A critical mass of Chicago school board members has officially come out against reimbursing City Hall for a disputed pension payment, dooming its chances of passing. That leaves Mayor Branson Johnson with less than a week to either change their minds or figure out another way to come up with the money he needs to close the city’s 2024 budget in the black.
Board of Education President Sean Harden postponed a pivotal vote last week on the approval of a $175 million pension payment from Chicago Public Schools to the city, a clear sign it lacked enough support to pass. He said the delay was due to an imminent contract agreement with the Chicago Teachers Union — though that deal has not been reached.
Over the weekend, seven of 20 voting board members signed a letter telling Harden that their votes will remain against the pension payment if he calls a special meeting this week to reintroduce the issue. While approval of the pension payment only needs a simple majority to pass, a corresponding budget amendment would be necessary, and that needs two-thirds of votes — 14 out of 20…