Rauner Won't Back Off Harsh Criticism Of Chicago Schools
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Gov. Bruce Rauner is facing major criticism for calling many Chicago public schools "crumbling prisons."
As CBS 2's Jim Williams reports, the governor refuses to back down.
Chicago Schools CEO Forrest Claypool took direct aim at Rauner's comments on Tuesday.
"You may have heard yesterday that the governor called our schools prisons," Claypool said. "He doesn't know. He's ignorant. He doesn't know."
The governor's claim sparked a flurry of online objections, both Twitter and Facebook posts, from CPS teachers and parents.
Was the governor chastened? Hardly. In Bloomington today, he doubled down.
"No student, no child of Illinois should have to go to school in those facilities," he said.
Rauner said he himself had seen the bleak conditions of CPS schools. So neglected, he insists, they don't deserve a state bailout.
"I've been in dozens of them dozens and dozens, and too many of them I cry, tears come to my eyes."
"They have metal on the windows. They're dark, depressing, they're crumbling. They have metal detectors at every door and police officers and security officers everywhere."
The governor's office was asked for specific schools, the 'dark and depressing" ones.
No response.
Claypool later tried to clarify his remarks, telling reporters Governor Rauner is a smart man but ignorant of what happening in the schools.
