Rauner says he’d fight union with state takeover

Chicago State University says it will run out of money to make payroll in March as it waits for long overdue state funding.

Gov. Bruce Rauner says that if IL takes over Chicago Public Schools, he’ll stand up to the teachers’ union on contract negotiations.

Most schools have money to fall back on. But Claypool’s aides wouldn’t give it up, saying it’s still a “draft” and therefore it doesn’t have to be released under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, which guarantees public access to most public records. No one knows what happens then.

Rauner told reporters Emanuel has failed to address the school district’s fiscal woes over the almost five years he has been mayor.

“If the governor was serious about helping Chicago students, he should start by proposing – and passing – a budget that fully funds education and treats CPS students like every other child in the state”, spokeswoman Kelley Quinn said.

Emanuel is in Washington on Wednesday to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors annual meeting.

The proposal would reportedly allow a state-appointed board to take over the financially troubled Chicago Public School system and pave the way for it to declare bankruptcy. This, in light of the fact that CPS has set now as a deadline to receive $500 million in relief from the state or else lay off thousands of employees, including teachers.

Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno and House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, both Republican allies of Rauner, said a new approach is needed to rescue the Chicago Public Schools (CPS)from financial mismanagement and near collapse.

A Republican official with knowledge of the plan says it would allow the Illinois State Board of Education to take control of CPS.

Rauner spoke at a South Side news conference announcing a program to help minority-owned businesses in Chicago, Peoria and Rockford.

Last April Rauner said bankruptcy would at least let the country’s third-largest district “restructure its debts and contracts” – including its teachers union contract.

As a result, rating agencies have lowered the district’s credit rating, meaning it faces higher borrowing costs on bonds it plans to issue next week.