Dear Mayor Daley:

We, the undersigned parents, students, teachers and residents of Chicago love living in this great city.  We think raising our children here is one of the best ways to prepare them for the 21st Century.  But access to good public education is the most important quality of life issue for families in Chicago and is what enables us to stay here.  We have seen too many families leave Chicago for the suburbs because of the lack of quality educational options. That trend will only increase if CPS makes further budget cuts.  We are asking you to stop increased class sizes, teacher layoffs and any further diversion of funds which our Chicago Public Schools so desperately need.  Chicago, CPS and more than 400,000 public school students and their families cannot afford it.  Investing in excellent public education is a necessary part of building a successful, safe and vibrant city.

As taxpayers who are invested in the city and CPS, we cannot accept a public school system in which our children are expected to share a classroom with 35 students or the elimination of programs essential to a comprehensive education.  Since Chicago took over CPS, it has prided itself on not increasing class size.  Please don't allow years of positive gains to unravel now. Increasing class size and laying off teachers is a huge step backwards & will undermine CPS’ ability to deliver great learning.  Do not allow our children to shoulder the burden of Illinois' and Chicago's fiscal irresponsibility ….. you can't possibly want that to be your legacy.  We urge you instead to set a powerful example of leadership by protecting our classrooms and by championing the long term, equitable funding reform for IL public schools which is so overdue.