The Chicago Board of Education is set to take a closely-watched vote on a budget plan for the city's schools this afternoon.
But before any vote happens, the Board will swear in a new member. The Sun-Times reports Mayor Johnson has appointed DEI consultant Ángel Vélez to fill a vacant seat representing the city's South side.
Once that's done, the board's 21 members -- eleven of whom were appointed by the mayor -- are expected to turn their attention to the proposed budget from interim CEO Dr. Macquline King.
It erases a projected $700 million deficit, but it does not include a $175 million payment to the pension fund for non-teaching CPS workers, and it doesn't include additional borrowing to cover that payment.
Mayor Johnson has strongly hinted he wants both of those items included, and told reporters last week he believes the final budget will have them.
"Well, (a budget is) gonna get passed with a majority of the board that understands my vision for public education," the mayor said after a tour of Lincoln Park Zoo on August 20. "We'll get a budget that's balanced that also reflects my values, that creates options and opportunities for us to continue to make the critical investments."
A majority of the board's members have already signaled that they're not comfortable voting for a budget that doesn't include the things the Mayor wants ... but at last check, an alternate budget is not on the agenda.
