Chicago City Wire

David E. Smith, executive director of the Illinois Family Institute, is calling on state lawmakers to reject Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) proposed $9.9 billion budget, which includes a property tax increase to close a $730 million deficit. Smith cited low academic performance, rising costs and what he described as systemic failures within the district.

“Despite an approximate 20 percent decline in student enrollment, CPS's overall budget has grown from $6 billion a decade ago to $9.4 billion,” Smith said. “For FY 2025, they are now demanding a shocking $9.9 billion? What are taxpayers and parents getting for this premium? Very little, according to an annual report published by the Illinois State Board of Education. This report, which can be found at Illinoisreportcard.com, tells us that less than 23 percent of students in CPS are proficient in English Language Arts and less than 19 percent are proficient in math—yet 81 percent of students graduate? This is unacceptable!”

Chicago Board of Education members Aaron “Jitu” Brown and Debby Pope, a retired Chicago Teachers Union staff member, have called for an emergency session of the Illinois General Assembly to pursue new state revenue sources, including a millionaire’s tax and new sales taxes on services. Both oppose cuts to CPS programs.

Illinois Family Institute Executive Director David E. Smith | Illinois Family Institute

“Call your state rep and state senator this week and call for an emergency session to address this crisis! NO CUTS TO THE CLASSROOM, JUST CUT OUR CHECK!” Brown posted on social media.

Brown also urged lawmakers to consider lifting the state-imposed cap on property tax increases.

“We are committed to NO CUTS,” Brown posted. “The days of balancing CPS' budget on the backs of Black and Brown children have ended.”

Illinois schools are primarily funded by property taxes. The state has the highest property tax rate in the country, with an average effective rate of 1.83 percent, or $4,584 annually on a median-priced home. Illinois also imposes income and sales taxes, adding to the overall tax burden on residents.

Critics argue the district has not demonstrated effective use of its existing funding.

“Brandon Johnson and CTU’s school board want Springfield to lift the cap so they can RAISE PROPERTY TAXES even more,” Jeff Orr said on X.

Orr referenced the possible repeal of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, or PTELL, which limits the ability of CPS to raise property taxes without voter approval.

Smith echoed those concerns, saying money alone won’t solve deeper, systemic issues.

“Considering the amount of tax dollars being spent on education, state lawmakers and citizens must not only demand academic excellence but greater scrutiny of school employees,” Smith said. “The alarming problem of school employees preying on students in our government schools is a very real problem. Consider these examples from the Chicago suburbs.” 

Smith pointed to multiple recent criminal cases in both suburban and Chicago schools, saying they reflect a pattern rather than isolated incidents.

“Earlier this year, 30-year-old Downers Grove South High School teacher Christina Formella was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy during tutoring sessions,” Smith said.

“And 56-year-old Neuqua Valley High School teacher William Schaub was arrested and charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse and grooming. More recently, CPS dean Brian Crowder allegedly groomed, sexually abused, and impregnated a student twice—then posed as her stepfather to sign for abortions to conceal the abuse.”

Smith pointed to a broader, deeply rooted pattern of abuse within the district that has long gone unchecked.

“These are not just anecdotal examples. In 2018, a shocking investigation by the Chicago Tribune revealed over 500 cases of sexual abuse and rape by Chicago Public School staff against students over a decade, exposing grave deficiencies in hiring, training, reporting, and oversight,” Smith said.  

He also cited a 2004 report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Education, which found that 10 percent of public school students nationwide experience some form of sexual misconduct by a school employee during their K–12 years.

Meanwhile, CPS’s academic performance remains among the lowest in Illinois. 

According to its own data, only one in four students is proficient in reading or math. College readiness, enrollment, and completion rates are also on the decline. 

Despite this, CPS continues to invest in the Sustainable Community Schools initiative, supported by the Chicago Teachers Union. Schools in the initiative have performed below district averages in both attendance and academics.

Smith argues the problem is not just poor management, but also misplaced priorities and resistance to reform.

“Rather than expanding federal control over education—or increasing government intrusion into private and home schools—state and federal leaders should be doing the opposite,” Smith said. “It’s time to reaffirm the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children. Parents—not the government—are best equipped to determine what’s right for their kids.” 

The recent sunsetting of Illinois’ Invest in Kids tax-credit scholarship program has added fuel to the debate. 

The program allowed low-income and minority families to attend private schools for roughly half the per-pupil cost of public schools, around $8,000 per year, and with demonstrably better academic results. 

In Chicago’s Catholic schools, for example, 72 percent of students tested at or above grade level in English, and 63 percent in math. 

“With school choice battles heating up across the country, and families seeking refuge from the failures of government-run education, bold reforms like Tennessee’s FREE Act couldn’t be more urgent,” Smith said. “Real choice means empowering parents, not hooking everyone on tax dollars and government strings. The path forward is clear: protect freedom, not bureaucracy.”