CPS used workers on ‘do not hire’ list as sports officials, watchdog says

CHICAGO - At least 36 former Chicago Public Schools employees with a "do not hire" designation worked for the district as sports officials, a district watchdog said in a new report detailing other disturbing findings.

The district’s Office of Inspector General released its annual report on Wednesday summarizing its investigations and other matters reported between July of 2023 and June of 2024.

‘Inadequate background screening’

The OIG said at least 36 people on the district’s "do not hire" list were paid a total of $390,000 for officiating sporting events despite their designation.

That included one person with a felony conviction for kidnapping and at least eight sports officials whom CPS had investigated for sexual misconduct with students.

The watchdog said CPS relied on criminal background checks by the Illinois High School Association, the state’s governing body for high school sports, to certify sports officials. However, the OIG said the process is "less thorough than CPS’ standard vendor background check process." 

The watchdog said the district should bring its background checks for officials into compliance with its standard process.

The district blocked all the individuals the OIG identified so they could no longer officiate CPS sporting events. CPS also said it is conducting new background checks for all 1,752 active officials so they go through a standard district background check.

In a statement responding to the report's findings, CPS said:

"CPS is in the process of hiring a new Executive Director of the Office of Sports Administration. Various CPS offices are collaborating to move the background check for sports officials into alignment with District policy. The background checks of existing sports officials began on December 12, 2024. CPS is dedicated to providing a safe learning environment for both students and staff. The District continually works to improve policies and procedures to ensure the safety and security of students."

Sexual abuse cases

The OIG’s Sexual Allegations Unit also substantiated seven cases of adult-on-student sexual abuse.

That unit also closed another 49 cases with substantiated findings of other misconduct like sexual harassment, grooming, failure to maintain proper boundaries with students, or failure to report allegations of sexual misconduct. While the allegations were all reported in fiscal year 2024, they might not have necessarily occurred during that timeframe, according to the OIG.

During the fiscal year, the unit opened 469 investigations and closed 363 cases. Complaints about improper boundaries between CPS staff and students made up most of the allegations received and investigated by the unit.

The unit has consistently opened about 400 investigations each fiscal year, the report said.

In response, CPS said in a statement:

"Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding the safety of staff, students, and families while upholding integrity in service to the community. CPS takes the findings and recommendations from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) with the utmost seriousness. CPS will rigorously enforce policies and procedures that embody the highest ethical standards, ensuring that all employees act decisively in the best interests of our students, fellow staff members, and the District as a whole."

To read the full report, visit cpsoig.org/reports.