Featured Press Overview

July 23, 2025 • Crain's Chicago Business

In this Crain’s Chicago Business op-ed, our Chief of Policy, Hal Woods, argues that shifting a $175 million pension bill onto Chicago Public Schools would undermine resources for students and jeopardize the district’s financial stability. He calls for alternative solutions that protect classrooms and prioritize Chicago’s children.

July 9, 2025 • ABC7 Chicago

Chicago Public Schools is facing a $730 million budget shortfall—putting real pressure on classrooms, families, and the future of public education in our city. 🎥 In this ABC7 Chicago story, our own Hal Woods speaks at 1:43 about what’s driving the crisis and why it’s critical for leaders to prioritize students in the path forward.

June 4, 2025 • The OEC: Op-Ed Chicago

The OEC: Op-Ed Chicago, examines how nonprofit organizations are adapting to challenges posed by the Trump administration's policies. The piece highlights the impact of a temporary suspension of federal grants to nonprofits deemed to "undermine national interest," leading to layoffs and program suspensions. It discusses how nonprofits like Kids First Chicago have maintained their missions through strategic partnerships and diversified funding sources.

May 3, 2025 • Chicago Tribune

The article features a compilation of letters to the editor by various individuals expressing their opinions on topics related to the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). Amongst the contributors were K1C parents as they openly shared their thoughts.

April 24, 2025 • Book Club Chicago

Chicago’s partially elected school board has approved new policies requiring charter schools to provide at least 18 months’ notice before closing and to take financial responsibility for closure-related costs. This change aims to increase accountability and prevent sudden school shutdowns that disrupt students and families. Kids First Chicago has highlighted ongoing concerns about the district’s delayed financial audits, underscoring the need for stronger oversight.

April 16, 2025 • K-12 Dive

A recent Kids First Chicago report—covered by K‑12 Dive—reveals a promising rebound in elementary English Language Arts proficiency, with an 11-point rise between 2022 and 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. But success isn’t uniform: “racial disparities… potentially speak to disinvestment,” warns data scientist Micaelan Gasperich, noting White students achieved 60% proficiency versus just 23% (Black) and 26% (Latino). While more 8th graders are on track and Algebra 1 completion has improved, high school reading and math scores remain below pre-COVID levels, with math scores declining since 2021. Hal Woods attributes elementary reading gains to pandemic-era investments in tutors and interventionists—but cautions the challenge ahead: “how can the district maintain these interventions…without the funding streams that made them possible?”.

March 28, 2025 • ABC7 Chicago

After nearly a year of negotiations and more than 720 proposals, the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools are nearing a tentative contract deal without a strike—covering veteran pay, teacher prep time, and evaluations. CTU counsel LaToyia Kimbrough called it “a transformative contract.” CPS emphasized prioritizing educator contributions while balancing budget constraints. Hal Woods of Kids First Chicago warned that sustaining the 4–5% annual raises will “require an increase in local and state revenue sources,” noting the challenge of funding beyond the initial year.

February 2, 2025 • Chicago Sun-Times

Chief of Community Engagement Jessica Cañas—with Kids First Chicago—urges Mayor Brandon Johnson to fulfill a law mandating a Non‑Citizen Advisory Board so that parents who can’t vote still have a seat at the table within CPS. Cañas emphasizes, “They do not want special treatment; they simply want a chance to advocate for their children’s education.” She calls on the mayor not to delay, asserting: “The time to act is now” so that non‑citizen families can formally influence school policies.

January 28, 2025 • Chalkbeat Chicago

Chicago Public Schools has unveiled new online dashboards that offer families detailed school data without assigning overall ratings. The shift comes after years of advocacy from families and groups like Kids First Chicago. Chief of Policy Hal Woods called the launch “a step in the right direction” toward a more transparent and equitable accountability system.

January 22, 2025 • Chicago Tribune

Despite having put five of her kids in Chicago Public Schools, Blaire Flowers said once her eldest daughter graduates high school, she may have to make the difficult decision of moving her children to a school district in the suburbs. “It’s not worth the fight,” Flowers said. “My son is missing out on too much. You want me to sit here and wait while (teachers) scream and holler about wanting more money, and I’m still not getting the basic services my son should be getting from CPS.” Flowers and some other parents said they are left wondering how long their children’s needs will fall by the wayside while the district and union continue their battles.

January 22, 2025 • Board Rule

A new report from parent advocacy group Kids First Chicago advises the Chicago Board of Education on best governance practices and collaboration with parents, students, and the broader community. The report lays out a well-developed vision for governance, community engagement, board training and support, transparency, and relationship building--both among board members and with the community.

January 15, 2025 • Chalkbeat Chicago

The Illinois State Board of Education is proposing an additional $497.2 million for the state’s education budget — a smaller increase than last year as federal COVID relief money dries up and the state grapples with a projected deficit. Claiborne Wade, chair of Kids First Chicago’s Equitable Funding Task Force, a CPS parent, and staff member at DePriest Elementary, is not surprised that the board decided to propose $350 million. However, he hopes the state will boost funding to K-12 schools by $550 million due to the uptick in inflation and the end of COVID-19 relief funds for schools.