Chicago school board approves 2 nonbinding tax referendum questions for November ballot

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Board of Education approved two nonbinding referendum questions for the November ballot during a special meeting, asking voters whether they support a millionaire's tax and financial penalties for undeveloped city properties as potential sources of future education funding.

The action came weeks after the board rejected a balanced budget presented by Chicago Public Schools in favor of one that includes anticipated state revenue that has not yet been secured.

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The special meeting, originally scheduled for 9:30 a.m., got off to an unusual start when no board members were present at the appointed time. Board President Sean Harden gaveled the meeting out, but it was later reconvened after what board members described as legal maneuvering.

"While this doesn't address today's concern we do have an obligation to look into the future as well," Harden said.

The board ultimately voted to place the two revenue-related questions before voters. Supporters said the measures would allow Chicago residents to weigh in on potential ways to fund public education in the future.

"We have this opportunity that comes once in a while to ask voters in Chicago what they want for their children," Vice President Dr. Angel Velez said.

Seven board members who had voted with CPS on its budget did not attend the special meeting.

School Board Member Michilla Blaise criticized their absence.

"Perhaps, they didn't want to vote no, but what it does demonstrate to me is a lack of leadership," Blaise said.

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CTU-backed board members, many of whom are running for election, also criticized the members who did not attend.

Among those absent was Jessica Biggs, a candidate for school board president. In a written statement, Biggs said, "This term in the CPS Board of Education has been rife with chaos and disorganization. The meeting in question today, for example, has been scheduled and rescheduled three times, with no consideration for the other important work board members do in the communities we represent."

Biggs added that she would have supported the millionaire's tax question had she been present.

"Had I been able to attend today, I'd have voted firmly in support of the millionaire's tax referendum," she wrote.

School Board Member Jennifer Custer, who is also running for school board president, attended the meeting but voted against the referendum questions.

"We need to do things right now today to fill budget gap, I don't think these are the 2 answers, I don't think they are fully baked," Custer said.

Several absent members said they were unable to attend because the meeting was called on short notice and conflicted with work obligations or personal plans. One of those members characterized the vote as a publicity stunt by CTU-backed board members.

The board faced a tight timeline in holding the special meeting. Monday is the deadline for placing referendum questions on the November ballot. The same day, CPS teachers are scheduled to report back to their classrooms, with students returning the following Monday.