A recent report from the Inspector General’s office in Chicago highlights concerns over excessive spending on travel by Chicago Public Schools (CPS) employees. The investigation revealed that staff members embarked on costly overnight trips to international destinations, including Egypt, Finland, and South Africa.
Surge in Travel Expenses
In 2022, CPS travel expenditures escalated to $7.7 million, which is over double the amount spent five years earlier. The report indicates that employees frequently exceeded approved spending limits and submitted expenses for trips without prior authorization.
Key Findings from the Report
- Over 600 CPS employees attended a professional development conference in Las Vegas from 2022 to 2024.
- This event alone cost more than $1.5 million.
- Nearly 90% of attendees booked hotel accommodations that exceeded the district’s spending limits.
- Approximately 40% of attendees traveled without receiving required approval.
Phillip Wagenknecht, the Inspector General for CPS, noted that his office began scrutinizing travel expenses after receiving multiple complaints, including one about a $20,000 trip to Egypt for professional development. He emphasized that trips were often approved based solely on submitted paperwork, without sufficient scrutiny on their necessity and worth.
Response and Future Actions
This scrutiny comes at a challenging time for CPS, which is grappling with a $734 million budget deficit for the current year. In August, the district approved a $10.2 billion budget amidst ongoing financial pressures.
In response to the report’s findings, CPS has announced significant changes to its travel policies. Starting October 29, they will impose restrictions on employee travel and establish a Travel Review Committee by November 2025. Furthermore, the district is implementing a new Enterprise Resource Planning financial system aimed at enhancing automation, improving transparency, and ensuring stricter oversight of travel expenditures.
As CPS works to address these issues, the Inspector General’s office continues to advocate for necessary reforms in travel policies to prevent misuse of funds.
