What makes a school a better place for opportunity? More than 600 public schools were supported by the Chicago Public district. CPS students a receive free education from elementary school through high school. CPS not only help students to have successful in education, but also help low income families.

Recently, CPS has faced serious financial  conflicts.  CPS declined state funding and huge pension costs are on the rise. CPS reports that, “These factors have cost the district more than $1 billion over the last two years and another $700 million this year.”

These budget issues are why CPS students got a day off on Friday, March 26.It was a day for teacher  action. The Chicago Teacher Union set a tentative plan to protest the lack of state funding and local school management.The marches started in the neighborhoods and converged Downtown. CPS reduced $96,855.67 to Back of the Yards College Prep after accounting for all funding sources.

In an April presentation, CPS stated it expected to have $227 million left in its operating account as of June 30. CPS requires a long term solution for the financial crisis. Mayor Rahm Emanuel offered some solutions on the financial challenge that the city faces. He looked for the governor and state lawmakers to fix the district’s financial conflict by providing CPS more funding and approving pension system changes. Instead of offering solutions, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has focused on the connection between voters and the improvement of Chicago school education. This coming year, CPS expects a budget deficit reached $1.14 billion.

– Yuzhen Liang