Chicago Public Schools officials say top Republicans' proposal for a state takeover of the nation's third-largest school district is a "sideshow" to school funding formula problems in the state.
Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin pitched the takeover idea as a "lifeline" for the financially struggling school district.
Chicago officials object to the state's school funding formula, which they say is unfair. Republicans have dismissed those claims.
Schools CEO Forrest Claypool said that that the real need is to fix the school funding formula to make it more equitable.