Emanuel Protests State Plan For Education Cuts
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Top Illinois House leaders are proposing a big cut in education spending in the coming fiscal year.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Bob Roberts reports, Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel is not happy.
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Gov. Pat Quinn hopes to increase education spending statewide by $225 million. But Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Plainfield) are backing a proposal that would cut at least $200 million from the education budget, with Chicago taking a hit of $40 million to $60 million.
Emanuel is coming out strongly against the plan.
"One mayor at a time, but they know my interests as it relates to the schools; our responsibility for education," Emanuel said. "CPS – the Chicago Public Schools – are already facing a difficult budget, and it doesn't need to be made more difficult," Emanuel said.
Emanuel says he has not gotten a chance to see the nuts and bolts of the Madigan-Cross plan, but he intends to do so.
