Chicago Public Schools officials are seeking a preliminary injunction barring the state of Illinois from disbursing education funds until it adequately funds the state's largest school district. Faced with a huge deficit and an upcoming teacher pension payment, CEO Forrest Claypool says the Chicago school year could end three weeks early on June 1 if the state doesn't come through with funds.
Chicago school officials contend Illinois has created separate and unequal systems for funding public education. One is for Chicago, whose students are 90% non-white, and one for the rest of Illinois, which is predominantly white.
The district claims the funding disparity denies African American and Hispanic students equal access to a quality education. In a statement, Education Secretary Beth Purvis said its time for Claypool to engage in a constructive process that would help schools across Illinois.
