Chicago Students Return to School Amid $734M Budget Crisis

A New School Year Begins in Chicago

More than 325,000 students across Chicago Public Schools (CPS) returned to the classroom on Monday to start the 2025-26 academic year. The first day of school brought a mix of excitement and anticipation, with new books, new teachers, and familiar faces making for a fresh beginning.

Mayor Brandon Johnson welcomed students at Mary E. Courtenay Language Arts Center in Uptown, ringing the bell to officially kick off the school year. He emphasized the city’s commitment to improving education, highlighting efforts to expand sustainable community schools, increase the number of social workers in classrooms, and ensure manageable class sizes.

In the days leading up to the first day, several back-to-school events took place across the city, helping families prepare for the new school year. One such event, organized by the Kindness Campaign, was held on the South Side. Christopher Watts, CEO of the Kindness Campaign, explained that the initiative is a community-driven effort to address local issues.

Teenagers like Iyanna Jones have played a key role in shaping the event. Jones shared her perspective, noting that many students are not excited about returning to school. “If we hype them up, going back to school can be fun,” she said. “We’re just getting them ready for the school year.”

Another popular event, Labor of Love hosted by ChiGivesBack, has been offering free haircuts and styles for students for seven years. This year’s event included games, face painting, and even a petting zoo. Sandi Robinson of ChiGivesBack explained the importance of the event, saying, “Kids are starting school (Monday), and they want to go to school feeling fresh and looking fresh and looking good. And we want to send them off the right way — with school supplies, backpacks, and fresh haircuts.”

Budget Challenges Loom Over School Year

While students and families celebrate the start of the new school year, CPS faces significant financial challenges. The district is grappling with a $734 million budget deficit, which has led to cost-saving measures that have sparked concern among staff and community members.

SEIU Local 1 custodians have been protesting the district’s decision to eliminate all part-time custodial roles. Starting Sept. 30, CPS will take over custodial services directly, ending contracts with private vendors that employ approximately 1,250 people. Although the district plans to hire 750 full-time employees, the move is expected to save around $40 million annually.

CPS officials stated that these changes are necessary to address the budget shortfall while maintaining a focus on student needs. In a statement, the district emphasized its commitment to protecting classroom instruction and putting students first. “No cut to public education is ever made lightly. Every dollar we save centrally helps protect students, teachers, and classrooms from deeper disruption.”

The Board of Education will hold two public hearings on the budget on Tuesday at CPS headquarters in the Loop. The district must approve a budget by Aug. 28 to avoid further disruptions.

As the school year begins, the community remains hopeful that the challenges ahead can be overcome through collaboration and continued investment in education. With new initiatives and a focus on student well-being, the goal is to create a positive and supportive environment for all students in Chicago.