Mayor Rahm Emanuel says Gov. Bruce Rauner is holding Chicago students hostage for a political agenda people don't agree with.
Chicago Public Schools faces a $1 billion budget shortfall, largely due to increasing pension payments. Emanuel wants legislators to alter how pensions are funded to cut costs and make the system more equitable for Chicagoans.
Emanuel says Rauner should "get the job done" on the budget. Illinois has no budget for the fiscal year that began July 1.
Rauner's spokesman responded, saying Emanuel is "blaming others" for his unwillingness to fix city finances.
Rauner said Monday that Illinois won't help CPS avert a "crisis" unless Emanuel backs some of his agenda.
