Chicago committee approves $5M for public school project

(The Center Square) – Chicago aldermen are planning to spend more tax increment financing dollars on Chicago Public Schools, even though CPS employees owe the city more than $4 million.

The City Council Committee on Finance approved a motion to provide up to $5 million in TIF funds for work on Mollison Elementary School on the city’s South Side.

Chicago Public Schools Executive Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Jamel Chambers said CPS would provide the remaining $3 million for the $8 million project.

“TIF funding would allow CPS to renovate the current facade and provide associated exterior improvements to create a safe and welcome entrance for students and staff,” Chambers said.

Alderman Raymond Lopez said a recent inspector general’s report showed that CPS workers owe more than $4 million in debt, including overdue charges and unpaid fines.

“They are all col...