Massive school debt: It's Chicago's problem today, but it will likely be our trouble before too long

 

Chicago's public schools are in a serious financial situation, according to Macquline King, the school system's interim superintendent.

The school system is facing a budget short fall of nearly $734M, or more than $201M in debt than previously reported, King announced June 26. In addition to that debt, the school district is carrying more than $8.6B in long-term debt, in the form of bonds, mostly for building construction and improvements. And there's more.

The school system also has a significantly under-funded pension program. As of late 2024, the pension system was funded at 47.2%.

In announcing the new numbers, King promised to make addressing the debt a top priority, but offered no details. The Chicago Public School Board approved a four-year, $1.5B contract with the Chicago Teachers Union in May. The union represents more than 25,000 teachers.

There's significant debt before the school board and firm commitments on the table. The school board needs to address both.

The state's 2026 fiscal year begins July 1. The state's new $55B budget includes $11.2B for the Illinois State Board of Education (up from $10.8B), according to Chalkbeat.org, which covers public education in Illinois. 

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker just announced that he intends to seek election to a third term next year, but he's also made it clear that he's considering a run for president in 2028. As a Democrat, JB thinks taxpayers throughout Illinois should help Chicago residents address their financial challenges - which not only the school system, but the city's transit system, the city's pension system for the police and fire departments, and the city's government. In other words, the pain must be shared, and "we're all in this together," as elected officials often say just before they screw the taxpayers. 

And while the budget shortfall facing the Chicago school board appears at first glance to be a Chicago problem, it is in reality an Illinois problem, and possibly, in time, a national problem, one requiring federal tax dollars. 

That's how I see it. 

-- Thank you for reading. Your comments and questions are always welcome.

Riding the rails still fascinates me

 

My adult daughter reminded this week that traveling by railroad remains a fascinating means of transportation.

She works with developmentally challenged adults. She and a few of her coworkers are leading a group of the adults they work with on a summer vacation that includes travel by Amtrak from Chicago to Colorado and then to Utah, before returning back to Chicago. My daughter emails me regular updates and photos from the journey, and these reports indicate everyone is enjoying a wonderful time.

Amtrak, I know, has its critics and much of their criticism of the rail service is accurate and well-founded, I think, but none of that is important to my daughter and the individuals she is supervising on the trip. 

They're too busy enjoying the views from Amtrak's touring cars, the unique experience of dining on a train, and the deep sleep they enjoy from being rocked to sleep by the motions of a moving train. That's what my daughter reports, and her pictures capture images that support every detail.

Her email reports make me happy. I've always enjoyed trains, and everything about them. I grew up near multiple rail lines that carried both commuter and freight traffic. 

My dad frequently took me and my younger siblings to sit and watch the trains travel through town. It always interested me to see the passing trains and wonder where they were headed, what freight they carried, and who were the people riding in those commuter cars? 

Several of my neighbors at that time were businessmen who rode the commuter trains to Chicago during the business week, and their routine fascinated me as I child. Going back and forth to the big city by train seemed exciting, and I thought each day must have held the promise of thrilling new adventure on the rails.

I can still recall my first ride on that commuter train, and my first ride on Chicago subway. I've always enjoyed reading the history of railroads in this country and elsewhere. 

I suppose Hollywood's depiction of railroads and what is widely considered the "golden era" of rail travel (the late 19^th century through the mid-1950s) fuels some of my interest. Wouldn't it be nice to travel in the luxury of the Orient Express or something similar, particularly after enduring modern air travel? 

I seldom need to ride a commuter train today, but still try to enjoy the experience when I do. It's been more than 40 years since I've traveled by Amtrak. What I recall most is that the seating was comfortable, the train departed on time, arrived on time, and delivered us all safely. All of that was important to be me then, and remains a top priority to me today. 

In her most recent note to me, my daughter encouraged me to plan a trip by Amtrak. I'll discuss that with Mrs. B. We might look at that for next summer. In the meantime, I'm glad my daughter and her travel companions are enjoying their time riding the rails across America.

And that's the way I see it. 

-- Thank you for reading, You comments and questions are always welcome.

Midwest Summers: Only the strong survive

 

Most of the nation is in the fifth day of an early summer heat wave. Daily temperatures where I live are in the mid-90s, about 15 degrees above normal for late June, and humidity readings are high, making life uncomfortable for most. It's clear that many people simply don't know how to cope with these conditions.

Media news reports include advice and tips for staying safe and alive. These include staying indoors, drinking lots of water, avoiding alcohol, and strenuous work, or prolonged periods outdoors. I can usually follow the advice.  My circumstances permit me to mostly stay indoors and to dress appropriately for the weather when I must be outdoors. 

But I'm also in my mid-60s and have lived in the Midwest all my life. I've experienced extreme temperatures at both ends of the thermometer and learned valuable lessons at a young age. 

I always think of my childhood during these periods of high heat and humidity, back during the 1960s and '70s, before my parents could afford to install central air conditioning in their home. It was hot inside the house, particularly on the second floor, where most of my siblings and I shared bedrooms. We relied on floor and window fans to move air around the rooms and provide some relief. 

Mostly we learned to adapt and endure the uncomfortable heat. It was just the way it was, and most everyone else in the area lived as we did. As a child and later as a young adult I could easily dress for the weather. During the late '70s and in the years that followed, society relaxed its standards regarding personal attire in public, and before long nearly everyone dressed as though they were in their teen years and ready to spend the day in front of the TV. Visit a grocery store today, and you'll see exactly what I mean. 

Yet I recall thinking even back during my teen years about those who had come before, those in the 1950s and earlier, who endured challenging summer weather and were expected to dress for set social standards that called for dresses for females, and attire for males of nearly ages that we today would call business formal - dress pants, shirt, a tie and most likely a suit coat to complete the look. 

In addition, men were expected to wear a hat in public. My dad preferred a fedora. He wore one during the work week all the way through the mid-1970s. He had a Homburg hat for formal occasions. 

It amazes me even to this day when I think that he and nearly every other male dressed to this standard in hot weather simply because the manners of the day and good social comportment expected it. What's more is that they did so without the media telling them to stay hydrated and indoors. They drank when they were thirsty, and they sat down to cool off when they felt it was necessary. 

I'm all for dressing for weather conditions, particularly when temperatures reach 90-degrees, but I also miss the days when individuals put an effort toward appearance and style when stepping out in public. 

I also miss the days when newscasters simply reported the news and didn't act like nannies to us all. I might be wrong, but I think most people will figure out how to survive a heat wave on their own, one way or another. 

And that's the way I see it.

- Thank you for reading. Your comment and questions are always welcome.