(9-30-26) Wednesday was payday in Chicago — literally. Chicago Public Schools expedited payments Wednesday morning to Public League football officials who had gone unpaid for three weeks, ending a work stoppage that had already canceled freshman and junior varsity games and put this weekend’s varsity slate in jeopardy.

Individual schools paid officials directly for the first three weeks of the season. CPS was supposed to take over payments starting in Week 4, when conference play began. Week 7 starts Thursday, and officials say the district had not paid for any of the three conference weeks. Officials were twice told the money was on its way — and twice it wasn’t true.

So about 250 officials refused to take the field.

Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Executive Director Craig Anderson released this statement on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, regarding the unpaid CPS/Public League football officials:

“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.”

official Mike Outten

“Our stance is until these guys are paid they are not going on the field, If the officials are not paid today, they will not work tomorrow,”

official Breyion Hutchinson told the Sun-Times

“We depend on this money for our livelihood.”

Girls flag football and volleyball matches were canceled too.

CPS said it worked with its payment vendor 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.”

Friday’s varsity night games are no longer in jeopardy, and the 39-game weekend slate can go on.

AI helped with this post….