Chicago Public Schools’ Financial Woes Affecting State Budget Negotiations

Chicago Public Schools’ struggling finances appear to be caught in the ongoing dispute between Republican Governor Bruce Rauner and top Democrats.

Credit Flickr user Daniel Borman / "Money, Money, Money" (CC BY 2.0)

There seemed to be a deal. Several Republicans voted yes - to let Chicago Public Schools delay paying $634 million in pension money due next week.

But many suburban Democrats in potentially competitive election districts voted no and defeated the bill.

Governor Rauner’s office says Democrats voted against the bill because House Speaker Michael Madigan instructed them to.

“We don’t instruct anybody to do anything,” Madigan said.

Madigan acknowledges there was an agreement in principal with Republicans and Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

“It just didn’t get enough votes to pass,” Madigan said. “That’s the American system of government.”

Madigan says he’ll try to pass another plan next week - without giving details.

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