Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates may think that EPIC Academy’s decision to cease operations is a sign the charter school movement is finished (“The wheels have come off Chicago education reformers’ charter school experiment,” Sept. 24). But for the 55,000 students who attend Chicago charters, the wheels certainly have not “come off” charter public schools.
In Davis Gates’ latest screed against charter public schools, she misses two critical realities. First, charter public schools are under fiscal stress caused by Chicago Public Schools’ inequitable funding, including a 3% administrative fee that is charged to charter schools, a per-pupil deduction for the district’s pension debt and facilities funding that isn’t proportional. Second, charter school “instability” is directly caused by the CTU forcing its unaffordable salary structure on charter schools, undermining the schools’ existence.
It’s time to connect the dots between the 13 charter school closures in Chicago announced in the last five years. It’s no coincidence that 10 out of the 13 of these charter schools were unionized. It’s quite rich for a union to foment instability and then complain about it.
But this tracks with the CTU’s recent history and solidifies its transformation from a representative body into a political party. Despite claiming to support charter teachers, the CTU has never once advocated for fair funding for charter schools.
Tellingly, in her one-sided recitation of the history of charter public schools in Chicago, Davis Gates doesn’t once mention the central question: whether charter school students are succeeding academically and being prepared to live flourishing lives. Perhaps that’s because the evidence on this point is incontrovertible.
According to research from Stanford University, charter school students learn more than peer-matched students in district-managed schools. In Chicago, that difference was equal to charter school students attending 40 extra days of school for reading and 48 extra days for math. These are results our city should be proud of and look to as a beacon for what all public schools can accomplish.
Today, Chicago charter schools educate more than 55,000 students across the city, more than 98% of whom are students of color and 86% of whom qualify for free or reduced lunch. It’s time for those children to be treated like equals and not disadvantaged by discriminatory policies that exacerbate existing equity barriers.
— Andrew Broy, president, Illinois Network of Charter Schools
Underfunding of CPS
Regarding the article “Student enrollment numbers down across CPS” (Sept. 26): Why is enrollment falling? The state of Illinois admits, by its own numbers, that it underfunds CPS by $1 billion each year.
Think that might have something to do with it?
— Michael Connolly, Chicago
Give us unfiltered report
I read David Greising’s column regarding Mayor Brandon Johnson’s financial task force recommendations for shoring up Chicago’s massive budget gap (“Many of the ideas for closing Chicago’s budget gap won’t make a dent,” Sept. 26). As Greising correctly explains, many of these proposals are not new, and some won’t be all that effective.
The one glaring omission from his column is the Ernst and Young report that taxpayers shelled out $3 million for. It has been completed and is sitting on the mayor’s desk.
As noted in a Sept. 11 editorial (“Release ‘unfiltered’ Ernst & Young report, mayor”): “Leave it to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration to make something that ought to be simple and straightforward into a convoluted mess.”
When will the Tribune and other journalists demand that the mayor release the “unfiltered” Ernst and Young report that we paid for?
— Tony LaMantia, Chicago
City lacks visionary leaders
Chicago elected officials and civic leaders should tour the neighborhoods of the CTA Red Line extension. I grew up in some of these neighborhoods. They ain’t what they used to be, but what will they be in 10, 20 or 30 years?
The city of Chicago lacks leaders with visionary people-based policies that will make these neighbors safe enough for children, teens and adults.
— Marc Sims, Chicago
Mayor should play offense
What exactly does Mayor Brandon Johnson mean when he says things such as “jails, incarceration and law enforcement should not be considered some kind of ‘salvation’ for the Black and brown communities of Chicago” or “jails and incarceration and law enforcement is a sickness that has not led to safe communities”?
It appears he’s constantly playing defense by doubling down and refusing to clarify his remarks and blaming other people’s insecurities. Sadly, he depends on doublespeak.
I suggest he pivot and begin playing offense by working on the antecedents that create situations that cause people of any color to face potential incarceration.
Once again, through his remarks focusing his concerns on Black and Brown communities, Johnson has abandoned the remainder of the citizens in the city of Chicago.
— Cathleen Bylina, Chicago
Megaproject bill needed
The Chicago Bears’ decision to make Arlington Heights the site of their next stadium and the accompanying redevelopment of Arlington Park are the most significant economic development opportunity Illinois has seen in decades.
The benefits are wide-ranging: thousands of construction and permanent jobs; a stronger, broader tax base to support schools, infrastructure and public services; new opportunities for small businesses; and a vibrant regional destination that will raise Illinois’ national profile.
Importantly, the impact will not stop at the borders of Arlington Heights. A development of this scale creates ripples across the northwest suburbs and throughout Illinois. The influx of visitors and investment will benefit hotels, restaurants, retailers and cultural institutions from Lake County to DuPage, Cook and beyond. This is about growth for all of Illinois.
To realize this potential, Illinois lawmakers must act. A megaproject bill needs to be passed during the upcoming veto session. This legislation will give the Bears, the village of Arlington Heights and the state the framework to move forward with clarity. Without it, we risk delays, uncertainty and the possibility that Illinois squanders a generational chance to show we can deliver a transformative project. If done correctly, this bill would also provide a framework for other projects in the state. We must encourage innovation and investment, and a megaproject bill would do just that.
Illinois cannot afford to miss this moment. Other states and regions are aggressively pursuing opportunities like this. We should seize the chance to prove that Illinois is competitive, ambitious and ready to invest in its future.
I urge legislators in Springfield: Make the megaproject bill a top priority this fall. Let’s build more than a stadium. Let’s build confidence in Illinois’ future.
— Ernie Rose, Arlington Heights
Put money toward drones
Raise the maximum hiring age for sworn Chicago police officers to 55? Please.
Even if there were enough people interested in becoming a sworn officer, the city can’t pay them. Can you say $1.1 billion deficit? How about working to expand the Chicago Police Department drone unit?
Don’t wait. Create line items in the 2026 CPD budget within the special functions bureau for drone equipment, personnel and training.
— Charlie Spence, Chicago
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
