When the Chicago Public School board passed its 2026 budget last week, it reaffirmed a refusal to reimburse the city for a $175 million pension payment — that's legally Chicago's responsibility — unless the city can come up with more tax increment financing funds for the district.

Why it matters: The move deals a blow to Mayor Brandon Johnson, who wanted CPS to foot the bill, and leaves uncertainty in the city's 2025 budget, which is already short $146 million.

Between the lines: The idea to make the $175 million payment contingent on more city or state funding was crafty, given that many worried the mayor and alders would withhold funds from CPS in retaliation.

• To allay those worries, 27 alders signed a letter to board members before their vote, urging them to reject the "reckless" $175 million payment and assuring them that "we will support a TIF surplus to help balance both the city and the CPS budget."

Yes, but: The letter does not say how much TIF funding they will approve.

• The board is requesting $379 million.

What they're saying: When Axios asked Johnson on Friday if he would support giving additional TIF money to CPS, he simply answered: "For the last couple of years, I've released the largest TIF surplus in the history of Chicago."

• Indeed, his 2025 budget released a record $570 million, with $311 million going to CPS, but Johnson declined to commit to fulfilling CPS's TIF request, even when asked again.

What's next: City Council members tell Axios that they will likely vote on expanded TIF funding for CPS this fall.

• But if the measure doesn't get at least 34 votes, the mayor could veto it.

Go deeper

😢 Hey, it's Monica.

Just as I'd come to master Aldi's self-checkout stations, the grocer is pulling them out of local stores.

Why it matters: Many shoppers loved the speed and autonomy offered by these stations, and they're complaining about the removal as vociferously as they complained about their installation in 2023.

• "Man, I'm going to hate shopping all over again," a commenter with the handle Legendary Clawhammer wrote on Reddit, where most are conjecturing the move was driven by theft.

What they're saying: Aldi representatives tell me they have no comment on the removal.

• But one North Side Aldi cashier explained to me that "user errors" and complications over checking IDs (for liquor) at the stations required too much staff assistance.
• Plus, she said, company data suggested the stations didn't actually save time.

Yes, but: Some of us who got really good at scanning and bagging feel like we did save time, especially when we only had a few items.

• Anecdotally, two Axios Chicago families recently hit long lines at Aldi stores that had just lost the self-checkout stations.

Zoom out: Self-checkout has spread across the grocery retail world, but many stores still keep a staffer nearby to troubleshoot, and that model may have conflicted with Aldi's famously bare-bones approach.

• Plus, in recent years, other local stores have cited theft as a reason for locking up merchandise or leaving neighborhoods altogether.

Self checkout vs. cashier: Which do you prefer? Take our poll here.

Several Chicago businesses closed this summer, citing labor costs and changing customer habits.

• The list is so long that the Tribune announced Chicago has a "restaurant crisis."

Here are some notable closures:

Get your song on the list: The Hidden Cove, one of Chicago's first karaoke bars, announced that it is closing on Sept. 15. Unlike other nearby spots, this popular late-night dive at 5336 N. Lincoln skipped the private rooms for good old-fashioned performances in front of the entire bar.

• The property owner tells Block Club he plans to redevelop the building.

Opa no more: Barba Yianni Grecian Taverna was abruptly shut down by the Cook County Sheriff's Office earlier this month after 36 years operating in Lincoln Square.

Can it change back? The Yeti store in Wicker Park closed in August after six years on Milwaukee Avenue. While this may not be a huge surprise for a retail chain, it does leave the once-hallowed Double Door space empty again.

West Town wrecking ball: The bakery Aya, just down the street from the Twisted Spoke, shuttered its doors in August. Its former owners had been involved in a high-profile bankruptcy last year, while Aya Fukai, the bakery's namesake, left the bakery in 2023.

Keep reading

🪖 President Trump said yesterday that he may deploy the military to New Orleans before Chicago, prioritizing cities whose leaders ask for intervention. (Axios)

🚨 Gov. JB Pritzker says he's expecting federal law enforcement to ramp up operations this weekend, which would include the arrival of 300 immigration agents. (Tribune)

📚 The Chicago Public Library has chosen "Olga Dies Dreaming" for its 2025 citywide read. It's the first book in the program by a Puerto Rican author. (Sun-Times)

👋 Hi, it's Justin! I'm loving my weekly mini-coffee reviews for the caffeine, but also for exploring the city's neighborhoods.

Today's place: Bueno Days (2901 W. Cermak Road)

The vibe: A modern, sunlit cafe with amazing views of one of Chicago's most vibrant neighborhoods.

The coffee: The Piña Vera ($8) features a mix of cold brew, coconut, pineapple, burnt caramel and citrus. It's a refreshing cup of coffee that tastes like a virgin piña colada.

• Also, the iced latte with piloncillo syrup ($6) was extremely tasty.

The service: One barista was hard at work explaining the diverse menu, while another took out his tools to fix the wobbly front door. Teamwork!

☕️ 10-word-review: Come for the Little Village coffee, stay for the neighborhood.

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