Lax rules, poor oversight let millions of taxpayer dollars be used for foreign travel – including safaris and camel rides – for Chicago Public Schools staff.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Taxpayers pay $23.6M for Chicago Public Schools vacations

By Lilly Rossi

11/17/2025

Chicago Public Schools employees spent $23.6 million in tax dollars on lavish vacations at 5-star hotels and overseas trips. Much of it was without approval.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Scores down, absences up for Chicago low-income, minority students

By Hannah Schmid

11/12/2025

Chicago Public Schools’ low-income and minority students recorded lower proficiency rates than the state average. They are also missing more school.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Scholarships can help special ed students denied services in Chicago

By Lilly Rossi

10/20/2025

More than 2,000 special education students in Chicago Public Schools are denied support they’re legally guaranteed. Federal scholarships could help pay for service, but only Gov. Pritzker opts Illinois into them.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, Federal Scholarship Tax Credit

Chicago Public Schools lose 9,000 students

By Hannah Schmid

09/30/2025

There are 9,081 fewer students enrolled in Chicago Public Schools, driven by declines in Black and Hispanic students. The big drop ends a blip in annual enrollment declines.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago’s empty schools hurting students at high costs

By Hannah Schmid

09/04/2025

Students at the emptiest schools in Chicago Public Schools recorded low proficiency and high absenteeism on average. Students at the most overcrowded schools fared better, even with lower spending per student.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Vallas: Chicago Public Schools’ new budget will fail, hurt taxpayers

By Paul Vallas

08/29/2025

The vote is over on the Chicago Public Schools budget. It dodged some immediate problems, but the financial mess will continue. Taxpayers will feel the pain long into the future.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, property taxes

CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Donation tax credits can boost Illinois public school foundations

Chicago Public Schools students thrive through academic rigor

Over 600 Chicago teachers hit Sin City on taxpayers’ dime

Chicago Public School staff jet-sets overseas on tax dollars

Taxpayers pay $23.6M for Chicago Public Schools vacations

Scores down, absences up for Chicago low-income, minority students

Scholarships can help special ed students denied services in Chicago

Chicago Public Schools lose 9,000 students

Chicago’s empty schools hurting students at high costs

Vallas: Chicago Public Schools’ new budget will fail, hurt taxpayers

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students