Chance The Rapper Is Shelling Out $10 Million For This Major Cause

The governor released two plans just hours before Chance’s press conference, which you can learn more about here.

Chance spoke briefly with reporters immediately following the end of Friday’s meeting, expressing his disappointment with Governor Rauner’s “vague” responses to his questions and urging the media to shine a spotlight on the troubling funding issue.

Of course, it’s not unusual to see celebs publicize their donations, but Chance is using his particular influence to open up the debate about the public school system and hold Rauner accountable while the city moves slowly on initiatives. Chance used this opportunity to again impress the gravity of the situation.

“Today, I’m proud to announce that I am donating $1 million to CPS to support arts and enrichment programming”, Chance said in the news conference at Westcott Elementary School on the South Side of Chicago.

Governor Rauner recently vetoed a bill that likely would have enabled the school district to pay $215 million for bills and pension payments.

The back-and-forth came after a meeting Friday between Rauner and the artist – whose real name is Chancelor Bennett – that left the rapper visibly agitated. (The charity has set up a website to receive donations for CPS.) In light of the $1 million donation, Chance will give out 10 additional $10,000 donations to select local schools, including Westcott Elementary.

IL government has been under fire for its alleged neglect of the failing CPS, which is the fourth largest school district in the country.

Chance said he’s hopeful that the crisis won’t last forever. But none of that would go with what Chance wants to be. Rauner critics also note the state school funding formula penalizes Chicago schools, which not only covers its own pensions but has to contribute to pensions for other school districts. “Monday morning I’ll have a plan”, he tweeted.

He’s asking for those who are able to donate to Chicago schools. Social Works Chicago, a foundation co-founded by Chance, will also donate $10,000 for every $100,000 raised. “While I am disappointed in Gov. Rauner, that will not stop me from doing all I can to support Chicago’s most valuable resource: its children”, he said in the conference, before revealing news of the donation.

Alicia Timms said more entertainers need to invest in the public schools.