Emanuel: Rauner Holding Students Hostage To Get His Way
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel accused Gov. Bruce Rauner of holding public school children hostage Tuesday, a day after the governor threatened to withhold state aid for the Chicago Public Schools unless the mayor helps pass his pro-business anti-union "Turnaround Agenda."
On Monday, Rauner said he was not only disappointed with Emanuel for his handling of the Laquan McDonald police shooting scandal, he also blasted the mayor for pushing for more state funding for teacher pensions in Chicago without backing Rauner's push for limits on collective bargaining and other reforms he says will benefit the state as a whole.
"For them to say, 'Hey, you owe it to us, it's Springfield's fault, pick up our pension liability, and let us kick the can and the rest of our pension liability,' No. No. Not happening. We'll work together cooperatively if the city is helping us reform the state. We'll work together to solve some problems," the governor said. "If the city is opposing reform for the state, which so far they are, or staying silent and letting the Speaker block reform, no, I'm sorry. We're not doing things to help the city of Chicago, as much as I would like to."
On Tuesday, Emanuel called that cynical, but sarcastically gave the governor points for honesty.
"At least he has said that, and he was honest, that he is going to hold the kids of the city of Chicago hostage as a pawn in that pressure. They are not a pawn in your political maneuvers," Emanuel said. "The children of the city of Chicago are not a pawn in a political game in Springfield to get an agenda done that people don't agree with."
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The mayor also blasted the governor for not having passed a state budget yet, more than six months into the state's fiscal year.
The ongoing state budget standoff has held up any chances of the city getting help from Springfield in addressing its own pension problems, including a massive shortfall for the CPS teachers' pension fund.
Last summer, the Chicago Board of Education passed a budget plan that includes a $1.1 billion shortfall, hoping state lawmakers would approve at least $480 million in pension relief for the Chicago Public Schools. Rauner has repeatedly said if Emanuel wants his help with the city's financial mess, the mayor must support his Turnaround Agenda, which would restrict labor unions' powers in Illinois.
ON Tuesday, a spokesperson for Governor Rauner said in a statement, "Governor Rauner has repeatedly tried to help the families of Chicago by offering the City massive assistance but the Mayor refuses to stand with the Governor to help save Chicago."
