With a potential teacher strike scheduled for Tuesday, a coalition of elected officials and parents groups will hold a press conference at 9:00 a.m. on the second floor of City Hall to demand passage of an ordinance that would direct surplus TIF money to Chicago Public Schools.

LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST: Should TIFS support CPS? (July 29, 2016)

Ald. George Cardenas (12) and Ald. Sue Sadlowski-Garza (9), the main sponsors of the ordinance, will be joined by Cook County Clerk David Orr, State Rep. Will Guzzardi, and State Rep. Ann Williams. Aldermen Scott Waguespack (32), Matt O’Shea (19), and Ald. Harry Osterman (48) are also expected to attend.

The Finance Committee has already held two subject matter hearings on the so-called Chicago Public Education Revitalization Ordinance, which would create an official mechanism for the city to direct all surplus TIF money to CPS. Debate at those meetings highlighted a clear divide among aldermen: Supporters framed the ordinance as a way to come together as a city to the support the financially distressed school system, while opponents said “their” TIF money, which has taken years to build up, is too valuable to hand over for a “one-time” fix for CPS.