CHICAGO - The vote on the Chicago Public Schools ’ proposed 2026 budget is hanging by a thread.

Nine CPS board members currently support the budget as is, while 10 are asking for changes, notably the inclusion of a $175 million pension payment and a $200 million short-term high-interest loan to pay for it.

‘Bad things happen’

What we know:

CPS board members and interim CEO Macquline King heard from anxious residents imploring them to pass a budget that minimizes cuts to things like special education.

"When you cut the budget, bad things happen to those individuals like my son and grandson, to those individuals that need those self-contained classrooms," said parent Vikki Lewis, holding back tears.

King and her leadership team presented a budget that closes a $734 million shortfal

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