Chicago high school faces outcry after axing Arabic program

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. Chicago resident Donna Rotunno discusses the alarming rise in teen takeovers and violent crime, including 36 people shot over Memorial Day weekend. Rotunno, a criminal defense attorney, criticizes city and state leadership for 'de-criminalizing' crime and eroding public safety. She notes that residents need to feel safe, and current policies hinder effective law enforcement efforts. A Chicago high school's decision to eliminate its Arabic language program due to low enrollment and budget constraints has sparked backlash from community members who argue the course is vital for inclusion and diversity. Lincoln Park High School (LPHS) announced it will no longer offer Arabic to incoming freshmen. The decision comes as Chicago Public Schools (CPS) grapples with a projected $732.5 million deficit, forcing district-wide cuts to teaching and administrative