CPS Board delays vote on amended budget, pension payment; CTU accuses CPS of stalling contract talks

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Public Schools Board of Education has delayed a major budget vote that will determine the future of public school funding for hundreds of thousands of students.

After 11 months of negotiations, CPS officials and the Chicago Teachers Union said Thursday afternoon they were close to a contract deal, and so the CPS Board postponed action on some important items Thursday afternoon.

CTU now accusing CPS of stalling with contract talks on the "one yard line."

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With contract talks at a critical stage, the teachers union posted on X, "Given that CPS did not return to the bargaining table today, our union members will hold a special House of Delegates meeting in the near future. Details to follow."

The statement raised questions about whether CTU could be moving closer to a strike authorization vote.

A CTU spokesperson gave no clarification, but a source close to the bargaining table said the delegates meeting is meant to communicate with members after a day of hope ended in frustration.

Earlier Thursday, officials said a deal was so close that the school board delayed a vote on an amended budget that provides money for contracts for teachers and principals. CTU had asked for that postponement until a deal is signed.

The board also tabled a vote on reimbursing the city $175 million dollars for pension payments for non-teacher employees.

Before the meeting, CTU said talks have come down to a handful of issues including teacher prep time and evaluations. The union called on CPS to button up the deal.

"The time for delay is over," CTU bargaining team member Vicki Kurzydlo said. "The time for excuses has passed. Now is the time for action."

"We're as close as we've ever been, and I think again I'm very optimistic that, you know, we'll have a resolution in the near future," CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said.

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"I'm very pleased with the progress, so steady the ship, and we hope to be able to come back very soon with that resolved," Chicago Board of Education President Sean Harden said.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson shared the following statement Thursday afternoon:

"Following yesterday's meeting, we are pleased that Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union are making meaningful progress towards a contract agreement. As a result, Board President Harden decided to postpone the budget amendment vote until the contract is settled.

"Board members have expressed a desire for clarity on the final cost of the contract before voting on the budget amendment. The Board President is confident that the two sides are very close to coming to an agreement, and I share his confidence. A contract agreement is critical to the stability of our schools and communities.

"Furthermore, given that President Trump plans to sign an executive order as early as today that would dismantle the Department of Education, we want to ensure that our school district and our teachers are fully aligned and that we are doing everything we can to protect our students and protect our schools from harmful policies and potential budget cuts."

On Wednesday, the mayor convened a meeting at City Hall between the leadership of CPS and CTU, and he said he's determined to head off any kind of work stoppage.

CTU has not said when that House of Delegates meeting will be held. Any strike would require a three-fourths vote of the membership and 10 days notice to the district.