Capital Plan FY2026

Introduction

The FY2026 budget for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) includes a capital budget totaling $555.9 million of investments that will focus on priority facilities needs at neighborhood schools, mechanical systems that control the indoor environment and air quality of our schools, building envelope improvements for roofing systems, ADA accessibility, restroom modernizations, student recreation and athletic improvements, site improvements, and continued expansion of technology upgrades and other academic priorities. To support schools throughout the city, the FY2026 capital plan provides funding in five main areas: critical facility needs, interior improvements, programmatic investments, site improvements, and IT upgrades.

CPS will continue to invest in energy efficiency measures, including the replacement of existing equipment with energy-efficient equipment, replacement of steam heating systems with hydronic systems, lighting controls, replacement or addition of Building Automation Systems (BAS) for more efficient systems operations, heat pumps, replacement of existing roof-mounted equipment with energy-efficient equipment, improved roof reflectance and energy efficiency resulting from a water and airtight roofing envelope system, which we can build on to further invest in energy savings through clean energy investments.

CPS is committed to promoting equitable access to high-quality school environments, and equity served as the foundation for the FY2026 capital plan. The District's Equity Office played an important role in developing the FY2026 capital proposal by helping to ensure that resources are distributed fairly and equitably across CPS schools so that all students can share in the District's record-setting progress. In addition, the FY2026 capital budget planning process included several enhancements, most notably around transparency and community outreach.

Community feedback requested more transparency in the prioritization process for Capital projects. In April, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) held three virtual and two in-person meetings to involve communities in discussing capital priorities for the FY26 Capital Plan. These sessions, led by the CPS Capital Department, Office of Equity, and Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE), offered insights into the capital planning process and helped prioritize critical needs. We received over 5,000 survey responses during the capital plan development process. The high number of critical facility needs identified by the Educational Facilities Masterplan (EFMP) is reflected in the proposed Capital budget, which allocates funds across various categories.

The CPS facility portfolio includes 522 campuses and 803 buildings. Our average facility age is over 85 years old, and the total CPS immediate critical facility need is nearly $4 billion. Since FY2017, CPS has invested over $3 billion into capital improvements across the District. These projects include major renovations to ensure our schools stay warm and dry, facility construction to relieve overcrowding, security cameras to provide a safer environment for our children, and renovations to aid programmatic enhancements, among others. Additionally, CPS is continuing to invest in ADA upgrades to ensure all CPS campuses are more accessible.

The FY2026 capital budget is primarily funded by future issuance of general obligation bonds, which are principally repaid by Evidence-Based Funding (EBF). (For more information, please see the Debt Management chapter of the budget book.) A portion of the FY2025 budget is also funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds, state funding, and other outside resources as they become identified.

We have several buildings that are underutilized and a few overcrowded buildings. Based on public feedback, space efficiency is a budget category that was first introduced in the FY25 Capital plan and is also proposed in the FY26 Capital plan. The Capital team will continue to develop deep dives into the buildings’ portfolio to (a) Determine if there are sections of a building that can be closed off to reduce operational costs, (b) Determine if there are obsolete buildings that should be demolished or replaced, and (c) Determine if there are campuses that are overcrowded with no other solutions other than a capital investment to relieve the overcrowding. Public feedback to the EFMP acknowledged the underutilized and overcrowded buildings, and this budget category will continue the detailed analysis and implement projects to address these challenges as part of a long-term plan.

CPS will continue incorporating sustainable materials into the Capital projects since CPS specifications have been modified to include these materials (examples include energy-efficient mechanical equipment, roofs with higher R-value, low volatile organic compounds content paint, etc.). We are also seeking public feedback about innovative ways for CPS to share our buildings to support the community.

The FY2026 capital budget is primarily funded by future issuance of general obligation bonds, which are principally repaid by Evidence-Based Funding (EBF). (For more information, please see the Debt Management chapter of the budget book.) A portion of the FY2026 budget is also funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds, state funding, and other outside resources as they become identified.

Full details on the FY2026 capital budget are available on the interactive capital plan website: www.cps.edu/capitalplanbi. The site allows users to quickly select projects by school, geographic area, type, and year.

CPS’ capital plan aligns with the priorities outlined in the Educational Facilities Master Plan. Future projects will be determined by equity, assessed need, educational priorities, and available funding with the goal of maximizing the number of students impacted by the capital investments.

District Equity Index to Prioritize Investments

In recent years, the District has focused on prioritizing investments that promote equitable access to high-quality learning environments. To advance this work, the District will continue to utilize the Equity Index, a tool to help identify opportunity differences so that resources can be prioritized for the schools in greatest need. Public feedback from the Capital engagement surveys confirmed overall alignment with the equity index factors and weights. The equity index was also central to developing this year’s capital plan.

Outside Funding

CPS has a significant backlog of deferred critical facility needs, so additional funding is always being pursued to help mitigate some of this backlog. One of these outside funding sources is the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds, which are approved in a variety of categories. Also, CPS is continuing to work with the State to leverage Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) funding.

Utilizing the $55.7 million in outside funding, CPS is planning capital facility upgrades, programmatic upgrades, and site improvements, in addition to the ITS upgrades at several campuses.

Priority Facility Needs

Every student deserves to access a neighborhood school that is warm, safe, and dry, and - in addition to the $55.7 million in outside funding - CPS is allocating $327.5 million in funding for critical maintenance projects and interior improvements. As part of our commitment to equity, the District is prioritizing renovations throughout the city to ensure all students can learn and grow in school buildings that support high-quality learning environments.

The FY2026 capital budget addresses the District’s priority renovation projects and most urgent facility needs. We will invest in 21 major roof and envelope projects and ten renovations to mechanical systems. Along with these projects, the funding will provide:

• $195.9 million for priority roof, envelope, and mechanical projects;
• $80 million for unanticipated emergency repairs;
• $16.7 million for space efficiency and interior improvements;
• $15 million for fire alarm system replacement;
• $10 million for energy efficiency projects.

Support for Students with Physical Limitations

We will invest $9.9 million to increase Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility in 14 schools as part of a multi-year program to ensure all CPS buildings have first-floor accessibility.

Programmatic Investments to Build Upon School Success

CPS is investing $13.6 million in programmatic investments, including pre-k renovations, nutrition and food service improvements and student recreation and athletic resources. This investment continues the District’s stadium and swimming pool refurbishment program.

Site Improvements that Foster Learning

This year’s capital budget includes $12.7 million to design and build new playgrounds, playlots, and schoolyards across the city so that students can benefit from a well-rounded education that promotes healthy and active development. This includes continuation of the Space to Grow program, which includes investments by the Department of Water Management (DWM) and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). In addition, $5 million will be allocated to improve parking lots and replace turf fields.

IT, Facility, and Building System Investments

In FY2026, we are also continuing our multi-year investment in the Technology Modernization Program and high-speed internet for schools throughout the city. In FY2026, the District is allocating $108 million to upgrade school network infrastructure to address equitable connectivity, replace aging hardware at schools, and upgrade our data warehouse and data backups.

Finally, to support cleanliness at every school, $5.5 million will be used to fund the insourcing of custodial equipment to serve the students better.

Five-Year Capital Plan

CPS’ five-year capital plan will include further investments in deferred maintenance, targeted site improvements, and emergency projects. Future projects will be determined by assessed need, district educational priorities, and an equitable distribution of available funding. CPS intends to target annual capital funding of approximately $550 million as part of its five-year capital investment strategy.