Chicago School Board approves budget that reverses layoffs, but counts on shaky state funds

The Chicago Board of Education made the unprecedented decision to reject the budget proposed by Chicago Public Schools’ superintendent Thursday and instead approved a revised plan that cancels more than 1,000 layoffs. To do that, school board members are counting on the state to provide $150 million in state money that has yet to be committed — a move school district officials said was illegal and in violation of board members’ duties. The board passed the amended budget 11-7. Board member…