CHICAGO (AP) – Backed by Gov. Bruce Rauner, top Illinois Republicans called Wednesday for a state takeover of the financially troubled Chicago Public Schools, which faces a nearly $1 billion budget deficit that could lead to thousands of teacher layoffs and a possible strike in a matter of months.
Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno called the plan a “lifeline” for CPS. She and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said the legislation would give the Illinois State Board of Education control over the nation’s third-largest school district.
They said GOP lawmakers also are considering a bankruptcy plan for CPS and the city of Chicago, though that wasn’t part of what was put forward Wednesday. Rauner is expected to announce his support for the takeover later in the day.
Democrats, who hold big majorities in both chambers of the Illinois Legislature and are close allies of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, shot down the idea almost immediately.
“This is not going to happen,” Senate President John Cullerton said, calling the idea “ridiculous” and a distraction from the state’s other problems. Democrats and Rauner have yet to agree on a long-overdue state budget.
Emanuel’s spokeswoman said in a statement that the mayor is “100 percent opposed to Gov. Rauner’s ‘plan.'”
“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.
A big part of CPS’ financial problems is its massive unfunded pension liability. Emanuel for years has called for a change in state law regarding how pensions are funded. Currently, Chicago taxpayers cover the cost of city teachers’ pensions, while taxpayers statewide contribute to retirement funds for teachers outside Chicago – a system Emanuel argues is unfair because Chicago residents pay twice.
But Rauner has repeatedly said he won’t approve any help for Chicago until Emanuel gets behind legislative measures that the businessman-turned-governor says will make Illinois more competitive. Those include allowing local governments to curb labor unions’ bargaining rights and making changes to workers’ compensation insurance. Emanuel has opposed those efforts, saying they would hurt the middle class.
Emanuel already has dealt with months of criticism over police shootings and allegations that his administration kept a video of a white officer shooting a black teenager under wraps until after he won a second term. Protesters have repeatedly called for Emanuel to step down.
CPS also is in the midst of contentious negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union on a new contract. Union members last month overwhelmingly authorized their leaders to call a strike if needed, which was an attempt to pressure the district to avoid layoffs or severe cuts. The union, which went on strike in 2012, says a walkout would still be months away.