Chicago Public Schools Reverses IDEA Service Cuts Affecting 800 Private School Students Following Legal & Funding Dispute

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has reversed a decision to terminate federally funded special education services for students attending private schools in the Chicago Archdiocese, restoring Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) services for more than 800 students after a dispute over funding and program obligations.

CPS initially notified the Archdiocese on April 10, 2026, that IDEA-funded services would end effective April 14. On April 16, the Archdiocese announced that CPS had reversed the decision, restoring services from April 20 through May 22.

The Archdiocese formally challenged the decision, stating that CPS had confirmed as recently as March 25 that . . .