Chicago Public Schools will announce Wednesday a preliminary list of schools that could be shut down as part of the battle to fix a nearly $1 billion deficit.

CPS claims nearly 140 schools are more than half-empty, and about 50 percent of schools are under-utilized.

Later Wednesday, the school system will announce a list of potential closings, and then present a final recommendation to the board of education next month.

CPS will launch a second round of public hearings Wednesday night about possible closings.