Chicago’s part-elected, part-appointed school Board voted to raise property taxes.
While it’s a small amount, some Board members say any amount is too much during a time when some residents’ property tax assessments have gone way up.
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While Chicago Public Schools doors are locked for winter break, the Chicago Board of Education is working.
On Monday, Board members convened a special meeting to vote on raising the property tax levy.
“We are not in a position to say no to money. We have charter schools closing left and right. We have federal funding that’s being taken away. We have to do what’s right for our students,” Chicago School Board member Norma Rios Sierra said.
CPS and most Illinois school districts are primarily funded by local property taxes. On a Chicago bill, it is the largest taxing body.
CPS is allowed to raise the rate, but it is capped at the lower of either 5%, or the rate of inflation. When the district closed a $729 million budget deficit in August, it raised the levy slightly below the legal limit.
Monday’s vote was to raise it to the legal limit. All of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Board allies voted for the increase.
“This tax levy is a very minimal amount. Someone with a half-million dollar home is going to be paying what they would pay for going out for fast food once,” Chicago School Board member Debby Pope said.
According to CPS officials, the tax hike will mean an extra $8 on a $250,000 home or $16 for a $500,000 home. Despite the seemingly small amount, a handful of Board members voted no.
Angel Gutierrez says his district on the Southwest Side has been hit with huge assessment increases.
“You cannot keep funding in the system on the backs of same families already drowning,” Board member Gutierrez said.
Others say CPS must tighten its own belt before turning to taxpayers.
“We must learn to live within our means and right-size. This district putting more financial pressure on our families to foot this bill is simply irresponsible,” Chicago School Board member Ellen Rosenfeld said.
Other Board members say this school year’s budget includes enough cuts, and the $25 million generated from the property tax hike may protect CPS from any further cuts.
“The next place to go are cuts that directly affect kids. And, you know, an extra $25, $29 million just to cushion that blow will be really helpful for those services,” Board member Jenni Custer said.
While its fiscal situation is figured out for this school year, school Board members know 2027 will be even more challenging. The same year, elections will be held for all school Board members.
