Chicago City Wire

Mayor Brandon Johnson is facing criticism over efforts to change voting rules for the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) board. The current system requires a two-thirds supermajority, or 14 out of 21 votes, to amend the CPS budget or approve new borrowing. Johnson has proposed lowering this threshold to a simple majority of 11 votes.

According to emails obtained by the Tribune through a public records request, John Arena, a lobbyist for City Hall and former alderman, contacted a state education official on May 23 about aligning CPS voting thresholds with those of other school boards in Illinois. This communication included details about policies that currently require a two-thirds vote, such as budget amendments and bylaw changes. Four days later, Arena denied making such contact. The mayor’s office also previously denied pursuing changes to CPS voting procedures.

Critics argue that the supermajority requirement is an important safeguard for financial decisions at CPS, which is one of the largest school districts in the country and faces significant fiscal challenges. Last year, Johnson attempted to secure a $175 million loan for pension obligations and parts of a new teachers’ contract, but this was blocked by the board under current rules. Following this incident, former CPS CEO Pedro Martinez was replaced by Macquline King, who had served as Johnson’s education policy advisor.

The city’s financial pressures are mounting. Chicago Public Schools faces a $734 million deficit this year and recently signed a four-year $1.5 billion contract with teachers while dealing with declining enrollment and ongoing resistance to school closures or layoffs.

State Rep. Ann Williams criticized Johnson’s proposal as “an attempt to circumvent the will of the voters.” She noted that legislation establishing an elected school board aimed to give more independence from mayoral control.

"The math doesn’t lie, but the mayor did."

Chicagoans are being called on for greater transparency and adherence to established procedures regarding major fiscal decisions affecting schools.