Investigation Reveals Disturbing Findings at Chicago Public Schools

By Jim Talamonti, The Center Square

The Chicago Board of Education’s Office of Inspector General recently released a report that uncovered disturbing findings at Chicago Public Schools. The report detailed falsified federal grant applications, false reports on employee income statements, and significant levels of sexual abuse within the school system.

Sexual Misconduct Allegations

According to the report, the OIG’s Sexual Allegations Unit closed 335 cases with 55 substantiated findings of misconduct, with nearly half of the allegations involving teachers or substitute teachers. The office substantiated 26 cases in fiscal year 2025. Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed his concerns, emphasizing the need for schools to be safe spaces for students.

The report highlighted instances of adult-on-student sexual misconduct at two high schools on one campus, with allegations aligning with Greater Lawndale High School for Social Justice in Little Village. The report also mentioned cases where employees engaged in sexual misconduct towards students and former students.

Falsified Grant Applications and Income Statements

The OIG report revealed that a program manager within CPS repeatedly falsified federal grant applications, despite earlier recommendations to correct the misconduct. This resulted in CPS receiving federal funding based on unverified data, leading to a repayment of $1,194,935 by October 2026. Additionally, over 600 CPS employees falsely identified themselves as ‘low-income’ on income statements, qualifying their children for student fee waivers and schools for extra funding.

In response to these findings, CPS has stopped using Family Income Information Forms to determine school funding. Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski highlighted what he called “legal corruption” within CPS, pointing to the influence of the Chicago Teachers Union and a rise in administrative staff despite declining student enrollment.

Conclusion

The Chicago Board of Education’s OIG report sheds light on troubling issues within Chicago Public Schools, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in addressing misconduct and financial discrepancies. The full report can be viewed online.

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