Good morning, Chicago. 

Chicago Public Schools is projected to end the year with a $45 million deficit, WBEZ reported. The school district’s enrollment has declined, while spending per student has remained high. Plus, more than half of the school buildings are underused. 

The Tribune Editorial Board writes in its first piece today that it is time for CPS to consider consolidation. If it doesn’t, the district may face a similar fate as Indianapolis Public Schools, now run by a new agency. Read this cautionary tale below. 

Our section today is also focused on public safety. Two high-ranking federal officials, U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros and ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon, write about their new approach to violence prevention in northern Illinois. 

Also, Jamie Kalven, who was one of the first to report on the Laquan McDonald case, examines what the delay in releasing the bodycam footage related to the shooting death of Chicago police Officer Krytal Rivera says about transparency in Chicago. 

The board recently took a trip to the Shedd  — which is under construction — and writes in its second piece today about the aquarium’s popularity and the important role it plays in Chicago’s tourism landscape. 

Thanks for reading! 

— Grace Miserocchi, opinion editor

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