Many of our members have dedicated years and even decades to supporting CPS students and the broader Chicago community. Despite being among the lowest-paid workers and often the first to face layoffs during budget crises, they return year after year, struggling to make ends meet, because they believe in their work and genuinely love the students they serve.

The City of Chicago is entering a new chapter and transitioning toward a fully elected school board. While 10 board members have been elected, 10 are appointed, including the School Board Chair. This shift reflects a growing demand for increased accountability, transparency, and equity in decision-making, marking a significant evolution in how our educational system is governed.

As president of SEIU Local 73, I would be remiss if I did not strongly advocate for these often-overlooked workers. Therefore, I urge the board to ensure that the processes for selecting an interim CEO and conducting all budget deliberations are fully transparent and open to public scrutiny.

This is not about assigning blame or casting aspersions. It is about fairness, trust, and ensuring our members and taxpayers can see clearly how decisions are made and how the futures of students and school staff are being shaped.

This transparency must also extend to the budget. Our members and the public deserve to know that thousands of CPS workers face layoffs to balance the budget. All while approximately $1.2 billion in TIF revenue is available, with $600 million belonging to the Chicago Public Schools.

For far too long, this city has placed a stranglehold on our public institutions by siphoning off tax dollars that belong to Chicago Public Schools to appease real estate developers and the elites. If this funding is not utilized to protect and uplift CPS students and frontline school workers, we deserve to know why. Our members' livelihoods and the quality of education hang in the balance. The City of Chicago isn't doing CPS a favor—this money rightfully belongs to CPS. If these TIF districts didn't exist, the funds would already go to the schools. This isn't a gift or a handout; it's a matter of restoring what's owed.

Our members, students, and city deserve complete transparency from the Chicago Board of Education.