The Illinois Policy Institute has revealed that since 2019, Chicago Public Schools staff have expended $23.6 million in taxpayer funds on both domestic and international trips.
According to the report, personnel from eight schools embarked on 15 international excursions to destinations such as Finland, Estonia, Egypt, and South Africa. These trips incurred costs exceeding $142,000 and included activities like game park visits, hot air balloon rides, camel rides, and pyramid tours. The report highlights that twelve of these trips proceeded without formal approval due to lenient travel regulations that permitted expenditures without adequate oversight.
The Chicago Contrarian notes that Chicago Public Schools receive approximately 56% of all property tax revenue collected by local governments in the city. Over the past decade, property taxes in Chicago have doubled, increasing at a rate 3.5 times faster than inflation. The primary beneficiary of this growth has been Chicago Public Schools, with the district’s tax revenues rising by over $2 billion during this period.
The Illinois Policy Institute further reports that in 2024, the typical Chicago residence contributed $2,059 in property taxes toward funding Chicago Public Schools—an increase of 62% compared to 15 years earlier. Approximately 52% of property taxes paid by condominium and single-family homeowners were allocated to the school district. Over the same timeframe, school-related property taxes increased by $790 per typical residence.
The Illinois Policy Institute is an independent research organization dedicated to promoting free-market policies and limited government within Illinois. It provides analyses on fiscal matters, education issues, and taxpayer concerns to inform public policy discussions. The institute publishes reports and commentary aimed at fostering economic freedom and accountability in state and local government operations.
