Chicago Public Schools canceled multiple freshman and junior varsity football games Monday and Tuesday when hundreds of game officials agreed to strike after working several weeks without compensation.
As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, the officials threatened to not work varsity games this weekend, as well, but have since agreed to officiate the games after CPS expedited payments Wednesday.
“Varsity [football] games are in jeopardy,” official Breyion Hutchinson told the Sun-Times on Wednesday. “If the officials are not paid today they will not work tomorrow.
“CPS officials can work two football games on Thursday, two games on Friday and up to three games on Saturday. Along with volleyball and flag football. We depend on this money for our livelihood.”
Football officials were paid directly by the schools for Weeks 1 through 3. CPS was supposed to start paying them in Week 4, and that didn’t happen according to Hutchinson. Week 7 begins tonight with 10 varsity Public League football games scheduled. A full slate of games scheduled on Friday and Saturday.
“Two weeks ago when we met with the [CPS sports administration] they told us funds would be released Friday through Monday,” Hutchinson said. “Then we received an email from [CPS sports director] Devon Morales on Monday which said funds were being released that day. That wasn’t true.”
Per Sun-Times high school sports reporter Michael O'Brien, CPS spokesperson released the following statement Wednesday afternoon:
“Chicago Public Schools worked with the vendor that manages payments to referees and expedited efforts this morning to ensure immediate compensation for a portion of sports officials who referee CPS games and were not paid in a timely manner. The District is working with all partners to strengthen the compensation process and ensure it is consistent going forward.”
Illinois High School Association executive director Craig Anderson released the following statement Wednesday:
“The IHSA is aware of the current situation between Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and IHSA football officials working games for CPS. Given that IHSA officials are hired as independent contractors, we have no direct involvement in this matter but are monitoring it closely. Officials have a difficult job, and at a time when it is becoming more difficult to recruit and retain officials, it is vital that they be provided the respect they deserve in every step of the process. We expect the situation will be remedied expeditiously so our officials are justly compensated for their work, and student-athletes do not have to miss out on any participation opportunities. We are ready and willing to be a resource in any way we can to help resolve this matter.”
State Rep. Kam Buckner also released a statement Wednesday.
“Administrative problems happen,” Buckner said in the statement, per the Sun-Times. “Payment systems fail. Invoices get delayed. But none of those explanations can become an expectation that individual officials finance Chicago Public Schools by continuing to work week after week without being paid.
“A young person who has practiced all week should not arrive at game day and discover there is no contest because an official who worked weeks earlier is still waiting to be compensated.”
