"Chicago Tonight” has learned that Gov. Bruce Rauner and top Republican leaders are planning to introduce legislation aimed at an emergency financial takeover of the city of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools. This comes in light of an imminent $500 million shortfall within the Chicago Public Schools system.

The Republican leaders are set to announce the legislation tomorrow, but Paris Schutz has the exclusive information tonight.

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Sources tell “Chicago Tonight” that the governor and his top two legislative leaders – Senate minority leader Christine Radogno and House minority leader Jim Durkin will file a package of legislation Wednesday that would allow for an emergency financial oversight board appointed by the state to take over the financially strapped school district. Other legislation would allow for emergency financial oversight of the credit-beleaguered city of Chicago.

Legislation would also allow for CPS and the city of Chicago to declare bankruptcy – something by law both cannot currently do.

We’re also told that the legislation would call for an elected Chicago Public Schools board once the financial situation is remediated. This, in light of the fact that CPS has set now as a deadline to receive $500 million in relief from the state or else lay off thousands of employees, including teachers.

So far, no pink slips have gone out.

I asked the governor today if that left bankruptcy as the only other option to save the entire system from failing. The governor hinted at big new efforts at relief for CPS, but did not get into specifics.

“I’m very concerned about the trajectory of where we’re going for CPS,” Rauner said. “We are going to take action to protect the school children so they have good access to teachers, and effective children. We’re going to protect the children and the taxpayers too. We’re in heated negotiations right now. I won’t go into further detail.”

The governor went on to say he couldn’t guarantee CPS layoffs wouldn’t happen.

Neither the governor’s office or Radogno and Durkin are confirming the details of this plan. The move is not without precedent. Currently, a financial oversight panel is in charge of finances for the school districts in East St. Louis and North Chicago.

Reaction

The mayor's office slammed the proposal in a statement sent to "Chicago Tonight" from spokeswoman Kelley Quinn:

The mayor is 100 percent opposed to Gov Rauner's 'plan' to drive CPS bankrupt. If the governor was serious about helping Chicago students, he should start by proposing – and passing – a budget that fully funds education and treats CPS students like every other child in the state.”

Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool also slammed the rumored legislation. In a statement to "Chicago Tonight," he said:

The governor is defending a school funding system that is separate but unequal. Our children are facing systematic discrimination. CPS represents 20 percent of state enrollment but gets just 15 percent of state funding, even though 86 percent of our children live in poverty. “The missing 5 percent represents nearly $500 million, the exact amount of our budget gap. Our children's futures are just as important as those in the suburbs and downstate. But the state does not value them equally. “Not only that, the governor's comments are deeply irresponsible as CPS and the CTU are working feverishly to reach a deal that would cut costs while preventing midyear layoffs, and the district prepares for even deeper cuts to the bureaucracy.”

The Chicago Teachers Union also lambasted the idea of bankruptcy or a state takeover, saying that CPS should have never relied on $500 million in relief from the state. They argue that the revenue should come from the city, and from renegotiating financial swap deals with banks that cost the district hundreds of millions of dollars.

The package of legislation being floated would have to pass the Democratic-controlled General Assembly. Lawmakers are currently not scheduled to return to Springfield until next Wednesday.

Follow Paris Schutz on Twitter: @paschutz

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