CPS holds July 20 budget hearings; Board votes July 30 amid furlough plan

Chicago Public Schools held two public hearings on its tentative FY27 (2026–2027) budget on Monday, July 20, and the next step is a July 30 vote by the Chicago Board of Education. In the budget materials and district update to families, CPS also discussed deficit-closing options that include potential furlough days for staff.

Two CPS budget hearings: times and location

The Chicago Board of Education’s public notice lists two hearings for the tentative FY27 budget on Monday, July 20, 2026, at the CPS Loop Office:

• 1:00–2:30 p.m. — 42 W. Madison Street (Garden Level)
• 4:30–6:00 p.m. — 42 W. Madison Street (Garden Level)

Advance registration to speak began Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. and closed Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.. The notice also explains that after the registration period ends, a lottery selects speakers. The notice also notes the public could access the meeting via livestream through CPS Board channels.

Written comments related to the FY27 tentative budget were due by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 (via the Board’s written comments form or by mailing to the Loop Office). As of Saturday, July 25, that deadline has passed.

What CPS says the FY27 process is (and what happens next)

In its FY27 budget overview, CPS describes the July 20 hearings as part of a process to gather additional community feedback, followed by a presentation of the balanced FY27 budget for Board approval on July 30, 2026.

CPS says it is not planning to shorten the school year

In a July 15, 2026 budget update to families, CPS states that it has no plans to shorten the school year, no reductions in instructional time, and no decrease in supports for priority student populations. CPS specifically calls out students with disabilities and English Learners as continuing to receive the full range of services and protections required under federal and state law.

What CPS says “furlough days” would mean (if used)

CPS’s community budget update describes furlough days as part of potential, last-resort balancing measures:

• Five furlough days for all CPS employees between January–June 2027.
• CPS says the five days would occur on existing non-attendance days for students, with CPS stating that this would ensure no impact on instructional time.
• CPS also describes a districtwide mid-year spending freeze as a measure of last resort, and says it would be delayed until the second half of the school year to create a window to secure additional revenue.

Importantly, CPS frames these as measures it is trying to avoid. The district says its priority is eliminating the proposed furloughs (and not implementing the mid-year freeze) if it secures additional revenue before the end of 2026.

How local reporting is translating this into staffing concerns

Local coverage from CBS Chicago tied the budget hearing process to staffing cuts and the district’s plan to furlough staff for five days when students are not required to be in school. The CPS update, meanwhile, is explicit that its instructional-time commitments would be protected if furlough days are implemented as described.

What to watch next

• July 30 Board vote: CPS says the FY27 budget goes to the Chicago Board of Education for approval after the July 20 hearings.
• Budget materials: review the CPS FY27 budget overview and the July 15 family update alongside any Board agenda materials leading up to July 30.
• If you missed the hearings: CBS Chicago reported that streams of the public hearings are available via CPS channels.

Sources

• Chicago Board of Education: FY27 Budget Public Hearings notice (July 20, 2026)
• CPS: Budget Overview 2027 (FY27 budget process and dates)
• CBS Chicago: CPS budget hearings and layoffs/furlough-days context