Chicago Public Schools Receives Increased State Aid
Chicago Public Schools will receive a larger portion of state aid this year, yet officials say the increase does not eliminate a significant funding shortfall.
Funding Allocation and Needs
Under Illinois’ evidence-based funding (EBF) formula, CPS was allocated an additional $76 million, pushing the district’s state support to almost $1.9 billion for the year.
Those dollars are targeted to emerging needs, including a growing population of English language learners and a decline in revenue from the local tax base, according to district and state data.
Funding Shortfall Projections
Even with the infusion, CPS projects it will meet only about 73 percent of its identified funding needs for fiscal year 2026, a drop from roughly 79 percent last year.
State Investment in Education
The EBF approach, in place since 2017, received a $2.1 billion top-up statewide this year, bringing total annual investment under the model to $8.9 billion for school districts across Illinois.
Official Remarks and Goals
State Superintendent Tony Sanders said the formula aims to advance equ...