Civic Federation says Chicago Public Schools' finances could lead to a credit downgrade
The Civic Federation's finance report for the 2025 budget raises serious concerns about how the district will survive in the future.
Watch CBS News
The Civic Federation's finance report for the 2025 budget raises serious concerns about how the district will survive in the future.
The Civic Federation’s finance report for the 2025 budget raises serious concerns about how the district will survive in the future. Jermont Terry reports.
The budget watchdog group said CPS' finances are in such bad shape that the State of Illinois may need to take control of the school district.
It turns out Mayor Brandon Johnson has more executive-level staff than other recent mayors.
It turns out Mayor Brandon Johnson has more executive-level staff than other recent mayors. Tara Molina reports.
The CBS 2 Investigators analyzed more than 1 million rows of city budget office data. The data showed the five key city departments that relied on overtime the most.
In one department, just two employees took home a combined total of nearly $500,000 in overtime, city budget office data show. CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot rpeorts.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said repeatedly that the Bears' plan for a new stadium -- which relies partially on public money -- would not come at an additional cost to taxpayers. But one expert says when it comes to the infrastructure improvements that are part of the plan, that may not be true. CBS 2's Sabrina Franza reports.
Mayor Brandon Johnson denied that the Bears’ shiny new dome could end up costing taxpayers a pretty penny, but an expert said the infrastructure around it very well might. CBS 2's Sabrina Franza reports.
The Civic Federation announced he died Saturday afternoon following complications from surgery.
The Civic Federation announced he died Saturday afternoon following complications from surgery.
CPS is maxing out their ask this tax year, despite enrollment hitting 10-year lows. CBS 2's Chris Tye reports.
As CBS 2 Political Investigator Dana Kozlov reports, this is the first time in almost 80 years the Cook County Forest Preserve District is asking voters for more money.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday laid out her $16.7 billion budget proposal in front of the City Council.
Facing an unprecedented $1.2 billion shortfall for next year, Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Wednesday proposed a $94 million property tax hike, a 3 cents per gallon increase in the city's gas tax, hundreds of layoffs, and eliminating nearly 2,000 vacant positions.
We're being bombarded by them – ads for and against the graduated income tax proposal for Illinois that will be on the ballot next month.
CBS 2 Morning Insider Lauren Victory made some interesting finds in the state's revenue report released this week.
Illinois state lawmakers were back home in their districts for the holiday Monday, after a whirlwind of a special session in Springfield. Two of the winners after votes were cast were the City of Chicago and state restaurant and bar owners.
The math is staggering – according to the U.S. Department of Labor, there were 114,663 unemployment claims in Illinois alone last week amid the coronavirus crisis.
The mayor's plan relies on the Illinois General Assembly to approve a graduated real estate transfer tax, revisions to the Chicago casino plan, and statewide pension reform.
Chicago needs 276 million for police and fire pensions. And in 2022, another 310 million for municipal pensions.
The layoffs this week of 18 firefighters and 13 police officers came after a court ordered pension payment Harvey can't afford to make.
Interest on the latest loans to pay down bills is better than paying late-penalty fees, the leader of the Civic Federation says.
Civic Federation President Laurence Msall said the state's credit rating is "a national embarrassment" as a result of the budget impasse.
The Civic Federation has issued an 86-page report on the governor's 2018 budget plan, and has said the proposal falls short.
Former Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who served 40 years in the General Assembly, died Thursday at 85.
Philz Coffee will once again sport the Pride flag at its cafés after a directive to have them and other flags removed created a backlash.
Three people were killed and one other was wounded in a shooting on Friday afternoon in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.
A flight from San Francisco to Boston was diverted to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago early Friday after the crew noticed an unusual odor on board.
From temporary shelter to a place to call home; that's the goal of a LaGrange-based nonprofit, which received $15 million in funding to continue creating a path forward for those experiencing homelessness.
Former Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who served 40 years in the General Assembly, died Thursday at 85.
President Trump spoke with CBS News Friday in a new telephone interview.
The House OK'd a short-term renewal of a controversial surveillance program used by U.S. spy agencies, after Republicans revolted and refused President Trump's push for a longer extension.
Chicago residents, businesses, and city employees altogether owe the city more than $8.1 billion in overdue debt, some of it dating back to the 1990s, according to a report from the city's inspector general.
But underground construction work on a presidential bunker underneath the ballroom can continue, the judge said.
A passenger on an American Airlines flight from New York to Chicago has been charged with making a false bomb threat that forced an emergency landing at Detroit Metro Airport last month, according to a federal criminal complaint.
Skyrocketing property taxes continue to be a hot-button issue in Cook County — particularly since last fall, when many residents saw their tax bills increase by 100% or more.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias this weekend issued a warning about a surge in text messages that falsely claim to come from his office or the DMV within it.
Tenants at a South Loop luxury high-rise that has been plagued with problems like broken elevators are vowing to fight five-day eviction notices.
It's become an annual March Madness tradition at CBS Chicago, pitting our city's best eateries in direct competition in a foodie bracket challenge. We did pizza, we've done Italian beef, we've done Chicago dogs. This year, we're taking flight with wings.
It has been several weeks since West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, Illinois, abruptly shut down — and then on Wednesday, it just as swiftly partially reopened, with some services available.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 80% of deaths related to pregnancy are preventable, and Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.
The United States has long struggled with understanding and finding ways to help treat mental illness. A new documentary, which is screening Saturday in Chicago, examines the reality of living with mental illness in America.
Allergy season is here, and the dreaded pollen can trigger sneezing, congestion, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Northwestern Medicine and the American Red Cross teamed up for a community blood drive in Chicago on Monday morning.
Philz Coffee will once again sport the Pride flag at its cafés after a directive to have them and other flags removed created a backlash.
A new restaurant has joined the busy stretch of Halsted Street toward the south end of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood that is also home to Alinea and Boka.
The federal government is suing Illinois, Connecticut and Arizona over efforts to regulate prediction market operators such as Kalshi and Polymarket.
The owners of the popular Uncommon Ground restaurant, live music venue, and brewery in Chicago's Wrigleyville community announced this week that they're looking for a successor to take over the business.
Chicago consistently ranks in the top three cities in Fortune 500 company headquarters, and now a competition has been launched to build on Chicago's power in business.
Blues icon and world music pioneer Taj Mahal will be headlining the Chicago Blues Festival this June.
The United States has long struggled with understanding and finding ways to help treat mental illness. A new documentary, which is screening Saturday in Chicago, examines the reality of living with mental illness in America.
Afrika Bambaataa, a rapper and producer, was best known for breakthrough tracks like 1982's "Planet Rock" and for founding the Universal Zulu Nation art collective.
Mozart's "Don Giovanni," the local premiere of the 2022 opera "Omar," and a fresh production of "Guys and Dolls" are among the highlights of the 2026-2027 season for Chicago's Lyric Opera.
Federal magistrate Renee Harris Toliver told Pooh Sheisty that the evidence against him is strong.
Chief meteorologist Albert Ramon has the latest First Alert Weather forecast.
The Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools have agreed to use May Day for a "day of civic action" for students and teachers.
A tornado watch has been expanded to the entire Chicago area as severe storms barrel east into the Chicago area. A tornado and funnel clouds were reported in Lena and Machesney Park, Illinois.
A flight from San Francisco to Boston was diverted to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago early Friday after the crew noticed an unusual odor on board.
A reported tornado in Lena Illinois, west of Rockford, has caused extensive storm damage. Police are warning people to stay away.
A reported tornado in Lena, Illinois, about 47 miles west of Rockford, has caused extensive storm damage, including possibly to schools that had students inside at the time.
Three people were killed and one other was wounded in a shooting on Friday afternoon in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.
Former Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who served 40 years in the General Assembly, died Thursday at 85.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability released video Friday of the deadly shooting that killed Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera in 2025.
Philz Coffee will once again sport the Pride flag at its cafés after a directive to have them and other flags removed created a backlash.
A specially designed playground in the West Pullman neighborhood is making a difference, addressing flooding and the impact of climate change across Chicago.
A tree planting initiative has kicked off in Chatham, among the Chicago neighborhoods most plagued by flooding, to help with the persistent problem.
Chicago residents, businesses, and city employees altogether owe the city more than $8.1 billion in overdue debt, some of it dating back to the 1990s, according to a report from the city's inspector general.
Some parents in southwest suburban Oswego are fired up, saying the school district invited all non-white students to participate in summer remedial programming, regardless of how they're doing in school.
New proposed Illinois legislation would allow renters or people who can't install massive rooftop panels to also harness the power of the sun.
Moisés Ballesteros, Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ homered, and the Chicago Cubs handed the Mets their ninth straight loss, pounding New York 12-4.
The University of Notre Dame and Villanova will kick off both their men's and women's 2026-2027 basketball seasons with an international game in Rome.
Junior Caminero homered and the Tampa Rays scored twice on bases-loaded walks in the ninth inning, rallying for a 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.
The Blackhawks won four of their last 15 games and three of their last 11 home games, but finished with 72 points, 11 more than last season.
Nico Hoerner drove in a career-high five runs, Shota Imanaga struck out 11 in six strong innings and the Chicago Cubs routed the Philadelphia Phillies 11-2 on Wednesday night.
Three people were killed and one other was wounded in a shooting on Friday afternoon in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.
A well-known café and newsstand in Chicago's Portage Park neighborhood was damaged early Thursday morning when a stolen car that police were pursuing crashed into it.
Gregory Morgan Jr. of Temple Hills, Maryland, was charged Thursday morning with two counts of second-degree assault in the Feb. 5 incident.
Members of the Cook County State's Attorney's office visited CTA train stations across Chicago on Thursday.
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife and then turned the gun on himself what police described as a murder-suicide in their home in Annandale, Virginia, police said Thursday.
