Rauner tries to distance himself from CPS contract scandalRauner tries to distance himself from CPS

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday sought to distance himself and a private education group he helps fund from the growing scandal over a $20.5 million no-bid contract at Chicago Public Schools that is under federal investigation.

The governor's comments were the first since it was disclosed that federal investigators have demanded Chicago Public Schools records related to the Chicago Public Education Fund, a nonprofit education group closely aligned with the education initiatives of both Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Rauner.

The scandal has focused on CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, who once worked for the Wilmette-based SUPES Academy company that received the no-bid contract to train school principals. The district announced Friday that she is taking a leave of absence.

The SUPES training program was launched with seed money from the nonprofit education fund. CPS took over and expanded the program after the first year.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-cps-contract-emanuel-rauner-met-0421-20150420-story.html#page=1

Remember all the talk during the April 7 mayoral runoff of the 1 percent vs. the 99 percent? It would be difficult to assemble a board that screams 1 percent louder than CPEF’s—from the schools its members attended to jobs held to marriages made.

Among CPEF’s board members:

Ken Griffin, CEO of Citadel, hedge fund genius, and widely reported to be “the richest man in Illinois.”

Penny Pritzker, billionaire heir to the Pritizker fortune, former member of the CPS board, now an emeritus member of the CPEF board, which she once headed as chair.

Susan Crown, principal of the family business Henry Crown and Company and chairman of the Susan Crown Exchange, “a social investment organization” with a focus on education.

Mellody Hobson, president, Ariel Investments and wife of billionaire George Lucas.
Helen Zell, philanthropist, executive director, Zell Family Foundation, and wife of real estate billionaire Sam Zell.

Jana R. Schreuder, Northern Trust Company COO—the first woman in that position—and a past Teach for American advisory board member.


http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/Felsenthal-Files/April-2015/CPS-CPEF-SUPES-Barbara-Byrd-Bennett/