CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Board of Education approved a balanced budget for Chicago Public Schools Thursday.

Twelve of the Board members voted "yes," and seven voted "no." One person abstained from voting, after an hours-long debate, comment and pleas from CPS teachers, staff and parents.

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If the budget had not passed, the district could have temporarily shut down.

"It's incredibly exciting that we got to this passed budget, you know. School will be in session tomorrow. School will be in session after Labor Day; so, it's a really joyous occasion for us. And I think the most important thing is that elected members stood together," Board member Carlos Rivas Jr. said.

Chicago's mayor and his aligned School Board members and the C

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