Good morning, Chicago.
Facing mounting demands from the Chicago Teachers Union to finalize a new collective bargaining agreement, Chicago Public Schools officials say they don’t have the revenue to meet many of the union’s asks.
In a media briefing yesterday, CPS laid out the district’s financial priorities and sticking points in negotiations with the 30,000-member union. They claim that meeting all of CTU’s proposals would cost them $10 billion in new spending over the course of the four-year contract, and $2.2 billion for the first year alone.
In contrast, they estimate that their proposal would cost just $140 million for the first year, and far less for the full four-year timeframe.
CPS faces a deficit of around $500 million in each of the next five years, and ongoing debate has revolved around whether funding shortfalls should prevent the district from obliging CTU’s hundreds of proposals — which range from 9% cost of living raises to providing fully staffed libraries and art, music and sports programs in every school. The union’s contract would require hiring around 14,000 additional staffers, according to Chief Budget Officer Mike Sitkowski.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Sarah Macaraeg and Nell Salzman.
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