Chicago Public Schools officials are seeking a preliminary injunction barring the state of Illinois from disbursing education funds until it adequately funds the state's largest school district. Faced with a huge deficit and an upcoming teacher pension payment, CEO Forrest Claypool says the Chicago school year could end three weeks early if the state doesn't come through with funds.
Rauner said politicians need to tone down their rhetoric a day after he vetoed state aid to Chicago Public Schools. He spoke to reporters in Chicago on Friday.
Negotiators for Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union reached a tentative contract agreement minutes before a midnight deadline --- averting a strike that would have disrupted classes in the nation's third largest school district.
An overhaul of the retirement benefits Illinois gives state employees, public school teachers and university workers has been the subject of talks between state leaders in recent months. Gov. Bruce Rauner said so Wednesday, but he sounded uncertain as to what will come of it.
The Illinois legislature adjourned last week with no budget in place --- not even a plan to fund public schools. Illinois Public Radio Education Desk reporter Dusty Rhodes takes a look at what issues kept the lawmakers squabbling over school funding until it was too late.
