Parents Give Governor, Lawmakers An F For Budget Impasse
(CBS) -- As the school year in Chicago gets ready to end, there are serious questions about whether they'll open in the fall.
The state of Illinois is a mess, setting off a last ditch effort on Monday.
CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez sat down with Gov. Bruce Rauner, who's calling parents to action.
"Progress has virtually come to a standstill," the Republican says of the continuing budget impasse with Democratic leaders.
The fiscal year is winding down without a budget deal to fund public schools.
"Schools don't open until August, and what we're asking -- hopefully all your viewers contact your state senators," Rauner says.
It's too late for that at Galapagos Charter School -- forced to close because of the financial crisis. They ran the numbers, CEO Michael Lane says, and with a 40 percent cut it would be impossible to educate children, he said.
As parents picked up final report cards, some gave the state's political leaders failing grades for disrupting their children's education.
"If you can find money for new jail cells, why not for new schools. Our kids need their education," parent Kalynda Jones says.
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan could not be found for comment.
A spokesperson said: "House Democrats continue to be part of the budget working group that is preparing the Stop Gap Budget the governor suggested a few weeks ago."
It's a stressful game of political chicken being played by the governor and Speaker Madigan. Both are holding hostage students, teachers and parents to their battle over control of state government.
The CEO at Gallapagos says more charter schools will close and the results will be devastating for Chicago students.
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, expressed frustration Monday at the continuing stalemate, as he talked with a Local School Council, CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports.
