Kate Perez

Kate Perez is a former intern who covered emerging news and education for the Tribune.

Mayor Brandon Johnson, left, greets Sean Harden, president of the Chicago Board of Education, before the mayor's budget address to the City Council on Oct. 16, 2025, at City Hall. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

CPS gets $522M boost from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget proposal

October 16, 2025 at 2:19 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson's spending plan for Chicago Public Schools heavily relies on the prospective TIF revenue from the city.

Chicago Board of Education president candidate Sendhil Revuluri at a co-working space in the West Loop on Oct. 13, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Former CPS board Vice President Sendhil Revuluri to run for top seat

October 15, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

The former vice president aims to align the school board under a single goal of promoting student learning if he’s elected next year.

The Rev. Larry Dowling marches with the Eucharist in a procession led by the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership from St. Eulalia Catholic Church in Maywood to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in Broadview, Oct. 11, 2025. Eucharistic ministers, including Dowling, later attempted to commemorate Communion with detainees in the ICE processing facility. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

Hundreds participate in procession to Broadview ICE facility to condemn detentions and deportations

October 11, 2025 at 6:57 p.m.

Organizers say the event was held to provide solidarity and support to detainees at the facility, with participants walking more than a mile to Broadview.

Lane Tech high school students Sophie Estrada, left, and Alicia Munoz make their own pinatas during Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 24, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

CPS students celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month amid time of tension: ‘We deserve to be here’

October 6, 2025 at 1:13 p.m.

Despite fear in Chicago as intimidation and arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents ramp up, students are finding solace and joy by honoring their culture.

Workers continue the construction on O’Hare International Airport’s Global Terminal Concourse D expansion on Oct. 4, 2025, in Chicago. Some of the expansion’s goals are to increase sustainability and passenger comfort. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

Behind the scenes of the construction at O’Hare’s new global terminal

October 6, 2025 at 12:35 p.m.

Nearly two months after first breaking ground for a new global international terminal, construction is preliminary at O'Hare.

Chicago High School for the Arts, 2714 W. Augusta Blvd., on May 1, 2019. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

ChiArts won’t seek renewal of CPS contract, making its future unclear

October 3, 2025 at 6:18 p.m.

Known for its conservatory curriculum, ChiArts' plans not to renew its contract leaves the school's future up in the air after June 2026.

Kindergarteners at Arther Libby Elementary school hold signs during a Peace Walk Out for International Day of Peace in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood on Sept. 23, 2025. More children in Illinois overall are demonstrating readiness for kindergarten compared with previous years. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

New study on Illinois’ public education system sees promise and problems

October 1, 2025 at 12:31 p.m.

Education in Illinois shows promising areas of growth but remains hampered by high costs and stagnant proficiency rates, a new report says.

A protester holds up her phone and backs away from federal agents shooting chemical gas at protesters along Harvard Street near the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement facility on Sept. 26, 2025, in Broadview. Federal agents used several kinds of chemical gas, baton rounds and arrested at least two people after protesters refused to clear the street. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Broadview village leaders condemn ICE presence in suburb and threats of greater enforcement actions

September 28, 2025 at 7:42 p.m.

Broadview village leaders advise residents to "take all necessary precautions" in a statement Saturday following retaliatory threats they say ICE made.

The Rev. Brendan Curran, who knew Pedro “Pepe” Toledo Catalán from his time at St. Pius V Catholic Church, leads funeral guests in the Lord’s Prayer during Catalán's funeral on Sept. 27, 2025, at the church in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

‘Everybody knew Pepe’: Slain Pilsen man remembered at funeral as kind, always happy

September 29, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.

Pedro “Pepe” Toledo Catalan was memorialized as a person of peace Saturday, nearly a month after being shot and killed in Pilsen.

Students listen as Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at Manierre Elementary School's first day of classes, Aug. 20, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Student enrollment numbers down across CPS as board, community members voice concern

September 25, 2025 at 7:06 p.m.

Chicago Public Schools has seen a drop in student enrollment since last year particularly in diverse student populations.

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