Chicago’s school district, buoyed by a new state funding formula and federal COVID-19 aid, had been able to hire more teachers, raise salaries, and expand staff. However, with the expiration of the teacher contract last year, the union demanded more staff and annual 9% raises. Recently, the district is facing financial challenges, including considering a $284 million high-interest loan to cover this year’s budget and a projected $982 million shortfall next year. The district has added significant staff, including nearly 900 general teachers and over 1,100 special education teachers since 2018, but enrollment has declined, exacerbating the budget gap.
