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As a Black woman who leads SEIU Local 73, I am proud to represent 13,000 Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Support Staff—many of whom are Black and brown women and men working throughout CPS. These essential staff members—special education classroom assistants (SECAs), sub-SECAs, custodians, security officers, bus monitors, parent workers, and crossing guards—are the backbone of our schools. They ensure that schools run smoothly and support students, staff, and families. Local 73 members bring daily stability, often filling critical gaps, and play a vital role in the success of CPS.
During the interim superintendent search, our union called for transparency and community input in the selection of an interim CPS CEO and budget deliberations to ensure a fair budget is crucial for both members and CPS students. The union remains committed to responsible fiscal choices that protect both jobs and educational quality.
Mayor Brandon Johnson selected Dr. Macquline King, who is tackling CPS’s budget deficit without resorting to further harmful layoffs or an ill-advised loan. Her leadership aims to protect the most vulnerable in the CPS community.
Those rejecting Dr. King’s balanced budget suggests using loans to repay the City for the Municipal Employees’ Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago (MEABF) pension. This misguided approach has led to wage freezes and furlough days for workers, which is unacceptable, especially when the mayor should utilize $1.2 billion in available tax increment financing (TIF) funds to address the remaining budget deficit rather than opposing his interim superintendent.
We are still fighting against the layoffs, which threaten to eliminate essential services and supports that students and their families rely on every day. Therefore, we urge the Board of Education to support Dr. King’s balanced budget and avoid irresponsible solutions, such as taking out a loan or reimbursing the City for the MEABF pension payment.
Supporting this budget is the best way to protect not only the jobs of Local 73 members but also the quality of education and services provided to CPS students. By standing together and advocating for responsible and equitable funding, we can ensure a brighter future for all members of the CPS community.
