Sarah Macaraeg

Sarah Macaraeg is an award-winning investigative reporter who writes on a range of topics for the Chicago Tribune. She welcomes tips at smacaraeg@chicagotribune.com or on Twitter @seramak.

A federal jury awarded $750,000 to the family of the Tilton Elementary School student whose 4th grade teacher allowed another woman to beat him with belts - to be paid by Chicago Public Schools.

Education |
‘It’s not who we are’: Jury awards CPS student beaten at school with belts $750,000

September 19, 2024 at 4:24 p.m.

A federal jury awarded $750,000 to the family of the Tilton Elementary School student whose 4th grade teacher allowed another woman to beat him with belts - to be paid...

After other candidates withdrew or were kicked off the ballot Aaron "Jitu" Brown is the sole candidate in the West Side's district 5.

Education |
Aaron ‘Jitu’ Brown emerges as the only viable Elected School Board candidate on the West Side’s District 5

September 11, 2024 at 5:40 p.m.

After other candidates withdrew or were kicked off the ballot Aaron "Jitu" Brown is the sole candidate in the West Side's district 5.

Chicago Public Schools' $9.9 billion budget and a missing pension payment has put district chief Pedro Martinez' job in jeopardy and garnered questions from City Council.

Local News |
CPS pushes back against City Council on pension payments as embattled chief Pedro Martinez garners support and scrutiny

September 6, 2024 at 8:41 p.m.

Chicago Public Schools' $9.9 billion budget and a missing pension payment has put district chief Pedro Martinez' job in jeopardy and garnered questions from City Council.

Since filing their nomination paperwork in June, 15 candidates have fallen out of the running in Chicago’s historic school board election this November.

Education |
With CTU and school choice proponents investing in elected school board races, do ‘independent’ candidates stand a chance?

September 9, 2024 at 8:38 p.m.

Since filing their nomination paperwork in June, 15 candidates have fallen out of the running in Chicago’s historic school board election this November.

Chicago Public Schools offered the Chicago Teachers Union salary increases of 4% to 5% over the next four years, ahead of a bargaining session on Friday.

Education |
Chicago Public Schools offers teachers union 4-5% raises – representing just ‘the beginning’ of negotiations, says CTU

August 30, 2024 at 7:40 p.m.

Chicago Public Schools offered the Chicago Teachers Union salary increases of 4% to 5% over the next four years, ahead of a bargaining session on Friday.

Chicago Public Schools Inspector General Will Fletcher steps down to launch a new oversight agency in New York and New Jersey, overseeing infrastructure project.

Education |
Chicago Public Schools Inspector General Will Fletcher steps down to launch oversight agency in New York

August 28, 2024 at 7:15 p.m.

Chicago Public Schools Inspector General Will Fletcher steps down to launch a new oversight agency in New York and New Jersey, overseeing infrastructure project.

A week before school begins, the Chicago Teachers Union’s Latine caucus criticizes CPS on bilingual staffing levels and progress in ongoing contract negotiations.

Education |
CPS touts progress as Chicago Teachers Union criticism mounts over bilingual education amid bargaining

August 21, 2024 at 4:29 p.m.

A week before school begins, the Chicago Teachers Union’s Latine caucus criticizes CPS on bilingual staffing levels and progress in ongoing contract negotiations.

Approximately three weeks before University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students are scheduled to begin moving into their dorms, a housing shortage has prompted the public, four-year university to offer incentives to returning students to cancel their housing contracts.

Education |
Several hundred U of I students trade in dorm contracts for incentives amid campus housing shortage

July 29, 2024 at 7:35 p.m.

Approximately three weeks before University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students are scheduled to begin moving into their dorms, a housing shortage has prompted the public, four-year university to offer incentives to...

Chicago Public Schools board members unanimously voted to pass the district’s spending plan for the 2024-25 school year Thursday.

Education |
Chicago Board of Education passes $9.9B budget, withstanding pressure from Mayor Brandon Johnson and teachers union

July 25, 2024 at 6:44 p.m.

Chicago Public Schools board members unanimously voted to pass the district’s spending plan for the 2024-25 school year Thursday.

With two weeks remaining before a planned vote on Chicago Public Schools’ $9.9 billion budget proposal, Mayor Brandon Johnson has said he won’t accept staff cuts.

Education |
At odds with CPS over staffing cuts, Mayor Johnson signals ‘increased costs’ above $9.9B proposed budget

July 12, 2024 at 6:26 p.m.

With two weeks remaining before a planned vote on Chicago Public Schools’ $9.9 billion budget proposal, Mayor Brandon Johnson has said he won’t accept staff cuts.

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