CPS is committed to ensuring that our schools remain safe, inclusive, and welcoming educational environments that embrace and celebrate everyone in our diverse school communities. The District is part of a major, city-wide, all-hands-on-deck effort led by the city to support our students and families.
Thankfully, the District has strong protections already on the books for our students and staff; you can read about them in more detail here. These protections were reaffirmed by the Board of Education in a resolution last year. CPS will continue to rely on these policies and protections to guide our District in the months ahead.
View the sections below for more information on each topic.
The information on this page may not always be current due to the fast changing presidential administration policies. CPS strives to have this page reflect the current information and resources as soon as we can.
Resources
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Know Your Rights
On January 21, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights (IMMR) issued a Know Your Rights Resource Guide, which includes critical information about:
- Legal services and hotlines
- Key protections like the Welcoming City Ordinance
- Emergency family planning resources
- Healthcare options for all, including undocumented individuals
- How to recognize and report hate crimes and hate incidents
The guide is currently available in English, Spanish, and French.
You can also download the City of Chicago's Know Your Rights Flyer.
This resource provided by the office of Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul contains critical information that can help students and families protect themselves and defend their rights. It is available here in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Serbian, and Urdu.
This similar resource provided by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) showing actions that families can take is available here in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Russian, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
Download the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Rights Card.
Trainings/Workshops
CPS’ Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE) is working with Community-based organizations to hold “Know Your Rights” trainings and workshops through our Parent University program and at individual schools, prioritizing school communities with large numbers of immigrant and newcomer families.
Here is a list of current opportunities:
- Starting Tuesday, Jan. 21, 9:30 a.m.: Enlace Chicago will be hosting weekly Know Your Rights workshops through the CPS Network 7 Pilsen/Little Village Parent University located at Perez Elementary at 2001 S Throop St. For more information and registration, please contact 773-379-5669. These sessions will be in Spanish.
- Friday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m.: One Northside and Arise Chicago will be hosting an in-person Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 2 Rogers Park Parent University located at Field ES at 7019 N. Ashland Blvd. This session will be in English and Spanish.
- Friday, Jan. 24, 12 p.m.: The Erie Neighborhood House will be hosting a virtual Know Your Rights workshop. This session will be in Spanish with English subtitles. Access the virtual Zoom meeting with passcode: 511046.
- Saturday, Jan. 25, 12 p.m.: Poder Chicago, in collaboration with the Resurrection Project, will be hosting an in-person Know Your Rights workshop at 3357 W 55th St. No registration is required.
- Saturday, Jan. 25, 2 p.m.: The Chicago Public Library, in partnership with Northwest Center, will be hosting a Know Your Rights Workshop at the North Pulaski Branch located at 4300 W North Ave. This session will be in Spanish. Please RSVP here.
- Monday, Jan. 27, 10:30 a.m.: The Onward Neighborhood House will be hosting a virtual Know Your Rights/Emergency Plan workshop through the CPS Network 3 Austin - Michele Clark/Steinmetz Parent University. This session will be in Spanish.
- Tuesday, Jan. 28, 1 p.m.: The Chicago Public Library, in partnership with Northwest Center, will be hosting a Know Your Rights Workshop at the North Pulaski Branch located at 4300 W North Ave. This session will be in Spanish. Please RSVP here.
- Tuesday, Jan. 28, 3:30 p.m.: Palenque LSNA will be hosting a Know Your Rights and Solidarity Teach-in at Spicy Taco located at 2825 N Milwaukee Ave. No registration is required.
- Tuesday, Jan. 28, 6 p.m.: The Grace & Peace Church will be hosting an Immigration Know Your Rights Workshop at their site located at 1856 N Leclaire. This session will be in Spanish. Please RSVP here.
- Wednesday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m.: The Erie Neighborhood House will be hosting an in-person Know Your Rights workshop located at their site located at 1347 W Erie St. No registration is required.
- Thursday, Jan. 30, 5:30 p.m.: The Indo-American Center’s Ek Saath will be hosting a Community Inauguration Debrief at the center located at 6328 N California Ave. Please RSVP here.
- Thursday, Jan. 30, 6 p.m.: The Chicago Public Library, in partnership with Northwest Center, will be hosting a Know Your Rights Workshop at the North Pulaski Branch located at 4300 W North Ave. This session will be in Spanish. Please RSVP here.
- Tuesday, Feb. 4, 8:30 a.m.: Palenque LSNA will be hosting a hybrid Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 4 Avondale Parent University located at Logandale Avondale Elementary at 3212 W. George St. This session will be in English and Spanish.
- Tuesday, Feb. 4, 9:30 a.m.: The Hana Center will be hosting an in-person Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 1 Albany Park Parent University located at Cleveland Elementary at 3121 W Byron St. This session will be in English and Spanish.
- Tuesday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m.: The Brighton Park Neighborhood Council will be hosting a hybrid Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 8 Back of the Yards Parent University located at Richards High School at 5030 S. Bishop St. This session will be in Spanish and no registration is required.
- Tuesday, Feb. 4, 11 a.m.: The Northwest Center will be hosting an in-person Know Your Rights workshop with the CPS Network 3 Austin - Michele Clark/Steinmetz Parent University at Steinmetz High School located at 3030 N Mobile Ave. (Door 14). This session will be in Spanish. For more information and registration, please contact eamaya@northwestcenterchicago.org or text 414-533-5607.
- Thursday, Feb. 6, 8:30 a.m.: Palenque LSNA will be hosting a hybrid Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 4 Avondale Parent University located at Logandale Avondale Elementary at 3212 W. George St. This session will be in English and Spanish.
- Wednesday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m.: The CPS Network 2 Rogers Park Parent University will be hosting a Know Your Rights workshop at Field ES at 7019 N. Ashland Blvd. This session will be in English, Spanish, French, and Urdu.
- Thursday, Feb. 20, 12 p.m.: The Northwest Center will be hosting an in-person Know Your Rights workshop with the CPS Network 3 Austin - Michele Clark/Steinmetz Parent University at Steinmetz High School located at 3030 N Mobile Ave. (Door 14). This session will be in Spanish. For more information and registration, please contact eamaya@northwestcenterchicago.org or text 414-533-5607.
- Thursday, Feb. 20, 5 p.m.: Alderman Gilbert Villegas and the Northwest Center will be hosting a Know Your Rights workshop with the CPS Network 3 Austin - Michele Clark/Steinmetz Parent University at the 36th Ward Office located at 6560 W Fullerton Ave. unit #C118. This session will be in English and Spanish. No registration is required.
- Tuesday, Feb. 25, 9:30 a.m.: The Resurrection Project will be hosting an in-person Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 7 Pilsen/Little Village Parent University located at Perez Elementary at 2001 S Throop St. This session will be in Spanish.
- Monday, Mar. 3, 12:30 p.m.: The Northwest Center will be hosting an in-person Know Your Rights workshop with the CPS Network 3 Austin - Michele Clark/Steinmetz Parent University at Steinmetz High School located at 3030 N Mobile Ave. (Door 14). This session will be in Spanish. For more information and registration, please contact eamaya@northwestcenterchicago.org or text 414-533-5607.
- Tuesday, Mar. 4, 9:30 a.m.: The Resurrection Project will be hosting an in-person Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 7 Pilsen/Little Village Parent University located at Perez Elementary at 2001 S Throop St. This session will be in Spanish.
- Tuesday, Mar. 11, 9:30 a.m.: The Resurrection Project will be hosting an in-person Know Your Rights workshop through the CPS Network 7 Pilsen/Little Village Parent University located at Perez Elementary at 2001 S Throop St. This session will be in Spanish.
- Saturday, Mar. 22, 11 a.m.: Alderman Gilbert Villegas and the Northwest Center will be hosting an in-person Know Your Rights workshop with the CPS Network 3 Austin - Michele Clark/Steinmetz Parent University at the 36th Ward Office located at 6560 W Fullerton Ave. unit #C118. This session will be in English and Spanish. No registration is required.
- Wednesday, Mar. 26, 10 a.m.: The Northwest Center will be hosting an in-person Know Your Rights workshop with the CPS Network 3 Austin - Michele Clark/Steinmetz Parent University at Steinmetz High School located at 3030 N Mobile Ave. (Door 14). This session will be in Spanish. For more information and registration, please contact eamaya@northwestcenterchicago.org or text 414-533-5607.
- Tuesday, April 1, 4 p.m.: The Northwest Center will be hosting an in-person Know Your Rights workshop with the CPS Network 3 Austin - Michele Clark/Steinmetz Parent University at Steinmetz High School located at 3030 N Mobile Ave. (Door 14). This session will be in Spanish. For more information and registration, please contact eamaya@northwestcenterchicago.org or text 414-533-5607.
- Thursday, Apr. 17, 12 p.m.: The Northwest Center will be hosting an in-person Know Your Rights workshop with the CPS Network 3 Austin - Michele Clark/Steinmetz Parent University at Steinmetz High School located at 3030 N Mobile Ave. (Door 14). This session will be in Spanish. For more information and registration, please contact eamaya@northwestcenterchicago.org or text 414-533-5607.
CPS will continue to work with our partners to schedule trainings and workshops; please check this page regularly for the most current opportunities. You may also hear directly from your child’s school about opportunities.
Please be aware that there is a high demand for these sessions and a limited number of organizations and trainers available. CPS is continuing to work with partners to build capacity to meet the demand.
Legal Resources
The Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) has created this list of dozens of local non-profit agencies providing free or low-cost assistance with immigration matters and forms, including:
- Family Visa Petitions (I-130)
- VAWA - Battered Spouse Self-petitions (I-360)
- Adjustment of Status/Residence/Consular Processing (I-485, OF-230)
- Waivers of Inadmissibility (I-212, I-601)
- Conditional Residence (I-751)
- Green Card Replacement (I-90)
- Naturalization (N-400)
- Acquired/Derivative Citizenship (N-600)
- DACA (I-821D)
- Asylum (I-589)
- Deportation Defense
Please visit the ICIRR website here for additional information.
Applying for Financial Aid for Higher Education
CPS has created resources for students from mixed-status families and for undocumented students who are completing federal and state financial aid applications for post-secondary education.
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The U.S. Supreme Court established in the 1982 case Plyer v. Doe that children cannot be denied a free public education based on their immigration status or their family’s immigration status. This protects the right to education for all students.
On January 21, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that it would end a longstanding federal policy that placed restrictions on the conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as it relates to schools. Under the longstanding policy, schools were considered “sensitive locations,” where ICE agents were restricted from carrying out enforcement actions, with some exceptions. While the Department of Homeland Security has not yet released text of the new policy, the announcement states that ICE agents should use "common sense" when carrying out enforcement actions.
Regardless of this policy change, CPS will continue to actively protect students, staff, and their families. In accordance with the Illinois Trust Act and Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance, CPS:
- DOES NOT ask for our families' immigration status
- WILL NOT coordinate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- DOES NOT share student records with ICE, except in the rare case where there is a court order or consent from the parent/guardian
- WILL NOT allow ICE agents access to CPS facilities unless they produce a criminal judicial warrant signed by a federal judge
- WILL NOT admit ICE agents into our schools based upon an administrative warrant, an ICE detainer, or other document issued by an agency enforcing civil immigration law
CPS has provided detailed guidance to school leaders and the appropriate school-based staff regarding interactions with ICE, and is actively providing training to support this guidance.
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CPS will continue to be a welcoming District for our LGBTQ+ students and staff.
For a complete set of information and resources to ensure LGBTQ+ supportive environments, please visit this page.
The District's non-discrimination policy, which is in line with the Illinois Human Rights Act, provides students and employees protection from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, and many other categories.
Specific for our LGBTQ+ students, the Board of Education has codified specific guidelines for schools to follow, on everything from preventing bullying and bias-based harm, connecting students with health care services to get the care they need, supporting students' mental health needs, protecting bathroom access, staff training, and more.
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CPS is committed to keeping our students and staff healthy and safe. The District maintains strong minimum health requirements for attendance, provides access to healthy meals, vaccines, vision, hearing, and dental services, comprehensive sex education, and assistance with helping families access vital programs like Medicaid.
Please visit our Office of Student Health and Wellness web page here for complete information and resources.
Please visit CPS' Children and Family Benefits Unit (CFBU) page or call the Healthy CPS hotline at 773-553-KIDS (5437) for assistance with enrolling in:
- Medicaid, which provides free or low-cost health coverage
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides nutrition benefits to families so they can purchase healthy food
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which provides families with financial assistance and related support services, which may include child care assistance, job preparation, and work assistance
- Family Planning Program (FPP), which provides a range of reproductive health and family planning related services to eligible Illinois residents regardless of age or gender.
We will continue to adhere to these important protocols to keep our students and staff healthy and safe, especially in the face of any attempt to restrict access to vital health care services for students or remove minimum health requirements for attendance to schools
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When it comes to subject matter, CPS remains deeply committed to ensuring that all students experience holistic, robust, culturally-responsive curriculum and instruction, and that their identity is valued, celebrated and incorporated into their learning. CPS has enacted policies to ensure that every teacher implements standards-aligned, culturally-responsive curriculum, and to protect the free and respectful discourse around ideas within the classroom.
CPS’ guidelines around curriculum reflect many State laws and guidelines that protect important subject areas like Black history, Native American history, Asian American history, disability rights history, civics, holocaust/genocide education, women in history, character education, media literacy, violence prevention and conflict resolution, and LGBTQ+-inclusive instruction.
Furthermore, the Board has passed important policies guiding the selection of texts and materials in schools to ensure content is "by and about a wide array of people and cultures to authentically reflect a variety of ideas, information, stories, and experiences."
These policies can help protect the District from federal or state limitations on our academic freedoms, book bans or limitations and restrictions on our curriculum. The District will continue efforts to ensure every student has a more inclusive understanding of literature, history, and the impact of traditionally marginalized populations.