Republican Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner says Chicago Public Schools should look to bankruptcy court to solve its financial crisis.
That’s drawing strong rebuke from Chicago’s school and political leaders.
Chicago Public Schools has been threatening to lay off teachers and staff.
It owes hundreds of millions of dollars it doesn’t have.
Governor Rauner says bankruptcy is not a dirty word.
“What it means is: Any organization, bankruptcy law is designed to protect an organization that has too much debt, that has too many liabilities,” Rauner said.
House Speaker Michael Madigan - a Chicago Democrat - says Rauner’s trying to take money from public schools to back more charter schools.
And the top Senate Democrat - John Cullerton - goes further.
He says - quote – “This is not going to happen.”
All that’s to say - Rauner’s plan is a longshot - but Chicago Public Schools has to find some way to fill its big budget hole.
Rep. Ron Sandacksays CPS is a dying employer.
"The system is absolutely collapsing on itself. To do nothing would be unconscionable."
