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| What Chicago's Talking About |
| Citizens, Legal Residents Detained From O’Hare | A group of three U.S. citizens and three green-card holders was detained by federal immigration agents over “recent travel history.” They were taken first to the Broadview processing center, then a facility in Wisconsin. One citizen, a Skokie resident, was held for nearly 30 hours. [Sun-Times] | | Mexican Dance Studio Targeted in Hate Incident | Families were harassed by neighbors while leaving Ballet Folklorico de Chicago, an Avondale dance studio. “You’re lucky ICE is not here,” one neighbor shouted from a nearby balcony while a man poured clear liquid down onto the students. The incident was caught on video. [Block Club] | | Cops Still Not Documenting All Traffic Stops | Following 210,622 undocumented traffic stops in 2024, the Chicago Police Department said it would fix the discrepancy. That didn’t happen. In 2025, undocumented traffic stops shot up nearly 27%. Meanwhile, documented traffic stops are on the decline. [WTTW] |
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| | | Should school board members be paid? Illinois is weighing that question ahead of a big change to the board. In November, for the first time, Chicagoans will vote to fill all 21 seats. | - How does the school board work? Twenty-one unpaid board members hire and fire the Chicago Public Schools CEO, approve the district budget, approve contracts, and weigh in on disciplinary questions.
- The current setup: The city split into 10 voting districts in 2024, with one school board official elected from each. Mayor Brandon Johnson then appointed 11 others to round out a new hybrid board.
- How is that going? Well … the task of choosing an interim CEO to replace the ousted Pedro Martinez led to a schism last year. More recently, some board members accused Johnson of sabotaging the CEO search, although finalists have now reportedly been chosen. Again.
- To pay: Advocates for paying board members say adding salaries will broaden representation, as sitting on the board takes up to 25 hours of work per week. Passing this year’s budget was especially demanding.
- Or not to pay: The no-pay rule is a holdover from when the board was made up entirely of mayoral appointees. Some argue it encourages people to serve for more than a paycheck. Plus, CPS’ budget is tight.
- FWIW: Of the nation's 10 biggest school districts, only two others have unpaid boards: New York City and Houston.
- A potential pathway: A new bill in the state House would pave the way for board members to earn a salary, but two previous versions have failed. Should it pass, setting the amount would be up to districts statewide.
- Big money behind the board: In 2024, campaign spending in school board elections surpassed $13 million — and that was for half the seats. So regardless of any future salaries, candidates may have to cough it up.
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