$2,059 in property taxes per homeowner fund Chicago Public Schools
More than half of the average Chicago homeowner’s property tax bill went to CPS in 2024

CHICAGO (May 6, 2025) – With the new Chicago Teachers Union contract approved, there’s reason for Chicagoans to fear future property tax hikes.

Property taxes paid to Chicago Public Schools has grown 62% since 2009, according to an analysis from the Illinois Policy Institute. The typical Chicago residence shelled out $2,059 in property taxes to CPS last year, up from $1,269 in 2009. That rise has been since radical leaders took over the CTU.

In total, about 52% of a Chicago homeowner’s $3,952 property tax bill went to fund CPS.

While the tax burden has gone up, student proficiency at CPS has been stagnant. State test scores for CPS show fewer than 1-in-3 students could read and fewer than 1-in-5 do math at their elementary grade level in 2024.

“Chicagoans have been feeling the pressure of rising property taxes, and a big reason is a growing financial demand from CPS. The result is homeowners are paying more and getting less,” said Patrick Andriesen, writer for the Illinois Policy Institute. “This trend is likely to continue with a pricey new contract taking effect.”

The local property, replacement and other taxes required for CPS to operate more than doubled between the 2009 and 2024 budget. Yet the number of students enrolled in the district fell by over 83,000.

To read more about Chicago schools’ property taxes, visit illin.is/cpsptax.

For interviews or interviews, contact media@illinoispolicy.org or (312) 607-4977.