Chicago Archdiocese Accuses CPS of Cutting Disability Funding for Catholic Schools

Archdiocese says move will deprive over 800 students with disabilities of crucial academic support services.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:03am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene, cinematic painting of a Catholic school building in warm, golden light, with a lone student sitting on the steps, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the challenges facing private schools reliant on public funding.The dispute over disability funding for Catholic school students in Chicago raises concerns about equitable access to educational resources.Chicago Today

The Archdiocese of Chicago has accused Chicago Public Schools (CPS) of abruptly ending instructional support funding for more than 800 students with disabilities in Catholic schools. CPS disputes the archdiocese's claims, saying it was the archdiocese's decision to wind down the services due to funding constraints. The archdiocese says it will pursue legal action if the funding is not restored, calling the situation an 'offense by CPS' that raises 'serious constitutional concerns'.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the ongoing challenges around funding and providing support services for students with disabilities, especially in private and parochial schools that rely on public funding. It also raises questions about the management and distribution of federal IDEA funds by CPS, which has faced budget constraints in recent years.

The details

CPS informed the archdiocese last week that services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) would end two months before the last day of school, with funding stopping on Monday. The archdiocese says this will deprive students of crucial academic support services like tutoring in math, reading, and writing. However, CPS disputes the archdiocese's account, saying it has repeatedly warned Catholic school administrators that their spending was outpacing their allotted funds, and that it was the archdiocese's decision to wind down the services.

  • CPS informed the archdiocese of the funding cut last week.
  • The IDEA funding and services will end on Monday, two months before the last day of school.

The players

Archdiocese of Chicago

The Catholic archdiocese that oversees nearly 150 Catholic schools in the Chicago area.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS)

The public school district that manages and distributes federal IDEA funding to Catholic schools within its attendance boundaries.

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich

The archbishop of Chicago who called the situation an 'offense by CPS' and said the archdiocese will pursue legal action.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'The decision by CPS to end these services means students with learning differences will lose important academic support services, such as tutoring in math, reading and writing.'”

— Archdiocese of Chicago

“'Like school districts across the country, CPS is forced to manage a finite pool of resources against an infinite rise in demand.'”

— CPS spokesperson

“'We cannot allow this shocking and possibly discriminatory action by CPS to stand, not only given its affront to Catholics, but even more so since this injustice would disenfranchise the students we serve.'”

— Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago

What’s next

The archdiocese says it will pursue legal action or alert regulatory agencies if the IDEA funding is not restored by CPS.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing challenges around equitably funding and providing support services for students with disabilities, especially in private and parochial schools that rely on public funding. It also raises questions about the management and distribution of limited federal education resources by school districts facing budget constraints.