East Central Reporter

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is appealing to the Illinois General Assembly, including outspoken critics like State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), for help resolving a projected $730 million budget shortfall. 

District leaders are urging lawmakers to lift state-imposed property tax caps and unlock new revenue streams, but critics argue the real issue is not funding but a lack of accountability and results.

Halbrook, a vocal opponent of CPS's proposed revenue increase, said Illinois taxpayers should not be asked to pay more for a school system that spends over $29,000 per student yet delivers poor academic results and is losing public trust.

“The problem is not the amount of money being spent in the Chicago Public Schools,” Halbrook toldd the East Central Reporter. “The problem is the lack of accountability. We need to hold teachers and administrators to higher standards. We need to have more transparency in how money is being spent.” 

Halbrook’s comments come amid growing backlash to CPS Board of Education members Aaron “Jitu” Brown and Debby Pope, who last week urged the Illinois General Assembly to lift state-imposed caps on property taxes. Brown used racialized language in his appeal for more money. 

“We are committed to NO CUTS,” Brown wrote in a social media post. “The days of balancing CPS' budget on the backs of Black and Brown children have ended.”

But critics say the district is misdiagnosing the problem.

“The purpose of our education system is to educate children,” Halbrook said. “The Chicago Teachers’ Union seems to think the purpose is to create jobs. It is time we had an education system that is pupil focused – not union focused. If we focus on kids, we will find it costs a lot less to teach kids than the teachers’ unions are leading us to believe.”

CPS currently spends more per student than any other district in the state. Yet recent data shows only one in four students is proficient in reading or math. College readiness and completion rates are also falling.

“Brandon Johnson and CTUs school board want Springfield to lift the cap so they can RAISE PROPERTY TAXES even more,” Jeff Orr said on X.  

Orr also accused sympathetic media outlets of ignoring critical details, specifically the possibility that repealing PTELL (the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law) would allow CPS to raise taxes without voter approval.

“It's crazy the Sun-Times and Sarah Karp covered this social media post and left out getting rid of PTELL,” Orr wrote on X. “No more government funding for media that runs cover for an administration.” 

Halbrook agreed, pointing out that Illinois already has one of the highest property tax burdens in the country.

“Illinois has the highest property taxes in the nation,” he said. “The last thing we need to do is create a path to raising taxes even more. In fact, we need to do more than just avoid property tax increases – we need to look at spending reforms so that we can lower property taxes and allow people to stay in their homes longer.” 

Halbrook said CPS has failed to demonstrate how more money will improve outcomes.

“CPS needs to demonstrate how more money is going to lead to better results,” he said. “CPS spends $29,000 per student. Why are current spending levels insufficient? If spending $29,000 per student is not doing the job – how is more money going to accomplish what $29,000 per student cannot? We need a line by accounting of all expenses, and we need an accounting for why the money is not delivering results.” 

He pointed to the performance of Chicago’s Catholic schools, many of which operate at less than half the cost per student, as evidence that strong outcomes don’t require inflated budgets.

“Catholic schools spend $12,000 per student and get far better results than the one in four students who are proficient in reading and math at Chicago Public Schools,” Halbrook said. “The bottom line is until CPS agrees to a forensic audit – they should not receive one dime of increased revenue.” 

Halbrook also criticized CPS’s investment in the “Sustainable Community Schools” model, which has been championed by the Chicago Teachers Union but has consistently underperformed CPS averages in test scores and attendance.

Meanwhile, the decision by Democrat leadership in the General Assembly to sunset the Invest in Kids school choice program has further fueled debate. The program provided tax-credit scholarships averaging $6,000 per student and allowed thousands of low-income families to enroll their children in private schools. Supporters say it offered better academic outcomes at lower cost.

“Parochial schools are able to get better results for students because they prioritize students and families,” Halbrook said. “They understand money does not grow on trees and they budget responsibly. They have high standards for their teachers which translate into better results with their students. They discipline students when necessary and they do not reward bad, disruptive behavior in the classroom. They also focus on learning essentials. Their goal is instruction—not indoctrination. CPS would be wise to follow this model.” 

He called on lawmakers to reinstate the Invest in Kids program and consider participation in new federal initiatives aimed at expanding school choice.

“We need to reinvest in Invest in Kids,” he said. “We need to opt into the federal scholarship program the Trump Administration is launching. We need to give parents and families in Chicago the ability to escape the failing CPS schools.” 

Halbrook represents House District 107 which includes the communities of Shelbyville, Taylorville, Pana, Effingham and Sullivan.