Rauner says Chicago Teachers Union shouldn't have 'dictatorial powers' over finances

Source: Chicago Tribune

By Rick Pearson

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday called the release of Chicago Public Schools’ deficit-ridden budget a “significant step in the process of acknowledging and accepting” the union-weakening provisions he wants in the collective bargaining process.

“The power of the teachers union has been overwhelming. Chicago has given and given and given. It’s created a financial crisis that the Chicago schools face now,” Rauner told reporters outside his 16th floor office in the James R. Thompson Center hours after CPS officials released a new spending plan that counts on $480 million in pension help from Rauner and the General Assembly that so far hasn’t gone anywhere.

“We believe the right answer is to empower: The people of Chicago, the voters of Chicago, the mayor of Chicago, the school board of the Chicago Public Schools should be enabled to decide what gets collectively bargained and what doesn’t so they don’t end up with the teachers union having dictatorial powers, in effect and causing the financial duress that Chicago public schools are facing right now.”

Rauner restated his belief that changes in collective bargaining should be statewide, and not just for Chicago, if there’s an attempt to alleviate CPS’ cash crunch for the coming school year.

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