Outside St. Hubert Catholic School in Hoffman Estates this week, parents and alumni lined the sidewalk with signs, chants and a clear message for church leaders: do not close their 65-year-old neighborhood school, at least not yet.
The parent coalition says it has already raised $282,000 toward operating costs and is urging the Archdiocese of Chicago to hit pause on any closure plans, calling for a 90-day moratorium while an independent audit of the school's finances is completed.
Responding to the public pressure, the Archdiocese said it has been in "frequent dialogue" with the school community and that "we have met seven times" with the pastor, principal, finance council, school board and parish families in an effort to stabilize enrollment and finances, according to CBS News. The Archdiocese added that staff have been in repeated contact with school leaders throughout the current school year.
Parents Push Archdiocese After Cash Crunch
The St. Hubert Parent Coalition says it set a $302,500 fundraising goal and came close to the mark, pulling in roughly $282,000, or about 93 percent of the target, according to the Daily Herald. Armed with that number, organizers held a press conference on campus to demand a 90-day moratorium on any closure decision and a full review of the books.
They also urged parishioners, alumni and neighbors to join an 11 a.m. rally in front of the school, arguing that the outpouring of donations shows the broader community is willing to shoulder some of the financial load if they are given time and transparency.
Enrollment Slide Tied To Tuition Policy Shift
Parents say the school used to enroll about 200 students but lost families after St. Hubert ended tuition discounts for those in need, a move they argue pushed some households out and deepened the budget problems, according to ABC7 Chicago. Parents also told reporters the school has operated with an ongoing deficit in recent years.
State Scholarship Shake-Up Hits Catholic Schools
The fight to keep St. Hubert open is unfolding against a larger financial backdrop. Illinois lawmakers ended the Invest in Kids tax credit program, which had steered private donations into scholarships for students at nonpublic schools. The Daily Herald reported that the program delivered more than $25 million in aid across the Archdiocese of Chicago, leaving schools to scramble for replacement funding when it disappeared.
In response, school leaders at St. Hubert created a tuition-assistance fund last year in an effort to plug some of the gap for families who suddenly found scholarships harder to come by.
What Parents Say They Need Now
Parent organizers are asking the Archdiocese for three things: a 90-day moratorium on any closure decision, an independent audit of the school's finances and a formal role in shaping a long-term sustainability plan. They say the nearly $282,000 already raised proves the community is not walking away and that they are "asking for time and courageous leadership," according to CBS News.
The Archdiocese, in its statement, highlighted the multiple meetings held with school and parish leaders but stopped short of promising that St. Hubert will remain open beyond the current academic year.
What Comes Next For St. Hubert
Parents say they are not waiting for an official verdict. Coalition members plan to keep recruiting alumni and parish supporters, continue open houses to draw potential new families and seek out grants or other funding streams while pressing church officials for clearer answers.
St. Hubert Catholic School is located at 255 Flagstaff Lane in Hoffman Estates. For contact information and updates from the school itself, visit St. Hubert School.
