Your Daily Guide

What’s Going on With Chicago Schools?

To minimize a $732 million budget shortfall, Chicago Public Schools plans to cut teacher positions and increase class sizes. As a result, over 700 teachers could be laid off, and smaller schools could also lose their assistant principals.

And that’s not the only challenge facing CPS.

Dirty schools: Last summer, CPS cut around 500 custodian jobs and ended private custodial contracts. Now, nearly three-quarters of principals say they don’t have enough custodians to maintain school cleanliness. The majority of remaining custodians say it’s difficult to manage tasks.

A federal investigation: The Department of Justice is investigating 36 Illinois school districts, including one Chicago charter network, for possibly including gender ideology and sexual orientation content in curricula. The DOJ is also looking at restroom access for transgender students. Although the Trump administration hasn’t said why they are investigating these schools, it’s argued that bathroom access based on gender identity infringes on students’ rights.

• They’re calling it ‘SIGA’: Here’s how the investigation could impact school funding.
• Meanwhile: Illinois law requires teaching LGBTQ+ history and facilities access that adhere to students’ gender identity.

What’s up with the school board? CPS CEO Macquline King is set to begin July 1 following a year-long, complicated search. In January, the Chicago Board of Education launched an investigation to determine who leaked two finalist names for the position, which prolonged the hiring process. Recently, that investigation failed.

• An unusual move: Board members signed non-disclosure agreements, although it's common for school districts to publicize finalists' names for feedback.

Elections coming up: Chicagoans will elect all 21 board members for the first time in the city’s history this November. Board members approve high-level hiring; oversee the annual operating budget; decide when students are in class; and make other major school decisions.

• The cost to run: By April, about 40 school board candidates and political action committees had raised over $555,000.
• To pay or not to pay: School board members do not receive a salary. Should they?

Can I Get a Soccer Stadium … With Fries?

The Chicago Fire’s new stadium will be called McDonald’s Park. It’s the first time the Chicago-based fast-food giant’s name will appear on a major professional sports stadium in the U.S. It’s set to open at The 78 in 2028. [Sun-Times]

Lolla Schedule Dropped

Lollapalooza, which returns to Grant Park July 30 through Aug. 2, has released day-by-day schedules. But it’s nearly sold out! Few one-day general admission and Platinum tickets remain. [Lollapalooza]

• Headliners include: Lorde, Chicago-born DJ and producer John Summit, Charlie XCX, Smashing Pumpkins, Olivia Dean, Blackpink, Tate McRae, and The xx.

'Yes In God’s Backyard' Movement. Plus, Our Patio Picks.

Lawmakers in Springfield are considering legislation that would make it easier for churches to build multifamily housing on land they own. On today’s podcast, we discuss what that means, plus the history of Jim’s Original near Maxwell Street, and patio season recs. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Did You Know About This Catholic School Bowling Alley?

Chicago’s oldest bowling alley is in Immaculate Conception School’s basement in Norwood Park. It’s 102 years old, four lanes, and run by an O’Hare patrol cop for free. He inherited the gig from his father, and students work as pinsetters. Though few people know about it, parishioners visit weekly for league night. [Block Club]

• Game on: Here’s where else you can bowl in Chicago. [City Cast Chicago 💻]

The Balbo Monument is Deteriorating — Should We Let It?

The ancient Roman column was gifted to the city by Italian dictator Mussolini in 1933 to honor the transatlantic flight of Italo Balbo, an Italian fascist leader. Chicago winters have taken their toll on the column, which sits on the Near South Side. Meanwhile, debates continue over honoring a man who opposed antisemitism but oversaw brutal colonial violence. [WBEZ]

• Related: Chicago’s monuments have long been a subject of debate. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]