Chicagochicago public schoolsChicago Real Estate

CPS Taking Headquarters To Smaller Offices In Money-Saving Move

Nation's Third-Largest School District Will Shrink Its HQ
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In the same year it shuttered more than 50 schools, the nation's third-largest school district is shrinking its headquarters in a money-saving move.

Sometime next fall, the Chicago Public Schools headquarters will move from 125 S. Clark St. in the Loop to 1 N. Dearborn St. a little more than a block away, WGN reports.

Much like the number of schools in the district, CPS' staff has been whittled down over the years; it now has about 1,200 employees. This past spring, schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett told Crain's Chicago Business, "We have too much space and far fewer employees than we did a few years ago. It's time to downsize."

School Board President Jesse Ruiz, who works as a lawyer, told the Sun-Times there was too much unused space in the current building.

“The office I’m assigned at CPS headquarters is larger than my law firm office,” Ruiz said.

CPS had previously tried to sell the South Clark Street building. It estimates with the move it will save about $60 million dollars: The 15-year lease for the new headquarters location will cost $34.6 million while officials told the Sun-Times staying in the current spot for the same amount of time would $94.9 million, much of that in operations and maintenance costs.

Though a location outside of the pricey downtown area would be ostensibly cheaper, the Sun-Times said officials wanted the headquarters to be centrally located for those traveling to the schools or to the CPS central office -- including parents attending board meetings.

The new offices will reportedly hold twice as many people in the board chambers compared to the current location, the Tribune says.

As CPS vacates the building, which it bought from Com-Ed in 1998 for a reported $8.3 million, it will set up in the space where Sears' flagship store is located, raising questions among some about Sears' future in the downtown shopping district.

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Before You Go

Chicago School Closings
(01 of16)
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Students march through the Loop protesting the city's plan to close more than 50 elementary schools on March 25, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Last week the city announced the plan claiming it was necessary to rein in a looming $1 billion budget deficit. The closings would shift about 30,000 students to new schools and leave more than 1,000 teachers with uncertain futures. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(02 of16)
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Students protest outside the Chicago Public Schools headquarters against the city's plan to close more than 50 elementary schools on March 25, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Last week the city announced the plan claiming it was necessary to rein in a looming $1 billion budget deficit. The closings would shift about 30,000 students to new schools and leave more than 1,000 teachers with uncertain futures. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(03 of16)
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Alan Mares and other students demonstrate outside the office of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel protesting the city's plan to close more than 50 elementary schools on March 25, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Last week the city announced the plan claiming it was necessary to rein in a looming $1 billion budget deficit. The closings would shift about 30,000 students to new schools and leave more than 1,000 teachers with uncertain futures. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(04 of16)
Open Image Modal
Students demonstrate outside the office of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel protesting the city's plan to close more than 50 elementary schools on March 25, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Last week the city announced the plan claiming it was necessary to rein in a looming $1 billion budget deficit. The closings would shift about 30,000 students to new schools and leave more than 1,000 teachers with uncertain futures. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(05 of16)
Open Image Modal
Students march through the Loop protesting the city's plan to close more than 50 elementary schools on March 25, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Last week the city announced the plan claiming it was necessary to rein in a looming $1 billion budget deficit. The closings would shift about 30,000 students to new schools and leave more than 1,000 teachers with uncertain futures. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(06 of16)
Open Image Modal
Students march through the Loop protesting the city's plan to close more than 50 elementary schools on March 25, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Last week the city announced the plan claiming it was necessary to rein in a looming $1 billion budget deficit. The closings would shift about 30,000 students to new schools and leave more than 1,000 teachers with uncertain futures. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(07 of16)
Open Image Modal
Students protest outside the Chicago Public Schools headquarters against the city's plan to close more than 50 elementary schools on March 25, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Last week the city announced the plan claiming it was necessary to rein in a looming $1 billion budget deficit. The closings would shift about 30,000 students to new schools and leave more than 1,000 teachers with uncertain futures. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(08 of16)
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Parents of students at the Dumas Technology Academy Elementary School protest outside the school, the proposed closing of the Southside facility Friday, March 22, 2013, in Chicago. Chicago Public Schools officials ended months of speculation when they released the list of 54 schools the city plans to close, but the pushback against Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his schools chief is likely just starting to ramp up.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (credit:AP)
(09 of16)
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Parents of students at the Dumas Technology Academy Elementary School protest outside the school over the proposed closing of the Southside facility by the Chicago Board of Education, Friday, March 22, 2013, in Chicago. Chicago Public Schools officials ended months of speculation when they released the list of 54 schools the city plans to close, but the pushback against Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his schools chief is likely just starting to ramp up.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (credit:AP)
(10 of16)
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Yolanda Harris, a parent of four children attending Dumas Technology Academy Elementary School is consoled after Harris led a protest outside the school over the proposed closing of the Southside facility by the Chicago Board of Education Friday, March 22, 2013, in Chicago. Chicago Public Schools officials ended months of speculation when they released the list of 54 schools the city plans to close, but the pushback against Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his schools chief is likely just starting to ramp up.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (credit:AP)
(11 of16)
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Asean Johnson, 9, a third-grader at Marcus Garvey Elementary, speaks to Chicago Public School Chiefs, including Tony McPhearson, Tom Tyrrell, Karen Saffold and Commander James Gibson of the Chicago Police Department, in defense of his school during a community meeting, April 13, 2013 at Harlin High School in Chicago, Illinois. (Anthony Souffle/Chicago Tribune/MCT via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(12 of16)
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Parents of students at the Dumas Technology Academy Elementary School protest outside the school, the proposed closing of the Southside facility Friday, March 22, 2013, in Chicago. Chicago Public Schools officials ended months of speculation when they released the list of 54 schools the city plans to close, but the pushback against Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his schools chief is likely just starting to ramp up.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (credit:AP)
(13 of16)
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Parents of students at the Dumas Technology Academy Elementary School hug Yolanda Harris after she organized a protest outside the school over the proposed closing of the Southside facility by the Chicago Board of Education, Friday, March 22, 2013, in Chicago. Chicago Public Schools officials ended months of speculation when they released the list of 54 schools the city plans to close, but the pushback against Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his schools chief is likely just starting to ramp up.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (credit:AP)
(14 of16)
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Parents protest outside the home of Chicago's Board of Education President David Vitales house Thursday, March 21, 2013, in Chicago. Teachers say the city of Chicago has begun informing teachers, principals and local officials about which public schools it intends to close under a contentious plan that opponents say will disproportionately affect minority students in the nation's third largest school district. Chicago Public Schools hasn't said how many schools or students will be affected, but administrators identified up to 129 schools that could be shuttered, saying many serve too few students to justify remaining open. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (credit:AP)
(15 of16)
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Parents protest outside the home of Chicago's Board of Education President David Vitales house Thursday, March 21, 2013, in Chicago. Teachers say the city of Chicago has begun informing teachers, principals and local officials about which public schools it intends to close under a contentious plan that opponents say will disproportionately affect minority students in the nation's third largest school district. Chicago Public Schools hasn't said how many schools or students will be affected, but administrators identified up to 129 schools that could be shuttered, saying many serve too few students to justify remaining open. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (credit:AP)
(16 of16)
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Evlar Hatchett, whose 13-year-old nephew's school is in jeopardy of closing, speaks after a news conference held by the Committee to Save North Lawndale Schools Thursday, March 21, 2013, in Chicago. The city of Chicago has begun informing teachers about which public schools it intends to close under a contentious plan that opponents say will disproportionately affect minority students in the nation's third largest school district. Chicago Public Schools hasn't said how many schools or students will be affected, but administrators identified up to 129 schools that could be shuttered, saying many serve too few students to justify remaining open. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) (credit:AP)
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