Blog
Don’t Sell Out Students to Bail Out City Hall
Chicago Public Schools presented a $10.2 billion FY26 budget that protects classrooms and avoids short-term borrowing. Some board members are pushing to make a $175 million payment to the City’s pension fund immediately, which parents and families oppose. Hear from Daniel Anello and Hal Woods of Kids First Chicago on why this funding should stay in schools.
Support Dr. King. Choose our Children, Not Politics.
A proud parent of a CPS student, Minijoie, witnesses firsthand the positive impact of well-supported schools and the challenges that arise when political decisions undermine that support. Read their perspective
CPS 2025-26 Budget Update
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is facing a projected $734 million budget deficit. The Board of Education must approve a budget by the end of August, though schools open August 18, marking one of the first times in recent history that the district begins a school year without a finalized budget.
What Trump’s Tax Bill Could Mean for Illinois and Chicago Families
It’s hard to follow all of the breaking news coming out of Washington, DC. We’re following it all as closely as we can to help Chicago families consider what the federal legislation could mean for our schools and families.
K1C Staff Dispatch from DC
During the week of June 9, three members of the Kids First Chicago team—Daisy Carrera, Kendall Moore-Fields, and Jasmin Pizano Luna—traveled to Washington, D.C. to join a national mobilization led by the National Parents Union (NPU).
What's Going On With CPS's Budget?
K1C breaks down what families need to know about the CPS budget for School Year 2025-26, including the latest on the district’s projected deficit and what it could mean for individual school budgets moving forward.
Investigation into CPS Black Student Success Plan Misses the Mark on Defending Civil Rights
K1C's Daniel Anello speaks out on the recent investigation into CPS's Black Student Success Plan, calling attention to how these types of investigations are a waste of taxpayer resources, questionable in their origin, and unjust in their implications.
Call for Honest Collaboration Between Teachers, Administrators, and Parents
CPS parent Blaire Flowers reflects on the CTU-CPS contract and calls for meaningful engagement with parents.
Statement and Analysis of Baker Tilly Report on CPS Funding Options
Kids First Chicago comments on new Baker Tilly report, commissioned by the Chicago Board of Education to review CPS obligations and funding options.
Statement from Kids First Chicago Condemning Actions to Dismantle U.S. Department of Education
Kids First Chicago joins colleagues nationwide in condemning the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education.
On Governor Pritzker’s Budget Address
Claiborne Wade, chair of Kids First Chicago's Equitable Funding task force, weighs in on Governor Pritzker's 2026 Budget Address.
Stakeholders: The new Chicago Board of Education must take ownership of CPS
Published originally in the Chicago Tribune on February 17, 2025.