Chicago Public Schools budget vote scheduled for Thursday

The Chicago Board of Education is gearing up to vote on a budget plan worth almost $10 billion.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Dr. Macquline King sent a letter home to parents outlining the stakes of Thursday's vote. 

She says the budget must pass to avoid a shutdown.

Dr. King went on to explain that CPS won't be able to make the first round of payroll without an approved budget. The district can't access short-term financing without a finalized spending plan.

CPS needs a loan because funds expected from Cook County property tax collections are delayed.

However, on Thursday, the Cook County Treasurer's Office confirmed it sent $33.3M to the Chicago Board of Education with "more money coming."

Treasureer Maria Pappas adds, "The Chicago Teachers Union doesn't have a collection problem, they have a spending problem." 

This budget uses layoffs, some salary freezes, and more to fill a $732 million hole.

A few key components of the $9.96 billion spending plan on the table include cuts to more than 1,600 positions, including over 700 teachers, and increases student-teacher ratios by one child. 

The budget also adds a thousand special education staff members, keeps individual school budgets flat, and includes $143 million in raises.

CTU says Illinois owes CPS $2 billion. They held a press conference at 9:15 a.m. ahead of a vote during the 10:30 a.m. meeting. 

"This budget should either be fixed or voted down," Taneesha Henderson, CPS special education teacher, said. "We still have time." 

The Chicago Teachers Union wants the school board to scrap any cuts and start the year fully staffed.

The clock is ticking, and union members want the state government to intervene by holding a special session.