advertisement

Cuts to Chicago schools hurt entire state

The League of Women Voters of Chicago is alarmed at the size and significance of the cuts facing the Chicago Public Schools. Cuts of this magnitude will quickly destroy much of the improvement that has been made, slowly and painstakingly, in educational outcomes for nearly 400,000 students, over the past 25 years.

Without significant help for the Chicago Public Schools, there will be serious unintended consequences: skilled teachers and principals will find work elsewhere; families who can move to the suburbs, where they do not have to face these disastrous cuts, will do so; parents who have stayed in or moved to the city for its diversity will not sacrifice the education of their children for a school system that has class sizes of 40 or more, no extracurricular activities, no art, music, or other enrichment courses, and fewer AP classes.

The fallout from destroying the current, hard-won potential of the Chicago Public Schools will not leave the city unscathed, nor the state. As go the Chicago Public Schools, so goes the city of Chicago. Chicago, as the economic and cultural engine of Illinois, will take a severe blow to its reputation as a good place for new business and new employees. Everyone loses.

But even with all those negative outcomes for the state, the city and CPS parents, there is a more basic question: How can our governor and legislative leaders allow the state to break faith with 397,000 students, from kindergarten to high school seniors, who have trusted them?

Margaret Herring, President

League of Women Voters of Chicago

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.