Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson pledged Tuesday to take all necessary measures to sustain Chicago Public Schools (CPS), emphasizing that the state government must fulfill its legal obligation to fully fund education. Speaking at a City Hall news conference, Johnson highlighted a $1 billion tax increment financing surplus recently designated to support CPS and a new teachers’ contract as evidence of his commitment to preventing severe budget cuts in classrooms.
The mayor called on the Illinois General Assembly to approve a $150 million increase in education funding included in CPS’s nearly $10 billion budget. He made clear that if Springfield does not act, he is prepared to continue deploying city resources to address the shortfall, but noted that local efforts alone cannot resolve the system’s funding challenges.
“I’m gonna do anything and everything that’s necessary. But at some point … you cannot expect me to solve everybody’s problems, and the fact of the matter is I can’t. It’s gonna take partnership,” Johnson said. He criticized the state government for falling short, saying Illinois cannot accept “the bare minimum when people are starving across this city.”
Johnson stressed that Chicago is not seeking a handout but demands that state leaders honor their 2017 commitment to fully fund public schools. He pointed to Illinois’s comparatively low share of school funding—25%—as inadequate, contrasting it with states like California, which funds Los Angeles schools at roughly 75% or more.
During a question-and-answer session, Johnson declined to comment on the legality of the Chicago Board of Education’s budget, which relies on $435 million in “uncommitted funds.” Instead, he affirmed that the board followed its procedures to protect classroom funding.
Looking ahead to the state legislature’s fall veto session, Johnson urged lawmakers to overcome political hurdles to increase school funding. He noted the difficulty of securing majority support in both Springfield and the City Council, emphasizing the need for a two-way partnership between city and state officials.
Johnson also addressed recent comments from Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who publicly acknowledged the threat of layoffs and budget cuts in CPS and vowed to advocate for increased state funding during the veto session. Although Welch faces allegations related to his handling of sexual harassment complaints against a fellow lawmaker, Johnson expressed confidence in Welch’s commitment to serve his constituents.
Reflecting on his own political future, Johnson revealed he plans to decide soon whether to pursue a second term as mayor. He said he has delayed the decision partly to avoid the distractions of a prolonged campaign, allowing attention to remain on the city’s progress.
As debate over funding Chicago schools continues, Johnson’s remarks underscore the growing tensions between municipal and state leaders over responsibility for public education financing.