Emanuel, Brizard Announce $75M in CPS Cuts

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the new head of the Chicago Public Schools plan to save $75 million by trimming administrative and non-classroom spending from the district's budget.

Emanuel and schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard announced the cuts Thursday.

The mayor's office says $16 million in savings will come from limited layoffs, eliminating some open positions and other reductions at the district's Central Office. Another $44 million in planned savings would come from minimizing debt servicing costs.

Emanuel says he's trying to cut bureaucracy so the schools can focus resources on supporting students and teachers.

Brizard says he wants to make the system more efficient so he can spend every dollar he can in the classroom.