Chicago
Chicago, IL · Municipal
thenarrativematters.com
The Center Square
CPS, schools statewide want more taxpayer funds from legislature
(The Center Square) – Despite the state’s increased funding to public school districts in the budget, school districts want state lawmakers to find more taxpayer money to fund their operations. The Illinois House Appropriations committee on Elementary & Secondary Education on Thursday had a hearing on the future of the state’s Evidence-Based Funding program, which has increasingly fallen short of the goals set for it in recent years. The $9.96 billion Chicago Public Schools budget for the current year relies on $285 million in local Tax Increment Financing district funds and $150 million in state funds that have only been promised verbally by outgoing Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch to address the district’s $732.5 million deficit. Acting CPS Chief Budget Officer Emila Zoko said CPS finances aren’t just an issue this year, but the district has experienced growing needs after federal COVID-19 funds dried up. “The costs associated with meeting our students' wide range of needs continue to grow without dedicated revenue streams able to keep pace. CPS has faced staggering budget deficits each year since FY25,” Zoko said. But CPS wasn’t the only one to argue for more funds – the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association also urged
WBEZ
Political groups spent $12 million to defeat CTU candidates. One losing race cost $76 per vote.
Political spending groups funded by an area billionaire seeking to defeat the Chicago Teachers Union in historic school board elections on Tuesday may have won their preferred president, thanks to their infusion of millions. But in several school board district races, they spent their biggest money per vote — only...
harveyworld.org
Dixmoor upgrades surveillance technologies while awaiting Flock camera installations
Surveillance technology upgrades are underway in Dixmoor, village officials announced at the Oct. 22 board meeting. Police Chief Eric Armstrong said eight Axon surveillance cameras are being installed in the village, with four eventually to be replaced by Flock cameras with license plate-reading capabilities. He did not have the exact locations of the cameras at the time of the meeting. Armstrong said the police department is getting a price estimate for an additional camera to install at a site with frequent dumping.
FOX59 / CBS4 Indy
Ravenswood homeowners racing against the cold to repair flood damage