here to view the one-page summary…

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Chicago Public Schools: Building Underutilization

By Lucas Freitag and Daniel VeseckyThe recent Civic Federation Financial Landscape Analysis of the Chicago Public School District highlights a long-term issue for the…

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Chicago Public Schools’ Reserves and Cash Flow Issues, Explained

By Daniel Vesecky As contract negotiations between the Chicago Public School District (CPS or the “District”) and the Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU) continue, how to pay for the increases in salaries and other contract demands remains…

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Financial Landscape Analysis of the Chicago Public School District: FY2025

January 2026 update: This landscape report remains a largely accurate picture of the challenges facing the Chicago Public School District. However, for the most updated data and numbers, please see…

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Civic Federation Analyzes Chicago Public Schools' Troubling Financial Landscape and Offers Board of Education Multiple Paths Forward

January 2026 update: This landscape report remains a largely accurate picture of the challenges facing the Chicago Public School District. However, for the most updated data and numbers, please see…

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Chicago Public Schools FY2025 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

Click here to read the full report.

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Civic Federation: Chicago Public Schools' Proposed FY2025 Budget Only a Temporary Fix

CPS’ FY2025 proposed budget is incomplete at a time when the District faces enormous fiscal challenges both in the short-term, due to unsettled teacher contracts, and in the long-term given next year’s even-larger fiscal deficit. CPS must…