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Chance The Rapper 'Flustered' After Talk With Rauner Over Chicago School Funding

cps.edu

Grammy-winning artist Chance the Rapper met with Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner to press for immediate funding for cash-strapped Chicago Public Schools, but says he left "flustered" over "vague answers."

  

Friday's unusual one-on-one meeting comes as the Republican governor and Democratic lawmakers are locked in a two-year budget stalemate.

The meeting was set after the rapper - real name Chancelor Bennett - won three Grammys last month. Rauner tweeted congratulations, and Chance, who attended Chicago schools, asked for a sit-down.

Chance says they talked about $215 million in school pension help Rauner vetoed, saying "kids are on the table."

After the meeting, Chance said the governor gave him vague answers about how to fix the CPS budget gap.

“I’m not a politician. I’m not here...I’m here because I’m a dad...I’m an after-school teacher. You know I’m sayin’, like, I care about the kids,” Chance said.

Rauner deemed it a "good exchange of views," noting the rapper's passion.

Rauner has said the $215 million should've been tied to reforms.

  • Tony Arnold and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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