Chicago Public Schools is proposing changes to its 2024-25 academic year calendar to accommodate the city’s logistical and public safety needs during the Democratic National Convention in August, the district said Thursday.
CPS suggested starting classes on Monday, Aug. 26 – one week later than usual – after the Aug. 19-22 convention wraps up.
Chicago will host the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on the West Side, with more than 75,000 visitors expected to descend upon Chicago during the week.
Police and public safety officials expect to be busy as the convention brings the national spotlight to the city as it continues grappling with gun violence, protests over the Israel-Hamas war and the ongoing migrant crisis.
In the past week, Chicago schools have faced three students shot and killed by gunfire after leaving school for the day.
On Friday, two teens were fatally shot in an “ambush” attack after leaving their high school in the Loop. Less than a week later, three Senn High School students between 15 and 16 were walking just east of the school when gunmen inside a vehicle got out and opened fire toward the teens, killing one of them. Police do not believe the two incidents to be related.
The change would extend the fall semester one week after winter break into January and extend spring classes one week into June 2025.
The proposal will only affect the 2024-25 academic year, with the 2025-26 year to return to a similar calendar format as the 2023-24 year, according to an emailed statement from the school district.
Parents are encouraged to submit feedback to CPS on the proposed changes before Feb. 7.
Activists call on Chicago to reverse permit denial for march before Democratic National Convention
