A Win for CPS Families: How Parents Helped Stop a $175M Pension Payment and High-Interest CPS Loan
Over nine months, Kids First Chicago and hundreds of parents, civic allies, and partners worked together to stop a $175 million pension payment from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to the City of Chicago and block a $200 million high-interest loan. On August 28, 2025, the Chicago Board of Education adopted a $10.2 billion FY26 budget.
On August 28, 2025, the Chicago Board of Education adopted a $10.2 billion FY26 budget that rejected borrowing and conditioned any pension payment on new revenue. The result: classrooms protected, fiscal stability strengthened, and parents’ voices at the center of a high-stakes decision.
Our Approach
Parents led the way, speaking out through bilingual webinars, petitions, testimony, op-eds, and public events.
Partners added their voices to strengthen the case from financial, governance, educator, labor, and community perspectives.
Media coverage reflected the stakes for students and schools, thanks to persistent parent voices and fact-based contributions from many partners.
Board members heard directly from families and community members throughout the process, making sure decision-makers knew what was at risk for students.
Today, the Board of Education made the right choice by passing Interim Superintendent/CEO Dr. Macquline King’s balanced budget. Despite starting the summer with a $734 million deficit, this budget protects classrooms, avoids borrowing, and keeps students at the center. Parents across Chicago spoke clearly: every dollar belongs in schools, not in City Hall. We thank the Board for listening to families and for standing up for students’ futures.
—Kids First Chicago Statement on Adoption of the CPS 2025-26 Budget
Key Campaign Milestones
Timeline, Impact & Lessons Learned
Spring 2025: Blocking a flawed budget amendment
A bilingual webinar in March drew 120+ attendees; live polling showed 95% opposed to CPS making the payment.
Parents shared their perspectives through op-eds, letters, and testimony.
A summary of an independent financial review clarified that making the payment to the city required either deep cuts or new debt.
With strong community opposition, the budget amendment was pulled before a Board vote.
Summer 2025: Despite steep odds, parents and partners persisted
Parent petitions surpassed 400 signatures, a July webinar drew more than 200 people (90% opposed), and families spoke at multiple Board hearings.
At CPS budget roundtables across the city, community members voiced overwhelming opposition to making the payment or borrowing.
Parents joined civic and labor partners in public actions, including op-eds, oral and written testimonies to the Board, an aldermanic letter signed by 26+ City Council members, and a press conference the day of the final vote.
Only a simple Board majority was needed, and the political odds were stacked against us. The campaign’s success under those conditions was remarkable.
Impact
Classrooms protected: Despite a $734M deficit, the adopted budget avoided furlough days and teacher layoffs.
Priorities shifted: Student needs and protection of the district’s financial future took precedence over political agendas.
Parent power elevated: More than 600 families signed petitions, spoke to the media, testified, attended webinars, and met with Board members.
Partnerships strengthened: Diverse civic, labor, and community allies added crucial credibility and influence.
Lessons
Starting early with petitions, testimony, and op-eds built credibility for the summer fight.
Bilingual tools helped families move from awareness to action.
Written testimony kept parent voices present even when families couldn’t attend in person.
Broad alliances across civic, educator, labor, and parent voices were decisive.
Consistent, respectful engagement made sure decision-makers stayed open to community perspectives.
What’s Next
The fight's far from over. Together, we must remain united to:
Monitor Mayor and City Council’s delivery of the promised for the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) surplus.
Push for sustainable state revenue to close CPS’s $1.6B funding adequacy gap.
Keep debt risks front and center so borrowing for operations remains off the table.
Sustain our advocacy network for the next budget cycle.
Highlights from Aug. 28 Press Conference
